The small box was made of black velvet, about the size of a palm tied with a matching silk ribbon in a delicate bow.

Song Yi paused for a moment before taking it. He opened the box to reveal a silver car key, belonging to a Bugatti Veyron.

“I noticed you really liked it last time.” Gu Xingchuan said, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. “Don’t hold it against me that I’ve used it; the new one I ordered won’t arrive in the country for another six months.”

When it came to gift-giving, it was important to cater to the recipient’s tastes, but since Song Yi had so few preferences, Gu Xingchuan could only offer him the best thing he could think of for now.

Song Yi deserved nothing less than the finest the world had to offer.

Song Yi was momentarily stunned, feeling a flicker of excitement. Everyone appreciates a nice car, and though he battled with his greed, he closed the box, reminding himself to be prudent. He couldn’t let himself get swept up in Gu Xingchuan’s whims; accepting a car worth over twenty million was far too extravagant for him.

After a moment’s thought, he teasingly replied. “It’s fine to borrow it for a few days, but gifting it to me? That’s a no-go. I’m not about to take on the responsibility of maintaining a car.”

“Go ahead and drive it; I’ll handle the upkeep.” Gu Xingchuan insisted, looking at him with eager eyes.

Song Yi chuckled softly. With that kind of gaze, it was hard to refuse. For now, he decided to take the heated box, planning to return it when the opportunity arose.

He could probably figure out Gu Xingchuan’s intentions; once he had crossed that line, there was no going back. An alpha would go to great lengths to be with an omega, regardless of the consequences.

While he was accustomed to being pursued, the fact that it was Gu Xingchuan made it difficult for him to respond.

Upon returning home, Song Yi found the living room illuminated by the glow of the television. Zhao Hongyan was sitting on the sofa, tangled up in a ball of yarn as she knitted a sweater. When she spotted Song Yi, she hesitated for a moment, then asked. “You’re back?”

As Song Yi changed his shoes in the foyer, he nodded slightly, keeping his head down as he walked into the living room.

Zhao Hongyan set down the ball of yarn and let out a gentle sigh. “I’d like to have a heart-to-heart with you.”

Song Yi paused for a moment and sat down across from her, smiling as he asked. “What’s on your mind?”

Zhao Hongyan hesitated, fidgeting a little before saying. “I heard from Song Jie today that Gu Xingchuan’s father is Gu Shaoyuan, the chairman of the XX Group.”

Song Yi nodded. “Yes, I’ve met his father. He’s very kind.”

He had a good impression of Gu Shaoyuan; despite his high position, he didn’t carry himself with any arrogance.

Zhao Hongyan sighed again, her eyes reflecting a hint of fear. “You should have told me earlier. It’s not every day someone’s child comes to cook for us. I feel unworthy.”

Song Yi understood her concern. He gently patted Zhao Hongyan’s hand and reassured her. “Mom, he’s just a colleague. He’s come over to cook a meal; it has nothing to do with his background. Don’t take it to heart.”

Zhao Hongyan shook her head, speaking earnestly. “I know, but I’m just afraid of upsetting him.”

Song Yi smiled softly. “He’s not a prince; why should I worry about making him mad? Don’t overthink it. Even if his family is wealthy, we’re not after anything from them. It doesn’t matter.”

Zhao Hongyan looked at him and placed her hand on his, speaking gently. “We’re just ordinary people. I’m not asking for you to become wildly successful; I just want you to live a peaceful life. People like them are different from us. There’s no real benefit in your friendships with them.”

Song Yi paused, taking in her words. Zhao Hongyan sighed. “No matter how much money they have or how big their houses are, what good is it? At the end of the day, we all sleep in beds that are just one meter wide. For people like us, it’s not about aiming for the stars; what matters is living a good life.”

Song Yi understood her perspective. It seemed she thought he was trying to cling to Gu Xingchuan for personal gain, thinking her concern was sharp and insightful. After all these years, he hadn’t relied on anyone else to get to where he was; it was all his own effort.

He was clean and aboveboard.

Song Yi withdrew his hand, stood up, and smiled down at her. “Mom, you’re right about many things, but there’s one thing you’ve gotten wrong.”

“What is it?” Zhao Hongyan asked, her eyes widening in surprise.

Song Yi looked at her seriously, maintaining his calm demeanor. “I’m not an ordinary person.”

If he were the “ordinary person” Zhao Hongyan described, he would have perished long ago—possibly starving and freezing in some far-off place.

Zhao Hongyan was taken aback, her jaw dropping as she stared at him, completely unprepared for his response.

He gently patted her shoulder and said softly. “You should get to bed early; it’s getting late. You don’t have to wait for me to talk about these things. Tomorrow is fine too; your health is what matters.”

Zhao Hongyan felt a rush of warmth to her face, caught off guard and unsure of how to respond.

As Song Yi reached the doorway of his bedroom, it seemed he remembered something. He turned back calmly and said. “Today is Mother’s Day*; I almost forgot. Mom, you’ve worked hard.”

*Mother’s day- in ancient times, people called their birthdays “mother’s day” meaning that they were born, their mother’s were suffering

Each word struck Zhao Hongyan like a dagger to the heart. For a mother to forget her own child’s birthday, only to be reminded by her child—she felt too embarrassed to lift her head or even meet Song Yi’s gaze.

Song Yi opened the door and stepped into his bedroom, leaning against the door with a self-deprecating smile.

He had hoped that Zhao Hongyan would finally remember his birthday today.

Instead, it turned out to be a lesson in humility.

Zhao Hongyan was even less significant than Gu Xingchuan.

>>