Do Not Approach

The Young Miss stood there, her gaze cold and devoid of any emotion-colder than anything Xiaoxiao had ever seen before, as if it came from the deepest abyss of hell.

It had been several months since she last saw Su Kui. Now, faced with her mother, Xiaoxiao felt an indescribable sense of unfamiliarity.

Leaning casually against the car, Su Kui gave a faint smile. "What's wrong? Aren't you happy to see your mom?"

Xiaoxiao pressed her lips together, forcing a smile. It wasn't unhappiness-it was awkwardness and resistance.

Su Kui's voice softened. "Xiaoxiao, your birthday is coming soon. Your father wants to bring you home to celebrate. I know you're busy, but we both miss you."

Her birthday...

She was going to have a birthday soon.

The breeze gently brushed through her long hair as Mu Xiaoxiao lowered her gaze. "I appreciate you and Dad's thoughtfulness, but I won't be coming home for dinner. I still have a lot to do."

Standing nearby, Liu Wannian, who worked loyally for Xiaoxiao, witnessed the interaction. Normally, Xiaoxiao treated everyone around her-him, his sister, and the household staff-with warmth and cheer, without a hint of arrogance. Yet now, in front of her biological mother, her smile seemed so forced.

Liu Wannian looked at Mu Xiaoxiao. "Shall I drive off?"

Though devoted to Mu Xiaoxiao, he was ruthless when it came to outsiders, showing no leniency.

Xiaoxiao was about to reply when Su Kui anxiously reached out and grabbed her arm. "Xiaoxiao, don't go. You're going to be a sister."

Mu Xiaoxiao: .........

The air was thick with autumn's chill. Xiaoxiao stared at Su Kui, incredulous, then slowly shifted her gaze toward her mother's stomach.

She hadn't noticed before, but now it was clear. Though Su Kui always maintained her figure well, her loose clothing now revealed a slightly rounded belly.

At that moment, Xiaoxiao didn't know how to feel. Should she cry? Should she laugh? Should she offer her congratulations?

She couldn't possibly argue with a pregnant woman in public, especially when that woman was her own mother.

Turning to Liu Wannian, she spoke briefly, "Brother Wannian, you can head back. Just tell the young miss I ran into a friend."

Hearing Xiaoxiao refer to her as a "friend", Su Kui's eyelids twitched. But Xiaoxiao didn't look at her, and Liu Wannian gave a calm nod. He watched them leave together and immediately pulled out his phone to call the young miss.

"She's been taken away by her mother. And... her mom is pregnant."

......

The scenery outside the car window flew by in a blur.

Xiaoxiao still remembered the first time she was taken to this "home." Back then, she cried silently the whole way, her heart filled with reluctance to leave her grandmother, mother, and siblings.

But at that time, both Su Kui and Mu Shan were immersed in the joy of their daughter's return, paying no mind to Xiaoxiao's emotions.

They took her home, and would eventually stay into her own room- a pink, princess-themed room that had been specially decorated just for her. Inside, there was a large, soft bed, stuffed animals, barbie dolls-everything little girls usually loved. Even the wardrobe was filled with beautiful dresses.

Su Kui reached out to take Xiaoxiao's hand, but Xiaoxiao instinctively flinched away, keeping her head down, clutching an old Rubik's cube in her hands.