The familiar voice reached his ears, ng Shuyan lifted his head, and tears uncontrollably stread down.
"Mom, I’m sorry, I was wrong." He said with a sob. If he had to choose between Dad and Mom, he would undoubtedly pick Mom. But he still wished for a complete family.
"You weren’t wrong." Tian Sangsang gently touched his little face, feeling guilty, and said, "It was Mom who shouldn’t have lashed out at you."
Earlier, she had thought it over seriously. In her previous life, though she had suffered many changes later, her childhood at least had both parents. She had a warm family. But she wasn’t ng Shuyan. She needed to try standing in his shoes and understanding the sensitive mindset of a child growing up in a single-parent family.
"Then... do you still like ?" ng Shuyan reverted back to his cautious deanor from years ago.
"Like, of course I like you." Tian Sangsang gave him a kiss on his cheek, picked him up, and asked, "Are you still mad at Mom?"
ng Shuyan shook his head and buried himself into her embrace, behaving adorably.
Tian Sangsang stroked his back affectionately. Today’s events must have brought him so level of hurt. Indeed, in the following days, ng Shuyan remained sowhat cautious. But Tian Sangsang treated him with heartfelt care, and gradually, the boy began to regain his sense of security, smiling brightly once more.
...
On Xu Xixi’s birthday, the Xu household was lively. Xu’s mother prepared a lavish dinner table and invited Shui Lian over to celebrate Xixi’s birthday together.
Xu Xixi received the traditional gifts she’d co to expect over the years, but when it ca to Xu Yiyuan, the little girl blinked her almond-shaped eyes in eager anticipation.
"Everyone don’t eat too much—save so room for dessert later," Xu Yiyuan said warmly with a smile.
"Cousin, what are you hiding this ti? Are you actually giving sothing edible to Xu Xixi as her gift?" Yao Fangfang asked excitedly. "What exactly is it? Hurry and bring it out."
Shui Lian teased Xixi by tweaking her nose and then chuckled, "Your dad must be giving you sothing you love to eat."
Under their curious gazes, a knock ca at the door. Xu Yiyuan went to open it, and Tian Sangsang ca in carrying a cake.
"Aunt Xu." She greeted Xu’s mother first before nodding toward Shui Lian and Yao Fangfang.
"Xixi, happy birthday!" Tian Sangsang had only co to deliver the cake, but when she saw Xixi dressed entirely in orange, she couldn’t help but feel amazed.
Xu’s mother frowned displeasedly. "Yiyuan, what’s the aning of this?"
"Mom, I ordered a cake from Sangsang specifically for Xixi’s birthday," Xu Yiyuan replied.
"I don’t want it!" At the re ntion of Tian Sangsang’s na, Xu Xixi imdiately turned her face away. Shui Lian placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Xixi, how could you not want it? Your dad specially ordered this for you. Besides, it’s shaped like a rabbit." Tian Sangsang felt powerless against Xixi’s attitude but still coaxed her patiently.
A rabbit? Xu Xixi’s ears perked up, and her almond eyes widened. Her expression visibly softened.
Tian Sangsang glanced at Xu Yiyuan. "I’ll head ho now—you all enjoy yourselves. This cake doesn’t preserve well, so try to finish it while it’s fresh."
"Alright." Xu Yiyuan said, "I’ll walk you out."
The childlike Xixi mulled over her resolve not to eat anything Tian Sangsang had made. Tian Sangsang would steal her dad, and nothing could ever compare to her dad.
But as the lid was lifted to reveal the adorable rabbit with a big, cheerful smile, the little girl couldn’t resist grinning and showing her teeth. "I like this rabbit."
Returning inside later, Xu Yiyuan stroked her head gently and remarked with warmth in his eyes, "I’m glad you like it, Xixi. This rabbit was made by Aunt Sangsang for you. What would you like to say to her?"
"Thank you," Xu Xixi said reluctantly.
"Well, let’s stop chatting for now—everyone dig in," Xu’s mother said hurriedly, noticing Shui Lian’s slightly changed deanor and trying to shift the topic.
Yao Fangfang glanced at Shui Lian anxiously, but the latter had already returned to normal; her montary distraction was fleeting.
...
After Tian Tian left, the business at the shop didn’t change much. People continued to co and eat as usual. Tian Sangsang managed just fine on her own. Chen Ming still lived in the village, coming to the shop every day for als. With or without Tian Tian, he remained that strange mix of outwardly aloof and inwardly cheerful foodie. Zhao Chun hadn’t sent any letters in quite a while. Tian Sangsang didn’t know what had happened. She had also been keeping track of updates on Brother Biao’s incident, but there had been no new progress. From what Chen Ying said, Chen Biao was still on the run, evading the law.
"Mr. Xu, Xixi." Seeing the two walking toward her from across the way, Tian Sangsang paused what she was doing and greeted them.
Xu Yiyuan’s warm gaze landed on her face, and he smiled. "Xixi specifically wanted to co today to thank you."
He then looked down at Xu Xixi.
Under his slightly stern gaze, Xu Xixi blinked her pretty almond eyes and softly said, "Aunt Sangsang, the cake you made was delicious. Thank you."
"You’re welco." Tian Sangsang replied, "Xixi is such a good girl."
"Xixi, you need to treat Yanyan better and not throw tantrums around him. He’s younger than you—he’s your little brother," Xu Yiyuan taught his daughter earnestly.
"Exactly, you could even beco friends," Tian Sangsang chid in. "Kids should get along peacefully and love one another, right?"
Xu Xixi lowered her head without responding. After a long pause, she looked directly at Tian Sangsang. "If I treat him well, will you also be good to ?" If I don’t treat him well, will you treat poorly? Stepmothers are all like that. Even if I treat him well, maybe you still won’t treat well.
Tian Sangsang froze for a mont, then replied, "Why would you ask that? I will treat both of you well. I want both of you to be happy."
"Are you going to beco my stepmom?" Xu Xixi’s crisp voice suddenly rang out.
Tian Sangsang’s heartbeat quickened as she instinctively looked at Xu Yiyuan.
Xu Yiyuan seed equally caught off guard. He exchanged glances with her before furrowing his brows lightly. His ink-black eyes focused on his daughter, "Xixi, who taught you to say that?"
"I said it myself," Xu Xixi pouted. In truth, Shui Lian had said it, but she’d promised not to reveal it.
"Don’t talk nonsense in the future. Aunt Sangsang is just Aunt Sangsang," Xu Yiyuan rebuked.
"Really?" Xu Xixi blinked her almond eyes in confusion. Aunt Shui Lian said she was a stepmom, but Dad said she wasn’t. She was completely bewildered. Which one was it?
"Really." Feeling constrained, Tian Sangsang forced a smile. "Aunt is just Aunt, okay?" The sensitive subject of "Mom" was sothing she didn’t intend to touch upon. Besides...
With the confirmation from both individuals, Xu Xixi bead brightly, her eyes curving into crescent moons as she handed an item-filled bag to ng Shuyan. "Yanyan, the other day was my fault... um, I shouldn’t have fought with you... I was wrong... please forgive ... and play with . This is for you."
ng Shuyan listened to her wavering, soft and disorganized tone, his eye twitching slightly. He looked up at Tian Sangsang for confirmation, and Tian Sangsang nodded.
Reviews
All reviews (0)