Chapter 22: Please Face Your True Feelings

Chapter 22: Face Your True Feelings

It was unclear whether the security guard at the residential complex already knew Zhang Suxin, who used to live here, or if Zhang’s friend Song Xiaoqin had already informed him. Lu Anzhi and Zhang Suxin walked hand in hand with little Qianqian, one on each side, toward the entrance, and the guard opened the gate for them without hesitation.

As they entered, Lu Anzhi couldn’t help but marvel.

In the past three years, he had traveled extensively and seen countless places, but he had never visited such a luxurious, high-end community before.

It reminded him of the time he spent vacationing in the South Asia region, staying at beachfront hotels that cost several thousand a night—only those had this level of grandeur.

To accommodate Qianqian’s short little legs, Lu Anzhi and Zhang Suxin walked slowly. This gave Lu Anzhi ample time to admire the exquisite facilities and environment of the upscale neighborhood.

However, Qianqian, holding both their hands, soon stopped walking properly. She would break into little runs, then bend her legs up and swing between Lu Anzhi and Zhang Suxin like they were a swing.

“Slow down!”

“Be careful!”

“Aren’t you afraid you’ll pull his arm off?”

Both Lu Anzhi and Zhang Suxin kept reminding the little girl, but it was to no avail. Qianqian was having the time of her life.

Zhang Suxin finally pulled her fingers out of Qianqian’s tiny grasp. The girl immediately reached for Zhang’s hand again, saying, “Again! Again!”

Unable to refuse, Zhang Suxin said, “But you can’t hang on like that all the time.”

Qianqian nodded eagerly. “Okay.”

Then Zhang Suxin offered her fingers once more.

Grasping Zhang’s hand, Qianqian changed the game—taking two running steps forward, bending her knees, and leaping; then two more running steps, bending knees, and leaping again. She seemed to find it incredibly fun, giggling joyfully.

Children’s happiness was always so simple.

Seeing Qianqian so happy, Zhang Suxin and Lu Anzhi didn’t want to restrict her anymore. They stayed attentive, cooperating with her movements while preventing any accidents.

Suddenly, Zhang Suxin asked Lu Anzhi, “Do you mind if others know about your relationship with Qianqian?”

Lu Anzhi replied, “Why would I mind? What’s the matter?”

Zhang Suxin said, “I just thought of it when I’m about to meet my friend. It was fine when we were at my place and only Aunt Gu saw us, but more people might find out later, which could affect you.”

“Like when you’re matchmaking or looking for a girlfriend. If you don’t want it known, I can help keep it under wraps.”

Lu Anzhi asked, “What about Qianqian? Can she help keep it a secret too?”

Zhang Suxin pursed her lips. “Qianqian is very sensible. As long as I tell her, she’ll listen.”

Meanwhile, Qianqian was too engrossed in her running and jumping to pay attention to their conversation.

Raising an eyebrow, Lu Anzhi looked at Zhang Suxin: “And you? Aren’t you afraid of being affected by always having a child with you?”

Zhang Suxin smiled with openness and calmness. “Ever since I decided to have Qianqian, I prepared myself mentally and made plans—to be alone with her, to watch her be born, grow up, get married, have children…”

“I am Qianqian’s mother. For her, I can give up everything else. Of course, I’m not afraid.”

A sudden unease stirred in Lu Anzhi’s heart. “Then how am I any less than you?”

Zhang Suxin was momentarily speechless.

Lu Anzhi continued, “From the moment Qianqian asked me if I was her father and I said, ‘Yes, I am,’ I too prepared myself mentally.”

Zhang Suxin lowered her head slightly, pursing her lips without speaking.

Lu Anzhi said, “Zhang Suxin, tell me, do you want me—her father—to go find someone else, leave Qianqian behind, and start a new life?”

Zhang Suxin was silent for a moment, then took a deep breath and shook her head. “No. It’s selfish of me, but I really don’t want that.”

This wasn’t about any other feelings but the selfishness of a mother in matters concerning her child.

Lu Anzhi smiled, “See? That’s it. Face your true feelings.”

Zhang Suxin looked at him suddenly, her eyes filled with complicated and unreadable emotions.

Lu Anzhi felt uneasy under her gaze and couldn’t help but ask, “What is it? Why are you staring at me like that?”

Zhang Suxin shook her head. “Nothing.” Yet her eyes flickered away, unwilling to meet his gaze again.

The two adults walked silently, while little Qianqian played quietly, becoming a soothing presence in the awkward atmosphere.

After running and jumping for a while, the little one grew tired and panted heavily. She stopped and refused to walk, turning around with arms wide open toward Lu Anzhi: “Daddy, carry me.”

Zhang Suxin couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “Now that you have a dad, you forgot about your mom—you won’t even let me hold you!”

But Qianqian ignored her and went straight to hug Lu Anzhi’s legs, clearly wanting to be picked up.

Lu Anzhi lifted her up, and the little girl smiled happily in satisfaction.

That eased the slightly cold and awkward tension between Lu Anzhi and Zhang Suxin considerably.

After walking some more through the spacious community, Zhang Suxin stopped in front of a villa.

She pressed the doorbell, and soon a tall, poised woman with a cold beauty came out. Her face was initially all smiles, clearly welcoming Zhang Suxin, but upon seeing Lu Anzhi holding Qianqian, her smile vanished immediately.

“Who is this?” the woman asked.

Before Zhang Suxin could answer, Qianqian grinned broadly and proudly introduced, “Sister Song, this is my daddy!”

Lu Anzhi chuckled inwardly. Zhang Suxin wanted to keep his identity a secret, but could she really stop Qianqian’s little mouth? That was another question.

However, Zhang Suxin hadn’t taught Qianqian to keep it quiet, so who knew how that would have turned out.

From Qianqian’s words, Lu Anzhi realized the woman was obviously the Song Xiaoqin Zhang had mentioned.

Song Xiaoqin’s expression immediately changed upon hearing Qianqian. Her mouth opened slightly but she said nothing. Her face turned hostile as she glanced at Lu Anzhi, then looked at Zhang Suxin with a questioning expression.

Without her speaking, Lu Anzhi could feel what she was asking: “Is he the heartless man?”

But she seemed to have some restraint and didn’t ask directly in front of Lu Anzhi, sparing the “family of three” from embarrassment.

Zhang Suxin showed a hint of embarrassment and quickly explained, “This is Lu Anzhi, Qianqian’s father. We had some special circumstances these past three years, which you don’t know about. He just returned, but he treats us well. I’ll explain more to you later.”

Song Xiaoqin looked doubtful but still let Lu Anzhi, Zhang Suxin, and Qianqian inside.

Zhang Suxin said, “If you don’t believe me, ask Qianqian—is daddy good?”

Qianqian nodded emphatically and cheerfully answered, “Good!”

Only then did Song Xiaoqin’s expression soften as she led them inside.

(End of chapter)