The choice to wait until after the New Year was because the truth was too devastating. If Lan Shu were told now, she might not be able to enjoy the festivities.
The car drove slowly. As they traveled, Lan Shu couldn't help but furrow her brow. "This isn't the way to the old residence. Where are you taking me?"
"To meet someone," Meng Jingwei said with a smile.
"What's so mysterious about it?" Lan Shu found it amusing. She tucked a strand of her short hair behind her ear, adjusted her windbreaker, and leaned back in her seat, glancing out the window.
The former Shu Yao had been frank, lively, kind, and gentle. Now, not only had she changed her name, but her personality was also vastly different from before.
The car exited the city and stopped outside a residential complex.
Meng Jingwei opened the trunk and took out some children's items. Qing Muye helped carry some things, and the three of them entered the complex together.
On the third floor of Unit 4, Building 12, Qing Muye stepped forward and knocked on the door.
Knock, knock, knock—
A moment later, the door opened, and a middle-aged couple appeared.
The couple glanced at the three people standing at the door and then smiled warmly. "Oh, you're here! Come in, come in! It's chilly outside."
"Uncle, Auntie, Happy New Year," Meng Jingwei said as she walked in, placing the items in the entryway.
Qing Muye and Lan Shu followed, both changing their shoes in the entryway.
Once inside, Lan Shu noticed a child, about two years old, in the living room.
The child's features were somewhat familiar. Moreover, when Lan Shu saw the little one, he grinned at her, giggling, his incredibly cute and charming smile very healing.
She felt an inexplicable fondness for the little tot.
"Happy New Year," Qing Muye nodded slightly, offering a polite greeting.
The couple closed the living room door and gestured towards the sofa. "Mr. and Mrs., why didn't you let us know you were coming today? Please, have a seat. The house is a mess, we haven't had time to tidy up. Please excuse us."
"We were just passing by, wanted to see Chen Chen," Meng Jingwei replied with a smile. "Don't be too formal, don't mind us."
The middle-aged couple nodded and busied themselves offering them tea, water, and fruit.
Qing Muye sat on the sofa, making small talk with them, while Meng Jingwei took Lan Shu's hand and led her to the little one sitting in a walker. "Chen Chen, look who Auntie brought!"
She released Lan Shu's hand, leaned down, and lifted Chen Chen out of the walker, turning him to face Lan Shu.
Lan Shu's gaze settled on the child. From the first moment she saw Chen Chen upon entering, she had felt an inexplicable connection to him.
At this moment, she had likely guessed what was happening.
"His name is Chen Chen, and his full name is Shu Chen. He was rescued after many difficulties," Meng Jingwei said, looking down at the well-behaved and adorable little boy in her arms. "Qing Si Huai used Chen Chen as leverage to threaten you many times. For the child's safety, your biological parents had no choice but to give him away. I brought him back after I found out and have been keeping him in Lancheng."
The most dangerous place was the safest place.
Only by raising him under Qing Si Huai's nose would he not notice the child's existence.
Lan Shu stared blankly at Chen Chen, her hands by her sides clenching nervously. She felt a bit lost. "He... he's my child?"
Meng Jingwei nodded and said to the little one, "Chen Chen, this is your Mommy. Say 'Mama~'."
The innocent, unaware little one wore a festive red cartoon hat, with a fluffy white ball at the tip, making his cheeks appear even more rosy and fair, his eyes bright and adorable.