Seeing his uncle’s confusion, Song Qiaoan nodded. “I secretly hid it from them. The divorce procedures haven’t been completed yet.”
Just as expected.
Shen Zhengming understood. Speaking of it, Fu Chen had also been a child he watched grow up. The Fu family’s old master had impeccable character and upbringing everyone raised under him was outstanding in both character and ability. Fu Chen, in particular, was among the best: gifted, intelligent, and clearly extraordinary from a young age.
Later, he enlisted in the military, earned countless merits, and at a very young age became a division-level commander one of the youngest high-ranking officers in the system’s history.
If not for what later happened to the Fu family, he had actually been quite satisfied with this marriage arrangement.
Thinking of this, he looked at Song Qiaoan with a hint of teasing in his eyes. “Looks like it wasn’t just that kid with a one-sided crush our Qiaoan also had feelings for him.”
Otherwise, who would abandon such an “easy life” right in front of them just to jump into a fire pit?
“Huh? W-what crush?” Song Qiaoan widened her eyes, not reacting for a moment.
Fu Chen… had a crush on her?!
Really? Was she hearing this right?
Her mouth hung open for a long time before she could respond. How was that possible? She knew the Fu and Shen families were old acquaintances, and their elders often met, but she had barely interacted with Fu Chen. There was simply no real connection between them.
Seeing her stunned expression, Shen Zhengming couldn’t help but smile until his eyes narrowed. “Look at your memory! When he was little, every holiday he’d run straight to our house, following you around all day. Wherever you went, he went. Don’t you remember?”
“There was a big apricot tree in the back courtyard of the old residence. You loved eating apricots but couldn’t reach them, so he climbed the tree to pick them for you. Once he even fell and sprained his ankle. Even with crutches, he still insisted on coming to see you every day. If that’s not liking you, what is?”
His expression was teasing as he looked at his niece, who still looked completely bewildered, and couldn’t help sighing. Sigh, this girl was just too oblivious she really hadn’t noticed at all?
Song Qiaoan slowly shook her head, still confused. “He did come to our house a lot when he was little, but he came with his grandfather.”
To visit her maternal grandfather.
Shen Zhengming was almost amused into laughter. He said helplessly, “My silly girl… the Fu family old residence and ours are more than ten miles apart. Back then the roads were bad do you think an old man in his seventies would travel that far just to chat with an old classmate?”
Song Qiaoan blinked, speechless.
“It was his grandson who insisted on coming! All just to play with you, you silly girl!” Shen Zhengming said, half exasperated, lightly tapping her forehead.
She usually seemed smart and decisive how could she be so slow when it came to feelings?
He sighed again. “Well, it’s not entirely your fault. That kid was too quiet, like a sealed gourd never said what he was thinking. And you don’t have mind-reading abilities. How were you supposed to know?”
Hmph. Always acting so reserved serves him right for not getting a wife. If he doesn’t know how to pursue a girl properly or even speak directly, who could possibly understand him?
Song Qiaoan still felt doubtful. She didn’t think her uncle’s words were entirely reliable. They were all too young back then just half-grown children. What did they know about love?
Maybe Fu Chen just liked playing with her. Besides, children’s feelings changed quickly. After growing up, they each got busy with their own lives, and he went to military school. After that, they lost all contact and were basically strangers.
If she hadn’t accidentally slept with him by mistake, she would have already forgotten about him.
Shen Zhengming’s expression softened. He patted her shoulder solemnly. “Feelings are ultimately your own decision. Whatever you choose, Uncle supports you. But…” He paused, his aged eyes filled with worry. “Qiaoan… going down to the countryside is hard and exhausting. Have you really thought it through? Once you take this step, there may be no turning back.”
She was a good child. Because of that, he didn’t want her to ruin her entire life out of some sense of obligation or morality. There was no such thing as perfect sacrifice or lifelong devotion without regret when things came down to survival, protecting oneself first was human nature. Even between husband and wife, no one had the right to blame the other.
Besides, she and Fu Chen had no real foundation. The only thing connecting them was a marriage certificate that was practically meaningless.
How could a single piece of paper bind someone’s entire life?
Song Qiaoan understood her uncle’s concern, but this was a decision she had made after careful thought. She didn’t regret it.
Her palm unconsciously rested over her lower abdomen, as if she could feel a faint life beneath her hand. The image of that man kneeling silently before a tombstone flashed through her mind again, and a subtle ache spread through her chest.
She gently patted her uncle’s hand, her voice soft but unwavering. “I’ve thought it through, Uncle. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of myself.”
In two years, the Fu family would be rehabilitated anyway. By then, coming back would even allow her to support him in retirement.
Of course, she couldn’t say that out loud.
Shen Zhengming looked at her for a long time, then finally nodded. “Since you’ve made up your mind, there’s something I should give you.”
Confused, Song Qiaoan watched as her uncle wheeled himself to the cabinet. From the bottom compartment, he took out a locked wooden box, opened it with a key, and revealed a neatly placed deep red property deed.
“After your mother passed away, Song Jianren repeatedly went to your grandfather, demanding the house be transferred to his name. Your grandfather firmly refused and instead directly registered the house under your name,” Shen Zhengming said as he handed her the deed.
Song Qiaoan opened it. On the first page, under “property owner,” were clearly written three characters: Song Qiaoan.
“I didn’t tell you before because you were still young and naive. I was afraid you wouldn’t be able to hold onto it and might even be exploited. Now that you’ve grown up and have your own judgment and responsibility, I can finally return it to its rightful owner,” he said gently.
Her fingertips brushed over her name as she thought for a moment, then slowly looked up. “Since this house legally belongs to me, do I have the right to kick the Song family out?”
Shen Zhengming froze slightly at her words, meeting the cold determination in her eyes.
He had thought she simply saw through Song Jianren and wanted to leave the family. He hadn’t expected her to want to expel them entirely.
It seemed the relationship between father and daughter was far worse than he had imagined.
A mix of anger and sorrow rose in his heart. Just what had Song Jianren done to push such a kind child to this point?
He suppressed his emotions and nodded firmly. “Of course you can. It’s your house you decide.”
Even so, he hesitated. “But Qiao’an, legally speaking, he is still your father. Throwing your own father out will not be easy. It could damage your reputation. If someone uses it against you and labels you unfilial, it could backfire.”
He thought for a moment. “Unless… you transfer the property first and sell it. The new owner can reclaim it for their own use, and then Song Jianren won’t have any grounds to stay.”
But Song Qiaoan shook her head. “No. This house was left by my mother. I don’t want to sell it.”
More importantly, she knew the future trajectory the property prices would soar, especially in a first-tier city like Shanghai. Countless people would become wealthy through real estate. There was no way she would sell this house.
“However…” Her gaze shifted slightly. “It could be rented out.”