Translator: MoboReader Editor: MoboReader
âHello, handsome man. Nice to meet you!â said Jiu Jiu.
Su Ruowan corrected her, âJiu Jiu, call him uncle.â
Li Muchen nodded at Su Ruowan, then shouted to Jing Yanxi, âCome up here!â
Jing Yanxi held the crumpled birthday invitation card and reluctantly went upstairs.
Su Ruowan sat on the sofa, holding Jiu Jiuâs soft hands. Her heart was filled with worry towards Jing Yanxi. Although Li Muchen looked much kinder than Jing Muchen, just nowâ¦
After a while, Jing Yanxi went back downstairs. With drooping shoulders, he walked towards Su Ruowan listlessly and said, âWan Wan⦠on my birthday, Iâll pick Jiu Jiu up at your house. If you have something to do, just go ahead.â
Sadness surged up from the bottom of Su Ruowanâs heart when she saw the depressed look on Jing Yangxiâs face. She reached out her hand and stroked his black hair gently.
Jing Yanxi lowered his head and looked at his little toes that cocked restlessly. Su Ruowan really didnât have the heart to let him down, so she said, âYan Yan, Jiu Jiuâs birthday will be on the next day after yours. Come to our house and celebrate her birthday with us, okay?â
Jing Yanxi raised his head and looked at her with his big, clear, and dark eyes. He didnât smile until he saw her nod.
On Jing Yanxiâs birthday, Su Ruowan got up very early to bake some cookies. She put them into a pink bag and sealed it. Then she said, âJiu Jiu, this is your gift for Yan Yan. Remember to give it to him when you arrive at his home later. Donât eat it, okay?â
She thought about the gift for a long time and finally decided to make these cookies she was good at. Jiu Jiu was fond of it, so Yan Yan might also like it.
Jiu Jiu pouted and said, âMommy, letâs go together.â
âJiu Jiuâ¦â Su Ruowan sat down, straightened Jiu Jiuâs white chiffon dress, and tied the pink ribbon around her waist into a bowknot. âI have something to do today. So can you go there on my behalf?â
âNo.â Jiu Jiu shook her head, reached out her hand, and wiped the tears that fell down her cheeks. âMommy⦠letâs go together, please. I donât want to go there alone.â
Su Ruowan persuaded her, âToday is Yan Yanâs birthday. Remember how nice he is to you. If you donât go, he will be sad. Do you want him to feel sad? Besides, our birthday gift is ready.â
âNo,â Jiu Jiu replied with a frown. Her tearful face was full of reluctance. âMommy, letâs go together.â
Su Ruowan felt helpless. She held Jiu Jiu in her arms, and wiped her tears while still pacifying her. Even when Jing Yanxi arrived, Jiu Jiu was still sobbing. She tightly wrapped her arms around Su Ruowanâs neck, unwilling to go downstairs.
Su Ruowan had no choice but to go downstairs with the little girl in her arms.
When they got downstairs, she put Jiu Jiu down in the back seat and was about to step back. âMommy⦠Boo-hoo!â Jiu Jiu quickly wrapped her arms around Su Ruowanâs neck again and burst into tears.
Su Ruowan sighed, beginning to regret her decision. She had planned to celebrate the two childrenâs birthday together on Jiu Jiuâs birthday. As for Jing Yanxiâs birthday party, the Jing family must have invited many guests, especially children. As one of them, she thought Jiu Jiu wouldnât be too conspicuous. She didnât feel uncomfortable letting Jiu Jiu go to Jing Yanxiâs birthday party because she knew that Jing Muchen already believed that she had a husband the last time they met at the kindergarten. Besides, letting Jiu Jiu go also alleviated her regret that she had to turn down the little boyâs invitation.
But now⦠Seeing Jiu Jiuâs swollen eyes from crying made her heart ache. She didnât want Jiu Jiu to face strangers alone at such a young age.
Jing Yanxi frowned and looked at Jiu Jiu awkwardly. âWan Wan, Iâm so sad to see Jiu Jiu crying like this. What should we do?â
He was dressed in a white suit, and a red bowtie was tied around his neck. His hair was gelled and set into an off-center hairstyle, revealing his forehead. With his white teeth and red lips, he looked very handsome.
Lao Zhou glanced at his watch and suggested, âMiss Su, I think you should get in the car too. Letâs go there together first.â
Su Ruowan had no choice. She got into the back seat, then the car started.
Having her mother beside her, holding her hands, Jiu Jiu finally stopped crying on the way to the Jing familyâs villa.
Su Ruowan took out soft facial tissue and wiped Jiu Jiuâs red and swollen eyes lovingly. She said in a playful tone, âYouâre almost five years old. Why are you still so clingy to me? You want Yan Yan to laugh at you?â
Jiu Jiu sniffed, glanced at Jing Yanxi, and pouted. âYan Yan wonât laugh at me.â
Su Ruowan touched the tip of Jiu Jiuâs nose and said, âOf course! You are the bravest, arenât you? Donât worry. Yan Yan will always be by your side. He will protect you, so donât be afraid, okay?â
Jiu Jiu was still hesitant, but Su Ruowanâs comforting words finally made her nod.
Feeling relieved, Su Ruowan handed Jiu Jiuâs hand to Jing Yanxi and said, âYan Yan⦠Iâm entrusting her to you today. Can you take care of her for me?â
Jing Yanxi looked at Su Ruowan. Feeling that she trusted him, he was greatly encouraged. He raised his little face and shouted, âI will take good care of Jiu Jiu!â He then kept nodding his head.
âAlsoâ¦â Su Ruowan thought for a while and continued, âJiu Jiu, be polite to adults, and⦠donât talk about Daddy Helian and me, okay?â
Lao Zhou drove fast and steadily, so they soon arrived at the Jing familyâs villa.
Su Ruowan carried Jiu Jiu out of the car and said, âJiu Jiu, be a good girl, okay? Go inside with Yan Yan. You can see me after he blows his birthday candles.â
Jiu Jiu glanced at Su Ruowan reluctantly and walked towards the door with the bag of gift in her hand. Jing Yanxi was holding her tightly.
Lao Zhou rang the doorbell. After someone responded from the inside, the door opened automatically, and two little figures walked in step by step.
Su Ruowan watched the receding backs of the two children until the door closed. All of a sudden, she wanted to cry, feeling a little empty in her heart.
Lao Zhou sat back in the driverâs seat and started the car.
Su Ruowan said, âLao Zhou, Iâm sorry. Can you please send me back? I left something at home.â
Lao Zhou nodded and started to back the car. But all of a sudden, they heard two beeps from behind. He looked back and said, âItâs the Jing familyâs car. Itâs blocking the way..â