spring bite mark

Chapter 137 Bringing Yan Yu Home

Yan Changye was kicked out of the house by Jiang Manman without even changing his clothes.

Jiang Manman drank glass after glass of ice water, her emotions still churning. With that scoundrel gone, she finally had time to process the explosive information she'd received from him:
At the Xie family's homecoming banquet, she and Xie Yuheng were completely innocent, but the person she had a sexual relationship with was someone else, and it was perfectly legitimate. Upon closer examination, she was actually the one who had committed marriage fraud.
The unexpected childbirth incident at St. He Hospital was a pain she had kept buried deep in her heart for years, one she dared not mention. But today she learned that those two little ones were alive and well, and had appeared in her life repeatedly.

Both the enigmatic Hong Kong socialite and the suave Beijing socialite married her and engaged in role-playing for years, completely fooling her...

Jiang Manman's head was about to explode from thinking.

Just then, his phone rang; it was Jiang Che.

This reminded her that while she was busy overthinking, her two children, who were still living away from home, were waiting for her to pick them up. She answered the video call, and on the other end, Xie Jian was sitting in Jiang Che's lap, his soft face pressed against the screen.

Jiang Manman has looked at and pinched this adorable little face countless times.

But at this moment, knowing that this is his biological son, the feeling is different, subtle, and complicated.

"Manman!" Xie Jian blinked. "When are you coming to pick me up? You haven't replied to my messages to you and Daddy."

During the time Jiang Manman and Yan Changye had their confrontation, neither of them was paying attention to their phones. Jiang Manman explained gently, "I was busy and didn't see it. Thanks for your help. I'll pick you up tomorrow. You'll sleep with your uncle tonight."

"Will you come over for dinner tomorrow? The chef at Grandpa's house cooks amazing dishes from Beijing!" Xie Jian chimed in, adding, "Daddy, come too! He'll have his favorite stir-fried crab."

Jiang Manman was silent for a moment, then said, "Okay, your daddy and I will pick you up tomorrow night."

Xie Jianxin gave a satisfied "Ah," then tentatively asked, "Can I still call you Mommy?"

Jiang Manman: "...Okay."

Xie Jian's eyes sparkled, and she called out "Mommy" several times before reluctantly handing the phone to Jiang Che.

Jiang Che's gaze quietly fell on Jiang Manman: "Sister, Yan Changye didn't bully you, did he?"

Jiang Manman didn't know how to answer.

When Jiang Che saw that she didn't say anything, his expression immediately changed: "Sister, what did he do to you?"

Seeing that he was thinking the wrong thing, Jiang Manman said softly, "I kicked him out."

"..." Jiang Che calmed down and changed the subject, "I'll have the kitchen make more of my brother-in-law's favorite dishes tomorrow."

Jiang Manman: "...Okay."

After hanging up the video call, Jiang Manman got up and walked towards Villa No. 2.

Xie Jian could be picked up tomorrow, but Yan Yu seemed heartbroken by her today, and she needed to comfort her immediately. She walked out of the villa and, with mixed feelings, reached the door of Villa No. 2. The bodyguards at Villa No. 2 naturally didn't stop her and opened the door for her with great courtesy.

"Where is the banquet?" Jiang Manman asked.

The bodyguard replied respectfully, "In the garden."

Villa No. 2 was similar in layout to Villa No. 1. As soon as Jiang Manman entered the inner courtyard, she saw a garden full of flowers. She suppressed her nervousness and walked over hesitantly.

Beneath a cluster of peonies, Yan Yu sat alone in the shade of the flowers, hugging his knees as he watched ants.

Jiang Manman gently called his name: "Ayu".

Yan Yu froze, then abruptly raised his head.

Those delicate peach blossom eyes were still moist, but after blinking twice, the moisture disappeared, leaving a pair of dark eyes that quietly looked at Jiang Manman.

Jiang Manman felt a pang of pain in her heart and, unusually, a little lost.

She stepped forward, tentatively reaching out to pull Yan Yu into her arms, her voice gentle: "Yu, I'm sorry, I didn't know I was your mother."

Yan Yu didn't speak, but being held by Jiang Manman, he was very obedient and didn't dare to move at all.

Jiang Manman guessed that the child was still angry and felt very guilty: "I was also confused by Yan Changye, so I may not have been nice to you today. Can you forgive me?"

Yan Yu slightly raised her small face to look at her: "I'm not blaming you."

"Then why do you still look unhappy?" Jiang Manman tried to rub his head, and he didn't resist. "Is it... that you don't like me being your mother?"

"No," Yan Yu answered quickly this time, "I like it."

Jiang Manman took his hand and asked him softly, "Would you like to move in with your mother?"

The dark color in Yan Yu's eyes gradually began to light up.

Chang'an Club.

A dozen or so spoiled rich kids gathered together, playing dice and tasting wine, creating a lively scene. Yan Changye sat in the far corner, listlessly watching the group having fun, his glass of wine untouched for a long time.

Chen Jinzhou leaned closer to him, unable to contain his inner gossip:

"Brother Yan, what's wrong? Tell us and we'll help you out."

Yan Changye chuckled lazily, "What difficulties could I possibly have?"

“I saw it,” Chen Jinzhou said in a low voice. “When you first arrived at the club, you were soaking wet and looked terrible. You secretly went to the private lounge to change your clothes.”

Yan Changye glanced at him disdainfully: "Don't pry into my affairs."

"Alright, alright! I won't ask anymore." Chen Jinzhou picked up his glass. "Shall I drink with you?"

Yan Changye remained noncommittal: "Whatever you say."

A video popped up.

Yan Changye answered the phone, his voice low and deep: "Jiang Che, speak."

"Brother-in-law, what would you like to eat tomorrow night?" Jiang Che's voice was exceptionally warm. "I'll prepare a big feast for you."

Yan Changye raised an eyebrow: "Tomorrow night?"

"Yes! My sister said she'll come to the Jiang family's house for dinner with you tomorrow night, and also to pick up Xie Jian."

Yan Changye pondered, "Are you sure she meant she was going with me, and not alone?"

"I'm sure! Brother-in-law, my sister kicked you out?" Jiang Che's voice had the unique clarity of a young man. "Don't worry, I'll put in a good word for you tomorrow night."

Yan Changye: "If you can't speak, then don't speak."

"Okay! Send the menu to my phone later."

After the video call ended, Chen Jinzhou's strange gaze fell directly on Yan Changye's face.

Yan Changye glared at him coldly: "What are you looking at me for?"

Chen Jinzhou swallowed hard: "You were kicked out of the house by Manman? What heinous thing did you do to drive my delicate and sweet girl to this state?"

Yan Changye did not answer: "Either drink or get out."

Chen Jinzhou shut his mouth.

That night, Yan Changye did not return.

The group of people made a ruckus until late into the night before finally dispersing. Yan Changye went straight to the lounge and spent the night there, checking his messages countless times. Of the hundreds of messages, not a single one was from Jiang Manman.

Yan Changye sent a selfie:

Y: [I'm staying at the club tonight. Is your wife asleep?]

Jiang Manman did not reply.

She didn't send a message until the following afternoon:
Jiang Manman: [Let's go to the Jiang family's house for dinner tonight, and then pick up Xie Jian.]

Yan Changye replied almost instantly:

Y: [Received, Madam]

Villa No. 1. Jiang Manman is helping Yan Yu try on clothes one by one in the dressing room.

Last night, the child slept with her. He was both restrained and well-behaved all night, and his charming eyes would often linger on her face, making her adore him.

She eventually chose a warm-toned children's fashion outfit and asked for his opinion: "Do you like it?"

Yan Yu nodded, without mentioning that she usually only liked cool colors.

Jiang Manman gently rubbed his head: "I'll take you to your maternal grandparents' house later, and then to your paternal grandparents' house tomorrow. The day after tomorrow, you'll go to the studio with Mom. I don't care how Yan Changye hid you before. My baby is so cute, I just want to introduce you to everyone I care about."

Yan Yu stared at her blankly, then slowly pressed his face against her palm.

He spoke cautiously, his voice trembling slightly, for the first time:

"Mother."

(End of this chapter)