Chapter 6

The next time I heard news of Fu Tingshen was in my fourth year away from him.

“Do you know who Fu Tingshen is?” Yang Ke’er asked, holding her phone.

The moment the name reached my ears, my fingertips tingled.

I shook my head. “No idea.”

Seemingly unsurprised by my answer, she turned her phone screen toward me.

“Look, this is him.

“He’s super, super rich, handsome, and wealthy.”

On the screen was a photograph.

Standing next to Fu Tingshen was a woman in an evening gown.

The woman was beautiful and elegant, her gown giving her an air of dignified grace that was impossible to look away from.

“That’s Gu Qingye.”

Seeing me stare at the woman, Yang Ke’er explained, “This is their engagement photo. They look perfect together.

“This is what a real high-society couple should look like.

“No aristocrat would ever fall for a Cinderella.”

I chuckled. “Cinderella’s father was a Duke, and she’s the heroine of a fairy tale. With a protagonist’s script, it’s reasonable for the prince to fall for her.”

What wasn’t reasonable was Cinderella’s stepsisters knowing they were just cannon fodder in the story and still trying to push their way forward.

Yang Ke’er was about to say more.

Just then, Chu Weiyi threw himself into my arms, rubbing his eyes. His voice was soft and sticky. “Mommy, sleepy.”

Only at times like this did he not resemble the cold Fu Tingshen.

My heart melted completely. I quickly picked him up. “Mommy will carry you to bed.”

I had only taken a couple of steps with him in my arms when Yang Ke’er spoke from behind me.

“Why do I feel like Weiyi looks a bit like Fu Tingshen?”

My steps faltered. I didn’t dare turn to look at her.

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

But as much as I didn’t want to admit it, Chu Weiyi was looking more and more like Fu Tingshen.

It wasn’t just his appearance.

His mannerisms and style were becoming more similar too.

He would only eat the freshest organic food and wear clothes made from the softest, most expensive fabrics.

He insisted on the best in everything-food, clothing, housing, and transportation.

Even his toys were different from other kids’.

When other kids were playing with rubber ducks, he was playing with building blocks and LEGOs.

When they were playing with blocks, he was playing with models and astronomical telescopes.

…

Finally, in his fifth year, my savings dwindled to seven figures.

“It’s not your fault you can’t afford it,” Yang Ke’er said with deep sympathy, and then offered a suggestion.

“You can’t afford to raise him alone, so why not find a father for Weiyi?

“Weiyi’s father has been gone for so many years, it’s time you found someone new.”

I looked over at Chu Weiyi, who was reading a book.

A beam of light from the window fell at his feet, making him look lonely and forlorn.

For a moment, I thought I saw Fu Tingshen.

He looked just like that when he was reading in his study, a presence no one dared disturb.

“Okay,” I said, pulling my gaze back. “Let’s find a father for Weiyi.”