Shen Wang looked at the two of them speechlessly.
He felt it was necessary to explain things. Xie Ning was still young and couldn't discern the truth, but he had a responsibility to guide Xie Ning and let him know the facts.
"I am not your—" Shen Wang weighed his words, pondering how to phrase it so that Xie Ning could accept it more easily.
Before he could finish, he was interrupted by a deliberate cough.
"Handsome uncle, are you sick?" Xie Ning heard the sound and came forward with the little yellow dog in his arms, asking with concern.
Lang Xuan mimicked his expression, putting on a pitiful look, and nodded. "That's right, so can Ningbao go pour me a cup of hot water?"
Xie Ning immediately stood up and nodded, feeling as though he had been entrusted with a great responsibility.
"?"
Shen Wang frowned, watching him temporarily coax Xie Ning away, wondering what he couldn't say directly.
Only after confirming that Xie Ning had truly left did Lang Xuan speak in a low voice: "Give me a straight answer—what exactly are you thinking?"
Shen Wang knew he was asking about Xie Ning.
"Naturally, I'll find his biological father and send him back." Shen Wang's voice was calm and unruffled.
"And what if you can't find him?"
Shen Wang looked at him with a hint of bewilderment, wondering how he had ever become friends with this man. He was speechless for a moment before explaining: "Even if we can't find him within this month, Pei Huaiyi has returned to the capital. We can just hand him over to him."
Upon hearing this, Lang Xuan let out a strange sound and looked at him doubtfully. "Are you sure that after a month, you'll be willing to send him away?"
These words made Shen Wang feel even more bewildered.
"Why wouldn't I be willing?"
Lang Xuan sighed. One listen and he could tell that Shen Wang hadn't grasped his underlying meaning.
His friend was decisive in handling official matters and equally resolute when dealing with other people's affairs, but he seemed to be naturally missing a certain string—not quite understanding matters of emotion.
If it were just raising the child for a day or two, naturally there would be no issue. But raising a child for a full month, keeping him under his nose every single day—some feelings were bound to develop.
Moreover, from his observations, he felt that Shen Wang seemed to have an inherently high fondness for Xie Ning. In certain aspects, the signs of spoiling the child were already beginning to show.
He granted almost every request. Lang Xuan had never seen Shen Wang treat anyone else like this before.
Xie Ning's biological father was still unknown, but since he was connected to Pei Huaiyi, Lang Xuan couldn't help but think of the relationship between those two in the court on ordinary days.
It couldn't be called open hostility, but they had always held differing opinions and looked down on each other.
Shen Wang felt that Pei Huaiyi was too indecisive in his actions—why spend time on all those lectures when one strike of his blade could solve the problem? And Pei Huaiyi naturally felt that Shen Wang was too violent, wanting to resort to force for everything.
But since Shen Wang had already said so, Lang Xuan couldn't interfere too much.
He would just keep an extra eye on Xie Ning from now on, to prevent the child from being caught in the crossfire of their disputes.
With his mind settled, Lang Xuan stopped dwelling on the matter at hand. He would just let things take their natural course. So he followed up on Shen Wang's words and asked: "How do you plan to find him?"
If time could go back two hours, he would have shaken Lang Xuan off.
Though he was annoyed, he still spoke with a cold face.
"Isn't there a ready-made lead? Start with the people around Pei Huaiyi," Shen Wang said, taking a sip of tea. "Someone he'd travel out of the capital overnight to pick up must not be some nobody."
Lang Xuan was suddenly struck by the idea, muttering to himself, "The surname Xie… there doesn't seem to be any family with the surname Xie in the capital…"
If he'd thought of it, Shen Wang had naturally already looked into it long ago.
Though there were no prominent families with that name, there were still plenty of people surnamed Xie in the capital—they'd just have to check them one by one. At least it wasn't like stumbling around blindly.
"Alright, I'll ask around too." Lang Xuan took the matter to heart and agreed.
Shen Wang didn't object. Though the Imperial Guard Bureau excelled at investigating cases, Lang Xuan had an easygoing personality and ran into acquaintances everywhere he went—he was extremely well-liked. Having him ask around might even yield unexpected results.
The two were about to continue talking when Xie Ning returned.
A shop assistant followed behind him, carrying a pot of hot tea and setting it respectfully on the table. Hadn't tea already been served? Lang Xuan felt puzzled but said nothing.
"Alright, you may leave."
Lang Xuan said flatly.
The assistant kept his eyes on his own nose, stepping lightly, and remembered to close the door behind him on the way out.
"Handsome uncle, you drink."
Xie Ning said, pushing the hot tea over, worry flickering in his eyes.
Lang Xuan felt his heart warm along with it, suddenly understanding why his mother was always urging him to settle down and marry—if he could have an adorable child like Xie Ning, he thought he wouldn't mind it at all.
Compared to his own nephews, who were all like little debt collectors.
"What do you want to name this dog?" Lang Xuan asked, a smile tugging at his lips. He didn't notice his own voice had gone all soft and syrupy as he clumsily changed the subject.
He was counting entirely on the fact that Xie Ning was a child, easily distracted.
Sure enough, Xie Ning's attention immediately shifted to the puppy. He puffed out his cheeks, thought for a few seconds, then his eyes lit up. "Call him Little White!"
Lang Xuan's smile froze. He turned to look at the little yellow dog beside them, voicing his soul-deep confusion. "But he's yellow—shouldn't he be called Little Yellow?"
"But…" Xie Ning's expression turned troubled. "But there's already a little dog at home called Little Yellow. What do we do?"
Lang Xuan couldn't help but be curious. "And what color is Little Yellow?"
Hearing this, Xie Ning wore a pitying expression. "Uncle, you're silly. Little Yellow is obviously yellow!"
"Then why didn't you bring Little Yellow along?"
This seemed to touch on something sad for Xie Ning. His eyes grew watery again. "Because it's too far. Little Yellow had to be left with Grandma Next Door to take care of."
"And my chicks and ducklings and fishies, wah wah wah…" Xie Ning was both sad and regretful. "I never even got to taste them."
Lang Xuan was shocked.
"I fed them every single day, raised them nice and plump." Xie Ning's tone was full of regret.
Hearing this, Lang Xuan glanced at Shen Wang. Xie Ning raising a dog was one thing, but chickens, ducks, and fish too? Would his estate turn into a farm as well?
Shen Wang's expression didn't change. "If you want to eat them, tell Butler Liu. He'll buy fatter, plumper ones."
Hearing this, Xie Ning couldn't help licking his lips. "Really?"
Shen Wang was somewhat puzzled. Why did this child seem to crave food at the sight of everything? It was as if he'd never had a proper meal in his life.
At this thought, Shen Wang fell into contemplation—it seemed he would need to remind Butler Liu about this when they returned.
There was no way their household could be lacking food for a child.
So Shen Wang nodded, promising that Xie Ning could eat whatever he wanted, as much as he wanted, from now on.
Upon hearing this, Xie Ning's eyes lit up as if he had just received a get-out-of-jail-free card.
Although Father had said he wasn't allowed to eat too much at once, now Father had also said he could eat as much as he wanted.
Oh my.
It wasn't like Ningbao was the one who wanted to eat on his own initiative.
When the time came, even if Father wanted to spank his bottom or punish him by writing calligraphy, he could just bring up his other father.
Shen Wang naturally had no idea what little schemes were running through Xie Ning's mind. Seeing his expression shift this way and that, as if plotting some mischief, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly—he simply couldn't fathom how children thought.
In just half a day, he had come to realize that Xie Ning was someone who acted on every whim, and seemed to never tire no matter what.
Earlier, when Butler Liu had reported to him, he had thought it was normal for children to be full of energy. But now that it was happening to him personally, he truly felt the difficulty of it.
And that dog…
Little White was obediently lying beside Xie Ning, not at all shy, naturally close to Xie Ning as if they had known each other forever.
Shen Wang's expression remained unchanged, but for some reason, when he looked at that dog, he felt a vague sense of regret.
…
After returning to the residence, Shen Wang let Xie Ning go play with the dog on his own.
Xie Ning reminded him with a serious expression, "Father, it has a name, don't you remember? It's called Little White. Now it's a part of our family."
Shen Wang: "…"
Shen Wang: "Then go play with Little White yourself. I still have matters to attend to."
With that, he shot Butler Liu a look, signaling him to come over.
Butler Liu barely had time to be surprised that the master had brought back a dog after just one trip out—hadn't the master always disliked such troublesome things?
Previously, feeling the household was too quiet, he had suggested raising a bird to occasionally entertain the young master, but it had been flatly rejected.
What had the master said back then? "The sound of it would annoy me. Don't bring it up again."
So afterward, Butler Liu had decided to keep a pond of fish in the residence instead—they made no noise, yet brought a bit more life to the household.
"Keep an eye on Xie Ning's diet. See what he likes to eat and have the kitchen make more of it," Shen Wang said.
Hearing this, Butler Liu wore a strange expression, looking somewhat conflicted.
"Speak your mind," Shen Wang said with a glance, his tone calm.
Butler Liu tried to find the right words, then explained, "This old servant has observed carefully and found that the young master seems… seems to eat everything."
Oh, not a picky eater.
"And no matter how much is served, he finishes it all. Besides his three regular meals, he has snacks after meals and sour soup before bed."
Oh, a big eater.
"So based on this old servant's observations, what the young master needs is portion control. Otherwise, at this rate, he may gradually become rather… round."
Butler Liu had all but said it outright—the boy already ate plenty, and more would make him fat.
Shen Wang naturally understood, but he furrowed his brow. "He's still growing. Eating more is only right."
Butler Liu cautioned, "Consider the fish, sir. If you keep feeding it, it will eat without stopping, until it eats itself to death."
"…But he keeps saying he's hungry," Shen Wang said, deep in thought.
Butler Liu fell silent. He simply didn't want Xie Ning to eat too much—he certainly didn't intend to starve the child.
The next second, he nodded with a grave expression. "This old servant will go check on the kitchen at once."
Unaware of what had transpired, Xie Ning received another extra meal that evening and happily polished it off to the last bite.
Butler Liu watched him eat with a look of tender affection. After clearing the dishes, he moved to take the dog out so the boy could sleep.
But Xie Ning clung to the dog with all his might, refusing to let go.
Butler Liu: "?"
Surely not. There was no way the master would ever agree to this.
Sure enough, Shen Wang walked over slowly from the inner room after washing up. Seeing the scene before him, his face darkened with exasperation.
"No." He refused without mercy.
Allowing the dog into the residence had already been his concession. There was absolutely, absolutely no way he would let the dog onto his bed.
Xie Ning looked up at him with pleading eyes.
But this time it didn't work. Shen Wang's brow twitched as he realized he may have been too indulgent with the boy earlier.
"Fine."
After a moment of silence, Shen Wang suddenly changed his tune, a smile curling at his lips. Only those familiar with him knew that when the master smiled, that was when he was truly dangerous—a blank expression was the safe one.
Xie Ning, however, didn't understand this. Overjoyed, he was already fantasizing in his head about sleeping with one arm around Little White and the other around his father.
"Then from now on, you can sleep with the dog." Shen Wang spat out these words coldly, then turned and walked away.
Xie Ning stood there stunned, tears streaming down his face before he could even process what had happened. This time, the tears were genuine.
Butler Liu stood in the middle, sighing repeatedly.
Little White sensed its master's unhappiness and padded around in front of him, panting, then jumped onto him and nuzzled against him back and forth.
"Wah wah wah wah…"
Shen Wang stood just outside the door, hearing every sound from within. The fingers hanging at his side twitched slightly, but he still didn't move.
A line was a line. He absolutely could not tolerate sleeping in the same bed as a dog. No matter how much Xie Ning cried, he wouldn't agree.
"Wah wah wah wah wah wah wah wah wah…"
Butler Liu stepped forward to comfort him, but nothing worked this time. No sooner had he wiped away the tears with his handkerchief than new ones flowed out.
"Oh dear…"
Butler Liu's heart ached for him, but there was nothing he could do.
"Young master, how about this—this old servant will set up a little shelter for the dog just outside the courtyard. You'll see it first thing tomorrow morning. Please stop crying, oh my."
Xie Ning sniffled and said, "He has a name. His name is Little White."
Shen Wang, standing at the door, heard this: "…"
Then the corner of his mouth curved up slightly.
Butler Liu didn't ask why a yellow dog was named Little White. He smoothly corrected himself. "Then let Little White go sleep outside. Think about it—the master has to rise early every day for his duties. Getting a good night's sleep is very important, isn't it?"
In truth, Xie Ning hadn't been that adamant to begin with. He was simply used to pushing his luck, believing that no matter what he did, everyone would dote on him.
If he truly had to choose between Little White and his father, he would pick his father without a moment's hesitation.
The reason he had cried so hard just now was that his father had spoken to him so harshly and then turned and walked away.
So cold! So heartless!
And even when he heard him crying, he didn't come to comfort him—even worse!!
Seeing that he had calmed down, Butler Liu quietly picked up Little White and retreated.
When he saw his master standing at the door, he wasn't the least bit surprised. He advised, "Please don't say anything harsh to him when you go in."
"…Mm." Shen Wang's expression was unreadable.
Why was Butler Liu already taking Xie Ning's side so quickly? Anyone with eyes could see who was right and who was wrong in this matter.
That said, after he pushed the door open and went inside, he still didn't speak directly.
"Father, do you not like Ningbao anymore? Do you think Wo is a bad child?" Xie Ning's eyes were red and swollen, clearly showing he had been crying hard just moments before.
"No, that's not it."
Shen Wang walked over and sat down beside him.
If he were truly angry, he could have simply washed his hands of it and left Xie Ning's affairs to his subordinates.
"Then why didn't you come comfort Wo?" Xie Ning stared at him and asked.
Shen Wang looked at him, his mood complicated.
How could someone who had clearly made a mistake still demand comfort with such confidence? Shouldn't he be the one who was angry?
"I won't."
Xie Ning suddenly let out a "giggle giggle" laugh. "Then Wo can teach you!"
"…"
Xie Ning didn't care at all about Shen Wang's expression at that moment, and continued on his own: "Father, you should say it very gently, like Grandma Sunflower does—'Ningbao, Ningbao, I was wrong! I won't ever yell at you again!'"
Shen Wang controlled his expression and asked, "Who is Grandma Sunflower?"
"She's the grandma who lives next door to us! She also helps us take care of Little Yellow. Every time the neighbor grandma's chickens are about to lay eggs, she uses that tone of voice."
After saying this, Xie Ning blinked his eyes, his expression extremely serious.
"…" Shen Wang took two deep breaths to keep himself from losing his temper on the spot.
Even after he lay down on the bed, Xie Ning was still clinging to him, asking in a low, lingering voice: "Father, why won't you comfort Wo? Wo just taught you how."
Shen Wang slowly closed his eyes, pretending he was deaf.