Liu Yifeng's expression was equally solemn. "Indeed, life is so unpredictable. A person can be here one moment and gone the next!"
"Mom Song must be heartbroken. To have raised her son with such care, only for him to end up like this!" Xia Qianqian said.
"What use is being heartbroken? Didn't she, his own mother, push Song Yicheng to this point? If she had known this would happen, why did she do it in the first place?" Liu Yifeng felt no sympathy for Mom Song.
He had advised her many times before, but what was the result? She remained stubborn, convinced she was always right, and refused to listen to anyone.
Now, look at her. Her only son jumped to his death right before her eyes. She wouldn't have to nag him anymore, nor would she have to worry about him not obeying her.
Xia Qianqian sighed softly. "Alas, let's hope the parents can get through this. Do you think if Song Yicheng hadn't participated in this show, this wouldn't have happened?"
"She's been pressuring Song Yicheng for a long time. Even if he hadn't jumped today, he might have eventually walked down this path. The show merely accelerated it," Liu Yifeng said.
Xia Qianqian nodded in agreement. "That's true. With Mom Song's personality, any child would find it unbearable. It's fortunate that Tongtong has a good father like you to live with. You've never forced him to do anything he didn't want to, and he's happy every day." Xia Qianqian said gratefully.
Liu Yifeng couldn't help but look at Tongtong, who was still engrossed in his puzzle, and smiled knowingly.
In truth, he always felt he owed Tongtong, for having been raised by a nanny for so many years, without experiencing parental love. The gaps in Tongtong's childhood that he had caused were irrecoverable. He didn't ask for much, only that Tongtong grow up healthy and happy, and he would never let Tongtong suffer the same fate as Song Yicheng.
"It's getting late. You two should get some rest. I wonder if tomorrow's recording will proceed as scheduled!" After hearing Xia Qianqian's question, Liu Yifeng suspected that tomorrow's recording might be canceled at the last minute. Although Song Yicheng had died after being eliminated, the television station was still somewhat implicated. If Song's father and mother didn't cause a scene, then so be it. But if they did, it would become a very thorny issue.
However, no matter how much they kicked up a fuss, Song Yicheng wouldn't come back to life. At most, the television station would have to pay compensation. Looking at the videos Song Yicheng had filmed, it was clear his family wasn't lacking money, so even if they received compensation, it would be meaningless to them.
"If we don't receive any notification tomorrow morning, we'll head over as usual. If we do, we'll stay at the hotel!" Liu Yifeng said.
"Okay, I'm leaving now. Goodbye, Tongtong!" Xia Qianqian waved goodbye to Tongtong gently.
Tongtong finally put down his puzzle and waved back. "Goodbye, Aunt Xia. Goodnight!"
"Thank you for taking care of Tongtong. You've worked hard. Get some rest early tonight!" Liu Yifeng escorted Xia Qianqian to the door.
Xia Qianqian smiled dismissively. "It's just a small favor, no need for thanks. Go back inside quickly. I need to go back to my room too!" With that, she walked to her room door and opened it with her room card.
After watching Xia Qianqian enter her room, Liu Yifeng returned to his own. As soon as he entered, he took off his jacket and went to Tongtong's side, asking earnestly, "Tongtong, tell Daddy the truth, you didn't follow us today, was it because you already knew Song Yicheng would die?"
Tongtong, who had been lying on the bed, immediately sat up and faced Liu Yifeng. He nodded heavily. "Mm-hmm, I calculated that he would jump today, but I couldn't save him. That's why I didn't dare to go to the scene, I didn't dare to face Song Yicheng!"
Looking at Tongtong's self-blaming eyes, Liu Yifeng looked up and stroked his head. "Everything in the world has its destiny; it's not something we can change. If you saved Song Yicheng today, and then saved someone else tomorrow, wouldn't the world be in chaos? You are a good child, and I believe Song Yicheng will surely be reborn into a happy family in his next life. His death is actually a release for him!"
Hearing his father's words, Tongtong felt much better. "Daddy, I thought you would blame me for knowing Song Yicheng would die, yet not saving him!"
"You silly child, how could Daddy think that? Last time, you told Daddy in advance that the houses in the Delta would be demolished, and you suffered so much. How could I let you do something against fate again? Even if something happened to Daddy in the future, I wouldn't let you do anything that harms your own health," Liu Yifeng said.
"Thank you for understanding, Daddy. You've also had a tiring day. Go wash up and get some rest!" Tongtong said, then put away the unfinished puzzle and placed the completed part on the coffee table. After helping Tongtong, Liu Yifeng went into the bathroom to wash up. Tongtong had already finished his wash and immediately lay down on the bed. It was half-past midnight when Liu Yifeng and his son finally fell asleep.
Meanwhile, at the hospital, after watching his son's body being taken to the morgue, Song's father ignored the pleas of the doctors and nurses and began to punch and kick his wife, cursing her, "Why isn't it you who died!" Mom Song, no longer her usual arrogant self, was like a soulless shell, allowing her husband to beat and scold her. Song Yicheng's death had been a massive shock to her, and she still couldn't believe her son was truly gone. The pain her husband inflicted on her was far less than the heartache of losing her son.
"After we bring our son's ashes back, we'll divorce. You'll never see me again." Song's father stopped his brutal assault after he was tired. Mom Song, who had previously begged her husband not to divorce her, heard him mention divorce this time and offered no resistance, nor did she beg him. Her silence was like consent. With her child gone, her home was also gone. She didn't want to return to a home that was filled with Yicheng's presence. She feared she wouldn't be able to bear the news of Yicheng's death and would go mad again.
Neither husband nor wife intended to pursue responsibility from the television station or the hospital. They knew that even if they made a fuss, at most they would get compensation. But they had plenty of money, so there was no need to go through the trouble for the sake of money. The most important thing now was to handle Yicheng's funeral arrangements as soon as possible so the child could be laid to rest.
The next morning, Liu Yifeng woke up. He had promised Su Wanru that he would find a way to get Yun Duoer's hair for her. Since he had made a promise, he would not go back on his word. Before going to bed last night, Liu Yifeng had already told Tongtong about this matter. So, he didn't wake Tongtong and left the room before eight o'clock. The recording for today was canceled, just as he had expected.