That evening, Father and Mother Qing returned home. The meeting with Xu Youyou didn’t alleviate the guilt in their hearts, but they understood what they needed to do.

Quietly, without disturbing the lives of the mother and daughter, protect Xu Wenyin and Xu Youyou, allowing them to live happily and peacefully throughout their lives.

They believe that this was also Qing Yizhi’s greatest wish.

With their departure, the lives of Xu Wenyin and Xu Youyou also returned to tranquility.

The two people’s presence didn’t bring much impact, only reinforcing Xu Youyou’s belief that her father loved both her and her mother.

After all, her mother was so good, and Xu Youyou was also very cute. Her father, who was loved by her mother, must also be a very good person.

Carefully holding the photo of Qing Yizhi given by the old couple, Xu Youyou delicately placed it into a photo frame and then put it inside the glass cabinet beside her bed.

The little one then beamed a radiant smile at the man with a hearty smile in the photo. “Dad, Happy New Year! Mom and Youyou are very happy today too!”

After saying that, Xu Youyou quickly opened the door and trotted out. She caught a whiff of the aroma of sweet and sour pork!

Today, her mother was cooking, so she must eat more!

This Spring Festival was spent happily in feasting and merry-making. However, the first thing Qin Yiren did after returning to Jiang City was bring Xu Wenyin the latest gossip from the Lu family!

Lu Weiyao was getting married again.

Moreover, his second bride wasn’t the socially advantageous match envisioned by Old Master Lu for the Lu family, but…… Zhao Xuanyi.

The name was likely familiar to many people.

She had played the leading role in several classic TV dramas. Although she had gradually started taking on motherly roles due to her advancing age in recent years, her previous works still make Zhao Xuanyi a familiar ‘big star’ to many.

Similarly, she was also Lu Weiyao’s first love.

More importantly, Zhao Xuanyi was the victim who suffered a miscarriage due to Ruan Rourou’s scheming, which resulted in her inability to conceive in the future!

This matter was initially exposed by Lu Weizheng, who then presented evidence to the police. Otherwise, even after so many years had passed, Zhao Xuanyi would still believe it was just an accident.

“What was Lu Weiyao thinking?” Xu Wenyin couldn’t understand. “Isn’t he afraid of Zhao Xuanyi seeking revenge?”

After all, she’s been rendered unable to be a mother herself due to the miscarriage. Considering Ruan Rourou was the mastermind, then Lu Weiyao was the cause. Not to mention the fact that Ruan Rourou’s biological son was in the Lu family.

Was Lu Weiyao trying to stir up more excitement in the family because he felt it wasn’t lively enough?

Xu Wenyin wasn’t sympathizing with Lu Haoyu or worrying about the Lu family. She’s simply puzzled.

Even though she’s been a human for quite a few years, Xu Wenyin still couldn’t comprehend some people’s thoughts.

Humans truly were complex beings!

When she first heard it, Qin Yiren also wore an expression of incomprehension, but she did know a bit more.

“I heard,” Qin Yiren coughed lightly. “Lu Weiyao brought Zhao Xuanyi to Old Master Lu in front of many people, requesting his approval for their relationship.”

Then Qin Yiren began a live performance.

“Dad, Xuanyi has been waiting for me all these years! And, you also know she can’t be a mother anymore. I have a responsibility to take care of Xuanyi!”

“Anyway, I already have Haoyu as my son. I don’t mind whether Xuanyi can bear children or not!”

“Dad! Dad, please approve of us!”

After the final sentence, Xu Wenyin and Qin Yiren exchanged glances and simultaneously made a gagging expression.

Afterward, both of them broke into laughter at the same time.

Goodness, was Lu Weiyao performing in a drama? How did he manage to say those lines with such seriousness, thinking they were deeply emotional?

Wasn’t Zhao Xuanyi angry on the side? After all, Lu Weiyao repeatedly emphasized her inability to conceive!

They didn’t know whether Zhao Xuanyi was angry or not, but Qin Yiren knew that on the Spring Festival, Old Master Lu went on a half-month visit to the hospital. It was said that he was angered to the point that he grabbed his cane and struck Lu Weiyao several times with such force that he almost landed Lu Weiyao in the hospital as well.

If father and son really end up in the hospital together on the Spring Festival, the Lu family’s antics would probably be the gossip fodder for the entire year!

Xu Wenyin applauded. “Impressive.”

No matter how one looked at it, it was quite ’impressive’.

“Yiyi, luckily you all got out quickly.” After clapping, Xu Wenyin patted Qin Yiren’s shoulder with a relieved expression.

Her statement received Qin Yiren’s agreement. “You’re not the first person to say that to me.”

Lu Weizheng’s departure from the Lu family happened last Spring Festival, and throughout this year, there have been ‘well-meaning’ individuals attempting to persuade him with phrases like “Father and son have no lasting grudge” and “You are blood brothers.”

They hope their ‘kindness’ can make the younger generation admit their mistakes and achieve the accomplishment of being a ‘happy family’.

Of course, all these people were rebuffed.

A few dim-witted relatives from the Qin family even called Qin Yiren, hoping she could persuade Lu Weizheng, saying that this public dispute was unseemly.

Over the years, the Qin and Lu families have collaborated, and both sides have developed rapidly. If they suddenly have a fallout now, wouldn’t that……

For people like those, Qin Yiren doesn’t even want to waste her breath. She would just say one phrase, “Get lost,” and hang up the phone.

Even Father and Mother Qin have no objections and think Qin Yiren did the right thing. What right do these relatives, who suck on their family’s blood, have to jump up?

However, as Lu Weiyao continued with his nonsensical actions throughout the year, fewer and fewer people were trying to persuade Lu Weizheng. Instead, more people, like Xu Wenyin, were feeling relieved.

Relatives, well, they don’t have to share in the wealth, but they shouldn’t hinder progress either.

How did they not notice before that the eldest son of the Lu family had some problem with his brain?

The chaos in the Lu family only provided Qin Yiren and Xu Wenyin with more fodder for post-dinner laughter. Their main focus now was on Xu Youyou and Lu Chenjun starting primary school soon.

Several parents have already discussed it in advance. It’s a newly established international school, funded by the Liu and the Qian family, among others, considering it would be more convenient for their children in the future.

The school had also invested heavily in hiring many excellent teachers and a principal. From faculty strength to infrastructure, there’s nothing to worry about in these aspects.

However, primary school was different from kindergarten. The timing of training camps would need to be adjusted. Instead of every two months, they’d probably have to be scheduled for once a year, as taking a seven-day leave during kindergarten didn’t matter much, but it wouldn’t be feasible once the children start attending primary school.

The training sessions would need to be moved to the winter and summer vacations, and the daily training curriculum would be correspondingly reduced. Qin Yiren and the others don’t aim to turn their children into ‘martial arts experts’, they simply want them to be healthy and have some self-defense skills when facing danger.

“How time flies.” After chatting with Xu Wenyin about the arrangements for primary school, Qin Yiren couldn’t help but exclaim, “So fast, Juanjuan and the others are already going to primary school!”

The scene of Lu Chenjun and Xu Youyou’s first day at kindergarten seemed to flash before her eyes.

Back then, they were so small, and now, it really feels like in the blink of an eye, the children have grown up.

“Hahaha.” Xu Wenyin laughed at Qin Yiren’s exclamation. “Yiyi, you sound like a lonely old mother now.”

Unexpectedly, Qin Yiren nodded earnestly. “I really feel like I need to find something to do!”

Qin Yiren owns shares in the Qin Group and receives an eight-figure dividend every year without doing anything, not to mention the estates, buildings, companies, and so on under her name.

However, all of those were managed by professionals, and Qin Yiren doesn’t need to spend much mental energy on them.

In recent years, the only thing Qin Yiren has genuinely enjoyed doing herself was designing clothes.

However, she usually only makes clothes for Xu Wenyin, a few children, and Lu Weizheng. She doesn’t mass-produce them or sell them to the public.

It’s just a hobby, Qin Yiren had no intention of turning it into a career.

“Wenyin, what do you think I should do?”

Xu Wenyin had her job, and Lu Weizheng was also very busy. Once the two children started primary school, Qin Yiren felt that she would become increasingly lonely.

With such a privileged upbringing, things that others might never achieve in a lifetime were easily within Qin Yiren’s reach. And with the support of her parents and brother, she felt even more unrestrained.

But in this way, Qin Yiren hadn’t only rid herself of worries but also acquired boredom.

Really! Boring!

Xu Wenyin had heard Qin Yiren complain about being bored several times already. She couldn’t really relate to that feeling, after all, she’s a busy system.

She’s busy researching AI with Mu Heyao and caring for Xu Youyou’s physical and mental health. Earning money hadn’t taken up much of Xu Wenyin’s time. After all, those programs were a matter of minutes for her to make.

She hadn’t wasted much time chatting with Zhao Tao either.

Being a fashion designer had already been rejected by Qin Yiren, so……

“Being a celebrity?”

“This Miss admits that she’s very beautiful, but Wenyin, think about my acting skills?”

“Starting a company?”

“I already have over a dozen companies……”

“Engage in charity work?”

When Xu Wenyin surfed the internet, she often saw many wealthy individuals enjoying donating to charity. This kind of thing not only brought a good reputation and allowed for reasonable tax avoidance but also helped people. It sounded like a good option.

“……How boring.”

She wasn’t a genuine philanthropist. If it’s just for reputation and benefits, the Qin family had dedicated personnel for such matters. Qin Yiren also regularly donates to charity organizations every year. She doesn’t need the extra good reputation.

Xu Wenyin and Qin Yiren exchanged helpless glances, with a line of words written in their eyes—— What to do then?

Xu Youyou trotted over while pulling Lu Chenjun.

“Aunt Qin, Aunt Qin, what did you want to be when you were little?”

Clearly, the little one had heard the conversation between the two and understood their meaning.

She quickly raised her hand and shared her thoughts.

“Youyou want to be an artist when I grow up! And Juanjuan says he wants to be a scientist!”

All children have definitely been asked this question—— What do you want to be when you grow up?

But ninety-nine percent basically end up doing something different from what they said when they were young.

There were realistic factors and the immaturity of childhood, among other reasons. But Xu Youyou and Lu Chenjun were two individuals who seriously considered their choices.

Xu Youyou genuinely enjoys painting, and she had a high sensitivity to colors, imbuing her artwork with a sense of vitality.

Her teacher told her that drawing, as an art, heavily relied on talent, and Xu Youyou belonged to the category with abundant talent.

The teacher also believed that since she had talent, she should make good use of it.

With Xu Youyou’s financial status, she doesn’t need to consider too many practical factors and can fully pursue her interests.

As for Lu Chenjun, he had a high IQ, learned things quickly, and had excellent comprehension abilities. However, this also meant that Lu Chenjun got bored easily.

However, science is different, it’s a path without end.

Lu Chenjun felt that he could try walking this path. If he suddenly loses interest in the future, he could always switch.

After hearing Xu Youyou’s question and response, Qin Yiren also fell silent for a moment.

When she was a child, what did she want to do when she grew up?

“At that time,” Qin Yiren reminisced with a nostalgic smile. “I was so fickle.”

“I’ve thought about writing novels, being a pastry chef, and even running a flower shop, hahaha.”

Many people’s childhood dreams were ever-changing. Perhaps when they were in middle school, they dreamed of writing novels like the ones they enjoyed reading, or maybe when passing by a flower shop, they imagined themselves surrounded by beautiful flowers.

Qin Yiren was even more like that when she was young. She dabbled in many things but had a short attention span. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be so bored now.

Before, she had focused all her attention on Lu Chenjun, leaving Qin Yiren with no time to consider these things. Now that Lu Chenjun is a ‘mature adult’, perhaps she can also try more things herself.

After all, it doesn’t matter if it’s not successful!

“I’ve decided! I’m going to try everything!” Qin Yiren quickly slapped her thigh, evidently having made a phased plan for her future.

Since she had the money and the time, why not give it a try?

Feeling elated about her decision, Qin Yiren lifted Xu Youyou and planted a big kiss on her cheek. “Youyou is truly Aunt’s lucky charm!”

Indeed, Qin Yiren noticed that her family’s luck had been consistently good ever since they met the mother and daughter from the Xu family.

Lu Chenjun became increasingly cheerful, while Lu Weizheng switched jobs early and escaped from the big quagmire that was the Lu family. Every event seemed unrelated, but upon closer examination, they all appeared to be interconnected.

So, encountering Xu Wenyin and Xu Youyou must mean that Qin Yiren did a lot of good deeds in her past life.

Qin Yiren, happy with her decision, also remembered her good friend.

She absentmindedly tidied up Xu Youyou’s slightly disheveled hair in her arms while her eyes were fixed on Xu Wenyin. “Wenyin, what about you? What do you like?”

How did the topic suddenly shift to her? Xu Wenyin was taken aback.

Facing her friend’s blank expression, Qin Yiren continued, “Over these past few years, I know you’ve been working hard to earn money, wanting to give Youyou the best life.”

After all, it’s Qin Xiao who’s footing the bill, so Qin Yiren understood Xu Wenyin’s level of busyness very well.

So most of the time, she wouldn’t actively disturb Xu Wenyin, except for occasionally reminding her to take Xu Youyou out. She never actively asked Xu Wenyin to go shopping or do beauty treatments together.

Because Qin Yiren knew very well that it hadn’t been easy for Xu Wenyin to get to where she was today.

“But, Wenyin, don’t forget about yourself too.”

“I know you’re not the type to pursue luxury goods or a high-quality lifestyle, and neither is Youyou.”

Judging from the wealth that Xu Wenyin had accumulated now, if they didn’t squander it recklessly, both mother and daughter wouldn’t be able to exhaust it in their lifetimes. After all, real estate was constantly appreciating in value, especially since Xu Wenyin had a keen eye for choosing properties in prime locations.

Since the pressure was no longer as great, Xu Wenyin should start thinking about herself as well.

Qin Yiren wasn’t suggesting that Xu Wenyin find a partner but rather hoped that she could find something she enjoyed and experience the joys of life.

“Me?” Xu Wenyin repeated. “But my task is to make Youyou happy.”

That sentence was spoken very softly, almost as an unconscious murmur, but Qin Yiren heard it.

She definitely wouldn’t think of other things, she just assumed it was a mother’s way of setting expectations for herself.

“Wenyin, Youyou’s happiness includes you. If you’re happy, Youyou will be even happier.”

Looking at Xu Wenyin like this, Qin Yiren felt a trace of melancholy. Being a mother is indeed a big responsibility.

Xu Youyou is certainly a good child, but Qin Yiren didn’t want to see her best friend focusing all her attention on her child. They would eventually have their own lives and lead different paths.

And they, before being mothers, were still themselves and should also have their own lives.

“Yeah.” Xu Youyou said as she climbed down from Qin Yiren’s arms and onto Xu Wenyin’s lap. With a serious and expectant look in her eyes, she said to her mother, “Youyou is all grown up now and can take care of herself. Mom should also do things she loves like Aunt Qin!”

“Youyou don’t need so many houses and money. Youyou will earn her own money in the future!”

Xu Youyou knew that time flies by quickly when someone is doing something they love.

But even if it’s tiring and exhausting, they still feel happy inside.

Xu Youyou unconsciously snuggled against Xu Wenyin’s chest. “Youyou hope Mom can also be happy and find happiness.”

What was the warmth inside her chest?

Xu Wenyin didn’t realize how ‘silly’ her expression was at that moment. It was her first time experiencing the bewildering and perplexing world outside, full of uncertainty and confusion.

What do I like?

The real Xu Wenyin likes reading books, watching movies, and admiring flowers and beautiful scenery.

But she wasn’t the other party. She’s a system, she’s 5874.

Can a system also have things it likes?

Can a system like something?

“I don’t know.” Xu Wenyin said with a bewildered look, turning to Xu Youyou. “Morm doesn’t know what she likes.”

Programming? Definitely not.

For a system, it’s instinct, and also a means of survival.

“Youyou knows!” Xu Youyou raised her hand. “Mom likes to eat delicious food!”

Every time she ate something she liked, the smile on Xu Wenyin’s face was undeniable.

“Mom also likes watching TV!”

Xu Youyou knew that her mother  liked watching those brothers and sisters in flashy clothes acting on TV, although sometimes she would complain, she never missed an episode!

“Are those the things I like?”

If Xu Youyou hadn’t pointed it out, Xu Wenyin wouldn’t have even realized that she indeed liked those things.

That’s right, she would feel happy when she ate delicious food and become engrossed when she watched captivating dramas.

So, that’s how liking something feels like?

Xu Wenyin seemed to understand now what her senior had meant when she took on this task initially.

〖The key to a task is people, not systems.〗

In other words, it’s humans carrying out the task, not the systems.

This was because she was like a human now!

Happiness, anger, likes, dislikes, and other emotions, she had them all along.

No one knows how the systems came into existence, and the technology behind them has never been disclosed. They only know that they were products of science, representing the most advanced technology.

But no one had ever told them that systems couldn’t have emotions.

Nor had anyone told them that systems and people were different.

It seemed like they themselves had distinguished themselves from humans and all other sentient beings with emotions.

Starting from E rank, D rank, and C rank…… tasks were done in ascending order, perhaps in the hope that the systems could gradually understand this principle.

At least, back when 5874 was doing those two intern tasks, she never thought about these questions.

Xu Wenyin had never experienced this feeling of enlightenment before.

She felt that she was now very happy, extremely happy, happier than eating delicious food or watching entertaining TV dramas!

“Youyou,” Xu Wenyin exclaimed excitedly as she lifted Xu Youyou and spun her around in circles. “Mom seems to understand now!”

When they were doing tasks, they were actually part of the task itself.

Xu Youyou’s happiness also included Xu Wenyin!

Xu Youyou didn’t know what her mother understood, but when she heard her mother’s happy laughter, she couldn’t control the smile on her face and kept giggling.

Infected by this joy, Qin Yiren also lifted up Lu Chenjun beside her and started spinning around in circles.

“Juanjuan, are you happy? Mom will make delicious cakes for you in the future~”

Lu Chenjun: “……”

He felt like he didn’t fit in with these three.

What were they laughing about, anyway?

———pr

The ‘enlightened’ Xu Wenyin went straight to Zhao Tao and said very seriously, 【I’m going to start enjoying life now. I’ll only take on four jobs a year from now on. You figure it out.】

Money still needed to be earned, as Xu Wenyin still had to save up for Xu Youyou’s living expenses, but she could take it slower now.

In fact, it wasn’t slow at all. Xu Wenyin found that once she had accumulated a certain amount of capital, the speed at which money made money became faster and faster.

In a few more years, she might not even need to write code anymore, she could just lie at home and make money.

【Zhao Tao: ???】

Big Guy, isn’t this news too sudden?!

However, after the panic subsided, Zhao Tao could also understand Xu Wenyin. She had been pushing herself too hard these past few years.

It’s not an exaggeration to say she’s been juggling ten things at once. Now that she’s financially independent, wanting to rest more was quite normal.

However, just the thought of the ‘model worker’ semi-retiring, Zhao Tao couldn’t help but feel reluctant. After all, it was really hard to find a tech expert like Xu Wenyin, who was both skilled and fast.

After informing Zhao Tao, Xu Wenyin then sought out Mu Heyao.

She now understood that it wasn’t a virus that was affecting her, but emotions.

The system can also have emotions! It can be sentient!

Xu Wenyin had originally intended to terminate the research project with Mu Heyao directly. However, considering that sometimes discussing these matters with Mu Heyao and then watching him gradually create what she wanted gave her a sense of accomplishment, Xu Wenyin abandoned the idea.

Instead, she chose to let things run its course.

【If you have any questions in the future, just ask, I’ll try my best to answer whenever I’m free.】

In the past, she would occasionally check on the progress and give a gentle nudge now and then. But now that Xu Wenyin had ‘evolved’, it all depended on her preferences.

She’s going to live the life she liked!

【Mu Heyao: ???】

Wait, don’t you also like AI? Why did you suddenly abandon me?!

If Mu Heyao could fly over through the internet connection right now, he would surely be grabbing Xu Wenyin’s arm and interrogating her.

Unfortunately, he couldn’t. He also had no way to control Xu Wenyin’s thoughts.

I was left to fend for myself.

Mu Heyao realized this clearly and showed a look of despair, like a helpless little animal.

Xu Wenyin! You big jerk! Big liar!

Unaware that Mu Heyao was cursing her behind her back, or perhaps knowing and not caring, Xu Wenyin was at Qin Yiren’s house, savoring the freshly made chocolate cupcakes.

With one bite, the rich aroma and the tender texture made Xu Wenyin give Qin Yiren a thumbs up.

Qin Yiren smiled happily. “I made other flavors too. A new batch of seafood arrived this afternoon. Come over for dinner with Youyou tonight.”

With her mouth full of food, Xu Wenyin made an OK gesture, a blissful smile spreading across her face.

This was what life should be like!

———pr

September 01, at the entrance of the primary school.

Five children, each carrying a small backpack and wearing neatly tailored school uniforms, stood in a row.

The guardians stood behind their children, standing tall with confidence.

Both Liu Yanzhi’s grandfather and the busy man, Lu Weizheng, came this time, just to take part in their children’s first day of school.

“Alright, Mr. Liu, please move a little to the left, yes, that’s it!”

The assistant, holding the camera, spoke up after ensuring everyone was ready, “Three! Two! One!”

“Yay!”

At that moment, the smiles of Xu Youyou, Xu Wenyin, Lu Chenjun, Qin Yiren, and everyone else were frozen in time.

The sunlight at that moment was as bright and radiant as their current mood.