“1874587……”
The eleven-digit number rolled off Wen Xin’s tongue smoothly, without the slightest hesitation.
Xing Yu remembered it after hearing it once and immediately dialed Wen Yao’s number.
At her computer, Wen Yao was focused on revising a design draft when her phone suddenly rang. She picked it up and saw an unfamiliar number—yet it felt strangely familiar.
A number buried deep in her memory.
One glance was enough for her to recognize it.
It was Xing Yu.
How did he get her number?
While she hesitated, the call ended.
Soon, it rang again, as if insisting that it was something important.
After a long pause, Wen Yao finally answered. As she lifted the phone to her ear, she could hear her own heartbeat—faster and faster, as if it might leap out of her chest.
“Wen Yao, it’s Xing Yu.”
She gripped her phone tightly, forcing herself to stay calm. “What is it?”
“I’m at the kindergarten right now, picking up Xu Ziyang to go out. I saw your daughter and thought I’d take her along too.” Xing Yu looked at Wen Xin standing nearby, her bright eyes full of anticipation. “I’ll bring her back.”
At first, Wen Yao had wondered who gave him her number. Now she guessed—it must have been Xinxin. Her daughter had memorized her phone number at the age of three.
But that didn’t ease her anxiety.
“President Xing, Xinxin is still young. Taking her out might cause you trouble.”
“Xinxin is very well-behaved and sensible. I’ll send her back after the meal—or you can come pick her up. That’s it.”
Wen Yao still wanted to say something, but the call had already ended.
He was still the same as before—
So domineering.
Xing Yu put away his phone and looked at Wen Xin. “Your mom has already agreed.”
“Then I’ll return the little stool!” Wen Xin happily ran back toward the classroom, carrying her small stool.
Watching her tiny figure, Xing Yu thought of his cousin’s four-year-old daughter—spoiled beyond control, nowhere near as well-mannered as Wen Xin.
After putting the stool back, Wen Xin ran back toward him. “Uncle Xing, I’ve returned the stool!”
Her smile was sweet, and her voice soft and syrupy, like a little milk dumpling.
“Let’s go.” Xing Yu picked up one child in each arm and strode out of the kindergarten.
The driver had already opened the car door in advance.
He placed the two little ones inside, made sure they were seated properly, then got into the car himself.
Inside the car, it was Wen Xin’s first time riding in a luxury vehicle. Though she was curious, she sat quietly and behaved.
Compared to the car’s interior, Xu Ziyang was more interested in the hair clip on Wen Xin’s head. His small hand kept reaching out to touch it.
After arriving at a Western restaurant, Xing Yu held the hands of the two children and walked inside under the guidance of a waiter.
The table had been reserved in advance. When he entered and saw someone already seated, he knew Dong Shuyan had arrived.
The waiter pulled out a chair, and Xing Yu lifted Wen Xin onto it.
Then another chair was pulled out, and he seated Xu Ziyang as well.
He sat down across from Dong Shuyan. The table for four was now full.
The waiter arranged the cutlery and handed the menus to both of them.
Dong Shuyan had seen photos of Xing Yu before—both in a suit and in military uniform—which was why she agreed to meet him without hesitation.
She recognized him the moment he arrived and realized he looked even taller and more striking in person.
But why had he brought two children with him?
She didn’t ask immediately. Only after he sat down did she speak. “You’re Xing Yu, right? I’m Dong Shuyan.”
Xing Yu looked up at her. “Hello, I’m Xing Yu.”
Dong Shuyan glanced at the two children in confusion. “Why did you bring two kids with you?”
“Let me introduce them,” Xing Yu said, looking at Xu Ziyang. “This is my comrade’s son. He sacrificed his life two years ago, so now… he’s my son.”
Then he looked at Wen Xin again and paused. “She too.”
Dong Shuyan was stunned when she heard that. Before even starting a relationship, there were already two children involved—who could stay calm?
Even if they weren’t his biological children, it was still hard to accept.
But she didn’t show it. The Xing family was so wealthy—when the time came, they could just have someone else raise them. Out of sight, out of mind.
“They’re quite adorable.”
“Miss Dong, feel free to order whatever you like,” Xing Yu said as he held the menu. When he saw the steak, he looked up at the two little ones. “Do you want steak? It tastes even better than beef—very delicious.”
Neither Wen Xin nor Xu Ziyang had ever eaten steak before. Hearing that it was tasty, they both nodded. “I’ll have it.”
Xing Yu’s gaze returned to the menu. “Let’s also get you some foie gras.”
The two kids nodded in unison. “Okay.”
Xing Yu handed the menu to the waiter. “Three steaks, three foie gras, and two portions each of macarons, canelés, and mille-feuille.”
The waiter smiled. “Yes, sir.”
Watching Xing Yu patiently order food for the two children, Dong Shuyan felt a little uncomfortable. She handed her menu to the waiter. “One steak.”
“Yes, miss. Please wait a moment.” The waiter left with the menu.
It didn’t take long before the dishes were served.
It was Wen Xin’s first time eating Western food. Looking at the spread in front of her, her eyes landed on the pink macarons. She wanted to eat one but felt too shy to reach out.
Seeing that Wen Xin didn’t make a move, Xu Ziyang also felt embarrassed to take anything, though his eyes never left the desserts on the table.
Noticing this, Xing Yu reminded them, “Go ahead and eat. If there’s anything you like, just tell me.”
Only then did Wen Xin and Xu Ziyang reach out for the food. Children had no resistance to sweets—they both grabbed macarons.
Thinking that they were still young and didn’t know how to use a knife and fork, Xing Yu took their steaks, picked up his utensils, and skillfully cut the meat into small pieces.
After cutting them, he placed the plates back in front of the two children.
Dong Shuyan’s first impression of Xing Yu had been that he was mature, steady, resilient, and deep—especially in his military uniform, he had that tough, masculine aura.
She hadn’t expected him to be so attentive. It surprised her.
But that attentiveness wasn’t directed at her.
She looked down at the steak in front of her and instantly lost her appetite.
Xing Yu ate his steak slowly and methodically, occasionally glancing at the two children as they clumsily used their forks to bring pieces of steak to their mouths.
The steak was tender and easy to chew.
After the children finished all the desserts, Xing Yu, worried they might be thirsty, ordered two drinks and also packed two extra sets of the desserts they had ordered earlier.
Dong Shuyan noticed that Xing Yu’s attention had been on the children the entire time. She set down her knife and fork and asked, “Xing Yu, I heard from Aunt Ruan that you’ve just taken up your position at Shenghua, is that right?”
Xing Yu replied, “Mm. So I’ve been quite busy lately.”
Dong Shuyan smiled and continued, “Aunt Ruan mentioned yesterday that she wants me to join the company to learn. What position do you think would suit me?”
Xing Yu said calmly, “That depends on your major. I’ve only just joined the company myself—no experience yet.”
“I’ll visit your company sometime,” Dong Shuyan said. She glanced at the two children still eating their steak. “After the meal, will they be coming along too?”
Xing Yu replied, “I’ll send them back. They’re still young—they need to sleep early and wake early.”
Dong Shuyan had thought they might go out together after dinner. Hearing that he would send the children home instead, she felt a little disappointed, though she didn’t show it.
“Alright then.”
Since receiving Xing Yu’s call, Wen Yao hadn’t been able to focus on her work at all.
Facing the dual pressure of possible layoffs and job hunting, she felt almost suffocated.
And now, her daughter was with Xing Yu.
Finally, when it was time to get off work, Wen Yao hurried out of the company with her bag. While waiting for the bus, she called Xing Yu.
The phone rang for quite a while before he answered.
“President Xing, where are you now? I’ll come pick up Xinxin.”
“You don’t need to come. I’ll bring her back later.”