Morning sunlight filtered softly through the curtains of Mei Lin's small apartment. The room was simple but neat, filled with warmth that came from little details. A small toy car rested on the floor, colorful drawings were stuck on the wall, and a tiny backpack hung beside the door.
Mei Lin stood in the kitchen preparing breakfast.
"Rui, wake up," she called gently.
A small voice came from the bedroom.
"I'm awake, Mama."
A few seconds later, a little boy walked out rubbing his sleepy eyes. Liang Rui was six years old, with soft black hair and bright curious eyes. Even half-asleep, there was something unusually calm about him.
He climbed onto the chair at the table while Mei Lin placed a bowl of porridge in front of him.
"Eat slowly," she said.
"Yes, Mama."
Rui picked up the spoon but paused after one bite.
"Mama?"
"Yes?"
"Why do you always leave early?"
Mei Lin smiled softly.
"Because Mama has to work."
"At the big glass building?"
She nodded.
"Yes, the company building."
Rui's eyes sparkled.
"Is your boss scary?"
Mei Lin laughed quietly.
"Very."
"More scary than my teacher?"
"Much more."
The boy giggled and continued eating.
After breakfast, Mei Lin helped him put on his little jacket.
"Be good at school today," she said while fixing his collar.
"I always am."
She smiled. Rui was unusually mature for his age.
Sometimes it felt like he understood things far beyond what a six-year-old should.
A few minutes later, Mei Lin dropped him off at the small kindergarten near their apartment.
As she walked away, Rui watched her carefully.
Then he turned and ran toward the playground.
Some other children were already there.
"Rui!" one boy shouted. "Come play!"
They started running around the playground, laughing and chasing each other.
Suddenly one child tripped and fell.
Before anyone could react, Rui ran toward him and lifted him up easily.
The teacher nearby blinked in surprise.
For a moment it almost looked like the small boy had lifted the other child with unusual strength.
But Rui simply smiled.
"Are you okay?"
The boy nodded.
The teacher shook her head slightly and continued watching the children.
Maybe she had imagined it.
—
Meanwhile, at Zhen Group headquarters, the atmosphere was as busy as always.
Employees hurried through the halls while phones rang nonstop.
Mei Lin sat at her desk outside the CEO's office, organizing documents.
Inside the office, Liang Zhen was reviewing a report.
After a moment he stepped out.
"Miss Mei."
She immediately stood up.
"Yes, President Liang?"
"You finished the project files?"
"Yes."
She handed him the documents.
Liang Zhen looked at them briefly.
"You work efficiently."
"Thank you."
For some reason, he studied her face for a moment longer than usual.
Mei Lin noticed but said nothing.
There was always something strange about the way Liang Zhen looked at her sometimes.
Almost as if he were trying to understand something.
Suddenly Zhang Ming walked in holding his phone.
"Boss, the meeting with the investors is scheduled for tomorrow."
Liang Zhen nodded.
"Prepare the reports."
"Yes, boss."
Then Zhang Ming looked at Mei Lin curiously.
"Miss Mei, do you have family in the city?"
She paused slightly.
"I have a son."
Zhang Ming's eyes widened.
"You have a child?"
"Yes."
"How old?"
"Six."
Before Zhang Ming could react further, Liang Zhen spoke calmly.
"That's enough questions."
Zhang Ming coughed awkwardly.
"Right… work questions only."
But for some reason, Liang Zhen's mind stayed on that one detail.
A six-year-old son.
Later that evening, Mei Lin left work and went to pick Rui up from kindergarten.
The boy ran toward her happily.
"Mama!"
She bent down and hugged him.
"How was school?"
"Good."
Then Rui suddenly paused.
"Mama…"
"Yes?"
He looked at her seriously.
"Something weird happened today."
"What?"
Rui lowered his voice.
"When I got angry during a game… my eyes felt hot."
Mei Lin frowned slightly.
"What do you mean?"
"They felt strange… like they were glowing."
She chuckled softly.
"That's just your imagination."
"Really?"
"Yes."
Children often said strange things.
She brushed his hair gently.
"Come on. Let's go home."
Rui nodded, but as they walked away, his eyes briefly flickered with a faint golden glow.
Far away, in the tall glass tower of Zhen Group, Liang Zhen suddenly paused in his office.
A strange instinct passed through him.
Something unfamiliar.
Something connected.
Without knowing why, his thoughts returned again to Mei Lin's words.
I have a son.
And somewhere deep within him, the Alpha inside stirred slightly.