Chapter 30: The Encounter, and Xuanbao’s Divine Assist!

Since Li Youguang had already spoken, the secretary dared not ask any further questions.

Meanwhile, at the Tomson Riviera residential complex, Yang Mi had been sitting on the sofa for several hours, closely monitoring the situation online. As expected, with the public relations efforts from Jiaxing, the public opinion on the internet had indeed begun to shift. However, if things continued this way, she would still remain in a precarious position.

"Sister Mi, please don't worry too much. Didn't Director Liu say that this matter has nothing to do with you?" Seeing Yang Mi's concern, He Baibai comforted her, "Alright, it's almost time; we need to go see Xuanbao'er."

Yang Mi frowned slightly, her tone remaining calm as she replied, "Chen Arthur and Wu Yufei are coming at us aggressively; they have clearly hired a top-tier PR firm. Jiaxing is struggling to keep up. Besides, if the losses reach a certain point, Director Liu will definitely abandon us. We must be mentally prepared for that."

Yang Mi knew about Chen Arthur's background. As a young master of the Beijing circle, his status in the entertainment industry was no empty title. If Jiaxing's losses outweighed the benefits she brought to the company, they would certainly discard her. Yang Mi was self-aware enough to realize this.

However, mentioning Xuanbao'er lifted her spirits significantly. She squeezed out a smile and said, "Yes, it’s been several days since I last saw her; I haven't been able to settle my heart. I wonder if she’s grown taller or if she’s been misbehaving."

He Baibai chuckled, "It’s only been a few days; how could she have grown that fast? Sister Mi, I have to remind you of something!"

Yang Mi was slightly stunned, "Remind me of what?"

He Baibai looked serious, "This time, you are going to see Li Qing in person. You might have to talk to him or something. And it will be in front of Xuanbao'er. If the two of you act too like strangers, what will the child think?"

Hearing this, Yang Mi’s heart skipped a beat, and her expression became unsettled. She was right—how was she supposed to face Li Qing in front of their child? Thinking of that man’s face, Yang Mi felt a swirl of complex emotions. Their relationship was, effectively, non-existent; she knew absolutely nothing about him! Yet, they had shared a physical intimacy—she had given her first time to him. Facing such a man, Yang Mi truly didn't know what to do.

"Sister Mi, have you figured out how to face him?" He Baibai asked, "You need to be mentally prepared."

Yang Mi felt conflicted and increasingly anxious. She looked at He Baibai and asked, "Baibai, looking at this from an outsider's perspective, what should I do?"

"You're asking me?" He Baibai looked surprised, her beautiful eyes reflecting a complex look. "To be honest... should I really be giving advice on this?"

Yang Mi looked slightly flustered, "It's fine, just tell me based on your instincts. What should I do?"

He Baibai pondered for a moment and then said with great sincerity, "I think you should try to relax as much as possible, maybe even pretend to be affectionate with Li Qing. That’s the only way Xuanbao'er won't notice anything. You know, although she’s young, she’s very sensible—much smarter than most children. If she senses that something is wrong between you two, I’m afraid it might affect her growth."

Yang Mi nodded thoughtfully after hearing He Baibai's words. She knew it made sense, but it was easier said than done. Pretending to be intimate with a stranger she’d had a one-night stand with? That was truly difficult.

Yang Mi sighed, "Fine, I'll try my best. Alright, time is running out, let's go."

After packing some clothes for Xuanbao'er, Yang Mi and He Baibai drove off to meet Li Qing at the agreed-upon location.

About an hour later, Yang Mi's car pulled over not far from Li Qing's small courtyard in the suburbs.

"Wow, this place is really remote. No paparazzi would ever think you'd come here," He Baibai remarked, clicking her tongue. "Let's get out and go see Xuanbao'er."

Yang Mi was bundled up tightly; at this stage, she had to be extra cautious. As she stepped out of the car, she saw a young man a short distance away stepping out of a familiar Chevrolet SUV, holding a little girl in his arms. In the sunset, the dim light fell upon the young man's face, revealing not only his handsome looks but also an indescribable aesthetic appeal.

Seeing Li Qing again, Yang Mi felt a surge of complex emotions, along with nervousness and apprehension. She didn't know how to face him. Taking a deep breath, Yang Mi put on a smile and said, "Xuanbao'er, look who's here!"

She walked toward the girl. Xuanbao'er, held in Li Qing's arms, saw her mother approaching, and her beautiful eyes lit up instantly. "Daddy, it's Mommy! She's here to see me!"

Li Qing smiled, "Yes, go ahead and run to your mother." He knew that Xuanbao'er must have missed her mother during the days they were apart. A normal child would have been crying and fussing, so her being this well-behaved for so many days was no small feat.

Xuanbao'er stumbled toward Yang Mi and threw herself into her arms. "Mommy, I missed you!" She nestled into Yang Mi’s arms, feeling the warmth of her mother, which brought the little girl immense comfort.

"Baby, Mommy missed you too!" Yang Mi was overjoyed. Seeing Xuanbao'er, her anxious heart immediately relaxed. "Let Mommy give you a kiss."

Yang Mi kissed Xuanbao'er on the cheek, and Xuanbao'er returned the gesture. Watching the mother and child together, especially the happy smile on Xuanbao'er's face, Li Qing felt a slight stir in his heart.

"Haha, did Xuanbao'er miss Auntie?" He Baibai walked up from behind with a bright smile. "Oh, I think she really has grown a bit taller, and she looks so chubby and cute."

Xuanbao'er giggled, "I missed Auntie too. Daddy lets me eat lots of yummy food every day, so I've gotten chubby." As she spoke, she patted her little tummy in an adorable manner.

Both Yang Mi and He Baibai were amused by her. "Alright, have you been happy living with Daddy? Is there anything that made you unhappy?" Yang Mi was very concerned about Xuanbao'er's daily life.

Xuanbao'er leaned against Yang Mi's chest and said happily, "Mommy, Daddy is very good to me. He plays games with me every day and teaches me how to read and draw..." Xuanbao'er rattled on, giving a detailed account of everything she and Li Qing had done.

Listening to this, a wave of guilt washed over Yang Mi. In all the years Xuanbao'er had been with her, she had never truly spent time with her in a meaningful way. Thinking of this, Yang Mi couldn't help but look at Li Qing, who was standing nearby. She bit her lip slightly, casting a look of gratitude his way.

Reunited with her mother's love, Xuanbao'er was in high spirits. She tugged at the corner of Yang Mi's shirt and whispered in her childish voice, "Mommy, you and Daddy haven't seen each other for a long time either. Don't you miss Daddy? If you both hold me together, I'd be even happier."

Hearing this, Yang Mi froze and looked at Xuanbao'er in surprise. She was only three years old; how did she understand such things?

He Baibai asked in astonishment, "Xuanbao'er, who taught you that? No, wait—how do you know so much?"

Xuanbao'er replied earnestly, "The children on TV all have their mommies and daddies with them... I have a daddy and a mommy too, so isn't that how it's supposed to be?"

Watching Xuanbao'er's serious expression, Yang Mi felt at a loss. He Baibai gave a wry smile, "Sister Mi, it's up to you how you play this. I won't interfere in this."

With that, He Baibai stepped aside, as this was Yang Mi's private business. Yang Mi looked at Li Qing, feeling slightly embarrassed. Then, holding Xuanbao'er, she gathered her courage and slowly walked toward him.