Gu Huaijin’s brows knitted together.
Without a moment’s hesitation, he said, “I’m on my way.”
He strode out of the door without looking back, not even sparing her a single glance.
Xia Xing stared blankly at his retreating figure.
She had lost count of how many times in the dead of night Gu Huaijin had received a “critically ill” phone call from Lin Susu and rushed out the door.
…
The next morning, Xia Xing dragged her packed suitcase, ready to leave.
As she passed Gu Ziting’s room, her footsteps faltered unconsciously.
After a brief moment of hesitation, she decided to go see him before she left.
When she gave birth to Ziting, she had suffered an unexpected premature labor.
Because of this, Ziting had been sickly since childhood.
Therefore, she had handled everything concerning him herself, never delegating to anyone else.He looked exactly like Gu Huaijin, and even his cold, aloof personality was a miniature reflection of his father’s.It was the weekend, so Ziting didn’t have school and was doing his homework in his room.
Seeing her walk in, he gave a routine “Good morning, Mom,” before lowering his head to continue writing.
Xia Xing looked at Ziting’s profile—a perfect replica of Gu Huaijin’s—and said softly, “Ziting, I’m leaving.
Take care of yourself.”
Without even raising his head, Ziting simply hummed a noncommittal “Oh.”
Ever since Lin Susu appeared, Ziting had grown increasingly cold toward her.
Lin Susu had once posted a video on her social media.
In the video, Ziting was eating cotton candy, mumbling with a mouthful of sugar.
“I just love hanging out with the pretty lady.
I get to eat all the yummy things.”
Lin Susu had asked, “Ziting, doesn’t your mom treat you well?”
“Mom just bosses me around all day.
She won’t let me do this or eat that.”
“Then who do you think is better, Ziting?
The pretty lady or your mom?”
“The pretty lady, of course!
If my mom could be even half as nice to me as the pretty lady, I’d be so happy.”
Xia Xing knew that compared to a strict mother, a pretty lady who indulged him, spoiled him, and let him do whatever he wanted was far more appealing to him.
To regulate his health, she had to watch him go to bed on time every day.
Because his stomach and spleen were weak, she forbade him from eating junk food outside.
Under her meticulous care and supervision, Ziting had finally regained his health and no longer fell ill as easily as before.
Yet, the closer he got to being healthy, the more distant he became from her.
Just as Xia Xing was about to walk out the door, Ziting suddenly called out to her.
“Mom.”
Xia Xing turned to look at him.
Ziting said, “Mom once told me that whoever Ziting likes, Mom has to like too.
Ziting really likes the pretty lady.
Mom will like the pretty lady too, right?”
Xia Xing froze slightly.
The last string holding her heart together snapped completely.
She closed her eyes gently, a silent, self-deprecating smile touching her lips.
“Haven’t you always wanted to protect your pretty lady?
From now on, you and your dad can protect her together.”
A hint of confusion flashed in Ziting’s eyes.
He didn’t quite understand what she meant.
Xia Xing didn’t say anything more.
She turned around and walked out of the villa.
…
Her best friend, Yu Yan’s car, was already waiting at the gate of the villa.
After helping her load the suitcase into the trunk, Yu Yan looked at Xia Xing.
“Xing’er, have you really decided to get a divorce?”
Xia Xing nodded lightly.
“Mhm.
I’ve made up my mind.”
“What about…
Ziting?”
“Even if I fought for custody, I wouldn’t stand a chance against the Gu family.
Besides…”
Xia Xing offered a bitter smile.
“Ziting might not even want to come with me.
Right now, the pretty lady is the best thing in the world to him.”
Yu Yan frowned in disapproval.
“You risked your life, enduring a day and a night of agonizing labor just to bring Ziting into this world.”
“You’ve been by his side taking care of him since he was born.
After sacrificing so much for him, how could he think a mistress who ruined his parents’ marriage is better?”
Xia Xing replied in a flat tone, “That just proves they are father and son.
Even their taste in women is exactly the same.”
“What about Gu Huaijin?
Does he know you’re leaving?”
Xia Xing shook her head.
“He’s probably still accompanying his white moonlight right now.”
Before her marriage, Xia Xing had owned a studio apartment of her own, but she hadn’t lived there in years.
After cleaning up the apartment, Yu Yan invited her out.
“Xing’er, we haven’t gone out together since you had Ziting.How about we go shopping?”
That was true.
Ever since Ziting was born, Xia Xing had been trapped in a cycle of family and children.
She had completely lost herself, and even lost her own life and time.
Looking at the bright, shining eyes of her best friend, Xia Xing suddenly remembered that she used to be just as vibrant and full of life.
Five years of marriage had turned her into a lifeless, aging soul.
Her eyes inexplicably stung with unshed tears.
“Okay.”
Just then, Yu Yan’s phone rang.
No one knew what was said on the other end, but Yu Yan frowned.
A moment later, she said, “Alright, we’ll be right there.”
Hanging up, Yu Yan turned to Xia Xing.
“Xing’er, someone is offering a massive sum of money to buy the ‘Summer Night Star’ violin that you authorized to the Lin Music Store.”
“The manager said the buyer is a big shot, and he doesn’t dare refuse…
Since you’re free today, why don’t we go check it out?”
The violin…
Xia Xing hadn’t played it in five years.
Because she had been too busy taking care of Ziting, she had handed all matters regarding the violin over to Yu Yan to manage.
Hearing Yu Yan mention it now, it felt like a memory from a past life.
…
The moment Xia Xing stepped through the doors of the music store with Yu Yan, her footsteps froze.
A tall, handsome man and a frail, delicate woman were standing in front of a display case marked Not For Sale.
The woman’s soft, gentle voice rang out, “The legendary ‘Summer Night Star’ is truly breathtaking!”
“A-Jin, didn’t you always love listening to me play the violin?
In my remaining days, I want to hold a concert.
I want to use this ‘Summer Night Star’.
Is that okay?”
The man’s low, crisp voice replied almost immediately, “Okay.”
The store manager trailed nervously behind them, wiping cold sweat from his forehead.
Spotting Xia Xing and Yu Yan walking in, the manager’s eyes lit up as if he had finally found his savior.
“Miss Yu, you’re finally here!
Mr.
Gu wants to buy the Summer Night Star.
He says he’ll meet any condition you set.
Please, take a look…”