Lu Xingzhou turned back and saw Yang Siyi running over with a dirty, flower-like face, covered in mud and grime.
Lu Xingzhou frowned almost imperceptibly. His expression remained calm, and instead of immediately dealing with Yang Siyi, he politely saw off the two comrades who had just driven them back.
Su Yueheng also heard the commotion outside. She turned around, and seeing that Lu Xingzhou wasn’t flustered by Yang Siyi’s miserable appearance, she lowered her eyes with a faint smile and casually grabbed two handfuls of White Rabbit milk candies before walking out.
She quickly ran to the gate and said clearly, “Comrades, thank you for your help today. Please take these candies—share in the joy of me and Xingzhou.”
They were currently in the engagement preparation stage, and in a few days they would be getting married. This period—indeed even the next half year—could be considered their time of celebration.
She wore a warm smile, with elegant willow-shaped brows. Her loosely scattered hair was lifted by the breeze, making the two men across from her momentarily dazed.
“Thank you, sister-in-law.”
Lu Xingzhou’s usually stern face also softened with a smile. “Thank you both for your help this time.”
Su Yueheng and Lu Xingzhou watched them drive away before exchanging a knowing smile.
Su Yueheng noticed Yang Siyi standing not far away wiping tears, her eyes—similar to Fang Muping’s—filled with mist. She really didn’t want to use the word “pretentious” to describe a seven-year-old child.
But she didn’t like children like Yang Siyi.
Su Yueheng forced a smile and said gently, “There’s a lot of stuff, I’ll go back and organize it first.”
Lu Xingzhou didn’t think much of it. There really was a lot to move today, and he also wanted to deal with Yang Siyi’s matter first.
Since Yang Jianguo wasn’t home and Fang Muping wasn’t the type to meddle, Siyi could only come to him.
Lu Xingzhou hummed in response. “I’ll move the sewing machine in later.”
“Alright.”
Su Yueheng agreed with a smile and turned back without looking again.
Yang Siyi pouted, calling out in a soft voice, “Xingzhou dad.”
Lu Xingzhou waved her over and brought her to the courtyard well to clean her face. “What happened? Why is your face so dirty?”
His tone was cold, but not without concern.
Yang Siyi lowered her head, sniffling. “I went to play with Shengli and Aning, but they pushed me into a mud pit. Aning also said… said that Xingzhou dad is going to get married and won’t like me like before.”
As she spoke, tears rolled down her wet little face. She seemed afraid of something and didn’t dare cry loudly, only sobbing softly.
Lu Xingzhou gave a helpless laugh and gently patted her head. “That won’t happen. Aning is just sharp-tongued but soft-hearted. When your dad comes back in a few days, we’ll all sit down and talk it out.”
He knew his own children’s personalities well and didn’t take her words to heart at all.
Yang Siyi sniffed. “So Xingzhou dad still likes me the most, right?”
“Yes.”
Lu Xingzhou chuckled, pinched her cheek, and patted her head. “It’s getting late. Go home quickly.”
Yang Siyi tugged at her sleeve nervously. “Xingzhou dad, my mom said she hasn’t seen you in a long time and asked me to invite you over for dinner.”
Lu Xingzhou shook his head without hesitation. “Wait until your dad comes back, then I’ll go.”
No one could change his decisions once he made them.
Yang Siyi looked disappointed. “Alright.”
As she turned to leave, she saw Lu Shengli and Lu Sannning running back from outside. She quickly turned back and kissed Lu Xingzhou on the cheek.
She said softly, “Xingzhou dad, don’t forget—I’m your favorite daughter. When my dad comes back, you have to come to my house and stay with me.”
Her voice was loud. Lu Xingzhou responded with a low “mm,” urging her again, “I remember. Go back now.”
Just then, Lu Sannning put her hands on her hips angrily. “Uncle, where are you going?”
Lu Shengli also frowned. “Right! And you and her both said not to come to our house anymore. This is our home—we don’t welcome her.”
Yang Siyi stepped back timidly. “Xingzhou dad…”
She looked pitiful and afraid.
Lu Xingzhou rubbed his temples. “Shengli, Aning, you can’t be so rude. You need to get along with Siyi.”
Lu Sannning snorted and tugged at her brother’s sleeve. “No way!”
Then she shouted toward the house, “Grandma! Future aunt! We’re back! What’s for dinner?”
The two children ran off, even sticking out their tongues at him as they passed.
Lu Xingzhou sighed helplessly. Seeing Yang Siyi frightened, he said, “Let’s go. Xingzhou dad will take you out.”
“Okay~”
Yang Siyi stretched out her hands toward him with a sweet smile.
After sending Yang Siyi away, Lu Xingzhou turned around and saw a head peeking out from the wall next door—Zhao Ziling’s cold, dark gaze staring straight at him.
He slightly nodded in greeting.
He used to be startled by her, but now he was used to it. Who knew what she was imagining again?
Inside the house.
Su Yueheng heard the children’s voices and their dissatisfaction toward Yang Siyi, and the smile on her lips deepened.
Not bad. These kids weren’t naive fools.
She teased Lu Mingjue, who was helping clean nearby. “Aunt Lu, we were just getting to the good stuff, and they’re already back.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Lu Sannning’s playful voice rang out, “Pretty sister, what good food?”
Lu Mingjue pretended to be stern. “Running around all day and you still only think about food.”
Lu Shengli laughed. “We already came back once, and you weren’t even home yet. Pretty sister, what’s the good food?”
Su Yueheng smiled. “Why aren’t you calling me future aunt anymore?”
Lu Sannning raised her head and answered proudly, “I told my friends outside you’re my future aunt. We’re already family.”
She crouched beside Su Yueheng and smiled. “At home, I’ll call you pretty sister. On the wedding day, I’ll call you mom.”
The children’s eyes were full of trust and admiration.
Su Yueheng liked that feeling very much. “Alright.”
She took out some old clothes from the box. “These colors are nice. I’ll measure you later and alter them for you.”
“Wow! Thank you, pretty sister!”
Lu Shengli asked expectantly, “What about me? Do I get some too?”
“You all do.”
Lu Sannning turned to ask, “Grandma, what’s the good food?”
“Biscuits, and special pastries from the capital. Wash your hands before eating.”
Lu Mingjue said this with a stern face but a gentle tone, clearly in a good mood.
The old lady casually pointed at the table, where a small tin box and several packets of pastries were placed.
The two little troublemakers immediately rushed over, eyes shining.
She quickly added, “Remember—only one piece. Dinner will be soon.”
“Okay~”
The old lady had authority over this.
The two children obediently went out to wash their hands, joking and laughing with Lu Xingzhou, completely ignoring what he was saying.