Chapter 82 Cake Blind Box

Chapter 82 Mystery Cake Box

When Ling Mufeng arrived at the garden, he found he wasn't the first one there.

In the darkness stood a tall, dejected, and lonely figure. The cigarette's ember lit up his somber eyes and sharply defined features.

Ling Mufeng stopped in his tracks.

Neither father nor son moved to approach or to leave.

Ling Mufeng had once eagerly anticipated the birth of this child. During their years-long cold war with Qi Manjun, he had tried his best to do right by him.

But he had forgotten that a father's love that isn't exclusive is damaging by its very nature.

Every time he was called away by Tong Xiaoya, every time his attention was diverted by her son, it made the rift in their relationship inevitable.

He always felt that Ling Jue had more people around to care for him, while on the other side, the widowed mother whose tragic fate he was responsible for needed more care.

Moreover, Ling Jue would be his heir in the future; he had no need for sentimentality. He was stricter with him and had higher expectations.

By the time he realized they barely resembled father and son, Ling Jue had already grown closer to his uncle, Qi Wanting.

When Ling Jue was ten, he was implicated in a kidnapping because of his father.

Upon learning that his son had run alone into the dangerous wilderness, he felt his heart would shatter.

What shook and defeated him even more was that little Jue, only ten years old, had no faith that his father would come to save him.

He would rather choose a path where survival was a long shot himself.

The Qi family car accident ended not only his marriage to Qi Manjun but also his relationship with his son, Ling Jue.

It seemed as if all the tangled, chaotic emotions drew to a close on that day.

From then on, the trio became nothing more than cold business partners.

...

Ling Mufeng stood for a long time before finally speaking, "Didn't you get that girl back?"

After what Qi Manjun said, he really didn't dare go after Qin Shuyi anymore.

But that didn't mean he wasn't keeping tabs on them.

It was said the girl had already gone on a blind date with an orthopedic surgeon, and it was going well. In that light, she wasn't wrong to look down on our family.

A sarcastic look crossed Ling Jue's face. "What you pride yourself on is merely what others disdain."

Someone as sharp as Qin Yuan must have guessed who I am. But Qin Yuan doted on Qin Shuyi; he wouldn't think their daughter should jump at the chance just because I showed some humility.

Qin Yuan wanted him to think clearly, to avoid repeating past mistakes—wasn't that a kind of warning in itself?

Yet Ling Mufeng still clung to the class prejudices he clung to because of his failed first love, looking down on the Qin family from his high horse.

Ling Mufeng fell silent.

"You are the head of the Ling and Qi families. You shouldn't lose to anyone."

Ling Jue gave a self-mocking laugh. "There won't be any winning or losing anymore. I'm already out of the game."

He let the cigarette in his hand burn down without taking a drag.

Now leaning against a wooden pillar in the pergola, he stubbed out the cigarette, straightened up, and looked at Ling Mufeng. "If you have any decency left, let my mother go. This old mansion has trapped her for over twenty years. Don't let her wither away here."

Ling Mufeng's heart ached sharply. "Past mistakes cannot be undone, but I have already cut ties with Tong Xiaoya."

"Is that so? Were all those overseas phone calls and bank transfers fake?"

"I haven't gone to see her in these past few years," Ling Mufeng said, his lips pressed tightly together.

"Can you completely cut her off?" Ling Jue retorted.

Ling Mufeng had no answer.

Tong Xiaoya had no family left in this world. To sever all support would be sending her to her death.

Ling Jue scoffed. "She's a fact. Regardless of your attitude, she is there, a constant thorn in my mother's side. And of course, that includes you, the root cause."

Ling Mufeng opened his mouth. "She's... dying."

Ling Jue said, "Then can you bring my grandparents and uncle back to life?"

That sentence was too devastating.

Ling Mufeng was devastated; he couldn't answer.

The accident that befell the three members of the Qi family was an accident, yet when traced back, it was inextricably linked to Ling Mufeng.

They had entrusted their beloved, cherished daughter to him, but he began with lies and sustained it with harm, leaving them unable to rest in peace even beneath the earth.

"Separating is better for everyone."

Letting go... maybe that's the only way to make things right.

Leaving these words behind, Ling Jue passed by Ling Mufeng and left the garden.

Downstairs, someone stood alone in the cold wind, a cigarette burning late into the night.

Upstairs, someone pushed open a window, wrapped in a shawl, gazing distantly at the bright moonlight in the sky.

...

Ling Jue kept his word. In the following days, Qin Shuyi truly didn't see him again.

Chi Yu, because he had stood her up last time during their meal, invited Qin Shuyi out again to make up for it.

Arriving at the dessert shop he mentioned, Qin Shuyi was taken aback for a moment.

She pursed her lips and pushed open the glass door.

The young female server at the counter saw Qin Shuyi and her eyes lit up.

Just as she was about to greet her, she noticed Chi Yu following behind her.

Although their posture wasn't particularly intimate, there was a natural, harmonious atmosphere between them.

Aman swallowed the words she was about to say and smiled, saying, "Welcome."

Actually, Qin Shuyi greeted her warmly and easily, "Aman, long time no see."

Aman glanced at Chi Yu again and said with a smile, "Miss Qin."

Chi Yu raised an eyebrow, "You two know each other?"

Qin Shuyi nodded, "I used to come here often."

Chi Yu remarked, "Well, I guess today's surprise isn't much of a surprise then."

"Eating something you've always liked, how is that not a surprise?"

As the two chatted and took their seats, Aman's gaze remained fixed on them.

Miss Qin was beautiful and gentle, and had made quite an impression on Aman.

But the reason Aman knew her so well was mainly because Miss Qin's boyfriend was the main investor in their shop.

Actually, they'd saved the shop because of Miss Qin.

The man by the window didn't look like Miss Qin, and his tone was polite, so he probably wasn't family. Moreover, the look in his eyes...

Hesitantly, she wondered, had Miss Qin broken up with Mr. Ling?

Though she felt a little sorry about it, she still acted swiftly, picking up the menu and taking it over to them.

Then she added, "Today, the boss said it's a special, lucky day, so all men and women coming in together will receive a gift. You can choose between a cake blind box or a mousse cake."

"Miss Qin, which would you like?"

Qin Shuyi looked at Chi Yu, "Should we say it together?"

"Mousse cake."

"Cake blind box."

They gave completely different answers, and the two exchanged a smile.

Chi Yu turned to Aman, "We'll take a blind box."

Facing Qin Shuyi's amused expression, he said with a helpless sigh, "I rarely order blind boxes because they're too unpredictable. You never know if you'll end up with something you dislike."

His work demanded precision and directness, and he habitually applied that to his life, not particularly fond of uncertain factors.

Qin Shuyi smiled, "I think the unknown often hides surprises. Even if it's something you don't like, you can think of it as just trying a new flavor."

If you never try, you'll never know.

"Sounds like it could be a fun experience," Chi Yu nodded in agreement, then asked, "So, what have you opened before?"

Qin Shuyi pursed her lips lightly.

In truth, she had opened every style of cake the shop offered.

For a fleeting moment, she pictured that stormy day, the unruly and flamboyant man sitting by the glass window, his hair slightly damp, the table covered with the shop's blind boxes. He grinned roguishly, his voice gentle as he coaxed her,

"Try them all, and you're bound to find one you like. If there's that tiramisu, I'll cook dinner at home tonight, okay?"

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