Chapter 85

"Mom's blood contains substances that cure cancer and rejuvenate? Bro, Aunt Yun's team isn't joking, is they...? That's impossible, we're not making a science fiction movie."

He Nianzhu found it hard to believe the news brought by Xu Qingyan.

After several days of careful consideration, Xu Qingyan told her younger siblings the results of Professor Yunlan's team's tests.

The almost magical outcome caught the brother and sister off guard. Xu Niancheng was the first to ask with concern, "Does Mom know about this herself?"

Xu Qingyan didn't hide anything: "Mom probably knows some of it."

"She once wanted to donate blood."

"Absolutely not!"

He Nianzhu and Xu Niancheng spoke in unison, Xu Niancheng's heart pounding: "I believe Aunt Yun's conclusion. The idea that Mom turned back into a child overnight is unscientific. But it's different for us to know than for others to know. Big brother, we must not put Mom in any risk."

“The entire research team has signed a confidentiality agreement, and the lab’s data is managed by an AI assistant; not even a fly can get out,” Xu Qingyan reassured her sister. “Don’t worry.”

The entire laboratory is heavily guarded, equipped with the world's most advanced security system, and patrolled 24 hours a day, ensuring top-notch confidentiality and security.

"I'm telling you this so you're not in a panic. The reason why Mom shrunk is still under investigation, so please don't panic."

Xu Qingyan's words were more effective than any tranquilizer, and He Nianzhu and Xu Niancheng's panicked emotions calmed down.

Xu Niancheng's solemn expression faded, and she announced in a relaxed tone, "Big brother, second brother, I have good news for you. I've decided to go back to work in Beijing."

Xu Qingyan asked in surprise, "You're not doing live streams anymore?"

"How could that be? Of course I'll still do it," Xu Niancheng laughed. "I'm planning to move the whole team over here."

"Has the company location been chosen yet?" Xu Qingyan always doted on his only younger sister. "There's a vacant floor in the Modern Building, and it's close to home. You can have it."

Modern Building is the most valuable office building in Beijing, located in the city's most convenient and bustling area. It is one of the properties owned by Senming Group, and its annual rent is a small goal of several hundred million yuan.

"No, no, that would be too high-profile," Xu Niancheng refused, embarrassed. "I haven't told them yet that I'm a member of the He family. They've always thought I just have a little money."

She owns a four-story duplex villa with a small garden and swimming pool downstairs, and a gym and game room on the basement level. The environment is beautiful and the facilities are complete.

That small villa is more than enough to serve as an office and staff dormitory.

He Nianzhu laughed at her: "Isn't this a perfect opportunity to lay your cards on the table? What, will revealing your identity as the daughter of the He family make you lose a piece of flesh?"

It won't cost you anything, but it will create a lot of unnecessary trouble.

Xu Niancheng dislikes social interactions and doesn't want her identity to affect her work.

She let out a snort: "You wouldn't understand even if I told you."

The difference in their attitudes before and after was too obvious. The twin brother and sister argued and bickered through the screen, but as usual, the fight ended with the older brother's mediation.

Before ending the call, Xu Qingyan repeatedly emphasized and instructed that Xu Yirou be well taken care of and that she should go home as soon as possible.

He Nianzhu came out of the lounge and peeked into the nanny van as she passed by.

A fair-skinned little girl was lying on the small bed. Her profile was round and rosy, and her braided hair tied with a pink butterfly ribbon hung down her shoulders. The moment she turned her head and smiled, she looked like a sweet and lovely peach cake.

He Nianzhu's heart was almost melted by the sweetness.

"Erbao!"

"Are you done with your work? Come in quickly!"

Xu Yirou waved to her son by the window, her chubby little hand leaving a blur: "It's air-conditioned inside, so cool."

The daytime temperature is high, approaching 40 degrees Celsius. Because He Nianzhu was worried that she would suffer from heatstroke if she went out to play, she has been spending the days in the RV, being taken care of by her personal assistant, Xiao Zhu.

He Nianzhu opened the car door and stepped in. He was wearing a heavy ancient costume, his neck was red from the heat, and his whole body was as hot as a small furnace.

Xu Yirou felt sorry for him: "Erbao, are you about to turn into ice cream?"

The way a mother speaks to her young child is always so unexpectedly adorable.

"Grandma, I should be the Flaming Mountain right now."

"No, you're more like melting ice cream."

Xu Yirou held a tissue in her palm, sat cross-legged on the bed, and gently wiped her son's sweat with her slender arms.

Her thick, fan-like eyelashes swept lightly, and her bright, clear eyes filled with hesitation and confusion. Her little baby teeth gently bit her lower lip.

"Erbao, how about... how about we go home?"

He Nianzhu opened her eyes and her first reaction was to ask, "What's wrong, little miss? Do you find it too boring here and don't want to stay anymore?"

“No.” Xu Yirou shook her head. “You’ll melt if you work in the summer. Let’s work in the winter. Hmm… I’ll share some of my money with you. You won’t starve.”

He Nianzhu felt a warmth in her chest from her mother's unexpected concern, and her beautiful phoenix eyes suddenly took on a silly, goofy quality.

He couldn't help but pinch his mother's chubby cheeks: "Little Aunt, I remember you once said that being able to endure hardship is a virtue, especially for young people like me who need to be able to endure hardship."

Xu Yirou had no recollection of this incident.

"Impossible, how could I say such a thing?" She denied it repeatedly, looking smug. "The three of you are my treasures. I'll bear all the hardships myself and won't leave them for you."

She let out a snort through her nose: "Don't force yourself to suffer when there's no suffering to be had."

Xiao Zhu, who had been just a background figure the whole time, was taken aback.

Holy crap, this four-year-old is more insightful than her parents. Who understands? Her parents just love the older generation who don't have to suffer.

If only my little darling could share some of that awareness with her parents.

He Nianzhu's understanding of her mother was refreshed once again. After a brief moment of emotion, she squatted by the bed, looking up with starry eyes, and shyly rested her chin on her hand like a young girl.

"My dear aunt, your ideological awareness has advanced by leaps and bounds! Who taught you that? Where did you learn it?"

"What? I suspect you look down on my chubby cheeks." Xu Yirou crossed her arms, a wide smile playing on her lips. "I'm not some old fogey, my brain's still going strong~"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhu trembled slightly, turned her head to the side, covered her mouth, and secretly laughed.

The two of them, one big and one small, must have toned down quite a bit in the live variety show. After all, He Nianzhu in the variety show wasn't as shy and clingy as she is now, while the little chubby one was as cute as ever, but clearly more intelligent and quick-witted.

"Let me tell you, I know a lot."

Xu Yirou was incredibly proud, her bright and lively eyes like a painting: "By the way, do you want to come home with me?"

He Nianzhu looked at her with eyes full of longing and tenderness: "Go back, go back, go back after we finish filming this movie. I'll listen to you and resume work in winter."

"Five more days, it will be here soon."

Xu Yirou pouted. "Having three children, all of whom are workaholics, sigh, this life is unbearable."

How could someone who seems so laid-back and easygoing have three hardworking and capable children? I just can't figure it out.

Xu Yirou chuckled twice; it seems she's destined to enjoy the blessings of children and grandchildren.

The seven-day shoot flew by, and the mother and son were in a great hurry.

On the morning before leaving, Xu Yirou reluctantly got off the RV, tears welling up in her eyes. Ever since she had spent several days playing in the RV, she had fallen in love with it.

I feel that none of the luxury cars in my garage can compare to the comfort of a simple and unpretentious RV.

"Waaaaah, Erbao, can't we really ride the cow home?"

Xu Yirou thought the RV was super cool, so she named it Niu Niu (meaning "cow cow").

"No, it'll take two days to drive it home. The 'Dear Baby' film crew will arrive tomorrow morning."

"That cow is so pitiful to be left here all by itself; it will be lonely."

He Nianzhu gently patted the cub's head and smiled, "It won't, because it's a car. It doesn't have a heart, or if it does, it's made of iron."

At that moment, a cub's heart quietly broke.

Xu Yirou: ...

"Alright, little auntie, I guarantee with my handsome face that Niu Niu will be fine. My colleague will take good care of it."

"Can we leave now?"

Xu Yirou raised her eyes, her dark pupils darting around, exuding a seductive charm.

Suddenly, a playful smile appeared on her lips, and she stomped on her son's foot.

He Nianzhu: ? ? ?

"Ha ha ha ha."

"Serves you right for being cold and heartless, hmph."

The cub's booming laughter drifted further and further away, leaving his son with a round back of his head as he strode into the car to the airport.

He Nianzhu tilted her head slightly, staring with interest at a small black mark on the toe of her shoe, and chuckled softly to herself.

He declared that his mother was the healthiest and most active child in the world!

Look how deep those shoe prints are! It shows that Mom is in good health; otherwise, where would she get such strength?

And the speed of his kick was so fast it was almost as fast as an athlete's.

Is there a better kid than this?

No, his mother is the best son!

*

"I heard you went to see the He family?"

"What's going on? Did you even heed my repeated reminders?"

The young man in the back seat leaned back as if boneless, his long, slender fingers holding the phone, his eyes and brows revealing a hint of arrogance.

His tone was casual and languid, his attention entirely focused on the lit laptop: "I didn't look for it, this is Xiaoshan's fault."

"What?" Madam Qin Yuan of the Xia family paused, "How did he get involved with this? How could a foreigner who can't even read Chinese know someone from the He family?"

Xia Chuan's lips curled into a smile as he lazily interrupted, "Mom, I turned on the speakerphone."

"..."

Qin Yuan: "Xiao Shan is here?"

What do you think?

Qin Yuan choked, furious. That brat didn't even bother to remind her; he was definitely doing it on purpose!

Don't be angry, don't be angry, it's my own child.

Qin Yuan took a deep breath, then switched to a loving mother's expression: "Xiaoshan, your aunt was just joking with your brother, not teasing you. Don't overthink it."

Xia Xiaoshan, a foreigner: "Brother, what does 'cricket' mean? Isn't cricket a kind of insect?"

Xia Chuan: "It means gossiping."

Xia Xiaoshan: "Auntie, can you say something sweet next time? Because I don't like salt, it's too salty."

Qin Yuan & Xia Chuan:......

Qin Yuan covered her mouth and chuckled, then nodded after a few seconds, saying, "Okay, okay, when you and Brother Achuan come back, Auntie will prepare some sweet little cakes for you."

Getting back to the main point, Qin Yuan asked about the He family again.

Receiving a signal from his brother's eyes, Xia Xiaochuan cleared his throat and said in a broken accent, "Aunt, this is a long story."