CHAPTER 35: CHAPTER 35: THE CONTRADICTORY EX-WIFE

Shen Wanting listened to Qi Yun’s words, her eyelashes trembling slightly, yet she remained silent.

It wouldn’t be quite right to say she doesn’t love her daughter.

After all, having carried her for ten months and raised her by her side for four or five years, there must be a bond.

But her personality is that of a ’refined egoist’.

In her heart, her quality of life and future development sometimes outweigh her emotions.

She is now only 29 years old, even after having two children, her appearance and figure are still very remarkable, and there are endless possibilities for her future.

Because of this, she could decisively let the Qiu Family take her young son.

So, even if her heart holds her daughter, it doesn’t stop her from temporarily setting aside this love for her own future.

At this moment, Shen Wanting is rapidly weighing the pros and cons in her mind...

After a long time, she finally raised her head, a complex expression flashing in her eyes.

"Qi Yun, I know you’re doing this for Nuannuan, but I’m her mother too. Of course, the house is important to me, but Nuannuan weighs heavier in my heart."

"You say that it would be inconvenient for me to date again with Nuannuan in tow, but I can choose not to date. I just want to accompany Nuannuan as she grows up."

Qi Yun looked at the woman before him, slightly furrowing his brows.

Six years ago, when she first came to his company as a receptionist, she also had this fragile, pitiable appearance.

So now, Qi Yun wouldn’t believe the nonsense she said at all, having long seen through the clever calculation hidden under her exterior.

He took two fierce drags of his cigarette, tossed the butt on the ground, stomped it out, then bent down to pick it up.

"If you don’t agree, we’ll have to see each other in court." After saying this, he threw the cigarette butt into a nearby trash can, then turned to open the car door.

Shen Wanting watched his actions, a sudden inexplicable panic rising in her heart.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say more, but found her throat blocked and couldn’t make a sound.

She could only watch wide-eyed as he opened the car door and sat inside.

In the car, Qi Yun rolled down the window and, holding his daughter, said, "Nuannuan, do you want to say goodbye to mom?"

The little girl obediently stuck out her head and said crisply to Shen Wanting, "Goodbye, mom."

Looking at her daughter’s adorable appearance, Shen Wanting’s brain was once again dominated by emotion.

The inner defenses collapsed instantly, tears bursting forth.

She no longer cared about maintaining her image, rushing to the car window in a few steps, and gripping Nuannuan’s little hand with a trembling voice, "Nuannuan, mom will miss you. You have to listen to dad, okay?"

Nuannuan blinked her big eyes, looking at Shen Wanting’s tearful face somewhat at a loss. She gently nodded, "Mom, don’t cry. I’ll be good."

Qi Yun looked at the tearful contradiction before him, his heart softened for a moment, but remembering her previous actions, he hardened his heart: "You should go home first and think about what I said."

Shen Wanting lifted her head, eyes full of pleading: "Qi Yun, give me one more chance, I really..."

Qi Yun didn’t listen to what she said, just furrowed his brow slightly, hugged his daughter inside, rolled up the window, and said to Peng Ge: "Let’s go."

The car slowly started, Shen Wanting chased it a few steps, until she couldn’t catch up anymore, she stopped, quietly watching the direction the car was heading.

Along the way, Nuannuan seemed to sense the strange atmosphere, leaning against Qi Yun quietly.

Peng Ge drove straight to Lao Feng’s hotpot restaurant, where the group that had come to help find his daughter earlier was present.

At this point, nearing evening, Lao Feng specially reserved two tables, inviting everyone to eat.

"Lao Qi, is your daughter all right?"

The little girl in Qi Yun’s arms blinked big eyes, curiously looking around.

Among these people, some she had seen before, but it was too long ago, she couldn’t remember.

The only familiar one was Xiao Huangmao, whom Qi Yun once took her to play on Lao Wang’s rocking horse outside the shop.

"She’s fine, sorry to trouble everyone today, thank you!" Qi Yun smiled and thanked the group.

Wei Yong waved his hand: "Lao Qi, no need for thanks among brothers, as long as your daughter is safe."

"Exactly, nothing’s more important than the child being safe."

"Nuannuan, right? Come let sister hold you..." The group agreed, and the atmosphere suddenly warmed.

Lao Feng specifically brought a few dishes for children, inviting everyone to sit: "Don’t just stand there, come sit, let’s eat."

Wei Yong’s wife, daughter, and sister-in-law took the little girl to the table next door.

The sister-in-law looked at Nuannuan’s cute appearance, her eyes shining strangely.

"Sis, this little girl really looks like Brother Qi, look at those big eyes, like they were carved from the same mold."

Such a beautiful child, if she could be with Brother Qi, she would surely love her like her own child, right?

At this moment, hearing the praise, Nuannuan put down the chicken claw in her hand, turned around seriously, and said, "Sister, you are also very pretty."

"Really? Haha..." The sister-in-law covered her mouth, laughing happily, "Do you like sister?"

"Yes, I do."

"You see, this little girl really is like her dad, quick-witted," Wei Yong’s wife echoed beside.

"..."

The meal lasted over two hours before everyone dispersed.

Peng Ge drove Qi Yun to buy some daily necessities for his daughter, then sent him back to Xia Ping Village.

It was too late today, Qi Yun initially wanted to book a hotel, but nearing the Spring Festival, many were closed, or had no rooms, so he had to settle for the rental room for the night.

He planned to use a small portion of the debt repayment money tomorrow to pay the balance on the judicial auction house, then go check its condition.

If it’s livable, they can move over first; the conditions will surely be better than the rental room.

The dim light illuminated the small room, and Nuannuan, familiar with the routine, walked in, kicked off her shoes by the bed, then jumped onto it.

Qi Yun was about to heat water for her to wash her face and feet when Lao Wang suddenly entered.

The little girl appeared to still remember him, greeted him cheerfully: "Grandpa Wang!"

"Hey." Lao Wang smiled and waved at Nuannuan, "Be good, Nuannuan, Grandpa Wang came to see you."

Then turned to Qi Yun and asked, "Is the child okay today?"

Qi Yun nodded slightly: "Nothing serious, I’m planning to bring her over to live with me in the future."

Upon hearing this, Lao Wang glanced around the small rental room, slightly furrowing his brow.

After a moment of silence, he took a key from his waistband and handed it over.

"There’s a room upstairs in the store, renovated. It was originally intended for Binzi’s wedding, but he won’t be needing it anytime soon. You should take the child there temporarily."