Having been here for a few days, her understanding of Tawan’s personality grew. Despite coming off as aloof, he was an idealist. His dream was to seek the perfect significant other and lead a blissful marriage, much like the one his parents have.
Before meeting someone he loves dearly, he wouldn’t settle for just anyone.
Not only that, but he was also a good-natured man. Even though he wouldn’t say anything about it, his innate kindness was very much evident through concrete actions.
When he wasn’t donning his uniform, he gave off a chivalrous impression.
At that moment, as he was nervously struggling to find the right words to say, he looked utterly adorable.
“I overheard your conversation with Sorn earlier when I walked in.” Tawan finally uttered after a long moment of silence.
Upon hearing his words, Zong Yanxi was confounded. She surveyed his face with a baffled expression. What was he trying to say?
“Do you love your ex-husband deeply? To the point that you’re unable to forget him?” Tawan asked.
It sounded like an innocent question, but it seemed like Tawan was trying to test the waters.
Zong Yanxi was quiet for a brief moment, still trying to comprehend why he was curious about that. It must be because of her response to Sorn’s words.
“Nope. I don’t love him.” Her tone was firm. Any love she once had for him all went up in smoke when he brought up divorce. “The only reason why I told Sorn that he was still in my heart was because I didn’t want her pushing the both of us together.”
Tawan could hardly contain his happiness when Zong Yanxi said she didn’t love her ex-husband anymore. But it was short-lived, as the second half of her explanation left him despondent. “Does her nudging us together bother you?” Tawan probed.
“No, that’s not it,” Zong Yanxi hurriedly said. She was well aware that Tawan was a kind-hearted man.
He was pure at heart, with practically zilch experience in the dating scene. On the other hand, she was a divorcee. In the aspect of relationships, they were like chalk and cheese.
In her conversation with Sorn, she mentioned that they weren’t suitable for each other, simply because her status as a divorcee was not appropriate for Tawan.
It would make her feel as though she marred the purity that Tawan had.
Virtuous and soft-hearted girls with a clean dating history, like Tawan, were way more fitting for him.
These were qualities she felt were absent from her.
All the more she wouldn’t dare think of tainting the virtuous Tawan.
“I was more afraid of affecting you. A scandal with someone whose marriage has concluded would be such a nuisance to you. I, on the other hand, would be the party who gains,” she said with a tiny smile.
Tawan chuckled, with a gleam apparent in his eyes.
“Tell me, Mr. Tawan, what kind of girls do you like?” Zong Yanxi questioned.
He gazed at her lovingly as he replied, “Innocent and sweet ladies who love to smile.”
She then probed further. “Are good looks a requirement?”
Tawan shook his head.
“I’ll be sure to introduce a girl to you if I meet someone suitable,” Zong Yanxi said with a grin.
She was genuinely concerned. It was such a waste that Tawan had never been in a serious relationship, given that he was already twenty-nine years old. At the prime of his life, he should at least make good memories with a wonderful person. That way, he would have events to reminisce about in the future, together with his partner.
Tawan was at a loss for words.
He initially thought Zong Yanxi was interested in him, but he did not expect her to be more concerned with introducing a prospective partner to him.
“I’m not fond of arranged relationships,” he declared.
Zong Yanxi resisted the urge to raise an eyebrow. Wow. He’s naive. Did he really believe in leaving it all to fate? Well, it figures. These were people devoted to their religious faith.
She then proceeded to respond, “There’s this saying from my hometown: fate is bound to bring people together.”
“What does that mean?”
“Well, it just means that if you’re destined to meet someone, it will happen regardless of the distance and against all odds. If you’re not fated with someone, they could be right next to you and you won’t even notice them.”
“Does that count in our instance?” Tawan peered at her intently as he posed the question.
Could this mean… He’s interested in me? This seemingly ridiculous question popped up in Zong Yanxi’s mind.
The second the thought appeared, it vanished. She must’ve been so narcissistic to the point she was being delusional.
Her puzzled expression momentarily revealed her inner turmoil, but she swiftly concealed it with a smile. “No, that doesn’t count.”
As she finished her sentence, she abruptly stood up. “I’m feeling tired, I think I’ll go and rest.”
From her actions, it seemed more like she was subconsciously trying to escape from the situation.
“Alright,” Tawan replied.
Zong Yanxi proceeded to take big strides to walk back to her room. With the nagging feeling that Tawan was watching her, she quickened her pace.
When she finally entered her room, she slammed the door shut and violently shook her head, as though it would rid her of her warped ideas.
Tawan could have anyone he wants. Why in the world would I, a divorced woman, catch his eye?
Zong gave herself a few light-handed slaps to snap out of it.
It must be because I haven’t been getting good rest in this foreign environment. That’s why I’ve been hallucinating. She pondered as she strolled to her bed.
I’m no longer a young lady. It’s so embarrassing to have such thoughts!
After lying down for a while, she actually fell asleep.
Tawan sat alone in the living room, his gaze riveted on Zong Yanxi’s room.
The way she acted earlier was as if she was desperate to avoid his scrutiny.
Was she afraid?
“Daddy!” Sorn exclaimed as she ran over holding several sweetsops in hand.
Tawan’s thoughts were interrupted by his daughter’s arrival. He turned to look at her with a wide grin plastered across his face.
“Try it, it tastes really good!” Sorn said.
Sally hurriedly stopped her from handing the fruits to Tawan. “I’ll wash and slice them before serving it to Sir.”
Sorn glanced at the sweetsops in her hand. Perhaps it would be more delicious after it’s being prepared properly. She then carefully placed the fruits into a rattan basket and gave Sally instructions. “Don’t mix up these and the other ones in the basket.”
“Don’t worry, I got it. These are obviously larger than the other ones in the basket. I won’t make a mistake.”
Sorn beamed as she climbed into the arms of Tawan. “I specially plucked them for you, Daddy. You’ve got to try it later and tell me whether it’s sweet or not.”
Tawan shoved her hands and remarked, “Your hands are so dirty!”
Sorn giggled and said, “I forgot to wash them!”
Tawan then picked her up and brought her to wash her hands.
Zong Yanxi, who was fast asleep, was having a nightmare.
