Chapter 03 How Can One Forget

I forgot. "Xiao Zhiyuan casually remarked, 'I won't talk to you anymore, I have a lot of things here that are not yet dealt with.'"

Zijin had no choice but to turn around and speak to him: "So, is it good that you drank this cup of water?"

"Hey, let go," she said softly, yet she did not dare to pull away forcefully, fearing that she might dislodge the IV needle.

He shot a glare at Zhen but affectionately said to his daughter: "Don't listen to Mommy, even if you're last, Daddy will still take Lele to eat banana boat."

Are you busy with the matter of Guangke's illegitimate daughter, Fang Jialing? There is a small issue now. When the reporters went to take pictures of Ling Yan, they inadvertently captured Lele and President Xiao... Iris paused, carefully choosing her words, and said, "The photos have not been exposed yet, and we are also doing our best to retrieve the negatives."

He was perhaps so enraged that he could only stare at her for a moment, a cold smile lingering at the corners of his lips, without uttering a word

They have been married for four years

He nodded.

Xiao Zhiyuan! She raised her voice suddenly, "Are you crazy!"

The elevator descended floor by floor, and suddenly Zijin realized that it wasn't the first time she had made him angry and walked away. Often in the middle of the night, she angrily shouted at him, "Can't I just leave?!"

She felt a sudden twinge of guilt in her heart, slowly walked past, but still stubbornly said, "You could have solved it, why did you have to scare me?"

The curtains in the bedroom are tightly drawn. Zijin woke up, then closed his eyes and lay in bed for a while.

Did you not sleep last night?" Zi Jin put down his chopsticks, observing his expression, increasingly filled with doubt

The little girl's eyes were pixelated, but it was clear that she was scared, tightly holding onto her mother's neck, tears still on her cheeks. Zijin felt that the child was extremely pitiful. After reading it quickly, she sighed in her heart that the journalists really have vivid imaginations.

Xiao Zhiyuan reached out and turned on the light: "Why aren't you coming out now that you're awake?"

Sorry

Four years ago, Ling Yan gave birth to a daughter out of wedlock. The topic of who the biological father is has been discussed countless times. Unexpectedly, someone leaked that Ling Meixuan's biological father is none other than Fang Jialing, the general manager of Guangke Heavy Industries. The so-called evidence is a photo of Ling Yan and Fang Jialing before Ling Yan debuted. Now the photo is prominently displayed, with irrelevant individuals blurred out, leaving only Ling Yan and Fang Jialing clearly visible. In the photo taken four or five years ago, Ling Yan had not yet debuted, and she wore no makeup, yet exuded a natural and beautiful charm.

Zi Jin smiled wryly: "I'll go and see, he is in a meeting and probably won't answer the phone"

The door to the study was half ajar. When she entered, she only saw Xiao Zhiyuan's profile, leaning against the soft chair, with the phone on speaker mode, engaged in a call. He had not lifted his head from the pile of documents and contracts, instructing his subordinates on whom to find and what tasks needed to be done, all in an orderly manner

A large and a small group of red watermelons approached. From a distance, Lele was already calling out "Dad".

"Sangzi Jin, I do not mind your silence when there is nothing to say." He knew she was trying to make conversation, speaking in a bland and indifferent manner

In the end, the call was never made, and Zijing knew that the phone number she had was of no practical use. After all, she did not have the authority to mobilize all the public relations resources of Shangwei. The only person she could reach out to at this moment was Xiao Zhiyuan

Xiao Zhiyuan found a parking space and got out of the car holding Lele

He wanted to say something else, but upon seeing her slightly stubborn expression, he decided to go along with her

Since that night of the argument, Xiao Zhiyuan has not returned home. Lele has not insisted on seeing her father, as he still occasionally picks her up from kindergarten and, in an effort to please his daughter, takes her out for desserts.

Xiao Zhiyuan took advantage of her closing her eyes to reach out and adjust the regulator ball on the syringe, causing the flow of the liquid to increase significantly, almost forming a thin line of water. He then nonchalantly moved his hand away and redirected his attention to the documents.

In Decheng, it was just raining, the sound of the rain washing the glass canopy above echoed in the night. The night breeze blew in, and the temperature was still slightly low around one or two in the morning. Zijing was only wearing a dress, having forgotten to bring a knitted cardigan, and goosebumps rose on her skin. She got into a taxi, told the driver the name of the hotel, and then opened her phone.

Even Xiao Zhiyuan himself was unaware that a satisfied smile lingered at the corners of his lips as he pressed down on the accelerator

"Stop pretending with me, who knows what kind of messy women you have in your hotel." Zi Jin said impatiently

"Yesterday... I had no choice but to seek out my elder brother..." Zi Jin looked at his somewhat ferocious expression and took a half step back, "I truly had no other options..."

"It has been four years since we got married, and I ask myself if I have done everything I should have—what about you?" Xiao Zhiyuan interrupted her words, looking at her as if she were a stranger. "Sang Zijing, in your heart, is there even the smallest corner that holds the fact that I am your husband?"

The little girl blinked her eyes and ran to her father's feet, saying: "Daddy, hug."

He truly has no appetite; even drinking espresso that is twice as strong tastes as bland as plain water. However, seeing Zi Jin eat with great relish makes him feel somewhat hungry.

No. Zi Jin closed her eyes.

6 PM

"I will stay with you until the IV is finished." Zi Jin curled up on the sofa in the study, staring blankly at the bag of transparent liquid, "You don't need to worry about me."

Oh, I will leave right away. Zi Jin went to the bedroom to get her bag and drowsily walked out of the guest room

He obediently handed her the water bottle, a hint of gentle smile in his clear eyes

Zi Jin instead felt a sense of relief, until the kindergarten staff brought them to the classroom where Lele was located

Thinking for a moment, Zi Jiong got up, poured a glass of warm water, and walked to the study. He gently pushed the door open, only to see Xiao Zhiyuan sleeping in the soft chair.

She suddenly realized that among the countless rumors about Xiao Zhiyuan, some were indeed true, but most of them were intentionally spread by Xiao Zhengping—because Xiao Zhiyuan's image of being not serious enough made it difficult for him to gain the approval of the board of directors.

Are you talking in your sleep

Perhaps he thought he had come to catch an affair... ... Zijin was thinking about minding her own business when the car happened to arrive at the hotel entrance. As soon as she got out of the car, she saw Xiao Zhiyuan's secretary waiting in the lobby. When he saw her, he breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Mrs. Xiao."

"Hmm?" He stopped.

He returned to the driver's seat and glanced at Zijing in the rearview mirror before driving off

Before boarding the plane, she once again dialed Xiao Zhiyuan's phone number, but it was still turned off. The flight attendant gently leaned down and asked her to turn off her cellphone. Zijin covered herself with a blanket and curled up on the spacious seat. Although she was clearly exhausted, she couldn't fall asleep at all.

"What?" Xiao Zhiyuan's voice was still hoarse, and he even looked more tired than yesterday.

"Do not drink anymore," she reached out to take the ice water from his hand, "I will go ask if there is any warm water."

Isn't it that the elder brother he ... ...

"Why is he willing to help you?" He asked word by word, "What did you say to him?"

He quickly stood up, leaving her standing there in a daze, and went straight to the study to fetch his briefcase, then slammed the door as he left

"What does it mean?" he asked coldly in return.

She stiffened her body and turned to look at him.

Ke Zijing, however, did not dare to respond. ... When he first asked, his tone was impatient and forceful ... . ... But now, it had become weak, even faintly containing a plea, as if he were begging her to answer with a "yes".

Xiao Zhiyuan smiled and got off the car, holding her and placing her on the child seat. Zi Jin followed and sat inside.

Subsequently, Zijin could only say, "Let's go together."

Is it the eldest brother who is causing trouble? When Zijin was driving back to the company, she kept thinking about this matter and the more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed. She wanted to make a phone call to ask Xiao Zhiyuan, but the call was transferred to Iris, who apologized and told her that Xiao Zhiyuan was on a plane.

The little boy turned to Xiao Zhiyuan and said, "Uncle, you are really amazing."

"Speak up! Are you afraid to say what you can do?" He became increasingly impatient

Zijin opened a crack in the door and took a glance outside; it was Chen Pan

"How can this be generalized?" Chen Pan, in a fit of emotion, stood up. "Fang Jialing, this is a scandal. You are married and have a child. If this matter finds the right promotional angle, you can say that you have been low-key to protect Lele. This is beneficial for your image and style! In the past, Xiao Zhengping said that those rumors about you have all been debunked without any effort..."

He sighed silently, put down his pen, and helplessly said: "Then don't speak, let me read in peace."

Xiao Zhiyuan hung up the phone and turned to look at her deeply: "Is it as you wished?"

"That's enough." Xiao Zhiyuan's expression darkened slightly, "These are all my family matters, do not conflate them with company affairs."

She sat in the living room for a while when Iris sent a text confirming that the newspaper had retracted the article, and that the situation online was being monitored closely. For now, there shouldn't be any issues. Ziqin replied with "Thank you," and she sent another message: "By the way, President Xiao developed a high fever as soon as he got off the plane."

He accompanied Zijing to the thirty-second floor, opened the door to a suite, and tactfully said: "President Xiao is in the study."

"What happened to Lele?" Zijing asked with a smile

Today, the kindergarten is particularly lively, with the parking lot filled to capacity, crowded with various types of private cars

You know very well how those people speak about you behind your back!" Chen Pan's tone gradually became more intense, "If you could be like him, at least in name having a wife and children, then he wouldn't be able to make such a big deal out of your private life!

Xiao Zhiyuan looked at her expression of relief and smiled: "Go ahead."

"...I don't want Lele to be without a father," she paused before speaking.

This world is actually much more complex than one imagines. Xiao Zhiyuan has been filtering out the ugliness and complexity for him... Perhaps due to lack of sleep, Xiao Zhengping felt a throbbing pain in his temples... Rumors! Zi Jin suddenly woke up in shock, realizing that he had done something foolish before coming here!

When you return to the company in the afternoon, remember to tell Iris that you have caught a cold. Zi Jin reminded him, paused for a moment, as if feeling that he cared too much, and added, "So as not to infect Lele when it gets worse."

Mr. Fang and the female celebrity... . ... Upon thinking about this, Zi Jin suddenly found it amusing... . If this news had exploded on someone in her own circle, she wouldn't believe it, but Fang Jialing... ... She shook her head. Her boss has a steady and disciplined style, she absolutely doesn't believe it.

He was too lazy to argue with her, so he hung up the phone with a snap. When Zijin called again, the other party had turned off their phone.

The lights were on in the suite, the carpet was soft and thick, and as Zijin walked quickly, it was surprisingly silent.

He still looked at her, with a faint exploration in his eyes. Zijin felt uncomfortable all over. After a while, he got up to answer the phone on the terrace, and she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The headline of the entertainment section is a photo of the popular actress Ling Yan. The scene in the photo is somewhat familiar. She clicked on it and found out that it was the scene from noon. It turns out that the reporters were swarming after Ling Yan and her daughter.

What they said next was all about company matters. Zijin was not in the mood to listen. At this moment, her mind was in a mess, filled with the words that Chen Pan had just said.

Sitting on the passenger seat after opening the car door, Zijin asked Xiao Zhiyuan who was wearing sunglasses: "What's going on?"

As soon as the three of them entered the parking lot, they saw a crowd of people gathered in front, armed with long guns and cannons. Judging from the scene, all the media in Wencheng had been mobilized, but it was unclear what important news they were waiting for.

The door suddenly was pulled open.

She has endured until now; how can she let all her efforts go to waste

The game time is from 9:30 to 11:00, featuring both family competitions and class relay races. Most of the events with two participants are played by Xiao Zhiyuan with Lele, while Zijing cheers for them from the sidelines. The duo, one big and one small, lives up to expectations and works well together. As soon as one match concludes, a classmate of Lele runs over, and a little boy whispers in Lele's ear: "Xiao Junjin, your dad is really amazing!"

Alright, once this bite is finished, Dad is already downstairs. Zi Jin patiently fed her the last spoonful of rice porridge, then wiped her mouth and took the little one out.

Where did you go this morning?" Zi Jin asked Xiao Zhi Yuan while eating the lunch delivered by the hotel

It is a man's voice

She was completely unmade up, yet her cheeks were rosy. Her hair was simply tied up, and at that moment, she was sitting sideways, helping Lele with her hair, while laughing and complaining: "Dad is the most careless, always messing up Lele's hair"

The nature of the relationship between the couple is best understood by Iris, who casually mentioned it, likely as a subtle reminder for Zijing to take care of his health

She fell silent for a moment and awkwardly turned her head.

Zi Jin recalled the words she had spoken to Xiao Zhengping, and suddenly felt a surge of panic; she had said some things that should not have been said. At this moment, Xiao Zhiyuan's question indicated that he must have known.

Many times, she would argue with Xiao Zhiyuan purely out of courage, never certain whether he would ultimately help her... And this time, she truly cannot afford to lose

Xiao Zhiyuan's marital status is not a secret in certain circles. A few parents who know Xiao Zhiyuan came over to greet him. Compared to the occasional sarcastic remarks from his sister-in-law Ning Fei, Zijing felt that the gazes of those bystanders were at most merely curious.

Xiao Zhiyuan, with his long arms and legs, had a hard time getting his father's hands into his clothes. Seeing that others were almost dressed, Lele's eyes turned red with anxiety. Xiao Zhiyuan, enduring and compliant, allowed his daughter to manipulate him, bending down to cooperate while also comforting her. In the end, the buttons were fastened in a crooked manner, and he picked up his daughter and rushed to the finish line. In this way, they caught up with more than half of the competitors ahead and secured second place. The buttons were fastened in a crooked manner, and he picked up his daughter and rushed to the finish line. In this way, they caught up with more than half of the competitors ahead and secured second place

He reached out his hand, gently cupping her cheek, leaned down, and irresistibly kissed her forehead, softly saying: "I will step out for a moment, you should sleep a little longer"

Uh... have you started work?

After contemplating for a while and finding herself at a loss, she suddenly thought of someone. After making this phone call, she felt a slight sense of relief in her heart and then dialed Iris: "Could you please help me book a flight to Decheng for tonight"

Xiao Zhiyuan closed his eyes for a moment, and after a long while, the fierce and solitary intent gradually faded away, replaced instead by a sense of indifference, as if he had lost all hope and motivation: "Forget it, no more to say"

Although the morning sports meeting was not intense, it was still exhausting. He flew here for the meeting, and coupled with his existing cold, it is no wonder that his condition has worsened to this extent

Of course!

A sentence that lacks both beginning and end, yet is delivered with great skill

Lele tilted her head and asked, "Mommy, why are they rushing to take pictures of Ling Meixuan and her mother?"

The loud sound of the door slamming startled Zijing awake. She regained her composure and slowly sat back down in her chair, somewhat numbly recalling the scene that had just unfolded.

Why exactly? Chen Pan sat down again, clearly still unwilling to accept it

The flight time from Wencheng to Decheng is two and a half hours. Since it is a night flight, time seems to pass particularly quickly

Several media outlets are affiliated with the Xiao family, and anyone with discernment can easily understand the situation

Zijin smiled and shook her head: "Lele will ask Ling Meixuan on Monday and then tell Mommy when she comes back"

"These matters have nothing to do with you," he interrupted her. Although his tone was not particularly harsh and even had a somewhat hoarse gentleness, it was clear that he did not wish to continue the conversation with her. "The doctor is next door; I will make a call shortly. You should get some rest."

The rain outside fell in bursts, creating transparent and graceful patterns on the glass window, with vines winding and entangling to the point of suffocation. It was as if he understood her gaze, and finally let go of her hand, giving a self-deprecating smile: "Just consider me confused."

Where is the elder brother

They truly resemble each other as father and daughter, even their expressions of delight are almost identical. Zi Jin, watching from the side, couldn't help but shake his head and smile. The atmosphere between them has become much more relaxed.

Xiao Zhiyuan said lightly: "Rest assured, I won't die anytime soon."

After taking a deep breath and making over ten calls, he finally answered, but his voice sounded very weary: "What’s wrong?"

Fang Jialing's matter is merely a case of grasping at straws. If the photos of Xiao Zhiyuan and Lele are exposed, there will be no justification for defense. The next step will undoubtedly see the media digging into who the child's mother is... Even if Xiao Zhiyuan wields immense power and conceals her identity, such a significant news event will not go unnoticed by the old master, who will certainly not allow Lele to become a "love child." At that time, regardless of the circumstances, her identity will inevitably be made public...

It seems that Iris has already informed him that she flew directly here, and Zijing pressed her lips tightly together: "In the taxi."

She said softly: "I will be there soon, you... it is best to prepare, I do not want to see those who should not be seen"

"What did you promise me when we got married?" she asked angrily

Zijin watched him finish drinking the water, and the hour hand had already pointed to 4 AM

She is well aware of the symptoms of his cold; he will not cough, but his voice will be somewhat hoarse

He truly treats her well, better than anyone else in the world

He always left the house a step ahead of her, and she took it for granted that, after all, this home meant nothing to him

Lele turned over and continued to sleep soundly. Zijing heard the phone in the living room ringing.

Zijin stared at the name "Iris" on the phone screen for a long time, unable to look away.

He still kept his eyes closed, tightly holding her hand, the palm cold as ice

His face was so haggard that Zi Jin suddenly remembered that many times she had made various unreasonable demands of this man almost arrogantly, relying on his tolerance

"Are you coming down with a cold?" Zijing asked while wiping the sweat off Lele.

In fact, over the past four years, she and Xiao Zhiyuan have quarreled countless times, but the weariness and indifference in his eyes just now... that was the first time.

He was unsure of the time. He vaguely remembered that Xiao Zhiyuan had come in during the early morning. She opened her eyes groggily and instinctively asked, "Are you feeling better?"

He glanced at her and commanded, "Come out to eat."

The tension on her face was fully captured in Xiao Zhiyuan's eyes, as he tugged at the corners of his lips, his pair of narrow eyes dark and filled with emotions she could not comprehend

The kindergarten is part of the Xiao Education Group, and the teachers at Lele are carefully selected, all being experts in early childhood education. As soon as Lele entered the classroom and saw the classmates, he happily ran off to play

He was momentarily taken aback, then nonchalantly turned his gaze away and said, "It's fine."

Zi Jin had never seen such a Xiaozhiyuan, his expression dark and ruthless, as if he wished he could slap her with a single hand. She bit her lower lip tightly, yet could not utter a word

Hurry back for the meeting, at this critical moment, the bid has just been submitted, which unscrupulous person leaked to the media that President Fang has an illegitimate daughter!" Elle gritted her teeth, "Zijin, the Administration Department needs to coordinate with the Public Relations Department, we need to invite a few media outlets to dinner tonight, please coordinate with the PR side on the specifics.

Sometimes, she really wants to see to what extent he would turn against her

She looked at the stubble on his chin, his exceptionally weary expression, and ultimately hesitated before saying, "... ... Thank you."

You should reduce the frivolous news, as it is beneficial for both your image and public relations

In fact, the pain in his head was excruciating, and his throat felt as if it had been scorched by fierce flames. Xiao Zhiyuan rubbed his temples, and his gaze gradually fell upon the figure of Zi Jin. She was curled up on the sofa, holding the hotel pillow, her sleeping posture identical to that of Lele.

"My wife is not ready yet," Xiao Zhiyuan said calmly, rubbing his brow

Sangzi Jin, I truly underestimated you; you see everything so clearly... He is unwilling to help you, yet you can still persuade him by saying that once the news of my marriage is announced, it will only enhance my personal image

He slowly pressed down on the brake, "The day before yesterday, I heard rumors again; some say I have reached the age of thirty and should be established, yet privately I still lack enough discretion and composure"

Mr. Xiao has already arrived in Decheng, but he is currently in a very important meeting and cannot be reached. Iris said with difficulty, "I will do my best to manage the content online, but there is one newspaper that is quite troublesome and may publish tomorrow... Ziqin, please do not worry for now. I will contact you again after I have spoken with Mr. Xiao."

The teacher on stage is announcing the list of award winners. Lele hears his name and is so happy that he dances with joy. After receiving the award, the parents take their children home one after another. Xiao Zhiyuan walks ahead and turns back to Zi Jin, saying: "I will go get the car, you all wait here"

She forced a smile

The doctor soon arrived, helped Xiao Zhiyuan remove the needle, and shook his head, saying: "Did you adjust the speed yourself? Do you still care about your health? Your heart won't be able to take it..."

He cast her a sidelong glance and chuckled silently: "As long as it's not a photo of you and Lele, you are happy, aren't you?"

Xiao Zhiyuan coughed lightly, and Zi Jin stood beside him in a daze before glaring at him fiercely

On the other end of the phone, a sense of chaos was evident; the public relations manager was far from as composed as he was, anxiously saying: "Almost... on the way to the printing factory..."

Are you going back this afternoon? Zi Jin looks at the time, the doctor said you still need to receive intravenous therapy

Chen Pan stared at him blankly, finally calming down and letting go of the topic

Xiao Zhiyuan furrowed his brow slightly, and it was evident that he too did not know what had happened. However, his reaction was much quicker than hers—he reached out and pulled up the hood of her jacket to cover her head, whispering, "Walk to the right and wait for me by the roadside"

How can she not be anxious

The recent competition involved a child dressing their father, and after completing the dressing, the father was to carry the child and rush back to the finish line

What is it?

Zijin hung up the phone, and the taxi driver glanced at her through the rearview mirror before quickly averting his gaze

After finishing work, it was already 9 o'clock. I hurried to the airport, weary from the journey. On the way, I received a call from Iris, and my mood sank even further: the editor-in-chief of the newspaper that had taken the photos was exceptionally firm, stating only that the layout was already completed and the content had been sent to the printing house, making the possibility of retraction very slim

In that moment, he really wanted to remove the IV drip and walk quietly to her side, to embrace her gently, and then say to her: "Can you just stay with me like this, not because I am ill, not because I have done something for you, but simply because I am your husband"

Xiao Zhiyuan does not stay at home, and Zi Jin feels much more at ease. For instance, when feeding Lele, she eats faster because there is no father backing her up

I did not expect that after a moment of silence, he would say: "Let it be exposed then."

The little one sat alone in the children's chair, not knowing what was making him smile with the corners of his mouth.

He quietly looked at her: "When you called, I was in a very important meeting and couldn't spare the time to explain things to you in detail—by the time I wanted to talk to you, you were already on the plane. Sang Zijing, I have my temper too, and I can be impatient at times... I am not omnipotent; sometimes, could you please show a little understanding towards me?"

He does not speak

It was only after the doctor finished taking his temperature and left that she said: "Are you trying to throw your life away?"

"Mr. Xiao, why are you doing this?" He appeared to be in a state of exasperation, almost pointing his finger at his boss's nose.

Until one time, he got drunk and vomited all over the sofa. Zi Jin looked at the carpet in a frenzy, desperately trying to push him up to take a shower. He squinted at her, perhaps mishearing her, thinking she wanted to push him out the door. In those bright and beautiful eyes, there was a hint of grievance: "Do you think I want to run out in the middle of the night? But if I don't go out, you will definitely run away from home... Zi Jin, I can't rest easy with you alone..." She stood there in a daze, and by the time she reacted, he had already fallen asleep. In those bright and beautiful eyes, there was a hint of grievance: "Do you think I want to run out in the middle of the night? But if I don't go out, you will definitely run away from home... Zi Jin, I can't rest easy with you alone..." She stood there in a daze, and by the time she reacted, he had already fallen asleep.

After waiting for a while by the roadside, Zijing finally breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing the black SUV that had taken a detour.

Her heart skipped a beat, and she suddenly felt afraid

She is in a good mood today, as if she did not understand the hidden meaning in his words, and she smiled and changed the subject: "I had the aunt make some chicken soup, you should drink some before heading to the airport."

Hmm... he answered carelessly

Only he and Lele, not you

Xiao Zhiyuan appeared calm and indifferent, yet remained silent throughout

Is it useful to rush over like this? Will he pay attention to her? She has no confidence at all

She forced a smile and said, "I just got up and I'm feeling a bit dizzy from hunger"

Do you know about Fang Jialing's news? The room was unusually quiet, with only the sound of rain outside and the sound of him turning the pages of paper. To dispel the increasingly heavy atmosphere, she casually brought up a topic.

"Do you have something on your mind?" Xiao Zhiyuan furrowed his brows as he observed her

The weather has begun to warm up, and when Lele ran back, she was already drenched in sweat. Zijing squatted down to roll up her sleeves, while warning her: "If you keep running around like this, you won't be able to run later. What will we do if we come in last?"

"It's nothing," Zi Jin said, "Have him call me back after he gets off the plane."

"What did you do before you came here?" He leaned down, looking directly into her eyes, his tone devoid of any tenderness.

Should we notify General Xiao

Zi Jin suddenly felt a pang in her nose, unable to discern the emotions swirling within her at that moment... Yet he was disappointed, and was she not also in despair? What more could she say? All she could do was to hold herself together, unwaveringly and defiantly gazing straight at him.

He sipped his coffee, watching her devour her food, and passed his empty plate in front of him: "Share some fried noodles with me."

He turned a page and said, "I want to look for a while longer"

He actually asked this question again

She had only a copied address in her hand, and her luggage consisted solely of a carry-on backpack. Thus, she left the airport all alone, following the signs towards the taxi waiting area

At this moment, Zijing suddenly felt a sense of unreality—he had truly abandoned himself in Decheng, yet he had left.

"Go back and input it again." Although he was tired, he was still in good spirits and remembered to inquire about her work, "Aren't you working overtime today?"

He replied with a faint "mm": "The flight is in the afternoon"

"Where are you, Zijing?" Iris's voice was somewhat anxious, vaguely reminding Zijing of Elle's voice on the phone earlier.

Has she touched his bottom line?

If he were to show weakness in this way, he had only ever thought about it in his mind over and over again—how would Zi Jin respond? He did not know, but he was certain that she would never nod in agreement

His voice was hoarse to an incredible degree, and only then did Zijing notice that there was still an IV needle inserted in his left hand, with more than half of the medication remaining. He was truly exhausted, with deep dark circles under his eyes, a stark contrast to his usual vibrant demeanor

"I don't care about my life, do you?" His tone was calm and unperturbed

Sang Zijing! Xiao Zhiyuan, surprisingly, became quite agitated. He coughed a few times in a lowered voice before saying: "... Is it only with me that you are so unreasonable?"

But what can she do

The parking lot is not very large, yet she feels that the distance from here to the side gate is so far, each step seemingly treading between the seconds and minutes of a clock. Fortunately, there are no footsteps approaching from behind. When she turns to look, the reporters with their long cameras and short lenses seem to be unmoved; perhaps the person they are waiting for has not yet come out. By this calculation, Xiao Zhiyuan should have already taken Lele to the car—therefore, they are not waiting for her.

She looked at him with suspicion, remained silent for a moment, and softly said: "Sometimes you are really good to me"

Such a disgraceful act could only be committed by Xiao Zhengping. Elle said with hatred, "If the second young master of the Xiao family were still around, we wouldn't have to resort to such means"

Lele took first place today, but refuses to leave her father, clinging to him and unwilling to come down.

She heard heavy breathing on the other end of the phone, and he sighed, seemingly helpless: "Why didn't you turn on your phone immediately after getting off the plane? I sent the driver to pick you up; it's not safe for you to come here alone at this late hour."

"It's fine," Xiao Zhiyuan said lightly, "I can take a nap on the plane for a while."

About half an hour later, Zi Jin suddenly woke up, and her first glance was at his potion, which had only a thin layer left, about the size of half a fingernail. She immediately got up: "Is it all gone? I will go call the doctor"

She could not avoid it for a moment, so she went along with him. Now, thinking back, the imprint of his lips on her brow felt both light and heavy. Was that scene a dream or was it real? She groped for the alarm clock on the bedside table and looked at the time; it was already nearly one o'clock in the afternoon. She hurriedly got up and had just reached the bedroom door when she faintly heard the sound of arguing in the living room

"I have a wife and a daughter, so why should I be ashamed?" His tone was calm, "Zijin, wasn't it inappropriate at the kindergarten today? Our family of three, why should we hide?"

Zijin only felt that she had been staring at the pitch-black night outside the window for a short while when the plane had already landed

The moment the screen lit up, Xiao Zhiyuan's call came in

His expression was solemn and composed, and the angles of his features became even clearer in their tranquility. Zi Jin looked at his profile and suddenly felt a sense of calm, suppressing her wildly beating heart. She turned and quickly walked away.

Zi Jin knew that he had ultimately compromised. The hustle and bustle of this night had resulted in this outcome, and she leaned her body against the wall, sincerely letting out a sigh of relief

Xiao Zhiyuan ... ... '' She noticed his still hoarse voice and couldn't help but call out to him

After finishing signing several reimbursement lists, Ziqin casually picked up the phone

He opened his eyes, and in those usually bright and elegant eyes, there were now only blood vessels: "Sang Zijing, with so many people in the world, is it only to me that you would be unreasonable?"

The collar was loosened, yet the tie had not been untied; Zijing set down the cup and helped him to undo it.

In the underground parking garage, Xiao Zhiyuan's car was already waiting.

Xiao Zhiyuan picked her up, and she pressed her small face against his ear, whispering: "Mommy is so fierce"

Her scalp felt a bit numb, and her gaze also flickered somewhat

He immediately asked, "Where are you?"

She felt a slight unease: "I am working overtime at the company"

Zijin tightly furrowed her brows: "Do you think I am willing to come here?"

Zi Jin subconsciously turned her head to look at Xiao Zhi Yuan, her eyes silently inquiring.

She mumbled something, and indeed fell silent

The entire headquarters of Guangke Heavy Industry is working overtime, with the public relations department having sent out press releases to the media and various online clarifications. In the evening, there will be a press conference at the hotel, with boxes of gifts being sent to the venue for the reporters. The whole company resembles a massive operating machine, methodically processing the impact brought by the rumors

I just saw the news, I will be back immediately. Zi Jin said without a second word

In the afternoon, Zijing accompanied Lele for a nap, lying on the bed while browsing the news

But that kind of goodness is not born out of love, but merely out of guilt

Xiao Zhiyuan interrupted him, "No need for all this nonsense, I am also confident. Just look at Fang Jialing's side, how much effort has been spent on the scandal of the illegitimate child..."

Zijin walked beside him, perhaps to ease the awkward atmosphere, and asked: "Iris said you are going on a business trip?"

He couldn't help but take another glance; they were both wearing the same velvet sweatshirts today. The similar expressions of the mother and daughter suddenly filled him with a sense of contentment—his wife and daughter

I don't know," Xiao Zhiyuan turned to glance at Lele and said casually, "Anyway, it's not waiting for us.

I went to find my elder brother and asked him for help. Zi Jin gritted her teeth and decided to go all out

Zi Jin leaned weakly against the back of the chair, recalling how, in order to persuade the old man, Xiao Zhiyuan repeatedly emphasized that keeping his identity private was for Lele's own good. He did not want his daughter to lack freedom from the moment she was born. In the end, the old man agreed, but also warned, "If Lele suffers any grievances due to the concealment of identity, I will absolutely not agree."

And she repeatedly acted in a domineering and unreasonable manner, recklessly squandering his "compensation" without any fear.

It was settled yesterday. Zi Jin turned her gaze away, feeling somewhat guilty

Someone knocked on the door. The waiter hesitated and glanced at the room number: "Miss ... this room has checked out"

She patiently explained it to him once again

A few days ago ... Oh, during those days he was rumored to be involved with a certain celebrity named Xiao Ming. However, the authenticity of these reports is questionable; whether he has truly developed feelings for her is something Zi Jin has never cared about

No," Zi Jin shook her head in denial

Zi Jin nodded slightly and gently closed the door as she went out

Did you not have lunch?" Zi Jin asked in surprise, picking out some food from her own plate.

Not long after the phone call, Zi Jin looked up and found Xiao Zhi Yuan standing in front of her, his gaze dark and cold, staring at her without blinking.

Zijin's mind exploded with a bang, and she remained silent for a long time, striving to calm herself: "Is it only him and Lele?"

Xiao Zhiyuan knew? Her first reaction was to think of him

Just as she turned around, her hand was suddenly grasped—he had used the hand with the needle, his long fingers unhesitatingly gripping her wrist, and with this movement, the saline bag was also shaken violently.

No," he said softly, his tone surprisingly laced with a sense of shamelessness

Xiao Zhiyuan kept looking at her, noticing her slightly reddened eyes. Unable to restrain himself, he softened his heart and said softly, "You should go take a nap; I still have some documents to review."

This time, taking advantage of the news exposed by the media is the best opportunity. Why go to such great lengths, even at the cost of incurring such a significant favor from others, just to suppress the news? Chen Pan persisted, "Such public opinion momentum is inherently beneficial to us with no drawbacks at all"

It is rare to see him frowning even in his sleep, appearing burdened with worries, his breathing also heavy. Ziqin carefully removed his tie, contemplating going to fetch him a blanket.