Chapter 45: Time to Find Mommy a New Boyfriend

Wen Xuxu didn’t get home until three hours later.

She’d gone to consult a lawyer about fighting for custody of her eldest son—only to be crushed by the news. After hearing her story, the lawyer looked at her with pity and said flatly: the chances of winning back custody were virtually zero.

First, there was the issue of her fake death status.
Second, the other side had too much power—she couldn’t even begin to stand a chance.

The fake death thing? That was manageable. She could just re-register her户籍, reinstate her legal identity, then divorce that bastard husband. Given how much he despised her, he’d probably jump at the chance to say goodbye.

But the *power* issue? That pissed her off more than anything.

How was she supposed to go up against someone like him? The Ho family wasn’t just some local business—it was now a global powerhouse, one of the most respected names in international commerce.

Exhausted, Wen Xuxu finally stepped through her front door.

“Mommy! You’re finally back! Uncle Qiao came over—he brought us so many things!”

She hadn’t even made it past the threshold when she heard her daughter’s cheerful voice. Mo Bao was already bouncing around, welcoming her with open arms. Xiao Ruoruo dashed over, sucking on a lollipop, grinning from ear to ear as she chattered.

Uncle Qiao—the friend she’d asked to watch the kids the last time she’d dropped them off. They’d met years ago abroad, long before any of this mess began.

Wen Xuxu blinked, pulled herself together, and stepped inside.

“Oh, it’s Shi Qian! Did these two little troublemakers call you again? Made you drive all the way out here?”

“Nope,” he said, smiling gently. “I came on purpose. It’s been days since I last saw them—only that first day after they got back. And then you came home… I never got a chance to visit.”

Qiao Shi Qian was also a lawyer—quiet, composed, wearing thin-rimmed glasses that gave him an air of scholarly calm. His features were refined, his presence soft but steady. Just looking at him made the room feel lighter.

Wen Xuxu glanced around at the messy living space—clothes strewn about, toys piled high—and winced.

“Sorry, Shi Qian… I didn’t know you were coming. The house is such a disaster.”

“It’s fine,” he said with a small, easy smile. “We don’t need all this formality between us. By the way,” he added, eyes flicking toward her, “Mo Bao told me you went to see a patient today. How did it go? Is the person better?”

“…”

Just mentioning it sent a cold wave through her.

“He’s not getting better. Forget it. Don’t worry about him.” Her voice cracked with bitterness.

Then, after a pause, she suddenly remembered something.

“Hey, Shi Qian—you’re a lawyer too, right? I’ve got a question. If a couple divorces and the court decides child custody… does the fact that one parent is super rich basically mean the other has no shot at all?”

“Custody?”

He settled back into the small sofa, posture elegant, eyes lingering on her for a beat longer than necessary.

“Yeah. Basically zero.”

“…”

For a moment, Wen Xuxu felt like the wind had been knocked out of her.

Seeing her expression—deflated, defeated—Qiao Shi Qian couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

“But don’t panic yet. Money helps, sure—but it’s not everything. The law *does* allow for custody to be stripped under certain circumstances.”

“Really?” Her head snapped up, hope flaring like a spark in the dark.

“Yes. For example, if the parent harms the child—or if they’re convicted of a crime. So… is someone you know going through something like that?”

He explained carefully, then added casually, almost teasingly.

He wasn’t usually one to pry, but this was the first time she’d mentioned custody issues. Curiosity tugged at him.

Unfortunately, Wen Xuxu wasn’t ready to share.

She waved a hand dismissively. “Just a friend. She’s getting divorced, but her ex’s holding onto the kid. She wanted to know what her options are.”

Qiao Shi Qian smiled, amused.

Meanwhile, Mo Bao—silent and observant the whole time—had been eavesdropping. Now, his mouth fell open in shock, forming a perfect “O.”

*Custody?!*

Was Mommy planning to take back Hao Yin’s custody?

Whoa… Mommy, you’re *insane*—in the best way possible! If she actually pulls it off, the three of us can finally be a real family again. With Mommy, we’ll be complete.

And that *daddy*?

Mo Bao’s eyes darted across the room—landing on Uncle Qiao, who was still watching Wen Xuxu from the corner, quiet and attentive.

A sly glint flashed in his crescent-shaped eyes.

“Wow, Uncle Qiao, you’re amazing! Why don’t you just teach Mommy how to do it? She doesn’t know *anything*!”

“Teach her?”

“Yeah! After dinner, you can take her to class or whatever. Don’t worry—I’ll take care of my sister.”

The little guy was sharp as a knife. Once he realized Dad preferred that *other woman*, he’d already started pushing Mommy to find someone new.

Hmph.

Does Mommy not have anyone chasing after her? There are *so many* people who want her.