Mu Wansheng answered, “Take Mianmian away. She may only be three years old, but she’s very sensible. She’s very bright too.”
Fan Shixin said, “Just like I had expected. Aren’t you afraid that I’d inform the Mu family?”
“I’m already letting you have Mianmian.”
“She’s my biological daughter in the first place. Isn’t it only right that you give me her custody?”
Fan Shixin tried to hold her hand but she managed to retract it successfully. He then pulled her toward him and said, “I want Mianmian, and I want… you too.”
Mu Wansheng’s heart skipped a beat and she said, “Let go.”
Not only did he not let go, he even allowed his hand to wander freely around her body. He said softly, “Wansheng, I miss you. I want you by my side. I’ll take good care of you and our daughter. I’ll make up for all the time that we had lost in the past few years.”
Mu Wansheng asked, “What if I refuse?”
“I’ll carry you home with me, then. I’ve already made up my mind. Do you think he can stop me?”
He then let go of her and said, “I’ll go talk to him. Stay out of this. Leave it to me to handle. I know what you’re thinking, but that’s of no use at all. I must bring you home with me. I must!”
Mu Wansheng sighed and stayed silent.
Tang Yucheng handed Fan Mianmian to Mu Wansheng and began talking to Fan Shixin in the yard.
“I’ve made a huge compromise by letting you take Mianmian away. I can’t let Happy go with you.”
Fan Shixin said bluntly, “I must bring the two of them away with me. I’m telling you now. Wansheng only sided with you on account of you saving her life. I’m sure you know whether or not she loves you. Don’t bother going against me. Settle this while I’m still patient. What do you think the consequences will be if you go toe-to-toe against me? I’m giving you the chance to lay your conditions and name your price. I’ll agree as long as it’s within my means.”
Tang Yucheng stared at him in astonishment and thought to himself, He’s letting me name my price?
He was well aware of his own limitations and knew that he would not be able to defeat Fan Shixin or stop him from taking Mu Wansheng and Fan Mianmian away.
An idea came to Tang Yucheng’s mind.
Didn’t he say that I could name my price? I shall make him back off on his own!
Tang Yucheng answered, “Ten million dollars! If you’re willing to give me ten million dollars, I’ll let you take her away.”
Fan Shixin nodded and said, “Let’s go in, then.”
He then walked into the house while Tang Yucheng followed closely behind.
Upon hearing their footsteps, Mu Wansheng asked, “What did you two talk about?”
“He said that he’s willing to let you go if I give him ten million dollars.”
Mu Wansheng asked with a frown, “Yucheng, did you really say that?”
“Yes, I told him that he could take you away as long as he gives me ten million dollars.”
“Are you objectifying me? Can I be sold like an item?” Mu Wansheng retorted.
Tang Yucheng immediately said, “Happy, he won’t be able to afford it. He may be wealthy, but he definitely doesn’t have ten million dollars.”
Mu Wansheng understood that he was just trying to make things difficult for Fan Shixin because he thought that Fan Shixin did not have that kind of money.
However, the truth is, he did have that kind of money!
“He does,” she said.
“What?” Tang Yucheng asked in disbelief.
“I said, he has ten million dollars.”
A sudden tension filled the air.
Tang Yucheng looked at Fan Shixin, followed by Mu Wansheng and, lastly, Fan Mianmian.
Fan Shixin said, “It’s time to ask Wansheng now. Do you want me to give him ten million dollars or another form of compensation? I’ll give him ten million dollars if you want me to.”
Mu Wansheng’s determination wavered.
Because Tang Yucheng had accepted his offer.
He was willing to let Fan Shixin take her away as long as the latter gave him ten million dollars.
“Yucheng, it’s not easy to earn money, let alone such a huge sum. Regardless of whether you meant it or whether you were just trying to put him in a spot, I’m very certain that he can afford it. However, I can’t let him do so. Shixin had spent a lot of money and time to look after me after saving my life back then, but I haven’t returned him the full amount yet. I didn’t make it up to him either. Back then, he and I weren’t in a relationship yet…”
Before she even finished, Tang Yucheng interjected, “You don’t have to say these things anymore. Just leave with him.”
Afraid that he would do something foolish, Mu Wansheng said, “I told you last night that I wouldn’t leave you, yet you’ve decided to let me go for the sake of money…”
Tang Yucheng snapped, “I don’t have another option! He’s better than me in every aspect, how am I supposed to go against him!?! That’s why I should have just sent you back home after saving you back then. I married you, but I don’t even get to bed you at all. What’s the point of me raising your daughter for you? I just wanted a life partner. All I wanted was some company and someone to talk to, yet things have come to this. Do you think I wanted this to happen? Leave with him. Take your daughter with you and leave immediately!”
Fan Shixin was filled with joy the moment he heard that Tang Yucheng had never been allowed to sleep with Mu Wansheng.
He did not expect that Mu Wansheng would forbid him from getting intimate with her.
In fact, he would not have minded it even if she had really slept with him, because he loved her and, thus, was willing to accommodate that fact.
However, he would definitely have been upset.
Tang Yucheng’s words made Mu Wansheng’s heart wrench. “Yucheng…”
“Cut it out. Leave.”
“Shixin, take Mianmian with you, I’ll stay,” said Mu Wansheng, who was merely afraid that he would take his own life.
Tang Yucheng flew into a rage and barked, “I don’t need you to take pity on me. Do you really think that I’ll kill myself just because you’re gone? I don’t regret saving you at all. My only regret is letting you stay. Besides, you don’t owe me anything else now. You took great care of me after my accident too. So just leave with him and start life anew. Don’t suffer by living in this shabby house with me. Will you just hurry and leave!?!”
Mu Wansheng teared up, at a complete loss for words.
Fan Shixin said, “You don’t have to chase us away. We’ll leave on our own.”
He then picked Mu Wansheng up in his arms and brought her away. This time, Mu Wansheng did not resist and instead allowed him to carry her into his car.
He then did the same for Fan Mianmian.
“Give him two million dollars as a token of our gratitude. He’s a kind man, but this is your hard-earned money as well. Two million is enough. Although some things cannot be measured by money, this is the best we can do.”
Fan Shixin smiled and said, “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of the rest.”
He then closed the car door and entered the house again.
