His wife's pregnancy bump disappeared, and Mr. Huo was going crazy missing her.

Qiao Mucheng and his younger brother and sister sat in the last row.

At this moment, he glanced at his mother, who was standing a short distance ahead, and whispered to his younger siblings the latest news, "Uncle Huo is very rich and still unmarried."

Qiao Muxin asked with bright eyes, "Did Uncle Huo send any photos?"

Qiao Muyue also asked expectantly, "Is Uncle Huo good-looking?"

Qiao Mucheng shushed him.

After gesturing for the two to be quiet, I opened the photo and showed it to my younger siblings.

After reading it, Qiao Muyue was fairly satisfied. "It's alright."

Qiao Muxin deflated like a punctured balloon, letting out a listless sigh. "Is it really that hard to have a handsome dad?"

Qiao Mucheng was speechless. "Do you think this is a beauty pageant?"

"Get ready, we're getting off the bus soon."

As the bus was about to pull into the station, Qiao Mian walked over and gently reminded the children.

Qiao Mucheng put his phone back into the small bag he was carrying, and then, holding his younger brother and sister's hands, walked to his mother's side.

Qiao Mian picked up Qiao Muxin, and Qiao Muchen and Qiao Muye put on their anti-lost leashes, with the other end fastened to their mother's wrist.

And so, Qiao Mian got off the bus with one little one in her arms and the two little ones by her hand.

After walking a short distance, we took the children to a shopping mall in the most bustling part of the city.

There is a large children's play castle on the second floor.

When Ruan Wei first returned to Beijing, she got a membership card for the children when she took them out to play.

Every time we come, we let the children play for an hour or two.

At this moment, Qiao Mian took off the children's shoes, put on disposable socks, and gently reminded them, "Be careful, Mom will be waiting for you outside."

"good--"

After the three little ones responded, they swarmed into the castle to play.

Because it was Saturday, there were a lot of people.

The indoor playground is very large, with three floors in total.

The place was full of children.

The noise was deafening.

Parents are not allowed to accompany their children and must wait in the rest area outside the exit.

Qiao Mian bought three bottles of lemonade and found a quiet spot to sit down.

While waiting, I logged into the recruitment app.

I checked my email and found a new interview invitation.

She has recently submitted a lot of resumes.

I've also received some interview invitations.

However, most online HR professionals, once they learned she was employed, simply stopped following up.

She clicked on the interview invitation link, which automatically redirected her to the interface of a law firm called "Tongchen".

I've never heard of this law firm in the industry.

She checked and found it was a newly registered law firm.

It is very small in scale.

This is not within Qiao Mian's consideration.

It wasn't that she had high standards; rather, she needed a high salary to support her children.

Just as I was about to exit the interface, the HR of 'Tongchen' sent me an online message.

Ask her if she would like to go for an interview at the law firm.

Qiao Mian frankly asked: "Can I attend an interview while I'm currently employed?"

The other party replied: 【Sure, although 'Tongchen' is newly established, the partners are very capable, and the salary and benefits are excellent.】

The last sentence caught her attention.

Qiao Mian replied: 【When is the interview scheduled?】

[Anytime is welcome! 'Tongchen' looks forward to your joining us.]

Qiao Mian thought for a few seconds and replied: [Monday.]

Regardless of whether it's good or bad, give it a try first.

Less than six months later, her contract with Ronghua Law Firm expired.

You always have to plan ahead.

After scrolling through my phone for a while, I suddenly noticed that the parents sitting around me were gathering towards the indoor playground behind me.

Immediately afterwards, the sound of a little girl crying was heard.

It's normal to hear crying and fussing when children are gathered together.

However, more and more parents crowded into the entrance and exit of the indoor playground, causing quite a commotion.

Qiao Mian put away her phone, stood up, and joined the crowd.

Upon entering the entrance of the bouncy castle, a stylishly dressed woman, around forty years old, was holding the hand of a little girl who looked about five or six years old.

The little girl covered her forehead and cried with her mouth open.

"It hurts... Waaah... I want my mom and dad..."

The woman squatted on the ground, anxiously coaxing, "Don't cry, Niannian, Mommy and Daddy will be here soon."

The woman had her back to Qiao Mian and was constantly looking down to coax the little girl, so Qiao Mian couldn't see her face.

When the woman straightened up and turned around with the little girl, Qiao Mian's face turned pale instantly.

Then his back stiffened violently.

She knew that lady.

Song Man's aunt, Jiang Yun.

After Song Man's parents passed away, Jiang Yun took care of Song Man and her siblings.

Song Man trusted Jiang Yun as if she were her own mother.

Six years ago, Song Man would often humiliate and beat her in private.

Jiang Yun also helped a lot.

Qiao Mian's fingers tightened slightly as she gripped the bag.

I subconsciously stepped into the crowd.

She didn't want to run into Jiang Yun.

I'm afraid of being recognized.

But when Qiao Mian saw the face of the little girl rubbing her eyes and crying, she was stunned.

I saw the little girl at the aquarium last time.

She is Huo Yanbei and Song Man's daughter.

Qiao Mian frowned.

What a small world.

Wherever he goes, he can find connections with Huo Yanbei.

Just then, the staff of the indoor playground led Qiao Muxin to Jiang Yun.

Qiao Mian's expression changed, and she hurriedly pushed through the crowd to walk towards Qiao Muxin.

Before she even got close, Jiang Yun reached out and slapped Qiao Muxin across the face. "You wild child, weren't you watching where you were going? Look what you've done to my child's head!"

Qiao Muxin was small and thin; she couldn't withstand a slap from an adult.

She was slapped so hard she fell to the ground. The pain and shock made her burst into tears.

Even the staff were taken aback.

The surrounding parents gasped in shock.

I never imagined a parent would be so cruel to a child.

Just as Jiang Yun was pointing at Qiao Muxin and about to yell at her, Qiao Mian rushed over, pulled Qiao Muxin up from the ground, and hugged her tightly.

"Mommy...it hurts so much..."

Qiao Muxin covered her face, looked at her with a wronged expression, and cried her heart out.

The little face that had been slapped had five clearly visible finger marks.

At that moment, Qiao Mian's heart ached as if it had been pierced by a thousand arrows.

Her precious child, whom she had raised for six years, had never been harmed or suffered the slightest grievance.

I've never cried like this before; my body started to convulse.

Qiao Mian was so angry that she trembled all over, and tears welled up in her eyes.

She choked back tears as she kissed her daughter's forehead and whispered comfortingly, "Mommy's here, don't be afraid..."

Upon hearing the word "mother," Jiang Yunju's face turned cold. She pointed down at Qiao Mian angrily and said, "So you're this wild child's mother? Come here, take a look..."

Before she could finish speaking, Qiao Mian suddenly stood up, rushed to Jiang Yun, grabbed her collar tightly with one hand, and raised her other hand high, about to slap Jiang Yun's face hard. But her slender wrist was suddenly stopped in mid-air by a long, fair hand.

Qiao Mian turned her head.

What came into view was a cold and imposing male face.

It's Huo Yanbei.