It was also on that occasion that Chen Yan first realized that Zhang Qiu might not love Xu Tingyu as much as he thought.
After all, Xu Tingyu had been making a ruckus in the backyard for so long and making so much noise, yet Zhang Qiu didn't even bother to check on her.
Even after Chen Yan pulled her out of the pool, no one came over.
It was only much later that he found out that Zhang Qiu had been telling Xu Jia a bedtime story and coaxing him to sleep at that time.
The daughter still standing in punishment in the backyard had long been forgotten.
Fortunately, it was the middle of summer, so it wasn't too cold at night.
Chen Yan "stood in for her" while she sneaked back to her room to change and then came back to eat the bread he'd brought.
Xu Tingyu couldn't remember the exact reason for the punishment. All she could recall was falling into the pool.
Now that Chen Yan had told Youyou about it, she felt a bit embarrassed.
"It was just an accident. It was so dark," she said.
Hearing that she'd fallen into the pool, Youyou immediately ran over and hugged her leg.
"Mommy must have been in so much pain. Youyou will hug you and blow on it to make it better," he said.
Xu Tingyu's heart melted. She immediately crouched down and hugged Youyou. "Thank you for caring, Youyou. Mommy doesn't hurt."
After a pause, she said to Chen Yan, "See? My son is so sweet."
Chen Yan laughed along. "Yeah, your son. Of course he's as sweet as you."
Xu Tingyu had always been the model child others aspired to be. She was well - known for being obedient and sensible.
Now Youyou was just as well - behaved, just like her.
Qi Shifeng was really lucky. He had two such lovely children.
Just as the three of them were chatting and laughing, Qi Shifeng walked over. He naturally took Youyou from Xu Tingyu's arms. "What are you laughing about?"
Basically, every time he saw Xu Tingyu holding Youyou, he would come over to take the boy.
He knew Xu Tingyu had a bad back. Youyou was tall and almost forty pounds.
It was okay to hold him while sitting, but it would be strenuous for her back if she stood and held him.
Of course, this time he took Youyou because as soon as he came out, he saw the three of them standing together, looking like a family.
He rushed over in three quick steps. The first thing he wanted to do was to assert his claim again.
Youyou obediently wrapped his arms around his neck and said with a smile, "Daddy, you said you've known Mommy for a long time too. Do you know about Mommy falling into the pool?"
Falling into the pool?
Qi Shifeng glanced at Xu Tingyu.
She seemed a bit embarrassed and shifted her gaze to watch the koi fish chasing each other instead.
So they were reminiscing about the past.
He felt a bit sour inside. He thought to himself that Chen Yan was really scheming, even bringing up the past with Youyou.
"Daddy doesn't know. Daddy and Mommy have done many other things. I'll tell you slowly when I'm free," he said.
"Now it's your nap time. Go take a nap, okay?"
No matter how much Qi Shifeng wanted to "compete for affection", he still put his son's needs first.
Hearing this, Xu Tingyu shifted her gaze back. "Yes, Youyou. Go take a nap first. Mommy will be here. We'll play together when you wake up."
Youyou looked at Qi Shifeng and seemed to understand the meaning in his eyes. "I want Daddy and Mommy to come with me."
Good son!
Qi Shifeng silently praised in his heart.
Sure enough, at critical moments, only a real son could be counted on.
Xu Tingyu would never refuse Youyou's requests. She turned to Chen Yan and said, "You're familiar with this place anyway. Have fun on your own for a while."
Then she followed them back to the room.
Chen Yan didn't try to stop them. He just sat by the pool and watched the family of three leave.
The sun wasn't too bright, but for some reason, his eyes suddenly felt moist.
This was the place where she was born and grew up. They had met and grown up here.
But in the end, she had walked into a different life.
Xu Tingyu and Qi Shifeng walked back to the house. Before entering, she couldn't help but look back.
Chen Yan was still sitting there, his long legs stretched out lazily. Even though the sun was so bright and the flowers around were in full bloom, there was an air of loneliness around him.
She hesitated for a moment, but Youyou in front was talking to her. "Mommy, can you tell me a story later?"
She retracted her gaze and walked forward firmly again. "Sure."
Maybe she was seeing things. How could Chen Yan be lonely?
He was the one who had been showered with love since childhood. He had always been in the embrace of love, and his heart must have always been full.
She shook her head to get rid of the chaotic thoughts.
Once in the room, they lay on either side of Youyou.
Xu Tingyu told a story while Qi Shifeng gently stroked Youyou.
Before she could finish the story, Youyou fell asleep.
"Do you want to take a nap too?" Qi Shifeng suggested.
Taking a nap would be good. Even just staying in the room and playing on the phone would be okay, as long as she didn't go out to see Chen Yan again.
Xu Tingyu shook her head and mouthed silently, "Come out with me for a while."
Finally, she decided to have a talk with Qi Shifeng.
The man seemed a bit surprised but still followed her out.
The two entered the study. Xu Tingyu got straight to the point. "You know that since we came back this time, we've been on the news."
Those who knew she was staying here would surely... or maybe already knew about the incident at the abandoned factory between her and Chen Yan.
Hearing her use the word "we", Qi Shifeng frowned.
He didn't like her using this word to describe her relationship with another man.
But now, he could only respond in a low voice, "I know about the news. A fight?"
He had seen the news but found it too unpleasant to look into further.
"Cai Lan is dead," Xu Tingyu said bluntly.
It was obvious that Qi Shifeng really didn't know.
He clearly froze for a moment. After a few seconds' pause, he asked, "When?"
"It was at that abandoned factory. He was the one who invited me to meet when I came back this time," she said.
"I asked a friend to meet him first. When Chen Yan and I got there, he was already dead."
As she spoke, she watched his expression.
Obviously, Qi Shifeng was a bit surprised, but more shocked.
Apart from the shock, there also seemed to be a bit of annoyance.
"Why did he want to meet you? And why did you fly back specifically to see him?"
True to his character, Qi Shifeng could always get to the point.
Xu Tingyu met his dark eyes for a few seconds before saying softly, "He said he would tell me the truth about Xie Shu's death."
Maybe she had jumped too quickly in her story, or maybe Qi Shifeng couldn't connect the two things at once.
There was even a momentary look of confusion on his face.
But having dealt with all kinds of people for years, he would never lose his composure. So he quickly regained his usual calm.
"What exactly are you trying to say, Xu Tingyu? You seem to be suspecting me, but I don't understand what of."
His attention was all on her, so he easily noticed her wariness.
Before, he thought it was because he had treated her badly in the past.
Now he suddenly realized that there might be more to it.