Xiao Jinzi, seeing a stranger, was not afraid but very curious.
She walked over and stood opposite him, tilting her head to look at him, her dark eyes staring unblinkingly.
Xia Chengye coughed twice uncomfortably, forcing a calm demeanor, and shifted his gaze away.
Xiao Jinzi remained motionless.
Xia Chengye, after all, was a major boss, owned a company and lived in a villa, and was accustomed to being doted on wherever he went. Now, being stared at by a little girl like this, the awkwardness was indescribable!
He glanced secretly towards the kitchen. Su Hui acted as if he weren't there, smiling as she prepared the New Year's Eve dinner.
Nuomi and Yuan Ge went over to help.
Director Du, having navigated social circles for a long time, saw this scene and hesitated whether to offer a way out.
However, as soon as he moved, Xia Weiliang stopped him with a look.
"Sit down!"
"Yes."
Director Du responded, and finding nothing to do, he picked up a tissue and began to wipe the furniture.
Xia Weiliang turned her head, glanced towards the door, and frowned slightly. "Not used to walking without a red carpet? Do you still need to be welcomed by an eight-bearer palanquin?"
Xia Chengye's face darkened.
This girl was becoming more and more...
Suddenly, his hand was held.
He started, lowered his head, and looked at the little girl holding his hand.
Xiao Jinzi seemed to understand his relationship with Xia Weiliang, at least knowing he wasn't a bad person. Therefore, she stepped forward, took his large hand, and then made an effort to say the words, "Please come in."
At that moment, Xia Chengye was stunned. He stared at her blankly, his eyes suddenly feeling a bit sore. He hastily turned his face away.
"Uh, that... you are... are..."
"Xiao Jinzi."
Xiao Jinzi was already very familiar with her name, thanks to Xia Weiliang and others encouraging her to introduce herself to strangers whenever they had free time.
So, she gave her full introduction: "Hello, I am Xiao Jinzi, and I am five years old."
Xia Chengye looked at the little girl, wanting to force a smile, but it felt strange, so he responded vaguely.
"Oh."
Su Hui glanced towards the door and shook her head with a smile.
He was truly suffering for the sake of appearances.
He was clearly someone who feared loneliness more than anyone else. After learning that he might never find his biological daughter, he was lost for quite some time.
It was only after the contrast with Xia Yiran that he realized how good Xia Weiliang was, and he began to spend more time sitting on the sofa and browsing his phone.
Once, she found him watching her variety show, the episode featuring Xiao Jinzi. In such harsh conditions, Xia Weiliang had indeed faced a near-death experience! Yet, even so, she had never given up on searching for that child...
Xia Chengye put down his phone and quietly picked up a tissue to wipe his tears.
Then, he sat silently on the sofa for a long time.
Su Hui did not expose him and quietly returned to the room.
She knew he needed time.
Therefore, Lunar New Year's Eve was also an opportunity. She had brought him here precisely because she wanted him and his daughter to reconcile.
Xia Chengye allowed Xiao Jinzi to lead him into Xia Weiliang's small apartment, his expression slightly reserved.
"Oh, Mr. Xia! Please, sit down, sit down!"
Director Du offered him a seat and poured tea, being exceptionally attentive.
Xia Chengye was accustomed to such treatment. After sitting down, he picked up the tea and took a sip, then looked at Director Du and asked deliberately, "You are the director of Meiyu Company, aren't you?"
"Mr. Xia, this is my business card."
Director Du handed over his business card.
"Mm," Xia Chengye replied after taking it and glancing at it. He blurted out, "If there are suitable projects in the future, we can discuss them more."
These words carried multiple meanings.
The most important point was that they indicated his stance: the Xia family would continue to be Xia Weiliang's backing and support her!
Xia Weiliang looked at him but said nothing.
Unexpectedly, Director Du waved his hands. "Mr. Xia, I think you've misunderstood. That... I am here because I have a good personal relationship with Xiao Liang, it has nothing to do with the company! Besides, there are so many companies that want to cooperate with Meiyu, and we temporarily don't have time to respond."
Xia Chengye's expression changed; he seemed unconvinced.
After all, he had dealt with Meiyu before. Why had Xia Weiliang's debut been so smooth?
"It's true," Director Du said with a smile. "Take Zile Pot and Magic Flute, for example. Both companies have stated that as long as it's Xiao Liang's project, they have one word: support! And another word: invest heavily! If you tell them it's not necessary, they won't be happy. They're afraid we'll give the opportunity to another company!"
Xia Weiliang chuckled, pursed her lips, and patted her chest. "Can't be helped, that's just my charm."
"Moreover..." Director Du looked at her and said with a smile, "With Actor Xiao around, it's really hard for our Liang'er to have bad resources."
Xia Weiliang glared at him. "What are you talking about? I'm on the rise now, and it must be based on my skills! What does Xiao Yi have to do with it?"
"Yes, yes, yes, look at my memory! Our Liang'er must take steady steps, even running too fast is not acceptable!"
Xia Weiliang raised her eyebrows. "The speed cannot exceed 30 miles per hour."
Xia Chengye stared at her blankly, "You..."
He truly hadn't expected Xia Weiliang to have become so outstanding that even he felt proud.
He opened his mouth, looking at Xia Weiliang, wanting to speak but stopping himself.
In the end, he just lowered his head and said nothing.
Xia Weiliang looked at him. After all, he had been her father for over twenty years. He could disown her, but she truly couldn't turn her back on everyone.
Especially seeing his dejected appearance now, and recalling what Bao Fang had told her, that the Xia couple would never see their biological daughter in their lifetime...
She sighed softly and turned to him. "Uh... if there are any good projects, I mean, ones that I think are quite good, I'll have my assistant contact you."
Xia Chengye's eyes finally showed a flicker of spirit, a affirmation born from being needed.
He opened his mouth, but after a long pause, he only managed to say, "Mm."
Xiao Jinzi was an understanding child, especially able to sense the loneliness of others.
So, from the beginning, she had been sitting by Xia Chengye's side, silently keeping him company.
She even proactively peeled an orange and offered it to him.
Xia Chengye looked at the child, several times forcing back the sourness in his eyes.
"Eat, it's sweet."
Xiao Jinzi kept pushing the orange into his mouth.
"Oh, oh."
Xia Chengye ate, nodding continuously. "Mm, sweet."
Xiao Jinzi smiled.
The little girl looked beautiful when she smiled, especially with a pair of dimples at the corners of her mouth, making her look incredibly cute.
Xia Chengye looked at her and couldn't help but recall Xia Weiliang's childhood.
He lowered his gaze and said slowly, "This child is like you were when you were little. Very much so."
Xia Weiliang looked at him but said nothing.
Xia Chengye took a deep breath and suddenly said, "Actually, blood ties are not that important."
She suddenly froze and stared at him blankly.