Chapter 260: Chapter 260: I saw his mother pinch his leg, that’s why he cried.

"Cough!"

Cheng Shang coughed at the doorway, drawing the attention of the two sisters in the room.

Cheng Zhiwei glanced over and continued to pack.

"Dad, is something the matter?" Cheng Zhiyin asked.

Cheng Shang felt somewhat uneasy inside, but his expression remained composed, dignified even, "Your mom thinks it’s best if you bring the kids to live at our place."

"The house has already been prepared, your mother and I are retired and don’t have much to do—perfect to help you with them." As Cheng Shang spoke, his words flowed more smoothly, the awkwardness vanished, "I see the children are almost three, about time for kindergarten. Your mother and I could pick them up and drop them off, no need for you to worry."

Cheng Zhiwei, adopting a defensive stance, intentionally hesitated, "Wouldn’t that be too much trouble for you and mom?"

In reality, she had long been prepared to move back, since Guo Cuihua had initially suggested taking care of the children.

They adored the children, and the kids bore the Cheng surname and called them grandparents; they were their own flesh and blood.

It was merely a matter of Cheng Shang taking the initiative to speak up to dissolve some of the tension between father and daughter.

Cheng Shang, with his hands behind his back, controlled his expression and said sternly, "Your mother and I are retired now, we’ve got nothing else pressing. The kids are safer at home. You’re still young—do you plan to spend your whole life taking care of just these two children?"

This implied that Cheng Zhiwei should go out and work.

Cheng Zhiwei then understood the old saying about a special bond between grandchildren and grandparents indeed had some truth to it.

"I’m worried it would tire you out, Xingxing is still manageable, but Yangyang is quite mischievous," Cheng Zhiwei continued to hesitate, "I could actually hire a nanny."

"Haven’t you seen all those cases of nannies abusing kids? Besides, which nanny would care as much as your mother and I?" Cheng Shang grew impatient, his face stern as he walked away, "Get your things ready, we’re going back in a bit."

Then, without waiting for Cheng Zhiwei to come up with another excuse, he quickly left.

That retreating figure, so very eager.

Cheng Zhiyin burst out laughing, "See, I told you dad has changed a lot."

Of course, Cheng Zhiwei was more than willing to let her parents take care of the children. Although Cheng Shang might be a bit old-fashioned, his talent and knowledge were indisputably real.

Having him and Guo Cuihua as Cheng Yang’s and Cheng Xing’s early educators was indeed a blessing for the children.

"It’s still the wound inflicted by the eldest aunt that hurt deeply."

After packing, the family returned to Cheng Shang and Guo Cuihua’s home.

Cheng Shang was right: the house had been prepared, down to separating out a children’s room. The corners of tables and chairs, anywhere with edges, had been covered up to prevent the children from getting hurt.

After her bath, Cheng Xing started rubbing her eyes; Cheng Zhiwei stayed with her until she fell asleep.

"Mommy." Cheng Xing, although very sleepy, tugged at Cheng Zhiwei’s clothes, "That little brother is so pitiful."

Cheng Zhiwei was taken aback, then realized she was talking about Zhou Ruoki, "What happened?"

Cheng Xing, snuggling into Cheng Zhiwei’s arms, explained softly, "I saw his mommy pinch his leg with her fingernails, that’s why he cried."

Cheng Xing had always been sharply aware of everything around her.

So she had seen Seo Zhenzhen pinch Zhou Ruoki.

But Zhou Ruoki’s mother was truly frightening; she hadn’t dared to speak up.

Cheng Zhiwei, of course, did not think Cheng Xing was lying; she trusted Cheng Xing, and moreover, Seo Zhenzhen was not a good person—she was capable of such actions.

Pity the child.

"Mommy, he’s really pitiful; his mommy doesn’t love him." Cheng Xing sniffled, pleading, "Can you tell his daddy?"

Cheng Zhiwei couldn’t bear to let Cheng Xing’s kindness be in vain, and promised, "Okay, mommy promises Xingxing, I’ll tell him about it."

Stroking her daughter’s soft hair, Cheng Zhiwei asked, "Do you like that little brother?"

Cheng Xing shook her head; she wasn’t sure if she liked him or not—it was only their first meeting today, after all. She just felt he was unhappy.

Cheng Zhiwei didn’t press further; children’s thoughts are incredibly pure, and she wished their innocence could be preserved for a while longer.

Growing up carefree.

Cheng Zhiwei still cautioned Cheng Xing, "Xingxing did great, but can we not get too close to Zhou Ruoki in the future, okay?"

She tried to discuss it with her daughter.

Cheng Xing asked, "Is it because his mom won’t let him play with other kids?"

"That’s right. His mother isn’t a good person and might hurt Xingxing. We need to protect ourselves," Cheng Zhiwei soothed gently. She sympathized with Zhou Ruoki, but she was even less willing to let her own child be hurt by Seo Zhenzhen.

Cheng Xing promised obediently, her voice soft and tender, "Mhm, goodnight, Mom."

"Goodnight, little Xingxing."

Cheng Xing fell asleep quickly. Cheng Zhiwei kissed her forehead, turned off the main light, adjusted the nightlight, and then left the room.

Upon opening the door, Guo Cuihua was at the doorway, whispering, "Zhou Lin is here, outside."

Even after the divorce, Guo Cuihua’s dislike for Zhou Lin was fully apparent.

She hadn’t even let Zhou Lin into the house.

Cheng Zhiwei nodded: "I know."

"If you don’t want to see him, I’ll tell him to leave," Guo Cuihua offered, worried that Cheng Zhiwei might still be caught up in past events and lose control of her emotions upon seeing Zhou Lin.

Cheng Zhiwei patted her arm. "It’s okay, I can handle it."

They were bound to meet.

She opened the door and went out.

Zhou Lin was leaning against the wall, holding a gift, with several cigarette butts at his feet; it seemed he’d been there for a while but was kept outside by Guo Cuihua.

Cheng Zhiwei apologized, "I’ll talk to Mom, so you won’t be kept outside next time."

She opened the door to let him in. "Xingxing is already asleep, and Yangyang is taking a bath."

Her demeanor was cool and distant.

Zhou Lin’s eyes were red. He wished she would keep him outside and hysterical, not cut him to pieces with such a soft knife.

Cheng Zhiwei hesitated, then glanced at the cigarette at his fingertip. "We have kids in the house. Could you please put out your cigarette?"

"Okay," Zhou Lin said with a hoarse voice, like a walking corpse.

Once in the living room, both Guo Cuihua and Cheng Shang were present. Upon seeing Zhou Lin, Guo Cuihua wore a cold face and turned to go give Cheng Yang a bath, while Cheng Shang nodded slightly, greeting him distantly.

"Take a seat, I’ll go make some tea for you." Cheng Zhiwei went to the kitchen and brewed tea for Zhou Lin, placing it before him.

For a moment, no one spoke.

Crisp childish voice came from the bathroom, "Grandpa, grandpa, my clothes."

Cheng Yang liked Cheng Shang a lot. Even after a few hours together, he would call out for his grandpa in everything he did.

Cheng Shang’s cold expression immediately warmed up, as he answered and hurried off to the bathroom.

Zhou Lin moved his feet but managed to stay seated.

He turned to look at Cheng Zhiwei. He had many photos of her, all from her life abroad over the past three years.

When he missed her, he would flip through those photos again and again to soothe his longing.

But now that she was right in front of him, those photos seemed tasteless.

The vibrant her brought a powerful sense of reality that pierced through his nerves.

He muttered subconsciously, "Zhiwei."

"Mommy!" Cheng Yang’s lively voice rang out, wearing a milk-green dinosaur pajama set, he barreled into Cheng Zhiwei’s arms like a little cannonball.

Zhou Lin then saw the polite veneer on her face melt away like ice and snow, corners of her mouth lifting ever so slightly, revealing a gentle tenderness.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read