Jin Ye looked at Su Ding, seeing that her expression was a little dejected and sad.
He asked in a deep voice, "What's going on?"
Su Ding took a deep breath, trying to act as if nothing major had happened, and smiled, "It's nothing, Shao Lin is taking care of Xiao Xi."
She selfishly wished Xiao Xi wouldn't get close to Shao Lin, but her sense of morality wouldn't allow her to think that way.
After all, she was Xiao Xi's biological mother.
As a stepmother, and a woman with grievances against the biological mother, what right did she have to expect the child to lean towards her?
Even if not now, the truth would be revealed one day.
How could they continue to interact...
Su Ding bit her lip, forcing herself not to be too sad, but her heart felt a chill.
Seeing her in this state, Madam Jin's previous anger was all unleashed.
She smiled triumphantly, "Su Ding, you can leave if you're fine."
"I still need to see Xiao Xi," Su Ding clenched her fists, her tone displeased.
"Xiao Xi doesn't need you. His father and mother are both here now, don't you feel superfluous? If you really want your child, go back and find your daughter."
"Since Xiao Xi calls me mother, I have an obligation to care about his condition."
Su Ding's voice was icy, her tone no longer polite.
Madam Jin sneered, "Interfering in someone else's family and speaking so nobly, it's laughable."
"Mom, Su Ding is my wife," Jin Ye interrupted with a stern face.
"What wife or no wife, I don't acknowledge it," Madam Jin said angrily.
At this moment, Shao Lin walked out of Jin Xiao Xi's room.
"Jin Ge, Sister, you're here?" Shao Lin's sleepy face showed joy, and she ran downstairs, her attitude very enthusiastic.
"Lin Lin, why are you up?" Madam Jin's expression softened considerably.
"Auntie, Xiao Xi said he was hungry, so I came down to ask the auntie to make something to eat," Shao Lin linked her arm to Madam Jin's in a charming manner, then looked at Jin Ye and Su Ding.
Jin Ye completely ignored Shao Lin, taking Su Ding's hand and going upstairs.
Shao Lin's eyes were full of disappointment, and she looked at their retreating backs with a wronged and pitiful expression, pursing her lips, not daring to speak.
This pitiable appearance in Madam Jin's eyes only made her feel more sympathetic.
"Lin Lin, don't be wronged, you have me to back you up, let's go upstairs," Madam Jin patted Shao Lin's hand, increasingly certain that she preferred this daughter-in-law.
Not fighting for anything, and also kind and gentle.
So much better than that cold, unmannered woman of low birth!
Shao Lin looked at her gratefully, "Auntie..."
Madam Jin directly pulled her upstairs.
After Jin Ye and Su Ding entered Jin Xiao Xi's room, they saw his small face was flushed and his spirits were good. He was surprised to see them enter.
"Dad," Jin Xiao Xi called out, his gaze fell on Su Ding, and after a few seconds of hesitation, "Mom..."
Su Ding clearly felt a difference. The way Xiao Xi looked at her had changed.
It had become distant, much more estranged.
Her palms felt a little sweaty. She forced a smile, as if nothing had happened, and walked to the bedside. Just as she was about to take his hand, she saw Xiao Xi pull away.
Jin Xiao Xi shifted his gaze and said somewhat unnaturally, "Mom, I don't feel bad anymore."
Su Ding's heart felt as if it had been fiercely stabbed. She forced a smile that was even uglier than crying, "That's good, that's good."
Seeing Su Ding unhappy made Jin Xiao Xi feel distressed. He reached out his small hand and held Su Ding's, weakly calling out, "Mom."
At this moment, Shao Lin's voice interrupted him.
"Xiao Xi," Shao Lin walked over with a smile, glanced at Su Ding, and called out, "Sister."
She subtly nudged Su Ding, then sat down by the bed herself.
"Xiao Xi was very good last night. After taking his medicine, he lay in Mom's arms and listened to Mom tell stories," Shao Lin said gently.
"Shao Lin, mind your words," Jin Ye strode forward and warned in a cold voice.
"Jin Ge, I'm sorry. I held Xiao Xi last night, and I really couldn't help but tell the truth. I... I'm sorry," Shao Lin released Xiao Xi's hand and knelt on the ground.
"I'm willing to return the five million to you. At the time, at the time, I didn't want to make a deal with you, but I had to give up Xiao Xi for my father's company..."
"I regret it, I know it's all my fault, I'll bear all the consequences myself. Even if I lose everything, I'll return the money to you. I just want to acknowledge my son."
Jin Ye's face turned frighteningly dark.
From the beginning, he had been very resistant to the idea of having that night with Shao Lin. He didn't want to mention it, and he warned everyone not to bring it up, but now Shao Lin had said it all.
He clenched his fists, not expecting Shao Lin to ever go back on her word.
"That's enough, Lin Lin. You don't need to return the five million. I've seen all the good you've done for me and Xiao Ye over the years. You were forced to do it for your family back then."
Madam Jin spoke forcefully, clearly intending to support Shao Lin.
Su Ding's eyes were fixed on Jin Xiao Xi, her heart trembling uncontrollably. The feeling of being on the verge of losing her closeness with Xiao Xi was excruciating.
She truly regarded Xiao Xi as her own child.
She really didn't want them to turn against each other and become cold and distant!