“Oh right, hic, I, hic, won’t cry anymore either. Please come with us.”
Ji Zhou also mustered his courage, reaching out his small hand to clutch the shawl draped over Ye Shuang’s shoulders. His little body wriggled like an adorable caterpillar.
The sight was unbearably endearing.
“……”
Ye Shuang tightened her grip on the cup in her hand, struggling to maintain composure.
She gently rubbed her brow, trying to make her tone sound both cold and resolute: “I’m not going. It’s too exhausting. My health isn’t good enough to take care of you two.”
“We, we don’t need you to take care of us! We can take care of ourselves!”
Ji Li waved his little hands anxiously, desperately trying to prove his point to Ye Shuang.
“That’s right! We’ll take care of you too!”
Ji Zhou chimed in with his milky voice, his tear-streaked little face full of seriousness and determination.
“I don’t believe you!”
Ye Shuang narrowed her captivating Peach Blossom Eyes, letting her gaze drift leisurely over the two dejected little figures as she deliberately drew out her words,
“Unless….”
“Unless Gods and Demons!”
The brothers’ previously dim eyes instantly lit up, shining as brightly as stars suddenly twinkling in the dark night sky.
They stared intently at the smiling Ye Shuang, their eyes filled with anticipation and joy.
Ye Shuang raised an eyebrow slightly, a sly smile playing at the corner of her lips, “Unless you both behave well these two days and satisfy me. Then I’ll go with you.”
“Deal! It’s settled!”
The two children, clearly unfamiliar with adult tactics, nodded eagerly as if afraid Ye Shuang might go back on her word.
“Alright, it’s settled then.”
Of course, Ye Shuang had no intention of deceiving children. Looking at these two not-too-mischievous, recently acknowledged cheap sons before her, she felt quite satisfied indeed.
Come dinner time, these two young masters who knew nothing of the world’s dangers got a genuine taste of adult tactics and “wickedness.”
While eating her bland nutritional meal, Ye Shuang casually noticed Ji Zhou across from her secretly and carefully picking carrots out of his bowl.
“Good children don’t pick at their food.”
Ye Shuang said lightly.
Both Ji Li, who had been about to follow his brother’s example in secretly removing carrots, and Ji Zhou, who was in the middle of executing his plan, froze instantly upon hearing this.
With pained expressions, they reluctantly began putting the carrots into their mouths bit by bit.
Then they swallowed with difficulty, their faces scrunched up as if they were eating poison rather than carrots.
After finally finishing, they puffed out their little chests and declared proudly: “Of course! We don’t pick at our food, so we’re good children!”
Although… carrots really are disgusting.
“Mhmm, not picking at your food – truly good children indeed.”
Watching the two little cuties’ adorable expressions of suppressed frustration while pretending nothing was wrong, Ye Shuang felt instantly healed.
She even thought her previously bland nutritional meal had become somewhat more palatable.
Ah, indeed, happiness is built upon others’ suffering~
After dinner, Ye Shuang began finding various excuses to order the two little ones around.
First she claimed she’d been squatting too long in the afternoon and her feet were exhausted; then she said she’d talked too much and was terribly thirsty.
And so, the two little ones, who had been playing with great delight, would hurriedly run over to give Ye Shuang’s legs a massage, their small fists pounding rhythmically and skillfully on her thighs.
At other times, they would busy themselves pouring water, carefully carrying the cup over, afraid of spilling even a single drop.
In any case, aside from Ye Shuang, the instigator of it all, and the Old Butler and other servants who were enjoying the spectacle from the sidelines, everyone was thoroughly entertained.
By the end, the two little ones were utterly exhausted and went to bed early, completely drained of any energy for mischief.
Thanks to this, Ye Shuang also slept soundly and peacefully through the night.
When she woke the next day, sunlight was already streaming through the gaps in the curtains, filling the room.
Ye Shuang checked the time—it was almost noon.
She struggled to rise from the incredibly soft bed that seemed to swallow her whole, stretching her limbs with a wide, satisfying yawn.
Gazing around the spacious bedroom, which was as large as a grand suite, she took in the luxurious decorations and exquisite arrangements.
Ye Shuang couldn’t help but sigh inwardly: It’s so easy to grow accustomed to luxury.
If nothing unexpected happened, she could likely enjoy this enviable life of a wealthy woman until her dying day.
“Good morning, Madam. For breakfast, we have both Chinese and Western options. Would you like something specific, or shall I prepare a bit of everything?”
As soon as Ye Shuang stepped out of the elevator, she was greeted by the Old Butler.
Dressed in a well-fitted suit, his hair meticulously combed, the Old Butler wore a warm smile, exuding both respect and professionalism.
“Chinese, please. Just a small portion, since it’s almost lunchtime.”
After a moment’s thought, Ye Shuang decided a light bite would suffice to tide her over.
“Very well, Madam.”
The Old Butler responded cheerfully, his eyes brimming with a kindly smile.
He waited until Ye Shuang had gracefully taken her seat at the dining table before turning and hurrying to the kitchen to arrange the meal.
Within minutes, several delicate and petite Chinese breakfast dishes were brought out and placed before Ye Shuang one by one.
The crystal-clear shrimp dumplings resembled exquisite works of art, shimmering temptingly under the light.
The aromatic steamed beef tripe, its texture infused with a rich fragrance, was mouthwatering just from the scent alone.
There were also beef shaomai, pork shaomai, and more—each one small and delicate, just the right size for a single bite.
Though each portion was modest, the variety was abundant, accompanied by a steaming cup of soy milk, its gentle heat carrying a subtle, comforting aroma.
Faced with such a lavish breakfast spread, Ye Shuang was thoroughly pleased.
She gently picked up a shrimp dumpling and placed it in her mouth. With a light bite, the tender, springy shrimp filling instantly burst open, flooding her taste buds with a fresh, savory flavor.
This taste was entirely different from anything she had experienced before, making her eyes light up with delight.
“Ring, ring, ring.”
The abrupt sound of a phone ringing pierced the silence of the dining room, where even a dropped pin would be audible.
Ye Shuang, who had been quietly savoring her breakfast, was drawn by the sudden noise and instinctively glanced toward the source.
“My apologies, Madam. It’s a call from the young master’s school.”
The Butler bowed slightly with a look of regret, his face tinged with a mix of confusion and concern.
The school rarely initiated contact unless something had happened to the young masters. Not daring to delay, the Old Butler promptly stepped aside to answer the call.
Ye Shuang merely nodded lightly, not paying it much mind, though a flicker of curiosity stirred within her.
As the “esteemed” male lead and supporting male character, these two little ones didn’t seem mischievous enough to warrant a parent-teacher call—could something have gone wrong?
With this thought, Ye Shuang set down her utensils and quietly waited for the Butler’s response, a trace of concern growing in her heart.
Moments later, the Old Butler returned with a deeply worried expression, his demeanor unusually grave.