Chapter 206: The Breakdown of Parents' Love

At dinner time, the group went to a local upscale French restaurant.

Baima sat at one corner of the long table, her gaze passing over the dishes on the table and looking at Ding Heng diagonally opposite her.

The man was talking to Wenjing beside him. Wenjing listened attentively and then smiled faintly.

Baima lowered her head and used a knife and fork to cut the lamb leg meat on the plate, her heart pounding with anxiety.

Did Ding Heng actually see that photo?

From the afternoon until now, Ding Heng hasn't mentioned a single word, hasn't shown any unusual expression, and even his tone of voice when speaking to her is almost the same as usual.

He acted too calmly...

Logically, he should at least have asked out of curiosity, "What did you withdraw?"

Baima picked up a piece of mutton with her fork, put it in her mouth and chewed slowly. The more she thought about it, the more conflicted and guilty she felt.

Wenjing, being observant and perceptive, noticed that something was wrong with Baima and immediately asked with concern, "Baima, are you feeling unwell again? Or is the food not to your liking?"

Baima came to her senses: "No, no... Sister-in-law, you don't need to worry about me."

You don't look too well.

"Is there?"

Baima quickly shook her head and stuffed another piece of potato into her mouth: "I probably overslept this afternoon and my mind isn't fully awake yet."

Wenjing simply said "Oh" and didn't ask any more questions.

After dinner, everyone took a walk along the streets of the town to digest their food.

Zhao Yanxi and Lin Man walked at the front, laughing intermittently as they talked about something.

Hua Qing walked in the middle, taking photos with her phone every now and then, and then sharing them with Hua Yue or Fan Chenxi.

Wenjing followed beside Huaqing, occasionally turning her head to exchange a few words with her.

Bai Ma deliberately slowed down, falling behind and walking alongside Ding Heng.

After hesitating for a long time, she finally spoke.

"Brother."

"Um?"

Ding Heng turned his head and glanced at her.

Baima opened her mouth, then closed it again.

She mentally prepared several ways to ask the question indirectly, but all of them felt too deliberate.

Finally, I gritted my teeth and asked directly, "Um...did you see the message I sent you today?"

"What news?"

Ding Heng took out his phone from his pocket and swiped it a couple of times.

"The one that was withdrawn."

"Oh, this one..."

Ding Heng put away his phone, his tone indifferent: "Didn't notice, why?"

Bai Ma stared intently into Ding Heng's eyes, trying to find a trace of a lie.

The man didn't flinch or dodge; his gaze was open and honest!

Baima finally breathed a sigh of relief, but then vaguely felt that something was wrong.

"N-nothing."

She looked away and lowered her voice: "It's just... the picture I sent to my classmate, I sent it to the wrong person."

"What classmate?"

"Just a regular classmate... whatever."

"OK."

Ding Heng didn't ask any more questions.

The weight that had been hanging over Baima's heart finally lifted, but the moment it did, a vague sense of loss washed over her.

If the prince didn't see it.

Wouldn't she have been nervous all afternoon for nothing?

After their walk, everyone returned to their hotel rooms.

Just as Baima was about to eat some fruit, she suddenly heard Zhao Yanxi and Lin Man talking from the direction of the dressing room.

"Yan hope, did you take clothes from my suitcase?"

"What's wrong?"

"My suitcase and clothes have been touched."

"Who is it? Aren't we out playing all day?"

"Did they ask us for something?"

"No way, should we go to the hotel and complain tomorrow?"

"We have to go! Those damn foreigners, what are they doing touching our clothes? Are they some kind of pervert?!"

……

Hearing this, Baima's heart began to race again.

I've already recovered, so why could Sister Man still find out?

Bai Ma felt increasingly guilty and secretly glanced towards the dressing room, where Lin Man and Zhao Yanxi were still having a casual conversation.

She went to look at Ding Heng again. Ding Heng was leaning against the window with his hands in his pockets, looking lazy and indifferent.

I hope... everything is alright.

Baima made an excuse that she was "sleepy" and escaped into her room.

She locked the door, let out a long breath, and then buried her face in the soft bedding.

My heart is still pounding...

She turned over again and stared blankly at the ceiling.

My phone suddenly vibrated. I picked it up and saw it was a message from Ding Heng.

[Ding Heng]: Go to bed early tonight and get enough rest, because I have to get up early to climb the mountain tomorrow.

[White Horse is Not a Horse]: Okay, bro!

[Ding Heng]: It should be fine, right? Don't make me carry you up halfway through the climb?

[White Horse is Not a Horse]: Don't look down on me! This is nothing, I grew up on the roof of the world!

[White Horse is Not a Horse]: Believe it or not, I'll be the first to reach the top!

[A white horse is not a horse]: []

[Ding Heng]: I don't believe it.

Ding Heng: []

The sudden appearance of the Shigure Feather Robe emoji made Baima's heart race again after it had calmed down.

What does it mean when Ding Heng posts the "Shigure Feather Robe" emoji?

Was he implying to her that he had seen it?

Baima's thoughts were in turmoil, so she pulled the blanket over her face.

In the darkness, she could hear her own breathing.

It was very light and messy.

……

The next twenty-odd days flew by amidst the laughter and chatter of the girls and the clicking of Ding Heng's camera shutter.

After their trip to Switzerland, the group took a train across the Alps and into Italy.

After leaving Italy, the group flew to Paris.

In early August, the group returned to China, transiting through Shanghai before landing at Changsha Airport.

Chujiang Hotel, 27th floor.

The weather in Changsha is as humid and sticky as ever, a completely different world from the refreshing summer at the foot of the Alps.

The group's suitcases were spread out on the living room carpet, and the girls squatted in front of each suitcase, taking out the contents one by one and sorting them out.

Zhao Yanxi and Hua Qing bought a lot of gifts for their families, packed them into several bags, and prepared to go home first.

Lin Man had the fewest belongings. After quickly packing, she fastened her suitcase again: "Boss, I have to fly to Hong Kong this afternoon."

"When will you be back?"

"It depends. It could be as quick as a week or as slow as half a month."

Lin Man muttered, "I'll go and take over the matter with Secretary Huang."

Ding Heng nodded without asking any further questions.

After counting the gifts, Zhao Yanxi stood up and clapped her hands: "Brother Ding Heng, am I going back for a week too?"

"I send you?"

"No, no need."

Zhao Yanxi pulled Wenjing over: "Let Xiaojing take me, she can stay at my place for a couple of days, right?"

Wenjing looked completely bewildered: "Huh? I'm going too?"

"Since you don't have anything to do anyway, and you're just staying home, why don't you go back and see your old classmates, and we can show off a bit!"

Zhao Yanxi said smugly, "What's that saying again... 'To return home in glory is like wearing fine clothes at night!'"

Wenjing gave an awkward laugh and subconsciously looked at Ding Heng.

Ding Heng smiled and said, "Go if you want to. Why are you watching me?"

Wenjing hesitated for two seconds, put down the folded clothes in her hand, stood up and patted her skirt: "Well... okay then."

"Let's go, let's go!"

Zhao Yanxi couldn't wait any longer and grabbed Wenjing's wrist.

Wenjing stumbled as she was pulled, then turned back and shouted to Ding Heng, "I'm leaving!"

"Um."

Ding Heng waved to her.

Zhao Yanxi also turned around, winked at Ding Heng, and smiled brightly.

Hua Qing packed her things, picked up her bag, and stood up: "Then I'll be leaving now. I'll be back in a week."

"Go."

Ding Heng spends all his time with girls, so he's finally getting a couple of days of peace and quiet to give himself some private space.

Hua Qing picked up her bag and walked to the door, then turned back to look at Ding Heng.

"Um... if you're bored by yourself, you can call me, I..."

"Don't worry, it definitely won't be boring!"

"Well……"

Hua Qing pouted, looking somewhat unhappy, and sullenly pushed open the door and left.

The living room fell silent, leaving only Ding Heng and Bai Ma.

Baima sat cross-legged on the sofa, holding a cushion in her arms, scrolling through her phone.

Ding Heng patted her head and said, "Let's go back to the villa."

The hotel room was filled with traces of his activities with other girls, making it inappropriate and rather unsettling for Baima to stay overnight.

Bai Ma said "Oh," put away her phone, and followed Ding Heng downstairs.

The two got into the car and drove towards the west of the city.

Bai Ma lay lazily in the passenger seat.

"Brother."

"Um?"

"You said... how are Mom and Uncle Ding doing lately?"

"Why are you suddenly asking this?"

"It's nothing, I just suddenly have a bad feeling. I had the same feeling before my dad's accident."

"Don't scare me."

Ding Heng made a couple of jokes, didn't take them to heart, and continued driving.

More than half an hour later, the car entered the villa area.

At the entrance, Sister Jiang took the suitcase from Ding Heng and said with a smile, "You're back? Did you have fun?"

"good."

Ding Heng changed into slippers and walked inside: "Sister Jiang, you go about your business, don't worry about us."

Baima entered the house and smelled the aroma. She went to the kitchen doorway and peeked inside.

A rich soup was simmering on the stove, its aroma filling the entire house.

Baima asked curiously, "Sister Jiang, didn't I just send you a message ten minutes ago? How did you know we were coming back today?"

Sister Jiang went back into the kitchen to continue working: "I don't know."

"So you've already started simmering the soup?"

"The soup was made for Mr. Ding."

Sister Jiang scooped the chopped vegetables into a plate: "He's in the hospital."

Baima was stunned.

Ding Heng was even more shocked: "My dad?"

Sister Jiang nodded: "Yes, didn't Mr. Ding tell you?"

Ding Heng strode into the kitchen: "What happened to my dad? Is he alright?"

"It's alright now..."

Sister Jiang recounted, "He went to Africa to take photos a while ago and was chased by a lion, which resulted in fractures to his lower leg and right arm. He returned to China five days ago and was transferred from Shanghai to Changsha yesterday. He is currently recuperating in the hospital."

"What... being chased by a lion?"

Ding Heng's lips twitched; he found it all rather abstract.

How outrageous can one's own father be...?

"That's what the boss of Quzhen told me."

Sister Jiang shrugged, looking helpless.

Baima was stunned, and after a long while, she managed to stammer, "Uncle Ding... isn't that a bit too wild?"

Ding Heng took a deep breath: "Then why didn't he call me?"

Baima teased from the side, her tone wistful: "It's because you don't call Uncle Ding often, brother. He's probably almost forgotten he has a son."

Ding Heng choked for a moment.

After starting university, 90% of the communication between fathers and sons is about money.

He wasn't short of money, and over time... he almost forgot he had a biological father!

Your one-stop haven for novel reading.

Ding Heng sighed, "Sister Jiang, is the soup ready yet? I'll take it over to him."

Sister Jiang glanced at the clay pot on the stove, walked over, lifted the lid, and stirred it with a spoon.

"Okay, I'll put it in the insulated container for you."

"OK."

Ding Heng turned and walked out of the kitchen, picking up his car keys.

Baima followed behind him: "Brother, I'll go with you."

"What are you going to do?"

"Let's go see Uncle Ding."

Baima retorted confidently, "She's an elder, after all. Shouldn't I go visit her in the hospital?"

Ding Heng glanced at her and didn't refuse again.

The two went out again, got into the car, and drove towards the hospital, eventually arriving at a high-end private hospital.

The hospital is located at the foot of Yuelu Mountain, in a quiet and beautiful environment with excellent landscaping. It looks more like a resort than a hospital.

Ding Heng parked the car, picked up the thermos, and walked into the inpatient building with Bai Ma.

The elevator reached the sixth floor, and Ding Heng quickly went to the ward and knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Ding Wenjie's voice was strong and resonant.

Ding Heng pushed open the door and went in.

The ward is a suite, with a living room outside and a bedroom inside.

Ding Wenjie lay half-reclined on the bed, his right leg dangling in mid-air, his right hand wrapped in bandages.

Qu Zhen was sitting on the side of the bed peeling an apple, but her knife skills weren't very good, and the apple peel was broken in pieces.

Hearing the door open, the two turned around at the same time.

"Oh, you're here?"

Ding Wenjie raised an eyebrow: "Do you still remember your biological father?"

"Hey... how dare you say that?"

Ding Heng placed the thermos on the bedside table: "He's almost dead, and he won't even call his own son to make his final arrangements?"

Why would I call you? You're not a doctor.

Ding Wenjie said nonchalantly, "Besides, you're having a great time in Europe, and I don't want to bother you."

Ding Heng pulled up a chair and sat down, looking his father up and down.

"Being chased by a lion?"

"I was too close when I took the picture, so I didn't notice."

Ding Wenjie said casually, "That lion looked lazy, but who knew it would suddenly pounce and charge."

"and then?"

"Then I ran, and while I was running, I stepped into a hole."

Ding Wenjie said with lingering fear, "I was completely terrified. It wasn't until the lion darted past me that I realized it was heading for the zebra behind me. It scared me half to death."

Ding Heng was silent for two seconds, then burst out laughing.

"You're still laughing?"

"No, Dad, I just wanted to ask..."

Ding Heng suppressed a laugh and said, enunciating each word clearly, "You're almost fifty. If a lion really wanted to chase you, could you escape?"

"Your old man's got plenty of legs!"

"No protective measures were taken? Where is the local guide?"

"Hmm...it's a long story."

Ding Wenjie scratched his head, his face showing embarrassment.

Qu Zhen laughed out loud, cut the peeled apple into small pieces, put them in a plate, stuck a toothpick in it, and handed it to Ding Wenjie.

Ding Wenjie took the plate with his left hand and began chewing on the apple in silence.

"You really are my father..."

Ding Heng could guess that his own father had gotten off the bus to get closer to the viewpoint despite the tour guide's warnings, in order to get a better angle or visual effect, which led to the series of events that followed.

"How are you feeling now?"

"It's alright, the bone has been set, and the doctor said the cast can be removed after two months of rest."

Ding Wenjie mumbled, "Your Aunt Qu Zhen hired two caregivers for me, working in shifts 24 hours a day. The treatment is better than a five-star hotel."

Ding Heng turned to Qu Zhen and said, "Auntie, thank you for your help."

"It's nothing."

Qu Zhen shook her head, her tone gentle.

Bai Ma peeked out from behind Ding Heng and waved to Ding Wenjie: "Hello, Uncle Ding."

"Pema is here too?"

Ding Wenjie smiled broadly: "Come, sit down, don't stand."

Baima obediently sat down on the edge of the bed: "Uncle Ding, does it hurt?"

"It doesn't hurt anymore."

"Uncle, what do African lions look like up close? How are they different from those in zoos?"

"Hmm... I can't quite put my finger on it, maybe a bit wilder?"

The two chatted back and forth, with Baima showing far more interest in the lion than in Ding Wenjie's injuries.

Qu Zhen suddenly stood up and gave Ding Heng a wink.

Ding Heng understood and pulled Bai Ma out of the ward.

The three of them walked to the end of the corridor, entered a small meeting room, and sat down.

"Xiao Ding, there's something I need to tell you and Baima."

"Auntie, please tell me."

"Your father and I have already discussed it and are preparing to break up."

As soon as the words were spoken, Ding Heng didn't react much, but Bai Ma was instantly stunned.

Qu Zhen continued, "It will probably be within one or two months, after his leg injury heals."

Baima stammered, "Mom...you and Uncle Ding...?"

Qu Zhen sighed and softened her voice.

"Your Uncle Ding and I didn't have a fight, and it's not like either of us wronged the other. It's just... after spending over a year together, I feel like we're still not quite right for each other."

"But you..."

"We actually get along well in terms of personality."

Qu Zhen interrupted her daughter, speaking calmly, "Your Uncle Ding is an honest, kind, and talented man, and he's good to me too. I'm very happy when I'm with him."

Bai Ma then turned her gaze to Ding Heng, hoping that Ding Heng could say a few words of advice to her mother.

Ding Heng remained silent.

He had long anticipated this day.

The "love" between the father and Quzhen was destined to be short-lived from the very beginning.

Having come this far, Qu Zhen would never simply abandon her responsibilities as a manager.

More than 90% of her achievements and recognition in life come from her career, and her relationship with Ding Wenjie is just to make up for some regret.

In a sense, Ding Wenjie was even her first love in the true sense, and first loves are often imperfect.

In addition, Ding Wenjie is used to being a wild person and needs to travel all over the world, so he can't always be by Qu Zhen's side to provide emotional support.

Two adults in their forties may pursue romance for a while, but ultimately they must return to reality.

Being together for over a year has exceeded Ding Heng's expectations.

Qu Zhen spoke again: "Xiao Ding, I'm telling you all this so you can be mentally prepared. Also, try to persuade your father not to go to any dangerous places again."

I couldn't persuade him otherwise.

Ding Heng shrugged: "Auntie, you've been with him for over a year, don't you know what kind of person he is?"

Qu Zhen shook her head helplessly.

As Baima listened to the two talking back and forth, her mind was in a jumble.

"Mom..."

She was actually the most sentimental one.

Qu Zhen softened her tone: "Don't worry, Mom and your Uncle Ding have discussed it and decided that our two families will still be friends. When I have some free time, and your Uncle Ding doesn't want to travel anymore, maybe we can even spend our old age together."

Qu Zhen softened her tone: "Don't worry, Mom and your Uncle Ding have discussed it and decided that our two families will still be friends. When I have some free time, and your Uncle Ding doesn't want to travel anymore, maybe we can even spend our old age together."

Ding Heng said politely, "Auntie, you will always be a respected elder to me."

Qu Zhen smiled and said, "You're a good boy, Xiao Ding. You'll have to take good care of Baima in Xingcheng from now on."

"Of course! I'll go check on my dad again..."

Ding Heng got up and left. Bai Ma subconsciously wanted to follow, but Qu Zhen pressed her shoulder down.

"Don't rush, Mom has something else to tell you."

Bai Ma obediently sat back down and watched Ding Heng walk away into the distance.

Back in the ward, Ding Wenjie was leaning against the pillows, lost in thought.

The caregiver ladled out the soup, and seeing Ding Heng enter, she tactfully withdrew.

Ding Heng sat down by the bedside, picked up the soup bowl, and fed the child spoonful by spoonful.

Ding Wenjie took a few sips and suddenly spoke.

"Did your Aunt Quzhen tell you all that?"

"Um."

What do you think?

"What can I say?"

Ding Heng said calmly, "It's your own business. As your son, why should I advise you?"

Ding Wenjie remained silent, then suddenly heard Ding Heng burst out laughing.

Ding Wenjie glared at him: "What are you laughing at?"

"It's nothing."

Ding Heng shook his head: "I just feel that it's a miracle that I haven't become an orphan yet."

For Ding Heng, his father was truly lucky; similar situations had occurred more than once or twice.

"you……"

Ding Wenjie was furious and instinctively wanted to discipline his son, but when he tried to raise his hand, he realized that he was a patient.

In the end, he had no choice but to give up, which made him feel somewhat guilty.

As a father, he is indeed inadequate.

Ding Heng noticed Ding Wenjie's emotions and continued, "Dad, you're almost fifty. You have no one to rely on, and I'm your only son who doesn't need your worry. You can live however you want without too much concern."

"If that day ever comes, your son will collect your body and give you a proper send-off."

Ding Wenjie was so angry he laughed.

"Can't you speak a little more favorably about your father?"

"To be honest... I know your personality. Making you stay at home and retire is worse than killing you."

Ding Wenjie didn't say anything, and Ding Heng continued to feed him soup.

As a son, Ding Heng understands his father...

Ding Wenjie is not a man who can stay idle; in the past, marriage and family had simply restricted him for more than a decade.

Rather than letting him live a quiet retirement, it's better to let him go out and realize the meaning of life. Even if something unexpected happens, at least he won't regret it.

Ding Wenjie drank the last mouthful of soup and let out a long breath.

"I heard from your Aunt Qu Zhen that your investment company in Hong Kong is doing quite well?"

"It's alright."

"And then what? Once you have money, you find a bunch of girlfriends?"

Ding Heng smiled awkwardly and didn't say anything.

This kind of thing can't be hidden from the father in the end.

Anyone who inquired a little, whether it was with the maternal grandparents or Sister Jiang, could sense that something was amiss.

Ding Wenjie sighed again.

"If you won't advise me, I won't advise you either, but as a father, I still have to say something... No matter what, don't let that girl down."

"Don't worry, Dad, I know what I'm doing."

You'd better be aware of this.

Ding Wenjie waved his hand impatiently: "Let's go, let me have some peace and quiet."

Ding Heng stood up and patted his pants.

"Okay, your son will come to see you again tomorrow."

"Get out of here!"

"Okay!"

Ding Heng left the hospital and returned to his car. Just as he was about to start the engine, the passenger door was opened.

Pema got in and fastened her seatbelt.

Ding Heng stepped on the gas: "What did Aunt Qu Zhen talk to you about?"

"It's nothing."

Baima looked out the window and said, "They asked me what school I wanted to choose."

"and then?"

"Then I said I wanted to go to that junior college, and she said okay, and I could decide for myself."

"She really agreed?"

"She said she could let me move around freely for three years, but she wouldn't give me much living expenses... After three years, she hoped I would follow her arrangements."

"Then what are you so worried about? There are still three years left, right? Have your fun first."

"You make it sound so easy, three years will pass quickly..."

The car merged into the traffic on the main road.

"Brother."

"Um?"

"Can I still call you brother?"