As Jiang Siyun chatted, she mentioned missing Meng Yuan.
Unaware of the reason, Jiang Siyun's casual remark instantly cast an eerie atmosphere over the hall.
He Mingrun's heart ached. Yuan Yuan's promised surprise was just days away, and in a few more days, Yuan Yuan would be back.
Although they had been chatting these past few days, their conversations had been brief. Either she was busy, or he was in a meeting.
Jiang Nuan watched He Mingrun's troubled expression for a moment before explaining to her little darling, "Sweetie, your Aunt Meng went to Modu and will be back in a few days."
"Oh! We also have school break in half a month, so I'll often come over to play with Yun Qing then." Jiang Siyun tilted her head, thinking about Yun Qing's cute little face. As an older sister, she was very proud.
The little girl, whom they hadn't seen in a while, had grown even more beautiful as her features developed further.
Mu Jiuchen couldn't help but embrace his little princess, smiling dotingly, "Do you like Yun Qing that much?"
Jiang Siyun nodded quickly, "Daddy, I like her! But I'm meeting Yingying tomorrow, so I can't see my little brother."
Jiang Siyun looked a bit troubled. "I have to visit great-grandpa in the afternoon, and great-grandma and grandma the day after. Then the holiday will be over."
Mu Jiuchen ruffled his daughter's head. Children had their own set of worries.
"Daddy's off these few days, I'll take you all." His loving and doting voice warmed Jiang Siyun's heart.
"Okay!" Jiang Siyun smiled and nodded happily. They were very happy now.
Everyone waited for Li Yunqing to wake up. After playing with the little one for half an hour, they left when the little one fell asleep again.
Li Yunqing's arrival had brought them much joy, making them forget some of the unpleasantness that had occurred earlier.
The group left together. He Mingrun said goodbye to Mu Jiuchen's family and departed.
Back in the car, he sent Meng Yuan a photo of Yun Qing.
[Yuan Yuan, the little one is very cute.]
Meng Yuan was dining at a hotel. Xia Xia's delivery had been reported to her by Jiang Nuan that day. As Jiang Nuan had said, it was a big baby boy.
Meng Yuan smiled happily and looked at her own belly. She knew that He Mingrun would also be a good father.
[Mingrun, do you like children?]
He Mingrun: [I do. Yuan Yuan, our child will definitely be even more beautiful!]
Meng Yuan couldn't help but smile when she saw this message. This man was truly adorable sometimes. She asked, [How do you know?]
He Mingrun: [My Yuan Yuan is very beautiful, and I am very handsome. Of course, our child will be beautiful.]
Across the screen, Meng Yuan could feel He Mingrun's doting affection and his slight arrogance.
Her affairs here were almost settled, and she missed him dearly.
[Mingrun, I'll be back the day after tomorrow.]
He Mingrun's hand trembled as he held his phone upon seeing this message. She was finally willing to return to his side.
He quickly typed out a message.
[Yuan Yuan, I miss you so much!] Without her, he couldn't sleep at night. As soon as he closed his eyes, all he saw were Meng Yuan's expressions. Her temper wasn't the best, nor was she the gentlest, but she was the personality he liked very much. She wasn't overly aggressive, yet she was just the right amount of gentle.
Meng Yuan ate the fried egg and took a sip of milk before replying to his message, [Remember the surprise I told you about? Don't be too surprised then.]
He Mingrun's eyes widened in excitement, his hand shaking as he gripped his phone. He wanted to be by her side that very night, but fearing for her safety, he forced himself to hold back.
He replied, [Remember to tell me your flight details when you get here, and I'll pick you up.]
Meng Yuan: [Okay! I'm going to get some sleep. I'll find you tonight!]
He Mingrun: [Okay!]
He breathed a sigh of relief. Thinking about it, the house was a bit messy lately, so he needed to clean it up. He also needed to buy some more clothes for Yuan Yuan.
Exhausted from his business trip, he suddenly felt no fatigue.
He drove home, preparing to welcome his beloved woman home.
After coaxing the child to sleep, Li Qingshuo went upstairs to check on Yun Xia, who was recuperating.
Yun Xia was asleep. Her complexion had been excellent these past few days, her face rosy and radiant, looking incredibly captivating.
It was the middle of winter, and Yun Xia couldn't be exposed to the wind. Li Qingshuo constantly instructed the confinement nurse to monitor the room temperature, ensuring Yun Xia was not chilled.
After watching Yun Xia for a while, he lowered his head and kissed her forehead involuntarily before getting up to leave.
Outside the door, Jiang Qin was waiting for her son. Seeing him emerge, she looked at Yun Xia's room for a moment and said, "Qingshuo, come with Mom. Mom has something to tell you."
Li Qingshuo had intended to go to his study to sort out Tang Keke's affairs. Jiang Nuan had given him a USB drive when she left.
However, he had a rough idea of what his mother wanted to say.
Entering the room, Jiang Qin smiled. Looking at her outstanding son, she couldn't help but feel proud. Although her marriage was unhappy, she had a filial and sensible son.
"Qingshuo, Mom really likes Xia Xia. She's gentle yet not weak; such a girl is very suitable for you. Seeing you get along so well makes Mom very happy. But Qingshuo, since you've set your heart on her, don't let her down. Treat her well, okay?"
Li Qingshuo smiled and retorted, "Mom, have you seen me do something wrong? I've always been sincere with Xia Xia, right from the beginning. But Xia Xia needs time. Let's wait until she's out of her confinement period."
The woman he, Li Qingshuo, had chosen, he would naturally protect with his life.
"Yes! Mom believes you are a good man and won't be a scoundrel like your father. A woman's youth is fleeting. After having children, she won't have much freedom. Even the most ruthless mother will dedicate herself entirely to her children. Qingshuo, you must be grateful."
Jiang Qin's intention was to say these things to her son. Although her marriage had been a failure, she had always diligently guided her child, nurturing him into a good child with sound values, a sense of justice, kindness, and bravery.
Men, in the end, were just an added burden.
In the eyes of an unloving man, a wife was merely like a servant.
But she absolutely would not allow her son to become such a person.
Li Qingshuo felt pity for his mother's life. Her marriage had brought her no happiness, but she felt happy because of him. He smiled and nodded, "Mom, you are both the women I love most."
"You..." Jiang Qin smiled and turned to leave.
Only then did Li Qingshuo return to his study. Thinking about his mother's words, he felt very good.
Thinking of Yun Xia and his son, he felt like the happiest man in the world.
He was willing to wait for Xia Xia too. These past few days, Xia Xia's gaze whenever she looked at him was different from before.
He knew that eventually, he would win his way into her heart.
He opened his laptop and inserted the USB drive. Upon seeing the video on the drive, his expression changed dramatically.