Su Su got out of the car and walked toward the house, with Gu Shao beside her.
As soon as she stepped into the living room, she called out, “Mom,” but did not see her. Instead, her gaze met that of a man.
He looked just as he did in her memory, refined and elegant, with deep, unfathomable eyes. Years of experience in the business world had given him an unshakable composure. Even someone like Gu Shao, a rising star, seemed somewhat immature in comparison.
When he saw Su Su, he stood up. “Su Su.” His voice was calm and gentle, the kind of warmth a father shows his child. The way he said her name carried a soft affection.
Yet Su Su ignored him completely. She lowered her head to look at Zaizai in front of him and said, “Zaizai, come here.”
Hearing his mother, Zaizai ran toward her on his short little legs.
No, he ran toward his father, who subtly redirected him into his mother’s arms.
Su Su took Zaizai’s hand and walked away.
No matter how refined this man appeared, she had no intention of treating him kindly. A scumbag who could push such a gentle woman to ask for a divorce must have done something truly despicable.
As she turned away, she did not see the bitter smile that appeared on her father Su Yi’s face.
Gu Shao watched Su Su leave with their son. He could not follow. The man in front of him was his father-in-law. As long as Su Su had not forbidden contact, he had to treat Su Yi with respect.
“Please sit, Dad,” Gu Shao said.
Zaizai liked to sit on the floor playing with toys. Earlier, Su Yi had been crouching in front of him, playing with his grandson. Now, at Gu Shao’s invitation, he nodded and went to sit down, with Gu Shao taking a seat afterward.
Su Yi’s feelings toward Gu Shao were complicated.
Back then, Gu Shao had risen like a dark horse, his achievements evident to all. Such a promising young figure naturally earned admiration, and Su Yi had once looked at him with appreciation, even investing heavily when Gu Shao expanded his business.
But this young man had gotten his precious daughter pregnant before marriage…
Three years ago, when Su Su was pregnant with Zaizai, she had told no one, not even Su Yi. It was only when Gu Shao visited him that he found out. He had been furious and nearly struck Gu Shao.
Gu Shao had gone prepared to be beaten, but unexpectedly, Su Su stood in front of him and shouted at Su Yi, “Why should you hit my man? I’m going to marry Gu Shao. Do you think we’re asking for your permission? We’re just informing you.” Even Su Yi, who was usually unshakable, was almost driven to collapse.
Gu Shao knew Su Su had not wanted to marry him at the time. She had only said that to anger her father. Yet that very afternoon, she went with him to register their marriage.
So the reason he had married Su Su so smoothly was not just because of their son, but also thanks to his father-in-law.
Since then, Su Su had rarely gone back. During holidays, it was always Gu Shao who visited Su Yi alone, the two men discussing business and market trends.
As a man, Gu Shao could see that every time Su Yi saw him, his gaze would instinctively search behind him, only to find nothing. The bitterness was there, even if he did not show it.
At that moment, Gu Shao thought that he must not spoil his own daughter the way Su Yi had spoiled Su Su, or he would suffer the same fate.
Su Yi said, “I didn’t come when Wanwan turned one month old. Today I had time, so I came to see her. She looks a lot like Su Su when she was little.”
Gu Shao replied, “Yes, Wanwan is very cute.”
…
Su Su took Zaizai to Wanwan’s room. She turned the handle but could not open the door, so she knocked. “Mom, it’s me.”
After a moment, the door opened from inside.
Holding Zaizai’s hand, Su Su entered and glanced at her mother, noticing her expression was not very good.
“Has he left?” her mother asked.
Su Su shook her head.
She let go of Zaizai, allowing him to run around the room, then asked, “Mom, why did Dad come?”
“He said he came to see Wanwan and Zaizai.”
“Just that?”
Her mother shook her head. “I don’t know. What he says and what he thinks are always different. I can’t figure him out.”
She had never truly understood this man. When she was young, her whole heart had been devoted to him. She would spend a long time trying to guess even his smallest mood. Perhaps she had been too foolish, unable to understand what he wanted, only managing to irritate him instead.
Back then, she had even secretly envied how well he treated Su Su.
Now, after seven years apart, she finally realized how foolish she had been.
To carefully and devotedly please someone who had no place for her in his heart, he must have found her laughable.
Seeing her mother’s low spirits, Su Su stepped forward and hugged her. “Mom, Mom, what’s past is past. From now on, I won’t acknowledge him either. Our family will stay together, and let him be the one who envies us.”
Her mother patted Su Su’s hand, wanting to say “okay,” but in the end, reason prevailed. “No matter what happens between him and me, he truly treats you well. You don’t need to do something difficult just to consider my feelings.”
“I’m not making things difficult. I just think my mom is the best. Whoever bullies my mom, I’ll dislike them.”
Though the words sounded childish, they still made her mother laugh.
“The meal you made today was really delicious. I didn’t even get the chance to praise you earlier. I thought you were joking when you said you had talent, but it turns out it’s true. You’re even better than me.”
Su Su felt a little embarrassed. This was clearly the result of countless attempts in her previous life, yet she had called it talent… She gave an awkward laugh. “Haha, not really.”
“It’s true.” Qu Qingwei looked at her with calm, appreciative eyes. Seeing Su Su reminded her of her younger self. She had no talent for cooking. To make a meal for Su Yi, she had practiced dozens of times, burning her hands with blisters. When she finally felt satisfied, she called him happily, only to find that he did not come home.
Fortunately, that child Gu Shao treated Su Su well. Su Su would not have to suffer as she had in her youth. She only hoped Su Su could remain this fortunate for her entire life, never experiencing pain. If that were the case, she would be content no matter what.
…
Su Yi did not wait for Su Su and her mother to come out again. After sitting for a while, he stood up and said to Gu Shao, “It’s getting late. I should go. I’ll come visit another time.”
“I’ll go call Mom and Su Su over,” Gu Shao said politely, hoping Su Yi would refuse. At this moment, no matter what, he could not actually call them, or he would offend both sides…
Su Yi had lived half a lifetime and easily saw through Gu Shao’s thoughts. He waved his hand and said there was no need.
Gu Shao offered to drive him, but he declined that as well.
After he left, Gu Shao called his assistant. “Help me look into something.”
When Wanwan was born, he had taken time off to stay with Su Su. Only after her confinement period did he return to his overwhelming workload, becoming busy every day. Only now did he realize he had not paid attention to Su Su’s family matters for quite a while.
…
Zaizai ate early and went to bed early. By the time Gu Shao and Su Su had dinner, he was already asleep. After eating, they went to check on both Zaizai and Wanwan.
Gu Shao put an arm around Su Su and they returned home.
Su Su had slept too much in the afternoon and could not fall asleep at night. She pestered Gu Shao to play with her, but he did not hold back and ended up “taking care of her” instead. The two of them soon fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning was the same, half the bed empty, breakfast prepared, and the usual childcare routine.
The weather was nice that day, and her mother asked Su Su to take Gu Zai out for a walk.
There were many children around Gu Zai’s age in the residential area. At this time, their grandmothers or mothers would bring them out to play. Following the path to the artificial lake, the place was already lively.
Su Su was dressed lightly. Standing among a group of middle-aged and elderly women, she looked especially energetic…
They did not recognize Su Su, but when they saw Zaizai, they smiled and called his name. Zaizai immediately let go of his mother’s hand and ran into the crowd.
Su Su: “…” This little baby was really popular with older people, but he should not abandon his mother like that. Being used to staying at home, Su Su felt a bit uncomfortable among so many people.
Soon, Zaizai found a playmate. Su Su glanced at the little boy about his height. He was also very handsome. She had thought Zaizai was already quite delicate-looking, but standing together, the other boy was no less impressive. Compared to Zaizai’s slightly silly cuteness, this boy seemed more composed, perhaps giving off a steadier impression.
Two adorable little boys standing together, Su Su’s inner fangirl went wild, and she smiled foolishly. Fortunately, her looks saved her from appearing too creepy.
After a while, a young and beautiful woman walked over.
“Are you Zaizai’s mom?”
Su Su quickly turned around and nodded. “And you are?”
“Oh, I’m his mother.” She pointed to the little boy playing with Zaizai.
“No wonder. I was wondering why that boy is so handsome. Turns out his mom is this pretty!”
The woman laughed. “Zaizai is handsome too. I was just saying his mother must be very beautiful. Seeing you today, it’s true.”
Su Su replied bluntly, “Zaizai looks like his dad.”
“Haha, Ningyue looks like his dad too, and his personality is the same, like a little adult.”
Ningyue?
Su Su’s heart skipped a beat. “Bai Ningyue?”
“Mm.” The woman nodded, not finding it strange that Su Su knew his surname. She assumed Su Su’s mother had mentioned it before, since the two children often played together.
But that was not the case. Su Su recognized the name because Bai Ningyue, Fan Siyu, Gu Wan, and Gu Zai all appeared in the same story.
Still unsure, she tested, “Miss Ning?”
“Yes. Ningyue’s father’s surname is Bai, Bai Xinyan, and my surname is Ning, so we named him Bai Ningyue.”
Ah! That was it. She had read a novel where the male lead was named Bai Ningyue, and his father was Bai Xinyan, head of the Bai Group. She remembered it clearly. When the female lead once asked about his name, he explained exactly this, his father’s surname Bai, his mother’s surname Ning.
Everything matched…
But then, damn it, her precious Wanwan was the female supporting character?
And her silly, adorable Zaizai would also end up as cannon fodder…
Su Su turned to look at the two boys holding hands, and a flood of expletives ran through her mind…
Son, you’re in danger. Stay away from him.