Xiao Lin was already prepared to et Xia Yusheng. Wherever he appeared, the shadow of Lian was bound to be there. Xia Yusheng felt awkward and hadn’t anticipated that Xiao Lin would bring a female companion, which undoubtedly placed him in an embarrassing position. Perhaps his father was right; without a backbone, he was nothing.
"Uncle Xia, did you have sothing to discuss with ?" Xiao Lin held Lian’s hand tightly, not letting go even in front of Xia Yusheng. As he played with her hand, he suddenly brought it to his lips and kissed it.
"Xiao Lin, I think we should talk privately." Discussing his daughter’s matters in front of another woman, even as her father, was sothing he hesitated to do.
"Lin, shall I go for a stroll and co back later?" Lian affectionately called Xiao Lin’s na, her eyes lingering on the side of his face. He looked handso no matter how you looked at him. Her bird-in-hand-like infatuated expression made Xia Yusheng cough awkwardly.
"No worries, I wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving you alone elsewhere. What if soone swept you away? Where would I find you then?" He held her hand tighter. "Let’s talk here, Uncle Xia. I have no secrets from my woman."
"Xiao Lin, don’t be so excessive!" Even Xia Yusheng, with his gentle nature, couldn’t tolerate Xiao Lin’s dismissive attitude.
"If I’ve done anything wrong, I hope you’ll forgive . If I’m not mistaken, you’re here about Xia Xue, right?" Xiao Lin shrugged nonchalantly. "Rest assured, even if I’m not with Xia Xue, there will be no changes for you or the Xia Family in terms of business. I keep my private and public matters very separate."
Hearing Xiao Lin’s assurance, Xia Yusheng secretly breathed a sigh of relief. That was, in a way, the purpose of his visit. "Xiaoxue refuses to say anything, which worries as her father. That’s why I ca to get to the bottom of it. I hope this doesn’t trouble you."
"That’s perfectly understandable, and I have no concerns." Xiao Lin patted Lian’s hand, seeing her display a troubled expression, and silently comforted her. "I apologize for not being able to stay by Xia Xue’s side until the end. It’s a problem on my part alone, and I ask Elder Xia not to bla Xia Xue because of this. It would make feel exceedingly guilty."
"Frankly, Young Master Xiao, Elder Xia has already taken his anger out on Xiaoxue, and I’m here out of desperation. She’s my only daughter, and I know her birth wasn’t comndable. Because of these matters, she can hardly show her face in the family anymore, and as her father, I’m also quite useless..."
"Does Xia Xue’s status in the Xia Family still need to be established through ? Hasn’t her performance at ’Laiyin’ been enough to prove her capability?" Lian felt the thin layer of sweat in Xiao Lin’s hand and deliberately gave it a squeeze. Xiao Lin turned his head, and she gently shook hers at him.
"Xiaoxue’s business acun surpasses anyone in the Xia Family, but in our family, status is often seen as a asure of capability. So if possible, could Xiaoxue stay by your side again?" As Xia Yusheng spoke, his eyes darted to Lian.
"Ah! I’m afraid that’s not possible. I don’t want to do anything against my woman, and Uncle Xia, don’t you think saying this has already damaged the Xia Family’s reputation?" Xiao Lin bluntly rejected Xia Yusheng, and his following words made Xia Yusheng want to find a hole to crawl into. "I don’t understand why you said that earlier. I always thought Xia Xue belonged to the Xia Family, and your display of familial love once made envious. But now, I’m confused. Without , does Xia Xue have no family love at all?"
"Ah, no, it’s just..."
"Uncle Xia, frankly, I’m disappointed in you today." Xiao Lin sighed. "Instead of asking to take Xiaoxue back, you should be fulfilling your role as a father to protect her rights. Asking is futile. Feelings are feelings; once gone, they’re gone. I’m deeply sorry Xia Xue got entangled in your family’s issues because of , but I can’t help you with this."
"Lin, speak nicely. Mr. Xia is, after all, your senior." Lian moved closer to Xiao Lin, trying to use her presence to calm his trembling body from anger. "Mr. Xia, I’m sorry. Lin’s personality is straightforward, so please don’t mind his bluntness."
Not daring to do anything against Xiao Lin, needing his support for a long ti, Xia Yusheng was less courteous to Lian. "Miss, you have no standing to speak here, do you? After all, you’re the third party."
"Cough, cough!" Xiao Lin snapped to his feet. "Uncle Xia, I could tolerate everything you’ve said before, but you’ve now crossed the line. What happened with Xia Xue is between us. If you find it unsatisfactory, I can publicly clarify that she dumped . But watch your words, or you might lose the position you’re not yet steady in."
This was a blatant threat. Xiao Lin was willing to go to great lengths for a woman like this. "Since it’s irretrievable, I’ll ensure Xia Xue is well taken care of and publicly clarify this matter. I hope Young Master Xiao will, for Xiaoxue’s sake, show so decency and refrain from flaunting your romantic history everywhere. Please consider Xiaoxue’s feelings. I apologize for my intrusion today."
In the distance, cara flashes flickered, and Xiao Lin suddenly realized he had also beco famous, being followed around all day. "After all, Xia Yusheng is still on Xiaoxue’s side. You went a little far just now."
Xiao Lin massaged his throbbing forehead. Words from Xia Yusheng’s mouth could easily beco sothing else. Such biased comnts could be more directly damaging than these news stories. "Are you heartbroken? Then don’t continue. Go explain to her clearly. I think Xiaoxue will understand your intentions."
"Have you ever seen an arrow on a bowstring lowered?" Xiao Lin sighed and smiled at Lian beside him. "Nobody would believe a breakup that hasn’t been heart-shattering, especially not Fourth Master. It’s about ti. Let’s go!"
What news would tomorrow’s papers print? Xia Yusheng protesting against him, the heartbreaker? Xiao Lin smirked.
Because of the relationship issues between him and Xia Xue, the headlines were filled with these stories, leaving the whole affair of the Northern District’s Horse Gang being dismantled to be a small section in social news. Though police intervention was expected, such bloody news was bizarre in a child’s hands.
"Fen, why are you sitting alone here?" The kindergarten teacher found a little boy under a big tree, his fair face inexplicably flushed red. "Why is your face so red? Are you sick?" The teacher touched the boy’s forehead, her concerned eyes fixed on his face.
"I’m fine!" The boy pouted, shaking his head. "I just saw so scary news and got a fright."
The teacher took the boy’s hand and walked up the stairs. Because of his status, he was under special care. With motherly love, those who had suffered various misfortunes and lost loved ones like Zhang Xiaofen were t with shock when he was brought back from the military hospital.
No one expected soone long thought to be missing to return to the family. Knowing his mother and uncle had passed away, people naturally showed more sympathy and care for the child. His beautiful, lonely face, with its mixed-race features, made teachers speculate on his father’s identity.
Beautiful things always enjoy certain privileges. Nevertheless, no one in this kindergarten bullied the boy for it. It made for a dynamic where boys were wary, and won were adoring.
"In the future, don’t look at these things. Such a little one who can’t even recognize a few words starting to learn from adults and read newspapers; how cute!" The teacher said this as she picked up Zhang Xiaofen and walked into the classroom. "Today we’re having your favorite sweet and sour pork; isn’t that exciting?"
"Yes!" Holding onto a corner of the newspaper, the boy’s gaze fell on the image printed on it. It was a newspaper from a week ago, the news still talking about Master Ma mysteriously dying in a hotel, while the woman lying beside him remained vividly in the boy’s mind. With the teacher’s jostling along the way, the boy let go, dropping the newspaper onto the corridor floor.
"Xiaofen, tomorrow is the weekend. Which teacher’s house will you be visiting?"
"I haven’t thought about where to go. Teacher, could you help contact a brother of mine?" The boy’s answer clearly upset the teacher holding him; he was supposed to visit her house. Yet, the boy seed unenthusiastic, often suppressing his feelings well beyond his years. Despite his height being much taller than peers, he was just a child.
"Does Xiaofen know any relatives? Why didn’t I know?"
"Mm, I have a brother I t at the hospital, and I want to find him." Zhang Xiaofen pulled out a crumpled piece of paper with a phone number on it.
"Xiaofen, be careful not to et any bad people. Are you sure there’s no problem?" Out of a protective instinct, the teacher repeatedly confird, but seeing Zhang Xiaofen ignore her, she walked to the phone and dialed the number.
"Hello, this is Dingdang Kindergarten. May I know if you’re Zhang Xiaofen’s brother?"
Xiao Lin, looking at the unfamiliar number, was taken aback by the girl’s voice on the line. "Teacher, could you pass the phone to ?" Zhang Xiaofen urged from the side. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to vote and support on Qidian (qidian). Your support is my greatest motivation.)
User Comments
0 comments from readers