Chapter 96: Chapter 96: Watching the Drama

On Gu Qinghuan’s side, everyone was still tangled up over the sleeping arrangements.

As usual, the two kids were supposed to sleep with Xu Huaian, while she had a room to herself—very reasonable.

But out of nowhere, Beibei suddenly clung to her leg and wouldn’t let go. “Mommy, can I sleep with you tonight?”

After sharing a bed with Gu Qinghuan on the train, she’d gotten used to her mother’s cozy embrace and wanted that sweet, comforting hug.

Of course, Gu Qinghuan had no objections. She scooped Beibei up and got ready to head to her room.

Who knew Dabao would poke his little head out from behind and whisper, “Mommy, I want to sleep with you too.”

Xu Huaian shot the two of them a look—he wanted to sleep with his wife too, okay? But now these two little ones were getting in the way.

Just then, Gu Lanting knocked and came in. After hearing what was going on, Gu Qinghuan could only rub her forehead. What was it with her and her brother both having this “eager to help others” complex?

On the train, she’d helped a woman traveling with a child. And now, her “bargain” little brother had also gone out of his way to help a woman with a child—even giving up his own place for her.

At this point, she still didn’t know that the person they’d both helped was actually the same woman.

Well, no need to overthink it. Gu Qinghuan ended up sleeping in one room with the two kids, while Gu Lanting and her “bargain” brother-in-law Xu Huaian shared another.

The kids were over the moon, happily fetching water to wash up. The three of them soaked their feet together in one basin, their laughter ringing out like silver bells.

Meanwhile, in Xu Huaian’s room, the two grown men awkwardly got ready for bed. Even though they already knew each other, sharing a bed was still a bit embarrassing. But once they actually lay down, they both fell asleep quickly—they’d had a long day.

Early the next morning—

Gu Qinghuan got up early and prepared a big breakfast. She made steamed egg custard and two glasses of milk for the kids, plus sugar-fried dough, red bean rolls, pork and scallion buns, and fennel buns.

She’d bought all these from restaurants nearby. Oh, and there was also douzhi (fermented mung bean drink).

Since they rarely got to travel, she wanted the kids to try as many different foods as possible—after all, money wasn’t tight for her these days.

Well, not exactly—she was still short on money, just not the small change. What she lacked was big money.

For Gu Lanting, a true Beijinger, all these breakfast foods were familiar, though he hadn’t had them in a long time.

Seeing his sister’s generosity, he guessed that his brother-in-law’s family must be pretty well-off. Otherwise, his sister wouldn’t be buying so many treats, so he ate without worry.

The two kids eyed the adults’ douzhi with curiosity. Xu Huaian handed them the bowl to try a sip, and the next second, both of them were gagging and almost threw up.

What on earth was that taste? Had it gone bad?

“Mommy, you bought something spoiled,” Beibei said, face scrunched up.

Gu Lanting burst out laughing. “No, it’s not spoiled—it’s supposed to taste like that. You’re just not used to it.”

“How can anyone like that taste? So weird,” Dabao shook his head in disbelief, then took a sip of milk—milk was much better.

Xu Huaian, not convinced, took a sip himself.

The taste was…indescribable. But at least he managed to swallow it—couldn’t let it go to waste.

Gu Qinghuan had tried douzhi in her previous life and actually liked it, so she knew this was one of those things—like snail noodles or durian—people either loved or couldn’t stand the smell of.

After breakfast, Gu Qinghuan and Xu Huaian had to go their separate ways.

Xu Huaian needed to go to the hospital for treatment, while Gu Qinghuan was taking Gu Lanting to school to handle his re-enrollment.

She couldn’t just keep the kids cooped up at home every day, so she decided to bring them along for some fresh air.

The two little ones visibly perked up.

Xu Huaian left for the hospital, looking back every few steps.

Gu Qinghuan tidied up, then took the two kids to Gu Lanting’s temporary place to pick up his books and get organized before heading to the school.

Gu Lanting carried Beibei in one arm and held Dabao’s hand in the other, happily leading the way.

His dorm wasn’t far—just a ten or twenty-minute walk.

The three of them chatted and laughed, and before they knew it, they’d arrived.

They didn’t expect to stumble right into a real-life drama.

The whole building was in an uproar—everyone who didn’t have to go to work was crowded along the hallway, watching the show.

Last night, Wang Xiaowei had heard from Gu Lanting that Chen Fulai usually got off work and came home around eight in the morning. She barely slept all night, just dozed off for a bit, afraid she’d miss him.

There was no way Chen’s mother would open the door for her.

She finally made it to dawn, then hurried downstairs with her baby and waited at the entrance for Chen Fulai.

Heaven helps those who help themselves. After days and nights of suffering, she finally saw that familiar figure again—her child’s father, Chen Fulai.

Her tears burst forth. All the pain and hardship along the way suddenly felt worth it.

But Chen Fulai was anything but happy to see her. He looked like he’d seen a ghost, even rubbed his eyes, thinking he was hallucinating from lack of sleep.

Wang Xiaowei stood there, clutching the baby, like a vengeful spirit demanding justice.

“Fulai! You’re finally back!” Wang Xiaowei cried, rushing toward him.

Chen Fulai’s first instinct was to dodge.

He’d run so far, but Wang Xiaowei still found him. He’d finally escaped the countryside, returned to the city, and landed a stable, ironclad job. Soon, someone would even introduce him to a suitable match.

But Wang Xiaowei’s appearance threatened to ruin everything. She was his stain, his shame.

The only reason he’d married her was because he couldn’t stand life in the countryside anymore and thought he’d be stuck there forever.

His sister had been taken away by his mother, so the next spot for “going to the countryside” fell to him. He couldn’t avoid it, so he had to grit his teeth and go. Life in the village was hard—no money, nothing good to eat, just coarse grain pancakes and wild vegetable lumps.

Wang Xiaowei was the village chief’s daughter. Marrying her would bring lots of benefits, so he played a few tricks and won her over. Country girls were simple—just a little sweet talk and she was head over heels.

He never imagined he’d one day get to take over his father’s job and return to city life.

His father had worked at a machinery factory, but after an injury left him disabled, the factory paid compensation and let a child take over his position.

If he’d known this would happen, he never would have rushed into marriage in the countryside. He wasn’t even eighteen yet—he had his whole life ahead of him. No way did he want to spend it with a village girl.

But it was too late for regrets. He’d just have to find a way to deal with it.

Chen Fulai gritted his teeth. “What are you doing here?”

Wang Xiaowei’s heart sank at his attitude, but she still clung to a last shred of hope—that he’d show some mercy for the child’s sake.

“Fulai, didn’t you say you’d come get us once you were settled? Did you know we have a son now? Look, this is our son—he’s already three months old, and you haven’t even given him a name yet!”

When Chen Fulai left, Wang Xiaowei was heavily pregnant, almost due. Her family didn’t want him leaving for the city at such a crucial time, but he insisted, not even waiting for the baby to be born. So he didn’t even know he had a son."