In Zhan Bei Jue's memory, Gong Bei Bei, though not as clever as Jiang Nan Fang, was not a bad person and wouldn't be someone who would give a child a cold shoulder.
"...Impossible. You must have said something unpleasant to upset Aunt Gong."
Unexpectedly, her father unconditionally protected Gong Bei Bei without even thinking, which made Jing Tian's tears fall even harder.
"So even if she hit or scolded me, if I told you, Daddy, you would still dote on her, right?"
"As expected, a stepmother means a stepfather. You already only have her in your heart before even getting married, right?"
In most people's impression, children don't lie.
However, was Jiang Jing Tian an ordinary child?
She had witnessed Jiang Nan Fang struggling to make a living among men since she was young.
She was influenced by manipulative women like Tang Xue Ying every day.
Through constant exposure, she had long learned to read people's expressions.
Lying came naturally to her, and her ability to weave stories was beyond anyone's imagination.
Hearing him say that, Zhan Bei Jue began to believe.
"Did she really scold you?"
"Yes. She also said I'm not allowed to tell you, and if I did, Grandma would deal with me when we got home tonight."
"Daddy, after you marry and have a new baby, will my brother and I be annoying burdens?"
Burdens?
Where did she hear such nonsense?
Zhan Bei Jue hugged her to comfort her with heartache.
"Impossible. Daddy will always only love you and your brother. Even if I remarry, I won't have any more babies."
"How is that possible?" Jing Tian lifted her head from his embrace, blinking her large, watery eyes.
"They say that when a man and a woman get married and sleep together, they will have a baby. How can you not have any more?"
"Then I won't sleep with her."
Zhan Bei Jue affectionately wiped her eyes.
"Alright, stop crying. So many people are watching, it doesn't look good."
Without marrying the one he loved, marriage for Zhan Bei Jue was merely a play to silence others.
He didn't care about it at all.
Hearing him say that, the two children exchanged happy glances.
They thought: Then I'll remember your words today. If you dare to step into her room in the future, I'll see how I drag you out!
After deciding on the style and size, it was still early, so Gong Bei Bei suggested they go watch a movie together.
It would be lunchtime by the time they finished, and she really wanted to have lunch with Zhan Bei Jue.
Zhan Bei Jue was unenthusiastic.
But thinking that watching a movie could quickly pass the time and keep the two children quiet, he agreed to go.
The four of them went to the mall together, entering the luxurious first floor, where all they could see were jewelry counters.
Gong Bei Bei's eyes were immediately drawn to the dazzling jewelry.
With the engagement banquet coming up soon, Zhan Bei Jue hadn't even bought her a pair of jewelry from the counters, let alone custom-made pieces.
Was he not in a hurry at all?
She glanced at the jewelry, then at Zhan Bei Jue.
He walked straight towards the elevator on the second floor without looking sideways.
Gong Bei Bei could only pretend to twist her ankle, "Ouch!"
Zhan Bei Jue looked over, saw her wearing heels as thick as a finger, and frowned.
"You're not short to begin with, why do you wear such high heels every day? Aren't you tired of walking? Did you sprain it?"
He didn't even help her, just stood there nagging.
Gong Bei Bei felt wronged, "It's okay, it's not serious. Can you help me to rest over there?"
She pointed to the rest area between the various jewelry counters.
Jing Tian saw through her little scheme clearly.
She wanted to drag Daddy over to buy jewelry and spend his money? Not a chance!
"Since it's inconvenient for Aunt Gong to walk in these shoes, let's go upstairs and buy her a new pair!"
"Otherwise, even if she rests now, she'll still sprain her ankle later. Let's get her a pair of flat shoes, and it'll be a solution for everything."
Zhan Bei Jue thought his daughter made sense.
"If these shoes are uncomfortable, just throw them away. Let's go buy you a new pair of shoes."
Those who knew would understand that Zhan Bei Jue had no intention of buying her jewelry.
Those who didn't know would think he was poor and stingy!
He was hinting so obviously, yet he... Gong Bei Bei was almost furious.
The few of them went up to the second floor together, which was filled with various women's clothing and high-end shoe stores.
Zhan Bei Jue walked directly into a store and sat down, "Go pick."
Alright, even though he didn't help her buy jewelry, he was willing to buy shoes, which was also good.
They were all designer shoes.
After picking a pair and changing into them, Gong Bei Bei walked up to Zhan Bei Jue to show him.
To her surprise, he stood up directly and swiped his card.
"You're done changing? Let's go. Don't want those anymore, throw them away."
He didn't even want to give her an extra glance.
After changing shoes, the group took the elevator to the sixth floor.
Gong Bei Bei, familiar with the routine, went to buy movie tickets, while Zhan Bei Jue sat in the waiting area with the children.
Unexpectedly, he ran into an old acquaintance here.
Zhou Jin Xiu was arm in arm with a girl, accompanied by two brothers. The four of them walked and laughed, their boisterous chatter catching his attention.
That scoundrel. Just a few days ago, he was fighting with Xu Yan Chuan outside the police station for Jiang Nan Fang, and today he was already with another woman watching a movie?
Didn't he say he wanted to pursue Jiang Nan Fang as his girlfriend?
How could Jiang Nan Fang tolerate such a scoundrel touching her?
As he was thinking, Gong Bei Bei returned with the movie tickets.
"Bei Jue, it's done. We can start boarding now, let's go."
Hearing Zhan Bei Jue's name, Zhou Jin Xiu quickly turned his gaze.
As Zhan Bei Jue stood up, the two of them made eye contact.
"Good for you."
Zhou Jin Xiu looked at the children, then at Gong Bei Bei, and thought.
You bullied another woman until she couldn't stay in Nan Cheng and left without a word. And you, on the other hand, are here watching a movie with your children and fiancée, living a carefree life.
You have quite the composure.
Hypocrite in a gentleman's guise! If I'm nice to you again, call me Zhou Jin Xiu a pig!
Gong Bei Bei turned and walked towards them, and he, with the girl in his arms, stepped forward to meet them.
"This must be Miss Gong Bei Bei, my future sister-in-law, right?"
Gong Bei Bei was suddenly blocked by someone, and she looked him up and down, "Who are you?"
"Zhou Jin Xiu. Zhou Jin Bei's brother."
"Oh, so you're Jin Xiu. I've heard so much about you." Gong Bei Bei reached out to shake his hand.
"Is this your girlfriend? Are you guys also here to watch a movie? What a coincidence."
She turned back to Zhan Bei Jue as if she had discovered a new continent, "Bei Jue, look..."
Zhan Bei Jue wasn't blind, did he need her to introduce him?
"Didn't you say the movie is about to start? Are we going or not?"
Gong Bei Bei, lacking any social awareness, said, "No rush, let's say hello first. Look who it is. I'm seeing him for the first time..."
"So, you're not planning to leave?"
Since you like talking to him so much, then stay and talk slowly.
Zhan Bei Jue turned and walked out with the children.
"Hey, hey, it's just a word with your cousin, why are you suddenly flipping out?"
Not knowing what had happened, Gong Bei Bei felt a moment of awkwardness and quickly chased after him.
"Bei Jue..."
"I'm not watching anymore. There's something at the company. I'll take them to school, you can go back by yourself."
Zhan Bei Jue's expression changed faster than the June sky.
Gong Bei Bei wanted to say something, but saw him take out his phone and start making a call.
"Uncle, I have something to discuss with you. I'll be at your company in half an hour."
Zhou Jin Xiu.
You've disgusted me time and time again.
If I don't teach you a good lesson, then I, Zhan Bei Jue, might as well call you brother!