Chapter 32: Persistent Pursuit

The next day.

Since the two little ones were starting their new kindergarten, Wen Xuxu woke up early and whipped up their favorite breakfast—fluffy pancakes with honey and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

“Ruoruo, sweetie, time to wake up! Today’s the big day—you’re going to kindergarten!”

“Mmm… no way, no way… Ruoruo’s still not awake yet.”

Girls always love sleeping in. Drowsy and half-dreaming, Ruoruo mumbled into her pink little blanket cocoon, curling up like a sleepy silkworm, tangled so tight that even Mommy couldn’t peel her out.

Wen Xuxu nearly burst laughing.

Instead of yanking the blanket off, she gently tickled her daughter’s soft neck with one finger—and instantly, a cascade of giggles erupted from the bundle.

Her son, on the other hand, was far more efficient.

As soon as Mommy cracked open the door, he’d already shot out of his tiny bed, scrambled into his clothes, and marched straight to the closet like a tiny fashionista. Then, without a word, he disappeared into the bathroom.

Thirty minutes later, the whole family was ready.

“Mommy,” said Mo Bao, watching anxiously as his mom practically shoved him and his sister out the front door, “how long will it take for you to come pick us up? Don’t be late, okay?”

Wen Xuxu heard the worry in his voice and immediately reassured him: “No worries, baby. I’ll be right there at pickup time—on the dot.”

But from the backseat, the little fox and his sister exchanged a quick glance—and then both broke into quiet, mischievous grins.

*Oh-ho-ho. So Mommy’s not coming until after school? That gives us all the time we need.*

*You’re in trouble now, big bad mommy. Your Mo Ye is coming for you!*

—And indeed, Wen Xuxu had something important to do that day.

It was a promise she’d made with Xiao Lin: if Lord Heo was awake and feeling well by morning, she could go straight over. The excuse? Of course, continuing his treatment.

So she had to hustle—fast—to Shallow Bay.

She rushed into the pharmacy, handed the pharmacist her prescription, and just as she did, her phone buzzed.

“Madam,” came the message, “the CEO has woken up. You must come *now*!”

“…”

Without another second, Wen Xuxu urged the pharmacist to hurry with the meds, snatched the bag, and bolted out the door.

Ten minutes later, Shallow Bay.

Heo Si Jue was awake—fully awake.

Last night, he’d slept better than he had in years. For the first time in decades, he’d gotten a full, uninterrupted night’s rest.

And honestly? He felt *good*.

“Call a company meeting in thirty minutes—准时.”

Standing tall and rigid, the man exuded an energy he hadn’t felt in ages. He stared at himself in the mirror: navy-blue shirt, crisp collar, black trousers hugging his long legs like a tailored suit of armor. Every inch of him screamed power, elegance, and icy control.

“Yes, sir!”

Xiao Lin snapped open his phone and sent the alert across the group chat.

A few minutes later, Heo Si Jue adjusted his watch and turned toward the door.

“Um… sir… shouldn’t we wait for Miss Wen? She’s on her way—shouldn’t we let her check you over before you leave?”

“Lin Ziyang,” the man said coldly, pausing mid-stride, eyes locking onto the assistant like a blade, “are you suddenly *bored*?”

Lin Ziyang froze. A shiver ran down his spine.

*Okay. Not worth dying for.*

He shut up.

Better to stay silent and survive than risk getting fired—or worse—by meddling in things that weren’t his business.

He followed behind, resigned.

But no one saw it coming.

Just as they reached the door, a slender figure darted out of nowhere—*whoosh!*—and nearly slammed straight into Heo Si Jue’s chest.

Lin Ziyang: “…”

*Oh my god. The apocalypse is here. Run!*

He dove for cover, clutching his head like a coward.

Meanwhile, Wen Xuxu blinked, caught off guard, and stumbled back a step—staring up at the towering, stone-faced man who now loomed over her like a storm cloud.

“G-Good morning, Lord Heo,” she stammered, waving her hand like a nervous puppy. “J-Just heading in for work, uh… *hello*?”

She forced a grin, tail wagging (metaphorically), trying to look cheerful while silently screaming inside: *Why does this man have to be so damn intimidating?!*