Volume 1, Chapter 135: Everything He Lost, He Could Seize Back!

“Wanwan…”

Outside the door, Lu Jinnian’s expression was gentle.

He was still holding a bouquet of flowers.

With both hands full, Lu Jinnian stood just outside, showing no intention of coming inside.

“Pastries from Furong Garden…”

He extended a takeout bag inside. “These are all your and our son’s favorites!”

Sang Wan didn’t reach out.

Lu Jinnian didn’t insist either; he placed the bag by her feet and handed the flowers to Lu Xiaomu. “Son, help Mom put these on the table.”

Lu Xiaomu took the flowers and turned to place them on the dining table.

Returning, his face full of reluctance, he said, “Dad, I don’t want to go home yet.”

“Dad didn’t come to take you home.”

Lu Jinnian ruffled Lu Xiaomu’s hair. “Dad came to bring breakfast for you and Mom. You have fun with Mom, call Dad later, and I’ll come pick you up. No mischief, got it?”

Lu Xiaomu nodded eagerly, his eyes curved in a smile. “Okay!”

“Wanwan, I’ll go now!”

Without further ado, Lu Jinnian turned and left.

Ding!

The elevator doors closed.

The hallway grew quiet.

Sang Wan looked down at the pile of takeout bags by her feet.

Then she glanced at Lu Xiaomu, who was blinking up at her.

She couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

“Let’s go—wash up, brush teeth, have breakfast…”

Just like the weekends before, mother and son held hands, laughing and chatting as they finished their morning routine and sat at the table.

The steamed dumplings were fresh and juicy.

The osmanthus cake sweet and soft.

And that bowl of old-style wontons…

One sip of the broth revealed it was from the Wonton Shop in Old Town Alley.

But Lu Jinnian never mentioned it, pretending it was all from Furong Garden.

The breakfast was abundant and delicious.

Yet Sang Wan ate uneasily.

She feared her phone would ring with Lou Ye asking if she was awake.

More than that, she dreaded Lou Ye barging in.

Then packing up the entire breakfast and Lu Xiaomu, throwing them out.

Fortunately, the phone didn’t ring; neither did the doorbell.

They spent the morning painting.

The afternoon playing chess.

Lou Ye didn’t show up all day.

When the doorbell rang again at dusk, Sang Wan’s heart returned to that uneasy moment from the morning.

She opened the door, and outside was still Lu Jinnian.

“Wanwan, can we have dinner together? I’ve made a reservation!” Lu Jinnian invited.

Sang Wan shook her head.

Lu Jinnian didn’t push, instead turning to Lu Xiaomu. “Son, it’s time to go home. Say goodbye to Mom!”

“Oh.”

His little lips pouted like a tiny oil bottle.

But Lu Xiaomu didn’t cry or fuss; he obediently went back to his room to roll his suitcase out.

Before leaving, he hugged Sang Wan. “Mom, can I spend next weekend with you too?”

“Of course.”

Sang Wan nodded, watching Lu Jinnian take Lu Xiaomu’s hand as they left.

“Lu Jinnian…”

Sang Wan’s voice called from behind.

Lu Jinnian stopped and turned, surprise and hope shining in his eyes.

He almost thought she had changed her mind.

But then Sang Wan said in a low voice, “I’ll take you off my WeChat blacklist. Please let me know before you come over next time.”

In other words, she wouldn’t accept someone showing up unannounced like today.

No matter if it was to deliver breakfast or pick up their son, even under Lu Xiaomu’s pretense.

The hopeful light in Lu Jinnian’s eyes dimmed instantly, and he answered, “Okay!”

A cynical voice sneered: See? She’s telling you she’s already started a new life! She doesn’t want you to interfere! Don’t humiliate yourself!

But another voice remained calm: Still, she took me off the blacklist! Our relationship has eased a great deal.

Before him lay the darkening sky.

In his hand, his son’s soft little hand.

Lu Jinnian’s gaze deepened: After all, once owned! If he wanted, he could take back everything lost!

“Did you have fun this weekend?”

The Mercedes pulled out of Wanxin Apartments. Lu Jinnian looked in the rearview mirror at Lu Xiaomu in the backseat.

Lu Xiaomu nodded. “Very much. Mom even took me to the amusement park!”

“Just you and Mom?”

Lu Jinnian asked.

Lu Xiaomu blinked.

Mom said: Baby, no lying! Children who lie turn into Pinocchios with long noses!

But in his mind, all he could see was yesterday at the amusement park—when Mom went to the restroom, Uncle Ye sternly warned him.

“Until I catch your Mom, you can’t tell your Dad!

Otherwise, I’ll hide your Mom and you’ll never see her again!

And you can’t touch 2S either!”

On one side was Dad and Mom, coldly saying, “I don’t want to see you.”

On the other was Uncle Ye and Mom, whose angry eyes still held a smile.

And then there was 2S.

Lu Xiaomu nodded and whispered, “Yes.”

After saying this, he quickly covered his nose.

Lu Jinnian breathed a sigh of relief.

Lu Xiaomu, seeing his nose hadn’t grown, also relaxed.

The Mercedes stopped in front of the Lu family villa.

As soon as Lu Xiaomu entered, he sensed something was off.

The air no longer carried the chaotic mingling of multiple perfumes and air fresheners.

Sniffing, there was only a faint scent of milk.

The same scent as on Mom.

On the island counter sat a vase filled with a large bouquet—the exact same flowers Dad had sent Mom this morning.

No boxes of deliveries cluttered the floor.

Even the shoe cabinet was empty of various high heels.

Only his and Dad’s shoes remained.

Lu Xiaomu looked up at Lu Jinnian.

Lu Jinnian crouched down, meeting his son’s eyes. “Do you still want Aunt Chaochao to be your new Mom?”

His eyes widened instantly, recalling what happened on his birthday.

Before that day, he’d been told Mom was on a business trip.

He missed her so much he wished on the stars, but she still hadn’t returned.

Then Aunt Chaochao appeared.

She could paint, fold paper planes, and perform magic tricks.

Most importantly, she never scolded him.

He could watch his tablet anytime, watch Ultraman, do whatever he wanted.

Then, on the phone watch, he saw that ugly monster-like Mom.

He didn’t want her.

He said he wanted Aunt Chaochao to be his new Mom.

And then, he truly had no Mom.

“I don’t want, Dad, I don’t want…”

Tears streamed down as Lu Xiaomu cried aloud, “Dad, I want my Mom… I want Mom!”

“Then let’s work together, okay?”

Lu Jinnian held Lu Xiaomu, patting his back and wiping away his tears. “Together, we’ll find the Mom we lost, okay?”

“But…”

Mom already has Uncle Ye!

Lu Xiaomu sobbed, his little head spinning.

The stars twinkled above, as if winking at him.

He thought and thought until his eyes nearly closed, finally understanding.

Dad wants to find Mom again.

Uncle Ye also likes Mom.

But no matter who Mom is with, she is still his Mom.

So it doesn’t matter who the man beside Mom is.

No matter who Mom is with, she is his Mom.

With that realization, his little head cleared.

Thinking about tomorrow at kindergarten, he could brag to his friends about going to the amusement park with Mom.

And next weekend, he could visit Mom again.

Lu Xiaomu drifted into sleep, a sweet smile on his lips.