"Why Are You Here?"

Xu Jingchen felt his heart stagnate when he heard the words Lin Jingli was saying.

Lin Meixing had been forced to leave the country by his mother. Not only this, she had to provide for herself in a foreign country, and also look after her son all on her own.

When Xu Jingchen looked at Lin Jingli, he saw a mature and steady young child, but his heart did not feel any pride. Instead, it was full of pain as he realized that this maturity was forced upon the child, as he and his mother were facing the world on their own.

While he had lived a good life, without lacking anything, his woman and son were struggling to survive. The guilt in his heart was overwhelming, and he felt physically unwell.

Lin Jingli could see his actions, and he smirked. So now his cheap father was feeling guilty for not looking after them? Well, it was too late! The agony his mother had faced over the years was not something that could be erased just because he felt guilty.

"You have no intention of admitting to me being your father?" Xu Jingchen could not help but look at the child's features, and the disdain that was evident in the eyes.

"No." Lin Jingli's answer was curt and straightforward. He did not need a father, as long as he had his mother.

"I can give you and your mother a much better life," Xu Jingchen continued to try and tempt him, but Lin Jingli just sneered when he heard the words.

"Materialistic wealth is not the most important thing in this world," he said. The words spoken did not suit such a small child, and Xu Jingchen almost choked in shock when he saw the anger in the child's eyes.

"As far back as I can remember, it was always just mother and me," Lin Jingli realized that if he did not make this man feel so bad that he would not have the courage to face his mother and himself again, there was no way to get rid of him.

"My mother was studying, but she had no money, so she sustained our lives with part-time work. Sometimes, she could not even afford food for the both of us, and she would ensure that I was well fed before she would eat a bit of plain congee just to keep the hunger at bay.

"Meat was a rarity, but every meal was full of love. Even if she herself were hungry and starving, she would always ensure that I would get enough food to fill my stomach, and she would cook it with love and attention."

Xu Jingchen's heart almost broke in heartache when he heard how the two of them had lived their lives. How could they possibly be living lives like that when he lived well?

"But Mother has persevered. She is now a renowned designer, and she will be able to provide for me on her own. She does not need you or anyone else to help her. This is her pride!"

Lin Jingli, who had seemed like a little adult, glanced at the stone faced Xu Jingchen before he jumped from the seat and left the room.

He did not turn around; neither did he say goodbye. All he did was leave the room and his father inside before he went to the playground, where he found the little girl whom he had played with before.

With a patience he did not have towards his father, Lin Jingli began building yet another sandcastle for her, and the two of them, one stoic and one cute, began playing together once more.

Xu Jingchen did not instantly leave the room. His thoughts were turbulent and chaotic. He was feeling guilt and sadness; he finally understood the look in Lin Meixing's eyes that were filled with agony and grief when she first saw him back in the company.

He understood her despair and feeling of abandonment, but he was unsure how to tell her that he had forgotten about her. He feared that such words would make her feel even worse than she did already, but he also wanted to explain himself.

But would she see him? Just as Xu Jingchen was deep in thought, the door of the room opened, and a woman strode inside.

Her eyes were flashing with a mixture of emotions, but she was stubbornly holding her head high.

"What are you doing here?" She asked; her voice was low, and while she was doing everything in her ability to keep it steady, a tremble could still be heard.

Xu Jingchen saw the woman and felt uncomfortable whenever the words of Lin Jingli continued to swirl in his mind.

The sacrifices this woman had made were scaring him, and knowing that the cause of her difficulties was him, he felt panicked.

He, a man who was known as the Demon King of the Business World, was suddenly panicked. This was a feeling he had never experienced before, and it made him fearful. This woman had too much control over his mind and body, but he did not blame her.

"I am here to see my son," Xu Jingchen took a deep breath and calmed his nerves. He had no reason to lie to Lin Meixing, and he raised his head to look her in the eyes as he spoke.

Seeing that his words caused Lin Meixing's face to turn pale and fearful, he knew what she was scared about. No one would want their bloodline to be roaming around outside, so he too should want to bring the son back with him, but Lin Meixing did not trust the Xu family. She was also painfully aware that Xu Jingchen's mother would mistreat him given the chance. She was never going to let her son suffer.