Looking back, Ye Tiancheng suddenly realized they had become strangers. While there wasn't much affection between them in the past, they were still husband and wife.
"Hou Mingzhu, do you really hate me that much?"
As Hou Mingzhu looked at Ye Tiancheng, she noticed his eyes were very red, as if they held many unspoken words but could only convey a hollow helplessness.
"Perhaps there was genuine affection before, but it was fleeting. I suddenly understood that love is a two-way street. You don't like me that much, and I don't need to waste my feelings by your side."
In truth, Ye Tiancheng himself didn't have much genuine feeling, so he didn't dare to confront Hou Mingzhu, as he would quickly be defeated.
"Alright, let's not say too much. I'm actually quite comforted that you came. After all, you know you're going to be a father. But your sense of responsibility won't last, and I won't expect too much. How about this, let's take this opportunity to make it clear: we end it here."
He thought it might be a new beginning, but unexpectedly, everything was about to come to an abrupt end. This was something Ye Tiancheng hadn't anticipated. Of course, after Hou Mingzhu finished speaking, Ye Tiancheng was left utterly bewildered.
"End it? Hou Mingzhu, what do you mean by that?"
"The Hou family had already launched an overseas project, you know this. My father's intention is for me to manage everything for the overseas project. I will be leaving here immediately with my daughter and will settle abroad permanently, never to return to this place of sorrow."
As Hou Mingzhu spoke, despair filled her eyes. She had once fantasized that Ye Tiancheng might change his mind, as their separation was forced.
Even if there was some issue, it was fine, but the fact that they separated without any significant reason left a knot in Hou Mingzhu's heart, still hoping that perhaps one day they could mend their relationship.
However, as time passed, Hou Mingzhu's disappointment accumulated. She suddenly realized something: there was no need to put so much pressure on herself.
Perhaps when two people are together and under so much pressure, it indicates that they are not suited for each other. If it were a truly right relationship, they would never have separated.
The most genuine reason Ye Tiancheng was so heartless, standing by Hou Mingzhu's side when she needed him most, was simply that he didn't love her that much.
No matter how many explanations Hou Mingzhu found for herself, this was an insurmountable obstacle. Not loving is not loving.
"I wish you well, Ye Tiancheng. You're not a good person, but we were husband and wife after all. I will remember this connection. I wish you well, and I hope you will wish me well. Let's part on good terms."
Even after receiving the divorce certificate, Ye Tiancheng didn't feel like he had truly separated from Hou Mingzhu. But now that their daughter was born, Ye Tiancheng suddenly felt a terrifying sense of dread.
It seemed that this time, Ye Tiancheng was truly going to lose Hou Mingzhu. Some memories flashed by. Perhaps they hadn't gotten together out of love like other couples, but there was still some affection.
Now, facing separation, Ye Tiancheng realized how truly difficult it was, a suffocating feeling suddenly overwhelming him.
"Hou Mingzhu, can't you not go?"
"I've already made up my mind. As I said, you let me go, and I hope you can bless me too."
The separation came so suddenly. Ye Tiancheng wasn't prepared at all, yet Hou Mingzhu had suddenly announced she was going abroad. Whether Hou Mingzhu was being petulant or had truly made up her mind, Ye Tiancheng, after a brief moment of panic, quickly regained his composure and settled down.
"If you're going abroad, won't there still be some time? At least wait until you're out of your confinement. Otherwise, let me accompany you during this time. I can also help take care of the child. It would be the last thing I can do for you, otherwise, I will always feel guilty. For you and our daughter, I am just an extraneous person, unable to do anything for you."
Everything Ye Tiancheng said was the truth. If Hou Mingzhu and their daughter left like this, and Ye Tiancheng, as the father, did nothing, he would always feel incompetent.
To hurt a woman so much that she didn't want to see him again, and to want to run away even after having a child, was a great failure for a man.
"No need. I think I can go abroad for my confinement. Everything has already been arranged. You don't need to feel any psychological burden. Since we can't live together in the future, don't cultivate any feelings. Otherwise, separation will be even more painful."
This child, while in Hou Mingzhu's womb, was truly surrounded by vital energy, otherwise, Hou Mingzhu wouldn't have suffered so much. However, after birth, she was no different from ordinary children, and Ye Tiancheng didn't need to do anything special. Ye Tiancheng found this somewhat strange, but it meant Ye Tiancheng didn't have to dote on this child, and could take care of her later when she was out. This also gave Ye Tiancheng one less reason to be close to his child.
"Please consider it again, okay? Don't make such an impulsive decision. Although I'm not a good ex-husband, I will definitely be a good father. I truly love our daughter."
As Ye Tiancheng spoke to Hou Mingzhu with tears in his eyes, many thoughts swirled in his mind, but very few could be expressed. However, Ye Tiancheng was very certain that his love for his daughter was pure and could not be changed by anything.
"How about this? When I leave, you can come to the airport to see me off. This is the last thing I can do for you. As for the future, I will not let you and my daughter have any more contact. Once there is contact, blood ties cannot be severed. My child can only belong to me, and I don't want anyone to interfere."
This was Hou Mingzhu's most genuine thought. She feared that if she had too much contact with Ye Tiancheng, their daughter would eventually have to see Ye Tiancheng. And Ye Tiancheng was already remarried. While it would be awkward for her, she absolutely could not let her daughter be involved.
"Do you really have to be so heartless? I can only see her one last time. I want to watch my child grow up, from a baby to a graceful young lady. This is the greatest happiness for a father. I truly love our daughter, Mingzhu. Please don't be angry with me anymore. Give me a chance to grow up with my child, okay?"
Although he knew the possibility was slim, Ye Tiancheng, as a father, loved his daughter deeply and could not let go.
Ye Tiancheng still held onto hope and didn't want to be separated from his daughter. He also wanted to beg Hou Mingzhu for a special exception. However, Ye Tiancheng's humility clearly did not earn Hou Mingzhu's sympathy; instead, it angered her.
"I think I've been quite calm, and I don't want to make things too ugly. You are, after all, my daughter's father, which is why I'm speaking to you calmly. I don't want to end up in court where you lose the right to see our daughter. When I can speak calmly now, I hope you will cherish my current peace, rather than provoking me to the point of mutual destruction and unhappiness."
Ye Tiancheng knew Hou Mingzhu well enough to recognize that she was about to get angry. Ye Tiancheng, of course, was not foolish enough to add fuel to the fire. Since Hou Mingzhu was about to lose her temper, Ye Tiancheng naturally tried his best to appease her.
"I'm sorry, Mingzhu, please don't be angry. I was just trying to fight for it. Since you're already angry, I won't say anything more. You promised, please don't be angry with me anymore, okay? I won't mention it again. If you want to go abroad, then go. Even if I can see the child one last time before you leave, I'll accept it. At least I still have this chance to see the child. Thank you for being so generous and not holding my past mistakes against me, willing to let me see the child one more time."
Ye Tiancheng was at his lowest ebb, tears falling again. In reality, Hou Mingzhu knew Ye Tiancheng was a very cold-hearted person, and most things couldn't make him shed tears. Even when they separated before, she hadn't seen Ye Tiancheng in so much pain.
But now, when it came to their daughter, it seemed Ye Tiancheng was truly invested, crying painfully. This made Hou Mingzhu realize that giving birth to this daughter was the right decision, as it could completely control Ye Tiancheng. A sense of vengeful pleasure surged within her, and she no longer regretted it.
She had always regretted having the child out of spite. But after giving birth, she found immense satisfaction in being able to control Ye Tiancheng for a lifetime.
"Why did you do this in the first place? When you changed your mind, you should have realized that by losing me, you would also lose everything related to me. But it doesn't matter anymore. I don't really care what happens to you. I only hope you won't bother me again in the future. I also ask you, Mr. Ye, to leave now."
Ye Tiancheng didn't dare to stay any longer. He had already angered Hou Mingzhu. If he pushed further, it would only lead to a complete breakdown between them. So, Ye Tiancheng retreated from the ward. Before leaving, he glanced at his daughter through the glass again.
He was incredibly fond of her. After all, blood is thicker than water, and Ye Tiancheng had always preferred daughters. He had dreamed of having a daughter before. Now that he had one, he couldn't keep her by his side. The regret in his heart was inexpressible; it was an empty, unbearable feeling.
"Brother Ye, don't overthink it. I feel like Sister-in-law is quite a good person. She's just not thinking clearly right now. Once she comes around, she'll definitely let you see the child. This is just a temporary situation. You just need to behave well from now on. Women's hearts are very soft. As long as you persist in being good to her, you should see results soon."
After leaving the hospital, Ye Tiancheng sat dejectedly on a stone behind the hospital, his head bowed low, as if filled with resentment towards the world. At this moment, he had no other thoughts, only the desire to live with his daughter.
This was a case of one conquering another. Previously, Ye Tiancheng had abandoned many people for various things. Now, looking back, being excluded felt truly painful. Only when one has someone they value does one realize this. It was too late to regret it now.
Hou Mingzhu would not allow him any further contact with their daughter. This was Hou Mingzhu's revenge.
"It's impossible. Hou Mingzhu won't let me see the child. She only agreed to let me see her one last time before going abroad. This is like tearing my heart apart, a bloody pain."