Lin Ting’s footsteps paused at the entrance of the private room.
Only for a moment.
But she did not look back.
When she left again, her steps were even more resolute and determined.
Jiang Yu’s gaze followed her, the tangled emotions of love and hate churning even more fiercely in his chest, unable to calm down for a long time.
…
When the private room at Furong Pavilion finally returned to silence, half an hour had already passed.
This dinner had ultimately ended on a sour note.
Jiang Shuchen had dismissed everyone else but kept Jiang Yu behind, wanting to have a proper talk with him.
But it seemed Jiang Yu was in no mood to listen.
So much so that after Jiang Shuchen said several sentences, Jiang Yu hadn’t responded to a single one.
“Are you really moving your marriage with Lin Weiwei forward to Labor Day?”
Jiang Shuchen’s hand landed on Jiang Yu’s shoulder.
Jiang Yu snapped out of his thoughts and replied perfunctorily, “Mm.”
Seeing his brows tightly knitted together, Jiang Shuchen was deeply moved.
“You’re in such pain, clearly because you can’t let go of Xiao Ting.”
“Over these five years, from Xiao Ting’s pregnancy to her imprisonment, release, and living alone with Xiao Youzi in another city, have you ever truly been happy?”
“Jiang Yu, it’s because you love deeply that you hate so intensely, which is why you’ve lost your rationality.”
Jiang Yu looked up and glared at Jiang Shuchen. “Who’s in pain?”
Clearly, he already had the best Lin Weiwei by his side.
After the car accident, Lin Weiwei had cared for him tirelessly day and night for seven days and nights, then knelt for 9,999 steps at Qingquan Ancient Temple to pray for a protective talisman for him, and only then did he wake up.
Later, it was also Lin Weiwei who accompanied him through the darkest and most difficult period of his life, helping him leave the wheelchair behind and stand up again.
But being with Lin Weiwei didn’t seem to bring him happiness.
Jiang Shuchen didn’t know what to say.
After letting out a long sigh, Jiang Shuchen patted Jiang Yu’s shoulder again.
“Jiang Yu, gratitude is not the same as love.”
“What kind of person Lin Weiwei is, I won’t comment on, nor do I have the right to.”
“But I dare say that Xiao Ting suddenly coming to find you this time must mean she’s encountered some difficulty.”
“What if her having cancer is true? If she really passes away, you’ll regret your actions today for the rest of your life.”
Jiang Yu, sitting in the dining chair, did not respond again.
He looked at Jiang Shuchen, lost in thought for a few seconds.
He had considered Jiang Shuchen’s words before.
But the paternity test had been conducted with extreme secrecy, known to no one but him.
This only made him more resolute. “I trust the evidence in my hands more.”
Jiang Shuchen: “Jiang Yu, oh Jiang Yu, what am I to say to you?”
Jiang Yu stood up from the dining chair and walked out with a cold expression. “Then say nothing at all. Don’t get involved in Lin Ting’s matters.”
…
Lin Ting and Youzi returned home.
She held Youzi in her arms, her heart aching for her.
“Youzi, you must be very sad today.”
Youzi clearly knew Jiang Yu was her father.
But her father disliked her so much and refused to acknowledge her.
How devastating that must be!
She comforted Youzi, “Youzi, it’s okay. Mommy will always love you.”
Little Youzi hugged her back. “Mommy, having you is enough for me. As long as Mommy is here, Youzi has the whole world.”
She truly was Youzi’s whole world.
But soon, she would be gone.
After her death, Youzi’s world would completely collapse.
Lin Ting didn’t dare to think further…
Since Jiang Yu refused to acknowledge Youzi, she should decisively find an adoptive family for her.
A few days later, there was news from the community.
A middle-aged couple was willing to adopt Youzi.
Lin Ting took Youzi to meet them.
After spending time together, Lin Ting felt the couple was amiable and genuinely fond of children.
But she still couldn’t bring herself to tell Youzi.
“Brother Zhou, Sister Li, could you please not tell Youzi for now? Could you spend a few days with her as my friends first?”
“I don’t know how… I don’t know how to break it to Youzi.”
Lin Ting choked up.
Something sharp seemed lodged in her throat, making it hard to breathe.
Seeing her eyes redden, the couple nodded understandingly.
The next day, Lin Ting arranged for Youzi to spend time alone with her prospective adoptive parents.
She told Youzi, “Youzi, Mommy has something to do outside today. Auntie Li and Uncle Zhou will take you out to play. Be good, and Mommy will pick you up tonight.”
Auntie Li spoke gently, “Youzi, how about Auntie takes you to the amusement park today?”
After meeting Uncle Zhou and Auntie Li yesterday, Youzi thought they were her mother’s friends.
She had no idea that her mother was nearing the end of her life and that these were the adoptive parents her mother had found for her.
…
3:00 PM.
Amusement Park, Petting Zoo.
Jiang Yu was at the petting zoo with Lin Weiwei and Su Nuannuan, feeding camels.
Su Nuannuan was the daughter of Lin Weiwei’s close friend and also the goddaughter of Jiang Yu and Lin Weiwei.
Lin Weiwei’s friend was often away from Pengcheng.
So, Nuannuan was frequently entrusted to their care.
Over the years, Jiang Yu had watched Nuannuan grow up.
Nuannuan fulfilled his long-held dream of having a daughter, and he even treated her as his own.
“Nuannuan, time to drink some water.”
Jiang Yu took out a water bottle and gently brought it to Su Nuannuan’s lips.
Su Nuannuan smiled sweetly, “Thank you, Daddy Jiang.”
A cool breeze blew, and Jiang Yu added a little vest for Nuannuan.
As he glanced up unintentionally, he spotted Youzi with a middle-aged couple.
A little rabbit hopped around playfully in front of Youzi.
Youzi couldn’t take her eyes off it.
The middle-aged couple beside her watched with tender affection.
“This child has such a gentle personality and such delicate, lovely features.”
“Honey, didn’t Youzi’s mother want to arrange her adoption soon? Let’s finalize the paperwork as soon as possible.”
Jiang Yu was stunned!
Was Lin Ting really planning to give Youzi away?
The cool breeze swept by.
The temperature in the air seemed to drop abruptly.
But colder than the air was the expression on Jiang Yu’s strikingly handsome face.
First, Lin Ting had sought him out, wanting to dump Youzi on him.
And now, she was handing Youzi over to this middle-aged couple?
Was this how she mothered Youzi?
A few days earlier, when he’d coincidentally run into Youzi at the airport, Jiang Yu had seen her face, which bore a striking resemblance to Lin Ting’s.
For a moment, it was as if he’d glimpsed his old acquaintance, Lin Ting.
He’d imagined that if he and Lin Ting had a daughter, she would be just as adorable and delicate.
Seeing Youzi that time had filled him with joy.
But he never expected that Youzi was actually the daughter of Lin Ting and Zhou Ziheng.
Though it had nothing to do with him, Youzi’s delicate face, big eyes, and long lashes kept flashing through his mind.
He obtained Lin Ting’s contact information from Jiang Shuchen.
Then, leaving Su Nuannuan in Lin Weiwei’s care, he walked to a secluded spot and called Lin Ting.
“Let’s meet!”
An unfamiliar number called in.
Though the number was unfamiliar, the voice was one Lin Ting knew all too well.
That Jiang Yu would reach out to her was something she had never expected.
Recalling his cold indifference, Lin Ting felt nothing but pain and hatred churning within her. Her voice naturally turned icy. “Is there something you need, Mr. Jiang?”