Ai calmed down after hearing Jinhai's pacifying words. She rubbed the tip of her nose in embarrassment. "I am sorry for that."
Jinhai smiled. "A daughter doesn't have to apologize to her father for feeling wistful. I am glad you felt open in that sense. I like when my children depend on me."
Her cheeks filled with a tinge of blush. "Dad, you are really sweet."
That made him cock his brow in amusement. "I am sure you wouldn't have said that to me in my younger days."
"Were you not sweet back then?"
"I am not sure if I can label the adjective sweet to my name at all."
She chuckled.
"Are you feeling better now?"
Ai nodded.
"Good. Now tell me. Did you need me for something?"
Her expression turned somber as she came to the serious part. "The twins told me what had happened when Jun was kidnapped."
"Hm. They told me that they made you aware of it."
"Yes, so…" she rubbed her hands together, "I want to ask won't you tell Jun the truth of what had actually happened?"
Jinhai's deep black eyes hinted at a faraway look as he thought back to that time. "It wasn't like we didn't want to tell him. But Jun was in a delicate mental condition at that time. Despite telling him for a long time that Ouyang Haitao's death had nothing to do with him, he refused to believe us. He kept thinking that I was trying to protect him as his father, but that wasn't the case. The guilt of snatching a father from an innocent girl weighed heavily upon a nine year old boy."
He slowly took his seat back on his chair and rested his hands on the armrest. "He was left petrified of the incident. Seeing Jun blame himself and feel horrible about Ouyang Haitao's death so much, the twins asked me not to tell him the truth. That's why we made up a story that he died in an accident while trying to escape from our guards. But Jun remained skeptical."
A soft smile curved his lips. "In the end, it was Nana who took care of him and slowly made him let go of that matter. It wasn't good for his mental health to keep thinking about the incident and create a trauma in his mind."
Thinking of little Jun and how difficult it would have been for him to cope with first the kidnapping and threat to his life and then Ouyang Haitao's death made Ai feel miserable.
Why couldn't I be there for him…?
She took a deep breath and said, "But now that we know who is behind our ruin and why…the next step would be to confront Zhan Yahui, isn't it?"
The warmth in his gaze was replaced by frigid iciness. "Yes. It's long overdue now. It was my oversight that…" he clenched his fist, "that she remained free for all these years while she plotted her revenge. It was my mistake…That's why we don't spare the families. It only comes back to bite us in the end.
But I showed mercy to her mother and her, and everything spiraled away from my control without my knowledge. My children suffered because I failed in my duties. The past was neither Jun's fault nor Jin's. It's all me…And because of my one decision, even you and your family got involved in her plan just to destroy us…"
Ai held his tightly clamped palm and freed his fingers one by one, easing the tension in his nerves. "It wasn't Dad's fault. Thinking of three innocent lives wasn't a mistake. The past happened because of Ouyang Haitao's actions and the magnitude in which Zhan Yahui misunderstood Jun. If she had confronted you earlier, she would have learned the truth much sooner, and she would have never thought of messing up our lives."
He faintly smiled.
"But now the past won't repeat."
"Yes," Jinhai gently patted her cheek, "the cycle of grief won't happen this time. This time and in this life, everybody will be happy. Don't worry about Zhan Yahui. The twins will handle her. Attacking Sky would be the last time she ever got to hurt Jun. We won't let her lift even a finger anymore."
"Jun will eventually learn the truth this time."
"He is older and wiser now. He will understand."
Ai softly smiled and hugged him again. "I will take my leave. And you can count on me. I will definitely convince Mom to forgive you."
He beamed. "Thank you."
Ai stepped out and slowly closed the door behind her. Just a moment later, she saw Nana and called out. "Mom!"
Nana stopped and turned, smiling dotingly on her. "Yes, dear."
Ai coughed. "Mom, I know you told me not to accept Dad's request. But will you please listen to me and forgive him?" She urged her. "Dad really regrets his actions and *cough* he wants to be back with you…"
She narrowed her eyes. "But I don't want to."
"He is dying by your avoidance."
"I don't mind."
"He is really pitiful."
"So was my son."
Ai's mouth twitched. She used her last card and chirped. "I like to see Mom and Dad together."
"Too bad your Dad's actions came in the middle of your pure and innocent wish."
"..."
"Please? Pretty please?"
Ai held her hands and widened her watery light brown eyes shining with hope just like Jun-cute would whenever asking for a meal.
Nana's brow twitched, and she pinched her cheek. She harrumphed. "Jinhai has completely won over you, hasn't he?"
She sheepishly grinned. "I love you as much as I love him."
She harrumphed once more. "Hah liar. I can totally see the bias."
"So you forgive Dad, right?" She expectantly asked.
"When did I agree to that?"
"..."
Nana openly expressed her bitterness. "From what I understood, he only bullied my son. He even ordered Jun not to come to our wedding anniversary celebration. Can you imagine? The whole family was celebrating except him. He was all alone. That was a time when Jun needed us the most. We should have lived together as a family even more because of what happened instead of living apart. How can I forgive my husband for that? Jinhai didn't even talk to me before deciding to disown Jun all by himself."
Nana sternly announced her judgment. "So, he must suffer now."
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