Volume One, Chapter 81: Huo Mingting Has Fallen for His Ex-Wife

Hearing the words "your new husband" from her son's mouth, Ye Sheng was at a loss for how to respond. She was caught between laughter and tears.

"What new husband? Don't listen to your father making things up."

Ye Sheng flicked Huo Cong on the forehead, took his hand, and led him out. "I'm single now. There's only the two of us in this house—no one else."

She organized the things Huo Mingting had brought for Huo Cong, changed him into his pajamas, and took him to the bathroom to wash up.

Huo Cong followed Ye Sheng around, spinning like a little whirlwind.

Perhaps it was the affectionate gesture of flicking his forehead just now, or perhaps her words "no other man will appear" made him feel at ease—whatever the reason, Huo Cong relaxed considerably.

"Do you want to take a bath?" Ye Sheng asked.

Huo Cong nodded. "Yes."

"Can you do it yourself?"

Huo Cong's cheeks flushed instantly, and he hurriedly replied, "Yes!"

Ye Sheng smiled. She used to bathe him when he was little, but now that he was growing up, it was better to keep some distance.

Children grow up so quickly, never giving adults time to prepare.

While Huo Cong was bathing, Ye Sheng placed orders for a variety of children's daily necessities on the shopping platform. If possible, she hoped Huo Cong could come stay with her more often.

But she still needed to discuss this with Huo Mingting.

Speaking of Huo Mingting, Ye Sheng had expected he would at least call to ask about their son, but to her surprise, the night was quiet—her phone never rang.

No harassing calls. That was just as well. She didn't have to hear his voice and could finally get a good night's sleep.

—

On the first night his son was away from home, Huo Mingting seemed to lose all restraint and drank heavily.

He gazed out at the darkening sky, his eyes unfocused and vacant, his mind a riot of thoughts like a bustling dance hall.

Unable to shake the feeling gnawing at him all afternoon, Huo Mingting grew more unsettled. He finally called Chu Yue, asking him to investigate Ye Sheng's background.

He wanted to know the connection between Ye Sheng, Wan Sandao, and the boss of Huatai Pharmaceuticals. Why did she know Granduncle Huo Lindong? Who was the man behind her?

Chu Yue cursed him out over the phone, leaving Huo Mingting utterly scolded.

After the Meishan incident, Huo Mingting had acted recklessly and caused a disaster—not only was he put under house arrest, but when he returned home, his father gave him a severe beating. He had only just recovered his spirits, when now he was getting another call from his troublesome brother.

"What exactly are you trying to do?" Chu Yue was so angry his head hurt. "You two are divorced. Ye Sheng is her own person—who she’s with has nothing to do with you! You never cared before! When you got married, shouldn't you have checked all this? You married her without a clue, then divorced just as randomly, and now you suddenly want to know your ex-wife's background. Huo Mingting, you’re seriously messed up!"

After being berated for a long time, Huo Mingting didn't argue back. He only gave a bitter smile, his eyes red.

"...I think I'm pretty messed up too."

Hearing the hoarse, forlorn tone in his voice, Chu Yue finally softened.

"You want me to look into Ye Sheng, but you need to give me a reason. Otherwise, why should I dig into her? Mingting, we're brothers—I have to ask, are you still hung up on Ye Sheng?"

Huo Mingting's eyelashes trembled.

Was he really unable to let go?

He had thought he’d moved on... He’d even considered whether he should be with Qin Minshu, to give Huo Cong a complete, loving family.

But he couldn’t do it.

That woman—when they were together, Huo Mingting never felt she was indispensable, but she left so cleanly, and didn’t return for three years.

Through countless days and nights, Huo Mingting was angry at her, hated her—even hearing her name made him grit his teeth.

But unknowingly, "Ye Sheng"—her name and her presence—had taken root in his heart.

With her return, the roots grew deeper.

Though it was absurd, Huo Mingting refused to deceive himself. He had to admit...

"I've fallen in love with her."

He tugged at the corner of his mouth, forcing a smile—not sure if he was mocking himself or others. "Chu Yue, can you believe it? After the divorce, I actually fell in love with Ye Sheng."

Chu Yue rolled his eyes so hard they almost reached the sky. He couldn’t believe it—and he didn’t want to! Yet these words spilled from his childhood friend’s lips.

Chu Yue exhaled smoke, snorted. "Well, that's rare. I never thought I'd live to hear you say the word 'love.'"

Huo Mingting’s eyes reddened.

Saying it aloud felt as if his meridians had been cleared; from head to toe, he was overwhelmed by an inexplicable sense of relief.

So this is what love feels like.

Bitter and sweet.

She dangles you, hooks your heart, neither here nor there, leaving you restless and anxious.

All those concerns about family background, origins, the past—they no longer mattered... He only wanted to be part of her future.

Yet the results Chu Yue uncovered this time would once again turn Huo Mingting's world upside down.

Chu Yue’s voice over the phone was excited. "Mingting, do you know the surname of the boss at Huatai Pharmaceuticals?"

"Of course I do," Huo Mingting replied. "It's Ye."

"You...!"

Chu Yue was nearly faint with frustration. "The boss of Huatai Pharmaceuticals is Ye, and Ye Sheng is also Ye. Have you never considered they share the same surname?"

Huo Mingting was dumbfounded, frozen in disbelief.