"Oh," Lin Xiao nodded gently, placing the bag on the coffee table. "Uncle, shall I pour you a glass of water?"
Shi Jinsong nodded slightly, "I'll trouble you."
Lin Xiao poured Shi Jinsong a glass of hot water and handed it to him, "Uncle, here's your water."
"Thank you."
Shi Jinsong said thankfully.
Lin Xiao smiled and said, "Uncle, please don't be so polite. We've known each other for so long."
Shi Jinsong smiled and said, "You're a year younger than my daughter. If you're willing, you can call me Uncle, or Dad."
"Dad..." Lin Xiao called out sweetly, then lowered her head, "We're too far apart in age, it's not appropriate..."
Shi Jinsong was stunned, looking bewildered.
Shi Xinxin returned with groceries, carrying two baskets, and happened to hear Lin Xiao call him Dad, instantly bristling.
"Mom!" She strode over to Shi Jinsong and demanded, "Why are you letting her call you Dad!"
"I..." Shi Jinsong was taken aback.
"How could you do this!" Shi Xinxin frowned. "You promised me you wouldn't have any intimate contact with any other woman, let alone let her be your daughter."
"You ungrateful girl, what do you know!" Shi Jinsong roared. "Lin Xiao and I are classmates, we were once comrades who went through thick and thin together!"
Shi Xinxin froze.
"Lin Xiao, please excuse us for a moment." Shi Jinsong said to Lin Xiao, his tone gentle.
"Okay." Lin Xiao nodded and turned to leave.
Shi Jinsong was silent for a long time, then slowly said, "Xinxin, actually... nothing happened between Lin Xiao and me. She saved me, we are the best of buddies."
Shi Xinxin frowned, "Dad, are you an idiot? Whether something happened between you and Lin Xiao, you know yourself."
Shi Jinsong's expression was awkward. "Nothing happened between us."
"Heh heh... nothing?" Shi Xinxin sneered. "Dad, you're hilarious. If nothing happened, then why does she call you teacher every time?"
"She's my classmate."
"When I was studying, you didn't pay attention to her, how did she suddenly become a teacher?" Shi Xinxin said with a sarcastic smile. "Don't you think your eyes drift and your expression stiffens when you lie?"
"You child! How could I lie to you?" Shi Jinsong frowned. "Your mother is a doctor. While I was working, I encountered danger. That's why I was forced to transfer to A University Hospital as a professor."
"So that's how it is." Shi Xinxin finally understood why her father's attitude towards Lin Xiao was so strange.
"Dad, since you've recovered, why didn't you tell Mom?" Shi Xinxin continued to question. "Something must have happened between you."
"Your mother and I..." Shi Jinsong sighed. "Alas, your mother and I have been separated for a long time. We live our own lives and don't interfere with each other."
"Separated?" Shi Xinxin was shocked. "Dad, how could you separate from Mom? You're husband and wife, just going through the motions?"
Shi Jinsong didn't speak.
Shi Xinxin hurriedly pressed, "Dad, tell me, what exactly happened between you and Mom?"
"Dad, tell me, I don't want to be kept in the dark anymore."
"Xinxin." Shi Jinsong looked at her helplessly. "Actually... it's Dad who has let you and your mother down."
As Shi Jinsong spoke, his eyes reddened.
Shi Xinxin felt heartbroken. "Dad, what happened? Tell me, I'll share your burden, okay?"
Shi Jinsong took a deep breath. "Xinxin, you're grown up, you have the right to know about your mother, but I hope you won't hate her."
"Dad, I don't hate Mom, because Mom is very good to me. Even though she can't give me a complete and happy family." Shi Xinxin hugged her father. "But Mom loves me, and I love her."
"Alas—" Shi Jinsong sighed and reached out to stroke his daughter's head. "Xinxin, Dad is sorry to you, and even more sorry to your mother."
As Shi Jinsong recounted the past, he couldn't help but burst into tears.
Shi Xinxin listened quietly and finally learned the truth.
It turned out that after Mom and Dad got married, their relationship was not happy, and Mom even betrayed Dad.
She argued with Dad, and Dad angrily left home.
Mom searched for a long time, and only later did Dad reappear before her.
Dad and Mom were together but had no children. Later, Mom married another man.
Shi Jinsong was heartbroken and took Mom abroad.
Over the years, Dad has never forgotten Mom.
Shi Xinxin never expected her father to be such a scumbag!
"Dad, is the reason you and Mom are separated because of this?" Shi Xinxin looked up and asked earnestly.
"Mm." Shi Jinsong nodded. "Xinxin, the grudges between your mother and me have nothing to do with you from beginning to end, don't misunderstand."
Shi Xinxin pursed her lips. She knew that Dad and Mom had a difficult time over the years.
"Dad, do you like her?" Shi Xinxin tentatively asked. "If you like her, you don't have to be afraid of me misunderstanding. After all, she is your rightful fiancée."
"She and I can only be friends, and... your mother has a very stubborn temper. If she knew I was with her, she would rather die than be with me."
Shi Xinxin shook her head. "No, Dad, I support you pursuing your own happiness. I've never forced you to marry anyone, I just want you to be happy."
"Dad thanks you." Shi Jinsong smiled with relief.
Shi Xinxin pouted. "Dad, quickly give me my suitcase. I'm going to pack my things and move back to the dorm. I'm moving tonight."
"Are you in such a hurry?" Shi Jinsong frowned. "I'll take you."
"No need, I can manage by myself." Shi Xinxin pushed Shi Jinsong. "Didn't you say you have an appointment with the medical team tonight to discuss the treatment plan for your leg condition? I don't want to delay your work."
"But how can you manage alone?"
"Dad, don't worry, I can handle myself." Shi Xinxin waved goodbye. "Bye!"
"Hey!" Shi Jinsong glared at Shi Xinxin. "Don't be silly."
"Dad, don't worry, I can really take care of myself." Shi Xinxin smiled at him. "When you come to see me next time, I promise I'll be a high school student already, so you don't have to worry."
"You brat!" Shi Jinsong chuckled. "I wish you could stay this small forever, acting like a little girl pouting."
"That won't do." Shi Xinxin pouted. "I'm already a young lady."
Shi Jinsong ruffled her hair. "Then I'll be going. Remember, dinner is at eight o'clock sharp, don't be late."
"Got it!" Shi Xinxin waved. "Dad, goodbye!"
Shi Jinsong smiled and shook his head, carrying his briefcase and leaving.
Watching her father's receding figure disappear at the door, Shi Xinxin's mood became a little low.
She sat on the sofa, glanced at the appraisal report on the table, her eyes reddening.