Chapter 59: The Estate

After leaving her aunt’s room, Ming Can’s mind was in complete disarray.

No matter how she thought about it, sneaking out to meet them still seemed like the safest option.

If she brought them into the estate, even with someone covering for them, they would still be in the same place as her family. It just felt too risky.

Miaomiao wasn’t too much of a problem. Even if someone saw him calling her “Mom,” her family elders wouldn’t believe that someone as young as her could have a child that old. They’d probably just think the kid really liked her and was calling her “Mom” as a term of endearment.

But Chi Xiao was a different story. A grown man—if someone saw her being intimate with him, how could she explain it? Would she really have to say he was a male model she hired?

Wait.

Why was she even making such an absurd assumption about being “intimate with him” and “being seen”?

This was completely ridiculous.

Back in her bedroom, Ming Can sat at her desk, zoning out for a while, before deciding to ask Miaomiao and his dad for their opinions.

It was just past eight, so Miaomiao probably wasn’t asleep yet.

It had been two days since she last saw Miaomiao, and Ming Can missed him a little. So, she sent a video call on WeChat.

Within five seconds, the call was answered.

Miaomiao’s adorable round face appeared on the screen: “Mom! Good evening~ I miss you so much~”

Ming Can’s smile lasted only three seconds before her eyes narrowed: “What time is it? Why is your dad still letting you play with the tablet?”

Miaomiao’s enthusiastic smile slowly turned into panic.

Mom was terrifying—setting traps like this was impossible to guard against!

“Where’s your dad?” Ming Can asked.

Miaomiao, holding the tablet, ran from the living room into the study, flipping the camera to show the man sitting at the desk, staring at his computer.

Chi Xiao took off one of his Bluetooth earbuds and mouthed to Miaomiao: What’s wrong?

He seemed to be in the middle of a meeting.

Ming Can was about to tell Miaomiao to leave and not disturb the busy man, but the kid was too quick. In a flash, the tablet was flipped around, and Chi Xiao saw Ming Can’s face. He took off the other earbud, closed his laptop, and asked, “Is this a video call?”

“Yeah,” Miaomiao said, handing the tablet to Chi Xiao. “Dad, Mom’s looking for you.”

Chi Xiao took the tablet and placed it on a stand, switching to the front camera.

After a brief moment of adjustment, the man’s handsome face appeared clearly on the screen.

They stared at each other in silence.

Ming Can suddenly forgot what she was going to say.

It wasn’t until Miaomiao climbed onto Chi Xiao’s lap, and the two similar faces appeared together in the frame, that Ming Can snapped out of it. She straightened up slightly and told them about having to move to Jingyu Garden on the 29th of the lunar month.

She leaned toward sneaking out herself, so she only mentioned that one plan:

“I might not be able to sneak out until after dinner. Jingyu Garden is really far from the city center—it’ll take over two hours to get there and back. So, once I’m out, I’ll have to return quickly.”

After Ming Can finished speaking, Chi Xiao was silent for a moment before suddenly asking, “How about we come to you instead?”

Ming Can was taken aback: “That… could work. If you come, you can stay in my aunt’s villa, and we’ll just make sure no one else comes in. The estate is huge, so I doubt anyone will bother us.”

Chi Xiao: “Is there a place to stay?”

“There is,” Ming Can paused. “Wait, are you planning to stay overnight?”

Miaomiao leaned closer to the camera: “I remember Jingyu Garden! It’s super big and fun! I want to go! I want to spend the New Year with Mom!”

Ming Can was at a loss for words. Her aunt had indeed mentioned that they could stay for a few days, but Ming Can thought that was too risky: “It’s too strange…”

Chi Xiao chuckled: “We’ll behave.”

Miaomiao nodded vigorously: “Yes, Dad and I will be super well-behaved! We won’t run around at all! Mom, please let us come!”

At that moment, Ming Can felt like she was being brainwashed. She couldn’t bring herself to object.

She comforted herself, thinking that sometimes the most dangerous place is the safest.

Deep down, a voice kept urging her—

She really.

Wanted to spend the New Year with them.

–

The next day, evening.

A black van stopped at the entrance of the apartment building. Luo Sheng got out of the car, crossed his arms, and leaned against the vehicle, calmly watching the door ahead.

He wanted to see who these so-called “important friends” were that Ming Shu had asked him to bring to Jingyu Garden.

He had suggested spending the New Year with her many times before, but she had always politely declined. Today, however, for the sake of these two mysterious friends, she had invited him to Jingyu Garden to celebrate the New Year together.

A moment later.

When the person behind the door walked out, Luo Sheng, who had been leaning casually against the car, suddenly straightened up.

It was a man who looked a few years younger than him—more like a teenager, no older than his early twenties.

Even when standing straight, the man seemed slightly taller than him, probably around 190 cm.

But the most striking thing was his appearance.

Luo Sheng instinctively thought he must be someone from the entertainment industry.

Perfect proportions, sharp and deep facial features—clearly all-natural, no plastic surgery. This kind of flawlessly handsome face, even in the entertainment industry, would be considered top-tier.

The young man held the hand of a lively child.

The child bore a slight resemblance to Ming Shu.

Luo Sheng felt as if the sky had fallen.

The three of them got into the car, and after driving for over half an hour, Luo Sheng still refused to take off his sunglasses. He was tense to the extreme and finally couldn’t help but ask the man beside him, “Who is this child?”

Chi Xiao, holding Miaomiao, replied indifferently, “My brother.”

“Oh.” Luo Sheng relaxed a little. “What’s your relationship with Ming Shu?”

Chi Xiao: “Didn’t she tell you?”

Luo Sheng: “No.”

Chi Xiao fell silent.

Since Ming Can’s aunt hadn’t explained, it was better not to introduce himself casually.

Earlier, Ming Can had told him that this Luo Sheng was just Ming Shu’s new boyfriend, and they’d probably break up in a few months. He wasn’t important.

Seeing Chi Xiao remain silent, Luo Sheng felt a wave of frustration and unease.

After all, he had become a breakout star this year. No matter how handsome this young guy was, he was still just an unknown newcomer in the industry. How could he not take Luo Sheng seriously at all?

Behind his sunglasses, Luo Sheng glanced at the little kid sitting in Chi Xiao’s lap.

“Why are you staring at me?” he asked. “Am I handsome, or is your brother more handsome?”

Miaomiao didn’t hesitate: “My brother is more handsome.”

Luo Sheng felt like he was about to have a heart attack.

What made it worse was that he couldn’t do anything about these two. Ming Shu had specifically told him to take good care of them and fulfill any of their requests.

Beautiful women really had no hearts. She hadn’t considered his feelings at all.

“Little brat,” Luo Sheng slowly took off his sunglasses, revealing a pair of captivating peach-blossom eyes, and said coolly, “Take a closer look. Who’s really more handsome?”

Miaomiao froze for a moment, then said, “My brother is the most handsome in the whole world.”

Just a moment ago, he had heard the thoughts of this somewhat familiar-looking uncle.

They were filled with pain and frustration, as if he was accusing Ming Shu—

[Ming Shu, am I not enough for you? Do you really need to play with two? You’re ruthless.]

Miaomiao was confused and couldn’t help but ask the system, “Uncle 33, what does ‘playing with two’ mean?”

The system, for once, made a meaningless sound: [Ah—]

The system: [Cunning adult content. Forgot to filter it out.]

Miaomiao: ?

The car fell silent again. After another half hour, the vehicle drove into a serene estate that remained lush and green even in the depths of winter.

After a thorough inspection by the security guards, the grand wrought-iron gates slowly opened before them, revealing a straight, wide internal road. Green walls lined both sides, and in the distance, they could see the golden, glittering roof of the main villa.

“Wow.”

Everyone in the car, except for Miaomiao, who had been here before, let out a soft exclamation of awe.

Although Chi Xiao’s family was wealthy, his father wasn’t particularly obsessed with luxury mansions. Their family wasn’t large, and the house they had bought for a couple of hundred million was already spacious enough. There was no need for anything bigger.

A massive estate like this, which would cost billions, was still a novelty to him.

At that moment, Miaomiao, using his superpower, heard two identical thoughts.

Luo Sheng: [I’ve married into a rich family!]

Chi Xiao: [I’ve married into a rich family!]

—

At the dinner table.

Ming Can’s phone vibrated twice. She unlocked it under the table and saw a message from Ming Shu.

Ming Shu: 【They’re here.】

Ming Shu: 【They’re moving luggage in the garage.】

Ming Shu: 【Luo Sheng’s complaining that Miaomiao’s dad brought a ton of luggage, treating him like a moving company lol.】

Ming Can put her phone away and exchanged a glance with her aunt across the table.

They were currently in Ming Zheng’s villa, having dinner with four people: Ming Zheng, Ming Shu, Ming Can, and their grandmother, Liu Zhongling.

The meal was mostly silent. After learning that Chi Xiao and the others had arrived, Ming Can felt an inexplicable tension.

It was like the thrill of secretly bringing a lover and child, who were unacceptable to the family, right under her father and grandmother’s noses.

She must have been crazy.

To agree to let them stay.

“Mom,” Ming Shu suddenly said to her mother, “I’ve started dating someone new recently. I invited him over to spend the New Year with me.”

Liu Zhongling: “What does he do?”

“He’s a celebrity,” Ming Shu said casually. “He brought a friend too. They’ll be staying with me for the next few days.”

Liu Zhongling shook her head. She had long given up on controlling this daughter. She sighed deeply, “If only you and your brother could find someone of equal status to settle down with, I’d be satisfied.”

“Grandma,” Ming Can said seriously, “Dad already has a partner—someone of equal status. You personally chose your daughter-in-law back then.”

Liu Zhongling replied calmly, “Cancan, I know you miss your mom very much. I miss her too. But she’s been gone for a long time. We can’t expect your dad to stay alone forever, can we?”

“Dad isn’t alone,” Ming Can said. “Dad still has me.”

In the past, Liu Zhongling had always arranged blind dates for Ming Zheng behind Ming Can’s back. Today, however, she brought it up in front of Ming Can, clearly showing that she was getting anxious seeing Ming Zheng remain single for so long and showing no interest in starting a new family.

“Oh, this matter really depends on my brother’s wishes. I think he’s doing just fine as he is,” Ming Shu said.

Liu Zhongling sighed helplessly, “What do you know? Can you take care of yourself first?”

“Don’t I have someone now?” Ming Shu shrugged, putting down her chopsticks. “I’m full. I’m going to find my boyfriend.”

She stood up and casually tapped Ming Can on the shoulder: “Cancan, didn’t you say you really liked Luo Sheng? Do you want to go see him?”

“Ah… yeah, I loved that fantasy drama he was in,” Ming Can said, standing up as well. “Grandma, Dad, I’m full too. I’ll head out now.”

Ming Zheng called after her, “You’re already full? You barely ate anything.”

Ming Can acted as if she didn’t hear him, smiling as she followed Ming Shu out.

He turned back to Liu Zhongling, his tone somber: “Mom, don’t bring this up in front of Cancan again in the future.”

Liu Zhongling: “You’re spoiling her too much.”

“Since she started her second year of university, she’s come home less than five times the entire semester,” Ming Zheng said. “Now that it’s winter break, I finally get to see her more often. So what if I spoil her a little?”

Liu Zhongling sighed and nodded, saying nothing more.

—

As Ming Can left the villa with Ming Shu, tiny snowflakes began to drift down from the overcast sky.

“It’s snowing,” Ming Can said, reaching out to catch the small snowflakes in the air. “Miaomiao loves snow the most.”

“I remember you used to love snow too,” Ming Shu said, turning to look at her with a smile. “Now that you’re an adult, you only remember what kids like.”

Ming Can’s face flushed, and she quickly pulled her hand back, urging, “Let’s hurry. It’s so cold outside.”

When they entered Ming Shu’s villa, the layout and decor were completely different from Ming Zheng’s place. Ming Shu preferred open spaces. As soon as you stepped through the entrance, you were greeted by a massive, soaring ceiling that reached up to the skylight. A modern art chandelier cast a clear, radiant light, and the living room was astonishingly large. Miaomiao was inside, driving his toy car around, making a rumbling noise.

“Mom!”

When Miaomiao saw Ming Can, he slammed on the brakes, jumped out of the car, and rushed toward her.

“Why only call for Mom?” Ming Shu deliberately stepped in front, extending her arms to intercept the little cannonball heading for Ming Can, lifting him high into the air.

“Great-aunt~” Miaomiao wrapped his arms around Ming Shu’s neck and planted a big kiss on her cheek.

“Good boy~ Where’s your dad?”

“He’s in the room, unpacking.”

“What about Uncle Luo?”

“I think he went upstairs to take a shower.”

Ming Shu held the 40 jin (20 kg) adorable child for a while before her arms started to ache, so she gently set him back down.

Ming Can walked over and took Miaomiao’s hand, her eyes scanning the room. It had been a while since she’d been here, and she couldn’t quite remember the layout. Where were the living quarters?

A moment later, the sound of footsteps came from nearby.

Chi Xiao walked out of the room wearing a white high-neck sweater and black cotton pants. His hair was much shorter than the last time they’d met, with the sides buzzed down to a faint stubble. He looked clean and fresh, his light gaze briefly landing on her face before shifting away.

“Auntie, happy New Year,” Chi Xiao said, bypassing Ming Can and greeting Ming Shu first. He introduced himself politely and warmly, “I’m Chi Xiao, Miaomiao’s dad.”