Chapter 693   - You Aren’t Even a Zhang (1)

Xiao Bao and Little Star were oblivious to the fact that their Auntie Mei and their Uncle Jiren were now married. It had only been a few weeks since Tang Beixuan's death and since Tang Moyu didn't want them to misunderstand the situation, she decided to keep it a secret from her children for now and Feng Tianyi agreed with her.

Their lunch, although filled with awkwardness among the a.d.u.l.ts, was tolerable with the little buns' presence. With Little Star's endless chattering and questions towards Zhang Jiren, Li Meili's nerves slowly calmed down as she looked at her best friend, who was seated across from her.

Because her right arm still wasn't healed and she was still in a cast, Tang Moyu had to rely on her left hand to feed herself while Feng Tianyi helped to put the dishes she would like to eat in her bowl.

"Uncle, does this mean you are going to visit us more often from now on?" Little Star asked Zhang Jiren curiously. Since this was the second time Zhang Jiren came to see them, did this mean that he would frequently visit them in the future?

Zhang Jiren glanced at his twin sister who was also waiting for his response then to Feng Tianyi who gave him a weak smile.

"Uncle will be very busy for the next few weeks, so I might not be able to visit you." He patted Little Star's head lovingly before tucking her stray locks behind her ear. "Maybe next time, I'll bring you and your brother some pastries you might love."

"Really? That's a promise, okay?" Little Star said excitedly. "Don't forget your promise, Uncle!"

Being here, seated with them and being Li Meili's husband, Zhang Jiren couldn't help but think that he had taken advantage of what Tang Beixuan should have. The little brother Tang Moyu was considering was not him but Tang Beixuan. The person Li Meili should be with right now was not him but Tang Beixuan.

Zhang Jiren wondered if he deserved to be here right now, knowing that he only had these things because Tang Beixuan had passed away so suddenly. Even the child that was growing inside his wife was not his.

Should he be content and happy with the kind of life he had right now? He wondered.

"Something the matter?" Li Meili asked him. Zhang Jiren had never told her about his current situation and his schedule, so she was surprised to hear something like this from him.

Zhang Jiren shook his head and smiled at her reassuringly.

"Nothing serious. It's just work piling up since I overstayed in Beijing." He told her, which meant that Li Meili shouldn't expect him to be home these couple of days.

Wasn't this situation what her parents had predicted and told her about once they got married? It seemed that her mother's advice wasn't unfounded at all. Li Meili thought.

If this was Zhang Jiren's way of distancing himself from her, allowing her to grieve over Tang Beixuan's death in peace, then it would make sense why he would limit their interaction, but for how long?

"Ah, you are just like my Moyu here." Feng Tianyi commented, causing Tang Moyu and Zhang Jiren to freeze for a moment. "I keep telling her that she didn't need to work too much and spend 24/7 at work since we've already hired competent employees that are capable of doing their jobs properly."

"It's a trait Moyu can't change easily, Feng Tianyi. You should know by now that you're married to a workaholic person." Li Meili let out a low chuckle and adjusted herself on her seat, tucking her long skirt beneath her legs.

Although she wasn't showing yet, she started to prefer wearing loose and comfy clothes that wouldn't restrict her movements and midsection. Perhaps in another month or so, she would need to change her wardrobe to accommodate her growing baby bump.

"Well, I would be relieved if she would be a good wife and listen to me for once. The company wouldn't go bankrupt overnight without her." Feng Tianyi said as he refilled his wife's glass with cold water. "I heard you are planning to back out from the competition, are you sure about this?"

Li Meili's expression suddenly changed as she glanced at Tang Moyu. Months ago, she was willing to cooperate and prove her worth as a designer to everyone, especially to her parents who were still displeased with her career choice. She had thought that once she proved herself, she certainly wouldn't have to run away from her family anymore.

"I haven't withdrawn my application yet but I'm considering it." She admitted.

"I understand." Feng Tianyi said. "There are some pressing matters you might need to attend to." He didn't voice it out but it seemed he was already aware of Li Meili's pregnancy, courtesy of his wife.

"I still think it's a pity to back out now. Beixuan was looking forward to seeing you win this competition and receive the award." Zhang Jiren said, which was immediately followed with an awkward silence.

"No, that's fine. You don't have to apologize." Li Meili blinked her tears away. She reminded herself that she needed to be strong, now more than ever. "He would probably be disappointed if he knew that I chickened out of the competition just because he was gone."

Li Meili still hadn't forgotten how excited Tang Beixuan was when she informed him about her intention to join this year's design competition. He knew how important it was for her to win it and strengthen her name and influence in the industry.

So for her to forfeit now, even before the selection started, didn't it also mean that she was giving up on Tang Beixuan's last wish to see her up on the stage to receive the award?