Volume One, Chapter 122: Moving Day

Ye Sheng never expected to overhear such a mature remark from his son so casually; he heard more from the boy than from his own father.

Huo Xiaobei was quite pleased with the response, chuckling softly, “See? I told you, you wouldn’t dislike me.”

He proudly wiggled his little feet.

Wan Sandao gave his small bottom a playful pat. When Huo Lindong and Ye Sheng returned, he smiled and stood up. “Back already?”

“Mm.”

Huo Xiaobei turned his head sweetly and called out, “Shengsheng,” then glanced at Huo Cong and said, “Your mom is so beautiful!”

Perhaps unaware that Huo Xiaobei had the speakerphone on, Huo Cong actually replied, “Mm, I know.”

That calm yet slightly proud reply left Ye Sheng momentarily stunned as he exchanged looks with Huo Lindong and Wan Sandao.

Sensing the odd atmosphere on the other end, Huo Cong’s voice rose slightly, “Mm?”

“Huo Cong.”

Huo Xiaobei felt a bit embarrassed. “I had the speaker on; Shengsheng heard it.”

“...”

Huo Cong said, “Hang up.”

Once the call ended, Huo Xiaobei blinked innocently. Wan Sandao laughed heartily, “Whose temper does this kid take after? So stubborn.”

Huo Lindong replied, “His father’s.”

—

The next day was the weekend, and the children didn’t have school, so Ye Sheng could finally rest for a day.

On such a rare day off, Ye Sheng usually avoided scheduling anything. He preferred staying home, sleeping, reading—anything that required as little thought as possible.

Huo Lindong and Wan Sandao were also busy that morning, leaving early to drop Huo Xiaobei off with Ye Sheng.

Half-lidded, Ye Sheng accompanied Huo Xiaobei in a game of chess.

Soon, his spirits lifted.

Huo Xiaobei’s skill improved rapidly; sometimes Ye Sheng would be caught off guard and lose a piece, forcing him to be cautious.

When Ye Sheng’s phone rang with a call from Huo Mingting, he habitually paused before answering.

“Hello.”

“Ye Sheng.”

Huo Mingting’s voice, roughened by the wind, came through the receiver. “Can Cong’er stay with you for a while? I’m moving and can’t look after him.”

“Sure, I’m home.”

Ye Sheng responded instinctively yet frowned slightly. “Moving?”

Huo Xiaobei lifted his big, round eyes.

They paused the game and went downstairs, where a moving company was hauling belongings into the adjacent building.

Huo Cong stood by the flowerbed, his hair tousled by the wind.

“Huo Cong!”

Despite it being the weekend, Huo Xiaobei was delighted to see him and went over to hug him.

Huo Cong’s usually stern face softened a little.

Ye Sheng took off a scarf he had nearby and wrapped it around Huo Cong’s neck and half his face, patting his head gently. “You two go upstairs quickly—don’t freeze out here.”

After sending the two boys into the elevator, Ye Sheng wrapped the shawl around herself and returned inside.

Huo Mingting was overseeing the movers carrying furniture and appliances upstairs; the truck was packed full, clearly signaling a permanent move.

He glanced back at Ye Sheng, who wore a white sweater with a pink shawl draped over her shoulders, and frowned.

“Why did you come down dressed so lightly?”

Without a word, he took off his coat to put it over her, but Ye Sheng quickly dodged.

“No need, I have my own.”

Chasing each other in a playful dance, they squeezed into the hallway.

“I’m really not cold. You wear it.”

Ye Sheng was indeed sensitive to romantic gestures and couldn’t stand this, especially from her ex-husband. It felt awkward.

He had never shown her such “consideration” or “care” during their marriage.

These belated attentions were no longer necessary.

Holding the coat, Huo Mingting watched Ye Sheng’s evasive movements, feeling a pang of hurt. His outstretched hand met no response, an awkward moment.

Fortunately, Ye Sheng didn’t let the embarrassment linger.

“Why did you move here?” she asked.

Huo Mingting explained, “Lanting International is a development by the Tan family. When the project launched, I reserved a four-bedroom unit, thinking that if you were uncomfortable living at the Huo Mansion, you could come live here with the kids.”

Unfortunately, by the time the renovations were complete and everything was ready, the two of you had already separated.

“Shu Ting lived here for a while, but recently I asked her to move out. Now, I’m living here with Huo Cong—it’s close to school and to you.”

Ye Sheng suddenly lifted her gaze.