I Became the Mother of His Child

Aunt Lai could not help but smile even more radiantly at the sight of the orchid, it seemed little Chen Guang had picked every single newly bloomed bud that was left on the flower pot. With that thought, Aunt Lai could hardly contain her chuckles, "Thank you, Chen Guang. You're really awesome." Aunt Lai, beaming, stretched out her hand to receive the orchid Song Chengguang had given her, and softly patted the little guy's head.

Song Chengguang was praised and being a shy little fellow, he gave a timid smile and then turned to bury himself in Xu Xiuxiu's arms, seemingly bashful.

The atmosphere in the living room was harmonious and lovely, yet Xu Jingjing walked in from the backyard with a wry smile on her face, "Aunt Lai, why did you let Chen Guang pick another one!" Xu Jingjing said, her voice filled with guilt and helplessness. Chen Guang had picked an orchid while she wasn't looking, and since it was already picked, she couldn't put it back. Xu Jingjing was already bracing herself for a scolding. But Aunt Lai, on the other hand, had tricked the little rascal into picking the last bloom, too. Just now, when she had glanced back at the pot that was now bare save for leaves, she had nearly fainted from shock and hurried into the living room, only to see Song Chengguang proudly handing over his treasure to Aunt Lai.

Oh no! Now she was really in for it.

"It's okay, if it's picked, it's picked. What's there to be afraid of?" Aunt Lai waved her hand dismissively, seemingly not at all concerned.

"But…" Xu Jingjing started to say something else but was cut off by Aunt Lai, "If that old man asks, you just say you know nothing." Aunt Lai instructed Xu Jingjing.

Xu Jingjing nodded with a look of wry amusement.

Seeing Xu Jingjing's expression and connecting it with her brief conversation with Aunt Lai – although not much was said – Xu Xiuxiu could easily deduce it was about the orchid, and that the owner of the orchid must undoubtedly be Aunt Lai's partner. Given how embarrassed that girl Xu Jingjing looked, it was enough to confirm the value of the orchid Chen Guang had picked, something highly treasured by Aunt Lai's husband. Thinking this, Xu Xiuxiu gestured with her eyes for Xu Jingjing to explain, just as she was about to ask with her gaze.

"Third sister, I don't know anything, okay! Don't ask me because even if you do, I don't know anything. I had just intended to stop Chen Guang, but in the blink of an eye, he had already picked the flower. I couldn't stop him at all!" Xu Jingjing spread her hands, looking wronged.

Xu Xiuxiu's face contorted with embarrassment.

This little minx, she hadn't even asked yet! Why the rush to disclaim any association? Utterly speechless, Xu Xiuxiu shot Xu Jingjing a look before turning her head to inquire with Aunt Lai.

Wuu wuu... Hiss!

There seemed to be the sound of a vehicle stopping outside, followed by a resounding baritone voice penetrating through the front door.

"It's over!" Xu Jingjing and Aunt Lai exchanged a knowing glance. Then, with quick reflexes, Xu Jingjing snatched the two orchids from Aunt Lai and Xu Xiuxiu's hands and deftly hid them behind the sofa's cushion.

A flushed Xu Xiuxiu watched Xu Jingjing's guilt-ridden actions, wanting to say something, but then heard the sound of the door opening in the living room.

"Yo, Jingjing and little Chen Guang are here too!" The man who entered the living room wore a green military uniform, with insignia on his shoulder like that of Aunt Han's neighbor's husband, yet the gentleman from Aunt Lai's family appeared far more austere and imposing than the old leader in Aunt Han's family, taller and more commanding, exuding an air of decisive authority accrued from long-held high office.

"Good afternoon, Grandpa!" Song Chengguang stood up straight with his lips pursed, greeting the old commander obediently.

"Good afternoon, Commander," Xu Jingjing also followed suit, standing up straight and formally greeting the old man, a forced smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"Hmm! Not bad performance today, quite polite. Alright, stay for dinner later," the old man nodded in satisfaction, speaking as though bestowing a favor.

Song Chengguang and Xu Jingjing exchanged a knowing look, yet neither of them uttered a word. Xu Xiuxiu, standing to the side, clearly saw the relief in the two of them and stood up as the old commander from the Lai Family approached: "Good afternoon, Commander. I am Song Chengguang's mom, Jingjing's sister Xu Xiuxiu," Xu Xiuxiu introduced herself politely.

"..." As Xu Xiuxiu finished introducing herself, the living room fell silent for a full three seconds, the atmosphere oddly charged.

Not far from Xu Xiuxiu, the old man observed her with his wise eyes as if sizing her up, and after a long while, nodded as if confirming his assessment: "Good, you're also not bad. Stay for dinner tonight," the old man said again, then turned his gaze to Aunt Lai: "It was quite sunny today. Before I stepped out, I asked you to move my orchid to a shady spot. You remembered, right?" The old man seemed extremely concerned about the orchid at home, so much so that he asked Aunt Lai about it before even sitting down on the couch.

"Hmm! It's been moved! Placed on the walkway in our backyard," Aunt Lai replied, her eyes humorously glancing at the little guy Song Chengguang standing next to Xu Xiuxiu.

"Why put it there? It's too low; what if little Chengguang saw it and ruined it? That's a top-grade orchid I managed to acquire with great difficulty." The old man frowned dissatisfiedly, then abruptly turned his body, which had been about to sit down: "No, I can't rest easy. I need to go check in the backyard first." Saying this, the old man strode toward the backyard with vigorous steps.

The living room was very quiet, everyone watching as the old commander walked towards the backyard, and as soon as his figure disappeared from sight, Xu Jingjing, in a panic, pulled on Xu Xiuxiu beside her: "Sis, let's hurry up and leave, escape while we can." Xu Jingjing spoke with a near-tearful expression, then snatched up the dazed Song Chen and stuffed him into Xu Xiuxiu's arms: "Aunt Lai, we won't stay for dinner today, we'll be going now!" Saying this, she was about to rush out.

Aunt Lai, seeing Xu Jingjing's frantic manner, didn't put on any pretense to stop them, to Xu Xiuxiu's surprise, and nodded in a 'take good care of yourself' kind of way.

Xu Xiuxiu, feeling embarrassed at the two's complicity, had no choice but to carefully hold Song Chen as urged by Xu Jingjing and move towards the door, just as the old man who went to the backyard and saw only a few orchid leaves left had already returned, his face dark enough to scare a person to death: "Stop right there." His voice, powerful enough to move mountains, boomed.

Xu Jingjing's legs immediately went weak, barely able to stand as she clung to Xu Xiuxiu beside her: "Sis... you mustn't leave me behind later; I have to go back with you. I'm absolutely not staying here for dinner." Xu Jingjing's wailing was pitiful.

Xu Xiuxiu, amused by Jingjing's words, glanced at her and was about to say something to calm her down when a noise came from behind.

Thump—

The old man, holding the pot of the orchid carefully, angrily placed the flowerpot on the coffee table, glaring murderously at the group attempting to sneak away crouched low.

"Come back here and explain before you leave." The roar was deafening.