Hu Xiaobei's further words went unheard by You Rong. He only knew that Lin Qingqian had been picked up by Zhang Shanghua.
Ever since he had accidentally overheard Lin Qinghe's conversation with Zhang Shanghua outside the restroom last time, he knew their relationship was not simple. It wasn't surprising, yet when he heard Hu Xiaobei say it aloud, he still paused.
Besides shock, he couldn't discern what other emotions were mixed in.
You Rong felt an inexplicable sense of vexation. He said in a low voice, "Let's go. Filming is about to start, we should head over."
Hu Xiaobei blinked. You Rong didn't wait for his reply and strode out of the makeup room. After regaining his senses, Hu Xiaobei quickly grabbed his backpack and followed.
How strange... why did he feel like Ge suddenly wasn't in a good mood?
Meanwhile.
Both Lin Qinghe and Zhang Shanghua were in the entertainment industry. Coupled with the fact that their father-daughter relationship had not been publicly disclosed, it was even more inappropriate for them to be seen together ostentatiously. If they were photographed by entertainment reporters, it would be impossible to clear their names, no matter what.
So, Zhang Shanghua bought a pile of ingredients, picked Lin Qinghe up, sat her down on the sofa with a smile, and said, "Come, my little darling, you sit and wait. Watch TV, have some snacks. Dad will cook! Dad bought hairy crabs and all sorts of seafood. I'm going to make you a feast today!"
"Okay, thank you, Dad."
Lin Qinghe watched Zhang Shanghua happily enter the kitchen to cook. She wasn't the original host, but she was still somewhat moved.
Today was clearly Zhang Shanghua's birthday, yet it felt as if it were hers.
Lin Qinghe felt guilty. On the way, Zhang Shanghua had repeatedly emphasized that she didn't need to give him a gift; her presence was the best birthday present for him. But she still took out her phone and bought a down jacket from a major brand online, sending it to Zhang Shanghua as a birthday gift with expedited shipping.
By the time Zhang Shanghua had prepared a table full of delicious food, it was already afternoon. The down jacket Lin Qinghe had bought online had also arrived.
Zhang Shanghua held the down jacket, which fit him perfectly, and was moved beyond words. He was almost moved to tears, hugging Lin Qinghe and saying, "As expected, you're Dad's precious daughter... You're too good to Dad. Dad likes it very much! So sensible, so good..."
His moved expression made Lin Qinghe uncomfortable. She wasn't accustomed to such sentimental scenes and quickly changed the subject. "Dad, as long as you like the gift, that's good. Um... let's eat quickly, or this whole table of food will get cold!"
"Yes, yes, yes..." Zhang Shanghua quickly said, "Let's eat! Look, Dad was so busy talking to you that I forgot you haven't eaten and must be hungry now. Let's eat first!"
The two came to the dining table and sat down. Zhang Shanghua picked up a hairy crab, broke it open, and put it in Lin Qinghe's bowl. "Here... Dad bought this specially at the market early this morning. It's very fresh! Try it quickly."
Lin Qinghe nodded. "Okay, thank you, Dad."
Zhang Shanghua continuously served Lin Qinghe dishes. He himself didn't eat much, but seeing Lin Qinghe enjoy the food he cooked made him content. He wished he could cook for Lin Qinghe every day to compensate for the fatherly love he had owed her for so many years.
Midway through the meal, Lin Qinghe felt something was wrong.
Why was her skin starting to itch?
Lin Qinghe scratched her neck and suddenly thought of something. She immediately lifted her sleeve to look and saw a large patch of red spots on her arm.
Zhang Shanghua's face changed drastically, and he anxiously asked, "What's wrong? What happened? Are you feeling unwell? Or... did you eat something wrong and get food poisoning? Don't be afraid! Dad will take you to the hospital right away!"
Lin Qinghe quickly pulled Zhang Shanghua, who was reaching for the car keys, and said helplessly, "Dad, I'm fine. I'm just a little allergic to seafood. Do you have any common allergy medication at home? I'll be fine after taking one pill!"
"Yes! Yes! I'll go upstairs and get it for you!"
Zhang Shanghua rushed upstairs to get the medicine and then busied himself with pouring water for Lin Qinghe to take it.
After Lin Qinghe took the allergy medication, Zhang Shanghua looked full of guilt. "Qinghe, it's all my fault for not being by your side all these years. I didn't even know you were allergic to seafood..."
Lin Qinghe comforted him, "Dad, my seafood allergy isn't severe. Besides... it's nothing. Look, I didn't even remember this myself."
Lin Qinghe didn't have seafood allergies in the real world. She momentarily forgot that she was in a system world and not in her own body.
After Lin Qinghe comforted him for a while, Zhang Shanghua finally felt at ease. He secretly resolved in his heart that he must understand Lin Qinghe better in the future and make up for the fatherly love he had owed her over the years.
Half an hour after Lin Qinghe took the allergy medication, it took effect, and her skin stopped itching. However, the red spots would take a few days to disappear.
Lin Qinghe secretly felt fortunate about this. Fortunately, her face was fine. Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to film tomorrow, and she wouldn't even be able to see You Rong. How could she possibly speed up the progress bar then?
Lin Qinghe spent the entire day with Zhang Shanghua. As evening approached, she thought that You Rong's filming would be almost done for the day and he would be returning to the hotel. So, she asked Zhang Shanghua to take her back.
As for the hairy crabs she couldn't eat, she asked Zhang Shanghua to pack them, saying she would take them back for her assistant to eat. In reality, she intended to pack them for You Rong.
Lin Qinghe returned to the hotel and changed into a set of clothes. She left some of the packed food for Yuan Xiaoai and then took the rest to find You Rong.
As she arrived at You Rong's door, she happened to see him returning from the set.
Lin Qinghe's eyes lit up, and she greeted him with a smile, "You Rong, you're back. You haven't had dinner yet, have you? My assistant's family sent over some food, lots of seafood. I specifically brought some for you and Little Hu for dinner."
You Rong looked down at Lin Qinghe's neck. Even though she was wearing a high-necked sweater, he could still see some red spots on her neck. He was an adult and naturally knew that these couldn't have been caused by mosquito bites.
Thinking that Zhang Shanghua was the one who caused these marks, his heart felt like it was stuffed with something, making it so stuffy he could barely breathe.
Seeing You Rong not speak, Lin Qinghe asked in confusion, "You Rong? You Rong... what's wrong? Why aren't you speaking? Did something happen on set today?"
You Rong slightly raised his eyes and said coldly, "No! I've already eaten. I've been filming all day, I'm very tired, and I'm going into the room to rest."
After speaking, You Rong took his room card and opened the door. Seeing this, Lin Qinghe quickly said, "Do you want..."
With a "bang," before she could finish, the door shut heavily. Lin Qinghe stood outside the door, looking bewildered.
Weren't they talking and laughing yesterday? She didn't provoke him at the end, did she? Why was he acting so strangely now?
Lin Qinghe tried calling You Rong a few times, but You Rong showed no sign of opening the door. Helplessly, she had to carry the large bag of seafood and return with a dejected expression.