Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Wen Zhi carried the fish and dragged the nearly weeping Butler Zhong into the house, met with a desolate garden scene.

The flowers, plants, and fishpond in the yard had all withered, and even the rockery was covered in dust. Seeing her gloomy expression, Butler Zhong immediately stopped his sobbing and explained, "After Madam and Master passed away, only this old man remained to care for the Wen estate. Apart from the roses Madam loved most, I just couldn’t keep up with such a big garden."

Weeds choked the bluestone path. Wen Zhi hurried toward the familiar old house.

The Wen family’s ancestral home was converted from a traditional siheyuan (courtyard house), with expanded gardens and corridors. The west wing was originally the servants’ quarters, the south wing was for guests, and the east wing was the main house.

The main house was now wide open, clearly showing Wen Zhi’s uncle and his family had just been there.

Wen Zhi stepped into the main house, searching for familiar traces.

The main house was too quiet—only the two of them and the light streaming through the lattice windows remained. Worried she might feel unsettled, Butler Zhong quickly walked over and turned on the TV in the living room. "Miss, please watch TV for now. I’ll get you sketching supplies."

Wen Zhi had once studied watercolors and sketching. Her room was cleaned daily, and even her favorite things were kept just as she left them.

The TV’s noise eased the quiet. Wen Zhi’s gaze swept across the room. The main house hadn’t changed much from her memories, though it was cluttered with new things, and everything looked somewhat worn.

A house needs people to feel alive.

Butler Zhong soon returned, laying out the drawing board and sketching materials on the nanmu-wood coffee table in front of the TV. "Miss, sit here to draw."

Wen Zhi obeyed, settling onto the sofa but accidentally pressed the remote. The channel abruptly changed.

"At 1 PM this afternoon, a robbery occurred on Chongming Street. A grown man tried mugging a five-year-old but was instead overpowered and beaten by the child..."

On the screen, Little Dumpling, dressed in a black python robe, was straddling the grown man on the roadside, his tiny fists flying furiously as he yanked at the man’s moon-white cloak.

Onlookers gaped in shock, and police cars and ambulances had already arrived.

Wen Zhi’s breath caught.

Stepping in front of her, asking, Butler Zhong said, "Miss, why aren’t you drawing?"

Wen Zhi pushed him aside, her eyes fixed on the TV as she exclaimed in delight, "Mu Mu!" She leapt up, beaming. "That’s Mu Mu on TV—my son!"

Butler Zhong whipped his head around to stare at the screen. The camera was close enough—Little Dumpling looked delicate and fair, his dark eyes blazing as he brawled like a feral cub. He didn’t seem like a child from the mountains; his attire made him look more like a young prince.

"Where is Chongming Street?"

Butler Zhong answered swiftly, "In City C, a good ways from here."

Wen Zhi turned to leave. "Get me a flight, now."

Butler Zhong called after her, "No need—the family jet’s here."

Wen Zhi’s eyes widened slightly. "A private jet?" The Wen family was wealthy, but even in the early 2000s, they hadn’t owned a private jet.

Butler Zhong explained, "After you went missing, Master bought it to make searching for you easier. We’d fly wherever there was a possible lead." Seeing her expression darken, he immediately fell silent.

While waiting for the plane, she changed into a custom-made outfit—reportedly made for Wen Bingchun by her father years ago.

Since they were the same age, it wasn’t surprising.

The plane landed directly in the spacious courtyard of the Wen residence. Accompanied by Butler Zhong, Wen Zhi headed to City C. By the time they arrived at Chongming Street, the place was already deserted. After some inquiries, they learned the child had been taken to the police station.

Wen Zhi rushed to the station, only to be told the child had no parents and had been sent to the nearest orphanage. She hurried to the orphanage, where the director apologized, saying the child had just been taken away by the director of *Baby!* to film a show.

Wen Zhi fell silent.

"Where is the production team?"

The director gave her a business card—it was in City C.

They rushed over to the Durian TV production team. Upon arriving at the Durian TV building, Wen Zhi opened the car door and walked in. The moment she entered, she bumped into someone. Wearing sneakers, she was fine, but the other person staggered, her sunglasses falling to the floor as she barely managed to steady herself.

Wen Zhi turned to apologize, only to meet Wen Bingchun’s stunned face.

Wen Bingchun’s eyes flashed with disgust. "Are you stalking me?"

Funny—back in school, she had always been meek and followed her around. After more than a decade apart, she’d actually grown a spine.

No niceties were exchanged.

Wen Zhi didn’t hold back either. "Don’t flatter yourself!"

People in the lobby turned to stare. Wen Bingchun instantly composed herself, bending down to pick up her sunglasses, her face softening into a sweet smile. "Xiao Zhi, you’ve got it all wrong. Back then, I didn’t realize you were following me. When you fell in, I was too stunned to react."

The two walked side by side.

Wen Zhi, exuding confidence, didn’t spare her a glance. "I was just making conversation. Or are you feeling guilty?"

Wen Bingchun’s voice turned sorrowful. "You don’t believe me?"

Wen Zhi scoffed.

Wen Bingchun’s eyes turned cold—her cousin had gotten sharper. In the past, she’d believe anything she said.

Before she could explain further, the *Baby!* director came down in person to greet her, beaming warmly. "Miss Wen, we’ve found a child that fits your requirements—a five-year-old boy, adorable, smart, and a little martial arts prodigy. He even made the news just now—a five-year-old pinning down a robber. If you bring him on the show, it’ll be a ratings hit."

Wen Bingchun ignored Wen Zhi, her smile sweet as honey. "I came as soon as I got the call. I’d like to see the child myself before deciding." After all, this variety show was crucial.

Wen Zhi perked up, following the two into the elevator.

Wen Bingchun frowned and pressed the elevator button, but Wen Zhi slipped in as the doors opened.

The director nearly cursed, but upon looking up, he was dazzled by her looks. Intimidated by her commanding presence, he swallowed his words and cautiously asked, "You are?"

"I’m a sponsor."

The director’s eyes sparkled—an investor!

"May I have your name?"

"Wen."

The director paused, glancing between Wen Zhi and Wen Bingchun. "Are you two related?"

Wen Bingchun politely denied it. "No."

The director nodded, jumping into a sales pitch about *Baby!*, hoping to secure another sponsor.

Beside them, Wen Bingchun cleared her throat, displeased. "Director, didn’t we come here to see the child?"

"Right, right." The director quickly dropped his eager expression, praising the child’s intelligence nonstop. "He’s just a bit too rigid—refuses to take off his heavy costume even in this heat."

Of course, the goal was to get the kid on set.

The dynamic between celebrities and regular kids is what makes it entertaining.

The elevator quickly reached the 16th floor, and the director led Wen Bingchun toward one of the meeting rooms. Pushing the door open, they saw a little boy dressed in period clothing sitting at the large conference table, holding an iPad while watching something. Whenever he encountered something he didn’t understand, his small brows would furrow, and he’d automatically puff out his rosy cheeks.

He was an extraordinarily handsome little boy.

At first glance, Wen Bingchun approved immediately.

Seeing her satisfaction, the director called out to the little boy and waved, "Mu Mu, come here."

Mu Mu looked up instantly, his gaze sweeping past the two of them to land on Wen Zhi, who had followed them in. His eyes dark as grapes immediately brightened. Tossing the iPad aside, he jumped down from the executive chair and dashed toward them with a sweet smile.

When the child smiled, a small dimple appeared on his right cheek, making him look utterly endearing—enough to melt anyone’s heart.

Wen Bingchun was even more satisfied and quickly crouched down to reach for him.

To her surprise, Mu Mu breezed past her like a gust of wind, sending her sprawling, and threw himself into the arms of Wen Zhi, who stood by the door. He cried out with both joy and grievance, "Mother Consort!"

Wen Zhi hugged the child and scooped him up, stroking his hair. Though she smiled, her voice was slightly choked. "Mu Mu, were you scared? I'm sorry..."

Mu Mu clung to her neck, fighting back tears, but then seemed to think it improper and quickly struggled to pull away. His face went back to its usual stern mask. "No, Mother Consort would definitely come for Mu Mu, just like Apron Mom would always find Big Head Son." Besides, the Grand Tutor had said boys must be strong.

Butler Zhong wiped away tears beside them. "Sniff... so moving!"

Wen Bingchun, reacting a beat too late, stood up wearing the same stunned expression as the director. She asked disbelievingly, "...Is this your son?"

And what kind of title was "Mother Consort"?

Did she spend those missing years playing palace consort or what?

Wen Zhi, in a rare good mood, interjected. "Mu Mu, call her Auntie."

Mu Mu blinked, glanced at Wen Bingchun twice, and obediently called, "Auntie."

Wen Bingchun ignored him, staring at Wen Zhi in shock. "Where’s your husband?"

Wen Zhi remained smiling. "Dead." Mu Mu’s long lashes fluttered slightly, giving silent confirmation.

Wen Bingchun: [speechless]

So happy about him being dead? Weird flex.

Seeing her stunned expression, Wen Zhi turned to leave with Mu Mu in her arms. But after just two steps, Wen Bingchun snapped out of it and hurried to block the door. "Regardless of whether this child is yours, he’s already signed a contract to appear on the show. Leaving now would mean breach of contract."

"Signed a contract?" Wen Zhi found it amusing. "Where would a five-year-old sign a contract? He even called you Auntie, and you didn’t give him a greeting gift—yet you’re talking about breach of contract?"

Wen Bingchun gave the director a pointed look. Finally snapping out of his daze from the series of surprises, the director interjected in a soothing tone, "The contract was signed by the orphanage. If Ms. Wen insists on taking the child away, we’ll have to hold the orphanage accountable."

"Besides, the orphanage already accepted payment from us."

Butler Zhong, unwilling to let his mistress and young master be bullied, asked with the confidence of wealth, "How much? We’ll pay double."

The director hesitated. "It’s not about the money. The show starts filming in three days—where are we supposed to find another regular kid?"

Wen Zhi’s smile vanished instantly, her presence suddenly intimidating. "That’s your problem."

As the two sides stood at an impasse, Mu Mu, still in her arms, gently touched her face and whispered, "Mother Consort, I should still participate. A man's word is his bond. That money was for the other kids at the orphanage, and Matron fed me. This man promised that joining the show would help me find you—and I did, right away."

The director was moved. This kid was pure gold—absolutely precious.

The next second, Mu Mu said in a stage whisper, "And, Uncle Director looks like he's about to cry."

Director: Who's about to cry?

Wen Zhi thought for a moment and nodded, "That works."

Before the two at the door had barely begun to celebrate, they heard her add in the next second, "Then I'll join too."

Wen Bingchun was floored, "What do you mean?"

Author's Note:

First three chapters are now posted. Daily updates coming your way!