Chapter 139: Long time no see

Wen Ling leaned against the sofa, her posture casual.

"It's been so long, yet you've changed a lot." Zhao Xingtang crossed her legs, smiling as she sized up Wen Ling.

Wen Ling chuckled lightly: "Really?"

"Really?" Zhao Xingtang glanced up at Zhou Yinhe, who had been staring here, and said, "Looks like after you reconciled, your feelings are deeper than before."

Wen Ling followed her gaze, winked at Zhou Yinhe, and frankly admitted, "Indeed."

"Then shouldn't you thank me?"

Wen Ling frowned, turning her head in confusion toward Zhao Xingtang, but Zhao Xingtang lifted her chin, gesturing for her to look toward the door.

"These are your parents, right?"

Wen Ling turned her head, stiffening all over; Zhou Yinhe, who had been staring at her, instantly noticed something was wrong, strode forward, and blocked her view.

"Baobao, how about we go to the venue first?"

Wen Ling stood up and said softly, "No need."

She raised her hand to link arms with Zhou Yinhe, facing the door together.

Qin Siqing stared blankly at her daughter, opened her mouth, then realized she couldn't speak at that moment.

Wenhuai took Qin Siqing's hand, and together they walked up to Wen Ling.

"Ah Ling." Wenhuai said gently, "Mom and Dad have come to see you."

Wen Ling lowered her eyes and smiled: "Long time no see."

Her polite distance left those nearby puzzled, wondering why her interaction with her parents was like this.

Wenhuai felt a sour ache; Qin Siqing blinked, and tears fell like beads as she choked up, stepping forward to take Wen Ling's hand, but Wen Ling stepped back, half her body hidden behind Zhou Yinhe.

"Ah Ling, Mom——"

Zhou Yinhe cut her off, saying, "Hello, Auntie, I'm Zhou Yinhe, Wen Ling's boyfriend; we spoke on the phone before."

Qin Siqing paused, looked at Zhou Yinhe, and said gently, "I know you, hello."

"Auntie, Uncle, why don't we sit down and talk?"

Wenhuai furrowed his brow, but seeing Wen Ling's obvious resistance, he nodded and sat down with Qin Siqing.

Zhao Xingtang had already left by the time they approached.

The four sat face to face; Wen Ling kept her eyes down, playing with Zhou Yinhe's fingers, unwilling to look at them.

She thought she could face the parents who had abandoned her to her grandparents since childhood, but when they actually met, she still instinctively avoided them.

It felt strange and awkward.

Usually carefree in front of Wen Ling, Zhou Yinhe now firmly shielded her obvious resistance behind him.

"My mom said you and Uncle also donated a lot to this charity auction."

Qin Siqing looked at her daughter, knowing she still didn't want to talk to them, so she chatted with Zhou Yinhe instead.

"It's just a small gesture of mine, but Madam Zhou and Madame Jiang are far more impressive—being able to organize such an auction is no easy feat."

Zhou Yinhe smiled faintly, humbly accepting Qin Siqing's praise: "It's only right."

Wenhuai pressed his lips, glancing at Wen Ling now and then; seeing her intimate little gestures with Zhou Yinhe made his face grow darker.

But he couldn't say anything now; his daughter's attitude toward Zhou Yinhe versus toward them was worlds apart—if she had to choose now, she'd definitely pick Zhou Yinhe.

Ning Qing, who had been standing nearby, saw the four were awkward and stepped forward with Madame Jiang to make polite conversation.

"Mr. Wen, Mrs. Wen."

Qin Siqing and Wenhuai rose politely; Ning Qing, out of the corner of her eye, saw Zhou Yinhe throwing her a pleading look, and said softly, "How about I take you to the venue to sit first? The auction is about to start."

The two hesitated, looked down at Wen Ling still seated; seeing her turn away, they reluctantly agreed.

Madame Jiang stayed behind to look after the others, while Ning Qing and the two headed out together.

"Mrs. Zhou, thank you for taking care of Wen Ling all this time."

Qin Siqing had heard a bit, and given Qin Yuchen's good relationship with Zhou Yinhe, she naturally knew her daughter was now dating the Fifth Young Master of the Zhou Family, and their feelings were deep.

Qin Siqing thanked her sincerely, but Ning Qing laughed, saying, "I really like Ah Ling; she's willing to date my Xiao Wu, and I'm overjoyed."

Ning Qing turned to Qin Siqing, affectionately linking arms with her, and said, "You've raised a fine daughter."

Qin Siqing replied guiltily, "I haven't raised her well; all these years I've been abroad with my husband, neglecting my own daughter. When they had an accident in M Country, if it weren't for your son, I wouldn't know if I'd ever have a chance to make it up to her—so I'm deeply grateful."

"Of course." Ning Qing shook her head. "As Ah Ling's girlfriend, Xiao Wu looking after her is only right."

Qin Siqing sighed; Wenhuai followed behind the two, silent as usual—not a talkative person, and now, upset about his daughter, he spoke even less.

Yet any more words of guilt or apology from them now would be of little use.

Ning Qing whispered reassuringly, "Don't rush, Ah Ling is soft-hearted; as long as you truly love her and make proper amends, she'll naturally soften over time."

Qin Siqing gave a wry smile and nodded.

After they left, Wen Ling exhaled, turned sideways, and buried her face in Zhou Yinhe's shoulder.

Zhou Yinhe raised a hand to tousle her hair, cooing, "Don't be unhappy, Baobao, be good."

Jiang Jibai and the others who approached were given goosebumps by his words; they had wanted to sit and chat a bit, but seeing Wen Ling's obvious low spirits, they tactfully withdrew together, leaving the two to speak softly.

Wen Ling leaned against Zhou Yinhe, quietly gazing at the coffee on the table; the crowd had already drifted toward the venue, leaving the two alone in quiet solitude.

"Let's go."

Zhou Yinhe lowered his head to look at her, seeing she had composed herself, and asked gently, "Want to go home? If you'd like to support the auction, I can have someone bid for you."

Wen Ling shook her head, rose first, took Zhou Yinhe's hand, and pulled him along toward the venue.

As they walked, she urged, "Hurry up, or we'll be late."

Pulled by her, Zhou Yinhe walked slowly behind her, watching her back, a flicker of heartache crossing his eyes.

If it were him, with parents who bore him then abandoned him, seeing each other only once every few years and not even calling, his reaction would be far stronger—he wouldn't be as calm as Wen Ling.

Entering the venue, the lights were dim, but Wen Ling quickly spotted the backs of Wenhuai and Qin Siqing.

They sat in the first row, together with Ning Qing and Madame Jiang.

Wen Ling's steps halted, she pulled Zhou Yinhe to go find Jiang Jibai and them.