At this moment, someone suddenly emerged from the villa. It was two rows of maids, each accompanied by a robot. They stood on either side, heads slightly bowed, respectfully awaiting their master.
Following them, members of the Mu family also came out of the house: two elderly people, presumably Mu Sijie’s grandparents, a middle-aged couple, presumably Mu Sijie’s parents, then the refined and elegant Mu Sijie, and a young girl who appeared a few years younger than Mu Sijie.
Four-year-old Mu Ran walked beside Mu Sijie. The little one appeared calm on the surface, but a flicker of uncontrollable curiosity was evident in his gaze as he looked at Lu Wanqing.
Lu Wanqing hadn’t paid much attention to children before. Now, staring at the boy, her heart began to pound in her chest.
Oh my, she was smitten. Such a well-behaved and sensible little dumpling, who wouldn't adore him!
Mu Sijie looked down at the little dumpling, ruffled his hair, and then formally introduced, "Mu Lan, this is your mother."
Mu Lan then obediently stepped forward, finally able to look directly at Lu Wanqing with undisguised curiosity. "Mother."
"Mm!" Lu Wanqing quickly responded. She walked over, bent down, embraced the little dumpling's legs, and lifted him up.
"Careful!"
The adults nearby were startled by this action, their faces filled with anxiety. They instinctively rushed towards Lu Wanqing and the little one, fearing Lu Wanqing might drop him.
Little Mu Ran clearly hadn't expected his mother to suddenly pick him up. He felt helpless and instinctively reached out a hand to push Lu Wanqing away. But as his small hand extended, he couldn't bear to be apart from his mother. In the end, his little hands awkwardly wrapped around Lu Wanqing's neck, preventing himself from losing balance and falling.
However, as he hugged his mother, little Mu Lan’s body froze. Was his mother hugging him? Did he have a mother now? Would his mother hug him, cherish him, and take care of him?!
Holding her son, Lu Wanqing couldn't help but jiggle him slightly, then smiled, saying, "You're quite heavy. It seems your father took good care of you."
Hearing this, little Mu Ran's ears instantly turned red.
Mu Sijie and the elders of the Mu family, seeing that Lu Wanqing hadn't dropped little Mu Ran, felt a slight sense of relief. But as they watched Mu Ran cradled in Lu Wanqing's arms and Mu Ran clinging to her neck, the elders furrowed their brows with concern.
"Alright, let's go inside. We shouldn't be standing at the door," Mu Sijie's mother said, reaching out her hand naturally to take little Mu Lan from Lu Wanqing’s arms.
After all, it was her first visit, and Lu Wanqing knew she might be too sudden and unfamiliar for the child. After a moment's hesitation, she handed the child over to Mu Sijie's mother.
Wen Lan received the child, and the entire Mu family breathed a sigh of relief. Mu Sijie's father looked at Lu Wanqing and said, "Let's go inside."
The family turned and entered the house, and Lu Wanqing followed them.
Steward Mu followed behind everyone. Mu Sijie's mother said, "Baojian, please arrange a guest room for Ms. Lu."
"Yes, Madam," Steward Mu replied respectfully, bowing his head.
Steward Mu quickly went upstairs with two maids to prepare a room for Lu Wanqing. Lu Wanqing sat in the living room with Mu Sijie and all the elders of the Mu family. She felt stiff and very constrained.
"Grandpa, Grandma, Uncle, Aunt, hello. I've come today mainly regarding the child. Um... the staff told me I am the child's mother and need to fulfill my maternal obligations." After much struggle, Lu Wanqing finally looked at the Mu family members and explained awkwardly.
"Mm."
"Alright."
"Then you can stay with us for now. If you need anything, you can ask the steward."
Grandma also spoke, her tone kind but firm.
Everyone sat in the living room, the atmosphere awkward, especially for Lu Wanqing, who felt very uncomfortable.
It felt like an eternity before dinner finally arrived. After eating, Lu Wanqing quickly returned to her room to rest.
As the door closed, leaving her alone in the room, she felt a slight release from the intense awkwardness that had made her want to dig her nails into her palms.
But this kind of life would continue for a long time, wouldn't it?
Lu Wanqing thought, quietly encouraging herself. She couldn't be scared. She had to do what she needed to do. She was only here to be with the child, not for anything else. She shouldn't be afraid!
Thinking of the child, Lu Wanqing remembered little Mu Ran. Earlier outside, she had sensed that the Mu family seemed to be intentionally or unintentionally preventing her from being alone with little Mu Ran. Everyone was guarding against her, subtly trying to protect little Mu Ran.
But it was understandable. She, an "outsider," had suddenly appeared, so it was normal for them to be wary.
As for little Mu Ran, the thought of the child secretly looking at her made Lu Wanqing's heart flutter with excitement. He was her child, wasn't he? Her own flesh and blood!
As Lu Wanqing thought of the child's appearance, she couldn't help but smile, chuckling happily to herself.
The child was so endearing. She was sure she could take good care of him!
As Lu Wanqing pondered, she suddenly remembered it was evening and time for bed. Should she go tell the child a bedtime story?
She acted on her thought immediately. She walked to the guest room door and opened it.
A maid was still mopping the hallway. Lu Wanqing hurried over and asked, "Excuse me, where is the children's room? Mu Ran's room?"
"L-Little Master?" The maid was startled, not expecting Lu Wanqing to speak to her. Her voice even faltered slightly as she replied.
Lu Wanqing nodded. "Yes."
The maid hesitated, then said cautiously, "The little master's room is on the third floor."
"Third floor?" Lu Wanqing repeated the maid's words, then nodded. "Okay, I understand. Thank you!"
After getting the information, Lu Wanqing headed towards the third floor. However, upon reaching the third floor, she realized she hadn't asked the maid which room on the third floor was Mu Ran's.
Lu Wanqing hesitated. Should she go back and ask that maid again?
Just then, the door of the second room not far away opened. Mu Sijie, wearing a pale blue silk robe and a gentle smile, asked her, "Why are you on the third floor? Is something wrong?"
Lu Wanqing came back to her senses and quickly replied, her tone a little anxious, "It's nothing. I'm here to find Mu Ran."
"Mu Ran?" Mu Sijie paused slightly.
Mu Sijie thought for a moment, then said seriously, "Mu Ran should be going to bed soon. If you have something to discuss, you can find him tomorrow."
Lu Wanqing quickly tried to explain, "No, I..."
Lu Wanqing was flustered, and the more she tried to explain, the more she found herself unable to articulate what she wanted to say.
"It's not for anything else. I want to tell him a bedtime story. Do children here listen to bedtime stories before sleeping?" Lu Wanqing finally managed to express her intention.