Chapter 73

In the year that Baby Panda officially started elementary school, Xu Yuan achieved a significant goal in her life: she left Meng Corporation and started her own company.

The company wasn’t very large, but Xu Yuan was very satisfied with it; she exceeded her expectations in achieving her goal.

At first, both sets of parents were opposed to Xu Yuan starting a company. They had their own businesses; why not work in the family company? Xu Yuan didn’t think so. She knew that no matter how excellent she was at Meng Corporation, it didn’t matter in the eyes of their parents.

She wanted to do what she loved, and she could wait patiently, but she was determined to make it happen, no matter the cost.

Xu Yuan genuinely admired stay-at-home moms. Being a full-time mother required immense energy and effort, no less than that of women in the workplace.

She wasn’t cut out to be a stay-at-home mom and didn’t have the patience or courage for it. Given the chance to start over, she just wanted to prove that she wouldn’t be any less than anyone else in any era.

Meng Zhengrong supported Xu Yuan wholeheartedly, which made her very happy. They were spouses, friends, and even competitors.

Of course, Xu Yuan was self-aware and knew that in management and business, she couldn’t compare to Meng Zhengrong. But so what? She was still so young, and thinking about the long future ahead and all the things she could learn made Xu Yuan feel very fulfilled.

Now, Xu Yuan rarely thinks about her past life. A couple of times, when she took Baby Panda to the palace to play and saw the jewelry and decorations that closely resembled those from her time, she didn’t dwell on the past.

She would listen to those around her say how exquisite these items were and how intelligent ancient people were, and she would nod and smile genuinely.

Everything was progressing in a better direction.

Now that Xu Yuan thought about it, her relationship with Meng Zhengrong had progressed rather quickly. By modern standards, it was no different from a flash marriage; they had barely spent a few months together before confirming their feelings for each other, and just a few months later, Baby Panda was on the way.

Over the years, they had many arguments—sometimes about significant matters, but most of the time about trivial things.

Through one quarrel after another and one reconciliation after another, they managed to get through what was a relatively long adjustment period in their marriage.

Now, they occasionally still argued, but it was the kind of bickering that couldn’t break them apart. You could say they were independent individuals, yet at times they felt like each other’s other half in the world.

This way of getting along made both Meng Zhengrong and Xu Yuan feel very comfortable.

Of course, they had their crises. Both Meng Zhengrong and Xu Yuan were exceptional individuals, and it was natural for many people to like them.

Xu Yuan had encountered quite a few suitors, and so had Meng Zhengrong.

But fortunately, they both knew who they loved the most. As long as they clearly understood this, it was enough to face many temptations.

Life wasn’t perfect, but it was beautiful.

If everything were smooth sailing, it wouldn’t be life. For example, now, what was giving Xu Yuan and Meng Zhengrong a headache was Baby Panda.

At the age of seven or eight, children can be quite troublesome, especially boys.

Baby Panda had just started first grade. Although he wasn’t quite at the age of seven or eight yet, he was already annoying enough.

No one expected that the relatively well-behaved Baby Panda would turn into a little troublemaker once he started elementary school.

Life in kindergarten had been joyful for Baby Panda, but it wasn’t so easy in elementary school.

Even though Xu Yuan and Meng Zhengrong allowed him a free-range upbringing, both the Meng and Xu families didn’t agree and began to push him to learn many things.

Piano? Baby Panda couldn’t sit still and would even throw a tantrum and cry at the mere sight of a piano.

Violin? Baby Panda showed some interest at first, but after a few lessons, he complained to Xu Yuan, tilting his head and saying he felt uncomfortable.

As for calligraphy, let’s not even go there; he had drawn all over the white walls in the house.

Both families were very committed to discovering Baby Panda’s talents, showing no signs of wanting to give up. They thought that perhaps Baby Panda simply didn’t enjoy these activities. After persistent efforts from both sets of parents, they finally discovered that Baby Panda had a particular talent for languages, inheriting the best traits from his father. Besides that, he loved sports like archery and fencing.

This revelation brought a sigh of relief to everyone concerned about Baby Panda.

It seemed Baby Panda had found something he truly enjoyed.

For Xu Yuan and Meng Zhengrong, they had no intention of forcing Baby Panda to do things he didn’t like. The harsh reality was that Baby Panda had the resources to live the life he wanted and do what he wished.

As long as he had interests, they would guide him in that direction, and regardless of how his future grades turned out, it didn’t matter.

==

One day, Xu Yuan and Meng Zhengrong took Baby Panda to the Song family for dinner.

Shen Li had successfully conceived her second child this year, and she was now officially stepping away from the entertainment industry.

Song Chaowen was thrilled. After confirming that Shen Li was three months pregnant, he invited relatives and the closest friends from both families over for a meal to celebrate his joy.

Parents’ genes are truly important. Shen Li and Song Chaowen’s daughter, Nongnong, was about the same age as Baby Panda, and it was already apparent that she would definitely grow up to be a beauty.

Nongnong was very excited about her soon-to-arrive brother or sister and was busy helping out like a little adult, which was especially cute.

Xu Yuan and Yu Yu chatted with Shen Li in the room when they suddenly heard Nongnong crying outside the door. Everyone exchanged glances, and Shen Li hurriedly ran out, followed by everyone else.

Meng Zhengrong, Song Chaowen, and a few friends were chatting in the study. Hearing the crying, they all came out as well.

A few of Song’s relatives looked embarrassed. Nongnong was crying so heartbreakingly that Baby Panda protected her behind him, his chubby face flushed with anger. He clenched his small fists and, even with the adults watching, showed no fear as he loudly exclaimed, “Excuse me, Auntie! I just heard that you have two babies at home, so does that mean you like the little one more and not so much the big one?!”

As soon as those words were spoken, the adults understood the situation.

This woman must have told Nongnong that once her parents had a little brother or sister, they wouldn’t love her as much anymore.

Such words were truly heartless!

Some adults thought it was just a joke, but children take things seriously. Since Mom was pregnant with a second child, she needed to take good care of her child’s feelings. Some adults insisted on making such so-called jokes, whether they meant it or not, and such behavior was truly disgusting.

Shen Li’s face changed.

Song Chaowen’s expression also darkened as he went forward to hold Nongnong, comforting her in silence.

Seeing their daughter so distressed made them, as parents, even more heartbroken.

The woman, surrounded by so many people, felt embarrassed and was being confronted by a child’s pointed accusation. How could she not feel humiliated?

If it were another child, they might have scolded her directly, but the key was that this was the future heir of the Meng family. Who would dare to offend him?

All she could do was force a smile and say, “How could that be? They’re all my babies, of course, I love them all equally.”

“Then why did you tell Nongnong that Uncle and Auntie won’t love her like before?!” Baby Panda pressed on, refusing to back down.

Children care deeply about such matters, and Nongnong’s cries had quieted considerably as she looked at the aunt with tearful eyes.

The woman was nearly at a loss for words, “I was just joking with Nongnong.”

Everyone knew it was a joke, but being questioned like this by a child made it all the more awkward.

It seemed as if she was intentionally trying to disrupt the harmony of another family.

That child was truly annoying.

“A joke?” Baby Panda was even angrier. “Please, adults, stop joking with us! Nongnong is crying!”

Xu Yuan also found such remarks very distasteful.

Previously, Shen Li had mentioned to Xu Yuan her concerns about Nongnong’s feelings once the second child arrived. After confirming that Nongnong was excited about having a brother or sister, only then did they decide to have another child. This woman jokingly made a remark, but if it left an impact on Nongnong, causing her unhappiness, then what would happen?

Who would take responsibility?

A joke that can’t be backed up should never be made. Xu Yuan thought this was something even adults should understand.

The woman said nothing, only gave Shen Li an apologetic smile, but Baby Panda ignored her. He walked over to Song Chaowen, gently tugged at Nongnong’s little hand, and comforted her in a voice that was neither loud nor soft, “Nongnong, Uncle and Auntie will always love you, and just because a baby is coming doesn’t mean they will love you less. Really, I promise.”

Nongnong sniffled and cautiously asked, “Really?”

Baby Panda’s voice and expression softened. “Really, I promise.”

Song Chaowen shot a grateful glance at Meng Zhengrong.

Thanks to Baby Panda, Nongnong’s emotions calmed down quickly.

Meng Zhengrong and Xu Yuan looked at their son and felt a deep sense of pride.

Though Baby Panda could be annoying, he was also incredibly understanding and obedient at times.

In moments like this, it felt as if they could love their son for eternity!

But just as they felt moved and gratified, Baby Panda lifted his head and looked around at all the adults in attendance.

It was hard to explain the aura he projected; when Baby Panda wore a serious expression and looked angry, even the household staff would feel intimidated.

“Nongnong, if anyone says such things in front of you again, just tell me. I won’t let anyone bully you, no matter who it is.”

If Baby Panda were an adult, such words would definitely mark him as a domineering CEO.

Unfortunately, he was only six years old…