SFBF CH45

Just as Shen Qing finished saying he was worn out, he noticed Assistant Li and Mr. Zhen’s expressions suddenly change across from him. Both of them looked past him, staring at his back…

He followed their gaze and turned his head, only to see Gu Huaiyu sitting steadily in his wheelchair not too far behind him.

…The quality of the boss’s electric wheelchair was simply too good.

It truly didn’t make a single sound!

For a split second, his almond eyes widened unconsciously, and he suddenly felt like he had been caught red-handed.

…But wait, no.

This time, he was clearly protecting the boss’s dignity!

Thinking of this, Shen Qing didn’t feel awkward at all. He maintained his hands-on-hips posture and stood right where he was.

“Husband~” he called out.

“.”

The long fingers resting on the wheelchair armrest twitched, but Gu Huaiyu’s expression remained unchanged. His gaze locked straight onto Shen Qing.

He watched the youth turn his head while supporting his waist.

He watched the youth’s face full of smiles.

Right as the youth was about to turn fully around…

Gu Huaiyu suddenly lifted his eyelids. “What are you doing?”

“I’m…”

Before Shen Qing could finish his sentence, the young man addressed as President Zhen had already taken a large stride forward, extending his hand toward Shen Qing. “This must be Mr. Shen, right? Hello, nice to meet you for the first time. My name is Zhen Yong.”

“Hello, Mr. Zhen.”

Since the other party offered his hand, Shen Qing automatically reached out and shook it, saying amiably, “This probably isn’t our first time meeting. We saw each other the last time you came over.”

“Now that you mention it, that’s true,” Zhen Yong grit his teeth.

Remembering how he had pushed open President Gu’s office door last time only to see this Shen Qing glued to President Gu’s side… Zhen Yong strongly suspected he was bringing it up on purpose now.

He was showing off to him.

However, looking at Shen Qing this closely for the first time, Zhen Yong couldn’t help but take a few extra glances.

Looking from afar previously, he had only known that this youth had very fair skin, uniquely handsome and clean features, well-proportioned limbs, and a tall, straight figure.

He was a rare person with good height, a good body, and good looks.

That was why he was called a flower vase.

But observing him from such a close distance now, Zhen Yong couldn’t help but feel secretly shocked—up close, Shen Qing’s skin wasn’t just white; it was fine, poreless, and practically translucent.

Furthermore, his bone structure and facial contours inherently carried a high-class, elegant look. He should have given off an extremely cold, aloof vibe. Even if he just stood there doing nothing, he could easily draw people’s attention.

…And in fact, that was exactly the case.

Just a moment ago, when this Shen Qing suddenly appeared in the corridor and wasn’t smiling, he was indeed breathtakingly striking.

But what gave Zhen Yong the greatest impact was that this person not only possessed such a noble, cold elegance, but the moment he smiled, he took on an entirely different kind of charm.

—His eyes were clear and bright, filled with a laughing light. The outer corners of his eyes tilted up naturally, and his aegyo sal (under-eye bags) were extremely pronounced.

It was like adding a splash of vivid color to an exquisitely elegant, pristine painting.

The elegance remained, but it gained a burst of vitality and a brilliant glow.
…

Because he was frequently involved in the entertainment and fashion circles, and being a rich second-generation heir by birth, Zhen Yong had seen far too many beauties.

But without exaggeration, this was his first time seeing someone like Shen Qing…

Someone who looked flawless no matter how you looked at him.

?

But back then, over three months ago when he heard this person was about to get a marriage certificate with President Gu, he had specifically gone to take a look at him.

At that time, he absolutely hadn’t gotten this kind of feeling…

Shaking hands while evaluating Shen Qing, Zhen Yong’s expression shifted multiple times—from initial stupor, to suppressed awe, to deep, utter confusion.

It was to the point where he couldn’t control his facial expressions, nor could he control how long he stared at Shen Qing, let alone realize they were still holding hands.

“Mr. Zhen?”

Even Shen Qing felt this handshake was lasting a bit too long.

Right then, a series of coughs suddenly rang out nearby. Shen Qing turned his head and realized that, at some point, Gu Huaiyu had drawn incredibly close to them.

The Zhen Yong standing across from him violently snapped back to reality upon hearing the cough.

Gu Huaiyu raised his eyes to look at Shen Qing, glanced down at their still-clasped hands, and suddenly said to Shen Qing: “Come here.”

As he spoke, he reached out a hand. His fingertips pointed precisely in the direction Shen Qing was standing.

Realizing he had zoned out, Zhen Yong hurriedly pulled back the hand that had just been shaking Shen Qing’s, instinctively wiping it against his pants.

—Bah! Why the hell did I zone out staring at that Shen Qing? As if he’s worthy!

However, when he looked back up, he saw that the hand Shen Qing had just used to shake his had already fallen firmly into President Gu’s palm…

Gu Huaiyu was using his thumb to rub Shen Qing’s palm and fingertips.

Whether intentional or not, President Gu was wiping very meticulously.

For some reason, this action made Shen Qing think of Ao-zai.

—Every time his cheeks got pinched by someone else, Ao-zai would insist on rubbing the spot himself to remark his territory…

Shen Qing: “?”

So what kind of maneuver was President Gu pulling here?

Zhen Yong, standing nearby, looked even more bewildered. Although President Gu’s actions seemed casual, he was undeniably rubbing the hand over and over again.

Even though President Gu’s face remained utterly expressionless, making his mood impossible to read, it still made Zhen Yong uncertainly check his own palm… There isn’t anything dirty on my hand, right?

Did President Gu just get disgusted by me?

Zhen Yong felt inexplicably awkward. Meanwhile, Gu Huaiyu had already spoken up, asking: “What’s wrong with your waist?”

He was clearly asking Shen Qing.

Shen Qing: “…”

Obviously nothing is wrong with my waist! Isn’t this all a disguise to protect President Gu’s dignity?

And as a smart person, how could President Gu ask me this question right now!

…Can’t he see I’m doing all this for him? …How am I supposed to answer this?!

Shen Qing felt that while he was quite good at creating hype and posturing, he really didn’t know how to lie.

So, after thinking for a second, he chose to keep his hand on his waist and said to Gu Huaiyu: “What’s wrong with my waist? Don’t you know?”

Gu Huaiyu: “?”

Zhen Yong, standing nearby: “…”

Gu Huaiyu lifted his eyelids. Shen Qing blinked vigorously at him, then pounded his lower back a few times and said, “I can’t, it’s so sore… I need to go downstairs and check on the cubs. You guys get back to work.”

With that, he pulled his hand out of Gu Huaiyu’s grasp.

Gu Huaiyu didn’t make a sound. The look he directed at the youth was still full of intense scrutiny.

Shen Qing blinked at him again. “Work hard, Hubby… and don’t tire yourself out too much. I’ll be waiting for you in the room tonight.”

Gu Huaiyu: “…”

Zhen Yong: “???”

This Shen Qing… he really has guts!

However, as soon as Shen Qing finished speaking, he headed downstairs.

Yet President Gu, who remained in place, was unmoved. He actually didn’t correct the youth’s presumptuous and absurd remarks.

If there was any change, it was probably that President Gu was “so angry” he swallowed hard.

—Zhen Yong saw President Gu’s Adam’s apple bob up and down.

After Shen Qing left, the corridor returned to silence. Zhen Yong looked at Gu Huaiyu eagerly. Remembering that he had seemingly just been treated with disgust, he felt a bit wronged. “President Gu…”

“It is not yet time for the meeting,” Gu Huaiyu’s icy voice suddenly rang out.

Saying this, he raised his wrist, checked his watch, and confirmed: “President Zhen has arrived far too early.”

“I… I was free anyway, so I thought I’d come over early to report to you…”

“Even so, you should be waiting in my office.” Expressionless, Gu Huaiyu interrupted him with a chillingly sharp tone.

Zhen Yong’s heart trembled, and he instinctively shut his mouth.

Gu Huaiyu: “This is my family’s private domain. It is inconvenient for hosting guests. Please conduct yourself properly, President Zhen.”

Zhen Yong: “…I… I’m sorry, President Gu.”

Zhen Yong hurried to apologize.

Gu Huaiyu didn’t say anything more. He merely shot Li Hong a look—leaving him to interpret it himself—and maneuvered his wheelchair back into the bedroom.

Li Hong jumped in fright and quickly rushed up to pull Zhen Yong away.

“Oh my god, President Zhen, I am begging you, please stop wandering around!”

Li Hong: “If something like this happens one more time, we’re both going to get fired by President Gu!”

“I…”

Zhen Yong usually had quite the temper, but only in the company and in front of Gu Huaiyu did he not dare to act out in the slightest.

Because President Gu truly wouldn’t give him an ounce of face.

But even so, Zhen Yong refused to give up.

Having been dragged away from President Gu’s private domain, he immediately pulled out a small mirror he carried with him and checked his reflection. Yet, his mind was still filled with Shen Qing’s smiling face from earlier, making him even more intensely jealous.

“Assistant Li, tell me, am I ugly?”

Li Hong: “…”

He was truly defeated by this love-brained idiot!

Li Hong felt that, given the rapidly progressing relationship between President Gu and the Madam, if President Zhen kept acting out like this and President Gu found out… they might all really die together.

So he said, “Looks are only the first step. The main thing is that no one can compare to the Madam’s personality.”

“What personality?” Zhen Yong pressed.

Li Hong looked at the ceiling, thought for a long time, and concluded: “It’s hard to describe.”

Zhen Yong: “…”

Li Hong looked at this man again. Despite wearing a formal suit, from his accessories to his perfume, every detail screamed of calculated scheming. Li Hong really wanted to tell him: President Gu doesn’t like your type at all, why can’t you understand that?

But in the end, he only reminded him: “Regardless of anything else, President Gu is married. Mr. Shen is the other master of this house…”

As they spoke in hushed tones upstairs, a burst of cheerful laughter drifted up from below.

It was Shen Qing, who had returned to the second floor, joking around with the two cubs again.

Sometimes Li Hong couldn’t help but marvel at how magical the Madam’s personality was. Don’t be fooled by his lazy vibe and his seeming indifference to everything; as long as he wanted to, he could instantly make the little young masters happy.

He didn’t actively try to pander to them, nor did he play tricks.

Perhaps the Madam’s main selling point was pure sincerity.

And in this world, nothing is more precious than sincerity.

Unlike the person standing next to him…

Li Hong still remembered when President Gu first brought the young masters back. President Zhen had used the excuse of reporting to the house to come see them.

He called it a visit, but his real goal was to seize the opportunity to curry favor with President Gu.

At the time, the Madam hadn’t married into the family yet. Zhen Yong planned to take a roundabout route: coaxing the two cubs first, dreaming that if President Gu was happy, he might just keep him around as the cubs’ “auntie.”

He brought gifts for the little young masters, completely ignorant of the fact that children as small as them had no concept of what designer bags meant or signified.

The little young masters didn’t like his gifts at all.

Zhen Yong then tried to play with the young masters to build a bond.

But back then, the newly returned young masters weren’t nearly as lively as they were now. Both cubs rarely left their room, and they probably understood President Zhen’s antics even less.

And President Zhen was not a patient man.

Add to that the fact that President Gu’s health was highly unstable at the time, keeping him in the hospital almost constantly, meaning he rarely seemed to ask about the cubs.

After doing the math, Zhen Yong figured that, just like everyone else in the Gu family, President Gu had only brought the cubs back out of passing obligation and didn’t actually care about them. So, he didn’t even stick to his plan for two days before giving up, and had never come to visit the little young masters again…

Until now. Months had passed, and the little young masters had probably long forgotten who this person was.

And it was better if they didn’t remember.

Li Hong had been annoyed by this guy for a long time. Seeing Zhen Yong staring blankly downstairs now, he only hoped the man would soon recognize his proper place.

Down on the second floor, as soon as the Madam returned, he had settled comfortably onto the recliner. Without him even needing to call them, the two cubs automatically surrounded him.

The usually aloof Young Master Duo, who rarely got close to anyone, actually took the initiative to pour tea for the Madam.

Seeing this, Young Master Ao-zai standing nearby seemingly wanted to copy his brother and pour tea too. But the Madam stated he only had one cup and taking one sip was enough. Little Young Master Ao-zai immediately pouted his little mouth, seemingly very dissatisfied that he couldn’t participate in the interaction between his brother and his auntie.

Shen Qing rolled his eyes, smiled, and said, “How about you come massage my legs first, and then you can massage your brother’s.”

“Okay awooo!” Having been given a task, Young Master Ao cheered and ran straight toward the Madam…

Seeing this scene, Li Hong deliberately said, “The little young masters are very clingy to the Madam. President Zhen, you probably don’t know this yet, but our President Gu actually values the two little young masters incredibly highly—more than you could ever imagine.”

…For example, even though his health was terrible and he was almost on his deathbed, he moved back home specifically for the little young masters.

And for example, President Gu burned through his limited energy every day doing so much work, dealing with people like you day in and day out, all just to leave more inheritance for the little young masters…

Of course, Li Hong couldn’t say these things out loud.

Meeting Zhen Yong’s somewhat slow, dumbfounded gaze, Li Hong just offered a shallow example: “Given President Gu’s status and personality, when has anyone ever seen him get close to children? Not to mention how much he prefers peace and quiet. If he didn’t care about and value the two little young masters, would he have brought them back?”

Zhen Yong was already convinced. He stared wide-eyed at Li Hong, his face full of shock. “…Then why didn’t you say so earlier!”

Li Hong: “…”

He really wanted to roll his eyes to the heavens.

And he actually did.

Just subtly, not directly to Zhen Yong’s face.

Assistant Li chose to lean against the railing and watch the daily interactions between the Madam and the little young masters.

Downstairs, Ao-zai didn’t understand what “massaging legs” was, or why he was doing it, but since Shen Qing called him, he went over.

Wiggling his little body, he climbed onto the recliner where Shen Qing lay. Because Ao-zai was simply too small, Shen Qing just scooted over a bit, and Ao-zai had plenty of room to sit beside him.

A tiny, soft little lump knelt right by his side.

In a milky voice, Ao-zai asked, “Auntie, how do I massage?”

Shen Qing: “Just… come here, ball your little hands into fists, and pound like this.”

“Okay awoo.”

Having curled himself into a ball, Ao-zai got straight to work after Shen Qing’s brief demonstration. Clenching his little fists, he pounded away with great enthusiasm.

Nearby, Gu Duo, who had climbed back onto the high-top chair, was copying vocabulary words while occasionally looking up at them.

If you looked closely, you’d see that Gu Duo, whose sitting posture was usually borderline rigid, would occasionally swing his little legs.

It was completely subconscious.

…It is said that some animal cubs only relax and wag their tails when they feel completely safe.

Leaning on the railing upstairs, Li Hong couldn’t help but reveal a doting “auntie smile” upon noticing this tiny detail.

Meanwhile, Zhen Yong couldn’t bear to watch anymore.

He suddenly remembered the scene from the day of the meeting, when Shen Qing had taken the little young masters downstairs to have a snowball fight… President Gu had not only paused the meeting, but had taken the lead in watching them.

He had even smiled!

…It was obvious now.

Shen Qing had managed to catch President Gu’s eye precisely because he took such good care of the cubs!

The more he thought about it, the more Zhen Yong felt he had abandoned two literal goldmines. Beating his chest in regret, he couldn’t stop himself from running downstairs. He had to go win over the two little young masters!

Finally making his way to the second floor and approaching the lounge where they were, before he even got close, he heard Shen Qing say, “…Actually, you can do it a bit lighter.”

Zhen Yong: “?”

That Shen Qing! It was bad enough he was making the little young master massage his legs, but he actually dared to complain it was too heavy?!

As he got closer, he heard Shen Qing’s groans.

Zhen Yong instinctively stopped in his tracks, feeling even more angry and resentful—he remembered now, this Shen Qing was a complete little drama queen!

Forcing President Gu to eat cake and whatnot…

He truly hadn’t expected that not only did President Gu fall for this routine, but even the little young masters fell for it too!

Zhen Yong still remembered the first time he came to see the little young masters. The way those two kids looked at him was incredibly unfriendly. They weren’t cute at all; they just felt skinny and tiny, like two little monkeys.

How was it that after only a few months of not seeing them, they had both become so white and tender, looking like two little glutinous rice dumplings? …

They were actually pretty adorable.

Zhen Yong once again beat his chest in hateful regret.

Shen Qing was still lounging on the recliner, groaning: “Lighter still. Yes, just like that.”

Actually, Shen Qing really wasn’t groaning on purpose.

The main issue was that, despite only being three and a half years old, President Ao was a little Long Aotian [OP protagonist]!

This cub didn’t just have athletic genes; he had immense strength.
…

Well, anyway, Shen Qing refused to admit he had a low pain tolerance.

It was just that this cub was too strong!

…If he didn’t remind him to lighten up every few minutes, the force would get heavy again!

Shen Qing had no choice but to speak up again: “Master Ao, let’s switch to the other leg. This side is getting pounded numb by you.”

“Okay!”

Master Ao diligently accommodated his client’s requests and immediately crawled right over Shen Qing’s body.

Little Ao-zai wasn’t heavy. Shen Qing took the opportunity to scoot over a bit more. Ao-zai arrived at the other side of the recliner, knelt back down nicely, and sat beside Shen Qing like a little dumpling, seriously continuing to pound.

Zhen Yong: …

What an adorable view from the back!

He looks like a little peach!

Zhen Yong couldn’t hold back anymore and wanted to approach them.

However, at that moment, the main group arriving for the meeting showed up.

Zhen Yong had indeed arrived quite early—a full hour before the time President Gu had set.

But even so, the main group, who also made a habit of arriving early, was only about twenty minutes behind him.

As soon as Lian Jin walked in, she saw Gu Duo sitting properly on the second floor doing homework. Naturally loud-voiced, she shouted right away: “Ah! Good morning, Young Master Duo!”

Hearing the voice, Gu Duo looked up. At this moment, he hadn’t yet developed his overly cold demeanor, and he still remembered Auntie Lian—last time she came, Auntie Lian had played very nicely with Ao-zai.

He immediately greeted her: “Hello, Auntie Lian.”

“Haha, Auntie is here.” Lian Jin immediately ran up the stairs. Her assistant tried to grab her, but was a step too late.

The Assistant: “…”

I seriously suspect President Lian came so early today not to see President Gu, but to play with the cubs.

Running upstairs, Lian Jin naturally saw Zhen Yong at the top of the staircase first.

She asked curiously, “Little President Zhen, why are you here so early too?”

Then, without waiting for Zhen Yong to answer, she ran toward the little young master.

“Young Master Duo is studying? Working so hard! Look what Auntie brought for you! Right, where’s your younger brother?”

Completely ignored Zhen Yong: “…”

Gu Duo raised his hand and pointed in Shen Qing’s direction.

Lian Jin: “Ah! Young Master Ao is hiding over here! Sorry, I didn’t see you just now.”

Lian Jin had just come upstairs, so there was a natural blind spot in her line of sight. From her angle, she could only see Shen Qing’s long legs. She had to walk further forward to see…

The little snow-dumpling-like Ao-zai, squatting beside the Madam.

“Ah!” Lian Jin instinctively clutched her chest again. Little young master, how can you be so tiny and so round!

Setting down the gifts she brought for the cubs, Lian Jin hurried over.

When she saw clearly that Young Master Ao was actually massaging the Madam’s legs, Lian Jin broke into a doting auntie smile: “Young Master Ao is so filial at such a young age! You even know how to massage the elders’ legs!”

“That’s enough, Master Ao,” Shen Qing instructed Ao-zai to stop and signaled him to greet the newcomer.

Not having seen Lian Jin for a few days, Ao-zai had already forgotten who she was.

But he had only forgotten her identity; Ao-zai’s radar for identifying pretty aunties was still intact. He immediately puffed up his little chest: “Pretty Auntie!~ Hug!”

“Oh my, Ao-zai still remembers Auntie!” Lian Jin was even more thrilled, immediately going over to scoop up the cub.

It wasn’t until much later that she learned this cub was this enthusiastic toward all pretty aunties, and that he actually had no idea who she was…

But right now, Lian Jin was fully immersed in the joy of petting the cub, completely uncaring.

Lian Jin had brought fresh cakes made by a very famous bakery in Huacheng, completely additive-free and suitable for human cubs.

Shen Qing had heard of this place before, but because the shop was quite far from the house, he had been ordering from nearby places first and hadn’t gotten around to this one yet.

Having met and chatted with Lian Jin before, plus the fact that Sister Lian had a great personality, Shen Qing was already quite familiar with her.

Sitting up from the recliner to greet Sister Lian, Shen Qing asked, “Sister Lian, why did you buy so many cakes?”

Lian Jin had brought two large bags, each containing two six-inch cakes.

“It’s not that much, just four,” Lian Jin said while holding Ao-zai. “Last time I came, I saw the little young masters really loved eating cake. And, haha, since President Gu eats cake now too, I figured bringing more wouldn’t hurt.”

Shen Qing suddenly saw the light. He remembered that President Gu liked eating cake but refused to admit it. Sister Lian probably wanted to cater to his tastes in the past but never had a valid excuse.

Now… well, since Shen Qing had forced him to eat cake in front of his subordinates, he probably didn’t need to put on airs anymore.

Instantly giving Sister Lian an “I get it” look, Shen Qing said, “Then I’ll have the kitchen slice them up later. When you guys finish or take a break, you can have it as a snack. …Perfect timing, actually. I found some really good tea in the house a couple of days ago; I’ll have that prepared for you all too.”

Lian Jin: “How could I trouble you like that?”

Despite saying so, she didn’t decline.

Much like Shen Qing, Lian Jin didn’t like overly stifling atmospheres.

In the past, because the entire company from top to bottom was incredibly serious and deadpan, she, as a wage slave, was forced to suppress herself and act strict.

Now, having met a Madam who she clicked with so perfectly, Lian Jin suddenly didn’t want to hold back anymore.

At least here, she didn’t need to.

“Sister Lian, sit down quickly.” Shen Qing pulled out a chair for her.

Lian Jin didn’t stand on ceremony. After thanking him, she sat down, still holding baby Ao in her arms.

Seeing Young Master Duo still earnestly copying vocabulary words nearby, Lian Jin couldn’t help but sigh in admiration: “Duoduo loves studying so much, he’s exactly like your little uncle.”

…Originally, because the eldest young master looked quite serious and was busy studying, Lian Jin wouldn’t have dared to disturb him.

But with the Madam around, Lian Jin felt things were different. When she spoke to Young Master Duo, he didn’t resist or act annoyed with her.

Over here, Shen Qing called the servants to take the cakes down, slice them, and bring them back up, while also ordering tea to be prepared. It was a picture of joyous harmony.

This made Zhen Yong, who was already somewhat afraid of Lian Jin, completely unable to approach.

People in the company called him “President Zhen” out of respect for his family’s face; in reality, Zhen Yong’s position was just Vice President.

And he had once trained under Lian Jin. He knew that while this woman looked agreeable on the surface, when it came to work, she was just as intense as President Gu.

Moreover, her eyes were incredibly sharp. He figured the moment he stepped forward, she would instantly see right through his motives…

Having been disciplined by Lian Jin in the past, Zhen Yong didn’t dare try to cozy up to the cubs right in front of her.

And no one noticed he was still standing there.

Zhen Yong paced around for a bit. Although he didn’t want to admit it, he felt he was completely superfluous, so he left.

Over there, Shen Qing was still chatting with Lian Jin.

Seeing the various large toys and small cars Ao-zai had spread out in the lounge, Lian Jin heard Shen Qing explain that Ao-zai was giving them a sunbath, and she burst into hearty laughter again.

“Young Master Ao-zai is so full of love! …By the way, kindergarten is starting soon, right? When are the little young masters going to school?”

Shen Qing: “…Ah?”

Shen Qing was stunned by the question.

Mainly because, in his memory, Ao-zai hadn’t gone to kindergarten yet…

And he had completely failed to consider this point.

Shen Qing couldn’t help but look at Gu Duo.

Upon hearing the word “kindergarten,” Duoduo also stopped writing.

Gu Duo had been listening to them chat the entire time, but he hadn’t stopped his pen, nor had he stopped his brain.

His speed at memorizing vocabulary had always been very fast.

Setting down his pen now, Gu Duo simply said to Shen Qing: “Ao-zai didn’t go to kindergarten.”

Lian Jin also knew the two cubs had only been brought back a few months ago, so she nodded: “If it’s the little young master, not going to kindergarten is completely fine too.”

The kids of the friends she knew were all sent to kindergarten by age two or three, but that was primarily because there was literally no one at home to watch them.

For kids with the little young masters’ family background, they lacked neither servants nor playmates, and the house itself had so many places to play. Lian Jin felt it was quite normal not to go to kindergarten.

Shen Qing nodded along. While he also felt that not going to kindergarten at three and a half wasn’t a huge deal, he felt Duoduo’s reaction was a bit off.

So Shen Qing deliberately asked Ao-zai: “Does Ao-zai want to go to kindergarten?”

“Kinder-garden?” Ao-zai stared with wide, black-and-white eyes, looking confused.

Shen Qing: “Yeah, it’s a place where you can go to play, have teachers lead classes, and there are lots of other little kids…”

“Ao-zai doesn’t want to go to the kinder-garden!” Ao-zai interrupted Shen Qing immediately.

Sitting on the pretty auntie’s lap, he brought his two chubby arms together in a huff, crossing them tightly over his chest. “Ao-zai doesn’t want to.”

Shen Qing: “…”

Lian Jin was instantly amused by him.

She didn’t know about the cubs’ past experiences in the Gu family, assuming Ao-zai was just like any other homebody kid who didn’t want to go to school.

But Shen Qing knew the two cubs’ past trauma, and he understood Ao-zai’s level of acceptance toward outside environments.

After all, up until now, no matter where Shen Qing suggested going, or what to eat or do, Ao-zai always looked very interested. This was the only exception…

Shen Qing couldn’t help but look at Gu Duo again.

But with Lian Jin present, he didn’t probe any further. He just said, “Okay, okay, if you don’t want to go, we won’t go.”

“Mhm!” Ao-zai nodded very seriously. “Brother will teach me.”

Saying this, he reached out his little hands to paw at the scratch paper in front of Gu Duo.

His little body flapped around, which once again made Lian Jin melt from the cuteness.

Not knowing the detailed background, Lian Jin only heard Shen Qing say they wouldn’t go to school if they didn’t want to. She couldn’t help but praise Shen Qing directly: “Madam, you are truly the most open-minded parent I’ve ever seen! You really treat the cubs like friends. Oh my god, what do I do, I like you so much!”

Hearing the praise, Shen Qing also smiled brightly: “Sister Lian’s personality is great too. We click really well.”

Lian Jin: “Haha, who’s to say we don’t! By the way, Madam, why don’t we add each other on WeChat? We can keep in touch.”

Shen Qing: “Sure.”

Without any objection, he immediately pulled out his phone.

The second floor was once again filled with the sounds of joyful laughter.

Until.

Suddenly.

Li Hong came jogging down from the third floor.

“Sister Lian, stop laughing, President Gu is asking for you,” Li Hong said.

Lian Jin: “? President Gu? Looking for me? But it’s not time yet, is it?”

Instinctively freezing, the expression on Lian Jin’s face blanked completely: “What does President Gu want with me?”

She was only here for a routine report today. The issues in the neighboring city had nothing to do with her.

Aside from that, Lian Jin truly couldn’t think of any reason President Gu would be looking for her…

The key point was: unless it was a real emergency, President Gu never actively sought her out!

Li Hong: “I don’t know about that. President Gu wants you to go to his office right now, immediately, this instant.”

Lian Jin: “? Is it that urgent???”

Completely panicked, President Lian had no choice but to hand Ao-zai over. She said to Shen Qing, “Th-then, Madam, I’ll head up first?”

“Okay.”

Shen Qing took Ao-zai back. Sitting on his lap again, the cub very politely bid Lian Jin goodbye: “Goodbye, Pretty Auntie!”

His voice was crisp and incredibly well-mannered.

Lian Jin rapidly retreated. Right then, Shen Qing sensed something and instinctively looked toward the third floor.

…The moment he looked up, he saw President Gu’s wheelchair.

From Shen Qing’s angle, he could only see half a wheel, and it quickly disappeared from his line of sight. Clearly, President Gu had already moved away.

Shen Qing: ?

What does this mean? President Gu was on the third floor just now?

…Watching them from upstairs?

But didn’t they say President Gu was urgently looking for Sister Lian because of urgent work?

Then why did he have the free time to linger in the hallway?

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