Lu Beichen’s hand holding the spoon paused for a moment, and he looked at her colorlessly, a barely detectable expression in his dark eyes.
The topic of Lu Sinian’s biological mother had always been forbidden. They had just gotten their marriage certificate the day before; she shouldn’t be asking so many questions, "I’m sorry, I asked casually, please don’t be angry!"
His expression did not appear angry, nor did it show any other emotion, and he countered her question: "Do you think there could be a mother in this world who would abandon her own child?"
Ji Niandong didn’t expect him to ask such a question. Could it be that the child’s mother had abandoned her husband and child? Then this child truly has a connection with her!
Her heart tightened as she softly replied, "Indeed, there are women in the world who abandon their husbands and children!" She managed a dry smile, "Honestly, I don’t quite understand such women!"
Lu Beichen raised his eyebrows to look at her, her eyes already filled with bitterness. He didn’t probe further, merely saying, "Perhaps I didn’t pay enough attention to the mother’s feelings at the time!"
"Even so, the child is innocent! If she really hated you, she shouldn’t have given birth to the child in the first place!" Ji Niandong’s emotions were somewhat agitated, mixed with a bit of resentment.
Lu Beichen calmly replied, "Nian Nian was unexpectedly born prematurely, kept in an incubator for half a month, and later... thankfully, the little guy had a strong will to live. Perhaps the child’s mother really hated me, hated me enough to even give up her child."
His voice grew softer, his gaze fixed straight on Ji Niandong’s face, inexplicably complicated.
Ji Niandong then realized that she shouldn’t have said those words, judging others’ matters with bias. She hurriedly took a sip of porridge to ease the atmosphere, "Sorry, I shouldn’t have said things that upset you. I’m sorry, don’t be angry!"
Her face was filled with guilt and apology. Lu Beichen chuckled slightly, with a hint of helplessness, shaking his head: "It’s okay, the one who should be angry isn’t me! But what’s past is past!" He reached out to hold her hand, "You are now married to me, and will be openly Mrs. Lu, Nian Nian’s mother from now on."
"Me?" Ji Niandong instinctively clenched her fists. How could she consider herself a stepmother—can she really do it? She took a breath, "I will strive to take good care of Nian Nian for you! At least my cooking skills aren’t bad!" She waved the spoon in her hand.
Only then did Lu Beichen smile warmly, "You will like Nian Nian!"
Ji Niandong nodded, also hoping that the child would like her; otherwise, being a stepmother is not easy!
This meal felt a bit awkward because of the topic. After finishing, Ji Niandong helped tidy up the bowls and chopsticks, asking, "Aren’t you going to work today?"
He turned on the faucet, rolled up his white shirt to his wrists, ready to do the dishes, "I contacted Mr. Sheng Mingyuan last night; I will take you over in a moment, then go to work."
"So soon?!" she asked, standing in place, pinching the corner of her clothes.
Lu Beichen turned off the faucet, walked over, and asked with his head down, "Are you afraid? Or nervous?"
"Can I really do it?" Ji Niandong replied doubtfully, staring down.
Five years of staying at home had worn away nearly all her sharpness, and yesterday’s blow made her even less confident.
Lu Beichen gripped her shoulders, speaking carefully, "Mr. Sheng, though he may have a bad temper, is a reasonable person, so there’s no need to be afraid. Moreover, you acted in a TV drama at the age of ten, won Banana Entertainment’s New Star Award at sixteen, and shot numerous commercials. Since you’ve stopped for five years, you should accelerate your pace forward!"