Chapter 22: Rumor

Chapter 22: Rumor

The cool breeze from the west gradually arrives, but the lingering dryness from the summer heat has not yet dissipated; the rain passes over the lotus pond in an instant, and the sounds of autumn can be heard in the blink of an eye.

Although many days have passed, Chi Shu is still deeply moved by the unexpected embrace in a corner of the campus that night in midsummer, the light that illuminates his heart, and the warmth that soothes his soul.

Many times, Chi Shu also noticed that Feng Yichen always treated her differently from others, and it could even be said that he treated her particularly well.

And it was obvious that she had no place to hide her feelings. She could have been bolder and directly responded to Feng Yichen and confessed her feelings, and then...

Yeah, and then what?

Does she dare to tell her mother about Feng Yichen’s “existence”?

Do you dare to tell your mother that she actually took the time to fall in love amidst her busy academic tasks at university when she had no special skills?

She didn't dare. She didn't dare to tell Ji Jinyi all of this.

But since she doesn't dare, does that mean Feng Yichen should be forced to hide behind the brilliant light and be a coward in love like her?

Chi Shu just felt that Feng Yichen was originally such a bright and dazzling person, why did she have to wrong him so much in her love? Moreover, could she guarantee that the result would be as she wished?

So, again and again, she hesitated after anticipating such results.

Because of this, she always found it difficult to take that step or open her mouth for a long time.

These complicated and unsolvable tangles made Chi Shu, who had to meet Ji Jinyi at this moment, feel even more breathless.

The marks of time have accumulated for too long.

It was so long that Chi Shu no longer knew how to erase it, and he was no longer able to erase it.

She was still trapped in those memories, and could only let those voices that seemed to be in her ears and in her heart repeatedly pull at her thoughts, making her dazed.

——"...Don't let me encounter any childish and ridiculous behavior again, and don't let me hear any rumors, otherwise I will have no choice but to let you go abroad directly, and I will not consider whether you can adapt..."——

——"...If you really like literature, then honestly make some achievements for me and don't embarrass me. I tell you, only the skills you have can rely on in your life. Don't waste your time thinking about those useless things that are done secretly..."——

And now, Ji Jinyi was sitting on a European-style velvet sofa in the cafe, separated only by a square table with desserts and drinks. However, his voice seemed to come from across the boundless sea of ​​time, carrying years of memories and hitting Chi Shu's eardrums. His tone was as stern as ever:

"From ancient times to the present, how many men have been truly reliable? Especially at such an age when you're so clueless! And the precedents around you are there. So, if you dare to neglect your work, fall into some absurd love affair, and become just anyone's vassal, don't blame me for ruthlessly destroying your dreams and sending you abroad to study business against your will."

These words made Chi Shu feel a chill in her heart. Many doubts about "precedents" flashed across her lowered eyes, but although she was puzzled, she did not have the courage to ask.

Chi Shu really couldn't deny that there were many obvious truths in Ji Jinyi's harsh words and deeds.

But beyond that, what she really couldn't understand was why such a harsh and almost extreme method had to be used?

Besides, she is clearly an adult now. They can handle the problem in a calm manner and get along with each other in a warm and happy manner like other families. Wouldn't it be better?

But Chi Shu also knew that these things were impossible to achieve.

Because, in that huge house, she was always alone, longing for that beautiful yet distant person to come, longing for that always strict person to occasionally become gentle and care about her, even if it was just once.

However, there was nothing, and those were just her extravagant hopes.

In those past years, the walls of the courtyard have undergone the baptism of time, and the jungle and flowers in the garden have listened to Chi Shu's inner confession and prayer countless times, and also witnessed her occasional daze and distraction.

But even so, Chi Shu could only spend one dark night after another in those lonely and deserted places, silently envying the warmth of other people's families, just like a person stealing light, hoping to get a little warmth from it.

Unfortunately, those are nothing but shattered dreams.

Even though they were sitting and talking to each other in a seemingly harmonious atmosphere, the content of their conversation was like a cup of cold brew coffee in the biting cold wind, which made Chi Shu feel infinitely cold in his heart.

Ji Jin took a sip of the Gesha Cold Brew in his cup, then turned to look at Chi Shu, who sat on the sofa opposite him, head bowed, silent and thoughtful. After a moment's thought, he spoke, his tone as cold as the drink, carrying a strong reminder:

"Before I asked you to come, I had already found the boy who confessed his feelings to you. He was just a facade. His behavior was completely brainless. He was just a self-righteous playboy. He was just a dandy who didn't understand the ways of the world.

"Just like some men, they are visual animals. Some of their behaviors are simply controlled by their bodies. They are not attentive to others and sometimes just do it to get sex.

"A good-for-nothing who was frightened into abandoning his armor and fleeing in fear at the slightest deception. With such a splendid exterior and rotten core, I don't know what use I can expect from him, let alone entrust my life to."

These words startled Chi Shu so much that she slowly raised her head unconsciously. A hint of shock flashed across her trembling eyes. She suddenly couldn't help but look directly at Ji Jinyi who was looking at her and sipping coffee elegantly across from her.

Chi Shu's mood was particularly complicated at this moment, but he couldn't describe the feeling.

She had never even imagined that such insignificant news in a corner of the campus could spread so quickly, and it was even more unbelievable that it would be handled so quickly by Ji Jinyi.

Thinking back to the boy's subsequent restraint, Chi Shu couldn't imagine the way this was handled.

Perhaps the exploratory look in Chi Shu's eyes at this moment was too strong, so strong that it could not be ignored.

Ji Jin lowered her eyes calmly, and the coffee cup in her hand touched the small tray on the table, making a crisp sound.

It seemed to be warning the owner of the sight of his impoliteness at this moment.

The air was instantly tainted with sparks invisible to the naked eye. Just as the smoke of gunpowder was about to be ignited, Chi Shu suddenly lowered his eyes and silently reflected on his inappropriate behavior just now.

However, what Chi Shu did not know was——

Over the years since she was born, whenever Ji Jinyi was with her at home, what he least wanted to look at for long was her eyes, which looked so similar to someone else's, because it seemed as if he could always see those ridiculous pasts through them.

But Ji Jinyi never mentioned it, there was no need to mention it, and he was even less willing to mention it.

However, she herself was in great pain, because Chi Shu was, after all, her own flesh and blood, whom she had carried for ten months and had great expectations for.

Therefore, she always disciplined Chi Shu in an almost harsh manner, as if as long as Chi Shu lowered his head and obeyed her orders, she could avoid having to face the absurd and ridiculous past.

However, she can strictly discipline her daughter, but she will never allow irrelevant people to harm her daughter in the slightest.

The necessary reminders had already been given. Therefore, this meeting and conversation, initiated by "external forces," came to an abrupt end here. There was nothing else to be reminded of, and there was no need to discuss any of the topics in depth.

Ji Jinyi straightened her dress, then stood up and walked with Chi Shu to the open-air parking lot next to the cafe.

Because Ji Jinyi had other important matters to attend to, he had to leave first. Just before leaving, he turned around and said to Chi Shu, giving him both a warning and a caution: "Your biological father, who is passionate but promiscuous, already disappointed me once before you were even a month old. You must never let me down!"

Chi Shu stood in the cold wind outside the parking lot, watching the purple-sector Bentley Sailor Batur gradually move away until it disappeared among the hustle and bustle of the bustling city.

These words that floated gently to the ground were almost deafening, and Chi Shu was unable to recover for a long time.

At the same time, Chi Shu only realized at this moment that the wind at the junction of late summer and early autumn could still be so cold and biting...

Those memories covered by time also came rushing back because of this cold wind——

Until she went to college, Ji Jinyi almost controlled everything big and small in Chi Shu's life and study, and even had to interfere with her friendships, as if he was afraid that she would be led astray.

Not only that, even all the information on her mobile phone is linked and can be checked at any time.

This once made her feel like a transparent person with no privacy, so she gradually stopped expecting to make any friends, because in this situation it would be better to go alone, which would make her more comfortable.

This situation accumulated over time, so sometimes she was so indifferent that even her former friends couldn't help but feel that she was a little cold...

Combining the conversation just now with the details of their previous interactions, Chi Shu finally understood why simple and plain warmth was so difficult and a luxury for her. He also finally understood why she had always been left out and why she had been so restricted...

Chi Shu didn't need to rush back to school today, and this place was not far from the school.

Just walk slowly in the direction of the car, and you can see that the mall is full of tourists. Just stroll outside the mall, passing by the transparent windows, and you can occasionally see some happy scenes.

She suddenly felt a sore nose for no reason and tilted her head back to try to dispel some indescribable emotions.

The bleak autumn atmosphere invaded everything, plunging her into deeper cold.

She had no choice but to tighten the collar of her camel-hair coat, but finally she could no longer bear the cold and returned to school in the biting wind.