Stealing Your Heart

Lin Xinyan’s face flushed crimson.

Surely, she could deprive Zong Jinghao of his position if she wanted to. After all, she had fifty percent of the shares in her hands.

On the other hand, Cheng Yuxiu had also prepared gifts for the children. Unlike Zong Qifeng, it wasn’t money but a token from the heart.

She had gone to South China Temple in person to ask for an amulet with the hope that the children would grow up safely and healthily.

The amulets were in a small yellow silk bag, embroidered with Buddhism-related motifs. Cheng Yuxiu brought them forward and hung them on their necks.

It wasn’t that she was a superstitious person, but it would be better to believe in something than nothing at all.

“Today is New Year’s Eve, and I can’t just come empty-handed.” Shen Peichuan had also prepared a gift for the children – a Nephrite jade pendant. “I don’t know much about jade, but I was told that it’d be good to wear this when I bought them. Men should wear it in the shape of the Guanyin statue, while it should be the Buddha for women, although I don’t really understand what it means.”

He gave the pendant with the Guanyin statue to Lin Xichen and the one with the Maitreya Buddha to Lin Ruixi. The little girl opened the red velvet box to see the beautifully carved Maitreya Buddha inside grinning pleasantly while holding the Buddhist prayer beads.

“Thank you, Uncle Shen. I love it,” the little girl beamed while stroking the pendant.

Shen Peichuan sighed in relief. “I was afraid you wouldn’t.”

He had been feeling very uneasy since the day he purchased the pair of jade pendants. Gifting was a matter of catering to someone else’s liking, but getting them a plush toy didn’t seem right for this occasion.

“Thank you, Uncle Shen. I love it too,” Lin Xichen chimed in politely. Growing up abroad, he didn’t understand the Buddhist culture back home so he asked, “Men should wear it in the shape of the Guanyin statue, while it should be the Buddha for women. Is it because the Guanyin is a female and the Buddha is a male?”

There was a moment of silence at the table.

No one had expected Lin Xichen to ask such a question.

you can’t just say that.” Lin Xinyan patted her

right. He’s just a kid.” Zong Qifeng waved

had a couple of drinks with Shen

thought it didn’t matter if he drank

were on

food and finished the bowl of soup in one gulp, earning a frown from Lin Xinyan. “Slow down. Why are

wanna play with fireworks,” the little girl said hurriedly, her voice muffled as she shoved another mouthful of

There are so many of us who haven’t finished our

it wouldn’t be fun to play alone outside, the little girl jumped off from her chair and urged, “Then hurry up! I wanna

dishes. It’ll take at least

“Then just finish this plate of fish in front

Shen Peichuan said, grabbing a

much,” Lin Ruixi piped. “And a fatty can never find a girlfriend. Look at Uncle Su doing so well

the table roared

Peichuan said,

find a girlfriend at

up, Uncle Shen,” Lin Xichen piped up as he

Peichuan

said, putting a piece of braised pork in his mouth. “You might as

speechless at the sudden verbal

with joyful laughter. After leaving the restaurant, they

in the trunk, and the little girl couldn’t get any more

fireworks, known as Little Stars. The name was

and said, “Mommy, mommy,