When he heard Zhuang Shurong, Mu Yuchen felt his heart turn to mush. He said softly, "Thanks, Mother."

Mu Yuchen understood Zhuang Shurong very well. Even though she had said she would not interfere with his marriage, that did not mean she would be truly satisfied with the woman he ended up with.

Zhuang Shurong was sharp and straightforward in the way she viewed things. Mu Yuchen admitted that he inherited this part of her while Mu Tangchuan's refined personality was more reserved and carried depth unlike Zhuang Shurong's pride in her abilities and stern manner. Many people did not really dare approach her, especially at work.

However, such a personality would get the shorter end of the stick too. It was all thanks to Mu Tangchuan who personally settled several problems for her.

In Wang Hui's words, Zhuang Shurong and Mu Tangchuan's personalities complemented each other while he and Xiaye seemed to be more similar and merged in harmony.

Every relationship would have its own suitable ways of growing in order for it to last long. He did not want to ask for too much, so he only hoped that it could continue to progress steadily like this.

"For the Mid-Autumn Festival, you and Xiaye can return to the Shen residence. Your grandparents have agreed since it's just Elder Shen alone at home, and he'll feel lonely. We can feel Xiaye's attentiveness toward us, but you've got to be more thoughtful about her too. As for work, I think she must be quite bored at home, especially right now. It's better for her to tag along with you, but she mustn't be too worn out either, meaning that you should just give her some things to do."

As Mu Yuchen listened, he stopped what he was doing and answered, "Mmm."

...

When the porridge was done, Xi Xiaye had already gone upstairs. Mu Yuchen held the bowl of porridge and entered the room. She was done showering and was sitting on the rattan chair on the balcony, talking on the phone with Shen Wenna.

Xi Xiaye bent her legs while curling up on the rattan chair as she asked Shen Wenna softly, "Mother, how are you feeling right now? Do your eyes feel uncomfortable? When did the doctor say the stitches can be removed?"

On the other end, Shen Wenna was sitting on a bench in the park, bathing in the first glimmer of dawn. Her shoulder was still wrapped in Xi Mushan's coat, and there was a cute poodle quietly laying on her lap. She wore a Qinghua porcelain cheongsam and carried the charm of an Eastern woman.

Even if her eyes could not see, it did not seem to affect her charm. That was Shen Wenna.

"I don't feel uncomfortable. In fact, I'm great. In a few more days, the doctor says it'll be removed when my condition stabilizes, so it wouldn't do me good to irritate it."

A gentle and loving smile appeared on Shen Wenna's face as she paused and then asked, "What about you? It's been three months, hasn't it? Does it feel very tormenting? Having some folic acid tablets might help. Also, watch your health. My bones are a little weak. I'm worried that you're like me. It might be more difficult during labor."

"Don't worry, Mother. Right now, I've been taking tonics according to the opinions of a nutritionist, so the child is quite healthy. Grandpa is doing good too. Just stay there at ease and recover. How's Father? Aren't you with him?" Xi Xiaye tried to probe.

Shen Wenna paused on the other end. Her tone did not sound out of place as she responded, "He said he was going to get me a cup of warm milk tea. The weather's been amazing. He's been making me wake up at 7 a.m. almost every day to walk around. Oh, right, Ah Chen told someone to bring me a little poodle earlier. Your father and I have discussed its name, and we're calling it Little Apple. The little guy is quite cute. It's very small, only as large as a teacup."

As Shen Wenna spoke, she touched Little Apple on her lap while it stuck its tongue out and licked her hand. She smiled even wider, and she could not help but say, "Little Apple is quite adorable. I'll just help you raise it as your pet, so it'll call you 'Mother' later on. The little guy listens to your father teach it how to call out 'Grandpa' and 'Grandma', so it's used to it now. Your father spoils it terribly. It's about to be spoiled silly. Every time he returns, he calls out, 'Little Apple, Grandpa is back', and then it runs to the door."

Xi Xiaye was confused by Shen Wenna's words.

Little poodle?

When did Mu Yuchen send it to Shen Wenna?

Why did she not know about this at all?

Nonetheless, she did catch some keywords from Shen Wenna's speech—

Your father, Grandpa, Grandma...

Why did she feel like it sounded like it was copying something?

After that, Shen Wenna spoke for a little while more before she hung up reluctantly. The shredded chicken porridge that Mu Yuchen silently set down on the table beside was still piping hot. Xi Xiaye felt hungry now, so she picked the bowl up and ate it in a contented mood. Thankfully, her stomach was not reacting badly as it had earlier.

After she finished the porridge, Mu Yuchen was done with his shower too. He walked over in a sleeping robe and brought a glass of water.

Xi Xiaye took the water he handed and drank two gulps before she asked in puzzlement, "When did you get someone to bring Mother a little poodle? I didn't even know."

"Mother told you?" Mu Yuchen raised his brows and looked at her.

Xi Xiaye nodded. "Mmm, she just told me. She and Father have given it a name, Little Apple. It sounds like they adore it. They even made it 'call' them 'Grandpa' and 'Grandma'. From the way Mother sounded when she mentioned Father, she did not sound as unhappy as before. Why do I feel like they...?"

Mu Yuchen glanced at her mysteriously as he chuckled. "Initially, I was worried that the two of them wouldn't speak much even if they spent the whole day together, so this awkward situation needed a breakthrough. That's why I chose to send over a poodle. On one hand, it's like they have a new friend, and if things go well, it could become like a child to them. You know, with a child mediating between them, some situations are easier to break through. There might be some accidental effects too."

"You..."

Xi Xiaye was shocked!

This man was too smart!

Earlier, Shen Wenna's tone had clearly implied she was treating Little Apple like a daughter and doting on her. She did not sound as annoyed with Xi Mushan too. All in all, they sounded like a normal couple now!

Xi Xiaye set her glass of water aside and could not help but get up. She put her arms around Mu Yuchen's shoulders and excitedly hugged him before tipping her toes to kiss his slightly cold lips.

"All businessmen are evil. Mr. Mu, I admire you so much! You're extremely wise and clever! How did you come up with such a good idea? I'm so happy! So happy!"

Xiaye was now kissing and hugging Mu Yuchen all over. Her passion was emblazoned like fire across her beautiful face that had a dazzling smile. He rarely saw her this happy!

Master Mu's confidence skyrocketed when his woman gave him such high praises. His expression softened as he lowered his head and embraced the warmth from her.

Afterward, she noticed that she was getting a little too passionate, so she grabbed his arm awkwardly as her face blushed. "Sorry... I'm just too happy, so..."

Mu Yuchen chuckled when he saw her reaction, and he patted her head. "It's good to be happy. You can always express yourself freely in front of me. It's not a bad thing to show everything on your face."

"Only naive little girls would do that. I'm a strong, modern lady."

He ran his fingers through her hair while a faint light flashed in her eyes as she looked at him.

"A strong, modern lady? A strong, modern lady is decisive and powerful. She needs nothing but just her aura to send shock into others. No words are necessary. Are you sure you're someone like that?"

He teased her, but his tone was gentle.

However, Xi Xiaye was not really pleased about it. With a frown, she refuted him, "No matter what, I'm a director at Glory World."

"That's thanks to the effort you put in. I promoted you because you've done your work spectacularly despite still being pretty new in terms of experience. I never expected that person to be you. That's why sometimes I think that fate is really amazing..."

Who would have known he would meet her?

"I've never heard you praise me before."

"You have to be brave to face yourself. While you're achieving amazing results now, you need to learn how to settle down. We have a long road ahead in life. I'll need you to watch my back while I fight on the frontline. Don't be satisfied with just a small achievement."

"I'm not proud... You're always like this..."

His gaze nearly pierced through her, and she lowered her head out of guilt, but she still pinched his waist and threw him a glare. "You're always so harsh with the criticisms!"

Mu Yuchen was speechless. He endured the pain coming from his waist and said, "Being harsh on you is the same as being harsh on myself. Who do you think I'm doing this for, you ungrateful brat?"

"Brat?" She raised her eyebrows before throwing a punch towards him. "You're the brat! I'm a mature lady. I'm a mother..."

Mu Yuchen moved aside and caught her punch. He carefully stopped her as he chortled happily.

Xi Xiaye slept soundly through the night. It was afternoon when she woke up the next day. When she went downstairs after she washing up, she saw Wang Hui squatting by the balcony, handling her plants.

It was autumn now, and the flowers in the garden were blooming nicely. A lovely scent wafted over from the balcony.

"Grandmother..." Xi Xiaye called out to her gently.

Her sudden voice halted Wang Hui's movement. The elderly woman turned around and smiled kindly. "You're awake! Are you hungry? Ask Aunt Wang to make you something to eat. At first, I wanted to wake you up to have breakfast with us, but Ah Chen said you've not been feeling well lately and told us to let you keep sleeping."

"I'm not that hungry yet. Are you doing all this alone?" Xi Xiaye glanced around the living room and did not see Mu Yinan and the others. Was it not the holidays already?

"Your parents have something to attend to and will only be back at night. Ah Chen went fishing with Grandfather, but they should be back soon. Let's head back in now. Don't catch a cold under this weather. You youngsters are even weaker than us old folks nowadays."

Wang Hui put the scissors down as she smiled. She dragged Xi Xiaye back inside while she glanced at her belly. "It's not easy being pregnant. I'm worried that you're not used to it. I thought about getting you to stay here, or I'll stay over at Maple Residence, but at the same time, I'm worried that I'll be bothering the both of you. I'll only go over when you're around 8 months pregnant."

"Don't worry, Grandmother, these reactions are normal. The doctor said it'll get better soon. By the way, where're Lingshi and Ah Mo?" Xi Xiaye remembered that they had stayed over last night as well.

"They went to work early in the morning. Lingshi said the club is going to be busy during the holidays, so Ah Mo went to help her as well. I wonder when they became so close to each other!"

While Wang Hui seemed like she was complaining, she had a grin on her face. Xi Xiaye chuckled. "Grandmother, do you feel that something might be happening between them soon?"

"I hope so. All of them just make me worry so much."

"They are doing well lately, so don't worry, Grandmother."

She remembered Wang Hui summoning Mu Lingshi to the study room last night. It was obvious what they talked about.

"Well, Lingshi and Ah Mo are kind of special. Although they are listed as your parents' children, they know what's happening, so... Sigh, there's no point mentioning it now." Wang Hui frowned, obviously regretting bringing up the past.

"I'm sure they'll remember how nice you treated them, Grandmother. Some time ago, Ah Shi told me that she didn't want you and Grandfather to worry about her. Mu Yuchen let Ah Mo stay in City Z as well. Ah, they'll work it out on their own. I think they are a fateful pair."

"A fateful pair? That's an optimistic view, but I do think Lingshi has been happier lately."

Suddenly, someone came in through the door, and the man's deep voice reached their ears. "What fateful pair?"

The sudden voice startled the two of them who looked over at the entrance and saw Mu Yuchen walking in.

"Where's your grandfather?" Wang Hui asked when she did not see Mu Yinan anywhere.

"He's playing Chinese chess with Grandfather Liang. I've passed the fish to the servants." Mu Yuchen walked towards them as he glanced over at Xi Xiaye.

"Great, they can prepare it later. I have to deliver your grandfather's medicine to him. I forgot to remind him to take his medicine this morning. He even said himself he had a stomachache yesterday which he has forgotten all about."

Wang Hui took out a little medicine bottle and grabbed a glass of water before she went out. Mu Yinan had a poor stomach, and Wang Hui was always concerned.

"What do you want to eat?" After Wang Hui left, Mu Yuchen went over and grabbed a glass of water for her.

She took the glass of water from him and then said quietly, "Grandmother told me you went fishing with Grandfather. Let's have sweet and sour fish. It'll help with my appetite... Mr. Mu, I kind of feel like eating instant noodles."

"We can have the sweet and sour fish, but not the latter." He rejected her without any hesitation as he took his coat off.

"Just one tiny bowl!" She made a meek hand gesture as she took his coat and left it onto the sofa.

"Not even a taste of it. We're having several days of holidays. Is there anywhere you want to go?" He put his arm over her shoulder as they sat down.

"I want to take a stroll on the moon." She rolled her eyes at him.

He smiled. "Naughty, aren't you?! That stuff is unhealthy. Junk food is bad for the body. By the way, I have something to tell you." He looked at Xi Xiaye in the eye squarely.

"What is it?" she asked as she raised her eyebrows and stared at him.

Mu Yuchen pushed the glass of water on the table further to the center as he lowered his eyes and said, "I've just received news. Xi Xinyi had an accident last night and delivered prematurely. The Han family is happy that she gave birth to a boy. They're probably having a grand full moon celebration. Based on Xi Xinyi's recent performance, I guess the Han family will accept her as their daughter-in-law."

Xi Xiaye was stunned but nodded after a while and spoke in a calm tone, "That's lucky for her... I remember they didn't have a banquet when they got married. I suppose this full moon celebration will act as their wedding banquet as well, wouldn't it?"

Han Yifeng...

The more he tried to escape, the more his fate worsened. It was practically impossible for him to end her relationship with Xi Xinyi at this point. Not only was their marriage was holding them together, but there was also their child.

Xi Xiaye suddenly found the whole situation ludicrous.

Who would have expected a pair of loving couple to end up like this? Judging by Han Yifeng's attitude, he probably would not try to repair his relationship with Xi Xinyi anymore. Sustaining a marriage like this would only make both parties suffer.

Xi Xiaye sighed and suddenly raised her head to look at him. "Say, we won't be like them in the future, will we?"

He smiled and patted her shoulder. "Your man isn't as noble and virtuous as someone. Though I don't like this phrase, I suppose it can be applied here. If one day, you actually become like Xi Xinyi, the first thing I'd do would be to review myself. I must've not done enough to satisfy you. However, I'm sure the chances of it happening to us is zero. Otherwise, I'll just do naughty things with you."

Xi Xiaye's heart softened when she realized what he was trying to say. She then pushed him away. "Alright, go and cook now. I'm hungry!"

...

At the same time, in a ward in Hospital T.

The news of Xi Xinyi's delivery was spread throughout the city already. Almost everyone within the industry knew that she had given birth to a son for Han Yifeng of the Han Corporation.

Xi Xinyi's name was rarely seen in the entertainment industry ever since her scandal was exposed. However, news about her never really died out due to the collaboration between Yueying and Qi Kai. In addition to that, the Han family had always been popular, so the mass media would not miss any opportunities.

Many people sent flowers and gifts the day after she gave birth. Even her subordinates came to visit her. Finally, the situation inside the room calmed down after the doctor warned them to be quiet.

Xi Xinyi was lucky to have given birth to a boy for the Han family. With that, even Elder Han acknowledged her.

Although they were a registered couple, they never had a wedding ceremony together. After that, it was also delayed because they were busy, so she was delighted that she might be able to have one.

She had said it before. There was no way Han Yifeng could leave her so easily.

However, Han Yifeng never showed up anymore ever since the day she gave birth. Yue Lingsi informed her that he visited the child several times, but he had never once stepped into her room. His wanting to avoid her was as clear as day.

Yue Lingsi was really dissatisfied about it. She was also unhappy with Han Yifeng and Huang Ziyao's attitude outside the operating room the day before, so she then decided to tell Xi Xinyi about it.

"Xinyi, now that your child is born, I believe we're still fortunate that you've given birth to a boy. The Han family's attitude changed instantly. Elder Han now knows it's impossible to kick you out now. Otherwise, the public will definitely condemn them. Now that Yueying is doing well, your grandfather and uncle aren't angry at me anymore, so things can go back to how it used to be."

Yue Lingsi beamed happily and grabbed Xi Xinyi's hand intimately, but Xi Xinyi glanced at her coldly and retracted her hand.

Yue Lingsi's expression froze as she looked at Xi Xinyi for a while before saying, "Xinyi, things are getting better now. We can still... The Han family's attitude was horrible before. Yesterday, Huang Ziyao was really rude to me outside the operating room, and Han Yifeng spoke to me with a terrible attitude!"