Zhan Bei Jue had originally come to him for comfort and warmth.
Instead, after listening to him talk for a long time, he felt even more depressed, and his longing for Jiang Nan Fang intensified.
At five in the morning, Lu Ming Zhe was tired and finally fell into a deep sleep, clutching a bottle.
He had no sleepiness, worried about Jiang Nan Fang's health. After much deliberation, he drove to her apartment building in the dark.
It was already mid-October, and the autumn mornings were quite chilly.
He stood in the morning breeze wearing only a shirt, watching from below and smoking, one cigarette after another, until the sky brightened and the quiet community gradually came to life.
Four children, wearing identical school uniforms and carrying identical backpacks, finally hopped out of the building.
Jiang Nan Fang planned to go to Ge Rui Electric today.
To conceal her fatigue, she put on some light makeup, styled her hair meticulously, and wore an autumn professional outfit.
As she followed the children out of the complex, she unexpectedly saw Zhan Bei Jue at first glance.
"Daddy!"
The children, who had vowed to punish him just the day before and refused to speak to him, were surprised to see him there so early and rushed towards him.
It was worth Zhan Bei Jue's long wait; he broke into a smile and crouched down to hug them.
They hugged his arms, they hugged his neck.
They chattered around him.
"Daddy, why did you come so early? Have you eaten?"
"You're wearing so little, it's windy this morning, aren't you cold?"
"Daddy, your hands are so cold. Have you been waiting here long? Why didn't you go upstairs?"
"You smoked again, didn't you? Didn't we say no smoking?"
"Daddy didn't sleep well last night, did you? You have dark circles under your eyes."
Jiang Nan Fang stopped behind the children and subconsciously looked over.
His white shirt was a bit wrinkled; it looked like he hadn't gone home to sleep last night and hadn't changed clothes.
A faint stubble was growing on his chin, and there were faint bruises under his eyes. He looked somewhat tired.
As the children said, he seemed to have smoked a lot and not slept well.
Noticing Jiang Nan Fang looking at him, Zhan Bei Jue also turned his gaze towards her.
Their eyes met briefly in the air. Before Jiang Nan Fang could discern any meaning, she turned her head away.
Zhan Bei Jue answered a few questions from the children, patted their heads, and told them to wait aside.
He walked towards Jiang Nan Fang.
Fortunately, she seemed to be in good spirits.
Her features were still so delicate and beautiful. She probably hadn't drunk too much yesterday.
"I heard you moved here, so I came to recognize the place."
He pondered for a moment and came up with this excuse.
Jiang Nan Fang found it ironic.
Coming over so early to recognize his ex-wife's place, was there any need for that?
However, she didn't want to argue with him so early in the morning and ruin her mood.
Besides, the children were watching, and she didn't want them to be unhappy.
"Yes. You've seen it now, and the children have greeted you. Can we go? We'll be late for school."
Zhan Bei Jue instinctively said, "I'll take you."
Only after saying it did he realize it was inappropriate.
As expected, a mocking expression appeared on Jiang Nan Fang's face.
"No need. We're divorced. I have my own car."
Before they came down, Zhan Bei Jue had reminded himself several times that he must maintain a distance from them recently, to avoid the children being targeted.
But he just couldn't help himself.
He missed Jiang Nan Fang so much.
Even hearing snippets about her from A Cheng and the children made him lose control.
If Jiang Nan Fang encountered trouble one day, it would surely be his fault.
"Alright, I won't take you. I need to discuss something with you."
What else was there to discuss?
Jiang Nan Fang truly didn't understand. He clearly had a beautiful woman outside, and he was now free.
He should be carefree and in the midst of a passionate romance with that woman. Why had he made himself so haggard?
And why was he facing his ex-wife with such a doting tone? What was he trying to achieve?
"Speak if you have something to say. We don't have much time, get to the point."
Zhan Bei Jue raised his wrist and checked the time. Indeed, there wasn't much time.
"I hope you will leave Ge Rui Electric."
Her ears buzzed for several seconds before Jiang Nan Fang could hear the world again.
She tried her best to maintain a poker face, her voice sounding steady.
"Was it her demand? Afraid that I might get too involved with you and cause future financial disputes?"
Zhan Bei Jue remained silent, implicitly acknowledging her guess.
Jiang Nan Fang felt that the tears she shed last night were entirely due to drinking too much.
It was not worth it for such a scumbag.
"Tell her, she doesn't need to worry so much. I, Jiang Nan Fang, am not someone who lacks money. Even if I did, I wouldn't stoop to fighting with trash for it."
"Ge Rui, even if you beg me, I don't plan to stay. I'll go and collect my belongings now."
"Also, from now on, the children will be fine with Brother A Cheng. You don't need to come here anymore."
After saying that, she strode away with the children into the car.
Soothing music played in the car. Along the way, she tried her best to chat with the children, appearing optimistic and cheerful.
Only she knew the extent of the hatred she felt inside.
After dropping off the children, without a moment's delay, she drove back to Ge Rui.
Upon arriving at the company, it was the time when everyone was rushing to work. Many greeted her, as they hadn't seen her in a while.
"Manager Jiang, good morning!"
"Manager Jiang is back, long time no see!"
"Manager Jiang looks so beautiful today, your complexion is great."
Jiang Nan Fang smiled and greeted people all the way to the technical department.
The familiar seasoned professionals were mostly there, gathered around eating breakfast and gossiping.
Catching sight of her from the corner of his eye, Manager Zhang jumped up.
"Oh my, I was wondering why I felt so good-tempered as soon as I opened my eyes this morning. It turns out our beautiful lady is returning!"
"Quick, quick, stop eating. Everyone get up and line up to welcome Engineer Jiang back!"
Everyone put down their breakfast and stood up, forming a line, clapping for Jiang Nan Fang.
Manager Zhang led the cheering: "Welcome Engineer Jiang back, welcome, welcome!"
Everyone echoed: "Welcome Engineer Jiang back, welcome!"
To be honest, if she really had to leave these lively and interesting colleagues, Jiang Nan Fang would be quite reluctant.
Although Vice Manager Gao was old, he was diligent and responsible in his work.
These people had gone through several projects with her; they were like brothers who had shared life and death.
Leaving here, she would have to fight alone again, starting from scratch.
But, all good things must come to an end.
"No need for welcomes, I'm here to say goodbye."
"Ah?"
Everyone was startled for a moment, then Manager Zhang was the first to react.
"Are you pregnant and going on maternity leave?"
Although she had fallen out with Zhan Bei Jue, she still had to maintain appearances.
Jiang Nan Fang did not intend to make her private affairs public.
"Yes, I'm going home for maternity leave. I'll be taking care of my family from now on and might never return."
"But you can still consult me if you have any problems. Goodbye, everyone."