Jin Jie ignored her, wanting to hear what Liu Yifeng had to say.
"I want to know, is this Yun Duoer's decision?" If it were Liu Yifeng's old temper, he would have hung up the phone long ago, not bothering to listen to them talk about another person, nor would he allow Tong Tong to recognize this mother again.
But the thought of Tong Tong calling out for "Mom" while feverish made him willing to humble himself for his son. Even if he was looked down upon by the person on the other end of the line, he would persevere, hoping Yun Duoer would change her mind.
"My decision is Duoer's decision. If you don't believe me, you can ask her yourself!" Jin Jie said, then handed the phone to Yun Duoer, giving her a meaningful look and signaling her not to speak carelessly.
Yun Duoer took the phone. "Mr. Liu, Tong Tong is my son, born after ten months of pregnancy. Even if I hand Tong Tong over to you now, I absolutely will not allow you to find a stepmother for him!
In this world, there are very few stepmothers who treat children sincerely!"
Liu Yifeng sneered, "You're so much of a birth mother, yet you sent Tong Tong away yourself? No matter how bad a stepmother is, at least she's with the child every day. But you? You were indifferent even when the child was sick. I'd say your heart is colder than any stepmother's!"
"I... I was thinking about Tong Tong's future. What's wrong with me making more money while I'm young? It will all be Tong Tong's in the end, right?
In any case, you cannot find a stepmother for Tong Tong, do you hear me!" Yun Duoer commanded.
"I can refrain from finding one, but you have to agree to one condition!"
"What condition?" Yun Duoer asked.
"That you come to see Tong Tong tomorrow. And if not every month, then at least once every two months, so Tong Tong can feel motherly love. I can remain unmarried and not find a stepmother for Tong Tong!" He had gone to the extreme for Tong Tong.
How many twenty-eight-year-old men could remain unmarried for their entire lives?
But for Tong Tong, he was willing!
However, Yun Duoer was unwilling. "I can't promise you this. I hope you can understand my difficulties. I'm about to participate in several variety shows, and my exposure will be huge. At this critical juncture, I cannot have any contact with Tong Tong for fear of being photographed."
"Since you cannot give Tong Tong the motherly love he deserves, then you have no right to stop me from finding a mother who will love him wholeheartedly!" Liu Yifeng had spoken until his mouth was dry, but Yun Duoer's heart remained unmoved. He knew there was no point in persuading her further and immediately hung up the phone.
Yun Duoer wanted to say something more, but the call was already disconnected.
Jin Jie knew what Yun Duoer was thinking and said sternly, "Hesitation leads to trouble. If you want to soar higher in the entertainment industry, you must be resolute.
Tong Tong is your son, born of your flesh and blood. You are still connected by sinew and bone. You can reunite in the future.
But for now, you must be clear about what is more important."
After Jin Jie's guidance, Yun Duoer felt much more at ease.
Since she had been completely open with Liu Yifeng today, she was determined to forge a successful career in the entertainment industry.
Meanwhile, Liu Yifeng, having just hung up the phone, turned to enter the infirmary to check if Tong Tong was asleep. To his surprise, Tong Tong was right behind him.
"Tong Tong, why are you out? Didn't I tell you to rest in bed?" Liu Yifeng picked Tong Tong up and walked towards the infirmary.
But Tong Tong's next words stunned him. "Daddy, were you on the phone with Mommy? She doesn't want Tong Tong, does she?"
Liu Yifeng listened to his son ask such a question in such a pure tone, a lump forming in his throat. He forced a smile. "Tong Tong must have misheard. How could Mommy not miss you? She's just too busy with work. When she has time later, she'll come to see you!"
He couldn't bear to tell Tong Tong that Mommy had completely given up on him. At his young age, he couldn't comprehend such things.
"Daddy is lying. I heard everything. You begged Mommy to come see me, but she wouldn't. She doesn't love me anymore.
From now on, Tong Tong won't miss Mommy anymore. Being with Daddy every day is enough," Tong Tong mumbled.
Liu Yifeng had also been raised by his father alone. After the age of five, he had not experienced motherly love. The thought of Tong Tong becoming a child without a mother's love, just like himself, was unbearable.
Tong Tong was such a good child, perhaps the best child in the world. Why could Yun Duoer be so heartless as to abandon him?
This woman's heart must have been clouded by greed. To go this far for her so-called career.
"Tong Tong, I'm sorry. It's all Daddy's fault for not being able to persuade Mommy to see you!" he said, blaming himself.
"Daddy has nothing to apologize to Tong Tong for. It was Tong Tong who shouldn't have called for Mommy when he had a fever, making you worry.
Now I promise I won't think about Mommy anymore. Daddy doesn't need to beg her anymore." Tong Tong comforted Liu Yifeng instead, even saying he wouldn't miss his mother anymore.
"Tong Tong, why did you come out?" Liu Chunsheng had just finished using the restroom and, not seeing Tong Tong, came out to look for him. He saw father and son together.
"Grandpa, Tong Tong couldn't sleep, so he wanted to come out and talk with Daddy!" Tong Tong didn't mention what had just happened.
Liu Yifeng said nothing, directly carrying Tong Tong into the infirmary and placing him on the hospital bed.
At this time, the school doctor in the infirmary returned after his meal. He prescribed some fever-reducing and anti-inflammatory medication for Tong Tong to take home.
"Doctor, how much is it to see Tong Tong? I'll pay you!" Liu Yifeng took the medicine and prepared to pay.
"There's no charge. Medical treatment here is free. The kindergarten will cover all expenses," the doctor said.
Only then did Liu Yifeng put away his cash and give the medicine to his father.
He then stayed by Tong Tong's side, helping him fall asleep.
Soon, Tong Tong fell asleep. Although he had just received an IV drip, his fever had subsided, but his face was still a little pale.
Liu Yifeng recalled what Tong Tong had said earlier, feeling a pang in his heart.
What kind of child could say he no longer missed his mother just to make his father happy?
He knew that Tong Tong missed her, but he was forcing himself not to think about her so that his father would no longer have to humble himself and beg Yun Duoer.
He had initially thought that even if Yun Duoer refused to come, he would find her and even drag her there if necessary.
But he had abandoned that idea. Yun Duoer's heart was clearly not with Tong Tong. Even if he forced her to come, she would be a mere shell.
Furthermore, she might resent him for forcing her, leading to her treating Tong Tong unkindly, which would hurt Tong Tong more than her absence.
"Yifeng, come here for a moment!" Liu Chunsheng whispered to Liu Yifeng.
Liu Yifeng got up and followed him out. "Dad, what is it?"
"What do you think? Of course, I want to contact Tong Tong's mother. The child misses her so much; she should come to see him. That way, Tong Tong's illness will recover faster."
Liu Yifeng then told his father what had just happened, hoping he would give up on this idea. Otherwise, he would constantly ask him to contact Tong Tong's mother!
Upon hearing this, Liu Chunsheng exploded, "How can this woman be so heartless? Her son is sick from missing her, and she's still focused on work?"
"Dad, everyone has their own aspirations. If she's unwilling to come, then let it be. From now on, we'll take good care of Tong Tong and make him happy, so he won't miss his mother so much?"
"Alas, is our family cursed?
You didn't have your mother around when you were little, and now Tong Tong doesn't have a mother. If it doesn't work out, maybe we should hire a geomancer to check our family's feng shui?" Liu Chunsheng sighed.
Liu Yifeng replied, "Dad, this is fate; what does it have to do with feng shui?
If our family truly had bad feng shui, would we have such a genius child like Tong Tong?"
"That's true. Tong Tong is our family's child; it's like our ancestors' graves are emitting a strong aura," Liu Chunsheng nodded in agreement.
Just then, Liu Yifeng's phone rang. It was Su Wanru. "Hello, President Su, what can I do for you?"
"Mr. Liu, I just heard some news from Zhou Liqun that I believe you'll be very interested in, so I'm calling you specifically!"
Liu Yifeng looked curious. "What news?"
"Didn't you mention Yun Duoer to Zhou Liqun before?"
"Yes, I did. What about it?"
"Do you remember Zhou Liqun wanted Tong Tong to participate in 'The Brain,' which you refused?" Yun Duoer answered his question with another question!
This left Liu Yifeng completely bewildered. "President Su, just say what you want to say directly. I'm a bit slow-witted!"
Su Wanru no longer beat around the bush and got straight to the point. "Yun Duoer is a special invited guest for this program, handpicked by the program director."