Mu Qianshui’s hand had just been raised in mid-air when Yan Xinxin firmly grabbed it.
"Yan Xinxin, let go of me!"
"You think I’m dying to touch your precious Mu Qianshui hands?"
Yan Xinxin disdainfully flung Mu Qianshui’s hand aside.
"If it weren’t for Chenxi’s sake, I would’ve slapped you across the face just now."
Mu Qianshui laughed like she had just heard the funniest joke in the world.
"You think you dare slap me? A broke and penniless woman, unmarried mother at eighteen, a family in utter chaos, a father in prison, a worthless mother, and a money-grubbing sister. Someone like you thinks they can slap me? Where’s your cour—"
Before Mu Qianshui could finish, Yan Xinxin’s hand landed harshly on the left side of her face.
The smile on her face disappeared, replaced by shock—and disbelief.
"Mu Qianshui, listen carefully. I don’t need anyone to give me courage to slap you. You ask me why? Simply because I, Yan Xinxin, want to!"
At these words, Mu Qianshui ground her teeth furiously, lifting a hand to touch her stinging cheek.
"Yan Xinxin, you’ll regret this. That slap—you just wait; I’ll repay it tenfold before long!"
Leaving behind her harsh words, Mu Qianshui swung around abruptly, her long, voluminous curls flipping with her movement.
Under the bright sunlight streaming in, Yan Xinxin caught sight of a single strand of hair falling from Mu Qianshui’s locks onto the floor.
Yan Xinxin stood still for a few seconds, then slowly crouched down and picked up the hair.
"Mama, don’t fight with Sister Qianshui. She might just be in a bad mood."
Little Chenxi walked up to Yan Xinxin’s side, trying to speak kindly on Mu Qianshui’s behalf.
Yan Xinxin turned back with a soft smile and gently stroked the little one’s head.
"Xixi, you’re such a good boy. How about Mama takes you downstairs to find Auntie now?"
Yan Xinxin beamed warmly and planted a light kiss on the little one’s cheek.
She took Little Chenxi’s tiny hand in hers, quietly slipping Mu Qianshui’s strand of hair into her pocket as she did so...
On the weekend, the bustling city-center arcade was packed with excited customers.
Mo Chuxi, clad in all black and wearing sunglasses, stood tall with Yan Chenxi, the young boy whose equally proud, handsome face mirrored his own, by his side.
"Chuxi Daddy, I want to play this one!"
The boy pointed toward the simulated shooting game booth.
Mo Chuxi raised an elegant brow.
Yan Chenxi answered without hesitation.
Stuff like adding names didn’t bother him now—Mo Chuxi was already Little Xinxin’s husband, so sooner or later, he’d naturally be his dad too.
Mo Chuxi smirked in satisfaction, inserted Game Coins into the machine, and handed the toy gun to the boy.
"Do you know how to use it?"
"Of course!" This text is hosted at NoveIꜰire.net
Yan Chenxi proudly tilted his little head upward, holding the toy gun in proper form, squinting as he aimed.
As he pulled the trigger, the dart-like projectile barely skimmed past the target he was aiming for.
"That one doesn’t count. I’m trying again!"
Yan Chenxi objected defiantly.
Mo Chuxi chuckled softly, inserted a few more Game Coins, and then squatted down, taking the boy’s hand in his own.
His voice carried a gentle tone as he guided the boy into properly holding the toy gun.
"When you feel like your line of sight and your target are perfectly aligned, that’s your moment to pull the trigger."
Yan Chenxi nodded his head vigorously.
A few moments later, the little boy squinted intently and pulled the trigger once more.