Chapter 4

Zeng Xinyun: "Her family is different"

On that afternoon when they were settled in Haicheng, Chen Kaisheng invited their family over for dinner

For the next three years, the two of them were classmates in the same campus. It was inevitable to run into each other in the hallways, on the playground, and on the paths. Out of politeness, Sun Yutan would always greet first, but of course, Kongque Chen Rui would not respond to her. At most, he would arrogantly nod his head.

If it were just this, Sun Yutan would not have been so troubled for such a long time

Sun Yutan's lips parted and then closed again; she gave up on defending herself, smiled at him, and turned to leave

"It's fine if he comes back a little later," said Zeng Xinyun. "My son said he was playing football with someone and hasn't returned yet. Xiaotan, if you see him, please call out for him."

This has been nearly ten years. At twenty-five, Sun Yutan is naturally open and unreserved. She descends the stairs in her pajamas to buy breakfast. The breakfast options in Haicheng are rich and diverse, and having been away for so long, just passing by the round tables emitting enticing aromas, her list of desired items quickly grows long.

It is very delicious, and it has been open for several decades

But her family does not have it

So arrogant, she thought

When Chen Rui was born, Chen Kaisheng had already passed the age of thirty, with a lovely wife and young child in his arms, and his career was flourishing. He had no spare time to deal with trivial matters, so he instructed the security to block all those from Shaocheng at the entrance. However, there were always a few persistent individuals who insisted on making a big fuss. No matter how disgraceful their commotion was, it ultimately amounted to nothing.

Chen Kaisheng is not at all concerned about his reputation; he holds grudges quite strongly. When he is in a good mood, he may meet with someone, but when he is busy, he ignores them for an eternity. The most criticized aspect of him is that he does not even care for his own mother, merely sending some money each year to fulfill his obligation

Do not wander too far away," her mother advised her

After passing through a large iron gate, the car drove for a while and stopped beside a lush green lawn. On the lawn, there was a path paved with pebbles, trimmed shrubs, and blooming flowers. Guided by a person, they wound through several turns before arriving at a beautiful small villa. Zeng Xinyun was surprisingly waiting by the Roman columns on the steps, and upon seeing them, she smiled and invited them inside. Su Nan did not expect to be treated with such courtesy, and was momentarily at a loss as to how to position his hands and feet. Zeng Xinyun was very warm and asked if they had been comfortable during the journey.

She looked for a while and then followed the winding path downwards

Is there really none? Sun Yutan sat at the table, a warning bell ringing in her heart. The house where her family was temporarily residing belonged to the Chen family. Chen Kaisheng mentioned that his family had lived in these two apartments on this floor early on, and after moving out, they had remained vacant, allowing them to stay for a while. Thus, they accepted it without any qualms. A look of disdain suddenly flashed across Chen Rui's face, causing Sun Yutan's expression to fall. She closed the high school exercise book she had been writing in and, with a cry, threw herself onto the bed.

While in Shaocheng, the girls in the class would occasionally go to watch a game together. Although they claimed to be watching the game, their attention rarely focused on the ball. Sun Yutan had little interest in the game; instead, she was observing several boys on the field. The son of the Chen family was easy to recognize, tall, with hair already dampened by sweat, and his features possessed a sharp handsomeness. When he ran, his clothes billowed with the wind, puffing out like a character from a comic.

Indeed, one should not come to Haicheng. Sun Yutan is truly afraid of such a stigma. Having made up her mind, she intends to keep her distance from others.

Sun Yutan stepped aside, and Chen Rui no longer felt the need for pleasantries. He took a few steps forward, then suddenly turned back and asked, "Is this restaurant good?"

While searching for her keys at the door, she heard the sound of the door lock turning behind her. Surprised, she turned around to see Chen Rui stepping out. He was equally astonished to see her and, after a moment of reaction, asked, "Aren't you working today?"

Good

"Oh, how fresh!" Chen Rui said sarcastically, "Are you trying to repay a favor?"

It is unclear whether the dream has opened a new perspective or if memories are being built upon, but Chen Rui's mocking expression is indeed vivid. Sun Yutan, as an outsider, watched as her fifteen-year-old self suddenly ceased to smile, feeling awkward and unsure whether to stay or leave. In the next moment, Chen Rui noticed her. He smirked, leisurely locking eyes with her, completely at ease, as if he did not mind her overhearing his comments about her family, nor was he surprised to find her outside the door. Sun Yutan even discerned a hint of "indeed, his character is questionable" in his gaze. He thought she was eavesdropping on purpose.

Can you finish all this food by yourself

Um... Sun Yutan elongated her tone, initially intending to say that she couldn't finish it, but then she realized something and hesitantly asked, "Is it that you can't finish it? Have you eaten? If not, shall we eat together?"

Sun Yutan was quite able to understand Chen Rui. After returning home that day, she paid attention to the matters concerning the Chen family. Eventually, she gained a relatively complete understanding of the old events from years past and Chen Kaisheng's "indifference and forgetfulness" over the past few decades

The one coming to pick them up was the Chen family's driver. Sun Yutan sensed that her mother was a bit nervous, as her mother kept holding onto her hand tightly after getting into the car. She squeezed back with some force and made a funny face at her mother. Her mother chuckled and gave her a light pat.

Chen Rui entered the house and went straight upstairs. Sun Yutan forgot why she was standing outside the door, yet clearly remembered the reason for holding her breath

No need, no need

"It was brought by your father," said Zeng Xinyun. "When did your father ever look at those people properly? It was her grandfather who had a favor to your father. Be a bit more courteous."

After Sun Yutan went out, he leisurely took a stroll around. The buildings here are sparse, and the view is open, making it easy to see a soccer field down the slope behind the house, where the boys are chasing and running.

He is wearing a lake blue short-sleeved shirt and light-colored pants today

Sun Yutan suddenly remembered that she had forgotten to ask for his name, so how should she address him? Several times the words were on the tip of her tongue but she swallowed them back. Thus, she simply sat down on the lawn, while the young men called it a day. Someone glanced at her a few times, and then Chen's son walked directly over. Sun Yutan patted her bottom and stood up, raising her hand to greet him as he approached: "Hi"

Chen Kaisheng was also at home, and several people were sitting on the sofa chatting. Sun Yutan answered the questions related to herself obediently, but then felt a bit blank as the adults' casual conversations drifted through her ears like the wind, leaving nothing behind. Bored, she looked around and saw the evening glow outside the window, a breathtakingly beautiful scene like a painting. Zeng Xinyun noticed her gaze and asked if she wanted to go out for a walk, to which Sun Yutan eagerly agreed.

Sun Yutan sat back relaxed, occasionally looking outside. Haicheng is a coastal city, and the streets and scenery are completely different from Shaocheng, which she found very novel

He seemed to have not heard anything and passed by her with a straight gaze.

Sun Yutan thought that if she were Chen Rui, witnessing such farces created by greed and the disgraceful behavior of the "uncles" would surely be exceedingly tiresome and filled with contempt

Good

A golden phoenix may fly out of a sparrow's nest one day, but it cannot simply shake off its past. Those who had never treated Chen Kaisheng well in the past, whether in name or blood relation, now come forward one by one, thick-skinned, seeking to curry favor and gain benefits after hearing of his success

Knowing that she could not finish it, she still could not resist her greed and ordered a few more items to take away.

"Do you want me to help you with that?" Chen Rui extended his hand towards her

What is different, and why bring it here

"Hmm, I will go in a few days." Sun Yutan did not provide further explanation

Oh. Sun Yutan knew that her mother was worried she would lose track of time while playing and make others wait for dinner. "Don't worry, I'm just nearby."

She heard Chen Rui impatiently ask, "How many such people are there, after all?"