Ye Xinning opened the door as quickly as possible. Looking at the man in front of her, she didn't hesitate for a second and hugged him tightly. "Dad."
The middle-aged man in front of me was tall and slender with well-defined features. Time seemed to leave too many marks on his face every day, but it brought him only composure and experience.
Song Zhengchu patted Ye Xinning on the back, his voice gentle, "Yes, I'm back."
Ye Xinning still held Song Zhengchu tightly, refusing to let go.
After a long while, Song Zhengchu said in a doting tone, "Alright, Ningning, are you planning to keep holding me like this forever?"
Not long after Song Zhengchu finished speaking, Ye Xinning said in a muffled voice, "If you don't let go, you'll leave again."
Song Zhengchu patted her head helplessly, "Alright, why are you still so clingy even though you're such a grown-up? Didn't Wen Yu tell me that you're very independent, successful in your career, and outstanding?"
Ye Xinning didn't speak, released Song Zhengchu, but still held Song Zhengchu's hand tightly.
She can be strong, independent, and resilient in front of anyone, but she can't be like that with Shen Lin's father.
There's a saying that goes, no matter how old a child is, they're always a child in their parents' eyes.
What's more, she hadn't seen her father for so long.
"Dad, come in quickly. Have you had dinner yet? I haven't. What would you like to eat? I'll make it for you."
Ye Xinning led Song Zhengchu into the house, taking his hand as they walked and talked.
Song Zhengchu never expected his precious daughter to be so clingy.
He shook his head helplessly.
There's one sentence I hesitated over but still said.
"Ningning, you don't need to bother anymore."
Ye Xinning stopped halfway toward the kitchen.
She turned around and looked at Song Zhengchu. Unbeknownst to her, her voice was trembling at that moment.
What does "dad" mean?
"I came back to China this time to take care of some business, so I came to Nancheng to see you. I'll be leaving after seeing you."
Ye Xinning's face turned extremely pale instantly.
She clasped her hands tightly together, and after a long while, she finally spoke, "So Dad is only coming back temporarily? He'll be leaving soon, right?"
Song Zhengchu nodded and gestured for Ye Xinning to sit down next to him. "Ningning."
Ye Xinning sat down next to Song Zhengchu, and when she learned that Song Zhengchu was leaving, her mood instantly soured.
She originally thought that her father would be able to spend the Spring Festival with her when he came back at this time, and that if he was going to leave, he would leave after the Spring Festival.
But her father said he was leaving soon, and her disappointment was so obvious. She felt sad that her relationship with Shen Lin had come to this point. She was happy when her father came, but they didn't even have a meal together before he had to leave again.
"Ningning."
Seeing that Ye Xinning remained silent, Song Zhengchu called her name again in a low voice.
This time, Ye Xinning agreed. She nodded and asked Song Zhengchu softly, "Is Dad doing well in France?"
"I am fine."
Why haven't you come back for so long?
Ye Xinning wanted to ask this question, but she knew that the answer would be "busy."
Back then, her father disappeared after leaving Nancheng. She didn't know where her father was, and he never came back to Nancheng.
Later, she learned from Aunt Wen that her father was in France, but she knew nothing about what he did or how he lived there.
She once wanted to go to France, but her father said that her mother was alone in Nancheng with no one to accompany her, and he hoped that she would stay in Nancheng.
After staying in Nancheng, she experienced many things, which she never told her father. Whether it was subconscious pride or not, she always felt that she shouldn't let her father know too much. In her parents' marriage, her father was the one who was hurt. In a way, she was a thorn in her father's heart. When he saw her, he would definitely think of his past with her mother.
But that doesn't mean she doesn't crave her father's love. She hopes her father can spend more time with her in Nancheng, but on the other hand, she worries that this place will make her father very sad.
"It's good that Dad is doing well." She said, her head down, fiddling with her fingers.
Where is Ningning?
"I'm fine too," Ye Xinning said after a brief pause.
"Ningning, Daddy has something to tell you."
"Hmm?" Ye Xinning looked up.
Song Zhengchu affectionately patted her head and said in a low voice, "Life is both long and short. We will experience so many things in this life. Others can't help you much. I hope you can experience more things and develop a tenacious quality through these experiences. Only then will you be strong and immune to all poisons."
Ye Xinning seemed to understand, but not quite. She didn't know if growing up required keeping such a distance from her father.
My father never talks about his time in France. He and his daughter seem very close, yet they are also very distant.
"Is Dad really not going to stay here for the Spring Festival before leaving?" Although she knew it was unlikely, Ye Xinning still asked this question.
"I have something to do in France, I have to go back."
"All right."
Seeing Ye Xinning's disappointment, Song Zhengchu said a few more words, "I'll come back to see you when I have time in a while."
“Dad has something to do, so you should go to France. I’m fine here, you don’t need to worry about me.”
When Song Zhengchu heard Ye Xinning say that, he patted her head comfortingly.
“Our Ningning has her own family now. You must be happy, you know? What Dad wants to see most is your happiness and peace.”
"Um."
Ye Xinning nodded.
She didn't say much about her relationship with Shen Lin. In fact, it was just a small matter, and there was no need to tell her father and make him worry.
The deliveryman didn't stay long before leaving. Grandpa saw him off downstairs for the New Year, still very reluctant to part. "Dad, I'll come to see you in France sometime." "No need for France, it's so far. You have a job, you don't need to travel that far."
Although Ye Xinning knew this was the answer, she couldn't help but feel somewhat disappointed when Song Zhengchu said this.
"Okay, I'm leaving."
Song Zhengchu patted Ye Xinning on the back and said gently.
Goodbye, Dad.
After Song Zhengchu left in a taxi, Ye Xinning turned around and went home.
But what she didn't know was that as soon as she turned around, Song Zhengchu, who had left, returned to her building. This time, Song Zhengchu was in an expensive Rolls-Royce.
Song Zhengchu sat in the back seat, and the driver was a young man named He Yu, who had been with Song Zhengchu for many years.
“Sir,” He Yu said respectfully.
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