Lin Xinyan cast her eyes downwards. Although Yuxiu had given birth to Zong Jinghao, she had missed the critical period of taking care and bonding with her child.
As of current, Zong Jinghao was still very distant from her.
This was not only a lifelong pity for Cheng Yuxiu. She was a miserable, yet noble lady.
If Lin Xinyan was in Yuxiu’s shoes, she might not have been able to do what Yuxiu had done.
“Try to convince Jinghao to stop being so bothered by it.” Li Jing sighed. “I actually understand. If my father married barely a month after my mother had passed away, I might even have hated the woman. In fact, I might have even possessed an urge to stab her with a knife. Regardless of who experienced this, no one can say for sure that they know exactly how a person would feel.
Yet, Jinghao managed to control his impulses. Although his relationship with Qifeng became tense, he did not cross the line. He’s giving Qifeng the cold shoulder because he just can’t get over this emotional hurdle. As Jinghao’s wife, you should try to counsel him more.”
Lin Xinyan nodded gently.
Li Jing was right too. It was impossible to know exactly how he felt in that situation. Only someone who had gone through the exact same thing could truly understand his state of mind.
Upon listening to what Cheng Yuxiu had said, she continuously thought from Yuxiu’s perspective on how to persuade Zong Jinghao.
However, she had never stood in Zong Jinghao’s shoes, to think about it from his perspective.
He did not know the fact that Cheng Yuxiu was his mother, as well as the complications that had occurred in the past, along with the sacrifices that she had made for him.
Hence, she should approach this issue by thinking from his perspective.
“I’ll take my leave first.”
At this moment, the study room’s door opened. Zong Jinghao soon walked out.
“I’ll send you out,” offered Wen Qing.
However, Zong Jinghao rejected his offer, saying that it was cold out there. As their car was parked just outside, they could quickly reach the car.
When Lin Xinyan saw the both of them walk out, she stood up from the sofa. Zong Jinghao walked towards her and urged, “Let’s go home.”
Lin Xinyan nodded.
“It’s still early. Why don’t you stay a little while longer?” Li Jing tried to hold them back.
“It’s okay. It’s actually getting late.” Lin Xinyan was eager to learn about what Wen Qing had told Zong Jinghao.
Li Jing merely said that out of courtesy. She could tell that Lin Xinyan had really wanted to leave. “Come when you’re free.”
“We’ll definitely visit when we’ve gotten the chance to.” Lin Xinyan helped the children wear their coats, while Li Jing walked over to help as well. “It’s Chinese New Year’s Eve tomorrow.”
“I’ll be a year older after the New Year!” declared Lin Ruixi cutely as she blinked.
Li Jing chuckled. “Yeah, a year older. While you kids grow up, your grandaunt will also grow older.”
“You’re not old, grandaunt,” refuted Lin Ruixi.
Li Jing laughed even louder as she praised, “You’re such a sweet-talker.”
At that moment, Wen Qing walked over and handed them two envelopes.
“As it’s your first time here, I’ve prepared some gift money for you, in celebration of the new year. I’ll give it to you again when you visit the next time.”
“I’m fine,” protested Lin Xinyan, thinking that it was not right for her to accept the bulging envelope. Although Wen Qing was very extreme when it came to Wen Xian, he was still righteous and honest at heart.
“It’s for the kids. Plus, it’s your first time visiting my house. The money is not only for tradition’s sake, but rather, it’s also a piece of my sincerity.” Wen Qing liked to speak as though he was a high-ranking officer.
Li Jing agreed, “Take it. The children will be happy too. Well, I didn’t prepare any gifts for them.”
Lin Xinyan instructed the children to thank Wen Qing.
“Thank you, granduncle,” exclaimed the children simultaneously.
“You’re welcome!” Wen Qing stroked Lin Xichen’s head. “Eat well and grow taller, so that you can follow me to the army and become a soldier.”
“Okay!” Lin Xichen nodded firmly, looking extremely interested in becoming a soldier.
Standing at the door, Li Jing and Wen Qing watched them take their leave.
Soon, their car sped off. Lin Xinyan sat beside Zong Jinghao, so close that she could smell the faint alcoholic scent on his body.
Unable to hold herself back, Lin Xinyan asked, “What did the both of you talk about in the study room?”
Zong Jinghao had already expected her to ask this question. However, he was surprised that she would ask him so eagerly and quickly.
Leaning against the seat, he gazed at her silently.
Being put at unease by his stare, Lin Xinyan blinked. “Why are you looking at me like that? Is it something that I shouldn’t ask about?”
“Yeah.”
Lin Xinyan’s heart skipped a beat.
When Zong Jinghao noticed the change in Lin Xinyan’s expression, he sighed and pulled her into his arms.
“I’ll tell you when we reach home.”
Laying in his embrace, Lin Xinyan thought about it for a while before saying, “I’m sorry. I kept persuading you to accept Yuxiu, but I never considered how you might have felt.”
Zong Jinghao lowered his gaze in surprise and delight. He pulled Lin Xinyan closer to him.
“Shall we change the kids’ surnames?” asked Lin Xinyan suddenly.
She had heard Shen Peichuan mention that the children should change their surnames. Back then, she did not take it to heart. However, after witnessing Wen Qing’s dramatic reaction, she wondered if it was only right to change their surnames.
After all, she had already accepted Zong Jinghao and the family.
“Why change it?” Zong Jinghao did not see any problems with it.
“If we don’t change their surnames, won’t they belong to the Lin family?” Truthfully, Lin Xinyan was even more unwilling to let them take the Lin surname. She only did that because she was left with no other choice.
“The children are yours. They have nothing to do with the Lin family.” Zong Jinghao had never thought that the children had belonged to the Lin family just because of their surnames. In his opinion, the children belonged to Lin Xinyan. After all, she was pregnant with them for ten months and she had raised them bit by bit. No one was worthy enough to take her place.
Lin Xinyan tugged his collar. “We’re a couple now. How would the others think, if they learn that the children have taken my surname?” She teased him on purpose, “Will the others think that it’s because you’re merely a live-in husband?”
“You’re being so mischievous.” Chuckling hoarsely, he bent down and kissed her ear. “I don’t mind, as long as I can marry you.”
Lin Xinyan shifted away quickly. The chauffeur was right in front of them, but he still acted so brazenly.
His smile grew wider.
When Qin Ya woke up in the hospital, it was already the afternoon.
“Are you hungry?” Su Zhan returned to the hospital after changing into a clean set of clothes. When he saw that she was still asleep, he continued staying by her side.
Instead of going downstairs to buy lunch, he instructed the maids at home to cook and send the dishes over. After all, his grandmother was unused to eating food that was not home-cooked.
As Qin Ya had slept for a really long time, she soon felt a bit dizzy. She sat up for a while before her strength began to return to her body. Gazing at Su Zhan as she rubbed her eyes, the memories flooded through her mind again. She was about to leave earlier when Su Zhan’s grandmother had suddenly gotten a stroke. Hence, she followed them to the hospital…
She stood up from the sofa. “I should leave.”
Clenching his fists, Su Zhan pretended to not hear her. “You’ve slept for a long time. Aren’t you hungry?”
Qin Ya shook her head. “Not really.” Then, she raised her head and glanced at him. “Let’s… let’s end things now.”
Is this woman really that ruthless?
Su Zhan stood up and shrugged. “You can leave. However, since you’d slept with me, you’ll have to compensate me for my emotional distress.”
Qin Ya was rendered speechless, her expression morphing instantly.
He’s acting as gangster-like as he had been before!
“How much do you want?” Qin Ya reached out for her bag as she began to fish for her wallet.
Su Zhan smirked. “How much do you think I’m worth?”
After a moment of contemplation, he suggested, “Five hundred thousand, then.”
He thought that Qin Ya would be unable to afford such a huge sum. Hence, he would have a reason to keep her by his side.
“Do you think that you’re a prince? You aren’t worth that much!” Qin Ya almost cursed at him. Why don’t you rob a bank instead?
Yet, her remaining rationality informed her that this was the hospital. It was rude for her to yell at him, so she held herself back.
Even if he had tried to coax her nicely, he wouldn’t be able to hold her back. After all, this woman was heartless.
Hence, deciding that he had nothing left to lose, he offered, “You should know clearly whether I’m worth that much. Well, that’s an unchangeable fact. If you can’t afford it, stay behind and continue being my wife.”
Qin Ya scoffed furiously. Whipping out a card from her wallet, she threw it onto his face. “Don’t appear before me again!”
Su Zhan was shocked. She can actually afford it!
She’s merely Lin Xinyan’s assistant. How can she have so much in her savings?
