Chapter 188: The Verdict

Bai Shuruo looked at him, then said bitterly: "Regarding Dali, I will have to trouble you in the future. The capital for opening the shop was mine, but I don't want that money anymore; you keep it to handle things. If you want to continue running the shop there, then stay there; if you don't want to, you can do something else."

Meng Ze clutched his chest, his breathing seemingly becoming difficult; he must have been feeling very distressed inside.

After a long while, he looked at her, his gaze becoming fervent: "I just can't bear to part with you."

Because of this look, Bai Shuruo paused.

Meng Ze added: "Over these past three years, I have grown accustomed to having you in my life. Sometimes I think, why don't we just become a real married couple and spend the rest of our lives together."

Bai Shuruo could not help but step back two paces, subconsciously gripping the railing by the river.

Over these three years, Meng Ze had mentioned this a few times, but Bai Shuruo had always treated it as a joke, and he had indeed spoken in a joking tone—for instance, when mentioning registering Xiaofeng for a household permit, Meng Ze would say, why don't we just go and register, so Xiaofeng won't have to ask who her father is in the future.

Bai Shuruo asked: "You're joking, right? Didn't you say it yourself? To let me not affect you finding a girlfriend, and that you still have to get married in the future."

Meng Ze said: "If you need someone by your side, I can make do."

Bai Shuruo shook her head: "I... I cannot make do. When I left back then, it was already agreed that we are just business partners. I hope it stays that way in the future. Please don't bring this up again. Furthermore, I hope you can find someone who truly loves you before you marry. For you... I only have familial affection."

Meng Ze smiled roguishly: "You don't need to rush your answer. If one day you want to get married, it won't be too late to come find me. I purely hope to have someone to grow old with."

Bai Shuruo smiled in agreement.

Feeling that she could no longer get along with Meng Ze like this, she went to keep Xiaofeng company.

……

Gu Yunting made a phone call to Bai Shunan and apologized to her: "I'm sorry, regarding your sister's matter, I am unable to help. However, if you need it, I can help you find a judge to accommodate you and delay the court date. But your sister must have a stable income and her own assets recently; I believe that would give her a better chance of winning."

Bai Shunan paused and said: "President Gu, you don't need to apologize. I am already very grateful that you were willing to step in and help me find a lawyer. As for my sister's matter, I won't trouble you any further."

Gu Yunting asked: "Have you given up? Or is it that you aren't confident either? This doesn't seem like your personality. I remember you have always been daring and determined, never admitting defeat until you reach your goal."

"President Gu, you know me so well?" Bai Shunan smiled.

"We are old friends, after all; I know you at least a little bit." Gu Yunting asked again: "Then do you need me to do this favor? I've consulted on it; I can temporarily transfer a portion of my assets to your sister's name. That way, your sister won't be considered unemployed, and the chances of winning the lawsuit will be much higher."

Bai Shunan was stunned. Gu Yunting actually wanted to transfer his own assets to her sister; the risk was too great. Only those with a bond of life-and-death friendship could do such a thing.

The reason Gu Yunting was willing to do this was, of course, for Bai Shunan's sake.

Perhaps he still had her in his heart.

Bai Shunan smiled and then said: "There's no need for such trouble. Actually, to tell you the truth, it doesn't matter to me whether this lawsuit is won or lost. If we lose, the child goes to the father; if we win, she stays with the mother. The child is still the same child regardless."

Gu Yunting laughed: "You certainly are open-minded."

"In life, it's better to be a bit more open-minded."

When the conversation reached this point, the two were silent for a while.

Gu Yunting took the opportunity to ask her out: "Shunan, are you free lately? For the sake of the help I've given, treat me to a meal."

Bai Shunan smiled: "President Gu is still living in the same old place, right?"

"You're coming to my house? Welcome, welcome."

Bai Shunan said: "Then please wait at home."

Half an hour later, the doorbell at Gu Yunting's house rang. He was overjoyed, couldn't help but smooth his hair, straighten his collar and hem, and even changed into a nicer pair of slippers before going to open the door.

"Hello, food delivery. A Miss surnamed Bai ordered a meal for you," the young man at the door said.

Gu Yunting took it, puzzled, and glanced at the note on the order: President Gu, this is the meal I'm treating you to. You're welcome.

Gu Yunting looked at the fast food and took a deep, fierce breath.

However, he felt the smell was wrong. Upon opening it, it was actually snail rice noodles; no wonder it was so stinky.

He sent a text message to Bai Shunan: Bai Shunan, you've got guts!

Seeing the message, Bai Shunan couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Gu Yunting added: I didn't expect that after four years apart, you still remember my home address.

Bai Shunan: ……

……

Bai Shuruo barely struggled anymore. During this time, she just kept Xiaofeng with her at her sister's house, cooking chicken soup for Xiaofeng every day or doing some unsuccessful baking, striving to be with Xiaofeng every day.

Xiaofeng was even flattered.

Meng Ze had already returned to Dali, and she didn't know when he would return; Bai Shuruo couldn't be bothered to ask.

Time quickly arrived at the day of the court hearing.

It was not until this day that Bai Shuruo saw Han Yangting.

She stood at one end of the long corridor, and Han Yangting stood at the other.

His expression was stern, and the way he looked at her was not filled with the warmth of the past; it was cold. Before him, she felt like a humble ugly duckling.

Sure enough, once a man stops loving, he is more heartless than anyone.

They entered the courtroom.

Once there, she realized that the courtroom was not as crowded as seen on television. It was quiet but not particularly solemn; everyone seemed very busy. The only ones present to observe were Ling Feng and Bai Shunan.

After the judge and lawyers were busy for a good while and the preparations were complete, the court was officially in session.

Of course, in this lawsuit, Bai Shuruo lost without any power to parry.

The court, citing reasons such as Xiaofeng not yet having a household registration, ruled that Bai Shuruo had been negligent in her supervision and granted custody to Han Yangting, to be executed immediately.

After the court adjourned, Bai Shuruo sat blankly in the corridor outside the courthouse. Thinking that Xiaofeng was about to leave her, her body felt as if it had been hollowed out.

After sitting for a while, Han Yangting and Ling Feng walked up to her.

Han Yangting was too tall; she was sitting, he was standing. His aura was condescending, like a king saying to his servant: "I will come to pick up Xiaofeng tomorrow. I hope you will not refuse with any excuses."

Bai Shuruo looked up at him. At this moment, she felt he was truly cold and truly like a stranger.

Han Yangting left after speaking, and Bai Shunan sat on the bench with Bai Shuruo.

Bai Shunan put her arm around Bai Shuruo's shoulder and comforted her: "Ruoruo, Xiaofeng is a good child; she won't forget her mother just because she is by her father's side. Don't be too sad; there will be plenty of opportunities to see Xiaofeng in the future."

Bai Shuruo was dazed.

On one hand, she felt heartbroken that Xiaofeng was going to leave her, and on the other, it was because of Han Yangting's attitude.

He had once held her in the palm of his hand and cherished her, yet now he had spoken such icy words.