Light Departure, Light Break

"Alright, as long as you know what you're doing, go and get some rest."

"Okay, Dad, you should rest early too."

Fu Nanzhi agreed and got up to leave.

She returned to her bedroom, which she hadn’t been in for a while, and plopped down on the bed.

The sheets and pillowcases had been replaced by the housekeeper, and they smelled fresh and pleasant.

"Fu Nanzhi, you’re amazing!"

Fu Nanzhi rolled around on the bed a few times, excitedly giving herself a little fist pump.

No matter what, she had finally managed to push Shen Yi out of her mind, and it was a good start.

As for the future, she could slowly convince herself. Life was long, and a little resistance didn’t bother her—she wasn’t in a hurry.

It was the first time she had argued with her mother over Shen Yi, and getting to this point was no small feat for her.

Lying on her back, Fu Nanzhi suddenly pulled out her phone and dialed Shen Yi’s number, eager for some praise.

"Ring… ring…"

The phone rang twice before it was answered.

"Hubby~ I miss you."

Fu Nanzhi couldn’t wait to say.

Shen Yi’s side was quite noisy, and it took a while before his voice came through.

"Hey, Nanzhi, it’s a bit loud here. Are you home?"

"Yes, I’m at home. Hubby, where are you? Why is it so noisy?"

Fu Nanzhi pressed her ear tightly to the phone, trying to hear better.

"Ah, don’t even ask. I’m out with my old team leader for some barbecue. He’s drunk, and I’m taking him home now."

Shen Yi’s voice was followed by him telling the driver to pull over.

"Oh, okay. You’re not too drunk, are you? Do you need me to come pick you up?"

Fu Nanzhi was worried about him, and for the moment, she set aside the issue with her mother.

Shen Yi replied casually,

"I only had a few bottles—I’m not drunk at all. Just stay with your parents for now."

"I’ll head back as soon as I drop him off. Don’t worry."

Fu Nanzhi finally relaxed and said,

"Alright, then send me a message when you get home so I know you’re safe."

"Got it."

"Bye, mua~"

"Mua."

After hanging up, Fu Nanzhi clutched her phone to her chest and giggled foolishly, as if she was already imagining their wedding.

On the other side, Ji Shulan wasn’t the least bit sleepy.

She sat on the edge of the bed, restless, and seeing Fu Yuanyu already asleep only made her more irritable.

"Old man, do you think Nanzhi might have been PUA’d?"

Fu Yuanyu replied grumpily,

"Does your daughter look like an idiot? What kind of mind control could make her act like this?"

"But what if? I’m just worried she’s being deceived. She doesn’t know anything."

In Ji Shulan’s eyes, Fu Nanzhi was still that little girl who hadn’t grown up.

Fu Yuanyu closed his eyes, trying to fall asleep, and mumbled,

"She’s 27, not 17. As a fully functioning adult, she’s capable of taking responsibility for her own actions."

"Before, you nagged her for not dating, and now that she is, you’re still nagging. She’s going to get tired of you."

Ji Shulan looked indignant and continued muttering,

"You make it sound so easy. She’s my flesh and blood—who else is going to care for her if not me?"

"Old man, you should still call Cheng Tianwei and ask around. At least don’t go in blind, right?"

"Mmm…"

Fu Yuanyu responded vaguely.

"And they’re already living together."

"These young people don’t know how to control themselves. What if she gets pregnant? What then?"

"You’re really laid-back about everything, letting her do whatever she wants."

"No, I need to go stay with Nanzhi for a while and keep an eye on her. What do you think?"

"Old man?"

"Fu Yuanyu?!"

The only response Ji Shulan got was the sound of snoring—he was already fast asleep.

"You old fool."

Seeing him sleep like a log, Ji Shlan could only kick Fu Yuanyu in frustration before turning off the light and giving up.

The next morning, after a night of cooling off, at least the two of them weren’t at each other’s throats right away.

Though they still didn’t talk much.

At the breakfast table, Fu Yuanyu ate while scrolling through his phone, reading the morning news.

Across from him, mother and daughter seemed to be acting out a silent play, communicating mostly through glances.

Ji Shulan peeled an egg and handed it to Fu Nanzhi, who in turn pushed a bowl of porridge over to her mother.

Fu Yuanyu felt awkward and finished his meal in a few bites before retreating to the couch.

After breakfast, Fu Nanzhi said goodbye,

"Mom, Dad, I’m heading to work. Bye."

"Mm."

"Alright, drive safely."

For the first time, Ji Shulan’s farewell was even shorter than Fu Yuanyu’s.

Fu Nanzhi didn’t pay it much mind and drove straight to the company.

As soon as she left, Ji Shulan, who had been quiet all morning, sprang into action.

"Old man, hurry up and help me pack. I’m going to stay in Pinghu for a while."

Fu Yuanyu frowned,

"What’s gotten into you now?"

"Didn’t I say so last night?"

"When did you say that last night?"

Ji Shulan gritted her teeth and went upstairs to pack her clothes herself.

"Forget it, I’m not arguing with you."

Fu Yuanyu sighed and stood up, following her to try and dissuade her,

"Don’t go. Things have just calmed down a bit. If you go now, Nanzhi won’t be happy."

"I’m doing this for her own good. Nanzhi used to be such a conservative girl, and now she’s been corrupted in just three days. She’s even living with him!"

Ji Shulan said as she stuffed clothes into her suitcase.

"If she’s brave enough to tell you about it, she’s not afraid of your criticism. If you go now, you’ll just make things awkward."

"They’re in the honeymoon phase right now, deeply in love. If you interfere, it’ll only backfire."

The old man saw through it all with clear eyes.

Ji Shulan paused and turned to him,

"And what if she ends up pregnant? Are you just going to accept it?"

Fu Yuanyu muttered under his breath,

"If it happens, it happens. What’s so bad about having a child?"

"Are you trying to piss me off? Get out! If you’re not going to help, then leave."

Ji Shulan glared at him and kicked Fu Yuanyu out of the room.

Not long after, Ji Shulan came downstairs with a large suitcase in tow.

"Old man, drive me there."

Fu Yuanyu shook his head from the couch,

"I’m not driving you. I have to go to the law firm later."

He couldn’t stop her, but he wasn’t going to be an accomplice either.

Ji Shulan pointed at him,

"Fine, fine. I’ll drive myself then."

With that, she wheeled her suitcase out the door.

Fu Yuanyu stood up and followed her to the door. After a moment’s thought, he added,

"Be gentle with the kid. Don’t be all harsh and critical."

Ji Shulan didn’t look back, and Fu Yuanyu had no idea if she’d heard him.

He shook his head and chuckled, then turned back inside.

In the blink of an eye, both his wife and daughter were gone, leaving him all alone.

"Life is full of separations and reunions, and fate is hard to predict…"

He murmured softly, lost in thought.

…

Shen Yi woke up a bit late today.

Last night, after dropping off Old Dai, it was already very late, and since he’d had a few drinks, he didn’t wake up on time.

Now he was making himself something to eat.

With Fu Nanzhi not around, he couldn’t be bothered to cook, so he just heated up some milk and nibbled on bread.

If he didn’t feel full, he’d just go out to the garden and bask in the sun for a while.

"Click…"

The sound of the door unlocking came from behind him, and Shen Yi turned around in confusion,

"Nanzhi?"