Made a decision
After receiving a series of exhausting phone calls, Mo Zhichi looked at Lan Tongtong, who was still a little pale, and his daughter, who looked worried, in the living room and made a decision. He closed his phone, walked up to them, and said in a relaxed tone:
"Pack up, let's go for a walk."
"Dad, where are we going?" Mo Xiaochi asked in confusion.
"Let's go to the beach. Xunliao Bay." Mo Zhichi said succinctly, "Tongtong needs a change of scenery and some fresh air."
Lan Tongtong looked up at Mo Zhichi in surprise. She hadn't expected that he would take her out to relax when she was so worried.
"Good idea!" Mo Xiaochi jumped up immediately, "Sister Tongtong, let's go to the sea! Throw all those crap into the sea to feed the fish!"
Looking at Mo Xiaochi's excitement and the undeniable gentleness in Mo Zhichi's eyes, Lan Tongtong's heart warmed and she nodded.
Mo Zhichi personally drove the two of them, leaving the bustling city and the oppressive project office behind, heading south. The scenery outside the car window gradually changed from concrete and steel to lush greenery, then to a boundless expanse of azure blue. The salty, moist sea breeze blew into the car, seemingly dispelling some of the gloom from their hearts.
It was already afternoon when we arrived at Xunliao Bay. The sun was shining brightly, casting a beautiful shadow on the soft golden sand and the shimmering sea, creating a scene as picturesque as a painting. The waves gently lapped against the shore, creating a soothing sound.
"Wow! It's so beautiful!" As soon as Mo Xiaochi got out of the car, he cheered and rushed to the beach like a child.
Lan Tongtong stood on the beach and took a deep breath of the air with a fishy smell. She felt that the turbid air that had been stuffy in her chest for a long time seemed to have been washed away a lot by the vast sea and sky.
"Let's go and touch the water." Mo Zhichi walked to her side with a calm tone.
The three of them strolled along the beach. Mo Xiaochi, a lively figure, constantly pulled Lan Tongtong for photos, striking various whimsical and aesthetic poses. Mo Zhichi, acting as photographer, held up his phone, patiently capturing the two girls' smiles. Lan Tongtong's smile, captured in the camera, was initially forced, but under Mo Xiaochi's influence and the soothing sea breeze, it gradually revealed a genuine, relaxed smile.
As the sun set, the sky was dyed a brilliant golden-red, and the sea was covered in a layer of gold. Mo Zhichi took a photo of Lan Tongtong and Mo Xiaochi with the sunset and the sea as the background. In the photo, Mo Xiaochi affectionately put his arm around Lan Tongtong's shoulders, and both of them were smiling brightly.
"Dad! Come here too, let's take a photo of the three of us together!" Mo Xiaochi called out.
Mo Zhichi hesitated for a moment, then walked over. Mo Xiaochi handed his phone to a nearby tourist and stood with his father and sister Tongtong. At the moment the shutter clicked, Mo Xiaochi playfully rested his head on his father's shoulder, while Lan Tongtong stood on Mo Zhichi's other side, leaning slightly toward him. The photo was frozen, a warm and harmonious scene, a perfect family of three.
That evening, they enjoyed the freshest seafood at a beachside food stall. Steamed fish, blanched shrimp, scallops with vermicelli and garlic sauce...they were incredibly delicious. Mo Xiaochi chattered away with jokes, and Mo Zhichi, for once, relaxed, occasionally chiming in, creating a light and cheerful atmosphere.
Lan Tongtong ate her delicious food, listened to the waves, and looked at the father and daughter beside her who had given their all for her. Her heart was filled with gratitude. While the terror and humiliation of last night hadn't completely disappeared, they seemed less terrifying in the face of the vast ocean and the warmth of her companionship. She knew she wasn't fighting alone; behind her, she had Brother Mo, a mountain to lean on.
On the way back, Lan Tongtong fell asleep leaning against the car window, her brows no longer furrowed. Mo Xiaochi also fell asleep, leaning to the side. Mo Zhichi watched their peaceful sleeping faces through the rearview mirror, his eyes soft. He knew that legal justice would take time to achieve, but at least for now, he could protect a moment of peace and warmth for this girl.
The sea breeze carried away the tears, and the waves washed away the fear. This short trip to the seaside was like a good medicine, quietly healing the scars in Lan Tongtong's heart, and also made the bond between the three people, after going through the ups and downs together, become deeper and more precious.
The next morning, Lan Tongtong and Mo Xiaochi woke up to find that Mo Zhichi was no longer at home. A simple breakfast and a note were left on the table: "I'm going to run some errands. You guys rest well at home. Don't worry."
The handwriting on the note was still steady and powerful, but for some reason, Lan Tongtong felt a little uneasy. Mo Xiaochi didn't think much of it, thinking that her father was going to deal with the follow-up matters of the project.
The two of them stayed at home all day, watching TV and chatting. Mo Xiaochi found ways to make Lan Tongtong happy. Time passed quickly, and around three or four in the afternoon, there was the sound of keys turning at the door.
"Dad, you're back!" Mo Xiaochi jumped up and opened the door.
Lan Tongtong also stood up and looked towards the door.
Mo Zhichi walked in, his face a little tired, but his expression was calm, even relieved. He put his briefcase in the hallway and changed his shoes.
"Dad, where have you been? You haven't been seen all day." Mo Xiaochi leaned over and asked.
Lan Tongtong also looked at him with concern.
Mo Zhichi walked over to the sofa and sat down. He looked at his daughter, then at Lan Tongtong, and spoke calmly, as if describing a very ordinary matter: "It's nothing serious. I went to the supervision company headquarters and completed the resignation procedures."
"What?!"
Mo Xiaochi and Lan Tongtong exclaimed almost at the same time, their eyes widening in disbelief!
"Resign?!" Mo Xiaochi's voice suddenly rose. "Dad! Are you kidding me?! Why are you resigning so suddenly?!"
Lan Tongtong's heart sank, and her face turned pale. She immediately thought of the endless pressure calls from yesterday, and Liu Tianyuan's background and influence... A terrible thought seized her: Brother Mo was trying to protect her and not bring trouble to the company...
"Brother Mo...is it...is it because of me?" Lan Tongtong's voice trembled, tears welling up in her eyes. "Did they force you to do this? Don't do this! I can tell the police that I won't pursue the matter! I..."
"Nonsense!" Mo Zhichi interrupted her, his tone suddenly becoming serious, but his eyes were very gentle as he looked at her. "Tongtong, what nonsense are you talking about! You did nothing wrong in this matter. It's Liu Feng who should be punished! If you compromise, you will truly be letting yourself down, and me down!"
He took a deep breath, his eyes swept over his shocked daughter and the guilt-ridden Lan Tongtong, and he slowed his tone as he explained, "Resigning was my own decision. It has nothing to do with anyone, and I wasn't forced by anyone."
He paused, then continued, "You all heard yesterday's phone calls. Liu Tianyuan's network is indeed complex and entangled. The pressure he exerts is not only directed at me, but also on the company through various channels. Although the general manager expresses support, I also understand the company's difficulties. If I continue to sit in the position of chief supervisor engineer, the company will be in great trouble, and many businesses may be affected."
"But," he changed the subject, his eyes becoming incomparably firm and sharp, "this matter concerning Liu Feng is a matter of principle, and I absolutely cannot compromise! Since my position would make things difficult for the company and would give some people the impression that they have room for manipulation, then fine, I'll leave this position."
"I've resigned and am now an ordinary citizen. My involvement in this case as Lan Tongtong's family member is legal and reasonable, and no one can find fault with it! The company no longer has to bear the pressure. This way, I've completely blocked any avenues for using work relationships to exert pressure!"
Mo Zhichi's voice was steady and powerful, filled with a desperate determination: "I, Mo Zhichi, do everything with a clear conscience. It's just a job; if I lose it, I can find another one. But justice and conscience, once lost, can never be regained."
After hearing these words, Lan Tongtong was already in tears. She understood that Mo Zhichi had used the most decisive method to cut off all possibility of external interference and hold up a completely uncontaminated sky for her! He sacrificed his career and status, which he had worked hard for many years, just to protect her and seek justice!
Mo Xiaochi's eyes also turned red. She hugged her father's arm tightly and said in a tearful voice, "Dad! Why...why didn't you discuss this with us?"
Mo Zhichi patted his daughter's hand and smiled, a smile that was carefree and unrestrained. "What's there to discuss? This is the best option. Okay, stop crying. From now on, I'll be a free man, so I can spend more time with you."
He looked at Lan Tongtong, his eyes warm and firm: "Tongtong, don't have any psychological burden. This is the path I chose. From now on, we will embark on a light journey and concentrate on doing what we should do well."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
