But before he could even lift his head, Zhou Qiqi winked mischievously, leaned close to his ear, and quickly added:
"Besides~ if you're really that spineless, and someone just snaps their fingers and runs off with you... hey, that's a good thing for me! The sooner I see your 'true colors,' the sooner I can cut my losses! The one who loses is you, Shen Huaichuan, not me, Zhou Qiqi!"
Her eyes were squinted, radiating an undeniable smugness and arrogance, as she continued:
"I'll just pack my bags, take my bonus, and leave! Three-legged toads are hard to find, but two-legged men are easy to find, right?! Where isn't it better than a crooked tree like you?"
Upon hearing this, Shen Huaichuan's eyes widened instantly, feeling both annoyed and amused.
"Great! Zhou Qiqi!"
He pulled her into his arms, deliberately rubbing his chin against the top of her head, grinding his molars and growling menacingly in a low voice:
"You little ingrate! So that's what you were planning all along! You already had your escape route planned, didn't you? Just wait until we get back, I'll teach you a lesson!"
Zhou Qiqi laughed and exclaimed, "Oh no! Zhouzhou, save Auntie! Uncle is going to bully her!"
She nimbly slipped out of his arms and hid behind Zhouzhou, who was looking up at the two of them laughing and joking with curiosity, using her as a shield.
Although Zhouzhou didn't quite understand what was happening, she saw her aunt laughing happily, so she laughed along with her, spreading her little arms like a little hen protecting her chicks, trying to block her uncle.
Looking at his wife's smug and fearless expression as she hid behind the little one, and then at Zhouzhou's innocent and pure smile, Shen Huaichuan felt all his grievances and dissatisfaction vanish, leaving only tenderness and warmth.
He burst into laughter and reached out to pick them both up in his arms.
"Ouch~"
Zhou Qiqi screamed, then laughed even louder.
Zhouzhou just smiled and didn't say anything, so Shen Huaichuan deliberately used his stubble to prick her tender little face, making the little girl laugh so hard she almost fell over.
The family laughed and joked together, which could be considered "making the best of a bad situation".
This rare scene was witnessed by the elderly Shen couple who came out a step later.
Looking at her son's hearty laughter, Qin Peilan's face was full of disbelief. She gently touched her husband's arm beside her and said in a low voice:
"Hey, Lao Shen, look at Huaichuan... I feel like this kid is a completely different person. Whether it was back in the family compound or the sanatorium, when have I ever seen him smile like this? He always had a tense face, his brows furrowed, as if he was carrying a thousand-pound burden. But look at him now... look how relaxed and carefree his smile is!"
Looking at his son's family, Shen Zhenbang smiled with satisfaction, nodded, and said:
"You just realized? I wanted to say it last night, but I was so busy talking about Xiao He that I forgot. Do you remember when he came to visit us at the sanatorium last Chinese New Year? He was always cold, barely spoke, and his eyes were somber. But now..."
He paused, his gaze falling on Zhou Qiqi, who was laughing and joking with Zhouzhou. His tone was filled with undisguised admiration as he said:
"...I feel that Huaichuan's transformation, his increased liveliness and cheerfulness, is all thanks to Qiqi! This girl... is truly remarkable! She has a clear conscience, is very perceptive, and can keep things under control. She's a good wife who can support Huaichuan through thick and thin."
He swallowed back the last sentence he was about to say, "In short, I think he's much better than that Xiao He."
Some things are better left unsaid and left unsaid to stir up trouble.
But he had already made up his mind that he still had to find an opportunity to send Xiao He away.
They came here specifically to see their son and see how he was doing with his new marriage.
The focus should be on Huaichuan, Qiqi, and the granddaughter Zhouzhou.
He's always hanging around He Wanrou, believing everything he hears. What's the deal with that?
The Shen family will remember that life-saving grace and will find a way to repay it in other ways in the future.
There's no need to keep someone by your side; it only disrupts the peaceful life your son has finally achieved.
Thinking this, Shen Zhenbang gently put his arm around his wife's shoulder and said with a smile:
"Alright, stop looking. The kids are all on the bus and waiting. Let's hurry up and go, or we'll waste time."
Qin Peilan, embraced by her husband, glanced back at the courtyard before turning her gaze away and smiling as she replied:
"Alright, let's go! Today we'll have to help Zhouzhou pick out some nice paints!"
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