Volume One, Chapter Ten: Who Is That Man?

During dinner, Ye Sheng accidentally spilled coffee on her pants and went back to her room to change into a skirt. Huo Xiaobei set up the chessboard. Ye Sheng sat down on the sofa, casually lifted the hem of her skirt, and revealed a bruise on her knee.

“Shengsheng, what happened to your knee?” Huo Xiaobei’s expression changed.

Ye Sheng let her skirt fall back down and replied indifferently, “Oh, just bumped it by accident.”

Huo Xiaobei frowned, “It’s all purple. Does it hurt?”

Ye Sheng laughed softly, “It’s nothing.”

“It’s nothing” seemed to have become her catchphrase.

Huo Xiaobei shook his head, “Old Huo always says it’s nothing too. You adults really know how to hide your feelings. If it hurts, it hurts—there’s nothing shameful about that.”

At this moment, Huo Xiaobei bore a striking resemblance to Huo Lindong, his little face grave and serious.

Ye Sheng felt his concern, and a warmth blossomed in her chest. “Alright. I understand.”

The two of them played another game of chess.

In the previous game, Ye Sheng had gone easy on Huo Xiaobei, treating him like a child. This time, she held nothing back. If the child had any real talent for chess, it would show in this round.

They played for an entire hour. Ye Sheng worried the little one might get tired and suggested a break.

Huo Xiaobei’s face was taut, his chin resting on his hand as he said, “No need.”

At this point in the game, a single misstep could cost everything. Huo Xiaobei dared not be careless and pondered each move for a long time.

Ye Sheng didn’t rush him. She went to wash some fruit, and as she was rinsing it, the doorbell rang.

—

As soon as Ye Sheng left, Huo Cong threw a tantrum. Huo Mingtian scolded him a few times, and Huo Cong pushed him away and ran to the car.

Qin Minshu, standing nearby, tried to console him, her words gentle and understanding. “He’s still just a child. You’ve had to be both father and mother all these years—it’s been so hard on you.”

Huo Mingtian smoked half a cigarette, escorted her back to her room, and was just about to leave when Qin Minshu embraced him.

“Mingtian…”

She pressed herself against him. “Today, Cong’er called me ‘Mom.’ Did you hear him?”

Huo Mingtian said nothing. He knew those cries of “Mom” were meant to provoke Ye Sheng.

Otherwise, why had he never called her that before? Why choose that moment, and call out so loudly, as if afraid no one would hear?

“Cong’er is still young. He needs a healthy, loving family environment—it’s important for his growth.”

Qin Minshu wrapped her arms around Huo Mingtian’s neck, her breath warm and fragrant. “You’ve always known how I feel…”

Just as her lips were about to touch his, Huo Mingtian suddenly spoke. “Minshu, you’re still young. Making you a stepmother isn’t fair to you.”

Qin Minshu grew anxious, “I don’t care about that!”

“But I do.” Huo Mingtian gently removed her arms. His eyes were filled with gratitude and guilt. “If it hadn’t been for you donating your bone marrow to Cong’er two years ago, he might not have survived. I’ll always remember what you did for us.”

Qin Minshu’s eyes flickered, and she forced a smile. “I told you, it wasn’t a big deal.”

“It was a big deal.”

Huo Mingtian spoke earnestly. “You’ve done so much for the Huo family. Whatever you want, as long as I can do it, I’ll give it to you. But as for the title of Mrs. Huo…”

He paused, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. “Just think of me as someone scarred by old wounds, forever wary of being hurt again.”

Ignoring Qin Minshu’s pleas, Huo Mingtian strode away. He had barely turned the corner when he heard Ye Sheng’s voice and saw a man enter her room.

Huo Mingtian’s expression changed. That voice—he was certain it was Ye Sheng!

Was that her new man?

He frowned. He had to see for himself who this man was.

The dignified president of the Huo Group crept along the wall like a thief, sneaking up to the door of room 609…