At Qin Ran's Desk
Luoli sat on the chair, legs swinging back and forth as he happily ate his candy, completely unbothered by the chaos he had caused earlier.
"Mom, want a bite?" he asked, holding it up.
Qin Ran rubbed her temples.
"No, Luoli…" she sighed.
"Okay." He shrugged and continued eating.
A young woman from the next desk leaned over, barely holding in her laughter.
"Little kid, you really shook the conference room. The way you shouted—"
"Sister Ming," Qin Ran warned quietly.
"But did you see the CEO's face—"
"Sister. Ming."
"…Right. Sorry."
Qin Ran turned to her again.
"Sister Ming, could you give us some space? I need to talk to Luoli alone."
"Alright, alright." Sister Ming waved her hand and walked back to her desk, though she was clearly still curious.
Qin Ran turned back to the little boy. Her voice softened.
"Luoli… what you did in there was wrong. You can't just run into meetings and shout things like that."
Luoli blinked up at her innocently.
"But Mom… didn't you say I can tell you if I want a dad?"
Qin Ran paused.
"I said I would find you one," she corrected slowly.
Luoli puffed his cheeks and pouted with surprising seriousness.
"But I want him."
He tugged on her sleeve.
"Pleeease, Mom."
Qin Ran let out a long sigh.
"…Just don't do that again."
"Okay, Mom!" Luoli grinned instantly, as if the entire conversation had been a success.
She turned back to her screen.
Luoli resumed eating. Leg resumed swaying.
Somewhere behind her she heard Sister Ming make a sound that was not quite a laugh and not quite a cough.
"Sister Ming."
"I said nothing."
Elsewhere in the building—
The knock was precise.
"Come in."
Secretary Fang entered. Folder in hand. She placed it on the desk with both hands and straightened.
"Sir. All the information you requested."
"Leave it. I'll read it in a moment."
"Yes sir." A pause. "I'll take my leave."
She turned. The door clicked shut behind her.
He didn't move immediately.
Only when the door closed did he pick it up.
The pages turned slowly beneath his fingers.
Name: Luoli. Mother: Lin Qin Ran.
So it's true.
Luoli's mother is Qin Ran.
A quiet exhale.
Then I can pursue her without hesitation.
But now
His gaze lifted toward the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.
The sunlight reflected in his eyes, hiding whatever emotions lay beneath.
His thoughts were unreadable.
And yet he was smiling.