SFBF 16

Just now, when Li Hong had gotten the invitation and was about to deliver it to President Gu, Young Master Duoduo had sought him out. He said he really wanted to go to this classmate’s birthday party, but he was afraid his younger uncle and “aunt” (Shen Qing) wouldn’t agree, and he hoped Li Hong could help advocate for him.

Li Hong had heard about what Young Master Duoduo had encountered in the Gu family before.

He surmised that the reason the Gu family never took him and Young Master Ao to events whenever someone invited them in the past had led Duoduo to assume by default that the adults were unwilling to let them brothers attend banquets…

Li Hong felt a bit sorry for such a child, so he comforted him extensively, almost guaranteeing that President Gu would definitely not stop him from attending the birthday party. Their President Gu was not such a biased and narrow-minded person!

But even so, Young Master Duoduo was still not reassured.

He said that even if his younger uncle didn’t object, his “younger aunt” probably wouldn’t approve, and so on.

Helpless, Li Hong had to bring him to the third floor, intending to ask President Gu face-to-face whether they could go or not.

By coincidence, they met Tian Yi, who said that the Madam was currently in President Gu’s office. Li Hong thought this was perfect; they could ask both of them together.

But Young Master Duoduo might still be distant with President Gu and didn’t dare communicate much with his younger uncle. He said he didn’t dare go in and just troubled Li Hong to go in and ask for him.

Now, Li Hong squatted in front of Gu Duo: “You heard everything just now; the Madam cares about you very much.”

—President Gu’s office door wasn’t closed. If one listened carefully from the outside, one could still hear the Madam inside talking incessantly about how to let the cubs play happily on the day of the birthday banquet.

Gu Duo: “…”

Gu Duo also hadn’t expected that Shen Qing would actually allow him to attend a classmate’s birthday banquet.

After all, other children had invited him to birthdays before, but that man had rejected them directly, reasoning that he had to go home to study hard after school and had no time to attend any birthday banquets.

However, once back home, this man wouldn’t allow him to study either…

Many times, Gu Duo didn’t understand why the man treated him and his brother that way.

This time, Gu Duo hadn’t really intended to attend Xu Weiming’s birthday party.

He wasn’t familiar with Xu Weiming anyway.

He just had a sudden idea after hearing about this invitation; he wanted to know what the man’s reaction would be upon hearing he wanted to attend a birthday banquet.

…Even though he ate ice cream today and also had the filet mignon the man had specially ordered, Gu Duo still didn’t believe the other party had changed.

He knew the man named Shen Qing hated him and Aozai.

He didn’t like them studying, didn’t like them playing, and didn’t like them having friends and social interactions…

The man’s acting skills must be really bad; his disgust for them couldn’t be hidden.

So Gu Duo thought he would take advantage of the opportunity while his younger uncle was at home to test what the man’s reaction would be upon hearing he wanted to attend Xu Weiming’s birthday party.

—Would he lose control and fly into a rage directly?

If so, that would be great.

He could take the opportunity to let his younger uncle see his true colors.

However, Gu Duo also knew the man wasn’t that stupid. He guessed he would probably just find an excuse to continue stopping him from going, like saying he needed to study…

But Gu Duo never expected that Shen Qing would not only agree personally in the end.

Moreover, he proactively offered to take them there himself!

…Could this be some new conspiracy?

Gu Duo subconsciously thought with immense darkness.

But recalling the man’s bright and fresh smile this morning, in this instant, Gu Duo felt again… perhaps, that person wasn’t as bad as he thought.

…After all, he could have completely done what he did last time, casually finding a reason to decline this birthday banquet…

Doubting on one hand while affirming on the other made the expression on Gu Duo’s small face become fragmented again.

Although the complexity of his thoughts far exceeded other children his age, Gu Duo’s expression management was still not quite in place.

And at this moment, what was mostly on Gu Duo’s face was confusion and dazedness.

Perhaps out of a self-protection mechanism, he always subconsciously shrank his shoulders and lowered his head.

Right now, because of his bewilderment, his entire back was arched, and his thin, weak body was almost curled up.

—Gu Duo could still hear Shen Qing saying in his younger uncle’s room: “I don’t know how big the Xu family’s background is. Anyway, Duoduo and Aozai are going over purely to play. They can’t be looking at people’s expressions (behaving subserviently). Don’t you agree, big shot?”

…

For the next two days, Shen Qing concentrated on preparing for the birthday banquet the children were going to attend.

After all, President Gu had said that to attend the banquet, they needed to prepare a gift for the little birthday star, party favors for the other children, and clothes for Duoduo and Aozai, etc.

And according to the work intensity Shen Qing set for himself—tentatively one hour of babysitting per day, two hours on holidays—this time was still very tight. Of course, he had to concentrate on preparations within his limited working hours!

What was relatively gratifying was that the matter regarding the medical team that day had been muddled through by his interruptions and jesting.

—That day, he had quite a discussion with President Gu about the birthday party. Although it was mostly Shen Qing talking unilaterally, the big shot scrutinized him in silence the whole way, until Shen Qing’s throat went dry!

But deploying a torrent of eloquence was useful too!

After feeling it was about enough, Shen Qing found an excuse to run away. Gu Huaiyu didn’t question him further, and seemed not to have discovered the little secret between “himself” and Doctor Ling.

And through Shen Qing’s secret observations over these two days, the medical team at home had really been replaced.

He also hadn’t seen that Doctor Ling again.

It was a bit thrilling.

But the crisis was resolved!

So, Shen Qing, having rested and recuperated for two days, planned to take the cubs out today to choose gifts for the children at the birthday party.

President Gu had arranged for Assistant Li to handle choosing the gifts, but Shen Qing felt that since the gifts were from the cubs to their peers, it would be better for the cubs to choose and prepare them personally.

No matter how the adults secretly disdained or competed with each other, he always hoped the friendship between children was pure.

They could certainly choose a very expensive and decent gift for the little young master of the Xu family who was celebrating his birthday, sending it out to keep up appearances.

But that was just adults posturing, not friendship between children.

Moreover, Duoduo and Aozai hadn’t really gone out much during the entire winter break. Children being cooped up at home all the time could easily develop issues. Taking advantage of the warming weather today, Shen Qing took the two of them directly to the shopping mall.

…Of course, although the cubs were to choose gifts for other children personally, where to choose these gifts could still be decided by the adult—

Huacheng’s largest and most famous shopping center had a toy city on the second floor that claimed to be the largest and most luxurious in the country.

It was not only an internet-famous store, but any world-class limited edition toys or figurines could also be found here.

Shen Qing brought Gu Duo and Gu Ao here.

On the way here, little Gu Ao stared at Shen Qing aggressively the whole way, looking as if he was wary of being sold by him.

But as soon as they entered the toy city, this kid was stimulated by the dazzling array of goods and forgot everything.

He was wearing a small light yellow padded jacket today. The jacket was soft and puffy; when the child wearing it ran into the pile of toys, he looked exactly like a round-bodied Call duck.

Compared to Gu Ao, Gu Duo’s performance was always very calm.

Shen Qing felt that his hostility towards himself seemed to have lowered a bit more—on the way here, Gu Duo, sitting in the car, had been silently holding his younger brother’s hand, soothing his brother’s wary little emotions.

Little Gu Duo didn’t say a word, his expression steady, looking for all the world like he was calmly observing what exactly Shen Qing was going to do. Yet, he was much more stable and composed than before.

—If it were before, Gu Duo probably wouldn’t have agreed to be taken out by him at all.

Shen Qing didn’t know if the child’s nature had become more mature and able to wait and see, or if he had really begun to trust him, so his aggression had become less intense.

But it didn’t matter either way.

Looking at the thin child wearing the same style of small padded jacket as Gu Ao but still appearing frail, Shen Qing subconsciously said generously: “Go play. Take whatever you like.”

Anyway, the expenses would come from your uncle’s side!

But Shen Qing didn’t forget the purpose of this trip and reminded him: “Remember, besides choosing a birthday gift for Xu Weiming, also prepare thirty party favors to distribute to the other children. You and Aozai choose together.”

Gu Duo continued to look at him silently, only this time he nodded in response, as if saying: Understood.

Shen Qing: …

Uh.

Was it because he had stayed with the big shot too long that day when he was jesting and muddling through with Gu Huaiyu? Having experienced the baptism of the big shot’s silent scrutiny for a long time, Shen Qing now only felt that the look in Gu Duo’s eyes when looking at him was becoming more and more like his uncle’s!

It was that feeling of “I don’t understand, I’ll watch a bit more”…

Shen Qing squatted down again: “It’s hot in the mall. Does Duoduo want to take off the small padded jacket? Uncle will hold it for you.”

Gu Duo obviously hesitated for a moment. Finally, he nodded slowly, unzipped the zipper, took off the outer coat, and handed it to Shen Qing.

“Thank you,” Gu Duo said.

Despite his deep appearance, this kid’s voice was still milky.

Shen Qing smiled: “If Aozai is hot, have him give me his clothes too. Go play, be careful.”

“Okay,” Gu Duo responded and went to find Gu Ao in the toy pile.

It was the winter holidays, so although there were many people in the mall and the toy city, Shen Qing had brought Assistant Li and Auntie Zhang along on this trip, and also borrowed a few of Gu Huaiyu’s bodyguards to follow. They were all watching the young masters constantly, so there was no fear of the two children getting lost.

Shen Qing actually didn’t know how to take care of children yet, nor did he plan to do it personally… That’s why being rich was more relaxing; with so many people attending to him, he naturally didn’t need to do anything himself.

Li Hong said, “Madam, let me hold the young master’s clothes.”

“Ah, no need for this.” Although he didn’t need to do everything personally, it wasn’t like he couldn’t do anything at all.

Shen Qing simply folded the child’s clothes. Feeling that they didn’t weigh much at all, he said, “You go help Duoduo choose gifts. Watch over them.”

After that, he went directly to the other side to look at the toys and figurines here too.

The merchandise here was indeed luxurious and comprehensive, and there were exclusive attendants to explain things to him.

Shen Qing never had the time or money to pay attention to toys before, but he discovered he still had a childlike heart. Seeing high-tech robots and exquisite figurines, feelings of fondness would also rise.

Before, forced by life, he wouldn’t come here, and even if he passed by, he wouldn’t stop here.

But now…

Looking at a robot toy priced at over eight thousand, Shen Qing’s first reaction was actually: This price is acceptable.

…

?!

!!!

What made him suddenly become so inflated?

He had only transmigrated to this world a few days ago!

Was it because the coffee at home was too fragrant, the filet mignon was free, or because that 300 million in real estate had been formally transferred to his name?…

“If you like this one, shall I take it out for you to have a look?” the attendant who had been explaining things to him said with a smile.

Shen Qing hadn’t recovered from the shock of his changed values and subconsciously waved his hand, signaling no need.

Just then, he heard someone call his name.

They shouted incredibly loudly—

“Shen Qing!”

Shen Qing turned instinctively to look and saw a young man in his twenties with a child of seven or eight.

That skinny young man wearing a black sweater saw him turn around and immediately walked forward.

Holding his phone in one hand, the young man walked straight towards him and even patted his shoulder: “What are you looking at? Pretending not to know me?”

Saying this, he sized Shen Qing up again. Seeing the child’s cotton coat in his hands, the young man suddenly laughed: “Hehe, thought you became a rich young master after marrying into a wealthy family. What’s up? Accompanying the young master out for shopping?”

Shen Qing remembered. This person was Hao Yi.

…The one who kept inciting the original host to abuse the children, whom Shen Qing had blacklisted directly after transmigrating!

The original host had some fair-weather friends he met in society.

At first, those people mistakenly thought he was the young master of the Shen family, currying favor and flattering him greatly. The original host had also genuinely considered them friends.

But later, discovering that he, a side branch member, was just a working stiff and had nothing to do with being a proper young master, the fair-weather friends increasingly disregarded the original host.

They disregarded him, yet hoped to gain some benefits from the original host’s relationship with the Shen family’s young master, Shen Yuan. When they found they couldn’t get any benefits, they would denounce and look down on the original host again.

Until the original host got the marriage certificate with Gu Huaiyu. The friends who looked down on him before all came swarming back.

However, it wasn’t to flatter or bootlick him, because the friends already knew the original host’s character and didn’t think he could amount to anything.

This Hao Yi in front of him would often instigate the original host in the name of friendship to get more money and suppress the cubs like Duoduo.

He was sure the original host was cowardly and indecisive, so he hinted at and manipulated the original host frequently.

But in fact, he never considered the original host even a bit. He was jealous that the original host could not only get close to the Shen family’s young master but could even enter the Gu family! Out of jealousy, he wanted to rely on PUA-ing (manipulating) the original host to profit himself, not caring if it would ruin the original host.

Shen Qing had blacklisted Hao Yi directly and even exited the group chats they were both in, effectively breaking off completely.

This infuriated Hao Yi.

He was thinking about how to take revenge on Shen Qing.

However, he didn’t dare go to the Gu family villa, so during this time, he hadn’t spared any effort in slandering and spreading rumors about Shen Qing among their mutual friends.

Now seeing Shen Qing standing in a daze in front of a toy shelf, holding a child’s clothes in his hands, Hao Yi immediately took out his phone and started a video call in their mutual friends’ group chat.

The camera was pointed right at Shen Qing.

“Come, come, look who I found! Young Master Shen! I’m not criticizing you, Young Master Shen, you’re a wealthy stepdad now, how come you can’t even afford… a toy worth over eight thousand?”

There were about a dozen people in the friend group, and seven or eight connected to the video call at this moment.

Everyone was curious about what Hao Yi wanted to do, but some had already guessed and let out mocking laughter directly.

Hao Yi was very satisfied. He filmed Shen Qing for a while longer, mocking him verbally: “Everyone, take a look at Young Master Shen. He still has to hold clothes for the young masters and serve them. He doesn’t even dare ask the attendant to take out a toy to touch. Tell me, you married into this wealthy family… only you could be so aggrieved doing anything!”

More sarcastic laughter came from the phone.

Shen Qing didn’t say a word.

Just then, a person dressed as an attendant at the side couldn’t stand it anymore. He walked directly forward and signaled to Hao Yi: “Sorry sir, please do not turn on your camera.”

“What? The mall doesn’t allow recording anymore?”

Hao Yi glared fiercely at the attendant. “Who made the rule? Go away, stop meddling!”

However, the person wearing professional attire, who was actually the store manager here, didn’t yield at all. He even blocked in front of Shen Qing: “Sorry, it’s not that the mall doesn’t allow recording, it’s just that the person you are filming now is our mall’s Lady Boss. This involves our privacy rights.”

Hao Yi: …???

In case Shen Qing thought he was meddling, the store manager specifically turned back to explain to Shen Qing: “President Gu specially ordered it. He said you were coming here to inspect, and asked us to receive you well. We must make you satisfied in every aspect.”

The store manager’s attitude was respectful and polite as he asked Shen Qing: “So, Madam, should we call the police?”

Hao Yi: “…”