This air garden was not yet fully built. There were still some empty spaces without any transplanted plants, and the ponds and rockeries were all empty without water. So the whole garden still looked a little desolate.
After the Big Boss informed the staff here that he was bringing his family for a vacation, people were immediately dispatched to clean up the whole resort area, including this small garden. Even the little benches inside were scrubbed clean.
Ye Jinmeng sat on a small swing by the pond, holding an ice cream cone while rocking back and forth and eating happily.
Shi Shuning also sat on another swing next to her, tilting his head with a smile in his eyes as he watched the little foodie eat with gusto. His eyes were full of tenderness.
"Old Brother Shuning, what if I became a bad person someday?" Ye Jinmeng suddenly asked.
Ye Jinmeng suddenly thought of what Xu Wanwan said about her other self being very mean in that other world, and the dream where she had even killed her parents and older brother. She really could not imagine that.
"Why do you ask that?" Shi Shuning was puzzled.
"Uh, just curious."
Shi Shuning smiled. "Actually there are no clear boundaries between good and evil in this world. There is no absolute good, nor absolute evil."
"For example, a poor man comes across an abandoned infant, who also happens to have a rare disease. Feeling compassion, the man adopts the child and spends everything he has to treat the child's illness and support his education, doing his best to make the child's life less miserable. Can you say he is a good person?
However, his money was all stolen or robbed. Sometimes, in order to get money, he would hurt others. Can you say he is a bad person?"
"So, is he good or evil?"
"This..." Ye Jinmeng did not know how to answer.
Shi Shuning went on, "No matter how kind a person is, there will always be some evil thoughts lurking in his heart, even if just for a fleeting moment, it just doesn't show.
Likewise, no matter how evil someone is, there is always some good that exists in his heart."
Ye Jinmeng: "So what does this have to do with me asking you 'What if I become a bad person'?"
Shi Shuning: ...
"Rest assured, you're too silly and naive to turn bad. And I'll be watching over you. If you show any signs of turning bad, I'll spank you so hard you wouldn't dare think of it!" Shi Shuning viciously pinched Ye Jinmeng's little face.
"Mm..." Ye Jinmeng let out a muffled grunt as her face was pinched, glaring at Shi Shuning with one eye. Her whole little face gradually turned red.
Ahhh, what to do? Old Brother Shuning is becoming more and more manly!! Oww oww!!
Ye Jinmeng quickly changed the topic.
"Old Brother Shuning, what do you think Xu Wanwan and Old Brother Ting are talking about?"
Shi Shuning crossed his arms and pondered for a moment.
"I think they probably aren't saying anything to each other, just staring at each other blankly."
After all, with Ting's unsmiling personality, it would be good enough if he didn't scare Xu Wanwan into tears, let alone carry a conversation.
"I don't think so. Hehe!" Ye Jinmeng had a gossipy look on her face.
"Don't you think Xu Wanwan and Old Brother Ting are a perfect match?"
Shi Shuning: ?
He was at a loss, unable to imagine it.
Seeing Shi Shuning's "what kind of international joke are you cracking" expression, Ye Jinmeng couldn't help but roll her eyes at him. "Just watch. With me as matchmaker, those two will definitely come together."
Shi Shuning had always thought the little girl wanted to be alone with him, but now he felt like she was trying to create opportunities for others!
Thinking this, he blurted out, "So you're with me now just to give them a chance to be alone together?"
If she dared to say yes, he would really lose it!
"Yes...no, not really." Feeling a bit of pressure, Ye Jinmeng quickly changed her words awkwardly.
Of course Shi Shuning knew the little girl was lying. He stood up, came to stand in front of Ye Jinmeng, reached out and grabbed her by the waist, lifting her up entirely. He turned her around and sat her down on a platform nearby.
Ye Jinmeng cried out in surprise at Shi Shuning's actions. She stared wide-eyed at the man in front of her. "Ah, Old Brother Shuning, what are you doing?"
Shi Shuning placed his hands on either side of Ye Jinmeng, trapping her in his arms. His eyes bored straight into hers.
Sitting at this height, Ye Jinmeng was at eye level with Shi Shuning. She felt a little apprehensive being stared at like that. Swallowing, she gingerly called out, "Old... Old Brother Shuning, what's wrong?"
"I'm angry!"
"I thought you wanted to be alone with me, that's why you came out with me. I didn't expect you were just trying to create opportunities for others!"
"I... Old Brother Shuning, I'm sorry, I really wasn't thinking that much just now..." Ye Jinmeng said weakly.
"Don't say sorry. I just want to know, what do you think of me now?" Shi Shuning's eyes dimmed a little as he spoke.
"You're already playing matchmaker for others, so why can't you look at me?"
Shi Shuning felt a little aggrieved.
Ye Jinmeng panicked at once. "No no, Old Brother Shuning, actually..."
Ye Jinmeng thought for a bit, and decided to lay bare her feelings.
"Actually, that day on the sports field, I thought you were going to confess to me again. I was even prepared to try dating you. But then you said to give me time, to let me slowly accept you.
So I thought, since you put it that way, I should just do as you said. That's why I didn't say anything more."
As Ye Jinmeng spoke, she kept her head lowered, and didn't see the growing brightness in Shi Shuning's eyes. She only heard Shi Shuning's somewhat incredulous yet excited voice.
"Jinmeng, is that...is that true?"
When Ye Jinmeng raised her head and saw the delighted look on Shi Shuning's face, her own face grew redder, and she nodded.
"Then, are you still willing to try dating me now?"
Ye Jinmeng's little face grew even redder. Under Shi Shuning's expectant gaze, she nodded again.
Shi Shuning immediately lifted Ye Jinmeng up in his arms and started spinning around, shouting excitedly, "Ah, Ye Jinmeng is finally my girlfriend today! Hahaha!"
Ye Jinmeng clung tightly to Shi Shuning's neck in fear, but felt the man's sheer happiness, and started laughing too.
"Okay okay, Old Brother Shuning, stop. I'm getting dizzy."
Shi Shuning stopped spinning but still held Ye Jinmeng tightly. Ye Jinmeng's feet dangled in the air. In order not to fall, her legs unconsciously wrapped around Shi Shuning's waist. The two gazed at each other.
Just as Ye Jinmeng was about to say something, they heard a cough.
"Ahem!"
The two immediately looked in the direction of the sound, eyes widening in unison as they called out:
"Dad, Mom!"
"Uncle, Aunt!"
