CHAPTER 246: CHAPTER 205: THIS IS MY FAMILY MO CHEN’S_3

"Didn’t Mohao and his wife just return from their honeymoon in Europe? They brought gifts for everyone, so I thought I’d bring them over to you!"

As Zeng Qiuping spoke, she secretly observed John. How could this child’s facial features so strongly resemble the men of the Leng Family, with their thick eyebrows and broad foreheads?

Mrs. Leng thought for a moment. When they returned, Nanny Wang seemed to have mentioned this in passing, but she had been so preoccupied with John that she hadn’t paid much attention.

Liu Jiaqi handed the shopping bag full of gifts to Mrs. Leng.

Smiling, Mrs. Leng accepted it. "Qiankai has gone to the study after dinner! Mohao and Jiaqi are so thoughtful!" After the words left her lips, she placed the bag to the side. Beside her, John sat quietly, listening to the adult conversation.

"Your Xiao Ning’s birthday is the day after tomorrow. Mohao and Jiaqi also picked out a birthday gift for her. What does the child think this year? Are you still having a birthday party?" Zeng Qiuping brought it up casually. In previous years, Leng Ning’s birthday always called for a party, but this year, there hadn’t been any mention of it.

Mrs. Leng felt a pang in her heart when she heard this. How could an outsider seem to care more about her child than she did? No wonder Xiao Ning had just been so agitated and angry—it wasn’t surprising at all. Truly, she hadn’t been a good enough mother!

While these thoughts swirled in her heart, her face remained calm. After all, her daughter was still hers no matter what. As long as she eventually had an open conversation with Xiao Ning and made amends, Xiao Ning would surely forgive her. She chose to ignore the fact that Leng Ning’s anger stemmed from her bringing John into the house.

At that moment, Nanny Wang came in with three cups of tea. Smiling, Mrs. Leng accepted one. "Sister-in-law, Jiaqi, have some tea! Of course, Xiao Ning’s birthday party will still happen. When the time comes, you must come! Bring along Mohao and Xiao Mo!"

Liu Jiaqi smiled and thanked her, taking an elegant sip of tea.

"Of course. But as for Mohao and Xiao Mo, I’ll have to check with them. You know how busy both of them are with work these days!" Zeng Qiuping, when it came to her two children, couldn’t have been prouder. In her eyes, they far surpassed the siblings Leng Mochen and Leng Ning.

Mrs. Leng, of course, could hear the undertones of her words. In the past, she would have felt bitter over it. After all, the Leng Family business had originally been managed by Mochen, and Leng Mohao had only taken advantage of her son’s illness to gain the upper hand;

But now, Mo Si had been doing well enough that the gap in her feelings had closed a bit. So, she merely smiled faintly without commenting.

When Zeng Qiuping noticed that she hadn’t introduced the child’s identity, she cut straight to the point. "Whose child is this? Is he from your family? Which relative’s is he? He certainly has the demeanor of a young gentleman, with a sharp and clever air about him!"

Mrs. Leng’s smile stiffened slightly. "This is our Mochen’s."

Zeng Qiuping was holding a teacup at that moment. Luckily, she hadn’t taken a sip, or she might have spit it out in shock at this revelation.

Liu Jiaqi, too, looked at the boy with wide-eyed astonishment. Truth be told, the child’s features did bear a resemblance to Leng Mochen. What on earth was going on here?

Mrs. Leng gently patted John’s back. "John, greet everyone! Say hello to your Great-Aunt and Aunt!"

John stood up politely and greeted the pair, saying, "Hello, Great-Aunt! Hello, Aunt!"

Zeng Qiuping’s expression grew a bit awkward as she responded, her thoughts racing. Mrs. Leng’s actions clearly confirmed that this matter was undeniably true!

She had initially imagined that her son, having gotten married earlier than Leng Mochen, would naturally have children sooner, which would put them ahead. No matter the gender, the first child would undoubtedly win Mr. Leng Sr.’s favor.

Yet now, such an older boy had suddenly appeared as if out of nowhere. How could anyone bear it?

That said, as she looked at John, she found that despite herself, she couldn’t summon any feelings of dislike. On the contrary, the more she looked at him, the more she liked him.

Liu Jiaqi also responded, though her feelings leaned more towards pity for Li Si. After her marriage, she had heard from her mother that Li Si had actually been classmates with Liu Xiaole.

It seemed the adage was correct—birds of a feather flock together. People without money naturally gravitate toward others in the same situation.

From the very start, she had felt that Li Si wasn’t worthy of marrying into the Leng Family. No matter what, she would always have the upper hand over her.

Yet now, as a woman, Liu Jiaqi found herself feeling a bit sorry for her. Without a good family background, without parents, enduring grievances in silence—she hadn’t even married into the family yet and was already a stepmother.

If Li Si had come from a prominent family and had strong maternal support, would Mrs. Leng have acted so blatantly? If it were her in Li Si’s position, her mother would have been the first one to show up and defend her.

After chatting with the mother-daughter pair for a while longer, Mrs. Leng understood the purpose of their visit.

In addition to discussing plans for Mr. Leng Sr.’s upcoming eightieth birthday celebration, Liu Jiaqi politely mentioned a request—it wasn’t anything major. Liu Yisi wanted one of his paintings to display as a treasured piece in his office.

Mrs. Leng thought to herself, "Of course, they wouldn’t come without a reason."

She called for Nanny Wang to bring Leng Qiankai downstairs while she took the yawning John upstairs with her.

Mr. Leng was in good spirits upon seeing his eldest grandson, so he nodded and agreed, saying they would inform them once the painting was ready.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Leng Qiankai, Zeng Qiuping left with Liu Jiaqi.

On the way home, Zeng Qiuping kept envisioning John’s face, thinking that it would be wonderful if her own son could also present her with such a grandson.

When they arrived home, Leng Mohao had just returned as well. Liu Jiaqi went upstairs first while Leng Mohao stayed in the living room to chat with Zeng Qiuping, who vented her displeasure about Leng Mochen having a child before her family did.

He comforted her gently, promising to make her a grandmother as soon as possible. Only then did she leave him to head upstairs, satisfied with his assurance.

Liu Jiaqi and Leng Mohao lived with his parents after their marriage. Though both owned property elsewhere, Mohao had suggested living with his parents for a few years to keep them company before moving out once they had children.

At the time, Liu Jiaqi found it commendable how filial and thoughtful he was. However, when she mentioned it to her mother, her mother strongly opposed it, citing the countless downsides of living with in-laws.

Though Liu Jiaqi inwardly acknowledged the potential for conflicts in long-term cohabitation with in-laws, she ultimately went along with his wishes.

While Liu’s mother wasn’t happy about it, she had no choice but to accept it since her daughter had made up her mind.

In the wardrobe room, Mohao found Liu Jiaqi, who appeared hesitant about speaking. In a soft voice, he asked, "Honey, what’s wrong?" He already knew everything, of course.

Ever since their wedding, Liu Jiaqi had been doted on by Mohao, surrounded by his gentle affection, making every day feel blissful and sweet.

Hearing his question, she began recounting everything that had happened at the Leng household.

Mohao lowered his gaze with a faint smile, masking his true feelings as he wrapped his arms around her from behind while she searched for her change of clothes. "Honey, why concern yourself with them? Just focus on me."

Blushing, Liu Jiaqi hugged his sturdy arms. "I just feel a little sorry for Li Si. That child is already so grown—he can’t possibly form a bond easily!"

The smile lingered on Mohao’s lips, but his eyes betrayed a colder sentiment. "Who knows? Let’s take a shower together, shall we?"

Shyly, Liu Jiaqi nodded lightly. She loved him, and so she was willing to yield to him in everything, gradually transforming herself into the type of woman he admired.

Gazing out the window, Mohao’s eyes gleamed with determination. Leng Mochen, this game has only just begun... (To be continued. If you like this story, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)