It was Sunday. The sunshine was beautiful.
Since it was his day off, Qin Guan naturally went with Xu Ruyi to Jiayuan Community.
Before leaving, he got up very early and spent a long time in the kitchen, meticulously preparing many dishes his father-in-law loved. When Xu Ruyi got up and saw it, she was deeply touched. She wrapped her arms around him from behind, leaning her head gently against his back, her voice sweet, coquettish, and full of happiness. "Husband, you're so good. You're so good to Dad. He must be as grateful as I am. Mm, I really do love you so much."
She didn't know Qin Guan's preparations had a purpose.
Yes, that day, Qin Guan planned to have a serious, private conversation with his father-in-law.
He simply couldn't bear the feeling of the sword hanging over his head yet never falling any longer. It was unbearable.
He had to take the initiative.
For this, the night before, he had prepared many detailed and thoughtful words designed to bridge the gap between them—
For example, when people are young, it's easy to lose one's way, especially in a complex world of fame and fortune.
For example, people always need to experience some temptations to truly grow and mature.
For example, how crucial a complete family is for a child's growth and their entire life.
...
In short, he decided to play his hand first.
If his father-in-law brought it up, he would seize the opportunity, admit his mistake, and apologize without hesitation.
If his father-in-law didn't bring it up, he wouldn't either.
Between men, many things didn't need to be stated outright. He would subtly acknowledge his wrongdoing, then subtly tell his father-in-law he would correct it, hoping he would be given another chance, for Little Pear's and Xu Ruyi's sake.
After all, they were his father-in-law's most precious treasures, especially Little Pear. His father-in-law wouldn't want to see the child grow up in a single-parent home.
"Family is always the most important thing," his father-in-law often said.
Qin Guan agreed with this sentiment. Family, Xu Ruyi, the child, and his father-in-law were all indispensable to him.
The prepared words were indeed his true feelings—he had been with Qi Min for over two years and was already a bit tired of it. He never had feelings for Qi Min to begin with; it was just desire, just a physical slip. He had always looked down on Qi Min, with her lowly origins and no background. He had also sensed Qi Min's ambition to climb up using him and her greed in constantly wanting more.
He truly saw it clearly now. Affairs were just that—a bit of novelty was fine, but if they went on too long, trouble was inevitable.
He sincerely wanted to end it early and return to his family—he had distanced himself from Qi Min after his father-in-law's discharge from the hospital. This was him proving his resolve through action.
Of course, at the same time, Qin Guan was confident about his father-in-law—his father-in-law cared most about Xu Ruyi and Little Pear. He had raised Qin Guan since childhood and had deep affection for him.
His father-in-law always said he had long regarded Qin Guan as half a son.
After so many years like father and son, he had merely committed this mistake, a mistake any man could make. His father-in-law, so well-read, so worldly, surely wouldn't be as stubborn and rigid as his late mother-in-law, right?
Sunday morning in the park. It was quite crowded.
Xu Ruyi pushed her father's wheelchair, strolling slowly.
"Feels a bit awkward sitting in this. How old am I, needing someone to push me around?" her father joked, smiling. "Guess I'm really not much use anymore. Falling down at home. Useless. Getting old."
"Old? Look at you! People who know say you're my dad, those who don't would think you're my brother!" Xu Ruyi, just like when she was little, rested her head on her father's shoulder. Father and daughter laughed, cheeks touching.
Coming around to the front of the wheelchair, she bent down, carefully tying her father's shoelaces. "Dad, Daddy, don't think too much about it! This fall of yours is actually reminding me that I need to spend more time with you, Daddy! What? Don't want me around? I knew it! If you hadn't sprained your ankle, hmph, you'd probably be off traveling with your friends already. Where would I get my turn?"
Father and daughter bickered and laughed heartily, just like usual.
Her father laughed the most happily—his gaze remained fixed on Xu Ruyi's face, as if his daughter's smile was the most beautiful thing in the world.
Qin Guan had noticed from his very first visit to the Xu family how deeply his father-in-law doted on Xu Ruyi. He had once said he couldn't bear to see his daughter cry; if her eyes reddened, his tears would fall. Back when Xu Ruyi insisted on being with Qin Guan, it was her father who compromised first.
"Look how happy Grandpa is!" The nanny, Auntie Feng, held Little Pear's hand. Auntie Feng also bent down, listening to Little Pear chatter away, laughing along appreciatively.
Utterly harmonious.
It was clear his father-in-law was in a good mood.
This was a good opportunity for communication.
Qin Guan's opportunity.
Qin Guan put his arm around Xu Ruyi and also joined in the conversation whenever he could. But whenever he spoke, his father-in-law fell silent.
His jokes only elicited a slight twitch at the corner of his father-in-law's mouth—he wrote his perfunctory attitude and displeasure plainly on his face.
His father-in-law refused closeness. Qin Guan had to create an opportunity.
Qin Guan tried to find an excuse to take the wheelchair from Xu Ruyi, suggesting she take their daughter to play elsewhere.
"Dad, let me take you over there to rest for a bit," he said gently.
But before he could even start pushing, his father-in-law called Xu Ruyi: "Ruyi, come here for a moment."
Xu Ruyi smiled and walked over—since her mother's passing, Xu Ruyi had become increasingly gentle and obedient towards her father, almost like coaxing a child to keep him happy.
"That cake thing you bought me last time? It was delicious. The one with sesame seeds..."
Her father was clearly making conversation for the sake of it.
But Qin Guan couldn't expose it.
Father and daughter—one sitting, one pushing. Xu Ruyi frequently bent down to listen and talk—there was absolutely no room for Qin Guan.
"Daddy! Daddy!" Their daughter called out incessantly. "Come here quickly!"
"You better play with Little Pear!" Xu Ruyi said gently to Qin Guan, playfully indicating her father in front of her with a glance. "Dad wants to chat with me!"
Qin Guan had no choice but to go play with his daughter.
The center of the park was a large grassy area where many children were playing—blowing bubbles, flying kites. Little Pear dragged Qin Guan to buy a butterfly kite.
"Daddy, teach me to fly the kite! I want the butterfly to fly! Fly up into the sky!" The child cheered excitedly.
Qin Guan obliged. He let out the string, ran, trying to catch the wind to lift the butterfly, but failed repeatedly—because his attention remained fixed on his father-in-law.
His father-in-law's wheelchair had stopped. It was parked in the shade under a tree at the end of the wide marble path beside the grassy area. He sat in the wheelchair, staring fixedly at Qin Guan.
Yes, staring—it was a gaze devoid of emotion, no longer avoiding eye contact.
His face held not a trace of a smile.
What was wrong? Just moments ago, he had been laughing and chatting with Xu Ruyi.
Qin Guan's heart lurched. The next second, he saw his father-in-law reach out, grabbing Xu Ruyi beside him and pulling her to sit down in front of him.
He was speaking to Xu Ruyi.
This wasn't casual chit-chat.
His expression was extremely grave. Xu Ruyi, listening, also furrowed her brow tightly.
What was he saying?
What was he telling Xu Ruyi?
Qin Guan's heart pounded violently. The blindingly white sun overhead suddenly felt piercingly harsh—the familiar feeling was back!