"Hi?" Qi Jianyi flashed an awkward smile. She had no idea how to interact while everyone stared at her with curious, probing eyes.
On the other side of the table, the moment Mrs. Qi heard her awkward greeting, her eyes reddened instantly. Beside her, Mr. Qi lowered his gaze, quietly hiding the sorrow in his heart.
All morning, the couple had been in denial, trying to convince themselves that everything was fine. Even though they could've walked straight to Qi Jianyi's room to confirm the truth, they didn't.
They clung to a fragile hope that maybe their daughter hadn't left—that perhaps she was still here, and nothing had changed.
But now, seeing Qi Jianyi standing at the dining room entrance with that nervous, polite expression, they knew. This wasn't their daughter. The difference was unmistakable.
