Chapter 11: Not Leaving

Chapter 11: Not Leaving

On the sidewalk outside the Science and Technology Park at A University.

After taking just a few steps forward, Chi Xiao heard the sounds of girls playing and laughing behind him.

He turned around and saw Ming Can chasing her friend with playful scolding. The gentle light before dusk danced through their dark hair.

Retracting his gaze, Chi Xiao continued walking toward the dorms.

Another call came in. He glanced at the caller ID, frowned slightly, and answered.

A deep, resonant voice came through the receiver: "Come home for dinner tonight."

It wasn't a question or a suggestion; it was a command.

Chi Xiao: "I don't have time."

"How long has it been since you've come home?" Chi Yanpeng asked. "A Yao comes back once a week. You should at least return once a month, right?"

Chi Xiao: "Then I'll come back next month..."

"Chi Xiao!" Chi Yanpeng interrupted rudely. "How old are you? Don't tell me you're still upset with your brother and sister? They're just kids. Even if they accidentally broke something in your room, it was unintentional."

Chi Xiao stopped walking. "Who told you that's why I haven't been coming home?"

Chi Xiao had always been quiet and composed, preferring to spend time alone in his room making crafts. His bedroom was filled with wooden and ceramic items he had made over the years. Two months ago, Chi Heng and Chi Yue inexplicably ran into his room and broke several ceramics and a handmade ukulele. That day, Chi Xiao happened to be home. Stepmother Duan Hanyan brought his siblings to apologize, but when Chi Xiao didn't say anything, they burst into tears, causing chaos in the house.

Since that day, Chi Xiao hadn't returned home.

That incident had happened a long time ago.

He didn't believe his father, who was busy every day, would care about such trivial family matters for so long.

"No one," Chi Yanpeng said. "As an older brother, you need to be more understanding. Don't hold grudges against your siblings anymore."

Chi Xiao: "Oh."

Chi Yanpeng: "Do you understand?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Chi Xiao said. "Also, please tell your son and daughter that there's nothing valuable in my room. They can break whatever they want."

In this family, speaking up was more exhausting for him than climbing a mountain with a heavy load.

That's why he spoke less and less each day.

But sometimes, even silence couldn't prevent someone from forcing him to speak harshly.

"...," Chi Yanpeng remained silent for a long time, seemingly angry yet helpless. Finally, he changed the subject stiffly. "I've already sent a car to pick you and A Yao up. Your uncle and aunt haven't seen you in a while, don't embarrass them."

With that, he hung up the phone.

The first rays of twilight fell at that moment.

Fifteen minutes later, inside the car.

"Thank goodness you came, Brother."

Chi Yao climbed into the back seat and slumped down bonelessly.

The air inside the car had been heavy, but now it felt a bit livelier.

Chi Xiao tugged at the collar of his hoodie, then turned to see Chi Yao fastening his seatbelt and starting a game on his phone.

A few minutes later, he answered a call from his father.

"We're on our way. Brother? He's beside me." Chi Yao stared intently at his phone screen, impatiently adding, "I'm in the middle of a game. Don't talk, it's affecting my performance."

...

"Oh, alright, Dad. I'm really busy right now, bye."

Chi Yao spoke to his father without any courtesy, hung up the call, and continued gaming.

Despite being from the same family, their home environments were worlds apart.

Chi Xiao had always envied Chi Yao—his harmonious family, his carefree upbringing, and his freedom to speak and act without restraint.

Maybe that was just fate.

The car drove into a villa complex beyond the Fifth Ring Road, winding up the internal road to the most secluded area.

The gate to the villa courtyard was open, and the car pulled in and stopped. Chi Xiao and Chi Yao got out, one after the other.

"Wow," Chi Yao exclaimed upon seeing a crowd of children on the lawn, "it's like a kindergarten here. Let's go take a look."

Chi Xiao: "If you want to go, go by yourself."

On the lawn.

The Chi family's nanny rushed over to pick up Chi Yue, who had been pushed to tears by Ming Miao.

Seemingly fearing that the adults would blame Ming Miao, his classmates chimed in: "She started it." "Yeah, crying doesn't make her right." "Ming Miao didn't insult her; he was just telling the truth."

Chi Yue cried even harder. Her twin brother, Chi Heng, shouted, "All of you get out! Take your black dog with you! If Xiaoyu gives birth to a litter of ugly puppies, I won't let you off!"

Zhao Zihao: "Your dog is pregnant? No wonder it's so fat."

Chi Heng: "What do you mean by fat? Your dog is the ugly one, all black and dirty, polluting our Xiaoyu!"

Zhao Zihao was a bit angry: "How smart are German Shepherds, and how dumb are Samoyeds? Who's polluting who here?"

For a moment, the argument intensified, and the situation became even more uncontrollable until Zhao Zihao's mother stepped in, pulling Zhao Zihao out of the crowd like she was making an example of him: "Stop arguing! We're at someone else's house. Don't you know manners? All of you, go home!"

The Chi family ranked among the top three wealthiest in North City; they couldn't afford to offend them. Today, they had taken their dogs and children away, but they would have to visit again another day to mend relations.

The garden quieted down, and over a dozen children walked out with their heads hanging low.

Zhao Zihao led the way, holding Ming Miao's hand.

Not far ahead, two tall brothers were walking toward the main villa.

Zhao Zihao looked up at them, thinking he wanted to grow that tall one day.

At that moment, the hand in his palm suddenly slipped away. Ming Miao, seeing something, dashed off like an arrow released from a bow.

"Dad!" Ming Miao shouted as he ran, "Dad! Wait for me!"

He remembered.

This was Grandpa's house, where he had been a few times before. Because Grandpa's house had many buildings, and this villa had changed somewhat from his memory, he hadn't immediately made the connection.

As for the tall boy in front of him, wearing a black jacket with a cold and indifferent face, Ming Miao could never mistake him.

"Who's calling 'Dad'?" Chi Yao turned around, "Oh, there's a little kid running over."

Chi Xiao remained unmoved, only glancing briefly in the direction of the voice.

A tall figure blocked his view, and he could only vaguely see those two dark eyes, like black grapes freshly plucked from water, glossy and bright.

Zihao's father had just finished talking with the host and came out of the villa, embracing the running Ming Miao: "Miaomiao, what's wrong?"

"Dad, my dad is over there!"

Ming Miao struggled, trying to break free from his embrace.

Zihao's father looked around. Apart from himself, there was no other suitable "dad" present.

Thinking that Miaomiao must be too upset after being bullied by other kids, he quickly picked him up and comforted him: "It's okay now, Uncle is here."

"Dad..."

Miaomiao called out again, his voice tinged with tears, gazing blankly in the direction of the villa entrance.

Chi Xiao didn't pause for a moment, his back cold and indifferent as he entered the villa without looking back. The servants closed the door firmly behind him.

Inside the villa.

Chi Yao sighed, not minding the commotion: "Why did it end just when we arrived? I wanted to watch the kindergarten kids fight."

In the living room facing the garden, several people walked in through the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Chi Yue was crying loudly on the nanny's shoulder, and Chi Heng joined in, both wailing pitifully.

Chi Yao had intended to comfort them but saw Chi Xiao's impatient expression as he walked through the living room without turning his head, as if staying longer would give him a headache. The two children cried even louder upon seeing him.

Chi Yao didn't dare linger and hurriedly followed Chi Xiao, asking casually: "Brother, do you hate kids so much that you don't plan to have any?"

Chi Xiao glanced at him expressionlessly, not bothering to respond.

Kids, these creatures.

Forget having them.

He even avoided them when he saw them.

-

In the evening, Ming Can brought Miaomiao back home.

It was strange; despite leaving Zihao's house for quite some time, Miaomiao hadn't shared any experiences from the birthday party.

He remained silent, his head lowered, looking dejected.

Only the two of them were at home, the warm light enveloping the living room. Ming Can led Miaomiao to sit on the sofa and asked gently: "Baby, what's wrong? Did you not have fun today?"

Ming Miao shook his head and then nodded, staring blankly at Ming Can, hesitating to speak.

He knew his mother didn't like talking about his father, but he couldn't help it.

"Mama..." Miaomiao stammered, "I saw Dad today."

Ming Can was shocked: "At Zihao's house?"

"In Zihao's neighborhood. Grandpa's house is also in that neighborhood. I saw Dad at Grandpa's house; he was walking with Uncle."

Uncle? That would be Chi Yao?

Ming Can was slightly stunned. She had just recognized Chi Xiao as Miaomiao's father, and now Miaomiao had seen him. This world was full of coincidences.

Without needing to explain, from Miaomiao's expression, she could guess that he had recognized his father today, but Chi Xiao might not have acknowledged him at all.

Ming Can took a deep breath, rubbed Miaomiao's head, and asked softly: "Do you... miss your dad very much?"

Miaomiao used his superpower and, knowing that his mother's question reflected her thoughts, felt reassured to answer: "Yes, I haven't seen Dad for a long time."

Saying this, his eyes welled up with tears. Seeing this, Ming Can felt a pang of guilt.

Even in cases of divorce, children living with one parent usually get to see the other parent regularly.

Ming Can: "How often did you use to see your dad?"

Miaomiao: "About half a month. I usually spend half a month with Dad and the other half with Mom."

"Oh... Wait!" Ming Can suddenly stood up, "You spend half your time with Mom and half with Dad, right?"

Miaomiao, puzzled: "Yes."

Ming Can felt as if struck by lightning, her mind in chaos.

This wasn't the typical situation for divorced parents raising a child. Normally, after a divorce, one parent gets custody while the other has visitation rights, which is often once a week or even less frequently. It's unlikely that the custodial parent would let the child spend half their time with the other parent; otherwise, what's the point of fighting for custody?

The situation described by Ming Miao seemed more like how separated but not divorced couples might raise their child.

So.

She and Chi Xiao were likely not divorced in the future, just living separately.

Goodness.

Ming Can was quite shaken. She needed to be alone to clear her thoughts. Shaking slightly, she headed towards the kitchen and said to Miaomiao, "Mom will go to the kitchen... to make you some juice."

Miaomiao nodded, looking at her with an unusually penetrating gaze, as if he could see through her thoughts.

In the kitchen, Ming Can twisted open a bottle of mineral water and took a few gulps.

Leaning against the countertop, her chaotic thoughts gradually calmed down as the cold water washed over her.

Miaomiao wasn't as fully accustomed to living only with his mom as she had initially thought.

His parents weren't divorced, and he needed his dad.

But.

Ming Can was very clear that she didn't want such a man to intrude into her life, forming some ambiguous relationship based on an uncertain future.

It was too strange—she and Chi Xiao, two strangers who never crossed paths, suddenly having a child together.

Just imagining it made her scalp tingle and feel overwhelmed.

Not to mention, a tech-savvy guy like him wouldn't believe in time travel, let alone accept a child out of nowhere at twenty years old. He might even think Ming Can and Ming Miao were crazy and tell them to get lost.

Even if he were forced to accept it, then what? Ming Can didn't know much about his character, and most men aren't reliable. Chi Xiao, being a man, was likely unreliable too. She couldn't trust him, and letting him intrude would be like adding a ticking time bomb to her already stressful life.

Of course, there could be even crazier scenarios, like Chi Xiao wanting to fight for custody or sending Miaomiao to a research institute...

Ming Can, independent, decisive, and clear-headed, couldn't bear the idea of having a child's father in her life at nineteen.

In her heart, she always came first.

Even though she now had feelings for Miaomiao, he could only come second, always yielding to her needs.

However, because she now cared for Miaomiao, she couldn't completely ignore his feelings.

Ming Can washed a few apples and strawberries, peeled them, and tossed them into the juicer.

Listening to the machine's roar, she pondered and slowly came up with a relatively balanced solution.

A few minutes later, Ming Can returned to the living room with two glasses of juice.

Her expression was somewhat serious. Watching Miaomiao take a slow sip and put down the glass, she spoke, "Miaomiao, Mom can take you to meet your dad."

Miaomiao's eyes lit up, but then he heard the next sentence: "But, there are a few things you must promise Mom."

Ming Can's words aligned perfectly with her inner thoughts: "Mom doesn't like your dad at all right now. He's just a stranger to me, and I don't want any relationship with him. So, I don't want him to know we have a child, nor do I want him involved in our lives. Do you understand?"

Miaomiao paused for a moment before nodding, "I understand."

Ming Can hadn't expected it to be so smooth.

The child seemed prepared, or perhaps he was used to her exclusionary attitude.

Ming Can: "If you see your dad in the future, you can only call him 'brother' and treat him like a friend. Oh, provided he wants to be friends with you."

"Dad definitely will!" Ming Miao said, "Dad is really nice!"

Ming Can doubted this.

To her, cold, arrogant, and self-centered were the defining traits of Chi Xiao, none of which had positive connotations.

What if.

By some slim chance, she was wrong, and Chi Xiao was actually a super nice person.

Thinking about this possibility, Ming Can's mind stalled, and all her previous assumptions crumbled.

In that case, she might reconsider how to raise Miaomiao.

Pulling herself back, Ming Can saw Miaomiao perk up, lifting the glass to take a big gulp of juice and eagerly asking, "Mom, I'll agree to everything. When will you take me to play with Dad?"

Even in the original timeline, he rarely had the chance to be with both parents at the same time. How could he not be excited now!

Ming Can was stumped by his question, "Let me think."

Considering going to A University to find Chi Xiao, her first thought was Xu Jiayun, the love chaser. The person she liked happened to be Chi Xiao's junior, providing an opportunity to meet him, like at the lecture last time.

Ming Can opened WeChat and messaged Xu Jiayun: "Do you plan to go to A University soon?"

Xu Jiayun: "Yes, Old Cheng's department is having a basketball game next week. I'm planning to cheer them on, hehe."

Basketball game?

Ming Can didn't remember if Chi Xiao played basketball, but seeing his tall stature and long legs, along with his good physique, she figured he probably exercised regularly and likely knew how to play basketball.

Ming Can: "Do you have any photos of Cheng Xiuyuan's department team? I want to take a look."

Xu Jiayun: "Sure I do."

Xu Jiayun: "Why are you suddenly interested in this?"

Despite her question, she quickly found the team photo and sent it to Ming Can.

In the photo, the sun was shining brightly.

The dozen or so male members of the department team were arranged in two rows, wearing eye-catching red jerseys. Ming Can immediately spotted someone standing in the middle of the second row.

He was nearly 1.9 meters tall and had such a striking appearance that it was hard for her to miss him.

Ming Can placed her phone in front of Miaomiao and pointed at Chi Xiao in the back row: "This person..."

"Dad!" Miaomiao grabbed the phone, giggling. "Dad looks so young, like a big brother."

Ming Can: "..."

The photo was taken last year when he was only nineteen years old, so of course he looked young.

She had intended to confirm once more if this man was indeed Miaomiao's father, and now she had her confirmation.

Ming Can took back her phone and rubbed Miaomiao's fluffy head vigorously, emphasizing each word: "Next week, I'll take you to watch your dad play basketball, understand?"

Ming Miao saluted her: "Yes, madam!"