The Tycoon's Mysterious Darling Wife-Chapter 525 - 528. Anan gets hit

Shen Junze’s expression was indifferent, "Mom, actually, I have a question I’ve always wanted to ask you."

"What?" Lu Yaqin didn’t understand.

"To you, what am I really? When Lu Jincai treated me like that, you told me to endure it, not to hold a grudge against him, to get along with him lovingly. Now that he has brought this on himself, facing the consequences of his actions, you still want me to help him. Is he really your flesh and blood in your heart?"

"No, Jun Ze. Listen to mommy, please let me explain, you are my own son, and I haven’t spared any love for you."

"I don’t feel that way, Mom. You know, seeing you now, I can really understand why grandfather did what he did back then. Instead, I can’t comprehend dad’s choice. Mom, you scare me." Shen Junze’s pupils were deep, and his voice was very light when he spoke, yet it struck Lu Yaqin like a heavy blow.

She took two steps back, staring blankly at Shen Junze, "Jun Ze."

A flash of sadness passed through the depths of Shen Junze’s eyes, disappearing quickly, and he reverted to being indifferent, "I will find a lawyer for him, but this is the last time. Consider it as repaying the debt for raising me. You better not come looking for me anymore unless it’s necessary."

"Jun Ze, Mommy..." Lu Yaqin wanted to explain, but Shen Junze no longer wanted to listen. Her words seemed nice, but her actions always broke his heart. He was a human being, flesh and blood. Even his heart would ache and tire from so many injuries, even if the person causing the pain was his own mother.

"Jun Ze, don’t treat Mommy this way. You are my only child." Lu Yaqin was utterly heartbroken. She hadn’t expected that asking Shen Junze for help would provoke such a strong reaction from him. At that moment, she had not put herself in Shen Junze’s shoes at all. If she had thought a little more, she wouldn’t have come here today.

"You can have another child, but as for me, you may as well consider that you never gave birth to me." Shen Junze was expressionless.

Lu Yaqin’s face turned pale, "Jun Ze."

"I have a lot of work to do. If there’s nothing else, please leave. I will transfer your living expenses to your card on time. From now on, let’s not meet unless it’s necessary. Whether you call me an ingrate or accuse me of forgetting kindness and betraying you, it’s time to end this relationship of mother and son." This was the second time Shen Junze had spoken such words. Compared to the anger of the last time, he seemed much calmer this time. But it was precisely this calm that let Lu Yaqin know that Shen Junze was truly hurt this time.

"Jun Ze, Mommy knows she was wrong. Can you forgive me?" Lu Yaqin clung to Shen Junze’s sleeve, tears suddenly falling.

Shen Junze was unmoved by her tears, "I’ll have someone send you back." With that, he called his secretary in.

Lu Yaqin looked at Shen Junze with weepy eyes, but Shen Junze turned his head away without looking at her. The secretary made a please gesture, "Madam, let’s go."

Lu Yaqin sighed deeply and left.

After Lu Yaqin had left, Shen Junze asked his secretary to start looking for a lawyer. At noon, he received a call from Chu Yunrong, inviting him to have dinner at the Shen Family’s home.

When he arrived at the Shen Family house, Qinglan just happened to be there. Shen Junze sat on the sofa, silently watching Anan stacking the blocks, his gaze drifting.

"What’s happened?" Qinglan noticed his unusual demeanor and asked quietly.

Shen Junze snapped back to reality, met Qinglan’s gaze, and after hesitating for a moment, he recounted Lu Jincai’s situation. Qinglan raised an eyebrow in surprise, "Is the man dead?"

Shen Junze shook his head, "I’m not sure, I didn’t ask."

"Whatever the case, it seems to have saved you a lot of trouble." They had been prepared for Lu Jincai’s retaliation, but now there was no need to worry about that.

"Sister, what makes me sad is my mother. Why does she always stand by Lu Jincai’s side whenever something happens? I am the child she carried for ten months-- aren’t I supposed to be closest to her?" Shen Junze spoke with a saddened tone, and even though he appeared heartless, his heart was still hurting.

"Some matters, if not dealt with decisively, will only lead to chaos. You don’t need me to tell you these principles," Qinglan said flatly.

"But she wasn’t like this before. Why has she changed?" Shen Junze couldn’t understand. When his dad was alive, his mom seemed like a decent woman, but after his dad died, his mom had...

"Some people only see the true nature of things when they face issues." When Shen Rang was alive, he protected Lu Yaqin very well; she was just an ordinary wealthy lady, carefree every day, either shopping or at the beauty spa, without needing to worry about anything. Plus, at that time, Lu Jincai hadn’t stood opposed to them, there were no conflicts or disagreements, so how could the things hidden in the depths be perceived?

Shen Qinglan patted his shoulder, "Just keep an appropriate distance, that’s all." As the saying goes, distance makes the heart grow fonder.

Shen Junze nodded, "I understand, Sister. Once the company gets on the right track, I plan to travel a bit, to clear my mind."

Shen Qinglan glanced at him, her gaze filled with meaning, "That’s a good idea."

"Qinglan, go call your sister-in-law down for dinner," Chu Yunrong called out from the dining room. Shen Qinglan responded and told Shen Junze, "Take Anan to wash his hands; dinner will be ready soon."

Shen Junze nodded and stood up to take Anan to wash his hands.

Wen Xiyao was already six months pregnant, her belly had swelled like a balloon, making movement somewhat inconvenient. To take care of her easily, Chu Yunrong had already moved the couple back to the old house. Shen Qinglan helped Wen Xiyao sit down and then took a seat beside her. These past few days, Shen Junyu had gone overseas for a business trip.

Old Sir Shen and Old Sir Fu sat at the head of the table, with Shen Junze seated next to Chu Yunrong.

"Jun Ze, today’s soup is very nutritious; you should have more of it. You’ve lost quite a bit of weight recently," Chu Yunrong said gently as she placed a full bowl of soup in front of Shen Junze.

"Thank you, Great Aunt."

"This is for Xi Yao," Chu Yunrong said. "Xi Yao, this soup is specially stewed for you. Have a little more."

She was busy taking care of everyone when Shen Qinglan stopped her, "Mom, don’t fuss, we’re all family here, just grab whatever you want to eat."

"Yes, Yun Rong, we’re all family, no need to be so formal," Old Sir Fu seconded.

Chu Yunrong offered a slight smile and stopped talking, lowering her head to eat.

Midway through the meal, Chu Yunrong suddenly spoke up, "Jun Ze, you don’t have a girlfriend yet, do you?"

Shen Junze’s hand holding the chopsticks paused, "Not yet, Great Aunt, what made you suddenly think to ask?"

"It’s like this, a former bandmate of mine has a daughter who had been studying abroad and has recently returned to develop her career back in the country. She’s also single, and I thought since you two are about the same age, maybe I could introduce you to each other." Ever since the last time she spoke to Shen Junze about finding him a girlfriend, Chu Yunrong had taken the matter to heart, keeping an eye out for a suitable candidate. And now, finally, there was one.

"Great Aunt, I’m not really in the mood to have a girlfriend at the moment. You know that I’ve just gotten the company back, there are so many things waiting to be dealt with," Shen Junze gently declined.

"What’s that got to do with anything? Your career is already on the right track; it’s the perfect time to start dating. Plus, it’s just about chatting with the other party, not a must that you end up together. When you have time, you just talk more, meet up, have a meal. If you both feel good about each other, then continue the relationship. If not, then just consider it making a new friend," Chu Yunrong said with a smile.

"Your Great Aunt is right, a man should get married at the right age, and a woman, too. You’re not that young anymore, you should start considering it," Old Sir Shen chimed in. This matter, Chu Yunrong had discussed with him before, and he had seen the girl’s photo, a very proper girl, and he had given his approval. On the matter of Shen Junze’s marriage, Old Sir Shen was particularly concerned, after all, the example of Shen Rang was still before their eyes.

Shen Junze secretly sought help from Shen Qinglan, but to his dismay, she ignored his pleading gaze and simply kept her head down, feeding Anan.

"Grandpa, Great Aunt, I’m only 24, there’s no rush," Shen Junze said with a smile.

"24 is not that young. At 24, Sister Qinglan was already a mother," Chu Yunrong advised. Lu Yaqin was unreliable, and Shen Junze himself was not proactive in this area. He’s already 24, and he’s never had a girlfriend. If she didn’t worry and help, this child would probably become an old bachelor.

"Jun Ze, it wouldn’t hurt to spend some time together," even Wen Xiyao supported the idea.

The whole group chimed in one after another until finally Shen Junze could only surrender, "Great Aunt, how about I first chat with her on WeChat?"

"That’s the spirit, take advantage of your youth to start looking, and when you’re ready, it will still be in time to get married after a period of dating. After dinner, I’ll call her mother, and you two can add each other on WeChat, start by chatting, and then you can invite the girl out for a meal or a movie this weekend. As a young man, you need to take the initiative," Chu Yunrong said, very satisfied.

Shen Junze nodded, feeling helpless. To be arranging dates at his age seemed terrifying, but knowing it was the elders’ way of showing concern, he could only accept it.

After dinner, Chu Yunrong couldn’t wait to make a call.

Shen Junze looked at Chu Yunrong’s enthusiastic demeanor and felt helpless. In a low voice, he said to Shen Qinglan sitting beside him, "Sis, why didn’t you speak up for me just now?"

"Grandpa is right. It’s time for men to marry and women to wed. You really should find a girlfriend," Shen Qinglan said indifferently.

Shen Junze made a face. "Sis, I’m only 24. Even if I waited till I’m 34 to find a girlfriend, it would still be okay."

"If you really wait until you’re 34 to look for someone, just see if Grandpa doesn’t worry himself gray. Work is important, of course, but so is family. If you truly don’t want to date, then treat it as making a friend. It never hurts to have more friends."

Chu Yunrong had actually discussed the issue of Shen Junze dating with Shen Qinglan in private before. Rather than Chu Yunrong being anxious, it was more about Grandpa worrying that Shen Junze would repeat his father’s mistake and get involved with an unreliable woman, so he wanted Chu Yunrong to help vet the situation.

"But I don’t know how to get along with girls," Shen Junze fretted. He had never had a girlfriend in his life, not in the past, not now. His mind was never on such matters.

"Then don’t think of her as a girlfriend, but as a new friend you’ve met. You know how to get along with friends, right? If you feel it’s right, then consider developing it further. They say set up your family first and then establish your career. With a stable family, you can focus more on your career. Plus, having someone by your side means you won’t feel alone."

Shen Junze thought there was truth to this. Since he couldn’t possibly never marry in his life, it made sense to meet the girl. Maybe she would be the right one. With that thought, he felt less resistant to the idea of arranged dating. When Chu Yunrong gave him the contact information, he took the initiative to add the girl on WeChat.

**

Zhang Wenli was ultimately saved and didn’t die, but she was severely injured. Lu Jincai’s knife had struck her spine; even if she recovered, she would spend the rest of her life bedridden.

Because the evidence was irrefutable, Lu Jincai was quickly sentenced to ten years in prison.

When Shen Junze visited Lu Jincai in prison, he found him looking over a decade older than the last time they had met.

"Are you here to mock me, just like your mother?" Lu Jincai stared steadily at Shen Junze, his expression calm.

Shen Junze shook his head. "It’s not about mockery. I just wanted to see what my dear uncle’s expression is like now that he’s lost his hard-earned freedom." After the sentencing, Lu Jincai hadn’t even appealed; he simply accepted the verdict.

Lu Jincai showed no reaction to Shen Junze’s slightly mocking words, now resembling nothing more than a walking corpse.

In the past, he had manipulated Shen Junze and schemed to take over the company for his two sons. But now that he knew his sons weren’t his own, what meaning was there in everything he had done? No matter his efforts, he was simply benefiting others. This realization filled him with sadness.

"You’ve had your laugh, and from now on, no one can threaten your position or plot against you. You can rest easy. Leave, I don’t want to see you," Lu Jincai said expressionlessly.

"In fact, I don’t want to see you either. I came today just to tell you one thing – your eldest son is indeed your own flesh and blood," Shen Junze dropped a bombshell.

Lu Jincai suddenly looked up.

"I had a paternity test done for both of your sons; your eldest is truly your biological child. But talking about it now is meaningless. You’re already in prison, and your sons have been awarded to your ex-wife. However, considering your ex-wife’s current condition, she probably can’t provide a good environment for your son either," Shen Junze said and turned to leave.

"Junze," Lu Jincai called out to him.

Shen Junze stopped.

"As shameful as it is for me to say this, I still want to ask you, if it’s possible... could you look after him?" Lu Jincai’s voice was hoarse.

"I’m sorry, but I cannot help with this," Shen Junze flatly refused. He just wanted to see Lu Jincai’s reaction; it would be even better if he could see him regretting.

Lu Jincai was not surprised at all, "Jun Ze, I wronged you in the past. It’s only right for you to hate me. I just don’t want my child to have a miserable future. I’m not asking for you to take him by your side, but I hope you can visit him when appropriate. Whether I can ever get out is unknown. Consider this my final request to you," Lu Jincai pleaded.

Lu Jincai was already over fifty years old. Ten years in prison, by the time he got out, he would be over sixty. Given his health, whether he could last another ten years was still a question mark.

"Jun Ze, I’m begging you." As Lu Jincai spoke, he knelt on the ground, startling Shen Junze, who stared at him for a long time.

Lu Jincai looked at him earnestly, "Jun Ze, it was all my fault in the past. It was my greed and my utter heartlessness. I take all the blame. Here I apologize to you. I will probably spend the rest of my life here. I have nothing else to give you. As atonement, should you agree, my property in Beijing will be yours." This was the only wealth he had left and the only thing he could offer Shen Junze.

"I will have someone check on him regularly," Shen Junze finally said. A glint of light burst in Lu Jincai’s eyes, "Thank you, Jun Ze," his gratitude was heartfelt.

Shen Junze did not respond and turned to leave. His agreement was not out of sympathy for Lu Jincai but for the sincerity he saw in Lu Jincai’s eyes for his son at that moment.

**

Anan’s fourth birthday was coming up, and Shen Qinglan planned to take him to Beijing Military Region to stay with Fu Hengyi for a while.

Anan was packing his little backpack, stuffing in one toy after another. Shen Qinglan frowned, "Anan, what did Mommy tell you?"

Anan looked at the toy in his hands reluctantly and then set it down, "Mommy, I won’t bring it."

Shen Qinglan looked at his backpack, "What else?"

"Mommy, can I just bring these two, please?" Anan clung to Shen Qinglan’s legs, pleading. Shen Qinglan had a rule: he could only bring one toy to the Military Region, and all others were forbidden.

"Anan, you must keep your promises," Shen Qinglan said softly.

Looking up at her, Anan negotiated, "I know, but Mommy, I really like both of these toys. They were gifts from Uncle Allen. Please let me take both; I promise it’s just this one time. Next time I will definitely only bring one."

"No, you can choose any one toy to take, but you cannot take two. You must stick to our agreement."

Realizing that Shen Qinglan had made up her mind and that pouting would be useless, Anan pouted and let go of her legs, "Okay, then I can only bring one." He hesitated for a long time between the two toys and finally chose one, putting the other back reluctantly.

On the way there, Anan chattered nonstop, "Mommy, why hasn’t Uncle Allen gotten married yet? He’s so handsome."

"You should ask your Uncle Allen that question, not me."

"I did. Uncle Allen said he has someone in his heart. Mommy, what does ’someone in his heart’ mean?"

It means Uncle Allen already has someone he likes.

"So if he has someone he likes, why doesn’t he get married?" Anan grew more curious.

Knowing her son was a chatterbox who could go on and on once engaged in conversation, Shen Qinglan somewhat regretted having started the topic and decided to ignore him.

"Mommy, why though, if you like someone, can’t you just get married?" Even when Shen Qinglan ignored him, Anan continued to talk to himself all the way.

Meng Liang was still the one who came to pick up the mother and son, "Sister-in-law, the captain is a bit busy, so he asked me to pick you up."

Shen Qinglan nodded, "Thank you for the trouble."

Meng Liang took the luggage from her hand. "What hardship? This just gives me a chance to slack off. Sister-in-law, I’ll take you home first."

"Meng Liang Uncle, how come you only greet my mom, and don’t talk to me?" Anan looked at Meng Liang with a slight pout.

Meng Liang reached out and patted his little head. "How could I dare not to talk to you? But Anan, it seems like you’ve gotten a bit chubbier since I last saw you. Look at that little belly of yours, it’s sticking out."

Anan, feeling rather vain, rubbed his own little belly. "Meng Liang Uncle, you’re mistaken, I’m not fat, I’m just in good shape, not fat."

Meng Liang laughed out loud. "Anan, you need to start dieting, or you won’t be able to find a girlfriend in the future," he teased Anan.

"I have a girlfriend, and she’s really pretty," Anan said, stunning everyone.

Shen Qinglan looked at Anan in surprise, while Meng Liang was all ears. "You have a girlfriend? Who is she?"

"It’s Jingjing from our class. Jingjing said she wants to be my bride when we grow up."

"Anan is amazing to have a girlfriend so young!"

Anan’s little face beamed with pride. "That’s right, Jingjing really likes me. Lots of girls in our class like me."

"But aren’t you fond of Guoguo? Guoguo is your future wife; how can you let Jingjing be your girlfriend?"

Mentioning Guoguo made Anan frown, his little face earnestly correcting him, "Guoguo is my sister."

"Right now she’s your sister, but later on she could be your wife," Meng Liang teased him. A four-year-old kid was really amusing.

"No, a sister is a sister," Anan stubbornly insisted, his convictions hard to change, much like Shen Qinglan.

"So, will Jingjing be your wife in the future?" Meng Liang continued to prod.

Anan furrowed his brow, giving it some serious thought. "I want Mommy to be my wife, so I can sleep with Mommy every night."

Shen Qinglan, upon hearing this, had her forehead lined with black streaks. This little guy had no filter. Meng Liang, on the other hand, burst into laughter, thinking it was a good thing his team captain wasn’t around, or Anan would be in trouble.

Since Fu Hengyi had become a father, his original one-bedroom place was too small, so the army arranged for him to move into a new house—a small three-bedroom—still in the same family building but now on the sixth floor. There was no elevator in the building, and Little Anan managed to climb up all six floors on his own.

"Well, sister-in-law, I’ll leave the luggage here. There’s food in the kitchen; the captain said he’ll be back tonight to cook," Meng Liang said after placing the luggage at the entrance.

"OK, thank you for your hard work."

"Meng Liang Uncle, thank you," Anan said in his babyish voice.

Meng Liang smiled, patted Anan’s head, and said, "Uncle’s leaving now, see you, Anan."

Anan waved to Meng Liang.

The house was very clean; all Shen Qinglan had to do was to sort out the luggage. "Anan, Mommy is going to sort out some things, you stay here for a bit, and don’t touch the kettle, understand?"

Anan nodded. "OK, Mommy, I want to go downstairs and play, can I?" He had seen some children playing downstairs when they arrived.

"Sure, but no bullying other kids," Shen Qinglan instructed.

"Okay, Mommy!" Anan nodded obediently. Shen Qinglan took him downstairs and then turned back to go upstairs, not at all worried about Anan’s safety below. This was a Military Region family building; there were sentries at the entrance. Moreover, she knew the parents of the children downstairs, who could be asked to keep an eye on him.

Not far from the building was a small playground, designed specifically for the children of military families.

Anan wasn’t at the Military Region for the first time and had already mixed in with the kids. Without Shen Qinglan’s restrictions, he soon played happily with the other children of similar age or those a couple of years older than him, and he quickly became as dirty as a little mud monkey.

A boy pulled Anan to a corner and whispered, "Anan, have you ever been to the barracks?"

Anan looked at him puzzled, "What’s a ’barracks’?"

The boy pointed in the direction of the training ground, "Over there."

"I’ve been there! Daddy took me there. There are so many, many cool soldiers," Anan nodded vigorously. He loved it when Fu Hengyi took him to stroll around the training ground. Whenever he visited the barracks, he would pester Fu Hengyi to take him there after meals.

"Is it fun inside?" the boy asked with a face full of yearning.

Anan nodded, "It’s really fun." Fu Hengyi had carried Anan to watch the soldiers train, and for Anan, those training exercises were novel and entertaining.

Upon hearing this, the boy’s eyes filled with envy, "I want to go too, but my dad won’t let me. How about we sneak in now?"

Anan hesitated, a conflicted look on his little face, "If Daddy finds out, he’ll scold me."

"Then we just won’t tell the adults. We’ll sneak there and sneak back, and your mommy and daddy won’t know," the boy suggested.

This boy was Xiao Jie, from the same residential building. Fu Hengyi lived on the sixth floor, and his family lived on the third. Of all the friends, he played with Anan the most; Anan always looked for him to play with whenever he came to the Military Region.

"Alright, but we have to be quick, my mommy will come down to look for me soon," Anan said in a low voice.

"Mm-hmm, let’s go this way." Xiao Jie, who was two years older than Anan and only six years old, took Anan’s hand, crept low, slipped past several parents’ sights, and led Anan into the training ground.

At that moment, many soldiers were undergoing daily training on the training ground. When they saw the two little tykes come in, they glanced over at them. Anan and Xiao Jie weren’t scared but looked on curiously.

Anan even waved at the soldiers and blew them a kiss. Some soldiers couldn’t help but laugh out loud, which naturally drew the attention of others. An officer-looking man noticed them and walked over to the little ones.

Xiao Jie and Anan, seeing the man’s stern face, became a bit frightened and turned to run away.

The officer had merely wanted to greet the two little ones, but when they ran at the sight of him, he couldn’t help but chuckle, watching the direction the little ones had run off with a smile.

Anan and Xiao Jie ran to the canteen, which was empty at that time. They wandered around the canteen, and suddenly, Anan’s nose twitched, "It smells so good." He seemed to smell the scent of meat.

Xiao Jie sniffed hard, his eyes lighting up, "There’s something delicious."

The two little ones looked at each other and touched their bellies, saying in unison, "Let’s go eat something."

Following the savory smell, they found their way to the kitchen, where the door was ajar, and they slipped right in.

"Anan, it’s here." Xiao Jie pointed to the stove, where a pot of chicken soup was simmering, but there was no one in the kitchen.

Anan swallowed, enticed by the delicious aroma. Xiao Jie looked around and spotted a chair, heaving it over with effort, "Anan, go get a bowl."

Anan nodded and handed a bowl to Xiao Jie. Xiao Jie had already lifted the lid of the pot, and the aroma of the chicken soup instantly became richer. Anan’s little tummy had begun to rumble with hunger, "Brother Xiao Jie, I’m so hungry."

Xiao Jie was hungry too, they had played so hard just now that they had burned off everything they ate for lunch.

The soup ladle was set aside, and Xiao Jie carefully ladled a bowl of chicken soup. Because he couldn’t hold the ladle steady, he spilled quite a bit on the stove.

"Anan, this chicken leg is for you." Xiao Jie placed a big chicken leg in Anan’s bowl.

A big smile spread across Anan’s face, "Thank you, Brother Xiao Jie."

The two ate a few pieces of chicken meat and drank a bowl of chicken soup, but didn’t continue eating. Xiao Jie even conscientiously covered the pot again.

The two little fellows, having eaten their fill, were just about to sneak away when a glance out of the corner of Anan’s eye caught a bottle, and he halted, "Anan, let’s go."

Anan stood still, pointing to the bottle not far off, "Brother Xiao Jie, bayberries."

Xiao Jie frowned, "Bayberries are so sour."

"Not sour, they’re really tasty." Anan explained. Last June, Qinglan had taken Anan to pick bayberries in the orchard. Anan liked the sour and sweet berries very much. It was a pity that the bayberry season was so short. He had only eaten them a few times before they were gone, and he had been thinking about them ever since. Now that he saw them, he couldn’t move.

"Brother Xiao Jie, can I just have one?" All he wanted was a taste to satisfy his craving.

Xiao Jie hesitated for a moment, glanced toward the door, saw no one, and nodded, "Let’s go."

The bayberries were in a liquor bottle, and it took quite some effort for the two little ones to open the large bottle. As soon as they did, a strong alcohol smell hit them, and they both frowned.

"Why do these bayberries smell different?" Anan whispered.

"These are bayberries soaked in liquor," Xiao Jie said. "My grandpa has them at home; I’ve tried them. They’re really not nice."

"Don’t they taste good?" Anan looked uncertain.

Xiao Jie nodded confidently, "Not at all."

Anan eyed the bayberries in the bottle, swallowed his saliva, and still wanted to try one. As he thought this, he had already taken one and put it in his mouth.

His little brows immediately furrowed. He wanted to spit it out, but just as he was about to do so, his frowned brow relaxed, and he chewed, "Brother Xiao Jie, it’s sweet."

Xiao Jie looked at him skeptically, "Is it tasty?"

Anan nodded, swallowed the bayberry, and remembered to spit out the pit, "Initially, it wasn’t nice, but then it became tasty." As he spoke, he took another one.

Seeing this, Xiao Jie took one too. Indeed, just as Anan had said, the bayberries were soaked in liquor but had been preserved with sugar, and they tasted quite good. The two ate several berries each.

"Hey, who are you guys?" Someone entered the doorway. Anan and Xiao Jie looked groggily at the newcomer. Although the bayberries were preserved with sugar, they were still soaked in alcohol. Eating too many could intoxicate, and now both little fellows had rosy cheeks from the alcohol.

The newcomer took one look at the scene in the kitchen and everything was clear. In the Military Region, aside from the family building area with kids, there were no other children around. These two must have sneaked in from there.

After glancing at the chicken soup on the stove, the bayberry pits on the floor, and the two little ones starting to yawn and holding the liquor bottle on the ground, one could see the frustration on his face.

A leader was expected to visit today, and the head of the cooking team had asked him to stew some chicken soup. He had run to the restroom with an upset stomach, and who knew he’d encounter two "little mice" sneaking food.

The person had recognized Anan, who had a very distinctive face, and made a phone call to Hengyi.

Hengyi was in his office writing a training plan, trying to finish quickly so he could go home to his wife when he received the call from the cooking team. He put down what he was doing to retrieve the children.

By the time Hengyi arrived, Anan and Xiao Jie had fallen asleep, with their little mouths smacking as if they were dreaming of something tasty.

"Major General Fu, the two kids snuck some bayberries that had been soaked in liquor, and they’re drunk," Chef Xiao Liu explained.

Hengyi looked at his son with a slightly dark expression and said to Xiao Liu, "You’ve been troubled."

Xiao Liu waved his hand, "It’s not a big deal, but I’m not sure how much the kids ate. Should we call a doctor to take a look?" He didn’t mention that the kids had also stealthily drunk some chicken soup.

"I’ll take them to the infirmary," Hengyi said and picked up the two kids.

Fortunately, they hadn’t eaten much; they were just asleep and would be fine when they woke up. Hengyi carried the two back and saw Qinglan and another parent looking for their children.

Qinglan had packed her luggage and went downstairs to look for Anan, only to find him missing. However, she wasn’t too worried, thinking he had run off to play hide-and-seek somewhere.

Seeing her son returned drunk in his arms, Qinglan was truly startled. She glanced at Hengyi’s chilly face and looked sympathetically at her son, who was blissfully unaware of the impending doom.

Anan woke up in the evening to find Hengyi sitting by his bed waiting for him. As soon as Anan saw his father’s expression, he knew he had been caught and hung his head without daring to speak.

"Fu Chenxuan, come out dressed," Hengyi said coldly and stood up to leave.

When his full name was called, Anan immediately realized it wasn’t good. He dragged his feet out of the room and stood in front of Hengyi.

Qinglan was sitting on the other side. When she saw her son come out, she gave him a helpless look. "Son, it’s not that Mommy doesn’t want to help you; it’s just that you really didn’t behave this time."

With a stern face and a ruler in hand, Hengyi asked, "Do you know what you did wrong?"

Anan saw the ruler and shivered, "Daddy, I know I did wrong."

"What did you do wrong?"

"I shouldn’t have sneaked the chicken soup and bayberries."

Hengyi didn’t expect him to admit to sneaking chicken soup too, and his face grew colder, "What have Mommy and Daddy taught you? Can you eat other people’s things without their permission?"

Anan shook his head, "No."

"Hand out."

Anan hid his hands behind his back, looking pitifully at Hengyi, "Daddy, I know I did wrong."

"Fu Chenxuan."

Reluctantly, Anan stretched out his small hand and closed his eyes.