Final Civilization

Chapter 39: Stepfather

Han Ming was becoming increasingly comfortable with his ability to foresee the future, but that did not mean he would use it at every opportunity. He would not intervene in actions that did not affect outcomes or where he had no purpose, because there was no point.

For example, he was now standing at the gate of Jinghai Nanshan Yushui Bay, watching the occasional highly private luxury cars coming and going, and pondering.

He could not predict the results of a chain of events in just a few minutes, just as he could not, through a few minutes of conversation or repeated probing, make Tao Jie open up to him and reveal the secrets of the Sacred Realm of Science.

This ability felt more like a crisis early-warning system. It could grant initiative during negotiations and allow for iterative trial-and-error on key questions.

Han Ming checked the time. Since he had been invited, Secretary Jin would not come to pick him up, and it seemed Yan Jing had arranged to meet him alone.

He set aside the information about Shen Siwei for the moment. Tonight he had to deal with Yan Jing first.

If there was an opportunity, he could also take a look at that Troy symbol earring—provided Yan Jing was still wearing it.

A Mercedes C-Class was relatively rare in a community at this level, but the gate security were all rigorously trained. Han Ming’s license plate had already been added to the visitor list by Secretary Jin. After entering Yushui Bay, a new-energy vehicle led the way and delivered him to Yan Jing’s villa.

Han Ming parked and stepped out. The whole residential area was as quiet as a mountain forest; apart from birdsong and insects, there was no noisy bustle.

For someone who had lived long in the city proper, Han Ming felt almost as if he was mishearing things.“How nice it is to be rich.”

The quality of a top-tier community was not only in the supposedly art-level landscaping or high-end infrastructure. The pleasantly peaceful silence itself was an incredibly luxurious resource in a city like Jinghai, where land was worth its weight in gold.

At Lake Heart No. 1, Han Ming pressed the visitor bell. Although mentally prepared, he was still slightly stunned when the door opened to reveal Yan Jing in a comfortable home outfit and an apron.

“You’re here?”

She lacked the imposing aura of Tianzhou’s chairwoman, and none of the sharpness of the White Widow of Jinghai. Wearing light makeup, Yan Jing looked just like an ordinary, elegant housewife and smiled warmly at Han Ming.

“Change your shoes first. Dinner will be ready soon.”

Her voice was gentle, as if the two of them were already well acquainted.

Thump thump thump—

The sound of running footsteps, then a little adorable face peered out from inside. The child beamed at seeing Han Ming and whispered happily,

“Uncle Han Ming, you’re here!”

“You play with her for a bit. I’ve got two more dishes to finish. Make sure she doesn’t eat too much candy.”

“Okay.”

Yan Jing gave him a gentle, knowing glance, then went straight into the kitchen without another word to Han Ming.

Han Ming watched the scene calmly, but inside he was unsettled.

This woman...

He found it hard to describe.

Her effortless switching of roles made it hard to tell what was genuine and what was not. He had assumed the villa would have a private chef team, or at least Auntie Weng cooking.

Instead, it was just Duoduo and Yan Jing, and Yan Jing was cooking herself.

This did not look like the fearsome White Widow of Jinghai at all; she was just a full-time, attentive housewife waiting for her husband to come home.

But when he looked closer, Yan Jing wasn’t wearing the Troy symbol earrings.

Putting away his thoughts, Han Ming picked up little Duoduo and asked, “Duoduo, did you miss me?”

Duoduo turned her face away in a cheeky pout and said:

“Heehee~ I won’t tell you.”

“Then whisper it to me and I’ll give you the present.” Han Ming said.

Her eyes immediately brightened. She puckered her mouth shyly and lowered her head.

“Actually, I kind of missed you. I was just afraid you wouldn’t miss me...”

“Why?” Han Ming asked.

Duoduo pouted: “Because those uncles and aunties there always say they like me and promise to play with me, but they never actually come to play with Duoduo...”

Han Ming felt a pang of sympathy. Given Yan Jing’s status, there weren’t many people Duoduo could regularly be around. No wonder the little girl liked playing with frogs.

He swallowed, then turned his expression into a smile.

“Those uncles and aunties are all very busy. They actually really want to come play with you, but they have work so they don’t have time. One thing’s for sure, though—they all like you very much.”

“Really...” Duoduo looked secretly delighted and huffed proudly: “I thought so too, after all I’m so cute.”

Han Ming laughed and set her down, then produced a box. “Guess what I brought you?”

“Ice cream!”

“Wrong.”

“An ice cream machine!”

“No.”

“Ooh, My Little Pony Adventure Park?!”

“Nope. Here’s a hint: the grumpy frog has a pink friend...”

“Wow, a rabbit!!! A real rabbit!!”

...

In the kitchen, Yan Jing, wearing an apron, calmly prepared dinner. In her hand was a chef’s knife that flashed with a cold edge as she deftly chopped a carrot into chunks. The hands that signed billion-dollar contracts now skillfully quartered a beet-red carrot; her nails showed a healthy pale cherry color.

The silk apron’s waist ties were loosely looped into a trailing knot at her back, swaying with her movements. On the nearby counter, a tablet displayed the living-room surveillance footage in high definition.

Every word and action between Han Ming and Duoduo was clearly captured. When she heard Duoduo’s laughter, Yan Jing’s lips curled up ever so slightly.

Combined with her composed cooking posture, the scene was cozy yet carried a faintly uncanny feeling.

Soon a steaming dinner was laid on the table.

“You brought her a rabbit?”

Yan Jing noticed the palm-sized white rabbit in Duoduo’s arms and asked in surprise.

“It’s called Judy, named after Officer Judy the rabbit~” Duoduo said excitedly. She cradled the little rabbit carefully, her little face flushed with excitement.

Han Ming smiled. “She likes animals, so I picked out a begonia rabbit for her.”

Yan Jing looked at Duoduo’s joyful face and then gratefully at Han Ming.

“Attorney Han, that was thoughtful of you. Thank you for caring about Duoduo.”

“You’re welcome. We’re friends now.”

“We?” Yan Jing smiled gently and regarded him with an appraising look.

Han Ming cleared his throat, pointing at Duoduo: “Me and Duoduo.”

“That’s wonderful.” Yan Jing smiled charmingly. “Dinner’s ready. Don’t be picky—everything’s homemade. There aren’t any grand dishes, mainly because I don’t like taking Duoduo out to eat, and also because I think this form is more sincere.”

Han Ming did feel the sincerity. At least compared to their first official-style banquet, Yan Jing’s homemade food better fit social expectations.

It even made him feel the host was being a bit too solicitous.

Carrot-braised meat, pan-seared cod, stir-fried red amaranth, Longjing fried prawns, and a simple fish-tofu milk soup—five homely dishes totally unlike the work of a woman who controlled a conglomerate worth billions.

“The food is excellent. I didn’t expect the Tianzhou Group’s chairwoman to also be a skilled cook.”

Han Ming genuinely complimented from across the table.

“If you like it, come often.” Yan Jing elegantly popped a piece of cod into her mouth and savored it. “Whenever I have time I cook at home. Duoduo loves my cooking.”

“Mom’s food is the best. Um... Auntie Weng’s is good too.” Duoduo munched and smiled.

Han Ming said, “With a group as big as Tianzhou, it must be difficult for Chairwoman Yan to carve out time from company affairs.”

“Yes. If someone could help me shoulder a bit of it, I’d be much more relaxed.”

Han Ming nodded. “It is indeed hard for one person.”

Yan Jing looked at Han Ming with a smile in her eyes and said with interest:

“Han Ming, Duoduo likes you so much. How about you become her father?”

Han Ming nearly dropped his chopsticks. He swore he had foreseen the next few minutes of conversation twice already, but Yan Jing’s words still managed to catch him off guard each time.