As the closing bell rang, Hua Li locked the counter, slung her backpack over her shoulder, and walked out the door chatting and laughing with Xiao Yanru.
Suddenly, Xiao Yanru nudged Hua Li with her elbow.
Hua Li followed Xiao Yanru's gaze and saw Luo Shicheng holding Luo Yan, standing under a sycamore tree on the side of the street. When he saw her looking over, he waved to her.
This was a scene she used to dream about and wake up laughing, but now that it had actually happened, she felt no joy at all.
After saying goodbye to Xiao Yanru, Hua Li walked towards Luo Shicheng.
Words fail him; Luo Shicheng, carrying Luo Yan, walked back first.
Hua Li followed behind, not understanding why Luo Shicheng had suddenly changed his mind.
Luo Yan leaned on Luo Shicheng's shoulder and grinned.
Mom, now that you've been exonerated, Dad is filled with regret. From today onward, you must stand firm and not let him coax you into softening your heart.
The little baby has gained some weight these days, and his face is fuller. His two little dimples when he smiles are sweet and cute, instantly warming up Hua Li's mood, which had been low because of Luo Shicheng's appearance.
Luo Shicheng walked ahead, his calm eyes sweeping over the men peeking out from across the street...
Chen Yuanshan told him about Liu Fengling and her daughter, and that he especially needed to pay attention to Qu Yingqiu, who dared to lay a hand on Hua Li at the supply and marketing cooperative.
An investigation revealed that Qu Yingqiu had a boyfriend she was engaged to, a sugar factory worker who was 1.72 meters tall, with small eyes, thick lips, and a round face—a perfect match for the man she had secretly glanced at Hua Li from across the street several times in less than ten minutes.
Luo Yan also noticed the man, which is why she insisted on rescuing Luo Shicheng.
Chen Yuanshan can pick up and drop off Hua Li, but if it goes on for too long, rumors will inevitably spread. Only Luo Shicheng, as Hua Li's husband, can pick her up and drop her off without any problem, but if people talk about the couple's affection, it might disgust his mother.
Compared to life, disgusting is one thing, safety comes first.
The man followed the family of three all the way until they reached the gate of the compound.
Upon entering the compound, Hua Li's first action was to check the apology letter on the bulletin board.
The apology letter that was reposted on the bulletin board was clearly written, and Liu Jingqiu's signature was neat and meticulous.
Therefore, her previous tolerance and accommodation could not earn her Liu Jingqiu's forgiveness. On the contrary, when she became tough, even the Chu family could not force her to back down, and they all began to go along with her.
Hua Li turned around and saw that Luo Shicheng had noticed she hadn't followed. The man who never looked back had turned around to look for her, and she couldn't help but smile self-deprecatingly.
Luo Shicheng walked up to Hua Li and immediately noticed the apology letter on the bulletin board.
Upon seeing Liu Jingqiu's admission in the apology letter that he had hit Luo Yan, Luo Shicheng's face turned ashen, and the guilt in his eyes was even more gloomy than the darkening sky.
Luo Shicheng held Luo Yan in one arm, and reached out with the other to take Hua Li's hand...
Hua Li avoided him and walked quickly towards home, for the first time not waiting for Luo Shicheng.
Luo Shicheng silently followed behind Hua Li. The distance that could have been covered in just a few steps felt like the vast distance between the sun and the moon, frighteningly far.
When Hua Li arrived at her doorstep, she took out her key and opened the door. Wu Cuihua from next door immediately came out with a bowl of braised potatoes.
"Oh, you're off work already?"
Hua Li nodded with a cold face.
Ignoring Hua Li's coldness, Wu Cuihua walked over and said, "My braised potatoes are delicious. I'll bring you some to try."
"I've already given you braised potatoes, how can you not give me some meat to eat?" Wu Cuihua's calculations were working like a machine.
"Thank you, Sister Wu, but my children and I have been feeling a bit feverish these past few days and can't eat salty food."
Just as Wu Cuihua was about to scold Hua Li for being ungrateful, she saw Luo Shicheng carrying Luo Yan over and immediately shut up.
Seeing Wu Cuihua carrying a bowl back to her own home, Hua Li stopped Luo Shicheng from entering and took Luo Yan from Luo Shicheng's arms.
"Thanks, you can go back now."
Hua Li wouldn't even let him into his own home. Luo Shicheng wanted to plead for him, but found he had nothing to say.
Luo Yan, Mom, this won't do. This isn't even a punishment. Watch me.
"Dad, Dad..." Luo Yan reached out to Luo Shicheng, her affection for him making it impossible for Hua Li to send him away.
It was only his beloved daughter who knew how to help her father. Luo Shicheng responded and reached out to hug Luo Yan back.
Hua Li glanced deeply at Luo Yan, who was hugging Luo Shicheng's neck with her little hands and pressing her face against his, sighed helplessly, and walked into the door, heading straight for the vegetable cellar in the backyard.
There was some braised pork left over from the morning's cooking, which Hua Li put in the cellar to freeze. After taking it out and heating it up, it smelled delicious.
Luo Shicheng took Luo Yan to the backyard to pick some cucumbers, persimmons, and green beans, washed them by the sink, and took them to the kitchen.
Shredded cucumber for a cold salad, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and green beans stewed in the broth of braised pork belly—four dishes with a balanced mix of meat and vegetables, simple and quick to make.
In less than an hour, the food was served. Luo Shicheng didn't need Hua Li to ask him to serve himself; he took a bowl and chopsticks and served himself rice.
Luo Shicheng first fed Luo Yan, mixing rice with scrambled eggs and tomatoes, then adding tender meat and green beans. When she got tired of the food, he gave her some refreshing cold dishes. Luo Yan ate until her little belly was bulging.
Luo Shicheng only started eating after feeding Luo Yan.
During his days in solitary confinement, Luo Shicheng had no appetite. In addition, the hot weather and poor ventilation in the confinement room, along with the accumulated stench over the years, made it difficult for him to eat or sleep. Now, a bite of braised pork had awakened his appetite...
After Hua Li finished eating and left the table, Luo Shicheng devoured all the remaining dishes.
After finishing his meal, Luo Shicheng cleaned up the dishes, washed them, and wiped the table, showing none of the arrogant demeanor he used to have.
After finishing his meal, Hua Li played with Luo Yan, but Luo Yan took out a stack of ten-yuan notes from her backpack and put them in Hua Li's hand.
Hua Li was shocked, estimating that Luo Yan had given her several hundred yuan, and her face turned pale with fright.
"Yanyan, where did this money come from?"
Of course, she would trade her father for it. If she weren't worried about her mother's safety, she would have liked to have Chu Tonghai lock up her father for a few more days so that she could get more money for her mother.
"Dad." Luo Yan patted the money in Hua Li's hand with her little hand; it was thick and sturdy, which made people feel at ease.
Hua Li asked Luo Shicheng, "Did you give this money to Yan Yan?"
Luo Shicheng had no intention of talking about his solitary confinement, he said.
“I misunderstood you before, and you and your child suffered. From now on, all my money will be yours.”
Hua Li didn't stand on ceremony and put the money away. She could be noble and not take Luo Shicheng's money, but her daughter needed money for many things, and she couldn't let her daughter suffer because of herself. Besides, Luo Shicheng was Luo Yan's biological father, and she had to keep the money he gave to Luo Yan on her behalf.
"You can leave now..." Hua Li gave him the order to leave.
She let Luo Shicheng into the house and gave him food because her daughter was close to her father and because Luo Shicheng had escorted her home. But when she thought about how Luo Shicheng had arranged a job for Liu Jingqiu behind her back, she didn't want to look at Luo Shicheng again.
Luo Shicheng turned around with difficulty and walked out.
Luo Yan chased after him, calling out, "Daddy!"
Luo Shicheng looked at Hua Li with longing eyes.
Hua Li didn't insist that his daughter leave Luo Shicheng.
From disappointment to joy, Luo Shicheng's emotions went through ups and downs. He played with Luo Yan for a long time, and his reluctance to part with her reached its peak.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
