Xie Weihuan gracefully occupied the seat beside Gong Li'an, casting a gaze full of expectation towards him, "Darling, I've taken it upon myself to escort Gong Jue to school today. Does this gesture please you?"

Gong Li'an's response was nothing more than a detached murmur, his eyes barely leaving the sea of papers before him, rendering Xie Weihuan's quest for approval unfulfilled.

Her irritation barely masked, Xie Weihuan turned towards Gong Jue and me, her tone dripping with disdain. "You've heard the lady, haven't you? My presence renders yours superfluous."

With a dignified nod, I rose, "As Madam wishes," and prepared to depart.

Gong Jue's small hand clung to mine, a silent plea etched on his young face. I offered a gentle reassurance, "Your breakfast awaits, and today, it's your mother's turn to accompany you."

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His grip loosened reluctantly, his eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Xie Weihuan's patience frayed, "This show of ingratitude is unbecoming, especially when I've made an effort to be here for you."

His small act of defiance didn't waver until I knelt down, our eyes level, and I brushed away his tears, whispering promises of a normal day at school and the adventures that awaited.

His voice trembled with hope, "Will you be there at day's end?"

A silent pact formed as both Xie Weihuan and Gong Li'an offered no objections. With a smile, I reassured, "Indeed, I will."

As I turned to leave, Gong Jue's soft cries lingered in the air. Xie Weihuan, visibly flustered, scooped him up and made for the car, her attempts with the child seat a clumsy affair until the chauffeur intervened.

Their departure marked my own retreat, a strategic withdrawal to avoid any direct confrontation. I timed my return with the school's end, taking refuge in a nearby café, my eyes on Xie Weihuan amidst the throng of elite mothers, their idle chatter setting the stage for what was to come.