The morning sun began to peek through the heavy curtains of the house , but it wasn't the light that broke the silence.
Naria was the first to wake up. Unlike the previous night, she didn't start with a cry. She simply lay there, her tiny eyes wide open, staring at the peaceful face of her mother sleeping beside her. For a few quiet minutes, it was just the two of them in a silent, morning bond.
But soon, hunger took over. Naria's soft coos turned into a demanding cry, which instantly jolted both Naea and Akira awake. Naea, being right there, knew exactly what her daughter needed. Despite the early hour, she moved with maternal instinct, quickly reaching for the bottle of milk she had kept ready on the side table.
Akira opened her eyes for a moment, seeing that Naria was already being taken care of. Seeing the situation under control, she let out a tired sigh and pulled the covers back up. It was only 7:00 AM, and after the psychological toll of her nightmare, she needed every extra minute of rest she could get.
While Akira drifted back into a light slumber, Naea was fully awake now. She sat up, cradling Naria in her arms and feeding her. In the quiet glow of the morning, she watched her daughter with a tired but loving smile, starting her day as the heart of the home.
After finishing her milk, Naria felt a wave of contentment wash over her. She looked up at Naea and let out a bright, gummy smile—it was her tiny way of saying, "Good morning, Mom ." Naea couldn't help but melt, returning the smile with one of her own, her heart full as she watched her daughter's happy face.
Knowing that Akira needed the rest after her rough night, Naea decided to give her some space. She carefully gathered Naria into her arms and slipped out of the bedroom. As they walked toward the drawing room, Naea whispered softly to the baby, "Usually, Akki is the early bird... but I think she needs a little more sleep today, doesn't she?"
She settled onto the plush sofa in the drawing room, bathed in the soft morning light. For the next hour, it was just the two of them. Naea played with Naria's tiny fingers, talking to her in a gentle, rhythmic voice as if the infant could understand every word of their morning gossip. In the quiet of the mansion, Naea enjoyed this rare, peaceful one-on-one time, letting the "Old Money" silence of the house wrap around them.
After about thirty minutes of playing together, the peaceful bubble between mother and daughter was popped by the sound of the doorbell. Naea checked the time; it was usually when Aunt Zhi, the heart of the household's care, arrived with her daughter, Zheng.
Cradling Naria carefully in one arm, Naea walked toward the foyer. "Well, Naria," she whispered, her voice light and playful, "it's time to meet two more members of our world. There's Aunt Zhi, who keeps our home beautiful, and her daughter, Zheng, whom your Mom teaches."
Naea pulled open the heavy door, expecting to see both women, but only Zheng stood there. The younger girl immediately offered a bright, respectful smile. "Good morning, Miss Naea!" she chirped, her energy a stark contrast to the quiet morning.
"Good morning, Zheng," Naea replied warmly, masking her slight surprise at Aunt Zhi's absence. She stepped aside to let the girl in, then closed the door, returning to the drawing room with Naria still nestled against her. The day was officially beginning, and the quiet halls of the house were finally starting to stir with life.
Naea turned to Zheng with a curious look. "Zheng, is Aunt Zhi not coming today?"
"Mom will be here in a little while," Zheng replied. Naea nodded with a smile, "Ah, I see. That's fine then."
Naea headed toward the kitchen to brew some green tea for herself, gesturing for Zheng to make herself comfortable in the sitting area. As Naea moved, Zheng's eyes remained fixed on the bundle in her arms. Unable to contain her curiosity any longer, she asked, "Miss Naea... whose baby is this? She's so adorable. Is she a relative's child?"
Naea's face lit up with a soft, proud smile. "No, Zheng. She's the newest little soul in our home. Her name is Naria, and she is Akira's and my daughter. We adopted her from foster care just yesterday."
The excitement that had been dancing in Zheng's eyes vanished instantly. Her expression flattened into something neutral, almost cold. She tightened her grip on her books, her knuckles turning white. "I see," Zheng said, her voice dropping. "That means you won't be free to teach me anymore, will you?"
She looked down at her books, standing stiffly as if she were already prepared to be dismissed.
Naea couldn't help but chuckle softly at the girl's worry. "Well, that's not true at all, Zheng. I still have plenty of time for your lessons. Besides," she added, looking down at the quiet infant, "Naria is still a baby. She'll spend most of her time sleeping anyway."
After few minutes of their conversation...
Akira woke up to an empty bed. Realizing her two most precious persons were missing, she didn't hesitate,heading straight for the kitchen. There she found Naea, pouring tea into a cup with Naria nestled in her arm. A soft, genuine smile lit up Akira's face at the domestic sight.
She walked directly into the kitchen, leaning in to press a lingering kiss on Naea's cheek. "Good morning, Miss..." she whispered. Then, looking down at the infant, she kissed Naria's cheek as well. "And good morning, Little Miss." Naria responded with a gummy, heart-melting smile—the perfect mirror of her mother's.
Naea smiled back, warmed by the gesture, but then murmured softly, "Akira, Zheng is standing right there."
Akira turned her gaze toward Zheng, offering a polite smile. "Good morning, Zheng."
"Good morning, Miss Akira," Zheng replied, her tone noticeably rough and detached. Having witnessed the intimate morning display between the two women, the girl's coldness was palpable. Before the tension could settle, the doorbell rang through the mansion—likely Aunt Zhi arriving at last.
Akira headed to the door as the bell rang, finding Aunt Zhi standing there. After exchanging warm morning greetings, they both walked back into the living area where Naea welcomed her with a smile. Aunt Zhi's eyes immediately fell upon the tiny bundle in Naea's arms.
Gesturing toward the infant, she looked at Akira with curiosity. "And who is this pretty little soul?"
Akira beamed with pride. "This is Naria, the heart of this home. Naea and I adopted her from foster care yesterday."
Aunt Zhi's face broke into a knowing smile. "Ah, so that's why you told me not to come in yesterday!"
"Exactly," Akira laughed. Aunt Zhi walked over to Naea, leaning in to meet Naria's steady gaze. "Naria... what a beautiful name. Hello there, little one. I'm Aunt Zhi. I look after your parents, but you must call me Aunt Zhi too—don't you dare call me grandma!" The room erupted into lighthearted laughter at her playful warning.after this funky conversation Akira interrupted
Turning to Naea, Akira reached up to touch the ends of her hair. "Well, Naea, I was thinking... maybe I should cut my hair shorter."
Naea paused, running her fingers through Akira's soft locks. "It's already short , Akira just below your shoulder . How much more do you want to cut? I think it's perfect as it is; this style really suits you."
Akira smiled softly, leaning into her touch. "Whatever you say..."
"Wait, hold on," Naea said, an idea striking her. She carefully handed Naria to Aunt Zhi. "Could you hold her for a second?" She then pulled the rubber band from her own hair and whispered to Akira, "Turn around."
a move that was both effortless and dangerously intimate, she caught the band between her teeth, holding it there as she reached out with both hands. She ran her fingers through the short, dark layers of Akira's hair, gathering the strands with meticulous care.
Akira stood perfectly still, her breath hitching slightly at the proximity. She could feel the ghost of Naea's touch against her neck, the quiet confidence in every movement. Once she had the wolf-cut perfectly gathered, Naea took the band from her lips and looped it around the hair, securing it into a small, stylish knot.
Naea stepped back just an inch, smoothing down a few stray hairs near Akira's ears. The look was sharp, cool, and unmistakably hers.
Across the room, the silence was deafening. Zheng stood frozen, her eyes fixed on the pair. Her knuckles turned white as she squeezed her hands into tight fists at her sides. To her, it wasn't just a hairstyle—it was a display of a bond she couldn't penetrate, a world where she was merely a guest and Akira was the center of Naea's universe.
Naea began to explain the complex questions, leaning over the notebook. However, because she had used her only hairband to tie back Akira's hair, her own locks were now loose and flowing. With every movement, the soft strands fell forward, veiling her face and tickling Naria as the infant nestled in her lap. The constant intrusion of her hair was becoming an irritation, but Naea remained focused on the lesson, trying her best to ignore it.
For Zheng, it was different. The curtain of hair kept obscuring her view of Naea's face—a sight she looked forward to every day. Gathering a sudden burst of courage, Zheng slowly reached out. Her fingers trembled slightly as they moved toward Naea's temple, gently tucking the stray locks behind her ear.
Naea paused mid-sentence, turning her gaze toward Zheng in surprise.
Zheng jumped back as if burned, her hands flying behind her back as a frantic nervousness took over. "I... the hair... it was falling in your face, so I just..."
Before she could stumble through a clumsy explanation, Naea broke into a warm, genuine smile. "Thank you, Zheng," she said softly.
It was a simple gesture of gratitude for Naea, but for Zheng, it was overwhelming. The kindness in Naea's eyes sent a wave of heat to her cheeks, leaving her flushed and shy, her heart racing at the brief moment of connection.
By the time Akira emerged from the shower, fully dressed and looking sharp, Aunt Zhi had already laid out a beautiful breakfast. The family sat down together, the air filled with the scent of fresh coffee and warm toast. Zheng sat quietly, feeling that familiar pang of unease as she watched Akira and Naea sit so closely, their movements synchronized and effortless.
Once breakfast was finished, it was time for Akira to head to the Editor's Café. She walked over to Naea, gently scooping Little Naria into her arms for a moment of morning affection. Handing the rubber band back to Naea, Akira turned her back, standing perfectly still.
Naea understood the silent request immediately. She stood up and began to work on Akira's hair. This time, she left the lower half loose, gathering the top into a neat, stylish bun. The hairstyle was the perfect match for Akira's outfit—a chocolate colour blazer that made her look both authoritative and elegantly modern.
With her hair secured, Akira looked down at Naria, pressing a soft kiss to the infant's forehead. "See you tonight, Little Miss," she whispered.
She handed the baby back to Naea, then stepped closer, pressing a lingering kiss to Naea's forehead as well. "Take care of yourself," Akira said softly, her eyes holding Naea's for a second longer than necessary.
With her bag in hand, Akira headed out to her car, leaving for the café. Naea watched her go, a small, private smile playing on her lips, before turning her attention back to the lesson. She settled back in with Naria, ready to continue teaching, while Aunt Zhi moved quietly about her chores.
Nearby, Zheng sat with her pen poised over her notebook, her heart heavy with a jealousy she couldn't quite name. To her, the kiss on the forehead and the shared hair tie weren't just gestures—they were reminders of a bond she could only watch from the outside.
Once the most difficult part of the lesson was over, Naea gave Zheng a short break. Turning her focus back to her daughter, Naea enlisted Aunt Zhi's help to give Naria a proper bath. They worked with extreme care, making sure the water was the perfect temperature and the atmosphere was soothing. Afterward, they dressed Naria in a fresh new outfit, making her look more adorable than ever.
Aunt Zhi then took a moment to give Naria a gentle massage. "It builds strength in their little limbs," she explained with a smile, her experienced hands moving rhythmically.
While the baby was being pampered, Zheng remained at the table, surprisingly focused. She was practicing the questions Naea had assigned with deep concentration, perhaps trying to prove her worth as a student despite the morning's distractions.
Taking advantage of the quiet moment, Naea stepped away to take a quick shower. While she was gone, Aunt Zhi kept a watchful eye on Naria, the house settling into a peaceful, domestic hum.
At the Editor's Café, the atmosphere was thick with the scent of roasted beans and the soft tapping of keyboards. Akira was deep in "Work Mode," focused on editing the latest chapters of Wei Jian's book.
In the story, she reached a pivotal scene: Professor Ruoxi arrives to give a private tuition session to Fen, a college student. It was Fen's first day as a private pupil, and the air between them was thick with tension. Ruoxi's explanations were brilliant and clear, slowly breaking through Fen's confusion, but Fen remained incredibly nervous. They had never interacted before, and having Ruoxi—a person of such authority—in a private setting was overwhelming.
During the lesson, Ruoxi's phone rang. It was a call from her fiancé, Wang Yi. This was the moment Fen discovered that his teacher was already spoken for, adding a layer of hidden heartbreak to the session.
Despite the professional distance, Ruoxi's nature was undeniably kind; she spoke with a gentle, melodic voice that made it hard not to admire her. The manuscript also introduced Ruoxi's brother, Chen Jui, who happened to be in the same department as Fen—though the text noted he was notoriously "dumb," a sharp contrast to his sister's brilliance.
Akira continued to edit the following chapters while sipping her coffee. She worked with an intense level of concentration, whether it was an Agency mission or her work as an editor—she gave everything her full focus.
In the next chapter, the story showed how Fen's grades in Computer Science had finally begun to improve after Ruoxi's classes. However, her parents were far from satisfied. Instead of encouraging her, they pressured her to improve even further, never acknowledging her hard work. That evening, when Ruoxi arrived for their session, Fen was terrified. She expected Ruoxi to scold her just like her parents did, or to demand even better results.
But as soon as Ruoxi entered, she handed Fen a gift.
Fen looked at it in shock. "What is this for, Professor?"
"For not giving up," Ruoxi replied with a gentle smile. "And for trying so hard."
Ruoxi's kindness hit Fen like a wave. The professor opened Fen's notebook and pointed out her mistakes—some minor, some just silly—with patience and care. She explained that they would work through these errors together so they wouldn't happen again.
Tears welled up in Fen's eyes. Overwhelmed by the support she had never received at home, she impulsively wrapped her arms around Ruoxi in a tight hug. "You're so wonderful, Professor! You didn't yell at me... you encouraged me. You're so kind."
As Fen held her, the lingering scent of Ruoxi's expensive, luxury fragrance and her gentle nature made it impossible for Fen to pull away. She felt a sense of peace she had never known.
Just as Akira was getting lost in the emotions of the manuscript, her phone began to ring, piercing through her concentration.Akira looked at the screen; it was Wei Jian. She let it ring for a few moments before finally picking up.
"I know you must be upset with me," Wei's voice came through, sounding strained. "When we met at the café, I didn't think I should tell you the truth. But after meeting your wife, I realized I couldn't keep it hidden anymore."
Akira leaned back, her editor's intuition clicking into place. "So, that means the first half of this novel was written by someone else?"
"Yes," Wei admitted quietly. "The first fifty chapters were written by my friend. I took over after that."
"Well, Author Wei," Akira asked, her voice turning sharp and professional, "may I ask what your friend's name is?"
There was a long silence on the other end. Finally, Wei whispered, "An Mei."
Akira's brow furrowed. She pulled up a search tab on her laptop and typed in the name. The results were harrowing: a 19-year-old girl had perished in a house fire. The report stated her body was found completely burned, and the case was closed as a tragic accident.
"An Mei..." Akira murmured into the phone. "This is the girl whose murder was reported as an accident, isn't it?"
Wei gasped. "How... how do you know that?"
"I was in Taipei a few months ago when the news went viral," Akira explained calmly. "It was hard to miss."
Wei's voice trembled with a mix of grief and rage. "It wasn't an accident, Akira. Her own father set that fire. He burned her alive."
Akira sat upright, her "Hunter" instincts fully alerted. "How can you be so sure it was her father?"
"Because I know," Wei said, her voice cracking before she abruptly ended the call.