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Fu Jingcheng’s smile widened when he saw Xie Qingcen nod.
An online forum had once told him that the best way to get over a past relationship was to start a new one.
His mom loved his dad so deeply. Now that they were getting divorced, she was definitely heartbroken. So—as her son, he needed to help her forget the sadness.
And the best way to do that was…
Fu Jingcheng’s big eyes sparkled as he looked directly at Xie Qingcen. His little fox-like smile was cunning and adorable.
With a clear and confident voice, he asked:
“Uncle, would you be willing to be my dad?”
Xie Qingcen’s eyes flickered ever so slightly, a dark emotion flashing through their depths.
He lowered his gaze to look at the small boy—who barely reached his knee—and gave a slight smile.
“Why are you so determined to make me your dad? Where’s your biological father?”
Fu Jingcheng paused.
In his heart, Fu Yanci wasn’t a father—he was just a stranger who held the title.
Someone who ignored them time and again.
Someone who abandoned him and his mother over and over.
And ever since he’d decided to have his mom divorce Fu Yanci, that man had already died in his heart.
A man who could walk and talk, but whom he would never expect anything from again.
Fu Jingcheng pressed his lips together, his gaze dimmed slightly, and he replied to Xie Qingcen:
“I only have a mom. I don’t have a dad.”
After he said it, he paused.
To his surprise, speaking the words out loud didn’t hurt as much as he imagined.
In fact—he felt oddly relieved.
He clenched his little fists and nodded firmly, as if reassuring both Xie Qingcen and himself.
Yes. From now on, he no longer had a dad.
Xie Qingcen was taken aback, his pitch-black eyes locked tightly on Fu Jingcheng, lips pressed in a thin line.
He didn’t speak for a long while.
Fu Jingcheng got anxious.
He jumped down from the chair and ran in front of Xie Qingcen, blinking his grape-like eyes quickly as he launched into a heartfelt pitch:
“Uncle, I swear—my mom is the best and most perfect woman in the world! If you marry her, you’ll never regret it! And she even comes with a smart and adorable little bonus—me! You’re guaranteed to win big, no loss at all!”
His serious and sincere act was vivid and genuine—cunning and honest at the same time.
Xie Qingcen finally snapped out of it. He couldn’t help but chuckle and shake his head.
He lifted his eyes to look at the fragile woman lying silently on the hospital bed. A strange light flickered in his gaze.
No dad, huh?
Then maybe… this was worth a try.
He spoke gently, his voice calm and cool like a mountain spring:
“Little one, does your mom know what you’re planning?”
Fu Jingcheng blinked, confused by the question.
He didn’t catch the deeper meaning behind Xie Qingcen’s words—he just assumed the man was trying to brush him off.
He pouted unhappily.
“Do you want to be my dad or not? Lying to kids will make your nose grow long, you know!”
“Uncle Xie, trust me—my mom—”
“Fu Jingcheng!”
Before he could finish, a cool and slightly raspy voice cut him off from behind.
The back of his neck instantly stiffened.
He turned around slowly—and came face to face with his mom’s ice-cold stare.
A chill ran down his spine.
He blinked and stammered, “M-Mom… you’re awake…”
On the hospital bed, Ruan Liuzheng’s clear almond-shaped eyes were already wide open.
She stared straight at Fu Jingcheng.
Her pale lips were pressed into a tight line, her fair face tinged with a faint anger.
Fu Jingcheng’s heart clenched. He instinctively jumped off the chair and put his hands behind his back. Before his brain could catch up, his mouth had already blurted:
“Mom, I’m sorry! I was wrong!”
Ruan Liuzheng closed her eyes for a moment, her temples throbbing hard.
But she didn’t scold him—not yet. With an outsider present, she still wanted to give Fu Jingcheng some dignity.
She lifted her gaze past her son, her expression softening with guilt.
“Mr. Xie, I’m sorry. That was all nonsense from Chengcheng just now—please don’t take it seriously.”
Xie Qingcen shook his head gently and gave a faint smile.
“It’s alright. I really like Chengcheng. He’s adorable.”
Then his tone changed slightly, as he casually asked:
“But, Miss Ruan, why did Chengcheng say he doesn’t have a father?”
Ruan Liuzheng froze.
She lowered her gaze, her voice calm as she replied,
“I’m preparing for a divorce. And honestly, that person’s presence or absence makes no difference.”
She tugged at the corners of her lips, a hint of self-mockery in her tone.
“Sorry, Mr. Xie—you must think this is a joke.”
Xie Qingcen’s expression shifted.
He studied Ruan Liuzheng’s quiet, emotionless face and suddenly felt a strange discomfort in his chest.
Even though they’d only just met, he could clearly see: Ruan Liuzheng was a strong woman.
For her to be hurt this deeply, that man must have been a real piece of work.
A sharp glint flickered in Xie Qingcen’s eyes.
Then, his voice deepened slightly—carrying a faint note of comfort:
“If he doesn’t matter, then stop talking about him. In a life that has no do-overs, all we can do is try to be happy.
Being loved is wonderful—but not being loved is okay too. Because the person who truly loves you will come. Sooner or later.”
“Some people… just aren’t worth your sadness.”
Ruan Liuzheng’s heart trembled. Her clenched fist tightened a little.
After a long pause, she let out a quiet sigh and smiled.
“Mr. Xie, you’re a very rational person. I imagine being loved by you would be a very happy thing.”
Then she glanced at her watch and said softly,
“Mr. Xie, thank you for everything today. It’s getting late, you—”
But Xie Qingcen stood up from the couch, his brow arched in amusement as he cut her off:
“It is getting late—and you haven’t eaten all day. You must be starving. I’ll go buy you something.”
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked out of the hospital room, not giving her any chance to object.
Ruan Liuzheng stared blankly at his retreating back, her head beginning to throb.
For the first time in her life, she felt a kind of helpless awkwardness she couldn’t explain.
She didn’t like owing people favors—especially strangers.
Today was already a major exception.
But…
Ruan Liuzheng took a deep breath, and her stomach began to ache faintly again.
Fu Jingcheng stared at her, his big dark eyes shining brightly.
He just knew it!
His judgment was spot on!
Mom definitely liked Uncle Xie!
Just look—she couldn’t stop watching him walk away.
He spoke with excitement,
“Mom! Isn’t Uncle Xie super handsome?”
Ruan Liuzheng snapped out of her thoughts. Hearing her son’s voice, her expression darkened.
She remembered what he had just said and raised an eyebrow sharply.
Turning to face him, her voice grew stern:
“Fu Jingcheng! Why did you say those things to Uncle Xie? And why did you skip school today?”
“…Uh.”
Fu Jingcheng’s smile froze.
Crap.
He forgot he was still the “guilty party.”
His eyes darted around, and he tried to act innocent—with a hint of grievance.
“Mom, don’t you like Uncle Xie? I picked him out from the matchmaking park after looking around for a really long time!”
Ruan Liuzheng frowned deeply. She immediately picked up on the key point in his words.
Her tone turned cold.
“You even went to a matchmaking park? Fu Jingcheng, how many things have you been hiding from me? You better tell me everything, right now!”