"Why did you come to see me and leave me a photo of yourself with your child?"

When talking to Xiang Wan, Xiao Ming felt it was better to stick to the facts, otherwise he didn't know where this woman would lead him astray.

"A group photo?" Xiang Wan was surprised for a second. "No wonder you always mention the children, so it's that photo."

Keep pretending!

Xiao Ming simply couldn't understand it. They'd come right up to him so openly, and the child looked so much like him, the father—how could this woman have the nerve to lie to his face and claim it wasn't intentional? Was he really that easily fooled?

The disbelief was clearly written all over Xiao Ming's face.

Men, even if you tell them the truth directly, they might not believe you. Just like when the original owner told him she was pregnant, it was true, but he still didn't give her the most basic trust.

How can a broken heart be healed?

Given Xiang Wan's temperament, she would have simply cut ties with him for the rest of her life and found another man she truly loved to spend her life with.

It's a pity, the original owner was unwilling to accept it.

So, Xiang Wan should create some twists and turns, at least to prevent the original owner from continuing to be suspected by him after returning. Even she, as an outsider, can't stand it.

Xiang Wan slapped her forehead, extremely annoyed. "How could I have forgotten about this? It was a candid shot taken by my friend, just this one. I really like it, so I've kept it in my bag. I've been looking for it these past few days. Did I leave it with you?"

Before Xiao Ming could react, Xiang Wan slammed her hand on the table and teased, "I knew it! Did you see how cute my baby is and want a child too? Xin'er wants one too, but she doesn't want to have one. As for you, if you want a daughter this big, you'll probably have to wait a few years."

"Why?"

"You need to find a girlfriend first, then get married, and then have children. If we start counting from now, getting married within a year and having children within a year will take at least seven or eight years. So, Dr. Xiao, you need to work harder."

Xiang Wan smiled broadly, her eyes brimming with joy. Compared to the person before her, the original owner's life had far surpassed his; even if he wanted to catch up, he might not be able to.

"How do you know I can't have them all right away?" Xiao Ming had an urge not to let the woman in front of him be smug, especially that damned smile, which was extremely annoying. He really wanted to tear it off and slap it against the wall.

"Really? Congratulations, Dr. Xiao. Since we're still friends, you can send me an invitation to your wedding. I'll bring my baby to broaden her horizons."

Xiang Wan spoke earnestly, her face devoid of any other emotion.

Xiao Ming's eyes flickered slightly, a hint of unease creeping into his heart. The woman who used to fawn over him, fearing he would fall for someone else and abandon her, could now chat and laugh with him effortlessly, completely unconcerned about whether he would marry someone else or have children with someone else. It was as if something that had always belonged to him was suddenly about to fly away.

At the time of the divorce, he was absolutely certain that this woman still had feelings for him, so he wasn't worried that she would find someone else, nor did he consider whether their paths would cross again in the future. He always thought that it was good enough that they didn't see each other or know anything about each other after they separated.

But now, the situation is completely different from what he expected. The woman who once revolved around him is about to start her new life, and he is not fully prepared.

Isn't it said that once you break up, you'll be strangers when you meet again? Why is it that after only meeting her two or three times, the happier she smiles, the more suffocated I feel inside?

Is it really like the lyrics say, that I can't stand it if you're doing better than me?

No, no, that's not how the lyrics say it. What were the original lyrics again? I can't remember.

It's all because of this woman, she's always trying to provoke him.

This woman is good at pretending; this time, she's definitely putting on an act for him too. He can't fall for it.

Xiao Ming picked up his water glass, took a sip, then another, and put it on the table. He took out a pen from his pocket and wrote as he spoke, “Since you say we’re still friends, friends should reciprocate each other’s hospitality. This is my address and phone number. If you need anything, you can come find me. This is a private phone number; friends only use each other.”

He took the tissue, glanced at it, and put it back.

"Dr. Xiao, you're not still reminiscing about the past, are you? Your address hasn't changed, your phone number hasn't changed, and apart from becoming a department head, what else has changed?"

I don't remember where I read it, but it said that if someone's phone number hasn't changed since you first met them, then that person is reliable and trustworthy, at least they've never lied to anyone.

The original owner hadn't actually changed their phone number; they had simply registered a new one while pursuing further studies. The new number was used more frequently, so the previous number was mostly idle.

It's not that Xiang Wan is trying to say how reliable the original owner was, but seeing Xiao Ming write, she suddenly felt sorry for the original owner. She could have lived a much easier life, but instead, they had to go their separate ways.

Ah, perhaps this is life. Like drinking water, only the person drinking knows whether it's hot or cold; others can't understand.

The thorn in the original owner's heart wasn't just Xiao Ming's lack of timely care and understanding, but mainly her insecurity about the relationship. Gan Xiaochen was merely an excuse for her to escape.

As the original owner's husband, failing to provide his wife with sufficient security and love is irresponsible in marriage. In the separation, neither party is innocent.

"Yes!" Xiao Ming put the pen into his shirt pocket. "I'm getting married."

Xiang Wan was taken aback. She already knew from the system that Xiao Ming didn't have a girlfriend or any close female colleagues. Was he testing her by lying to her so earnestly?

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!