Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Creak. A soft sound echoed as the door opened.

Qi Mo turned his head, and the baby in his arms did the same.

Seeing the person who walked in, Qi Mo pouted pitifully, then held out his hand.

Huo Liangzhou looked at the little boy’s face—what was he trying to do by holding out his hand?

Then he noticed the child's soft, pale palm was red. He must have hurt his hand hitting someone.

And now he's playing victim?

His face was swollen from the slap.

Qi Huai didn’t even cry.

But my little boy here looks like he’s about to.

“You're hurt,” Huo Liangzhou said, taking the young master’s hand and blowing on it gently.

Qi Mo mumbled, “Mmm.”

“It hurts,” Qi Mo whimpered, leaning into the act.

This trick seemed to work—better use it now before they part ways again.

The baby yanked his daddy’s hand back and copied his dad, blowing on it to make it feel better.

“I’ll get you some ointment. Next time you’re upset, just tell me. I won’t let him come again.” Huo Liangzhou reached over and ruffled his hair.

Qi Mo added, “Then I don’t want to see any hot searches tomorrow.”

“Alright. There won’t be any tomorrow—or ever again.” Amusement flickered in Huo Liangzhou’s eyes. This was the first time the young master had made such a request.

Qi Mo followed Huo Liangzhou out of the studio.

On the terrace, they placed the baby by the edge of the small outdoor pool.

Father and son dipped their feet into the water, swishing them around, stirring up warm ripples...

After grabbing some bruise cream from the first-aid kit, Huo Liangzhou returned to find the young master and their little prince sitting by the pool, splashing with their feet...

Their smooth, pale feet kicked playfully in the water, making him want to grab and play with them.

Huo Liangzhou’s Adam’s apple bobbed as heat surged inside him, an unbearable urge building.

He quickly shifted focus to the chubby, milky-white little feet kicking water everywhere.

The ridiculously cute kid was heart-meltingly adorable.

Especially when the tiny one tugged at his daddy, peeking out with big blinking eyes at his father—turning on the charm again.

Huo Liangzhou’s restless heart calmed instantly, like a breeze smoothing the ripples of a spring lake.

Approaching the young master, he knelt on one knee, popped open the ointment, and took the reddened hand into his own. With care, he spread the cooling balm over the young master’s palm.

“Your hands are delicate. Be more careful next time—don’t hurt yourself,” he chided gently.

Qi Mo turned his head: "This is obviously all your fault."

Huo Liangzhou: "Alright, it's my fault. Sorry—I shouldn't have let outsiders come to our home and upset you."

"If sorry fixed everything, we wouldn’t need cops." Qi Mo was being deliberately unreasonable.

Who told you to make me unhappy? To make me angry?

Back then, it wasn't just Chen Feng who exploited him and their child—Qi Huai and his group were involved too. He'd been backstabbed by people he trusted.

Huo Liangzhou, for stuff like this, cops are useless.

Of course, he couldn't say that.

"What can I do to make Xiao Mo stop being angry?" Huo Liangzhou whispered in the young master’s ear.

The warm breath brushed past his ear, and Qi Mo widened his eyes. *You’re teasing me now?!*

The tips of his ears began to turn red.

They grew warm—then hot.

"Tomorrow, if you agree to a few conditions, I’ll forgive you," Qi Mo finally stated his purpose.

Forget one condition—I’d agree to a hundred if it makes you happy.

"Tell me, as long as it’s not excessive, I’ll agree," Huo Liangzhou plopped down beside the young master and waved at their child, beckoning him over.

The little one, who had been sitting on the other side of his daddy, quickly scrambled toward his father. He pulled his little feet from the water and scampered over.

Holding the adorable little one in his arms, Huo Liangzhou kissed him.

Watching the child cling to his father’s neck and kiss him, a pang of jealousy shot through Qi Mo.

You little traitor. After all the times I fed you, played with you, and slept with you, this absentee father who’s never home just waves, and you come running like an excited puppy.

Burning with jealousy, Qi Mo demanded, "You promised the Jiang Family Food Processing Plant will be acquired tomorrow. I remember your security company’s training base is nearby. I want those two connected—you’ll build a tall, sturdy wall. Purge Jiang’s entire leadership and replace the plant’s security with our own."

"And all the food and beverages they’ve produced recently—store them in the warehouse first. Wait half a month; don’t touch anything until I give the go-ahead. Stockpile more supplies, produce more, and prepare extra water too. I’ll take care of it all myself." Qi Mo laid out his demands.

Before Huo Liangzhou could respond, Qi Mo added another demand: "Also, also, prepare a batch of medicine. I’ll need that too."

Huo Liangzhou listened as the young master bounced between random demands—trying to connect the Jiang Family Food Processing Plant’s warehouse with his security group’s base, stockpiling supplies likely for donation to impoverished areas. This was a good thing—the young master was actually paying attention to the outside world and showing a willingness to help. His mindset had matured significantly.

This was progress.

Seeing Huo Liangzhou’s expressionless face, Qi Mo grew anxious. *I’m doing this for you!*

And you’re just sitting there without reacting? How rude.

Clenching his jaw, Qi Mo wanted to pounce and shake the silent man.

*Have I been spending too much lately? Is my trophy husband about to wake up and leave me?*

"Say something! If you don’t agree, I won’t forgive you, and I’ll take our baby and go back to my parents’ place." Qi Mo huffed as he pushed the man.

Huo Liangzhou responded, "Don’t be ridiculous. What parents’ place? This is your home. Alright, I’ll give in—whatever you want. I’ll build a high, sturdy wall around the food processing plant, fire all those executives tomorrow, and replace them with people from our Huo family group..."

Hearing his obedient husband’s words, Qi Mo instantly brightened up.

"Thank you, hubby! You’re the best!" Qi Mo clambered up and lunged at him, pecking him on the lips.

Having achieved his goal, the young master then grabbed the baby and immediately ran off.

Pushed onto the edge of the pool, Huo Liangzhou was glad the ground was covered in soft ceramic tiles—otherwise, he’d have cracked his skull.

His fingertips brushed over his lips, where the young master had nipped him.

It was the first time the young master had kissed him on his own.

Tonight was a day worth remembering, and Huo Liangzhou was riding high.

Placing the little one on the bed, Qi Mo wriggled gleefully. He had accomplished something big today.

Though preparing to run away, Qi Mo still hoped Huo Liangzhou wouldn’t suffer too badly in the end times.

Maybe they could hoard supplies at home too.

Buy a water tank, store some bottled water, stuff like that.

Right, they should also get some mechanical lighters, wind-up watches—otherwise, they wouldn’t even be able to tell time.

Toys—they needed to buy lots of toys for the baby, but nothing electronic.

Holding the little one who had crawled over to him, Qi Mo turned off the light and fell asleep as soon as he closed his eyes.

In his dream, Qi Mo saw himself being cut open, his two babies taken out—malnourished, no bigger than kittens, their cries weak. The monsters around them were discussing how to eat them.

Then, the sealed basement was blown open, and a tall figure marched in.

It was Huo Liangzhou. Huo Liangzhou had come with his men.

His body was gathered up, the monsters were captured, and his babies were carefully wrapped in clothing.

The body of the older baby was tenderly bundled up too.

Qi Mo woke with a start, tears streaking his face. *Huo Liangzhou, Huo Liangzhou...* If that dream had been real, at least they hadn’t been eaten, and the little one had survived.

Wiping away his tears, Qi Mo sniffed. He had to stay strong—for his baby.

The sky wasn’t fully bright yet—6 a.m.

The weather didn’t look good today; it seemed like rain was coming.

Qi Mo went to the bathroom to wash up, then prepared to make formula.

Taking out the bottles, he washed them thoroughly, set them in a row, poured in the formula, and added warm water.

He could prepare five bottles at once.

Each bottle held 180 milliliters.

Since the hot water could only fill five bottles at a time, it seemed they needed to buy a bigger electric kettle.

Qi Mo prepared a total of twenty bottles of milk, then chilled them in cold water until they reached just above 40°C before storing them in his space.

The little one, Huo Jingyan, woke up right on time. Qi Mo began getting him ready—cleaning his bottom, applying diaper cream, putting on a fresh diaper, and feeding him...

By 7:30 a.m., Qi Mo went downstairs for breakfast.

Huo Liangzhou watched his busy young husband and remarked, "You're going out again today."

"Mm, I'll be busy for a while. I'll rest once I'm done," Qi Mo replied.

Looks like the young master's really taken this to heart, Huo Liangzhou thought.

"If anything comes up, tell me. I'm not just your walking credit card—I have other uses too. Don't overwork yourself," Huo Liangzhou reminded his apparently wired young husband.

Qi Mo nodded. "Got it. If I can't handle something, I'll come to my husband."

Glad you're learning. That's my boy, Huo Liangzhou thought, finishing his breakfast and ruffling the little one's hair. "I'm heading to the office."

Qi Mo looked up and waved. "Bye, hubby."

Secretly, Qi Mo couldn't wait for his human ATM husband to leave—he always felt like he was being watched.

Today's first stop was an art supply store, where he bought enough art supplies to last him till the kid graduated high school.

Next, he visited an outdoor camping club to stock up on tents, arctic-grade sleeping bags, bicycles, fire starters, matches, coal stoves, lanterns, lamp oil, and candles.

When clerks got nosy, Qi Mo explained that he was organizing a large camping event and needed plenty of supplies.

All the items were delivered to the Lakeside Villa, a house in the baby's name.

Once the deliverymen left, Qi Mo quickly stored everything in his space.

At noon, Bai Jiu arrived at the villa right on schedule. Watching the young master of the Huo family busily check the supplies while holding the child, Third Master Bai reminded him, "The temperature-sensitive vaccines need to be stored in a low-temperature environment immediately."

"Oh shit, right. Thanks. Since everything's delivered, I won't keep you for lunch," Qi Mo said, inspecting his ten guns and 200 rounds.

The Pale-Faced Demon, used and tossed aside like yesterday's trash.

Qi Mo picked up a gun, gave it a test shake, and asked, "These won't misfire, right?"

Third Master Bai scoffed. "Every piece I deliver is quality-tested before delivery."

"That's what I like to hear. Your rep's solid—that's why I came to you," Qi Mo replied.

Third Master Bai found the young master's cocky little smirk oddly endearing—no wonder The Huo bastard was so fond of him.

"Alright, the goods are delivered. Remember to wire the balance by EOD. I won't stick around for your cosplay survivalist fantasy," Bai Jiu said before turning to leave.

Once Third Master Bai was gone, Qi Mo turned off the basement lights and killed the cameras.

Then, he stored the entire batch of supplies in his space.

Med check. Guns...eh, they'll do.

After leaving the villa, Qi Mo headed straight to the ironsmith.

The custom forged pieces he had ordered earlier were now ready.

The rest, Qi Mo had Uncle Da Tie store in the Huo family's security department warehouse first.

The car pulled into the mall, and Qi Mo carried the little one into a luxury store. Wall clocks, watches—all mechanical—lighters, also all mechanical, and several bottles of lighter fluid were purchased.

The price tags stung a little. After browsing around, Qi Mo picked a mid-range, mass-market brand and got ten of each item.

In the evening, Qi Mo went to the Jiang Family Food Processing Plant.

The wall was already under construction—her capable husband was proving thorough.

After filming wrapped up, Qi Huai glanced at his assistant: "So today's gossip about Boss Huo got scrubbed from the hot searches—who did it?"

The assistant looked back at Qi Huai. Duh. Obviously the Huo family. Otherwise, why would they block me from buying a spot? They already sent a warning.