Upon arriving at the new home, Su Ding raised an eyebrow at the grand and luxurious villa before her.
It seemed Jin Ye had put considerable thought into the renovation.
Su Xiao Rui dashed into the bedroom Jin Ye had arranged for her. As she pushed the door open, her eyes were met with a profusion of pink.
From the lace canopy to the integrated desk and cabinet, everything was a tender shade of pink. xxs1
The room was also very cozily decorated, with stuffed animals filling one entire wall. Further inside, a vast walk-in closet was filled with the fluffy skirts little girls adored.
The cabinets displayed exquisite Barbie doll figurines.
"Daddy! Daddy!" she cried out happily, running to find Jin Ye.
"What is it?" Jin Ye quickly scooped up the excited child, gently adjusting her twin buns.
"I'm so happy!" Su Xiao Rui hugged her handsome father's neck and planted a kiss on his cheek.
A "smack" echoed in the air.
Xiao Yuan's eyes widened, her heart leaping into her throat. Did this little one know who she was looking at?
The resolute and multi-millionaire helmsman of the Jin family, President Jin!
Even if the child didn't understand money, this was her stepfather. She wasn't shy at all!
In contrast, Jin Ye was taken aback for a few seconds, but then the corner of his lips curved upwards, revealing a rare smile.
"Mommy, I love this new home!" Su Xiao Rui smiled sweetly.
Seeing her face alight with joy, Su Ding couldn't help but think of Xiao Xi.
"I'll cook lunch. Let's go pick up Xiao Xi," Su Ding nudged Jin Ye beside her.
"Okay," Jin Ye agreed.
This was truly their home since they got their marriage certificate, and it was only natural to give it importance.
"Then Daddy, Mommy, you go pick up brother quickly. I'll wait for you at home with Auntie Xiao Yuan," Su Xiao Rui waved her small hand, her pink and adorable face incredibly cute.
"Alright," Su Ding smiled helplessly, then looked at Xiao Yuan, "I'll trouble you."
"You're welcome, hurry and go."
Xiao Yuan urged her to go quickly. While Jin Ye treated Xiao Rui like his own daughter, he didn't want his son to be excluded from this new family.
After all, being a stepmother wasn't easy.
Ten minutes later, Jin Ye and Su Ding arrived at the Jin residence.
"Ding Ma, where is Xiao Xi?" Jin Ye asked, seeing only Ding Ma busy in the living room.
"Young Master Xiao Xi went out with Miss Shao," Ding Ma said, her gaze drifting slightly upon seeing Su Ding.
Upon hearing this, Su Ding's heart sank. Her earlier anticipation and happiness seemed to be instantly extinguished.
Her expression turned grim, and she lowered her head.
Jin Ye glanced back at her, his own gaze filled with complexity.
The two of them were now like a blended family, he with his son, and she with her daughter. Yet, Xiao Xi was being kept outside this new family, which caused him a deep sense of guilt.
Xiao Xi was being cared for by Shao Lin, his biological mother. Even Jin Ye himself felt he had no right to interfere.
"When are they coming back?" Su Ding's voice was a little dry.
"They didn't say, but judging by the time, it should be soon," Ding Ma replied.
Su Ding felt a chill creep into her heart, and even her body felt cold.
She slowly looked up and said to Jin Ye, "Let's wait for Xiao Xi."
"Okay," Jin Ye pulled her to sit on the sofa.
About five minutes later, they heard the sound of a car. Su Ding quickly stood up.
Shao Lin was seen pulling Jin Xiao Xi along, both of them chatting and laughing as they walked in.
Upon seeing Su Ding, Jin Xiao Xi's smile instantly vanished. After a moment of hesitation, he let go of Shao Lin's hand.
Shao Lin's face turned unsightly.
"Mom, why are you here?" Jin Xiao Xi walked towards Su Ding proactively.
Watching the handsome young boy approach her, Su Ding felt on the verge of tears. She smiled and took Xiao Xi's hand, "We're taking you home for dinner. Your sister misses you."
She no longer cared about Shao Lin's presence, her eyes solely focused on Xiao Xi.
Su Ding herself couldn't explain the natural affection she felt for Jin Xiao Xi, perhaps because he looked so much like Xiao Rui.
"Okay, I miss my sister too," Jin Xiao Xi turned to Shao Lin, "Auntie, I'm going back with Mommy now."
Shao Lin forced her contorted face back into a neutral expression and smiled, "Go ahead."
Then, as if ignoring Su Ding, she merely said to Jin Ye, "Jin Ge, I'm leaving."
With that, she turned and left.
Su Ding didn't mind any of this. She felt a joy of rediscovery in Xiao Xi's warmth towards her.
On the way back, Jin Ye took them to the supermarket to buy groceries.
As the family of three finished shopping and prepared to get into the car, they heard the distinct sound of a camera shutter from not too far behind them, the flash even momentarily blinding Su Ding.
As she turned, the person taking the photo had already run off.
"What's wrong?" Jin Ye asked, coming over.
"Nothing, just reporters," Su Ding frowned, not thinking much of it.
Upon returning home, Xiao Yuan had already left.
Su Ding figured Xiao Yuan felt uncomfortable staying, so she immediately dove into the kitchen to get busy.
Jin Ye changed his clothes and joined her.
Su Xiao Rui excitedly pulled Jin Xiao Xi to her princess bedroom for a tour. They also visited the adjacent room, Jin Xiao Xi's personal space, which was their shared children's room.
"Brother, you haven't come to play with me in so long," Su Xiao Rui said languidly, lying on a rocking chair in Jin Xiao Xi's room, tilting her head. Her tone carried a hint of complaint.
Jin Xiao Xi's eyes flickered, and he frowned, hesitating for a moment before saying, "I've been busy with things lately."
This matter, he was not ready to tell anyone yet.