YJDNY - 44

Xiang Lin lowered his gaze, then raised it again, smiling faintly at her. “I went to your house a few more times after that.”

Xiang Ge stared at him but didn’t say anything.

“But I never waited long enough to see you, so I figured you must’ve been avoiding me,” he paused, his voice slow and deliberate. “Then I came by your company, thinking maybe I’d run into you there, but I still didn’t see you. I didn’t have any ulterior motives or anything like that. I just… wanted to see how you were doing, if you’re okay now.”

After saying this, silence settled over the room.

A while passed before Xiang Ge gave a faint laugh, licking her lips lightly. Her voice was soft and unhurried as she finally spoke. “Do you think you even deserve that?”

The man stiffened momentarily, his shoulders tensing before quickly relaxing again.

He shrugged nonchalantly, deliberately casual, as if to mask his unease by taking off his gloves.

Xiang Ge’s eyes fixed on his hands hanging by his sides. His rough fingers brushed against the seams of his pants; his skin was dry and cracked, revealing red raw flesh beneath, like parched earth after a long drought.

“At first, I didn’t mean for things to go this way. I just... wanted to check in,” he licked his chapped lips and smiled faintly again. “But when I saw you, I realized I still wanted to talk to you, hear you call me ‘Dad’ again, see you smile at me one more time.”

“I messed up.” Xiang Lin dropped his gaze slightly, his voice tinged with regret. “I made mistakes. Back then, the pressure was too much, everything hit me all at once. I couldn’t handle it, didn’t know how to let it out.”

He looked at her, his fingers twitching slightly as if wanting to reach out, but then quickly withdrawing. His voice softened along with his gaze. “These past few days, I’ve heard them talking about how you’re going to be in a movie. My daughter is a star now, so accomplished.”

In the hallway, the man stood at the restroom door, wearing light blue janitorial clothes, a dirty smudge on his abdomen.

Xiang Ge stared straight ahead at him, suddenly feeling disoriented.

She used to have to look up to see his face.

Now, she had grown taller, and he was aging.

One day, his back would hunch, his steps would falter, and he’d spend his twilight years alone, burdened by the consequences of his youthful mistakes for the rest of his life.

Suddenly, Xiang Ge felt as though many things no longer seemed as important.

Her gaze shifted slightly, then returned to him. She spoke softly, almost indifferently. “I forgive you.”

Xiang Lin’s eyes widened slightly, a small sound escaping from his throat.

“I remember when you were good to me as a child—you played with me, bought me dolls, helped with chores while carrying me on your back. Later, after you lost your job, started drinking, acting out, and divorced Mom—” she paused, continuing slowly, “you began treating me that way.”

“You were under stress, overwhelmed, had hidden pain and unavoidable hardships—I understand. It’s been many years since then. I don’t want to be bound by the past for the rest of my life. I can forgive you.”

She gazed at him steadily, her tone calm. “But I can’t accept or acknowledge you anymore.”

Xiang Lin blinked, his eyes beginning to redden.

She watched him, her expression unchanged. “I actually thought about it a lot before. When I had enough courage and strength, how would I get revenge on you? Everything you made me endure, I wanted you to experience too, and repay me tenfold. What would your reaction be then?”

Would he cry, apologize, beg for forgiveness? Would he desperately defend himself, refusing to admit his wrongs? Or would he endlessly dredge up some absurd excuse?

She had rehearsed these scenarios countless times in her mind, deriving a twisted pleasure from imagining them.

But something about that felt… wrong.

Xiang Ge lowered her eyes, then suddenly smiled faintly.

“You treated me badly, but I can’t retaliate in the same way—it wouldn’t be right. I’m grateful for raising me, so if you ever get sick and need hospitalization, I’ll pay for it. If you have nowhere to go, I’ll arrange for a nursing home. When you pass away, I’ll cover the funeral expenses—but that’s all. If you ever lose the ability to care for yourself, I’ll provide basic living costs, but I won’t visit you. Today is the last time we meet. From now on, I never want to see you again, under any circumstances or in any form. I hope you stay out of my life.”

Xiang Ge suddenly grabbed her bag from beside her and pulled something out. “I forgive you, but don’t expect redemption or peace of mind from me. No one but you can absolve your sins.”

She lifted her gaze and handed him the item.

Xiang Lin’s reddened eyes instinctively took it, his gaze still lingering on her face.

A young, beautiful girl.

Her features, even the expression in her eyes, resembled her mother’s so much.

So pure, so clean.

Soft yet radiant, like the first wisp of morning mist drifting through the mountains.

Xiang Ge turned and walked away. Behind her, someone was waiting, smiling as they linked arms with her, calling her “Sister Xiang Ge” cheerfully. It was as if an invisible wall had risen between her and her old world.

Xiang Lin lowered his eyes to what she had placed in his hand.

A tube of hand cream.

Silver, small and delicate, with a pink-and-white flower printed on it, resting quietly in his rough palm.

So kind.

A single tear fell silently onto the tube, sliding along its edge and seeping into the cracks of his weathered skin, bringing a faint sting of cold.

Xiang Lin closed his eyes, leaning against the nearby wall.

He had once had two of the most beautiful girls in the world.

And he had lost them both.

________________________________________

Due to the delay, Xiang Ge and Qiao Xin had to buy coffee and head back. Along the way, the young girl didn’t ask anything, quietly following behind Xiang Ge, chatting about trivial gossip—like what happened after she confronted Xu Yiqi, and how she avoided getting within five meters of her for a long time.

Xiang Ge found it amusing. The girl seemed soft and naive, but at times, she was surprisingly perceptive and sensitive.

She reached out and patted her head. “You don’t need to be so careful around me. I’m fine.”

Qiao Xin looked up. “When that uncle came a few days ago, I thought he looked familiar… Was he… Dad?”

Xiang Ge sipped her coffee, giving a faint “Mm-hmm.”

Qiao Xin didn’t press further, suddenly sighing. “My dad left us when I was really young. I don’t know what having a father feels like. People always say growing up without a father’s love is hard, but I’ve gotten used to it. Honestly, it doesn’t feel like it affected me much—except that I don’t want to date, and I feel like men aren’t reliable.”

Xiang Ge tilted her head thoughtfully, then said, “It’s not like that.”

Qiao Xin blinked, looking up. “Huh?”

“Not all men are unreliable,” Xiang Ge said, glancing down at her. A ring of matcha latte foam clung to the corner of her mouth. Xiang Ge chuckled and pulled out a tissue to wipe it away. “A cute little thing like you will definitely meet someone who treats you well.”

You’ll meet someone with the kindest eyes and the warmest embrace.

He’ll be like a hearth in winter, like a lighthouse in a storm—giving you warmth and guiding you forward. Even if the journey is bumpy, even if you lose each other in the crowd, it doesn’t matter.

He’ll find you again someday, coming to your side when you need him most, shielding you from the wind and rain, holding up a small patch of sky for you. When you’re scared, he’ll pull you into his arms and tell you, Don’t be afraid. I’m here.

Her expression was so tender as she spoke.

Qiao Xin was momentarily stunned, forgetting about her smeared lipstick. She licked her lips, removing the last bit of foam, then tilted her head curiously. “Xiang Ge, are you dating someone?”

Xiang Ge shot her a lazy glance, smiling faintly. “Yeah.”

Qiao Xin was taken aback by her straightforward admission. After glancing around furtively, she leaned closer, lowering her voice. “Is it President Song?”

Xiang Ge nearly choked on her coffee.

Qiao Xin continued whispering conspiratorially. “Even though Xu Yiqi dated a rich second-generation heir, I always felt that guy was just playing around. But President Song is different—he genuinely cares about you. Remember when you got into trouble with Xu Yiqi? It was President Song who smoothed things over completely—like…” She gestured dramatically, nodding solemnly. “Defending his girlfriend no matter what—even if she caused chaos, he’d fix it for her.”

Xiang Ge raised an eyebrow. “Who exactly was I defending back then?”

Qiao Xin scratched her cheek, falling silent.

Xiang Ge handed her the tissue. “No, I’m not dating President Song.”

The girl nodded knowingly, her expression saying, Sure, sure.

“…”

Xiang Ge hesitated, then suddenly asked, “Are you free tonight?”

Qiao Xin shook her head. “No.”

At that moment, they stepped out of the elevator and approached the conference room. Timing it perfectly, Xiang Ge caught a glimpse of a flashy pink shirt through the frosted glass. She waved to Qiao Xin and walked in. “Wait for me tonight. I’ll treat you to dinner and introduce you to your brother-in-law.”

Qiao Xin: “...”

As soon as Xiang Ge entered the conference room, she spotted Fu Rongsen flirting with Song Zhi’s female secretary.

Calling it “flirting” might be overstating it. More accurately, Young Master Fu was unilaterally complimenting the secretary on her beauty and coffee-making skills, likening her to a fairy-like presence.

Xiang Ge understood immediately—this man simply had a habit of playful banter.

Unfortunately, his target was Song Zhi’s secretary. The impeccably dressed woman, with her hair neatly styled and lashes unmoving, left the room without so much as a flicker of emotion.

Xiang Ge couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow, wondering if being poker-faced was a mandatory requirement for working under Song Zhi.

Fu Rongsen must have found it boring too because his eyes lit up the moment Xiang Ge walked in. He grinned, charm radiating from him. “Our supermodel grows lovelier every day.”

Song Zhi glanced up, raising an eyebrow pointedly. “Today’s contract has Z Company as the client. Director Fu personally coming to Global Sphere shows such dedication to work. Truly admirable.”

In other words, You’re here to sign a contract with our company, not yours.

Fu Rongsen also raised his gaze, studying Song Zhi with interest.

Xiang Ge sat beside Song Zhi, awkwardly turning her head away.

Since the two parties had previously collaborated and were straightforward individuals, everything had already been settled beforehand. Song Zhi didn’t linger, leaving the follow-up matters to Chen Mo and Xiang Ge.

This was Xiang Ge’s first encounter with Chen Mo’s decisive efficiency and impeccable negotiation skills. Had the situation allowed, Xiang Ge might have stood up to applaud her.

By the time the contract was signed, the morning was nearly over. After exchanging polite farewells, Fu Rongsen smoothly invited Xiang Ge to lunch.

Xiang Ge lowered her gaze, thinking for ten seconds. “Sorry, Director Fu, but I already have plans with my boyfriend for lunch.”

Fu Rongsen: “Oh, then—”

“Have a safe trip, Director Fu.” Xiang Ge offered a slow smile.

Chen Mo, sensing the dismissal, subtly tilted her head and whispered, “That was quite obvious.”

Xiang Ge was surprised, whispering back, “Was it really?”

Fu Rongsen: “...”