Jin Xiaoxi jumped out of bed and quickly grabbed Shao Lin's arm. "You, don't be like this."
Shao Lin, her eyes blurry with tears, hugged Jin Xiaoxi and cried heartbrokenly, "Baby, Mommy is sorry to you."
Jin Xiaoxi was clearly a little flustered. Last night, Shao Lin had told him about his origins.
He thought he would be resistant, but when she hugged him, it magically eased his pain.
He felt warmth and acceptance, very similar to how Aunt Su Ding used to hug him.
Seeing his son's reaction, Jin Ye's eyes sharpened with shock. xxs壹贰
Jin Xiaoxi looked up at him, "Dad, is it true?"
Jin Ye didn't speak.
Seeing his reaction, Jin Xiaoxi's doubts gradually solidified.
Why could Shao Lin stay by his father's side for five years without being driven away...
Why did so many people say Shao Lin's father's fiancée...
Why did Grandma try so hard to match them...
So, it was all true.
Shao Lin directly embraced Jin Xiaoxi again. "Xiaoxi, Mom really loves you. Mom had no choice."
Jin Xiaoxi instinctively felt some resistance, but when she embraced him.
He unconsciously reached out his small hand and hugged Shao Lin back.
"Don't cry," he whispered, "I understand."
Su Ding's tears welled up, her nose felt sore and uncomfortable, and her heart ached as if being cut with a knife. She clenched her fists and took a deep breath.
She should have expected this day.
She needed to stay calm.
Madam Jin walked in slowly. "Xiaoxi, from now on, call Shao Lin Auntie Mom, and call Su Ding Auntie, understand?"
Su Ding looked at Jin Xiaoxi, and Jin Xiaoxi saw sadness in her eyes.
Impulsively, he pushed Shao Lin away and ran to hug her.
"Mom, don't be sad, I, I just..."
Jin Xiaoxi wanted to explain, but he was young and didn't know what he wanted to express.
He had learned yesterday that his birth mother was Shao Lin. She claimed that Mom had stolen Dad. He didn't want to believe it, but after spending time with her last night, he couldn't control his instinctive need for attachment.
He liked having Shao Lin around.
But seeing Mom Su Ding there, he felt like he was betraying her.
He felt conflicted and didn't know how to act.
Su Ding's suppressed grievances finally broke down. She hugged Jin Xiaoxi tightly, burying her face in his shoulder.
She cried silently for tens of seconds.
She raised her head, forcing a gentle smile. "You don't need to be troubled. I respect you, my child. I'm going to work now."
With that, she turned and left, fleeing in a hurry.
Behind her, Shao Lin's lips curved into a triumphant smile. What that person said was indeed true.
Even though she had forced herself to swallow the disgusting蛊虫 (gu worm) with disgust, she hadn't expected it to work so well, even making Jin Xiaoxi, who had disliked her for years, show her favor.
What if she could make Jin Ye ingest it?
At this thought, her expression of smugness and anticipation became even more evident.
...
Su Ding left the room and hurried downstairs.
As she ran, her suppressed grief and pain were released, making her feel much better.
She had rehearsed this scene countless times in her mind.
But facing it in person, she still couldn't hold on.
"Su Ding!"
Jin Ye called her from behind. She paused and turned around. "I'm fine, I'm going to the set."
Jin Ye placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her around, looking down at her. "Don't overthink it. The child knows you care about him."
Su Ding forced a smile. "I know."
"If you don't want to smile, don't," Jin Ye lightly tapped her forehead and gently stroked her hair. "Let's go, I'll give you a ride."
He took her hand.
Su Ding felt the warmth and acceptance in his palm, and the discomfort in her heart lessened.
She hadn't seen him in a long time. Last night, he had suddenly returned and disturbed her.
They hadn't had a proper conversation.
She tried to hide her recent sadness, asking, "Why did you suddenly come back last night? Did things over there get resolved?"
"Mm, I missed you, so I came back early."
Jin Ye was direct with his sweet talk, as if commenting on the nice weather. His face showed little emotion.
Su Ding remembered what Jiang Jiayi had said, and she felt a little concerned.
She hesitated for a moment, then decided not to ask further. She just reminded him, "When you're busy in the future, you must call. You were too distant recently, and I wasn't comfortable."
"Okay," Jin Ye squeezed her palm. "I understand."
Su Ding nodded. "Regarding Xiaoxi's situation, don't force him. Just listen to the child and let things happen naturally, after all, she is his mother."
Jin Ye couldn't help but frown. "Mm."
He had a vague feeling that once Shao Lin gained Xiaoxi's approval, there would be even more trouble ahead.