Chapter 83.3: Xishan Residential Area (3)

Ruan Qing pondered for a moment, then hesitated and nodded.

Being alone was truly too dangerous, and he couldn’t see anything at all. Having someone accompany him would naturally be much better, at least he wouldn’t experience being followed again.

With Mrs. Ning by his side, Ruan Qing hadn’t encountered any more accidents.

The kindergarten wasn’t far from the fresh market they had just left, and the routes overlapped somewhat.

After Ruan Qing walked the path once, he could visualize the map in his mind. He knew how many steps to take, where there were stairs—he had it all in his mind.

So, Ruan Qing’s walk wasn’t very challenging. His speed was just a bit slower than an average person’s, and he didn’t need Mrs. Ning to guide him.

One wouldn’t even notice at first glance that he was blind.

Mrs. Ning was even a bit amazed. She waved her hand in front of Ruan Qing’s eyes and realized that he truly couldn’t see. She exclaimed, “You’re amazing. How did you do this?”

“If it were me, I definitely couldn’t do it. I’d probably trip with every step.”

Ruan Qing was momentarily taken aback by her words. It then dawned on him that the original owner of his body wasn’t born blind. Someone who had recently lost their sight wouldn’t be this adept.

Fortunately, Mrs. Ning didn’t doubt him. Ruan Qing explained in a low voice, “It’s just that I’ve walked this route so many times while buying groceries that I’ve memorized it.”

Mrs. Ning expressed her understanding. The route to the market and the kindergarten overlapped to some extent. Walking back and forth multiple times, it was indeed possible to navigate even with closed eyes, especially since the distance wasn’t far.

Even she could manage this path to the market and kindergarten.

However, Mrs. Ning had forgotten that Zhou Qing and Yang Tianhao had only moved here recently. It wasn’t like he had been walking this path for years.

The two of them soon arrived at the kindergarten.

Most of the kindergarten kids had already been picked up, and there weren’t many people left by the entrance.

The iron gate of the kindergarten had been locked, but the lights in the security room nearby were on.

Mrs. Ning led Ruan Qing over and knocked on the door of the security room.

Someone inside heard the sound and immediately came out of the security room.

Three people emerged from the security room in total—a male teacher, a security guard, and a child around three years old.

The security guard looked at the two people standing outside and quickly took out his keys to unlock the iron gate.

The male teacher naturally recognized both of them. He looked at Ruan Qing and said, “Mr. Zhou, I hope you can come on time the next day to pick up your child.”

Although the male teacher used polite language, his tone wasn’t exactly friendly; he was clearly quite angry.

Most people would likely be upset in such a situation. Having to work an extra hour for no apparent reason would not make anyone happy.

Ruan Qing stepped forward and immediately spoke with an apologetic tone, “I’m sorry, it won’t happen again next time.”

Initially, the male teacher was still somewhat irritated and was prepared to bring up the incident where the child had hit another kid earlier in the day. However, his gaze halted when he saw Ruan Qing.

The person before him wore a mask, and his slightly disheveled hair gave him a somewhat messy yet beautiful appearance. His misty eyes were captivating, and his overall demeanor made him look as if he was only seventeen or eighteen years old.

Calling him a youth wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

The male teacher recalled a previous conversation with Mrs. Ning, who had mentioned that Mr. Zhou was already 22.

And was Mr. Zhou really this handsome before...?

The male teacher became uncertain. After all, Mr. Zhou hadn’t come to pick up the child for several days.

But the male teacher vaguely remembered that Mr. Zhou was indeed quite handsome, refined like a mannequin, devoid of any vitality, a glance enough to discourage a second look.

Yet now, with only his eyes and brows visible, he was stunning, making it hard to look away.

The male teacher fixed his gaze on Ruan Qing’s reddening eye corners and the teardrop mole, perhaps due to the urgency of picking up the child.

However... the current Mr. Zhou was undeniably beautiful...

The male teacher lowered his eyes to hide the emotions in them and handed the child he was holding to Ruan Qing. His tone softened considerably. “Mr. Zhou, next time, could you please come to pick up your child? We’ve been having trouble getting in touch with Mr. Yang, and it’s been quite challenging for us.”

Ruan Qing apologized again, “I’m sorry, my husband had a little accident today. It won’t happen next time.”

The male teacher’s gaze fell on Ruan Qing’s misty eyes as he spoke in a faint voice, “Let’s hope so.”

Ruan Qing received the child, crouched down, and held the child in his arms. After thanking the male teacher, he turned and walked back.

Mrs. Ning followed behind.

Ruan Qing couldn’t see what the child looked like, but the child hadn’t cried or thrown a tantrum despite Ruan Qing arriving late. He seemed to be very well-behaved.

After Ruan Qing lifted the child, the little one wrapped his small hand around Ruan Qing’s neck and in a soft, endearing voice, said, “Daddy, you were so slow today.”

Ruan Qing hesitated, giving the child’s head a rub. He spoke softly, “There was a little accident today. It won’t happen again next time. Can you forgive Daddy?”

The child buried his head in Ruan Qing’s neck and nuzzled against it, speaking with a demeanor beyond his age, “Alright, then Xiao Xi forgives Daddy this time.”

Upon hearing this, Ruan Qing froze.

Xiaoxi...?

The original owner’s son was named Xiao Xi!?

Wait, wasn’t the original owner’s son named Yang Muqing!?

The name Yang Muqing was chosen by Yang Tianhao himself, inspired by Yang Tianhao’s admiration for Zhou Qing, and also reflecting his longing for Zhou Qing.

Ruan Qing couldn’t find any memory of a son named ‘Xiao Xi’. Even if it was a nickname, it was supposed to be Xiao Mu.

Without changing his attitude, Ruan Qing inquired, “Why would Xiao Mu refer to himself as Xiao Xi? Isn’t his name Xiao Mu?”

“Could it be that Xiao Mu changed his name without telling Daddy?”

Yang Muqing nodded, tapping Ruan Qing’s face. “Daddy, you’re really not getting it. Xiao Mu is definitely Xiao Mu, but today Xiao Mu is playing the role of Xiao Xi.”

Ruan Qing’s eyes narrowed slightly. Playing a role...?

Just as Ruan Qing was about to ask what kind of role he was playing, Mrs. Ning beside them spoke up, her voice carrying a hint of amusement, “Oh? Xiaomu is also playing Xiaoxi today? A few days ago, my second treasure also played that role.”

Ruan Qing, intrigued, continued the conversation, “Xiao Xi? Is it some kind of game? I haven’t heard of it.”

Mrs. Ning chuckled, “Well, it’s sort of like that. It’s a pretend game that kids play, pretending to be in different scenarios. The Xiao Xi role is quite coveted. All the kids want it.”

“After my Er Bao played Xiao Xi, he kept showing off at home for quite a while.”

Ruan Qing nonchalantly asked, “What kind of pretend game is it?”

“Um...” Mrs. Ning probably hadn’t encountered this pretend game before and was somewhat uncertain. She touched her chin. “It’s kind of like a prince saving a princess?”

“Maybe it’s... about standing up for justice?”

“No, no.” Xiao Xi hugged Ruan Qing’s neck, looked at Mrs. Ning, shook his head, and then said with seriousness, “It’s a murder game.”

The innocent child’s voice didn’t make the word “murder” sound terrifying; instead, it was amusing.

Mrs. Ning burst into laughter right away. She didn’t take the child’s words to heart. “Oh, Xiao Mu knows about killing, huh? Impressive, impressive.”

Yang Muqing raised his head proudly. “Of course, I’m Xiao Xi.”

Mrs. Ning laughed even more.

Only Ruan Qing’s heart sank. A murder game?

The three of them slowly walked to the market. Ruan Qing looked at Mrs. Ning. “Mrs. Ning, you can go back first. I’ll buy some groceries. Thank you for your help today.”

Mrs. Ning looked at Ruan Qing with some worry. “Can you manage alone?”

Ruan Qing nodded. “I’m familiar with this area. It’s no problem.”

They had already reached the market, and the route was indeed safe to walk alone. Mrs. Ning waved her phone. “Alright, if you need anything, just call me.”

“Okay.”

After Mrs. Ning finished speaking, she walked away.

The sky wasn’t exactly early, probably around six to seven o’clock.

Ruan Qing had no intention of going back or sending Yang Muqing to the Xishan Kindergarten again.

He planned to take Yang Muqing out of the Xishan Residential Area and find a place to stay.

Taking care of a child was indeed inconvenient, especially considering he was blind. He couldn’t properly look after a three-year-old.

Leaving the child in the care of the murderer was out of the question.

Ruan Qing held Yang Muqing and pretended to be choosing vegetables at the market. Slowly, he felt his way toward another exit.

However, before he reached the other exit, he stopped abruptly.

Someone was following him from behind.

No, perhaps not following again. That person hadn’t left; they had been following him all along.

Ruan Qing lowered his gaze. His plan to leave was clearly no longer feasible.

He held the child and pretended to turn around because he was close to the end, then walked back.

As he passed by someone, Ruan Qing’s body tensed slightly.

It was... the murderer.

The one who had been following him all along was the murderer.

Since when did he enter the elevator? Ruan Qing was certain that he definitely didn’t enter from the fourth floor.

It seemed that the murderer was not only physically strong, but also very cunning. If it wasn’t for just catching a whiff of his scent, he wouldn’t have been able to determine that the person following him was the murderer.

The person following behind Ruan Qing was indeed Yang Tianhao. He’s not at ease with his beautiful wife going out alone, so he followed behind him.

Of course, he’s also in the elevator. He admitted he had been a bit bad, but when he looked at his wife standing obediently in the corner of the elevator, he just wanted to tease him.

He just didn’t expect to startle the person.

However, the wife who got startled was quite adorable...

Yang Tianhao, wearing a hat and holding an umbrella, followed behind his wife in a cheerful mood.

He looked at the child his wife was holding in his arms. When the child looked over, Yang Tianhao hooked his lips at the child, revealing a wicked smile.

Then he gestured with his thumb, motioning across his throat from right to left.

Cruel and ruthless.

The child seemed to not understand the meaning, tilting his head and glancing a few times. He appeared uninterested, then turned and buried his little head in Ruan Qing’s neck, affectionately nuzzling.

After rubbing the corner of Ruan Qing’s eye, he even kissed him, as if they were a real father and son.

After the child finished nuzzling, he lifted his head and gave a faint glance at Yang Tianhao, as if it was unintentional.

Yet it seemed as if... provoking him in a way.

Yang Tianhao’s eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze deep and intense as he stared at the seemingly fearless child.

Ruan Qing, caught off guard by the child’s gesture, hesitated for a moment and then, imitating the original owner’s behavior, rubbed the child’s head.

Being relentlessly followed by the murderer, it was clear there was no chance of escaping. Ruan Qing casually bought some groceries as a cover and started walking home while holding the child.

Although there was no unusual expression on Ruan Qing’s face, his current mood was very heavy.

Even though he was walking home, in Ruan Qing’s heart, it was no different from taking steps toward death.

Although Yang Muqing was adopted by Zhou Qing and Yang Tianhao after they moved to the Xishan Residential Area, and it hadn’t been long since the adoption, the child was surely aware of who his real father was.

So now he faced a very serious dilemma.

If Yang Muqing was to directly expose the murderer, how could he survive...

 

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