Volume One, Chapter 14: Qin Yi Sees Huo Xiao

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So late at night—what could it be? Lin Qiao stared at the phone in her hand, which kept vibrating, and finally pressed the answer button.

“Mrs. Qin Yi, sorry to bother you so late. There’s something I’ve been wanting to discuss with you,” the tutor on the other end hesitated, unsure how to begin.

She knew about Lin Qiao’s divorce from Qin Tianlang, but she also felt it was a pity if Qin Yi, the child, fell into ruin due to neglect.

She told Lin Qiao about how recently Qin Yi had been making excuses to skip classes.

Lin Qiao listened calmly and said, “Teacher Liu, the child’s custody is currently with the Qin family.”

“Qin Yi used to complain that I was too strict, but now, I won’t interfere in his affairs anymore.”

Lin Qiao hung up the phone, silent, gazing out the window at the swiftly passing trees, her mood growing somewhat somber.

At this moment, at the Qin residence, Qin Yi looked up at Xu Mingyue with hopeful eyes.

“Well? Auntie Yue, can I skip class tomorrow?”

Xu Mingyue had just ended her call with the tutor. She shook her phone and said to Qin Yi, “It’s settled. Auntie will take you out to play tomorrow.”

“Yay!”

Qin Yi cheered.

Auntie Yue was wonderful—she never forced him to study.

Since his mother left, life had become increasingly carefree.

Endless fried chicken, fries, and burgers, and no classes to attend.

At that moment, Qin Yi recalled Qin Tianlang’s stern face and how he had urged him to study hard to eventually take over the family business.

He felt a bit uneasy and sought reassurance from Xu Mingyue.

“Auntie Yue, if I don’t go to class, does that make me a bad kid?”

Xu Mingyue gently stroked his hair, soothing him softly, “You’re still young, and now is the time to play, so why bother with studying?”

She never mentioned how she had worked hard from childhood, striving to be the best.

Xu Mingyue had grown up watching her mother play the role of a lapdog to Qin Tianlang’s mother, Cheng Ru.

Even the crumbs that fell from Cheng Ru’s fingers were enough to support their family for a long time.

She had always liked Qin Tianlang, yet her mother’s actions made her unable to help but despise the Qin family.

That was why she decisively rejected Qin Tianlang’s marriage proposal when she had the chance to pursue further studies.

But those years had dealt her a harsh blow.

Her teachers said she was restless and that photography wasn’t a path suited for her.

Xu Mingyue was always filled with insecurity, desperate to possess wealth and power.

She decided to follow her mother’s old path—this time, she would cling tightly to Qin Tianlang.

But Qin Yi was a stumbling block.

She only wished for Qin Yi to grow up crooked, so he wouldn’t compete with her future children for the family inheritance.

Qin Yi watched Xu Mingyue as she fell into thought and tugged at her sleeve.

“Auntie Yue, when will I need to study then?”

Xu Mingyue snapped back to reality, recalling how she had been outmaneuvered twice recently by Lin Qiao. Her voice softened even more.

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“With Auntie Yue around, Xiao Yi can play happily every day and never have to study, okay?”

“Yay! Auntie Yue, you’re the best! I love you the most!”

...

Shopping Mall

Since hearing about Huo Xiao’s family situation last night, Lin Qiao hadn’t slept well.

Early that morning, after getting Qin Chen’s approval, she went to pick up Huo Xiao for a day out.

Huo Xiao bounced along, holding Lin Qiao’s hand, his face beaming with joy and contentment.

His sharp eyes spotted a large stage ahead, filled with many stuffed toys. He eagerly pulled Lin Qiao toward it.

As they got closer, he saw a giant Ultraman doll displayed on the prize table.

No child could resist the charm of Ultraman.

Watching Huo Xiao’s envious expression, Lin Qiao found it amusing.

“Xiao Xiao, do you want it?”

Huo Xiao nodded shyly, pointing at the stage.

“You have to participate in the contest,” Lin Qiao explained after carefully reading the rules.

It was a handicraft competition, with the final winners decided by audience votes.

Lin Qiao glanced over the materials available—twist sticks and other craft supplies.

The final winners would be chosen by audience votes.

Lin Qiao patted Huo Xiao’s head.

“Auntie will help you win the grand prize.”

“Yay!”

Huo Xiao’s eyes sparkled as he looked at Lin Qiao.

Lin Qiao approached a staff member and selected palm grass.

“Miss, are you sure about this choice?” the staff hesitated. Palm grass was a side material they provided because few people chose it—it was time-consuming to weave and rarely turned out impressive.

He kindly suggested, “Voting will start soon, and time is limited. You might want to pick something simpler, like twist sticks.”

Lin Qiao replied gently but firmly, “Thank you, but let’s stick with palm grass.”

Holding Huo Xiao’s hand in one, palm grass in the other, she found a spot to sit.

Huo Xiao sat obediently, swinging his legs quietly as he watched Lin Qiao begin crafting.

Before long, her skill attracted quite a crowd.

“Mommy, that lady is amazing,” a little girl tugged at her mother’s hand, watching Lin Qiao’s fingers fly as she quickly shaped a vivid little Ultraman.

Huo Xiao puffed up his chest proudly—his auntie was the best!

Lin Qiao worked swiftly to finish the palm-woven Ultraman, then took Huo Xiao’s hand and handed it to the staff.

The staff’s eyes lit up when he saw the woven Ultraman and couldn’t help but praise, “This is… exceptionally well done.”

Unique and exquisite, he had seen some palm-weaving at street stalls, but those were simple dragonflies or butterflies.

This craft was no easy feat to master so beautifully.

Huo Xiao was happier to hear the praise than if it had been directed at himself.

He jumped up and down, hugging Lin Qiao’s waist. “Auntie, you’re amazing!”

At that moment, Lin Qiao’s thoughts drifted briefly to the birthday gift Qin Yi had thrown away, her expression dimming for a moment.

“It’s nothing, just a little trinket.”

Huo Xiao disagreed, “I think it’s the most beautiful thing in the world.”

Meanwhile, Xu Mingyue had also brought Qin Yi to the mall.

Qin Yi’s attention was immediately drawn to the Ultraman prize.

Pointing at it, he said to Xu Mingyue, “Auntie Yue, I want this one.”

Xu Mingyue’s face darkened. She pulled Qin Yi around the craft display tables where participating families exhibited their handiwork.

Some had made Chinese knots, others floral arrangements from twist sticks.

Among them, a palm-woven Ultraman especially caught the eye.

Many children looked at it enviously.

Qin Yi, however, was indifferent.

Since childhood, Lin Qiao had made all sorts of little crafts for him.

He wasn’t impressed at all.

Xu Mingyue surveyed the entries, knowing she couldn’t win. She asked a staff member, “Is that Ultraman for sale?”

“Sorry, miss, it’s not for sale.”

Resigned, Xu Mingyue turned to Qin Yi, “Xiao Yi, Auntie’s not very good at crafts.”

Qin Yi instantly felt disappointed. Auntie Yue was beautiful and talented—how could she not be good at crafting?

Even his mother could make them.

Xu Mingyue crouched down to comfort him, “How about I take you to buy some Lego?”

Hearing Lego, Qin Yi’s face lit up.

Lego was far better than his mother’s little palm-weaving crafts.

Just as they were about to leave hand in hand,

The host on the stage cleared his throat.

“The voting for the handicraft contest has officially begun.”

Audience members could receive a rose from the staff to cast their votes for their favorite family. The family with the most roses would win.

Curious, Qin Yi looked back to see the participating families taking the stage one by one.

The next moment, he could hardly believe his eyes.

Lin Qiao was leading a little boy, nearly identical to her in appearance, onto the stage.

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