Chapter 60 Be Kind to My Daughter

Memories of love ought to be cherished, yet the happiness that lies ahead must be sought by each of us on our own.

--------------------------------------------------------

In a small park near the airport, the footsteps of the two finally halted before the corner of a pavilion. Perhaps neither expected to meet under such circumstances; even less did they imagine they could face each other with such composure.

After a long silence, Zhong Yilan finally subdued the tumult in her heart and spoke as calmly as she could, “I’ve spent this time thinking about many things, and I’ve come to understand much. Perhaps I should thank you. But forgive me—as a mother, I truly cannot bring myself to say those words.”

Lu Huaining looked at her in surprise, noting her tranquil expression, his brows slightly furrowed. “You and my father…”

“I know you’ve always wondered about the death of your parents, and I know that’s why you chose to get close to Zui Ning.” Zhong Yilan gazed at the bleak scenery of the garden, as if the past in her heart had long since changed beyond recognition. After a while, she withdrew her gaze. “I don’t know from what position I should tell you, but please believe me—the grievances and debts of the previous generation are far more complex than you imagine. Sometimes, the less you know, the lighter your burden. Child, don’t let yourself carry so much.”

“What are you really trying to tell me?” Lu Huaining understood her presence was not a whim; she had come with a purpose.

Zhong Yilan smiled faintly, like a freesia blooming in winter. “Do you think I’m misleading you?”

She gazed at him intently, but he suddenly lowered his eyes to glance at his watch. “Forgive me, my boarding time is near. I must go.”

“Mr. Lu…” She abruptly called out to his hurried figure, her gentle voice enunciating each word: “Please, treat my daughter well. Do not leave yourself with regrets.”

Lu Huaining hesitated, uncertain how to face this woman as Xue Zuining’s mother. He had once believed he should envy her, for she had taken his father’s love from his mother. He had thought he should hate her, for she had destroyed his family with her own hands. Yet at this moment, a vague emotion rose in his heart, and he did not know how to respond.

Zhong Yilan watched him walk away with finality. After a long while, she murmured, “Zhengxun, may what I’ve done be right.”

++++

By the time the final meeting ended, dusk had already fallen outside the window, and the dazzling lights along the Bund cast an enchanting glow over Shanghai’s night. Some say Shanghai’s true beauty is found in its nighttime splendor, yet as Lu Huaining found himself visually fatigued by it all, he was struck by a sudden sense of desolation amidst the bustle.

His watch read seven o’clock; it seemed there were five hours left before this ordinary yet special day would pass. He frowned at his phone screen—all his calls to her that day had gone straight to voicemail. Did this careless woman not know to give him a reply?

While the man fretted at being ignored, 170 kilometers away in Hangzhou, a fine rain began to fall silently from the sky. The gentle, lingering drizzle brought to Xue Zuining, busy as she was, a sudden appreciation for the poetic cadence in Yu Guangzhong’s “Listen to the Cold Rain.” She vaguely recalled Karen Mok had a song called “Cold Rain.”

The outdoor shoot was canceled due to the unexpected weather, and it was nearly ten at night when Xue Zuining returned to the hotel arranged by the film crew. Entering her room, she picked up the phone she’d left on the bedside table that morning. Seeing the string of missed calls, she was startled—ordinarily, she might not receive so many calls in a month.

But when she dialed back the number that appeared most often, there was no answer.

Frowning, Xue Zuining put the phone down. The chill of her damp clothes prompted her to head for the bathroom. After a hot shower, fatigue melted away. She walked to the window, where the wind, carrying rain, scattered the last leaves from the branches—whirling, circling, and finally settling on the lonely ground like butterflies of autumn.

She was lost in thought when the sudden ringing of her phone broke the silence. The melody, pleasant as ever, now seemed almost intrusive with the urgency from the other end.

She answered, and a man’s suppressed voice came through clearly. “I want to see you!”

Xue Zuining glanced skeptically at the screen—she wasn’t imagining things.

“Xue Zuining!” He didn’t give her a chance to reply. “Come down right now. I’m at your hotel entrance.”

What! She nearly dropped her phone. Instinctively, she looked out the window, but the night was murky and revealed nothing. Wasn’t he in Shanghai? Why had he suddenly appeared here?

She hurriedly changed, barely taking time to switch her shoes, clutching her phone as she rushed out. The elevator was too slow, so she took the stairs. Six flights—she swore, if that scoundrel was just toying with her tonight, he was spoiling for a fight.

She dashed through the hotel lobby like a whirlwind. The vast plaza outside held only a few scattered cars. Despite the rain, the musical fountain continued its dazzling show, playing a nocturne for the passersby.

Xue Zuining drew her coat tighter, circling the plaza in search of him. Suddenly, her eyes were drawn to a cluster of candle flames.

A cake! An exquisite cake, its candles alight, had been set on the hood of a car. The slender rain threatened to snuff out the flickering flames at any moment.

She stood frozen, then was abruptly pulled into a familiar embrace. The scent she knew so well washed over her, calming her racing heart. She didn’t turn around. “Lu Huaining?”

“Xue Zuining…” He held her from behind, gentle yet possessive, his deep, magnetic voice brushing her ear. “Happy birthday!”

At last, she couldn’t help but turn. This man—he had remembered her birthday, this day she herself would rather forget…

She dared not imagine further. Watching the candles gutter and go out, she noticed the faint writing on the cake box: Christine.

Her eyes stung. “How did you know this was my favorite cake?”

“A businessman’s intuition,” Lu Huaining replied, as enigmatic as always. He savored her emotion, yet felt helpless before her sensitivity and fragility. “Now’s not the time to worry about how I know your little secrets. Tonight, you should simply enjoy your long-missed birthday.” He brushed away the tears she hadn’t meant to shed. “Don’t punish yourself for other people’s mistakes, hmm?”

The sweet, delicate cake melted on her tongue, tinged with the taste of tears.

“Did you skip dinner?” she asked, looking up at him. He nodded absently at her question, but she frowned.

“Why aren’t you eating?” Lu Huaining watched as she scooped up a generous piece of cake and offered it to his lips. He shook his head. “I don’t like sweets.”

Xue Zuining promptly turned the spoon and popped it into her own mouth, missing the complicated smile that flickered across his lips. Before she could wipe the crumbs from the corner of her mouth, she was suddenly swept into the car by his unexpected movement.