“Your great-grandfather needs your company more.”
Lu Lin adjusted her little hat.
The Old Master’s blood pressure would spike whenever he saw Lu Lin, but only his great-granddaughter could lift his spirits, so Lu Lin didn’t bother disturbing him.
“Great-grandfather also cares about you. Family members need to learn how to communicate. You have a mouth for talking; you’re not mute.”
Bai Xia was too tired to argue further.
Time was running out, so she turned and led the butler out of the villa.
Watching the girl’s retreating figure, Lu Lin’s expression grew increasingly obscure and unreadable.
The sun was blazing today, but the amusement park was still crowded. Bai Xia immediately spotted the female lead and Song Xun at the entrance.
Good, the male supporting role and the female lead never even had a honeymoon trip, so at least they could have some fun today.
“Mom!”
As soon as she got out of the car, she ran toward the female lead.
Bai Ruanwen stepped forward and hugged her daughter, her eyes full of unfading tenderness.
“Xia Xia has grown taller; Mom can barely hold her anymore.”
Bai Xia hugged her neck, pouting, “Mom, are you saying I’ve gotten fat?”
Looking at her daughter’s palm-sized little face, Bai Ruanwen couldn’t help but kiss her, “Not fat at all. Mom just can’t hold you anymore, so let Uncle Song carry you, okay?”
Knowing the female lead was trying to get closer to the male supporting role, Bai Xia didn’t refuse but instead spread her arms wide toward Song Xun.
She didn’t have much objection to the male supporting role; apart from being a bit slow in temperament, there was nothing else wrong with him.
Song Xun immediately picked her up with one arm, holding Bai Ruanwen’s hand with the other, smiling warmly.
“Mom’s been drawing so much lately that her hands are sore; she can’t hold Xia Xia anymore. It’s not because Xia Xia is fat.”
“But Uncle Song has gained weight. You have to keep in shape; otherwise, you won’t be handsome,” Bai Xia said, tilting her head.
Hearing this, Song Xun coughed lightly.
Recently, Ruanwen had been working late into the night.
Worried she’d be hungry, he brought her some food.
But since she only ate a little each time, the rest was his to finish.
Still, Xia Xia’s words reminded him to be more disciplined, or he’d look awful standing next to Ruanwen.
“Xia Xia has to learn from Uncle Song and eat a bit more to grow taller.”
Bai Ruanwen pinched her cheek.
Bai Xia looked puzzled, “Uncle Song is so old; will he still grow taller?”
Bai Ruanwen was momentarily stunned, forgetting that her daughter had always been logically sharp, but she patiently explained, “Adults need to maintain a healthy diet, too. You’re still young; your health is the most important thing.”
Bai Xia nodded, “Got it. I’ll eat well.”
The three of them chatted and laughed as they entered the park.
Nearby, the window of a Maybach slowly rolled down.
The man inside glanced at the scene far away, a flicker of anger and unwillingness flashing in his eyes.
After a long moment, he finally closed his eyes.
“Go back.”
The driver quickly started the car, not daring to make a sound.
The sun was scorching at the amusement park.
Bai Xia was afraid to play thrilling rides, so she only went on the carousel.
She noticed that Song Xun was also afraid of heights; when the female lead said she wanted to try the drop tower, his expression instantly changed.
In the end, she and Song Xun stayed on the ground, watching the female lead go alone to ride the drop tower.
Unlike her gentle and quiet appearance, the female lead’s personality had always been lively.
It was just that after her family’s upheaval, she had gradually become more reserved and quiet.
They played all morning, but because the sun was too strong, Bai Ruanwen, afraid of heatstroke, told the butler to take Bai Xia home.
At noon, no one was home to eat.
Lu Jinnian had gone fishing with old friends, and Lu Shuo was holed up in his room, not sure what he was doing.
Bai Xia ate noodles with sauce alone.
She had to admit, the chef’s skills were excellent.
Ever since the salary was raised, everyone was cheerful every day, unlike before, when they were always cautious and nervous.
People did the amount of work corresponding to their pay; the family was always tense.
It was easy to tell how difficult they were to please.
Just as she finished eating and was about to ride her little scooter for a spin, she saw a Porsche parked at the door.
A pair of off-white high heels stepped out first.
Xu Yawen took off her sunglasses, glanced around, and suddenly saw the girl on the pink scooter. Her previously haughty expression instantly softened.
She waved at her, “Have you eaten?”
Xu Yawen’s driver was utterly shocked.
The young miss usually hated children, especially Bai Xia’s child, yet now she was surprisingly gentle.
Bai Xia rode her scooter over and blinked, “Just finished eating. Is sister looking for Lu Lin? He’s still playing on the computer. Should I go call him for you?”
Mainly because no one else could get the male lead’s attention; he had always been arrogant like that.
Xu Yawen handed her a small bag, “Thank you, Xia Xia. This is a gift for you. See if you like it.”
The female supporting role understood social etiquette better than the male lead.
Bai Xia took the bag and pulled out a small box.
Opening it revealed an exquisite diamond hairpin.
“Thank you, sister. It’s very beautiful, but Mom told me not to take things from others without permission.”
She politely returned the bag. Xu Yawen pinched her cheek, “It’s okay. Just don’t tell your mom. This will be our little secret.”
Bai Xia glanced at the butler behind her but eventually accepted it.
The female supporting role was probably trying to get closer to her; refusing would only seem distant.
“I’ll go call him down for you.”
She ran back into the villa with her short legs and went to the second floor, knocking on the study door, but no one answered immediately.
After about half a minute, the door finally opened.
Lu Lin glanced at the bag in her hand.
“Did Mom give that to you?”
The strong smell of alcohol in the study was hard to ignore.
Bai Xia didn’t know what was wrong with the male lead this time; he drank whenever he got upset.
Maybe the butler told him she went to the amusement park today, so he was angry again.
She couldn’t understand why he got angry so easily.
Fortunately, he only drank alone and didn’t storm into the amusement park to punch the male supporting role.
“This is a gift from Sister Xu. If you don’t like her, you have to say it clearly. Rejecting is also a form of communication. If you don’t communicate, how will she know your thoughts? You have to be decisive in life; otherwise, how are you any different from a scumbag?”
She frowned.
The male lead was far too self-centered, as if he had no mouth.
Whether it was good or bad, he was too lazy to speak, as if saying a word would kill him.
If he could change these bad habits, Bai Xia definitely wouldn’t stop him from being with others.
But with his terrible temper, he was unfit for marriage.
Forcing a relationship would only waste someone’s youth.
It was better to be clear from the start and leave no room for the female supporting role.
Lu Lin fell silent for a while, lost in thought, then finally stepped out of the study.
Xu Yawen had just sat down when a servant brought her coffee, seemingly remembering her preference.
She was in a good mood and actually said thank you for once.
She only turned sharply when she heard footsteps.
Seeing Lu Lin, her eyes softened, and she stood up with a smile.
“Sorry for dropping by without warning. I’ve been back in the country for a long time and have wanted to have a meal with you, but you seem very busy.”
Lu Lin sat down across from her, massaging his throbbing forehead, his voice cold, “Maybe another time.”
After years apart, the man seemed much more mature.
His features remained sharp and defined.
Xu Yawen sipped her coffee, lowering her gaze to hide a fleeting emotion.
“Xia Xia is a very lovely child. I didn’t expect you to be so good at raising kids.”
Lu Lin suddenly looked into her eyes, “It’s not me, it’s Ruanwen.”
Their eyes met. Xu Yawen held her breath, then forced a calm smile.
“I heard Ruanwen and Song Xun got married. Xia Xia is still young and should have her mother to take care of her. You don’t have to drown yourself in the past. You should move forward and focus on the child’s growth.”
Lu Lin fell silent.
“Yawen, I only see you as a friend.”
He didn’t remember much about Xu Yawen.
They spent most of their past time in class, and she always watched him from behind.
He had seen that kind of look many times before and had long given up explaining.
But Ruanwen was different.
Love was slow to dawn on him, and by the time he understood, it was already too late.
“All relationships start as friends. I understand your concerns. I like Xia Xia very much and will definitely treat her as my own child in the future.” Xu Yawen clenched her palm.
She knew it was sudden to say this, but after ten years of waiting, all she got was him having a child with Bai Ruanwen.
If she had expressed herself earlier, maybe things would have been different.
“I only love Ruanwen. You should find someone better, not me.”
Lu Lin frowned slightly.
Hearing the cold words, Xu Yawen held her breath.
Her eyes involuntarily reddened.
She had never been so humble in front of anyone else.
Even though she knew the outcome, she still refused to give up.
But she really was unwilling to let go so easily.
“I understand.”
Suddenly standing up, she fought back tears and looked at the man opposite her.
“Can I… hug you? Just like when I was a child.”
Lu Lin said nothing.
Seeing this, Xu Yawen gave a light laugh and picked up her bag to leave.
Bai Xia squatted in the second-floor hallway, watching the scene, speechless.
Sadness was temporary; pain was forever.
It was better to choose a brighter life than to marry the male lead and endure cold violence every day.
Although the original text described many bad things the man had done, since they hadn’t happened yet, it was best to stop him from going down that dark path.
Otherwise, she and the female lead would suffer.
As for the male lead, expecting him to be gentle and caring was a fantasy.
It was already a miracle he spoke so politely today. He needed to change his arrogant and prideful nature; otherwise, he would never be suitable for marriage.
“Is your dad going to find you a stepmother?”
A sudden voice behind her startled Bai Xia.
She turned and saw Lu Shuo standing there, curiously staring down the stairs.
“Do you know what the most irresponsible thing a person can do is?” she smiled.
Lu Shuo thought seriously for a moment, “Lying or fighting?”
Bai Xia stared at him earnestly.
“That’s a personality problem. When adults are irresponsible, it means marrying recklessly and having children without thought. It not only wastes others but also affects future generations. So when you meet someone you like, you must treat her well and never bully her for no reason. That’s what a scumbag does.”
Lu Shuo fell into deep thought.
“So if Dad gets married, will he have a little brother or sister for you? Mom says that if there are too many family members, Grandpa will give his inheritance to others, and then I’ll be left with nothing to eat.”
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