Meanwhile, Feng Mingdong returned to his hotel room after a long day of meetings and social engagements, feeling utterly drained. Alone in the quiet space, his thoughts drifted to Feng Yijiu back home.
She’d gone out to study with classmates again today. He sighed inwardly—this child had grown so thoughtful it tugged at his heart.
Slowly, he pulled out his phone, opened WeChat, and scrolled past endless business contacts. Finally spotting her avatar, he tapped it lightly, typed a message… deleted it… typed again…
In the end, he erased everything. A faint smile curved his lips—thinking of his beautiful wife, his lovely, well-behaved daughter.
*What’s Yijiu up to now?* He couldn’t resist. He placed the call.
*Ring… ring… ring…* It connected instantly.
“Hey, Dad! Gaming with classmates. What’s up?”
“Just checking if you ate,” Feng Mingdong replied. “Have fun.”
“I did! Had dinner at Li Hao’s—Aunt Dong’s baozi were amazing. Gotta go!” After hanging up, Yijiu stared at her darkened screen with a hint of helplessness.
Feng Mingdong sank into the sofa, a slight smile lingering. Hearing his daughter’s voice melted away over ninety percent of the day’s exhaustion. She seemed to be healing from the surgery, making new friends…
But the calm shattered.
He shot upright—gravity alone kept him from slamming into the ceiling.
Horror etched across his face. The end of the world.
*His daughter… at Li Hao’s… in the evening?*
*His daughter was at Li Hao’s house IN THE EVENING!*
*IN THE EVENING!!!*
*ROAR—* A volcanic eruption echoed in his skull.
He panted heavily, eyes wide and bloodshot.
Truly, eyes bulging with explosive rage.
Slowly, he steadied himself. *She’s just gaming. Don’t panic. Get her home safely first.*
Like coaxing a kid off a rooftop ledge—gentle words first. Pressure her? She might stay overnight unknowingly… He shuddered.
Fumbling for his phone, his stiff fingers slipped. It clattered onto the carpet.
He took a deep breath, lifted it—hesitated. Opened WeChat. Typed: *“Yijiu, head home early tonight.”*
*“Okay.”* Short. Firm.
“Li Xun, you bastard!” Feng Mingdong set the phone down firmly, still seething. Pacing the room, hands clasped behind his back. *I treated you as a friend… and you…*
…
*Ah—ah—* *Achoo!* Li Xun sneezed repeatedly, a strange unease prickling his skin. *Something’s off…*
…
Downstairs, Yijiu checked the time, then the lightening rain. “Auntie, rain’s easing. I’ll head out.”
“Li Hao, grab an umbrella and see her off,” Dong Shu said, stepping out. Maternal instinct tugged—she nudged him gently, handed a medium straight umbrella with a meaningful glance.
Unlike a tiny couple’s umbrella, this allowed closeness without awkwardness. Dong Shu had truly schemed hard.
Li Hao took it… then pulled a large umbrella from the stand. “Here. Use this.”
“Thanks,” Yijiu said, glancing at her compact umbrella before accepting his.
Dong Shu turned away.
Two umbrellas. Stand close? They’d bump.
*Just let the world end. Hurry up.*
A deep wave of parenting failure washed over her. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears.
She sank onto the sofa, eyes closing slowly, breath unnaturally clear.
…
Outside, Yijiu frowned slightly at the drizzle. Cycling home? Not happening.
“Leave your bike here—it won’t get stolen,” Li Hao suggested. “Walking’s easier.”
Yijiu considered it. She’d return the umbrella soon anyway. “Okay. Home tomorrow afternoon? If dry, I’ll bring the umbrella and bike back.”
She opened her umbrella. “No need to walk me out. You’ll get wet.”
Li Hao nodded. Made sense. *We’re just guys—what’s the fuss?* Mom’s orders aside, he’d have stopped at the door. “Take care.”
“Bye!” She waved, stepping into the rain. Li Hao watched until she vanished, then turned sharply back inside.
*Use her travel time to grind more. This hustle would make capitalists weep,* he mused.
Dong Shu saw Li Hao return—dry, heading straight to his room. She drew a slow, heavy breath.
“Honey, I’m back early!” Li Xun burst in, weary but beaming. Business dinner went great.
Met only with his wife’s icy glare.
“What’s wrong? Who upset my Shu?” He recalled her earlier call. *Li Hao’s been good lately… misunderstanding?*
“Shu—”
“Don’t ‘Shu’ me! Guest room. Tonight!” Dong Shu stomped off in slippers, leaving Li Xun utterly baffled.
Li Hao emerged. Li Xun’s eyes lit up like Sherlock spotting the clue—he seized his son’s arm. “Gou Gou, what did you do to upset Mom?”
“Huh? Nothing!” Li Hao’s confusion looked genuine. “Mom was happy all day?”
Li Xun’s gaze flicked between the locked bedroom door and his innocent son. Again. Again. He exhaled slowly.
???
