Chapter 9: Regret

“I know everything now. As for what I said before, it was all just angry words. For the sake of our daughter, can you forgive me? I think you surely can, can't you?” Pang Shuyi looked at Feng Xu with excitement. Yes, there was still a daughter binding them together—perhaps that bond might make Feng Xu reconsider.

Li Feihu quietly moved to Li Yunan's side.

“Sis, now you're really finished. If you don’t say anything, there’s still a chance they might make up as husband and wife.”

“You little rascal.”

Li Yunan drew in a sharp breath. Had he said something he shouldn’t have just now? Or had what he said already caused Feng Xu’s heart to shift? She stomped hard on her cousin’s foot.

“Hiss—”

Li Feihu sucked in air, not daring to speak anymore and could only watch Feng Xu in silence.

When he learned Feng Xu had made significant scientific contributions for their nation, he felt regret. He, too, had once looked at Feng Xu with cold eyes, but now, whatever choices Feng Xu made, he would respect them.

At that moment, Feng Xu stood before Pang Shuyi, a bitter smile curving at his lips.

“I think there’s nothing more left for us to discuss. Since things have come to this, you have your choices, and I have my freedom.”

“Live your own life well. But I must take our daughter with me—she belongs to me!”

“Even from a legal perspective, the court would surely grant her to me!”

“I don’t want to prolong this or disgrace us both, so please, tell me where our daughter lives now.”

“This is the last bit of dignity between us—I hope you find happiness.”

Feng Xu spoke calmly. To him, Pang Shuyi had already died in his heart. Since she had chosen to follow the Qi family, there was no need to look back.

“Wuuu… wuuu…” Pang Shuyi suddenly burst into tears, her eyes reddening.

“It’s true I was wrong before, Feng Xu, but is there really no turning back? We still have a daughter!”

She looked at him anxiously. She had thought the Qi family was among the wealthiest in the region and hoped to join their ranks. Yet, once Feng Xu returned to his homeland, what he gained was not only honor but also unimaginable wealth.

Because she knew that, in the eyes of their country, Feng Xu’s scientific achievements were equal to the technological might of an entire nation.

As for money, it was insignificant to the state; what they sought was international prestige.

“Where is our daughter? This is the last shred of dignity between us, the final road as husband and wife. I hope you cherish it. From now on, walk your own path.”

Feng Xu spoke coldly. With things at this point, a clear boundary had to be drawn between them.

“Daughter… daughter…”

Pang Shuyi bit her lip, lifted her head and gazed foolishly at Feng Xu, then quickly stared at the floor.

Feng Xu’s heart skipped a beat; suddenly, he felt something was wrong.

“Has something happened to our daughter?” he asked icily, staring at Pang Shuyi. As a mother, it was only natural for her to care for their child, but her nervous, evasive gaze made him furious.

“Don’t be so agitated.”

Seeing the bloodshot anger in Feng Xu’s eyes, Pang Shuyi hurried to calm him. For a man as cold as ice, if provoked, the murderous glint in his eyes could freeze a person’s soul.

“Since I entered the Qi family—not that I really did—I can only see our daughter once a week. Actually, she’s doing well, her condition is good…”

“Pang Shuyi, I want the truth. There’s no turning back for us. Tell me where our daughter is. I don’t want to hear anything else.”

Feng Xu replied coldly. He had no need for Pang Shuyi’s explanations now; he only wanted to know where his daughter was.

“The old Qi family estate,” Pang Shuyi said lifelessly, sinking weakly to the ground.

In that moment, she was truly defeated, and she had a premonition: the Qi family would soon collapse in ruin.

Watching Feng Xu leave with Li Yunan and the others, she couldn’t help but wail.

“Heavens! Did I really make a mistake? I only sought wealth, but who could have known!”

Her cries echoed through the hall.

“You two, safely escort this lady home,” Li Yunan said with a frown, glancing at Li Feihu behind her.

“Sis, is it necessary? She’s no longer related to brother-in-law anyway,” Li Feihu replied, his eyes sly and his face smug.

“You brat! If you keep running your mouth, I’ll let Grandpa teach you a lesson,” Li Yunan said, her cheeks flushing as she raised her fist to punch her cousin.

Li Feihu, quick as ever, dodged the blow, then signaled with his arm. The two of them together escorted Pang Shuyi home.

“What’s wrong?” Feng Xu sensed something amiss behind him and turned to look.

“N-nothing! Let’s hurry,” Li Yunan said urgently. At top speed, Feng Xu opened the car door, hoping to pick up Feng Xiaoxiao.

“Mm,” Feng Xu nodded, settling into the vehicle.

As the engine roared, Feng Xu gazed into the distance toward the Qi family’s estate, his fist clenched, excitement rising at the thought of seeing his daughter.

Li Yunan noticed this, and grew tense.

“Feng Xu, this is partly my fault. If I had brought Feng Xiaoxiao to your home earlier, perhaps none of this would have happened,” she said cautiously, feeling guilty. She had met Feng Xiaoxiao before: a lovely, intelligent child.

Feng Xu sighed, a smile appearing at the corner of his lips.

“How could this be your fault? At the Academy of Sciences, there are countless documents to review daily; you’re already stretched thin.”