the two-faced Adopted Girl Who Melted CEO's Ice-Cold Heart-Chapter 1018: A Man’s First Time Being Hugged
Crystal was also worried about where to go. After thinking a bit, she said, "I’ll go back and grab my backpack first; I have a lot of stuff at home."
At this time of day, her parents were definitely at the hospital with Pearl, so she could go back tonight.
Going to the Howard Family was unlikely, since she was essentially running away from home. Even though she and Nova Howard were classmates, she couldn’t trouble the Howard Family’s parents. Returning to the Shaw Family at least meant Grandma Shaw was there.
Crystal felt clear-headed and said to Hawk Howard and Nova Howard, "You guys go home quickly. Richard Shaw and I will go back to the Shaw Family’s place; it’ll be fine."
"Rest well at home tomorrow, and be on time for class on Monday. No being late," Hawk said seriously, nodding.
"I’ll come to the Shaw Family house on Monday morning to pick you up for school," Nova said, patting her shoulder with great loyalty, "Call me if anything happens."
Crystal was amused by her and nodded heavily.
After the Howard Family had left, her mood fell and she drooped her head, thinking about the future.
She didn’t speak, and Richard didn’t speak either. He stood next to her, lighting a cigarette. The man’s long fingers held the cigarette lightly, taking a puff and exhaling with narrowed eyes, steady and grand like a green mountain, yet as vast and accommodating as the sea.
He had just taken one puff when he saw a small, black-haired head lean over. Seizing his hand, she took a fierce, precise drag on the cigarette. Her soft lips brushed against his fingers, bringing a tingling thrill.
Richard’s tall body suddenly tensed, about to pull her away for a scolding, when he saw the girl take one puff, then suddenly throw herself into his arms, sobbing "boo-hoo" as she cried.
It was the first time the man had been hugged like this, the person in his arms felt like a soft little kitten, curling up in his embrace. A small bundle, while the cigarette in his hand was still lit. Richard awkwardly stubbed it out, then patted the girl’s back, saying in a low voice, "Don’t cry."
Crystal only thought about crying after smoking, feeling embarrassed and distressed, like she might never have a family again. Although mature for her age, being treated like this by her family gave her a feeling of abandonment. While Nova was around, she held back, not wanting to cry in front of that silly girl. Once everyone had almost left and she saw Richard smoking, she took a drag and couldn’t hold back anymore.
She reached out, clutching the man’s shirt, burying her face in his chest. At first, she cried softly, but soon her sobs grew louder, hiccuping as she cried, somehow endearing.
Richard noticed that although it was nighttime, standing under the streetlight didn’t make them too conspicuous, but many people were passing by the hospital and frequently looking over. With some reluctance, he led her to his car.
He wasn’t good at comforting people. In fact, ever since his parents passed away, much of his own gentle nature had been completely discarded. He understood the pain of losing parents. While Crystal’s parents were alive, her situation was somehow worse than his. Thinking about the documents he saw that afternoon, the man’s gaze grew suddenly deep. It seemed the Landon Family might not be her biological parents.
But this matter would have to wait for the old lady to return before it could be clarified.
"Will you come home with me to pack my things? I just want to get my backpack, there’s even my test papers inside—no, I want to throw everything away instead, leave without leaving anything behind," she choked out, her voice a bit hoarse but still carrying a girlish sweetness.
