...day and night.
Zhao Xiyin lifted her head from his embrace, her eyes sparkling with laughter, her face full of slyness.
Zhou Qishen realized that he had fallen for her trap!
Zhao Xiyin looked at him provocatively, "Boss Zhou is too much of a chauvinist. He won't tell you his true feelings unless you push him a little."
Zhou Qishen smiled faintly, "So, are you satisfied with my honest answer?"
Zhao Xiyin pinched his waist, a blush creeping onto her face.
She checked the time and said, "I have to go home now, my dad is still waiting for me."
Zhou Qishen tightened his grip on her waist, pulling her close, and pleaded in a hoarse voice, "Don't go, okay?"
Zhao Xiyin pursed her lips, lowered her head to avoid looking at him, and whispered, "Teacher Zhao is going to practice calligraphy tonight, and I'll help him grind the ink when I get back."
Zhou Qishen kissed her twice fiercely, as if he wanted to meld her into his body.
After hugging her for more than ten seconds, he reluctantly let go, smoothed her hair, and said gently, "Okay, I'll take you."
——
After Zhao Xiyin arrived home, Zhao Wenchun exclaimed, "Huh? That little tagalong didn't come up here?"
Zhao Xiyin said helplessly, "Dad, you're peeking again."
"What do you mean by peeping? Your car is parked downstairs, it's impossible not to see." Zhao Wenchun's words were teasing and relaxed, but then he remembered the important matter, "Did you ask where he's spending the New Year this year?"
Zhao Xiyin packed her clothes and went to take a shower. "I forgot, I'll ask later."
After she finished showering, she saw a WeChat message from Zhou Qishen on her phone. It was a picture, but it was too small to see clearly.
Zhao Xiyin clicked on the large image and froze.
This is a handwritten letter of apology:
January 19, 8:15 PM.
Zhou Qishen shouldn't have made Zhao Xiyin worry, and he shouldn't have given her a hard time in the car.
To compensate, a special universal card is provided. Zhao Xiyin can make any request anytime, anywhere, and I will fulfill it unconditionally.
All rights of interpretation belong to Fairy Zhao Xiyin.
Undertaking by: Zhou Qishen
Zhao Xiyin was holding her phone on the bed, laughing uncontrollably. Even Zhao Wenchun ran in to see what was going on, frowning and saying, "You're not acting like a girl at all, you little rascal."
After laughing enough, Zhao Xiyin gripped her phone tightly in her hand and suddenly said, "Dad."
Although she still had a smile on her face, her expression clearly showed that she was serious.
Zhao Wenchun responded, "What?"
Zhao Xiyin thought for a moment and told him, "If Zhou Qishen is in Beijing this year, how about the three of us spend the New Year together?"
Zhao Wenchun remained calm and gave a mumbled "hmm".
“Also,” she looked up, “Teacher Zhao, could you please give me my household registration book after the New Year?”
Chapter 77 First Snow in Chang'an (1)
First Snow in Chang'an (1)
Zhao Wenchun wasn't confused; he immediately understood the hidden meaning in her words.
Actually, there was no real attempt to hide it. What would they need the household registration book for? What else could they need it for?
Zhao Wenchun remained silent for a long time.
Zhao Xiyin's gaze remained calm throughout.
Father and daughter stared at each other, locked in a tug-of-war, one in the doorway, the other in the bedroom, separated by only two or three meters, yet like a trembling chasm. It was unclear whether they would try to mend the chasm or widen it into an abyss.
Zhao Wenchun spoke first, asking, "Have you thought it through?"
Zhao Xiyin nodded, "I've thought it through."
"So, from the moment you decided to return to Beijing, your intention was to get back together with him?"
Zhao Xiyin shook her head. "No."
Returning home is like fallen leaves returning to their roots; it's a true acceptance of life's hardships and a return to square one. It's without prejudice or bias. If Zhou Qishen had cooled off even a little more, their paths might never have crossed again.
But he was also a devoted lover.
When Zhao Xiyin thought of him, a smile unconsciously crept onto her face again.
Zhao Wenchun said in a flat tone, "This kind of thing shouldn't be left to the girl to say. If he cares, he should take the initiative to give me an explanation."
Zhao Xiyin listened attentively and understood.
This is simply a father's most instinctive love. There is reluctance, worry, doubt, and even difficulties, but no matter how much there is, nothing is more important than the hope that his daughter will be happy.
——
On Monday morning, Zhou Qishen attended the Human Resources Department's payroll calculation meeting. With the Lunar New Year just a week away, all work was being finalized, and he had several meetings to attend almost every day. Zhou Qishen reviewed the bonus distribution details, which showed a slight increase compared to the same period last year, with the majority of the bonuses going to the Business Department and the Engineering and Technology Department. After making a few corrections, he briefly concluded the meeting.