But then, he saw another person following behind her.
Fu Yinxiu!
Under the streetlight, the shadows of the two were elongated by the soft, yellow light and faintly overlapped on the ground.
How did they end up together?
Had Ming Yutong reconciled with Fu Yinxiu?
Jiang Lulian gave a self-deprecating smile.
Even though he was still devoted to Ming Yutong despite not being with Ni Yalin, seeing Fu Yinxiu now made him realize that he had no chance.
Fu Yinxiu and Ming Yutong had a past together, and Ming Yutong had even had a child with him. Ming Yutong had claimed that it would be difficult for her to have another child, but with Fu Yinxiu, it was different. They already had a son, and whether or not they could have more children in the future was no longer a concern.
For Jiang Lulian, everything was a flaw or disadvantage, but for Fu Yinxiu, none of it mattered.
As Ming Yutong and Fu Yinxiu approached, Jiang Lulian forced a smile. "Yutong."
He glanced at Fu Yinxiu and said hoarsely, "I didn't know you two…"
To make Jiang Lulian give up completely, Ming Yutong did not deny it.
Before Jiang Lulian could say more, Ming Yutong spoke up. "I know why you're here. You really don't need to worry about it. What I told you that day was my honest opinion, and I won't blame you."
Ming Yutong frowned slightly, looking puzzled. "I really don't know what you could blame yourself for. So, don't overthink it."
Because she didn't love him, she didn't mind.
Jiang Lulian understood.
He nodded and said, "Earlier, Yuqian came to visit me at the hospital. I know you're worried, and I know you were the one who sent him. After I was discharged, I didn't tell you right away because I felt ashamed to face you."
"I was so adamant about my feelings for you before that I even moved myself. But after hearing your words, I felt selfish and irresponsible, so I didn't dare to see you."
"Today at the cinema, I was caught off guard. I'm deeply embarrassed."
"You really don't need to feel this way. I don't know how to make you believe it. Seeing you with Miss Nie today, I'm genuinely happy for you and wish you the best," Ming Yutong said sincerely. "So you don't need to feel guilty or apologize. However, if you continue to say such things to me in the future, I may not be able to see you again. Because I really don't know how to explain to you that I'm truly okay."
"I understand," Jiang Lulian nodded. "I won't say these things anymore and won't make things difficult for you."
Jiang Lulian looked at Fu Yinxiu and said to Ming Yutong, "I sincerely hope you find happiness. If you're ever wronged, I will always be here."
Fu Yinxiu didn't like that.
He had remained silent earlier because Ming Yutong was making a clear break from Jiang Lulian without holding back. Ming Yutong had expressed herself well, and Fu Yinxiu had nothing to add.
But he had strong objections to Jiang Lulian's last statement.
Fu Yinxiu snorted coldly, looking at Jiang Lu Lian with contempt. "Always be here? What difference does it make if you're here or not? What does it have to do with you? You have a lover and a family. What right do you have to say such things?"
"You've already made your choice and are long gone. Don't say I won't let Tong Tong be wronged. Even if she were wronged, could she come to you? If she did, what would she become? Someone who disrupts your relationship and your family. This is your way of helping her?"
Fu Yinxiu looked at Jiang Lulian with disdain. "Do you even have the right to say you love her and want to support her?"
Jiang Lulian's face turned pale for a moment.
He... he didn't think that way!
He only wanted to protect Ming Yutong when she was wronged.
He had no other intentions!
Okay, he admitted, there was a bit of malicious intent in his heart—if Ming Yutong ended up regretting being with Fu Yinxiu and realizing that he was better, even though he could do nothing for her, he wanted Ming Yutong to think better of him, to have a place for him in her heart.
The regret of not getting something would always linger.
But Fu Yinxiu's harsh words made it impossible for Jiang Lulian to look Ming Yutong in the eye.
His intentions were transparent to Fu Yinxiu.
Fu Yinxiu coldly scoffed, "Are you hoping that I treat Tong Tong poorly, so she would miss your goodness even more? And by then, you'll be married, and Tong Tong will only have regret, wishing she hadn't missed out on someone as good as you?"
"Stop slandering me in front of Tong Tong," Jiang Lulian said angrily.
"Whether it's slander or not, you know in your heart. Such thoughts are truly despicable," Fu Yinxiu said with a cold tone. "If you don't have the confidence to always be good to her and chose to give up, then stop scheming against her!"
With that, Fu Yinxiu pulled Ming Yutong away.
Ming Yutong glanced back at Jiang Lulian's flushed face as she turned.
She sighed inwardly but did not look back.
Jiang Lulian watched Ming Yutong and Fu Yinxiu's figures disappear into the building before stiffly returning to his car.
His mind kept replaying the scene of Ming Yutong and Fu Yinxiu going in and out together.
Fu Yinxiu would probably be staying the night at Ming Yutong's place.
Jiang Lulian didn't want to think about Ming Yutong being with Fu Yinxiu.
Fu Yinxiu followed Ming Yutong back to her front door. Before Ming Yutong could enter, she said, "It's really late. You should go back."
"Really can't I stay here?" Fu Yinxiu, who had been domineering with Jiang Lulian, now appeared pitiful.
Ming Yutong lowered her gaze and said, "There aren't any extra rooms in the house."
She lived alone and didn't like a large space that felt empty.
Therefore, there were only three rooms in total.
One was her bedroom, one was prepared for Little Jingshi.
The bedroom for Little Jingshi even had a cartoon bed, so small that Fu Yinxiu couldn't fit, his legs wouldn't stretch out.
The other room was her study.
There really wasn't a suitable place for Fu Yinxiu to stay.
"Tong Tong, let me stay. Just find me a spot, or I can sleep on the sofa or the floor. Anything is fine," Fu Yinxiu said pitifully. "Please don't make me go back alone."
At that moment, the door behind Ming Yutong opened.
She turned around to see Little Jingshi standing at the doorway.
"Why did you open the door yourself? Didn't I tell you to stay put?" Ming Yutong said disapprovingly.
"I heard your voices at home," Little Jingshi explained, looking up. "Daddy, you're still here? I thought after you went downstairs, you would just leave."
Fu Yinxiu: "…"