Chapter 22: Finally Home

Wen Xuxu saw it all, but didn’t push him. Instead, she patiently peeled the cigarette box paper apart right in front of him, brushing off the crumpled bits on her lap until—voilà—a perfectly intact piece of foil emerged.

“Yin Yin! Look!!”

Huo Yin: ……

Still silent, but unmistakably, his dull eyes flickered with a sudden spark.

So… was her son finally catching on?

A jolt of joy shot through Wen Xuxu’s chest. She seized the moment, handing one of the foil sheets to him.

“Come on, try it yourself. We’ll need a bunch more of these. You help Auntie, we’ll do it together—faster, okay?”

“Mm…”

Finally, Huo Yin nodded. His pale little hand reached out and took the foil, then he crouched down beside her.

Amazing!

Wen Xuxu nearly bounced with excitement. She stole a glance at him—his lowered brows, the delicate curve of his face, the thick lashes like a fan fluttering over his cheeks—all so perfect, so eerily like her own little treasure, Mo Bao.

And something else struck her: once focused, the boy softened completely. His sharp edges melted into something tender.

Yin Yin… don’t worry. Mama will make it up to you. I’ll keep trying—until you’re ready to forgive me.

After about ten minutes of careful work, mother and son finally finished gluing the foil onto the drone.

“Yin Yin, done! Go ahead—test it! See if it flies higher now?”

“Okay…”

This time, Huo Yin said a different word. Then he picked up the drone and reactivated it. And sure enough—right after power-up, the thing shot straight up from the sea surface, soaring dozens of meters into the sky.

“See? See? Auntie wasn’t lying! The foil really does boost it!”

Wen Xuxu clapped her hands with glee.

Huo Yin looked pleased too. Even his usually expressionless lips curved into a faint, rare smile.

That was exactly what Huo Sijue walked in on.

His son—normally stoic, unreadable—was standing by the railing, actually *smiling*. And worse? That woman—the dead woman he’d sworn to banish—was right there beside him, clapping and grinning like she belonged in this child’s world.

Wen Xuxu!!

A wave of fury exploded in Huo Sijue’s chest. His chiseled jaw clenched, his face darkened like storm clouds gathering.

“What are you two doing?” His voice cracked like a whip. “Wen Xuxu—*who gave you permission* to see him? How dare you? Are your words just empty air?”

Each word was bitten out, slow and venomous, as if dragged from between his teeth.

Wen Xuxu paled instantly—like ice water dumped over her head. Her joy, her hope, shattered in an instant. Cold seeped into her bones.

“I—I didn’t—”

“Guards! Take the young master back. And lock up this woman again. No one opens that door without my order.”

The man with bloodshot eyes didn’t even let her speak. He didn’t want to hear her. One harsh command, and two security guards rushed forward, lifting Huo Yin away.

Wen Xuxu was seized and dragged backward by two others.

It wasn’t entirely unfair—he’d warned her before. He’d made it clear: no harm to Huo Yin. And she’d promised.

But there was another truth, deeper and darker: Huo Yin was *his*. Raised by him. Raised in his shadow. And men like Huo Sijue didn’t tolerate anyone touching what was theirs.

As she was hauled toward the cabin, her mind spun in chaos.

“No—Huo Sijue, listen! I’ve thought about it. I can fix this. I swear I won’t hurt him. Please believe me!”

She pleaded, desperate. Just moments ago, they’d been laughing together—she’d seen the light in his eyes. If only she could have one more chance…

But Huo Sijue only scoffed.

“Fix it? Wen Xuxu, *what* are you going to use to fix it? A woman who ran away for freedom? Who would rather die than stay? What right do you have to come near him?”

Silence.

“You listen to me clearly,” he growled, turning to leave. “If you want your family in A City to stay safe—you’d better behave. Or I won’t hold back.”

The words landed like a blade.

Even her rage, her fury, choked down in her throat.

Her family in A City—just her aunt and cousins.

And her two precious ones were staying with them right now.

Wen Xuxu ground her teeth, hatred boiling behind her eyes.

She wanted to scream. To fight. To tear the world apart.

But she couldn’t.

Not while they were still in danger.