Everyone’s gaze landed on Shi Nuan’s belly, especially Cheng An. When she heard her mother’s words, she stared at her aunt with big, sparkling eyes. Then, she pointed at Shi Nuan’s belly curiously, “Aunt Nuan, is there a baby in your belly?”
Shi Nuan froze, but she heard Cheng An’s voice again, “Is the baby as cute as An?”
She laughed out loud at the latter’s words. She explained as she took the little girl’s hands to stroke her belly, “Yes, that’s right. There is a baby in Aunt Nuan’s belly and he is as cute as An.” She caressed Cheng An’s tiny hands and said, “An, do you like the baby in my belly?”
“Are they just as obedient as An?” Cheng An tilted her head, the adorable expression on her face melted Shi Nuan’s heart. “Yes, he is.”
“Then how can I see the babies in Aunt Nuan’s belly?” She looked distressed. “I can’t see him!”
“Pfft!”
Besides Cheng An, everyone else around her burst into waves of laughter. Shi Nuan quickly explained while pinching her chubby hand, “They will only be born in a few more months. An, you’ll have to wait for a while more, alright?”
“Is that so? Aunt Nuan, you have to be careful, okay? You need to take good care of the baby. When he is here, An will play with him!”
“That’s a good girl!” Shi Nuan smiled at Fu Jiayu. “Jiayu, let me carry her. An is such a cute kid!”
“No way. You’re pregnant now. You shouldn’t be so reckless.” Fu Jiayu shook her head and continued, “An is very mischievous sometimes. I’m afraid she doesn’t know the limits. What if she hurts you?”
Fu Jiayu could already guess the reason Shi Nuan was at the Fu residence. Given Old Master Fu’s temper, even though he disliked Shi Nuan, he always hoped that the Fu clan would be prosperous. Shi Nuan is here at the Fu residence because she’s pregnant.
Fu Jiayu glanced at the others in the living room before asking, “Aunt Ning, where’s Grandpa and Uncle Heng?”
“Oh, your Grandpa is probably out with his friends. He’s not back yet. Your Uncle Heng is caught up with some company matters and is still at his office.”
Fu Jiayu nodded and put Cheng An beside Shi Nuan. “An, sit beside Aunt Nuan and don’t move around unnecessarily, okay? Don’t touch her belly too, do you understand?”
Cheng An nodded even though she didn’t quite understand. “Okay. Aunt Nuan is pregnant so I shouldn’t touch her belly. Otherwise, I might hurt the baby, right?”
“That’s right. So you have to be careful from now on.”
“Okay! An will protect Aunt Nuan.”
Shi Nuan’s gaze softened at the sight of a mature Cheng An.
She started to imagine her children when they were born. Will the baby be as cute as An?
If it’s a boy, it won’t be too bad if he’s like Bao. And if it’s a girl, she’ll look like An. Shi Nuan’s smile widened at the thought of it. “Thank you, An!”
“You’re welcome!”
Song Zhenyan felt especially awkward as she sat there. There was still tension between her and Fu Jiayu, so the latter definitely wouldn’t address her. Like earlier, Fu Jiayu greeted Shi Nuan and Ning Xin, but she purposely ignored her mother. In all honesty, Song Zhenyan would be lying if she said she didn’t care about this.
No matter how much she disliked or resented Fu Sheng, Fu Jiayu and Fu Chengyan were her biological children after all. It was only natural that she felt that way.
But whatever happened today was all because of her own doings. She couldn’t blame anyone else.
Her gaze landed on Fu Jiayu, Shi Nuan and Cheng An. Happiness bloomed in her heart at the sight of the heartwarming scene. But as she looked at Ning Xin, disappointment flashed through her eyes.
Since Shi Nuan was sitting on the opposite of Song Zhenyan, she could perfectly see the expression on the latter’s face. She pursed her lips slightly at the sight of the latter’s pale face.
Shi Nuan didn’t like Song Zhenyan at all. After all, she had been insulted by her previously. The latter even encouraged Song Jingyu to marry Fu Chengyan. Although Shi Nuan wasn’t a bad person, she wasn’t a saint either. That was why she kept telling herself that she shouldn’t be so petty towards Song Zhenyan. But since she wants to have her way and cause troubles for me, I wouldn’t relent too.
However, it had been months since Song Zhenyan last caused her any trouble. Conversely, Shi Nuan could feel the older woman’s gaze on her belly from time to time, but it didn’t seem like she had any ulterior motives. It was more like she looked worried and excited at the same time.
Shi Nuan could tell when someone had changed. So when she saw the look on Song Zhenyan’s face, especially the expression when she watched Fu Jiayu, she couldn’t help but pity her. She obviously misses her daughter and is yearning for Jiayu to forgive her.
She hesitated for a moment before taking Cheng An’s hands and saying, “An, why don’t you go to Grandma, hmm? Let Grandma hug you.”
Song Zhenyan didn’t expect Shi Nuan to say that. She suddenly lifted her head and stared at the latter in disbelief.
Fu Jiayu was surprised to hear that too as she stared at Shi Nuan, unable to move.
Song Zhenyan obviously hoped that Cheng An would go to her, but she still looked at her daughter pleadingly. All of a sudden, everyone’s eyes landed on Fu Jiayu, and she was immediately stumped. Her expression was indecipherable as she looked at Shi Nuan and then back at Song Zhenyan.
After glancing at Fu Jiayu, Cheng Jing said, “An, go to Grandma. Grandma wants to hug you and see if you’ve gained weight recently.”
“Grandma, hugs!” Cheng An had her arms outstretched as she ran towards Song Zhenyan.
At the sight of her granddaughter, tears welled up in her eyes and she quickly bent down to pick Cheng An up. “Come on, An. Let’s go play somewhere else, alright?”
“Okay!”
Song Zhenyan carried the little girl and made her way to the garden outside. Fu Jiayu’s gaze landed on Shi Nuan and she said, “Shi Nuan, you-”
“Jiayu, some things have already passed. Don’t you think it’s time for you to let it go?”
A complex mixture of emotions filled Fu Jiayu’s eyes but she said nothing as her eyes followed Song Zhenyan and Cheng An around. It was hard to tell if she was worried about Cheng An or if she was just watching Song Zhenyan.
Shi Nuan smiled and glanced at Cheng Jing.
He nodded in acknowledgment before asking, “Where’s Yan? Hasn’t he gotten off work yet?”
“He’ll be here soon.” Shi Nuan replied with a smile, “He actually called earlier to say that he has some things to settle. But he should be back soon.”
“Okay.”
“Nuan,” Fu Jiayu said suddenly. “You didn’t have to get involved in my business with her.” She didn’t mean to blame Shi Nuan, but she wasn’t the young and ignorant girl she once was anymore since the incident happened years ago. She had gotten married and had given birth. That was why the hopes she once had for her mother were gone now, so there was no point in doing that.
However, Fu Jiayu couldn’t say anything when she saw the expression in Shi Nuan’s eyes.
The latter knew what she meant, so with a nod, she answered, “I’m glad that you don’t blame me. I think that you should give her a chance, Jiayu. She and I are not from the same world, but I am Yan’s wife and she’s his mother. I just think that there isn’t anything that can’t be settled by talking and opening up about it.”
Fu Jiayu smiled bitterly. “You don’t understand!”
“You talk as if you’re very old!” Ning Xin finally spoke after keeping quiet for so long. She looked at Shi Nuan and Fu Jiayu. “I agree with what Nuan said. There’s no such thing as an overnight grudge between families. Even though what your mother did wasn’t right, it’s all in the past. She isn’t like that anymore. I’ve been spending a lot of time with her here, she actually wanted to change since a long time ago. You’ve got to give her a chance, don’t you think so?”
Fu Jiayu’s lips twitched. “I understand what you’re saying, Aunt Ning. However, everyone has their bottom line and their own opinions. I’m sorry but I still can’t accept it.”
“Jiayu, we don’t ask for you to accept it immediately. We don’t ask for you to behave in a certain manner with her too. We just hope that you don’t push her away next time. An is a cute and naive kid and it’s all because you and brother-in-law have taught her well.”
Fu Jiayu’s eyes flickered at her words. She watched Shi Nuan and somewhat understood why Fu Chengyan didn’t want anyone else but her.
“Young Master Chengyan is back!”
A servant’s voice was heard. Shi Nuan got up immediately upon hearing that. When she saw him changing his shoes by the entrance, she quickly ran towards him and said, “Yan, you’re back!”
She then took his suit jacket from him and followed him. “Are you tired?”
His eyes narrowed as he reached out to stroke her head. “Nope. Did someone come?”
“Jiayu, brother-in-law and Cheng An are here.”
“They have arrived already?” Fu Chengyan raised his brows in surprise. He took his suit jacket from Shi Nuan’s hands and said, “I’ll get these things myself from now on!”
“Fine!” Shi Nuan stuck out her tongue and followed him by his side like a kid. She reached out and hooked her pinky finger around his. Fu Chengyan froze in his steps at the action. He cocked his brows slightly as his eyes trailed downwards. They landed on Shi Nuan’s slender finger and his lips tilted upward into a smile.
Upon seeing that, Shi Nuan touched his palm and explained, “But it’s not that heavy!”
Happiness filled his eyes as he reached out to brush a finger down her nose. “Cheeky brat!” His eyes were still focused on Shi Nuan’s finger. The sight of her finger hooked around his was kind of sultry.
His eyes darkened and right when he was about to lean towards her, Shi Nuan pushed him away. “What’re you doing? There are people in there!”
“Yan, you’re really treating us as if we don’t exist in broad daylight,” Fu Jiayu teased from behind Shi Nuan. The latter blushed and she was so embarrassed that she wanted to hide somewhere. She hung her head out of shame but she scratched Fu Chengyan’s palm fiercely. “It’s all your fault!”
