Volume One, Chapter Nine: In Her Eyes, Endless Secrets Lie Hidden

Just as he was about to climb the stairs, Kong Huahua said, “Mr. Fang, the children are all on the first floor...”

Fang Yi stopped in his tracks and turned to look at her, his brow slightly furrowed. “Why aren’t they sleeping upstairs?”

“They sleep more soundly on the first floor,” Kong Huahua replied. “When we were upstairs, Yuanyuan would start crying around three or four in the morning...”

“I see...” Fang Yi then turned and headed toward the bedroom on the first floor.

The first-floor bedroom originally belonged to Kong Huahua. The second floor was the children’s room for Fang Fang and Yuanyuan, specially designed as an “Ocean Kingdom” by a famous local interior designer. But since Fang Fang and Yuanyuan were still young, Kong Huahua had chosen to sleep upstairs with the two little ones to better take care of them at night.

Upon entering the first-floor bedroom, Fang Yi noticed the room had been tidied up deliberately. Kong Huahua’s clothes had been moved to the left corner, and the big bed’s pillows and blankets had been replaced with those for Fang Fang and Yuanyuan. Her own bedding was folded neatly on the dark blue folding bed beside the large bed.

The contrast between the pristine white European-style bed and the small blue folding bed was stark. The folding bed was a few centimeters lower than the big bed, making it look even more humble.

Fang Yi glanced at Kong Huahua. “Why don’t you sleep with them?”

Kong Huahua was silent for a long moment before answering, “I’m a rough person. How could I share a bed with the little darlings?”

Fang Yi remained silent.

Then Kong Huahua added, “Sleeping like this is just right. My bed is lower, so if they toss and turn at night and fall, I can catch them...”

Fang Yi smiled faintly. “Huahua, don’t always treat yourself so unfairly. They both came from your womb. Why be so distant with them?”

Kong Huahua lowered her head, silent, cheeks flushed. It was a blend of shyness and a sudden pride from being praised, a quiet affirmation of her value.

At that moment, Fang Yi had reached the bedside where Fang Fang and Yuanyuan lay. He reached out and gently stroked their little heads, his eyes filled with tenderness.

Yet just as he was about to withdraw his hand, a subtle change flickered in his eyes—an unhidden sadness.

How could he not be sorrowful? These two children would grow up without their mother, destined to be raised in an incomplete family...

“Mommy went traveling; I don’t know when she’ll be back,” Kong Huahua suddenly said.

Fang Yi paused slightly, then knit his brow. “Who told you Mommy went traveling?”

“Sister Xiaobing,” Kong Huahua said. “A few days ago, she asked me to pick up some blankets from home. I noticed Mommy wasn’t there, so I asked. She said Mommy went traveling and might be back in a while.”

Fang Yi paused, then simply said, “Hmm.”

***

As he was about to stand, Yuanyuan murmured drowsily, “Daddy, when will Mommy come back?”

Fang Yi turned to look at Yuanyuan. The little girl’s eyes were still closed, making it seem like she was speaking in her sleep...

He sat back down beside her and stroked her head. “Soon. Yuanyuan, do you miss Mommy?”

“I do...” Yuanyuan’s eyes opened as she spoke, looking up at Fang Yi. “Mommy hasn’t come to see us for a long time. Does she not want us anymore?”

Fang Yi’s expression grew complicated, but his voice remained gentle. “No way. Mommy loves Fang Fang and Yuanyuan the most...”

Yuanyuan’s eyes widened, her gaze increasingly doubtful. “Then why doesn’t Mommy answer our calls?”

Yuanyuan’s question woke Fang Fang, who opened his eyes and sat up quickly, surprised and delighted. “Daddy’s back!”

“Yes, are you happy?” Fang Yi asked.

“Happy,” Fang Fang nodded.

Yuanyuan, however, still worried about Mommy, asked again, “Daddy, why doesn’t Mommy answer our calls?”

She sat up fully, her eyes sparkling, no trace of sleep left.

Hearing this, Fang Fang also looked intently at Fang Yi, as if waiting for an answer.

Fang Yi walked over and hugged the two children in turn, soothing them gently. “Maybe Mommy’s having too much fun outside and can’t answer the phone.”

Yuanyuan looked up at Fang Yi, half believing, half doubting.

Fang Yi asked, “If Mommy can’t answer your calls, will you forgive her?”

Yuanyuan hesitated, but Fang Fang, acting the responsible big brother, nodded earnestly. “We’ll forgive Mommy...”

“Good children.”

After coaxing them back to sleep, Fang Yi left, with Kong Huahua following him to the front door.

Just as he stepped outside, Kong Huahua suddenly asked, “Mr. Fang, where did Mommy go?”

Fang Yi stopped and turned to look at her. “Why do you ask that?”

***

Realizing she had overstepped, Kong Huahua’s expression grew complicated, but she quickly said, “Fang Fang and Yuanyuan have been asking me this for days, and I can’t reach her by phone. Mommy used to come see them every day, but she hasn’t these past few days...”

Fang Yi hesitated before saying, “Maybe something happened.”

Kong Huahua seemed to sense something was wrong. “The night before last, I went to C16 to get something and found Mommy wasn’t home. That felt strange—she never stays out so late... Did something happen to Mommy?”

Fang Yi was silent for a moment, then said, “Don’t focus too much on this. Take good care of Fang Fang and Yuanyuan. If they ask, just tell them Mommy is very tired and needs a quiet, long rest.”

Kong Huahua paused, then nodded and softly said, “Oh...”

***

Later, Fang Yi stood for a long while outside the gate of East River Garden C-16, not entering. Finally, he got into his car and left.

Half an hour later, he arrived at an upscale neighborhood in Guangnan City called “Spring Harmony and Bright Scenery.”

Jiang Shishi lived here.

When he reached the door of unit 1202 where Jiang Shishi lived, he pressed the doorbell.

After about half a minute, the door opened. Jiang Shishi appeared, wearing an ivory silk robe. Her hair was freshly washed, damp and softly curled, with droplets still clinging to the ends...

In that moment, she looked stunningly beautiful.

Perhaps any man would find himself captivated by such a sight.

Jiang Shishi’s skin was pale and flawless, her features delicate, her large eyes lively and imbued with a childlike innocence not quite matching her age...

Fang Yi had seen many beauties in the media industry over the years. Anyone who caught his eye was no ordinary woman.

To him, Jiang Shishi’s true allure lay in her expression—a scholarly aura, a serene spirit. Those soulful eyes held a unique beauty, as if concealing endless secrets waiting to be uncovered...

Now, as he looked at her, his gaze seemed glued, unable to look away for a long time.

“Why are you here so late?” Jiang Shishi asked.