"What are you planning to do next?"
"I want to go back home. I want to get Bai Xue and the others out."
"You're not fully awake, are you?"
"You finally escaped—don't run back into the trap yourself. Forget everything in China and start a new life."
Her words instantly put Cao Yang in a bad mood.Why was everyone telling him the same thing?
Tang Shaojie told him to cut ties with China.Aoi Ichiro told him to give up.And now even Big Sis wanted him to start over.
If he was going to give up, then everything he had done so far—what was it for?
He would never give up.He didn't know how yet, but he believed: Where there's a will, there's a way.There would always be a solution.
"What's wrong?" Hu Qing noticed his darkened expression and had no idea what triggered him.
"Big Sis, I thought you'd help me think of a way. Didn't expect you to tell me to quit. I'm… disappointed."
"You offended the Han family. What exactly do you expect me to do? You think too highly of me!"
"You've always been clever."
"Clever, my ass. Even if your Brother Jie had some tricks up his sleeve, once you provoke people like them, all you can do is run. Cleverness means nothing in front of absolute power."
"So… there's really no way at all?"
"Well, not entirely impossible. First, get U.S. citizenship. Then become the president. After that, everything will be easily solved."
"Or acquire the classified manufacturing secrets of the B-2 stealth bomber. Or maybe build a spaceship and lead humanity to a new habitable planet."
"Big Sis… can you speak human language, please?"
"Hahahaha… don't be mad. I was describing the difficulty level."
Cao Yang stood up. "I'm heading back. I'll visit again tomorrow."
He reached out to pick up Cao Yinuo, but the little girl clung to Hu Qing with all her strength, refusing to let go.First time meeting her, and she was already closer to Big Sis than her own dad.
"Be gentle. You're scaring her," Hu Qing scolded.She genuinely liked this child—too beautiful, smelling faintly like milk, soft and warm in her arms.
Once a woman reached a certain age, maternal instincts came flooding in.Unfortunately, she had no child of her own.
She knew clearly why she lost to Chen Ling—it wasn't because she wasn't good enough; it was because Chen Ling had something she didn't: a child.
She had wanted a child too, but due to physical reasons, she could never fulfill that dream.
Some women couldn't have children because they messed around too much.Some were simply born unlucky.Hu Qing was the latter.
"You like her, don't you?" Cao Yang caught the fondness in her eyes and suddenly had an idea.
Carrying Cao Yinuo around was extremely inconvenient for him.He couldn't move freely or do anything dangerous.
He didn't trust anyone else to take care of her.But Hu Qing? He trusted her.If she truly liked the child, and the child liked her… maybe it wasn't a bad idea.
"Of course I like her! She's like a little fairy. And she clings to me—how could I not like her?"
Hu Qing gazed at Cao Yinuo with pure maternal affection, teasing her with a finger while the baby giggled happily.
"I think she's really attached to you. How about… you take care of her for two years?"
Hu Qing's face turned serious instantly.
Seeing her reaction, Cao Yang added, "If it affects your work, then forget it."
Hu Qing shook her head. "I only work because I'm bored, not for money. If I'm taking care of her, I can quit."
"But I can't take care of this child for you."
"Why not?"
"Heh… you say two years like it's just two years. What about after that?"
"Two years is just an estimate. If you like her, you can keep her as long as you want—until her mom is out."
"Heh…" Hu Qing sneered. "So I'm just your babysitter now?"
"No, that's not what I meant. I just saw how well you two get along—"
"No matter how much I like her, she is not my child."
"Since you're unwilling, then forget it."
Cao Yang reached out to take Cao Yinuo back, but Hu Qing held her tighter.
"I didn't say I was unwilling. But something needs to be clear first."
"What is it?"
"A child isn't some cat or dog. Even pets raise feelings after a few years."
"If I raise this child, I will treat her as my own—my real daughter. She will call me Mom. She will have nothing to do with Bai Xue anymore. I'll help her get U.S. citizenship. Legally and emotionally, she will be mine."
Hu Qing stared straight at him, watching his reaction.
"That won't work. Her mom is Bai Xue. How can she have nothing to do with her?"
"You can tell Bai Xue the child died. Got lost. Got sick. Whatever you want. But she must never come fight me for her. And the child must never know I'm not her real mother."
Cao Yang hesitated.Wasn't this… giving the child away entirely?
If Bai Xue came out with no child, she would break down.
But right now, there were so many things he had to deal with.Carrying a toddler around would cripple him completely.As for the future… he'd deal with it when it came.
For convenience, Cao Yang nodded.
This guy was planting another landmine for himself…
Cao Yang returned to his apartment alone to pack his things.He planned to move in with Big Sis.
She had bought a villa with a private pool long ago, but because living there alone felt empty—and unsafe—she stayed in her apartment instead.
Now with a child, plus Cao Yang, and future nannies… they definitely needed to move to the big villa.
"Brother Cao Yang, what are you doing?"Nanako saw him packing and instantly teared up.
"I'm preparing to move out."
"Don't make it sound like life and death. I can visit anytime."
"Are you moving to Miss He's place? What's your relationship with her?"
"It's a long story. I'll explain later."
With a box in his hands, he headed for the door.Nanako suddenly spread her arms, blocking the exit.
"Brother Cao Yang, you're going to live with her? I don't agree!"
You don't agree?Who the hell are you to disagree?A little cookie?
He thought it, but of course he couldn't say it—she liked him too much.Saying that would break her heart.
"Nanako, you call me Brother. So I've always seen you as a little sister. We're not suitable."
"Then I won't call you Brother anymore. I'll call you Husband. Baby. Darling Cao Yang!"
She shouted it, then rushed forward and hugged him.
Cao Yang froze, speechless.
"No. Once you're a brother, you're a brother for life."
He understood her feelings.But he had enough emotional debt already—he didn't need more.
"No! Brother Cao Yang, you like me!"
"Silly girl, stop reading those trash romance webnovels. They're lying to you."
"No!" Nanako clung to his arm, her heart shattered.He'd rather reject her again and again than be with her.Was she really that worthless?
She turned and ran away, devastated.
Cao Yang sighed.What a mess.
He finished packing and went to Hu Qing's apartment.The moment he stepped out of the elevator, he saw a row of men in black standing in formation.
Cao Yang instantly dropped his luggage and reached for his waist—ready to fight.
The men reacted the same way, their hands going to their belts.
"Mr. Cao Yang, Miss Situ invites you."
With a dark expression, he followed them inside.
Situ Meixin was sitting with Hu Qing, drinking wine.She teased, "Miss Hu, it's been years since Hong Kong. You told your brother you'd come to America to find me, but I never saw you. Instead, your brother came first."
"She thought I killed you and scolded me endlessly," Cao Yang muttered.
Hu Qing gave a stiff smile. "I originally planned to visit Miss Ouyang, but once I arrived, I didn't want to trouble you. So I didn't go."
As they chatted, Cao Yang entered.
Hu Qing glared at him viciously—this walking disaster magnet.She'd lived peacefully in America all this time.The moment he arrived, trouble showed up at her door.
"Miss Situ, what's your deal?"
"I'm just catching up with Miss Hu. Why so nervous? We're all friends. I won't harm you."
"How did you find this place?"
"By having someone follow you, of course."
Cao Yang shot Big Sis an apologetic look.
"I came for two things: first, to catch up with Miss Hu. Second… I need your help with something."