After the divorce, he took care of his child and sold fried rice; his ex-wife was filled with regret

Qin Lang leaned against the door frame.

Qin Lang was actually well aware of Su Qing's return to China to fight for custody, as Shen Man had previously told him during a meal.

Jiangcheng is not big, and the top-floor confinement area is like a wall that lets in the wind.

The news that Su's Group has recently successfully raised funds and is preparing to go public in the United States is on the front page of major financial news outlets. Her background is no secret in their circle.

"I saw that she brought a lawyer, as well as her parents."

"They're up to no good. Should I step in and put in a good word? If the Qin family gives the word, no lawyer in Jiangcheng will dare to take her case."

"No need." Lin Fan turned and walked towards the stove, his voice steady.

"I can handle this myself. If she wants custody, let her sue in court. Tuantuan is mine, and no one can take her away."

Seeing Lin Fan's resolute attitude, Qin Lang didn't try to persuade him further. He knew Lin Fan's temperament.

"Okay. Call me if you need anything." Qin Lang said goodbye and turned to leave.

The lunch break has ended.

Su Xiaoxiao saw the last guest out and hung up a "Resting" sign.

She took a rag and skillfully wiped the tables in the hall.

Lin Fan brought out a plate of freshly stir-fried vegetables and two bowls of rice from the kitchen and placed them on the table near the counter.

"Xiaoxiao, dinner's ready," Lin Fan called out.

"Coming!" Su Xiaoxiao put down the rag, washed her hands, and ran over to sit down.

On the table was a simple plate of shredded pork with green peppers and a bowl of seaweed and egg drop soup. Although it wasn't a divine dish from the system's recipes, it used ingredients produced in the spirit fields.

Su Xiaoxiao picked up the bowl and began to eat heartily.

Lin Fan walked to the top of the stairs and called up, "Tuantuan, come down for dinner."

A moment later, Tuantuan came running down carrying a large strawberry bear plush toy.

She wore a pink dress today, and her hair was tied into two small braids that swayed as she ran.

"Daddy, what are we having for dinner today?" Tuantuan climbed onto the chair and placed the strawberry bear on the empty seat next to her.

Lin Fan turned and went to the kitchen, bringing out a small white porcelain stew pot.

Lifting the lid reveals a steamed egg with tender, simmered minced meat. A drizzle of savory soy sauce is added, releasing an irresistible aroma.

"Eat steamed egg." Lin Fan handed her a spoon.

Tuantuan eagerly scooped up a large spoonful and stuffed it into her mouth, exhaling sharply from the heat, and mumbled, "Delicious!"

Lin Fan sat opposite her, picked up his rice bowl, and ate slowly.

The hall was quiet, with only the soft sound of chopsticks touching bowls and plates.

There was a sudden knock on the door.

Su Xiaoxiao put down her bowl and went to open the door.

Shen Man stood outside the door. Her face was pale, and she looked to be in very poor spirits.

"Miss Shen." Su Xiaoxiao quickly stepped aside.

Shen Man nodded and walked in.

Lin Fan put down his chopsticks and took a tissue to wipe his mouth: "Why are you here at this hour?"

Shen Man walked to the table and glanced at Tuantuan, who was engrossed in eating eggs.

"Let's talk in my office," Lin Fan said, standing up.

He led Shen Man upstairs to the second floor. There was a small office on the second floor, which was usually used to store some account books and odds and ends.

Lin Fan pulled out a chair for her to sit down, then went to the water dispenser to get a glass of warm water and handed it to her.

Shen Man took the paper cup, held it with both hands, but did not drink it.

"Su Qing is back," Shen Man said, her voice a little hoarse. "She just called me."

"I know." Lin Fan pulled up a chair and sat down.

Shen Man looked up at Lin Fan's calm face, her fingers unconsciously tightening around the paper cup. "That bastard Liu Zhiyuan is stirring things up behind your back. Su Qing thinks I'm helping you. She wouldn't even listen to my explanation and just hung up the phone."

Lin Fan felt a pang of sadness looking at Shen Man's reddened eyes, as he hadn't expected this matter to involve others.

"I'm sorry, I've dragged you into this," Lin Fan said.

"I'm not here to hear your apology." Shen Man took a deep breath and placed the paper cup on the table.

"Lin Fan, what exactly are you planning to do? Su Qing is determined to take Tuantuan away this time. The Su Group is going public in the US next month, and she has a large sum of money at her disposal."

"You are a sole proprietor, and unstable income is a fatal weakness in court."

Lin Fan leaned back in his chair, his hands clasped in front of him.

"My income is very stable," Lin Fan said.

"I know your daily turnover is high," Shen Man said anxiously, "but the judge looks at long-term tax payment records and asset assessments. How long has your shop been open?"

"Shen Man," Lin Fan interrupted her, "I won't sue her."

Shen Man was stunned: "What do you mean? You're going to give Tuantuan to her?"

"No." Lin Fan looked out the window. "She can't find any evidence to attack me in court. She can check my accounts if she wants. She can check my food suppliers if she wants. She won't find anything."

"I didn't evade taxes, and the store's hygiene standards are met. Her attempt to pressure me using conventional business or legal means won't work."

Shen Man looked at Lin Fan. She suddenly realized that the man in front of her was a completely different person from the timid Lin Fan she used to know in the Su family's kitchen.

The current Lin Fan exudes a calm and reassuring composure.

"But..." Shen Man wanted to say something more.

Lin Fan didn't reply, but instead carefully looked at Shen Man's face.

Her face was terribly pale, her lips were bloodless, and there were deep dark circles under her eyes. She sat there with her shoulders slumped, her fingers unconsciously picking at the edge of the paper cup, exuding a deep weariness and anxiety.

"Has something happened to you lately?" Lin Fan interrupted her. "You're in a bad state. It's not just because of Su Qing's phone call, is it?"

Shen Man paused, her fingers, which were fiddling with the paper cup, stopped.

She lowered her head, looking at the slightly swaying warm water in the glass, and said nothing.

She took a deep breath, trying to hold back the tears welling up in her eyes, but her shoulders still trembled uncontrollably.

Lin Fan listened quietly, without pressing for details or offering any perfunctory words of comfort. He simply asked one question:

Have you had lunch yet?

Shen Man shook her head.

She hasn't had a drop of water since morning. Her stomach is cramping, but she doesn't feel hungry. She only feels nauseous and weak.

"Sit here and rest for a while. I'll go get something to eat." Lin Fan stood up.

Shen Man recalled the mess she made that morning and initially wanted to refuse.

She had no appetite at all. But when she looked up and met Lin Fan's calm and steady eyes, the words of refusal stuck in her throat.

That suffocating pressure seemed to be suddenly kept outside the door in this small second-floor office.

"Thank you for your help," Shen Man said softly.

Lin Fan nodded, turned around, went downstairs, and entered the kitchen.

Lin Fan walked into the kitchen, turned around and locked the door. His consciousness sank, and he entered the system space.

Lingtian Farm.

The air was filled with the fresh scent of earth.

In the half-acre field, the lush green vegetables are growing vigorously.

Lin Fan walked to the edge of the field. The purple onions he had planted earlier were now ripe.