Su Xingci’s skin prickled and her face burned bright red.
Could her father please stop talking? Why did he have to bring up such ancient history right now?
She was twenty not eight years old did she have no dignity?
Worse Huo Chenzhou stood there in his neat uniform tall and imposing radiating an air that kept everyone at a distance.
Now her father was recounting her childhood declarations and she could not bear to picture the scene.
Su Xingci reached out to cover her father’s mouth then pulled her hand back and forced out a stiff reply.
“Father that was all childish nonsense.”
“Nonsense? You were eight years old and old enough to remember! You truly adored Chenzhou following him everywhere calling him big brother.”
Su Yuanshan missed her desperate signals and kept cheerfully digging the hole deeper.
“When he left for military academy you cried until you could barely breathe nothing could calm you.”
Su Xingci closed her eyes in despair wishing the ground would swallow her. She stole a quick glance and met Huo Chenzhou’s deep dark gaze.
He was watching her his face still cool and composed but she was certain he was laughing at her.
There was quiet amusement in his eyes and she wanted nothing more than to vanish into thin air.
She had already been feeling wretched over that faithless man and now this mortifying embarrassment was more than she could bear.
She quickly turned her attention to the little girl Tangtang who was utterly adorable.
She had big round bright eyes and wore her hair in two charming tufts dressed in a lovely smart red dress clearly cherished and well cared for.
It seemed perfectly natural to see her held in Huo Chenzhou’s arms despite his stern reputation.
Su Xingci felt a quiet twinge of regret.
Huo Chenzhou was an exceptional man handsome strong commanding and influential.
He held the child a little awkwardly perhaps but his genuine care was unmistakable.
He was a man of true responsibility nothing like the smooth-talking hypocrite Gu Yuanhang.
It was a pity such fine men belonged to others.
Judging by the child’s age Huo Chenzhou had been married for years.
The woman who had won his heart who he made time for even when busy must be so happy.
Not like herself who had chosen so poorly.
Su Xingci lowered her gaze hiding her sadness.
“Auntie I want that one!” a clear sweet voice broke the awkward silence.
Tangtang squirmed in Huo Chenzhou’s arms pointing toward the far end of the counter.
There lay a row of hairpins more delicate than the rest the most beautiful one adorned with a pink bow and sparkling crystals.
Huo Chenzhou looked down at the little girl in his arms and asked gently “Which one?”
“The pink one with the shiny stones!”
The child pointed eagerly then seeming to doubt his choice turned wide hopeful eyes toward Su Xingci. “Pretty sister can you help me? Please?”
Her voice was soft and sweet her eyes large and pleading like a helpless little rabbit.
Su Xingci’s heart melted instantly at being called pretty sister.
Huo Chenzhou did not seem offended by the child’s doubt and shifted half a step closer closing the gap between them.
A clean crisp scent reached her cold yet fresh mixed with the faint pleasant smell of soap.
Her heart gave a sudden lurch and she nearly stepped back not wanting to appear flustered.
Huo Chenzhou turned slightly bringing the child closer his voice low.
“Thank you for your help.”
He was giving permission leaving the choice to her.
Su Xingci could never resist an adorable child and her embarrassment faded away.
“Of course I will help you.”
She waved to the shop assistant indicating the bow hairpin.
“Could I see that one please?”
The assistant handed it to her. Huo Chenzhou leaned forward holding the child so they were level and she stood on tiptoe for a better look.
“Is this the one?”
“Yes yes that one it is so pretty!” Tangtang clapped her hands in delight.
“It truly is beautiful.” Su Xingci smiled her voice softening. “Shall I put it in your hair?”
“Yes please you are so kind!”
Tangtang leaned forward happily her bangs falling slightly as she moved.
Su Xingci gently brushed the fine soft hair from the child’s forehead careful not to hurt her.
Huo Chenzhou watched her hands they were beautiful hands marked with faint calluses from hard work yet still slender and fair.
Her nails were neat and pink and as she leaned near he could see the fine down on her cheek and the sweep of her long dark lashes.
She was so gentle so warm and soft her eyes which had been red from crying now curved with genuine kindness.
Su Xingci secured the hairpin and adjusted it stepping back to admire her handiwork.
“There perfect!”
Tangtang beamed with delight turning to admire her reflection in the glass cabinet pleased with what she saw.
“Thank you pretty sister!” She threw her arms around Su Xingci’s neck and gave her a warm smacking kiss on the cheek.
Su Xingci froze at the soft sweet kiss filled with innocent affection.
Her heart had felt so cold and numb lately yet this small gesture lifted the heavy gloom inside her.
She laughed truly laughed for the first time in a long while her eyes crinkling and two soft dimples appearing.
Huo Chenzhou’s hold on the child tightened just a little his gaze resting briefly on those dimples before moving away.
“Tangtang that is enough.” He spoke quietly yet with fond indulgence.
“It is quite alright.” Su Xingci looked up her eyes bright and warm. “She is absolutely lovely.”
“Look at those two.” Su Yuanshan who had been watching happily could not resist joining in.
He looked at all three and nodded with deep approval.
“Tangtang you look so like him especially your nose exactly as he looked as a little one!”
Hearing this Su Xingci felt her suspicion confirmed.
She was undoubtedly his daughter.
The resemblance was striking and unmistakable.
Huo Chenzhou raised an eyebrow glancing at the girl then at Su Yuanshan about to say something.
Su Yuanshan continued speaking before he could.
“It seems my Xingci has taken quite a liking to your child she was never very patient with little ones before yet look at her now.”
He turned to his daughter his tone gently persuasive. “Xingci since he is gone do not keep holding onto the past. See how precious children are? Find a good man settle down and give me a beautiful granddaughter to spoil won’t you?”
Why was this happening again? Su Xingci’s smile froze.
To be talked about marriage and children right in front of Huo Chenzhou was unbearably awkward.
“Father please…” she protested quietly unable to meet Huo Chenzhou’s eyes.
Huo Chenzhou remained perfectly calm.
He ignored the question holding Tangtang securely with one hand while taking money from his pocket to pay the assistant.
“We will take this one.”
As change was counted Huo Chenzhou turned toward Su Xingci.
“You seem very fond of children.” His voice was deep and steady sending a faint pleasant tingle down her spine.
“Perhaps then…”
Su Xingci looked up sharply breath caught in her throat.
Perhaps what? Surely he would not say something truly shocking?
Huo Chenzhou met her startled gaze and his eyes danced with deeper amusement.