Su Yue's train of thought couldn't keep up with his, leaving her a bit stunned, but her hands still carefully helped him change his watch.
When they stepped out again, Chen Ziming thanked Jiang Ling with perfect grace and politeness. Seeing that he had changed his watch, Jiang Ling smiled brilliantly.
At dinner, Su Minghua surprisingly presented a gift as well: a custom-made wooden box for displaying medals.
"Your Director Su ordered this box a month ago, saying you've earned many commendations and the medals need to be kept together," Jiang Ling explained specifically.
Su Yue was a little surprised that Su Minghua had put so much thought into it.
But the box was indeed beautiful and very practical, worthy of him. When he set his mind to doing something well, he always managed to strike the right chord with people.
Chen Ziming accepted it, smiling faintly, "Thank you, Director Su. You've been very thoughtful."
Su Minghua smiled kindly and affectionately, "As long as you treat Yue Yue well, any amount of thought is worth it."
Su Yue felt a wave of nausea.
Fortunately, the rest of the meeting proceeded without any further hiccups. When they were leaving, Su Minghua even had his staff load a full trunk of items into their car.
On the way, Su Yue let out a quiet sigh of relief.
Like completing an exhausting task, she felt completely relaxed, leaning back in her seat, gazing absently at the passing scenery.
"Tired?" the man's voice came from the driver's seat.
"I'm alright. How about you?" she asked him lazily, stretching and turning her head.
Chen Ziming glanced at the rearview mirror, then at her, a smile playing on his lips. "I think your parents really like me."
Su Yue knew instantly he was being flippant again and rolled her eyes discreetly.
"But," he suddenly added, successfully capturing her attention.
"But what?" she asked nervously, sitting up straight.
He paused for another second before continuing, "Director Su is very good at putting on a show. If I hadn't known beforehand, I would have most likely thought he loved you very much."
Thought he loved you very much...
Her heart suddenly pounded violently, almost to the point of suffocation, leaving her breathless.
Realizing her distress, Chen Ziming turned the steering wheel and pulled over to the side of the road.
His professional intuition allowed him to quickly connect all the clues, pointing towards a truth he found hard to believe.
Su Yue's unusual reaction after encountering Su Minghua at the restaurant;
Her sudden attentiveness towards him later, agreeing to live together so readily, and even sending photos to her parents;
Then Su Minghua proactively seeking him out, explaining his over-strictness towards his stepdaughter had caused a rift between them;
Followed by Su Yue's voluntary confession, revealing the same content as Su Minghua;
And finally, today's meeting, witnessing Su Minghua's act of a doting father, and discovering Baili Qing's letter in Su Yue's bedroom.
If his deductions were correct, Su Minghua's possessiveness over Su Yue stemmed from a different kind of affection.
An affection that had crossed boundaries.
Su Yue had likely never reciprocated his feelings, otherwise, she wouldn't have avoided him at every turn.
Moreover, she had been a virgin when she was with him.
As for the small, portable item Baili Qing mentioned, emphasizing she kept it under her pillow when sleeping.
It was probably pepper spray.
Chen Ziming felt a tightening pain in his chest, unable to imagine how she had managed to get through these years.
"What's wrong, darling? I was just making a casual remark," he said with a smile, reaching out to stroke her head.
"It's nothing," Su Yue subconsciously dodged his touch, calming herself and forcing a smile. "It's just that the idea of him loving me is so absurd, hearing it made me feel extremely shocked."
His gaze was deep and distant, but he didn't press further. Instead, he leaned in and placed a light kiss on her cheek.
"Yue Yue, I will make up for all the love you've missed," his voice was solemn and sincere.
She was surprised for a moment, but then quickly smiled and reached out to grasp his hand.
"Officer Chen is feeling sorry for me again?" she asked, her tone playful, "You don't have to. I'm living quite well, aren't I?"