Susu and Tianyi returned to Lancheng after dealing with Little Star's matters.
As they left Little Star's school, they saw her already engrossed in intense study.
Little Star hadn't said much more to them during their farewell, eager to catch up on her missed lessons.
Susu felt an indescribable mix of emotions, a subtle sense of distance growing between her and the child, no longer as close as before.
However, Tianyi was not surprised by Little Star's current state. He comforted Susu on the plane, "This is a necessary part of a child's growth. So, when those little ones need us, we should cherish the time we have with them."
Susu leaned into his embrace, pulling the blanket closer. She realized that as children grew up, they would each develop their own worlds, and they, as parents, would gradually step back.
"When we get back, we'll take a few days off together. I want to take those three little ones to the beach."
"Okay," Tianyi held her tighter, and they rested on the plane, leaning against each other.
Upon returning to Lancheng, Susu quickly attended to her backlog of work. During her free time, she browsed pictures of seaside attractions.
Tianyi had told her to decide where they should go to see the sea, and she wanted to find the most beautiful beach.
There was also something that was causing her a headache: she had to explain to Lan Yu why An Jing hadn't returned yet.
But this was something she had to say, and she had to tell Lan Yu as soon as possible to prepare her mentally.
During her lunch break, she set aside the seaside information from her travel agency and dialed Lan Yu's number.
"Susu, are you guys doing alright over there?" Lan Yu immediately asked upon hearing her voice. "An Jing hasn't contacted me for a few days. Is he okay?"
"He's fine. He's perfectly alright." Susu paused before continuing, "Lan Yu, actually, Tianyi and I are already back in Lancheng. An Jing is still there."
"Why hasn't he come back? Did you find Little Star? Is Little Star okay?" Lan Yu asked again.
"Yes, we found her. Little Star is back at school and attending classes." Susu felt it was difficult to explain over the phone. "I'll come to see you after work this afternoon, and we can talk in person."
Lan Yu felt a growing unease in her heart. "Okay, I'll wait for you at home."
After hanging up, Susu no longer took her lunch break. She rushed to finish her tasks, hoping to leave the studio early in the afternoon to meet Lan Yu.
Lan Yu held her phone, already suspecting that something must have happened to An Jing over there, otherwise, why wouldn't he have returned with Susu and Tianyi?
She thought about calling An Jing's phone directly, but then she reasoned that if An Jing could talk to her, he would have called her proactively. But why hadn't he contacted her all these days?
Could he have fallen ill over there and couldn't return due to health reasons?
She couldn't help herself and dialed An Jing's phone. When it connected, there was no answer.
Lan Yu anxiously called several more times, but still no one answered. She had no idea what was going on with him over there and could only wait for Susu to arrive.
Susu finished her work for the day and left the studio early, heading to An Jing and Lan Yu's residence.
When she arrived, she found only Lan Yu at home. "Where is Ningyu?" she asked.
"She's still at kindergarten and hasn't finished yet. I've asked the nanny to pick her up," Lan Yu said, pouring her a cup of freshly brewed flower tea.
Susu took a sip of the flower tea, finding it delicious and beautiful in color. "You're getting more and more into healthy living. How did you brew this flower tea?"
Lan Yu picked up a tea bag and showed it to her, smiling. "It's pre-made. Just boil it. I'll give you a pack later."
"By the way, in a few days, Tianyi and I are planning to take the children on a beach vacation. Why don't you bring Ningyu and join us?" Susu invited her.
"Okay." Lan Yu's heart was filled with anxiety as she asked, "What exactly is wrong with An Jing?"
Susu said, "He's fine. Don't worry, he's really fine. We found Little Star, but Xiaoxiao hasn't been doing well with her adoptive father. An Jing wants... wants to bring Xiaoxiao back."
Lan Yu's expression stiffened upon hearing this. It felt too sudden.
Since Xiaoxiao had left, she had grown accustomed to their family of three and had completely moved past the trouble Xiaoxiao had caused.
But Susu's words brought back memories of the unpleasant times when Xiaoxiao was around.
However, she suppressed her discomfort and smiled, saying, "Xiaoxiao must be a big girl now. By my count, she's almost thirteen?"
Susu said helplessly, "We didn't get to see Xiaoxiao at all this time. Her biological father wouldn't let us. Only Little Star saw Xiaoxiao before, but Little Star said her biological father treated her poorly and always forced her to do things she didn't want to do."
"Then how is An Jing going to get Xiaoxiao back? Will her father willingly give his daughter to him?" Lan Yu couldn't help but say, "Whether they get along well, father and daughter, that's their family matter. Why is he getting involved?"
"Yes," Susu understood Lan Yu's feelings. "We've tried to persuade him, but he wants to hire a lawyer and sue Xiaoxiao's biological father. He says he'll try anything."
Lan Yu's hands clenched into fists. "Susu, why do you think he's doing this? If Xiaoxiao didn't have golden hair and blue eyes, I would truly think she was his biological daughter."
"An Jing is a very responsible person. Perhaps since Xiaoxiao was born, he's felt a responsibility towards this child." Susu didn't know how to persuade her, so she could only try to speak in An Jing's defense.
"He feels responsible for Xiaoxiao, but we've already fulfilled our responsibility! Now, whether her biological father treats her well or not, is that something we can control?" Lan Yu just wanted Susu to be fair.
Susu then spoke from another perspective, "Sometimes men's thoughts are just incomprehensible. Like children, they make you angry and confused. Sometimes you know they're wrong, but you can't do anything about it. Tianyi is like that too. When I can't persuade him, I can only let him try himself. He'll learn once he hits a wall."
"So, I can only let An Jing do as he pleases?" Lan Yu asked.
Susu replied, "He won't listen to anything you say right now. It's better if you don't interfere with what he's doing, but just care for him more and show understanding. Perhaps he'll come to his senses on his own. Besides, the chances of winning this lawsuit are very slim."
Lan Yu nodded. Although she was angry, she knew that An Jing could be very stubborn and difficult to persuade. This seemed to be the only option.
She then asked, "How did Xiaoxiao's biological father treat her poorly? Is he very short-tempered and prone to violence?"
"Not to that extent," Susu said. "He's just very domineering, strictly controlling Xiaoxiao, and wants to arrange a marriage between Xiaoxiao and a more powerful duke."
"Isn't marriage and love very free in foreign countries? How can there be arranged marriages?" Lan Yu said incredulously. "Xiaoxiao is still young and probably doesn't understand these things. When she grows up and meets that duke herself, she might even like him. It's hard to say."
Susu nodded. "Tianyi and I think the same way. In fact, Xiaoxiao's biological father being strict with her isn't necessarily a bad thing. Xiaoxiao suffered a lot when she was young, and because her life was unstable, she lacked proper discipline. Her personality is a bit stubborn and prone to outbursts. Having someone properly guide her might be a good thing."