After the Maniacal Alpha Settled Down, She Had a Wife and Daughter - Chapter 37

Yu Sui barely slept all night. Ever since confirming Xinxin’s identity, she had been in a state of alternating and mixed emotions. At times, she was so excited she wanted to break through the ceiling, other times she felt it was unreal, like a dream, and sometimes she worried about how to smoothly resolve the conflict with her career.

The drafts filled with Xinxin’s name were scattered on the floor. Yu Sui lay on the sofa, the back of her hand pressed against her forehead, her brain still buzzing with excitement. Even though she had done a lot of mental preparation before going to Chu Jiayun for confirmation, she couldn’t fully adapt to the situation now.

But she knew that besides joy, she had other emotions. These were the opposite of joy, such as pressure, worry, conflict, and even anxiety. Yu Sui longed for family affection, but she lacked experience in how to handle it herself.

And regarding Xinxin’s future, under what identity should she participate? Yu Sui thought a lot, her thoughts twisting into knots in her mind like a ball of yarn, giving her a headache.

Thinking about having to rush back to school soon and the series of preparations she had made for after graduation, Yu Sui’s conflict deepened.

The next day, she asked Chu Jiayun to meet, saying they needed to have a proper talk about Xinxin. Perhaps the biggest secret had lost its meaning to be hidden, and Chu Jiayun surprisingly agreed.

At a cafe not far from their hotel, Chu Jiayun was ten minutes late for their appointment. In the ten minutes of her delay, Yu Sui calmly watched the street scenery outside the window, not worrying too much about her disappearing again.

“Sorry, I’m late.”

Chu Jiayun was slightly out of breath, clearly having rushed over. In the past, she was always punctual and composed. The hotel wasn’t far from here, so there were no traffic issues.

Yu Sui handed her a tissue: “Is Xinxin alright?”

Chu Jiayun, who was wiping the fine sweat from her forehead, paused. She wondered how Yu Sui guessed there was a slight issue when she left Xinxin in Bai Jiling’s care before heading out.

“She’s fine. She was just a bit upset earlier.”

Yu Sui asked eagerly: “What happened to her?”

Chu Jiayun thought for a moment and admitted: “She wanted to come with me, and I didn’t agree.”

Yu Sui was first stunned, then asked: “Wouldn’t you just lie to her and say you were going out for something else?”

Chu Jiayun shook her head: “Although she is young, I won’t deliberately lie to her.”

Yu Sui recalled her time in the orphanage. Perhaps for easier management, or because the teaching methods of that era were relatively simple, she was constantly being manipulated by various adults’ “well-meaning lies.”

It wasn’t that they were making her do anything bad, but they made her feel the taste of broken trust too early.

Out of empathy, Yu Sui blurted out: “But you lied to her about the most important thing.”

Chu Jiayun knew she was referring to Xinxin’s parentage, and her expression darkened. Xinxin had indeed asked her why she only had one mother, while others had a father or another mother.

She hadn’t completely concealed the truth. She only told Xinxin that her other mother couldn’t visit her temporarily due to special reasons and that she would tell her the rest when she was a little older.

“She is only three years old. Do you think she can understand the problems between us?”

Yu Sui knew she had a point: “She might not understand, but what about me? I wasn’t three years old. I was twenty-two!”

Chu Jiayun could sense Yu Sui’s mounting anger, which she was trying hard to suppress. She did feel guilty toward Yu Sui. But if she were to go back to that time, she would still make the same choice.

“Yu Sui, if I had told you back then that I was pregnant, what would you have done?”

“Of course I would…” Yu Sui paused, “take care of you.”

Chu Jiayun gave a slight smile: “Would you be willing to give up the opportunity to pursue your own dreams, stay in Jingcheng, live according to your father’s plan, or live every day surrounded by diapers, bottles, and a crying child?”

“I…”

Chu Jiayun’s tone was still calm: “To raise a child, you need to work. But because you have a child, your energy would be divided. You wouldn’t be able to dedicate yourself one hundred percent, and your career development opportunities would be fewer than others.

I know you would be willing to take responsibility, but Yu Sui, would you do it willingly?”

Yu Sui hesitated for a moment and said: “I would be willing to choose to go through the life you described with you.”

“I asked, Yu Sui, would you do it willingly?”

Yu Sui was startled and remained silent.

She definitely wouldn’t be willing, as she had thought about it last night. She was very satisfied with her current life and had felt more than once that her decision to firmly step out of Yu Zhongqing’s plans was a wise one.

If all of this had lost its chance to begin in the summer four years ago, she would certainly have regrets, though she didn’t know if she would feel remorse.

Chu Jiayun adjusted her emotions: “Our conditions back then wouldn’t have caused the child to suffer financially, but raising a child isn’t just about food and warmth. Sacrifices are mandatory for the adults.

What happened that time was an accident. I forced you, so it’s reasonable for me to bear all the consequences. Your willingness to take responsibility proves you are a good person, and I also know how you would choose.”

When laid bare, everything seemed less difficult to talk about.

The colorful yet blurry memory of that summer gradually became clear. A touch of bitterness appeared on Yu Sui’s lips.

“Actually, at that time, I did have feelings for you. Although it was an accident, the accident was only that it happened too fast.”

Chu Jiayun felt a slight pang in her heart. She had feelings too, but things didn’t develop in the direction they desired.

“The depth of feelings determines the extent of willingness to contribute. Frankly, I didn’t give birth to Xinxin entirely because of you.”

Yu Sui admitted that Chu Jiayun was right. With the feelings she had for Chu Jiayun back then, she did want to take things further with her but might not have been willing to take on a greater responsibility.

But the thought of being kept in the dark all these years still made her angry: “Then you shouldn’t have deprived me of the right to know! I should at least have known that I have a daughter!”

Chu Jiayun stopped arguing: “It was my fault for hiding it from you for so long. However, now everyone’s lives have returned to their normal tracks. Knowing about it is only a trouble for you.”

Yu Sui thought how good it would be if Chu Jiayun hadn’t studied psychology. This person understood other people’s minds clearly, and sometimes the power of words was equally pale in front of her.

Seeing the atmosphere drop to freezing point, arguing about who was right or wrong back then seemed meaningless.

Yu Sui calmed down: “Let’s ignore the past for now. Since I know about it now, I can’t pretend that nothing happened.”

Chu Jiayun knew she would say this when she agreed to the meeting today. Although she didn’t want to face this issue, Yu Sui indeed had the right to make this demand.

“What do you want to do?”

“I want to participate in Xinxin’s growth process, as her other mother.”

Yu Sui’s demand sounded simple, but it wasn’t easy to achieve.

Explaining to Xinxin the sudden appearance of another mother would take some time, but it wasn’t impossible. However, participating in Xinxin’s growth would inevitably mean participating in the mother and daughter’s life.

Not only did Xinxin have to accept Yu Sui, but Chu Jiayun also had to consider having another person in her life.

Seeing her hesitation, Yu Sui explained: “Many people abroad co-parent their children even after breaking up or divorcing. If you think our feelings back then weren’t deep enough, then let’s not talk about feelings, only the child.”

Chu Jiayun turned her gaze and looked at her seriously. After four years, Yu Sui had changed not only in appearance but also in her mindset and way of handling things.

Compared to her former negative avoidance and hiding herself, the current Yu Sui was more authentic and firm.

Since Yu Sui had stated her case this clearly, Chu Jiayun truly had no reason to refuse.

“Give me some time. I need to let Xinxin slowly accept this.”

Hearing her concede, Yu Sui’s mood immediately brightened: “I’m willing to wait.”

Just then, Chu Jiayun’s phone rang. It was Bai Jiling calling. Xinxin was with her, so Chu Jiayun immediately thought of her daughter’s situation and answered right away.

A soft, sweet voice came from the other end: “Mom, when are you coming back?”

“Mom is talking to Auntie Yu and will be back a little later. Will Xinxin play with Auntie Bai and wait for Mom patiently?”

“But… but…” Xinxin sounded a little unhappy, but she seemed to realize she was being unreasonable, and her voice gradually faded.

Chu Jiayun smiled and asked: “But what?”

“But if you don’t take Xinxin with you, how will Auntie Yu know what kind of airship Xinxin likes?”

It turned out that Xinxin was still holding a grudge after all this time, upset that Mom didn’t take her to see Auntie Yu.

Yu Sui watched Chu Jiayun gently coaxing her daughter and talking with her in baby talk, but without completely losing her rationality. Becoming a parent really did change a person significantly.

She thought that if she had stayed back then, she might not have been able to do what Chu Jiayun was doing now.

Not knowing what Xinxin said on the other end, Chu Jiayun looked somewhat troubled but still turned to Yu Sui: “Xinxin wants to talk to you.”

The curve of Yu Sui’s mouth instantly widened. She happily took the phone: “Xinxin, it’s Auntie Yu.”

The excitement and anticipation in Xinxin’s voice immediately infected her: “Auntie Yu, are you talking about the airship with Mom?”

“Yes, Xinxin is so smart.”

Xinxin, having received a compliment, giggled happily: “Then don’t forget to add Xinxin’s birthday. Xinxin’s birthday is in February.”

“I absolutely won’t forget. Does Xinxin have any other requests?”

Xinxin thought for a moment: “Can you also add my little water bottle? I carry it with me every day.”

Yu Sui was defeated by this jumping logic, but her smile deepened: “No problem. Xinxin’s airship can have anything Xinxin wants.”

Chu Jiayun took the phone back and coaxed her for a few more sentences. Xinxin then happily hung up the phone.

Yu Sui couldn’t help but sigh: “Xinxin is so adorable.”

Chu Jiayun thought so too but felt the need to remind her: “You should avoid praising her unconditionally in the future. A child’s ability to discern should be cultivated from a young age. As parents, besides encouragement and support, we also need to teach children how to establish a correct sense of right and wrong.”

Judging by her tone, she had already included Yu Sui in Xinxin’s future life.

“Thank you for being willing to let me enter Xinxin’s life.”

Chu Jiayun lowered her eyes. She wasn’t as delighted about this as Yu Sui was. The worry between her brows didn’t seem to have faded.

“When are you going back to school?”

Yu Sui was slightly taken aback: “I changed my flight to next Tuesday.”

Since she had agreed to let Yu Sui have contact with her daughter, Chu Jiayun had no choice but to inquire about Yu Sui’s itinerary and life plans in detail.

“Do you plan to settle abroad or return to Jingcheng in the future?”

“Before, I wanted to stay abroad. Now, I need to replan. Have you considered moving abroad? Perhaps we could…”

Chu Jiayun interrupted her: “Xinxin is still young. I don’t want her to live in another country too early.”