Chapter 127

Summer, night, an apartment in the city center.

Xia Yuwei held Xia Yufan in her arms, telling him stories about her past with his father. Naturally, she skipped the intimate parts; one mustn't corrupt a child.

"So... Mommy's family objected, and Daddy's family objected too? Why was it so complicated? Did it have anything to do with them?" Xia Yufan rested his chin on his hands, his eyes wide and curious, as if he were listening to a fairy tale. "Mommy, and then?"

"And then? Then, suddenly, your father disappeared. Afterwards, I discovered I was pregnant with you, little one. Then, I couldn't hide it anymore, I couldn't finish university, and I had to go home. Then, your grandparents were so furious with me that they decided to go on an overseas trip. And then, there was a plane crash. And just like that, Mommy didn't have a mommy or a daddy anymore." Xia Yuwei spoke in a calm, flat tone, even wearing a faint smile. It had taken her eight years to forget everything. Her heart was completely sealed off, like a blocked-off nerve ending numbed by anesthesia, so it no longer felt pain.

"Mommy, you're so pitiful..." Little Xia Yufan reached out to stroke her face in comfort. Suddenly, he jumped off her lap, looking indignant. "Daddy is truly horrible. Why did he leave us when Mommy was at her lowest? If I ever see him, I won't let him off easily! Hmph!"

His earnest expression made Xia Yuwei laugh.

"Yufan, you're such a good boy, Mommy's sweetheart. But let's not go looking for trouble. Isn't our life just fine as it is?" She patted his shoulder and smiled.

"Mommy, I know you work so hard," Xia Yufan pouted, as if making a resolution. "That's right, we don't need that bad man. You just behave, Mommy. When I grow up, I'll take care of you! Then you won't have to work so late anymore."

My, he was so sensible for such a young age. It truly justified the determination she had felt all those years ago to bring him into this world.

"Yufan, Mommy loves you so much." Xia Yuwei crouched down to hug him.

"Mommy, I love you too," Xia Yufan said, wrapping his arms around her neck. "I’ll always be good from now on. I won't be like Daddy and make you sad."

If a daughter is a father's lover from a past life, then a son must surely be his mother's. Xia Yuwei felt a surge of happiness as she held her innocent, adorable, and understanding son.

"Alright, my good boy, Mommy is going to run your bath. Once you're done, it'll be time for bed." The past was already history; dwelling on it served no purpose for her current life. If she hadn't learned anything else over these years, she had certainly learned how to be carefree and kind to herself.

Yufan nodded. Although he wanted his mother to stay with him, he knew she was tired and still had to stay up late writing, so he said nothing more.

Xia Yuwei stood up, gave Yufan an "OK" gesture, and headed to the bathroom to run the water.

Xia Yufan sat in the living room, flipping through TV channels aimlessly. Before he could settle on one, he heard Xia Yuwei call out from the bathroom, "Yufan, come on in."

"Okay!" Xia Yufan tossed the remote aside and scampered over. Xia Yuwei had already placed his pajamas on the rack. Ever since he turned four, he had insisted on bathing himself, claiming he was a "big man" now. It certainly made things easier.

Xia Yuwei went to her bedroom and turned on her computer, intending to work on her serialized story after Yufan fell asleep.

Over the years, aside from the assets left by her parents, this had been her primary source of income. She didn't want to stay in either of the cities she had previously known, so she simply chose a city where no one knew her to start a new life.

However, for the past two years, she had felt exhausted. She knew she couldn't write novels forever, so she had planned ahead and started studying jewelry design. She had always enjoyed fashionable, beautiful things; she had no interest in finance or stocks. Besides, she heard it was a stable industry that wasn't overly taxing.

After booting up the computer, she sat there for a few minutes before wandering back out to the living room to wait for Yufan. The evening news was playing on the television. Xia Yuwei watched with distracted eyes—nothing more than reports of accidents here and political shifts there, a constant revolving door of events that she only watched out of boredom.

"Breaking news: The Baili Group held a press conference this morning. The previous chairman and his wife have officially stepped down, with their only son, Lu Yichen, assuming the position of CEO."

At the mention of the name "Lu Yichen," Xia Yuwei’s gaze snapped to the screen. The footage shifted from the anchor to a montage of clips.

"Insiders previously revealed that Lu Yichen's frequent, high-profile media appearances were intended to pave the way for this appointment, a fact confirmed by today's announcement."

"It is reported that the incoming Mr. Lu Yichen spent five years at the world-renowned Wharton School of Business starting at age seventeen, followed by three years gaining experience in the European market, where he achieved remarkable success in finance and commerce."

"The early disclosure of this information has filled shareholders with confidence regarding the leadership transition, causing Baili Group's stock price not only to remain stable but to show a steady upward trend today..."

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18th floor, Huanlun Luxury Apartments.

For the first time in years, Lu Yichen woke up from a truly restful sleep. He reached out to embrace the person beside him, only to grasp at empty space.

He opened his eyes. Where was Xia Yuwei?

"Shit!" Lu Yichen sat up abruptly, his fist slamming into the pillow.

He was furious! After finally finding her, he had let her slip away! He would settle this score with her later. As long as she was still in this city, he didn't believe he wouldn't be able to find her again!

He recalled her mentioning in their conversation that she was currently studying jewelry design...