Now the three children felt reassured, and Qi Hong awkwardly hugged Mom’s arm.
"Mom, you are also the most important person in my heart."
The hot water was ready. Su Yuanyuan smiled and got up. "I used to prepare clothes for you every year, and this year is no exception. You guys go take a bath."
"Mom, we can do it ourselves."
Su Yuanyuan nodded, "Okay, I trust my babies." The kids were already eight years old. Actually, they were quite grown up; at eight, she was already working in the fields with her grandmother, capable of handling all kinds of farm work.
Su Yuanyuan genuinely loved her children, but she wouldn’t spoil them either.
Seeing them prepare the bathwater and clothes for themselves, all in an orderly manner, Su Yuanyuan felt a twinge of sourness in her heart. Five years, these five years, the things the children went through were indescribable.
She now wished not to leave the children even for a mont. While they bathed, she waited outside.
Tan Shaoting watched this scene, feeling deeply distressed. He also went outside to stand by his wife. Although they were standing close, Tan Shaoting felt an incredible distance between them.
He was eager to bridge the gap and turned to look at the woman staring at the bathroom door.
"Yuanyuan, I’ve cleaned all three bathrooms."
Su Yuanyuan nodded; she had noticed Tan Shaoting’s attention to the children’s needs.
Tan Shaoting was very frustrated with himself, wondering what he was saying.
"Yuanyuan."
"Let’s talk after the children fall asleep."
Tan Shaoting swallowed all the words he had. That feeling of being stuck between action and inaction was really uncomfortable.
Su Yuanyuan noticed his sorrowful expression and felt quite helpless herself. Tan Shaoting took such good care of the children, and she could feel his sincerity.
But it wasn’t directed at her. She had already thought about what to discuss with Tan Shaoting. If he agreed, she wouldn’t tell the children she wasn’t their mom. If Tan Shaoting disagreed, she couldn’t deceive the children about their feelings like this.
They stood in the courtyard together like that. Boys bathe quickly. Qi Yan and Qi Hong almost ca out simultaneously, and seeing their parents standing together, they ran over with smiles.
Seeing the two rosy-cheeked children, Su Yuanyuan loved them so much she didn’t know how to express it. How could they be so adorable?
At this mont, Qi Wen also ca out. Seeing her parents and brothers waiting for her outside, she happily ran over as well.
"Back inside, the weather is still a bit chilly outside."
The three children washed their clothes and hung them outside to dry.
Watching this, Su Yuanyuan’s nose tingled again. Here, such grown children could wash clothes and cook, but watching them, Su Yuanyuan felt heartache.
The five mbers of the family entered the living room. Tan Shaoting habitually dried his daughter’s hair.
"Dad, short hair is easy to wash and dries quickly, right?"
Tan Shaoting nodded with a smile. Watching him, Su Yuanyuan was pondering how she could act without hurting the four father and sons.
Qi Yan and Qi Hong both stood up at the sa ti. "Mom, we’ll prepare the bathwater for you."
Seeing the hopeful eyes of the two children, Su Yuanyuan smiled and nodded, "Okay, then I’ll just wait."
She knew the children wanted to be close to her again. That bittersweet feeling returned.
Five minutes later, Qi Yan and Qi Hong ca in. Su Yuanyuan stood up with a smile, "I’ll go get my supplies. You two behave and wait for your hair to dry."
When she went to bathe, only the four father and sons were left in the living room. In the children’s subconscious, they were still closer to Tan Shaoting, having spent five years together separately and having gone through so much together.
"Dad, it seems Mom doesn’t want to bother with you," Qi Wen said worriedly, looking at her father sitting on the side.
Tan Shaoting gave a bitter smile, "Yes, your mom just told she wanted to talk to after you all went to sleep. I’m very anxious and uncertain."
Qi Yan and his siblings exchanged glances, looking at their father’s anxious expression and feeling very sympathetic.
Su Yuanyuan also bathed quickly, and after coming out, she entered the living room with a smile.
Qi Wen ca over, "Mom, we’re going to bed. Tomorrow, we’ll go to work with you."
Su Yuanyuan smiled and nodded, "Sure. Have a good rest. What do you want for breakfast?"
"I want the pancakes you make, Mom. Dad always makes us porridge."
Su Yuanyuan patted her daughter’s head. "No problem, I’ll make pancakes for you all tomorrow morning."
Qi Yan and Qi Hong also said goodbye to Mom, hoping to give Dad a chance.
How could Su Yuanyuan not see it? She understood and could tell from the father and sons’ interactions that Tan Shaoting truly cared for the children. She wasn’t jealous of this; it was only natural.
She had co to a realization: if the children had to choose, they’d probably pick Tan Shaoting more often.
She definitely couldn’t let the children have to choose. It would be too cruel. Though she didn’t have a choice as a child, she knew how heartbroken and lost she was back then.
The best outco would be for them to remain superficial partners, jointly raising the children. This would minimize the harm. The only fear was if Tan Shaoting was unwilling.
The children went back to their room by themselves, leaving only the two of them in the living room.
"Let’s go to the study," where they would be further from the children’s bedroom.
Following Su Yuanyuan, Tan Shaoting entered the study behind her. He was incredibly nervous, like he was awaiting a fateful judgnt.
With the two sitting opposite each other in silence, Su Yuanyuan knew this wouldn’t work. Everything that needed to be said must be said. This issue needed to be resolved quickly.
"I’m no longer Su Yuanyuan."
This statent was incredible, and Tan Shaoting frowned, looking at her.
"I don’t know why, but when I woke up, I was Su Yuanyuan lying in a hospital bed.
I don’t know what happened between you, but I genuinely love the children. I can hear everyone’s thoughts, so I know what has happened. I was once lost about what to do, but now that you’ve returned.
I don’t want to deceive anyone, but the children have just co back, and I can see they want to be with their Mom, but I’m not their Mom—not in spirit, even if I am in body.
I don’t want the children to be hurt, but it requires your agreent.
To reiterate, I still don’t know why I beca Su Yuanyuan."
Tan Shaoting continued to frown at Su Yuanyuan, feeling no difference between her and his wife before. No, he couldn’t see it. He hoped Gu Ersheng could.
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