Xue Kai was still angry that Xue Jingrui had suddenly brought back a child, causing his wife to suspect him.
"Dad, it's mainly because he was crying so hard," Qi Ji said, feeling sorry for Xue Jingrui when she heard Xue Kai scolding him, and couldn't help but explain on his behalf.
"Don't worry, Qi Ji," Ye Rong was secretly pleased. Her daughter-in-law speaking up for her son showed that they had a good relationship. Naturally, as a mother, she was happy to see her son and daughter-in-law getting along well.
Ye Rong held Qi Ji's hand, feeling more and more delighted the longer she looked at her. She really had good judgment in choosing such a wonderful daughter-in-law for Xue Jingrui - obedient, beautiful, and even fulfilling her dream of having a daughter.
"Old Xue, what do you think we should do about this situation? The child needs somewhere to go," Ye Rong said.
"Where are Qi Yan and her mother?" Xue Kai asked.
"We don't know for sure, but I heard that someone came to take away the Qi family's house this morning," Ye Rong replied.
"Oh, and I heard that an ambulance came to our courtyard this morning."
"The sister's mother fainted when she saw me. The sister called 120, and then they left," the boy suddenly chimed in from the side.
The four adults didn't know what to say for a moment, realizing that even this young child understood that someone had fainted upon seeing him.
"Well, you must be in third or fourth grade by now, so you probably understand quite a bit. You should also know about your situation," Xue Kai began, but was suddenly nudged by Ye Rong.
"Be gentle, he's still a child," Ye Rong whispered in Xue Kai's ear.
"You should know that your father made a mistake, and mistakes naturally have consequences. Your mother's departure is also human nature, but you are innocent. The fact that your mother told you to find the Qi family shows she thought they could raise you, but as you've seen, they fainted when you arrived. So, I'll give you two choices. Do you want to hear them?"
The boy nodded.
"One, I can have someone take you to the hospital to continue looking for the Qi family. Two, I can help you choose a welfare institute. I know you're innocent, but you still have a blood relation to Qi Shengwu. Sometimes in life, we face situations beyond our control that we can't escape, and we have to go through various hardships. Do you understand? You've done nothing wrong, but there are some consequences you may have to bear."
Xue Kai said this to Qi Yang, unsure if the 9-year-old boy in front of him could truly understand. The other three adults were all waiting for the boy's answer.
"Uncle, please send me to the welfare institute. My father's mistakes have nothing to do with me, and I don't want to have a father who makes mistakes," the boy said firmly, as if making the biggest decision of his life.
"Alright. It's lunchtime now, so have a meal here first. Someone will come to pick you up after lunch."
"Jingrui, put on a cartoon for him to watch, then come with me to the study."
Xue Kai went upstairs.
After turning on the TV and putting on a cartoon, Xue Jingrui followed Xue Kai upstairs.
In the living room, only Ye Rong and Qi Ji remained.
Fearing that the boy might feel uncomfortable with them there, Ye Rong took Qi Ji to a nearby bedroom.
"Qi Ji, it's been a long time since I've seen you. How are you? Jingrui hasn't been bullying you, has he?"
Qi Ji noticed that her mother-in-law always asked if Jingrui was bullying her.
"No, Brother Jingrui is very good to me and takes good care of me. Thank you for your concern, Mom."
"Don't say thank you. He's your husband, and he should take care of you. You've come all the way from Yang City to marry him. If he doesn't take care of you, who will? Qi Ji, if he ever bullies you, you must tell me. I'll teach him a lesson for you."
"Okay."
"What would you like to eat? I'll ask the housekeeper to make it."
"Anything is fine with me."
"I've realized that you're so much easier to feed than Jingrui. He's such a picky eater."
Ye Rong was pointing out her son's shortcomings.
Qi Ji smiled along with her.
"By the way, how have you been feeling lately?"
"I'm doing well. I went to the hospital for a check-up recently, and the doctor said everything was normal."
At the mention of the hospital, Ye Rong's heart skipped a beat.
"Was it because you weren't feeling well, or just a routine check-up?" Ye Rong asked, a bit nervously, her question tinged with caution.
"It was a prenatal check-up, Mom. I have a baby in my tummy now," Qi Ji said softly, a bit shy.
"What?"
The joy came so suddenly that Ye Rong could hardly speak.
"Qi Ji, are you saying you're going to be a mother, and I'm going to be a grandmother?" Ye Rong asked again.
"Yes, Mom, you're going to be a grandmother."
Ye Rong looked at Qi Ji's stomach, which was flat and showed no sign of pregnancy.
"How far along are you?"
"The doctor said almost a month."
"That far already."
Ye Rong couldn't resist touching Qi Ji's belly.
"Qi Ji, why don't you and Jingrui move back here to live? I'm worried he won't take good care of you."
Qi Ji...
She seemed to have anticipated this outcome.
"Mom, I..."
"It's decided then. You'll move back, and I won't go to work anymore. I'll stay home every day to take care of you and my chubby grandson."
"Mom, the baby might be a girl."
"Qi Ji likes little girls?"
Qi Ji nodded.
"What a coincidence, Mom likes girls too. When I was pregnant with Jingrui, I hoped every day that he would be a girl. But he turned out to be a boy. At that time, I wanted to have another one, but your father was at the peak of his career. The policy didn't allow it, so I didn't."
"Mom likes girls too?"
"Yes, girls are so soft and sweet. How nice. Unlike Jingrui, who was such a handful as a child, always coming home covered in dirt."
Qi Ji imagined the baby in her belly being a girl, and buying all sorts of little dresses for her. The thought alone made her happy.
"Mom, I've already found a future son-in-law."
"Oh, so quick? Who is it?"
"It's Sister Shen Yin's baby. He's two years old this year, very handsome, well-behaved, and sensible."
"Good. Xiuhe is Jingrui's good friend. This way, we'll keep it all in the family."
Ye Rong didn't object at all. She felt that arranged marriages weren't necessarily bad. After all, Jingrui and Qi Ji were about to have a child now, weren't they? The main thing was knowing the family background and being well-matched. With time, feelings would naturally develop.
Isn't love always cultivated through spending time together?
At Qinghe Villa, Shen Yin was indeed busy, spending the weekend taking the little girls and Zheng Zheng to build their strength and learn martial arts.
Usually busy with matters in her studio, ever since she became famous nationwide, the studio's orders had been increasing, with people from other cities seeking her out after hearing of her reputation.
Now, the orders were scheduled all the way into the following year.
Shen Yin didn't want to continue expanding the studio. After all, the brand had already been established. The next step was to manage this brand, implementing purchase limits and exclusive offerings.
