C20 A Cup of Sweet Coffee

Xiong Miao was momentarily bewildered but knew better than to dawdle. She circled back to her desk, grabbed the coffee cup, and downed its contents in one gulp. After a respectful bow to Zhan Yeling, she hurriedly exited the room.

Phew...

Sharing a space with Zhan Yeling was a true test of one's cardiac fortitude.

Yet, the coffee had been surprisingly sweet.

Xiong Miao licked her lips, relishing the flavor.

Her head had been spinning earlier, but the sugared coffee had helped immensely.

She needed to grab a bite at a restaurant before heading to the office.

After all, a well-fed body is the fuel for productivity.

Stepping out of the Rich Group's entrance, Xiong Miao felt an emptiness in her hands, as if something was missing.

Her computer and USB drive—how could she proceed with her work without them?

She chided herself for forgetting something so crucial.

They must have been left behind in Zhan Yeling's office when she fainted.

Having just escaped a perilous situation, the thought of returning was daunting.

But there was no other option; it was her own oversight.

With a sense of resignation, Xiong Miao made her way back to Zhan Yeling's office.

The door was ajar. She inhaled deeply, poised to knock, but the sound of conversation inside halted her hand mid-air.

"Director Zhan, Master Zhan insists on your attendance at tonight's banquet, as Young Master Zhan will be returning," Gu Yi reported to the man with due reverence.

Master Zhan had placed Gu Yi as Zhan Yeling's special assistant to keep a watchful eye on him and report back any matters of importance.

However, Gu Yi's allegiance shifted over time, swayed by Zhan Yeling's influence.

Instead of acting as Master Zhan's informant, Gu Yi became more of a messenger.

"Is that so? Then my attendance is imperative," came Zhan Yeling's response, his voice deep and chilling.

Xiong Miao could detect the chill in Zhan Yeling's voice even from outside.

"Ling Xiaoxiao has been hounding Director Zhan these past few days because she wants to be seen at tonight's banquet as his date. I'm curious about how Director Zhan plans to handle this," Gu Yi added.

"The old man just wants me to be a puppet for the Zhan family. Ling Xiaoxiao is merely the one pulling the strings. If I were to give in to his wishes, I wouldn't be Zhan Yeling," Zhan Yeling said with a cold sneer.

Xiong Miao hadn't realized the extent of the tension between Zhan Yeling and the Zhan family. His words betrayed a deep-seated resentment towards them. She had previously heard about the strained relationship but had dismissed it as gossip. Now it was clear that the rumors had some truth to them.

Xiong Miao knocked on the door, not meaning to interrupt their conversation, but she needed her computer from inside to work on tonight. Her knock cut through the discussion.

"Come in!" came the irritated response from within.

"I apologize, Director Zhan, I left my computer here," Xiong Miao said as she entered, bowing slightly in apology and fixing her eyes on the computer resting on the coffee table.

She picked up her computer, avoiding Zhan Yeling's icy stare, and carefully exited, closing the door behind her. She then hurried into the elevator as if making her escape.

"What's wrong with it?" Xiong Miao booted up her computer, only to find it nearly snapped in half, held together by something as thin as a sheet of paper.

"Oh my goodness, not now," she groaned, slapping a hand to her forehead in frustration. "This is the last thing I need."

With no other option, she sent the computer off for repairs.

After a sleepless night, even the strongest person would be worn out. While her computer was still being fixed, Xiong Miao headed home.

"Miaomiao, you're back. The little ones just fell asleep," Su Mumu said, gesturing towards the toy room.

Every day around this time, the little ones would settle down for their afternoon nap after lunch.

"Yeah, I'm seriously sleep-deprived. I need to catch some z's," Xiong Miao said, sounding exhausted.

Su Mumu playfully squished her face. "Look at those dark circles; you're turning into a real-life panda. You can't keep working around the clock; it's going to take a toll on your health. If you burn out, the kids will be left hanging. How much are those capitalists paying you to push yourself this hard?"

Su Mumu was well aware that Xiong Miao had been working herself to the bone for years to make ends meet.

She was genuinely concerned about how hard Xiong Miao pushed herself.

"Once this quarter's press conference is over, things should slow down. Got anything to eat? I'm starving," Xiong Miao said, pulling her hand away and heading to the kitchen. She found some leftover baby food, dished it into a bowl, and started eating.

"You shouldn't be so hard on yourself. Let me make you a bowl of noodles," Su Mumu said, her heart aching at the sight.

"No need. I've got to save time for sleep." After a brief two or three hours of rest, once the computer was fixed, she would have to get back to work.

Finishing her meal, Xiong Miao opened the door to find the six babies sprawled out in various states of slumber. Junjun was face down, snoring away with drool soaking the sheets.

Lele was half-asleep, clutching Junjun's big toe in his mouth as if nursing.

Mama was sticking his little bottom in the air, his head resting on Qianqian's belly, resembling a tiny kitten.

On the floor, the diaper-clad little one smacked his lips twice, perhaps dreaming of something tasty.

The sight of their unique sleeping positions brought a smile to Xiong Miao's face, and her fatigue seemed to melt away.

She slipped off her shoes, gently placed the sixth baby back on the bed, removed Lele's foot from his mouth, and straightened Mama out for a good night's sleep.

She nestled among the little ones, the sweet scent of milk in the air and the soothing sound of their breaths lulling her to sleep within seconds.

Su Mumu gently closed the door on the family of seven.

Xiong Miao was deep in a dream, imagining a cat sprawled across her, licking her face. The sensation was soft and damp.

But in reality, something soft and moist was indeed licking her face, startling her awake in an instant. Gazing down, she saw a pair of chubby pink cheeks and big, innocent, dark eyes.

"Giggle, Mommy, I love you so much," the little girl with her hair in two braids said, beaming.

"Sweetheart, Mommy loves you too," Xiong Miao replied, realizing it was Bear who had been licking her.

It was remarkable how even sleep could bring such surprises and joy.

She gently lifted Bear off her body, attempting to rise, but found herself pinned in place.

She then noticed two pink bundles snuggled against her side, and her legs were claimed by the bundles as well. Junjun and Lele each clung to a leg as if it were their most prized possession.

"Babies, time to get up. Mommy needs to start her day and work," Xiong Miao coaxed.

"Mommy, don't work. Stay with me," Bear pleaded, her voice tinged with sadness.

"Mommy, how long will you be working? Are we going to miss seeing you again?" Qianqian asked, sitting in front of her with a sticky sweetness in his voice.

Xiong Miao was suddenly reminded that since she had started her job, she had been coming home to sleeping children every night. It had been eight or nine days since she had last spent quality time with them.

No wonder they were so attached to her now.

"My darlings, be patient. Once Mommy gets through this busy spell, we'll go out and have fun. And after Mommy makes some money, I'll buy you toys," she promised, intending to make up for the lack of time spent with them.

"Don't cry, sweetheart. Once Mommy finishes her work, she'll take you out to play," Bear reassured herself through her tears, trying not to cry.