Everyone knew that Tang Ke was Han Yanyan's pet, except for himself. He was happily immersed in the joy and satisfaction brought by the new school and new environment. He had made new friends too. Although Han Yunqi and Han Shao sometimes acted overly enthusiastic, which was a bit overwhelming and might interrupt his private time with his sister, they were nonetheless the first to approach him in this new setting.
A child like Tang Ke, who was inherently shy and a bit insecure, when faced with such people in a new environment, naturally wanted to grab hold of them to create a sense of security, as if he had "fit in."
On weekends, each family would send a car to pick up their children. Tang Ke called Xinya at noon from the academy, "No need to pick me up, Yanyan Jie will arrange a car to take me home." His tone was cheerful, clearly indicating he had a good week at school.
"Alright, just be careful," Xinya said gently, holding her wrist communicator.
"Is Mom sick?" Tang Ke asked.
"No," Xinya replied, "just a bit under the weather. I have some things to do, so I’ll hang up now."
After hanging up, a man tossed the communicator aside and held her delicate wrist firmly. Xinya's hand struggled weakly for a moment before she tightly grasped the silk quilt. The man whispered "little white rabbit" in her ear, making her tightly closed eyelids flutter slightly.
Tang Ke returned to the apartment in the Han family’s car and soon noticed the treatment pod at home.
"You'll use it later," Xinya said reluctantly.
"But it’s super expensive," Tang Ke said worriedly. He couldn't remember a life of wealth from his childhood; by the time he began to remember, the family had already fallen into hardship.
Moreover, the treatment pod wasn’t a one-time investment. The body repair liquid needed for it was a continuous, long-term big expense. This couldn’t be avoided; the child was growing up, and one couldn’t lie anymore. Xinya could only tell the truth: "It was sponsored by your uncle. The repair liquid too."
She was afraid Tang Ke would ask why his uncle was so generous, but Tang Ke was still innocent and simple, not thinking about such things.
"Uncle is such a good person," he said cheerfully. Uncle was Yanyan Jie’s father, and both he and his daughter were extraordinarily good people.
Xinya lowered her eyes and muttered a soft, "Mm."
As for how Tang Ke was doing at school, everything was excellent. He was smart and diligent in his studies, and in just one week, he had completely caught up, even getting to touch a basic mech for the first time.
When it came to classmates and friends, Tang Ke kept talking about how he "made friends" and how "Yanyan Jie treats me especially well." But he didn’t mention any comments from Han Jin and Han Cheng, who spoke harshly, calling him a "poor relative taking advantage" and tripping him when boarding the ship.
He had grown up; it was no longer a time to make his mother worry.
When he asked how his mother was doing that week, Xinya casually replied, "I've just been organizing the house."
"The past few days have been a bit busy; I still need some time to look for work."
"Don’t worry about money; our savings are enough for us to live on."
"That’s good," Tang Ke sighed in relief, "Then you don’t rush; focus on work later."
Xinya lowered her head slightly.
She herself didn’t understand. Among the lovers of the Han family head, she was considered older, and compared to those younger, she had no real advantage. Yet these days, her cousin had been visiting frequently. For this, he had even arranged for a treatment pod to be set up here.
Xinya traced her smooth arms. The body repair liquid was more expensive than the beauty solutions at a regular salon, and its effects were indeed superior, especially since the Han family head provided her with the finest quality repair liquid. Her skin seemed tighter than before, making her look younger.
Her body was naturally smooth and flawless, with no scars. Nothing was noticeable.
He said he had never treated anyone the way he did with her. But when she cried and pleaded with him, he would not show her mercy or stop.
Why, why only to her like this?
"Xinya Auntie has a treatment pod set up at home," Han Yanyan said, resting her chin on her hand.
The Han family head didn’t even raise an eyebrow. "What about it?"
"The usage records for the pod in the suite have all been Xinya Auntie’s lately," Han Yanyan continued.
Finally, the Han family head lifted his eyelids.
Han Yanyan sighed, "My little white rabbit is still bouncing around; your little white rabbit shouldn’t be broken."
"Don’t extend your hand too far," the Han family head said, lighting a cigarette.
"Then don’t grant me so much authority," Han Yanyan replied, "Suddenly finding I've been given so many permissions makes me uneasy, wondering if you mistyped."
"Those kids aren’t enough for you to practice on. Just raise them well and make them listen to you," the Han family head said. "From now on, you are allowed to participate in formal affairs."
In the last round, Han Yanyan received her father’s acknowledgment only when she turned sixteen, gaining greater authority. With the past experience as a foundation, this time she found everything quite simple—had it not been for fearing to scare her father, she might have already taken over everything.
As for whether she appeared too mature or outstanding, well, one must trust a man’s confidence in his own genes and pride. It was only natural for an heir who inherited his genes and was meticulously nurtured to show great strength.
Another week began. Tang Ke returned to the manor on Sunday night, sleeping sweetly, looking forward to the beginning of a new week. On Monday morning, the young boy energetically stepped on the spaceship.
Han Yanyan appeared early that day, sitting in her usual spot with her eyes closed, resting.
"Yanyan Jie, good morning!" The small boy ran over in a few steps, wanting to sit beside her. For the past week, Han Yanyan had always brought him along, making that spot feel almost like his exclusive seat in his mind.
"Sit in the back," Han Yanyan said coldly without opening her eyes.
Tang Ke was completely caught off guard and instinctively replied, "Sister, it’s me…"
"I’m talking about you. Can’t you understand words?" Han Yanyan opened her eyes, looking at him with mild disgust. "Sit in the back."
Tang Ke heard Han Jin's snickering. He started moving to the last row, his head spinning. Han Yanyan hadn’t turned back even once.
Throughout the day, Tang Ke remained in a restless mood, beginning to ponder over what he had done wrong. When Han Yunqi and Han Shao encountered him at school, they walked past without greeting him, which only worsened his mood.
Tang Ke wasn’t foolish; he had sensed that the attention Han Yunqi and Han Shao showed him was actually aimed at Han Yanyan. But people always love to deceive themselves; he kept convincing himself they were being nice to him to be friends.
But the reality was, when Han Yanyan suddenly turned cold toward him, the two of them also grew distant.
Tang Ke's low spirits persisted throughout the day until the evening when he boarded the spaceship again. He saw that Han Yanyan was already sitting in the first row. He hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should ask her what he had done wrong, yet was afraid of making her unhappy again.
However, Han Yanyan turned her head, her face devoid of gloom, a bright smile gracing her lips. "What are you doing, don’t just stand there, sit!" She patted the chair beside her.
As if the morning incident had never happened, her smile was still as warm as a spring breeze.
The lingering emotions of worry disappeared in an instant. Tang Ke hurried to her side in a few quick steps.
"Here, this is yours." Han Yanyan handed him a glass of juice.
Looking at her sweet smile, Tang Ke, who initially wanted to ask what had happened that morning, swallowed his words and obediently drank the juice instead.
Han Yanyan smiled, ruffling his hair like he was a well-behaved little white rabbit.
Han Jingshan and Han Jun exchanged glances before looking at Han Wei, who happened to meet their eyes as well. The three shared a silent moment of understanding.
Han Jun, the younger one, couldn’t hold back and opened his communicator to send a text: Training?
His elder sister: Shut up!
His cousin: Mind your own business.
His sister pinched his thigh, and Han Jun silently grimaced in pain. His cousin found this amusing: You better control him.
His sister: He doesn’t need your help!
Han Jun rubbed his leg and sent another message, sighing: This family is truly scary.
His cousin: You’d better keep an eye on him! Teach him not to talk back!
His sister: Got it!
Han Jun grinned silently, still afraid to make a sound, as his sister’s pinch was strong enough to cause discomfort.
Suddenly, Han Yanyan turned her head, casting a calm glance their way through the gap in the chairs.
The three of them felt a jolt.
Once Han Jun sat properly, Han Yanyan looked away again, her long, curly hair swaying between the cracks. She was only slightly older than him but seemed so intimidating.
Han Yanyan mused to herself, these three were still so lively now.
In the last round, they had all become individuals she could trust, her left and right arms. She would guide them, and the elders in the family would praise her as "poised for greatness." At that time, they were all capable of standing on their own, even the youngest Han Jun was shrewd. She had nearly forgotten they had such sides to them in their youth.
She glanced over at the small boy beside her who was quietly enjoying his juice. A child without a father, yearning for love and friendship, so quiet and well-behaved. She reached out to pat his head, pondering: When will I truly start to bully you?
Then she turned her gaze to the diagonal back towards Han Jin, her youngest brother. Perhaps the boy's intelligence and emotional skills slightly bruised their father's pride; since him, their father had not fathered any further children. Having such fools around… did indeed harm the family’s image. However, at this stage, he would be the main force in bullying Tang Ke.
She patted Tang Ke’s head, complimenting, "So well-behaved! I really want a younger brother like you."
Her voice wasn’t loud, but enough for several people nearby to hear. Han Jingshan and Han Wei exchanged glances. Han Jin let out a huff.
Only the naive Tang Ke blushed with joy at the praise, completely unaware that Han Yanyan had drawn a wave of hatred toward him.
Once back in his own room, Tang Ke had already set aside the events of the morning. Yanyan Jie was a girl; Mom said girls tend to throw tantrums and should be given a little leeway. She might just have been in a bad mood.
Suddenly, he paused.
Boys raised by single mothers tend to be sensitive, and Tang Ke felt something was off in the room, as if someone had entered. He scanned around and quickly spotted a cute handmade cloth bag on his desk, printed with cartoon mech designs but stitched with white lace. It seemed to be an effort to resemble a boy’s item but unwittingly carried a trace of girlish essence.
Underneath the bag was a adorable note on fine paper, written delicately: "Home-baked cookies, the first time, please don’t dislike."
He opened the bag and found star-shaped cookies. Taking a bite…
The taste was…emmmmmmmmmmmm…
Indeed, it was the first time!
There was an indescribable cuteness in it.
The small bag, the cute patterned note, and the slightly burnt homemade cookies sketched out the image of a sweet young girl carefully wanting to make friends.
Tang Ke's ears turned red.
This was the first time he received such a gift from a girl! She… she must want to be his friend, right?
But with no name left, who could it be? There were over twenty kids living in the manor, not counting Han Yanyan, there were eight girls, and five close to his age. Who could it be?
Han Yanyan had written a note in beautifully elegant handwriting.
She had several styles of handwriting—her own, Han's handwriting, the girl student Han Yanyan’s, and this young girl Han Yanyan’s. Only the last one was unusable, so she chose the most delicate style of the student Han Yanyan's handwriting.
She handed those to her confidant: "Once a week. Make it realistic."
Her confidant was designated as such because they would only faithfully execute orders, never questioning the strange happenings carried out by the eldest daughter, regardless of how nonsensical they seemed.
Tang Ke fell into a deep sweet sleep, thrilled to have a mysterious new friend. The next morning, as he boarded the ship, he couldn’t wait to share his joy with Yanyan Jie.
"Yanyan Jie, I yesterday..." His words came to an abrupt halt upon seeing the two girls who had just boarded.
Due to their gender, he wasn’t very familiar with them. But both of them were in the group of five he had guessed.
Compared to the chatter of the boys, the girls living in the Han family manor were much more mature and composed. As they passed by, the two girls nodded slightly, softly wishing them a good morning.
Tang Ke recalled the nameless note and the overbaked cookies. That girl… she must be quite quiet and introverted; that’s why she didn’t dare hand the cookies to him directly but instead left them secretly in his room.
She must not want anyone else to know about this.
Tang Ke felt a deep understanding of her.
"What happened yesterday?" Han Yanyan asked.
"Uh… yesterday, I got second place in the class for the surprise test," Tang Ke quickly changed his answer.
"I already said it yesterday, silly." Han Yanyan pinched his cheek, "Next time aim for first; Jie only likes silly boys who come in first."
"I'll do my best," the young boy quickly retrieved his face, his ears turning red.
He hoped Yanyan Jie wouldn’t always treat him like a little child; it was too embarrassing.
Although the little boy loved the angel-like Han Yanyan, he also had his little secret. The gifts from his unknown friend always appeared in his room every Monday evening. He suspected she must sneak into his room while he was off boarding the ship in the morning.
He made it a point to leave early every Monday, giving her enough time, and would always return in the evening, filled with anticipation.
He guessed she was a silly little girl. She had burned the cookies three times, and it was only the fourth time that they came out perfectly. Nonetheless, he ate them every time happily.
This time, with cookies that weren’t burnt, he suddenly realized that since she could leave him gifts, he could also leave her a message! So, one Monday morning, he left a note on his desk before leaving.
When Han Yanyan returned that evening, she received the note from her confidant.
"Who are you? Please tell me, okay?"
Han Yanyan thought to herself that she treated this little boy so well that even her own brother was envious, yet he was hiding this little secret from her.
Indeed, men are always obliviously foolish, even from a young age.
The author has a message: See you at 7 o’clock tomorrow.