Chapter 869: It’s My Fault, All My Fault...
Lu Jihan slightly furrowed his brows, "I think it’s better you don’t see her for now. I know Yinyin’s temper well; if she doesn’t come to her own realization, no amount of persuasion will work."
Tendrils of faint smoke spread out, the red tip flickering.
On the sofa, Song Yinyin was still fast asleep.
From the receiver came President Shi Mai’er’s hoarse voice: "But she..."
He hesitated, paused, and then sighed lightly, saying: "Alright, I’ll listen to you. I’m a failed father; back then, I let her mother down, then I failed her. No matter how regretful I feel now, the harm I’ve done to her is irreparable. It’s my fault, all my fault..."
President Shi Mai’er spoke haltingly, remorseful of the past, as embarrassment, guilt, and regret swept over him again, reddening his eyes with a sour ache.
"Since it’s all in the past, Your Excellency shouldn’t dwell too much on it."
Lu Jihan glanced back once more at Song Yinyin on the sofa, promising: "Here’s the plan, please patiently wait for my news. If the time is right, I’ll try to persuade her. But don’t get your hopes too high."
"Okay, I’m already very grateful that you’re willing to help me... I owe Yinyin’s mother, owe her, and owe you far too much..."
President Shi Mai’er sighed deeply.
Having spent this long with Lu Jihan, he trusted Lu Jihan’s character.
Hearing Lu Jihan agree to help persuade Song Yinyin, to be his spokesperson, made him feel much better.
...
Lu Jihan hung up the phone, his brows still furrowed, the cigarette in his hand barely smoked.
Only when the red was about to burn down to the cigarette stub did he flick the long ash from the tip, extinguishing the butt with his shoe, and then turned from the terrace back into the room.
Perhaps the sound of him opening the terrace door startled Song Yinyin, as she woke up.
She glanced back at Lu Jihan coming in from the terrace, rubbed her temples, and sat up.
"When did I fall asleep?"
"Just now. Does your head hurt?"
"Yes, a little."
She replied lightly.
Lu Jihan walked over, sat beside her, raised his hands, and mimicked the way she massaged his temples before, gently pressing hers.
"How does it feel?"
"It’s okay."
She hadn’t slept long but had a nightmare.
In the dream, she saw Shana holding a DNA paternity test report, accusingly pointing at her nose: "Song Yinyin, you are my father’s daughter; he is your biological father."
Then, it seemed her mother’s voice echoed in her ear: "No! He’s not! Yinyin, don’t listen to them. He’s not your biological father; he doesn’t deserve it!"
Then came Song Anqi’s voice: "Song Yinyin, just you? What makes you think you’re the daughter of a president? Shameless! How dare you acknowledge a president as your father? You must be daydreaming!"
Then appeared Song Huaizhong’s disdainful face: "Now do you believe me? Back then, I didn’t lie to you—your mother was indiscreet, a single mother before marriage. I was just the unlucky fool she dragged in!"
Following that, suddenly appeared President Shi Mai’er’s regretful face.
"Yinyin, it’s my fault, but listen to me, okay? Please don’t go; stay and keep me company, I am your biological father."
Her mind was tangled until she woke up, Shi Mai’er’s face continuously flashed in her memory, making her heart feel increasingly stifled.