The Villain’s Daughter is Four and a Half

Chapter 17 Lin Jing’an noticed her resentful little eyes and was quite interested: “Little Ruyi, what’s wrong?” He approached her, squatting down and pinching her cheeks. It wasn’t painful, but she still swatted his hands away: “Don’t pinch my face.” Lin Jing’an chuckled softly: “What if I want to?” Jiang Ruyi: “…” Bad guy! She swatted his hand away and pounced into her dad’s arms: “Dad, let’s go play at brother’s house.” Actually, she didn’t want her dad to be with this bad guy. Jiang Boyuan didn’t know what she was thinking but nodded: “Alright. Say goodbye to brother Jing’an.” It was a polite way of asking him to leave. Lin Jing’an didn’t linger, stood up, bowed to him, and left politely. Jiang Boyuan saw him out and also knocked on Zhou Linchen’s door. Zhou Linchen, having no work and still brooding over the unpleasant parting from the other day, was waiting for Ruyi to knock on his door. So, when he heard the doorbell, he rushed to open it. “Brother, good morning.” “Good morning, little Ruyi.” It was already 10 AM, not really morning, but they didn’t notice this detail, greeted each other cheerfully, and made up. Zhou Linchen took her from Jiang Boyuan’s arms, carried her inside, and showed her his new purchase—a wicker hanging chair shaped like a half-sphere, lined with soft cushions, inviting one to lie down and enjoy a pleasant afternoon. “Wow, brother, lift me up there!” Jiang Ruyi was excited and couldn’t wait to play. Zhou Linchen held her, sat down, then his long legs touched the ground, swaying the chair, and turned on the TV to watch a children’s program, ordering Jiang Boyuan around: “There are pastries in the fridge, please bring them. And wash the fruits on the coffee table.” Jiang Boyuan: “…” For the sake of his precious daughter, he endured it, brought the pastries, washed the fruits, and intended to leave, but Jiang Ruyi called him back: “Where are you going, Dad?” “I’m going back to read that thesis.” As expected. Jiang Ruyi didn’t want him to read that thesis and thought of a way to keep him: “Read it later. I want Dad to stay with me.” “Don’t you have someone to accompany you?” “Dad is different from brother.” This statement made someone else jealous. Zhou Linchen poked her little nose: “Little traitor!” Jiang Ruyi whispered in his ear: “I have a secret. I’ll tell you later.” Zhou Linchen raised his eyebrows in surprise: “Oh, okay.” “First, help me keep Dad here.” “Hmm.” He tapped his forehead and spoke up: “Mr. Jiang, if you’re free, please prepare lunch. Little Ruyi, what would you like for lunch? Chinese or Western?” “I want to eat spaghetti.” “Alright, have your dad go buy the ingredients.” Just like that, Zhou Linchen sent Jiang Boyuan away. Once the door was closed, he asked: “What’s your secret?” Jiang Ruyi told the truth: “My dad’s student is researching something about the brain and seems to be connected with some illegal organization. I’m worried my dad might be led astray by him.” After all, she was just a child; there was little she could do. To prevent this, she needed help. Zhou Linchen was shocked by this revelation, and his look at Ruyi became strange: “Are you really just a child?” Jiang Ruyi was unabashed, her face thick-skinned: “You can think of me as a genius.” “What does the genius want me to do?” “Check out that student.” “What’s his name?” “Lin Jing’an.” “Alright.” He agreed and called his assistant to arrange it. After listening to the process, Jiang Ruyi felt an unusual sensation: “Does my brother trust me that much?” Zhou Linchuan smiled, “You said you’re a genius!” He used her own words against her! Jiang Ruyi was momentarily speechless. Zhou Linchuan ruffled her hair, “Don’t overthink it. Too much worry will weigh you down, and you might not grow tall.” He didn’t suspect Jiang Ruyi had changed her core, only thinking she had become precocious after losing her mother. Clearly, precocity wasn’t a good sign. Jiang Ruyi cooperatively gave a simple laugh, “I think brother seems to have a lot on his mind too, how did you grow so tall?” “Because brother has grown up. When one grows up, the worries pile up. You’re still young, just be a happy little princess.” “Okay, I’ll listen to brother.” She smiled, insisting on changing the channel, appearing carefree. Zhou Linchuan complied, switching to a costume drama, listening to her babble about how beautiful the clothes were, not feeling bored at all. Finally, Jiang Boyuan returned with ingredients. The two adults prepared a lavish Western meal together. In the afternoon, Jiang Boyuan received a strange call saying they had seen Xu Xiangying somewhere, so he went to look for her. Jiang Ruyi didn’t follow and was left at Zhou Linchuan’s place. Zhou Linchuan, not particularly busy, taught Ruyi to play Go. Now, Jiang Ruyi started to show some childlike traits, clumsily forgetting rules even after hearing them seven or eight times. Luckily, she had the guise of a child, or she would have been mortified. “Didn’t your mom teach you this?” “She did, but I wasn’t interested.” She made an excuse for her clumsiness, “Interest is the best teacher, right?” Zhou Linchuan: “…” She was quick-witted at times like this. He asked with a smile, “What are you interested in then?” “Finding mom, does that count?” “That’s not an interest. I mean other hobbies like piano, dancing, painting. What do you like?” “Piano, I guess.” “Can you play?” “No.” It seems her original mom had taught her to play the guzheng, but just the basics, now all forgotten. Zhou Linchuan carried her upstairs, “Shall brother teach you?” Jiang Ruyi: “…” She had just mentioned it casually! But her slip of the tongue meant she had to learn piano all afternoon. When she complained of being tired and wanted to rest, he blocked her with a quote: “Success is 99% sweat + 1% genius.” Jiang Ruyi suppressed the urge to curse: “Damn, being a genius is really exhausting! My pinky might be ruined!” At dinner, she aired her grievances: “Brother, don’t you want me to come over anymore?” “Of course not.” “Then why make me learn piano?” “You said you liked it.” “If you keep this up, my interest will soon run out.” “Alright.” He understood not to push too hard, to avoid resistance, and showed some weakness: “I now understand the mindset of parents who want their daughters to excel.” Hearing this, Jiang Ruyi realized he treated her like his own daughter and said considerately, “Okay. To become a little phoenix, I’ll work hard.” “Little Ruyi is so good.” “Brother is the best.” They exchanged compliments. At nine in the evening, Jiang Boyuan returned with half a watermelon, thin-skinned and red-fleshed, particularly tasty. After eating, Jiang Boyuan carried his daughter home, where they washed up and went to bed. The next day, Jiang Ruyi went to kindergarten. Jiang Boyuan went to the university, toured the lab, and handed over the revised thesis to Lin Jingan. They chatted for half an hour, then other lab members joined, turning it into a group discussion. They talked for a long time and had lunch at the cafeteria. The female students, rarely seeing Professor Jiang, boldly greeted him and inquired about his wife. Jiang Boyuan was silent, not speaking much, which drew many sympathetic glances. He was quite popular at school. Having someone ask about his wife felt like they were stabbing him in the heart. In a bad mood, he barely ate before driving off. Since his wife’s disappearance, he had been listless, almost in a daze, and even thought of seeking blessings at a temple, feeling like he was going mad. Jiang Boyuan slammed on the brakes and called Zhou Linchuan: “What would you do if you were in my shoes? I’m so upset, I don’t want to do anything, I feel so helpless. Can you understand?” Zhou Linchuan was surprised by the call, “Are you drunk?” “No, I haven’t been drinking.” “Then why are you acting like a drunk?” When had they become so close? Jiang Boyuan was also surprised he had called him. But if not him, who else? He had no suitable relatives, no close friends. He wasn’t one to easily open up to others. Only him, his wife’s former suitor, his daughter’s godfather. “I said I’m very upset. When Yingying rejected you, were you this upset too?” “Enough, Jiang Boyuan, stop it or you’ll really hurt me!” He didn’t want to hear him rant over the phone and told him where to come to the company instead of causing a scene outside. Jiang Boyuan drove over, and once in the VIP room, the cool air cleared his mind. His vulnerability from the breakdown vanished, replaced by coldness and silence. After the meeting, Zhou Linchuan saw he had calmed down and asked, “Want a drink?” Jiang Boyuan shook his head, “No need.” “You’re under too much pressure.” “It’s okay now.” “Jiang Boyuan—” “Hmm?” “Get over it. You’re not living for Xu Xiangying. Think about little Ruyi; without her mom, you’re the most important person to her. Do you know she’s worried about you? Making a 4-year-old worry, what kind of father are you?” He had complaints against him. Jiang Boyuan couldn’t rebut, covering his head, murmuring, “I know I haven’t been doing well.” Zhou Linchuan sat next to him, patting his shoulder, “You can do well. You’re Jiang Boyuan, currently the best neuroscientist in the country, with a limitless future. Don’t ruin yourself over one woman. Xu Xiangying wouldn’t want to see that.” “Didn’t you all say she was obsessed with playing the savior?” “Do you think she’ll come to save you?” His tone was filled with frustration: “Don’t be foolish! A good horse doesn’t eat grass it’s already trampled. Even if she’s obsessed with being a savior, it won’t be for you!” Jiang Boyuan, annoyed, said, “Shut up!” Zhou Linchuan sneered, “Get out! I don’t want to see a coward!” “You’re the coward!” “Looking for a fight?” His fist landed on Jiang Boyuan’s face. Jiang Boyuan retaliated swiftly, their punches fierce and chaotic, leaving them both bruised. Ten minutes later, they lay sprawled on the ground, sweating, breathing heavily. “Feeling better now?”