Xia Youqing brought her daughter back home and announced to the Xia family the news of her divorce from Ning Yi. The Xia family was both surprised and unsurprised; after all, they thought her marriage was like child's play, and the fact that it ended up this way was not surprising at all.
Regarding her plan to leave her daughter at home for them to take care of, they were, of course, happy to oblige, although somewhat surprised.
"Why didn't you send the child to Ning Shizhao?" Xia Rong, Xia Youqing's grandfather, asked with some bewilderment.
Given his understanding of the in-laws, when the son and daughter-in-law divorced, the Ning family wouldn't let their precious granddaughter, their only third-generation offspring, leave with the daughter-in-law.
"Do you think it's unreasonable for my daughter to stay with me?"
The Xia family, as a family of doctors, although not as wealthy as the Ning family's opulent riches, isn't far behind.
This year, thanks to a popular TV drama, their reputation has expanded, and now they have five scripts lined up. Future income is certainly not going to be a problem.
In terms of financial capability between the couple, Xia Youqing feels she can support her child more easily than Ning Yi.
That guy keeps claiming he's busy, but he's just doing odd jobs in the crew.
With financial stability achieved and feelings gone, when their daughter urged them to divorce immediately, she felt it was a good opportunity to do so.
Furthermore, whether she pursues an acting career or Ning Yi a directing career, being single is better than having a married status with a child.
"You're okay leaving such a young child with an old man like me?"
"Why wouldn't I be? You raised me too, didn't you?" Xia Youqing looked puzzled.
"Is that really the same?"
"How is it different? I'll come back to see you when I have time." Xia Youqing turned to Xie Haitang. "Sister-in-law, could you please take care of Youyou at home? We just let the nanny go yesterday. I'm planning to find another one. Xiao Zhu is already looking, and I'll make sure she speeds it up."
Xiao Zhu is Xia Youqing's assistant.
"Don't worry, I'll take good care of Youyou." Xie Haitang smiled gently. "But, are you sure you don't want to stay home anymore? Youyou is only five years old, she needs her parents around."
"I need to make money. Since she's with me, I can't let her suffer; I want to give her the best in the world."
The best of material things, lacking only companionship and love.
Meanwhile, You Guang watched everyone quietly talking.
"The family isn't short of money," Xia Rong said angrily.
"But it's not money I earned," Xia Youqing countered. "Ning Yi doesn't use family money, and neither will I."
"What kind of logic is that? His family doesn't support his career and he has to work independently. But for you, when have I not supported you? Since childhood, you've done whatever you wanted."
At this point, Xia Rong couldn't help but feel a pang of bitterness.
His wife passed away when their daughter was only seven months old, a pain that lingered in his heart for over twenty years.
Over these years, out of guilt and heartbreak for his daughter, he played the role of both father and mother, carefully nurturing her as she grew up, never denying a single request.
But he never expected her to end up like this.
"Qingqing, I still think you should reconsider," Xie Haitang urged, looking at the quiet and well-behaved niece sitting next to her sister. "You've already divorced, so there's no need to hold a grudge against Ning Yi anymore; your own happiness matters more."
"Who is he that I'd bear a grudge against him? Without him, I'll be even better off."
After sending her daughter back home, Xia Youqing moved into the dorm provided by the company.
On this day, early in the morning.
While being led inside from the back garden by Xie Haitang, You Guang saw workers steadily serving dishes onto the dining table.
"Let's go wash our hands, then we can eat breakfast."
"Aunt, did you think I went missing just now?" Although Xie Haitang appeared relaxed when she came to find her in the back garden, You Guang could still sense a hint of tension and fear.
"You're so smart, dear Youyou. Yes, I went to your room and didn't see you there, I got quite a fright."
"Don't worry, Aunt. I won't run off anywhere." You Guang smiled.
That smile softened Xie Haitang's heart like spring water, though she couldn't quite describe it.
Noticing her aunt's slightly puzzled expression, You Guang maintained a normal countenance and led her toward the dining area.
She never was the lively type, perhaps due to her nature, or maybe because her previous life's broken family forced her to prematurely mature like an adult, ending her childhood early and forgetting how to be a real child.
In this new life, she knew that no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't become the normal child she was supposed to be. So she simply decided to be herself, and live as she is meant to, even if it means being an outlier, rather than struggling to live up to others' expectations.
As a result, since waking up, she's never hidden her differences.
...
On the bustling streets of Jin City, skyscrapers glimmered in the sunlight.
Driver Wang couldn't resist sneaking a look in the rearview mirror at the young master sitting in the back seat; he was genuinely curious as to why the young master remained gloomy and silent when he visited the Xia family in the morning, yet returned with a constant smile on his face.
"Young Master, is the young lady alright?"
"She's fine."
"That's good to hear, that's good to hear." Driver Wang chuckled lightly, "Young Master, being so young and already having such a cute and well-behaved daughter, you're truly blessed."
The divorce came suddenly, and Ning Yi hasn't told his family yet.
Driver Wang assumed that the young master had just brought a lot of gifts to the father-in-law's house for the little lady's short stay.
Though Ning Yi understood that Driver Wang spoke out of not knowing the situation, it didn't dampen his spirits.
He thought of the words his daughter spoke when she'd seen him off at the father-in-law's house, and his fear since she'd awoken in the hospital room greatly subsided.
"Dad, my choice to live at Grandpa's house isn't because I don't like you, nor is it any issue with Grandpa and Grandma, and certainly not because you and Mom divorced and I think you didn't do well. I know it's tough for you. As you and Mom will both be busy and have a lot to deal with, let me stay at Grandpa's for a while. When I need you, I'll communicate with you again." 1314