CHAPTER 435: CHAPTER 352: MYSTERIOUS BACKGROUND

After Li Si and her baby moved into the center, in addition to the two nurses who took turns providing meticulous day-and-night care for her and the baby, there were also occasional visits from nutritionists, head nurses, managers, and pediatric experts to offer guidance and share caregiving tips.

The center’s philosophy of traditional Chinese medicinal health management was excellent, particularly during the special stages of pregnancy and the postpartum period. Because everyone’s constitution is different, the aspects they need to focus on and the kind of recuperation they require are also different.

Another unique feature was their use of traditional Taiwanese postpartum ingredients such as sesame oil and rice wine to help new mothers recover their uterine health and heal any wounds.

On the fifth day of the New Year, Liu Xiaole deliberately came to visit Li Si. This was the first time she had witnessed someone staying at such a meticulous postpartum care center—truly an eye-opening experience!

The two had not seen each other in a while and had plenty to catch up on.

Looking at the adorable Buding stretching out his arms and kicking his legs in the crib, Liu Xiaole was full of joy. "Sisi! This little guy is so cute!"

She instantly fell in love with Li Si’s chubby, fair-skinned baby who had a toothless little mouth that seemed to be smiling all the time—every glance at him made her like him even more.

Li Si teased her with a laugh, "That’s because you didn’t see him right after he was born! All wrinkled like a little old man. If you think he’s adorable, why don’t you graduate, marry that someone you’re always talking about, and have one of your own?"

"Ugh, annoying! Why are you like this?" Liu Xiaole’s face turned red at Li Si’s teasing. She and An Zhengran were far from ready for marriage and children.

"Fine! I won’t say another word, alright?" Li Si noticed a fleeting trace of sadness in Liu Xiaole’s eyes, suspecting her relationship with the Ice-Cold Prince was not going smoothly.

Looking at Li Si, who showed no signs of fatigue even after giving birth, Liu Xiaole said, "Sisi! You seem so happy. Did you know? The day you gave birth happened to be the company’s annual gala. Mr. Leng didn’t show up, which left everyone guessing. It was only later that we all learned you had given birth!

Some newspapers even reported on it, saying that Mr. Leng had chosen love over business empire!"

"What nonsense! He’s not even the emperor!" Li Si burst out laughing at the idea.

"To us employees, he might as well be!" Liu Xiaole teased her. "That makes you the Empress!"

Li Si tried not to laugh too hard to avoid straining her surgical stitches but couldn’t help smiling broadly as she quipped, "So I guess I’ve just given birth to the Crown Prince, huh?" The two laughed until they couldn’t breathe.

Liu Xiaole concealed the worry in her eyes, pretending to be cheerful as she chatted with Li Si for a while before leaving.

When Leng Mochen returned later, Li Si couldn’t help but share the amusing conversation with him. As soon as he walked in, he took off his coat and washed his hands. When she started talking, his hand paused for a moment.

He wiped his hands calmly and said, "Let them write whatever they want. As long as it doesn’t harm you or the baby, it’s fine."

One newspaper had even published an extensive piece titled, "Cinderella Marries into a Wealthy Family: Can the New Mother Secure Her Position?"

Although it didn’t name names, anyone with basic reasoning could figure out it was about Li Si!

The article fabricated numerous false claims, even alleging that Li Si was a scheming woman who married the wealthy diamond bachelor solely because of the baby.

It also speculated about her mysterious background, claiming her father had passed away and her mother was unknown!

But some details were indeed true, leading him to suspect that someone close to them had leaked the information.

Fortunately, the newspaper didn’t have much influence. Although he managed to handle the situation promptly, it was inevitable that malicious people would take note!

At that moment, Buding let out a few cries—it turned out he had wet himself. Sister Ding and the nurse immediately came over to change his diaper. Li Si’s attention was focused entirely on Buding, so she didn’t notice anything unusual about Leng Mochen.

After a while, seeing Leng Mochen sitting next to her with a dark expression, she asked curiously, "What’s wrong? Wasn’t there something you had to deal with when you went out? What was it?"

Before he left, Li Si had wanted to ask why he needed to step out during the New Year holiday when the company wasn’t even operating. But then she thought, even in a loving relationship, couples needed to give each other some space.

"It’s taken care of! I’m just tired. Lie down with me for a bit," Leng Mochen said, pulling her into the master bedroom.

Li Si glanced back at the baby. With Sister Ding and the others taking care of him, she felt reassured and followed him in.

What concerned her more was Leng Mochen’s unusual demeanor.

"Honey, what’s the matter?" She rarely saw him like this.

Leng Mochen knew he wouldn’t be able to keep the truth from her for long, so he decided to reveal part of it. Better to hear it from him than from someone else.

"Tian Yaruo wanted to see you earlier but was stopped by my people."

Tian Yaruo! That name—it had been such a long time since it last came up!

"What did she say?" Li Si didn’t even need to guess; it couldn’t have been anything good. Otherwise, he wouldn’t look like this.

"She just got back from abroad for some relaxation. She brought a lot of gifts for the baby, all of which I stopped. Tian Yaru has been threatening her—saying if she doesn’t give her money, she’ll reveal your origins in the press. She came primarily to see the baby, but also to warn about this," Leng Mochen said, his lowered gaze barely concealing the fire in his eyes as he spoke in a measured tone.

"Let her say whatever she wants. I don’t care!" Li Si frowned in disgust. She loathed Tian Yaru from the bottom of her heart.

Leng Mochen reassured her with a pat on the shoulder. "I blocked her from seeing you. Are you upset?"

Li Si tilted her head to look into his deep, dark eyes. "Do you think I’d be angry?"

He shook his head. "Not really. I was just worried you might feel like seeing her."

Li Si stared blankly at her pale fingers, seemingly lost in thought. "Maybe it’s postpartum emotions making me overly sentimental. I sometimes think if someone tried to take Buding or you away from me, I’d fight with everything I have.

Perhaps she did love me and Dad once, but when those things happened, she chose her own family over us without hesitation.

So, whether we meet or not—what’s the point?"

Leng Mochen tenderly stroked her back. He hadn’t intended to say anything, but if keeping it from her caused misunderstandings and upset her, what then?

"It’s okay. It’s all in the past. Honey, don’t worry, I’ll handle everything. You’re still recovering, so don’t stress over anything!"

"Alright, I’ll listen to you!" Li Si closed her eyes, clearing her mind of thoughts.

Right now, for her, the most important things were Leng Mochen and Buding.

Other people—they were just that, other people.

Tian Yaruo returned to the Tian Family feeling dejected. Before she went, she had mentally prepared herself, knowing that Tiantian might not greet her warmly.

But she thought seeing the child even once would be enough. Unfortunately, that Leng man had stationed guards outside. She couldn’t even get in.

Left with no choice, she directed her words at him instead.

After the divorce, she had left the country, intending to leave everything behind and finally live for herself.

If she hadn’t been thinking about Li Si giving birth and the New Year, she might still be lingering in some small town abroad.

Upon returning to the Tian Family, seeing Weiwei—a child she had doted on since childhood—her heart couldn’t help but soften despite remaining misgivings.

After all, it was a child she had dearly loved. Even now, with scars still evident on Weiwei’s face from being beaten, she couldn’t bring herself to hold a grudge.

However, while she wanted peace, others had different plans.

Tian Yaru seized an opportunity to speak to her privately, getting straight to the point with her threats.

If she didn’t give her money, she would go to the newspaper that had written about Li Si and expose the nature of her relationship with Li Si.

How could such news break at a time like this?

With Leng Group and Mo Si’s chairperson’s wife now publicly tied to rumors of being an illegitimate child—and having just given birth to a son—such a story would make life unbearable under the media’s scrutiny.

She gave the money, but she doubted it would ever be enough to satisfy Tian Yaru’s greed.

That was why she tried to discreetly warn Li Si, hoping she wouldn’t be caught off guard.

But she hadn’t expected to be completely barred from seeing her. Then again, if that Leng man was aware, Li Si would know as well!

As for how to resolve this, it was no longer her concern.

(To Be Continued. If you enjoyed this work, please head over to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for it with recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)