The Baby I Lost Is Actually with My Ex-Husband!
Chapter 252 - Chapter 252: Chapter 252: Going Dutch

Chapter 252: Chapter 252: Going Dutch

The two Little Babys had a playful argument in the car, but it wasn’t a serious fight, just bickering for fun.

When they got home, Momo and Han were tired. They went to their rooms, took early baths, and went to bed.

Lin Qi also returned to her room for a bath. After she was done, wrapped in her bathrobe, she walked to the living room and saw Huo Tingdong sitting on the sofa, lighting a cigarette.

She was somewhat surprised.

After all, she rarely saw him smoke; he wasn’t addicted to it.

“Why did you start smoking?”

Huo Tingdong thought she was sensitive to the smell of smoke, so he consciously snuffed out the cigarette in the ashtray and stood up: “Lin Qi, let’s have a serious talk.”

He went back to the bedroom.

Lin Qi didn’t know what he wanted to discuss with her but returned to the bedroom and closed the door.

After a brief silence, Huo Tingdong turned around and looked at her: “Are you still angry?”

He felt a subtle change in Lin Qi’s attitude towards him, a bit lukewarm.

Thinking about the argument they had the night before last, he thought she took to heart all the things he had said.

Lin Qi said, “Angry about what?”

Huo Tingdong said, “The night before last, I said some things I didn’t mean.”

Lin Qi said, “Which sentence?”

Huo Tingdong: “…” He was momentarily at a loss for words.

Lin Qi said, “I think a rational man like you considers every word carefully. Huo Tingdong, I’m not angry, and I shouldn’t be! As you said, about Lili’s matter, she’s not your biological daughter, and you’re not obligated to take care of her. Whether you decide to send her away or let her biological parents take her back, you’re not wrong.”

Huo Tingdong furrowed his brows, “But you care about her a lot.”

Lin Qi said, “Just think of me as a Holy Mother then! Didn’t you also say the other day that I was the Holy Mother.”

Huo Tingdong was speechless again.

Lin Qi said, “Let me reiterate, I just think Lili is pitiable. If I didn’t have the capability, so be it, but I do, so why can’t I take care of her? Rest assured, from now on, I won’t ask you to provide for me. And I won’t morally compel you to raise Lili with me. I will take care of myself, earn money to support Momo, and support Lili.”

Huo Tingdong said, “So you’re just leaving me out of this?”

Lin Qi said, “How can I ask you to genuinely care for a child who is not of your own flesh and blood?”

Huo Tingdong walked up to her: “Haven’t you ever thought that while I may not want to take care of Lili, I would like to take care of you?”

Upon hearing that, Lin Qi’s gaze flickered: “How could I dare to expect you to provide for me for a lifetime? I’ve known since I was young one principle: men are absolutely unreliable! I admit, my education isn’t high and I don’t have much to my name. I might not earn your fortune even if I give it my all! You were born with a silver spoon, but I’m different. Compared to you, I’m like someone born from mud, never dreaming of skyrocketing success; I just want to lead a decent life peacefully.”

After a pause, she continued, “So, I don’t want to depend on anyone else. After this matter, I’ll look for a job and earn money to support myself!”

Huo Tingdong: “…” He felt as if he had punched cotton.

Lin Qi said, “Aren’t you the one who wanted us to have a trial marriage? During this trial marriage, we apply the principle of splitting expenses. You spend your money, and I’ll spend mine. Han’s custody is yours, his expenses are yours to deal with, Momo is with me, and I’ll be responsible for his expenses.”

Huo Tingdong couldn’t stand listening anymore: “Why do you need to separate everything so clearly with me? Just because of Lili’s issue, you hold a grudge against me?”

She didn’t notice that his tone had changed.

But indeed, he was greatly annoyed by her words!

In her eyes, was he such a stingy person, even insisting on splitting the children’s expenses so precisely, and that she had to adhere to a split expenses policy with him?

Lin Qi said, “I wouldn’t dare spend your money. Didn’t you hear what your grandma said? If Momo wants the Huo Family to acknowledge him, he must change his name! As for me, I am your ex-wife; I don’t have the right to spend your money.”

She failed to realize the sting in her words, perhaps because of Huo Tingdong’s indifference towards Lili, or perhaps because of her visit to the Huo Family and the wounds inflicted by the Old Lady’s words earlier that day, so much so that she had developed some resentment towards Huo Tingdong.

Huo Tingdong said, “Old Madam Huo is my grandma; she does not represent my stance. I’ve already made my attitude clear, I won’t force Momo to change his surname. If he wants to take your surname, then so be it.”

Lin Qi suddenly asked out of curiosity: “Huo Tingdong, what if Han also took the ‘Lin’ surname? If both children took my surname, what would your attitude be?”

Did he say he didn’t care about the children’s surname out of respect for her, respect for the children, or simply because he already had a son who bore his own surname?

What if Han also wanted to take her surname?

Huo Tingdong didn’t say anything for a moment.

Lin Qi asked, “You heard that Han is also willing to take my surname. Didn’t you say you respect the children’s wishes? If Han wants to take my surname, do you agree?”

If Momo was willing to take Huo Tingdong’s surname, she would be willing.

But what about him?

What would his attitude be if Han wanted to take her surname?

Huo Tingdong said, “I don’t care.”

Lin Qi said, “Then tomorrow, I’ll take Han to change his surname.”

Huo Tingdong’s face suddenly tensed up: “Do you care so much about the surname? Just because I let Han take your surname, does it prove how much I care for you? Or should I just change my surname to match yours? Would that be enough to prove how much I care for you?”

Lin Qi angrily said, “It’s your grandma who cares, you should ask her if the Huo Family will disown Momo if he doesn’t change his surname! However, my stance is also clear, if Old Madam Huo hopes for Momo to honor his ancestors, and demands that he must change his surname or else the Huo Family will not acknowledge him, then let them disown him. After all, Momo is my son, and whether the Huo Family recognizes him or not is not my concern.”

Huo Tingdong said, “If you have been offended by the Huo Family, you don’t have to go back in the future. I won’t force you to. But if you take out your anger on me because of such things, there’s no need!”

After speaking, he pushed open the door and left.

Lin Qi turned around, stared absently at Huo Tingdong’s retreating back, and clenched her fists.

She restrained the discomfort in her heart, got up to close the door, lay down on the bed, and amidst her chaotic thoughts, she drifted off to sleep.

The next morning.

She was rudely awakened by the vibration of her cellphone next to her pillow.

Lin Qi picked up the phone, only to discover it was an unmarked number.

She answered, putting the phone to her ear: “Hello?”

Suddenly, the Old Lady’s voice came through: “Lin Qi, will you or will you not allow Momo to change his surname?”

Hearing that it was Old Madam Huo calling, Lin Qi sat up from the bed: “Old Madam Huo?”

Her tone was clearly very angry, fixating on one question: “Will you or will you not allow Momo to change his surname?”