Chapter 10: Priorities

Shen Boyan placed great importance on Xiao Mumu. Upon hearing that the issue was about Xiao Mumu, he immediately closed the documents in front of him.

“What’s the matter?”

His deep, cold black eyes locked onto the servant, who nervously clasped her hands in front of her.

A trace of hesitation flashed in her eyes, but she spoke up. “Young Master returned from his early education today, and Madam has been accompanying him in play. He hasn’t practiced calligraphy, violin, foreign language, or martial arts. He’s been completely immersed in playing.”

Seeing Shen Boyan’s expression darken, the servant continued, “It seems… this is Madam’s intention. When Young Master was painting, Madam even told him not to focus too much. If this continues… I’m worried about what will become of Young Master.”

Shen Boyan said nothing, but his face grew even darker.

After a long silence, he stood up and left the study directly.

Outside the children’s room, Qin Yuwei was waiting. When Shen Boyan appeared, she showed no surprise at all.

As Shen Boyan, with a cold expression, entered the children’s room, a smug smile appeared on her face.

Gu Nanyan, you’re done for.

Shen Boyan values Xiao Mumu above all else. Now that you’ve kept him from studying, you’re ruining his future.

Let’s see how you explain yourself when he finds out.

Inside the children’s room, Gu Nanyan was playing games with Xiao Mumu.

Sitting cross-legged opposite Xiao Mumu, she held up both hands and sang a children’s song with exaggerated gestures:
“In a little garden, dig, dig, dig,
Plant little seeds, and little flowers will bloom.
In a big garden, dig, dig, dig,
Plant big seeds, and big flowers will bloom.
In a very big garden, dig, dig, dig,
Plant very big seeds, and very big flowers will bloom~”

Gu Nanyan’s voice was naturally sweet, and her playful singing was incredibly endearing.

She was still dressed in a simple, elegant dress, her long hair cascading down her shoulders. Her smiling face, illuminated by warm lighting, was bright and gentle.

Shen Boyan paused at the door.

He stared at the scene in front of him, his dark eyes deepening with emotion.

Xiao Mumu sat opposite Gu Nanyan, watching her with delight, giggling happily.

Shen Boyan couldn’t remember the last time he saw his son so joyful. For a moment, he felt a fleeting sense of disorientation.

Xiao Mumu was the spitting image of him, but when he smiled, with his eyes squinted like that, he looked just like his mother.

This child… was the product of both him and this woman.

Shen Boyan’s deep, dark gaze fixed on Gu Nanyan. His pupils slightly contracted, a flicker of something in his eyes that he didn’t fully understand.

“Daddy’s here…”

Xiao Mumu was the first to spot Shen Boyan and called out.

Gu Nanyan quickly turned to look, clearly surprised. She quickly stood up and adjusted her dress.

Shen Boyan strode over to them.

“Xiao Mumu, don’t you have a lot of homework to catch up on today?”

He asked his son directly.

Xiao Mumu’s smile disappeared instantly, and his head drooped.

Seeing this, Shen Boyan frowned.

“It was me who told him not to practice.” Gu Nanyan, now standing protectively behind Xiao Mumu, looked directly at Shen Boyan and said seriously, “Boyan, he’s only a little over three years old. He doesn’t need to learn so many things. Things like martial arts, violin, and calligraphy—those aren’t even suitable for his age. A three-year-old child should have more playtime. Too many lessons will only overwhelm him.”

“Really?” Shen Boyan, expressionless, looked at Gu Nanyan. “You haven’t paid attention to him. How do you know he doesn’t like those lessons? Do you know, the things you think are unnecessary—he’s actually doing really well in them. And you, just for the sake of a temporary motherly impulse, are willing to sacrifice his learning. Gu Nanyan, aren’t you being a bit selfish?”

Shen Boyan’s words stunned Gu Nanyan, leaving her frozen in place.

Her eyes immediately turned red, and she couldn’t control the tears that started falling.

“I’m not acting on a temporary impulse… Shen Boyan, I won’t allow you to say that. He’s my son, and I won’t harm him. Even though I wasn’t a qualified mother in the past, I’m trying to make up for it now. He needs companionship. You don’t have the time to be with him, so what’s wrong with me spending more time with him?”

“Yes, it’s true that Xiao Mumu has a lot of talent, and he can learn everything well, but have you ever asked him if he wants to learn these things? Is he happy learning them? You only see the results, but do you know what it takes for a three-year-old to learn all these things?”

The more Gu Nanyan spoke, the more emotional she became, her voice choking with emotion.

“Mama, wipe your tears…”

Xiao Mumu ran to grab a tissue as soon as he saw his mother crying, holding it out to her with his little hands.

Gu Nanyan looked down at the innocent, sweet child, her heart aching.

Thinking of Xiao Mumu’s past, when he had been forced to the point of mental collapse, she became even more determined as she looked at Shen Boyan. “I won’t let Xiao Mumu learn those useless courses anymore. A three-year-old should only focus on mastering a few things. I don’t expect my son to be a polymath; I just want him to be happy.”

After saying this, Gu Nanyan squatted down and hugged Xiao Mumu, adopting a defiant posture as if ready to face whatever reprimands Shen Boyan might throw at her.

Shen Boyan: …

How did he end up seeming like the cruel stepfather?

“Mama, don’t cry…” Xiao Mumu gently wiped away Gu Nanyan’s tears, comforting her by pressing his little face against hers.

“Xiao Mumu, you don’t want to learn those courses anymore?”

Shen Boyan paused, then asked Xiao Mumu.

Gu Nanyan’s eyes lit up as she immediately gave Xiao Mumu a knowing look.

Xiao Mumu understood immediately and nodded seriously at his dad, “I don’t want to.”

“Then you won’t have to learn them.”

Shen Boyan said decisively. Afterward, he looked at Gu Nanyan with a slightly helpless expression.

When did she become so emotional? She started crying after just a few words.

It almost made him feel like he was the one mistreating her.

Qin Yuwei, who had been timing her entrance, came in at just the right moment.

As soon as she saw Gu Nanyan with red eyes, holding Xiao Mumu, her mood lifted.

It seemed like Gu Nanyan had been severely reprimanded by Shen Boyan.

It shouldn’t be long now before she’s kicked out of the Shen family, right?

“Teacher Qin, you’ve come at just the right time.” Shen Boyan, seeing Qin Yuwei enter, suppressed all his emotions and coldly instructed, “Stop all of Xiao Mumu’s courses—martial arts, violin, calligraphy. Keep only one basic foreign language class.”

“What?”

Qin Yuwei thought she had misheard.

Xiao Mumu was going to stop all these courses?

But… wasn’t Shen Boyan always the one who placed the most importance on his son?

Why was he suddenly cutting down on everything now?

“Teacher Qin, was I not clear enough?” Shen Boyan’s cold gaze bore down on her, the chilling pressure making Qin Yuwei not dare to question him. “I understand, I understand. I’ll go rearrange Xiao Mumu’s schedule now.”

Qin Yuwei left the children’s room in a dejected state.

Shen Boyan stepped forward and squatted down beside Gu Nanyan.

A faint woodsy scent wafted from him, and when Gu Nanyan turned around, she was met with his gaze, only inches away.