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After the two left, the remaining four finally relaxed and enjoyed their meal.
Zhou Jinchuan had ordered a variety of dishes, including four dishes and a soup, with a good balance of meat and vegetables, and also the kids’ favorite sweet and sour pork.
After just a couple of bites, the children began shaking their heads. “It’s not as good as what Sister Su Yi makes.”
Zhou Jinchuan smiled helplessly, “Finish your meal first. Afterward, I’ll take you to buy some snacks and ice cream.”
The mention of ice cream made the kids secretly happy, and they began eating more enthusiastically.
After finishing their meal and heading outside, the kids raced ahead.
Zhou Jinchuan and Su Yi followed, reminding them to slow down.
As they passed an intersection, the two kids suddenly stopped in front of a photo studio, pressing their faces against the window to look inside.
Su Yi thought they were interested in photography.
But as she approached and looked inside, she saw Nuannuan with tears streaming down her face, and Xiaowu’s eyes were red, though he wasn’t crying.
Su Yi and Zhou Jinchuan exchanged a surprised glance and then looked inside the photo studio.
It was then that they realized the person being photographed was the kids’ mother.
She was taking photos with her second husband, and behind them stood a boy about Xiaowu’s age.
The three of them looked so affectionate that it was hard to doubt they weren’t a real family.
Seeing the woman who had recently come to their home and caused a fuss about not taking Xiaowu away, now being so close to someone else’s child, Su Yi felt a mix of emotions.
She wanted to confront her but felt it would be pointless and feared causing even more harm to the children in public.
As she hesitated, the three of them finished their photos and walked out.
Zhou Jinchuan stepped in front of Su Yi and the two children, blocking their view of the departing family.
Once they were out of sight, Zhou Jinchuan said, “There’s no need to see people who aren’t worth it. Let’s go!”
Looking at the downcast children, Su Yi suddenly suggested, “I don’t think I’ve ever had my photo taken. How about we go take some photos together?”
Nuannuan, being the younger one, quickly forgot her earlier sadness when she heard they were going to take photos. She eagerly grabbed Su Yi’s hand and said, “I want to take pictures!”
Xiaowu, seeing his sister’s joy, nodded in agreement, “I want to take pictures too!”
As they spoke, the three of them happily walked into the photo studio hand in hand.
Zhou Jinchuan, who had been contemplating how to comfort the children, was surprised to see them cheerfully getting ready for their photo session and quickly followed.
Before the photo session, Su Yi took out the new clothes they had bought earlier and let the children change into them.
Nuannuan noticed the wedding dresses on display and whispered to Su Yi, “Where did they get those clothes? I didn’t see them at the department store.”
Su Yi smiled and explained, “These are rented from the photo studio. They’re called wedding dresses. Aren’t they pretty?”
Ye Nuannuan nodded repeatedly, “They’re pretty. Wouldn’t it be nice if Sister Su Yi rented one too?”
Su Yi chuckled, “Wedding dresses are meant to be worn at weddings.”
Seeing Nuannuan’s disappointed face, Su Yi comforted her, “When I get married in the future, I’ll wear one for you. We can take pictures together then.”
Nuannuan smiled at this, “Pinky promise.”
After the kids changed into their new clothes, they insisted that Su Yi change into hers as well.
Su Yi hesitated, “I don’t really need to. It’s still quite warm out.”
Zhou Jinchuan, surprisingly, joined in persuading her, “You should change too. I’ll take the kids over first so they can take a few pictures.”
Su Yi agreed and went to change.
By the time she joined them, the kids had already finished their individual photos and were getting ready for a group photo.
The children waved excitedly as they saw Su Yi in her new clothes, “Sister Su Yi, come over and join us!”
Su Yi forced a smile, “It’s okay, you guys go ahead. I’ll join in later.”
Xiaowu persistently urged, “Let’s all take the photo together!”
Su Yi hesitated, wondering if it was appropriate for them to all be in a photo together given their relationships.
Just as she was about to make an excuse, Zhou Jinchuan suddenly spoke up,
“Let’s do it together. It’ll save a roll of film.”
Su Yi was taken aback. Was this really something to save on?
However, seeing that the three of them were insistent, she finally agreed and walked over.
Sitting next to Zhou Jinchuan, Su Yi held Nuannuan in her arms while Xiaowu stood beside Zhou Jinchuan.
“Brother, move closer to Dad. Dad, move a bit closer to Mom. Don’t chew the candy in your mouth yet, sister. That’s right, this is perfect. Everyone, don’t move, and smile together—”
Suddenly, Su Yi, who was now part of this family photo, felt her face stiffen from the forced smile.
Su Yi’s mind felt like it had gone blank, unable to comprehend how they had ended up taking a family photo together.
After the photo session, Su Yi quickly changed clothes and darted out of the photo studio, feeling a bit cooler outside.
When Zhou Jinchuan and the children came out with the receipts, Su Yi hurriedly took the items and said, “Commander Zhou, why don’t you take the kids to buy ice cream? I’ll take these back to the car. Xiaojun might be waiting anxiously.”
Seeing her discomfort, Zhou Jinchuan handed her the car keys and said, “Alright, you go wait for us.”
Su Yi felt relieved and quickly took the keys.
When she reached the parking area, she saw Xiaojun waiting there, as expected.
Seeing Su Yi, Xiaojun waved cheerfully, “Sister Su Yi, why are you back so soon? Where are Commander Zhou and the others?”
Su Yi quickly explained that they had gone to buy ice cream.
Xiaojun noticed her flushed face and sweating forehead and asked, “Sister Su Yi, why are you so red and sweaty?”
Su Yi quickly wiped her sweat with her sleeve, “Is it? I probably got hot from carrying the stuff.”
She then hurriedly got into the car.
After resting for a moment and feeling a bit better, Su Yi asked Xiaojun, “Comrade Xiao, has Commander Zhou been under any stress recently?”
Xiaojun looked confused, “Stress?”
Su Yi paused, “I mean, do you feel like he’s been a bit different these past few days?”
Xiaojun suddenly realized, “Oh, yes, ever since the day of the movie screening at the compound, he’s been different. Originally, we were supposed to come back on Monday, but we ended up coming back early on Sunday. I thought something major was going on, but as soon as he got back, he wanted to go watch the movie. Is that what you mean by stress?”
Su Yi nodded, “Yes, and anything else?”
Xiaojun thought for a moment, then slapped his thigh, “A couple of days ago, your and Commander Zhou’s private conversations somehow got reported up the chain. The higher-ups called and gave him a talking-to. Commander Zhou didn’t explain anything, just said he would handle it himself. I’m not sure if this is related.”
Su Yi gasped, “Is it that serious?”
Xiaojun nodded gravely, “The higher-ups really dislike such gossip, and they have a lot of respect for Commander Zhou. If it’s not handled well, it could definitely have an impact.”