Chapter 326: Chapter 319: The One Who Tries to Steal The Daughter Arrived

But there’s also me.

Tang Yuxin had heard plenty of declarations of love before, in her past life, Zhang Yong’an had proclaimed his love too many times. But she could translate his ‘I love yous’ to mean ‘you’re a fool for loving me.’

Now hearing the words, “I’m still here for you,” struck her more profoundly than a thousand declarations of love. It stirred something within her, even in her hardened heart, it felt as though something was subtly breaking.

He really is a good person.

If she could, why not give it a try? This world is not only filled with good women, there are also good men out there.

In her past life, she was just unfortunate not to have crossed paths with one.

But in this lifetime, she believed her luck wouldn’t be that terrible.

With these thoughts still in her mind, she didn’t know if it was because she was finally relaxed or genuinely tired, she fell asleep with her head pillowed on Qin Ziye’s lap. Qin Ziye maintained the posture the entire night without a slight change.

He gently touched Tang Yuxin’s hair, the brilliance of his eyes dimming. They lost the sparkle they originally had, becoming a bit subdued and dull. They seemed like they were trying to penetrate something, but couldn’t find the remnants of time.

When Tang Yuxin woke up early the next morning, she heard a loud bang that startled her awake.

Was there an earthquake? Instantly sitting up, her memory came flooding back, reminding her that Beijing had never experienced an earthquake, not during her lifetime and certainly not after her death.

Then what was it?

She looked around and was startled by what she saw.

“Dad, let go….”

At this moment, Tang Zhinian, who had arrived at an unknown time, was gripping Qin Ziye’s collar tightly. It looked like he was about to beat him up. Tang Yuxin, startled, lunged forward to stop him. But whether it was the abrupt shift in posture or the lack of food causing her blood sugar to drop, she didn’t manage to land properly and ended up stumbling forward.

“Yuxin!” Tang Zhinian called out, rushing to help his daughter. Qin Ziye reacted similarly, simultaneously reaching out for Tang Yuxin’s hair, jerking a handful before letting go.

“Are you okay?” Qin Ziye quickly tucked the strand of hair back.

Tang Zhinian quickly picked up his daughter, looking like Qin Ziye was a big bad wolf trying to kidnap his still young and precious daughter.

How could he put into words how hard it was to raise his daughter? And now, just as she was growing up, someone wanted to steal her away. That was more than annoying, it was unbearable. Especially for a father like him.

Qin Ziye remembered that Tang Yuxin had called the middle-aged man ‘dad.’ It made sense now. The man had burst into the room, seeing Qin Ziye and his daughter in an intimate moment. Any father would be upset, even though they hadn’t done anything wrong. All he did was lend his leg as a pillow to Tang Yuxin. But of course, a father wouldn’t believe that.

Now he seemed to be on guard, like he was facing a thief.

“Uncle,” He smiled, trying to maintain an air of proper etiquette.

“Who’s your uncle?”

Tang Zhinian snapped back. He disliked this young man to the point of disgust, just too good-looking and frivolous.

“Dad…” Tang Yuxin rubbed her head, which now felt numb, “When did you get here?”

“How could I not come?”

Tang Zhinian was immediately angered by her words, “My daughter was here studying soundly, and now she’s encountered so much trouble. Are you asking me not to come?” Seeing Tang Yuxin’s injuries, the scraped skin under her eyes, and her hair disheveled due to his actions, his heart ached immensely.

Pointing at Qin Ziye, teeth gritted, he demanded, “You tell me, who is this kid? What were the two of you doing just now?”

This was the first time Tang Yuxin saw her father so explosive, it seemed he wanted to blow Qin Ziye away.

Unsurprisingly, he was protective. His laboriously raised radish was about to be plucked. That was absolutely heart-wrenching. Were they doing anything back then? She wrinkled her brows, looked back at Qin Ziye for clarification. They didn’t do anything, right?

“Uncle, you’ve misunderstood.”

Qin Ziye hurriedly explained, “All I did was lend my leg to Yuxin as a pillow.”

“Yuxin? Since when did you get the right to address her so informally?” Tang Zhinian quickly pulled his daughter behind him. Every father, in that situation, would have lost their rationale.

Tang Yuxin thought her father was overreacting. It wasn’t until many years later when another man brought his girlfriend home to meet his parents. His father, always a tough man, suddenly burst into tears. Only then did she understand the sorrow behind her father’s actions that day.

At this moment, she realized just how much those actions had hurt Tang Zhinian’s heart.

“Yuxin, who is he?”

Tang Zhinian questioned his daughter once more, his gaze unwavering from Qin Ziye.

“He is…” Tang Yuxin hesitated. How should she explain this?

“I guess…” She let out a soft sigh, lightly tugging at Tang Zhinian’s sleeve, “Your daughter’s current boyfriend…I’m not sure about him being your future son-in-law yet.”

Indeed, it was about the present; the future is too unpredictable. No one can guarantee that their promises will be fulfilled, no matter how earnest their intentions may be. Only by being diligent in the present can they potentially fulfill these promises.

But as for whether they could take it that far…

Tang Yuxin wasn’t sure, and Qin Ziye?

No one could answer that question.

Tang Zhinian’s dislike for Qin Ziye was apparent.

“I don’t like him,” Tang Zhinian said bluntly.

“Why?” Tang Yuxin didn’t understand, “Just because he’s trying to court your daughter?”

“No.” Tang Zhinian wasn’t sure why either, “It’s just an instinctual dislike. You should trust me. I’ve been out there, seen all sorts of people, experienced all sorts of things. I’m not trying to prevent you from dating. I just don’t want you to be deceived.”

“Dad, I understand.” Tang Yuxin hugged Tang Zhinian’s arm, thinking to herself, this must be what a real father feels like. Someone else’s dad wouldn’t care as much.

Tang Zhinian was more pragmatic about the ordeal. During one’s lifetime, you’re bound to encounter many difficulties and meet many people. Sometimes, stumbling and falling is also a form of growth.

As for what kind of man Qin Ziye really is? Time will tell.

He gently patted his daughter’s head, “I won’t stop you from having a boyfriend. After all, all the kids nowadays do. But you must promise me that you would protect yourself. As a girl, you must respect yourself.”

Tang Zhinian chose not to continue. After all, no matter how repulsive the situation was, he couldn’t physically harm others.