Walking out of the towering skyscraper, Yan Xinxin's thoughts were still a chaotic mess.
All she wanted was to finish her college education smoothly and raise her son properly. She had never imagined getting tangled up with someone like Mo Chuxi, a scion of a wealthy family.
But now, it seemed she truly had no other choice.
If she didn't cooperate with Mo Chuxi, it would mean she could no longer continue her studies peacefully...
"Yan Xinxin!"
Waiting at the entrance for quite a while, Yan Zhirou immediately blocked Yan Xinxin's path with a dark expression the moment she saw her walk out.
"I can't believe how good you are at seducing people. You even managed to cozy up to Young Master Mo. I really underestimated you!"
Looking at Yan Zhirou's flustered and exasperated appearance, Yan Xinxin found it laughable.
"What's wrong? Feeling upset? But isn't it thanks to you, my dear sister, that I was able to connect with that big-shot CEO Mo?"
Yan Zhirou froze briefly at those words.
"Yan Xinxin, what do you mean by that? Say it clearly to me!"
"There's nothing more to say between us."
Yan Xinxin cast a disappointed glance at Yan Zhirou before turning to walk away.
"Yan Xinxin, Young Master Mo is the man I want. You better not fight me for him, or I'll tell him about your premarital pregnancy. And about last night—your scandalous behavior with some other man—I'll tell him everything!"
Yan Zhirou glared at Yan Xinxin's graceful retreating figure, issuing her threat.
Yan Xinxin paused slightly, then turned her delicate profile and smiled at the furious Yan Zhirou.
"Then go ahead and tell him. Who knows, maybe he'll give you a 'reward.'"
With those calm words, Yan Xinxin turned away with composure, leaving Yan Zhirou standing in place, mortified and enraged.
"You... Yan Xinxin, you just wait!"
——
Yan Xinxin picked up Yan Chenxi from the hospital. With no other options, she had no choice but to send her son to kindergarten.
Since she had no classes that afternoon, her plan was to quickly find a suitable rental apartment. However, halfway through, she received a call from the owner of the store where she worked part-time, forcing her to return to work.
Yan Xinxin worked part-time at a dessert and ice cream shop located in the city center plaza. It was often busy, but the pay was decent.
For the sake of her meager savings, she poured all her energy into her part-time job. Only by working hard could she afford her tuition and her son's upbringing.
Pressed for time, Yan Xinxin got off the subway and began jogging. She was about to enter the plaza when, suddenly, a petite figure darted out from the right. Unable to stop in time, Yan Xinxin collided head-on with the little girl.
"Bang—" With a loud thud, the two of them fell to the ground simultaneously.
Yan Xinxin winced in pain, furrowing her brows briefly before sitting up slowly.
When she looked up, she saw an incomparably delicate little face—arched brows, large eyes like sparkling grapes, and exquisitely sculpted features etched onto the doll-like visage. The girl's appearance was stunningly beautiful, like a porcelain doll that mesmerized the eye.
Gazing at this little face, Yan Xinxin inexplicably felt a moment of daze. Snapping out of it, she quickly helped the fallen little girl up.
"Are you okay, dear? Did you get hurt?"
Yan Xinxin asked with concern, gently brushing the dust off the girl's white dress.
The little girl shook her head, her big, glistening eyes filled with an inexplicable sense of grievance as she looked at Yan Xinxin.
Yan Xinxin's heart skipped a beat under that gaze—something about it felt off.
She glanced around. There were many passersby, yet it seemed there were no adults accompanying this young girl.
"Where are your parents, little one?"
"Mama."
"...Huh?"
Yan Xinxin widened her eyes in astonishment. Mama? Was the child calling her Mama?