With a flurry of activity, Xin Ya hurried out the door and stepped into the luxurious hovering vehicle parked outside, an odd sight against the backdrop of her surroundings. The head of the Han family looked her over.
Having discarded her glamorous evening gown, she now wore a simple dress, her long hair haphazardly tied back, and her face was free of makeup. Her clothing, while decent, was clearly old. It was obvious she was someone who managed her limited finances with great care. Unlike her past when she adorned herself beautifully in the confines of her home, worry was now etched upon her features.
“Cousin,” Xin Ya called softly, lowering her head as she settled into her seat.
The head of the Han family opened his smart device and sent a folder to her. “Here’s what you asked for.”
The transfer procedures for Dong Chen had been completed. All expenses from now until the twelfth grade had been paid, including his daily needs at school. Even the nutritional supplements for the next ten years had been arranged. Xin Ya had received everything she sought.
A wave of relief washed over Xin Ya, causing her previously tense shoulders to relax.
Most women were like this, able to let go of themselves entirely for their children, the head of the Han family thought coldly. He couldn’t help but wonder if she had sought someone else, she might have found herself in another man’s embrace. After her bankruptcy, she had lost everything and could only offer herself.
This thought displeased him.
He had intended to hand over this matter and return, but upon seeing this plain, unadorned woman, who had already passed her youthful years, his irritation grew.
He gave instructions to the piloting system.
“What are your plans for the future?” he asked.
“I’m looking for a job,” Xin Ya replied softly. “Once I find work, things will stabilize.”
The corners of the head of the Han family’s mouth twitched.
Xin Ya didn’t understand his reaction, but suddenly realized the vehicle was in motion. The shock absorption was so good that she barely felt the movement, only noticing the outside scenery retreating. After a moment of hesitation, she asked, “Where are we going?”
He shot her a glance. “To your residence.”
Xin Ya’s lips moved slightly. The head of the Han family leaned back and said, “My woman lives in a shantytown? Are you joking?”
Xin Ya bowed her head.
The new place was a comfortable high-end apartment, but what stung Xin Ya was the view from the bedroom’s floor-to-ceiling window. Standing before it, she gazed out at an upscale residential area.
She saw her old home, the one she had grown up in but was now sold away. Living here meant every morning, she could wake up to the sight of a familiar rooftop.
“That’s your home,” the head of the Han family said from behind her, gazing out. “I could buy it for you, but I know that isn’t what you want.”
What Xin Ya wanted was not a house; she wanted her child to return to an affluent lifestyle. No one could give her that with a mere gift of a house; only Tang Ke could achieve that through his own efforts.
“I said, hand him over to me,” the man said, leaning down to kiss her neck.
Xin Ya closed her eyes.
In the end, she had become his possession.
When it was time for Tang Ke to leave school, Xin Ya went directly to pick him up.
In half a day, they finished moving. Using a marking tool, they tagged the items to be moved, and the packing robot efficiently packed everything in the most space-saving manner. Moreover, Xin Ya and Tang Ke had only just returned to the Eastern District, leaving many boxes still unopened.
“Moving?” Tang Ke asked, a bit surprised, then nervously inquired, “Did we not afford this place anymore?”
Xin Ya struggled to explain, unsure of how to frame her words.
“Yes, yes, your uncle helped us find a new place. Everything’s arranged with the school. You…” she paused, “when we get home, pack your personal belongings. Tonight, we are moving to the Han estate.”
Tang Ke’s eyes widened with surprise. “We’re moving to the estate?”
“No, just you,” Xin Ya clarified. “It takes three hours by public shuttle to Eastern Chen, but the Han family's private shuttle is much quicker; from the estate, it’s just one hour. All the children of the Han family attending Eastern Chen live in the estate. You would be living with them and could make some friends.”
The Eastern District included two planets and three satellites. Eastern Chen Academy was not in this area but on the second satellite of this planet, often referred to as Little Moon.
Not every child with the surname Han could attend Eastern Chen. Those with a psychic ability below B+ level could not gain entrance. The children who attended Eastern Chen clearly had a bright future ahead. Having eligible children gather at the estate was not just for convenience regarding school; it also familiarized the young ones with each other for greater unity.
Kids could return home on weekends, and parents could visit the estate freely. It had been a family tradition for many years.
Occasionally, children like Tang Ke, who did not share the Han surname, would appear.
Though Tang Ke was somewhat mature, he still retained a child’s innocence. Just like he saw Han Yanyan as an angel, he couldn’t yet fathom the challenges that awaited him. For now, he was immersed in the excitement of moving to a new home and changing schools.
“Then I can see Sister Yanyan every day!” he exclaimed happily.
As they spoke, a message from Han Yanyan arrived on his smart device. Excited, Tang Ke showed it to his mother: “Sister Yanyan already knows about my transfer!”
Han Yanyan: Little White Rabbit, are you moving over tonight? I’m waiting for you~
Xin Ya’s heart twisted painfully; her face turned pale.
“She…” Her lips trembled, “Why does she call you Little White Rabbit?”
Just hours before, Han Yanyan’s father had her pinned on the grand bed of this new place, breathless and whispering in her ear, also calling her “Little White Rabbit.”
Xin Ya felt a rush of cold fear.
“Mom, I’ve packed my things. Are we leaving now?” Tang Ke asked.
Xin Ya looked at the eager boy and felt that this path… had no turning back.
On the way, Tang Ke happily told her, “Mom, Uncle and Sister are really nice!”
Xin Ya didn’t know how to respond.
Han Yanyan smiled, closing her smart device screen.
The head of the Han family glanced at her and asked, “Who are you chatting with, looking so cheerful?”
Han Yanyan cheerfully replied, “Your little White Rabbit is bringing my little White Rabbit out to meet us here.”
The head of the Han family watched her for a moment and said, “… Don’t break that child.”
“Rest easy,” Han Yanyan said, “I’m much kinder than you.”
The head of the Han family narrowed his eyes slightly.
Han Yanyan smiled, “I have so many stepmoms; I’ve never seen you be kind to anyone.”
The head of the Han family’s gaze turned dangerous. But Han Yanyan was unafraid; on account of her being his only heir, she had no need to fear this man.
“It’s about an hour’s journey,” she said, lifting her juice glass with a smile, “It’s been a long time since we’ve welcomed a newcomer at home, and I’m really looking forward to it.”
One might say… Does that child resemble him? The head of the Han family took a sip of his drink. Like him, he could spot others' weaknesses, no matter how well hidden.
Xin Ya hadn’t expected Han Yanyan to come personally to greet them at the door. The girl stood tall, just slightly shorter than Xin Ya, and taller than most girls her age.
With a face as angelic as her posture, her deep-set eyes felt as if one could not see the depths within. On that embarrassing night, when she opened the door, the girl’s expression was one of calm as if nothing had happened.
The more this was the case, the more uncomfortable Xin Ya felt. She endured the discomfort and greeted Han Yanyan. In contrast, Han Yanyan seemed genuinely unconcerned, politely saying, “Aunt Xin Ya.”
She was much more affectionate with Tang Ke, taking his hand and leading them to the small sitting room where the head of the Han family was waiting.
This was the first official introduction for Tang Ke to the head of the Han family. He tried hard to behave himself but sensed that his uncle didn’t quite like him. It was a subtle feeling but unignorable. This revelation doused some of his earlier excitement, restoring his calm demeanor.
The head of the Han family formally encouraged him and told Han Yanyan, “Take care of little Ke; he’ll be with you from now on.”
Xin Ya hurriedly added, “I’m sorry for the trouble.”
Han Yanyan smiled, “Don’t worry here. It’s late; Aunt should stay tonight.”
Xin Ya initially intended to accompany her to see where Tang Ke would stay, but hearing her words, she was about to decline, when Han Yanyan had already reached for Tang Ke's hand, gently saying, “Little White Rabbit, come with Sister.”
Xin Ya’s breath caught.
Had she heard that night? Was it intentional? Did she harbor malicious intent? Xin Ya’s mind was in turmoil with these thoughts.
Yet Han Yanyan’s smile was exceedingly gentle, and her features were exceptionally delicate. Paired with such warmth, she truly resembled an angel. Xin Ya couldn’t confirm any of her speculations.
Receiving such tenderness, Tang Ke, whose heart had just cooled, felt joy returning, shyly grasping Han Yanyan’s hand and reassuring Xin Ya, “Mom, don’t worry; I will be very obedient.”
He turned, hand in hand with Han Yanyan, leaving. Faintly, it seemed he heard her call him “Little White Rabbit” again.
The head of the Han family noticed Xin Ya’s hands trembling slightly. He rose and sat beside her, pressing her hand down… Such fragility in a woman often stirred an urge to possess.
A slight smile played on the head of the Han family’s lips.
“My home is quite large; you must remember the way so you won’t get lost. This area is the west section; we all live here,” Han Yanyan explained.
“Everyone?” Tang Ke asked, a bit anxious.
“Yeah, all the children of the family, just like you,” Han Yanyan responded. “They should still be awake at this hour. I’ll take you to meet them.”
The children were gathered in the game room, a mix of both boys and girls, ranging in age from seven to sixteen, creating a wide age span. In total, there were over twenty children. With so many present, the gaming room was lively and noisy.
As Han Yanyan entered, there was no need for words; with a sweep of her psychic power, the room fell silent immediately.
“Everyone, come here,” she said.
Both younger and older children gathered around her.
“Hey, who’s he?” a boy about Tang Ke’s age asked, obviously Han Yanyan's brother, though not from the same mother.
“This is Tang Ke. Starting today, he’s moving in and will go to Eastern Chen with you all,” Han Yanyan introduced. “I hope everyone can get along well.”
For some reason, Tang Ke felt a sudden shift in her demeanor; the softness was gone, replaced by a somewhat sharp intensity.
He quickly greeted everyone, “Hello, I’m Tang Ke.”
“Which family are you from?” someone asked.
Tang Ke answered expertly, “My great-grandmother is the matriarch of the Fourth Master’s family.”
A few children chuckled.
Unlike the pretense adults often wore, the innocence and cruelty of children are always apparent.