Chapter 32: Time To Go Home

The family ate breakfast in an awkward silence. The tensions in the room were obvious but no one would speak—especially not Gu Yanya, who knew that one wrong word would make things all the worse for her. It had taken her so long to get to the point where she already was.

Once everyone had finished eating, Zhao Xiang ordered the maids to take their dishes away before addressing Gu Yanya and telling her exactly what him and Zhao Yingyue had discussed before their breakfast.

Gu Yanya was obviously not happy about this at all. How could he expect to limit her this harshly?

"Hubby, I understand my mistake now. Why would you do this to me?"

Zhao Xiang expected her to not be happy but he had at least thought she would be happy that her daughter would be receiving some type of financial assistance.

Gu Yanya, on the other hand, didn't care as long as she was taken care of. It was really pathetic at this point.

Zhao Xiang said, "It's already been decided Gu Yanya. Would you rather I take all of it and give it to Gu Yan?"

Gu Yanya backtracked almost immediately, "No! That's fine... I'll manage."

While she said this, she thought differently. There was no way she'd let her daughter use all of her funds so she'd just have to find a solution to that problem. Maybe she could force the girl to go back to their family in America.

Zhao Yingyue spoke up. "If that's all, I have to get going. Haoyu should almost be here to pick me up. Today, we're moving most of my things out!"

She smiled at her memory from last night and how she was in a position to call him by his given name when not many people have the privilege.

Gu Yanya interjected, "That's not appropriate! You guys just had your engagement party last night and you aren't even married yet!"

Now was as good a time as any to flash off one of her new favorite possessions. Zhao Yingyue pulled the marriage license out of her pocket and flashed it to both of her parents to see.

"Actually, we were thinking that it's about time for us to start our honeymoon and for me to move in with him. After all, we are newlyweds now."

Gu Yanya bit her lip. She had once again spoken when she shouldn't have. But how was she to know that they would move that fast and be married already? How did they even pull it off when she knew that the public offices should have been closed after the engagement party?

Zhao Xiang was shocked. He thought he'd still have a while before his daughter married and moved out—especially when they only celebrated their engagement the night before. He had to admit to being a little sad that he didn't have more time to spend with her and mend their relationship.

"Wow. Congratulations then, Yingyue. I had no idea. You're moving out so suddenly though... It's quite shocking for this father of yours."

And he meant it. he could feel his heart oddly contort at the thought of her taking this next big step in life but he also knew better than trying to stop her. He couldn't help worrying though.

Zhao Yingyue smiled.

"Dad, you don't need to worry about me. As you see, the Liu family has already accepted me so there's nothing for you to worry about. Madame Liu is still concerned for me though and also wants to spend time together as a mother-daughter pair. So while I'm leaving, most of my time will probably be dedicated to her."

"She's such a sweet woman and has treated me well from day one. She's even gotten angry on my behalf so the least I can do is grant her such a wish, right?"

Zhao Xiang nodded and replied, "I suppose you're right. But don't forget about this father of yours. I hope you'll come home to visit me from time to time."

Zhao Yingyue found herself feeling genuinely happy that her father expressed that he'd miss her so much. She even noticed how he used terms such as "I", acknowledging that he can't speak on behalf of the Gu Yanya that he couldn't recognize. For him, coming back was guaranteed.

"Of course I'll come back to visit you, dad! You and mom should take care of yourselves and stay out of trouble. I should get going first though. I'm sure that Haoyu is almost here!"

Zhao Xiang nodded slowly.

Over the last week, he had been forced to realize the trauma forced upon his daughter and how it was now too late for him to properly care for her. He learned of his wife's lies and preferential treatments to her own first born—whom he had no idea was even her child in the first place.

He had been lied to and his daughter was treated as nothing but a puppet. He had no right to say anything anymore but to wish her well with someone who could protect her better than he ever had.

"Be safe, Yingyue. I'll see you off."

***

Half an hour had passed since Zhao Yingyue and her father ditched her mother in the dining room. She hadn't had the face to be able to show up and pretend to make things up to her daughter and Zhao Yingyue preferred it that way. She'd rather her last memories living in the house be happy.

Zhao Yingyue now stood by the door with her father at her side.

They had spoken about everything and nothing at the same time. She had revealed to him much of what had happened in her life that had nothing to do with her mother except her games. She'd rather see is natural reaction after the news was released to the world. Would it be amusing? She hoped it would.

Her father had asked question after question—becoming different from how he used to be. He always remained uninterested in her life before. If there's anything she could thank her mother for, it was leading to this ending of having her dad in her life.

Leaned against her suitcase that carried her electronics, she felt at ease and comfortable—a feeling she had discovered only in these recent days.

Her phone's text sound echoed throughout the front area by the door.

[I'm here.] -Captain H

Zhao Yingyue smiled softly and nodded at her phone, even if he couldn't see her.

"Dad, Haoyu is here. I think that means that it's time for me to get going."

Zhao Xiang looked at this daughter of his in all her beauty and refinement. He pulled her into his arms. He felt proud that no matter what, this daughter of his turned out better than she she could've been and beat the odds.

"Make sure to call this father of yours often."

Zhao Yingyue nodded.

"Of course, Dad. I'll make sure to get in contact when I can."

When he let her go, he grabbed her suitcase. This man, who had never even pulled his own suitcases once in his life, grabbed his daughter's as he escorted her outside and to her new husband's car.

Liu Haoyu had been standing outside of the car to help his wife put her things away. Seeing her emerge from behind the doors, he couldn't help the smile that played on his lips.

His wife was so beautiful. And he loved that genuine smile that she wore on her lips—vastly different from when he first met her. She deserved to be really happy, not having to fake it for prying eyes.

Liu Haoyu couldn't help but chuckle when he saw Zhao Xiang struggling down the steps with her suitcase. He could hear the discussion between the father and daughter pair.

"Yingyue, what did you pack in here? I don't recall ever buying you bricks or concrete."

A laugh had resounded from Zhao Yingyue's mouth in return. In that moment, Liu Haoyu felt as if there was no better sound than that. He wanted to hear it a lot more.

"Dad, it's all of my electronics so don't drop it. I just updated the parts recently!"

The two's performance on the steps only got funnier. As Zhao Xiang tried clumsily taking it down the steps without dropping it with a face of heavy concentration, Zhao Yingyue walked backwards while holding her arms out to catch her precious bags should her father fall. He'd be alright but her precious electronics could face irreparable damage.

She had a duffle bag slung over one shoulder with the very few clothes that she had actually cared to keep.

Once they reached the bottom, Zhao Yingyue was trapped in her own laughter while Zhao Xiang was out of breath and had a flustered expression on his face. He had never had to carry bags nor had he ever embarrassed himself as much as he did when he struggled with the bag.

Liu Haoyu, who had witnessed the whole spectacle, decided he's better save his father-in-law from anymore suffering over the suitcase.

He walked over to them and pulled Zhao Yingyue into his arms—placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

Her face went red with shock and embarrassment as she suddenly stopped laughing. She looked up at Liu Haoyu with a complicated expression before gently smiling.

Satisfied with her reaction, Liu Haoyu grabbed her suitcase and gently placed it in the back of the car. He secured it in place so that her electronics wouldn't be damaged should they hit a speed bump or the like.

Zhao Xiang was even more embarrassed when he saw his son-in-law so easily handle the suitcase that he'd struggled so much with.

Liu Haoyu, oblivious to this, then went and gently pulled the duffle bag from over his wife's shoulder and dropped it in the back next to the suitcase.

After shutting the door, he opened the passenger side door for his wife.

Seeing this, Zhao Yingyue pulled her father in for another hug before bidding him goodbye. As she slid into the car, she looked up at her husband with a bright smile.

Liu Haoyu smiled in return before shutting the door behind her.

It was time to go home.