But at this moment, hearing Zhou Shiyan say all these things, Liu Changqing suddenly felt a pang of heartache for the little girl in front of him. She was clearly so small.

So young.

And yet she had come to understand so much, so early.

Compared to her, his own daughter had been protected too well—naive and carefree, with no awareness of the dangers of society.

Zhou Shiyan, when she was about Xiazhi’s age, had already started helping her mother with chores…

That was something Liu Changqing had learned from Lan Yixian in the past.

Zhou Shiyan pressed her lips together, calming her emotions a little.

She slowly let out a breath.

"When we left your house, it was still dark. My mom and I got up early to pack our things, and we even cleaned up the place. We didn’t bring anything when we came, but we couldn’t leave it messy when we left."

"……"

"Uncle Liu… you know, I was really happy during the time we lived with you all."

Her tone slowed down. It seemed she was reminiscing about the days the five of them lived together in that somewhat shabby home.

"Even though my mom didn’t say anything after we left, I could tell she was really sad. Before we even moved in, my mom had told me you were a good person—responsible and kind..."

"Later, I told my mom not to give up. Even though she told me not to get involved, I knew she was still hoping to see you again. Until Liu Zhiyue told me you were living with Aunt An."

"Then I heard from my mom that you and Aunt An had registered your marriage. She also told me about her pregnancy. That’s when I knew… everything was settled. I didn’t want my mom to get in between you two, and she wouldn’t do that either. That’s why after she found out Aunt An was pregnant, she gave up on everything she’d worked toward, let go of her hopes, and focused on her business."

After she said that, Zhou Shiyan fell silent.

But her eyes were still fixed on Liu Changqing, with no intention of hiding anything. Today, she was determined to do something for her mother.

Zhou Shiyan loved her mom more than anything—the woman who had cared for her for so long.

But during her time with Liu Zhiyue, she had slowly developed feelings for him.

Because of that, she also cherished the plush toy she had won from the dart game with him.

And the hair clip he gave her—she adored it.

She slowly raised her hand and touched the hair clip pinned in her hair.

After pausing for a moment, she took it off and slipped it into her jacket pocket.

After doing all this, Zhou Shiyan seemed to have made up her mind.

The last bit of hesitation in her heart disappeared.

"My mom decided to move to City B because she wanted to leave this place. And I agreed to go with her because… I don’t want to see her wear that sad expression anymore.

I told you earlier—I like Liu Zhiyue, I like your son. But I can’t allow myself to like him…

Because as long as we’re together, my mom will keep seeing you, and she’ll keep feeling that pain."

"So that’s the reason you’re going to City B too?"

Liu Changqing finally spoke.

He looked at Zhou Shiyan, who had just said so much, his face more serious than ever. Zhou Shiyan met his gaze and answered.

"Yes, that’s my reason."

"……"

Falling silent, Liu Changqing thought for a long time.

"You haven’t told Zhiyue you’re leaving after the exams?"

"No."

Answering his question, Zhou Shiyan continued.

"That’s why I took a day off to find you today. I wanted to ask you—please, don’t tell Liu Zhiyue about this."

"If I don’t tell him, he’ll still find out after you leave. And he’ll definitely try to find out where you went. He’s my son—I know how he thinks."

"Then let’s just hide it for now. City B is so big—he won’t find me."

"……"

"Besides… I’ll figure out a way to get him and Zhao Xuanwen together. That way, over time, he’ll forget about me."

"……"

In silence, Liu Changqing stared at Zhou Shiyan, who had just said that. She looked back at him.

They stood like that for who knew how long, until suddenly Liu Changqing showed a faint smile.

He raised his hand and gently patted Zhou Shiyan on the head.

To him… she was still just a child.

No matter how mature she seemed or how independent her thoughts were.

A child was still a child. That’s why she had such naïve ideas.

And… such extreme ones.

She really thought that pushing the person she liked toward someone else would make him forget her?

So naïve.

Liu Changqing knew his son too well.

That boy… was not like others.

As Liu Changqing gently patted her head, Zhou Shiyan didn’t understand why.

She was just about to speak when she heard him say—

"I never realized you had so much going on in that little head of yours…"

"Uncle Liu…"

"But I’m sorry—I can’t grant your request."

Withdrawing his hand, Liu Changqing looked at Zhou Shiyan’s slender frame.

A child like this… what kind of pain had she endured to become like this?

She must’ve been deeply hurt to make such a decision.

Liu Changqing’s heart ached for her.

He really felt for this child.

"If I don’t tell Zhiyue, he’ll definitely go looking for you once you’re gone. But I still need to stay home and take care of Aunt An. If something happened to him while he’s out there alone—how do you think I’d feel?"

"He won’t… With Zhao Xuanwen around, he won’t come find me…"

"He’s my son—I know him better than you do."

Liu Changqing firmly rejected her reasoning.

"Zhiyue is very smart. No matter how much you try to hide it, he’ll find out eventually. Your plan was flawed from the very start."

"……"

"And about your mother—I want to say sorry. But you should understand, I’m already a married man. I think Lan Yixian knows that too. Her decision to go to City B isn’t as complicated as you imagine. She just wants to give you a better life. After all, the salary Chen Dafu’s father offered is really high…"

At that, Liu Changqing looked into Zhou Shiyan’s eyes.

He could faintly see the shadow of Lan Yixian in her features—that woman who had once lived in his home and gave comfort to his weary self.

Liu Changqing was very grateful to Lan Yixian.

But that was it.

He didn’t want An Yuanyao to suffer that kind of pain again.

He didn’t want that woman, who was carrying his children and giving him everything, to be hurt.

That decision—

Was made the moment he accepted An Yuanyao.

And it would never leave his heart.