Chapter 277

C277 – Perhaps He Is Tired of It

Ann Yichen declined to delve further into the matter, suggesting they discuss it later.

“And what about you two? Any wedding plans?” He queried with a smile, seemingly eager to shift the conversation.

“Soon,” Mu Sizheng responded succinctly.

“Hurry up my foot, who’d want to marry you? Dream on,” Nong Mobai retorted, delivering a sharp jab to Mu Sizheng’s foot.

“I’ve done my part; what more can I say?” Mu Sizheng remained composed as he continued to sip his wine.

These words gave Nong Mobai pause, as they rang true.

“Vanish for seven or eight years, and suddenly you want to marry me? Who do you think you are, Mu Sizheng?” Nong Mobai exclaimed with frustration.

“I’ll make sure to find some free time to visit my father,” Mu Sizheng stated.

Mu Sizheng disregarded Nong Mobai’s remark.

Nong Mobai was taken aback. Seriously? But why only see his father? What about seeing Auntie?

“My mom never approved of letting Xiaojie stay with Sifa. If I bring you to meet her, won’t she have a fit?” Mu Sizheng explained, perceiving Nong Mobai’s unspoken thoughts.

Having discerned Nong Mobai’s concerns, Mu Sizheng cast a glance at him and clarified.

Nong Mobai fell silent, realizing the lack of distinction between this and being unrecognized. If he wanted to see them, he should see them all!

“What’s the rush? Since you’ve blessed me with a chubby, fair-skinned son, Mom will naturally accept you.”

As always, Mu Sizheng understood Nong Mobai’s thoughts without the need for him to articulate them.

“Hah! Can Mu Sifa and Xiaojie really manage that?”

Despite Auntie’s avoidance of shrewish anger, individuals of that ilk were more fearsome for their ability to suppress their temper, leaving him uncertain of her thoughts.

He felt utterly defeated. Suddenly, he found himself likening his situation to that of an antagonist mother-in-law.

“Are you now entertaining the idea that my mother is an antagonist mother-in-law?” Ye Zichen teased Nong Mobai, twirling his glass.

Nong Mobai blushed under Ye Zichen’s playful scrutiny but didn’t readily confess, “Who said that? Clearly, you’re overthinking.”

Mu Sizheng smiled enigmatically but remained silent.

“Why the smile? If that’s the case, then bottoms up.” Pressing Mu Sizheng to drink seemed an attempt to mask his own guilt.

Ann Yichen, observing Mu Sizheng and Nong Mobai’s banter, felt a pang of envy. “How wonderful! If only Loong Xiaoyi and I could share such rapport, then regardless of the mischief, we’d just weather it together.”

Ever since their son graduated from university, he’d shown no other emotions, growing increasingly mature. Logically, Ann Yichen should be pleased, but he still yearned for the carefree Loong Xiaoyi of old. He felt torn between happiness and resentment, a sentiment he couldn’t shake.

“Loong Xiaoyi has indeed changed. In the past, he wouldn’t have let you be alone with us. He’d have shamelessly refused to leave, or he’d wait for you to finish work, standing outside shivering,” Nong Mobai reminisced.

Nostalgia gripped Nong Mobai when he spoke of the past Loong Xiaoyi, as he had deeply respected him then for his devoted care of Ann Yichen.

“Maybe he’s simply grown weary of it all! Perhaps he no longer wishes to serve me,” Ann Yichen pondered, lighting a cigarette and smoking morosely.

Ann Yichen sat in silence, watching the smoke lazily dissipate.

“Or what if it’s the opposite? Look at the company he keeps—all mature adults. Maybe he felt compelled to outgrow his childish antics and adopt a more composed demeanor,” Ye Zichen proposed.

The sudden change in Loong Xiaoyi must be linked to this somehow.