Chapter 921: [Bonus chapter] Nothing To Fear
Yue Yue smiled at Zhai Kuijun and showed him her phone's screen where he read, 'Do you want to go elsewhere? Chenyan is busy. She definitely won't move from here.' She knew her best friend and she knew once Mu Chenyan got to work, she'd actually zone out of the world. Earlier, it was because it was Hyson calling her that she moved.
If it had been anyone else, Mu Chenyan would have chosen to conveniently ignore that person.
Zhai Kuijun shook his head, "There is no need." He was silent for a minute before asking, "So, how are you?"
Yue Yue gave him an elegant smile, 'I'm fine,' she wrote. 'What about you?'
"I'm... I'm good," he replied. He again went silent, trying to arrange his words in his mind before voicing out, "Did you see your parents?"
Yue Yue paused before nodding in response and wrote, 'How do you know?'
"They started looking for you again," Zhai Kuijun told her honestly. Then he looked up at Mu Chenyan and added, "But they aren't able to find anything yet again." And he knew who was behind that. "Your mother mentioned it to my mother. And once they mentioned Mu Chenyan, my parents obviously figured out something else. Apparently, they also met you long ago but they didn't recognize you back then."
Yue Yue lowered her head when she recalled her encounter with Father Zhai and Mother Zhai. It was her good luck that Mu Chenyan had strange hobbies so she was able to hide from those two. But what's the point? In the end, she was still caught. Even if it was much later now.
'I did see Uncle and Aunt on a gathering here,' she chose to tell him.
"I believe my father will be asking about you Uncle Yu," said Zhai Kuijun.
Yue Yue didn't look worried, 'It's okay. Elder Xiang knows what to do.'
"They are best friends. If my father asked, Uncle Yu won't lie or hide things."
Yue Yue nodded, 'I know. I just told you, Elder Xiang knows what to do. I don't have to worry about anything.'
Zhai Kuijun saw confidence shining in her limpid eyes. A confidence that was never seen before. She looked so comfortable as she spoke and so natural. It was like she had immense trust in Elder Xiang. As if she was certain that there was nothing to worry about when Elder Xiang was at the forefront.
He had a relaxed smile on his face as he asked, "It seems meeting your parents didn't have any noticeable effect on you. That's good to know. I was worried for nothing." That was the real reason he came over. He was worried about her mental state. He knew how much she loved and respected her parents even if they weren't the best of parents out there.
But now, he had to realize that she wasn't the same person anymore. Things that hurt back then, don't seem to hurt anymore. Or perhaps, she had grown up and learned to hide her feelings. Either way, it was a good thing.
'I'm not that weak anymore,' she wrote again to tell him. 'I might still end up crying here and there, but not just anyone can make me cry anymore. Only a few people have this control in my life now. And those who do have this control are always trying their best to protect me. I have nothing to fear.'
"It's good to know that little Yue has nothing to fear anymore," chuckled Zhai Kuijun. "You've really grown up and I'm happy about that."
He didn't think there was any need to tell her that her father's health took a hit from the moment he met her again. Since they had sever ties, it was better to cut them cleanly. Yue Yue didn't need their affection filled with guilt. What was she to do with it when that affection didn't come with the ability to protect her?
Staying with the Xiang family was best for Yue Yue since the Xiang family was always very protective of their own and they all were strong people. Living with them would allow Yue Yue to spread her wings with ease and leave behind the timidness that had shackled her for far too long now.
'You can stop worrying about me,' she said to him. 'I am no longer the weak girl who didn't know how to protect herself. I am quite a capable person now.'
Zhai Kuijun felt happy seeing her pride sparkling in her eyes. She looked like a kid who was showing off but he found it cute. This look suited her more. She definitely wasn't meant to look like a gloomy kid. She deserved to be happy.
"Yes, you're very capable," he commented as he rubbed her head gently as if they went back in time when he used to do the same. This gesture was just that natural to him. "After all, you've raised such a bright son. How can anyone question your capability?"
Yue Yue pressed her lips and became a little shy when she received that compliment. She also felt like they traveled back in time when he rubbed her head. The gentleness was still the same in his manners and the way he looked at her was also the same. Even the way he agreed with her and continued to praise her to the heavens was also the same.
Everything was the same but...
Yet, nothing was really the same anymore.
She wasn't the little girl who dreamed of being loved. She wasn't the little girl with unrealistic dreams. And he wasn't the boy who shined everywhere she stood. Now, she was a woman who was stronger than her past self and who wasn't scared of being alone. And he was the man who had wasted all his feelings on the wrong person.
But just for this moment, she chose to forget all that. For this moment, she could pretend that nothing had changed. Both of them hadn't broken just yet.
This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢