Chapter 20

Those were a perfect pair of matching parent-child bracelets.

In comparison, Xu Niancheng felt very guilty. She returned empty-handed, and was not as considerate as a cub.

"Mom, I'll take you shopping tomorrow. Pick whatever you want, and I'll pay!" She needed to make it up to her mother.

They came from a wealthy family, and Xu Yirou could get almost anything she wanted; her room was practically overflowing with clothes and toys.

Xu Yirou tugged at her daughter's sleeve a little shyly and said in a sweet voice, "Xiaobao, I want to sleep with you tonight and hear you sing."

She held up a tiny, radish-like finger: "I'm not greedy, one song is enough."

One song isn't enough; just because Mom is so adorable, you should add at least two zeros to the end!

"Mom, how did you know I wanted to sleep with you and sing you a song?" Xu Niancheng's heart softened, and she squatted down to hug her tightly, praising sweetly, "You're truly my mother, we're so in sync!"

Xu Yirou had taken a shower and was half-lying in the rattan hanging chair in the living room, swinging back and forth, waiting for her daughter to finish her shower so they could go to sleep together.

Just like the previous night, Xu Niancheng held her adorable baby in her arms. Due to the high intensity of her work, she often suffered from insomnia and headaches.

But on both of her trips home, she slept very comfortably and felt very at ease.

The cub in her arms is like a sleeping pill; the ancient Greek god of sleep, sleeping with her leaves you refreshed, clear-headed, and with a rosy complexion.

Xu Yirou fell into a deep sleep to the gentle singing, and Xu Niancheng closed her eyes to listen to her regular little snores.

The chirping of insects and birds filled the air at dawn, and Xu Niancheng remained sleepless all night until morning.

My arms were already empty. I turned my head and saw that the little dumpling had fallen asleep on the edge of the bed at some point, and was about to fall to the ground with a single roll.

Xu Niancheng reached out and pulled Xu Yirou, who was sleeping like a little pig, back to safety.

After waking up a little, I tiptoed out of bed, tucked the blankets around the cub's mother before quietly opening the door and leaving.

Xu Yirou was still fast asleep in the room.

About half an hour later, the blanket wrapped up like a small mountain stirred, with a soft rustling sound as someone turned over.

The baby chicks with their little heads sticking out emerged.

Still half asleep, Xu Yirou's vision was blurry. She rubbed her eyes and yawned with her mouth wide open.

As I lifted my buttocks, threw off the covers, and got out of bed, I suddenly felt a cool, wet sensation on my bottom.

Xu Yirou slowly touched her fingers with her small hand, staring blankly at her wet fingertips for a while.

She threw back the covers and stood up. A peach-shaped water stain was clearly visible on the pale purple floral bed sheet, perfectly fitting her little bottom.

Xu Yirou's mind went blank, and she pursed her lips without saying a word.

"Breakfast is ready. I'll go see if Mom is awake yet."

The sound outside the door made the cub tremble violently, her face filled with panic. She hadn't destroyed the evidence yet; she couldn't be discovered!

In a moment of panic, Xu Yirou lay back down, grabbed the blanket and quickly covered herself up tightly, then closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep.

"Huh? Mom still hasn't woken up."

The door opened, and Xu Niancheng walked in with surprise, looking at the messy bedding, intending to smooth out the wrinkles.

But as soon as her hand touched the blanket, she caught out of the corner of her eye that the cub's eyelashes were trembling and its eyes were constantly moving.

Xu Niancheng found it strange. Was she awake but pretending to be asleep?

I understand, Mom was in a playful mood and wanted to tease her.

With that thought, Xu Niancheng slowly curled the corners of her mouth and sat down at the head of the bed.

She leaned down close to the cub's soft, white ear and whispered with a smile, "Milk-flavored potato pancakes, pear and millet porridge, sausage toast rolls, bacon and cheese rice balls—you'll eat them all if you don't get up soon."

Glug glug—

"Oh dear." Xu Yirou hurriedly covered her belly, which betrayed her, slurped the drool from the corner of her mouth, and then looked up blankly, meeting her daughter's teasing smile.

"Mom, am I good at this? I can tell you're pretending to be asleep right away."

Xu Yirou blushed, trying to appear calm, but her mind was already wandering elsewhere: "Awesome~"

Xu Niancheng pinched her chubby little face: "Mommy, get up and have breakfast. Which little outfit should I wear today? I'll go get it."

I slept in Xu Niancheng's room last night; her clothes are in her own room.

"No need, I'll take it myself. You go eat, Xiao Bao." The little one huddled under the covers, his voice coming out from inside, indistinct yet incredibly adorable.

While Xu Niancheng's heart softened, she also sensed Xu Yirou's unusual behavior; her mother wanted to get rid of her.

Mom has a little secret she doesn't want her to find out.

The more this happened, the more curious she became. So she pretended not to know, got up, and walked to the door, saying, "I'm going out."

Xu Yirou pricked up her ears and waited, making sure the room was quiet before quietly peeking out.

She jumped up, threw off the covers, stared shyly at the urine stains on the sheets, and immediately got to work.

She insisted on taking the sheets off herself and dragging them into the washing machine.

The cub clenched its little fists and got to work. The tiny little thing stood by the bed and grabbed a corner of the sheet, struggling to drag it along.

"Heave-ho, heave-ho~"

Xu Niancheng was stunned when she saw this on the surveillance camera, and then burst into laughter.

It turned out that Mom had wet the bed. She thought it was a big deal and was being very secretive about it.

However, the mother definitely did this because she didn't want them to find out. Even a baby has self-esteem and cares about face.

Xu Niancheng decided not to expose her and instead watched the video repeatedly, her smile radiant.

The boy had no idea that his bedwetting had been exposed, nor did he know that his daughter's room had been equipped with a camera.

Because Xu Niancheng doesn't come back often and there are many valuables in the room, a surveillance camera was installed for security reasons.

The bed sheet was made of cow wool, thick and wide. Xu Yirou used all her strength, and her forehead was covered in fine sweat, but she could only pull out a tiny bit of it.

Xu Yirou sat on the ground, panting, wiping away sweat, and biting her fingers as she pondered.

Then, Xu Niancheng saw the cub in the picture suddenly turn around and run outside, take a cup of water when no one was paying attention, and splash it on the bed sheet.

He stomped his foot dramatically, exclaiming, "Oops, the water spilled!"

Oh yeah, this way we won't expose her bedwetting, and we won't have to throw the sheets in the washing machine.

Xu Niancheng: "..."

Hahaha, no wonder she's her mother, she's so smart!

So cute, I'm crying!

At the same time, Xu Yirou ran down with her short legs and loudly proclaimed, as if to say something completely unintentional:

"Da Bao, Er Bao, there's water on the sheets! I didn't wet the bed, I didn't wet the bed!"

He Nianzhu was playing games on the sofa in the living room. Hearing this, he looked up and understood: "Uncle Yun, have someone tidy up."

"Yes, Second Young Master." Uncle Yun turned around, his eyes widening in surprise, and said respectfully, "Madam, your dress is dirty. Should we prepare a new dress for you to change into?"

Xu Yirou put her little hand behind her back and said, "No need, no need, it's not dirty." She ran upstairs.

He Nianzhu's gaze followed the slightly shy and flustered little figure up to the second floor. Xu Niancheng came down from the other side, and the brother and sister smiled at each other.

"From now on, Mom shouldn't drink milk before bed."

He Nianzhu smiled and nodded: "Okay."

When Xu Yirou came down again, she had changed into a clean and stylish Chanel-style suit, which Xu Niancheng had specially chosen for her.

She has to go to dance class at 2 PM, so she just plays around at home in the morning to pass the time.

After breakfast, Xu Yirou sat by the door, staring wide-eyed, clearly waiting for someone.

Xu Niancheng couldn't help but ask, "Mom, who are you waiting for?"

"Wait for Mom."

"Cough cough cough!" Xu Niancheng choked on the apple pieces in her mouth, her face turning red, her eyes filled with astonishment. Her mother missed her grandmother?!

My older brother just moved the old couple's graves back to the mountain valley not long ago, are we going to move them back again...?

He Nianzhu kindly patted her younger sister's back, her expression inscrutable: "Mom was talking about Grandma."

"What the heck?" Xu Niancheng was completely dumbfounded.

She knew that the cub's mother and grandmother had become much closer, but had they gotten to the point where the cub treated the grandmother like its own mother?

"Xiao Bao, why isn't Mommy here yet?"

Yesterday, Qiao Wen promised to continue teaching her piano today.

Xu Yirou was anxious and, holding her daughter's arm, eagerly pressed for answers.

He Nianzhu: "Mom, don't worry, Chengcheng, call the old house and ask about the situation."

Xu Niancheng rolled her eyes at him. When there's trouble, he calls her "Little Sister Chengcheng," but when there's no trouble, he calls her "Little brat." He's quite good at ordering her around. What a scumbag brother.

Ha!

But seeing the mother cub's pitiful eyes, she couldn't bear it and didn't dare contact the old lady directly. Instead, she found the phone number of Uncle Zeng, the old house's housekeeper, and dialed it:

"Uncle Zeng, is my grandma home?"

Uncle Zeng was quite surprised to receive the call from the Third Miss and secretly glanced at Qiao Wen, who was watering the plants.

He said solemnly, "With the old lady at home, is there anything you, Third Miss, need me to convey?"

"Oh, I see..." Xu Niancheng asked awkwardly, "Is Grandma busy today?"

"I can't draw a conclusion on that. Miss, please speak frankly if you have something to say."

Xu Niancheng licked her lips and whispered, "Uncle Zeng, could you please ask her if she would do me the honor of coming today?"

"Rou Rou misses her mom!" A childish voice suddenly called out in her ear, "Rou Rou wants to learn the piano!"

The house was very quiet, and Uncle Zeng's old-fashioned mobile phone had serious sound leakage; even without deliberately turning it on amplified, it could be heard clearly from a meter away.

He noticed his wife's hand pause slightly while watering the flowers, but he pretended to continue as if nothing had happened.

My wife has been restless all morning; could it be that she's waiting for this phone call?

But who is that child who calls the old lady "Mom"?

After hanging up the phone, Uncle Zeng turned to the side and respectfully relayed, "Madam, the Third Miss requests your presence."

Qiao Wen didn't reply. She watered the flowers faster than usual, her face remaining calm as she quietly instructed, "Prepare the car."

The He family's old house was not far from the Xu family's. The little dumpling, who had been waiting anxiously, didn't have to wait long before a familiar car drove up from afar.

The little dumpling immediately perked up as if she'd been injected with chicken blood, almost rushing out, but luckily Xu Niancheng caught her in time.

"Mother!"

"Mom, you're so late today."

"Yeah?"

“Yes.” The little dumpling grumbled unhappily, holding Qiao Wen’s hand and chattering, “You have to come earlier tomorrow, otherwise breakfast will get cold. The teacher said we should cherish food, and you have to be a role model for us.”

Xu Niancheng watched with bated breath, while the brother and sister exchanged intense glances without any barriers.

Is it okay for Mom to talk like that? Won't Grandma be angry?

Having experienced yesterday's events, He Nianzhu was already numb: "You'll get used to it."

No matter how unbelievable it seemed to them, Xu Niancheng and He Nianzhu still greeted Qiao Wen respectfully and politely.

Xu Yirou followed Qiao Wen around like a little shadow. Qiao Wen was over seventy years old, but she was well-maintained and clean, without a trace of old-age smell. Instead, she had a faint woody fragrance that smelled very nice.

Seeing how attached her baby's mother was to her grandmother, Xu Niancheng couldn't help but feel a little jealous.

"Alas, Grandma stole Mom's heart." She sighed softly, "Only the new bride is seen laughing, and the old bride is never heard crying."

He Nianzhu shrugged: "Who isn't?"

He experienced it twice yesterday.

In the music room, Xu Yirou had already climbed into Qiao Wen's arms, snuggling and rubbing against her affectionately, completely unafraid of Qiao Wen's stern and serious face.

Xu Niancheng, hiding by the window, stared wide-eyed.

"Alright, practice the piano." Qiao Wen moved the cub a little further away and succinctly issued the task, "First, review the scales."

Xu Yirou smiled sweetly and affectionately, like a kitten that had had enough catnip: "Rou Rou received it, Mom!"

Then, mimicking Qiao Wen's sitting posture, she shifted her little bottom, straightened her back, placed her soft, tiny fingers on the piano keys, and began to play haltingly.

Qiao Wen looked at her: "Did you review your notes last night?"

Xu Yirou shook her head honestly: "I'm not reviewing. I'm going to watch 'Boonie Bears'."

Xu Niancheng was extremely anxious outside: "Of course we should keep it a secret when we're being lazy. Why did Mom tell the truth? Grandma will definitely criticize her later."

Grandma is always stern when she criticizes people, and she looks even fiercer than a teacher. Mom would definitely be scared to tears.

He Nianzhu gave a meaningful smile, remaining quite calm: "Don't panic, it's just a small matter."

"Not bad." He remembered the scales he learned yesterday even without reviewing; there's hope. "Continue."

Huh? No one swearing? Xu Niancheng was stunned.

What followed was even more astonishing.

"Mom, do you know what 'Boonie Bears' is?"

"have no idea."

"Then why didn't you ask me?"

"That's an animated film, it's fake."

Xu Yirou chuckled, covering her mouth and laughing, "Mommy, that's not fake, it's real! There really are bears in the forest, it's mentioned in the textbook."

She counted on her little radish fingers: "In the forest there are monkeys, elephants, hippos, crocodiles... Mom, haven't you ever seen them before?"

Qiao Wen was speechless; how familiar this scene seemed.

"Never seen it before." She was too lazy to argue with a little kid and just wanted to get to the point quickly.

Xu Yirou was overjoyed, her big eyes shining brightly, "Mom, it's okay, Rourou will take you to the zoo!"

She patted her chest and said, "I guarantee Mom will be satisfied!"

Xu Niancheng's reaction was exactly the same as He Nianzhu's yesterday: Impossible, absolutely impossible!

Her father never went to any entertainment venues with his grandmother when he was a child, which shows that she doesn't like crowds and doesn't like going anywhere except for the company and home.

Qiao Wen was reluctant to agree, but she couldn't bring herself to refuse coldly and decisively.

So he used a roundabout strategy: "If you can learn what I teach you today, I'll agree to go to the zoo with you."

Without hesitation, the little dumpling replied, "Okay, okay, I promise I'll complete the mission!"

Standing by the window, Xu Niancheng, finally noticing something was amiss, squinted and glared fiercely at her brother: "Did you know this would happen?"

He Nianzhu said on the surface: "Tsk, don't wrongly accuse innocent people."

He was secretly pleased with himself, knowing he wasn't the only one who got slapped in the face. It was a pity he was joining the crew tomorrow, otherwise he could have seen his older brother get slapped in the face.

Qiao Wen inexplicably fell into the little brat's trap. She could have gotten out with just one word, but she didn't say anything and just lay quietly at the bottom of the pit.

She's an elder, and accompanying a younger person to the zoo helps them broaden their horizons and expand their perspectives; it's only right that she does so.

With a carrot hanging in front of her, Xu Yirou focused intently on learning to read sheet music and keep time with Qiao Wen.

However, the cubs have limited attention spans. After learning for less than twenty minutes, they started swaying from side to side, scratching their bottoms and faces.

Qiao Wen observed everything discreetly and suggested taking a ten-minute break in the middle.

Xu Yirou ran to the restroom, while Qiao Wen sat in her original spot and slowly began to play a lyrical and gentle piece of music.

The music room was brightly lit and softly glowed, and the notes that flowed from her fingertips seemed to imbue her with a gentle radiance.

Like snow melting and everything returning to spring.

He Nianzhu snapped out of her daze, glanced sideways, and sure enough, saw her silly little sister looking completely bewildered: "You didn't expect that, did you? The old lady has this talent."

Xu Niancheng was lost in thought: "...It's because we know too little about her."

We're only related by blood, and we rarely interact. I know far less about her than I do about my colleagues and friends.

*

I had my dance class in the afternoon as planned.

It was Xu Yirou's first time taking a dance class, and unsurprisingly, her doting siblings personally drove her there and back. Qiao Wen, on the other hand, was persuaded by Xu Yirou to stay for lunch, so they could drop her off together.

Surrounded by people she loves, Xu Yirou feels like the happiest person in the world.

The dance class was divided according to age, and Xu Yirou was naturally assigned to the four- to six-year-old preschool group.

The little dumpling, having changed her clothes, skipped and hopped out of the changing room.

A hint of subtle amazement flashed across Qiao Wen's eyes, and her perpetually taut lips relaxed slightly before quickly returning to their normal position.

He Nianzhu was different; she didn't hold back in praising her: "My dear aunt, you're a little swan even without dancing."

Little swan Xu Yirou twirled around, her dress blooming like flower petals.

She was born with exquisite features, her head was round and full, and she looked good no matter how she styled her hair. Her skin was porcelain white and delicate, and her eyes were like stars. Even if she were lost in a crowd, you could spot her at a glance.

The children who come to this training class are not from ordinary backgrounds; their parents are mostly well-informed and knowledgeable, yet they are all attracted to her.

A parent diagonally in front of them looked on with admiration, hesitating whether to go up and strike up a conversation.

Just then, a voice filled with surprise rang out: "Meatball!"

A girl, also wearing a ballet tutu and with curly hair, waved and ran over.

"Bubble!"

The two children, running in opposite directions, hugged each other tightly.

Xu Yirou was overjoyed: "Bubble, are you here to be a little swan too?"

"Yeah." Bubble looked up and saw Xu Niancheng and Qiao Wen behind her, and quickly asked, "Rou Rou, are they here to keep you company in class?"

Xu Yirou boldly introduced, "Yes, this is my mother, she is my daughter!"

Because she believed that Bubble was her best friend, Xu Yirou secretly told her the secret of how she suddenly shrunk.

Children love adventure and curiosity, and are generally more open to new ideas than adults. Bubble was envious and amazed, and believed her without a shred of doubt.

For example, right now, she wasn't surprised at all that Qiao Wen, with her full head of white hair, was her mother.

"Hello, auntie and sister, I'm Bubble~"

Bubble is a warm and hospitable little girl, a social butterfly among children. Xu Niancheng took a liking to this little girl immediately, and even Qiao Wen, who is not good at speaking, responded to her gently.

"Bubble, where is your mother?"

Jiang Yan is beautiful and gentle, and Xu Yirou has a high opinion of her.

Bubble said in a crisp voice, "My mom went on a business trip. She said she'll come pick me up after I finish learning Little Swan!"

Her nanny always brought her to her extracurricular classes.

"Hmph, she's lying, don't believe her! Her mother never sent her here, she doesn't have a father, she's an unwanted child!"

Suddenly, a string of childish yet sharp words rang out, and the group turned around to see a tall, thin girl standing behind them, staring at Bubble with a mocking expression.

Bubble's expression froze, and her face instantly turned red: "Don't talk nonsense, I'm not lying, my mom said she would come to pick me up!"

The girl's name is Duoduo, and she's a little older than the two boys, about six years old.

Taking advantage of being much taller than Bubble, Duoduo looked down at her with her nostrils: "You said the same thing before, but none of us have ever seen your mother. Now you're trying to fool the new kids. You're so mean!"

The new kid = new friend.

Xu Yirou shook her head repeatedly and said, "I'm not new, Bubble and I are old friends!"

My uncle's friend?

Duoduo haughtily tossed her head: "Tch, who asked about your uncle? I don't know your uncle, and how can your uncle be more powerful than mine? You're such a little fool, you didn't even realize you were fooled by Bubble."

"You're not allowed to insult Rou Rou!" Bubble stepped in front of Xu Yirou, her little mouth twitching. "Hmph, if you break my sister's wings, I'll destroy your entire paradise!"

He Nianzhu & Xu Niancheng: "..." Huh?

Qiao Wen raised her eyebrows: Not bad, a promising talent.

With her parents often away from home, Bubble is the little emperor of the house, surfing the internet at lightning speed and watching cartoons and melodramatic short dramas non-stop every day.

After being exposed to it for a long time, one will occasionally come up with a brilliant saying.

Peers won't understand, but it doubles the effect of showing off.

After Bubble finished making his bold statement with great momentum, Duoduo was immediately stunned.

What wings and heaven? Does she think she's an angel? Who is she trying to scare? Honestly...

Duoduo's temper subsided, but she still wouldn't let it go: "Why are you being so fierce? I'm telling the truth. The teacher said children shouldn't lie. You're a child without parents."

Children's innocent words can be the most hurtful.

Even if Bubble is strong, she's still just a five-year-old cub. How could she not feel bad when her wounds were exposed in public?

She pouted, her eyelashes trembled, and tears began to well up in her eyes.

Seeing this, Xu Niancheng couldn't help but feel sorry for Duoduo and felt a little annoyed with her.

“Bubble has a mom and dad, I’ve seen them!” It was Xu Yirou who spoke.

She patted Bubble's head, puffed out her chest, and said, "Bubble's mom is a beautiful superstar, even prettier than my second child! We've all seen her, except you, hehe~"

Young animals are the most easily provoked creatures, and they are quite sensitive to phrases like "everyone else has it, but you don't."

Duo Duo's face twisted in disbelief: "Impossible, you're lying!"

"Bubble, why don't you call your mom?"

Bubble, who was immersed in sadness, suddenly woke up. She slapped her forehead and realized, "Oh right, I can just call my mom!"

She smugly snorted at Duoduo, "You just wait."

The nanny behind her hurriedly handed her a phone, and under Duoduo's anxious gaze, the video call was answered after only three rings.

Jiang Yan is a strikingly beautiful woman with an aggressive look. The moment the video call connected, Duoduo was so shocked by her stunningly beautiful yet 'everywhere' face that she gaped in disbelief.

"Baby, do you miss Mommy?"

"Sigh, I miss my mom."

Duoduo's face turned pale instantly, and her whole body stiffened like iron.