Bad news, huh.

This kid was too clever.

Qi Qingyao reached out, wanting to ruffle the child's hair, but Xiaobao shied away from her hand.

Smiling, she took her hand back. She did not feel embarrassed at all. However, she had the children put the cookies back into the box first, lest they drop them on the floor after listening to her. The kids were obedient, putting the cookies back into the box without question.

Qi Qingyao crossed her arms in front of her chest and said calmly, "The bad news is that the past Qi Qingyao has already died."

Actually, she could have lied, but it hadn't been very long and the children were already starting to become aware. She would have to tell them the truth someday anyway. Rather than biding her time, she might as well tell them everything now since an opportunity to do so had presented itself. It was better for her to lay everything out clearly. She hoped that she would hold no secrets in front of them. They were her children after all. They were now, and would be in the future.

"..." The children's eyes brimmed with tears that fell down to the floor.

Qi Qingyao knew that this had dealt a crushing blow to the kids, so she quickly added, "Don't cry. There's still good news."

Dabao was devastated. He hugged Erniu, who was next to him, and bawled, "Waaaah, my mother has died. How can there be good news… Waaaaah!"

Qi Qingyao sighed and massaged her temple. "The good news is that I'm now your mother."

The kids: "??"

They tried to open their eyes wide, but their tears continued to fall.

This was especially the case for Erniu.

"Waaaah!" She hugged Dabao and sobbed uncontrollably.

Xiaobao had some semblance of self-control. Tears brimmed in his eyes and he looked sad, but he tried hard to keep the tears from falling.

Looking at the bawling Dabao and Erniu, Qi Qingyao had the same expression on her face as always. She did not reassure them, but she said casually, "Cry, cry a little more. I won't comfort you for now. I'll wait until you've cried your fill and can communicate with me normally before we continue to discuss whatever comes after."

With that, Qi Qingyao opened the door of the carriage and said sternly to Jiang Yeqian, who rushed forward, "We're having a talk. Don't come near and eavesdrop on us."

Jiang Yeqian: "..."

He had only wanted to come nearer so that he could hear everything clearer, but he did not expect this woman to…

Fine.

He could hear everything even if he took a few steps back anyway.

Qi Qingyao shut the door again and calmly looked at the three kids.

"Are you finished?"

"Waaaaaah!" Dabao and Erniu cried harder.

Qi Qingyao sat there, continuing to eat her almond cookies. Dabao and Erniu cried for a while. Teary-eyed, they turned to look at her, only to see her munching on the almond cookies as if she had no plans to comfort them.

That made them feel quite embarrassed.

"..."

They glanced at her stealthily, before pouting and continuing to cry.

Dabao was always direct. Frustrated and teary-eyed, he climbed on Qi Qingyao's lap, looking like he wanted a hug.

Helplessly, Qi Qingyao dragged Erniu onto her lap as well and hugged the two of them. She said softly, "If you want me to hug you, just say so."

Hearing that, the two kids cried harder. She knew and yet she had not comforted them at all! How mean!

Qi Qingyao patted them on their backs, gently comforting them. "Okay, okay, don't cry. You've cried so much that you're out of breath." While she was comforting them, she looked at Xiaobao, who was on the verge of tears and while also trying hard to hold himself back.