Belated Romance (Mu Tongrui)

On the way back, Mu Tongrui couldn't stop thinking about how Fu Zhenghui and Zhao Xian associated

with her late mother.

“Lingye. Is it me of your uncle and aunt acted a bit off when they saw me?”

Fu Lingye was a more observant person than Mu Tongrui. Apparently, he sensed it too. However,

considering that she's pregnant, he decided to ease her mind with a white lie.

“They were probably only surprised to see their old friend's daughter turned out to be their nephew's

wife.”

Mu Tongrui was convinced, “That's probably it.”

In contrary to her parents' worry, Sweetheart who was in Mu Tongrui's lap was busy counting the cash

in her red packets.

Mu Tongrui was entertained by Sweetheart's little obsession, “Do you need help with the counting?”

Sweetheart shook her head no as she showed Mu Tongrui her hand, “Fifty notes! Phew. I finally

counted them all. Mu'mu, how much is fifty banknotes?”

“Fifty? That'd be five thousand.” Mu Tongrui answered.

“If one big huggie takes two notes, how many toys can I get with fifty?” Sweetheart was elated.

Driving home, Fu Lingye kept his ears open to the conversation backseat. Oddly, the constant babbling

provided him comfort.

Sweetheart followed her parents back to Repulse Bay Villa. After their return, it didn't take long for

Sweetheart to fall deep asleep on a sofa.

After Fu Lingye carried her to a bedroom, he turned around to embrace Mu Tongrui, “How does your

hand feel?”

“It doesn't hurt anymore. Also, there's no sign of a blister. Don't worry.”

Fu Lingye's question reminded her of Fu Jia, “Is the sense of possessiveness common among all

younger sisters, or cousins in this case?”

“Jealous?”

Mu Tongrui pressed her lips as she articulated her response. Then, she revealed, “I know she's like a

sister to you, but seeing her jump on you in a nightgown was a bit strange to me.”

Fu Lingye let out a light laugh, “It was strange to me too.”

“Why didn't you push her away then? It seemed like you quite enjoyed it.”

Fu Lingye lowered his lips to her ear, then teased, “Where did you get that from? It's just that it had

already happened, so what's the point of resisting after the fact?”

Mu Tongrui shot him a look of disapproval.

Fu Lingye then inquired, “What kind of wedding would you like?

Mu Tongrui was caught off guard, “Are we really going for it?”

As the CEO of Fu Corporation, he's wedding has to be pretty high-profile. Imagine the media attention.

Mu Tongrui was not a person who enjoyed sharing her private life with the public.

“Won't you regret it one day, if there is no wedding?” Fu Lingye made his point.

“How about a small intimate one, like a formal dinner with the family?” Mu Tongyu recommended.

Fu Lingye's face turned somber as he stared straight at Mu Tongrui, “The only issue with that is, I want

the whole world to see that you, Mu Tongrui are my wife.”

The uninitiated confession turned Mu Tongrui's cheeks red.

“Another thing is, we should let Sweetheart know that you're her real mother.”

“Even though we spend a lot of time together and I know she likes me, I worry that might be too big of

news for her to handle.”

“Kids are more open-minded and adaptive than adults. It's better that we tell her younger.”

Mu Tongrui could not agree more.

Sweetheart woke up from her nap to receive a glass of juice from Mu Tongrui.

Reading her face of satisfaction, Mu Tongrui approached the conversation, “Is it good?”

Sweetheart smiled so broadly that her eyes squinted, “Heavenly!”

Mu Tongrui took a long delay as she tried to lean into it gently, “Mm. If one day you find out that I'm

your real mom, how would you feel?”

“It'd be the best day of my life!”

Mu Tongrui was left speechless by the answer.

This reaction was rather unforeseen. Mu Tongrui was even ready for a bigger reaction.

Sweetheart squeezed her lips then elaborated, “My real mom is stuck on Mars, but you married daddy.

So you are my mom now. I just hope you will still like me even after the new baby comes.”

“Of course! What makes you doubt that? What I was trying to ask was, what if I am the mom on Mars?”

The longer Sweetheart kept her mouth shut; the more flustered Mu Tongrui felt. The suspense was

killing Mu Tongrui inside.

“Sweetheart, would you be able to accept that?”

Next, mu Tongrui heard a loud thud as Sweetheart set the glass down aggressively, “Why did you leave

us?”

This reacted fitted Mu Tongrui's expectation more.

To Sweetheart, Mu Tongrui hadn't been present, let alone responsible in taking care of her.

“I had no choice. Sweetheart... I don't to how to explain it-”

“But it's still your fault to abandon daddy and me! I don't want you here. Get out!”

Just like adults, children hold grudges too.

Sweetheart shoved Mu Tongrui out then slammed the door.

Facing the shut door, Mu Tongrui was poignant, “Sweetheart. I really didn't mean to leave you.”

Fu Lingye happened to be walking out from his study room, “What's going on?”

“I told Sweetheart the truth but it upset her. She doesn't want to see me because she's mad that I left

her.”

Fu Lingye knitted his brows, seemingly concerned by this turn of events, “Sweetheart, open the door.”

Sweetheart had locked the door, “Hmph! You ganged up with that woman to lie to me! Dad, what if she

leaves us again?”

Sweetheart's innocent concern stabbed Mu Tongrui in her heart, especially when Sweetheart called her

'that woman' as if she was just a stranger.

Misty-eyed, Mu Tongrui begged, “I promise I will never leave you again. Can you please open the door

so we can talk?”

“No! You're a mom who didn't care about me for years. I don't wanna ever see you again!”

Fu Lingye's voice turned grim, “Fu Siqi, open that door or you have to deal with the consequences!”

Leaning against the other side of the door, Sweetheart crossed her legs, “It was her fault, to begin with!

Why are you only mean to me?”

Mu Tongrui couldn't stand this anymore, “She's right. It's unfair that she's the one being punished now.

Besides, that's just gonna make her dislike me more.”

Fu Lingye could be a man of iron fists. He insisted, “Fu Siqi. Whether you like it or not, this is your

mom!”

“I don't want a mom like her!”

Even though Sweetheart was eager to meet her 'real mom on Mars', she was still bitter about being

deserted.

Mu Tongrui understood that sentiment fully. She broke into tears, “Sweetheart, I am so sorry.”

Sweetheart heart Mu Tongrui's brittle voice. Moved and concerned, she stuck her ear on the door, “Are

you crying?”

“Sweetheart. Could you open the door for mommy?”

“I need to think about it.”

Sweetheart lowered her brows. Her intention was to make a scene this time so it forced Mu Tongrui to

think twice before leaving them again in the future.

Fu Lingye scolded, “Fu Siqi! Who said you could throw a fit like that?”

Unfazed, Sweetheart boldly declared, “If you ever do that again, I will never ever, ever, ever forgive

you; and I will never ever let you see me again!”

“I swear I won't leave you again. Please open the door.”

Sweetheart was finally persuaded. She cracked the door open only for it to be pushed wide open by

Mu Tongrui. Mu Tongrui pulled Sweetheart in for a big hug.

Sweetheart purposely hid her emotion, “You're crushing me!”

Loosening her grip, Mu Tongrui stared at her daughter as her tears gushed down, “I'm so sorry.

Sweetheart...”

Sweetheart reached over to rub Mu Tongrui's tears away, “Don't cry, Mu'mu. You aren't pretty when you

cry.”

Mu Tongrui inhaled deeply, “All right... I'll stop.”

“So... are you really the mom from Mars?” Sweetheart was still in disbelief.

“I am, and I swear I won't leave you again. Ever.” Mu Tongrui was solemn about it.

Keeping a poker-face, Sweetheart responded with a low hum. Keeping her hands behind her back, she

changed the subject, “I'm hungry. Do you know how to make strawberry cake?”

“Surely! I'll make it right away!”

“Okay. Off you pop.”

The kitchen in this villa was well-equipped and stocked with a wide variety of ingredients, making it

easy to whip up any dish in the spur of the moment.

Preparing the dish alone, Fu Lingye came and wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, “Don't

spoil her too much.”

“You have the privilege to be strict with her but I don't. I need to earn her forgiveness.”

Fu Lingye smirked. He gazed at her face, which was still glistened with tears, “You're really not the

prettiest when you cry.”

Do you two have to emphasize it repeatedly?

Children being children, they could be tricky when they set their minds to it. After taking a small bite of

the strawberry cake, Sweetheart gave her verdict, “It's not good!”

After tasting it, Mu Tongrui found it to be blander than the usual cakes sold in stores. Be figured

Sweetheart did not like it because most children preferred higher sweetness levels.

“Do you want mommy to make another one for you?”

Sweetheart waved her hand aloofly, “Don't bother. I'll make do with this. Just make it better next time.”

Watching Sweetheart behave like a little adult despite her puffy innocent face, Mu Tongrui let out a

laugh, “Of course, whatever you say.”

Sweetheart had so much power over Mu Tongrui that she could easily walk all over Mu Tongrui.

Fu Lingye criticized, “Someone has a big ego for her age.”

Now having Mu Tongrui on her side, Sweetheart was not intimidated by Fu Lingye anymore.

Sweetheart tilted her head and let out a light scoff.

Mu Tongrui told Fu Lingye, “You can't stop me from pleasing her. I like pampering her.”

Is she serious? I'm wrong for helping her out?

Fu Lingye had enough with both Mu Tongrui and Sweetheart, along with their complex and nuanced

dynamic. With a somber look, Fu Lingye went into the study.

Sweetheart took advantage of Fu Lingye's absence by pulling Mu Tongrui's sleeve, “I am craving KFC!”

Mu Tongrui hesitated, “But it's almost dinner time. I don't think your father will like it very much if you

have KFC now.”

“You just said five minutes ago that I could have whatever I want. Turns out it's just a lie! I will never

trust you again.” Sweetheart emotionally blackmailed.

Mu Tongrui tensed up, “Ay. It's just KFC. I can buy it but you have to keep it a secret from daddy.

Okay?”

“Okay. Do it then.” Sweetheart sounded like her father when she gave an order.

Mu Tongrui grinned when she saw Sweetheart's greedy face. Mu Tongrui could never reject that greedy

face of hers.

Mu Tongrui ordered food delivery, and they secretly finished the meal in the backyard.

Sweetheart contently patted her round belly, “Don't think I will recognize you as my mom from now on. I

haven't forgiven you yet.”

“Then when do you plan on doing so?”

“Depending on your performance.”

“The most important thing now is to destroy the evidence before your dad finds out.”

Upstairs, Fu Lingye stood by the window of his study as he watched over his wife and his daughter.