Lin Mei did not stop him. Xing Sha looked worriedly at Xing Zheng's retreating back. Lin Mei smiled at him, "It's okay, you guys carry on."
"He's completely different from when I last saw him!" Xie Qin Jia had only met Jing Chu once before. That was when he was just a month old, and he didn't look like the same child. A baby, changing every day, it was natural to feel like a stranger if you weren't with him daily.
"Yes, he's grown quite a bit since then," Lin Mei said.
"Can I hold him?" Xie Qin Jia seemed to really like Jing Chu, constantly cooing at him and wanting to hold him herself. Lin Mei had never seen her display such a "loving" side.
After Lin Mei agreed, Xie Qin Jia picked up Jing Chu. She held the baby with practiced ease, as if she had done it countless times before. Lin Mei watched her for a long time and suddenly understood why Xing Zheng had left.
Seeing Xie Qin Jia dote on and hold the child like this, he must have been reminded of his own past.
Xie Qin Jia wasn't bad with children; in fact, she was very good at coaxing them. However, as her son, Xing Zheng had never once enjoyed such treatment.
Some wounds, even when healed, leave scars that last a lifetime. No matter how well or how complete his life was now, it couldn't change what he had gone through.
Jing Chu was unfamiliar with Xie Qin Jia and Xing Sha. After being picked up, he stared intently at the two of them. His round, bright eyes were incredibly endearing.
"He looks exactly like Ah Zheng did when he was little," Xing Sha sighed. "When I held him as a child, he would look at me just like this."
Xie Qin Jia remained silent. Her memories of Xing Zheng's childhood were almost nonexistent. He was sent to Aunt Wen as soon as he was born. Xie Qin Jia hadn't even looked at him much during her confinement. Only Xing Sha would occasionally hold him, but because he didn't visit frequently and babies were too young to remember, every time he held Xing Zheng, the infant would stare at him for a long time, his gaze exactly like Jing Chu's now.
Lin Mei smiled, "He does resemble his father. Everyone who meets him says so."
"Are you planning to return to Nanjiang then?" Xing Sha asked. "Will you have someone to look after the child? Do you need our help?"
"He's arranged for an auntie to help. Someone will be looking after him. Thank you, Uncle Xing," Lin Mei said gratefully.
"Still calling me uncle? That's too formal."
Xing Sha's reminder made Lin Mei realize she hadn't changed her address. But after hesitating for a long time, she still couldn't bring herself to say "Dad."
Xing Sha didn't press the issue and told her, "It's okay, you can take your time."
Xing Sha and Xie Qin Jia asked Lin Mei about her future plans. Lin Mei chatted with them briefly. Before boarding, Xing Zheng returned. They were on the same flight, so they would naturally board together.
They thought it was a coincidence to be on the same flight, but unexpectedly, their seats were also together. This gave Xie Qin Jia and Xing Sha further reason to see the child and chat with them.
Out of politeness, Lin Mei couldn't ignore them and started talking to them. Xing Zheng held the child beside her. Jing Chu seemed to sense his father's low mood and babbled at him, as if trying to cheer him up.
Xing Zheng, who had been scowling, finally smiled when he saw his son like this, and he bent down to kiss him on the cheek.
This scene was witnessed by Xing Sha and Xie Qin Jia, both of whom showed surprised expressions. They had once thought Xing Zheng was someone who couldn't interact with children, but unexpectedly, he not only could, but he was also very good at it.
A child's behavior never lies. Jing Chu talking to him and smiling at him indicated that he liked him very much. He must have spent a lot of time with the child.
Lin Mei noticed their surprise and said, "He's very good with children."
The plane landed in Nanjiang City. The people Xing Zheng had arranged were already waiting. Lan Lan and Feng Feng were also waiting in the car. Xing Sha and Xie Qin Jia wouldn't be able to tag along anymore.
Xing Zheng went to get the luggage. Lin Mei, holding the child, got into the car with Lan Lan and Feng Feng. Lan Lan leaned her head out and saw Xing Sha and Xie Qin Jia. "His parents came back with you? Have you made up?"
"We met by chance at the airport. We didn't expect to be on the same flight." It was quite a coincidence, and it was rare for someone to be so "unfamiliar" with their own parents.
But Lan Lan and Feng Feng were understanding and didn't dwell on it. "Where's Jiaozi? Why didn't he come back with you?"
"Checking him in was too much trouble. He's over fifty pounds now, and he's afraid of the heat, so I found someone to pick him up and drive him back." Lin Mei couldn't bear to leave Jiaozi in Xiangxi. To her, Jiaozi was no different from her child.
Now that they were officially married, Lin Mei moved into Zhuhua Villa upon their return. Xing Zheng had arranged for the room to be decorated in advance, bought a crib, and even prepared several boxes of toys.
After arriving home, Xing Zheng had been holding Jing Chu and coaxing him. The father and son were very harmonious. Jing Chu, in a new environment, looked around with wide eyes, drooling on Xing Zheng's shoulder.
Lan Lan laughed and took out her phone, capturing Xing Zheng with the child. She teased Feng Feng, "Mr. Feng, how much do you think this photo is worth?"
"Maybe you could try?" Feng Feng also laughed. Since Xing Zheng publicly announced his marriage, the outside world had been very interested in his marital life, especially those in Nanjiang's social circles. However, because he and Lin Mei had been in Xiangxi, they couldn't find out much. Now that they were back, the media would likely focus on them soon.
A few days after Lin Mei and Xing Zheng returned to Xiangxi, Jiaozi also came back. Lazy and Jiaozi hadn't seen each other for over ten months. As soon as Jiaozi saw Lazy, he excitedly pounced on him and started playing. Lazy, as usual, leaped onto Jiaozi's back with a whoosh, acting bossy.
Once things were mostly settled, Lin Mei returned to work at the bank. She hadn't been back in a long time and felt a sense of unfamiliarity walking into the office area. Her colleagues greeted her enthusiastically upon seeing her.
Even those who had previously disliked her had to put on a friendly facade due to her status. Lin Mei didn't pay much attention to it, responded briefly, and then went to see the bank manager.
Lin Mei's job remained unchanged. After meeting with Manager Sun, she returned to her office. Xiao Fang brought her coffee. "You're finally back."
Xiao Fang looked at Lin Mei's attire for the day: her usual professional suit, a blazer, stockings, a pencil skirt, ankle boots, slightly curled hair, and delicate makeup. Who would have thought she already had a child?
"I can't drink coffee," Lin Mei told Xiao Fang. "You drink it."
"Oh?" Xiao Fang was curious. "You quit?"
"I'm still breastfeeding, so I can't drink it," Lin Mei explained.
Xiao Fang suddenly understood. She glanced at Lin Mei's chest and was surprised again. "It's completely unnoticeable. How did you get even more beautiful after giving birth!"
Lin Mei laughed. "You're getting better with your words."
Xiao Fang said, "I'm serious! You have more charm than before. What's that word... alluring."