Daisy's parents listened in silence.
Although they knew Susu wanted to help them, they felt stifled by the idea of living abroad anonymously.
While their family had lived abroad before due to work, most of their relatives and friends were in Lancheng.
Were they to have no other recourse simply because the Huangfu family was powerful and influential, able to cover the sky with one hand?
Seeing that Daisy's parents hadn't spoken for a long time, Susu, unsure of their remaining concerns, said, "Uncle, Aunt, are you worried about Daisy? We will definitely rescue her and reunite her with you."
After much consideration, Daisy's mother felt her daughter's safety was paramount. She looked at Daisy's father and said, "Old man, why don't we listen to Susu and go abroad to lie low for a while?"
Susu also looked at Daisy's father and added, "Uncle, Aunt is right. Now is not the time to confront the Huangfu family head-on. You should stay abroad for a while, and wait until Daisy safely gives birth to the child."
"Old man."
Although Daisy's father was reluctant, he nodded helplessly.
Seeing that they had agreed, Susu immediately stood up and said, "Uncle, Aunt, there's no time to delay. I'll go arrange your travel abroad now."
Daisy's mother saw her to the door and said, "Susu, thank you. Please make sure to safely bring our Xi Xi back to us."
"Okay, Aunt, I will," Susu believed in Tianyi.
As long as it was something Tianyi had planned, he would definitely be able to achieve it.
...
These days, Mengyao finally decided to open her heart and try to accept Hong Jiaxi's affections again.
When Jiaxi confessed to her again, she nodded and accepted.
Jiaxi was overjoyed, as if he had won the lottery, and spun her around several times.
After these days, Mengyao found Jiaxi to be an absolutely qualified and attentive boyfriend. He insisted on driving her to and from work every day and sending her home on time in the evenings.
He called her at least three times a day, truly feeling like an eternity had passed when they were apart for even a moment.
During their relationship, Jiaxi was very considerate and never offended her, carefully preserving their hard-won reconciliation.
Mengyao felt as if they had returned to their innocent and sweet youth, watching midnight movies together and basking in the sun on park benches on weekends.
They would go dancing at clubs when they were happy, and sing at the top of their lungs in karaoke when they were bored.
Her free time was filled by Jiaxi's arrangements, leaving no room for loneliness. She thought of Song Jiaping less and less.
Mengyao felt that completely forgetting Song Jiaping was within reach.
Today, Jiaxi picked her up from work in a new, inconspicuous, low-priced car. Sitting in the car, Mengyao felt drowsy and wanted to sleep.
Jiaxi drove, asking, "Is your work at the research institute very tough every day?"
Mengyao hummed and said, "There's a project with a tight research deadline recently, so I'm a bit tired. It's usually fine."
Jiaxi had no plans for the evening and drove her directly to the Huangfu family's mansion. As he parked and unbuckled her seatbelt, he said, "Can you take half a day off tomorrow? Come have a meal with Grandpa and my parents. They're always talking about you and looking forward to you visiting."
Mengyao smiled and agreed, saying, "Then I'll get off work early. Taking leave might be unnecessary."
"My mother wants you to come over in the afternoon to learn tea ceremony with her," Jiaxi said with anticipation.
Mengyao nodded, "Alright, then I'll take half a day off in the afternoon to accompany Aunt."
Jiaxi happily squeezed her hand and said, "Then I'll pick you up at noon tomorrow."
Mengyao hummed, got out of the car, waved goodbye to him, and turned to go home.
Jiaxi watched her retreating figure, a smile curving his lips. This time, he wouldn't let her escape again.
The next day at noon, Jiaxi arrived at the research institute entrance to pick her up on time.
She had even thoughtfully bought gifts for Jiaxi's grandfather and parents. However, upon arriving at the Hong family mansion, she didn't see Jiaxi's grandfather or parents, which she found a bit strange.
Jiaxi explained, "Grandpa and my dad are still busy with company matters and won't be back until dinner. On my way to pick you up, my mother suddenly called and said a friend needed her urgently for something, and she'd be back later. She asked me to entertain you properly in the meantime."
Mengyao didn't think much of it and said, "Then I'll wait for Aunt to return."
Jiaxi suggested, "Why don't we go to the study and read for a while? I'll get you some tea and snacks."
Mengyao said "Okay" and went to his study first.
She used to visit here often and was very familiar with the layout of the Hong family mansion.
After all these years, not much had changed.
Mengyao found a book that interested her in the study and sat by the window to read.
Jiaxi came in with tea and snacks, placing them in front of her. "Try these. They're made by our new pastry chef. She said she used to work in the pastry section of a top hotel."
Mengyao looked at the flower-shaped pastries; they were exquisite. She picked one up and tasted it. It melted in her mouth, with a unique flavor, sweet yet with a hint of bitterness.
"What is this made of that's both sweet and bitter?"
"The slight bitterness is probably from the almonds. Have some tea to balance it," he said, bringing her an exquisite teacup filled with what looked like black tea.
Mengyao took a sip and found it did indeed cut through the bitterness of the pastry. After finishing the entire cup, she realized Jiaxi was just watching her eat and drink, not partaking himself.
She picked up a pastry and offered it to Jiaxi's mouth, saying, "Don't just watch me eat, have one yourself."
Jiaxi took the pastry from her hand and placed it back on the plate. "I enjoy watching you eat. It makes me happier than eating myself."
"You're so flattering, you rascal," Mengyao said, lowering her head to continue reading.
Jiaxi leaned closer curiously and asked, "What are you reading? Let me see too."
"A history book," Mengyao replied.
Jiaxi looked with her and found it was a book introducing ancient world civilizations. He put his arm around her shoulder and said, "When did you start liking history books like this? I remember you hated history class the most before."
His words made her think of that person again.
Although Song Jiaping studied science like her, he loved history.
When they were studying abroad, she remembered Song Jiaping had chosen a world history elective.
And when they worked together as Doctors Without Borders in a field hospital, she would often flip through the history books he brought, which sparked her own interest in history.
Mengyao replied faintly, "People change. I didn't like studying history before, but I do now."
Jiaxi said "Oh" and didn't say anything further.
Mengyao focused on the book again but felt her eyes blurring and her head spinning. She couldn't see the words clearly anymore and didn't understand what was happening to her.
She looked at Jiaxi, shook her head, and said, "Jiaxi, I might not have slept well last night. I'm feeling a bit dizzy and want to go back and rest."