CHAPTER 29

Chu Yu held Shu Yanyan's hand and carried little Yunmiao in her other arm as they walked through the corridors of the palace.

The palace was adorned with luxury, and the afternoon sunlight passed through the colorful glass, casting fragmented rainbow fragments on the walls and floor. Shu Yanyan felt like she was walking in a fairyland, with dazzling and vibrant colors so close to her, while the tangible reality seemed distant.

But just as she felt like she was floating and couldn't touch the ground, laughter sounded in her ears.

Yunmiao was being carried in Chu Yu's arms, her little head resting on Chu Yu's shoulder. Facing backward, she extended her chubby little paws and playfully grabbed at the empty air. Even though the sunlight was fragmented, it didn't give her any chance, no matter how she tried to grab, she couldn't hold onto anything tangible.

But that didn't stop little Yunmiao from having a great time.

She watched her own hands being reflected in pink at one moment and orange at another, grinning foolishly.

Chu Yu heard the sound and gently brushed against Yunmiao's hair, then turned her head and gave Shu Yanyan a tender glance.

Shu Yanyan seemed a little absent-minded, and Chu Yu felt some confusion. She squeezed Shu Yanyan's hand slightly, trying to bring her back to the present.

Shu Yanyan then felt the illusion around her dissipate, and in this moment, Chu Yu and Yunmiao beside her were undeniably real.

She took a deep breath and smiled back at Chu Yu.

After passing through the corridor, they entered Chu Yu's private space.

The style here was slightly different from other areas, more in line with Chu Yu's personality, giving a sense of simplicity and elegance. From certain details of the arrangement, one could even tell that the owner of this space was someone who was single and enjoyed being single.

Shu Yanyan had spent most of her time in the bedroom before and it was the first time she carefully observed the living room and other areas. But her curiosity was not as evident as Yunmiao's, who was looking around with her daughter turning her head in all directions. Shu Yanyan, feeling a bit reserved, sat on the deep blue sofa next to Chu Yu.

Chu Yu suddenly laughed.

Shu Yanyan, startled like a frightened little rabbit, asked, "What's wrong?"

A robot brought three glasses of water, and Chu Yu considerately placed one of them on the table in front of her.

"Just relax a little."

"Even if it's not considered a date, shouldn't it be a meeting?" Shu Yanyan lifted her glass to cover her face.

"I'm not that nervous, you know," she said.

Chu Yu didn't expose her, saying, "Hmm, that's good."

She took a deep breath, her expression gradually becoming serious. "And if we're being honest, I should be the one who's nervous."

Yunmiao, speaking on behalf of Shu Yanyan, asked, "Why should big sister be nervous?"

Upon hearing the soft and tender voice of Yunmiao, Chu Yu's tense nerves relaxed slightly.

She thought for a moment, not answering Yunmiao's question, but instead asked, "Does Yunmiao like me?"

Little Yunmiao didn't hesitate, saying, "Of course!"

Chu Yu's features softened a little between her brows and eyes.

She leaned in and gently pressed her cheek against Yunmiao's. "Then if I'm no longer your 'big sister,' would Yunmiao still like me?"

Yunmiao looked puzzled.

She didn't understand, "Big sister is big sister, why isn't big sister big sister anymore?"

Chu Yu was almost dizzy with the repeated mention of "big sister" in her words, but she still tried to establish a closer relationship between the two of them. "Because I don't want to be just your big sister anymore. I want to have a more intimate relationship with Yunmiao."

Yunmiao tilted her head, completely unable to comprehend this statement.

Shu Yanyan sighed inwardly.

She reached out and took Yunmiao from Chu Yu's arms.

Understanding that Chu Yu found it difficult to explain, she took the initiative to clarify to Yunmiao, "Do you remember, when we left our original home, what did Mommy tell you?"

Yunmiao didn't recall, but obediently asked, "What did Mommy say?"

Shu Yanyan said, "Mommy said at that time that we were going to move to a new place, where we would start a new life and continue searching for Yunmiao's mother."

Yunmiao nodded then, "Yunmiao remembers!"

She looked at Shu Yanyan and earnestly asked, "Mommy, when will we find my Mom?"

Yunmiao used to often ask similar questions before, but later she realized that every time she mentioned her mother, Shu Yanyan seemed secretly sad when she was alone, so she asked less frequently.

This time, Shu Yanyan brought it up on her own, and Yunmiao couldn't help but ask again—

Even though there was no memory of her mother's existence, even though she could only see an unclear profile of her mother in photos, Yunmiao's longing and yearning for that person were no less than Shu Yanyan's.

Upon hearing this, Shu Yanyan's eyes grew slightly teary.

She held back her tears and answered, "We have found her."

Little Yunmiao froze.

She had become accustomed to Shu Yanyan avoiding the question every time she asked, distracting her with fun and delicious things. But this time, Shu Yanyan actually gave an answer.

After regaining her senses, little Yunmiao cautiously confirmed again, "M-mom? Mom has been found, is she coming back?"

Shu Yanyan nodded.

"Yes, we found her."

Little Yunmiao turned around, glanced at Chu Yu behind her, and then turned her head to look at Shu Yanyan.

She couldn't describe her current feelings, only feeling a warmth in her chest, a strange mix of wanting to cry and laugh. This feeling was peculiar, and Yunmiao tried her best to endure it, but her whole body began to tremble.

Chu Yu spoke, "Do you remember how many times you told me that you thought I looked like your Mom?"

Little Yunmiao turned back.

She looked at Chu Yu but couldn't utter a word.

Chu Yu reached out her hand towards her, attempting to make contact. "Yunmiao, you are so smart, you recognized me right from the beginning. But... for some reasons, I hadn't remembered what happened during that time. Yesterday, after listening to you and getting the photo from your mother, we both confirmed this together.

"So, Yunmiao...I may not be able to be your 'big sister' anymore. In fact, I am... the mother who was missing for two years and hadn't been responsible for both of you."

Little Yunmiao remained silent for a long time.

Chu Yu and Shu Yanyan also understood the need for silence, giving the little girl time to process the information. Chu Yu's raised hand stayed suspended in front of Yunmiao, silently waiting.

Yunmiao finally snapped out of her thoughts.

She pouted, her eyes already moist. She looked at Chu Yu and reproached, "You, why didn't you come back?"

Although Chu Yu had briefly explained before, she didn't expect Yunmiao to fully understand. And even if Yunmiao did understand, she didn't expect her to accept this explanation.

Chu Yu was willing to accept any blame and complaints from Shu Yanyan and the little girl.

So Chu Yu didn't explain further and simply said, "...It's my fault. Mom made a serious mistake, and Yunmiao can be angry and blame me. But, I hope Yunmiao can give me a chance to make amends. Is that okay?"

Tears welled up in Yunmiao's eyes.

She reached out and lightly tapped Chu Yu's hand that was still in front of her, then immediately dove into Shu Yanyan's embrace.

Shu Yanyan gently stroked her back, comforting her.

She didn't dare to speak, only looked at Chu Yu, then glanced in the direction of the entrance. Shu Yanyan's intention was clear; she wanted Chu Yu to leave for a while so that she could comfort Yunmiao. Once the little girl had a general understanding of the situation, Chu Yu could come back.

Chu Yu understood her meaning, but she didn't move.

She wasn't feeling good either.

But she had worked so hard to bring Shu Yanyan and Yunmiao back, and she didn't want them to face the uncertainties and difficulties of life on their own in this situation.

She knew that Shu Yanyan's approach might be better, making it easier and faster for Yunmiao to accept her, but she couldn't allow herself to be absent from this process.

So she slightly raised the corner of her mouth and resolutely shook her head at Shu Yanyan.

Shu Yanyan gritted her teeth but had no other choice. She could only lower her head and take care of Yunmiao.

After a while, Yunmiao's tears temporarily stopped. She lifted her head from Shu Yanyan's embrace and looked at Chu Yu.

Chu Yu maintained her original posture, her raised hand still not coming down.

She was waiting for the little girl to accept her.

Yunmiao stared at her in confusion.

Chu Yu and Shu Yanyan held their breath, waiting for several seconds until she finally spoke, "Do you know how sad Mommy was when you weren't here? You made Mommy sad, you're not a good Mom."

Shu Yanyan was taken aback.

But immediately, a surge of warmth overwhelmed her, touching her heart and making her nose tingle.

She never expected that the first thing Yunmiao would say to Chu Yu would be this—

Just as she cared about Yunmiao's feelings, what Yunmiao cared about the most was actually her own feelings.

Chu Yu nodded, "Yes, Mom was very bad."

She sincerely pleaded, "So, can you give me a chance to make it up to you? I promise, I'll never make Yanyan and Yunmiao sad again."

Yunmiao didn't say anything. She lifted her head and looked at Shu Yanyan's expression.

Shu Yanyan knew that she was seeking her opinion.

In that moment, she felt both moved and found it somewhat amusing—

She had previously told Chu Yu that she would agree as long as Yunmiao accepted her. And now, judging by Yunmiao's expression, it seemed like she was saying that she would be willing to accept this mother as long as she accepted Chu Yu's apology.

It had become an infinite loop.

Shu Yanyan curled her lips and asked, "What about Yunmiao?"

"Does Yunmiao blame Mom for being missing for so long?"

Yunmiao turned to look at Chu Yu.

She seemed to be contemplating, and after a while, she said, "I'm angry. Mommy always said that Mom had to leave us to protect Yunmiao. But, she was perfectly fine and never came to find us, causing Mommy and Yunmiao to be sad for so long..."

Chu Yu's heart twisted into a knot.

But immediately, Yunmiao continued, "But, she's my big sister. I like Mommy, and I also like my big sister. I, I can't stay angry for too long..."

Shu Yanyan broke into laughter through her tears.

She wiped her nose, saying, "Mommy is just like Yunmiao. Because we love her, we can't stay angry for too long."

Yunmiao nodded.

She asked, "Then how long should Mommy stay angry?"

Shu Yanyan felt a bit puzzled by this question."Um... how long do you think?" she replied.

Yunmiao shook her head, "I don't know..."

She leaned in close to Shu Yanyan's ear and whispered her little plan, "Then can Mommy tell me as soon as Mommy is not angry anymore?"

"I... I want Mom to hug me..."

Shu Yanyan paused for a moment, then looked up at Chu Yu.

Chu Yu's hearing was so sharp that she naturally heard this "whisper."

Since she was young, she had no experience with "crying." Even in the face of cruel wars throughout the years, she had never lowered her head.

But at this moment, looking at Shu Yanyan and Yunmiao, her heart couldn't help but tremble.

Upon hearing Yunmiao say that she wanted to be hugged, Chu Yu couldn't hold back her tears as they rolled down her cheeks.

Noticing Shu Yanyan's gaze, she raised her hand to wipe away the tears, revealing a gentle smile once again.

Shu Yanyan turned her head and whispered something in Yunmiao's ear. In the next moment, she slightly leaned over and handed the little girl in her arms to Chu Yu.

Yunmiao was initially a bit unsure but quickly found a comfortable position in Chu Yu's embrace.

She held onto Chu Yu's neck tightly, exerting more force than ever before.

"Mom, please don't leave us again, okay?"

Chu Yu couldn't hold back anymore.

She closed her eyes, allowing tears to freely fall as she hugged Yunmiao tightly, nodding incessantly.

"Okay."

This was her promise.

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