Yun Muxi paused. It seemed like it was too early to be happy. "What request?"
Murong Qingtian fixed his gaze on her and spoke in a pitiful voice, full of the loneliness and sorrows of an old person, "Don't you have a daughter? I'm of age now and getting lonely, bring the kid and come stay with me for a few days! It's lonely staying in the big house all by myself and eating alone. It would be fun to have a kid to make things lively around here."
Murong Ye could not help but stole a glance at Murong Qingtian. He was surprised. They say the older you are, the wiser you are. This is a sly move.
Yun Munxi frowned and answered in a solemn voice, "I'm afraid I can't do that. Niannian has been with me since young, she has never left my side. Regardless of whether I agree or not, I don't think she'll agree. She's still a child and is very fragile, it wouldn't be good to force her to bring her here by force."
Murong Qingtian's face turned stiff. Indeed, you can't treat her too well! She's not buying it! He scoffed, "Hmph! I'm just asking for her to come and stay for a few days, that's all! Why are you trying so hard to protect her? Could I hurt my own granddaughter?"
Yun Muxi spoke frankly, "I'm not trying to protect her. I have to ask Niannian's opinions about this. If she's unwilling, I will not force her to do anything. If you insist on this, I'll discuss with her when I get back."
Murong Qingtian softened his scornful look. He looked at Yun Muxi affectionately. "Come closer, let me have a good look at you!"
Yun Muxi glanced at Murong Qingtian. She felt a moment of a father's love through his gaze full of desire and his gentle words.
She walked up to him and he placed both his strong yet coarse hands on her face, gently caressing her delicate features. His gaze was full of pity and love. He looked at her deeply, as if his gaze penetrated through her and was looking at something further away.
Yun Muxi suddenly realized something. He was not looking at her. He was looking at his wife through her features. Yun Muxi shot her glance towards the desk. There was a framed photo sitting on it. It was the same photo as the one that Murong Ye showed her the last time. This family was once happy, right?
By the time Yun Muxi returned home, it was already the afternoon. After leaving the old estate, Murong Ye brought her to a western restaurant for lunch before sending her back.
Upon reaching home, she started to feel empty. Gu Yuxuan was still unreachable, what should she do? She was at a complete loss and felt very helpless. She was waiting for the person's next move, but at the same time, she wished that there would be no other news. She was going crazy with all the contradiction going on in her heart. If the person makes the next move, at least she would have news of Gu Yuxuan. However, she was worried that Gu Yuxan would be tortured further in the next move. On the other hand, waiting with no news was driving her crazy.
"Should I call the police? But I was told not to. I don't have a single clue now, Gu Yuxuan might be seriously injured before the police even find her." Yun Muxi paced back and forth and did not manage to come up with anything after one whole afternoon. Instead, she was suffering from mental torture.
When it was time to pick up Niannian, Yun Muxi freshened up, changed her clothes and left the house. As she walked away from the door, she could vaguely feel someone following her. Every time she looked back, there was no one suspicious. She could clearly feel a pair of eyes staring at her from a certain corner and it made her really unsettled.
Even when she reached the kindergarten, she could still feel the stare coming from somewhere. She looked around warily but still found nothing. Suddenly, a bad outcome flashed past her mind...
The doors of the kindergarten opened and the teacher led the children out. One by one, the children waved to their family members and were taken home. Yun Muxi did not have the courage to go up, even when all the children had gone home. The teacher held on to Niannian's tiny hand as she stood in front of the door, alone and sad. Yun Muxi's heart ached.
As if it was telepathic, Niannian suddenly shot a glance towards the corner where Yun Muxi was hiding. Yun Muxi could clearly see her eyes lit up suddenly, shouting in surprise, "Mommy! Mommy! I'm here! Why did you come so late?"
Yun Muxi had no choice but to walk forward. The uneasiness in her heart grew stronger. Yun Muxi forced a smile. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. There was a jam."
Yun Muxi took over her hand and gave the teacher a smile. They bid goodbye and turned to leave. Just about then, Yun Muxi could feel the stalker's gaze again. She looked around carefully and Niannian asked in confusion, "Mommy, what are you doing? What are you looking for?"
Yun Muxi looked at Niannian and paused to think. She scooted down to her level and explained to her in a gentle voice, "Niannian sweetheart, I'm very busy recently. I may not have time to look after you. Mommy Xuanxuan is not at home too. Would you like it if I send you to a grandpa's house? You can stay at his house for a few days, I'll come and fetch you after I'm done with my stuff."
Niannian's cute little face immediately crumpled like a steamed bun. She pouted and cried, "I don't want! I don't want to leave you! Do you not want me anymore?"
Thinking about this, Niannian seemed to have thought of something terrible. She bawled non-stop. "Mommy, please don't leave me! I'll be good! I want mommy! Don't send me away!"
Yun Muxi suddenly realized that Niannian thought that she was sending her away. Seeing Niannian cry so broken-heartedly, Yun Muxi quickly comforted her. "Niannian sweetheart, that's not what's happening. I don't want to leave you too. Why will I send you away when I love you so much? I'm just too busy to take care of you. Mommy Xuan is not at home and Daddy Chen has always been busy. And now he's injured and at the hospital. Daddy Yu and mommy are working together, we're both busy. Right now, there isn't anyone to look after you. I promise you, you'll only have to stay there for a few days. I'll bring you home during the weekends, okay?"
Niannian's big eyes finally stopped crying. She looked at Yun Muxi doubtfully, "Mommy, is it real? You're not going to send me away?"
Yun Muxi smiled and continued, "You're my sweetheart, I can't live without you. We'll let grandpa take care of you for a few days, otherwise, I can't go to work without worrying."
Niannian then wiped off the tears from the corners of her eyes with her chubby hand. She nodded obediently. "Then I'll go stay at grandpa's house for a few days and you'll bring me home during the weekends. I'll be a good girl."
Yun Muxi was very satisfied. She stroked Niannian's head and commented, "Such a good girl!"
Niannian jumped into her embrace and asked in a sweet voice, "But what if I miss you? Can you call me every day?"
Yun Muxi was very reluctant too. She hugged her even closer. "If you miss me, you can call me anytime. If I'm not busy, I'll definitely pick up the phone."
The duo made a promise to each other. Yun Muxi hailed a taxi, recited an address, and the driver headed for the old estate. Before they went far, Yun Muxi received another message. It was from the anonymous sender from that day. Yun Muxi opened it immediately. This time around, there was no video or updates about Gu Yuxuan. Instead, it was a picture of the two of them at the kindergarten. The photo was accompanied by a one-liner: It seems like I don't know you well enough! How could I leave out such a big catch...
Yun Muxi's pupils dilated instantly and her face turned extremely pale. The veins on her forehead popped out and her heart was beating beyond her control. She felt encamped by fear and was suffocating. She began gasping for air.
Niannian became worried. "Mommy, what's happening? You're scaring me!"
The driver noticed the commotion and looked up at the rearview mirror. He was shocked by the scene too. He asked nervously, "Miss, are you alright? Are you feeling unwell? Do you want me to send you to the hospital?"
Yun Muxi shook her head and calmed herself down. After a long time, she finally managed to form a sentence. "No, please send us to that place as soon as possible."
Yun Muxi held Niannian tightly in her arms. She felt fortunate that she made a wise choice. Sending Niannian to the Murong family was the safest choice! She could not let Niannian suffer because of her. Gu Yuxuan's situation was already driving her crazy. She would go berserk if something were to happen to Niannian. She only hoped that the Murong family could really keep Niannian safe.
Thinking of this, she lowered her head and looked at Niannian affectionately. She then planted a kiss on her cheek.
After a long drive, they finally reached the foot of the mountain that the old estate was located above. The driver asked doubtfully. "Miss, this is a private territory. Other cars are not allowed to enter, are you sure this is the place?"
Yun Muxi called Murong Ye and he answered very quickly. His voice was still the usual cold, but there was a tint of warmth in it now. "Hello? Xiao Xi, what's the matter?"
Yun Muxi hesitated for a moment and continued, "I'm taking Niannian to the old estate. I'm at the foot of the mountain now, can the taxi enter?"
Murong Ye was shocked that she agreed to send Niannian to his father. He asked doubtfully, "Are you sure you want to send Niannian there?"
Yun Muxi paused for a while before continuing, "I'm a little busy these few days. Niannian has agreed too. I'll let her stay for a few days and bring her home during the weekends."
Murong Ye wanted to say, "It would be hard to bring her back, that old fox will not let her go so easily." But thinking about it, perhaps the 'old fox' was making use of this situation to bring Yun Muxi home. Murong Ye also wanted Yun Muxi to come back, he really wanted this sister. Hence, he swallowed back his words and answered, "Yes, come on in, I'll tell the security guard."
After hanging up, Yun Muxi unconsciously caught a glimpse of a black car that she had not seen before through the rearview mirror. Suddenly, she felt an uneasy feeling in her heart...