Chapter 52: The Canary’s Self-Cultivation (17)
“Why are you here?” Ling Qiong’s face was full of curiosity.
This area—no matter where Shen Han Deng went, he would never end up here.
Unless…
“Did you come looking for me on purpose?”
Shen Han Deng let out a cold laugh, shattering Ling Qiong’s fantasy, “What are you imagining?”
“I’m thinking about you.”
“…”
Shen Han Deng glanced sideways; the young girl’s eyes were curved in a smile.
Shen Han Deng continued with a cold snort, thinking, She must be after my money.
…
Shen Han Deng was aware of the forum incident, but he didn’t interfere, letting Ling Qiong mess around as she liked.
He simply wanted to see what she could stir up.
He hadn’t expected her to be so capable.
But… where did she get the money to hire a lawyer? And not just any lawyer, but a top-tier one.
Did she rob a bank?
Shen Han Deng took Ling Qiong out for a meal.
Ling Qiong was still pondering why Shen Han Deng was being so proactive, since she hadn’t drawn any cards yet—when she spotted Zhou Jing.
Zhou Jing wore a polite smile, greeting them naturally, “I happened to be passing by, so I called you both to join me for a meal. Come, sit down.”
Shen Han Deng sat straight down, his face cold, refusing to engage in conversation.
Zhou Jing asked with genuine concern, “Is Han Deng adjusting well at school?”
“…”
“You’re not in the best health. I worry about you. If there’s anything you’re struggling with, you must tell me promptly.”
Shen Han Deng responded, “Heh.”
His lips twisted into a perfect cold sneer.
Zhou Jing seemed not to notice his resistance, “Your father entrusted you to me back then, so I must take good care of you. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be able to answer to him in the future.”
Her words were meant to disgust Shen Han Deng.
The coldness in Shen Han Deng’s eyes was gradually invaded by anger, hints of an impending outburst.
Ling Qiong glanced at him, then looked up at Zhou Jing, speaking sweetly, “General Manager Zhou is so considerate, always thinking of the young master. A stepmother like you is rare indeed—one could search with a lantern and never find another. You could easily win the annual Best Stepmother award. No one else in the stepmother world could compare; you’re truly the leader among them.”
Every word Ling Qiong spoke was proper.
Her tone was sugary and obedient, yet the repeated mention of ‘stepmother’ subtly altered the meaning…
It felt more like mockery.
This little girl, taking her money, now dared to mock her…
Zhou Jing’s expression didn’t change, “Everything I do is for Han Deng’s sake. Now that Miss Ye is here to care for him, I feel a bit more at ease.”
Ling Qiong followed up, “Rest assured, General Manager Zhou, I will take good care of the young master.”
Zhou Jing nodded, “Serve the food.”
Shen Han Deng suddenly stood up.
“I’m going to the restroom.”
He tossed out the words and walked straight out.
There was a bathroom in the private room, but Shen Han Deng left entirely.
Zhou Jing didn’t find it odd—he would avoid sharing a room with her whenever possible.
Once Shen Han Deng left, Zhou Jing’s smile faded slightly, “Miss Ye, do you remember what you need to do?”
Ling Qiong replied, “I’m doing it.”
Zhou Jing asked, “What did you mean just now?”
Ling Qiong blinked, “If I don’t say that, how would he believe I haven’t been bribed by you?”
Zhou Jing, “…”
Ling Qiong continued, “Someone like him doesn’t easily trust others, does he? I have to make him believe me first, then he’ll like me.”
Zhou Jing thought carefully—Shen Han Deng was indeed not easy to trust others.
All those previous caretakers were dismissed in less than a week.
Yet this little girl had lasted so long…
“I hope Miss Ye will quickly gain Shen Han Deng’s trust. Otherwise, your father…”
She hinted at something.
Ling Qiong didn’t catch on at all. She grinned, “Shen Han Deng’s birthday is coming up.”
“Hm?”
Ling Qiong’s lips curled into a smile, “It’s a great opportunity.”
Zhou Jing, “???”
…
When Ling Qiong returned, she had a card in her hand, radiating happiness, practically floating as she walked.
Shen Han Deng watched her coldly for a while, then couldn’t help but ask, “How did you trick it out of her?”
“Of course with my clever little brain.” Ling Qiong paused, glaring at him, “Who are you calling a trickster?”
“Then how did you get the card?”
“General Manager Zhou sponsored me!” Ling Qiong declared, proud and justified.
Shen Han Deng, “??”
Sponsored?
Zhou Jing?
…
Half a month later, Shen Han Deng learned what Zhou Jing had sponsored Ling Qiong for.
But…
Shen Han Deng stared at the lone birthday cake before him, “Zhou Jing gave you so much money, and you use this to fob me off?” Who was she trying to fool!
Ling Qiong, “What’s wrong? I made this cake myself, and you’re still dissatisfied?”
Shen Han Deng, “…”
Right, you made it at home.
All the ingredients were purchased by Kelly.
You just did the finishing touches.
In other words, not a cent spent.
Ling Qiong, “Are you eating or not?”
Shen Han Deng didn’t overturn the table but refused to eat, storming upstairs in a huff.
Ling Qiong, “…”
Ling Qiong scratched her head. Kelly, beside her, sighed and covered her face.
Homemade cakes had more meaning, but only if the young master didn’t know Zhou Jing had given her a sum of money.
As things stood now…
Miss Ye was truly something else.
Ling Qiong, full of bravado, said, “If he won’t eat it, I will! Not everyone gets to eat a birthday cake baked by their own father!”
Kelly, “…” Whose father?
Kelly hurriedly suggested, “Miss Ye, perhaps you should go upstairs and comfort the young master?”
Ling Qiong pouted, unwilling, “He’s already grown up, why should I coddle him? I won’t go.”
“But you really are a bit over the top. Didn’t Zhou Jing give you quite a bit of money? And you only prepared this for the young master…”
Other people’s canaries always went out of their way to please their benefactor.
Yet she, when she ordered the young master about, did so with utter confidence—as if it was perfectly natural. The odd thing was, sometimes the young master didn’t even get angry. It was hard to understand.
Ling Qiong raised her small hands, protesting, “What’s so bad about it? Is Zhou Jing’s money worth more than the cake I made myself?”
“…Do you have some misunderstanding about yourself?”
…
Shen Han Deng lay on his bed, covers pulled over his head.
His past birthdays were either spent being deliberately called over by Zhou Jing just to torment him, or alone.
So today was really no different.
But thinking about Ling Qiong made his head ache.
The more he thought, the angrier he got.
He kicked everything he could off the bed, finally curling up under the covers.
Shen Han Deng forced Ling Qiong from his mind, closed his eyes, and tried to sleep.
He wasn’t sure how long he slept; when he sat up, he glanced at the clock—ten thirty in the evening.
He threw off the quilt and got out of bed. His gaze swept past the doorway, then doubled back.
There was a large box there, tied with a ribbon.
“…”
What is this?
Shen Han Deng got up, walked over, examined the box, then gave it a kick.
He pulled out his phone, ready to call Kelly and have him take it away.
But for some reason, Shen Han Deng canceled the already dialed call.
He put the phone back in his pocket, circled the box twice, grabbed the end of the ribbon, and slowly pulled it open.