Xie Tingxi adjusted his glasses and said without a change in his expression, “I was chatting with Bo Qi, and he mentioned Mumu’s mother.”
Xu Youyou knew that Xie Tingxi had only used Yun Youwei and did not have any sincere feelings toward Yun Youwei. It was impossible for Xie Tingxi to have any good words when Yun Youwei was mentioned. It was only natural that Xie Yumu would feel upset when Xie Yumu heard Xie Tingxi talk about Yun Youwei.
The butler returned and handed the spare key to Xie Tingxi.
Just as Xie Tingxi was about to unlock the door, Xu Youyou stopped him. She said, “He probably doesn’t want to see you now. It’s best if you don’t go in.”
Xie Tingxi hesitated for a moment. Then, he said with a smile, “Then, I’ll have to trouble you, Sister-in-law.”
Xu Youyou entered the room and closed the door behind her. When she walked to the bedside, she saw a lump under the blanket. She reached out and poked it. “Mumu, Mumu…”
Xie Yumu remained hiding under the blanket. No matter how Xu Youyou called him, he ignored her.
Xu Youyou sat on the bed and said patiently, “Mumu, don’t you like fried chicken? Should Godmother make you fried chicken?”
Xie Yumu still did not respond.
After thinking for a moment, Xu Youyou asked, “Mumu, do you remember what your mother said to you before she left?”
Xie Yumu, who was under the blanket, finally moved. He poked his head out. His eyes were red from crying, and tears stained his cheeks. He said, “Mommy said that I have to listen to Godfather and Godmother.”
Xu Youyou reached out and wiped the tears off his face as she said gently, “So you have to be obedient. Isn’t it uncomfortable to stay under the blanket?”
Xie Yumu thought about it for a moment before he finally crawled out from under the blanket.
“Mumu is such a good boy,” Xu Youyou said as she led him to the bathroom to wash his face.
However, his head was lowered, and his expression was still unhappy.
“I’ll make fried chicken for you later, What else do you want to eat?” Xu Youyou asked as she dried his face with a towel.
Xie Yumu looked up at her with red eyes. He bit his lip for a moment before he asked, “Godmother, does Godfather love you?”
Xu Youyou paused before she looked down at him and said, “Of course! If he doesn’t love me, why would I be with him?”
“Then, why doesn’t he love Mommy?” Xie Yumu could not understand. If his father did not love his mother, then was he born?
Xu Youyou remained silent. She did not know how to answer this question. After thinking for a while, she squatted down and looked at Xie Yumu as she said gently, “This question is too complicated. I can’t explain it clearly. How about this? When you grow up, you can ask your father this question yourself. Then, you can tell Godmother about it. Okay?”
Xie Yumu pursed his lips. Then, he asked skeptically, “You don’t know either? Don’t adults know everything?”
Xu Youyou smiled and shook her head. “No. There are many things that adults don’t know. It’s just like how adults make mistakes and need to apologize as well.”
Xie Yumu nodded despite not fully understanding her words.
Xu Youyou touched his cheek. “Good boy. Don’t think too much. Eat well so you can grow up faster. When you grow up, you’ll have a chance to understand those complicated things.”
“Okay.” Xie Yumu nodded obediently.
“Let’s go.” Xu Youyou rose to her feet and held his hand before leading him downstairs.
Xie Yumu did not even look at Xie Tingxi. He directly followed Xu Youyou into the kitchen. He wanted to watch her make fried chicken for him.
…
When it was dark, a black Bentley slowly drove into Moon Pavilion.
Mo Shenbai got out of the car and walked to the door.
Everyone held their breaths and waited behind the door.
Xu Youyou stood in the middle with a bouquet of flowers in her hand. She smiled sweetly as she said, “Happy birthday, Mr. Bai! I hope you’ll have a great birthday every year.”
Mo Shenbai feigned a faint look of surprise. He looked around before he looked at Xu Youyou and asked, “You prepared this?”
Xu Youyou nodded and stepped forward to stuff the flowers into his hand. “Happy birthday.”
This was Mo Shenbai’s first time receiving flowers from Xu Youyou. Needless to say, he was happy. He would be happy with anything she gave him.
“Thank you,” Mo Shenbai said in a voice filled with tenderness as he patted her head, “You’ve worked hard, Mrs. Mo.”
“It’s not hard at all. I have another surprise for you!” Xu Youyou said as she held his arm and raised her chin proudly.
“There’s another surprise?” Once again, Mo Shenbai pretended not to know anything and looked at her in confusion.
At the same time, Xu Jialu, who was standing at the side, quietly watched Mo Shenbai act.
‘With such skills, the Oscar owes you a small golden statue…’
Xu Youyou nodded and looked at the butler.
The butler clapped his hands, and two people walked out of the dining room. They smiled and said, “Happy birthday, Shenbai!”
“Dad, Mom…” Mo Shenbai was really a little surprised this time. He turned to look at Xu Jialu.
Xu Jialu shrugged innocently, indicating that he did not know about this.
Cheng Ying handed a bag to Mo Shenbai and said, “Mom doesn’t know what gift to prepare. Youyou told me your birthday was coming up so I knitted a sweater beforehand. I don’t know if you’d like it.”
Xu Jialu glanced at the bag in Cheng Ying’s hand and asked suspiciously, “Mom, did you give him the sweater that was meant for me?”
Although Xu Jialu did not like his mother forcing him to wear the sweaters she knitted for him, he was still upset that something that belonged to him was given to that capitalist.
Xu Jianshu scoffed. “Who are you calling Mom? Didn’t you already sever ties with us?”
“Dad…” Xu Youyou turned to look at Xu Jianshu with a pleading expression. It was Mo Shenbai’s birthday today, and they had agreed not to fight.
Xu Jianshu quickly smiled at his daughter and no longer paid attention to his son.
Meanwhile, Mo Shenbai accepted the bag and said in a low voice, “Thank you, Mom. I like it very much.”
“It’s good that you like it,” Cheng Ying said. She was very happy as well, seeing that Mo Shenbai did not disdain her gift. Clearly, not all wealthy people were arrogant. Her son-in-law was very modest and appreciative.
“Alright, everyone, hurry up and take your seat. The food will be cold soon,” Xu Youyou said, taking the initiative to invite everyone to the dining room.
Usually, Mo Shenbai would sit at the main seat. However, today, out of respect, he insisted that his father-in-law take the main seat.
Cheng Yin naturally sat to Xu Jianshu’s right.
Mo Shenbai sat next to Cheng Ying, and Xu Youyou sat next to Mo Shenbai.
Xie Tingxi wanted Xie Yumu to sit next to him, but Xie Yumu ignored him and climbed up on the empty seat next to Xu Youyou.
“Godmother, can I sit with you?”
“Of course,” Xu Youyou replied immediately.
In the end, Qin Siyu could only sit next to Bo Qi. However, she did not think it was a big deal. In fact, sitting next to him was better than having to sit across from him and having to see his face whenever she raised her head.
Bo Qi, on the other hand, was not as calm. He could smell the faint fragrance from her that could not be hidden by the fragrance of the feast on the table.
Since it was Mo Shenbai’s birthday, Xu Youyou had cooked all his favorite dishes. Apart from that, she also took into consideration the guests’ preferences. As such, there was a variety dishes on the table.
As the host, Xu Youyou ladled the soup into bowls for everyone.
When Xu Youyou handed Bo Qi a bowl of soup, Bo Qi said politely, “No, thank you. I don’t drink soup.”
Xu Youyou nodded and moved to pass the bowl of soup to Qin Siyu.
Seeing that Qin Siyu did not say anything, Bo Qi thought Qin Siyu was too embarrassed to refuse. Hence, he said, “She’s allergic to lotus seeds.”