Chapter 1

Chapter 1

I froze for a moment, saying nothing.

Zhou Yi’an pursed his lips in displeasure. Tilting his beautiful little face up, he said in a serious, matter-of-fact tone:

“My teacher said that parents have the responsibility and obligation to raise their children…”

The half-open door cut off the rest of his sentence.

I stepped aside slightly and said calmly, “Come in.”

The dim yellow light inside the room illuminated his slightly widened eyes.

For some reason, his eyes flickered. He lifted his chin, let out a huff, and obediently walked inside.

After closing the door, I turned around to see Zhou Yi’an curiously looking around the place.

Noticing my gaze, he immediately looked away. He gripped his backpack straps nervously, his little face tense as he said, “My name is Zhou Yi’an.”

It sounded like an introduction, but also like a reminder that he was the child born to me and Zhou Shiyu.

I knew.

I had been certain of his identity from the first moment I saw him.

His features were carved from almost the exact same mold as Zhou Shiyu’s.

Seemingly disappointed by my calm reaction, he turned his head away unhappily, refusing to look at me further.

I placed his small, bright yellow backpack in the entryway and led him to wash his hands.

“Let’s eat first.”

Zhou Yi’an gave an obedient “oh.” By the time I came out with the food, he had already climbed onto a stool by himself.

I asked him why he had suddenly come looking for me.

Zhou Yi’an lowered his head to poke at the small green vegetables in his bowl. His bowed head looked round and dark. His voice was muffled and indistinct.

“I got into a fight with him. He smashed things and told me to get out, saying I should never come back.”

So it was a tantrum-induced runaway.

In that case, Zhou Shiyu should be coming to pick him up very soon.

It made sense.

After all, six years ago, the Zhou Family had made a terrible scene fighting me for custody of Zhou Yi’an.

It was even less likely they would abandon him now.

My chopsticks paused. I couldn’t quite describe the feeling in my heart at that moment.

I hadn’t known Zhou Yi’an was coming tonight, so there were only two simple dishes and a soup.

He was a very picky eater; he didn’t eat green onions or carrots. By the time he finished picking through it, there was almost nothing left to eat.

Zhou Yi’an stared at the mangled vegetable leaves with a look of deep resentment. He stole a glance at me, then guiltily swallowed them down.

When we first met, he had carried a hint of arrogance and indulgence. Now, seeing him being picky and hating his greens, it was clear he was accustomed to getting his way and being thoroughly pampered in the Zhou Family.

He likely hadn’t suffered any grievances there.

I felt a bit more at ease. After washing the dishes, I waited for Zhou Shiyu to send someone to pick him up.

I waited until nine-thirty.

A six-year-old gets sleepy early. He pulled his pajamas out of his backpack, scanned the room, and curled his lip.

“There’s only one room?”

“Am I squeezing into one bed with you tonight?”

I glanced at the clock on the wall. For some reason, the Zhou Family still hadn’t sent anyone.

I had no choice but to compromise.

“Yes. You’re sleeping with me tonight.”

I thought Zhou Yi’an would throw a fit.

After all, a humble one-bedroom apartment was naturally nowhere near as comfortable as the Zhou Family’s luxury mansion.

But Zhou Yi’an only pursed his lips, his eyes shimmering.

After wiping his face and huffing as he changed into his pajamas, he kicked his legs and climbed onto the bed himself.

Just like during dinner-even though he looked disgusted, he had silently finished the greens I put in his bowl.

He burrowed around under the covers until he formed a little mound. Then, he produced a book of fairy tales from somewhere, peeking out at me with just his eyes, unable to stop himself from prompting me:

“Aren’t you going to tuck me in?”

He actually looked quite happy.