If You Could Hear My Heart

Xiaobao was eating and talking at the same time, his voice a bit loud.

"Mom, this chicken wing is so delicious. I'm going to eat it all, and also this drumstick…" Xiaobao leaned on the table, eating bite by bite.

Xu Chaomu had her back facing the door and remained silent.

Xiaobao alternated between eating chicken wings, nibbling on drumsticks, and sipping his drink, thoroughly enjoying himself.

Outside the suite, the hallway was silent. The thick carpeting muffled almost all footsteps.

The corridor was dimly lit, with only a few yellowed lights overhead, casting an eerie and somber glow.

The doorknob began to turn slowly, inch by inch. As the door opened just a crack, a cold, lethal handgun was aimed directly at Xu Chaomu's position—the dark barrel perfectly targeting her head!

Because Xu Chaomu was seated with her back to the door, she hadn't heard the sound of it opening.

Outside the door stood a figure wearing a black mask and dressed like a hotel server, eyes cold and brimming with murderous intent.

"Mommy, I've finished my drink. Is there more?" Xiaobao shook the cup in his hand.

Just as Xiaobao lifted his head, he noticed something was off about his mother.

His mother hadn't uttered a word; her hair had fallen loose, covering half of her face.

Being just a child, Xiaobao understood little and feared even less. He immediately ran towards Xu Chaomu!

"Mom!" he shouted.

Right as Xiaobao was about to reach her, Xu Chaomu suddenly stepped forward, grabbed Xiaobao, and rolled to the ground.

At the same time, a loud "Bang!" echoed—a gunshot! Deafening!

The bullet missed Xu Chaomu and Xiaobao entirely, piercing through the table and hitting the glass window on the opposite side!

The window shattered instantly—fast, clean, and ruthless!

Terrified, Xiaobao burst into tears and clung tightly to Xu Chaomu, curling into her embrace. "Mommy… so scared… so scared…"

"Don't be afraid," Xu Chaomu spoke calmly, her voice hoarse and low.

Xiaobao, teary-eyed and sobbing, looked at Xu Chaomu and realized—this woman was not his mom!

The person outside, seeing their shot missed, aimed their gun once again at Xu Chaomu's head and fired another round!

But this time, the bullet had barely been fired when "Xu Chaomu" kicked the chair over. The chair flew straight toward the doorway with immense force!

"Ah!" a woman's voice screamed from outside as the chair hit her arm, causing her gun to drop to the ground!

The woman inside shielded Xiaobao tightly in her arms and swept the child further into her embrace. Then, reaching under the table, she retrieved a handgun and fired at the door!

A loud "Bang!" pierced through the suite's door, but the woman outside had already fled.

Xiaobao began wailing uncontrollably, covering his ears and sobbing hard.

He wriggled free from the woman's arms. She was not his mom—not his mom…

Although she wore the same clothes as his mother, she wasn't his mother. Where was his mom…

Xiaobao cried desperately, his tears loud and relentless.

"Xu Chaomu" left Xiaobao behind and chased toward the door.

In the hallway, a shadow was racing toward the stairwell, staggered and slow because of the chair's earlier hit to her knee.

"Xu Chaomu" sneered coldly and took one glance but didn't pursue.

Just as expected, the shadow didn't make it far—right as she reached the stairwell, a group of people emerged from all directions, completely surrounding her.

Leading the group was none other than Shen Chi.

"Who sent you?" Shen Chi asked, his cold, piercing gaze fixed on the woman, devoid of mercy.

Shen Chi didn't recognize the woman, but her movements made it obvious that she had professional training.

One of the bodyguards stepped forward and removed the assassin's mask, revealing her cruel and savage face.

"It's just business. I don't know anything else," the woman said.

"How bold. How much did they pay you?" Shen Chi sneered.

"Why do you care? I'm in your hands now; kill me if you want." The woman's face remained emotionless.

"What a waste to kill you. Let me guess… your employer is a woman, isn't she?" Shen Chi said casually.

"I don't know."

"Don't know? I have plenty of ways to jog your memory," Shen Chi remarked, giving her one last icy glance before speaking to his bodyguards. "Take her away."

"Yes, Mr. Shen."

The bodyguards swiftly subdued the woman and escorted her away.

Since the entire top floor was booked by the Shen Group, no one knew that a gunfight had just occurred here.

Shen Chi maintained a composed expression, adjusted his tie, placed his hands in the pockets of his tailored trousers, and walked toward Xu Chaomu's suite.

The hallway was silent, the faint sound of Shen Chi's leather shoes brushing against the carpet breaking the stillness.

Standing at the doorway was another woman dressed identical to Xu Chaomu. Seeing Shen Chi approach, she lowered her head politely and greeted him, "Mr. Shen."

"Ayu, well done," Shen Chi complimented, his gaze briefly sweeping across the woman.

Ayu wasn't one to enjoy talking. She stood quietly, only glancing at Xiaobao seated on the ground, crying.

Xiaobao was utterly terrified, sitting on the ground sobbing his heart out.

One of his hands still clutched a drumstick tightly, as though holding onto it could save his life.

"Wahhh…" Xiaobao cried loudly.

Ayu furrowed her brows and glanced at Xiaobao.

"Mr. Shen, I don't know how to comfort children," Ayu stated flatly.

"Alright, head downstairs and change. You've worked hard," Shen Chi replied.

"You're too kind, Mr. Shen." Ayu secured her handgun and turned to leave.

Ayu radiated an icy aura, so much so that even Shen Chi's bodyguards couldn't help but feel a twinge of unease as she walked past.

"Daddy, Daddy…" Xiaobao rubbed his eyes and suddenly threw himself into Shen Chi's arms.

This time, he wasn't mistaken—Daddy was indeed Daddy.

"Baby was so scared…" Xiaobao clung to Shen Chi's legs.

"Don't cry, it's okay. Daddy's here." Shen Chi gently caressed his little head.

"Daddy… I heard gunshots. Old Shen, am I going to get shot?" Xiaobao sobbed as his shoulders trembled.

Shen Chi laughed. "What nonsense are you saying? With Daddy here, how could I let you get hurt? But if you misbehave, Daddy might give you a smack first."

"Old Shen… you're so bad… Baby… Baby hasn't recovered yet…"

Xiaobao cried again, still frazzled from the earlier scare, only to be jokingly teased by Shen Chi.

But, without Shen Chi's teasing, he wouldn't be the same "Old Shen" Xiaobao knew. His dad, after all, was notorious for his sharp tongue.

"Alright, stop crying now. Are you really going to cry over something like this?"

"But Baby is still little…" Xiaobao replied with a pitiful face.

"Drop that drumstick," Shen Chi said, frowning in distaste as he looked at Xiaobao.

The drumstick's grease had smudged his suit. Yet the little boy refused to let go, clinging tighter as though his life depended on it.

"No, no! If I let go, you'll leave me!" Xiaobao protested.

Shen Chi laughed despite himself. "Did I ever say I'd leave you?"

"But you already have the little brother now. Don't think I don't know—you don't love me anymore."