After dinner, Su Ding saw that it was getting late and got up to leave.
Jin Xiaoxi reluctantly held onto the corner of her clothes, asking pitifully, "Auntie, can I go home with you?"
Su Ding gently hugged Xiao Xi and sighed.
She glanced at Jin Ye, who was sitting up straight, and said softly, "Darling, I'll visit you when I have time. Be good."
Jin Xiaoxi felt a deep reluctance to part; he simply didn't want to be separated from Auntie.
Seeing Su Ding looking at Jin Ye, he thought she was worried her father wouldn't allow it. His mind raced, and he immediately ran over.
Jin Xiaoxi looked up, "Daddy, I want to go to Auntie's house to play."
Jin Ye frowned. Xiao Xi had always been cold and distant with outsiders. Why was he so excited and eager today?
What kind of spell had this woman cast on Xiao Xi?
He refused lightly, "No."
"Why?" Jin Xiaoxi's little face immediately turned serious.
"It's too late, don't disturb them." Jin Ye offered a casual excuse.
"I..." Jin Xiaoxi's eyes instantly filled with tears. He looked helplessly at Su Ding, who felt heartbroken.
She quickly said, "It won't be a disturbance, it's okay."
Jin Ye looked up and swept his gaze over her, then issued a stern and authoritative command, "Absolutely not."
Jin Xiaoxi stared angrily at his father, his eyes brimming with tears, like a little puppy being bullied.
Jin Ye ignored him, turned around, and went to the sofa to read his newspaper.
Seeing this, Su Ding softly comforted Xiao Xi, "Be good, darling. We've only just met, and your father is worried about you. Once we get to know each other better, your father will be at ease."
Jin Xiaoxi still kept his face tense, tears streaming down his face, but he made no sound, as if holding back his temper.
Su Ding sighed. This child.
She looked at Jin Ye on one side and Xiao Xi on the other, feeling helpless.
The temperaments of these father and son were so alike – both so stubborn and proud. How could she persuade them?
Su Ding took Xiao Xi's hand and walked to Jin Ye, looking at him seriously. "Mr. Jin, I'll take Xiao Xi over to play. I'll bring him back immediately afterward, I guarantee he'll be safe and sound."
Seeing that Jin Ye was unmoved, she added, "If anything happens, I will take full responsibility."
Jin Ye finally raised his eyes indifferently, "How will you be responsible?"
Su Ding was speechless.
Just as she was about to find a reason to persuade him, she heard the little one beside her say loudly to Jin Ye:
"Daddy, I hate you!"
With that, the little fellow ran upstairs.
Jin Ye's expression darkened slightly, but he couldn't hide his worry. It was the first time he had seen Jin Xiaoxi behave like this.
He stood up, cast a cold glance at Su Ding, and strode towards the stairs, his hurried steps betraying his concern.
Su Ding raised an eyebrow. It seemed this Mr. Jin was not as cold and heartless as he appeared.
After a moment of thought, she followed.
When they reached the door of Jin Xiaoxi's room, they heard the sound of various objects being thrown to the floor. Suddenly, they heard Xiao Xi cry out in pain!
"Xiao Xi?!"
Su Ding sensed something was wrong, her face changed, and she shouted, "Open the door quickly!"
Jin Ye's face was grim, and he raised his foot to kick the door.
Seeing this, Su Ding quickly stopped him, whispering sternly, "What are you doing!"
Jin Ye narrowed his eyes and glared at her: Wasn't it obvious? Kick the door down and get the child out!
Su Ding was not afraid of his anger at all. She walked to the door and knocked gently twice, "Xiao Xi, please come out. Your father has agreed for you to go to Auntie's house."
The commotion inside immediately stopped.
After a while, a tearful voice came from inside, "Daddy, is that true?"
Jin Ye had no choice but to give a deep hum.
The door was then slowly pushed open, and through the gap, Xiao Xi stood inside, his eyes tearful.
Su Ding felt heartbroken. She rushed forward uncontrollably to hug Xiao Xi and check for injuries. She discovered his finger had been cut.
The housekeeper, hearing the commotion, quickly brought a first-aid kit.
Su Ding carried the child into the room and carefully bandaged his wound with cotton swabs and gauze.
Jin Ye stood by, looking deeply at the woman before him, his dark eyes becoming complex.
After Su Ding finished bandaging Xiao Xi's wound, she sat down next to him on the small sofa, looking up at the tall, stern man.
Jin Ye looked down at them, a warmth inexplicably rising in his heart.
After a long moment, he finally spoke, "I'll take you."
Su Ding was surprised that this influential figure would personally drive them. She stared at Jin Ye blankly.
Jin Ye returned her gaze coldly, a soft spot in his heart being touched once again.
In the car.
In the back seat, Xiao Xi held Su Ding's hand tightly, and they chatted and laughed.
In the front seat, Jin Ye sat rigidly with a stern face, as if living in another world.
He didn't realize that the woman behind him, chatting and playing with the child, was actually observing him from the corner of her eye.
The more Su Ding looked at Jin Ye, the more she suspected he was the man from that night.
Although five years had blurred the memory of that night, the feeling of mystery and dominance couldn't fade.
Tonight, she was going to get Xiao Xi's hair.
People might look alike by coincidence, but scientific identification would not be wrong. As long as Xiao Xi and Xiao Rui were proven to be twins, the identity of the man from that night would be self-evident.
The car stopped at the entrance of the residential complex.
Jin Ye said in a deep voice, "We're here."
Su Ding looked at him in surprise. She had expected him to drive them to the base of the apartment building.
She opened the car door and pulled Jin Xiaoxi out.
Jin Xiaoxi looked at Jin Ye, his little face still somewhat serious, clearly not having recovered from their earlier argument. He said dryly, "Daddy, I'll be home early."
Su Ding gently stroked his hair and said to Jin Ye, "Mr. Jin, don't worry, I'll bring Xiao Xi back on time."
Jin Ye nodded expressionlessly, "You two go ahead."
Su Ding then took Xiao Xi into the complex, and soon they arrived at the door of her home.
Su Ding took out her key to open the door. Xiao Xi curiously looked around, feeling a little nervous, wondering if Auntie's baby would want to be friends with him.
Suddenly, the door opened from the inside.
Su Xiaorui came bounding out, shouting in a childish voice, "Mommy—"
Jin Xiaoxi raised his little face, about to greet her politely, but his eyes widened in surprise when he saw the little girl's face, which was so similar to his own…