Chapter Sixteen: The Look of Disarray

After packing her suitcase, Zhou Xiaoqi called her father. “Dad, I’m on break lately. I’d like to spend a few days at Mom’s place.”

Perhaps her father was in a bad mood, for the moment he heard her request, he exploded. “Don’t you know your mother and I are divorced? The court granted you to me. All you ever want is to go to your mother’s. If you want to go so badly, tell her to pay a million to buy you back!” With that, he hung up in a fit of rage.

The repeated beeping in her ear left Zhou Xiaoqi momentarily stunned. She remembered a year when she had secretly gone to see her mother, and when her father found out, he slapped her across the face. After that, every time she wanted to visit her mother, she had to report it. Her father’s words and actions depended entirely on his mood. If he was in a good mood, she escaped his scolding; if not, he would unleash his fury without a thought for her feelings, never apologizing afterward. In her childhood, Zhou Xiaoqi never felt a father’s love, and growing up, it was even more so. Her father’s behavior had long since become routine to her. His refusal made her put down her packed suitcase. She gazed at the empty room, feeling an overwhelming emptiness inside.

She stood up, deciding to go to a bar for a drink. It seemed the weather understood her mood—gloomy clouds gathered overhead, matching her feelings perfectly. The kind of day that made her want to walk alone. As expected, rain began to pour in torrents.

“Beep… beep… beep…” Car horns sounded from behind, making Zhou Xiaoqi stop and turn around.

A black sedan pulled up beside her. The window rolled down to reveal Cui Hao’s face. “Get in the car, quickly. You’ll catch a cold walking in the rain alone.”

Sometimes, fate’s arrangements are truly remarkable.

Zhou Xiaoqi ignored him and kept walking. The rain soaked her hair and clothes.

Cui Hao grabbed an umbrella, got out of the car, and jogged to catch up with her. “You’ll get sick like this. Let me take you home.” He reached for her hand, trying to lead her back.

But something in Zhou Xiaoqi snapped. She wrenched her hand free with such force that Cui Hao was caught off guard and stumbled back. Rain streamed from her long hair down her cheeks. She hadn’t cried in a long time, and whether she wanted the rain to wash away her tears or it was because Cui Hao stood before her, her voice rose in a hoarse shout: “Why? Why do you always show up when I’m at my lowest, when I need someone most? Why can’t you leave me alone? I just want to be by myself. Go away, just go!” At the last word, Zhou Xiaoqi crouched down, burying her face in her knees, hiding whatever emotion played across her face. She seemed unspeakably sorrowful and alone.

Cui Hao was drenched as well. He picked up the umbrella he’d dropped and moved to her side, gathering her into his arms. “It’s alright, Xiaoqi, it’s alright,” he whispered softly by her ear, repeating the words again and again, tirelessly. Slowly, Zhou Xiaoqi’s agitation faded beneath his gentle reassurance.

“Thank you, Uncle,” she said. Rain mixed with tears traced her cheeks, but now she smiled, seeing the worried expression on his face.

“Alright, can we go back to the car now?” Though she was no longer as distraught, Cui Hao spoke gently, afraid to disturb her.

With his support, Zhou Xiaoqi got into the car. Cui Hao immediately turned on the heater and looked at her, soaked through. “Let’s get you some dry clothes first.”

Just as he was about to start the car, Zhou Xiaoqi spoke in a low voice. “Uncle, I want to go home. Please take me home.”

Zhou Xiaoqi was always like this—unwilling to trouble others, never showing weakness, wanting to handle everything on her own. Looking at the girl beside him with her head bowed, Cui Hao sighed. “Xiaoqi, you know, girls don’t always have to be so strong.” Then he said no more and drove toward her home.