Jing Ruo had originally thought that Bo Jingshen had no intention of going in, as he had always shown much impatience, not even bothering to feign politeness.
Unexpectedly, after hearing what Zhou Xiaochu had said, Bo Jingshen didn’t resist entering the suite anymore.
He even stepped in without needing Jing Ruo to pull him.
As footsteps sounded, the three people originally sitting around the tea table by the living room window of the suite all turned to look toward the doorway.
They saw a tall and slender young man walking in, his face expressionless and cold.
Zhou Xiaochu’s expression stiffened, clearly showing some embarrassment.
"Xiao Shen is here..." Zhou Xiaochu revealed a tender smile.
If Bo Jingshen was willing to cooperate, they could certainly put on a display of maternal love and filial piety, but obviously, Bo Jingshen was not willing to play along.
He didn’t even call out to her, and upon hearing her, he simply glanced at Zhou Xiaochu indifferently.
The little affection Bo Jingshen had for her had been worn away by her day after day of boundless greed, leaving his heart desolate when he saw Zhou Xiaochu.
Bo Jingshen no longer even felt disappointment toward her, strangers were better than her in his view.
Thus Bo Jingshen didn’t speak. After walking in, he just stood there, cool and detached.
Zhou Xiaochu’s already awkward expression became more embarrassed due to Bo Jingshen’s indifferent silence.
She couldn’t say much, especially in front of Xiao Caizi.
All Zhou Xiaochu could do was smooth things over herself, turning to Xiao Caizi and saying, "This kid is really reserved, he has been this reserved since he was young, and very steady too. Xiaozi, I hope you don’t mind."
Xiao Caizi, true to her upbringing in a major Beijing household, laughed flawlessly, helping to smooth things over smoothly, "I don’t mind at all. Mature and steady is always better than being smooth-talking, Madam, please rest assured."
Jing Ce wasn’t inclined to demand much of Bo Jingshen’s attitude toward Zhou Xiaochu; he truly didn’t care about those things. What he cared about was his control over everything.
As long as everything, in his view, wasn’t out of control, that was enough. If it wasn’t for Bo Jingshen, Zhou Xiaochu would mean less than nothing to him.
Jing Ce glanced at Bo Jingshen, "You take Xiao along and have fun. You young people have more in common to talk about. It’s boring for her to be with us old folks, so take her out."
Bo Jingshen was noncommittal.
But Jing Ruo, observing Bo Jingshen’s expression, instinctively felt that her brother probably wanted to refuse outright.
However, to openly snub Jing Ce’s face wouldn’t be a good thing.
Worried that Bo Jingshen might act impulsively, Jing Ruo didn’t wait for Bo Jingshen to speak. She quickly took Bo Jingshen’s hand with one hand and Xiao Caizi’s with the other.
Then looking at Jing Ce, she smiled and said, "Don’t worry, Dad, brother will surely take good care of Sister Caizi."
Jing Ce looked at Jing Ruo, seemingly satisfied with her beating around the bush, he slightly raised his eyebrows and nodded, "You also take good care. You are more careful than your brother."
"Dad, don’t worry, I will," Jing Ruo nodded.
Jing Ce handed her a card, and Jing Ruo blinked before stretching out her hand to take it. That had always been his way—concern? Fatherly love? Nonexistent. To him, she was just a lowly illegitimate daughter.
Whenever he felt she wasn’t doing well, Jing Ce didn’t hold back in his reprimands. Jing Ruo still remembered, not long after being brought back to the Jing Family, she was not yet familiar with Jing Ce’s temperament and still harbored some fantasies—after all, he was her biological father.
Jing Ruo had thought about the princess’ younger sister scenario, where her wealthy father acknowledged her, and then she became the doted princess, cherished by all.
But reality slapped her hard in the face.
At that time, Jing Ruo didn’t understand Jing Ce’s character or recognize her own standing. In a sense, she still considered herself rather important. So when she spoke up just a bit too much, Jing Ce’s expression didn’t seem to change, still indifferent, emotionless.
But he swiftly delivered a slap to her face, without the slightest mercy or restraint.
She was just an ignorant young girl, yet Jing Ce struck her so harshly that one of her eardrums ruptured and bled, blood vessels in her eyeball burst, her mouth corner tore, and her lips oozed blood.
Stars burst before her eyes, and for many days after, she constantly endured ringing in her ears.
Fortunately, Jing Ruo was quite intelligent. She learned her lesson from that single incident, quickly understanding her place, and never dared to step out of line again. She hadn’t been acknowledged to live as some princess’ younger sister; she was simply brought back to be used someday.
Fatherly love, concern—such things downright didn’t exist.
Not angering Jing Ce was already an achievement, and if she was obedient and clever enough not to provoke him, Jing Ce’s version of ’fatherly love’ arrived quite directly.
Typically, it would be a bank card with a decent amount of money or sometimes other valuables.
Like a property deed or car title in her name, or maybe a set of borderline collectible jewelry, or outright several gold bars...
Jing Ruo had long grown used to it.
"Thank you, Dad." Jing Ruo pocketed the card and flashed a radiant smile, yet no trace of joy reached her eyes.
Zhou Xiaochu watched Jing Ce hand the card to Jing Ruo, and couldn’t help but cast a cold sidelong glance, as if Jing Ce was using her money to give to Jing Ruo.
Jing Ce hadn’t been talking much with Bo Jingshen.
Perhaps anticipating that any conversation with him wouldn’t yield a satisfactory response, he couldn’t bother to court a cold shoulder. In short, Jing Ce didn’t speak much with Bo Jingshen; he didn’t need to say much. All he wanted was simple: Bo Jingshen just needed to be obedient.
However, he did comment impersonally, "Take good care of Xiao; talk with her more, get to know her better. After all, you’re going to live together in the future."
Bo Jingshen remained noncommittal, with not even the slightest change in his expressionless, cold demeanor.
But when Jing Ce really wanted to say something, Bo Jingshen’s cold facade didn’t bother him much. He continued, "Don’t follow in your brother’s footsteps. He’s disappointing. Don’t you start doing the same. His mother died early, and he lacked discipline, but your mother vowed she raised you well. Don’t let her down, don’t let her be embarrassed."
Jing Ce’s tone didn’t change as he spoke, still detached and stern, with hardly any variation in expression.
Zhou Xiaochu, however, stiffened at his words, her gaze toward Jing Ce laced with clear fear and shrinking.
Evidently, despite the lack of change in tone or expression, Jing Ce’s words were undoubtedly a threat.
Bo Jingshen couldn’t help but clench his fists tightly, giving Jing Ce a chilly look.