Chapter 118

"If she had a decent job, why wouldn't she come home for years? Must be too ashamed to show her face. In a small town like ours, gossip spreads fast. Professor Langley's probably trying to keep it under wraps. How else could he hold his head up at school?"

"Tsk tsk..."

William Langley remained oblivious to these whispers.

Even if he heard them, he'd stay silent.

To him, his daughter was no different from those kept women in gilded cages.

......

Evelyn stepped out of the train station. A cold wind slapped her face, making her instinctively tighten her down jacket.

Though Linshi was warmer than the capital, winter's bite still pierced to the bone.

The taxi crawled forward, passing scenery that gradually overlapped with her childhood memories.

Tourism had transformed Linshi in recent years. Old streets now gleamed with new life, dotted with parks and green spaces.

Only the historic district remained unchanged, divided from the modern city by the quiet river.

In summer, pleasure boats crisscrossed the water. Now, thin ice fractured at the slightest touch, scattering sunlight into glittering fragments.

The ancient stone arch bridge still stood. Beyond it lay the faculty housing complex of Linshi No.2 High School.

William Langley—top physics graduate from Harvard—had been specially recruited to teach there. Within a year, he became department head.

His physics Olympiad team produced countless international champions.

These students now thrived in prestigious careers. His legacy truly bore fruits everywhere.

Outstanding results earned him early eligibility for subsidized housing—the youngest teacher ever granted that privilege.

Remembering her father, Evelyn's eyes burned.

"...I educated you for this? Throwing away your future over some man?!"

"What right do I have to teach, with a daughter like you?"

"Walk out that door today, don't ever come back!"

"Evelyn, would you really choose him over your own parents?"

"Fine! From now on, you're no daughter of mine!"

......

"Miss, we're here." The driver's voice yanked her back to the present.

Evelyn hastily wiped her eyes and scanned her payment. "Thank you."

The Langley home occupied the ground floor with a small courtyard. Her mother loved wisteria, so her father built a trellis.

Every spring, purple blossoms cascaded like waterfalls. She'd spend hours reading beneath that floral canopy.

Noticing her fondness, he'd added a swing. As she grew older, it gathered dust.

Six years gone—did the wisteria and swing still remain?

Evelyn took a deep breath and knocked.