Chapter 32

Nuo Nuo said, “But if you did something wrong, you have to apologize.”

After all, Nuo Nuo was not Ning Yichen and couldn’t fully empathize with him. She thought it was a normal thing, but for Ning Yichen, it was a life-changing and wonderful shift.

Ning Yichen didn’t mind that Nuo Nuo couldn’t understand. He smiled at her, still grateful. “No matter what, thank you.”

Nuo Nuo was really not used to her good friend apologizing for such a small matter and waved her hand, saying, “It’s nothing.”

After a while, her parents came to pick her up.

Xu Ai originally thought that whoever had time would pick up the child, but Sheng Zexi seemed to always be free. As for her, if she didn’t pick up the child often, it wouldn’t be good either.

Nuo Nuo liked it better when both parents came to pick her up, so in the end, they tacitly agreed to go together.

Xu Ai thought that even if they were not together as parents in the future, being a good ex-husband and ex-wife who got along peacefully would be very beneficial for the child’s well-being.

Nuo Nuo was very happy to have both her mom and dad pick her up. After saying goodbye to her little friends and teachers, she held her parents’ hands and talked about what happened at kindergarten today.

When she mentioned Ning Yichen, Nuo Nuo paused and tilted her head, asking her parents in confusion, “Mommy, Daddy, today Song Yuxi apologized to Ning Yichen because she used to bully him. I’m so happy, but Ning Yichen keeps thanking me, and I feel a bit embarrassed.”

Xu Ai had some impressions of Ning Yichen. Before getting to know Nuo Nuo, he didn’t even have any friends.

Xu Ai could understand a bit of what that child felt. When light shines into a gloomy world, it cannot simply be expressed with thanks.

Xu Ai patted her sweet little girl’s head and said, “It’s okay. You helped him, and it’s normal for him to be happy.”

Nuo Nuo looked up at her mother and said, “Mommy, I’m happy too.”

Xu Ai smiled gently.

Sheng Zexi didn’t speak, just watching the mother and daughter chat.

Time passed quietly, and watching them smile, he felt that such days were filled with warmth and beauty.

That night, while Xu Ai was in her room replying to work messages, she received a message on WeChat.

It was from Nuo Nuo’s grandmother.

“Do you want to come over for dinner this weekend?”

Since they didn’t communicate much on a regular basis, Xu Ai felt a bit dazed when she saw the message.

After a while, she realized who it was.

Sheng Zexi’s mother had been abroad all this time. Her inviting them over meant that she was back.

Sure enough, the next message was, “I’m back in the country recently.”

Xu Ai recalled her mother-in-law and knew she was quite nice to Nuo Nuo. Since she invited them over, she would definitely bring something for Nuo Nuo.

She took a screenshot of the conversation and sent it to Sheng Zexi.

It wasn’t to seek his opinion; she just wanted him to be aware of it.

Xu Ai: [image]

Sheng Zexi didn’t want to meet his mother, but he didn’t mind Nuo Nuo and Xu Ai meeting her.

He quickly replied, “You can go if you want.”

This meant he wouldn’t go.

He didn’t care whether she wanted to go or not.

Xu Ai felt that for someone who treated her daughter well, she should give a little face.

Moreover, as a woman herself, Xu Ai felt some sympathy for Sheng Zexi’s mother’s situation.

So she replied, “Okay, I’ll take Nuo Nuo over this weekend.”

As for Sheng Zexi, whatever he decided was up to him.

Mrs. Zheng was a bit happy when she saw Xu Ai’s reply. She couldn’t help but start looking through her wardrobe to decide how to dress up for the occasion, taking out several outfits for the housekeeper to help choose from.

Mrs. Zheng had been very beautiful when she was young. Unlike Sheng Zexi’s father’s current wife, who was delicate and pretty, she had a kind of elegant and graceful beauty. Although she had been through a lot over the years, her good living conditions kept her skin in good shape.

Auntie Tan, the housekeeper who had worked for Mrs. Zheng for over twenty years, hadn’t seen her so happy in a long time.

After looking at a few dresses, she smiled and said, “These outfits look great on you, Miss.”

She wasn’t exaggerating; she genuinely thought any of those outfits would look good on her.

Feeling happier, Auntie Tan casually asked, “Is the young master coming back?”

Mrs. Zheng’s smile faded a bit, and her eyelids drooped slightly.

“He… probably won’t be coming back.”

He had grievances against her as his mother, so it was impossible for him to return.

But this was no one’s fault. During the time when Sheng Zexi needed her the most, she allowed her son to endure so much pain, so she deserved it.

Auntie Tan’s smile also faded at these words. She comforted Mrs. Zheng, saying, “The young master will understand you eventually.”

Mrs. Zheng didn’t want to discuss this topic. She was already very happy that Xu Ai was willing to bring Nuo Nuo to see her. She felt a bit regretful and asked, “I forgot to ask what they both like to eat. I should prepare something.”

She placed the long dress on a chair, picked up her phone, and sent another message to Xu Ai. After sending it, she turned back and smiled at Auntie Tan, saying, “I hope they don’t find me annoying.”

Auntie Tan laughed, “How could they?”

In the following days, Mrs. Zheng frequently messaged Xu Ai, asking what they needed to prepare.

From their conversations, Xu Ai could sense that her mother-in-law was really looking forward to her bringing the child back.

Mrs. Zheng’s enthusiasm unexpectedly made Xu Ai feel a bit nostalgic about the marriage.

She had interacted with quite a few wealthy wives, some of whom were not as well-off as the Sheng family, yet their mother-in-law relationships were a mess. However, aside from her average relationship with Sheng Zexi, Xu Ai had no other worries.

If Sheng Zexi didn’t go bankrupt, staying married wouldn’t be a bad idea. After all, it wouldn’t be good for outsiders to benefit from the Sheng family’s immense wealth.

Feeling that she was overthinking, Xu Ai quickly shook her head.

Seeing her mother like this, Nuo Nuo quickly asked with concern, “Mommy, are you okay?”

Xu Ai glanced at the driver in front, realizing that Sheng Zexi wasn’t planning to come back today, so the family driver was taking them.

“I’m fine, sweetheart.”

“Mommy, I don’t think I’ve ever met Grandma. Is Grandma going to be very fierce?” The little one looked worried, resting her chin on her hands with a frown.

“A kid in my class said her grandma is really fierce, not just to her but also to her mom. If Grandma is that fierce with us, I won’t like Grandma anymore.”

Xu Ai felt warm inside at how her daughter was considering her feelings.

She reassured, “You’ve met Grandma before. She even hugged you when you were just a baby. You just don’t remember her. Grandma is really nice and won’t dislike us. If she did, I wouldn’t bring you along.”

Nuo Nuo disagreed, “That won’t work! You can’t go alone; I’ll go with you so I can protect you.”