Chapter 19: You're my son
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After what seemed like forever in the land of moans and kisses, Yin finally forced Jinye to go to work. But barely an hour later, she got a phone call from Zhong's teacher.
In panic mode, she threw on the first thing in her drawer—an oversized hoodie and baggy jeans. Anyone looking might've thought she was homeless, but make no mistake, those brands were not for broke people. She didn't even wait to grab the car; she just hailed a taxi and zoomed straight to Zhong's school.
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Zhong's School
As she was dashing inside, she bumped into a woman.
"I'm so sorry—did I hurt you?" Yin asked politely.
But the woman looked her up and down like she was trash.
"Who the hell let this beggar in? Security!" she shrieked.
Yin, still polite but frantic, said, "Please—I'm in a hurry. I'll make it up to you, I swear."
But the woman grabbed her arm.
"This school is elite. You don't even qualify to mop the floors here. What are you doing here?"
"My son studies here," Yin replied.
That got a cackle out of the woman. "And how could you afford that?"
"I really can't talk now—my son might be in trouble," Yin said, trying to walk past.
The woman wasn't budging.
Just then, a passing teacher called out, "Miss Yin, the principal's waiting for you."
Saved by the bell.
"Thank you," Yin said, hurrying inside.
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Principal's Office
The moment she entered, she spotted Zhong sitting with his head down, hugging a photo album like his life depended on it. Her baby looked broken. Bruised. Bandaged. Her heart dropped.
"Who did this to you?!" Yin asked, checking his face.
He didn't speak. Just kept holding that book.
Yin turned cold, eyes boring into the principal. "Who. Hurt. My. Son?"
The principal stammered, "Let's talk calmly, Mrs. Yin…"
But before she could finish, the door opened and in walked that arrogant woman, dragging her bratty son along.
"Oh? You again?" she scoffed.
Zhong immediately stepped in front of Yin.
"You little bastard," the woman growled. "Wanna get hit again?"
She raised her hand, but Yin caught it mid-air.
"You wanna hit him?" Yin said, voice icy cold.
"I should teach him a lesson! Shameless boy has a girlfriend at 7!"
Yin didn't flinch. "Say that again."
The room fell silent.
"Who trained this brat?" the woman continued. "Probably his whor—"
"SHUT UP!" Yin snapped.
The lady raised her chin. "Who are you to—?"
"Can someone explain what the hell is going on?!" Yin shouted. First time she ever cursed in public. Everyone froze.
Finally, a staff member spoke. "Apparently, Zhong was smiling at his photo book. This boy grabbed it, saw a photo of a girl kissing Zhong, teased him, and then hit him with a rock when Zhong tried to get it back."
The woman laughed. "Poor freak. I'll protect my son, not tolerate his nonsense!"
Yin flipped through the photo book. Every single picture? Her and Zhong. From the park, restaurants, fun days out. She smiled, kissed his head.
"Baby, go wait outside," she said gently. But he refused to leave her alone.
"Someone call an ambulance," Yin said.
"For him?!" the woman barked.
"No. For you," Yin said with a calm smile.
She was just about to pick up a belt when the woman's husband arrived, grabbed Yin's arm so tight it left marks, and then slapped her.
And oh no—he shouldn't have done that.
Zhong bit the man's leg. The guy yanked Zhong by the hair and hit him.
Everything stopped.
Then came the voice. Deep. Dangerous.
"Break his hands. Ruin him. Let him beg for food. Make sure no one gives him a loan."
Jinye had entered the chat.
Without another word, he punched the man so hard he flew back. "Take him away," he ordered.
"But Mr. Dong! Your wife attacked my wife!" the man cried.
Jinye ignored him. Walked straight to Yin, cupped her bruised face.
"Does it hurt?" he asked softly.
"Very much," she said, pouting.
"Do you want to hit her back?"
She nodded.
"She's all yours."
Yin slapped the woman.
"Are you satisfied?" he asked.
She shook her head.
"Still yours."
Yin slapped her again.
The woman's son started crying. "Stop hitting my mom!"
But Zhong wasn't done. He tripped the boy. He fell and hit his head.
Yin casually asked, "Baby, you okay?"
"Yes," he nodded.
"Husband, let's go," she said, completely ignoring the chaos.
As they left, the woman was shaking in her heels. "Who… who did I mess with?"
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Hospital
After they got patched up, Jinye, Yin, and Zhong sat in the VIP lounge.
"Babe," Jinye said. "Try not to get hurt again, okay? Stay out of trouble."
"She hit my son. That's not 'trouble.'"
"You could've called me."
"I didn't want to disturb you. You'd just left for work."
"She called her husband, didn't she?"
He was sulking now.
"Jin… stop whining. I'm not broken."
He chuckled and turned to Zhong.
"You protected my wife. I'm proud. You are my son."
Zhong nodded shyly.
Yin smiled.
At least he's finally talking to the kid. We're getting there.
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