After dropping his sister and nephew off, Tang Yi was heading back to his studio to rush a deadline. As he took the car, Tang Shi pulled some leftovers from the fridge for him. “Don’t work too hard.” “Supporting you is exhausting enough,” Tang Yi said. “I haven’t even had time to find a wife.” Tang Shi playfully slammed the door on her brother. Behind her, Tang Wei giggled from the sofa. “Uncle’s going to be single forever!” Tang Shi smiled too. “Did you have fun today?” Tang Wei nodded enthusiastically. “So much fun—!!” “That’s good. Just remember when you get back…” “To thank Uncle. I know, Mommy.” Tang Wei’s eyes were wide and earnest. Tang Shi felt like she’d won the lottery, having a son so clever. She had just finished tidying up the house and was about to go to bed when the doorbell rang. Still wiping the floor, Tang Shi called out for Tang Wei to get the door. The boy hopped off the sofa and trotted over on his short legs. “Did Uncle forget something…?” But when he opened the door and saw the face on the other side, Tang Wei’s expression froze. Bo Ye hadn’t expected the boy to be the one to answer. He had imagined this reunion in a thousand different ways—perhaps Tang Shi would be cold, or her eyes would be full of a stranger’s indifference, or maybe she would still hate him. But never once had he imagined his own son opening the door. The sight of Bo Ye’s face made Tang Wei's heart seize. A second later, instinct took over, and he slammed the door shut. Damn it! The first time in his life Bo Ye had ever deigned to visit someone, and the door was slammed in his face. By a damn little brat, no less! Still, he had to admit the boy had his spirit. A foolish flicker of pride went through him, and he knocked again. This time, he heard Tang Wei’s voice from inside. “Mommy, there’s no one there. Must be a prank by the neighbors!” Bo Ye’s anger flared. Where the hell did this little bastard learn to lie so blatantly?! He abandoned knocking and simply kicked the door. The loud bang made Tang Wei jump. He pressed his small body against the door, looking back at Tang Shi. “Mommy… there’s a bad man at the door…” “What’s wrong?” Tang Shi rushed over and swept Tang Wei into her arms. Why did he look so terrified? The thought that their life as a single mother and son might attract criminals crossed her mind, and she took a few steps back. Tang Wei clung to her tightly. “Mommy, don’t be afraid. It’s the Young Master of the Bo family.” The warmth in Tang Shi’s heart turned to ice in an instant. Why was Bo Ye here? How did he know about her and Tang Wei? Was he… was he here to take their son? The thought alone made her eyes burn. Tang Shi bit her lip. “Don’t worry, sweetie. Mommy will never let a bad man take you.” Hearing this, Tang Wei slid to the floor and, with a newfound resolve, strode to the door and opened it. Bo Ye, who had been about to kick it again, found himself staring down at a miniature version of himself. The boy stood there, brow furrowed, watching him with wary eyes. “Can I help you?” Well, now. Straight to the point, aren't we? So the kid knew everything. A cold smile touched Bo Ye’s lips. “What, not going to invite your father in?” “I don’t have a father,” Tang Wei shot back instantly. “For the past five years, it's just been my mommy and me. I don’t have a father. And I don’t need one.” Tang Shi’s eyes reddened again at his words. Such a fiercely loyal boy. Bo Ye stood in the doorway, his gaze locked with his son’s. “You don’t need a father?” “Young Master Bo,” Tang Wei began, his tone chillingly formal, “my mommy and I have always lived quietly and stayed out of trouble. If you have business with us, please state it immediately. Otherwise, you can leave.” The formal address, “Young Master Bo,” grated on Bo Ye’s ears. Had Tang Shi taught him this? Taught him this false deference? His anger rising, Bo Ye pushed past the boy and stepped inside. He saw Tang Shi standing in the living room, and in that instant, all the emotions from their five years apart surged through him. The fear and pain in her eyes were soul-deep, and it made him clench his fists. “Long time no see,” he said. Tang Shi didn’t answer. Tang Wei, seeing he couldn’t stop the man, ran to his mother’s side and took her hand. “It’s okay, Mommy. Let’s go to bed.” They turned in unison, intending to ignore Bo Ye completely. “Stop!” The furious command echoed from behind them. Tang Shi shuddered, and even Tang Wei could feel her hand trembling in his. Bo Ye’s anger twisted into a cruel smile. “Aren’t you going to explain this child to me?” “Explain what?” Tang Shi faced him, her voice trembling. “I served five years in prison. Why won’t you just leave me alone?” Five years in prison! It had destroyed all the love and hope she ever had for him. Bo Ye narrowed his eyes, dissatisfied with her response. “You deserved to be in prison. Stop playing the victim.” Tang Shi’s eyes blazed. She turned back to face him fully. “Is that so? You’re right. Then why are you gracing an ex-con like me with your presence? Am I really worth the visit?” “Of course you’re not.” Bo Ye stepped forward and seized Tang Wei’s arm. “But he is!” Tang Shi fought back tears, but Tang Wei remained preternaturally calm. He just looked at Bo Ye and said softly, “Young Master Bo, please let go.” The word “please” was like a needle to Bo Ye’s heart. “Call me Dad,” he commanded. “I don’t have a father.” Tang Wei looked up, a faint, chilling smile on his face. “I only have a mother who spent five years in prison.” In that moment, Bo Ye admitted defeat. He had lost to a child. Tang Shi hadn’t needed to say a thing. Tang Wei’s single sentence was like a thousand arrows to the heart. Just five years in prison? Tang Shi had killed his child and the woman he loved. What right did she have to stand here now, looking like the victim and questioning him? He suddenly remembered what she had said to him five years ago, as they took her away. *If you ever find out that what you did today was wrong…* A tightness gripped Bo Ye’s chest. He looked instinctively at Tang Wei and asked a question so foolish he regretted it instantly. “When was the child born?” “Do you even need to ask? In prison, of course.” Tang Shi laughed, but tears streamed down her face. “Your eyes were only ever on An Mi. Why would you care if I was pregnant? Who knows, maybe Tang Wei isn’t even your child. After all, in your eyes, I’m just a slut, aren’t I!” “You—” Enraged, Bo Ye released Tang Wei and lunged for Tang Shi, his hand clamping around her neck. “Five years, and you’re still so goddamn cheap!” Tang Shi shoved at him with her left hand, and what he felt shocked him—calluses. Tang Shi had always been right-handed. Why… A thought struck him, and Bo Ye grabbed for her right hand. Tang Shi screamed, a sudden, violent panic seizing her. “Let me go!” Tang Wei’s eyes were red now too. “Let go of my mommy!” He yanked up her sleeve, revealing a wrist so slender it looked as though it would snap with the slightest pressure. Those hands had once been Tang Shi’s pride. When she drew her design sketches, the whole world had shone in her eyes. But now— The network of scars crisscrossing her wrist burned into his vision. Bo Ye couldn’t suppress a gasp, his pupils contracting violently.