Chapter 477: Chapter 477: The Child No One Remembers
Xingxing drew a family portrait, with the background being the large floor-to-ceiling windows here.
She sat in the middle between Lin Zhiyi and Gong Chen, smiling happily.
But there was an obvious empty space beside her.
“She just woke up for a moment.” Gong Chen pointed at the empty space and said, “She said this is her younger brother.”
Lin Zhiyi’s smile froze on her lips.
Some unpleasant images flashed through her mind.
In a past life, she and Gong Chen indeed had a second child.
That was when she and Gong Chen were closest to happiness.
He said he would take her away.
But unfortunately, in the end, because of Gong Yan…
She not only lost her child but also lost her memory.
She even kept hating Gong Chen.
Although in this life she thwarted Gong Yan’s plan, she still dared not recall.
Besides psychologically being unable to accept that dark memory,
it’s also because she doesn’t know how to remember that unborn child.
In the past life, she even didn’t remember having a child until her death.
Would the child hate her for sure?
Gong Chen sensed Lin Zhiyi’s change in expression, reached out, and held her hand.
“What’s wrong?”
Lin Zhiyi flinched her hand slightly.
Unexpectedly, Gong Chen held tighter.
“Your hand is so cold? Caught a chill in the bathroom just now?”
“No.” Lin Zhiyi lowered her eyes, staring at the empty space in the drawing.
Following her gaze, Gong Chen glanced at it.
“Don’t take it to heart, children just have wild imaginations, whether to have children, no one can force you.”
Upon hearing this, Lin Zhiyi knew Gong Chen misunderstood her thoughts.
After all, there wasn’t such a child in this life.
It seemed no one remembered this child at all.
In a daze, she looked up at Gong Chen, eager to know his thoughts.
“If, I mean if… there was a child? You and Mr. Gong had already reached the point of intense conflict, he would never let me give birth to a child of the Gong Family, then you’d have to make a choice.”
Because of her question, the originally harmonious atmosphere suddenly became somewhat oppressive.
Gong Chen’s expression gradually turned somber.
Lin Zhiyi felt a bit awkward, she seemed not qualified to ask such a question.
Moreover, Gong Chen had undergone sterilization, making it clear he didn’t want another child to be used by Mr. Gong.
The relationships between Gong Family father and sons, even the others in the family were actually twisted.
But there were exceptional times.
Lin Zhiyi heard from Liu He about what Gong Shiyan said when drunk.
Before Gong Chen was born, his mother was kind and his father a stern yet loving figure, outside he was powerful and at home an authoritative yet doting father.
As Gong Family’s eldest and second young masters.
Gong Shize and Gong Shiyan were not only Gong Family’s treasures but also Jing City’s focus.
And Gong Chen’s mother did not neglect their upbringing due to their status, instead personally teaching them to understand reason.
So even though an age-gap brother, Gong Chen, was added, there was no estrangement between them.
At that time, their father-son relationship with Mr. Gong was very harmonious.
Until… Gong Chen’s mother passed away.
The facade was immediately torn away.
Interests, disputes, manipulation…
Even Gong Shiyan’s most trusted girlfriend betrayed him.
Unable to take it, Gong Shize faked death, Gong Shiyan was dispirited, Gong Chen was forced onto the pedestal.
But they had one common point, for the sake of those peaceful and happy family days, they never did anything fatal to Mr. Gong.
Thus.
Lin Zhiyi’s current question seemed ridiculous.
For a nonexistent child, why would Gong Chen want to fall out with his father and the entire family?
She lowered her head, smiled awkwardly: “I was joking, let’s sleep.”
She immediately turned, but before she could take a step, she was pulled back by Gong Chen.
Before she could stand steady, he leaned toward her.
“Do you remember what I said on the day when you insisted on getting engaged to Sang Li? I meant it.”
Lin Zhiyi was slightly stunned, sinking into memory.
He said… Lin Zhiyi, would you like to leave with me?
She couldn’t quite believe it, until Gong Chen reached to hug her.
“Lin Zhiyi, I said, let’s go.”
Lin Zhiyi was dazed for a moment, her throat surged with indescribable bitterness.
His words were exactly the same as in the past life.
She couldn’t believe it and asked: “Really?”
The man held her hand tightly, slowly leaned over, his gaze deep as the night sky, impossible to see through, yet intoxicating.
“Really.”
“But I must also tell you a fact, now is not a good time to leave, I do not have full control of Gong Group, if things are not handled well, your identity, your career, even your mother and Xingxing will become targets of their attack. That would be unfair to you, I don’t want you to think I’m just a selfish person who weighs interests.”
All these, Lin Zhiyi understood.
But hearing him say it, she understood he truly considered taking her away.
Seeing her silent, Gong Chen whispered: “Don’t believe? Want proof?”
Just as Lin Zhiyi was about to speak, she was pulled into the bedroom by him.
“W-wait a minute… if, there’s no child now, no need for proof. Besides, why should we leave? We haven’t done anything wrong!”
“Can’t wait, just now at the martial arts gym couldn’t wait.”
The man locked the door non-refutably.
“Third Young Master, I’m talking serious business with you.” Lin Zhiyi emphasized.
“My business is serious now too.”
“Um.”
Lin Zhiyi was originally quite emotional, but in the end, only resentment remained.
If it weren’t for Gong Chen, she wouldn’t know there were so many tricks before the last step.
But he truly had patience, even more gentle than in the past life.
Which one is the real him?
Lying back in bed, Lin Zhiyi leaned on her pillow, staring at the man putting on a nightgown.
Her gaze swept across his back, she wondered: “How come I didn’t know before that you hid weapons behind your back?”
Gong Chen lay back on the bed: “Got rid of them when I saw you.”
“Isn’t this something to be carried close? Why remove it?”
“Who used to want to punch and kick me whenever saw me? I couldn’t fight back, if really encountered someone willing to risk their life, I’m afraid.”
Gong Chen looked at Lin Zhiyi as if reminding her.
Lin Zhiyi pretended ignorance, pulling the blanket: “Who? Do I know them? Nevermind, sleep, work tomorrow.”
She burrowed into the blanket.
…
The next day, at the studio.
Friday, Xue Man would always summarize the work progress.
“Ruoshu, Zhiyi, quicken the pace on the designs you are working on.”
“Alright, I have already arranged to meet with Gong Group today to discuss the design.” Bai Ruoshu replied.
Xue Man nodded: “Settle it fast, this matter can’t be delayed.”
Bai Ruoshu glanced at Lin Zhiyi, smiling: “Okay.”
Lin Zhiyi ignored Bai Ruoshu’s gaze and just nodded.
After the meeting ended, Xue Man stayed with Lin Zhiyi.
Once alone, Xue Man spoke: “Zhiyi, are you getting adjusted? There have been a lot of things going on in the studio lately, don’t pay too much attention to them.”
These words obviously carried a hint.
Perhaps fearing she’d say something in front of Gong Chen.
Lin Zhiyi hesitantly looked at Xue Man, feeling somewhat estranged.
The previous Xue Man was straightforward, wouldn’t beat around the bush like this.
But Xue Man had always stood by her side in the past.
Even when paths diverged, Xue Man would remember her.
This was one of the reasons Lin Zhiyi wanted to return.
Xue Man had always been a good mentor and friend in her heart.
She smiled: “President Xue, rest assured.”
Xue Man nodded: “Go ahead, if the Gong Group’s design is completed well this time, I’ll find a reason to restore you to the designer position, with your ability, your path will only get broader.”
“Hmm.”
Lin Zhiyi gratefully nodded.
Exiting the meeting room, Bai Ruoshu was waiting for her with her bag.
“Zhiyi, today you stay in the studio to review my previous designs, we’ll merge them.”
“Don’t I need to go to Gong Group together with you?”
For collaborative creation, the two hardly had a proper sit-down to talk, now even not meeting the client together, how can we merge?
Bai Ruoshu said calmly: “Zhiyi, sorry, Third Young Master seems to have approved only my individual meeting.”