Spoiled by Love - Sweetheart, Don't Tempt Me - Chapter 94 - A Surprise for Her

After a long while, Gong Xiaoqiao finally lifted her head from her sorrow, wiping her tears with a tissue. She muttered, “So Xiaomai is my little niece. I should take her home to meet my parents.”

The moment Xiaoqiao mentioned taking Xiaomai away, Zhan Niantong became incredibly anxious. Xiaomai was the apple of her eye, especially during the days when Xia Zhennan was absent. The bond between mother and daughter was subtle and profound, something others couldn’t truly understand or measure by time. Only Niantong knew the depth of her concern for Xiaomai. “No, Xiaoqiao, you can’t take Xiaomai away.”

“Why not?” Xiaoqiao was startled by her friend’s sudden anxiety.

“Listen to me first. Do you know why your cousin didn’t send the child to your family but chose the Xia Family to raise her?” If Xiaomai could live a happier and better life with the Gong Family, Niantong would have no reason to keep her. But returning to the Gong Family wasn’t the best choice for Xiaomai.

Gong Xiaoqiao wasn’t foolish. She could understand her cousin’s intentions with a bit of thought. However, her aunt and uncle were long gone, and her cousin had passed too. Xiaomai was the sole bloodline of the Su Family…

“If Xiaomai grows up in your family, she would become a child without parents. Although you would love her, you can’t replace her parents or provide the fatherly and motherly love she needs for her growth. That’s why your cousin chose the Xia Family to raise her, so Zhennan could be her father, and she would have a mother, growing up happily like other children.” Despite her love for Xiaomai, Niantong knew she couldn’t deprive the child of the familial love she deserved. Based on the impact on Xiaomai’s growth, she truly believed it was better for her to stay with the Xia Family. She hoped the Gong Family could consider Xiaomai’s growth. “I know this is cruel and unfair to you, but I hope we can wait until Xiaomai grows up and fully understands before telling her, okay?”

Xiaoqiao fell silent, recalling her cousin’s past. Although she lived with Xiaoqiao’s family and her parents treated her like their own daughter, she could never be as happy as she was when her parents were around. Her cousin understood this deeply and didn’t want her only daughter to experience the same.

Xiaoqiao was an optimistic and cheerful girl. Once she understood, she wouldn’t make things difficult. “You’re right. I can’t selfishly take her away. I’ll tell my parents honestly when I return. We won’t claim her, but we’ll treat her like family.”

With Xiaoqiao’s promise, Zhan Niantong was overjoyed and tearful. She hugged Xiaoqiao and solemnly promised, “Zhennan and I will treat her as our own daughter.”

Xiaoqiao had seen her friend’s affection for Xiaomai, which reinforced her belief that leaving Xiaomai with the Xia Family was the best choice. “I know, and I trust you.”

Xiaoqiao’s emotions came and went quickly. Her cousin’s absence was a reality she had accepted, and she no longer dwelled in sadness. Loving the little guy, making up for her, and building a bond with her had become her top priority.

Not long after, Xia Zhennan called back. After hearing Zhan Niantong’s account, his brows furrowed deeply. He had promised not to keep secrets from his wife, but this was something he genuinely hadn’t known before.

Deeply entrenched in the path of doting on his wife, he immediately explained, “Honey, I didn’t hide anything from you. I didn’t know Su Yiyi was Gong Xiaoqiao’s cousin. I only knew her parents were gone and she was raised by relatives. I had no idea she was your friend.”

Zhan Niantong didn’t doubt him for a second. “Maybe everyone is connected by fate!” It seemed like destiny had intervened, offering this poor little girl the compassion and compensation she deserved by bringing loving relatives into her life.

His wife showed no sign of displeasure, which allowed Xia Zhennan to relax. He realized this was also a good thing for Xiaomai, and he felt happy for his daughter. “It’s you, you’re the one who brought her family to her. You’re her lucky star.”

“No, if anyone’s her lucky star, it should be Xiaoqiao,” Zhan Niantong humbly deflected the credit. “Xiaoqiao promised to convince her parents to let Xiaomai stay with us. They won’t claim her, but they should meet her. I want to wait until you return to arrange for them to meet.”

“Yes, that’s necessary. Xiaomai is very sensitive, so we need to plan this carefully, without letting her catch on.”

“I agree,” she said, finding her husband’s thoughts aligned with hers.

“I’ll handle the planning. You don’t need to worry. Just make sure Gong Xiaoqiao doesn’t say anything wrong or act too warmly towards the little guy, or she’ll get suspicious and start asking you all sorts of tricky questions.”

The third young master was indeed perceptive, but his advice came a bit late. The young lady had already showered the little guy with affection in the living room, promising to take her out for delicious food, buy her pretty clothes and toys, and take her to a fantasy kingdom. She even hugged and kissed her, which made the little guy quite happy, but her sensitive nature picked up on something unusual. Aunt Qiao’s behavior tonight was too strange.

So, she cleverly found an excuse to escape to the study to find her mom. Just then, Zhan Niantong had finished her call and came out, only to be pulled back into the study by the little guy, who tugged at her mom’s clothes and whispered mysteriously, “Mom, Aunt Qiao is acting weird. She’s crying one moment and laughing the next, like she’s having mood swings.”

Sweat, Zhan Niantong was bewildered too! Poor Gong Xiaoqiao, being described as having mood swings by her own niece.

But she quickly came up with a good explanation. “Well, women who are heartbroken tend to have strange emotions.”

“Oh!” The little one, not understanding love, naturally didn’t grasp what heartbreak felt like, so she could only accept this explanation with a nod. “She kept kissing me and said she wanted to sleep with me tonight.”

Though she liked Aunt Qiao, she wasn’t used to sleeping with outsiders! (Oh, did you forget you slept with Yuanyuan last time? It seems Gong Xiaoqiao’s personal charm isn’t quite enough.)

It was indeed the young lady’s overwhelming enthusiasm that brought her so many difficult questions to handle. But putting herself in Xiaoqiao’s shoes, she could totally understand her feelings, and naturally wanted to speak well of her: “Aunt Qiao sees you as so adorable and pretty, like a porcelain doll, that she can’t help but want to sleep with you. She’s just gone through a breakup, and you, being her little bundle of joy and comfort, should cheer her up and fulfill her wish!”

The little guy felt a sweet and honeyed pride from being praised in such a roundabout way by her dear mom, and couldn’t hide the smugness on her face. Naturally, she wanted to be a good baby to live up to her mom’s praise: “Alright, alright, I’ll sleep with her.”

“Tonight, the three of us will sleep together in mom’s big bed,” Zhan Niantong didn’t want to make her little girl feel wronged either. With a big scoop, she gathered her little darling into her arms: “Come on, let’s go get cleaned up.”

“Yay, yay, mom’s bed is the biggest, softest, and most comfortable. I love sleeping in mom’s big bed the most.”

In the following days, Gong Xiaoqiao diligently visited her home, always bringing along the little foodie to buy various delicious treats. Fortunately, Zhan Niantong was there to carefully control her eating, or else the little foodie would surely have ended up with a tummy ache.

Finally, Zhan Niantong discovered the root of the little foodie’s gluttony-it was inherited from her cousin!

During these relaxed days, she still felt a bit anxious. Although she had already received Xiaoqiao’s assurance, her parents hadn’t returned from their trip yet, and she hadn’t told them about it. Zhan Niantong was a bit worried that Mr. and Mrs. Gong might not agree. On Friday morning, she finally received the good news: “Really, your parents agreed.”

It must be said that Xiaoqiao was truly good to this friend. She had picked up her parents from the airport at three in the morning, discussed the matter with them, and received this good news. She sacrificed her sleep, getting up at dawn to call her friend and share the good news.

“Yes, my parents trust you completely.” Mr. Gong and Mrs. Gong had met her friend and were completely satisfied and confident with Zhan Niantong. They were assured that she would take good care of the little guy.

“I won’t let you down,” she thought. The Gong Family had done so much for her, and she could only love the little guy even more to live up to their trust.

“We need to keep a close eye on Xiaomai from now on. I always worry that her mysterious father might suddenly appear and take her away. After all, our Xiaomai is so smart, adorable, and beautiful. I bet her biological father isn’t an ordinary person,” Xiaoqiao said, her anxiety matching Zhan Niantong’s in certain aspects.

Zhan Niantong wholeheartedly agreed with Gong Xiaoqiao’s concerns. “Yes, from now on, wherever I go, I’ll take her with me and keep her close.”

Hearing her friend’s tone, which was reminiscent of a general preparing for battle, she couldn’t help but chuckle. “That’s not necessary. If you and your beloved want to enjoy some alone time, you can leave the little guy with me. After all, I’m currently a lone wolf, and I’m eager for some company.”

Concerned about her friend’s mention of her heartbreak, she asked, “Xiaoqiao, are you really okay?”

“Honestly, saying I’m okay would be a lie. I miss having someone to enjoy good food with or go out and have fun,” Xiaoqiao sighed.

Well, it turns out her worries are mostly about these things. Xiaoqiao is indeed unique and strong.

Xiaoqiao chuckled, “Actually, there is something serious, but it’s not about me; it’s about my parents.”

Mr. and Mrs. Gong? What’s this all about? Zhan Niantong was puzzled.

“Look at me; I’m not the type to manage a company. Initially, my parents wanted Weijia to take over, but now, well, I don’t know what to do,” Xiaoqiao said, feeling the headache of managing her family’s vast business empire. If she were to take charge, she’d probably squander it all in no time.

This problem could be big or small, depending on how you look at it. Seeing her friend downcast, she could only offer comfort. “It’s okay. You can find a husband in the future and let him manage it, or hire a professional manager to handle it!”

“That seems like the only option.”

With the good news and the fact that her husband would be home tonight, Zhan Niantong was in an exceptionally good mood. After dropping the little guy off at kindergarten and returning home, her dear husband called.

Looking at the photo flashing on her screen, she couldn’t help but smile. She had taken the photo secretly one morning when she woke up early. After freshening up, she saw Xia Zhennan in the kitchen preparing breakfast, dressed in a white casual outfit with her sunflower apron around his neck. Whether from afar or up close, he was the epitome of a perfect, homely man. Especially when he treated making breakfast as seriously as a job, his gentle and elegant profile seemed to radiate a soft glow, which captivated her.

She answered the call, eager to share the good news she received that morning. “Honey, Xiaoqiao’s parents agreed to let Xiaomai stay with us.”

Upon hearing this, Xia Zhennan was much calmer than she was. He had anticipated that the Gong Family would agree. Having crossed paths and collaborated with Mr. Gong in the business world, he knew quite a bit about him. Mr. Gong was a sensible man who cared deeply for his children, and he would certainly consider what was best for them.

“Now you can relax, right? No need to be so anxious. No one can take Xiaomai away from you, so rest easy!”

“Yeah, yeah.” With her husband’s assurance, she felt at ease. She faintly heard the sound of a car. “Honey, aren’t you at work? Why are you in a car?” It was already work hours; he should be in his county mayor’s office.

This was precisely what Xia Zhennan needed to explain. “Sorry, dear. I just got a sudden call from the provincial committee about a meeting. I have to head to the provincial capital and can’t miss it. I’m not sure if I can catch the last flight back tonight.”

Though she felt a slight pang of disappointment, her main concern was for her husband’s well-being. If he couldn’t return early, he must be the one most eager to come back. “It’s okay. Coming back tomorrow morning is just as good. Drive safely. We’ll be waiting for you.”

Both were prepared for the situation. However, when Xia Zhennan arrived at the provincial capital, he was informed that the meeting had been canceled and rescheduled for the following Monday. Realizing there was no point in returning to Anping, he promptly had his secretary book the next available flight from the provincial capital to Haicheng City.

Recalling how his wife had surprised him by visiting Anping last time, he decided to return the favor with a surprise of his own, keeping his arrival a secret.

He arrived in Haicheng City by 2 PM. At that time, his wife had just gone to school for her only class on Friday, giving him plenty of time. He took a shower, changed into comfortable casual wear, and even styled his hair, making himself look ten years younger.

By 3:30 PM, he was standing at the entrance of Haicheng University. Knowing his car might draw attention and that he himself was somewhat conspicuous, he parked across the street. Yet, worried he might miss seeing his wife if he stayed inside the car, he leaned casually against the car window in his casual attire. Despite his efforts to be low-key, he still attracted the attention of many sharp-eyed female students.

There was no helping it; Xia Zhennan was too blessed by nature. His striking appearance made him the ideal type for many infatuated girls. Standing at 6’1″, with a physique as impressive as a top model’s, his features were ruggedly handsome, as if sculpted by divine hands. His innate aura of authority and charm made him impossible to ignore.

With time to spare before the little guy finished school, Zhan Niantong and Gong Xiaoqiao leisurely strolled out of the campus gate, overhearing some infatuated girls chatting nearby.

“Wow, that guy is so handsome and stylish! Totally my dream guy!”

“Did you see the car next to him? A Bugatti! He’s both handsome and rich. I dream of marrying someone like that.”

“Ah… he turned around, and I can’t see his face anymore. Such a pity!”

“Should we go over and talk to him…”

Gong Xiaoqiao, always one to join in on the fun, perked up at the mention of a handsome guy and eagerly looked in the direction the girls were pointing. Seeing only a back view, she pulled Zhan Niantong along to get a better look. “Hey, there’s a hottie. They say he’s really handsome.”

Zhan Niantong, however, was uninterested, her mind occupied with thoughts of her husband. She responded dismissively, “What’s there to see? No one’s more handsome than my husband.”

Well, love is blind, and to her, no one could compare to her husband. Gong Xiaoqiao decided to take a look herself. But what she saw shocked her. She tugged on her friend’s arm. “Hey, isn’t that your husband?”

“You must be seeing things. He’s in the provincial capital for a meeting today and might not even make it back tonight,” Zhan Niantong replied, not taking her seriously, still lost in thoughts of her husband.

“I’m serious!” Gong Xiaoqiao looked again just as the man turned his head toward the gate, confirming it was indeed Xia Zhennan.

Could it really be true, with her friend so insistent?

Zhan Niantong turned her head and saw a familiar face. Her expression shifted rapidly, finally settling into one of anger. With a determined look, she charged toward him.