I don’t like you hanging around me.

At this moment, Nan Zhiyi arrived at the parking lot with the two kids to meet her best friend, Sheng Shiyu. Sheng Shiyu had taken some time off from the hospital to pick them up.

They hadn’t seen each other in a while. Zhiyi noticed Shiyu had lost quite a bit of weight and gave her a warm hug.

Once inside the car, Zhiyi asked with concern, “How’s your mom doing?”

“Still the same… not great,” Shiyu replied, her voice tired.

Zhiyi nodded and tried to comfort her, “Don’t worry. I’m back now. I’ll find some time to visit her and do my best to help.”

“Thanks,” Shiyu said, knowing how skilled her friend was in medicine and hoping she could help her mother.

Since it was around mealtime, Shiyu had already reserved a private room at a restaurant called ‘Nan Feng Lou’ to welcome them.

Once inside the room, Shiyu finally relaxed enough to try and tease the two little cuties, opening her arms wide. “Come here, let godmom give you a hug!”

The kids jumped back, startled, and both quickly hid behind Zhiyi, clutching her clothes tightly, clearly resisting.

Shiyu was stunned for a moment, then her voice turned sad, “But didn’t you say you missed godmom? Why won’t you let me touch you?”

“I’m hurt. I won’t get better…” one of the kids whispered.

Zhiyi was puzzled. Her kids were usually so outgoing, always happy to have people fawn over them. They were chatty on video calls with Shiyu, so why were they so shy now?

“What’s going on?” she squatted down and gently asked.

Looking into her gentle eyes, Hengheng felt comfort spread through his chest. His mind raced as he quickly answered, “Nothing’s wrong, just a bit sudden… Sorry.”

He then turned to Shiyu and tried to sound casual, “Godmom, can we order food now? Me and my sister are hungry.”

“Oh my!” Shiyu’s face lit up instantly. “Okay, okay, let’s order before the little ones get too hungry.”

After ordering, Shiyu glanced back at the kids. Mumu hadn’t spoken a word since they left the airport.

“Mumu, sweetheart, why so quiet? Not like when we chat on video!”

Zhiyi added, “You were so chatty earlier — what happened? Did you get too into the role play and can’t get out?”

Mumu blinked big eyes but stayed silent.

Hengheng, still confused about those two kids on the phone, worried his sister might slip up. He quickly explained to Zhiyi, “No, she said her throat hurts a little, that’s why she’s quiet.”

Zhiyi’s face tightened with concern. “Where does it hurt? Did she eat something bad? Is it inflamed?”

She anxiously coaxed her, “Come on, open your mouth, let mom check. Ahhh—”

Hengheng shot his sister a quick glance. After a moment’s hesitation, Mumu finally opened her mouth.

Zhiyi looked inside but saw nothing wrong. “Looks okay to me…”

Annie nodded beside her, just as puzzled, “She was fine at the airport just now, wasn’t she?”

Hengheng offered a quick excuse, “Maybe she’s just a little dehydrated and not used to the new place. Let her rest and she might feel better later.”

“Alright…” Zhiyi accepted the explanation and poured her daughter a glass of water.

...

Meanwhile, after leaving the airport, Emperor Shi Jing also came to ‘Nan Feng Lou’ to eat.

This restaurant was part of the Shi Group’s portfolio, so of course he had the best private room reserved.

Shortly after he ordered, all the dishes arrived—each one a feast fit for royalty.

The ‘mute’ Mumu was quite the foodie. Her eyes lit up seeing the dishes, especially the big crab legs. She reached out uncontrollably.

Just as her hand was about to touch the crab, Emperor Shi Jing snatched it away. “Forgot you’re allergic to seafood,” he said with a hint of regret.

Mumu looked confused—she could eat seafood! She loved it and could eat a whole plate.

Watching the food taken away, she looked at her brother with a pleading expression.

Hengheng gently patted her hand under the table and gave a look that said, “Hold on.”

Mumu pouted but turned her frustration into determination and started eating her rice with gusto.

This scene surprised Shi Jing and his assistant Zhou Yi. As kids from the Shi family, they were supposed to be well-mannered at the table, and this was definitely not how they usually behaved.

But Shi Jing didn’t stop her. She was usually so picky, it was nice to see her actually eat with such enthusiasm.

...

Halfway through the meal, Shi Jing’s phone rang. The caller ID showed ‘Nan Wanyue.’

He frowned slightly but answered calmly, “What’s up?”

On the other end, Nan Wanyue’s gentle but slightly urgent voice came through, “A Jing, have you found the kids? If not, I can come help look. It’s been so long, what if something happened?”

Shi Jing replied coldly, “No need. They’ve been found.”

“Oh, that’s such a relief. I was so worried…” Nan Wanyue said, sounding thankful.

Then, cautiously, “Are you all at home now? Can I come see you? I can’t rest until I’ve seen the kids safe.”

“We’re not home yet. I’m taking them out to eat,” Shi Jing said, his tone growing colder.

Hengheng and Mumu overheard the conversation clearly.

The two little faces instantly turned sour.

So it really was a scumbag!

Right in front of the kids, chatting warmly with another woman!

Hengheng slammed his chopsticks down, making a slight noise that showed his displeasure.

Mumu noticed her brother’s anger and put down her chopsticks too.

The food on the table suddenly lost its appeal.

Shi Jing noticed their odd behavior and frowned.

Turning to Nan Wanyue, who insisted on visiting, he said coldly, “Wanwan and Hengheng don’t want you near the house. Don’t come to the Shi family estate again without my permission.”

He hung up the phone and put away his device.

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