Chapter 272: Chapter 272

Ye Ling watched Fu Lei leave happily, and only then let out a heavy sigh. What’s happening to me? Facing Fu Lei, I can’t seem to do anything, just let him lead me. After we part ways, thinking about these things, Ye Ling feels like it’s all just a dream.

"Are you in an early romance?" A cold hard voice suddenly popped out.

Ye Ling had long become accustomed to Shen Bin’s occasional sudden interruptions, she just didn’t expect to run into him twice during just the two days of this holiday, as she hadn’t seen him at all since military training.

Ye Ling turned around and said, "I’ll be eighteen at New Year’s. In the countryside, at my age, some kids are running all over the place."

So it doesn’t count as early romance.

Shen Bin fixed his gaze on Ye Ling, his face hard and cold, and if Ye Ling didn’t know what kind of person he was, she would really think he was catching someone in the act, "As long as you know what you’re doing. Wait for me in the dorm on New Year’s Day, I’ll take you out for dinner."

"No, I already have plans with someone else for the New Year," Ye Ling refused without even thinking.

Not to mention she had already agreed to celebrate with Fu Lei, even being around Shen Bin made her uncomfortable, which would be like punishing herself, not celebrating the New Year.

"Fu Lei?" Shen Bin asked coldly.

You have quite the memory.

Ye Ling inwardly complained, outwardly maintaining a calm nod. That should stop him from interfering, right? Unfortunately, Ye Ling didn’t expect what Shen Bin would say next, severing her options.

"Your dad is coming to Beijing on a business trip next year. Should I have your dad call you? Or should I just wait for you in the dorm to go meet your dad together?" Although Shen Bin’s tone was as neutral as ever, these words in Ye Ling’s ears made her want to bite someone.

How can this guy give pause like that when speaking, if he’d mentioned earlier that her father was coming for New Year, how could she have possibly said no to being with others? If it weren’t for knowing his cold nature, Ye Ling would have suspected he was doing it on purpose.

Despite any anger, Ye Ling deflated like a balloon when facing Shen Bin’s icy demeanor. She didn’t even know she was glaring at Shen Bin with puffed-up cheeks.

"When is my dad coming?" Why didn’t you just say it earlier?

Ye Ling wished to complain but felt it was not Shen Bin’s fault either, yet she couldn’t help but feel stifled and slightly crazy.

"If your dad weren’t coming to Beijing for business, you’d have long been asked to go back to the compound for New Year’s," Shen Bin said bluntly without consideration.

Ye Ling stayed in Beijing because her father was coming; otherwise, how could she really be left alone here? This straightforward answer without any tact made Ye Ling feel like a loser, watching the victorious side celebrate above her.

Ye Ling wanted to retort out of spite, but then she heard Shen Bin say, "Bring Fu Lei along for New Year’s dinner."

He left without another word.

Just a few sentences, and Ye Ling felt outdone.

Yet the last sentence, she had to admit, made Ye Ling quite happy. Her mood instantly lifted, and as she headed back to the dormitory, she couldn’t resist humming a tune. She wasn’t aware that Shen Bin, having turned back, saw her happily humming as she walked away.

The next day in the restaurant kitchen, Ye Ling mentioned her dad coming and inviting Fu Lei for New Year’s dinner, afraid he might overthink it. Ye Ling explained, "My dad’s also from the countryside. Although we live in the compound, our conditions aren’t great. My dad’s a very easygoing person, you are my classmate, and you aren’t going home for New Year’s. Having dinner together, my dad won’t think much of it."

"Ye Ling, you and your dad must have a good relationship, huh?" Fu Lei smiled, showing no hesitation despite Ye Ling’s words.

This relieved Ye Ling, but when asked about the relationship with her father, Ye Ling briefly spaced out. When she met Fu Lei’s gaze, her smile faded slightly, "Not good, not bad."

Initially not good, then understanding from her father, followed by disappointment, the relationship with her father wore down Ye Ling’s familial affection bit by bit, not intimate nor distant, just like ordinary acquaintances.

A hand reached out and grabbed hers, pulling Ye Ling’s thoughts back, and seeing that slender and bony hand enclosing hers, a certain strength even seemed to transmit to her body.

Ye Ling looked up at Fu Lei, forgetting the surrounding noise, and heard Fu Lei’s water-like voice flowing through her heart, "I’ll accompany you to see your father for New Year’s."

Love is like a flood, suddenly arriving, leaving one unable to cope.

Even though Ye Ling hadn’t agreed to anything with Fu Lei, their relationship progressed in leaps and bounds during this winter break. By New Year’s, seeing the smile on his daughter’s face, Ye He Ping felt for a moment as if he was seeing things.

While serving dishes, Ye Ling introduced Fu Lei to her father. Ye He Ping noting the smile in his daughter’s eyes and the happiness on her face, turned to Shen Bin for confirmation, as if asking if it was real.

What else could make a girl’s smile bloom as brilliantly as flowers, if not love? Ye He Ping couldn’t think of anything else.

Shen Bin nodded, as a form of reply. With this confirmation, Ye He Ping showed no particular resistance towards Fu Lei. It had come so suddenly for Ye He Ping that he was somewhat overwhelmed. They were dining at a moderately decent restaurant, one that was open on New Year’s, with fish and meat, and four other dishes, with dumplings as the main course. Follow current novels on novelꞁire.net

Ye He Ping pushed the dumplings in front of them, "Eat up, there’s no late-night New Year’s meal."

"Thank you, Uncle." Fu Lei responded with poise, showing no signs of nervousness, and Ye He Ping nodded in satisfaction.

After the meal, Ye He Ping suggested sending the two back to school. Shen Bin went on his own, for there wasn’t any time for just father-daughter talk, and Ye Ling actually wanted to avoid being alone with him, but when they reached school, Fu Lei suggested leaving them first.

Ye Ling was slightly taken aback, seeing Fu Lei’s reassuring nod, knowing he was making time for her to talk with her father alone. With no one else present, Ye He Ping started asking about Fu Lei.

Upon hearing her say they were only classmates, Ye He Ping nodded, "You’re here by yourself, and dad is worried. Having someone to get along with among classmates provides some support. It’s New Year’s today, why don’t you stay with dad outside, so we can stay up together? Over the years, I’ve always been in the army, rarely having New Year’s alone with family. Now that I’m here, happening to be on a business trip, it seems fitting as an opportunity."

Ye He Ping could see the hesitation on his daughter’s face, and couldn’t help but sigh, with a trace of pleading in his voice, "Lingzi, dad just wants to spend New Year with you." (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations, monthly tickets; your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please read on m.qidian.com.)