Chapter 134: Lu Yanze Is Not Dead

Xie Wantang saw this, went inside, squatted, spread her arms, and gently said, "Xiao Qianqian, Mommy hug."

Xiao Qianqian turned her head, and her very pretty little face was covered with all sorts of colors.

Although Xiao Qianqian was diagnosed as autistic, the pictures she painted were vivid in color, unlike those of other autistic children.

Xiao Qianqian walked over, clutched Xie Wantang's neck, and Xie Wantang carried her into the house.

Dongdong and Xiao Chengzi each held the gifts they had for Xie Wantang, and sat obediently in the living room waiting for Xie Wantang to come in.

After Xie Wantang entered, the two handed the gifts to Xie Wantang.

Dongdong's was a children's artwork molded from modeling clay, while Xiao Chengzi's was a half‑finished plaster statue that her uncle bought outside, depicting a character from an anime Xie Wantang once liked.

Xiao Chengzi painted the colors herself.

Xie Wantang liked them both and rewarded each with a fragrant kiss.

Xiao Qianqian was in Xie Wantang's arms, with Dongdong and Xiao Chengzi sitting on either side, and all three children were obedient and quiet.

Until lunch, the under‑three‑year‑old Xiao Qianqian and Xiao Chengzi used child seats; Dongdong, nearly six, was about to start school, so he could sit on a high stool by himself.

Xiao Qianqian's and Xiao Chengzi's meals were portioned: a charcoal‑grilled lamb chop each, and seaweed rice balls—four for Xiao Qianqian, six for Xiao Chengzi.

Xiao Chengzi's appetite had always been larger than Xiao Qianqian's.

In Xiao Qianqian's plate were three cherry tomatoes and a few sweet cantaloupe cubes; that would fill her up.

Xiao Chengzi's side still had a braised pork knuckle, several large shrimp, and salmon, as the uncles loved watching Xiao Chengzi eat.

"Eating so much? No wonder you're so chubby," Xie Wantang squeezed Xiao Chengzi's plump arm, "If you don't dare eat this much, ask Grandma; she's a doctor."

Xie Ningmeng this time ignored the doctor's expertise, "It's fine; there's no such thing as a child being fat or not. If he can eat, let him eat. Besides, our Xiao Chengzi isn't chubby."

……

Xie Wantang knew her mother was being protective.

So she wouldn't argue with her.

Anyway, at their family table, no longer did everyone shove the tasty dishes into her bowl; three little ones now shared with her, especially Xiao Chengzi, a typical foodie.

However, in Dad's eyes, Xie Wantang was always his little cotton jacket; Qin Siyuan would shell the seafood, pick out the meat, dip it in sauce, and give it to Xie Wantang.

After lunch, Xie Wantang escorted the three children to nap time, and she also took a nap herself.

Dongdong and Xiao Chengzi went to another room to shower, changed into pajamas, and then came to Xie Wantang's over‑two‑meter‑wide bed, both choosing to sleep at Xiao Qianqian's foot side.

Xiao Qianqian didn't mind her two older brothers; when it was nap time she closed her eyes, her breathing steadied quickly, and she fell into deep sleep.

From the moment Xiao Qianqian was born, Xie Wantang knew she was a heavy sleeper.

She would sleep whether she ate or not.

Fortunately, at that time Xiao Qianqian spent a long period in an incubator; otherwise, Xie Wantang thought she might become a nervous baby, and would periodically check Xiao Qianqian's breathing to confirm the little one was still alive.

Xie Wantang finally went to shower, and when she came out, Dongdong and Xiao Chengzi were already asleep.

The two slept very properly.

Xu Yanqiu sent news that she was leaving to travel with the crew, possibly for three months, but she would return during her break to see them.

"Hmm, go ahead, work is important," Xie Wantang didn't hold back her best friend.

"Love you, Bao'er."

"Air‑kiss JPG."

Putting down her phone, Xie Wantang lay beside Xiao Qianqian; her body was a bit tired, but her mind was clear.

In the past two years, Lu Chen had no news at all—no word of him being alive, nor of his death.

Although his adoptive parents had reported his disappearance as death, for Xie Wantang, as long as she hadn't seen a corpse, Lu Chen still had a chance of being alive.

Half a year ago, Xie Wantang had met Lu Chen's adoptive parents in Country A.

She previously didn't know what a "science lunatic" was, but after seeing Lu Chen's parents in Country A, the "science lunatic" materialized in her mind at that moment.

At that time, Country A had a tech firm far more powerful than Lu Chen's LC Technology Company, trying to poach his adoptive parents with an unbelievable offer.

However, Lu Chen's adoptive parents refused on the spot.

Money didn't tempt them much, and they were patriotic, clearly telling them that no matter how much money was offered, they would not leave Country Z.

All their research projects and results would eventually belong to their own motherland.

At that moment, everyone from Country Z present gave thumbs‑up, some teared up, some blushed shyly, and most offered thunderous applause.

Lu Chen, like her, was both unfortunate and fortunate.

The misfortune was that their biological parents only gave them life; the fortune was that during their growth, people better than their biological parents accompanied them.

Thus, they themselves became outstanding individuals.

Xie Wantang turned her head to look at the deep‑sleeping Xiao Qianqian, the little one lying on her side facing her.

Seeing her profile, Xie Wantang felt as if she were looking at a miniature Lu Chen.

Lu Chen's genes were strong; not only did Xiao Qianqian resemble him, but Xiao Chengzi's little features did as well.

These dragon‑phoenix twins, though differing greatly in build, had faces growing more alike, making it obvious at a glance they were siblings.

Xie Wantang pushed aside the chaotic thoughts in her mind and closed her eyes to sleep.

When she woke, she found dozens of missed calls on her phone.

All were work calls, all from her senior brothers.

The Senior Martial Brother had the most missed calls; out of the dozens, nine were his.

Xie Wantang replied to one of his first.

She walked onto the balcony outside the room.

What she didn't know was that when she got out of bed, Dongdong and Xiao Chengzi woke up, while only Xiao Qianqian remained asleep.

The two brothers sat quietly on the bed, waiting for Xie Wantang to return.

"Senior Martial Brother, didn't we agree that after I return I could rest for a week?" Xie Wantang frowned.

I also want you to rest, but since you've joined us, you should know that even during rest time, you need to be on 24‑hour standby.

Besides, you've already been given special treatment; not having to be on standby at your post all the time is already pretty good.

……

Clip-clop, her Senior Martial Brother has always been the reasonable side.

"You're in such a hurry to find me—does a case need my expertise?" Xie Wantang lifted her gaze toward the distance.

"Yeah, the latest news: Lu Yanze isn't dead."

"…… 'What did you say?' Xie Wantang had thought Shen Ye was talking about Lu Yanshen, but after a pause she realized he was actually referring to Lu Yanze."

However, the news that Lu Yanze wasn't dead was just as shocking as finding Lu Yanshen, enough to shake people's hearts.