ntense.“Next time, I'll get you.”Shu Tinglan's face flushed red: "I didn't flirt with you, you overthought it."He glanced at her with a sarcastic look, then dropped the subject. His expression shifted...Song Jingye didn't need to say anything, that feeling was both beautiful and unbearable to let go of, yet filled with guilt. But he still gritted his teeth and gently pushed her away, helping her stand up straight.

"Want to play again" he asked softly.

Lu Yaoyao shook her head like a drum.

Song Jingye took off his smart glasses, and she opened her eyes to look around. Only then did she feel like she was truly back in reality. So, just now, she and Song Jingye had hugged

Just like the memory of her injury that night, his embrace was broad and strong, giving her a sense of security. His small gesture filled her with joy.

Song Jingye became even more silent. His palm still lingered on her body, retaining the softness of his touch. He had originally brought her here to the office for a private tour because the space was so intimate, but now, in this dimly lit command center with just the two of them, the atmosphere felt even more charged and volatile.

"Let's go." He stepped out of the command room first.

I walked to the door and found that there was no sound behind me, no one had followed. When I turned back, I saw that she had fallen to the ground at some point, looking at him with a wronged expression.

This command center, from the central desk to the doorway, has several levels of steps going upwards. It is indeed easy to trip if you are not careful.

He frowned and walked over, crouching down beside her: "Can you get up"

She looked at her ankle, it was bruised and throbbing with pain. She wanted to cry but she was afraid he'd think she was being too delicate, so she held it in.

"Let me take a look." Song Jingye crouched down on the step below her, grabbing her slender ankle and giving it a gentle twist. "Does that hurt"

She shook her head, saying it didn't hurt, but the bruised areas couldn't be touched, or they would be painful.

But as her gaze followed his, she took another look at her ankle. Beside the purple bruise, there seemed to be a small scar, which she had noticed while bathing a couple of days ago.

But of course, she couldn't remember when she was injured. It seems that her fate after she turned 18 might not have been very good.

She hasn't been idle at home these past few days. She specifically asked the nanny why her grandfather had a cerebral hemorrhage and why her uncle was unemployed at home. The nanny stammered and didn't elaborate, but it seemed to imply that it had something to do with Gu Ruandong. So, her intuition wasn't wrong.

Beside him, Song Jingye asked, "Can you walk"

"Yes."

I didn't sprain my ankle, so I can walk.

Apart from that inexplicable embrace they shared earlier, the two of them remained strictly polite at all other times. There were no further advances made between them.

As usual, Song Jingye drove her back to the Lu family residence. He didn't go in; he just watched as she got out of the car and entered the courtyard before speeding off with a loud roar of his engine.

Lu Yaoyao was in a good mood, limping into the house and humming a tune. It was dinner time, and she saw Gu Ruandong and her grandfather waiting for her in the main room. Her cheerful expression instantly disappeared.

Gu Ruandong looked at her with a slightly deep gaze. Without him speaking, the old man first asked: "Where did you go for an afternoon Ruan Dong waited for you for a long time."

“Let’s go get some fresh air,” she replied.

"What's wrong with your foot" Gu Ruandong saw the bruise on her ankle at a glance and wanted to reach out and take a closer look, but she turned away from his touch.

"You may eat. I'm going back to my room to rest."

Gu Ruandong had been busy with work these past few days, somewhat indulging and letting her have her way. However, seeing that she was out of sorts, he followed her back to her room.

He followed her, Lu YaoYao jumped in fright. She was cornered by him at the door. At such a close distance, she was scared: "You, what do you want to do I called Grandpa!"

"What's your name!" he said in a low voice, his expression ambiguous.

Being a jerk, driving her crazy.

"Little rascal." He reached out and tousled her hair, a hint of mischief in his eyes as he watched her. She was too cute like this, so he couldn't help but tease her: "Did you do something wrong"

He also indulged her, letting her stay at the Lu family's place since she wished to. He told himself that he would wait until he was less busy and help her regain her memories properly after she had recovered fully.

So he wasn't really in a hurry at all.

Plus, Little Gulu didn't sleep with her at night anyway. She was easy to coax during the day and easily distracted, so she was very well-behaved and didn't cry or try to find Mommy.

He had no idea that his confidence had gone too far, the 18-year-old "girl" in his mind was already miles away.

Eighteen-year-olds have preferences unique to their age, which they may not even be able to control themselves.

Her personality is that if she likes something, she'll go after it. She lives for the day and doesn't worry about forever. After all, she's only "18" now.

Gu Ruandong would visit the Lu family to see her either in the morning or evening every day. In the evening, he would go home and spend some time playing with Xiao Gurulu. The rest of the time, he was busy with work.

Zhao Tingxing learned about the passing of his foster mother from Han Li. Out of courtesy, he originally wanted to go to pay his respects but learned there was no funeral, and even the person had disappeared.

Because of the disaster, things are still chaotic in the county. Dafang spent two days investigating before learning that Zhao Ting had gone to the capital. No one knows his specific plans, as he always operates outside the norm.

Han Li came to Beijing to look for Zhao Tingxing, and also met Gu Ruandong once.

"Can you let him off this time" She knew it was impossible, but she still had to fight for a chance for him. If the old woman was gone and his business collapsed, she was afraid he wouldn't be able to handle it.

"What have I done" Gu Ruandong asked calmly.

A nonchalant remark sent a chill down Han Li's spine. After she left, they were no longer comrades in arms, so he wouldn't tell her a word.

Gu Ruandong is a businessman, only cares about profit, no sentimentality, she understands.

As she stood up to leave, Gu Ruandong finally spoke, "Instead of wasting your time begging for him, you might as well spend more time on your own child."

Han Li suddenly looked up at him and asked, "What do you mean"

Gu Ruandong said no more. He had said what he needed to say, and done his duty.

Han Li came out of his office and immediately called the elder couple of the Yi family. They answered quickly. Before she could greet them, her heart pounding with worry, she asked, "Auntie, where's Zhao Cai"

"Going to kindergarten, what's up"

Upon hearing Yi Lao Tai's response, the tightness in her chest eased, and a chill ran down her spine. She forced herself to remain composed: "I missed him, and I happen to be in Beijing on business today. I'll go pick him up."

"Okay, come here and get your pick-up/drop-off card."

"I have it, I asked the teacher for an extra one last time."

After hanging up the phone, she was still unable to calm down. She drove directly to the kindergarten where he went and waited for him to be dismissed.

Since Gu Ruandong reminded her so much, there must be a reason. The only thing she could think of was that Zhao Tingxing had suddenly disappeared after the old lady's death, and then appeared in Beijing again. Could it be that he was looking for Han Zhaoyi

She sat impatiently in the car, waiting for kindergarten to let out. Her heart was racing.

Finally, the time came. She rushed forward at once, taking first place, hoping that Han Zhaoyi could see her as soon as possible.

However, when their class teacher led a group of children out, there was no sign of Han Zhaoyi.

The teacher also looked at her in surprise: “Han Zhaoyi was picked up this morning.”d beside hers. He didn't know how long he had been standing there, glancing at her without a word, his face dark as thunder. Then, he turned and walked towards the entrance of the kindergarten. Han Zh...