Chapter Eleven: Leaving Home

“Should we wake Xiaoyi to say goodbye? We finally have a son, but now we have to…” Sun Yi looked at Sun Siyu, who was sound asleep in bed, feeling reluctant and, more than anything, heartbroken for his wife.

“No, I’m afraid Xiaoyi will make a fuss if he knows. Then I’d find it even harder to part with him.” Ling Xueqin covered her mouth, afraid she would break down and wake Sun Siyu.

“It’s not like a permanent farewell; he’s just going to live with his grandmother for a while.” Ling Feilong patted his daughter’s shoulder, trying to comfort her and himself.

He had witnessed firsthand the hardships his daughter endured to conceive Sun Siyu, and the attack she suffered in the delivery room, nearly… Since this precious child’s arrival, Ling Feilong had cared for him with utmost devotion, giving him whatever he wanted.

If it weren’t for owing Yui Maeda so much—and she was Sun Siyu’s biological grandmother—he would never agree to let anyone else take his treasured grandson away.

“Pack these toys for Xiaoyi; they’re his favorites.”

“Xueqin…”

“I’m not sure what the weather’s like in Sakura Country. Bring a few extra sets of clothes for Xiaoyi.”

“Xiaoyi loves Aunt Yang’s pudding. Steward Qin, have Aunt Yang make extra for the journey.”

That night, everyone in the Ling household except for the peacefully sleeping Sun Siyu was awake. Though only a few were busy, with the young master about to leave, most who had worked for the family for years and watched this clever, lovable child grow up felt reluctant to see him go. They also wanted to show respect to the heads of the Ling family and remain on standby.

As the sun rose, casting the first light on the earth, a door opened. Yui Maeda emerged from her room.

“Madam, the young master and others are in the hall. Would you like some breakfast first?” Steward Qin asked Mai Maeda, who was looking at him for guidance.

“No, I’ll take Xiaoyi now,” Yui Maeda waved her hand, her tone somewhat cold, and headed downstairs. Two women at the door followed closely behind Mai.

On the soft sofa in the hall, Sun Siyu lay covered with an animal fur blanket, sleeping quietly. Ling Xueqin, Sun Yi, Ling Feilong, Sun Wenchong, Steward Qin, Aunt Yang, and others stood nearby, gazing at Sun Siyu with reluctant eyes. Several travel bags filled with food, clothes, and toys for Sun Siyu were placed beside them.

“Chiyo, inform the pilot to prepare for takeoff,” Yui Maeda instructed a woman accompanying her.

“Yes.”

“Mai, please take these bags onto the plane,” Yui said, pointing to the luggage the Ling family had prepared for Sun Siyu.

“Mai, how about I arrange a private plane for you? The helicopter is noisy and uncomfortable, and what if Xiaoyi needs to use the bathroom halfway through?” Ling Feilong kindly suggested.

“It’s only four or five hours, quite fast,” Yui Maeda declined.

Yui approached the sofa, intending to pick up Sun Siyu herself, but Ling Xueqin grasped her right hand and gently shook her head.

“No,” Yui thought Ling Xueqin was pleading and softly refused; though quiet, her tone was commanding and non-negotiable.

“I want to carry Xiaoyi onto the plane myself.” Ling Xueqin wasn’t asking Yui to keep Sun Siyu again; after the elders’ guidance the night before, she had reluctantly accepted the situation.

Sending Sun Siyu to receive his education in Sakura Country was a good thing. Though small, its education system was far more advanced than Dragon Soaring Kingdom’s. Moreover, Yui Maeda was taking Sun Siyu to groom him as the heir to the Maeda Consortium. In ten years, when he returned to inherit the Ling Tian Group, the combined strength of the two great conglomerates could surpass the few secretive, ancient noble families worldwide.

This was also why Ling Feilong and Sun Wenchong did not object. As successful men, their vision extended beyond the present.

Carefully, Ling Xueqin picked up Sun Siyu, kissed his forehead gently, pressed her lips slightly, and smiled softly.

“Let’s go.” Yui said calmly, leading the way out, followed by Ling Feilong and the others.

Ling Xueqin glanced at Yui and secretly placed an exquisite hexagonal necklace, hidden in her hand, around Sun Siyu’s neck, then adjusted his scarf to conceal it.

---

The distance from the Ling mansion’s hall to the helicopter landing zone was short, but it took them nearly twenty minutes to walk. Yui Maeda, having been a mother, understood her daughter’s feelings and did not rush. If not for special reasons, she would not have heartlessly taken the grandson from his mother.

For Ling Xueqin, the twenty minutes seemed to pass quickly. Before she could take in more of her son, the Maeda Consortium’s helicopter appeared. Chiyo quickly stepped before Ling Xueqin.

“Miss, please entrust the young master to me,” Chiyo said respectfully, reaching out her hands.

“No,” Ling Xueqin resisted, unwilling to let go.

“Xueqin—”

“Careful!”

Sun Siyu slipped from Ling Xueqin’s arms.

Yui Maeda, Ling Feilong, Sun Wenchong, Sun Yi, Ling Xueqin, and nearly a hundred servants watching the young master all held their breath. The Ling family’s bodyguards and medical team rushed over.

Chiyo tilted her body and swiftly dropped to the ground, extending her arms to catch Sun Siyu securely.

Once they saw Sun Siyu was safe, everyone relaxed and the medical and security teams stopped pursuing.

Whether from exhaustion after yesterday’s play or for other reasons, Sun Siyu remained fast asleep despite the commotion.

“Are you alright?” Mai approached, taking Sun Siyu from Chiyo. Thoughtfully, she took an earpiece from her coat pocket and put it on Sun Siyu to shield him from the helicopter’s noise as they boarded.

Sun Yi embraced Ling Xueqin silently. Ling Feilong and Sun Wenchong said nothing.

As the rotors and small propellers spun faster, the helicopter slowly lifted off, the cabin door closing behind them as they flew toward the distance.

“Yi, I have a bad feeling. I sense something will happen after Xiaoyi leaves this time.” Ling Xueqin watched the shrinking helicopter and finally burst into tears.

“It’s alright, it’s alright.”

...

“Mom, I’m so hungry. I want pudding, woah.” On the Maeda Consortium helicopter, Sun Siyu, eyes closed, bit into a soft, rounded object.

“Ouch…” Mai, holding Sun Siyu, gasped at the sudden bite—on a sensitive spot—but held still. Drool dripped from Sun Siyu’s mouth, soaking Mai’s chest.

Chiyo chuckled at Mai’s disheveled state, thankful it wasn’t her holding the young master.

“Look in the luggage; they seem to have prepared food for him. I’ll hold him now.” Yui gently pinched Sun Siyu’s nose; after a moment, he opened his mouth and released Mai. Mai took Sun Siyu into her arms.

“Who are you?” Sun Siyu suddenly opened his eyes, looking questioningly at Mai, Chiyo, and Mai.

“Xiaoyi, I’m your grandmother,” Yui said gently.

“Grandma? Oh, I saw your photo in Grandpa’s room. I remember you. Grandma, when did you come back? Grandpa said you went on a trip and wouldn’t be back for a long time.” Sun Siyu recalled seeing Mai Maeda’s photo in Grandpa’s room. Ling Feilong had told him Yui was his grandmother, so he recognized her.

“Um, yesterday. I rushed here just to attend Xiaoyi’s birthday party.” Yui sighed, relieved that Ling Feilong, that old fellow, was alright.

Yui gave Mai a look; Mai put her hands back in her pockets.

“Grandma, did you bring me a birthday present?” Sun Siyu asked with a mischievous smile.

---

“Of course I did. How could Grandma not bring you a gift?” Yui produced an exquisite gift box she had prepared the day before but hadn’t had the chance to give.

“Wow, what is it?” Sun Siyu eagerly opened the box.

Inside was a delicate DSLR camera, the top embossed with the Maeda logo.

“What a beautiful camera.” Sun Siyu hugged it, fiddling with it happily.

Yui smiled, watching quietly as Sun Siyu played with the camera. Children were like this—once they found something fun, they forgot where they were.

“Grandma, where are we going?” With his intelligence, Sun Siyu quickly mastered the camera’s functions and was now taking photos of the city below.

“Grandma is taking you on a trip,” Yui tenderly stroked Sun Siyu’s head.

“What about Mom, Dad, and Grandpa?” Sun Siyu turned to look at his grandmother.

“They all have work, so they asked me to take you out to play. Xiaoyi, this pudding is what your mother prepared for you to eat on the way.” Yui accepted a pudding from Chiyo and handed it to Sun Siyu.

Sun Siyu took the pudding and spoon with some confusion and tasted it.

“Yay, this is Aunt Yang’s pudding! It’s so delicious!” Sun Siyu exclaimed happily.

“If you like it, eat more.”

“Grandma, you eat too.”

“Mm, okay.”

...

“Grandma, how much longer?”

“What’s wrong?”

“I want to use the bathroom.”

“Almost there, half an hour left. Hang on, Xiaoyi.”

Half an hour later, the helicopter landed at the Maeda family estate. Unlike the splendid Ling estate, the Maeda manor was smaller but more ecological, shaded by green trees and blooming with many rare, beautiful plants. As soon as the helicopter stopped, Sun Siyu pushed the cabin door open and hurriedly jumped out.

“Bathroom, bathroom, where’s the bathroom?”

“This way, young master, follow me,” Mai quickly jumped off and led the way.

“I can’t hold it anymore!” Sun Siyu shouted, dashing into a small grove of plants by the roadside.