His Maybach was parked not far away, with Xiao Mo walking up to stand by his side.
Shen Chi had one hand in his trouser pocket and with the other, he took out a lighter to light up a cigarette.
Xiao Mo found Shen Chiâs thoughts quite elusive; what was this man thinking about now?
Feeling that he had been too lenient with Jian Sisi?
Xiao Mo stayed silent, just standing there with Shen Chi.
Smoke curled around Shen Chiâs side; his deep gaze turned skyward, fixing on the moon hanging aloft.
âPresident Shen, are you still thinking about Jian Sisiâs matter?â After a long while, Xiao Mo finally spoke up.
âIâm thinking about Shen Shihanâs issue.â
âZhuo Fanâs lead has gone cold, but Iâve also been tracking down that truck from last time.â
âAny results?â
âVice President Shen is very shrewd. When I went to check on the truck, I found out it had already been destroyed.â
âWith that batch of goods in his hands, itâs as if he has accumulated another huge sum of money.â
âItâs my mistake; I will speed up the process,â Xiao Mo apologized.
The more funds Shen Shihan gathered, the greater the threat to Shen Group and Shen Chi.
âI asked you to check on Xu Chaomuâs information; how is it coming along?â Shen Chi took a drag from his cigarette and turned to look at Xiao Mo.
âI didnât find much, just scattered bits and pieces, only some basic stuff. Iâll sort through it and send it to you.â
âMhm.â
The cigarette in Shen Chiâs hand was nearly reduced to ashes. He took a drag, then threw the butt to the ground.
Black leather shoes stepped on it, grinding the cigarette stub out.
He strode towards his Maybach, opened the door, and settled into the driverâs seat.
Xiao Mo followed over: âPresident Shen, let me drive youâ¦â
âNo need,â Shen Chi closed the car window.
âThen take care,â Xiao Mo bent over.
Shen Chi stepped on the gas and turned the steering wheel, driving the car out of this desolate area.
He glanced at his watch; it was already half-past nine in the evening.
The Maybach quickly disappeared from sight, and Xiao Mo watched until Shen Chi was gone before getting into his own car.
In the Shen Family villa, Xu Chaomu had been learning to knit a sweater with Butler Ling.
Butler Ling taught with patience, and Xu Chaomu learned with earnestness.
âNo, no, this lace should be hooked like this,â Butler Ling showed Xu Chaomu how to do it by hand.
âOh!â Xu Chaomu had an epiphany.
As Butler Ling watched on, Xu Chaomu knitted beside her, the pink sweater already a small halfway done.
âChaomu, the lace pattern youâre knitting is suitable for a young girl,â Butler Ling said.
âI have a little girl in my belly,â Xu Chaomu laughed.
âReally? Have you checked?â Butler Ling looked at Xu Chaomu affectionately.
After returning five years later, there had been no one else in the Shen Family; she always treated Shen Chi and Xu Chaomu like her own children.
Especially Xu Chaomu, an orphan girl, she was even more willing to act as her mother, listening to her share thoughts from her heart.
So, most of the time, she was on Xu Chaomuâs side.
If Shen Chi bullied Xu Chaomu, she was more likely to side with her.
âNoâ¦â Xu Chaomu said, shaking her head with a smile.
âThen how can you be sure itâs a girl? Maybe itâs a boy, or even twins!â Butler Ling laughed.
However, the chances of twins were not very high; after all, it had been over three months, and Xu Chaomuâs belly wasnât very big.
One could barely tell she was pregnant in summer clothes; in winter, it wouldnât be noticeable at all.
âButler Ling, youâre just trying to make me feel happy.â
A sweet smile appeared on Xu Chaomuâs face, wishing for twins would be nice, but unfortunately, that wasnât the case.
She unfolded the sweater in her hands and said with a laugh, âNo matter if itâs a boy or a girl, they have to wear what their mom knits. If they dare to complain, spank them.â
Butler Ling also laughed: âIf itâs a boy, heâs going to cry wearing your sweater.â
The sweater Xu Chaomu was knitting was not only pink but it also had many pretty laces, clearly meant for a girl.
âDare to cry, Iâll spank him,â Xu Chaomu huffed.
âChaomu, do you hope for a boy or a girl?â Butler Ling asked.
âA girl,â Xu Chaomu replied without hesitation, effortlessly.
âThe Fourth Master also likes daughters.â
Butler Ling sighed internally; if the child in Xu Chaomuâs belly was Shen Chiâs, it would have been wonderful.
Itâs a pity, many things are not so perfect.
The only relief was that Xu Chaomu stayed by Shen Chiâs side. Although, even she didnât know if Xu Chaomu truly wished to stay or was forced to.
What about the future?
When the child is born, what would the biological father do? At that time, what will the Fourth Master do?
Xu Chaomu, however, was carefree, continuing to knit her sweater, oblivious to Butler Lingâs thoughts.
âChaomu, are you hungry? Let me make you some snacks,â Butler Ling offered.
âIâm not hungry yet, I ate a lot for dinner.â
Butler Ling nodded, sitting beside Xu Chaomu, continuing to watch her knit the sweater.
âButler Ling, what do you think Shen Chi is out doing so late?â Xu Chaomu asked casually, as if the thought just occurred to her.
âIt could be a social engagement, or possibly work-related matters.â
âBefore⦠was he always this busy at night?â
Xu Chaomuâs tone was casual again, seemingly just an offhand question.
Butler Ling knew exactly what this âbeforeâ meantâXu Chaomu was probably referring to those five yearsâ¦
âBack then, the Fourth Master would usually come back around dawn, sometimes he wouldnât return the whole night.â
âQuite an active nightlife,â Xu Chaomu stated flatly.
Though she said so, her heart ached a bit. Who called him smart? Heâs just an idiot, a complete fool!
Butler Ling had told her before that when Shen Chi didnât come home, he was usually out socializing or drinking.
Drinking until he had a bleeding stomach, drinking until migraines set in.
During those five years without her, thatâs how he tormented himself, pushing himself to the brink of death.
âSince you came back, the Fourth Master has a more regular life, which puts me at ease,â Butler Ling said.
During those five years, Butler Ling worried every day, fearing that if she wasnât careful, Shen Chi would end up in hospital again.
She remembered the six months right after Xu Chaomu left; Shen Chi was almost in the hospital monthly.
The doctor repeatedly warned him not to drink, but it was as if he was deaf. At that time, Shen Chi was exactly someone no one dared to counsel.
Xu Chaomu and Butler Ling talked for a while longer; most of the time, Butler Ling spoke while she listened.
Around nine oâclock, Xu Chaomu put away her things: âButler Ling, Iâm going to go upstairs to sleep.â
âAlright, Iâll make you a cup of milk. Drink it before sleep; itâs good for your sleep.â
Xu Chaomu nodded, packed away the yarn, and headed upstairs.
She guessed Shen Chi wouldnât come back tonight. These few days, they hadnât spoken much; she didnât know whether this manâs jealousy had subsided yet.
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