40 vs. 40: One Just Happens to Be Fun-Sized

The Shang's city residence was grand, yet quieter than what Yao Yao had expected. It lacked the overwhelming bustle of a noble household, making the silence almost suffocating.

Yao Yao clutched the sleeve of the sobbing guard, her pink eyes widening as the towering doors creaked open before her.

"Stay strong, sir," she sniffled. "I know this is hard for you."

The young guard wiped his tears. "Such a poor, pure-hearted child! To think she only wanted to see her mother! Unforgivable!"

The older guards looked deeply exhausted.

Su Mi, trailing behind, looked like she wanted the earth to swallow her whole.

A stiff-faced butler stepped forward, expression unreadable.

"Lady Shang is expecting her."

His gaze shifted towards Su Mi. "But not her."

Yao Yao gripped Su Mi's hand.

"But she's my—"

Before she could say "caretaker," Su Mi gently patted her head.

"I'll be nearby." Her tone was calm, but her hold on Yao Yao's hand lingered for a moment.

A silent reassurance.

Yao Yao pouted slightly but nodded.

The butler, satisfied, turned toward the guards. "You are dismissed."

The sobbing young guard hesitated, "But what if she needs emotional support?"

The butler stared blankly at him, before slowly opening his lips, "...Get out."

The older guards dragged the young one away, and then, the doors creaked open. Yao Yao inhaled silently as she steps inside.

The mansion's interior was refined, draped in luxurious silks, jade carvings, and polished marble floors that gleamed blindly.

As the butler led her through the grand halls, Yao Yao's gaze drifted from side to side, taking in the space. The decor is extravagant, shouting money with every details, and yet cold.

Yao Yao stepped into the room, her small figure appeared tiny in contrast to the sheer vastness of space they were in. At the center of it all, seated elegantly on the sofa, was Shang Qing Ye. Her posture perfect, beauty as pristine as ever, untouched by time. 

Yao Yao settled into the seat opposite Shang Qing Ye, her small frame sinking into the plush cushions.

A long pause.

For a while, neither of them spoke.

Shang Qing Ye finally spoke, her tone flat, devoid of emotion, "You've grown."

Yao Yao tilted her head, her eyes wide with feigned innocence as she replied, "You expected me to stay small forever?"

Shang Qing Ye did not smile, nor did she seem any bit amused by Yao Yao's sarcastic jab.

She had expected a timid, broken child. Instead, before her stood a girl who showed no fear, no hesitation, and certainly no resemblance to the fragile, abandoned daughter she had cast out.

A five-year-old should not be like this. She held a sharpness that did not belong to a child.

The room grew heavier but Yao Yao's tiny smile remained.

By now, she had given up on putting a fake act in front of this woman after a day of endless chase.

Especially not after the humiliation she had endured, the pathetically low bounty on her wanted poster, the horrible sketch of her which does not even, in one bit, capture an ounce of her adorable perfection. 

"Did you miss me, Mother?" she asked sweetly.

For a split second, a hint of disdain flashed across Shang Qing Ye's face, smoothed over in an instant by a small, polite smile that followed.

"No."

Yao Yao's lips twitched.

Wow.

Not even a second of hesitation.

This woman...

"You don't belong here. " Shang Qing Ye said coldly. 

Yao Yao tilted her head, widening her eyes in mock innocence.

"But the whole city thinks I do."

Silence.

Another flick of irritation flashes across Shang Qing Ye's face. 

Yao Yao pressed on.

"They're all talking about me, you know. About the child you abandoned," she said lightly. "It'd be a shame if more people started asking questions."

Another pause.

Then, Shang Qing Ye chuckled softly.

"You're quite the performer."

Yao Yao grinned. 

Shang Qing Ye leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her palm.

"What is it that you want?"

Yao Yao pretended to think deeply.

"Hmm… a warm bed, good food, a mother who loves me… but since that last one seems impossible, I'll settle for the first two."

Shang Qing Ye's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Do you really think you can walk back into this family?"

"No," she admitted easily with a sweet smile. "But I think you'd rather keep me here than have me running around causing trouble."

Yao Yao swung her legs confidently as she sat in her chair and added, "..now that my face is plastered all over the city, and people are now..talking."

Shang Qing Ye did not blink, as if considering something carefully.

"So, tell me, dear mother… were you planning to get rid of me, or just keep me under watch?"

The silence stretched between them..as Shang Qing Ye lifted her tea cup from the table and took a quiet sip. 

This child…

She was not the same as before. Shang Qing Ye had expected a fragile, desperate girl. Instead, she got a creature that had already learned how to play games.

"You are bold," Shang Qing Ye murmured.

Yao Yao shrugged. "It runs in the family."

Shang Qing Ye finally exhaled and gracefully stood.

"Fine," she said smoothly. "Since you insist on returning so shamelessly, you may stay."

Yao Yao face lit up.

She won.

But before she could celebrate—Shang Qing Ye's next words wiped the grin off her face.

"You will stay," Shang Qing Ye continued, her tone calm, "but don't mistake this for a warm welcome."

Yao Yao frowned, unsure at what to expect. 

Shang Qing Ye gazed down at Yao Yao, keeping her thoughts to herself. This girl, her confidence was unsettling, far too composed for a child. It felt almost unnatural. But one thing was certain, keeping her close was no longer a choice, but a necessity.

She? She's not afraid of the gossip.

But.

She had received news days earlier that her husband will be returning to the capital city soon.

And if he were to find out about the gossips..the bastard child he had kept hidden away, now the subject of gossip spreading like wildfire across city..

She could not risk it.

Shang Qing Ye offered a small, empty smile.

"You will have a place in this house," she said smoothly.

Yao Yao raised a brow.

"But," Shang Qing Ye continued, her voice sharpening slightly, "your caretaker—Su Mi—has failed to take care of you properly."

"She has allowed your...wild, unruly behaviour.." she continued. 

Yao Yao's eyes darkened.

Shang Qing Ye smiled faintly.

"She will not serve in the main house anymore."

Her smile deepened, almost amused.

"She will be demoted to a lower-ranked servant. She can stay, but from now on, her duties will be in the stables."

Yao Yao's pink eyes twitched, but she quickly masked her reaction with a calm, innocent smile.

"Oh my," she said lightly. "How kind of you."

Shang Qing Ye's gaze sharpened, but Yao Yao only smiled wider.

"Then, Mother," she said sweetly, "I suppose I'll make myself comfortable."

She hopped off the sofa.

"Now, where's my dinner? I had a long day you know.."

Shang Qing Ye watched her closely.

But Yao Yao knew—

This war had only just begun.