Chu Yanhan sat to one side, and although he had the air of a family head, he could not conceal the indulgence and leniency toward the grandfather-grandson pair in his eyes: "Indeed, other people’s kids are all like this, what’s the big deal?"

Zaizai mimicked his grandfather’s words: "Indeed, other people’s kids are all like this, what’s the big deal?"

Jiayi laughed in exasperation: "With grandpa and grandma backing you up, you’ve grown bold, haven’t you?"

Little Baozi had already jumped off the sofa and was walking towards the room: "Grandpa, come play games with me."

Chu Yanhan, like a 24/7 bodyguard, immediately stood up to accompany the little emperor, holding Zaizai’s hand with a beaming smile: "Alright. But in this game, you have to let grandpa win a little, don’t beat grandpa so quickly, okay?"

The grandfather and grandson casually made their way to the computer in the room.

Jiayi reproached: "Mommy, look, Zaizai used to listen to me a bit, but now he doesn’t take my words seriously at all. You and daddy should stop spoiling him like this."

"Zaizai is so pitiful, your daddy and I spoiling him a bit more is just to make up for it, what’s wrong with that?" Xia Tingxuan disagreed.

Jiayi laughed in frustration: "He’s pitiful? Other kids don’t have what he has; if you keep treating him like a little emperor... If he’s pitiful, what about the others?"

"But other children have daddies, what about my Zaizai?" Xia Tingxuan purposely squinted her eyes.

Jiayi suddenly had nothing to say, immediately realizing her mother was once again pushing the matter with Brother Yixiao.

Her mother couldn’t wait for her to be with Nie Yixiao.

She subconsciously walked towards the kitchen: "Let’s see what dishes were made today..."

Xia Tingxuan knew she was avoiding the topic, but could only follow helplessly.

During dinner, the family enjoyed the warmth and ease of their time together.

After the meal, as it was not early, Zaizai followed his usual routine and stayed at the Chu Family home to spend the weekend with his grandparents.

Xia Tingxuan saw Jiayi downstairs to her home, and when they reached the entrance of the residential complex, she finally couldn’t hold back:

"Jiayi, I heard from your dad that the issue with Yixiao’s security firm has been resolved, is that right?"

"Yes." Jiayi nodded, sensing what Mommy was about to ask next.

As expected, Xia Tingxuan probed: "That Inoue Keino was very adamant initially, insisting that the security firm issue a public apology, and even your dad’s persuasion didn’t work. How come he suddenly dropped the matter?"

Jiayi had her response prepared, revealing a smile: "Didn’t I go to see Inoue in person that day? I brought some gifts, said some nice words, and probably that calmed Inoue down."

"Really? Is it that simple?" Xia Tingxuan was skeptical.

Jiayi didn’t want to tell Mommy that the smooth resolution was due to Huo Zhenyang’s help.

And she especially didn’t want to say that his condition for helping her was that she must agree to thoroughly reject Nie Yixiao’s marriage proposal.

If she told Mommy, her mother, who was eager for her to be with Nie Yixiao, would probably get angry, wouldn’t she?

She spoke with composed tone and smiled: "Indeed, what else could it be?"

Seeing that her daughter was not willing to elaborate, Xia Tingxuan did not press further, only softening her tone: "Since Yixiao’s company issues are resolved, I’ll make a call and have him come over for a meal tomorrow. You should also come; after you have lunch at home, you could take Zaizai to the amusement park in the afternoon. Then bring Zaizai back in the evening, and if there’s enough time, you two could go for a stroll."

Jiayi laughed: "Mommy, are you arranging our whole schedule for us?"

It’s not exactly how you matchmake people.

Xia Tingxuan was also tired of beating around the bush: "You are not anxious, so I’m anxious for you. It’s settled then—"

Before she finished speaking, footsteps sounded behind the mother and daughter.

Both turned towards the source of the sound and were taken aback.

In the corner next to the entrance of the residence, Huo Zhenyang had been standing there for who knows how long; a pair of deep eyes looked over, his hands thrust into his pockets as he walked towards the two of them.

Jiayi’s heart skipped a beat, not knowing why he had come back.

It seemed like he had been waiting at the entrance for quite a while; he probably also heard the conversation that she and her mother just had.

Indeed, he stopped in his tracks, his gaze fixing on Xia Tingxuan, his thin lips slightly raised: "It seems I have let Mother down, Nie Yixiao will probably never become your son-in-law in this lifetime."

A word "Mother" escaped from this man’s mouth, causing Jiayi some palpitations, fearing that Xia Tingxuan would be displeased.

But what Xia Tingxuan cared more about was the latter half of his sentence; momentarily ignoring his overly intimate address, she asked in surprise, "What do you mean?"

A sly expression crossed his handsome face as he glanced at the little woman by his mother-in-law’s side: "You can ask your obedient daughter what she has promised me."

Xia Tingxuan’s breathing became a bit rapid as she looked toward Jiayi: "What does he mean?"

"Mommy, you go inside first..." Jiayi pushed her mother toward the residence, glaring at the man who always appeared suddenly, leaving her clueless as to how to deal with the situation.

If looks could kill, he would have been at least a level-three disabled by now!

Xia Tingxuan, who wouldn’t go back with things left unclear halfway, insisted, "Jiayi, clarify it! Are you and him back together again?"

"No, and it’s not possible." Jiayi responded very straightforwardly.

The man’s face turned dark.

"Then why did he say that? Have you promised him not to be with Yixiao? Why?" Xia Tingxuan became anxious.

Feeling helpless, Jiayi could only lower her voice: "It’s because of the bodyguard issue with Brother Yixiao... Mommy, please, just go inside first..."

As soon as Xia Tingxuan heard that, she understood. Inoue had suddenly shifted from being uncooperative to finally relenting and not pursuing the matter further. It was Huo Zhenyang who intervened to help and then used this to threaten her daughter not to engage in any further relationship with Yixiao!

She became anxious: "Jiayi, you are single now, no one can tie you down! And no one can restrict your romantic life! Whatever you promised him doesn’t count, do you hear me..."

"Okay, okay, Mommy, I know, you go in first, I’ll talk to him right now, okay?" Jiayi was overwhelmed.

Xia Tingxuan finally went inside after being pushed and pulled by her daughter.

Watching her mother’s disappearing figure, Jiayi finally breathed a sigh of relief, but then she heard Huo Zhenyang’s mocking voice: "You’re not really planning to cross the bridge and then tear it down, breaking the promise you made to me, are you?"

Jiayi turned around, realizing the purpose of his visit today.

Wasn’t it just to assert his authority over her in front of Mommy and to warn Mommy not to match her up with other men?

She didn’t want to be manipulated by him, she didn’t want him to be so domineering, looking toward him: "Even if I agreed not to be with Brother Yixiao or anyone else for the rest of my life, it’s still impossible for me to be with you. Is that good enough for you? Are you satisfied? I am single! And I am proud of it!"

With that, she turned and walked away.

His expression changed instantly, his eyes quickly turning icy: "Stop."

She continued walking forward without stopping.

"Chu Jiayi!" His voice rose several decibels, tone sharp and commanding.

This was the first time he had called her by her full name.

The tone was stern, as if it was strictly official business!