In the end, Su Xiajing insisted on returning to her own apartment.
Her manager, Zhang Zhang, had never received an answer about why Su Xiajing wanted a divorce. That afternoon, after returning from the set, she drove straight to Su Xiajing's apartment.
"You really want a divorce? Right after having a baby?"
"Yes."
Su Xiajing carefully leaned against her pillow and pulled the blanket over her stomach. "I've made up my mind. Zhang, sorry for the trouble, but could you help me find a reliable lawyer?"
"Why?"
"When you became famous, it was the perfect time to build your career, but you insisted on retiring to get married. Then you got pregnant right away. Now you've barely given birth, and you're talking about divorce. You have to give me a reason."
"Did you fight with Tang Beichen? Or did he cheat on you?"
"...Not yet."
"What do you mean, 'not yet'?"
"..."
After her daughter's warning, Su Xiajing had thought back carefully and realized that, ever since she first brought Tang Beichen home, Su Chuchu had always been particularly eager around him.
She was only two years younger than Su Xiajing, but she acted as though she were twelve years younger, always doing childish things to attract Tang Beichen's attention and acting coy with him.
Su Xiajing had once dismissed it as another bout of attention-seeking behavior. Now, looking back, she realized Su Chuchu had set her sights on Tang Beichen from the very beginning.
Even after they had a daughter, she was still waiting greedily for her chance.
Her daughter had said they would betray her and get together in a few years.
She didn't know exactly how many years, but Su Xiajing didn't want to waste her time on a relationship that couldn't withstand a test.
For her own sake, and for her daughter's.
She herself had lost her mother as a child. No matter how much her father loved her, he couldn't focus solely on her after remarrying. Once her younger brother was born, he neglected her even more, while her stepmother acted one way in public and another behind closed doors...
At that thought, an image suddenly flashed through Su Xiajing's mind: a little girl who looked very much like her, wearing clothes washed pale, gazing desperately at something. Then came an image of herself, her eyes vacant and her appearance barely human, staring in a certain direction with a foolish smile.
Image after image flashed through her mind like slides.
They were the two people she had dreamed about before waking up.
Only this time, she could see their faces.
They really were her and Tangtang.
A chill ran down Su Xiajing's spine, and her heart suddenly raced. Tang Tang's words echoed involuntarily in her mind again.
Shaken by lingering fear, Su Xiajing clenched her fists. "I can't explain the exact reason. Just consider me a fool who used to be blinded by love."
"I'm determined to get a divorce this time. But I've just given birth, and my body still can't handle much. I can't find a lawyer myself. Zhang, please help me."
"..."
"Once Tang Tang is a little older, I plan to gradually return to acting."
"Tang Beichen won't agree to a divorce."
"...I'll make him agree."
"..."
Su Xiajing was an extremely stubborn person. She had insisted on entering the entertainment industry despite her family's objections. Then, after making a name for herself, she had insisted on retiring and getting married despite everyone's opposition.
Zhang Zhang knew that, once she had decided to divorce, she would go through with it.
Other than praying that Tang Beichen could fend for himself, there was nothing she could do.
After checking on the sleeping Tang Tang, Zhang Zhang left Su Xiajing's apartment.
When Tang Tang woke that evening, the room was silent and empty.
Pretty Mommy didn't wake me up. Did someone steal me away and dump me while she wasn't looking?
Puzzled, Tang Tang raised her little hand and felt around her neck.
Good. Her Longevity Lock was still there.
The gold bracelets on her wrists were there too.
She wouldn't have to worry about going hungry for now.
Creak-
The bedroom door opened, and a furtive figure sneaked inside.
"I wonder if my precious Tangtang is awake."
"If she's still asleep, this trip will have been for nothing again."
Her scumbag dad, Tang Beichen, drew closer as he muttered.
He reached the crib and looked down. Their eyes met.
"..."
Tang Beichen waved awkwardly. "Hi, sweetheart. I'm Daddy."
Tang Tang: "..."
What a dope. Anyone who didn't know better would think he was an idiot.
The baby's face was still a little wrinkled, making her expression impossible to read, yet Tang Beichen could see disdain in his daughter's eyes.
"Look what Daddy brought you."
Tang Beichen raised a document, opened it, and showed her the gold-bar purchase certificate inside. "Look! This is Daddy's gift to you!"
"They're all gold bars. Real gold."
Tang Tang's eyes widened as she strained to make out the small print.
They were bought from a bank!
Genuine gold bars!
Oh, gold. Real gold.
I love it!
She babbled and reached out to grab it.
Tang Beichen put the purchase certificate into her hands.
"And this."
He held up a red property deed booklet. "This is the villa Daddy's giving you. But you're still little, and your household registration hasn't been sorted out yet, so we'll have to wait a while before transferring it into your name."
"This is a card Daddy's giving you. There's no spending limit. Buy whatever you like."
As expected of the Tang family's future head. What a generous spender!
Although he doesn't stay in charge for long before...
But none of that has anything to do with me. All I want is money and gold!
Tang Tang ignored the property deed and grabbed the black card instead.
Tang Beichen said, "...Does our Tangtang not like houses?"
Why won't I stay head of the Tang family for long?
Sweetheart, at least finish your thought first...
Tang Tang thought, I can't take a house with me. What would I want one for?
Gold and a card are much more convenient. Even if I get dumped again and end up out on the streets, I can still use these to get a decent meal.
Tang Beichen's expression darkened slightly.
Abandon his daughter and leave her to suffer on the streets?
Who would dare!
With the gold-bar purchase certificate in one hand and the black card in the other, gold bracelets on her little wrists and a gold Longevity Lock around her neck, Tang Tang blissfully basked in the aura of wealth without sparing him another glance.
Tang Beichen: "..."
Now that his daughter had gold, she had forgotten him again...
"Since our Tangtang likes it so much, how about Daddy gives you some every day?" Tang Beichen tried hard to win back his daughter's attention.
Sure enough, Tang Tang looked over.
Yes, yes! I love gold best!
But I'm about to be dumped, so I won't get to enjoy it for long.
You should just buy it all for me tomorrow. I really can't relax until I have it in my hands.
Tang Beichen: "..."
Why was his daughter so certain she would be abandoned?
But then, if he could hear his daughter's thoughts, it wasn't impossible that she knew a little about the future.
The most urgent thing was to find out who intended to abandon their precious baby behind his and Su Xiajing's backs.
"Then it's a deal."
Pretending not to have heard her thoughts, Tang Beichen deliberately said, "Starting tomorrow, I'll buy you some gold every day, so our Tangtang can become the richest child in the world!"
Tang Tang was frantic. Don't build it up day by day!
Tang Beichen held out his pinky. "Come on. Pinky promise with Daddy!"
Buy it tomorrow! Make me a rich girl tomorrow!
If you keep dragging this out, your dad will send me away, and your wish will never come true!
Tang Beichen's expression froze.
So the old man was behind it!
"What are you doing here?"
Just then, the bathroom door opened. After being wiped down with the maternity nurse's help, Su Xiajing came out supported by her.
Tang Beichen looked at her with a complicated expression.
She must have seen the old man arranging for someone to do it. That was why she had suddenly turned so cold toward him and insisted on returning to her own apartment.
She must have been so disappointed then.
"Darling, I'm sorry I made you so worried and scared."
Tang Beichen went over, scooped her into his arms, and carefully laid her on the bed before kissing her. "But don't worry. I absolutely won't let my dad hurt you or Tangtang."
Su Xiajing looked up in surprise. "You..."
"Yes."
Tang Beichen tucked the hair clinging to her cheek behind her ear. "I asked Auntie Chen who had visited your hospital room... Don't be afraid. As long as I'm here, no one is going to tear our family apart."
"I'm going back to talk to my dad right now. Wait for me."
Before you continue