Spoiled by Love – Sweetheart, Don’t Tempt Me

After wrapping up the afternoon’s events, it was finally time for some sweet talk. “Did you miss me?”

Hmph, this guy! It’s only been a few hours since they parted. Although she was deeply in love and wished she could be with him every second, the thought of being punished to write such a long “self-criticism letter” made her unwilling to give him the satisfaction of hearing the answer he wanted. So, she deliberately contradicted him, “No.”

Then, she slightly moved the phone away from her ear, and sure enough, the sound of Xia Zhennan’s exasperation came through the receiver. Zhan Niantong couldn’t help but curl her lips in amusement, secretly enjoying the moment.

It seemed that he had been influenced by her, often getting intermittently flustered. Imagining his handsome face fuming made her as delighted as a little cat that had just stolen some cream!

Even though he knew his wife was teasing him, hearing her answer still left him displeased. “You heartless little thing, I knew you didn’t miss me. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have snuck away this afternoon.”

Uh-oh, the woman who had been giggling could no longer laugh. Hearing his angry accusation about her sneaking off in the afternoon, she suddenly felt a burning anxiety inside, almost to the point of tears. “It’s not like that, it’s not like that. I was afraid that when it was really time to say goodbye, I wouldn’t be able to hold back my tears. Besides, Xiaomai was with me when I left, but you were all alone, watching us leave. I couldn’t bear it, so I snuck away. Didn’t you do the same last time, sneaking off to avoid seeing us cry?” As she spoke, her voice took on a nasal tone.

It was rare for Zhan Niantong to be so quick-witted, remembering the last time he had sneaked away and using it against him.

Xia Zhennan hadn’t expected his offhand remark to nearly bring his wife to tears, making him feel even more guilty. “I’m sorry, my love, for not being able to be with you, leading to such farewells.”

“It’s okay. You’ll be back soon, and then we won’t have to be apart anymore.” Zhan Niantong didn’t see it as a big deal. It was just a matter of time. Her husband had already applied to be transferred back for her sake. Not being able to take care of Mr. Tong and his wife in place of Tong Junqiang was a significant regret for him, so she felt she should be the one to apologize.

“Yes, we won’t be apart anymore.” Waking up in the morning and seeing you first thing, and closing my eyes at night with you as the last sight-just thinking about it makes me feel so happy.

While the couple was having their phone conversation in the study, Xiaomai, having finished watching cartoons in the living room, pulled Gong Xiaoqiao into her little room. She eagerly showed off her drawings, trophies, and certificates, earning a heap of praise from Aunt Qiao.

The little guy, beaming like a flower, happily brought out her thick photo album.

“Aunt Qiao, look, these are all my photos, from when I was little until now! See, this one was taken when I was just two months old, a naked photo my grandma took while giving me a bath. Hehe, thinking about it now, it’s so embarrassing!” The little one, clearly proud of the photo that captured her adorably chubby and bright-eyed self, was sure it would earn Aunt Qiao’s affection and praise. Yet, she still covered her eyes with her chubby little hands, feigning shyness.

Gong Xiaoqiao was truly charmed by the little one in the photo, unable to resist picking up the little guy and seating her on her lap, showering her with affection. “Our Xiaomai is just too adorable and beautiful!” She was so taken by the lovely child that she felt a stirring desire to have one of her own.

As expected, the little guy was overjoyed by the affectionate kisses and continued flipping through the album, narrating, “This one was taken on my first birthday.”

Following Xiaomai’s tiny finger, Gong Xiaoqiao saw a little girl dressed in a cute doll dress, striking an adorable pose with a radiant smile. However, her attention was drawn to the diamond necklace around the child’s neck, which seemed vaguely familiar.

Picking up the album, she stared at the necklace for a moment, her eyes widening in surprise. Even in the photo, the blue gemstone sparkled with a dazzling and beautiful brilliance.

In fact, the pigeon egg-sized gem wasn’t a diamond but a rare cornflower sapphire, blue and clear without any impurities, surrounded by 16 small diamonds that added a touch of luxurious elegance.

As the image of the sapphire necklace overlapped with her memories, a bold idea struck her like lightning. Shocked, she shifted her gaze to Xiaomai’s innocent little face. Upon closer inspection, though chubby and fair, the chin was beginning to sharpen, faintly resembling someone she knew.

Aunt Qiao’s expression of shock was interpreted by Xiaomai as awe at the priceless sapphire, prompting her to explain proudly, “It’s a sapphire.”

Xiaomai took the album, gently stroking the sapphire necklace with her small hand, her youthful face softening yet maintaining the arc of her smile. She explained with a hint of pride and happiness, “This sapphire necklace was left to me as a dowry by my biological mother.” She had always kept it carefully, reluctant to wear it.

“Your biological mother?” Gong Xiaoqiao was almost certain now. Her cousin had once been Xia Zhennan’s girlfriend, and the necklace belonging to her cousin was now with Xiaomai. What did this imply? It was obvious, but at this moment, she was more concerned with another question.

“Yes.” Speaking of her biological mother, Xiaomai’s face showed no trace of sadness but was surrounded by happiness. Her biological mother loved her, using her life to love her. Xiaomai felt she must live happily and joyfully to honor her mother’s love.

After so many years without news of her cousin, suddenly having news now made Gong Xiaoqiao excited. She grabbed Xiaomai’s shoulders eagerly and asked, “Where is she?”

Xiaomai pouted slightly, puzzled by Aunt Qiao’s excitement and tension, furrowing her little brows as she asked, “Aunt Qiao, why are you asking?”

Seeing the little guy’s displeasure, Gong Xiaoqiao realized she didn’t like people asking about her biological mother. She cautiously asked, “Can’t I ask?”

“My biological mother is in heaven.”

Heaven? Her cousin is in heaven? She’s no longer here?

…

Knock, knock-

The door to the study swung open, and Zhan Niantong, who was on the phone, turned to see Xiaomai rushing in with a face full of anxiety. She threw herself into Niantong’s arms, crying out, “Mom, Mom…”

“What happened?” Zhan Niantong knew Xiaomai well; if it wasn’t something serious, she wouldn’t be this flustered.

“Aunt Qiao is acting really strange, like she’s lost her mind,” Xiaomai said, her little face scrunched up in worry. “I called her several times, but she didn’t respond.”

Lost her mind? Zhan Niantong was startled by Xiaomai’s description. She quickly wrapped up her conversation with Xia Zhennan on the phone and hurried to Xiaomai’s room. There, she found Gong Xiaoqiao sitting dazedly on the edge of Xiaomai’s bed, her face unusually pale.

Rushing over, Niantong grasped Xiaoqiao’s hands, which were resting on her lap. The cold touch deepened her concern. “Xiaoqiao, what’s wrong?” Although Xiaoqiao sometimes acted impulsively, she wouldn’t become like this without reason. Could she be possessed?

Gong Xiaoqiao snapped back to reality, tears welling up in her eyes. She bit her lip, trying to hold back her emotions. “My cousin is gone.”

Zhan Niantong was even more confused. She couldn’t recall Xiaoqiao having any cousin. “Which cousin?”

Xiaoqiao looked at her, her tightly pressed lips slowly forming the words, “Su Yiyi.”

“What? Su Yiyi is your cousin?” The name Su Yiyi had recently come up in a conversation with Xia Zhennan; she was Xiaomai’s biological mother. To think that Su Yiyi was Xiaoqiao’s cousin meant…

The thought of potentially losing Xiaomai made Niantong’s nerves tense up. She turned to see the little guy looking at them with a mix of tension and confusion. She gave Xiaomai a gentle pinch, signaling her to step outside for a talk.

The little guy was sharp; she could easily read her mother’s intentions. Pouting, she protested, “Mom, why can’t you talk in front of me?”

Sensitive as she was, Niantong didn’t want her to catch on. “Mom and Aunt Qiao need to discuss some grown-up matters. It’s not for kids. Be good and watch your cartoons. I’ll help you with your bath later.”

Ugh, grown-ups again. Why was it always grown-up stuff? Being a kid, she had no way to argue against it! She could only sulk a bit, running off to the sofa to watch cartoons in silence.

Seeing her little one sulking, Niantong quickly whipped up a fruit salad in the kitchen and brought it to her. She patted her head, giving her some praise. “Isn’t our Xiaomai the best?”

The little guy wasn’t petty. With her mom making a fruit salad and praising her, she couldn’t help but be good. Otherwise, it would seem like her fault. “Mom, go on. Aunt Qiao is waiting for you!”

“Our little darling is so good.” Niantong gave her a kiss on the cheek before returning to the study.

In the study, Zhan Niantong shared everything she knew about Su Yiyi with Gong Xiaoqiao. “…And so, Xiaomai grew up in the Xia Family.”

“Woo, my cousin was so pitiful.” Gong Xiaoqiao was already sobbing uncontrollably on Niantong’s shoulder.

In truth, their family had long suspected something was amiss. Her cousin had hurriedly announced she was going abroad, then called monthly, which later turned into a text every six months, just to say she was safe. But when they tried calling back, the number was no longer in service. Over time, they all had a bad feeling but preferred to believe she was still alive.

“Take heart,” Niantong said, understanding the pain of losing a loved one all too well. “Your cousin chose to leave quietly because she didn’t want you to be too sad knowing the truth. You need to understand her heart.”