I didn’t say anything. Lin Xiao’s sudden appearance caught me completely off guard—I had never imagined he would show up like this. For a moment, I didn’t even know how to respond.
The children clung to me timidly. Finally, Xiao Hei tugged at my sleeve and asked carefully, “Teacher… who is this uncle?”
Hearing that, Lin Xiao lowered his gaze to look at Xiao Hei. It was probably the first time in his life someone had called him “uncle,” and his expression turned slightly awkward.
For some reason, Xiao Hei’s innocent question eased my tension a little. I bent down and said to the children, “Go back to the classroom and read for now. I’ll make up today’s PE class tomorrow.”
The children looked at me, then at Lin Xiao. In the end, they reluctantly went back inside, though instead of sitting properly at their desks, they peeked out curiously to watch what was happening.
Once they were gone, Lin Xiao spoke bluntly, “Zhenxi, I’m here to take you back.”
His tone was firm, as if refusing was not an option—but I found it almost laughable.
“I told you to wait for me. I said I would come back for you. And now… I’m here.”
“Heh…” My soft laugh interrupted him.
I really did find it ridiculous. Even facing such a serious Lin Xiao, I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Lin Xiao, are you joking?” I asked with a faint smile.
I didn’t know what he was thinking, or what he intended to do. It had been almost a year—and he was already married. And now he came to fulfill his so-called promise and take me back. Back for what? To be his hidden lover again?
Seeing me laugh, Lin Xiao’s expression darkened. He stepped closer and asked, “Do I look like I’m joking?”
I stopped smiling and met his gaze seriously. “No… but I’m not joking either. I won’t go back with you.”
He frowned slightly as he looked at me. I continued,
“Lin Xiao, you shouldn’t have come today. Since you already chose something else and gave me up back then, you shouldn’t come looking for me now. Some things, once missed, are gone forever. The same goes for people.”
“Zhenxi, is that what you think? You believe I abandoned you just to inherit that man’s wealth?”
I lowered my head without answering. Whether it was true or not no longer mattered to me. Whatever his reasons were, in the end—he chose to give me up.
But Lin Xiao suddenly laughed—a bitter, desolate laugh. Then his gaze turned sharp. He grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward the helicopter.
“No matter what you think, I’m taking you with me today!”
“Lin Xiao! Let go of me! Let go!” I struggled to break free, but his grip was like iron—unyielding.
Anger surged within me. I shouted, “Lin Xiao, stop! Do you want me to disappear again? This time, I’ll make sure you’ll never find me!”
My threat worked.
He stopped and looked at me deeply, as if weighing whether I meant it. I met his gaze firmly, letting him know—I would do exactly as I said.
After a long moment, Lin Xiao lowered his head in defeat and slowly released my wrist.
“Zhenxi… can you listen to a story?”
Inside my small dormitory, Lin Xiao sat at the only wooden table and began to tell me that story—perhaps, a story from the past.
“Once, there was a man who lived in poverty because of his family background. But he wasn’t willing to accept that life. He studied hard, determined to change his fate and rise above his circumstances.
Eventually, he became a promising young engineer and met a wealthy young lady. He knew that marrying her would be the fastest way to enter the upper class. So he did everything he could to win her affection. Before long, they got married, just as he had planned.
After the marriage, the man treated his wife with great care. The naive wife trusted him completely. A few years later, the man achieved everything he wanted. His career advanced rapidly, and when his father-in-law suddenly passed away, he took over the entire family business.
The wife trusted and depended on him deeply. She never interfered in company matters, focusing only on taking care of her husband and child at home.
But as time went on, she began to notice changes. He often said he was too busy to come home, and he became more distant. Suspicious, she started observing him secretly—and eventually discovered that he had another woman.
She cried, argued, begged… but nothing could win his heart back.
In the end, the man told her the truth—he had only married her for her money. He had never loved her. Now that all her wealth was in his name, she had no value left. If she stayed quietly at home and didn’t interfere, he would still provide for her out of past affection.
The truth shattered her. Her mind became unstable. She attempted suicide several times—each time being saved at the last moment. But the final time… she wasn’t.
The man immediately brought the other woman home. With her came a young boy.
He didn’t even hold a funeral for his wife.
That year, their only child… was just eight years old.”
