Stealing Your Heart

Zhuang Zijin was washing the vegetables. Upon her daughter’s question, she stopped. “Why did you suddenly think of this?”

Lin Xinyan lowered her head. “I just wanted to know. After all, when we were engaged, I was just two. Why did you…”

“I don’t remember the past well.” Zhuang Zijin did not seem to want to talk about the past. She placed the washed vegetables into the fridge drawer. She looked at her daughter, then saw her expression. “Tell me, what happened?”

Lin Xinyan could see that Zhuang Zijin did not want to talk about it, and so she did not persist. Instead, she took the opportunity and asked, “Mrs. William wants to open a branch and let me be in charge—”

“This is good news.” Zhuang Zijin answered.

She pushed her daughter aside. “I’ll cut the vegetables.”

Lin Xinyan moved aside and leaned against the stove. “The branch is at—”

“What?”

Before Lin Xinyan could finish her sentence, Zhuang Zijin interrupted her. She also knew about LEO’s rule—they would not have any branches.

Why did Mrs. William want to open branches now?

Zhuang Zijin frowned. The recent events had been unusual. She put down her knife, wiped her hands on the apron, and held onto her daughter’s arm. “Tell me honestly. Is this related to him?”

She could not hide this. If she were to go back, Zhuang Zijin would know it eventually.

“Yes.” Lin Xinyan admitted.

“What were you thinking?” Zhuang Zijin was furious as she glared at her. How could she have forgotten about it?

“Tell me, what situation you were in? When you were experiencing your worst moments in life, where was he? If it was not for Doctor He, you would not be here now. How could you not know who is good and who is bad?”

Lin Xinyan turned her head away. That was true, she did not want to return—partially because of her past, and partially because of Zong Jinghao.

She knew it was a deal, and yet when he mentioned the divorce, she was still sad.

The accident that came afterwards made her even more tired, physically and mentally.

to return to that place where

was determined. If I don’t go back, I might lose my job.” She was the only breadwinner in the

the potato. She was quiet for moment before answering. “It’s not that

was surprised that Zhuang

I have

knew that

promise to marry Doctor He, I’ll let

Zong Jinghao, she had better impression of He Ruize, who had always been helping

“Mom—”

you. What’s bad about Doctor He? He has good looks and capability. Most importantly, he likes you. How many men could wait for six years—” Zhuang Zijin looked at her daughter. “Is your heart made of stone? Could you not

He Ruize was great. In her most difficult moments, he was beside her. He helped with her family and he took care of

She knew.

“I—”

pregnant, would he have waited for you so long?” Zhuang Zijin was worried that He Ruize might mind about Lin Xinyan’s

would not have stayed

rest

much better than that man who knew Lin Xinyan was pregnant, and yet agreed to only have a one-month marriage just to fulfil the engagement

down at her toes. She knew that Zhuang

that He Ruize’s mother

heart was not made of stone. She had

did treat her

Zhuang Zijin about this matter. Zhuang Zijin had been worried about her future. She was worried that her daughter would not be able to find another suitable man

told Zhuang Zijin that He Ruize’s mother had looked for her and told her that she did not want her to marry He Ruize,

happy

you. Isn’t that enough? Feelings can grow. When you’re married and living together, you will feel something for him

felt at a loss. She lowered her head and rubbed her forehead, feeling an unprecedented

Jinghao’s coercion. Zhuang Zijin’s

made her feel

“Mommy.”

straight. He was eavesdropping on Lin Xinyan

were born in Country Z. Ruixi and I have never been to mommy’s hometown. Now that we’re going back, isn’t it something good?” Lin Xichen

a kid, what do you know?” Zhuang Zijin waved her hand, signaling him to watch his sister in the