CHAPTER 214: CHAPTER 214: DAD IN A FARAWAY CITY

An Junxi stared blankly at Gu Yikun’s face on the television. Two years had passed, yet he had not changed a bit. His resolute features had become even more steadfast, and his emotions were hidden so deeply that even she couldn’t read him anymore.

The reporter interviewing him this time was rather bold with their questions, "President Gu, recently there have been rumors that you secretly registered for marriage three years ago, but the marriage lasted less than a year before you divorced. Could you please clarify this..."

Gu Yikun’s face remained unchanged as he cut in, "These are all just rumors. I hope the gossip stops here today."

An Junxi’s grip tightened.

The baby in her arms started to cry, "Painful..."

Only then did An Junxi realize she had been gripping the baby’s hand too tightly, the delicate skin on the baby’s arm had turned red from her grip.

She blew gently on the baby’s hand, holding the baby while soothing continuously, "It doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t hurt, it’s Mommy’s fault, don’t cry, baby..."

Gu Aixi was an impish little rascal who just wanted to get her mom’s attention, and the moment her mom comforted her, she giggled.

But An Junxi’s eyes reddened, she kissed her daughter’s cheek, "Ai Xi, your daddy really hates me."

Gu Aixi placed her tiny hand on An Junxi’s face, mimicking how her mom comforted her, "Mommy, don’t cry, don’t cry."

An Junxi’s tears fell even faster. Her daughter had been sensible from birth, while she, as a mother, had not done anything well.

"Okay, mommy won’t cry. Ai Xi, do you want to see your daddy?"

Gu Aixi was very smart, a baby of over one year old who learned things quickly, walking and talking much faster than most children of her age. This was An Junxi’s greatest comfort.

At her most difficult times, Heaven had blessed her with such a smart and understanding daughter, otherwise she didn’t know how she would have made it through.

Hearing the word "daddy," Gu Aixi turned to look at the TV screen, pointing at the man on it, calling "Daddy," but when the scene changed to someone else, she turned back to An Junxi with a wronged expression, pouting, "Not daddy."

An Junxi wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes, "Daddy works in a faraway city, he’s very busy."

Gu Aixi didn’t understand such long sentences, she bit her finger, her big watery eyes were a bit confused.

The TV interview ended, An Junxi asked, "Baby, are you hungry?"

She knew the baby must be hungry by this time. She used to mix the baby’s formula on time, later her mom taught her to talk to the baby more, so the baby would learn to talk faster.

She was a novice mom, if it weren’t for having her parents around, she truly didn’t know how to care for such a small child.

Upon hearing her mom’s question, Gu Aixi replied, "Hungry, hungry."

Her little head habitually leaned towards An Junxi’s chest for milk, but An Junxi said, "Wait, mommy will make you some formula."

She rarely breastfed, Ai Xi had hardly ever had breast milk growing up, and each time she thought of this, An Junxi felt a pang of guilt, feeling she owed this child.

Two years ago, their family of three was taken in by a fisherman on this small island. The island had been prosperous before, but with the sea pollution, the number of seafood decreased day by day, fishing no longer sustained the fishermen’s lives, and many left the island for opportunities in big cities.

The population on the island dwindled. When they arrived, there were fewer than thirty people left, nearly all old folks, women, and children.

A few young people couldn’t bear to leave their parents alone, so they stayed behind out of filial piety, barely getting by through fishing.

The fishermen here were kind and simple. Facing their inquiries, An Junxi frankly said she and her husband were going through a divorce and had left home without anything, her parents followed because they were worried about her, and they had encountered an accident at sea, which led them to drift here.

Sister Chen, who brought them back to the island, had advised her for a long time, for the child’s sake, they should not act recklessly, but go home as soon as possible.

Mrs. An said, "Which couple doesn’t have arguments? They just need some time apart to cool down. We wonder if it’s possible for us to stay here temporarily. My husband and I are used to working, we can do any kind of job."

An Junxi was feeling nauseous, hearing her mom say that, she started crying.

She had never properly fulfilled her duty as a daughter, yet now, at their age, her parents were suffering because of her.

Mr. An comforted her, "Silly girl, what’s there to cry about? Your mom and I aren’t that old, taking care of a grandchild through college is no problem!"

An Junxi threw herself into her dad’s arms, "Dad, I’m sorry...I’ve let you down..."

Sister Chen, moved by the scene, said, "I take care of my mother-in-law and father-in-law at home, usually selling some fish and shrimp. There’s an old house next to mine, you can stay there for the time being. This young lady seems delicate and fair-skinned, different from the rough folks on our island. I wonder if she’ll get used to staying here."

An Junxi gratefully said, "It’s fine, as long as we have a place, I’m not afraid of hardships. Thank you."

Sister Chen said, "You can do some odd jobs on the island, and you can eat at our place for the time being. Everyone goes through tough times, just remember not to argue too much with your husband when you reconcile, it’s really hard on everyone!"

Mrs. An thanked Sister Chen gratefully, and Sister Chen took them to the old house she mentioned, "This house hasn’t been lived in for a long time, it needs some cleaning up."

It took them several days to clean the house. Sister Chen brought over two clean quilts, "These quilts look old, but I’ve washed and sunned them. Make do with these for now."

An Junxi didn’t know how to thank her, she would often help out at Sister Chen’s fish stall with handling the fish and shrimp.

An Dexe would frequently go out to sea with the fishermen, while Mrs. An would help with processing the fresh catch with other women, separating the better-looking ones which would be sold to buyers from the town across the sea, and the less appealing ones would be taken to the market to be sold cheaply, which also attracted many buyers.

Mr. and Mrs. An were used to working on the farm, so they could handle the island life quite well. But it was particularly tough for An Junxi, who tolerated the fishy smell for the first few days before she couldn’t stand it anymore, frequently retching on the side but unable to throw up anything.

Sister Chen took pity on her, "Dear, don’t push yourself too hard. You’re pregnant, so take more rest. I can handle this work alone."

An Junxi offered, "Let me take care of Grandma and Grandpa at home, and help with cooking."

Sister Chen noticed the young girl couldn’t be idle for even a moment, and making sure not to let her do too much heavy work, she specifically went to town to get many small shell decorations for An Junxi to make crafts at home.

She said, "These shell bracelets and necklaces are very popular among tourists in town. Though our island is now deserted, the town opposite is bustling. Every year in August and September, many tourists come over to play, and these souvenirs sell very well."