Before her eyes was a familiar face, still that strikingly handsome yet icy expression.
But Xue Jiao had come to understand this person a little better, knowing that beneath that cold exterior lay a rather endearing personality.
Xue Jiao’s eyes were red from crying, making her look like a little white rabbit. Since Lin Zhihua was standing, she had to tilt her chin up high to look at him, her tear-streaked face fully exposed to his gaze.
Seeing that she hadn’t taken the handkerchief, Lin Zhihua reached out and gently wiped away the tears rolling down her cheeks.
"A girl’s tears are pearls. What could be so sad that you’d even cast away your pearls?" His face was cold, but Xue Jiao could hear the gentleness in his voice.
She sniffled and quickly shook her head.
Lin Zhihua put away the handkerchief and brought out his other hand, which had been behind his back. In it was a panda plushie clutching a bamboo stalk—the very one from the claw machine...
Xue Jiao froze.
"It’s yours," he said as he casually sat down beside her on the steps by the pool, a man dressed in an expensive suit making himself at home on the concrete.
For some reason, Xue Jiao accepted it. "Thank you..."
Holding the plushie she had wanted so much, her heart suddenly felt steadier.
"So, care to tell me what happened?" His tone was casual.
His striking face turned toward her, his ink-black eyes fixed intently on hers.
It wasn’t as if she had nothing... She had... a friend.
"The home I live in doesn’t belong to me. The only person who should be mine—my mother—doesn’t trust me or stand up for me. My aunt and cousin would gladly see me fall into hell..." Xue Jiao opened her mouth and found herself pouring her heart out to this "stranger."
The greater the expectations, the deeper the disappointment. Ever since coming into this world, Xue Jiao had tried her best to live as Gu Xue Jiao, and like Gu Xue Jiao, she had yearned for familial love.
Over the past month, there had been moments when she and Li Sitong got along well. She had even crouched before her and softly promised— I’ll become your pride.
The more she had hoped back then, the more it hurt now.
Lin Zhihua waited quietly for her to finish before speaking. "Like I said before, the more you care, the more it will hurt you. The reason you’re so upset is that your mother is someone you care about. The knife from the closest person strikes straight at the heart. Xue Jiao, if you stop caring, you won’t feel this pain."
He paused, then added softly, "Someone will stand up for you."
Xue Jiao hugged her knees, resting her head on them.
"How can family be like this?"
Lin Zhihua looked at the top of her head and said gently, "My parents, for certain reasons, once hurt me deeply too. My relatives schemed against me, every one of them only after benefits. My own grandfather conspired with his youngest son to have me killed."
He spoke lightly, but the words that left his lips made Xue Jiao whip her head around in shock.
Killed...
Xue Jiao was stunned. Compared to Lin Zhihua, her own troubles suddenly seemed insignificant.
"You..." She opened her mouth but didn’t know what to say.
"But I don’t feel upset. Not at all." Lin Zhihua truly didn’t think much of it. His emotions had always been sparse, especially toward people whose motives he already knew, so he felt no sorrow.
All he would do was chop off every claw that reached out to harm him, one by one!But clearly, Xue Jiao didn't see it that way. In her past life, she had never experienced familial love, so to her, it was something beautiful and precious.
She had expectations, which was why she felt hurt.
What Lin Zhihua had gone through only made her think that this man before her must have been deeply wounded back then.
"Sir..." She opened her mouth slightly, her eyes filled with concern. "Don't be sad. From now on, we'll love ourselves..."
Her voice was soft, carrying sincerity and compassion.
Lin Zhihua felt his heart soften, and he couldn't help but let the corners of his lips curl slightly, warmth spreading through his chest.
This was a feeling he had never experienced before—his once unshakable heart now simmering with warmth.
The sensation was so wonderful that he almost couldn't resist pulling the petite, red-eyed girl into his arms and taking her home with him. From then on, all her care and concern would belong to him alone.
But Lin Zhihua restrained himself, reaching out instead to gently pat her head. "Little one, emotions are complicated. You feel your mother loves you, yet you also feel she hurts you. As mother and daughter by blood, you can't sever that bond, yet you feel wronged."
"You wonder why she can't be better, or why she doesn't just be completely cruel. Most people who suffer setbacks in familial bonds feel this way."
Xue Jiao froze.
Yes, that was exactly how she felt. If Li Sitong treated her well, she would sincerely accept her. If she didn't, then it would be better if she were outright cruel, making it easier to cut ties.
Feeling the slight tremble in his fingertips as they brushed through her silky hair, Lin Zhihua's fingers quivered imperceptibly. His eyes narrowed slightly as he continued, "So, little one, I'd rather you didn't dwell on it. There's no right or wrong in this. This isn't the first time, and it might not be the last. If you don't let it affect you, no amount of knives can wound you."
Xue Jiao didn't speak, biting her lower lip lightly before nodding firmly.
Lin Zhihua's gaze shifted to the lip caught between her teeth, his eyes darkening momentarily before he quickly withdrew his hand. "Still crying, little one?"
"I stopped ages ago! It was just a moment of sadness. I don't usually cry!"
"Oh? Is that so?" Lin Zhihua smirked.
Xue Jiao widened her eyes. "Yes! Today was an exception!"
"Then you'd better not let me see you cry again." It would break my heart.
"I won't!"
"By the way, sir, what do you do for work?" Xue Jiao asked curiously.
Lin Zhihua raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure you want to keep being so formal?"
Xue Jiao paused, then slowly exhaled and uttered the name. "Lin Zhihua."
"Hm." The corners of his lips lifted slightly as he nodded.
"You still haven't told me what you do."
"Me? I'm in business."
Xue Jiao's mouth fell open. "Ah? I never would've guessed!"
"What about me doesn't fit?" Lin Zhihua arched a brow, his eyes half-lidded as he looked at her.
"Businesspeople usually seem so amiable, but you're so..."
"Not all businesspeople are amiable. I'm fine the way I am." Lin Zhihua rubbed his fingers together, his gaze shifting forward.
Xue Jiao nodded. Given Lin Zhihua's stern expression and seemingly leisurely lifestyle, she figured his business couldn't be that big, so she dropped the topic.
"Lin Zhihua, thank you."
"For what?" His gaze returned to her, his expression naturally commanding. His eyes locked onto hers, as if trying to pull her in.Xue Jiao didn't avert her gaze this time, speaking with earnest sincerity: "Really, thank you. Though it might be presumptuous, I still want to say—you're my only friend."
Lin Zhihua froze momentarily: "Friend?"
"Mhm, Lin Zhihua, would you mind having a friendship across generations?"
Friendship across generations?!
Lin Zhihua was stunned. He... he... was he that old?!
"Ahahaha—" Xue Jiao burst into laughter, "I'm just teasing you! You only look two or three years older!"
Lin Zhihua: "..." That stung even more.
Xue Jiao composed herself, her gaze softening as she looked at him—
"You're more like an older brother to me..."
The smile that had just begun to form on Lin Zhihua's lips froze.
"..." Well, that pierced right through.
"Thank you!!!" Xue Jiao raised her voice, then stood up, "I'll head back now, goodbye!"
"Let me walk you—"
But Xue Jiao had already taken a few steps away. She turned back with a radiant smile: "No need! Bye!!"
Her small figure gradually disappeared into the distance. Lin Zhihua watched her retreating back, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
What to do?
He really wanted to take her home, to have this girl by his side always.
——
Lin Corporation.
"President Lin!" Chen Yan stood at the main entrance, immediately stepping forward upon seeing his car arrive.
"Is everyone assembled?"
"Yes, the meeting has been postponed by half an hour as notified." Chen Yan glanced at his watch, "All department managers have returned to the conference room now."
"Good, let's begin." Lin Zhihua strode forward purposefully.
Chen Yan hurried to keep up, stealing a glance at Lin Zhihua: "Sir... that half hour... was there something particularly important?"
"Mhm."
His affirmative grunt clearly indicated the matter's significance.
Chen Yan was utterly baffled.
As Lin Zhihua's right-hand man for years, he managed every detail of the president's schedule. Moreover, the boss prioritized work above all—any postponement of major meetings would typically be work-related.
But... how could any work matter escape his knowledge?
Though perplexed, Chen Yan dared not press further.
As they approached the private elevator, a beautifully dressed girl with an innocent appearance came rushing down the adjacent stairs. Feigning a stumble, she deliberately collapsed toward Lin Zhihua.
He instantly stepped back, leaving her grasping at air.
"Sir..." the girl whimpered timidly.
Lin Zhihua cut her off: "I never want to see this person in Lin Corporation again. The hiring manager loses this month's salary plus half-year bonus. The training supervisor forfeits one month's pay and full annual bonus."
His icy pronouncement made, he continued walking without pause.
Chen Yan gave the girl a cold look. Had she tried any other approach to catch the boss's attention, it might have been tolerable—but attempting physical contact? She might as well have signed her own death warrant!
Having served under Lin Zhihua since he took over Lin Corporation, Chen Yan had never witnessed him tolerate female proximity.
Wait... except perhaps one?
"Sir! I was wrong! Please don't fire me—" The girl broke into loud sobs, tears streaming down her face.
Lin Zhihua entered the elevator. As the doors closed, his indifferent gaze remained fixed on her tear-streaked face without reaction.
As for his past remark that girls' tears were pearls—
Well, not his pearls, not his problem.
——
When Xue Jiao returned, the Cheng household was unusually quiet—yet unexpectedly, the entire family was present.
She pushed open the door calmly, changed her shoes, and entered in silence.“Wuwuwu, Mingjiao’s knees are still bruised. Don’t Mom and Dad know her personality? She must have just been momentarily confused and misspoke! Besides, didn’t Gu Xue Jiao already beat her up?” Liu Yazhen cried while pulling Mingjiao along.
“Shut up!” Cheng Kai, the second son of the Cheng family, roared at Liu Yazhen.
The old couple’s expressions were grim. They valued face above all else, and regardless of who was right or wrong this time, the incident had utterly humiliated the Cheng family.
“How impressive—one insults, the other hits!” The old lady, Bai Xiumei, said coldly.
Li Sitong remained silent, but the moment Gu Xue Jiao entered, she walked over, trying to take her backpack with a somewhat ingratiating smile.
Her hand stretched out and retracted repeatedly, her face full of unease and nervousness.
Xue Jiao avoided her gesture and headed straight upstairs.
“Jiao Jiao, wait.” Cheng Shuo called out to her, smiling kindly and patting the sofa beside him. “Sit here.”
Xue Jiao lowered her head slightly, biting her lower lip, but still walked over.
This stepfather was genuinely good to Gu Xue Jiao—fair to both children and reasonable. She didn’t want to disregard his dignity.
“Mom, Dad, since you’re here, I won’t need to go to the old house to find you. You already know what happened. Jiao Jiao didn’t really hit Mingjiao, but Mingjiao was truly out of line.” Cheng Shuo stroked Xue Jiao’s head while looking at the old couple.
“Eldest Brother!” Liu Yazhen raised her voice. “Mingjiao was just momentarily angry and blurted something out, but Gu Xue Jiao actually kicked her!”
She looked furious, as if barely containing her anger.
Cheng Kai’s expression shifted. Of course, he felt sorry for his daughter, but her words this time had indeed been harsh…
The old man was still reasonable. He glared at Cheng Mingjiao. “Mingjiao, apologize! Apologize to your aunt and cousin.”
Cheng Mingjiao clenched her lower lip, her teary eyes sweeping over everyone before pausing briefly on Xue Jiao.
She—she absolutely would not apologize!
She wouldn’t lose to Gu Xue Jiao!
Liu Yazhen also protested loudly, “Why?! At most, both were at fault, but Mingjiao was the one who got hurt! How can you still make Mingjiao apologize to Gu Xue Jiao?!”
“Apologize!” Cheng Kai bellowed, but Mingjiao kept her head down, refusing to speak.
Cheng Kai was so angry he stood up furiously.
The old lady, Bai Xiumei, sighed slightly and stopped twirling her cane. “Enough, Second Son, don’t be impulsive. Don’t scare the child.”
She then turned to Cheng Mingjiao. “Mingjiao, I heard you ranked eighteenth in your grade this time? Not bad, not bad. Keep working hard and strive to catch up to your cousin Mingze.”
“Mmm—” Mingjiao murmured softly.
Bai Xiumei then looked at Xue Jiao. “Jiao Jiao, I heard you passed all your subjects this time? That’s a big improvement, but there’s still room to grow. Keep pushing forward and aim higher.”
Passing all her exams was indeed a significant improvement for Xue Jiao, but compared to Cheng Mingjiao, it still seemed much weaker.
Liu Yazhen’s pride was practically bursting. “I heard many in Mingjiao’s class dropped in rank this time. For her to rise in ranking is already quite impressive!”Bai Xiumei nodded with a smile and said, "Yes, it hasn't been easy for either of them. It's clear both girls have been working hard. This incident was just an accident. They should apologize to each other, shake hands, and make up. From now on, Mingjiao can help Jiao Jiao with her studies, and you can work hard together."
Liu Yazhen didn't speak this time. The old lady's approach was relatively fair.
Cheng Mingjiao clearly thought the same way—as long as she wasn't the only one apologizing, she wasn't losing.
She mentally scoffed but agreed to the arrangement.
"I won't apologize." Xue Jiao, who had remained silent since returning, suddenly spoke up. Everyone froze and turned to look at her.
Her expression remained calm as she said evenly, "If it happened again, I'd still hit Cheng Mingjiao for saying those things. So I'm not in the wrong."
"I did nothing wrong, so I won't apologize. But Cheng Mingjiao, if you truly believe you did nothing wrong, would you still call me and my mother 'fox spirits' if given another chance?"
She sneered. "And it wasn't a slip of the tongue—you've always disrespected us like this."
Author's Note:
To Xue Jiao:
Lin Zhihua (gently): A girl's tears are pearls. Don't cry—it hurts my heart.
To others:
Lin Zhihua (coldly): Oh, they're not my pearls anyway.
OpenNovel