After sitting for just a moment, Nian Suian couldn't help but hug Jiaojiao, unwilling to let go. This child was truly too adorable and well-behaved.
Nian Suian teased Jiaojiao: "Jiaojiao, do you like auntie? Do you want to come home with auntie?"
"I like auntie, but I want to stay with my mommy."
Seeing this, Jiang Yun couldn't resist teasing her again:
"Honestly, if you like her that much, why don't you just have one of your own?"
"Not everyone can give birth to one this cute. Right, Jiaojiao?"
Jiaojiao didn't understand what the adults were saying, but when Nian Suian asked her, she nodded and said "Right."
This made all three of them laugh.
"Suian, I heard from Sister Yun that you helped find the lawyer. Thank you so much. I've already contacted her, and she said that in my situation, it's unlikely the child would be given to the other party."
A few nights ago, when Sheng Xia was returning home late from work, she unexpectedly ran into Wei Zongqi downstairs. He pretended to be kind, urging her to voluntarily give up custody rights to avoid a messy court battle, saying his mother knew some very powerful lawyers.
Sheng Xia had searched online herself, but was still worried. After contacting Lawyer Zhao, the lawyer's response gave her more confidence. No matter what, she wouldn't let Jiaojiao be taken away.
"I didn't do much. The important thing is that our Jiaojiao absolutely cannot be snatched away by bad people."
Jiaojiao, sitting on the carpet playing with Lego, heard her name and looked up.
"Won't go, won't go. Jiaojiao won't go with bad people."
"That's right, Jiaojiao will always be with mommy."
Sheng Xia then said to the other two: "I've arranged to meet with Lawyer Zhao on Wednesday to discuss the next steps. It looks like Wei Zongqi is about to lose patience. They'll probably take action soon."
Nian Suian snorted: "It's good if they take action. The sooner this is resolved, the sooner he'll stop being an eyesore downstairs."
She then suggested to the others: "Why don't we take Jiaojiao out for lunch today?"
Jiang Yun agreed immediately, "Sounds good, I haven't eaten out in ages."
Seeing it was almost noon, the three decided to head out right away.
Before leaving, Sheng Xia changed Jiaojiao into a new outfit - a white sweater paired with a red toggle coat, her hair redone into two low buns.
"Oh my! Who is this beautiful little girl here?"
Jiaojiao giggled at Nian Suian's teasing.
"It's Jiaojiao!"
Worried that Wei Zongqi might still be downstairs, Sheng Xia carried Jiaojiao, with Nian Suian and Jiang Yun flanking them on either side.
Their caution proved necessary. As soon as they stepped out of the elevator, Wei Zongqi appeared.
"Jiaojiao, I'm daddy! Don't you want to come home with daddy?"
"Xia, don't be so stubborn. Children need fathers too. Let's put the past behind us."
As he spoke, he tried to reach for them.
"Xia, my mother said she agrees to let us get married now. Children need a complete family."
Sheng Xia held the child silently while Nian Suian quickly swatted Wei Zongqi's hand away, not letting him touch the mother and daughter.
"You shameless jerk, who wants to marry you!"
"That's right, Xia doesn't want to marry you at all. Don't come to our community anymore!"
"Get lost!"
"Xia, take Jiaojiao and go. I'll call security to chase him away!"
Several aunties who were heading home to cook lunch rushed over to help when they saw Wei Zongqi grabbing at Sheng Xia.
"Thank you, everyone."
"No need for thanks, hurry and go. This guy won't be here when you get back."
Grandma Liu waved her hand, urging them to leave quickly.
As Wei Zongqi was about to give chase, a frail old lady shakily blocked his path with her cane.
Even Wei Zongqi knew better than to touch an elderly woman, and could only watch helplessly as the group walked away.
Nian Suian was worried that Jiaojiao might have been frightened by Wei Zongqi, but the little girl's eyes were bright and clear, showing no signs of fear.
"Mommy, why did that crazy uncle come again? Has he still not found his child?"
"No, but soon he won't be coming anymore."
After answering her daughter, Sheng Xia voluntarily explained to Nian Suian: "Wei Zongqi is always downstairs, so we're bound to run into him sometimes. I told her he's crazy, that he lost his child and went mad, so now he tells every child he sees that he's their father."
At first, Sheng Xia had called the police, but since Wei Zongqi wasn't doing anything beyond standing there being a nuisance, the police couldn't arrest him. Moreover, this was an open community where non-residents could enter freely. Unable to stop Wei Zongqi, she could only explain it this way to her daughter.
Hearing this explanation, Jiaojiao believed it. Besides, Wei Zongqi's behavior whenever he saw the mother and daughter did seem quite mad from a child's perspective.
With the child in tow, the three didn't go far, finding a nice Western restaurant nearby.
Jiaojiao liked looking out the window, so they sat in a window booth.
The three adults ordered seafood soup and steak, with a small portion of seafood soup for Jiaojiao.
Jiaojiao was truly well-behaved. Knowing they were eating out, she spoke softly to her mother and sat up straight while waiting for the food.
"Thank you, uncle."
When the waiter served their food, she even looked up to thank him.
"You're welcome, little one."
"Our Jiaojiao is truly an angel baby."
She's too adorable and well-behaved!!! Nian Suian screamed inwardly.
Sheng Xia had brought Jiaojiao's bib and small spoon. Once the soup had cooled, she let her daughter eat by herself.
Although only three years old, Jiaojiao was already quite steady when eating. She wasn't picky either, holding her little spoon and taking one bite after another, her cheeks puffing out as she ate.
"Here's ten million. Leave my son alone."
!!!
Nian Suian's ears perked up immediately. She couldn't believe she was witnessing such a classic scene!
Hearing this, everyone except Jiaojiao lost interest in their food.
Next came a tearful female voice:
"Auntie, Che and I are truly in love! He said he would marry me."
"True love? With a man? Don't be naive, girl. Money in hand is the only real thing."
"Auntie, please. We really love each other. Why can't you accept me?"
"Sigh," the woman sighed, "If that's the case, then go ahead and get married."
???
"Auntie? You agree?"
The girl seemed incredulous, her emotions changing so quickly that her voice became slightly shrill.
It wasn't just her - the three people in the booth behind them were also surprised. How could someone who was willing to pay ten million to prevent her son from marrying suddenly give in so easily?
"Yes, I agree to your marriage. After all, we still have another child at home. Che has a younger sister who's much smarter than him. You probably don't know this, but Che once scored 24 points in physics in high school. Thinking about it carefully, he's really not worth ten million."