Shao Kunye lowered his gaze to look at her, his face expressionless. “Isn’t your son with you?”
“Liyang fell asleep. I’m afraid I’ll wake him,” Wen Xi whispered. “And when I close my eyes, I think about those men…”
At this, her slender body couldn’t stop trembling, her pale face highlighted under the light.
All these years, Wen Xi had at most been abused by the Jiang Family, but nearly experiencing something like tonight was probably the first time.
Shao Kunye’s eyes swept over the small stretch of her fair neck. “Aren’t you afraid I’ll drug you again?”
As expected, Wen Xi’s shoulders shuddered, and she took two steps back, her eyes wide like a frightened lamb.
Just when Shao Kunye thought she would retreat, Wen Xi clenched her fists and stepped forward again, her conflicted expression showing immense courage. “I… If you really want me to drink it, I will. But I know you’re a good person.”
No matter how scared she was, she’d rather drink the medicated water than be apart from him.
A good person.
Shao Kunye almost laughed at that.
It was the first time anyone had described him that way.
Wen Xi’s pleading eyes looked at him, as if fearing he would refuse. Shao Kunye glanced at her red-swollen cheeks, released his hand, and stepped aside.
Wen Xi understood that as his agreement. Her eyes lit up, and she quickly followed him into the room, thoughtfully closing the door behind her.
When Shao Kunye came out of the bathroom, he saw Wen Xi still standing stiffly like a block of wood.
“Are you standing there as punishment?”
Wen Xi blinked innocently. “Do I not need to drink that water?”
She had assumed he would drug her like a few days ago.
Shao Kunye slanted his eyes at her. “You really want to drink it?”
Realizing Shao Kunye had no such intention tonight, Wen Xi shook her head rapidly like a rattle drum. “No.”
“Then get in bed.”
Wen Xi cautiously moved to the head of the bed and lifted the covers to climb in.
She quietly nestled into Shao Kunye’s arms, moving almost like a thief. Seeing he didn’t push her away, she nervously reached for the buttons on his shirt.
“Thank you,” Wen Xi whispered barely audibly.
It was unclear whether she was thanking him for saving her tonight or for letting her enter the room to sleep.
Shao Kunye said coldly, “If you keep babbling, we’ll do something else.”
Wen Xi hurriedly shut her mouth and said nothing more.
Perhaps because Shao Kunye was beside her, the fear that had clung to her gradually faded. She closed her eyes and soon fell asleep.
After replying to a message, Shao Kunye looked down to see Wen Xi asleep in his arms, clutching his shirt.
Under the light, her eyelashes curled, lips soft and red. She slept obediently, like a well-behaved doll.
Just a few days ago, she had cried from his teasing in bed, yet now, she approached him again as if nothing had happened, calling him the best person.
As if he were the only person she could rely on in the world.
It wasn’t a bad feeling. Shao Kunye generously offered her some of the blanket, letting her rest against him. They turned off the lights and slept.
This was the first time they had done nothing but sleep together. By the time Shao Kunye opened his eyes again, it was nearly nine in the morning.
He rarely slept this late; his arms were empty, but the bed still held the faint scent of baby powder.
When Wen Xi got up, Shao Kunye was awake. She thought she was moving lightly, even tucking the blanket over him before leaving the room, unaware that he had opened his eyes as soon as she left.
Since the day was calm, Shao Kunye decided to sleep a little longer. The faint baby powder scent in the air made him restless.
Knowing Wen Xi was so energetic, after the frightening events of last night, she was already up in the morning making breakfast. Shao Kunye thought he should have let her do something else.
An hour later, after showering, Shao Kunye went downstairs and, unsurprisingly, smelled breakfast.
Wen Xi had just laid out the food when Shao Kunye entered the dining room, but upon seeing the sparse breakfast on the table, his overly handsome face darkened.
Compared to before, this breakfast fell far short.
“Weren’t you given money to buy groceries?” Shao Kunye asked. “Did you put it all in your pocket?”
Noticing his displeased expression, Wen Xi explained, “The groceries I bought yesterday fell on the way home. There was nothing at home, so just eat what’s here for now. I’ll buy fresh ingredients today.”
Shao Kunye remembered Wen Xi being kidnapped yesterday and cast a displeased gaze at the meager breakfast.
“Eat this as a compromise?” He thought. Even a dog wouldn’t touch it.
Seeing Shao Kunye’s clear displeasure, Wen Xi hesitated. “I’ll… I’ll go outside and buy more.”
“You’d better hurry before I starve.”
Shao Kunye pulled out a chair, sat, and quietly began eating his porridge.
Wen Xi exhaled in relief and returned to the kitchen, dividing the remaining porridge into two bowls for herself and Wen Liyang.
In the dining room, only the crisp sound of bowls and spoons could be heard.
Shao Kunye glanced at the corner, where mother and son sat quietly at the small table. Not a sound, even the clink of spoons against bowls was almost imperceptible.
Probably, making noise at the Jiang Family had once brought beatings. So now, they lived cautiously, like mice in a gutter.
Wen Xi didn’t notice the gaze darkening across the room. She reached to serve Wen Liyang, sleeves riding up to reveal the faintly red scars on her wrist.
That unexplained irritation returned. Shao Kunye said, “Come eat at the table. Don’t squat there like a dog.”
The sudden command caught Wen Xi off guard. She looked at him, uncertain. “You’re talking to me?”
Shao Kunye narrowed his eyes. “Otherwise, am I talking to ghosts?”
Wen Xi was a little surprised, unsure if she had heard correctly. “Can Liyang and I eat at the table from now on?”
Shao Kunye impatiently tapped the table. “Come up, or I’ll change my mind.”
“Coming, coming.” Wen Xi quickly took Wen Liyang’s hand, her eyes bright, voice soft. “Thank you. You’re really a good person.”
Another “good person.”
With anyone else, Shao Kunye might have thought it sarcastic, but Wen Xi’s face showed no pretense, as if he really was the best person in the world.
Wen Xi reminded Wen Liyang, “Quick, say thank you to Uncle Shao.”
Reluctantly, he said, “Thank you, Uncle Shao.”
“Uncle Shao.”
Hearing that, Shao Kunye smirked ambiguously.
Wen Xi didn’t notice. She and Wen Liyang nervously sat at the table.
She had long forgotten what it was like to eat like a normal person. At the Jiang Family, she had to squat in the corner. After Liyang’s birth, she and he ate in corners, with no dignity—just surviving.
She glanced at Shao Kunye, catching his dark gaze, and her heart skipped. She quickly looked down, pretending to focus on her food.
He didn’t need to guess her thoughts—after so long, someone finally let her sit at the table, gave her a room to sleep, and her heart felt touched.
Perhaps she would think again in her mind that he was a good person.
A good person.
Hah.
At that moment, Han Tao entered and handed something to Shao Kunye. “Young Master Shao, here’s what you asked for.”
Shao Kunye lazily acknowledged.
Seeing Han Tao, Wen Xi instinctively asked, “Mr. Han, did you eat breakfast?”
The words barely left her lips before Shao Kunye gave her a cold look.
Wen Xi remembered he had warned her not to use his things to curry favor. She quietly closed her mouth.
She’d treat Mr. Han to a meal once she could earn money.
Shao Kunye glanced at Han Tao, standing idle. “What, waiting to mooch breakfast?”
Han Tao paused, glancing between them, realizing Shao Kunye’s displeasure came from Wen Xi’s concern.
But why was Shao Kunye upset?
Wen Xi wasn’t even a lover—just a bed companion. If not for her identity, Shao Kunye wouldn’t even keep them nearby.
Han Tao cleverly found an excuse to leave.
Shao Kunye casually picked up the box Han Tao had brought and tossed it in front of Wen Xi.
Startled, she saw the printed phone image on the box.
She looked at Shao Kunye, bewildered.
Shao Kunye said succinctly, “Take it. Don’t go without a phone in case something happens.”
Han Tao had reminded him yesterday—only then did Shao Kunye realize Wen Xi didn’t even have a phone.
He wondered how she had passed the time at home.
Shao Kunye recalled that every time he came home, Wen Xi was either cleaning or with Wen Liyang in her room.
He had never paid attention before, but she rarely touched things unless necessary. She had never even turned on the TV.
Probably a habit from the Jiang Family.
Wen Xi seemed to realize something. “This is for me?”
Shao Kunye glanced at her. No words, but the meaning was clear.
Wen Xi’s surprise couldn’t be hidden. She carefully removed the phone, fearing she might drop it.
Yet Shao Kunye waited half a moment—she hadn’t turned it on.
He frowned. “Don’t know how to use it?”
Wen Xi looked embarrassed, nodding.
Shao Kunye squinted. “You’ve never used a phone before?”
He assumed she had left her phone at the Jiang Family’s place. Seeing her reaction, it was clear she hadn’t had one.
The Jiang Family had prevented her from contacting anyone.
Wen Xi quickly explained, “I’ve used one before… but on the day my parents died, my phone broke. No one bought me another, so I just…”
Shao Kunye understood—she meant the day Wen Weinan and his wife were attacked in the car, when she was also there.
Before he could ponder further, Wen Xi quietly said, “I’ll ask Mr. Han how to use it later.”
Seeing her lonely expression, Shao Kunye suddenly said, “Come here.”
Wen Xi froze. “What?”
“Come when I say come.” Shao Kunye was impatient.
Obediently, Wen Xi went to him and was pulled to sit on his lap.
His scent—aftershave mixed with faint tobacco—filled her senses.
He looked up to see a pair of curious eyes across the table.
“What are you looking at? Eat your food,” Shao Kunye said impatiently.
Wen Liyang shrank, continuing to eat.
Wen Xi hesitated. Shao Kunye’s voice sounded again. “What are you staring at? Watch carefully.”
She focused and watched him operate the phone.
Eight years had passed; phones had changed rapidly. She had last used an iPhone 8.
Her memory was roughly intact, and the functions were similar. As Shao Kunye explained, she recalled everything.
The person in his arms remained quiet. Shao Kunye glanced at her, seeing her fully concentrated, the screen light reflecting in her clear, moist eyes. Her fair skin showed the tiniest peach fuzz.
Behind her, his broad chest radiated warmth through the fabric, heating the air slightly.
Wen Xi glanced up at him, then quickly looked down again, pretending to focus on the phone.
Shao Kunye caught all her subtle movements from the screen, a slight curve appearing on his lips.
No skill involved, yet she tried to spy.
Wen Xi suddenly exclaimed in delight. “Is this where I set emergency contacts?”
Shao Kunye glanced lazily.
Cautiously, Wen Xi asked, “Can I set you as an emergency contact? That way I can contact you if something happens.”
Shao Kunye looked at her. Wen Xi quickly added, “If not, it’s fine. I can set Mr. Han instead.”
Shao Kunye sneered. “You like Han Tao?”
Wen Xi froze. “Wh-what?”
Shao Kunye mocked her. “Otherwise, why are you so dependent on him?”
Wen Xi’s ears turned red. “I’m not! You’re busy; I just don’t want to disturb your work.”
Not disturb him, but it’s okay to disturb Han Tao?
Shao Kunye grabbed the phone, typed a number, and tossed it back. “Don’t call unless necessary.”
Wen Xi scrambled to catch it, seeing Shao Kunye’s number on the screen. She nodded firmly. “I know. I won’t bother you casually.”
She treasured saving the number.
They were close, and as Wen Xi focused on typing, her loose neckline revealed her chest without needing to look down.
Shao Kunye remembered she had said her clothes were torn last night and apologized tearfully.
He had forgotten to have Han Tao buy her new clothes.
Leaning back in the chair, Shao Kunye said, “Don’t you have any other clothes?”
Wen Xi paused, looking down at her clothes, slightly embarrassed. “I… I left a few at the Jiang Family last time.”
She referred to the time she was injured there.
Shao Kunye glanced at her wrist—the wound looked much lighter after medication.
He knew the Jiang Family wouldn’t have bought her clothes. She probably wore the same few pieces for years.
Shao Kunye considered telling Han Tao to buy some, remembering how Wen Xi had softly thanked him earlier.
If Han Tao did it, she would probably thank him again.
Shao Kunye smirked.
Unable to tell good from bad.
He stood. “Follow me.”
Wen Xi sat frozen. “Where?”
Shao Kunye looked back, slightly impatient. “How long are you going to wear that ragged outfit?”
Once the tall figure left the Villa, Wen Xi realized Shao Kunye was taking her to buy clothes.
On the way to the shopping mall, Wen Xi pressed against the car window, curiously watching the scenery, like a puppy seeing the world for the first time.
Shao Kunye leaned lazily in his seat.
Even shopping could make her this happy—he couldn’t imagine her life at the Jiang Family.
Han Tao glanced in the rearview mirror.
He had been surprised when Young Master Shao said he was taking Wen Xi shopping.
Young Master Shao had never accompanied another woman like this.
Could it be because Wen Xi had given him a child, making her special?