Su Dingxin's heart softened again. She sighed, "Go watch TV, be good, it's nothing."
Jin Xiaoxi, holding back his sadness, nodded obediently.
Only then did Su Ding turn and go upstairs.
Back in the room, she sat by the window, gazing at the scenery outside in a daze.
In truth, children were the most innocent. He truly wanted her to continue being his mother, nothing more.
When she broke up with Jin Ye, the child was the most innocent one.
Having sorted out her thoughts, she let out a soft sigh, planning to go downstairs and comfort the little one.
Unbeknownst to her, two figures quietly emerged from the bushes below the window.
"Fortunately, they didn't see us."
"Let's stick to the main entrance. I don't believe she won't come out!"
"Alright, Brother Bo said to teach her a lesson. That woman is fair-skinned and tender, what if we hurt her badly..."
"Who cares? We'll just throw a few punches and run. Keep an eye out."
The two men, sneaking around the wall, talked as they walked. Suddenly, two burly men appeared before them.
The two men, holding electric batons, seemed to have Swiss Army knives tucked into their belts.
They looked menacing and not to be trifled with!
"You two, who sent you!" Ah Da pointed at them fiercely, his rough voice exceptionally commanding.
The two men immediately turned pale with fright, "Spare us, good sirs!"
Ah Xiao kicked one of them, "Speak!"
One of them reacted quickly, his face a mask of misery, "A man gave us money to teach the mistress of this house a lesson. We don't know who he is."
The other chimed in, "We're just doing it for the money."
"Cowards!"
Ah Da slapped one of them across the face, "Two men trying to bully a woman, shameless!"
"Spare us, good sirs, we'll get lost now..."
The two men were adaptable. Seeing they were outmatched, they immediately begged for mercy.
Ah Da let out a contemptuous snort, "Go back and tell your boss that Miss Su is protected. Next time, we'll break your hands. Did you hear that!" xxs1
The two nodded like garlic pounding, "Heard it, heard it!"
Ah Xiao slapped one of them again, "Get lost!"
In an instant, the two men scrambled away in utter panic, fleeing swiftly.
"Ah Da, call the young master," Ah Xiao looked at Ah Da beside him and reminded him.
"Alright..."
...
Su Ding walked into the living room and saw Jin Xiaoxi listlessly watching television.
She went to the kitchen, cut some fruit, and brought it over. "Xiaoxi, have some fruit."
"Mom."
Jin Xiaoxi jumped off the sofa and rushed to her, his eyes filled with unease and guilt.
Su Ding smiled, "It's okay, don't overthink it. Mom isn't angry with you. You siding with Dad isn't wrong."
Jin Xiaoxi quickly and earnestly declared his loyalty, "I love Mom, and I love... Dad. If Mom really doesn't like Dad, I, I can accept it."
He didn't want his mother to compromise herself.
Su Ding's eyes curved into crescents, "Alright, I understand."
Seeing Su Ding's gentleness, Jin Xiaoxi rushed forward and hugged her tightly, afraid she would reject him.
Just then, her phone buzzed.
Su Ding freed a hand to check her phone. The caller ID was Devil?
She glanced at Xiaoxi and said softly, "Mom needs to take a call in the room. You eat your fruit first."
Xiaoxi nodded obediently, "Mmm-hmm."
In the room, Su Ding quickly answered the call, "Devil, what is it?"
"Someone is plotting against you behind your back. You must be extremely careful. I'll be at the yacht dinner next week. Find a way to get an invitation, and we'll meet then."
Devil said gravely, feeling a pang of anxiety.
He had intended to find a suitable opportunity to meet Su Ding, but with someone plotting against her, he was very worried and wanted to see her as soon as possible.
The yacht dinner was his only legitimate reason to go out, but it would be difficult for Su Ding.
"Yacht dinner?" Su Ding asked, frowning.
"Yes, it's a customary gala for celebrities in the Southern Territory. You need to find a way to get an invitation."
Devil had considered obtaining an invitation himself, but he was still worried about being discovered.
Su Ding thought for a moment, "Okay, I'll try my best."
Devil gravely cautioned, "Be careful during this time."
"You're having me monitored, aren't you?" Su Ding recalled the incident at the boxing ring and her suspicions grew stronger.
Devil paused, then chuckled, "No, you're overthinking it."
Su Ding's voice turned cold, "How can I trust you if you do this?"
"Su Ding, you must remember, I will never harm you," Devil sighed, saying with utmost sincerity, "When we meet, I will tell you everything."
Su Ding truly couldn't understand why meeting him was so difficult.
"Alright then, see you on the yacht."
The other side finally breathed a sigh of relief and hung up the phone.
Su Ding put down her phone and began searching online for information about the Southern Territory yacht dinner.
The yacht dinner invited guests from the Southern Territory's upper circles, including deeply rooted centuries-old families and emerging wealthy businessmen and celebrities.
The Jin family was also on the guest list.
She stared at the Jin family for a long time, then sighed. It seemed she still had to ask Jin Ye for help.
Her mother was a person she couldn't let go of.
No matter what, she had to uncover the secrets of the Ouyang family during this trip to the Southern Territory.
"Knock knock knock."
The door was knocked, and Xiaoxi's voice came through, "Mom~"
Su Ding got up and opened the door, "Yes, coming!"
"Why are you cooped up in your room?" Jin Xiaoxi asked curiously, his cautious gaze revealing his concern.
Could it be that Mom was still upset about what happened earlier, and that's why...
Su Ding rubbed his head, "Mom was taking a call, it's nothing."
Jin Xiaoxi nodded obediently, but he was still a little worried.
If only Dad could be more capable.
Mom was so good. What if she was snatched away by that Uncle Jiang?
...
That evening, after much deliberation, Su Ding finally sent Jin Ye a message.
Are you free? I need your help with something—
Jin Ye was in his study looking at documents when he received Su Ding's message. His normally calm heart stirred.
What could make her contact him proactively?
He frowned, contemplating his words. After much hesitation, he edited and sent—
[If there's something, say it in person]
After sending it, Jin Ye regretted it.
That woman was stubborn. What if she saw it and decided not to seek his help?
What if she acted foolishly and went to another man?
Thinking of this, he pondered for a long time. Just as he was about to type more words, he saw a reply from the other side.
Okay, I'm coming to find you now—
Jin Ye narrowed his eyes and abruptly stood up.
He felt an inexplicable sense of nervousness. This was the first time Su Ding had proactively sought him out after their falling out.
He slowly clenched his fists and steadied his breathing.
After composing himself, he sat back down and looked at the computer, but he couldn't concentrate at all.
Meanwhile, Su Ding tidied herself up and went out.
It was half-past seven in the evening, and it had already gotten dark. People were strolling along the street.
Upon arriving at the entrance of the Jin residence, she was about to enter.
Suddenly, she heard Jin Miaomiao and Tang Yiyi's voices from the shaded path in the backyard of the Jin residence.
Su Ding paused her steps and turned back to the entrance.
She dialed a number, her palms starting to sweat. She felt a bit awkward.
"Hello?" she said softly.
"You've arrived?"
Jin Ye's voice was still cold and deep, giving no hint of his emotions.
Su Ding hummed in response.
Jin Ye got up from his chair, his steps quickening, his voice remaining steady, "Have you come in?"
"No, can you come out?"
Su Ding spoke with some awkwardness. She had something to ask of him, but she was reluctant to go inside.
Mainly, she didn't want to encounter those two women.
Jin Ye understood Su Ding's unspoken difficulty. After a moment's thought, he understood.
Miaomiao was still at home. If they met, it would be trouble.
"Alright, wait for me at the entrance."
After hanging up the phone, Jin Ye specifically went back to his room to tidy himself up before going out.
At the main entrance, Su Ding was looking at her phone with her head lowered.
Suddenly, a tall figure loomed over her, casting a shadow in front of her.
"Let's go."
Su Ding looked up abruptly, seeing the handsome man before her, his charm undiminished.
When her gaze met his deep eyes, she quickly lowered her head.
Then, the man took her small hand and pulled her towards the path ahead...
"Ah?"
Su Ding stumbled from being pulled, and exclaimed in surprise as she followed, "Where are we going?"