Chapter 37: Is He Mom's Boyfriend?

Mo Qi twisted Mo Xiaobao’s backpack as they boarded the car. Noticing the tension between the two, she immediately pulled Xiaobao closer and held him protectively against her side. King Shen was really petty—such a grown man, yet still bullying a child.

Shen Yijue could tell from Mo Qi’s expression that she’d misunderstood, but he didn’t bother to explain. It was clearly the child who’d been glaring at him first; all he did was look back.

Mo Xiaobao still held an unfinished ice cream cone in his hand, making it impossible to throw his arms around Mo Qi’s neck in a show of affection. Leaning against her, he asked earnestly, “Mommy, is he your boyfriend?”

With a screech, Xiao Zhang slammed on the brakes and swerved sharply, narrowly avoiding the car that had suddenly cut in front of them. He exhaled shakily, realizing he’d nearly caused a disaster because he’d been distracted by the child’s question.

“Sorry, Shen,” Xiao Zhang apologized.

“It’s fine,” Shen Yijue replied, glancing down at the ice cream splattered on his suit trousers before looking up at Mo Xiaobao.

During the sudden stop, Mo Qi had instantly wrapped Xiaobao in her arms, only loosening her grip once the car steadied.

Mo Xiaobao glared solemnly at Shen Yijue, silently declaring: If you want to take my mom, you’ll have to go through me first!

The situation had been sudden but not chaotic. Mo Qi had certainly noticed Xiaobao deliberately wiping his ice cream on Shen Yijue’s pant leg. She pinched Xiaobao’s bottom in secret, then feigned surprise and scolded, “Xiaobao, how could you be so careless? Haha, King Shen, why don’t you take your pants off? I’ll have them dry-cleaned for you.”

“Right now?” Shen Yijue lifted an eyebrow. “Mo Qi, are you trying to take advantage of me?”

Take advantage, my foot! Mo Qi raged inwardly, but kept a calm face. “I meant after we get home. You can change, and I’ll take care of the cleaning.”

“No need.” Shen Yijue turned away, pulling a plain checkered handkerchief from his suit’s inner pocket and wiping the ice cream off his trousers.

Mo Xiaobao, clever as ever, quickly realized from the way Mo Qi and Shen Yijue interacted that he’d been imagining things. Now, he felt a little guilty about smearing ice cream on Shen Yijue’s leg.

“Mommy,” Xiaobao called, looking up at Mo Qi with eyes half-closed in remorse, like a child who knew he’d done wrong.

Mo Qi blinked at him conspiratorially: Well done, Xiaobao. This man has bullied your mother plenty, relying on his power and status—a little lesson won’t hurt.

Seeing that his mother wasn’t angry at his impolite act, Xiaobao relaxed a little. Turning his head, he apologized sincerely to Shen Yijue, “Uncle Shen, I’m sorry.”

Shen Yijue tossed the handkerchief into the waste bin at his feet and replied, “A man should defend his territory and protect his woman. You did nothing wrong—no need to apologize.”

The corner of Mo Qi’s mouth twitched involuntarily. Covering Xiaobao’s ears, she glared at Shen Yijue. “Xiaobao’s just a child. Don’t fill his head with such nonsense.”

“Mommy, I’m already grown up,” Xiaobao replied helplessly, prying her hands off and giving Shen Yijue an embarrassed smile.

He simply didn’t want another man to take his mother away, but if his mother was happy, he’d be happy too.

Shen Yijue added, “Never underestimate a child’s intelligence and possessiveness.”

Mo Qi was speechless and decided to ignore them both. Xiaobao clung happily to her hand, content to lean against her.

Shen Yijue glanced sidelong at the pair before looking away. Mo Qi was only twenty-one and already had a son in elementary school. Having a child so young—if word of this got out, it would have a massive negative impact on her upcoming competition and popularity. In fact, Mo Xiaobao’s existence was a ticking time bomb for her, threatening to ruin her career in show business at any moment.

But Mo Qi herself seemed entirely oblivious to the problem. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be picking Xiaobao up so openly today.

“Xiao Zhang, take us to Mo Baisheng,” Shen Yijue instructed.

“Yes, Shen,” Xiao Zhang replied.

The car pulled into the parking lot at Mo Baisheng Mall. Shen Yijue led Mo Qi and Mo Xiaobao to the elevator up to the seventh floor, while Xiao Zhang stayed with the car, calling Guan Min to discuss Shen Yijue’s absenteeism that afternoon.

The seventh floor of Mo Baisheng was accessible only by private elevator. When the doors opened, they stepped into a beautifully decorated level lined with large, upscale clothing stores. The best part was that there were hardly any other patrons. Aside from the gentle music, it was almost silent.

Shen Yijue led them into one of the boutiques. A beautiful shop assistant in a work uniform greeted him with a familiar smile. “What can I help you with today, Mr. Shen?”

“I need a set of casual clothes.”

“Are you planning to play golf, or…?”

Shen Yijue turned to Mo Qi. “What are we doing this afternoon?”

Mo Qi smiled. “The amusement park.”

He told the assistant, “Something suitable for the amusement park.”

She was momentarily stunned, then nodded with a smile. “Of course. Please wait a moment.”

“Get two sets for them as well.”

“Certainly.” The assistant seemed to catch on and returned with three matching sets—family outfits.

She clearly knew Shen Yijue’s usual style and had selected simple, elegant clothes. Shen Yijue handed the women’s and children’s outfits to Mo Qi and Mo Xiaobao, then went to the fitting room himself.

Mo Qi and Mo Xiaobao exchanged a look.

“Mommy, are you sure Uncle Shen isn’t your boyfriend?”

“He really isn’t,” Mo Qi replied, rubbing her forehead. Matching family outfits—what on earth was Shen Yijue up to?

“Should we change?” Xiaobao asked.

Mo Qi looked down at her dress. It really wasn’t practical for the amusement park. “We’ll change!”

She and Xiaobao each headed to a separate fitting room.

Meanwhile, the shop assistants gathered quietly and whispered, “My god, who would’ve thought King Shen was secretly married—with a child this big already?”

“If this gets out, there’ll be heartbreak all over town.”

“Enough, that’s enough. Whatever we know, we keep to ourselves. Not a word to anyone, understood?”

“We understand, manager.”

When the fitting room doors opened, they quickly fell silent. Shen Yijue glanced expressionlessly at them, pulled out his wallet, and paid for the clothes.

Mo Qi and Xiaobao emerged in their new outfits. “Excuse me, could you please pack up our old clothes?” Mo Qi asked politely.

“Of course,” the assistant replied, handing the neatly packed clothes back to her.

Shen Yijue looked at the pair, seeming quite satisfied. “Let’s go upstairs for lunch,” he said, leading the way out.

“Have a good day, Mr. Shen, Mrs. Shen, young master,” the assistants chorused.

Even Mo Qi, with all her composure, stumbled at that. The more you explain, the worse it sounds—there was no way to clarify.

Shen Yijue heard but did not react. Even after taking the two of them upstairs for lunch, where the servers also addressed them as Mrs. Shen and young master, he remained indifferent.

“King Shen, you really should explain our relationship to them. If rumors start, it’ll damage your reputation.”

“I don’t mind.”

Easy for you to say! I mind!

For once, Shen Yijue offered a few more words. “The innocent remain clear, the guilty remain guilty.”