Bai Yinning’s car had gone through modifications, so they knew whose car it was with one glance.
Subconsciously, Lin Xinyan peeked at Zong Jinghao. As expected, when he spotted Bai Yinning’s car, his expression turned gloomy.
She reached out to hold his hand. “We’ll go down the car together.”
Zong Jinghao turned to look at her. When their eyes met, she gave him a gentle smile. “I’ll make it clear to him.”
“Will he listen?” Zong Jinghao scoffed. “He’s f*cking clingy, just like a spat-out bubblegum on a wall.”
A laugh escaped Lin Xinyan. She found it cute to hear Zong Jinghao swear.
Tightening her grip on Zong Jinghao’s hand, she solemnly said, “Trust me.”
Zong Jinghao stared at her in silent agreement.
He alighted the car first, then walked toward her side to open the door for her. When Lin Xinyan came down from the car, she hooked her arm around his.
“They’re back,” Zhou Chunchun informed as she stood behind Bai Yinning.
Bai Yinning was staring at them. Although there was a barrage of emotions in him, he showed no signs of them on his face. With a small smile, he muttered, “Chunchun, push me there.”
Zhou Chunchun obediently wheeled him over.
“We’re here to apologize,” Bai Yinning hastily said when he reached them.
There were no hints of a smile on Lin Xinyan’s face, only fury. “You should apologize. You’ve troubled me greatly today, and you’ve embarrassed me horribly. I’m not happy about being accused as a third wheel.”
“I’m sorry…”
“If you really are, and if you really know that you’ve troubled me, you shouldn’t appear in my line of sight anymore.” Lin Xinyan’s words were simple. Although it sounded harsh, this was the best outcome for everyone.
After all, they were all married, and they had to take responsibility for their respective families.
Now that Bai Yinning was married, he should treat his wife well instead of longing for another woman.
Lin Xinyan did not like Bai Yinning like this.
Back when Lin Xinyan declined his call, Bai Yinning had realized she must be furious. “I swear it won’t happen again. Chunchun and I are here to apologize about what happened at the mall today.”
Firmly, Lin Xinyan said, “I accept your apology. What happened today has been a good reminder to both of us. We’re both married, and we have our own families. We have to draw a clear line between us for our other half.”
With that said, she lifted her head to look at Zong Jinghao with a tender smile; the solemn look she had a moment ago was gone. “Let’s go in.”
Zong Jinghao snaked his hand around her waist and mumbled lovingly, “Anything you say.”
He did not spare a glance at Bai Yinning; he pretended not to have seen him.
“Hold on.”
Before they left, Zhou Chunchun stopped them. She walked over to Lin Xinyan and muttered, “My mom broke your phone. This is our apology. I hope you’ll accept it.”
Blinking, she continued, “I’m really sorry for today. My mom loves me too much. That’s why she was so unreasonable. She knows she was too agitated earlier today.”
She reached out and handed the phone to Lin Xinyan. “Please accept this.”
Lin Xinyan made no move to take it; she did not want to accept it.
She wanted to draw a line between Bai Yinning and her for everyone’s sake.
“Please, take it. The guilt will eat me alive,” Zhou Chunchun said in a sincere voice. “Everyone thinks I’m an idiot, and no one wants to be my friend. You’re Yinning’s friend, so you’re mine too. I hope you can forgive us.”
Lin Xinyan could steel her heart against Bai Yinning, but she could not do so for Zhou Chunchun. She reached out to take the phone. “I told you I accept the apology.”
Zhou Chunchun smiled. “Thank you.”
“We haven’t had dinner. Can we stay for it at your place?” Zhou Chunchun asked. These were words that Bai Yinning had taught her to say.
Zong Jinghao tightened his hold around Lin Xinyan’s waist. He knew she was kind, and he knew she would not be able to reject the naive girl. Just as he was about to reject on her behalf, Lin Xinyan replied, “Yes. You alone can join us for dinner.”
Lin Xinyan knew a girl as simple as her would not make such a request; someone else must have taught her this. Hence, she was clear with her response—only she alone was allowed to stay for the dinner.
“Yinning hasn’t had his dinner too.” Zhou Chunchun turned to look at him.
However, Lin Xinyan did not look at him. She answered, “Our house isn’t that big, so we can’t have too many guests. If you’d like to, you can join us for dinner. But it’s you alone. We don’t have more space for the table.”
Zhou Chunchun hesitated. What do I do? Bai Yinning won’t be there.
“Then, it’s fine, I won’t-”
“Chunchun, go ahead. I have some things to attend to. I’ll pick you up later,” Bai Yinning interrupted. He knew what Lin Xinyan felt about him now. All he could do now was to let Zhou Chunchun get close to her so that he can have a chance to see her more often.
As long as he could catch a glimpse of her, it did not matter to him that he would not be able to talk to her.
Although Zhou Chunchun did not hate Lin Xinyan—in fact, she liked her—Bai Yinning was not going to be by her side. Alone, she was afraid. Thus, she hesitated.
“Be good.” Bai Yinning gave her a gentle look. Looking into his eyes, Zhou Chunchun nodded. “I’ll be good.”
At that, she turned to face Lin Xinyan. “Then, I’ll thank you for dinner first.”
Lin Xinyan shook her head. “Come in.”
Zhou Chunchun walked by Lin Xinyan’s side as Zong Jinghao trailed behind them. When he turned to close the door after stepping into the house, he shot a cold look at Bai Yinning.
Unbothered by the look, Bai Yinning flash him a smile. “Thank you, Mr. Zong, for taking care of my wife.”
Zong Jinghao scoffed before he shut the door.
“Daddy.” When Zong Yanxi, who was in the living room playing with the dog, saw Zong Jinghao, she slid down from the couch and ran toward him.
Zong Jinghao crouched down to hug his daughter.
“You’re finally back!” Zong Yanxi whined as she hugged his neck.
Lifting her up, Zong Jinghao carried her to the couch. He flicked her button nose and inquired, “Did you miss me?”
Zong Yanxi nodded fervently. “I was staring at the clock.” Then, she complained, “Mommy doesn’t let me go out to play, but she went out the entire day.”
Lin Xinyan turned to look at her daughter when she heard her words, and Zong Yanxi was quick to bury her head in Zong Jinghao’s chest.
“Would you like anything to drink?” Lin Xinyan asked Zhou Chunchun.
The latter shook her head. “I’m not thirsty.”
“Sit. Don’t be nervous,” Lin Xinyan said with a smile.
After Zhou Chunchun sat down on the couch, Lin Xinyan went to the kitchen to instruct Aunt Yu to cook more tonight.
At the side, Baymax had its gaze fixed on Zhou Chunchun. It growled.
Although Baymax was a gentle dog, it was fierce toward strangers.
Bits of fear crept into Zhou Chunchun’s eyes.
Zong Yanxi only realized Zhou Chunchun’s presence when she heard Baymax. She shouted, “Baymax, hush.”
Instantly, Baymax wagged its tail and ran toward her to rub its face on her.
Putting down his daughter, Zong Jinghao muttered, “Daddy’s going upstairs to change.”
“Okay.”
Instead of heading straight to his room, Zong Jinghao took the shopping bags lying outside into the house before he went up the stairs.
“Miss, who are you?” Zong Yanxi sized Zhou Chunchun up.
She had never seen her before.
Zhou Chunchun chuckled, “I’m Zhou Chunchun. What about you?”
“I’m Zong Yanxi, but you can call me Ruixi. As for the name, it’s a long story, so I won’t start.”
Zong Yanxi had an exasperated look on her face.
“Don’t be scared of Baymax. He won’t bite.” Zong Yanxi caressed Baymax’s hair before motioning to Zhou Chunchun to do the same. “You can pat it. It’s a friendly dog.”
Zhou Chunchun did not pat him. She could still recall the growls it made earlier.
Noticing her lack of action, Zong Yanxi grabbed Zhou Chunchun’s hand and placed it on Baymax.
