After hanging up the phone, Meng Yao could only tell herself that since she had agreed to give Jiaxi one last chance, she shouldn't overthink it. After all, Jiaxi's family had always treated her very well.
Her mother-in-law telling her to eat more supplements and sleeping separately from Jiaxi was all for her own good, with no ill intentions.
Thinking this way, Meng Yao felt less apprehensive about returning to the Hong family.
The next morning, Jiaxi drove to pick her up.
Meng Yao had already told her parents and Meng Qi the night before that she was returning to the Hong family.
Her parents felt she should go back, but Meng Qi didn't say anything more about her affairs. She didn't come back to see her off when she knew she was leaving.
After Jiaxi picked her up and they got into the car, neither of them spoke. There were still unresolved issues in their hearts.
Upon returning to the Hong family, Jiaxi's mother and the elder treated her the same as before, showing no signs of blame.
Jiaxi led her to the room they had previously stayed in. She saw that another bed had been added to the room, with a screen placed in the middle to divide the space.
Just as she was about to ask Jiaxi, his mother said, "Meng Yao, I'll be sleeping here with you from now on. Jiaxi thought this arrangement would respect your privacy and wouldn't make you feel uncomfortable sleeping with me. What do you think?"
"Mom, Jiaxi, thank you. I was a bit willful before. Mom, don't you blame me?"
Jiaxi's mother took her hand and said, "You've been wronged since marrying into our family, why would I blame you? It's good that you're back. Otherwise, it would be too much trouble for your parents, and we'd have no face to show."
Meng Yao smiled, sensing that Jiaxi's mother's words had a hidden meaning. While she said she didn't blame her, she actually did.
Her staying at her parents' home without returning had caused them, as elders, to lose face.
"Mom, I'll unpack my things and put them away." She said, reaching for the suitcase she had brought.
Jiaxi quickly said, "Let me do it. The fetus in your womb has just stabilized, you should rest more."
Jiaxi's mother also chimed in, "Jiaxi is right, don't bother with these things. Let him help you organize. I've also stewed some nourishing supplements for your pregnancy, I'll bring them to you right away."
With that, she hurried off to the kitchen downstairs.
Seeing that only she and Jiaxi were left in the room, Meng Yao became nervous.
As Jiaxi began to unpack the suitcase, she quietly retreated to the doorway, ready to escape immediately if anything happened.
Jiaxi had just taken some items out of the suitcase. Seeing her standing by the door, he asked uncomfortably, "You still haven't forgiven me?"
Meng Yao didn't answer him, only saying, "I'll go see what supplements Mom has stewed. You continue unpacking."
Saying this, she quickly went downstairs. After all, she just didn't want to be alone with Jiaxi or be too close to him.
Jiaxi watched her retreating back, his heart filled with a mixture of love and hate.
Meng Yao had always been the woman who made him love and hate her. She had influenced his life too greatly. He could lose anything, but he couldn't lose Meng Yao.
Even if she hated him in the future, he would never let go again. He wanted to control her firmly.
Although she had returned, Meng Yao didn't speak much with Jiaxi throughout the day and tried to avoid him.
At night, Jiaxi's mother slept in the same room with her. Before going to bed, she still locked the door from the inside.
However, Meng Yao tossed and turned on the bed, unable to sleep. Through the screen, she thought Jiaxi's mother had already fallen asleep.
"You're used to living at your parents' home, aren't you uncomfortable after just returning?" Jiaxi's mother, hearing her restless movements, knew she was still awake.
Meng Yao hummed and said, "Mom, this is too much trouble for you, making you and Dad sleep separately."
"We're an old married couple, it's nothing," Jiaxi's mother said. "Are you still angry with Jiaxi?"
"No."
Seeing that Meng Yao had barely acknowledged Jiaxi during the day, Jiaxi's mother knew she was still angry and advised her, "Jiaxi is at an age where hormones are high, and he can't always control himself. I see he knows he was wrong, so don't be angry anymore. Fortunately, the baby in your womb is fine, so don't blame him anymore."
"Mom, actually, I was also immature. You and my mother were both reminding us at the time, but I didn't take it seriously myself. It's not entirely Jiaxi's fault."
"That's good. It's rare for you to think this way. Let go of your worries and welcome the birth of your first child." Jiaxi's mother breathed a sigh of relief.
Meng Yao tried her best to think of Jiaxi's good points, allowing herself to be more tolerant of his mistakes and to put the bad things behind her.
"Mom, I understand. Let's go to sleep. Goodnight."
...
Early in the morning, Tianyi took Tiantian to see a psychologist and didn't return until the afternoon.
Susu waited at home, wanting to know how Tiantian was after seeing the doctor, but she didn't want to disturb them.
Seeing them return, Susu went to meet them and first hugged Tiantian.
Tiantian, leaning on her shoulder, said sleepily, "Mommy, I want to sleep."
"Okay, darling, you must be tired." Susu said, wanting to pick her up.
Tianyi immediately stopped her, saying, "Did you forget about the injury on your arm? I'll carry her."
Susu released Tiantian and stretched her arm towards Tianyi, saying, "It should be fine now."
Tianyi picked up Tiantian and said, "You should wait until after the follow-up appointment."
Tiantian, resting on his shoulder, said playfully, "Daddy, I want to sleep with you and Mommy, not alone."
"Okay, we like sleeping with you too." With that, Tianyi carried the sleepy Tiantian to the bedroom, laid her down, and stayed by her bedside.
Susu sat quietly on the side. Seeing that Tiantian had fallen into a deep sleep, she asked, "How was it? What did the doctor say?"
"He said Tiantian is still in shock. The psychologist talked to her and played some games with her, asking me to watch. He said that after coming home, we can also play more warm and interactive games with her to gradually eliminate her fear."
"How long will it take to eliminate her psychological trauma, and will it affect her personality in the future?" Susu asked again.
Tianyi pulled her closer and said, "The doctor said we can't rush this, it has to be done slowly, eliminating the child's inner fear unknowingly. As long as the child forgets those bad things, it won't have a negative impact on her personality."
"That's good, that's good." Susu finally felt less guilty.
If her momentary carelessness in losing Tiantian caused lifelong effects on Tiantian, she would indeed feel guilty forever.
Tianyi handed Tiantian over to her, saying, "You watch her sleep, I need to go to the study to handle some work."
"Go ahead. I'll stay with her. I won't let her be alone for a while." Susu said, looking at the sleeping Tiantian, truly a little angel.
All along, she had also doted on Tiantian, but Tianyi usually spoiled Tiantian to the heavens. She didn't want to compete with Tianyi in spoiling Tiantian, fearing it would make Tiantian too pampered.
Therefore, she could only play the role of the strict parent, imposing discipline and guidance on Tiantian.
For her, this was also a way of loving her child. She just hoped that all four children would grow up safely and healthily.