Z City is a third-tier city and not particularly prosperous. But it is precisely because it is not so developed that there is less pollution, resulting in fresh air, lush greenery, and a very comfortable place to live.
Moreover, there is little industry here, so there are no migrant workers, the population is relatively simple, and the public security management is said to be very good.
In September, the scorching sun had cooled down considerably, so the unbearable heat was gone. Furthermore, the roadsides were lined with large trees, which provided a cool and pleasant breeze.
Tan Peishi linked arms with Ruoke as they walked along the tree-lined path, introducing her to the surrounding buildings. There weren't really any famous places; she simply told her what shopping malls and restaurants were.
Ling Ruoke had been lying in bed for a long time. Although she was feeling much better, she was still a little weak, so the two of them didn't dare to walk too fast. They treated it as a stroll, walking slowly and leisurely, and their mood became relaxed and carefree.
"How is it? Don't you think it's comfortable here? It's a good place to stay."
Tan Peishi took a breath of fresh air, then turned to her friend with a smile. She really liked this place because the man she loved was here.
Ling Ruoke smiled and nodded. "It's great. The air is fresh, the greenery is lush, there aren't many people, and the traffic isn't congested. Just like you said, it's a place suitable for long-term residence."
"That's good. This will be your home from now on, so you have to like it. How about we ask the team leader to buy the apartment upstairs or downstairs from ours, and we can be neighbors? If the team leader ever upsets you, you can always come over to my place for the night. Then I'll kick Fu Peigang out, and the two of us sisters can chat under the covers while those two stinky men go take a freezing cold shower!"
"Peishi, you're talking nonsense again!"
Ling Ruoke couldn't help but stomp her foot. She had to admit to herself that she longed for that peaceful and warm life. But for some reason, she felt uneasy. She had a feeling that happiness wouldn't come so easily to her.
Tan Peishi chuckled foolishly, leaving everyone helpless.
"If you're willing, the Nuanting Pavilion across the street is really good. The food and drinks there are all super delicious. Anyway, you must be a little tired after walking for so long. Let's go in and get something to eat and rest for a bit."
"good."
So the two went into the pastry shop and chose a seat by the window, where they could eat and enjoy the view outside. Since the shop was located at an intersection, they could observe all sorts of people when the light was red.
It was a little after 10 a.m., right during working hours, so the store wasn't very crowded. Their food was served quickly.
Ruoke took a bite of the cake and found that, just as Peishi had said, it wasn't too sweet or too oily, and the taste was quite good.
"See? I didn't lie to you, did I?" Tan Peishi leaned forward, spoon in her mouth, her eyes blinking. She looked like a child waiting for a response after presenting a treasure.
Ruo laughed, thoroughly enjoying her friend's childlike side. "It's delicious. But I still think Tan Peishi's cooking is even better!"
"Haha, that's right, I think so too!"
The two of them ate snacks and chatted and laughed, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Ling Ruoke noticed a very imposing Hummer slowly come to a stop outside the window, waiting at a red light. Inside the car, a delicate, rosy-cheeked child's face appeared. She couldn't help but glance at it a few more times.
Suddenly, the child raised his small hand and pounded on the car door, his eyes fixed on the store. Behind him, a woman's face appeared, following the child's hand as she looked in their direction.
If she weren't certain she didn't know the child, Ruoke would have thought he was looking at her. But the child was truly beautiful, with delicate, porcelain-like features and chubby little cheeks that made her want to touch them. Thinking this, she couldn't help but smile.
"What a cool Hummer! Wow, what a beautiful child!" Tan Peishi exclaimed, rushing to the window.
Ling Ruoke couldn't help but chuckle; Pei Shi still had no resistance to children.
"If you like children so much, you should have one yourself soon."
Tan Peishi sat back down, nodding in response, but her eyes remained fixed on the child.
Ling Ruoke smiled and turned her head, only to see the car door open, and the child jumped out of the car and ran towards the store entrance. The child looked to be about three years old. He was wearing dark blue overalls and a white t-shirt with a blue background and a dolphin spraying water on the front.
The children didn't wait for the adults behind them and just rushed over.
Ling Ruoke and Tan Peishi were both relieved. Fortunately, the light hadn't turned green yet, and the cars were all stopped.
Both of them turned to look at the doorway, and after a moment, the child poked his head out. Seeing them, he instantly broke into a lovely smile and skipped over.
Just as Ling Ruoke was wondering who he was looking for, the child suddenly jumped into her arms and shouted, "Mommy!"
Tan Peishi's eyes widened and her mouth opened wide, big enough to fit an egg.
Ling Ruoke's smile froze, and she looked down at the child awkwardly. "Little friend, you've mistaken me for someone else. I'm not your mommy."
The child, who had been blinking his big eyes happily, pouted and burst into tears upon hearing her words.
"Mommy, don't you want Xiao Fu'an anymore? Waaah, Mommy doesn't want Xiao Fu'an anymore..."
The surrounding guests, already captivated by the adorable child, now stared at Ruoke with scrutinizing eyes, as if to say: How could a mother be so heartless as to abandon her own child!
Ling Ruoke felt even more embarrassed. To prevent the child from crying harder, she subconsciously reached out and hugged him, gently patting his back. "Be good, don't cry, don't cry."
The child quickly stopped crying, looked up at her, and had glistening tears still clinging to his long eyelashes.
Ling Ruoke then reached out and wiped away the tears from his eyes.
The child seemed to really like her actions, calling out "Mommy, Mommy" and burrowing into her arms, wriggling like a little pig.
Ling Ruoke didn't push him away, because the child's parents caught up. Ruoke smiled at her somewhat awkwardly.
She was a middle-aged woman, around fifty years old, and very well-maintained. If it weren't for the wrinkles around her eyes, you would never guess her age just by looking at her skin. Moreover, she exuded an air of nobility, and was probably a wealthy woman from high society.
"Xiao Fu'an," the man called out the child's name.
The child turned away from Ruoke's arms, rushed over and hugged her leg, tilting his head back and shouting in a joyful tone, "Grandma, I found Mommy! I found Mommy!"
The woman bent down, patted the child's head, and looked at him gently, saying, "Son, you've mistaken me for someone else. I'm not your mommy."
The child paused for a moment, then stomped on the floor, puffed out his cheeks, and rushed back into Ruoke's arms. He even turned around and glared at his grandmother.
"No, Grandma is lying, she is Mommy!"
He had seen her; his dad had shown him a picture of her. She was his mom!
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