She abandoned her husband first, then her children, and was ecstatic after the divorce.

Fu Xingze bit his lip, feeling somewhat lost.

But what he wanted was never his mother's apology.

He whispered, "Dad, I don't think Mom did anything wrong. We should be the ones apologizing to her..."

Fu Xiuheng was stunned, as if struck by lightning.

In the ward.

Lingdang was clinging to Lin Qingran, acting all cute and charming, completely unlike the timid and cowardly person she had been in front of Fu Xiuheng just moments before.

He nestled in Lin Qingran's arms, "Mommy, was the bell really fierce just now?"

Lin Qingran's heart melted, and she gently stroked the soft hair on Lingdang's head.

"The bell is the most powerful."

But how did Lingdang know that Fu Xiuheng was her biological father?

She never told Bell.

Lin Qingran subconsciously assumed it was Bo Ye who said it, but when she looked at Bo Ye, he looked terrified and sat there looking lost.

It seems he didn't expect what the bell would do either.

Just as Lin Qingran was filled with doubts, the door to the ward was opened.

“You don’t need to doubt it anymore, I taught Lingdang to say that.”

Lin Qingran quickly sat up straight, wanting to get out of bed, "Teacher."

"Stay put and don't move." Jiang Yuanbai walked over.

Bo Ye quickly moved a chair over and let Jiang Yuanbai sit by Lin Qingran's bed.

Lin Qingran looked at Jiang Yuanbai with a guilty expression, "Teacher, you've really gone to a lot of trouble, coming all the way to the capital."

“Even if nothing had happened to you, I would still have come,” Jiang Yuanbai said.

“That guy surnamed Fu is using his power and influence to threaten you with the Nine Children Playing in the Water picture. But if I just let Fu Xiuheng threaten you like this, I don’t deserve to adopt you.”

Lin Qingran felt even more guilty and lowered her head.

"I'm the one who's caused trouble for the teacher."

"Are you still going to call me teacher?" Jiang Yuanbai stared intently at Lin Qingran.

Lin Qingran bit her lip and remained silent.

Jiang Yuanbai sighed, "Your teacher's wife truly loves you. When she adopted you, she raised you as her own daughter. But you've been sensible since you were little. You know that people of our status are under the watchful eyes of many outsiders. If you were to actually call us Mom and Dad, people outside would gossip about me."

"Back then, when the Lin family wanted to come after you to protect our reputation, you received advance notice and left first. But Jiuge, now you're facing Fu Xiuheng, who almost killed you. Are you still going to fight them all by yourself?"

Jiang Yuanbai held Lin Qingran's hand, his face full of worry.

“Child, we’ve watched you grow up. We know how much you suffered back then. Even if you don’t think about yourself, you should think about Lingdang.”

Lin Qingran remained silent for a long time before finally speaking, her voice hoarse.

"dad……"

Jiang Yuanbai smiled with relief, "That's right. Before your mother passed away, you were the one she was most worried about. Now that she knows from beyond the grave that her daughter was finally willing to use our influence to protect herself, she will feel gratified."

Lin Qingran covered her face, and tears streamed down her face.

She was the Lin family's biological daughter, but the Lin family was afraid of benefiting from their fame.

She and Professor Jiang Yuanbo met by chance and had no blood relation whatsoever, yet they were willing to give everything for her. Jiang Yuanbo even disregarded his reputation in his later years to protect her.

With such family members by her side, why should Lin Qingran be timid and hesitant in front of Fu Xiuheng?

He needs to pick up a suitable weapon and protect himself; this is the true way he can repay Jiang Yuanbai and Teacher An.

Lingdang, understanding and sensible, hugged Lin Qingran and used her little hands to wipe away the tears on the young man's face.

"Don't cry, Mommy, the bell will protect you!"

Lin Qingran stopped crying and smiled, hugging Lingdang's small body.

"Little girl, how old are you? How can you protect your mother?"

"I don't know, but I will definitely do my best." Lingdang clenched her little fists, her face full of determination.

"Grandpa said that the man bullied Mom, so Lingdang will protect Mom no matter what and will never let what happened before happen again."

Lin Qingran looked at Jiang Yuanbai, who sighed.

“There are some things that children have to know sooner or later. Although Lingdang is young, she is sensible from a young age. It’s better to tell her sooner rather than later, otherwise, if they come looking for her again one day, Lingdang will be caught off guard. You yourself were a lost child, and you know how much suffering you endured after being reunited with your family. I don’t want Lingdang to go through the same old path as you did.”

Lin Qingran nodded silently. Yes, there are some things that you should not tell your child, thinking that you are protecting them, but in fact you are harming them.

And the bell is getting bigger and bigger; it will be time for her to go to kindergarten soon.

When he gets to kindergarten and sees that all the other children have them, but his dad doesn't, he'll definitely be sad.

It would be better to tell her sooner rather than later. This would both prepare Lingdang mentally and protect her.

“Okay, Mom believes in Lingdang.” Lin Qingran smiled and tapped Lingdang’s nose.

After cuddling with the bell for a while, Lin Qingran looked at Jiang Yuanbai.

"Dad, I'm fine here. You should go back to Yuncheng as soon as possible tomorrow. Don't worry about me. I'll head back as soon as I finish teaching Fu Xingze."

“We don’t have anything to do in Yuncheng, so we’re not in a hurry to leave,” Jiang Yuanbai said.

“I was thinking about it at home. You’re going abroad for an art exhibition soon. I’ll take Lingdang with me. So we’ll stay at the old house in Beijing for a while. You’ll have a place to stay, so you won’t be held hostage by Fu Xiuheng again.”

Jiang Yuanbai wasn't really going to accompany Lin Qingran to the art exhibition; he was clearly worried about her.

Even though Lin Qingran only stayed in the capital for a few days, Jiang Yuanbai still felt uneasy.

“But what about Lingdang’s identity…” Lin Qingran said with some worry.

Fu Xiuheng has always been a person who will not give up until he achieves his goal. Today he has seen Lingdang with his own eyes, even though Lingdang has never had any features similar to Fu Xiuheng since she was born.

But once Fu Xiuheng becomes suspicious, he will definitely investigate to the end.

If he secretly goes to get a paternity test done with Lingdang when no one is looking, the whole thing will be exposed.

"Don't worry, I've already arranged it," Jiang Yuanbai said.

As he spoke, he glanced at Bo Ye as if by accident.

Susukino immediately understood and stood up.

"I'm going to the bathroom."

Susukino slipped out and made a phone call.

"Yes, keep a close eye on Fu Xiuheng. Don't let him notice the bell, and especially don't let him get a sample of it. If you do this well, you'll get a promotion and a raise."

Bo Ye gave some instructions and then hung up the phone.

He then turned and went back to his ward.

But he didn't notice that a figure slowly emerged from the corner after he left.