Yan Xinxin blinked her clear almond-shaped eyes, cautiously looking at Mo Chuxi.
However, the man continued eating breakfast by himself, his face perpetually cold, exuding an aloof demeanor that screamed "I don't want to talk to you."
Yan Xinxin felt stifled inside, but she still forced a smile and spoke up.
"President Mo, I need to take Xi to kindergarten later, but my schedule is packed with classes all day today, so..."
As she spoke, she reached out to gently pat little Chenxi's head.
"Can I trouble you to look after little Chenxi for the whole day?"
As soon as Yan Xinxin finished her sentence, Mo Chuxi's movements while eating slightly slowed down.
He lifted his intense, deep-set eyes from Yan Xinxin's smiling yet delicate face to the chubby-cheeked little Chenxi's baby-like face.
A pair of bright, watery eyes stared at him, looking so innocent and bewildered.
"You want me to look after a child for you?"
Mo Chuxi frowned and gazed at Yan Xinxin.
"Do you know how much I have to get done every day? How many documents I have to deal with? Letting your daughter tag along with me in and out of the office—do you think that's appropriate?"
Hearing the last line, Yan Xinxin pointed at herself in exasperation.
"If you couldn't manage parenting, why give birth to them in the first place? And TWO of them, no less—only to end up with a husband who abandoned his wife and children..."
Mo Chuxi was about to continue, but right at that moment, he suddenly felt a tickle in his nose.
Yan Xinxin abruptly stood up, the reproachful words at the tip of her tongue instantly halted.
She couldn't afford to anger him.
Her father still needed his help to get an early release from prison.
Yan Xinxin tried her best to suppress the fury bubbling in her chest, slowly convincing herself, and finally managed to squeeze out a smile.
"Young Master Mo, Great President Mo, you're so handsome—surely you must have a kind heart too, right?"
Mo Chuxi's eyebrows knitted at the sudden flattery from Yan Xinxin.
Glancing up, he saw the woman in front of him smiling brightly, her curved eyebrows and radiant expression as fresh and lovely as the dewdrops at dawn.
Something brushed past Mo Chuxi's heartstrings, like a tickle that oddly brought mild pleasure.
"Look at how adorable little Chenxi is—just let her stay with you for the day. She's very well-behaved and won't cause you any trouble!"
Yan Xinxin pleaded earnestly.
Mo Chuxi turned his gaze to little Chenxi, whose big, round eyes stared intently at him without blinking. Her lips stayed silent, but it felt like her eyes were speaking, already convincing him...
"Yan Xinxin, just this once."
After a few seconds of deliberation, Mo Chuxi seemed to reluctantly agree.
Yan Xinxin joyfully clasped little Chenxi's hand.
"Little Chenxi, you have to listen to this uncle today, okay?"
Mo Chuxi immediately lost his appetite for the half-finished glass of milk in his hand, a gloomy look washing over his elegant face.
Sitting nearby, Yan Chenxi rested her tiny chin on one hand, looking like a miniature adult, watching the scene unfold with a suppressed urge to speak.
After breakfast, Yan Xinxin swiftly tidied up the kitchen, then led little Chenxi to Mo Chuxi's side.
"President Mo, I'm leaving little Chenxi in your care. I'll pick her up after school. Thank you!"
As Yan Xinxin spoke, she gently directed little Chenxi's tiny hand toward Mo Chuxi.
Little Chenxi lifted her round, glass-like eyes toward Mo Chuxi, who remained motionless, her small head drooping slightly in disappointment.
Noticing little Chenxi's reaction, Yan Xinxin paused momentarily, then suddenly extended her free hand, grasped Mo Chuxi's right hand, and swiftly placed little Chenxi's left hand into his palm.
The sudden softness of the child's hand caught Mo Chuxi off guard, and he froze momentarily.
"Bye-bye, little Chenxi. See you later."
"Bye-bye, Sister Xinxin. Bye-bye, Brother Xi."
Mo Chuxi was taken aback. Sister... Xinxin?