The Tycoon's Mysterious Darling Wife-Chapter 530 - 533. Twins, transfer schools

Han Yi somehow managed to convince Guoguo, although Yu Xiaoxuan had no idea how he did it. After Han Yi had a talk with Guoguo, she didn’t show any resistance to the news of Yu Xiaoxuan’s pregnancy. On the contrary, she often curiously looked at Yu Xiaoxuan’s stomach and asked her some bizarre questions. Yu Xiaoxuan also realized for the first time that her daughter’s imagination knew no bounds.

Some questions Yu Xiaoxuan answered, and some she really had no clue about and simply passed on to Han Yi. "Ask your dad, your dad knows much more; he knows everything."

Han Yi, seeing someone shirk responsibility so righteously, resigned himself to answering those strange questions for his daughter.

Compared to Yu Xiaoxuan, who even in pregnancy lived a chaotic life, Shen Qinglan’s days were much calmer. Fu Hengyi called her every day to ask about Shen Qinglan’s day—from major activities to minor details like how much food she had eaten.

"Fu Hengyi, don’t treat me like a child who can’t take care of herself," Shen Qinglan said helplessly.

Fu Hengyi confidently replied, "Anan is more worry-free than you." Shen Qinglan was already two months pregnant, and in a few days, she was scheduled for her second prenatal checkup.

"I will come back for this checkup, and I will accompany you," Fu Hengyi said.

"Alright." If she refused, this man would worry even more, so Shen Qinglan naturally agreed without hesitation.

Fu Hengyi still came back in the middle of the night. Smelling the familiar scent, Shen Qinglan, who had been sound asleep, suddenly opened her eyes. "You’re back."

Fu Hengyi smiled slightly. "Did I wake you?"

"No." Shen Qinglan attempted to sit up, but Fu Hengyi quickly stepped forward. "What do you need? I’ll get it for you."

Shen Qinglan paused her movements. "I just need to go to the bathroom."

Fu Hengyi quickly took a shower, returned to bed, and held Shen Qinglan in his arms. "Has the baby been giving you any trouble?"

Shen Qinglan shook her head. Fortunately, the baby hadn’t really. Perhaps knowing how hard pregnancy was on her mom, the baby inside her had been very well-behaved and even the morning sickness was absent. She had been eating and sleeping well; sometimes, Shen Qinglan even doubted whether her pregnancy was real.

"That’s good, at least the child is obedient."

"I’ve heard that the more active they are in the womb, the more obedient they’ll be after birth," Shen Qinglan said with a beaming smile.

Fu Hengyi’s gaze was faint. "If he doesn’t behave after birth, I will discipline him until he does."

"What if it’s a girl? Would you have the heart to hit her?" Shen Qinglan didn’t believe his words—last time Anan was punished, he had felt sorry for days.

"A daughter would surely be obedient," Fu Hengyi asserted confidently.

Knowing the man before her was utterly indulgent toward a daughter, Shen Qinglan didn’t argue further. "I’m sleepy. Going to sleep first."

Fu Hengyi quietly watched her for a moment, smiled slightly, and then closed his eyes too.

In the morning, Anan got up and went to look for Shen Qinglan. Finding the door locked, he immediately knew Fu Hengyi must have returned; whenever Fu Hengyi was home, the door was definitely locked.

Hearing the knock, Fu Hengyi glanced at the still-sleeping Shen Qinglan and gently got out of bed. Sure enough, standing there was his son, looking down at Anan with a lowered voice. "Not going to breakfast?"

Anan craned his neck to peek inside the room but saw nothing, so he turned to Fu Hengyi. "Daddy, is mommy awake?"

"Mommy is still sleeping. You go have breakfast first, and then daddy will take you to kindergarten."

"Okay, Daddy, then I’ll go down first," Anan said obediently. Ever since learning about Shen Qinglan’s pregnancy, Anan seemed to have grown up all at once, learning to do many things by himself, even foregoing the bedtime stories he used to demand every night.

"Come back." Seeing Anan turning to leave, Fu Hengyi called him back and knelt down to tidy his son’s messy clothes; Anan had buttoned them wrong.

"Alright, let’s go eat, Daddy will be down soon."

"Okay." Anan nodded and tiptoed downstairs.

"Is Anan up?" Shen Qinglan had woken up, and seeing her bleary eyes, Fu Hengyi realized she was still not fully alert, "Yes, I’ll take him to school later, you keep sleeping, I’ll come back and accompany you to the hospital for the checkup."

"No need, I have an appointment with the doctor, it would not be good to be late. Wait for me a bit, after sending Anan to kindergarten, we’ll head to the hospital." Shen Qinglan shook her head, trying to clear the sleepiness from her mind.

If there was one change after getting pregnant, it was that she became sleepier, even more so than when she was pregnant with Anan.

**

"Doctor, what did you just say, my wife is carrying twins?" Fu Hengyi looked at the doctor in disbelief, his usually stoic face filled with shock.

Neither the Shen family nor the Fu family had a history of twins, so the probability of Shen Qinglan having twins was very low. Before this, Fu Hengyi never considered the possibility of her being pregnant with twins.

"Yes, congratulations, Mr. Fu, Mrs. Fu."

Shen Qinglan’s cool eyes filled with surprise, and upon hearing the doctor’s words, she smiled slightly, "Thank you, Doctor. But, are the babies healthy?"

"Very healthy, developing well, but the risks with twins are greater than with a single child, so Mrs. Fu you must definitely come for regular prenatal check-ups."

"Okay."

It took Fu Hengyi a while to recover from his shock, and just as he did, he heard the doctor mentioning the greater risks with twins. His expression darkened, and he asked in a deep voice, "Doctor, what should we be cautious about?"

"Mrs. Fu is already on her second pregnancy, there aren’t any specific concerns, but she must definitely keep up with nutrition, yet not overdo it to avoid difficulties during labor."

"Doctor, can we opt for a cesarean section?" Fu Hengyi was more nervous than Shen Qinglan. The previous childbirth had been difficult enough with one child; with two, wouldn’t the pain be doubled?

"Mr. Fu, that cannot be determined yet. We will have to wait until the later stages to decide. If the condition of the mother-to-be is still acceptable, we do recommend natural birth, as it helps both the babies and the mother’s recovery," the doctor, having seen many husbands as anxious as Fu Hengyi, tried to reassure him, "Mr. Fu, don’t worry too much. Mrs. Fu’s physical condition is excellent, and since this is her second time, generally there shouldn’t be problems."

Though the doctor said this, Fu Hengyi was not at all reassured. He meticulously asked about every detail of care, while Shen Qinglan started yawning. He was still earnestly "seeking advice" from the doctor.

Finally, Shen Qinglan could not stand it any longer and said to Fu Hengyi, "Fu Hengyi, I’m hungry."

Fu Hengyi’s words suddenly stopped, "Doctor, we’ll be leaving now."

"I’ve prescribed some folic acid for Mrs. Fu, remember to pick up the medication."

"Okay."

"If you have any problems, you can call me," the doctor said.

Shen Qinglan was the first to walk out of the ward; if she didn’t, Fu Hengyi might have continued to linger.

"Qinglan, slow down." Fu Hengyi watched her stride briskly, his brow nearly furrowed into a knot.

"Fu Hengyi, I’m only two months in, and you’re this nervous. How are you going to survive the remaining eight months?" She seriously doubted he might end up with antenatal depression if this continued.

"If you don’t want me to be nervous, then take good care of yourself," Fu Hengyi said, while carefully supporting her, "Especially with stairs, be very careful. Let’s go to the shopping mall next, and buy you a few pairs of non-slip shoes."

Shen Qinglan glanced at the hand supporting her arm, thought about it, but ultimately did not try to convince Fu Hengyi otherwise. The man probably still hadn’t recovered from the shock; it was better to let him be, lest he become even more nervous.

Leaving the hospital, Fu Hengyi indeed took Shen Qinglan to the shopping mall, filled both the trunk and the backseat of the car with purchases, and then reluctantly left the mall. Shen Qinglan looked back at the bags full of items in the car and looked at Fu Hengyi strangely. Besides some shoes and maternity clothes for her, most of the bags were filled with baby items, all double and all for girls.

Shen Qinglan really couldn’t bear to remind him, what if both babies turned out to be boys? That scenario was too horrific for Fu Hengyi to even consider. Suppressing that thought, Shen Qinglan mused, "Two children, they must both be girls, right? Even if not, one boy and one girl would be fine too."

"What, Qinglan is pregnant with twins?!" Old Sir Fu exclaimed upon hearing this news, immediately rising from the sofa in shock, gazing at Shen Qinglan’s belly, "Qinglan, Hengyi isn’t fooling me, right?"

Shen Qinglan chuckled in response, "Grandpa, it’s true. The doctor said I’m carrying twins."

"That’s wonderful, really wonderful." Tears of joy streamed down Old Sir Fu’s face. The Fu Family had always been small in number, and after the passing of Fu Hengyi’s parents, the household became even less lively. His greatest wish was a house full of children and grandchildren. He’d thought himself lucky to expect two great-grandchildren, never imagining Shen Qinglan would be carrying twins.

"Quick, Qinglan, sit down, you must be tired from standing. Hengyi, what are you waiting for? Help your wife to sit," Old Sir Fu said, dabbing the corners of his eyes, overcome with emotion.

"Grandpa, please don’t get too excited, the doctor told us you need to stay calm."

"I am happy, that’s all," Old Sir Fu chuckled and then called out to Aunt Zhao, "Xiao Zhao, bring the soup prepared for Qinglan quickly. She’s been out for quite a while, she must be hungry. Let her have soup to fill her up a bit."

"Grandpa, after leaving the hospital, Fu Hengyi already took me to eat," I said.

"Now, you’re in a different situation with twins. You need to eat more so you and the babies get enough nutrients. I’ll let Xiao Zhao prepare some snacks for you, just tell us whatever you want."

Unable to sit still from excitement, Old Sir Fu spoke, "You have your soup, I’ll go find your grandpa." He couldn’t wait to share the great news with his old friend.

Watching Old Sir Fu’s retreating figure, Shen Qinglan softly chuckled, "Hengyi, I haven’t seen grandpa this happy in a long time."

Fu Hengyi hummed in response, "Qinglan, thank you for taking care of everything these years." It was Shen Qinglan who had been fulfilling filial duties on his behalf, and these years, she brought more smiles to Grandpa’s face than he had seen in the past two decades.

"You are my husband, and we are one. Why are you thanking me, Hengyi? What did I tell you last time?"

"Honey, I was wrong," Fu Hengyi quickly admitted, with a smile.

Taking on the task of picking up Anan from school, Fu Hengyi noted that Anan’s classes were ending this week, and summer vacation would officially start. Shen Qinglan had been planning to enroll him in a summer camp, though she hadn’t mentioned it to Anan yet; she wanted to choose a few options first before showing them to him.

The moment Anan entered the house, he sprinted toward Shen Qinglan. Behind him, Fu Hengyi’s stern voice called out, "Fu Chenxuan."

Anan managed to stop abruptly in front of Shen Qinglan, never minding the stern Fu Hengyi behind him. His eyes sparkled as he stared at Shen Qinglan’s belly. "Mom, did Dad say you are carrying two babies?"

Shen Qinglan gently pinched her son’s tender white cheek, "Yes, are you happy?"

Anan first nodded, then furrowed his small brows, "I’m happy, but Mom, won’t it be very tough for you?"

Shen Qinglan was touched by her son’s thoughtfulness, "Mom won’t find it tough."

"Still, Mom, don’t worry. I will listen to you more and help take care of my little sister, so you won’t have a hard time."

"That’s good, my dear boy." Shen Qinglan could not help but hug Anan, who then gently pushed her away, "Mom, don’t hug me, I’m heavy, I might hurt my sister."

Shen Qinglan laughed, glancing at Fu Hengyi. Surely, these words weren’t his doing, right? Fu Hengyi shrugged innocently. He really hadn’t taught him those sweet words; he had no clue where the clever boy had learned them.

Anan sat down beside Shen Qinglan, and noticing the albums on the couch, he asked curiously, "Mom, what are these?"

Shen Qinglan remembered, "These are some summer camps Mom is considering for you. Your vacation is about to start, and I’d like to sign you up. Are you interested?"

She picked up the album, something she and Fu Hengyi had already discussed with the collection being gathered by him.

"Mom, what is a summer camp?" Anan had never participated in such activities and wasn’t very clear on them.

Shen Qinglan explained everything clearly to him, then asked, "Do you want to participate? If you want to, Mommy will sign you up; if not, we can stay home." She had chosen options for Anan that were educational or designed to improve children’s motor skills, not too far from home, and not too long—about a week to a half month.

"Mommy, I want to try," Anan was very curious about new experiences and wasn’t scared because the duration was short.

"Which one would you like?" Shen Qinglan handed him the album, letting him choose for himself. Since Anan’s reading was limited, Shen Qinglan softly explained the differences between each summer camp.

"Mommy, I want this one," Anan pointed to a picture titled "I Want to be a Little Standard Bearer," which showed children dressed in military uniforms. It reminded Anan of the soldier uncles he had seen in the Beijing Military Region.

Shen Qinglan glanced at the age requirements—four to eight years old—Anan just met the criteria.

When Fu Hengyi saw his son’s choice, a flash of satisfaction crossed his eyes. Although he had never expected Anan to follow in his footsteps, if his son wanted to be a soldier, Fu Hengyi would definitely support him.

Shen Qinglan didn’t expect him to choose this one; it was the first one she had ruled out. "This one takes half a month, you know. You won’t see Daddy or Mommy for fifteen days, and it will be very tough. Can you handle it?"

Anan nodded hard, "Mommy, I can do it."

"If you go there, you’ll have to do everything yourself, eat by yourself, dress yourself, and even eat things you don’t like without being picky. Can you do all that?" Shen Qinglan didn’t really want her son to choose this one—it was mainly because he was too young. If he had been a few years older, she wouldn’t have objected.

"Mommy, I want to go," Anan said without hesitation.

"Qinglan, let’s go with this one," Fu Hengyi made the decision.

Shen Qinglan thought about it and nodded, "Alright, but once you go, you can’t regret it. You have to stick it out until the last day, you understand?" She gave Anan one final chance to reconsider.

"Okay," Anan agreed immediately.

It was settled. Shen Qinglan planned to sign Anan up the next day.

"Mommy, can Guoguo and Jingjing come too?" Anan suddenly asked.

"Guoguo is too young, she can’t join. As for Jingjing, you have to ask her."

"Guoguo can’t join, that’s too bad," Anan said regretfully but quickly put it out of his mind. "Then I’ll ask Jingjing tomorrow. I’m sure she’d love to join me."

The next morning, Anan cheerfully went off to kindergarten. However, he returned somewhat downcast, like a frost-stricken eggplant. Shen Qinglan looked to Fu Hengyi, "What’s wrong with him?"

Fu Hengyi shook his head; he wasn’t sure, as Anan had been like this since he picked him up, barely speaking and not responding to questions.

When Anan entered the house, he called out "Mommy" and then laid himself down on the couch listlessly. Shen Qinglan sat next to him, "Anan, what’s wrong?"

"Mommy," Anan called out weakly.

"Did something unhappy happen? Tell Mommy about it."

"Mommy, Jingjing is transferring schools."

Shen Qinglan was slightly shocked. "Jingjing is transferring schools? Who told you that?"

"Jingjing herself said it. She said her Daddy has to work very far away, and she and her mommy will be going with him, so she has to leave here and doesn’t know when she might come back," Anan said sadly.

Today, he had excitedly gone to talk to Jingjing about the summer camp, then she had told him she was moving away. This revelation had saddened Anan for the whole day.

Shen Qinglan glanced at Fu Hengyi, who shook his head. He was not from the same unit as Jingjing’s father and wasn’t aware of his situation, nor could he intrusively inquire about another officer’s promotions. Shen Qinglan had to drop the subject.

"Anan, Jingjing is just leaving temporarily. She’ll come back later," Shen Qinglan said softly, trying to console her son.

"But Mommy, Jingjing said she’s not coming back." Anan’s tears swirled in his eyes. Jingjing was his first and best friend in kindergarten.

"She will, Beijing is Jingjing’s home after all, and she’ll surely come back one day. How about this, tomorrow Mommy will ask Jingjing’s mother, okay?"

Anan blinked, "Really, Mommy?"

"Really, Mommy will take you to school tomorrow and then ask Jingjing’s mother."

"Okay." Anan nodded.

That night, after putting Anan to bed, Shen Qinglan turned to Fu Hengyi, "Could you find out what’s going on with Jingjing’s father?" Officers from the Beijing Military Region rarely get transferred out, especially senior officers.

"It’s just a child, he will forget in a few days. You shouldn’t worry too much about it," Fu Hengyi remarked indifferently. Children are forgetful, obsessed now but once they get a new playmate, they’ll forget all about it in no time.

"Just check it out for me, and see what’s really happening," Shen Qinglan urged.

After his wife had asked him repeatedly, Fu Hengyi naturally wouldn’t refuse. He made a phone call but when he hung up, his expression turned grave, "Jingjing’s grandfather has been taken in for investigation—charged with dereliction of duty and bribery. The charges have been confirmed. Although there’s no evidence showing Jingjing’s father was involved, he has been implicated and sent to the Northwest Border."

Serving at the border is a tough job, such a posting clearly a demotion, especially for reasons like this. Shen Qinglan immediately realized the seriousness of the situation.

"Is there no chance to reverse this?"

Fu Hengyi shook his head, "These past years, the government has prioritized this case, having caught several major figures already. He’s only been sent to serve at the border, not discharged from his military service, which probably reflects his cleanliness. This outcome is actually the best possible under the circumstances."

"It’s just sad for Jingjing," Shen Qinglan reflected. Raised tenderly from a young age, and now so young to go to the border with her parents—It’s hard, and it’s uncertain whether she’ll adapt.

Having known Jingjing’s mother for so long, Shen Qinglan more or less understood her family circumstances. Jingjing’s father was an orphan who grew up in an orphanage and joined the military as an adult, getting assigned to Jingjing’s grandfather’s unit. Over time, he progressed from a mere soldier to someone close to Jingjing’s grandfather, often visiting leadership homes, where he met Jingjing’s mother. Eventually, they fell in love. Jingjing’s grandfather was not particular about social status, and seeing his daughter happy, he had only one condition for the marriage: Jingjing’s father had to take his wife’s family name.

Jingjing’s father loved her mother, and being an orphan with no roots, he agreed to the terms. Over the years, with his father-in-law’s support and his own efforts, his career had progressed smoothly. However, no one could have expected such an incident.

"Life is unpredictable," said Fu Hengyi, his tone calm, for he wasn’t very close to Jingjing’s family, and only knew from their son about Jingjing’s existence.

The next morning, Shen Qinglan personally took Anan to school and deliberately waited at the kindergarten gate until Jingjing’s mother arrived.

"Are you waiting for me?" asked Jingjing’s mother.

Shen Qinglan nodded, "Shall we walk?"

Jingjing’s mother’s eyes flickered slightly as she nodded as well.

Shen Qinglan gave her a side glance, seeing a significant change, "She looked much more worn out. I heard from Anan that Jingjing is transferring schools."

"You know already?" Jingjing’s mother’s eyes looked blank as she stared ahead.

"Are you referring to Jingjing changing schools or your family matters?" Shen Qinglan asked, her tone neither warm nor cold.

Jingjing’s mother chuckled bitterly, "I still can’t believe my father would do such things, but the evidence is right before me and he has admitted it himself—I have no choice but to believe it." She had a reasonably good relationship with Shen Qinglan, and these matters were no secret to her, so there was no need to hide anything.

"Qinglan, if you’re trying to comfort me, don’t. Actually, this outcome is already the best possible. At least we can still be together as a family," Jingjing’s mother interrupted Shen Qinglan as she was about to speak.

"How long will you be gone?" Shen Qinglan asked.

Jingjing’s mother shook her head, "I’m not sure. Maybe we can come back in a few years, or perhaps never in this lifetime." Of course, the quickest option would be for Jingjing’s father to retire—then they could stay in Beijing. But having been a soldier for half his life, he didn’t know what else he could do, and even if he were to transfer to civilian work at this critical juncture, it’s doubtful any decent position would be available for him. Rather than that, they might as well try their luck at the border.

"I don’t mind, but I feel sorry for Jingjing. I’m worried she won’t be able to adapt to life there." Jingjing’s mother said in distress. Her father had been incarcerated, and their relatives had scattered like monkeys when the tree falls, not kicking them while they were down was already something, let alone taking care of her daughter. Moreover, her husband was an orphan with no relatives, and most importantly, she couldn’t bear to be separated from her daughter.

"Children are more adaptable than adults, and Jingjing is a strong child. She’ll be alright," Shen Qinglan tried to comfort her, but her words seemed pale and powerless.

"Qinglan, thank you." There weren’t many who were willing to be close to their family at this time.

"When are you planning to leave?"

"Let’s wait until Jingjing’s school term ends. Her dad has already gone ahead to arrange a new school for Jingjing and sort out living accommodations for the family," said Jingjing’s mother.

"Qinglan, I heard you’re going to be a mother again soon. Let me congratulate you here."

"Thank you. If you ever encounter any difficulties, remember to call me," Shen Qinglan said earnestly.

Jingjing’s mother smiled slightly, "Okay, thank you." After this ordeal, she had a clearer view of many people around her and felt very touched by Shen Qinglan’s kindness at this time.

"It’s getting late, you should head back. I need to go home and continue packing."

"Alright, call me when you get there."

Jingjing’s mother nodded.

Shen Qinglan watched the woman’s frail yet strong figure, her eyes deepening, and turned to head home.

**

"Mummy, is Jingjing really going away?" Anan asked Shen Qinglan after school.

Shen Qinglan nodded, "Yes, Jingjing’s daddy has to work far away, and Jingjing’s whole family is moving there. They won’t be coming back for a while."

"Why can’t her daddy work here?" Anan didn’t understand.

Shen Qinglan couldn’t discuss political matters with a four-year-old, so she simply said, "Her daddy is a soldier, and a soldier’s duty is to protect and serve the country. They go wherever they are needed, just like Daddy, who sometimes also has to work very far away and can’t come home often."

"But Mummy, I like Jingjing, and I don’t want to be separated from her," Anan’s little face looked sad.

"Anan, in life, we always have to face separations, and it’s not that Jingjing won’t come back. When you both grow up, she will come back and you two can play together again."

"How old do we have to be?"

"As old as Mummy."

"That’s a really long time," Anan looked disheartened.

Shen Qinglan smiled slightly, "It won’t be that long. Jingjing is leaving in a few days. Do you want to go see her off?"

"Mummy, can I?"

"Of course."

"Can I also give Jingjing a gift?"

"Of course, you can give her anything you want."

Upon hearing this, Anan perked up, "Then I need to think about what to give Jingjing." Saying this, she trotted upstairs, her spirits lifted quickly. Shen Qinglan chuckled, noting how quickly the child’s mood had changed.

Several days later, Beijing Railway Station.

Anan looked at Jingjing and handed her a delicately made box, "Jingjing, this is a gift for you."

Jingjing accepted the box, which was just small enough to hold in her arms, "Thank you, Anan, I will miss you." Her voice was somewhat choked up.

"I will miss you too, Jingjing, will you come back to see me when you’re grown up?"

Jingjing nodded solemnly, her little face serious, "I will, I promise I’ll come back to see you. Anan, don’t forget about me."

"I definitely won’t forget," Anan said earnestly.

Shen Qinglan and Jingjing’s mother watched this scene unfold, Jingjing’s mother feeling a slight sourness in her heart, "Thank you for coming to see us off."

"Once you’re settled down there, remember to give me a call and keep in touch."

"Okay."

The two looked at each other, wordless.

It was about time to leave, and Jingjing’s mother spoke first, "Then I’ll be going now."

"Take care."

"Jingjing, it’s time for us to go." Jingjing’s mother stepped forward, taking Jingjing’s hand. Jingjing reluctantly looked at Anan, "Anan, you must not forget me."

"Woo woo woo, Jingjing, I will definitely miss you, you have to call me," Anan cried.

"Okay." Jingjing’s little face was also full of tears.

Jingjing’s mother, holding her daughter’s hand, entered the train station without looking back.

"Mummy, can I not go?" On the train, Jingjing held the box Anan had given her, her eyes pleadingly fixed on her mother.

Jingjing’s mother stroked her daughter’s head, "Jingjing, Daddy is still waiting for us over there. If we don’t go, we won’t get to see Daddy."

Jingjing didn’t want to leave Daddy, nor did she want to leave Anan, and she hung her head, tears falling heavily.

"Don’t cry, Jingjing, Mummy promises to bring you back to see Anan, okay?"

"Really?" Jingjing looked at her mother with tear-filled eyes.

Jingjing’s mother nodded, "It’s true, Mummy keeps her word. Don’t cry anymore, don’t you want to see what Anan has given you?"

Indeed, her attention diverted, Jingjing opened the box she had been holding onto, which contained a hair clip—a blue crystal butterfly, very beautiful. "Wow, what a beautiful butterfly," Jingjing exclaimed in delight.

Jingjing’s mother smiled gently, "Do you like it?"

Jingjing nodded her little head, "I like it, Anan didn’t lie to me, he really did give me a hair clip."

Hearing this, Jingjing’s mother was a bit puzzled and asked her daughter what she meant, and it turned out that Anan had accidentally broken one of Jingjing’s hair clips when they were at school, and he had promised to give her a more beautiful one later.

"Mummy, help me put it on," Jingjing took out the crystal butterfly hair clip.

Jingjing’s mother smiled faintly and fastened it for her daughter.

Jingjing spun around, looking expectantly at her mother, "Mummy, does it look nice?"

Jingjing’s mother nodded, "Yes, it looks very nice."

"I should have also prepared a gift for Anan," Jingjing suddenly said.

"It’s alright, you can give him a gift the next time you see each other."

"Mmm, Mummy is right, when I grow up, I will definitely come back to see Anan and then give him a gift."

Jingjing’s mother stroked her daughter’s head and said nothing, gazing out at the scenery rushing past the window, her eyes full of wistfulness.

**

"Mummy, do you think Jingjing will like the gift I sent?" Anan, lying on Shen Qinglan’s lap, appeared listless.

"She will like it." Shen Qinglan spoke softly.

That day, Anan had searched the toy room upstairs for a long time and couldn’t find a satisfying gift, so Shen Qinglan took him to the mall where he immediately picked out the crystal butterfly hair clip, having once promised Jingjing to give her one.

"Mummy, I miss Jingjing." He had just parted with her and already began to miss her.

Shen Qinglan rubbed her son’s little head, remaining silent. Anan continued, "Mummy, where do you think Jingjing and her family are now?"

Shen Qinglan really didn’t know, "They should have already left Beijing."

Anan looked sad, "Mummy, why do people have to part? Uncle Allen is like this, Jingjing too. Why don’t they live in Beijing?" Anan couldn’t understand why everyone he liked had to leave.

"Anan, they haven’t left you; they’re just living in other places. Uncle Allen often sends you gifts, doesn’t he? And you call him too."

"But it’s not the same, I can’t see them." Anan was stubborn.

Shen Qinglan was somewhat at a loss, unsure how to explain the concept of parting to a four-year-old. After a moment’s thought, she said, "Anan, Jingjing will come back eventually, trust Mummy."

Anan still couldn’t cheer up; his best friend leaving had deeply saddened him, and he was yet to recover from the emotion.

However, soon, Anan was too preoccupied to dwell on sadness, as the summer camp Shen Qinglan had signed him up for was about to start.

Shen Qinglan packed his things, and Anan, pulling his little suitcase, waved to Shen Qinglan, "Mummy, I’m going, don’t miss me."

Shen Qinglan watched his excited demeanor and burst out laughing, "Listen to your teacher there, and don’t cry."

"Mummy, I’m a little man; I won’t cry," Anan frowned, slightly upset at his mother’s distrust.

Shen Qinglan pinched his nose, "Okay, my little man, if there’s anything, have the teacher call Mummy."

"Mmm, Mummy, I’m going," Anan was eager, and Shen Qinglan watched with amusement as she put him on the school bus that had come to fetch him.

"Teacher, Anan is the youngest child in the summer camp, please take extra care of him," Shen Qinglan requested as Anan was the youngest child in the entire camp.

"Mrs. Fu, don’t worry," the teacher assured with a smile.

Anan waved at Shen Qinglan from inside the bus, Shen Qinglan waved back, watching the school bus drive away, suddenly feeling like a mother sending her son off to the military, she smiled wryly before turning to walk home.