Chapter 535: 534: Xiaolang Decides to Compete Abroad (Second Update)
He had seen many trending topics on social media.
Apart from the harsh criticism of Joe’s team performance, many people also condemned Luo Xiaolang. They criticized her for simply leaving when she said she would, especially after Joe had put in so much effort to train her. They blamed her abrupt retirement at a critical moment for disrupting Joe’s team strategy causing their current mistakes.
Yin Qin didn’t have time to consider all that. He swung open his car door and rushed directly to Luo Xiaolang’s home, frantically pressing the doorbell.
Luo Xiaolang really didn’t want to open the door, but she feared Yin Qin would wake little tiger.
She glared at Yin Qin.
Yin Qin said, “I am here not to quarrel or to upset you. I am here to discuss something with you.”
Luo Xiaolang didn’t believe there was anything worthy of discussion with Yin Qin.
But at that moment, seeing Yin Qin’s serious expression, she let him in.
Yin Qin seated himself on Luo Xiaolang’s couch, and asked, “Did you watch today’s match?”
“I did.” Luo Xiaolang replied.
“Did you see how horribly Joe’s team played?”
“I saw.”
“And you had no reaction? I was so angry I smashed my phone!” Yin Qin spoke of his fury without any attempt to hide it.
“I didn’t react much because I thought they would come back in the second match!”
“I don’t think so.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“I believe you should join the team now.”
“Yin Qin!” Luo Xiaolang was genuinely angry.
A roundabout way of trying to take Little Tiger from her, was it?
“Do you know how high Joe’s team’s national support rate is? If their morale is lost because of you, don’t you think you should be responsible?”
“I don’t regret any of my decisions!”
“But you should think about the bigger picture. Here in our country, they only represent themselves, but on the international stage, they represent our nation. Have you considered what they are facing with such performance? Have you thought about how our country will be evaluated by the world in the eSports arena?”
“I can’t think that far.”
“So I am here to help you think it through.”
“Even if I die, I won’t hand Little Tiger over to you…”
“Who said I want to take Little Tiger away from you? Who said you can’t have both career and family!” Yin Qin countered.
Luo Xiaolang stared at Yin Qin in disbelief.
“I have already thought it through. While you are abroad for the matches, Little Tiger can stay with my mom. Miss Qin can help take care of him. When you return after the matches, you can take him back. I won’t fight with you for Little Tiger. I think he’s a handful! Besides, you should feel relieved with him at Miss Qin’s place,” suggested Yin Qin.
Luo Xiaolang really did not believe that Yin Qin would be so benevolent.
It seemed that Yin Qin also realized what was going on in Luo Xiaolang’s mind, “I just think that the honor of our country should not be ruined by you! I am a patriot; I cannot bear to see our country’s glory tarnished!”
Luo Xiaolang didn’t expect Yin Qin to suddenly be filled with such strong righteous indignation.
Yin Qin said, “Rest assured, I, Yin Qin, will definitely fulfill what I promise. If I say I won’t snatch Little Tiger, I won’t. I guarantee it on my personal dignity.”
After saying that, he smirked.
It seemed like he didn’t have much dignity to start with.
However, at that moment, Luo Xiaolang surprisingly agreed, “Okay.”
Yin Qin was somewhat surprised.
“While I am overseas for the matches, I will leave Little Tiger with auntie,” Luo Xiaolang unexpectedly agreed.
At the moment of her agreement, Yin Qin inexplicably felt a sense of oppression.
It was obvious that he wanted her to pursue her dream, relieve her anxiety and guilt, and shine with her own light. But the moment she agreed, he couldn’t help feeling a strong sense of loss!
It always felt like Luo Xiaolang was drifting further and further away from him.
Luo Xiaolang said, “Yin Qin, I trust you this time. I hope you will keep your word.”
“Do you think I have nothing better to do than to trick you?”
Luo Xiaolang didn’t say much more.
She was one who hated to beat around the bush.
That applied to her treatment of people and things.
Once she made up her mind, she picked up her phone and dialed Joe.
It seemed he was still comforting her on the other side, “It’s okay. Some mistakes happened in the first match, we are preparing for the second one.”
Luo Xiaolang said, “I will come join you guys tomorrow.”
“Xiaolang?”
“Yeah, I found out that I am not as indifferent as I thought.”
“Would it be too hard on you?”
“No, I have arranged everything for Little Tiger. I admit I was too impulsive before, I didn’t think about the impact my departure would have on the team. I will pack up and settle Little Tiger today and take an early morning flight tomorrow.”
“Send me your flight details, I will pick you up at the airport.”
“Okay.”
“Xiaolang.” Joe called Luo Xiaolang’s name and paused, “I will wait for you.”
I will wait for you.
For some reason, Luo Xiaolang’s heart skipped a beat at that moment.
That soft voice stirred up an indescribable emotion inside her.
She said, “Okay.”
Then she quietly hung up.
Yin Qin simply watched Luo Xiaolang in silence.
She was not someone who was good at hiding her feelings. It was just that her emotions were usually subdued, so she always seemed expressionless. At this moment, during her call with Joe, he could clearly sense the difference in Luo Xiaolang’s emotional state. Now he immediately regretted it. Why did he have to be Mr. Nice Guy? Why did he let Luo Xiaolang spend so much time with Joe, letting them grow fond of each other, which would then naturally…
He felt a pain in his heart.
Luo Xiaolang seemed completely oblivious to Yin Qin’s feelings. She asked, “As soon as Little Tiger wakes up, I will take him to your mom’s place. Have you spoken to your mom about this?”
“Hasn’t she said, but doesn’t she seem unhappy?”
“I’ll call her first.”
Saying that, Luo Xiaolang dialed Qin Keqin’s number again.
As soon as Qin Keqin heard that Little Tiger was to be sent over for a while, she immediately said she would come to pick him up. Yin Bin, finding himself in no position to let the advanced-age pregnant woman wander about recklessly, and Luo Xiaolang also mentioned that Yin Qin was nearby and would come over shortly. This finally managed to suppress Qin Keqin’s restless spirit, and she waited for them to arrive.
Not too long after.
Little Tiger woke up.
Luo Xiaolang quickly made some formula for Little Tiger and fed him.
He and Nurse Wu then began organizing Little Tigor’s belongings. Yin Qin couldn’t be much of help and instead, just held Little Tiger. Little Tiger was indifferent towards him, constantly wanting to find his mother. After Yin Qin had coaxed him for a bit, Little Tiger stared at Yin Qin with an amused expression, neither laughing nor crying.
After awhile, once Luo Xiaolang was certain that everything was ready, he took Little Tiger from Yin Qin.
The moment Little Tiger was back in his mother’s arms, he instantly beamed with joy.
Yin Qin felt somewhat disappointed.
He didn’t say much, placed bags of various sizes in his little car, then drove them to the Yin Family villa.
No one spoke during the journey. The only sounds were of them teasing Little Tiger. Yin Qin looked into the rear-view mirror and saw Xiaolang genuinely smiling sweetly at Little Tiger.
The car smoothly and slowly headed towards the villa.
Yin Qin’s phone rang.
Yin Qin looked down at it.
He answered slowly, “Baixin.”
“Yin Qin, where are you? I came to your office to find you, I wanted to make some changes to the design of ‘Hall of Heaven’. Can you help me look at it?”
“I’m not in the company right now, I’m going back to my mom’s place.”
“What happened to your mom? It’s not possible that her illness has flared this early, right? It’s only been 8 months. Could it be a premature birth?”
“No, no, don’t worry. I’m sending Little Tiger back home to my mom. Xiaolang finally decided to participate in the competition, and during the competition period, my mom will help look after him.”
“She decided to go?” Ji Baixing laughed sarcastically.
“Yes.”
“Then I’ll come over too, to see if there’s anything I can help with,” Ji Baixing hastily said.
Without getting Yin Qin’s consent, she hung up the call.
Yin Qin didn’t say anything else.
After all, he would be spending his lifetime with Ji Baixing, and thus no longer saw a need to hide anything from her.
The car arrived at the Yin Family villa.
Qin Keqin was already eagerly waiting at the door. As soon as she saw them, she rushed forward. She was already quite plump, resembling a penguin at this point, yet she showed no sign of awareness about that, even starting to jog towards them. It was amusing to watch and Yin Bin immediately grabbed her to stop her from moving any further.
Yin Qin was a bit scared by his mother’s behavior, “Calm down.”
“You shut up.”
“…” What did he say wrong?
The next second, he saw his mother looking at Little Tiger with a tender expression.
Perhaps Little Tiger was her real son.
“Let’s go in, it’s windy outside,” Yin Bin hurriedly ushered everyone inside.
Everyone then entered the villa’s main hall.
Not long after they sat down, Ji Baixing arrived too.
She graciously said, “I always said Xiaolang should participate in the competition. Otherwise, she would regret it for her entire life. Young people should strive for their own career.”
Qin Keqin glanced at Ji Baixin but didn’t say anything.
Luo Xiaolang didn’t want to argue with her either.
It seemed Ji Baixin was used to this sort of indifference. She calmly sat next to Yin Qin, affectionately holding his arm.
Luo Xiaolang then told Qin Keqin, “Auntie, Little Tiger’s habits are all known by Nurse Wu. But sometimes, you need to remind Wu, as she often forgets to give Little Tiger his D3. Right now, Little Tiger can eat a bit of supplementary food, but only as a snack. If he doesn’t want to eat, don’t force him. The main food is still the formula. Right now, Little Tiger’s milk intake is around 200 milliliters. If he can’t finish it at times, you may have to burp him a bit before feeding him more, and if he really can’t eat more, then don’t force him.”
“Okay.”
“Sometimes when Little Tiger cries, it’s not because he’s hungry. You can just stick to the schedule of feeding him every four hours. If he cries, it might be because he wants to sleep or go outside to play. No matter what, if you hold him and take him outside for a walk, that should stop his crying.”
“Okay.”
“Also, the doctor said that we should start training Little Tiger to sit at this stage. Since Little Tiger can’t sit properly, the doctor suggested we could help him with some training. And when you are playing with him, try to make him laugh often.”
“Don’t worry Xiaolang, Auntie will remember everything. You can focus on the competition overseas. Bring back the world championship. Rest assured, I will take very good care of Little Tiger.”
“Thank you, Auntie.”
“Silly child.” Qin Keqin’s face was filled with affection.
Ji Baixin just watched their interaction.
After Luo Xiaolang finished talking about Little Tiger’s habits, she stood up and said, “I have to leave early tomorrow, so I have to go back to pack my own things.”
“Won’t you stay a bit longer? You can leave after dinner.”
“No need.” Luo Xiaolang declined.
Qin Keqin didn’t insist.
And so, Luo Xiaolang left.
Everyone’s gaze was fixed on Luo Xiaolang’s retreating figure.
As was Ji Baixin’s. She turned her gaze to Yin Qin.
Yin Qin seemed to feel Ji Baixin’s gaze; he averted his eyes.
Ji Baixin said, “Long ago, I suggested to Yin Qin that he should take Little Tiger back and raise him himself. On one hand, it’s for Little Tiger’s better development, and on the other hand, it’s also for Xiaolang’s peace of mind. At the time, we had a huge argument about the custody of Little Tiger to the point of almost breaking up. However, now Xiaolang has still handed over Little Tiger to you, Yin Qin. Don’t you feel… cold?”
“Xiaolang isn’t giving Little Tiger to us. She’s only temporarily entrusting him to us. She’ll take him back after the competition.”
“Is that so? But I’ve seen too many cases like this. Right now, she can’t bear to let go, but when she has her own career, when her career really takes off, or when she finds her other half, or perhaps when she has another child, by then, she won’t have the capacity to look after this child!”
“That’s you, not Luo Xiaolang!” Qin Keqin suddenly exclaimed.
Such outburst left no face for Ji Baixin!