My Dad Fell in Love… With Someone My Age - Chapter 5

Tao Xin had never been one to tolerate the slightest grievance. So last night, she made things very clear with Zhou Tingzhi: she had no intention of yielding to Zhou Nian out of respect for age or familial hierarchy.

If Zhou Nian dared to bully her, she would retaliate on the spot—no mercy.

When she said this, Tao Xin was full of righteous indignation, exuding the kind of energy that suggested she was more than ready to go toe-to-toe with Zhou Nian.

But Zhou Tingzhi wasn’t the least bit worried about the two getting into a fight—or even an argument. He said the worst that could happen was Zhou Nian storming out and crashing at a friend’s place three kilometers away.

Now, watching Zhou Nian flee after barely exchanging two sentences with her, Tao Xin couldn’t help but laugh. She had to admit—Zhou Tingzhi did know his son well.

Once the curious sales team had been ushered out, Tao Xin nestled into the massage chair and reported the “battle outcome” to Zhou Tingzhi:

[Just as you predicted—your son barely lasted a round before fleeing in panic.]

Zhou Tingzhi replied quickly:

[He’s just having a hard time adjusting. Don’t take it personally.]

So polite. Tao Xin pouted instinctively. Her nails tapped quickly on the screen:

[I’m craving seafood tonight.]

Zhou Tingzhi answered:

[Sure, I’ll book a table and pick you up around six.]

A bit dull. A bit boring.

Tao Xin shut off the massage chair and stretched lazily. As she watched sparrows dart around the courtyard, she suddenly recalled the first time she’d met Zhou Tingzhi.

That summer, the lotus flowers in the park near the university were in full bloom, covering the lake in a stunning sea of color. It created such a sensation that it made the local news and even sparked the first-ever

Lotus Festival. Students from surrounding schools flocked to the park for photos.

Tao Xin didn’t care for crowds, but as a hobbyist photographer with a decent camera, she was dragged along by her classmates.

By then, it was almost dusk. The golden sunset spilled like orange juice over the lake, casting a glow over the swaying lotus blossoms and shimmering water. A group of girls had found a quieter spot to snap a final photo before the light faded. Tao Xin was giving them posing directions when she suddenly heard someone shouting for help. She turned to see two children struggling in the water.

Without hesitation, she shoved her camera into a classmate’s arms and was about to rush over when two others jumped in first. An older man managed to grab the nearby girl and, with the help of some tourists, lift her ashore. The boy, however, was still thrashing in a tangle of lotus leaves. The second man fought hard to pull him out, finally passing him to the older man before slowly sinking himself.

Tao Xin was the one who saved him.

It was sweltering that day, and everyone wore light clothing. Tao Xin had even chosen a white dress for better photos. Soaked through, the dress clung to her body. When Zhou Tingzhi regained consciousness and saw her, his pale face flushed crimson. He immediately pulled off his only black T-shirt and handed it to her.

Nineteen-year-old Zhou Tingzhi, dressed only in jeans, was slim, fair-skinned, with broad shoulders and long legs. Soaking wet and kneeling before her, he was both embarrassed and incredibly handsome.

At that moment, Tao Xin’s mind was consumed with one thought: A life-saving grace—requires a life in return.

The memory made Tao Xin sigh.

Aunt Qin, the housekeeper, noticed and thought she was fretting about Zhou Nian. Unable to hold back, she approached with a warm smile:

“Miss Tao, have some fruit. I bought it fresh this morning.”

Aunt Qin was the kind of housekeeper who could manage an entire household by herself—rare and highly sought after. Tao Xin knew this well and always treated her with kindness, taking the fruit and thanking her repeatedly.

Aunt Qin seized the moment.

“Miss Tao, you’re so kind-natured—no wonder Mr. Zhou likes you. I’ve been helping out here nearly ten years, and you’re the only woman he’s ever brought home.”

“Really?” Tao Xin grinned. “You’re also the first person in my life who’s ever complimented my personality.”

Aunt Qin, clearly prepared, stumbled for just a second before continuing as if on script.

“Mr. Zhou may be successful in business, but he’s a decent man. The household is simple—it’s just him and his late wife’s child. The boy’s normally very well-behaved. If you could give a little ground, the family would be so harmonious. Others would envy that kind of peace.”

“But what if he keeps targeting me?” Tao Xin lowered her eyes, feigning pity. “My mom always said women shouldn’t tolerate stress—it can lead to br3ast cancer. And he still has a dad. My parents are long gone…”

________________________________________

Zhou Tingzhi arrived home later than expected. He didn’t come inside but sent a WeChat message, and Tao Xin strolled out from the courtyard.

“Didn’t you say six? It’s almost six-thirty.”

“Sorry, something came up at work. And traffic on the way back.”

Tao Xin closed the car door and looked at him. Like most successful businessmen, Zhou Tingzhi wore formal attire, but the suit and shirt on him evoked a cold, commanding presence—like a CEO straight out of a manga. Not stiff at all. Just cool.

Though she regretted not spending more time with the younger version of Zhou Tingzhi, the present-day one wasn’t bad either. The more she looked, the more attractive she found him. Even her feelings toward his son softened slightly.

She suggested, “Should we invite your son to dinner?”

“Are you planning an ambush?”

“What kind of question is that? I’m being considerate, okay? Your son ran away—shouldn’t you, as his father, show some effort?”

“I already did.”

He handed her his phone. It showed his chat history with Zhou Nian.

Zhou Tingzhi: Not planning to come home?

Zhou Nian: I will never live under the same roof as that woman!

Zhou Tingzhi: Didn’t you always want to ski in Switzerland? She has a JSBA Level 1 certificate. I can take you both at the end of the year.

Zhou Nian: You two go! I’m not coming!

Zhou Tingzhi: No matter what, you’re still my only family in this world—the most important person. If you really can’t accept her, I’ll break up with her.

Zhou Nian: I didn’t say you had to break up with her…

Reading that, Tao Xin laughed.

“So what is this—soft diplomacy? A tactical retreat? Or are you seriously planning to break up with me and just happened to say the right thing?”

Zhou Tingzhi laughed too. “Why are you always like this?”

Tao Xin huffed, not denying it. She loved catching him off guard—watching his awkwardness, his flushed face, the beads of sweat on his forehead—it made him endearingly human.

But times had changed. At thirty-eight, Zhou Tingzhi was no longer as easy to tease.

Still, Tao Xin wasn’t about to let it go. She deliberately hugged his phone to her chest and teased,

“Today Aunt Qin told me I’m the only woman you’ve ever brought home. So, is it that you don’t have female friends, or you just don’t bring them home?”

Zhou Tingzhi remained calm. “You’re free to check my phone.”

He even pulled out a backup phone from the glove compartment and handed it to her.

“Ugh! You think being so transparent will stop me? You’ll learn the meaning of ‘hoist with your own petard.’”

Tao Xin swiped up to unlock the phone.

Zhou Tingzhi’s apps were minimal, mostly for communication. His WeChat contact list was extensive—names followed by professional titles like Wang Youcai (Chairman, XX Group), Gao Zhendong (Director, XX

Office), Lin Xiaohua (Vice Principal, XX School).

Scrolling to the bottom under the # section, a few specially marked contacts appeared.

One stood out: Dad—with a red heart.

Tao Xin hesitated, then tapped it open.

“Xiao Zhou, the TCM doctor you recommended was great. After a few doses, your auntie’s sleep improved. She even dreams of Xin Xin now, but they’re not nightmares. We’re both grateful.”

“Xiao Zhou, thank you for the snow crab. It was delicious.”

“Xiao Zhou, Happy New Year to you too. Auntie’s health is good, don’t worry.”

“Xiao Zhou, any updates?”

“Xiao Zhou, tell me honestly—will I ever see Xin Xin again?”

“Xiao Zhou, come by when you have time. I have something to tell you in person.”

There weren’t many voice messages, but just a few minutes of playback was enough to bring Tao Xin to tears. Her familiar voice cut off abruptly. When she returned to herself, her face was wet.

Zhou Tingzhi pulled over and was silent for a while before saying,

“Last night, you asked why I wasn’t surprised to see you after eighteen years. The truth is—I’ve been waiting for this day for a long time.”

Tears rolled down her face silently. She stared at him, stunned.

“The day of the accident, I was holding your hand,” Zhou Tingzhi said quietly, eyes briefly meeting hers. “And then—you vanished.”

To Zhou Tingzhi, that day was etched in memory. But for Tao Xin, it had only just happened.

She now recalled the moment clearly—he’d gripped her hand tightly, nearly crushing her wrist.

Then, in a blink, she had appeared at the foot of a quiet mountain—eighteen years later.

“And you…” Tao Xin looked at him, mind blank, unable to articulate what she wanted to ask—even forgetting her sorrow.

Zhou Tingzhi simply continued,

“I remember it clearly—it wasn’t a hallucination. But the doctors said it was PTSD, that I was repressing the trauma, so I imagined things. But your uncle and aunt believed me.”

“At first, they thought you’d crossed into another world. They prayed, hoping you were living well. Later, we heard rumors about the Time Rift Management Bureau. They finally had hope—thinking news of you would come any day.”

“They exercised every day, took care of their health, just so they could greet you when you returned.”

“Your uncle passed unexpectedly, but he left detailed instructions—about your trust fund, real estate, jewelry, and antiques. His lawyer and I both have copies of the accounts. I’ve confirmed with Director Chen: once you pass the bureau’s evaluation and regain full legal capacity, everything they left behind will be yours.”

“So, Tao Xin—my only advantage in front of you… doesn’t exist at all.”

Zhou Tingzhi finally looked into her eyes.

“The one who should be uneasy… is me.”