My Youth Began With Him

He quickly said into the phone, “Call me if you hear anything”, before hanging up in a rush. He turned around and flashed a guilty smile. “Pudding, why are you here?”

“Oh, I wanted to hang out with you.”

“Sure, come sit.” Gao Ran waved his hand. Their balcony was quite big; Huo Mian had helped Zhu Lingling with the design. It was set up like a giant garden, with wicker chairs on either side and a round coffee table in the middle. Zhu Lingling had placed shelves on either side of the balcony and filled them up with different trees and plants. Anyone who stepped onto the balcony would feel like they were in close contact with nature.

Gao Ran sat down on a chair off to the left, while Pudding sat down across from him.

“Do you want fruit? I’ll get some for you.”

“Uncle Gao, I’m super full from dinner.”

“Okay then.”

“Uncle Gao, are things busy at the bureau?”

“Same old, same old, we get a hundred cases a day, and things are a mess. My job reminds me of why it’s better to start my own business, like your Daddy.” Gao Ran smiled as he complained about work to Pudding.

Pudding tilted her head and leaned back on her chair. “Daddy’s work is really stressful too. He’s so quiet and rarely talks about things that bother him.”

“You’re very much like your daddy, aren’t you?” Gao Ran smiled.

“That’s what everyone says, but he’s so much more than I am. He can do anything for Mommy, but I can’t… I don’t know how to give to my family.”

“You’re still young. You’ll understand more once you grow up.” Gao Ran didn’t want to go into too much detail because Pudding was a kid after all. He couldn’t help but wonder why their conversation was so depressing.

“Uncle Gao, what kind of person do you think I am?”

“You?”

“Yes, can you rate me objectively.”

“Haha, that’s not a good idea.”

“It’s okay, my heart isn’t made of glass,” Pudding said in all seriousness.

Gao Ran, stumped, thought about it for a few seconds. Then, he said slowly. “You’re smart, proud, and icy like your dad. You’re also like your mom in that you’re generous but unfazed. You really are a genius baby.”

“So, Uncle Gao, will you say that I can be trusted?”

“Of course, you’re extremely loyal and kind-hearted.” Gao Ran thought back to the time Boyuan and Zhu Lingling were trapped at the hotel. They were able to narrowly escape danger because Pudding told Boyuan to set off the fire alarm. Her suggestion not only saved Zhu Lingling’s life, it also showed how smart Pudding was – some adults would freak out under a situation like that.

“Thank you for thinking so highly of me. Then, can you tell me where my daddy and mommy went?” Pudding finally got to her point.

Upon hearing this, Gao Ran sat up anxiously. “Pudding, listen to me…”

“Uncle Gao, don’t try to brush me off, I won’t fall for it. Just tell me the truth, or else I’ll think the worst and get all worried. As their daughter, I have the right to know what kind of situation they’re in.” Pudding’s calmness reminded Gao Ran of Huo Mian. She looked like a lawyer, arguing in court.

Gao Ran couldn’t help but avoid Pudding’s sharp gaze; he originally thought he could think of a random excuse, but that plan just went straight down the drain.