Chapter 16 Ugh! Can’t come up with a chapter title

Chapter 16 Ugh! Can't come up with a chapter title

Jiang Huizhou raised his hand and rubbed his temples.

Something had been off since yesterday; he really must be losing his mind.

Jiang Huizhou carefully sat up and picked up his phone to check the time, only to realize it was already 7 a.m.!

At 4:40 a.m., his assistant had already started calling him, but he seemed to have slept too deeply to hear it. The assistant, understanding and tactful, only called twice before sending a voice message saying he was waiting at the villa's entrance.

Jiang Huizhou's sleep was always light, almost like a rabbit's. But last night, it was as if he had been drugged.

He furrowed his brow slightly, making sure both Shen Zhiyue and Jiang Xingliu were still asleep, then slowly moved to his wheelchair and left the room.

When Shen Zhiyue woke up, the blanket beside him was already cold.

Had Jiang Huizhou left early?

He picked up his phone and checked the time, seeing that it was already past 10 a.m.

Shen Zhiyue stretched and ordered takeout using his smart device. Then he got up to wash up.

By the time Jiang Xingliu rubbed his eyes and got out of bed, the takeout had already arrived. Shen Zhiyue was plating a small cake when he turned to Jiang Xingliu and said with a smile, "Awake? Go wash your face and brush your teeth, breakfast is ready."

Jiang Xingliu glanced at the clock on the living room wall, a look of annoyance crossing his face as he furrowed his brow. He had slept in so late; he usually woke up before dawn.

Due to Shen Zhiyue's unpredictable daily routine, Jiang Xingliu could never be sure if he would suddenly be dragged out of bed at 2 or 3 a.m. without any reason, only to be scolded and beaten mercilessly.

The boy pressed his lips together, quickly tidied himself up in the bathroom, then stood to the side, sneaking glances at Shen Zhiyue.

Shen Zhiyue noticed the boy's wariness and could only silently sigh.

Anyone who had been tormented like that for three years wouldn't believe their tormentor could become a good person overnight; it would take time.

But he wasn't in a hurry. There was plenty of time.

After the meal, the boy voluntarily offered to clean up the dishes, standing on a small stool to reach the sink and diligently washing all the dishes.

Shen Zhiyue watched but didn't immediately step in to stop him, standing behind the boy as he struggled to finish the task, then carefully climbing down from the stool.

Turning to see Shen Zhiyue, he pursed his lips and said, "I've already cleaned up, Mom."

Shen Zhiyue still wasn't quite used to being called 'Mom'.

He coughed and bent down to rub the boy's head, giving over-the-top praise, "You're really amazing, you did a great job with this."

Jiang Xingliu, hands behind his back, felt his ears turn red once more.

He loved being praised by Shen Zhiyue in such an exaggerated tone because it meant Shen Zhiyue was happy, and when Shen Zhiyue was in a good mood, he wouldn't be so hard on him.

Shen Zhiyue's tone made him feel lightheaded with joy, his eyes sparkling brightly.

Then, Shen Zhiyue carried him to the sofa, holding him in his arms to apply ointment on his hands. "Your hands can't get wet right now, okay? Next time, let me handle it, alright?"

Jiang Xingliu blinked in surprise and nodded. "Okay."

"Yes, you're very well-behaved," Shen Zhiyue said, pinching the boy's cheek. "Alright, now we need to head out."

The boy's eyes grew wide.

Shen Zhiyue had never used the word "we," and he never took him out either.

Only when Shen Zhiyue led him by the hand to the foyer did he come to his senses and softly asked, "Where are we going?"

Shen Zhiyue glanced down at his data pad to check the location and casually replied, "To find that man from yesterday."

He needed to figure out how to make the original owner’s lover give back all the money he had stolen.

But the child clearly misunderstood, and the small face hidden behind him instantly darkened.

After all, people can't change overnight. It must be fake that he’s being so nice!

He should've known Shen Zhiyue couldn’t let go of that lover!

Jiang Xingliu remembered what the lover had told Shen Zhiyue yesterday—about selling him to the underground black market to harvest his organs.

Was Shen Zhiyue trying to trick him into going out to sell him off?

He abruptly pulled his hand away from Shen Zhiyue and shouted, "I’m not going!"