Xu Feng left after finishing what he had to say, wearing a look that suggested Wen Shuqiao didn't know what was good for her.
Wen Shuqiao didn't care. Instead, she remembered something else. After entering the house, she realized Can Can had been standing at the entrance waiting for her.
As she changed her shoes, she asked, "Why didn't you go inside and sit down?"
Can Can looked deeply worried. He walked slowly over to Wen Shuqiao, reached out to hug one of her legs, and looked up with a pleading expression. "Auntie, can you please not send me away? I… I eat very little, and I can even help you sweep the floor…"
He had learned to do chores at the orphanage. Every child there had to do whatever they were capable of. When he first arrived, he didn't know how to do anything, but he had been working hard to learn!
Hearing this, Wen Shuqiao’s heart softened. She knew that the little male lead had suffered a lot at the orphanage. There were several descriptions of it in the novel; when she had read it, she couldn't help but feel heartache for this character.
When the young Shen Shiyue entered the orphanage, he was bullied by other children who stole his food and ganged up on him because of his overly submissive temperament. The director and volunteers were busy and couldn't watch over them all the time.
In his first month, the baby fat on his face disappeared, and his originally plump, healthy body grew several sizes thinner.
As Wen Shuqiao had carried him all the way to buy clothes earlier, she felt as if she were holding a feather.
It reminded her of her own childhood. She was relatively lucky; the director-mother she met liked her very much. But even so, she had been bullied and teased by other children because of her small stature.
Feeling the fabric of her pants getting damp, Wen Shuqiao snapped back to reality. Looking down, she saw the little male lead weeping silently. With one hand clutching her leg and the other wiping his tears, he was trying his best not to make a sound.
She leaned over and picked him up effortlessly. Wiping his face, she softened her tone and said gently, "Auntie never said I would send baby Can Can away. Don't cry, don't cry."
Can Can looked at his aunt with tearful eyes and asked between hiccups, "R-really?"
Wen Shuqiao smiled and rubbed his back to help him catch his breath. "Really. That person earlier was talking nonsense. Auntie won't send baby away, don't worry."
Only then did Can Can nod. His small face was crumpled from crying, looking incredibly pitiful.
Wen Shuqiao soothed him and placed him on the sofa. "Auntie is going to pack some things. You watch cartoons by yourself."
She turned on the television, put on a cartoon for him, and then returned to the bedroom.
Xu Feng’s words earlier had served as a reminder. She didn't want to make any "connections" or play games with Young Master Zhao. she wanted to find something she could do on her own.
Therefore, the urgent priority was to terminate contract.
She sorted through the memories that didn't belong to her and quickly found the contract.
After carefully reading through all the clauses, her heart finally settled. The contract stated that Party B could terminate contract at any time and any place without bearing any legal consequences.
The Su family must have had someone look it over when it was signed. It was essentially just a nominal registration with Xu Feng's company; all resources and such were provided by the Su family.
With the contract in hand, things were easy to handle.
Wen Shuqiao found the lawyer the original owner had always worked with and spoke to her about the termination. By the time they finished talking, half an hour had passed.
She set her phone aside and was about to get up to examine the original owner's bedroom when she realized the little male lead was standing at the bedroom door, watching her silently.
Wen Shuqiao beckoned him over. "Come here."
Only then did the little male lead trot over to her. Wen Shuqiao knelt down and asked, "What's wrong?"
Can Can’s two little hands twisted together as he said, "I want to be with Auntie."
Wen Shuqiao understood; he was feeling insecure.
She patted Can Can's head. "Alright then. How about little baby helps Auntie pack clothes together?"
Given the current financial situation, Wen Shuqiao planned to move her things by bus. A bus ride was only two yuan, which was much more cost-effective than calling a moving company. Besides, she didn't have many things; it would be a good way to get familiar with the route.
Can Can nodded vigorously. "Okay!"
Wen Shuqiao’s plan was clear. She would first organize the spring and summer clothes. When she actually started sorting things, she realized the original owner didn't seem to have much. Over the past six months, she had sold off many items to bridge her financial gap.
After organizing for over an hour, Wen Shuqiao was nearly finished. Looking to the side, she saw the little male lead sitting on the floor with great spirit, helping her fold clothes. To her surprise, he folded them quite well.
Seeing that it was about time, she needed to make dinner.
Wen Shuqiao had bought some vegetables on the way back earlier, which would be enough to cook now.
As she walked out, Can Can immediately scrambled up from the floor and followed closely behind her.
Wen Shuqiao took his small hand. Now that the little male lead was dressed warmly, his hand was nice and toasty.
She said, "Auntie is going to make dinner. Does little baby want to watch cartoons?"
Can Can said, "I'll help Auntie wash vegetables! I'm really good at washing vegetables!"
Wen Shuqiao patted his head but said nothing.
Once in the kitchen, the little male lead indeed wanted to help her, being so well-behaved he didn't seem like a three-year-old at all. After a thought, she brought over the shoe-changing stool from the entrance and gave him a head of garlic. "Then could baby Can Can help Auntie peel the garlic skin? Does Can Can know how to do it?"
"Can Can knows how!" Can Can’s eyes sparkled. "I helped the director peel many, many of them!"
Wen Shuqiao gave him a thumbs up. "Can Can is so amazing!"
Can Can couldn't help but smile with his head down as his little hands began to move. After watching for a few moments to ensure there were no problems, Wen Shuqiao briskly went to wash the pork ribs.
Tonight they would have sweet and sour pork ribs, which children loved, and shredded potatoes.
However, just as she put the ribs into the pot to blanch them, she thought of something. She turned on her phone, found a suitable angle, and started filming.
She planned to start a food account. Regardless of whether it could make money, she wanted to do it.
Just as the little male lead worked hard to show he was "valuable," she also wanted to leave some of her own traces in this different world.
Can Can peeled the garlic very seriously, but it still took some effort to get it right. Like he was presenting a treasure, he held the garlic cloves in both hands for Wen Shuqiao to see. "Auntie, Can Can peeled them!"
Wen Shuqiao looked down and saw that every clove was peeled perfectly clean.
She took them with a smile and gave Can Can another thumbs up. "Can Can is so amazing! Auntie can't even peel them this clean!"
A shy smile appeared on Can Can’s face. "Auntie is amazing too!"
Wen Shuqiao said, "Alright, go watch cartoons now. Auntie is going to cook! You have to wash your hands before you go out to watch cartoons, okay?"
Can Can nodded. "Okay!"
Then he added seriously, "Can Can won't watch cartoons. Can Can will stay with Auntie!"
Wen Shuqiao didn't force him. She continued to watch the stove, preparing tonight’s dinner.
Her movements were swift. She seared the ribs, caramelized the sugar, then added some star anise, bay leaves, and cinnamon, stirring them together before adding hot water and leaving it to simmer.
Actually, she could add some osmanthus later; the ribs would have the fragrance of osmanthus when eaten. She had loved doing that in her previous life. Once they were settled, she could buy some; the child would probably like it too.
Can Can said he wouldn't watch cartoons, but even the most obedient child couldn't resist the temptation. He stood at the kitchen door; when he heard an exciting part, he would crane his neck to look at the TV, then after a short while, he would turn back to look at Wen Shuqiao.
He was like a little guardian deity; if he said he would stay, he stayed.
Wen Shuqiao couldn't help but let out a gentle smile as she watched him. Honestly, her heart was melting.
She checked the pot; the rice was also steaming. By the time the ribs were almost ready, she would stir-fry the shredded potatoes, and the timing would be perfect.
Wen Shuqiao led the little male lead back to the living room. She said, "Can Can worked hard helping Auntie with chores and cooking today. You can watch cartoons and have a good rest now."
Can Can kept a tight grip on Wen Shuqiao’s hand. "Can Can can always help Auntie."
Wen Shuqiao guided him patiently. "The next few things can only be done by adults. How about Can Can helps Auntie after you grow up?"
Hearing that it was something only an adult could do, Can Can was clearly a bit disappointed. He whispered, "O-okay then."
He had to grow up quickly! That way he could help Auntie!
Wen Shuqiao had no idea the little male lead had set a massive goal in his heart. After speaking, she went back to the bedroom to continue packing.
She had just arrived today, and there was still a lot to do!
Ding—
Ding—
The phone kept ringing. Wen Shuqiao picked it up and saw it was Xu Feng calling, likely to ask where she was.
Wen Shuqiao took one look and hung up immediately.
Since she wasn't bound by the contract anyway, there was no need to cater to him.
After all, Xu Feng wasn't a good person either—just a piece of work who treated women like objects.