The Tycoon's Mysterious Darling Wife-Chapter 463 - 465. You are shameless

Jiang Chenxi was slightly taken aback, "Why do you ask?"

"Uncle Jiang, first tell me, will you always like me?"

Looking into Haohao’s eyes, Jiang Chenxi’s expression became much more serious, "Of course I will like you, I will always like you, just like right now."

Haohao’s mood suddenly dropped, and he said in a low voice, "If you marry Mommy and have a little brother or sister in the future, won’t you like me anymore?"

Jiang Chenxi’s eyes flickered and he softened his voice, "Who told you this?" The little guy had never said anything like this before. Unless someone had been whispering in his ear, he wouldn’t have come up with such words.

Haohao shook his head and stopped talking.

Jiang Chenxi touched his little face, "It won’t happen, no matter whether your mom and I will have a little brother or sister for you in the future, you will always be Haohao to Uncle Jiang, my precious one."

Haohao’s eyes lit up, "Uncle Jiang, is it really true?"

Jiang Chenxi nodded, "Of course it’s true, when has Uncle Jiang ever lied to you?"

"Then let’s pinky promise," Haohao extended his tender little hand.

Jiang Chenxi smiled and reached out to pinky promise him, "Pinky promise."

Haohao’s mood suddenly brightened, hugging Jiang Chenxi’s neck and chatting about funny stories from kindergarten. When Pei Yinong saw Haohao, she was relieved to see him so happy.

Just before bed, Pei Yinong received another call from Duan Ling. After a moment’s hesitation, Pei Yinong didn’t refuse, "It’s so late, is something wrong?"

Duan Ling hesitated, "Yining, is Haohao... doing alright?" Duan Ling deeply regretted what he had said that day. Why on earth did he speak to a child like that, intentionally making Haohao upset? Haohao already had a better relationship with Jiang Chenxi, now he had pushed him even closer to Jiang.

"He’s fine. If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up now," Pei Yinong said coldly.

Duan Ling wanted to talk more with Pei Yinong, but her attitude made it hard for him to continue, "There’s nothing, you and Haohao should get some rest."

Pei Yinong hung up and saw Haohao looking at her, "Mommy, was it... Daddy who called?"

Pei Yinong nodded, "Do you want to talk to him?"

Haohao shook his head, "I don’t want to. Mommy, I want to go to sleep."

Pei Yinong’s gaze grew sharper as she hugged Haohao to her, "Haohao, tell Mommy, did he... your daddy say something to you?"

"No, Mommy, I’m tired."

"Haohao, look into Mommy’s eyes." Pei Yinong sensed something was off about today’s interaction between Duan Ling and Haohao, and couldn’t ease her mind without clearing it up, "Haohao, tell Mommy, what did your daddy say to you?"

"Mommy, then you have to promise not to get angry," Haohao asked for Pei Yinong’s assurance.

"Okay, Mommy promises you, I absolutely won’t get angry."

Haohao told Pei Yinong everything Duan Ling had said to him that day. Pei Yinong’s eyes grew cold as anger surged within her, but seeing Haohao’s anxious expression, she might have exploded with rage if not for him.

"Mommy, are you angry?" Haohao asked cautiously.

Pei Yinong smiled, "No, Mommy’s not angry, Haohao. Mommy tells you, no matter how many children Mommy has, there’s only one Haohao, and you are the most important to Mommy, you know?"

"Then Mommy, if you marry Uncle Jiang in the future and have a little brother or sister, you won’t stop loving me, you won’t abandon me, right?" Haohao’s eyes carried unease.

Pei Yinong looked at him heartachingly, feeling a new resentment towards Duan Ling. Knowing how sensitive Haohao was, he still had said such things to him, what was he really up to.

She hugged Haohao close to her chest, "You little fool. Whether it’s me or your Uncle Jiang, the child we love most is you. Don’t you believe Mommy, or do you not believe Uncle Jiang either?"

"I believe Uncle Jiang. Uncle Jiang said he will always like me, always love me just like now."

"Mommy will love you like that too, you are Mommy’s treasure."

Haohao kissed Pei Yinong on the cheek, "Mommy, you are my treasure too."

Pei Yinong touched his little face, eyes filled with tender indulgence, "So good, let’s sleep, Mommy will stay with you."

Once Haohao fell asleep, Pei Yinong’s expression instantly changed. She thought about getting up to settle the score with Duan Ling, but as soon as she moved, Haohao called out for Mommy. Seeing Haohao clutching at the hem of her clothes, she had to suppress the rage in her heart and lay back down to accompany Haohao to sleep.

**

At the Jiang family, Jiang Chenxi came back that evening in a very good mood. Mr. Jiang saw Jiang Chenxi, "Chenxi, come here for a moment."

Looking at his mother with suspicion, Mrs. Jiang gave Jiang Chenxi a look that said she didn’t know what was going on. Sitting down on the sofa, Jiang Chenxi asked with a smile, "Dad, did you need me for something?"

"Yes, there is something I want to ask you. This afternoon, Old Qian called me, saying you took a four or five-year-old kid to the school. What’s that about?"

Mrs. Jiang’s face slightly changed, giving Jiang Chenxi meaningful looks, and Jiang Chenxi smiled, "It’s Haohao, you’ve met him."

Mr. Jiang suddenly remembered, "Oh, it’s Haohao, right. Speaking of which, Haohao hasn’t visited our house for a while."

"After all, Haohao is someone else’s child, and now that his parents have time to take care of him, naturally they don’t need to trouble our Chenxi," Mrs. Jiang interjected.

"Dad, I was just about to talk to you about something," Jiang Chenxi suddenly turned to his father, who looked puzzled, "What is it, tell me."

"Old Jiang, I just remembered, didn’t you finish writing that paper last time, isn’t it still not edited? Yesterday, Editor Wen even called you to get it edited quickly and sent to him."

Mr. Jiang slapped his thigh, "I totally forgot about it if you hadn’t mentioned it. Yes, yes, I’ll get it done tonight. You see, when you get old, memory doesn’t serve as well. For things like this, let Editor Wen call you directly next time to remind me."

Mrs. Jiang chuckled, "Look at you, forgetting such an important matter. You better go and edit that paper now, Editor Wen wanted to get it published in this issue of the journal, you can’t let them down."

"No rush, there’s plenty of time, I can get it done. Chenxi, what were you just about to tell me?" Mr. Jiang looked back at his son.

"Dad, I wanted to say..."

"Chenxi wanted to talk to you about the same thing. It was him who reminded me at lunch, wasn’t it, Chenxi?" Mrs. Jiang asked.

Jiang Chenxi met his mother’s gaze and found the words caught in his throat; he just nodded instead. "Yes, Daddy, that’s actually what I wanted to talk to you about. Don’t keep Editor Wen waiting too long."

"Alright, I’ll go and revise the draft now. You two... a single matter but you remind me several times." Mr. Jiang said with a smile as he stood up and walked into the study.

When only the mother and son remained in the living room, the smile on Jiang Chenxi’s face faded. "Mom, why won’t you let me tell Dad? He’s going to find out sooner or later."

"If you want to anger your father to death, just say so." Mrs. Jiang was somewhat furious, thinking that if she hadn’t intervened just now, a family war might have erupted.

Jiang Chenxi pursed his lips. "Mom, you can hide it for a moment, but you can’t hide it forever."

"I don’t care, I won’t agree to this matter. Your dad asked me about you and Wan Jiao this morning, and I managed to deflect it. I’ve arranged for Wan Jiao to come over for dinner tomorrow; you must come back."

Jiang Chenxi massaged his forehead, a headache forming. "Mom, I’ve already made things clear with Wan Jiao. Why are you doing this? Isn’t this harming the girl?"

"Do you think I want to do this? Did you know that your dad’s medical report from a while ago came back, and the doctor said his heart isn’t in good shape?"

Jiang Chenxi was taken aback. "What’s going on?" The company had organized medical check-ups some time ago, a yearly affair. His dad’s health wasn’t as good as before, but the reports from the past few years had shown no major problems, so he hadn’t paid much attention this year.

"Now, aside from Pei Yinong, what else do you care about?" Mrs. Jiang rebuked him and seeing Jiang Chenxi’s serious expression, she continued, "Your father’s health has always been poor, and he had been feeling some discomfort in his heart but just never told you. This check-up revealed that his condition isn’t good. The doctor said he’d better rest and avoid strong emotional fluctuations. Under these circumstances, if you tell him about this, do you think he can handle it?"

"Mom, are we to keep this a secret from Dad for the rest of our lives?" Jiang Chenxi countered.

"Can’t you just give up Pei Yinong? What’s wrong with Wan Jiao? Don’t say that Wan Jiao doesn’t like you—I can see that. What she said last time was purely because of you."

Jiang Chenxi felt helpless, "Mom, love can’t be forced. No matter how good Wan Jiao is, if I don’t like her, it’s useless, isn’t it?"

"Love is built through companionship. You haven’t even tried to be with Wan Jiao — you rejected the idea right away. Maybe if you gave it a shot, you might develop feelings for her?" Mrs. Jiang attempted to persuade Jiang Chenxi.

"Since love is built through companionship, then why won’t you try to get along with Yinong? If you seriously tried to understand her, you’d realize Yinong isn’t as bad as you think. She’s really good and outstanding. The reputation she has is unfair to her." Jiang Chenxi did not expect his mother to be so stubborn, set on choosing Chen Wanqiao and determined about Pei Yinong’s past, not giving Pei Yinong even a chance to change.

"Mom, I’m not asking you to like Yinong a lot, just asking you to give her a chance to get to know her. Wan Jiao is not bad at all, but she just doesn’t electrify me. I know what kind of woman I like, and she’s not my type."

Mrs. Jiang was familiar with Jiang Chenxi’s temperament and knew that pressuring him might backfire. She took a step back. "Alright, alright, Mom promises you that she’ll try to get along with Pei Yinong, to understand her. But you also have to promise Mom that you’ll come home for dinner tomorrow evening, even if it’s just to appease your Dad, okay?"

"Mom."

"If you don’t agree, then you can forget about your affair with Pei Yinong," Mrs. Jiang threatened sternly.

Jiang Chenxi fell silent, and after a long moment, he replied, "Okay, I promise you I’ll come back for dinner tomorrow night." He stood up to leave, but Mrs. Jiang called after him, "It’s so late, where are you going?"

Jiang Chenxi paused momentarily, "I’m going back to my own place." He had bought an apartment in Beijing years ago but seldom stayed there. Recently, he had spent more time away from home because of the situation with Pei Yinong.

Mrs. Jiang wanted to ask her son to stay but was worried that it might lead to another argument, so she ended up not stopping Jiang Chenxi.

The next morning, after dropping her son Haohao at the kindergarten, Pei Yinong called Duan Ling. "Where are you?"

Duan Ling’s eyes lit up upon hearing her voice. "I’m at Zeyu’s place. Yinong, is something the matter?"

"I want to meet you now; pick a place," Pei Yinong got straight to the point.

"There’s a Blue Mountain Cafe on Zhongshan Road; how about there?"

"Fine, see you in half an hour." No sooner had Pei Yinong finished speaking than she hung up the phone. Duan Ling was caught off guard, suddenly realizing that Haohao might have told Pei Yinong about yesterday’s incident, and he started to feel uneasy.

"You were in such high spirits just now, what’s with that expression?" Cui Zeyu looked at his friend with concern.

Duan Ling didn’t tell Cui Zeyu about what happened yesterday. "It’s nothing. I have to step out for a bit. Can I borrow your car?"

Cui Zeyu, confused, tossed the car keys to him. "Take it and go."

When Duan Ling arrived at the coffee shop, Pei Yinong was already there, with a cup of black coffee in front of her. "You always liked cappuccinos before, why are you drinking this now? Didn’t you say it was too bitter?"

Pei Yinong’s expression was indifferent. "Preferences can change. What I liked before doesn’t mean I have to keep liking it now."

Duan Ling, having hit a soft yet unyielding barrier, chuckled and sat down, ordering a cup of coffee. "Yining, did you want to see me today for any particular reason?"

Pei Yinong looked at Duan Ling intently. "I hope you won’t say such nonsensical things to Haohao again. If there is a next time, I will not let you see Haohao anymore."

Duan Ling froze, as his premonition had come true. "Yining, I hope you’ll listen to my explanation. That’s not what I meant. I just wanted to..."

"I don’t care what you think. Duan Ling, Haohao is only five this year; he’s still a child. I don’t want you filling his head with nonsense. I want my son to be a hopeful and positive child, full of positive energy."

"Yining, I really didn’t mean that; I just want to be with you," Duan Ling said.

Pei Yinong’s gaze briefly swept over Duan Ling’s hand with a mocking look. "Duan Ling, what right do you have to say these words? Aren’t you afraid your wife in heaven will come to look for you at night?"

Duan Ling uncomfortably withdrew his hand. "Yining, listen to me, I’m serious. We are Haohao’s biological parents; our love for Haohao is the most selfless. Only if we are together can we provide Haohao with a complete family. Yining, I truly want to make it up to you."

"Enough, Duan Ling." Pei Yinong’s face turned completely cold. "Don’t say anymore. The more you talk, the more despicable you seem to me."

Duan Ling hesitated, "Yining, I..."

"I told you not to say anymore. I don’t want to listen. I came here today just to tell you that if you ever say things to Haohao that shouldn’t be said, even if Haohao hates me, I will not let you see him." Pei Yinong stood up, ready to leave.

Duan Ling grabbed her wrist. "Yining, can’t you really give me another chance? What I said earlier was wrong; it was my fault. I believe that since you were willing to give birth to Haohao, you must have feelings for me. Yining, my feelings for you have always been there. Since we love each other, why can’t we give each other a chance?"

Pei Yinong’s eyes blazed with anger, and her face flushed red. She turned her back to Duan Ling, so he didn’t see Pei Yinong’s expression as he continued, "Yining, I love you."

Pei Yinong abruptly turned around, looking at him with scorn. "The one you love is your dead wife."

"Yining." Duan Ling frowned. "She’s already gone, don’t talk about her like that."

"Hah." Pei Yinong let out a cold laugh. "Can’t let go? Or did I get it wrong? Duan Ling, I’m actually quite curious if you particularly enjoyed being adored back then?"

"Yining, do you have to speak so harshly?" Duan Ling frowned.

"I’m always this harsh, certainly not as tender and considerate as your intimate female friend is to you."

"Yining."

"Don’t use my name, Duan Ling. Really, you make me feel disgusted. How blind was I to ever fancy you?" Pei Yining jerked her hand away from Duan Ling’s grasp and tried to leave.

Duan Ling desperately refused to let go, "Let go of me." Pei Yining was irritated.

"Yining, can’t we sit down and talk properly? What happened in the past is in the past, and there’s no point in blaming each other now. I truly want to make it up to you and Haohao. Can’t we have a calm and peaceful conversation?" Duan Ling’s voice softened.

Pei Yining picked up the coffee from the table and threw it at Duan Ling, then spoke, "I might consider a fresh start. If you can get this coffee back into the cup, then we can start over."

The coffee stain dribbled down from Duan Ling’s head, across his face, and onto his shirt, leaving him looking quite a mess. Duan Ling was shocked, not having anticipated that Pei Yining would do something like that.

"Pei Yining?" Someone called out her name, and Pei Yining looked around to see Mrs. Jiang.

Mrs. Jiang glanced at the hands of Pei Yining and Duan Ling, frowning deeply. Pei Yining was startled and gripped the coffee cup tightly, not expecting to be caught by Mrs. Jiang in such a scene.

Duan Ling had already let go of Pei Yining’s hand and was wiping the coffee from his face with his sleeve.

Pei Yining pursed her lips and walked over to Mrs. Jiang, "Auntie."

Mrs. Jiang’s gaze swept over Pei Yining, her eyes showing some displeasure. Being an elegant woman, she really did not approve of such rude behavior in girls, especially seeing Pei Yining splashing coffee at someone so publicly.

Pei Yining did not expect to encounter Mrs. Jiang there, let alone be seen by her in such an embarrassing moment. She bit her lip, unsure how to explain, "Auntie, are you here to have coffee with friends?"

This was basically grasping at straws. Pei Yining had never felt so embarrassed, and Mrs. Jiang simply hummed indifferently.

"Have you finished your drink? I can drive you wherever you’re going."

Mrs. Jiang declined, "No need, I’ve driven here." She then left, while Pei Yining stood still, looking frustrated. She seemed to have left a bad impression on Mrs. Jiang again. Given that Mrs. Jiang had not been very supportive of her relationship with Chenxi to begin with, this incident probably made things worse. Thinking of this, Pei Yining felt defeated.

Duan Ling approached, "Yining."

Pei Yining snapped back to reality, glanced at Duan Ling, and left the café without looking back.

In the evening, Jiang Chenxi returned home for dinner as promised. Mrs. Jiang was very happy to see him back, "Chenxi is back, dinner will be ready soon, go and chat with Wan Jiao."

Jiang Chenxi greeted Chen Wan Jiao sitting on the couch, went into a room to change his clothes, and then came out, "Chenxi, you’re back."

Chen Wan Jiao was a bit reserved, not knowing what to say to Jiang Chenxi. Ever since they had cleared things up during their last encounter, she hadn’t seen him or contacted him at all. Now, seeing Jiang Chenxi again, her heart was racing.

During the meal, Mrs. Jiang was particularly enthusiastic, either beckoning Jiang Chenxi to serve food to others or pour the soup.

"Ah, Wan Jiao, why haven’t you visited us recently?" Mr. Jiang asked cheerfully.

Chen Wan Jiao glanced at Jiang Chenxi from the corner of her eye, saw him bowing his head eating, and not looking at her. Her smile was tinged with bitterness, "Uncle, I’ve been quite busy at work lately, often staying late, so I haven’t visited."

"It’s good for young people to love their work, but don’t overdo it. Especially for girls, your health is the most important," Mr. Jiang advised.

Chen Wanqiao complied, a picture of docility, and Mrs. Jiang added some of her favorite dishes to her plate. "Old Jiang is right, Wanqiao, don’t work too hard, health is the most important thing, eat more, you’ve gotten thinner recently."

Acting demure, Chen Wanqiao bowed her head and concentrated on eating her meal.

After dinner, Chen Wanqiao helped Mrs. Jiang clean up the dishes and then excused herself, but Mrs. Jiang urged her to stay, "Wanqiao, it’s rare for you to visit, stay a little longer."

"No, auntie, I still have a work report to finish that I need to show to my boss tomorrow, so I should head home. I’ll come visit Uncle and Auntie again when I have free time."

"That’s fine, if you’ve got work, go ahead and get busy with it. Chenxi, make sure you see Wanqiao home safely," Mrs. Jiang told Jiang Chenxi, who was sitting on the sofa.

"It’s not necessary, auntie, it’s easy to get a taxi here, I can just catch a cab."

"It’s not safe for a girl to take a taxi alone so late at night. Chenxi, escort her," Mrs. Jiang urged Jiang Chenxi, who stood up and grabbed the car keys. "Let’s go, I’ll take you home."

With her head down, Chen Wanqiao murmured, "Then I’m troubling you."

On the ride back, the interior of the car was quiet. Chen Wanqiao turned her head to look out the window, in truth, she was looking at Jiang Chenxi’s reflection, with a deep sense of longing at the bottom of her eyes.

"I’m really sorry about today," Jiang Chenxi initiated the conversation amidst silence, "in the future, if you don’t want to come, you can just refuse my mom directly."

Chen Wanqiao withdrew her gaze, looking down. "No, we could still be friends even if we’re not in a relationship, right? It’s only proper for me to visit Uncle and Auntie. I just hope you’re not upset."

Jiang Chenxi looked sideways at Chen Wanqiao. "Are you very nervous?"

"Ah, no ... not nervous," Chen Wanqiao stammered.

Jiang Chenxi let out a grin, "Actually, you don’t have to be nervous like you just said, we can still be friends even if we can’t be lovers."

"Mhm," Chen Wanqiao nodded lightly, and once again, silence fell upon the car. She knew she ultimately couldn’t face Jiang Chenxi with ease; this unease stemmed from her inability to let go.

"I’m home now, thank you for today," Chen Wanqiao said softly as she unbuckled her seat belt.

"Wanqiao," Jiang Chenxi called to her as she was about to get out of the car. "You’re a really good girl, you’ll definitely meet someone better than me in the future. Most importantly, he will love you very much."

Tears filled Chen Wanqiao’s eyes in an instant. She turned her head away from Jiang Chenxi and, gripping the car door handle tightly, said, "Thank you for your blessings."

Watching Chen Wanqiao hurry off, Jiang Chenxi felt a twinge of guilt. He didn’t want to be so harsh, but not completely shattering her hopes would only make her suffer more.

After sending Chen Wanqiao home, Jiang Chenxi didn’t return to the Jiang family but drove to his apartment in the center of the city. Lying on the soft bed, Jiang Chenxi’s mind was filled with thoughts of how to make his mother accept Pei Yinong.

Should he arrange a trip for them to get to know each other? Or invite them out for a meal to talk it over? Or perhaps take them out for shopping and a movie?

After a long deliberation, Jiang Chenxi didn’t come up with a solution and fell asleep without realizing it.

The next day, Jiang Chenxi found out from Pei Yinong what happened at the coffee shop. Pei Yinong, looking dejected, said, "Do you think auntie will like me even less now?"

Jiang Chenxi also sighed at their misfortune. What rotten luck to witness that particular scene. Still, seeing Pei Yinong’s self-reproach, he tried to reassure her, "It’s fine, my mom isn’t unreasonable. I believe she’ll understand."

"What if auntie asks who Duan Ling is?"

"Just say it was one of your clients, and because business negotiations fell through, a dispute arose," Jiang Chenxi said gently.

Pei Yinong sighed, "This isn’t a long-term solution. If Auntie finds out later that Duan Ling is Haohao’s biological father and knows that we’ve deceived her, she probably will like me even less."

"Yining, don’t worry, leave everything to me, I’ll go solve it," Jiang Chenxi reassured, holding Pei Yinong’s hand softly.

Pei Yinong frowned, feeling regret deep in her heart for why she had arranged to meet Duan Ling. Couldn’t she have made things clear over the phone as well?

"Come on, no more sad faces, it’s not that big a deal," Jiang Chenxi didn’t take it seriously at all. In his eyes, it was a trivial matter, something that could completely be ignored.

Pei Yinong also knew that thinking more about it now was futile, so she just hummed an acknowledgment.

"How about this, I’ll arrange a dinner for you all one of these days, to help you get to know each other better," Jiang Chenxi suggested.

Pei Yinong looked at him, "Isn’t that inappropriate? If Auntie doesn’t like me already, what if it just upsets her more?"

Jiang Chenxi looked at Pei Yinong’s worried expression, not annoyed but rather feeling pity. She was always so decisive; if she wasn’t so deeply concerned about him, she wouldn’t be like this.

Thinking this, Jiang Chenxi said with a smile, "Yining, it’s precisely because my mother has the wrong impression of you that you both need more contact, to increase understanding and give my mother a chance to see your good qualities."

Pei Yinong smiled, "Whatever you say always sounds so pleasant. Alright, you arrange it then, I happen to be free these days."

"Alright, don’t worry, I’ll be by your side."

"Chenxi, I’m not afraid, I just feel sorry for bringing you so much trouble."

Jiang Chenxi shushed her, "Don’t say that again in the future. I’ve never thought it was a bother. To me, it’s a sweet burden. Yining, actually, you’re the one who’s suffered by being with me." If it wasn’t for being with him, Pei Yinong wouldn’t have to be disliked by his mother.

"Alright, let’s not comfort each other with words here. Let’s eat, I’m starving."

"Sure, let’s eat. I’ll take you home after."

"Okay."

Jiang Chenxi dropped Pei Yinong at the entrance to her residential complex, where from afar Pei Yinong spotted a familiar car. Upon closer observation, if it wasn’t Duan Ling’s, whose else could it be?

Pei Yinong really wanted to ignore Duan Ling’s car, but Duan Ling had already seen them and directly got out of the car, blocking the way in front. If Jiang Chenxi hadn’t braked in time, they could have collided. Pei Yinong got out of the car furiously, "Duan Ling, what are you crazy about?"

Duan Ling, however, didn’t look at Pei Yinong but turned toward Jiang Chenxi who had gotten out of the car with her, "Chenxi, long time no see."

"Senior Duan, indeed, it’s been a long time," Jiang Chenxi responded indifferently.

"I never imagined that it would be you," Duan Ling said somberly, his expression inscrutable. He had been in the same major as Jiang Chenxi, and due to having the same teacher and both being similarly outstanding, they were no strangers and could even be called friends. Moreover, at that time Pei Yinong and Jiang Chenxi also knew each other and were friends.

"I never imagined Senior Duan would have the audacity to come back," Duan Ling shot back sharply, Jiang Chenxi not backing down, and a tense atmosphere filled the space between them in an instant.

"Chenxi, Haohao is my son."

"I know, but what of it? Sometimes blood relations don’t mean everything," Jiang Chenxi said with a faint smile.

Pei Yinong’s face was somewhat dark, "Duan Ling, what on earth do you want to do?"

"Yinong, I just wanted to come see you," Duan Ling said.

"Now that you’ve seen me, can you leave?" Pei Yinong’s expression was unfriendly.

"Yinong, he is still our senior after all, we should be polite." Jiang Chenxi spoke gently, looking at Duan Ling, "Senior Duan, I’m really sorry, but my girlfriend and I have other plans this evening, so we won’t be able to keep you company."

Upon hearing this, Duan Ling’s face stiffened. What kind of business could a man and a woman possibly have late at night?

Jiang Chenxi, however, was already looking at Pei Yinong, "Shall we go to my place tonight?"

Pei Yinong nodded, "Sure, Haohao will be fine with my mom looking after him."

Jiang Chenxi put his arm around Pei Yinong’s shoulders, and the two were about to get into the car when Duan Ling spoke up, "Yinong, I won’t give up on you, I will pursue you again."

Jiang Chenxi’s hand around Pei Yinong’s tightened slightly, and he turned to look at Duan Ling, "Senior Duan, Yinong is now my girlfriend, you were the one who gave up on her, and now you’re saying such things, don’t you think that’s too much?"

Duan Ling glared at Jiang Chenxi, "Back then, I didn’t know Yinong was already pregnant, if I had known, I definitely wouldn’t have left."

Jiang Chenxi stared at Duan Ling and, letting go of Pei Yinong, grabbed Duan Ling by the collar and swung a punch. Duan Ling’s face was skewed to one side by the hit; Jiang Chenxi didn’t stop, another punch landed on Duan Ling’s stomach.

"Now that you know about Haohao, you want to make amends, but where were you when you abandoned Yinong alone? Where were you when Yinong, because of her unwed pregnancy, was subjected to scrutiny and endured so much hardship? Where were you when Yinong, not wanting Haohao to suffer, took him to work and live far from home, leaving everything behind? You only remembered that your close female friend was sick and needed your care, couldn’t do without you, but did you ever think of Yinong? Yes, Yinong is stronger than your female friend, but is being strong a mistake? Is her strength an excuse for you to abandon her? Duan Ling, I have never disliked someone so much, you are the first one, you make me sick!"

After speaking, another punch hit Duan Ling’s face. Duan Ling bent over, coughing violently, "So... that’s why now... I want... cough cough... to make it up to Yinong."

"Make it up, who cares for your amends? In the years without you, Yinong and Haohao have been doing just fine, and they will definitely have a better future. Who wants your amends? Duan Ling, where did you get the confidence to think Yinong would always stand there waiting for you to come back? What do you take her for? Someone you can summon or dismiss at will, have you really thought about Yinong’s feelings?" Jiang Chenxi asked harshly, he was already full of dissatisfaction with Duan Ling, hating irresponsible men the most, and now his emotions exploded upon seeing him.

"What about you? What right do you have to accuse me? At least I am Haohao’s daddy, what are you?" Duan Ling retorted.

"Heh, Haohao’s daddy, do you think you deserve that title? Duan Ling, as a man, I look down on you," Jiang Chenxi said, breathing heavily, angry.

Pei Yinong was also baffled by Jiang Chenxi’s sudden outburst, and only now did she react, stepping forward to pull him away, "Stop hitting him, he’s not worth it for such a scumbag."

Jiang Chenxi looked at her despondently and slowly let go of Duan Ling. Duan Ling’s face bore injuries and his abdomen was severely punched by Jiang Chenxi, leaving him unable to stand up from the ground. Pei Yinong looked down at him, "Duan Ling, don’t come around anymore, and you don’t need to see Haohao either. Chenxi is right, I no longer need you, not now, nor in the future. As for Haohao, I will give him a complete family, a good environment to grow up in, but that has nothing to do with you."

She thought she had been wrong from the start, what fatherly love, Duan Ling such a person is simply not worthy to give Haohao fatherly love, Haohao does not need his fatherly love.

Pei Yinong took Jiang Chenxi’s hand, turned around, and got into his car, soon disappearing from Duan Ling’s sight. Duan Ling lay on the ground, not getting up for a long time. Jiang Chenxi’s punches had not been held back, and he felt as if his internal organs were dislocated.

However, compared to the physical pain, it was the words of Jiang Chenxi and Pei Yinong that truly felt desperate. Just now, Pei Yinong’s gaze was so resolute, she truly wanted to draw a clear line with him, unwilling to give him the slightest chance.

Duan Ling looked up at the dark night sky, his expression sorrowful, "Yinong, have I really lost you?"

"Sir, are you okay? Do you need help?" A passerby saw Duan Ling and came over to ask.

Duan Ling waved his hand, struggling to his feet, and slowly walked towards his car, his figure desolate.