Chapter 17
About an hour later, the program rehearsal ended.
The children seemed not to know what tiredness was. Like a flock of little sparrows, they chatted nonstop while changing out of their costumes backstage.
Yu Chen’s little helmet was easy enough to take off, but there was a long zipper running down the back of the guard uniform. He lifted his short little arms and tried hard to reach it, but he simply could not.
Some of the children who had already changed ran back to the classroom. The more Yu Chen watched them leave, the more anxious he became. He lifted his head, hoping to find someone to help him. Unfortunately, the children who remained were all busy changing clothes and shoes, and no one had time for him.
Just then, the zipper he had been struggling with was suddenly pulled down with ease.
Yu Chen turned around blankly and found a palm tree standing behind him. From inside the trunk, a pair of cool eyes looked down at him.
“Boss!”
Yu Chen pouted, and scorching tears immediately welled up in his eyes.
“I thought you weren’t talking to me anymore.”
Seeing Yu Chen cry so hard that snot and tears were flowing together, He Zhen gave an arrogant little snort, then quickly lowered his head and pulled tissues out of his pocket to wipe Yu Chen’s nose.
“Yu Chenchen, you really are such a crybaby.”
He Zhen lightly pinched Yu Chen’s little round face and said on purpose, “You didn’t look all that sad to me. You seemed pretty happy just now when you were with Li Ye.”
Yu Chen shook his little head hard and threw himself straight into He Zhen’s arms, wrapping his small arms tightly around He Zhen’s waist. “My heart felt bad.”
“Tch.” This time, He Zhen was thoroughly pleased. Putting on a deliberately fierce face, he helped Yu Chen take off the palm tree costume, enjoying Yu Chen’s “service” to the fullest. After that, he crouched down quite happily, untied the laces of Yu Chen’s Martin boots, and helped him change shoes.
Sitting on the little stool, Yu Chen sniffled as he cooperatively lifted his short legs and little feet.
Just like that, their cold war ended at lightning speed.
After changing clothes, Li Ye noticed that Yu Chen was once again sticking to He Zhen like a little tail.
Those two had clearly fought this morning.
That evening after school, Li Huan shared the same confusion as little Li Ye. In the morning, the two of them had still been ignoring each other completely, so how was it that by the time school ended in the afternoon, they were close again as if they were one person?
After getting home, Yu Chen sat on the little sofa and chattered away to Li Huan about what had happened at kindergarten. After Li Huan finished taking his medicine and crouched down to help Yu Chen take off his shoes, he discovered that Yu Chen had somehow pulled out a huge pear from who-knew-where.
“Uncle, the teacher said that if you eat pears, you won’t cough anymore.”
After his health class, Yu Chen learned that pears could help stop coughing, so he had deliberately saved the fruit from his afternoon snack and secretly brought it home.
Li Huan’s heart warmed at once. He reached out and touched Yu Chen’s head. “Who gave you this pear?”
“The fruit the teacher handed out.” Yu Chen pouted and rambled on. “Today the fruit was pears and cantaloupe. I didn’t eat the pear.”
Something seemed to prick Li Huan’s heart very lightly.
It felt like he had not experienced someone remembering him and caring about him in a very long time.
He picked Yu Chen up and rubbed his little tummy. “You didn’t eat the pear. Are you hungry?”
“Not hungry.” Yu Chen grinned, showing his little white teeth. “At lunch I ate four pieces of ribs!”
Suppressing the lump in his throat, Li Huan solemnly accepted Yu Chen’s pear. He stroked it like a treasure. “With the pear Chenchen gave me, Uncle’s cough will definitely get better right away.”
“Okay!” Yu Chen clapped happily. “Next time I’ll bring pears home for Uncle again.”
Li Huan’s eyes stung faintly. Smiling, he reached out and tickled Yu Chen’s little feet, making Yu Chen collapse onto the little sofa and roll around with giggles.
Another weekend arrived, and Li Huan’s cold was almost completely better after being steadily fed pears by Yu Chen.
That morning, bright and early, Yu Chen showed up at He Zhen’s bedroom door with his little toys on his back and knocked, inviting him out to play.
Young Master He had not yet fully woken up. Wearing a gray-blue robe, he drowsily complained to Yu Chen, “What kind of stimulation did you get today? Why are you up so early?”
Usually on weekends, Yu Chen would not wake up until the sun was high in the sky.
“Because I went to sleep early yesterday!” Yu Chen happily ran over to He Zhen’s snack cart. Pushing the little cart over with great effort like a small animal preparing for hibernation, he climbed onto the sofa, covered himself with a thick blanket, and got ready to begin a beautiful morning.
He had long since received special permission from He Zhen: all of He Zhen’s snacks belonged to him. The two of them had also grown very familiar by now, so Yu Chen did not stand on ceremony. Pulling out his toys from his little backpack, he comfortably nibbled biscuits while playing.
He Zhen was no longer sleepy. Sitting cross-legged on the big bed with his chin in his hand, he silently studied Yu Chen. “What are we playing today?”
Now, He Zhen’s class schedule had been cut down a lot. The riding lessons he hated most and the boring brain-development training had both been dropped, so every weekend he could finally play to his heart’s content.
Yu Chen had no particular idea. Lowering his little head, he focused on fiddling with his Lego pieces. “How about… we go to Grandpa’s house?”
Perhaps because he remembered the phrase “for no reason” from last time, Yu Chen hurriedly added, “We can give Grandpa the painting we did at kindergarten.”
The day before yesterday, they had taken a special oil painting class. Since He Zhen had artistic training, he had painted the best. What Yu Chen meant was that they should give that painting to Old Master He.
He Zhen was obviously interested in the idea. He ran over at once, brought over the framed oil painting, and asked the chubby baby who was busy eating and drinking, “Yu Chenchen, do you think Grandpa will be happy when he sees this painting?”
Yu Chen sipped his juice and nodded like a chick pecking rice. “Of course. What you painted looks really good.”
He Zhen hid a pleased smile and was deeply satisfied. Very soon, he called for Li Huan and arranged for the driver to take them to Old Master He’s house.
Not long after Old Master He was informed that He Zhen was coming, cheerful footsteps sounded through the courtyard—
“Grandpa He! We really missed you!”
Holding onto He Zhen, Yu Chen bustled right up to Old Master He’s bedside with all the warmth of a real grandson.
He Zhen came over with the painting in his arms, running so hard that his forehead was covered in sweat.
“Grandpa.”
He Zhen called out shyly. Old Master He asked, “What’s that?”
He Zhen held the painting up for him to see, and Yu Chen eagerly explained, “Boss painted it all by himself!”
Leaning against the bed, Old Master He carefully examined the light and shadow gradients in the sunflower oil painting, then coughed twice. “Xiao Zhen painted this very well.”
He Zhen’s mother had been a designer, and from childhood he had been influenced by her. His artistic sense had always been quite good.
“Thank you for the gift.” Old Master He raised a hand, and his daily-life assistant immediately stepped forward to take the painting. He Zhen’s big eyes kept sneaking glances toward the assistant. It was not until he saw the oil painting placed behind the vase on the left side of the bed that he quietly let out a breath of relief.
Old Master He liked playing chess. He was in fairly good spirits today, so after lunch he specifically invited He Zhen to play a game of Go with him.
This was the first time Yu Chen had ever seen Go. While grandfather and grandson played, he sat cross-legged right in the middle of the board like a tiny referee, keeping his little face stern as he carefully observed both of them.
He Zhen was very serious. Propping one elbow before the board and lightly resting his cheek in his hand, he thought over every move thoroughly before placing a stone.
To him, this was more like a post-class evaluation to see whether he had studied his Go lessons properly.
Fortunately, He Zhen was also a child who took things seriously. Aside from his bad temper, his attitude toward learning was very proper, so his level at Go was actually quite decent.
As they played, Old Master He kept sizing He Zhen up from time to time.
Though the situation on the board was extremely unfavorable to He Zhen, He Zhen was not anxious. He remained very steady.
A trace of admiration could not help appearing in Old Master He’s eyes.
At that moment, the assistant came in quietly. “Old Master He, Second Young Master has come to see you.”
Old Master He kept his eyes on the board. “Let him in.”
When He Jingtai came in, he was carrying a set of exquisite and expensive antique tea ware. The moment he saw He Zhen, the smile on his face visibly stiffened.
“Xiao Zhen is here too.”
With a smiling face, He Jingtai nodded toward Old Master He. “Dad, at the auction the day before yesterday, I saw a rare tea set and thought you would like it, so I specially brought it back for you.”
“You were thoughtful.” Old Master He motioned for him to sit, then continued staring at He Zhen. “It’s White’s turn.”
He Zhen frowned, hesitating over where to place the next stone.
He Jingtai raised his teacup and said with a pleasant smile, “Today Xiao Nan was clamoring to come see you too. I was afraid he would disturb you, so I didn’t let him come. If I’d known Xiao Zhen was here, I would have brought Xiao Nan along. The two of them could have kept each other company.”
Old Master He’s voice remained flat. “If children want to come, let them come. There’s no need to stop them.”
He Jingtai nodded. “You’re right. I’ll have the housekeeper bring Xiao Nan over now. The child misses you.”
He Jingtai moved quickly. Before long, He Nan and He Ling, the child from Third Uncle’s family, were both brought to Old Master He’s place.
He Jingtai said gently, “He Nan and He Ling are taking classes together anyway, so I simply had them both brought over.”
It had been a long time since Old Master He’s residence had felt this lively. Seeing three grandsons gathered around him at once, his mood improved noticeably.
By afternoon, He Jingtai went back to the company to work overtime. After learning that He Zhen and Yu Chen were planning to stay the night, he said that for company’s sake, He Nan and He Ling should stay over too.
Though He Nan actually had no desire to sleep there, faced with the warning look in He Jingtai’s eyes, he could only force an excited smile.
Once He Nan and He Ling arrived, they practically monopolized Old Master He’s side. If they were not pounding his legs for him, they were pestering him to tell them stories, leaving almost no place for He Zhen nearby.
He Zhen did not really care. He found them noisy, so he simply took Yu Chen out into the courtyard to look at the koi.
Though the weather was cold, the pond at Old Master He’s house used temperature-control technology, so even in winter the brilliantly colored red koi were still lively and playful.
Yu Chen liked them very much and shouted excitedly, “Big fat fish!”
Holding onto the railing, He Zhen laughed at him. “They’re called koi. They symbolize good luck.”
Having just learned something new from his boss, Yu Chen looked at him with pure-hearted admiration. “Boss, you’re amazing! You know everything!”
He Zhen lifted his brows. “That’s why I can be your boss.”
Yu Chen nodded his little head in wholehearted agreement. Like a soft fluffy marshmallow, he leaned closer and called out in a sticky sweet voice, “Boss~”
He Zhen: “What?”
Yu Chen: “I want to drink chocolate milk while watching the big fat fish.”
He Zhen muttered, “You’re hungry again?”
Yu Chen honestly shook his head. “I just want to drink it.”
Young Master He had absolutely no way of dealing with the little sidekick he had personally taken in, so he could only act as a little errand runner and head back to the room to fetch hot cocoa for Yu Chen.
And while Yu Chen stood alone in front of the koi pond, two different voices suddenly called out to him.
“Hey, Grandpa told us to call He Zhen in for fruit. Where’s He Zhen?”
In his soft baby voice, Yu Chen replied, “He went to get something.”
He Nan and He Ling exchanged a glance, then walked over and looked down at him. “Whose kid are you? Why haven’t we seen you before?”
He Nan and He Ling were already in second grade. With their natural height advantage, the pressure they gave off as they surrounded Yu Chen was overwhelming.
Yu Chen tucked his little hands in uneasily. “My daddy is a worker at the winery. I’m his child.”
“Pfft. So that’s how it is.” He Nan laughed, his tone dripping with mockery. “Why would He Zhen play with you? Is it because nobody else pays attention to him except you?”
“You’re lying!” Yu Chen angrily planted his little hands on his waist. “You’re not allowed to talk about my boss like that!”
He Nan kept grinning at him, while He Ling had quietly gone around to the pond and secretly twisted the sprinkler control valve.
“What kind of boss is he?” He Nan signaled to He Ling with his eyes and folded his arms. “He’s just a wild child nobody wants.”
Those last three words completely lit Yu Chen’s tiny fuse. He raised his little fists, his chubby face going very serious. “You! Are! Not! Allowed! To! Talk! About! My! Boss! Like! That!”
He Nan asked provocatively, “What if I do?”
The moment he finished speaking, the sprinkler behind Yu Chen suddenly sprayed straight at him. Accompanied by Yu Chen’s frightened little scream, in just a few seconds water dripped from his head to his toes, soaking his padded jacket through.
It was winter. Just how freezing that water was went without saying.
Yu Chen’s hair was dripping wet, and he trembled from the cold, while He Nan and He Ling burst into loud laughter, their faces full of smugness and contempt.
Suddenly—
He Ling’s laughter cut off.
He Nan’s expression changed. Turning his head, he found that at some point, He Zhen had shoved He Ling down and sent him sprawling face-first onto the ground.
With all his might, Yu Chen cried out in his baby voice, “Boss!”
He Zhen pressed his lips together. His cold gaze was like shards of ice, blazing with furious sparks.
They actually dared bully Yu Chenchen!
Not giving He Ling any chance to get up, He Zhen moved quickly, sat right down on He Ling’s back, and slammed a heavy punch into him.
Though He Zhen was not as tall as his two cousins, he had studied taekwondo and martial arts since childhood, and his explosive strength was considerable.
He Nan knew full well he could not beat He Zhen, so he hid to the side and shouted, “He Zhen, are you insane? Which side are you on? You’re actually beating He Ling because of him?”
Pinning He Ling down so he could not move, He Zhen lifted his head and glared furiously at He Nan. “He’s my younger brother. You’re not allowed to bully him!”
He Nan stuck out his neck and retorted, “What kind of younger brother is he? We’re your real relatives!”
He Zhen let out a cold snort. Releasing He Ling, he walked straight over to Yu Chen without saying a word and hurriedly brushed the water off his padded jacket. Luckily, Yu Chen’s jacket was made of waterproof material, so the sweater underneath had not gotten wet.
Yu Chen was thoroughly frightened. Holding tightly to He Zhen’s warm little hand, he hid behind him and peeked at He Nan and He Ling.
On the other side, He Nan helped He Ling up and comforted him. “Don’t mind that wild child with no mother and no father!”
He Ling was furious enough to go mad. “Cousin! I’m telling my dad—”
Before he could finish, a carton of chocolate milk suddenly flew over from the other side.
It hit accurately, landing squarely on He Nan’s shoulder.
He Nan winced in pain, then shouted angrily, “He Zhen, my dad was right—you really are a little lunatic!”
He Zhen’s expression darkened. Releasing Yu Chen’s hand, he said, “Wait here.”
With that, he dashed forward in one swift stride, grabbed He Nan by the collar, and punched him hard.
The sudden loss of control terrified He Ling. But the two of them together surely ought to be able to beat He Zhen. Old grudges and new piled together, He Ling quickly joined He Nan, and before long the three of them were rolling around in a messy fight.
Afraid He Zhen would get beaten, Yu Chen panicked badly. Without even bothering to brush the water off his jacket, he clenched his little fists and charged forward like a tiny whirlwind, throwing himself into the fight without a second thought.
He did not have the strength to stop He Nan outright, so he could only bite onto He Nan’s padded jacket and keep him from moving. Even when He Nan scratched his ear, Yu Chen refused to let go.
“Boss! Hit him!”
Using his weight to his advantage, Yu Chen hugged tightly onto He Nan’s leg, dragging him down so he could not move. Seizing the chance, He Zhen landed another punch.
“Ow.” He Nan bared his teeth in pain and lay on the ground whining softly after being beaten.
“What are you all doing!”
Only when Old Master He personally stepped in did the four children finally stop the chaos.
That evening, after learning their sons had been beaten, He Jingtai and He Jingcheng both rushed over to Old Master He’s house.
The four children were standing in a line facing the wall in punishment. None of them accepted the others, and none were allowed to speak.
He Zhen and Yu Chen were not too badly hurt—just scratches on their necks and ears. But He Nan and He Ling looked miserable. One had a bruised and swollen face, while the other had split the corner of his mouth. The injuries were serious enough that they would not heal in ten days or half a month.
He Jingcheng immediately exploded and shouted at He Zhen, “You child, you were way too heavy-handed!”
He Zhen glared stubbornly at him, saying nothing.
Seeing that both of the little troublemakers’ parents had come, Yu Chen worried He Zhen would be bullied. He quickly grabbed He Zhen’s hand and used his chubby little legs to stand protectively in front of him.
He Jingtai sized up the crying He Nan. His manner was still relatively calm, and he only patted He Nan’s shoulder for him to be brave before sighing. “Dad, don’t blame Xiao Zhen. If children lack proper guidance, flaws can easily develop in their personalities.”
Old Master He’s face looked terrible. Sitting on the sofa, he was taking medicine. When he had just seen the children fighting, his blood pressure shot up so badly he had nearly coughed up blood from anger.
“Explain yourselves. Why were you fighting?” Old Master He’s voice was deep and cold. It was obvious he was furious.
He Ling spoke first, crying with snot and tears streaming all over his face. “Grandpa, I accidentally got this little fatty’s padded jacket wet, and then He Zhen beat me.”
He Nan immediately chimed in, “I only tried to break them up, but He Zhen wouldn’t listen. He even refused to admit that we’re his brothers and beat me too.”
Yu Chen got so anxious he stomped his little feet. Their shameless black-is-white twisting of the truth had stunned him. He quickly tugged at He Zhen’s sleeve, trying to signal for him to say something.
After hearing them, Old Master He’s expression grew even darker. He Jingtai and He Jingcheng exchanged a glance, unable to hide the excitement in their eyes.
Back then, Old Master He had told them that even if He Jingyue left, the heir’s position would still only go to He Zhen. The two men, who had always been at each other’s throats, immediately reached a partnership.
Of course, Old Master He had also said that he would test whether He Zhen was qualified to become the heir. If He Zhen was not suitable, then other arrangements could be considered.
That was why over the past year, the relationship between Old Master He and He Zhen had grown increasingly distant—and they were more than happy to see it happen.
“Xiao Zhen, what about you?” Old Master He’s sharp gaze fixed on him, his face still relatively calm.
He Zhen answered coldly, “They were lying. They sprayed Yu Chen on purpose with cold water, so I hit them.”
“And how do you know your brothers did it on purpose? Even if they did, you were still too rough!”
He Jingcheng spoke fiercely, clutching his son in distress. “Dad, even if they were in the wrong, wasn’t He Zhen far too violent?”
He Zhen shot He Jingcheng a cold glare. “He bullied people. He deserved it.”
He Jingcheng turned red with anger. “You—”
“Shut up!” Old Master He barked the order. His stern eyes fixed on He Nan and He Ling. “Grandpa is asking you one last time. Did you spray the water on purpose or not? There are cameras in the courtyard, but I hope you’ll tell the truth yourselves.”
“Tell the truth!”
He Nan and He Ling were so scared their legs almost gave out, especially He Nan. Realizing the situation looked bad, he quickly tried to clear himself. “Grandpa, He Ling was just fooling around! I didn’t spray him!”
Now singled out, He Ling’s eyes filled with panic. He quickly burrowed into He Jingcheng’s arms, sniffling without saying a word.
He Jingcheng stroked his son’s swollen red eyes, his heart aching. “Dad, it was just childish mischief. Is there any need to make such a huge fuss out of it? Just look what He Zhen did to Xiao Ling! I need to hurry and take him to the hospital!”
Taking the chance to play the good guy, He Jingtai added, “Exactly. Let them go to the hospital. Children don’t know how to hold back when they fight. Looks like Xiao Zhen’s combat classes weren’t for nothing.”
Seeing that He Ling was indeed hurt rather badly, Old Master He nodded lightly. “Go, then.”
Curled up in He Jingcheng’s arms, He Ling shot He Zhen a triumphant look before leaving, and the smug expression on his little face nearly drove Yu Chen mad with anger.
He Zhen looked coldly at the group, his whole body radiating hostility, then turned to leave without another word.
Other people had parents to protect them. He did not. No matter whether he had done right or wrong, there was no one to speak up for him.
He had long since grown disappointed in this world.
Watching from the side, Yu Chen grew frantic, his little brows pulled tightly together.
With He Zhen’s personality, there was no way he would repeat to Old Master He those hurtful words He Nan had said.
After hesitating for a long time, Yu Chen still bravely raised his little hand. “Report! I still have something to say!”
A trace of confusion appeared on Old Master He’s face. “Go ahead.”
At that moment, He Zhen halted in his tracks and turned to look at Yu Chen.
Pointing at He Nan, Yu Chen said, “Boss got so angry because He Nan was cursing people!”
Hearing that, He Jingtai crouched down beside Yu Chen with a smile. “Little friend, you can’t just say things carelessly.”
Yu Chen ignored him. Hands planted on his hips, he began repeating He Nan’s exact words from beginning to end.
“He cursed Boss! He said, ‘My dad says you’re a little lunatic!’ And he also said Boss was a wild child with no father and no mother! Grandpa! Boss felt so awful after hearing it! He even cried!”
The moment those words came out, even He Jingcheng—who had already been planning to slip out with He Ling in his arms—froze.
Old Master He gripped his cane so hard that the veins bulged on the back of his hand.
For the first time ever, panic appeared on He Jingtai’s face. He pointed at Yu Chen in agitation. “Dad! He’s lying—”
Smack!
A crisp slap landed squarely across He Jingtai’s face.
Old Master He looked at him coldly. “You have disappointed me too much.”
