Xu Jialu said, “That crazy woman must be going wild outside. It’s shocking that she still remembers her best friend…”

Xu Youyou glared at Xu Jialu and said, “Don’t speak ill of Lanlan.”

Xu Jialu raised an eyebrow. ‘How’s that speaking ill of her?’

After a moment of silence, Xu Jialu asked again, “Is she really not planning to come back?”

“No. She’s looking to enroll in one of the universities there. Her parents are well-off so it’s not difficult for her to continue her studies abroad,” Xu Youyou replied. After a beat, she looked at Xu Jialu and asked softly, “What’s wrong? Don’t tell me you miss her now that she’s not around?”

“Did you take the wrong medications today?” Xu Jialu asked, looking at Xu Youyou as though she had lost her mind. He continued to say, “I miss her? It’s great that she’s not around. I finally have peace and quiet! It’ll be even better if she doesn’t come back for a lifetime!”

“Brother, you’re really annoying,” Xu Youyou said unhappily. After a moment, she rose to her feet, intending to leave.

Xu Jialu said, displeased, “Hmm? Is she your biological sister or am I your biological brother? I loved you for nothing, you heartless little thing.”

Xu Youyou turned around to make a face at her brother before she walked away.

Mo Shenbai’s eyes were like the stars as he looked at Xu Youyou’s cute appearance. The corners of his lips instinctively curled up.

Xu Jialu said unhappily, “What are you smiling for? You spoiled her too much!”

Mo Shenbai did not deny it. He nodded and said, “That’s right. Do you have any objections?”

Xu Jialu: “…”

‘Does it matter even if I have objections?’

…

Xie Yumu did not have to go to the kindergarten since it was the holidays.

Xie Tingxi took the initiative to visit Moon Pavilion. His purpose was very clear; he wanted to bring Xie Yumu back.

Xu Youyou’s expression was tense as she said seriously, “You can’t take him back.”

Xie Tingxi sat on the couch after passing his coat to the butler. He was dressed in a smoky gray shirt, and a pair of silver-rimmed glasses sat on the bridge of his nose. He looked very refined. He said unhurriedly, “Sister-in-law, Xie Yumu is my son. I hope you’ll show mercy and let us father and son reunite.”

Xu Youyou felt unwilling. After a moment, she said, “But you’ve not even fulfilled your responsibility as a father for a day. How can you take him away?”

Xie Tingxi turned to look at the man who was drinking tea silently. His expression seemed to ask, “Can you please speak to your wife?”

Mo Shenbai set the teacup down and said calmly, “I’ve said it before. Only if Xie Yumu is willing.”

Mo Shenbai would force Xie Yumu to go back with Xie Tingxi.

Xie Tingxi lowered his head and raised his hand to push his glasses up.

Just as Xie Tingxi was about to speak again, a crisp voice suddenly rang from the second floor.

“I’ll go back with him.”

The trio raised their heads and saw a small figure coming down the stairs.

Although the heating was on in the house, Xie Yumu was dressed in a blue down jacket and a scarf that Xu Youyou had bought for him.

“Mumu,” Xu Youyou called out. She rose to her feet in surprise.

Mo Shenbai only raised his eyebrows slightly. His expression was calm as though he had expected this.

Xie Yumu walked to Xu Youyou. He raised his head to look at her and said with a smile on his tender face, “Godmother, thank you for taking care of me these days.”

Xie Yumu, who wrapped up like a ball, bowed seriously to Xu Youyou.

Xu Youyou squatted down and grabbed Xie Yumu’s shoulders as she said, “Mumu, if you don’t want to live with him, don’t force yourself. Godmother and Godfather are very willing to live with you.”

Xie Yumu shook his head. “I know that Godmother and Godfather are very good to me, but I… I’m not your child after all. My mother is Yun Youwei, and my father is Xie Tingxi. My mother is no longer around so I should live with my father.”

Previously, Xie Yumu had overheard Mo Shenbai and Xu Jialu’s conversation. If he lived here, he would cause a lot of trouble. Since that was the case, he would go live with that man. He would cause trouble for that man instead!

Xu Youyou bit her lower lips and fell silent for a moment. Then, she asked, “Have you really thought this through?”

Xie Yumu nodded.

Xu Youyou took a deep breath before she patted his cheek and said, “Wait for me.”

After Xu Youyou went upstairs, Xie Tingxi walked up to Xie Yumu and said, “You did well.”

Xie Yumu looked at Xie Tingxi with clear dislike in his eyes as he said, “My luggage is upstairs.”

In other words, Xie Yumu wanted Xie Tingxi to carry his luggage.

Xie Tingxi did not care about Xie Yumu’s attitude toward him. He turned around and went upstairs.

After that, Mo Shenbai got up and walked over to Xie Yumu. As though he was speaking to his peer, he asked, “Have you thought about this properly?”

Xie Yumu did not reply. Instead, he asked, “Is he really my father?”

Mo Shenbai nodded.

Xie Yumu rubbed his nose. “That’s good then.”

Mo Shenbai’s brows furrowed slightly, but he remained silent.

Xu Youyou returned with a tube in hand. She squatted down in front of Xie Yumu and said, “Originally, I planned to give this to you during the new year, but since you’re leaving, I’ll give it to you now.”

After all, Xie Yumu would definitely spend the new year at the Xie family house.

Xie Yumu’s eyes widened as he asked, “What is it?”

“Open it and have a look.”

Xu Youyou helped Xie Yumu open the tube and bring out the rolled-up painting inside.

Xie Yumu carefully unrolled the painting. Soon enough, he saw Yun Youwei’s delicate face and gentle gaze. The portrait was very life-like. He could not hide his surprise and excitement as he called out, “It’s Mommy!”

“I didn’t have the time to frame it for you so you can ask your dad to help you frame it. You can hang it in your room after that. With that, you’ll be able to see your mom every day,” Xu Youyou said gently.

“Okay!” Xie Yumu nodded enthusiastically. He was so moved that he hugged her and said, “Godmother, thank you!”

Xu Youyou patted his head. “There’s no need to thank me. Don’t be mischievous when you go back. Eat well, sleep well, and study well. You have to grow up well, understand?”

“Okay,” Xie Yumu readily agreed. Then, he looked at her with his sparkling eyes and said, “Godmother, I’m sorry for deliberately messing up your studio before. I won’t do such a thing again.”

Xu Youyou pinched Xie Yumu’s cheek gently and said, “Okay. When you have the time, you should visit me, okay?”

Xie Yumu hugged Xu Youyou tightly again.

Mo Shenbai frowned tightly. ‘Hasn’t he hugged her enough?’

After a moment, Mo Shenbai reached out and grabbed Xie Yumu by the collar away from Xu Youyou. Then, he said, “Alright, go back with your father.”

Xie Tingxi had already brought Xie Yumu’s luggage, which was covered in Ultraman stickers, down. He wanted to hold Xie Yumu’s hand, but his hand was flung away instead.

Xie Yumu looked at Xu Youyou and said reluctantly, “Godmother, I, I’m leaving.”

Xu Youyou sent the father and son to the door. It was cold outside so Mo Shenbai did not allow her to go out.

Xie Yumu looked back with every few steps he took. In the end, Xie Tingxi had to carry Xie him into the car.

As the car vanished from sight, Xu Youyou’s heart suddenly felt empty. She said, “He lived with us for quite a while. I feel quite reluctant to part with him…”

Although Xie Yumu was mischievous, he was not disobedient.

Mo Shenbai wrapped his arm around Xu Youyou’s shoulders before he whispered into her ear, “Since you like children, do you want to consider giving birth to one?”