"Great! Wait a moment, I’ll be right over!" With that, Ye Anxin hung up the phone and left after giving Lin Hua a quick word.

By the time Ye Anxin appeared at the Chinese restaurant Nan Mingchuan mentioned, twenty minutes had already passed!

In the private room, Ye Anxin sat across from Nan Mingchuan and asked curiously, "Dad, what couldn’t be said at the company that you had to bring me out here? And not let anyone come with me?"

"Anxin, have a cup of tea first! This is red date tea I specially ordered for you, it’s good for the blood!" Saying this, he personally poured Ye Anxin a cup of tea and handed it to her!

Ye Anxin nodded, took the red date tea and sipped it!

Looking at the gentle expression on Ye Anxin’s face sitting opposite, Nan Mingchuan felt even more guilty!

After meeting Mu Beiting that day, he had been tormented by deep guilt! Especially seeing Anxin being so obedient, understanding, and filial, he felt even more sorry for her!

For the past twenty-six years, he had never fulfilled a day of his responsibilities as a father, never raised her for a day, never given her a penny, and now he was going to use her, burdening her with Nanshang Group!

The more he thought about it, the more he felt he was not human! Not worthy of being her father!

So, after days of inner struggle, he still wanted to meet her!

Seeing Nan Mingchuan looking like he had something on the tip of his tongue he couldn’t say, Ye Anxin laughed and said, "Dad, what’s the matter! We’re father and daughter, what can’t be said, why hesitate?"

After hesitating for a while, Nan Mingchuan couldn’t help but ask, "Anxin! Do you regret acknowledging me as your father?"

Ye Anxin furrowed her brows and asked puzzled, "Dad, why do you ask?"

Nan Mingchuan said sadly, "For the past twenty-six years, I’ve never taken care of you and your mother, letting you both suffer! I have imagined countless times the scene of reunion and recognition with you and your mother! I once thought that you might hate me, blame me, refuse to forgive me, refuse to recognize me! I didn’t expect that you not only don’t hate me but easily acknowledge me as your father!"

Ye Anxin shrugged with a smile, "Why should I blame you? Twenty-six years ago, it wasn’t your fault! No one wanted those things to happen! Besides, you have been looking for us for twenty-six years, your guilt is absolved! I’m not the type to hold onto others’ pain and not let go! Isn’t it better to be a bit more forgiving towards people and situations?"

Upon hearing this, Nan Mingchuan felt a twinge in his nose and said with reddened eyes, "Anxin, you’re wonderful, truly wonderful! Your mother has raised you very well over the years! You have the same personality as your mom when she was young! You might think I loved Fang Chuo for her looks! But, you wouldn’t know that people like us, we’ve encountered all sorts of beauties in life! We’re the most resistant to beauty! The reason I fell in love with your mother back then was also because of her personality! She was tolerant, generous, and gentle. In the intensely competitive business world at that time, I was under immense pressure every day! But every time I saw your mother, I felt secure and warm, as if all the pressure vanished at the sight of her! She made me feel the warmth of family and the care of a wife!"

After hearing Nan Mingchuan’s last sentence, Ye Anxin asked puzzled, "Then what about Auntie...?"

"Xue Rong and I are a rational union! Back then, the Nan Family was just an unknown small business in Du City, and she was my secretary, just back from studying abroad! We fought and worked hard together! I was deeply committed to work, and Xue Rong was very capable as well. For the Nan Family, I married her! I once vowed that even if I couldn’t give Xue Rong my heart, I would treat her well and cherish her for life! Because back then, I thought, I would never find a woman who understood me, knew me, and knew what I needed! However... I never expected, I...!" Nan Mingchuan paused, his eyes gradually becoming unfocused, as if he was lost in memories from a long, long time ago.

Seeing this unfamiliar side of her father, Ye Anxin’s feelings were incredibly complex!

Nan Mingchuan stared at the glass in front of him, his focus gradually dispersing, "From the first moment I saw your mother, I knew, I was going to fall! I’d never seen such warm eyes! Like the winter sun, capable of warming the heart! During our growing time together, I discovered many of her advantages! She was optimistic, cheerful, positive, and upward-looking! Even though she didn’t understand my work, she could give me a warm smile when I was troubled by work! Every day at the company, at home, even when with Xue Rong, we only talked about work! Only when I was with your mother could I fully relax, forget troubles, and enjoy life! I even felt a sense of regret at meeting her so late!"

Ye Anxin quietly listened, without interrupting him!

Nan Mingchuan gave a self-deprecating smile and continued, "But ironically, I met her through my wife! Without Xue Rong, I might never have met your mother in this life! Because of the responsibility I carried, I couldn’t abandon Xue Rong, yet couldn’t bear to let go of your mother! I once thought, how nice it would be to continue this way! Except for the title of wife, I could give your mother everything!"

"...!" Listening to Nan Mingchuan’s words, Ye Anxin unconsciously recalled her mother’s words from long ago!

Her mother also said, as long as she could be with her father, she would be willing even without a title forever!

Unfortunately, fate played its tricks... there’s always a Xue Rong between them, which meant they were destined not to be together!

Nan Mingchuan sighed and said helplessly, "Your mother and I are destined to have fate without a relationship, to never be together! I owe Xue Rong too much, she’s given too much for me, and I can’t abandon her, so your mother and I are destined to miss each other! Sometimes, I really envy you and President Mu, meeting the right person at the right time! Someone like President Mu, standing at the peak of success, lacks nothing, except that warmth of family! So, Anxin... cherish the bond between you two, don’t end up regretting it for life!"

Ye Anxin nodded, confidently promising, "I understand! I will definitely cherish Uncle well! I won’t let there be regrets between us!"

"President Mu truly treats you very well, always putting you first, sacrificing a lot for you! Including the new president’s succession ceremony this time!" As he said this, Nan Mingchuan’s tone shifted, and he suddenly said, "Anxin, I’ve already booked a flight, the day after tomorrow I’m leaving here with Xue Rong to find Jianning abroad! But before I go, there’s something I want to tell you!"