In Zhan Beijue's impression, Gong Beibei, although not as clever as Jiang Nanfang, had a kind heart and wouldn't be the type of person to show a child a cold shoulder.
"...Impossible. It must be something bad you said that made Aunt Gong angry."
Unexpectedly, her father defended Gong Beibei unconditionally without even thinking. Jing Tian's tears fell even harder.
"So even if she hits me or scolds me, if I tell you, Daddy, you'll still dote on her, right?"
"Just as they say, a stepmother means a stepfather. You're not even married yet, and your heart is already solely with her, isn't it?"
In the general impression, children don't lie.
However, Jiang Jing Tian was no ordinary child.
From a young age, she had witnessed Jiang Nanfang struggling to make ends meet among men.
She spent her days with cunning women like Tang Xueying.
Through constant exposure, she had long learned the art of reading people's expressions and observing their subtle cues.
Lying came naturally to her; her ability to spin tales was beyond anyone's imagination.
Hearing her say that, Zhan Beijue began to believe her.
"Did she really scold you?"
"Mmm. She also said I'm not allowed to tell you, and if I did, Grandma would punish me when we got home tonight."
"Daddy, after you and she get married and have a new baby, will Brother and I become troublesome burdens?"
Burdens?
Where did she hear such nonsense?
Zhan Beijue held her in his arms, his heart aching, and comforted her.
"Impossible. Daddy will always only love you and your brother. Even if I remarry, I won't have any more children."
"How is that possible?" Jing Tian lifted her head from his embrace, her big, clear eyes blinking.
"They say that when a man marries a woman, if they sleep together, they'll have a baby. How can you not have any more?"
"Then I won't sleep with her."
Zhan Beijue tenderly wiped her eyes.
"Alright, stop crying. So many people are watching, what does it look like?"
Without marrying the person he loved, marriage for Zhan Beijue was merely a performance to silence others.
He didn't care about it at all.
The two children, hearing his words, exchanged happy glances.
They thought to themselves: Then I'll remember your words today. If you dare to step into her room again, watch me drag you out!
After deciding on the styles and sizes, as there was still plenty of time, Gong Beibei suggested they all go watch a movie.
Coincidentally, by the time they finished, it would be lunchtime, and she really wanted to have lunch with Zhan Beijue.
Zhan Beijue was uninterested.
But thinking that watching a movie would quickly pass the time and keep the two children occupied, he agreed to go.
The four of them went to the mall together and entered the luxurious first floor, where their eyes were immediately met with jewelry counters.
Gong Beibei's eyes were instantly captivated by the various dazzling pieces of jewelry.
Her engagement banquet was approaching, and setting aside custom orders, Zhan Beijue hadn't even bought her a single piece of jewelry from the counters.
Was he not in the least bit anxious?
She glanced at the jewelry, then at Zhan Beijue.
He looked straight ahead, making his way towards the escalators on the second floor.
Gong Beibei could only feign a sprained ankle, "Ow!"
Zhan Beijue looked over and saw her wearing heels as thick as a finger. He frowned.
"You're not short to begin with, why do you wear such high heels every day? Don't you find it tiring to walk? Did you twist it?"
He didn't even help her, just stood there lecturing.
Gong Beibei felt wronged, "It's okay, not too serious. Could you help me to rest over there for a bit?"
She pointed towards the rest area between the various jewelry counters.
Jing Tian saw through her little scheme clearly.
She wanted to drag Daddy over to buy jewelry and spend his money? Absolutely not!
"Since it's inconvenient for Aunt Gong to walk in those, let's go upstairs and buy her a new pair of shoes!"
"Otherwise, if she rests now, she'll still twist her ankle when she walks later. Getting a pair of flats will solve everything."
Zhan Beijue thought his daughter made sense.
"If these shoes are uncomfortable, just throw them away and don't wear them. Let's go, I'll buy you a new pair of shoes."
Those who knew understood that Zhan Beijue had no intention of buying her jewelry.
Those who didn't would think he was stingy and poor!
He had hinted so obviously, yet he... Gong Beibei was practically furious.
The four of them went up to the second floor, which was filled with various women's fashion boutiques and high-end shoe stores.
Zhan Beijue walked directly into a store and sat down, "Go pick them out."
Alright, even though he didn't buy her jewelry, he was willing to buy her shoes, which was good.
They were all designer shoes.
After choosing and changing, Gong Beibei walked up to Zhan Beijue for him to see.
To her surprise, he stood up directly and swiped his card.
"Now that you've changed, let's go. You don't need those anymore, throw them away."
He didn't even spare her an extra glance.
After changing their shoes, the group took the elevator to the sixth floor.
Gong Beibei expertly went to buy movie tickets, while Zhan Beijue sat in the waiting area with the children.
Unexpectedly, he ran into an old acquaintance here.
Zhou Jinxiu, with a woman in his arm and two brothers beside him, walked and laughed, their boisterous presence catching his eye.
That scoundrel. Just a few days ago, he was fighting with Xu Yanchuan outside the police station for Jiang Nanfang, and today he was already out watching a movie with another woman?
Didn't he say he wanted to pursue Jiang Nanfang and make her his girlfriend?
How could Jiang Nanfang tolerate such a scoundrel touching her?
As he was thinking, Gong Beibei returned with the movie tickets.
"A Jue, all done. We can start boarding now, let's go."
Upon hearing Zhan Beijue's name, Zhou Jinxiu's gaze snapped over.
As Zhan Beijue stood up, their eyes met.
Good for you.
Zhou Jinxiu looked at the children, then at Gong Beibei, and thought to himself.
You bullied another woman until she couldn't stay in Nancheng and left without a word. And you, on the other hand, are here watching a movie with your children and fiancée, living it up.
You have quite the psychological fortitude.
A hypocrite in righteous clothing! If I ever give you a pleasant look again, may I be born a pig!
Gong Beibei turned to walk towards them, and he, with the woman in his arm, strode forward.
"This must be Miss Gong Beibei, my future sister-in-law?"
Gong Beibei was suddenly blocked by someone, and she sized him up, "And you are?"
"Zhou Jinxiu. Zhou Jinbei's brother."
"Oh, so you're Jinxiu. It's a pleasure to meet you." Gong Beibei extended her hand for a handshake.
"Is this your girlfriend? Are you guys also watching a movie? What a coincidence."
She turned back to Zhan Beijue as if she had discovered something new, "A Jue, look..."
Zhan Beijue wasn't blind, did he need her to introduce him?
"Didn't you say the movie was about to start? Are we going or not?"
Gong Beibei, lacking any social awareness, said, "No rush, let's say hello first, look who this is. I'm seeing him for the first time..."
"So you're not planning to leave?"
Since you like talking to him so much, then stay and chat at your leisure.
Zhan Beijue took the children and turned to walk outside.
"Hey, hey, it's just a word with your cousin, why are you suddenly turning hostile?"
Not knowing what had happened, Gong Beibei felt a moment of awkwardness and quickly chased after him.
"A Jue..."
"I'm not watching anymore. Something came up at the company, I'll take them both to school, you go back by yourself."
Zhan Beijue's face changed faster than the weather in June.
Gong Beibei wanted to say something, but saw him take out his phone and start making a call.
"Uncle, I have something to discuss with you, I'll be at your company in half an hour."
Zhou Jinxiu.
Disgusted me repeatedly.
If I don't teach you a good lesson, I, Zhan Beijue, might as well call you brother!