Chapter 12: A Bold Idea

Chen Bo and Third Aunt’s conversation was interrupted by the shrill ring of the telephone. After listening to the call, Chen Bo hurried out.

Li Tian’er returned to her room and once again looked closely at Kai Kai. The more she observed, the more she felt that Li Tiantian’s son resembled Chen Bo, especially the shape of Kai Kai’s brow and nose—identical to Chen Bo’s.

A sudden idea flashed through her mind.

“You—you two...?”

Li Tian’er emerged from Chen Bo’s bedroom and happened to bump into Third Aunt coming upstairs.

Third Aunt eyed her in surprise and began to ask a question, but stopped herself before finishing—the latter half, about whether they lived together, was left unsaid.

“I was just helping Chen Bo tidy up his room. I haven’t had a chance to help him clean up all day,” Li Tian’er replied with a smiling face.

“Since you’ve finished tidying, I won’t need to bother with it.” Third Aunt nodded, shot Li Tian’er a glare, and with a feather duster in hand, turned and went downstairs to her own room.

A widow and her orphan living in the home of an unmarried man, enjoying free food and lodging, and expecting to be served—anyone could guess at their relationship with just a little thought.

Did Li Tiantian really think that by relying on her beauty and charming Chen Bo, she could step into the household and enjoy the privileges of a wealthy lady? What a daydream!

Even if Li Tiantian was capable and sensible, she shouldn’t hope to become the Chen family daughter-in-law. Women of good background lined up to marry Chen Bo—how could it be the turn of a young widow, especially one with a child?

Third Aunt set aside her feather duster and leaned against the headboard, pondering how to fulfill the task Chen Bo’s mother entrusted to her: to clear away all the questionable women around Chen Bo and ensure that within a year, he married and had a child.

The first to be removed was the little widow before her eyes!

Li Tian’er carefully placed two hairs found in Chen Bo’s room and two of Kai Kai’s hairs into a small vial. She intended to take them for a paternity test before deciding her next steps.

There was no paternity testing agency in Dongling City, so she resolved to go to the provincial capital.

A kind soul told her that paternity testing required both parties to be present—unless there were special circumstances, no matter how much she paid, the center wouldn’t help her without the participants.

After collecting the payments from the last fruit shop, Li Tian’er rode her newly purchased Magnolia motorcycle to the nursery.

The gates of the nursery were still closed; a crowd of parents waited under the rainbow arch to pick up their children.

Third Aunt, dressed in a black dress with red flowers and a gold belt around her hefty waist, stood out among the crowd.

She had forgotten—Chen Bo had asked his Third Aunt to help pick up Kai Kai.

Li Tian’er watched from afar.

When the rainbow gate opened, Third Aunt was pushed and jostled into the courtyard and soon emerged carrying Kai Kai, heading straight for Chen Bo’s villa. She chatted with Kai Kai as she walked, appearing quite patient.

Li Tian’er followed at a discreet distance.

Third Aunt reached out and plucked a leaf from a roadside tree for Kai Kai to hold, but he seemed displeased, turning his head away.

Kai Kai’s little hand seemed to catch Third Aunt’s hand.

Third Aunt raised the leaf and struck Kai Kai’s head.

Kai Kai burst into tears.

“No crying! If you cry again, I’ll sew your mouth shut.”

Even from such a distance, Third Aunt’s stern voice carried to Li Tian’er’s ears.

With a sudden burst of speed, Li Tian’er rode her motorcycle straight to Third Aunt’s side.

The dust kicked up by the motorcycle covered Third Aunt’s face and clothes.

Before she could see who was riding, her hands felt lighter—Kai Kai had been snatched away, and then her face was slapped.

By the time Third Aunt realized what had happened, Li Tian’er had already taken the child and disappeared.

Third Aunt decided to complain to Chen Bo.

“Chen Bo, today I...”

“Third Aunt, how could you hit the child? You’re an elder, I won’t say more... Enough, you don’t need to explain. I’ll send you home right now.”

Chen Bo’s expression was dark, his lips pressed downward.

He hadn’t returned home all night, spent the day busy at the office, and now, upon arriving home, two women had approached him with complaints in succession. He felt utterly exhausted in body and mind.

Chen Bo grabbed his car keys and walked to the door. Seeing Third Aunt still standing there, his brow furrowed deeply. “Third Aunt, let’s go.”

His low, hoarse voice sounded as if it came from the depths of the underworld, frightening Third Aunt into a shiver.

When Chen Bo returned from outside, his face was much calmer. He took Kai Kai into his arms, rubbing Kai Kai’s cheek with his chin.

“Careful, don’t scratch Kai Kai’s face. Your beard is so rough, and his skin is so delicate,” Li Tian’er cautioned.

“It’s fine, I know my limits. Seeing Kai Kai makes me happy. Kai Kai, do you like Uncle? Call Uncle.”

Kai Kai stretched his chubby hands and kicked Chen Bo’s stomach with his little legs, making a “shoo shoo” sound.

“He can call uncle now. My Kai Kai is truly clever.”

“He’s Chen, Kai Kai’s last name is Xiao. How is he your Kai Kai?”

Li Tian’er hugged Kai Kai back, sneaking a glance at Chen Bo’s face.

Chen Bo, who had just been beaming, was now gloomy again at Li Tian’er’s words.

He wanted to claim his son but didn’t wish to be bound by marriage. He longed to possess Li Tiantian completely but couldn’t bear to give up the pleasures of the outside world...

“Tian Tian, have you decided whether to work at my company?”

Chen Bo rubbed his hands over his face, trying to wipe away the exhaustion from too many “group activities.”

“Not yet. Tomorrow I’m taking Kai Kai to the provincial capital for a health check. He sweats at night—it might be a sign of weakness.”

“Ah! Let me go with you,” Chen Bo said, jumping up nervously from the sofa. Just then, his handbag emitted a series of beeps.

After answering the call, Chen Bo explained to Li Tian’er that he was holding the latest model cell phone. Nowadays, if one went out for business without a mobile phone, people would look down on them.

“When you start at the company, I’ll get you one too. That way we can stay in touch anytime—it’s really convenient. The only downside is the high cost: both making and receiving calls incur charges. If you’re at home or in the office, it’s better to use the landline.”

“A mobile phone sounds wonderful,” Li Tian’er smiled faintly.

Looking at the old-fashioned phone in Chen Bo’s hand, she felt it resembled an antique she’d seen at the home of a friend who loved collecting old gadgets. That friend had lamented that his collection looked impressive but was useless. Now she’d get a chance to experience its functions—and later, she could brag to her friend.

“Tomorrow, I’m afraid I can’t accompany you to the provincial capital. An important client is visiting...” Chen Bo spread his hands, his brow furrowing again.

With his current assets, he still couldn’t live as he pleased. Only by earning more could he truly be above others. Between making money and family, he would always choose the former.

“No problem, I can manage on my own,” Li Tian’er replied, secretly relieved to have an excuse to refuse Chen Bo’s company.

Chen Bo saw Li Tian’er off at the train station, waving from outside the window as the train slowly pulled away.

Only when Chen Bo’s figure disappeared did Li Tian’er let her smile fade. She took the phone Chen Bo had given her from Kai Kai’s hand.