Shao Kunye’s gaze fell from Wen Xi’s face to her clothes.
From this angle, he could see the softness at her chest. Wen Xi had long suffered from undernourishment and poor development, but there was still some substance there.
Noticing his stare, Wen Xi followed his gaze down to her torn neckline. She thought he was angry—because the dark eyes before her radiated a dangerous energy.
Wen Xi sniffled. “I’m sorry. I ruined the clothes you gave me again.”
Shao Kunye said, “It’s just a piece of clothing. I’ll buy you ten more later.”
Wen Xi immediately shook her head. “No, it’s too expensive. I can’t afford it.”
One outfit cost 150,000; ten would be 1.5 million. Even if she worked as a nanny for a lifetime, she couldn’t repay that.
Shao Kunye smirked. “Then repay me in bed.”
Wen Xi looked up, staring into his eyes, utterly unaware how tempting her tear-bright eyes, messy hair, and disheveled clothes made her seem—almost begging for him to be cruel.
Shao Kunye’s expression remained neutral. “What are you looking at?”
Wen Xi pressed her lips together. “Why did you come to save me?”
Cruelly, Shao Kunye thought: of course, because you’re useful.
Seeing her eyes glimmer with tears, as if they would shatter at a harsh word, he tossed the coat back over her face. “If I didn’t save you, who would take care of your child after you die?”
Harsh words, yet Wen Xi didn’t feel upset. Despite what he said, he had come to rescue her.
If not for him, she would have been the one violated by those men today.
The memory of that bloody, brutal scene made her shiver.
She said earnestly and softly, “Thank you.”
Shao Kunye looked down. Wen Xi was sincerely gazing at him, her eyes sparkling as if filled with stars.
Impulse surged in him again. He tugged at her collar lightly. “Say your thanks in bed.”
Wen Xi’s ears heated, and she instinctively tried to adjust her clothes.
Back at the Villa, Wen Liyang, waiting on the sofa, immediately jumped forward. “Mom! You’re finally back!”
Wen Xi was almost knocked off her feet as she caught him, still draped in Shao Kunye’s coat, nearly slipping from her shoulders.
Wen Liyang didn’t notice. “Mom, where did you go? Why did you take so long?”
Shao Kunye, entering at that moment, overheard Wen Liyang. Wen Xi crouched, looking slightly guilty. “Um… Mom ran into a little problem on the way, that’s why I’m late.”
Shao Kunye snorted.
Even after being scared like that, she comforted the child—she was quite responsible as a mother.
Wen Liyang was still young. Hearing Wen Xi, he didn’t ask more. “What about my candied hawthorn? Did you get it for me?”
Wen Xi froze, remembering she had promised to bring Wen Liyang candied hawthorns, but the sudden kidnapping had disrupted her plan.
She glanced back at Shao Kunye, seeking help.
Shao Kunye understood her look. “What, planning to make me go buy candied hawthorns too?”
Wen Xi whispered, “I promised to get them for Liyang.”
Seeing Shao Kunye didn’t respond, she knew he certainly wouldn’t accompany her. She turned her pleading eyes to Han Tao. “Mr. Han, could you take me?”
She didn’t know where to buy candied hawthorns nearby, but Han Tao, being local and familiar with the Villa, would know better.
Han Tao glanced at Shao Kunye, seeking permission. Shao Kunye sneered.
Last time it was cookies, then breakfast, now candied hawthorns. One would think Han Tao was Liyang’s father.
Shao Kunye sat on the sofa, legs on the coffee table. “Still running outside? Aren’t you afraid the Jiang Family will catch you?”
Wen Xi looked tense. “But didn’t you already capture Uncle Jiang and the others?”
“Did the Jiang Family relatives all die out?” Shao Kunye’s face was expressionless. “If not, how do you know they won’t retaliate?”
“If you get caught again and get harmed, I won’t care.”
Sure enough, Wen Xi glanced at the dark courtyard and didn’t move.
She whispered, “But I promised Liyang. I can’t break my word.”
Her face was still bruised, and her tear-washed clear eyes looked at Shao Kunye with a pleading expression. She didn’t want to disappoint Liyang.
Shao Kunye was inexplicably annoyed. “Han Tao, go buy them.”
Han Tao was surprised. He had thought such a small matter wouldn’t concern Shao Kunye, but he obeyed. “Yes.”
Just as he turned to leave, Shao Kunye added, “Take the little one with you.”
Shao Kunye disliked children, tired of their chatter. This kid was oblivious, asking questions while his mother was nearly fainting.
Han Tao stepped forward. “Young Master, let’s go.”
Hearing “Young Master,” Shao Kunye glanced at him. Han Tao paused but saw no problem.
Though Shao Kunye didn’t acknowledge Wen Liyang’s identity, the paternity test confirmed they were father and son.
Also, Young Master Shao allowed Wen Xi and Wen Liyang to stay at home, so he didn’t dislike them entirely.
Wen Liyang hesitated, looking at Wen Xi.
Wen Xi smiled. “It’s okay. You go with Mr. Han.”
After this time together, Wen Xi knew Han Tao was trustworthy, at least toward the child.
Reluctantly, Wen Liyang thought of the delicious candied hawthorns and followed Han Tao.
The Villa was left quiet with just Wen Xi and Shao Kunye.
Seeing Wen Xi hesitate, as if wanting to ask something but unsure how, Shao Kunye drew a cigarette from the box. “Say it.”
Wen Xi couldn’t help asking, “Why did you capture Uncle Jiang and the others?”
If Shao Kunye was angry that Jiang Songde had taken her, he had already punished Jiang Tinglu. Why capture Jiang Songde and Fan Xuezhen as well?
“Ever heard the phrase, ‘Cut the grass to kill the root, prevent future trouble’?” Shao Kunye held the cigarette. “I let those men violate her daughter for you. If I let them go, won’t they retaliate later?”
Wen Xi realized she had caused Shao Kunye risk. She felt guilty. “I’m sorry… I caused trouble for you.”
If it weren’t to save her, Shao Kunye wouldn’t have torn open relations with the Jiang Family.
Seeing her guilty expression, he smirked coldly.
So easily fooled.
Without the Jiang Family guarding Wen Xi all these years, she would have been devoured by society long ago.
“So now, shouldn’t you tell me about your family?” Shao Kunye tapped the armrest. “For example, what’s the deal with the chip Jiang Songde wants.”
Half an hour later, Han Tao returned with Wen Liyang, carrying a large bag of candied hawthorns, looking pleased.
Wen Xi gratefully said, “Mr. Han, thank you today.”
Han Tao replied calmly, “No need. It was Young Master Shao’s idea.”
“I heard from Liyang… you told Young Master Shao I wasn’t home.” Wen Xi whispered. “Without you, I wouldn’t have been rescued.”
“It was the little master who told me. I just passed it along.”
“Talking over there?” came Shao Kunye’s deep voice behind them. “Han Tao, come up.”
Han Tao felt inexplicably uneasy—maybe just a trick of the mind.
Wen Xi watched them go upstairs and then returned to her room with Wen Liyang.
“Young Master Shao, Jiang Songde and Fan Xuezhen are locked up,” Han Tao reported. “As for Jiang Tinglu, she’s badly hurt and in surgery.”
Shao Kunye didn’t care whether she lived or died.
If he hadn’t arrived, it would have been Wen Xi in the operating room.
“Do we interrogate Jiang Songde now?” Han Tao asked.
“Wait a few days.” Shao Kunye said. “Don’t reveal anything about Jiang Tinglu.”
Han Tao understood—Shao Kunye would use Jiang Tinglu as leverage; the more anxious Jiang Songde became, the higher the chance of extracting the truth.
“What did you just say to Wen Xi?”
Shao Kunye changed the subject too quickly. Han Tao paused, then said, “She thanked me for telling you she wasn’t home so she could be rescued.”
Shao Kunye sneered. Wen Xi was polite—thanking both him and Han Tao, sharing her gratitude.
“Young Master Shao, if there’s nothing else, I’ll leave.”
Shao Kunye waved, then added, as if remembering something, “Right, get a new phone tomorrow.”
Han Tao paused, realizing something. He nodded and left.
Not long after Han Tao left, the door was knocked.
The feline-like knock made it obvious who it was.
Shao Kunye didn’t open, deliberately ignoring it, leaning back in the chair, smoking.
When the cigarette burned out, he opened his eyes—the shadow was still at the door.
Wen Xi had waited long, her eyelids drooping. Suddenly the door opened from inside. Shao Kunye stood there, backlit. “What is it?”
Wen Xi looked like she had just showered, hair tips still damp, wrapped in a faded white bath towel. Her faint baby powder scent reached across the room.
She nervously twisted her hands, voice barely audible. “I’m a little scared… Can I sleep with you tonight?”