Return of the Antagonistic Lady Boss

Chapter 354 - 328: Heartbroken

Dong Yi looked at Second Brother, who was lowering his head to help Panpan tidy her hat. Dong Yi’s gaze darkened, and he fell silent.

From the audio store by the roadside, there floated out a slightly melancholic song.

"The warmth... that makes one feel wronged, unable to find proof of love, when to advance, when to give up, not even a hug~"

If the rumors and criticisms from the outside are external blows, then the relationship that is more than friendship but not quite love is an internal hurt. Suddenly, Qian felt a bit of sympathy for Dong Yi.

This was an attack from both sides, with no retreat.

The house rented by Mr. Yu wasn’t far from the workplace; Qian had been there once before while treating Panpan.

Coming this time, it felt different.

Before, it was just a cold place. The main intent was to treat Panpan, so it was a simple resting spot, not properly tidied up. After Dong Yi had lived there for just a month, it already felt like home.

The house had the fragrance of freshener, and it was cleaned and tidy. Normally, Panpan would share a bed with the eldest, and a section of the living room had been set aside, a mat laid out, with various toys placed on it, and children’s storybooks on the sofa. It clearly looked like the home of someone raising a child.

"You two sit, I’ll go cook." Dong Yi, silent since returning, went into the room and was about to cook, while Panpan followed like a little shadow, wherever she went.

Qian stood up, "I’ll help."

Yu Minglang, startled, quickly pulled her back.

"Qian, you sit here and play, here, take care of the child." He grabbed Panpan and placed her in Qian’s arms.

The last time the kitchen caught fire left a heavy psychological shadow on Yu Xiaoqiang, and since Second Brother’s house was a rental, burning it and having to deal with the landlord would be troublesome.

"I’ll help with the cooking." Second Brother got up, took off his coat, and followed Dong Yi into the kitchen.

Qian widened her eyes, wondering if Mr. Yu could cook?

She carried Panpan over for a look, and the two of them, one chopping, the other washing, were coordinating quite well, just too silent. It truly felt like living with ghosts, two people of few words together.

But even without speaking, there was an unexplainable understanding between them.

Whenever Dong Yi reached out, Second Brother would hand the basin over.

Qian watched for a while, knowing that if she stepped in, she’d definitely ruin the atmosphere. So she took the rather unwilling and reluctant Panpan out to play.

"I want Yi..." Panpan struggled in Qian’s arms.

Qian defiantly pulled him to her eye level, "Hey, little fatty, you used to be in my arms, I played games with you, remember?"

Panpan had been put on some weight; Dong Yi seemed quite adept at taking care of children. The previously scrawny child now had chubby cheeks, which Qian poked repeatedly, finding it amusing.

"I want Yi!" Panpan was now calling out for Dong Yi, and since Mr. Yu’s corrections failed, he just let him be.

"No, you want me! Come, I’ll play with you." Qian was quite indignant. This chubby kid was initially treated by her before being handed over to Dong Yi. How could it be that after a few days with Dong Yi, he wouldn’t even let her hold him?

"Wah!" Panpan cried out in grievance, pointing at Qian, "Bad Auntie, don’t want bad auntie!"

Yu Minglang burst into laughter, leaving Qian feeling awkward as a toddler rejected her.

"You ungrateful little chub, don’t come to me begging later!"

Dong Yi hurriedly came out from the kitchen, reaching out to take Panpan, who cuddled against her chest, sobbing in grievance with his hand still pointing at Qian.

"Don’t be afraid, Auntie likes you." Dong Yi soothed Panpan.

"Don’t want her, want Yi." Panpan held onto Dong Yi tightly, their relationship having grown very close in a short time.

"I’ll help Second Brother with the cooking." Seeing Qian on the verge of throwing a fit, Yu Minglang stood up and went into the kitchen, not forgetting to comfort his fiancée with a pat.

"It’s not your fault that you can’t cook or babysit."

Qian was furious, "Who says I can’t look after kids? I’m good at it! This child is just too close to Dong Yi, it doesn’t count!"

Yu Minglang shook his head as he entered the kitchen, deciding not to expose his little Mei, letting her feel good about herself.

Qian watched as Dong Yi expertly calmed Panpan, holding him on the sofa and telling stories.

"Dong Yi, don’t you think this way of educating him might make him too clingy to you?"

"It’s okay, I’ve checked, Panpan’s situation is improving greatly. If I am a bit more attentive, he can integrate into society better."

Qian wanted to say, is this just attentive? Even a mother would only do as much.

Panpan had grown too dependent on Dong Yi. Once Dong Yi leaves, the child would suffer greatly. Qian could see at a glance that the child had already regarded Dong Yi as his mother.

Improvement in health is a good thing, but if they become too attached, what happens to the child when Dong Yi moves on with her life?

No wonder Big Brother was worried and sent me over.

Dong Yi and Second Brother might believe there’s nothing wrong with their relationship, both feeling it to be great, but any observer could see that continuing this way would lead to trouble.

Qian thought for a moment and decided to approach from another angle; she couldn’t be too blunt.

"Dong Yi, how have you been lately? Is everything okay?"

"All good, Panpan is very obedient, and I’m with him every day." At night, she could prepare a dinner for Uncle, feeling especially fulfilled seeing them enjoy it.

"No other issues?" Qian was trying to guide Dong Yi to see if the surrounding neighbors had any gossip.

"No, I seldom leave the house—Oh, there’s something." Dong Yi suddenly remembered. "Qian, I’ve been having dreams recently, somewhat similar dreams."

"Oh? What dreams?" Qian’s interest piqued, this being her expertise.

Dreams could reflect a person’s subconscious mind. She had understood Jingjing’s psychological state through dreams, allowing her to choose a treatment plan. Though many dreams hold no research value, recurring dreams indicated a change in mindset.

"I dream of snakes, like really big snakes..."

Snakes again?!

Qian was stunned for a second. Jingjing dreamt of snakes, and now Dong Yi too?

Yu Minglang put the ingredients into the pot and, while waiting for them to cook, came out for a turn. He happened to catch this sentence, and before Qian could further inquire about Dong Yi’s dream specifics, Yu Minglang turned back into the kitchen, closing the door behind him, and grabbed Mr. Yu by the collar as he was mixing salad.

"Mr. Yu, you better confess, what did you do to Dong Yi?! Are you even human? She’s still a student!"

Mr. Yu swatted his hand away, frowning slightly. "I did nothing, keep your distance. If your spit lands in the salad, I’ll let you go hungry tonight."