Chapter 267: Refusing to Leave

Song Qingtian suddenly realized something and said, “We’re going to rest now—let’s not disturb Mr. Ling while he’s having dinner. Nuonuo, say goodbye to Daddy!”

Ling Nuonuo hurriedly bowed to Ling Hanyu.

“Bye-bye, Daddy!”

Just as Ling Hanyu was about to say something more, Song Qingtian ended the video call.

Picking up Ling Nuonuo, Song Qingtian left the Playroom.

Ling Nuonuo leaned against her, yawning.

“Mommy, does Daddy really not have any food to eat?” Ling Nuonuo wrapped her little arms around Song Qingtian, worried that Ling Hanyu might go hungry.

Song Qingtian knew her daughter was concerned about Ling Hanyu, so she comforted her: “Daddy’s an adult—adults can take care of themselves. Nuonuo… if it were you, would you skip meals? You’d get hungry!”

“No, Mommy! Aunt Chen says being hungry makes you weak and unable to do anything, so you’ve got to eat!”

Ling Nuonuo turned her head and rested it on Song Qingtian’s shoulder, looking up at her.

Song Qingtian gently patted her: “So you know you have to eat, right? Then why doesn’t Daddy know? Is it because he doesn’t want to eat, or because he can’t?”

Ling Nuonuo replied, “Daddy has money—he can go to a restaurant, and he can even cook for himself!”

“So what?”

“He just doesn’t want to eat!”

Ling Nuonuo shifted slightly, hugging Song Qingtian tighter. “Mommy, why won’t Daddy eat?”

“Because he misses you, of course!”

Ling Nuonuo quickly pulled away from Song Qingtian, pressing her little hand against Song Qingtian’s shoulder. “I miss Daddy too.”

“But you already ate, didn’t you?”

“Then why isn’t Daddy eating?”

“Daddy wants Nuonuo to know he misses her, that he wants her to feel sorry for him—then she’ll come back.”

“Mommy, if I go back to see Daddy, will you stop eating?”

“Mommy wouldn’t be that childish. I’ve got to work hard to earn money and take Nuonuo to the best school.”

“So should Nuonuo go back?”

“Does Nuonuo want to go back?”

Ling Nuonuo hugged Song Qingtian sadly, afraid that if she didn’t go back, Daddy wouldn’t eat; but if she did go back, she’d worry about Mommy being all alone.

“Mommy…”

Ling Nuonuo looked very aggrieved.

Song Qingtian said, “How about this: let’s sit with Daddy and eat together?”

“Oh?”

Ling Nuonuo’s big, innocent eyes looked up at Song Qingtian, full of anticipation.

Song Qingtian went back to the Playroom, grabbed her phone, and called Ling Hanyu to explain the situation.

“Nuonuo’s worried about you, Mr. Ling. Please do eat—then we’ll eat with you, and Nuonuo won’t have to worry anymore.”

Ling Hanyu drove out to pick up some ingredients, then came home, turned on a video call, and cooked a bowl of noodles.

Ling Nuonuo sat in Song Qingtian’s lap, watching and reminding him not to add too much salt. Ling Hanyu took a few bites of the noodles.

Before long, Ling Nuonuo fell asleep as she watched.

Song Qingtian waited until her daughter was fast asleep before ending the video call.

Ling Hanyu stared at her, his gaze piercing: “When are you coming back?”

Song Qingtian lifted her eyes and glanced at Ling Hanyu: “Mr. Ling… our marriage has already reached its end. Why not wrap it up sooner? You can start your next chapter, and I can…”

“Who’s the one who wants to start the next chapter?”

Ling Hanyu’s expression darkened—clearly displeased.

Song Qingtian thought for a moment: “Even if it’s me.”

“What does ‘count’ mean?”

Ling Hanyu wouldn’t budge.

Song Qingtian decided to make things perfectly clear and argue her case firmly: “Mr. Ling, life is limited—no one wants to waste it. You have your own life, and I have mine. We’re getting divorced because there’s no longer any affection between us, so we have to divorce. But the only bond we still share is Nuonuo.”

Dark clouds gathered on Ling Hanyu’s face—clearly, he was very unhappy.

Song Qingtian continued: “As a mother, I can take great care of Nuonuo, and I can do it well. I could even choose never to remarry… Of course, I’m saying this for Nuonuo’s sake. If she grows up someday, or if she decides during this time that she’d like me to find a boyfriend, I won’t give up my rights. So… I hope Nuonuo will stay with me, and we can discuss this together.”

“You’re kidding, right?”

Even through the screen, Ling Hanyu felt like grabbing Song Qingtian and giving her a good beating.

But Song Qingtian remained steadfast, continuing to talk about their divorce.

“Mr. Ling is handsome and talented—marrying isn’t hard, and having children is easy too. I want Nuonuo to be happy. If she stays with you, though, you won’t be able to take proper care of her for now. If you try to juggle work and caring for Nuonuo at the same time, you’ll inevitably fall short on both fronts. But if I take care of Nuonuo, you’ll be free to focus on your career, and I’ll make sure Nuonuo is well cared for. Why wouldn’t that be a win-win?”

“Hmph! Dream on. My daughter is mine, and you’re mine. If I say we’re not getting divorced, then we’re not!”

Without waiting for Song Qingtian to hang up, Ling Hanyu abruptly cut off the video call himself!

End of Chapter 267: Refusing to Leave