Zong Jinghao looked up at her and his gaze landed on the hand that she was covering her chest with. “Did you get burned?”
Lin Xinyan was quiet for a moment.
She turned her head, unable to take his gaze. “No.”
She walked towards the lounge and sat on the couch. She took a few tissues and started wiping the water on her neck.
The light in front of her was suddenly blocked. She did not know when Zong Jinghao had walked over. Lin Xinyan quietly coughed once. “I thought you have many matters to settle? Why did you come over?”
When she came in with the water, she saw a tall stack of documents on his office table, waiting to be signed.
As if he had not heard her, Zong Jinghao took the tissue from her. “I’ll wipe it for you.”
“No need.” Lin Xinyan tried to grab the tissue back from him. He raised his hand and she failed to take it back.
“Listen to me.” Zong Jinghao crouched down in front of her legs and gently pulled open her collar to wipe the water on her skin.
His eyes were lowered and there were shadows under his long eyelashes. He looked serious and gentle as if he was wiping expensive antique. Lin Xinyan fell into a trance for a moment.
She turned away slightly. She did not dare to look at him for too long.
She was afraid that this was just a beautiful dream.
That it was not real.
“Don’t be too nice to me.” She did not want to fall into his gentle trap.
She did not want to think about her past, but the fact was there.
After that night, she did not think that she could have romantic love for the rest of her life.
She had lost her rights to have what was beautiful.
She could not deny that in her life, the mark that Zong Jinghao had left in her became deeper and deeper, until it could no longer be erased and she could not ignore it. She seemed to have gotten used to his domineer, his flippant behavior, and his occasional tenderness. Bit by bit, it took over her heart that she had never revealed.
He gave a light laugh. “I want to be nice to you.”
Lin Xinyan’s eyes were red but she did not want Zong Jinghao to realize, so she said in a cold tone, “You’re blind.”
Zong Jinghao was speechless.
This was the first time he had heard someone mocked themselves.
The corner of his lips was turned upwards. “That’s true, I’m quite blind. You don’t look that pretty.”
Why was he only interested in her?
He carefully looked at the woman in front of her. Her eyebrows, her nose, her lips, her jaw, and her cheeks. None of those were the best, but when they were combined, she looked stunning.
Six years ago, the impression she gave to others was of a pure, naive girl.
Now she had experienced life, and her impression to others was of gentleness, intellect, and feminine.
Knock knock.
Someone knocked on the door of the office and Zong Jinghao paused his actions. They looked at each other for a second, then he stood up. He gave her the jacket that he had thrown on the couch. “Wear it.”
Lin Xinyan lowered her head to look at herself, then she wore the jacket.
After she was done then did Zong Jinghao say in a low voice, “Come in.”
Guan Jing brought Yu Doudou in.
This was the first time that Yu Doudou had been to this kind of place. Along the way, he had been looking everywhere. When he entered Zong Jinghao’s office, he let out a sigh. The rich really knows how to enjoy, Yu Doudou thought.
His entire house was not even a quarter of his office.
“Sit down.” Guan Jing reminded him.
Yu Doudou laughed apologetically. It seemed like he was a little rude just now.
He sat down facing Lin Xinyan. “I have what you want. Have you thought of what to do?”
Lin Xinyan looked at Zong Jinghao and nodded. “Yes, please hand it to me.”
Yu Doudou did not take it out immediately. Instead, he asked, “What are you planning to do? You just came back so let me tell you, B city’s Dacheng Law Firm is reputable in this country. The lawyers there were all elites. If we can hire one as our attorney, we have high chances of winning.”
His expression darkened as he continued, “I had actually found one, but when he heard it was against the He family, he rejected.”
Now, Lin Xinyan realized what Zong Jinghao meant.
They could not do anything to He Ruilin if they only had Yu Doudou’s evidence.
The He family would pay for someone to cover up the case.
“Why are you not talking?” Yu Doudou stared at Lin Xinyan.
“Hand me the things and leave the case to me.”
“What are you planning to do? I can help you.” It was not that Yu Doudou did not believe in Lin Xinyan. He just thought that this was not a matter for only one person to work on. The two of them should be working hard instead of him leaving everything for her to do.
He knew that this case was complicated.
After all, it had been six years.
Lin Xinyan pulled on the suit jacket on her, and said gently, “You should have realized by now that this case won’t be an easy case. The He family is reputable, so they wouldn’t allow this case to surface. It’s impossible for the two of us to do this.”
“Then what should we do?” Yu Doudou could no longer stay seated as he jumped up from the couch.
“Don’t worry.” Lin Xinyan hurried to console him. “That’s why I asked you to bring it over. There’s someone who will be helping us for this.”
“Who…”
Soon, Yu Doudou realized.
He opened his mouth in shock but quickly shut it and pursed his lips.
He carefully pointed to the man who had been standing aside with an indifferent look. “He’s helping us?”
Lin Xinyan nodded.
He instantaneously withdrew his hand.
He placed the things he brought with him on the table.
“If there’s anything you need me for, just tell me.” Yu Doudou gave an awkward smile.
Lin Xinyan looked at it. It was indeed the things that he had shown her.
At the same time, Lin Xinyan’s house door was knocked.
Zhuang Zijin went to open the door.
He Ruize’s head was wrapped in bandages. He had treated the wound and changed his clothes.
Zhuang Zijin was stunned. “What happened to your head? Why are you hurt?”
He Ruize’s expression froze, then he gave a smile. “It was an accident.”
“Be careful.” Zhuang Zijin said, concerned.
After all, they had known each other for so long. Although she knew that it was impossible for her daughter to be with him, she was still polite.
“I will. Where’s Yan?” He looked into the house but he did not see Lin Xinyan.
“She did not come home last night. She came back this morning but left soon after. I don’t know what she’s busy with.” Zhuang Zijin said.
“Oh, I see. I’m here for her. Auntie, why aren’t you inviting me in?” He Ruize asked with a smile.
“Look at me, I forgot about that.” Zhuang Zijin hurriedly moved aside and let him in.
He Ruize looked into the bedroom. “Where are the two children?”
Zhuang Zijin wiped her hands on her apron and poured a glass of water for him. “Xichen is playing with Ruixi in the room.”
“Oh.” He Ruize sat on the couch and casually, asked, “Did Yan say anything when she came back?”
He took a sip from the glass to cover the panic in him.
“No, she came back to check the children. She didn’t even have breakfast at home.” Zhuang Zijin smiled.
“I was meeting with Yan yesterday and I mentioned about our relationship yesterday. She seemed to have gotten angry and went off. I’m afraid that she’s still angry so I came here to look for her.”
The smile on Zhuang Zijin’s face dropped a little. This did not seem like her daughter’s style.
Even if she rejected him, she would not have left immediately.
She treated people who were good or bad to her accordingly.
Although she did not like He Ruize, he had helped her much over the years. She would have been more thoughtful than to cut ties with him on the spot.
“Auntie, I’d like to invite your family to lunch and apologize to Yan.” He Ruize glanced away slightly; he did not dare to look at Zhuang Zijin in the eyes.
