It could be said that in the first year abroad, she endured all the hardships of material deprivation that she had never experienced in her life.
"But why didn't Mom have any money? Dad has a lot of money. Didn't he give you any?"
Suddenly, Youyou spoke up, interrupting Xu Tingyu.
Although Xu Tingyu had sugar - coated her experiences, the little kid was so smart that he could immediately grasp the key point. After all, if there was money, how could one need others to treat them to meals all the time?
Xu Tingyu was taken aback for a moment, then she smiled. "Because Dad's money is his own, and Mom having no money is Mom's own problem."
Since Qi Shifeng had never said anything bad about her, she couldn't be mean and say bad things about him behind his back. Moreover, Qi Shifeng's money really wasn't hers.
It was precisely because she had been poor that she suddenly realized that one had to be self - reliant. Money was something one had to earn for themselves. Placing hope on others was the most illusory thing.
"But we're a family. Shouldn't family members help each other?"
Youyou still couldn't understand.
Xu Tingyu thought for a while and agreed. "Of course, family members should help each other."
Youyou gave her a deep look and didn't continue the discussion on this topic.
The two talked for a while, and Xu Tingyu actually felt a bit sleepy. She chatted with Youyou intermittently. Then her breathing gradually became steady. Just as she was about to fall asleep, the phone rang.
"It's already nine o'clock, and you're not back yet. Are you going to stay the night?"
On the other end of the phone was Chen Yan's incredulous voice. Due to his agitation, his voice even sounded a bit distorted.
Xu Tingyu immediately retorted, "How do you know I'm not back? Are you spying on me?"
Wasn't this guy supposed to be out having fun with his friends? How did he know she wasn't back? Besides, was nine o'clock really that late?
"Because I've been staying in the hotel and noticed you didn't come back."
Chen Yan's tone was a bit aggrieved.
Really! He had come all the way back to find her. Not only did she leave him alone, but now it seemed she was going to stay the night at her ex - husband's place?
Hearing that he was in the hotel, Xu Tingyu raised her eyebrows. "Well, why did you go to a hotel too? But I really won't be going back tonight."
It was such a rare opportunity to sleep with her son. Of course, she wouldn't give it up.
She was so immersed in the joy of being with her son that she had no idea that Chen Yan on the other end of the phone was heart - broken.
She, she was really going to stay the night at her ex - husband's place!
"Okay, go to bed early. My son is about to sleep."
Seeing Youyou staring at her all the time, Xu Tingyu was eager to hang up the phone.
Chen Yan was reluctant to let go. "Wait a minute! I, I think it's not a good idea for you to sleep there. How about this? After you put the kid to sleep, I'll come pick you up, or you can bring the kid to the hotel."
Xu Tingyu was full of questions. What on earth was this guy up to?
"Okay, okay. I know you're bored now that you've just come back. I'll make time to accompany you tomorrow. Don't fight for my attention with my son now."
She comforted him with a smile and even lumped him and Youyou into the same age group.
No matter how much Chen Yan disagreed, he knew his place and understood that he couldn't compare to Youyou. If he said more, he would only be annoying. So he had to agree reluctantly. "Alright then. You must come to see me tomorrow. I've been in a bad mood these days and need some comfort."
After finally hanging up the phone, Xu Tingyu looked up and saw Youyou's curious gaze.
"Mom, is that your friend? You seem to have a really good relationship."
Youyou thought that Mom had smiled so gently when talking to that person. But she never smiled so gently when talking to Dad.
Xu Tingyu didn't think much and nodded. "He's Mom's friend. We grew up together."
Youyou thought for a while and moved closer to Xu Tingyu. "Does Mom like him a lot? Can I meet him too?"
"Of course you can. Wait until Mom asks Dad's opinion. If he agrees, I'll take you to meet him, okay?"
Xu Tingyu really cared about Qi Shifeng's feelings in this regard. After all, if she wanted to see Youyou often, she had to keep Qi Shifeng happy.
Youyou nodded and said obediently, "Got it, Mom. Let's go to sleep quickly."
He hugged Xu Tingyu tightly, nestled his head against her, looking so affectionate.
Xu Tingyu also hugged him and kissed him on the forehead. "Good night, Youyou."
"Good night, Mom."
The two gradually fell asleep. After an unknown amount of time, the door of the children's room was gently pushed open.
Qi Shifeng appeared at the door. He didn't turn on the light. By the light of the bedside lamp, he looked at the two people on the bed.
In the past, when he came home late from work, he would also come to check on Youyou. But every time he did, he would feel guilty and heart - broken. But this time, when he opened the door and saw the two of them snuggled up together, sleeping soundly, his heart suddenly felt full.
So this was what happiness looked like in real form.
He couldn't help but walk towards them. His steps were very light, for fear of breaking this beautiful moment. But just as he reached the bedside, Xu Tingyu opened her eyes.
She was bare - faced and still sleepy. The moment she looked up at Qi Shifeng, her eyes were full of caution and wariness. But after she saw who it was, she immediately let down her guard and even gave him a faint smile.
"You're back."
She carefully sat up without waking Youyou and lowered her voice to ask him, "Have you eaten? Aunt Zhang left some food for you."
It was an instinctive reaction for her to get along well with Qi Shifeng, and this sentence was completely a subconscious response.
But Qi Shifeng's expression immediately changed.
His eyes softened. Then he reached out and ruffled her hair, and touched her face.
"Can you accompany me to eat something?"
His voice was also very soft as he reached out his hand to her.
Thinking that Qi Shifeng probably had something to say to her, Xu Tingyu looked at Youyou, nodded, and slowly got up and followed him out.
"Have you resolved the scandal with that pretty boy?"
The two were sitting face to face, and Qi Shifeng spoke first.
Xu Tingyu couldn't help but laugh. "You seem to be very concerned?"
"Of course. Just because you're Youyou's mother, you can't get involved with that kind of pretty boy."
Qi Shifeng said righteously.
Xu Tingyu frowned. "Can you be a bit more respectful? It's just a scandal. You can't act like he's committed a heinous crime."
"Just a scandal?"
Qi Shifeng was so angry that he wanted to laugh.
"Do you know that their company originally planned to push you out as a scapegoat?"
"The public relations copy was already written. They were going to sacrifice you to create an image for him of becoming popular and being sought after by the capital."
Qi Shifeng was still unhappy when talking about it.
If it hadn't been for the timely intervention of the Qi Corporation, she would still be being scolded on the hot search now.
Xu Tingyu didn't expect there was such a thing. She was stunned for a moment, then looked at Qi Shifeng seriously. "So, are you saying that I'm also part of the capital now?"
She didn't expect Qi Shifeng to think so highly of her.
Sure enough, money could solve most problems.
Qi Shifeng was a bit helpless about her not getting the point. "What I mean is that you were being played and you didn't even know it."