Chapter 298: Chapter 298: Resolving the Knots in One’s Heart

Before returning to Yunqiao Village.

Lu Xining had been staying at home with the three children, taking them to and from school and cooking meals herself.

These last few days, Ji Ze was always surreptitiously watching her, hesitating to speak several times, even losing interest in his favorite toy cars.

Little Dumpling fell asleep first during nap time, and Ji Chao holding her hand, followed suit.

Only Ji Ze, though his eyes were closed, had his eyeballs continuously moving beneath his eyelids, obviously not asleep.

Looking at her son, who had no sign of sleepiness, Lu Xining whispered to him, “Xiao Ze, come over to Mama.”

She led him to the swing in the backyard garden, cradled him, and swayed back and forth while looking at the scenery in the yard.

Lu Xining quietly asked, “Does Xiao Ze have something he wants to ask Mama?”

Ji Ze, rarely so close to his mother, blushed with some embarrassment, his cheeks warming against her shoulder.

Thinking back to what his brother had told him, he hesitated but still decided to ask.

Ji Ze said, “Mama, do you love my sister more?”

His classmates had also said that because the younger siblings in their families were little, their parents would dote on them more.

Perhaps because those classmates had mentioned it too many times recently, Ji Ze couldn’t help but feel the same way. Every time he saw his father holding his sister, his heart felt a bit sour.

He knew he wasn’t as sensible as his brother, nor could he be as coquettish as his sister, but he truly loved his dad and mom.

Lu Xining understood the possessiveness children felt toward their parents.

She stroked his head and asked, “Mama loves all three of you the same.”

“I said a lot of things before that upset Mama because of outsiders, but I never formally apologized to you. I’m sorry.”

The child’s sudden apology stunned Lu Xining for a moment.

Just as she was about to comfort him, she heard Ji Ze say, “Mama, I really know I was wrong, so can you please not reject me?”

His hand clenched tightly onto Lu Xining’s coat, his tears wetting her collar, and his voice becoming choked towards the end.

Lu Xining sighed, the past grief was real, but the love for her child washed away that grief, and since she had chosen to forgive her two sons, she wouldn’t wallow in past emotions.

“Xiao Ze, listen to what Mama has to say.” She gently patted his shoulder, her tone very gentle and soothing.

Ji Ze lifted his head from her embrace, and she gently wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes with the pad of her finger.

“Whether it’s you, your brother, or your sister, you are all Mama’s children here, and my love for you all has no difference. But if my actions made you feel favored, Mama apologizes to you right here.”

Hearing her say that, Ji Ze quickly shook his head anxiously, “I’m not blaming Mama, and I love my sister too.”

“Mama, it’s not that you and my sister aren’t good, and it’s not that I’m jealous of her, I just… just…”

Ji Ze’s voice was filled with an urgency to clear the misunderstanding, fearful that she might think he resented Lu Nuonuo’s presence. The more he spoke, the more desperate he became, bowing his head with a sobbing voice and shoulders quaking in silent tears.

Before having children, it was said one should be fair and balanced.

But sometimes, one child might feel the balance of parental love was tipped.

Lu Xining’s heart clenched, and she hugged her child, comforting his emotions, saying, “Mama knows, Xiao Ze and your brother both love your sister very much.”

The two talked for a long time.

Only when Ji Ze’s emotions gradually steadied did Lu Xining talk to him about the custody matters.

“Xiao Ze, Mama and Papa respect both you and your brother’s choices.”

“Whether you prefer to stay with Papa or with Mama, we are still a family, and that will never change.”

“If you ever feel that Mama’s love for you is biased, you can always talk to Mama about it.”

Lu Xining’s unwavering assurance of her love allowed the clouds in Ji Ze’s heart to slowly scatter, and it was only afterward that he realized how foolish his earlier sentiments had been.

His cheeks were flushed with embarrassment as he looked down, fiddling with his fingers.

Ji Ze said, “Mom, I really like you and my sister, as well as dad and my brother.”

She wiped the tears from the child’s cheeks.

Lu Xining smiled and nodded, “Mom knows.”

He looked up and asked, “Then will Mom settle in Country C in the future?”

Although the flight distance between the two countries wasn’t long, it was still far away, and Ji Ze felt reluctant in his heart.

“Before you guys become adults, Mom will always be by your side.”

“It’s also because Mom will be working in Yun City that she took your sister there, but I promise that when it’s the weekend, Mom will bring your sister back to spend time with you, okay?”

Ji Muye would often have business trips as well, and during those times Ji Chao and Ji Ze would be sent to live at the old house.

The words his brother had spoken to him echoed in Ji Ze’s ears once more.

Dad needs to strive for his career, but so does Mom, and they shouldn’t use love to confine Mom’s heart that strives for her career.

Having understood, Ji Ze’s eyes cleared of the previous gloom.

He said firmly, “Mom, you focus on your work, and I’ll study hard too.”

“On weekends, we can have the bodyguard uncle take us to Yun City to see you, you don’t have to make the trip each time, and we can also video call. I will buy sister her favorite candied hawthorn fruit to eat…”

Lu Xining’s eyes reddened slightly, “Okay.”

Listening to her son slowly painting a picture of their future life together and offering his encouragement, a wave of relief filled her eyes.

The knot of unease in her heart was untied.

Assured that Mom would not abandon him, Ji Ze felt much more at ease.

In the end, he realized his previous mistake of choosing Aunt Xixi over his mom.

It was only after realizing that his choice had hurt Mom that Ji Ze felt so anxious and fearful that Mom didn’t love him.

Ji Ze gazed at the gentle beauty before him with bright, beaming eyes, feeling a secret pride in his heart.

His mom was really amazing!

She also knew medical skills, had saved many, many patients, and was a heroine right out of the storybooks!

After soothing and adjusting Ji Ze’s emotions, Lu Xining also found time to have a talk with her older son, Ji Chao.

Ji Chao’s temperament was actually very similar to a gentle version of Ji Muye.

In many matters of perception and insight, he was also more mature than the average person his age.

He didn’t even need Lu Xining to speak before he said proactively, “Mom, I understand, even though you are our mom, you are also your own person with things to do, and I’ll take good care of my brother. Don’t worry.”

“Silly child, you’re still a child yourself; you don’t need to take care of your brother.”

Lu Xining kissed her eldest son’s cheek, speaking tenderly, “Xiao Chao, even though you’re the older brother, taking care of your brother and sister is Mom and Dad’s responsibility, not yours, so just focus on being yourself.”

“In the future, study whatever you like, Mom and Dad will always love and support you both, we’re your strongest backers.”

Ji Chao’s heart warmed, and he shyly nodded his head.

In a cottage in the mountains of Jingzhou.

Secretary Cheng brought Ji Muye some tea, closed the door of the cottage tea house respectfully, and patrolmen were all around.

“I heard about your situation from your grandfather.”

Xi Juan lifted the cup of tea and blew on it, his eyes lifting faintly, “Have you thought it through? This path is not an easy one to walk.”