Chapter 3

When I woke, Xiangxiang was lying obediently in my arms, gazing at me with his big eyes wide open.

The moment he saw I was awake, he hurriedly closed them and pretended to sleep.

But his lashes kept fluttering.

I found it funny and pinched his little cheek.

“I know you’re awake.”

He burrowed shyly against me, wriggling with happiness like a little grub.

For once, I had no work scheduled that day.

I took Xiangxiang around Hengdian and played with him all day.

Downstairs from the hotel.

The latest Maybach had been parked there for who knew how long. Leaning against its door was someone I knew all too well.

He Jinnan was dressed in a black suit. When he saw us return, he straightened slowly and walked toward us.

Compared with five years ago, he now carried far more of the commanding air of a man accustomed to power.

He lowered his head slightly and swept a sharp gaze over Xiangxiang.

“Time to go home,” he said flatly.

Xiangxiang pouted, his entire face unwilling.

“I want to stay with Mommy. If you’ve got nothing to do, go home and find your own mommy!”

He Jinnan laughed in exasperation, then looked up at me. “You see? It isn’t that I didn’t come for him. He refuses to go with me.”

I patted Xiangxiang’s shoulder and coaxed him. “Tomorrow is Monday. You have school.”

Xiangxiang still shook his head stubbornly. His eyes brimmed with tears, and he looked utterly pitiful.

He Jinnan gave a soft scoff at the sight and was about to speak

when Xiangxiang pulled him aside to whisper in private.

He Jinnan arched a brow, clearly letting the words go in one ear and out the other.

Xiangxiang, by contrast, wore a stern little face. Hands planted on his hips, his small mouth chattered endlessly as if he were giving someone a lecture.

Seeing them like this, I could not help feeling relieved.

He Jinnan was not a patient man. If Xiangxiang could act this way in front of him, father and son must have a good relationship after all.

“I told you I was coming to see Mommy. You promised I could stay with her for a few days.”

“I’m not going back with you. If you force me, I’ll tell Grandma you lied to a kid, and I’ll make Grandpa beat you up.”

“Hurry home. Don’t interrupt my alone time with Mommy.”

He Jinnan bent down slightly. “If you can come see her, why can’t I?”

Xiangxiang huffed. “Mommy doesn’t want you anymore. Why are you coming to see her?”

He Jinnan choked on that. Gritting his teeth, he gave a shameless little laugh. “You think she’ll want you just because you act pitiful?”

“She didn’t even want me. She certainly won’t want you.”

Furious, Xiangxiang shouted that he was going home to tell on him for bullying his own son.

The next thing I knew, Xiangxiang had dragged me back to the hotel room

and shut He Jinnan outside.

He Jinnan was livid. Xiangxiang refused to open the door no matter what, so in the end He Jinnan had no choice but to message me.

Open the door?

Once Xiangxiang had closed it, he searched the room for somewhere to hide.

He finally chose the bed, kicked off his shoes, and pulled the blanket over himself from head to toe.

I looked at the little mound beneath the covers, torn between laughter and exasperation.

Still, I opened the door.

For once, He Jinnan showed some manners when he saw me. “May I come in?”

I nodded. “Yes.”

In truth, during the first two years after our breakup, He Jinnan had never stopped helping me.

I spent that time keeping my head down and immersing myself in film sets.

I rarely attended parties or red carpets. I put away my former flamboyance and became much more discreet.

Many people wondered whether the powerful patron behind me had abandoned me.

But He Jinnan’s actions told them in no uncertain terms that he had not.

An assistant director who groped me was replaced the very next day.

If someone stole a role from me, it would not be long before an even better production came calling.

On the rare occasions I attended red carpets, even the couture brands that were notoriously difficult to borrow from never refused me if I asked.

Even my agent remained the same award-winning agent He Jinnan had found for me years before.

None of the privileges ever changed.

It was as if he were telling me that if I ever looked back, he would still be there.

But there would be no “if” for us.

I watched him hold a lavish engagement ceremony with another family’s heiress.

I watched them attend event after event arm in arm.

People online called them a match made in heaven.

Later, the film Madam He had secured for me brought me three Best Actress awards and established my position in the industry once and for all.

Only then did he finally loosen his hold and let me spread my wings.

After He Jinnan entered, he glanced at the little bun-shaped lump on the bed and chuckled.

He did not expose him immediately.

Instead, he asked me, “Have you been doing well?”

I smiled. “Not bad. And you?”

He sat down with studied nonchalance. “No fiancée, no girlfriend. I’ve been alone the whole time. Not too bad.”

I was speechless. I had not even asked about that.

“What about Miss Shen?”

He lifted his eyes to me, a faint, almost imperceptible smile curving his lips. “Her? She’s probably on some beach abroad, sunbathing in her young boyfriend’s arms.”

“There was never anything between us.”

I gave a quiet hum and decisively changed the subject.

“Take Xiangxiang home. He has school tomorrow.”

At once, Xiangxiang flung off the blanket, scrambled barefoot from the bed, and wrapped his arms around my leg.

“Mommy, please don’t send me away.”

His round black eyes glistened with tears.

My heart softened. “But you have school tomorrow.”

He said nothing. He buried his head against my clothes and clutched the hem tightly in his little fists.

Seeing him like this, He Jinnan finally spoke.

“Missing two days of kindergarten won’t hurt. Let him stay with you.”

Xiangxiang looked up, his eyes red. “Mommy, Xiangxiang will be very good. I won’t disturb you while you work.”

I stroked his head, secretly delighted.

He Jinnan watched the tender scene between mother and son

and shook his head helplessly. “In another two days, will you still acknowledge me as your father?”

Xiangxiang turned his head and thought for a moment before finally nodding.