The two children sat obediently on their small chairs like dazed swallows, waiting for Xu Qingqing to serve the meal.
Xu Qingqing looked at the expectant looks on their faces and felt that she wasn't a good mother or wife.
The Chinese New Year was approaching. She should be at home taking good care of the children and Lu Chuanbai. But now, such a big incident had occurred.
If she didn't go, she was worried that Wang Lide, Gu Yuan, and Chen Jiashu wouldn't be able to handle those people.
Seeing that Xu Qingqing looked a bit exhausted, Lu Chuanbai stepped forward and took the pickled radish from her hands.
"What's wrong? Tired?"
Xu Qingqing shook her head with a smile. She sat down in her seat, looking at the crystal - clear white radish shreds on the beige plate, and changed the subject.
"My mom's skill in pickling radishes has really improved. It looks delicious."
The perceptive Lu Chuanbai sensed that Xu Qingqing didn't want to talk about it, so he didn't ask further. Instead, he nodded with a smile and praised.
"Yes, it looks really nice. Let's start the meal."
Xu An'an couldn't wait to pick up her chopsticks. Her eyes were fixed on the sweet - and - sour spare ribs in the middle of the table, and drool started to flow from her mouth.
"Mom, hurry up and start the meal... Oh, I'm drooling."
Xu An'an gave an embarrassed giggle. Lu Chuanbai immediately grabbed a tissue to wipe the drool off Xu An'an's face and gently pinched her little cheek to tease her.
"Little glutton. You can't wait for a single moment."
"I like mom's sweet - and - sour spare ribs the most!" Xu An'an raised her little head, her big eyes blinking.
Xu Qingqing couldn't resist her cute look and couldn't help laughing. "Alright, stop looking. Eat quickly."
"Yeah!"
Xu An'an cheered. Her chopsticks immediately attacked the sweet - and - sour spare ribs. She took a big bite, and her lips were covered with sauce.
The two children ate happily, but Xu Qingqing was preoccupied. She finished a bowl of rice without really tasting it.
After the meal, the two children went to play with their toys. Lu Chuanbai put the dishes into the dishwasher, wiped the table clean, and sat down across from Xu Qingqing.
"Do you have something on your mind?" Lu Chuanbai's voice was soft and magnetic, with a lazy tone of concern.
Xu Qingqing didn't dare to look into Lu Chuanbai's eyes. She lowered her head almost into her chest, and her voice was even softer than a mosquito's buzz.
"Do you still remember the sunken ship incident at the river bottom that I told you about last time..."
"I remember. What's up?"
As soon as Lu Chuanbai heard this, he could more or less guess what Xu Qingqing was thinking. But he didn't expose it immediately. Instead, he smiled and waited for Xu Qingqing to continue.
Xu Qingqing bit her lips tightly and made up her mind.
Anyway, she had to tell Lu Chuanbai and the two children about this sooner or later. Now was a good opportunity. If she didn't say it, she might not be able to sleep tonight!
"My uncle and Boss Huang are going to salvage the sunken ship the day after tomorrow."
"I'm going with the Special Cultural Relics Action Team to stop them. We can't let the cultural relics fall into the hands of these bad guys!"
After Xu Qingqing finished speaking, she slapped the table forcefully, as if trying to out - intimidate Lu Chuanbai.
"Oh, that's it." Lu Chuanbai replied casually, which made Xu Qingqing feel at a loss. She pursed her lips and carefully looked at Lu Chuanbai.
"Do you mean you agree?"
Lu Chuanbai shrugged helplessly. He crossed his arms in front of his chest, looked up, and smiled at Xu Qingqing.
"What if I don't agree? An'an cried because she missed you last time."
"Ah..." Xu Qingqing let out a long, disappointed sigh and slumped into her seat.
It was true that she hadn't fulfilled her promise to the two children.
She should have accompanied them well...
Seeing that Xu Qingqing really believed he didn't want her to go, Lu Chuanbai couldn't help laughing and comforted her.
"I'm just kidding. How could I not let you go?"
"Supporting your career is what I should do. You've taken care of the two children enough in the past. Now you should pursue your career."
Hearing that Lu Chuanbai agreed, the heavy stone in Xu Qingqing's heart shattered. She let out a long sigh of relief.
"That's great. I was afraid you guys wouldn't agree to me going."
The two children heard Lu Chuanbai and Xu Qingqing's discussion. They quietly crawled behind the arcade in the living room and peeked out to listen.
Hearing that Xu Qingqing was going to the sea to salvage the sunken ship again, Xu An'an pouted unhappily and picked at the wall with her little hand.
"Mom is going to work again... I want mom to stay at home with me..."
Hearing Xu An'an's words, Xu Yiyi seriously comforted her.
Although he was still a child himself, he was quite good at consoling his sister.
Xu Yiyi first hugged his sister into his arms and gently soothed her anxious heart.
"Brother knows you're worried that no one will accompany you and you'll have to stay at grandma's place alone again. But brother promises you that this won't happen anymore."
"Brother doesn't have any announcements recently. I'll always be with you."
"And dad bought us beautiful gifts. We should support mom's work."
Xu Yiyi's words quickly comforted Xu An'an.
Although they were born only a few minutes apart, Xu An'an was half a head shorter than Xu Yiyi. She was like a delicate doll, with her cherry - red lips pouting.
"Brother, don't lie to me. You have to play with me!"
"Okay." Xu Yiyi made a cool OK sign and winked cutely.
Xu An'an was immediately cheered up. Her eyes curved into crescent moons, and she took Xu Yiyi's hand and walked towards Xu Qingqing.
Seeing the two little treasures running towards her, Xu Qingqing bent down and picked them up onto her lap.
These two children must have heard their conversation just now. She didn't know what they were thinking.
Xu An'an affectionately put her arms around Xu Qingqing's neck and said generously, "Mom, you can just go to work. Brother and dad will accompany me."
Seeing that Xu An'an was so willing to let her go to work, Xu Qingqing's gaze fell on Xu Yiyi. Xu Yiyi blinked his big eyes and gave Xu Qingqing a big smile.
"Mom, you go to work. I'll take good care of sister. You must be careful."
Xu Qingqing's heart melted because of the children's understanding, especially Xu Yiyi's.
Xu An'an was so willing to let her go because Xu Yiyi had done some psychological work on her.
Xu Qingqing lowered her head and pressed her face against Xu Yiyi's soft little cheek. She whispered in his ear, "Thank you, Yiyi."
"Mom knows it was you who helped mom comfort sister. You're really mom's good baby."
Seeing that mom had noticed his little trick, Xu Yiyi's desire for praise was immediately satisfied. He took the initiative to kiss Xu Qingqing on the face.
"I'm the older brother."
He was the older brother, and he had to help mom take care of his sister.
These simple four words made Xu Qingqing's eyes moist. She felt like crying.
Seeing this warm scene of the mother and children, Lu Chuanbai couldn't help but come over and join in the fun. He hugged the mother and children in his arms.