This kid is really annoying.

Xu Lin heard it as well, and subconsciously rubbed his ears. The news was quite explosive—much bigger than his own family's troubles.

But he turned his gaze to Ji Yun. For her, the impact of this revelation was a genuine wound.

After all, the words represented that the mother she had always held in reverence was the one who had destroyed others' marriages.

"No... No... Dad, is what you said true?" Ji Yun's lips trembled slightly. Xu Lin reached out and grasped her wrist.

Then he felt the frigid, piercing gaze from his father-in-law. But compared to the father-in-law, I must prioritize comforting my own sister first, damn it.

"Is it true?" Ji Yun asked once more. Ji Datong withdrew his attention from his daughter's wrist.

"It's true. Yao Yan is actually my ex-wife."

"Then you can never forget her, so you gave me this name?"

Ji Yun's tone turned unusually cold. Even if it was the mother... yet the father was betraying her in this manner.

By naming her this, he had clearly not forgotten the other woman.

Ji Datong was about to respond when Yao Yan beside him spoke up, her voice soft and soothing, as if it could ease any tension.

"This name was not chosen by Datong for you, but it is connected to me, for it was your mother who gave it to you."

"To remind your father—to make him remember that he is a cheater and not betray her again."

"No, my mom couldn't do something like that. Why are you saying this about my mom?"

"It's true," Ji Datong said gravely, looking at his daughter.

"Calm down, calm down..." Xu Lin gently patted her hand. Ji Yun drew in a deep breath.

"Okay, the name my mom gave... and what's the situation between you two now?"

"Even if my mom is the third party, after all these years, aren't you betraying her too?"

Ji Yun stared at her father, then shot a sidelong glance at the middle-aged woman nearby. She wasn't as beautiful as Ji Yun's own mother, nor did she wear the long hair her father preferred. Yet she wore a rather unattractive hat, always smiling, her voice pleasant and warm, radiating gentleness.

"No, your father did not betray your mother. After our divorce, we never contacted each other again."

At that moment, Yao Yan spoke once more, leaning back against the chair with a gentle smile, occasionally glancing at him.

"So you two are... having dinner together? My mom ran back to her hometown, and he didn't even chase after her!"

Though Ji Yun had been enduring it, she suddenly cried out.

Fortunately, the hotpot restaurant was crowded, and her voice was not loud, so few people turned to look.

"Ji Yun, it was my fault. It was me who asked your father to stay and accompany me through these final moments."

"What do you mean...?" Ji Yun did not quite grasp his words.

Ji Datong continued, "No, it was I who wanted to come and take care of you myself."

"Yun'er, your auntie Yao was diagnosed with cancer, already in the late stages when found. After half a year of chemotherapy, there was nothing more we could do in the end..."

"She has no children, no husband, and her parents are gone. I couldn't let her truly face that day alone."

"Ji Yun, it's actually my fault. I told him everything. He is too kind and couldn't bring himself to refuse. It was I who exploited his goodness."

"You cheated on me and divorced me back then—it's my fault! If I can't even accompany you through your final days... am I still a man?!"

Ji Datong's breathing grew rapid, and his eyes reddened.

"Dad, why don't you tell Mom? I think she would understand..."

Ji Yun witnessed the sudden wave of emotion in both of them and felt she had been too impulsive. Her tone softened as she turned to the woman beside her. She wore a hat because of chemotherapy—lacking hair—but still smiled so brightly.

"Do you think your mom doesn't know her? She only mentioned seeing me with other women."

"She never said she was with my ex-wife. Your mother didn't want you to know she had been a home-wrecker, so she only argued when it was just the two of us."

"But my mom knows Auntie's identity. Why didn't she ask you directly about the situation? Why didn't you tell her everything outright?"

"Because she's a woman, and like in her younger days, she'll feel jealous, she'll feel insecure, and naturally won't agree to me helping my ex-wife."

"But by doing this, you made Mom think you two have rekindled your old love. What about after the divorce? Have you thought about me at all?"

"Ji Yun, I understand your mother very well. She would not be so impulsive. Moreover, your auntie Yao has already spent a great deal on treatment, and she would not be willing for me to use that money to spend on other women."

"..."

Hearing this, Ji Yun fell silent, gazing at her father's weary face and suddenly feeling utterly helpless.

For she understood that her father felt more guilt toward this auntie Yao and had no choice but to act this way.

Yet he could not reveal the truth to her mother, for whether he spoke or remained silent, her mother would never accept it.

"Ji Yun, it was my fault for letting your father fall into this situation. I'm sorry."

"No no, please don't apologize. No matter what, what happened in the past was the harm my parents caused you."

"You are as kind as your father, and just as beautiful as your mother. How did your father, who is so plain and has no money, catch your mother's eye~"

"Haha, I don't know either, but maybe like you said—he is a kind man. But he also cheated."

"Actually, Auntie, I've put it all behind me long ago. I'm almost dying—what more is there to let go of?"

With those words, the woman took her other hand, looking at her with utmost gentleness, and spoke softly.

"This handsome boy is your boyfriend?"

"No... No! He is my classmate."

Ji Yun quickly shook off Xu Lin's hand. Just now, in a moment of excitement, he had taken hold of it, right in front of her father...

She shot him a glance, bit her lip. This guy still hasn't confessed to me. And he's a bit of a flirt. I don't want to be cuckolded!

Xu Lin noticed the shift in Ji Yun's gentle expression to one of mild displeasure and felt bewildered. Had he done something wrong?

"What's your name, little brother? Still in school?"

Suddenly, the woman Yao Yan looked at him. Xu Lin was momentarily stunned, yet felt a twinge of nervousness, for the former mother-in-law was still the mother-in-law.

"Xu Lin. Ji Yun and I are classmates."

"His grades are good, aren't they?"

"He's second place. Top fifty in the entire school. Last month, he was still ranked in the top hundred."

Ji Yun thought he was a bit fickle, yet praised him more enthusiastically than anyone else.

But the Ji father sitting beside Xu Lin snorted. "Monthly exam scores are one thing. We still have the final exams and the college entrance exam. What is there to be proud of?"

"Uncle is right. My grades with Ji Yun are still far behind."

"Yeah, I'm not one of those old-fashioned types. Are you two dating?"

"No, Uncle... But to be honest, I really like Ji Yun."

Xu Lin knew the moment had come to man up, toered to his courage, and declared directly to the Ji father.

"Yun'er, what about you?"

"Why are you asking me? I said I'd focus on studying in high school and not consider anything else. Didn't I already say that?"

Ji Yun answered hurriedly when questioned by her father, but glanced at Xu Lin's disappointed expression and added.

"But Dad, you also said that when I get to university..."

Ji Datong sighed at his daughter's demeanor. It's over—the little cotton-padded jacket is being stolen away!

Originally, he had thought this Xu kid was decent, but now he suddenly found the boy rather annoying.