"It's a pleasure to have everyone here today for my goddaughter, Xie Wanqing's birthday banquet..."
Ran Lian, dressed in a jade green qipao, appeared dignified and elegant.
She smiled at the girl beside her, also in a qipao, introducing her newly recognized daughter to the guests.
"Tsk tsk tsk, this Xie Wanqing, at first glance, isn't someone to be trifled with," Cui Mantong shook her head. "This old woman is really going backward, bringing such a viper into her home."
"Mm... what's the big deal?" Fang Miaomiao's lips also curved upwards. "She's the most favored daughter-in-law of the Wen family."
"What did you say?" Cui Mantong stared in disbelief. "Hearing you say that, I'm starting to understand who Cui Tong was referring to when he said someone was seemingly smart but actually foolish."
Fang Miaomiao chuckled.
"But, why am I..." Cui Mantong's gaze fell on a spot, and her voice abruptly stopped. "Miaomiao, isn't that Wen Zhiyan."
Fang Miaomiao instinctively looked in the direction Cui Mantong indicated.
Sitting in that wheelchair, it could only be Wen Zhiyan.
What's more, Wen Yan'an was standing beside Wen Zhiyan, dressed in a white suit.
After Ran Lian finished speaking on stage, she descended with Xie Wanqing.
Their direction was precisely towards where Wen Zhiyan and Wen Yan'an were standing.
"Zhiyan, it's Wanqing's birthday today."
Wen Zhiyan gave Xin Xuan, who was beside him, a look.
Xin Xuan immediately handed the gift box in his hand to Xie Wanqing.
Xie Wanqing received the gift with a flattered expression: "Thank you, Brother Zhiyan."
"You're welcome."
"Greetings, Madam Ran."
"Madam Zhou."
Madam Zhou's gaze drifted between Wen Zhiyan and Xie Wanqing, her eyes filled with unconcealed curiosity: "Madam Ran, these two look like a match made in heaven. Why did you recognize her as a goddaughter?"
Ran Lian shook her head, a look of helplessness on her face: "It's just that... their fate together is a little lacking."
"Oh? What do you mean?"
Although people were talking around them, their bodies subtly shifted towards Ran Lian.
"Ah, in the past, our family was quite close with Wanqing's family. Later, due to some events, the contact between the two families diminished. When they were little, Wanqing used to follow our Zhiyan everywhere. Her mother even jokingly suggested a marriage alliance between them."
"Wow, I didn't expect them to have such a connection."
"Indeed," Ran Lian gently patted Xie Wanqing's hand, smiling. "In the end, Zhiyan wasn't fortunate enough to marry Wanqing. And I couldn't bear to part with her. So, after some thought, I recognized her as my goddaughter."
A flicker of disdain crossed Madam Zhou's eyes, but she smiled and said, "Is that so? Then you and Xie Wanqing have quite a good fate."
"Of course, I dreamt of Wanqing joining our family."
"Not at all, it's Wanqing's fortune to have met a godmother like you."
"Miaomiao, don't stop me."
"Sister Mantong, don't go," Fang Miaomiao shook her head. "If we go, it will become our problem."
Cui Mantong looked at Fang Miaomiao with disappointment and frustration: "Miaomiao, they're bullying you to your face, and you can just endure it?"
Fang Miaomiao shook her head: "I can't endure it, but it has nothing to do with me."
"Miaomiao?" Cui Mantong's anger instantly vanished upon hearing this. "What do you mean by that?"
"That's exactly what I mean," Fang Miaomiao said with a smile.
She had a premonition that more things targeting her were to come.
If she stepped out now, it would cause irreparable damage to the subsequent events.
"Besides, if he likes Xie Wanqing, I'll just give her up," Fang Miaomiao shrugged. "Men, there are plenty. If one doesn't work out, I'll find another."
Cui Mantong gave her a thumbs-up: "I think you're right."
She finally understood why she liked Fang Miaomiao so much; this person's temperament was as carefree as her own.
Xie Wanqing's eyes showed a hint of impatience. Didn't they say Fang Miaomiao had already returned? This birthday banquet she had orchestrated with such fanfare, was she really not curious, not coming to see?
"Mommy."
Fang Miaomiao's body stiffened for a second, but she quickly reacted and waved at the child: "Come here."
"Mommy," Wen Yan'an's face showed a hint of unease. "I..."
"What does An'an want to say?"
"I'm sorry."
"Why is An'an saying sorry?" Fang Miaomiao asked with a smile.
"I didn't go to school."
Fang Miaomiao snapped back to reality: That's right, today was Friday, he should have been at school.
When she saw Cui Yongsi outside earlier, she had subconsciously thought it was the weekend.
"How have you been during this time?"
Wen Yan'an shook his head: Not good, very not good. In the new kindergarten, no one in his class liked him and wouldn't play with him.
"Why are you unhappy?"
"The class..." Wen Yan'an's voice trailed off. "I just miss Mommy."
Feeling the little one in her arms, Fang Miaomiao paused for a moment before raising her hand to pat his back: "You're a big boy now, why are you crying?"
"Mommy."
"There, there, I have something to do and need to leave. An'an, go find your father."
"No," Wen Yan'an shook his head. "Let's find Daddy together."
"We can't, darling. I have something very important to do. After I finish, I'll come back to find you."
"Mommy," Wen Yan'an's voice trembled slightly.
"If you don't believe me, ask Aunt Mantong."
Cui Mantong, though helpless, nodded and said: "Yes, your mommy has something very important to do right now. An'an is a good boy, you won't cause Mommy any trouble, okay?"
Wen Yan'an then peeked out from Fang Miaomiao's embrace: "Will Mommy come to pick me up?"
Fang Miaomiao stroked Wen Yan'an's head: "Good boy, I'm running out of time. Also, our meeting today is a secret between us. You can't tell anyone else, alright?"
Wen Yan'an glanced at Cui Mantong meaningfully.
"Okay, we can't let a fourth person know."
Wen Yan'an's small hands tightly and stubbornly gripped Fang Miaomiao's clothes: "Mommy."
Fang Miaomiao's heart softened: "Okay, I promise you."
"Okay, I'll wait for Mommy."
Fang Miaomiao smiled, shook her head at Cui Mantong, and got up to leave.
"An'an, why are you here?"
Cui Mantong recognized the person and rolled her eyes: "What, An'an is here with me, is there a problem?"
Xie Wanqing offered a polite smile: "I am now considered An'an's aunt. It shouldn't be a problem to care about An'an, right?"
"No," Cui Mantong shrugged, leaning on the sofa with one hand. "Miss Xie, I haven't said anything. Don't try to pin anything on me."
"Mrs. Cui misunderstands."
"An'an, why did you run over here? Grandma is looking for you." Xie Wanqing crouched down in front of Wen Yan'an. "Shall we go find Grandma together, okay?"
Wen Yan'an looked towards Cui Mantong.
Cui Mantong also clicked her tongue: "An'an wants to play here with me."
"This place is dark and doesn't seem very fun. Over there in the children's area, there are other children. An'an can go play with them."
"Oh, really?" Cui Mantong pointed into the distance. "Look, aren't your playmates here?"