Chapter 1

Beijing in September had shed the heat and humidity of summer. The hazy fog in the air had cleared, leaving a clear blue sky and warm but not scorching sunlight.

Dappled shadows fell on the courtyard walls. Through the large floor-to-ceiling windows, the servants in the villa were busy in an orderly manner. Three boys surrounded a delicate baby carriage.

“Big brother, why is my sister a sister?” The shortest boy asked curiously, pointing at the baby in the carriage with his chubby little hand.

Ten-year-old Shen Yanheng’s delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly as he pondered how to explain the difference between boys and girls to his younger brother.

Shen Sichen had already given Shen Sujing a “chestnut” on the head, “You’re an idiot!”

“Don’t touch your sister with your hands!”

“Xiao Chen! You hit your brother again!”

A gentle female voice came from behind, and the three little ones instantly stood in a row, obediently.

Shen Sichen raised his head, “Mommy, my brother touched my sister with his hand!”

The woman, with a white shawl draped over her shoulders, walked to the cradle and looked at her sleeping daughter. Her chubby little face was white and tender, far more beautiful than these three brats when they were little.

“You can’t do that! Sister is still small. When she grows up a little, you can play with her.” The woman said softly, gently rocking the cradle.

The housekeeper, Auntie Zhang, walked over quietly, lowering her voice, “Madam, we have guests.”

Chen Musheng nodded, accustomed to the constant stream of visitors. Auntie Zhang’s notification meant it was an unavoidable visit.

“Who is it?” Chen Musheng asked. The three brats had already been sent upstairs by her.

“The new neighbors from the next courtyard.”

Chen Musheng was surprised. She had only heard Shen Gengli mention that the new neighbors were a big shot, with a deep background, a genuine red third-generation from a military and political family. She hadn’t planned to visit, but she didn’t expect them to come first.

What was the reason for this sudden visit?

“Please invite them in. It’s not good to keep them waiting.”

“Yes.”

Chen Musheng sat down on the sofa, adjusting the shawl around her, and instructed the servants to bring new tea and fruit pastries.

Soon, Auntie Zhang led a woman in. She wore exquisite stiletto heels and a swaying cheongsam, her face was gentle, her hair was tied with a wooden hairpin, and she was holding a little boy’s hand. Two servants followed behind, carrying gifts.

“Mrs. Shen, I’m so sorry to disturb you. I heard you gave birth to a daughter, so I came to share in the joy.”

The woman smiled softly, her voice as comfortable as a March breeze.

“You’re too kind.” Chen Musheng stood up and responded, welcoming her a couple of steps forward. She then looked at the little boy she was holding. He looked about the same age as Xiao Chen, seven years old, not very big, but with a serious face, “This is…?”

“Oh, this is my son, Shi Chengyu.” The woman chuckled.

Chen Musheng almost couldn’t hide her surprise. So his last name is Shi, no wonder.

“Chengyu, greet Auntie Chen.” The woman gently pushed the boy forward.

Shi Chengyu raised his head, his eyes were dark and bright, yet also deep, “Hello, Auntie Chen.”

“Oh, hello, hello, you’re so handsome.” Chen Musheng wanted to touch his head but felt it would be inappropriate, so she patted his shoulder twice and asked, “Do you want to go see your sister?”

Seeing Shi Chengyu nod, she called Auntie Zhang over to take him to the cradle.

Xue Wanqiu watched Shi Chengyu walk away, smiling faintly. She sat down on the sofa with Chen Musheng, exchanged names, and then started chatting.

When women get together, the topic is usually about family matters, but for families like theirs, there’s not much they can talk about regarding their families.

One is a strong woman who battles in the business world, the other is a dancer who loves art, their interests are quite different. Fortunately, both of them enjoy baking, and they finally found common ground.

Shen Sichen ran out of his room, not knowing when. He originally wanted to go downstairs to see his sister, but when he saw the guests downstairs, he stopped and leaned on the railing of the third floor, looking down.

When he saw an unfamiliar child looking at his sister, he called Shen Yanheng and Shen Sujing out. The three of them leaned on the railing, looking down. The servants nearby were too scared to move.

“Second brother, will he take my sister away?”

“Impossible! Sister will always be our sister. If he dares to take her, I’ll beat him up!”

Shen Sichen said this, but his eyes never left the scene below. His sister hadn’t even held his hand yet! Why should that kid get to be the first?

As they chatted, the two women felt like they had met their soulmate. Seeing that it was getting late, they made plans to meet again next time before Xue Wanqiu stood up and followed Chen Musheng to the cradle.

The little girl in the cradle was only four months old, her round, bright eyes were particularly captivating on her white and tender face. One little hand was grabbing Shi Chengyu’s finger, playing with it, and occasionally giggling.

“By the way, I haven’t asked her name yet.” Xue Wanqiu looked at the little girl, who looked like a doll in the cradle, her heart almost melted.

“Her name is Shen Chutang.”

“Gantang’s favor will never change my original intention. It’s a good name.” Xue Wanqiu said, then asked, “Does she have a nickname?”

Seeing her daughter so loved, Chen Musheng had a hint of pride on her face, “Yes, but we haven’t decided on the character yet.”

“I want to call her Qiaojiao Jiaojiao. Her dad wants to use Jiao, anyway, the pronunciation is the same. The three brats want to call her Tangtang, I can’t compete with them, so let them call her that.”

Adding a new member to the family is a joyous occasion, but also a big one. The three brats have been clamoring about autonomy and voting rights, even arguing over their sister’s name.

Xue Wanqiu felt a little regretful, but still laughed a few times, “They’re all good characters.”

“Tangtang seems to like Chengyu a lot.” Chen Musheng watched her daughter keep grabbing the other boy’s hand, feeling a little embarrassed.

Xue Wanqiu followed her words and asked, “Chengyu, do you like Tangtang?”

“I like her.”

The voice still had a bit of childishness, but it was said very seriously. Even the corners of his lips curled up as he spoke, as if he had been waiting for this day for a long time.

[Note: This book is a sweet world after the ending of the previous fast-paced, abusive novel. It’s a pure, sweet, hawthorn-filled little cookie! There is a very, very slight mention of the past life, but it doesn’t affect the viewing experience at all. The two of them have suffered so much, this time they must be given a sweet ending! The world is fictional and unrelated to reality, please do not bring it into the real world! Shi Chengyu remembers his past life, so he will be more mature, semi-cultivation is impossible to write from Tangtang’s birth to sixteen years old haha, I chose to fast forward directly, so the first few chapters will have a lot of interspersed memories and introductions, but it will be fine later, pure sweet text, heartwarming healing story, there is a slightly abusive part in the middle, it will be marked, be prepared when you see it, I wish you all a pleasant reading experience!]