After Bankruptcy, the Billionaire Asked Me to Marry Him!
Chapter 357 I Really Like You So Much

Chapter 357: Chapter 357 I Really Like You So Much

After more than a week of visiting different children’s homes after school every day, Xiao Bao had become so lively that he hopped out the door each morning from Lishan Mansion.

As the car drove out of Lishan Mansion, Ye Li glanced at the messages on her phone screen, turned back to look at Xiao Bao, and smiled warmly. "Your uncle will arrive this afternoon. When you return from Ruize’s house tonight, you’ll be able to see him."

The moment she spoke, Xiao Bao’s expression visibly froze.

It was as though he’d been caught red-handed doing something wrong.

Ye Li paused, "What’s wrong?"

"Fu Muzhi, he’s not your uncle—he’s your dad!"

"Xiao Bao, come back to Mom’s side. Let’s keep this secret together, okay?"

"Xiao Bao..."

In his ears was Lin Kerou’s voice, alternating between tenderness and agitation.

In his mind, there was the image of her crying uncontrollably during both of their encounters, repeatedly apologizing.

Then he thought of Fu Yanci, as if two voices were shouting in his ears, one on each side.

"Uncle," "Dad"—the words echoed back and forth. Xiao Bao gritted his teeth, his whole demeanor becoming odd.

"Brother Mu, Brother Mu?"

Signaling the driver to slow down, Ye Li picked up Xiao Bao, touched his face, and checked his forehead with a worried expression. "What’s wrong? Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?"

Xiao Bao snapped out of his thoughts.

Facing Ye Li’s urgently concerned gaze full of worry, Xiao Bao shook his head: Ye Xiaoli, I’m fine!

Still uneasy, Ye Li continued, "How about we take a day off? Let’s not go to kindergarten today, okay? I’ll take you to the amusement park."

Gentle and beautiful Ye Xiaoli, her concern was full of sincerity.

When he looked more closely, he could even see his tiny reflection in her lovely pupils.

But he couldn’t trouble her any further!

She used to live in the school dormitory and only came home on weekends. But because of him, she returned home every day and even went to his friends’ homes to pick him up.

He had already caused her so much inconvenience.

If this continued, wouldn’t she grow to dislike him?

With a bright smile, Xiao Bao glanced at the car’s air conditioning vent and shook his head while smiling: Ye Xiaoli, I’m truly fine!

The car stopped at the kindergarten entrance, and despite Ye Li’s lingering doubt, Xiao Bao skillfully opened the door and ran into the kindergarten gates.

Ye Li stared at his tiny figure for a long time until the blaring of honking horns jolted her attention, and she quickly instructed the driver to leave.

The vehicle entered the city’s main road, and Ye Li’s phone chimed with a soft notification sound.

The message was from Xiao Bao.

[Ye Xiaoli, I really like you, I like you so much, so much!]

Xiao Bao had told her words like this many times before.

In the past, she would pinch his cheek and tease, "So sly at such a young age, Fu Muzhi—what will you be like when you grow up?"

She might even joke with Fu Yanci, "Do all the Fu Family men grow up knowing how to charm people like this from childhood?"

But today, staring at those words on her phone, an inexplicable sadness washed over Ye Li.

A feeling she couldn’t put into words.

[Fu Muzhi, I like you too, so much, so, so much!]

[If the Earth doesn’t explode, our friendship never takes a vacation. If the Universe doesn’t reset, we’ll never let go. In wind or rain, I’ll wait for you at the kindergarten gate! See you this afternoon!]

All day, Ye Li was restless and anxious, afraid her phone would ring and the kindergarten would call to report something happened to Xiao Bao.

Thankfully, nothing happened.

Friday proceeded as usual; there were no classes in the afternoon. Ye Li skipped lunch and rushed straight to her studio.

Pushing the door open, she heard a lively piano melody.

At a "Charity Night" auction, Ye Li and Wan Mingyi’s two works brought in fifty million.

According to the percentages stated in their contract, Ye Li transferred Wan Mingyi’s share to her.

Since that day, it seemed Wan Mingyi had transformed into a different person.

Even her walking exuded confidence.

In just half a month, the two of them had been overflowing with inspiration, piling design drafts on their desks.

After a highly productive afternoon, it was five o’clock when Ye Li decided to drive to the kindergarten.

Over a week, aside from kindergarten visits, they’d also gone to friends’ homes—forming what seemed like deep revolutionary friendships among the kids.

Thinking about not seeing each other for the next two days, the little ones embraced, held hands, all resistant to parting ways.

Until Lan Qi curiously asked Xiao Bao, "Isn’t your family hosting a gathering tomorrow and inviting all of us? Is it canceled?"

Xiao Bao shook his head, indicating it wasn’t canceled.

The group of little kids cheered, jumping around, their faces lighting up as they exclaimed, "See you tomorrow!" before being taken home by their parents.

Xiao Bao held a child’s hand, waved at Ye Li, and directly got into his family’s car.

As the Maybach left the kindergarten, Ye Li immediately spotted Lin Kerou standing by the roadside in the distance.

Ye Li’s gaze shifted lightly; she pretended not to see and followed the car ahead onto the main road.

By the roadside near the kindergarten, Lin Kerou smirked.

Ye Li, I’ll see how long you can keep smiling!

Then, Lin Kerou turned and walked away.

Dinner was hosted at Han Ruize’s house.

Ye Li had never heard of any Han Family among the Imperial Capital’s rich families. Recalling the parent-child sports day, she couldn’t remember which family Ruize’s mother belonged to.

By evening, arriving at the Han Family mansion, Ye Li saw the strikingly handsome face from the big screens. Looking at Mrs. Han again, Ye Li belatedly realized who they were.

The powerful actor and his manager wife—secretly married.

Privately, the actor didn’t have the distance of his screen persona; being teased by his wife made him display a mixture of helplessness and affection, adding a layer of approachability.

The manager-known-for-being-a-tough-businesswoman also didn’t exude the dominance portrayed in reports; instead, she seemed distressed over her mischievous son.

The adults chatted and shared gossip.

The kids built Lego sets and played Ultraman.

The atmosphere inside the villa was particularly harmonious.

When Fu Yanci arrived carrying gifts, the famed distant and aloof Uncle Fu turned out to be so approachable in private, and the mood became even better.

The private dinner left everyone satisfied.

It was already ten o’clock when Ye Li left the Han Family mansion.

As the Maybach started, almost immediately after the windows closed, Ye Li noticed Xiao Bao becoming tense.

Despite a ten-day absence, Xiao Bao didn’t look at Fu Yanci with the longing gaze he had before.

Instead, he seemed to be avoiding him?

No matter how much Ye Li asked, the little guy refused to admit it, shaking his head in denial.

From the driver’s seat, Fu Yanci’s gaze deepened.

Back at Lishan Mansion, Fu Yanci held Ye Li in a brief hug. "You head back to your room first."

Then, he led Xiao Bao to the master bedroom on the first floor.

The door closed, and everything fell silent. Fu Yanci crouched down and looked into Xiao Bao’s evasive eyes. "Did she say something to you?"

His heart sank sharply, as though it might leap out with a single word.

Xiao Bao clenched his lips tightly, shaking his head furiously like a drum.

No coaxing, no interrogation, no pressing.

Fu Yanci raised his hand and lightly tapped Xiao Bao’s head. "Fu Muzhi, you’re a man of the Fu Family. Although you’re only five years old, I’ve never treated you as a child. When you encounter something that confuses you, just don’t think about it for now. Watch carefully. Think deeply. When the time comes, you’ll naturally understand. Got it?"

Staring blankly at Fu Yanci for a long while, Xiao Bao finally nodded: Okay!

After confirming multiple times that he was fine and didn’t need company, Fu Yanci closed the door and left the master bedroom.

Glancing back at Xiao Bao, who was heading to the bathroom with his pajamas, Fu Yanci pulled out his phone and made a call.