After I died, they cried in the live studio

Alice leaned back in her chair, her slender fingers resting lightly on her chin, her index finger tapping her cheek unconsciously. After a moment of contemplation, she said, "I have some connections in the business intelligence circle, those well-informed people with eyes in various industries, maybe they can help you get some information. Tell me the details first, the more detailed the better, any seemingly insignificant detail may become a key clue to turn the situation around." Alice stared at Nancy and Sang Shuwan with a focused look, not missing any potentially useful information.

In the next few hours, Nancy and Sang Shuwan told Alice everything from their thrilling encounter in Persia to their discoveries during the investigation. From the secret surveillance on the ship by the people sent by Sang Jiuyue, those suspicious figures always flashed by the edge of their sight; to how they cleverly dealt with it, every disguise and every response was thrilling; to the observation of Yi Shuqi's series of abnormal behaviors after returning to China, her every look and every hesitation were carefully explained.

Alice listened very attentively, her eyes moving with the content of the story. When she talked about the thrilling part, her eyebrows knitted tightly, and her hands unconsciously clenched; when she heard the key clues, her eyes lit up, and her body leaned forward, as if she wanted to engrave every word in her heart. She asked questions from time to time, and her questions were precise and sharp, hitting the key points. At the same time, she recorded the key information on the tablet computer, and the lines of text jumped quickly on the screen. Her slender fingers danced on the screen, as if she was weaving a big net of information.

The sky gradually darkened, and the night was like a huge piece of black silk, slowly covering the city. The lights were turned on, and the night view of the city was like a gorgeous painting slowly unfolding outside the window. The neon lights flickered, and the red, green, and blue lights intertwined together, decorating the city like a dream; the lights of the vehicles gathered into flowing light bands, winding through the streets. But the three of them had no intention of appreciating this prosperous night view at the moment, and the discussion in the conference room became more and more intense.

In the conference room, which was simply decorated yet stylish, the huge floor-to-ceiling windows blocked out the bustling city scene, and the room was filled with a tense and heated atmosphere. The oval solid wood conference table was polished to a shine, reflecting the frowns of Nancy, Sang Shuwan, and Alice. The curling steam in the coffee cup on the table had long dissipated, and a thin film had formed on the surface of the coffee, with a circle of coffee stains remaining on the wall of the cup.

Alice was wearing a well-tailored business suit. She leaned forward slightly, with her elbows on the table. Her bright eyes were shining with thoughts, like the twinkling cold stars in the night sky. The index finger of her right hand gently tapped the table, making a rhythmic "tap tap" sound, like a rapid drumbeat. "Think about it," she squinted her eyes slightly, revealing shrewdness and determination in her eyes, and her voice was full of unquestionable confidence, "Yi Shuqi suddenly returned to China, and then asked Chu Ling for a divorce. Chu Ling agreed without saying a word. This is too strange. Chu Ling's style of being vigorous and decisive in the business world, he has always been strong at the negotiation table and never compromised easily; plus he attaches great importance to the family's reputation and regards the family's honor above all else. How could he agree to a divorce so easily? This is completely inconsistent with his personality and usual style." At this point, she paused, and her eyes swept over Nancy and Sang Shuwan in turn, with inquiring and probing eyes. "In my opinion, it is most likely that Yi Shuqi initiated the divorce."

Hearing this, Nancy folded her hands over her chest, leaned back, and sank into the soft seat. She nodded, her brows still tightly furrowed, as if she was in deep thought. She opened her red lips slightly, her voice steady but with a hint of doubt: "Yes, with Chu Ling's personality and his position in the family, he is an important figure in the core decision-making layer of the family. His every word and deed is related to the rise and fall of the family. He participates in the decision-making of major family affairs, and his decisions often affect the family's direction in the business world." She raised her eyes slightly, and her eyes revealed her understanding of Chu Ling, which was the insight accumulated in the game of business. "If she wasn't absolutely sure, or hadn't been persuaded in advance, she would never give in so easily. I heard that a family member wanted to marry someone who was not a good match for her, but Chu Ling was firmly opposed to it. He even used the family's power to put pressure on them from many aspects, including finances and public opinion, and forcibly broke them up. The divorce was so smooth this time, there must be a hidden story behind it, and it must be a hidden story that forced Chu Ling to compromise." As she spoke, she shook her head slightly, her eyes full of confusion, as if she found it incredible that Chu Ling agreed to the divorce so easily.

Sang Shuwan sat aside, her upper body slightly hunched, her chin supported by her hands, her elbows resting on the table. Her eyes were full of thoughts, as if she was trapped in a fog. Her long hair was casually draped over her shoulders, swaying slightly with her movements, and a few strands of hair fell beside her cheeks. "Combined with the fact that Yi Shuqi brought a child with her when she returned to China this time, and the child is currently under Chu Ling's name, the connection is interesting. Chu Ling has always attached great importance to the inheritance of family bloodline. The revision of the family genealogy and the pure continuation of the bloodline are all his focus. How could he allow himself to have an unclear child under his name, unless..." She murmured to herself, her voice was not loud, but it was particularly clear in the quiet conference room, like groping for a ray of light in the dark.

Alice seemed to be struck by lightning, and her eyes lit up instantly, like fireworks suddenly blooming in the night sky. She sat up straight and slapped the table with both hands. The crisp sound of "pa" broke the brief silence, and the teacups on the table vibrated slightly. "Is there such a possibility?" she said excitedly, her face filled with the excitement of discovering a key clue, her cheeks flushed with excitement, "The real purpose of Yi Shuqi's return to China this time is to let the child return to his roots and find his biological father. She knows Chu Ling's temper. If she reveals the matter of the child first, with Chu Ling's protection of the family's reputation and his stubborn and tough character, there will be no way for divorce. Chu Ling may even find ways to hide the child from exposure. That's why she brought up the divorce first to disrupt Chu Ling's position. Let Chu Ling be distracted by the divorce first, lower his defenses, and then find an opportunity to bring up the matter of the child." As she spoke, she gestured in the air with her hands, dancing her hands quickly in the air, sometimes clenching fists, sometimes stretching them, trying to make her point more vivid, as if outlining the blueprint of Yi Shuqi's plan.

Nancy was attracted by Alice's words. She sat up straight, put her hands on the table, leaned forward, and her eyes flashed with recognition. "It's very likely. And from the current situation, Yi Shuqi definitely doesn't just want the child to have a name. She has lived alone abroad for so many years and suffered so much. If she just wanted the child to have an identity, she could have used other more covert methods, such as anonymous paternity testing, and then sent the evidence to Chu Ling. There is no need to take the step of divorce, and make a big fuss, attracting attention from inside and outside the family. There may be a huge conflict of interest behind this, perhaps involving the inheritance of the family industry, business secrets, or key factors that can threaten Chu Ling's position in the family." Nancy became more and more excited as she spoke, and her eyes revealed a sharpness, as if she had seen a glimmer of truth hidden behind the fog.

Sang Shuwan nodded slightly, her eyes revealing approval. She reached out and smoothed the hair beside her ears, tucking it behind her ears. "Yes, maybe Yi Shuqi has some key handles that can threaten Chu Ling or the Chu family, so she dares to file for divorce so confidently. It may be evidence of Chu Ling's illegal operations in business transactions, or it may be an unknown scandal within the family. But this is too risky. The Chu family has deep roots in the business and political circles and extensive connections. They will never let Yi Shuqi go easily. Once the Chu family is aware of Yi Shuqi's intentions, she and the child will be in extremely dangerous situations." She bit her lower lip slightly, a trace of worry on her face, her eyes full of worry and uneasiness.

Alice leaned back in her chair, her eyes showing a trace of worry, as if shrouded in a layer of haze. She sighed softly, with helplessness and concern in her voice. "If that's the case, then this matter is complicated. The Chu family will definitely not let Yi Shuqi go easily. They will use all their resources to find ways to deal with her.

Alice seemed to have caught a key clue, her eyes suddenly lit up, like a beacon that had been lit up. She stood up from her seat in excitement, her movements were quick and violent, and the friction between the chair and the ground made a harsh sound. She slammed her hands on the table, and the crisp sound of "pa" echoed in the conference room for a long time. She said excitedly: "Is it possible that Yi Shuqi returned to China just to let the child find his ancestral home and find his biological father. She knew Chu Ling's temper very well. If she confessed the matter of the child at the beginning, Chu Ling would definitely refuse the divorce, and might even force her into a desperate situation. So she mentioned the divorce first to disrupt his rhythm. When he was overwhelmed by the divorce and relaxed his vigilance, she would tell him about the existence of the child." As she spoke, she waved her hands in the air, flipping her palms quickly, simulating the scene of the confrontation between the two sides, trying to use exaggerated body language to explain her point of view, and speaking very quickly, as if she was afraid that the inspiration would be fleeting.

After hearing this, Nancy's eyes flashed with recognition. She sat up straight, supported her hands on the table, leaned forward, and couldn't wait to analyze along the lines of thought: "That's absolutely right. From all indications, Yi Shuqi's purpose is by no means just to give the child a name. If it was just for the child, she could have quietly exposed the child's identity in private, and there would be no need to go through the trouble of divorce procedures. There is most likely a huge conflict of interest behind this. The Chu family has a huge industry involving real estate, finance, and technology. Yi Shuqi may have mastered something that can influence the direction of certain key projects." Nancy's expression was serious, her eyes as sharp as an eagle. She did not miss any possible details, and kept piecing together various clues in her mind.

Sang Shuwan nodded, her body trembling slightly, her face showing worry: "Yes, maybe Yi Shuqi has the key handle that can threaten Chu Ling and even the entire Chu family, so she dares to file for divorce so boldly. Maybe it's the Chu family's illegal business mergers and acquisitions in secret, or evidence of collusion with politicians. But the risk is too great. The Chu family has deep roots in the business and political circles, many followers, and a complex network of contacts. They will definitely do whatever it takes to regain the initiative, and Yi Shuqi will be shattered if she is not careful." She bit her lips, her lower lip turned white, and her hands unconsciously tugged at the corners of her clothes, showing her extreme inner uneasiness.

Alice sat back in her chair, leaned against the back, her eyes full of worry, and sighed, "If it's really as we guessed, this will be a big trouble. The Chu family will definitely try every means to deal with Yi Shuqi, and they may have been secretly monitoring her. We have to remind her to be careful, let her be on guard, and not trust anyone easily." She frowned, her eyes full of worry about her friend's safety, and her fingers unconsciously drew circles on the table, trying to relieve her inner anxiety.

Nancy looked solemn and her eyes were as firm as torches. She clenched her fists and slammed them heavily on the table again, causing the documents on the table to vibrate. She said firmly: "Not only should we remind her, we must find evidence as soon as possible and get to the bottom of the truth. We must use our connections to start from business dealings, family relationships, and social activities. Time is running out, Yi Shuqi and the child are in danger every minute and every second, and we must not let her down." Nancy's tone was resolute, and her eyes were burning with fighting spirit, as if she was ready to charge into battle.

At this moment, Nancy's cell phone suddenly rang. The ringtone was particularly harsh in the quiet conference room, and the three of them were stunned. Nancy hurriedly picked up the phone and saw the caller ID. She became nervous and her heart was pounding. She quickly winked at the two people and answered the call on speakerphone.

"Nancy, Shu Wan, and Alice, I know you are worried about me." Yi Shuqi's voice came from the phone, with fatigue after a long journey, but also revealed a determination to go all out. "Don't worry about this divorce. The purpose of my marriage is the same as Alice guessed. I just want my child to recognize his ancestors and have a legitimate status in the Chu family. Over the years, I have been raising my child alone in a foreign country, struggling to survive. Only I know the pain. I don't want my child to have no complete identity in the future and grow up in the strange eyes of others. For the sake of my child, I am willing to take risks." Yi Shuqi spoke slowly, and every word seemed to be squeezed out from the bottom of her heart, with deep maternal love and helplessness.

The three of them were stunned when they heard this, and a trace of surprise flashed across their faces. Then Alice asked anxiously: "Do you have any leverage over Chu Ling? Otherwise, why would he agree so easily? This is too dangerous, the Chu family will definitely not let you go." Alice leaned forward, almost sticking to the phone, her eyes full of concern and anxiety, and her voice unconsciously rose a few degrees.

Yi Shuqi was silent for a moment. There was only a faint breathing sound on the other end of the phone, as if he was weighing something. He said slowly: "Yes, I do know something. But I can't tell you now, for fear of causing trouble for you. This handle is enough to make Chu Ling afraid, but the Chu family is so powerful that I dare not take it lightly. Don't worry, I know my limits. I just hope you can help me when I really can't handle it." Yi Shuqi's voice was low, with a hint of pleading, and unquestionable determination.

Nancy quickly responded: "Don't worry, we will definitely help you. You have to be careful. Those people in the Chu family are shrewd and may have already planned to deal with you. If there is any situation, even the slightest sign of trouble, please contact us at any time." Nancy held the phone tightly, her knuckles turning white, her eyes full of worry and concern, as if she wanted to convey strength to Yi Shuqi through the phone.

After hanging up the phone, the three looked at each other. Nancy looked serious, her eyes full of thought, and she spoke slowly: "It seems that our guess was correct. Next, we must find a way to help Yi Shuqi as soon as possible, and we must not let her and the child get into trouble. We need to split into two groups. Alice, you use the business intelligence network to dig deep into the recent business actions of the Chu family; Shu Wan, you start from the media circle to see if there are any clues of negative news about the Chu family. I will contact the informant in the Chu family to see if I can get some useful information." Nancy's tone was steady, and she arranged the tasks in an orderly manner, with a confident look in her eyes.

Sang Shuwan and Alice nodded in agreement. Alice's eyes were firm as she said, "No problem on my side. Those information dealers can dig up a lot of explosive materials for money. I will filter out the useful information as soon as possible." She clenched her fists as if to cheer herself up, and her eyes showed her determination to win.

Sang Shuwan also responded: "I am familiar with the media circle, and there are several paparazzi with a keen sense of smell. I will ask them to investigate the gossip about the Chu family. Maybe we can dig up key clues." She frowned slightly, thinking about where to make a breakthrough, her eyes revealing professional acumen.

A game with the Chu family has begun. The three of them know that the road ahead is full of thorns and the Chu family will never give in easily, but for the truth, for Yi Shuqi and the child, they are fearless and resolutely step into this battlefield without gunpowder. What awaits them in the future may be stormy waves or numerous traps, but at this moment, they are united, with courage and faith, ready to meet unknown challenges.

In the conference room, Nancy, Sang Shuwan and Alice were racking their brains and making plans to help Yi Shuqi, completely unaware that Yi Shuqi had already successfully stood out in the Paris fashion circle and was shining with her own dazzling brilliance.

Paris, a fashion capital deeply imbued with romance and art, is filled with unparalleled elegance in its streets and alleys. Along the Seine River, iconic buildings such as the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower have witnessed the passage of time and the changes in fashion trends. In a spacious and bright studio in a fashionable district in Paris, Yi Shuqi is fully engaged in her creation.

The studio is decorated with ingenuity, and the walls are covered with various design sketches. Some sketches outline the outline of a smart and elegant long skirt, and the skirt seems to dance with the wind; others focus on exquisite accessories, exaggerated earrings, and unique brooches, each stroke is full of creativity. On the huge workbench, there are all kinds of top-quality fabric samples. Soft silk exudes a charming luster and feels silky; luxurious velvet exudes a noble texture; tough leather shows a different style. Next to it, tailoring tools are neatly arranged, the scissors have sharp blades, the needles and threads are delicate and tough, and the rulers are precisely scaled, shining with a cold metallic luster under the light.

Yi Shuqi wore a simple black slim dress that highlighted her graceful figure. She casually tied up her long hair, and a few strands of hair playfully fell beside her fair cheeks, adding a bit of casualness and charm to her. At this moment, she was concentrating on leaning over a semi-finished dress. The dress was based on a dreamy light pink satin, and it was carefully embroidered with lifelike flower patterns with intricate gold threads. Each petal was delicate and subtle, as if it was carrying the breath of life. Her fingers gently stroked the fabric, feeling the characteristics of the material from the texture, her eyes full of concentration and persistence, not letting go of any tiny flaws.

"Yi, does the wrinkle on the neckline need to be adjusted?" Assistant Sophia asked cautiously with tweezers in hand.

Yi Shuqi straightened up, narrowed her eyes slightly, and swept her gaze slowly from the neckline of the dress to the hem. After thinking for a moment, she said softly: "Well, tighten the folds of the neckline a little more, so that it fits the neckline better, creating a delicate wrapping feeling, just like the petals tightly surrounding the pistil in the early morning." As she spoke, she gestured delicately in the air with her hands, trying to show the picture in her mind to Sofia intuitively.

Sophia nodded in understanding, then picked up the tweezers and meticulously adjusted the folds of the neckline. Yi Shuqi moved to the hanger beside her and picked up an accessory. It was a unique belt made of dazzling crystals and warm jade. When paired with the dress, it instantly added a touch of luxury and agility to the overall look. She gently tied the belt around the waist of the dress, stepped back a few steps, and carefully examined the overall effect. The picture of the model wearing this dress and walking confidently on the catwalk appeared in her mind.

Looking back on the difficult years when she first entered the Paris fashion circle, Yi Shuqi was filled with emotion. As a newcomer, she was in a foreign country, with language barriers, lack of connections, and scarce resources. She had to start from scratch. She could only start as a design assistant at the bottom level. She spent long hours in the studio every day, staying up late to learn various design techniques, and deeply studying the fashion trends of different styles in Paris and even around the world. From the classic styles of Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week to the personalized outfits of young people on the streets, she eagerly drew inspiration. Every time she was ruthlessly rejected by a customer, every time her carefully designed design was completely denied, she cried secretly in the middle of the night, but the tears never extinguished the fire of her dream in her heart, but made her more determined in the pursuit of fashion.

Now, her years of unremitting efforts have finally paid off. Her works began to appear frequently in the core exhibition areas of major fashion exhibitions in Paris, like a bright new star, quickly attracting the attention of many senior industry professionals. Her designs not only break through tradition and are unique in tailoring, but also fit the human body curves accurately, showing the femininity and elegance of women; they also cleverly incorporate unique elements of oriental culture into the details, perfectly integrating traditional Chinese embroidery, ink painting and other artistic conception with Western fashion styles, creating an unprecedented unique style. This style contains both the restraint and mystery of oriental culture and the boldness and unrestrainedness of Western fashion. Once launched, it caused a sensation in the fashion industry. Many international first-line stars have extended olive branches to her and invited her to design dresses for them to attend important occasions. Well-known fashion magazines also compete to report her works, praising her as the emerging darling of the fashion industry.

At a grand event of Paris Fashion Week, Yi Shuqi's works made a stunning appearance as the finale series. On the catwalk, models dressed in her gorgeous clothes, walked confidently, and shone brightly under the spotlight. The modified long skirt, inspired by the traditional Chinese cheongsam, perfectly combined the elegance of the East with the fashion of the West. The ink-and-wash lotus on the skirt seemed to sway in the water under the lights, winning thunderous applause and cheers from the audience. At that moment, Yi Shuqi stood backstage with tears of excitement in her eyes. She knew that her persistence and dedication over the years had finally been recognized by the world.

However, behind the flowers and applause, Yi Shuqi knows that the challenges she faces are still severe. The fashion circle is ever-changing and the competition is fierce. If you are not careful, you may be eliminated. At this time, Nancy, Sang Shuwan and Alice, who are far away in China, are doing their best for her business. They don’t know that Yi Shuqi, who once needed their protection, has now blossomed on the fashion stage. And she will also join the fight against the dark forces with her own strength to jointly protect their justice and truth. Under the cover of night, in a mysterious building on the edge of the city, the atmosphere is so depressing that it makes people breathless. In the spacious but gloomy office on the top floor, the lights are dim and dim, which dyes everything in the room with a weird color. The abstract paintings hanging on the wall look distorted and hideous under this light.

Sang Jiuyue walked into the office in a hurry with a gloomy face. She was wearing a black slim-fitting suit, her hair was neatly tied behind her head, and her makeup was delicate, but it could not hide the fatigue and anxiety in her eyes.

"Kneel down!" A loud shout exploded in the room like thunder.

Sang Jiuyue's body stiffened, and she slowly bent her knees and knelt on one knee. She lowered her head, bit her lower lip tightly, and unconsciously clenched her hands into fists, her knuckles turning white due to the force.

Behind the desk, a tall and strong man suddenly stood up and slammed his hands on the desk, causing the documents on the desk to fly everywhere. His eyes were wide open, burning with rage, as if he wanted to eat Sang Jiuyue alive.

"Look at what you have done! You can't even handle such a small thing. You are really incapable of accomplishing anything and are more likely to cause trouble!" The gangster boss roared at the top of his voice, the veins on his neck bulged, and the muscles on his face twisted with anger.

Sang Jiuyue lowered her head, not daring to look directly into the eyes of Hei Lao Da, and said in a trembling voice: "Boss, I was negligent this time, I..."

"Shut up!" The gangster interrupted her again with a roar, "Do you know what the failure of this operation means? Our carefully planned layout has been messed up by you! Yi Shuqi's side may cause trouble at any time, and Nancy and the others will definitely not give up and will continue to investigate. If they find out anything, we will all be finished!"

The gangster suddenly turned around and paced back and forth in the office, making the floor thump with every step, as if he wanted to vent his anger through the footsteps. He walked to the window, pulled open the heavy curtains, and looked out at the dark night, his chest heaving violently.

"I gave you such an important task because I value you. But what about you? You disappoint me so much!" The black boss' voice was low and cold, revealing a bone-chilling chill.

Sang Jiuyue felt a sharp pain in her heart. She gritted her teeth, raised her head, and a trace of determination flashed in her eyes: "Boss, I know I was wrong. I will definitely make up for what happened this time. I will try my best to make Nancy and the others stop pursuing us, and I will also deal with Yi Shuqi, and never let our plan be exposed."

The black boss snorted coldly and turned around slowly, his eyes full of suspicion: "Make up for it? What can you do to make up for it? Do you know how tricky the situation is now?"

Sang Jiuyue took a deep breath and said, "I have also planted a spy next to Nancy. Although the previous operation failed, the spy is still there. I can use him to grasp Nancy's every move, and then act according to the situation. As for Yi Shuqi, I have found out some things about her in the Paris fashion circle. She is now famous and definitely does not want to ruin her future because of our affairs. I can start from this aspect and threaten her to make her obedient."

The gangster frowned, thought for a moment and then said, "I hope you can keep your word. If something goes wrong again, you know the consequences. I'll give you a chance to atone for your sins this time. If you fail again, I will never let you off easily!"

Sang Jiuyue nodded quickly, "Yes, Boss, I will definitely not let you down."

"Get out of here and do it quickly!" The gangster boss waved his hand impatiently.

Sang Jiuyue slowly stood up, turned around and walked out of the office quickly. The moment she closed the door, she let out a long sigh, and a sinister look appeared on her face. "Nancy, Yi Shuqi, let's wait and see. This time I will never let you ruin my good deeds again." She murmured in a low voice, with madness and determination in her eyes, and disappeared into the dark corridor.

Yi Shuqi dragged the suitcase with a resolute step, and her figure quickly disappeared behind the door. Then, the door slammed shut with a clang. The sound was like a thunder, exploding in Chu Ling's ears, shaking his body.

Chu Ling froze in place, staring at the closed door, as if Yi Shuqi would change her mind and push the door open again. The air in the room seemed to be sucked out in an instant, and it was very stuffy. He opened his mouth and wanted to call Yi Shuqi's name, but his throat was so dry that he couldn't make a sound. After a long while, he woke up as if from a dream, mechanically raised his feet, and moved towards the sofa step by step. Each step was as heavy as dragging a thousand-pound boulder.

He slumped down on the sofa, curled up like his spine was taken out. His hands trembled uncontrollably, and he slowly hugged his head, trying to hide the pain and helplessness in his heart. "How could this happen? How did it come to this?" His lips trembled, and he whispered in a hoarse and broken voice, as if it was squeezed out from the depths of his soul. Tears burst out of his eyes without warning, and big drops slid down his cheeks and hit the back of his hand, leaving a stain.

Memories of the past flooded him like a surging tide. Once upon a time, Yi Shuqi was busy in the kitchen, her apron was stained with the smell of life, and the aroma of the food cooked in the pot filled the whole house; there was also the warm scene when the child called out "Dad" for the first time when he was learning to speak, and the three of them hugged and cried; and every weekend, they ran freely on the lawn in the park, and the child's laughter echoed in the air like a silver bell. But since when, the pressure of work was like a mountain, weighing heavily on his shoulders. He began to work overtime and socialize day and night, and leaving early and returning late became the norm. Gradually, he ignored the fatigue and loss in Yi Shuqi's eyes, and missed too many precious moments on the child's growth path. He was absent from every birthday of the child because of work; when Yi Shuqi was sick and bedridden, he could only hurriedly express his concern over the phone.

"I'm such a complete bastard!" Chu Ling gritted his teeth, his self-blame and regret flooding him like a tide. He punched the armrest of the sofa hard, his joints turned white instantly, and veins popped out on the back of his hand. Those details that he had ignored now appeared in front of him very clearly. Yi Shuqi's hesitant expression, her tired look when she took care of the children alone, and her strength and forbearance when she silently endured the pressure of life, all pierced his heart like sharp knives.

Now, what scares him the most and makes him feel helpless is that he will have to face his child alone in the future. He has never really taken care of his child's daily affairs. He doesn't know whether his child likes to drink warm milk or hot soy milk every morning when he wakes up. He has no idea how his child will react if he is bullied by classmates at school. What's worse, he has no idea how to comfort a young heart that is about to lose the company of his mother.

When Chu Ling thought of this, his eyes were instantly filled with panic and helplessness, and his eyes wandered around the room uncontrollably, as if he could find a solution to the problem in this familiar environment. But there was only empty silence around him, and the only response to him was the "tick-tick" sound of the clock on the wall. That sound seemed to be a ruthless countdown of fate, urging him to face this cruel reality again and again.

The morning light squeezed in through the gaps in the curtains, casting a few rays of light on the ground. Chu Ling was suddenly awakened by the shrill sound of the alarm clock and sat up from the bed with sleepy eyes. In a trance, he thought he would see Yi Shuqi packing clothes, but when he turned around, there was only an empty bed beside him.

He rubbed his swollen temples, and then he remembered that he and his child were alone now. "I have to prepare breakfast for the child." He muttered in a low voice and dragged his feet towards the kitchen.

Standing in the kitchen, Chu Ling stared at the cupboard in a daze. It took him a while to remember where the milk was. He took the milk out of the refrigerator and frantically looked for a cup. He accidentally dropped the cup on the ground with a clang and broke into several pieces. "Damn it!" He cursed in a low voice and squatted down to clean up. The sharp fragments cut his fingers and bright red blood oozed out.

After a simple bandage, Chu Ling finally poured the milk and started to prepare bread for the child. He put the bread into the toaster but forgot to set the timer. When he remembered, the bread was already burnt black and emitted a pungent burnt smell.

Chu Ling brought a barely edible breakfast to the child's room, and the child was still sleeping soundly on the bed. "Baby, wake up." He called softly, with a hint of fatigue and tenderness in his voice. The child opened his eyes dazedly, saw Chu Ling, rubbed his eyes and asked: "Dad, where is Mom?" Chu Ling's heart tightened, and he pretended to be calm and said: "Mom has gone out for something, Dad will accompany you today."

When dressing the child, Chu Ling was even more flustered. He picked up the clothes, but couldn't tell the front from the back, and it took a lot of effort to put them on the child. The pants were also worn crookedly, and the child couldn't help but say, "Dad, you make me so uncomfortable." Chu Ling's face was full of guilt, and he apologized repeatedly, with beads of sweat on his forehead.

After finally cleaning up the child, Chu Ling sat on the sofa, breathing heavily. Thinking back to the embarrassment of this morning, he felt more and more powerless. The child was eating breakfast obediently, but Chu Ling fell into deep thought.

He knew that he could not handle these trivial daily affairs at all. He was busy with work and could not take care of the child's daily life as carefully as Yi Shuqi. At this moment, the idea of finding a nanny became stronger in his mind. He thought that perhaps only in this way could the child be properly taken care of, and he could also breathe a sigh of relief and have the energy to face the dual pressure of work and life.

The morning sun shone through the thin clouds and gently fell on the window of Chu Ling's house. The sharp ring of the alarm clock suddenly rang, and Chu Ling frowned in his sleep. He subconsciously reached out to touch Yi Shuqi beside him, but only touched a cold sheet. He opened his eyes suddenly and remembered that Yi Shuqi had left for a long time, and now only he and the child were left in this slightly empty house.

"Dad, I'm thirsty." The child's tender voice came from the next room. Chu Ling hurriedly got up, put on his coat, and hurried to the kitchen. He stood in front of the cupboard, his eyes a little confused, and it took him a while to find the cup that the child often used in the corner. When pouring milk, his hands trembled slightly, and some milk spilled on the countertop. "I'm so clumsy." Chu Ling whispered to himself and hurriedly wiped it with a rag.

Chu Ling walked into the child's room with milk in his hand, and forced a smile, saying, "Baby, drink some milk." The child took the milk, gulped down a few sips, and suddenly looked up and asked, "Dad, where is mom? I haven't seen her for a long time." Chu Ling's smile froze on his face, and a trace of panic flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and said gently, "Mom is out on vacation, baby, she will be back soon." The child nodded, not quite understanding, but there was still a trace of loss in his eyes. (End of this chapter)