Chapter 52

Chapter 52

Everyone has their own selfish interests. Bai Wei had endured twenty years of hardship because of that man, and having finally found her son, she didn't want, and was terrified, that a single word from him would shatter her remaining hope.

So she couldn't possibly want Shen Gali to meet this man.

But at the same time, she was trying her hardest to be a good mother. It was only natural that a child would want to meet his biological father, so she handed the final decision to Shen Gali, letting him make the choice. Whatever the outcome, she would accept it.

Bai Wei pulled up the number that Yu Yanxiang had called from earlier and slid the phone over. "This is his number. No matter what you decide, just do what makes you happy."

Shen Gali stared at the string of numbers without speaking.

The once harmonious meal had turned tense and oppressive because of that unexpected phone call. They finished eating in silence, and Bai Wei went through her usual routine of reminding them about small things, then said she had an early call the next morning and was going to bed.

That night was exceptionally quiet—so quiet that you could hear Uncle Li snoring loudly from the living room through the door.

Nan Liujing turned his head to look at Shen Gali. The bright moonlight spilled into the room, dusting a thin layer of starlight onto his eyelashes.

Shen Gali, who normally fell asleep the moment his head hit the pillow, was still wide awake at midnight.

Nan Liujing looked away and asked softly, "Can't sleep?"

Shen Gali didn't answer.

"Thinking about your dad? Debating whether to see him?"

After a brief silence, Shen Gali finally responded, "Mm."

"What are you planning to do?"

"I don't know."

Shen Gali slowly curled up, his hand gently tugging at the lace trim of the pillowcase, and suddenly changed the subject.

"Growing up, have you ever been accused of being dishonest?"

Nan Liujing thought for a moment. "No."

Because most of the time, no one bothered to truly listen to what he said. And many people didn't care about the truth—they only used what they believed was fact to override it.

Shen Gali slowly closed his eyes, and a faint glimmer of moisture appeared in the corners of his eyes.

"I have. Just once, in elementary school."

When he was in third grade, the school handed out a family survey form. One section asked for the names and occupations of both parents. He carefully filled in his mother's name and wrote "flower shop" under occupation. But when it came to the father's column, the tip of his pen hovered over the paper for a long time, unable to write.

He had never seen his father from the day he was born. He didn't know who he was or what he looked like. The only thing he had seen was his father's name, Shen Hai, in the family register. Whenever he asked his mother about his father, she would look sad, so he learned to stop mentioning the word "father" in her presence.

He looked at the survey forms of the classmates around him. Under the father's occupation column, there were bank employees, doctors, workers, and so on. It seemed everyone wrote down their father's information without hesitation, except for him, who had no idea what to write.

In the end, when the teacher was about to collect the forms, on a whim, he wrote "astronaut" next to his father's occupation.

Because that job was very busy and often kept people away from home. It also explained why only his mother ever showed up for parent-teacher conferences or family events.

But the lie was eventually exposed.

The teacher held up his survey form at the lectern and announced loudly, "If you don't have a father, you can just leave it blank. That's fine. But lying out of vanity hurts the teacher's feelings. Shen Gali, you don't have a father, so you don't have to write anything."

The child sitting in the middle remained frozen, his whole body stiff. Forty pairs of eyes from all around looked at him simultaneously, some with mockery, some with pity.

That was also the first time Shen Gali talked back to a teacher: "I just wanted to have a father. What did I do wrong?"

"You didn't do anything wrong! But you shouldn't question me or challenge my authority like that. You should go ask your mother what you did wrong."

The walk home that day was unbearably long. From dusk to sunset, and then until the stars came out. Nine-year-old Shen Gali saw his mother at the intersection, anxiously looking around. When she ran over crying, asking where he had been and checking him for injuries, he threw down his backpack and unleashed all his grievances in a roar, questioning his mother over and over:

"Why don't I have a father? Why does everyone laugh at me and look down on me?"

He still remembered the panicked, helpless, and despairing look on his mother's face.

In just one day, he experienced countless firsts: the first time he lied; the first time he talked back to a teacher; the first time he hurt the only family he had.

Holding onto that obsession, all the way until his mother passed away, he lay in the high-risk ward, listening to the piercing alarm of the medical equipment, and thought: Will Dad come to see me one last time?

At this point, Shen Gali cried again, but not like last time, with hysterical and endless questioning. He finally understood that not all questions have answers. This time, he just silently let the tears fall.

Although Nan Liujing couldn't quite match this story to his own experience, after a brief moment of confusion, he pulled him into his arms and gently patted his back.

Nan Liujing also recalled that he had been lying all along. But after telling a lie ten thousand times, it became the truth.

People with ill intentions would ask him when he was a child, "Do you miss your mom?" He always firmly said, "No," because he was afraid that if he told the truth, they would think he and his mother were birds of a feather—both crazy.

So over time, the lie grew from childhood to adulthood, and he actually came to believe that he didn't miss her.

But if he didn't, why would he, on the anniversary of his mother's death, recklessly smoke an entire pack of cigarettes and refuse to drink a single drop of water?

Shen Gali half-closed his eyes. Tears slid from the corners of his eyes, down the bridge of his nose, and soaked the pillow: "That's why I hate marriage so much. I don't understand why two people who don't love each other have to get married and then pass that pain on to the next generation."

Nan Liujing's eyes widened slightly, and he suddenly thought of their marriage. Two strangers who had never met were forcibly bound together by their parents' force, allowing an outsider to invade their private space.

He had also hated this kind of loveless marriage, hated the spouse his family had chosen for him. To get a clean divorce and escape unscathed, he had played many ridiculous tricks, trying to shift all the blame onto Shen Gali.

But now, as he held him tightly, he suddenly didn't find it so hateful anymore. Instead, there was a trace of gratitude—grateful that it was Shen Gali he had ended up with.

And he finally understood that the unexpected always comes before the future.

"I also hate arranged marriages. But I don't hate the spouse my dad picked for me." Nan Liujing rubbed Shen Gali's hair. "So now, I'm not completely disappointed in my marriage."

Shen Gali didn't understand. They were talking about their parents' generation, so why did Nan Liujing suddenly drag him into it?

Sure enough, he still hated arranged marriages. It was exhausting trying to communicate with someone who was never on the same wavelength.

Shen Gali pushed him away: "Stop talking. I'm sleepy."

Nan Liujing asked again: "So what are you planning to do about this matter?"

"I have my own plans."

"Alright. Go to sleep early. Tomorrow, do something fun. This is your last two-day weekend of the month."

Hearing that, Shen Gali couldn't sleep. "It's still only the twentieth. What about the weekend at the end of the month? Did you eat it?"

Nan Liujing said matter-of-factly: "Yes, I ate it. Next month has the National Day holiday, so the following weekend will be adjusted for work. Everyone has to work."

Shen Gali's expression visibly fell: "I don't understand. Then why even have a holiday? The joy of consecutive days off can't offset the pain of consecutive workdays. It's neither logical nor scientific."

"That's how it is nationwide. It's not just you; I have to work too." Nan Liujing paused for a moment, then added, "Since we have a five-day holiday, how about... going on a trip together?"

Their wedding had been rushed, and unlike other newlyweds, they hadn't gone on a honeymoon or anything.

Shen Gali: "No, I just want to lie around."

"I'll count it as your normal work. For those five days, according to labor law, I'll compensate you with triple pay," Nan Liujing said dramatically. "That way, your daily pay would be over ten grand."

Shen Gali fell silent.

A pair of scales appeared in his mind: fifty thousand or lying flat, which was heavier?

The scales gradually tipped in favor of 'fifty thousand'.

The end of life is the cemetery, and the end of the cemetery is money.

Decision made.

"Then let's travel, but I have conditions: the destination can't be too far, daily sightseeing can't be more than ten minutes, and we have to bring Mom along."

Nan Liujing: ...

Ten minutes? So the daily sightseeing activity would be visiting the local hotel's elevator with my mother-in-law?

Whatever, I'll lure him into going first and figure it out later.

Nan Liujing: "Deal."

*

The next day.

At the dining table, Bai Wei was forcing a smile, but still inadvertently let slip a hint of disappointment.

"I'm finished eating. I have an interview today, so I'll head over. You... take your time eating."

She wanted to ask if she would still see them when she came back tonight, but the words stuck in her throat. She didn't want to guilt trip Shen Gali with familial bonds, or burden him psychologically with her words.

Shen Gali called after her: "Mom, when will you be back tonight?"

Bai Wei was taken aback, her mind in a tangle.

Why ask when she'll be back? Was he calling her back for a last dinner?

She felt her throat choked up, and her voice changed tone as she said, "I'll be back soon."

With that, she hurried out the door.

Shen Gali absently picked at the rice grains in his congee and asked Nan Liujing again, "When will you be back?"

Nan Liujing: ?

"I have the day off today. I plan to stay home."

Shen Gali stopped moving: "No, you have to go."

Nan Liujing: ...?

Shen Gali put down his chopsticks and glanced at the time: "Take your time eating. I have something to do outside."

Nan Liujing: ???

What's going on? Got secrets now?

Shen Gali had jotted down Yu Yanxiang's number and arranged to meet him at the coffee shop at ten.

The coffee shop where they met was the same one where he had met Hein before. He had waited for Hein and Player SUN there, always the one who waited. But this time, arriving at the coffee shop at half past nine, he saw Yu Yanxiang already waiting there.

As soon as Yu Yanxiang saw him, he immediately stood up and came over, taking Shen Gali's hand and asking kindly how he had come and if he was tired.

Shen Gali replied briefly and sat down.

This wasn't his first time meeting Yu Yanxiang. Previously, he had quite liked this upright principal, especially his phrase "respect and tolerate every personality," but this time it was a different mood.

This principal had lost his former dignity and elegance, and instead somewhat fawningly asked Shen Gali what he wanted to drink.

Shen Gali wasn't interested in the drinks here: "Don't bother. I'll say what I need to and go."

With a somewhat cold tone from Shen Gali, Yu Yanxiang's heart tightened, and he immediately changed the subject:

"After I found out from the news that you're my son, I was so excited I couldn't sleep all night. Even before we were reunited, I admired you greatly. I liked how you're free-spirited and try to break free from rules, and I even thought about whether I should adopt you as a godson."

Shen Gali turned his face away with an indifferent expression: "From the news..."

If a stranger said that, he'd thank them for the attention, but if his biological father said it—

Tsk.

"I'm sorry, it's my fault for being absent. But Dad also hopes you can understand. Those two years I was indeed busy with work and couldn't get away, which resulted in me not even being able to see you when your mother gave birth to you, making you stay apart from us for so long. I'm really sorry." The ever-dignified Principal Yu actually clasped his hands together in a gesture of supplication. "I hope you'll forgive me."

The coffee shop played upbeat background music, completely out of sync with Yu Yanxiang's sorrowful expression.

Shen Gali had walked all the way here, and had planned to rest a bit and say a few words, but Yu Yanxiang kept talking nonstop. Annoyed, he interrupted:

"No need to apologize. Everyone has a different understanding of the importance of family or work. We just happen to be on different paths—that's all."

Yu Yanxiang was left speechless by this sarcastic yet irrefutable remark. His pale face showed regret or annoyance—hard to tell which. He slowly bowed his head, suddenly unable to utter a word.

Shen Gali: He stopped talking? Good. I'm tired, let me rest a bit.

He closed his eyes and leaned back in his seat, actually dozing off in public.

But to Yu Yanxiang, it looked like he was giving him a chance to explain.

To be fair, Yu Yanxiang was also a handsome middle-aged man—a rare type, elegant and refined with delicate features. But at that moment, the eager look on his face as he tried to explain was somewhat amusing.

"Gali, I've also been suffering all these years. Maybe I was incompetent, unable to balance family and career. I always felt that since my superiors trusted me and gave me this position, I must not betray their expectations, nor the expectations of thousands of students. And because of that, I neglected my family."

"My mom also trusted you. She chose to marry you at the peak of her career, but you also betrayed her expectations," Shen Gali said faintly with his eyes closed.

"I know, it's all my fault. So now I sincerely want to make it up to you."

"No need. My mom earns a lot of money, and her son-in-law is also very rich. She lacks nothing."

Yu Yanxiang felt like crying but had no tears. After a long silence, he clenched his fists and gathered courage: "Gali, what I mean is, can you give me a chance to make it up to you? Let me return to your side to take care of you, and make up for past mistakes."

Hearing this, Shen Gali slowly opened his eyes. His light-colored pupils were like glass, revealing no emotion.

"Your mother hates me very much. Because when we divorced, my parents interfered and made it ugly, even to the point of lawsuits, hurting her. Actually, I didn't want a divorce at first. I also argued with my parents. But there were too many things at that time, I was exhausted and had to compromise. All these years, I've never forgotten her. I often look up news about her online. I still love her."

"So I sincerely hope you're willing to help me persuade Weiwei, if you would. Let me make it up to her and you, and be with you for the rest of your lives."

Shen Gali looked at him, suddenly feeling that the refined and elegant, respected Principal Yu Yanxiang had completely turned into a regretful villain.

So many years had passed. He could strategize at work, but still hadn't learned how to love.

"No need." Shen Gali said coldly. "You didn't want to be part of my growth before, so there's no need for it in the future."

This sentence seemed to be directed at Yu Yanxiang, or perhaps at the biological father he had never met.

"I came to see you just to tell you that if you really still love my mother, stop calling and hurting her. Don't make yourself sound so conflicted either. I'll say it one more time: if you don't love someone, you don't have to marry him. There aren't that many situations where you have no choice."

Yu Yanxiang's expression froze completely. A respected principal of a prestigious school, now reduced to nothing but shame in front of this young man, unable to utter a single word.

Shen Gali left a bill and rose to leave.

He acknowledged that the world was full of helplessness and that sometimes people truly had no choice. But none of that justified hurting the people closest to you.

As he left, he finally let go of the obsession that had plagued him for years.

He suddenly realized he didn't need a father so badly. Without one, he had still grown up, stumbling through life.

But every time he stumbled forward, his mother had always been there behind him, her arms open wide to protect him. If he ever ran out of strength to go on, there was always a warm harbor waiting to welcome him back.

That was enough.

Shen Gali suddenly thought of Nan Liujing. He was the same—no mother, and a father who cared nothing for family bonds, so he might as well not have one. He had grown up alone.

*

"Sister Weiwei, are you really okay? Maybe I should stay here with you tonight?"

At the doorstep, the young assistant looked at Bai Wei's barely concealed disappointment and asked with concern.

Bai Wei forced a smile. "It's fine. I just didn't sleep well last night, so I'm a bit out of it today. You go home early, don't worry about me."

The assistant kept looking back as she left, leaving Bai Wei standing alone at the door. Her fingers hovered above the keypad, unable to press down.

She was afraid to enter and find the room empty, afraid she'd lose her composure and burst into tears like a fool.

She took a deep breath. It's okay. Her child was an adult now and had the right to make his own choices. Whatever he ultimately decided, she would respect and support him.

The keypad beeped, and the door opened.

The room was pitch black, with only the hallway light spilling in, casting a long, lonely shadow on the floor.

Bai Wei rubbed the corners of her mouth and forced a smile. It's really okay. It's only natural for a child to want to choose his father. His father is a very impressive person, a titan in education, who can provide him with better resources for his future—resources an actress in the entertainment industry could never match. It's a good thing for the child.

But she could still feel her heart shattering.

She casually tossed her handbag onto the shelf, and her body slid down weakly.

"Thud."

Suddenly, a soft sound came from inside the room.

Bai Wei froze. Her eyes, just getting used to the darkness, caught a tiny flicker of light—a warm yellow glow, swaying in the breeze.

A slender figure emerged from the corner, illuminated by the candlelight, hazy and ethereal.

A pair of bright, beautiful eyes gazed at her softly, curving into gentle arcs like crescent moons.

Bai Wei's eyes widened in shock. She couldn't figure out what was happening for a moment.

The person in front of her… that should be her son, right?

"Mom, isn't the floor cold? Come have dinner." Shen Gali pulled Bai Wei up and led her toward the dining room.

On the oval table in the center sat crystal-clear wine glasses, each holding a vibrant red rose, blooming gorgeously.

At each end of the table was a delicate ceramic plate, bearing an unrecognizable black-and-red substance.

"This is…" Bai Wei murmured in disbelief.

"A candlelight dinner, just for the two of us." Shen Gali gave her a cute, playful wink.

"Didn't you go see your father…"

"Yeah, I went." Shen Gali said casually. "We worked everything out."

"What did you talk about…"

"Just told him not to bother us anymore. Men should focus on their careers."

"Drip." This time, it was the sound of tears hitting the floor.

The emotions she had held back all day finally burst forth. She had spent the day in restless anxiety, knowing Yu Yanxiang wasn't a bad person—in fact, he was excellent. Which child wouldn't like a father like that? She had been terrified to come home and find the face of the son she'd missed for twenty years gone, terrified to hear Shen Gali say a cold goodbye.

But some children always take their mother's side.

"Sobbing, Li Li, all my love for you has paid off." Bai Wei hugged Shen Gali's head tightly, pressing him close.

Even though she was the mother, Shen Gali couldn't handle such a sentimental atmosphere.

He pulled Bai Wei to the table and pulled out a chair for her. "Let's not talk about other things. Tonight belongs to the two of us."

Bai Wei looked around and asked, "Where are Nan and Uncle Li?"

Shen Gali: "Oh, them… well… I don't know."

Bai Wei laughed through her tears at last. She picked up the knife and fork, ready to savor the Western-style dinner her son had carefully prepared for her.

She took a bite.

The scene froze.

Shen Gali tilted his head. "How is it?"

Bai Wei looked to the side evasively. "How should I put it…"

*Nan, your mother-in-law feels sorry for you.*

"It's okay. Nothing is impossible if you put your heart into it. Keep it up."

Shen Gali smiled.jpg

My mom is so gentle. Even her criticism is tactful.

At that moment, in the car downstairs at Bai Wei's place.

Uncle Li held binoculars and looked at the fourth-floor window. He said to Nan Liujing in the back seat, "Young master, they've started dinner. Just be patient a little longer and we can go in."

Nan Liujing: …

He stared at the soy sauce bottle in his hand, recalling how Shen Gali had sent him out to buy soy sauce. Later, he had received a text message in the supermarket:

"I'm having a candlelight dinner with my mom. Don't disturb us."

How rare—this was the first time Shen Gali had ever proactively sent him a text. He had to screenshot it, save it, then print it, frame it, and hang it above his bed.

*

Nan Feiyao was feeling down, for the Nth day in a row.

Ever since his father suddenly changed his mind, nothing seemed to go smoothly. And coincidentally, Shen Gali was always present every time, making it impossible not to suspect him.

And this was already who knows how many days Shen Lanqing had ignored him. Ever since the "stripping butcher" appeared, and after Shen Gali was taken to the police station for questioning, Shen Lanqing had started suspecting that Nan Feiyao had hired someone to commit the crime, intending to frame Shen Gali.

And all of this—every bit of it—could be traced back to Nan Liujing marrying Shen Gali. In the end, it was all Nan Liujing's fault.

Yu Huaisu saw her son moping around all day and feared he would never recover. She was terrified he would end up like those heartbroken, devoted young masters who abandoned all worldly concerns, grew a bushy beard, dressed like a mess, and set off to wander the world endlessly.

For her son's sake, and for the chairman position, she made a bold decision—

to propose marriage to the Shen family.

At the very least, it would stabilize Nan Feiyao's emotions. Then she could use her silver tongue to convince him that for Shen Lanqing's happiness, he had to seize power ruthlessly.

As for Shen Lanqing, though she held him in low regard, he was a useful tool. Once he had outlived his usefulness, she would kick him to the curb without hesitation. With Nan Feiyao's qualifications, even if he were divorced, he'd still have plenty of suitors.

Nan Feiyao didn't overthink it. The moment he heard he could marry his beloved Shen Lanqing, he perked up immediately, jumping three feet high and nearly hitting his head on the ceiling. Indeed, Mom always knew what to do!

When Yu Huaisu mentioned this to the adoptive mother, the adoptive mother reacted just like Nan Feiyao—almost hitting the ceiling herself, her legs moving like pistons as she rushed to announce the good news to Shen Lanqing:

"My precious son! You've brought glory to the family! The Nan family said they'll come to propose in a few days, and you'll be their bride!"

Shen Lanqing bolted upright, his eyes wide open. "Are you crazy? Why would I want to marry Nan Feiyao!"

"Qingqing, let me explain it to you slowly," the adoptive mother coaxed gently, trying to calm him down.

Shen Lanqing pushed her out of the room. "Get out. If you want to marry him, go ahead."