Su Ding's eyes held a look of indifference as she stepped back, creating distance between them. She gazed into the distance. "It's getting late. You should go back."
"..."
Jin Ye gave her a deep look, a mix of annoyance and confusion in his eyes.
Finally, he turned and left.
They passed each other without their gazes meeting. The feelings hidden in their hearts seemed to be separated by an invisible wall, unable to touch.
Su Ding let the cool breeze brush against her cheeks, her long hair fluttering messily.
Suddenly, she felt a cool liquid on the back of her hand. Startled, she raised her hand to her cheek, only to find it already wet.
So sad.
She had no home. Her biological daughter was left in the countryside. Her career was in ruins, and she couldn't let go of a love that had long since become distorted.
If her mother were still alive, would she be heartbroken seeing her life now?
Su Ding bit her lip tightly and sank to the ground, powerless. The salty tears flowed into her mouth, leaving only endless bitterness.
After an unknown period, she managed to stand up.
Her legs numb, she walked into the room, covered the two little ones, and kissed each of them.
Then, she retired to the guest room.
She woke from a night of nightmares, her head throbbing with pain.
Su Ding found cold medicine in the house and drank it with hot water. She walked down from the attic to find Xiao Xi and Tang Tang playing cards on the sofa below.
"Mom, you're awake?"
Jin Xiao Xi leaned back on the sofa and smiled brightly at Su Ding.
Su Ding nodded, her voice slightly hoarse. "Are you two hungry?"
"I've already called the housekeeper. She'll be bringing breakfast for us soon," Jin Xiao Xi said. He walked over, saw the dark circles under Su Ding's eyes, and gently pulled her to sit on the sofa.
He studied Su Ding intently, then cupped her face with his small hand, his eyes full of concern. "Mom, did you cry last night?"
Hearing this, Tang Tang dropped the cards in her hand and also moved closer to Su Ding.
She raised her clear, innocent eyes and looked at Su Ding with worry. "Auntie..."
"It's nothing. Mom just didn't sleep well."
Su Ding smiled, feeling a warmth in her heart. She looked at Tang Tang. "Auntie, let me see if your injury is better?"
Tang Tang obediently walked over to her. Su Ding pulled open her clothes to examine the wound and nodded. "Yes, it's much better. Auntie will put medicine on it again tonight."
"Mhm, mhm." Tang Tang's eyes curved into a smile.
Soon, the housekeeper arrived with breakfast. After ensuring the two children had eaten, she took them outside to play.
Su Ding found a small garden. As Xiao Xi and Tang Tang were playing on the seesaw, she sat on the swing, swaying back and forth, her mind wandering.
Before long, she heard footsteps approaching nearby.
Su Ding looked up and saw several men pushing small carts laden with grills, wine, and other items.
"Be careful. The young lady is having friends over tomorrow, and these are all needed."
"Is the game console in that box?"
"Clean sofa covers and cushions, toiletries, and bedding are all prepared. Good."
...
As they spoke, they walked along the path ahead.
Su Ding followed their direction and saw a quaint small building not far from the attic she was staying in.
Jin Miaomiao was having a gathering with classmates?
She frowned. This woman, after committing arson, still had the mood for a party?!
"Great-Grandpa?"
Jin Xiao Xi's voice called out. Su Ding turned around and saw Grandpa Jin, leaning on his cane, slowly walking towards her.
Su Ding immediately stood up from the swing. "Mr. Jin."
Facing the elder, she felt an indescribable sense of formality, perhaps due to his powerful presence.
Over sixty years old, yet his steps were still steady and firm.
He was indeed a man who could remain calm when facing criminals, his face etched with the marks of time.
"Xiao Xi, you two play."
Grandpa Jin waved his hand, then turned to Su Ding and said softly, "Miss Su, I heard your house was burned down. Do you suspect Miaomiao?"
Su Ding furrowed her brows. "It's not a suspicion. It was her."
Grandpa Jin heard this and shook his head. "I watched Miaomiao grow up. She wouldn't do something like this. It seems, Miss Su, you have a significant prejudice against Miaomiao."
"The culprit I caught said it was her," Su Ding replied, her voice carrying a hint of coldness.
Grandpa Jin didn't get angry. He nodded with a sigh. "It's alright. We'll all wait for the investigation results. I came to ask about something else."
Su Ding asked, puzzled, "What is it?"
"You saved me before. Have those people approached you since?"
Su Ding answered truthfully, "No, I haven't encountered any strangers since coming to Nan Jing."
Grandpa Jin's expression softened, and he nodded. "That's good. Regarding this matter, I hope you won't tell Xiao Ye either. Just forget about it."
Su Ding nodded without hesitation. "Okay. I'm not a gossipy person."
This matter seemed mysterious, but she didn't want to get involved. She just wanted to live a peaceful life.
"Mhm." Grandpa Jin glanced at Su Ding, a deep satisfaction evident in his eyes.
Su Ding felt a bit uncomfortable under his gaze, her heart tightening. She asked dryly, "Excuse me, is there anything else?"
Grandpa Jin withdrew his gaze. "Miss Su, what are your plans for the future?"
"You mean..." Su Ding was a little confused.
"You are the person Xiao Ye has chosen, and Xiao Xi accepts you as his mother. If it's possible, I hope you can also live well with Xiao Ye."
Grandpa Jin said softly, "It's rare to find a kindred spirit in this world."
Su Ding was at a loss for words.
As she lowered her head in thought, she saw the elder step forward and pat her shoulder. "You're too close to see clearly. Young people, you need to see your own hearts clearly."
Su Ding looked at him in astonishment. Grandpa Jin smiled kindly at her and walked away, leaning on his cane.
Just now, was he implying that he accepted her?
In the evening, Su Ding was preoccupied with the matter of dinner. She felt it wasn't right to live there for free.
But it was clear that the Jin family didn't care about the cost of her accommodation.
At some point, Jin Ye had come up to the attic, his tall figure leaning against the doorway. "Get ready. We're going to the main house to have dinner with everyone."
Su Ding turned to look at him, her expression conflicted.
"You have to see people. Are you going to hide in the little attic forever?"
Jin Ye said lightly, his face expressionless, but his words carried a hint of teasing. "If people didn't know better, they'd think you were my secret assistant hidden away here."
Su Ding shot him a cool glance and sighed, rising reluctantly.
"Alright."
He was right. She was staying as a guest, and it would be impolite not to join them for meals.
Moreover, Xiao Xi was the treasure of the Jin family.
Jin Ye turned and left, calling the two children from the side room to wait for Su Ding downstairs.
On the way, Su Ding and Jin Ye walked side by side on the path in the backyard. Looking at their long shadows on the ground, she felt a inexplicable melancholy.
By the time they arrived, the food had just been served.
Su Ding led the two little ones to wash their hands and then naturally took the empty seat next to Jin Ye.
"Let's eat."
Grandpa Jin said nothing more, as if Su Ding were already part of the family, without excessive formality.
Jin Miaomiao sat opposite Su Ding, staring fixedly at her with an unfriendly gaze. As she chewed her food, she seemed to have the urge to devour Su Ding.
Su Ding remained unfazed, eating calmly and naturally.
Suddenly, a piece of meat appeared in her bowl. Jin Ye deftly placed it there with his chopsticks before continuing to eat his own meal.
She was taken aback for a moment, then ate the meat in one bite. She glanced at the cold man beside her with a confused look, her heart in a flutter.
"Miaomiao, what were you saying earlier?"
Jin Xiao looked at Jin Miaomiao beside him, giving her a meaningful look. "Miss Su is here now."
At these words, everyone looked at Jin Miaomiao in surprise.