Chapter 35

Hu Shuli heard An’an crying and quickened her pace. She took her son from her father’s hands and gently soothed him. By then, An’an had stopped crying, but teardrops still clung to his curled eyelashes, and his little mouth was pouted in a pitiful manner.

“Dad, what’s wrong with An’an?”

Both the nanny and the childcare expert had praised An’an as a well-behaved and easy-to-care-for little boy. It was rare to see him crying so hard like this.

Old Mr. Hu stood with his hands behind his back and let out an awkward cough before replying, “He’s probably missing you again. You know very well how attached he is to you.”

If his daughter found out that he had held An’an’s little hand and made him touch a thorn, even as her father, he wouldn’t be spared from her temper. Old Mr. Hu had no intention of inviting trouble upon himself—besides, the little guy wouldn’t be able to tattle on him anyway.

Little An’an, watching his grandpa blatantly lie, widened his eyes in disbelief. He waved his tiny hands and babbled at his mother, determined to expose his grandpa’s lies!

He wasn’t missing his mother at all—it was clearly Grandpa who had bullied him on purpose!

“See? The kid is telling you himself,” Old Mr. Hu said, still holding An’an’s little hand as he bent down to tease him. An’an was furious, his fair little face turning red from anger.

Perhaps it was just the natural parental filter, but Old Mr. Hu genuinely felt that his grandson was much smarter than other children. It was just unfortunate that he couldn’t speak yet.

Seeing that his mother believed Grandpa’s words, An’an became even angrier. He stubbornly pulled his hand away from Grandpa’s palm, crossed his arms, let out a huff, and turned his head to the side in protest.

The garden at the villa had been filled with flowers for many years. Old Mr. Hu was sentimental and always remembered his late wife’s words about how flowers made a place more beautiful. But in reality, he had never really taken the time to admire them.

Now, accompanying this little one—who could only babble but still had so much curiosity—he finally took a moment to appreciate the scene.

Blooming flowers, a lingering fragrance, the golden hues of the sunset—everything was a new and fascinating world for An’an. The sunset’s glow reflected in his clear, bright eyes, making them seem as if they sparkled.

“How have you been feeling lately?”

Hu Shuli, holding her child, sat on a bench in the garden pavilion. Hearing the question, she gently held An’an’s tiny hand and replied, “Dad, I feel great. I’ve never felt this good before.”

Everything she had experienced since returning home felt like a rebirth to her.

“So… about what happened back then, are you willing to talk to me about it?”

Ever since his daughter had returned, Old Mr. Hu had wanted to ask what had really happened. But he was afraid that bringing it up would only stir painful memories.

From the moment she had insisted on volunteering as a teacher in the countryside, he had strongly opposed it—so much so that he had wished he could lock her up at home to stop her from going.

In such a poor and backward place, many people lacked education, had no knowledge, and didn’t even understand basic respect for others.

The idea of volunteering was noble, but it was not suitable for a young woman like Hu Shuli, who had no ability to protect herself.

Old Mr. Hu had donated vast sums to charity every year without fail. He was willing to give money because he had plenty of it, and he understood that those people needed financial support to change their lives.

But he couldn’t allow his daughter to go because she was his only daughter. In a place like that, everything she faced was uncertain. And they certainly didn’t need her specifically to make a difference.

Old Mr. Hu never denied his own selfishness. He had only one precious daughter—how could he not be selfish?

An’an, cradled in his mother’s arms, noticed the glimmer of tears in her eyes. He clumsily reached out, trying to wipe them away while babbling softly.

With her little son’s comforting presence, Hu Shuli’s emotions settled. She sniffled and held An’an’s tiny hand in her palm, then called for the nanny to bring a wet wipe to clean his hands.

“Dad, to be honest, I don’t even know why… When I first heard about the opportunity to teach in the countryside, it was like I was possessed—I was dead set on going.”

“Later on, I deliberately canceled my phone number… because I was afraid that if you found out I was with Song Yutian, you’d try to break us up.”

Now that it was all in the past, Hu Shuli had no reservations about speaking openly.

She wasn’t some delicate flower raised in a greenhouse. She had been brought up as her father’s heir. Having seen the best of everything, there was no way she would have been moved just because Song Yutian picked a handful of wildflowers for her.

Even now, she still couldn’t understand why she had insisted on teaching in that remote area. If she had truly wanted to help those impoverished children, she had so many other ways to do it.

She could have built roads, constructed schools—things that required a massive investment, yes, but as long as she proposed it, her father would never have refused.

As long as it didn’t put her safety at risk, her father would have seriously considered anything she asked for.

“And Dad, I knew very well that even having a child together wouldn’t make a man who didn’t love me stay.”

“But when I found out I was pregnant with An’an, all I could think about was that Song Yutian would love me more because of it.”

Having grown up with her father, Hu Shuli had no trouble speaking her mind once she got past her own emotional hurdle. She candidly laid out all the things she couldn’t understand back then.

A man who could be tied down by a child was either deeply responsible or someone who saw clear benefits in staying.

The former wouldn’t be a scumbag to begin with, and as for the latter—Hu Shuli would never be interested in someone like that.

“Lili, I also think… that’s not something you would have done.”

Mr. Hu watched his daughter patiently wiping each of little An’an’s fingers clean. She had been happy recently, but her face still carried the traces of that period of time.

How could he not know his own daughter? Though gentle in temperament, she was never lacking in intelligence or capability. She was not the kind of person who would beg for love like a pitiable fool.

“Dad, during that time, I felt like I was going crazy…”

She worked tirelessly, giving and sacrificing herself in self-moved devotion, just to gain a shred of Song Yutian’s attention and affection. Even the simplest hug or a single sweet word was enough to satisfy her.

The conversation between father and daughter fell into a deep silence.

After having his hands wiped clean, little An’an pursed his lips at his mother. Although Hu Shulei wasn’t wearing any makeup, she still dodged to the side.

“No, little babies can’t kiss people.”

“Yiya.”

An’an shook his head, seemingly rejecting the “little baby” label his mother had given him. He puckered his soft pink lips even more and tilted his chin up, trying his hardest to kiss his mother.

“Nope, absolutely not.”

Hu Shulei’s refusal was firm. An’an puffed up his little cheeks in displeasure, looking slightly aggrieved, his brows and eyes filled with disappointment.

At this moment, Mr. Hu awkwardly looked away. He could finally understand why grandparents often clashed with parents when raising children.

Just like now—seeing An’an’s pitiful expression, he felt like even if the boy wanted the moon, he’d want to bring it down for him.

Let alone the fact that all he wanted was just a little kiss.

“Come, An’an, give Grandpa a kiss?”

The little boy, who had just been pouting for a kiss, immediately pressed his lips together upon hearing that. Afraid that Grandpa might lean in, he even covered his mouth with his little hand, staring nervously at Mr. Hu.

“Hahaha, this little rascal.”

Mr. Hu never intended to do something his daughter wouldn’t like. He was just teasing An’an, and now, seeing the boy’s reaction, he felt satisfied.

“Dinner should be ready soon. Let’s eat.”

“Yiya~”

At the mention of food, An’an, who had been wary just moments ago, instantly let his guard down. He clung to his mother’s clothes, silently urging her. Knowing he was hungry, Hu Shulei gently reminded him,

“It’s not time for your milk yet.”

Hearing that, An’an instinctively touched his tummy, his expression shifting to doubt. He furrowed his tiny brows, looking serious as if pondering some great life decision.

“Let the nanny hold him.”

“Alright.”

The nanny took An’an from Hu Shulei’s arms and continued showing him the flowers in the garden. Before leaving, Mr. Hu specifically reminded her,

“He’s got quick hands. Be careful.”

“Understood.”

With the nanny watching closely, An’an barely lifted his hand before it was gently pressed back down. When he only wanted to touch the flowers, this was fine.

But later, when his face felt itchy and he tried to scratch it, his hand was stopped again before he could even reach his cheek. After two failed attempts, An’an grew anxious, his watery eyes staring at the nanny for a moment before his tears started falling.

Seeing him cry, the nanny instinctively checked his diaper. Taking advantage of this moment, An’an quickly scratched his itch and then stubbornly held back his tears.

After dinner, Hu Shulei took a walk in the back garden with her father. Meanwhile, An’an was fed by the childcare expert and, being a baby, quickly fell asleep.

Before going to bed, Hu Shulei went to check on An’an. His little head, little hands, and little feet—everything was so small, soft, and tender that no matter how long she looked, she never got tired of it.

The room was quiet, so quiet that she could even hear An’an’s breathing. She gently tucked him in before leaving.

The childcare expert, who was still tidying up An’an’s toys, saw her and smiled as she reminded,

“A baby of just over three months can start learning to roll over now.”

“Hmm? Then I’ll try teaching An’an tomorrow.”

“Alright. Get some rest.”

The next morning, Mr. Hu also heard about it. After checking with his personal assistant and confirming that there was nothing urgent requiring his attention, he decided to stay home.

He wanted to watch his grandson learn to roll over.

An’an slept until past eight. While the nanny was changing his clothes, he daintily covered his mouth and let out a small yawn. After rubbing his eyes, he finally noticed that both his mother and grandfather were watching him, tilting his little head in curiosity.

“Yah, ooh, yiya yiya~”

Once dressed, the childcare expert brought over a milk bottle, and An’an eagerly held it in his arms, drinking in small sips. His little cheeks puffed in and out, making it almost irresistible to poke them—though no one dared, fearing he’d get upset.

After eating, the expert advised waiting before practicing rolling over to prevent him from spitting up. So, Hu Shulei carried him outside for a bit. An’an wasn’t heavy, and since she only held him for a short time, it wasn’t tiring.

In his mother’s soft and fragrant embrace, An’an was so excited that he waved his tiny hands around. His bright eyes were filled with joy.

“Yiya, oowa~”

His little baby voice chattered away in words they couldn’t understand. Even if no one responded, he was still happily talking to himself.

After a while, Mr. Hu, worried that his daughter might get tired from carrying An’an, reached out to take him. But the moment he was transferred to Grandpa’s arms, An’an visibly became less enthusiastic, and even his smile faded.

He furrowed his little brows for a moment, then, upon spotting a newly bloomed rose, his expression instantly brightened.

It was still mid-morning, and dewdrops glistened on the petals under the sunlight, making them especially beautiful.

An’an was drawn to all things full of life—everything was new and fascinating to him.

Mr. Hu had a habit of exercising. Even at his age, he still played golf every weekend to stay active, so carrying Anan was effortless for him.

After playing with little Anan in the backyard for about half an hour, he took him to the second-floor playroom, which was covered with soft carpeting.

Although Anan was still very young, Mr. Hu had already instructed the housekeeper to decorate the playroom beautifully. It was filled with all kinds of toys, making the entire room look vibrant.

Anan was lying there, waving his little hands and feet around. Mr. Hu wanted to encourage him, but Anan, without realizing it, kicked him. The moment he realized what he had done, he quickly hugged his own foot and stared nervously at his grandfather.

“Come on, let’s learn to roll over?”

Anan clutched his foot, a look of confusion flashing through his eyes as if he couldn’t quite understand what his grandfather was trying to say.

All morning, Anan lay there quietly, just like he did in his crib. After all, he was still very young, so it wasn’t something to be discouraged about.

Mr. Hu had used watching his grandson roll over as an excuse, but in reality, he just wanted to stay home and have lunch with his daughter.

At the dining table, it was just the two of them. Anan was being carried by the nanny, who walked around the dining table with him. As long as he could turn his head and see his mother, he was content, quietly observing everything around him with his big, grape-like eyes.

“Lili, do you still keep in touch with those friends you used to know?”

“Dad, I haven’t contacted them.”

There were some things Hu Shuli didn’t want to admit. If she stood before her old friends in her current state, she would feel a bit self-conscious. Her hands, roughened from farm work, and her body, not fully recovered after childbirth, made her feel less confident.

“That’s up to you. Your uncle said he wanted to visit you. Do you want to see them?”

Hu Shuli’s mother had passed away early. Not only Mr. Hu but also her three uncles from her mother’s side cared deeply for her. When she went missing, they even personally went to the last known location to put up missing person notices.

All these years, they had never given up searching for her.

“Mm.”

Hu Shuli didn’t want to see her old friends, but she had no problem meeting her family. After learning from her father when her uncles would be visiting, she planned to prepare in advance.

That afternoon, Hu Shuli sat in a rocking chair, holding Anan while they basked in the sun.

At his age, Anan was curious about everything. He wanted to touch, pinch, or even put things into his mouth to taste. Even if he had nothing in his hands, he would happily chew on his own fingers.

To prevent this, Hu Shuli simply held his little hands in her palm. Fortunately, Anan didn’t see through his mother’s little trick and assumed she just wanted to hold his hand.

He grinned brightly, revealing his pink, toothless gums.

The sun was a bit strong, so after a short while, Hu Shuli sat up and carried Anan back inside. A baby’s delicate skin was prone to sunburn, which would be difficult to deal with.

That day, she had no recovery classes and didn’t do yoga. Instead, she took a nap with Anan. The little one clung tightly to her arm with both his hands and feet like a tiny koala, hanging onto her.

…

Mr. Hu understood his daughter better than anyone else in the world. He knew how strong-willed she was and how that particular part of her past was a source of shame for her.

Lili would never want anyone to see her in a vulnerable state, nor did she need anyone’s pity. To her, it would be best if those memories could be erased completely.

Before her uncles arrived, Mr. Hu specifically reminded them not to bring up the past in front of her. Since those things were already over, there was no need to dwell on them.

Anyone who truly cared about Hu Shuli would take Mr. Hu’s words to heart.

That morning, her three uncles and two aunts arrived at the villa. Hu Shuli was sitting on the sofa watching TV, holding Anan in her arms.

Anan had just finished his formula and was dozing off. Since Hu Shuli had taken him from the nanny, he hadn’t fallen into a deep sleep yet. If she put him down now, he would wake up.

When her uncles arrived, a brief system notification flashed—it wanted to remind its little host about something. But seeing Anan sleeping so soundly, it decided to hold back.

In the original storyline, one of Song Yushu’s harem members was Hu Shuli’s youngest uncle’s fiancée.

She had been engaged to him since childhood—a childhood sweetheart, a perfect match. But after meeting Song Yushu, she found her life with the youngest uncle dull and monotonous. Mistaking familial affection for love, she decisively broke off the engagement and pursued her so-called happiness.

At this moment, their engagement was still in place, with the wedding set for next year. The system had many things it wanted to remind its little host about.

But then it saw Anan, nestled in his mother’s arms, smacking his lips in his sleep.

By this time next year, Anan wouldn’t even be two years old yet. He would barely be able to form complete sentences, let alone change the course of the story.

The system sighed in resignation. Until now, it had thought that having such a tiny host was quite easy—unlike those rebellious ones who refused to cooperate.

But now, it was starting to feel a headache coming on.

“Uncle, second uncle, little uncle,” Hu Shuli greeted them softly when they entered.

Today, she had specially changed into a new dress and put on light makeup to make herself look more refreshed.

As a child, she had often stayed at her grandmother’s house, and these uncles had practically raised her. Calling her their daughter wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

After learning about everything she had been through, seeing her now made their hearts ache.

“Lili, let me take a look at the child.”

“Little uncle, he just fell asleep.”

Hu Shuli lowered her voice to remind him. If this little guy didn’t get enough sleep and was woken up, he would definitely throw a fit.

Having raised him by her side for so long, Hu Shuli had already figured out his personality.

When he got upset, he was afraid others would think he was angry about being disturbed, so he would always find a random excuse instead.

For example, last time when Grandpa kissed him while he was half-asleep, the little one cried so hard that his voice became hoarse. That left Mr. Hu feeling depressed for a long time, wondering why his little grandson didn’t like him.

“I’ll just take a look.”

Since they couldn’t ask about what she’d been through, all that was left to talk about was the child.

“His name is Hu Shi’an.”

Her youngest uncle was a meticulous person. The moment he heard the child’s surname, he immediately followed up with a question.

“Has his household registration been processed? And I heard from your father that over there, you didn’t get a marriage certificate, right?”

Mr. Hu was shocked when he heard this. He hadn’t expected his brother-in-law, who had promised not to bring it up, to go straight into the topic.

As the person involved, Hu Shuli didn’t react much. She simply nodded lightly.

“My dad has already registered his household under our family. No, we didn’t get a marriage certificate. His mother said they don’t have such a practice over there.”

As she spoke, a hint of sarcasm appeared on Hu Shuli’s face. Back then, she had truly believed it was just a different local custom, so she had accepted it.

But thinking about it now, how could it have been some regional tradition? It was just that Song Yushu’s mother hadn’t approved of her and didn’t want their relationship to be legally recognized.

“Not having a marriage certificate is better.”

“Mm, I think so too.”

If they had registered the marriage, there would have been a lot of trouble later. Unlike now, where she could simply walk away.

Her eldest and second uncles were both older and not as talkative as her youngest uncle. They leaned in to take a look at the child. Fortunately, from his features, he resembled Leilei more when she was a baby.

If he had looked like that man, treating him well or ignoring him would have been equally frustrating, like a thorn stuck in the throat.

Shi’an’s skin was fairer than most babies, and he had been well cared for recently. So when Mr. Hu mentioned that he had been a premature baby, all three uncles were in disbelief.

“By the way, there was no full-month celebration for the child. What about a first-birthday banquet? What are you planning for that?”

Her eldest uncle brought up the topic. They couldn’t just keep the child hidden away forever. If they were going to announce his identity, people would inevitably be curious about his father, which would push Hu Shuli into the center of public gossip.

Since Shi’an was only a little over three months old, Mr. Hu had never really thought about this issue—or rather, he wasn’t willing to think about it just yet.

His grandson and his daughter were both dear to him, and he didn’t want either of them to suffer.

“Dad, let’s just say his father passed away in an accident.”

Having a father like that was worse than having none at all. And with her dad around, Hu Shuli believed that even without a father, Shi’an would still grow up happy.

“Alright, we’ll say that then.”

The three uncles and their wives stayed for lunch. Afterward, Shi’an finally woke up and opened his eyes in his mother’s arms.

The little guy was still a bit groggy from his nap. When he saw his mother looking both familiar and slightly unfamiliar, he was momentarily stunned, wondering if he was still dreaming.

“What’s wrong, Shi’an?”

Seeing his confusion, Hu Shuli leaned in closer.

Since he had a habit of sneaking in bites when she wasn’t paying attention, she rarely wore makeup around him.

Today, she had put on makeup for a change and wanted to see her son’s reaction to her looking prettier.

“Ah yi ya.”

The familiar scent and voice reassured Shi’an, and without thinking, he leaned in to give his mother a kiss.

“No, you can’t kiss me.”

A child’s immune system was much weaker than an adult’s. Even though Hu Shuli only used high-end skincare products, she wouldn’t take any chances.

Rejected by his mother, Shi’an looked as pitiful as a little puppy, his big eyes drooping as if he were about to cry.

Although it was their first time meeting him, both of her aunts liked Shi’an very much. Seeing him look so pitiful, they quickly took him from Hu Shuli.

“This little guy seems really sharp for his age.”

“He’s very smart.”

Shi’an was a little uncomfortable being held by a stranger. But seeing that his mother was familiar with these two people, he barely held back from crying, though his little mouth still pouted in reluctance.

Meanwhile, her uncles and father went into the study. The main reason they had come today was to discuss Hu Shuli’s situation.

She was a child they had watched grow up, and they couldn’t believe she would humble herself so much for a relationship.

At best, they suspected it was some business rival deliberately trying to crush them through underhanded means.

At worst, her youngest uncle even wondered if this was the result of some dark mystical influence.

He knew Hu Shuli well—no matter how much she liked someone, she would never have lost herself like that, as if she had been cursed.

Mr. Hu had harbored similar doubts before but had never voiced them. Now that his brother-in-law had brought it up, they agreed to find a master to take a look.

“That child… can Lili really accept him?”

Sitting on the sofa, the eldest uncle couldn’t help but ask. Considering the circumstances under which she had suffered so much because of that child, it would be understandable if she resented him after giving birth.

“Mm.”

After spending so much time together, Mr. Hu’s feelings toward his grandson had changed from the beginning. Affection grows over time, especially when An An was so well-behaved and adorable.

“That child does seem very nice. It’s just a pity…”

The second uncle shook his head lightly. It was only when the four of them were alone that he dared to voice his true thoughts. He would never mention it in front of Hu Shuli.

They fully respected Lili’s choices. After all, she was an adult now, capable of taking responsibility for her own actions.

As parents, interfering too much could easily provoke a rebellious reaction. There were too many examples of this in their social circle.

“As long as Lili doesn’t see a problem with it, then there’s nothing wrong with the child.”

Indeed, the child’s biological father was a stain that couldn’t be erased. But looking at An An’s features, it was clear that his father must have been quite good-looking, and the boy himself seemed intelligent.

If they only regarded his father as a mere tool for bringing An An into the world, it didn’t seem as unfair.

“It doesn’t matter what we think. What matters is that Lili can come to terms with it.”

While the three uncles were discussing, Mr. Hu remained silent. Just then, the housekeeper brought in tea, and the study door closed again as he took a sip.

After some contemplation, he decided to share what Hu Shuli had told him with the other three.

Mr. Hu knew how much his brothers cared for Lili—no less than he did—so he wasn’t worried about them leaking anything.

“Lili said she felt like her mind wasn’t clear at the time… She even thought that if she had a child, maybe she could tie that man to her.”

The three uncles’ expressions darkened instantly. As men themselves, they knew just how ridiculous that notion was.

“Second brother, do you have that master’s contact information? Tell him we’re willing to pay five million for his help! We’ll even arrange a private jet to bring him here!”

The eldest uncle immediately took out his phone to contact his connections. Many businesspeople were superstitious, and among his acquaintances, there were plenty who knew so-called masters.

Casting a wide net was the best way to catch something. With so many masters available, there had to be at least one who was genuine.

They discussed the matter for a long time in the study, only stopping when the housekeeper came to inform them that lunch was ready.

—

Since Hu Shuli’s mother was absent, most of the maternal love she received came from her two aunts. Now, sitting with them, she felt comfortable enough to share everything she couldn’t tell her father.

An An, being the observant little one he was, listened intently without making a fuss. His tiny hands, which were always eager to grab something, were now occupied with a large, disinfected orange that his second aunt had given him.

The thick peel made it impossible for him to bite or peel, so he could only hug it like a toy.

The eldest aunt had a bold and straightforward personality, while the second aunt was gentle and considerate. Seeing through Lili’s emotions, she patted her hand gently, offering silent comfort.

There was a saying, though a bit extreme, that was nonetheless true: sometimes, people only feel happiness by comparing their struggles to those who have it worse.

“Now you have An An by your side. Watching him grow little by little—it’s actually quite nice, isn’t it?”

Hu Shuli wasn’t sure if she had absorbed the rest of the conversation, but this one sentence struck a chord with her.

An An was barely four months old, yet she had witnessed him grow from a tiny infant, no longer than her arm, to the chubby little boy he was now. The sense of fulfillment was undeniable.

Reflecting on those dark times in her past, she realized that if not for An An, she wouldn’t have known how to hold on.

Sensing the affection in his mother’s gaze, An An happily reached out his arms for a hug.

“Mm, Mommy will hold you.”

Hugging An An’s little body, still carrying a faint milky scent, filled her heart with warmth.

—

After lunch, the uncles prepared to leave. Their work kept them busy, and beyond that, there was also the unresolved matter hanging over their heads like a sword, ready to fall at any moment.

Hu Shuli personally walked them to the door. The second aunt held her hand, promising to bring her twin children over in a few days since it would be the weekend.

The twins had just turned four this year and had recently started preschool. Their schedules were packed with various extracurricular classes.

“Alright! Once An An gets a little older, he can play with them too.”

“Come on, An An, say goodbye to your great-aunts.”

An An obediently raised his little hand and waved, while his other hand still clutched the big orange from earlier.

“Raising a child isn’t something you can force. You need to gently guide them into forming habits. Lili, if you ever have any questions, feel free to ask me.”

“Mm.”

Hu Shuli could tell that her uncles were leaving in a hurry, their expressions heavy, as if something important had happened.

That afternoon, after entrusting An An to the nanny for his nap, she had the driver take her to her father’s company.

Mr. Hu had once single-handedly carried the family business to success. He had long wanted to retire, but the circumstances simply didn’t allow it.

In their social circle, there were plenty of business moguls even older than Mr. Hu who refused to relinquish their power. In families where the children fought among themselves, the patriarchs would often use their authority as leverage to maintain control.

But Mr. Hu was different. He couldn’t wait for the day his daughter would take the burden off his shoulders.

Mr. Hu was different—he was eager to see his daughter take over the burden from him as soon as possible.

The receptionist still recognized Hu Shuli and personally led her to the executive elevator. Inside, she happened to run into one of the company’s shareholders. Hu Shuli greeted him with a smile.

“Uncle, good afternoon.”

“Oh, is this Shuli? You’ve grown so much.”

Having grown up in this environment, Hu Shuli was adept at handling such interactions. When the elevator reached the floor of her father’s office, she nodded slightly to the shareholder and walked out.

Her high heels clicked crisply against the floor, making her appear just like the proud and uninhibited young lady she had once been.

Mr. Hu was busy handling matters in his office. When the secretary informed him that his daughter had arrived, he was momentarily puzzled. It wasn’t until she walked in that he snapped out of his surprise.

“What brings you to the company? If you needed something, couldn’t you have just called me?”

“An An insists that I put him to sleep. I heard you took a call about something urgent, so I thought…”

Hu Shuli sat on the sofa, and the secretary—who had worked alongside Mr. Hu for many years—brought over her favorite desserts and milk tea.

“Dad, did something happen at the company? Why did my uncles leave in such a hurry?”

Hearing this, Mr. Hu couldn’t help but chuckle in exasperation. So many people were worrying about her, yet she was instead concerned that something might have gone wrong at the company.

“No, they’re doing great. They even secured a major national project recently—rest assured.”

“Really? You’re not lying to me?”

“Why would I lie to you about this?”

“That’s good, then.”

Hu Shuli had come just to ask about this. But now that she was here, leaving wasn’t so easy. Before heading to teach in the countryside, she had already spent some time learning from Mr. Hu.

“Come, let’s see if you’ve forgotten everything I taught you.”

Mr. Hu beckoned her over. Hu Shuli had initially wanted to refuse, but when she saw the strands of silver in her father’s black hair, her heart suddenly ached. With a smile, she sat down beside him.

“Alright, Dad.”

…

Soon, the weekend arrived. Second Aunt brought her two children to the Hu family’s villa. The twins consisted of an older brother, Sui Sui, and a younger sister, Nian Nian, both of whom looked very much alike.

Sui Sui carried himself like a proud little prince, while Nian Nian, dressed in a princess gown, resembled a dignified young princess. Upon learning from the butler that An An was in the playroom on the second floor, the two children ran upstairs.

Before coming, their mother had reminded them not to be mischievous or bully An An, who couldn’t even talk yet.

To show her fondness for An An, Nian Nian had even brought along her pet—a blue cat, which she was now carrying in her arms.

Sui Sui had a pet of his own, a husky that looked remarkably intelligent.

Because of this visit, both the blue cat and the husky had been sent to their family’s pet groomer the night before for a thorough cleaning. They were scrubbed from head to toe—even their paws were spotless.

Sui Sui and Nian Nian were very patient, but after a while, they started to feel bored since An An couldn’t even talk. His babbling made no sense to them.

In contrast, the blue cat approached An An and cautiously sniffed him.

The childcare specialist in the room did not stop the cat. An An widened his eyes and stared at the blue cat that had come close to him. When he realized it was sniffing him, he furrowed his little brows and sniffed back.

“Meow?”

“Ya~”

“Meow meow?”

“Yi ya~”

One human and one cat, going back and forth as if they were having a proper conversation. An An tentatively reached out and touched the blue cat’s fur.

The childcare specialist watched him even more closely. At this age, children were naturally curious about their surroundings, and touching things—or even tasting them—was their primary way of exploring.

The blue cat had a good temperament. When the tiny human reached out to touch it, it even leaned in and rubbed against him.

Feeling the cat’s friendly attitude, An An squinted his eyes in delight.

Then, just as the blue cat and the childcare specialist had both relaxed their guard, An An sneakily grabbed the cat’s paw—

—And, just like he did with many other things, he unhesitatingly stuffed it straight into his mouth.