Chapter 278: Raising the Children Together
Shao Dong’s gaze was honest. “Daddy, you’re our father. This is a fact that can’t be changed. Mommy is also already our mother. This fact can’t be changed either. We won’t abandon you, but that doesn’t mean we have to abandon Mommy.”
Shao Qihai was still uneasy. “I didn’t say that I wanted you to abandon her. Little Dong, what do you mean by that?”
“What I’m saying is that, if you divorce Mommy, we also want to live with Mommy.” Shao Xi hit the nail on the head.
Shao Qihai, who had had a feeling that this was indeed the case, laughed bitterly.
Shao Dong softened his voice. “Dad, it’s not that we don’t love you anymore. It’s just that we can’t let go of Mommy, just like she can’t let go of us.”
“So, if you want to get a divorce, we hope you can share custody of us.” This was the result of their discussion.
Shao Qihai looked at Shao Dong with a complicated expression. “Can we really raise you kids together? If we really share custody, will you still be willing to follow me?”
When he heard this, Shao Xi’s eyes couldn’t help fluttering. He’d be willing, but most of the time, he’d probably still want to be with Mommy.
Shao Nan’s expression was unreadable, but Little Bei had already lowered her head and stopped looking at him. Xiao Wu’s face was filled with guilt. Shao Qihai had hit the nail on the head.
He instantly felt aggrieved. “Little Dong, look at what you just said. Little Bei and the rest are already feeling guilty. You’re making it sound so nice now, but if this really happens, you’ll definitely leave with Jingzhe and leave me alone.”
Shao Qihai shook his head. “No, I can’t agree to this condition.”
Shao Dong glanced at Little Bei and Xiao Wu helplessly. Shao Nan glanced at Shao Xi, despising him for not being able to keep his emotions from showing.
Little Bei and Xiao Wu hurriedly explained. Little Bei said, “I love you, Daddy. I won’t leave you alone, but I’m still young. I can’t sleep well without Mommy hugging me. I can’t leave Mommy.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Wu quickly added, “I’m even younger. I’m the youngest, so I can’t leave Mommy either. If I leave Mommy, I won’t be able to eat. If I don’t, I’ll starve to death.”
He was even saying that he would starve to death?
Shao Qihai didn’t know what to say for a moment. Would the kids starve to death if they followed him?
Shao Nan looked at Shao Qihai with a helpless expression. “Don’t speak, you two.”
These two goons. They had yet to agree on a deal and they were already eager to show that they wanted to follow their mother. They’d even brought up their age. This was too disadvantageous for a negotiation.
Xiao Wu and Little Bei also realized that they were anxious and quickly shut up. They even smiled brilliantly at Shao Qihai.
Shao Qihai didn’t feel comforted. This was a guilty smile.
“Dad, this matter hasn’t even come up. Why are you already afraid? We’re your biological sons and daughter. How can we leave you behind and run away?” Shao Nan gave him a warm smile and even grabbed Shao Qihai’s hand.
Shao Xi glanced at Shao Nan and quickly stuffed his free hand into Shao Qihai’s other hand. “That’s right, Daddy. We’re your biological children.”
Shao Nan said warmly, “We just want to thank Mommy. When you faked your death, it was Mommy who saved us, so we’re really grateful to Mommy.”
Shao Dong looked out of the window. “When we were in a dire situation, it was Mommy who pulled us up and illuminated our world. Daddy, we really need her, so we want to follow her. We don’t want Mommy to be put in a difficult position because of us.”
Shao Xi widened his eyes as he looked at Shao Dong. He hadn’t expected his older brother to be more like a little writer than him.
Shao Dong’s words were very moving and all, but after that was said, Shao Qihai was the one in a difficult position. A struggling look appeared on Shao Qihai’s face. “I’m not stopping you from being filial to her, but…”
Shao Xi thought that he couldn’t fall behind Shao Dong and started thinking of beautiful, touching words. When he heard Shao Qihai struggling, though, he instantly couldn’t care less and couldn’t help but say, “Dad, there’s no need for buts. To put it bluntly, we believe in her more than in you, so just accept it. Otherwise, it’ll be useless for you to hold on to custody. We’ll look for Mommy when our legs grow.”
Since he had already said what was on his mind, Shao Xi added, “Don’t feel sad. Actually, the reason we’re talking to you is because we have feelings for you. Otherwise, we could’ve just left with Mommy when the time came. You wouldn’t have been able to stop us, right? We have the ability now.”
Shao Qihai: “…”
‘So you plan to run away with Mu Jingzhe?’
“I know I broke your hearts last time, but I’ll really treat you well now. You don’t have to feel insecure. You can trust me.”
Shao Xi continued. “We believe you, but Dad, would we follow Mommy just to have her raise us? No, it’s not just that she’s so good to us. More importantly, we want to be good to her and keep the promise we made in the past.”
“Daddy, although Second Brother’s words are unpleasant, we’re actually talking to you because we have feelings for you, so you don’t have to be so conflicted. Besides, Daddy, this is also for your own good,” Shao Nan added. “If you agree to raise us together, Mommy might develop a favorable impression of you and look at you differently.”
“Huh?” Shao Qihai couldn’t quite react. “Really?”
“Of course she will. Why wouldn’t she? This is the right time to show your masculinity. Believe me, if you really do this, Mommy’s attitude toward you will definitely improve.” Shao Xi nodded affirmatively. The way he was working so closely with Shao Nan, it was impossible to tell that they had quarreled previously to the point that their hands had been tied together.
Shao Qihai really thought about this after hearing their words. If he agreed, would Mu Jingzhe really look at him differently?
“Dad, why don’t you believe us? Do you think we’d lie to you? Mommy is actually a very simple person. If you treat her well, she’ll treat you very well. She likes us very much. If you make such a decision, she’ll be extremely grateful to you. She’ll think that you’re manly and look at you in a different light.”
As soon as Shao Nan finished speaking, Shao Xi added, “So Daddy, why don’t you just do it? Why are you hesitating so much?”
Shao Dong interrupted in a timely manner. “A relationship is like a handful of sand. The tighter you hold on to it, the faster it flows away. If you hold it gently, more sand will remain in your hand. It’s time to let go, Daddy.”
Shao Xi looked at Shao Dong in shock again. “You’re right. Dad, instead of dragging it out like this, why don’t you make us, Mommy, and yourself happy?”
Shao Qihai’s mind was a mess when he heard that. “What do you mean by that? Are you urging me to get a divorce and get straight to handling all the formalities?”
Shao Qihai shuddered. “That won’t do. No, I just agreed with Jingzhe not to get a divorce for the time being.”
He had already agreed with Mu Jingzhe not to get a divorce for now. Why would he be discussing a divorce again after talking with the children? Shao Qihai was very determined. “I won’t go. Don’t even think about it.”