"Who?" Jin He vaguely felt he was about to hear some significant news.
"Su Ding."
"How is that possible!"
Jin He held no malice towards Su Ding and knew the elder recognized her. However, the elder's exaggerated reaction made him instinctively retort. He knew Su Ding's family had come to their home yesterday seeking financial cooperation, which had infuriated Xiao Qin, leading to a big outburst. How could she now be connected to the Ouyang family?
"It's true, son. We all knew about it before in the Southern Territory, but Su Ding didn't want to be too high-profile, so she didn't tell you all."
Elder Jin then slowly recounted the events in Jiangcheng. Su Ding's mother was a daughter of the Ouya family and possessed immense wealth. Su Ding could have lived a princess's life on Lijian Island, but for Jin Ye and her children, she returned to Jiangcheng. In terms of family background, she was more than a match for Jin Ye.
Elder Jin continued, "If Xiao Qin still looks down on Su Ding for this reason, you can tell her these things. Also, remind Xiao Qin not to choose daughters-in-law based on external factors. Su Ding is the granddaughter-in-law I approve of." He didn't understand why Su Ding wouldn't reveal her family background, but as a grandfather, he had to do his best to maintain harmony within the family.
"Alright, Dad. I'll pass on the message." Jin He's heart was still in turmoil. He hadn't expected Su Ding's mother's family to be so prominent; it was too shocking.
Changing the subject, Jin He asked, "Dad, it's so late, why are you calling?" His father rarely called him, especially this late at night, so he inquired out of curiosity.
Upon hearing Jin He's question, Elder Jin remembered the purpose of his call, and his expression became much more serious. He paused for a few seconds, organizing his thoughts before asking, "Have any unusual people approached you, Xiao Qin, or Xiao Ye recently?"
"Unusual people..." Jin He pondered for a moment. "No."
"No..." Elder Jin fell silent again, contemplating. "If... if any young people approach you, be... be nice to them."
Hearing Elder Jin's vague words, Jin He was bewildered. "What young people, Dad? What are you talking about?"
"Alas, never mind. If they haven't approached you, then forget it. Perhaps I'm overthinking it." Elder Jin sighed and said calmly, "It's alright. Get some rest. If you do encounter anyone unusual, you must contact me."
"Unusual in what way? What kind of person is it?" Jin He felt an irresistible urge to press further, an ineffable feeling, as if he were on the verge of discovering a truth he had never encountered.
Elder Jin remained silent for a long time. "Perhaps... he carries hatred..."
"Hatred?" Jin He immediately became wary.
"Don't overthink it. Just tell me if you meet them," Elder Jin said.
"Alright, I understand, Dad." Jin He sensed that Elder Jin seemed to be concealing something, but he knew he couldn't pry anything out of his father if he didn't want to reveal it.
As they were about to hang up, Elder Jin said, "Xiao He."
"I'm here," Jin He replied.
"No tantrums. Go back and apologize to Xiao Qin. She's not had it easy. She gave birth to Xiao Ye for you all those years ago... If it weren't for her, you wouldn't have such an excellent son. Now that there's a misunderstanding, sleeping in separate rooms isn't the way to solve problems."
Hearing his father's words, Jin He's face grew warm. At his age, as a grandfather, he was still being lectured by his father on how to interact with his wife. He felt a pang of embarrassment and helplessness, but his father was right. Even though Zhao Qin could be unreasonable at times, he loved her, and she had sacrificed a lot for him. Years ago, Zhao Qin had suffered severe postpartum hemorrhage and nearly died. She was saved by numerous doctors, both domestic and international, and bore an indelible scar on her abdomen. Afterward, Jin He never let Zhao Qin conceive again. He didn't want her to go through that life-threatening ordeal again, even if she was willing.
"Dad, I understand." Jin He felt a sense of clarity. "I'll talk to her properly. Don't you worry about it. Go to sleep early."
Elder Jin then hung up the phone. Jin He thought again about the unusual person Elder Jin had mentioned. His intuition told him that this young person was very important to his father. But who could it be? And why would his father say that person carried hatred towards their family? This inexplicable suspense left him puzzled. However, Jin He didn't dwell on it. He turned off the computer in his study and, holding a cup, prepared to go out.
Just as he opened the study door and went to the living room to get water, he heard footsteps behind him. The air was filled with mist and a faint scent of perfume. Jin He stopped getting water and turned around, only to see He Qing wrapped in a bath towel, her wet hair cascading over her shoulders. Her alluring face had a touch of youthful innocence, adorned with glistening water droplets. She was tall and curvaceous, with striking, long, straight legs. Her perfectly shaped toes, painted with red nail polish, peeked out from her slippers, and her entire being exuded a seductive feminine aura. She was like a siren, soul-snatching in the night. Jin He was a man of strong resolve and typically serious demeanor, but he found himself at a loss seeing this sight. He instinctively shifted his gaze and took a step back. The water in his cup rippled slightly, splashing onto his hand without him noticing.
"Excuse me, Mr. Jin, I... I came to get some water too." He Qing displayed a nervous and shy expression, hugging her chest with her bare arms, looking at Jin He innocently. "I didn't know you were down here. I... I just finished bathing. That... I... You get your water first. I'll go back..." She stammered, her voice soft and weak, as if too shy to look up. She lowered her head and hurried to turn away. But she moved too fast, and her slipper slipped, causing her to lose her balance and fall backward. Jin He, who wanted to maintain distance from this woman, couldn't stand by and watch her fall. He quickly stepped forward and grabbed her arm.