Zhuo Wenjun was one of the Four Great Talented Women of ancient China, not only daring in love and hate and well-read, but also a gifted and talented woman who could compose poetry and paint.
The poem she wrote, "Ballad of White Hair," became a timeless masterpiece passed down through generations.
"I wish to win one person's heart, and never be separated until our hair turns white."
Du Ruoxin was the one person whom Kristino wished to win with all his might.
But it seemed she didn't think so.
Knowing he wanted to express his love, she was unwilling to listen.
A mist of sadness spread through Kristino's heart, but—
Abortion?
His eyes narrowed, a hint of confusion in them. "Are you... joking with me?"
Kristino could see that Xin'er really liked the baby in her belly, so why suddenly...?
"I'm not joking, I'm serious," Du Ruoxin said with a solemn expression.
—
How should a man take care of a child?
Rong Jingyang had never taken care of a child alone and didn't know how to plan his daughter's day.
Dou Dou said she would be with him all day today?
Du Ruoxin wasn't looking for her daughter? Was she... deliberately sending Dou Dou away?
The man frowned, "—"
"Daddy, where are you taking me to play later?" Rong Doudou sat obediently beside her father, not making a fuss.
Rong Jingyang's thoughts drifted: "..."
Rong Doudou didn't hear her father speak and tugged his clothes with her small hand. "Daddy."
Rong Jingyang's thoughts were still drifting: "..."
Rong Doudou called out twice more without a response. Her little mouth pouted, and she became unhappy.
She knelt on the seat and leaned close to her father's ear, blowing air. "Hoo hoo hoo~~~"
Rong Jingyang felt an itch in his ear, accompanied by saliva, and finally came back to his senses. "Doudou, what's wrong?"
Rong Doudou pouted. "Daddy isn't paying attention to me."
Rong Jingyang picked his daughter up and sat her on his lap. "I was just thinking about something. Can Doudou say that again?"
Rong Doudou rolled her eyes and snorted.
She had the demeanor of a spoiled and proud little princess.
Rong Jingyang had no experience in coaxing girls, but with his complex mind and rich life experience, he guessed, "Hmm~~~, Doudou wants to ask where we're going to play today?"
"Let me think..."
Rong Doudou perked up her ears, curious about what her father would say?
Rong Jingyang thought about it left and right but couldn't come up with anything, so he gave up. "What do you usually play with Mommy?"
Rong Doudou: "Amusement parks, places with lots of children."
Rong Jingyang: "Okay."
So he took his daughter to a children's amusement park.
As soon as Rong Doudou saw the slide and the colorful ball pit, she couldn't move. She kicked off her shoes and slid in like an eel.
Rong Jingyang watched his daughter's agile posture and quick movements. Since the amusement park was built for children of a few years old, he, a man over six feet tall, couldn't even stand straight inside, nor could he turn easily. He sat at the entrance, his gaze following his daughter.
This was his first time in such a place.
He had never even seen one before.
He didn't expect there to be so many people, most of them toddlers aged one or two, still crawling or just learning to walk, mostly accompanied by their mothers or grandparents.
Rong Jingyang looked around and didn't see a single adult man with a child.
He was the only one.
"Young man, are you bringing your daughter alone?"
"Where is the child's mother?"
"Why isn't she with you?"
A tall, handsome man with an extraordinary aura would always be the most eye-catching person in any crowd. Rong Jingyang immediately became the subject of conversation for the aunties at the entrance. Even though he was in a wheelchair, it didn't diminish the aunties' curiosity and enthusiasm.
Rong Jingyang: "..."
"Young man, are you bringing your niece to play?"
"Are you married?"
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
"What kind of girls do you like?"
Rong Jingyang: "..."
He instinctively reached for the wedding ring on his ring finger to prove his married status, but it was empty.
Where was the ring?
Rong Jingyang frowned.
It seemed—
In his memory, he hadn't worn his wedding ring for a very, very long time?
He couldn't remember how long.
Rong Jingyang lowered his gaze and looked at his left ring finger. There wasn't even an imprint from wearing a ring.
"Young man, speak up, why aren't you talking?"
Several aunties spoke a lot, but Rong Jingyang didn't respond.
From somewhere in the crowd, someone blurted out, "Could he be mute? What a shame..."
Disabled and mute, no wonder he couldn't find a wife.
It was a shame for such a handsome face.
Rong Jingyang's dark pupils gathered slightly, his pleasant voice filled with magnetism. "I am married."
An auntie: "Oh, why isn't your wife with you?"
Rong Jingyang: ...This was a private matter, and he wasn't used to answering.
But he had clearly underestimated the aunties' persistent gossip skills.
"Is your wife the one who works outside, and you take care of the household?"
"It's rare to find a young and promising man like you willing to take care of the family and contribute to it."
"Your daughter is about four or five years old, right? Why isn't she in school?"
"How do you usually take care of her?"
"What has she learned?"
"Painting, piano, dancing, chess, martial arts? Does she do any sports?"
"Does your daughter get sick often? How many times does she get a fever a year?"
"How is her digestion? Does she often have food stagnation? Has she had diarrhea?"
Rong Jingyang: "…………"
He didn't know any of this.
He didn't know what his daughter had learned, what she liked, or what illnesses she had had.
The aunties' continuous questions left Rong Jingyang speechless.
He knew nothing.
He understood nothing.
He—
Rong Jingyang felt a dull ache in his heart, as if a stone were blocking it. He suddenly realized that he was failing in his duties as both a husband and a father.
At this moment, guilt was planted in his heart like a seed.