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CHAPTER 15: "Don't Call Him Daddy—He Might Hear You"
Dedicated to my super fan, Ryan 😘
We went back to the party, but first, Jinye detoured to a luxury mall and bought Yin a new dress. She wanted to return to the celebration—after all, it was her mother-in-law's birthday. No pressure, right?
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AT THE DONG FAMILY MANSION
This time, Jinye didn't just walk in—nope, he carried her into the hall like a literal fairytale prince. Bridal style, jawline sharp, suit crisp. Everyone turned. Shao and Xou Gu nearly coughed up their bitterness watching them. And me? I strutted behind like I belonged on that red carpet too, even though no one could see me. 🤭
He laid her gently on the guestroom couch like she was made of glass. "I'll go let everyone know you're here," he whispered.
But before he could leave, she called out, "Wait."
He turned like lightning. "Yes, baby?"
She smiled and kissed his cheek. "Thank you."
He stared at her like she just gave him the moon. "What am I going to do with you?" he murmured.
"Sort it out later," she teased.
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A soft knock came at the door.
"Come in," she said.
I peeped too—because obviously, that wasn't Jinye's knock. The door opened slowly, and then I saw him…
A tiny, precious, painfully adorable little boy. I call him "kitty" because that's what he looked like—soft eyes, baby face, shy little hands. He was maybe five years old, but his cuteness was criminal.
Yin's heart melted instantly. "Awwn baby, come here," she said, opening her arms.
He shuffled forward, eyes wide. She scooped him up and kissed his chubby cheek.
"What's your name, sweetheart?"
"Zh... Zhong…" he whispered, voice shaky like a scared little mouse.
"Zhong? That's so cute. Call me Yin, okay?" she kissed his other cheek and he practically melted into goo.
But then—
Boom. Door slammed open.
Jinye.
He stopped cold when he saw the child in Yin's arms.
"What are you doing here?" he said, voice like ice.
Poor Zhong flinched and scrambled to stand, head low like a punished puppy. Yin looked at Jinye in confusion.
"This child is adorable. Whose son is he? I want to be friends with his mom," she said sweetly.
"Don't make me repeat myself," Jinye growled.
Zhong ran out like the devil was on his heels.
"Zhong—wait!" Yin ran after him, but Jinye grabbed her wrist.
"Let go! You're hurting me," she gasped.
He released her. "Stay away from that boy."
"Why?" she shouted. "He's just a child!"
"He's bad luck."
"Bullsh*t," she snapped. "How can a child be bad luck?!"
"Yin, he's my son!" he shouted.
Silence.
She stumbled backward and fell on the bed.
"I... I didn't mean to yell," he said softly.
But she hugged her knees, trembling like a leaf. "Stay away… please… don't hurt me."
"I'd never hurt you, Yin," he whispered. He reached out, but she flinched.
"Stay away, young master… please…" her voice cracked.
He hugged her tightly anyway, whispering apologies—but she shoved him away and ran out.
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She dashed blindly through the mansion until she found a random room and locked herself inside, breathing hard. She sank to the floor.
Then… a gentle tap.
Zhong.
He had tears in his eyes but came to her like a brave little warrior. She wrapped him in a warm hug and kissed his cheeks.
"I'll protect you from him," she whispered.
At the word "daddy," his smile dropped.
"Where's your mommy?" she asked.
He didn't answer, just clung tighter.
Yin carried him to the bathroom, cleaned them both up, and stepped out—only to bump into none other than Mrs. Dong herself.
"Happy birthday, Mom," Yin said.
"Thank you," the woman replied curtly. But then she saw Zhong and softened.
"You've met Little Dong?"
"Yes, and I love him. I want to take him home—with your permission."
Zhong clutched Yin tighter and gave his grandma the saddest puppy eyes.
Mrs. Dong smiled briefly, then wiped it off. "Only three days. If he doesn't like it, he comes back."
Yin lit up and hugged her. "Thank you, Mother!"
"Don't do that again," Mrs. Dong muttered, embarrassed.
Yin turned to Zhong. "You hear that, baby? You're coming home with me!"
"...T-thanks," he whispered.
The entire mansion stopped breathing. That boy… had never spoken before.
"What did you do to my grandson?" Mrs. Dong whispered. "Jinye said he was cursed. That boy hasn't spoken a word since he was born. He's sick. Broken. But look at him with you..."
Yin hugged them both. "He's not broken. He just needed someone to love him."
Tears welled in Mrs. Dong's eyes.
"Can I ask…" Yin started carefully. "Why does Jinye hate his own son?"
Mrs. Dong sighed. "Zhong's mother died giving birth. Jinye was drugged, assaulted her, and she got pregnant. She was underage. He was jailed. We pulled strings to protect the family name, but he never forgave himself… or the child. To him, Zhong is a reminder of everything he lost."
Yin kissed Zhong's head. "Then I'll be what he gains. From today… he's mine."
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Narrator's Note 📝
Whew! That was emotional. So, what do you think? Will Jinye finally accept his son? Or will Yin have to fight for both their hearts?
Follow along, drama lovers, because this ride's not over yet 😘
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