Half an hour later, the贺 family's hall was filled with laughter.
Mu Yunxiao, upon arriving, looked at the scene before him with complex emotions.
As they saw Mu Yunxiao enter, the smiles on everyone's faces froze.
He Junshu, in particular, looked very nervous at the sight of the aging Mu Yunxiao!
The Old Madam, with sharp eyes, looked at Mu Yunxiao and asked, "Yunxiao, what are you doing here?" She did not want this joyous occasion to be ruined.
Seeing the Old Madam's displeased expression, Mu Yunxiao remarked that she had never given him a kind look.
"Old Madam, I've come to see Junshu." After their marriage ended in such a way, he couldn't help but feel a trace of unwillingness.
Li Zhenting looked at Mu Yunxiao, shielding He Junshu in his arms, a possessive gesture, and his gaze was wary of Mu Yunxiao.
Mu Yunxiao looked at the imposing Li Zhenting, who resembled Xiao Jiu so much. It was clear now that he had lost to this man.
In his youth, driven by arrogance, he had agreed to the marriage proposal from the Chairman of the He family without a second thought upon seeing the beautiful Junshu, who was like a flower in summer.
In his youthful impetuosity, he also liked beautiful women!
But he had ruined He Junshu's life.
Mu Yunxiao addressed everyone, "You don't need to be nervous. I'm just here to see Junshu. I already have a beloved woman, and I won't pursue past matters. We in the Mu family have also clarified things with Mingrun. We'll let bygones be bygones, and it's best if everyone lives in peace."
"My only request is that Xiao Jiu was raised by my father. He should continue to bear the surname Mu."
Li Zhenting looked at Mu Jiuchen with anxiety, but Mu Jiuchen did not look at him. The surname was not important to him.
However, Grandpa was his Grandpa, and no one could replace him!
Mu Jiuchen looked at his father with mixed feelings, "Don't worry, I will always be Grandpa's grandson."
Li Zhenting's gaze darkened; Xiao Jiu still refused to acknowledge him.
Mu Yunxiao smiled, "Xiao Jiu, in a little over two months, your sister will be born. Remember to prepare a gift for her."
Mu Jiuchen: "..." How thick-skinned can he be!
"How do you know it's a girl?" After asking, Mu Jiuchen regretted his words. Why had he spoken up?
"Tong Tong's prenatal dreams have always been of red flowers, and I also hope it's a daughter," Mu Yunxiao said, his eyes lighting up as he spoke of this matter.
Mu Jiuchen finally realized that Mu Yunxiao, who had lived a life of pleasure for most of his years, had finally settled down.
Mu Yunxiao looked at He Junshu and said, "Junshu, I wronged you all those years. I came here to say this."
He Junshu had expected a storm and never dreamed that she would receive an apology from Mu Yunxiao!
"Yunxiao, thank you! I also wronged you. I was too young and didn't know how to handle things, which led to this situation. And regarding Xiao Jiu, I am truly grateful to you."
Knowing that Xiao Jiu was not his son, but still raising him into adulthood, she would be forever grateful to Mu Yunxiao and the Old Master.
Mu Yunxiao looked at Mu Jiuchen and smiled, "Xiao Jiu is very outstanding, but I am not a good father. Xiao Jiu, I've wronged you all these years!"
Mu Jiuchen: ... He looked deeply at Mu Yunxiao, remaining silent.
The sudden apologies made him feel rather uncomfortable.
Mu Yunxiao had said all he needed to say, and it was time for him to leave. "I'll take my leave now. My wife is waiting for me outside."
Jiang Nuan watched his retreating back and realized he truly cared for Yun Tong.
After Mu Yunxiao left, Mu Jiuchen said, "Grandma, Nuan Nuan and I are going to pick up the children. We'll have a gathering tonight and have dinner together."
"Alright, alright, Xiao Jiu, be careful on the road," the Old Madam's smile had improved considerably.
However, Meng Yuan disagreed, "Let's not have Nuan Nuan go. We sisters should have a chat."
Meng Yuan ran over and pulled Jiang Nuan, "Nuan Nuan, I missed you so much!"
Jiang Nuan smiled and hugged Meng Yuan, "Yuan Yuan, I missed you too!"
Mu Jiuchen's expression darkened as he looked at the two sisters hugging each other, finding it rather jarring.
Li Zhenting stood up and said, "Xiao Jiu, let me accompany you to pick up the children."
He wanted to talk to his son.
Mu Jiuchen glanced at him and nodded slightly.
After the father and son left, Li Yanheng began chatting with He Mingrun, happy to have so many new relatives.
During Chinese New Year, while others visited relatives, he could only stay home and play games, with no festive atmosphere at all.
Jiang Nuan and Meng Yuan sat together chatting.
He Junshu and the Old Madam discussed the events of the past years, and everyone was in high spirits.
"Nuan Nuan, are you really alright now? Why are you so thin?" Meng Yuan held her hand, relieved to see that she had no visible external injuries.
She had been extremely worried during this period.
Jiang Nuan showed her the injured areas, lifting one side of her wig. "Yuan Yuan, look, my wound has already healed. You really don't need to worry. I'm fine now and will go to the wellness center tomorrow."
Meng Yuan glared at her, "Are you that short of money? You almost died, and you still don't cherish your life. Rest at home; the wellness center is doing well, you don't need to worry about it."
"Okay, okay, I'll listen to you," Jiang Nuan said, seeing Meng Yuan's anger. "I just wanted to come back and see everyone."
"Alright, I'll accompany you tomorrow. By the way, Xia Xia has been taken by Li Qingshuo to be looked after."
"Oh!" Jiang Nuan frowned slightly. "Li Qingshuo, he..."
"He's very good. I even called Xia Xia this morning. She's not safe right now, and Li Qingshuo is worried, so he took her away. Women's jealousy is the most terrible thing," Meng Yuan said, shuddering at the thought of Tang Ke Ke's gaze.
Meng Yuan told Jiang Nuan what had happened during this time, and Jiang Nuan understood after listening.
She looked at Meng Yuan and said, "Yuan Yuan, Li Qingshuo is also a good man. If he and Xia Xia develop feelings, it would be Li Qingshuo's good fortune. Xia Xia is gentle and kind; anyone who marries her will be very happy."
Meng Yuan thought the same way. Not seeking great wealth, but merely meeting a good man and living a happy life was the greatest fortune for a woman.
They were not greedy women, and they would surely be rewarded.
After chatting with Jiang Nuan for half an hour, the Old Madam asked Meng Yuan and Jiang Nuan to check the kitchen and have the servants prepare dinner with care.
As one was a granddaughter-in-law and the other a grand-nephew's wife, she did not hesitate to order them around. The He family was small, and He Mingrun didn't understand these matters, so the Old Madam entrusted this task to Meng Yuan and Jiang Nuan.
Meng Yuan and Jiang Nuan responded, and the two went to the kitchen to look at the menu.
...
In the car, Mu Jiuchen was driving, and Li Zhenting sat in the passenger seat. Neither father nor son spoke.
The atmosphere in the car was somewhat awkward!
Mu Jiuchen didn't know what to say; he felt completely estranged from his biological father.
"Xiao Jiu, do you hate me?" Li Zhenting suddenly asked, and after that single question, he said nothing more.