Chapter 19: Acceptance

“No, I’ve been busy with a project for my professor lately. It’s just more convenient to stay at the school,” Su Baili explained with a smile, offering a half-truth. After all, the project with her professor was real, it was just that she wasn’t returning to school for the night.

She knew if she stayed longer, her “boyfriend” might start feeling jealous. It wouldn’t be easy to calm him down then.

Besides, no matter how close she grew to the Wang family, they could never compare to Qi Shenzhi in her heart. He was the one who mattered most to her, and everyone else had to take a back seat.

When her words reached the ears of Wang’s parents, they instantly relaxed. They’d remembered that their daughter had been an outstanding student, and she’d made it into B University, one of the top schools in the country. If they mentioned it back in the village, everyone would envy them, and they would stand taller in the community.

It was a huge deal, especially for a family that had struggled for generations. They would proudly add a special page to their family genealogy.

Of course, they couldn’t hold her back from her studies.

Wang father smiled brightly. “Alright then, studying is important. We won’t stop you. Whenever you’re free, you can come back and visit.”

“Can we keep in touch often?” Wang  Mother asked, her voice filled with tenderness. After all, Su Baili was the daughter they’d only just found, and her heart couldn’t stop overflowing with care.

Su Baili smiled warmly. “Of course, you’re always welcome to contact me.”

“Good, good!” Wang  Mother’s face lit up with joy. Her smile practically reached her ears.

However, Wang Linfeng, who had been standing to the side, was not pleased. He sulked silently, upset that his sister, who had only been there for a short while, was leaving so soon.

He stood there, looking like a wet, pitiful puppy.

Su Baili, noticing his mood, waved her hand at him. “Xiao Feng, come over here. You can contact me anytime. I’ll visit you on the weekends.”

“Really!?” Wang Linfeng perked up immediately, his face lighting up.

Su Baili nodded earnestly. “Really!”

“Then, okay… you better come!” Wang Linfeng’s mood instantly brightened. He grabbed a small cake from the table that hadn’t been eaten yet and said, “Take this back to school with you. Share it with your classmates. This place has great food.”

The way he said it, as if he were her guardian, gave her a feeling of warmth. It was like he was advising her to make good connections with her classmates.

But she appreciated it.

Su Baili smiled sweetly. “Thank you, Xiao Feng.”

“You’re welcome, it’s nothing.”

Wang Linfeng pretended to be nonchalant and turned away, but the red flush on his ears betrayed him.

Yet, with Su Baili’s smiling gaze fixed on him, he became even more embarrassed. He quickly changed the topic. “By the way, let me walk you out. It’s not very safe here at night. You shouldn’t walk alone, especially as a girl.”

“Alright, then… Dad… Mom… I’ll see you later?” Su Baili called out, her voice soft and hesitant.

This was the first time in over twenty years that she’d called anyone “Dad” or “Mom,” and she still wasn’t fully used to it.

Her hesitation only made Wang’s parents even happier. They felt like they’d been blessed with the most thoughtful daughter.

They couldn’t believe how much things had changed since the afternoon when she had called them “uncle” and “aunt.” Now, she was calling them “Dad” and “Mom.” This was a huge sign of her acceptance, and their hearts swelled with joy.

For them, this wasn’t just about the words; it was about the bond that was finally forming.

The moment Su Baili called them “Dad” and “Mom,” it was as if their hearts had been bathed in sweet water. It was such a warm and joyful feeling that they could barely contain their emotions.

Wang  Mother snapped out of her daze first and quickly said, “Okay, okay, my good daughter. See you on the weekend.”

She then noticed that Wang father had still not responded, so she stretched out her arm and gave him a playful pinch on the soft part of his waist.

Wang father finally came back to his senses. But unlike Wang  Mother’s joyful expression, his eyes seemed to glisten with a few tears. To avoid embarrassment in front of their son, he turned his head away, unwilling to look at anyone.

“Aiya, it feels like something’s in my eye. I’m going to the bathroom to check. Baili, walk slowly. Call us in advance when you come back for the weekend. We’ll pick you up at the station. You mustn’t walk here alone at night.”

“Got it, Dad~” Su Baili responded with a smile, this time much more comfortable with the words. She found her calling him “Dad” much easier than before.

Wang father stiffened again, and without looking back, he rushed into the bathroom. If one listened carefully, they could even hear faint sobs coming from inside.

Wang  Mother shook her head in mock resignation. “Look at him! He’s so emotional! You two pretend you didn’t see anything. Your father still cares about his pride…”

Wang Linfeng and Su Baili exchanged a glance and nodded in agreement, holding back their laughter.

Down the hallway, after putting on their shoes, the two slowly made their way downstairs. As they walked, Wang Linfeng’s voice could be heard, full of concern. “The hallway light’s been broken for a while, no one’s come to fix it. Be careful when you walk, if it’s too dark, hold onto me…”

“Okay~”

As their voices faded away, Wang  Mother finally closed the door with a knowing smile.

A few moments later, Wang father hobbled out of the bathroom, leaning heavily on his cane. His eyes were still red, a clear sign of having cried.

“They’ve left?” he asked, his voice a bit shaky.

“Of course, they left. Aiya, so you’ve finally come out, huh?” Wang  Mother teased with a playful look, making Wang father feel a bit embarrassed.

“Alright, stop looking at me like that. It’s impolite…” Wang father grumbled.

Wang  Mother shrugged, then let the conversation shift to a more serious note. “I didn’t expect Xiao Feng to be so thoughtful. When they were heading downstairs, he even reminded Baili to be careful.”

“He’s grown up,” Wang father nodded, a hint of pride in his voice. Nothing made him happier than seeing his children getting along.

He thought back to the days when Xiao Feng and Lin Qiyan couldn’t stand each other. They had fought like cats and dogs every time they met. He knew that Xiao Feng had simply been bothered by Lin Qiyan’s behavior—how reckless and inconsiderate she had been, never showing any remorse for her actions, even causing him to become disabled.

At the time, he believed that harmony in the family was the most important thing, so he tried to encourage Xiao Feng to be more patient with Lin Qiyan. But he now realized that it had been a mistake. Xiao Feng’s tolerance only enabled Lin Qiyan’s arrogance, and eventually, their relationship soured.

He also knew that as a father, he hadn’t fulfilled his responsibilities. But now, with Lin Qiyan living her ideal life with her biological parents, Xiao Feng was able to have a better relationship with his true sister. Things were improving in the right direction.

Wang  Mother seemed to be thinking the same thing. She patted Wang father on the shoulder in an attempt to comfort him. “It’s for the best. Lin Qiyan has her ideal family now, and she’s living a much better life than she ever would have with us. We don’t owe her anything. But as for Baili, we have to be extra good to her. I can see Xiao Feng really likes her, and the atmosphere at home will definitely be much better from now on.”

“You’re right,” Wang father sighed, feeling a sense of closure. From this moment on, they both understood clearly: the only daughter they would need to care for and love was Su Baili.