He moved with practiced familiarity, as if he had already decided what to buy downstairs.
Ji Shuhe held back, but she couldn't help herself. "So, you're saying you want me to go back to the UK, right?"
Ji Xiangjiang's dark eyes stared blankly at the ring in front of him. A flicker of reluctance and struggle crossed his gaze, but in the end, he relented. "Xiaoshu, my life now is very stable."
"More stable than it's ever been. That's why I don't want any more surprises. Like... your mother threatening to ruin me if I so much as take a step closer to you."
After Ji Xiangjiang finished speaking, there was a long silence. His long fingers clutched the small ring, and he didn't dare lift his head to look at Ji Shuhe.
When it came to looks, Ji Shuhe's brows and eyes resembled his more: round eyes, thick and long eyelashes. When she was born, Ji Xiangjiang had even trimmed her lashes with small scissors while she slept, saying that trimming them frequently would make them grow longer.
Xia Chun had been terrified, and after he finished, she slapped his hand several times, confiscated the scissors, and never let him cut them again. Ji Xiangjiang had just smiled foolishly, content with a wife and child, agreeing to anything.
He and Xia Chun had gotten along for a while, around the time Ji Shuhe was born. His daughter was born into his hopes; he wanted her to be wise and wealthy, to have all the good things in life.
But later, he realized all that happiness was a lie. His wife chose to marry him out of submission and compromise, and under her mother's influence, his daughter gradually distanced herself from him.
He endured it, but he had his pride. In the end, he couldn't hold on.
In the battle between him and Xia Chun, the most innocent one was Ji Shuhe. She became Xia Chun's private property, a bargaining chip to threaten him. And as her father...
As a father, he knew Ji Shuhe was innocent, but the human heart is easily swayed by outside forces. He couldn't help but be affected by Xia Chun and treat Ji Shuhe the same as before.
Perhaps sensing how hurtful his words were, Ji Xiangjiang felt a pang of guilt and tried to make amends. "Your Grandma is in good health. In the past, you were taken care of by your uncle's family. But I owe them that favor; you don't have to hold it against yourself. I've looked into your field; you can develop very well in the UK. If possible..."
Though it was hard, Ji Xiangjiang drove the knife deep into Ji Shuhe's heart. "If possible, after you finish work, go back sooner. ... Don't make your mother worry."
Ji Shuhe turned her head and stared deeply at Ji Xiangjiang, who still hadn't looked up at her.
She could understand Ji Xiangjiang's concerns. When Xia Chun cut off all her means of communication and tried to stop her from returning to China, she was so crazy that even hiding in her room made Ji Shuhe afraid.
It was only natural for Ji Xiangjiang to be cautious. Even she wouldn't want to disrupt her peaceful life for a not-so-close relative.
She could understand, she could understand.
But could she really?
She was Ji Xiangjiang's daughter too.
When she was little and didn't want to go to kindergarten, she would cling to Ji Xiangjiang, throwing tantrums until she got her way and followed him to school. At lunch in the cafeteria, she would be held by her father and pointed at the dishes in the window. He was the one who accompanied her during holidays, lulled her to sleep, and stood up to Xia Chun when she was angry. He was her father.
Couldn't she be loved?
Seeing Ji Xiangjiang still holding the ring, the salesclerk spoke up at the right moment. "Sir, what do you think of this one? For a daughter your age, this style might be a bit small. Would you like to see this one? It's also a new arrival, with a more elegant design. Plus, with the mall's promotion, gold jewelry is 50 yuan off per gram. It's a great deal..."
"No, I'll take this one. I've seen it before." Ji Xiangjiang waved his hand. "Please wrap it up."
"Sure." The clerk gestured for Ji Xiangjiang to go to another counter to pay. "You can pay over here."
Ji Shuhe was still dazed. She followed him to the counter and pulled out her phone to pay, but Ji Xiangjiang stopped her.
"Let me. Your grandma is right; Tongtong is your generation. I can't let you spend money." Ji Xiangjiang opened his payment code and handed it to the clerk. "Tongtong has been living with me since she was seven or eight. She loves excitement and is very lively. She's a bit different from you when you were young..."
Not like her. Wasn't Ji Xiangjiang pouring his excessive paternal love onto his stepdaughter instead?
Ji Shuhe had thought she didn't care, but now, hearing such clearly biased words, they grated on her ears.
"You don't need to say more. I understand." She cut him off. "I'm staying in Xinhai only to see the elders and because I have work to finish. There's no home for me here. Once the project ends, I won't linger."
"Xiaoshu..."
"Sir, the receipt is in the bag. Welcome back anytime."
Ji Xiangjiang wanted to say something, but the clerk interrupted him. Ji Shuhe didn't want to know anyway; it wouldn't be anything good. Excuses would only sound hypocritical. Since he had given up on her, he should be decisive, or he'd end up pleasing no one.
Whether the other side cared or not, she didn't know. As for her, she didn't care. Really. Truly. She completely didn't care.
"If you're done shopping, let's head back. Grandma and the others are waiting." Ji Shuhe turned and walked away first, then stopped at the corner of the counter to rub her sore eyes.
She had practically fled back to China from the UK. She had envisioned warm reunions with family and the chance to make up for past regrets once she had the strength to resist.
But she never imagined that a blood relative, someone she cared about, would not welcome her back.
Time. Time always dilutes everything.
"...Cut! OK, we're done for today, everyone. Good work."
Stella called the wrap, and the set immediately buzzed with activity as everyone packed up their things. Ji Shuhe, who had been following the shoot all day, got up and walked over to Stella to confirm the shooting schedule.
"The progress is fine, but hold on a second." Stella took off her wide-brimmed bucket hat and stared at Ji Shuhe's face for a long moment. Finally, she reached out and pinched the soft flesh on Ji Shuhe's cheek. "What's with this listless look? Have you been sneaking out to see someone behind Shen Xing's back?"
"Why would I need to sneak out to see someone behind Senior's back?" Ji Shuhe retorted, then realized Stella's question concealed a trap. She frowned and glared at the grinning woman. "No! I haven't been sneaking out to see anyone!"
"Ooh! Really?" Stella shrugged, then sidestepped to clear the view. "Take a look at this face, this height, those resentful eyes. I thought the little lover you've wronged had come knocking."