Madame Chu and Chu Cimo sat on the sofa together, watching them play.
Chu Cimo felt a bit thirsty, his gaze landing on the plate of watermelon in front of Chu Xiaomeng.
He broached the subject tactfully, "Little lady, is that watermelon sweet?"
The addressed Chu Xiaomeng shuddered, slowly lifted her head, her confused little eyes hesitated for a moment before reluctantly picking up the watermelon—
Then, she took a bite and answered, "Sweet."
After that, she continued to read her book with her head down.
Chu Cimo: ???
Suddenly, Chu Tianye leaned in close to him, "Uncle, do you want to eat watermelon?"
Chu Cimo nodded.
Chu Tianye let out a sigh, "My sister and I lost our father as soon as we were born, and our mother suffered greatly, getting up early and staying up late to sweep the streets..."
"Didn't you just say she went to move bricks?"
"...After moving bricks, she went to sweep the streets. My mother is very poor, which is why my sister has never eaten watermelon. She's very protective of her food, so, one piece of watermelon for five thousand yuan, both sweet and crisp, fair for both the young and old~"
A mobile phone was handed to him, displaying a transfer QR code.
Chu Cimo: ?
After transferring the money and tasting the watermelon, Chu Cimo, embracing the role of a concerned father, looked at the two little ones and felt increasingly heartbroken, "Alas, the hardships they must have gone through over the years."
That was why he was so willing to give the money; after all, didn't he owe it to the children?
Madame Chu: "..."
Suddenly, Chu Cimo teased in a mischievous tone, "Mom, I was never as good as big brother in anything, but when big brother was approached, he only had one child, while I have two. In this respect, I'm stronger than big brother, hahaha!"
His foolish appearance was simply unbearable to watch.
The butler walked in and said in a low voice, "Madame, Lin Wanru is here. She says she has something to discuss about Shen Bijun's children."
Madame Chu furrowed her brows, "Let her in."
As soon as Lin Wanru entered, she eagerly said, "Auntie, we've discovered that over the years, Shen Bijun, unable to find the man from that night, has vented all her anger on the children; this is evidence collected by the Children Protection Association."
Chu Cimo immediately became incensed, jumping to his feet, "She dared to abuse the children?"
Lin Wanru gave him a curious glance, not understanding why he was so agitated.
She laid out the evidence in front of everyone, "There is also a message provided by Old Madame Shen, saying that Shen Bijun has been capricious and ignorant since childhood, and moreover..."
Lin Wanru lowered her voice, "Old Madame Shen also revealed a sensational piece of news. When she was ten, she was trafficked to the mountains and wasn't found until she was thirteen. At that time, she was covered in blood and wouldn't let anyone near her, so she might have suffered some kind of trauma."
Chu Cimo speculated, being led on, "Taken to the mountains... could it be like those news reports about child brides?"
His face turned pale, "Then she surely became a ruined woman—treated like a plaything, a psychological wreck!"
Madame Chu listened quietly, her voice cold, "That's not important. Even if it were true, it wouldn't be her fault."
Madame Chu looked at the evidence on the coffee table, furious, "What's important is this! If she's been maliciously abusing the children, she must not be let off lightly!"
The butler also said, "Miss Xiaomeng is so afraid of meeting people; could it be because of this?"
Madame Chu frowned, "Arrange for several doctors immediately to give the children a comprehensive physical and psychological examination!"
Lin Wanru hesitated for a moment, "Auntie, I've come to suggest that since the children are now under protection, it might be best to send them to an orphanage."
"There's no need." Madame Chu's tone was resolute, "They can stay here."
Lin Wanru didn't dare to push too aggressively, fearing it would arouse suspicion. Her eyes flickered, "Okay. But both children are still young, and if Shen Bijun comes to threaten them, they might be too scared to speak the truth. And if she uses this as an excuse to pester Yanshen, what if it scares Chu Yu?"
Madame Chu set her jaw firm, "Before the investigation is clear, Shen Bijun is not allowed to set foot here, nor is she allowed to see the children!"
Lin Wanru breathed a sigh of relief. As long as Shen Bijun couldn't enter the Chus' house, she wouldn't be able to explain herself. She smiled, "Auntie, I'll take Chu Yu out for a meal."
Over the years, Lin Wanru often visited Chu Yu, and Madame Chu never stopped her.
-
Lin Wanru brought Chu Yu to a private restaurant and entered a private room.
After the waiter served the dishes, Lin Wanru smiled and started to speak to Chu Yu, "Little Yu, you need to act more spoiled with your father and say you miss your mother. This way, I can visit the Chus more frequently. Got it?"
Chu Yanshen had limited her visits to once a month, but only by visiting the Chus more often did she have the chance to deal with those two bastard children permanently.
Chu Yu didn't lift his head.
Lin Wanru continued, "And those two kids, they're here to compete with you for the inheritance. You need to find a way to drive them away. Their mother is a bad person too. If she goes to the Chus, you must not let her meet your father, understand?"
Chu Yu still said nothing.
"Are you mute?" Lin Wanru suddenly got angry, causing Chu Yu to momentarily pause in his eating.
Lin Wanru wanted to say more, but her phone rang. She looked at the number, turned aside, and took the call.
She didn't notice a small figure stealthily walk to the door, quietly open a crack, and slip out.
On the street, Chu Yu with his head lowered, walked alone and forlorn.
Why did other children's mommies cherish their kids while every visit from Lin Wanru came with strings attached?
The little guy was so downhearted that he didn't watch for the traffic lights and crossed the road directly.
"Beep beep beep!"
Suddenly, a sharp honking sound erupted, and Chu Yu turned his head only to see a large truck barreling towards him!
The blinding lights caused Chu Yu to instinctively raise his hand to shield his eyes.
But it was too late to avoid!
He could even feel the wave of heat the truck brought with it...
Was he going to die?
Just then!
"Vroom!"
A motorcycle rounded the corner, and the woman wearing the helmet stomped on the pedal, accelerating to the max, swooping in front of him like a gust of wind.
Next, the woman bent down, scooped him up into a warm embrace, and the motorcycle sped past the truck by a hair's breadth!
But the motorcycle was going too fast, and the woman hit the brakes.
"Screech..."
The tires scraped against the ground, and the woman, making a split-second decision, held onto him and jumped off the bike. The moment they landed, the woman protected him with her body, rolling on the ground several times before finally stopping.
The motorcycle toppled over, its wheels spinning rapidly in the air.
Chu Yu stared dumbfounded as the woman took off her helmet and asked in a cool voice, "Little guy, are you alright?"
His eyes widened as the emptiness inside suddenly felt filled.
Shen Bijun saw he was unharmed and then looked at her own leg. The jump from the bike was so harrowing that it had ripped open a large gash on her leg, a sight that was stark and startling.
Half an hour later.
Chu Yanshen rushed to the hospital with Madame Chu, both in a frantic hurry.
Madame Chu inquired, "How is Chu Yu? Is he alright?"
The bodyguard lowered his head, "The young master is fine, just frightened, and he adamantly refuses to leave the woman who saved him."
Madame Chu let out a huge sigh of relief, "Quickly, take me to see Chu Yu's lifesaver! From now on, she is a precious person to our family, the Chus!"