Chapter Forty-Six

“Then you need to break that habit. Let me help you come up with a few ideas,” Yu Li replied to Xiao Jian. Seeing her message, Xiao Jian felt a glimmer of hope.

“Big sis, please teach me,” Xiao Jian wrote back.

“Well, here’s what you can do: first…” (the rest of the conversation is omitted)

After hearing her advice, Xiao Jian was skeptical, yet this was the suggestion Yu Li had given him. If he wanted to stop his habit of touching men, he needed to seek the cause within himself.

Xiao Jian chose to trust Yu Li. Given her character, she was not that sort of person, and she always kept her promises—not only to Xiao Jian but to everyone, who all thought highly of her.

Following her suggestion, Xiao Jian secluded himself for intensive practice. He returned to his room, lay down on the bed, and hypnotized himself, repeatedly asking why he behaved as he did, always searching for an answer.

During that month, Xiao Jian locked himself in his room and refused to come out. Yu Li’s advice was to sever all contact with the outside world. As for meals, his mother would leave food at the door for him to collect, and after eating, he’d leave the dishes outside.

Hearing his reason for not coming out, Xiao Jian’s parents were both amused and helpless, but knowing their son was in seclusion to change his bad habits, they supported him. If one dares to speak of it, one must dare to act.

For a month, Xiao Jian’s only activities were within his room, never venturing out. Everyone awaited the changes that would emerge after his period of seclusion.

…

Sun Ying was elated; this was the happiest she had ever been. Together with Yu Xingyue, she indulged in every delicacy and enjoyed all the amusements. On this day, Yu Xingyue fulfilled all the dreams Sun Ying had cherished in secret, making them come true.

At this point, you might wonder, what does this have to do with the pains of youth? Of course, it is connected—this is only the beginning. As the story progresses, the pain will be revealed in full.

By evening, Yang Shuting and Sun Yao drove back. Seeing Sun Ying’s joyful face, Sun Yao felt deeply grateful to Yu Xingyue for bringing such happiness to his daughter. He reproached himself for not being a good father, for caring too little for Sun Ying—he had never seen her truly smile before.

Yet now, after less than a day with Yu Xingyue, Sun Ying had shown her first genuine smile. Perhaps it was true happiness, or perhaps it was having gained such a wonderful big brother.

“Thank you for taking Sun Ying out. I honestly didn’t know she could be so happy,” Yu Xingyue said with a smile.

“It seems your relationship has changed a lot. Sun Ying, do you like your big brother?” Yang Shuting looked at Sun Ying, who was standing behind Yu Xingyue.

Sun Ying nodded and said, “I like… being with big brother…” Her response was hesitant, but it was a first step out of her shell. Surely, things would only get better.

The three adults laughed at her reply, and Sun Ying, bashful, hid behind Yu Xingyue, unwilling to come out. Seeing this, Sun Yao felt a pang of envy; his own daughter was so dependent on another. Perhaps Sun Ying had yet to understand matters of the heart—it would not be until middle school that she’d begin to realize.

As it was still early, Sun Yao drove Yang Shuting and Yu Xingyue home. The car ride was filled with joy and laughter, and ten minutes later, they arrived at their building. Sun Yao dropped them off and drove away with Sun Ying.

On the way upstairs, Yang Shuting asked Yu Xingyue, “What do you think of Sun Ying? Are you happy to have a sister like her?”

Yu Xingyue replied, “What do you think, Mom? I feel we get along well; it just takes a little time. If you like her, I’ll like her too.”

Yang Shuting laughed. “I’ve always wanted a daughter. Even though she’s not my own, I can still experience what it’s like.”

“So, do you regret giving birth to me instead?” Yu Xingyue asked.

“You’re my son. Giving birth to you is my responsibility. See how you’ve grown into such a handsome young man—your looks are even changing,” Yang Shuting said, gently touching his face.

“Sigh, I guess you weren’t destined to have a daughter. If you had, I’d be the older brother by blood—how wonderful that would be.”

“I’m sorry, Xingyue. If you want to blame someone, blame me. It’s my fault,” Yang Shuting said.

Yu Xingyue smiled. “Mom, it’s not your fault. If anyone’s to blame, it’s him. We wouldn’t be here otherwise. Let’s just enjoy the present. By the way, Mom, when will you and Uncle Sun get married? My friends want to come. Is that okay?”

Yang Shuting answered, “It hasn’t reached that point yet. When the time comes, I’ll let you know. Of course your friends can come.”

“Thanks, Mom. I know you’re the best.” Yu Xingyue scooped her up and dashed upstairs. Yang Shuting shrieked in surprise, “Put me down! What if someone sees?”

“Who cares? I just want you to find your own happiness,” Yu Xingyue said, laughing.

But as soon as they reached the door, they saw a familiar figure. Yu Xingyue’s expression fell, and he set Yang Shuting down. She asked, “What’s wrong, Xingyue? You look upset.”

“Mom… look who it is.” Yu Xingyue pointed toward the door.

Yang Shuting turned and saw Yu Chun, who had fallen asleep waiting at the door. Clearly, he had been there a long time. Anxiety surged in Yang Shuting’s heart. Yu Xingyue had just called the police that afternoon and had seen him taken away—how could he be back so soon? Neither of them wanted to see him, and fear of Yu Chun’s past violence gripped Yang Shuting.

Seeing her trembling, Yu Xingyue embraced her, offering comfort. In his warm arms, she relaxed a little. Yu Xingyue then kicked the sleeping Yu Chun. “Hey! How long are you planning to sleep here?”

Awakened by the kick, Yu Chun squinted in the bright light and saw Yu Xingyue and Yang Shuting. He broke into a smile. “Have you been well lately?”

Yang Shuting was about to reply, but Yu Xingyue stopped her. “Great, just great. But not with you around. Are you trying to force us out again?”

Yu Chun hurried to explain, “No, no, listen to me. I just want to get back together with your mother.”

“What?!” Yu Xingyue laughed coldly, “You really are something, Yu Chun. After everything, you still want to reconcile? I’ve told you three times already: we have nothing to do with you. Are you here because you’ve run into trouble and want money again?”

“I’ve thought a lot about it. I truly realize my mistakes. I hope you can forgive what I did and give me another chance,” Yu Chun begged.

“Mom, what do you think?” Yu Xingyue asked. Yang Shuting hesitated, moved by Yu Chun’s apparent sincerity, but the wounds from the past were too deep. Now that she had found happiness with Sun Yao, she refused, “I’m sorry, but I’ll never forgive what you did to us. I’ve found my own happiness, and I hope you’ll leave us alone. Xingyue, call the police—tell them a man is blocking our door and won’t let us in.”

Yu Xingyue was about to dial when Yu Chun stopped him. “Can’t you just let me explain?”

“What’s there to explain?” Yu Xingyue sneered. “Whenever you interfere in our lives, nothing good comes of it. What exactly do you want?”

“I just want to get back together with your mother. Is that so wrong? I’ve paid off all my debts, and you still won’t see me?” Yu Chun’s temper flared.

Yu Xingyue’s laugh grew colder. “Those debts were paid by me and my mother. You, a coward, still have the nerve to ask for reconciliation? Mom, call Uncle Sun and have him come over—let’s see what he thinks.”

Hearing the name “Uncle Sun,” Yu Chun sensed something was wrong. “Have you really found someone else to live with?”

Yu Xingyue snapped, “Anyone would be better than you. My mom has found a man ten thousand times better than you. If he treats her well, I’d gladly call him father.”

Yu Chun was stunned, realizing from Yu Xingyue’s tone that he was serious. Now, Yu Chun was desperate to know just who this “Uncle Sun” really was to Yang Shuting.

Ten minutes later, Sun Yao arrived. He had only just gotten home when he received a message from Yu Xingyue about being harassed and came without hesitation, not wanting anything to happen to Yang Shuting.

Upon arrival, Sun Yao first checked that Yu Xingyue and Yang Shuting were safe, then turned to Yu Chun—the short, overweight man harassing them. Sun Yao’s voice was icy: “You’re the one bothering them? Leave now, or I won’t be so polite.”

“Why should I? She’s my wife! Why can’t I look after my wife?” Yu Chun retorted.

Sun Yao pitied Yu Chun. Divorced, yet still calling her his wife—how pathetic. If only he had cherished her before, there’d be no need for regret now.

“Uncle Sun, don’t be polite with him. My mother and I don’t want to see him—he’s always disrupting our lives,” said Yu Xingyue.

Sun Yao nodded, fixing Yu Chun with a cold stare. “I know what you did to Yang Shuting. You failed to cherish her, and now it’s too late for regret. If you insist on staying, I’ll take legal action.”

Yu Xingyue didn’t know that Sun Yao had once been a lawyer, practicing for three years before leaving the profession when he joined Yang Shuting’s company. He never spoke of it, but tonight, for the woman he loved, he invoked the law again.

Yu Chun knew the word “law,” but little else—he regarded it as sacred and untouchable. At its mere mention, his bravado faded.

“Xingyue, call the police. I see no reason for this man not to spend a few days at the station,” Sun Yao said coldly.