Chapter 29

Cheng Mingze didn't speak.

"Mingze?" Cheng Shuo turned his head, puzzled.

"Huh?" Cheng Mingze snapped out of his thoughts. "Oh, yeah. She looks nice."

"See?" Cheng Shuo walked over to Li Sitong, putting an arm around her shoulders. "Our Zizania latifolia can buy more clothes with you."

Li Sitong pinched him lightly. "Stop it! After she graduates high school, she'll have plenty of time to dress up. Right now, she should focus on her studies."

"You're too serious. She's been working so hard already." Cheng Shuo sighed helplessly.

Xuejiao stepped forward. "It's fine. I don't really like dressing up anyway. I'll think about it later."

Cheng Shuo shook his head with a small, resigned smile. "You…"

"Let's go. It's almost time," Cheng Mingze interjected suddenly.

"Right, let's go," Cheng Shuo agreed.

And with that, the four of them left the house together.

As Li Sitong had predicted, the theater's temperature was warm enough that coats were unnecessary. Xuejiao left hers draped over the back of her chair and sat quietly in her seat, waiting.

"I'll go to the restroom first," Xuejiao said suddenly. This was her first time attending a play, and though the show hadn't started yet, she could feel people's glances lingering on her, making her uncomfortable.

"Will you be able to find your way back?" Li Sitong asked, concerned.

"Yes," Xuejiao assured her before heading out.

She exhaled deeply as she walked through the wide corridor outside, enjoying the temporary solitude. After finishing her trip to the restroom, she hurried back, worried about being late. As she rounded a corner, she collided with someone coming out in a hurry.

"Ah!" Xuejiao exclaimed, stumbling slightly.

Before she could fall, the person reached out to steady her. Once she regained her balance, he let go immediately.

"Thank you… Lin Zhihua?" Xuejiao blinked in surprise when she recognized him.

Lin Zhihua's pupils contracted slightly, his shock no less than hers. This encounter… wasn't planned. Then, his gaze softened as he took in her appearance. She looked different today—special.

"What a coincidence," he said calmly. "Who are you watching the play with?"

"I'm here with my family," Xuejiao replied, scratching her head.

Lin Zhihua nodded, his expression relaxing slightly. There was a hint of warmth in his gaze, as though this unexpected meeting had made his day.

In truth, he often found himself wanting to see her, sometimes even contemplating visiting her home unannounced. But he always restrained himself. Today's meeting was a pleasant surprise.

"And you?" Xuejiao asked, tilting her head slightly as she glanced past him. The play was about to start—why was he out here?

"Just getting some air. Let's go in. It's starting," Lin Zhihua said, gesturing for her to head back.

"Oh, okay!" Xuejiao nodded. As they walked, she added, "By the way, the practice questions you gave me were really helpful. And your notes—thank you so much!"

"You're welcome," Lin Zhihua replied, though he felt his response might seem too curt. After a brief pause, he added, "Feel free to ask me if you have more questions."

"I will! Thank you!" Xuejiao smiled, pulling a small coconut candy from her pocket and handing it to him. "Here, have this as a thank-you!"

Embarrassed by her sudden gesture, she quickly ran off toward her seat.

The candy had been given to her by Cheng Shuo earlier on the bus, and she had absentmindedly stuffed it into her pocket. Now, looking at Lin Zhihua, she felt the candy didn't suit his image at all. Regretting her impulsive act, she fled in a hurry.

Lin Zhihua stood still for a moment, staring at the candy in his hand. His fingertips tingled faintly where they had brushed against hers. Then, slowly, a small smile tugged at his lips.

Back in his seat, the woman sitting beside him, who had been getting ready to leave, looked at him in surprise. "Mr. Lin! You didn't leave?"

Without turning to her, Lin Zhihua replied flatly, "Watch the play. Keep quiet."

At that moment, his phone vibrated.

"Chen Yan: Boss? The car is ready."

Lin Zhihua quickly typed back:

"Don't leave yet. I'll finish watching."

After sending the message, he tucked his phone away and unwrapped the candy. He placed it in his mouth, letting the sweet, cloying taste spread across his tongue. It was far too sweet—almost sickeningly so—but he didn't spit it out. Instead, he savored it.

The play told a moving story of family, love, and mutual understanding, blending moments of warmth with sadness.

Li Sitong shed tears throughout the performance. Cheng Shuo wrapped an arm around her, occasionally glancing at Xuejiao and Cheng Mingze with a look of familial warmth. Clearly, he was deeply affected by the story.

Sitting next to each other, Xuejiao and Cheng Mingze exchanged glances. Both saw the same expression of helplessness reflected in the other's eyes.

When the play ended, the moved parents led their expressionless children to a nearby restaurant for dinner.

Meanwhile, Lin Zhihua and the woman sitting beside him also left the theater.

"Mr. Lin, let's have French cuisine tonight," the woman suggested shyly, her voice soft. She had been told that Lin Zhihua was aloof and reserved, so she decided to take a direct approach.

"Miss Xie?"

"Yes! My name is Xie Wei," she replied, her tone eager.

Miss Xie was thrilled. This must be the first time Lin Zhihua had accompanied a woman to watch a play. The thought made her blush with excitement.

But Lin Zhihua's response shattered her illusion.

"Miss Xie, I'm not interested in this blind date arranged by my parents. I'll have my assistant send you back. I have other matters to attend to." Without waiting for a reply, Lin Zhihua turned and left.

"Ah…" Miss Xie reached out, but before she could say more, Lin Zhihua's assistant, Tan Qi, interrupted.

"Miss Xie, this way, please."

Seeing Lin Zhihua disappear into the distance, Miss Xie's initial embarrassment turned into anger. "Who does he think he is? He's not even… normal! Hmph!"

Tan Qi's expression turned icy. "Miss Xie, I don't think you need an escort after all. Goodbye."

With that, he turned and walked away without looking back. To him, Lin Zhihua was not just a boss—he was someone worthy of utmost respect. He couldn't tolerate slander against him.

Back home, Lin Zhihua was confronted by his parents.

"Zhihua! Xie Wei called and said you made her leave on her own?" Lin's mother asked, her eyes wide with disbelief.

Lin's father, equally upset, stood up and scolded, "At least send her back, even if you don't like her!"

Lin Zhihua loosened his tie and replied coolly, "She's not worth it."

Tan Qi didn't hide anything from Lin Zhihua; he knew everything Xie Wei had said.

"How do you talk?" Lin's father scolded angrily.

Lin Zhihua turned to him with a cold expression. "If you trick me into going on another blind date under false pretenses, you can pack up and move abroad."

Lin's father and mother froze, momentarily stunned, guilt flashing across their faces. They had indeed tricked Lin Zhihua into attending the theater by calling him under false pretenses.

Lin Zhihua continued, his tone steady but cutting. "Your lies are terribly clumsy. Let me tell you something: even if you manage to deceive me into meeting someone, there will never be a result."

"But didn't you watch the play with someone?" Lin's mother muttered hesitantly.

Lin Zhihua paused for a moment, then replied with just one word: "Accident."

Lin's mother choked, unable to respond, but Lin's father pressed on. "Zhihua, Xie Wei is truly suitable for you. Your mother spoke with her family—Xie Wei grew up abroad and believes in Platonic love. Isn't that perfect for you? Besides, in every other way, she's..."

Lin Zhihua interrupted him coldly. "Am I so pitiful that you feel compelled to force me into this?" He threw his coat onto the sofa and added quietly, "Don't worry about my marriage."

"How can we not worry? Are you not our son? Watching you alone like this—what's the point of earning so much money? You're getting older, and you have no partner, no children... Son, listen to us. Xie Wei is perfect for you. Just try to get to know her better," Lin's mother implored, her voice trembling as though she was about to cry.

Though the Lin couple often used misguided methods, their concern for their only son was sincere.

Lin Zhihua looked at his mother, his gaze sharp. "I'll say it again—Xie Wei is not suitable." He paused before continuing, his tone decisive. "Xie Wei had six boyfriends during her time in the United States and even underwent an abortion. Her father, Xie Kuan, is an incompetent manager. I'm in the process of acquiring the Xie family's company. Do you really think the Xie family was being honest with you?"

As his words fell, the room was plunged into silence. The only sound was the heavy breathing of Lin's parents.

Seeing their shocked and angry expressions, Lin Zhihua sighed. "I didn't intend to tell you this, but you've gone too far."

Lin's father clutched his chest, his veins bulging on his forehead as he gasped in fury.

"Outrageous! Unacceptable!" Lin's father finally managed, his face red with anger.

Lin's mother quickly supported him, but he pushed her away and glared. "That Xie family—I won't let them off!"

Lin's mother frowned, her regret evident. "Xie Wei is really... And what about Platonic love? Was that all a lie? No, I must send her back abroad. Let's see who else she can marry there!"

"Enough!" Lin's father snapped, his irritation clear. "Isn't this embarrassing enough already? Introducing such a person to our son—it's shameful!"

Lin's mother opened her mouth to respond but was at a loss for words.

After a moment, Lin's father exhaled heavily, trying to calm himself. He turned to Lin Zhihua. "This time, your mother and I are at fault. But you need to take your future seriously. Think carefully about marriage."

Lin Zhihua, who had been holding a glass of water, paused. After a moment, he said, "Don't worry about it. I know what I'm doing."

"What do you know? If you did, you wouldn't still be single!" Lin's father retorted.

Lin Zhihua didn't reply. Instead, he fixed the two of them with a deep, dark gaze. His parents, unable to withstand the intensity of his stare, eventually left the room.

As the door closed, Lin Zhihua allowed a faint, self-mocking smile to tug at the corners of his mouth.

The room was quiet and still, completely detached from the noisy world outside.

Just then, his phone buzzed.

"Zizania: Lin Zhihua! What's going on with this problem? I followed the auxiliary line correctly, and the center of gravity should be here. Why is it wrong? Help! Hurry!"

"Zizania: [Attached Picture]"

Lin Zhihua carefully examined the problem and couldn't help but smile. His mood brightened instantly, and even his steps felt lighter as he walked to his study.

While typing, he responded:

"Wait a moment. I'll draw a diagram for you. In the meantime, think about why you assumed the center of gravity should be there. Reflect on your reasoning."

He settled at his desk, picking up a pen and one of his well-worn notebooks, already filled with math problems and notes.

The air was cold, the night was colder, and the dim light in the study added to the somber atmosphere.

Yet, the room wasn't empty—it was filled with the quiet sound of a pen gliding across paper, clear and rhythmic.

The coldness of the room was at odds with the warmth in his heart. Life, in its simplest form, felt vibrant and full.