Everyone was puzzled until Ji Chenghe walked in. Bai Jing, to avoid suspicion, followed a moment later.
Ji Chenghe looked at Bai Sheng and smiled, "Little sister, you have a good eye for people today. You actually bought back an old acquaintance of mine. We haven't seen each other for years, and I almost didn't recognize her at first."
"So you really knew each other?" Tian Guihua exclaimed, raising her voice involuntarily. "Heh, look at Madam's luck!"
"Of course," Ji Chenghe nodded with a smile, then recounted to everyone how Bai Jing had given him a quilt and food years ago when he was traveling to the capital for his imperial examinations.
"Tsk tsk, what a coincidence," Huang Gou Sheng sighed with emotion.
Granny Zhong patted the back of his head and corrected him, "This isn't a coincidence; it's fate. Fate brings people together across a thousand miles, and without it, even face-to-face meetings won't happen." Granny Zhong had just learned a few eloquent phrases from A Wu and was eager to show off.
She had already noticed that Lord Ji seemed to have quite a good impression of Miss Bai Jing. For all the time Lord Ji had been in Hongshu Slope, besides Madam being his sworn sister and treating him well, he had shown no interest in any other woman.
Those who didn't know him well might easily mistake him for being interested in men.
But ever since Miss Bai Jing arrived, Lord Ji had been restless, his eyes constantly stealing glances at her.
Upon hearing Granny Zhong's words, everyone immediately nodded in agreement, "Indeed, it's fate, truly fate!"
Bai Sheng and Lu Ye exchanged smiles.
Prince Yu teased, "Old Ji, did you offer a gift to the Matchmaker? The old man finally remembered you. If you don't get married soon, you'll become an old bachelor."
Ji Chenghe thought: Prince Yu, we're in the same boat. However, I'm very happy you said that.
Lord He quickly chimed in, "Congratulations, Lord Ji."
Oh my, what were they implying! Both Bai Jing and Lord Ji blushed.
"Lord Ji and I are just ordinary friends who have met a few times. Please, everyone, don't overthink it. Lord Ji has a boundless future and will surely marry a woman from a distinguished family. If any unfavorable rumors were to spread, it would affect Lord Ji's reputation.
Therefore, thank you for your kind intentions, but please don't let a pariah like me affect Lord Ji. Today, I thank my master and everyone for your care. I... I'll retire to my room," Bai Jing bowed to everyone and turned to leave, heading towards her room.
How could she possibly be worthy of Lord Ji in her current situation? However, when it came to matters of the heart, she didn't even want to think about it. Lord Ji would inevitably take concubines in the future, and she certainly wouldn't entrust her fate to him.
In the days to come, she would live for herself and for her son. She no longer held any hope in men.
Ji Chenghe looked in the direction Bai Jing had left, his face filled with disappointment.
Prince Yu patted his shoulder and, uncharacteristically, offered some comfort, "It's alright. We'll be old bachelors together."
Ji Chenghe gave Prince Yu a respectful smile, but inwardly he grumbled, Who wants to be an old bachelor with you? My Bai Yue Guang has appeared, and soon, I'll be holding my baby!
Lord He immediately agreed, "Being old bachelors is good. One person eats, the whole family doesn't go hungry."
Prince Yu and Ji Chenghe both shot him a glance.
Lord He chuckled twice and immediately looked up at the ceiling.
Bai Sheng glanced at Ji Chenghe and stepped forward, saying, "Big brother, come here for a moment. I have something to tell you."
Seeing Bai Sheng and Ji Chenghe move aside to talk, Lu Ye wisely did not follow.
Bai Sheng pulled Ji Chenghe aside, took Bai Jing's deed of sale from her sleeve, winked, and smiled, "Big brother, here's your chance. Take this deed of sale for Bai Jing and give it to her, telling her you've bought her freedom."
Ji Chenghe sighed, "I already tried, but she firmly refused. She said she prefers to stay at your place and wants to reclaim her son through her own efforts and support herself. So, we won't force her for now."
"So proactive?" Bai Sheng smiled meaningfully. "Big brother, be honest, do you really like her?"
Ji Chenghe's dark face turned red all the way to his ears. Without a second thought, he nodded, "Yes, I like her very much. For all these years, she has been in my heart. The first time I saw her, I was already deeply smitten. Unfortunately, she was already engaged then. We... had fate but no connection."
"Now that she's a woman who's been through experiences, and she has a son, do you still like her? Do you still want to be with her?" Bai Sheng asked.
"I still like her, and I still want to be with her!" Ji Chenghe replied without hesitation. "She is a person who values relationships, which is why she couldn't bear to have the husband she deeply loved take a concubine. I also value emotional connections. Otherwise, I might have had children by now.
After so many years, I've realized that in this life, finding someone you truly love is even harder than picking stars from the sky. I only know that I love her for who she is. For her, I can accept her past, love what she loves, protect her completely, and give her happiness.
I won't let the world's opinions influence my choice, as my happiness isn't something the world can provide."
Bai Sheng was deeply moved. She tiptoed and patted Ji Chenghe's shoulder, encouraging him, "Big brother, if you like her, go for it. I truly admire that you are not bound by worldly views on marriage and relationships! You are a man among men!"
Even in modern times, a divorced woman with a child is still often looked down upon and despised. Big Brother Ji's broadmindedness and deep affection are truly rare.
Ji Chenghe pursed his lips and nodded, "Yes, I will. However, I don't want to rush. Bai Jing has just experienced emotional pain, and she's definitely not ready to accept a new relationship yet. I will wait for her to recover slowly. This time, I won't let her go."
"Wagaga, that's great! Go for it, big brother! Big brother, go for it!" Bai Sheng puffed out her cheeks, clenched her fists, and made several encouraging gestures.
Ji Chenghe laughed heartily. He thought he would never interact with Bai Jing again, but he never expected they would reunite in this way.
Lu Hao and her mother were also quite tired today. Bai Sheng asked them to rest early and said they would have a meeting in the workshop's conference room at noon tomorrow.
Lu Hao returned to her room with Manman.
Lying on the soft, warm bed, Lu Hao felt as if she were dreaming, an unreal sensation.
After washing up, Manman, though still as thin as a rake, looked much cuter than her previous dirty appearance.
She lay in Lu Hao's arms, her arms around her neck, and said in a milky voice, "Mommy, I ate so much today. Will we be able to eat enough every day from now on?"
Lu Hao kissed Manman's head and smiled gently, "Yes. Mommy will work hard from now on to make sure our little Manman is plump and rosy."
Manman giggled.