Even if Gu Fei hadn’t said anything, Ming Li knew she wouldn’t be returning to Gu Manor early today.
Ming Xi, ever the curious soul, poked her head closer and asked what exactly was happening with the Gu family.
“If I knew that, would I need Gu Fei to remind me?” Ming Li chuckled softly. “Regardless, it has nothing to do with me.”
Ming Xi figured that made sense and nodded. Suddenly, she remembered something else. “Oh, by the way, were you satisfied with Sister-in-law’s apology the other day? She actually came to me specifically to ask what you like. She seemed quite sincere.”
Ming Li: “…”
“It was fine,” Ming Li replied perfunctorily.
On the way back, Ming Li had Ming Xi use her phone to let Zhu Hanxing know everyone was safe. They even started a video call so Hanxing could see Mingyue.
Zhu Hanxing was caught in a loop of trying to lecture Mingyue for running off and feeling guilty for not being there enough. One second she was being firm, the next she was cooing in apology. Luckily, Ming Xi acted as the mediator, keeping the atmosphere harmonious.
Ming Li briefly mentioned that she had suspended Nanny Jin for the time being but didn’t go into the details of her suspicions. Zhu Hanxing asked, “Then who will stay with Mingyue? She doesn’t have to go to kindergarten every day.”
“My mom,” Ming Li said, then paused. “She can stay at our place for the night. We’ll figure out the specifics tomorrow.”
Ms. Ming was working now; things weren’t like they used to be.
As for Ming Xi, a high school senior was as busy as a dog every day—where would she find the time to babysit?
But Mingyue’s situation was special. Judging by the “warning” from those two women and Nanny Jin’s reaction, it was highly likely Mingyue had suffered some form of abuse again.
Mingyue was deaf and couldn’t speak. Often, when nannies saw her alone and defenseless, they would bully her.
Because of this, Zhu Hanxing had already fired three previous nannies.
They either ignored the child’s needs, physically abused her, or “forgot” to take her to her medical appointments. Each one had their own brand of cruelty.
Ming Li knew how much effort Zhu Hanxing had put into finding a reliable domestic worker, but in this regard, she seemed to have a talent for stepping on landmines.
Seeing as Hanxing was almost finished with her filming, Ming Li decided to keep her suspicions quiet for now. She told her to cancel her flight for tonight and wait until the production wrapped up so they could have a proper reunion in Jingan.
Zhu Hanxing was skeptical, but before she could press for details, someone on her end began shouting for her.
Hanxing turned to reply, “Coming!”
She quickly signed to Mingyue: Big Sister will be done with work in a week. When I get back, I’ll take you to the amusement park, okay? Be good for Sister Ming Li.
Mingyue nodded vigorously.
After the video call ended, Ming Xi patted Mingyue’s head. “What a good girl.”
Mingyue turned her face away with a hint of resistance. Ming Xi used her somewhat clunky sign language to communicate: I took you out to play just last year. Did you forget me that quickly?
Mingyue signed back: I remember.
“Then will you sleep with me tonight?” Ming Xi asked. “I have to go to school tomorrow, so you’ll stay with my mom, okay?”
Mingyue looked hesitant. She glanced at Ming Li, who was driving, and signed to Ming Xi: I want to sleep with Sister Li.
Ming Xi: “…”
Ming Xi turned to her sister. “Sis, are you going back to that place tonight? Mingyue wants to stay with you.”
“I don’t know yet,” Ming Li said. “I have a business meeting tonight, and it’ll probably run late. You handle putting Mingyue to bed.”
“Fine. I’ll show her some cartoons. Mom is on the late shift tonight until ten, so the little one will definitely be asleep by then,” Ming Xi said confidently.
After dropping them off, Ming Li rummaged through the fridge, preparing to cook lunch for them.
“Oh ho!” Ming Xi leaned against the kitchen door, watching Ming Li tie on an apron. “Little Mingyue, we’re in for a treat today.”
Mingyue stared at her blankly, confused. Ming Xi didn’t explain; she just led her to the living room to show off her collection of figurines. She handed her iPad to the girl. “You play with this here. I’m going to do some practice problems, okay?”
Mingyue nodded. She wasn’t actually interested in the toys or the games on the iPad. Instead, she sat down beside Ming Xi, watching her work on her math problems with intense focus.
Ming Xi teased her, “You want to do them too? You wouldn’t understand these.”
She paused for a second, then snapped her fingers. “Wait right here.”
Ming Xi excitedly downloaded two sets of first-grade math worksheets and printed them out. Mingyue sat obediently by her side and began to work on them.
While cooking, Ming Li checked on them from the doorway. Seeing the older and younger girls both working so seriously, she didn’t disturb them and went back to the kitchen.
A few minutes later, Ming Xi suddenly yelled toward the kitchen, “Sis! Don’t you feel like we forgot something?”
Ming Li poked her head out. “What?”
Ming Xi: “…”
Ming Li: “…”
Neither sister had realized they had left Ms. Ming behind at Zhu Hanxing’s house. Ming Xi had only noticed the house felt a little too quiet once she started her homework. She only remembered when she received a message from her mother asking where they were.
Oh! We’re missing a mom!
Ming Xi quickly messaged Ms. Ming, launching into a convoluted explanation of the ordeal of finding Mingyue before pivoting to ask if her mother was hungry.
Ms. Ming replied with two chilling words: [I see.]
Ming Xi: [Huh?]
Ms. Ming: [You forgot me.]
Ming Xi sent a meme: [Let me explain.jpg]
Ms. Ming asked: [Have you eaten?]
Ming Xi: [Not yet! How could we eat without Mom here? Sis is cooking right now. Should I come pick you up?]
Ms. Ming replied: [No need. I’ve called a car.]
Ming Xi: [Wow!]
Ms. Ming didn’t reply further. She sat in the back of the taxi, eyes closed, resting.
Ming Xi, acting as if she’d discovered a new continent, scurried to the kitchen. “Report! Our Ms. Ming has learned how to hail her own rides!”
Ming Li, who was tossing a salad, paused. “That impressive?”
“Yeah.” Ming Xi was astonished. “It’s only been two days. Mom’s learning ability is actually kind of terrifying!”
Ming Li tsked. “Maybe we just spoiled her too much in the past?”
“Probably,” Ming Xi murmured.
The sisters agreed that Ms. Ming going back to work was the right move.
Ms. Ming had the education, the brains, and the experience; she would excel at whatever she put her mind to. It was just their habit of overprotecting her that had held her back.
After all, when their father passed away, Ms. Ming had fallen so ill she nearly didn’t make it. Ming Li and Ming Xi had instinctively wanted her to just rest forever.
Ming Xi sighed. “I guess that beating I didn’t get yesterday all went to my mom. It must have cleared her internal blockages.”
Ming Li laughed at her sister’s nonsense, but Ming Xi was adamant. “It’s true! If I hadn’t been bullied so badly, would Mom have stepped up like this?”
