Chi Yao smiled, knowing that this life would be completely different from the last. He and the baby would enjoy all the happiness together.

Shen Ling didn’t investigate whether the boy had any connection to Chi Yao. He had already looked into it when the boy first appeared. Shen Ling didn’t believe Chi Yao would be involved—Chi Yao simply wasn’t the type to do such things. If Chi Yao’s true nature was ever revealed, Shen Ling knew he wouldn’t have the patience to hide it.

Shen Ling initially thought he could keep toying with Chi Yao, but now that things had abruptly ended, he found himself somewhat reluctant.

Should he try to make amends?

Shen Ling hesitated. However, after some thought, he concluded that it was probably for the best to cut ties with Chi Yao. There were plenty of other attractive people around, and the one in front of him now wasn’t bad either.

Yet, as Shen Ling looked at the boy’s face, something felt off.

Later that day, he gave the boy some money and sent him off. But considering the boy’s intentions to enter the entertainment industry, Shen Ling decided to put a stop to it. He instructed his contacts that no one was allowed to sign him.

When the boy returned and was informed that the contract he had lined up had fallen through, he asked why. The only response was that someone didn’t want to see him succeed.

Thinking it over, the boy guessed it had to be that man from the other day.

That man’s cold stare suggested he wished the boy would disappear.

The boy then secretly went to the coffee shop, trying to follow Chi Yao, but was discovered by Chang Feng. After pulling the boy aside, Chang Feng managed to get some information from him and explained that it couldn’t have been Chi Yao’s doing. Chi Yao had no interest in meddling with anyone else’s affairs.

The boy, however, didn’t believe it and seemed unsettled. Fearing he might try to approach Chi Yao again, Chang Feng brought him into the car to keep an eye on him, intending to calm him down later.

Unexpectedly, Chang Feng received a call from Fu Rong, who needed to discuss something. Glancing at the boy in the car, Chang Feng decided to drive to Fu Rong’s place first. He left the boy in the car, telling him someone else would come soon, but the boy couldn’t sit still and ran off.

He ran straight into Fu Rong.

Fu Rong’s memory was suddenly triggered by the boy’s gray hair, though it wasn’t the same shade as the one from several months ago.

---

Belly Swollen, as if Carrying Something

---

Fu Rong hurried forward, oblivious to his companion speaking to him, and in just a few strides, he reached the boy and grabbed his hand.

He dragged the boy into the house and threw him onto the sofa, pinning him down.

Fu Rong gripped the boy’s wrist tightly, making him whimper in pain.

The sound was unfamiliar, but Fu Rong pressed closer. The boy was paralyzed with fear under Fu Rong’s intense presence, unable to move or even breathe properly.

Fu Rong examined the boy’s face, twisting it from side to side. Though familiar in contour, he was certain this wasn’t the boy from that night.

Right, that’s it.

Fu Rong yanked at the boy’s shirt, tearing it open, revealing a smooth back—no tattoos, no trace of ink on his skin.

“Did you ever have a tattoo here?” Fu Rong’s voice was as dark and terrifying as his eyes.

The boy shook his head frantically. The aura this man exuded was too frightening, as if he was ready to tear him apart at any moment. The boy’s legs went weak, and if not for Fu Rong holding his arm, he would have collapsed to the ground.

Chang Feng, engaged in a separate conversation nearby, was alerted to the situation and turned to see Fu Rong grabbing the boy he had brought, even pulling off his shirt. Chang Feng’s heart raced—if something went wrong, he would feel personally responsible.

The boy looked terrified, so Chang Feng hurried over, apologizing immediately: “Fu Rong, this person is someone I brought. He’s just a small time actor. If he offended you in any way, please don’t take it too seriously.”

Unsure of what exactly had happened, Chang Feng knew an apology was necessary, especially considering Fu Rong’s mood.

“Actor?” Fu Rong suddenly chuckled, slowly releasing his grip. The boy stood there, frozen, still under Fu Rong’s intense scrutiny.

“He looks a lot like someone,” Fu Rong remarked, his gaze turning to Chang Feng, who was now sweating nervously.

“Yes, he does resemble someone. He was recommended by someone, and since Chi Yao recently started an entertainment company and wanted to sign people, they pushed him to me. I thought he looked too similar and planned to send him away.”

“Has Chi Yao seen him?” Fu Rong picked up on this crucial detail.

Chang Feng’s nerves were fraying as the lies piled up.

“No, he hasn’t. If he did, he’d probably kick him out on sight.” Chang Feng invoked Chi Yao’s temper as an explanation.

“With his temper, yes, he probably would.”

“Alright, take your person and go.” Fu Rong didn’t keep the boy since he had confirmed this wasn’t the boy from that night.

That person was someone else.

Could there be another boy who looked like Chi Yao?

Fu Rong had already doubted it was Chi Yao, but now with this strange turn of events, if all other possibilities were eliminated, then the least likely one might actually be the truth.

What if it really was Chi Yao?

If it was Chi Yao intentionally doing this to him, it might be some form of revenge. After all, Chi Yao was someone filled with vengeful thoughts, and seeing Fu Rong’s closeness with Shen Ling could have triggered jealousy, leading Chi Yao to hate him.