"Son, you’ve seen enough, it’s time for you to leave, right?" Fang Bingwen said bluntly, with no trace of politeness in his tone.

Song Qing stood there stunned, looking pitifully at him and Fang Xu: "Can’t I stay a bit longer?"

"It’s getting late, it’d be better for you to head back early."

Song Qing lowered her head, her voice suddenly choking up: "I have nowhere to go, can you let me stay for a few days?"

"No."

"Are you really so heartless?" Tears rolled down her eyes as she turned to Fang Xu, "Xiao Xu, can you bear to see your mom homeless? How about I stay and take care of you?"

Seeing her use the child as an excuse, Fang Bingwen immediately became angry: "Stop exploiting Xiao Xu’s sympathy. I don’t believe you don’t have a place to stay. What about those boyfriends of yours? Haven’t you already found someone better?"

"You still care about me leaving you, don’t you? I realize I was wrong, Bingwen, can you forgive me just this once?" she cried and pleaded.

Fang Bingwen smirked sarcastically: "Do I look like a fool to you?"

"Can’t you do it for Xiao Xu?"

"For Xiao Xu? Do you even have the heart to say that? When you chose to abandon him twice, did you ever show any kindness?"

"I..." Song Qing glanced at Fang Xu and lowered her head, "I don’t know what possessed me at that time, but I realize now I was wrong. I will make amends from now on."

"Will you realize your mistake? You came to us only after you heard I have money now, right? If I was still as poor as before, would you have come back? Would you lower yourself like you are now?" Fang Bingwen said mercilessly.

"I know I’ve made unforgivable mistakes, but can’t I swear? I promise I won’t use a single penny of yours, just let me stay, let me take care of you and your son, can’t I? Aren’t you looking for a nanny anyway? I can do those things, just let me stay and atone for my sins." She said with a face full of grievance.

"You’re really willing to give up everything for money." Fang Bingwen laughed in anger, "Where’s your pride? Where’s the dignity of a graduate from a prestigious university? Song Qing, when did you become like this?"

Listening to him talk like this, Song Qing felt terribly sad. Didn’t she also want to live with dignity and pride? But did the world give her the chance?

Although she was outstanding and had great scores, why was she born into a family with nothing?

She used to be able to endure hardship, she believed that as long as she and Fang Bingwen worked hard, they would make it eventually.

But what was the reality? Even if she was the campus queen, or Fang Bingwen had top professional scores, so what? When others could travel abroad and casually buy bags and lipstick, her wedding ring didn’t even have a diamond, and she needed to scrimp on buying sanitary products.

She had become vain, but how could Fang Bingwen understand the feeling of being surpassed by former classmates who were once no match for her?

She looked at the child who needed care, watching Fang Bingwen worry about a research paper, living in a dim small apartment where she saw no hope for the future!

She just hated the poor life, she just wanted to live a better life; was that wrong too? 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

Why? Why couldn’t Fang Bingwen succeed a little sooner? Even if he succeeded when she returned to him for the second time, it would have been fine!

But reality just had to make such a big joke on her, who could understand her?

Dignity? Pride?

Who doesn’t want to live freely and comfortably, but did society give her the chance? Fang Bingwen thought everyone was born with a golden spoon like Ye Qiu? Dignity and pride are traits only money can afford, just like the limited edition bags in the display window, they are luxuries, things she couldn’t buy or even afford to admire with her eyes.

"Bingwen, I’m truly homeless now, can’t you just show me some pity? I will take good care of you and your son," she said with some exhaustion, as if pleading.

After all, she was his real mom, Fang Xu seemed to waver, and silently looked towards Fang Bingwen.

Yet this time Fang Bingwen was truly resolute, refusing once more, "No."

But looking at his son, he ultimately took a step back: "If you want, I can help you find another place to stay. Let me know in advance when you’re coming to see Xiao Xu. Just don’t come here anymore."

Hearing this solution, Fang Xu felt slightly relieved—Song Qing may not have reached her intended goal, but thinking back on what she had done to Fang Bingwen, she decided to bear it and accept it.

"Alright, as long as you two are satisfied."

The three of them walked out together, but accidentally ran into Ye Qiu walking her dog. She spared them only a glance before continuing on her way without looking back.

However, Fang Bingwen’s heart started to race. He hurriedly explained: "It’s not what you think. Song Qing just came by to see Xiao Xu. I didn’t let her stay, and I have no ties with her now."

Hearing his explanation, Song Qing was filled with jealousy. This explained why he moved here, why there were new slippers at his place, why he was so eager to chase her out. It turned out Ye Qiu lived next door!

It seemed he truly had deep feelings for Ye Qiu. After all this time, he hadn’t given up and even went to the trouble of moving next door.

She looked at the grand villa behind her and then at the beautiful surroundings; how wonderful it must be to be born into fortune. Others could easily afford it, while she had to pinch every penny and couldn’t even spend a night. Life is really unfair!

Ye Qiu looked calmly at Fang Bingwen and said indifferently: "You’re blocking my way, and we have no ties anymore. Whoever you want to be with, there’s no need to explain to me, so please move aside."

"Xiaoqiu..." Fang Bingwen’s tone was filled with sorrow and his expression was one of desolation, "Can’t you give me another chance?"

Ye Qiu ignored him, simply stepping aside to walk past him.

Song Qing could visibly see the light going out in Fang Bingwen’s eyes, racked with jealousy, how could he be so deeply in love with Ye Qiu? He loved her as deeply as he once did her, so did she still have a chance?

Unable to stop herself, she cast a glance at her son, noticing that Xiao Xu too wore a look of guilt. Her heart twisted with even more jealousy and poignancy; in her own son’s heart, she ranked below an outsider! Had she really failed as a person?

"Believe me, I truly won’t have any more ties with Song Qing. I’ll send her away now." He called out to Ye Qiu’s retreating back, but Ye Qiu gave no response.

Meanwhile, Song Qing’s face contorted with jealousy.