On the day of the divorce, I became Qin Shao's darling.

It was Feng Zheqian, whom I had just parted ways with in the elevator.

"Xiwei, get in the car, I'll give you a ride. It's hard to get a taxi at this hour."

Lin Xiwei really didn't want to trouble the other party.

But Sister Hong was getting impatient. She wanted to get back as soon as possible so she could take the child to visit the Qin family elders. This delay...

"Okay then, thank you."

After a brief hesitation, she walked around the front of the car to the passenger side, told Sister Hong that she was getting in, and hung up the phone.

On the way, Feng Zheqian hesitated several times, but finally couldn't help but ask, "Um... are you planning to get a divorce?"

Lin Xiwei was taken aback and turned to look at him.

Feng Zheqian chuckled and explained, "Around noon, I was smoking by the fire escape after lunch when I overheard you on the phone."

It turned out to be the case.

Lin Xiwei was somewhat annoyed.

She made a point of checking the stairwell to make sure no one was there before chatting so much with Chu Qing, but she still overlooked it.

"Yes, our relationship has broken down. There's no point in forcing us to stay together. Divorce would be better for both of us."

Lin Xiwei spoke in a flat tone, indicating she didn't want to talk any further.

Feng Zheqian nodded: "Indeed. But with such an excellent and capable wife like you, losing you would be his loss, and he will definitely regret it later."

"Perhaps."

Lin Xiwei replied perfunctorily.

She was deeply hurt by Su Yunfan and now only wanted to sever all ties with him completely. As for whether he would regret it later, she didn't care.

Anyway, she won't come back.

Due to the rain and traffic jams, we kept stopping and starting on the road, and it took an hour to get to the hospital.

The rain has stopped outside.

Feng Zheqian got out of the car very gentlemanly and offered to open the car door for Lin Xiwei.

Lin Xiwei couldn't stand this treatment and rushed to open the door and get out of the car first.

"Manager Feng, thank you for your help tonight." Lin Xiwei nodded politely in thanks.

"Don't be so formal. We're alumni and colleagues. It was just a small favor." Feng Zheqian looked at her, then hesitated, clearly wanting to say more but too embarrassed to speak.

"Goodbye then." Lin Xiwei was in a hurry to be with her son, so she smiled politely, said goodbye, and turned away.

But Feng Zheqian didn't leave immediately. Instead, he stood by the car and watched the woman's figure disappear into the distance.

A Bentley Mulsanne had just passed by the hospital entrance.

Han Rui, sitting in the passenger seat, asked with a hint of curiosity, "Isn't that Miss Lin? She just got out of that Volvo."

Qin Jiamo witnessed this scene.

The man standing by the car gazed at Lin Xiwei with affection, his eyes protecting her—their relationship seemed more than just casual.

Han Rui turned to look at the back seat of the car: "Boss, it's so late, and that person still went out of their way to bring Miss Lin to the hospital..."

Clearly, Han Rui also had some suspicions.

It's not that they have bad intentions or are meddling in other people's business.

However, since Lin Xiwei is currently going through a divorce, it is very important for her to be careful with her words and actions, otherwise, if Su Yunfan finds any leverage against her, it could be detrimental to her.

Qin Jiamo glanced at him indifferently and said, "I think he's just a ride-hailing driver."

"..." Han Rui muttered to himself: This is obviously not it.

But he didn't dare to say a word.

Qin Jiamo's words were meant to protect Lin Xiwei, but in truth, he also had his doubts.

A young and beautiful woman, married for four years, has a husband with erectile dysfunction and has never had sexual relations with him. This must be even more unbearable than being single.

He couldn't help but wonder if Lin Xiwei could truly be so detached from worldly desires and endure four years of torment.

Even if she did have some kind of problem, he felt it was reasonable and understandable.

When Lin Xiwei returned to the ward, Junjun was already asleep.

Sister Hong was yawning from sleepiness. After a brief handover, Sister Hong left.

Lin Xiwei thought about her promise to Qin Jiamo during the day, and then looked at her sleeping child. After much deliberation, she sent a WeChat message.

[Attorney Qin, I'm so sorry, I was working overtime today and got delayed. There was also traffic on the way here, and my child is already asleep when we arrive at the hospital. Could we wait until tomorrow or the weekend to visit your parents?]

Qin Jiamo had just arrived at her mother's hospital room.

Looking at the old lady who was already fast asleep in the room, he replied with a single word.

[Um. ]

Lin Xiwei stared at this single, brief word, pondering it repeatedly in her mind.

Could he think that he was unhappy because he didn't want the child to have contact with his parents?

Or perhaps it's because I went back on my word and got angry?

Lin Xiwei still held this person in some awe.

Qin Jiamo's innate dignity and nobility made everyone who came into contact with him unconsciously feel inferior.

But in reality, Qin Jiamo was neither angry nor unhappy.

He was delayed by something today and is only now arriving at the hospital.

It was already late, and everyone there was a patient, so it was really inconvenient to make any more trouble.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

That night, Lin Xiwei had a rare good night's sleep.

Since her son fell ill and was hospitalized, she has been anxious every day, either suffering from insomnia or waking up frequently at night.

Now that she has a reliable lawyer for her divorce case and her son's medical expenses are covered, she can finally sleep soundly.

But this peace did not last long.

Early in the morning, while she was having breakfast with Junjun, her phone rang.

Looking at the unfamiliar number, she initially thought it was Su Yunfan or Zhong Yurou, and didn't want to answer.

But the other party kept calling, and since she had just finished eating and put down her chopsticks, she picked up her phone and answered.

"Feed..."

"Is this Lin Xiwei?" The voice on the other end of the phone was both authoritative and polite.

"I am, and you are—"

"I am a police officer. Your mother, Zhao Xingfen, is going to jump off a building. She said she wants to see you one last time. Please cooperate with our work and go home immediately."

Lin Xiwei's mind went blank for a moment, and she immediately remembered her parents' threat yesterday—that if she didn't give them the money, they would kill themselves.

They're actually serious!

"Okay, I got it, I'll be right back."

Although she was furious, Lin Xiwei ultimately couldn't ignore her mother's life or death.

She immediately called Sister Hong, but Sister Hong couldn't get there quickly because of the morning rush hour traffic.

Junjun needs to go for a check-up later, and he definitely can't go without an adult accompanying him.

In her anxiety, Lin Xiwei suddenly remembered someone and immediately dialed their number.

"Feed." A deep, authoritative voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Attorney Qin, are you at the hospital?"

"What's wrong?" Qin Jiamo, who had just stepped into the elevator in the North Building, noticed that her tone was abnormal and her voice was noticeably tighter.

"Something happened at my home, and I'm rushing back, but the nanny hasn't arrived yet, and Junjun has a check-up soon, I can't wait... so I wanted to ask if you were at the hospital, if..."

Before she could finish explaining, Qin Jiamo replied in a deep voice, "I'm here. You go ahead and do your work. I'll go and keep the kids company."

"Great, thank you! I'll wait for you to come over."

After the call ended, Qin Jiamo went up the elevator without hesitation.

Han Rui stood beside him and reminded him, "Boss, we have a morning meeting."

"Okay, I understand. You can coordinate it; postponement or cancellation is fine."

Han Rui looked surprised. His boss, who was always a workaholic, would actually put his work aside to help someone "babysit".

He couldn't help but exclaim, "Boss, you really spoil that little guy."

Qin Jiamo didn't speak, but recalling the scene of accompanying Junjun yesterday, she didn't feel any aversion; in fact, she was quite looking forward to it.

In the hospital room, Lin Xiwei breathed a sigh of relief after hanging up the phone and quickly told her son, "Sweetie, Mommy has to leave urgently. The uncle who had lunch with you yesterday will come to keep you company later. Be a good boy, okay?"

Little Junjun was still eating breakfast when he heard this and corrected me in his cute little voice, "Mommy, that stingy uncle won't let me call him uncle, I have to call him grandpa."

"..." Lin Xiwei paused for a moment, then stroked her son's head and said, "Yes, baby, you should call him Uncle."

"But why?"

This question stumped Lin Xiwei.

"Hmm... Junjun is still too young to understand what these titles mean. When you're older, Mommy will explain them to you. Anyway, remember, that uncle is your great-uncle, and he will treat you very well."

Junjun blinked her big eyes and blurted out a surprising question: "Does Uncle like Mommy? Is he trying to please me?"

Lin Xiwei stared, stunned.

"Of course not!" she exclaimed, realizing what she meant, then laughed and cried at the same time. "How would you, a little kid, know all this?"

"Aunt Hong said it yesterday. She said that my uncle is handsome and rich, and he is generous to me. He is much better than my dad. If my uncle likes my mom, it would be great if he could be my dad in the future."

Just as Junjun finished speaking, the half-closed ward door was pushed open.

Qin Jiamo strode closer.

Lin Xiwei was startled and quickly turned around, her cheeks immediately turning red.

"Attorney Qin, you're here." She quickly greeted him, her heart pounding, wondering if the other person had heard her son's words.

Qin Jiamo nodded, his usual aloof demeanor unchanged: "Go ahead and do your work, I'll stay with him."

Lin Xiwei responded, but thinking about her son's question earlier, she worried that the little guy would directly ask Qin Jiamo later, so she hesitated for a moment and said, "Well, children say the darndest things, Junjun doesn't understand anything, no matter what he says, just ignore it."

Qin Jiamo said in a serious tone, "The child is right. His uncle is handsome, rich, and generous to him. He is indeed much better than his father."

"..." Lin Xiwei was about to explode!

They actually heard everything!

"Uncle, have you had breakfast? I still have some steamed buns here, would you like some?"

Junjun had no idea what trouble he had caused. When he saw Qin Jiamo smile happily, he held up a small steamed bun in his little hand.

Qin Jiamo smiled faintly and walked towards the child: "I've eaten, you can eat."

"Oh, then I've finished eating."

Qin Jiamo looked at Lin Xiwei, "Aren't you in a hurry? You can leave the child to me."

Lin Xiwei came to her senses, feeling as if she were on fire, so embarrassed that she wished she could disappear into the ground.

"Okay, I'll be going now. The nanny will arrive in about half an hour. Once she's here, you can go and get back to work."

Lin Xiwei handed over the instructions while taking out her handbag.

She walked quickly to the door and saw Han Rui nod to her. Her face turned red, and she smiled shyly and nodded, then practically rushed out the door.

At the dining table, Qin Jiamo, sitting with the child, casually asked, "Son, do you want me to be your dad?"

Han Rui raised an eyebrow. Was the boss about to lay his cards on the table?

Junjun, with a steamed bun stuffed in his mouth, thought for a moment and said, "That depends on whether you like my mom or not."

"What does this have to do with your mother?" the man frowned.

"Of course it's related. You have to like Mommy, and Mommy has to like you, for you to be my dad."

Han Rui chuckled to himself, thinking to himself that the little guy was practically a genius.

Qin Jiamo also found it funny. Strictly speaking, how could a little kid who was not even three years old know so much?

As expected of someone with the Qin family bloodline, he's been intelligent since childhood.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Lin Xiwei rushed home as fast as she could, and finally returned home after being urged several times by the police officers.

Zhao Xingfen climbed to the roof of the building early in the morning and sat on the edge of the rooftop.

Police and firefighters were present nearby, and the two sides had been in a standoff for some time.

"Zhao Xingfen, your daughter is here! Don't be impulsive, talk to your daughter properly." The police officer pulled Lin Xiwei aside and shouted to Zhao Xingfen, who was standing on the edge of the rooftop.

Lin Xiwei stared intently, her heart pounding with panic.

"Mom, come down first. It's too dangerous for you. You'll die if you fall!"

Lin Xiwei knew what her mother's purpose was, but it wasn't worth taking such a big risk.

If one accidentally falls, they will be torn to pieces and die a gruesome death.

When Zhao Xingfen saw her daughter, she became even more agitated: "Weiwei, you're finally here! You only have one question for me today: are you going to save your brother or not?!"

Lin Zheng'an, standing right next to the police, then threatened his daughter: "If you don't give me the money today, your mother will jump off the roof. You'll be the murderer who killed your mother! With so many people watching, you're the mother's killer. Let's see how you live your life after this!"

The police initially didn't know why, only assuming that Zhao Xingfen was suicidal and wanted to see her daughter one last time before she died. They thought that calling her daughter would comfort Zhao Xingfen and save her life.

Who knew the real purpose was like this!

"What's going on with you? You're risking your own lives to force your daughter to give you money to save your son?" The police officer instinctively retorted after understanding the situation.

"This is none of your business! This is our family's affair."

Lin Zheng'an shoved the police aside, grabbed Lin Xiwei's arm, and shouted, "Just give me an answer! Are you going to take the money or save your brother?"

Before Lin Xiwei could speak, Zhao Xingfen, on the other side of the rooftop, stood up shakily.

Fearing she would fall, firefighters rushed to her aid, but she suddenly shouted, "Don't come any closer! Or I'll really jump!"

"Calm down! Let's talk this out. You only have one life. If you die, you'll lose everything!" the firefighters quickly reassured them.

Looking at her mother swaying in the cold wind, Lin Xiwei felt a mix of hatred and pain that tore her internal organs to pieces.

She simply couldn't understand why she was born into such a family.

And why would I have such patriarchal parents?

As the standoff continued, property management staff who were watching from the sidelines began to shout, "Ms. Lin, just agree to your mother's request! You can't really let her jump off the building!"

"Yes! Money can be earned back, but once a person is gone, they're gone forever." The property management company just wanted to keep the peace and started using moral blackmail.

"Lin Xiwei! Your mother is in such a state, and you're still hesitating! In your eyes, isn't your mother's life worth more than 40 yuan?!" Lin Zheng'an roared at his daughter.

Lin Xiwei was isolated and helpless.

She wants to break free from her family of origin, but not now.

If Zhao Xingfen were to impulsively jump, even if she had a valid reason, she would be deemed unreasonable, and the scorn of the world would drown her.

Once the news gets out and spreads online, she will be doxxed and cyberbullied, and even Junjun may be affected.

She can disregard her own safety, but she cannot disregard her child.

"Okay..." Lin Xiwei trembled all over, tears already soaking her cheeks, her voice trembling so tightly she could barely utter a complete syllable, "I'll give you the money, I'll give you the money..."