{No matter what, I just can’t get on it anymore 1}

“What do you think children like the most?”

The woman who asked the question wore a tight, waist-hugging skirt, the patterns on it bold and seductive. While applying lipstick in front of the mirror, she casually asked, sitting at her vanity.

What awaited her was, of course, the servants’ deathly silence.

Boring.

She might as well have not asked.

They were all a bunch of “useless fools.”

But Cheng Shuangyi never really intended to rely on them.

Almost as soon as she left the vanity and walked out of the dressing room, Cheng Shuangyi had already come up with a not-quite-mature plan. She had reviewed the places where the children frequently appeared, and was thoroughly familiar with their movements. Creating a coincidental meeting would be a piece of cake.

From that day on, Cheng Shuangyi switched to wearing a plain-colored coat and frequently lingered around the mall near Shen Qiyue’s classes.

She didn’t have to wait long.

Fate, as usual, smiled upon her.

The next day, while she was “shopping” at the mall, she noticed a little girl trailing her and stealing glances. The girl’s features were like a perfect replica of that man’s, with many details identical to her memories of him.

The girl’s gaze was timid, but her actions were bold. She tried to approach Cheng Shuangyi several times, though Cheng Shuangyi pretended not to notice.

As always, Cheng Shuangyi sat on the VIP couch of a luxury brand store, watching the girl through the glass window. The girl pretended not to care, but kept trying to peek at her.

The girl lay against the boutique’s glass window, thinking she was well-hidden, not realizing that the eager look in her eyes had long been noticed by the woman inside.

Cheng Shuangyi knew. She didn’t even need to call out. Children, after all, have weak wills. It wouldn’t be long before the little one would run over eagerly and recognize her.

“Excuse me, could you bring me a matching mother-daughter bag?”

Cheng Shuangyi beckoned to the half-kneeling sales assistant.

“Of course, but the mini version of this bag has very limited space—perhaps only enough for a keychain,” the experienced sales associate, who often attended to Cheng Shuangyi, kindly informed her. “It won’t fit your phone, madam.”

Cheng Shuangyi continued to toy with her nails, offering no further explanation. Her expression was listless as she said, “I wasn’t planning to use it for myself anyway.”

Even if the store’s professional sales associates were given a hundred times more courage, they wouldn’t dare ask who the bag was for. Showing the appropriate amount of care was their duty, but prying into personal matters was not the etiquette expected of luxury brand staff.

What happened next, however, left everyone present in shock.

A little girl with innocent eyes suddenly barged into the store in full view of everyone.

The security personnel didn’t even have time to intervene.

No one could have predicted that what followed would push them right into the middle of a major family scandal.

“Mommy?”

At first, the girl hesitated, calling out with confusion.

The staff, naturally, were concerned that the child had wandered into the mall by mistake and couldn’t find her parents. It wasn’t uncommon for kids to call out to the wrong person in panic. However, their biggest worry was, of course, Cheng Shuangyi. Miss Cheng, the second daughter, was a valued customer, and being publicly called “Mom” could very well spoil her shopping experience.

“Mommy.”

This second time, the girl’s voice was much more certain, a clear and unmistakable call. If the first time could be brushed off as a mistake, this time it was clear the child was intentionally addressing Cheng Shuangyi.

Everyone held their breath, afraid that a single displeased reaction from Miss Cheng would turn the whole store upside down.

The sales associate assigned to Cheng Shuangyi immediately sent someone to escort the child to the first-floor service desk.

But what happened next baffled everyone even more.

Miss Cheng took a sip of tea, elegantly swaying back into her seat in the exclusive, private dessert area. The eyes of the entire room were fixed on her, watching as she put down the delicate porcelain cup. In a calm and deliberate tone, she responded to the little girl, “Yes, it’s me.”

Her proud gaze slowly lowered, finally resting on the innocent child. It was a response, though her posture remained lofty.

“Mommy, I’ve missed you so much.”

Cheng Shuangyi gestured toward her with a wave and replied, “I’ve missed you too, baby.”