Chapter 172 Zayn When He Was Young

Lindsey saw an oversized lunch bag she was familiar with placed in front of her door. For the past few days, this lunch bag had been placed there every day before she returned home. Each time, the meal was still hot. She glanced at the door across the hallway, then moved the lunch bag to the side untouched. After she went in, the door opposite hers suddenly opened and the man looked obscurely at the floor, standing there for a long time. Shaun's news was accurate because just two days later, Lindsey received an invitation from Denarius, inviting her to attend the mid-year reception. The invitation stated that the President of Wilford Corporation was invited, but they did not specify a name because it was probably awkward. Lindsey did not want to go, so she threw the invitation to Allie and asked her to attend in her stead. Allie felt that if she went alone, it would not be as interesting, so she persuaded Lindsey with full force. "I've been to many dinner parties since I got back, but this is the first time I've been to a reception like this. I really want to go and see if it's the same as the ones abroad. Lindsey, please go with me." Allie was petulant and when she whined, no one could refuse her. However, this ability of hers was always useless in front of Zayn. Lindsey still pampered her, so in the end, especially after hearing that Zayn would not attend this reception, Lindsey thought about it and conceded. The venue for the reception was set at an al fresco restaurant by the beach. After knowing that Lindsey was going, Shaun also said that he would go. He worriedly asked, "Linds, this reception is by the beach. Are you...okay with that?" In fact, Lindsey felt a little repulsed by that, but her psychiatrist said that the incident had a deep adverse effect on her and if she could face it bravely, she might be able to heal faster. Besides, it was just the beach, so it was fine. Lindsey suppressed her fears and smiled, saying that she was fine. The reception was scheduled for a few days later and Lindsey took the opportunity to visit the Guggenheim mansion again. As soon as Mrs. Wendy saw her, she asked, "Why have you lost weight again?" Lindsey touched her cheek and smiled, "I look better when I’m thin." "You’re already pretty. Don't go on a diet like those other girls. It's not good for your health." Mrs. Wendy rambled on, showing concern for her. Lindsey just smiled and nodded her head. The old man was sunbathing in the garden. After his legs became weak, this became his favorite pastime, and he could sit there all morning. When he saw Lindsey, he beckoned her over. "Have you been very busy lately?" Lindsey thought for a moment before saying, "It's fine, still manageable." The old man examined her, then suddenly turned to Mrs. Wendy and said, "Go to my room and take out the photo album from the bottom cabinet." Mrs. Wendy was quick and came back with several large albums soon after. The old man took them one by one. Lindsey was afraid that he would be overwhelmed, so she helped him carry a few. He picked up one of them and opened it up, spreading the photos inside the album in front of the two of them. He pointed to the little boy on it and said with pride, "This is Zayn when he was young. Look at him, isn't he cute when he smiles?" Lindsey looked at it and it was indeed very cute. The old man flipped through a few more pages. He could clearly point out Zayn’s age in each photo and the little Zayn in the album grew up bit by bit with time. Lindsey noticed that Zayn was indeed very smiley when he was a child. There were many candid pictures of Zayn jumping up and down like a little monkey. He was not at all like his calm and reserved self now. The old man lamented, "He was so cute when he was little and especially fun." The photo albums were almost all pictures of Zayn. Lindsey also saw Zayn's parents on them. Zayn had inherited both his parents' good looks. Lindsey was slightly lost in thought. She did not have any photos of her as a child. The only one was probably taken with the Juhls family when they adopted her, and it was hung on the wall of the orphanage as a promotional photo. However, it was probably gone by now. The old man was casually flipping through the album, looking at pictures while talking about Zayn's childhood. Lindsey's heart suddenly quieted down. The album stopped at a certain page and Lindsey's eyes were glued to it. It was a picture of Zayn looking to be around ten years old. The contented and cheerful smile on his face had disappeared and it was replaced by a cold and wary look. Lindsey felt that she had traveled through time and looked at Zayn back then. Her heart suddenly ached. Her long-lost memories became vivid like this photo. When Zayn was sent to the orphanage, he was about this age. Zayn was cold and aloof when he first got to the orphanage. He was almost a replica of his current self. All the kids in the orphanage stayed away from him because of this. Lindsey, on the other hand, only felt that this boy looked so cute and she could not help but approach him. However, she could no longer recall how the two of them became friends. She only remembered the childish promise they made. "Lindsey, Zayn is too withdrawn and doesn’t have any friends. He only has Quentin and Soren, but the two of them can't stand shoulder to shoulder with him after all." The old man closed the photo album and sighed sadly. Lindsey returned to her senses. Her thoughts were already in a mess and with Grandpa’s words, it became worse. "You are the only one that Grandpa trusts." For a moment, Lindsey could not refuse him, but she could not agree either. She returned home and the old man’s words still echoed in her mind. She could not stand by Zayn forever either. The old man's expectation was going to be unfulfilled after all. ...... Time passed and it was the day of Denarius' reception. Allie purposely hired a stylist for herself and Lindsey. Lindsey was not excited, but Allie was unusually keen about this. She excitedly changed gown after gown and in the end, she set her sights on a white tube mermaid dress. Lindsey was too lazy to pick one and casually pointed to a dark green velvet halter dress. The stylist gave her a retro look to match the dress and pulled her hair into a loose bun. The white pearl earrings and necklace were nothing compared to her delicate fair skin. She looked like an effortless, seductive beauty. Lindsey looked at herself in the mirror and felt nothing, but when she raised her head, she found that the people around her were looking at her somewhat dumbfounded. She asked, "What's wrong? Is there a problem somewhere?" The stylist sucked in a breath and did not hide his amazement. He exclaimed, "You're just too beautiful!" The people around her also praised her. It was clearly an ordinary dress, but on Lindsey's body, it somehow drew people's attention. Lindsey was beautiful, but she did not look coquettish. Her eyes were so clear that it suppressed her natural charm and she looked just like a stunning green goddess. Next to Lindsey, Allie saw this scene and her fingertips pinching the hem of her dress nearly ripped a hole in her dress. Allie looked down at her outfit that she meticulously picked for several hours and felt like a joke. Lindsey was so effortless yet she so easily drew all eyes to her. Now, Allie felt that her outfit was a bit too dull, but if she changed again, could she change to the exact same dress as Lindsey? Allie definitely would not be able to do such a silly thing.