"Don't touch anything cold, it's too chilly." Zhao Wenchun's voice trembled as she finished speaking, then she broke down in tears.
The old woman's tears fell one by one into the basin, unstoppable, she was so heartbroken. Her face wrinkled, and her aged features became even more desolate, making Zhao Xiyin's nose tingle with sadness.
She forced herself to be cheerful and comforted him in a reassuring voice, "It's alright now, Dad. It's all over, it's been a long time. I'm all better now."
Zhao Wenchun cried even harder, holding his daughter's hand tightly, his words incoherent and broken: "Niu Niu, Dad was wrong. For more than 20 years, I've been stubborn. If I had found a companion, I could at least take care of you. Dad only thought about the two of us, father and daughter, relying on each other, but forgot that you are also a girl."
No matter how selfless and boundless a father's love may be, there are still many secrets about his daughter that he cannot tell in detail.
Zhao Wenchun cried with remorse; he was truly heartbroken.
Unable to dissuade him, Zhao Xiyin simply moved a small stool and sat opposite him, elbows propped on her knees, palms supporting her chin, watching Teacher Zhao with a faint smile. This look was quite effective.
As Zhao Wenchun cried, she also felt embarrassed, so she reached over the basin and pushed her face to the left.
Zhao Xiyin slowly turned back.
Then he reached out and swung it to the right.
She remained unmoved, still smiling.
Teacher Zhao wiped away her tears, "Child, can you please stop looking at me?"
Zhao Xiyin laughed and said, "Isn't being this handsome just for show?"
Well done, you successfully made Teacher Zhao laugh.
A winter night filled with turmoil, yet which ultimately subsided perfectly.
Just as Zhao Xiyin was thinking this, she was unaware that her father's thoughts and attitude had quietly changed.
The next morning, Zhao Wenchun went out to buy groceries as usual.
Zhao Xiyin rarely gets a few days off, and she sleeps in as late as she always does.
Zhao Wenchun timed it perfectly; as soon as he stepped out of the building, he bumped into Zhou Qishen, who had just parked his car. The white Land Rover was arrogant and domineering, taking up an entire parking space and a half. It looked completely out of place in this old residential area.
Zhou Qishen got out of the driver's seat, wearing a dark gray cashmere sweater today, with a matching dark plaid scarf discreetly tucked into his collar. He wore leather gloves, which he removed one by one before going around to the passenger side to take out a large bouquet of red roses.
Handsome, spirited, and debonair, he stands out in a crowd.
Zhou Qishen turned around and was momentarily stunned when he saw Zhao Wenchun, but he immediately smiled calmly and greeted him politely, "Dad."
Zhao Wenchun looked around, puzzled, and asked, "Isn't your dad in Xi'an?"
Zhou Qishen was taken aback, but his mind raced, realizing that there was an enemy presence.
Zhao Wenchun glanced at the delicate flowers in his hand, then sneezed loudly and forcefully, covering her nose with disgust and impatience: "Take it away, take it away! I'm allergic to the smell of flowers; it makes me break out in rashes all over my body!"
Zhou Qishen wasn't fooled at all. He had over twenty potted plants on his balcony, and none of them seemed to have an allergic reaction. He was both puzzled and nervous. He first carefully put the plants back in the passenger seat, then spoke respectfully to Zhao Wenchun: "Uncle Zhao, are you going to buy groceries? I'll drive you and accompany you to the market."
“There’s no need for that.” Zhao Wenchun was unmoved. “Your car is worth over three million yuan, which is beyond the reach of ordinary people like us. I’m a veteran Party member, and if someone sees me getting out of such an expensive car, I won’t be able to explain myself.”
Zhou Qishen smiled and said, "Okay, we won't drive, we'll walk."
"Why are you leaving? You're so tall, just standing in front of me makes me feel pressured." Zhao Wenchun waved his hand. "Don't follow me, it'll only lead to nothing."
Teacher Zhao stormed out, but stopped by his car. "Who are these roses for?" she asked.
Zhou Qishen answered honestly, "It's for Xiaoxi. Dad, we've decided to start over."
"You made this decision?" Zhao Wenchun roared, "Did you even get my permission?!"
Zhou Qishen was actually quite innocent. He came early this morning, full of sincerity. His car trunk was packed with gifts, mostly for his father-in-law. His trip had gone wrong from the start, and now he had no idea what was going on.
Zhao Wenchun was full of hostility, his attitude completely different from before. He not only didn't agree, but wished he could burn Zhou Qishen to ashes.
"Don't bother sending flowers, Xiao west isn't home!"
Where did she go?
"I went on a date with Xiao Ye!" Zhao Wenchun said aggressively.
As soon as she finished speaking, she said, "Good morning, Teacher Zhao. Are you going to buy groceries?"
With a smile, Ye Tao drove past and kindly said, "I'm going to pick up my parents, would you like a ride?"
Zhao Wenchun was stunned, feeling aggrieved. After a few casual words, Ye Tao's car drove away, and he remained silent for a long time. His face darkened, and he became blunt, saying, "Zhou Qishen, I'm officially informing you now that there's no future between you and my daughter. I don't agree."
The old man walked quickly, his hands behind his back.
Zhou Qishen stood there, stunned for a long time.
He took out his phone and called Zhao Xiyin. The call rang, but she didn't answer. At this hour, she was definitely asleep; he remembered perfectly well her habit of sleeping in on her days off. Without a second thought, he put his phone on silent.
By the time the call came back, it was already noon.
Before Zhou Qishen could ask, Zhao Xiyin said in a mournful tone, "Oh no! Teacher Zhao locked me in the house."
"..."
When it comes to ruthlessness, Teacher Zhao is truly awesome.
Zhao Wenchun was going out to play chess with his old neighbors in the afternoon, and he locked the door from the inside without saying a word. He didn't make a scene or comment on Zhou Qishen, but that was reflected in his actions.
He wouldn't let Zhao Xiyin go out; if she didn't go out, she wouldn't have to meet with the man surnamed Zhou. By evening, Teacher Zhao still hadn't returned home; she wasn't answering calls or replying to messages—it was all on purpose.
Zhao Xiyin was truly impressed.