The black car did not move.
It stayed parked across the street like a silent predator, its engine humming low beneath the twilight sky.
Inside, the man leaned back, fingers tapping the leather armrest as Haoyu disappeared beyond the company gates.
"So this is the child you protect so fiercely… Xiamen."
A quiet chuckle slipped from his throat — cold, deliberate, dripping with intent.
"Let's see how far a motherr's love really goes."
He closed the window with a soft click.
And the car rolled away.
Slow. Unhurried.
As if time itself bent around his threat.
Inside Hong Yi's Company
The maid led Haoyu into the marble-floored lobby, its ceiling glittering with crystal lights.
Haoyu's mouth dropped open.
"Woooow!"
Employees passing by softened at the sight of him — some even smiled, whispering:
"Is that the Xiamen child?"
"He looks just like—"
"No photos! You'll die if Young Master Hong catches you—"
The maid shushed them all with a stern look.
"Come, little one. The garden is this way."
Haoyu nodded enthusiastically and followed, unaware of the danger circling like a silent storm.
Haoyu was still clinging to maid hurried footsteps echoed across the garden path.
Maid looked up—
And saw Hong Yi running towards them.
Breath uneven.
Tie loose.
Eyes full of something unguarded the moment he spotted Haoyu.
"Haoyu!" he called, voice cracking with worry he tried to hide.
Haoyu lifted his head.
"Mr. Hong Yi!"
The boy broke away from maid and ran to him.
Hong Yi dropped to one knee instantly, catching Haoyu in a fierce embrace, one hand trembling at the back of the child's head.
"You scared me," he murmured, voice low.
Haoyu blinked. "Why?"
Hong Yi froze… then forced a smile, gentle and warm.
"Because something happened, and I wanted to make sure you're safe."
Haoyu beamed. "I'm okay! Did you see anyone.. no uncle i didn't see
Xiamen, still tense from hear , when she now someone follow haoyu , After knowing this, xiamen ran toward the company.
After reaching Xiamen saw that Haoyu with Hong Yi
Hong yi look Xiamen ,
Hong Yi's eyes softened—finally noticing Xiamen's shaking hand, the fear she was hiding under a layer of coldness.
For a moment, his gaze lingered on her too long.
Too tender.
But then Haoyu tugged his sleeve.
"Mr. Hong Yi… you came to play with me?"
Hong Yi blinked.
He hadn't meant to come here for that.
He had been in his office, reviewing documents—trying to push away the strange ache in his chest whenever he saw Haoyu's tiny drawings on the bulletin board.
But the moment the alert came about Haoyu entering the building…
His heart simply reacted.
He ran.
Because Haoyu's innocence had taken root inside him, regardless of logic.
Even though Haoyu was not his son.
Even though he had no right.
He rubbed the child's hair gently.
"Yes," he said quietly. "I came for you."
Xiamen stiffened.
Her chest tightened at the sight—Hong Yi and Haoyu together, a warmth forming between them that she should've stopped…
…but couldn't.
Because Hong Yi looked at Haoyu with a softness she had never seen from him before.
A softness he didn't allow easily.
A softness he shouldn't feel for a child who wasn't his.
Hong Yi stood, lifting Haoyu effortlessly into his arms.
The boy giggled and clung to his shoulders as though he belonged there.
Xiamen looked away immediately.
The sight stabbed at her heart.
Hong Yi noticed.
His voice softened.
"Xiamen."
She froze.