Chapter 213

“From childhood to adulthood?”

This was the first time Jing Zeqian had heard Lin Ruiqing mention such a thing. He had originally thought that he had only met Shen Huaichu after the latter returned from abroad. Little did he know that they had met when they were kids?

Lin Ruiqing reminisced about the two boys who had cried their eyes out back then, her lips curling into a smile.

“Yes, from the very first meeting, they were at each other's throats.”

Back then, Jing Zeqian was a mischievous little boy, while Shen Huaichu, who had come with his parents, had the demeanor of a little gentleman. Initially, it was thought that since the two boys were of similar age, they would get along well.

However, within minutes of Shen Huaichu arriving, the two started brawling, each grabbing the other's bow tie and wailing louder than the other, refusing to let go.

Jing Zeyou, hearing this story for the first time from Lin Ruiqing, couldn't help but lean in to hear more details.

As Lin Ruiqing described the scene bit by bit, Jing Zejun couldn't hold back a chuckle, laughing out loud.

Someday, he must tell Yiyi about this. Just imagining the two future CEOs as kids brawling made Jing Zejun's eyes sparkle with amusement.

Jing Zeqian crossed his arms and snorted coldly, “It must be because he was jealous that I looked cooler than him!” This made them true rivals, after all!

Jing Zeyou glanced at his younger brother, Jing Zeqian, not that he looked down on him, but if Shen Huaichu knew he was being called a 'rival' by Jing Zeqian, he probably wouldn't be too pleased.

Lin Ruiqing shot a playful glare at Jing Zeqian. Her youngest son had always been like this, but Shen Huaichu had indeed changed a lot.

Thinking of this, Lin Ruiqing's smile softened a bit. She wondered if there was any fate between Shen Huaichu and Yiyi...

Meanwhile, Shen Huaichu was undergoing treatment.

Sweat had soaked through his clothes, clinging tightly to his skin, and his hair was disheveled.

He took a deep breath, as if each breath drained all his strength.

His hands gripped the armrests of the reclining chair, his fingertips turning white, his back slightly hunched, as if bearing some painful memory. This was a sign of his tension and fear.

This was the disheveled Shen Huaichu that Gu Lin had seen before.

Such treatment sessions were nothing new to the therapist, but today, Shen Huaichu seemed different. His heart appeared to be burdened with a different kind of urgency and pain.

When the treatment ended, Shen Huaichu opened his eyes and gazed out the window, lost in thought.

After he had regained some composure, the therapist asked, “You seemed different today. Is something bothering you?”

Shen Huaichu wearily shook his head, “It's nothing.”

The therapist didn't press further. Compared to the Shen Huaichu from over a decade ago, the current one was much more cooperative.

In fact, the therapist had a good guess as to what was troubling him. After all, there was only one factor that affected Shen Huaichu.

It was probably about that young lady.

…

“Hello? Mom, I've arrived.”

Upon reaching her home in Berlin, Jing Yi immediately called home to report her safe arrival.

Lin Ruiqing was still giving her instructions, occasionally interspersed with Jing Zeqian's voice. Jing Yi listened obediently and hung up after a while.

Jing Yi looked out the window, her lips curving into a faint smile, “Long time no see.”n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

This was Jing Yi's first home, the home she shared with Grandma Jing.

The building was a British-style standalone villa with a red brick exterior, white wooden window frames, and a black wrought-iron porch and balcony. It was surrounded by tall plane trees and ancient buildings.

In front of the house was the garden, Grandma Jing's favorite spot, where she would often chat with Jing Yi.

Both the house and the garden were well-maintained, looking no different from when she left.

The only difference was that the flowers in the garden had blossomed, creating the fairytale garden that the romantic old lady adored.

Jing Yi went downstairs and placed a photo on a reclining chair. The photo featured a dignified and elegant lady, Grandma Jing's favorite.

“Yiyi, when I'm gone, your uncle, that old stick-in-the-mud, will definitely make me move out, but I do miss your grandpa a bit.”

“If you come back, bring my photo and place it under this maple tree. Make sure it's the prettiest one.”

Jing Yi sat cross-legged beside the reclining chair, the gentle breeze caressing her. At this moment, her heart was at peace, a feeling that only her roots could bring her.

She might travel to many places in the future, and while the Jing family was her home, she might also have her own little family someday.

However, nothing could replace the place it held in her heart.

When ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‍she first arrived, Jing Yi was also flustered. She didn't know how to play the role of someone Grandma Jing had known for twenty years, but fortunately, they got along well.

Jing Yi had so much she wanted to tell Grandma Jing, to share with her about the Jing family.

“You said Dad is stubborn, but aren't you the same? It's not entirely your fault, but why not explain yourself?”

The maple tree in front of her swayed gently, as if refuting her words. Jing Yi's eyes softened with a gentle smile, “Alright, I know you had your reasons.”

“Oh, and Dad, he may seem so steady, but he really misses you. If you have time, why not visit him in his dreams?” Jing Beicheng was a very reserved man, but Jing Yi could still see his longing.

“You were right, Mom is indeed a very gentle person, and Junjun really takes after her!”

“And about Big Brother, he's truly a ‘workaholic.’ If you were here, you'd definitely scold him for not knowing how to enjoy life.”

"Oh, and while you're at it, give my second brother a good scolding for me. Although he apologized, I only forgave him because he looked pitiful. You still need to reprimand him. He lacks common sense and didn't even believe me?"

She sounded like a younger sister who had been bullied by her older brother, complaining to her parent.

She wanted to complain to Grandma Jing about ‘Jing Yi.’

“You don't know how silly she is. If you ever meet her, you must scold her properly. You can't be biased just because she spent more time with you, okay?”

After all, she had also spent over two years with Grandma Jing, so she could at least be considered a granddaughter, right?

She also wanted to tell Grandma Jing about that person.

“It's kind of strange. Before I liked him, everyone thought he wasn't a good match for me, and I thought so too. I found him annoying, arrogant, and rude, incapable of even thanking someone properly. But, I just fell for him.”

Jing Yi gazed into the distance, her lips curving slightly, “Do you think Dad and the others will have a bit more approval of him when I see him again?”

After Shen Huaichu left, Jing Yi never mentioned him to anyone, and no one ever brought him up to her.

Jing Zeqian and the others were worried she would be sad, but in fact, Jing Yi wasn't sad.

She just missed him a little.

Jing Yi leaned gently against the reclining chair, slowly recounting her experiences to Grandma Jing.

The maple leaves in the garden swayed gently, sunlight filtering through the gaps, casting dappled shadows. Time seemed to stand still in that moment.