Spoiled by Love - Sweetheart, Don't Tempt Me - Chapter 98 - A Family of Three Returns to the Compound

Although Xiaomai had to wait at the kindergarten gate for her parents for over twenty minutes, she quickly forgot this little hiccup. Sitting in the back seat, she immediately started chatting away with her dear mom like a cheerful little songbird.

“Mom, once we get back to the compound, can you take me to Uncle Wuya’s house? Tuantuan and Yuanyuan are there too.” The little one hadn’t seen her friends for a week, and now that everyone was in the military residential compound, she was understandably eager.

“Isn’t your Uncle Wuya’s house in the urban area?” Niantong recalled that her eldest senior brother’s family lived in the South District of Haicheng City, an area known for its affluent homes. The Jun Family’s Boai Hospital was well-established nationwide, making them quite wealthy in Haicheng.

“But Uncle Wuya’s grandfather used to be a commander and has always lived in the compound. Their whole family returned to the compound this morning, and it’s just a ten-minute walk from our house,” the little one emphasized the proximity, clearly showing her eagerness.

Ah, so that’s how it is. No wonder her eldest senior brother and her husband became childhood friends playing in the compound: “That close, huh? Then let’s head over after dinner.”

“Why?” The little one was so eager, she wanted to fly over immediately, not wait until after dinner.

“Your grandma will say you’re heartless again, running off to someone else’s house as soon as you get home, without thinking of her,” chimed in the family head, who was happily driving and loved to join in on his wife and daughter’s conversations. He answered before his wife could.

The little one adorably furrowed her brows and mumbled, “Oh, right!”

Niantong, ever the thoughtful mom, reasoned with her, “Besides, by the time we get home, it’ll be almost dinner time. Tuantuan and Yuanyuan are probably eating too, so it’s better to wait until everyone’s done.”

Her parents made good points. No matter how eager she was, she couldn’t show it, especially since she was a well-behaved girl with a caring heart: “Okay then!”

When it comes to eagerness, Xiaomai was first, but who was second? Naturally, it was old Mrs. Xia.

As the clock ticked towards six, her youngest son’s family of three should have arrived by now, but there was no sound of a car. Anxiously, she picked up the phone to call her son.

Xia Zhennan, focused on driving, handed the phone to his wife to answer: “Mom…”

Hearing her daughter-in-law’s voice, old Mrs. Xia knew they must be on their way together: “Are you almost here? It’s already six!”

The Xia elders had it tough, having three sons but only one left at home. They eagerly awaited his return from the military, only for him to move far south. They could only see him a few times a year, and with their health issues preventing them from flying, they could only wait eagerly for his visits. It’s understandable that they were anxious to see their son this time.

Zhan Niantong could sense her mother-in-law’s impatience, so she couldn’t help but fib a little about the time. Although at their current speed, it would take another fifteen minutes, she said, “We’re on the way, should be there in about ten minutes.”

Hearing his wife’s assurance, Xia Zhennan pressed the gas pedal, accelerating the car. After all, the road leading to the military residential compound was usually quiet, so driving a bit faster wasn’t an issue.

Even though it would still take ten minutes, old Mrs. Xia was satisfied. After reminding them to drive safely and hanging up the phone, she hurried to the gate to wait, a classic example of an anxious parent. No matter how old the children get, they remain the apple of their parents’ eyes, always on their minds, wishing they could see them all the time.

Finally, ten minutes later, the familiar Bugatti appeared in view, and old Mrs. Xia greeted them with a beaming smile.

“Mom, why are you waiting out here again?” Although he was used to this scene, Xia Zhennan always felt his mother’s actions were a bit over the top, but more than that, he felt a pang of concern. It was October in Haicheng City, and the weather was getting chilly, especially at night. The autumn breeze on his mother’s face made him worry.

“Just had nothing to do, so I came out to take a look,” old Mrs. Xia would always brush it off like that, but her eyes were fixed on him, examining him for a few seconds before she happily went to hug her dear granddaughter.

Once inside, old Mrs. Xia eagerly asked her daughter-in-law for gifts. The gifts they brought back from Anping had been shipped home, but she hadn’t received them yet, and it had been on her mind.

Zhan Niantong smiled awkwardly, taking out the bag with two qipaos for her mother-in-law. “Mom, I didn’t think it through. When we were in Anping, the weather was still warm enough for qipaos, but it’s a bit chilly here at home, so these qipaos might be…”

Old Mrs. Xia didn’t mind at all and interrupted her eagerly, “That’s no problem. We have heating at home, so I can wear them. Besides, it’s not cold at noon now, so I can wear them then. Or I can save them for next summer.”

“Mom, it’s not about whether the qipaos can be worn or not. Grandma just loves them because they’re from you,” the little guy, ever the angel, chimed in with understanding. She voiced the unspoken sentiments of the elders with her innocent words. Such a sweet child was impossible not to love!

Old Mrs. Xia’s smile grew even wider, and she praised her granddaughter while agreeing, “Our little darling knows Grandma’s heart the best. As long as it’s a gift from you, Grandma loves it. Let me see, wow, they’re beautiful…”

Seeing how much her mother-in-law liked them, Zhan Niantong felt just as happy. “As long as you like them.” It’s easy to please the elderly; a little kindness from their children makes them incredibly happy.

“Is sister-in-law and Miqi not back yet?” She had been back for a while but hadn’t seen her sister-in-law or sister-in-law. “I had two sets made for them too. I wonder if they’ll fit and if they’ll like them.”

“Miqi is in her room. Your sister-in-law has been busy with company matters lately, and she probably won’t be able to join us for dinner tonight,” old Mrs. Xia remarked, feeling a bit downhearted that while her youngest son’s family was back, her eldest daughter-in-law couldn’t be there.

Zhan Niantong, perceptive as ever, immediately picked up on her mother-in-law’s disappointment and quickly offered comfort, “Sister-in-law’s work is important, don’t blame her. Once she’s done, she’ll come to see you.”

“Mom doesn’t blame your sister-in-law. In fact, I feel sorry for her. Even though the boss is gone, she continues to devote her youth and energy to the Xia Family, managing the company so well, yet she hardly has time to rest. I’m worried she might not be taking care of herself and could wear herself out.”

Thinking about her sister-in-law’s hard work for the family, Zhan Niantong felt a pang of guilt for not contributing much as a daughter-in-law. “Mom, I’m sorry I can’t be of more help.”

“Oh, don’t say that. You’ve been taking good care of Xiaomai, and that’s enough. Besides, once Zhennan is transferred back, your sister-in-law won’t be as busy,” old Mrs. Xia reassured her, gently patting her youngest daughter-in-law’s hand. “Heaven has been kind to me, blessing me with two wonderful daughters-in-law. Without you both, I might have been driven mad by that mischievous Xia Miqi. You wouldn’t believe it-Aunt Wang introduced her nephew to Miqi, a handsome young man with a PhD from abroad, and what did she do? She scared him off by acting like a shrew. Aunt Wang called me this morning to complain. Do you think she’s trying to drive me crazy on purpose?”

Old Mrs. Xia was indeed a lovable character, her thoughts jumping from one topic to another. Just moments ago, she was speaking tenderly with her daughter-in-law, and now she was fuming. The relationship between this mother and daughter was certainly peculiar.

With her mother-in-law upset, Zhan Niantong couldn’t take sides with her sister-in-law. But knowing Xia Miqi’s unresolved issues, forcing her into blind dates was naturally unwelcome. Caught in the middle, Zhan Niantong had only one idea: “Mom, don’t worry. I’ll go talk to her.”

“Good, go talk to her. She doesn’t listen to me, but she might listen to you,” old Mrs. Xia said, relying on her daughter-in-law.

“Alright.” Zhan Niantong had already planned to help her sister-in-law open up, and this visit was an opportunity to probe her feelings and find a way to help. With that, she picked up a bag and headed upstairs.

“Mommy, I want to go too,” the little guy, who loved sticking to her mother, eagerly followed.

Old Mrs. Xia, with sharp eyes, caught her little arm, “No, your mommy and aunt have grown-up things to discuss. It’s not suitable for children.”

Ugh, using adult matters to suppress her again, the little guy pouted in dissatisfaction, “Why is it always grown-up stuff?”

“Come here, don’t be upset. Grandma knew our precious was coming home, so I bought mousse cake just for you. Hurry and eat it while your mommy’s not here!” Old Mrs. Xia, being clever, knew how to appease her foodie granddaughter.

Upon hearing about her favorite mousse cake, she beamed, “Grandma is the best!”

Zhan Niantong stood at Xia Miqi’s room door, knocked twice, and called out, but there was no response. Seeing the door slightly ajar, she gently pushed it open and found Xia Miqi staring blankly at a photo on the computer screen.

The photo showed a man and a woman. The man was handsome and refined, with a gentle demeanor, his arm around the woman’s shoulder, smiling brightly. The woman, with a radiant smile, leaned her head on his shoulder.

Under the sunlight, both faces were filled with happiness.

Could it be that man?

Zhan Niantong’s heart ached slightly, “Miqi…”

“Oh, sister-in-law,” Xia Miqi turned abruptly, saw her sister-in-law, and hurriedly closed the computer screen in a fluster.