Xu Xiufen thought for a moment and tentatively asked, "If you trust me, you can leave the child with me. I'll watch her. It's just me, an old woman at home, and I do like children."
"This..." Su Ding hesitated.
Leaving Xiao Rui here meant she was still under Shao Lin's control.
Xu Xiufen genuinely liked the little girl and couldn't bear to see her go. She gently persuaded, "She's in danger with you. Why do you insist on taking her back? Why don't you handle your affairs first and then come back for her?"
This was precisely Su Ding's concern.
Taking her daughter back might invite another kidnapping attempt.
"I'll think about it again," Su Ding whispered, her mind in a muddle.
"Alright, you think about it. Stay here tonight, and you can see the child after she wakes up tomorrow," Xu Xiufen said after a moment's thought. "You can stay in my room. I'll take Si Wei to the guest room for the night."
Su Ding looked at her with some surprise.
Xu Xiufen smiled, "You'll surely want to be with your daughter. If we switch rooms, you might wake the little one up. Just make do for tonight. Don't worry about me having any ill intentions. I've lived this long without any children of my own, and I just dote on that little girl."
"Then, thank you," Su Ding replied a little shyly.
Xu Xiufen waved her hand, went into the room to call Wang Si Wei out, and returned to the guest room.
Su Ding entered the bedroom, lay down beside her daughter with light steps, gazing at her serene, rosy little face, her heart filled with happiness.
The night deepened.
She couldn't sleep, lying flat on the bed, contemplating her future path.
Looking at Xiao Rui's plump little face, it was evident that Xu Xiufen wasn't lying; she truly loved children.
Su Ding's original plan was to leave Jiang City with Xiao Rui once she found her.
But before leaving, she had some matters to attend to, and during this time, Xiao Rui still needed a safe and hidden environment.
This place was undoubtedly the best option.
However, how could she break free from Shao Lin's control?
Su Ding's head began to ache from thinking. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck her mind...
...
The next day, Su Ding woke up and opened her eyes.
The first thing she saw were two adorable, enlarged little faces peering down at her. As soon as they saw her eyes open, they immediately let out excited shouts, "Mommy! Mommy..."
"Auntie..." This one was from Wang Si Wei.
Before Su Ding could fully wake up, the little dumpling pounced into her arms.
She was now held tightly.
It was her daughter, her beloved, whom she had longed for day and night, had returned.
"Xiao Rui, Xiao Rui," Su Ding sat up, holding her daughter on her lap, her face full of surprise.
Su Xiao Rui affectionately nuzzled Su Ding's face, "Mommy, I missed you so much."
After two months, Su Ding finally showed a genuine smile.
"Mommy missed you too," she gently kissed her daughter's cheek.
"Hehe, where's Daddy? Why didn't Daddy come?"
Su Xiao Rui tilted her little head from side to side, her brow furrowed, looking very curious. "And where's Brother Xiao Xi?"
Su Ding's heart ached, but she concealed it well.
She forced a dry laugh, "Mommy will tell you later, be good."
Wang Si Wei met Su Ding's gaze, pursed her lips tightly, indicating she wouldn't say anything carelessly.
Su Ding finally felt relieved.
At this moment, Xu Xiufen had prepared breakfast and called them, "Come and eat."
Su Ding led the two little dumplings out.
At the dining table, Xu Xiufen asked nothing, simply served Su Xiao Rui an egg as usual, using two small bowls to cool down the soup before giving it to her.
"See, Grandma didn't lie to you, isn't your mommy here now?"
Su Xiao Rui ate with her cheeks puffed out, giggling foolishly, "Hehe, mhm, mhm, thank you, Grandma!"
Seeing this, Su Ding also felt a warmth in her heart.
She looked at Xu Xiufen gratefully and said sincerely, "Thank you, Auntie."
"You're welcome, dear. Now you see Xiao Rui hasn't been wronged here, right?" Xu Xiufen chuckled and served Su Ding some pickled vegetables, "Try some."
"Mhm, mhm," Su Ding's wariness and indifference finally melted away.
Wang Si Wei clearly sensed that Su Ding's mood had improved and proactively said, "Auntie, let me peel the egg for you."
As she spoke, she was actually a little nervous.
Su Ding glanced at Wang Si Wei. She still harbored some reservations, but ultimately, she was just a child.
She nodded.
Wang Si Wei very carefully peeled the egg, removing all the shell cleanly, and placed it in Su Ding's bowl.
"Thank you," Su Ding said in a softer tone.
Wang Si Wei grinned, revealing her small white teeth.
After breakfast, Su Ding helped Xu Xiufen clear the dishes.
"Auntie, I've made up my mind. Xiao Rui will stay with you. I'll have to trouble you again."
"Really?" Xu Xiufen clapped her hands excitedly. "Don't worry, I'll raise the child to be plump and rosy."
Su Ding smiled and nodded, "Of course, I trust you. There's just one thing I need your help with."
Xu Xiufen asked doubtfully, "What is it?"
"Because there are bad people constantly watching Xiao Rui, I'm very worried about her being harmed again, which is why I'm leaving her with you. To prevent further accidents, I plan to fake the news of Xiao Rui's death."
Xu Xiufen's brows furrowed tightly upon hearing this, "This, isn't that good?"
Country folk are more superstitious. Even if it's fake, they fear it might bring misfortune to the child later on.
"This is a last resort."
Su Ding had thought it through. As long as she informed Shao Lin through Xu Rong that Xiao Rui had an accident, Shao Lin would no longer target Xiao Rui.
During this period, she would sell her company and properties, converting everything into cash.
Then, she would find a way to escape Jin Ye's scrutiny.
Finally, she would take Xiao Rui away from Jiang City and never return.
Xu Xiufen tried to persuade her a few more times. Seeing that Su Ding was serious, she could only agree.
"There's a mountain at the head of the village, very steep. In the past, some children from the village fell down while playing..."
Su Ding nodded, understanding. "Thank you."
Then, she took out her wallet from her bag and handed the few hundred yuan in cash remaining to Xu Xiufen.
Xu Xiufen quickly declined, "No, no, I'm not looking after the child for money..."
"I know, but it's not easy for you either. Please take this for now."
Su Ding forced it into her hand. It wasn't much money; she would give her more when she returned to pick up Xiao Rui.
Xu Xiufen had no choice but to accept it.
Leaving the kitchen, Su Ding went back to her room to call Xu Rong.
"Only this way can you sever ties with them, not have to worry about being implicated in kidnapping, nor fear my retaliation."
Xu Rong was still afraid, "What if they find out..."
What if that side discovered the girl's fake death, would she be punished?
"They won't. She doesn't have the energy to deal with this side now."
Shao Lin was dedicating all her efforts to winning over Jin Ye and had no time to bother with Su Xiao Rui.
Moreover, if Su Xiao Rui died, she would be happy.
Making Su Ding suffer was her greatest joy. She wouldn't give up this opportunity to cause Su Ding immense pain just because she lacked leverage.
Xu Rong wanted to say more, but thinking of her son, she said, "I agree. Can you return Si Wei to me?"
"Not for now."
Su Ding put Su Xiao Rui's clothes from the bed into her bag. "I'll send you videos and photos this afternoon. Your task is to make her believe. Once she believes, I'll return your son to you."
Xu Rong clenched her fists and reluctantly agreed.
The person on the other side had asked her to hide the girl. After the first two days of asking about her situation, they had stopped inquiring.
They probably didn't care much.
Hopefully, that side wouldn't find out, and she could muddle through.
This way, the pressure of hiding someone would be lifted, she could sever ties with that side, and Su Ding wouldn't trouble her.