Chapter 7
That sentence struck straight at Nanny Sun’s weak spot.
Nanny Sun’s expression changed slightly. She hurriedly threw down the broom and fumbled to tug her sleeve down, trying to hide the jade bangle.
That one action already said a great deal. Lin Yunmi lightly arched a brow, and the bright smile on her face became even more mocking.
“Y-you stop talking nonsense!” Nanny Sun hid her hand behind her back. Her confidence had already weakened by half, but she still forced herself to act tough and shouted at the top of her voice.
Lin Yunmi shrugged and said indifferently, “It’s fine. I never intended to waste words on someone like you anyway. We can continue this conversation at the police station.”
Nanny Sun had not expected this suddenly appearing woman to be so tough. She did not look like she was bluffing. Feeling a little guilty, Nanny Sun glanced at the jade bangle.
The bangle really was not hers.
The lady of this house spent every day doing nothing but painting. She did not interact with the outside world, did not speak, and drifted around like a ghost. When she looked at people, her gaze was fixed and unsettling. She was probably mentally unstable.
It was precisely because of that that Nanny Sun had dared to take the bangle.
She had been too careless before and had once exposed herself in front of the lady of the house. But the woman had not even blinked. She did not care at all, only treasured those useless paints of hers.
Looking at it that way, this broken bracelet probably was not worth much anyway.
Nanny Sun steadied herself a little. She shot Lin Yunmi a sidelong glance and spat. “You think I’m scared of you? Once we get to the police station, I’ll report you for framing me, and for trespassing, and for child abduction too!”
Her eyes rolled once, and after thinking up those charges, she felt completely justified and started rambling on. “You took the child away without even telling me. Who knows what kind of intentions you had? Human traffickers are pretty bold these days, daring to wander around openly in broad daylight.”
Grandma’s face filled with anger. She had not imagined there could be someone in this world so shameless.
But the curve of Lin Yunmi’s lips only grew wider, as if she were looking less at Nanny Sun and more at prey that had already fallen into a trap.
The auction house where she worked had strict security. It was impossible for an item up for auction to be stolen. The reason she had said those things earlier was only to test Nanny Sun.
Nanny Sun’s guilty expression proved that she had not acquired the jade bangle through proper means. And what she had just said also showed that she knew nothing about the bangle’s value or where it had come from.
That being the case, no matter what hidden circumstances lay behind this, Nanny Sun’s guilt was already confirmed.
Lin Yunmi sighed. “You really don’t understand anything at all. The color, luster, and transparency of this jade bangle are all top-notch. Do you really think you could just casually buy something like this from a roadside stall?”
“Forget it, let me say something you might actually understand. The box holding the jade bangle is red, with cloud patterns on it. Outside that, there’s a larger dark-blue box.” Lin Yunmi’s bright, exquisite face was flawless, but her smile made one’s whole body go cold. “There are also a few papers inside the box. They’re the authentication certificates for the bangle, and they bear the auction house’s logo: a crescent moon.”
Lin Yunmi got every detail right, and Nanny Sun had no choice but to believe her.
Nanny Sun had completely lost the swagger she had just now. Her shoulders drooped, the flesh on her face sagged, and she looked flustered beyond measure. “T-this was bought for me by my son. Is that not allowed?”
As if she had just heard the funniest joke in the world, Lin Yunmi nearly laughed out loud. “The house behind you, plus your entire lifetime of wages, still wouldn’t be enough to buy this bangle. And our auction house has an entry threshold. So tell me, what’s your son’s surname? What line of work is he in? What company does he run? If he earns that much money, then why is he still letting his mother work as a nanny for other people?”
Nanny Sun’s face flushed bright red. The fat on her body quivered, but she did not dare to lash out. All she could do was grit her teeth and glare viciously at Lin Yunmi.
Lin Yunmi was not the least bit intimidated. Lazily, she put on her sunglasses, looked at Nanny Sun with arrogant disdain, and pressed the attack again.
“Looks like there’s no point trying to reason with you. I’ll just have to talk law instead. Sigh, at your age, having to go to prison… you’d better take good care of your health. Otherwise, you may not even live to see the day you get out and meet your grandson again.”
That was exactly what Nanny Sun feared most. She staggered back a few steps and nearly lost her footing.
Her grandson was the treasure of her heart. She had to take care of him personally. Besides, her daughter-in-law and grandson were both hopeless. If she lost this income, then who was supposed to support her grandson’s schooling?
The police absolutely could not be called. She absolutely could not go to jail!!
Nanny Sun completely panicked. Instinctively, she glanced toward the curtained window.
“T-this wasn’t stolen by me. It belongs to this family. If anyone stole it, then it was them!”
At last, Lin Yunmi got the line she had been waiting for. “Did they reward it to you because they thought you worked hard and took such excellent care of the child?”
Thinking of her earlier oversight, Nanny Sun’s face burned hot, as though she had been slapped. Yet she could not do anything about it.
No matter whose it was that she stole, she had still stolen it.
Nanny Sun suddenly understood. This strange woman and that meddling old lady were in league with each other. They had set a trap for her!
But she herself had let the truth slip. Even if she later denied it and tried to pin the blame on the mentally unstable mistress of the house, no one would find that convincing. Once the matter blew up, there would still be no easy way to end it. No other family would dare hire her as a nanny again, and in the end, she might really end up in prison.
Damn it, it was all her own fault for being greedy enough to wear that jade bangle.
Nanny Sun was extremely reluctant to lose such an easy employer—one who handed out money without interfering in anything. Her heart ached so much her lips trembled. But now that someone had hold of her weakness, all she could do was swallow her anger and force a flattering smile as she stepped forward warmly. “This is all my fault. I failed to pick Qi Wang up, leaving such a small child in kindergarten all night. I feel terribly guilty too!”
She put on a show of sighing, originally wanting to squeeze out a few tears to make it look more convincing. But after scrunching her face around for a long time, her eyes remained completely dry. In the end, she could only say stiffly, “I have no face left to stay in this household. I’ll leave right now. I don’t even want this month’s wages!”
Afraid that Lin Yunmi might forcibly drag her to the police station, Nanny Sun immediately removed the jade bangle and tried to put it into her hand.
Lin Yunmi only looked at her with a smile and said nothing.
Nanny Sun gave an awkward laugh, practically one step away from swearing to heaven. “I promise I’ll put it back where it belongs and absolutely won’t take it for myself!”
Lin Yunmi still said nothing.
Nanny Sun did not dare move either. Her eyes darted around and landed on Grandma standing nearby. “I’m truly sorry. You kindly reminded me just now, yet I spoke to you so unpleasantly. I definitely won’t dare do that again in the future.”
Grandma did not want to accept such an insincere apology. But apologies did work on children.
Seeing that Nanny Sun still had no intention of lowering her head to Qi Wang, Grandma gave a cough and signaled with her eyes.
Only then did Nanny Sun walk over to Qi Wang, squeezing out a kindly smile and even trying to touch his face with her rough hand. “Qi Wang, were you scared staying in kindergarten all by yourself last night? Did you catch cold? Grandma knows you’re a brave child. Go back and change clothes. Grandma made ginger soup for you. After you drink it, go obediently to sleep.”
Qi Wang silently looked at the folds of flesh on Nanny Sun’s face and her greasy pores. He pressed his lips together and suddenly felt nauseated. He turned away from her hand.
Nanny Sun felt that her dignity as an adult had been challenged, but all she could do was keep smiling dryly. She looked at the two adults present, and when she saw neither of them stopping her, she immediately slunk back into the room to pack her things.
Only after Nanny Sun had left did Lin Huaixi lower his hands from over his ears and happily run over. He tightly hugged Lin Yunmi’s legs and rubbed against her like he was acting spoiled. “Mom, I missed you so much!”
Hearing her son’s sweet baby voice, Lin Yunmi felt her heart melt at once. She quickly crouched down and hugged Lin Huaixi’s soft little body. “Mom missed you too.”
After the mother and son had their affectionate moment, Lin Huaixi lifted his soft, pretty little face and looked at Lin Yunmi with starry eyes. “Mom, you’re amazing! Mom is a great hero!”
The moment her son praised her, Lin Yunmi completely lost her composed image and practically floated into the sky. “Oh my, now Mommy’s getting a little embarrassed from all that praise. But Mommy also thinks she’s super amazing.”
Even at such a young age, Lin Huaixi was already a master at keeping everyone happy. He turned around and hurried to coax Grandma too. “Xixi also thinks Grandma is amazing.”
Grandma smiled and rubbed his hair.
Seizing the chance, Lin Yunmi deliberately teased Lin Huaixi. “Then who does Xixi think is more amazing, Grandma or Mommy? Here, let’s change the question. If Mommy and Grandma both fell into the water, who would Xixi save?”
Lin Huaixi: “…”
So childish. Mom was asking this kind of question again.
Like a little grown-up, he sighed and acted much steadier than Lin Yunmi. “Xixi will work hard at learning how to swim and save both Mommy and Grandma.”
Hearing that, Grandma sighed and could not help urging, “All right, enough. Go back and be clingy at home.”
Lin Yunmi stood up while holding her son’s little hand, instantly turning back into the bright and composed beauty again. She turned to look at Qi Wang. “Little one, would you like to come to Auntie’s house for dinner?”
Lin Huaixi’s eyes lit up. He was so happy he almost jumped. “We have a big feast at our house! That means lots and lots of yummy food, and little bunny cakes too!”
Qi Wang did not answer. Instead, he looked toward that tightly curtained window. Though he was still so young, loneliness and sadness were already written across his face.
Lin Yunmi was silent for a few seconds. Then she entrusted Qi Wang to her son and turned to walk inside the house.
After a while, she came back out. Her tone was not one used for coaxing a child, but more like discussing things with an adult. “I already spoke to your mother and left her a note too. So for today, come to my house for dinner first.”
Qi Wang looked up at Lin Yunmi. A few seconds later, he quietly nodded.
Lin Huaixi did not notice anything wrong with the atmosphere. He reached out his little hand to hold Qi Wang’s and stuck close to him affectionately.
By the time they got home, Grandpa had already finished cooking.
Lin Huaixi was very well-mannered when it came to receiving guests. He first brought Qi Wang over to greet Grandpa, then volunteered to take him to wash his hands.
Lin Huaixi brought over a small stool and placed it by Qi Wang’s feet.
After the two little boys had washed their hands, Lin Huaixi took out his favorite pink bunny towel and used it to dry Qi Wang’s hands.
Lin Huaixi’s little hands were plump and soft, pale and tender. After washing, they had the texture of marshmallows. He lifted his fingers to Qi Wang’s nose and looked at him expectantly. “Do they smell nice?”
After staying silent for so long, Qi Wang finally spoke for the first time. “Mm.”
Lin Huaixi immediately broke into a happy smile. By the time they returned to the table, all the dishes had already been set out and dinner could begin.
Standing beside the stool, Grandma asked gently, “Do you need my help?”
Qi Wang shook his head. Supporting himself with his little hands against the stool, he pushed up on tiptoe and climbed onto it.
Lin Huaixi tried the same thing, but his legs were too short. His little feet kicked uselessly in the air for ages, and he still could not get up. In the end, he had to rely on Grandma’s help.
Once the two little dumplings were seated, Lin Yunmi came out of the room.
She was wearing soft, loose pajamas. Because they had been washed too many times, the pajamas looked slack and relaxed. Her carefully maintained curls had been casually twisted up and clipped at the top of her head, while the ends stuck out messily at the back. Her refined makeup had also been washed off, revealing a clean, fair face. In this state, she looked nothing like that dazzling elite office beauty.
But Lin Yunmi thought this was the most comfortable way to be. She picked up a glass, gulped down the entire drink in one go, and let out a completely unladylike sigh. “Ahh, that feels good. I’m finally alive again!”
Grandpa felt sorry for his daughter and poured her another glass of drink, saying cheerfully, “Stay home and rest properly this weekend. Stop hugging your laptop and working all day.”
Lin Yunmi sighed and looked like she was one second away from rolling her eyes. “I don’t want to work overtime for free either, but those people just keep bothering me.”
To Grandpa, everything about his daughter was good. He comforted her, “Let’s not talk about unhappy things. Your mom personally cooked sweet-and-sour ribs for you. Hurry and try them.”
Usually Grandpa was the one who cooked at home. But Grandma had a few signature dishes that Grandpa simply could not master no matter how hard he tried. Once in a while, when she was in the mood, Grandma would cook personally, and she would also make desserts for Lin Huaixi.
The moment Lin Yunmi heard that, her eyes lit up at once. She had no goddess-like airs at all as she immediately picked up a sweet-and-sour rib and stuffed it into her mouth.
The outside of the rib was fragrant and slightly crisp, while the meat inside was extremely tender, coated in a sweet-and-sour sauce that made one’s appetite surge.
Lin Yunmi did not hold back in the slightest, spitting out several bones in a row. “Not even a five-star restaurant outside could make this taste. My mom’s cooking is just too good!”
Old habits resurfacing, Lin Yunmi flashed a finger heart at Grandma. “Mom, love you!”
Having grown up by Lin Yunmi’s side, Lin Huaixi had learned it perfectly. He immediately put down his chopsticks and copied the gesture with great seriousness, mumbling through his stuffed mouth, “Grandma, Xixi likes you too!”
His mouth was packed full of food, and every time he said a word, his puffed-up cheeks jiggled along with it. His face was so stuffed it looked like it had changed shape, just like a little hamster.
Grandma was immune to this act when it came from her daughter, but Lin Huaixi’s cuteness got to her. She could not keep up a stern face and smiled as she gave each of them a drumstick. “All right, I got it. Hurry and eat.”
Grandma had not forgotten Qi Wang and had wanted to give him a drumstick too, but she was one step too late.
Lin Huaixi had very little strength in his hands. The flesh on his arms was pulled taut as he laboriously used his chopsticks to pick up a drumstick and shakily place it into Qi Wang’s bowl. “Qi Wang, eat a little more. There’s still lots left.”
Qi Wang looked at the sauce smeared on Lin Huaixi’s fingers. He did not mind it at all. Instead, he took a napkin and wiped Lin Huaixi’s hand for him.
Lin Huaixi smiled and stubbornly kept piling food into Qi Wang’s bowl. Before long, Qi Wang’s plate was heaped full.
When Lin Yunmi saw that scene, she lifted a brow. A little sourness rose in her heart, and she wanted to regain some presence. But Grandma knew her daughter too well. Seeing that she was about to lose her shape again, Grandma quickly stuffed some vegetables into her bowl. “Stop eating only meat. Have some greens.”
Lin Yunmi immediately switched targets and started clinging to her mother in an overly sweet and dramatic way. Though Grandma’s face was full of disdain, her eyes were smiling.
The dining table was full of laughter and cheerful voices. Qi Wang sat there silently, watching the scene before him, and it all felt unbelievably unfamiliar.
Back in his old home, there were always many dishes on the table when they ate, but the only people dining were him and his father. His father was always serious too and never spoke to him. Once he finished eating, he would leave.
After moving here, only he and his mother were left. But his mother still did not eat with him. At the table, there was only him.
This was the first time Qi Wang learned that family members could sit together and eat like this. An indescribable sense of envy and longing welled up in his heart, and even his eyes began to sting.
He lowered his head and shoveled a large mouthful of rice into his mouth, holding back the sound of sniffing because he did not want to cry in front of everyone.
He wanted to be part of it too, but he could clearly feel an invisible barrier keeping him out. He might never be able to sit together with his family and share a meal like this.
But that little hand that had been holding his so often easily broke through the barrier.
While Grandma and the others were not paying attention, Lin Huaixi secretly took two little bunny cakes and shared one with Qi Wang.
“Grandma said we can only eat little bunny cakes after dinner, so if we eat one now, then later we can still eat one more!”
Lin Huaixi explained with innocent seriousness, his little scheme cracking loudly in his head.
Qi Wang silently accepted the little bunny cake and looked behind Lin Huaixi.
Grandma had long since noticed their little trick. Her eyes were full of helplessness, but she pretended not to see it and indulged Lin Huaixi.
When she saw Qi Wang looking over, Grandma smiled at him, telling him not to be afraid and to eat with peace of mind.
Qi Wang shifted his gaze back to Lin Huaixi’s face, so full of innocence. He said nothing, only quietly scooted a little closer until he was pressed tightly against Lin Huaixi’s side.
He realized that as long as he was close to Lin Huaixi, he could feel warmth and the feeling of home.
…
After dinner, Lin Huaixi eagerly dragged Qi Wang off to his secret little room.
Lin Yunmi had never ignored Lin Huaixi’s need for his own space just because he was still young. After bringing in a fruit platter and cake, she closed the door and did not disturb them again.
Lin Huaixi dug out all the treasures he had carefully collected and shared them with Qi Wang one by one.
“This is the doll Mommy brought back last week.”
“This is the robot she brought back the week before last.”
“And this…” Lin Huaixi counted on his fingers for a while, getting a little confused, then said vaguely, “the little duck she brought back a long, long time ago. Look, it can wiggle its butt.”
Surrounded by toys, Qi Wang picked up a little train. “Does your mom bring you gifts every week?”
“Yep. Mommy has to go out to work, so she can’t stay with me all the time. Every time she comes back, she brings me a gift. But this one was my birthday present. It can move by itself. Isn’t it amazing?”
Qi Wang had seen toys much better than this.
Every time he fulfilled his father’s demands, his father would not show up in person, nor would he praise him. He would only send him a toy.
Cold, hard in his arms, toys with edges sharp enough to cut his fingers.
Looking at the much lower-grade warm-brown little train in his hand, Qi Wang said sincerely, “It really is very nice.”
Lin Huaixi had only just started to say something when he suddenly shut his mouth again, looking deeply troubled. “This was Mommy’s birthday gift to me. I can’t give it to you.”
After saying that, he looked at Qi Wang carefully, afraid he might get angry.
“It’s okay.” Qi Wang put down the little train. After glancing at Lin Huaixi, he shifted his gaze away again, pressing his lips together in a stiff, awkward attempt to hide his real thoughts. “I can come to your house and play.”
Lin Huaixi was still very young and easy to fool. He did not notice Qi Wang’s little thoughts at all and clapped happily with his seal-like little hands. “Okay! Come every day! We can even sleep together.”
Qi Wang paused, then shook his head. “No. I have to go home.”
Lin Huaixi pouted unhappily, but he did not cry or make a fuss. He only said softly, “Okay then. I’ll walk you home later.”
Qi Wang nodded.
Children tended to sleep early. After a while, Lin Yunmi knocked on the door. Only after hearing a response did she push it open and say, “Qi Wang, it’s time for you to go home. If it gets any later, your mom will worry.”
Qi Wang nodded. Lin Yunmi took the hands of the two little dumplings and led them next door.
Lin Huaixi’s yard was full of flowers and plants, all lovingly cared for by Grandma and Grandpa. There were even tasteful little lights installed in the corners. But Qi Wang’s yard was completely dark. Underfoot was cold concrete, and piles of clutter were stacked against the courtyard wall, their outlines resembling monsters hiding in the shadows.
Worried that the two children might be afraid, Lin Yunmi held their hands more tightly and walked Qi Wang all the way to the door.
Other than the one room with its curtains drawn, the house inside was dark as well, without the slightest trace of human warmth. Lin Yunmi looked inside, her heart tightening painfully. “Qi Wang, do you need me to walk you in?”
Qi Wang shook his head. Very politely, he said goodbye to Lin Yunmi and the others, then opened the door and went inside.
Lin Yunmi turned to look at her son. Seeing the reluctance written all over Lin Huaixi’s little face, she gently patted his head and deliberately lightened the mood. “It’s so dark. Mommy’s scared. Xixi absolutely has to protect Mommy.”
Hearing that, Lin Huaixi was immediately filled with heroic spirit. He turned around and held his mother’s hand instead, saying with the utmost seriousness, “Don’t be scared, Mommy. Xixi is here. There’s a step ahead, so walk slowly, Mommy. Don’t fall down.”
The mother and son pressed against each other in sticky affection as they went back to the house next door.
After the door closed, their voices too scattered away with the wind, and the night fell silent again.
Qi Wang stood at the door the whole time, rising onto his tiptoes and bracing himself on the windowsill with his little hands. His gaze followed Lin Huaixi and the others as they left, his face full of worries no child should have.
Lin Huaixi, actually, we’re not the same.
I don’t have a grandma or grandpa. And now I don’t have a father anymore either. As for my mother, she doesn’t want me.
I have nothing.
