Shen Ziyao’s voice broke as tears fell again. “I don’t even have the face to go back to my family. Because of my mistakes, my family is heartbroken, and my children have suffered.”
Liu Yi turned to Shen Qi. “Xiao Qi, and your godmother…”
Shen Qi nodded. “Yes, that’s how it happened. Your godmother is my biological mother.”
Xu Yunxi’s mouth dropped open. “That’s too much of a coincidence, isn’t it?”
“Indeed, it’s a coincidence that couldn’t be more fitting for a story.” Shen Ziyao said with emotion. “I never imagined that as soon as I returned to the country, I would run into my daughter. All these years, I could only look at distant photos of you, with features so blurry I couldn’t make them out, to guess whether you were doing well. This is all my fault.”
“What exactly happened?” Xu Yunxi crossed her arms. “Ziyao, we’ve known each other for years, and you’ve always been so secretive about your past. I never asked why you never came back. Now, suddenly you have a daughter—don’t you think you owe me a reasonable explanation?”
“Yes, today I’m going to explain everything to you properly. I not only have a daughter, but also a son, named Xiao Liu. His old name was Lin Lu, and if nothing went wrong, he’s now called Shen Lu.” Shen Ziyao no longer held back and recounted her experiences once more.
Shen Qi helped by explaining the changes in the Lin family over the years and the origins of the Shen family in H City.
When Shen Qi got to the part where Shen Gang voluntarily confessed, Xu Yunxi and Liu Yi both gasped sharply.
They never imagined there could be such ungrateful people in this world!
The Shen family from G Province had saved their lives, and they repaid them by threatening the Shen family’s daughter with her children’s lives!
What kind of logic was that?
Was there no justice left in the world?
If it had only been that, at least they could have treated the two children well.
But what Shen Gang and Shen Cui did—was that even human behavior?
They drove a perfectly fine child into autism and forced Shen Qi to marry in Shen Yinyin’s place!
Thank goodness, by a twist of fate, Shen Qi married He Yining.
Otherwise…
Xu Yunxi turned to Shen Qi. “Xiao Qi, do you truly want to be with the second young master of the He family?”
Shen Qi nodded slightly. “I did hesitate before, because back then, the reason I stayed in the marriage was that my brother’s treatment in Germany still needed his approval. But after we got married, feelings did develop between us. He said he would never let me down in this life. I really like him too, and I want to be with him.”
Shen Ziyao said, “When you get the chance, bring him to meet me. Let me see what kind of man has my daughter so completely smitten.”
Shen Qi’s face flushed. “Mom…”
Liu Yi chuckled. “No matter what, it’s the best thing that godmother and Xiao Qi have found each other! Today’s reunion is a true reunion!”
Xu Yunxi smiled warmly, taking Shen Qi’s hand. “I knew I had a connection with this girl—turns out she’s Ziyao’s daughter. Perfect timing, I still need a daughter. You can call me godmother from now on.”
Shen Qi looked at Liu Yi.
Liu Yi waved a hand. “In my mom’s heart, I’ve always been a son. Haven’t you noticed how she drags me into the spotlight every now and then, making the media speculate if she’s got a new flame?”
Liu Yi’s jab lightened the mood instantly.
Shen Ziyao laughed. “I love Xiao Yi’s straightforwardness—no beating around the bush. It’s wonderful.”
Xu Yunxi shoved Liu Yi toward Shen Ziyao with a look of disgust. “Take her, take her—give me a daughter like Xiao Qi instead! I’ll keep her! I adore sweet little girls like that.”
Shen Ziyao replied seriously, “Fine, both daughters are mine now. You can go wash up and hit the sack.”
“Pfft…” All three burst out laughing.
The atmosphere grew warm, and everyone pushed aside the dark clouds in their hearts.
Now that mother and daughter were reunited, it was time to talk about happy things.
Shen Ziyao’s house was quite large, so cleaning was a big task, and she had called in a part-time worker for the job.
The four of them gathered in the kitchen, laughing and joking as they prepared lunch together.
The phone rang, and Shen Qi answered via Bluetooth. “Hello? Who is it?”
Feng Manlun’s voice came through, tinged with exasperation. “Little girl, didn’t I tell you I’d arrive at noon? Where are you now?”
Shen Qi snapped back to reality. “Oh, I’m at my mom’s place.”
“Your mom?” Feng Manlun was taken aback, his voice rising slightly. “She…”
He was about to say, “Wasn’t Shen Cui dealt with by He Yining?” but quickly swallowed the words. His mind worked fast, and he realized Shen Qi wasn’t talking about Shen Cui.
“Ah, it’s a long story. Let me ask my mom and godmother first.” Shen Qi said.
Indeed, from that moment on, Shen Qi had already started calling Xu Yunxi “godmother.”
As Shen Qi spoke on the phone, the others were right there and turned to look at her.
Shen Qi said with slight embarrassment, “I forgot about someone! His name is Feng Manlun, my senior fellow apprentice. He studied aesthetic design under my teacher, Mr. Charles. He said he wanted to come…”
Shen Ziyao smiled at Shen Qi. “Since he’s your senior, invite him to eat.”
Shen Qi nodded and spoke into the earpiece. “My mom lives at the bottom of Red Leaf Valley. Do you need me to pick you up?”
Feng Manlun chuckled softly. “No need, just send me the coordinates.”
Shen Qi agreed, pulled out her phone, and sent the location.
Liu Yi leaned in. “Feng Manlun is your senior?”
Shen Qi nodded.
Liu Yi rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “No wonder—I felt his gaze on you was a bit off those days.”
Xu Yunxi and Shen Ziyao both perked up. “What kind of gaze?”
Shen Qi quickly said, “Nothing! Don’t listen to Xiao Yi’s nonsense.”
Liu Yi raised an eyebrow with a cocky grin. “I’m not talking nonsense! If you don’t believe me, just watch when he gets here!”
Feng Manlun didn’t take long to arrive.
It was only about an hour after the call when lunch was just coming out of the kitchen.
As soon as he reached the valley floor, he spotted the building—there was only one there.
Feng Manlun called Shen Qi first before formally visiting.
When Shen Qi heard he was there, she rushed out to greet him and was stunned to see his assistants carrying large bags and parcels. “What are you doing?”
“First time meeting your mother, I can’t be rude. Since I don’t know her preferences, I picked a few random gifts—all practical household items. I hope she won’t mind.” Feng Manlun said with a smile.
Liu Yi couldn’t resist running out too. Seeing all the gifts, he exclaimed in surprise, “Young Master Feng, what’s this? Even a son-in-law visiting wouldn’t bring this much!”
Feng Manlun laughed at Liu Yi’s comment.
A rare warmth flickered in his eyes.
“Not at all. Since I’m unsure of your mother’s tastes, I worried she might find me presumptuous, so I had to prepare a bit more.” Feng Manlun said, then turned to his assistants. “Take the gifts over and be mindful of the rules here.”
The assistants acknowledged and marched off with the pile of gifts, carefully stepping around the flowers and plants.
Shen Qi looked helpless. “My mom doesn’t need anything.”
“Just a token of my regard.” Feng Manlun said softly.
Seeing the gifts delivered, Liu Yi said, “Don’t just stand there—come on in, the food’s ready.”
Feng Manlun smiled. “Better early than late—seems I’m in luck.”
Shen Qi laughed too. “You really are lucky.”
The three of them chatted and laughed as they entered the house.
The dining area was between the sleeping quarters and the sanctuary.
It was a fully glass-enclosed space.
Eating there during a rainstorm would be absolutely stunning.
Mountains and water shrouded in mist, with music playing and delicious food.
As Shen Qi led Feng Manlun in, Shen Ziyao greeted him with a smile. “Just come to eat—bringing so many gifts makes it feel too formal.”
Feng Manlun, though meeting Shen Ziyao for the first time, immediately recognized that Shen Qi’s delicate features came from her mother. He quickly realized this was Shen Qi’s biological mother.
He bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Auntie. I couldn’t risk being rude on my first visit. I’ll be more than content if you don’t find me too forward.”
Just then, Xu Yunxi brought over the last dish. Seeing Feng Manlun, she smiled. “Young Master Feng, long time no see.”
“So Teacher Xu is here too.” Feng Manlun noticed the close bond between Xu Yunxi and Shen Ziyao and quickly connected the dots. “It seems you and Auntie are old acquaintances.”
“Sharp as always.” Xu Yunxi nodded with a smile. “Alright, since that’s the case, you’re hardly an outsider. As Xiao Qi’s senior, don’t stand on ceremony—come eat.”
“Yes.” Feng Manlun replied with a polite smile and promptly helped set the tableware.
The five of them sat around the table, and Feng Manlun said cheerfully, “Such wonderful dishes—how can we enjoy them without fine wine? I happen to have brought a bottle of Louis XIV, which should pair perfectly with this feast.”
Xu Yunxi laughed heartily. “Young Master Feng, you sure know how to talk. I almost wonder if the rumors about you being the ‘heartless gentleman’ are true.”
Feng Manlun’s eyes lingered on Shen Qi for a moment before he turned to answer Xu Yunxi. “For those unworthy, of course, one is heartless. But if the person is worth it, how could one remain heartless?”
Xu Yunxi gave a meaningful smile and said nothing more.
Shen Ziyao, however, gave Feng Manlun a longer look. “Since you enjoy the food here, Young Master Feng, why not stay a couple of days?”