As soon as Ye Rong spoke these words, Xue Jingrui was dumbfounded, fearing that his mother might have overthought the situation.
"Mom, I haven't bullied her," Xue Jingrui protested with his final struggle.
"No, my dear son, I don't believe you. Her menstrual cycle hasn't even stabilized yet, there might be some mishap," Ye Rong's tone was firm, with an oppressively serious look in her eyes, it seemed like if Xue Jingrui dared to refuse, she would kick him without hesitation.
"Mom, what about dad?" asked Qi Ji.
"Your father is not a child anymore, he is not afraid to sleep alone. Don't worry about him, go and take a bath, you will feel refreshed afterward."
Without getting a chance for Xue Jingrui to process it all, Ye Rong sat down on the bed.
"You may leave now."
In early December, the weather in Rong City started to turn colder, making it necessary to wear a thick coat before venturing out.
In Yang City, Kang Guopeng made a call to Shen Yin, suggesting that their Chinese/Japanese joint venture furniture project was nearing completion and the products would be ready to view in a week.
Kang Guopeng sent Shen Yin many detailed diagrams which left her quite satisfied. After all, Kang Guopeng's technique was impeccable, and her blueprints were unique.
"When will you come over to inspect the furniture?" asked Kang Guopeng.
"There's no need, you've sent all these detail diagrams already. I'll send someone to pick up the furniture in a while," Shen Yin replied.
Perhaps because Kang Guopeng resembled her maternal grandfather, she found herself trusting him implicitly.
After a few days, Shen Yin arranged for a driver to be sent out. She wasn't quite at ease with just that, so she discussed with Xu Xiuhe about making a trip to Yang city herself. Xu Xiuhe was even more concerned about Shen Yin going by herself.
"I'll send someone with the driver, you stay at home with Zhengzheng. It's cold outside, try to stay in if possible."
Shen Yin simply replied with an acknowledgment.
Honestly, staying home all the time could get boring. Not many bosses could afford such leisure time like her. With the studio pretty much independent now, she occasionally conducted some training sessions for the young girls working there. Their skills were already miles ahead of their peers.
Anytime they faced a problem, a small hint from Shen Yin was enough for them to understand and move forward. For tougher designs, Shen Yin would sketch them out at home and send them to Wang Nannan.
As for Zhengzheng, being a toddler, staying at home all the time was not his cup of tea. Shen Yin spent most of her time playing educational games with Zhengzheng, like counting, recitation of ancient poems.
"Mommy, let's go out."
"Where do you want to go?"
Shen Yin thought Xu Yunzheng would ask for his father again, but this time the little guy pondered for a while and still couldn't make up his mind.
"Should we go to grandma's house?"
"Okay!"
Shen Yin also hadn't been to the Shen family's house for a while, and she guessed that Fang Yue was missing her and Zhengzheng. After deciding, Shen Yin got little Zhengzheng changed into white cotton trousers and a pink cotton jacket on top.
"Mommy, let's go."
Shen Yin put on a white cashmere coat. Knowing they were heading out, Zhengzheng ran to the stairway, carrying his little bag without waiting for Shen Yin to get fully dressed.
"Zhengzheng, can you wait for mommy?"
"Okay."
The driver has already been waiting at the door.
Zhengzheng ran ahead, not wanting to be held by Shen Yin.
The little one ran in front of the car, looking at it, and casually touched the side of the vehicle.
The driver got out of the car and opened the door to the backseat just as Shen Yin stepped out of the house.
Upon seeing Shen Yin, Zhengzheng sprinted towards her and hugged her leg.
Shen Yin bent down, picked up Zhengzheng, and got into the car.
By the time they arrived at Yuelan Manor, it was almost noon.
"Granny!"
"Ah!"
Both of them exclaimed excitedly.
"It's been a long time since you last visited."
Shen Yin got back smiling, "Almost a month."
"You're much better than your brother, who hasn't been home in even a longer while."
"My brother has been busy working, hasn't he?"
Ever since Shen Tianzheng fell ill, he stopped working entirely, spending everyday at home, gardening, reading newspapers, and often thinking about Zhengzheng. He occasionally grumbled to Fang Yue about Shen Lv being too old and still unmarried.
"Just you defending your brother."
Zhengzheng was held by Fang Yue. He suddenly saw the cake on the dining table and his eyes lit up.
"Cake."
Zhengzheng pointed at the cake.
"Zhengzheng, do you want to eat? Granny will cut a piece for you."
Fang Yue, holding Zhengzheng, moved to the dining table. The cake looked quite lavish with a layer of chocolate on top.
Seeing such a huge cake, Shen Yin thought someone must be celebrating their birthday, so she quickly scanned her memory and was pretty sure today must be Shen Lv's birthday.
"Today's Uncle's birthday, aren't you and Zhengzheng here for that? Let granny cut a piece of cake for Zhengzheng first."
Fang Yue put Zhengzheng next to a chair by the table, held a cake knife, and cut a piece with fruit in the middle.
"Originally, we planned to call you in the afternoon and invite your whole family over. It seems we're telepathically connected."
"Thank you, granny."
Xu Yunzheng took the cake, took a lick, and got chocolate all over his nose.
"You're welcome."
"Mom, but my older brother hasn't come back yet. We ate his cake. Isn't it somehow inconsiderate?"
"What's wrong with that? He's lucky to even get a cake prepared. He's almost 30 without a significant other; your father is really worried."
"Uncle's cake is too delicious."
Xu Yunzheng, eating happily with twinkling eyes full of laughter.
"Eat more if you like it."
"Granny, I will visit you often in the future."
Fang Yue laughed at his words, asking, "Is Zhengzheng here to see granny or the cake?"
Xu Yunzheng thought seriously for a while then said, "To see granny."
Shen Yin laughed alongside, thinking although Zhengzheng is small, he's quick-witted. Coming to see the cake is probably true. Normally at home, Shen Yin controls Zhengzheng's sweets intake. He's small, at a very tender age when teeth are growing; eating too much sweet is not good for teeth.
In the evening, Shen Lv came home with Xu Xiuhe.
The Shen's house hadn't been this lively in a long time. Shen's father sat on the sofa feeling quite content.
Inside the restaurant, a whole table of dishes were prepared by the aunt. The cake was placed in the middle. Shen Lv and Xu Xiuhe were at the side, discussing company matters. Shen Yin vaguely understood a bit. Real estate was not as good as it was in the past years. Whether or not they could get the land was crucial.
"I want to get the land in Qingwan District," said Shen Lv.
"That area is indeed not bad. There's a scenic spot nearby, suitable for development. Many people want that land, so the final land price might be very high."
"How about we collaborate? We can get that land together. It's a big project. I can't handle it alone."
Xu Xiuhe thought for a while, seemingly considering the feasibility of this plan. He had already secured a lot of land in Rong City with his company, plus he had a new project in Yang City. He might not have enough resources to take on this big piece of land.
