Vice Principal Zhou?

Huaxing Trade Company.

Chen Yinuo, who had just settled into her position in the business cooperation team and gotten familiar with the work, answered the phone with surprise.

Why was the vice principal of Bauhinia Kindergarten calling her?

"Yuyou's mom, I wanted to let you know that you can bring Yuyou back to Bauhinia Kindergarten. Her tuition fees have been paid, including those for the next semester!" Zhou Xiaolan said.

"What? Vice Principal Zhou, are you sure there isn't a mistake? How could Yuyou's tuition fees be paid off?"

Chen Yinuo was stunned, striding quickly toward the restroom as she spoke.

"It was paid by Yuyou's father!"

"Ye Chen? How does he even know that Yuyou transferred schools?" Chen Yinuo was even more confused.

"Well, it happened by chance. I bumped into Mr. Ye and recognized him as Yuyou's father. I casually mentioned it, and he said he didn't know because of a previous conflict with you. Then he came back to the kindergarten with me to pay the tuition fees. Yuyou's mom, the tuition issue has been resolved. Compared to the other kindergartens, the learning and growth environment at Bauhinia is unparalleled. Please bring Yuyou back to us tomorrow!"

After exchanging a few more polite words, the call ended, leaving Chen Yinuo utterly dumbfounded.

That miserly scoundrel paid Yuyou's tuition?

And not just for this semester, but for the next one as well? A total of 18,000 yuan?

Was he no longer worried about his loan sharks?

To Chen Yinuo, this was as unbelievable as Ye Chen suddenly producing 100,000 yuan to help Chen Yihao settle a debt. In her eyes, Ye Chen was selfish to the core—always putting himself first and caring only about his own survival.

A man who once stole the New Year's gift money meant for Yuyou's tuition to gamble, who ranted about kindergarten being a waste of money, would now willingly pay 18,000 yuan in tuition for his daughter?

And this, when he owed over 200,000 yuan and was at constant risk of being attacked if he couldn't pay it back?

No. The selfish, cowardly, and spineless Ye Chen she knew would never do such a thing.

But how could she explain what Vice Principal Zhou had just told her?

After much hesitation, she dialed a phone number she hadn't called in a long time.

Outside the bank.

Ye Chen held a black bag containing 300,000 yuan as he stepped out of the bank.

His phone rang.

Seeing the caller ID labeled Yinuo, his breathing quickened.

Yinuo?

"You paid the tuition for Yuyou's remaining semester and the next one?"

Chen Yinuo's voice was as cold as ever.

"Yes. I happened to run into Vice Principal Zhou, who told me that Yuyou was no longer at Bauhinia Kindergarten because of financial issues and had been transferred to another school. She mentioned that the environment at those other kindergartens couldn't compare to Bauhinia and that Yuyou's education and growth were being compromised. So I went back to the kindergarten with her and paid the tuition fees."

Before Ye Chen could finish explaining, he continued, "Yinuo, this concerns our child's education and development. No matter how much you resent or dislike me, we should have discussed—"

But before he could finish, Chen Yinuo cut him off.

"Discuss with you? Ye Chen, do you even have the nerve to say that to me? Are you blaming me for transferring Yuyou to another school?"

"I—"

Ye Chen tried to explain, but she gave him no chance.

"Isn't all this your fault? If I had any other choice, would I have transferred Yuyou? Don't you think I know Bauhinia Kindergarten's facilities and programs are far superior? If I could afford it, would I have taken her out?"

"It's you, Ye Chen. You drove us into a corner! I tried borrowing money from others, but they refused. Do you know why? Because I'm still repaying the money I borrowed to cover your gambling debts! Do you think anyone will lend me a penny now? I can't borrow anything, not a single yuan. My credit cards are maxed out because you stole them. Even online loans—every platform that would lend me money—have been used up because you took my ID and phone to apply for them behind my back!"

"You've pushed me to the brink! Do you understand that? I could barely pay the 1,000 yuan for a regular kindergarten. I've struggled to cover rent, utilities, food, and daily expenses for me and Yuyou!"

At this point, her voice broke into sobs.

For a long time, she had thought she was strong enough to endure. She believed she had grown numb to all of it.

But speaking about it again revealed the depth of her pain. She felt like a pitiful weed—a weed without roots.

No, she wasn't even as resilient as a weed.

At least weeds had roots.

She was like a rootless duckweed, adrift with no sense of belonging or hope.

She had no husband—just a despicable, good-for-nothing scoundrel.

She had no family—her relatives treated her with disdain.

Her life with her daughter was one of constant pressure.

The never-ending calls from debt collectors.

The black mark on her credit report.

Her boss's relentless harassment and suppression at work.

She couldn't breathe under it all.

If it weren't for her daughter, Yuyou, she might have already sought release through death.

Eventually, her sobbing subsided. She wiped away her tears and refused to say more about her suffering.

After all, venting to a scoundrel like Ye Chen was pointless.

With a deep breath, she steadied herself.

"There's no point in continuing this conversation. That's the end of it. Biologically, you are Yuyou's father. Since you've paid her tuition, I'll take her back to Bauhinia Kindergarten."

With that, she gave him no chance to respond and hung up.

In the restroom mirror.

She pulled out a tissue to wipe her tears and a cheap compact to cover the signs of crying.

Taking several deep breaths, she composed herself and forced a smile before stepping out.

Her heart, though, remained shattered, each piece twisting with pain.

But no matter how much it hurt, she had to maintain a facade of strength. She couldn't let anyone see her vulnerabilities.

Life was exhausting, and survival was bitter.

But for Yuyou, she couldn't afford to be weak.

Outside the bank.

Ye Chen stood frozen, clutching the silent phone.

Like a statue, he didn't move for a long time.

Eventually, tears streamed uncontrollably down his face.

"I'm sorry..."

His dry throat trembled as he whispered hoarsely.

He didn't call her back.

After taking a deep breath to calm himself, he adjusted his emotions.

Then, holding the black bag with 300,000 yuan, he walked toward a waiting taxi.

Opening the door, he got in.

"Driver, take me to Anda Finance Company. Thanks."