Shao Kunye appeared at the top of the staircase without Wen Xi noticing. His hands were tucked into his pockets as he slowly descended.
“Did I agree to let you stay?” he asked.
Wen Xi froze, a trace of helplessness appearing on her face. She lowered her head and remained silent.
During the day, Shao Kunye hadn’t once said he would drive her away.
Han Tao glanced at Shao Kunye curiously. He had the sense that Young Master Shao wasn’t particularly happy.
Could it be because Wen Xi had used the kitchen without permission?
Wen Xi spoke softly, “Last night, you said if I behaved well, you’d let me stay.”
“Do you think you behaved well?” Shao Kunye sneered. “With that ‘technique,’ I might as well use a wooden doll.”
Being so openly criticized in front of others, Wen Xi felt too heavy-hearted to lift her head, feeling deeply wronged.
Her throat was still sore from the morning, painful and burning. She had thought she could finally stay, yet Shao Kunye clearly didn’t want them—this grown-up and small child—lingering around.
And yet… why had he taken advantage of her yesterday?
Shao Kunye’s gaze shifted to Han Tao.
“Still not leaving? Planning to finish those cookies before you go?”
Han Tao, sensing the looming anger, immediately nodded to Shao Kunye and hurried away.
Once Han Tao left, Wen Xi kept her head bowed. Shao Kunye didn’t bother to glance at her and returned upstairs.
“Young Master Shao, the goods have already been loaded onto the biological cold-chain fleet. You’ll have to handle the rest,” came Chen Jinpeng’s voice from the phone.
Shao Kunye propped his legs on the desk, a cigarette dangling from his mouth, and murmured a vague “Mm.”
Chen Jinpeng didn’t hang up, instead chuckling with ill intentions. “Young Master Shao, that adopted daughter of the Jiang Family… she’s quite something, isn’t she?”
Shao Kunye gave a smirk that didn’t reach his eyes. “Want to try her?”
Chen Jinpeng coughed awkwardly. “Don’t joke around. I wouldn’t dare touch your people.”
Shao Kunye snorted coldly.
“Your people?”
If it weren’t for Wen Xi and Wen Liyang being somewhat useful, he would have sent them back to the Jiang Family long ago.
Just as he put the phone down, a faint knocking sounded outside the door.
Even without looking, he knew who it was.
He leaned back in his chair and didn’t respond. After a while, the door creaked open slightly, and a round little head peeked inside, sneaking in like a tiny ghost.
Wen Xi looked up and met Shao Kunye’s dark eyes. Her heart skipped a beat.
“What is it?” Shao Kunye asked in a low voice.
The door opened a bit more, and Wen Xi stiffly stepped inside, carefully holding out a transparent bag of cookies.
“I made some cookies for you.”
Downstairs, Wen Xi had suddenly realized that Shao Kunye might have been upset.
Even though Shao Kunye had ordered Han Tao to rescue them, she had thanked only Han Tao and not the one who gave the order.
Thinking this through, Wen Xi had made another batch of cookies.
Shao Kunye glanced at the bag and scoffed coldly. “Leftovers for me?”
Wen Xi hurriedly shook her head. “No, I made them fresh.”
Up close, he could smell the sweet aroma of cookies lingering on her, overpowering even the scent of baby powder.
Shao Kunye’s gaze fell on the cookies in her hands. Seeing her nervous expression, he reached out and took the bag.
The cookies were shaped like little bears, delicately outlined and lifelike, clearly crafted with care—comparable to those sold outside.
Shao Kunye tossed them onto the desk. “Are you trying to pacify a child?”
Wen Xi stared earnestly into his eyes. “I want to thank you for saving me and Liyang.”
Her words were sincere, and Shao Kunye’s anger lessened slightly.
He pulled the corner of his mouth. “No need. Thanking Han Tao is enough.”
Wen Xi fidgeted with her fingers. “But if it weren’t for you, Mr. Han wouldn’t have saved Liyang.”
Shao Kunye snorted coldly, expression unreadable.
“You’re not angry anymore?” Wen Xi asked cautiously. “So… can I stay?”
“You think a bag of cookies can buy you residency?” Shao Kunye sneered. “You really know how to bargain.”
Wen Xi felt guilty and clasped her fingers together.
“Behave and stay here, otherwise you’ll be sent back to the Jiang Family.”
That meant he agreed to let her stay. Wen Xi’s eyes lit up, nodding vigorously. “I’ll behave! I won’t cause any trouble!”
To prove her usefulness, Wen Xi cleaned the Villa from top to bottom. The floors shone like mirrors.
When Shao Kunye came downstairs, he almost didn’t recognize his own home.
Seeing Wen Xi standing in the corner, dripping sweat, waiting for praise with an expectant look, Shao Kunye gave a cryptic cold smile.
Might as well treat her as a housekeeper.
To avoid being in his way, Wen Xi and Wen Liyang hid in their room after meals, minimizing their presence.
Although the house had two more people now, it was no different from usual.
That evening, when Shao Kunye returned to the Villa and passed the staircase, he noticed the Maid’s Room glowing softly in the corner.
Since Shao Kunye was often away and the Maid’s Room had no windows, it didn’t get much ventilation, so Wen Xi didn’t usually lock the door.
The door was ajar, warm light spilling through the gap.
The room was simply furnished: a bed, a desk, and nothing else.
Wen Xi sat on the small stool at the desk, teaching Wen Liyang how to write.
The dim light highlighted her profile, soft hair tucked behind her ear, showing her fair, focused face, her petite nose, and rosy lips.
She had somehow found paper and pens, holding Wen Liyang’s hand as he traced each stroke.
“Liyang, this reads ‘Shao,’ this reads ‘Kunye,’ and this reads ‘Ye.’”
“This is Daddy’s name. Can you remember it?”
Wen Liyang nodded seriously. “I remember, Mommy.”
“What are you doing?”
The sudden voice behind her startled Wen Xi. She looked up to see Shao Kunye’s tall figure looming, shadows almost enveloping her.
His gaze fell on the paper in front of her. The writing was neat and graceful.
Wen Xi felt a little embarrassed. “I… I’m teaching Liyang to read.”
Shao Kunye pulled the paper from under her arm, mocking her. “Teaching him to write my name?”
Wen Xi’s fingers gripping the pen turned white.
Wen Liyang couldn’t help but say, “I asked Mommy to teach me to write Daddy’s name.”
Seeing Shao Kunye staring at the paper, Wen Xi worried he was upset and quickly explained, “I just wanted Liyang to remember his father’s name.”
Shao Kunye gave a half-smile. “But didn’t you tell him to call me Uncle Shao?”
Wen Xi’s voice caught in her throat.
It was true that she had told Liyang to call Shao Kunye Uncle Shao.
But she knew Shao Kunye didn’t want Liyang as his son.
Shao Kunye’s actions weren’t wrong—she had given birth without his permission.
If she were in his position, she would also be unhappy with someone acting on their own.
Wen Xi lowered her head like a child who had done something wrong. “I didn’t mean anything else.”
Shao Kunye, not thinking she could cause trouble, asked as her head drooped further, “Do you usually teach him to write?”
Wen Xi nodded.
Shao Kunye thought for a moment. The Jiang Family hadn’t even fed her properly, and she had to sleep in a doghouse. Could they have afforded to send Liyang to school?
He didn’t ask further and tossed the paper aside.
In the room, Han Tao was texting updates on Chen Jinpeng’s shipment, which had cleared customs smoothly and was expected to arrive in the U.S. in about a week.
Suddenly, a knock came at the door.
“Knock, knock.”
Shao Kunye glanced at the door, already knowing who it was. He ignored it.
The knocking came again, twice this time—soft, but persistent.
Shao Kunye impatiently dropped his phone and went to open the door. Wen Xi stood outside, wrapped only in a towel, visibly flustered.
Perhaps what she was about to say embarrassed her too much. Her face was flushed bright red.
“I… I can borrow a piece of your clothing?”