parentshiftbook Chapter 349 Then I'll have to trouble Auntie and Ling'er!
Chapter 349 Then I'll have to trouble Auntie and Ling'er!
Ye Fan listened quietly, his gentle expression unchanged.
He did not look away from Li Xiulan's gaze, which was a mixture of fear, pleading, and desperation.
After she finished speaking, Ye Fan put down his teacup, looked directly into her eyes, and said in a calm and frank tone, without the slightest hesitation or embellishment: "Because I like her."
"like?"
These two words exploded in Li Xiulan's ears like a thunderclap! Her eyes widened suddenly, her face filled with disbelief!
Such an outstanding young man from a prominent family with a promising future, saying he likes a girl who, in everyone's eyes, deliberately makes herself look ugly, is inconspicuous, and even a bit rustic?
Having known each other for just over a month?
Without experiencing anything truly unforgettable, where does this "liking" come from?
She subconsciously believed that Ye Fan had no idea what Ling'er's true appearance was hiding!
Little did she know that standing before her was a soul returning with memories of its past life. Ling'er's most beautiful image was already etched into her very being.
Ye Fan seemed to see through her confusion, smiled slightly, and took over her question: "Auntie, are you thinking, 'Ling'er doesn't have a stunningly beautiful face, so why would I like her?'"
He paused, then smiled with a warm confidence: "Auntie, everyone has their own unique radiance and charm. You should have more confidence in your daughter."
His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a penetrating power, and his gaze was clear and sincere: "There's only one thing I can assure you: my affection for Ling'er is genuine and heartfelt. That's enough."
"I truly love Ling'er..."
These six words, like a magic key, instantly unlocked the tightly closed door in Li Xiulan's heart, a door filled with doubt and fear.
She stared blankly at Ye Fan, at the unquestionable frankness and determination in his eyes. Her long-standing unease, suspicion, and self-protective vigilance began to melt away rapidly, like ice and snow exposed to the sun.
Yes!
A sudden sense of clarity dawned on her.
Ling'er was a beautiful jade covered in dust!
She possesses her own kindness, resilience, and a purity untouched by worldly corruption.
Why can't someone be drawn to this inner radiance?
Why am I so insecure about my daughter's charm?
What's more... even she, as his mother, was amazed by Ling'er's true appearance!
When Ye Fan finally sees his daughter's true face, his affection for her will likely only deepen!
Everything makes sense now!
Those seemingly coincidental acts of kindness—the cell phone "changed" for Ling'er, the "job posting" for part-time work, the invitation to be her "tour guide"—are hardly coincidences.
This is clearly a thoughtful young man, expressing his care and affection in the most cautious and respectful way possible, albeit clumsily and firmly!
Even taking over that Hunan restaurant near her home and having her "partner" was just to make her feel at ease accept the help and to stop Ling'er from worrying about her hardships day and night!
How much profit could a Hunan restaurant make in this location? His intentions are crystal clear!
"Waaah..."
Having figured all this out, Li Xiulan could no longer control her surging emotions!
Hot tears welled up in my eyes instantly, like a flood bursting its banks!
She hurriedly covered her mouth with her hand, but couldn't stop the sobs that had been suppressed for so long.
These tears contained the relief of having long-suppressed bitterness understood, the immense joy of having one's daughter genuinely cherished, the shame of having previously been anxious and insecure, and a profound sense of peace, as if everything had finally settled down!
But beneath this overwhelming joy, a deeper unease stirred like an undercurrent—how long could his affection for such an outstanding young man last?
Will it harm Ling'er in the future?
"Auntie," Ye Fan's gentle voice rang out again, carrying a comforting power, "you can call me Ye Fan, or Xiao Fan."
Li Xiulan sniffed hard, wiped the tears from her face haphazardly with her sleeve, and tried to force a smile, but the smile was more heartbreaking than tears.
She looked at Ye Fan, finally choking back tears, and called out with unprecedented trust and affection, "Good...good...Xiao Fan..."
That one "Xiao Fan" seemed to lift a heavy burden off his shoulders.
At least for this moment, her anxiety could finally be eased a little.
My daughter has found someone in faraway Nanjing who truly cares for her and is willing to protect her.
This sense of security was the first time in over a decade that she had felt it so genuinely.
Sunlight streamed through the old wooden window, falling on her tear-streaked face and illuminating the faint hope for the future that was quietly rising in her heart.
……
Outside the alley entrance.
After carefully wiping the car seat to make sure there wasn't a speck of dust left, Xian Zuling took the rag and went back inside.
As soon as she entered the room, she keenly sensed an unusual atmosphere.
The air seemed to still carry the lingering warmth of some intense emotional release, quiet yet tense, with a strange sense of relaxation.
Her gaze unconsciously fell on her mother, Li Xiulan.
Li Xiulan was gently putting the washed dishes into the cupboard, her movements revealing an unprecedented lightness.
When her gaze occasionally swept over Ye Fan sitting at the table, Xian Zuling clearly caught the change in her mother's eyes.
It was a gaze that mixed relief, gratitude, and even... a hint of barely perceptible kindness and appreciation, completely different from the scrutiny and worry he had shown at the brick factory that morning.
The gloom of doubt had vanished from his gaze, replaced by a warm, almost comforting gentleness.
What exactly is different?
Xian Zuling couldn't quite put her finger on it, but she felt that the way her mother looked at Ye Fan was as if she were looking at...her own child? This thought made her heart skip a beat, and her cheeks flushed slightly.
"Did you wipe it clean?" Li Xiulan asked gently when she saw her return.
"Yes, it's clean." Xian Zuling nodded, hung up the rag, and the doubts in her heart kept popping up like little bubbles.
Li Xiulan wiped her hands and walked to Ye Fan's side, her tone filled with the concern typical of an elder: "Xiao Fan," she naturally switched to this more affectionate form of address, "you must not have slept well in the car last night, right? You have dark circles under your eyes. Why don't you go to Ling'er's room and rest for a while?"
"Ye Fan, go and rest for a bit!" Xian Zuling quickly echoed. Although she heard her mother tell Ye Fan to go to her room to rest, her heart still trembled and she felt a little shy.
"Then I'll have to trouble Auntie and Ling'er." Ye Fan didn't refuse; he did feel a bit tired.
Xian Zuling quickly led Ye Fan to her small room.
Pushing open the equally old wooden door, a clean and refreshing scent, unique to a young girl's room, wafted out, mixed with a faint fragrance of soap and the smell of sun-dried bedding.