When they arrived at the Telephone Bureau and the call connected, a calm and steady voice came through. “Shu Yuan.”

Holding Xiao Man in her lap, Shu Yuan said, “Xiao Man and I are both here. Say what you need to say, the call costs five mao (0.5 Yuan) for three minutes.”

She held the receiver to Xiao Man’s mouth, and in his soft milky voice, he called out, “Dad.”

Chen Zai’s voice clearly softened. “Shu Yuan, when it comes to raising Xiao Man, we should cooperate, not oppose each other.”

Shu Yuan responded with a light “Mm,” and because his voice sounded so pleasant, she patiently listened on.

“Child support shouldn’t be the focus of our disagreement,” he said.

No wonder he was the hospital director. His words carried weight.

He probably truly couldn’t understand the struggles of someone who was unemployed and had to raise a child.

“Mm,” Shu Yuan responded.

“Do you have time to meet again? Same park as yesterday,” Chen Zai said concisely.

“Of course an unemployed youth has time. I’ll take Xiao Man to the park right now. That work?” Shu Yuan replied.

“All right, I’ll head out immediately.”

Shu Yuan quickly ended the call. The timing was perfect; it had lasted exactly one minute.

Swinging his little legs as he walked, Xiao Man thought about how he had believed yesterday would be the last time he’d see his dad. Yet here they were, about to meet again.

Shu Yuan, on the other hand, thought she was only agreeing to see him again because Chen Zai was good-looking.

Since they lived nearby, the mother and son arrived first and waited at the park entrance. About ten minutes later, Chen Zai arrived on his bicycle.

He planted his long legs on the ground, rang his bell, and at the crisp sound, Xiao Man called out, “Daddy.”

Chen Zai’s eyes softened. He got off the bike, locked it, bought tickets, and the three of them entered the park. As before, Shu Yuan walked in the middle, keeping a distance between Xiao Man and the man who was allergic to children.

Aside from a few parents out with their kids, there weren’t many people strolling through the park in the morning, making it a good time to talk. Shu Yuan opened her mouth first. “What do you want to say? If you’re still thinking about taking Xiao Man away, then forget it.”

Chen Zai glanced at her. It seemed he had already given it serious thought and was trying to take control of the conversation. His tone was steady. “We should be looking to cooperate and set aside any adversarial attitudes.”

He took one yuan out of his pocket and handed it to Xiao Man. “We need to talk. Why don’t you go over there and buy a sugar painting?”

Xiao Man waved his hand and said, “Dad, one (0.1 yuan) or two (0.2 yuan) mao is enough.”

Chen Zai replied, “Buy one for your mom too.”

Xiao Man cheerfully took the money and said, “Okay, thank you, Dad.”

Shu Yuan sensed trouble and said, “I feel like we’re under a sugar-coated attack. Don’t think you can win Xiao Man over with one yuan.”

Chen Zai watched Xiao Man run over to the sugar painting stand and didn’t respond. Instead, he pointed to a nearby bench and said, “Let’s go talk over there.”

It was a good spot. Not too close, not too far, unobstructed, and they could still see Xiao Man.

Xiao Man had already run over to the sugar painting vendor, reaching out his little hand to pass the money. “Grandpa, I want to buy two sugar paintings.”

It was early in the morning, and the vendor hadn’t had any business yet. Seeing such a generous little customer, his face immediately lit up as he took the money and gave change. “One mao (0.1 yuan) each.”

After handing over a small stack of change, he gave Xiao Man a cardboard spinner. “Spin the pointer on top. Whatever it lands on, I’ll make.”

Holding the coins in his hand, Xiao Man thought for a moment, then handed over another one mao (0.1 yuan) and said, “I want three in total.”

“Alright, alright,” the old man said, bustling with energy.

“I want to spin a phoenix for Mom,” Xiao Man said, clasping his hands together as he whispered a little wish.

A phoenix was beautiful, used more sugar, and lasted longer when eaten.

Unfortunately, the pointer landed on an ox. The little guy, with a strong sense of commitment, didn’t act like other children who might ask to spin again.

Shu Yuan got the sense that this man must be someone with strong opinions, precise logic, and a stable mental core, someone skilled at controlling situations.

All she had wanted was some child support. It should have been a simple matter. But it seemed the other party was intent on complicating things.

They sat on opposite ends of the bench, both of their gazes following Xiao Man. Shu Yuan was the first to speak. “Go ahead, Dr. Chen.”

Chen Zai’s sharp, defined lips pressed into a straight line. What he was about to propose might be hard for Shu Yuan to accept, but he believed it was the best way to raise Xiao Man.

After a moment of silence, he opened his mouth. “Shu Yuan, rather than the two of us fighting over custody of Xiao Man, there may be a better approach for his growth.”

Shu Yuan remained composed, her expression unreadable, coldly watching Director Chen begin to take control of the situation.

Chen Zai looked at the woman who was clearly on guard. The moment their eyes met, he quickly looked away, his voice still calm and composed. “We get married. Build a family.”

Shu Yuan was completely caught off guard. Her rosy lips parted slightly in surprise, and her gaze shifted briefly from Xiao Man to Chen Zai’s face. He looked so calm, composed, and steady.

Chen Zai was equally surprised that she hadn’t immediately jumped up to oppose the idea. So he continued with his reasoning. “For both of us, it would be a compromise and a sacrifice. But the benefits are obvious. Xiao Man would have a complete family. Small issues would be easily resolved, such as his household registration, or you and Xiao Man no longer having to endure gossip.”

He spoke with sincerity. “This is the greatest sincerity I can offer in raising Xiao Man. I can cover the cost of raising him and the family’s living expenses.”

Shu Yuan suddenly found him a little frightening. He possessed an overwhelming sense of control, yet at the same time, he had a strange way of making people feel he was dependable.

If he had become a hospital director, it had to be not just because of his medical expertise, but also his exceptional leadership.

She threw out the issue that bothered her most. “But I don’t need a man. I don’t need a husband.”

Chen Zai took in her expression completely and replied in a calm, gentle tone. “That’s even better. I don’t need a woman either. This family exists solely for the purpose of raising Xiao Man. You and I are just his parents, a married couple only in the eyes of others. In daily life, we each mind our own business and don’t interfere with one another.”

Shu Yuan’s mouth formed a perfect circle. Not only did he dress fashionably, but even his thinking was modern. This was co-parenting in the form of a partnership.

Clearly, he didn’t trust her to raise Xiao Man alone. He’d rather marry her to keep the child under his watch.

Still, at least he was willing to take responsibility for Xiao Man.

Not wanting to seem like a lowly worker under his gaze, Shu Yuan also wanted to regain some initiative and said, “It’s not entirely out of the question. But if we’re going through with a fake marriage, then neither of us can have affairs. I can’t stand men who fool around. That’s the only way to maintain a decent family reputation.”

Chen Zai let out a subtle breath of relief. He had assumed there was no way Shu Yuan would accept, but hadn’t expected her to agree to the plan so quickly.

But her wording raised a red flag. He said, “I can do that. But Shu Yuan, those are words I should be saying. No matter what you might have done before—”

Shu Yuan shot up like a cat whose tail had just been stepped on. “What do you mean, what I might have done before?”

Chen Zai tilted his head slightly to look up at her, the black of his pupils churning with intensity.

The negotiation was clearly on the verge of collapsing again.

Meanwhile, Xiao Man and the sugar painting grandpa were getting along quite well. After receiving the finished ox, Xiao Man praised, “Grandpa, you’re really amazing!”

The elderly man was completely elated by the compliment from such a charming little boy. He let Xiao Man spin again. The boy clasped his hands together and muttered another wish, hoping for a phoenix. But the pointer landed on a tiger.

The old man picked up his ladle and began painting with sugar. Xiao Man got a tiger, then spun again. This time, it landed on a mouse. The old man started to get anxious and flicked the pointer himself. “Alright, alright, it landed on a phoenix. I’ll make it for you right now.”

“Thank you, Grandpa,” Xiao Man said. He understood that the elderly man was showing him kindness. Back in the countryside, few people had ever treated him warmly. Maybe now that he was with Mom, his luck had started to change.

“It’s for your mom, right?” the old man asked kindly.

“Yes,” Xiao Man replied with delight.

The phoenix was much larger than the ox or tiger, with intricate and elegant lines.

Shu Yuan’s gaze was drawn to a red mark on Chen Zai’s neck. Near the collar of his snow-white shirt, there was a small, vivid red spot.

She pointed to the same spot on her own neck and asked, “Is this what you mean when you say you’re allergic to children?”

Chen Zai nodded. “Yes.”

Shu Yuan: “……”

It was unbelievable. He hadn’t even made physical contact with Xiao Man, yet he still had an allergic reaction.

Shu Yuan said, “If it’s that difficult, then maybe you don’t need to raise Xiao Man yourself.”

Chen Zai tried to steer her back to the topic. “Think over what I proposed.”

Shu Yuan patted her forehead, suddenly remembering what had made her so agitated earlier. “What exactly did you mean by what you said just now? What about my past?”

Chen Zai’s gaze was dark and unfathomable. “No matter what your relationship with Shen Zhongcheng was, if we get married, you should cut ties with him.”

Shu Yuan sat back down and lifted the corners of her lips in a mocking smile. “Dr. Chen, seems you don’t really trust me. Marrying me is quite a risk for you, isn’t it? Aren’t you afraid I’ll run off with someone else and ruin your reputation? Or spend your money and neglect Xiao Man? Or that we won’t even be able to maintain this fake marriage and you’ll end up a divorced man?”

His emotions remained steady, and his voice was gentle. “I want to give Xiao Man a chance. This is the last time I’ll place my trust in you.”

Shu Yuan nodded. “Fine by me. A fake marriage. You’ll cover the living expenses, we won’t interfere in each other’s lives, but no fooling around.”

Chen Zai wanted to settle this important matter as soon as possible. “I’ll work on transferring back to Lucheng right away. Once I’m back, we’ll get the marriage certificate.”

The corners of Shu Yuan’s mouth remained lifted in a smirk. “Aren’t you afraid that while you’re busy with the transfer, I’ll run off with another man instead of waiting patiently for you? I can’t guarantee I’ll behave myself, you know.”

Chen Zai’s tone was unhurried. “If that happens, then for Xiao Man’s sake, you should just leave him with me.”

With negotiations concluded, Shu Yuan called out, “Xiao Man, is the sugar painting done?”

It had long been finished. But since his parents were discussing serious matters, Xiao Man had been careful not to interrupt. Now, he was happily chatting with the old vendor.

“Coming, Mom!” Xiao Man responded loudly.

He was a little worried, unsure if the conversation had fallen apart this time.

In his little hand, he held a phoenix sugar painting. Since it was on two sticks, it wasn’t convenient to carry the other two at the same time. So he made two trips to deliver the sugar paintings to his dad and mom.

“I get one too?” Chen Zai said with surprise, holding the tiger-shaped sugar painting in his hand.

This was a gesture of kindness from his son.

From yesterday until now, he still hadn’t fully processed the fact that he had a child.

Xiao Man pulled some coins from his pocket and returned the seven mao (0.7 yuan) in change to Chen Zai, saying, “Yes, Dad.”

Shu Yuan added, “No need to be so surprised. After all, it was your money.”

Chen Zai: “……”

Shu Yuan held the sugar painting in her left hand, wrapped her right arm around Xiao Man, and announced to him, “Xiao Man, there’s something big. Daddy and Mommy are getting married.”

Yesterday, Xiao Man had been so surprised his mouth had dropped open and his big eyes had gone completely round. Just yesterday, they had argued over child support, and today they were getting married?

After the shock came delight. “Then are you going to live together?”

Chen Zai replied, “Yes, Xiao Man.”

Xiao Man was overwhelmed with joy. He couldn’t possibly imagine that his parents were only putting on an act and planning to co-parent without real affection. To him, their getting married and living together was a wonderful thing.

His lips curled into a bright smile. “Great! Xiao Man gets to be with both Daddy and Mommy.”

Afraid it might all be a dream, and no longer reluctant to eat his sugar painting, he took a big bite. The ox’s backside caved in, and the sweet flavor filled his mouth.

Now Xiao Man believed it for real. Dad and Mom were really getting married.

Who would have thought? Before, he was a child no one wanted, sold off like goods. And now, he had a dad and a mom, and they were going to live together.

It made him so happy that he could probably wake up smiling even in his dreams.

When it was time to part ways, Chen Zai took his wallet out of his pants pocket and pulled out a stack of ten-yuan bills, handing them to her. “Two hundred yuan. For Xiao Man’s upbringing.”

Shu Yuan accepted the money without hesitation. “It’ll all be used for Xiao Man. I’ll keep a record.”

She slipped the money into her satchel, then casually asked, “Why did you give twelve hundred before, and now it’s just a fraction, only two hundred? Is it because you don’t trust me? Getting more cautious?”

The corners of Chen Zai’s lips lifted slightly, forming a calm, composed curve, as he explained, “Before, I thought it was a one-time settlement. Now, it’s ongoing support.”

The three of them walked out of the park gate with light steps. Shu Yuan waved to him and said, “Dr. Chen, looking forward to working with you.”

“Looking forward to it,” he replied.

Xiao Man waved his little hand. “Bye-bye, Daddy. Mom and I will be waiting for you!”

This once stiff, overly cautious child who was always watching others’ moods finally showed a bit of liveliness.

Chen Zai’s voice was gentle. “Goodbye, Xiao Man.”

Shu Yuan smiled. The warmth of the moment masked the financial transaction underlying their cooperation.

Back home, Shu Yuan began preparing lunch. Xiao Man stood nearby watching. Mom was much better at cooking now. She still flinched when she tossed scallions into hot oil, but it wasn’t as dramatic as before.

When Li Hongxia and Shu He returned, Shu Yuan was carrying dishes into the house and casually said, “Xiao Man’s dad is transferring back to Lucheng. Once he’s back, we’re getting married.”

Xiao Man beamed, the corners of his mouth lifted. “That’s right, Daddy and Mommy are getting married.”

Li Hongxia’s eyes widened, and her hand trembled so much that water spilled from her enamel mug onto the floor. She immediately raised her voice to confirm, “What? You two are getting married?”

Marriage had never even been on her radar. She didn’t think either her second daughter or Xiao Man’s father were good people. Putting the two together could only mean trouble in her eyes.

Shu He grinned. “I support it, Second Sister. Second brother-in-law is pretty handsome, honestly. Mom, you haven’t seen him. He’s even better-looking than movie stars, and he’s a doctor with a proper job.”

As she scooped rice into bowls, Shu Yuan corrected her, “He’s not your second brother-in-law. And judging whether someone is good or not should be based on character, not appearance.”

Shu He snorted. “Fine. You can judge by looks, but I can’t?”

Li Hongxia practically glared, her brows furrowed sharply. “Tell me, why are you two getting married?”

It was so unexpected that she felt she wouldn’t be able to accept it even after several days.

Shu Yuan calmly made up a story without batting an eye. “Xiao Man’s dad was sent down to the countryside. How could I marry him while he was still there? Now he’s been politically rehabilitated, I’ve returned to the city and brought Xiao Man back. Isn’t getting a marriage certificate the logical next step?”

Xiao Man sat obediently on the chair next to Shu Yuan, trying hard to follow her explanation. It wasn’t exactly like his dream, but he was willing to believe his mom’s version of events.

Li Hongxia stared at Shu Yuan. “You think I believe that? Has a single word out of your mouth ever been true? And what about Shen Zhongcheng, then?”

Just hearing that name annoyed Shu Yuan.

She answered without hesitation, “He’s just a guy who sponges off women. Back then, I only thought he had some talent and lent him a bit of money, that’s all.”

Li Hongxia’s eyes nearly popped out. “You spent the money you extorted from Xiao Man’s dad on Shen Zhongcheng?”

Shu Yuan placed a bowl of rice in front of everyone and calmly corrected her, “Mom, mind your words.”

Li Hongxia rubbed her temples with her fingers. “This is absurd. I can’t control you anymore. Fine, do whatever you want. Just don’t come crying to me if things don’t work out.”

Shu Yuan sat down and picked up a piece of tofu for Xiao Man. “Come on, eat.”

——

Back at his own home, Chen Zai was immediately informed that the Sheng family would be coming over for dinner that evening.

He didn’t waste any time and went straight to his grandfather’s study.

“Don’t rush to say no. Just meet Sheng Zhiyi first. She’s well-educated, gentle in temperament, and has a good job. She’s a suitable candidate for marriage,” Chen Fumi continued his pitch, unwilling to give up.

Chen Zai sat patiently in the round-backed chair across from the desk, waiting for Chen Fumi to finish speaking before opening his mouth at a measured pace. “Grandfather, I have something to tell you.”

Chen Fumi fixed him with a pair of sharp eyes that seemed capable of seeing straight through a person, then glanced at Du Kang and instructed, “You step out first.”

Du Kang, who had followed right behind Chen Zai to pour tea: “…”

Why had she even come in here? Wasn’t it just to hear what they were going to talk about? What else could it be these days except Chen Zai’s marriage?

And now they were kicking her out? What was that supposed to mean?

Though clearly unwilling, Du Kang still poured tea into Chen Zai’s cup, set down the teapot, and walked out.

Chen Zai spoke unhurriedly. “Grandfather, I have a son.”