------
The car stopped at the estate gates, but the guards stepped forward, holding up their hands.
"No taxis are allowed inside. Only private vehicles or guests with authorization. This is one of the top luxury estates in the best district, so…" the security guard trailed off, eyeing the car suspiciously.
Mia calmly rolled down the window, flashing the property documents with a bored expression.
The guard's eyes widened. "I-I apologize, Miss!" He immediately stepped aside and bowed repeatedly as the taxi rolled through the gates.
They passed by one grand mansion after another—each more luxurious than the last—until the taxi stopped in front of the third mansion, nestled at the heart of the estate. The entire property exuded opulence.
Mia paid the driver without a word and stepped out, leading a stunned Mike toward the front entrance.
"You're dazed, huh?" she said with a smirk. "Of course. Your mother has excellent taste."
She swept her hand toward the grand building. "Ten bedrooms. A movie room. Music room. Library. Game room. Indoor pool. Study. Gym. Two spare rooms. Basement. Attic. Rooftop with another pool—great for barbecues, by the way. Private garden. Outdoor bar. Outdoor pool. A giant tree at the back. Garage. Three kitchens. Three hallways. And yes, even a tennis court."
She clapped her hands dramatically. "A perfect dream house."
Mike's eyes widened as they stepped inside. He gasped audibly.
"And yes, it's already furnished," Mia added. "I told the agent to pick everything from the top furniture store and the best interior design company. Judging by this—" she spun slowly, admiring the luxurious interior, "—they understood the assignment."
Mike nodded in silence, wandering off to explore the endless rooms with wide eyes while Mia calmly began unpacking their luggage.
---
After Mia finished arranging everything, she sank into the couch in the living room with a sigh.
"House? Check. What's left…?" she muttered, tapping her chin.
"I need to hire someone to clean and cook, enroll Mike in a school, buy a car, go shopping, and find something to keep myself busy."
"Hmm, this body only knows how to dance, and her grades were... forgettable," Dumpling added bluntly.
Maria's ghost floated nearby.
"You're also banned from the entertainment industry. No dancing companies will touch you either."
"Yeah, yeah, I know," Mia said, rolling her eyes.
Then she grinned.
"But I've already figured it out. I could write a novel or manga, paint, start my own fashion empire, make perfume, open a hair or spa salon, or even a nail and makeup store." Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Yes! Why not? Isn't that the stuff you love doing the most?" Dumpling asked curiously.
"Duh! Why would I waste time on something I hate?" Mia flicked her hair confidently.
**"I'll build a business from my hobbies. And this time, I'll be the boss—my own boss."
---
Meanwhile, Mike explored his room—the second biggest in the house. It was designed to make any kid jealous, yet it carried a mature aura that made it feel fit for a grown-up trapped in a child's body.
He had his own walk-in closet, a balcony, high-end furniture, and plenty of space to himself.
After a warm bath and brushing his teeth, Mike came downstairs in his pajamas—only to pause at the dining table, staring at the takeaway food in clear disappointment.
"You can't cook?" he asked, eyeing the food with distaste.
"If I could, would I let you remind me every time I get hungry?" Mia shot back as she casually took a bite.
"Anyway, you better grow up fast and start taking care of me. Learn how to cook and clean—it'll make you more handsome."
Mike rolled his eyes. Yeah, right. Handsome or just tricked into doing chores?
"Relax. It's from the best restaurant in the area, and I made sure it's healthy for kids," she said, pointing at a folder on the table.
"Also, those documents list the top five elementary schools around here. Take a look and choose the one you want. They're not just for rich kids—each school has unique strengths. Or I could take you on a tour of each."
Mike blinked, picking up the papers.
"I can afford it," Mia added casually.
"Before I left the city, I had Marvin transfer me a billion yuan." She sipped her drink.
"But don't get ideas. Just because we have money doesn't mean you get to be a spoiled brat. If that idea crosses your mind, I promise I'll make you forget it… painfully. Though I will enjoy the process."
Mike's eyes widened.
She's nothing like in my past life. He bit his lip and stared at her.
"No, you don't need an allowance. You're seven. What do you even need money for?" Mia said matter-of-factly.
"You'll get five yuan per week. That's generous."
Mike's face fell.
"Five yuan?! That's robbery!"
"Five yuan," she repeated, unbothered.
"You don't have a job or responsibilities, so that's more than enough. Want more? Go work. Learn how hard money is to earn."
She leaned forward with a sly grin.
"And don't think you'll escape chores just because we'll have a nanny. You're not a prince—you'll do your share."
She pointed at him with her chopsticks.
"You get one hour of screen time a day, two hours to make friends or play, and two hours for reading and homework. After that, bedtime. That's the rule."
Mike opened his mouth, then shut it. Opened it again, then gave her a look.
"You can't control my life!"
"Sure I can. And I just did," she replied sweetly, getting up.
"If you're done eating, wash the dishes. If not, leave your phone on the table. Either way, tomorrow morning, you'll be the one doing the dishes."
With that, she walked off, leaving him staring after her, stunned and completely defeated.
The next morning, Mia and Mike headed out to visit the schools on the list. After touring a few, they both agreed on Yuanlan Elementary School—a prestigious institution with a strong academic reputation and a good balance between discipline and creativity.
Despite it being midterm, the school administration was surprisingly efficient. With Mike's previous academic records—top-tier from another elite school—the application process went smoothly. His transfer was approved on the same day.
By the time they walked out of the school office, Mike was officially enrolled.
"See? That wasn't so hard," Mia said, stretching her arms as they exited the school gates.
"You just had to be smart and have good grades," Mike muttered, trying to hide his small smile.
"Exactly," Mia said with a smirk. "Brains over tantrums."
With school matters settled, they spent the rest of the day shopping. Mia bought essentials for Mike's uniform, school supplies, and a few clothes to match the cooler climate of the area and other outfits shoes bags for him with some accessories. She also picked out some outfits for herself—
They went to a car showroom to pick out vehicles. A neatly dressed salesperson greeted them with a polite smile.
"Good afternoon, I'm Leo. What kind of car are you looking for today?" he asked.
Before Mia could answer, a wave of noise swept through the showroom—praise, laughter, and chatter filled the air. Curious, they turned to see the source.
A beautiful girl was holding onto a handsome man's arm as they walked through the entrance. People surrounded them, clearly captivated. The woman was stunning, dressed in designer clothes, and the man had the confident charm of someone used to attention.
Mia glanced at them briefly before turning her attention back to the salesperson. "Show me something fast and sleek," she said calmly.
Leo nodded and led them toward a Ferrari SF90 Stradale, its sleek red body gleaming under the lights. As they admired the car, the couple also approached the same area, seemingly interested in the same model.
Then the woman turned. Her eyes widened with recognition.
"Maria? Is that really you?" she asked, smiling too brightly.
Maria slowly turned toward her.
"Oh my gosh, it is you! I haven't heard anything about you since you left the country pregnant," the woman added, as if reminiscing fondly.
Maria blinked once, her expression blank. "Do I know you?"
The woman gave a forced laugh. "Oh, don't be like that. We used to hang out—remember our group of six? We had such fun until you vanished. I warned you back then. Tell me, is the child Marvin's?"
Another girl beside her leaned in. "Which Marvin? It's not him. I heard she gave herself to some rich second-generation heir."
"So true," another chimed in. "Wasn't she a dancer? I thought she got banned. It was all over the news."
"The school goddess has really fallen," a man added with a shake of his head.
They all stared at Maria, clearly expecting a reaction.
Maria didn't flinch. She turned to Mike. He met her gaze, calm and steady. They looked at the group for a moment—then turned back to the salesperson as if the interruption never happened.
"Continue showing me the cars," Maria said, voice level.
A man scoffed. "Can you even afford this? This isn't some toy showroom."
"Even if you saved every cent, it wouldn't be enough," a girl muttered.
"And no matter what you do," the woman added, her smile bitter, "you still have a child. So be careful how you act."
Mike tilted his head slightly. "I didn't know this dealership offered clown performances to customers. But these ones seem broken. Could someone change them? They're noisy."
Mia smiled faintly. "You heard him. Change them. They're making the place uncomfortable."
Leo flushed, clearly embarrassed. "S-sorry, ma'am. Maybe I can show you something more within your budget—"
Maria cut him off smoothly. "Don't worry about my budget. Just give me the best."
She pointed one by one, her tone calm but firm.
"I'll take the Ferrari SF90 Stradale, the Lamborghini Revuelto, that Mercedes-AMG G63 for the jeep, the Rolls-Royce Phantom as a daily car, and the Marathon Coach Prevost RV for trips."
Leo blinked, then scrambled to nod. "Right away, ma'am. I'll get the paperwork."
The noisy group stood speechless as Leo led Maria and Mike further inside the showroom, their footsteps echoing in the sudden silence.
Here's the continuation of your scene with smoother flow, subtle sarcasm, and a calm, powerful tone from Maria and Mike—while keeping the group's mocking attitude and Maria's elegant composure:
---
"She won't be able to afford it," the lead woman—Jane—scoffed, folding her arms with a smug smile.
The man beside her, James, wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer.
"Jane, don't let her ruin your appetite," he said lazily, smirking down at her. The others around them nodded in agreement.
They turned their backs and went to browse the other luxury cars. It didn't take long before they made their selection and headed to the front counter to pay.
As they walked out, laughing and chatting loudly, they caught sight of Maria and Mike emerging from the inner office area. The salesperson was no longer trailing them.
A girl let out a short laugh, covering her mouth dramatically. "See? I told you she was just pretending. She probably got embarrassed halfway through when she saw the prices."
"And the way she named those cars with such confidence," another girl sneered. "It was like watching a kid order from a millionaire's menu."
Jane chuckled, her voice sweet but sharp. "Maria, you should really stop bragging—it's starting to get sad."