584: Chapter 579 Just a Father

Li Jing didn't mean not to ask.

That sentence, “I understand,” was like a stone thrown into a deep pool, sending ripples spreading through her heart.

What did it mean?

What was he planning to do?

Countless questions clogged her throat, almost bursting out.

But when she looked up, she saw Shen Yan's movements.

He carefully used his fork to trim off a slightly charred edge of a piece of steak, confirmed the size was right, and then placed it into the small bowl in front of Youyou.

Throughout the entire process, his gaze never left his daughter.

That focus, that gentleness, was completely different from the cold hardness he showed when facing her.

Li Jing suddenly understood.

This was time belonging to a father and daughter.

No work, no deals, no grievances concerning the Brilliant Era should be disturbed at this moment.

The anxious flame in her heart was gently extinguished by this tender scene.

She also turned her head to look at her own daughter, Anqi.

Anqi was diligently imitating Shen Yan, struggling to saw at the small sausage on her plate with a child-sized knife, her little face tense.

Youyou saw this, picked up a piece of steak already cut in her bowl, reached across the table, and placed it in Anqi's plate.

“Anqi, here you go! My Daddy cut this, it’s super delicious!”

Anqi’s eyes lit up. She picked up the steak, stuffed it into her mouth, chewed vigorously with puffed-out cheeks, and then praised indistinctly, “Mmm... Delicious!”

The two little ones exchanged smiles, then huddled together again, chattering away while sharing the broccoli and carrots carved into little rabbits on their plates.

“Look, this is the ear!”

“Mine is the tail!”

Pure happiness fermented under the soft blue light.

Li Jing’s tense shoulders unconsciously relaxed.

She picked up her knife and fork and began to eat quietly as well.

She watched the man across from her.

His eating manner was refined, yet carried the crisp efficiency of a soldier, without a single unnecessary movement.

He seemed to pay her no more attention; all his focus was given to his daughter.

If Youyou choked while drinking juice, he would hand her a tissue instantly.

If Youyou got tomato sauce on the corner of her mouth, he would gently wipe it away with his fingertip.

That gentleness etched into his bones only bloomed for one person.

A feeling of indescribable envy suddenly welled up in Li Jing’s heart.

A man could be an iceberg, a wild beast, or a ruthless capitalist outside.

But when he returned to his daughter’s side, he was just a father.

This brought a sense of security greater than any promise or grand declaration.

The latter half of the meal proceeded in a strangely quiet atmosphere.

The children were the center of happiness, while the two adults were like silent planets revolving around them.

Dinner ended.

Shen Yan beckoned the Waitress over.

“The bill.”

He took out his phone, didn't even look at the numbers on the bill, and paid directly by scanning the code.

The action was smooth and completed in one go.

Li Jing opened her mouth, intending to say, “Didn’t we agree I would treat?” but swallowed the words before they reached her lips.

Arguing with him over this was meaningless.

The four of them walked out of the restaurant.

The evening breeze carried a hint of coolness, blowing away the warmth of the mall.

Youyou and Anqi were still holding hands, arguing endlessly over whether the giant teddy bear should be named “Donut” or “Cotton Candy.”

They reached the fork in the parking lot.

Li Jing knew it was time to say goodbye.

She crouched down and stroked Anqi’s head, “Anqi, say goodbye to Youyou and Uncle.”

Anqi reluctantly hugged Youyou.

“Goodbye, Youyou.”

“Goodbye, Anqi! See you at kindergarten tomorrow!” Youyou waved enthusiastically.

Li Jing stood up and looked at Shen Yan, a sincere gratitude on her face.

“Mr. Shen, thank you so much for today...”

Whether it was helping her out of a jam or this dinner, it made her feel a long-lost kindness.

Shen Yan merely gave a soft “Mm.”

He took his phone out of his pocket, tapped a few times, and handed it to Li Jing.

On the screen was a QR code.

Li Jing froze.

That wasn't an invitation to add a friend on WeChat, but the sharing interface for a personal business card.

It only showed a string of numbers.

A phone number.

No name, no title, no company.

But Li Jing’s heart skipped a beat.

She knew very well what a private number like this meant for someone like Shen Yan.

That wasn't a social calling card that could be handed out casually.

It was a key.

A key that allowed her to contact him personally at any time.

He didn't say, “I will help you.”

Nor did he say, “Contact me if you have trouble.”

He just handed her the QR code.

Everything was implied without needing words.

Li Jing nervously took out her own phone, her fingertips fumbling several times due to tension before she successfully unlocked it.

She scanned the QR code.

A soft “beep.”

Contact successfully added.

She looked at the number in her phone without any notes, as if she were clutching a burning lifeline.

“I...” She wanted to say something, but found her words utterly inadequate.

“Let’s go.”

Shen Yan retracted his phone, not giving her a chance to continue speaking.

He bent down to pick up the giant teddy bear, and with his other hand, held Youyou’s.

“Say goodbye to Anqi and Auntie.”

“Goodbye, Auntie! See you tomorrow, Anqi!”

Youyou’s crisp voice echoed in the night.

Shen Yan, holding the bear and leading his daughter, turned and headed toward Zone B on the other side of the parking lot.

His silhouette was tall and straight, quickly merging into the flashing and dimming lights of the parking garage.

Li Jing stood in place, clutching her phone, motionless for a long time.

The evening breeze lifted her long hair, and her eyes felt hot.

Back at home.

The sensor light at the entrance turned on softly.

Shen Yan changed his shoes and placed the teddy bear on the living room sofa.

“Auntie! I’m back!”

Youyou, like a happy little bird, kicked off her small leather shoes and rushed barefoot into the living room.

Shen Ya was sitting on the sofa, a thin blanket draped over her legs, holding a tablet computer, seemingly reading some documents.

Hearing the sound, she looked up, a gentle smile appearing on her face.

“Our little champion is back? Did you have fun?”

“Fun! Super fun!”

Youyou, like a fledgling swallow, threw herself directly into Shen Ya’s embrace.

Shen Yan followed behind, placing his daughter’s small shoes neatly before walking into the living room to pour himself a glass of water.

He didn't disturb his sister and daughter’s intimacy, but leaned against the bar counter, watching quietly.

The warm light in the living room illuminated this scene as incredibly cozy.

“Auntie, look! This is my gold medal!”

Youyou triumphantly took the heavy “Forest Champion” gold medal from around her neck and placed it in Shen Ya’s hand.

“Wow, it’s so pretty!”

Shen Ya held it carefully, admiring it, and praised sincerely.

“Anqi and I got first place!” Youyou puffed out her small chest, her face full of pride.