"..." Gong Zhi Jing remained silent.
Sometimes she felt Ling Yu Chen's thought process was unlike anyone else's.
His actions in different situations always caught her off guard.
Take that time, during a moment that should have been deeply touching, his mind was filled with such thoughts.
And now, during what should have been a warm reunion for a family of three, why would he say something so childish?
It was as if he were jealous of their daughter.
Ling Yu Chen continued to move closer.
"Wife..."
Gong Zhi Jing immediately stopped him.
"Don't come any closer, you'll wake Le You."
Ling Yu Chen felt a pang of grievance.
"Ever since we got back, your eyes have only been on me!"
Gong Zhi Jing asked with amusement, "Are you jealous of our daughter?"
Ling Yu Chen nodded seriously, "Yes."
Gong Zhi Jing shot him a glare, her voice filled with disdain.
"Who gets jealous of their own daughter? How childish."
Ling Yu Chen sighed and turned his back to the mother and daughter, lying on his side, hunched over, his posture looking a bit pathetic.
Gong Zhi Jing watched him, feeling an inexplicable pang of sympathy. She carefully withdrew her hand from under Ling Le You's neck.
Then she poked Ling Yu Chen's back and asked in a low voice, "Hey, are you angry?"
Ling Yu Chen said irritably, "Stop touching me!"
Otherwise, you won't be able to bear my wrath...
"Don't be angry."
Even men needed to be coaxed.
Tsk.
Gong Zhi Jing moved closer, pressing herself against his back.
"Hold me!"
Ling Yu Chen remained motionless.
Gong Zhi Jing continued to coax him.
"Be good, don't be angry, I'll go out with you again in the future."
Ling Yu Chen still didn't move.
Just as Gong Zhi Jing thought he wasn't appeased yet.
Ling Yu Chen immediately turned over and sat up, propping himself on either side of Gong Zhi Jing, looking down at her.
"Do you want it?"
Gong Zhi Jing glanced at him with embarrassment, then at their daughter beside them.
"The baby is here."
Ling Yu Chen said, "She's asleep."
"..."
Gong Zhi Jing wanted to say something, but it was too late.
Ling Yu Chen leaned down and kissed her lips. His kiss was forceful, filled with an intense possessiveness.
Gong Zhi Jing was forced to accept his embrace, her red lips becoming even more vibrant and alluring.
The faint scent of her hair and her natural fragrance mingled in their nostrils, and an ambiguous atmosphere slowly spread.
Ling Yu Chen became increasingly immersed, and the situation gradually spiraled out of control.
...
A few days after their return.
Gong Ye called, saying he was back.
The wedding photos had been taken, and both the traditional Chinese style and modern wedding shots were to Gong Zhi Jing's complete satisfaction.
The wedding preparations would now be expedited.
Upon learning of Gong Ye's return, Ling Yu Chen sent the mother and daughter to live at the Gong residence for a few days.
This day was bright and clear, with a vast blue sky.
To welcome his daughter back, Gong Ye hired several nannies and part-time workers to clean and tidy the entire Gong mansion.
After all, no one had lived here for over twenty years, and it was in a state of disrepair.
However, after some cleaning and the addition of decent furniture and a bit of redecoration, it was presentable.
But no matter how much it was tidied and decorated, it could never return to how it was twenty years ago. The house seemed devoid of life.
It was desolate everywhere; speaking would create echoes.
Gong Ye sat on the living room sofa, his expression far from cheerful.
In the past, home was the place he missed the most and wanted to return to, but now it had become the place he most wanted to escape.
As long as he was at home, Gong Ye's brow was furrowed. His gaze would fall on a spot, and his mind would be flooded with memories of the past.
Everything was right before his eyes, yet it felt impossibly distant and gone.
If he were to spend the rest of his life here, he would surely live in pain.
Every plant, every tree, every brick, every tile held memories of the past. They constantly reminded him of everything that had happened here.
Especially the scene of the bloody sea, which was deeply etched into his mind. Every recollection brought him unbearable heartache.
The ground here was stained with blood inch by inch. He could still smell the strong scent of blood.
This was merely the Gong family residence, not a home.
Apart from fulfilling his missions, he truly had nowhere else to go.
A heavy sigh echoed in the empty living room.
The sound was incredibly somber, filled with desolation and deep sorrow.
But no matter how unpleasant this place was, it was the only remaining home of the Gong family, a place of inheritance, of everything his ancestors had strived for.
"Dad!"
At this moment, a clear female voice rang out, breaking the deathly silence of the living room.
Gong Ye looked up and saw his daughter, holding his granddaughter, standing at the doorway with his son-in-law.
They stood in the light, three figures casting reflections into the Gong mansion from the entrance.
Gong Ye quickly stood up and greeted them, "You're here, come in quickly."
"Seeing you hadn't closed the door, we came in on our own."
Gong Zhi Jing walked forward with a slight frown. "What are you doing sitting here alone!"
She hadn't missed the sadness and pain on Gong Ye's face just now, and his solitary figure looked somewhat lonely.
Gong Ye quickly suppressed his negative emotions.
"It's nothing. It's good that you're here. The rooms are all prepared for you, and I've furnished the house as needed.
If you need anything or are missing anything, just tell me."
With that, he led the three of them upstairs.
Gong Zhi Jing looked at his retreating figure as he walked upstairs, and her heart gave a jolt. She felt as if something she didn't know had happened.
Normally, he would have held the child first, but today he hadn't even glanced at her.
Gong Zhi Jing gazed intently at Gong Ye's back and said, "My dad is a bit off."
Ling Yu Chen, holding his daughter, had a flicker of confusion in his eyes. He too had noticed Gong Ye's preoccupation.
"Let's see for now. You spend some time with your dad these few days."
Gong Zhi Jing could only nod in agreement.
The family of three entered the Gong residence together and went up to the second floor.
Behind them, Han Xiao, along with several bodyguards, carried bags and packages upstairs.
Gong Zhi Jing's room was the one her mother had arranged for her.
This room belonged to her, but it was the first time she was staying in it.
This had once been her dream, a princess room she'd yearned for in her sleep.
Spacious and bright.
The entire room was in pink.
There was a large wardrobe, a big bed, and endless princess dresses.
Just like Xia Wan Fu's room before, whatever she had, Gong Zhi Jing now had too.
What she had dreamed of as a child was now easily attainable as an adult, but she could no longer feel joy from it.
Still, Gong Zhi Jing was happy. In this moment, because she was still a daughter of the Gong family, a loved one.
The maternity nurse and the nanny meticulously sorted and put away the items brought up by the bodyguards.
Ling Yu Chen watched from the side, feeling uneasy.
Meanwhile, Gong Ye and Gong Zhi Jing stood on the balcony, holding the child.
Gong Zhi Jing seized the opportunity to ask, "Dad, what's wrong today?"