Shang Chi took two days off to rest at home before returning to his research department, holing up there for several days without going home.
It wasn't until the weekend arrived that Shang Heng and his wife, busy with business trips, messaged him to pick up and drop off their little niece Manman, finally coaxing Shang Chi out of the company.
The moment Shang Chi stepped through the door, he heard the little girl's childish praise.
"Grandma, you look super—super pretty in this dress!"
He Yin couldn't hide her smile. "Really? So, does Grandma look prettier in today's dress or yesterday's one?"
The little girl declared emphatically, "Grandma looks pretty in everything!"
Amused, He Yin scooped her up and planted two kisses on her rosy cheeks.
Their tender grandmother-granddaughter moment made Shang Chi, who was strolling over casually, seem like an out-of-place figure of lazy weariness.
Manman heard footsteps, turned her head, and gasped.
"Uncle Shang, you look so cool today."
His crisp black denim jacket paired with matching trousers, his skin a cool pallor, his bangs swept back to reveal sharp, handsome features—he radiated a chilly, aloof charm.
Shang Chi raised an eyebrow slightly. "Good eye."
He Yin first offered a compliment, then smoothly steered the conversation. "Back in high school, I worried you'd fall into early romance like your older brother. Instead, you spent every day at that crappy robotics club."
"I hoped you'd find a girlfriend in college, but you were still tinkering with robot dogs. Now you're practically ancient..."
Shang Chi remained impassive as he scooped the chubby little girl into his arms and turned to leave. "Xiao Manman, let's go to class."
He Yin rolled her eyes and quickened her pace to catch up.
"My yoga class happens to be in the same direction as Manman's guqin lesson. Drop her off and swing by to pick me up on your way."
Shang Chi responded with lazy indifference.
Only when he heard "yoga class" did his footsteps pause imperceptibly.
As they neared the garage, He Yin suddenly spoke up, "Forgot to ask—what car are you driving today?"
Shang Chi looked utterly baffled. "My usual SUV."
He Yin frowned in annoyance, waving her hand. "That won't do. Too expensive. Doesn't fit my 'slightly wealthy' persona."
"Forget it. I'll have the driver take me and Manman instead."
"Saves you from constantly complaining I'm exploiting your precious labor and time."
Shang Chi: "..."
In the past, Shang Chi would've readily agreed, glad to avoid the hassle.
But today, he stood rooted to the spot, eyebrows furrowed in resignation. "Then tell me—which one should I drive?"
Meeting He Yin's pensive gaze, Shang Chi returned a casual look.
"I promised Big Brother I'd pick up and drop off Manman. Taking you is just a side trip."
Perfect. Still the same son who drove her crazy.
He Yin suppressed her confusion and pointed.
"That one. The cheapest Volkswagen."
-
Shang Chi first dropped Manman off at her children's guqin class.
It was a small class of two—the other student was Tangyuan, Manman's kindergarten classmate.
The teaching assistant greeting them at the door glanced at Shang Chi several times, her face flushing slightly as she asked softly, "Hello, may I ask who you are to little Manman?"
Before Shang Chi could answer, Manman spun around and declared loudly, "He's my little uncle!"
As she spoke, she kicked her little legs, trying to get down.
Her small hand patted Shang Chi's arm urgently. "Little uncle, I'm here now. You should go. I have to go to class."
Shang Chi narrowed his eyes slightly, finding this odd.
"Last time I brought you here, you were reluctant and even had the nerve to ask me how I used to skip class. Why are you so excited today?"
Manman's little face was serious, her dark eyes brimming with anticipation.
"Because the pretty teacher is teaching today!"
She waved her chubby little arms, drawing a circle in the air with all her might. "A teacher this pretty!"
The teaching assistant explained softly, "Once, when Teacher Gu, who usually teaches Manman and Tangyuan, was sick, we asked her friend to substitute. Manman and Tangyuan both adored that substitute teacher. Our institution respects the children's preferences, so we invited that teacher to come teach once a month."
Shang Chi understood. Seeing Manman staring at him with wide eyes, he crouched down, set the little girl on the ground, and gently flicked her forehead with his finger.
"Such a little age, and already so into looks."
The teaching assistant took Manman's hand, hesitated a few times, then held up her phone and tentatively asked, "Uncle Manman, would you like to add me on WeChat? It would be convenient for us to communicate about Manman's progress."
Shang Chi straightened up and politely yet coldly declined: "No need. Just contact her parents."
He then turned to Manman: "I'll pick you up later."
Manman waved dismissively with an air of world-weariness: "Got it, got it."
As Shang Chi descended the stairs, he faintly heard the little girl's unabashedly loud voice echoing from behind—
"Teacher Tiantian, Grandma said Uncle Xiao isn't gay or straight. He's robot-oriented, so he'll just have to grow old alone hugging his robot..."
Shang Chi: "?"
What kind of nonsense does Mrs. He feed these kids every day?
After dropping off Manman, he picked up He Yin.
The yoga studio wasn't far from the training center. Shang Chi found a parking spot and parked. His long legs, accustomed to the spaciousness of an SUV, reluctantly squeezed into the cramped front passenger seat.
He Yin carried her small bag and smiled brightly. "Perfect timing—come meet your future sister."
Shang Chi scoffed coldly: "...What sister? Cut the nonsense. Careful my dad hears you and thinks you're flirting with some young stud again."
He Yin maintained a dignified smile, but as Shang Chi approached, she delivered a sharp slap without mercy.
Her smile remained intact as she gritted her teeth: "If you can't speak properly, just shut up."
The two entered the yoga studio. The receptionist greeted them warmly, "Sis He, you're here! The boss is waiting for you in Studio One."
He Yin chatted cheerfully with her for a moment.
Shang Chi stood lazily to the side, lifting his eyes to discreetly scan the room.
"—Oh, right," He Yin suddenly remembered, clapping her hands and asking curiously, "Where's Xiao Zhu?"
"I don't see her. Is she in the studio with Boss Qi?"
The receptionist shook her head. "Sister Zhuo went to her part-time job. She's not here today."
He Yin sighed regretfully and turned to look at Shang Chi behind her. "Guess we won't get to see your little sister Zhuo today."
"..."
Shang Chi frowned slightly, as if sensing something. He repeated, "Little Sister Zhuo?"
He Yin feigned surprise.
"I mean Xiao Zhuo! Seriously? You didn't know Zhuo is a type of bamboo? You didn't know Xiao Zhuo's nickname is Little Bamboo?"
Shang Chi: "..."
He Yin: "No worries. She's your sister now. Better late than never."
Shang Chi: "..."
He Yin: "Alright, you can go now."
With that sarcastic remark, He Yin turned away, satisfied.
The receptionist led her to the changing room.
Shang Chi let out a soft click of disapproval, about to leave, when his gaze swept the room. His lifted foot abruptly changed direction.
By the entrance stood a photo wall.
Among the layers of pictures pinned haphazardly, Shang Chi's eyes immediately landed on one in the upper left corner.
Dim background, warm yellow candlelight.
A girl stood before a cake, a birthday hat crookedly perched on her head, hands pressed together as if making a wish.
Someone had smeared snow-white frosting across her nose and cheek, her eyes sparkling with joy, dimples deepening on both cheeks.
...She looked prettier when she smiled.
Shang Chi's Adam's apple bobbed slightly as his fingertips, hanging at his side, unconsciously stroked the surface.
He recalled He Yin's voice calling her "Little Bamboo."
Indeed.
That day, peering out from the car parked at the street corner, the girl stood quietly by the roadside, clutching her cane. Her back was straight and upright, like a tender young green bamboo shoot.
...Quite adorable.