After dinner, King thoughtfully prepared gifts for each child.
Chenchen received a game controller, specially designed to fit a child's small hands perfectly, with a good grip that prevented slipping even with sweaty palms.
Shen Jinxi got a game disc. "Uncle, you're amazing! How did you know what I wanted?"
He had been enjoying playing recently, but wasn't as good as his older brother and always lost. This had made him determined to practice his skills.
"It's a secret," King teased. "As long as you like it, that's all that matters. There's a whole set that comes with it. You play with this first, and if you like it, I'll get you the rest later."
Shen Jinxi gasped and looked at his mother. After receiving her nod, he carefully put away the game disc.
The gift for Xingyao was much simpler but equally thoughtful: a large, soft plush toy, about the same size as Xingyao herself.
She hugged the big, soft toy, and though she couldn't see it, she cherished it in her heart. In a soft voice, she said, "Thank you, Uncle."
King always had a bit more patience for girls, especially little ones. "You're welcome. This doll is for you to hug when you sleep at night. It must be very comfortable and warm."
"Mhm."
Xingyao hugged the large plush toy tightly. She ran her fingers over it, feeling the bunny ears, and tenderly pressed them to her face.
Soft and warm.
"You shouldn't stay at the hotel anymore. Come to my place," King said, looking at the children with a smile. "I know you don't want to trouble me, but for the sake of the children, you can't stay here. That woman won't give up."
Shen Qingqing felt it was awkward. "Let's not. I've already paid, so I'll stay here for now."
King glanced at her and didn't insist.
Shen Jinxi, who had been handed a controller by his brother, asked, "Don't you like it?"
Chenchen shook his head.
"Okay, if you don't like it, I'll keep it for you." Shen Jinxi put the game controller into his small backpack. Seeing Uncle King about to leave, he grew anxious.
If he wanted King to be his daddy, then he and his mother needed opportunities to spend time together to build a connection.
With that thought, he clutched his stomach and cried out, "Ouch!"
Shen Qingqing asked with concern, "What's wrong?"
"Mommy, my tummy really hurts..." Shen Jinxi's face turned pale, and he said pitifully, "I need to see a doctor. I feel so sick."
"Okay, Mommy will take you to the hospital right away."
Shen Qingqing reached out to pick him up, but before she could touch him, the child dodged and hid in King's arms, looking up at him.
"Uncle, I remember you have a family doctor. Can he come and see me?"
"Of course," King agreed without hesitation. He held the child and said to Shen Qingqing, "Come to my place. For the sake of the child, you can't refuse again."
Shen Qingqing's lips moved. She looked at her son and then heard King say sternly, "Do you still need to be so formal with your teacher?"
She was instantly unable to refuse.
When she had first arrived here, she had met King and received his help more than once. To distance herself now would seem ungrateful.
She, Chenchen, and Xingyao followed King. They got into the car and soon arrived at the villa.
Shen Qingqing was greeted by many servants. "Miss Shen, you're back."
"Miss Shen, it's been a long time."
"Why haven't you visited for so long? You don't know how often Mr. mentions you."
Shen Qingqing had visited before, but always alone, so no one knew she had children. What surprised them the most was the child King was holding.
It was well known that King disliked children, especially boys. Girls might get a glance from him, but boys had a general term in his eyes.
— "Brat."
Because of this, the servants even thought they would never see Mr. King get married and have children in their lifetime.
When they heard the child call Shen Qingqing "Mommy," everyone was stunned. Firstly, they hadn't realized she had children, and secondly, seeing Mr. King's attitude towards this child, could it be...?
Their minds began to wander, and they started to speculate wildly.
King paid no attention to their thoughts. He led Shen Qingqing and the children upstairs and instructed someone to call the private doctor.
"This is my room. You can rest here for now."
King placed Shen Jinxi on the bed. "How do you feel?"
Shen Jinxi clutched his stomach, opened one eye to look at King, then at his mother, and closed his eyes, groaning, "I feel so sick..."
"Perhaps something you ate earlier didn't agree with you and upset your stomach," King murmured. "Don't worry, the doctor will be here soon."
Shen Jinxi nodded obediently.
King then looked at Shen Qingqing, his voice suddenly gentle. "Don't worry."
Shen Qingqing hummed in response, but it was impossible not to worry. Her gaze towards Shen Jinxi was still filled with concern and heartache.
Suddenly, King's phone rang.
He answered it, and after hearing what was said, was about to get up when Shen Jinxi suddenly grabbed his finger. He paused. "You don't want me to go?"
Shen Jinxi pouted. "Mhm."
King explained helplessly, "I just need to get a document. I'll be back in a moment."
Shen Jinxi still refused to let go. With no other choice, he looked at Shen Qingqing. "Your son is very attached to me, so I'll have to trouble you to get it for me."
Shen Qingqing glanced at Shen Jinxi, finding it a bit strange. Why had this kid suddenly become so attached to King?
When she looked at him, the little one immediately averted his gaze, guiltily avoiding eye contact.
Something was wrong.
Shen Qingqing narrowed her eyes and looked at him, then turned and left the room.
As she reached the doorway, King's voice came from behind her, "Just use the fax to send the document content. Send it to the first address in your contacts."
Shen Qingqing paused. "Using your computer... that might not be appropriate..."
"What's inappropriate about it? You know my computer password, don't you?" Although King seemed somewhat roguish and was inherently suspicious and found it hard to trust others,
She was an exception.
Chenchen suddenly looked up at them, while Shen Jinxi hid behind King and chuckled.
Xingyao also laughed. "Mommy, go ahead. I'll take care of big brother."
"Got it. Then I'll leave big brother to you." Shen Qingqing smiled helplessly and turned to leave. She found the study with ease, and the familiar surroundings greeted her eyes.
His study was still the same, unchanged.
The document was placed on the upper right corner of the desk, very conspicuous. She opened the computer and fax machine, operating them skillfully. Within five minutes, the document was sent.
She stretched, and as she turned, she saw a photograph on the bookshelf.
The person in the photo was familiar.
She stood up and picked up the photo. The girl in the picture looked barely twenty, thin and malnourished.
Yet, that was exactly how she looked when she first arrived here.
After suffering a severe psychological blow, before she had fully recovered, she had to run around for her child, forcing herself to be strong. Only she knew the hardships she endured then.
King had told her more than once that she was ugly and urged her to eat more and rest well, so she could regain her beauty quickly and not be ugly to him.