Returning Jiang Shiyu to Jingyuan, several phone calls were intercepted by Murong Cheng. Later, an urgent work matter arose, requiring Murong Cheng's intervention. He leaned down, cupped the back of Jiang Shiyu's head, and kissed her forehead.
"Wait for me at home, be good."
The man left the door.
Jiang Shiyu curled up on the sofa for a long, long time before she finally felt a little better.
She wanted to call Fang Yuan, but her phone had been switched off the entire time.
Checking the time again, it was already past one o'clock.
Her stomach rumbled.
She put on a mask and went to the nearest large supermarket downstairs to buy some food.
Pushing the shopping cart, she wandered aimlessly, not knowing what to buy.
Suddenly, a tender cry sounded.
Jiang Shiyu snapped back to attention. A little boy, about five years old, had fallen next to her shopping cart, rubbing his forehead. It was clear he had collided with it.
"Excuse me, are you alright?" Jiang Shiyu quickly ran over and helped the little boy up.
As she looked closer, she realized how handsome the little boy was. He couldn't be described as merely cute. Even at five years old, his features were exquisitely formed, his nose delicate, and his large eyes as clear and bright as jade, like transparent jade crystals.
He was wearing overalls, and below them were a pair of long legs. Although only five years old, he was noticeably taller than ordinary boys.
Whose child was this, raised so well?
Jiang Shiyu felt the boy looked familiar, but she couldn't recall where she had seen him before.
The boy rubbed his head and looked up. When he saw Jiang Shiyu, his eyes lit up, and he threw himself into her arms.
The next second, the boy exclaimed in a childish voice, "Mommy! Cheche finally sees you, Cheche is so happy!"
What?!
Mommy?!
Suddenly a mother?!
Jiang Shiyu's beautiful eyes widened in shock. She flusteredly pushed the boy away, "I'm not your mommy, don't call me that!"
Although she had just gotten married, she had never had a child this old! She was still a maiden!
"Wuwuwuwu, Mommy, you're so cruel. Don't you want Cheche anymore?"
The boy, who called himself Cheche, clung tightly to Jiang Shiyu, refusing to let go.
"Cheche misses Mommy so much, he misses Mommy in his dreams, he misses Mommy when he eats, he even misses Mommy when he goes to kindergarten. Cheche can't live without Mommy, Mommy, don't be so cruel to Cheche!"
Jiang Shiyu felt a mix of amusement and exasperation. "Where are your parents?"
It was so dangerous for such a young child to come to the supermarket alone.
What if he had met a human trafficker?
How could these parents be so negligent!
A wave of anger washed over Jiang Shiyu.
"Mommy, are you going to buy groceries and cook at home? Can I come home with Mommy to eat?"
Cheche tugged at Jiang Shiyu's clothes, looking at her with tearful eyes.
His large eyes were full of charm, and his soft, childish voice was a plea.
It wasn't just Jiang Shiyu; even a tough man like Fang Gang would struggle to resist.
Jiang Shiyu naturally couldn't agree. She picked up Cheche and went to the supermarket's customer service desk to make an announcement to find his parents.
After waiting for half an hour, and with repeated announcements, Cheche's parents still did not claim him.
Jiang Shiyu looked down at the little boy in her arms.
Cheche buried his face in Jiang Shiyu's chest, not even lifting his head.
"Cheche, what are your parents' names? Where do you live?"
"Mommy, you don't want to take Cheche home? Cheche knows he did something wrong, Mommy, don't be angry anymore. Cheche knows he was wrong and won't do it again. Mommy, don't be angry anymore..."
Cheche pouted aggrievedly, his large eyes watering.
The supermarket staff at the counter heard this and assumed Jiang Shiyu was the boy's biological mother, looking at her with strange expressions.
Jiang Shiyu couldn't explain. She looked at the boy in her arms, who was as clingy as a piece of sticky plaster. She had no other choice but to take him home!
She casually bought some pre-cooked food and returned to Jingyuan with Cheche. It was only a few minutes' walk away. Cheche held Jiang Shiyu's hand very tightly, as if afraid she would get lost.
"Wow, I'm home!"
As soon as the door opened, Cheche ran inside.
Looking at the lively and adorable little boy, Jiang Shiyu felt both amused and exasperated.
What kind of parents could raise such a child? He was so carefree and wasn't afraid of her being a bad person, actually following her home.
Fortunately, she was the one he met today. What if it had been someone else?
The boy was so clean, and his clothes looked expensive. His family should be well-off. Why did he run out alone? Had his family not come looking for him?
"Cheche, did you have a fight with your mommy and daddy?" Jiang Shiyu asked, taking the pre-cooked food out of the bag and placing it on the table, while looking at the little figure sitting on the sofa in the living room.
When Cheche heard the words "mommy and daddy," his eyes drooped. A trace of sadness flowed through his innocent eyes. "Daddy often doesn't come home and always leaves me alone. I miss Mommy so much. That's why I came to find you, and I didn't expect to actually meet you, Mommy. I'm so happy!"
Jiang Shiyu smiled helplessly.
She dismissed it as a child's innocent chatter.
It seemed the child's parents were very busy, otherwise, they wouldn't have neglected his upbringing, nor would they have taken so long to look for him after he went missing.
Jiang Shiyu heated the pre-cooked food. When she brought it to the table, Cheche also came closer. He climbed onto a stool with his hands and feet, then leaned over the dining table, his little nose sniffing the fragrant roast duck. He swallowed hard.
Cheche rubbed his stomach with his small, tender hands.
He had run away from home at noon and hadn't eaten anything. His stomach was rumbling with hunger.
Jiang Shiyu chuckled, amused by Cheche's adorable demeanor. She scooped a bowl of rice for him and added some vegetables, placing them in front of him.
"You must be hungry, eat well."
"Wow, Mommy is the best! I love Mommy! A child with a mother is like a treasure!"
Cheche smiled sweetly, even sweeter than a little girl's smile. He picked up his spoon and began to eat.
Even though he was only five, his eating posture was neat and proper, without dropping a single grain of rice.
It seemed this child came from a wealthy family and had received plenty of guidance.
While Cheche ate, Jiang Shiyu watched him.
For some reason, as she looked at the little boy's fair and delicate face, Murong Cheng's handsome face inexplicably appeared before her eyes.
He did bear some resemblance. Perhaps all good-looking men looked alike!
This was the so-called saying that beauty is in uniformity, while ugliness is unique!
Jiang Shiyu was also hungry. She picked up her chopsticks to eat. Cheche even picked up food for Jiang Shiyu. His little hand was smaller than the duck leg, but he placed the duck leg into Jiang Shiyu's bowl, smiling sweetly. "Mommy, eat more. You're too thin, and I'll worry about you."