The Villain’s Daughter is Four and a Half

Chapter 20 The bad child’s eyes were now brimming with tears. Jiang Qiuyue quickly consoled her, “Be good, Mingzhu, Brother was just joking. Don’t cry. Mommy’s here.” Zhou Linchuan didn’t bother with their mother-daughter affection, finished his meal, and left. But soon he returned, handing Jiang Ruyi a pink OPPO phone, telling her, “Call me if anything happens. Do you know how to use it?” “Yes, Dad taught me.” Jiang Ruyi took the phone, which had only his number, set as a speed dial. She was touched, and because he was half-kneeling, she couldn’t help but kiss his cheek, “Thank you, Brother.” “Good girl~” Zhou Linchuan ruffled her hair, stood up, and truly left this time. That night he called to check how Jiang Qiuyue was treating her. “It’s okay. Dad’s at home. She doesn’t dare do anything.” “Hmm.” His voice was gentle and comforting in the night. Jiang Ruyi suddenly remembered what he said during lunch: “Brother, you’re so good to me because of my mom, right?” “Partly,” he admitted honestly, “The other part is because you’re very cute. Very sensible. Oh, and you’re a little genius.” Jiang Ruyi was satisfied with this answer. It was normal to love the house and its crow. If he said no, then he must have other intentions. Given how much he loves mom, yet claims to be a non-marriage advocate… She asked again, “Brother, are you really not going to get married in the future?” “Yes.” “Because of our mom?” “Not exactly. I’ve loved the best one; anything else would just be settling, and I don’t want to settle.” “That’s still because of our mom.” “Haha, Xiaoruyi, why are you asking this?” “I think you deserve someone who likes you.” “I’m happy with just Xiaoruyi’s liking.” This ‘liking’ was, of course, devoid of any romantic feelings. However, Jiang Ruyi, with the soul of an adult, felt her heart skip a beat upon hearing this. Her brother was naturally charming. Unfortunately, the gap between them was too vast. Such a difference was impossible to bridge. So, she just had a moment of heart fluttering, nothing more. “Brother, once I find mom, I’ll help you find a girlfriend.” “Haha, you’re quite the matchmaker.” “I’m serious. Brother, there are plenty of good girls out there.” “Hmm.” “Brother—” “Yes?” “Goodnight.” They exchanged goodnights for three consecutive days. Life seemed to return to its normal rhythm. Jiang Baiyuan no longer personally searched for his wife but returned to the lab and resumed work. Unlike before, he wasn’t as driven, now working from nine to six with a much more regular schedule. He also had time to pick up and drop off his daughter at kindergarten, only occasionally troubling Jiang Qiuyue. That day, two students got into a conflict while conducting an experiment, which delayed him from picking up his daughter on time. Jiang Qiuyue took Mingzhu to pick up Jiang Ruyi. On the way, she received a call from her ex-husband, Feng Bin, who insisted on seeing his daughter. She had refused several times before, but this time he was more forceful: “What do you mean? I’m her father! If you don’t let me see her, are you pushing me to take legal action? I might as well demand custody of my daughter then!” Jiang Qiuyue was most afraid of him seeking custody, so she had no choice but to agree: “Are you in Shenzhen? Where should we meet?” “I’ll send you the address.” The address was quite far away, seemingly at a construction site. Seeing that it was dark, she didn’t want to go: “How about tomorrow? It’s already dark.” Feng Bin disagreed, his tone impatient: “I’m working at the construction site. Just got off work. You might have time tomorrow, but I don’t, so hurry up! I’ve bought things for Mingzhu!” “Do you regret your past actions?” Hearing that he was working at a construction site, Jiang Qiuyue felt a pang of sympathy. She had never been with another man; Feng Bin was her first love, much younger than her, and she treated him both as a man and as a son. If he had truly changed, they… might be able to start over. Having lived with her for many years, Feng Bin could sense her thoughts from her tone and continued: “Yes. My wife left me, and I’ve lost my daughter, how can I not change? Ugh, it’s so hot, and I’m starving and thirsty. Bring me some food when you come. Buy a lot, enough for two. I’m starving. This place is unbearable.” “Okay.” Jiang Qiuyue agreed, and on the way, she spotted a burger place and got out to buy some food. They were in a taxi, so they all got out for safety reasons, as leaving two young children in someone else’s car was not safe. They quickly arrived at the burger place. Jiang Qiuyue asked, “What do you want to eat?” Feng Mingzhu ordered a lot: “Mom, I want a chicken wrap, chicken nuggets, sausage, and cola.” “Ruyi, what do you want?” “Chicken wrap, chicken wings, and milk tea.” After placing the order, they sat at a nearby table, waiting. Feeling bored, Jiang Ruyi called Zhou Linchuan: “Is my brother off work?” Zhou Linchuan was still busy, hearing the noise on her end, he frowned and asked, “Where are you?” “At the burger place.” “Oh, with your dad?” “No, with my aunt.” “Where’s your dad?” “Probably busy with work.” “Are you eating out?” “No. Aunt is going to meet her ex-husband, who wants to see Mingzhu.” “Then why are you at a burger place?” “Mingzhu’s dad seems to be working at a construction site, and he wants to see Mingzhu, asking aunt to bring him food.” “Are you going too?” “Yes.” “Don’t go. It’s too late, and construction sites are dangerous. Where are you? I’ll come to pick you up.” “Isn’t my brother very busy?” “It’s fine. Send me the address.” “I’ve shared it with you on WeChat.” “Okay.” Zhou Linchuan hung up and rushed downstairs. He didn’t know why, but he felt uneasy. Jiang Ruyi waited for him at the burger place, and before he arrived, the food Jiang Qiuyue ordered was ready, filling a large bag. Jiang Qiuyue was never stingy with her ex-husband. “Ruyi, let’s go.” “No, I’m waiting for my brother; he said he’s coming to pick me up.” “How much longer?” “I’ll call and ask.” After asking, she learned it was rush hour, and traffic was bad. It would take some time. Jiang Qiuyue grew impatient: “Your uncle is starving, Ruyi, shall we go see him first, okay?” “No, I don’t want to see him.” A scumbag being treated like a treasure, if not for the child’s appearance, she would have given her a piece of her mind: silly woman! A man who cheats once will cheat countless times. Don’t be fooled again! However, humans are forgetful creatures. The anger and resentment from infidelity fade with time, and emotions start to cloud judgment. Jiang Qiuyue still cared about her ex-husband and waited another 10 minutes. Seeing Zhou Linchuan still hadn’t arrived, she became more anxious: “Ruyi, call and ask again.” Jiang Ruyi, seeing her aunt so anxious, said, “If you’re in a hurry, go ahead. I’ll wait for my brother here. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine.” She could manage, but Jiang Qiuyue couldn’t. If Jiang Baiyuan found out she left his daughter alone at a burger place waiting for Zhou Linchuan, he would cut ties with her. Jiang Qiuyue understood the gravity of the situation and had to wait patiently. Meanwhile, Feng Bin was already urging: “Where are you? I’m starving.” Jiang Qiuyue could only stall: “Almost there. Just wait a bit longer.” After another 15 minutes, Zhou Linchuan finally arrived. Jiang Qiuyue hurriedly greeted him: “Mr. Zhou, I have an urgent matter. Thank you for looking after Ruyi.” Without further ado, she grabbed the snack bag in one hand and her daughter with the other, ready to leave. Seeing Zhou Linchuan, Feng Mingzhu didn’t want to see her father anymore but wanted to stay with her brother, dawdling, “I don’t want to see dad. Mom, if you want to go, go by yourself.” Having never felt fatherly love from Feng Bin, unlike other girls who were considered little treasures, she was definitely not one. Jiang Qiuyue quickly coaxed her, “Mingzhu, be good, dad wants to see you. He’s changed. He’s working hard at the construction site and even bought you gifts.” Upon hearing about gifts, Feng Mingzhu finally changed her mind. She gave Zhou Linchuan a longing look; he had already scooped Jiang Ruyi into his arms, asking what she wanted to eat and where she wanted to go play.