◎So beautiful, I don’t get it, hehe◎
So it really is the male lead.
This was the first thought that inappropriately popped into Le Qing’s mind.
In novels, anyone who didn’t have some kind of illness—big or small—wasn’t qualified to be the male lead. But still… what did that have to do with her?
So after Jiang Suizhi finished speaking, she carefully considered her words before responding politely, "Is that so? I really wouldn’t have guessed."
"……"
Now it was Jiang Suizhi’s turn to be speechless.
He had imagined every possible reaction Le Qing might have—except this one.
Do you actually look even the slightest bit surprised?
He had thought revealing this secret would shift the balance between them, at least tipping the scales in some way. But instead, she was so calm, as if he’d just told her he had a minor cold.
Yet, strangely, her reaction somehow calmed him down, even making him want to laugh.
"Your reaction," Jiang Suizhi chuckled, "honestly leaves me at a loss for how to continue."
Le Qing subconsciously touched her earlobe, a little embarrassed. She hadn’t been able to control her instinctive response.
"So, what you’re saying is, you need me to take care of the two kids until your condition improves?" she asked.
She couldn’t think of any other reason why Jiang Suizhi would share such a private matter with her.
"Yes and no." The traffic light turned green, and Jiang Suizhi now seemed much more relaxed. "I’d like to ask for your help."
"Go ahead."
"Please assist me in my recovery."
"……"
"?"
"Wait a second." Le Qing finally lost her earlier composure. She straightened up and pointed at herself, unsure if she’d heard correctly. "Me? I’m not a doctor."
Sure, she’d taken on plenty of odd jobs, but this was definitely not one of them.
And besides, how on earth could she help with his condition???
"Doctors might not be much help either." Jiang Suizhi spoke casually, not pressuring her, just stating the facts. "Truthfully, the doctors gave their recommendations a long time ago, but I’ve never been able to act on them. If it weren’t for the kids, I might’ve just let things continue as they were."
"The kids?" Le Qing suddenly understood. "You mean you want the kids to help?"
"I did consider that. My guard is naturally lower around children. But after this morning, I realized that approach might not work either." He sighed. "Kids don’t understand the severity of this condition, so there are too many unpredictable factors."
Thinking about how visibly uncomfortable he became whenever the kids tried to touch him, Le Qing could see his point. "Then what do you need me to do?"
"If you’re not around the kids, I’ll avoid interacting with them as much as possible." Jiang Suizhi laid out his plan. "But if you’re present, I’ll try to spend more time with them—gradually desensitizing myself. I’d appreciate it if you could guide them during the process."
Le Qing let out a quiet sigh of relief. "That’s simple enough. I’ll do my best."
For a moment, she’d thought he wanted her to help him with the desensitization.
That would’ve been… something else.
"But other people could do this too, right?" she pointed out.
Jiang Suizhi shook his head. "You’re the only one who knows about this."
That revelation shocked Le Qing even more than his initial confession. The weight of being the sole confidante added an unexpected layer of pressure.
"I think you have the right to know some things," Jiang Suizhi continued, his tone cooling slightly. "I’ve made progress in investigating my brother’s death. Soon, there’ll be some upheaval in the Jiang family. Until then, we—you, me, and the kids—need to be careful."
Le Qing’s heart skipped a beat.
The novel she’d read had mostly focused on raising the kids and the romantic entanglements between the leads. Since she was just a side character with the same name, she’d lost interest after her role ended.
She had no clue about the cutthroat power struggles within wealthy families, but now, hearing this, it sounded far more dangerous than she’d imagined.
As an ordinary person who’d lived a simple life, she couldn’t help but feel uneasy.
But her main concern was something else. "Will the kids be affected too?"
"If I could find you, others can too. That’s why I revealed myself to you sooner rather than later." Jiang Suizhi’s voice was steady. "Rather than leaving you unaware and vulnerable, I’d rather keep you close where I can protect you. And don’t worry—I’ve had bodyguards watching over you and the kids since the moment I found you. You’re safe at all times."
"Then why are you still wearing this?" Le Qing pointed at his mask.
"You noticed me because we’ve been seeing each other often." Jiang Suizhi smiled. "But those people aren’t as observant as you. This’ll buy me some time to resolve things before they catch on."
He glanced at her briefly, relieved to see no trace of fear in her expression, then focused back on the road. "In a way, we’re practically family. I trust you more than anyone else, and you’re sharp. That’s why you needed to know—and why you’re the only one who can know."
Now Le Qing fully understood.
Long before she’d uncovered Jiang Suizhi’s identity, he’d already set his plans in motion.
His deliberate approach had allowed him to observe her while also piquing her suspicions, leading to this moment where they could align their goals and face external threats together.
It all made sense, yet she couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d walked right into a trap.
She was just supposed to be a background character, after all.
But she couldn’t refuse—not because of Jiang Suizhi, but because of the kids.
If their safety was at stake, she couldn’t turn away.
"I understand," she nodded. "If there’s anything else you need from me, just say the word."
The conversation had gone far more smoothly than Jiang Suizhi expected. As he’d thought, Le Qing was rational and capable of weighing the situation.
"Thank you," he said.
Soon, they arrived at their destination. After parking, Jiang Suizhi followed Le Qing out of the car.
Le Qing frowned. "Are you coming too?"
The event would last until evening.
"No." Jiang Suizhi gestured toward another car parked in the corner. "I’ll switch vehicles for tonight."
The two cars were completely different in style, their quality visibly mismatched. Le Qing realized he’d been using this tactic to throw off anyone watching. No wonder he’d been so meticulous about covering up.
"Alright." Le Qing wheeled her suitcase forward. "Be careful."
Jiang Suizhi studied her for a moment, but her expression remained neutral, as if her words were nothing more than a casual farewell.
He smiled. "See you tonight."
Le Qing soon disappeared into the elevator with her luggage. Jiang Suizhi got into the car where his assistant had been waiting. Before leaving, he glanced once more in the direction she’d gone, then suddenly remembered something and sent her a message.
"My brother’s death anniversary is coming up. If you’d like, I can arrange for you to visit him privately."
Visit him privately?
Each word made sense on its own, but together, they were baffling.
What did Jiang Suizhi’s brother’s death anniversary have to do with her?
Or was he hoping the two children would go?
Judging by his tone, this older brother must be very close to him.
So after some thought, Le Qing asked, "Will this affect your plans?"
Jiang Suizhi replied, "No."
"Alright then."
Suddenly transitioning from a small-time model to an international photographer's stage, Le Qing couldn’t deny her nervousness. Following instructions, she sat on a small sofa in the lounge, calmly reviewing the interview response tips she had searched for the night before.
But today’s interview wasn’t just about her and Lin Jian. Many other models and artists featured in the same magazine were present. The celebrities had their own lounges, while the lesser-known models were grouped together in a shared space.
Naturally, Le Qing, who hadn’t officially debuted yet, was placed with the other models.
The people coming and going outside were dazzling, each more glamorous and polished than the last.
In comparison, Le Qing, sitting in the corner in a black coat and ordinary sweater, quietly scrolling through her phone to prepare for the interview, seemed far more ordinary. Hidden behind a few makeup mirrors, no one noticed her.
A group of models who arrived together immediately settled in front of the mirrors, removing their makeup while chatting and laughing. Once the staff had left to attend to other tasks, their conversation turned casual.
"Did you see Lin Jian when you arrived? She’s not here yet?"
"It’s still early. She has her own makeup artist—no need to come this soon," another chimed in.
"What about the cover girl?" The first woman’s tone turned dismissive. "She hasn’t even debuted yet, but she’s already acting like a diva."
"Well, she is the cover girl. A little attitude is expected."
At first, Le Qing didn’t realize they were talking about her. But with every other sentence referencing the "cover girl," she finally connected the dots. She discreetly closed the notes on her phone and listened quietly.
"Gu Meng, you’ve known Lin Jian for almost five years, right? And you’ve stayed in touch since returning to the country. I thought your collaboration was a sure thing—Lin Jian has always favored your style. What a shame."
"Yeah, that Le Qing—never heard of her before. Just some online buzz, and even that was built on marketing those kids."
Gu Meng, the one who started the conversation, already looked displeased. Hearing this, her expression darkened further. "Who knows? But I heard she’s close with Young Master Lin."
At that, the group exchanged knowing smirks. "Young Master Lin has been playing around inside and outside the industry for years. It’s pretty sudden how much he’s taken to those two kids, constantly speaking up for them online. Wouldn’t be surprised if there’s more to it."
"Then I’d accept it," Gu Meng said. "Too bad I can’t catch Young Master Lin’s eye—or pop out two kids."
The entire lounge erupted in laughter.
Le Qing almost wanted to laugh too. She had heard baseless speculation like this all her life—she was numb to it.
There was a time she couldn’t understand why people would spin such malicious theories about someone who had done nothing wrong. But over time, she realized:
Some people don’t need a reason or logic for their assumptions. They just need to vent their own bitterness and anger to feel balanced.
Pathetic, really.
A knock sounded at the lounge door. "Is Miss Le Qing here? We need to go over the script in advance."
Le Qing tucked away her phone and stood. "Here."
Her voice wasn’t loud, but it instantly silenced the chattering group.
The lounge’s low sofa had kept her hidden in the corner, but now that she stood, she was fully visible behind the makeup mirrors.
Compared to Gu Meng and the others, whose makeup was half-removed, Le Qing’s bare face seemed to glow under the lights. Her features were naturally striking, untouched by cosmetics, but it was her calm, unshaken gaze that unsettled them.
To remain so composed after overhearing their gossip—without a trace of anger or irritation—her composure was leagues above theirs.
And as she walked past, she even gave them a slight nod.
It shattered their defenses completely. Their faces twisted in humiliation.
Once Le Qing left, the group fell silent. Gu Meng stood up, scanning the room to ensure no one else was present before fuming, "She heard everything and stayed quiet—was she just waiting to make fools of us?!"
The others didn’t dare speak this time.
First, they feared being overheard again. Second, Le Qing’s poise and indifference had left them utterly ashamed.
It was like launching a full-scale attack, only for the enemy to casually stroll in and claim victory without breaking a sweat.
Finally, one of them whispered nervously, "What if she tells Lin Jian?"
They were barely making it into the magazine’s inner pages as it was. If Lin Jian found out, even that might be revoked—and they could face blacklisting among photographers at their level.
Gu Meng stomped her foot. "She wouldn’t dare."
But her voice lacked conviction.
Meanwhile, back at home, the two little ones sat on their rocking horses, already missing their aunt.
When she was around every day, they hadn’t thought much of it. But now that she’d only been gone a short while, the house felt empty without her—so much so that even their rocking horses couldn’t hold their attention.
After tidying up, Sister Wang brought out a plate of fruit. "Jiajia, An’an, time for your check-up! You can have some fruit afterward."
Since Sister Wang had joined the household, the children had grown used to their daily health checks.
Little Le Jia turned off the rocking horse, hopped down, and helped his sister up. "Coming."
Noticing their unusually subdued tone, Sister Wang studied them closely, half-worried they might be sick.
But the check-up showed nothing wrong.
Still, the brother sprawled on the couch with a sigh. "Haa…"
His sister mirrored him on the other side, her tiny bottom sticking up. "Haa…"
Their melancholy puzzled Sister Wang. "What’s bothering you?"
"Sister Wang," Little Le Jia tilted his head, "do you miss Auntie?"
Ah. So it was separation anxiety.
"Of course," she said gently. "But your aunt said she’s working and will be back tonight."
"But," Little Le'an counted on her fingers, "Auntie’s been gone for one, two, three… sooo long."
Never had time felt so endless.
Sister Wang almost laughed—had it even been two hours?
The little girl pursed her lips. "Auntie’s never been gone this long before."
Ah. So they’d never been apart from her. That explained it.
"Aren’t you both brave?" Sister Wang coaxed. "Brave kids learn to handle time without their aunt. Soon, you’ll even go to school—and Auntie can’t go to kindergarten with you."
Kindergarten again!
Little Le'an seriously weighed the pros and cons, but nothing seemed worse than being away from her aunt.
"Then An'an doesn’t want to be brave anymore," she said firmly. "And I don’t want to go to kindergarten either."
Hearing this, Sister Wang realized that when Le Qing sent the children to kindergarten, she would likely face significant resistance.
But she was far from understanding the reason for the children’s dependence on Le Qing. They had been bullied by their bad aunt for so long, and now that they finally had a good aunt, they were terrified of losing her—afraid they’d become unwanted children again.
Fortunately, Sister Wang didn’t force the children to be independent. Instead, she took out a tablet and placed it on the coffee table. "How about I show you Auntie working, okay?"
She remembered that Le Qing’s interview today was being livestreamed.
The two little ones immediately perked up at the idea and sat obediently on the carpet, waiting for their aunt to appear.
"I know this," Little Le Jia nodded. "We’ve done this before, right, little sister?"
During the New Year, so many people had watched them and their aunt making dumplings together.
Little Le'an suddenly remembered—they could type on the screen, and Auntie could see it!
Too bad they couldn’t read yet. Before Le Qing even appeared, the two toddlers started spamming the screen with all kinds of heart emojis. Who needed words when you had emojis?
Models never had the same level of fame as celebrities. Even a renowned photographer like Lin Jian was mostly known within industry circles, far from the popularity of entertainers. So, at first, the interview livestream without any celebrities didn’t attract many viewers—just a few idle netizens hanging around, casually chatting and sending random emojis.
When the children’s emojis popped up, the chat froze for a few seconds before exploding with question marks.
[I double-checked to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating—why are my internet-adopted babies in the wrong livestream?]
[Come here, babies, let Auntie smother you with kisses! Mwah mwah mwah!]
[Now that I think about it, Lin Jian posted about this month’s cover girl on Weibo—Le Qing, who’s apparently the kids’ aunt.]
[Makes sense. They’re here to support their aunt.]
[Le Qing hasn’t even debuted yet, and she’s already a cover girl? Now her kids show up before she does—isn’t this just using them to hype herself up?]
[Hype? The kids sent a few emojis, and you’re already triggered about clout-chasing? Touch grass, my dude.]
[Is there a translator here? Do the babies understand what we’re saying? Why are they just spamming emojis?]
Clearly, the babies had no idea what was being said.
But their unexpected appearance brought a surge of viewers to the otherwise quiet livestream.
The backend staff were stunned.
They had assumed viewership would only pick up once the actual interview started, but here were two toddlers stealing the spotlight.
Thinking quickly, the staff decided to capitalize on the moment. Since the kids couldn’t read, they’d lend a hand—and promptly initiated a video call.
Le Qing, meanwhile, was completely unaware. After reviewing the script with the crew, she had run into Lin Jian and was now in his studio getting ready for the recording, changing into her outfit.
A staff member walked in, grinning. "Le Qing, did you plan a pre-show segment for your interview?"
Le Qing blinked. "What?"
"You didn’t know?" The staff laughed. "Your kids have been advertising for you in the livestream for a while now."
Her kids?
"Aren’t they at home?" Lin Jian asked.
"Yeah." Le Qing stood up. "I should go check."
The nearby staff were momentarily stunned as Le Qing rose to her feet. When she had arrived earlier, dressed plainly, she could’ve been mistaken for an office worker if not for her striking face.
Now, clad in an elegant gown and heels, her makeup refined but not overdone, her presence alone elevated the room—radiant to the point of being almost blinding.
Wasn’t this even more stunning than her cover photo?!
"Perfect timing," Lin Jian said, following her. "Let’s head over together. It’s about to start."
When they arrived, the workspace was filled with laughter. The staff had gathered around, grinning like fools, while the sweet, off-key singing of children echoed from the speakers.
Yep. That was definitely her kids’ signature style.
"Our auntie is shy and doesn’t talk much," Little Le Jia’s voice piped up after the song. "Be nice to her, okay, uncles and aunties?"
"What’s in it for us if we’re nice?"
A pause. Whispered discussion.
Little Le Jia: "If I eat one less candy, and you eat one less, we can save some for the uncles and aunties."
Little Le'an: "Then I won’t eat any! We’ll give them all to the uncles and aunties. Is that enough, gege?"
"Should be." Little Le Jia sighed like a weary old man, deeply concerned. "What’s Auntie gonna do without us?"
He still remembered how nervous she had been last time when meeting Uncle Tan.
"Okay, it’s settled then," Little Le Jia declared, convinced they were whispering discreetly before raising his voice. "We have candy for everyone!"
Le Qing, once again thoroughly outmaneuvered by her tiny schemers: "..."
Maybe this interview wasn’t worth it after all.
Lin Jian, who had witnessed the entire spectacle, was doubled over laughing. He nudged Le Qing. "If you don’t step in soon, your kids might crawl out of the screen and do the interview for you."
Only then did the crew notice the guest of honor had arrived.
The staff, who had been shamelessly egging the kids on, scrambled to look professional. "Lin Jian, Le Qing, we’re ready to start!"
Le Qing silently stared at the ongoing livestream call.
"Ah, this—" A staff member moved to end the call, but the producer stopped them.
"Why don’t you two say hello to the kids first? Especially you, Le Qing. They’re very worried about you."
The room burst into muffled laughter again.
Lin Jian nudged Le Qing toward the camera. Flustered, her ears burning, she sat where the producer directed—every prepared line now forgotten.
It was Lin Jian who greeted everyone first, helping her find her voice again. "Hello, I’m Le Qing. As for these two… go ride the rocking horses, okay?"
The kids’ cheers through the still-connected call were unmistakable.
Little Le'an: "AHHHH IT’S AUNTIE! Gege, look, it’s Auntie! Auntie’s prettier than a princess today! She’s really on TV!"
Little Le Jia: "See? Our candy worked! Quick, cheer for Auntie!"
Little Le'an: "Auntie, you can do it! Auntie’s the best!"
Little Le Jia: "Yeah, just like that—be confident! Little sister, you gotta learn from this."
Lin Jian couldn’t hold back anymore and burst into laughter.
Meanwhile, Le Qing’s fair neck had turned a deep shade of red. On camera, she couldn’t lose her composure, but her embarrassment was now broadcast to the entire livestream audience.
For the first time, Le Qing didn’t want to hear the voices of the two children at this moment. She couldn’t hold back any longer and scowled, her pretty face stern: "Can we really not disconnect the call? I’m afraid I might lose control later."
Given how these two kids had once forced their own father to drink from a baby bottle on camera, she couldn’t guarantee what might happen next in the livestream.
[LMAO, pre-interview Le Qing: "My first collaboration with a renowned photographer, debut cover, glorious entry into the beauty scene."
Post-interview: "Debut via social suicide."]
[Le Qing: "If we take ten thousand steps back, was this interview absolutely necessary for me?"]
[Auntie, why aren’t you laughing? Don’t you like it?]
[Auntie: "Such filial piety. Truly, such filial piety."]
But honestly, their family’s dynamic is so heartwarming. I used to think Le Qing was that kind of elegant, untouchable beauty based on her videos, but now I see she’s actually this adorably contrasting sweetheart. The way she’s trying to stay composed is just too cute.
Seeing the desired effect had been achieved, the staff signaled to the two little ones and prepared to end the call.
Though disappointed, the kids knew they couldn’t disrupt their aunt’s work and obediently said goodbye.
Even from a distance, their reluctance was palpable.
Without much effort, Le Qing could picture their expressions—pouting lips, maybe even their hair drooping. The kids didn’t understand livestreams; Sister Wang must have set it up for them.
They must have missed her.
Le Qing blinked uncontrollably. "Wait a moment, please."
PD: "What’s wrong?"
"I need to say something to them." Embarrassment wasn’t new to her, and Le Qing adjusted quickly, her composure already restored. She smiled softly at the camera. "Don’t worry, I’ll come home early."
The two kids, who’d thought their aunt was ignoring them, immediately perked up. She was definitely talking to them!
"Auntie, we’ll be good!" Little Le Jia cheered. "We promise to behave! Don’t work too hard."
Le Qing nodded. "Mm, see you later."
"Auntie, mwah! Bye-bye~"
After catching Le Qing’s glance, the PD finally cut the call, and the formal interview began.
But clearly, the audience had zero interest in the duo’s future projects or shooting insights now. Freed from her earlier awkwardness, Le Qing was poised and radiant, answering every question with ease. Her beauty on screen was so dazzling that even skeptics of her cover model status fell silent.
[This face is a masterpiece. Sis, why can’t you film yourself more in those kid videos?!]
[What is this angelic creature saying? So pretty. Can’t comprehend. So pretty. Can’t comprehend. Hehe.]
[She’s giggling non-stop at me—does she like me?]
Meanwhile, the two kids, now muted, pressed their faces close to the tablet, utterly engrossed in watching their aunt.
What to do? Even now, they missed her terribly.
Especially since the aunt on screen seemed so much farther away than usual. And all those people seemed to adore her too.
A sense of urgency gripped the little ones. They stared unblinkingly at the screen, even though they couldn’t read the text—they had to watch!
Soon, it was time for other models to join the interview, forming a lineup on the couch to answer questions one by one.
Little Le'an suddenly noticed something off. "Gege."
"What’s up?"
"This person." Little Le'an pointed at a woman sitting beside their aunt. "She’s weird."
Little Le Jia tilted his head. "You can see her eyes through the tablet?"
"Not clearly." Little Le'an scooted closer. "But Gege, this auntie doesn’t like our aunt. Will she bully her?"
That was all she could discern.
What if their aunt really got hurt?
Just then, the doorbell rang. The two kids whipped their heads toward the entrance, watching as Sister Wang opened the door. "Mr. Lin? What brings you here?"
Lin Shengxi, dispatched by his sister and boss, set down a bag of toys. "Heard the kiddos had no one to keep them company today. I’m here to be the designated babysitter."
He waved at the two. "Hey, missed your uncle?"
Pausing, he crossed his arms. "Why do you look like you’d rather not see me?"
"Uncle Lin!" Little Le Jia dashed over, this time ignoring the toys entirely and latching onto his leg. "Uncle Lin, will you take us to protect Auntie?"
Lin Shengxi: "Huh?"
Since when was this his job?
