Chapter 108: A Change of Heart

“Dad, Mom, Xiao Fan, I don’t intend to pursue this matter any further. Please don’t ask me about it again. My decision won’t change, and nothing like this will happen again.” Zhao Haitan’s face was weary as he lowered his head, unable to meet the eyes of those in the hospital room.

Zhao’s father remained silent, and both Zhao Fan and his mother also kept quiet. For a moment, the atmosphere in the room grew heavy and suffocating.

After a while, Zhao Fan sighed. “I can understand your feelings, big brother, but I don’t agree with you.”

Zhao Haitan remained silent.

Zhao Fan smiled slightly. “Big brother, if they dared to lay a hand on you today, do you really believe they won’t dare to do the same to Mom and Dad tomorrow?”

Zhao Haitan looked up, urgently denying, “Impossible. They said as long as…”

Their eyes met, and Zhao Haitan’s voice abruptly stopped.

Zhao Fan laughed bitterly. “Big brother, what exactly did they say?”

Zhao Haitan lowered his head, remaining silent.

“Big brother, I can see what’s going on in your heart.”

No matter what they said, it was just an excuse to get entangled with the Yang family again. In Zhao Haitan’s mind, they were no match for Yang Qingqing’s family.

Zhao Haitan gritted his teeth. “This isn’t about not knowing what’s right, Xiao Fan. She’s the mother of my child—I can’t just…”

“So you admit it: it was Yang Qingqing’s family who laid hands on you, and you plan to return to the Yangs.”

Zhao Haitan was irritated. “These are two separate matters. You can’t lump them together. Xiao Fan, you’re my brother, sure, but you have no right to interfere in my choices.”

“I can’t interfere, but I just hope you won’t regret this decision.”

Leaving those words behind, Zhao Fan strode out.

“Bang!”

The hospital room door slammed shut. Zhao’s father sighed. “Haitan, do you understand what kind of consequences this will have for you?”

After going in circles, his eldest son still wanted to be involved with Yang Qingqing’s family. Saying he wouldn’t pursue it was a lie—he just wanted to mend what was broken.

“Dad, I, I…”

“That’s enough. Don’t say any more. As long as you know what you’re doing, I can’t control you anyway. Let’s go home.”

Zhao’s mother looked torn but eventually followed Zhao’s father out.

At the hospital entrance, Zhao Fan leaned against the wall.

“Dad, Mom.”

Zhao’s father sighed. “Your big brother just wants a family.”

Zhao Fan said, “That’s not what I’m thinking about.”

“Then what are you thinking about?”

“I’m wondering what Yang Qingqing’s family said that made our stubborn brother change his mind after deciding on divorce.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean that big brother’s choice probably wasn’t entirely his own.”

“He’s a grown man. What choice is there about whether it’s voluntary or not? Who else would force him to choose against his will?”

Zhao’s mother gave Zhao’s father a light smack. “Stop talking nonsense and listen to Xiao Fan.”

Zhao’s father said nothing, rubbing the sore spot and stepping aside a few paces.

“I won’t argue with you.”

Zhao Fan was speechless.

He had never noticed that his parents still had such childish sides.

Zhao’s mother glared. “You want to argue with me too?”

Zhao’s father cleared his throat. “No, no, no such thing.”

Zhao Fan watched them with a smile.

After a few words, Zhao’s parents finally realized and all turned to look at Zhao Fan.

“Well then, Xiao Fan, tell us.”

“Big brother values family deeply, but that doesn’t mean he’s forgiven Yang Qingqing. I can only say they talked about something—something serious enough that, even after the conflict, he still chose to go back.”

“What could Yang Qingqing have said? Your big brother isn’t a woman—how could he be affected by nonsense like that?”

Zhao’s mother couldn’t help herself and grabbed Zhao’s father’s ear.

“What did you just say? Say it again!”

Zhao’s father, still enduring the ear tugging, apologized repeatedly.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Honey, please stop; you’re going to pull my ear off.”

“Well, you deserve it for talking nonsense!”

Zhao Fan couldn’t help but laugh. His parents were so much livelier now that they were free of life’s pressures.

That was good—if it could always be like this, that would be even better.

“Xiao Fan, what do you think we should do about this? I see your big brother is determined to return. No amount of persuasion will change his mind, right?”

“No problem. If persuasion doesn’t work, we can try another way. When thoughts don’t falter, there are always more solutions than difficulties.”

Zhao’s father clapped his hands. “Well said! Solutions must outnumber difficulties. But, Xiao Fan, the Yang family is tough to deal with. Don’t let yourself get hurt.”

The implication was clear: he wouldn’t get involved.

Zhao Fan smiled. “Don’t worry, very few can actually get the better of me.”

Yang Qingqing’s family was definitely not among them.

The three left together.

“Oh, Dad, during this time, let Yun’er stay with you both. Even if big brother comes to pick her up, don’t let him have her.”

“Alright.”

The wind blew, scattering the words into the air, leaving no trace except in their hearts.

The next day, under Zhao Haitan’s strong insistence to be discharged, the hospital completed his discharge procedures.

The first thing Zhao Haitan did after leaving was rush to the school to pick up Zhao Yun’er.

Unbeknownst to him, Zhao Fan had already received the news and, accompanied by Zhao’s father and Chen Jianyu and several others, waited at the school gate.

“Brother Fan, what exactly are we doing here?” Chen Jianyu glanced at Zhao’s father and lowered his voice.

Zhao Fan found it amusing. “Say whatever you want—no one’s going to eat you. We’re here to block someone.”

“Block who?”

Zhao Fan’s gaze fixed ahead, chin slightly raised. “Here they come.”

Chen Jianyu instinctively turned and his expression changed.

“Brother Fan, isn’t that your big brother? We’re blocking him today?”

Blocking your own brother? Is this about to turn into a fight?

“That’s right.”

Zhao Fan gave three words and sprinted toward Zhao Haitan.

Compared to Zhao Fan, who was limping with a crutch, Zhao’s father was much faster.

“Zhao Haitan, what are you doing at the school?”

Zhao Haitan hadn’t expected Zhao’s father to be there. He froze in place, then frowned in realization.

“Before you ask why I’m here, think about why you’re here.”

“I’m Yun’er’s grandfather. What’s wrong with coming early to pick her up?”

“Two hours early?”

“Just two hours early. What’s the problem?”

Zhao’s father’s anger flared at the sight of Zhao Haitan. Life had been peaceful, so why insist on stirring up trouble, coming and going like this? Nobody understood what he was trying to do.

Zhao Fan spoke up. “Big brother, you can leave, but Yun’er can’t go with you.”

“She’s my daughter. On what grounds can you stop her from going with me?”

“Wait a minute—did you bring the Yang family here?” Zhao Fan’s face darkened as he looked behind Zhao Haitan. “I thought you were in trouble, but it turns out you just want to go back to the Yangs?”

Yang Qingqing’s family rushed over, pulling Zhao Haitan to the side.

“Zhao Fan, what are you doing? Are you trying to threaten my husband? He’s your big brother.”