(four hundred and ninety-nine)
Zhang Susu stared at her daughter with concern, firing off a barrage of questions, her face tense and wary.
As Lin Tingfeng heard her series of questions, the polite smile on his face gradually disappeared, and his heart began to freeze.
He couldn't help but think of the money-grubbing old woman from before; she was practically a different person compared to now.
Ye Wenyu's face flushed slightly. Although her mother's sudden arrival made her feel somewhat at ease in front of Lin Tingfeng, her mother's words in front of him seemed quite embarrassing. Therefore, she softly reminded her, "Mom, it's not what you think. This is the first time he's come to see me today. He's just concerned about me—"
The distant tree shadows resembled lurking giant beasts, and Ye Wenyu felt a strange sense of fear. She didn't know where it came from, but she knew it was real, something she couldn't quite explain.
Zhang Susu seemed to see right through her daughter's true thoughts and Lin Tingfeng's true intentions. Therefore, without asking any further questions, she already knew what was going on. She suddenly turned around, blocking Ye Wenyu's path, and stared at Lin Tingfeng with eyes as sharp as swords.
Lin Tingfeng composed himself, trying to force a smile back onto his face and make sure his eyes weren't cold. This was the mother of his beloved girl; although she was a bit difficult, he still had to show her basic courtesy.
“You, surnamed Lin!” Zhang Susu spoke, her face resolute and brooking no argument. Hands on her hips, she was like a shrew, her voice booming like a gong as she said decisively, “I only have one daughter, and I want her to be happy! Therefore, it’s impossible for her to go back with you! I heard your conversation just now. I wasn’t capable enough to take care of her before, which led her astray and almost ruined her life. Now, I am capable; I can take care of her, I can give her a home, so it’s impossible for her to go back with you!”
Lin Tingfeng maintained a smile on the surface, but inwardly he was stunned. He finally found the source of the divine power that Ye Wenyu had left him with no intention of turning back: it was her mother.
The old woman's anger, like a lit torch thrown into an oil drum, was rapidly expanding within Lin Tingfeng's body. He recalled the woman who had sold his daughter back then, and he felt it was unbelievable. How could a woman with no sense of responsibility make such a 180-degree turn and become a loving mother? It was simply a miracle.
Besides, her voice is so loud that it can be heard for miles around. Is she really thinking about her daughter? Lin Tingfeng quickly glanced around, worried that a crowd would gather and, if Xiaoyu's mother spoke up, her reputation would be completely ruined.
It turned out to be a secret that no one knew, but it was suddenly made public.
He maintained a polite smile on the surface, but inwardly he thought coldly that her mother was capable of taking care of her life, so she could still live a more decent life than before without him, and for this reason, she would never return to his side.
I see!
A girl as proud as her would never have returned to his arms unless she was desperate and had every last breath left.
Once I understood this, a surge of anger and despair rose within me like a storm.
To avoid revealing himself, Lin Tingfeng maintained a smile and humbly bowed his head, but unconsciously put his hands behind his back and then clenched his fists slightly.
Zhang Susu continued, still sharp-tongued, "That's right. Before, when my daughter was with you, you gave me a large sum of money, but that was what I deserved. My daughter spent three years with you, and that wasn't for nothing, so you shouldn't take it back!" Her expression was vicious.
Seeing her wary look, Lin Tingfeng remembered that she had come to borrow money from her daughter, saying that she was under a lot of pressure from her mortgage. Ye Wenyu refused to lend her the money, but he thought that Xiaoyu only had one mother and that one should be generous, so he gave her 500,000 yuan.
She's saying this now because she's afraid he'll take the 500,000 back.
Lin Tingfeng smiled and said gently and politely, "Auntie, you're right. Don't worry, that money is yours. I never intended to get it back."
Hmph, he has no intention of letting go, so naturally he won't ask for the money back!
Hearing this, Zhang Susu felt a sense of relief, but she was still somewhat skeptical. She asked Lin Tingfeng, "Really?"
Lin Tingfeng nodded seriously.
Zhang Susu patted her chest and said to him, "That's fine then, it's good that things are clear. We won't return the money, and my daughter won't come back to you. I'm capable of taking care of her now. She'll graduate from university next year, and she can find a good job on her own. I also hope she finds a good family to marry into. If you have any genuine feelings for her, please let her go!" Zhang Susu said these words fiercely, her expression and appearance like a gangster, but in reality, she was panicking inside. Because of her guilty conscience, how could she not return the 500,000 yuan she had taken?
Lin Tingfeng knew the old man was right; he was doing this for Xiaoyu's own good. But he still felt a pang in his heart. A plan was forming in his mind, but after hitting walls everywhere and reaching a dead end, this was the only way he could do.
Therefore, he smiled and said, "Okay, Auntie, I respect your and Xiaoyu's decision."
Ye Wenyu raised her head and stared blankly at Lin Tingfeng.
Lin Tingfeng smiled and looked at her, his gaze reaching deep into her soul.
Looking at Lin Tingfeng, who was being bullied mercilessly by his mother but still maintained a polite and well-mannered smile, Ye Wenyu felt that the smile on his face was like a wound that was seeping blood.
She felt a pang of pity.
Lin Tingfeng suddenly said, "It's getting late, so I'll head back now. Goodbye, Auntie and Xiaoyu." Without waiting for their reply, he turned around and strode forward. Because he was wearing black clothes, he quickly disappeared into the night and could no longer be seen.
The mother and daughter stood there, almost wondering if it was all a dream.
Zhang Susu's eyes widened in surprise, and she stammered, "Xiaoyu, is it really him? Is it really that easy to resolve? He really gave me such a large sum of money, and he doesn't intend to take it back? This person, this person, doesn't seem as bad as I imagined—" Her speech slowed to a muttered tone, a hint of regret on her face. She had missed out on such a generous and wealthy man; had she made the right decision?
Ye Wenyu remained silent, her inner pain beyond words. She knew she had lost him, she had lost him forever!
Time passed, and the mother and daughter regained consciousness. Zhang Susu seemed to remember something, shoving the bags she was carrying into Ye Wenyu's hands, saying, "Here, take these. I'm going back. Inside are some pickled vegetables I made, and your favorite snacks. Also, I bought you two new outfits; summer's here, time to change things up." Just then, her phone rang, and Zhang Susu hurriedly answered it.
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