Zhao Yunhua parked the car by the roadside and got out, his heart aching as he asked, "Wang Lin, why are you out here alone? Where is Yun Shen? Did he really abandon you and Sui Sui like this?"
"No, it's not his fault."
Zhao Yunhua put her luggage in the trunk and opened the passenger door. "Get in."
"Big Brother, this isn't good. Mom will be angry if she finds out."
"Don't worry about it so much."
Wang Lin hesitated for a second before getting into the passenger seat with Zhao Sui Sui in her arms. "Thank you, Big Brother. The sun is harsh outside, and I was afraid the child would get sunburned. I'm sorry to trouble you."
Zhao Yunhua didn't correct her way of addressing him. "Where are you going?"
"My home is too far away, so going back isn't practical. I also don't want my parents to know that Ah Shen and I are divorced. Big Brother, can you help me find a place to stay?"
Zhao Yunhua was silent for a moment, and Wang Lin quickly added, "I'm sorry, I misspoke. Big Brother's properties have already been transferred to Ms. Xu. I'm not very familiar with this area either. Big Brother, could you just find us a place to rent?"
"Alright, I'll ask around."
Zhao Yunhua called his assistant to inquire about places for rent. Following Wang Lin's requirements, the assistant immediately recommended suitable locations and provided several landlords' phone numbers.
Zhao Yunhua called the landlords and then drove to see the apartment. It was a one-bedroom, one-kitchen, one-bathroom unit, cramped and poorly renovated, priced at a bargain of 1500. Although Wang Lin was accustomed to a good life, she knew this place was suitable for her current situation. She didn't have much money, and this place was in high demand; if she didn't secure it soon, finding another similar place would be difficult.
Zhao Yunhua was visibly disgusted with the apartment and tried to pull Wang Lin away, promising to find her a better place. But Wang Lin insisted on staying, paying a deposit of 2000 and six months' rent upfront. The landlord was delighted and happily went home.
"This place is so small, how can anyone live here? Can you bear to let Sui Sui suffer with you?"
"Big Brother, this is my own choice. It's already very good that I can afford a place like this on my own. I'm content and satisfied."
"I can help you."
"You've already helped me a lot. I don't want others to misunderstand, and I certainly don't want Sui Sui to be pointed at in the future."
"You still have feelings for Yun Shen. You're already divorced, what are you afraid of him misunderstanding?"
"Yes, I still like Yun Shen. Thank you for your help today. There's nothing in the house, so I won't ask you to stay for a meal."
Zhao Yunhua left the apartment in a daze. He squatted in the stairwell and smoked two cigarettes before leaving.
Zhao Sui Sui was crying loudly. Wang Lin fumbled to pick her up and soothe her, but after a long time, Zhao Sui Sui's crying only grew louder. Wang Lin, annoyed by the crying, casually placed her on the table and went to sort through the things she had brought with her.
"Waaah waaah waaah~"
"Can you stop crying? Do you know how annoying this is? What's the use of crying all day? What do you want from me?" Wang Lin yelled irritably at the swaddled infant, who cried even harder, as if challenging her to a screaming match.
Wang Lin rubbed her head and collapsed onto the floor, crying. The baby had been cared for by a nanny since birth. When she was well-behaved, they would bring her over to be cuddled, but she had no idea crying could be so difficult.
Wang Lin's life with Zhao Yun Shen had been ordinary, but Zhao Yun Shen's demeanor, cultivation, and the expensive items he occasionally revealed confirmed to Wang Lin that he was a wealthy second-generation heir. Therefore, she was willing to "suffer" with Zhao Yun Shen. After much effort, she became pregnant, got married, and was accepted into a wealthy family. She never imagined that her good days would end so quickly, returning her to square one. She truly regretted her choices.
Zhao Yunhua was handsome and academically gifted, a prominent figure on campus during university. She felt it was prestigious to date someone like him. However, despite being a wealthy heir, he acted like a poor person, even engaging in work-study programs. When she met Zhao Yun Shen and heard him talk about the places he had visited, Wang Lin realized the difference and decisively broke up with Zhao Yunhua to pursue Zhao Yun Shen. If she had known they were brothers, why would she have gone through all this trouble? Zhao Yunhua was devoted to her and was the future chairman of a corporation. She had truly lost the watermelon and picked up a sesame seed, and now that they were family, there was no turning back.
*Bang bang bang. Bang bang bang.*
Someone knocked on the door. Wang Lin wiped away her tears, put on a brave face, and went to open it. Outside stood a woman in her fifties. "What's going on in your house? Letting the child cry like that, my little grandson is trying to sleep."
"Auntie, I'm truly sorry. I don't know what's wrong with this child; no matter how much I try to comfort her, she won't stop crying."
The aunt looked impatient and frowned. "Is she hungry? Have you fed her? Young children are very delicate." Seeing Wang Lin's dazed expression, the aunt became even more impatient. "How can you be a mother? The child is crying, and you're just standing there blankly. Will the child get any better like this?"
Wang Lin felt wronged and started crying. She finally opened the door a little wider. "Auntie, can you please take a look? Sui Sui is only a little over a month old, and nothing can happen to her. Wuwuwu, I really don't know how to take care of a baby."