Ming Li had been tirelessly focused on the acquisition of Xingwan lately, never pausing for a moment’s rest. Assistant Lin had it just as bad, pulling all-nighters right alongside her without a single day off.
Since the negotiations with President Hu had fallen through yesterday, and it was clear the woman wouldn’t budge in the short term, Ming Li decided to grant herself a breather.
If she rested, Assistant Lin could finally rest too.
Besides, she had a little shadow following her now—Zhu Mingyue. Ming Li had applied ointment to the girl’s bruises before bed the previous night and checked them again first thing in the morning. The marks were still dark and heavy, so she applied another layer.
While Ming Li worked, the girl lay prone, her eyes fixed intently on Ming Li. She seemed exceptionally good at enduring pain.
Feeling a pang of sympathy, Ming Li asked if there was anywhere she wanted to go or anything she wanted to play with.
A child her age should have been full of whims and desires, but Mingyue simply shook her head. She signed a question: Are you not going to work?
Ming Li stroked her hair. “I’m off today. I’m staying here to play with you.”
Even then, Mingyue made no demands.
Ming Xi had to go to school, and Ms. Ming—who seemed to have found a second wind—was heading off to her morning shift. After a few brief instructions, she hurried out the door. Ming Li took Mingyue’s hand and led her downstairs for breakfast.
The breakfast shop nestled at the base of the residential building sold a chaotic variety of items, mostly steamed buns and fried dough sticks. At the Gu Manor, Ming Li was forced to eat “nutritional supplements” every morning, which tasted utterly bland. Here, she ordered a bowl of savory tofu pudding with extra chili and two fried dough sticks.
Mingyue opted for soy milk and fried dough sticks.
One preferred sweet, the other savory; they were a harmonious pair.
Mingyue was incredibly well-behaved, rarely making a fuss. She followed Ming Li’s lead in everything, even handing Ming Li her chopsticks before being asked. For such a young age, she was remarkably perceptive.
It had been a long time since Ming Li had felt this kind of mundane, earthly vitality. The small breakfast shop was packed, with people coming and going in a noisy, bustling stream.
Ming Li usually preferred peace and quiet, yet occasionally, she enjoyed sitting in a place like this, listening to the idle chatter and laughter. She watched people hurriedly stuffing buns into their mouths as they dashed toward the subway station. It was a kaleidoscope of ordinary life, radiating a sense of vigor.
Perhaps everyone here had something to look forward to.
That was why their faces were full of life, their eyes bright with hope. Just sitting there and listening felt comforting.
Mingyue didn’t understand what Ming Li was thinking. She just watched as Ming Li finished her meal, set down her chopsticks, and narrowed her eyes toward a corner of the shop. There was nothing there but a stray broom leaning against the wall, yet a look of genuine happiness bloomed on Ming Li’s face.
So, Mingyue looked in that direction too.
After breakfast, Ming Li took Mingyue to an amusement park and an arcade. She wasn’t sure if the child had had her fill of fun, but Ming Li herself had a great time.
Dealing with children was much more comfortable than dealing with adults. There was no need to decipher hidden meanings or perform acts of sycophancy.
You just played together.
The exhaustion of the past few days vanished. As evening approached, Ming Li had planned to take Mingyue to a newly opened restaurant, but as the streetlights flickered to life, Ms. Ming called. She urged them to come home for dinner; she had already finished cooking.
It had to be said, Ms. Ming seemed to have undergone a transformation. After just a few days of working, even her voice sounded more spirited.
Ming Li had no choice but to take Mingyue back.
Ming Xi was at evening self-study, so it was just the three of them. However, the table was set with four dishes and a soup, all looking quite appetizing—as if Ms. Ming had suddenly graduated from a culinary academy.
After Ming Li helped Mingyue wash her hands, they sat down to eat. Ms. Ming didn’t ask if she was returning to the Gu Manor that night. Instead, as if terrified Ming Li wasn’t getting enough to eat, she kept piling food into her daughter’s bowl until it resembled a small mountain.
Ming Li laughed helplessly. “Mom, I’m going to burst.”
“Eat more. You’re far too thin now,” Ms. Ming insisted.
Mingyue, meanwhile, covered her bowl with one hand, terrified that Ms. Ming or Ming Li would add more to her plate. She couldn’t take another bite.
Once full, Ming Li was barred from doing the dishes. She sat on the sofa with Mingyue to watch Paw Patrol. She was long past the age for cartoons and soon found herself nodding off.
She only opened her eyes when the sofa dipped as Ms. Ming sat down beside her after finishing the chores. Just then, her phone rang—it was a delivery.
The computer and iPad Ming Li had ordered online had arrived.
With the hardware in hand, Ming Li set about transferring data for Ms. Ming and teaching her how to use the devices. Mingyue couldn’t hear what was happening, but she huddled close to watch anyway.
The three of them enjoyed a moment of domestic harmony.
Teaching Ms. Ming was easy. She already knew how to use a computer and had a basic understanding of office software. She was sharp and caught on instantly.
In less than half an hour, Ms. Ming was already clutching her new laptop and creating spreadsheets. Her initiative was impressive.
Ming Li glanced at the clock; it was already past eight in the evening.
She was still torn—should she return to Gu Manor tonight?
Ming Li understood Gu Xueqiang’s temperament perfectly. Allowing her to stay away for one night was already an act of great tolerance. If she stayed another, she wouldn’t even have to wait until tomorrow; tonight, word would reach the Old Madam that Ming Li and Gu Qingshuang were fighting and living apart.
Naturally, the version the Old Madam heard wouldn’t be simple; it would be embellished with plenty of spice.
That was one reason Ming Li didn’t want to go back.
Yet, staying here was truly comfortable. She could wake up to a little bundle of joy and chat with her mother.
As Ms. Ming worked on her spreadsheets, she chatted idly. “The tenant across the hall moved in today. I saw her in the elevator on my way home. She’s a beautiful girl, looks very quiet and refined.”
“That’s good,” Ming Li agreed.
After all, Ming Xi and Ms. Ming were two women living alone. If they had moved in across from a group of rowdy thugs or aggressive men, she would have worried.
