Chapter 1224: Zhao Lanshan's Side Story Comes to a Perfect End

Holding the unanswered phone, Zhao Lanshan listened to her daughter Lin Zhini's soft voice. The bitterness of "my son becoming a daughter" in her heart was suddenly diluted by the relief that her son had only been taken by his uncle to buy toys.

Suddenly having a strange daughter gave Zhao Lanshan the illusion of a buy-one-get-one-free deal.

But she mistakenly believed that her lost son, Lin Haoming, was still alive, which was already a fortunate and perfect ending for Zhao Lanshan.

Zhao Lanshan took a deep breath, wiped away her tears, quickly composed herself after her tumultuous emotions, walked over and gently touched Xiao Zhini's cheek, her voice softening: "Daughter, come here, let Mommy hug you!"

Little Zhini blinked her tear-filled eyes, leaned towards Zhao Lanshan, and said in a sweet and sensible baby voice, "Mother, don't cry!"

Faced with her daughter's comfort, Zhao Lanshan took Xiao Zhini from Lin Lang's arms and held her close. Looking carefully at the soft and adorable "little cotton-padded jacket" in front of her, she couldn't help but smile through her tears and say, "Ni'er is so good!"

Zhao Lanshan couldn't help but kiss her daughter's face repeatedly, finally easing her tense and uneasy emotions.

Yang Limei, standing to the side, said, "Daughter, why are you acting so differently today?"

Lin Lang hurriedly lied, saying, "The company has been busy lately, and Lan Shan is under a lot of pressure. She probably didn't sleep well last night."

After hearing this, Yang Limei looked at her daughter Zhao Lanshan with heartache and sighed, "In the years since your father passed away from cancer, the business of Taicheng Group has been managed entirely by Lanshan alone. It has really been hard on you, daughter. Your brother is also unreliable. All he does every day is eat, drink, have fun, and cause trouble."

Holding Xiao Zhini, Zhao Lanshan looked at her mother Yang Limei, whom she had lost and found again, and said with tears in her eyes and a smile, "As long as you and the babies are okay, it's all worth it for me to be tired."

Yang Limei raised her hand to wipe away Zhao Lanshan's tears, and said with heartache, "Don't cry, daughter. With Mom helping you take care of the baby, you can focus on managing Taicheng Group. Your second uncle favors boys over girls and has always wanted your younger brother to take over the company, but your brother isn't cut out for business!"

After hearing this, Zhao Lanshan realized that the time travel effect had changed many things. Not only did she gain a daughter, but her deceased younger brother Zhao Chengkai and second uncle Zhao Chenkun were also alive.

Only his father, Zhao Qiankun, passed away from cancer.

Before Zhao Lanshan could think further, a servant's voice suddenly came from the doorway: "Young Master, you're back!"

Immediately afterwards, Zhao Chengkai, looking nonchalant, appeared, carrying a bag full of various toys, and shouting, "Sis! What's up? Why have you been calling me?"

"I didn't pick up the car when it arrived at my door. I brought Haoming back! This kid insisted on buying that Ultraman that lights up, and I couldn't stop him."

Zhao Lanshan turned her head sharply to look at the restaurant entrance. She hadn't seen her son, Lin Haoming, yet, and her heart jumped into her throat.

She was terrified that the little Haoming her brother brought back was not her original son, but a son whose appearance and personality were completely different.

In that case, she would desperately miss the original Xiao Haoming.

Upon seeing her younger brother, who had been resurrected due to the time travel effect, Zhao Lanshan was momentarily dazed. The deep sibling affection she felt for Zhao Chengkai suddenly surfaced in her subconscious mind, replacing the memories that Lin Lang had previously brainwashed and altered.

The missing memories flooded back instantly. Zhao Lanshan looked at her younger brother with reddened eyes and replied in a choked voice, "It's nothing serious, I just missed you!"

"Uh... Sis, why are you crying? Did your husband bully you?" Zhao Chengkai noticed his sister's unusual behavior.

Zhao Lanshan quickly replied, "No, your brother-in-law is so good to me, how could he bully me!"

Zhao Chengkai turned his gaze to Lin Lang, puzzled, and asked, "Brother-in-law, did you marry a new concubine and upset my sister? Can't you just stay quiet and stop flirting around outside?"

Before Lin Lang could explain, Yang Limei, who was standing to the side, said, "Don't be so disrespectful. How dare you talk to your brother-in-law like that?"

"The other day, you were drunk and assaulted someone at a nightclub in Hangzhou. The person you injured was the son of the local deputy mayor. If your brother-in-law hadn't sent people to help you cover it up, do you think you would still be able to swagger around and have fun with a bunch of cronies every day?"

Faced with his mother's scolding, Zhao Chengkai immediately backed down and shamelessly chuckled, "Mom, I just saw that my sister's makeup was all messed up from crying, and I mistakenly thought that my brother-in-law had taken another concubine, so my sister went back to her parents' house to complain!"

Yang Limei rolled her eyes at her son and scolded him, "It's better for you to mind your own business. If you dare to cause trouble again, I'll cut off your credit card, lock all your luxury cars in the underground garage, and cut off your source of income."

"No, Mom, I was wrong, okay?" Zhao Chengkai pleaded, his voice trembling with tears.

Nestled in Zhao Lanshan's arms, Xiao Zhini couldn't help but giggle, "Mommy, Uncle made Grandma angry again. He's not as well-behaved as Ni'er!"

Zhao Lanshan smiled after hearing this and kissed her daughter on the cheek.

Just then, a soft, childlike voice carrying an off-key nursery rhyme drifted in from the restaurant entrance. It was the nursery rhyme "Counting Ducks," which had once been popular throughout the streets and alleys.

A flock of ducks swam by under the bridge in front of the gate.

"Come quickly, count them, two, four, six, seven, eight..."

The childish tune, though crooked and distorted, was like a gentle needle, instantly piercing Zhao Lanshan's tense nerves.

She suddenly held her breath, her arms tightened around Xiao Zhini involuntarily, and her gaze rushed towards the door. Her heart pounded in her chest, even more nervous than when she was waiting for her younger brother to come back.

The relief I felt just moments ago seemed to have been paused, replaced by a new kind of unease—this voice was my son, Xiao Haoming's, but it sounded so much more innocent than I remembered. Could it be…?

Lin Lang also tensed up, subconsciously taking half a step forward, his eyes fixed on the movement at the door.

He understood the variables brought about by time travel better than Zhao Lanshan. What if his son's appearance changed, and even his personality changed, and a strange Xiao Haoming returned? He really didn't know how to comfort Zhao Lanshan.

The next second, a small figure stumbled in.

The little guy was wearing a blue bear onesie, his soft hair clung to his forehead, and his round face looked like a ripe apple.

He clutched a glowing Ultraman toy tightly in his left hand, his thumb constantly pressing the switch on his chest, shouting, "Gaia! Ultimate Ray!"

Ultraman then emitted a "whoosh" sound effect, and the lights on his eyes and chest flashed alternately.

He held a silver transformation device in his right hand, swinging his wrist back and forth, imitating Ultraman's transformation movements, and his short legs even bounced a couple of times.

Zhao Lanshan froze, and Xiao Zhini in her arms tilted her head curiously to look over.

It's definitely Xiao Haoming!

Those eyes, that wrinkled little nose, and that focused yet proud little expression when holding a toy—it's clearly her son, Lin Haoming!

But... but why is he so small?

Lin Haoming was already over four years old. He could run and jump, speak clearly, and would even seriously discuss the strengths and weaknesses of Ultraman with her.

But the little guy in front of her was only up to her knees, and he walked with a slightly unsteady gait. His baby fat hadn't faded yet, and he looked like he was two and a half years old!

Zhao Lanshan's tears welled up again instantly, but this time they were not bitterness or trepidation, but a hot current of extreme joy and lingering fear.

So what if he's two years younger?

As long as it's her son, Haoming, as long as he's still that cute little rascal who calls her "Mommy" in his sweet, childish voice, that's enough!

"Son!" Zhao Lanshan could no longer hold back. She hurriedly bent down and gently placed Xiao Zhini on the ground. Her voice trembled with sobs as she opened her arms to Xiao Haoming, "Come here, come to your mother!"

Xiao Haoming was startled by the sudden shout, stopped his hopping, and blinked his round eyes at Zhao Lanshan.

Upon recognizing Zhao Lanshan's familiar figure and gentle gaze, he showed no resistance whatsoever. He immediately took off running towards Zhao Lanshan, shouting, "Mommy, look! My Ultraman is glowing!"

Before Zhao Lanshan could bend down, Xiao Haoming threw himself into her arms. His soft little body smelled of milk, and it made her heart flutter.

Zhao Lanshan hugged her son along with her daughter, resting her chin on his soft hair. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she smiled and kissed his forehead, cheeks, and nose again and again, her voice choked with emotion but full of happiness.

"My rascal, I've been missing you terribly since I last saw you!"

Xiao Haoming giggled as he was kissed, then held up the transformation device in his hand and waved it in front of Zhao Lanshan like a treasure: "Mommy, with this I can turn into Ultraman."

"I saw it, I saw it! Our Haoming's Ultraman is the best!" Zhao Lanshan sniffed, raised her hand to wipe away her tears, her eyes filled with the preciousness of something lost and found again.

At this moment, little Zhini stretched out her soft little hand, wiping away Zhao Lanshan's tears while tilting her little face up and saying obediently, "Mommy, why have you been crying all day?"

"Mother just got some sand in her eyes." Zhao Lanshan looked down at her daughter, then looked up and hugged her son tightly, embracing the two soft little ones together.

On the left is the lively and mischievous son.

On the right is her understanding and considerate daughter, gently comforting her.

Two warm little bodies pressed against Zhao Lanshan's arm, the scent of milk and innocent laughter lingering in her ears.

The time travel effect initially caused the regret of "son turning into daughter", but unexpectedly it turned into a perfect ending of "lost and found + unexpected joy of having a lovely daughter".

Although her father has passed away from cancer, her mother is still alive, her troublesome and unreliable younger brother is still around, her original son is still there, he has just returned to a more childlike appearance, and she now has a sweet little girl.

Zhao Lanshan closed her tearful eyes, feeling the warmth of her two children in her arms, and a smile of unprecedented satisfaction appeared on her lips.

All the anxiety, unease, and bitterness vanished at this moment, leaving only a heart full of joy and happiness.

Lin Lang stood aside, watching Zhao Lanshan hold her two children and cry tears of joy. His heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down, and a relieved smile appeared on his face.

Yang Limei's eyes also reddened. She stepped forward and gently patted Zhao Lanshan's back, comforting her, "Daughter, I rarely see you so sentimental."

“If you’re under too much pressure managing the company and want to spend more time with the kids, then sell some of Taicheng Group’s non-core assets. Our family isn’t short of money, so don’t overwork yourself.”

Zhao Lanshan slowly opened her eyes, looked at her mother, and replied, "Don't worry, Mom, I'm fine!"

Zhao Chengkai was still confused as to why his sister was suddenly crying and laughing. He scratched his head and leaned closer, saying, "Sis, what's wrong with you today? You seem really strange."

Looking at her carefree younger brother, Zhao Lanshan quickly changed the subject, saying, "You only bought toys for Haoming, but not for Zhini?"

"How could that be? Ni'er, look quickly, what toys did your uncle buy for you!" Zhao Chengkai hurriedly opened the large plastic bag he was carrying and took out a children's instant camera, a Barbie doll, and several cute animal plush toys.

"Thank you, Uncle!" Xiao Zhini took the teddy bear and rubbed it against her cheek, revealing a sweet and lovely smile.

"Do you like it?" Zhao Chengkai patted Xiao Zhini's cute little head.

Xiao Zhini replied in a soft, sweet voice, "I like it!"

Xiao Haoming didn't even glance at the plush toy, completely absorbed in his little boy obsession with Ultraman, continuing to fiddle with the Ultraman in his hands, shouting in his childish voice, "Gaia! Transform!"

Seeing her son, whom she had lost and found again, still so adorable, Zhao Lanshan's eyes welled up with tears again, but she smiled radiantly.