Chapter 174: Long Time No See (Part 1)

Over the next ten days or so, the group's daily itinerary consisted essentially of sightseeing, shopping, and thoroughly enjoying modern life. During this period, Su Nanxing and Qiao Kongqing also used a few minor tricks to register household status for Qiao Kongqing and Nuonuo, and even obtained an identity card for Qiao Kongqing.

Qiao Kongqing grew increasingly accustomed to modern life, though most of the time he sat holding a tablet, tapping away constantly—a veritable internet-addicted youth.

On the afternoon of December 30th, the group flew into the Demon Capital.

When Qiao Kongqing first heard the name "Demon Capital," a strange radiance bloomed on his face, and he excitedly said, "I never expected this place to be so tolerant of the demon race."

Tao Ming didn't have the heart to shatter his wonderful fantasy, so she let him let his imagination run wild.

Emerging from the airport, Tao Ming pulled up the hotel address Liu Jing had sent her, had Su Nanxing and Qiao Kongqing take one cab, and took the two little ones in another, heading to the hotel separately.

Once they entered the downtown area, Su Nanxing looked at the streetscapes on both sides that were both familiar and unfamiliar, and sighed, "We're back."

Qiao Kongqing looked at the towering buildings outside, which were much taller than those in Lianshao City, and asked softly, "Did you used to live here?"

"Mingming and I met right here. Back then, we worked in the same building." Mentioning Tao Ming, Su Nanxing's voice naturally softened.

Qiao Kongqing's curiosity was piqued: "Tell me about what happened between you two in the past."

When Su Nanxing finished recounting the process of how he and Tao Ming met, Qiao Kongqing cast a scrutinizing gaze upon him: "Mingming tripping was your doing, wasn't it?"

Su Nanxing immediately begged for mercy: "Brother, please don't ever tell her about this!"

In the other taxi, as the vehicle moved along, Tao Ming's emotions inevitably fluctuated somewhat, and she murmured softly, "Nothing has changed at all."

Ruanruan didn't understand Tao Ming's thoughts, but pointed at a certain spot and shouted excitedly, "Mom, I remember that place."

Tao Ming looked in the direction of her finger and discovered it was the Maternal and Child Health Hospital, prompting her to ask in surprise, "You actually remember this place?"

Ruanruan proudly lifted her small chin: "I'm very impressive."

Tao Ming thought to herself that she certainly was, considering she had only stayed at this hospital for five days when she gave birth to Ruanruan.

The journey proceeded smoothly, and the two taxis pulled up one after the other in front of a five-star hotel by the Bund.

Just as Tao Ming opened her phone to scan the QR code, Su Nanxing had already knocked on the window and handed cash to the driver: "Keep the change."

Tao Ming smiled faintly and shook her head. Turning her head, she saw Qiao Kongqing open the back door and pick up Nuonuo, who was sitting on that side: "Uncle will carry you, don't wear Mom out."

Su Nanxing also walked around, shielded Tao Ming as she got out of the car, and then picked up Ruanruan.

Looking at the two grown men before her, Tao Ming felt quite helpless: "I'm asking you two, is all this really necessary? Am I really that delicate?"

Su Nanxing smiled as he walked toward the hotel: "Cherishing one's wife is a husband's bounden duty."

Tao Ming followed behind into the hotel lobby, opened her phone to find Liu Jing's number, and dialed. It rang just once before being picked up: "Hello, Tao Ming, have you arrived?"

"Yeah, I'm in the lobby. Did you guys book rooms?" Tao Ming looked at the rack rates in the lobby, pondering whether she should get a suite so Qiao Kongqing wouldn't feel too lonely staying by himself.

Liu Jing laughed on the other end of the line: "There's no way we'd hold a class reunion here; not everyone has that kind of financial capability."

Tao Ming covered the mouthpiece and said to Su Nanxing, "Hubby, let's get a suite for the night. We'll probably have to head to the university tomorrow."

She then continued on the call: "Then I'll get settled in first and then look for you. What room are you in?"

A voice came through the phone: "Look to your right."

Tao Ming turned her head and saw Liu Jing standing there with a smile on her face.

Tao Ming hung up the phone, memories of their four years living together in college flashing through her mind. Her eyes stung slightly, and she walked quickly toward Liu Jing.

Liu Jing's eyes grew wider and wider. By the time Tao Ming stood before her, it felt as though her eyeballs were about to pop out of their sockets.

Tao Ming reached out and rubbed Liu Jing's face: "What, don't you recognize me anymore?"

Liu Jing also reached out to rub Tao Ming's face, saying fiercely, "The rest of us are getting older and uglier, so how is it that you're getting prettier? If I ran into you on the street like this, I wouldn't even dare recognize you, and would've thought you were some big celebrity!"

Tao Ming's face was distorted by Liu Jing's kneading, and her voice became somewhat muffled: "How are you old?"

Liu Jing slid her thumb across Tao Ming's lips: "You were my wife for four years, and I never saw you attract this much attention."

Su Nanxing's voice came from behind: "She's my wife now!"

Liu Jing pulled Tao Ming into a tight embrace and said provocatively, "Back in the day, the two of us shared the same quilt!"

Tao Ming rested her head on Liu Jing's shoulder, looked left and right, and asked curiously, "Where are your husband and child?"

"They're both resting in the room." Liu Jing released Tao Ming, reached out toward Ruanruan, and said, "Quick, call her Third Mom."

Ruanruan blinked: "You haven't given me my Kinder Joy yet!"

Liu Jing pulled a blue Kinder Joy from her pocket and shook it in her hand: "Look what this is?"

Ruanruan furrowed her brow: "Only one? What about Nuonuo?"

Liu Jing couldn't help looking somewhat puzzled and asked, "Tao Ming, did you have another one?"

Su Nanxing reached out and patted Liu Jing's shoulder. A flicker crossed her eyes, and she said, "Look at my memory, you gave birth to twins back then."

Tao Ming glared at Su Nanxing, knowing full well he had altered Liu Jing's memory.

Still, there was no helping it; fortunately, the only classmates who knew Tao Ming's situation were the few girls from their dorm.

Qiao Kongqing walked over holding Nuonuo as well: "Mingming, let's get settled in first."

Liu Jing's eyes went straight, and she clutched her chest, taking heavy breaths: "Tao Ming, with such a major hunk here, why didn't you introduce him to me earlier!"

Tao Ming gave her a hard smack on the bottom: "Cut it out! Could you bear to part with the one you have at home?"

Liu Jing put away her exaggerated expression and greeted Qiao Kongqing, "Hello, I'm Tao Ming's college roommate, Liu Jing."

Qiao Kongqing replied politely, "Hello, I'm Tao Ming's cousin."

Su Nanxing walked over, pressed the elevator button, and called out to the group, "Let's not stand around talking here."

Once inside the suite, Ruanruan and Nuonuo let out cheers, ran over together to press against the floor-to-ceiling windows, and chattered away as they looked at the river view outside.

Liu Jing walked around and sighed, "It's great to have money."

Tao Ming gave her a sidelong glance: "Are you short on money?"

Liu Jing sat down on the sofa: "Who would ever think they have too much money?"

Qiao Kongqing walked over and crouched down beside the two little ones, accompanying them to look at the river view.

Liu Jing motioned for Tao Ming to sit beside her, lowered her voice, and said, "I've never heard you mention having a cousin before."

"I was afraid you looks-obsessed bullies would scare my cousin away." Tao Ming sprawled across the sofa and unbuttoned her coat—it was simply too hot.

Su Nanxing walked over carrying slippers, crouched down, and helped Tao Ming change her shoes.

Liu Jing poked Tao Ming in the waist with her finger: "Is your husband always like this?"

"Like what?"

Liu Jing's face clearly spelled out the words "stop playing dumb." When Su Nanxing picked up Tao Ming's shoes and walked away, she lowered her voice and said, "Zhang Chi is coming too, you know that, right?"

Tao Ming uttered an "mm" to indicate she knew, as the class reunion roster had been sent to everyone long ago.

Liu Jing leaned against Tao Ming, took out her own phone, tapped on the screen, and handed it to Tao Ming, signaling her to look for herself.

Tao Ming took the phone and saw the chat history between Liu Jing and Zhang Chi.