137: Three women's destinies, new choices.

At four o'clock on Sunday afternoon, in their usual parent-child restaurant, warm yellow light spilled onto the wooden dining table. Xiao Mi sat in a high chair, coloring on paper with crayons, occasionally looking up at Su Mingyu, Zhu Li, and Wu Fei across from her, and then at Xie Hui beside her, her eyes full of dependence. The table was laden with their favorite dishes—Su Mingyu's steamed sea bass, Zhu Li's mushroom soup, Wu Fei's corn and pork rib soup, and Xiao Mi's favorite strawberry cake. The atmosphere was warm but carried a hint of imperceptible silence.

Since the ultimate confrontation at the Su Family Old Residence yesterday, the three female protagonists had finally escaped the entanglement of the three Su Family men. Yet, facing Xie Hui before them, each woman held unspoken thoughts. Su Mingyu stirred the soup in her bowl, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the rim—she was used to carrying burdens alone and never imagined someone like Xie Hui could repeatedly shield her from trouble and heal the wounds of her original family. However, the idea of "sharing one person with others" still made her hesitant.

Zhu Li gripped her water glass, her knuckles slightly white. Having just emerged from a failed marriage, she feared giving her heart again only to be hurt. Yet, Xie Hui's companionship and reliability made her unable to resist depending on him—from helping her resolve the auditing crisis to accompanying her through divorce and moving, Xie Hui had never disappointed her. This newborn sense of security was something Mingcheng had never provided.

Wu Fei looked at Xiao Mi's drawing. On the paper were four little figures holding hands, labeled "Mama, Auntie, Uncle Xie, Xiao Mi." What she cared about most was Xiao Mi's feelings. Xiao Mi remembered all of Xie Hui's kindness toward her. But as a single mother, Wu Fei worried that her choice might bring criticism upon Xiao Mi, and she also feared that Xie Hui was merely acting on a whim.

Xie Hui noticed their concerns. He put down his chopsticks and spoke with a frank yet gentle tone: "I know what you are thinking. Don't rush to answer; we can talk slowly." He looked at Mingyu, "Mingyu, you were pushed along by the Su Family from the start. Now you can finally live for yourself. What is it that you want?"

Su Mingyu was stunned. She looked up to meet Xie Hui's gaze, her eyes suddenly feeling warm: "I used to just want to prove I was no worse than a boy, but later I realized that no amount of success could outweigh the misery at home. It wasn't until you appeared, helping me fend off Su Daqiang's unreasonable demands and exposing the lies of Short for Su Mingzhe and Mingcheng, that I knew how wonderful it felt to have someone protect you." She paused, her voice softening, "But I'm afraid... I'm used to being alone, and I'm afraid I won't fit in with you all."

"You won't," Xie Hui interrupted her. He took out the handmade sailboat ornament Su Mingyu had given him before. "When you gave me this, you said you wanted to protect the things you cared about. I feel the same way. I want to protect you, Zhu Li, Wu Fei, and Xiao Mi. My world is big enough to hold all of your ideas; you don't need to change yourself."

Hearing this, Zhu Li couldn't help but speak: "Mr. Xie, when I first got divorced, I thought my life might just end up like this. It was you who helped me find a place, helped me get back the money Mingcheng owed, and allowed me to dare to trust people again. But I'm afraid... afraid of encountering someone like Mingcheng again, afraid of getting hurt."

Xie Hui picked up the lavender sachet Zhu Li had previously given him and placed it on the table. "When you gave me this, you said it could calm the mind. For me, you are the ones who bring me peace of mind. I won't be perfunctory like Mingcheng. I won't let you carry burdens alone. If you want to continue being an auditing manager, I support you; if you want to rest, I can accompany you. You don't have to compromise yourself."

Wu Fei held Xiao Mi, her voice gentle yet firm: "I care about Xiao Mi the most. She told me before that she wants you to be her 'Weekend Uncle,' saying you are more reliable than her father. But I'm afraid... afraid of gossip, and also afraid that this is just a temporary novelty for you."

Xie Hui patted Xiao Mi's head. Xiao Mi hugged his arm immediately: "Uncle Xie, I want to play with you!" Xie Hui smiled and looked at Wu Fei: "Xiao Mi's words are my answer. I won't let any of you suffer injustice, nor will I let Xiao Mi feel insecure. If you want to live together, we'll find a big house; if you want to keep your own space, I respect that too. You don't have to compromise."

The three women looked at Xie Hui's sincere eyes and recalled their interactions over the past few days—Xie Hui blocking Mingcheng's punch for Su Mingyu, helping Zhu Li negotiate rent, accompanying Wu Fei and Xiao Mi to piano performances, and the nine flower jade dew pill he offered whenever they were startled. These details flowed like a warm current, slowly alleviating their concerns.

Su Mingyu smiled first. She picked up her chopsticks and placed a piece of sea bass on Xie Hui's plate: "Alright, I trust you. From now on, I won't have to deal with those Su Family people anymore. I can be myself steadily, and have someone protecting me. I want to try a life like that."

Zhu Li also nodded and scooped a bowl of mushroom soup for Xie Hui: "I am willing too. I always lived for others before, but now I want to live for myself once. With you here, I'm no longer afraid."

Wu Fei held Xiao Mi, her eyes full of tenderness: "I agree too. Xiao Mi needs a reliable person by her side, and I also need someone I can lean on. You are that person."

Xiao Mi clapped her hands happily upon hearing this: "That's great! Now I can play with Uncle Xie, Mama, and the Aunties every day!"

Xie Hui looked at the three women and one child before him, his heart feeling warm. He raised his cup: "Come, let's toast! Whether we are in this world or going somewhere else in the future, I will be with you and never let you suffer injustice again."

"Cheers!" The four cups clinked together. Xiao Mi also raised her juice cup and shouted, following them in a childish voice: "Cheers!"

After dinner, Xie Hui drove them home. He dropped off Wu Fei and Xiao Mi first. Xiao Mi whispered into Xie Hui's ear: "Uncle Xie, you have to come often to tell me bedtime stories from now on." Xie Hui smiled and agreed, stroking her head.

When dropping Zhu Li off downstairs, Zhu Li took out a handmade sewn key pouch from her bag, embroidered with a small character "Xie": "I sewed this over the weekend. Hang it on your car keys; it matches the previous ornament. In the future... can I often come over to mooch meals from you?" Xie Hui took the key pouch and nodded: "You are welcome anytime. My kitchen is always reserved for you."

Finally, dropping Su Mingyu off, Su Mingyu took out the Deceased Mother's silver bracelet that Xie Hui had helped her retrieve previously and handed it to him: "This was left by my mother. I want you to keep it for me, just like you help me guard everything important." Xie Hui took the silver bracelet and solemnly placed it in his inner pocket: "I will keep it safe, and I will protect you well."

Su Mingyu's face was slightly red. She turned and walked into the apartment building, then turned back after a few steps, waving at Xie Hui: "See you tomorrow." Xie Hui smiled and nodded: "See you tomorrow."

On the way home, Xie Hui touched his chest—inside were Su Mingyu's silver bracelet, Zhu Li's key pouch, Xiao Mi's drawing previously given by Wu Fei, and the small porcelain bottle containing the nine flower jade dew pill. These were not cold objects; they were the genuine hearts delivered by the three female protagonists, and the meaning of his guardianship.

He knew this was not the end, but a new beginning. Once he settled the conclusion of this world, he would take them with him, Transmigrating back to his own real world, where a new life awaited them, and more excitement waited to be explored together. The night deepened, and the car drove smoothly under the streetlights. Xie Hui's lips held a constant smile—the story of the all is well world was about to reach its Perfection, and his Myriad Worlds Journey with the three female protagonists had just begun.