Madam Jin's expression was somewhat awkward. She cast a reproachful glance at her son before answering the phone, "Hello, Linlin."
Shao Lin's tearful voice came from the other end of the line. "Auntie..."
Madam Jin still felt uneasy about Wang Meilan's scandal, but given her own status, she couldn't change her demeanor too quickly.
"Linlin, what's wrong?" Madam Jin asked perfunctorily.
"My mother was framed, Auntie, sob sob sob..." Shao Lin sobbed into the phone. She had already clearly sensed Madam Jin's change in attitude, which made her feel even more anxious.
"Mhm, Auntie believes you. Auntie has some matters to attend to here, I'll hang up now."
Madam Jin hesitated for a few seconds before hanging up the phone.
Jin Ye's expression softened slightly. He then said, "Mother, I will announce our marriage to the media tomorrow."
"What? So soon?" Madam Jin frowned and asked.
"Yes," Jin Ye replied directly. He wouldn't fail to keep any promise he made to Su Ding.
"Are you trying to make your mother die of anger?" Madam Jin was enraged by Jin Ye's attitude. She clutched her chest and cried out in disappointment, "You're already married to that woman, can't you give your mother a little time?"
"Mother..." Jin Ye frowned, feeling a pang of reluctance.
"Xiao Ye, give your mother some time," Father Jin finally spoke.
Seeing his mother clutching her chest, which didn't seem fake, Jin Ye relented, "Alright, I hope Mother can accept us."
After going upstairs, Xiao Xi was in his room attending class.
Jin Ye knocked on the door, asked the tutor to leave, and then sat down at Xiao Xi's desk.
Before he could speak, Xiao Xi asked, "Dad, Su Ding Auntie and that woman Shao Lin, aren't they sisters?"
"How do you know?"
Jin Ye looked at his son in surprise. Xiao Xi, however, appeared calm.
"Last time at the hospital, I heard that woman's mother call Auntie Shao Xu. Later, I looked it up..."
Jin Ye walked over and ruffled his son's hair. "That's right, but there's something else I need to tell you today."
Jin Xiao Xi asked curiously, "What is it?"
Jin Ye looked at him seriously. "Your Aunt Su Ding and I are married. From now on, she will be your mother."
Jin Xiao Xi's eyes widened, his small mouth agape, incredulous.
He was stunned, frozen for a full minute.
He even wondered if he was dreaming. Had the thing he'd been yearning for just happened?
"We're already married?!" Jin Xiao Xi repeated.
"Mm," Jin Ye's expression was serious, devoid of any jest.
"Yay!" Jin Xiao Xi suddenly jumped up happily. "I want to call Mom!"
Seeing his son so happy, Jin Ye's earlier displeasure gradually faded.
He had to start preparing their new home.
And the matter of Xiao Rui... needed to be investigated!
Meanwhile, Jin Xiao Xi took his phone and dialed Su Ding's number. After several attempts without an answer, he couldn't help but feel worried, a worry that stemmed from his gut.
"No one's picking up?" Jin Ye looked at his son.
"Mm," Jin Xiao Xi frowned, his small lips pursed tightly, looking exactly like Jin Ye. "Dad, do you think something might have happened to Mom?"
Jin Ye paused. "Perhaps she didn't hear it."
He had personally sent her home. Only a few hours had passed, and it was broad daylight...
Although he tried to comfort himself this way, he was still affected by Xiao Xi's guess.
Jin Ye picked up his own phone and also started dialing Su Ding.
Five consecutive calls, none were answered.
"Dad, let's go find Mom." Jin Xiao Xi couldn't wait to fall into Su Ding's embrace. He finally had a mother.
Jin Ye nodded and, pulling Xiao Xi along, headed downstairs.
Downstairs, Madam Jin had not yet returned to her room. She was still sitting on the living room sofa, her hand covering her forehead, a worried expression on her face.
"Dad, Grandma seems unhappy," Jin Xiao Xi said softly.
"Mm."
Jin Ye also felt uneasy. Looking at his mother's greying hair and recalling his own assertiveness moments ago, he hesitated for half a second and said, "Xiao Xi, keep Grandma company. I'll take you to find Aunt Su Ding tomorrow."
"Okay, Dad." Jin Xiao Xi didn't fuss. After all, Grandma was very good to him, and seeing her sad made him unhappy too.
Jin Xiao Xi walked down the stairs, took a fruit platter from a servant, and went to Madam Jin's side.
"Grandma, have some fruit."
He flashed a big smile and threw himself into his grandmother's arms. "Grandma, don't be unhappy. Thank you, Grandma, for letting me have a mom I like. I super like Grandma."
Hearing her precious grandson say this, Madam Jin could only feel a sense of relief.
Seeing his mother's expression improve, Jin Ye finally felt reassured. He picked up his car keys and went to find Su Ding.
Although they had only been apart for a short time, he still had an intuitive sense of unease.
When he arrived at Su Ding's doorstep, he saw that the door was ajar. His heart sank.
Pushing the door open, he saw a white towel on the floor by the entrance.
Jin Ye picked it up. A strong medicinal scent wafted from the towel...