Chapter 32: An Unexpected Encounter with a Little Girl

Tang Songhai’s expression remained serious. He stepped forward and placed a hand on his daughter’s shoulder.

His voice was filled with concern and gravity.

“Shu Shu, your father doesn’t expect you to become rich or successful. But you must never do anything illegal or dangerous because of the family’s debt.”

“No matter how poor our family is, we must live honestly and uprightly, with a clear conscience.”

Seeing the genuine worry in her father’s eyes, Tang Shu felt warmth spread through her heart.

She nodded firmly.

“Dad, don’t worry. The money came from a completely legitimate source. There’s absolutely no risk involved. I know what I’m doing.”

Looking at her parents, she spoke the decision she had been considering for a long time.

“Since we’re already talking about this, I want you both to seriously think about it.”

“The money is already here. Pay off the debt as soon as possible and completely cut ties with Uncle’s family.”

“After that, let’s transfer ownership of the hot pot restaurant, sell this house, and move directly to Jiangcheng during summer vacation.”

“Once we leave, they won’t be able to come here and threaten us anymore. We won’t have to see those troublesome relatives every day, and we can stay far away from all this stress.”

Clutching the warm bank card tightly in her hand, Tao Qingrou’s eyes instantly reddened.

Tears rolled down her cheeks.

In what felt like the blink of an eye, the little girl who had once needed constant protection had quietly grown up.

Without anyone noticing, she had begun carrying the family’s burdens and sharing their pressures.

Tao Qingrou reached out and hugged her daughter.

“Shu Shu… I’m sorry.”

Her voice trembled with guilt.

“Your father and I are useless. We couldn’t protect you and made you suffer so many grievances alongside us.”

Tang Shu gently hugged her back and rested her head against her mother’s shoulder.

“Mom, we’re family.”

“We’re supposed to share these burdens together.”

“If you really think I’ve suffered, then hurry up and settle everything here and move to Jiangcheng to be with me.”

“Otherwise, if I’m living there, I’ll only be able to come home during holidays, and I won’t get to eat Mom’s cooking for long periods of time.”

Her slightly spoiled tone struck the softest part of Tao Qingrou’s heart.

With a gentle smile, Tao Qingrou rubbed her daughter’s head and wiped away her tears.

For the first time in a long while, hope returned to her eyes.

“Alright.”

“Mom promises you.”

“We’ll handle everything as soon as possible.”

“From now on, our family will never be separated again.”

Watching his wife and daughter, Tang Songhai let out a long sigh.

His heart ached for his sensible daughter.

In the end, he nodded in agreement.

Yunding Mountain

Tang Shu and Tao Hongyi rode their bicycles toward the summit of Yunding Mountain.

The mountain road was smooth and easy to ride.

A refreshing breeze carrying the scent of grass and trees brushed across their faces, sweeping away all the frustration caused by the morning’s argument.

As they climbed higher, the view became increasingly expansive.

When they finally reached the summit, the scenery opened up before them.

The mountaintop wasn’t a steep cliff.

Instead, it was a vast, flat plateau hidden among the clouds, resembling a natural mountain park.

Several convenience shops and stylish Instagram-worthy mountain lodgings lined the roads.

The pathways were clean and well-maintained.

Many visitors rode bicycles leisurely, chatting and laughing in small groups.

The atmosphere felt relaxing and healing.

Looking around, they saw lush greenery everywhere.

The breeze was gentle, the clouds light and drifting.

Above them stretched a vivid blue sky that felt almost within reach.

It was breathtakingly comfortable.

Tang Shu slowly brought her bicycle to a stop and planted her feet on the ground.

Turning toward Tao Hongyi, she pointed down the mountain with a relaxed smile.

“Hongyi-ge, look over there.”

“This is the most amazing view Yunding Mountain has to offer.”

“From the summit, you can overlook the entire city of Yuncheng.”

Tao Hongyi stopped his bicycle as well and walked to her side.

Following the direction of her finger, he looked down.

The wind lifted the corners of their clothes.

The entire city stretched out beneath them.

The sights and sounds of everyday life unfolded before their eyes.

Distant mountain ranges rolled endlessly into the horizon while thin mists drifted through the valleys.

The scenery was incredibly soothing.

He nodded sincerely.

“It really is beautiful.”

“This is my first time visiting Yunding Mountain.”

“I never expected Yuncheng to have a place this stunning hidden away.”

“Standing here and feeling the wind, all my worries seem to disappear.”

Tang Shu smiled softly.

“Whenever I felt upset before, I’d ride up here alone.”

“Looking down at the whole city always made my problems seem much smaller.”

She took out her phone and snapped a photo of the distant mountains, the sea of clouds, and the city below.

It was the kind of picture overflowing with atmosphere.

Her fingers tapped the screen.

Without hesitation, she sent it to Shi Zhiyu along with a message.

【I traveled far to witness the grand banquet of the mortal world and behold its flourishing beauty. Yet among all the scenery beneath heaven, none compares to you.】

After sending the message, she put her phone away.

Just as she and Tao Hongyi were about to stroll along the mountaintop trail—

A soft, aggrieved crying sound suddenly came from a nearby patch of grass.

Tang Shu turned toward the noise.

There, she saw a little girl who looked about three years old.

The child wore a white puffy dress and had two soft little buns tied on either side of her head.

She was crouching by the roadside, wiping away tears.

Her tiny shoulders shook with sobs.

The sight was pitiful.

Tang Shu looked around.

People were coming and going along the trail.

Yet there didn’t seem to be any parent or guardian nearby.

Walking over, she lowered her voice and asked gently,

“Sweetie, why are you crying here all by yourself?”

“Did you get separated from your family?”

“Where are your mommy and daddy?”

The little girl lifted her tear-streaked face.

Her eyes, round and black like grapes, were red from crying.

The moment she saw Tang Shu’s gentle and beautiful face, her eyes lit up instantly.

She scrambled to her feet.

Then, with her short little legs pumping as fast as they could, she ran straight into Tang Shu’s arms.

“Pretty sister!”

Burying her head in Tang Shu’s neck, she pouted pitifully.

“I can’t find Mommy anymore…”

“Mommy brought me up the mountain to take pictures.”

“There were too many people.”

“I looked away for just a moment and then I couldn’t see her anymore.”

Tang Shu caught the tiny bundle securely.

Instinctively, her movements became extraordinarily gentle.

She softly stroked the girl’s hair.

“Don’t cry, don’t cry.”

“Big Sister will help you find your mommy. Don’t be scared.”

“Do you remember roughly where she was?”

“Near the guesthouses ahead, or near the shops?”

The little girl blinked her tearful eyes and gestured intermittently.

“Over… over by the white guesthouse…”

“The place with lots and lots of flowers…”

“Then let’s take you there and find your mommy.”

Tang Shu looked down at the obedient little girl in her arms.

Then she turned to Tao Hongyi.

“Hongyi-ge, let’s carry her over toward the guesthouses and help her find her parents.”

Tao Hongyi nodded.

Just then, the little girl tilted her head.

Peeking over Tang Shu’s shoulder, she stared directly at Tao Hongyi.

Her tiny brows furrowed.

She examined him carefully for several seconds.

Then, without any warning, she opened her mouth and clearly called out in her sweet childish voice—

“Daddy.”

The air froze instantly.

Tang Shu’s entire body stiffened.

The hand holding the child halted abruptly.

She stood there completely stunned.

The warm smile on Tao Hongyi’s face froze as well.

His footsteps stopped.

His entire body went rigid.

Shock filled his eyes.

For a moment, the two of them looked at each other.

Both were utterly speechless after being blindsided by that sudden cry of “Daddy.”

Several seconds later, Tang Shu was the first to recover.

She couldn’t help glancing at the visibly embarrassed Tao Hongyi.

Then she lowered her gaze to study the adorable little girl’s features.

The corners of her lips curved upward involuntarily.

Honestly…

They really did look a little alike.

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