"Don’t strive to outshine others in official rank at the imperial capital, nor in wealth in Hucheng."
"It can be said that on this matter, Jian Cheng’s eldest sister still possessed some self-awareness, knowing some people are beyond her reach."
Bo Qin ignored Meng Qiuqiu but heard a feeble and delicate voice beside him, "Are you Uncle Qin?"
Bo Qin nodded imperceptibly, "Yes, it seems your father has mentioned me."
Jian Dan couldn’t hold back her tears upon thinking of something and sobbed through her words, "Two days ago, Daddy... Daddy called me."
Before departing on his mission, Jian Cheng talked to Jian Dan on the phone, laughing warmly and kindly, and told Jian Dan, "Baby, when Daddy comes back this time, he’ll transfer jobs. Then, I’ll be with you every day, okay?
"Then, Daddy will take you to meet a friend of his, his name is Bo Qin, your Uncle Qin."
At that time, she was overjoyed, Daddy was coming back, but she never imagined that it would be a final departure, her beautiful dreams collapsing upon receiving news of her father’s death.
Only the memory of Bo Qin resonated deeply within her.
Bo Qin realized that before undertaking his mission, Jian Cheng knew that his chances were slim.
Bo Qin reached out and gently stroked the little girl’s head, "From now on, I’ll take care of you. I promised your dad, to look after you until you come of age."
Jian Dan didn’t speak, just cried.
No matter who provided care, it wasn’t her kin.
She no longer had family.
From now on, she would be utterly alone in this world.
Nobody would ever cherish her like her father did.
And there would be no more.
Meng Qiuqiu’s face turned red with anger on the side. Jian Jie couldn’t stand it anymore and dragged her daughter aside, "Meng Qiuqiu, let me tell you, some dreams should not be dreamt. You’re not the sort they’d fancy."
Meng Qiuqiu, feeling slighted by her mother’s comment, retorted defiantly, "How do you know? What if I am?"
The man was very handsome, and he looked young, just in his early twenties, merely three years older than her.
What if she succeeded? Then she would enjoy endless wealth and glory, wouldn’t that be wonderful?
At that time, what would a 96-square-meter apartment amount to?
At Jian Cheng’s funeral, the faces of the Jian family members were particularly ugly. Jian Cheng’s colleagues and comrades were all seen off by Bo Qin, who was very concerned about Jian Cheng’s daughter, Jian Dan.
So was Jian Cheng’s leader.
Speaking to Bo Qin in private, Jian Cheng’s leader lamented with regret, "Jian Cheng was only thirty this year, so young. It wasn’t supposed to be his sacrifice this time, but..."
Bo Qin’s expression and tone were indifferent, "There’s no need to harshly blame yourself. Jian Cheng’s choice, while I think he shouldn’t have had to bear it, should prompt an internal resolution as soon as possible. Otherwise, who will give their all for this country? Men should be spirited, passionate, spilling their blood for the land they love deeply; but if they’re unfit, they shouldn’t shrink like turtles, pushing their comrades to face death.
"Otherwise, who in the future will dare to entrust their back to such people? I hope you’ll inform me of the decision as soon as it’s made; as for Jian Cheng’s daughter, I’ll take care of her, like I promised Jian Cheng. If anything were to happen to him, I’d raise his daughter to adulthood."
The leader, ashamed, left the cemetery with his people.
Apart from Jian Dan, Bo Qin gave no kind expression or glance to anyone from the Jian family.
"I will take Jian Dan with me. As for Jian Cheng’s house and his savings, they have nothing to do with any of you relatives. If you disagree, feel free to discuss it with my lawyer," Bo Qin said succinctly, without superfluous words, hitting right to the point.
Jian Cheng’s siblings were immediately displeased, causing an uproar.
Meng Qiuqiu was not the only one interested in Bo Qin; several young girls found it hard to take their eyes off of his face.
Bo Qin was undeniably handsome, but it was for that very reason that he felt disgusted by such gazes.
When he lifted his eyes to meet theirs, the undisguised contempt in his gaze made them shudder. Meng Qiuqiu clenched her fists, met Bo Qin’s eyes, and said, "Sir, you say you’ll take the little sister to the imperial capital, but how can we be sure you’re really taking her there?"
That’s right, why should Jian Dan, a child without parents, live better than them?
Human hearts are the hardest to fathom, and Jian Dan, at such a young age, felt the greatest malice from her own kin. She might be timid, but she wasn’t foolish.