Chapter 7: A Glimpse into a Hidden Life

Bai Mengqi, in an effort to divert her attention, began to ponder the suspicious individual she had just spotted.

She had noticed someone following her throughout the entire journey.

‘Was that person just now watching me? It makes sense, I suppose. As the CEO of such a large company, I’m bound to have many adversaries in the business world. And ever since I left, I’ve subtly sensed the presence of numerous ability users faintly lingering around. This is far too strange.’

The more Bai Mengqi considered it, the more convinced she became that something was amiss, yet she couldn’t directly question Zi Yanran.

After a little while longer, the waiter finally served their meal.

The moment the dishes were placed on the table, a captivating aroma wafted towards them, its vibrant colors equally enticing and instantly whetting one’s appetite.

Zi Yanran smiled, gesturing to Bai Mengqi. “Don’t just stare blankly. Let’s eat. After this, you’ll accompany me somewhere before we head back to the company.”

Bai Mengqi gazed at the delicious-looking food before her, then glanced up at Zi Yanran. Her stomach had long been rumbling, so she spoke without ceremony. “Well, then, I won’t stand on ceremony. These past few days, I’ve been running around for interviews, so busy my head was spinning, and I haven’t had a proper meal.”

With that, she picked up her chopsticks and began to devour the food.

Bai Mengqi’s eating habits were anything but refined; her mannerisms were precisely those of a boisterous young boy.

Most families typically paid close attention to a girl’s conduct, as parents often preferred their daughters to be graceful and elegant.

Under normal circumstances, a girl would never behave like Bai Mengqi, though exceptions certainly existed.

Bai Mengqi had been a woman for less than a year and hadn’t lived long as one, thus she greatly lacked the gentle, delicate aura typically associated with femininity.

Bai Mengqi knew Zi Yanran had been watching her intently, and she surmised that the other woman was likely still suspicious of her true identity.

Though she felt a slight discomfort, she couldn’t voice it, choosing instead to focus on her meal.

With her mouth full, Bai Mengqi mumbled indistinctly, “Um, Sister Yanran, aren’t you eating?”

Zi Yanran merely shook her head gently. “I’m not hungry. I might have another meal later.”

Hearing this, Bai Mengqi felt puzzled. ‘What could that mean? She’s not eating, but she specifically invited me?’

However, she didn’t press further. After all, she and Zi Yanran hadn’t known each other long enough to be on such familiar terms, and too many questions might seem abrupt.

After their meal, Zi Yanran slowly drove her car onto the elevated highway.

The car sped along the overpass, swiftly leaving the noisy, bustling downtown area behind and entering what appeared to be a quieter, more residential neighborhood.

As the car steadily moved away from the city center, Bai Mengqi’s curiosity could no longer be contained. “No, wait, where exactly are we going?” she asked again.

Zi Yanran, however, drove on in silence, as if she hadn’t heard a thing. Her expression remained so calm that it was impossible to discern her thoughts.

The sports car finally arrived smoothly at the entrance of an upscale residential community. It was truly grand, with each household boasting a private, rather spacious courtyard—clearly a place for the wealthy.

As the main gate slowly opened, a line of bodyguards, impeccably dressed in sharp suits, stood neatly by the entrance.

It made sense, considering a massive corporation like Zijing Group faced exceptionally fierce competition in the business world. Without robust security measures, they could easily fall victim to assassination by rival factions at any moment.

What surprised Bai Mengqi even more was that these bodyguards did not appear to be ordinary individuals.

As she passed by them, she instinctively activated her Dharma Eye ability, and her eyes instantly shimmered with a faint golden light.

Under the careful scrutiny of her Dharma Eye, she was astonished to discover a white aura swirling around the spiritual consciousness of each bodyguard. She knew well that this aura was the mark of a martial artist, who constituted the largest group within the world of ability users.

‘All of them are ability users?’ Bai Mengqi couldn’t help but murmur softly to herself. She grew increasingly convinced that Zi Yanran and everything connected to her exuded an air of profound mystery.

The car slowly drove into the villa complex, stopping in front of a two-story mansion. The moment it halted, a male servant immediately approached with a wide smile.

“Miss,” the male servant greeted respectfully, then took the car keys from Zi Yanran’s hand.

Zi Yanran merely asked casually, “Are my parents home?”

The servant promptly replied, “Yes, they are. The master is reading in his study, and the madam is playing with the young miss and young master in the backyard.”

Upon hearing this and witnessing the luxurious scene before her, Bai Mengqi couldn’t help but inwardly grumble, ‘These wicked capitalists, their lives are far too opulent.’

‘Hey, wait! Did I just hear the servant mention a young miss and young master? No way, does she have children? Is she already married?’

As Bai Mengqi walked, she suddenly stopped dead in her tracks, as if a profound realization had struck her, and stood there, lost in thought.

Noticing Bai Mengqi abruptly standing still and staring blankly, Zi Yanran asked, “What’s wrong? Why aren’t you moving?”

Bai Mengqi’s expression was somewhat stiff. She opened her mouth, hesitated, then finally asked, “Um, Sister Yanran, are you… married?”

Zi Yanran looked at Bai Mengqi’s peculiar expression, her eyes subtly shifting, then said with a half-smile, “Isn’t it quite normal for a woman my age to be married with children?”

At these words, Bai Mengqi felt as if a heavy stone had settled in her heart, and a strange sense of melancholy slowly began to seep from within her.

She couldn’t quite pinpoint why she felt so dejected; she simply had a strong, unsettling feeling.

Following this, the two entered the house and proceeded down the corridor towards the villa’s backyard.

The backyard was indeed remarkably spacious, featuring a grand courtyard.

At that moment, a remarkably elegant middle-aged woman was affectionately playing with a four or five-year-old girl and a boy of similar age, their faces radiating maternal love.

Both children were exceptionally adorable, their laughter echoing through the yard, filled with the innocent joy of childhood.

The moment Bai Mengqi spotted the two children from a distance, her heart suddenly felt as though it had been struck by something heavy, beginning to pound fiercely. An unprecedented feeling welled up within her.

It was a peculiar sensation, encompassing surprise, bewilderment, and an inexplicable sense of closeness.

The playing children, seemingly sensing something, instinctively paused their activities and uniformly turned their gaze towards the backyard gate, their small eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation.

“Mommy, you’re back!” The little girl’s clear voice rang out first, like a silver bell, echoing through the yard and instantly making the atmosphere even warmer.

The little boy also called out, “Mommy, Mommy!”

His tender voice was brimming with dependence.

Hearing them, Zi Yanran’s face immediately broke into a joyful smile. She quickened her pace towards the children, gently responding, “Oh, my darlings, Mommy’s home!”

Bai Mengqi stood rooted to the spot, watching the scene unfold, her complex emotions intensifying.

She couldn’t fathom why this sight evoked such a powerful reaction within her.

She silently observed Zi Yanran’s affectionate interactions with the children, her mind awash with countless thoughts, yet she didn’t know where to begin to process them.

After playing with the children for a while, Zi Yanran finally remembered Bai Mengqi still standing there.

She turned and waved to Bai Mengqi, saying, “Mengqi, come over here for a moment.”

Bai Mengqi hesitated, then slowly walked over.

She approached the children, and as she looked at their innocent, pure faces, the gloom in her heart seemed to lighten slightly.

The little girl looked up, her eyes full of curiosity, and asked Bai Mengqi, “Big sister, who are you?”

Bai Mengqi paused, then smiled as she replied, “I’m your mommy’s secretary. My name is Bai Mengqi.”

The little boy chimed in, “Hello, Big Sister Mengqi!”

Hearing this, Bai Mengqi’s heart instantly warmed. She smiled back, “Hello to you too.”