At the crucial moment, Shen Linyue still chickened out.
Even from a distance, with just a fleeting glance, she could still clearly see what her biological father looked like now.
With a full head of white hair and more wrinkles on her face than before, Shen Linyue's eyes were red and swollen. Even though her relatives were right in front of her, she dared not recognize them.
In her memory, her biological father had black hair, strong features, and a carefree, approachable smile.
It's only been a blink of an eye, and her father has already aged so much. She finds it hard to accept, and she wants to know how he has managed to get through all these years all by himself.
Her mind was in turmoil, and she could only sneak around like a thief, secretly spying on her closest relatives.
This is her dad.
The image of our last meeting still seems to linger in my mind.
The nearly 190cm tall man, with red eyes, saw her off to the car. "Daughter, don't skimp on your food while you're out. I've put 500 yuan on your phone. Call me whenever you need money, or even if you don't need anything."
"By the way, stay away from all those brats. If anyone bullies you, tell your dad, and he'll beat the crap out of you."
"Waaah, my dear daughter, Daddy can't bear to part with you. Do you really have to go to summer camp?"
What was Shen Linyue's reaction at the time? The car was full of her classmates, some she knew and some she didn't. Everyone was whispering and laughing at them. Shen Linyue was embarrassed and helpless. She could only say a few words to her father and urge him to leave quickly so as not to waste time.
Her father left, turning back to look at her every few steps.
If she could go back now, Shen Linyue would not hesitate to take her father's hand and tell him, "I'm not going to this summer camp anymore, let's go home."
But there are no "what ifs" in life. Since her parents divorced, she has been living with her father. No matter how busy he is with work, he will always make time to have meals with her or buy her all sorts of random little things to make her happy.
Back then, there were all sorts of news reports on TV about stepfathers and stepmothers bullying their stepsons. Her father was so frightened that he didn't dare to find her a stepmother. He could only act as both father and mother to her, trying his best to give her a complete family.
Memories flooded her mind, and Shen Linyue cried. She cried so hard that she dared not make a sound, whimpering like a wounded fawn, tears streaming down her face.
Now is not the time for family reunions; the venue and timing are both wrong.
Shen Linyue was afraid that if she continued watching, she would rush up and call for help, so she quickly wiped away her tears and turned to leave.
The next moment, she met Jiang Zhixing's enigmatic eyes, even though he was only two or three meters away from her. She had no idea how long he had been standing there, staring at her.
Jiang Zhixing's gaze swept over her tear-reddened face, finally landing on her rabbit-like red eyes. Looking out from the glass wall behind her, one could see He Xiao and his family.
He looked at her thoughtfully, a slight smile curving his thin lips.
"Why is Lin hiding here crying instead of seeing off Grandpa He Xiao?" he wondered.
Shen Linyue froze completely. Unfortunately, her sneaky actions were seen by the person she least wanted to see.
She pursed her lips, trying to look at him calmly: "Who said I cried? I'm just cold."
Jiang Zhixing raised an eyebrow, probably never having seen someone so stubborn.
"Really? But the hotel room temperature is 27 degrees Celsius." He glanced at her exposed slender arms and legs and chuckled. "Let me guess, you know Grandpa He Xiao and you even hid and cried because you were too scared to go over? I've never seen you so timid before, Lin. Your personality is quite changeable."
Shen Linyue: ...I don't know what to say. What's the difference between this and a public execution?
Moreover, she suspected he was being sarcastic or insincere.
"It's none of your business. Can't I just be thinking about my parents because of the scenery?" She was a little annoyed and didn't want to argue with Jiang Zhixing.
But Jiang Zhixing clearly didn't want to let her off so easily.
"Oh, does He Xiao know you're hiding here crying? I can tell him." Jiang Zhixing still had a smile on his face, but the smile was somewhat meaningful.
Shen Linyue looked at him, her beautiful eyes slightly narrowed. The young man in front of her had a bit of a smiling tiger vibe.
"Whatever you want to say, just say it. Maybe He Liyu will even call my parents over because he feels sorry for me." She looked expectant, a faint smile playing on her lips.
It seemed that, just as she said, the scene merely evoked her emotions.
Seeing that she was unmoved, Jiang Zhixing's smile disappeared. He just stared at her quietly for a few seconds before letting out a snort.
"Really? I'm really looking forward to it."
Shen Linyue frowned, not understanding what he was expecting, gave him a disdainful look, and walked in another direction.
...
"Godfather, have a meal before you go. It's been years since we last met, and I have so much to say to you," Jiang Yan said gently, holding onto the old man's hand tightly.
The old man's gaze fell on Jiang Yanxin's face, and he paused for a moment before smiling helplessly.
"You're so thoughtful, my dear. I was planning to go see a specialist anyway, so I won't linger here today. I'll come to your house another day. Don't look down on this old man then."
“You’re my godfather! In my heart, you’re just like my own father. If I ever looked down on you, your son-in-law would be the first to hold me accountable,” Jiang Yanxin said with a smile, taking the initiative to call out to He Liyu, who was standing silently to the side.
Jiang Yanxin's words were somewhat ambiguous. She called He Liyu her godfather and then her son-in-law, making it seem as if there was something between them.
What's even more undeniable is that He Liyu is indeed the father-in-law's son-in-law.
The smile on He Liyu's lips faded, and before he could speak, He Xiao looked at Jiang Yanxin and smiled, "Why would my dad, who's so busy with official business, be watching you? But my mom will definitely be watching you, don't worry."
That one sentence left everyone present speechless.
Jiang Yanxin's smile froze, and she even shivered for no reason, as if Shen Linyue, who had been dead for many years, was watching her every move from not far away.
The old man was the first to come to his senses, and he tapped He Xiao on the forehead with a stick: "Don't talk nonsense, you silly child, why is your mother keeping an eye on Xiao Jiang for no reason?"
Although the old man's tone was reproachful, he didn't use any force in his hands, as if he were just playing around.
He Xiao smiled innocently, then pushed Jiang Yanxin away and begged for mercy as she clung to her grandfather's arm.
"Okay, okay, I admit I was wrong. My mom wouldn't target someone I hate."
The old man laughed helplessly: "You silly boy, you have the same personality as your grandfather when he was young."
Jiang Yanxin: ……
The smile on her face was almost uncontrollable; even in broad daylight, she got goosebumps all over her body.
"Xiao Jiang, don't take it to heart by Yao Yao's words. Children shouldn't hold their tongues," the old man said.
Jiang Yan forced a smile and gave He Xiao a deep look: "It's okay, hehe."
He Liyu, who was standing to the side, took in the hint of panic in her eyes and then lowered his gaze, lost in thought.
Why is Jiang Yanxin afraid of A Yue?
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