Chapter 2795: Chapter 2796: Brother and Aunt
"Have we met before?" Meng Liangshen asked uncertainly, his tone more courteous than usual, not as stern as he normally was.
Ayan smiled, "It was many years ago, I can’t even remember how long. You wouldn’t think I’m pretending to know you, right?"
"Of course not. You are someone Ruozhu respects, so naturally, you wouldn’t do that," Meng Liangshen hurriedly said, but he couldn’t remember who Ayan was.
"I’ve disturbed you, I’ll return now." Ayan bowed to him, her movements slow and precise, leaving Meng Liangshen a bit at a loss, "No need to be so formal, or maybe I could escort you there?"
Isn’t it bad to be out in the rain like this?
"Thank you." Ayan’s heart was pounding; even without memories, there were feelings, and he didn’t dislike her.
With that, she was content.
In the drizzling rain, the usually stern City Lord held an umbrella for a white-haired woman, escorting her back to the guest room.
Ayan thanked him again, and Meng Liangshen hurriedly excused himself.
Bai Ruozhu watched him leave and smiled as she chased after him.
"Godfather, Ayan saved our lives. It’s just inconvenient for her to go to the Jiuli Clan, so it’s better if she stays in Beiyu City." She smiled as she spoke.
Meng Liangshen looked at her, wondering why she seemed so happy.
"She has no one here, and I worry about her. Can she stay at the City Lord’s Residence?" Bai Ruozhu continued.
"Huh?" Meng Liangshen tightened up, not opposed, just feeling a bit strange.
"She knows Jinse as well, and she could offer some guidance," Bai Ruozhu added.
Meng Liangshen nodded, "Alright, if she needs anything, just let the steward know."
Bai Ruozhu discreetly made a victory gesture; the path was paved for Ayan, and now it was up to her to make her way forward.
After seeing Meng Liangshen off, she went to share the news with Ayan. Ayan pursed her lips and smiled, her cheeks turning red. Though her hair was white and her face wrinkled, she still had a youthful spirit.
"Travel safely, and if you encounter any trouble, you can find me. I might be able to help," Ayan said.
"Alright, thank you."
After meeting with relatives and friends, Bai Ruozhu immediately set out for the Jiuli Clan.
After more than twenty days, they finally reached the borders of the Jiuli Clan.
Because Bai Ruozhu had sent a message through the Commerce Association ahead of time, they heard children’s laughter before they even arrived at the Secret Realm.
"Don’t run around, or I’ll spank you!" A childish voice sternly said, sounding rather amusing.
"Brother, brother..."
"Aunt, aunt..."
The other two voices belonged to small toddlers, with one of them not quite speaking clearly.
"Sigh, if you’re so naughty, how will I explain this to Mom and Dad?" The older child said, crossing his arms with an air of maturity.
Jiao Ling couldn’t help but poke his little horned braids, "Stop acting like the man of the house; your mom and dad should arrive today."
"You say that every day, hmph." Little Dengdeng grumbled as he ran off.
Just then, the sound of wheels approached from afar; horse carriages were coming, and more than one.
Little Dengdeng’s eyes widened, and he ran towards them as if his feet were oiled.
If anyone saw him, their jaws would drop. At just a few years old, how could he have such good lightness skill?
"Whoa..." The coachman stopped the horse carriage, and a blue figure leapt from it.
"Mom!" Little Dengdeng ran towards her excitedly.
"Dengdeng!" Bai Ruozhu’s eyes watered as she hugged her son and started crying.
"Mom, I missed you so much. You said you’d be back soon, but it took so long. Wahhh." Little Dengdeng pouted and cried, losing his earlier mature demeanor.
Jiang Yichun walked over and snatched him from Bai Ruozhu’s arms, lifting him to sit on his shoulders.
"You didn’t miss Dad?" he asked in a deep voice.
"I did, I missed both Mom and Dad! I love playing horse-riding with Dad the most!" Little Dengdeng giggled.
Bai Ruozhu wiped her tears; the child had grown taller and chubbier, looking like a little adult, but they had missed this part of his growth.
"Ruozhu!" Bai Yihong ran over, "Yichun, you’re finally back!"
Behind him, Jiao Ling and Lin Ping’er each held a child’s hand, but the two identical little ones weren’t as enthusiastic as Little Dengdeng and looked at them shyly.
Bai Ruozhu’s heart ached, realizing that her sons didn’t recognize her.
"Mom, aunt," Bai Ruozhu called out to the elders before slowly walking towards her two sons, crouching in front of them.
She took each little bundle by the hand and said gently, "I am your mom; do you remember?"
They both shook their heads in perfect harmony, shattering Bai Ruozhu’s delicate heart.
Lin Ping’er quickly said, "Hurry and call her Mom. Haven’t you always wanted to see your mom?"
Bengbeng opened his mouth, "Brother!"
Tiaotiao laughed, "Aunt!"
Bai Ruozhu’s face turned green. Was there not a single one who could call her Mom?
No, this won’t do; she had a difficult task ahead, needing to teach these two children properly. Look, without her raising them, they weren’t as clever as Little Dengdeng back then. Already a year old, but only knowing how to call Brother and Aunt.
Jiao Ling was also helpless and corrected, "You should call her Mom."
"Brother!"
"Aunt..."
The little ones continued to call out, unable to say "Mom."
Bai Ruozhu broke into a cold sweat, okay, maybe the pronunciation of Mom was too difficult for them.
"Stop standing around like idiots, let’s go home and eat. Your grandmother has prepared many dishes for you," Bai Yihong said delightedly.
Little Dengdeng, riding on his dad’s shoulders, whispered, "Great-grandma cooks lots of food every day, waiting for you, but we never finish it. Finally, we won’t waste any today."
"It’s because we traveled too slowly," Jiang Yichun said warmly.
Bai Ruozhu glanced at the father and son, then took the hand of her mom and aunt, saying, "We’ve been away for so long, making you worry."
Lin Ping’er quietly glanced at Jiang Yichun, "Is he okay now?"
"He’s all better." Bai Ruozhu smiled sweetly, finally able to leisurely spend time as a family.
"Did you see your second brother and sister-in-law? How are they? We never visited when they had their baby," Lin Ping’er said with a bit of guilt.
"It’s all my fault for leaving the three kids with you. After some time, you all should go stay in the Capital City for a while; stay wherever you like afterward," Bai Ruozhu said.
"Okay," Lin Ping’er agreed with a smile.
When the group entered the Jiuli Secret Realm, many people came out to greet them, all addressing Bai Ruozhu while Fo Lanying muttered sourly, "Can’t they see me?"
Yuan Licheng leaned in and said with a cheeky grin, "It’s okay, I only have eyes for you."
Fo Lanying rolled her eyes at him, "You’ve got eye boogers too."
----
Finally reaching an end, Mouka is busy organizing the grand finale, and there will be extras with plenty of little surprises!