Chapter 37: The Rich Heir vs. the Poor Lad

"Why did Mommy come back?"
"Because the kindergarten’s on break, big brother. I didn’t know they only had morning classes on Wednesdays! The teacher said they needed to disinfect the classroom, so no kids could stay. So I called Grandma Lan right away—she came to pick me up and bring me to find you!"

柔柔宝贝 (Rourou Bao Bao) said this with a proud little grin, puffing out her chest like she’d just pulled off a major mission.

She’d used the phone number her brother left behind to track down Grandma Lan—and even convinced her to come out and help find him!

Ruoruo skipped hand-in-hand with her brother toward the classroom.

Sure enough, as soon as they stepped inside, Teacher Li from Class 2-Middle waved them over. "Ruoruo! You found your big brother? Great! Come here—your mommy’s almost here. Grab your backpacks, and we’ll all go out together."

"Okay!"

Ruoruo chirped in her sweet, high-pitched voice, pulling her tiny backpack from under the desk and slinging it onto her shoulders.

Huo Yin: ……

This was nothing like anything he’d ever experienced—or even imagined.

He *had* gone to kindergarten once, but it was the most elite school in the entire city. Crystal-clear glass windows, manicured gardens, private tutors, and families with names that made headlines. Kids there wore designer clothes and spoke three languages by age four.

So this? A teacher who smiled like she actually cared, kids laughing and sharing snacks, the whole room buzzing with warmth and chaos? Impossible.

Still, Huo Yin let Ruoruo strap the backpack onto his small frame, then followed the teacher out the door.

"Mommy! You’re here!"

As soon as they emerged, Ruoruo spotted a familiar figure waiting at the gate. Her eyes lit up, and she took off like a rocket, tiny feet flying across the pavement.

Huo Yin: ……

Mommy?

That wasn’t their family doctor? They’d just parted ways at Dad’s office not an hour ago—how did she suddenly become *their* mom?

Huo Yin froze, staring at the two figures embracing in front of him. His mind spun.

"Mo Mo? Why aren’t you coming over? Dumbfounded? It’s Mommy! Hurry up—we’re going home!"

Wen Xuxu noticed her son hadn’t moved. She waved frantically, her voice tight with worry.

Strange… why wasn’t he smiling today? Was he mad because she was late?

She set down Ruoruo and walked straight toward him.

"Mo Mo, what’s wrong? Are you still upset because I didn’t come sooner? I’m so sorry—I didn’t know the kindergarten only runs mornings today. When I got the call, it was already too late. Please don’t be mad, okay?"

She reached out to gently stroke his head.

C

But before her fingers even touched him, the boy flinched—his head jerking sideways like he’d been burned.

Wen Xuxu: ……

In that split second, she nearly believed she wasn’t looking at her own child.

Instead, she saw *him*—the quiet, sharp-eyed boy she’d met just that morning. The one named Huo Yin.

"Mo Mo?"

"...I can walk myself."

Huo Yin gave her one cold, clipped sentence, then turned and marched forward, small legs moving fast.

Wen Xuxu stood frozen, stunned. Then, slowly, she snapped back into motion. She scooped up Ruoruo and hurried after him.

"Mo Mo, are you really mad? Okay, okay, I’m sorry! How about this—let me buy you your favorite ice cream cone?"

"Yay! Yay! Mommy, I want strawberry! And I want grilled hot dogs—smoky and crispy!"

Huo Yin didn’t answer. But Ruoruo clapped her hands with delight.

Twenty minutes later, Wen Xuxu finally returned home after picking up groceries, dragging both children behind her. By then, the two had demolished two ice cream cones, two grilled hot dogs, and an entire box of fresh-out-of-the-oven egg tarts.

"Big brother, was it good?"

Ruoruo, the ultimate foodie, popped another bite into her round little mouth as she entered. She barely paused between chews to ask.

This was normal for them—just another day in their chaotic little world.

Huo Yin held an egg tart in one hand, awkward and stiff, yet unable to resist its golden, flaky goodness.

"Mm…"

He finally nodded, biting into it again. Crumbs dusted his lips.

It *was* delicious. He’d never tasted anything like it before. Dad had always forbidden it—said his body wasn’t strong enough. So all his meals came from special, sterile kitchens designed just for him. Outside food? Never allowed.

Seeing the kids happily devouring their treats, Wen Xuxu went into the kitchen to start cooking.

A few minutes later, the phone rang.

"Mo Mo, can you answer it for me? I’m in the kitchen—see who’s calling?"

……

Huo Yin glanced at the ringing phone on the TV stand. After a long pause, he stood up, walked over, and picked up the receiver.

"Hello?"

"Huo Yin?"

The voice on the other end startled him. No greeting. No “hello.” Just his name—spoken like it belonged to the person on the line.

Huo Yin’s eyes widened.

"Who is this?"

"I’m Mo Mo. Aren’t you at my house right now? My mom and my little sister both call you Mo Mo."

The voice was playful, light—almost teasing. It sounded a little like his own, but brighter, quicker, full of mischief. Like a fox with a smile tucked in every syllable.

Mo Mo?

So *that* was him?

Huo Yin’s face darkened instantly.