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nFor a moment, Xiu Mei completely blanked out. She was extremely astonished to utter anything. Her innermost thoughts are in a jumble. She panicked on how she would reply to Lu Qiang's frank question.

nIt's not like she can just randomly say something and later, he would accuse her of lying to him. What if Lu Qiang will be too disappointed with her and ignore her from now on? That would be a disaster!

nThe hand that was stroking Lu Qiang's hair stopped before it resumed moving again. Xiu Mei tried to pass it off with a laugh before finally reacting.

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"At the right time, I guess.

" She laughed nervously.

nLu Qiang's round and innocent eyes took a peek at her from beneath the blanket. Cutely blinking, he followed up another question.

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"When is the right time?

" He asked.

"Tomorrow? Next week?

" He barraged her with questions that she's having a dilemma in responding.

nXiu Mei knew very well the answer that Lu Qiang wants to hear. However, she did not dare to make any promises that she wasn't confident in keeping. She didn't want to give false hopes to the little kid and make him sad afterward.

nHer current relationship with Lu Chen, she could easily state that it's still in the most vulnerable stage. They had just went past the line of limiting their relationship from professional to a more personal and close relationship. Nevertheless, they still don't have any foundation that they could hold on to.

nEverything that she agreed with Lu Chen was giving him a chance to prove himself to her. And with Lu Chen still figuring out his feelings for her, basically, anyone can interpret that if both of them are going to commit in an official relationship with each other, it would easily fall apart. Just like how a building would collapse without using proper foundation or up-to-standard cement and other raw materials.

nEspecially that the two of them are both clueless about how a relationship should go. Both of them haven't been in a relationship, but it could also be considered a good side of this situation. If Xiu Mei decides to commit herself to Lu Chen, they would both have the time to learn and take everything step by step at the same time.

nXiu Mei suspended her thoughts. Seriously, what was she thinking too far in the future? She quickly realized that she was entertaining the thought of being Lu Chen's girlfriend. Was she mad?

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"Mom?

" Her thoughts were put on-hold again when she felt a light tug on her sleeves. She shot the little kid in her arms a glance again before deciding to just bury him in her arms instead.

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"Just sleep. Let's talk about this tomorrow.

" She shushed, patting Lu Qiang's back lightly as an attempt to relax him and make him sleep.

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"Mmm. Goodnight, mom.

"

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"Goodnight, my love.

" Then she lightly kissed his hair.

nA few minutes later, Lu Qiang was breathing in a rhythmic pattern implying that he was already asleep. Xiu Mei stayed there for another half an hour before slowly separating herself from Lu Qiang.

nTiptoeing, she grabbed her phone and opened the door of her room and made way to her study. She pulled open a mahogany door and behind is a table with stockpiled papers, pens, and other unidentifiable stuff. Behind are multiple shelves full of books while some are figurines to liven up the room.

nShe sat on the office chair and bit her lip as she tightly gripped the phone on her hand.

nShe was contemplating whether she should have a talk with Lu Chen regarding Lu Qiang.

nShe was getting concerned on his well being especially the fact that Lu Qiang has been escaping multiple times from Lu Chen's home. It was a concern she would like to raise, but with her recent conversation with Lu Qiang a while ago she couldn't help but feel a little bit conscious.

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nAfter pondering for a few more minutes, she took a deep breath and opened her phone. She typed a short message to Lu Chen instead of calling him, afraid that he might already be asleep.

nMs.Xiu: Can we talk?

nA few seconds later, a respond quickly came flabbergasting her. Was he awake? He responded too quickly too.

nEmperor Lu: Mm.

nWhat a short reply, she thought. She quickly shrugged it off and responded to his message.

nMs.Xiu: It's about Lu Qiang. Is he doing fine when he's right there?

nXiu Mei had wondered about the normal lifestyle Lu Qiang has been living in ever since he was a kid. She knew very well how busy Lu Chen was, and she was sure that he would've been too busy to always interact with his adopted. But she was pretty sure that Lu Chen should be receiving a report on Lu Qiang's everyday welfare, still partially fulfilling his duty as his Dad.

nEmperor Lu: He's doing fine.

nFine? Fine. Why was she asking the wrong person, really? It would've made more sense to ask the nanny and the butler as they are the ones who are always interacting with the Young Master. They should be very familiar with his habits and personality.

nEmperor Lu: Is something that matters? Are you all alright?

nHer phone buzzed again after a new message came in.

nXiu Mei raised her brow after reading the message. Just look at that, he didn't even have any idea as to why she was asking.

nSeriously, why were boys always so slow-witted? It's not like all the girls are too complicated to understand. Some, maybe. But not everyone.

nMs.Xiu: There is. How could he bypass your security right there? He was even able to get past my gate too!

nShe was sure of it that if she had come any later, he would've been already inside her home instead.

nXiu Mei was actually having a hard time figuring this one. How did a little child figured out her code and was able to enter her premises without her telling them how to access it?

nSeriously, Lu Qiang is too much of a genius!

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