Drizzling Rain

Wen Ya was taken aback, clearly not expecting this turn of events.

After recovering, she quickly nudged her husband with her elbow and complained,

"I told you it was supposed to be a surprise—why did you go and spill it?"

Cheng Tianwei was naturally not the type to be so careless. He’d brought it up solely to gauge Cheng Jun’s reaction.

After all, whether their precious daughter’s warmth was meant for them or someone else was still up in the air.

Cheng Jun, meanwhile, felt a pang of awkwardness. She poked at her bowl with her chopsticks, forcing a smile as she said,

"Oh... yeah, that’s right."

"I’ll cook a few dishes for you and Mom in a couple of days—let you taste what I’ve learned."

She quickly steadied herself. Though her original intention hadn’t been this, making a few meals for her parents was no trouble at all.

At the same time, she breathed an inward sigh of relief. Aunt Li hadn’t betrayed her by mentioning she hadn’t been home for days—otherwise, things might’ve blown up.

She added,

"Don’t blame me if it doesn’t turn out great, though. I haven’t been practicing for long."

Before Cheng Tianwei could respond, Wen Ya eagerly encouraged her,

"Of course we won’t! Our daughter is so talented—cooking will be a breeze for her."

Though Cheng Jun’s reaction seemed normal, Cheng Tianwei’s instincts were sharp. He couldn’t shake the feeling she was hiding something.

After a moment’s thought, he decided not to press further, sparing her the discomfort.

After dinner, the rain outside kept them from their usual garden stroll. Cheng Jun settled on the covered patio, lost in thought.

Raindrops tapped against the transparent awning, sliding down the grooves as a cool, damp breeze swept in, dispelling the lingering summer heat.

At some point, Cheng Tianwei joined her. Gazing at the distant city lights, he asked lightly,

"Did something happen recently? You don’t seem like yourself."

Cheng Jun blinked, confused.

"Do I? I’m fine."

Cheng Tianwei chuckled softly, his back still turned to her.

"You’re my daughter. If I couldn’t tell, I’d be a failure."

"Think about it—how do you usually act?"

Curled up in the lounge chair, Cheng Jun fell silent.

‘Yeah… what was I like before?’

She knew the answer, but to her, it felt like a lifetime ago. To her parents, it might’ve only been a week or two.

After everything she’d been through, she wasn’t the same Cheng Jun anymore.

Cheng Tianwei studied her quiet figure before dropping a bombshell.

"You got your heart broken, didn’t you?"

Cheng Jun, who’d been motionless, suddenly looked up at him, startled.

She said nothing, yet her expression spoke volumes. Cheng Tianwei smacked his forehead in exasperation.

Taking a deep breath, he continued,

"Wondering how I guessed?"

"It’s simple. My daughter suddenly asks me about a man—what else could it be?"

Cheng Jun hugged her knees, resting her chin on them as she muttered stubbornly,

"It’s not about him..."

Cheng Tianwei, a seasoned businessman, was adept at reading people. He didn’t believe a word of it.

"Then I’m stumped. Nothing else could’ve thrown you off like this."

"No TV, no games, no novels—not even staying up late. When Aunt Li told me, I almost thought you’d been replaced!"

When a girl dressed up for someone, the change was obvious to anyone with eyes.

Cornered, Cheng Jun clenched her teeth.

"I didn’t—"

"Didn’t what? Don’t tell me you lost to Nan Zhi and are too embarrassed to admit it?"

Thud. The words struck like a knife, catching Cheng Jun off guard.

Her head snapped up as she blurted out,

"Who says I lost to her?!"

"Ah…"

The harsh tactic worked, but Cheng Tianwei’s expression darkened instead of brightening.

A vein throbbed at his temple. He’d had a bad feeling since the day he’d picked up that file—and now his fears were confirmed.

Through gritted teeth, he asked,

"What’s so special about this Shen Yi kid? How’s he got you and Nan Zhi both hung up on him?"

This was the one thing he couldn’t wrap his head around. Neither his daughter nor Nan Zhi was lacking—by his measure, few in the world were out of their league. How could they both pine after the same dead-end guy?

"Even Uncle Yuanyu called to ask about it. What was I supposed to say? That he’s just some average guy?"

Cheng Jun straightened up slightly, shaking her head.

"He’s… you wouldn’t understand."

It wasn’t something easily explained. Even if she tried, most people would think she was talking nonsense.

Cheng Tianwei pointed at her, struggling to hold back harsher words before finally sighing in resignation.

Midway through, Wen Ya brought tea for the two of them.

"Here, you must be thirsty. Jun, have some."

Cheng Tianwei gently waved her off, whispering something in her ear. Wen Ya nodded and quietly withdrew.

Seeing his daughter’s slumped, dejected figure, his heart softened again.

"Fine. Let’s say he’s great. But the fact is, Nan Zhi won, and you lost."

"That girl might seem quiet, but she’s fiercer than you when she’s riled up. She stormed over to their place recently and nearly gave Aunt Ji a heart attack."

"The facts are right in front of you. What are you planning to do?"

Cheng Jun had left precisely because her mind was in turmoil. Now, she could only shake her head.

"I don’t know..."

Cheng Tianwei took several deep breaths. Heart aching for his daughter, he could only guide her toward confronting her own feelings.

"I don’t get you kids’ dating rules, but some truths are universal."

He stepped to the edge of the patio, pushing open the sealed window. A misty spray of rain immediately drifted inside.

Ignoring his dampening clothes, he pointed outward.

"See that rain out there?"

Cheng Jun nodded blankly, unsure where this was going.

"Some people run from it. Some people enjoy it. Which one are you?"

Cheng Jun loved the rain—loved this very atmosphere. So she answered,

"I’m probably the type who likes it."

"Then come stand here. This rain’s falling just for you."

Cheng Jun rose, the fine drizzle cool against her skin, making her shoulders tense slightly.

"How could it be just for me?"

Cheng Tianwei smiled faintly, ruffling her hair.

"If you choose to stand in it, then it’s yours. If you hide from it, it’ll never be meant for you."

Then he plucked at his damp shirt hem.

"This is the price of enjoying the rain."

The chill seeped into her bones. Cheng Jun’s lips parted slightly, lost in thought.

Like silver needles, the falling rain pierced deep into the heart.