Chapter 14.1

Gifts.

Nuo Nuo accompanied her mother to a trendy new internet-famous town in the city, where the buildings had a slight Italian style and many cute cartoon-like structures.

Her mother had invited a few friends to join, two women and two men. Everyone found Nuo Nuo adorable and wanted to hug her. One of the young men was especially gentle with her.

Xu Ai hadn’t expected Cheng Yao to appear here. The young man, Wei Lai, had a bright smile, and upon seeing Xu Ai’s surprised expression, he said, “I had something to discuss with Cheng Yao, and since there weren’t enough cars, I asked him to drive us over. Is that okay?”

Xu Ai shook her head. “It’s fine.”

It’s not like they haven’t seen each other since she got married, and the past was long gone. She didn’t mind anymore.

Meanwhile, Nuo Nuo was too busy exploring the new and interesting things around her. After greeting her uncle and aunties with a smile, she began to look around curiously.

Her mother and friends took her shopping at various boutique stores. As Nuo Nuo looked around, she pondered, “Mommy, I want to buy a gift for Daddy. What kind of gift do you think would be good?”

The young man walking beside them paused, but then continued walking as if nothing had happened.

Xu Ai had indeed heard about the little one wanting to buy a gift for her father before leaving, but she hadn’t taken it seriously. After all, any random item would count as a gift. She said, “You can buy whatever you want for him.”

Nuo Nuo shook her head, adamantly disagreeing with her mother’s words. “Mommy, Daddy gave us a bank card before we left, and yesterday he bought me lots of things. Since I’m out having fun, I definitely need to buy him a gift.”

“But I need to think carefully about what to buy that would be nice.”

Zhao Lili, one of Xu Ai’s female friends accompanying them, heard what Nuo Nuo said and chuckled, “Nuo Nuo, you’re so good! You’re buying a gift for Daddy.”

Nuo Nuo nodded, her big watery eyes shining, “Because Daddy has bought me lots of gifts too.”

Zhao Lili smiled warmly, “Then let’s think about what your daddy might like. Men might enjoy watches, water bottles, leather shoes, or tea sets. Or maybe you could get him a speaker or something.”

Nuo Nuo felt that what Zhao Lili suggested didn’t quite match her idea. The little one shook her head and continued to look around, pondering, “I’ll think about it some more.”

Later, when they entered a toy store hidden in an alley, Nuo Nuo chose a very retro model of a truck and a bus for Sheng Zexi. Although the models were small, they could light up, making them quite interesting.

Children truly are children. Even the gift they choose for their father is so unique, based entirely on her own preferences. Zhao Lili couldn’t help but laugh, “Nuo Nuo, do you think your daddy will like this?”

It was hard to imagine how Sheng Zexi, such a serious person, would react to receiving a toy from his daughter. It would surely be quite a sight.

Xu Ai found it a bit amusing as well, but she didn’t mind what the child chose to give. As long as Nuo Nuo was happy, she didn’t care whether Sheng Zexi would be happy or not.

However, because it was a toy that had been out of production for years, it wasn’t cheap. But for Xu Ai, even an expensive toy was still just a toy.

When they finished paying and were leaving, Xu Ai glanced back at a couple who had also come out with their purchases. She heard them say, “It’s amazing! We managed to find a rare toy from my childhood in this store.”

Xu Ai paused, looking up at the sign overhead: “Unforgettable Toys of Childhood.”

She didn’t dwell on this small episode. After leaving the store, she took Nuo Nuo to buy some delicious food and then went to take photos together.

Along the way, she mostly chatted with Nuo Nuo and Zhao Lili, and her conversations with Cheng Yao were few.

After all, time had long since made them strangers.

They played in the town until evening. Since the place was quite large, they couldn’t get enough in one night, and since some of her other girlfriends were arriving later to join them, Xu Ai didn’t plan on going back after dinner.

And she didn’t have the habit of informing Sheng Zexi, so when he returned home from work that evening, he found the house empty and felt a bit unaccustomed. After asking the housekeeper, he learned that they hadn’t come back yet.

Thinking of something, Sheng Zexi opened his Moments on social media and saw Xu Ai’s post, featuring photos of Nuo Nuo on a carousel and swings, with the lively and adorable little girl wearing a radiant smile that could melt anyone’s heart. There were also photos of Xu Ai with her friends, including a young man who, if Sheng Zexi remembered correctly, was someone Xu Ai almost married. At that time, Xu Ai was already engaged.

If it hadn’t been for the unexpected events between the two of them…

His eyes held a trace of depth. Just as the butler informed him that dinner was ready in the kitchen, Sheng Zexi headed towards the door and said, “I have something to attend to, I’ll be stepping out.”

He stood at the door for a moment, scrolling through his phone, before turning and leaving. The housekeeper was somewhat puzzled but didn’t dare question his actions, as Mr. Sheng’s affairs had always been out of their jurisdiction. He simply went to the kitchen to instruct them to take the food back.

On the other side, Nuo Nuo was playing in the sand pit by the lake in the town when Xu Ai’s friend, Mu Ting, arrived. She was a beautiful woman with curly hair. Seeing the adorable little girl, she first pinched Nuo Nuo’s chubby cheeks playfully and then presented her with a stuffed toy she had bought. Mu Ting smiled at Xu Ai, saying, “Your little one has perfectly inherited the best genes from both of you. She’s getting more and more beautiful.”

The auntie’s actions were a bit rough, and Nuo Nuo was already prepared to cry, but when she suddenly received a gift, her eyes lit up. Upon seeing the present, she immediately forgave the auntie, opened the bag, and saw a lovely doll in a beautiful dress with pretty braids. Giggles filled the air as she admired it, showing it to her mother, “Mommy, it’s so pretty!”

Mu Ting laughed and said, “If you like it, then give auntie a kiss!”

She leaned down and gave Nuo Nuo a big kiss.

Nuo Nuo, feeling generous because of the cute doll in her arms, allowed the kiss and quickly returned to playing in the sand, proudly showing her toy to the other children, saying, “Look at the one my auntie gave me! Isn’t it pretty?”

Nearby, a pair of siblings were diligently digging in the sand with their shovels. They glanced over upon hearing Nuo Nuo’s words and nodded earnestly, “Pretty!”

Nuo Nuo smiled brightly and continued her sandcastle building.

There were chairs nearby, and Mu Ting sat down, casting her eyes around at Cheng Yao before asking Xu Ai, “Aren’t you going back tonight?”

Xu Ai relaxed in her chair, letting the wind blow through her long hair. “Nope, since it’s not very busy these days. When it is busy, I can’t come out even if you want me to.”

Wei Lai, sitting next to them sipping coffee, chimed in, “Yeah, she didn’t come out when we wanted to invite her before. Now she’s become a workaholic.”

Mu Ting felt that Xu Ai was in a good state and, recalling something, smiled as she gestured to the lemon tea being served, “If you’re not going back, does your husband mind?”

Xu Ai laughed, “What could he possibly mind? He can be away for a year and a half without a problem. I’m just out for one night.”

The others agreed, “Exactly, just because you’re married doesn’t mean you have to lose your freedom.”

Mu Ting didn’t mean it that way, but she knew a little about the issues between Xu Ai and Sheng Zexi. As a friend, she naturally hoped her best friend would have a good life.

Unsure how to approach it, Mu Ting advised, “You should find a balance. After all, you have to continue living together. Sometimes, it’s good for each person to take a step back.”

Xu Ai found it a bit amusing that her friend was trying to counsel her again. “Alright, we finally have a chance to gather. Can we not talk about men?”

Xu Ai genuinely didn’t want to mention Sheng Zexi. She understood her friend’s concerns, but she couldn’t just tell her that they were bound to get a divorce someday. It wasn’t the right time to bring it up.

So, Mu Ting smiled and changed the topic, and as they chatted, they began reminiscing about their high school days.

They had all known each other back then, and speaking of the past, they exchanged stories, animated and full of spirit.

Cheng Yao remained mostly silent, quietly watching Xu Ai’s smiling face with a touch of contemplation.

High school was their most beautiful memory together.

If it hadn’t been for what happened later…

Nuo Nuo played in the sand for a long time. When she came out, her dress was covered in sand. The little girl returned to her mother with red eyes, feeling itchy and complaining. Xu Ai glanced at her daughter’s arms and indeed saw they were scratched red. A bit helpless, she told her friends and decided to take Nuo Nuo back to change clothes. As they left, everyone else lost their inclination to stay idle and followed them.