Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Gu Shaoting looked at Shu Pan and merely nodded without saying much. His expression was difficult to decipher, showing a hint of complexity. Seeing this, Tong Fei was worried that there might be some underlying connection between them. She stepped forward, gently taking Gu Shaotingâs hand, and coquettishly said, âShaoting, Iâm hungry. Letâs go.â
Tong Fei didnât want to give Gu Shaoting and Shu Pan too much opportunity to talk. She had noticed that every time they met, Gu Shaoting seemed to change in some way.
She was concerned that everything she had carefully planned would go to waste.
Gu Shaoting remained silent and allowed Tong Fei to lead him away. Only he knew that when he saw Shu Pan, his heart was beating rapidly.
He had only used the excuse of changing the plans to see her. After all, the initial design had been fine. However, not long after Tong Fei called him and expressed her intention to visit, he had no choice but to agree. He also genuinely wanted to hear her input.
But who could have foreseen that she would come and criticize everything, making him feel slightly upset, as if others were criticizing his work? He couldnât understand why he had such thoughts.
After Gu Shaoting and Tong Fei left, Shu Pan focused on discussing the project details with the construction workers, aiming for the best results.
After finishing work, Shu Pan hurriedly rushed to the kindergarten to pick up Joy. On the way, Joy seemed a bit subdued, unlike her usual self, full of questions and chatter. Shu Pan was puzzled. Wasnât Joy excited to go to school today?
Shu Pan couldnât help but ask Joy, âWhatâs wrong, my little princess? You seem really unhappy today.â
âIs everyone supposed to have a dad, Mom?â Joy asked curiously.
âOf course, everyone has a mom and a dad,â Shu Pan replied. However, as soon as she said that, Joy burst into tears.
Shu Pan was taken aback. What had happened at kindergarten today to suddenly bring up the topic of âdadsâ? She hadnât planned to tell Joy about this until she was older. Childrenâs worlds were so simple, and Shu Pan didnât want adult complications to affect her.
âBut Zhang Zihan and Wang Keke have dads, right? Why donât I have one? They said kids without dads are adopted,â Joy said.
Joyâs words left Shu Pan speechless.
She hesitated for a moment before explaining, âWell, you do have a dad. Itâs just that your dad is working in a faraway place.â
âWhen will he come back? Does Dad know about me?â Joyâs eyes were filled with longing.
âI believe heâll be back soon. You just have to be a good girl,â Shu Pan replied, feeling a pang of sadness. She suddenly realized that Joy needed a father figure in her life.
The role of a father was of paramount importance, and she had been neglecting this issue all along, assuming that Joy was still too young to understand. However, with the environment she was now exposed to, Joy would gradually come to understand it.
Shu Pan thought to herself that she had been too self-centered and hadnât considered everything carefully when she decided to bring Joy into the world..