"Don't worry too much about me," Qing Muye said, gently stroking her dark hair, a sense of reluctance welling up in his heart as if facing a farewell.
Afterward, they nestled together, neither of them speaking.
Outside the window, the sky was overcast, giving even the early morning an oppressive feeling of dark clouds gathering.
It seemed like a storm was brewing.
Having not seen each other for a long time, they naturally indulged in a bit of sleep, only to realize it was already half-past ten in the morning when they finally got up.
"Are you two finally willing to get out of bed?"
In the living room, Shen Liannuo clicked her tongue as she saw them come down. "I thought you wouldn't want to get up, busy trying for a third child." She leaned on the sofa, holding little Princess Yi Yi, playfully amusing the child until she giggled.
"No boyfriend, feeling envious?" Meng Jingwei teased Shen Liannuo without politeness, sitting down beside her. "Yi Yi, come, Mommy's arms." She took little Yi Yi from Shen Liannuo's embrace and kissed her cheek. "Did you miss Mommy?"
"Tch, stealing someone else's joy." Shen Liannuo shot Meng Jingwei a glare. "I'll go hug Xiao Hang Hang." With that, she stood up and walked towards Du Juan. "Auntie, here, let me hold him for a bit."
Du Juan, along with Meng Tianhua and his wife, had been getting along well with Shen Liannuo for some time. They all greatly admired Shen Liannuo's lively and forthright personality, feeling that her character was quite similar to their own daughter's.
Moreover, since Meng Jingwei and Shen Liannuo were good friends, the elder couple naturally felt affection for Shen Liannuo as well.
But just as Shen Liannuo bent down to hug Yi Hang, Old Madam Qing suddenly ran over. "Get out of the way, get out of the way, I'm the only one who can hold my grandson." She took Xiao Hang from Du Juan's arms and spoke softly, "Little Muye, do you miss Grandma? You little rascal, grow up quickly."
Old Madam Qing's Alzheimer's had flared up again, causing her to mistake Yi Hang for a young Qing Muye.
The others watched as the usually dignified and noble Old Madam Qing, unable to help themselves, let out a sigh, their hearts filled with more helplessness and heartache.
Qing Muye walked towards Old Madam Qing. "Here, give the child to me."
He was worried that Old Madam Qing might not be able to hold Xiao Hang steadily, potentially injuring the little one.
Old Madam Qing was taken aback when she saw him approaching. Then, her eyes reddened. Holding the child with one arm, she struck Qing Muye's chest with the other. "You unfilial son, you actually remember to come back? Do you even consider this place home? Muye, you say you won't take care of things, and that's it? How could I have given birth to such an ungrateful thing like you, causing suffering to this child Muye. I'll beat you to death, beat you to death!"
Her fists landed on Qing Muye one after another. Old Madam Qing mistook Qing Muye for Qing Kangyu, but it was clear from her words that her affection and concern for Qing Muye were genuine.
The scene brought a pang of sadness to everyone.
Especially Qing Muye, who, though not good with words, felt he owed Old Madam Qing the most. However, he didn't know how to express that deep affection.
"I'm here. I won't leave again," Qing Muye said, carefully taking Xiao Hang from Old Madam Qing's arms.
"Wuwuwu..." Old Madam Qing hugged Qing Muye tightly. "It's good you're not leaving, it's good. Mom can't bear to let you go, Kangyu, wuwuwu..."
Perhaps due to the appearance of Qing Kangyu, Old Madam Qing's emotions had been unstable lately. She held Qing Muye and wept uncontrollably.
This scene made the couple Meng Tianhua and Du Juan's noses sting with heartache.
"Alas, Grandma Qing is so pitiful," Shen Liannuo said, resting her head on Meng Jingwei's shoulder. "Will I be like this when I'm old?"
"No," Meng Jingwei replied resolutely.
"Who knows for sure," she sighed. "Promise me, if one day I become like Old Madam Qing, please send me back to the Hidden Clan."
"And also!" she continued. "If I die, send my ashes back to the Hidden Clan and give them to He Ka Yanyi."