"End of the month?" Li Si pondered, "I want to return to North City to see my dad afterward!" In the blink of an eye, two years of rebirth had passed, and within these two years, so much had happened that was unforeseen.
Leng Mochen lovingly embraced her. "I’ll go with you!"
"Okay!" Li Si nestled into his warm arms, closed her eyes, and savored the soothing sweetness of the mont.
A few days later, at the Leng Family’s old residence, Mr. Leng Sr. had returned early and now wore a stern expression as he faced John.
During his ti away for recuperation, he had learned from Zeng Qiuping about the lively events that had unfolded at the Leng Family in his absence.
The usually inconspicuous second son and his wife had secretly brought ho a child they claid to be Leng Mochen’s son. Did they truly believe he had grown too old to manage these matters?
They hadn’t even bothered to inform him. Was there no longer any respect for him as the elder in their eyes?
As soon as he returned to the residence, he instructed soone to call his daughter-in-law and requested her presence to explain herself.
Mrs. Leng, who stood before him nervously, faced his icy deanor. She realized she had acted rashly, initially thinking that Mr. Leng Sr. would be thrilled to see such a delightful great-grandson upon his return.
She, however, had failed to consider that despite the division of the household, such a major matter required his consent. Not only had she taken the child ho, but she had also allowed the child’s mother to stay in the house.
What would the elder think and feel upon discovering this?
John anxiously eyed the old man in front of him, his breaths careful and asured, fearing that even the slightest misstep would anger the elder and get him expelled.
He had painstakingly worked hard to change his grandmother’s view of his mother. All of his efforts could not be squandered midway.
Mr. Leng Sr., noticing John’s clear yet timid gaze, imdiately thought to himself that this child undoubtedly bore the Leng Family’s bloodline. His features were strikingly similar to Mochen and Mohao.
He still rembered how the two were once like this as young boys. Alas, as they grew older, they lost all their childhood charm. They carried cold faces as if the whole world owed them money!
Sigh, what a waste of inheriting such a handso face from him!
Thankfully, he did not see them often, sparing himself the annoyance!
Thinking of this, Mr. Leng Sr.’s expression finally softened. "Mochen’s mother, follow to the study."
Mrs. Leng let out a breath of relief upon seeing the elder’s imposing aura subside. The pressure had been overwhelming, and she had feared the children would be frightened.
After hastily giving John a few instructions, she quickly followed the elder to the study.
Upon stepping into the room, she saw him seated on the sofa, tightly gripping his cane as his sharp gaze swept over her. "You’re all muddled! If Mochen doesn’t want to acknowledge the child, why do you insist on such actions? You’re only going to hurt his feelings further!"
Mrs. Leng stepped forward hurriedly to stand beside him and explain, "Dad, I had no other choice. You know Mochen is already in his thirties. Even if he gets engaged now, who knows when Li Si will eventually give birth?
John, despite being Qian Rouxuan’s child, has been well-educated. You just saw for yourself—he’s a good boy. If we raise him in our care, there’s no worry he won’t turn out well."
Mr. Leng Sr., frustrated at her inability to focus on the main issue, angrily struck the floor with his cane. "Even if that’s the case, why did you also bring that woman into the house? What will outsiders think of our Leng Family if they find out? What will Li Si think of you all? Did you even consider any of this?"
Though so might assu he had retired from family affairs, reports—whether from Zeng Qiuping’s tattling or others—conveyed the full account of the situation to him.
Mrs. Leng’s lips trembled, and she wanted to explain that Qian Rouxuan staying over was indirectly connected to Li Si. But faced with the elder’s residual intimidation, she dared not voice her thoughts aloud.
"Make that woman leave imdiately! Take the child along with her! Only if Mochen agrees to grant the child an identity will they be allowed back!"
As for the Leng Group, he intended for it to be handed over to Mochen. On the day Mochen grows older, who would inherit the family business? Should his wife’s children and a child born outside his marriage have to fight over the inheritance?
Modern society may no longer distinguish between primary and secondary heirs, but the Leng Family’s first child must co from Mochen’s officially wedded wife for recognition!
Mrs. Leng panicked, feeling unable to accept the sudden prospect of separation. She had grown attached to the child during this period of interaction. Letting go so abruptly was hard for her to bear.
Her tone carried a plea, "Dad, I’ll make sure the woman leaves imdiately, but can you allow the child to stay with for now? Even if he’s without an official status, we can treat him like an adopted child."
Mr. Leng Sr. tapped his cane in exasperation and sighed. "You! Won and your hearts of compassion! Back then, after all you did, the child grew distant from you. Now, all thanks to Li Si’s entrance, Mochen is slowly nding his relationship with you.
Even after Mochen expressed dislike for that woman and her child, are you still clinging stubbornly to this matter? Let make it clear: I intend for the Leng Group to be handed to Mochen. When his ti cos, should the family business fall into soone else’s hands? His wife’s children competing with a child born outside marriage for the inheritance? You and Qiankai are truly foolish!"
Having listened to him, Mrs. Leng felt both relieved and troubled. Regret lingered over her short-sightedness, and she quickly began coaxing him. "Dad, I’ve truly been naïve and shortsighted. Please don’t be angry with . I’ll go ho now and send this mother and son away. For future matters, I’ll wait for Mochen’s approval before proceeding!"
Mr. Leng Sr. waved her off impatiently. "Enough already! You declaring resolutions to here is pointless! Don’t waste any more ti and go tidy up your ss! Since you’ve already brought them ho, driving them away isn’t going to be so simple!"
With newfound clarity, Mrs. Leng rushed out of the study to resolve the situation quickly.
But upon reaching the living room, she was stunned by what she saw.
Zeng Qiuping was seated beside John, reading him a storybook. The scene looked oddly loving, which was undoubtedly a rare sight.
Everyone knew Zeng Qiuping wasn’t fond of children. Why had she suddenly developed such a keen interest in John?
Noticing Mrs. Leng coming downstairs, Zeng Qiuping’s eyes glimred briefly before she smiled. "Did the elder lose his temper?"
She analyzed inwardly, judging it based on his temperant. A scolding seed inevitable in this situation. Mrs. Leng’s actions had been foolish, failing to even consider briefing the elder first.
Mrs. Leng raised an eyebrow. "Sister-in-law, what kind of talk is that? Why would the elder get angry at ? John, let’s go."
She had suspected that soone had leaked the matter to the elder, and who else might it be but her?
During this period, apart from her and Liu Jiaqi’s visits, no outsiders had co. Leng Ning, as naïve as she could be, wouldn’t undermine her own family by reporting anything. As for the household staff, loyal and discrete after years in service, they wouldn’t have revealed anything.
John obediently rose and followed Mrs. Leng, preparing to leave.
But for reasons unknown, Zeng Qiuping felt an unexpected pang of reluctance. Sothing about this child stirred her heart. His sensible deanor made her unconsciously desire closeness.
It was a pity he belonged to the second household. If only her son could bring ho a child this age, she’d be thrilled.
She didn’t expect that soon this wish would co true, raising feelings that were both joyous and conflicted. (To be continued. If you enjoyed this work, feel free to visit Qidian to vote for recomndations and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian for reading.)
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