Chapter 13: Do You Really Think I Can’t Live Without a Babysitter Like You?

Love?

If it were the old Lu Fan, he might have replied with a simple "I love you."

She was his wife, the mother of his daughter—they were family. How could he not love her?

But after five years of genuine devotion, seeing the recent actions of the Jiang family, after submitting the divorce application, he felt not sadness or reluctance, but relief and liberation.

He realized then that what he felt for Jiang Ruoxue was not love, but more a sense of gratitude or a duty toward family.

Seeing his hesitation, Jiang Ruoxue took a step forward and firmly grasped his sturdy wrist. "Tell me, do you love me or not?"

Lu Fan pulled his hand away. "Does it really matter? We’re already divorced. Miss Jiang, it was you who said we should part on good terms."

He glanced at the darkening sky outside, his voice low and steady: "It’s late. You should rest."

With those words, Lu Fan left Jiang Ruoxue speechless. She bit her lip and said, "I’m hungry."

A sigh came softly beside her ear. "What do you want to eat?"

"Anything," she replied, "as long as you make it."

She didn’t say the last part, and Lu Fan didn’t refuse. "Wait here a moment. I’ll change and make something for you."

When he returned, dressed in casual home clothes, his tall figure busy in the kitchen, Jiang Ruoxue silently convinced herself that he was still attentive to her every need.

If that wasn’t love, then what was?

Eating the egg and shredded pork noodles Lu Fan prepared, she no longer fussed over the food—it tasted like the most delicious meal in the world.

By the time he finished cleaning the kitchen and came out, it was already one in the morning.

She was too full to sleep, having wanted to discuss the acupuncture treatment with him.

In five years, she had mostly given him orders and never calmly spoken about anything.

"Lu Fan, I—"

Unexpectedly, his first words upon coming out were, "My hand will only be able to receive acupuncture for two more days at most. You should find a maid to take care of you quickly. Otherwise, after I leave, you..."

Jiang Ruoxue glared coldly at him. "I don’t need you to worry about me. You’re just a caretaker. Do you really think I can’t live without you?"

Having said that, she slammed the door and stormed into the bedroom.

Lu Fan stared at the closed bedroom door, helplessly shaking his head. With Jiang Ruoxue’s temperament, he wondered if Shen Qianye could stand it.

Well, she didn’t love him—that was why she acted this way. She must be gentle and clingy with Shen Qianye. What was he worrying about?

He applied some ointment to help the wounds on his hand heal faster.

In two days, he could completely sever ties with the Jiang family.

The next day.

Lu Fan still prepared breakfast. Whether Jiang Ruoxue ate or not, he left her a portion.

Jiang Ruoxue appeared pale and somewhat worn out.

Lu Fan thought she was worried about her father and tried to comfort her. "Don’t worry. Third Master Qin won’t be harmed. Your father will be released soon."

"Mm."

Lu Fan checked the time. "Today I’ll go to the new house to buy some things. I won’t have time to cook tonight. By the way, have the maid come tomorrow. I need to explain some things to her in person."

Jiang Ruoxue suddenly looked up, her millet porridge losing its appeal.

"Where are you moving to?"

Lu Fan replied, "Jinxiu Lanyuan. It’s fully furnished and ready to move in. The nearby schools are among the best in the district."

Her expression abruptly grew cold. "Lu Fan, do you even listen to me? I told you to cut all ties with Lin Ziyu. Whatever she gives you, I can give you too!"

Jiang Ruoxue didn’t even realize how bitter her words sounded.

Lu Fan took it as a woman’s jealousy and explained kindly, "Ziyu and I are not what you think. To me, she’s like a sister."

Jiang Ruoxue snorted coldly. "Which of those little admirers doesn’t call her ‘sister’?"

This was only making things worse; Lu Fan felt speechless.

Not one for many words, he stood and headed to the kitchen.

When he came out, Jiang Ruoxue was already dressed, wearing a white Chanel-style skirt, carrying a Hermès bag, and stepping into silver high heels.

Her long legs were fair and straight, her shapely figure captivating any man who looked.

"Are you going to the office?" Lu Fan opened the door for her, gentlemanly and polite.

"Xiao You is my daughter. I would never let her live in a house registered under another woman’s name. Aren’t you looking at houses? I’ll go with you."

"No, that house really was my purchase..."

Jiang Ruoxue sneered. "You? Even if you sold every organ, you couldn’t afford thirty percent of the down payment for a house in that area. I’m not unaware of your background. Why put on a front? You’re rude to your wife instead of Lin Ziyu!"

"Wife."

That familiar yet strange word made Lu Fan momentarily stunned.

Though they weren’t fully divorced yet, she had never called him that before.

While Lu Fan was lost in thought, Jiang Ruoxue slid into the front passenger seat.

For the first time, she didn’t sit in the back treating him like a chauffeur.

Lu Fan didn’t mind, shifting gears with one hand.

Jiang Ruoxue suddenly noticed this version of Lu Fan—though not dressed in a suit, he looked much more appealing.

With the cleanliness of a college boy and the steadiness of a man.

She even wondered, if Lu Fan’s family background were better, might they not have come to this point?

Lost in thought, Lu Fan had already driven to the Jiang family’s building. Jiang Ruoxue frowned. "What are you doing here?"

"Miss Jiang, the house arrangements are already taken care of. I appreciate your kindness, but if you truly want to make it up to Xiao You, your presence is the best compensation. It’s late; you should go to work now."

He unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the door.

Jiang Ruoxue snapped, "Ungrateful! You deserve to be deceived."

Suddenly overwhelmed with helplessness, she thought of the Lu Fan she used to tightly control—now he was like sand slipping through her fingers.

The harder she tried to hold on, the faster he slipped away.

It’s just a caretaker—what’s the big deal?

Jiang Ruoxue instructed her assistant, "Find me a maid. She must start tomorrow."

"Yes, Madam Jiang."

That night, when Jiang Ruoxue returned, the room was dark.

Before, no matter when she came home, Lu Fan would always leave a light on for her.

The house was cold and empty.

Jiang Ruoxue pushed open the door to the children’s room. Xiao You was not there.

At this hour, neither mother nor daughter was home—they must be at that so-called new house.

Her gaze fell on a suitcase in the corner, inexplicably turning sour inside.

He had packed his bags, waiting for the last day to leave.

At that moment, Jiang Ruoxue truly felt that Lu Fan was really leaving her.

She had thought for five years about shaking off this loser. Now that it was really happening, she felt no joy.

From downstairs came the sound of a car.

Jiang Ruoxue opened the door and saw Xiao You holding a lollipop, waving to Lin Ziyu.

"Goodbye, Auntie Ziyu."

Lin Ziyu kissed Xiao You’s forehead. "You’re such a good girl. See you tomorrow. Bye-bye."

It was as if the three of them were a family.

After seeing Lin Ziyu off, Xiao You turned and saw Jiang Ruoxue, instinctively wiping the smile from her lips.

"Mom, Mommy."

Jiang Ruoxue, thinking of how sweetly Xiao You smiled at the other woman but shrank away from her, suddenly felt a surge of anger.

She snatched the lollipop from Xiao You’s hand and threw it into the trash.

"Do you even know who your mother is? Are you happy with something given to you by a stranger?"

Xiao You was frightened to tears.

Lu Fan scolded sharply, "Jiang Ruoxue, that’s enough!"