Chapter 30

Jiang Sixun didn’t linger. After approving her extended vacation, he left, saying that aside from attending the concert, he planned to visit other places.

Where exactly, he did not specify.

For her, this trip of compensation seemed like a way to find some resolution amid her regrets.

As Jiang Sixun prepared to leave, he and Xu Zhiyi stood by the car, facing each other. “Mr. Jiang, is there anything unresolved between us? In work or otherwise? I’ll do my best to make things right.”

Jiang Sixun had already opened the car door but then closed it again. “Pin my WeChat at the top.”

“…”

Was this a matter of competition?

Xu Zhiyi agreed, though puzzled. “I’ll pin it for a day on the concert day.”

“Just a day?”

Xu Zhiyi remained silent.

“Then just for one day for now. When you’re in a better mood later, you can pin it for a few more days.”

“There’s no good mood with daily work,” she replied.

Jiang Sixun chuckled and tried to coax her. “Then I’ll extend your vacation, and we can spend a few more days together.”

“No need,” she said, finding his tenderness hard to resist.

She waved goodbye. “Goodbye, Mr. Jiang.” She turned and walked towards the villa.

“Zhiyi, wait.” He still had something to say.

Without looking back, Xu Zhiyi waved again. “Two weeks of vacation is enough.”

Jiang Sixun called after her, “Three weeks. Bring a bit more luggage.”

As she neared the villa door, she paused and turned. “What if I want three months?”

They stood at a distance, and she couldn’t make out his expression due to her poor eyesight.

Jiang Sixun nodded. “Three months is fine.”

Xu Zhiyi, now with a bold challenge, replied, “Three years.”

Jiang Sixun, looking at her silhouette against the light, answered, “As long as you need.”

At that moment, Xu Xiangyi came out of the living room, having overheard “three months” and “three years.” He told Jiang Sixun, “Don’t push it too far. Wrap up the projects related to Shen Qingfeng quickly, and don’t delay any longer.”

Xu Zhiyi was speechless.

Jiang Sixun was also at a loss for words.

Xu Zhiyi gently guided her father back inside. “Dad, I have it under control.”

Xu Xiangyi said no more, patting his daughter’s head. “Go wash your hands and come have some lychees.” He returned to his seat, peeling lychees and placing each one in a bowl of chilled bayberries.

His daughter loved this sweet and tangy ice-cold treat.

After washing her hands, Xu Zhiyi looked around but didn’t see her mother. “Where’s Mom?”

“She’s over at Aunt Jiang’s, chatting and watching a movie,” Xu Xiangyi pointed to the glass bowl on the coffee table. “The lychees are ready. Try some.”

Xu Zhiyi sat cross-legged on the carpet between the sofa and the coffee table, scooping a piece of lychee and a large chunk of ice.

Her father stopped her before she could eat. “Don’t eat the ice.”

Xu Zhiyi pretended to shake the spoon, trying to dislodge the ice but failing. “I can’t shake it off.”

Xu Xiangyi smiled. “Give it another shake, and it’ll definitely fall.”

Xu Zhiyi popped the lychee into her mouth, chewed a few times, and swallowed.

Xu Xiangyi found himself helpless with his daughter. He handed her a peeled lychee without its pit, skipping the ice bath, and simply passed it to her.

“Thanks, Dad. I’ll peel my own. You should eat some too,” Xu Zhiyi said quickly, spooning a bayberry into her mouth and savoring the sweet and tangy flavor.

Xu Xiangyi observed his daughter’s profile. As they entered their sixth year back home, she often seemed to enjoy teasing and being close to him, but there remained an invisible barrier between them.

“Zhiyi.”

“Hm?” Xu Zhiyi was lost in thoughts about Jiang Sixun’s words and was slow to respond.

“Still thinking about the project?” Xu Xiangyi asked.

Not really.

Yet, she could only respond with a vague “hm,” as she scooped another bayberry, its bottom filled with crushed ice, and secretly popped it into her mouth. “Dad, what is it? Just say it.”

After a moment of contemplation, Xu Xiangyi spoke, “How about we have a heart-to-heart? I’ll answer any questions you have. I’m getting old and sometimes can’t quite grasp what you younger people are thinking.”

Xu Zhiyi felt a pang of discomfort. “You’re not old. You look only forty.”

Xu Xiangyi chuckled. “If you say forty, then I’m forty.”

“What do you want to ask me, Dad?”

There was a two-second pause.

“As your father, have I failed to do anything properly over the years? Just tell me directly—if there are faults, I’ll correct them; if there’s nothing, I’ll be encouraged.”

Xu Zhiyi shook her head. “No.”

Xu Xiangyi’s lychee peeling slowed down noticeably, and he looked up at his daughter. “What about in the past?”

Xu Zhiyi shook her head slowly. “No.”

Her momentary hesitation didn’t escape Xu Xiangyi.

“Zhiyi, whatever you want to say, just tell me. Whether you’re happy, upset, or feel wronged—even if you think it’s selfish. To others, you’re an adult capable of making decisions, but to me, you’re still a little child. I want to shield you from the storm.”

“I…” Xu Zhiyi’s voice choked up.

Xu Xiangyi gently urged, “If you have something to say, just say it. If you have questions for me, ask them.”

Xu Zhiyi hesitated, looking down at her bayberries.

It wasn’t until recently, these past couple of years, that she had gotten used to her father’s stern presence. Now, whenever she saw him, the first thing she thought of wasn’t the richest man or Mr. Xu but her own father.

“I’m your dad; there’s no need to be embarrassed.”

If she didn’t speak up now, there might never be another chance.

Xu Zhiyi looked up. “Six years ago, in the hospital room, you didn’t need to explain so thoroughly. You mentioned Ning Wei was having emotional fluctuations and you were worried, so you asked me to stay with my adoptive parents. I knew you and Mom couldn’t let go of her, otherwise, Mom wouldn’t have flown so far to see her.”

“At that time, just having you stay in the hospital made me very content. I thought at least someone cared about me, but…”

“Actually, if you had just said there were many issues to resolve and that you’d bring me home once they were settled, I would have understood. I wouldn’t have felt so distressed because I’d have something to look forward to. Instead, your words made it seem like all our paths were closed off.”

She sighed. “I’ve never blamed you or Mom, really. It’s just sometimes I think about it and realize I was quite petty.”

Xu Xiangyi pulled his daughter close, embracing her for the second time in her life. “I’m sorry, Dad was wrong.”

Over the years, he had regretted countless times. If he could go back to that day, he would have brought his daughter home no matter what.

“It’s not that you’re petty; it’s that you didn’t believe you were important to me. How could you not be important? No one could surpass that.”

“If there’s anything else you want to tell me, say it out loud. Don’t keep it bottled up.”

Xu Zhiyi took a deep breath to steady herself.

Xu Xiangyi released her, taking a clean towel to wipe her face.

“Dad, did you often ask Jiang Sixun to take care of Ning Wei?”

Xu Xiangyi replied honestly, “A few times, but not many. When Ning Wei was in college and wasn’t in the same place as him, I’d occasionally ask him to keep an eye on her during holidays. When I first learned about the mix-up, I called Jiang Sixun to spend more time with Ning Wei. That’s about it.”

Xu Zhiyi straightforwardly asked, “Did you ever ask him to take more care of me?”

Xu Xiangyi nodded. “Yes, in the months before you came home, I called him every few days. I haven’t recently, though,” he said, reflecting deeply. “No, I haven’t. It’s always been me visiting you.”

He puzzled, “Why?”

Xu Zhiyi casually said, “Just checking if you favored me.”

Xu Xiangyi smiled bitterly. “How could I favor anyone else? Does saying it make you feel better?”

Just then, they heard Xu Heng and Aunt’s voices at the door.

Xu Zhiyi froze. “Why is my brother here?”

“He has an industry conference here, for a couple of days.”

“Dad, do my eyes look red?”

“A bit.”

“Just say I’m asleep.”

Xu Zhiyi grabbed her mother’s shawl from the sofa, wrapped it around herself, and curled up on her father’s lap, pretending to sleep with her eyes closed.

Xu Heng had been out socializing and had drunk quite a bit.

He glanced at his sleeping sister and muttered, “How did you end up sleeping here?”

With that, he sat down next to his father.

Xu Xiangyi looked at his son. “What are you doing sitting here?”

Xu Heng replied, “… Can’t I even sit down now?”

Worried that his daughter’s foot might fall asleep from her own weight, Xu Xiangyi pointed to the bowl of chilled lychees. “Your sister’s done with these. Why don’t you take them upstairs?”

Xu Heng, noticing his sister’s still form, suddenly smiled and pinched her cheek. “Still pretending to sleep?”

Xu Zhiyi remained silent.

A moment later, there was a loud ‘smack’ as Xu Xiangyi’s hand came down on his son’s.

“What are you pinching her for?”

It was the first time Xu Heng had been hit, and he found it both infuriating and amusing.

Unable to contain herself, Xu Zhiyi let out a soft giggle but kept her eyes closed, her mother’s shawl draped over her head, securely nestled on her father’s lap.

Xu Heng leaned on the sofa, rubbing his forehead where his father’s hand had left a red mark. As Xu Xiangyi turned to grab his phone, Xu Heng took the opportunity to give his sister’s head a playful rub, pulling the shawl down slightly. “Aren’t you hot?”

“Xu Heng, don’t blame me if I kick you later,” Xu Xiangyi said without looking back, knowing exactly what his son had done.

Xu Heng chuckled, “Aren’t you enjoying the family time? Shouldn’t you thank me?”

Thirsty from the alcohol, he grabbed the remaining bayberries and started eating.

As he chewed, he brought up Shang Yun. “I don’t agree with him being my sister’s husband.”

Xu Xiangyi responded, “Why do you need to agree?”

Xu Zhiyi, exhausted from the days prior and comforted by the security she felt, fell asleep quickly.

---

The next morning, Xu Zhiyi woke up at ten-thirty.

Fully rested and with a clearer mind, she replayed her heartfelt conversation with her father. Though he hadn’t given Jiang Sixun detailed instructions on how to care for her, he had covered all bases.

So, he said, it wasn’t about obligation.

First possibility: After being switched at birth and not being close to her biological parents, Jiang Sixun might pity her and show concern out of sympathy.

Second possibility: She was smart and talented, and Jiang Sixun appreciated her skills, given she was chosen for his team based on her own merits.

Third possibility: From the beginning, he might have had a bit of romantic interest, leading him to care for her more than usual.

She dismissed the first two possibilities quickly.

Although a bit embarrassed, she found it easier to be self-absorbed rather than self-deprecating.

As she was lost in thought, a knock on the door interrupted her.

“Zhiyi, wake up. It’s not good to sleep too much,” her mother, He Yi’an, called gently from outside.

Seeing the time was nearly eleven, Xu Zhiyi realized she had dawdled for quite a while.

She crawled out of bed, walked barefoot to open the door.

He Yi’an was holding a shopping bag, containing a dress she had ordered for her daughter. Last night, seeing Xu Zhiyi looking exhausted, she had gone to visit Jiang Yue Ru and hadn’t had the chance to bring out the dress.

“This is a style you haven’t worn before. Go freshen up and try it on,” He Yi’an said.

Xu Zhiyi gathered her long hair and headed to the bathroom. “Mom, don’t you need to go to the office today?”

“I don’t have much to do today. Your dad has appointments and won’t be home for lunch or dinner. How about we go shopping and have coffee in the afternoon?”

“Sounds good.”

After three to four months in Beijing without a single day off, Xu Zhiyi welcomed the break.

Freshened up, she found the dress on her bed and was momentarily speechless at the sight of its deep emerald green—a color that seemed to belong in Jiang Sixun’s wardrobe. He truly had every fashionable color in his collection.

He Yi’an held up the satin dress against her daughter. “Your skin is so fair; you can pull off any color.” The previously stunning emerald green dress had dazzled everyone.

This year, seeing the color reappear on haute couture runways, she had promptly ordered a dress for her daughter.

Xu Zhiyi changed into the dress, featuring a backless design and straps.

He Yi’an reached behind her daughter’s head to remove the hair tie, letting her hair fall freely. “It’s even more beautiful than I imagined.” The delicate straps accentuated her daughter’s elegant shoulder line, creating a sexy yet cool look.

“You and Jiang Sixun must be siblings; you can handle any color.”

Xu Zhiyi could only respond with a silent stare.

In the afternoon, Xu Zhiyi carried a white shirt with her.

They found a café in a hutong for afternoon tea, where He Yi’an also bought her an ice cream with a taro flavor.

“Mom, I’m taking a two-week vacation and planning to go away for a few days.”

“Where are you going?”

“Not decided yet. Jiang Sixun said he would arrange it.”

He Yi’an, sipping her coffee elegantly, refrained from intruding on her daughter’s private space and didn’t ask who she would be with. “If time permits, come back home for a couple of days. The flowers in your third-floor garden have bloomed.”

Xu Zhiyi smiled. “I definitely need to go back and see those flowers and plants.”

The phone rang—it was Jiang Sixun calling.

Even though he couldn’t see her, Xu Zhiyi instinctively sat up straighter. “Hello, Mr. Jiang.”

“Which café are you at?”

“Huh?”

“I saw your car parked outside,” Jiang Sixun said. “My mom is off today, so I brought her out for coffee.”

“Um, we’re at…” Before she could finish naming the café, their eyes met through the glass window.

This was the café Jiang Yue Ru frequented, and it was the same one she had recommended to He Yi’an last night.

What a coincidence—they had both chosen to come here this afternoon.

The four of them ended up around a wooden round table. Jiang Sixun had initially planned to sit next to Xu Zhiyi, but his mother had beat him to it, so he took the seat across from her instead.

Jiang Yue Ru immediately praised Xu Zhiyi’s dress, calling it beautiful. He Yi’an mentioned that it was a dress she had altered from a formal gown so it could be worn casually.

The two mothers were deep in lively conversation, leaving Xu Zhiyi and Jiang Sixun in quiet.

Xu Zhiyi was enjoying her ice cream when Jiang Sixun glanced at her dress again. He remembered the last time he’d seen her in something white, six years ago when they’d visited her grandmother. She had worn a white vest, and when she waved goodbye, her waist was fully exposed. He had quickly focused his gaze on her face.

Xu Zhiyi grabbed her phone from the table and typed with one hand: [Did you ever have feelings for me?]

Jiang Sixun opened the message thread and then looked at her. “Yes. Currently…”

Xu Zhiyi’s breath caught. With her mother and Jiang Auntie nearby, why was he responding so directly? She kicked him gently under the table, interrupting him.

Unwilling to let it go, she asked: [Do you still have feelings now? Not for making up or out of guilt, but actual feelings. If you do, just put your phone on the table and I’ll know. If not, just drink your coffee.]

Her heart pounded as she pretended to be calm, scooping another bite of ice cream.

Jiang Sixun locked his phone and placed it on the table next to her.