Translator: Atlas Studios  Editor: Atlas Studios

He had no time to think. He had a flash of inspiration and ran back just as the middle-aged couple left. He rushed into the room, grabbed Yao Yao, and placed her next to Zhang Xiaohui's remaining child. That child was Gu Ruoqing.

He left when he was done. Later, he saw Zhang Xiaohui enter the room and followed her closely and talked about their children.

Zhang Xiaohui was very shocked to see that there were still two children on her bed. But he was present, and since she had twins, she could not explain why one was missing. She had no choice but to silently accept it!

After he settled his daughter, he went back only to discover that the room was empty. When he asked around, he found out that Yao Yao's mother had been taken away by her parents. She was still unconscious. Her parents had simply carried her into the car and left.

He chased after them but did not manage to catch up. He was worried that Zhang Xiaohui would hurt the child if he left, so he hurried back.

He never saw Yao Yao's mother again.

They had only been together for three months, and he knew nothing about her. All he knew was that her name was Qiao Yuying and that she lived in the capital!

Gu Yunshen sighed deeply as he looked at the yellowed wedding certificate in his hand!

Before Yuying left, he had brought her to get this marriage certificate. They had gotten the certificate in secret!

Qiao Yuying left, never to return.

Because he was married to Zhang Xiaohui, and she had given birth to twin daughters, it was perfectly justifiable for Yao Yao to become part of the Gu family and his daughter!

In that way, Yao Yao had gradually grown up in the Gu family. Later on, the external environment declined, and the Gu family's circ.u.mstances deteriorated. The status of Zhang Xiaohui and others like the Zhang family grew. The men of the Gu family who left the village did well, and they often sent things back as an act of filial piety.

The Zhang family grasped this, and that made them all the more eager to remain in the Gu family.

He did not mind. He did not want to endanger the Gu family or cause Yao Yao to become motherless at a young age.

Although Zhang Xiaohui never showed her any love, at least with him to keep Zhang Xiaohui in check, she did not dare to go overboard in dealing with Yao Yao. Yao Yao was still young then, so even if he explained it to her, she would not understand.

Zhang Xiaohui was not very bright, and he had a hold on her. Allowing her to stay just meant wasting some food. To the Gu family, with its deep coffers, it did not matter much.

In that way, eighteen years pa.s.sed in the blink of an eye. Yao Yao had grown up, but her mother had never reappeared.

Gu Yunshen's heart ached when he heard the boisterous new year celebrations outside!

When would he ever be reunited with his wife and child?

Was there any hope of that happening in his lifetime?

“Father! Father…”

Gu Yunshen was deep in thought when he suddenly heard Gu Qingyao's clear, sweet voice outside. Gu Qingyao pushed open the door and entered with a smile.

Gu Yunshen hurriedly thrust the wedding certificate into his s.h.i.+rt and stood up. “Yao Yao!”

“Father, why aren't you out there…” Gu Qingyao hesitated before she finished speaking. She saw that her father's eyes seemed a little red.

“Father, what's the matter?”

Gu Yunshen smiled and patted Gu Qingyao's little head. “I'm fine!”

“If you're fine, then why are your eyes red?”

Gu Yunshen's large, warm hands stroked her head. “I can't bear the thought of you getting married after the new year!”

Gu Qingyao smiled and clutched Gu Yunshen's arm. She blushed slightly and said coyly, “I'm still your daughter even if I'm married! Besides, the Mo house isn't far!”