Chapter Seventy-Three: Barriers Lifted

The next day, Zhao Fan told Han Chen about the issue with online banking.

Hearing that they would have to wait until the end of the year, Han Chen was truly disappointed.

“This means we’ll have to put this project aside for now.”

“Don’t worry. Given the current situation, few people would even think of such a thing. Relax, the opportunity isn’t going anywhere.”

“That’s true,” Han Chen admitted.

After a few words of reassurance, Zhao Fan left the company.

At present, the company had no other projects, which made Zhao Fan quite idle and free to come and go as he pleased.

Of course, Zhao Fan knew this leisure wouldn’t last long. Once everything was on track, he would be busier than ever.

But that was for later. For now, Zhao Fan’s task was to decide on the path ahead—and to seize every profitable venture firmly in his grasp.

That evening, Zhao Haitian knocked on the door at home.

Zhao Fan was surprised to see him, yet somehow it seemed only natural.

“Have a seat,” Zhao Fan said.

Zhao Haitian nodded and asked, “Are Mom and Dad home?”

“Yes,” Zhao Fan replied, calling toward their parents’ room, “Mom, Dad, my brother’s here.”

Their parents soon appeared. When they saw Zhao Haitian, their expressions were mixed.

Father Zhao said nothing, but Mother Zhao walked over in delight. She looked him over from head to toe, then asked with concern, “Have you eaten?”

“I have,” Zhao Haitian replied.

He then looked at Zhao Fan. “I came mainly because of Yuner, and also to tell you—I’ve divorced Yang Qingqing.”

He took out a booklet from his pocket, the words “Divorce Certificate” glaringly obvious.

For a moment, the living room was silent.

Mother Zhao smiled awkwardly and wiped her hands on her clothes. “Well, let me get you all something to drink,” she said, and left.

Father Zhao stared at Zhao Haitian for a while. “Do you think Xiao Fan forced you and Yang Qingqing to divorce?”

Zhao Haitian shook his head. “No, Dad. I see things clearly. I wouldn’t blame anyone without reason.”

Even without Zhao Fan, his divorce from Yang Qingqing was inevitable. Yuner’s illness was the barrier between them, an obstacle that could never be removed.

Father Zhao sighed. “Sit down, then.”

“Alright.”

Zhao Haitian and Zhao Fan both sat.

“You’re brothers,” Father Zhao began. “People say that even if bones are broken, the tendons remain connected. No matter how many years of estrangement there have been, blood ties can’t be erased. Haitian, let the past stay in the past. Don’t make the same mistakes again.”

Zhao Haitian looked apologetic. “Dad, I understand. You don’t need to worry.”

“What about Yuner? How have you arranged things?”

“I’ve said everything that needed to be said, and spoken with the Yang family. Yuner will stay with me, and the Yang family can visit her—but every visit requires them to pay child support.”

Father Zhao scoffed, “With the Yang family’s love of money, I doubt they’ll pay child support.”

Zhao Haitian lowered his head, looking somewhat dejected.

Clearly, Father Zhao was right.

Zhao Fan said, “Actually, it’s better if they stay away. If they kept interfering, it would only hurt the child. Yuner is still young, but as long as she’s taught well, she’ll understand in time. In the future, let her make her own choices.”

Father Zhao nodded. “That’s only right.”

The Zhao family were not unreasonable people. They would never fill the child’s head with bad things about her mother. They would teach her properly, and let her choose her own path when the time came.

Zhao Haitian looked grateful. “Thank you, Dad. Thank you, brother.”

Zhao Fan said nothing, but placed a hand on Zhao Haitian’s shoulder and gave it a firm shake—a gesture that said everything.

At that moment, Mother Zhao returned at last from getting water.

“Here, have some water to soothe your throat,” she said, beaming with happiness. The sight of her lifted all three men’s spirits, and they couldn’t help but look at her—only to be met with a playful glare.

“What are you looking at? Is there water on my face? Drink up—I even put honey in it. It’s very sweet.”

Zhao Fan picked up his glass. “It is sweet.”

With everything out in the open, the family’s atmosphere was much warmer.

Zhao Fan then brought up future arrangements. Zhao Haitian asked if Mother Zhao could help take care of his daughter.

“I’ll transfer the expenses to you every month, Mom, so I’ll have to trouble you with this.”

Mother Zhao waved her hand. “It’s no trouble at all. I love children, and besides, she’s my granddaughter. Looking after her is only natural. When will you bring her over?”

“If it’s alright, I’ll bring her tomorrow. I need to start looking for a job.”

“That’s fine—bring her first thing in the morning. Oh, I haven’t seen Yuner in days. I miss her so much… I wonder how she’s doing…”

The light stretched long shadows through the window, winding across the floor, and Mother Zhao’s voice gradually faded into the evening.

Early the next morning, just as dawn broke, Zhao Fan was awakened by hushed voices. He went out to see Zhao Haitian had arrived with Yuner.

The little girl shrank back when she saw Zhao Fan, instinctively hiding behind Zhao Haitian’s legs.

Zhao Fan smiled at the sight—clearly, the little one had a good memory.

Zhao Haitian bent down. “Yuner, what’s wrong? That’s your uncle. Go say hello.”

Yuner shook her head, clinging to Zhao Haitian’s trousers and burying her face against his leg.

“It’s fine, brother. She’s just upset—it’s perfectly normal,” Zhao Fan said as he poured himself a glass of water, chuckling. “A little girl with spirit will grow up to have real talent.”

Zhao Haitian was speechless.

If they hadn’t cleared the air last night, he might have thought Zhao Fan was teasing him.

Zhao Fan, unaware of his brother’s thoughts, poured another glass of water. “Has the little one eaten breakfast yet?”

Yuner kept her face hidden.

“Oh, still won’t talk to me? In that case, I’ll just go have breakfast on my own—a bowl of porridge and some steaming meat buns… delicious.”

“Uncle’s mean!” Yuner finally peeked out, grumbling, “You’re bullying me—you’re a bad uncle.”

Zhao Fan crouched down beside her. “How am I bad? Little one, you’re the unreasonable one.”

“I’m not unreasonable.”

“If you’re not unreasonable, why say I’m bad?”

“You said my mom and dad divorced.”

“They really did. I just told the truth.”

Yuner puffed out her cheeks. “But… but when I left the hospital, they hadn’t.”

Zhao Fan put on a look of sudden realization. “Ah, so that’s what you meant. In that case, I suppose I am bad.”

“You’re bad.”

“Alright, alright. Now, my sweet little princess Yuner, would you like to have buns for breakfast with this bad uncle?”

As he spoke, Yuner slowly stepped out from behind Zhao Haitian.

Hearing Zhao Fan’s invitation, she tilted her head, hesitating.

“Do you want to?” Zhao Fan asked again.

“I do.”

He ruffled her hair. “Wait here for a moment, your uncle will be right back.”

After that, the whole family went out for breakfast.