Howard Gu practically rushed out in a hurry.
Watching her father's hurried back, Cecilia Gu just felt puzzled.
Helen Gu sighed and said, "Lately, your father has suddenly taken an interest in dressing up! He used to say there was no need to wear nice clothes since no one was looking anyway. But for some reason, he's bought quite a few outfits these past few days. When I asked, he said your grandma gave him the money!"
"When has Grandma ever been so generous?" Cecilia Gu raised an eyebrow, looking incredulous. "Hasn't Grandma always wanted to squeeze every penny out of us to give to Uncle Eric and Aunt Linda?"
"Yeah, it's really odd," Helen Gu's eyes flickered as she said, "Well, whatever the reason, if your grandma is being nice to your dad, that's a good thing!"
Cecilia Gu thought about it and realized that was true.
Forget it, men don't like shopping anyway.
Most likely, Dad just doesn't like shopping, so he found an excuse to leave.
It's fine, anyway, my parents are staying in town tonight.
I can just buy it first, and if it doesn't fit, I can always come back and exchange it!
Cecilia Gu happily linked arms with her mother and headed off to the mall.
Every time Helen Gu saw the price tags, she'd say not to buy anything, but Cecilia never listened! As long as it looked good on her mom, Cecilia would swipe her card and buy it.
Protecting her mom and making her happy—that was Cecilia Gu's biggest goal!
After buying her mom several sets of clothes and shoes in one go, Cecilia was finally stopped by Helen Gu, who refused to let her pay for any more.
Looking at the shopping bags in her hands, it was really quite a haul.
There were two bodyguards following behind, and now they'd basically become bag carriers.
Cecilia said to them, "Alright, thanks for your help! Please take these things back to the hotel for me. My mom and I are going to grab a bite to eat and will head back soon!"
The bodyguards hesitated, "But the CEO instructed us not to leave Mrs. Yin's side for a moment..."
Ever since that car accident, Charles Yin hasn't felt comfortable letting Cecilia Gu go anywhere alone.
Cecilia felt a bit helpless, but after all, it was Charles Yin's way of showing he cared.
No matter if it was for the baby or some other reason, it felt good to be cared about.
Seeing how much Charles Yin cared for Cecilia, Helen Gu's eyes were full of comfort and relief.
"Alright then, you two go find a place to rest!" Cecilia, seeing she couldn't persuade them, could only say this.
Helen Gu didn't want Cecilia to get too tired, especially since she was pregnant!
She wasn't showing yet, but it was still easy to get exhausted.
Helen Gu, claiming she was tired, found a casual restaurant nearby for a bite and a rest.
Cecilia obediently helped her mom pick a table and ordered a bunch of food.
"Why waste so much? Just get a drink," Helen Gu said, reluctant to let Cecilia spend too much.
"Mom, I bet you barely ate lunch," Cecilia said. "I'm a little hungry too, so let's eat a bit. We'll have another meal at the hotel tonight anyway! Lately, my appetite's been much better!"
"You're eating for two now, of course you'll be hungry. You eat more, I'll just have some water," Helen Gu said softly, looking at Cecilia.
Cecilia Gu just smiled.
Mom really is the one who loves her most.
Soon, all the food Cecilia ordered was brought over.
Cecilia said to her mom, "Keep an eye on the food, I'm going to wash my hands!"
"Alright," Helen Gu replied with a smile. "Don't take too long!"
Cecilia happily headed to the restroom.
The restroom was just around the corner.
Just as Cecilia was about to push open the restroom door, a familiar voice came from not far away: "That's my situation! If you're willing, let's talk seriously."
Cecilia's hand froze on the door.
Dad?
What is he doing here?
Didn't he say he was going to show Grandma something?
Does Dad have friends in town too? How come I've never heard him mention it before?
Cecilia turned around and heard a woman's voice: "I'm very satisfied with your situation too! I've been widowed for years and want to build a family again. Since you don't mind me having a child, I'll be honest—if we get married, I can have another one with you!"
Married?
Cecilia was completely stunned.
Dad... this woman...
What on earth is going on?
Cecilia forgot all about washing her hands, and quickly sat down in an empty seat nearby.
From where she was sitting, she could hear every word of the conversation next door!
At this moment, Howard Gu seemed to smile and said, "I've never had a child of my own in this life, and I regret it. That's why I want to have one of my own!"
"Then why did you get divorced?" the woman pressed. "Was it because your ex couldn't have children?"
"Yes," Howard Gu replied firmly.
Divorced?!
Cecilia's heart suddenly tightened!
What did she just hear?
She was actually overhearing her dad on a blind date?
And her dad told the woman that he was already divorced!
He even said not having a child was his life's regret!
Why?
Dad, why? Why would you betray Mom!
Mom has given so much for the Gu Family—why would you betray her? Didn't you say having me as your daughter was enough for this lifetime?
A wave of sorrow swept through Cecilia's heart, but mostly, she felt anger!
Betrayal—this word had become taboo for Cecilia!
In just a few months, she'd experienced betrayal three times!
Cecilia's fingers tightened, gripping the chair with all her strength, barely stopping herself from confronting her father.
Dad, is this really fair to Mom?
All these years, Mom gave so much for this family, enduring humiliation and hardship, walking on eggshells every day!
She was filial to the elders and kind to the children! What did she do to deserve this?
Mom endured all these decades because she loved you!
Is being unable to have children really a death sentence for Mom?
If Dad resents Mom for not being able to have kids, why didn't he just divorce her back then?
Why drag it out until now, until Mom’s youth has faded?
And all this, while Mom had no clue—he hid the truth about their marriage just to go on blind dates!
Dad, I’m so disappointed in you!
No, it’s not just disappointment—it’s despair.
When Grandma bullied Mom and you wouldn’t stand up for her, I was disappointed—so, so disappointed. But now… I almost wish I wasn’t a Gu.
Cecilia’s eyes widened, tears streaming down her face.
How am I supposed to tell Mom?
Mom’s spent half her life sacrificing for this family. Can she even handle this kind of heartbreak?
In the next booth, Dad and that woman were chatting away, like old friends who’d just reunited.
Hearing Dad—usually so stiff—suddenly spouting sweet talk, Cecilia’s heart ached.
Suddenly, her phone rang. Cecilia scrambled to silence it, and when she saw who was calling, the tears she’d been holding back burst out all at once.
In her most helpless, lost moment, the person she wanted to see most was… him!
Cecilia hurried outside to answer the call. On the other end, Charles Yin’s deep, magnetic voice came through: "Why did you take so long to pick up?"
"Charles Yin... what should I do?" Cecilia clamped a hand over her mouth, stepped into the restaurant’s foyer, and finally let her heartbreak spill out: "I saw Dad! He told us he was going to help Grandma pick something out, but he’s here, in the same restaurant as us—and he’s on a date!"
Charles gripped his phone, his sharp eyes flickering with helplessness.
So, she finally found out…
If she knew Dad hadn’t just started dating today, but had been meeting women for over a week… would she be even more heartbroken?
"Don’t cry. Where are you? I’ll be right there!" Charles replied quickly. "If you don’t want to shatter the illusion of a perfect family just yet, I’ll get you both out of here."
"I don’t know what to do! Charles, should I tell Mom? If I don’t, I’ll feel guilty… but if I do, I’m scared she won’t be able to take it." Cecilia clung to her phone, lost. "If I tell her, what if it’s too much for her to handle…"
"Just come back first. Calm down, and then we’ll figure it out. I’m almost there—wait for me!" Charles tossed his pen aside, hung up, and told his assistant, "Find out exactly where they are, now."
"Yes, President Yin." The assistant quickly called Cecilia’s bodyguard, got the address, and followed Charles to the scene.
Mrs. Gu was puzzled—Cecilia had gone to the restroom and hadn’t returned for ages.
Just as Mrs. Gu was about to look for her daughter, Cecilia came back in, eyes red from crying.
Huh? She went outside just now?
And she’s been crying?
What happened?
Mrs. Gu looked at Cecilia with concern. "Cecilia, what’s wrong?"
"It’s nothing, Mom! I was fixing my makeup in the restroom and accidentally got something in my eye." Cecilia lied without missing a beat. Ever since she got pregnant, she’d pretty much stopped wearing makeup unless she absolutely had to!
Her daughter didn’t want to talk, so Mrs. Gu didn’t press her.
Mrs. Gu just pointed at the food on the table. "Let’s eat, we ordered so much! Don’t waste it. The dishes here are really expensive!"
Cecilia had no appetite at all. She kept agonizing over whether she should tell Mom the truth.
Cecilia kept wanting to speak but holding back, making Mrs. Gu more and more anxious.
"Cecilia, did something happen? Don’t be afraid, I’m here! I’ve paid off your uncle’s family’s debts, so now I can go out and work again!" Mrs. Gu said gently. "If anything’s wrong, just tell me!"
"Mom, since the debts in the countryside are paid off, why don’t you just stay in the city? It’ll be easier to take care of me!" Cecilia blurted out.