"Pfft..." Old Madam He nearly choked on her tea. "What did you say?"
"Grandma, didn't you want us to build feelings as quickly as possible? So, we're planning to follow your orders," He Yining replied with a calm expression.
Old Madam He felt the sun must be rising from the west today!
She turned to look at Shen Qi, who smoothly answered, "Yes. Yining said living in the villa is too far, so it's better to stay at Jinghua Manor for convenience."
Old Madam He stared seriously at He Yining. "Are you being serious? Not fooling your grandma?"
He Yining immediately said, "If Grandma doesn't believe me, we'll stick to the old plan."
"Fine! Xiao Qi, Yining! If you can make me hold a great-grandchild within a year, I'll let your parents come home!" Old Madam He was decisive, slapping the table.
He Yining's eyes lit up. "Grandma?"
Old Madam He nodded solemnly. "I'm getting old. I want my children and grandchildren around me."
He Yining smiled faintly. "Grandma, you'll get your wish!"
Shen Qi didn't know about the He family's affairs, and she wasn't one to pry, so she listened quietly.
After breakfast, He Yining drove Shen Qi away.
Butler He watched in amazement. "It seems the young master has really taken a liking to this Shen Qi. Otherwise, why would he change his mind overnight?"
Old Madam He didn't look up. "That boy can fool others, but not me. He's clearly had his eye on this girl for a while. What's strange is that he only found out last night that his wife is Shen Qi?"
Butler He nodded. "Yes, it is odd. But it's a good thing overall. Madam, are you really going to accept this daughter of the Shen family into the He family?"
"If she can give the He family a child and Yining likes her, there's no reason not to keep her," Old Madam He said leisurely. "I already have a daughter-in-law who's a killer; I don't mind having a poor granddaughter-in-law."
Leaving the He mansion, Shen Qi couldn't help but look back at the stunning architecture.
"What? Reluctant to leave?" He Yining was in a great mood, having achieved his goal.
"Why is the He mansion so beautiful, yet you choose to live outside?" Shen Qi couldn't help asking.
"It's more convenient outside," He Yining rarely explained to her.
Shen Qi nodded thoughtfully.
"Come on, let's go to your place," He Yining suddenly said.
"Huh?" Shen Qi was stunned. "Why?"
"Are you still hiding your marriage from your brother?" He Yining glanced sideways at her.
Shen Qi guiltily fiddled with her fingers. "Mm..."
"Then we definitely need to go," He Yining said lazily. "I want to see if he's more handsome, or I am!"
Shen Qi looked at him speechlessly.
President He, why did I never realize you could be this childish?
Shen Qi knew they'd have to meet eventually.
After all, He Yining was helping arrange a doctor's appointment—how could they avoid it?
So, she didn't refuse his request.
The car soon stopped at the building where Shen Qi lived.
Shen Qi led He Yining upstairs.
As they entered, Wei Wei was about to head out. Seeing Shen Qi, he called out, "Xiao Qi, watch things for a bit. I need to grab the newspaper."
Then he looked up and noticed the man behind Shen Qi.
That man exuded an unmatched aristocratic aura—lazy yet seductive, domineering yet restrained.
A true kingly presence!
One glance at him, and people couldn't help but feel submissive.
Even though he was holding back his full presence, his air of authority was unmistakable.
Wei Wei couldn't help asking, "Xiao Qi, who is this?"
Shen Qi glanced back at He Yining and hesitated before saying, "He's my friend..."
Friend?
Both Wei Wei and He Yining looked at her.
Wei Wei thought, Xiao Qi is so naive—she can't let herself be fooled! This man has looks, build, presence, and his clothes scream high class—he's clearly no ordinary person!
He Yining thought, She won't even admit I'm her husband? Hmph... And this uncle calls her Xiao Qi so casually? Uncle, we need to have a chat!
Shen Qi, oblivious to the tension between the two men, said, "Uncle Wei, go ahead. I'll take care of things here."
Wei Wei nodded and gave He Yining a meaningful look. "I'll be quick."
Shen Qi changed her shoes and handed He Yining a pair of slippers. "Please change your shoes, thanks!"
He Yining raised an eyebrow.
This was the first time someone had asked him to change shoes!
When he visited others, they'd practically kneel to wipe the floor clean!
And she was worried he'd dirty her floor?
Hmph, my wife is just that special, and I love indulging her!
He Yining obediently put on the slippers and entered.
Shen Qi first ran to Shen Lu's room and knocked. "Brother? I'm coming in!"
She pushed open the door and saw Shen Lu sitting pale-faced on the floor, obsessively drawing a picture again.
Shen Qi hurried over and saw a strange pattern. She couldn't help asking, "Brother, did you dream of Dad again?"
Shen Lu nodded.
When He Yining walked over, he saw this warm yet jarring scene.
Shen Qi smiled gently at a man whose exquisite looks could outshine any female celebrity.
The man's face was pale, with a hint of morbid obsession in his eyes, but when he looked at Shen Qi, his tenderness was unmistakable.
How... irritating!
He Yining cleared his throat lightly. "Hello, I'm He Yining. Nice to meet you."
Shen Lu looked up at He Yining.
The two top-tier handsome men finally met.
Shen Lu's face showed a strange expression. "You smell like Xiao Qi. You're hers."
He Yining's face stiffened.
Shen Qi couldn't help but chuckle.
He Yining rubbed his nose. He had to admit, people with autism often had terrifying intuition and perception.
He didn't like that phrasing, though.
But it wasn't entirely unpleasant.
He Yining sat down too, taking the initiative to greet Shen Lu. "What are you drawing?"
Shen Lu ignored him, so Shen Qi explained, "Every time my brother dreams of Dad, he stubbornly draws this strange pattern. I don't know what it means. He's been doing it for eighteen years."
He Yining leaned in curiously.
As soon as he saw it, his pupils contracted sharply!
This was... a killer organization's emblem!
How did he know this?
He Yining recognized it because his mother had the same mark!
He couldn't help asking, "Why do you keep drawing this mark? Did you see something?"
Shen Lu's expression suddenly grew agitated, and he drew faster.
Shen Qi quickly hugged him. "Brother, it's okay! No one will hurt us anymore!"
But Shen Lu seemed not to hear, continuing to draw obsessively.
He Yining hadn't expected this and apologized, "Sorry, I didn't mean to cause this."
Shen Qi shook her head. "It's not your fault. The doctor said his late-onset autism might be from a huge shock. He'd rather stay in his own world than face reality. It's rare—most people either go completely mad or develop amnesia from self-hypnosis."
She gently brushed aside Shen Lu's messy hair and said softly, "Maybe he's just too smart. He never went to school, but he's read all my textbooks and knows them better than me. A brain this brilliant probably doesn't break down easily, right?"
He Yining's gaze fell on the mark again, a strange unease stirring in his heart.
Shen Qi pulled him out of the room and said, "You've seen my brother's condition. If you can find a better doctor, please help. I'll pay any price to cure him!"
He Yining looked at her, ruffled her hair, and spoke with rare tenderness. "Don't worry. He'll get better."
By afternoon, Shen Lu had returned to normal.
When He Yining saw him again, he felt like Shen Lu had changed.
Gone was the morning's frenzy and obsession—he was calm and peaceful.
This Shen Lu was truly a quiet beauty!
Even He Yining, at the peak of handsomeness, had to admit Shen Lu could rival him.
Shen Lu still remembered He Yining. "You're hers."
He Yining smiled. "And you?"
"I am too," Shen Lu said seriously. "We both are."
He Yining laughed. "Yeah, we both are."
He held up a chess set. "Want a game?"
Shen Lu sat across from him without hesitation and made a move.
He Yining countered.
As the game progressed, He Yining was amazed by Shen Lu's memory.
His deduction skills were incredible.
He could think ten moves ahead.
No wonder Shen Qi said he was highly intelligent—this was beyond ordinary!
Shen Lu stared at his pieces, a bit dejected. "You're strong. I can't beat you."
He Yining smiled faintly. "You're not bad either."
Just then, Shen Qi poked her head out of the kitchen. "Wash up, it's time for dumplings!"
Hearing this, Shen Lu pushed the chess pieces aside and happily went to help set the table.
During the meal, Shen Qi said to Shen Lu, "Brother, I'm moving out. You and Uncle Wei stay home and behave. I'll try to visit every day, okay?"
Shen Lu glanced at He Yining. "You're going with him."