Chapter 22: Pinch Your Nose, Don't Breathe

Lu Xiwán suddenly felt as if someone were staring at her, her whole body uncomfortable; she stood up and looked around but found nothing unusual.

"What's wrong with you?" Luo Zhou followed her gaze and looked around, but didn't notice anything amiss.

Lu Xiwán shook her head, "Maybe I'm overthinking."

Xi Wan's records are spotless, she has few friends in the country, and with such an unfamiliar face, Lu Xiwán really can't think of any enemies she might have.

Except for Gu Qingmeng, who everyone sees as a love rival.

Luo Zhou also let out a sigh of relief; after finishing the business, he finally had time to pay attention to Fu Yao.

"I heard from Jiuyin that Gu Qingmeng is this child's mother? I heard she has some part in how the child ended up like this."

Thinking that way, Luo Zhou also felt the child was truly pitiful.

"I always find Gu Qingmeng's attitude odd, but I can't pinpoint what's off... The child is still here, so let's drop that. Xi Xi, aren't you clamoring for the K family's newest kids' combo? Now we have a chance—why not give Uncle Luo a little tease?"

Fu Yao had been cautiously observing this "Uncle Luo"; seeing how naturally he spoke with Mom made it clear their relationship was unusual, and it was evident that Xi Xi liked him a lot.

So other children's world is like this... Fu Yao's eyes seemed to shine, and Lu Xiwán felt even more reluctant to be harsh.

Gu Qingmeng's ability to bear such a fine child commands my respect.

"Yao Yao also wants the kids' combo?"

Fu Yao stared blankly at Luo Zhou, who had taken the initiative to speak.

He's really gentle, completely different from Dad...

"Brother Yao Yao obviously wants the same combo as me! Uncle Luo, you wouldn't be reluctant to buy it for us, would you?" Lu Xixi naturally broke the stalemate, grabbing Yao Yao's hand and following along.

The four of them looked just like a family of four, an enviably harmonious household no matter how you looked at it.

Having finally gotten the newest kids' combo, Lu Xixi clutched the newly acquired toy with satisfaction, her eyes curving into a smile.

"Mine is pink, and Brother Yao Yao's just happens to be blue—it's a set!"

Fu Yao gently held Xi Xi's warm hand, and the ice in his heart seemed to melt, giving him a warm feeling he had never experienced before.

Luo Zhou and Lu Xiwán followed behind, treating it as a post‑meal stroll.

"What are your plans for the future? Stay here or go back? I think this child is very attached to you, as if seeing you as Mom." Luo Zhou said so, and he could also sense Lu Xiwán's obvious emotion.

Lu Xiwán let out a light laugh.

Lu Xixi likes Fu Yao a lot, and he likes her too, but some things are her principles that she won't easily change.

"You know, if it weren't for Jiuyin's invitation, I wouldn't have returned to the country." Since deciding to leave, Lu Xiwán has never changed her mind up to now.

She doesn't want any more ties with Fu Sijue; this is already an exception.

Sensing her emotional fluctuations and obvious sorrow, Luo Zhou gently patted Lu Xiwán's shoulder, "Everything's over now; now you are Xi Wan, you should have a life that belongs to Xi Wan."

"We all know that's fake; I've never thought of it as my sorrow." Having endured so much, Lu Xiwán had long let it go; this is just a phase of her life, no need to feel sad.

She gave Luo Zhou a faint smile, "As long as you know who I am, that's enough."