"Who says she's the one I love, who says I care about her..."
Before Chen Ma could finish her rebuttal, Qin Tianyi yawned and said, "Young Master, I should go rest. Remember to apologize to the Young Madam tomorrow. There are no overnight grudges between husband and wife."
"What apology..." Qin Tianyi was about to retort when she had already left the study, closing the door behind him.
Qin Tianyi was surprised that Chen Ma, who had always been loyal and obedient, was now siding with Gu Susu. Angrily, he snatched the doctor's examination report from the desk, feeling a dull ache in his heart.
He had thought that retaliating against her like this would relieve his anger, but instead of feeling relieved, his mood had turned for the worse. He crumpled the report in his hand and threw it into the trash can.
...
After this, they fell into another cold war. Or rather, it wasn't just a cold war; Gu Susu was deliberately avoiding him.
Even when Xiao Xingxing was around, she would find excuses not to accompany him in playing with Xiao Xingxing, only seeking opportunities to spend time with Xiao Xingxing alone.
Fortunately, Qin Tianyi didn't come to her room to look for her anymore. He maintained his usual cold and indifferent demeanor, as if nothing had happened.
However, Gu Susu couldn't forget how terrifying he was. Two weeks had passed, and she could still feel the pain from her injuries.
It was New Year's Eve again. Night had fallen, and Qin Tianyi had not returned.
Chen Ma and Xiao Mei had prepared a table full of New Year's Eve dinner. Gu Susu, with Xiao Xingxing, sat around the table, contemplating what excuse to use to avoid Qin Tianyi when he returned.
But Chen Ma received a call from Qin Tianyi, saying he wouldn't be back for New Year's Eve dinner.
Gu Susu saw the disappointed expression on Chen Ma's face but felt relieved. She smiled at Chen Ma and said, "If he's not coming back, we can still eat by ourselves. You and Xiao Mei should also sit down. You've worked hard all year, let's celebrate together."
Xiao Xingxing, hearing that Qin Tianyi wasn't coming back for dinner, also looked disappointed. He drooped his face and asked, "Mom, the kindergarten teacher said that on New Year's Eve, every family should gather for dinner. Why isn't Dad coming back? Doesn't he want to reunite with us?"
"He's busy with work. It's the same with Mom accompanying you," Gu Susu gently stroked Xiao Xingxing's head and then looked at Xiao Mei, saying, "And Sister Xiao Mei is here to accompany you. Xiao Mei, please sit down quickly."
Xiao Mei nodded at Xiao Xingxing and was about to sit down, but she hesitated and looked at Chen Ma.
Chen Ma, wanting to maintain the master-servant etiquette, shook her head at Gu Susu and said, "Young Madam, this isn't quite right. Let's gather with Xiao Lin to eat later."
Upon hearing this, Gu Susu quickly said, "Then let's call Xiao Lin too. I didn't know he was here tonight. It was thanks to him risking his life to save me last time."
Chen Ma hesitated and said, "This..."
"Chen Ma, please don't talk about rules anymore. What era is this? Besides, if Tianyi isn't here, and we all eat our New Year's Eve dinners separately, it will be too lonely. New Year should be happy and lively." Gu Susu tried her best to persuade her.
Xiao Mei nodded repeatedly. Chen Ma smiled after hearing this and no longer stood on ceremony, sitting down. She said to Xiao Mei, "Go call Xiao Lin, and bring that bottle of red wine we prepared."
Xiao Mei happily responded and quickly ran to call Xiao Lin.
As soon as everyone was seated, firecrackers sounded outside. Looking through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the dining room, they saw brilliant fireworks blooming. Everyone truly felt the festive atmosphere of the New Year.
"Mom, I want to go out and set off fireworks too," Xiao Xingxing excitedly wanted to run to the garden.
Gu Susu held him back and said, "Wait, after dinner, Mom will go with you to set off fireworks."
"Yes, yes, Young Master, eat first," Chen Ma chimed in.
Gu Susu smiled at everyone and said, "Let's start eating. Don't be shy. Everyone has worked hard this year."
Without Qin Tianyi present, everyone was relaxed. They had a New Year's Eve dinner filled with laughter and conversation.
Gu Susu hadn't had New Year's Eve dinner with so many people for a long time. For the two years she had been away, she had spent the New Year quietly with Xiao Xingxing.
Every year during the New Year, she would decorate their rental apartment, cook Xiao Xingxing's favorite dishes, and prepare small gifts for him. But on New Year's Eve, the two of them always felt desolate and lonely, not as lively as the landlord's family next door.
With Chen Ma and Xiao Mei entertaining him, Xiao Xingxing ate happily and quickly forgot his disappointment about Qin Tianyi not returning.
After dinner, Gu Susu accompanied Xiao Xingxing to set off fireworks, and they had a lot of fun.
Back in the room, Gu Susu saw it was almost ten o'clock and wanted Xiao Xingxing to go to bed, but he insisted on staying up.
Unable to refuse Xiao Xingxing, she sat with him on the living room sofa watching television.
Xiao Xingxing watched the gala on television while occasionally looking towards the main door, still hoping Qin Tianyi would return.
When the clock struck twelve, Xiao Xingxing finally couldn't hold on any longer. Rubbing his sleepy eyes, he leaned against her and fell asleep.
Chen Ma was also still awake, keeping watch in the living room. Seeing that Xiao Xingxing had fallen asleep, she brought a blanket and covered him, sighing, "It's so late, why isn't the Young Master back yet? He's not even spending the New Year with you and the child."
"It's okay, he might be busy with important matters," Gu Susu said nonchalantly, picking up Xiao Xingxing. "I'll put him to bed in his room."
Chen Ma nodded and watched Gu Susu's slightly strenuous figure carrying the young master upstairs, shaking her head and muttering, "Alas, what kind of situation is this? Poor little young master."
Gu Susu gently placed Xiao Xingxing on the bed in the children's room. Looking at his sleeping face, she smiled and thought that the child was getting heavier. In a few more days, she might not be able to carry him anymore.
She carefully replaced the blanket on him with a quilt, tucked him in, turned on the bedside lamp, and then tiptoed out of the children's room, closing the door softly.
When she returned to the living room and turned off the television, the entire villa fell silent.
Chen Ma, being older, couldn't stay up any longer and went back to her room to sleep.
However, Gu Susu still had no intention of sleeping. She sat on the sofa with her laptop, but she had no mind to design. Gazing at the dark night outside the floor-to-ceiling window, she felt an emptiness in her heart.
Since leaving the orphanage, she had been like a rootless duckweed, drifting in the water, enduring wind and rain, and never having a stable home.
When she felt particularly desolate, Qin Tianyi's image came to mind. But a man like him, who was overbearing, dictatorial, and heartless, could not treat her as an equal, nor could they live together in love and devotion.
She sighed, unwilling to think about it anymore. She opened her laptop and browsed the web casually. Suddenly, she remembered the QQ account that Chang Qingchuan had contacted her on and felt that she should send him a New Year's greeting.
Previously, thanks to Chang Qingchuan informing her about the Qin Group and Mishang Company through QQ, she had learned about the tremendous changes that had occurred in the Qin family.
As soon as she sent her greeting message on QQ, the other party quickly replied with blessings.