But she was too embarrassed to ask Uncle Bo, and she was also too embarrassed to ask her friend, feeling it somewhat shameful to start the conversation. However, this picture book fully explained to her what her liking for Bo Qin was, what kind of liking it was, and that such feelings between a man and a woman were normal.
But she also knew very well one thing, which was that Bo Qin would not like her back.
Whether it was due to social status constraints or the age gap, it seemed that no matter which it was, Bo Qin had reasons not to like her.
From the initial joy of discovery to the sighs that followed, it only took half an hour for her to feel extremely conflicted.
However, feelings that bloom in early youth, the kind you just give up on, are few.
At that time, what she thought about most was how to become better, to stand beside Uncle Qin without being looked down upon by others.
Unfortunately, it was too difficult; Bo Qin was too outstanding.
In her first year of high school, she participated in a math olympiad. Her first growth from going abroad began, she was pampered within certain boundaries, enjoying the best material conditions, thinking everything was as good as it could be. But she was wrong; it could be better, much better.
In that international competition, she met friends from all over the world, all with different skin colors, different values, and world views, all of which told her that she knew too little about the world. Bo Qin, who occasionally chatted with her, knew she was full of curiosity about the world and had indirectly inquired if she wanted to study abroad. If so, he could arrange it.
How could she bear to be far from Bo Qin? She refused.
Bo Qin sensed something was wrong but just thought that the little girl had grown up and had her own secrets, which she did not need to share with him; he didn’t think deeply about it.
Bo Qin had always treated Jian Dan differently; whenever he went to a city on business, he would pick out a gift for her, not letting his secretary choose randomly, but selecting it himself.
Even if he couldn’t deliver it to Jian Dan’s hands himself, he would have someone close do it.
As Jian Dan slowly grew up, there was always some awkwardness when she faced him, but he just thought it was because the little girl was growing up and was embarrassed.
This harmonious relationship continued until Jian Dan’s second year of high school. On her birthday, he had not told Jian Dan that he would celebrate with her. Following her classmates’ advice, she prepared to celebrate with them outside. That was the day Bo Qin witnessed Jian Dan being confessed to.
He stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.
His gaze fell on a young boy and girl outside. The boy was saying something to the girl; she stepped back, looking panicked. She shook her head at him, then said something he couldn’t hear, making the boy’s face change slightly, showing a trace of bitterness.
Later, a servant who overheard their conversation told Bo Qin that Miss Jian Dan had been confessed to. As a parent, like any other, he hoped his child would not have a romantic relationship too young, especially during high school. It wasn’t that it wasn’t allowed, or that they were too young, but it just didn’t seem right.
He didn’t know how to bring up the topic with her, especially when he saw how excited and happy Jian Dan was to see him. He couldn’t find the words for a while, thinking in his heart that this matter could wait. There would be a chance to talk about it.
He looked at the little girl; she had changed so much from when he first brought her home.
When she first came here, the little girl was thin and small, her hands were even a bit dark, but now, she was nearly five feet seven, matured, and her facial features resembled her mother, except for her nose, which was like her father’s. She was a great beauty.
No wonder the young boys were heartstruck; such a girl was indeed the dream lover in everyone’s fantasy. Thinking of this, watching the wishful little girl, he started to smile.
The smile was slight, caught in the gaze of an open-eyed Jian Dan. Bo Qin, being stared at, chuckled lightly, "Why are you looking at me? Once you make your wish, we can start eating the cake."
She smiled, her hands propping her face, looking at Bo Qin, "Uncle Qin, one last injustice. I didn’t make a wish, I saved it for you. Do you have any wishes? Make it here, okay?"
Bo Qin was stunned, looked deeply into the little girl’s dark pupils, and chuckled helplessly, "Is that so few wishes you have? You even saved one for me?"
The little girl laughed, "Sharing blessings, Uncle Qin, Make a wish, and then we’ll blow out the candles together."
It was the little girl’s birthday. He didn’t want to spoil the mood, although he always felt something was off. Nevertheless, he couldn’t refuse the plea in her bright eyes and just smiled, closed his eyes, and made a simple, humble wish.