"You can blame me, but I've had enough of this! Since you didn't get involved in my life when you gave birth to me, there's no need for you to get involved in my life now."
"Ruochu!"
Zhang Yuan's voice was hoarse as she implored her, "You can't... You can't do this!"
"All right then." Gu Ruochu's gaze became much sharper as she approached Zhang Yuan. "You should make a choice. Are you going to stand on my side or Ning Tangxi's side? I won't force you to evict Ning Tangxi or sever your relationship with her. Just choose whose side you're on."
"I..."
"Tell me, are you going to force me to hand over Xu Yichen to Ning Tangxi?"
"I..." Zhang Yuan hesitated fearfully before she said, "Ruochu, please take a step back. Tell me where Xu Yichen is, and I won't make things difficult for you. I'll get your father to bring him back. Xu Yichen will never know that you gave him up."
Gu Ruochu was disheartened when she heard her mother's words.
She looked at Zhang Yuan and laughed coldly. She then took a few steps back and returned to Huo Nanchen's embrace. "I know what you're thinking. You can leave now."
"Nanny Zhang," Huo Nanchen turned towards Nanny Zhang and said impassively, "Madam Ning has refused to leave, get the bodyguards to come over."
"Okay."
"I'll go upstairs first." Gu Ruochu broke free from Huo Nanchen's arms, but he still held her hand. His voice was deep and low. "Wait a moment. I'm coming with you."
Zhang Yuan took a few steps forward, but Gu Ruochu turned her back and headed up the stairs.
A few expressionless bodyguards blocked Zhang Yuan's path and ushered her towards the door.
Ning Tangxi had intended to use Xu Yichen to drive a wedge between Huo Nanchen and Gu Ruochu. However, Huo Nanchen had ended up taking Gu Ruochu's side.
When Ning Tangxi saw the couple heading up the stairs, her face darkened.
"..."
Gu Ruochu returned to the bedroom and climbed into the bed before pulling the blanket over her head. When Huo Nanchen entered the bedroom and saw that Gu Ruochu had already covered herself, he felt an indescribable tenderness for her.
He took off his shoes and lifted the blanket before crawling under it and settling beside his wife.
"What are you doing?" Gu Ruochu did not want anyone to see her in such a sorry state. Her eyes were clouded with tears, and she had curled her body up pitifully into a ball.
Huo Nanchen's deep eyes trembled.
He sighed and pulled Gu Ruochu into his arms. His heavy body pressed down against her, but he was careful not to place his weight on her body. After propping himself up with one hand, Huo Nanchen looked at Gu Ruochu's face carefully.
"Of course, I'm here to look after my little friend. Other children are coaxed when they cry, why shouldn't I do the same for you?"
Gu Ruochu was surprised when she heard Huo Nanchen's words.
She almost burst into laughter when she heard his serious expression.
'Little friend?'
Gu Ruochu was impressed by Huo Nanchen's attempt to console her.
Huo Nanchen's breathed heavily over Gu Ruochu's head, and he made her eyelashes tremble.
"I'm here for you," Huo Nanchen said gently.
Huo Nanchen's compassionate attitude moved Gu Ruochu.
She would never get along with the Ning family, and it was now clear that Huo Nanchen was her only source of protection.
Gu Ruochu clutched at his clothes and fell silent.
Even though she had argued with Huo Nanchen, losing him would make her vulnerable to all kinds of attacks from her enemies.
"In the future, I won't let any member of the Ning family enter the Huo residence. You will never be sad for such people again." Huo Nanchen hugged Gu Ruochu and continued, "If you don't want to be the Ning family's daughter, then don't be. The position of their adopted daughter is nothing to be surprised about. Ning Tangxi has been with the Ning family for so many years. It's not hard to imagine that Zhang Yuan would fail to stand on her side. It's a good thing that you're married to me. Otherwise, who knows what kind of ostracism you'd be subjected to."
"Mmm."
Gu Ruochu did not want to think about Zhang Yuan anymore. She did not want to shed tears for anyone else. She had obtained her second life after much difficulty. She had to cherish it.