Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Shu Pan nodded when she heard that.
As the zoo was in the outskirts of Bin City, the drive there took about 40 minutes.
When they arrived, Gu Shaoting parked the car and Shu Pan held Joyâs hand after she got her out of the car seat.
Strong sunlight cascaded through the tree canopy, creating dancing dappled patterns on the ground in tandem with the breeze.
There werenât too many visitors at the zoo. Joy looked a little tired after they walked around for a short while.
Gu Shaotingâs heart ache when he saw that. He picked Joy up and piggybacked her on his shoulders. Shu Pan looked on with worry and tried to stop him.
âPut Joy down. Itâs too dangerous.â
âItâs okay. I am holding her very firmly.â Gu Shaoting walked steadily without any feeling of burden at all.
âWow, Mommy, Iâm taller than you.â Joy shouted happily while sitting on Gu Shaotingâs shoulders.
Shu Pan looked at the backs of the two people in front of her, and felt an unknown feeling spread in her heart.
They saw elephants, peacocks, Joyâs favorite monkeys, and other animals. It was almost noon when Shu Pan felt like her legs no longer belong to her.
She dragged her tired body to a pavilion to rest. Gu Shaoting had good stamina and brought the energetic Joy to see other animals.
âYour husband is so nice to visit the zoo on a weekend with you and your daughter.â Another mother who was resting in the pavilion said. Her daughter was sitting beside her.
âActually, he isnâtâ¦â Shu Pan was about to explain when she realized that if she told people that they were divorced and no longer husband and wife, what would people think?
Never mind, sheâd just let this woman misunderstand. They were strangers
anyway.
Shu Pan smiled awkwardly and said, âOh, he happened to be free.â
âSigh, men nowadays think that itâs enough if they just go out and earn money. They donât care about anything at home. Like my husband, whoâs still sleeping at home. Our daughter has asked him several times to come but he refused with an annoyed look on his face.â The mother said angrily.
âHeâs probably busy. Itâs a lot of pressure to support a family nowadays.â Shu Pan didnât know how she should comfort this woman.
âLook at your husband. Heâs handsome and has a distinguished demeanor. You can just tell that heâs a successful person, but he still loves his wife and daughter so much.â The mother said enviously.
Shu Pan was so embarrassed that she didnât know what to say, so she forced a smile.
âYou are such a happy family of three. Youâre so lucky.â The mother went on and on. Fortunately, Gu Shaoting and Joy were back.
âMommy, itâs a pity that you didnât see the giraffe. Its neck is so long.â Joy said as she gestured with her hands.
Shu Pan took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat off her forehead.
âAre you very tired?â Gu Shaoting looked at Shu Panâs worried face and asked. âYes. Letâs go. I think weâve seen enough.â Shu Pan got up and said goodbye to the other mother.
On their way home, Shu Pan kept thinking about the other motherâs words. Marriage was indeed a womanâs second reincarnation. If she married a bad husband, the rest of her life would be ruined.
They ate outside before they went home. When they arrived downstairs of her apartment, Gu Shaoting carried the sleeping Joy upstairs.
When he came out to the living room, Shu Pan called out, âActually, you donât have to do this. After all, itâs all in the past. I have no other desire than to live a quiet life with Joy.â
The other motherâs words today reminded her that if they went out like this, people would think that they were a happy family..