Chapter 596


    Chapter 596 No Family


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    Now that Erik had put it that way, Summer was reluctant to roll down the window again, given that she


    wasn’t the only passenger.


    “Feeling hot?”


    “Not really…” She smirked at him mid–sentence and added, “I just wanted to open the window for


    some fresh


    air.”


    Even if she was feeling hot, she wouldn’t tell him. After all, who would feel hot in this kind of weather? It


    would


    be like admitting that something was wrong with her in front of him.”


    Nheless, he did not doubt her and simply stated calmly, “If you feel stuffy, you can take off your


    jacket.”


    Summer was stunned to hear this and hesitated momentarily before retorting, “Why should I take off


    my jacket if I feel stuffy? I’m not feeling hot.”


    Then, Erik chuckled softly and exined, “I know, but taking off your jacket might make you feel more


    She was rendered speechless by his reply. Despite not directly contradicting me, I perceive his low


    chuckle as a deliberate attempt to make fun of me, as if he knows what I am thinking. There’s not much


    point in arguing with him, as he’ll never admit this and instead just sit back and watch me make a fool


    of myself. Ah… Forget it.


    Suddenly, he asked, “Where are we going?”


    Even though Summer had somewhere specific in mind, she dithered before responding, “Aren’t you the


    one


    who came to find me? How would I know where to go?”


    Erik smirked in response. “True. Then, shall I make the arrangements?”


    “Where to?”


    “To the city center. How about that?”


    Simrly, she also wanted to go to the city center, so she nodded in assent. “Sure.”


    “When you left, did you inform your parents?”


    “No-” Since her parents were not at home when she left, she did not notify them.


    “Send them a messageter so they know not to worry about you,” Erik advised her like an


    experienced senior.


    “Oh, okay.” Summer had no objections, and after sending a message to her mother, she put away her


    phone.


    “Done.”


    “Mm.”


    As soon as she put her phone away, silence fell between them. She spent a brief moment casting a


    nce out the car window, after which she looked at her own fingers for a moment before finally


    breaking the awkward silence. “Where will you be residing when you return?”


    “I’m staying at a hotel for now, as it’s more convenient.”


    After hearing this, she found it odd that, aside from New Year’s Eve, Erik visited her home nearly every


    day and finally decided to ask him about it. “Don’t you need to go home and see your family? Are they


    not here?”


    “I have no family.”


    These words caused Summer to pause, turn her head to look at him, and her eyes to widen in shock.


    No family? He stated this matter–of–factly as if it were a given, and when I look at his face, itcks any


    expression. Even though we’ve worked together for a long time, he’s never once spent the New Year in


    his home country. I assumed this was because he was too busy with thepany to take time off, but I


    never expected it to be because he had no family. Hmmm… Not even a single family member? At this


    thought, she decided it would be inappropriate to ask him that question.


    However, Erik spoke up in a calm voice. “You don’t know about my family background, do you?”


    “Well, I suppose not.”


    “Then, let me tell you now. There’s only me in my family and no one else.”


    Even though she had guessed it, hearing him admit it personally shocked her. So, he has no one in his


    family. Did he go through all these years alone? Then, she uttered, “That exins why you never return


    home for the New Year.” Despite my shock, I now feel a twinge ofpassion for him. How does it feel


    to have no rtives in the country? How could he feel a sense of belonging without a family, even if he


    grew up there? With that in mind, she said impulsively, “If you don’t mind, you cane to my house


    for the New Year in the future.”


    She swore that her words were spoken out of pure sympathy and that she had no other intent.


    However, she did not anticipate Erik to pause briefly and agree with her. “Well, Summer, does that


    count as an


    answer?”


    Summer was taken aback, and while she wanted to say it didn’t count, she felt he was too pitiful after


    hearing his confession. She couldn’t deny herpassion for him, so she simply bowed her head and


    said, “Well, it


    does, and it doesn’t count. After all, I can’t agree to anything so quickly.”


    After hearing this, Erik chuckled softly and replied, “Understood.” After that, he didn’t say anything else,


    giving


    her some breathing room.


    On the other hand, she reaffirmed her belief that he merited his sess. His intelligence and insight


    were astounding, and her innermost thoughts were beingid bare before him.


    After entering the city, Summer decided not to pretend anymore, and she nned to be braver and


    more direct. “A few dayster, Victoria and her children areing back. I n to bring them some


    gifts.”


    As expected, Erik wasn’t surprised to hear her words. “Where are you nning to buy them?”


    When she mentioned a location, he turned the vehicle around, and she was astounded by how familiar


    he was with the direction. Hence, she asked, “Why do you seem so familiar with the roads here?”


    “I used to work here for a few years, and I also studied the map during the past few days since I came


    back.”


    Ah! That exins why he doesn’t even need to look at the navigation. Then, she asked again, “Have


    you always lived alone before?”


    “Yes, I’ve been living alone since around ten.”


    Ten… How young is that? Summer thought that if she had to live alone at the age of ten, she felt that


    her willpower might have been worn away by the hardships of life, let alone starting arge corporation


    from scratch. During their conversation, she noticed something profound about Erik’s dogged


    persistence. If I’m with this resolute man, he won’t feel lost or sad even if we break up. He is too


    sensible that anyone leaving his life would not affect him, and he would undoubtedly shrug it off as


    nothing significant. As she considered this, she pursed her lips and found herself at a loss for words.


    Soon after, they arrived at their destination; he parked the car in the parking lot, and the two walked


    side by


    side into the mall.


    While walking, she noticed many people staring at them because of his striking appearance.


    When she used to apany him on business trips, she was used to such scenes, but this time she


    wondered if their appearances didn’t match at all in the eyes of others. After all, he’s so outstanding,


    and I’m… No, no… She immediately shook her head vigorously in her mind, denying those thoughts. /


    like myself a lot and shouldn’t think badly of myself just because I like an exceptional man, right?


    Besides, if such an outstanding person like Erik could like me, it means I must be excellent in certain


    aspects.


    Self–brainwashing was good, and Summer quickly regained her confidence.


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