The banquet at the west of the city was bustling with excitement.

The influential Master Pei Yan from the Pei family, escorted by Wen Lingyu and her son, made a grand entrance, attracting admiring comments.

There were rumors that Wen Lingyu was once the unrequited love of Mr. Pei's life, Mr. Pei had patiently awaited her for so many years, and it seems his patience has finally paid off.

Amid the intertwining courses of the banquet, many heartfelt compliments were paid to this "blessed family of three", while some also spouted off complaints about Ming Yanxi.

Who is Ming Yanxi?

Ming Yanxi is Pei Yan's wife.

Halfway through the banquet, a bodyguard rushed up to Pei Yan: "Sir, my deepest condolences."

A layer of frost covered Pei Yan's handsome, cold face: "What did you say?"

"Your daughter... She passed away due to complications after her surgery. The funeral arrangements were made by Madam Pei today."

Pei Yan expressionlessly sipped his wine, "How much did Ming Yanxi pay you?"

"The death certificate was already sent to you. You had even acknowledged its receipt."

Hearing this, Wen Lingyu unconsciously tightened her grip on her son's small hand.

At this moment, Pei Yan's phone rang.

"Sir, your villa is on fire!"

With a tremble in his hands, the wine glass shattered on the floor. Pei Yan didn't utter another word and turned to leave immediately.

Ming Yanxi sat on the balcony, holding her daughter's ashes the whole day.

She remembered the scene of sending Shan Shan for cremation this morning.

In the crematorium, there was a rule that family members could not personally witness the cremation process.

It was only after paying a heavy price that Ming Yanxi got to push the cold cart into the incinerator's chamber.

The air was filled with intense heat and floating dust, possibly remnants of ashes.

Ming Yanxi, in a black long skirt, looked as thin as a bamboo pole, making even the smallest size seem loose on her.

Her swollen eyes had already run dry from crying, but were surprisingly calm at that moment.

She lightly touched the small, cold and stiff hand under the white cloth, tucking two pink origami stars into her daughter's palm.

"Shan Shan, don't be scared. In the next life, don't come looking for me."

Time was up.

The staff came forward to separate Ming Yanxi, pulling back the white cloth, revealing Shan Shan's face.

The eight-year-old girl was so skinny it was shocking, her ribs clearly visible, and a hollow spot on her abdomen.

Focusing on that hollow spot, Ming Yanxi started to weep again like a torrential downpour.

It was all her fault for not being able to protect Shan Shan!

The staff member said in a low and comforting voice, "Please restrain your grief. After your daughter passed away, her kidney saved another child's life. That child will live well on behalf of your daughter."

A hint of coldness flashed in Ming Yanxi's eyes, his lips curved up in a sarcastic smile.

That child was her husband's illegitimate son.

At this moment, they were hosting a grand birthday party for that child.

But today was also their daughter's birthday.

The staff delivered the body to the crematorium.

Yet, Ming Yanxi laughed, a bitter sweetness pervading her smile.

Because Shanshan was finally free.

She no longer had to endure her father's cold looks every day.

"Mommy, why doesn't daddy like me?"

"Mommy, why does daddy favor Aunt Song's son?"

"Mommy, is it because of me that daddy doesn't like you? I'm sorry, mommy."

Her daughter, so polite and sensible!

All ruined by Pei Yan!

He had promised to take his little darling to the long-cherished big amusement park the night before her birthday to fulfill her wish of spending alone time with daddy.

But instead, he pushed their daughter into the operating room to donate a kidney for his son.

Then, she had to watch helplessly as her daughter laid alone on the hospital bed, passing away due to an infection.

And as her mother, Ming Yanxi was the last one to know about this!

She could never forget the moment she rushed into the hospital room, only to see her daughter's lifeless body.

At the head of the bed, the screen of the child's watch stained with blood was still futilely dialing her dad's number.

After the call connected, all he said coldly was,

"Don't be hysterical like your mother."

Beep, beep, beep......

Listening to the busy signal, Ming Yanxi hugged her daughter tightly, holding back her tears, fearing that crying would scare her little angel.

Ever since Wen Lingyu brought her child back to the country with much publicity and accused Ming Yanxi of persecuting her and her son,

Pei Yan forced her into the widely known madwoman.

Especially when Pei Yan heard Wen Lingyu's lamentations, how she had been displaced abroad and gave birth to a premature baby with kidney problems, his eyes when looking at them were chilling.

The man who was usually polite and gentle had turned out to be so vicious.

No matter how she explained, he still gritted his teeth and said, "Ming Yanxi, you hurt Lingyu and my son, I want you to pay back doubly."

Pei Yan did it, and everything should draw to an end now.

Ming Yanxi came back to her senses, looking again at the pink urn in her hands.

Shanshan loves pink the most.

Ming Yanxi was reminded again about today's scene when Pei Yan went out to attend Wen Lingyu's son's birthday banquet—

At that time, he changed into that suit he had cherished for years, ready to go out.

It was a suit that was designed for him by Wen Lingyu herself when they were engaged.

Time can be merciless, quietly passing by over eight long years. Yet, he remains that captivating man with a distinguished demeanor, shrouded in mystery.

Regrettably, Ming Yanxi still seems as transparent as air in his eyes.

Pei Yan just went upstairs without sparing a glance.

This is how he has been torturing her for the eight years.

Whenever he felt like venting, he would press her down on the bed. And after, he would leave without even giving a glance.

As for their child...

He even forbids Shanshan from calling him "Dad."

Perhaps Ming Yanxi was too quiet today, so Pei Yan halted his steps, but he did not turn back.

"I won't come back tonight, tell Shanshan not to call me casually."

"Alright."

Ming Yanxi gently strokes the cinerary casket in her arms that still seems to hold Shanshan's lingering warmth.

If he could take a glance at her, just one glance, he might find the urn.

Pei Yan adjusted his cufflinks, speaking coldly, "Consider what you want for the divorce. We'll go through the procedures in a few days. I don't want the child."

"Mm."

Ming Yanxi remained calm.

Just as well, from now on, Shan Shan would belong only to her.

Pei Yan's movement suddenly paused, but he still did not look at Ming Yanxi.

"In consideration for Shan Shan who saved Si Chen's life, I will cover all the medical and nutritional expenses in the future. But I don't want to see you anymore. Consider this your last redemption."

"That's fine."

Ming Yanxi was thinking that it wouldn't be long before they parted ways.

Annoyed for no reason, Pei Yan was about to turn away when Wen Lingyu's call came in.

As soon as the phone was answered, the excited voice of a child came from the other end of the quiet room.

"Daddy! Come quickly! Mommy and I are waiting for you."

"I'll be there soon."

Pei Yan spoke in a cheerful tone, unconsciously quickening his steps.

He didn't notice at all, the woman behind him tightly holding something in her arms, her body gradually stiffening.

These memories like merciless torture, cruelly cut into Ming Yanxi's flesh and blood.

She clung to the urn: "Shanshan, Mom will come to be with you soon."

The breeze blew in from the window, lifting the woman's long skirt, making it seem so desolate under the sun.

Night fell.

Ming Yanxi took out the cake she had prepared for Shanshan from the fridge.

As the candle flame flickered, she hummed a birthday song while holding a jerry can that was shaking non-stop. Every corner from the rooftop to the basement was meticulously "taken care of" by her.

She didn't intend to leave herself a way out at all.

If she could have been stronger back then, refusing to marry Pei Yan, none of this would have happened.

Preparations done, she returned to the dining table and clung tightly to the urn.

"Happy Birthday, darling. Mom's here to celebrate it with you."

With a soft flick from Ming Yanxi, the candle flew towards the curtain.

The moment he sprinted to the villa and saw the blazing house, Pei Yan felt as if he had been brutally stabbed.

In the instant the curtain fell, he saw Ming Yanxi sitting at the birthday cake, holding the urn in her arms.

She gave him a familiar smile, just like the one she had when they first met.

"Goodbye, I hate you. If I could start over…"

"I'll never marry you again......"

Before she finishes her sentence, the whole house collapses with a loud crash.

In a daze, Ming Yanxi seems to see Pei Yan kneeling on the ground.

Forget it.

Her Little Shiny came to pick her up.

"Mommy, mommy."