The 321st operation concludes, ending the seventeen-year countdown.

When Alice said this, her expression was calm, and her eyes showed a sense of relief.

Having been tormented by hatred for so many years, she suddenly decided to let go and felt an indescribable sense of relief. This relief was something she had never experienced before, and it was not something that could be faked.

Perhaps Tina is right. Only when people truly let go can they live a carefree and relaxed life. Alice felt that she had never felt so relaxed and comfortable as she did at this moment. She looked sincerely at Xiao Yan, met his questioning eyes, smiled elegantly, and casually tucked the long hair that had slipped past her ear.

"What, do you still think I have some kind of conspiracy?"

"Haven't you always been like this?"

Xiao Yan knew far too much about Alice. He knew her hatred for Gu Huaikun and her dissatisfaction with the Gu family, but he never knew that she could so easily give up those hatreds and resentments in her heart. This was really not like the Alice in his mind at all.

Xiao Yan's words did not make Alice angry. She just looked at the pedestrians coming and going outside the hospital and wondered if the smiles on their faces were because they were thinking of the people waiting for them at home.

Alice thought that Tina should be waiting for her at home right now, and her heart warmed. She realized that such an ordinary life was so blissful. She had never thought about such a life before. Now, Alice felt that if she could live such an ordinary life with Tina for the rest of her life, it would be another kind of happiness.

"Xiao Yan, you will never understand the extent to which a mother is capable of doing for her children."

Alice withdrew her gaze and looked at Xiao Yan seriously. Upon hearing her words, Xiao Yan's brows suddenly furrowed. He thought of Gu Mingxia's expression before giving birth, when she insisted that he promise her that if anything happened, he must protect Xiao Qing'er. Her child was only in her womb and had not yet been born, yet Gu Mingxia was willing to give up her own life for Xiao Qing'er. So what about Alice?

She and Tina have depended on each other for twenty-one years. Shouldn't their relationship be even deeper than that of Gu Mingxia and Xiao Qing'er?

Remembering that Alice had told Tina to stop opposing her, Xiao Yan seemed to understand why she did what she did.

“I appreciate your kindness, but don’t worry, I will give you and Tina a monthly dividend that is enough for your living expenses. After all, the Morgan Group belongs to your family. Putting all that aside, you saved my life, so I can’t be ungrateful.”

Xiao Yan shook the file folder in his hand and raised his eyebrows at Alice. Alice just smiled faintly. Looking at Xiao Yan now, she saw that he had lost his initial coldness and gained a bit more warmth. Perhaps all of this was because of Gu Mingxia.

"Take good care of Xiaxia and the baby from now on, and be a good family man... We'll be relying on you from now on."

Alice's words came from the heart, and Xiao Yan naturally heard the sincerity in them. He also put away his smile and looked at Alice with a serious expression.

"With me here, I will not allow anyone to harm Xiaxia and the baby, or the Gu Group that she wants to protect."

"I'm relieved to hear you say that. Even though you didn't end up marrying Tina, we're still family. In the future... if you have time, bring Xiaxia and the baby to visit us in America. I think Tina would be very happy to see you."

Alice's tone carried a hint of disappointment. If Tina had been honest about her recovery three years ago, perhaps things would be different between her and Xiao Yan now. But there are no "what ifs" in life, and the only person in Xiao Yan's heart will always be Gu Mingxia!

"Can you... really let go of that hatred? Not everyone can just let go of the hatred that led to the destruction of their family."

She looked at Xiao Yan with great concern, but Xiao Yan just smiled faintly, turned his head to look in the direction of the hospital's inpatient department, and had a deep tenderness in his eyes.

"Gu Huaikun is dead now. So what if I destroy the Gu Group? Can those who died long ago come back to life? The dead are never as important as the living. People should always look forward instead of dwelling on the past! Now I have my own company, a wife and daughter I love, and my family is still complete, isn't it? I believe that even my parents in the afterlife would agree with my current decision. Don't you think so, Madam?"

Xiao Yan withdrew his gaze and looked intently at Alice, who simply looked down at her black boots before finally raising her head and smiling elegantly after a long while.

"It's really good for both you and Xiaxia if you can think this through! Okay, I'm going back to be with Tina now. I wish you both happiness in the future."

After Alice finished speaking, she turned around without waiting for Xiao Yan to speak. She had only taken a few steps when Xiao Yan's voice reached her ears.

"Aunt, how is Tina?"

"She...has recovered."

"Then... I'll go see her tomorrow."

Xiao Yan's words made Alice stop in her tracks. Tina truly loved Xiao Yan deeply. She was even willing to pretend to be a mentally unstable girl for three years for him. As a mother, she naturally hoped that such deep love could blossom into something meaningful. However, fate is something that cannot be forced. If there is no perfect destiny, even if they reach the moment before marriage, they cannot become husband and wife. Therefore, Alice was well aware that there was no possibility of anything between Xiao Yan and Tina. Thinking of this, she smiled bitterly.

"No need. Tina said she's not mentally ready to see you yet. She'll come to see you when she's ready."

"Then... please tell Tina for me that no matter what, she will always be Brother Xiao's most beloved sister. If she wants to come to Xiangcheng, I welcome her anytime."

"Okay, take care."

On the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, Alice and Tina left Xiao Yan's villa early in the morning. Sitting in the taxi, looking at the villa gate outside, Tina had an indescribable sorrow in her eyes.

"It's all Mommy's fault, otherwise you and Xiao Yan..."

"Mommy, what are you saying! Brother Xiao is the person Sister Gu loves. I'm just a little reluctant to leave because I've gotten used to living here."

Seeing Alice's remorseful look, Tina reached out and took her hand, leaning against her shoulder coquettishly.

"Nothing is more important than being with Mommy. After we get to America, we'll rest for a while and then go on a round-the-world trip. Maybe I'll meet my soulmate on the way!"

"That's true. When the time comes, you can give Mommy a few grandsons to take care of. That way, Mommy will be satisfied!"

"Okay, then you can focus on taking care of the kids for me!"

The taxi carried the mother and daughter's best wishes to the airport. Often, when people let go of their inner conflicts, they can reap another kind of happiness that life gives them, just like Alice and Tina now. One gave up hatred and the other gave up obsession, and instead gained the most ordinary mother-daughter warmth. This is the most precious family affection in life.

At the Gu family villa, Gu Mingxia was lying in bed during her postpartum confinement, while Xiao Yan directed the postpartum nanny to take care of Xiao Qing'er.

Looking at the man beside her, a faint smile played on her lips. Everyone has flaws, including her. She chose to forgive Xiao Yan when he made a mistake. Now, she not only has a daughter, but she has also found love. This love may not be perfect, but she knows that this is the life that suits her best.

Everyone has their gains and losses. She couldn't expect Xiao Yan to be perfect, but as long as he had her, Xiao Qing'er, and the Gu family in his heart, that was enough!

"Xiao Yan, if you're tired, take a rest."

"I'm fine. By the way, have I disturbed your rest? The doctor told you to keep quiet during your postpartum period. I'll leave now."

Xiao Yan slapped his forehead. He had been so busy that he had almost forgotten that Gu Mingxia was still in her postpartum period. He had been so focused on Xiao Qing'er after being discharged from the hospital that he had almost forgotten about her.

As he was speaking, he hurriedly walked out, but Gu Mingxia, seeing his confused look, immediately stopped him.

"I'm not tired. I slept too much this morning. It's you who were taking care of Xiao Qing'er all night with the nanny last night. You must be exhausted."

"How can you say you're tired from this? You have no idea how adorable Xiao Qing'er is right now. Even if I don't sleep all day, I won't feel tired as long as I see her."

When Xiao Yan mentioned Xiao Qing'er, he couldn't hide his smile. He immediately sat down on the edge of the bed and started talking to Gu Mingxia. Gu Mingxia just smiled and looked at him without saying anything, quietly listening to the doting father describe how cute the little monkey-like child was.

"Xiaxia, how can our little Qing'er be so cute? Seriously, I can't get enough of looking at her."

"Really? Who was it that said it didn't matter whether we had the child or not, since we could always have another one later, huh?"

Gu Mingxia winked mischievously at Xiao Yan, and her words successfully made Xiao Yan's expression uneasy. He glanced at Xiao Qing'er sleeping in the stroller to the side, and then made a shushing gesture to Gu Mingxia.

"Xiaxia, please don't say that again! I don't want Xiao Qing'er to hate me for the rest of her life when she grows up and finds out!"

If Xiao Yan hadn't seen Xiao Qing'er after she was born, she would have been nothing more than a piece of flesh in Gu Mingxia's belly. But now, seeing her adorable appearance and how she held her own fingers with her tiny, soft fingers every day, Xiao Yan was completely melted by this little baby.

"Hmm, I won't say. But it depends on your behavior. If you treat us mother and daughter badly in the future, I'll tell Xiao Qing'er that her father said he didn't want her even before she was born!"

"Don't worry, I will treat you and Xiao Qing'er very, very well! I guarantee you won't have a chance to say anything bad about me in front of Xiao Qing'er!"

"Hmph, if I want to say it, can you stop me?"

"Of course we can't stop you! You're my queen, aren't you right, my queen wife?"

"Don't try to take advantage of me. Who's your wife?"

"Of course it's you. Are there any other adult women here?"

"You smooth talker, get lost, I'm going to sleep!"