An Guoting didn't get any help from Shuang.
Act like I always do? But things are different now!
"Uncle An," Yunru smiled.
He stiffened and cleared his throat. His gaze fell upon Zizi, who was tightly clutching onto Yunru's shirt and looking down in panic.
An Guoting tried to smile. "Yunru. What a coincidence…"
His brow twitched.
An Guoting clasped his hands together. He wanted to act normal, but he just didn't know how.
Yunru asked, "Is it really a coincidence?"
He softly bit his lip. "...Not really. I came to know from Zhiyuan that you found Zizi. So, I just came to check too. I know I didn't have to since you were here, but I just couldn't help it."
Zizi slightly trembled.
Yunru nodded.
Zizi slowly looked up at him and said, "I-I am okay now…"
An Guoting widened his eyes. He really didn't think Zizi would speak to him.
"T-that's good. We were all worried about you."
There was a beat of silence. An Guoting clenched his fists. "Um...I am sorry I couldn't stay with you last night. Xiaosi's sudden accident made things difficult."
Zizi hastily shook her head. "No, no. I don't mind it... I can understand," her heart raced in her chest, "How is Caihong now?"
"Not good…" his gaze dimmed. "Barely hanging on. We don't know how long it would take for him to wake up."
"Wake up?" She was confused.
"He is in a coma now…"
Zizi gasped in shock. "Coma!?"
He grimly nodded.
Zizi looked at Yunru in disbelief, and he affirmed the same.
Tears pooled in her eyes. "That's horrible!"
Yunru said, "We are doing our best to find all the specialists we could get."
Zizi wiped her eyes and nodded. "I want to meet Caihong! Let's go to her!"
An Guoting quickly shook his head. "Not now. You should first head back home. Everybody is waiting for you, especially Liqin. She must be crying like anything."
Zizi froze.
She bit her lip. "...I am sorry for causing trouble."
He smiled. "It's not your fault. Anybody would have done the same. I am just relieved to know that you are safe. That's what matters."
They remained silent like that for another moment.
"I…" An Guoting was anxious. "I am sorry if I made you uncomfortable by coming here."
"N-No, you didn't."
He felt a burden lift off his chest.
Yunru understood that it was enough for today. They needed to have a good talk, for sure but when both will be more uncomfortable.
"Let's go home. Everybody is waiting."
---
Xia Liqin, who had been anxiously waiting for her, finally saw her daughter stepping in with Yunru.
"Zizi!"
She rushed towards her in a hug and burst into tears. "Thank God you are safe...You scared me."
Zizi' couldn't help but cry too, as she hugged her back. "I am sorry...Mom."
Xia Liqin stiffened.
Mom.
"You... really don't mind?"
Ever since the truth came out, Xia Liqin and Han Tian were only worried about one thing. Whether Zizi would still accept them as her parents. They feared they would lose her. Han Tian even paled thinking that Zizi might decide to live with An Guoting instead. He knew he shouldn't think that way, and biologically, An Guoting had the right.
But he hadn't loved her any less than he loved Zhiyuan. Zizi was the apple of his eyes. He couldn't bear to lose his princess.
Zizi sniffled. "Why would I? You were always my Mom. Why would it change now?"
Xia Liqin trembled. Zizi wasn't born from her womb, but she never felt that way ever since she first held baby Zizi in her arms. The thought that she was her daughter just naturally came to her mind. And after Han Zongying's suicide, there was no need to think about it.
Zhiyuan smiled. "Of course. Mom, why do you ask silly questions?"
Zizi jumped into his hug. "Bro!"
He narrowed his eyes and pinched her cheeks hard. "Don't do that again or your big brother won't talk to you anymore."
She pouted. "I am sorry."
Xinyi tearfully chuckled.
"Zizi!" Soo Enlai was the last to hug her. He glared at everybody. "You mean people! Bobo told me that she was back. She is my daughter-in-law!"
Han Tian pressed his brows. "They haven't married yet."
"So what? Zizi is still coming to live with me!"
"Ah?" Zizi was confused.
"Idiot son! You didn't tell her? You are useless!"
Yunru scratched his chin. "I forgot…"
Soo Enlai harrumphed. He looked at Zizi eagerly. "I thought it would be a good idea if you could live with Yunru and me for sometime."
She widened her eyes.
"You must be bored living in this villa for so long. So Papa Soo and Yunru will entertain you for a few days," he proudly said.
Zizi blinked her eyes rapidly. Then they beamed. "Really!? With you and Yunru?"
Soo Enlai was overjoyed with her reaction. "Yes! We will have lots of fun!"
Han Tian was speechless. "Hey, wait! They aren't married yet-"
Xia Liqin clapped her hands once. "Oh my! It's such a great idea!"
"..."
She should live with us in this crucial time. How can you agree to send her with them!? He inwardly cried.
Zhiyuan and Xinyi were in this favor too. Han Tian was left all alone. He could only sigh.
Zizi imagined the days living with Yunru under one roof. Having breakfast and dinner together, spending time and lots of cozy moments with each other.
She blushed. "I don't mind at all."
Soo Enlai was thrilled. "Great! So we can leave right now! Xinyi, help her pack her bags."
Xinyi helplessly chuckled.
But at least, everything was back to normal. Slowly and steadily. It was better to take one step at a time.
---
Zizi was ready with three suitcases. Yunru was speechless. "Why do you need so many things?"
"I am a woman. Unlike men, we have a lot of things to take care of," she harrumphed.
Soo Enlai grumbled. "Stop complaining, Yunru. She can bring ten bags with her if she wants. You stay out of it."
Yunru could already imagine his life. He would be dumped into a corner as his father would pamper and dote on Zizi. It was a hard life ahead.
He looked at Zizi laughing with Soo Enlai.
But if it would bring smile to Princess's lips, then everything was worth it.