When Yi Xinyi was held in Hu Jing's arms and called her "Mom" for the first time, Hu Jing was completely stunned. She had never dared to hope that Yi Xinyi would ever call her that. She had never even dared to hope that she might one day truly marry Yi Anguo.

So when Yi Xinyi suddenly called her "Mom," she didn't feel joy; instead, she felt a wave of panic. After a moment of shock, she looked helplessly toward Yi Anguo. She was terrified that he would misunderstand and think she had orchestrated the scene behind his back.

Yi Anguo hadn't expected it either. On the way over, he had asked his daughter if she was willing to call Li Sisi "Mom," but she had been unwilling. Yet now, she had suddenly called Hu Jing "Mom."

"Mom! Don't you like me calling you Mom? Don't you want to be my mom?" Yi Xinyi asked, a hint of hurt and sadness in her voice.

"I do! I do like it! Can I really be your mom?" Hu Jing replied, tears of joy streaming down her face.

Her question was directed less at Yi Xinyi and more at Yi Anguo.

Yi Anguo nodded. Since his daughter was willing to call Hu Jing "Mom," he certainly wouldn't forbid it.

Seeing Yi Anguo nod his approval, Hu Jing was overjoyed. Cradling Yi Xinyi, she couldn't help but say, "Xinyi! Thank you for calling me Mom. From now on, I will dedicate my life to being good to you, even better than I would to my own daughter."

"Mom! I want you to be good to Dad, too. Don't argue with him, and don't get mad at him, okay?" Yi Xinyi said, her tone innocent but her expression very serious.

"Okay! I'll be good to my daughter, and I'll be good to Yi Xinyi's dad. I won't get mad at your father or argue with him, okay?" Hu Jing said, so moved that tears of happiness threatened to fall.

She knew all too well how important his daughter was in Yi Anguo's eyes. No one could replace Yi Xinyi—not her, not any other woman.

With Hu Jing becoming her mother and Hu Qian her aunt, Yi Xinyi was showered with even more love and protection, which made her feel happier and more blessed than ever.

Seeing his daughter so happy and blessed, Yi Anguo was naturally very pleased as well.

He owed his daughter too much from his previous life. This time, he was determined to make it up to her, to compensate for his past neglect and to be there to watch over her as she grew up healthy.

Yi Anguo had expected Li Sisi to call him for help soon, but to his surprise, a whole night passed without a single call.

Yi Anguo went to the third phase of Blue Coast, to the former sales office. He saw that all work had stopped on the Chuan Yu Restaurant renovation. He frowned; it seemed the situation was more serious than he had imagined.

After a moment's hesitation, he decided to call Li Sisi. After all, I'm a man. How can I just ignore this and shrink away?

When the call connected, Li Sisi said wearily, "Where are you? Can you come over? My dad is insisting on taking me back home, and I don't know what to do."

"What is with your dad? You're a grown woman, and he's still trying to control your life," Yi Anguo said helplessly. "If he wants to go back, he should just go by himself. Why does he have to drag you back with him? You have such a great job as a civil servant here. What would you go back to?"

"He's still my father," Li Sisi said, equally helpless. "He worked so hard to raise me and put me through university. I can't just ignore him, can I?"

"Alright, I'll head over right now," Yi Anguo nodded.

To be honest, I really don't want to go back and deal with this mess. I don't have a solution, and why would Li Sisi's father listen to my advice anyway? But since Li Sisi had asked for help, he couldn't refuse. He would have to go and see what it would take to get her father to back down.

When he got to the house, Li Xiao asked angrily, "What are you doing here?"

"This is my home. Do I need a reason to be here?" Yi Anguo replied with a slight smile, then continued, "Let's just talk. What will it take for you to stay?"

"Sisi has a good job in Shenzhen—a civil servant, a secure 'iron rice bowl.' Do you really want to force her to give up everything here and go back to your hometown with you?"

"My daughter is capable. She can pass the civil service exam back in our hometown, too," Li Xiao retorted.

"How can you compare the two? Can a job in a county town back home ever compare to one in Shenzhen?" Yi Anguo said in frustration.

"It's still far better than her staying here with you—a man who's been with another woman and already has a child. She hasn't even had children of her own, and you expect her to be a stepmother right away," Li Xiao said stubbornly.

"Fine. Even if you don't want Sisi with me, you don't have to go back. And you certainly don't have to drag her with you," Yi Anguo said. "Worst comes to worst, I'll be the one to back down. Sisi and I will break up. That should settle it, right?"

"Anguo, what did you just say? You want to break up with me?" Li Sisi exclaimed.

"Yes. I think your dad's right. It's unfair to you to be with me," Yi Anguo said with a nod.

"No! I don't agree! It wasn't easy for us to get together. How can we just break up like this?" Li Sisi firmly protested.

"You said it yourself! You're breaking up with our Sisi! Don't you dare go near my daughter ever again," Li Xiao quickly interjected.

Yi Anguo ignored Li Xiao and continued speaking to Li Sisi, "Maybe it's for the best if we separate for a while. You're not really going to go back to your hometown with your parents, are you?"

As he spoke, Yi Anguo walked into the bedroom. Li Sisi immediately followed him inside and closed the door.

"Anguo, I don't want to break up with you!" Li Sisi cried, throwing herself into his arms and hugging him tightly.

"I know, but your dad is furious right now. We have to placate him. This temporary breakup is just a tactic," Yi Anguo soothed her. "First, we need to help him get the Chuan Yu Restaurant running. Once it's open and business is booming, it won't be so easy for him to just pack up and leave! And if you just keep putting off marriage for a few years, they'll be the ones to get anxious."

"Or... you could get secretly pregnant later on. Once you have the baby, their hands will be tied," Yi Anguo added with a mischievous smile.

"You're so devious. My dad is no match for you at all," Li Sisi couldn't help but snicker.

"I'm doing all of this for you! If you don't like the plan, I can go out there right now and tell your dad that I insist on being with you, that we'll never be separated, and we can just see how angry he gets," Yi Anguo said with a sigh.

"No! You can't do that! Let's just stick to your plan," Li Sisi said quickly. "We'll pretend to break up for now to placate my parents and get them to open the Chuan Yu Restaurant. Once they're busy with that, they won't have the energy to meddle in our affairs."

"Alright, then. Since I came up with such a brilliant plan, shouldn't you show a little appreciation?" Yi Anguo said with a roguish grin.

"What are you thinking? My parents and my two younger sisters are right outside," Li Sisi said, her face flushing red.

The two hadn't stayed together for the past few days, and Li Sisi missed him dearly. But it was the middle of the day, and her family was right outside waiting for them. No matter how much I want him, I can't be reckless right now!

"That's what makes it exciting. We'll be quick, it'll be fine!" Yi Anguo said, stepping forward and hugging her with a sly grin.

...

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