“Huanyu's offering a corporate mentorship program?" Jiang Ci repeated, frowning. “Since when?"
“New initiative," Huo Yuchen replied smoothly. “STEM outreach for kindergartens. Labs, microscopes. Fossils."
Her eyes narrowed. “And you just happen to be volunteering?"
“I like kids," he said, deadpan.
She didn't laugh.
“I want Glaze off the invitation list," she said firmly. “No field trips. No contact."
“I already cleared it with his daycare," Huo countered. “They said it was educational."
Her jaw tightened. “You went around me."
“I'm trying to understand him."
“He's not your business."
Silence fell between them like a wall.
Then, he said quietly, “What if he is?"
Jiang Ci stepped back like he'd slapped her.
“Don't go there."
“I already did."
---
The next day, Glaze came home
