The car was speeding down the road towards Mi Wan’s house. The journey took only a dozen minutes, and soon they arrived. As they walked into the house with Ji Dongquan holding Xuanxuan, Fang Qingru and Mi Zhihong couldn’t stop smiling.
"Ji, why don’t you stay for dinner tonight?" Fang Qingru warmly invited Ji Dongquan to stay for dinner just as he sat down.
"Sure!" Ji Dongquan didn’t hesitate. Not just dinner, even if Fang Qingru asked him to stay overnight, he would agree without a blush or a breath.
In front of these two elders, Ji Dongquan had never been shy about anything, so he had long since thrown away any sense of shame.
"Uncle, I’m going to feed the puppy. You chat with Grandma and Grandpa, okay?"
While the adults chatted, Xuanxuan wasn’t interested in joining the fun and was more concerned about her puppy. So, she jumped off the couch, said something that made the adults happy, and ran out to the balcony.
"Hehe, Xuanxuan is such a considerate child." Fang Qingru watched Xuanxuan’s small figure run out, her words and expressions full of love and praise. She also noticed that since Mi Jing talked to Xuanxuan a few days ago, Xuanxuan had become much livelier, sweeping away her previous melancholy and silence.
"Who praises their own child like that?" Mi Zhihong also doted on Xuanxuan, his little granddaughter, but praising one’s own child could sound awkward to others, so he jokingly complained.
"We should praise our own child more. Besides, Xuanxuan really is considerate and adorable. Ji, don’t you agree?" Fang Qingru, with her strong personality, wasn’t convinced by Mi Zhihong, so she smiled and pulled Ji Dongquan to her side.
"Yes." Ji Dongquan nodded without hesitation, expressing his fondness for Xuanxuan directly, "Xuanxuan is very considerate and very cute. I like her a lot, and I believe we’ll get along well in the future."
Hearing this, Fang Qingru couldn’t help but smile and exchanged a glance with Mi Zhihong. Then, she happily asked, "Ji, does that mean... you and our Wanwan..."
Fang Qingru was a smart person. She had already noticed the ambiguity between Mi Wan and Ji Dongquan, but since they never clarified their relationship, she and Mi Zhihong were left to guess and observe, just hoping that Mi Wan and Ji Dongquan would eventually make things clear to them.
Seeing Fang Qingru’s happy and slightly excited look, Ji Dongquan smiled and said, "Aunt, Uncle, Wanwan and I are dating, with the intention of marriage. We hope you both approve of us being together."
"Approve, we definitely approve. As long as you treat our Wanwan well and get along with Xuanxuan, we won’t oppose your future marriage." Fang Qingru’s joy was so evident that the wrinkles on her face deepened with her smile. She looked as if she had won the lottery.
Sitting next to Ji Dongquan, Mi Wan had been silent, watching her parents’ delighted expressions. It felt as if they thought their "ugly daughter" had finally found a suitor, so they were overjoyed.
"Mom, we’re not considering marriage yet." Not wanting her mother to have too high hopes and risk greater disappointment later, Mi Wan decided to pour some "cold water" on the situation.
"Not considering marriage? Then why did Ji say you’re dating with marriage in mind?" Fang Qingru’s expression instantly changed, her smile replaced by shock.
"That’s what he said, but who can predict the future?"
Ji Dongquan might not care about her past or that she has a daughter, but there’s a big family behind him. When they were younger, his parents didn’t approve of their relationship, and now that she’s divorced, his family would definitely oppose even more. While Mi Wan also dreamed of a happy future with Ji Dongquan, she’s no naive girl. Reason made her wary, preparing for any future changes.
"You! Ji is seriously considering this, don’t waste his time!" Fang Qingru said sternly with a serious face.
"Aunt, I’m not in a hurry to get married. No matter what, I respect Wanwan’s wishes," Ji Dongquan said, showing his willingness to follow Mi Wan’s lead, which quickly pleased Fang Qingru again.
Afterwards, the conversation continued joyfully, and after a happy meal, Mi Wan sent Ji Dongquan off.
It was the end of the year. Some people were busy with work, some with their families and kids, while others continued to enjoy their leisurely life.
It was Sunday, and Mi Jing had planned to visit An Mingyuan’s house with Bai Lulu and Li Bao’er, curious if he was hiding a mistress.
"Wow! Jing, is this a new car? It’s almost blinding!" Li Bao’er exaggeratedly shielded her eyes with her hand, her eyes shining with naked envy and jealousy.
"The tires are brand new without any wear and tear. Is there any doubt?" Bai Lulu gave Li Bao’er a disdainful look, but her expression was identical, her eyes gleaming as she admired Mi Jing’s new car. She cautiously reached out to touch the hood and asked, "Jing, it was the director who gave you this car, right?"
"Who else could it be?" Mi Jing smiled, her smile betraying a hint of sweetness.
"Ah, marrying a wealthy husband really is different! Even the gifts are several notches higher!" Bai Lulu sighed with envy.
"Material things are external possessions. Don’t sigh, Old Guo isn’t bad either." Mi Jing opened the car door, bent down, and made a standard "please" gesture. "Miss Bai, please get in."
Seeing this, Bai Lulu’s mouth almost reached her ears. She was nearly killed by Mi Jing’s gesture, holding back her laughter for a few seconds before clearing her throat and proudly getting into the car.
"Miss Li, please." Mi Jing turned slightly to Li Bao’er, courteously inviting her.
"Good girl." Li Bao’er patted Mi Jing’s head and then cheerfully got in the car.
Bang—
After gently closing the car door, Mi Jing got into the driver’s seat, started the car, and drove off.
"Jing, shouldn’t we go in the evening? Even if they’re unfaithful, we can’t catch them in bed in broad daylight!" Li Bao’er’s hands were on the back of the driver’s seat, leaning forward to speak to Mi Jing.
"Yeah, Bao’er makes a lot of sense," Bai Lulu joined in the fun, echoing the sentiment.