A ring, could it be accepted from anyone?
Of course not.
Once unfaithful, never again. Tang Zhongcheng had long ago betrayed her.
Zhang Meiyu was ill, but she wasn't completely out of her mind.
Despite the clamor and bustling crowd around them, their atmosphere was eerily quiet.
Just as Tang Zhongcheng thought he had failed, Zhang Meiyu quietly took the gift box.
"Meiyu, you... you're willing to accept me now?" Tang Zhongcheng asked disbelievingly.
Zhang Meiyu replied, "The children deliberately walked away. They are hiding and watching, and I suppose they all wish for me to accept. Since that's the case, I will fulfill their wish."
This reason undoubtedly struck another blow to Tang Zhongcheng's heart.
As he felt a pang of heartache, Zhang Meiyu spoke again.
"If I'm no longer here, the children will lose their mother. They cannot be without a father."
"Tang Yu is about to have children. The siblings are still unmarried and have many things to arrange. With the support of elders, they can have an easier time."
"Tang Zhongcheng, I asked you to come back so you could fulfill your responsibility as a father."
It wasn't forgiveness, nor was it release, but for the sake of the children.
Truly, a parent's heart understands.
Finally able to return, but in such a manner, Tang Zhongcheng felt no joy, even wanting to cry.
If he could, he truly wished he could remain forever an outsider, as long as she could be healthy.
Perhaps heaven had taken pity on him, giving him this chance.
Never mind.
Being able to accompany her like this was good enough.
"Meiyu, thank you."
Zhang Meiyu's gaze remained fixed on the seagulls soaring in the sky. She said faintly, "This is what you should have done as a father. If you truly feel guilty towards me and sincerely repent, then don't disappoint me again."
"Don't worry, I will absolutely not disappoint you," Tang Zhongcheng quickly vowed.
When Tang Xiaomin and the others returned with snacks and drinks, they saw Tang Zhongcheng and Zhang Meiyu interacting harmoniously, and that he had accepted the New Year's gift.
For the next period, everyone, with unspoken understanding, automatically ignored the past rifts and spent the day at the park until two in the afternoon.
They ate, drank, and played, just like countless ordinary families.
Only when Zhang Meiyu grew tired did they head home.
As soon as she got into the car, Zhang Meiyu fell asleep. Tang Zhongcheng's car still followed theirs.
Watching Zhang Meiyu sleep with her head on his shoulder, Tang Xiaomin felt an indescribable emotion.
Despite her pride, she valued family greatly. Her enduring the hardship and maintaining the family alone after knowing Tang Zhongcheng's affair with Aunt Xue was a testament to this.
Tang Zhongcheng moved in, staying by Zhang Meiyu's side every day.
Compared to the worry of Tang Xiaomin and the others, Tang Zhongcheng appeared full of happiness.
He even went to the kitchen to cook for Zhang Meiyu, humming a tune, as cheerful as a bird on a branch.
One morning, the early-rising Tang Yan encountered a cheerful Tang Zhongcheng in the kitchen. The temper he had suppressed for several days finally erupted.
"Dad, you seem to be in a good mood. Better than anyone else in the house."
Tang Zhongcheng beckoned Tang Yan over.
"Tang Yan, come and taste this porridge. How does it taste?"
Tang Yan crossed his arms, desperately suppressing his anger.
"Mom is so seriously ill, and you're in the mood to hum tunes. What do you mean by that?"
"Or are you very happy!"
Tang Zhongcheng's expression turned unpleasant, and he quickly explained.
"I didn't mean it that way, Tang Yan."
"I'm truly happy to be able to live with you all."
Hearing this, Tang Yan's anger surged, and his expression turned fierce.
"The illness isn't on you, so it doesn't hurt. Of course, you're happy! Since you're so happy, why don't you go book a private room and have a good drink, and have your fill of fun!"
"Playing alone isn't enough, is it? Why not invite a few waitresses to join you and have a blast? Why bother staying in this stifling house."
Sarcasm, naked sarcasm.
Tang Zhongcheng frowned, his face flushing and paling. He wanted to retort but feared making things worse.
He sighed and explained again.
"I didn't mean it that way. I just wanted to make breakfast for your mother. I'm happy purely because I'm happy living with you all."
"If my behavior makes you uncomfortable, I will change it immediately."
"Hmph!"
Tang Yan let out a dissatisfied snort and stomped away angrily.
Tang Xiaomin, sitting in the living room, witnessed the exchange. She felt that Tang Zhongcheng had been too cheerful lately, and a scolding was in order.
"My mother is not well. If you disturb her rest, don't blame me for kicking you out immediately."
Tang Zhongcheng said with a wronged expression, "Xiaomin, do you also think I'm such a heartless person?"
"It's been a year, and I can finally live with you all. Can you understand how I feel?"
Tang Xiaomin gave him a glare, a mocking cold smile curving her lips.
"When you made your mistake, why didn't you think of now?"
"When you abandoned me, why didn't you understand that I was just a helpless infant? Now that you're facing the consequences, you want me to understand you. On what grounds?"
Bringing up the past, the conflict instantly escalated, and the situation became uncontrollable.
"It seems no matter what I do or say, my image in your heart is still that of a terrible person," Tang Zhongcheng said dejectedly and closed his mouth.
Further talk would only make things worse.
"A person's worth lies in self-awareness. It's best that you recognize yourself," Tang Xiaomin lectured, then answered a phone call and left.
On the second-floor corridor, Tang Yu and the others silently watched Tang Zhongcheng downstairs, a flicker of disappointment in their eyes.
In the blink of an eye, it was the fifteenth day of the first lunar month.
On this day, the Modu Hotel hosted an engagement banquet that captured the city's attention.
The engaged couple was the president of Xianfu Group, a company that had been founded and grown strong in just two years.
It had even surpassed its competitors, its strength subtly beginning to overshadow the Ye Group.
Some analyzed that if not for the strategic alliance between Ye Lingyun, the crown prince of the Ye family, and the Yang family, Xianfu Group would have been the number one.
The engagement banquet of President Yan Jue naturally drew a continuous stream of guests.
The Tang family, Shu Ya, Lin Keke, and Qian Lili were gathered in Tang Xiaomin's room. They were all elegantly dressed and strikingly beautiful today.
The three of them stared collectively at Tang Xiaomin, who was surrounded by makeup artists, a look of covetousness in their eyes. Yes, covetousness.
Tang Xiaomin, who usually didn't wear makeup, was already stunningly beautiful.
Now, adorned with a wedding dress and jewelry, she was even more beautiful, making it impossible for Shu Ya and the others, women themselves, to tear their eyes away.
"Xiaomin, I suddenly had an idea. I don't know if I should say it or not."
Lin Keke suddenly blurted out a nonsensical sentence, looking at Shu Ya and Qian Lili beside her.