YJDNY - 27

After his words, an eerie silence fell between the two of them.

Xiang Ge was almost dumbfounded, her phone nearly slipping from her hand and falling onto the carpet.

She had just tossed her bag onto the coffee table and hadn’t yet settled into the sofa. With her knees slightly bent and her butt halfway up, she froze in place.

Zhou Xingyan spoke very slowly—four words over five seconds.

Xiang Ge began to doubt herself, wondering if she had misheard or hallucinated.

She had only teased him casually.

She had even prepared for his cold, sarcastic response.

Xiang Ge blinked while squatting, regaining her composure as she sat back on the couch. Her thighs ached, and she let out a soft “hiss.”

When she spoke again, her voice seemed cautious and light. “Then should I wait for you to come over?”

“Mm,” he replied, seemingly unaware of what he had just said, with no significant change in tone.

Xiang Ge thought for a moment and then asked, “Should we have dinner together?”

Zhou Xingyan hummed again, paused briefly, and said, “I’ll bring your painkillers over.”

“…”

Xiang Ge realized what he was referring to.

During her last period, this ruthless man had confiscated all her painkillers, even those hidden in the kitchen organizer.

Xiang Ge lifted her long legs, leaned back into the sofa, and sighed mournfully, “Senior Zhou, I think you’ve changed.”

On the other end, Zhou Xingyan chuckled softly, “How have I changed?”

“You’re actually returning them now. I thought you’d just thrown them in the trash.”

Zhou Xingyan paused for a moment, “They were already in the trash, but I took them out.”

“…”

Xiang Ge: “Maybe you shouldn’t give them to me after all.”

Yet, as soon as she hung up, she sprang to her feet.

Tossing her phone onto the sofa, she stood still for a moment before running to the dressing table in her bedroom, scrutinizing her reflection left and right.

Due to her profession, Xiang Ge’s makeup often wasn’t suitable for everyday wear. After finishing work, she usually found the layers uncomfortable and preferred to remove it at the company.

The woman staring back at her in the mirror was completely bare-faced. Her features weren’t problematic, but due to her habitual late nights and work, there were faint dark circles under her eyes.

Her skin hadn’t deteriorated because of it, which she prided herself on immensely.

Women are creatures adept at self-deception. Despite knowing how unattractive and haggard they look when sick or feverish, they still can’t help but care about their appearance upon meeting someone.

Especially in situations like this, where there was a ceremonial sense—a prearranged meeting between two people.

Xiang Ge leaned on her dressing table, gazing at the person in the mirror. She tapped the edge of the table twice with her fingertips, thinking about dinner later. Finally, she got up, washed her face, and began applying skincare and foundation.

It was already evening, and she felt a bit lazy, so she skipped many steps, applied light makeup, and leisurely finished. Sitting cross-legged on the sofa, she started watching videos.

After watching several food videos, it was already 5:30. Thinking it was time, Xiang Ge turned off the video and went into the room to change clothes.

But just as she finished changing, the doorbell rang.

Xiang Ge didn’t expect Zhou Xingyan to arrive so quickly. “Hmm?” she exclaimed, pulling her long hair out from her collar as she walked toward the door without looking, opening it directly.

With her head bowed, she raised it while fixing her hair, “You’re so fast—”

Her words stopped abruptly.

Standing at the door was a man wearing a gray coat and light blue jeans. The coat was old, with frayed edges at the cuffs and hem, and the jeans were faded white.

He wore a pair of sneakers, dirty on top but meticulously clean on the sides, as if specially brushed.

His hair was cut very short, his skin dark, and his face lined, resembling dry, cracked earth. Yet, his black eyes were strikingly bright.

Xiang Ge was rooted to the spot, her gaze vacant. Her lips moved, but no sound came out.

The man licked his lips, seeming somewhat awkward, and looked her up and down. “Long time no see, darling.”

Those words acted like a switch. Xiang Ge snapped back to reality, instinctively trying to close the door, but he quickly blocked it.

Xiang Lin’s lips drooped, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. His voice was raspy, “After all these years, don’t you miss your dad?”

Xiang Ge’s fingers gripping the doorknob stiffened, her knuckles turning white. She pursed her lips and remained silent.

Xiang Lin held a magazine in his hand, extending it to her and shaking it slightly. “Never expected my daughter would become successful and a star?” He tilted his head, reading aloud the title of her interview on the cover. Finishing, he looked up, “A model?”

Xiang Ge stared at him emotionlessly, “Does it matter to you?”

His expression appeared unaffected, “What kind of attitude is that toward your father? So disrespectful.”

This familiar yet strange face made Xiang Ge feel as though her blood had frozen solid. Her fingertips began to go numb, and something within her roared to break free.

Taking a deep breath, she suppressed the deep-seated unease and coldly eyed the man before her. “How did you find this place?”

Seeing the magazine, finding her company was within reason, but now, this man had even appeared ghost-like at her doorstep.

Xiang Ge felt a chill run through her body, her sense of insecurity skyrocketing.

“Were you following me?”

Xiang Lin continued to smile, his tone calm. “Don’t be so nervous. I just came to see if my daughter is doing well.”

“Is that so?” Xiang Ge lowered her eyelashes. “Well, now you’ve seen. Goodbye.”

The man was completely unfazed by her rude attitude.

He even glanced past her, calmly observing Xiang Ge’s home.

The decoration was simple, the walls painted white. A large sofa held several pieces of clothing, appearing very comfortable. Soft cushions were scattered everywhere, and various magazines lay on a large carpet. Hanging plants by the floor-to-ceiling windows had lush green stems that cascaded downward.

Leaning forward, he took a couple of steps inside. Xiang Ge tensed up, her grip on the doorknob unwavering, standing still without retreating or giving way.

Xiang Lin looked down at her in surprise, smiling wryly. “Dad worked hard to see you once. Won’t you let me sit down?”

She coldly stared at him, her black eyes devoid of any emotion.

Xiang Lin returned to the doorway, his fingers slowly tracing the wooden doorframe. “Ge’er has grown up, more rebellious than ever. Don’t remember sitting on Dad’s shoulders asking for this and that when you were little?”

Xiang Ge struggled to maintain her composure. A taut string in her mind snapped with his words.

Unable to bear it any longer, she suddenly let go, stepping back to create distance, raising her voice, “What do you want?!”

Xiang Ge clenched her teeth tightly, clenching her fists so hard that her nails almost dug into her palms.

She had never been afraid of him.

At the earliest memories, Xiang Lin had moments similar to other fathers.

He would bring her snacks after work, lift her up with a laugh, and take her out during his days off.

Xiang Ge had remembered things from a very young age. Back then, she was happy—a cute little girl, her mother beautiful like a fairy, and her father a capable policeman.

Everything seemed perfect, making her overlook occasional arguments between her parents and vague mentions of sons and daughters.

When exactly things changed, Xiang Ge couldn’t recall.

She only remembered that after Xiang Lin lost his job, he began drinking, becoming suspicious and distrustful, his face gradually twisting.

But at least during that time, Xiang Lin could still be considered normal.

When Su Jingnian lost the lawsuit and left, Xiang Ge cried for the first time.

The little girl sobbed, clutching her mother tightly, refusing to let go, her childish voice hoarse as she asked, “Mommy, is it because I’m a girl?”

At twelve years old, the girl dimly yet clearly understood what had happened.

Because she was a girl.

Because she was a girl, her grandparents never liked her. In her memory, she had never seen them smile.

Because she was a girl, her father argued with her mother, grew increasingly displeased with her, and would suddenly lash out, saying why he had such a burden.

Su Jingnian cried too, holding her tightly, promising to come back and protect her.

Xiang Ge suddenly quieted down.

The little girl wiped away her tears, raised her arms to hug her mother soothingly, saying, “Mommy, don’t cry. Go ahead.”

Her mother shouldn’t be like this.

Her mother was the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. She should be happy every day, not dulled by such life.

She had grown up; she could take care of herself.

She couldn’t drag her mother down.

That was the first time Xiang Ge cried.

And the last.

On that day, Xiang Lin hit her for the first time.

She was afraid of pain. As a child, even a small scrape on her knee from a fall would make her eyes red with tears. But facing Xiang Lin later, she never cried.

She resisted, called the police, sought help from neighbors and hospitals, gritted her teeth and cursed him, but never begged for mercy or shed a tear.

She was never afraid of him.

The weather was nice when Su Jingnian returned.

A light rain had fallen the night before, and the summer afternoon sun steamed the ground dry. The woman wore an expensive-looking red dress, her skin nearly translucent, her features exquisite, her light brown hair styled in large waves.

Su Jingnian stood at the school gate, a luxurious car behind her, saying, “Mommy is here to pick you up.”

For several years, Xiang Ge had awaited this moment every second, hoping her mother would return and take her away.

But at that moment, she hesitated briefly.

Suddenly, there were things she was reluctant to leave behind.

There was a certain elegant young man who put band-aids on her, helped clean up her messes when she burned the food, sternly woke her up, and said with a tight-lipped expression, “Xiang Ge, if you keep acting like this, I won’t take care of you anymore.”

Xiang Ge wanted to tell him something no matter what.

Before leaving, she wanted to say, “I think I’ve fallen for you.” She also wanted to ask, “Do you like me?”

Then tell him, “I’m leaving, but I’ll come back. Will you wait for me?”

But how could she explain?

Because of these reasons, it was difficult to bring up.

Mixed emotions of pride and inferiority surged within her. Especially given her family background, Xiang Ge particularly didn’t want him to know.

Of everyone, she especially didn’t want him to know.

The door was open, and a draft from the elevator corridor blew into the apartment, flapping her dress and making her shiver involuntarily.

Xiang Ge stood still like a statue, taking a deep breath, and calmed herself. “Dad,” she said indifferently, “I’ll call you Dad one last time. I’m doing well now. The past is gone, and I don’t want to remember it or see you.”

“I’m not the little girl who used to be at your mercy. I am an independent adult. You have no feelings for me, and coincidentally, I have none for you either. There’s no need to play this familial drama. What do you want? Just say it straight,” she smirked, her mocking gaze evident and unhidden. “Even if you say it, it’s all in vain. I won’t listen, and I won’t give you anything.”

Her words were clear and merciless, completely unexpected by Xiang Lin. The man looked as if he wanted to speak but hesitated. He entered the house and tried to close the door behind him.

It didn’t budge.

Xiang Lin turned his head.

Zhou Xingyan stood behind the door, one hand bracing the doorframe. He glanced at Xiang Ge standing behind him and swept his gaze around before returning it.

“Do you need something?”

Xiang Lin obviously hadn’t reacted yet.

Zhou Xingyan stared at him, his eyes cold and black.

Xiang Lin looked at him, then turned back to look at Xiang Ge, forcing an awkward smile. “Nothing.” He turned to leave.

After walking out, he paused and turned back, glancing at Xiang Ge inside the house.

Xiang Ge didn’t look at him, directly closing the door.

A heavy thud echoed. She stood there, staring at the door for a long time.

It was as if all her strength had suddenly drained. Her knees felt weak, her arms stiffly hanging at her sides, her fingertips icy.

After a while, she slowly turned around, lifting her head to look at him, biting her lower lip until it left a white mark.

Zhou Xingyan watched her silently, saying nothing.

Xiang Ge’s throat felt dry.

“I…”

Zhou Xingyan stepped forward, extending his arm and pulling her into his embrace.

Caught off guard, she bumped into his chest, her body cold and trembling slightly.

Zhou Xingyan felt it and tightened his arms around her, placing his hand on the back of her head, threading his fingers through her hair, gently rubbing.

“Don’t be afraid.”

His hoarse voice murmured, “Don’t be scared. I’m here.”