Chapter 129: Let It Go |
Before returning home, Liu Changqing went to the police station, but they refused to file a case. They told him it was a matter he needed to handle personally, as less than an hour had passed since the incident and it didn’t qualify as a criminal case—especially since the child had been taken by her mother.
After cursing at Ye Rong during their last phone call, she had hung up. When he tried calling again, the number was already blocked. It was clear she had blacklisted him.
Liu Changqing’s face darkened as he climbed into his van and started driving home in silence.
When he arrived at his building, he parked quickly and rushed upstairs without pause.
Opening the door, he was met with the sight of three people in the living room. Lan Yixian was wiping her eyes with a tissue, her red, swollen eyes revealing she had been crying. Zhou Shiyan sat beside her, while Liu Zhiyue stood by the window.
The sound of the door caught all their attention, and they turned toward him as he entered, not even bothering to change his shoes.
“Dad…”
Liu Zhiyue, visibly tense, clenched his teeth as his face flushed red. His anger was evident—he had been furious upon learning his sister had been taken by their mother. His mind flashed back to the last time he had seen his grandmother, Ye Rong, and the implications of her words.
He dared not think about what might happen if Liu Xiazhi disappeared.
“Don’t worry. Your sister will come back.”
Patting his shoulder reassuringly, he turned to face Lan Yixian, who had raised her head to meet his gaze.
Their eyes met, and her lips trembled slightly as she stammered,
“I’m so sorry… I didn’t know…”
“It’s fine. It was my own oversight.”
“But—”
“Now isn’t the time for self-blame.”
Cutting her off, Liu Changqing’s tone hardened, his expression shifting. He wasn’t in the mood to hear more apologies.
Lan Yixian stared at him blankly for a moment before lowering her gaze once more. Her head dipped further, her guilt weighing her down.
Zhou Shiyan’s eyes, though devoid of emotion on her face, revealed a flicker of concern as she glanced at Liu Changqing.
When Liu Zhiyue had returned and told them what happened, both women had been consumed with guilt. If Lan Yixian had known the full extent of the divorce situation between Liu Changqing and Li Wanran, she would never have allowed them to take Xiazhi.
Especially when it was obvious Li Wanran had lied—there was no way Xiazhi would be returned that afternoon.
Lan Yixian clutched the tissue in her hands tightly, her self-reproach deepening. She didn’t even have the courage to meet Liu Changqing’s eyes anymore.
Watching the two women drown in guilt, Liu Changqing sighed and turned to Liu Zhiyue.
“Zhiyue, go eat something.”
“But my sister—”
“That’s not something you need to worry about. If I can’t even handle this, what kind of father am I?”
Forcing a smile, he added,
“Eat your meal. The three of you should eat. I need to head out, and I probably won’t be back tonight.”
With that, Liu Changqing headed for the door.
“Dad!”
The urgency in Liu Zhiyue’s voice made him stop. Turning back, he saw the worry etched on his son’s face.
After a moment of hesitation, Liu Zhiyue finally said,
“Bring my sister back.”
“Okay.”
With that simple response, Liu Changqing left. The door clicked shut behind him, leaving the living room in silence once more.
Liu Zhiyue stood frozen for a moment before looking at Zhou Shiyan. She returned his gaze.
After a brief pause, Liu Zhiyue shook off his grim expression and said,
“Let’s eat.”
Liu Changqing hurried downstairs, climbed into his van, and started the engine. As he drove, he dialed Chen Dafu’s number.
After a few rings, a groggy voice answered.
“Hello? Why are you calling me?”
“Where are you?” Liu Changqing asked, one hand on the steering wheel, his eyes fixed ahead.
“I need to meet you. I’ve got something you’ll be interested in.”
In front of a mirror, Liu Xiazhi stood in awe. She had been given a complete makeover—from head to toe, even her hair had been trimmed and styled at a salon.
Staring at the adorable girl in the mirror, Liu Xiazhi could hardly believe it was her own reflection. She was mesmerized by her newfound beauty.
Snapping out of it, she spun around and ran to Li Wanran with a radiant smile.
“Mom, do I look pretty?”
“Mm.” Li Wanran nodded, a rare smile appearing on her face.
Seeing her mother’s smile, Liu Xiazhi’s happiness grew. But as her stomach growled, she remembered her hunger. Though Li Wanran had promised to take her out to eat, they had instead gone to the salon and shopped for clothes.
Her tone turned soft and pleading as she tugged on her mother’s hand.
“Mom, I’m so hungry. Can we eat now?”
“Alright,” Li Wanran replied, standing up. She handed her card to the attendant, waited for it to be returned, and then prepared to leave with her daughter.
But Liu Xiazhi suddenly remembered something. She dashed back to where she had changed and emerged carrying a pair of little leather shoes in their box—ones Liu Changqing had bought for her.
Seeing this, Li Wanran frowned.
“Leave those.”
“No!”
For the first time, Liu Xiazhi defied her mother. She carefully placed the shoes into their box and hugged it close, walking back toward Li Wanran.
“I love these shoes!”
“…”
Li Wanran’s eyes flickered. Without a word, she snatched the box from her daughter and tossed it aside.
The suddenness of her action left Liu Xiazhi stunned. She stood there, staring at the shoes that had fallen out of the box.
As she moved to retrieve them, Li Wanran grabbed her arm, stopping her in her tracks.
“Mom, why did you throw my shoes away?” Liu Xiazhi’s tone was urgent, her head tilted up to meet her mother’s icy gaze.
“Those cheap shoes aren’t good for your feet,” Li Wanran said coldly.