It was only natural that Qin Menglu chose to return to Beijing with Xiao Yufan. The matter in Chenghai was now settled, and there was no longer any reason for Xiao Yufan to stay.
“I know you don’t want to talk to your dad right now, but there’s something I still need to tell you. Maybe I was a bit selfish—I spent far more time on the company than with you. But I only wanted to give you a better life!”
“What I need is a father, not money or power. You’ll never understand that!”
At the moment of departure, Qin Menglu leaned tightly against Xiao Yufan. Tears streamed down her breathtaking face. She had thought she wouldn’t feel sad anymore, but seeing her father’s suddenly aged expression, she couldn’t control her emotions.
“Yes, I’ll never understand…” Her father’s body trembled slightly, his face growing even paler. He gave a bitter smile, a sight that even made Xiao Yufan feel a pang of sympathy.
Qin Menglu was now sobbing uncontrollably, burying her face deeply into Xiao Yufan’s arms. She feared that if she softened her heart, she wouldn’t want to leave Chenghai anymore. Despite her father’s previous wrongdoings, how could she not understand that he still loved her?
Finally, Qin Menglu boarded the bullet train. Compared to her first trip to Beijing, her heart felt heavier, lacking its usual cheerfulness. No matter how hard Xiao Yufan tried to cheer her up, her eyes remained hollow.
Before she realized it, emotionally and physically exhausted, Qin Menglu gently leaned against Xiao Yufan’s shoulder. Her stunning face still bore traces of tears, and as she slept peacefully like an angel, Xiao Yufan couldn’t help but smile.
Xiao Yufan felt a sense of wonder. Sometimes, fate slowly approaches without one noticing, a feeling that is unhurried yet never misses its mark, just like a beautiful fairy tale.
They had met on this very train. Xiao Yufan had never imagined that two lives with completely different paths could actually intersect.
Although Xiao Yufan wasn’t yet sure how to proceed, at least he could say he had no regrets. At the very least, he hadn’t missed this beautiful connection. As for what the future held, it no longer seemed important.
Witnessing the emotional farewell between Qin Menglu and her father, Xiao Yufan couldn’t help but feel a sense of melancholy. That bond of blood was always the most touching and heart-wrenching. As for himself, knowing his own origins only made him feel lonelier.
“Perhaps this is the fate of someone born under an extremely yin sign—doomed to loneliness from the start. In the end, I’ll always be alone…”
A mocking smile curved his lips as he gazed out the window at the fleeting scenery, his heart filled with sorrow. For so long, he had pretended to be strong, but in the end, he had still been defeated by reality—he wasn’t as unbreakable as he seemed.
Clutching the jade pendant left by his grandfather, Xiao Yufan held the only source of comfort he had whenever he thought of his birth parents. The pendant emitted a faint bluish glow, appearing mysterious and otherworldly.
“Hey there, young man, could I take a look at that jade pendant of yours?”
At that moment, a slightly plump middle-aged man sitting nearby spoke up, his eyes gleaming with interest.
“You can look, but return it immediately after. No unnecessary talk!”
Xiao Yufan’s tone was sharp and dismissive. Many passengers turned to look at him, but most simply regarded him with disdain, thinking he was just showing off—what valuable item could someone on a bullet train possibly have?
“Of course, of course…” The man carefully took the pendant, his eyes filled with greed. He had studied ancient jade for many years and had an expert eye. Even he had never seen such an exquisite piece of jade before.
“One point eight million yuan—how about selling it to me?”
Ignoring Xiao Yufan’s warning, the man spoke again. The jade was irresistibly tempting to him, and he assumed someone dressed so simply wouldn’t recognize its true value.
“Enough chatter. Return it now, or I can’t guarantee your safety!”
Frowning, Xiao Yufan’s expression turned icy. Although he was surprised by the pendant’s high value, he would never hand over something left by his birth parents. His tone left no room for negotiation.
“If that’s not enough, I can offer more…” The man still refused to give up, thinking Xiao Yufan was simply trying to ask for a higher price.
“I’ll say this one last time—put down the pendant, leave my sight immediately, or I won’t be responsible for what happens next!”
Looking down at the sleeping, softly murmuring girl in his arms, Xiao Yufan’s gaze turned sharp. The middle-aged man suddenly felt a chill down his spine, cursing inwardly as he gently placed the jade pendant back and walked away toward the next carriage under the astonished gazes of the other passengers.
This time, it was others’ turn to be surprised. Although they hadn’t heard the entire conversation, they had clearly caught the figure of 1.8 million. Instantly, they looked at Xiao Yufan with new eyes.
But for Xiao Yufan, this was merely an interlude. As he was about to close his eyes for a brief rest, he suddenly noticed an old man sitting on the right aisle slowly rise and move to the seat directly across from him…
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage