"Xiaoxu..." Shen Qiuyun couldn’t accept Xu Zhihao’s actions either, but the child was still young.
"Qiuyun, listen to your dad, go ahead with the divorce. We will take care of the child for you. We are still young and can surely raise the child. You are young too, and in the future, we will keep our eyes wide open to find someone better for you." Shen’s mother came out holding the child, saying, "Better not to have such a father. Would you want Xiaoxu to grow up knowing he has such an unworthy father?"
Shen Qiuyun lowered her eyes, her hands twined together. Two thoughts were entwined in her mind. She had fallen in love with Xu Zhihao at first sight and had devoted all her affection to him over the past three-plus years. To suddenly cut that off, she...
"Qiuyun." Shen’s mother wanted to say more, but a look from Shen’s father stopped her. At this time, they could only let Shen Qiuyun make her own choice. Only if she stepped out herself could she have a new life.
In the room, apart from the sound of the child playing with toys, there were only breathing sounds.
After a while, Shen Qiuyun spoke up, saying, "I’ll divorce. I’d rather Xiaoxu grow up without a father than have such a father!"
"Good girl." Shen’s father looked at Shen Qiuyun with relief, fearing she wouldn’t think clearly and, under such circumstances, would still choose to make do with Xu Zhihao.
Good, truly worthy of the daughter he had raised. It didn’t matter if she fell once; what he feared most was that she wouldn’t be able to climb out of the pit after falling in.
"Qiuyun, don’t worry. Your mom and I will definitely help you," Shen’s mother said happily. All her life, she and Shen’s father had a loving marriage. Because she was injured during Qiuyun’s birth, they had only one daughter, whom they treated as precious as jewels, afraid to drop or dissolve her. When it came time for her to marry, Shen’s mother and father were highly selective.
They had chosen Xu Zhihao because his family’s condition wasn’t too good, and he had a brother. If he married their daughter, with their help, Xu Zhihao would surely treat their treasured girl well. But who knew that after all these years of devoted assistance to Xu Zhihao, they would end up raising an ingrate.
"Qiuyun, you and your mom take the child to your grandmother’s house. Your grandmother misses you too," arranged Shen’s father, while Shen Qiuyun, who was feeling sad, did not refuse.
Shen Qiuyun went back to pack her things, and Shen’s mother quietly followed Shen’s father into their room, whispering, "Old man, what do you plan to do?"
"Do what? Naturally, I’ll do what needs to be done. My daughter has been bullied, and the factory has been ruined. What do you think I should do?" Shen’s father said with half-closed eyes, "You don’t need to worry about this. Just stay at home with Qiuyun. I will handle the divorce."
"Why did you take so long?" Pei Yicheng, wearing slippers, searched for Xu Nianhua in the corridor.
"I was looking for the doctor. Why are you walking around?" Xu Nianhua approached with concern, looking at his back, afraid his wound would burst open while walking.
Pei Yicheng said indifferently, "I walk with my legs, not my back. Why do you act as if I’ve become disabled?"
The truth was, ever since he had hurt his leg, he would lie down only when it was absolutely necessary to sleep; otherwise, he didn’t like to.
"Tut-tut-tut, the doctor said your injuries weren’t fatal and that you just need to recover for a while," Xu Nianhua placed the kettle on the table and sat beside Pei Yicheng on the hospital bed, saying, "I just went to find the chief physician to ask about your injuries, but I couldn’t find anyone."