Hearing this, Ji Siyue, who had just calmed down a bit, turned cold again. Not only that, Qin Chengyao's face also looked extremely grim.
What did she mean by "selling smiles"?
It was the career Ji Siyue loved. Naturally, it would hurt her to hear her mother say such things.
"Mom, can't you just understand me? It's what I like. When you say it's just about selling smiles, is that how you see your daughter?"
Nan Ye also knew that her words this time were a bit too harsh. So she smiled and said, "Okay, okay, I won't say anymore. This time I'm back in the country. There's actually something I want to discuss with you."
"What is it?" Ji Siyue sniffled and replied in a huff.
"Well, you're a sophomore now, right? You can apply to be an exchange student abroad during your junior and senior years. I can help you arrange it. After the summer vacation, go to school abroad with me. Don't come back. You're all alone here in the country. How can I feel at ease?"
"Squeak!"
The two people in the back row leaned forward in unison.
It was Qin Chengyao, who was driving in the front, who accidentally stepped on the brake. Only later did he realize that his reaction was a bit too intense. So he apologized, "Sorry, I misjudged just now. I almost hit something. You guys continue chatting."
Ji Siyue also came to her senses, an oddly clear-headed sense. She even felt like laughing.
And she really did laugh out loud.
"Mom, you haven't taken care of me for so long. Now that you're back, you want to take me away?"
Seeing Ji Siyue's strong resistance, Nan Ye was both heartbroken and a bit confused. "What do you mean I haven't taken care of you for so long? I'm back now, aren't I? How can you talk like that?"
Logically speaking, shouldn't this child be longing for her return? Why was she so resistant now that she was back?
Could it be because of her divorce from Ji Siyue's father?
Thinking of this, she explained again, "Your father is also abroad. We'll co - parent you. You can see whoever you want. We won't interfere. You can even act as if we're still married."
"Pfft!"
Ji Siyue suddenly burst out laughing. As she laughed, a tear rolled down her cheek.
She closed her eyes and lay there. "Mom, I'm still sick with a cold. Let me be quiet for a while and think things through on my own."
"Okay, think it over." Nan Ye was also tired. She closed her eyes to rest.
In the front, taking advantage of the red light, Qin Chengyao took a deep look at the person in the back seat.
The hand holding the steering wheel tightened gradually until his knuckles turned white. But his face remained calm.
She didn't reject her mother's offer to go abroad. She just said she needed to think about it... Which meant there was still a possibility that she would go abroad with her mother, right?
Thinking of this, Qin Chengyao couldn't calm down. There was a fire burning inside him, making his breathing quicken.
Finally, they arrived home. Ji Siyue walked ahead in silence. After Qin Chengyao took Nan Ye's luggage, Nan Ye ran forward to catch up with Ji Siyue.
When they reached the door, they found it was ajar. It seemed the two were arguing inside. After a moment's thought, Qin Chengyao put down the luggage and left silently. He closed the door on his way out.
Back at his own home, Qin Chengyao couldn't hold back anymore. He slumped onto the sofa, his body trembling uncontrollably.
He closed his eyes tightly. The terrifying memories of those years kept echoing in his mind, as if they were about to tear him apart again.
Was Ji Siyue also going to leave soon? She was going to leave too.
Just thinking about it made Qin Chengyao almost go crazy. The impulse that had been suppressed in his heart was almost eroding his entire rationality.
"No... No..."
It was a pity that Ji Siyue couldn't hear him.
It took Qin Chengyao an unknown amount of time to calm down. He lay on the sofa, breathing heavily and looking at the time on his phone screen.
An hour had passed.
They had been talking for a full hour. He didn't know who had compromised.
Would it be Ji Siyue? If she really left, what would he do in the future?
On the other side, Ji Siyue was hoarse from arguing, and Nan Ye was silently crying.
"Siyue, won't you really go with me?"
"I'm telling you straight. I won't go to the US with you. I have a shadow over that place. Do you understand, Mom? You didn't discuss your divorce with me. I won't bring it up again. Just assume I'm being childish and can't understand you. But since you've made this decision, I won't say anything more. My home is here. This house is my home."
"How can it be a home without family?"
"I have family. I do."
Saying this, Ji Siyue seemed to remember something. A faint smile appeared on her face. "I have family. They just don't live with me."
Nan Ye thought Ji Siyue was talking about her roommates. She felt even more heartache.
But she also knew this girl was stubborn. Once she had an idea, it was not easy to change it. It seemed she needed to plan things out in the long run.
"You just got off the plane. Go to sleep. My room is upstairs. If you're hungry, find something to eat by yourself. I have something to do."
"Where are you going?"
Nan Ye asked from behind, but Ji Siyue didn't answer. She just closed the door, blocking out Nan Ye's voice.
She walked up to Qin Chengyao's door and reached out to knock. But at the last moment, she hesitated.
She didn't know if it was appropriate to come here at this time. What was he doing? Was he busy? But she really needed his comfort.
Ji Siyue was standing outside the door, hesitating. What she didn't know was that the person she wanted to see was standing behind the door, looking at her hesitant expression. His face was also full of pain.
Knock, Ji Siyue. Tell me you need me. Please.
Finally.
"Knock, knock, knock!"
As soon as Ji Siyue knocked on the door, it was opened from the inside.
She was yanked inside. Before she could see anything clearly, she was pulled into a tight embrace.
It was Qin Chengyao.
The hand holding her seemed to be trembling slightly.
"Senior, what... What's wrong with you?"
"Siyue, have you finished talking to your mom?"
"No."
These two words hit Qin Chengyao like a sledgehammer, making him almost despair as he closed his eyes.
Ji Siyue seemed to remember something too. She asked, "Senior, are you so nervous because you're afraid I'll leave without saying goodbye like last time?"