Chapter 47

Yu Sui hadn’t brought much luggage to Licheng in the first place. Much of it was still piled up in her rented apartment, never even unpacked. The daily items she actually used had been moved to Chu Jiayun’s home under the pretext of taking care of Xinxin.

With the date set for their move to Ancheng, the two worked quickly to pack. However, Yu Sui spent most of her time at Chu Jiayun’s place helping her. Xinxin was very protective of her toys and wouldn’t allow them to be haphazardly stuffed into the corners of boxes. Chu Jiayun always used a dedicated box for toys whenever they went out, and for a long-distance move like this, she was even more meticulous.

Yu Sui sorted the toys by category and took them from Chu Jiayun to place into the corresponding boxes. “Xinxin takes after me in this regard; her level of care and importance for toys is extraordinary.”

Chu Jiayun sighed softly. “Since she was little, she hasn’t been picky about food or clothes, but her standards for toys are exceptionally high. Sometimes I don’t know what to do with her. I’m not sure if this trait is good or bad.”

“It’s a good thing, of course! It shows she has pursuits and is determined. Such excellent qualities manifesting from a young age are rare and commendable.”

The corners of Chu Jiayun’s lips curved upward, but she remarked, “Why does it sound like you’re praising yourself?”

Yu Sui laughed too, neither admitting nor denying it.

Xinxin popped over from time to time to “supervise” and instruct her mother and Auntie Yu on whether they were properly organizing her beloved toys. However, she refused to let them pack the Xinxin Airship; she held it tightly in her arms, saying she wanted to carry it herself during the move.

She didn’t quite understand the full meaning of moving yet; she only knew she was leaving this place to live somewhere else. Both Mom and Auntie Yu would be with her, so she wasn’t afraid. But when she thought about the friends she had here—and even the flowers and grass downstairs—and realized she wouldn’t see them again, Xinxin occasionally felt sad.

Xinxin waddled over to Chu Jiayun and stuck to her mother’s back like a little piece of clay. “Mom, why isn’t Auntie Yu packing her own things?”

Yu Sui’s hands paused. She squinted at the cute little meatball. “Haven’t I put Xinxin first? I’m packing your toys before doing my own things, aren’t I?”

Xinxin grinned triumphantly. She was certainly aware of ​read the original at bailiantales.com​this; she had asked her mother on purpose just because she wanted to hear those words. She didn’t know what “on purpose” meant yet, but she was already doing it.

Xinxin clung to Chu Jiayun for a while, then waddled over to “interfere” with Yu Sui. The two adults were forced to slow down their packing, but neither felt annoyed with her.

Chu Jiayun could see that ever since Yu Sui arrived in Licheng, Xinxin had become a bit more mischievous and showed more of a child’s natural instincts. Sometimes she couldn’t help but realize that her daughter might not be as “obedient” as she previously thought; she had simply been suppressing certain traits out of consideration for her mother’s hard work.

Once Xinxin’s toys were organized, Yu Sui went back to the guest room to start packing her own luggage. Her things were simple, so she hadn’t been in a rush. Xinxin followed her, pestering Auntie Yu to let her help. Yu Sui naturally indulged her, which allowed Chu Jiayun time to organize her work files.

Chu Jiayun’s study was already more than half empty. Over the past half month, she had been packing bit by bit, and now only the daily essential documents remained.

This move reminded her of when she first moved from Ancheng. At that time, she was newly pregnant, still feeling a sense of strangeness toward the life inside her. Though she had made her choice, she was still lost and apprehensive about the future.

Back then, Bai Jiling came to help, but she was an outsider after all. She could help with simple tasks, but she couldn’t resolve the pressure in Chu Jiayun’s heart. Now, a few years later, she was moving from here back to Ancheng. It felt like her life had come full circle, returning to the starting point.

But everything was different now. The little life in her belly was now a child with arms and legs who ran around and shared her joys and sorrows, sweeping away Chu Jiayun’s previous confusion. And Yu Sui’s appearance had lightened the burden on her shoulders considerably, giving her a trace of anticipation for this return to Ancheng.

If leaving Ancheng back then was out of necessity, then returning this time was a fresh start.

Suddenly, a noise came from outside, followed by Xinxin’s scream and Yu Sui’s voice. Chu Jiayun instinctively rushed over. As a mother, she had already developed the instinct to reach her daughter’s side at the first sign of trouble.

Yu Sui was holding Xinxin tightly. The little girl looked a bit startled, her eyes wide as she sat dazed in Yu Sui’s arms.

Chu Jiayun walked over quickly. “What happened just now?”

Yu Sui gestured. “I accidentally broke a picture frame. Xinxin might have been startled.”

Chu Jiayun looked down in the direction she indicated. It was an oak frame. Behind the broken glass was the group photo they had taken at the zoo. She had seen Yu Sui’s phone and knew she used it as her wallpaper, but she hadn’t realized Yu Sui had specifically printed it out and framed it.

“I’ll go get the broom to clean this up.”

Yu Sui continued to hold Xinxin, afraid the child would get cut by the glass. But Xinxin kept staring at the photo, as if afraid the harmonious image of the three of them would be ruined by the shards.

After Chu Jiayun finished cleaning up the frame and the photo, she handed the photo back to Yu Sui. “Ever since we had Xinxin, there have been very few glass decorations in the house.”

Yu Sui felt some lingering fear. “I didn’t consider it thoroughly enough.”

Chu Jiayun had actually guessed long ago that the frame must have been broken by Xinxin. Since Yu Sui didn’t say so, there was no need to expose it.

She watched Yu Sui carefully place the photo into a file folder, and her heart trembled slightly. Yu Sui’s performance lately had been very good, getting closer and closer to the standard of a “good parent” she had spoken of.

But Chu Jiayun knew that what Yu Sui wanted was more than just the identity of Xinxin’s parent.

Bai Jiling was very happy when she heard the news of Chu Jiayun’s decision to return to Ancheng. “Jiayun, you’ve finally come to your senses. With your ability, you need to be in Ancheng at the very least to truly reach your potential. That’s why I’ve always suggested you move back.”

“The opportunity President Hu recommended this time is very good, and Xinxin is older now, so I decided to give it a try.”

“If you seize this opportunity, you’ll have even greater development in the future. You’ve missed quite a few chances over the last few years. Peers who were far inferior to you back then are now mostly somewhat famous in the industry.”

Chu Jiayun wasn’t particularly interested in fame, but she indeed didn’t want her [stolen content]career to stagnate indefinitely.

Bai Jiling was incredibly excited, already imagining how long it would be before Chu Jiayun considered moving to Jingcheng to develop her career there. “If you need any help with the move, just say the word. I can take time off to go over whenever.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ve handled most of it.”

“Is the house in Ancheng settled too?”

Chu Jiayun had gone to Ancheng previously and already rented a house. Although it was a same-day return trip, she wouldn’t have felt comfortable leaving at all if Yu Sui hadn’t been at home helping to look after Xinxin.

“Yes. The large furniture and luggage have already been shipped as well.”

That meant there really wasn’t much left to help with. Bai Jiling felt a bit dejected; it seemed she had once again received the news very late. “Such a big thing as moving, and you only tell me when you’re almost finished. You’ve left me with no way to be useful.”

Chu Jiayun spoke frankly: “You’ve already helped me a lot. I can resolve this kind of thing on my own. I would feel bad letting you waste your time on this.”

Bai Jiling was currently facing a promotion evaluation and was under a lot of pressure. Although she didn’t say much, Chu Jiayun knew she had always been ambitious in her career.

Bai Jiling felt something was off. “Is Yu Sui staying in Licheng, or is she going to Ancheng too?”

Chu Jiayun thought for a moment and said in a low voice, “She’s going too.”

Bai Jiling couldn’t hold back. “Jiayun, have you lost your mind? You know exactly what Yu Sui is thinking. How can you indulge her and let her move with you?”

Chu Jiayun didn’t want to tell anyone about the true relationship between Yu Sui and Xinxin yet; it involved the Yu family. Even if Yu Sui was willing to co-parent, it didn’t mean Yu Zhongqing would agree. Given her current situation, if the Yu family truly applied pressure, it wouldn’t be easy to resist.

However, she also didn’t want Bai Jiling to harbor unrealistic expectations. If she were willing to accept Bai Jiling, she would have relented the year Xinxin was born. Matters of the heart cannot be forced, and Chu Jiayun disdained forcing anything.

Moreover, Yu Sui was back now.

“Jiling, I can handle the issues with Yu Sui. You should trust me.”

Bai Jiling heard the deliberate distance in her tone, and her heart ached. “She was your student, and she has that kind of personality. How can you take this risk!”

Chu Jiayun’s voice turned a bit colder. “I know what I’m doing. I never said anything would happen between us. You’re overthinking it.”

The two were at a stalemate, both having things to say yet seemingly unable to say them.

Chu Jiayun was the first to break the tension. “I still have to handle Jiaxi’s hospital transfer. I’ll contact you later.”

She walked out of the study and found Yu Sui right at the door.

“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop on your call, but your voice was too loud.” Yu Sui held an empty bowl; she must have just finished feeding Xinxin.

Chu Jiayun steadied her nerves. “I need to go out for a bit.”

Yu Sui blocked her path. “Were you just on the phone with Instructor Bai?”

“Yes.”

“Did she ask about me?”

Chu Jiayun looked up, not wanting to answer, but Yu Sui just stood there. If she didn’t answer, Yu Sui wouldn’t let her pass.

“She asked if you were going to Ancheng as well.”

The light in Yu Sui’s eyes brightened; she seemed very interested in hearing more. “And how did you answer her?”

Chu Jiayun crossed her arms and took a step back. “What exactly do you want to know?”

Yu Sui followed with a step forward, restoring the distance between them. “I want to know what you’re thinking.”

Bai Jiling’s feelings for Chu Jiayun were certainly not as simple as a friend; true best friends should be like her and Sheng Nanxi. Having lived with Chu Jiayun during this period, though the hazy affection from years ago had faded, her care for Chu Jiayun had not diminished. Naturally, she didn’t harbor any good feelings toward Bai Jiling. More importantly, she wanted to know if she had a chance of winning.

Chu Jiayun was pressed so hard she couldn’t retreat further. She simply turned and walked back into the study. Yu Sui followed her in and closed the door.

As Chu Jiayun turned around, she was suddenly pinned against the bookshelf by Yu Sui.

Chu Jiayun was startled. “What are you doing?”

“I want to fight for a chance for myself.”

Chu Jiayun wasn’t stupid enough to ask read the original at bailiantales.comwhat kind of chance. She turned her head away, not looking at Yu Sui.

Yu Sui didn’t get any closer, but she didn’t let go to let her leave either. The ebony perfume on her made it hard to remain hardened, but Chu Jiayun’s mind remained clear.

“What I said to Jiling doesn’t have a direct connection to the issues between you and me.”

Yu Sui was a bit unhappy, though she didn’t get angry. However, the lips speaking those cold words were becoming increasingly attractive to her. She couldn’t help but lean in, wanting to revisit the intoxication that had softened her heart that summer.

“Auntie Yu! Auntie Yu!”

Xinxin’s calls were accompanied by the sound of pounding on the door.