When Shen Ling felt the sudden weight on him as Chi Yao kissed him, his body reflexively pulled back a bit. The weight lifted as Chi Yao moved away, standing to the side. He stared into Shen Ling’s eyes, and a small smile formed on Chi Yao’s lips, which quickly grew larger. Then, Chi Yao started laughing, the sound filled with a wild, almost crazed energy.

“You really don’t accept me,” Chi Yao said. “Shen Ling, it’s over. I won’t love you anymore.”

“I mean it,” Chi Yao continued as he turned to leave. At the door, he paused. “Don’t come back to fix things or offer excuses. Stop deceiving me. Just take it as a plea from me.”

When Chi Yao uttered those final words, his eyes had already reddened. As strong as he appeared earlier, he now seemed equally fragile. His eyes glistened with unshed tears. In that moment, all of Chi Yao’s long-hidden vulnerability surfaced. The unrequited love he’d clung to finally shattered. He had hoped his efforts would earn some response, but there had been none.

He had given his heart, only to have it discarded, like something one might carelessly toss aside. Worse yet, if someone were to step on it, they would find it a nuisance.

Chi Yao quickly walked out, leaving the people inside. Xue Zhongming and Chang Feng exchanged a glance before Chang Feng stood up and chased after him.

Xue Zhongming stayed seated, picking up his coffee again. It was still warm, but Shen Ling’s heart, Xue thought, must have turned cold by now. Cold, as it should be. After all, giving your heart to someone who doesn’t value it will only lead to them treating it like a cheap toy.

“This boy looks quite good. Shen, if you’re willing to give him up, how about handing him over to me?” Xue Zhongming said casually. Although he didn’t run an entertainment company like Chi Yao, he knew enough people in the industry. Of course, he wouldn’t give this boy to Chi Yao to trouble him.

The warmth on Shen Ling’s face faded. He shot Xue Zhongming a cold glare. “Enjoyed the show?”

“Enjoyed? How could I, when there wasn’t even a fight?” Xue Zhongming chuckled and added, “If it were me, Shen, you’d probably be wearing a mask for a few days.”

Shen Ling smiled faintly. “You think you’re secure in your position now? You’re only after his money and power. You better be careful not to fall, because no one’s going to help you back up.”

Shen Ling’s words were a warning, though lightly spoken.

Xue Zhongming stood up, finishing the rest of his coffee. Perhaps once that would have been true, but now, he had confidence that it wasn’t. After all, he knew far more than Shen Ling did.

“I have a question for you, Shen,” Xue Zhongming suddenly said.

Shen Ling raised an eyebrow, indicating for him to continue.

“Do you plan on getting married, Shen? Surely, you’ll have children, right? How many do you plan to have?”

Shen Ling frowned, puzzled by the question. “Two or three.”

“With your wealth, two or three? I’m sure even twenty or thirty wouldn’t be a problem. But as for Chi Yao, I think he’ll only have one.”

Xue Zhongming turned to leave.

“What did you just say?” Shen Ling stood up, knocking over his coffee cup in his haste. The hot coffee spilled all over the boy sitting quietly, largely unnoticed. The boy yelped softly in pain as his hand was scalded, but quickly bit his lip to stifle any further reaction.

“I said Chi Yao will have a child.”

“That’s impossible,” Shen Ling replied. Chi Yao wasn’t the type to seek out women or use surrogacy. Shen Ling couldn’t believe Chi Yao would ever do something like that.

“Shen, I think you’ve never really understood that person,” Xue Zhongming said with a hint of amusement. “Well, I’ve got other things to do. Enjoy your coffee. Waiter, another cup for Shen, please.”

Xue Zhongming waved to a waiter, instructing them to bring Shen Ling a fresh cup of coffee.

Shen Ling sat back down, clenching his fists in frustration. The idea that Chi Yao might have a child made Shen Ling feel deceived and betrayed.

Meanwhile, after leaving the coffee shop, Chi Yao didn’t go to his car. He turned the corner and entered a nearby mall. His mood seemed surprisingly calm. As he wandered, he found himself standing in front of a baby crib display. He considered buying a few cribs for different rooms—his own bedroom and the baby’s room.

Chang Feng had followed him out, worried that Chi Yao might have had an emotional breakdown. But instead, Chi Yao looked perfectly fine—better than fine, actually, full of energy and purpose. He seemed like a completely different person from the one who had been on the verge of tears earlier in the coffee shop.

Chang Feng couldn’t make sense of it but wisely decided to keep quiet and follow along.

Chi Yao stood there for a while, examining the cribs. Chang Feng mentioned the progress on the villa renovations, noting that the installation of the elevator and baby room setup would be finished in a few days. Chi Yao had already approved the design. If it didn’t fit, they could always make adjustments later. After all, the villa had plenty of rooms.

Chi Yao ordered two cribs, giving the shop his address. The store would deliver them later that day. The weather wasn’t too bad, so Chi Yao headed to the city’s top hotel. On the rooftop, there was a sky garden, a peaceful retreat. Chi Yao sat in a bamboo chair, enjoying the breeze as he took out his phone to send a text to someone. He transferred some money as well—the boy’s job was done. What the boy decided to do from now on was up to him. The money was enough to enter a talent show or debut if he wanted.

Chi Yao wasn’t worried about the boy’s face, which resembled his own. If the boy wanted to enter the entertainment industry, Chi Yao wouldn’t stop him. They were different after all. No matter how similar they looked, they weren’t the same.

Chi Yao placed his hand on his abdomen. His situation with Shen Ling was finally settled. As for whether Shen Ling would find out, it didn’t matter. Even if he did, there wasn’t much he could do. If it came to completely cutting ties, Chi Yao wasn’t afraid. Worst case, he could always go back to his family and seek protection from the old man.