124 Father and Daughter (1/2)
After freshening up in the bathroom, Iris sat on the couch facing Long Tengfei. The others gave the father and daughter privacy by leaving the room.
Jin Liwei instructed one of his subordinates to order some food, while he rested at a nearby empty private waiting room. Dom called Tang Yiyi to inform her of what happened to Iris and her current condition, and also called home to ask for some change of clothes and toiletries for the three of them. They left in such a hurry that they weren't able to take anything other than the clothes that they were wearing, their wallets and phones. Cao Guang went somewhere to make some business calls.
Inside the room, the father and daughter studied each other, not saying anything.
Iris was very curious about this man who fathered such a spoiled, unreasonable brat as the original Iris. He was a good father when it came to providing for his children. However, his hands-off approach of parenting and lack of outward show of affection contributed a great deal to his estranged relationship to his daughter, especially since the original Iris was someone who craved constant attention. Because she couldn't get the attention she desired from her family, she turned to the public to give it her, even if it was the wrong kind of attention.
At the moment, she didn't have any special feelings for this man. He was basically a stranger to her. But since she was now Iris, Long Tengfei was now her father in this life. It wouldn't hurt to repair the relationship between the father and daughter.
”Hello, father. How have you been?”
”I'm alri―” He cleared his throat, embarrassed that his word got stuck. He tried again. ”I'm alright. Thank you, Xiulan...my daughter. How have you been…I mean, how are you feeling now? Do you still feel unwell?”
”I'm feeling much better, thank you.”
Silence.
Long Tengfei didn't know what to talk about with his daughter. He was feeling awkward. He opened his mouth but closed it again, unsure of what to say to her.
On the other hand, Iris didn't feel awkward at all. She was busy observing this man who was now her father.
”Congratulations on your album 'Rebirth'.”
”Thank you.”
Silence.
Long Tengfei cleared his throat. ”I bought a copy, I mean some copies of your album.”
”Thank you. Would you like me to sign them for you?”
His eyes lit up. ”Of course! Yes, yes. That would be great.”
”Alright. Just have them delivered to my place and I'll sign them.”
”How about you visit home, maybe join us for dinner? Then you can sign the albums then? But only if you want to, of course, and if you have the time.” Immediately, he felt unsure of his invitation. Was it a good idea? What if she rejected him like before?
”Sure. When's a good time?”
”It's fine if you don't want to. You don't need to force―ah? What? You want to come?”
She tilted her head to the side, looking at him, confused. ”Didn't you want me to come?”