NOVEL NEXT Chapter 2
Chapter 2: Little Dumpling
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Xia Wanyuan leaned against the leather seat while the car drove at a steady speed. Thanks to the excellent performance of the car, even though the scenery outside the window passed by like a blur, she could not feel the vibrations of the car inside.
After the restoration of the dynasty in her previous life, Xia Wanyuan had always received the highest treatment as the princess regent. However, compared to modern cars, even the most luxurious carriage was not worth mentioning.
Everything reflected brilliantly in Xia Wanyuan’s eyes—row upon row of towering skyscrapers, the neon lights that had already begun to light up, the endless stream of pedestrians, and the hustle and bustle of the busy streets.
‘How nice.’
Xia Wanyuan let out a heartfelt sigh. She had also enjoyed life as a royal family member when she was young. After the imperial court was destroyed, she had to take care of her siblings through chaotic times, experiencing many upheavals, and had lived through many vicissitudes.
Now that she saw such peace and tranquility in the world, she felt a sense of calmness from the bottom of her heart. She finally had a feeling of integrating into this era.
While she was deep in thought, she did not notice that the car had stopped.
“Miss, we’re here.” Xia Wanyuan only pulled herself out of her thoughts when the chauffeur reminded her.
“Wait here.”
With that, Xia Wanyuan pushed open the door and got out of the car. When she left the house, she had put on a long jacket over her skirt. However, it was still a little chilly on the evening of spring. She could not help but roll down her sleeves.
The International Kindergarten was the most prestigious kindergarten in Beijing. The children who attended this kindergarten were either rich or noble. She seemed to have arrived a little late, and there were only a few people left in front of the kindergarten.
Realizing that school was over, Xia Wanyuan felt a little regretful. She turned around and was about to go back. However, just as she turned around, she seemed to have sensed something and turned back to take a look. She saw a pair of clear, grape-like eyes staring at her through the window of the kindergarten guard’s office.
2
Perhaps it was due to the magical mother-son connection, Xia Wanyuan guessed that this child was probably the product of the original owner of the body and her nominal husband’s one-night stand. Because the original owner of the body had a difficult labor, she had to struggle for an entire day and night before giving birth. In addition, her husband had never given her any attention, so she vented her anger on this child, never fulfilling her motherly duty, and hated this child very much.
But since Xia Wanyuan had accepted this body, she would not watch her child grow up like an orphan. When she was ten, her father and mother had both died for the country. She understood all too well how lonely and painful it was to have no one to rely on.
With that thought in mind, Xia Wanyuan smiled and walked towards the child.
She pushed open the door to the guardhouse and saw the child’s face. Xia Wanyuan confirmed that he was her child.
“Xiao Bao, Mommy’s here to pick you up. Come home with Mommy.”
Crouching down, Xia Wanyuan looked at the adorable and chubby little dumpling. She recalled the child’s nickname and spoke gently.
However, the little dumpling appeared to be slightly resistant. He glanced at her with teary eyes and lowered his head in hesitation and sorrow.
2
“Eh? Little girl, are you a liar? Little kid, is she really your mother?”
At first, the guard thought that the overly beautiful girl looked a little like the little kid, but seeing the child’s resistance, he began to suspect that the woman was here to kidnap and sell the child. His hand quietly reached for the pager.
Hearing the guard’s words, the little dumpling lifted his head and glanced once more at Xia Wanyuan. Yet in her eyes, he could see warmth and gentleness that he had never seen before. In the past, his mother would never look at him this way. She would only tell him to scram whenever he got close to her. But now, she looked so warm, and he could not help but want to get closer to her.
“Xiao Bao, come back with Mommy, alright?” Looking at the little dumpling’s pitiful gaze, Xia Wanyuan’s heart ached with tender affection. She couldn’t help but reach out and stroke his soft hair. The more she looked at him, the more she felt that this little cub left behind by the original owner of her body was adorable.
The little dumpling was stunned when he was suddenly touched on the head. His already large eyes grew even larger. Was this the feeling of having a mother?
2
“Okay.”
The little dumpling had never experienced what it was like to have a mother. He was so envious of his friends in kindergarten who had parents coming to pick them up every day. Even if his mother was just acting on a whim, it didn’t matter. He still wanted to feel like he had a mother.
4
Upon hearing the little dumpling’s affirmative reply, the security guard was finally willing to let him go. Xia Wanyuan held the little dumpling’s hand and walked towards their car.
The chauffeur sat in the car and watched as Xia Wanyuan held the little master’s hand and walked towards him. They were surprisingly harmonious. ‘Miss Xia had never liked her child. Has the sun risen from the west today?’
However, the Young Master disliked the so-called Madam very much and did not allow Little Master to get close to her. ‘Does the Young Master know about this? What is Miss Xia trying to do?’ Reminded of Master’s ruthless means, the chauffeur could not help but shiver.
“Let’s go home.” Xia Wanyuan brought Xiao Bao into the car. The chauffeur was still in a daze.
“Yes, Miss.”
Forget it, he was just a nobody. Why should he worry so much? With that, the chauffeur quickly started the car.
“Young Master, the kindergarten said that Young Master was taken away by Miss Xia. We checked the surveillance cameras and it was indeed Miss Xia.”
This piece of news received from the earphone stopped the man from looking at the document. A trace of disgust flashed across his eyes.
“Bring Little Master back to the manor. Have you drafted the divorce agreement?”
“The lawyers are all in position and the documents have been drafted. They will be sent to your office tomorrow.”
“Alright.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the luxurious office fell silent once again. The cold environment did not fit in with the bustling world outside the window.
By the time Xia Wanyuan returned to the villa with her little dumpling, the sky had already darkened and filled with stars.
The little dumpling had been wrapped in Xia Wanyuan’s arms ever since they had boarded the car. He was a bundle of softness with a hint of innocence. Because he had never come into contact with Xia Wanyuan in such a manner before, he appeared to be rather restrained.
“Let’s go inside for dinner, Xiao Bao.”
Xia Wanyuan carried the little dumpling out of the car and held his hand.
“Okay.” Upon hearing Xia Wanyuan call his nickname, the little dumpling’s chubby cheeks flushed red. It was the first time his mother had called him Xiao Bao instead of calling him an ‘annoying brat’.
Thinking of what his mother had called him in the past, tears of grievance welled up in his eyes. He secretly turned his head to look at Xia Wanyuan. How nice would it be if his mother had always been so gentle to him?
Sensing her son’s gaze, Xia Wanyuan turned her head and saw the adorable child pouting and looking at her with tears in his eyes. Her heart softened.
In her previous life, she did not have her own children as she had spent all her energy on restoring the Xia Dynasty and taking care of her younger siblings. Now that she had such a small child that belonged to her, her eyes were filled with tenderness.
Crouching down to meet his height, she touched the child’s head and looked straight into his big eyes.
“Xiao Bao, what happened in the past was Mommy’s mistake. Mommy will treat you very well in the future.”
Hearing Xia Wanyuan’s words, the little dumpling’s eyes widened. His mother said that she would treat him well. Was this true?
He had been pushed away again and again whenever he tried to get closer to her initially. He had already made up his mind to ignore this bad mother of his, but he still needed her. He yearned for her love.
Seeing the gentle smile on Xia Wanyuan’s face and feeling the warmth of her hand on his head, he finally broke into a smile and pounced into Xia Wanyuan’s embrace.
When the bundle of joy pounced into her arms. Xia Wanyuan’s heart trembled, perhaps due to the bond between the mother and son.
Upon hearing the sound of the car, Nanny Li came out to welcome them. She was already shocked that Xia Wanyuan would be back for dinner, but what was even shocking was when she saw the mother and son hugging each other happily. Didn’t Miss Xia hate Little Master? What was going on?
However, after her long experience of serving the family, she naturally knew what to do and what not to do. She controlled the expression on her face and walked towards Xia Wanyuan.
“Miss, Little Master, the food is ready. Please enjoy your dinner.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
Xia Wanyuan let go of Xiao Bao, but he seemed a little reluctant. His mother’s embrace was too warm for him to let go. He looked at Nanny Li resentfully before taking large strides to keep up with Xia Wanyuan.
Nanny Li stood rooted to the ground. How did she offend Little Master?
1
When they entered the house, the servants had already set up the dishes. Steam curled up under the light.
“We didn’t know that Miss and Little Master would come back together, so we only had time to make some home-cooked dishes. We will make the food again.”
Although Xia Wanyuan had been staying here for three years after her marriage, she had always treated this place as a place to sleep. She would go out whenever she had time, and rarely ate at home.
Because the servants received their wages no matter what, they would cook a meal every night regardless of whether she was at home or not. However, because no one ate the food, they would simply cook a few simple dishes and share them.
She glanced at the dishes on the table. There were four dishes and a soup. The meal was a little simple to the original owner of the body who used to splurge but not to the current Xia Wanyuan.
“No need, we’ll just eat this. Nanny Li, take Little Master to wash his hands.”
The servants, who thought they would be scolded by Xia Wanyuan, were all surprised. Wasn’t Miss Xia too easygoing today? What was going on?
Since the temperature in the villa had been regulated all year round, Xia Wanyuan took off her coat. Modern technology that could increase people’s comfort amazed her once again.