Chapter 18: 1.16 The Modern World

He Wanqiong fantasized about a slew of dramatic plots like “The Domineering CEO Falls for Me” and “The Runaway Wife with a Baby,” and thus began plotting something similar. She thought that if she could have a child with Han Feng, she and the child could become Han Feng’s courage, encouraging him to break free from the painful memories of his failed marriage and build a warm, happy little family together with her.

Though the beginning might be tough, she believed that as long as two people in love were together, they could summon the courage to forge a path to happiness. Moreover, they would have their child silently cheering them on.

He Wanqiong was confident that, for the sake of giving her and their child a good and happy life, Han Feng would be filled with courage and confidence to move forward. As for the final outcome… He Wanqiong had absolute faith in the abilities of the man she loved deeply. She was certain he would fulfill his promises to her, carve out a bright future, and make her happy.

However, having a child wasn’t an easy task, especially since Han Feng had always been cautious. And now that Han Feng was gone, how could He Wanqiong, alone, create a child between them?

At this point, one might wonder whether to praise He Wanqiong for her foresight and thorough preparations or something else entirely—it turned out she had secretly stored some of Han Feng’s essence when he was off guard, and now it came in handy. And indeed, she used it.

Though Han Feng was gone, He Wanqiong, despite being an ordinary woman with little influence or connections, could still leverage some of Mr. Han’s social ties as his wife. Using these connections, she found a reputable hospital and, with her and Han Feng’s genetic material, created an embryo. Eventually, the child grew in He Wanqiong’s womb.

Of course, she was extremely careful throughout the process. Even while using Mr. Han’s connections, she ensured no one who knew them found out. After all, He Wanqiong still dreamed that one day, her and Han Feng’s child would grow up to be outstanding, and she would gain status as the mother of such a child. She wanted Han Feng to know how much effort and hardship she had endured for their “love child,” ultimately succeeding in becoming his rightful wife.

Because He Wanqiong intended to monopolize the credit for “raising the child through hardship,” she naturally didn’t want others to share in the glory or dilute the gratitude and status she would earn in Han Feng’s eyes once the child grew up. Thus, she kept the entire affair a secret from everyone.

However, once the child was actually in her womb, He Wanqiong began to resent the idea of raising the child alone, finding it too difficult and exhausting. So, she pushed the responsibility onto her then-husband—Mr. Han.

Though Mr. Han wasn’t particularly fond of He Wanqiong due to her dramatic tendencies and their clashing values, he believed that a child—especially an unborn one—was innocent. He didn’t want the complications and grudges between adults to affect the child, so he treated He Wanqiong’s unborn baby—Han Siyu—with great care and affection.

Ironically, He Wanqiong, who had initially vowed to dote on the child and showcase her virtues as a gentle and devoted mother in front of Han Feng, grew to dislike Han Siyu intensely upon discovering the baby was a girl rather than a son.

Mr. Han, on the other hand, believed sons and daughters were equal. Even though Han Siyu was a girl, he fulfilled his duties as a father to his eldest daughter with dedication.

Unfortunately, Han Siyu later grew closer to her mother. Not because of some mystical mother-daughter bond, but because He Wanqiong was more vocal and flamboyant in expressing her “great maternal love,” while Mr. Han was quieter, preferring actions over words.

He Wanqiong later began grooming Han Siyu in various ways. She realized that even though Han Siyu wasn’t a son, a daughter could still be useful—if she married well, He Wanqiong’s own status would rise accordingly.

Moreover, Han Feng had been forced into a loveless marriage in the past. If Han Siyu married into a prestigious family, wouldn’t Han Feng treat them better for the sake of his daughter’s in-laws? And with the support of her daughter’s marital family, wouldn’t Han Feng have more leverage to divorce his wife and marry her? With this in mind, He Wanqiong began what she considered a “comprehensive elite education” for her daughter.

Though Mr. Han wasn’t entirely comfortable with He Wanqiong’s methods, as a first-time father with little experience, he eventually deferred to her wishes.

Years later, a routine blood test raised suspicions for Mr. Han. Further tests confirmed that the daughter he had loved for years wasn’t biologically his—there was no blood relation. Clearly, his wife had deceived him.

This led to a thorough investigation.

Han Feng had been careful to hide his relationship with He Wanqiong during their affair, as he was on a business trip and didn’t want rumors about his personal life tarnishing his professional image. He Wanqiong, lost in her “love,” obeyed Han Feng’s every instruction.

However, He Wanqiong wasn’t as meticulous as Han Feng. A woman in “love” inevitably reveals hints of her affection, leaving traces of their affair. While these might have gone unnoticed before, Mr. Han’s investigation brought everything to light.

Though Han Feng had tried to cover his tracks before leaving, the saying “a strong dragon cannot suppress a local serpent” held true—in this city, Mr. Han’s influence slightly outweighed Han Feng’s.

Enraged, Mr. Han wanted to tear He Wanqiong apart. Her parents were equally shocked, never imagining their daughter capable of such deceit.

In the end, He Wanqiong divorced Mr. Han and was left with nothing due to her infidelity. Rejected by her husband and parents, she was forced to wander alone.

As for Han Siyu, though not his biological child, Mr. Han refused to blame her for her mother’s actions. He kept her in his home, though the emotional distance grew. Still, he never mistreated her—his household was well-off, and raising a daughter wasn’t a burden.

Later, Mr. Han met his current wife. After two years of dating, they married and had two more children. Though busy with work and his young family, Mr. Han never subjected Han Siyu to abuse or neglect—his second wife, a kind and gentle woman, also treated Han Siyu well, though her attention was divided.

Initially, Han Siyu struggled with the subtle changes in treatment after He Wanqiong left, but the family remained decent to her. She might have grown into an ordinary, unremarkable girl under their care—but then He Wanqiong returned.

After leaving Mr. Han’s home and being unable to return to her parents, He Wanqiong tried to make a living on her own. But accustomed to luxury, she couldn’t endure hardship. Eventually, she became a mistress to a wealthy older man. Though she had been married and involved with Han Feng, her beauty and willingness to indulge her patron kept her in a life of comfort.

Later, she overheard her patron mention Han Feng and learned of his status. The old fantasies reignited. She reasoned that with their past love and a shared daughter, her chances of becoming Han Feng’s wife were high. To strengthen her position, she returned to her old city and secretly sought out Han Siyu.