"My brother is still young."
Gao Jian had no intention of letting his brother know.
Shen Qingqing strongly disagreed. "He looks like a child on the surface, but if you truly treat him as a child who knows nothing, you'd be terribly mistaken."
"Pretty Auntie, Brother, what are you two talking about? Is there something you're hiding from me?"
Gao Xu asked.
Gao Jian was taken aback. Shen Qingqing said, "See, you think he's a child who knows nothing, but he's actually very smart. He understands everything, and I believe he has his own choices."
Gao Jian hesitated.
Shen Qingqing looked at Gao Xu. "There's something very important I want to tell you, but I don't know if you're willing to know about it."
"Of course, I'm willing," Gao Xu replied without hesitation. "Does this have something to do with Brother being taken to the police station?"
A smile flickered in Shen Qingqing's eyes. She knew this child was different from ordinary children. "You guessed correctly. The reason your brother is being held here is related to your mother."
"What did my mother do?"
"Miss Shen!"
Gao Jian shouted suddenly.
Shen Qingqing paused, but ultimately swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue. "This is something your brother can tell you himself when he gets out. For now, what you need to do is go home obediently after seeing him, and wait for your brother and mother to come home."
Gao Xu was very obedient and didn't ask any more questions. "I'll listen to Pretty Auntie."
Before leaving, Shen Qingqing went to the restroom, leaving Gao Jian and his brother to talk privately.
A short while later, Shen Qingqing returned and saw Gao Jian looking as if he had something to say but couldn't. She knew without a doubt that Gao Xu must have said something to him.
She didn't ask.
"It's getting late, we'll be going now. I'll visit you again another day."
Gao Jian nodded. "Thank you, Miss Shen."
After leaving the police station, Shen Qingqing took Gao Xu to an amusement park. However, it was already late, so they only played a few rides briefly before heading home.
Coincidentally, Gao Xu received a call from Mr. Gao, saying he had to work late tonight and wouldn't be coming home. Gao Xu was very disappointed.
"Dad, please take care of yourself and get enough rest."
He clearly didn't want his father to go, but he pretended to be strong. This child was so sensible it made one's heart ache. Shen Qingqing asked, "Your mom and dad aren't home, are you scared when you're home alone?"
Gao Xu nodded. "Yes, but I know Dad and Mom aren't coming back because they're busy, so I don't ask anything."
"Good boy."
Shen Qingqing praised him.
Gao Xu looked at the endless stream of cars on the street and couldn't suppress his curiosity. "Pretty Auntie, is Brother at the police station because my mom did something?"
"Actually, sometimes not knowing is better."
Shen Qingqing rubbed the little one's head. "Their grievances have been around for a long time. You know, it's not something that can be explained in a few words. You should ask your brother yourself when he gets out."
She didn't want to meddle in other people's family affairs.
Gao Xu, being sensible, stopped asking.
Then Shen Qingqing asked him, "It's boring to go home alone, would you like to come to my place?"
"Can I?" the little one asked anxiously. "Will this be too much of a bother for you?"
"No, not at all. I have two little brothers at home who are about your age. I'll introduce you to them."
Shen Qingqing said with a smile.
Gao Xu immediately thought of something. "Are the two little brothers your children?"
"Yes." Shen Qingqing ruffled his head. "They both love making friends, and I'm sure they'll like you."
"I'll be very good to the two brothers!"
Gao Xu's childish voice promised.
Shen Qingqing blinked and chuckled. "At such a young age, how can you be so sensible?"
Gao Xu beamed with pride and smiled shyly.
Shen Qingqing brought him home. The brothers were indeed very curious about this child, especially Shen Jinxi, who peppered Gao Xu with questions.
Gao Xu answered them all truthfully.
Although Chenchen was quiet and Gao Xu was a bit shy, with the lively and cheerful Shen Jinxi acting as a bridge, they would become friends sooner or later.
Shen Qingqing received a call from Officer Wang.
However, it wasn't Officer Wang's voice on the other end.
"Miss Shen."
"Gao Jian?" Shen Qingqing was surprised. "What is it you're calling me for?"
"Miss Shen, let her go."
"Are you serious?" Shen Qingqing was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood who "her" referred to. "Don't forget, you ended up in this predicament because of her."
"I haven't forgotten," Gao Jian's voice was calm. "But I've thought about it carefully. She is Gao Xu's mother. That alone is enough for me not to pursue it."
Shen Qingqing fell silent. She wasn't surprised by his decision, but she didn't agree with it. "Have you really thought it through? If you let her go, with her temper, she'll likely continue to cause you trouble."
She had to remind Gao Jian.
"You're already neck-deep in trouble. If she intentionally targets you, it'll be too easy."
Gao Jian was not afraid. "Don't I still have you?"
"You're pinning all your hopes on me?" Shen Qingqing reminded him. "Gao Jian, I can help you once, but I can't help you forever. You know how Mrs. Gao treats you."
Gao Jian's voice became a bit more serious. "I understand. Don't worry about me. Since I agreed to let her out, I naturally have a way to deal with her."
Shen Qingqing sighed. Since he had said so, what else could she say?
"Alright, as long as you've thought it through, I'll respect your decision."
"Thank you."
Shen Qingqing picked up her water cup and took a sip. "However, there's a condition for me to let her go: all her actions must be exposed!"
Gao Jian had no objection to this. "Of course, exposing her actions would be beneficial to me. However, regarding Gao Xu..."
"I stand by what I said, he'll know sooner or later." Shen Qingqing didn't agree with hiding things; only by letting the child know would Mrs. Gao restrain herself.
Gao Jian gritted his teeth. "Fine, I'll listen to you."
After hanging up the phone, she happened to see Gao Xu standing at the doorway looking at her. Shen Qingqing paused slightly and walked towards the child as if nothing had happened. "Why did you come over? Weren't you playing downstairs with the two brothers?"
"I needed to use the restroom and heard your voice, so I came to find you."
Gao Xu hesitated and then asked softly, "Is Mom going home?"
Shen Qingqing marveled at the child's perceptiveness. "Yes, I'll notify your father to pick her up. You'll see her when you get home tomorrow."
Gao Xu was overjoyed, all his emotions showing on his face. "Thank you, Pretty Auntie. I knew you were a good person. What Mom used to say was all wrong."