At that moment, everything around them fell silent.
Hana Ye stared blankly, seemingly trying her hardest to find a second word on the letter. But no matter how she turned it over, there was nothing else, only that word, so cold it was almost absurd, reflected in her eyes.
At last, she slowly lowered her head, clutching the letter tightly in both hands without saying a word.
Although...
In truth, she had long known about her father's deep-seated disgust and indifference toward her. He did not even bother to hide it.
Perhaps a tiny shred of hope still lingered in her heart. Perhaps when he was not facing her, perhaps in a letter to someone else, there might be the slightest chance that he would show a little concern for her, even if it was only a superficial pretense, even if he only... pretended...
"Hana Ye..."
Lin En watched her, wanting to speak but holding back.
"I'm fine!"
Hana Ye forced her head up, her eyes wide, and wiped her nose with the back of her hand. She carefully folded the letter and handed it back to her older sister.
"Actually, that's just how my dad is. He's always very brief, whether he's talking or writing letters. Besides, Hana Ye wasn't missing. I just followed you that night and forgot to go home. I wasn't in any danger to begin with, so why should he worry?"
She flashed her white teeth with a (*￣︶￣) smile and planted both hands on her hips.
"All right, don't worry about any of that. Lin En, don't you still have something important to investigate? Don't go forgetting what you came here for!"
She acted as though she did not care.
Just as she always put on a strong face in front of others.
Lin