Volume 1, Chapter 11: She Even Had a Son?

The little boy tilted his head up, clutching Lin Qiao’s clothes tightly with his small hands, tears beginning to fall pitifully.

“Mom, why are you only here now?”

Lin Qiao slowly crouched down, barely able to think.

This child resembled her so much, and was about the same age as Qin Yi.

If she weren’t absolutely certain that she had only ever been pregnant with Qin Yi’s child, she would have almost believed this was Qin Yi’s twin brother.

Qin Yi resembled his father, while this boy before her looked like an exact replica of her own childhood self.

What on earth was going on?

She recalled Qin Chen’s loaded words from that day and wanted to see him immediately to clarify everything.

But at this moment, the little boy was already sobbing uncontrollably.

Lin Qiao felt an inexplicable pang of heartache and hugged him gently, soothing him softly, “It’s okay, be good now, don’t cry.”

“Tell Auntie, what’s your name?”

Hearing this, the boy’s tears threatened to fall again in his grievance.

“Mom, don’t you remember Xiaoxiao? I’m Huo Xiao.”

Huo Xiao looked at Lin Qiao with hopeful eyes, wishing she would recognize him.

“Xiaoxiao, I’m not your mom, you’ve got the wrong person.”

“You are mom! Mom, Xiaoxiao misses you so much. He’s been waiting for you here with Uncle Qin for a long time.”

“Xiaoxiao, where is Uncle Qin?”

She needed to see Qin Chen immediately to get answers.

“Uncle Qin isn’t here. He said a teacher would come today to teach Xiaoxiao photography, to give him a surprise.”

“Mom, are you here to take me home?”

Huo Xiao hadn’t expected that the surprise would be his mother coming back.

Lin Qiao looked at Huo Xiao in front of her, feeling a bit at a loss.

It seemed that ever since he first saw her, Qin Chen had his suspicions.

She thought of that night in the hotel when Qin Chen asked about her relationship with the Lin family.

Perhaps this child was connected to the Lin family as well.

All doubts would have to wait until she could contact Qin Chen for clarity.

Facing Huo Xiao’s pitiful, pleading gaze, Lin Qiao could only comfort him.

“Why don’t you stay with Uncle Qin for now, okay?”

Huo Xiao looked up at Lin Qiao, noticing her hesitation.

Although a deep sense of loss washed over him, he still tearfully and obediently agreed.

“All right, I’ll be good. Mom, come see my room.”

Lin Qiao was led by Huo Xiao’s small hand as they walked into the house.

She arrived at Huo Xiao’s room, decorated full of childlike charm, with small cars and cameras scattered everywhere.

Some expensive cameras were casually placed on the floor by the little owner.

It seemed Qin Chen was raising the child very well.

Huo Xiao picked up a camera and handed it to Lin Qiao.

“Mom, let’s play taking pictures!”

Lin Qiao took the camera and first set a few ground rules with Huo Xiao.

“Xiaoxiao, you have to call me Auntie, okay?”

Upon hearing this, tears welled up again in his round, almond-shaped eyes.

Lin Qiao softened, “This is our little secret.”

“Mom can’t recognize you as mom yet, so for now, just call me Auntie, alright?”

Huo Xiao didn’t understand, but he had always been the most obedient child.

His watery eyes were full of dependence as he nodded.

“Not mom, Auntie.”

Huo Xiao was so well-behaved that Lin Qiao couldn’t help but pull him into her arms.

She spent the entire afternoon with Huo Xiao, teaching him photography.

Until footsteps came from outside the door, she turned around and saw Qin Chen.

Qin Chen seemed to have just returned from the company, dressed in a well-tailored dark suit, his collar slightly undone, looking both elegant and casual.

He gave a low, hoarse smile. “Do you like this surprise?”

“I do!”

Huo Xiao jumped up first, running over on his small legs to hug Qin Chen’s leg.

“Uncle Qin, Mom’s back! I’m so happy!”

“Uncle Qin is happy for Xiaoxiao too.”

Qin Chen ruffled Huo Xiao’s little head, then looked up at Lin Qiao.

Lin Qiao slowly stood up.

“President Qin, may I have a word with you?”

...

Lin Qiao handed Huo Xiao over to the servant, making a pinky promise with him that she would return soon to accompany him.

Qin Chen watched their interaction with amusement.

After Huo Xiao left, Qin Chen casually spoke, “Do you like this son?”

Lin Qiao replied with helplessness, “President Qin, we both know that Huo Xiao cannot be my son.”

Although Lin Qiao had been married to Qin Tianlang for four years without ever meeting Qin Chen, Qin Chen must have known their situation.

“Huo Xiao looks exactly like me. His parents…”

Lin Qiao suddenly recalled that last time Qin Chen said the child’s parents had already passed away.

Her heart sank as she was about to ask more.

Qin Chen glanced at his watch. “Sorry, Miss Lin, I have to attend an online meeting now.”

Before leaving, he hinted, “Miss Lin, it’s a coincidence that you also share the surname Lin. I don’t know if it’s fate or chance, but maybe you can find answers at Lin Corporation in Haishi.”

Lin Qiao pondered for a moment. It seemed the child’s parents might be related to the Lin family.

Lin Qiao, full of questions, said goodbye to Huo Xiao, preparing to go home.

Under the assault of the boy’s tears, she promised to come back and accompany him again in a few days.

...

Lin Family Manor

Lin Qiao held a cup of warm milk and knocked on the study door.

Lin Shao opened it, his eyes full of joy when he saw Lin Qiao.

“Qiao Qiao, what brings you to see Dad?”

Lin Qiao handed the warm milk to Lin Shao. “Mom said you haven’t been sleeping well at night. Drinking warm milk can calm your nerves.”

“You’re still my thoughtful daughter.”

Lin Shao took the milk and looked at the conflicted and hesitant expression on Lin Qiao’s face.

“Qiao Qiao, what do you want to say?”

“I met a child today who looks a lot like me. But I heard his parents have passed away. I wonder if he has any connection to the Lin family…”

Upon hearing this, Lin Shao’s face suddenly turned pale.

He interrupted Lin Qiao and forced out, “Sounds like this child really is pitiful.”

“Qiao Qiao, there are many people who look alike in this world. Maybe you’re overthinking.”

Although Lin Qiao had not been with the Lin family for long, she could feel that they treated family members sincerely.

If he was truly related to the Lin family, why wouldn’t he be recognized?

Especially such a well-behaved and sensible child like Huo Xiao.

Lin Qiao looked at her father’s silver hair, and after hearing her question, he seemed momentarily defeated.

Unable to bear probing further, Lin Qiao said goodnight and left, closing the door behind her.

She heard her father’s long sigh.

Back in her room, Lin Qiao received a call from Bai Xin.

On the other end, Bai Xin’s voice was full of energy.

“Baby! Good news!”

“What good news?”

“Did you see the photos posted on Qin Corporation’s official account? This time they even tagged our studio. Lots of fans are praising our work.”

Lin Qiao hadn’t expected Qin Corporation to actively tag them, promoting their studio.

“And there’s more good news. Qin Corporation’s jewelry shoots for the next year will all be handled by our studio!”

Bai Xin grew more and more excited as she spoke.

“Qiao Qiao, remember to dress nicely for Qin Corporation’s celebration banquet tomorrow. You might run into Xu Mingyue again. You can’t let her outshine you.”

Lin Qiao thought of the new dresses in her wardrobe and happily agreed.

“All right! Don’t worry!”