Chapter 18
Qu Tongqiu woke up groggily, his head spinning.
He had thought he wouldn’t sleep all night, but instead he fell into an unusually deep sleep.
The dream was dark and profound, pulling him in so deeply he couldn’t escape. Even after opening his eyes, he couldn’t tell reality from illusion. Dreaming seemed to consume a lot of energy; his whole body felt weak and limp.
When he finally realized that he was clinging to Ren Ningyuan in a position even worse than an octopus, far beyond the scope of mere “impropriety,” cold sweat immediately broke out all over him. He still remembered about sixty or seventy percent of what happened last night—how he had gone to confront Chu Mo, made a drunken scene, and how Ren Ningyuan later comforted him.
Ren Ningyuan had told him to undress and sleep, gave him honey water to sober up, and after that, he remembered nothing.
That blank in his memory, combined with fragments of some kind of erotic dream, frightened Qu Tongqiu so much that he didn’t even dare breathe loudly, afraid of waking Ren Ningyuan.
He sat there dazed for a long while. It must have been a confused, displaced spring dream. He couldn’t remember the details, but in the hazy depths, there had been real pleasure.
Looking at the bed, which had been thoroughly messed up, and the tired look on Ren Ningyuan’s sleeping face, he thought that when he was drunk he must have let his animal nature run wild and tangled Ren Ningyuan up terribly. He just didn’t know whether he had done anything even more disrespectful afterward.
Fearful, Qu Tongqiu quietly crawled to the side. Just as he did, Ren Ningyuan’s eyelashes fluttered and he opened his eyes. Qu Tongqiu panicked. “Ren Ningyuan…”
Ren Ningyuan looked at him, gave a slightly sleepy “Mm,” then said, “Morning. What time is it?”
Qu Tongqiu looked at the clock, then suddenly jumped up. “I have to go to work!”
Ren Ningyuan sat up. “If you’re late, just take a day off and rest. It’s not a big deal.”
“No, I can’t…” Qu Tongqiu hurriedly pulled on his clothes. “I’m leaving…”
He rushed out the door with his coat half on and his bag under his arm, then immediately turned back in a panic.
“What’s wrong?”
“I forgot my watch…” Qu Tongqiu rummaged around the bedside.
“It’s not important. You can see the time anywhere.”
“I… I’m used to it…” Without it, he would feel all day like something was missing.
Ren Ningyuan smiled as he watched him fluster about.
Finally, the man found what he was looking for in the gap between the bedside table and the bed. He grabbed it and hurriedly said, “I’m leaving…”
Ren Ningyuan called out to him. “No need to rush. I’ll drive you. You’ll make it on time.”
Sitting side by side with Ren Ningyuan in the car, in that enclosed, private space, the silence made Qu Tongqiu feel uneasy and awkward.
“Ren Ningyuan…”
“Mm?”
“Thanks for last night. I drank too much…”
Ren Ningyuan smiled. “You’re like that when you’re drunk. It’s nothing.”
Seeing that Ren Ningyuan showed no displeasure at all, and that it really did seem like he hadn’t been treated badly, Qu Tongqiu finally relaxed.
“About Chu Mo… I’ll go apologize another day…” His hard-won courage had been used in the wrong place, making Chu Mo truly angry. He didn’t know how he would be retaliated against.
Ren Ningyuan smiled lightly. “You don’t have to take it so seriously. I’ll say a word to him. It’ll be fine.”
Knowing Ren Ningyuan would step in to protect him made Qu Tongqiu feel lightheaded. “Then you driving me today… won’t you be short on sleep?”
“I can arrange my own time.”
Indeed, Ren Ningyuan wasn’t like Qu Tongqiu had imagined, someone who had to stay up all night just to run a bar. Busy or free, he was always calm and composed. Still, this completely out-of-the-way “ride” made Qu Tongqiu feel deeply flattered.
Ren Ningyuan was really too good to someone as insignificant as him.
Even during rush-hour traffic, Ren Ningyuan managed to drop him off at the company entrance before work time. Qu Tongqiu got out of the car and kept thanking him. “Thank you so much.”
Ren Ningyuan smiled, waved to him through the window, and then slowly drove away.
All day long, Qu Tongqiu looked radiant, as if he had endless energy. A bit of hangover was nothing. He didn’t feel tired at all—on the contrary, he was full of drive, and not a single mistake appeared in the accounts he handled.
Near the end of the workday, a colleague came to call him and saw the neat stack of finished work on his desk. “You finished all this in just one day? Did something good happen? You look so energetic.”
Nothing particularly good had happened. He just inexplicably felt in a great mood, a sweet taste lingering in his heart, making him constantly cheerful.
“Oh right, someone’s looking for you outside. A foreigner.”
“A foreigner?”
Qu Tongqiu shut down the computer, grabbed his bag, and went out. The visitor was indeed a tall foreign man, well-featured, but with a violent aura about him. Qu Tongqiu couldn’t recognize him and stammered tentatively in English, “So, sorry… you, you are…?”
“You’re Qu Tongqiu, right?”
After getting confirmation, the man extended his hand. His Chinese was very fluent. “Call me Richard.”
“Hello…”
“We’ve met before.”
Richard stretched out his arm, revealing the tattoos along it. His muscles flexed, and combined with his stature, it made several coworkers who were getting off work detour around them in alarm.
“We’ve both changed. I couldn’t recognize you either,” Richard reminded him. “We met at Yang Miao’s bar. I beat you up pretty badly.”
Qu Tongqiu suddenly remembered the Nordic man who had harassed Yang Miao and whom he had fought with. He immediately took a step back, on guard. “What do you want?”
Richard put his hands back into his pockets, the muscles in his arms still threatening. “Let’s find a place to talk.”
Qu Tongqiu was practically half-dragged into a restaurant. Thinking of the disaster caused by his moment of impulsiveness back then, he couldn’t help feeling nervous. “Are you here on behalf of Qiao Si?” He hadn’t expected that even after more than ten years, he still couldn’t escape this matter.
Richard paused slightly. “Qiao Si’s matter ended long ago. Aren’t you one of Ren Ningyuan’s people? How could you not know?”
No one had ever told him about what happened afterward. Qu Tongqiu only knew that Ren Ningyuan must have spent a great deal of effort cleaning up the mess he had caused.
“After that head injury, Qiao Si stepped down not long after.”
The guilt Qu Tongqiu had carried for many years resurfaced vividly. “He… he couldn’t be the boss anymore because I beat him so badly?”
“Not exactly. The injury wasn’t that serious. But it happened so suddenly. With Qiao Si injured and unable to manage things for a while, others took the chance to stir up internal conflict.” Richard shrugged. “There was nothing that could be done. Ren Ningyuan is a ruthless character—young and formidable. We all underestimated him back then. Who would’ve thought he’d gain such a huge advantage?”
“…”
“That area stayed in their hands for several years, and they ran it even better than Qiao Si. Now someone else has taken over, but when people mention Chu Mo and Ren Ningyuan, they’re still full of respect. That’s where they started, and that’s how they got where they are today.”
Qu Tongqiu listened, stunned.
“Speaking of it, you—the one who injured Qiao Si—were actually the contributor. Without that blow from you, things might’ve turned out completely different. They wouldn’t have what they have today. Ren Ningyuan really ought to reward you properly. Anything he gives you would be deserved.”
Qu Tongqiu felt uneasy and swallowed. “Actually, Ren Ningyuan… he runs a bar now. The business is big, but it’s all from his own hard work. It’s not that exaggerated…”
Richard frowned. “You’re joking, right? You think Ren Ningyuan would be satisfied with just running a host bar? Those years he spent in S City weren’t for nothing.”
Qu Tongqiu’s throat went dry, yet he swallowed again.
“But he is low-key, that’s true. Talking about this is meaningless anyway. I didn’t come today for those matters. I’m here to talk to you about something personal.”
“What personal matter?” Qu Tongqiu couldn’t imagine what kind of private connection he could have with this man.
“Do you remember Yang Miao?”
“Yang Miao!” How could Qu Tongqiu forget this man’s past intentions toward his girlfriend? He hadn’t expected that after so many years, he still wouldn’t let go. He immediately became wary.
“Yes. I know you’re still in contact after the divorce.”
It was hard for them to truly be “friends after parting.” There was contact, but very little—just photos and updates about Qu Ke once a year. Yang Miao had always felt guilty about the divorce and no longer disturbed the father and daughter, keeping her promise not to contact Qu Ke privately. Everyone had their own lives, reaching a subtle balance.
Qu Tongqiu thought that no matter what happened today, he absolutely couldn’t let this villain know where Yang Miao was.
Richard looked at the thin Eastern man in front of him, his whole body tense. “I don’t know if she ever told you. I’m her husband now.”
Qu Tongqiu was silent for a long time.
Each piece of news this man brought was more shocking than the last. His mind went blank, his vision blurred for a moment before he reacted. “But Yang Miao… she was very afraid of you…”
“You don’t know what happened between us.”
The food had been served. Richard gestured for him to take his knife and fork. “Before Yang Miao came to S City, we already knew each other. We had a relationship long before that.”
“…”
“I know she has feelings for me. But our relationship was bad from the start, and there were many misunderstandings in between. She loved me in her heart, but she was never willing to forgive me or accept me.”
Qu Tongqiu picked up his utensils, but couldn’t eat a thing. All he could see was the other man’s mouth opening and closing.
“When she decided to marry you, it was a huge blow to me. For those two years, I was very depressed and did many extreme things. Luckily, she eventually returned to my side.”
“…”
“I know you’re unwilling to accept this. But the past between her and me is something you can’t imagine, and can’t intervene in. We went through a lot together. She chose you not because she truly fell in love with you, but to escape from me.”
“Don’t talk nonsense!” Qu Tongqiu slammed down his fork, his teeth chattering as he gritted them. “She chose me because there was real love between us! She even had a child for me! Without true love, why would she marry me?”
“Sorry. I’m just telling you the truth. Yes, Yang Miao liked you, but the person she loved most was me.”
Qu Tongqiu’s hands shook uncontrollably. “…Anyway, Yang Miao has already gone back to you. You’ve won. Why come and tell me all this now?”
He didn’t need this kind of truth. He would rather remain a fool who had once been happy.
He had always believed that in that short marriage, he had finally been the rightful protagonist for once. But it turned out he was just a supporting character passing through someone else’s love story—his only purpose was to help the protagonists realize their true love.
Richard hesitated slightly. “I’m very, very sorry, but this is something I have to talk to you about.”
Qu Tongqiu stared at him with reddened eyes.
“It’s about Qu Ke.”
Qu Tongqiu’s eyes flew wide open. Certain associations made his hair stand on end. Anger tightened his whole body as he clenched his teeth. “Sorry, I’m leaving.”
The other man grabbed his shoulder. “Hear me out. I know this is hard for you to accept. But based on the timing calculated from her birthday, during that period… I also had relations with Yang Miao. There’s a possibility—”
Qu Tongqiu violently shook off his hand and stood up. His eyes were bloodshot, his face flushed as if it might drip blood. “Enough! Little Ke is my daughter! And she only recognizes me as her father! She has nothing to do with you!”
“Calm down first—”
“Even if you pester me, I won’t let you see her!”
“I’ve already seen her.”
Qu Tongqiu stared at him, pupils dilating.
Richard said calmly and firmly, “Yang Miao never told me she had a daughter. But she took Little Ke out more than once, and I found out. So we officially met. Little Ke is very lovely. She’s accepted me as her stepfather and doesn’t reject me at all.”
Qu Tongqiu’s head buzzed again. He couldn’t believe his ears. “X-Little Ke went to see Yang Miao?”
“You didn’t know?”
“…”
Richard studied his expression. “It seems that although Little Ke is still young, she’s already very sensible. She can make her own decisions.”
Qu Tongqiu stood there blankly.
Without realizing it, his daughter had grown to the point of hiding things from him, and he hadn’t noticed at all.
What else was there that he hadn’t seen?
Richard continued, “I want to do a DNA test. If she’s my daughter, compared to you, we can definitely give her a better living environment. Of course, don’t worry—I’ll give you compensation that satisfies you.”
Qu Tongqiu’s eyes nearly split open. “Don’t even think about it.”
“We have the right to do this test.”
“I don’t agree!”
“Then I’ll have to get a lawyer.”
Qu Tongqiu glared at the muscular man he had once feared, eyes blazing red. “Do whatever you want!”
He left the restaurant but didn’t go home. He wandered the streets alone until midnight. He felt irritable, his stomach burning like fire. He could only keep walking back and forth, yet his body was icy cold, shivering uncontrollably.
Cheated on him, used him as a substitute, deceived him into guarding her with sincere devotion for so many years—and now they wanted to come and take away what little he had left.
He was pathetic. So pathetic that he was afraid to let Ren Ningyuan see this side of him.
For the first time, he made up his mind to call Yang Miao and asked her out. Over the past year, he hadn’t written or contacted her at all; he hadn’t even known she’d also come to T City.
After so many years, Yang Miao’s voice sounded both familiar and strange. Just hearing it stirred memories that made his heart ache with a dazed sadness.
It was as if he’d suddenly gone back to many years ago.
Back then, he knew nothing. Life had been so simple, so whole.
In the blink of an eye, it had become like this—something that couldn’t be pieced back together. He didn’t even know who to blame.
Yang Miao drove herself there. She was already close to forty, yet she had taken good care of herself, even looking younger than him. Compared to ten years ago, she was a bit fuller, her complexion fresh. Though she looked rushed, her clothes and hair were refined just right—beautiful and appropriate. The moment she got out of the car, Qu Tongqiu almost didn’t recognize her.
He had thought he would never see her again, couldn’t even imagine what it would be like to meet. Yet when they actually faced each other, it was unexpectedly easy. Without him, she seemed to have lived quite well.
He should have been happy for her, but inside, it still felt like a huge hole had cracked open.
They stood by the fountain in the square. Yang Miao spoke first. “You’ve lost a lot of weight.”
Qu Tongqiu answered honestly, “You look pretty good.”
“These years… you’ve had it hard.”
“It’s okay…”
They stood there silently for a while. Qu Tongqiu steadied himself. “Your husband came to see me.”
Yang Miao looked a little awkward. “Yes. He already told me. I’m really sorry.”
Qu Tongqiu said decisively, “I couldn’t reason with him. Please tell him for me—I will never give Little Ke to you.”
“I know. I owe you. You’ve raised Little Ke alone all these years; it’s been very hard. Emotionally and logically, I can’t bring myself to compete with you.” Yang Miao lowered her head slightly. “But don’t blame Richard either. He has his difficulties. He was injured later on, and in the ten-plus years we’ve been together, we haven’t been able to have another child.”
Qu Tongqiu froze.
“So once he knew about Little Ke, he couldn’t control himself. He’s emotionally agitated—please be understanding.”
“…”
“I hope you’ll agree to let Little Ke and Richard do a DNA test. If they’re not father and daughter, Richard won’t keep pestering you.”
“…”
And if they were… Qu Tongqiu pressed his lips tightly together. He couldn’t say it.
“Little Ke doesn’t really look mixed-race. I think the possibility isn’t that big. But for Richard, even if there’s only a one-in-ten-thousand chance, he won’t give it up. You might as well let him do the test, so he can completely give up.”
Qu Tongqiu thought for a while. He didn’t dare mention blood types—once said out loud, it would be like admitting his daughter truly wasn’t his.
“Well… not all mixed-race kids look typical…”
“That’s true.” Yang Miao also fell silent, hesitating to speak. “If… they are father and daughter, with Richard’s personality, he’ll definitely try every possible way to fight for her.”
“That’s why I asked you out. You’re his wife—I think he loves you very much,” Qu Tongqiu said with great difficulty. “He’ll listen to you. Please tell him I’ve raised Little Ke for twelve years. I only have her. Our bond is very strong. She won’t want a second father. We can’t be separated…”
“Tongqiu,” Yang Miao grabbed his hand. “Listen to me. It’s useless. You can’t win against him. I hope we can settle this privately and not go to court. This is for your own good. I’ll persuade him to give you as much compensation as possible, so you can live well for the rest of your life, Tongqiu…”
The man she was holding seemed to sense something and grew flustered. “Tell him it’s useless to take Little Ke away. She won’t be able to accept it. Even if she’s awarded to you, she might still run back to me. Don’t force it…”
“Tongqiu, be realistic. Actually, Little Ke really gets along well with us.”
“…”
“Don’t scold her. Our meeting was purely by chance. She didn’t know what I look like now, but I knew her. I recognized her the moment I saw her. Before that, I didn’t even know you’d come to T City. Later she went to M City with friends, and I happened to be there on business. I ran into her again and sent her back.”
“I think it was fate… I couldn’t help but go to her school to see her again. She wasn’t completely without impression of me, and she didn’t dislike me. She accepted me very quickly.”
“…”
“Tongqiu, blood ties don’t fade. She still wants a complete family—we can give her that, but you can’t. And who doesn’t want better living conditions?
“For her future life, we can help her a lot. You still can’t. I think she understands all this very clearly.
“A child’s thoughts aren’t necessarily as simple as you imagine. They can be very complicated too.”
Qu Tongqiu could no longer speak. He only stared at her in a daze.
“If Richard insists on going to court, I can’t stop him. And I will definitely help him—he is my husband.”
He stood there with slumped shoulders, his eyes already slightly red.
“I’m sorry. But honestly, even though you and Little Ke have a deep bond, she also likes us very much. She may not necessarily choose you. If you lose the advantage emotionally, and we truly can provide her with a better environment, the judgment will consider the child’s best interests. The possibility that Little Ke will be awarded to her two biological parents is quite high. By then, you may not even get reasonable compensation.
“Tongqiu, you’re an honest person. Don’t suffer this kind of loss again…”
Yang Miao tightly held his trembling hand. “I’m sorry. But even without Little Ke, you can still have other children. Richard, on the other hand, has almost no hope. So please be understanding.”
Qu Tongqiu wanted to say this wasn’t something grown in a vegetable garden—something you could just plant again if you gave it away.
The ten-plus years he and Qu Ke had depended on each other might mean nothing in other people’s eyes. Maybe even grown-up Qu Ke would think it meant nothing. But who would ever give those years back to him?
