Ban Zhenye walked in carrying a pile of paperwork and forms, only to see Ji Xuan standing stiffly by the hospital bed, breathing hard from sheer frustration.

She had no idea what had just happened, but for some reason, she felt a deep, instinctive sympathy for Ji Xuan.

Ji Xuan pinched the bridge of his nose, took a deep breath, then looked over at Xiao Yu and said, “I’ll take care of the money. I’ve also arranged for a caregiver. Now… what’s my son’s name again?”

Xiao Ruoguang stood up proudly and said, “My name is Xiao Ruoguang, ungrateful-dad!”

Ji Xuan had, at this point, learned to mentally filter out the ‘ungrateful’ part. “Mm. Xiao Ruoguang, you’re coming home with me.”

But Xiao Ruoguang shook his head. “No, I’m staying. I need to take care of Mommy.”

Ji Xuan gently patted Xiao Ruoguang’s head. “Dad has already arranged a caregiver for your mom. She’ll take good care of her. All you need to do is visit her every day, okay?”

Xiao Ruoguang shook his head. “No, I can’t leave. If I’m not with Mommy, she’ll be lonely.”

Ji Xuan fell silent. After Xiao Yu’s parents passed away, she hadn’t had any other family. It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that, in this world, she was alone. He glanced over at Xiao Yu, who, despite hearing that Ji Xuan was planning to take Xiao Ruoguang, didn’t cry or protest. She just sat quietly, watching them.

Ji Xuan sighed. “Okay, you stay with Mommy. The caregiver will take care of everything else. You just need to keep her company, alright? You don’t have to do everything yourself.”

Xiao Ruoguang seemed to understand a little, but he still looked confused. He knew what a caregiver was—there were two other elderly patients in the room with caregivers who charged 300 yuan a day.

Then Xiao Ruoguang tugged at Ji Xuan’s sleeve. “Dad, can you give me the money for the caregiver? I can take care of Mommy.”

Ji Xuan: “…” My son is so pitiful. Ji Xuan’s heart almost broke, as he spoke with a soft, tender voice, “Dad has money. I’ll cover the caregiver’s fees, and I’ll even give you some pocket money.”

Xiao Ruoguang blinked his big, doe-like eyes, his long eyelashes fluttering with each blink. He smiled and said, “Let me ask Mommy.”

Xiao Ruoguang turned to Xiao Yu and asked, “Mommy, Dad said he’ll give me pocket money. Is that okay?”

Xiao Yu nodded, Xiao Ruoguang then turned back to Ji Xuan, grinning widely. “Thank you, ungrateful-dad.”

Ban Zhenye, having put the papers down, cleared the trash from Xiao Yu’s table and told Ji Xuan she was going to find a caregiver before leaving.

Xiao Ruoguang, feeling pleased, lay back down next to Xiao Yu and quickly drifted off to sleep.

Now that he had some quiet, Ji Xuan finally took the chance to ask Xiao Yu, “Were you pregnant when you left?”

Xiao Yu nodded. “I was pregnant.”

Ji Xuan closed his eyes and, in a hoarse voice, asked, “Why didn’t you say anything? You know, if you had told me you were pregnant back then, I wouldn’t have let you leave.”

Though she wasn’t the same Xiao Yu as before, the memories of that Xiao Yu were still with her. She knew exactly why.

“I was bold enough to sign the divorce papers. How could I have stayed in the Ji family because of a child?” Xiao Yu replied.

Ji Xuan scoffed. “And how has life turned out for you?” He looked at her from head to toe, his gaze dripping with sarcasm.

Xiao Yu smiled lightly. “As you can see, no matter how hard life has been, for the past four years, I haven’t depended on the Ji family for anything. And the child? I’ve raised him on my own, up until now.”

Ji Xuan sneered. “Is this really how you think you’ve raised him?”

Xiao Yu wasn’t angry. She understood the dynamics of the story, and she knew that what had happened to Ji Yu after their separation couldn’t have been entirely coincidental.

“Xiaoguang has gotten a bit thinner, but he’s such a good kid. I wonder how Xiao Yu is doing now.”

Ji Xuan: “…” Damn.

“Oh yeah, Er Gouzi**…” (**Second dog/mutt)

“Shut up.” Ji Xuan quickly reached over and covered her mouth, scolding, “What are you shouting about?”

Xiao Yu shook her head innocently and said, “That was your childhood nickname. What’s the big deal?”

“I’m here now. From now on, you’re not allowed to call me that anymore.” Ji Xuan’s temples were throbbing in frustration.

Xiao Yu continued to act innocent. “Why make such a fuss? You can shut my mouth, but can you shut everyone else’s?”

Ji Xuan replied matter-of-factly, “I can.”

Xiao Yu: “…You didn’t really pay off everyone who knows your childhood nickname, did you?”

Ji Xuan was frustrated. “It’s my money. I’m spending it however I want.” What, do I need to ask you how I should spend the money I earned?

Xiao Yu: “…” Fool. If you weren’t paying people off, they wouldn’t know. But when you spend the money, they’ll know you care, and that just gives them something to hold over you.

Of course, Xiao Yu knew that this leverage only worked in small matters. When it came to big things, Ji Xuan was still very clear-headed.

So, she didn’t really mind. She casually said, “Fine, I won’t call you that then. By the way, tell Miss Ban to get a strong caregiver! I still need to do rehab, so make sure they know what’s needed!”

Ji Xuan looked at her, his expression clearly strained, then replied with a curt “Okay.” He gave Xiao Ruoguang a deep look and added, “I’ll take the kid to buy clothes.”

Xiao Yu nodded and added, “Make sure to buy something bigger! Kids grow fast.”

Ji Xuan: “…Can you at least be a little polite?”

Xiao Yu: “You’re his father. What’s there to be polite about when buying clothes?” Xiao Yu couldn’t be bothered to argue.

Ban Zhenye had already arranged for the caregiver, Big Sister Wang, who was a sturdy woman with broad shoulders. The price was not cheap—420 a day—but she was said to have plenty of experience.

Ji Xuan went over to wake Xiao Ruoguang, saying, “Xiaoguang, wake up. Daddy’s taking you to buy clothes.”

Xiao Ruoguang rubbed his eyes. “Buy clothes?”

Ji Xuan nodded, and Xiao Yu added, “Go ahead! Buy a few more items.”

Xiao Ruoguang happily nodded and took Ji Xuan’s hand as they left.

Xiao Ruoguang’s hands were cold, which showed that the child wasn’t immune to the cold—he was just used to it. Ji Xuan’s heart ached. He picked Xiao Ruoguang up and carried him out of the hospital. As they got into the car, Xiao Ruoguang looked around, clearly curious about the vehicle.

“Daddy, where are we going to buy clothes?”

Ji Xuan named a location, and the driver started the car. He couldn’t help but sneak a glance at the rearview mirror. He hadn’t expected this—his boss went in and came out with a son.

Xiao Ruoguang was very well-behaved in the car, not making a fuss. He just leaned against the window, gazing intently at the scenery outside. His thin frame, with exposed arms and clothes that had a bit of dirt on them, was a stark contrast to his clean hands.

Ji Xuan took Xiao Ruoguang to the largest children’s store in the city center. Xiao Ruoguang looked a bit dirty—his clothes were still from the summer, with two noticeable holes. It was clear he hadn’t had new clothes for a while. If it weren’t for Ji Xuan walking in with him, the store staff would probably have mistaken him for a little beggar.

Ji Xuan looked down at him and asked, “What kind of clothes do you like?”

Xiao Ruoguang glanced around, his eyes darting everywhere. Every piece of clothing was so beautiful. He stopped in front of a mannequin dressed in a little suit and shiny shoes.

It seemed like something came to his mind, and he reached out to touch it. The salesperson, standing nearby, quickly smiled and stopped him, saying, “Little one, you can’t touch the clothes.”

Xiao Ruoguang blinked and looked at the saleswoman. It was clear he had gotten used to being treated this way. He lowered his head and said softly, “Sorry.”

Ji Xuan furrowed his brow and shot a cold, disdainful glance at the salesperson. He sneered, “This is the first time I’ve heard that clothes on display can’t even be touched. What is it? Are these clothes made of gold? Call your manager.”

The salesperson froze, a little frightened, and stammered, “I-I didn’t mean it that way. I just thought these clothes might not be suitable for this little one.”

“Whether they’re suitable or not is my decision, not yours. Now, I’m the customer, and I want to see your manager,” Ji Xuan’s voice was cold as ice.

Xiao Ruoguang, holding Ji Xuan’s hand, looked up at him. It was the first time he truly understood what it meant to have a dad… so, this was what a dad was like!

=^_^=