Xia Zhenyuan returned to the Southern Mountains while Qiu Zhi and the three children waited for him in the courtyard.
Seeing that Xia Zhenyuan did not look too good, Qiu Zhi asked worriedly, "What did they call you over for?"
Xia Zhenyuan did not want Qiu Zhi and the three children to know about that troubling matter. He shook his head. "It's all settled. It's nothing. Don't worry."
Qiu Zhi nodded. "Let's go in first!"
At night, Qiu Zhi and Xia Zhenyuan lay on the bed. Qiu Zhi could not help but ask, "I know it was difficult for you to say it in front of the children. Why did the people at the old residence call you over?"
Xia Zhenyuan recalled Xia Wangshi's unreasonable request and was still somewhat angry. Qiu Zhi had asked again and he had no intention of hiding it from her.
It was only after they separated that Xia Zhenyuan realized how cowardly and filial he used to be.