After four years of living alone after marrying far away, he went back to his parents' home and

Lan Yujuan stood on the balcony, watching the man downstairs take out his phone.

Before the call was even connected, he looked up and gazed toward the Lan family's balcony.

"Feed?" Her ex-husband's familiar voice came through the phone, tinged with obvious surprise.

"Honey, can you see me?"

Despite feeling nauseous, Lan Yujuan questioned:

"Liu Zhiyuan, what exactly are you trying to do?"

"There's absolutely nothing between us anymore!"

Why do you always bother us, like a persistent ghost?

Her ex-husband downstairs gazed in her direction, his joy fading, replaced by a stubbornness.

"I did not harass you."

"You blocked me, so I haven't called you since."

"If you won't let me come to your home, I'll just stay downstairs in the community and watch you from afar."

"Yujuan, I've been reflecting on this lately. I know I was wrong, and what I did in the past hurt you. It was my fault, but I'm truly determined to change."

"Could you, for Xiaoman's sake, give me another chance?"

Lan Yujuan got goosebumps all over her body as she listened.

"Are you ever going to stop?!"

"Liu Zhiyuan, are you even a man?"

"Besides thinking about men and women, can't you think about anything serious, like your work?"

Her ex-husband on the phone was more relaxed than she had imagined, with a "what's the use" attitude.

"Hmph, you're my wife. Don't you know whether I'm a man or not?"

"Who's your wife? Watch your mouth!" Lan Yujuan was so angry she was speechless.

Hearing her angry outburst, her ex-husband on the other end seemed quite pleased, showing no anger whatsoever, and said with a grin:

"Who says I haven't thought about important matters? I have!"

"For you and the child, I specially quit my job in Beijing and moved to southern Hunan by myself."

"But don't worry, honey, I've found a new job in Xiangnan now."

"Although the salary and benefits are not as good as they were in Beijing before, it's more than enough to support you and your daughter."

"Do you have enough money lately? I saw you this morning; you bought a lot of groceries and went upstairs. You must have spent a lot of money, right?"

"Or, I'll give you my salary card, and you can spend it however you want!"

When Lan Yujuan heard the news that her ex-husband had moved to Hunan to live and work, she was stunned, as if she had heard a terrible scare.

"Liu Zhiyuan, don't joke with me like that!"

The ex-husband on the other end of the phone remained silent for a long while before slowly saying:

"Honey, I'm not joking. I've seriously considered this."

"I'm alone, and I don't want to drift around in Beijing anymore."

"Dad passed away, and Mom is determined to live with Zhigang, so I don't need to worry about her. Zhifang has her own job and will also find her own place in the future."

"Only you and our daughter need me the most!"

"You and our daughter are the closest people in my life! So, wherever you are in the future, that's where I will be."

"Honey, please give me another chance, okay?"

"I'm willing to wait, as long as you forgive me, I'm willing to wait as long as it takes!"

"If you're willing, I'll even be your son-in-law! I'll take good care of our parents together with you in the future!"

As he spoke, Liu Zhiyuan's voice became choked with sobs.

Lan Yujuan heard her ex-husband crying downstairs over the phone, saying that it was a lie to say she felt no ripples in her heart.

"Liu Zhiyuan, the divorce is real, and our separation is real."

"My daughter and I used to need you. But now, we don't."

"As for my parents, they don't need your filial piety. If you have that kind of filial piety, you should go back to your hometown and take care of your own family!"

"Liu Zhiyuan, you really don't need to wait for me to turn back anymore, I won't!"

Lan Yujuan's calmness only stirred up Liu Zhiyuan's emotions, and his tone gradually became agitated.

"I don't believe it! I don't believe it!"

"As long as you're not married, I'll wait for you! If you're not married for a year, I'll wait for you for a year!"

"Lan Yujuan, if you don't believe me, let's just wait and see who outlasts whom!"

After saying that, the other party hung up the phone.

Liu Zhiyuan, who was standing downstairs, stared at her for a few seconds before turning and leaving.

Lan Yujuan watched that figure walk away little by little until it disappeared into the residential area.

An alarm bell rang in her heart.

Her ex-husband, Liu Zhiyuan, came from a poor family but became a "prodigy" in Beijing, earning millions a year. He had huge savings, both his parents were alive, his younger siblings were respectful, and he had a happy family.

For many years, the flag at home has remained flying high, while colorful flags flutter outside.

However, overnight, the building collapsed, turning into a scene of utter devastation.

He lost his job, his savings, and was burdened with huge debts. Everyone who used to fawn over him has now abandoned him.

This dramatic shift from heaven to hell has gradually warped his psyche.

He sees his ex-wife, who was once gentle and devoted to him, and with whom he had a daughter, as the only lifeline he can find.

He tried desperately to hold onto her.

Either pull him ashore, or go to hell with him!

"Mommy~"

"Are you alright?"

"It's time to eat."

"Grandma asked me to come over and call you for dinner."

Lan Yujuan snapped out of her daze and turned to look behind her.

He saw his little one, perched on the doorframe, looking at him with worried eyes.

Lan Yujuan quickly banished all the messy thoughts from her mind.

Then, smiling, she walked over, picked up her little one, and kissed him repeatedly.

"It's okay, Mom's enjoying the view from the balcony!"

She played with the little one while carrying him into the living room.

"Let's go eat!"

All the dishes were served at the table, and everyone took their seats one after another.

Lan Yujuan picked up the little one and placed him directly on her special children's high chair.

Unexpectedly, the little guy, who had just sat down, rubbed his nose and giggled:

"My mom kissed me, and it smelled like my uncle."

The little guy's words were like a thunderclap, silencing everyone at the table.

Lan Yujuan blushed and whispered, "You smelled it wrong."

The little guy was just saying it casually, and when he saw that his mother didn't believe him, he immediately got anxious.

"Really, I didn't smell it wrong!"

"The smell of my mother's cigarettes and the smell of cigarettes on my uncle are the same."

Lan Yujuan felt guilty, her head was buzzing, and even her neck turned red, so she quickly changed the subject.

"Let's eat first, the food will get cold!"

As she spoke, she picked up a spoon again to feed the little guy.

"Is the puzzle that Aunt Rui Rui gave you fun? You can teach Mommy about it this afternoon."

Everyone at the table started eating and chatting casually, pretending not to notice what the child was saying.

Only Chen Mo was equally flustered and nervous.

He sat upright next to his stern father, his eyes lowered, not daring to utter a sound.

Halfway through the meal, suddenly, Mother Lan asked with a smile:

"When are you planning to get your marriage certificate?"

Chen Mo's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately put down his chopsticks.

He placed his hands naturally on his thighs, looked up, and replied earnestly:

"Auntie, either is fine with me."

"We can get married anytime as long as Yujuan agrees."

At this moment, Chen Mo's attitude was upright and serious, as if he were ready to join the organization at any time!

Lan Yujuan, holding the bowl, was stunned. Her face flushed, she kicked Chen Mo under the table and whispered:

"Who asked you?"

"My mom asked when Li Rui and Qin Zhang are planning to get their marriage certificate..."