Shi Nuan had no idea they had become the talk of the town. She was just taking her sweet time walking next to Fu Chengyan while he carried Cheng An in his arm. All of a sudden, a thought crossed her mind: Till death do us part. Doesn’t our current situation befit this saying?
Once they reached Yu Qing’s office, Fu Chengyan had Shi Nuan go through a round of checkups. Apart from being slightly underweight, everything else was fine. Thus, Yu Qing urged Shi Nuan to eat more to boost her system. Meanwhile, Cheng An said, “Aunt Nuan is a skinny woman because she eats only a tiny bit of food every day!”
Fu Chengyan stared at Shi Nuan in the eyes as though he was glad their niece had voiced out his exact thought. You’re not even fat! Instead, you’re the total opposite of being obese because you’re so underweight!
Shi Nuan pursed her lips and perused the health report that was handed over to her. Sighing, she said, “Seriously? I thought I’m doing well. If I get any bigger, I’m afraid I’ll be totally out of shape!”
“You’d better eat up if you want to have a smooth labor. This is to ensure the well-being of you and your babies. Since you’re almost in your second trimester, it’s time for you to move around and get yourself involved in some prenatal exercises. Why don’t you try out the yoga class I have mentioned before?”Yu Qing took another glance at the report and said,
“There’s nothing else that requires your attention for now, but you must come back for routine checkups. For your own sake, don’t skip any of those!”
As Yu Qing was speaking sternly to make herself clear, Fu Chengyan and Cheng An turned simultaneously to look at Shi Nuan, trying to hold back their chuckles at Shi Nuan’s reaction.
Meanwhile, Shi Nuan nodded helplessly. “I’ll definitely keep that in mind. Is there anything else I should be aware of?”
“There’s nothing for now.” Yu Qing then looked at Fu Chengyan and asked, “Is this your niece? She’s such an adorable little girl! If you’re free, you should surround yourself with kids and try your best to communicate with them. It’ll serve you well as you raise your own child in the future.”
“Sure, I’ll keep that in mind!”
Yu Qing wouldn’t stop nagging until Shi Nuan walked out of her office. It was then that Shi Nuan grumbled, “Ugh! Yu Qing looks rather young, yet she nags as though she’s an old hag! Her nagging never ends! Thankfully, I’m nothing like her, or else I’ll be sure to irritate everyone around me. Am I right, An?”
The innocent Cheng An stared at Shi Nuan in confusion because she couldn’t figure out the exact meaning of her aunt’s words. Nevertheless, she nodded and asserted, “You’re right, Aunt Nuan!”
Shi Nuan chuckled at her niece’s response and pinched her chubby cheeks. She then turned around to ask Fu Chengyan, “What’s next? Where are we going now?”
“We’ll pay Su Huaibei a visit!”
It was evident his wife was taken aback by his words. She had an oddly stiff expression on her gorgeous face as her lips twitched unwittingly.
Holding Shi Nuan’s hand while carrying Cheng An once again, Fu Chengyan asked Shi Nuan, “Do you not want to go, or are you blaming me for not telling you beforehand?”
“It’s not that.” Shi Nuan uttered a response.
“You’re such a silly woman. I told you I will have everything sorted out on your behalf. But if you’re not in the mood to pay him a visit, we can drop by another day. What do you think? If you’re not feeling great about it, you have to tell me!” Fu Chengyan was afraid Shi Nuan was not ready to meet Su Huaibei.
“It’s fine. I’m not as fragile as you think I am!” She took a deep breath and assured her husband, “I just didn’t expect it will occur so soon, but since you have everything ready, let’s head over!”
“Alright. I have already gotten in touch with Shaoqing. He told me he has reserved a table for us at a restaurant.”
“Does that mean Shaoqing will be there as well?”
Fu Chengyan nodded.
“Great!” Shi Nuan heaved a sigh of relief. Su Shaoqing’s presence implied that the Su family was not particularly against her presence. And with Su Shaoqing there, she would feel less awkward.
Fu Chengyan shook his head; he was aware of the thoughts his wife had in her mind. “Let’s go. I have already received the address of the restaurant from Shaoqing.”
“We shouldn’t have brought An along with us since we’re heading over to meet them!”
“It’s fine. Actually, it’s great to have An around. At least the situation won’t be as awkward with a child’s presence.”
Cheng An, who had a great time with the duo, turned around and looked at Fu Chengyan pitifully. She asked, “Why doesn’t Aunt want me to be around?”
…
Su Huaibei was the one who reserved the table. Since he was told by Su Shaoqing that Fu Chengyan had requested an audience, Su Huaibei immediately arranged a meet-up.
Although he had met Shi Nuan before, it was done so in an informal setting. Moreover, Shi Nuan wasn’t aware that he was her biological father at the time. As such, Su Huaibei was very eager today, so eager that he couldn’t wait to dress himself up properly. Fu Yi, who had been following him around to serve him, was shocked to see Su Huaibei on cloud nine. After all, it had been a few years since he last saw a smile coming out from his cold and indifferent boss.
“Mr. Su, you seem to be having a great day.”
“Yes! I’ll be heading over to meet my daughter soon!”
Fu Yi was aware of the presence of Su Huaibei’s daughter. He had been tasked to investigate Shen Qianan and Shi Nuan some time ago. In the end, it was confirmed that Shi Nuan was Su Huaibei’s daughter.
Nevertheless, Fu Yi had underestimated Shi Nuan’s position in Su Huaibei’s heart. In fact, she seemed so much more important than Shu Qing.
“Mr. Su, are you going to meet her on your own? What about Ms. Shu?” Fu Yi beat around the bush in an attempt to figure out Su Huaibei’s intention.
Su Huaibei was shocked for a few seconds, but then he put on a stern front and said, “I’m the one my daughter wishes to meet. Why would I want to bring her along?”
Fu Yi was aware of the meaning behind Su Huaibei’s words. “I have already reserved a table, but it’s for lunch. Aren’t you getting dressed up a little too early, Mr. Su?”
Su Huaibei shook his head. “Nope! I need to choose my attire carefully! Which one do you think suits me better for the occasion? Do you think Nuan desires a handsome and youthful father or a mature and reliable one?”
He has been searching high and low for all sorts of outfits since his day began, and ended up spreading almost his entire wardrobe across his bed. He really had more clothes than many women.
Staring at all the clothes, Fu Yi started imagining Su Huaibei in those different outfits. He felt a chill running down his spine because none of them matched Su Huaibei’s usual image.
Suddenly, someone knocked on the door and asked, “Uncle Huaibei, are you done?”
It was Su Shaoqing. Given he was to meet Shi Nuan as well, he went home to change into a new set of clothes after work before heading to his uncle’s place.
He had been waiting downstairs at his uncle’s place for a long time. Seeing that Su Huaibei was still not ready, Su Shaoqing decided to head to his uncle’s room.
“Come on in!”
The moment Su Shaoqing entered his uncle’s bedroom, he saw Su Huaibei comparing the different sets of outfits in front of the mirror. Meanwhile, Fu Yi, who was by his uncle’s side, had an odd expression on his face.
Su Shaoqing asked, “Uncle Huaibei, what exactly are you doing?”
“Shaoqing! I’m glad you’re here! You’re a close acquaintance of Nuan, right?”
“E-Erm… Not really, but I guess we’re friends? We have met and chatted on different occasions. She’s a kind woman.” Su Shaoqing scratched his head in confusion. “Uncle, we’re actually just heading over to…”
“Based on your understanding of Nuan, which set of clothes do you think she will prefer to see me wear?”
“Actually, all of these outfits—”
“All of these look great on me?”
Su Shaoqing nodded and asserted, “You’re right, Uncle Huaibei! Th-They all look the same! As a member of the Su family, you should have faith in our superior genes! Look at you and me. We’re both equally good-looking! To be precise, we’re flawless!”
“Can you stop pulling my leg?” Su Huaibei cast a skeptical gaze at his nephew.
In return, Su Shaoqing cleared his throat and enunciated, “Fine! Actually, Fu Chengyan was the one who initiated the session. He will bring Nuan over and join us for lunch.”He fell silent for a few seconds, but couldn
’t resist the urge and reminded his uncle, “Back then, you left her behind without any notice. Perhaps you had your reasons, but from Nuan’s perspective, you and Shu Qing were essentially the same——both of you have ditched her. In short, I want you to get yourself ready for what may be in store for you. Things might not turn out the way you expect.”
“I’m conscious of your point.” Su Huaibei’s expression turned grim. He was aware of the possibility his nephew mentioned, and that was precisely why he had not reunited with his daughter sooner.
“Uncle Huaibei, I’m glad you’re keeping that in mind. I’m just afraid things will turn out the exact opposite if you try to rush them through. Since we’re only meeting for the first time, I think it’s better for you to wear something more formal.” Su Shaoqing suggested with a smile.
“Alright, I understand.”
“Hurry up, Uncle Huaibei! We should head over to the restaurant and order the dishes before they arrive! First impression matters, right?”
In the end, Su Huaibei changed into a set of navy blue formal wear. It was a simple yet classy outfit that looked great on him.
Su Huaibei walked downstairs and said, “Let’s go!”
Meanwhile, Shu Qing, who was by the stairs, fastened her grip on the guardrail with all her might as she stared at Su Shaoqing and Su Huaibei’s departing figures. Unaware she had started bleeding, she continued biting her lips to express her frustration.
All of a sudden, Lin Shuqin’s voice could be heard saying, “If you’re going to regret your action, you shouldn’t have done it in the first place.”
Shu Qing’s body stiffened all of a sudden. She turned around with an awful look on her face. “It’s you!”
Sizing up Shu Qing, Lin Shuqin asked rhetorically, “It’s obvious Huaibei still has a thing for you. Can you please tell me the reason you left him after insisting on getting into a relationship with him in the first place? Why did you abandon your child?”
Shu Qing took a few steps back and clenched her fist to suppress her emotions. “It has nothing to do with you!”
“Indeed, it’s none of my business, and I have no intention to poke my nose into your business. However, since you’re back and no longer young, you should let bygones be bygones and bear the consequences of your actions! Otherwise, you have no right to command respect from anyone.”
Lin Shuqin could not care less about Shu Qing. She merely walked past Shu Qing with a disgusted look and said, “Since you’re not interested in Huaibei anymore, you should leave him be. We can easily bring up Nuan without you! In fact, she’s going to live a better life without a mother like you!”
Shu Qing’s heart sank to the bottom of her stomach. She was rendered speechless by Lin Shuqin’s statement.
Meanwhile, Su Shaoqing and Su Huaibei finally reached the restaurant.
“Uncle Huaibei, we’re here!”
Although Su Huaibei was the one who had made the restaurant booking, he happened to have picked Yun Shui Jian, the restaurant Su Shaoqing and his peers frequented. Immediately after the manager of the restaurant noticed Su Shaoqing’s presence, he rushed over and greeted him, “Mr. Su, a table for two?”
“I have made a reservation beforehand. Chengyan will be joining us as well.”
“Oh! Mr. Fu and Mrs. Fu are already here!”
Su Shaoqing looked at Su Huaibei in the eyes and told him in a playful manner, “Uncle Huaibei, I think we’re running late.”
He turned around and told the manager,
“Can you please show us the way to the table?”
The manager led Su Shaoqing and Su Huaibei over to the dining suite. The moment they entered the suite, they were greeted by a heartwarming scene. Fu Chengyan was serving Shi Nuan a glass of water, while Shi Nuan was holding Cheng An’s hand and engaging in a session of rock-paper-scissors with her niece.
