The innocent and sweet girl turned red at first glance, shattering her abstinent and domineering per

Lu Yun never imagined that Zhou Shijing was under such immense pressure.

She frowned deeply and slowly shook her head. "That's not how it is. When your father and I suggested that you marry Songsong, it was partly out of gratitude for saving your life, but it was always based on your personal wishes first. You and Songsong used to have a very good relationship. Not only me, but I believe everyone around you could see that."

Zhou Shijing retorted sharply, "That's because Wen Song has always been the only person by my side!"

"Is this why you've been changing girlfriends so much lately?"

Lu Yun saw right through him, "Then let me ask you, Zhou Shijing, after breaking up with Songsong, you've been in contact with so many different girls, why didn't you stay with any of them for more than three days?"

Zhou Shijing couldn't answer. He recalled how he felt when he was with those women: bored and annoyed. Every time he was with any of them, he would unconsciously compare them to Wen Song, and in the end, he would conclude that they were not even as good as Wen Song.

Looking at her son's bewildered and speechless expression, Lu Yun sighed softly, "Shi Jing, do you remember when you were rebellious? The more we forcibly stopped you and ordered you not to do something, the more you insisted on doing the opposite, determined to prove that you were in charge."

"Similarly, you clearly have Wen Song in your heart, but you can't get over a knot in your heart. You think that we forcibly bound you to Wen Song and imposed the marriage contract on you as an obligation to repay a debt. Your pride does not allow you to be with her as if you are 'forced to repay a debt,' so you instinctively have a strong rebellious mentality."

"But have you ever calmed down and seriously considered that what you're resisting isn't Wen Song as a person, but this relationship that was predetermined by a debt of gratitude, leaving you with no choice?"

After Lu Yun finished speaking, Zhou Shijing remained silent for a long time. He stood there, his tall figure looking particularly dejected and helpless.

After all, he was her own son, so how could Lu Yun not feel sorry for him? She walked over and gently patted his shoulder, "Shi Jing, you and Song Song are both the children I love most. It would be best if you could get together. If you really don't like each other, we as parents won't force you."

It's not that I don't like it...

Zhou Shijing murmured, recalling Lu Zhiheng's words "It ends here" from yesterday. His heart felt like it had plunged into an abyss. He slowly raised his eyes to look at Lu Yun, his eyes churning with struggle and pain. "Mom, what you just said is all true, but the most important reason is that I simply can't get close to Songsong. As soon as I get even a little closer to her and look into her eyes, Uncle Wen's death flashes into my mind. He was stabbed so many times, his body was covered in blood, and before he closed his eyes, he kept calling out Songsong's name..."

Zhou Shijing had never told anyone about this, and if he hadn't brought it up with Lu Yun today, he would never have said it.

After Zhou Shijing finished speaking, Lu Yun was stunned and stood there in a daze.

After the incident, she considered taking Zhou Shijing for a professional psychological evaluation.

Many people who have experienced major disasters and upheavals will develop post-traumatic stress disorder to varying degrees. However, Zhou Shijing's performance at the time was too calm. Not only did he not get caught up in the fear of that event, but he also took the initiative to help Xiao Wensong adapt to the new environment and accompanied her little by little to get out of the pain of losing her father.

Looking back now, Zhou Shijing's post-traumatic stress disorder has always existed; he just disguised it so well that he successfully fooled everyone.

A wave of self-reproach instantly enveloped Lu Yun, and a dense sense of guilt spread through her heart. She reached out and hugged her son tightly. "Shi Jing, it's okay. Mom will go find a psychologist for you tomorrow. I'll definitely get you cured."

Wen Song was going home to help Wen Miaomiao pack some supplies she would need for her hospital stay, and Lu Zhiheng offered to take her home.

The two remained silent throughout the journey until a phone call broke the tranquility of the carriage.

"Zhiheng, how is Miaomiao?"

A woman's clear, melodious voice flowed from the receiver, and Wen Song immediately recognized it as Han Qingya's voice, subconsciously slowing his breathing.

"Thank you for your concern, it's nothing serious. I'm sorry I couldn't accompany you on the planned tour."

Han Qingya was particularly understanding. "The most important thing is that Miaomiao is alright. Besides, we have plenty of time tomorrow, so we can continue playing."

When Lu Zhiheng glanced at the rearview mirror on the passenger side, his gaze briefly swept over Wen Song.

"I'm sorry, I have other plans for tomorrow, so I probably won't be able to accompany you."

"I see..."

Han Qingya's tone revealed a hint of disappointment, but she quickly composed herself and said, "That's alright, I'm fine wandering around by myself."

Wen Song felt a little guilty. After the call ended, he turned to the side and apologized quietly, "I'm sorry, Uncle, I disturbed your and Miss Han's travel plans."

Lu Zhiheng tapped his long, slender fingers lightly twice on the steering wheel. "Wen Song, have you already forgotten what I just said?"

Wen Song blinked her eyelashes, remembering his words in the corridor that he would take care of Wen Miaomiao with her, and slowly lowered her eyes.

"I haven't forgotten."

Lu Zhiheng hummed in agreement. "I will take responsibility for Wen Miaomiao's matter with you from now on. This is not just empty talk."

He tilted his head, his gaze gently sweeping over the girl's trembling eyelashes. "Besides, accompanying Han Qingya on this trip was arranged by my family. My mother's real intentions are not what they seem. I was just worried about not finding a suitable reason to refuse, so you've indirectly saved me. Therefore, there's no need to feel embarrassed."

Wen Song said "Oh," not understanding why Lu Zhiheng would explain it to her so clearly, and even make it so undisguised that he had no romantic feelings for Han Qingya.

She didn't think too much about it, but she was a little curious about how strict Lu Zhiheng's requirements were for a partner, given the rumors that he was indifferent to women. So, following his lead, she asked, "Doesn't your uncle like such an outstanding woman like Miss Han?"

The light was red when Lu Zhiheng turned to look at her, a hint of a smile in his eyes. "How come you're so young, yet your thinking is as old-fashioned as your grandmother's?"

"Old-fashioned?"

Wen Song didn't understand Lu Zhiheng's meaning. "Am I wrong? I heard that Miss Han is a famous cellist who has won numerous awards since childhood. Not only does she come from a good family and look beautiful, but she also speaks and acts with elegance and grace. Isn't such a woman outstanding enough?"

Lu Zhiheng's thin lips curved into a faint smile. "I'm not denying that she's excellent, but who told you that liking someone necessarily depends on how excellent she is? If you put it that way, there are too many excellent women in the world. I probably couldn't like one person a day."

Let alone liking one every day, given Lu Zhiheng's family background, appearance, and status, if he really wanted to, dating one every day would be an easy thing.

Wen Song couldn't help but press, "Then, Uncle, in your opinion, if liking someone isn't about whether they're outstanding, then what is it about?"

The light turned green, and Lu Zhiheng released the handbrake and continued driving forward. His eyes were fixed ahead, his voice low and warm, "If I said I relied solely on intuition, you'd probably think it was too vague and unrealistic. But personally speaking..."

He paused briefly, his gaze sweeping over the girl in the passenger seat who was listening intently to him. "It's the peace of mind you feel when you're together, the subconscious desire to get closer, and the fact that no matter how many people are around, you can only see her."