If it weren’t for having a child, Zhou Yi definitely wouldn’t have given in.

Right now, her mind was in turmoil. Zhou Wengang and Jiang Hong weren’t stopping her anymore, seemingly resigned to the situation, but Zhou Yi herself couldn’t get over that mental hurdle. She kept wrestling with what mattered more in Yuan Han’s heart – was it her, his mother, or his career?

These thoughts jumbled Zhou Yi’s mind into chaos:

“Dad just thinks I’m useless and can’t make him proud. If I don’t go abroad, he won’t arrange a job for you. Would you be okay with that?”

If Yuan Han had said “okay” at that moment, Zhou Yi would have instantly found a way to vent her frustration and might have even found a graceful way to back down.

However, Zhou Wengang’s proposal left Yuan Han with no room to refuse.

First, Yuan Han had been confined at home taking care of a pregnant woman for half a year, making him anxious enough. Then there was Zhou Yi’s dangerous childbirth situation. Zhou Wengang arranging work for him wasn’t out of goodwill… but if he didn’t accept, would such an opportunity come again?

The word “okay” almost came out, but changed at the last moment:

“How long would you be abroad? If it’s too long, I won’t agree. I can’t bear to be apart from you for so long.”

Zhou Yi’s emotions were complicated.

Yuan Han agreed!

If he really couldn’t bear it, he should have gritted his teeth and refused.

“I don’t know, go ask my father. I’m going to sleep!”

Zhou Yi turned to face the wall, showing Yuan Han her back.

Another temper tantrum!

Yuan Han felt helpless, but at the same time, he felt more at ease about Zhou Yi going abroad. With this temperament, who else but he could handle her?

He wanted to stroke Zhou Yi’s hair, but she hadn’t washed it for several days, and he couldn’t bring himself to show affection.

“Xiao Yi, I’ll go check on our daughter first. You get some rest.”

Yuan Han spent some time playing with the baby.

Having only one daughter was regrettable; they would have to make plans.

When he returned home from the hospital, Yuan’s mother met him: “What did the Zhou family say? Is Zhou Yi just going to stay in the hospital and not come back?”

“Mom, what are you saying? They’re not charging us anything for her hospital stay, why are you worried about that? At the hospital, there are nurses to take care of her. If she comes home, wouldn’t you have to take care of her postpartum recovery? Little Brother, did the Zhou family give you any trouble? Did you get to talk with Xiao Yi today?”

The quiet dogs are the ones that bite – Second Sister Yuan knew how to get to the point.

Yuan Han explained Zhou Wengang’s proposal and Zhou Yi’s reaction.

Being able to arrange a job for Yuan Han, and a better position than before, naturally delighted Yuan’s mother and sister!

But Second Sister Yuan was suspicious, “The Zhou family doesn’t have good intentions, wanting to separate you and Zhou Yi. What if your feelings grow distant over time?”

Yuan’s mother disagreed, “She gives birth to a mere girl and thinks she can turn the world upside down? Women, once they’re married and have children, they can’t make any waves!”

Yuan Han was handsome, many girls liked him.

Yuan’s mother hadn’t approved of his first wife, only agreeing to their marriage when she heard the Ye family had property to return.

Her son was so charming that even when he mentioned divorce, his first wife had been desperately unwilling to leave.

Zhou Yi’s affection exceeded that of the previous wife, and now she had given Yuan Han a daughter. Yuan’s mother felt quite confident.

Yuan Han was actually quite confident too; he didn’t need others to tell him how much Zhou Yi loved him.

Though he had some hidden worries, after his mother’s words, he became confident again: “I’ve agreed anyway. Mom, Big Sister, you’ve been in Beijing long enough. Check if there are train tickets available these days, pack your things, and head back home.”

Big Sister Yuan glared, “What do you mean?”

“Little Long scared Zhou Yi by catching mice. If you don’t go home soon, what happens when Zhou Yi is discharged and remembers this? And Mom, saying you don’t like your granddaughter in front of others at the hospital, and opposing the C-section – don’t you think Zhou Yi would be angry?”

Big Sister Yuan felt guilty, but Yuan’s mother was displeased.

Second Sister Yuan suddenly asked, “The Zhou family wants Zhou Yi to go abroad, and you’ll be working at the hospital – who will take care of your daughter? Little Brother, don’t be foolish, the daughter must be raised by our family.”

Second Sister Yuan also thought Zhou Yi should have had a son.

What’s the point of having a daughter, they’re just money losers.

But Zhou Yi wasn’t as easy to bully as Yuan Han’s previous wife. They couldn’t even show displeasure about having a daughter, and she wouldn’t let the in-laws visit the hospital since the birth… such a domineering daughter-in-law was rare!

However, even if she was a money-loser, the child should be raised by the Yuan family. Second Sister Yuan was clear-headed about this – women can’t bear to be apart from their children. With the child in the Yuan family, no matter how far Zhou Yi ran, she’d have to come back.

Yuan Han didn’t answer immediately; he hadn’t discussed this with Zhou Yi at all!

Then he thought, with Zhou Yi abroad and him working, wouldn’t it be perfect for Jiang Hong to take care of the child? He could use visiting the child as an excuse to go to the Zhou family anytime, otherwise, once Zhou Yi went abroad, his connection with the Zhou family would become more distant.

“Second Sister, don’t worry about this. No matter who raises her, she’s still Yuan Han’s daughter. I have plans.”

Yuan Han’s mind was now full of thoughts about what position Zhou Wengang would arrange for him.

From his hometown to Beijing, being promoted then suppressed, finally grasping an opportunity again, only to lose his job because of Zhou Yi’s elopement, being pressed down by the Zhou family to humbly serve a pregnant woman – now it was time for them to give him an answer. After walking such a difficult path, it was time for his fortunes to turn!

“The baby’s household registration is done. Her name is Zhou Ke, chosen by your grandmother. Do you like it?”

Zhou Wengang had already taken care of this matter.

Zhou Yi hadn’t been concerned about her daughter, but she objected to them naming the child without telling her: “Dad, how could you not ask me? Didn’t I give birth to her?”

Zhou Wengang had someone place the baby beside her, “Yes, you gave birth to her, but have you taken care of her?”

Zhou Yi immediately fell silent.

Currently, she could barely walk holding onto the wall, afraid of tearing her wound if she held the baby. She truly hadn’t personally cared for her daughter. Following Zhou Cheng’s suggestion, Jiang Hong had someone place the baby with Zhou Yi daily for some time together. Zhou Yi was slowly coming to terms with being a mother.

It was rare to see someone as dazed as she was in the first few days after giving birth.

“Zhou Ke is fine, it sounds quite nice.”

After saying it a few times, Zhou Yi found the name quite pleasant, and since Grandmother Zhou had chosen it, she accepted it.

At least her grandmother was willing to acknowledge her now, which made Zhou Yi quite happy.

Zhou Wengang saw that Zhou Yi was showing glimpses of her former self, unsure if this development was good or bad, but he continued with his plan:

“You’ll be discharged in a few days. Yuan Han will be working and can’t take care of you, so you’ll complete your postpartum recovery at your parents’ home. Remember what I told you about studying English? The initial plan is to send you to America. You should take the initiative to contact Xiao Lan – she and Zhou Cheng are contributing both money and effort to your overseas studies. You can’t just pretend not to know and stay silent.”

Wouldn’t that mean having to bow to Xiao Lan again?

Zhou Yi felt uncomfortable, “Dad, does it have to be America? Can’t I go somewhere else?”

Zhou Wengang laughed in exasperation, “With your mindset, you don’t want to go to America? Without someone watching over you in other places, I’m afraid you wouldn’t last a month before slinking back home.”