Shi Qing’s proud and cute expression made the couple laugh, especially Song Lijun, whose gloomy mood instantly vanished, and she happily held Shi Qing.
“This little girl is so lovable!” Feng Zhenhua looked at Song Lijun, their eyes crinkling into slits with joy as they praised Shi Qing.
Sometimes, children see things most clearly.
Catherine’s heart sank. She stared wide-eyed at the harmonious scene, feeling more and more that her parents and Shi Qing were alike, and the warm atmosphere seemed to leave no room for anyone else.
Seeing Shi Qing giggling, Jin Zhi sighed helplessly, his clever eyes darting between the two. He had to admit, they were very approachable, and most children would like them, right?
Feng Zhenhua noticed Jin Zhi observing them and felt the little boy was very intelligent, likely inheriting from his father. He was so composed at such a young age and would surely achieve great things in the future.
“Little children should act like little children, don’t sigh like adults!”
Feng Zhenhua said with a half-joking tone, reaching out to affectionately pat Jin Zhi’s little head, wishing he could get closer.
Zhan Mohan observed the couple from a distance. People their age usually liked children, but their reactions were a bit excessive.
Wei Yumeng met Zhan Mohan’s gaze, her delicate brows furrowing slightly. The family was incredibly warm towards her, and their smiles were especially bright when facing the children, which always felt a little unsettling.
Having been in the business world for years, the Feng couple immediately noticed the scrutinizing glances. They realized their actions belatedly and exchanged a look.
They had been too overjoyed.
Catherine also walked over, coughing nervously to remind her parents that her cooperation with the Zhan Group was flourishing, and she didn’t want to arouse Zhan Mohan’s suspicion at this critical juncture.
“Dad, Mom, you two always dote on children. But don’t scare them; you’ve only just met!”
“We usually only envy other people’s grandchildren. Seeing such adorable and well-behaved children for the first time, we were simply overjoyed.”
Song Lijun looked at Shi Qing, who was sitting on her lap, with loving eyes. She reached out to smooth Shi Qing’s slightly messy hair and then touched the little braid on her head.
“Xiao Lin isn’t married yet, so we haven’t had the chance to hold our grandchildren. Seeing these two little ones exposed our desire to have children.”
Feng Zhenhua sighed. While saying this, he didn’t look at Catherine but at Wei Yumeng, his mind racing with thoughts.
The two children were already so grown up, appearing to be of elementary school age.
“Dad! Stop talking about me. The company is doing great right now, and I’m so busy I’m spinning like a top. I don’t have time to think about that!”
Catherine saw through her parents’ intentions clearly. She sneered inwardly but kept a neutral expression.
“Miss Catherine is very outstanding; she’ll surely find a perfect match for herself,” Wei Yumeng complimented Catherine politely.
“I want to be an independent career woman; I’m not getting married!” Catherine retorted, sitting back down, joking but also stating her current thoughts.
She wasn’t as fortunate as Wei Yumeng, marrying into the renowned Zhan family. Her future husband would naturally have to be on par with Zhan Mohan!
“We truly want to hold our grandchildren. Granddaughters are so beautiful, aren’t they, little girl?” Song Lijun casually asked Shi Qing, affectionately holding the little girl’s hand, which was so soft it melted her heart.
Shi Qing blinked her big, dark, grape-like eyes. She looked at Song Lijun, who had a gentle demeanor, and then at the approachable Feng Zhenhua beside her.
From the moment she entered, she had been captivated by the couple. Shi Qing felt a strong sense of kinship with them, and she blurted out.
“I wish I had grandparents as wonderful as you!”
Shi Qing’s astonishing words once again sent ripples through the calm lake.
Wei Yumeng looked at Shi Qing in surprise. Apart from the Zhan family, her younger daughter had never shown such a strong liking for strangers.
Was it the couple’s excessive warmth?
A deep doubt flickered in Wei Yumeng’s eyes. She stared intently at the scene.
Catherine, equally astonished, felt sweat breaking out on her palms. What was with this child, being so close to people she had just met?
Catherine anxiously watched her parents, fearing she might hear something she didn’t want to.
“Oh my, your mouth is as sweet as honey; you speak so sweetly!” Song Lijun was overjoyed. She playfully tickled Shi Qing’s nose, deliberately trying to engage her in conversation.
“Good child, call us. We’ve never been grandparents before!”
The couple had already met Yin Fang, and combined with Wei Yumeng’s earlier words, Song Lijun and Feng Zhenhua could guess that Wei Yumeng’s stepmother and father didn’t favor her, let alone these two well-behaved children.
“Grandma, Grandpa!”
Shi Qing indeed called out crisply. She had rarely seen people of her grandmother’s generation, felt a deep kinship with the couple, and coupled with her curiosity, she actually called them.
With that milky voice, even Shi Qing herself was surprised. She let out a small sound and looked back at Zhan Mohan and Wei Yumeng.
The two adults felt a storm raging within them, observing the couple’s reaction with composure.
Song Lijun and Feng Zhenhua were beside themselves with joy, smiling broadly like two radiant flowers.
Catherine felt as if a bolt of lightning had struck her. Seeing her parents so happy, they might just reveal the truth here and now.
“Oh! This little girl is too lovable.”
Song Lijun and Feng Zhenhua fumbled in their pockets and pulled out exquisite red envelopes, which looked quite substantial. The gold-embossed covers were very festive, instantly stinging Catherine’s eyes.
They had even prepared red envelopes. Could they have come for that matter from the beginning?
Before Catherine could finish her thought, the Feng couple placed the red envelopes into Shi Qing’s and Jin Zhi’s hands respectively, praising them again.
Wei Yumeng’s confusion deepened. She furrowed her delicate brows, but when her beautiful eyes met the couple’s smiling faces, she didn’t know what to say.
For a moment, she felt reluctant to speak.
“It’s not right to accept gifts without reason. Please take them back,” Wei Yumeng said gently. She glanced at the couple, who had prepared red envelopes. Had they come with an agenda?
“Mom and Dad, you really shouldn’t! She’s still little; you can’t do this!” Seeing Wei Yumeng speak up, Catherine quickly chided her parents and went to pick up Shi Qing.
Their behavior was too obvious and would inevitably attract the attention of Zhan Mohan and Wei Yumeng. From any perspective, it was detrimental to her.