Chapter 2198: Chapter 2: He Suddenly Looked Up, His Gaze Fixing Straight on Her...

Qin Qingqing’s mind was completely occupied with memories. She didn’t even notice when the car got back on the road or when Zhang Minghui called her twice.

It wasn’t until the car stopped at her home, which she had left four years ago, that she was pulled back to reality by the familiar surroundings, regaining some clarity.

"Qingqing, we’re home."

Zhang Minghui looked at her and said with a smile.

In the four years, the only unchanged thing in G City seemed to be this villa area.

No matter how much the city has changed, this place remains as familiar as it was back then.

In the surprised voice of the maid yelling, "Sir, Miss is back! Sir, Miss is back!" Qin Qingqing followed behind Zhang Minghui, who was carrying her luggage, into the villa and the living room.

She saw her father, Qin Mu, rising from the sofa upon hearing the noise.

Their eyes met, and in her father’s joyful and excited expression, Qin Qingqing quickly felt her eyes turn red. A voice escaped her red lips, "Dad, I’m back."

Qin Mu’s lips moved, and a gratified and kindly smile appeared on his time-worn face. He opened his arms, tightly embracing the daughter who finally decided to return home.

"Qingqing, it’s good you’re back."

"Dad, I’m sorry."

"Silly girl, why say sorry to Dad."

Qin Mu released Qin Qingqing and said to Zhang Minghui on the side, "Little Hui, thank you for picking up Qingqing."

After speaking, he looked at Qin Qingqing, "Qingqing, it’s been a long journey. Go freshen up in your room first, then come down for dinner. Dad will make you a couple of dishes. Little Hui, stay for dinner, too."

"Okay."

Qin Qingqing nodded with a smile.

There was no need for the maid here, so she helped Qin Qingqing carry her suitcase upstairs.

As she pushed open the door to her room, the first thing she saw was the family photo on the small table by the bed, in a crystal frame. In it, she was smiling brightly, alongside her gentle, beautiful mother and her handsome, elegant father.

Qin Qingqing pressed her lips together and said "thank you" to the maid before taking her suitcase into the room and closing the door.

"Mom, I’m back."

She squatted down and reached out to stroke the image of her mother in the photo.

Her heart no longer hurt as it once did; it seemed to have become numb from pain long ago.

Downstairs, Zhang Minghui followed Qin Mu into the kitchen.

Seeing the prepared ingredients, he slightly moved his eyes, smiling as he asked, "Uncle Qin, did you know Qingqing was coming back?"

"It was Ziyi who called to tell me."

Qin Mu shook his head slightly, "Qingqing didn’t tell me she was coming back."

Zhang Minghui realized, "No wonder, Qingqing also mentioned earlier that no one knew she was coming back this time."

——

After dinner, Zhang Minghui didn’t linger at the Qin Family’s house.

After he left, Qin Qingqing said to Qin Mu, "Dad, I want to see Mom."

"Hmm, we’ll go now."

Qin Mu nodded with a smile.

Qin Qingqing bought her mother An Lin’s favorite flowers, and father and daughter went to An Lin’s tombstone.

Only to find a bouquet of the same flowers placed before the tombstone.

Someone had been here earlier.

In her watery eyes, some emotion surged and then extinguished.

Beside her, Qin Mu’s gaze moved from the bouquet in front of the tombstone, glanced at Qingqing, and finally landed on the face of the smiling woman on the tombstone.

He spoke gently, "An Lin, our daughter is back."

"Mom, I’m back."

Qin Qingqing placed down the bouquet and knelt before the tombstone.

Once she spoke those words, she could no longer hold back her tears.

"Mom, how have you been on the other side? Qingqing has been unfilial these years, never coming back to see you..."

"Qingqing, wipe your tears. Although you’re not at home, Dad often comes to see Mom for you. She won’t be lonely, and she won’t blame you."

Qin Mu paused his words, about to mention a name but substituted it with his own.

Though Qingqing did not grow up with them, as her father, he understood her nature deep down.

Some things, some people... he did not want to force her.

Qin Qingqing took the tissue handed to her by her father and wiped away her tears.

She then forced a smile and spoke to An Lin on the tombstone, "Mom, I won’t leave after returning this time. I’ll often come to accompany you. Don’t worry; I’ll take good care of Dad and stay with him too."

Qin Mu lifted his hand to pat her shoulder, a kindly smile on his face, "Let’s go home. You should get a good night’s sleep tonight."

Back home, Qin Mu urged Qingqing to go upstairs and rest.

He mentioned that after a flight of more than ten hours, she must be both tired and sleepy. Indeed, Qin Qingqing was both tired and sleepy.

Before returning, she had worked overtime for two days.

Worrying about her return, she couldn’t sleep at night.

On the flight, she couldn’t sleep either, having too much to prepare for, after avoiding it for four years.

But now that she’s home, she suddenly feels like there’s nothing to prepare for... no need at all.

In her exhaustion, Qin Qingqing fell asleep the moment she touched the bed.

If she hadn’t been startled awake by a dream, she would’ve slept till morning.

Sitting up in bed, she calmed her nerves, threw off the covers, and got up to drink some water.

The hot water she had poured before bed had already turned into cool water.

Taking a sip, she now wide awake, walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and drew back the curtains.

Outside, the beautiful moonlight poured from the sky like a fine veil, gently draping over this luxurious villa area.

The stars here were brighter than those abroad.

She craned her neck, searching for which star in the sky was her mother.

After searching for a long time without finding her mother, her neck started to ache.

Feeling annoyed, she massaged the back of her neck and bowed her head to look at the ground.

Her gaze suddenly froze.

The fingers pressing on her neck forgot to move.

The once-calm lake in her heart, soothed by the dream, suddenly stirred with stormy waves, creating a tidal wave that disturbed her peace.

Her breath was caught in that stormy moment.

From such a distance, she couldn’t clearly see the person in the car.

Not even the license plate.

All she saw was a black sedan quietly parked under the dim streetlamp.

That noble and elegant black was that person’s favorite color. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

The man sitting in the car leaned back in his seat, one arm resting on the window with the glass rolled down, a lit cigarette between his fingers.

He didn’t raise his head.

At least at the moment Qingqing spotted him, he hadn’t looked up.

His profile, etched by the light of the streetlamp, was softened by the moonlight’s glow, gaining a touch of tenderness amidst the coldness.

Suddenly, as if sensing something, in the moment before Qin Qingqing hurriedly withdrew her gaze, he looked up sharply, his eyes meeting hers directly.

Time seemed to stand still.

Qin Qingqing instinctively held her breath, uncertain if by doing so she would remain undiscovered, or fearing that by breathing, everything before her would become an illusion.

Like waking from countless dreams.

She dared not blink, fixing her eyes on that captivating face tilted skyward.

But soon enough, everything became a dream.

The man in the car flicked away the remaining cigarette butt, rolled up the window glass.

The luxurious black sedan drove out of her sight...