"Y-You... don't hurt my daughter. I'll find a way to deal with the money."
Zhu Ying's eyes reddened. Under Li Mao's gaze, she cast aside all her dignity and pride.
She slowly bent her knees and bowed, pressing her forehead against the cold floor. Her clasped hands rested atop her head, and she no longer suppressed the sobbing in her voice.
"Please... don't hurt my daughter. I'll really find a way to repay the money..."
"Really, I will. Just give me a little more time..."
Zhu Ying rubbed her prayer-clasped hands together. Her icy fingertips had long since gone numb from crying.
With both parents dead and her husband gone, her daughter was the only thing keeping her alive.
Leaning against the baby's cradle with one hand supporting his face, Li Mao watched this touching mother-daughter scene with little interest.
After a while, he seemed to think of something amusing. His crossed leg began to swing lightly in rhythm, and his mood appeared to brighten.
He drawled, "What are you going to use to repay me and negotiate terms? At least give me something to trust you with—your bargaining chip, Miss Zhu."
If Li Mao had been like a leopard lying in wait before entering, then now he looked exactly like a feral cat toying with a mouse in its paw.
He reached out and picked up the baby, whose crying had gradually weakened, from the cradle. Then he walked over to Zhu Ying and squatted down.
Freeing one hand, Li Mao thoughtfully patted Zhu Ying on the shoulder. He closed his eyes and lifted his chin at her as if soothing her, signaling for her to relax.
"Tsk, Miss Zhu, we're just talking business. There's no need to get so worked up."
Zhu Ying also understood that crying and