chapter 7

I laid everything out on the table with Qi Sinian.

He no longer had any reservations and left the country immediately.

I got myself ready and went to the old residence to pick up Yanyan.

The Old Master had agreed to let Yanyan stay with me today.

He was incredibly happy, chirping away on the phone and telling me to hurry over.

While I was waiting outside for Yanyan to come out, Qi Muyuan suddenly returned.

“Big Brother.”

He nodded. “Waiting for Yanyan?”

“Yes.”

“You can wait inside. Grandfather won’t make things difficult for you.”

I shook my head with a smile. “It’s fine.”

One must know when to advance and when to retreat, to understand boundaries and not push one’s luck.

Over the years, perhaps because of my compliance or because I never caused trouble, the attitude at the old residence had gradually softened toward me.

Especially the Old Master.

He was no longer so strict about controlling the time I spent with Yanyan.

Sometimes, when I brought Yanyan back, he would even say, “Stay for a meal if you have time.”

Although I never stayed, it was a signal-a signal telling me that I was being accepted.

After saying goodbye to Qi Muyuan, I took Yanyan to the amusement park.

We had a wild time playing, then I took him to eat whatever he wanted, only returning home once we’d had our fill of fun.

“Mommy is going to be away for a month or two. I’ll be back before the New Year.”

“Is Mommy going for fun or for work?”

Such a little person, yet he spoke like an adult; it made me chuckle every time.

I pinched his nose.

“Half and half. I’m going to a mountain villa where they fire ceramics. How about I make a little kitten and bring it back for you?”

Yanyan nodded. Then he asked, “What is firing ceramics?”

I found a video to show him. His eyes sparkled as he watched.

“Can you take me next time?”

“Of course.”

I patted him gently, and he fell asleep in no time.

No crying, no fussing, no unreasonable demands, and no need for excessive explanations.

He was very well-bred.

Even if his mother wasn’t accepted by the Qi Family, no one would tell him to look down on her, distance himself from her, or despise her.

Yanyan had his life. Mom and Dad had theirs. Great-grandfather had his.

It was the most ordinary thing in the world.

Just like people need to eat, sleep, and use the bathroom.

Why bother thinking about acceptance or sadness?

I never thought that one day, a child would be the one to provide me with an emotional safety net.

But he did.

Bit by bit, instance by instance, he made me realize that not many things are worth being so heartbroken over.