“People usually ditch their friends for their other halves, yet you’re the other way round. You value your friend over your husband,” Long Tianze groused in distaste.
“You may be upset and annoyed, but you have to accept it. I’m going to sleep together with my bosom sister tonight,” Mei Yangyang said, chuckling.
“I’ll go with you to pick them up.”
“Sure. It’s time you found out anyway. Bring our children along too. I’ve promised to make her the godmother of our children, like how I’m the godmother of her son.”
“You took things into your own hand and made decisions without discussing with me again,” chided an infuriated Long Tianze.
“Yeah, I did. I didn’t see a need to discuss such matters with you. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re hiding from me. Now that I think of it, I’ve gained the upper hand since you don’t know about my secret even though I already know yours.”
Long Tianze was confused by her words.
“Stop staring into space. Quick, get dressed and let’s go pick our godson up at the airport.”
Long Tianze stood up immediately and said, “Of course, I’m going to have a look at who this woman is. I’m going to see just why she has the power to make you decide on things without discussing with me beforehand.”
Mei Yangyang looked at him with a smirk hanging from her lips. Tears began to well up in her eyes at the thought of An Xiaoning finally returning from abroad after five years.
Ever since the time they came back a few years ago, An Xiaoning had never once returned.
During her time abroad, An Xiaoning had not been doing much apart from assisting in solving cases through online communication platforms. She would spend all her free time focusing on educating and taking care of her son.
She had managed to educate her son very well, thus resulting in him being much more brilliant and outstanding compared to other children his age.
Mei Yangyang would often take pity on her godson, however. Other children his age were enjoying their childhood and spending their time playing and fooling about. Yet, he was over-achieving in his academics and in taekwondo, as well as in other aspects, all thanks to An Xiaoning’s strict training and supervision.
Mei Yangyang heard from An Xiaoning that the latter would be returning for good this time.
Mei Yangyang had already made the necessary arrangements with the kindergarten that Long Xiaoxi was enrolled in.
Although her son’s academic standards were eligible to get him advanced to elementary school, An Xiaoning nonetheless allowed him to continue attending kindergarten like other children his age.
Mei Yangyang snapped out of her trance and began to get herself ready to go the airport.
She now had long, curly locks, though her babyface and doll-like features made her appear just as youthful as she was a few years ago.
The family of four got into the car and began driving away.
They happened to bump into Jin Qingyan, who was also driving his car out.
Long Tianze wound down the window and asked, “Where are you going?”
“Nowhere special, we’re just going to soak in a hot spring.”
“Are you kidding me? Don’t you already have a hot spring at home? Why do you have to go elsewhere?” Long Tianze asked in bewilderment.
“Xiaoning wants to go. Where are you guys headed?”
“The airport to pick someone up.”
“Alright, we’ll make a move then,” Jin Qingyan bade them goodbye before driving away.
Long Tianze followed suit and said to Mei Yangyang, “He really agrees to every request your sister makes, eh? Remember when Qingyan brought her to a closed restaurant in the middle of the night and demanded that they open up for them, because that big shot said she was craving some hotpot last winter?”
Mei Yangyang remained silent and kept her eyes fixed on the road ahead.
“Why aren’t you talking?”
“I don’t feel like commenting on Jin Qingyan’s actions.”
“You think it’s outrageous and unbelievable too, don’t you? He’s completely spoiled her rotten, so much that he’s almost treating her like his daughter at this point. But, you’re really peculiar, you know?” said Long Tianze.
“In what way am I peculiar?”
“There are too many to list. You used to be so chummy and close to Sis Xiaoning in the past. Why have you become so cold to her ever since she suffered amnesia?”
Mei Yangyang turned to face him and asked rhetorically, “Are you sure she and An Xiaoning are the same person?”
Long Tianze shuddered in shock. “You… don’t think they’re the same person?”
Not wishing to beat around the bush any longer, Mei Yangyang said, “Tianze, how much longer do you plan to hide this from me for? I know Qingyan made you keep this secret for him. You two must really be great buddies.”
“What are you talking about?” asked Long Tianze.
“Are you still planning to continue feigning ignorance? Jin Qingyan has created a clone to accompany him. You think I didn’t know about this all along?” Mei Yangyang said bluntly.
“When… when did you find out about this?”
“I actually already found out about it before I even met that Gu Xiaoning. That’s why I said I knew what you were hiding from me. You still have the cheek to say that she’s my sister. Is she really? She’s no more than just a substitute for Sis,” Mei Yangyang scoffed.
“I really thought you didn’t know. Although Qingyan has been spending the past few years with Gu Xiaoning by his side, he never really got the relief he wanted, unlike what we all imagined. He still can’t get over your Sis, which is precisely why he found this substitute. He merely wanted to ease his sorrow and fill the void,” Long Tianze explained with a sigh.
“I know that, of course. That’s why I’ve been refraining from exposing this matter until now,” said Mei Yangyang, who did not have much of an opinion about the matter.
“Then why did you choose to come clean with me now?”
“Good question.” She leaned back against her seat and burst into giggles all of a sudden before saying, “But I don’t wish to answer you just yet.”
“Don’t be like that. Tell me why, quick.”
Mei Yangyang ignored him and instead turned around to look at her children, who were seated in the backseat. “You guys will be meeting your Godmother later. Don’t forget what I taught you earlier. Greet her properly and politely later.”
“Got it, Mommy,” Long Wenlun answered.
“Mommy, what does Godma look like? I’ve never seen any photos of her before,” Long Xiaoxi asked.
“She’s very beautiful. Your godbrother will be coming along too, remember to greet him as well. He’s about your age. You all hear me?”
The two children were clearly not as excited as she was, though they answered, nonetheless, “Got it.”
Unable to contain her excitement and joy, Mei Yangyang blasted the music in the car and began dancing along merrily. Noticing how elated she was, Long Tianze decided not to be a wet blanket and focused on driving towards the airport.
Upon arriving at the airport, the family of four alighted from the car and made their way towards the entrance of the arrival hall, hand in hand.
Mei Yangyang took a look at the time and said, “It’s almost time. They should be out soon.”
“Look how eager you are,” Long Tianze remarked calmly, keeping his hands behind his back.
“Of course I’m eager. I only get to see them once a year when I visit them abroad. I miss them so much.”
Long Tianze was extremely curious about this pair of mother and son and had a burning desire to know what they looked like.
Ten minutes later, a bunch of people began walking out of the exit. Mei Yangyang’s heart began to race quickly.
Filled with nervousness and excitement, she stood on tiptoes to have a clearer look.
Holding her hands together tightly, she stared intently at the front.
Finally, a figure and its smaller counterpart, both dressed in black, began approaching them.
Long Tianze was the first to notice them. After squinting to have a clearer view, he turned to face his wife in utter shock and disbelief. “Don’t tell me, the childhood friend you were referring to is…?” he asked in astonishment.
