Duan Ye glanced at her and said, "Sister-in-law, you might as well say what you have to say."
Shen Niannian was slightly embarrassed, but still asked directly, "You were drunk and a girl brought you home. Your brother said that the girl called you 'Master.' What's your relationship with her?"
Duan Ye: "One of my apprentices."
Shen Niannian: "..." You really are a man of few words.
"Just an apprentice?"
It's no wonder Shen Niannian felt threatened. After all, that girl was young, beautiful, and full of energy. Who doesn't like a young and pretty girl?
Duan Ye smiled and said, "Yes, just an apprentice."
After thinking for a moment, Duan Ye decided to make things clear: "Sister-in-law, I've been taking care of Baitang for over a year. She's a good child and very dedicated to her work. I don't want anyone to misunderstand me and her. Besides, she has someone she likes, and that person isn't me."
Duan Ye could see it; he wasn't blind.
Luo An's eyes were practically glued to Bai Tang, and Bai Tang, the pure-hearted girl, also had feelings for Luo An.
These two will eventually break the ice.
As the mentor, he was happy to see it happen.
Upon hearing Duan Ye's words, Shen Niannian breathed a huge sigh of relief. Thank goodness it wasn't true…
Shen Niannian smiled, feeling a sense of relief. The whole day of waiting and torment had exhausted her.
Shen Niannian stood up: "It's good that you're alright. I thought you had a new girlfriend..."
Just as Shen Niannian was about to leave, Duan Ye asked her, "So, sister-in-law, why are you so concerned about whether I have a girlfriend?"
Duan Ye stopped eating his wontons and just stared straight at Shen Niannian, as if trying to see right through her.
Shen Niannian felt inexplicably flustered by that gaze, and just as she was trying to come up with some excuse, she heard the door open.
"Mom! I'm home!"
The baby's voice rang out, and Shen Niannian easily escaped, turning around and walking towards the door: "Hey, baby, why are you so late today?"
Shen Niannian ran over and picked up Duan Chen, who was carrying a small schoolbag.
Duan Ye glanced at them and then looked away.
Duan Chen: "Because Dad picked me up! And he took me out to play!"
"Oh, where did you go to play?"
"Let's go eat McDonald's!"
Duan Ze also came in and said, "Niannian, take Chenchen back to his room first."
Shen Niannian nodded, then pulled Chenchen and said, "Chenchen, say goodbye to your uncle."
Chenchen waved her little hand: "Goodbye, Uncle!"
Duan Ye stood up, smiled, and patted his head: "Chenchen is such a good boy. Your uncle will come play with you again later. Bye-bye."
Duan Ze then looked at Duan Ye and said, "Come to the study with me."
The two brothers entered the study one after the other.
Duan Ze got straight to the point: "She's back, and she's already taken over as president of Henglun Group today."
Duan Ye originally thought he would be calm, but even without hearing her name, just hearing news about her made him lose control of his emotions.
"I see."
Duan Ye was about to leave after speaking when Duan Ze said, "The Luo family has already extended an invitation, saying that if you want to see the child, you can go. Mom and Dad want to go to the Luo family to see the child after we get back. What about you?"
Duan Ye's eyes were somewhat sore, and his voice was a little hoarse as he spoke: "Brother, I know what I'm doing."
Duan Ze walked up to him: "What sense of propriety do you have? If you really had any sense of propriety, would you have left for so many years?"
"Duan Ye, back then..."
Duan Ye looked up, his eyes filled with a hint of pain: "Brother, don't mention those days."
Duan Ye left, but Duan Ze remained rooted to the spot.
He only recently learned from Niannian how difficult Luo Qingyuan's childbirth was, and how she almost didn't make it through...
So many years have passed, and although the chances of them getting back together are slim, they still have children…
Duan Ye left Duan Ze's house, and Shen Niannian came in shortly after.
Duan Ze looked at Shen Niannian: "Did you already know she was back?"
Shen Niannian was taken aback for a moment: "I only found out yesterday."
Duan Ze sighed helplessly.
He hoped that Duan Ye and Luo Qingyuan could sit down and have a proper talk, because the two children needed a place to go.
Even though they're divorced, shouldn't each parent keep one child? After all, they're children of the Duan family.
Shen Niannian: "Do you want to talk to Qingyuan?"
Duan Ze asked, "Is that alright?"
Chen Niannian replied irritably, "No."
Duan Ze frowned: "Niannian, the matter of the child has been dragging on for so many years. No matter what, the child is not at fault. It should be resolved peacefully through discussion."
Shen Niannian said, "I know your Duan family naturally wants those two children too, but Duan Ye has just returned, Qing Yuan's health is poor, and the children will be starting school soon. Even if you want to resolve this, you should wait a while..."
Duan Ze: "If this slowdown lasts for five years, will it be another five years if it continues?"
"Niannian, there aren't that many five-year periods in a lifetime."
Duan Ze walked over and hugged the extremely conflicted Shen Niannian.
“Niannian, this matter has escalated to the point where it involves two children; it's no longer just about the two of them, but about two families. We need to talk about it. You should arrange a time with Qingyuan. If you're unwilling, I'll personally go to Henglun and arrange a time with her; that will be just as effective…”
Shen Niannian stopped him: "No..."
"I'll go make the appointment."
Duan Ze patted her head and nodded gently: "Mm."
In recent years, the two of them have been hiding like quails, and they are helpless.
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