Chapter 61: The Canary’s Self-Cultivation (26)
Kelly learned more about how long Shen Handeng had been holding the child and concluded that this little one was most likely lost. The adults were simply too irresponsible. No one had come looking for her after such a long time.
Kelly composed herself, crouched before the child, and tried to communicate, “Little one, where are your parents?”
The child shook her head softly, “I don’t know.”
“Then why are you here alone?”
“I’m looking for my mom.”
“Where is your mom?”
“I don’t know.”
“Do you remember your mom’s phone number?”
“I don’t.”
“What’s your name?”
“Song Qingyu.”
The child only knew her own name and age; she had no other information. Kelly went to the hospital’s information desk and asked them to make an announcement: whoever has lost a child, please come to claim them.
By the third broadcast, someone hurried into the ward.
“Yu Yu!”
“Daddy!” Song Qingyu ran to the man and threw herself into his arms.
“How did you get here?” The man’s face was full of fear. “Who brought you?”
He had heard the name Song Qingyu the first time but hadn’t reacted, thinking it was just a coincidence. When the second broadcast sounded, he confirmed with home and realized the child was missing.
“Miss Mommy,” Song Qingyu clung to the man’s neck. “I miss Mommy.”
The man, afraid to frighten the child, dared not scold her, so he comforted her gently before turning to the person who had found his child.
“Master Shen?” Upon seeing the man standing nearby, he was somewhat surprised.
Shen Handeng had recognized him as a fairly neutral deputy general manager in the company when he entered.
Knowing Shen Handeng had found the child, Song Li expressed his sincere gratitude.
Song Li’s wife was hospitalized, and the child hadn’t seen her mother for a while. The Song family lived close to the hospital. When the nanny walked over to deliver something, she hadn’t noticed Song Qingyu following behind. The hospital was crowded, and Song Qingyu, being so small, soon got lost.
“Thank you so much. If it hadn’t been for you, who knows what might have happened.”
It was lucky to meet a kind person who called the police. If she had encountered someone with bad intentions, it would have been terrifying.
“My little one… was the first to notice her.” She had urged him to hold the child; did she know who the child was?
Song Li glanced behind him. There was only a young girl sitting on the hospital bed; she must have been the one.
Shen Handeng was known for his unpredictable moods and usually wore a cold expression, but today, he seemed much calmer.
Regardless of who saw the child first, the important thing was nothing happened, and Song Li once again expressed his heartfelt thanks.
After Song Li left with Song Qingyu, Shen Handeng closed the door and walked over to Ling Qiong, stopping her with a sudden move.
There was nothing romantic about the scene; Shen Handeng asked gloomily, “How did you know the child’s background?”
It all seemed orchestrated.
And this person…
Ling Qiong replied, “I didn’t know.”
Shen Handeng sneered, “You told me to hold her even though you didn’t know?”
“She just looked pitiful,” Ling Qiong said, her face innocent as she began to make things up. “Such a cute little girl—could you really bear to see her get hurt?”
Shen Handeng was silent. Just making things up!
Ling Qiong insisted she was simply moved by Song Qingyu’s plight and knew nothing else, leaving Shen Handeng with no way to refute her.
But Shen Handeng didn’t believe a single word she said—not even a punctuation mark.
He brushed aside the loose strands of hair on Ling Qiong’s forehead and whispered, “You’d better behave.”
Ling Qiong’s eyes flickered as she asked, “What’s in it for me?”
Their gazes met. Shen Handeng slowly lowered his head, and the light in the girl’s eyes was swallowed by shadow, leaving only the intertwined silhouettes on the floor, sweet and lingering.
…
Song Li visited again later, ostensibly to check on Ling Qiong.
Afterwards, Song Li extended further goodwill to Shen Handeng. Though he didn’t explicitly pledge support, he made things much easier.
Ling Qiong stayed in the hospital for several days. On the day she was discharged, she wanted to go out for fun, but Shen Handeng coldly forced her into the car.
Back at the villa, she spent another week in confinement.
When Shen Handeng returned home, he saw Ling Qiong sitting beside the cage, gazing eagerly at the canary inside.
The canary hopped about happily, a stark contrast to the dejected young girl.
It was as if she were the one trapped in the cage.
Shen Handeng asked, “What, do you want to go in?”
“No, I want to go out.” Ling Qiong stood up. “I’m completely recovered—look.”
She bounced around to prove her health.
“Master, Miss Ye just returned,” Kelly suddenly appeared and delivered the news.
Ling Qiong glared—traitor!
Shen Handeng was silent. So her little performance by the cage was meant for him?
He had already suspected she wouldn’t behave.
“Where did you go?”
“To make money.”
“Make money?” Shen Handeng was skeptical. “I thought you only knew how to spend it?”
“If I don’t earn it, how can I spend it? How else would I pay for you?”
“Swindling?”
Ling Qiong was speechless.
Her money was honestly earned, thank you very much.
Swindling… Well, tricking NPCs only happens occasionally, it’s not as if the streets are filled with vulnerable NPCs waiting to be conned.
Shen Handeng understood Ling Qiong well enough not to be angry. “Go change your clothes. Come with me.”
“Where to?”
“Are you coming?”
“I’m coming!”
Ling Qiong scampered upstairs to change, returning within minutes.
Shen Handeng never worried about her wardrobe; most of her clothes could pass for evening wear.
Ling Qiong noticed the driver had changed—likely a move by Shen Handeng.
The power of in-game currency was evidently formidable.
It could solve any problem for a paper character.
Ling Qiong took out her mirror to touch up her makeup. Earlier, she had tied her hair for convenience, but now she let it fall, the golden waves cascading down to her waist.
Suddenly, Shen Handeng reached out and smoothed several rebellious strands at the back.
Ling Qiong tilted her head to look at him.
He withdrew his hand. “What are you looking at?”
“You’re so handsome, Master—can’t I look?”
Shen Handeng didn’t like people commenting on his looks, but Ling Qiong said it often enough that he was getting used to it.
“You like it?”
“Of course. Who doesn’t like a handsome boy?”
His tone turned dangerous. “So as long as someone’s good-looking, you’ll like them?”
Ling Qiong shook her head. “No, I’m very loyal.”
One instance, one favorite!
…
Her loyalty meant that, by the end, Ling Qiong got out of the car slightly dizzy. Shen Handeng reached out to steady her, “Is it that bad?”
“Lack of oxygen.”
Ling Qiong breathed in the fresh air and felt much better, straightening her dress.
Shen Handeng didn’t let go, keeping his arm around her waist as they walked inside.
Today’s venue was clearly business-oriented; most attendees were prominent figures in commerce, and the atmosphere was rather solemn.
Ling Qiong clicked her tongue inwardly. Her darling could now attend such events openly.
[Dear, as long as you keep drawing cards, your darling’s future will be even brighter~]
Shut up! Get lost!
[…Alright then.]