CHAPTER 45: CHAPTER 42 I ACCEPTED THE APOLOGY

Because Gu Yanjing had taken time off for her, Qiao Yuxian didn’t have much to do at Fenglin Villa. In the morning, she held her computer for half a day and handled some matters.

After lunch, she tried to take a nap but couldn’t sleep, so she got up and went to the kitchen.

She remembered that the last time she made cookies, Gu Yanjing seemed to like the chocolate flavor. Because he only ate two chocolate-flavored ones, and she ate the rest.

So she wanted to make some more chocolate-flavored ones. First, she made one batch the same as last time, then adjusted the proportions to make two batches with a stronger chocolate flavor.

She tied her hair into a bun and wore an apron, slightly shifting her body weight to her right leg, humming a tune while making cookies.

Aunt Mei came to check on her after a nap, saw there wasn’t anything needing help, and then went out to buy groceries.

Meanwhile, Shang Chen was wandering aimlessly around Fenglin Villa like an unemployed drifter.

Qiao Yuxian spent the whole afternoon in the kitchen and even made some juice to reward herself midway through.

All three types of cookies were baked and cooled. She tasted them all, found the flavor satisfactory, and began packing them into jars.

She had bought many glass jars of various shapes online, choosing three that were simple and elegant.

She packed the cookies, sealed the jars, and went to the living room, sitting on the carpet to decorate the jars with stickers that came with the jars.

She was decorating the second jar when her phone rang.

Qiao Yuxian glanced aside, and when she saw the character "Qiao" on the phone screen, her expression paused, and the faint smile in her eyes disappeared.

After a while, just before the call was about to be automatically disconnected, she pressed the answer button.

The call connected, but she didn’t speak.

On the other side, Qiao Yu also remained silent for two seconds before calling out stiffly, "Yu Xian."

Qiao Yuxian lowered her head, her fingers rubbing the sticker, and after a pause, she responded, "Mm."

Hearing her response, Qiao Yu seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, his gentle voice mixed with awkwardness, "Do you have time now? I’m at the school gate, can we have a meal together?"

Qiao Yuxian was silent for a moment before saying, "I’m not at school."

"Not at school." Qiao Yu was taken aback, the disappointment clear even through the phone. "Then another day? Shall we set a time?"

"You pick a place, and I’ll come over now." Qiao Yuxian got up and went upstairs.

Hearing her say so, Qiao Yu didn’t offer to pick her up and instead gave a location of a restaurant, saying, "Be safe, no rush."

"Okay."

After hanging up, Qiao Yuxian went upstairs to change clothes, casually informing Aunt Mei that she’d be eating out.

As she left the villa and reached the courtyard, she saw Shang Chen "wandering" in the yard.

Seeing her come out, Shang Chen immediately walked over, "Going out?"

"Yes." Qiao Yuxian nodded.

Shang Chen said nothing, went directly to the garage, and drove the car out.

Qiao Yuxian looked at his expressionless face, which bore a fierce demeanor, and thought if she stared long enough, she might really want to hit him.

...

When they arrived, Qiao Yuxian got out of the car, and Shang Chen went to park.

Qiao Yu was waiting at the restaurant entrance. Seeing her arrival, he took a few steps towards her, "Yu Xian."

Qiao Yuxian’s hair was still in a bun, with some stray locks on her forehead, looking like a charming yet obediently delicate doll.

Hearing Qiao Yu calling her, she pursed her lips without speaking.

Qiao Yu’s fingers trembled slightly, and he wore a gentle smile, "Let’s go inside."

Qiao Yuxian followed him into the restaurant, and the waiter led them to a private room.

After sitting down, Qiao Yu used hot water to rinse her tableware, saying, "I’ve already ordered, see if there’s anything else you want."

The waiter handed the tablet to Qiao Yuxian.

Qiao Yuxian didn’t take it; she smiled at the waiter, "No, those are fine."

Qiao Yu’s expression became somewhat stiff.

The waiter nodded and left the room.

With only the father and daughter left, the room suddenly seemed to become vast, with a silence weighing like a stone on their hearts, making it hard to breathe.

Qiao Yu finished rinsing the tableware and poured a glass of water for Qiao Yuxian. Then he started a conversation, "Have you been busy lately?"

"Not too bad." Qiao Yuxian sat with a straight posture, her back upright. It wasn’t a deliberate stance but a graceful poise accumulated over the years.

Refined and elegant.

Sitting opposite, Qiao Yu looked at her, remained silent for a while, then said, "Yu Xian."

Qiao Yuxian looked up at him.

"I’m sorry." Qiao Yu didn’t say anything else, directly apologizing, "I apologize for what I said the other day. I wronged you, caused you grievance. As a father, I poured salt on your wounds when my daughter was hurting, not deserving of the word ’father’."

Each word spoken, his tone awkward yet earnest,

Qiao Yuxian looked at him without speaking.

Without a smile, Qiao Yu’s experienced and sharp aura naturally emerged, sitting as if conducting a meeting with employees. Yet he nervously clasped his hands under the table, "I don’t expect your forgiveness, just hope you feel a bit more comfortable."

Qiao Yuxian slowly lowered her gaze, remaining silent.

"Yu Xian." Qiao Yu said gently, "I owe you too much. I hope for a chance to make amends."

Qiao Yuxian twirled the cup in front of her, quietly saying after a few seconds, "Actually, I initially wanted to attend university in Yue City. Back then... Grandpa’s health wasn’t so good, and I didn’t want to be too far from them."

Mentioning her parents, Qiao Yu’s eyes flickered.

"But Grandma insisted I come to the Capital City." Qiao Yuxian looked at him, "She said... if they’re gone, you’d be my only relative left. Living with you and getting along well, I’d still have a home."

Qiao Yu took a light breath, lips trembling twice, lowering his gaze in remorse.

"But you can see, I’m fine on my own. Returning home, instead, feels awkward." Qiao Yuxian slowly said, "You gave me life, provided a privileged living, you owe me nothing."

Qiao Yu looked up at her, his calm expression briefly revealing panic, "Yu Xian..."

Qiao Yuxian smiled lightly, "I accept your apology. Don’t feel you owe me anything anymore. I lived happily with Grandpa and Grandma. As for us... let’s leave the future for the future, take it slowly."

Qiao Yu was momentarily taken aback.

Perhaps growing up with her grandparents, Qiao Yuxian’s demeanor and personality resembled her mother greatly.

He looked at her, a bit dazed.

He understood, it was out of regard for his parents that Qiao Yuxian accepted his apology.

But how the rift between them could be dissolved, or if it could be dissolved at all, would be left to the future.

She accepted the apology, and Qiao Yu was very grateful; it meant he still had a chance.

Qiao Yu wore a gentle smile.

Qiao Yuxian also smiled slightly, lowered her gaze, and touched the Peace Pendant on her wrist.

Both of them had a meal together.

All the dishes Qiao Yu ordered were the sweet flavors Qiao Yuxian preferred. Throughout the meal, they spoke little, but it was harmonious enough.

After the meal, when they left the restaurant, Shang Chen was already waiting outside.

He was standing by the car, smoking, and immediately stubbed out the cigarette and opened the door when he saw her coming out.

Like a robot receiving a command.

Qiao Yu looked at him, his lips moving several times, but until Qiao Yuxian left, he couldn’t ask anything about her other half.

All he could do was watch her leave with Shang Chen.

...