Mr. Lin walked away with polite manners, but his thoughts were anything but polite. He wanted to know why she had come now, because Hong Yi hadn't told anyone about her father's will yet
The clock of his doubt seemed to be stuck on xiamen
She looks so simple, he scoffed inwardly.
Quiet, soft-spoken, naïve… but she's her father's daughter. No one raised by that man is truly clueless. Better keep an eye on her.
His expression remained gentle, but suspicion simmered beneath the surface.
Meanwhile — Xiamen
She watched his figure disappear around the corner and finally exhaled, rubbing her forehead.
"That man…" she muttered under her breath. "Thinks I'm a fool? Or pitiful? Hah."
She shook her head and headed back inside—only to see Haoyu sitting on the carpet, cheeks puffed, holding something in his tiny hands.
"Haoyu?" she called.
He looked up cheerfully. "Mommy! These peanuts taste yummy!"
Xiamen's heart stopped.
She rushed over and snatched the bowl away.
"Haoyu! You can't eat these—you have an allergy!"
He blinked, startled, then wrinkled his nose. "Oh… right. I forgot."
She hugged him tightly, trying to calm her racing pulse.
"Sweetheart, you must never forget. What if I didn't come back in time?"
Haoyu nodded, eyes big and apologetic. "Sorry, Mommy. I won't eat them again."
She sighed in relief—only for her breath to catch again when Haoyu tilted his head innocently.
Mom, how many days will we stay here? Xiamen..Why don't you like it here?Yes mom, I like it, but I want to go to my grandparents' place. Oh my good, Son will definitely go, but it will take some time.
"Mommy… is it true?" he asked.
"Is what true?"
"Uncle Hong Yi has the same allergy?" I heard they don't give uncle peanut because he also has energy..
Xiamen froze.
"…Yes," she whispered. "He does."
Haoyu beamed. "Then Uncle Hong Yi is like me! That's cool!"
No, she thought in panic. That's dangerous. Too similar. Too obvious.
But before she could speak, Haoyu leaned closer, whispering like he had discovered a great secret.
"Mommy… does Mr. Hong Yi like you?"
She choked on air.
"W–Why would you think that?"
Haoyu giggled, speaking with the confidence of a child who had seen too much.
"Because he sends you many gifts every day!"
Her face flushed. "That's just… he's being polite. We're friends. That's all."
"Friends give that many gifts?" Haoyu's eyes sparkled mischievously.
"Haoyu. Enough." She gently tapped his forehead. "Adults are complicated."
He made a dramatic "Ohhh," pretending to understand.
She grabbed his hand. "Come on. Forget everything. It's bath time."
Haoyu jumped up happily.
But as she led him toward the bathroom, Xiamen's mind tangled with worry.
Hong Yi.
Mr. Lin
Her father.
Her son.
All of them woven into a web she never wanted to walk into.
And now…
they were noticing too much.