Self-deception

To put it bluntly, Feng Shan just wanted a way out, an explanation.

Everyone knew that Zhou Min's child couldn't be aborted, especially since Chen Hai had only had Qiaoqiao with her after all these years. Naturally, Uncle Chen and Aunt Chen preferred having more children and grandchildren for a lively, bustling family.

With so many people coming together to persuade her—even though An Shiyu was just there for the drama—it was, frankly, already giving her a lot of face.

Afterwards, Chen Qin whispered with her for quite a while longer before turning to Ye Shuang and making a gesture—essentially meaning they could start packing things up.

Saying they were packing, there actually wasn't much. Most of the stuff inside could be thrown away.

Chen Hai hadn't expected things to go so smoothly. The few times he came before, he was shut out, yet Ye Shuang and the others managed it in one visit. Even though they used reverse psychology, it surprisingly worked on his wife.

They quickly packed the luggage and loaded it all into the car. Because they worked so fast, Feng Shan, who had sobered up a bit midway and might have wanted to back out, had nothing left to say.

"I'll arrange for someone to handle the house issue later. Sis, you just need to go home," Chen Qin said with a smile.

Feng Shan, holding her daughter, didn't speak, just nodded silently at Chen Qin.

The seating was adjusted slightly, and Chen Qin also sat in the front passenger seat.

"Let's go," Chen Qin said, fastening her seatbelt.

"What's wrong?" Ye Shuang noticed Chen Qin's expression seemed a bit off, as if she was thinking about something.

"Huh? Nothing," Chen Qin shook her head.

It was just that during the chat earlier, a few things Feng Shan said had pricked her heart a little. But upon further thought, Chen Qin let it go.

Simply put, Ye Shuang was different from Chen Hai.

Chen Hai wasn't worth it, but Ye Shuang was worth her acting this way.

Chen Qin was always good at comforting herself. She didn't need others to coax her; occasionally, she just needed to give herself a light hug.

Kind people always consider others.

Moreover, more than that, Chen Qin was unwilling to end up with nothing, unwilling for her life to be without Ye Shuang.

That was a terrifying thought for her.

The car pushed forward through the sunset's afterglow, each person inside lost in their own thoughts.

Soon, the group finally arrived back at the Chen family home.

Chen's Father and Chen's Mother had already received word from Chen Qin, so they were waiting at the entrance early.

"Grandpa! Grandma!" As soon as Qiaoqiao got out of the car, she trotted over and stumbled into Chen's Father's arms.

"Oh, my little treasure is finally back. Let Grandpa see if you've lost weight," Chen's Father said happily, holding his granddaughter.

"Giggle, Grandpa, your beard is so prickly."

"She has lost weight. Look, she must not have been eating much," Chen's Mother also felt Qiaoqiao's arm. The once slightly chubby arm had thinned out, which immediately made her heart ache.

"No, I ate lots and lots. Mommy's cooking is delicious," Qiaoqiao said immediately. This was what Ye Shuang had coached Qiaoqiao to say in the car, to avoid saying she had suffered recently outside, which might affect the elderly couple's opinion of Feng Shan.

"As long as you ate your fill. Come, Grandma made you some nourishing soup today to build up your nutrition," Chen's Mother picked up Qiaoqiao.

At this moment, Feng Shan also greeted Chen's Father and Mother, "Dad, Mom."

"It's good to be back. What can't be discussed sitting down as a family, right?" Chen's Father said, then slowly pulled out a rattan cane from behind his back. "Take this. You can hit Ah Hai however you want. I guarantee he won't resist."

Chen Hai was dumbfounded.

"Whoosh! Whoosh!" Feng Shan swung the cane a few times, making a whistling sound through the air.

"Wait, is that thing real?" Chen Hai's voice trembled. Am I not your biological son?

"Oh, I also soaked it in liquor," Chen's Father said. "Disinfects while you hit."

Hearing this, Feng Shan tried giving Chen Hai a light tap. Chen Hai immediately shuddered violently and let out a yelp like Tom the Cat.

"I didn't even use force!" Seeing Chen Hai's exaggerated reaction, Feng Shan seemed both annoyed and amused.

The atmosphere seemed to ease up considerably.

"Shuang, thank you for your hard work too. Come in for dinner... and this little sister," Chen's Father's gaze fell on An Shiyu.

"I'm An Shiyu," An Shiyu raised her hand, her leisurely demeanor showing not a hint of shyness.

"She's my friend," Ye Shuang explained. "Also the granddaughter of a school board member at Yinshan Academy. She's temporarily acting as my assistant."

Hearing this, Chen's Father said with a somewhat playful tone, "You have quite a few friends, huh. But it's good to know more influential people."

Ye Shuang looked slightly awkward.

He understood what Chen's Father was implying.

"It's normal. Capable people are always favored wherever they go," Chen's Father wasn't concerned about this. He had been much wilder than Ye Shuang in his younger days. "Alright, come in now."

During dinner, Ye Shuang sent a message to Bai Yuyou and Tang Keke saying he wouldn't be back tonight. They replied with a photo of katsu don (pork cutlet rice bowl).

The two girls seemed to have found a nice restaurant.

Tang Keke even sent a video of Bai Yuyou single-handedly tackling a one-kilogram katsu don, eating without any pressure at all.

Ye Shuang also saw An Shiyu eating ramen in the corner of the photo.

These three had been hanging out together a lot lately.

Just as Ye Shuang was thinking this, he suddenly felt a weight on his head—Chen Qin had rested her chin there, her slender arms wrapping around his neck. "A Ye, do you want to take a bath first?"

Feeling the soft pillow against his head, Ye Shuang straightened up slightly. "A bath? Is there enough time now?"

"There is."

"Hmm... I didn't sweat today, and I still have to drive back later. Never mind," Ye Shuang shook his head.

Chen Qin suddenly whispered, "I could scrub your back."

"Uh..."

"You bathe with Yuyou, so what about me?!" Seeing Ye Shuang hesitate, Chen Qin immediately puffed her cheeks in anger, pinching his cheeks and pulling them to the sides. "You promised me last time, you have to make it up to me!"

"Everyone in the family is here right now..."

"Not listening, not listening." Chen Qin was quite cute when she acted willful.

"Qin, come drink your soup."

"Oh, coming." Hearing Chen's Mother call her, Chen Qin could only playfully stick her tongue out at Ye Shuang and turn to leave, leaving only a faint fragrance behind.

Almost everyone was seated at the dining table. An Shiyu was the quickest. Her greatest talent was making herself at home anywhere, and she didn't seem to rub Chen's Father and Mother the wrong way. Instead, this clever, spirited girl struck the two elders as quite adorable.

After Ye Shuang found a seat, Zhou Min also came downstairs.

She was nearing her due date now. Chen's Mother had even hired a nanny to take care of her closely, in case any issues arose.

Zhou Min now approached the dining table with a smile, but strangely noticed there were quite a few people today. Especially when she saw Feng Shan, her face slightly changed.