Three years later, at Pengcheng Airport, Wei Yumeng held a child by each hand, scanning the arrivals hall.
Shi Qing pouted, lifting her head. "Mommy, when is Auntie arriving? Shishi's legs are getting tired."
Meanwhile, the little master Jin Zhi, on the other side, hugged his arms, adopting a grown-up demeanor to lecture his sister. "Shishi, you mustn't be so impolite. Auntie hasn't been back to the country for three years. Mommy must miss her very much. What's wrong with waiting a little longer? Lazy children aren't liked."
Jin Zhi was not at all like the little doting brother his parents had expected when he grew up. Instead, he had inherited his father's sharp tongue and surpassed him, often lecturing his sister.
However, despite being dark-bellied and sharp-tongued from a young age, the child was fundamentally protective of his sister. Not only was he smart and sensible, but he also took care of his sister's daily needs, claiming, "I'm the only one who can control her in this family; you'll only spoil her into a princess."
Of course, the real ones who wanted to spoil Shi Qing and make her unruly were the three men in the family. It was also thanks to Jin Zhi knowing that overly indulged children would most likely be spoiled that he constantly kept his sister in check. The siblings often bickered, but this also made both of these little sprites very sensible, preventing them from becoming like other rich children who only knew how to play and be willful.
Wei Yumeng was very satisfied with her son. She gently patted his little head. "My dears, when Auntie comes out, you must both rush forward and hug her warmly, understand? Auntie loves you very much. Look at the little silver locks you're wearing; these were all gifts from Auntie."
"Mommy, you've said it many times. Brother and I remember. I'll give Auntie a big bear hug later."
Shi Qing touched the little silver lock on her neck. Although she hadn't seen Mu Linjing since she could remember, this aunt had always been present in their lives. Mommy would often talk about her, saying most of all that Auntie would love her and her brother as much as Mommy did.
Children's instincts were to believe their parents. As long as their parents said someone was good, they would be good to them.
Before long, Mu Linjing emerged from the arrivals hall, dragging her suitcase. Years had made her career successful, and her attire and appearance were much more mature than before. However, Wei Yumeng recognized her at a glance.
"Quick, that's Auntie, go!"
The two children sprinted towards Mu Linjing. Shi Qing immediately hugged Mu Linjing's legs. "Auntie, you're back! You're so beautiful."
Jin Zhi, on the other hand, remained composed and politely greeted Mu Linjing. "Auntie, we came with Mommy to pick you up."
Wei Yumeng walked up at this point, opening her arms to Mu Linjing. "Lin Jing, long time no see. Welcome home."
Mu Linjing's eyes welled up slightly. She reached out and hugged Wei Yumeng tightly. "Yu Meng, have you been well these past few years? Are these two children Shi Qing and Jin Zhi? They're so cute."
Wei Yumeng nodded. "Yes, they couldn't even speak when you left."
Mu Linjing had now crouched down, examining the two children closely. "Shi Qing looks like you, and Jin Zhi looks like President Zhan. So beautiful."
Shi Qing cupped her cheeks, beaming like a flower. "Auntie, you also think Shishi is beautiful? You have great taste."
Seeing the little beauty's vanity, Mu Linjing couldn't help but chuckle. She whispered to Wei Yumeng, "Who does this child take after? Neither you nor President Zhan are this narcissistic."
Wei Yumeng also had a helpless look on her face. "Perhaps she's surpassed us. What can we do?"
As they chatted, Jin Zhi was already helping Mu Linjing with her suitcase and walking ahead. Watching the small figure in front, Mu Linjing couldn't help but give a thumbs-up. "You're a great parent."
The two women, with Shi Qing giggling between them, chased after him. They didn't expect the little fellow in front to be walking so fast. In the blink of an eye, he had disappeared. Mu Linjing couldn't help but worry. "Yu Meng, let's hurry. There are so many people in the airport; what if the child gets lost?"
Despite her words, Wei Yumeng was not worried. She knew her son well. He would only go with someone if he wanted to; no one could abduct him.
A mother knows her son best. Jin Zhi was currently hiding behind a large pillar in the parking lot, acting as a lookout for his second uncle.
"Hurry over, Second Uncle. Are you ready?"
Zhan Yichen straightened his collar again, holding flowers and repeatedly practicing how to hand them over. He never imagined that one day he would agonize over something so simple for so long.
"Second Uncle, they're coming. Hurry up!"
Zhan Yichen took a deep breath and walked out, striding directly towards Mu Linjing.
Mu Linjing was initially anxious about not finding Jin Zhi. The moment she saw Zhan Yichen approaching her with flowers, her mind went completely blank.
Zhan Yichen handed her the flowers. "Lin Jing, welcome home."
She took them numbly, her eyes fixed on the man before her, unable to even utter a polite thank you. She could only let Zhan Yichen pull her into his arms. After a long moment, he said, "Long time no see. I missed you."
I missed you…
With those words alone, Mu Linjing was close to tears. Yes, they hadn't seen each other for over three years, and she missed Zhan Yichen dearly. But whenever she thought of the opposition from her elders and the hardships she had caused Zhan Yichen, she instinctively retreated.
She had returned for work; she had no choice. Otherwise, she would have been reluctant to come back, as she still hadn't figured out how to face the people and matters here.
What if circumstances hadn't changed, and she had to make a choice again?
Perhaps sensing her dazed state, Zhan Yichen released her. "Let's go, I'll take you back."
She finally came to her senses. "I've already booked a hotel. Yu Meng can take me there."
Seeing that she was still resisting him, Zhan Yichen wasn't angry. Instead, he grinned playfully. "Sister-in-law and the others have already left. Your luggage is also in my car. I know you have work, so you have to come with me."
"You!"
Mu Linjing frowned. She hadn't expected that during such an awkward and profound moment, Zhan Yichen would resort to such rogue tactics. She also hadn't expected Wei Yumeng to abandon her here so silently.
However, Zhan Yichen was already walking towards the car, so she had no choice but to follow. After all, her luggage was being held hostage; if she didn't get in the car, her work would be delayed today.
She habitually got into the passenger seat, then realized it was inappropriate. As she reached for the seatbelt, Zhan Yichen caught her hand.