Upon hearing Mu Yuchen's tone, Zhou Zimo smiled and drank his tea. He muttered to himself for a moment, then sighed, "Ever since we were young, your frame of mind has been different from Su Chen's and mine. I remember that Elder Su would always describe us like this. Su Chen has the drive. He's arrogant and stubborn. If we were in the olden times, he could've been an authoritative warrior while I'm meticulous in thought and intelligent, but I don't have enough drive. Many times, I don't have the manner to control the situation, but I could be a strategist."

Zhou Zimo then paused as he looked up to stare at Mu Yuchen for a long time before smiling and continuing, "While you have both of our merits combined, sometimes, I think perhaps Su Chen and I should learn from you. Whether in career or in love, a talent like you is just naturally great."

When Zhou Zimo said that, Mu Yuchen raised his brows. He smiled faintly while his eyes were fixed on Zhou Zimo. Mu Yuchen responded, "I've known you and Zhou Zimo for more than 30 years now, but this is the first time I'm hearing you compliment me. I didn't know you held me in such high regards."

Zhou Zimo chuckled and kicked him gently. "I'm really saying kind things. Petty people like me don't easily praise others."

Mu Yuchen pulled his leg away and bent them as he shot him a look. "I can tell that you're being kind, but your words just make me feel weird."

"Get lost! If I say it to Su Chen, then you don't think it's a good thing. I won't plot against you. What are you worried about? Still, this matter is quite complicated, so it might take more time."

Zhou Zimo was indifferent. He wanted to have some peace and quiet too. Since his family was pushing him hard, he was taking refuge by leaving them then. It was just Mu Yuchen who was eager to get home.

Mu Yuchen noticed Zhou Zimo's bemused gaze which he refused to hide. He honestly expressed his thoughts, "I'll get the thing done as soon as possible. I can't stay here for too long. It's going to be hard for Xiaye to move around soon and I'm worried about leaving her alone at home."

Zhou Zimo laughed. "Earlier, I was even telling Su Chen to get a woman soon and that he can't struggle too far behind, and now we're barely a step behind you."

"When fate arrives, the two of you won't be able to escape it," Mu Yuchen said from experience. His eyes that looked into the distance at the sunset glow by the horizons became quiet and distant. "Just like how a year ago, I wouldn't have imagined that I'd be where I am today, right this moment, and then it was two months, and then it was a year, no one can predict the future."

Zhou Zimo's handsome face froze a while, then he nodded. "You and Xi Xiaye are a harmonious couple which is a good thing, but..."

"Being a harmonious couple came after that. Let's not talk about the past. Okay, I'm going to look at the things Ah Mo sent me. There's still a little over an hour to the banquet tonight, so rest for a while and call me later," Mu Yuchen said, and then set aside his teacup before swiftly getting up and walking back into the room.

Zhou Zimo brushed his nose and watched his figure walk away. He could not help but chuckle a little.

He never would have expected that such a day would befall the great Mr. Mu too. Once Xi Xiaye was mentioned, he could not maintain his composure anymore. He had even left defensively.

It was getting colder and colder. Especially with the uninterrupted autumn rain these past two days that came quietly, the temperature fell rapidly. Sis Wang had long prepared a wide and soft windbreaker for Xi Xiaye. Whenever she left the house, she would attentively remind her to put it on.

It was already November. Xi Xiaye's baby bump slowly grew, and she was in the fifth month of her pregnancy. According to the doctor's reminders, Xi Xiaye predicted that the baby should begin to move now, yet she did not feel anything move inside her. This worried Xi Xiaye. The doctor said that the baby was very healthy and was too gentle, so she did not feel it. Nonetheless, she still could not help but keep asking about it. She even worriedly called Mu Yuchen who did not know how to console her, so he called Zhuang Shurong.

When she received Mu Yuchen's call, Zhuang Shurong was shocked!

She had never heard her son use that kind of begging tone with her. In fact, that tone did not sound as cold as before. Zhuang Shurong's heart softened as she immediately agreed to Mu Yuchen, and decided to visit Xiaye the next day to bring her over for a proper check-up and ask the doctor about it.

Zhuang Shurong had just hung up when she heard the sound of the bathroom door opening. Her husband, Mu Yangchuan, wore a gray sleeping robe as he slowly walked out of the bathroom. His black hair with strands of silver hair was still wet. When he looked up at his wife and saw that her usually serious face now wore a faint smile, he could not help but ask, "Did something great happen? You look so overjoyed."

Zhuang Shurong smiled. Seeing him sit down, she quickly took his towel and helped him dry his hair as she chuckled. "Chen Er just called. He told me to bring Xiaye for a check-up at the hospital. Xiaye says that she's in her fifth month now but doesn't feel any fetal movement, so she's worried."

"Bring her to go check up tomorrow then. I'm quite worried about her living alone over there." Mu Tangchuan sat by the bedside with his eyes half-closed as he enjoyed Zhuang Shurong serving him.

"Tangchuan, with regards to Xiaye, I recently feel like Chen Er really did marry the right one." Zhuang Shurong's movements were gentle while her tone was a little lighthearted too.

Mu Tangchuan sighed. "Our son has been independent since he was young. Even though he's quite distant from us, it's not as bad as you think it is. At least, he does talk to me. You? You're too strong-minded and carry the image of a strict mother. It's no wonder your son isn't close to you. Next time, you should be around Xiaye more. That child is quite pitiful too, but now things are finally looking up for her."

"I know that too, but I was thinking if Xiaye would like me as a mother-in-law. Tangchuan, tell me the truth. Am I usually very strict? Do I look unfriendly?" Zhuang Shurong asked.

"Of course! All of us on the government's end know that you are a strictly impartial person. Don't you see that every time you go over, my two secretaries will be extra careful?" She wanted honesty, so Mu Tangchuan blurted it out, but just as he did, Zhuang Shurong immediately shot him a dangerous glare. She tossed the towel in her hand to him.

"Dry it yourself!"

Mu Tangchuan then frowned. He looked down at the towel. After a while, he picked it up and stuffed it into Zhuang Shurong's hand.

"Okay! Okay! Quickly help me dry my hair. You wanted me to tell the truth. Then, when I do you get angry, but if I don't, then you'd say I'm not being serious. I don't understand you women!" Mu Tangchuan sighed a little helplessly.

Zhuang Shurong shot her husband a side look, and Mu Yuchen's handsome face flashed in her mind.

They all said that her son was like her. Actually, she thought that was not completely right. Apart from inheriting her and Mu Tangchuan's looks, their son's ability to handle matters, his low profile, and his gentle personality came more from him.

Back when Zhuang Shurong chose Mu Tangchuan, she had married him because she fancied him. They had also gone through the traditional process of a blind date, getting to know each other, marriage, and then falling in love with each other. Basically, it was the more traditional marriage of the older generation.

However, she actually thought that there was nothing too bad about that. To her, the most important aspect of marriage was understanding and tolerance, communication, and mutual respect. This was also the reason why she and Mu Tangchuan could still be loving after more than 30 years into the marriage.

To Zhuang Shurong, perhaps true happiness was finding the sweet spots on the ordinary days like these.

"They all say women are like a thick book. If you can understand it thoroughly, then life might've already passed you by. Look at Father and Mother. They bicker all day every day. Mother always says that Father doesn't understand her, but aren't they still quite happy together?"

"You don't quite understand me either!"

When Mu Tangchuan saw that Zhuang Shurong was ignoring her, he snatched the towel back and simply dried his hair for a bit before tossing the towel onto a chair. As he leaned towards Zhuang Shurong, he reached out to undo Zhuang Shurong's button. She shot him a look as she covered her collar protectively. "What are you doing?"

Mu Tangchuan cleared his throat as he pulled her hand away. His handsome face blushed as the light in his dark eyes shifted and his deep and magnetic voice was heard. "Take it off. Take it off! It's been more than a week. Don't you want to?"

"You..."

Before Zhuang Shurong could say anything, Mu Tangchuan had already pushed her down and stopped her words that were about to come after that.

The older he got, the more shameless he was. Whenever he wanted it, he would be like this. He did not care whether she was willing or not. Zhuang Shurong could not help but whine in her heart.

Compared to the harmonious warmth at the Mu residence, Maple Residence was much quieter in contrast.

Inside the study room on the second floor, after Xi Xiaye and Mu Yuchen talked on the phone for a while, she hung up. She was currently was busy with work as usual. She sat unmoving until she felt her back become sore. Subconsciously, she reached behind to massage her back when her fingers accidentally brushed past her baby bump and she suddenly clearly felt something kicking!

Xi Xiaye was stunned. She looked down subconsciously at her belly. A light flashed in her mind as she quickly put her hand over her belly. Indeed, the little one was causing a ruckus inside her womb. Xi Xiaye's eyes lit up and she could not help but call out through the door, "Sis Wang! Sis Wang!"

Sis Wang was about to send some supper upstairs when she heard Xi Xiaye calling out to her. She thought that something had happened, so she immediately set the tray aside and rushed in. She answered anxiously, "Missus! What's wrong? What's wrong?"

When Sis Wang rushed in, she saw that Xi Xiaye was still sitting steadily in her chair. Her beautiful face was covered in a smile of disbelief, so she then sighed in relief.

"Sis Wang, the baby... It moved! Look..." Xi Xiaye carefully pointed at her belly as if she were afraid of disturbing the little thing inside.

When Sis Wang heard her exclaim, she looked delighted too. She quickly walked over and carefully leaned down to look. Indeed, the little thing in her womb was kicking up a fuss!

"Missus, this child is causing such a ruckus. It must be a mischievous little boy. It must be a little master!"

Xi Xiaye's lips curled up slightly while her twinkling eyes were dense with gentleness. "We don't know yet. Could it be a really mischievous daughter?"

If she had a really cute daughter like Su Nan, he would like that. That would be great too.

"I think it looks more like a little master who will torment you. Girls aren't that mischievous, are they? My daughter behaves very well. When I had my daughter, I almost didn't suffer much. I didn't suffer as much as you, Missus."

Sis Wang smiled and gazed warmly at Xi Xiaye's belly again. "Missus, have some supper first. You didn't eat much for dinner. I'm worried that the baby in your womb will be hungry."

Xi Xiaye then nodded and closed the document. Then, she stood up with the table for support.

Sis Wang knew that Xi Xiaye liked her food light, so she prepared millet and some delicious snacks.

When Xi Xiaye finished half the bowl of millet, Sis Wang then remembered what happened earlier. She quickly took a red invitation letter out from her pocket and handed it to Xi Xiaye. "Right, Missus, earlier at the door, someone named Yang Sheng sent this invitation over to you. He says it's an invitation from Master Qi. Do you want to take a look?"

Xi Xiaye silently looked up from the bowl and quietly looked at the red invitation from Sis Wang. Moments after that, she set the bowl aside and took it to flip it open. It was Qi Lei's flowing handwriting.

Xi Xiaye still thought that Qi Lei's request was rather odd. The other day, she even mentioned it to Mu Yuchen who did not say much. He just told her to cooperate and go with Ah Mo.

She could vaguely feel that Qi Lei and Mu Yuchen had a subtle relationship. Curiously, she wondered whether they had come to some sort of agreement, so...

She knew a little about Qi Kai's matters too.

Especially in recent times, Qi Qiming and Wang Qin were going at each other's necks intensely. It seemed like they were fighting for the collaboration with Fuhua and the South River project.

Qi Qiming's attitude towards Qi Lei was clear as day. Even Xi Xiaye could not bear to look at them, especially with Qi Qiming's recent actions.

Previously, when they collaborated with Qi Kai on the South River project, Qi Lei was the person-in-charge, but the people that were recently sent to manage matters had become Qi Qiming's people. That meant that Qi Qiming had just sent people over. On another level, this was Qi Lei preparing to get everything on track, so that he was not needed anymore.

That also meant that Qi Lei's authority was unfounded.

When it came to this, Xi Xiaye did pity Qi Lei. She slowly closed the invitation and nodded. "I got it. Tidy up and rest early."

On a hazy autumn night, cold rain fell, making the temperature drop even lower. One could feel the humidity just by standing at the staircase beside the door.

The guests had already left and the whole place became quiet again as it was starting to get late.

Han Yifeng stayed by the staircase for a really long time without going anywhere.

"CEO Han, the banquet has ended. The elders are very unhappy since the guests were gossiping as well. You..." Secretary Wang seemed worried when he looked at Han Yifeng.

Today was the full moon celebration of the Han family's little master. However, Han Yifeng did not appear for the banquet and had only shown up after it ended. Huang Ziyao and the others bugged Secretary Wang many times already while Xi Xinyi also endured her frustration throughout the night.

"They insisted on having this. What does it have to do with me?" Han Yifeng's expression was cold. He did not intend to do this, but they left him no choice.

"But, CEO Han, that's your son after all... Isn't it unfair for you to treat him this way?" Secretary Wang hesitated, feeling sympathy for the little boy as he received such treatment from his parents at such a young age. "By the way, the little master still doesn't have a name. The Elder nicknamed him Tuantuan for now. CEO Han, the child is innocent."

Han Yifeng put on a cold smile as he turned toward Secretary Wang. "Since when were you so full of love? Did Xi Xinyi or anyone give you any benefits?"

Han Yifeng's words stunned Secretary Wang who lowered his head silently.

"I hope you can focus on doing your job. You're my secretary and not their spy! If you can't be sure about your role, you can pack up and go work for them starting tomorrow!" Han Yifeng's voice was filled with coldness and a tint of anger.

In shock, Secretary Wang's expression changed as he quickly bowed and apologized, "I'm sorry, CEO Han. Please forgive me!"

Han Yifeng looked away. He became really cold. Now, he relished the quiet and was much more difficult to approach than before. Even Secretary Wang felt afraid to be with him.

His change started after he married Xi Xinyi, everything just went downhill from there on.

"CEO Han, Director Xi asked her assistant, Xiao Mei, to deliver some gifts. Mayor Xi sent Little Master a gift as well." Secretary Wang carefully handed it over to him.

Han Yifeng squinted as he looked at the gifts in Secretary Wang's hands quietly. Secretary Wang took a peek at him before carefully opening one of the boxes. The first one was an exquisite-looking gold lock which should be from Xi Mushan.

The second one was a pair of jade bangles which should be from Xi Xiaye.

"She didn't come?"

Han Yifeng's expression softened slightly when he saw the gifts, but his eyes were still filled with mixed emotions when he asked.

"Chairman Mu is abroad while Director Xi is not really mobile with her pregnancy, so they didn't come. Assistant Xiao Mei also told me to express their apologies as well as their gratitude for inviting them," Secretary Wang spoke as he quietly observed Han Yifeng's expression.

Han Yifeng went quiet. He then waved his hand, signaling Secretary Wang to pack them up. However, as he just closed the box, a pink figure rushed over. Secretary Wang could smell a whiff of perfume around, and in the next moment, something crashed right into him.

The stuff in his hands fell all over the floor!

"Who needs her ingenuine gifts?" A cold voice broke the silence as his cold aura caught Secretary Wang off-guard. He stared at the gifts blankly and was not sure what to do.

Suddenly, he heard Han Yifeng's voice as he tried to look up at him. "What are you doing?" Han Yifeng looked at Xi Xinyi expressionlessly.

It was obvious that Xi Xinyi had just come from the banquet venue as she still had her pink dress on. She was recovering well from her pregnancy although there were still some signs of weight gain. She now wore another layer of charm. With a new hairstyle and her exceptional beauty, she looked amazing.

"What am I doing? This! Who cares about her gifts? Have you gone mad the moment you heard her name? Are you looking for trouble by not showing up at all, Han Yifeng?" Her tone was filled with anger and frustration as her face was turning red and ferocious.

"Trouble? Did I agree to organize this banquet? It's what you guys wanted. You should be grateful that I didn't ruin it." Han Yifeng's reaction was cold. He glanced at Secretary Wang who then started picking up the gifts on the floor.

"Don't forget. You guys made Secretary Wang send them the invitation, not me. What you just threw were gifts from your father and Mu Yuchen."

"I don't need their stuff! Han Yifeng, are you doing this on purpose? You're trying to embarrass me and the Han family, and then try to blame everything onto me. Is that what you're trying to do?"

Xi Xinyi clenched her fists as she stared at Han Yifeng. Tears started gathering around her eyes. "Do you know how people were laughing at me tonight? How people were laughing at the Han family? Do you know how angry and disappointed our parents are?"

"Don't you guys foresee this happening already? Why should I cooperate? You guys decided for me to get married, and you guys also decided to keep the child. Why should I cooperate for you guys to make decisions for me? Do I look like a fool!? I just want to live my own life!" Han Yifeng demanded in a mocking tone.