Chapter 27: Buying a Car

The sentence was so confusing in terms of familial hierarchy that it left one feeling dizzy and disoriented.

The sunlight shone on Miaomiao’s round, adorable face. His grape-like eyes were dark, full, and clear, and Chi Xiao could almost see his own reflection in them.

A stunned, dazed reflection.

He bent down and reached out to touch Miaomiao’s head. Even though they had met a few times before, this felt like their first encounter. His long, broad hand gently rested on Miaomiao’s fluffy knitted hat, awkwardly patting it.

“Good afternoon.”

Miaomiao heard Chi Xiao’s deep and steady voice, while simultaneously, a very clear thought echoed in his mind with unmistakable confusion: [Is he really… my son?]

It seemed like Dad was still in a state of shock, completely dumbfounded.

“Yes, I am your son, absolutely!” Miaomiao spread his arms, lifting his face high and spinning around in front of Chi Xiao. “Look how much I resemble you and Mom when you were little! I was born from the two of you!”

Chi Xiao: “Hmm…”

Miaomiao heard his dad’s thoughts again, as if he had taken a deep breath before saying: [Can time travel really exist? I swear to heaven, I never touched your mom when I was 15.]

This sentence, Miaomiao couldn’t quite understand.

What did his time travel have to do with whether Dad had touched Mom or not?

Miaomiao only knew that he was born from his mom and dad, but he didn’t understand the specifics of how the verb “born” actually worked.

Kids his age might not fully grasp the specifics of how babies are made, but they generally know that because Mom and Dad are together every day, sometimes kissing and hugging, that’s how children come about.

But Miaomiao’s parents had always been apart. They rarely saw each other, let alone had any intimate contact, so he had no concept of this at all.

In Miaomiao’s memory, he had only seen his parents being intimate once.

It was during the summer, under the scorching sun and blazing heat. Dad didn’t have a swimming pool at his house, so he wanted to use Mom’s pool.

Only because he promised to teach Miaomiao how to swim did Ming Can allow him in.

While Dad was teaching Miaomiao to swim, Mom didn’t get in the water. She sat on a lounge chair by the pool, draped in a sun-protective shirt, sipping on an iced drink while watching the father and son play in the water, maintaining an aloof demeanor.

At that time, Miaomiao was very young. After swimming for a while, he got tired and climbed out of the pool on his own, sitting on a small stool to eat the yogurt bowl the nanny had prepared for him.

Mom seemed to have been tempted by their swimming and finally took off her shirt, revealing a skimpy swimsuit as she got into the water.

At first, she and Dad each occupied one side of the pool, swimming without bothering each other, almost no communication between them.

Miaomiao lowered his head to pick at the fruit in his yogurt bowl. When he looked up again, he saw Mom and Dad suddenly holding each other, as if they were biting each other, their movements quite intense.

Not long after, Dad carried Mom out of the pool in a princess carry. As they passed by Miaomiao, Dad told the nanny to take good care of him and not let him eat too much ice. After saying that, he strode into the house with Mom.

They didn’t come out for a long time.

By the time Miaomiao saw Dad again, he had already showered, changed his clothes, and was ready to leave.

In the summer, clothes were light and thin. Dad was wearing a white T-shirt, and when he bent down to pat Miaomiao’s head, Miaomiao clearly saw several bright red scratch marks around his neck.

It looked like he and Mom had been fighting inside the house!

Recalling this, Miaomiao realized—

In his original world, Dad and Mom’s relationship was truly beyond repair.

But now, they’re so much better!

Footsteps sounded again at the entrance of the building, and it was only then that Ming Can leisurely walked out.

As soon as she appeared, the bright sunlight seemed to pale in comparison, as if she were the most radiant source of light between heaven and earth.

Today, Ming Can was wearing an exquisite cream-white fox fur coat that gleamed softly under the sun. Underneath, she had on a brown woolen maxi dress that covered her from neck to ankle. The dress was elegantly tailored, made of thick yet smooth fabric that accentuated her slender and delicate figure. Her voluminous wavy hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall, framing her petite face. She wore a pair of sunglasses, revealing only her porcelain chin and her beautifully painted, vibrant red lips.

At first glance, she looked incredibly luxurious, her apparent age increased by at least five years.

The female star adjusted her sunglasses and walked gracefully over to Chi Xiao. “Good afternoon, senior.”

Through the dark lenses of her sunglasses, her sharp eyes observed the man in front of her. He must have had a lot to drink last night, but now he looked quite refreshed, without any signs of a hangover. His hair, perhaps styled before leaving the house, had a bit of an American forward-spiked look, but without an overly designed feel. Overall, he appeared clean and tidy, and of course, undeniably handsome.

As the distance between them closed, Ming Can leaned slightly forward, sniffing intently. From Chi Xiao, she only caught the fresh scent of shower gel, with no trace of the stench of alcohol.

While she scrutinized him, Chi Xiao’s gaze also lingered on her for a long time.

As if slowly adjusting to her dazzling presence, he slowed his breathing, his eyes gradually shifting from reserved to fully taking her in.

Chi Xiao: “Good afternoon, junior.”

Chi Xiao: [I’m really going crazy…]

Who’s going crazy? Dad?

Miaomiao widened his eyes and stared at him. Dad’s expression was calm and composed, even a bit cold, showing no signs of going crazy at all. Only the corner of his mouth twitched very slightly, probably from the cold wind.

Miaomiao tapped his head, feeling like his superpower was acting up again. The thoughts he heard made less and less sense, completely incomprehensible. It was like bullying a kid!

Once in the car.

Miaomiao sat on the left side of the back seat, turning to stare at Mom on the right for a while before asking, “Mom, you’re dressed like a mom today. Can I call you ‘Mom’ outside?”

Ming Can: “No, you can’t.”

She had dressed maturely today only to avoid being recognized. It would also make her appear more normal when picking out a car at the dealership, so she wouldn’t seem out of place due to her overly youthful face.

If Miaomiao called her “Mom,” wouldn’t they look like a real family of three to outsiders?

Ming Can absolutely refused to be seen as a married woman. She and Chi Xiao were just colleagues, and not even close ones at that.

Chi Xiao had also deliberately dressed more maturely today, wearing a dark gray long coat paired with a pure black sweater and suit pants. His tall and upright figure already made him indistinguishable from a mature man. If he added a pair of sunglasses to cover his face, his age would be even harder to guess.

“Fine,” Miaomiao pouted, then turned to Chi Xiao and asked, “Then, brother, can I call you ‘Dad’?”

Chi Xiao: “Not really.”

Chi Xiao: [If you call her ‘sister’ and me ‘Dad,’ what does that make us?]

Alright, alright, I’ll just go along with whatever you say!

Miaomiao slumped back against the seat, dejected. Having already used up a lot of energy, he turned off his superpower, rested his head against the car door, and fell asleep almost as soon as he closed his eyes.

Chi Xiao glanced at him through the rearview mirror and asked Ming Can in a low voice, “He seems to like sleeping in the car?”

Ming Can thought about it for a moment. When she had taken Miaomiao in taxis before, he hadn’t seemed this prone to sleeping. So she said, “He only likes sleeping in your car.”

Chi Xiao: “Sleeping like this, leaning against the car door, isn’t good for his development. I’ve compiled a list of some well-known car seats today. You can take a look and pick one too.”

With that, while waiting at a red light, he picked up his phone and sent Ming Can a file.

Ming Can opened the file and found a detailed spreadsheet. It listed the brands, models, materials, sizes, features, and compatible car types for various car seats. There was even a column with customer reviews and feedback gathered from the internet.

The content of the spreadsheet was meticulous, well-organized, and formatted clearly, showcasing the creator’s thoughtfulness and attention to detail. Ming Can couldn’t help but give Chi Xiao extra points in her mind. Leaning on the front seat, she leaned closer to the young man in the driver’s seat and said, “Senior, you’re amazing!”

Chi Xiao: “It’s what I should do.”

Ming Can was very satisfied with this response.

Humble, steady, attentive, and with exceptional work ethic—if Ming Can were a company leader, hiring an employee like this would make her laugh in her sleep.

Moreover, their current relationship wasn’t that of boss and employee. Ming Can couldn’t pay Chi Xiao a salary. They had to dedicate their time, energy, and money to a little “gold-digging beast” without compensation. Under such circumstances, the fact that Chi Xiao had done all this for Miaomiao on the very first day of acknowledging him as his son was, to be honest, quite touching to Ming Can.

She leaned back against the seat, carefully studying the spreadsheet Chi Xiao had sent.

About ten minutes later, they arrived at the entrance of the largest Mercedes-Benz 4S store in Beicheng.

Chi Xiao had already done some preliminary research before coming, aiming to avoid wasting Ming Can and Miaomiao’s time and energy, and to quickly find the most suitable car.

He had first ruled out flashy top-tier luxury cars like the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, Bentley, and Maybach, as Miaomiao’s special identity meant they couldn’t afford to be too conspicuous during their travels.

Focusing on mid-to-high-end models with four seats, spacious interiors, excellent cabin environments, and high safety ratings, Chi Xiao had selected four different brands. The car they were about to see now was the Mercedes-Benz GLS.

From the outside, the 4S store looked like a glass cube, with a unique design and shimmering glass walls.

Miaomiao got out from the left car door, rubbing his sleepy eyes. When he saw the sparkling building, his spirits immediately lifted.

Chi Xiao stood beside him, keeping an eye on him. Miaomiao naturally grabbed his hand, looked up, and smiled brightly: “Yay! Let’s go buy a car!”

Ming Can got out from the other side, tightening her fur coat, keeping a few steps away from the father and son pair.

Watching the exuberant Miaomiao, she silently grumbled in her heart: “Now that he’s got his dad, he’s forgotten all about his mom.”

The cold wind blew from the left side. Chi Xiao held Miaomiao’s hand with his right hand, keeping the boy close to him as they walked, while subtly slowing his pace. His tall and imposing figure naturally shielded Ming Can’s left side.

Having made a phone call to book an appointment in advance, they were greeted by a salesperson as soon as they entered the dealership. Without wasting any time, the salesperson led them straight to the two GLS models available in the store.

One was a mid-range configuration, and the other was the top-tier model. Chi Xiao led Miaomiao to the top-tier car and asked if he liked it.

The salesperson enthusiastically opened the rear door for Miaomiao: “Little buddy, hop in and have a seat~”

Miaomiao peeked inside and exclaimed excitedly, “Brother, there are so many tablets in here!”

He let go of Chi Xiao’s hand and climbed into the back seat, tapping randomly on the car’s built-in tablets.

The car was a sleek, all-black SUV, understated yet luxurious, with a smooth and elegant design. Ming Can walked around the car once. She hadn’t gotten her driver’s license yet and wasn’t very familiar with cars, so she could only judge based on her gut feeling. This car seemed pretty good and caught her eye.

As she walked over to Chi Xiao, she noticed he was listening to the salesperson’s introduction while also looking at something on his phone.

He stood half a head taller than the male salesperson in front of him, his cold and stern expression making him seem unapproachable. His replies were always brief, never exceeding three words. Even though his face still carried a hint of youthful innocence, he exuded an air of authority that made the salesperson tread carefully, as if he were dealing with some high-ranking VIP.

As Ming Can passed by, she accidentally caught a glimpse of the content on Chi Xiao’s phone screen.

It was a memo, filled with quite a lot of text. She only managed to read the title—“Things to Consider When Buying a Car for Families with Kids.”

Ming Can: “…”

Her ears suddenly felt a bit warm, and she awkwardly circled the car again. Just then, she heard Miaomiao calling out to her from inside the car: “Sister, look! This tablet can play cartoons!”

Ming Can leaned in to take a look, but then, as if struck by a thought, she suddenly turned and walked over to Chi Xiao. She gestured for him to come closer and said, “Come here.”

Chi Xiao looked down at her, puzzled.

Ming Can moved even closer to him: “Come here, bend down.”

He was too tall. If she wanted to whisper something to him, standing on her tiptoes would be too much of a hassle. Naturally, he would have to bend down to accommodate her.

Finally understanding her intention, Chi Xiao leaned down toward her, his voice low: “What’s wrong?”

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Ming Can tilt her head up slightly and lean in closer.

Through the sunglasses, he caught a glimpse of her long, curled eyelashes and those mesmerizing eyes. Up close, they were even more breathtakingly beautiful.

She had changed her perfume today, opting for a mature and alluring iris scent. The fragrance lingered in the damp air, dense and rich, hitting him with an intoxicating allure.

“I don’t know much about cars, but the rear seat configuration of this one isn’t great,” Ming Can whispered close to Chi Xiao’s ear, her warm, scented breath brushing against his skin, sending a tingling sensation through him. “There are three tablets for just two rear seats. That’s definitely not good. Kids staring at tablets all day is bad for their eye development. If you’re going to buy this car, it’d be best to remove two of the tablets and keep just one.”

She spoke softly to avoid Miaomiao overhearing.

After finishing, Ming Can pulled back slightly but then seemed to remember something else. She leaned in again, completely unaware that the young man in front of her had turned red behind his ears. “I think car seats are usually installed on the left side, right? So the tablet you leave should probably not be on the left either.”

With that, she was done.

Chi Xiao straightened up, his jaw tightening slightly, and replied in a low voice, “Okay.”

Miaomiao, having discovered another fun feature, was about to call his parents over to see. But as he glanced outside, he caught sight of his mom and dad standing close together, whispering.

This scene was so unusual that Miaomiao got excited and quickly pressed his face against the window, sticking his head out to ask, “Brother, sister, what are you two talking about?”

Ming Can and Chi Xiao had just finished their secret discussion and were caught red-handed by little detective Miaomiao.

Miaomiao blinked, sensing that his parents’ expressions seemed a bit off.

So.

He activated his superpower.

Chi Xiao: “Nothing much.”

Chi Xiao: [We need to remove two of the rear seat tablets so you don’t keep playing with them.]

Ming Can: “Oh, nothing really.”

Ming Can: [My son’s eyes are so beautiful. Maybe we should just remove all the tablets from the back seats, leave none at all.]

Miaomiao: ???!!!

The two of them had finally gotten close, only to conspire against him and take away his tablets?

Adults are really! So mean! So sneaky!

Miaomiao’s eyes widened, and he let out a huff of frustration. Suddenly, he turned his face away, angrily retreating into the car. His little fists clenched, and he started pounding them against the seat.

Ming Can: “What’s wrong with him?”

“Not sure,” Chi Xiao said. “Why don’t you get in and try sitting in it too?”

Ming Can: “Alright.”

Miaomiao had never been a child prone to anger, and Ming Can was convinced she hadn’t done anything to upset him. So, she didn’t pay much attention to his sudden pouty expression.

She walked around to the right side of the car and got in, testing the comfort of the seats while continuing to study the document on her phone.

Chi Xiao stayed outside, discussing a test drive with the salesperson.

Since they had come on short notice, there was no opportunity for a test drive today. The salesperson called over another colleague, a female staff member from the front desk, to arrange the test drive with Chi Xiao.

This female salesperson had been watching Chi Xiao and his family from a distance but hadn’t been able to hear their conversation, so she didn’t know how Miaomiao addressed them.

“Sir, the earliest available test drive slot is the day after tomorrow,” the female salesperson said with a professional smile, not forgetting to praise the car. “The GLS is the top-tier SUV in our lineup, perfectly suited to your distinguished status. Look, your wife and child seem to really like this car.”

Wife and child.

Inside the car, the radiant woman had reclined the seat back quite a bit, lounging comfortably as she scrolled through her phone. On the other side sat a round-cheeked little bean, deliberately turned away from his mom, sulking about something.

Chi Xiao: “Never mind.”

Female salesperson: “Huh? You don’t want to schedule a test drive?”

“No, no need for a test drive,” Chi Xiao said. “If I buy it today, when can I take delivery?”

Female salesperson: “!!!”

She quickly called over the male salesperson from earlier, and the two of them, visibly excited, ushered Chi Xiao into the customization room to select the car’s configurations.

They opted for the top-tier configuration for everything, except for the rear-seat entertainment system—only one tablet on the center console was kept.

The process was quite involved, with many interior details to finalize, including color choices. Chi Xiao asked Ming Can for her opinion, and they settled on a light chestnut-colored interior theme.

Ming Can also joined them in the customization room, not at all surprised that Chi Xiao had decided to buy the car without a test drive.

He must have really liked this car.

For people with their family backgrounds, it was normal to make quick decisions—no overthinking, no nitpicking. If they liked something, they bought it. A car costing over a million yuan was likely just a small expense compared to the income Chi Xiao received from his family trust fund.

Ming Can didn’t feel the need to be polite with him either. The house she and Miaomiao were renting cost tens of thousands a month, and Miaomiao’s various living expenses were substantial. She didn’t need him to split the costs with her, so she didn’t give much thought to the money he was spending on the car.

After finalizing the configurations and paying the full amount on the spot, the car would be ready for pickup in six days.

The car-shopping journey wasn’t over yet. Chi Xiao had impulsively decided to buy this car, but that didn’t mean it was the best option. He still needed to check out the other candidates on his list. If he found something better, he could always buy another one and switch between them.

Next, they visited BMW, Land Rover, and Lexus dealerships. The BMW model wasn’t sleek enough, the Land Rover was too tall and rugged, and the Lexus was just average. Chi Xiao scheduled a test drive for the Lexus, planning to decide whether to buy it after trying it out in a few days.

They moved through the last three dealerships relatively quickly. By the time they finished, the sun had just dipped below the horizon, and the dark night was about to envelop the city.

Miaomiao’s little bout of anger didn’t last long, and he had completely forgotten about it by the time they headed home. On the way back, he fell asleep again, leaning against the car door. Ming Can, worried he might be uncomfortable, unbuckled his seatbelt and let him rest his head on her lap.

The car was quiet on the return trip, with no one speaking. The driver sat alone in the front, while Ming Can alternated between looking at her phone and gazing out the window. The atmosphere wasn’t much different from taking a ride-hailing service.

The streetlights flickered past the windows like shooting stars.

Chi Xiao, his hands on the steering wheel, glanced at the young woman in the backseat through the rearview mirror. He couldn’t help but wonder—

Should he remind her?

But then he thought, given their current relationship, it might seem a bit odd for him to remind her to treat him to a meal.

Maybe he should just take the initiative and invite them to dinner?

Coincidentally, Ming Can was also pondering the same issue.

She had a good memory, and besides, she had mentioned treating Chi Xiao to a meal several times before. It wasn’t something she could easily forget.

The reason she hadn’t brought it up was because the thought of inviting Chi Xiao to dinner had suddenly led her to another question—

After Auntie Zhang took leave, how would Miaomiao get his meals?

Ming Can had absolutely no experience with cooking. She had hardly ever touched a stove in her life. If she were to suddenly start cooking, it would undoubtedly be a disaster—both for Miaomiao and for the kitchen.

They couldn’t possibly eat out for every meal, could they?

While it was unclear whether eating out frequently was healthy for a child, the bigger issue was Miaomiao’s special status. Eating out occasionally was fine, but if he were to follow Ming Can to restaurants every day, there was a risk of someone recognizing him and causing trouble.

With this in mind, Ming Can’s gaze unconsciously shifted to the young man driving the car.

Ming Can was someone who was quite accustomed to giving orders, but this time she couldn’t bluntly ask him if he knew how to cook and then expect him to take responsibility for Miaomiao’s meals. Their relationship wasn’t at that level of familiarity yet, and being too direct would undoubtedly come off as rude. Besides, she was the one who owed Chi Xiao several meals—how could the debtor boss around the creditor?

So.

Ming Can decided to use her wits.

By showcasing how challenging it was for them to manage meals at home, she hoped to subtly persuade Chi Xiao to take on the responsibility of cooking for Miaomiao.

The car was silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

As they turned a corner, the young woman in the backseat suddenly asked in a gentle voice, “Senior, do you have any plans tonight?”

Chi Xiao: “No.”

“That’s great,” Ming Can replied, her voice carrying a sweet and tender tone. “Let me treat you to dinner tonight.”

After a pause, she added, “How about we go to my place? I’ll cook for you myself. What do you think?”

Chi Xiao: …?