She immediately stepped forward and said to Jiaxi with a displeased expression, "Who let you in? We don't welcome you here. Get out."
Jiaxi was stunned and very unhappy with Mengqi, feeling she was being too meddlesome. However, despite his anger, he didn't lash out, merely looking at Mengyao with a sense of grievance.
Mengyao stood up and pulled Mengqi aside, saying, "Sister, I let him in. After much thought, for the sake of the child, I've decided to give him another chance."
Mengqi couldn't understand, "Didn't you say you were afraid to see him again and didn't want to forgive him? Why are you giving him another chance now? You're just indulging him, you know?"
"I know," Mengyao said in a low voice. "But this is absolutely the last chance I'm giving him. Sister, I really can't help but consider the unborn child."
"So it's my fault for trying to break you up, and I'm the bad guy?" Mengqi said indignantly.
"Sister, sister," Mengyao quickly explained, "No, I'm grateful to you. I asked you to intervene in this matter; you're not meddling."
"At least you have some conscience," Mengqi said, annoyed at seeing her reconcile with Jiaxi. Not wanting to watch any longer, she added, "I'm going back to work then. Take care of yourself."
With that, she left without acknowledging Jiaxi.
Jiaxi asked worriedly, "Is Sister Mengqi still angry with me? Should I find an opportunity to apologize to her again?"
"No need. My sister isn't angry with you," Mengyao said, knowing Mengqi was upset that she wasn't firm enough. She felt a bit down and added, "You should go back for now. I'll call you in a couple of days to pick me up."
Jiaxi looked reluctant to leave. "Alright then. Take care of yourself."
"Don't worry, this is my home," Mengyao said, escorting him to the main gate. As she watched him drive away, she felt a sense of relief.
Mengyao felt a strange sense of oppression when she was with Jiaxi. Although she had agreed to forgive him, a thorn remained in her heart.
Jiaxi's several irrational actions still sent shivers down her spine.
...
After Su Su's fever subsided, she stayed in the hospital for two more days of observation before being discharged. Her injuries on her arm and shoulder were more comfortable to heal at home than in the hospital.
At home, she didn't find as much joy playing with Tiantian, Hengheng, and Tangtang as before. Sometimes, she would sit alone in a corner, and no matter how Tangtang called her, she seemed listless.
Su Su heard from Xiao Mei that Tiantian had been having nightmares and sleeping restlessly since returning.
While resting in her room, she asked Xiao Mei to bring Tiantian in alone.
Seeing her sitting on the bed, Tiantian jumped onto her side and hugged her tightly. "Mom, are your injuries better? Does it still hurt?"
Su Su stroked her head and said, "It doesn't hurt anymore; it will be better soon. But why don't you like to smile anymore?"
Tiantian felt safe holding her. "Mom, I'm scared. I always feel like that bad woman will come to grab me again."
"You won't be. You're safe now, and no one will take you away," Su Su reassured her.
"Mom, I don't want to go to class or play anymore. I just want to hold you like this, by your side," Tiantian clung to her.
Su Su felt the child was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after being kidnapped. She promised, "Okay, I'll always be with you."
A smile finally appeared on Tiantian's face. "Mom, you're so good."
She didn't stay by Su Su's side for long before falling asleep. Su Su watched over her and noticed that she indeed had nightmares and cried out in her sleep.
Su Su felt heartbroken. Tiantian used to be the most lively of the children. It seemed that after Yang Shasha abducted her, she had been thoroughly terrified, and the psychological trauma would take a long time to heal.
After dinner that evening, Tianyi and Su Su took the children to play in the garden. Tiantian didn't join Hengheng and the others; she insisted on holding hands with one of them.
At bedtime, Tiantian also refused to sleep in her own room.
Su Su let Tiantian sleep between them. Tianyi kept trying to make Tiantian laugh, and seeing them playfully interacting on the bed, Tiantian would also seem happy, and Su Su would smile along.
No matter what, as long as Tiantian was back safely, the psychological scars would eventually heal.
When Tiantian was asleep, Tianyi and Su Su tucked her in between them. Seeing that the child was no longer having nightmares, they both breathed a sigh of relief.
"I've made an appointment with a child psychologist for tomorrow morning," Tianyi whispered.
Su Su said, "Then tomorrow, I'll go with you to take Tiantian to see the psychologist. I won't be at ease if she doesn't see one."
"I can take her. Your shoulder injury isn't fully healed yet, so you should rest at home."
Su Su felt restless and wanted to say more.
Tianyi made a gesture for her to be quiet. "Don't wake the child. It's settled."
Su Su could only softly hum in agreement, kissed Tiantian's little face, and then went to sleep.
...
Jiaxi's heart finally settled after receiving Mengyao's forgiveness.
For the past two days, he had been staying mostly at Lili's place. Since Mengyao wasn't home, he even made excuses about having things to do and didn't go back at night.
Lili felt as if she and Jiaxi were a normal couple during this time, almost forgetting that he actually had a wife.
On the fourth day, Jiaxi still hadn't received a call or text from Mengyao, and he began to feel uneasy, constantly checking his phone.
"Jiaxi, what's wrong? You seem so distracted. Is something going on at the company?" Lili asked, massaging his shoulders and neck.
"Nothing. I haven't been home these past few days. I need to go back," he said, getting up to get his coat.
Lili quickly handed it to him. "I'll get it. You should go back. Haven't you brought your wife home yet?"
Jiaxi's expression darkened; he disliked her asking such questions.
In Jiaxi's heart, Lili was Lili, and Mengyao was Mengyao. Mengyao was the one he wanted to be with for life.
Seeing his displeasure, Lili immediately stopped talking. She went to get his shoes and saw him out, feeling a sense of loss.
It seemed she still couldn't compare to his wife.
After leaving Lili's, Jiaxi sat in his car, still checking his phone. There was still no text or call from Mengyao.
He felt he couldn't wait any longer and decided to call Mengyao himself.
Mengyao saw Jiaxi's call and remembered her promise. She felt time had passed so quickly while she was at her parents' home. The thought of returning to the Hong family still made her a little scared.
"Jiaxi, my mom hasn't been feeling well these past two days, so I've been staying with her. Why don't you come to pick me up tomorrow?"
To alleviate her concerns, Jiaxi said, "Don't worry. I've spoken with my mother. When you come back, she'll sleep in the same room as you. If I lose control of myself again, she'll stop me."
"Then I'll trouble your mother," Mengyao said, feeling slightly more at ease hearing this.
In fact, her mother had also been urging her to return once she recovered, fearing that her in-laws might have opinions if she stayed at her parents' home for too long.