Chen Lishu hadn't even gotten angry about Gu Xingdong bringing a strange woman home; instead, Gu Xingdong was the one throwing a tantrum.
Chen Lishu shot Gu Xingdong a glare and said to Qin Yue, looking a bit embarrassed, "It's alright. It's just that with this sudden news, we might not have enough rooms. Miss Qin will have to trouble you to share a room with our Su Nian."
A fitting smile appeared on Qin Yue's face, and she said softly, "It's no trouble at all. I'll have to bother you, Miss Chen, for a while."
Su Nian chimed in at that moment, "Everyone, let's discuss things back home. We've already prepared dinner, and if we wait any longer, the food will likely be cold."
"Right." Chen Lishu slapped her thigh, almost forgetting that they hadn't even had dinner yet as they rushed for the flight.
She strode forward to Qin Yue, intending to take the child in her arms. But the moment she extended her hand, Qin Yue took a step back defensively. This sudden movement made Chen Lishu feel a bit awkward. After all, she was the mother of these two children; what bad thing could she possibly do to them?
Chen Lishu touched her nose and said, "Miss Qin, please hand the child over to me. You must be tired from carrying him all this way."
Qin Yue glanced at Gu Xingdong beside her, then shook her head. "It's fine, Miss Chen. I'm not tired. The child is asleep now, and I'm afraid you might wake him if you take him. After such a long flight, especially for the first time, children might not adapt easily. It's best to let them rest well, or it will be the child who suffers in the end."
With that said, and considering Chen Lishu's genuine concern for the child, she didn't push the matter further.
Afterward, they exited the airport and hailed a taxi.
The car had limited seating capacity. Originally, Qin Yue and Su Nian were supposed to take one car, and their family another. But as they were getting into the car, Qin Yue blocked Chen Lishu's path and said, "Sister Chen, I'm afraid Yi Cheng will be scared when he wakes up and doesn't see his father. So, could I ride in this car?"
Upon hearing her words, the smile on Chen Lishu's face almost faltered and dropped. She really wanted to tell Qin Yue that she was the child's mother.
The words were on the tip of her tongue, but Chen Lishu ultimately couldn't say them. After all, this girl was sent by Yang Zhiguo to assist Gu Xingdong with his work. If things got too confrontational, it would make things difficult for Gu Xingdong.
"In that case, Miss Qin can take this car. Su Nian, we'll take the car behind," Chen Lishu said, suppressing her discomfort, and turned to walk towards the car behind them.
However, the moment she and Su Nian got into the car, Gu Xingdong cheerfully opened the passenger door.
Chen Lishu didn't know why, but she let out a cold snort and said sarcastically, "What are you doing here? Aren't you afraid the child will cry when he doesn't see you?"
Gu Xingdong turned to look at Chen Lishu and replied with a touch of indifference, "He's Gu Xingdong's son after all. A little man, how could he cry like a sissy over something so minor? Besides, if he cries, let him cry. It's normal for children to cry. My mother will be there to look after him. Who cares? My wife is the most important. Xiao Bai has been sleeping since we got on the plane, and I think she'll be waking up soon. She was fussing with me earlier, saying she wanted to see her mother the first thing she woke up. Girls are more sensitive, so I have to fulfill Xiao Bai's wish."
Listening to his words, three black lines appeared on Chen Lishu's forehead. She hadn't realized Gu Xingdong was also a doting father!
Su Nian, overhearing their conversation, quietly covered her mouth and chuckled. She whispered teasingly, "I think Commander Gu himself misses his wife, so he's using his daughter as an excuse!"
Gu Xingdong didn't get angry when his intentions were revealed; he simply retorted calmly, "You're so clever!"
Su Nian waved her hand humbly, "I'm not that clever. Even a fool like me knows not to disrupt the opportunity for Madam and Commander to have some private time. Why doesn't that Ms. Qin have any common sense? She's a university graduate, how can she be so clueless? Or is she doing this intentionally? Madam, I think this Qin Yue has ill intentions. You must be careful."
It was clear that Su Nian knew Qin Yue. Qin Yue was a very arrogant person. She wasn't ignorant of romantic matters. Back in the military, she used to toy with the emotions of new recruits, a behavior Su Nian found contemptible! In Su Nian's opinion, Qin Yue was not a good person. She wanted to share her thoughts with Chen Lishu but was worried about saying too much and giving Chen Lishu the impression of being a gossip. So, the words remained unspoken.
Chen Lishu also found Qin Yue a bit strange, but it was impolite to make assumptions upon meeting someone for the first time, so she had to push the uneasy thought aside.
As they chatted, the car soon stopped in front of their newly rented house.
As soon as she stepped out of the car, Chen Lishu heard a childish voice call out from behind her.
"Mommy!"
Chen Lishu turned around and saw Yi Cheng running towards her unsteadily. She quickly scooped up the approaching Yi Cheng and said affectionately, "You're awake?"
"Mm! Mommy, why weren't you by my side when I woke up? Don't you like me anymore? Don't you want me?" Gu Yi Cheng's voice had a hint of a sob as he said this, his eyes red and his appearance quite pitiable.
Chen Lishu hugged him tightly, her heart aching, and explained, "Yi Cheng is a piece of my flesh, how could I not like you or want you? Mommy let Auntie Qin hold you in another car so as not to wake you."
After hearing Chen Lishu's explanation, Yi Cheng sniffled, and his expression brightened slightly. "I'm sorry, Mommy. I was just too sleepy."
Chen Lishu gently poked Yi Cheng's nose and said softly, "It's okay. We'll be living together for a long time now, and Mommy will spend a lot of time with you."
"Mm."
While they were talking, Xiao Bai also woke up. The mother and her two children were affectionately doting on each other outside for a while. It was Su Nian who reminded them that the children were hungry and needed to eat before they went inside.
Unbeknownst to Chen Lishu, Qin Yue, standing nearby, looked at her with an indescribable coldness, even with a smile on her face.