《Living With a Temperamental Adonis: 99 Proclamations of Love》


 Chapter 1: Living With a Temperamental Adonis (1)

    Chapter 1: Living With a Temperamental Adonis (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The most beautiful time of my life began with me meeting you...


    ...


    It was already one in the morning when Su Zhinian arrived home in his car. His bungalow was quiet. Other than the single light in the living room, the rest of the house was shrouded in darkness.


    As Su Zhinian stepped upstairs, he loosened his tie. Pushing open the bedroom door, he flipped on the light and casually dropped his coat jacket and tie on the sofa. He started to unbutton his shirt as he walked toward the bathroom.


    Before he crossed the threshold of his bathroom, Su Zhinian stopped in his tracks and his fingers undoing his button froze as if he sensed something wrong in the room. He turned slowly around and noticed the woman sleeping in his bed.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s brows creased with caution. He scanned the frame of the woman roughly before stopping on her face. When recognition dawned, his face dropped. He stalked to the side of his bed and dragged the sleeping woman out of his bed and toward the door.


    Song Qingchun was woken up by themotion and her brain was still in a haze. When she realized the pain shooting through her body, she had already been dragged out of the bedroom.


    "Su Zhinian, you¡¯re home..." The man¡¯s icy expression dropped and became even chillier when the woman call his name. His hand that gripped Song Qingchun¡¯s wrist increased in strength and the woman yelped out in pain, swallowing the rest of her words.


    Su Zhinian dragged Song Qingchun down the stairs in a hurried manner. Unable to catch up to his tempo, Song Qingchun stumbled and knocked over one of the cabs. The crashing china created a deafening crescendo, waking up the sleeping Auntie Sun downstairs. The elderly woman rushed out in her robe and yelled in shock and fear when she saw what was happening, "Mr. Su, Miss Song, what are you..."


    Before Auntie Sun could continue, she was silenced by an icy nceing from Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes. She lowered her gaze and took two steps back, looking on as the helpless Song Qingchun was dragged past her.


    "Su Zhinian, let me go..." Song Qingchun struggled to escape from Su Zhinian¡¯s grasp. She failed and was eventually dragged to the door. The door was thrown open, and the wintry night breeze blew in. The shivering Song Qingchun said in a shaking voice, "Su Zhinian, I have something important to discuss with you..."


    Before she could finish, Su Zhinian, who had not said a word since he reached home, suddenly opened his mouth to say, "Song Qingchun, who gave you permission to be here?" His words wereced with an iciness that was as cold as the night breeze.


    Probably cowed by Su Zhinian¡¯s sharp and pointed tone, Song Qingchun shuddered and the words she meant to say disappeared before they could leave her lips.


    Su Zhinian turned slowly around, his handsome face devoid of any emotion. His gaze was like two sharp knives that pierced Song Qingchun. His lips were stretched to a thin line and the words that came out of it were frozen with ice, dripping with cruelty. "I remember saying, unless it is your dead body, I do not want to see you in my life again!"


    With that, Su Zhinian tossed Song Qingchun out of the door harshly, and in the next second, the door mmed in her face with an ear-splitting thud.

 Chapter 2: Living With a Temperamental Adonis (2)

    Chapter 2: Living With a Temperamental Adonis (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    When Auntie Sun brought the cup of coffee into the main bedroom, Su Zhinian had finished showering and had changed into a casual outfit. He stood motionlessly staring out the full-length window in his room.


    Su Zhinian was still radiating a cold aura that deterred human contact, but his facial expression was unusually calm, as if the barbaric cruelty earlier was just a mirage.


    "Mr. Su, your coffee." Auntie Sun set the coffee down on the small round table of the balcony. Su Zhinian did not give any reaction, as though he did not hear Auntie Sun.


    Auntie Sun stood for a while longer before saying, "Miss Song arrived around sunset and had been waiting for about seven hours."


    Su Zhinian still did not give any reply. The bedroom was unusually silent. After some hesitation, Auntie Sun continued, "Mr. Su, did you and Miss Song have an argument at some point?"


    Su Zhinian still turned a deaf ear to Auntie Sun.


    "Mr. Su, you stayed at Miss Song¡¯s for quite some time before and had always shared a good rtionship, so howe you treated her like your nemesis when you saw her today?" Before Auntie Sun could continue, Su Zhinian, who was staring outside the window, stated in a mild tone that sounded like he was describing his breakfast if not for the forcefulness in his words, "Do you wish to be outside in the chilling winter as well like her?"


    Auntie Sun was immediately scared into silence. She apologized as she lowered her head and rapidly retreated out of his bedroom. The silence in the room returned and Su Zhinian stared out the window at a streetlight not far away.


    Song Qingchun, who was standing under its weak ray, was fidgeting frically to bring her body some warmth. She would asionally cup her palms over her mouth to breathe into it. Eventually, Song Qingchun managed to hail a passing cab, got into it, and left.


    Until the cab disappeared over the horizon, Su Zhinian still stood at the window without moving a muscle, staring at the streetmp, a far-away look in his eyes.


    It was not until the piping hot coffee had turned cold that Su Zhinian blinked his tired eyes and Auntie Sun¡¯s question floated into his mind.


    Mr. Su, you stayed at Miss Song¡¯s for quite some time before and had always shared a good rtionship, so howe you treated her like your nemesis when you saw her today?


    Indeed... He was once a guest at her house and during that period had even identally taken from her the most important thing for a teenage girl. So, how did they even end up as nemeses?


    ...


    Song Qingchun¡¯s appearance was like an interlude that could be easily ignored, it did not have much influence on Su Zhinian. The next day, he woke up, had his breakfast, and drove to work like usual. After finishing his hectic morning of work, he and a few managers were going to have lunch at the caf¨¦ across from hispany.


    Su Zhinian came out of his private elevator and was osted by thepany¡¯s financial manager for his signature.


    Su Zhinian was then immediately crowded by the other managers. He stood before the elevator calmly and slowly went through the many documents offered to him. After ensuring they had no problem, he signed them quickly and walked towards thepany¡¯s main entrance. The few managers in suit and tie followed behind him.


    As Su Zhinian passed, the greeting ¡¯Good afternoon, CEO Su¡¯ rang incessantly. When Su Zhinian reached the entrance, he saw a familiar shadow standing before him.


    It was her, Song Qingchun who he had tossed out of his house yesterday...

 Chapter 3: Living With a Temperamental Adonis (3)

    Chapter 3: Living With a Temperamental Adonis (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian¡¯s brows furrowed slightly. Before he could react, Song Qingchun strode to stop before him in her high heels and called out.


    "Su Zhinian."


    In thepany, there was almost no one who dared to refer to their CEO by name. The fact that a woman dared to do that attracted the curiosity of the few managers behind Su Zhinian. They started to study Song Qingchun with open interest.


    Song Qingchun was ufortable under their scrutiny, but she tried her best to maintain herposure. Her pair of dark eyes focused on Su Zhinian and she repeated, "Su Zhinian, can you..."


    With only those words out of her mouth, she was interrupted by Su Zhinian¡¯s uninterested tone.


    "Miss, am I that close to you that you can refer to me by my name?"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s jaw was left open as she stared at Su Zhinian¡¯s expressionless face. She thought back to yesterday when Su Zhinian tossed her out without giving her a chance to exin herself. Afraid of being treated the same way, she took a step back, bowed deeply at him, and continued in a respectful and professional manner, "CEO Su, good afternoon, I am Song Qingchun, can you give me ten minutes of your time?"


    "No." Su Zhinian dropped a simple word as her answer then went past her and out the door. She had tried many times to look for him, but she was always denied a meeting. Even if they did meet, she would not have much of a chance to say a word. It was rare that she got the chance to be alone with him yesterday, but it was again wasted. If she allowed him to leave just like this, she really did not know when her next opportunity would arrive again...


    Cornered, Song Qingchun grabbed at Su Zhinian¡¯s hand. His palm, unlike his attitude, was warm like the sun.


    When Song Qingchun touched his hand, the tip of her fingers shuddered. She was close to letting go, but with a shot of determination, she held on. Perhaps it was because she was holding his hand, her voice was shaking when she spoke.


    "Just ten minutes... if not, then five minutes..."


    Su Zhinian ignored Song Qingchun¡¯s words. His condescending gaze lowered and focused on his hand that was in her tight grasp. Su Zhinian¡¯s silence and non-evasion steeled Song Qingchun¡¯s heart. "CEO Su, can I borrow a bit of your time? I am here today on official business..."


    "Not interested." Su Zhinian seemed to recover, without waiting for Song Qingchun to finish, he rejected her and then stared at her hands that still held onto his. His lips hardened, and he then retracted his hand forcefully.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s sudden force unsettled Song Qingchun¡¯s bnce because she was wearing a high heel. Propelled by his forceful pull, she copsed forward. Thankfully, the guard beside her reacted fast and rushed over to support her by grabbing her arm or she would have fallen face first to the ground.


    The next second, Su Zhinian¡¯s fiery gaze seared the guard. "I do not pay your sry to have you work as decoration. Thispany is not a ce that any random person can enter!"


    The guard was shocked by his sudden wrath, but he was smart enough to quickly drop Song Qingchun¡¯s arm and go back to his post. He then told Su Zhinian in a respectful tone, "Yes, sir."

 Chapter 4: Living With a Temperamental Adonis (4)

    Chapter 4: Living With a Temperamental Adonis (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian did not give any response and left with his entourage.


    ...


    Another failure...


    Song Qingchun sat in her own car and tousled her hair out of agitation before sighing as she leaned back down her car seat and closed her eyes. They had not seen each other for so long and he had be so much more perfect than before.


    Pulsating with youthful energy, worth several billions, the business genius, the most handsome CEO... all thesebels given by the public did not feel fake on him. His face was even more alluring and handsomepared to when he was young.


    She could remember him making the whole school of girls go crazy with his looks, and after so many years, his handsome level had only increased and not decreased. If Song Qingchun had to nit-pick one bad quality about Su Zhinian, that would have to be his personality.


    After so many years, he was still the same way, radiating an icy aura to prevent any living human beings from getting close to him. ording to the reporting by one of the many tabloid papers, all the pictures and videos of Su Zhinian taken at activities and functions included zero smiling faces. There was barely a hint of a smile, much less a bright one.


    It was also worth noting that, in those pictures and videos, there was never a woman near him, as if the female human beings were non-existent in his eyes. For some crazy reasons, such a non-approachable personality still managed to attract the attention of many crazy online fans, admiring his frigidness,paring him to a delicious forbidden fruit.


    Song Qingchun could not help but scoff to herself thinking about all of this. Suddenly, her phone rang. She quickly recovered from her reverie. She whipped out her phone and answered it after taking a quick look at the name of the iing caller. As she connected the call, a gentle voice said, "Qingchun."


    "Big Sister-inw."


    Song Qingchun greeted her caller and then asked, "How¡¯s dad?"


    "He¡¯s stabilizing, he just took the pills and went to bed," her sister-inw, Fang Rou 1 , answered. Like her name suggested, she always had a mellow way about things. Even when asking a harsh question, she would ask in a slow and gentle tone. "Qingchun, have you seen Su Zhinian?"


    Song Qingchun was quiet before answering honestly, "I have."


    "How did it go? Did you get him to agree with the terms?" Fang Rou asked in her signature slow way, but there was obvious cheer that was absent before.


    "I haven¡¯t..." Song Qingchun was reminded of the distaste on Su Zhinian¡¯s face when he saw her, and her mouth twisted. After a short struggle, she finally asked, "Big Sister, there are so many impressive characters in the business world, why does dad want him to take the position of Song Empire¡¯s CEO?"


    "There might be many impressive characters, but he is the only legend. He is the only miracle worker. Furthermore, Song Empire now does not have the budget to hire an acting CEO. He once stayed with our Song family and can be considered a family friend, so no matter from which perspective, he is the most suitable candidate to ask to take over Song Empire and be its CEO," Fang Rou exined in her soft tone before adding, "Qingchun, you will be able to persuade Su Zhinian to take over Song Empire, right?"

 Chapter 5: Living With a Temperamental Adonis (5)

    Chapter 5: Living With a Temperamental Adonis (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "You will not watch thepany built by your father and big brother over so many years crumble to dust just like that, right?"


    Song Qingchun was quiet for a long time following Fang Rou¡¯s question. She finally replied to change the subject, "He might have lived for a period of time with our Song family, but he technically does not owe us a great deal. Furthermore, his ownpany is so sessful, so I don¡¯t think he will be willing to take over a dying mess like Song Empire..."


    "He will," Fang Rou said in a tone that was very sure.


    Song Qingchun frowned and queried after a while, "Why?"


    Fang Rou, on the other end of the phone, answered after a pause, "Because of you."


    Song Qingchun was startled and Fang Rou¡¯s soft voice slowly drifted through the phone and into her ears. "After all, he did take your first night."


    Such a direct expose of her past stunned Song Qingchun, and her face paled considerably. ¡¯After all, he did take your first night¡¯... Yes, Big Sister is right, when he stayed at our home, he did im my virginity...


    That night would forever be her nightmare, one that she would spend the rest of her life trying to forget.


    If not for the fact that her brothermitted suicide without warning three months ago and the sad news sending her father into the hospital, thus pushing the headless Song Empire towards the brink of bankruptcy, she would never have crossed paths with Su Zhinian again in her life. That night would forever be sealed in the back of her mind, and she would not touch upon it ever again. She would go on pretending that it did not actually happen.


    If possible, she really did not want to have any more interaction with Su Zhinian, but her sister-inw was right, she could not allow her father and brother¡¯s lifework to go to waste just like that. She could not let her father worry about Song Empire while he was in hospital, and she would not disappoint her brother who had passed away.


    Su Zhinian was indeed the perfect candidate to take over Song Empire as its new CEO. He was a business world legend, and once, he used only one month to save a dyingpany, garnering him praise from the world. Therefore, no matter what, she had to ask Su Zhinian to take over Song Empire.


    She knew Su Zhinian was mad at her for what she did all those many years ago. She also knew how hard it would be to get Su Zhinian to agree to take over Song Empire, but she would not give up because she could not give up.


    ...


    Over the following few days, Song Qingchun waited for Su Zhinian outside his bungalow, but he never showed up again. She also visited hispany, but due to the earlier incident, the guard did not dare let Song Qingchun into thepany lobby again. Thus, she resigned to waiting for Su Zhinian outside of hispany entrance, but she never once saw him again.


    That was not entirely true because she managed to catch a glimpse of him one time his car shed before her. She could not even meet him much less discuss the takeover with him. Running out of options, Song Qingchun finally decided to pay Su Zhinian¡¯s mother a visit.


    His mother was Su Zhinian¡¯s only family in the whole world; his father passed away a long time ago, so he was brought up by his mother. He was exceptionally kind to his mother. He bought her a bungalow at a silk-stocking district and would pay her a visit every Saturday.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s mother and Song Qingchun¡¯s father were once college course mates. When Su Zhinian was in high school, his mother fell seriously ill. After she was hospitalized, there was no one to take care of Su Zhinian and that was how he ended up staying with the Song family. His mother asked Song Qingchun¡¯s father to take care of Su Zhinian under his roof for a year.

 Chapter 6: Living With a Temperamental Adonis (6)

    Chapter 6: Living With a Temperamental Adonis (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    It would not be true to say Song Qingchun had a close rtionship with Su Zhinian¡¯s mother, especially not after that incident, she had no interaction with Su Zhinian, much less his mother.


    In Song Qingchun¡¯s memory, his mother was pretty, kind, and affectionate, in essence, apletely different character from her son. Song Qingchun could not be sure whether Su Zhinian¡¯s mother remembered her or not, and she too realized her sudden visit could be construed in a wrong way, but for the sake of Song Empire, for the sake of her sick father and dead brother, Song Qingchun still went to visit Su Zhinian¡¯s mother one Saturday afternoon.


    The bungalow was located on a hill northern side of Beijing. It was right next to a water dam and had a perfect surrounding. Song Qingchun managed to locate her home using the address that she found on the inte.


    The bungalow door was open wide and there was no guard. Song Qingchun stepped into the perfectly trimmed patio and pressed the doorbell. Several minutester, she could hear footstepsing from within. The door then opened to reveal a pretty face that had some simrities to Su Zhinian¡¯s features.


    Even after so many years, Song Qingchun could tell at first nce this was Su Zhinian¡¯s mother. She gave her the presents that she bought and introduced herself politely.


    "Auntie Su, I am Qingchun."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s mother probably still remembered Song Qingchun because she invited her in only after hearing her name and did not ask about anything else. Her enthusiasm and kindness soothed Song Qingchun¡¯s beating heart. Su Zhinian¡¯s mother had a good impression of the girl and vice versa. After a short conversation, all the awkwardness went out the window.


    When it was five pm, Su Zhinian¡¯s mother started to prepare dinner. Since her impression of Song Qingchun only improved through the afternoon, she even invited Song Qingchun to stay for dinner. Song Qingchun¡¯s purpose was to meet with Su Zhinian, so she epted her invitation and even joined her in the kitchen to cook two dishes.


    After cooking dinner, Song Qingchun excused herself to use the toilet. When she pulled the bathroom door open, she heard the click of the front door. Song Qingchun subconsciously turned to look down at the entrance and saw Su Zhinian in a ck windbreaker walk in.


    Su Zhinian was shrugging off his windbreaker when he saw Song Qingchun. His action stopped for a second as his brows creased into a frown. He then asked with obvious displeasure, "What are you doing here?"


    Before Song Qingchun could answer, Su Zhinian¡¯s mother, who heard the front door open, exited the kitchen and said, "Zhinian, you¡¯re home!"


    Then she came to take his son¡¯s windbreaker that was stuck on his arms and hung it on the coat rack. She then added, "You still remember Qingchun, right? She is your Uncle Song¡¯s daughter, she came to visit me today, and I invited her to stay with us for dinner."


    After hearing his mother¡¯s exnation, Su Zhinian shot an icy nce at Song Qingchun. Song Qingchun could hear the displeasure in Su Zhinian¡¯s earlier question, and when she received his cold gaze, she had a feeling he would toss her out the next second and her heart stopped.


    To her relief, Su Zhinian only red at her for about five seconds before shifting his gaze away and nodded at his mother as he mumbled an incoherent "mm", signifying his understanding.


    His mother smiled. "Alright, stop standing there. Go wash your hands and prepare for dinner."

 Chapter 7: Living With a Temperamental Adonis (7)

    Chapter 7: Living With a Temperamental Adonis (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian did notment further and entered the bathroom. Song Qingchun sighed with relief internally. It was probably because his mother was there that he did not directly throw her out.


    After Su Zhinian washed his hands, he stepped into the dining room where his mother and Song Qingchun were already seated. The two women were chatting among themselves. They were sharing smiles, but Song Qingchun¡¯s froze on her face when she saw him enter.


    Su Zhinian pulled out a chair to sit in and his mother immediatelydled him a bowl of soup. As she passed it to him, she pointed at two other dishes on the table and said, "This soup and these two dishes are made by Qingchun, here, try them."


    Su Zhinian epted the bowl and set it down on the table without trying it. He picked up his pair of chopsticks and went for a dish that his mother cooked.


    On the dining room, Auntie Su conversed alternately with Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun, so the atmosphere was not awkward. However, as the dinner progressed, Song Qingchun realized Su Zhinian did not take a sip of the soup or try her two dishes. He only focused on the two dishes his own mother cooked.


    Auntie Su seemed to notice that as well, so she asked him why he didn¡¯t try the soup. Noticing his reticence, she took a piece of braised meat Song Qingchun cooked and put it on his te, saying, "Qingchun cooked this. Try it, it is really not bad."


    Su Zhinian nodded slightly and continued eating. However, when he finished, Song Qingchun noticed clearly that the only piece of meat left in his bowl was the piece cooked by her. Su Zhinian caught Song Qingchun looking at him. He tilted his head slightly to make sure she maintained eye contact as he used his chopstick to casually flick that piece of meat into the trash bin.


    Then, Su Zhinian stood up and walked out of the dining room wordlessly. Song Qingchun stared at that piece of meat in the trash bin and her hands that grabbed at the corner of her shirt tightened. He¡¯d said that, unless it was her dead body, he did not want to see her in his life again.


    Now that she did, he still had a million ways to draw a line from her. Song Qingchun originally thought that after dinner, when Su Zhinian was alone in his bedroom, she could have the business conversation with him. She assumed that, with Auntie Su around, he would be patient and at least listen to what she had to say.


    However, Su Zhinian seemed to know what she was nning, because after dinner, he nted himself in the living room to watch the television with his mother.


    Time slowly passed and when it was almost nine pm, Song Qingchun knew it was time for her to make herself scarce. However, it was hard for her to finally be in the same room with Su Zhinian and she really did not want to waste such a perfect opportunity.


    Song Qingchun struggled for a bit and was going to ask Su Zhinian for a bit of time to have a private conservation with him, when he suddenly took out his phone and walked to the balcony to answer the phone.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s phone call was exceptionally long; it was already ten thirty pm and he was still on the phone.


    Auntie Su was yawning openly. No matter how unwilling Song Qingchun was, she knew she was overstaying her wee. She had no choice but to bid farewell. Disappointment was in on her face. "Auntie Su, it is gettingte. I think I will go now."


    "It is not safe for a girl to go back to the city alone sote at night. Wait for a while longer, Zhinian is also going back, I will have him give you a ride..." Before Auntie Su could finish, Su Zhinian on his phone suddenly turned around, put his hand over the speaker, and dered coldly, "I am not returning to the city tonight."

 Chapter 8: Living With a Temperamental Adonis (8)

    Chapter 8: Living With a Temperamental Adonis (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    After Su Zhinian said that, he continued his phone conversation and walked upstairs, showing them his cold, hard back.


    Auntie Su was made ufortable by her son¡¯s crisp rejection, so she smiled apologetically at Song Qingchun. "Qingchun, don¡¯t take that to heart. That son of mine has always acted like this since he was a young boy."


    Song Qingchun smiled and acted like she did not mind it. "It¡¯s okay, Auntie Su, I can go back on my own."


    Before Song Qingchun arrived, she had nned on catching a ride from Su Zhinian, so she did not drive there. After bidding Auntie Su goodbye, she picked up phone and hailed a cab using the "Quber" service. Her ride was rtively far away, so she had quite some time to wait.


    In the middle of winter, the hillside residential area had a lower temperature than the city. The wind was like needles piercing her bones, causing her to shiver in the cold.


    Ten minutester, her ride finally arrived. Song Qingchunid her eyes onest time at the bungalow behind her. Then she opened the car door with a despondent sigh and got in. Another failure...


    Song Qingchun really did not expect she would one day need to waste so much energy to meet a man, and to make matters worse, that man was Su Zhinian.


    Actually, she was familiar with Su Zhinian¡¯s personality, it was one where other people did not exist in his eyes. Before, she was fine with it, if he ignored her, then she would ignore him as well, unlike now where she desperately needed his help.


    However, she did not go away with no reward that night. When Su Zhinian was on his phone, she overheard him mention he would have a dinner meeting 8 pm at "Eldorado" the day after.


    ...


    The second the car left the bungalow, Su Zhinian came down the stairs. Auntie Su, who was already in her pajamas sitting in the living room, saw him and asked casually, "Who were you on the phone with? The call was so long."


    Su Zhinian answered sinctly, "Colleague."


    Auntie Su did not press but change the subject by lecturing her son slightly. "You should have treated Qingchun better since you did stay at her home before, so howe you acted so cold around her? You did not evene to say goodbye to her!"


    Su Zhinian did not defend himself. He waited until his mother finished and replied in a mild tone, "Mom, I¡¯m going back to the city."


    Auntie Su was confused. "Didn¡¯t you say you are not going back tonight?"


    "I just received a phone call saying there are some issues that need to be dealt with at thepany, they need me there."


    Su Zhinian then added as an afterthought, "Is there anything else to eat at home? I hear the two tech team workers haven¡¯t even had dinner."


    "There is, but it¡¯s all leftovers, do you think that¡¯s okay?" Auntie Su asked for her son¡¯s opinion before adding, "Or how about I start cooking a few dishes now or you can buy some supper along the way there?"


    Su Zhinian frowned at the troubles those options entailed and came to his decision. "Too troublesome, just give me the leftovers."


    Auntie Su quickly packed him the leftovers and personally ced them in his car. Before he left, she reminded him to drive safely.


    Su Zhinian nodded wordlessly and started the engine. After leaving the residential area, he drove at maximum speed before spotting the shadow of Song Qingchun¡¯s car ride. Then, he slowed down to tail her ride, maintaining a distance of about two hundred meters behind her.


    ...


    That Sunday night, Su Zhinian and a few of his friends met up to y mahjong at ¡¯Eldorado¡¯.

 Chapter 9: Living With a Temperamental Adonis (9)

    Chapter 9: Living With a Temperamental Adonis (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    They¡¯d all had a drink before the game began, so the atmosphere was high, and conversations flowed as smoothly as the wine.


    Su Zhinian, who had a few drinks in him, still maintained his cold expression and reticence. Other than the few moves demanded to y the game, he was as still as stone. He was quite lucky that night and had already won a few rounds.


    When they were going to start a new round, someone knocked on the door of their room. CEO Liang, who sat across from Su Zhinian, decided to use the downtime in between rounds to use the toilet, and so he stood up to open the door.


    A pretty, young girl stood outside the door. Her facial features were small yet fine, framed by her long, dark hair. Her profile was smooth and soft, highlighting the brilliance in her shiny eyes.


    This was a refreshing, youthful look that was rare in the world of business, so it startled CEO Liang. After a while, he finally came to and asked, "I¡¯m sorry, Miss, but who are you looking for?"


    CEO Liang had an answer in his heart. He believed she was here for Tang Nuo. Of the yers that night, he was the most famous among the girls. His girlfriend, which changed with impossible speed, was always prettier than the previous one. Therefore, CEO Liang directly turned around and yelled, "Tang Nuo, there¡¯s a pretty girl..."


    Before CEO Liang could finish, the girl standing at the door parted her lips slightly to say in her level tone, "Good afternoon, I am here to see Su Zhinian, is he here?"


    When CEO Liang heard the name ¡¯Su Zhinian¡¯, he was visibly stunned. He thought he had heard wrongly. He whipped his head around to confirm it with the girl.


    "Su Zhinian? CEO Su?"


    CEO Liang blinked several times after the girl nodded. He turned back to yell, "Tang Nuo, my bad, it¡¯s not for you but CEO Su!"


    When the yers inside heard there was a pretty girl looking for Tang Nuo, their attention was already pulled towards the door, only Su Zhinian remained unmoved. He leaned back down his chair and pulled out his phone to y on his own.


    To hear his name called out so suddenly, Su Zhinian¡¯s brows creased. He turned towards the door subconsciously and saw Song Qingchun in a red coat standing at the door.


    The automated table had finished shuffling the tiles, and as the shuffling sound drew to a close, the room became unusually quiet.


    Su Zhinian stared emotionlessly at Song Qingchun for about half a minute and just before everyone thought he was going to turn his head away and ignore the girl at the door, he suddenly closed his phone, and slowly stood up from his chair. He then told Tang Nuo, who was spectating the game, "Tang Nuo, stand in for me for a while." Then, he headed toward the door.


    After Su Zhinian left with Song Qingchun, the conversations in the room began anew.


    "Was I hallucinating? A woman came to look for CEO Su, and it was a pretty one..."


    "I have known CEO Su for so many years, and he has never even properly greeted a female guest before, much less had femalepany around him."


    "I once thought CEO Su was gay because he is so averse to female contact, but who would have thought he would be friend with such a gorgeous beauty?"


    "But are we sure they are friends? What is really their rtionship? Lovers? Exes?"


    "Then again, if you think about it, don¡¯t you think that girl is suspiciously familiar? I feel like I have seen her somewhere before..."


    This random observation silenced the gossipy discussion on the game table. After half a minute, someone else concurred, "Now that you mention it, she does look awfully familiar..."

 Chapter 10: Living With a Temperamental Adonis (10)

    Chapter 10: Living With a Temperamental Adonis (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "She is Song Cheng¡¯s sister." Tang Nuo, who had been curiously silent suddenly, dropped the bomb.


    "Song Cheng? The CEO of Song Empire whomitted suicide by jumping off the side of a skyscraper three months ago? So, that¡¯s his sister, the Song family¡¯s daughter?"


    "No wonder I feel she is so familiar, she is the reporter at TW Station, right? She anchored the news a couple of times before, what¡¯s her name already..."


    "Song Qingchun..." Tang Nuo added. He took a tile, but did not take a look at it, instead he lowered his gaze and his finger rubbed the back of the mahjong tile, as if reminiscing of the past. After a while, he continued in a low voice, "Didn¡¯t you guys ask what her rtionship to Su Zhinian is earlier?"


    Tang Nuo flipped over his tile and spoke under his breath, "Actually they do not share any rtionship... But if you really want to tie them together, Song Qingchun is probably the only woman from his birth until now that has managed to wander into Su Zhinian¡¯s world."


    ...


    When Su Zhinian exited the room, he closed the door behind him. Without a look at Song Qingchun, he strode down the carpeted corridor of Eldorado that led deeper into the establishment.


    The corridor was quiet, and Song Qingchun followed behind him. Other than the asional cheering that drifted out of the various rooms, there was no other sound. In other word, there was not a word of conversation between the two of them.


    Su Zhinian finally stopped when they reached the end of the corridor. He took out a card from his pocket, swiped it over the door panel, and walked into the now open room. He ignored Song Qingchun, who was following him.


    Song Qingchun stood outside the door and saw Su Zhinian pour himself a ss of water at the counter before depositing himself at the sofa with the ss of water in his hand. She did not follow in and he did not call for her toe in. As if he had all the time in the world to waste, he just sat there, sipping his drink slowly.


    Su Zhinian did not do anything else and still had not spoken a word, but Song Qingchun could feel the immense pressure emanating from him. It suffocated her heart, making it palpitate wildly. Her legs that stood at the threshold of the door were cemented to the spot and she found herself unable to move them. Every cell in her body cried for her to leave and run.


    Song Qingchun stared at Su Zhinian, and after a long hesitation, she finally came to a decision and walked into the room. She closed the door and took cautious and slow step toward Su Zhinian. In contrast to her cial steps, her heart was beating so fast; she felt like she was going to die from cardiac arrest.


    She had no idea what kind of tribtions awaited her, but no matter what, be it a sea of fire or a mountain of knives, she would have to survive them.


    Song Qingchun stopped at one meter away from Su Zhinian. Her palms were subconsciously gripped into fists. She looked at him and swallowed a mouthful of saliva. As she opened her mouth say, she suddenly remembered something and changed the ¡¯Su Zhinian¡¯ that was on the tip of her tongue to "CEO Su."


    Su Zhinian lowered his gaze and the water ss in his hands suddenly flew at the spot beside Song Qingchun¡¯s feet. The ss broke into glittering pieces and the cold water sshed at her feet.


    Following the sound of shattering ss, Su Zhinianmented in a bone-chilling voice, "Song Qingchun, you sure have guts!"

 Chapter 11: His Three Secrets (1)

    Chapter 11: His Three Secrets (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "You dare appear in my sight again so many times, even though I have explicitly warned you against it!"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s shoulders jumped slightly; she lowered her eyes, stood there, and while ignoring the man¡¯s verbal barrage, opened her lips to ask, "CEO Su, can we talk?"


    "Talk?" Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes that zeroed in on Song Qingchun narrowed, and like he had heard the world¡¯s greatest joke, heughed sarcastically. The words that came out of his mouth next were equallyced with derision. "Do you think I was joking with you? I can barely stand your face, why do you think I would want to talk to you?"


    The normally reticent Su Zhinian already had an imposing presence, and this Su Zhinian who did not hold back was as scary as an Asura from hell.


    On the surface, Song Qingchun might look calm facing him, but internally, her heart was already shaken, and a sheen of cold sweat made her fists mmy. Regardless, she tried her best to maintain a level tone as she replied, "I just need a small window of your time, please hear me out."


    Su Zhinian red at her silently, his eyes not even blinking. His gaze was sharp like it was directly piercing at Song Qingchun¡¯s heart. The atmosphere in the room peaked. This quiet moment was a greater pressure on Song Qingchunpared to when he was openly berating her earlier.


    Actually, Su Zhinian only spent one minute staring silently at Song Qingchun, but for Song Qingchun, this one minute was as long as a century.


    Just as Song Qingchun was about to copse from the pressure, Su Zhinian suddenly moved his body and leaned back against the sofa. With his piercing gaze still on Song Qingchun, he parted his lips and said, "What did you say when you osted me at mypany¡¯s entrance before?"


    His tone was stillced with anger.


    He then raised his finger to tap at his head, making a show of thinking before saying, "You want me to give you five minutes, right?"


    The subject change was so fast that it unsettled Song Qingchun. She blurted out at Su Zhinian, "Hmm, what five minutes?"


    Su Zhinian ignored Song Qingchun¡¯s verbal blunder and continued at his own pace. "Or did I remember it wrongly? Was it not five minutes? Then it must be four minutes? Or was it three or two minutes?"


    At this point, Song Qingchun finally realized what he was talking about. This means that he is willing to hear me out?


    "It was five minutes." A flicker of hope lit up in the bottom of Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes, she said quickly to interrupt Su Zhinian, "I asked for five minutes of your time before."


    "Fine, then I will give you five minutes." Su Zhinianid his arm on the armrest and used his palm to support his head as he leaned sideways, forming a picture of leisure.


    Perhaps it was the contrast from the earlier difficulties, Su Zhinian¡¯s sudden agreement to hear her out caused Song Qingchun¡¯s mind to go nk. The speech that she had prepared earlier went out of her mind, and she stood before Su Zhinian, her mouth agape but no words came out of it.


    Su Zhinian did not rush her but sat there waiting for her. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the leather surface of the sofa, creating a tempo of his own. After some time, he said, "You have four minutes left."

 Chapter 12: His Three Secrets (2)

    Chapter 12: His Three Secrets (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun was made anxious by Su Zhinian¡¯s reminder. She tossed the speech she had prepared out of her mind and cut straight to the point. "CEO Su, I wish you will join Song Empire as its new CEO."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s response was equally straightforward. "How much you are going to pay me to be your CEO?"


    Song Qingchun bit on her lips and replied in a whispered tone, "Song Empire is unable to fork out much money at the moment..."


    "Meaning you want me to work for free?" Su Zhinian¡¯s fingers that tapped on the sofa stopped and the room was submerged into radio silence. Then he added, "Miss Song, the world-famouspany offered me ten billion to get me to be their CEO and I rejected that offer; where does your confidencee from that you think you will be able to get me toe save a third-ratepany that is on the brink of bankruptcy?"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s face burned with shame due to his pointed question. "It is true that Song Empire is facing financial difficulties this year and does not have the buffet to employ someone of your caliber, but Song Empire is willing to give you its share and the annual earnings will have a set ratio that will go to you as bonus..."


    "Miss Song, do you honestly think I need or even want those shares and bonuses?" mocked Su Zhinian. Song Qingchun bit her lips and did not know how to continue. The room again returned to silence.


    After a beat or two, Su Zhinian opened his mouth to say, "Three more minutes."


    Perhaps because she was shot down immediately after one sentence earlier, Song Qingchun did not get straight back into it after Su Zhinian¡¯s reminder but continued after a period of silence. However, her confidence was obviously not as pronounced as before. "If you are willing to take over Song Empire, you can have as many shares and bonus as you want from Song Empire."


    Su Zhinian did notment this time and allowed her to speak.


    "I know you have your ownpany and will be very busy..."


    "Two more minutes," Su Zhinian reminded her again.


    Song Qingchun massaged her lips and continued, "...And would not be able to spend too much time on Song Empire, but if you agree to be Song Empire¡¯s CEO, you will not even need toe to Song Empire to work. I can have the workers send the important information and documents to you. A 24-hour line ofmunication will also will be avable for you to send and receive messages; it will greatly decrease your inconvenience..."


    Su Zhinian did notment on the conditions Song Qingchun offered, but instead continued his countdown.


    "One more minute."


    "Song Empire will also give you a nk document, you can write any conditions you want on it, and Song Empire will fulfil it if it is within our capability..." Song Qingchun then took out a document from her bag and ced it respectfully before Su Zhinian with both hands. "This document has already been stamped by thepany seal; you can take a look at it..."


    "Time¡¯s up." Su Zhinian did not even acknowledge the document. The moment the five minutes were over, he stood up immediately and walked out the door.


    Song Qingchun ran after him and again ced the document before Su Zhinian. "I sincerely hope you will give this some consideration."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s gaze swept the document, but he did not extend his hand to ept it. He smoothed down his shirt, gave Song Qingchun a side-eye, and said emotionlessly, "I do not need to consider it because I will never take over Song Empire."

 Chapter 13: His Three Secrets (3)

    Chapter 13: His Three Secrets (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "The only reason I gave you the five minutes was for you to give up."


    Su Zhinian then walked past Song Qingchun who blocked his way, and after a few steps he turned around as if remembering something. He added, "Also, I am saying this onest time, do not appear in my sight again."


    Adding this time, she only managed to converse with him four times. The first time he tossed her out of his home without giving her chance to exin herself, and the second and third time, another party was present. Finally, she nabbed her chance to be alone with him, so she could not give up that easily simply because he said no.


    Song Qingchun took a secret deep breath, turned to chase after Su Zhinian, and grabbed at his sleeve. "Even if the conditions are not to your liking, can¡¯t you lend Song Empire a hand considering our history?"


    "Song Qingchun, are you seriously pulling out the history card?" Su Zhinian¡¯s face immediately turned cold. His arms were gripped into fists and his dark, hardened eyes stared straight ahead. Then, he turned around to look Song Qingchun in her eyes and slowly interrogated, enunciating every word, "Do I need to remind you who the person who told me to get out of her house while pointing her finger right at my face was?


    "Furthermore, I do not think there is any history worth bringing up between us! If you want to be that pedantic, then perhaps you can count that period where I once stayed at your home, but if I am not mistaken, I repaid the 278 days in cash ording the price of a five-star hotel. So, Song Qingchun, do you still want to talk history with me?"


    "I... I..." Song Qingchun mumbled incoherently after she was cornered by Su Zhinian¡¯s forceful and pointed tone. As she expected, he still hated her for what happened that year.


    Back then, she really did not want to have any more interaction with him. She had burned all bridges and cut all ties. s, as fate would have it, she would one day need to beg him for his help.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s fingers that pulled on Su Zhinian¡¯s sleeve started to shake; her mind was a mess. She stared at him nkly for a long time before blurting out, "Even if there is no history between you, couldn¡¯t you help me because of that one night..."


    Before Song Qingchun finished, Su Zhinian grabbed hold of her hair to pull her head upwards. He made sure she was looking right into his freezing eyes when he uttered, "That one night? Which night? That night I took your virginity?


    "Who was it that said I did not need to pay any responsibility with a mask of derision and condescension? Why? Five yearster, do you regret your decision? Now you want me to owe you for that night? But why do you think I will I admit to the things that happened so many years ago?"


    Song Qingchun closed her eyes and averted her face, trying to shut him out.


    Su Zhinian raised his other hand, pinched her on her chin, forcefully pulled her face back and opened her eyes. Forcing her darting eyes into focus, his icy words floated out slowly. "Song Qingchun, you might not know this, but on that night, even if you did not say that I do not need to be responsible, I would not have thought to be responsible towards you."

 Chapter 14: His Three Secrets (4)

    Chapter 14: His Three Secrets (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun¡¯s lips were stretched to a thin line and her face nched.


    Due to anger, Su Zhinian¡¯s breathing was bing unsteady. He red at Song Qingchun like he had more to say. He opened his mouth but finally decided not to say anything else. Then he released his grasp on her hair and took a step back. The room was eerily quiet.


    Su Zhinian stood there for a while before taking out a cheque from his pocket. He left the amount empty and signed it directly, then he tossed it at Song Qingchun. "Fill in any amount you want. Even though I honestly did not want to be responsible for that night... it was your virginity after all. Consider this mypensation."


    Su Zhinian paused as a sh of determination appeared in his eyes. "I hope you will fill in a number that is enough for you to disappear from my life."


    ...


    After speaking his mind and leaving her the cheque, Su Zhinian did not stay for a second longer and strode out of the room, leaving Song Qingchun behind.


    He initially wanted to walk out of Eldorado, but when reached the elevator, he remembered that his car keys, wallet, and coat were left in their mahjong room, so he had no choice but to return. The people in the box had continued their fun without him, and when they saw him enter, someone immediately asked, "CEO Su, your meeting finished so soon?"


    Su Zhinian did not answer but walked to the coat rack to retrieve his coat. Tang Nuo looked at him and asked, "You¡¯re not ying anymore?"


    "I¡¯m going home," Su Zhinian said in a mild tone and took the car keys that were left on the game table.


    "I¡¯ll go with you." Tang Nuo stood up hurriedly and vacated his seat for another yer. After they left the room and reached underground parking, Tang Nuo finally asked, "Song Qingchun came looking for you because of Song Empire, right?"


    Su Zhinian did not answer, sought out his key, and opened the car. Tang Nuo snuck in another question before Su Zhinian could escape into his car.


    "She wants you to take over Song Empire, correct?"


    Su Zhinian replied with a nonmittal "mm" before crawling into the driver¡¯s seat.


    "Then did you agree to it or not?" Tang Nuo pressed. Su Zhinian shut the door and drove away without giving him any reply.


    ...


    After he returned home, when Su Zhinian reached into his fridge for a bottle of water, he spotted the boxed dinner in it. It was the leftovers his mother had packed for himst night before he left her home.


    Su Zhinian ced the water back in the fridge after taking a gulp and took the boxed dinner out to heat it in the microwave. Five minutester, Su Zhinian sat at the two-meter long dining table alone and finished the leftovers.


    ...


    Su Zhinian spent the next Monday busy with work. He had an emergency meeting around midday, and it was almost 12:30 pm when the meeting was over. Su Zhinian returned to his office, signed thest two documents, and was closing hisputer ready to leave for lunch when someone knocked on his office door.


    His hands that were closing theputer ceased and he said softly, "Come in."


    Tang Nuo came in with a document in his hand. There was a sh of surprise in Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes. "Why are you here?"


    "To give you something," Tang Nuo answered as he waved the folder in his hand before cing it on Su Zhinian¡¯s desk.

 Chapter 15: His Three Secrets (5)

    Chapter 15: His Three Secrets (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian nced at Tang Nuo before picking up the folder. Su Zhinian slid the files inside out of the folder, and when he saw the words ¡¯Song Empire¡¯ on the cover, his face shifted.


    Tang Nuo yawnedzily on the sofa and picked up an apple from the coffee table without asking and took a generous bite out of it. Then he asked, "Well, aren¡¯t you touched?"


    Su Zhinian did not answer but continue to study the files.


    Tang Nuo continued his self-ttery, "Because I know you will definitely agree to any demands from Song Qingchun, so Ipiled all the information about Song Empire before you even asked. Clever, ain¡¯t I..."


    Tang Nuo did not realize the shift in Su Zhinian¡¯s expression and continued fearlessly, "I might not know what you¡¯re thinking about other things, but you can never hide anything from me when it concerns Song Qingchun... After all, until now, Song Qingchun is the only woman who managed to walk into and made an impact in Su Zhinian¡¯s world..."


    "Hey, what are you doing?" Tang Nuo suddenly jumped from the sofa when he caught sight of Su Zhinian, who had wandered to the shredder and was feeding his files into it. He rushed as he yelled, "Su Zhinian, I used one whole night to help youpile those and you¡¯re shredding them without even taking a look at them? Do you know how many brain cells I wasted to..."


    Su Zhinian ignored Tang Nuo¡¯s cries of distress and continued feeding his files one by one into the shredder. Not until the files brought by Tang Nuo were paper scraps did Su Zhinian open his mouth to say, "If there¡¯s nothing else, you can leave now."


    Tang Nuo looked at the pile of paper shreds and then at Su Zhinian. Then,prehension dawned, and he gasped, "Su Zhinian, you did not agree to Song Qingchun¡¯s request to take over Song Empire?"


    Su Zhinian grumbled a nonmittal yes.


    "Did you know Song Cheng killed himself? Her father is in the hospital? She is not a business major and Song Empire is going bankrupt because it does not have a head?"


    Su Zhinian did not respond but used his mouse to close theputer. Facing Su Zhinian¡¯s silence, Tang Nuo continued, "Regardless you two can be considered friends, are you really going to ignore her plea for help?"


    After closing hisputer, Su Zhinian stood up and carried his coat with him.


    "Are you really not nning to help Song Qingchun, to help Song Empire?"


    The hand that went for his car key stopped in mid-air and Su Zhinian turned to face Tang Nuo. In a frank tone, he nodded and said, "Yes, I am not nning to help Song Qingchun and Song Empire."


    "Just what exactly happened for you to be so cruel toward her?" Tang Nuo powered on and added after a pause, "Also, five years ago, if the rumors were true, you spent a night with her, right? Then, you moved out of the Song family¡¯s residence without a word, so really, what urred between the two of you back then?"


    Tang Nuo had more questions in his mind, but he cleverly zipped his mouth shut when he saw the expression on Su Zhinian¡¯s face. He retreated quickly towards the office door and said, "I just remembered, I still have things to attend to, I will see you next time..."


    Then, Tang Nuo pulled open the door and left.


    About ten secondster, the door was again pushed open and Tang Nuo poked his head in to add, "Right, I forgot to tell you this..."

 Chapter 16: His Three Secrets (6)

    Chapter 16: His Three Secrets (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Before I got up, I saw Song Qingchun down at yourpany¡¯s entrance, she should be waiting for you... Also, today¡¯s temperature is a record low, and if I¡¯m not mistaken, she is not wearing manyyers..."


    That was all Tang Nuo said before closing the office door and left.


    ...


    A long time after Tang Nuo left, Su Zhinian retrieved his car keys and left his office. He went to the underground parking to fetch his car and was on his way to his lunch meeting at ¡¯Spices Garden¡¯. He just drove out of the underground parking and stopped by the road side. Su Zhinian took out his phone to call CEO Zhang, who he had the lunch meeting with, apologized, and went the other way toward hispany¡¯s entrance.


    It was as Tang Nuo said, Song Qingchun was there on the street opposite from the entrance. Probably due to his earlier warning to the guards, no one dared to allow her into the heated lobby.


    It was indeed a cold day, and she only had on a thin jacket with no gloves or hat. She had probably waited for too long, so she had escaped into the telephone booth not far away from hispany¡¯s entrance to seek warmth. However, her eyes were glued to the entrance as if worried that she might miss the person she was waiting for.


    Suddenly, she probably received a phone call because she retrieved her phone from her jacket pocket. Probably due to prolonged exposure to the frozen weather, the phone slipped from her hand and dropped to the ground. She bent over hurriedly to pick it up, finally after a few trials, she managed to grab hold of her phone and answer the call.


    "Hello? Big Sister... Su Zhinian has not agreed yet... Don¡¯t worry, I will definitely get him to agree to help Song Empire..."


    She hung up soon after and he could hear the heavy sigh that followed it. Even though they were a wide street apart and there was heavy traffic going both ways, he could still clearly hear the content of her phone conversation.


    Yes, he could hear her. This was his very own secret.


    He found out about this secret when he was still very young. His hearing was much more sensitive than normal people. He could still hear voices and sound clearly even though the source was from very far away.


    Not only that, he could even read other people¡¯s inner thoughts through physical contact.


    This was his personal secret because when he was very young and first discovered this power, he told others, but no one believed him. Even his mother suspected him of suffering from mental illness, almost sending him to the sanatorium. He learnt his lesson, and he did not dare to bring this up before others anymore. As he grew up, he knew this inexplicable superpower that came with his birth was an object of fear and suspicion for others, and thus, it became his own private secret.


    Actually, even he could not exin why he had such superpower. He was just as normal as everyone else, he would get sick, grow old, have emotions, and die...


    In any case, there was more than this one secret locked within him that was unknown by others. There were in total three of them.

 Chapter 17: His Three Secrets (7)

    Chapter 17: His Three Secrets (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    His second secret was along the same vein as his first, a type of superpower, but it was much more sinister and practical in nature. If he wanted, he could control anyone¡¯s mind to do certain things or say certain things.


    However, the period of control would notst for very long, it was generally only a minute. The person who was controlled by him would have temporary amnesia after breaking free from his control. To put it simply, that controlled individual would not know or remember what happened during that one minute.


    From the moment he realized he had this power until now, he had been careful in using it. In fact, he had definitely used it less than ten times. This was because in the period when he controlled others, if the person suffered physical injury, he would suffer the same injury on his own body. Other than that, he could not control people to hurt others. Simrly, if the person he controlled hurt others, he would suffer the simr injury as the ones inflicted.


    His third secret had nothing to do with superpower but a person, and that person was...


    Suddenly, his phone rang and interrupted his train of thought. Su Zhinian frowned and pulled back from his reverie. He nced at the caller ID and collected his emotions as he answered the call.


    "CEO Su, CEO Lu, Mr. Lu Jinnian from Huan Ying Entertainment is here; he¡¯s waiting for you at thepany."


    "I understand," Su Zhinian replied mildly before hanging up. He did not start his car engine instantly but continued to study Song Qingchun who was still in the telephone booth across the street through his car window. After some time, he finally averted his gaze and drove away.


    ...


    After the meeting in the caf¨¦ on thepany¡¯s ground floor came to a close, the people started to leave. In the end, only Su Zhinian and Tang Nuo remained.


    Su Zhinian, who sat across from Tang Nuo, focused on reading the document in his hands. He would take asional breaks in between reading to pick up the coffee from the table to take a sip.


    "Here she is again..." After Tang Nuo called the waiter for a refill, he looked out the window and mumbled thusly to himself. Su Zhinian knew who he was talking about without taking his eyes off the document. There was no visible change in his expression as he focused on his task at hand.


    "I believe she has been camping that spot for at least three times already this week... I remember catching her still standing there one night after ate overtime shift. That day my car was at the garage, even after I left with the taxi, she was still standing there unmoved."


    Su Zhinian acted like the person mentioned by Tang Nuo had nothing to do with him, and he continued to flip through the document with indifference. Perhaps bored from his inability to get a rise out of Su Zhinian, Tang Nuo eventually went silent. However, after a while, he suddenly gasped. "It¡¯s snowing."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s finger which was flipping through the page flinched slightly. His gaze was still glued to the document. Earlier, he used only one minute to finish reading the page¡¯s content, but this time he spent ten minutes staring at it, and not one word managed to register in his mind. Finally, he unwittingly lifted his head to take a nce out the window.


    The snow was falling fast. It took barely a minute to cover the streets with a whiteyer.


    Song Qingchun probably could not find a ce to shelter from the snow, so she nted herself dumbly in the falling snow.

 Chapter 18: His Three Secrets (8)

    Chapter 18: His Three Secrets (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Initially, she still used her hand to brush off the snow that had fallen on her, but as the snowfall grew heavier and the snow collected on her body quicker than she could brush off, she just gave up. She pulled the sleeves of her coat up further and allowed the snow to pile on her. It took barely a moment for her hair and shoulders to collect a white sheen of snow.


    Su Zhinian frowned unconsciously. His eyes that seemed to focus on the document would asionally wander to look out the window.


    Song Qingchun changed her pose because she was tired from maintaining the same posture. As she moved, her eyes swept across the floor-length window of the caf¨¦ opposite from her, and through the ss, she caught a familiar figure sitting within.


    Song Qingchun was stunned, and the first thought that cropped up in her mind was that she must be seeing things. Ever since their parting at Eldorado, she had been trying to ost him at the entrance of hispany, and this was the first time she had seen him...


    As Song Qingchun was lost in her thoughts, Su Zhinian suddenly turned his head. His gaze slowly fell on her and their eyes met.


    Even though it was through a ss window, Song Qingchun could sense clearly the chill in his eyes. It forced Song Qingchun to unconsciously lower her eyes. When she lifted her eyes again, Su Zhinian had turned back to his document. His finger was on the service bell attached to the side of the table.


    Very soon, a waiter walked over with a smile. It appeared that he was answering the service call. Su Zhinian¡¯s gaze did not leave his document. Through the ss, Song Qingchun could see his lips move. The waiter nodded with a smile at him. He then passed the sofa Su Zhinian was sitting in and walked to the window. After that, the waiter pulled down the drapes topletely block his sight of her.


    He said that he did not want her to appear in his sight again, so even though he was indoors, and she was outdoors and was not even in the same physical space as he was, he still had the waiter draw down the drapes, to block her view, to draw the line of their rtionship.


    ...


    The heavy drapes covered therge windowpletely; the patrons within had no possibility of seeing the scenery outside.


    Tang Nuo thought for a moment when he noticed Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun were looking at each other that Su Zhinian would go and look for Song Qingchun, but after the shared gaze thatsted for about half a minute, Su Zhinian turned his head back with indifference. He even called the waiter to draw the curtain as he went back to his document like nothing had happened.


    Tang Nuo who could not stand it anymore finally asked, "Aren¡¯t you going out to take a look? You¡¯re going to let her continue waiting in the cold?"


    Su Zhinian turned a deaf ear to his question. Tang Nuo shrugged and kept his opinion to himself. Then, he pulled out aptop to do his own work.


    After an hour had passed, Tang Nuo finished his work. He raised his eyes to massage his tired shoulders. He was going to call the waiter for another refill when he realized Su Zhinian opposite him was staring directly at themp on the table like he had lost his mind.


    Tang Nuo frowned. "What¡¯s wrong?"


    Su Zhinian did not respond. It was as if he waspletely focused on listening to something.


    "What are you doing?" Tang Nuo waved his hand in front of Su Zhinian to catch his attention.

 Chapter 19: His Three Secrets (9)

    Chapter 19: His Three Secrets (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian recovered and answered mildly, "It¡¯s nothing."


    Then, he concentrated on his hearing again. The sound of the howling wind, the soft crunch of snow under people¡¯s footsteps, the shrill car horns and... the sound of her breath as she blew out to warm her hands.


    After the waiter filled Tang Nuo¡¯s cup, Tang Nuo looked at his watch to check the time. Then, he scurried to the window and lifted a corner of it to look out. "The snow still hasn¡¯t stopped, huh?"


    Tang Nuo cursed under his breath due to the bad weather and then hemented with shock, "Song Qingchun is still here, why? Has she lost her mind, waiting so long in such heavy snow? Even I¡¯m impressed by her patience and determination..."


    As he finished, Su Zhinian could hear clearly a heavy sneeze by Song Qingchun beside his ear. His hands that grabbed at the document tightened.


    Tang Nuo sighed heavily and put down the curtain with a heavy shake of his head. Pitying the girl, he could not help but ask, "Why won¡¯t you help her?"


    The moment he said that, he remembered how dark Su Zhinian¡¯s expression had be when he mentioned Song Qingchun a few days ago and he instantly realized he had identally stepped on Su Zhinian¡¯s taboo topic. He smiled at Su Zhinian in an attempt to cate, and noticing the document Su Zhinian had been holding, he made use of it to quickly change the subject. "By the way, what is this? I notice you have reading it for days already..."


    Then, Tang Nuo stretched his neck to take a peek at the document. Before Tang Nuo could even see a word, like he¡¯d been shocked by electricity, Su Zhinian mmed the folder closed, stood up wordlessly, and stormed out the caf¨¦ with ire.


    As Su Zhinian stepped outside, he made a call to have his people drive his car to the entrance of thepany. He then passed the lobby and exited thepany.


    ...


    Song Qingchun, who had been watching thepany entrance, quickly hailed a taxi when she saw Su Zhinian get into his car.


    Even though it wasn¡¯t rush hour, the traffic was still a bit slow due to the snow. Therefore, Song Qingchun did not lose Su Zhinian. Su Zhinian¡¯s car finally stopped before a private club house.


    This club house was one of the high scale club houses in Beijing. It had a European architecture style that was as incredible as the entrance fee. Song Qingchun was once a VIP member, the total number of times she had visited the ce was in the hundreds.


    If this was a few years ago, she could waltz into the club house to approach Su Zhinian with no issue, but now she was no longer a VIP. After Song Cheng¡¯s suicide, Song Empire started its decline, where would she find time and money for recreation like this? Therefore, when the club house informed her to renew the annual membershipst month, she chose to decline.


    Song Qingchun waited until Su Zhinian entered the club house before she exited the taxi. Song Empire was going to have its shareholders¡¯ meeting next week. If she could not find someone capable to take over Song Empire, Song Empire would disappear from this world like its previous CEO.


    Therefore, no matter what, Song Qingchun had to meet Su Zhinian that day. Song Qingchun steeled herself with a deep breath and walked to stand beside Su Zhinian¡¯s car.


    Since he came in a ride, he had to use the car when he wanted to return. Therefore, if she nted herself beside his car, she would eventually meet him.

 Chapter 20: His Three Secrets (10)

    Chapter 20: His Three Secrets (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Prosper Corp was having a small get-together at the club house. After Su Zhinian made his social round, he excused himself and retreated to the balcony that was rtively quiet. The snow had stopped, and Beijing appeared to have been given a white coat of paint.


    Actually, it was not in his itinerary to attend the get-together, but when he heard Song Qingchun tell the taxi driver, "Please follow that car in front that has the car te that ends with 00," he thought about it and decided toe to this club house.


    She was the ce¡¯s VIP, so she must be waiting for him sitting on the lobby¡¯s sofa. Suddenly, Su Zhinian wondered, what was that woman up to at this moment?


    Su Zhinian swirled the wine ss in his hand and took a small sip of red wine. Then, he focusedpletely on his hearing. Various sounds drifted into his ears, the sound of car brakes, the underground rails, trains, airnes, announcements, music... and various conservations.


    "It¡¯s so cold and snowing, I don¡¯t feel like going out. Let¡¯s cancel our date tonight and move it to another date..."


    "Honey, I am reaching the hotel lobby, where did you say you were waiting for me?"


    "I don¡¯t want to break up with you, can¡¯t you give me one more chance? I really cannot lose you..."


    ...


    Su Zhinian was unable to pick up Song Qingchun¡¯s voice from the cacophony. Su Zhinian waited for a while longer but still he did not hear Song Qingchun, however he did hear someone mention the name ¡¯Song Qingchun¡¯.


    "CEO Zhang, when I entered the club house, I saw you conversing with a young woman at the entrance. She looks pretty, who is she? Your new lover?"


    "No, she¡¯s from Song Empire, Song Menghwa¡¯s daughter, her name is Song Qingchun."


    "Song Menghwa¡¯s daughter? Why did she approach you?"


    "She has no money but wants to get into my club house. She begged me to give her special permission for this once considering the years she has been this club house¡¯s VIP."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s brows creased to a frown. Song Qingchun is no longer this club house¡¯s VIP?


    Then, CEO Zhang¡¯s tone that was rife with disgust and derision floated into his ear. "Does she not realize the condition Song Empire is in? She really still thinks she is the Song family¡¯s cherished daughter, where does she get the idea that someone like her can still waltz into my club house? She should have known by now the world has changed..."


    There was an eerie cruelty that twisted Su Zhinian¡¯s features.


    CEO Zhang continued to mock her. "Who is she to think I will make an exception for her? If not for her pretty face and young body, I would not have even talked to her..."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes narrowed dangerously. CEO Zhang behind him, who was in the middle of retelling the story, suddenly pressed down hard on the wine ss in his right hand, squishing it into pieces. The ss pieces pierced into his palm and blood started to pour.


    Then, CEO Zhang¡¯s ear-splitting cries shattered the rtive peace of the room. "Help me! Help me!"


    "CEO Zhang, what happened to you, why did you grip the wine ss in your hand so hard?"


    "I have no idea what happened. I felt like, just for one second, I lost control over my body and... Ouch, ouch, ouch... Quick get me a doctor..."


    Su Zhinian ignored the chaotic scene, stuck his right hand into his trousers pocket, and strode out of the room with no clear emotion on his face.

 Chapter 21: Her Love has Returned (1)

    Chapter 21: Her Love has Returned (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    After Su Zhinian stepped into the elevator, the attendant asked respectfully, "Sir, which floor do you wish to go to?"


    Su Zhinian answered softly, "First floor."


    The attendant smiled at Su Zhinian before pressing the ¡¯1¡¯ button and the ¡¯Close¡¯ button in one smooth motion. The heavy metallic door closed slowly, and the elevator started to descend. When they reached the fifth floor, Su Zhinian suddenly heard a familiar voice in his ears. It was a very weak moan by Song Qingchun.


    Su Zhinian frowned deeply and concentrated on her voice, but he could no longer hear her. Agitated, Su Zhinian raised his left hand to repeatedly press on the ¡¯4¡¯ button. The elevator stopped and opened at the fourth floor. Su Zhinian stood immobile in the elevator, not moving a muscle.


    The attendant turned around with a confused look and opened her lips to ask, "Sir, do you wish to..."


    "Stop talking!" Su Zhinian ordered in a harsh and rude tone. The attendant grimaced and subconsciously took one step back.


    About ten secondter, Song Qingchun¡¯s weak voice floated into Su Zhinian¡¯s ears again, "Hmm... Pain..."


    Su Zhinian swiped at the ¡¯Close¡¯ button with lightning speed. When the elevator opened at first floor, Su Zhinian dashed out of the elevator before the attendant could say anything.


    ...


    Song Qingchun squatted beside Su Zhinian¡¯s car. Her hands were forcefully pressed on the lower abdomen of her stomach and she was moaning weakly. The icy wind was howling, and her body could not stop shaking from the bone-piercing chill.


    When she was in high school and had her first period, Song Qingchun realized she had dysmenorrhea because she had a cold constitution. It was only after a long habituation period using Chinese medicine that her condition got better.


    It had been about four to five years since she had a painful period, but perhaps it was due to her recent constant exposure to the cold that her inveterate disease returned.


    That night, it felt like her abdomen was going to explode as pain shot through her body. The pain that attempted to tear her open from within grew until a state where she felt like she was losing her consciousness. Song Qingchun had no idea how long she could still hold on, but no matter what, she had to wait for Su Zhinian to show...


    Another wintry breeze swept through her shivering body, bringing with it ayer of snow. The snowkes dropped on Song Qingchun and some fell through the open crevices of her clothes, and their icy touch on Song Qingchun¡¯s skin made her shiver even harder.


    Just as Song Qingchun was losing her mind from the pain, a low voice suddenly floated down from above her. "What are you doing squatting here?"


    Song Qingchun opened her eyes and saw a pair of male leather shoes before her. She paused as things registered in her mind before lifting her head to see Su Zhinian in arge ck winter coat staring down at her with one of his hand in the coat pocket. He had finally appeared...


    Song Qingchun gritted her teeth, suppressed the pain from her stomach, and stood totteringly up. As she managed to straighten herself, another gust of breeze came and thatbined with the shot of visceral pain from her lower abdomen almost knocked Song Qingchun off her feet.


    She faltered but stayed standing by grabbing Su Zhinian¡¯s car door.


    She looked at Su Zhinian with a face that was startlingly white and said, "CEO Su, I was waiting for you. I¡¯m looking for you because I hope you will reconsider taking over Song Empire..."

 Chapter 22: Her Love Has Returned (2)

    Chapter 22: Her Love Has Returned (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "We will pay you, but we can only give you 20,000,000 RMB for now, can we pay you in instalment for the rest..."


    "Get that idea out of your mind, told you I will never take over Song Empire." Su Zhinian¡¯s words were as chilling as the wind that blew through the city. It was as if he could not see the weakened state she was in and powered on without pity. "Before I lose my patience, I advise you to get out my face¡ª"


    Before he could finish, Song Qingchun¡¯s body faltered and she copsed forward. Su Zhinian reacted quickly to use his left hand to catch her waist. The physical contact meant that he was able to read the thoughts in her mind clearly.


    Why did my period have toe today? Not only that, why did it have to be so painful...


    Then, Song Qingchun lost her consciousness andpletely fainted.


    ...


    Su Zhinian was driving with one hand on the stirring wheel and in the middle of a call with Auntie Sun.


    "Tell Doctor Xia toe to the house," Su Zhinian ordered in a mild tone as his gaze fell on Song Qingchun, who was in the back seat, then he added, "No, get Doctor Xia to send a female doctor to the house... No, I¡¯m not sick, I have a woman with me that is sick..."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s tone became suddenly agitated. "No, this woman has nothing to do with me. I was passing by when I saw her fainting by the side of the road... What kind of sickness?"


    Su Zhinian paused for about ten seconds then quickly said "Period pain" at his phone, before hanging up without waiting for Auntie Sun¡¯s reply. Su Zhinian maintained hisposure and his facial expression did not change much as he stared straight ahead and focused on his driving. However, soon after, a faint blush rose on his fair cheeks.


    ...


    "Mr. Su." Auntie Sun put down the cup of coffee on his table after she pushed open the door to his study. She nced at Su Zhinian, who was standing before the window, and opened her mouth to say, "I have just sent Doctor Xu away."


    Su Zhinian noted with a faded "mm" without turning around.


    "Miss Song was probably frozen by the cold weather and copsed due to extreme pain. Doctor Xu gave her a shot and said she will recover after a good rest."


    Su Zhinian nodded without saying a word.


    "I have cleaned up the guest room, you can go rest there if you want."


    "I know." Su Zhinian waved impatiently at Auntie Sun. Auntie Sun sensibly stopped talking and retreated out of the study.


    After Su Zhinian confirmed that Auntie Sun had returned to her downstairs room, he walked to the sofa and pulled out his right hand that he had kept stuck in his pocket. The napkin bandage around his palm was already dyed a bloody red.


    Su Zhinian tore the napkin off and tossed it into the dustbin. He then retrieved the disinfectant to clean his wounds. The pain made his brows furrow deeply and the disinfectant that dropped into the bin was a faded red.


    Su Zhinian took a close look at his wounds; one part of his flesh waspletely torn open and blood was still oozing out of it. CEO Zhang would have a simr wound on his hand.


    Su Zhinian applied some ointment over the injury and used the cotton gauze to create a simple bandage.


    Then he picked up the document next to him. It was the same document he was studying that afternoon at thepany caf¨¦. The one that Tang Nuo said he had been studying for days.

 Chapter 23: Her Love Has Returned (3)

    Chapter 23: Her Love Has Returned (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian stared at the document¡¯s cover for a long while before flinging it back on the table. He then stood up, paused for a second, before striding out of the study and toward his bedroom. Su Zhinian pushed open the door as gently as he could and stepped into the room.


    Song Qingchun was deeply asleep in his bed. Probably due to the earlier cold, even though she was snuggled under thefortableyers of his mattress, her lips still had a purple hue to them. The heater in the room was set on high. She even tossed part of the quilt open to disperse the heat.


    Su Zhinian walked to the bedside to readjust the quilt, and then he stood there quietly studying her face. She had exquisite features, long brows and high nose, simr to how he remembered in his memory. Su Zhinian studied Song Qingchun for a long time before turning around to leave.


    ...


    The day after was Saturday, Auntie Sun¡¯s off day. Last night, Auntie Sun had returned to her own home.


    When Su Zhinian woke up, Song Qingchun was still asleep. When he was washing his face, the shock of pain as his right hand touched the water reminded him of his injury. He redressed the bandage on his hand before leaving home with his keys.


    When he returned, it was already one hourter. After he parked, he snagged the breakfast on the passenger seat and descended from his car.


    He keyed in his password, pushed open the door, and when he was changing out of his shoes while juggling the packs of breakfast, he heard the sound of conversations from upstairs.


    His mind nked for moment, and after listening in for a while, he understood Song Qingchun was on the phone. Su Zhinian, despite of his incredibly good hearing, was not a creep who could eavesdrop on people¡¯s conversation. He turned his attention away to focus on removing his shoes.


    As he walked into the living room, he caught the words "Brother Yinan" from Song Qingchun¡¯s mouth.


    Brother Yinan, this was a name that Su Zhinian was utterly familiar with.


    There could only be one Brother Yinan in Song Qingchun¡¯s lexicon and that person was Qin Yinan.


    Su Zhinian stopped moving and his hands that gripped the packs of breakfast became unconsciously tighter.


    "Brother Yinan, are you really leaving the troops anding back to Beijing? ... This is wonderful news, when will you arrive? I will go fetch you... The third of next month? You want to treat me to dinner and give me present because it is my birthday on the eighth next month..."


    Derision shed across Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes and he suddenly turned to storm out of the door. He did not even change out of his slipper and made a beeline at the door. There was like a fire burning in his chest and he mmed the door heavily behind him and half-ran toward the bungalow¡¯s gate.


    Su Zhinian only stopped when he reached the trashcan opposite from the gate. He then shoved the breakfast that he lined up for half an hour to purchase down the trashcan without batting an eye.


    ...


    After hanging up, Song Qingchun¡¯s mood was the best it had been in recent times. The words Qin Yinan told her on the phone crowded her mind. Song Song, I aming back to Beijing.


    I aming back to Beijing... They were only a few simple words, but that was enough to brighten Song Qingchun¡¯s day. It made her want to hop all over the room,ughing to herself.


    This was probably the only good news she had received after Song Cheng¡¯s suicide. Song Qingchun could not suppress the smile that threaten to surface, and she sighed blissfully. "Brother Yinan is finallying home..."


    While she was still lost in her euphoria, the bedroom was shoved open from the outside. Song Qingchun mmed up subconsciously and turned to look at the door.


    Su Zhinian seemed to fill up the door with his regal presence as his freezing cold eyes red at her. "If you¡¯re up, then get out!"

 Chapter 24: Her Love Has Returned (4)

    Chapter 24: Her Love Has Returned (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun stared at Su Zhinian, who from her perspective had materialized out of thin air. She was however quickly jolted out of her shock by the sharp tone employed by Su Zhinian. The hint of a smile that hung on her face due to the call from Qin Yinan disappeared as if wiped off. She quickly nced around at her surroundings and realized it was Su Zhinian¡¯s room. Then, the situation fromst night slowly came back to her, like how she waited for him to eventually show up and how she fainted from extreme period pain before she could plead her case.


    So... it was him who brought her homest night?


    Song Qingchun knew Su Zhinian still hated her. After all, he literally just told her to get out of his house, but she finally got a private moment with him and she could not waste it. She had no choice but to continue to fight for the sake of Song Empire.


    Song Qingchun knew Su Zhinian was a man of little patience. She was afraid he would drag her out like the first time she visited his home, so she quickly jumped off his bed and searched for a letter from her bag. She walked towards Su Zhinian and presented it to him. "This is the cheque for 20,000,000 RMB. It is everything Song Empire has to offer at this moment, so please reconsider..."


    "I do not have time for your daydreams. If you do not understand what I told you before, then I will repeat myself clearly one more time, I will never take over Song Empire!" Su Zhinian interrupted her in a monotonous tone that wasced with finality and edge. "Before I throw you out myself, I will give you one minute to get your things together and disappear from my sight!"


    Then, Su Zhinian turned to walk out of the bedroom and into his study, obviously not interested to be in the same space as Song Qingchun.


    Song Qingchun rushed after him and asked, "Please tell me, what will make you want to take over Song Empire?"


    Su Zhinian did not answer but increased his pace. Song Qingchun did not put on any slippers when she jumped off his bed so the small jog across the hardwood floor chafed the balls of her feet. "Name your price, no matter what it is, I will definitely do it."


    Su Zhinian acted like he did not even hear her and continued to push open the door to his study. This was thest chance Song Qingchun had; if she could not persuade him that day, theing Monday would be the day Song Empire disappeared from the face of the Earth.


    However, she could not break through to Su Zhinian no matter how hard she tried. She even brought up that night they shared, but it only brought her more heartache...


    Song Qingchun watched the door of the study slowly close in her face and she blurted out without thinking, "If you worry you will be in my close proximity after you be Song Empire¡¯s CEO, do not worry because as long as you promise to save Song Empire, I promise to vanish from your life..."


    The door suddenly stopped moving. She was finally convincing him?


    A seed of hope blossomed in Song Qingchun¡¯s heart. She swore to Su Zhinian, "I will avoid the ces you go to and I promise to not appear in your sight anymore. If you wish for it, I will even leave Beijing..."

 Chapter 25: Her Love Has Returned (5)

    Chapter 25: Her Love Has Returned (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Are you seriously discussing terms with me?"


    The eyes that stared at Song Qingchun were dispassionate and calm. Even his tone was eerily t. His perfect face showed no expression. Su Zhinian was as unreadable as white-painted wall; however, this was much scarier than when he was obviously angry.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart started to palpitate. She had difficulty staring him in his eyes; she averted her eyes subconsciously, and the words that came out of her mouth were not as crisp and confident as before. They felt weak and pale, like how she was feeling. "If you say yes, I can do all those things..."


    "Answer my question, are you seriously discussing terms with me?"


    Su Zhinian¡¯s tone was as t as before, but it presented a great amount of pressure, so much so that Song Qingchun felt like she was being suffocated.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s fight-or-flight response warned her that she was in mortal danger, but she was frozen solid, and she seemed to have lost her ability to speak.


    Su Zhinian stared straight at her without blinking. Even though she did not dare to meet his eyes, Song Qingchun felt her legs giving. She subconsciously took one step back due to her self-preservation instinct, but her small action only made things worse, because the next second, the man suddenly stuck out his arm to grab her chin to forcefully lift her face up to force her to stare directly into his eyes. The words that came out of his mouth though were in such a gentle tone that it sent chills all over her body. "Song Qingchun, you must have lost your mind to talk terms with me.


    "Just who do you think you are? Did you really think I would negotiate with you?" Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes hardened and the hand that mped over her chin tightened. Every inch of his body was radiating menace. "You should know you are worth less than a piece of dust in my eyes, so why would you think you can discuss terms with me? Let me tell you, if I really want you to disappear from my sight, I have more than a million ways of achieving that! Negotiate with me? You do not have that right! You are not qualified!"


    "If you do not want Song Empire to crumble to dust right this moment..." Su Zhinian raised his other arm to point at the door downstairs and ordered in a bone-chilling tone, "Then get out! Get as far as possible away from my house!"


    Song Qingchun, ever since she was a child, had lived a pampered life; she¡¯d had parents who loved her and her big brother who doted on her unconditionally. She was raised a princess and had an arrogance within her that was natural from such an upbringing. If not for the fact that her family was in a dire situation, she would not have lowered herself to such a regrettable level to beg others, much less that person had to be Su Zhinian who she did not want to meet again in her life...


    Honestly, she was starting to break from being verbally insulted again and again by Su Zhinian. Her eyes started to mist but her natural arrogance would never allow her to drop any tears before Su Zhinian.


    She bit on her lips hard, trying her best to maintain herposure. She slowly pried her chin from Su Zhinian¡¯s grasp and stood before him for about ten seconds before turning to walk away.


    Song Qingchun was in such a hurry to leave that she forgot about her clothes, bag, and phone that were left in Su Zhinian¡¯s bedroom. She dashed downstairs and out of his bungalow without looking back.

 Chapter 26: Her Love Has Returned (6)

    Chapter 26: Her Love Has Returned (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The room suddenly became overly quiet. Su Zhinian did not move from the door of the study, his arm was still raised, his hand persisted in holding Song Qingchun¡¯s chin that was no longer there.


    He stood in that position for a long time before going back into his study. Then, like nothing had happened, he opened hisputer.


    His expression was the same throughout. His finger asionally clicked on the mouse and he would also type long paragraphs on the keyboard. Suddenly, he stopped for some unknown reason to look outside the window. Then his gaze fell on the document that was left on the table in front of the sofa. He felt as if the document that he had been studying over the past few days was silently judging him.


    He remembered Tang Nuo¡¯s question the other day. By the way, what is this? I notice you have been reading it for days already...


    This document detailed Song Empire¡¯s development in recent years. Long before Tang Nuo came to him, he had alreadypiled one on his own. Or more urately... he had alreadypiled one long before Song Qingchun came to him.


    Tang Nuo also asked why he wouldn¡¯t help her.


    That¡¯s right... why wouldn¡¯t he help her?


    Because he was afraid... Afraid that after he helped her, he would never see her again. Then again, even if he didn¡¯t, he still wouldn¡¯t see her again.


    Before she left, he could hear her inner voices clearly. She had given up, given up on begging him to save Song Empire. To get his help, she had been hounding him for almost a whole month... In the bitter cold, she had waited for him at the front of hispany for a whole month. While working, he would see her shadow whenever he looked down from his office window...


    However, that would not be true from then onward. Su Zhinian felt frustrated by these thoughts crowding his mind. He closed hisputer out of annoyance and stormed out of his study.


    As he stepped into his bedroom, he saw her clothes and bag that strewn across his floor and her phone that was still on his bed... Anger red up within him and he curled her stuff into a ball and tossed them down from the balcony without much thought.


    Perhaps because she was under the same roof as him yesterday, his sleep in the guest room had been restless. Su Zhinian climbed into his bed, trying to repay his sleep debt, but her scent that had adhered to his mattress kept boring into his nostrils. He was so irked that he flipped off the mattress and charged downstairs in an angry fit.


    After stepping out of his bungalow, Su Zhinian¡¯s gaze was attracted by Song Qingchun¡¯s stuff that was strewn across his patio. He bit his lips before walking over to bend over and pick them up one by one.


    ...


    Song Qingchun walked for quite a distance before her emotions calmed down. She realized there were many people on the streets sneaking looks at her. She shivered involuntarily and finally realized she was not only not wearing any winter coat in the winter, but also, she was barefooted. Her feet were so frostbitten that she did not realize she could no longer feel them anymore.


    Song Qingchun stopped by the side of the road and was thinking about hailing a cab when she realized her phone and bag were both left behind at Su Zhinian¡¯s home.


    She turned to look at his bungalow a distance away but did not turn to walk towards it. Her mood that had been improving became depressed again.


    How was she going to exin to her father and sister-inw that she was unable to persuade Su Zhinian?


    Her father would be devastated by the news... After all, Song Empire was his life¡¯s work...

 Chapter 27: Her Love Has Returned (7)

    Chapter 27: Her Love Has Returned (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun could not help but sigh under her breath as she wandered aimlessly ahead while she figured out a way to get home. She was so caught up in her own trouble that she did not notice a car shoot past her with incredible speed before stopping abruptly.


    Su Zhinian got down from the car and mmed the door behind him. He dashed to stand before Song Qingchun and grabbed her hand to drag her to his car without saying a word.


    Song Qingchun yelped out of shock before the following sentence fell from her mouth. "Su Zhinian, what are you doing?" She did not realize she was calling him by name.


    Su Zhinian ignored her, pulled open the car door with a nk expression, and practically shoved her in before mming the door shut. Then he got in and floored pedal without even taking a nce at Song Qingchun.


    The atmosphere in the car was awkward due to theck of conservation. Song Qingchun sat quietly beside Su Zhinian, and she could feel the dangerous aura radiating off him very clearly. A few minutes ago, he just cruelly threw her out of his house, but now he dragged him back into his car... Just what was he nning?


    Song Qingchun could not help herself from stealing a look at Su Zhinian through the rear-view mirror. The man¡¯s right hand was stuck in his pocket and his left hand was ced leisurely over the steering wheel. His handsome face was marked by ack of emotion other than his tense lips that deterred conservation.


    The car returned to Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow. After putting his car out, Su Zhinian ignored Song Qingchun and got out his car and entered his home.


    Su Zhinian did not lock the door. Song Qingchun had a hard time guessing his thoughts; she sat in the car for a few more seconds before deciding to follow him into the house.


    Su Zhinian sat alone in the luxurious living room, flipping through a stack of white paper in his hand. Even though she tried her best to tip-toe into the house, he was still alerted by her silent footsteps. He raised his head slightly and his cold gaze locked onto her as he pointed at the sofa beside him.


    Song Qingchun knew he was signaling her to sit. She walked over after briefly hesitating, but she did not dare to sit.


    Su Zhinian stared at the white paper for around three minutes before retrieving a pen to sign his name on it. He then dropped it on the table before Song Qingchun.


    Song Qingchun nced at Su Zhinian before lowering her head to look at the papers. She was shocked to realize it was the same stack of document she had given Su Zhinian earlier when she begged him to be Song Empire¡¯s CEO.


    In the column for signature, the name "Su Zhinian" was clearly written on it. He had signed... meaning he was willing to take over Song Empire?


    Song Qingchun turned to Su Zhinian with disbelief and she asked in a shaking voice, "You... agreed?"


    Su Zhinian did not answer. Song Qingchun extended her hand to reach for the document, but before her fingertip could even reach it, Su Zhinian suddenly mmed his palm on the document.


    Song Qingchun raised her head again to look at Su Zhinian; confusion filled her eyes.


    Su Zhinian did not hurry to answer. He merely pulled the document away as he leaned back in the sofa. Meeting Song Qingchun¡¯s confused gaze, he said slowly, "As long as I promise to take over Song Empire, you will fulfill any request I make, correct?"


    He was paraphrasing what she had promised him earlier.


    Song Qingchun halted for a second or two before nodding. "Yes."

 Chapter 28: Her Love Has Returned (8)

    Chapter 28: Her Love Has Returned (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "I don¡¯t want shares from Song Empire, nor the pay, nor the yearly bonus..." Su Zhinian purposely paused when he reached this part. Song Qingchun¡¯s heart started to race. The more he said he did not want certain things... the more anxious she became...


    Su Zhinian fanned himself with the nk document and continued in a tone that was so monotonous that it sounded like it came from a machine. "This nk document included, I can leave it nk..."


    Song Qingchun subconsciously pulled her shirt down and stared at Su Zhinian silently, waiting for him to finish. She knew what wasing next would be the main point.


    The time seemed to freeze in that one second.


    Su Zhinian seemed to be deep in thought and did not say a word for a long time. This stillness weighed heavily down on Song Qingchun¡¯s heart that she felt that she had trouble breathing. She swallowed heavily and could not help but ask, "What do you want then?"


    Almost at the second Song Qingchun finished her question, Su Zhinian¡¯s t voice rang out. "I want you."


    Song Qingchun was stunned, she had a hard time believing what she just heard.


    "I want you," Su Zhinian repeated himself, and this time he did not pause but continued to finish the rest of his thoughts while maintaining the void of emotions. "One hundred days, I want all the nights from your one hundred days. If you agree to this term, then I will return to you in one hundred days a fully recovered Song Empire!"


    One hundred days... All the nights from her one hundred days... He was asking her to use her body to trade for Song Empire¡¯s revival?


    Song Qingchun gritted her teeth tightly.


    "Starting from next month, Auntie Sun will be returning to her old home. So, I need you to move in with me, because you will be responsible for my living arrangement," Su Zhinian continued in a tone that sounded like he was in a business meeting, which in a way, he was. "From 7 pm to 7 am, in these twelve hours, your time belongs to me, so you have to make sure that you can be contacted at any time and show yourself when needed."


    Su Zhinian stood up with the contract and when he passed Song Qingchun, it was as if he suddenly remembered something because he lowered his lips to Song Qingchun¡¯s ear and whispered, "By the way, don¡¯t think too highly of yourself. You know I don¡¯t like people who stick their fingers into my business. You just so happen to be a convenient recement."


    Then he straightened himself and added, "Think about it. If you agree to the terms,e find me in the upstairs study to take this contract."


    Su Zhinian then waved the nk document at Song Qingchun¡¯s face before turning to walk upstairs.


    ...


    The fact that Song Qingchun had a crush on someone aside, no normal woman would use her body in a trade. Even though her crush had no idea she was in love with him, deep down within her heart, she was adamantly against this contract.


    But her father was old and sick. His heart was always worried about thepany; if Song Empire copsed just like that, they would alsond themselves in a world of debts... Furthermore... her sister-inw had just lost her husband, could she really put her through more trouble?


    Song Qingchun stood quietly in the living room for a long time until she went weak at the knees. Then, she blinked slowly like she hade to a decision...

 Chapter 29: Her Love Has Returned (9)

    Chapter 29: Her Love Has Returned (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes blinked with determination as she turned around to step toward the stairs. It took her five minutes to go up ten steps.


    When she reached the second floor, the sunlight happened to stream through the open window, covering the corridor in its golden rays. Song Qingchun stared at the study room door twenty meters away from her for about half a minute before moving toward it.


    The door was closed, and she could hear nothing from within, in fact the 300 square meter bungalow was so eerily quiet that Song Qingchun could hear her own heart beating. This door represented a choice.


    Song Qingchun gripped her fists tightly as if struggling onest time. However, this time, as if fearful that she might regret the decision at any moment; she quickly lifted her hand to knock on the door.


    About five secondster, the t tone that was unique to Su Zhinian called out from behind the door. "Come in."


    Song Qingchun pushed open the door as quietly as she could. She nced around and noticed Su Zhinian sitting at his desk, working on hisputer. His face was focused as the sound of fingers tapping on keyboard filled the room.


    Song Qingchun approached him while holding her breath. Su Zhinian did not take his eyes off the screen to address Song Qingchun as if his focus waspletely upied by theputer.


    Song Qingchun waited for a while before saying, "CEO Su."


    Su Zhinian still did not look away from the monitor. He muttered an incoherent "mm" as his fingers continued to fly over the keyboard. Song Qingchun did not dare make another peep lest she disturbed him.


    The study was silent except for the sound of the keyboard.


    Song Qingchun got rather bored of waiting, so she could not help but raise her eyes to surreptitiously study Su Zhinian. He was wearing a simple, white shirt that was curled at his sleeves to expose his muscr and fair arms, and his fingers that typed on the keyboard were tapered and manicured.


    The sun from outside the window fellzily on him, creating a halo of light around his white shirt, the rays deepening his bone structure and features.


    Song Qingchun tried very hard to find ws on his physical appearance, but all of her nitpicking eventually became praises. She was a reporter and thus had approached many beautiful stars in her line of work, but she had not found another person from presence to physical features that was more perfect than him.


    She had to admit that he was so perfect that it seemed utterly unreal.


    For some reason, aizen¡¯sment on one of Su Zhinian¡¯s many pictures cropped up in her mind... Whenever he is around, the background bes as beautiful as a painting.


    When she first read thatment, she scoffed, berating thatizen for exaggerating; it was the picturesque background that enhanced his beauty, not the other way around. But now, she realized that was not an exaggeration but an honest opinion.


    This man had a natural ability to him that was able to outshine everything else in the same frame as him. He looked like someone who had walked out of a painting, so it was because of him that the background looked painted and not as she had originally thought.


    As Song Qingchun flexed her knees due to standing on her feet for too long, Su Zhinian finally averted his gaze away from theputer screen. He inclined back on his chair as his gazended on Song Qingchun, and he said in a level tone, "Have you made up your mind?"

 Chapter 30: Her Love Has Returned (10)

    Chapter 30: Her Love Has Returned (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun pinched the ball of her palm as if the pain would help her breathe out her decision. She nodded with a quiet confirmation. After a while, worried that he might not understand what she meant, she added sinctly, "I have."


    This was Su Zhinian¡¯s term and he had the upper hand in the negotiation, but for some reasons, when he learnt of her answer, his usually cold eyes suddenly went nk and was a little dumbstruck; he remained in that state for quite some time.


    Song Qingchun was made incredibly anxious by his long silence. Afraid that he would renege on his words, she could not help but say, "I agree to all of those terms you have brought up, now can you please give me the signed document?"


    Su Zhinian did not speak. He pressed a button on his keyboard and a printer on the side started to print.


    Song Qingchun asked apprehensively, "The terms are all yours, you are not going to renege on your words, right?"


    Su Zhinian still did not answer as he walked to the printer to retrieve the two piece of paper that were freshly printed. He dropped them before Song Qingchun and ordered, "Sign."


    "What is this?" Song Qingchun looked at Su Zhinian with confusion. Noticing the man had no intention of answering her, she picked up the two papers to read. It was a contract drawn up by Su Zhinian.


    On the paper, it was written clearly that from 1st December 2015 to 10th March 2016, in these one hundred days, from seven pm to seven am, Miss Song Qingchun¡¯s time belonged fully to Mr. Su Zhinian. For the twelve hours of these one hundred days, Miss Song Qingchun had to be at Mr. Su Zhinian¡¯s beck and call. To facilitate Miss Song Qingchun¡¯s responsibility, she would have to move into Mr. Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow for the period of these one hundred days. She would be responsible for his living arrangements, from cleaning, cooking, to dressing, and in return Mr. Su Zhinian would help Miss Song Qingchun revive Song Empire within these one hundred days.


    She did not expect she would one day be amodity that was part of a trade contract. The contract also had a clear disimer that stated if she was unable to fulfil the contracted requirements, Song Empire would definitely go under and she would also have to pay him arge sum for liquidated damages.


    Song Qingchun read the contract for about one minute before taking the pen on the table to sign her life away.


    Su Zhinian sat in his chair and was as quiet as before. His gaze followed the tip of the pen, and when he saw the name "Song Qingchun" scrawled out on the piece of paper, he felt surprisingly empty within. Then, as if he could no longer stand to look at it, he turned away to look out the window.


    After Song Qingchun was done and informed Su Zhinian, she did not get a reply. She lifted her head to see that the man was staring out the window, as if deeply interested in something outside of it.


    Perhaps it was her imagination, but she swore she saw a trace of destion on his impossibly perfect face.


    Before Song Qingchun could confirm, Su Zhinian whipped around, and his gaze was emotionless and cruel, which made Song Qingchun affirm that she had imagined things before.


    Su Zhinian pulled the two pieces of paper away. He signed his name and kept one for himself and passed the other alongside the nk document back to Song Qingchun. As the two contractsnded in Song Qingchun¡¯s hands, Su Zhinian stood up from his table and left the study.

 Chapter 31: How We Used to Be (1)

    Chapter 31: How We Used to Be (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun did want to properly bid Su Zhinian farewell before she left his bungalow. However, his bedroom door was locked, and no one answered even after she knocked on it for quite a while. She resigned to saying goodbye through the door to no one in particr.


    It was already noon when she returned to the Song family. Her sister-inw was at the hospital looking after her father, and the housekeeper was preparing lunch. After Song Qingchun stepped out of the shower, lunch was ready, and the housekeeper told her, "Miss, I have ced your lunch on the table. I will be going to the hospital to deliver the Old Master¡¯s and the Young Mistress¡¯ lunches."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s hands that were drying her hair stopped and she yelled to the housekeeper who was leaving, "I am going to the hospital in a bit, I will deliver the food myself."


    "Yes, Miss."


    Song Qingchun thought about it and added, "I am not going to eat at home. Help me pack my lunch as well, I will have it with Father at the hospital."


    ...


    Song Menghwa was in a good mood that day, and it only improved when he saw Song Qingchun.


    Song Qingchun personally fed her father his lunch, and after lunch, she helped him gargle his mouth. Before her father broached the subject, Song Qingchun pulled out the contract from her bag and said, "Dad, Su Zhinian has agreed to take over Song Empire."


    There was a sh of pleasant surprise in Song Menghwa¡¯s eyes as he eximed, "Really?"


    He took the contract and read it several times as he asked, "How many shares or bonuses did you give him to get him to agree?"


    "He did not want any of those," Song Qingchun answered.


    "He rejected them?" Song Menghwa frowned. "Then what did he ask for?"


    "He didn¡¯t ask for anything." The lie rolled easily off her tongue. If her father had known she had signed such a contract with Su Zhinian, he would rather die than allow Su Zhinian to take over Song Empire.


    "He didn¡¯t want anything?" A patina of sorrow dyed Song Menghwa¡¯s eyes. "Qingchun, tell your father honestly, you are not lying to me, right? Why would he help Song Empire for nothing? You mustn¡¯t do anything stupid..."


    "Dad, what are you talking about?" Song Qingchun interrupted him with forced levity. "Su Zhinian once borrowed our home for amodation, and he feels greatly indebted to you. Furthermore, I met with Auntie Su and she helped me persuade Su Zhinian to help us..."


    "So that¡¯s what happened..." Song Menghwa ate up her lie after she mentioned Su Zhinian¡¯s mother. Like a rock had been released from his chest, heughed happily while saying, "Wonderful, wonderful."


    Then, he turned to Song Qingchun as if he had remembered something andmented, "When Su Zhinian suddenly moved out of our family for some unknown reasons that one night, I did ask him what happened, but he refused to answer me. I thought it was because you two had argued, and I was honestly worried when it fell on your shoulders to have to go ask him for his help, but now I realize I was overthinking it. Zhinian, that child, might look cold on the surface but he is really a good kid..."


    Her father was right. After her big quarrel with Su Zhinian, he had packed up and moved out of the Song family residence. His move was so sudden that her father did not even have the chance to ask him to stay. It was also from then on that her rtionship with Su Zhinian ended.


    Song Menghwa continued talking as he went down memoryne. Then, he patted Song Qingchun on her hand and reminded her, "Qingchun, we are already in a different phase of our lives. Zhinian is here to help us, so you cannot be as intractable as before; you have to be more kind and respectful toward him..."

 Chapter 32: How We Used to Be (2)

    Chapter 32: How We Used to Be (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    When Su Zhinian first moved in with the Song family, her father had told her the same thing. At the time, she was fuming, ming her father for siding with an outsider. She even used it as her talking point whenever she quarreled with her father. But now, after her brother¡¯s death and her father¡¯s sickness, she knew she did not have that right anymore; she even had to sacrifice herself for the Song family.


    Song Qingchun tried her best to force a smile for her father as she nodded and said, "Dad, I understand."


    Song Menghwa might have been feeling better, but overall, his physical condition was stillcking. After their short talk, he fell asleep from tiredness.


    Her sister-inw, Fang Rou, had been taking care of her father, so Song Qingchun had her go home to rest and she would stay in her ce to apany her father that night. Before Fang Rou left, Song Qingchun followed her out of her father¡¯s room saying she wanted to walk her to the entrance. It was not until they were some distance from the sickbay that Song Qingchun said to her, "Big Sister, I will be moving out next month."


    "But why are you moving out so suddenly?" Fang Rou asked in shock, but as she did so, she seemed to have thought of something and instead she asked, "Are you moving in with Su Zhinian?"


    "Yes," Song Qingchun answered softly and added after a short pause, "Please don¡¯t tell Dad."


    Fang Rou was silent for quite some time before saying, "Qingchun, I¡¯m sorry."


    ...


    Song Qingchun stayed at the hospital for two days before switching back with her sister-inw. It was only seven pm when she reached home, but Song Qingchun felt unusually tired. She crawled into bed without having dinner.


    Ever since Song Cheng¡¯s suicide, Song Qingchun had not had a good night¡¯s sleep. Now that Song Empire¡¯s crisis was going to be solved, she could finally rx. Her sleep was incredibly deep, so much so that the housekeeper had trouble waking her even though she tried to multiple times.


    Perhaps it was due to the phone call from Qin Yinan, Song Qingchun had a long dream about her childhood.


    ...


    When Song Qingchun was just a child, Song Menghwa¡¯s business had not taken flight and Song Empire still didn¡¯t exist. At the time, their family of four stayed at a modest courtyard house 1 in a cul-de-sac on the western side of Beijing.


    One of the four families they shared the courtyard house with was Qin Yinan¡¯s family.


    Qin Yinan and Song Cheng were born on the same month in the same year. Song Qingchun¡¯s mother and Qin Yinan¡¯s mother were pregnant and were carrying their first child when they lived at the courtyard house. Therefore, it was natural that they had a close rtionship.


    The two mothers were so close that when Song Qingchun was a bit older, Qin Yinan¡¯s mother told her, when they were pregnant, they had made a secret deal among the two women that if they had a boy and a girl then their children would grow up to marry each other, making it an arranged marriage. s, both gave birth to a healthy young boy. The two mothers were so disappointed they couldn¡¯t be inws that tears were shed.


    When Song Qingchun heard this story, she did not feel sorry but instead felt thankful, thankful that Song Cheng was a boy.


    At the time, Song Menghwa was the most educated among the families living at the same courtyard house while Qin Yinan¡¯s father did not even finish his primary education, therefore both names, Qin Yinan and Song Cheng, were given by her father.


    Song Cheng and Qin Yinan shared the same baby cots and grew up to be close friends, like brothers in fact. There were even a few years when Song Qingchun thought she had two older brothers.


    Song Qingchun loved to trail behind Song Cheng and Qin Yinan ever since she learnt how to walk.

 Chapter 33: How We Used to Be (3)

    Chapter 33: How We Used to Be (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Cheng wouldin about her constant presence ruining their fun,belling her a nuisance, and forbidding her from joining them. Whenever that happened, Song Qingchun would start to wail and hearing her cries, Qin Yinan would always betray Song Cheng tofort her.


    Unlike Song Cheng, Qin Yinan never pulled on her pigtails, calling her names and would not steal her favorite snacks or swipe the remote away from her and switch the channel when her favorite show was on. Instead, Qin Yinan would ruffle her hair and called her ¡¯Song Song¡¯ in a gentle way. Whenever she cried, he would take her to the mini market in the alleyway to buy sweets for her. He would apany her to watch her favorite cartoons again and again and tell her many different fairytales.


    In her memory, Qin Yinan was like a ray of sunshine. No matter how many years had passed, whenever her mind went back to her childhood, she would feel warmed and protected.


    She could not pinpoint when she started to have feelings for Qin Yinan, perhaps like those princesses in the fairytales, she was fated to be his love. She loved his always clean white shirt, loved how he caressed her hair and called her ¡¯Song Song¡¯ and loved the gentleness in his voice when he told her fairytales.


    In any case, she liked him. When she was five and the granny sharing the same courtyard house with them asked her who she was going to marry when she grew up, she licked on the ice-cream he bought her and happily said, "Brother Yinan."


    When she was in kindergarten and the teacher enquired after her dream for her future, she would openly tell the whole ss that she would be Brother Yinan¡¯s bride. Qin Yinan was her dream, a dream she started to pursue ever since she knew what attraction meant.


    Song Qingchun, Song Cheng, and Qin Yinan attended the same primary school. Song Cheng wouldin about her weight, so she would end up sitting behind Qin Yinan¡¯s bicycle seat.


    In her memory, Qin Yinan had never said she was annoying. He would teach her patiently when she did not understand her homework questions, unlike Song Cheng who would grumble about the stupidity of his little sister every time he had to help her with her homework.


    In secondary school, both Song Cheng and Qin Yinan became celebrities of a sort in their school. Song Qingchun, who was no different from their shadow, would go cheer for them during basketball matches. Whenever the match was over, she would run to Qin Yinan to praise him. Then, Song Cheng would smack her on the back of her head with her mineral water bottle, reminding her that he was her biological elder brother.


    Whenever that happened, she would hide behind Qin Yinan and he would help her block Song Cheng¡¯s mineral water bottle attacks. Behind Qin Yinan¡¯s protection, she would stick out her tongue at Song Cheng, riling him up even more.


    As she grew older, the promise of marriage that she would constantly announce when she was a little girl, became her own secret.


    At the same time, both Qin Yinan and Song Cheng also grew into respectable and handsome young men. Qin Yinan had the allure of the kind brother next door while Song Cheng had the bad boy charm. The two of them together would attract the attention of the girls at school as they fought over who was more deserving of being called the school¡¯s most handsome.


    Qin Yinan and Song Cheng would receive many gifts whenever holidays came around and they would all go to Song Qingchun unopened. Therefore, she knew which girls liked Qin Yinan and she would get annoyed at them.

 Chapter 34: How We Used to Be (4)

    Chapter 34: How We Used to Be (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    In her ways, Song Qingchun had been pursuing her dreams. She had worked extra hard and sacrificed so much to get into the same secondary school and high school as Qin Yinan; she was even nning to enroll in the same university as Qin Yinan.


    She had always shown a brief period of enthusiasm for everything she did, the only exception was Qin Yinan. She had never given up on him before. Her pursuit of Qin Yinan had always been smooth sailing; she thought that it would continue until she got married to him.


    Of course, fate misdirected her sails. In her journey to win Qin Yinan¡¯s affection, Interloper Su appeared to rock her boat and muddy the waters. That Interloper Su was an ident and an episode that she desperately wanted to undo, and yes, that Interloper Su was none other than Su Zhinian.


    Su Zhinian was the same age as Song Cheng and Qin Yinan. He moved to Beijing due to his mother¡¯s illness and transferred into their school, in the same year group as Song Cheng and Qin Yinan.


    Interloper Su not only interrupted Song Qingchun¡¯s life but also Song Cheng and Qin Yinan¡¯s lives. If handsomeness could be quantified, Song Cheng and Qin Yinan were equally handsome, but Interloper Su was in apletely different league. His arrival instantly swept away thepetition. The crown for the school¡¯s most handsome student that had been going back and forth for years now fell easily on Su Zhinian¡¯s head. Not only that, even the position as top academic was his.


    Su Zhinian became her school¡¯s only topic of conversation. Be it male or female, his name would never leave their mouths. At the time, Song Qingchun was only a sophomore and she had not even personally met Su Zhinian, but she had heard so many things about him.


    Her own grade¡¯s ice queen openly confessed to him on the field and proffered that with many words of adoration, but she only got two words from him: "Get lost."


    The goddess for every male student at school confessed to him and even went so far as threatening to kill herself if he did not ept her love and he only replied with an even more extreme answer: "Go kill yourself then."


    Regardless of Su Zhinian, there was not only frilly news but also news of his out-of-school conducts.


    Since Su Zhinian shone too brightly, he attracted the attention of the ruffians in school and they kept trying to trip him. Unfortunately, they themselves were tripped because they were simply no match for him. The gang of ruffians who used to rule the school had to run in the other direction whenever he approached.


    When these rumors entered Song Qingchun¡¯s ears, she only came to the conclusion that Su Zhinian was a mean, arrogant, and cruel madman.


    s, although these qualities were his biggest ws in Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes, they were the source of more idolization for other female students. Su Zhinian is so cool. Su Zhinian is so handsome. Su Zhinian is so bad. Su Zhinian is like a bad boy you could never get in movies...


    Song Qingchunmented the sorry state of these women¡¯s brains and pushed Su Zhinian out of her mind. Her only focus was Qin Yinan.


    Song Qingchun thought her path would not cross with Su Zhinian and did not want her life to cross paths with Su Zhinian, but life never went the way she wanted. One day when she returned home, she opened the front door to see this person of interest in her living room. Not only that, she also was informed that, from then on, Su Zhinian was going to stay in her house!


    ...


    Song Qingchun was suddenly pulled out of her nostalgia by a shrill phone call. She looked clumsily around for her phone and answered it without even taking note of the caller ID. The icy voice that she had unfortunately gotten so familiar with came from the other end of the phone, "Today is the first so make sure you are where you are obligated to be before seven pm!"

 Chapter 35: How We Used to Be (5)

    Chapter 35: How We Used to Be (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Before Song Qingchun had the chance to respond, Su Zhinian hung up on her. Song Qingchun¡¯s mind was still blurry since she had only just woken up. She allowed her phone¡¯s busy tone to continue as she was once more imed by sleep. It was until two consecutive message alerts came from her phone that Song Qingchun pulled her phone to the front of her face and forced her eyes open to look at it. The messages were sent from the same number that had just called her.


    The first message contained six numbers. The second only contained one word: password.


    Like the phone call, the messages were short and to the point. Song Qingchun studied the messages for a few seconds as reality slowly dawned on her. She nced at the date on her phone; it was 1st December, the day her contract with Su Zhinian officially came into effect.


    It was only 7 am but Su Zhinian¡¯s phone call and messages hadpletely removed the idea of sleep from Song Qingchun¡¯s mind. There were still twelve hours until the dreaded 7 pm, but a miasma of anxiety already filled Song Qingchun¡¯s heart.


    She thought that when she signed the contract with Su Zhinian, she was already mentally prepared, but when the day really arrived, she realized she was still ideologically and psychologically against it...


    Song Qingchun was like a marite the whole afternoon. During lunch, she was so out of it that she stuck her hand directly into the bowl of soup. Thankfully, the soup had been left out to cool for some time, so it did not scald her.


    After lunch, Song Qingchun returned to her room to pack. She initially wanted to pack lightly, but when she finished, she realized that, no matter how simple she wanted it to be, there was still a whole floor of luggage.


    It was already 3 pm when she finished packing, in other words, 4 more hours until 7 pm. The Song family¡¯s residence was not far from Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow so Song Qingchun was going to stay until the veryst minute. To ay the anxiety in her heart, Song Qingchun picked up a drama to pass the time.


    The drama was led by Qiao Anhao and it had been making its rounds. The online reviews of it were all good, but Song Qingchun¡¯s mind was so stuck on the fact she would have to suffer one hundred nights in the same space as Su Zhinian that she had a hard time getting into the drama. In the end, she tossed her phone aside and stared out the window.


    Perhaps it was due to her recent constant interaction with Su Zhinian or perhaps it was her dream from yesterday, Song Qingchun stared absentmindedly out the window and her mind wandered back into the past.


    ...


    Song Qingchun remembered her third day of senior school clearly.


    The rain was heavy that day, and she forgot to take the umbre when she left home, so she was already dripping wet when she got home.


    She had thought that her father would achingly berate her like usual saying something like Why would you run home in the rain? Don¡¯t you know how to call the driver?


    However, that day, when she pushed open the front door, she saw her house that was in contained chaos. Many people crowded the room next to hers; they were busy tossing out an old bed, study table, cabs, and other furniture as they reced them with new ones.


    She yelled, "I¡¯m home!" a few times with a perplexed frown on her face, but no one seemed to notice her. She ran upstairs in her dripping attire and before she could even meet Song Menghwa, the overreacting housekeeper dragged her to her own bedroom and made her take a warm bath.

 Chapter 36: How We Used to Be (6)

    Chapter 36: How We Used to Be (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    After she finished her bath, upstairs had reverted to its usual silence. Out of curiosity, she snuck a look into the neighboring bedroom and saw a whole array of new furniture, even the carpet was new.


    That bedroom was unused, and the furniture inside had not been moved for years, so why the sudden movement?


    She padded downstairs in a haze of confusion. Before she could ask Song Menghwa what had happened, her father called her over. Song Menghwa told her from that day onwards, their family was going to have a temporary guest, and his name was Su Zhinian. His mother fell ill before the day of his grade exam, so he missed the exam, causing him to stay back a grade.


    Song Menghwa also added that Su Zhinian had lost his father when he was young and grew up in his mother¡¯s care. Now that his mother was in hospital, he needed a legal guardian and that was why he was going to stay with them.


    Even though she had not met Su Zhinian, she had heard many things about him. Her impression of him was definitely not good, but it still improved after hearing about his background. She even actively went upstairs to call him to join them for dinner that night.


    That was the first time she officially met him. Even after so many years, the memory of that night was still fresh in her mind.


    About two minutes after she knocked on his bedroom, the door opened to reveal an insanely pretty face, and his eyes that gazed at her were as glittery as the crystal chandelier in the room. Simr to the crystals, they were clear yet carried an air of frigidness.


    Song Qingchun had grown up with Song Cheng and Qin Yinan, two veritable handsome men and was thus inundated with pretty faces. Yet when she firstid her eyes on Su Zhinian, she was still honestly stunned.


    The young man was uncannily and eerily beautiful. She stared at him for about one full minute before extending him her hand and greeting him with a generous and open smile. "Hello, my name is Song Qingchun."


    He also stared at her for a while before taking her offered hand, and thus, boy met girl.


    Their first meeting was simple and innocent, but it barelysted for a second. His hand that grabbed hers suddenly increased in strength and it inevitably hurt her hand. She sucked in a deep breath and tears almost squeezed out of her eyes. "Su Zhinian, you¡¯re hurting me!"


    Then, as if realizing his misconduct, he quickly released her hand. She thought he would apologize to her like normal human would, but he only gave her a side-eye and walked past her.


    At the time, she was already a known beauty. Many guys at school surrounded her daily, trying to get her attention. She came from a good family, pampered to a fault by her parents, Song Cheng, and Qin Yinan, so it was natural that she had a bit of a princess syndrome.


    Furthermore, Su Zhinian was her house guest, he should be deferential toward her, but who would have thought he was more arrogant than she expected? Song Qingchun, who felt slighted after the hand grab incident, did not once look him in the eye for the few following days.


    However, Song Qingchun was not one to hold on to grudges; her anger dispersed as fast as it arrived, so her enmity toward Su Zhinian onlysted for a week before any perceived slight was moved to the back of her head.

 Chapter 37: How We Used to Be (7)

    Chapter 37: How We Used to Be (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    At the time, Song Cheng had left the country, and Qin Yinan had moved south to attend university. The only individual around her age remaining at home was Su Zhinian. Therefore, Song Qingchun, who had already moved past the slight, started to approach Su Zhinian to have conversations.


    Regardless, she realized Su Zhinian was really not much of a conversationalist. He would often reply to her once in exchange for her ten long sentences, and it would often be a short grunt of acknowledgement.


    s, this did not go on for long, and Song Qingchun¡¯s impression of Su Zhinian once more deteriorated.


    Following the advent of fall, it was soon Qin Yinan¡¯s birthday. For Song Qingchun, the most important day of the year was none other than Qin Yinan¡¯s birthday. She would always prepare his birthday present for him at least one month in advance.


    Song Qingchun would normally drag Song Cheng with her when she went shopping for Qin Yinan¡¯s gift. However, Song Cheng was not in Beijing and Song Qingchun desperately needed a male perspective, so she had no choice but to settle for Su Zhinian.


    Honestly, Song Qingchun did not expect that Su Zhinian would agree to apany her. She asked merely in the spirit of having nothing to lose. Who would have thought that the normally aloof young man would nod and agree?


    The initial atmosphere could have been considered nice. To thank Su Zhinian for his help, Song Qingchun even bought him a ss of milk tea. As the day darkened and Song Qingchun was feeling tired from shopping, Su Zhinian even offered to help carry her bag.


    Song Qingchun was never an indecisive person, but since she cared about Qin Yinan, she was extra careful when she selected the present. Whenever she picked up one thing, she would turn to ask Su Zhinian¡¯s opinion. Initially, the young man would say, "It¡¯s not bad." in his usual aloof tone, butter on, he would simply nod perfunctorily or grumble impatiently.


    Until now, Song Qingchun had no idea what she had done to ruffle Su Zhinian¡¯s feathers. She was happily picking out presents for Qin Yinan, but when she asked for his help to try on a piece of watch for her, the young man suddenly flipped out and flung her hands that were reaching out toward him heavily away. Then, he stormed off without saying a word.


    He did not even return her bag. She had no money or phone on her. She searched all over her clothes and could only collect two dors that were not even enough for a subway ride home much less a cab. In the end, she had no choice but to walk home.


    The mall was about ten kilometers from her home. She left when it was daylight, but she still had not reached home when it turned dark. She had a new pair of shoes on, and they were one size too small for her feet. Therefore, they chafed her feet so badly.


    She had never been exposed to such punishment since she was young. It reached a point where her eyes were red with tears. She walked for a total of seven hours, reaching home when it was already ten pm.


    She returned to her room, and when she removed her shoes, she saw that her feet were blistered, and certain ces were even wet with blood.


    She cursed Su Zhinian while she used the cotton to sterilize her feet. Meanwhile, her stomach was grumbling from hunger.


    At the time, she felt like she embodied misfortune, and it was all thanks to Su Zhinian. Therefore, her hatred toward Su Zhinian deepened, and she swore internally to ignore that man for as long as she had a breath in her.


    This time, Song Qingchun really went the extra mile to hang on to her grudge. She did not say one sentence to Su Zhinian for the whole month, even though they were staying under the same roof.

 Chapter 38: How We Used to Be (8)

    Chapter 38: How We Used to Be (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    If not for the thing that happenedter, Song Qingchun thought her connection to Su Zhinian would thus be over. It happened on Christmas Day.


    She went south to celebrate Christmas with Qin Yinan. She brought along her bravery to finally confess to Qin Yinan. She spent the whole night convincing herself on the train before reaching Qin Yinan¡¯s school the next morning.


    She wanted to give him a surprise, so she did not call beforehand to inform. She did not know Qin Yinan¡¯s room number, so she went about asking the student there for help. When she finally got to the location, she saw Qin Yinan before she even reached his hostel.


    Her crush, Brother Yinan was hugging a girl in his arms as they sped away in his car. After that, she gave Qin Yinan a call, but it was not answered. She really did not want to put those unwanted thoughts in her mind, but it could not be helped. Is that Brother Yinan¡¯s girlfriend?


    She waited for Qin Yinan at his school until the sun set, but he still hadn¡¯t returned. The courage she had gathered along the way from Beijing left her body during that long period of waiting. In the end, she did not even have the courage to face Qin Yinan anymore. Therefore, she returned to Beijing without even seeing Qin Yinan.


    By the time she returned, all train tickets had been sold so she returned via ne. The Christmas Day where everyone over the world was happy celebrating with friends and family, she spent it alone on the ne.


    When she reached Beijing International Airport, it was close to 1 am. At the time, she was only a senior student; she did not have a credit card, and she had depleted the cash on her to purchase the ne ticket.


    Song Menghwa had gone travelling to Hong Kong with her mother, and the housekeeper was on holiday leave. It was why she was so brazen to steal away from home.


    It was sote in the night that even if she called her ssmates, no one woulde to fetch her. She stood for a long time in the night breeze, and after a long hesitation, she pulled out her phone to call home.


    When she made the call, she was really unsure whether Su Zhinian was home or not because he would normally spend his weekend at the hospital to apany his mother. At the time, she really only wished to try the call, but to her surprise, it only rang once before it was picked up.


    The voice that came through was chilling like usual, but for some reason, that night she found warmth in its familiarity.


    Half an hour after she hung up the phone, he appeared. She had not had a bite to eat since early morning, so when they passed a twenty-four-hour fast food joint, she grumbled that she was hungry.


    Her voice was so soft that she herself did not realize the words hade out of her mouth. However, Su Zhinian still stopped the car and apanied her in to buy some food.


    When they reached home, it was already three in the morning. The two days and one night of hustle and bustle had tired her greatly, and she fell asleep in the car. It was Su Zhinian who carried her in his arms from the car and up the stairs.


    When he ced her on her ce, she woke up blurrily from her dreams and as he covered her in her mattress, she mumbled, "Thank you."


    At the time, her eyelids were so heavy that she could barely keep them open. Therefore, she was unsure if she dreamed of him replying, "Good night."


    It was probably the first time she had heard something gentle came out of his mouth in all the time they had known each other.

 Chapter 39: How We Used to Be (9)

    Chapter 39: How We Used to Be (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    From that day onwards, her rtionship with Su Zhinian slowly improved. After all, they shared the same house and the same school. Eventually, their schedule aligned so perfectly that they went to school and returned from school together.


    Su Zhinian had a serious obsession with cleanliness; he did not like others to touch his things, so initially, he did not allow her to enter his room. However, she could not even remember when it was that he rescinded that ban.


    Not only that, she remembered eating snacks in his bed, and she even knocked over ketchup on his mattress several times.


    Now that she thought about it, that period was probably the only time in her life where she shared a friendly rtionship with Su Zhinian.


    During that time, if she was honest to herself, Su Zhinian treated her well, actually, more than well. He would leave the house in the middle of the night to buy supper for her, stand in line while it was pouring rain to buy Jay Chou¡¯s concert ticket for her, and he even got into a physical altercation because of her...


    However, no matter how good it was during that period of time, it all eventually reverted to point zero.


    This was about one month before the grade exam. Qin Yinan had returned to Beijing and he asked her out for dinner.


    At the same time, she already knew she had misunderstood Qin Yinan. The girl she saw with him on Christmas was his course mate who needed his help to ferry her to the hospital due to her appendicitis.


    However, confessing required courage. After that incident, she had met up with Qin Yinan for multiple times but each time she would swallow back the words that had reached the tip of her tongue. It was like water one degree away from reaching its boiling point; it simply would not go up that onest degree, stuck at 99 degrees Celsius.


    It was already 9 pm after she finished the dinner with Qin Yinan. She told Qin Yinan, who drove her home, "Brother Yinan, I will get into the same university as you."


    Qin Yinan turned to her with a face full of smiles, adding, "That¡¯s wonderful, Song Song, I will wait for you."


    After he dropped her home, before they parted, Qin Yinan still pushed out his hand to ruffle her hair. It was an action he often did, but it was different that time. His hand stopped for quite some time caressing her hair, and the eyes that looked at her were unusually dear.


    Her heart was running so fast at the time. Her sixth sense told her that her Brother Yinan perhaps liked her too. She looked him in his eyes and said, "Brother Yinan, after I finish the grade exam, I have a secret to tell you."


    She was going to tell him that she liked him, that she had liked him for many, many years.


    After Qin Yinan left, Song Qingchun was filled with the romantic stirrings of a young girl. She envisioned her many possible futures with Qin Yinan.


    But, do you know?


    Nightmare is usually only one step behind happy fantasy.


    That night, her parents, housekeeper, and even Su Zhinian were not home. She was home alone. It was 11 pm and she had taken her bath and was ready to lie down for the night when she heard the front door open. Compelled by curiosity, she walked out of her bedroom and squatted down by the railings to peer downstairs. She saw a drunk Su Zhinian march through the front door.


    His gait going up the stairs was very unsteady, in fact, he almost fell for a few times. She hurriedly ran over to help him.


    ...


    Song Qingchun¡¯s face was nched when she reached this part of her memory. If she had known what would happen next, she would have definitely left Su Zhinian to his own devices.

 Chapter 40: How We Used to Be (10)

    Chapter 40: How We Used to Be (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She used almost all of her energy to haul Su Zhinian into his bed. After she pulled off his jacket, put him into bed, and prepared to leave, he suddenly reached out for her wrist. And then...


    And then, he dragged her into bed and pressed her down onto it.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyshes started to shiver when she thought about what happened next. Even after so many years, she could still remember clearly how desperately she had begged Su Zhinian to let her go.


    She cried until she choked on her tears, but he powered on like he could not hear her pleas for help and boorishly tore her clothes into shreds. She struggled so hard that night that her fingernails wed out blood on his shoulders...


    Honestly, she could not remember fully everything that had happened that night, then again, who could have med her? Perhaps her psyche had helped her block out her consciousness when the deed went down.


    She could not remember how he vited her, but when she came to, she was already ruined. She felt pain, but more than that, she felt despair. At that moment she stopped struggling and she went absolutely quiet, allowing him to do anything to her.


    When he finally let her go, she did not stay in his room for even one extra second. She returned to her own bedroom and showered for one whole hour. Her tears running down the drain alongside the water.


    She was only eighteen when it happened... She never tasted love, she had never taken a man¡¯s hand, and her first kiss was even still intact... Even with Qin Yinan, whom she loved dearly, she could not imagine doing those things with him... But Su Zhinian... he had taken her very innocence...


    Song Qingchun stopped her mind from wandering further. She did not realize there were tears running down her face. She quickly retrieved the paper napkin to dry her tears. She nced at her phone and noticed it was already 6 pm.


    She only had one hour left until 7 pm, until she needed to show herself at Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow...


    Song Qingchun arranged her emotions and went to the bathroom to wash her face. Then she went downstairs with her luggage in tow. She did not drive but walked out of the residential area to hail a cab by side of the road.


    The car was stuck in night time traffic and the trip that would normally take fifteen minutes took nearly fifty minutes. Song Qingchun dragged her luggage to Su Zhinian¡¯s front door. She pulled out her phone to check the six numbers he sent that morning. After keying in the password, she got in.


    Su Zhinian was not home, so Song Qingchun had no idea where to deposit herself. Therefore, she temporarily left her luggage by the door.


    Su Zhinian said that she was to be responsible for his living arrangements for the next one hundred days.


    Song Qingchun began by preparing dinner. The banality of cooking calmed her nerves, but when that was done, her heart started to shrink thinking about the reality; Su Zhinian would return at any moment.


    Song Qingchun nted herself on the living room sofa, her ears tuned toward the sounds of cars outside the house. She felt like she was no different from a fish on the chopping block, just waiting for that fatal blow from Su Zhinian.


    Time slowly passed until it was 11 pm and Su Zhinian still had not shown himself. Song Qingchun was rather tired from being so tense, so she crashed down on the sofa and fell to sleep just like that.


    The sleep was extremely restless. She woke up every few minutes to check to see whether Su Zhinian had returned or not. If he hadn¡¯t, she would sigh in relief and close her eyes again. After so many repetitions, Song Qingchun finally heard the sound of a car engineing from outside...

 Chapter 41: 100 Days of Cohabitation (1)

    Chapter 41: 100 Days of Cohabitation (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Perhaps she was too tense, Song Qingchun kept hearing the sound of a car engine running beside her ears. When she tore open her eyes to check if she was hallucinating, she saw the yellow car headlights through the window, its light strong and blinding.


    As if on cue, Song Qingchun practically bounced up from the sofa. Through the window, she could see the car slow to a halt, and Su Zhinian stepped out of it. He mmed the car door closed and stepped toward the house.


    The closer he got, the faster her heat beat. She stood frozen. Holding her breath, she stared unblinkingly at the front door. When Song Qingchun heard the sound of the password being keyed in, she finally came to and rushed to the entranceway.


    Before Song Qingchun could open the door for him, Su Zhinian had already pushed the door open. His hair was in a mess probably from a long day at work. The fatigue hardened his jawline, lending him an air of unsociability that was more severe than usual.


    Song Qingchun only took a nce at Su Zhinian before squatting down to pull out a pair of home slippers to put before him, saying, "You¡¯re finally home."


    Su Zhinian changed into the slippers without saying a word. He did not even acknowledge her presence much less reply her. He strode upstairs acting like she was not even there.


    From the moment Su Zhinian walked through the front door to the time he entered his bedroom was more or less only one minute. However, in that one minute, Song Qingchun¡¯s back waspletely drenched from cold sweat.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s return made Song Qingchun wide awake; her desire to sleeppletely went out the window. She searched for her phone among the crevices of the sofa cushions, and when she found it, the time on it showed 6 am.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart that was in her throat the entire night finally rxed.


    There was only one hour to 7 am... In other words, she only needed to hold on for one more hour and she would be released from this torment... And thisst hour, she would prepare breakfast to use as an excuse to avoid interacting with Su Zhinian...


    The dinner fromst night was perfectly preserved in the microwave, but Song Qingchun not only started cooking breakfast from scratch but also selected the most time-consuming millet porridge on the menu. When breakfast was ready, it was already 6.45 am. There were only fifteen minutes left...


    Song Qingchun dragged out another five minutes by fidgeting in the kitchen before going upstairs to knock on Su Zhinian¡¯s bedroom door. "Mr. Su, your breakfast is ready."


    There was no answer, but through the door, Song Qingchun could hear approaching footsteps before the door was pulled open from within.


    Su Zhinian had changed into a pair of casual outfit. Song Qingchun believed he had just gotten out of the shower because there was a heavy aroma of shower gel around him. It was a nice smell, an elegant scent.


    He walked past her to go downstairs without uttering a word. Song Qingchun followed obediently behind him, maintaining a safe distance between them.


    When Su Zhinian reached the third step from thending, his footstep stopped as the pink color suitcase lying beside the wall and the wrinkled sofa came into view.


    Su Zhinian frowned. He suddenly turned around to look at Song Qingchun behind him.


    Song Qingchun flinched from his sudden movement. Then, he pointed at a closed door beside his bedroom and said in a level tone, "That¡¯s your room."

 Chapter 42: 100 Days of Cohabitation (2)

    Chapter 42: 100 Days of Cohabitation (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun was confused by Su Zhinian¡¯s sudden deration. When she recovered, Su Zhinian had walked away.


    In the dining room, Song Qingchun set down the prepared porridge before Su Zhinian. Then, she retrieved a pair of chopsticks for him as well. Su Zhinian sat at the dining table and had a nk expression as Song Qingchun served him.


    When Su Zhinian picked up the chopsticks, Song Qingchun, who felt suffocated by the atmosphere, immediately blurted out, "I will go take my luggage upstairs."


    Su Zhinian lowered his head to blow at the piping hot porridge and huffed audibly, giving Song Qingchun her cue to leave.


    After Song Qingchun put down her luggage, it was already past 7 am. When she stepped into the dining room, Su Zhinian, who heard her, raised his head to look at her. Then he used his chin to point at the seat opposite him, telling her to join him for breakfast.


    Song Qingchun stood motionless and uttered no response.


    Su Zhinian frowned slightly as he raised his head to look at Song Qingchun again. Assuming she did not understand him, he opened his mouth to exin, but before he could, Song Qingchun spoke. "Mr. Su, please leave the tes on the table when you¡¯re done with breakfast. I will take care of them when I returnter tonight."


    Su Zhinian did not respond, but his hand that went for the dish stopped in mid-air. As if realizing what Song Qingchun was getting at, he stared at the porridge before him, and then his gaze went up to nce at the wall clock; it was already 7:10 am.


    Song Qingchun continued, "Mr. Su, if there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll be leaving."


    Su Zhinian still did not say a word, but his expression visibly dropped. Song Qingchun took Su Zhinian¡¯sck of reaction as tacit approval so she continued, "Goodbye, Mr. Su..."


    Before Song Qingchun could finish, Su Zhinian mmed the chopsticks in his hands heavily on the table.


    Song Qingchun was so spooked that she swallowed the rest of her words. Even though there was no obvious shift in Su Zhinian¡¯s expression, she knew he was angry. After a period of ufortable silence, she coughed and said, "You said that I have to be here from 7 pm to 7 am and it is already 7:10 am..."


    Yes, that was what he said, but the fact that those words came out of her mouth angered him for some unknown reason. Su Zhinian suddenly picked up the bowl of porridge and flung it at the floor. There was still half a bowl of porridge in it which flew everywhere, some of it even dropping on Song Qingchun¡¯s hair.


    Song Qingchun swallowed the rest of her sentence upon witnessing his reaction. She instinctually took a step back. Then she ran forward and squatted down, starting to pick up the ss fragments on the floor.


    The ball of fury inside Su Zhinian burned even brighter. He red at the squatting Song Qingchun for about two seconds before asking her in a freezing voice, "Aren¡¯t you leaving? What are you doing squatting here then?"


    Song Qingchun shivered involuntarily and the piece of ss fell from her finger, cutting her skin in the process.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s voice suddenly became bone-chilling. "Go! Leave!"


    Song Qingchun did not have to be told twice. Without even taking a nce at Su Zhinian, she stood up and dashed out the front door.


    Listening to Song Qingchun¡¯s retreating footsteps that got increasingly further away, Su Zhinian suddenly deted like a balloon leaking air. This feeling of helplessness made a part deep within him tear asunder from extreme pain.

 Chapter 43: 100 Days of Cohabitation (3)

    Chapter 43: 100 Days of Cohabitation (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun arrived at Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow punctually at 7 pm. Su Zhinian was already gone. The dining room that was a mess when she left was properly cleaned, even the tes used during breakfast were washed, dried, and put back into the sterilized racks.


    Song Qingchun stayed in the living room until 10 pm. Su Zhinian still showed no signs of himself, so she padded upstairs to the bedroom he had assigned. Perhaps it was because she did not have a good night sleep from the day before, after a quick shower, Song Qingchun got into a deep slumber not long after she crawled into her bed.


    When she woke up, it was already 10 am the next morning. A message came to her phone when she was brushing her teeth. It was from Qin Yinan. Song Song, my ne is taking off soon. Will arrive at Beijing in two and a half hours.


    Song Qingchun bit the toothbrush in her mouth and replied to him, Which gateway will you be at? I will go fetch you.


    Probably because Qin Yinan had to switch his phone to airne mode, he only sent back one number: 3 .


    Song Qingchun knew he meant gateway three. In total, there were only three messages, but Song Qingchun kept reading them over and over. There was a glow in her eyes when she read them, and her lips involuntarily curved into a smile. In just two and a half hours, she would be able to see her Brother Yinan in person...


    Song Qingchun met Qin Yinan at the airport at 1.30 pm. The way to the city was rather congested, so it was past 2 pm when they reached the city. Most restaurants were already closed after the lunch crowd, so in the end, Song Qingchun and Qin Yinan selected a western restaurant to have afternoon tea.


    ...


    There was apany meeting at 3 pm. The normally punctual Su Zhinian still had not left his office by 3.10 pm.


    When it was 3.15 pm, his secretary reminded him through the door, but the office door remained closed.


    The managers who were waiting in the meeting room woulde to rush the secretary every so often. Finally sumbing to the pressure, his secretary once again stood up to knock at his door.


    There was no response to her knocking. She picked up her courage and pushed the door open to see Su Zhinian standing motionlessly before the floor-length window. Perhaps she had imagined it, but she swore she saw a trace of sadness and mncholy on her usually aloof big boss.


    His secretary shook her head in a quick motion to push the image which she was sure was a mirage out of her mind. She called out softly, "CEO Su?" But she still didn¡¯t get a response. Having no choice, she stepped carefully into his office.


    Her big boss, who usually was very alert, did not notice her approach until she was standing right beside him. When she was close, his secretary finally got a good look of Su Zhinian¡¯s expression. He was looking out the window, but his gaze was drifting aimlessly. She was curious about what was on his mind because she saw a faded sorrow on his perfect features.


    His secretary was given the shock of her life and blinked multiple times as if to check she was not dreaming. She tried her best to calm herself as she said again, "CEO Su?"


    Su Zhinian was still unresponsive. His secretary waited for a minute and when she was going to open her lips once more, Su Zhinian slowly turned around and the eyes that addressed her were curiously lost. "Yes?"


    "CEO Su, you have a meeting at 3 pm and it is already 3.30 pm," his secretary reminded him, confused by his unusual demeanor.


    Su Zhinian harrumphed withoutmitment and stood there unmoving.

 Chapter 44: 100 Days of Cohabitation (4)

    Chapter 44: 100 Days of Cohabitation (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    After a beat or two, Su Zhinian, as if forgetting that he had already replied to his secretary, gave another verbal confirmation. Suddenly, his whole body tensed before he turned around and ran out of his office.


    His secretary tried her best to catch up, but as she stepped out of the office, Su Zhinian suddenly stopped in his tracks.


    "CEO Su, what¡¯s wrong?" his secretary asked. Su Zhinian did not reply; it was as if he was not mentally there. His confused secretary stepped forward to approach him.


    Her sudden movement shocked Su Zhinian into awareness. As if afraid others might catch his weakness, Su Zhinian lowered his gaze quickly. Regardless, his secretary still managed to capture his wistful expression the moment he lowered his head.


    His secretary was startled for one full second, but when she tried to re-examine Su Zhinian¡¯s expression, the man¡¯s face had returned to his usual aloofness and iciness as a chilling aura radiated out from his impressive presence, drastically reducing the temperature around him.


    He did not pause for too long as he picked up his pace and headed toward the meeting room.


    The secretary stood at her spot for several seconds before moving to catch up to Su Zhinian. As she stared at his back, she was suddenly unsure whether what she saw earlier were his real emotions or just her imagination.


    After Su Zhinian stepped into the meeting room, he sat in his seat, said one word, and then nothing else. "Start."


    The manager from product started his report first. The whole room of managers stared at the market analysis disyed on screen, listening raptly to the exnation by the product manager.


    Su Zhinian leaned on the back of his chair without speaking a word. He looked like he was paying full attention, but in reality, his mind was miles away.


    He knew... today was the day Qi Yinan returned to Beijing; he also knew that Song Qingchun would go to the airport to fetch him...


    He had stayed in his office since early morning and his ears had been open to all the noises outside. He had filtered through a cacophony of voices for the whole morning, so many that he felt like his head was going to explode, but still he did not hear Song Qingchun¡¯s voice.


    After he hung up on a phone call he received around 2:30 pm, he stood before the window, once again trying to pick up her voice from the sea of voices, but this time, hetched onto her unique voice quickly. "Brother Yinan, at this time, only the western restaurant will still be open. Why don¡¯t we go there? We haven¡¯t been there for so long."


    "Okay." Then, he heard a gentle male voice reply. Even after not hearing that voice for so many years, he could tell from just that small snippet that it was Qin Yinan.


    Then, he stood in front of the window as he listened to them walk into the restaurant, go through their order, and share their stories from the past two years; he listened to the concerns and cares they had for each other...


    He stood there listening for almost an hour. He was so caught up in it that he did not realize when his secretary came to remind him about his meeting for multiple times. Even when he walked from his office to the meeting room, he was still tuned in to their conversation. He heard her say, "Brother Yinan, we have not seen each other for so long, did you miss me?"


    "Of course I did," Qin Yinan answered without missing a beat.


    After a short pause, Song Qingchun added in a sweet, gentle voice, "Brother Yinan, I missed you too."

 Chapter 45: 100 Days of Cohabitation (5)

    Chapter 45: 100 Days of Cohabitation (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    There was even a tenderness in her voice that she would never use with him. Even though he was not there personally, he could picture the smile on her face. At the time, it was as if someone encased him in cement and he could only stand motionless as the sunlight shone down on him. It wasn¡¯t until his secretary was dangerously close that he finally snapped out of it.


    The product manager reached the height of the presentation and the room apuded him. The only exception was Su Zhinian, who sat expressionless in his seat. Su Zhinian only felt the apuse was obnoxiously noisy. He could not help but raise his hands to massage his temple, then the promation made by Song Qingchun earlier ¨C Brother Yinan, I missed you too. ¨C floated up in his mind.


    A visceral emotion surged through the bottom of Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes, and his chest expanded slightly from the angry gasp of inhaled air. Then, he mmed the document in his hand on the table heavily without any warning.


    The heavy m silenced the apuse instantly. The product manager, who was originally in high spirits, was shivering due to Su Zhinian¡¯s sudden action. His brain traced his presentation to locate the point that might have angered him so.


    An icy anger permeated the whole room. It was as if it was choking the lives out of everyone there; no one even dared to breathe. The product manager racked his brain but could note up with any obvious mistake that he had made. He steeled his nerves to ask, "CEO Su? Is there anything wrong?"


    Su Zhinian stared at the vase in the middle of the meeting table like it was the most interesting thing in the world.


    After a long wait and no responseter, everyone followed his gaze to look at the vase. The vase had a normal tulip in it; the flower had started to wilt, and its petals had creased because it was changed about two days ago. There was nothing worth admiring about it, so why had it captured Big Boss¡¯ undivided attention?


    There was confusion in everyone¡¯s eyes. They looked at each other but no one dared to address the elephant in the room. Finally, their collective gaze fell on the secretary who sat beside Su Zhinian. Feeling everyone¡¯s eyes on her, the secretary struggled for a moment before she leaned in toward Su Zhinian and whispered, "CEO Su, the product manager asked whether there is any problem you wish to raise or not..."


    "Song Song, I really did not expect Song Cheng would choose to end his life this way. I am sorry; when this happened, I was in the military and was unable toe back to Beijing to see you. You have no idea how worried I was..."


    Su Zhinian who heard until this part was called back into the meeting room by his secretary¡¯s whispered question. He looked around the room and realized everyone was as tense as a trapeze artist on a rope. He frowned at the weird situation and asked, "Done?"


    As he said so, Su Zhinian noticed the weird expressions that appeared on people¡¯s faces. Then he noticed the document that was previously in his hand was now at the middle of the meeting table, and in that moment, he knew what had gone wrong. He nced at the product manager who was still standing and dered, "If you¡¯re not done, then continue."


    The product manager picked up where he left off after a pause. However, Su Zhinian only managed to take in about ten words before his mind drifted off to Qin Yinan and Song Qingchun¡¯s conversation again.


    "Song Song, don¡¯t feel too bad. Even though Song Cheng is no longer with us, I am still here. I will do what Song Cheng is willing to do for you."

 Chapter 46: 100 Days of Cohabitation (6)

    Chapter 46: 100 Days of Cohabitation (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Now that I¡¯ve returned, I will not leave again; I will take good care of you in the future..."


    There was a crisp snap in the meeting room and everyone turned to the source. They were shocked to see the pen in Su Zhinian¡¯s grasp break in two. The room was again thrown back into an eerie silence. However, that onlysted for a minute; since everyone noticed there was no other response from Su Zhinian, they turned their attention back onto the product manager.


    The product manager¡¯s confidence visibly ggedpared to when he started. Even his speech had gotten faster like he could not wait to get his presentation over and done with.


    "Alright, Brother Yinan, let us move away from the sad topics. My birthday is in a few days, can I expect a present?"


    "Of course, I might forget anyone else¡¯s birthday but never yours."


    "I knew Brother Yinan treats me the best..."


    Su Zhinian suddenly sprung up from his seat, and everyone¡¯s hearts shrank. The words that were on the product manager¡¯s lips were harshly swallowed back down his throat, his face that looked at Su Zhinian was full of pleading and desperation. Couldn¡¯t they just have a normal meeting?


    The product manager uttered in a shaking voice, "CEO..."


    Before the ¡¯Su¡¯ coulde out, Su Zhinian suddenly kicked the chair behind him and it copsed with a loud bang. Ignoring the room of managers, a pissed Su Zhinian stormed out the meeting without saying a word to exin himself.


    ...


    Song Qingchun and Qin Yinan stayed at the restaurant until 6 pm. Qin Yinan invited Song Qingchun to join him for dinner, but Song Qingchun realized she had to be Su Zhinian¡¯s by 7 pm, so she found a reason to excuse herself.


    After exiting the restaurant, Qin Yinan helped Song Qingchun hail a taxi. Song Qingchun gave the driver the Song family¡¯s address. She bade Qin Yinan farewell, and after the car had gone quite a distance, Song Qingchun leaned forward to tell the driver to go to Su Zhinian¡¯s address instead.


    It was 6:45 pm when she reached Su Zhinian¡¯s residential area. Stilling down from the high of meeting Qin Yinan, Song Qingchun paid the driver and practically bounced leisurely to the front door while humming an old love song from many years ago. She made a game out of keying in the password, and after she heard the door unlocked, she pushed it open with ease before prancing in.


    As Song Qingchun slipped off her shoes, she even started to sing while she was humming the tune. As she stepped over the threshold into the living room, she was ready to toss her bag onto the sofa as they did in the dramas when her gaze fell upon Su Zhinian who was sitting with his legs crossed in the middle of the sofa reading a document.


    Song Qingchun stopped like someone had pressed the pause button and the lyrics ¨C "Your hair is like snow, making our parting chillingly beautiful." 1 ¨C stopped short in her throat. It was not even seven, but the busy Su Zhinian was already home...


    Song Qingchun blinked several times to make sure she was not dreaming before quickly standing to attention and reverting to her usual gentle and quiet demeanor. She greeted Su Zhinian.


    "Mr. Su, you¡¯re home early today."


    Her words seemed tond on thin air because she got no response at all.


    Song Qingchun sidled up to the coatrack by the wall and carefully hung her bag on it before turning around to say, "Mr. Su, I¡¯ll go prepare dinner now."

 Chapter 47: 100 Days of Cohabitation (7)

    Chapter 47: 100 Days of Cohabitation (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian was like a statue; he didn¡¯t even bat an eye, much less open his mouth to speak.


    Regardless, that day was the first night she was going to spend at Su Zhinian¡¯s ce after signing the contract. She was going to cook dinner in his kitchen... Shouldn¡¯t she ask for his opinion before she got started?


    Song Qingchun, who was heading toward the kitchen, hesitated. She finally stopped and turned to address Su Zhinian, who was reading his document. "Mr. Su, what do you want for dinner?"


    She should have expected the result, because once again, her words were ignored. However, this time, he seemed to finally respond to her presence. His face twitched with slight emotion as if a statueing to life.


    He flipped the page of the document slowly. The expensive watch on his wrist caught the glow from the chandelier and refracted rays of blinding light.


    Encouraged by his motion, Song Qingchun¡¯s rxed slightly and continued in an enquiring tone, "Is it okay if we have Chinese Yam Pork Ribs Soup? There¡¯s a fish in the freezer, so would you prefer it steamed? There are also some leftover ribs; do you want them braised in soy sauce or sweet and sour sauce?"


    Su Zhinian still did not show any intent of answering her even though he did raise his head to look at her. There was deep coldness in his eyes. It made Song Qingchun¡¯s heart quiver with fear as if she had made some unforgivable mistake. Song Qingchun did not dare hold his gaze, and she turned quickly around and headed into the kitchen.


    Song Qingchun had heard the worst thinge out of Su Zhinian¡¯s mouth, so she was secretly psyched by this cold shoulder he was giving her. In these one hundred days, she did not dare to hope for a merry rtionship, and she did not expect that his treatment of her would improve. In fact, in these hundred days, she did not think she would even hear one kind word from him.


    For these hundred days, she would not ask for much, she only prayed that he would not get unreasonably mad at her and she would be satisfied. Even if he treated her like air, day in and day out, she wouldn¡¯t mind; she preferred it, if anything.


    She just wanted to honor her part of the contract so that he would not renege on it. In one hundred days¡¯ time, she would sessfully get a fully revived Song Empire from his hands.


    However, her small desire seemed so impossible in that moment. The man¡¯s personality was simply too hard to juggle, his emotions flipped as fast as the boat capsized in the water. He would re up without warning.


    Song Qingchun, who busied herself in the kitchen, thought back to the scene from yesterday morning. One second, he was peacefully eating the porridge at the table, but the next, Su Zhinian flung the bowl away. Song Qingchun sighed quietly and shook her head. Tonight, she swore to be nothing but careful!


    The dinner was scrumptious; there were four dishes and one soup. Song Qingchun set the table before going to the living room. The television was switched on when she did not notice, and the document that was in Su Zhinian¡¯s hand earlier was now on the coffee table.


    Song Qingchun did not wander into the living room but stood at the threshold of the dining room to call Su Zhinian, who sat with his back facing her.


    "Mr. Su, dinner is ready."


    To Song Qingchun¡¯s immense surprise, the man opened his golden mouth to reply her, uttering the first noise she had heard from him that night.


    "Mm."


    The moment Su Zhinian stepped into the dining room, Song Qingchun immediately pulled out the seat he usually sat in for him. After he sat down, Song Qingchun passed him his chopsticks and served him a bowl of hot soup.

 Chapter 48: 100 Days of Cohabitation (8)

    Chapter 48: 100 Days of Cohabitation (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Throughout dinner, Song Qingchun, who stood beside the table, was like an obedient little maid, ever ready to serve. When Su Zhinian reached the bottom of his soup bowl or rice bowl, she would be there to refill.


    During dinner, Su Zhinian did turn to look at Song Qingchun once. After meeting his eyes, the girl immediately lowered her head. The man stared at her for some time, but he then swallowed the words that had reached his mouth alongside his dinner and allowed her to stand there watching him eat.


    Su Zhinian did not stay after dinner. He left immediately after and turned into the bathroom beside the dining room. When he came out of it after brushing his teeth, he nced toward the dining room and saw Song Qingchun sitting alone at the giant dining table, eating his leftovers. Her head was lowered so much that from his perspective he could only see the top of her head.


    Normally, he would also have his dinner alone at the table, but he would not consider himself lonely. Perhaps, it was due to her smaller frame, she seemed stranded at the dining table, and for some reason, he felt sorry for her.


    Su Zhinian stood staring at her for some time before turning to leave.


    After finishing her meal, Song Qingchun cleared away the dishes and put everything back in order. Then, she carried the fruit te she had prepared and cautiously walked to the living room.


    The television was still on and the volume was lowered, probably because it was in the middle of amercial break. A document had found its way back into Su Zhinian¡¯s hand, but he was not looking at it. Instead, his gaze was turned toward the window; his brows were deeply furrowed as if there was something troublesome on his mind.


    Song Qingchun ced the fruit te on the coffee table and reminded softly, "Mr. Su, fruits."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s longshes flitted before his whole face turned around to nod slightly at Song Qingchun. There was an indifference in his demeanor as he turned his attention back to the document in his hand.


    Other than the television, which acted as background noise, the room was silent except for the sound of Su Zhinian asionally flipping the document in his hands. Su Zhinian¡¯s attention did not stay on the document for long because he soon turned his head back toward the window.


    The lights in the room were on, and against the backdrop of the night, the shiny window acted like a shiny of mirror, reflecting clearly the situation in the room. He saw Song Qingchun leaning against the wall furthest away from him, her head lowered, attentively staring at the phone in her palm.


    She seemed to be in the middle of a text conversation with someone. Her fingers kept pressing and swiping across the screen of her phone, and her lips would asionally curve unconsciously into a smile.


    Probably tired from standing in the same posture, Song Qingchun lifted her head as she crossed her legs and her eyes just so happened to sweep across the window. Su Zhinian, who was one step ahead of her, turned his head away one second earlier and lightly flipped through the paper in his hand. Staring at the rows of ck characters, he suddenly said in a soft voice, "Brew me a cup of coffee."


    The abruptness of his orderbined with the long stretch of silence before startled Song Qingchun. She stared confusedly at him for a while before responding with an "Oh" as the reality of the situation came back to her. She put her phone back into her pocket and moved toward the dining room.


    Song Qingchun then prepared to serve Su Zhinian. She was bending down to ce the coffee on the coffee table when the man extended his hand at her. Song Qingchun quickly ced the coffee cup in his hand.


    When Su Zhinian epted the cup, his finger identally brushed against hers. Song Qingchun flinched from the contact, and the coffee sshed from its cup, dirtying his pants.


    "I am so sorry, Mr. Su." Song Qingchun put the cup down on the table with lightning speed, pulled out a few paper napkins, and dabbed at the stained pants.

 Chapter 49: 100 Days of Cohabitation (9)

    Chapter 49: 100 Days of Cohabitation (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "I am so sorry, I didn¡¯t mean it..." The napkin was quickly soaked. Song Qingchun did not realize the man¡¯s slightly tense body and continue to draw more napkins as she apologized profusely.


    However, this time when her hand touched Su Zhinian¡¯s leg and had not even wiped it, the man suddenly howled in a low and cold voice, "Enough! Get away from me!"


    The howl dazed Song Qingchun and her hand stopped on Su Zhinian¡¯s leg.


    "I told you to get away from me, can you not hear me?" Following another one of Su Zhinian¡¯s impatient warning, her hand on his leg was forcefully shoved away. Then Su Zhinian sprang up from his seat; it looked like he was going to leave.


    Song Qingchun noticed his displeasure, so she quickly scooted out of his way to let him pass. The coffee was sttered all over the marble floor. In her urgency to get away from Su Zhinian, Song Qingchun did not realize her feetnded on arge puddle of coffee. She slipped and careened forward to fall onto Su Zhinian who was standing before her.


    Su Zhinian did not anticipate this as Song Qingchun copsed fully into his chest. The force sent both of them crashing back onto the sofa.


    When Song Qingchun recovered, she realized she was lying on top of Su Zhinian and her face was so close to his face that she would only need to move forward one inch and her lips would touch his.


    Song Qingchun was stunned for about one second before instinctually struggling to get up. However, she realized the man¡¯s normally cold gaze had be surprisingly passionate. There was a fire burning in the depths of his eyes that could sear one¡¯s skin, and even his breath on her skin was boiling hot.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart was racing. Even through the separation of clothes, she could still feel the small changes in the man¡¯s body. She had been forced to share a bed with the man once before... so she understood what these changes meant.


    Could it be that he wants... Song Qingchun¡¯s heart beat frantically when she thought about this, and her hands unconsciously clenched into fists.


    Her pupils darted about worriedly, and then, she smiled awkwardly at Su Zhinian and stuttered, "I, I, I will go brew you a new cup of coffee..."


    As she said so, she tried to untangle herself from Su Zhinian. She barely started moving when Su Zhinian¡¯s hand pressed down on her waist. There was quite a force behind his hand and their bodies were squeezed closer together.


    Song Qingchun felt his hand on her waist and its ridiculously hot temperature. Her body could not help but shudder. Then she felt the man¡¯s obvious bodily reaction as the passion in his gaze that fell on her deepened.


    Song Qingchun held her breath as she saw the man¡¯s lips inch closer and closer to her lips. She was in aplete panic...


    When she signed that contract with him, she knew this wasing...


    But now that it was actually happening, she had a hard time epting it...

 Chapter 50: 100 Days of Cohabitation (10)

    Chapter 50: 100 Days of Cohabitation (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun was shivering so hard. She raised her hands multiple times, intending to shove Su Zhinian away, but in the end, she let them fall weakly on him. This was part of her contract with him... If she resisted, he might im that she¡¯d broken the contract...


    When Su Zhinian¡¯s lips were one millimeter away from her face, he suddenly stopped. He took in her anxiety clearly. Hershes were shaking, and her lips were also quivering. Due to their close contact, he could read her heart, and she really did not want to have any rtionship with him...


    Su Zhinian stared at Song Qingchun for a while before turning his head away to look out the window. There was a trace of pain in his eyes, but it onlysted for a moment. He then turned his head back to study her. He was about to take his hand off her waist when her thoughts once more popped up in his mind. How could I possibly deserve Brother Yinan¡¯s love if I¡¯m so dirty?


    Dirty? The word was like a sharp knife tearing at Su Zhinian¡¯s heart. She means being with me is dirty? Am I nothing more than a source of depravity in her life? Does she look down on me so much? Then again, why am I surprised? Of course, she does!


    Su Zhinian¡¯s hand stopped moving and iciness returned to his face. His eyes narrowed dangerously at Song Qingchun.


    Wait... Howe he stopped? Song Qingchun seemed to realize his suddenck of reaction and these questions floated up in her mind. Could it be that he has lost interest? Shall I make use of this opportunity ande up with a reason to reject him? But what kind of reason will make him let me go and not anger him?


    Song Qingchun¡¯s mind paused to ruminate on it. That¡¯s right, period... He can¡¯t be so disgusting as to want to take a woman during her period and have a bloody battle, right?


    Song Qingchun then faked that she suddenly remembered something and opened her eyes to tell Su Zhinian, "Mr. Su, I don¡¯t think we can do this today, it is that time of the month for me..."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s voice became increasingly small as she continued due to shyness. Su Zhinian did not say a word in reply but stared at Song Qingchun coldly.


    Song Qingchun shuddered under his scrutiny. Could it be that he has seen through the lie? Then again, if I insist that it is true, I doubt that he would be brazen enough to pull down my pants to check, right? This will not work long term, but at least let me survive tonight first...


    Song Qingchun silently cheered for herself. She turned to look at Su Zhinian and continued in a sincere tone, "I am not lying, it is real..."


    Survive tonight first... This thought at the bottom of her heart shredded hisst vestiges of rationality. Suddenly, he pushed out his hand to squeeze Song Qingchun¡¯s chin and red deep into her eyes. In a monotonous manner, he dered word by word, "Song Qingchun, your period just came two weeks ago, so you¡¯re telling me your periodes twice a month?"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s frightened eyes widened as she stared at Su Zhinian for at least ten seconds. Then she realized she¡¯d fainted from severe period painst week and it was Su Zhinian who¡¯d brought her home to take care of her...


    In her hurry to look for an excuse, she hadpletely forgotten about this detail...


    Anxiety was written all over Song Qingchun¡¯s face, as her lie was exposed. Her gaze that was forced to look at Su Zhinian was drifting about nervously.

 Chapter 51: The Person Hiding in My Memory (1)

    Chapter 51: The Person Hiding in My Memory (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian¡¯s face belied none of the fury that was burning within him. He red at Song Qingchun and asked, "Song Qingchun, do you know why I slept with you five years ago?"


    The mention of the incident that happened five years ago made Song Qingchun go pale. She stared quietly at Su Zhinian. Her lips moved slightly but no words came out.


    "It was only because I was so blinded by alcohol and intoxicated beyond reason that I could bring myself to take you!"


    Su Zhinian leaned in toward Song Qingchun¡¯s ear as his grip on her chin tightened. His voice was gentle as his hot breaths licked her ears, causing her whole body to shiver. "If I was not so blind drunk that night, I would not have been able toy even a finger on you!"


    Song Qingchun felt assaulted physically, and her face waspletely drained of blood. Hershes shivered greatly, and her dark eyes showed signs of misting over.


    "It is the same tonight. If not for the fact that you actively copsed into my arms, do you really think I would want you?" Su Zhinian hissed out his words one by one. Then he saw the tears that were threatening to fall out of the girl¡¯s eyes but ultimately did not.


    There was a slight change in Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes and a great annoyance surged through his heart. He stared at Song Qingchun, bit on his lips, and suddenly pushed Song Qingchun off him. Then, he stood up with a cold expression and stormed upstairs.


    ...


    Song Qingchun stayed downstairs for a long time before standing up to clear away the mess and moving upstairs.


    After returning to bedroom, she did not go straight into the shower but sat down before her make-up table. She took a pen to stroke out another date on the table calendar and whispered silently, as if to console herself, "Three days have passed, 97 more days and I can leave this ce. So, Song Qingchun, don¡¯t be sad, even if you have to see him every day and get insulted and yelled at every time, at most, it will only be another 97 times..."


    Suddenly, Song Qingchun heard the door next to her bedroom be roughly pulled open. She mmed up in fear and stared guardedly at her own bedroom door. Song Qingchun waited with her heart in her throat, but the door did not open. Instead, she heard the sound of a car engine starting.


    She stood up to walk to the window. She saw Su Zhinian¡¯s car zip out of the house with incredible speed.


    ...


    For a few consecutive days after that, Su Zhinian did not show up at the bungalow. Song Qingchun and he became like two boats in the night, passing each other in the dark.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s anger-filled exit worried Song Qingchun for quite a period of time, worried that he might renege on the contract.


    However, that worry did notst long because she soon heard from Fang Rou that Su Zhinian had gone to Song Empire, and after a 30-minute tour of thepany, gave a long list of names to the HR manager, ending it with "Fire all of them, and that includes you," before leaving thepany.


    The names on Su Zhinian¡¯s list were mostly seniors at thepany. They were naturally unsatisfied and came to Song Menghwa and Song Qingchun toin and plead their case.


    However, one does not doubt the person that one hires. Since they had given Su Zhinian Song Empire to manage, Song Qingchun chose to respect his decision and approve the mass firing.


    Song Menghwa could not withstand the shock and pressure from Song Cheng¡¯s suicide and hadnded himself in the hospital. Song Qingchun had applied for a three-month holiday from herpany to look after him.

 Chapter 52: The Person Hiding in My Memory (2)

    Chapter 52: The Person Hiding in My Memory (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Thest day of her holiday was 8th December, her birthday. Song Qingchun was a reporter and spent most of her working hours out researching, so she was not required to report to the station every day.


    However, this was Song Qingchun¡¯s first day back at work after her long holiday, so she woke up early to prepare and arrived at the station punctually.


    When tragedy struck the Song family, Song Qingchun did not have the time to care about her work. Now that she had returned, the first thing she did after arriving at her office was to call for her assistant to fill her in on all the news that had happened during her three months¡¯ absence.


    Everything was normal the first month of her break, but from the next month onward, there was a name that appeared in the headlines¡¯ by-lines with startling frequency. That name was Tang Nuan.


    Even justst month, there was... Song Qingchun frowned as she made the mental calction. Tang Nuan made front page news for eight consecutive copies.


    Eight consecutive copies... Her own personal record was merely seven consecutive copies... Her proudest achievement was taken away by Tang Nuan in the three months she was not there.


    Tang Nuan¡¯s smug face naturally floated up in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind. She could not help but raise her hand to massage her temple. Then, using her hand to support her chin, she looked out the window. After some contemtion, she pressed the telephone on her desk to connect to the inte system. No matter what, she would not give up the title of top female reporter at Station TW without a fight!


    This was because only by iming the title of the top female reporter could she be Station TW¡¯s anchor-woman in the future!


    She swore to work hard to get newsworthy articles to break Tang Nuan¡¯s record. Only bypeting with her to snatch up the front-page news would she be able to stop Tang Nuan¡¯s winning streak.


    After hanging up the phone, her assistant hurried into her office. Song Qingchun passed her a piece of name card and ordered, "Get on the phone and help me make an appointment. Tell them, I want to do an interview."


    "Yes, Sister Song." The assistant nodded and moved to make the call. After a few short conversations, she hung up, looked at Song Qingchun and said cautiously, "Sister Song, CEO Yang said they have already contacted another reporter for the interview..."


    "Another reporter?" Song Qingchun said with a frown. This was a contact she had cultivated for two years; they would often feed her news. Song Qingchun pressed, "Who is it?"


    The assistant answered in a mousy voice, "It was Tang Nuan."


    Song Qingchun gritted her teeth and passed her assistant another name card. "Try this."


    The assistant made the call and simrly only said a few words before hanging up. She then turned to Song Qingchun and said in a small voice, "Mrs. Xiang said that she has already been interviewed by Tang Nuanst night."


    Song Qingchun did notment this time but passed her assistant another name card. The result was still the same; they had already scheduled the interview with Tang Nuan. This process was repeated until Song Qingchun handed her assistant thest name card she had.


    Her assistant stood there quietly with her head lowered.


    Song Qingchun stared at her and asked, "Tang Nuan?"


    Her assistant nodded in quick session without raising her head.

 Chapter 53: The Person Hiding in My Memory (3)

    Chapter 53: The Person Hiding in My Memory (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "So, you¡¯re telling me that the contacts I have cultivated over thest two years have all been taken over by Tang Nuan in less than three months?" There was an obvious anger bubbling under Song Qingchun¡¯s question.


    Her assistant raised her head carefully to steal a look at Song Qingchun. Then, she nodded lightly and replied in a voice that could not be smaller even if she wanted to, "Yes."


    As if hearing the best joke in the world, Song Qingchun chuckled to herself; her chuckles were amplified by the rtive quiet of the room. The spooked assistant took several steps back. Song Qingchun maintained as much grace as she could as she waved her assistant away. After the door closed, she sighed audibly.


    Tang Nuan... Tang Nuan... It had been eight years since the owner of that name had waltzed into her life, and in this eight years, whenever the name was brought up, bad things definitely followed.


    She did not notice it when she first peered through those front-page headlines, but now she realized that from the eight news articles that had made the headlines, five of them came from her once contacts. Yes... Once... She only vacated her seat for three months and the world had changed when she returned.


    She knew from the very beginning that Tang Nuan, like her, was vying for the anchor-woman position. She should have known that ruthless woman would kick her when she was down. There was no way she was going to miss out on her misfortune.


    However, Song Qingchun did not expect Tang Nuan would be so cruel as to send her back to the state of a nobody... But did she really think she could get rid of Song Qingchun so easily?


    A hue of derision appeared in the bottom of Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes. Tang Nuan had indeed overestimated herself. If she, Song Qingchun, could use one year to break the record of six consecutive headlines set by the previous anchor-woman, then she would be able to once again do the same with Tang Nuan in the shortest amount of time!


    After Song Qingchun¡¯s mood settled, she left her office to use the toilet. Along the way, many of her co-workers greeted her, but as she passed, they started gossiping among themselves.


    "Song Empire is over; this means that Song Qingchun is no longer the same rich youngdy..."


    "You¡¯re right, she used toe to work dripping in silver and gold, but now look at her and that simple get-up..."


    "I hear she came to work today in a taxi..."


    "What happened to her Ferrari? She sold it?"


    Some of her co-workers had difficulty gauging their speaking voice, and parts of their conversation drifted into Song Qingchun¡¯s ears. She acted like she did not hear them as her stiletto with a long and thin heel clicked across the office floor, and she walked gracefully into the bathroom.


    After Song Qingchun came out of the toilet cubicle, a slender figure was reapplying her make-up at the counter, facing away from her.


    The figure noticed the sound of movement behind her and raised her head to catch Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes through the reflection of the mirror. It was Tang Nuan.


    They held the eye contact for almost half a minute before Song Qingchun moved to stand beside Tang Nuan. She twisted open the tap and leisurely washed her hands under the running water.


    Tang Nuan pouted her lips to apply her lipstick using the mirror. Then, she nced sideways at Song Qingchun and opened her mouth to say, "Song Qingchun, tell me, how does it feel to have your stuff taken away again?"

 Chapter 54: The Person Hiding in My Memory (4)

    Chapter 54: The Person Hiding in My Memory (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Again... Song Qingchun¡¯s hands flinched when she heard that word, but she recovered quickly. Without taking a look at Tang Nuan, she continued washing her hands, adding, "Stealing is not anything worth broadcasting. After all, the only thing that counts is keeping it around, wouldn¡¯t you agree?"


    Tang Nuan of course knew what Song Qingchun was hinting at... If you can steal it from me, then watch as I steal it back from you!


    Tang Nuan¡¯s lips curved into a mirthless smile and she asked, "Song Qingchun, do you really think you have the chance to take it back from me? Song Empire today is no longer what it once was, and you are no longer the princess of Song Empire. Do you really think those contacts that your big brother secured for you still care about you?


    "Let me give you a much-needed reality check. They could not wait to get away from you. Without your big brother, you are nothing. Furthermore, Song Empire was forced to rescind their shares from the station¡¯s ount. Do you think the station master will still look out for you after you lose your identity as a shareholder¡¯s daughter?


    "From today onward, if you still coast under the radar like usual, then I am afraid not long from now, you willpletely disappear from my sight."


    "You¡¯re right, my family is indeed not as strong as before." Song Qingchun nodded along to what Tang Nuan said. Then she pulled out a few napkins and slowly wiped her hands dry before tossing them into the waste basket. After that, she turned around to face Tang Nuan. "Then again, it might have a benefit to it because now you cannot use the excuse saying that I depend on my background every time you lose to me."


    Song Qingchun smiled brightly at her before walking out of the bathroom. After two steps, she stopped as if remembering something and whipped around to address Tang Nuan. "Regarding what you said, that I willpletely disappear from your sight... Let me tell you, whether I disappear or not, that is my call and definitely not yours."


    Song Qingchun grinned at Tang Nuan, showing her row of white teeth, before pushing open the bathroom door and walking out of it.


    Perhaps it was because she had the final word in the verbal altercation with Tang Nuan, Song Qingchun felt much better as she walked back to her office. Not long after that, she received a call from Qin Yinan.


    Today was her birthday, and Qin Yinan had already promised to celebrate her birthday with her that afternoon, so when Song Qingchun answered the phone, she heard a "Happy birthday" from him before he asked, "Song Song, what do you want to have for lunch?"


    Song Qingchun gave him one of the most useless answers possible. "Anything is fine."


    Qin Yinanughed on the other end of the phone like he had expected that answer from her and continued, "How about the Beijing Hotel?"


    "That sounds great," Song Qingchun agreed easily.


    "Okay then, I wille pick you up from yourpany at 11.30 am."


    "See you then," Song Qingchun replied. She waited until Qin Yinan hung up that she did so. When it was almost 11 am, Song Qingchun took another trip to the bathroom to freshen up her make-up.


    When Song Qingchun came out of the bathroom, it was already 11.32 am. She packed up all her things in the hurry and rushed to the elevator clutching her bag.

 Chapter 55: The Person Hiding in My Memory (5)

    Chapter 55: The Person Hiding in My Memory (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    As Song Qingchun walked into the elevator, before the door even closed, a message alert sounded from her phone. It was from Qin Yinan. ¡¯Song Song, I am sorry, but something came up. I might not be able to go fetch you; can you please go wait for me at the Beijing Hotel? I have made the reservation so just use my name, I will be there at around 1 pm.¡¯


    There was no signal in the elevator, so when Song Qingchun got out on the first floor, she replied Qin Yinan an ok emoji. After she left herpany, she hailed a taxi to go to the Beijing Hotel.


    The traffic was clear, but since Song Qingchun¡¯spany was quite far away from the Beijing Hotel, when she arrived, it was already 12.40 pm.


    A waiter approached her to ask for her reservation as she entered the lobby. Song Qingchun gave Qin Yinan¡¯s name and the waiter took her up to a room on the third floor. After pouring her a ss of tea, the waiter asked in a respectful tone, "Miss, do you wish to order now?"


    Song Qingchun shook her head. "Later."


    "I understand." The waiter bowed politely as he retreated out of the room. 1 pm soon arrived, but Qin Yinan was still nowhere to be seen. Song Qingchun did not call to rush him but patiently watched the television while waiting for him to arrive.


    It was 1.30 pm when the waiter arrived knocked on the door and enquired politely, "Miss, I am sorry but when will your friend being? Do you wish to order while waiting for them?"


    Song Qingchun only then realized it was past the time Qin Yinan had promised her. She signaled for the waiter to wait for a moment as she pulled out her phone to call Qin Yinan. It kept ringing, but no one picked it up. Song Qingchun frowned and tried calling again. It was the same. She smiled apologetically at the waiter and said, "Can I wait for a while longer?"


    The waiter nodded with a patient smile and left the room.


    Song Qingchun waited for Qin Yinan to contact her back, but there was nothing. Finally, she called him for the third time, and still, there was no answer. Worried, she sent him a message, but like throwing a pebble into the ocean, there was no reply.


    The kitchen staff at Beijing Hotel had their afternoon break at 2 pm, so when it was almost two, the waiter once more poked his head in to ask Song Qingchun whether she wanted to make her order or not.


    Song Qingchun was still unable to contact Qin Yinan. Suppressing the anxiety in her heart, she ordered a few of his favorite dishes. It took less than half an hour for all the food to be served, and there was still no news from Qin Yinan.


    Song Qingchun sat in the room alone staring at the whole table of food. She did not once lift her chopsticks but instead would pick up her phone to give Qin Yinan another call.


    Song Qingchun still could not reach Qin Yinan. She started to get really worried, wondering whether some ident had befallen him.


    The food had started to go cold, and there was still no Qin Yinan. Song Qingchun had lost count of the number of times she had called Qin Yinan. Finally, the phone was picked up, but before she could say anything, it was hung up. Song Qingchun tried calling again, but she got the operator telling her the number she had called was not in service.


    Song Qingchun sat quietly alone in therge room facing the tableful of cold dishes.


    Time ticked by, and before she realized, it was already 5 pm. There was still no trace of Qin Yinan.


    At 5.10 pm, there was a message alert on Song Qingchun¡¯s phone. She grabbed it without hesitation. It was a media message. It was not from Qin Yinan, but it had plenty to do with Qin Yinan.

 Chapter 56: The Person Hiding in My Memory (6)

    Chapter 56: The Person Hiding in My Memory (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    It was a picture of a man¡¯s back. He was facing away from the camera, cooking in an open style kitchen. Even though it was only his back, Song Qingchun could tell from one look that it was Qin Yinan. The person who sent her the message was Tang Nuan.


    Before Song Qingchun could even fully process what she was seeing, her phone received another message. Again, it was from Tang Nuan. ¡¯Song Qingchun, I wonder, how long have you been waiting for Qin Yinan? From the looks of things, he won¡¯t be free any time soon.¡¯


    Before Song Qingchun could finish reading, Tang Nuan sent another message. ¡¯Unfortunately, he is over at my ce, cooking dinner for me. It is quite unlikely that he¡¯ll be able to celebrate your birthday with you.¡¯


    Song Qingchun¡¯s hand that gripped her phone tightened. The joy and anticipation of spending a wonderful birthday with her Brother Yinan turned into unspeakable sadness. Today was her birthday; he had promised to celebrate it with her, but in the end, he had ditched her for someone else.


    He was too busy cooking dinner for another woman and hadpletely forgotten about her, making her wait for him the entire afternoon.


    The phone in her palm vibrated again, and as Song Qingchun stared at those words, she could hear Tang Nuan¡¯s sarcastic voice beside her ears. ¡¯Also, I don¡¯t mean anything by sending these messages to you. I was just afraid that he forgot to tell you about our little rendezvous and that you would continue to stupidly wait for him. By the way, Song Qingchun, don¡¯t tell me you have been waiting for him all afternoon?¡¯


    Song Qingchun¡¯s finger started shaking. She mmed her phone on the table emotionally. She knew Tang Nuan was trying to get under skin by purposely sending her those messages. If her mood was affected, she would have fallen right into her scheme.


    Tang Nuan seeded. She knew her weak point and could use it to beat her handily.


    Tang Nuan and she were ssmates from the same high school. When they were in junior high, her rtionship with Tang Nuan could not be considered close, but they had, at least, not been enemies. They would nod at each other whenever they met in school and would help each other buy stuff from the cafeteria. When they entered third year of high school, there was even a period when they were good friends.


    That period was also when she was good friends with Su Zhinian. During that period, whenever the girls went shopping over the weekend, Su Zhinian would act as their driver and carry their bags for them.


    Tang Nuan treated her well, and she reciprocated in kind. Even that one fight Su Zhinian was involved in happened due to Tang Nuan.


    It all started in a bar where Tang Nuan was surrounded by a few ruffians who wanted her to y with them. Tang Nuan at the time waspletely different from Tang Nuan now. She was a gentle, soft-spoken girl, apletely different character from the woman who had messaged Song Qingchun earlier.


    When Song Qingchun had seen the trouble Tang Nuan was in, she had rushed to shield the shaking and teary-eyed Tang Nuan without giving it much thought.


    The few ruffians said that of the two of them, one must stay.


    At the time, she and Tang Nuan were only eighteen. They had ventured into the bar because they were simply curious about nightlife. Who would have thought that trouble so big would happen on their first night out?


    At the time, both she and Tang Nuan knew, it would not end well for the one who stayed.


    Honestly, she too had been afraid... But at the time, she had bought into the honorable, yet oftentimes dangerous, belief that friends should stand up for each other. That,bined with the impetuousness of youth, made her grit her teeth and volunteer to stay.

 Chapter 57: The Person Hiding in My Memory (7)

    Chapter 57: The Person Hiding in My Memory (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    At the time, she was young and did not have theplexity of thoughts she had now. Itpletely escaped her attention that while she had been negotiating with the ruffians, Tang Nuan had not said a word.


    After she yelled for Tang Nuan to run, Tang Nuan took a step back before stopping. She had no clue, actually deep down in Tang Nuan¡¯s heart, she was looking out for herself first. She was d when Song Qingchun intervened to protect her. She prayed desperately for Song Qingchun to do more than that and was secretly relieved when Song Qingchun yelled at her to run.


    Tang Nuan gritted her teeth and took off.


    Song Qingchun saw Tang Nuan escaping toward safety and sighed under her breath. At least one of them was safe. She was sure Tang Nuan was going to return with help.


    In reality, it was Su Zhinian who arrived in the nick of time just as the ruffians moved in on her. At the time, she had known Su Zhinian for quite some time. She was familiar with his unttering personality and knew that some of the people at school were even afraid of him. She found that curious because she hadn¡¯t noticed anything scary about Su Zhinian in the time she had known him. However, that night, her opinion changed, and she could understand why people feared him.


    Even after so many years, when she closed her eyes, she could still see how crazily brutal Su Zhinian had been that night. It was as if he had lost his mind as he grabbed anything close to him and lobbed it at the group of ruffians.


    The group of ruffians were normally not people to be trifled with, but for some reason, they cowered in fear against Su Zhinian¡¯s relentless assault. The event that night even attracted the police¡¯s attention because of Su Zhinian¡¯s ruthlessness; he broke the legs of two people and gave another a concussion.


    Song Menghwa had used many of his connections and burned a lot of money to save Su Zhinian from a life of imprisonment. Of course, Song Qingchun¡¯s escapade to the bar was brought into the open following that. It was the first time she had been seriously lectured by her father and was grounded in her room for one whole day.


    Until today, she had always thought it was Tang Nuan who had called Su Zhinian. After all, when she asked Su Zhinian, he did not deny it.


    Regardless, she had saved Tang Nuan that night, but for some reason, Tang Nuan had started to distance herself after that night.


    The real enmity between her and Tang Nuan started after the grade exam. As she wished, she got into the same university as Qin Yinan. ording to the n in her mind, she was going to confess to Qin Yinan, but before she could do that, Qin Yinan had confided in her that he had fallen in love with a girl.


    That girl was Tang Nuan.


    Yes, she was jealous, but she was not irrational enough to hate Tang Nuan simply because Qin Yinan liked her.


    She hated Tang Nuan because Tang Nuan told her, even though she did not like Qin Yinan, she would not reject his pursuit. She was going to use Qin Yinan as her spare tire because she wanted to make Song Qingchun see how she was going to manipte Qin Yinan within her grasp.


    Right then, she realized Tang Nuan had despised her for a long time, and it was a hatred that was sown deep in her heart.


    That day, she heard from Tang Nuan¡¯s mouth a simr sentence to the one she had said to her that morning. "How does it feel to have your stuff taken away from you?"


    From then onward, they had been each other¡¯s nemesis. There was bound to be a catfight whenever they met.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s mother was an anchor-woman, so her wish when she was young was to be like her mother, to be a beautiful and elegant anchor-woman.


    She had no idea whether Tang Nuan shared the same dream or not, perhaps she did, but in any case, her ill-fated rtionship with Tang Nuan started in school and continued until today as they joined the samepany.

 Chapter 58: The Person Hiding in My Memory (8)

    Chapter 58: The Person Hiding in My Memory (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    After her Brother Yinan, whom she had relied on since she learned to speak, told her that he had fallen into love with Tang Nuan, her love for him had be a secret that she kept locked up in her heart.


    She would always remember how sad she had been that day. The boy she had idolized and adored for years told her he had someone in his heart, and it was not her.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes started to get red with tears. She picked up the bottle of red wine she had prepared to celebrate with Qin Yinan. She popped the cork with force and poured herself a full ss before guzzled the whole ss.


    After that, the university that she had tried so hard to get into to be close to her Brother Yinan became her hell on Earth because she could stumble across scenes where Qin Yinan was pursuing Tang Nuan at any moment.


    She knew this was done by Tang Nuan on purpose to make her feel sad. Looking back, she really could not tell how many times she had hidden behind the corner to cry. There were multiple times when she had felt she could no longer survive at that university, but when she prepared her letter to the university, Qin Yinan was summoned to join the army.


    One year after Qin Yinan joined the army, she heard from her friends that he had broken up with Tang Nuan. The hope that had died in her heart was slowly revived. She had waited for him patiently in Beijing, waiting for him toe home. Finally, he did, but her nightmare was starting again...


    Song Qingchun tossed back the sses of red wine like it was water. However, the more she drank, the sadder she felt. She was sad not only because Qin Yinan had abandoned her, but also because the career contacts she had cultivated for two years had beenpletely taken over by Tang Nuan. Her older brother who would appear to console her when she was bullied hadmitted suicide, and she had sold her body to another man she did not love to save Song Empire...


    Finally, Song Qingchun tossed the ss away and chugged the wine directly from the bottle. The rush of wine sshed down her throat, and she bent over to cough heavily from the displeasure.


    It was already 6 pm, and the dinner rush was about to begin. Noticing Song Qingchun had not left, the waiter once again pushed open the door to check on her. Taking in the whole scene, the waiter quickly rushed over to pat on the back to help her ease her coughing.


    When she was feeling better, Song Qingchun straightened up slowly and pushed the waiter gently out of her way. She grabbed at the wine bottle and upended it over her mouth. She shook it twice and only two drops came out. She then turned to the waiter and ordered with a giggle, "Bring me another bottle please."


    Song Qingchun had no idea how many bottles of wine she had downed that night; it might have been three or it might have been four. Regardless, when she was done, the world was spinning; her north was her east, and west was her south. She shook a floormp in the room violently, which she had mistaken as the waiter, yelling, "Another bottle!"


    The waiter heard themotion and entered the room. When he saw the condition she was in, he no longer dared to give her anymore alcohol. He advised patiently, "Miss, you¡¯re drunk. Do you have any friends that we can call toe and fetch you?"


    Song Qingchun ignored the waiter and mumbled repeatedly, "Wine, wine, wine..."


    Just as the waiter was at a loss, Song Qingchun¡¯s phone which was ced on the table suddenly rang.


    The obviously drunk Song Qingchun searched the table for her phone but could not locate it. In the end, it was the waiter who ced her phone in her hand. Song Qingchun stared at the screen, trying to focus. At the back of her mind, she realized it was her rm. Then, she turned to the waiter and grumbled rather incoherently, "It¡¯s almost 7 pm, it¡¯s time for me to go back to hell..."

 Chapter 59: The Person Hiding in My Memory (9)

    Chapter 59: The Person Hiding in My Memory (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Then Song Qingchun used the table as support to stand up and walk toward the door. Her vision was blurry, and she teetered, looking very unsteady.


    "Miss, be careful..." The waiter reminded her, and he held out his hands to support her. However, before he could reach Song Qingchun, Song Qingchun knocked against the corner of a chair, and her whole body copsed to the floor.


    The floor of the room was thickly-carpeted, so Song Qingchun did not suffer any injuries. Song Qingchuny on the floor, her eyes red with tears.


    The waiter immediately squatted down beside her and asked with concern, "Miss, are you alright?"


    Song Qingchun raised her head to the sound of the voice and demanded out of nowhere, "What can I do if I don¡¯t want to go to hell? Why must I go to hell on my birthday?"


    Song Qingchun then grabbed at the waiter¡¯s sleeves and held onto it tightly like it was her life buoy. "Tell me, what can I do to not go to hell?"


    The waiter had no clue what she meant by ¡¯hell¡¯, but he thought about it and came to the conclusion she probably meant that kind of work. Therefore, he replied gently, "Miss, you are so drunk that I am sure you won¡¯t be able to work today. Why don¡¯t you call your boss and ask for a day off?"


    A day-off? There was a sudden glow in Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes.


    "Yes, day-off... I need a day-off..." Song Qingchun nodded as she mumbled those words to herself. She pulled out her phone and scrolled through her contacts, but she was unable to find Su Zhinian¡¯s number. Thus, she tossed her phone to the waiter and asked, "Which of these belongs to Maniac Su?"


    ...


    Su Zhinian had an emergency meeting to attend to when it was close to the end of the day. When he returned to his office, it was already almost 7 pm.


    Su Zhinian copsed onto the sofa rather tiredly. He massaged the middle of his brows and out of the corner of his eyes, he saw an exquisitely decorated birthday cake box.


    Su Zhinian stopped moving and then he turned to study the box. After that, he stood up slowly and walk over to the box. From the clear packaging on the top, his attention was lost looking at the cr¨¨me fraiche cake within.


    The office door was pushed open following a series of knocks. Su Zhinian frowned as he turned around. Cheng Qingchong walked in hurriedly, bncing a series of documents in her arms. "CEO Su, these documents require your immediate..."


    Cheng Qingchong paused when she saw the cake beside Su Zhinian before continuing in a normal tone, "... signature."


    Su Zhinian nodded as he took the documents. He flipped through them easily, and after ascertaining they had no problem, he walked around the office table and signed them. Su Zhinian handed them back to Cheng Qingchong. As his secretary turned to leave, Su Zhinian suddenly called after her.


    "Wait."


    Cheng Qingchong turned around with surprise. "CEO Su, do you have other orders?"


    Su Zhinian¡¯s lips were forced into a thin line. After three seconds of silence, he pointed at the cake and said, "Toss this out."


    Every year on this date, Su Zhinian would call her to order a birthday cake in the morning, and he would have her toss it away in the evening.


    Even though this had happened without fault every year, Cheng Qingchong was still startled for a moment before nodding and replying with a soft "yes" as she carried the cake out of his office.

 Chapter 60: The Person Hiding in My Memory (10)

    Chapter 60: The Person Hiding in My Memory (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    As the clock struck seven, Cheng Qingchong returned to Su Zhinian¡¯s office to see the man standing motionlessly before the floor-length window, staring out at the city of lights. This kind of Su Zhinian radiated a uniquely sad charm, which stunned Cheng Qingchong for as long as thirty seconds, leaving her standing by the open door.


    Su Zhinian did not turn around, but he knew someone was behind him. He waited for about thirty seconds and heard no voice, so he opened his mouth to ask softly, "Yes?"


    Cheng Qingchong shivered from shock. She knew the man was not looking at her, but she still hurriedly lowered her gaze and tried her best to sound normal as she said, "CEO Su, you have a dinner meeting at 8 pm. The car is ready; it is time to go."


    Su Zhinian did not answer but continued to look out the window. As he made to turn, the phone on his table suddenly rang. Cheng Qingchong immediately took the phone and passed it to Su Zhinian. "CEO Su, your call."


    Su Zhinian epted the phone and his emotionless face lowered to look at the caller ID. Cheng Qingchong swore she saw Su Zhinian¡¯s fingers shake violently for a moment.


    She had joined ST Empire as Su Zhinian¡¯s secretary right after graduating from university. She had stayed by his side for so many years and had been through so many ups and downs with him, but she had never seen something that could elicit a visceral emotion from her Big Boss over the many years. That phone call, though, had done the impossible...


    Out of curiosity, Cheng Qingchong snuck at nce at Su Zhinian¡¯s phone and saw it was not a person¡¯s name showing on screen but a line of words: the person hiding in my memory.


    The person hiding in my memory... So poetic... Is this someone CEO Su likes?


    Cheng Qingchong could not help but raise her lids to look at Su Zhinian and was shocked to realize he had lost his soul staring at iing call on his phone. Right at the moment Cheng Qingchong thought Su Zhinian was going to miss the call due to his daze, the man suddenly swiped at the screen and waved at her, signaling for her to leave the room.


    Cheng Qingchong bowed respectfully and turned to leave. Su Zhinian waited until the door was closed, then he said "hello" into the phone. The silence on the other end of the linested for quite some time before Song Qingchun came on, mumbling unclearly, "I want a day-off!"


    Day-off? To celebrate her birthday with Qin Yinan? He knew that it wouldn¡¯t be a good reason that made her call him...


    A chilliness frosted over Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes and he replied without thinking, "In your dreams!"


    "Su Zhinian, I want a day-off!" Su Zhinian frowned hearing Song Qingchun calling him by his full name, before he could make sense of the situation, Song Qingchununched into her barrage of reasons. "I need a day-off because I¡¯m sick! I¡¯m getting married! I¡¯m giving birth!"


    Su Zhinian frowned even deeper. "Song Qingchun, have you lost your mind?"


    "Su Zhinian..." Song Qingchun ignored Su Zhinianpletely and continued yelling her reasons at the phone, "I need to stay home to care for my baby! I don¡¯t care, you have to approve my day-off..."


    F*ck your day-off!


    Su Zhinian cursed internally and hissed threateningly at his phone, "8 pm sharp, if I don¡¯t see at the bungalow at 8 pm sharp, then..."


    Before Su Zhinian could finish, he suddenly heard an unfamiliar male voiceing from the other end of phone. "Hello, are you a friend of this phone¡¯s owner?"

 Chapter 61: Her Honey, His Venom (1)

    Chapter 61: Her Honey, His Venom (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian went silent and stopped talking.


    The unfamiliar voice waited and then continued, "The owner is very drunk and is stranded alone at our hotel..."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s brows were creased deeply. Before the voice could finish his sentence, he ran to grab his coat hanging on the rack and dashed out of his office.


    "...So, can youe or find some other friends who know the owner toe fetch her?"


    Su Zhinian, who had stepped into the elevator, asked the moment the voice finished, "Which hotel?"


    Even though he was obviously in a rush, there was an annoyance in his tone.


    "Beijing Hotel..." Before the voice could finish, he hung up. He then nced at Cheng Qingchong who stood with a curious expression outside the elevator, telling her to cancel the dinner meeting as he repeatedly pressed the "Close" button.


    ...


    After Su Zhinian reached Beijing Hotel, before he even entered the room, he could hear Song Qingchun¡¯s singing, which was akin to a drowning cat, drifting out from within.


    "I just can¡¯t open my mouth to let her know, I will surely protect you and make youugh, you are so important to me, I regret not letting you know..." 1


    Su Zhinian frowned as his hand that grabbed at the door stopped. After he pushed the door open, he saw an undignified Song Qingchun with messy hair sprawled on the floor, holding her high heel in her hand to act as a microphone. With her eyes closed, she poured her whole body and soul into her performance. "I just can¡¯t open my mouth to let him know. Those mere simple sentences, I find them so hard to say..."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s first response was to turn and leave. Leaning slightly on the door, he took a deep breath before stepping in. As he entered, he stepped on something hard. He looked down as he took a step back. It was a tube of lipstick. Then Su Zhinian realized Song Qingchun¡¯s stuff was littered all over the room¡¯s floor. Her other heel was hanging from the window, her bag was tossed to the corner... and there was even a pack of sanitary towels left on the corner of the table.


    Su Zhinian kicked the lipstick away before moving forward to haul Song Qingchun off the floor.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes that had be misty from alcohol studied Su Zhinian for a while before she stopped her singing and smiled widely at Su Zhinian.


    With his close proximity to Song Qingchun, a haze of alcohol assaulted his sense of smell. Su Zhinian frowned deeply and whipped his head around to the waiter and demanded fiendishly, "How much has she had?"


    The waiter involuntarily stepped back due to Su Zhinian¡¯s aggression before raising his shaking hand to point at the dining table.


    As Su Zhinian turned to look, Song Qingchun suddenly leaned upwards and wrapped her arms around Su Zhinian¡¯s neck. Su Zhinian¡¯s body tensed, and before he could shrug her off, he heard her say in a coquettish, girlish tone, "Brother Yinan, you¡¯re finally here. Do you know that I have waited for you for the whole afternoon..."


    In her alcohol-addled mind, she had mistaken him for Qin Yinan.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s face darkened immediately. Without giving it much thought, he pulled Song Qingchun forcefully off his neck and turned to re at the waiter. His face dropped even further noticing the seven to eight empty bottles of wine on the table. He roared angrily at the waiter, "Who told you to give her so much alcohol!"


    The innocent waiter stood there quietly with his head lowered. Internally, heined; the customer is always right, if she demanded alcohol, how could he possibly deny her?

 Chapter 62: Her Honey, His Venom (2)

    Chapter 62: Her Honey, His Venom (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Without knowing it, Song Qingchun once more curled her arms around Su Zhinian¡¯s neck. She snuggled into his chest and mumbled contentedly, "Brother Yinan..."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s arms that were hugging Song Qingchun¡¯s waist tightened. He really wanted to give this woman a p to wake her up, to give her a good view of who he was. But as he turned around to look at the woman¡¯s drunken stupor, his brows twitched and hugged her close to his chest. After giving the waiter another dead-eye, he moved to collect Song Qingchun¡¯s stuff that was tossed all over the room with her in his arms.


    Before Su Zhinian left the room hugging Song Qingchun, he red at the waiter with residual anger. The waiter had retreated so much that his back was stered to the water. Noticing Su Zhinian was leaving, he took a deep breath and called after him carefully, "Sir..."


    Su Zhinian looked over his shoulder with his wintry gaze. "What else?"


    The waiter closed his eyes and muttered in a voice as small as a mosquito, "Sir, thedy still hasn¡¯t cleared the ount..."


    ...


    After Su Zhinian paid the hotel, he shoved Song Qingchun into his car with a stony expression. He got in and mmed on the pedal. Song Qingchun, who was sat beside him, was incredibly fussy; she kept moving about, and at one time, she even tried to grab the steering wheel.


    Su Zhinian stepped on the brakes and turned to tighten the seatbelt on Song Qingchun. Song Qingchun iled her arms at him. Su Zhinian tore his tie off to wrap it tightly around Song Qingchun¡¯s wrists.


    Song Qingchun, who was tied up, started to quiet down, but then she started to murmur. "I¡¯ve only left for a short while and already started to worry about how you¡¯re doing today. My mind¡¯s filled with you, as I think about you, I can¡¯t fall asleep. My happiness is you, as I think about you, I always smile. When you¡¯re not here, it¡¯s so hard for me to bear."


    Su Zhinian kept one hand on the steering wheel while the other massaged this temple that was starting to ache.


    "You are so important to me, I regret not letting you know... I can only watch from afar, I can do all these things, but that person is already not me...


    "Brother Yinan... I..."


    It was as if Su Zhinian could tell what Song Qingchun was going to say next because he suddenly reached into the passengerpartment to pick out two pieces of chewing gum and shoved them into Song Qingchun¡¯s mouth.


    The car returned to its earlier silence, other than the sound of Song Qingchun¡¯s chewing.


    With his unsmiling face, Su Zhinian mmed on the gas pedal.


    When they reached the bungalow, Su Zhinian hugged Song Qingchun and carried her out of his car. He held Song Qingchun close to his heart with one hand as his other keyed in the house¡¯s ess code. He only reached the third digit, when Song Qingchun shivered violently and started to cough.


    Song Qingchun had vomited... all over him.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s finger paused above the keyboard for quite some time before he nced at her with a side eye. Song Qingchun, who waspletely incognizant of the situation, rolled her head around on his chest, which was now dirtied by her vomit, giggling to herself. After a few seconds, Song Qingchun¡¯s vomit was stered to her own face and hair.


    Su Zhinian, who had an obsession with cleanliness, almost vomited himself witnessing this. He lowered his arm that held Song Qingchun and moved his arm under her shoulders instead as he speedily keyed in the password. As the door unlocked, he dragged Song Qingchun impatiently and forcefully upstairs before tossing her into the shower.


    Su Zhinian opened the faucet to wet his fingers to help Song Qingchunb the dirt out of her hair and face. After he washed the dirt on his fingers away, he took his dirtied shirt off.

 Chapter 63: Her Honey, His Venom (3)

    Chapter 63: Her Honey, His Venom (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian turned the shower up to full power. After he doused Song Qingchun¡¯s entire body, he grabbed the shampoo and poured half of it on Song Qingchun¡¯s head. Following the st of water, the whole bathroom floor was covered in white bubbles.


    When Su Zhinian was scrubbing Song Qingchun¡¯s hair, he heard the words "Brother Yinan" through the cascading of water. The veins in his hands bulged as his scrubbing roughened. Song Qingchun whimpered in pain, but Su Zhinian ignored her and focusedpletely on scrubbing; it was like he was trying to scalp her.


    Song Qingchun, who could no longer stand the pain, suddenly shoved Su Zhinian¡¯s chest out of frustration.


    There was not much energy behind that one shove, but since the bathroom floor was slippery from the soap, she still managed to push Su Zhinian quite a distance away.


    Making use of this opening, Song Qingchun tried to dash out of the bathroom, her whole body dripping with soap. Su Zhinian immediately grabbed at her wrist to pull her back under the showerhead.


    Song Qingchun acted like this was some kind of water torture and refused to submit to it no matter what. She squirmed like a slippery fish in his grasp. There were multiple times where she almost slipped and crashed to the ground.


    Su Zhinian, whose patience was running thin, roared angrily at Song Qingchun, "You¡¯d better stand there obediently or else I will punch..."


    Before the word "you" left his mouth, Song Qingchun charged at his chest and bit him hard on his shoulder. Su Zhinian¡¯s body shook from the sudden shot of pain. His hands, which instinctually went up to stop her, ultimately hung weakly in mid-air. He just stood there quietly, allowing her to grind her teeth into his skin.


    Song Qingchun had put serious force into her bite, like she was releasing a great load of sadness and tension. Su Zhinian could feel blood gushing out of his shoulder.


    However, he never once winced from pain. After a while, Song Qingchun released her bite and buried her face into his chest. She started to sob.


    She sobbed quietly as if to cry for herself, soft enough that her weeping was covered by the sound of the rushing water. However, Su Zhinian, with his incredible hearing, still heard everything.


    As he listened to her quiet weeping, sorrow and anguish appeared in his eyes. His hands, which had stopped earlier, pulled her into his arms. She, in her drunken state, did not struggle from his embrace.


    She cried for a long time in his arms before she finally quieted down. Then, in a teary voice, she choked out a few "Brother Yinan"s.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s arms that held her tightened. Staring at the water that poured out of the showerhead, his eyes narrowed as he controlled the mind of the girl in his embrace, making her change the "Brother Yinan"ing out of her mouth into "Su Zhinian".


    "Su Zhinian..."


    "Su Zhinian..."


    "Su Zhinian..."


    The water kept on flowing. The "Su Zhinian" from the girl¡¯s mouth was full of love and adoration.


    He knew deep down... this was a mirage he constructed for himself using his superpower. The "Su Zhinian"s were actually "Brother Yinan"s that were not meant for his ears.


    He could read her mind easily and knew that, in that fragile moment, the only name that filled her heart was Qin Yinan. There was no room for anyone else.


    After a long time, Su Zhinian realized the girl had fallen asleep while leaning against his chest. Heid her down gently in the running water to wash away the grime on her body. He then dried her body tenderly with towels before cing her lightly in her bed.

 Chapter 64: Her Honey, His Venom (4)

    Chapter 64: Her Honey, His Venom (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    After Su Zhinian put Song Qingchun into bed, he sat on the bedside, staring at her sleeping features. His hand seemed to have a mind of its own as it moved toward her beautiful face.


    However, it suddenly stopped when his finger was one centimeter away from her face. As if afraid of touching her, the tip of his finger shivered slightly. After a long hesitation, he touched her chin tenderly.


    The aloofness and iciness fell from his face and his gaze on her face were incredibly gentle. The colors at the bottom of his eyes turned slowly from serenity to immense passion, to deep and powerful emotions. The force of his emotions was magnificent, like the sea under a swath of glittering stars; its beauty and its indiscernible undercurrent of sadness were like a force that could not be stopped.


    Only when he was alone would he dare to manifest the real depth of his love, passion, fear, and sadness toward her. Song Qingchun, do you know... how much I love you?


    Su Zhinian traced tiny circles on the girl¡¯s soft skin, and his memory was slowly drawn back into the past.


    ...


    He was seven years old when he realized he was different from everyone else. He could hear the voices others could not, and his world was uncannily noisy. Even deep in the night, he would be kept awake by the noises around him.


    It was perhaps then that he was taught the harsh reality of life. There were many things that were not as pretty as they seemed.


    For example, the loving couple staying above them spent their nights fighting. They always put up a smile before others but would use the dirtiestnguage to insult each other when no one was looking.


    Little did he know that was merely the appetizer, because when he found out he could read other people¡¯s thoughts through touch, the real lesson began. Compared to what he heard, he understood true ugliness was born in the human heart.


    Initially, he found out about his family¡¯s dark secrets.


    He knew it was his aunt who stole his mother¡¯s sry, he knew his uncle had been trying his hardest to chase him and his mother out of his grandfather¡¯s house, and he knew histe grandmother, who preferred boys to girls, left his uncle 500,000 RMB inheritance...


    After that, he found the secrets of the people living in the neighborhood.


    He knew the man in Room 502 was a drug addict, he knew the man on first floor was interested in his mother, and he also knew Auntie Sun, who was supposed to be his mother¡¯s best friend, had been badmouthing her all over the neighborhood...


    At the time, he was still young and thus did not understand the concept of self-preservation. When he read these thoughts, he blurted them out directly.


    However, adults were always more cunning than he was. Even though they were exposed, they could find reasons to cover up for themselves, while deep down, these people knew he was right on the money.


    Perhaps they were curious about how he managed to read their thoughts, but more than that, they feared and despised him. They started to figure out ways to extricate him from their world.


    Initially, they attempted to iste him, calling him a monster. Later, he had no idea who started calling him an insane person, but the rest of them who feared him followed suit.


    Words and opinions might be invisible, but they were incredibly powerful. The collective opinion reached such a point where even his own mother, who initially shielded him, saw his asional outpouring of secrets as a sign of mental illness. So, she took him to the doctors to try to cure him; she even took the advice of one doctor and sent him to the sanitarium for three months.


    He knew she did all this for his own good; she really thought he was sick.

 Chapter 65: Her Honey, His Venom (5)

    Chapter 65: Her Honey, His Venom (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    He waspletely sane but was cooped up with a bunch of insane people. At the time, he really thought he was going insane. When his mother came to visit him, he would beg his mother to take him away with her, iming that he waspletely fine and those things he said about those people really did came from their hearts... However, his exnation only made things worse...


    Inside the sanatorium, it was a middle-aged woman who took care of him. She was patient with him, and her eyes that fell on him were always full of love and kindness. When he was locked up in the sanatorium, he really started to form a reliance and trust toward her, but that waspletely shattered one fateful night.


    She climbed into his bed and tore away his clothes to fondle his body and kiss his skin... Through her touch, he could read her real thoughts...


    He struggled as best as he could, but he was only an eight-year-old boy, it was impossible for him to overpower her. It was then that he found out he could control people¡¯s minds. He controlled the woman to get away from him, but his control barelysted half a minute. As the woman came to, she charged at him again. As ast resort, he channeled his mind control ability to make the woman change direction and aim at the wall. She knocked into it at full force. After she fainted, so did he.


    From then on, the woman stopped treating him kindly. She abused and insulted him day in and day out...


    It was then that he started to hate the world and stopped trusting people. He retreated into himself, despised female contact, and started to have irrational obsession with cleanliness... In other words, his smile disappeared...


    It was also from then on that the fact that he had superpowers became his private secret.


    It was two months after he left the sanatorium that he met her. At the time, she was only five. She was wearing a pretty princess-style dress, sucking on a lollipop that was bigger than her face and chatting with a man in a cap at the front of an alleyway.


    The first person that she noticed was not her but the man in the cap. Before he approached her, he brushed by Su Zhinian¡¯s side, and through that brief and idental contact, he knew the man was a human trafficker.


    Even though he was standing quite far away, he could hear their conversation clearly. The man was telling her to follow him because he was going to buy her sweets. The girl nodded nkly with the lollipop stuck in her mouth.


    At the time, he had already given up on the world. He knew she was going to be kidnapped, but he was going to walk away like it had nothing to do with him.


    After a few steps, he heard someone calling him. "Big brother..."


    He turned around and realized it was her, pointing at a spot on the ground not far from him, saying, "Big brother, you forgot."


    It was his wallet. He picked it up and looked at her. He did not want to owe her for her kindness, so he leaned into her and whispered, "He is a bad man. You will die if you follow him."


    While he was close, he had a good look of her face; she looked like a real-life Barbie, incredibly cute. Her bright eyes stared directly at him as she licked on the lollipop. Her nonplussed face gave him a hard time telling whether she understood what he said or not.


    However, it had nothing to do with him anymore; he had said what he wanted to say. When he prepared to leave, he heard the girl say in her childish voice to the man, "That big brother says you¡¯re a bad man, so I¡¯m not going with you."

 Chapter 66: Her Honey, His Venom (6)

    Chapter 66: Her Honey, His Venom (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    He instantly stopped moving and turned around to have that man re viciously at him before addressing the girl with a stered smile. "How can I be a bad person? Would a bad person buy you sweets?"


    "But that big brother is so pretty; he would not lie to me." When she said that, she even lifted her finger to point at him. The tip of her finger happened to touch him, and he could read the pure and simple trust she had for him in her heart.


    His own mother had a hard time trusting him, and yet a stranger girl gave it to him so easily...


    "Big Brother says you¡¯re a bad man, so you have to be a bad man," the girl stressed repeatedly, but his mind was no longer there. Atst, she concluded with finality, "You are a bad man!"


    As if to stress her point, she bit down hard on the lollipop and the circr lollipop that wasrger than her face cracked into pieces and fell all over the floor.


    The girl squatted immediately, looked at the dust covered candy pieces and started to wail. Her crying was so intense that it attracted the attention of the surrounding people.


    Perhaps feeling guilty, the man in the cap quickly escaped the scene.


    Su Zhinian took the girl to the nearby market and used all of his allowance in his wallet to buy two lollipops that were bigger than her face before she turned her tears into smiles.


    She left the market with a lollipop in each hand. She would lick the one on her left and then the one on her right. She was having the time of her life while his thoughts were still stuck on the scenes from earlier, when she had ced her full trust in him.


    The little girl was overjoyed from getting two lollipops. She raised one that she had licked before to the side of his mouth and said, "Big Brother, here."


    The girl¡¯s eyes that looked at him were full of glittering anticipation. He, who had a cleanliness obsession and aversion to females, hesitated for a long time, but in the end, surprising even himself, he leaned down to lick the lollipop.


    The girlughed happily as she reached for the lollipop he had touched and started licking it again. He looked at her and was lost for about two seconds before quickly averting his gaze as a red hue burned his face.


    "Big Brother, will you remember me?"


    "Big Brother, are we friends now?"


    "Big Brother, will youe y with me in the future?"


    "Big Brother, I will remember you."


    She said many things on the way back to the alleyway while he waspletely silent. Finally, he only asked her one thing, "What¡¯s your name?"


    With both lollipops raised, she stared at him nkly. At the time, he wondered if the girl could be ditzy enough to not remember her own name.


    Then he heard her say, "My name is Tingting, Song Tingting."


    Song Tingting...


    She was the first person in the world to believe him. The only person who had given him warmth in his most despairing moment.


    Since then, the girl by the name of Tingting had a special ce in his heart. He had returned to that alleyway many times, hoping to run into her again, but it never happened.


    The angel-like girl in the princess-style dress with sweet tooth was like a dream that he had.


    He spent the rest of his life searching for her, from his primary school to junior high, from junior high to high school. It became his belief in life; he was not going to give up on the search.


    When he saw her again, it was ten yearster. At the time, he had to switch school because his mother had fallen ill.


    Even after ten years, when he first saw her at school, he could tell immediately that this was the girl from his memory, the girl he was looking for.


    He stood under the school¡¯s blossoming Chinese parasol tree, watching her as she and her friends walked past him, chatting among themselves without stopping.

 Chapter 67: Her Honey, His Venom (7)

    Chapter 67: Her Honey, His Venom (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    He waited until they had put some distance between them before he turned about to look at her back. She had grown into such a gorgeous young woman.


    In the years he had spent searching for her, he had tried imagining how she would look as she grew older, but to his surprise, she was even prettier than he had imagined her to be.


    He had a habit of writing in a dairy, and when he returned that day, the entry was filled with his passionate and excited emotions from finding her.


    From then on, when he was at school, he would search for her voice and followed her movements. His dairy was filled with entries about her.


    Her name was Song Qingchun, a sophomore, the biological sister to Song Cheng from his next ss. He assumed her full name was Song Qingchun and pet name was probably Tingting.


    She came from a good family background and was pretty. Thus, she had many pursuers; however, no matter how impressive they were, she rejected them all.


    After distancing himself from human contact for so long, he had forgotten how tomunicate normally with people. There were many times when he wanted to initiate conversation with her, but he did not know how to.


    One day, he saw her waiting alone outside the school gate, looking about as if waiting for someone. He studied her from afar for quite some time, and a bravery that came from nowhere suddenlypelled him to walk toward her and greeted her.


    "Hello."


    She raised her eyes to look at him. In her eyes were thebination of reservation and caution reserved for strangers. "Yes, how can I help you?"


    He stared unblinkingly at her for quite some time before opening his lips to ask, "Is... your name Tingting?"


    "Tingting?" She frowned and then shook her head. "I¡¯m sorry, senior, you might be mistaken; my name is not Tingting."


    Impossible... Even though it had been almost a decade and many things had changed, he was dead certain this was the little girl who had imed confidently, "That big brother says you¡¯re a bad man, so I¡¯m not going with you."


    He stared intensely at her and was about to continue when she suddenly raised her hand and started to wave, yelling, "Brother Yinan, I¡¯m here!"


    As she walked past him, he grabbed her arm. Before he could say anything, she exined, "Senior, my name is really not Tingting. You have got the wrong person; my name is Song Qingchun."


    Before waiting for him to respond, she extricated her arm from his grasp and dashed across the street.


    The brief contact let him into her inner thoughts. Who is this? And who is Tingting? A girl who looks like me?


    He stood there for quite a long time, and when he turned around, she had already hopped onto a boy¡¯s motorcycle and sped away.


    The joy from having found her turned immediately into disappointment. He returned home that day with a drawn face. He hid himself in his bedroom before even having dinner. His pen hovered over the open diary for a long time. Finally, he only wrote one sentence: The most heart-breaking feeling in the world is when I¡¯ve been looking for you, but you have already forgotten me.


    That night he had a hard time sleeping. He tossed and turned in his bed until the next morning when he finally realized the thing that had been keeping him up. Before brushing his teeth, he went to his study table and flipped open his diary to make another entry: I seemed to have fallen in love with the girl who I have spent a decade searching for.


    Probably from that moment onward, a dream was buried in his heart. This dream was written down in that same diary entry: I¡¯ve expended three lifetimes to find you, and now I will use another to make you my wife.

 Chapter 68: Her Honey, His Venom (8)

    Chapter 68: Her Honey, His Venom (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    His mother¡¯s illness caused him to miss his grade exam and forced to stay back a year. His mother needed to be hospitalized, but she worried about him living alone. At the time, she ran into her old friend, Song Menghwa, and confided in him. After he found out, he quickly promised to take care of him.


    Actually, Su Zhinian was capable of taking care of himself, but since Song Menghwa¡¯s daughter was Song Qingchun... he moved in with the Song family.


    Song Qingchun had mostly forgotten that they had met before, because when she called him for dinner, she even extended her hand to introduce herself.


    When he was small and at his most desperate, he did not hate his superpower that set him apart from everyone else, but when he shook Song Qingchun¡¯s hand, he wished desperately he was someone normal because he read from her heart: I need to confess my love to Brother Yinan...


    So, she already had someone else on her mind... The girl that he had spent a decade searching for already had a person whom she loved...


    He lost control of himself at that moment and squeezed his hand so hard until she yelped out in pain. When he realized with a start what was happening, he was too flustered to salvage the situation. He merely nced at her before rushing downstairs.


    He was in the same year as Qin Yinan, and he was like others, a backdrop in his life, but from that moment when he read his name in her heart, this name was forever seared into his mind.


    From then on, he really wanted to get close to her but was very afraid to because he would constantly hear the words "Brother Yinan" in her heart.


    Brother Yinan... Qin Yinan... Her honey, his venom.


    No one knew how he survived that year he spent at her home. He suffered through every second of her phone conversations with Qin Yinan. He was not at all interested in her Brother Yinan, but she would always fill him in on how good her Brother Yinan was, ask why her Brother Yinan wouldn¡¯t reply her messages, her Brother Yinan this, Brother Yinan that... At the time, he might have looked calm on the surface, but his grip that held his books had torn many a page.


    The month before the grade exam, he asked her out for dinner. It was a Thursday. After he sent her to school on his bike, he even reminded her about their dinner that night, and she replied, "I will be there!" before she ran to the math ss.


    That night, he waited where they had promised to meet for a long time, but she was a no-show. He finally called her, and as if realizing she had promised to meet him that night, she said, "I am so sorry; Ipletely forgot. Rain check? Brother Yinan has returned to Beijing..."


    He hung up before she finished. That day was his birthday, and he spent it alone standing by the roadside, listening in on her happy conversations with Qin Yinan.


    It was 9 pm when she and Qin Yinan left the hotel. He followed behind them as they returned to the Song family.


    He stood at the opposite street, separated by a wide road, and saw Qin Yinan ce his hand on her head and left it there for a long time. Her eyes that looked at him were filled overflowing adoration and love.


    He could even hear their conversations.


    "Brother Yinan, I will get into the same university as you."


    "That¡¯s wonderful, Song Song, I will wait for you."


    "Brother Yinan, after I finish the grade exam, I have a secret to tell you."

 Chapter 69: Her Honey, His Venom (9)

    Chapter 69: Her Honey, His Venom (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    He stood there like a dummy until a long time after the two of them had left.


    It was his birthday... He even asked her for the date a week earlier, but with Qin Yinan¡¯s arrival, he was thrown out of her mind easily.


    He had a little bit too much to drink that night and had no idea how he had returned to the Song family residence or how he ended up in his bedroom. When he saw her face through his drunken haze, his first instinct was to kiss her...


    When he was small, he used to notice shock and awe in the way people looked at him.


    At the time, he did not resent such gazes, if anything, he quite enjoyed them. It was not until he was sent into the sanatorium by his mother and molested by the olddy that he started to be angered and disgusted when he received such gaze. It continued into his youth. While the boys his age would congregate to discuss dirty flicks, rub one out in the bathroom, or do the deed with their girlfriends, he waspletely immune to those needs or urges.


    There were many girls at school who openly pursued him, but no matter how pretty they were, he would never even give them the time of day. Some girls would be deterred by his aloofness while others refused to give up; one of them even directly stripped down before him...


    However, he waspletely unfazed by these incidents. His body did not react in any way. In fact, when that girl got close to him, he only felt nausea rising up in his throat. At the time, he even suspected he had some problem there...


    Therefore, when he kissed her out of his own volition that night, he felt amazed by it himself. He assumed it was a dream, a mirage... but even in his dream, she was fighting him because of Qin Yinan.


    Jealousy and fury burned within him. Supported by liquid courage, he controlled her mind and...


    By then, he knew his part was perfectly fine. It was just that he waspletely uninterested in people who were not the one he loved. The morning after, she left him two sentences with a nched face and red-rimmed eyes.


    "Su Zhinian, I do not need you to be responsible.


    "You¡¯d better forget this ever happened and make sure it dies a lonely death in your guts; no one can find out about this."


    Then, she started to evade him to the point where she did not return to her home. She cklisted all of his numbers and refused to answer anymunication that came from him.


    At the time, he really wanted to locate her to personally apologize to her, to take the responsibility he had to... But before he could do all that, he stumbled into another hidden secret... A secret that stripped him of the qualification to love her.


    And then, his love for Song Qingchun joined the ranks of his superpower and became his own little secret.


    ...


    The room was exceptionally quiet, and Song Qingchun was in a deep sleep. Probably due to the past, Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes, which fell on her face, were roiling with intense emotions.


    He could remember clearly how devastated he had been when he found out about the dark secret. He had spent seven days and seven nights in a bar, drinking himself into a stupor.


    He wished he could have avoided knowing that secret, but his superpowers prevented that from happening. He started to condemn himself to the stage of self-harming...


    As if unwilling to dwell on this dark memory anymore, Su Zhinian averted his head away to look out the window at the quiet night.

 Chapter 70: Her Honey, His Venom (10)

    Chapter 70: Her Honey, His Venom (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    After some time, Su Zhinian blinked his tired eyes and nced at the wall clock. It was already 11.58 pm; another two more minutes and her birthday would be over.


    Su Zhinian turned around to study the sleeping beauty. He closed his eyes gently as he lowered his head to press his lips on her forehead.


    Do you... Do you know how much I want to be good to you? But I cannot; I dare not.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s lips pressed to Song Qingchun¡¯s skin for quite some time before parting. "Tingting, happy birthday."


    As he said that, the new day had arrived.


    ...


    When Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes fluttered open, it was already daytime. The day was gloom with heavy fog; it looked like it was going to snow.


    Song Qingchun looked at the clock on the wall; it was 8 am, two hours to the start of her working hours. She stretchedzily, yawned, and curled deeper into her bed as her hand habitually reached out toward her phone that would be beside her pillow... She came up with nothing.


    Song Qingchun frowned as her hand continued to search. She finally sat up, and when she saw the white pillow, she was stunned. She surveyed her surroundings, and then her eyes widened to their maximum.


    This was not her bedroom... This was Su Zhinian¡¯s bedroom... Why was she in his bedroom?


    The incident from the day before finally started to pour into Song Qingchun¡¯s mind. She had been waiting for Qin Yinan at Beijing Hotel for the whole day before receiving Tang Nuan¡¯s message. Then she had started to knock back those wine bottles...


    When she reached this part of her memory, Song Qingchun saw the reflection of herself in the opposite mirror¡ªshe was wearing a man¡¯s white shirt...


    So, after she got drunk, something happened. She then woke up in Su Zhinian¡¯s bed and was wearing his shirt...


    As the sequence of events lined up in her head, it was as if she was jolted by a shot of electricity as she jumped out of the bed and mumbled to herself, "Don¡¯t tell me I was taken advantage of by Maniac Su after I lost consciousnessst night..."


    ...


    Cheng Qingchong turned around again to look at Su Zhinian, who had been sitting in the car since before 6 am. However, until now, he did not ask for the driver to go. After some hesitation, she asked, "CEO Su, can we depart now?"


    Su Zhinian, who was focusing on hisptop, raised his head following Cheng Qingchong¡¯s question. He picked up a cup of coffee on the side, and as he was going to take a sip at it, Song Qingchun¡¯s voice appeared by the side of his ear. "Don¡¯t tell me I was taken advantage of by Maniac Su after I lost consciousnessst night..."


    Su Zhinian flinched and the coffee was sshed all over his keyboard. Cheng Qingchong quickly passed him the napkin. Su Zhinian did not ept it but focused on the sentence Song Qingchun had just uttered.


    Maniac Su... Is she talking about me?


    Cheng Qingchong directly took theptop from him to wipe it, since Su Zhinian appeared to be deep in thought.


    Su Zhinian stared at a bald tree trunk outside of his car window, and soon after, Song Qingchun¡¯s mumblings drifted into his ears again. "This is weird, there are no marks on my body, and... it doesn¡¯t feel painful down there."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s brows creased slightly. He knew the driver and Cheng Qingchong could not hear Song Qingchun, but the tip of his ears still burned.


    "But if I remember correctly, that man is very rough... This means that he did not take advantage of me..."


    Su Zhinian could hear the obvious relief in Song Qingchun¡¯s voice. He pouted slightly, and a trace of somber gloom collected in the depths of his eyes.

 Chapter 71: Maniac Su and Sanitary Su (1)

    Chapter 71: Maniac Su and Sanitary Su (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    After finding out about the secret five years ago, in spite of his burning desire for her, he would noty a finger on her.


    Cheng Qingchong, who had cleaned theptop, was about to remind Su Zhinian to depart again but swallowed her words when she saw the rare mncholy that had appeared on his face. Her lips moved but no words came out.


    "But how does one exin the change of clothes? Is it possible that Maniac Su helped me undressed... Doesn¡¯t this mean he has seen everything?


    "Aaaaaah... But my hair has been washed, and there is the smell of shampoo. This smells like the brand I normally use... He helped me shower?


    "Wait a minute... This means he has not only seen everything but has touched everything?


    "Oh my god... Oh my god... Someone dig me a hole to hide in..."


    Following Song Qingchun¡¯s hellish screams, Su Zhinian heard her pping her face. After that, he heard her muttering in an effort to console herself. "Song Qingchun, you have lost everything to him once, so don¡¯t be such a prude now... That¡¯s right, after all, it was only seeing and touching; he has done worse..."


    Suddenly, Song Qingchun went radio silent. Confusion floated up in Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes, perplexed why she had suddenly stopped. He concentrated for a while, and her flustered voice cropped up in his ears again. "I¡¯m dead! I¡¯m dead!"


    Su Zhinian subconsciously went for the door. Before he pushed it open, he heard Song Qingchun¡¯s frustrated voice saying, "I called him yesterday so many times to ask for a day-off? I said I wanted to stay home to take care of my baby? Oh God... Song Qingchun, what has happened to you? What about your goddess image you said you were going to cultivate?


    "Wait a minute... This means that he brought me home?" Song Qingchun¡¯s voice suddenly became quiet; her tone was dripping in suspicion and caution. "But, why would Maniac Su take care of me? ording to his personality, he should have left me for dead."


    Her voice was so lowered that it sounded more like a mumble. Her words fell into Su Zhinian¡¯s ears, and for some reason, they soothed his heart.


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s attention was entirely focused on Su Zhinian. One second ago, her Big Boss was in bouts of sadness, but now, there was an air of gentleness around him. This shook her to her core. What is Big Boss thinking about that requires such deep concentration?


    After a minute of silence, Song Qingchun suddenly screamed. She then followed it up with a series of mutterings that sounded unbelievable to her own ears. "I... I... I vomited on Maniac Sust night?


    "No, this cannot be real!" Following her rhetorical question, Su Zhinian heard a series of footsteps. It sounded like she was rushing to the bathroom, she was probably searching through the dirtyundry basket. After some time, her anguished-filled confirmation came. "I really did vomit on Maniac Su!


    "No... No... No... This time I¡¯m really dead. Sanitary Su¡¯s obsession with cleanliness is legendary, and I dared to vomit on him. Thank God I was too drunk to remember his wrath...


    "One time, I identally dropped a few chip crumbs on his bed, and he practically hauled me out of his room. I rememberboriously washing the bedsheets and mattress for him before he unwillingly allowed me back into his bedroom... This time, I upped the ante and vomited all over him... He is going to make me clean every inch of this bungalow, isn¡¯t he?"

 Chapter 72: Maniac Su and Sanitary Su (2)

    Chapter 72: Maniac Su and Sanitary Su (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "No, I mustn¡¯t put that idea in my mind... This two-story building has more than 300 square feet in total..."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s lips curved into a slight smile while listening to Song Qingchun¡¯s personal wailings. It was barely a hint of a smile, but it melted his normally frozen features. Cheng Qingchong, who had been sneaking looks at Su Zhinian via the rear-view mirror, widened her eyes in shock. Is Big Boss smiling? But can you really call that a smile? To be urate, it¡¯s more of a hint of a smile...


    One had to understand that she had been his secretary for so long, and she had never once seen him smile, no matter how big the celebration.


    It might be hard to believe, but one of the ten most curious thingsizens were curious about was what Su Zhinian looked like when he smiled.


    Cheng Qingchong pinched the underside of her leg and realized she was not dreaming from the shot of pain. Then she thought to herself, So Big Boss does know how to smile, and I have to admit, he looks good doing it. Although, what is the thing that made him smile just now... Is it the person hiding in my memory registered on his phone?


    While Cheng Qingchong wasing up with spections in her mind, she suddenly heard her Big Boss say, "Go to the office."


    The car started. Su Zhinian stared at the scenery that zipped past through his window, but Song Qingchun¡¯s voice kept reverberating in his ears. "Maniac Su... Maniac Su... Sanitary Su... Sanitary Su..."


    Su Zhinian remembered when Song Qingchun had gone to search for him at Eldorado, and Tang Nuo had exined his rtionship with Song Qingchun to the roomful of people. Actually, they do not share any rtionship... But if you really want to tie them together, Song Qingchun is probably the only woman from his birth until now who has managed to wander into Su Zhinian¡¯s world.


    Tang Nuo had hit the nail on the head, but he¡¯d missed one crucial detail. After Song Qingchun wandered into his world, she had never left.


    So, what was his rtionship to Song Qingchun? Honestly, they were really unrted, but if one had to draw a rtionship between them, Song Qingchun was that person hiding in his memory.


    ...


    Song Qingchun was not exaggerating. When Su Zhinian had stayed at her home, she knew how crazy his obsession with cleanliness could be. ording to her past experience, the man must have been furious when she vomited on him.


    If this was before, when he got mad, she could simply be madder to suppress him, even though most of the time, she would actively search for himter to talk to him because she could not stand the loneliness.


    However, things were different now, she was in his debt, and Song Empire depended on him. She did not dare to stoke his ire. What if he used this offense to void the contract?


    Therefore, she had to figure out a way to cate him, to cool his anger.


    Even though Song Qingchun had no clue whether Su Zhinian would return home that evening or not, she had been racking her mind whole day, trying toe up with a way to minimize Su Zhinian¡¯s fury.


    He would definitely throw out the outfit that she vomited on, so the first thing she would do was buy him a new outfit. Then, apanying that would be a sincere apology; that was probably the most effective solution to her problem.


    Song Qingchun left work one hour early to rush to the mall. Using the brands Su Zhinian usually wore as guide, Song Qingchun bought a fresh set of clothing for him.


    For the old Song Qingchun, the price was barely something to bat an eye at, but for the current her... the card felt like it was swiped on her bare skin!

 Chapter 73: Maniac Su and Sanitary Su (3)

    Chapter 73: Maniac Su and Sanitary Su (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun returned to the bungalow, lugging the bag of clothes that pretty much cost her the skin on her back. Then, she rushed to the kitchen to whip up a glorious dinner.


    In spite of everything she had prepared, Song Qingchun prayed for Su Zhinian to note home that night; however, just five minutes after she had finished preparing dinner, she heard a car from outside the door.


    After she had identally spilled coffee on him, he had not returned to this home untilst night, and she had vomited all over him...


    No matter from which perspective Song Qingchun looked at this, it did not bode well for her. Her heart started to race.


    Song Qingchun suppressed her natural instinct to run and hide and instead ran to the front door to pull it open. She bowed slightly at Su Zhinian, who was getting out of his car, and greeted politely, "Mr. Su, wee home."


    Su Zhinian did not reply but nced at her lightly before stepping into the house. Outside, snow was falling. Even though it was only ten meters from Su Zhinian¡¯s car to the front door, his shoulders and head were already covered with a whiteyer when he walked in.


    Song Qingchun was flustered by the gaze Su Zhinian had given her. She speedily closed the door and moved forward to pat the snow from his clothes when she noticed it on him. Su Zhinian maintained his icy expression in spite of her actions.


    His silence increased the worry in Song Qingchun¡¯s heart because she could not tell what he was thinking.


    Ever cautious of a misstep, when Song Qingchun ced the slippers before him, she saw he was wearing sports shoes, so she even squatted down to undo the shoeces for him.


    Song Qingchun followed obediently behind him as he stepped into the room. Studying his cold back, she asked carefully, "Mr. Su, dinner is ready, do you want to have it now?"


    "Mm." Su Zhinian answered with his nasal voice before turning into the bathroom.


    This was the second time Song Qingchun had served Su Zhinian dinner; she was even more obsequious than her first time. She even personally plucked out the fish bones for him. After Su Zhinian finished dinner, she immediately handed him a napkin.


    As he wiped his mouth and put the napkin down, Su Zhinian nced at Song Qingchun, and she momentarily lost her breath. She thought the man was finally going to address what had happened the previous night, but he merely stood up and left the dining room.


    Song Qingchun sighed in great relief and crumpled on the dining table. She purposely dragged out the time she needed to have dinner and cleaning. It was 10 pm when she finished everything. Running out of things to do, she had no choice but to return to the living room.


    Su Zhinian was talking on the phone, facing the window. As if sensing her presence in the room, he looked over his shoulder at Song Qingchun. At that moment, Song Qingchun felt an immense pressure pressing down on her.


    Su Zhinian did not contribute much to his phone conversation, most of what he said was "Mm".


    Song Qingchun hoped that the phone call wouldst for an eternity, but of course, he soon hung up.


    Su Zhinian pocketed his phone and reclined on the sofa. As he sat down, he looked at Song Qingchun and was about to ask her to brew him a cup of coffee when the girl dashed upstairs before he could get one word out of his mouth.


    Su Zhinian frowned slightly but did notment on it. He picked up the remote to turn on the television when he heard footsteps.


    Su Zhinian turned to the source to see Song Qingchun running downstairs with a huge bag in her hands.

 Chapter 74: Maniac Su and Sanitary Su (4)

    Chapter 74: Maniac Su and Sanitary Su (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun stopped half a meter away from Su Zhinian. Raising the bag with both hands, she presented it to Su Zhinian, "Mr. Su, this is for you."


    There was not much of a difference in Su Zhinian¡¯s expression, but hisshes shook slightly when she said those words. He crossed his legs calmly, but his hand that was gripping the remote tightened.


    After a ten second pause, he raised his eyes to look at Song Qingchun. Suppressing the raging emotions within him, he asked in a monotonous voice, "What is this?"


    "Clothes..." After Song Qingchun gave the answer, even she felt the answer was too vague, so she added, "I had too much to drink yesterday and vomited on you. I bought these to rece the outfit I ruined..."


    Then, Song Qingchun straightened her arms, pushing the bag toward Su Zhinian.


    The clothes she bought for me... Su Zhinian¡¯s gaze fell on the bag in Song Qingchun¡¯s hands. Without reading her mind, he knew the only reason she had bought these for him was because she was afraid he might pull out of helping Song Empire.


    It was not her sincere intention to buy him a gift; it was more of an apology gift, but even so... Su Zhinian still felt a part of his heart shiver violently. This was the first gift he had ever received from her...


    Su Zhinian did not respond for a long time; this only made Song Qingchun more anxious, and her hands that held onto the bag became mmy.


    She bit her lower lips and apologized honestly, "Mr. Su, I am so sorry, everything that happened yesterday is my fault. I promise it will never happen again!"


    Su Zhinian was brought back from his reverie by her vocal apology. He raised his eyes to look at her and extended his hand to ept the bag.


    When the tip of his finger touched the bag, Song Qingchun felt a ray of light beginning to shine within her. If he epts my offering, doesn¡¯t this mean that he is not angry at me anymore?


    When Su Zhinian epted the bag, his fingertip identally brushed Song Qingchun¡¯s hand, and her thoughts were transferred into Su Zhinian¡¯s mind. When that happened, his hands suddenly stopped moving.


    Song Qingchun, who noticed the sudden pause in his movements, surreptitiously raised her eyes to nce at him. What does Sanitary Su mean by this? Don¡¯t tell me he still won¡¯t forgive me after epting the gift?


    Song Qingchun immediately promised, "I swear, in the remaining 90 days, I will not get drunk again!"


    90 days... So, one-tenth of his contract with her had passed without him realizing it. Su Zhinian could not help but be reminded of the words he heard her mumble to herself in her room thest time he was home. Three days have passed; 97 more days and I can leave this ce...


    So, she had been keeping an exact count of the days she was still required to work in his home.


    A sense of mncholy arose in Su Zhinian¡¯s heart.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s hands lowered weakly from the bag and again brushed against the girl¡¯s skin. Maniac Su really could be changed to Silent Su. What does he mean by keeping all quiet like this? Could it be that he¡¯s figuring out a suitable punishment? Don¡¯t tell me...


    Before Song Qingchun finished her thought, Su Zhinian, as if being reminded of something, turned to Song Qingchun and said lightly, "If you want me to put this behind us, then you will scrub every inch of this bungalow clean from top to bottom!"

 Chapter 75: Maniac Su and Sanitary Su (5)

    Chapter 75: Maniac Su and Sanitary Su (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Could it be that he... really wants me to clean this entire bungalow?


    As this ludicrous punishment cropped up in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind, she heard Su Zhinian say in his patented level tone, "If you want me to put this behind us, then you will scrub every inch of this bungalow clean from top to bottom!"


    Su Zhinian¡¯s words came out almost at the same time that the thought floated up in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind. Therefore, it took her about ten seconds of staring at his face before she realized she had not imagined those words that really hade out of his mouth.


    Is he reading my mind? How could he possiblye up with the punishment I am most afraid of? Is this what they call thew of attraction? Then I should not have wasted my time and money on buying those clothes for him. This is so inhumane. Maniac Su, Sanitary Su, Silent Su, Cold-blooded Su...


    Just as Song Qingchun cursed Su Zhinian internally, the man suddenly added, "What? You think that¡¯s a bit too harsh? Don¡¯t want to do it?"


    Song Qingchun immediately shook her head and blurted out, "Of course not!"


    As if afraid that he did not believe her, she affirmed, "Definitely not!"


    Who would want to do it? Use your brain for a bit, who in their right mind would willingly want to clean this giant house?


    Song Qingchun grumbled under her breath. Suppressing her inner dissatisfaction, she pushed up a serious face to look at Su Zhinian and, even though the promise was against the very core of her being, promised him politely and respectfully, "Mr. Su, do not worry, I promise to clean every inch of this bungalow from upstairs to downstairs, outside to inside, until it is glittering."


    Su Zhinian stared intently at her, as if trying to read the dissatisfaction she was hiding in her heart. Afraid that he might spot something, Song Qingchun hurriedly lowered her head.


    In reality, he really did not intend to have her clean the whole house. He simply wanted to y a prank on her. s, he did not expect such a reaction from her. She was violently cursing him in her heart, but on the surface, she acted like there was nothing she was more willing to do in the whole wide world.


    For as long as he could remember, he had been able to read people¡¯s hearts. He had seen plenty of fake individuals, but she was the only one who could make him think her deceit was not annoying and actually quite humorous.


    Su Zhinian stared at the top of her head, and a hint of a smile appeared on his face. Song Qingchun fidgeted, waiting for his reaction. After a long wait, she could not help but raise her eyes to sneak a peek at him.


    Her action startled Su Zhinian, and before her gaze couldnd on his face, he left a simple "Mm", grabbed the bag from her hands, and strode upstairs.


    ...


    Su Zhinian walked into his study. As he sat down before hisputer, he heard Song Qingchun¡¯s voice.


    She was probably rinsing the table cloth because he heard the sound of running water.


    "Maniac Su truly is a maniac! He¡¯s an inhumane, crazy, cruel psycho-maniac!" Su Zhinian heard herining through gritted teeth as she heavily mmed the table cloth into the water-filled basin. "As the idiom goes, one is partial to those from whom presents have been epted. The man had already epted my apology gift, so how could he still be so shameless as to demand that I clean his house... Is he even human!"


    Following her grumblings was a series of footsteps.


    The first room that she got into was probably the home gym. There was sound of her wiping down the equipment as she continued toin. "If I¡¯d known I would still need to clean the house, I wouldn¡¯t have wasted my money. Now I¡¯m truly and quite literally paying for my sin..."

 Chapter 76: Maniac Su and Sanitary Su (6)

    Chapter 76: Maniac Su and Sanitary Su (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Wait a minute..." Song Qingchun suddenly stoppedining as if struck by inspiration. After a while, she eximed in pleasant surprise, "Why am I so dumb! Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow has people whoe to clean it every day. There is not much dirt, so why am I seriously putting myself through this torment? I can just make a show out of it... I will return to bed after he falls asleep, and when he wakes up tomorrow morning, will he be able to tell whether I have cleaned the ce or not? Song Qingchun, you are a bloody genius, I love you!"


    After that, Su Zhinian heard the sound of a kiss. She had probably kissed herself on her hands and then patted her face with the kiss because heter heard a soft pat.


    After a minute of silence, Su Zhinian could pick up sounding from a television. Probably afraid that he might overhear it, the volume was set to the lowest, but he could still confirm that the sound wasing from the gym.


    The gym did not have a television, so she would have been watching it on her phone. The conversations were spoken in Korean. Even though he was not a fan of Korean dramas, he could ascertain the series she was watching. This was because, like the male lead of this series, he too had superpowers.


    However, unlike the male lead, he was not an alien who had lived for 400 years. He was only a normal Earthling with a limited lifespan.


    Su Zhinian was in a video conference, and throughout the meeting, his attention would be distracted by the sound that came from the gym. The girl in there would yell out or sigh following the drama sequence.


    "He¡¯s so handsome!", "Gosh, I love Professor Du!", "That bitch!", "ording to how these sorts of plots normally go, they¡¯re going to kiss, aren¡¯t they..."


    Led by Song Qingchun¡¯s immersivements, he also became immersed in the drama.


    "Mr. Su, what do you think about my proposal?" the person on theputer screen asked politely. Su Zhinian lowered his gaze and did not reply, causing the person to cough rather audibly and ask, "Mr. Su?"


    Su Zhinian raised his head slightly and told the person on screen, "I¡¯m sorry, excuse me a moment."


    Then he stood up and left his study.


    ...


    Song Qingchun was lying on a yoga mat with her phone raised in front of her eyes; she was intently watching in the drama.


    The sound of romantic music drifted out from her phone as the male lead pulled the female lead into his grasp and pressed his lips against hers....


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart was pulled along by the scene, and as she focused on the dramatic kiss scene between the two leads, she suddenly heard Su Zhinian¡¯s voice from outside the door. "Song Qingchun!"


    The phone fell from her startled fingers and flopped onto her face. She wheezed in pain as she heard Su Zhinian¡¯s approaching footsteps.


    The shock and fear overshadowed the pain on her face, and she speedily turned her phone off and shoved it under the yoga mat. Then, she grabbed the nearby table cloth and went down on all fours to wipe the mat just as the door to the gym was pushed open.


    Song Qingchun immediately pretended to be busy cleaning. After the door was fully pushed open, she quietened her beating heart, turning her head up to look fearfully at Su Zhinian.


    Su Zhinian nced at her with disinterest before his gaze fell on the yoga mat. Song Qingchun was so scared that her breathing becamebored. Could it be that he heard the sound of the phone and realized I was cking off?

 Chapter 77: Maniac Su and Sanitary Su (7)

    Chapter 77: Maniac Su and Sanitary Su (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun squeezed the cloth in her hands like her life depended on it. After locating the voice that had left her, she said, "Mr. Su, do you need anything?"


    After a short pause, Su Zhinian¡¯s gaze slowly left the yoga mat and fell on Song Qingchun¡¯s face. "Brew me a cup of coffee."


    His gaze then purposely lingered on the yoga mat some more before turning away and closing the door behind him.


    Song Qingchun heaved a long sigh of relief and was about to pull her phone from underneath the mat when the door was suddenly pushed open again, causing the breath that she was in the middle of releasing to be caught in her throat again.


    "Skip the milk and sugar." Then, Su Zhinian closed the door once more.


    Song Qingchun stared at the closed door for a full three minutes to ensure it would not suddenly be pushed open again before copsing to the ground. She pped at chest as she took two deep breaths.


    Living with Maniac Su is like a mental trial. I swear, one of these days, he is going to give me a mental illness...


    After her heart rate returned to normal, Song Qingchun ran to the kitchen to prepare the cup of coffee for Su Zhinian as fast as she could. Then, she took it upstairs.


    The door to the study was open, and Su Zhinian was sitting in front of the study table, staring at theputer screen with a nk expression. She could hear a male voiceing from theputer giving a long speech in English.


    Song Qingchun stood at the threshold and knocked lightly on the door. Su Zhinian turned and lifted his hand to point at a spot beside theputer before turning back to the screen.


    Song Qingchun ced the coffee down carefully and voicelessly. As she prepared to leave his study, she heard Su Zhinian¡¯s voice from behind her. "Wait."


    Song Qingchun had thought he was talking to the person in theputer, so she even helpfully closed the door for him.


    "Song Qingchun..." As she pulled the door closed, she heard her name being called. She turned around subconsciously, and the man slowly and clearly said, "I¡¯m nning to go to bed at 12 am sharp, and the time now is..."


    Su Zhinian nced down at his wrist watch and continued, "10:10 pm. You have one and a half hours left. I will check the result of your cleaning by 11:40 pm, and if it is not to my satisfaction, be prepared to stay up all night cleaning."


    No way, he still wants to personally check it?


    Then, doesn¡¯t that mean that my cking off earlier is going to bite me in butt now? I have barely started!


    Song Qingchun stared nkly at Su Zhinian, her face a picture of disbelief.


    Even though Su Zhinian appeared to bepletely focused on his video conference, he had been closely watching Song Qingchun out of the corner of his eyes.


    He saw the full range of emotions that disyed themselves on her face, starting with shock, then it changed into indignation, then sadness, and finally resentment as she pouted and grumbled an unwilling "Okay" at him. Then she closed the door silently and left.


    No more than five minutester, Su Zhinian heard Song Qingchun¡¯s anger-filled curses streaming continuously into his ears from downstairs. "Inhumane! Crazy man! Bastard! Beast! Evil!


    "Maniac Su, Sanitary Su, Silent Su, Cold-blooded Su..."


    As they drifted into Su Zhinian¡¯s ears, he could not help butugh. Earlier this morning, he was only Maniac Su and Sanitary Su, but now he had be Maniac Su, Sanitary Su, Silence Su, and Cold-blooded Su...

 Chapter 78: Maniac Su and Sanitary Su (8)

    Chapter 78: Maniac Su and Sanitary Su (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Just how many nicknames had she given him?


    The person on theputer screen suddenly stopped talking. After a very long pause, he said, with obvious disbelief, "Oh my God, am I hallucinating? Mr. Su, are you smiling?"


    Su Zhinian mumbled incoherently as his gaze caught the mirror in the room. He saw his own reflection, the rxed brows, curved lips, and the gentleness that permeated every corner of his face...


    Su Zhinian froze instantly in that moment.


    The English voice from theputer continued to say, "I¡¯m really not mistaken; you are smiling..."


    Su Zhinian, who suddenly came to, did not say a word as he switched off theputer, stood up, and ran rather hurriedly to stand before the mirror.


    Even though the smile of the man in the mirror was no longer as big as before, the hint of a faded smile was still there. He studied the man in the mirror for a long time before raising his hand to touch his own face.


    When his finger felt the curve of his own lips, it shook violently. Yes, he was really smiling... Even he could not remember thest time he had seen a smile on his face...


    If not for his double and triple checks, he would have thought he had been mistaken about the smile on his face, much less Jonny who had seen it through theputer...


    To be perfectly honest, it was not his purpose to make things difficult for her, but ever since the night that happened five years ago, she had sworn to cut him out of his life. Even if she was forced to stay under the same roof with him for the sake of Song Empire, other than her explicit responsibility, she would stay as far away from him as she could.


    He went through all the trouble simply because he wanted to have more interactions with her. But... he really did not expect she would be able to make him smile again...


    Song Qingchun... Song Qingchun, just how many surprises do you intend to bring me before... you stop?


    ...


    After Song Qingchun finished cleaning the first floor, she already felt like her bones were about to shatter. She went upstairs to clean the second bedroom that no one was upying before moving to the study next to it.


    Su Zhinian was no longer sitting at the study table but standing on the open balcony.


    The snow was still falling, but he was only in a thin shirt. The wintry breeze blew, and snowkes collected on his body. However, he stood there inplete silence as if the ravages of nature did not bother him at all.


    As Song Qingchun scrubbed the floor, she snuck asional nces at Su Zhinian. She could not help but think, It¡¯s the middle of winter,te night and snowing, isn¡¯t he cold?


    After she scrubbed half of the room, she went to the bathroom to rinse the cloth, and when she returned, Su Zhinian was still standing there outside in the cold.


    After Song Qingchun finished cleaning the room, she nced at the balcony before leaving, and Su Zhinian still showed no signs of moving from his spot. She hesitated shortly but ultimately closed the door silently without saying anything.


    Then, she moved to Su Zhinian¡¯s bedroom. She had spent the night before in Su Zhinian¡¯s bedroom, and she did not clean it before leaving it this morning; the bed was unmade, and the room a general mess.


    Song Qingchun collected the bedsheets in a hug before depositing them on the sofa. She then smoothed out the mattress and then reced the pillow she had kicked off the bed earlier. As she moved around the bed to rece the other pillow, she saw something that looked like the corner of book poking out from underneath.


    Out of curiosity, Song Qingchun pulled it out, only to realize that it was not a book but a smaller notebook.

 Chapter 79: Maniac Su and Sanitary Su (9)

    Chapter 79: Maniac Su and Sanitary Su (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun pulled the book out, and after she dusted it off, she realized it looked very much like a diary...


    The notebook was thick and looked well-used. Song Qingchun turned the book in her hands over, and various questions cropped up in her mind. This is Su Zhinian¡¯s diary? Do grown men still write in dairies these days? And really, what kind of entries is a robot like him going to write? Or this is an ount book, yes, that makes more sense. It probably records his daily spending and such...


    Regardless, her interest was piqued. She nced at the closed bedroom door, and after some hesitation, flipped it openly carefully like she had found some kind of treasure.


    The first page of the book only had two words written on it: Su Zhinian.


    The handwriting was clean but blocky. It had a childish scrawl to it, a distinct difference from his current day¡¯s impressive signature. He had probably written it when he was a boy. Song Qingchun flipped through the diary roughly and realized half of it was filled, and the handwriting showed a great evolution in maturity from the first page to thetest page...


    "Who would have thought a robot like Maniac Su would have the habit of keeping a diary? Hmm... Maybe I should call him Diary Su in the future," Song Qingchun mumbled under her breath before flipping to a random page to read.


    ...


    When Su Zhinian heard the words, "Diary Su", he slowly returned from his reverie. At the time, he had still not caught on to what the meaning behind the nickname was, and there was even a sh of serenity in his eyes that he did not realize. So... she has given me a new nickname?


    Before the thought could be fully processed in his mind, he heard Song Qingchun¡¯s gentle voice once more. "I¡¯ve expended three lifetimes to find you, and now I will use another to make you my wife... This was really written by Diary Su? It¡¯s so beautiful and poetic..."


    It was at this point when Su Zhinian snapped back into focus. His eyes narrowed subconsciously as he turned around to dash out of the study.


    ...


    When she was in third year of high school, it was not umon for Song Qingchun to ¡¯refer¡¯ to Su Zhinian¡¯s homework, and she could still vaguely remember his handwriting from back then. Reading the page of the dairy, she was certain the entry was written when Su Zhinian was in high school.


    That page had many entries, but each entry was ridiculously short. The one she had just read to herself only had one line.


    "I¡¯ve expended three lifetimes to find you, and now I will use another to make you my wife."


    Following her elocution, Song Qingchun could feel her heart skipping a beat. " This was really written by Diary Su? It¡¯s so beautiful and poetic..."


    Song Qingchun was going to continue reading when she suddenly dropped the diary and let it fall to the floor as she stood there motionlessly by the bed.


    Thirty secondster, Song Qingchun slowly blinked back into consciousness. She stared at the diary on the floor, and her brows creased deeply. Wasn¡¯t I reading the diary? Why is it on the floor?


    Dismissing it as a result of her tired body and mind, Song Qingchun bent down to pick up the dairy and continued what she was saying earlier. "Who would have thought he could write something so poetic..."


    As she nned to resume flipping through the diary, she wondered aloud, "Looks like I can also call him Poet Su..."


    Just as Song Qingchun¡¯s finger was opening the diary¡¯s cover, the bedroom door sted open from the outside, and Su Zhinian¡¯s icy voice demanded vehemently, "What are you doing?"

 Chapter 80: Maniac Su and Sanitary Su (10)

    Chapter 80: Maniac Su and Sanitary Su (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun¡¯s little heart shook violently and the exnation fell unconsciously out of her mouth, "I only flipped through it roughly. I swear I didn¡¯t see anything..."


    "Get out!" Su Zhinian strode to stand before her, grabbed the diary forcefully from her grasp, and ordered her out before she even finished.


    "I really..." Song Qingchun wanted to exin herself, but Su Zhinian flew into a rage, quite possibly out of humiliation. He demanded furiously, which sounded suspiciously like he was trying to hide the nervousness within his heart, "Did you not hear me? I told you to get out!"


    Before Song Qingchun could react, Su Zhinian grabbed her arm and tossed her out of his bedroom before mming the door in her face.


    What just happened? I told him I have only seen one sentence from his diary, is this kind of overreaction warranted...


    Song Qingchun stuck out her tongue at the closed door and turned to retreat to her own bedroom.


    The usually calm Su Zhinian finally sighed in relief when he heard Song Qingchun return to her bedroom.


    That was too close, way too close... She almost found out about his secret...


    Su Zhinian closed his eyes as he padded towards the sofa and sat down. He studied the diary in his hand for a while before pulling out a pen from the nearby pen holder. He flipped to thetest nk page and started writing.


    10 December 2015. Heavy Snow.


    It was today that I found out Tingting has secretly given me so many nicknames: Maniac Su, Sanitary Su, Silent Su, Cold-blooded Su, Diary Su, Poet Su... I love them all equally.


    Other than that, Tingting almost read the diary and found out the secret... Also, Tingting has made me smile today...


    ...


    Song Qingchun dragged her tired body into the bathroom to rx in a warm bath. After blow-drying her hair, she copsed onto the bed with a facial mask in her hand.


    Grabbing her phone, she tapped into herpany¡¯s official chatroom. As she waited for it to load, she applied the mask on her face.


    "Next Monday is the deadline to hand in the news script, is everyone ready?"


    "I managed to grab a video footage; now I¡¯m working overtime to finish the script to apany it."


    "I¡¯m almost done. By the way, how about you, Tang Nuan? What news have you managed to get this week? Care to share it with us?"


    "That¡¯s right, I¡¯m sure it¡¯s another gripping story! Trying to nab the front page again, aren¡¯t we?"


    The messages continued for a long time before Tang Nuan replied in a voice message. Her tone sounded humble, but almost everyone could hear the gloating in it. "It¡¯s nothing interesting, just a story rted to Xia Ji."


    "Xia Ji? You managed to get Xia Ji¡¯s story?"


    "I¡¯ve been hearing rumors that he¡¯s getting married, is that your story?"


    "If it is, then the front page is definitely yours again."


    "Congrattions, you¡¯re going to get the ninth consecutive headline..."


    "Who knows, maybe someone¡¯s story could be better than mine," said Tang Nuan softly, then she suddenly added, "How about you, Qingchun? What¡¯s your story?"


    Song Qingchunughed mirthlessly to herself as she exited the chatroom.


    Even though her ears were no longer polluted by the trash talk, Song Qingchun still sighed sullenly.


    Two more days and it would be Sunday. She did not even have a normal story, much less an explosive one...

 Chapter 81: Karma Is Always Watching (1)

    Chapter 81: Karma Is Always Watching (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun stared at the ceiling, dwelling in her thoughts for a long time. Finally, she removed her mask, went to the bathroom to wash her face, and grabbed her phone to start making calls.


    ...


    When Su Zhinian was in the shower, he could hear snippets of conservation from Song Qingchun¡¯s phone, but he also noticed it was prematurely cut off.


    After he dried his face, got into his bed, and prepared to turn off the lights, he heard rumblingsing from the adjacent bedroom. It sounded to his mind like someone was dialing the phone, an observation that was confirmed by the dial tone that cameter. It rang for a long time before it was picked up. A rather distant female voice came from it. "Hello?"


    "Sister Jiang, it is me, Qingchun," Song Qingchun introduced herself softly and said in an apologetic tone, "I¡¯m sorry, I hope I am not disturbing you by calling sote at night."


    "It¡¯s fine..." The female voice on the phone hesitated before asking, "Why did you call me exactly?"


    "It¡¯s like this. Can you feed me any news about the celebrities from yourpany..."


    "Miss Song, I am sorry; I am really busy at the moment. I will call you back in a bit."


    Then, the phone was rudely hung up. Su Zhinian, who had heard the entire conservation, started to frown.


    She is... calling her contacts to beg them for a newsworthy article?


    Before Su Zhinian could confirm his thoughts, he heard Song Qingchun made another call.


    "Director Zhang, I am Song Qingchun, how is your new filming along? Do you have..."


    "Hello, I¡¯m sorry, but who is this? The signal here is not very good..." And the phone was hung up again.


    ...


    Song Qingchun made some other calls, but either they were not answered, or they instantly hung up as had happened with her two earliest calls. In fact, before thest person hung up, he even mumbled under his breath, "The Song family no longer has anything to give me, and you still think you can ask me for news?"


    After thisst call, there was aplete silence in Song Qingchun¡¯s bedroom. After a long time, Song Qingchun¡¯s faraway voice said, "Now that Tang Nuan has stolen the contacts you built up over thest two years, do you really mind giving her another front page headline? It¡¯s fine, after all, this is not the first time people have looked down on you. Song Qingchun indeedmands no respect without the backing of Song family! So, you shouldn¡¯t be surprised!"


    Even though she tried to make a joke out of it, Su Zhinian could hear the frustration and disappointment in her voice.


    Her contacts from the past two years have been stolen by Tang Nuan?


    Then, Tang Nuan¡¯s words that he heard when he was in the shower floated up in his mind.


    "It¡¯s nothing interesting, just a story rted to Xia Ji."


    "How about you, Qingchun? What¡¯s your story?"


    The reality of the situation slowly dawned on Su Zhinian. After Tang Nuan stole Song Qingchun¡¯s contacts, she still has so many snidements for Song Qingchun?


    Su Zhinian lowered his gaze as an aura of iciness unfurled from his body. The next second, he suddenly pulled off the quilt, got down from his bed, went to the cupboard, and pulled out a phone from one of its drawers.


    Su Zhinian opened the phone and tapped into the contact list. There was only one listed number. He wrote a message and sent it to that number.


    ...


    These people were willing to give her face before out of deference to Song Cheng. Now that Song Cheng had passed away and the Song family was dying, they could not wait to get away from her. That was human nature.

 Chapter 82: Karma Is Always Watching (2)

    Chapter 82: Karma Is Always Watching (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Human beings made use of each other. The current Song Qingchun could no longer provide these people with any benefits, so naturally, they would not waste any energy to do any favors for her.


    Song Qingchun knew this principle, but in her heart, she still could not help but feel a little deste.


    After all, of the individuals she had just called, there were a few who she had once considered her close friends...


    Song Qingchun dropped her phone by the side of her pillow and curled into the fetal position, hugging the quilt in her arms. She looked at the window, and suddenly, memories of her elder brother flooded her mind. Her eyes started to well up. If Song Cheng was still around, he would definitely have pulled her out of bed while yelling at her to get it together. Of course, secretly, he would also reach out to those people to get them to help his little sister...


    As Song Qingchun wiped away the tears that fell from her eyes, a message alert came from her phone. She picked it up and realized it was a familiar number.


    She was familiar with the string of numbers, but she had no actual clue who the owner of this number was.


    When she had first received a message from this number, it was Christmas from four years ago. That day, Song Cheng had gone overseas for work, and Qin Yinan promised to stand in for him to celebrate the holidays with her, but just like during her birthday a few days ago, he was pulled away by Tang Nuan at thest minute and left her hanging dry.


    At the time, she had been feeling incredibly down. She had returned home, taken a shower, and it was then that she received the message from this number. It was a simple holiday greeting, "Merry Christmas."


    She had replied with a "?" and got no response.


    At the time, she had just been starting university. There were many boys at school who wanted to be her friend, so she had assumed it was one of her admirers and did not keep it on her mind.


    The second time she received the message from this number it was already one and a half yearter.


    That summer, she was going to take the English exam for the third time, and before entering the exam hall, she received the message saying, "Good luck."


    At the time, she was still using the same phone she had been using for years. Due to therge internal storage of the phone, she did not have the need to erase any messages. Therefore, the system immediately pulled up all the message history she had with this number. Seeing this, the suspicion in her heart increased.


    If this was her admirer, why would his only two messages be one and a half year apart? That made no sense.


    Before entering the hall, Song Qingchun replied to the number, "Hello, who are you?"


    After she finished the exam, the first thing she did was open her phone, and she had been disappointed to realize she did not get any reply from the number. However, it was then that she remembered this string of eleven numbers in her heart.


    The third time was when she was in the fourth year of university. She was interviewing for a post at TW Station.


    She had been incredible nervous. Before entering thepany, she had taken a few deep breaths. As she¡¯d stepped into thepany lobby, she received a message from this number. It was as simple as before, "You can do it."


    The interview that day was very sessful, and she was hired by TW Station on the spot. When she left, she gave the number a call, but it was out of service.


    After she started her career at TW Station, she had received, on multiple asions, messages from this number, and coincidentally enough, the content of the message would be able to help her ovee the hurdle she was facing at the moment.


    She was incredibly curious about the identity of the number¡¯s owner. She¡¯d even had herpany¡¯s database colleague check it out, but they¡¯d alsoe up with nothing.


    Song Qingchun pulled herself back from her memories and opened the message. The content was simple; it only had six words, but the six words made her eyes glow instantly.


    This was her life savior, the thing that would save her day!


    With this message, next Monday, she would be able to easily rub that smug smile off Tang Nuan¡¯s face!

 Chapter 83: Karma Is Always Watching (3)

    Chapter 83: Karma Is Always Watching (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun¡¯s fingers that gripped the phone were shivering slightly out of sheer excitement. After a while, she lowered her head and looked at the many messages she had sent this number. "Hello, who are you?"


    Like the first time she had sent the message, it got no reply. Song Qingchun stared at the screen for a long time. She knew the owner of the number would not reply, but she stubbornly sent another message. "Who exactly are you?"


    Over the past two years, she had changed her phone many times, but each time, she would transfer this number and its history to her new phone.


    While she waited for the reply that she hoped woulde this time, she scrolled to look at the message history she had shared with this number. After some calction, the total number of messages that had been sent from both numbers was only a little over twenty, and half of them were her asking about the mysterious number¡¯s identity.


    The messages from the mysterious number were also short and straight to the point as if more information might provide clues as to who he or she was.


    When the Song family was still powerful, she had been the beloved princess of the ball. Her life had been colorful and bright as she was surrounded by ¡¯friends¡¯ who would heap heavenly praises on her.


    At the time, she had not been that curious about this number, even if she was, the curiosity was only fleeting. But now, her real friends could be counted on one hand. Many who had sought her help in the past now evaded her like she was the gue.


    Before this, she had heard many pompous, beautiful words directed her way, but now in the quiet of the night, thinking about the various changes that had happened to the Song family over the past few months, these dry and emotionless messages that came from the mysterious number, for some reason, touched a corner of her heart.


    Actually, in this world... when she was most down on her knees... there were still someone looking out for her.


    She had never been a strong-willed person; she¡¯d always had Song Menghwa and Song Cheng to rely on. However, now, forced by circumstances, she had to be strong.


    She¡¯d had to park herself under Su Zhinian¡¯spany, waiting for him day after day; she¡¯d had to suffer the humiliation from Song Empire¡¯s shareholders while she begged them to stay; she¡¯d even had to sell her own body off for the sake of Song Empire.


    She might try to brush them off as trials of life, but when she was up alone in the night, when she was especially honest with herself, she felt incredibly alone in the world. However, this message, at that moment, gave her a bubble of warmth.


    The warmth softened Song Qingchun¡¯s heart that had to harden due to circumstances. She stared at the phone, which still hadn¡¯t received any reply. After a long contemtion, she fired off another message. "Thank you."


    No matter who you are, no matter what your purpose is, I thank you sincerely; thank you for giving me a light out of my despairing darkness.


    ...


    "Hello, who are you?"


    "Who exactly are you?"


    "Thank you."


    This was the first time that she had sent three messages in response to his one.


    Su Zhinian stood before the cupboard, staring at the three messages that consecutively came into the phone. He read them for a long time before shutting down the phone. He ced it back into the original drawer, then closed and locked it.

 Chapter 84: Karma Is Always Watching (4)

    Chapter 84: Karma Is Always Watching (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The next morning, Song Qingchun climbed out of bed before daybreak. After preparing Su Zhinian¡¯s breakfast, she left him a note and left the house in a hurry. As she got into the taxi that she¡¯d called, the phone in her bag rang.


    Song Qingchun took out her phone, and her face froze when she saw the screen. She let it ring for quite some time before finally answering it.


    "Brother Yinan."


    Qin Yinan, on the other end of the phone, was probably having breakfast because she could hear him mumble the word "Song" through a full mouth. After a short pause, she heard the sound of swallowing, and he started anew. "Song Song, I¡¯m sorry."


    Song Qingchun knew he was referring to the fact that he had stood her up on her birthday. Even though that was yesterday¡¯s news, being reminded of it still brought a dull pain to her heart.


    "Song Song, I swear I did not do it on purpose. As I told you, something came up, I ran into an old friend and was dyed. I actually wanted to call you, but I lost my phone. It wasn¡¯t until now that I manage to get a new phone and switch in the SIM card..." Qin Yinan paused and apologized sincerely, "Song Song, I am really sorry."


    If one has truly loved someone, one would know how much the words "I¡¯m sorry" hurt, as they often apany one¡¯s sadness and tears.


    Song Qingchun really disliked hearing these two words from Qin Yinan¡¯s mouth, but for these few years, they had pretty much been half of what he¡¯d said to her.


    Song Qingchun lowered her gaze and replied in a voice as calm as she could manage, "It¡¯s fine, Brother Yinan..."


    "Really, it¡¯s fine? Don¡¯t lie to me..."


    "I¡¯m not..."


    Of course, it was not fine, but really, what else could she say?


    Afraid that Qin Yinan might catch the sadness in her voice, she switched the subject and fakeined like a petnt child. "However, Brother Yinan, you still owe me a birthday present."


    "Of course, I have not forgotten that, I will rece the meal that I owe you as well."


    "Then, you¡¯d better be ready because I will definitely ughter you," Song Qingchun joked, but the glow in her eyes dimmed considerably. This was how it was with them. She would have to pretend not to care about the injuries he had left on her heart while she verbally forgave him every time. This had been repeated so many times that she had a hard time telling whether she was that good at faking it or he was that obtuse to a woman¡¯s feelings. Then again, perhaps he did understand a woman¡¯s feelings. However, the woman he understood was not her but Tang Nuan.


    The hand that grabbed her phone shook slightly, and after a short hesitation, Song Qingchun opened her lips to ask, "Brother Yinan, on my birthday, you said you ran into an old friend... Was that old friend Tang Nuan?"


    "How did you know?" Qin Yinan gasped. Then, he remembered that Tang Nuan and Song Qingchun had been schoolmates. Before Song Qingchun could answer, he continued, "Tang Nuan told you? She sprained her ankle that day, and I had to ferry her to the hospital... The line at the hospital was so long that when we were done, it was already almost 5 pm..."


    Song Qingchun regretted her earlier question because she was really not interested in hearing the details of what happened to them on the day of her birthday. Thus, she interrupted Qin Yinan, "Brother Yinan... Can I ask you a question?"


    "Sure." Over the phone, Song Qingchun could hear the sound of Qin Yinan picking up some beverage to drink.

 Chapter 85: Karma Is Always Watching (5)

    Chapter 85: Karma Is Always Watching (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    After a short silence, Song Qingchun asked, "Brother Yinan, do you still like Tang Nuan?"


    As if surprised that Song Qingchun would ask such a question, the sound of drinking stopped. Qin Yinan took a long time, probably to contemte the question seriously before answering, "Yes."


    Song Qingchun was silent.


    There was an added gentleness that coursed through the electronic cable before drifting into Song Qingchun¡¯s ear. "Actually, I have not once forgotten about her over all these years."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s hand that gripped her phone was white from force. Feeling like the air had beenpletely sucked out of her lungs, she replied with forced levity, "Then, Brother Yinan, you have to work harder!"


    Qin Yinan did not answer but chuckled lowly on the phone. Song Qingchun hurriedly located a reason to hang up the phone. The tears that she had been holding in her eyes slid down her face as she did.


    Actually, when she received the message from Tang Nuan on her birthday, she knew Qin Yinan was still carrying a torch for Tang Nuan. However, when she received the confirmation personally from Qin Yinan, she still found it quite hard to ept.


    When she was small, she had not understood what love was. She had only wanted to spend her whole life with her Brother Yinan. When her family moved away and thus she could not see her Brother Yinan daily anymore, she had cried her heart out, but she had never once thought of giving up on that dream.


    When she was in junior high, Qin Yinan became her first crush. She¡¯d dreamed about how she would marry him one day when she was older. Finally, when she graduated from high school and gathered the courage to confess her feelings, he had confided in her that he was in love with Tang Nuan. She had been devastated, but she did not give up.


    In the years of university, she had watched him treat Tang Nuan like a goddess, she had been there beside him when he drowned his sorrow due to Tang Nuan, and she had been there when he asked for her opinion on the presents he was preparing for Tang Nuan... She smiled through the bitterness because deep down in her heart, she still held onto that hope and did not give up.


    When he left to join the military, he lost contact with Tang Nuan. He had been heartbroken, and it was she who helped him through the haze of sadness. However, he did not know, at the time, there was a part of her that was happy because she finally saw her chance arrive. Facing so many men who wooed her, she remained unmoved. She waited with a loyal heart for him to return from the military. Needless to say, those few years he was in the military, she still had not given up on him.


    She¡¯d waited for him to finallye back home. When he told her that he still liked Tang Nuan, she¡¯d thought that she would go back to her usual modus operandi and would not give up on him...


    However, she realized that her conviction started to shake this time. Was she really going to spend the rest of her life waiting for her Brother Yinan to notice her? Could it be that it was finally time for her to give up? She had been chasing him for so many years, and honestly, she was really starting to get tired...


    ...


    Monday, 9 am, TW Station was going to start the weekly meeting.


    The moment the station manager stepped into the meeting room, he grumbled with dissatisfaction, "Why was there a file missing from the table yesterday? Who did not submit a story?"


    The meeting room was silent. The manager nced at his secretary, who quickly checked the records on theputer. "It was Song Qingchun."


    "Song Qingchun..." The station manager chewed on her name as his gaze scanned the people sitting around the meeting table. His brows furrowed when he noticed an empty space. "Where is Song Qingchun?"


    After a whole, someone whispered softly, "Song Qingchun is not here yet."


    "What is wrong with her? Doesn¡¯t she know there is a weekly meeting every Monday?"

 Chapter 86: Karma Is Always Watching (6)

    Chapter 86: Karma Is Always Watching (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The Station Manager roared at his secretary with great annoyance, "Give her a call to see what she is doing!"


    "Yes." The secretary quickly used her phone to call Song Qingchun. It rang for a long time, but there was no answer. The secretary tried calling her several times, but no one picked it up. Finally, she shook her head at the Station Manager and said, "She is out of reach."


    The Station Manager¡¯s face was the ugliest it had ever been. His secretary asked cautiously, "Should we wait for her?"


    "Why wait? The meeting starts now!"


    ...


    "Xia Ji has arge fan base, and the news of his possible marriage is the hot topic on the inte right now. Tang Nuan has gotten inside news regarding his marriage, and that is definitely explosive news, so this time, our headline will still be Tang Nuan¡¯s piece..."


    Suddenly, the door to the meeting room was pushed open. Themotion drew everyone¡¯s attention, and they saw a panting Song Qingchun leaning against the frame. She had clearly run over, evidenced by her messy hair and the sheen of perspiration on her forehead.


    "I¡¯m sorry for beingte," Song Qingchun apologized as she caught her breath. She walked to the Station Manager, bowed and then presented him with a USB drive with both hands. "Manager, this is my script."


    The Station Manager nced at the USB drive and turned his head away as if Song Qingchun was not even there. "Congrattions to Tang Nuan for getting on the front page again. Everyone else, make sure you learn from her."


    Then, the room erupted with apuse. Tang Nuan smiled generously, but as her gaze met Song Qingchun¡¯s, there was apparent gloating in it.


    Song Qingchun ignored her as she raised her hand to smooth down her tousled hair. She sidled to the Station Manager¡¯s side and pleaded, "Manager, please just take a look at my piece."


    "You should havee to the meeting punctually," the Station Manager berated her openly as he stopped pping. Noticing that, everyone else followed suit.


    "Okay, if there is nothing else, this will be today¡¯s meeting..."


    She had only finished this story an hour ago, and she¡¯d dashed to thepany as if her life depended on it because she was afraid she might miss the meeting. Unfortunately, her ride had been caught in a traffic jam, so she¡¯d basically sprinted the final stretch to the office.


    The story in her hands would definitely usurp Tang Nuan¡¯s front page piece; she couldn¡¯t give up on such a good opportunity.


    Galvanized, Song Qingchun interrupted the Station Manager, "Manager, I promise you, the piece I have is definitely newsworthy. I hope that you will take a look at it before you decide today¡¯s front page."


    This time, before the Station Manager could answer, Tang Nuan, who was sitting in her seat with her legs leisurely crossed, opened her curved lips and enquired in a condescending tone, "Song Qingchun, do you mean to say your piece is more newsworthy than mine? Then, I will have to ask, who is your piece about?"


    Song Qingchun really did not want to give Tang Nuan even the time of her day, but she noticed the Station Manager staring at her, so she answered, "It¡¯s rted to Xia Ji."


    Tang Nuanughed like she had heard the best joke in theugh. "That is such a coincidence because my story is also about Xia Ji. In that case, I do wonder, just what kind of news about him could be more newsworthy than Xia Ji getting married?"


    Song Qingchun automatically filtered out Tang Nuan¡¯s condescension. She turned to the Station Manager and passed him the USB drive. "Manager, you will understand if you just take a look at this."

 Chapter 87: Karma Is Always Watching (7)

    Chapter 87: Karma Is Always Watching (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Manager, you are not going to waste our time, are you?" Tang Nuanmented snidely before the Station Manager could even respond.


    Song Qingchun looked over her shoulder and retorted, "Tang Nuan, are you that afraid that you¡¯ll lose your front page position after the Manager looks at my news?"


    Tang Nuan scoffed, "You must be kidding. I have the most newsworthy inside information about Xia Ji, so why would I be afraid?"


    "Are you sure your piece is the most newsworthy?" Song Qingchun questioned with ease as she tossed Tang Nuan a meaningful smile. Then she turned to the Station Manager with the USB drive raised, adding, "This piece in my hand is definitely the most newsworthy piece about Xia Jia, and it is an exclusive. I promise that after this story airs, it will create a social ruckus. If you don¡¯t believe me, that¡¯s fine; you can still use Tang Nuan¡¯s piece as the front page news, but I am sure many other stations will want this piece in my hands. In fact, I will probably be offered a better position at anotherpany with this piece alone."


    The confidence showcased by Song Qingchun made the Station Manager doubt himself. "Song Qingchun, are you really so confident that I will select your story for the front page after I take a look at it?"


    "Definitely," Song Qingchun confirmed easily, "Not only will you select it for the headline, many other Station Managers will select it for their headlines."


    The Station Manager studied Song Qingchun for about ten seconds before extending his hand to ept the USB drive. He plugged it into theputer and put on the headphone to listen to it.


    The whole meeting room was eerily quiet. Song Qingchun¡¯s gaze swept over Tang Nuan, who was still confidently sitting in her chair, probably waiting to make fun of her. Song Qingchun¡¯s lips curled into a smile before she turned back to focus on the Station Manager.


    After five minutes, the Station Manager pulled off the headphones. He looked at the room before pulling out Song Qingchun¡¯s USB drive and waving it in the air, saying, "For this week¡¯s front page, we will use this."


    The atmosphere in the room froze for about a minute before everyone turned to look at Tang Nuan. Feeling the room¡¯s gaze on her, Tang Nuan finally registered what the Station Manager had said. Her smile froze, and she sprung up from her seat, demanding, "Manager..."


    "Song Qingchun¡¯s piece really does deserve the front page." The Station Manager raised his hand at Tang Nuan, to signal her to stop talking. With unbridled excitement, he passed the USB drive to the content manager. "Work as quickly as possible toe up with the writing to go with this; we have to push this news out as soon as possible."


    Then, the Station Manager turned to Song Qingchun, and the earlier dissatisfaction he had toward her melted without a trace. "Qingchun, you are amazing. Our TW Station has not had such an explosive piece in a long time!"


    Song Qingchun replied with a wide grin, "Thank you manager!"


    The Station Managerughed heartily as he called for the meeting to be dismissed. He then left the room after patting Song Qingchun encouragingly on her shoulder.


    Song Qingchun finally had the chance to turn to Tang Nuan. Their eyes just so happened to meet, and in thetter¡¯s eyes, there was plenty of disgruntlement.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s lips curved as she returned the same condescending smile Tang Nuan had given her earlier.


    Then, Song Qingchun took in Tang Nuan¡¯s darkened face and quivering lips.

 Chapter 88: Karma Is Always Watching (8)

    Chapter 88: Karma Is Always Watching (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun knew Tang Nuan was feeling the same amount of despair she had felt when she returned to thepany to realize all of her contacts had been stolen. The satisfaction Song Qingchun felt at that moment could not be put into words!


    ...


    After the meeting was over, there was a long list of things to deal with. When Song Qingchun could finally take a breath, it was already 11 am. After a visit to the break room, Song Qingchun took a detour to the bathroom.


    Song Qingchun walked to the innermost cubicle. Before she could pull open the door, the door beside her swung open. Subconsciously, Song Qingchun turned to look, and Tang Nuan was walking out of it.


    Perhaps it was destiny because the two times she had met with Tang Nuan alone happened in the bathroom.


    When Song Qingchun left the cubicle, she was surprised to find Tang Nuan still there, talking on her phone in front of the mirror.


    Through the mirror, Tang Nuan nced at Song Qingchun, who was heading her way and purposely started speaking louder. "Yinan, I didn¡¯t drive to work today and going to the South City requires me to take the subway. That is so troublesome, can we fix another date instead..."


    It was the same old trick. Whenever Tang Nuan lost to her, she would pull out the Qin Yinan card. At this point, Song Qingchun only felt sorry for the girl...


    Song Qingchun twisted the tap to wash her hands. Through the sound of running water, she heard Tang Nuan¡¯s coquettish voice say, "Okay, then youe fetch me... I might need to do overtime tonight, and it couldst until 7 pm... Okay, when youe, remember to bring me the roasted chestnuts that I like..."


    As Song Qingchun closed the tap and prepared to leave, she heard Tang Nuan say, "Goodbye."


    After Tang Nuan hung up, she turned to look at Song Qingchun, who was in the middle of pulling out the paper napkins. When she was done drying her hands, Tang Nuan suddenly said, "Song Qingchun, you¡¯re not so bad after all!"


    Song Qingchun took her back-handedpliment at face value and smiled at her. "Thank you."


    Of course, Tang Nuan knew Song Qingchun did this on purpose. She turned her nose up and scoffed, "Song Qingchun, don¡¯t celebrate just yet. After all, the record of the most consecutive headlines at TW Station is still mine and not yours! My chances of winning the position of anchor-woman are much greater than yours!"


    "Don¡¯t worry, things can still change."


    Song Qingchun went about her business leisurely. After she tossed the used napkins into the waste basket, she turned to address Tang Nuan. The expression that faced Tang Nuan was unusually calm like she was delivering an unimportant categorical truth. "It won¡¯t be long until I be the most likely reporter to be the anchor-woman at this station again."


    Tang Nuan was silenced by this sudden burst of confidence and insolence from Song Qingchun. Then, she looked Song Qingchun up and down as a thought was formed in her mind. Finally, she sneered, "Song Qingchun, I doubt you¡¯ve not done anything scandalous to get the Manager to say yes to your piece within five minutes of seeing it! Furthermore, that piece is apparently also on Xia Ji..."


    As Tang Nuan continued, the more confident she became in her suspicion, "...No wonder you can be so confident in saying you can be TW Station¡¯s anchor-woman, turns out it is due to scious trades..."


    Song Qingchun interrupted, "Don¡¯t you worry about that, because if I am that capable, the first thing I will do is chase you, Tang Nuan, out of TW Station!"

 Chapter 89: Karma Is Always Watching (9)

    Chapter 89: Karma Is Always Watching (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    After Song Qingchun had said everything she needed to, she red at Tang Nuan before walking out the bathroom.


    Song Qingchun, though, suddenly felt an ufortable feeling in her chest, and she stopped. Even though she was indeed in an, at best, secretive contract with Su Zhinian, she did not get this news through some illegal channel.


    Previously, when Song Empire was still going strong, Tang Nuan would dismiss her sess as being due to her family¡¯s influence, and now that Song Empire was no longer there, Tang Nuan insinuated that she won simply because of her looks...


    Song Qingchun knew she should not lower herself to Tang Nuan¡¯s level, but she¡¯d really had enough of Tang Nuan ndering her name as she pleased.


    Song Qingchun stood facing away from Tang Nuan for half a minute before suddenly turning around to walk toward Tang Nuan. She first focused on Tang Nuan¡¯s face before her gaze slowly moved to her feet that were in ten-centimeter heels. "Tang Nuan, I heard that you have sprained your ankle?"


    Tang Nuan was befuddled by this sudden observation. She stared at Song Qingchun quietly.


    "In that case, you should not have worn heels that are so high, or could it be that you recovered so soon?" Song Qingchun questioned with a smirk.


    She raised her eyes to look at Tang Nuan and exposed her scheme.


    "In any case, you should have been more careful, aren¡¯t you afraid of being exposed when Qin Yinanes to fetch you tonight and notices you in those shoes, which are definitely not suitable for one who has sprained her ankle?


    "Therefore, Tang Nuan, if I were you, I would quickly go to the mall next door to buy a pair of ts, or else your little white lotus act might be uncovered sooner than you think! Of course, this advice is kindness out of the bottom of my heart; you do not need to thank me."


    Song Qingchun then smiled a bright, toothy grin at Tang Nuan. As she turned to leave, the conversations she had with Qin Yinan the day before yesterday shed in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind, and she looked over her shoulder at Tang Nuan and continued to rip into the other woman. "It was you who stole Qin Yinan¡¯s phone and disposed of it when he came to fetch you to the hospital, right?


    Before Tang Nuan could push her excuse, Song Qingchun continued without missing a beat. "Now, there¡¯s no need to feed me your lies or even ask me to show you the proof. After all, we have been going around and around like this for years; we know each other¡¯s tricks too well, wouldn¡¯t you say?


    "Therefore, Tang Nuan, you should really stop iming I rely on my family background or my body whenever I win. Do you know how jealous you sound when you do that? Just imagine the impression you leave on others.


    "To be honest, there is really no need for you to be jealous of me because based on the two examples I¡¯ve just given you, don¡¯t they go to show that..." Song Qingchun stared Tang Nuan right into her eyes and continued in regal tone. "...in terms of shamelessness, I, Song Qingchun, am really no match for you, Tang Nuan!"


    Through the course of Song Qingchun¡¯s speech, Tang Nuan¡¯s fists gradually tightened. Her manicured fingertips hurting the balls of her palms.


    When she heard thest sentence, she finally lost it. Her hand flew upwards and swiped at Song Qingchun¡¯s face.


    Tang Nuan¡¯s sudden and swift aggression startled Song Qingchun. She did not have the time to react, evade, or counter.


    Just as Tang Nuan¡¯s hand was inches away from Song Qingchun¡¯s face...

 Chapter 90: Karma Is Always Watching (10)

    Chapter 90: Karma Is Always Watching (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun closed her eyes and gritted her teeth to brace for impact. She felt the force of the wind on her left cheek, and it was quickly followed by a resounding p.


    The crisp sound was unusually sharp and jarring in the quiet bathroom. Song Qingchun¡¯s heart practically stopped beating when she heard the sound.


    She stood there in shock for half a minute with her eyes closed before she instinctually reached for her left face. In her life, she couldn¡¯t even remember three times when she had been given a stern lecture, much less physical altercation. However, she was thus pped in the face by Tang Nuan.


    Her face stung from the sound alone...


    An indescribable feeling of anger and humiliation coursed through Song Qingchun¡¯s body from the top of her head to the sole of her feet. Her chest rose and fell from heavy breathing. Her eyes whipped open and with fury burning in her eyes; she lifted her hand and aimed it at Tang Nuan¡¯s face to counter attack. "Tang Nuan, you..."


    Before Song Qingchun finished cursing, her whole body froze like this was a video and someone had hit the pause button.


    She stared directly at Tang Nuan, who also appeared to be in shock. After a while, she blinked continuously and squinted to make sure she wasn¡¯t mistaken. With confusion and awe, she turned around to look in the mirror.


    Song Qingchun lowered the hand that covered her left face to reveal a perfectly fair and clean cheek. Most importantly, it was free from the sign of being hit, while Tang Nuan, who stood beside her, had a clear print of a five-fingered palm on her right cheek. She probably used the strength of her whole body to deliver that p, and it clearly showed from the palm print that was starting to bruise.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s widened eyes flitted between her own face and Tang Nuan¡¯s through the mirror alternatively. After many such back and forth, her brain was finally starting to churn.


    Who can tell me what just happened? Wasn¡¯t Tang Nuaning for me? Howe the p is on her face and not mine? Am I dreaming?


    Song Qingchun could not help but use her hand to rub her left face. She did not feel any pain, and this meant that she really wasn¡¯t attacked.


    There was no one else in the bathroom, and she was certain she did not have the time to counter earlier, so... the p on Tang Nuan¡¯s face came from Tang Nuan herself?


    But even if she was suddenly afraid that her p on Song Qingchun¡¯s face mightnd her in hot waters and wanted to stop, there was no reason for her to p herself, right?


    Furthermore, Song Qingchun was certain no one was going to say anything even if Tang Nuan really did assault her.


    Just how addled must her mind have been to switch the direction of her powerful p mid-motion and direct it at her own face instead?


    Could it be that Tang Nuan is mentally ill? But she looks so normal... Or this is what they mean by ¡¯karma is always watching¡¯?


    Many different thoughts crossed Song Qingchun¡¯s mind, but none of them could help her understand why Tang Nuan would p herself when she was obviously in the middle of pping her.


    Tang Nuan stood there for about two minutes before raising her hand to touch her own face. As she did so, a gut-wrenching pain shot through her body, and her face winced involuntarily as she turned to face the mirror.

 Chapter 91: Her Concern (1)

    Chapter 91: Her Concern (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Tang Nuan¡¯s expression was more emotive and colorful than Song Qingchun¡¯s. She stared at the palm print on her face in the mirror for one whole minute before she realized what had happened.


    She was going to p Song Qingchun, so howe that pnded on her own face instead?


    Thest memory she had was when her hand had almost reached Song Qingchun¡¯s face... Then, everything else was nk until moments ago when the reality came back to her...


    Tang Nuan racked her brain, but there was simply a gap in her memory that she could not fill.


    However, the fact was that there was only the two of them in the bathroom; she could not have pped herself, so was the p on her face delivered by Song Qingchun?


    As the conclusion formed in her mind, Tang Nuan¡¯s face twisted in anger. She turned to re fiendishly at Song Qingchun before dashing out of the bathroom with her hands covered over her face.


    Song Qingchun was only one minute behind her, but the office was already a crazy mess.


    Many people surrounded Tang Nuan to care about her and through the crowd, Song Qingchun could hear Tang Nuan im through the tears, "She suddenly pped me on the face, even though I did not do anything..."


    "This is too much! That Song Qingchun is such an arrogant prick. How can she assault people randomly like this!" Tang Nuan was a social butterfly in thepany and was close to many colleagues, so when she voiced her grievance, many instantly came to her aid.


    "That¡¯s right, no matter what, we shouldn¡¯t resort to violence! We must make her apologize!"


    "Yes, apologize!"


    Someone in the crowd caught Song Qingchun, who was returning to her office, and yelled at her, "Song Qingchun, how can you assault Tang Nuan like this?"


    "That¡¯s right, you have crossed the line, quickly apologize to Tang Nuan!"


    "That¡¯s right, apologize!"


    Song Qingchun frowned facing the crowd¡¯s charges. Her eyes fell on Tang Nuan, and she asked, "Tang Nuan, are you sure I¡¯m the one who assaulted you?"


    "Song Qingchun, why do you have the guts to do it but not the guts to admit it? There was no one else in the toilet; if you didn¡¯t assault me, are you saying I pped myself?"


    As Tang Nuan pleaded her case, the tears fell like rain. She was as truly the embodiment of the wronged character in a telenov. "Am I crazy? Why would I p myself to frame you?"


    Sister Wong, who was a senior at thepany, advised her, "She¡¯s right, why would any sane person do that? Song Qingchun, since you¡¯re in the wrong, you should apologize. After all, we¡¯re all colleagues, why make this a bigger deal than it has to be?"


    "That¡¯s right, you are in the wrong for this incident. Just apologize and we can put this behind us."


    Despite the fact she did not p Tang Nuan, even if she did, she would not apologize to Tang Nuan... Song Qingchun lowered her gaze, ignored the crowd, and rushed into her office.


    "What is she doing? You dare to run even though you have assaulted someone? Get the Station Manager! Or we call the cops!"


    "So, this is how the rich act? They really do look down on the rest of us! How can she just go around assaulting people like this!"


    "So what if she¡¯s rich? The rich people can just hit people whenever they want? Tang Nuan, stop crying; we will definitely make her apologize to you today!"


    "Her family is bankrupt; I really cannot stand her acting so prissy like this..."


    Song Qingchun stopped moving. She took a deep breath facing away from the crowd. Then, she turned around as she strode up to Tang Nuan.

 Chapter 92: Her Concern (2)

    Chapter 92: Her Concern (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun stared Tang Nuan in the eye and asked, "You agree to put this behind us as long as I apologize?"


    In Tang Nuan¡¯s memory, Song Qingchun had always maintained an air of arrogance. During high school when girls purposely cut the front of their skirts shorter to chase the trend of the time, Song Qingchun was the only exception. This was because she was confident in her own beauty; she believed that even without the alteration to her clothing, she would be prettier than everyone else.


    Perhaps this innate arrogance came from her family upbringing. However, it was not the grating type of arrogance; it was more of a self-confidence that impressed girls and boys alike.


    Even though the Song family no longer held its former glory, and the halo of wealth around Song Qingchun had disappeared, it did not detract from her natural confidence, and one could not detect a trace of self-abasement on her.


    To be honest, Tang Nuan had once been jealous of Song Qingchun, but when they were in their third year of high school, her jealousy had turnedpletely into hatred and disgust. Even in her dreams, she would pray to see Song Qingchun begging her on her knees.


    Therefore, at this moment, she really wished to have Song Qingchun apologize to her in front of so many people.


    Tang Nuan nodded at Song Qingchun slightly with her hands still covering her face.


    Song Qingchun nodded in return to signal her understanding. Then, her gaze swept the room of colleagues who stood watching and repeated what she¡¯d said before. "We can all agree to put this behind us as long as I apologize?"


    The whole room was dazed by Song Qingchun¡¯s unusual calmness for about three seconds before the people in the crowd started to nod.


    "Good." Just as Song Qingchun finished the word, she suddenly raised her hand to p at Tang Nuan¡¯s left face that was not covered.


    The crisp pping sound reverberated through every corner of the office and made the roomful of people widen their eyes in shock. Even Tang Nuan had a hard time registering what was happening.


    Song Qingchun looked at Tang Nuan chillingly and opened her lips to exim with authority, "I will never deny the things that I have done, but I will also never admit to things that I have not. Since everyone wants me to apologize for having pped you, then fine, I will apologize! However, before that, the thing that you want me to apologize for has to be made true!"


    Song Qingchun was not too slow nor too fast in her speech, and her every word fell on everyone¡¯s ears. Everyone could pick up the regal undercurrent in her tone. The whole office was eerily quiet except for her voice.


    "Therefore, Tang Nuan, now I officially apologize to you; I am sorry!"


    Song Qingchun paused slightly. "Also, Tang Nuan, don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know the true reason behind those words that you said in the toilet. You are angry the front page is going to me, aren¡¯t you?


    "Initially, I wanted to let you see why you have lost when the papers are published, but since you want to be face pped by me so soon, then so be it! There are only six words in my piece, and they are..."


    Song Qingchun repeated the six words she had received in the message. "Xia Ji is a drug addict!"


    The whole office was stupefied by Song Qingchun¡¯s revtion.


    Xia Ji is a drug addict? The Xia Ji who has been doing charity work for anti-drugs NGOs and other campaigns is a drug addict?

 Chapter 93: Her Concern (3)

    Chapter 93: Her Concern (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun went through everything that was on her mind in one breath. She did feel much better internally. She turned and left immediately, without a thought for the roomful of people she had stunned motionless.


    The clicking sound of high heels against the floor was amplified as Song Qingchun returned to her personal office.


    After her emotions settled down, Song Qingchun picked up the phone on the table and clicked opened her messages.


    As she stared at the familiar number and the six words "Xia Ji is a drug addict" beneath it, the tension between her brows softened. Actually, when she saw the message for the first time herself, she also had a hard time believing it.


    Xia Ji had always enjoyed a positive public image; he was perfection incarnate; he came from a good family, always a gentleman, and did not touch alcohol or cigarettes. His innumerable merits made him the idol of the nation. His poprity was unrivalled.


    Therefore, when she heard Tang Nuan had got an inside source about Xia Ji¡¯s marriage, she had thought it was definitely over for her.


    However, this message of six words was like a godsend to her; it had helped her flip the table so beautifully!


    Tang Nuan was so proud of the news about Xia Ji that she had in her hands, and she had attempted to rub it in Song Qingchun¡¯s face.


    So, when Song Qingchun used another piece about Xia Ji to defeat her, that must have been a gigantic face p to Tang Nuan!


    ...


    Su Zhinian had a meeting with his client at City Clubhouse at 10:30 am, so Cheng Qingchong and the driver were already waiting for him at the bungalow at around 8 am.


    The traffic that morning was horrendous. The traffic at the second traffic circle had pretty much slowed to a halt. Realizing there was only half an hour to the scheduled meeting, the driver had no choice but to escape from the second traffic circle to the third traffic circle.


    Who could have known that the situation there was no better?


    Even though it was not Su Zhinian personally behind the wheel, the annoyance of being stuck in traffic got to him as well. Frustrated, he finally mmed the document he was reading shut and let itnd on the empty seat beside him. He turned to look out the window, and his wandering gaze eventually fell on the letters "TW" on the street opposite.


    Isn¡¯t this Song Qingchun¡¯spany... She should be at work now... I wonder if she has sessfully submitted in that breaking news.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes were glued to the letters "TW", and after a while, he closed his eyes subconsciously as he tried to search for Song Qingchun¡¯s voice.


    "To be honest, there is really no need for you to be jealous of me, because based on the two examples I¡¯ve given you, don¡¯t they go to show that..."


    Su Zhinian frowned immediately. Song Qingchun is in the middle of an altercation with someone?


    "In terms of shamelessness, I, Song Qingchun, am really no match for you, Tang Nuan!"


    After that, Su Zhinian could hear the whooshing sound of arm shing through the air. Even though Su Zhinian was not personally there, he could imagine Song Qingchun¡¯s words inciting Tang Nuan¡¯s wrath, and thetter was going to p her.


    The aura around Su Zhinian turned cold, and without thinking about it, he took control of Tang Nuan and used as much energy as she could muster to p herself on her face!


    As Tang Nuan¡¯s palm made contact with her face, Su Zhinian felt a sharp pain jolt through his body, originating from his right cheek. As he came out of the mind control, he grabbed at the document beside him quickly to cover his face.

 Chapter 94: Her Concern (4)

    Chapter 94: Her Concern (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian¡¯s sudden reaction startled both the driver and Cheng Qingchong.


    The two of them stared at Su Zhinian, who had used the document to cover his entire head from the rear-view mirror. Their gazes were filled with confusion, and as they shared a look with each other, Cheng Qingchong asked cautiously, "CEO..."


    "Get out!" Su Zhinian ordered immediately the moment Cheng Qingchong began her question.


    Get out? She had been sitting quietly in the car and had not said or do anything wrong, right?


    Cheng Qingchong was dazed for two seconds before turning her head around to look at Su Zhinian with some degree of bewilderment.


    The man¡¯s face waspletely hidden behind the paper document, and she had a hard time seeing his expression, much less studying his thoughts.


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s first reaction was to reflect on her own recent tasks. After she confirmed she had not done anything wrong in her work, she once more opened her lips to say, "CEO Su..."


    "Stop the car!"


    Su Zhinian once more spoke over her, but this time, his tone was much harsher than before. It carried with it an authority that could not be dismissed.


    The driver instinctually stepped on the brake when he heard the order.


    Su Zhinian did not give Cheng Qingchong or the driver any chance to speak as he pointed out the window and ordered in a frosty tone, "Get out of the car!"


    The driver shared another look with Cheng Qingchong, and this time, it onlysted for three seconds before Su Zhinian¡¯s cold voice began again. "Don¡¯t let me repeat it for the third time!"


    The driver and Cheng Qingchong inhaled involuntarily as they unfastened their seatbelts and jumped out of the car as if it was going to explode.


    Su Zhinian mbered out of the back door with the document still covering his face and ordered Cheng Qingchong, who was standing there shaking in the middle of the road, "Cancel all the schedule today," before he jumped into the driver¡¯s seat and mmed on the gas pedal before even putting on the seatbelt.


    As the wintry wind swept over their bodies, Cheng Qingchong and the driver stood right in the middle of traffic and watched the car drive away. They then stared at each other for quite some time before retreating back to the safety of the sidewalk. One hailed for a cab while the other called the clients to apologize.


    ...


    When Song Qingchun left the office at 5 pm, before she reached thepany entrance, she saw the handsome Qin Yinan leaning against his car through the ss window.


    Song Qingchun also saw Tang Nuan, who had walked through the revolving door, stop in her footsteps unconsciously.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s focus had been on the entrance, so when he saw the exiting Tang Nuan, he straightened up immediately. When Tang Nuan looked his way, he raised his hand to wave at her.


    As Tang Nuan walked close to her, Song Qingchun noticed the warm smile that hung on Qin Yinan¡¯s face immediately turn hard and dark as his hand carefully and lovingly examined the bruise on Tang Nuan¡¯s face.


    Even though Song Qingchun could not hear what Qin Yinan was saying, she could see the anger and pain in expression.


    Song Qingchun had known him for over two decades, and she had never seen anger flit across his features. No matter how ridiculous the other person was acting, he would always maintain a sane mind and kind smile, but now he was obviously incensed when he noted the palm print on Tang Nuan¡¯s face.

 Chapter 95: Her Concern (5)

    Chapter 95: Her Concern (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun stood in thepany lobby, studying Qin Yinan and Tang Nuan through the window without blinking. She took in how Qin Yinan helped Tang Nuan with the door, helped her tie the seatbelt, and finally helped her wipe away the tears on her face... It was not until Qin Yinan¡¯s car was long gone that Song Qingchun finally came to. Her weak gaze fell on the revolving door for quite some time before taking the steps to leave thepany.


    Beijing, at that hour, was in its night-time rush. Afraid that she was unable to reach Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow before 7 pm, Song Qingchun purposely chose to take the subway.


    She was quite lucky that day because a seat was vacated for her only after a short period of standing.


    Standing in front of her were two girls, they looked to be two to three years younger than her. They were most likely in university, and one of them had probably just suffered a break-up because the other girl was consoling her. "From how I see it, you should have given up a long time ago. If he really liked you, he would have epted you eons ago and not used the exam as a reason to stall."


    The other girl was quiet, but her eyes were welling up.


    The girl continued consoling. "I know you might not want to hear this, but good medicine is always bitter. You told me you two started flirting during the first year of university, and we are in the fourth year now. Just how many years do you wish to waste on him before you are ready to ept the truth?"


    The two girls got off before Song Qingchun, and after they left the train, Song Qingchun could still hear the girl¡¯s kind and meaningful advice. "...You have to understand that feelings cannot be forced. No matter how hard you try to change or improve yourself, forcing a rtionship will never work. When it will happen, it will happen; love is not that difficult... Why are you making yourself go through all this unnecessary agony?"


    After the train door closed, Song Qingchun could no longer hear the girls, but the advice that the girl gave was swirling around her mind.


    Forcing a rtionship will never work. When it will happen, it will happen; love is not that difficult... Why are you making yourself go through all this unnecessary agony?


    Following that, the thought of giving up that had cropped up in her mind after she received the apology call from Qin Yinan a few days ago once more returned to her mind.


    When she reached Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow, it was only 6:30 pm. There was still half an hour until 7 pm, so Song Qingchun made a beeline to her bedroom to rest.


    Her joy from snatching the headline dissipatedpletely as the panoramic scenes between Tang Nuan and Qin Yinan scrolled through her brain.


    After some contemtion, she opened herputer and logged into her email.


    There were 99 emails in her inbox, and they were her correspondence with Qin Yinan when he was in the military. Initially, when he was not grantedmunication ess, theymuned via email alone. Later, after when he was allowed to have a cell phone in the barracks, they switched to phone messages and stopped emailing. However, the emails that he had sent her earlier, she kept them all. In the past few years, she had lost count of the number of times she had pulled them up to read when she was feeling extraordinarily alone at night.


    Today, she witnessed with her own eyes the angry side to Qin Yinan, whom she had not seen get mad before. It had looked like he was ready to face the whole world to avenge Tang Nuan.


    Obviously, Qin Yinan really, really liked Tang Nuan... Perhaps even more than he imed.

 Chapter 96: Her Concern (6)

    Chapter 96: Her Concern (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Forcing a rtionship will never work. When it will happen, it will happen; love is not that difficult... Why are you making yourself go through all this unnecessary agony?


    The words that she heard on the subway cropped up in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind again.


    Yes, indeed, love could not be forced. If it could be forced, then the world would not have so much misery and heartache.


    She knew Tang Nuan was no prized catch, but in Qin Yinan¡¯s eyes, she was the best. If she was truly honest to herself, Qin Yinan was not the best man in the world either, but in Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes, he was the best man there had ever been.


    She had suffered through so much agony, silently and willingly, for Qin Yinan for so many years, and she had always believed she could persevere.


    Song Cheng¡¯s suicide, the Song family¡¯s copse, the pain of departure, and the many lows that had happened over the past three months, she had survived all that while gritting her teeth. Many times, tears had threatened to fall, but she¡¯d pushed herself to pull through.


    And she was tired of such a life. The condescension that she was sheltered from, and the miseries that she was spared her whole life, she had tasted them in a concentrated form over the past three months. She had lived for more than twenty years, and she had never been stingy with her love toward others. Yet, when she needed it the most, no one came to her aid. Therefore, when she saw how Qin Yinan shielded, cared for, and protected Tang Nuan that day, she suddenly realized how pitiful she was. At that moment, she really felt she had no energy left to love.


    If two days ago, she¡¯d had the idea of giving up, today she was really considering giving up.


    The girl was right; she had suffered enough agony from her own family¡¯s copse, why should she subject herself to more agonies?


    Song Qingchun took a deep breath, clicked ¡¯select all¡¯ for her stored email, and deleted them without hesitation.


    At that moment, Song Qingchun could swear her heart stopped. Her finger paused for a long time on the mouse, and looking at the empty inbox, her heart felt equally empty.


    She knew it was the right thing to do, but when she really did it, she realized how painful it was sometimes to do the right thing.


    There was a sharp pain gathering in the depths of her eyes, and she felt her throat was closing up. She tried to hold them down for a long time, but in the end, she surrendered to the pain and cried her heart out as she copsed before theputer.


    She had been tailing him for at least twenty years. His position in her life was no lesser than the spiritual weight of a religion, and now she had forcefully weaned herself off from the sustenance of this religion.


    What was she going to do in the future? Would she find another person who she would love like she loved Qin Yinan?


    Song Qingchun cried for a long time before the tears stopped. She raised her head to nce at the clock. It was 7:10 pm. She smeared the tears on her face as she walked to the bathroom. After she had washed the signs of crying from her face, she took several deep breaths before walking toward the bedroom door.


    Song Qingchun was shocked when she pulled open the door and involuntarily faltered a few steps back. To her surprise, Su Zhinian was leaning against the banister, staring with absolute focus at her door.


    He¡¯s home?


    As the question flitted across Song Qingchun¡¯s mind, her brows creased deeply because the next second she noticed Su Zhinian¡¯s attire.


    Why is he in a sweater when he is normally only in a suit?

 Chapter 97: Her Concern (7)

    Chapter 97: Her Concern (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Wearing a sweater was not that curious, but the thing that made Song Qingchun raise her brow was the fact that the zipper was pulled to its top, revealing only his two deep eyes.


    Song Qingchun stared at Su Zhinian for a long time before she came to and greeted him in a hurry. "Mr. Su."


    Su Zhinian did not respond and focused closely on her eyes. Thissted for quite some time before he turned to enter his bedroom and mmed the door close.


    Song Qingchun, who was used to Su Zhinian treating her like air, shrugged and went downstairs without fixating on it.


    Su Zhinian leaned on the opposite end of the door and raised his hand slowly as Song Qingchun¡¯s footsteps retreated downstairs.


    The pen he held in his hand was crushed from excessive force. The metallic parts had pierced into his skin, dying his palm red.


    Su Zhinian had been hiding at home the whole day due to the palm print he got from mind-controlling Tang Nuan.


    When Song Qingchun returned, he had been drawing up designs in his study. Perhaps it had not reached the time she normally arrived, so he was particrly aware of her presence.


    Unlike usual, she was curiously quiet. She did not mumble to herself like she normally did when she was working; there wasn¡¯t even the sound of cleaning or cooking.


    He focused on her for a while before returning to his designs. However, he only started putting down a few strokes when he heard the sound of her sobbing.


    Initially, it was very soft, so much so that he thought he had misheard it. He stopped drawing to concentrate, and when he did, the sobbing increased to full-on wailing like she was in the process of mourning.


    He left his study with the pen in his grasp without giving it much thought. When he stopped before her bedroom room, he heard her mention the words "Brother Yinan" through the tears, and he stopped like he was hitting against a brick wall.


    At the time, he felt immensely dumb. Who else could have made her cry with such anguish other than the man by the name of Qin Yinan?


    He should be angry at him or at her, but as the sound of her crying drifted into his ears through the partition of the door, he only felt a dull pain forming at the bottom of his heart.


    She did not cry for long, but for him, itsted as long as a century.


    Many times, he almost lost control of himself and wanted to rush in to give her a hug, to console her, but he reminded himself of his role andck of qualification. He could only stand there quietly and listen to her crying as the strength of his entire body congregated at his fists.


    Su Zhinian pulled the metallic tip of the pen out from his palm and the blood gushed out even more. He grabbed at the nearby napkin and pressed down hard on the wound to stem the blood flow. He could feel the pain course through every vein of his body, but that was iparable to the pain he felt at the bottom of his heart.


    ...


    After finishing making dinner, Song Qingchun knocked on Su Zhinian¡¯s bedroom door and said, "Mr. Su, the dinner is ready."


    After some time, Su Zhinian¡¯s levelled voice came from within. "Bring it upstairs."


    Song Qingchun replied with a simple "oh" before returning downstairs to get a tray and taking the dinner up.


    The lights in Su Zhinian¡¯s bedroom were not on, and the first thing Song Qingchun did as she stepped in was to reach for the light switch. Before she could do so, Su Zhinian¡¯s cold voice seemed to appear from a dark corner of the room. "Keep the lights off."


    Song Qingchun retracted her arm and utilized the weak light that streamed in from the corridor to search for his table and ced the dinner on it.

 Chapter 98: Her Concern (8)

    Chapter 98: Her Concern (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian¡¯s bedroom wasrge, and the light falling in from the corridor only managed to illuminate the area near the door; the rest of the room was still shrouded in darkness.


    Su Zhinian was practically hidden in the dark. Song Qingchun was unable to catch his expression. From his rough silhouette, Song Qingchun guessed his head was turned to look out the window. He looked like he was deep in thought.


    Song Qingchun waited for a while. Noticing the Su Zhinian had no intention to speak, she uttered, "Mr. Su, I will be backter to pick up the tes."


    The response to her words was merely silence. Song Qingchun did not stay and turned to walk out the door.


    In her haste to escape Su Zhinian¡¯sir,bined with the general dimness of the room, she tripped on something on the floor beside his bed. She yelped as she careened forward.


    Hearing that, Su Zhinian sprung up from his seat and reached out to grab at Song Qingchun¡¯s wrist to catch her mid-fall.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s grab altered Song Qingchun¡¯s forward momentum slightly to the left and instead of lurching forward, she fell back-first into the crook of his arm.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s whole body tensed like he had been shot with electricity. His breathing even stopped.


    As she came to, Song Qingchun lifted her head. Through the weak light streaming into the room, Song Qingchun could clearly see the strong line of Su Zhinian¡¯s perfect jaw. As she was slightly captivated by this dreamy view, Su Zhinian¡¯s gaze lowered, and their eyes met without warning.


    She was unable to read the message in his eyes because he was facing away from the light, but she could feel the heat emanating from them.


    Even though they were both clothed, she could sense the sturdiness of his muscr body, and she felt enveloped by the temperature radiating off his frame. She caught his manly scent through her every breath, and her heart incidentally skipped a beat.


    Song Qingchun heard the man¡¯s normally level breathing turn excited, and the rushing of his breathing was exceptionally loud in the quiet bedroom.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart was flustered and was pulled along by the man¡¯s ridiculously hectic breathing rhythm.


    Time seemed to have stopped in that moment. After who knew how long, Song Qingchun blinked into consciousness, and her eyes that had gotten used to the darkness realized the curiosity that was on Su Zhinian¡¯s face.


    She squinted subconsciously as she leaned in closer to study his face.


    Her gentle breaths that caressed his face made his already enthusiastic hormones boil even more.


    Su Zhinian sucked in a deep breath as he closed his eyes to calm himself down. When he did so, Song Qingchun¡¯s thoughts rushed into his mind. What¡¯s wrong with his face? Is that a palm print?


    Su Zhinian¡¯s body froze, and his eyes burst open.


    Did he get beaten up? Is that why he¡¯s wearing a sweater? To cover his face?


    As her thoughts finished, Su Zhinian could hear her weak voice asking, "Mr... Mr. Su, did you get into a..."


    Fight? Before Song Qingchun could squeeze out thest word of her question, Su Zhinian tossed her body roughly and forcefully out of his embrace.


    "Get out!"


    Song Qingchun, who almost fell off the bed, pouted wordlessly, then haphazardly climbed down from his bed and dashed out of his bedroom without argument.


    ...


    Song Qingchun only sighed in relief when she reached the first floor.

 Chapter 99: Her Concern (9)

    Chapter 99: Her Concern (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    How dumb she was. Even if she saw the palm print on his face, she should not have pointed it out... Thankfully, she¡¯d escaped his room quickly. If she had been one second slower, based on the anger radiating off him, she would have lost her life in there...


    Song Qingchun patted her chest as she walked into the dining room. She sat down and was ready to begin dinner when she noticed her arm that held the chopsticks was covered with blood.


    Song Qingchun quickly tossed the chopsticks away and started inspecting her body. She looked around and confirmed that there were no injuries on her.


    Therefore, the blood on her arm...


    Song Qingchun subconsciously raised her head to look at the ceiling... Only Su Zhinian had touched her arm... So, he was the one who was injured?


    Song Qingchun thought back to the palm print on his face. Even though the room was dim and she hadn¡¯t particrly been paying attention back then, she could still tell his face was heavily bruised. What happened to him today?


    Song Qingchun sat in deep contemtion in her seat before shaking her head forcefully as if to shake the thought out of her mind. No matter what happened to him, it had nothing to do with her. She was not that close to him that she needed to worry about him! Yes, no need to!


    Song Qingchun nodded as she stood up to walk into the bathroom. She washed the blood off her arm and returned to dining room. She picked up her chopsticks and resumed eating.


    After two bites of food, Song Qingchun stopped.


    In any case, they could be considered acquaintances. Even though she did resent him, he appeared to be seriously injured, and leaving him to suffer did seem pretty immoral...


    She bit on the ends of the chopsticks as she ruminated. Then, her eyes flew up to the ceiling before lowering her head to focus on her dinner. After a few more bites, she looked up at the ceiling again. After multiple times of this repetition, Song Qingchun finally put down her chopsticks and walked to the kitchen.


    She was in a contractual rtionship with him; she was to take care of his living arrangements for a hundred days, and contractually speaking, she should take care of him when he was injured.


    Song Qingchun thought about it as she tossed two eggs into the pan to boil. Song Qingchun stood in front of the stove for about half a minute before turning to walk out of the kitchen and up to her bedroom to retrieve a jacket. She shrugged it on and walked out of the bungalow.


    When she returned, the eggs were already cooked. She hauled them out and dropped them in a cold bath to sit for several minutes before she fetched them out with her fingers. Satisfied with the temperature, she peeled the shell and ced the eggs on a small te before heading upstairs.


    ...


    Perhaps it was because he had not had such close physical contact with a woman for such a long time, the usually monastic Su Zhinian had a hard time calming down the mes of desire in his body even a long time after Song Qingchun had left.


    Finally, he went to stand on the open balcony, hoping that the wintry winds would chill his body. The sub-zero temperature slowly diminished his internal heat.


    He looked at the snow that had gathered on the rooftop as the sounds of Song Qingchun¡¯s various operations drifted into his ears. The sound of the electronic stove being turned on, the sound of boiling water, her footsteps as she padded upstairs and downstairs, andter, her footsteps as she ran out of the bungalow... By then, his heart had slowly returned to normal.


    She returned, jogging, about ten minutes after she¡¯d left the house.

 Chapter 100: Her Concern (10)

    Chapter 100: Her Concern (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Perhaps due to the cold, he could hear the sound of her teeth chattering. Through the window, he saw that, when she returned, she was carrying a white stic bag in her hand.


    After she entered the house, she dropped the bag on the coffee table in the living. Itnded with a plop as she ran into kitchen.


    The water was already full-on boiling. He heard her switch off the fire, and following that was the swish of water being poured. Then, there was the sound of something rolling and something being cracked...


    The cacophony of incoherent noises continued for a long time until he heard her footstepsing from downstairs, which seemed to stop before his bedroom door.


    He then heard a knock and her saying, "Mr. Su..."


    Su Zhinian turned around and watched the door quietly through the ss window of the balcony before replying softly, "Yes?"


    ...


    "Er..." Song Qingchun wanted to say, ¡¯Can I enter?¡¯ After a short moment of hesitation, she changed it to: "I¡¯ve put something by the door, doe and fetch it."


    Song Qingchun then bent down to put the small te and stic bag on the floor. After she straightened up, she looked at the closed door and added, "I¡¯ve cooked and peeled two eggs. Roll them around the bruising and it will look better tomorrow morning...


    "Also... I noticed there was blood on my arm, so I suppose your hand was injured? Based on the amount of blood, I presume the injury is quite serious. It is the middle of winter, and it is easy to get frostbite. I just returned from the nearby pharmacy with some ointment. Remember to apply it..."


    ...


    Listening to Song Qingchun¡¯s words, Su Zhinian¡¯s hands gripping the balcony railing tightened.


    Themotion she made downstairs and the short trip out of the house was to cook eggs and buy medicine for me?


    He realized how many years he had spent in solitude without anyone there to really care about him. He realized it had been about ten years... After he left the sanatorium, he had stayed at the school housing. Whenever he was injured or sick, he did not like to inform his mother.


    It had not been easy for his mother to raise him alone; she had always been busy with work and life. She did not have the luxury of time to notice the injuries or illness that he had suffered.


    Therefore, from then on, be it injury or sickness, he had chosen to suffer through them quietly and alone. If it was too serious, he would visit the hospital on his own.


    Actually, this had gone on for so many years that he had gotten used to it. Even he had stopped hoping that others would notice his ill conditions and care for him...


    So, he was really surprised that she would do that for him...


    Just like seventeen years ago, when he was abandoned by the whole world and he was close to abandoning himself, she ced her trust in him unconditionally, iming, That big brother says you¡¯re a bad man, so you must be a bad man.


    "Mr. Su, you have to apply the eggs while they are still warm; they will lose their effectiveness when they¡¯re cold. This is how my mother treated Song Cheng whenever he came home from a fight. It must be useful because the bruises would disappear the next day..." After a short moment of silence, Song Qingchun¡¯s reminder continued, "Mr. Su, remember to use them."


    After that, Su Zhinian heard the sound of her footsteps leaving.


    He, who originally stood out in the balcony like a statue, suddenly dashed through the bedroom as he headed toward the door...

 Chapter 101: An Impulsive Kiss (1)

    Chapter 101: An Impulsive Kiss (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The moment Su Zhinian yanked open the door, he noticed the girl¡¯s steps down the stairs stop. Before she even turned around, with a crease of his brows, he controlled her mind, and she stopped moving.


    He stopped before her and lowered his head to study her face. A wonderful assembly of colors was swirling at the bottom of his eyes, and even his breath had gotten heavier.


    His longshes flickered, and his tapered fingers ran through her hair to lightly seize the back of her neck. As he raised her face up, he leaned in to kiss her lips.


    At that moment, the sounds surrounding him fell away and disappeared, in their ce was the gentle sweetness that was unique to her.


    He used the entirety of his strength to grind at her lips, and his fingers in her hair were shaking wildly. With an unstoppable strength, his tongue pried open her teeth and reached into her mouth to tangle intimately with her soft tongue.


    The whole incident was supposed to be hot and passionate, but for some reason, it smelled deeply of despair and desperation.


    He dominated her lips resolutely, refusing to let go. His arms that encircled her waist increased in strength like he wished to grind her body into molecules and absorb her into his body.


    The kisssted for quite a while before he let go of her. Panting, he slowly parted from her lips and stared into her eyes. At the bottom of his eyes was a haze of bewilderment that had not dispersed.


    His hand that was on the back of her neck moved to caress her fair cheek as if on its own ord.


    His boiling breath fell on her face, and the eyes that looked at her were heavy with deep-seated love.


    "Tingting..." His finger routinely massaged her temple as he called her name, his voice dripping in pain and desire.


    "Tingting..." Her name fell out of his lips for onest time before he closed his eyes to lightly peck her on the lips. Then, he suddenly released her as he turned and darted back to his bedroom.


    ...


    As Su Zhinian closed the door, Song Qingchun, who stood at the top of the stairs, blinked continuously as she stared at Su Zhinian¡¯s bedroom door. She frowned deeply when she realized it was still closed.


    This is weird; I swear I heard the door open...


    Song Qingchun stared at the door for a while before her gaze moved downward to fall on the small te and stic bag that remained unmoved. Her frown deepened.


    Could it be that I misheard?


    Song Qingchun stared at the door with her head titled before shrugging and going back downstairs.


    As she walked into the dining room, Song Qingchun unconsciously reached up to touch her face. This is weird. Why is my face so hot? And my lips feel so strange...


    Song Qingchun¡¯s fingertip touched her lips as she contemted it... However, in the end, she was unable to pinpoint what the anomaly was, so she sighed and stepped into the dining room.


    Song Qingchun had a hard time concentrating during dinner. Perhaps she was overthinking things, but she was certain she had heard the door to Su Zhinian¡¯s bedroom open, so why was the door closed when she turned to look at it...

 Chapter 102: An Impulsive Kiss (2)

    Chapter 102: An Impulsive Kiss (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun thought about this until her brain hurt, but she still could note up with a logical exnation. Finally, she sighed and shook her head as she pushed these questions out of her mind.


    ...


    Su Zhinian leaned against the bedroom door for a long time before he raised his hand to touch his lips.


    Even though some time had passed since the kiss, her taste and temperature still seemed to linger on his lips.


    She had been his house guest for many days now. Even though they did not share a room, in the stillness of the night, he could hear the sound of her breathing clearly.


    He was not interested in things like that when it came to other women, but with her, he was nothing but a normal man struggling with his base urges. Therefore, he would often find himself being scalded by the boiling blood coursing through his body.


    When the urges became too strong, he would jump into the cold shower or stand out on the balcony instead of surrendering to his desire of touching her.


    Hence, just now was the first time he had lost control of his rationality. As he pulled open the door, hisst shred of sanity reminded him to use his superpower to mind control her.


    When he kissed her, his heart was soaring, but he was also weighed down by a host of pains and pressures.


    At the end of the day, he had merely used his superpower to enact a y to lie to himself. After the curtain closed, and the actors were stripped of their roles, the only thing that remained was an even deeper heartache.


    He had no right to kiss her. Five years ago, when he identally stumbled into that secret, he had lost all the rights he had.


    Even in his dreams, he wanted to be good to her, but he understood that he could only perform those loving actions in his dreams, and even the simplest and gentlest of sweet words, he could only utter when he was alone.


    ...


    It had been half a month since Qin Yinan returned to Beijing, but he had not had time to meet up with his old friends. To facilitate a meet-up, he held a party to gather all of his old and new friends on the fifteenth.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s party was a bit too sudden; Song Qingchun received the invitation only on the morning of the fifteenth.


    Even though Song Qingchun had sworn to give up Qin Yinan, it did not mean that she could cut all ties from him just like that.


    Even without the romantic entanglements, Qin Yinan was still an important individual in her life. At the end of the day, he was still family.


    Therefore, Song Qingchun epted the invitation after briefly hesitating. The hesitation came from the fact that Qin Yinan¡¯s party started at 8 pm, and her time was not hers after 7 pm.


    After saying goodbye to Qin Yinan on the phone, Song Qingchun racked her mind, trying toe up with an excuse to ask for a day-off from Su Zhinian.


    Actually, over the past few days, Su Zhinian returned home every day, and the man who was usually gloomy was the brightest she had ever seen him. She remembered two days ago when she identally spilled the broth on his shirt sleeves when she wasdling him the soup. At the time, her heart had been in her throat; she had apologized profusely instantly, but this man with an extreme cleanliness obsession picked up a napkin to dab at the spot and continued eating like nothing had happened. Not only that, after a few bites, he even nodded at a seat across from him to signal for her to join him for dinner.

 Chapter 103: An Impulsive Kiss (3)

    Chapter 103: An Impulsive Kiss (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    At the time, she was still shivering from the prospect of his wrath, so she quickly moved to oblige when she noticed his signal.


    From that night on, whenever Su Zhinian had dinner at home, she would be asked to join him.


    However, even though Su Zhinian had shown some humane characteristics for the past few days, she was still nervous about bringing up the idea of a day-off with him.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s party started at 8 pm, so when Song Qingchun got off work, she still returned to Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow first.


    Song Qingchun made a beeline for her bedroom. She put down her bag and paced around the second floor; it was then that she realized Su Zhinian was not home.


    Song Qingchun pulled out her phone as she walked downstairs and made circles around the living room before she could summon the courage to call Su Zhinian.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart was beating hurriedly, following the fast rhythm of the call tone. After a few seconds, the call was picked up, and Su Zhinian¡¯s elegant voice came through. "Yes?"


    Song Qingchun gripped her phone tightly, and she was silent biting her bottom lip. Finally, she said, "Mr. Su, I wish to discuss something with you."


    "Okay." Su Zhinian answered softly on the other end of the phone. Before Song Qingchun could borate, he continued saying in his monotone, "We can talk about it when I get home."


    Then, the call was rudely ended.


    Song Qingchun had exhausted her store of courage by making that one call; she did not have the guts to make another.


    However, Su Zhinian had said to wait for him toe... The thing was, he would return home at random times, and she needed to leave before 8 pm; if he returned at 12 am, then she might as well miss Brother Yinan¡¯s party...


    Hesitating to make the second call, Song Qingchun bit her fingernails. Finally, she pressed on the keyboard carefully to send Su Zhinian a message. "Mr. Su, can I ask you what time you will reach home?"


    Soon, Song Qingchun¡¯s phone showed that her message had been received. After she knew Su Zhinian had gotten the message, Song Qingchun stared at the screen of her phone unblinkingly.


    Song Qingchun waited for about two minutes but still did not receive any reply from Su Zhinian.


    He read the message but did not reply her; he was obviously ignoring her...


    Song Qingchun slumped to the sofa in frustration.


    ...


    When Song Qingchun called, Su Zhinian was lying against the car seat with his eyes closed, he was taking a well-deserved rest after a long day of work.


    When his phone rang, he frowned because his rest had been disturbed. He grabbed at his phone with obvious annoyance, but a sh of surprise flickered across his features when he saw the caller ID. His whole body paused for a second before answering it.


    He initially wanted to hear Song Qingchun out on the phone, but he realized he was only ten minutes away from home based on the scenery he saw out the window. So, he grumbled a quick response and hung up on her. He then tossed the phone aside and closed his eyes again.


    In less than one minute, his phone rang again, signaling the arrival of a message.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s brows twitched slightly, but he did not open his eyes to look at it.


    Cheng Qingchong, who was sitting in the front seat, was already secretly shocked from when she¡¯d heard Su Zhinian say, "We can talk about it when I get home."


    The Big Boss that she knew was a quintessential workaholic and would drag her to apany him for overtime. However, for this most recent week, he would depart from work punctually and return home.

 Chapter 104: An Impulsive Kiss (4)

    Chapter 104: An Impulsive Kiss (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She was already curious as to why her Big Boss would change so suddenly, but when she noticed that the caller ID of the message sender was "the person hiding in my memory" through the rear-view mirror, she understood everything instantly.


    Her guess was right, "the person hiding in my memory" was Big Boss¡¯ sweetheart, and she was now staying at Big Boss¡¯ home...


    Cheng Qingchong then saw Su Zhinian pick up the phone, probably to read the message. To her surprise, he studied it for a long time, and there was an imperceptible affection residing within his eyes.


    She had managed to sneak a peek at the content of the message earlier, and it was nothing extraordinary. It said, "Mr. Su, can I ask you what time you will reach home?"


    From the term, "Mr. Su", Cheng Qingchong could tell that the girl who sent the message was not close, perhaps even a bit distant from Su Zhinian.


    Anyone who received such an official message from his or her crush would be at least a little devastated, right? So why did she pick up a trace of appreciation from her Big Boss?


    Just how deep did one¡¯s love have to be in order to treat such a formal-sounding message from one¡¯s lover as treasure?


    The car had entered the residential area; they would reach Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow in less than a minute.


    However, Su Zhinian, who had finallye to, still typed one word as reply and sent it.


    ...


    Just as Song Qingchun was contemting putting her life on the line to give Su Zhinian another call, a message came through to her phone. She picked it up immediately and saw it was a message from Su Zhinian that read: "Now."


    Almost at the same time as Song Qingchun read that word, she heard the sound of a car¡¯s engineing from outside.


    Song Qingchun stood up subconsciously and looked through the window. She saw Su Zhinian just getting out of his car.


    "He sure wasn¡¯t kidding with that now..." Song Qingchun grumbled under her breath as she ran to the door.


    Su Zhinian almost blurted outughing when he heard the "He sure wasn¡¯t kidding with that now..."ing from Song Qingchun.


    The levity on his facested for barely a minute before the front door was pushed open.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s expression returned to its usual barrenness. He nced at Song Qingchun¡¯s bright smile and did not give a response to her "Mr. Su, you¡¯re home?" as he stepped into the house.


    Song Qingchun helped Su Zhinian change out of his shoes and helped him hang his coat on the rack. She was going to ask him whether he wanted a drink, when Su Zhinian asked, "Tell me, what do you want to discuss?"


    Then, the man reclined down the sofa like he had no care in the world and picked up the remote to switch on the television.


    Song Qingchun stood at the side quietly, staring at Su Zhinian¡¯s profile. After a while, she asked in a tone that was barely above a whisper, "Mr. Su, I wish to apply for a day-off."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s gaze was still glued to the television. His finger was controlling the remote. After flipping through eight stations, he moved his lips to say, "Time, venue, reason."


    Why did he ask for so many details? Does he think that I¡¯m a primary school student requesting leave?


    Song Qingchun grumbled internally but answered truthfully, "Brother Yinan is having a party at City Clubhouse at 8 pm tonight."


    Brother Yinan... When Su Zhinian heard these two words, his hand that controlled the remote froze.

 Chapter 105: An Impulsive Kiss (5)

    Chapter 105: An Impulsive Kiss (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Was this the first time she had consciously asked him for a day-off since she had moved into the bungalow?


    The first day-off, and it was for Qin Yinan... Su Zhinian¡¯s gaze was radiating iciness.


    Song Qingchun waited for some time, and when she realized Su Zhinian was staring at the television screen without any reply, she added, "Mr. Su, may I?"


    Su Zhinian acted like hepletely did not hear her and stared right ahead at the television screen without blinking.


    Just as Song Qingchun was deciding whether or not to ask a third time, the man¡¯s head suddenly turned, and his gaze slowly fell on her body.


    There was a serenity in his eyes, or rather, ack of emotions. He looked at her like she had melted into the background. There were no clear emotions in his eyes, but for some reason, Song Qingchun felt there were plenty things that were left unsaid.


    Su Zhinian stared at her for a very long time without saying a word. Song Qingchun was bing increasingly nervous, and her palms were all sweaty.


    Just as Song Qingchun had given up all hope of being granted a day-off, words finally tumbled out of Su Zhinian¡¯s lips. "I cannot give you a full night-off, but tell me how long you will need to be away and I¡¯ll see what I can do."


    Is he going to allow me to be leave?


    A ray of hope lit up Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes. Her curvedshes blinked several times as the cogs in her brain started to turn. The party would start at 8:30 pm, and it should be over at 11 pm, but she needed to leave before 8 pm...


    "Four..." Before Song Qingchun could finish, she caught herself and reduced the time. "Three hours..."


    She paused and added hesitantly, "...I think."


    The glow in her eyes was like a sharp knife, piercing deep into Su Zhinian¡¯s heart.


    She is that desperate to go to Qin Yinan¡¯s party? That is the only exnation for the sudden glow of hope in her eyes.


    Su Zhinian subconsciously averted his head to avoid meeting Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes. He bit his lips surreptitiously to dull the pain in his heart.


    His action weighed heavily on Song Qingchun; she was afraid he might renege on his words, so she quickly added, "Mr. Su, if three hours is a bit too much, then how about two and a half hours... Even two hours is fine..."


    Song Qingchun noticed Su Zhinian¡¯sck of reaction. She sighed under her breath, bit her teeth andpromised, "Then, how about one and a half hours? Mr. Su, that is the minimum, travelling itself will take at least one hour after all..."


    "Twelve midnight," Su Zhinian suddenly said to interrupt Song Qingchun.


    Song Qingchun stopped speaking and looked at Su Zhinian in confusion.


    The hand that grabbed the remote tightened, and Su Zhinian exined in a t tone, "You have to be home before twelve midnight!"


    Twelve midnight? It is only 7:50 pm now; in other words, he is giving me a five-hour break?


    Song Qingchun¡¯s face was first colored by disbelief before curtailing into apparent joy like she had won the lottery. She added happily, "Thank you, Mr. Su!"


    Song Qingchun ignored Su Zhinian¡¯sck of reaction and asked smilingly, "Mr. Su, then what do you wish to have for dinner tonight?"

 Chapter 106: An Impulsive Kiss (6)

    Chapter 106: An Impulsive Kiss (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Is it okay if I call for take-out? Do you wish to have western, Japanese, Chinese, or do you have some other cuisine in mind?"


    Su Zhinian turned around to look at Song Qingchun, who had already pulled out her phone to check out the take-out menu. A brilliant smile was stered on her face, and her eyes were practically sparkling with joy.


    All of this excitement and bliss simply because she can meet Qin Yinan?


    "Mr. Su, how about Chinese? Do you prefer Hunan Style, Sichuan Style, Hong Kong Style, or Beijing Style? I feel like Hong Kong Style is the best; we shouldn¡¯t eat too heavily at night..."


    Before Song Qingchun could finish, the remote in Su Zhinian¡¯s hand suddenlynded on the coffee table with a crisp sound.


    Song Qingchun was scared into speechlessness. She raised her eyes from her phone to see Su Zhinian stand up from his seat and stride toward her.


    Have I done something wrong? Why is his face so ugly so suddenly? Why is he angered all of a sudden?


    These thoughts coursed through Song Qingchun¡¯s mind as she smiled in an attempt to cate Su Zhinian. There was pleading and ingratiation, as well as a hint of hidden anxiety, in her eyes.


    Su Zhinian looked in her eyes before turning his gaze away. As if suppressing a great ball of anger, he red frowningly at amp in the living room. In the end, he brushed past Song Qingchun and up the stairs without saying anything.


    ...


    "Should I wear this dress or that dress?"


    "Hmm... This looks pretty as well..."


    "Never mind, the first dress is still nicer..."


    Su Zhinian sat in his study, listening to Song Qingchun mumbling to herself as she tried on the outfits in her bedroom. Unconsciously, he tore a page from the document he was reading and crumpled it into a ball in his hand.


    He knew Song Qingchun would definitely carefully prepare herself to attend Qin Yinan¡¯s party, but he could not help himself from going to the balcony to take a gander at her when he heard Song Qingchun walk downstairs.


    Under a white warm fleece coat, she was wearing a long purple dress, and she was bncing herself on a stiletto that was at least 10 centimeters tall.


    Su Zhinian could only catch her profile as she skipped away from home, but he could clearly discern the joy that was written on her done-up face.


    Su Zhinian gripped the balcony railing tightly to prevent himself from rushing downstairs to drag her home and stop her from attending Qin Yinan¡¯s party.


    She had already called for a taxi before she left, and the car was already waiting at the bungalow gate. She ran the stretch of the way and jumped into the car without hesitation.


    He stood at the balcony like a statue and allowed the car to disappear from his view. When the car was finally out of sight, an immense cloud of mncholy appeared on his face, and his heart gradually inched toward the dark abyss.


    She had left so happily, like she could not wait to be away from him. She did not even give him a goodbye or a wave.


    In reality, he really did not want to allow her to attend Qin Yinan¡¯s party. Her leaving meant his sadness, while her staying meant her sadness.


    When given this choice, he would rather suffer the sadness than steal her happiness away from her.


    After standing there in the cold for some time, Su Zhinian heard his phone, which he had left in his study, ring.


    He pulled his gaze back from the streets and walked back inside. He picked up his phone, nced at the caller ID, and answered it.

 Chapter 107: An Impulsive Kiss (7)

    Chapter 107: An Impulsive Kiss (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Before Su Zhinian could get in a word, Tang Nuo¡¯s irritatingly passionate words came through the phone. "Su Zhinian, are you free or not tonight?"


    Su Zhinian replied without thought, "Not free."


    "Don¡¯t lie to me, I¡¯ve just been to yourpany, and your secretary told me that you¡¯ve returned home... Tell me, other than your home andpany, the rest of your time is spent in your car, isn¡¯t it? Listen to me, you cannot continue a life of celibacy like this anymore; the boredom will eventually ruin your brain..."


    Su Zhinian did not reply once during Tang Nuo¡¯s drivel about the benefits of partying and having a good time. He moved the phone away from his ear and was about to hang up.


    "...CEO Liang just came in from Hong Kong and is holding a party at City Clubhouse..."


    City Clubhouse... Those two words made Su Zhinian¡¯s finger that was hovering over the end call button stop.


    "...Su Zhinian, I¡¯m serious, you have been hiding from the world for almost one month already, right? CEO Liang has purposely asked me to invite you to the party, hasn¡¯t he been seeking a coboration with you? Sounds like that desire has been increasing..."


    Su Zhinian put the phone back beside his ear and asked in a level tone, "What time?"


    "8 pm..." Tang Nuo was obviously excited. "Does this mean that you¡¯reing? I¡¯m not far away from your ce; do you want me to pick you up?"


    Su Zhinian mumbled a "hmm" before hanging up.


    Tang Nuo was probably really close by because when Su Zhinian finished changing into another set of clothes, he heard the doorbell ring.


    Su Zhinian walked downstairs and pulled the door open with one hand because his other was fixing the knot on his tie.


    While Su Zhinian changed his shoes, Tang Nuo took the opportunity to peek into Su Zhinian¡¯s house. After a look around, his gaze was glued to the shoe rack.


    After Su Zhinian put on his shoes, he told Tang Nuo, who was standing by the door, "Let¡¯s go."


    However, it appeared like Tang Nuo had not heard him. Su Zhinian frowned slightly and followed the gaze of his friend, which was fixed on a pair of high heels thaty on the floor.


    This must have been Song Qingchun¡¯s handiwork. She must have tested those shoes but forgot to put them back onto the rack. And now, Tang Nuo had seen them...


    "Are we going or not?" Su Zhinian asked. Noticing Tang Nuo¡¯sck of reaction, he shoved his friend out the door as he mmed it behind them.


    The sound of door mming seemed to have brought Tang Nuo back to reality. The man gasped in such a wondrous manner that one might think he had discovered a new continent. "Su Zhinian, there¡¯s a woman staying at your ce?"


    Su Zhinian ignored him, pulled open the passenger door, and jumped into the car.


    Tang Nuo followed quickly behind him and continued pressing, "There has to be a woman, right? Why else would there be a pair of high heels?"


    Tang Nuo was your typicaldies¡¯ man, his girlfriend count had probably reached into the hundreds. "And those shoes are the style that young girls appreciate, so they don¡¯t belong to Auntie Sun... Come on, cough it out, who is it?"


    Tang Nuo started the engine, and as he pulled out of Su Zhinian¡¯s driveway, he was hit by a sudden burst of inspiration. He nced at Su Zhinian through the rear-view mirror. "...Is it Song Qingchun?"


    Su Zhinian, who had been silent facing Tang Nuo¡¯s interrogation, suddenly grumbled warningly when he heard the name ¡¯Song Qingchun¡¯, "Keep your eyes on the road and mind your own business."


    So, it is Song Qingchun... Of course, it had to be. Who else other than Song Qingchun could be tied to Su Zhinian?


    Tang Nuo drove in silence for a while and suddenly he asked, "You and Song Qingchun... Have you two made up?"

 Chapter 108: An Impulsive Kiss (8)

    Chapter 108: An Impulsive Kiss (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Made up... Tang Nuo¡¯s im was wed due to a false assumption.


    Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun had not even had the chance to begin a rtionship in the first ce before everything imploded when he stumbled upon the deep dark secret. So how could they made up when a rtionship had not been there to begin with?


    Their rtionship had always been one-sided, the main and only contributor being him.


    Tang Nuo waited for a long time for an answer, but he did not get one. Finally, he could not help but sneak a look at Su Zhinian, and he realized the man had turned his head to look out the window; the pain at the bottom of his eyes was as unresolvable as the dark night.


    ...


    City Clubhouse had been remodeled a few years ago when the owner purchased thend around it. The original singr building was knocked down to convert the sprawling area into a host of individual vis.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s party was held at Vi Number 8, and even though it was only 8:30 pm when Song Qingchun arrived, the party was already in full swing.


    Song Qingchun had grown up together with Qin Yinan, and Qin Yinan was Song Cheng¡¯s best buddy, so the people Qin Yinan invited naturally knew Song Qingchun. They all came to greet her when they saw here in.


    Song Qingchun shrugged off her fleece coat and deposited it at the storage locker. She then retreated to the corner of the room and scanned the crowd.


    Due to his three years in the army, Qin Yinan¡¯s stance was straighter and more upright than normal people, so Song Qingchun managed to spot him easily from the crowd.


    He was wearing a ck suit. With a champagne flute in his hand, he was smiling and chatting with people. He looked absorbed in the conversation and would nod asionally in acknowledgement.


    Showered by the lights of the chandelier, Qin Yinan looked especially gentle, gracious, and ssy.


    Song Qingchun, who had promised herself to give up on Qin Yinan, still found herself lost as she observed the man. After a while, she lowered her gaze, sorted out her emotions, and picked up a ss of wine from the server working the room before she walked toward Qin Yinan.


    Song Qingchun called his name softly when he was about two meters away from him. "Brother Yinan."


    Qin Yinan smiled brightly when he turned and spotted her. He then turned back to whisper an apology to the person he was conversing with. He clicked his champagne flute with the other people before nodding with a smile and moved away to greet Song Qingchun.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s ss tipped his ss to Song Qingchun and downed the champagne before calling her by name. "Song Song."


    Song Qingchun smiled brilliantly and raised her ss at him as well. She was about to take a sip when Qin Yinan put his palm on her arm and told her, like how he used to do, in an imperative tone, "You are not to drink tonight."


    Then, Qin Yinan swiped the ss from Song Qingchun¡¯s hand, and he waved over the server. He ced the ss of wine on the server¡¯s tray and exchanged it for a ss of fruit juice, which he then ced into Song Qingchun¡¯s hand. "This, you can drink."


    When Qin Yinan pulled the ss away from Song Qingchun¡¯s hand, his finger brushed up against her fingertips and Song Qingchun felt a shot of electricity surge through her body. It wasn¡¯t until Qin Yinan ced the fruit juice in her hand that she recovered. Sheined, "Brother Yinan, I¡¯m no longer a kid; I can legally drink now."


    "Even so, alcohol is too cold; it¡¯s not good for your stomach." Qin Yinan spoke in a gentle tone, but his face was scrunched up into a frown like an adult lecturing a child.


    Song Qingchun pouted and rather unwillingly took a sip of the fruit juice.


    A smile then returned to Qin Yinan¡¯s face. "Now, that¡¯s a good girl."

 Chapter 109: An Impulsive Kiss (9)

    Chapter 109: An Impulsive Kiss (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    After that, as if he suddenly remembered something, Qin Yinan pulled out a velvet box from his pocket and gave it to Song Qingchun.


    "What is this?" Song Qingchun studied the box with confusion and noted the smile on Qin Yinan¡¯s face. She epted the box and it opened to reveal a beautiful bracelet. The skillfully crafted bracelet was decorated with diamonds that shimmered gloriously under the lights of the chandelier.


    "Do you like it?" Qin Yinan asked cautiously and added as exnation, "This is the birthday present I prepared to you. I¡¯ve been meaning to give it to you, but there hasn¡¯t been an asion that called for it until tonight."


    "I love it," Song Qingchun replied with a smile. She ced the juice by the side and tried on the bracelet.


    The sp of the bracelet was a bit too small for Song Qingchun to be able to clip it on with one hand. Qin Yinanughed with amusement and said, "Come, I¡¯ll help you."


    He put down his ss and grabbed Song Qingchun¡¯s wrist gently.


    "Thank you, Brother Yinan." Song Qingchun raised her wrist to the light to study the bracelet against her skin. She then jiggled it before Qin Yinan, asking, "How does it look?"


    "It looks wonderful."


    The moment Qin Yinan said that, a familiar and grating female voice came from Song Qingchun¡¯s side. "Yinan."


    Song Qingchun lowered her hand to pick up the ss of juice and stopped talking.


    "I¡¯ve been looking all over the ce for you. Why didn¡¯t you pick up my calls earlier?"


    Tang Nuan sidled to Qin Yinan¡¯s side and started yapping, ignoring every other participant of the conversation. After a while, she acted like she had just noticed Song Qingchun standing there and said with a smile, "Qingchun¡¯s here as well?"


    When Song Qingchun heard Tang Nuan say her name, she turned to her and unwillingly smiled. She greeted her, "Tang Nuan."


    Ensuring Song Qingchun¡¯s gaze was on her, Tang Nuan purposely leaned in closer to Qin Yinan. Then, her gaze fell on Song Qingchun¡¯s wrist, the bracelet around it, and the box in Song Qingchun¡¯s hand before saying, "That¡¯s a pretty bracelet, is it a present from Yinan?"


    Song Qingchun did not answer. This was Tang Nuan¡¯s usual tactic. She was sure Tang Nuan had seen Qin Yinan put on the bracelet for her before she sauntered over.


    "Yes, Song Song¡¯s birthday was a few days ago, and that was my present for her," Qin Yinan answered honestly.


    "The bracelet looks so beautiful, but I don¡¯t think I have seen this brand before..." Tang Nuan turned to look at Qin Yinan as if asking a question.


    Qin Yinan answered, "This bracelet was specially designed for Song Song¡¯s birthday; it is not purchasable on the market."


    "No wonder it looks so unique and exquisite. To be fair, you have to remember to gift me one on my birthday," Tang Nuanined jokingly.


    "Okay," Qin Yinan promised good-naturedly.


    "I want one with more gems and jewels..."


    "Okay."


    "If they can be custom-made, then I want a full setplete with ne and earrings too..."


    "Okay." Qin Yinan epted all of Tang Nuan¡¯s requests without hesitation.


    Song Qingchun knew these requests were not meant for Qin Yinan¡¯s ears but hers. She was purposely showing off how good Qin Yinan was to her and how much Qin Yinan was willing to spoil her.


    It was the same when they were in high school. Whenever Qin Yinan would buy her a dress, Tang Nuan would demand one, too, and she would want it coupled with a pair of heels.

 Chapter 110: An Impulsive Kiss (10)

    Chapter 110: An Impulsive Kiss (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    If it was just that, Song Qingchun would not hate Tang Nuan that much, but Tang Nuan did not really need or even want those presents. She simply asked for them because she refused to be overshadowed by Song Qingchun. She would re-gift the dress and heels that Qin Yinan had bought for her without batting an eye.


    This was not an isted incident for Tang Nuan... There was one time when Qin Yinan had bought Song Qingchun a bottle of mineral water, and she had demanded one too. The bottle, like those dresses and heels, was abandoned when Qin Yinan was not looking. However, unlike those dresses and heels, the bottle of water was left inside a dustbin.


    Therefore, ording to Song Qingchun¡¯s experience, she believed the presents that Tang Nuan demanded that day would also one day end up being abandoned somehow.


    Song Qingchun looked at Qin Yinan, who smiled lovingly and dotingly at Tang Nuan, and a ball of irritation rose up within her. Just as Tang Nuan was going to demand more stuff, Song Qingchun chimed in to say, "Brother Yinan, I am going to say hi to Brother Zhang."


    Brother Zhang had been one of Song Cheng¡¯s best friends, other than Qin Yinan, when he was still alive.


    "Okay." Qin Yinan nodded with a smile. As Song Qingchun turned to walk away, Qin Yinan yelled at her, "Song Song, remember to stay away from the alcohol."


    "I know, I know." Song Qingchun turned back to show Qin Yinan a face of mock annoyance.


    Qin Yinan smiled kindly and extended his hand to smooth down Song Qingchun¡¯s hair that had gotten out of ce and patted her the top of her head. "Okay, now go."


    His tone and action reminded Song Qingchun of how he used to console her when she started to cry after Song Cheng had bullied her.


    Before this, she loved how he talked and treated her in this manner because it made her feel exceptionally cherished.


    Only now did she finally realize that this series of actions and tone was one used to appease an unruly child. There was love, yes, but definitely not romantic love.


    The reality that she had been unable to see for so many years finally struck her head-on; Qin Yinan had only been treating her like a little sister.


    Certain truths were better to realize sooner rather thanter, but regardless, to be forced to admit a reality was not afortable feeling.


    Song Qingchun tried her best to maintain the smile on her face as she waved farewell at Qin Yinan and turned to leave.


    Song Qingchun only took two steps before she heard Tang Nuan¡¯s voice again. "Yinan, I¡¯m hungry, let¡¯s go get something to eat.


    "Do they serve rice noodles?


    "No? Can you ask the chef to make some for me?"


    ...


    Perhaps it was because Song Qingchun was there, Tang Nuan acted exceptionally spoiled before Qin Yinan that night. She eitherined about the spiciness of the chili, the sweetness of the cake, or the bitterness of the coffee. In any case, she would demand that Qin Yinan fix all these things for her.


    Actually, it was not Song Qingchun¡¯s intention to focus on their interactions, but Tang Nuan had to drag her to the show, so what could she do about it?


    Song Qingchun looked at how Qin Yinan ved away at his own party to help set up a whole table of delicacies for Tang Nuan, which she barely took a bite of, and an indescribable feeling of dejection filled her heart.


    Even though she said she no longer loved Qin Yinan... Even though she had sworn to see Qin Yinan only as her older brother... She could not stand watching Tang Nuan so openly waste Qin Yinan¡¯s affection on her.


    Frustrated, Song Qingchun finally went to the locker to retrieve her coat and walked out of the vi to take a breather.

 Chapter 111: Dont Like Him Anymore (1)

    Chapter 111: Don¡¯t Like Him Anymore (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    As she opened the door, a st of wintry wind surged at Song Qingchun, causing her to involuntarily shiver. She pulled her coat closer to her body.


    Opposite from the vi was a cluster of bamboo; behind the bamboo patch was a manmadeke. Due to the low temperature, the grassy field that she crossed was still covered with patches of white residue from the snow that had fallen a few days ago.


    Song Qingchun crossed the bamboo patch and finally stopped by thekeside. The surroundings were quiet except for the asionalughter and cheers that drifted from the vi; the bleak scene reflected her feeling perfectly, loneliness and anguish.


    ...


    The moment Su Zhinian stepped into the vi booked by CEO Liang, a mellifluous voice drifted from within.


    Initially, Su Zhinian had thought it was a CD ying as he handed his coat to the server. As he walked into the living room with Tang Nuo, he realized it was sang by the actual singer.


    A group of men in suits reclined on the European style real leather sofa. In the embrace of some of the men were beautiful, young girls. They looked barely a day over eighteen; their skin looked so taut and bouncy that one would think water could drip out from the pores.


    Opposite the sofa was a grand piano where a woman in white dress was seated. Her soothing singing apanied the piano, creating a feeling of ss.


    "Isn¡¯t she that famous songstress? CEO Liang surely has invested a lot in this gathering; he even invited the real person toe sing live..." Tang Nuo, who had seen many beautiful faces, could identify the singer with just one nce at her profile.


    When one of the men saw Su Zhinian and Tang Nuo, he pointed at an empty space on the sofa, signaling for them to sit.


    After he was seated, Su Zhinian raised his ss at the men there. As he was going to take a sip of the wine, Tang Nuo leaned in to whisper in his ears, "...She looks prettier in person than on screen, a natural beauty, wouldn¡¯t you say? Based on my estimation, her chest is at least a C..."


    Su Zhinian tossed down half of the wine without acknowledging Tang Nuo; it was as if Tang Nuo had not spoken.


    The songstress¡¯ voice was indeed unique. In this day and age where new talents were sprouting like mushrooms after rain, one had to be uniquely talented to be remembered by the public. The fact that the songstress was, as Tang Nuo had said, famous went to show her immense talent. Since CEO Liang had burned through a lot to hire her toe sing at the gathering, the men listened with rapt attention.


    After a song, Su Zhinian started to get bored. He leaned into the squishy sofa and lowered his gaze to stare at the wine in his hand. His attention drifted out of the room and out into the open.


    "You are not to drink tonight... This, you can drink."


    "Brother Yinan, I¡¯m no longer a kid; I can legally drink now."


    "Even so, alcohol is too cold; it¡¯s not good for your stomach..." After a short pause, Qin Yinan¡¯s gentle voice began again. "Now, that¡¯s a good girl."


    Su Zhinian raised his ss and emptied it. As he mmed down the ss on the table, he could hear Qin Yinan again. "Do you like it? This is the birthday present I prepared for you. I¡¯ve been meaning to give it to you, but there hasn¡¯t been an asion that called for it until tonight."


    Su Zhinian rubbed his eyes, grabbed the nearby bottle, and poured himself another full ss while his ears were still focused on Song Qingchun.


    "I love it."

 Chapter 112: Dont Like Him Anymore (2)

    Chapter 112: Don¡¯t Like Him Anymore (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Then a silence followed. Song Qingchun was probably trying on Qin Yinan¡¯s present. Finally, Su Zhinian heard Qin Yinan say, "Come, I¡¯ll help you."


    Then Su Zhinian could hear clearly the sound of Qin Yinan¡¯s shuffling footsteps and the catch in Song Qingchun¡¯s breath when Qin Yinan got close to her.


    Su Zhinian froze.


    "CEO Su, your ss is full..." Someone close to him had noticed the wine was already overflowing out of Su Zhinian¡¯s ss.


    Thement seemed to fly over Su Zhinian¡¯s head, and his hand that was holding the bottle continued to pour.


    "Mr. Su?"


    "CEO Su?"


    "Su Zhinian..." Tang Nuo, who was sitting beside Su Zhinian, reached out to take the wine bottle and grabbed a handful of napkins to pass to Su Zhinian. "What are you doing? What¡¯s on your mind?"


    "It¡¯s nothing," Su Zhinian replied vaguely as he came to; he did not exin himself.


    He epted the napkins from Tang Nuo to wipe the wine on the table. Then, Song Qingchun¡¯s giggling voice drifted into his ears. "Thank you, Brother Yinan."


    She should be extremely happy, because he noticed the sprightliness and joy that was absent when she normally conversed with him. In that same tone, she asked Qin Yinan, "How does it look?"


    Even though he was not there in person, in his mind, he could imagine her watery eyes that were looking at Qin Yinan must be overflowing with affection and adoration then.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes hardened. With a shiver of his hand that was wiping down the table, his elbow identally knocked over a ss of wine, and the clear sparkling white wine sshed all over his sleeves.


    Tang Nuo immediately stood up to help clean up the mess. Even the girl nearest to Su Zhinian, who was one of CEO Sun¡¯s guests, took out her handkerchief to help dab at the wine on his sleeves.


    Before the girl¡¯s fingertip even touched his sleeve, Su Zhinian sprung up from his seat and jumped two steps back as if she was the dirtiest thing in the world. With a tone dripping with derision, he ordered, "Don¡¯t touch me!"


    The girl was deeply rattled by Su Zhinian¡¯s reaction. Her face was deathly pale, and there were tears in her eyes.


    Tang Nuo immediately apologized to the girl and turned around to level Su Zhinian a fiery gaze. In urgent whisper, he hissed, "I know you don¡¯t like female contact, but couldn¡¯t you have handled this better?"


    Su Zhinian did not reply. With derision still apparent on his face, he lowered his eyes to wipe at the alcohol on his clothes. He faced the whole room and said "Sorry" before leaving for the balcony.


    Tang Nuoughed awkwardly at the roomful of people and added, "Everything¡¯s fine, he¡¯s just not feeling so good tonight."


    He then rejoined the other guests to drink and listen to music.


    Su Zhinian was only wearing a shirt, so as the wintry breeze blew, a cold sensation permeated his entire body.


    He stared at the weak golden porch light in thepound and tuned into Song Qingchun¡¯s situation. He realized she only greeted a few other people at her party and had no further interaction with Qin Yinan.


    His annoyance from earlier gradually dissipated.


    The party from the room behind him was still going strong. However, the singing had stopped, and people were in the middle of conversations.


    Tang Nuo probably felt he had been absent for long enough, so he ran to the balcony to call him back to join them.


    Su Zhinian was normally a reticent person. The presence of random girls in the gathering bored Su Zhinian, causing him to be even more quiet than usual.

 Chapter 113: Dont Like Him Anymore (3)

    Chapter 113: Don¡¯t Like Him Anymore (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The temperature by theke was lower than the general temperature. Even though Song Qingchun was wearing a coat, she still shivered from the cold after standing there for quite some time. She was ready to head back indoors when she saw a shadowing her way through the bamboo patch. She stopped moving instantly.


    The make-up Tang Nuan had on that night was a bit heavy, so she looked a bit different from usual. Her face was red from alcohol, and she faltered as she walked on the path of stone pebbles. Although that might have to do with the fact she was wearing thin heeled stilettos as well.


    "Why are you hiding here alone?" Tang Nuan stopped before Song Qingchun. She wrapped her winter coat closer to her body and gave Song Qingchun a side-eye. After a short silence, she knew Song Qingchun had no intention to speak, so she continued. "I know, you came here alone to hide and cry, didn¡¯t you?"


    Even though, if she really put her mind to it, she might not lose to Tang Nuan in a verbal contest, the weather was seriously too cold. She had been standing there in the open for quite some time, so she could not stand the cold anymore, and she really did not want to indulge Tang Nuan¡¯s dumb behavior, so Song Qingchun chose to ignore Tang Nuan and walked past the woman who blocked her way.


    "Song Qingchun, let me remind you this, I still do not like Qin Yinan, but I will continue to y with him, and this is entirely your fault for liking him..." Tang Nuan purposely lowered her voice, and her colored lips curved into a wicked smile as she continued. "...Your fault entirely for making me hate you. How does it feel to see my ve, Qin Yinan, do everything within his power to please me again after three years? It must feel good, right?"


    To be honest, Song Qingchun had heard plenty of provocations like this over the past few years. Even she herself had gotten used to it; the initial pain and anger, she realized, was no longer there.


    Her steps that headed toward the bamboo patch did not even stop.


    "Then again, watching the man that you¡¯ve loved for so many years working hard to please the woman that you hate the most must have been the worst torment there is..." Tang Nuan continued with her monologue, but when she continued into the next sentence, her expression turned colder, and her words had lost the earlier vexed tone, in its ce was a concentrated hatred. "As long as I, Tang Nuan, am still around, Song Qingchun, you will never have the chance to be together with Qin Yinan..."


    Song Qingchun suddenly stopped moving. She sighed, facing away from Tang Nuan, and slowly turned around. Staring at the other woman, she opened her lips slowly. "Tang Nuan, aren¡¯t you tired, doing this day after day?"


    Tang Nuan raised her brows but did not answer.


    "Honestly, even if you aren¡¯t tired, I am."


    Tang Nuanughed like she had heard a joke. "Song Qingchun, are you seriously trying to find a truce with me, or is this one of your fake kindness tactics?"


    "Will you believe me if I tell you, you are overthinking this?" Song Qingchun asked softly.


    "I won¡¯t," Tang Nuan answered without hesitation. "Song Qingchun, don¡¯t you worry, I will never have a truce with you for as long as I have breath in me because I will never forget how Su..."


    Tang Nuan caught herself mid-sentence. She suddenly stopped talking, as if she had almost blurted out a secret that was not meant for Song Qingchun¡¯s ears. She red at Song Qingchun and finally hissed through gritted teeth, "In any case, as long as I, Tang Nuan, am still alive, we will always be enemies, Song Qingchun!"


    Inparison to Tang Nuan¡¯s anger, Song Qingchun¡¯s expression was exceptionally calm. Even the words that came out of her mouth were as still as water, with no conspicuous emotions.

 Chapter 114: Dont Like Him Anymore (4)

    Chapter 114: Don¡¯t Like Him Anymore (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Tang Nuan, our new and old scores, it has been almost six years already, hasn¡¯t it? It has reached a point where, every time we meet, we arepelled to hate each other. You said you hate my guts, and honestly, I feel the same way about you. So, Tang Nuan, as I said earlier, you are overthinking this. I am not looking for a truce nor is this another fake kindness tactic of mine, as you call it.


    "I am telling you all this because if you are toying with Brother Yinan simply because you hate me, then I wish for you to know, it will not work anymore..."


    "Song Qingchun, you have spouted so much nonsense simply because you still care about Qin Yinan? Looks like my methods are working then..."


    Tang Nuan suddenly interrupted, but before she could get any more out, Song Qingchun¡¯s cold voice broke in. "Tang Nuan, shut up and listen to me. Yes, I feel sorry for Brother Yinan being taken advantage of like this, but that is not why I am telling you all of this, that is because..."


    She had made this decision one week ago when she deleted those 99 emails. Even though Song Qingchun had made the decision in her mind; voicing it out in the open, she realized it still pained her. "From now on, I am giving up on Qin Yinan.


    "If Brother Yinan was romantically interested in me, he would have made a move years ago and would not have left me hanging for so many years. During the years when you were not around, he still did not consider me an option.


    "Therefore, I am done hitting my head against a wall. I have realized the truth, and it is time for me to move on..." Song Qingchun wanted to cry, her nose was twitching, and her eyes were pricked with pain, but she forced herself to smile, a smile that was bright as day. She looked at Tang Nuan quietly for a while. "I arrived at this decision one week ago. From that moment on, in my heart, Qin Yinan has been nothing but a big brother to me, that¡¯s all.


    "Therefore, whether you really love him or not, it has nothing to do with me anymore. But my final word of advice, I hope you realize what a good man you have found, do not disappoint those who treat you with sincerity in this world."


    Song Qingchun then smiled at Tang Nuan, turned around, and left.


    What did Song Qingchun say? She... she doesn¡¯t like Qin Yinan anymore? No, that is impossible, does this mean that I have no ammo to make her life hell anymore? She¡¯s giving up, but what about me? What should I do now?


    Song Qingchun had caused the person she loved the most... It was so easy for her to bow out, but what about her? She could not; she was still trapped in that life of misery!


    When the day was over, and the world was quiet, the image of that man as exquisite as a painting would appear in her mind. He was so cold and ruthless toward her but so passionate and kind toward Song Qingchun.


    She would never forget that night she had narrowly escaped from the group of ruffians. When she saw him, it was like she had found hope. She cried, hoping to get him to console her, but he gave her a resounding p on her face instead. Like a devil, he red into her soul as he warned her that if anything happened to Song Qingchun, she, Tang Nuan, would apany her to hell! Before he left, he even told her she was disgusting and warned her to stay away from him and Song Qingchun!


    Then, he left her there, shaking in the wind. When she finally found strength in her legs, she moved to follow him to the bar... She hid in the corner and watched how the boy who she had loved for years got into a fight for another woman!

 Chapter 115: Dont Like Him Anymore (5)

    Chapter 115: Don¡¯t Like Him Anymore (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    He was even sent to the police station for Song Qingchun...


    It was not that she did not beg him for forgiveness. She promised that she would do everything in her power to repay Song Qingchun. That night she had been so afraid that she ran off alone; she even stated that it was Song Qingchun who asked her to leave...


    At the time, Tang Nuan really did not hate Song Qingchun. She sincerely wanted to be her friend. She did not expect Song Qingchun to be so heroic, and if she had been unable to find Su Zhinian, she would definitely have reported it to the police...


    However, before she could even do anything, the incident was over.


    He was cruel; facing her profuse apology, he remained unmoved. She stood in the rain for the whole night begging for his forgiveness, but he... Since he had said he did not want to see her anymore, he really treated her like air. When he went out in the rain for Song Qingchun to buy some supper, he saw the pale-faced Tang Nuan waiting for him in the rain, but he just ran past her like he did not see her.


    At the very least, they were acquaintances; when he returned and saw her copsed on the floor, he did not call for an ambnce. In the end, it was a passing stranger who ferried her to the hospital...


    At the time, she swore to make Song Qingchun suffer as much pain as she had suffered that night. However, with just one deration, "I am giving up on Qin Yinan", Song Qingchun was breaking away from the past and its misery, but what about her? In spite of everything, she was still deeply in love with the man; she could not break away even if she wanted to...


    Song Qingchun only wants to be a sister to Qin Yinan? Not when I can still do something about it...


    A sh of viciousness shed through Tang Nuan¡¯s eyes as her palms clenched into fists. As if her mind had been made, she yelled "Help" at the top of her lungs, took a deep breath, turned around, took two steps back, and fell into the icyke.


    ...


    Su Zhinian reclined in the sofa, forming a bubble around himself as if the conversations around him had nothing to do with him.


    Actually, he had wanted to leave a long time ago, but he nced at the clock, and it was not even 10 pm yet. There were still at least two hours until Song Qingchun would be home, so he resigned himself to staying there.


    He was quite impressed by the ability of these people to continue the conversations endlessly. They either talked about theirpany¡¯s newest product or bragged about theirtest investments. Eventually, the topic of conversation shifted to the one topic that had been there since the creation of humankind, man and woman.


    It was not that all men in the world were Lotharios, but for those with enough money in their pockets, one would realize these men treated woman like branded purses, a type of luxury.


    And luxuries, of course, needed great mary investments.


    Then, they started gossiping about who had bought his mistress a bungalow and who had sponsored a movie to pursue a film starlet...


    The topic that these people found wildly interesting could only be described using one simple word by Su Zhinian, boring. If anything, he found the sound of Song Qingchun¡¯s breathing a great deal more interesting.


    s, when Su Zhinian finally located Song Qingchun¡¯s voice, he realized she had once again found herself in another heated altercation...


    "Shut up and listen to me. Yes, I feel sorry for Brother Yinan being taken advantage of like this, but that is not why I am telling you all of this, that is because..."


    Even though Su Zhinian did not catch the name from the snippet of conversation, he could guess she was arguing with Tang Nuan.

 Chapter 116: Dont Like Him Anymore (6)

    Chapter 116: Don¡¯t Like Him Anymore (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    When she mentioned the word, "Brother Yinan", Su Zhinian subconsciously wanted to turn his head away, but just as he was going to pull his attention back to the conversation around him, he heard Song Qingchun say, with her voice shaking, "From now on, I am giving up on Qin Yinan."


    From now on, I am giving up on Qin Yinan...


    From now on, I am giving up on Qin Yinan...


    From now on, I am giving up on Qin Yinan...


    The deration was like a bomb that blew Su Zhinian¡¯s mind wide open. His usually calm brain shut down right then and there. It was only after some time that he continued paying attention to what Song Qingchun was saying.


    "Therefore, I am done hitting my head against a wall. I have realized the truth, and it is time for me to move on..."


    "I arrived at this decision one week ago. From that moment on, in my heart, Qin Yinan has been nothing but a big brother to me, that¡¯s all."


    Giving up, just a big brother...


    Su Zhinian repeated these two phrases many times in his heart and on his lips before he realized he did not mishear it.


    Song Qingchun had really given up on Qin Yinan, and it had happened one week ago...


    One week ago?


    Su Zhinian could roughly remember one week ago; Song Qingchun returned home and hid in her bedroom, crying for a long time...


    She decided to give up on Qin Yinan then?


    "Therefore, whether you really love him or not, it has nothing to do with me anymore."


    The words were definitely cruel, but howe they were like music to his ears?


    Su Zhinian raised his ss to cover the smile that had appeared on his smile. Then he chuckled softly to himself.


    It was incredibly soft, but the chuckle floated clearly into the ears of everyone there. Their attention immediately focused on him. When they saw the hint of a smile on his face, there was deep shock in everyone¡¯s eyes. After some time, someone stammered, "Mr. Su, are you... smiling?"


    Hearing his name called, Su Zhinian raised his head, only to realize that everyone in the room¡¯s gazes were on him.


    His usual emotionless pair of eyes was softened by the hint of a smile on his face.


    Someone in the roommented daringly, "This is actually the first time I have seen Mr. Su smile. Mr. Su, have you thought about something joyous?"


    Su Zhinian confirmed with a soft "hmm".


    The smile made Su Zhinian more approachable because it made him look more human and less reclusive. One of the girls, who¡¯d had one too many to drink, blurted out a question that enquired into Su Zhinian¡¯s personal life. "CEO Su, we¡¯re talking about the tendency of men to spend money on their female partners. Has CEO Suvished financial luxuries on women before? I wonder what kind of woman would be lucky enough to make CEO Su want to pamper her financially."


    "I have done that before..." The hint of a smile in the bottom of his eyes had not dispersed. Reflecting the lights of the chandelier, he was radiating with ethereal beauty, one that made the roomful of people involuntarily suck in a breath.


    After a few seconds of pause, he added, "But, it was not women, only one woman."


    If the only purpose of a man¡¯s life was to earn money for his woman to spend, then the money that he had earned his whole life would be Song Qingchun¡¯s personal bank.


    "Wow, I wonder who that lucky woman is?"


    "I had no idea CEO Su has a sweetheart already."

 Chapter 117: Dont Like Him Anymore (7)

    Chapter 117: Don¡¯t Like Him Anymore (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian¡¯s answer caused the room to start gossiping again. Unfortunately, it did not seem like he was nning to say any more than he had already said. Facing everyone¡¯s excitement, he put down the wine ss, dropped a gentle, "Excuse me", and left the vi.


    Su Zhinian wanted to wander around outside for a bit to catch some fresh air, so he did not take his coat. He stood under a singlemppost for a while, which attracted the attention of about eight passersby. Two of them were excessively-dressed women who pulled out their phones to snap his picture when they thought he wasn¡¯t looking. Then, they started chatting and sighing among themselves.


    "He¡¯s so handsome!"


    "Even more handsome than the idols we see on television!"


    "Quickly, take his picture for a keepsake!"


    Even though the two of them had lowered their voices to the bare minimum, Su Zhinian heard them clearly. He turned his body away as if looking for something on the other side to avoid the camera.


    "Shucks, missed it!"


    "Never mind, even a picture of his back is better than nothing..."


    Su Zhinian frowned wordlessly. He straightened himself and prepared to return to the vi. He had only taken two steps when he heard a shrill female voice yelling, "Help¡ª"


    ...


    "Help¡ª"


    Song Qingchun had only wandered two meters away when she heard Tang Nuan call for help.


    Sheughed to herself and continued walking like what was happening had nothing to do with her. Before her first step could even touch the floor, she heard the sound of something heavy dropping into the water from behind her.


    Song Qingchun subconsciously turned around and saw that Tang Nuan, who was supposed to be standing at thekeside, had disappeared. Instead, in the middle of theke, a ck shadow was floating in and out of water, struggling to stay afloat.


    Tang Nuan slipped and fell into the water?


    Even though Song Qingchun really disliked Tang Nuan, it was not to a stage where she could stand there and watch her die. Therefore, Song Qingchun yelled at the top of her longs without hesitation, "Help, someone has fallen into theke. I need help at the manmadeke; someone has fallen into it..."


    In her feverish mind, Song Qingchun¡¯s first thought was Qin Yinan. She pulled out her phone with shaking hands and quickly dialed his number.


    Song Qingchun had a hard time forming a full sentence, but Qin Yinan could grasp the general idea. Through the phone, Song Qingchun could hear the sound of Qin Yinan dashing out of the party.


    This was the middle of winter; even if the person was a champion swimmer, their dexterity would be seriously hampered by the icy cold water.


    It had only been one or two minutes since Tang Nuan fell into the water, but Song Qingchun could see that her struggle had drastically weakened. Song Qingchun screamed harder and even prayed for Tang Nuan¡¯s safety.


    City Clubhouse had a 24-hour patrol for security purposes. When one of them heard Song Qingchun¡¯s scream, he quickly ran over. When he saw the situation, he reported the location and situation back to the operator through his walkie-talkie, took off his coat and shoes, and jumped into the water.


    The security guard quickly hauled Tang Nuan back to shore, and Song Qingchun rushed to help them up to dry ground.


    When Song Qingchun used all her energy to pull Tang Nuan out of the freezing water, she fell from ack of bnce andnded on her butt. Tang Nuan followed the dragging force andnded on top of Song Qingchun, drenching Song Qingchun¡¯s clothespletely.


    Song Qingchun inhaled deep gulps of airs. As she tried to calm herself down, she heard a series of footstepsing from behind her. Before she could turn her head to look, Tang Nuan, who was lying on top of her, was pulled off, and Qin Yinan¡¯s nervous and worried voice asked, "Tang Nuan, are you okay?"

 Chapter 118: Dont Like Him Anymore (8)

    Chapter 118: Don¡¯t Like Him Anymore (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Tang Nuan¡¯s face waspletely drained of blood, and her carefully applied make-up had all been ruined. She had probably choked on theke water because she could not stop coughing.


    The first thing she did when she saw Qin Yinan was crawl into his embrace and cry.


    "Are you hurt? How are you feeling?" Qin Yinan frowned deeply as he watched Tang Nuan cry in his arms. He used his fingers to gently wipe away her tears and asked in an increasingly desperate voice, "I¡¯m calling the ambnce; we¡¯ll go to the hospital for a checkup..."


    Tang Nuan did not answer but shook her head at Qin Yinan as her tears fell continuously.


    When Tang Nuan was copsed on top of Song Qingchun, she did not feel that cold. However, after Qin Yinan took Tang Nuan into his hug, the chilling winter winds caused Song Qingchun to continuously shiver. It was then that she realized she was still lying on the ground... like an idiot.


    When Qin Yinan arrived, both she and Tang Nuan were copsed on the floor, but... in Qin Yinan¡¯s eyes, there was only Tang Nuan.


    He had been fussing over Tang Nuan for so long, and yet he had not even acknowledged her existence.


    Song Qingchun averted her prickly eyes away from Qin Yinan and Tang Nuan. With a grit of her teeth, she pulled herself up.


    "It¡¯s okay now, stop crying..." The moment Song Qingchun stood upright, she heard Qin Yinan open his lips to say, "Can you walk? I¡¯ll carry you..."


    There was an overload of concern in his voice.


    Then, Qin Yinan tried to pull Tang Nuan up into his arms.


    "I¡¯m fine..." Tang Nuan finally replied. Her tone sounded like she was gravely betrayed. She only managed to get out two words before she started coughing again.


    Qin Yinan quickly patted her back lightly to help clear her throat.


    A breeze blew and both Tang Nuan and Song Qingchun, who were soaked, shivered from the chill. Qin Yinan immediately removed his jacket to cover Tang Nuan.


    Song Qingchun stood there alone in the wind, hugging her own arms. She stared at the scene before her and silently averted her gaze.


    "Let¡¯s go indoors first, okay? It is so cold out here."


    "You have fallen into the water, and your clothes are all wet, so you have to be careful to not catch a cold."


    "Alright, alright, everything¡¯s okay now, there¡¯s no need to cry anymore..."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s fists tightened as Qin Yinan¡¯s words of constion for Tang Nuan drifted into her ears. She stared at theke that shimmered in the night, and she felt exceptionally despondent.


    When Qin Yinan promised her he would treat her extra well to make up for Song Cheng¡¯s absence, she was deeply touched. In fact, at the time, in her heart, Qin Yinan became the only person she could still rely on in this world.


    She thought even after she had given up on pursuing a romance with Qin Yinan, she could still hold him to his promise.


    But now, she realized how na?ve she was.


    The only person that would be there for her unconditionally was Song Cheng and Song Cheng was no longer there. Ultimately, she was alone in this world. She could rely on no one but herself.


    Song Qingchun hugged herself closer as if she was trying to fold into herself. She lowered her gaze and started to walk back toward the vi.


    Before the security guard jumped into the water to save Tang Nuan, he had contacted the manager of City Clubhouse. Naturally, since this could be a business-breaking crisis, the manager of the clubhouse rushed to the scene immediately.


    Worried that he might have awsuit on his hands, the manager rushed over to check up on Tang Nuan.

 Chapter 119: Dont Like Him Anymore (9)

    Chapter 119: Don¡¯t Like Him Anymore (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    When he made sure everything was just a scare and nothing had gone wrong, the manager sighed in great relief, then he asked, "Miss, how did you fall into theke?"


    Following the manager¡¯s questioning, Qin Yinan also realized he had forgotten to ask that important question. He lowered his head slightly and asked Tang Nuan in his embrace, "He¡¯s right, why would you suddenly fall into theke?"


    "I..." Tang Nuan had stopped crying then, even though the tear stains were still there on her face. She looked so fragile and vulnerable. She attempted one word, and stopped talking like she was worried about something, then after a while, she began again. "I..."


    The manager pressed, "Why are you repeating that one word? What happened, miss? You have to tell us. This is a big incident; I have to report to my boss about this, and I need all the details."


    "I..." Tang Nuan bit her lips and swallowed the rest of her sentence.


    Qin Yinan seemed to notice Tang Nuan¡¯s hesitance, so he persuaded her gently, "It¡¯s alright, just say whatever you wish to say."


    Tang Nuan nodded but did not open her lips for a long time. The Clubhouse Manager was obviously agitated, but Qin Yinan waited for her with absolute patience.


    It was as if Tang Nuan was in a deep mental struggle. Finally, after a long time, she took a deep breath and said, "Actually, I did not fall into theke identally..."


    "Not identally?" the manager practically screamed in shock. "What do you mean by that? You mean someone pushed you into theke?"


    Tang Nuan was silent and nodded her head lightly.


    The Clubhouse Manager was starting to get anxious. "Miss, are you sure someone pushed you into theke? This is not a joking matter; that is attempted murder. This establishment does not want that hanging over us. If you are not mistaken, then we will have to consider calling the cops..."


    Before the manager could finish, Qin Yinan asked with a deep frown, the gentleness in his voice had disappeared and in its ce was a trace of severity, "Tang Nuan, who pushed you into theke?"


    Tang Nuan did not answer, but two secondster, her gaze went to the spot where Song Qingchun was standing.


    Song Qingchun, who had been leaving, felt a sinking feeling in her stomach when she heard those words from the Clubhouse Manager. Then she felt Tang Nuan¡¯s gaze on her back. She stopped and turned around to meet Qin Yinan¡¯s eyes that were following Tang Nuan¡¯s gaze.


    When Qin Yinan saw Song Qingchun, he shook his head without hesitation, as if he had heard the most impossible thing in the world. He refuted it immediately. "How could it be Song Song? Tang Nuan, when you fell into the water, it was Song Song who called me for help. She was on the verge of tears; she was not even capable of forming aplete sentence!"


    Then Qin Yinan whipped his head around to address the Clubhouse Manager and added with confidence, "It is definitely not Song Song; it cannot be Song Song. I¡¯ve watched Song Song grow up before my eyes. I am the most familiar with the kind of person she is; it would not have been her!"


    Qin Yinan then looked around and said, "This area is so dim, Tang Nuan, you must have been mistaken."

 Chapter 120: Dont Like Him Anymore (10)

    Chapter 120: Don¡¯t Like Him Anymore (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Tang Nuan knew Qin Yinan was head over heels for her; he loved her so deeply that even if she requested the moon in the sky, he would figure out a way to get it for her.


    Of the many men pursuing her, she was certain Qin Yinan was the one who loved her the most. He was wrapped around her finger and would not have any objection or suspicion to the words that she said.


    Her bad temper and personality all became merits in his eyes; he would pamper her unconditionally. She was never usually one with a princess-like personality, but when she was with him, she could be as much of a princess as she wanted.


    Therefore, when she made the decision to jump into theke with the intention of framing Song Qingchun, she had been confident that Qin Yinan would turn against Song Qingchun for her sake.


    But she did not expect Qin Yinan¡¯s actual response would be like this. This was probably the first time that he had objected to her words, and with such vehemence too.


    This reaction of his startled Tang Nuan; in that moment, she even thought she was hallucinating.


    She stared at Qin Yinan for at least one minute before the reality of the situation dawned on her; Qin Yinan really did not believe her.


    Tang Nuan blinked and produced an innocent look. "But Yinan, there was only me and Song Qingchun here just now."


    "Even if it was only you and Song Song here, that doe not prove that it was Song Song who harmed you." Qin Yinan shook his head and showed no trace of being persuaded by Tang Nuan. "Furthermore, murder needs a motive. There is no reason for Song Song to harm you."


    "But, there is no reason for me to walk into water either, is there?" A mist had started to rise at the bottom of Tang Nuan¡¯s eyes like she was being so deeply wronged.


    "That¡¯s right, unless someone wants tomit suicide, why would any sane person jump into the water of their volition? The weather is so cold on top of that, so it is definitely not a time to go for a leisurely swim..." The Clubhouse Manager nodded and agreed with Tang Nuan. Before he could continue, Qin Yinan interrupted him, "Do you have any cameras in this area? Can you pull up the videos?"


    "Thiske was just finished, and we have not had the time to put up the cameras yet," the manager said as he looked around. His gaze fell on the security guard and asked, "It was you who got here first, right? When you arrived, was there anyone else here?"


    The guard shook his head and pointed at Song Qingchun. "No, other than the miss that fell into the water, the only other person here was this miss standing by thekeside."


    "In other words, we have no video footage and no witnesses? This is an unsolved case then, one of them said she was pushed, the other said she did not... Even though this might harm the clubhouse¡¯s reputation, I feel we¡¯d better bring in the police. After all, if the miss is right and someone did push her, this is an attempted murder case already..."


    The City Clubhouse manager was obviously trying to wrap this incident up as soon as possible. As he made his hypothesis, he pulled out his phone to call the police.


    The truth of the incident aside, Tang Nuan had fallen into the water was the obvious victim, and the only witness in the form of the security guard could attest that there was no one else but Song Qingchun and Tang Nuan at the scene. If the police really got involved, Song Qingchun would be in deep trouble... He had promised to protect Song Qingchun, and it was time he fulfilled his promise.


    Qin Yinan grabbed the phone from the manager¡¯s hand before he could finish dialing the number. "Don¡¯t call the police yet!"

 Chapter 121: His Aid (1)

    Chapter 121: His Aid (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Then, he lowered his head to look at Tang Nuan. He stared into her eyes for almost a minute before asking, "Tang Nuan, no matter what, this is just a scare, and you are fine, so how about we settle this personally and not involve the authorities?"


    "Settle this personally?" Tang Nuanughed like she had heard the best joke in the world and retorted rather angrily, "Qin Yinan, just how much are you willing to protect Song Qingchun? Do you realize how dangerous it was just now? If the guard hade one minuteter, I would have died! Died, do you understand?"


    The guests from Qin Yinan¡¯s party had all rushed over when they heard the news. One of them, who was a good friend with Tang Nuan and also worked at Station TW, immediately helped Tang Nuan plead her case. "Qin Yinan, we all know you grew up with Song Qingchun together, and you feel the responsibility to protect her, but you have to understand that what you¡¯re doing now is harboring a murderer!"


    "Which one of your eyes saw that I was trying to murder her?" Song Qingchun had never been so furious before in her life. She clenched her fists, trying to calm herself, but it still could not stop her body from quaking with anger. Even her voice was out of her usual tone. "Tang Nuan fell into theke herself, so what does that have to do with me? If I did not call for help and phone Brother Yinan, then Tang Nuan would truly be dead!"


    "Song Qingchun, of course you won¡¯t admit you¡¯re the murderer. After all, which murderer would admit to their sin. Furthermore, everyone at the office knows you are deeply envious of Tang Nuan. Earlier, you even pped her in front of the whole office!" the colleague from Station TW added snidely.


    When Qin Yinan heard that, his brows creased slightly. He first looked at Song Qingchun before lowering his head to look at Tang Nuan. He had been incredibly furious when he saw the palm print on Tang Nuan¡¯s face earlier. When he asked Tang Nuan about it, she did not want to go into the details, but now he realized it had something to do with Song Qingchun?


    "Why wouldn¡¯t Song Qingchun have killer motive? The contacts she has cultivated at Station TW over the past two years have all chosen to work with Tang Nuan already; she must hate Tang Nuan to her core!"


    The female colleague from Station TW continued to expose the many convoluted grievances between Tang Nuan and Song Qingchun.


    "If you don¡¯t believe me, you can go and ask anyone at mypany. Song Qingchun has always been vying for the spot of the anchor-woman. Earlier at thepany, she was indeed the fore-runner, but her spot has been taken over by Tang Nuan recently. Furthermore, there was rumor two days ago that stated the current anchor-woman might be leaving for Japan soon. The empty slot will be open for Tang Nuan to assume, so Song Qingchun definitely isn¡¯t satisfied with that!"


    Qin Yinan obviously was not privy to the internal and external strife between Song Qingchun and Tang Nuan. in shock and disbelief was apparent on his face. After a short while, he turned to look at Song Qingchun, and he could pick up clearly the rage and grievances pooling at the bottom of her eyes.


    He knew Song Qingchun would be gravely implicated if he allowed Tang Nuan to bring in thew enforcement, but after hearing the stories from this Station TW worker, he knew just how deep the implication would be on Song Qingchun if thew enforcement was really involved.

 Chapter 122: His Aid (2)

    Chapter 122: His Aid (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    He did believe Song Qingchun would p Tang Nuan if her limits were seriously tested. After all, since she was young, she had been pampered unconditionally by him and Song Cheng, spare the rod and spoil the child as they say.


    However, other than her slightly unreasonable attitude, she definitely had a kind heart. She knew the beggars on the streets were most likely cheaters, but she would still donate money to them every time. Therefore, he would not believe this kind of Song Qingchun would attempt to murder someone.


    This kind of trust and bond had formed through years of friendship. It was a trust that could not be shaken no matter what. He really wanted to help Song Qingchun, but he realized no matter how hard his brain churned, he could note up with a logical argument to help her case. Regardless, he could not allow Song Qingchun to get involved in awsuit...


    Qin Yinan swallowed a deep breath and slowly turned his head around to look at Tang Nuan. He studied her eyes for a while and said in a begging tone, "Tang Nuan, you are most familiar with how I have treated you over the years. I have never begged you for anything, but this time, I am begging you, can you put this behind us and not involve the police, please?


    "Furthermore, if Song Song really wanted to harm you, why would she stay to call for help after you fell into the water?"


    Tang Nuan¡¯s hands surreptitiously clenched into fists. She really did not expect that the trust Qin Yinan had for Song Qingchun would be so deep. She had jumped into the water and almost frozen herself to death, so how could she just let Song Qingchun off the hook so easily?


    Tang Nuan lowered her head as if deep in thought. When no one was looking, she shared a look with the female colleague that had been helping her earlier. Then, the female colleague immediately chimed in, "It was by doing that, that she could fabricate an excuse for herself. If Tang Nuan really died as she nned, then there would be no witnesses. But if Tang Nuan didn¡¯t drown, then she could use this method to im her innocence; this is what they call a robber acting like a cop!


    "Standing here arguing is not going to get us anywhere; it is best to call the police! We will leave the investigation to them."


    The female colleague then whipped out her phone to press "110".


    Even though Song Qingchun was really innocent, when she heard the dial tone, her heart, which had calmed from Qin Yinan¡¯s vote of confidence and trust, started to palpitate with fear again.


    She knew that if she was led away by the police, it would be a series of investigations and interrogations. She had seen plenty of scenarios like this on television. If she had the money, she might be able to get herself a goodwyer, but even so, she might still be wrongly judged and sent to jail for attempted murder...


    She really wanted to yell for them to not call the police, but she knew she had to remain quiet because she would just implicate herself if she opened her mouth.


    Desperation appeared in Qin Yinan¡¯s eyes. Without thinking about it, he shoved Tang Nuan away and dashed at the female worker. However, no matter how fast he was, he couldn¡¯t be faster than her finger.


    Just as she finished pressing the three numbers and was going to press the call button, her hand shuddered violently, and the phone slipped from her grasp andnded on the ground with a resounding m.


    Following that, a beautiful and level voice drifted from afar. "Who said there was no witness?"

 Chapter 123: His Aid (3)

    Chapter 123: His Aid (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The voice was not loud, but it could be heard clearly by everyone there. The voice was as chilling as the winter air, but amid the iciness, there was a trace of elegance. With just the voice alone, everyone who heard it felt they were being pulled into a dream.


    The group of people had stood there for so long, but they did not notice there was stranger among them. The moment they heard the voice, they turned toward the source in strange unison.


    Around five meters away, under a tree, stood a single shadow in a simple get-up of a white shirt and ck cks. His face was unclear due to the fact he was standing under the tree¡¯s shadow, but the way he stood was enough to showcase his immense presence.


    The scene was silent for about one minute before Qin Yinan recovered and said politely, "Good afternoon, sir."


    Only silence answered Qin Yinan. The Clubhouse Manager also added, "Sir, what do you mean by what you just said?"


    Still, there was no answer.


    The person¡¯s silence made the people there suspect that they had misheard the sentence earlier.


    "Was it you who said those words earlier?"


    "I¡¯m sorry, but who are you?"


    The questions kepting. However, the man maintained his posture and leaned against the bark of the tree quietly, as if their questions had nothing to do with him.


    Song Qingchun did not push Tang Nuan into theke, but she was unable to defend herself. So, when the man said that sentence, it was like a saving grace for the helpless Song Qingchun. When she noticed the man¡¯s reticence, she could not help but chime in, too. "What you said earlier, does that mean that you¡¯re a witness?"


    Perhaps Song Qingchun had imagined it, but she swore the man had raised his eyes to look at her even though the man was still shrouded in darkness.


    Song Qingchun stared at the shadow for a while, and realizing he still had no intention of talking, added rather impatiently, "If you are really a witness, can you please vouch for my innocence?"


    It was yet another stretch of silence.


    Just as everyone thought the man was a mute, he suddenly straightened up. The man was extremely tall, at least 190 centimeters tall. Then he strode toward thekeside slowly with wide gait.


    As he approached, light slowly illuminated his face. Everyone then had a clear view of his features. Perfectly shaped eyes, light-colored lips, that sharp jaw line... The ridiculously handsome face lit up the surroundings, and his appearance added a touch of elegance and dreaminess to the scenery, taking everyone¡¯s breath away.


    "Su... Su Zhinian?" Qin Yinan was once in the same grade as Su Zhinian, and thetter had spent almost a year under Song family¡¯s roof. So, even though they did not have much interaction back in the day and had not met each other in years, he could still recognize him.


    Some guests of the party hade from the same school as Qin Yinan and Su Zhinian, so they also knew him. However, even those who did not attend the same school had heard about him.


    Su Zhinian.


    So, it was Su Zhinian, the Su Zhinian who had created innumerable legends in the business world.

 Chapter 124: His Aid (4)

    Chapter 124: His Aid (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian was wreathed in an icy presence. Facing the crowd¡¯s surprised and shocked gazes on him, he remained unfazed.


    He did not join the crowd but stopped about one meter away from the rest. His gaze swept over Song Qingchun, and when he saw her drenched clothes, his gaze paused for a minute. He quickly averted his eyes, but the expression on his face had gotten colder.


    As if afraid of forming a social bond with the people there, he pointed directly at Song Qingchun before anyone said anything and cut straight to the point, "It was not her who did it."


    When the first ray of light hit Su Zhinian, Song Qingchun recognized him immediately. After that, her brain went into total shut down, and her whole body practically froze to the spot.


    It wasn¡¯t until Su Zhinian pointed his finger at her that she finally came to her senses. She stared at Su Zhinian, standing not far away, and thought, Shouldn¡¯t he be back at home? Why is he here at City Clubhouse?


    Everyone¡¯s gaze slowly moved away from Su Zhinian andnded on Tang Nuan.


    It was not Song Qingchun who did it... Then, he¡¯s saying Tang Nuan jumped into theke herself?


    Tang Nuan ignored the crowd because she was too captivated by Su Zhinian¡¯s presence. She stared unblinkingly at him.


    No one knew how shaky her hands, which were hidden in her sleeves, were; no one knew how fast her heart was beating at that moment. She did not expect she would one day look at his perfect features again at such a close range.


    Even though he had been exceptionally cruel to her, she still loved him. When he appeared, her soul was lost.


    Qin Yinan noticed Tang Nuan¡¯s reticence and had a hard time telling whether this was proof that Su Zhinian was right. He frowned involuntarily and asked, "Tang Nuan, is what Su Zhinian said true?"


    "Hmm?" Tang Nuan answered instinctually as she turned her head to look at Qin Yinan. Then she realized the crowd¡¯s gaze was collectively on her. She blinked rather nkly and instinctively wanted to ask, What¡¯s happening?


    Before she could say so, the female colleague who had been helping her said, "Tang Nuan, someone imed that it was not Song Qingchun who pushed you into theke, is that true?"


    Tang Nuan opened her lips to answer, but the words that hade to her mouth were swallowed before they could escape her lips.


    The female colleague who saw Tang Nuan in this state knew she was still in shock. If this situation was allowed to continue, the focus would definitely shift to Tang Nuan trying to frame Song Qingchun. Therefore, the female worker continued, "Mr. Su, I read from the business magazine earlier that you have officially taken over the CEO position for Song Empire?"


    The female worker noticed theck of reaction in Su Zhinian¡¯s expression facing her interrogation, and her gaze once more fell on Song Qingchun. She pressed, "Song Empire belongs to Song Qingchun¡¯s family, so I bet you two must have a good rtionship. Therefore, Mr. Su¡¯s testimony probably cannot be taken at face value, right?


    "Furthermore, when I was in high school, I heard rumors that..." The female worker only then realized her phone had fallen to the floor, as she bent down to pick it up, her lips continued to move. "Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun, the two of you have already done the deed..."

 Chapter 125: His Aid (5)

    Chapter 125: His Aid (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The silent Su Zhinian turned his turbulent gaze to the female worker when he heard that sentence. The yapping female worker suddenly stopped talking, as if someone had mped her mouth shut with a clip.


    Then his gaze moved tond on the phone that she had picked up. He had only looked at it for a second before moving his gaze away. Following that, the female worker¡¯s phone once againnded on the floor with a thud.


    The series of words by her female colleague had cleared Tang Nuan¡¯s mind. She almost forgot Su Zhinian was there to be Song Qingchun¡¯s witness... When she realized her friend had suddenly stopped talking, Tang Nuan took a deep breath and picked up where she had left off. "That was just a rumor saying Song Qingchun and Mr. Su had slept together. No one can confirm this, so we definitely shouldn¡¯t lend too much power to such a rumor."


    On the surface, Tang Nuan¡¯s words sounded like they were helping Song Qingchun, but she was merely finishing the sentence her female colleague started in another manner.


    Tang Nuan paused to let the implication sink in before continuing. "However, I remember Mr. Su and Song Qingchun were extremely close during high school, that much is true.... Or else, Mr. Su wouldn¡¯t have agreed to take over the mess that is Song Empire, would he?"


    Tang Nuan might have been light in her tone, but she knew to stress on the phrase ¡¯extremely close¡¯ to have people believe the rumors that she had just brought up earlier.


    Humans were natural busybodies. The atmosphere at theke side turned curious, and the crowd¡¯s gaze flitted back and forth between Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian.


    "Furthermore, if I remember correctly, when Mr. Su was in high school, didn¡¯t he stay at the Song family¡¯s home for almost a year..." Tang Nuan then turned to Qin Yinan and added, "Yinan, you can confirm this for me, right?"


    The female colleague had regained her senses and immediately came to support Tang Nuan. "Furthermore, Mr. Su has only said two sentences since he announced himself. Just two sentences to wash away Song Qingchun¡¯s suspicion? Isn¡¯t that a bit too hard to swallow?"


    Even though Tang Nuan had only said a few sentences, she had covered all the bases. Su Zhinian had stayed at Song Qingchun¡¯s home once, they had probably spent a night together, and Su Zhinian had recently taken over the dying Song Empire... Each of these details hinted at the less than innocent rtionship Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun shared.


    Combined with thistest usation by the female colleague, it did call Su Zhinian¡¯s earlier testimony into question.


    The crowd nodded, persuaded by the arguments and reasoning of the two women. Then they all turned to look at Su Zhinian.


    His reaction was unusually calm; there was not one trace of emotion that flitted across his handsome face.


    This kind of silent argument made even Song Qingchun doubt whether or not Su Zhinian could be her savior and witness.


    Time seemed to cease by thekeside, and the ce was eerily quiet except for the asional sound ofughter from across the pond.


    After who knew how long, finally, someone opened their mouth to shatter the silence. "This is getting us nowhere; none of us are detectives, so let us just leave this to thew enforcement."


    "That¡¯s right, let¡¯s just call the cops..."

 Chapter 126: His Aid (6)

    Chapter 126: His Aid (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Even though Song Qingchun was shocked that Su Zhinian would suddenly appear at the Clubhouse, she was praying that his arrival would help clear her name. However, she did not expect a few words from Tang Nuan wouldpletely undermine Su Zhinian¡¯s testimony. Even the nightmare that she had been trying so hard to put behind her was dragged out as ammunition to attack her.


    Her heart slowly slipped into despair when she saw Su Zhinian¡¯sck of reaction and the crowd¡¯s collective decision to call the police. Just as she was reaching the darkest pit of despair, Su Zhinian, who had maintained his silence throughout Tang Nuan and her female colleague¡¯s show, suddenly opened his lips to say, "Perfect, then let¡¯s call the police."


    Song Qingchun widened her eyes in shock at Su Zhinian.


    As if sensing her gaze on him, Su Zhinian raised his brow to nce at Song Qingchun. His eyes were cold and distant. Then he continued in a toneless and chilling manner. "Well, aren¡¯t we calling the police? Why hasn¡¯t anyone made the move? In that case, let me help make the call..."


    Then, Su Zhinian took out his phone. He tapped three times on it and turned the screen around to face the crowd. The three digits ¡¯110¡¯ were ring and eye-grabbing.


    "However, before I press the call button, let me say this: there is video footage inside this phone of mine..."


    Su Zhinian paused suddenly. After half a minuteter, he began again. "Why are you hiding here alone?"


    Everyone was focused on the supposed video footage, so when he said these words that had nothing to with the video, the crowd was confusing. The sentence he said had absolutely no connection to what he had said earlier, confusing everyone present.


    This time, Su Zhinian did not pause and continued in a serene tone. " Song Qingchun, don¡¯t you worry, I will never have a truce with you for as long as I have breath in me because I will never forget how..."


    Song Qingchun was still trying toe to terms with the bomb Su Zhinian had dropped. It was when she heard her nameing out of his mouth that she slowly returned to her normal self.


    Song Qingchun initially thought Su Zhinian was talking to her, but as the sentence progressed, she thought otherwise.


    She frowned slightly, and after a while, she turned to look at Tang Nuan as if she had suddenlye to an understanding... Isn¡¯t this what she said to me earlier?


    Her suspicion was quickly confirmed as Su Zhinian said, "In any case, as long as I, Tang Nuan, am still alive, we will always be enemies, Song Qingchun!"


    It was when Tang Nuan heard her name being called out that she realized Su Zhinian was repeating everything she had said earlier, and he was repeating them exactly, not missing a single word!


    Could it be that when I was arguing with Song Qingchun, he was already there?


    He said his phone contains video footage, could that footage be a recording of me arguing with Song Qingchun by thekeside?


    Perhaps this was positive reinforcement at work, because just as this thought materialized in Tang Nuan¡¯s mind, Su Zhinian opened his lips to say, "Therefore, I am calling the police..."


    His brows arced, and he stressed with vehemence and sharpness, "...Not to sue Song Qingchun for attempting on Miss Tang¡¯s life, but to sue Miss Tang for ndering Song Qingchun¡¯s name!"

 Chapter 127: His Aid (7)

    Chapter 127: His Aid (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian¡¯s deration was like and mine, blowing the minds of everyone present into smithereens.


    Even Song Qingchun, who had been staring at Tang Nuan, only managed to move her head around to look at Su Zhinian after a long time. His perfect features were calm and emotionless like the surface of a frozenke. There was a hint of iciness at the bottom of his eyes, but just beneath the surface seemed to be a deep store of wrath just waiting to explode from his body.


    She dreaded this side of Su Zhinian, but for some reason, at that moment, she felt greatlyforted seeing this Su Zhinian.


    It wasfort that was inexplicable, one that she had found within her simply because he was there.


    After a long time, someone finally recovered enough to ask cautiously, "Mr. Su, the words that you¡¯ve said just now, are those the words Tang Nuan told Song Qingchun?"


    "In other words, you really are a witness? You mentioned you have a video on your phone, could that video be a recording of Tang Nuan falling into the water?"


    It had to be said that even though Su Zhinian had only mentioned once about the video, the effect it had created was truly astounding.


    Even though he did not explicitly mention what kind of video he had in his phone, from the way things were going, it gave everyone the impression that it was a recording of Tang Nuan falling into the water.


    Therefore, someone else quickly added, "Mr. Su, do you mind giving everyone the chance to watch the video?"


    Su Zhinian did not directly answer the person¡¯s request; instead, he asked, "Are any of you the police?"


    Then, he acted like he did not mind dragging this out further by involving thew enforcement. He extended his finger toward the call button on his phone.


    As his finger reached toward the button, Tang Nuan¡¯s heart started to contract rapidly. Even though he was able to repeat everything she had said word for word, it did not mean that he would have a video of it on his phone.


    However, his finger that moved toward the phone screen did not halt or shake from hesitation or indecisiveness. He seemedpletely in control of the situation.


    Five years ago, she already knew he loved Song Qingchun. A man who would lose his sanity to almost kill other, would someone like him allow Song Qingchun to be put in danger?


    If there was really a video in his phone, then the person pped with awsuit would not be Song Qingchun but her...


    The more she thought about it, the more anxious Tang Nuan became. The second before Su Zhinian was about to touch the screen, she suddenly yelled out, "Wait!"


    Su Zhinian acted as if he did not hear Tang Nuan, and his finger tapped lightly on the screen. The phone was put on speaker, and everyone could hear the dial tone.


    Since Su Zhinian dared to make the call, then it meant that he most likely had the incriminating video... Tang Nuan had lost her footing, and her whole body started shaking. The moment Su Zhinian¡¯s call was picked up, she finally lost her sense of control and yelled, "Hang up the call!"


    Su Zhinian ignored herpletely, lifted the phone up to his ears, and answered it with a soft "Hello".

 Chapter 128: His Aid (8)

    Chapter 128: His Aid (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian¡¯s "Hello" had forced Tang Nuan to her bottom line. She was deathly afraid Su Zhinian would push her into the abyss of despair by telling the police everything, so she sprang up from Qin Yinan¡¯s embrace and dashed at Su Zhinian. She swiped the phone from his hand and pressed the end call button hurriedly and desperately.


    Even though Tang Nuan had said no words, her actions had shown everyone present the undeniable truth.


    So, it was not Song Qingchun who had pushed her into the water, but she herself who had jumped into theke... And she did that purposely, just so she could put the me on Song Qingchun!


    After Tang Nuan ended the call, her whole body rxed from relief. However, before she couldpletely rx, her fingers started to search for the media album in Su Zhinian¡¯s phone hurriedly.


    She had just remembered one important thing; she had to delete the video from his phone...


    Tang Nuan clicked open the album with a shaky finger. However, she realized that, other than a few pictures, the album was empty; there was no video in it. Tang Nuan looked at the phone for one full second before realizing what was wrong with this whole situation. Not only had she been able to grab the phone so easily away from Su Zhinian, he had even allowed her to look through his phone as she pleased...


    Instinctually, Tang Nuan turned her head around to look at Su Zhinian. The man looked down on her, and there was mocking at the bottom of his chilling eyes.


    When Tang Nuan had been arguing with Song Qingchun at thekeside, he was still inside the vi. Where would he get a video? He merely just so happened to overhear their conversations using his superpower. Furthermore, he had only managed to hear snippets. However, although they were not continuous, it was obviously enough to mess with Tang Nuan¡¯s confidence.


    He stared for her for about a minute before lowering his head to lean into her ear. His breathsnded vaguely on her earlobes, and even though this was rather flirtatious on the surface, it chilled Tang Nuan to the core.


    He purposely lowered his voice to a volume that was only audible to the two of them and whispered in a tone that was both calm and cruel, "Did you think I would let you off so easily if I really had the evidence?"


    His sentence was like a sharp knife plunging into Tang Nuan¡¯s heart. It made her whole body turn cold, and her heart dropped into the darkest abyss.


    Su Zhinian parted from Tang Nuan after he said that, as if he felt she was incredibly dirty. He refused to stay in her close proximity for even one second longer. As he leaned away, he pulled his phone from her ws forcefully and turned to walk away from the scene without a care for the crowd there.


    It wasn¡¯t until Su Zhinian had disappeared from their view that the crowd started toe to and disperse.


    Tang Nuan subconsciously turned to look at Qin Yinan.


    Qin Yinan, who had said little since Su Zhinian¡¯s appearance, had a drawn face. His eyes that looked at her contained a chilliness that she had not seen before.


    Tang Nuan opened her lips cautiously to say, "Yinan..."


    Before she could continue, Qin Yinan looked away and walked over to Song Qingchun. "Come on, Song Song, I¡¯ll take you home."


    Song Qingchun stared at the direction Su Zhinian had disappeared in and did not answer.


    "Song Song?" Qin Yinan repeated.


    Song Qingchun slowly pulled her gaze back, then she absent-mindedly replied with a "hmm".

 Chapter 129: His Aid (9)

    Chapter 129: His Aid (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Her mind was still not with it. It was after quite some time that she fully recovered. She then turned to Qin Yinan and said, "Brother Yinan, what did you just say?"


    Just as Qin Yinan was going to speak, Song Qingchun¡¯s phone suddenly rang.


    Song Qingchun quickly pulled out her phone and apologized to Qin Yinan. "I¡¯m sorry, Brother Yinan, let me take this call."


    Then, she lowered her head to call at the caller ID. It was from Su Zhinian.


    Just as Song Qingchun was about to answer the call, he hung up. Then, a message popped up on her phone. It also came from Su Zhinian. "Half an hour until twelve am."


    Song Qingchun blinked a few times before she saw the time at the top of her phone screen. It had just turned 23:31.


    29 minutes left until twelve midnight. She had promised him she would be home before twelve...


    Song Qingchun did not have the time to stay to listen to Qin Yinan. She raised her head and blurted out in hurry, "Brother Yinan, I¡¯m in a hurry; I need to go now, so we¡¯ll talk about this another time..."


    Then, she ran away without waiting for Qin Yinan to respond.


    "Song Song..." Qin Yinan called after Song Qingchun, to which the girl waved at him. "Brother Yinan, goodbye!"


    Then, she disappeared among the bamboo patch. Qin Yinan shook his head helplessly but amusedly. As he turned to leave, he noticed, out of the corner of his eye, Tang Nuan, who was still standing there, looking straight at him.


    Qin Yinan slowed in his footsteps and turned to face Tang Nuan with his profile. Tang Nuan stared unblinkingly at Qin Yinan but said no words. Only the two of them remained at thekeside; the ce felt exceptionally deserted.


    After a long silence, it was Tang Nuan who broke the silence first. "Yinan."


    Qin Yinan lowered his head slightly when he heard her. Then, they both stood there quietly for another ten seconds. When she thought he would turn around to look at her, he took his first step and walked away without a word.


    Staring at his retreating shadow, Tang Nuan felt curiously anxious. She instinctively wanted to call his name, but as her lips moved, she suddenly stopped as if she had just remembered something.


    It was he who liked her, not the other way around. It was him who willingly enved himself to her, so why would she ever beg him for forgiveness? There was no reason for her to lower herself to a mere Qin Yinan.


    As she thought about it, Tang Nuan took the path opposite from Qin Yinan and left with her heels clicking and her chin held high.


    ...


    Song Qingchun practically ran all the way out of City Clubhouse. She hailed a random taxi by the roadside. As she jumped in, she gave the driver the address of Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow.


    Thankfully, the roads were clear that night, and Song Qingchun just barely kept to her promise. She reached Su Zhinian¡¯s ce at ten seconds to midnight.


    The lights of the bungalow were off, and the ce was shrouded in darkness. It appeared like Su Zhinian had not reached home yet.


    Her clothes were still wet from when Tang Nuan copsed on her. Furthermore, she had also stood by thekeside, enduring the wintry winds for several hours. Afraid that she might catch a cold, Song Qingchun changed out of her shoes and dashed upstairs into her bedroom to take a warm bath.

 Chapter 130: His Aid (10)

    Chapter 130: His Aid (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    After Song Qingchun filled the tub with warm water, she shed her clothes, and as she ced one foot into the tub, she could hear the sound of a caring from outside.


    After a short hesitation, she pulled her leg out of the tub, wrapped herself with a towel, walked to the balcony, and looked down.


    As she¡¯d guessed, Su Zhinian was home.


    The car deposited him by the gate. It did note into thepound. When he got out of the car, he leaned into the front window, probably to thank the driver. After less than a minute, Su Zhinian turned and walked into thepound.


    Song Qingchun waited until Su Zhinian had reached the front door and was keying in the password before she realized what she was doing and rushed back into the bathroom.


    The bathroom was quiet because Song Qingchun did not turn on the tap. Song Qingchun, who was soaking in the bath, could hear Su Zhinian change into the house slippers and walk into the study.


    What is he doing in the study sote at night? Catching up on work?


    After the study door closed, the whole bungalow fell silent.


    Through the mist created by the warm bath, Song Qingchun stared at the ceiling, and her mind went through the events that had happened that night at City Clubhouse.


    Her rivalry with Tang Nuan had started five years ago, but this was the most vicious she had been since this whole thing started.


    A few days ago, she was just mocking her about her ability to fake a sprained ankle to swindle Qin Yinan.


    Who would have thought, just several dayster, Tang Nuan would go to such an extent to bring her down? She was risking her own life in an attempt to beat Song Qingchun!


    Actually, from the moment Tang Nuan jumped into theke, Song Qingchun had lost. This was because Tang Nuan was crazy enough tomit to such a ludicrous n. Everyone pitied the weaker party. Even if she had a million mouths, she would not have been able to talk her way out of that one.


    It was not that she had not prayed for someone to step up to help her. It was already shocking enough that her wish was heeded, but more than that, her savior was Su Zhinian, the person who she least expected.


    In her mind, Su Zhinian hated her guts, and the feeling was supposed to be mutual.


    Even though he was willing to help Song Empire, it was because she traded herself for it. In truth, she had more hope that a stranger would help her than Su Zhinian.


    So, it was really surprising that when she was at her most helpless and desperate, the person that came to help her was the person she had the least faith in.


    Even as she soaked in the bath, she still found that to be quite hard to believe.


    Song Qingchun thought about it for a long time. It wasn¡¯t until the bath water had turned cold that she returned to reality.


    She washed away the bubbles that stuck to her body. Standing before the counter, as she blow-dried her hair, her thoughts wandered back to Su Zhinian, who had arrived like a godsend to help her that night.


    Perhaps because she¡¯d spent a bit too long in the bath, Song Qingchun felt mighty thirsty. When she went downstairs to pour herself a ss of water, she was reminded of Su Zhinian in the study. She stared at the coffee machine for a while before walking over to it to brew a cup of coffee following his usual form. Then, she headed upstairs with the cup in her hands.


    Song Qingchun knocked on the study door, but no one answered. She knocked again and called out, "Mr. Su?"


    Still, there was no answer. Song Qingchun bit her lower lips and collected all her courage to push the door open.


    To her surprise, the sound of music drifted out from within.


    No wonder there was no response; he¡¯s listening to music... Song Qingchun thought about it, pushed a sliver open from the door, and poked her head in.

 Chapter 131: We Have All Been Forgotten (1)

    Chapter 131: We Have All Been Forgotten (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian was half-copsed before hisputer. With a pen in his hand, he was deeply concentrating on writing something.


    Song Qingchun assumed he was working, so she did not disturb him. After standing at the door for a while, she pushed the door open further and walked in with the coffee in hand.


    The study was padded with thick carpet, so she created no sound when she moved.


    When she was close, Song Qingchun realized Su Zhinian was writing on a notebook. His writing continued seamlessly; he did not stop to think or to make corrections.


    Song Qingchun stared at the moving pen for a while before her gaze shifted to fall on his face.


    He stared at the tip of his pen as if hypnotized. His face was in deep focus.


    From her perspective, his eyes were looking down, and hisshes were illogically long.


    Song Qingchun pouted with derision on the surface, but internally, she sighed with shock. How can a man have such longshes? This makes no sense at all!


    She briefly wondered what he was so focused on writing, but then she noticed his lips curve into a smile. Song Qingchun widened her eyes, staring at Su Zhinian. Her heart skipped a beat, and she found it difficult to look away.


    This was the first time she had seen him smile in all the years she had known Su Zhinian.


    To her understanding, the person that had the most beautiful smile in the world was definitely her Brother Yinan. Every time she saw his smile, she felt like her world was lit up by the sun.


    However, she did not expect with just a slight curve of Su Zhinian¡¯s lips, she managed to catch a trace of warmth in it. Obviously, it was not as bright as Brother Yinan¡¯s smile, but Su Zhinian¡¯s smile was more like the first ray of light after a long winter; other thanfort and warmth, it carried with it a sense of renewal and hope.


    Su Zhinian stopped writing and habitually reclined in his chair. Then he caught sight of Song Qingchun, who was standing in front of his table, not far away from him.


    His expression froze and blurted out, "When did youe in?"


    Song Qingchun immediately shifted her gaze away from Su Zhinian and said softly, by way of exnation, "I¡¯ve brewed a cup of coffee."


    Only then did Su Zhinian notice the porcin cup in her hands.


    "I knocked, but no one answered, so I came in to take a look." Song Qingchun noticed theck of annoyance that normally decorated Su Zhinian¡¯s face, so she strode to the table and ced the coffee before him.


    "Thank you," Su Zhinian answered, then he realized the book on his table was still wide open. He immediately moved to m it shut.


    His sudden movement attracted Song Qingchun¡¯s gaze. With a nce at the cover, she recognized it as the diary that she had once found in his bedroom. He was concentrating so much on writing his diary? No wonder he¡¯s Diary Su...


    Su Zhinian noticed Song Qingchun staring at his diary and coughed conspicuously before asking, "Is there anything else?"


    Song Qingchun shook her head immediately. "No, nothing else."


    Su Zhinian had thought she would leave his study after that. He nodded to signal his acknowledgement. Then he reached out for a document to cover his diary and started to look through it.


    Two minutester, Su Zhinian raised his head and realized Song Qingchun was still standing before his table. She showed no sign of leaving, so he frowned and asked again, "What¡¯s wrong?"


    "Nothing, everything¡¯s fine." Song Qingchun shook her head, her face full of innocence.

 Chapter 132: We Have All Been Forgotten (2)

    Chapter 132: We Have All Been Forgotten (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Then... why are you still standing here? Su Zhinian raised his brow, dropped the document, leaned into the chair, and looked at Song Qingchun.


    Song Qingchun noticed Su Zhinian¡¯s gaze on her, so she too lowered her head to look at herself.


    There was nothing out of ce with her, was there? She then turned to look at Su Zhinian with deep confusion in her eyes. She realized he was still staring at her without moving his eyes, so she blinked confusedly at him, using her gaze to ask him wordlessly, Why are you staring at me?


    Her eyes were wide and clear. It was cute yet seductive when she blinked. Why did she have to blink at me? She has nothing better to do than seduce me?


    Su Zhinian raised his hand to undo his tie and averted his eyes to avoid her ¡¯seduction¡¯. He calmed his beating heart and lowered his head to continue reading the document he had opened earlier.


    Fine, if she wants to stand there, then let her stand there.


    In the study, she stood there looking at him while he looked at his document. The audio system in the room was ying a slow, long song.


    Initially, probably because he knew she was looking at him, Su Zhinian had a hard time concentrating; the words were running all over the pages. However, ten minutester, as the sound of her steady breathing drifted into his ears through the music, his heart felt strangely calmed, and there was a feeling of rightness to everything.


    When Song Qingchun stood until her legs were tired, she realized the audio system had been ying the same song.


    It was sung by a female artist. Her tone was clear andfortable, but the song had a sad undercurrent to it.


    When the song repeated itself, Song Qingchun paid special attention to the lyrics, and she realized the lyrics were as mncholy as the tune.


    I said I fear most the breeze before the rain,


    You said it¡¯s the same for you too.


    We bothughed while looking at the sky,


    Talked and talked until we were both crying.


    It seems that we¡¯ve both been loved by someone before.


    Those dreams that were perfect to the point of not needing to be remedied,


    The many simr kinds of tenderness,


    There were also different kinds of sadness.


    Two people who had been friends for many years,


    The reasons that our two loves came and went.


    After the events happened and the times changed,


    We both reminisced on the side of the road.


    That dream in which we were pped in the face,


    was like the sound of rumbling thunder...


    At this point of the song, Song Qingchun could not help but ask, "What song is this?"


    Su Zhinian did not take his eyes off the document; he flipped over another page calmly and answered softly, "We Have All Been Forgotten."


    As Su Zhinian gave the answer, the song reached its chorus.


    We have all been forgotten,


    All have been forgotten for a long time.


    Time is a roadside thief.


    That sleeve under the umbre,


    That face that is awaiting an answer,


    How much happiness has turned into loneliness in the end...


    "It¡¯s a nice song," Song Qingchunmented.


    "Hmm." Su Zhinian answered nomittally, his gaze still on the document.


    "Who¡¯s the singer?" She was going to download itter for herself.


    We have all been forgotten,


    All have been forgotten for a long time.


    How many words should be used to describe ¡¯love¡¯?


    You spoke so calmly and easily,


    I watched dark clouds fly away,


    because I understand all the things you say.


    Love often has a beginning but no ending.


    Su Zhinian was doing three things at the same time; he was listening to music, reading the document, and maintaining this conversation with Song Qingchun. "Kay Tse."


    Perhaps it was because Su Zhinian had helped her that night or perhaps it was because she had seen his smile earlier, she had gotten a lot morefortable in his presence, and she managed to ask more questions, "But this song is not that popr right? How did you find it?"

 Chapter 133: We Have All Been Forgotten (3)

    Chapter 133: We Have All Been Forgotten (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    When Su Zhinian heard that question, his eyes, which were staring at the document, deepened.


    The first time he heard this song was when he was driving. Initially, he was attracted by the tune; it waster, when he paid closer attention to the lyrics and the song title, that he realized how much this song resonated with his soul.


    We have all been forgotten, all have been forgotten for a long time...


    The grip Su Zhinian had over the document tightened, and the paper document creased from force.


    He had indeed been forgotten by her... He had spent ten years looking for her, but when they had finally reunited, there was only distance and alert in her eyes. She had even said, "I¡¯m sorry, senior, you might be mistaken; my name is not Tingting."


    Her words were like a sound p on his face, shattering his heart that was full of joy and excitement.


    Those stories he had never forgotten became dreams that he buried deep inside his heart, perfect and untainted.


    Song Qingchun had long since gotten used to Su Zhinian ignoring her. There was no disappointment on her face. She stood there quietly for a while. Perhaps it was boredom, perhaps she felt she had overstayed her wee, or perhaps it was simply because she was feeling sleepy, Song Qingchun felt the urge to leave.


    Just as she prepared to say, "If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯m going back to my room," she stopped herself mid-sentence, as if remembering something, and instead said softly, "Thank you."


    Su Zhinian pulled himself back from his memory. He looked at Song Qingchun curiously like he was wondering what she was thanking him for.


    Song Qingchun saw the question in his gaze and immediately exined, "Thank you for your help today at City Clubhouse."


    Su Zhinian paused for a few seconds before he understood what she was referring to. He nodded in acknowledgement before lowering his eyes to study the document. After he read three or four lines of the document, he added in a nonchnt tone, "There¡¯s no need for thanks, consider it me repaying your favor."


    "Huh?" Song Qingchun stopped moving; she looked at him in befuddlement. She could not remember doing him any favors, so what was he repaying her for?


    As if sensing the girl¡¯s confusion, Su Zhinian raised his eyes to look at Song Qingchun. Using the same nonchnt tone, he exined, "The eggs and medicine."


    Su Zhinian was so sinct in his exnation that Song Qingchun had a hard time catching up. She stood there nkly for a moment or two before realizing he was talking about the two eggs she boiled for him and the bruise medicine she had bought when he was injured earlier.


    "That, you don¡¯t need to thank me for that... I didn¡¯t really do anything..." Song Qingchun was surprised that Su Zhinian would remember such unimportant details. It made her rather flustered. Regardless, she straightened herself, faced Su Zhinian, and responded seriously, "No matter what, I still wish to thank you."


    Her words were sincere, and her expression was serious. Her pair of eyes glistened with an earnest glow.


    Su Zhinian stared into her eyes and lost himself in them.


    After Song Qingchun said her thanks, she nced at the clock and realized with a start that it was already 1:30 am. Out of concern, she asked, "Mr. Su, it¡¯s already sote, aren¡¯t you going to rest yet?"


    Su Zhinian hurriedly averted his eyes that were staring at her. To hide his earlier weakness of character, he took up the cup of coffee on the table and sipped at it. After that, he said, "There are still some things that need to be done."

 Chapter 134: We Have All Been Forgotten (4)

    Chapter 134: We Have All Been Forgotten (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun nodded as her gaze unconsciously fell on the document Su Zhinian was reading. The words that she wanted to say stopped before they left her lips.


    The document was about Song Empire. The page was filled with notes written with red ink. She could recognize the notes as his handwriting.


    Furthermore, the document seemed well read. The edges of the pages were dog-eared, and the color of the notes varied in terms of intensity, some heavy, others light. He had probably added more notes each time he picked up the document to read it again.


    After Su Zhinian had taken over as Song Empire¡¯s CEO, Song Qingchun had given her sister-inw, Fang Rou, several calls to enquire about Song Empire¡¯s situation. Her sister-inw had told her that everything was going better than expected. She had even praised Su Zhinian, saying the man really lived up to his name. He had only taken charge of Song Empire for two weeks before thepany¡¯s losses stopped.


    A lot of the time, people only looked at the result and would ignore the process.


    Therefore, when Song Qingchun heard the good news from Fang Rou, she was also happy to realize how Su Zhinian had managed that miracle. It wasn¡¯t until she saw the document he was studying that she managed to appreciate the energy and effort Su Zhinian hadmitted to saving Song Empire.


    He had his ownpany, and now he had to take care of Song Empire as well; the workload must have been incredibly heavy.


    She remembered how, when she went downstairs to fetch water whenever she was tired, the lights in the study would still be on.


    Song Qingchun raised her head to look at Su Zhinian. The man was sipping coffee with his eyes lowered, and she spotted the faint shadow under his eyes.


    During the year Su Zhinian had spent at her house, they were in third year of high school, and both of them would stay up deep into the night to study or do revision. The next day, she would have some faint dark circles, but it never happened to him. At the time, she even rememberedining to God for being overly partial toward him.


    Therefore, it came as a surprise to her that she would one day see the trace of dark circles on his face...


    He had his ownpany and many toppanies were desperate to hire him; he did not need a cent from Song Empire. Even though there was that unsavory contract between him and her, she had stayed at his ce for about twenty days, and he had notid a finger on her...


    Even though she did serve him like a servile maid, her contribution was grossly disproportionate to the repayment he was giving her.


    Song Qingchun looked at Su Zhinian massage the space between his brows before continuing to study the document. At that moment, her eyes felt prickly with tears.


    All her life, even as a child, she had rarely cried. Five years ago, when she had been raped by him, she had cried. When Song Chengmitted suicide and her father was rushed to hospital, she had cried. The other times she had cried were all due to Qin Yinan.


    Even for the night that happened five years ago, she did not cry because of him; she cried for herself, for her bad luck and fear.


    She did not expect... she really did not expect that, one day, she would want to shed tears for Su Zhinian.


    Was it because she was made vulnerable due to the changes in her family?


    Regardless, no matter the reason, she was truly touched.


    Song Qingchun opened her lips to speak before she could even realize what she was doing. "I... How about, I...


    "Treat you to a meal?"


    Su Zhinian, who was reaching for his pen to jot down another note, suddenly stopped moving.


    He did not raise his head to look at her because he thought he had misheard her.

 Chapter 135: We Have All Been Forgotten (5)

    Chapter 135: We Have All Been Forgotten (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    It was only after the invitation had been made that Song Qingchun realized she had just invited Su Zhinian to dinner!


    Then again, he had helped her on so many asions, repaying him with a meal was the least she could do... However, he did not seem to have heard her by the way he kept his head lowered and did not reply. Could it be that he wanted to reject her?


    Song Qingchun thought about it and added, "If not for your help, I would be in court. When will you be free? Can you please clear up your schedule so that I can treat you to a meal?"


    Su Zhinian recorded every word Song Qingchun had said and ran them through his mind twice before affirming he had not misheard her. He then slowly raised his eyes to look at Song Qingchun.


    To maintain his calmposure despite his raging emotions, the strength that he used to grip his pen was so great that his fingertips were white from stress.


    He picked up the coffee that had gone cold, took a sip, and replied sinctly, "Okay."


    Song Qingchun had thought her invitation was going to fall through since Su Zhinian was not replying. Just when she was going to say, "If you¡¯re not free, then we can take a rain check," she heard Su Zhinian say nonchntly, "Okay". So, she quickly changed the words in her mouth. "Perfect, but when can we do this?"


    Song Qingchun titled her head to the side to think about it. The next day was Saturday and also her day-off from work, so she mumbled, "How about tomorrow?"


    After a pause, Song Qingchun added, "Tomorrow night?"


    That way, she wouldn¡¯t have to make dinner...


    Su Zhinian originally wanted to nod, but before he could, a message came into his phone. He nced at it, it was a spam message, but with that nce, he noted the date on the screen, it was December 21st.


    December 24th is Christmas Eve, and the 25th is Christmas...


    Su Zhinian¡¯s nod paused in mid-air, and he started to think. He then raised his eyes slowly to say to Song Qingchun, "I¡¯ll have to ask Secretary Cheng about my schedule before I can decide."


    Song Qingchun, who had seen Su Zhinian already start to nod, was shocked by this sudden turn of events. She blinked several times at Su Zhinian before realizing that he had practically just rejected her. She replied, "Then, tell me when you have decided on a time."


    Su Zhinian nodded with a guttural "Hmm."


    "If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯m going to go rest."


    Su Zhinian did not answer and lowered his head to study the document.


    Song Qingchun shuffled out of his room, and when the door to the study was closed, her face dropped. She stuck her tongue out at the door, and as she stomped to her own bedroom, she could not help mimic Su Zhinian in a childish tone. "I¡¯ll have to ask Secretary Cheng about my schedule before I can decide.


    "Huh... Who does he think he is? For just a dinner, he needs to check his schedule?


    "He really thinks he¡¯s the president?


    "He must be kidding; does he think I would have dinner with anyone? He should be honored that I have even invited him!"


    Song Qingchun mmed the door close heavily and jumped onto her bed. Staring at the chandelier above her head, she huffed out of her nose and grumbled under her breath, "Big-headed Su!"


    ...


    Su Zhinian heard Song Qingchun¡¯sints, and a warmth that he did not notice appeared in his eyes. Just as he picked his pen to finish the note, he heard Song Qingchun from the next door say, "Damn, I forgot about the most important thing!"

 Chapter 136: We Have All Been Forgotten (6)

    Chapter 136: We Have All Been Forgotten (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian frowned. As he was going to kick the chair behind him to stand up, he heard Song Qingchun¡¯s footstepsing from her bedroom toward the study. He immediately pulled back his leg and lowered his head to continue reading the document. Not long after, he heard the knock on his door and her soft, gentle voice asking, "Mr. Su?"


    It waspletely different from the tone she had just used to mock him... Su Zhinian tried his best to stop the smile that was threatening to appear on his face. He coughed lightly and said nonchntly, "Come in."


    The door was pushed open a sliver. Song Qingchun did note in but only poked her head through. Her glossy and dark eyes looked at Su Zhinian. "Mr. Su, I forgot to ask, what do you wish to have for the meal?"


    Her panic just now was only about this? Su Zhinian shifted his gaze away from the document to look at Song Qingchun. After a while, he said, "You decide."


    "Then, do you have anything you¡¯re allergic to? Or food that you don¡¯t like?"


    "I¡¯m fine with anything."


    "Okay then, Big..." Song Qingchun, who was waving goodbye at Su Zhinian, froze. This was bad; the name ¡¯Big-headed Su¡¯ had almost tumbled out of her mouth. He was looking strangely at her; it was obviously that he had heard her slip of the tongue...


    Song Qingchun¡¯s dark eyes blinked twice, and her eyes were bent into shapes of a crescent moon. She swallowed the words, ¡¯Headed Su¡¯ and forcefully changed it into "...Handsome Brother!"


    She mmed the door shut and escaped from the scene to not give Su Zhinian any chance to react.


    It wasn¡¯t until the door to her bedroom was closed that Su Zhinian heard Song Qingchun patting her chest saying, "Thankfully, this brain of mine is still working. If he had found out I have given him so many nicknames..."


    Song Qingchun shivered just thinking about the consequences.


    Su Zhinian then heard the sound of Song Qingchunnded on her bed. She seemed to be on her phone because he could asionally hear the sound of clicks.


    One minuteter, she spoke again, "Shall we go here? The food here is not bad, but the d¨¦cor is a bit pedestrian. After all, he is the famed Sanitary Su, so he will definitely reject it based on cleanliness alone... So be it, I will go there with my assistant one of these days instead! His loss, not mine!


    "How about this ce then... The ce is luxurious and clean... Hmm, but this is a private center; you need a membership to enter, and I didn¡¯t think I extended mine... How about Beijing Hotel? Then again, I¡¯ve just been there... Xu Xian Lou? But he doesn¡¯t like Hang Zhou Cuisine! The man is so troublesome, why wouldn¡¯t he just tell me what he likes! Why must I do this for him?"


    Su Zhinian was unable to focus, distracted by Song Qingchun¡¯s ramblings. He put the document away and pulled out the diary that he had covered with all the documents. He flipped it open and started writing a new entry as Song Qingchun¡¯s ramblings drifted into his ears.


    December 21st 2015. 2 am, Stars but no moon.


    To show her appreciation, Tingting surprisingly asked me out for dinner. I was very happy and wanted to agree on the spot. However, when I realized it would be Christmas in a few days, I asked her for a rain-check, causing Tingting to give me another nickname: Big-headed Su.


    Actually, it was not my intention to be big-headed. I merely wished to spend a Christmas with her, who I spent ten years searching for and seven loving.


    In all the years I have known her, we have never celebrated Christmas together before.

 Chapter 137: We Have All Been Forgotten (7)

    Chapter 137: We Have All Been Forgotten (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian put his pen down, leaned back in his chair, and raised his hand to massage his eyes that had gotten a bit weary.


    The diary that was open on the table revealed a page that was filled with words.


    December 20th 2015 (Actually it¡¯s already 1 am of the 21st). Stars but no moon.


    Today was one of the rare asion where I returned home early. I was overjoyed to receive Tingting¡¯s call on the way home. However, the bad news came when I reached home. I really did not want to let her go meet Qin Yinan, but afraid that it might make her sad, I chose to let her go.


    It just so happened that Tang Nuo invited me to join him at City Clubhouse. I agreed even though I knew she was going to be there.


    Originally regretted being there, but was ultimately thankful for having made that choice because I heard her say, From now on, I am giving up on Qin Yinan.


    I even smiled in the roomful of people. However, after the initial wave of happiness waned, I realized how selfish I was.


    I discovered the secret five years ago and knew it prevents me from ever loving her and bing a couple with her, but I still selfishly wished that she would not fall in love with somebody else.


    Yes, I am indeed despicably selfish.


    Oftentimes, I really hate the superpowers I was born with because it strips me of the ability of self-deception. Everywhere I see there are only the naked truths.


    However, tonight, I am thankfully for my superpowers because something horrible happened to Tingting. Thankfully, it ended on a happy note.


    The only regret I have was I was unable to give my jacket to cover Tingting¡¯s body when I saw her standing there alone by thekeside in her soaked clothes.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s mutterings then drifted from next door again.


    "I really want to go to Golden Corner... Haven¡¯t been there for a long time, when Song Cheng was still around, he would have lunch with me there. s, Golden Corner is too expensive. One meal there will overload my credit... But, I really do miss the food there..."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s fingers that were massaging his eyes stopped.


    She wants to go to Golden Corner? Then we will go to Golden Corner...


    Su Zhinian reached for the phone on the table and called Cheng Qingchong.


    From the sound of her voice, Cheng Qingchong was probably woken up from her sleep. "CEO Su, how can I help you?"


    "How does my schedule look next Monday?"


    "CEO Su, wait a minute." After Cheng Qingchong said that, Su Zhinian could hear the sound of herputer being switched on. About one minuteter, Cheng Qingchong said, "You¡¯ll be in Hong Kong next Monday."


    Hong Kong? Su Zhinian frowned. "What about Tuesday?"


    "Also in Hong Kong..." After Cheng Qingchong answered, she added confusedly, "CEO Su, have you forgotten? You have a business meeting in Hong Kong next Monday and Tuesday; our ne tickets have been booked. We are flying tomorrow night."


    Su Zhinian mumbled something incoherent in response. Then, he realized there was indeed such a thing in his schedule. After a short dy, he added, "Change the flight date to tonight, we¡¯ll be leaving for Hong Kong tonight and change the return ticket to Tuesday morning, I have something important to attend to Tuesday night."


    "Noted, CEO Su."


    ...


    Song Qingchun, who sleptte the night before, suffered from a headache and thus had a hard time concentrating during work.


    When she went to the breakroom for coffee, Song Qingchun only realized through her colleagues that Tang Nuan did not go to work that day, applying for sick leave.


    Perhaps she was indeed sick from the jump into theke or she simply could not face Song Qingchun... Regardless, Song Qingchun took a sip of her coffee and walked away as if it had nothing to do with her.

 Chapter 138: We Have All Been Forgotten (8)

    Chapter 138: We Have All Been Forgotten (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun was surprised to find Su Zhinian home when she arrived at the bungalow in thete afternoon after work. Through the open door of his bedroom, Song Qingchun could spot several outfits and an open suitcase on the floor.


    Song Qingchun looked at the scene with confusion when Su Zhinian walked out of the bathroom with a toiletry bag.


    Song Qingchun quickly guessed what was going on. "Mr. Su, you¡¯re packing, are you... going on business?"


    "Yes," Su Zhinian answered as he tossed the toiletry bag into the suitcase.


    Song Qingchun walked into his bedroom and said, "Let me help you."


    Su Zhinian did not reject her offer. He merely stood to the side and watched how Song Qingchun put his stuff orderly into the suitcase. When Song Qingchun pulled the zipper of the suitcase shut, she raised her head to ask, "Mr. Su, how long will you be gone for this trip?"


    "Two days, three nights." After a pause, Su Zhinian added, "Hong Kong."


    Song Qingchun nodded, even though internally she thought, Why would he offer that information if I didn¡¯t ask for it?


    Su Zhinian picked up the suitcase Song Qingchun had helped him pack. As he walked downstairs, he stopped on one of the steps and looked over his shoulder to address Song Qingchun. "You¡¯re going to treat me to a meal, right?"


    Song Qingchun nodded hurriedly. "Yes."


    "My ne will return to Beijing on Tuesday morning, so let¡¯s make it on Tuesday night." Su Zhinian turned back and continued descending the stairs. He only took two steps before adding, "Golden Corner."


    "O..." Before Song Qingchun could spit out the "-kay", her eyes widened to their maximum capacity.


    Golden Corner? The Golden Corner? The Golden Corner where the simplest of meals costs at least five figures?


    Even though she really wanted to dine at the Golden Corner, her wallet did not allow for it...


    "What¡¯s wrong?" Su Zhinian turned around to look at her, probably from hearing the sudden pause in her sentence.


    Song Qingchun tried her hardest to suppress the burgeoning sadness within her and shook her head in quick session at Su Zhinian. "Nothing, I meant to say: okay, I will see you at the Golden Corner on Tuesday night."


    Even though it was she who had invited him to dinner, it had never been his intention to have her pay... Su Zhinian looked at her for a while before turning to walk down the stairs without another word.


    Song Qingchun followed behind him to send him out.


    Before getting into the car, Su Zhinian caught the girl¡¯s pouty face through her reflection on the car window, and he lowered his face to hide the humor in his eyes. After he got in and started the engine, before he left, he rolled down his car window to tell Song Qingchun, who was having a hard time maintaining the smile on her face, in a level tone, "You can go home to rest for the two days I¡¯m not around."


    Then, Su Zhinian pulled out of the driveway and sped away.


    Song Qingchun, who was standing by the front door, slowly started tough as the words Su Zhinian had just said slowly registered. Little did she did know that Su Zhinian had been watching her through the rear-view window.


    It was then that Su Zhinian stepped on the gas pedal. Just before he turned a sharp corner, he could still hear Song Qingchun, who was bouncing on her feet, eximed happily, "This means that I can go home? In other words, the two days he¡¯s not home are also my holiday? Hooray!"


    ...


    Su Zhinian busied himself until 3 pm of December 24th before he finished everything he set out to do at Hong Kong.


    On the way back to the hotel, they passed through Central District 1 , which had many malls. Cheng Qingchong, who sat beside the driver, turned around to ask in a deliberating tone, "CEO Su, now that we have finished all the work. Do you mind dropping me off here? I wish to go for a little shopping."

 Chapter 139: We Have All Been Forgotten (9)

    Chapter 139: We Have All Been Forgotten (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    For Su Zhinian, Cheng Qingchong was the perfect secretary. She would always put work first no matter what. Now that he thought about it, this was the first time she had even made a request like this. It surprised Su Zhinian. After a short while to get over the initial shock, he nodded in approval.


    Cheng Qingchong smiled brightly and pointed at a spot to the driver and said, "Please stop there."


    Then Cheng Qingchong turned around and told Su Zhinian with a smile on her face, "Tomorrow is Christmas; the malls here in Hong Kong are having some crazy sales. I thought I¡¯d buy some things for my friends as Christmas presents. I will return to the hotel as soon as possible."


    Su Zhinian nodded cavalierly, acknowledging Cheng Qingchong¡¯s words. Then, he turned to look at the malls on both sides of the street. It was as Cheng Qingchong said; there were sale signs everywhere.


    The time was still early, but the windows in the malls were already lit up with fairy lights. Throngs of couple crowded the street, and most of them carried various kind of exquisitely-wrapped gifts in their hands.


    Are those Christmas presents? I do have a dinner date with her tomorrow night...


    After the car stopped, Cheng Qingchong packed her bag and prepared to leave. Before she did though, she turned back to bid Su Zhinian farewell. "CEO Su, I will see you back at the hotel."


    When Cheng Qingchong reached for the car door handle, Su Zhinian, who had been staring outside the window, suddenly said, "Wait."


    Cheng Qingchong assumed Su Zhinian had some orders for her, so she quickly turned around. "CEO Su, do you need anything?"


    After a while, Su Zhinian pulled his gaze back from the streets. When he opened his lips next, he was talking to the driver in front of him. "Turn into one of the mall¡¯s underground parking lots."


    "Yes, Mr. Su." The driver moved to oblige.


    Then, Su Zhinian turned to look at Cheng Qingchong, who was obviously shocked. "Since all the work has been done and there¡¯s nothing to do at the hotel, why not a little window shopping?"


    Cheng Qingchong had served Su Zhinian for many years, so when he said so, she understood the inherent meaning immediately. He is probably going to go Christmas shopping for ¡¯The person who is living in my memory¡¯ that is currently residing at his house.


    However, Cheng Qingchong also knew that Su Zhinian detested people intruding on his privacy. Even though she was privy to many things as his secretary, she would deliberately forget many things. It was the main reason she had been able to remain as Su Zhinian¡¯s secretary for so many years.


    Su Zhinian had little to no contact with woman, so he waspletely clueless to the idea of shopping for a female friend. Therefore, when he saw Cheng Qingchong rummage among a row of make-up bottles, he asked in passing, "Women like this kind of stuff?"


    "Every woman wishes forsting youth after all!" Cheng Qingchong knew why Su Zhinian asked that question, so after she answered him, she added, "However, there are many different types of make-up brands. Everyone has their own unique skin condition, and that means that every woman has her own go-to make-up brand. This cannot be understated because a wrong make-up choice might even cause reaction."


    In an artful way, Cheng Qingchong answered Su Zhinian¡¯s vague yet probing question.


    While not touching on his privacy, she managed to reveal to him that, before knowing the recipient¡¯s personal make-up choices, it was better to stay away from choosing make-up as a potential gift.

 Chapter 140: We Have All Been Forgotten (10)

    Chapter 140: We Have All Been Forgotten (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian¡¯s question revealed that the man had no idea what kind of present to buy for ¡¯the person hiding in his memory¡¯.


    Therefore, during the rest of the shopping trip, Cheng Qingchong would drop some hints in the middle of normal conservation to help him, simr to what she had done with the make-up.


    Actually, along the way, Cheng Qingchong had been trying to figure out the perfect present for Su Zhinian to gift to ¡¯the person hiding in his memory¡¯. However, since she had not even seen the person before, had no idea what she looked like, nor what her personality was like, it made choices like shoes or bags impossible.


    After they passed a jewelry shop, Cheng Qingchong suddenly paused and turned to tell Su Zhinian, "CEO Su, one minute, I wish to see the selection avable at this store."


    That had not one ounce of truth in it. Even though she had served at Su Zhinian¡¯spany for several years and had just been given a rather lucrative year-end bonus, the selection at this store was still definitely out of her price range.


    However, that was not the point because even though she could not afford it, her Big Boss could.


    Before entering the shop, Cheng Qingchong even introduced Su Zhinian to the brand¡¯s history. "This establishment is already a century old. When the country was still a republic, many royals came here to have their jewelry specially made. This means that the jewelry they have here is one-of-a-kind."


    Cheng Qingchong noticed Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes light up with interest. She understood this was a sign that her Big Boss¡¯ interest was piqued, so she continued. "Even now, many celebrities visit this store to have their jewels made because everyone wishes to have a piece that is uniquely theirs!


    "Furthermore, every woman likes jewelry that is exquisite, pretty, and unique." After such a long introduction, Cheng Qingchong finally got to the point that she wished would be a good enough hint for Su Zhinian.


    The store was quiet, and every receptionist wore ssical dark green dress with their hair swept up in a professional updo.


    The receptionists were the paragon of patience, their voices barely above a whisper when conversing with their customers.


    The customers therepared to the other shops were decidedly less. Most of them were couples where the male swiped their cards to buy jewelry valued up to six or seven figures without batting an eye, just to get a smile out of their female partners.


    Su Zhinian was suddenly reminded of the night he had spent at City Clubhouse, specifically, the topic on the way men would burn money to make women happy. At the time, someone said he had spent several ten thousand dors to buy a bracelet for the mistress he was keeping.


    Su Zhinian had heard plenty of such talks before, and he had always thought it was merely another form of boasting among the guys. The true intention was never to make their partners happy. He looked down on such actions.


    However, standing in that store, he suddenly realized that he did not mind performing an action that he had once looked down upon for the sake of Song Qingchun.


    In the end, Su Zhinian bought the ¡¯crown jewel¡¯ of the shop; it was an exquisite jewelry set, including a ne, earrings, and a bracelet.


    Of course, the price of this ¡¯crown jewel¡¯ befitted its moniker as well.

 Chapter 141: Lifetime Complementary Card (1)

    Chapter 141: Lifetime Complementary Card (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Cheng Qingchong stood to the side and watched how Su Zhinian bought something the price of real estate with the easy of buying a pack of smokes, and tears almost fell from her eyes.


    She had thought she could benefit from Big Boss¡¯ influence to feel like a celebrity for a day by visiting this establishment, but who would have thought the surprise waiting for her would be so shockingly big!


    ...


    December 25th, Christmas, 11 am. In his office, Su Zhinian had just hung up on a call.


    He had thought that buying the ¡¯crowned jewel¡¯ the day before was already the most ¡¯despicable¡¯ thing he would do, but half an hour ago, he had made a call to Golden Corner and had done something even more ¡¯despicable¡¯.


    Su Zhinian leaned back in his chair and stared at the ¡¯crowned jewel¡¯ he had brought back from Hong Kong, thinking about the phone call he had made with the boss at Golden Corner.


    It seemed to be true that it was within a man¡¯s DNA to spend money on his woman; this was a practice that didn¡¯t need to be taught.


    The only difference between Su Zhinian and the other guys was while they spent on multiple women, he onlyvished on one. Su Zhinian smiled self-deprecatingly as he pulled out his phone to message Song Qingchun, to remind her of the dinner at Golden Corner that night.


    Song Qingchun was probably toying with her phone because he got a swift reply. "I know, Mr. Su."


    Su Zhinian stared at the two words, "Mr. Su", for a long time before he ced his phone face down on the table, moved the cursor on hisputer around, and started to work.


    ...


    Before the end of work, Station TW had a sudden meeting. Song Qingchun had no choice but to fire off a message to Su Zhinian stating she might be a bitte.


    In the middle of the meeting, she received the reply from Su Zhinian. In his usual fashion, it contained only one letter, "k".


    It was 7 pm when the meeting ended. Song Qingchun packed her files away and rushed out of the meeting room.


    Back in her office, she tossed the stuff into her bag and rushed toward the elevator.


    Just as Song Qingchun arrived at the elevator doors, they opened. Song Qingchun rushed in and pressed the close button before noticing Tang Nuan, who was also standing in there.


    Her originally ck hair had been dyed a dark brown color, and her straight hair was now in curls. The extra volume created the fantasy that she had a small face, on which exquisite make-up had been applied. Song Qingchun hated to admit it, but the other woman did look prettier than before.


    Tonight¡¯s Christmas, she probably has a date, and that exins this get-up.


    On the way down, Song Qingchun and Tang Nuan said nothing to each other. When the elevator reached the first floor, just as Song Qingchun was going to get out, her phone rang.


    Song Qingchun peered at the caller ID and answered it. "Brother Yinan?"


    Tang Nuan, who had gotten out of the elevator, suddenly stopped moving when she heard those words.


    "Thank you for the Christmas present you mailed me. I love them very much... Merry Christmas... Goodbye, Brother Yinan."


    Tang Nuan resumed her gait and left before Song Qingchun finished the conversation.


    When Song Qingchun ran out of thepany lobby, she saw Tang Nuan crawl into a red BMW, the person who held the door open for her was a man who looked rather mature.


    However, that was Tang Nuan¡¯s personal life; it had nothing to do with her.


    Song Qingchun ran to the roadside to hail a taxi. She jumped in and gave the address for Golden Corner.


    The traffic was horrendous, perhaps because it was Christmas that day and everyone had dates.

 Chapter 142: Lifetime Complementary Card (2)

    Chapter 142: Lifetime Complementary Card (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    It was already 8:10 pm when Song Qingchun arrived at Golden Corner. It was Su Zhinian¡¯s secretary who had made the booking. She received a message containing the room number that afternoon.


    It had been at least three months since Song Qingchun had been to Golden Corner. She had the impression that she had gone to the wrong ce when she stepped into the lobby.


    Golden Corner had been renovated; its previous luxurious d¨¦cor had already been impressive, but now it was even more so.


    After Song Qingchun gave the room number at the front desk, the waiter led her upstairs politely.


    The room Su Zhinian booked had an elegant name; it was called the ¡¯Orchid Pagoda¡¯. Perhaps to enhance its namesake, two pots of real orchids were ced at the entrance. Golden Corner was indeed an upscale ce because they must have spent a lot to ensure the orchids were in bloom in the dead of winter.


    The server left Song Qingchun at the door. Song Qingchun pushed the door open and stepped in. Su Zhinian, who was wearing a white shirt, was already seated at the wooden carved chair and was in the middle of a phone call.


    The heater in the room was a bit strong, so a thin sheen of sweat had formed on Song Qingchun¡¯s forehead even though she had only been in the room for a minute. She removed her coat and pulled out the heavy wooden chair across from Su Zhinian and sat in it.


    Su Zhinian had probably been there for quite some time; the tea on the table had already lost its steam.


    When she sat down, he nced at her before turning back to focus on his call. Song Qingchun could pick out the various business terms he used in the conversation.


    When she was in university, Song Menghwa had stated his wish for her to study business management so she could help Song Cheng manage Song Empire after she graduated. However, as hard as she tried, she could not get interested in that business stuff; she would feel light-headed whenever she heard terms like percentage, profit, ie, deficit.


    Thankfully, even though Su Zhinian was rather cold in his speech, his tone was nice to the ears. Song Qingchun sat there, quietly listening to him for a while before turning to look out the window.


    The lights in the room were so bright that the window had be a mirror. Through it, Song Qingchun could study Su Zhinian¡¯s expression closely.


    An aquiline nose, fine eyes, his hair cut in a short and stylish manner. For that night, his hair was pushed back with hair gel to reveal his forehead. The yellow lights in the room had a softening effect; when they hit his body, it looked like he had been airbrushed like a painting.


    Thankfully, he did not decide to venture into the entertainment world or else he would have easily reced most of the famous young male stars... While Song Qingchun was lost in her thoughts, Su Zhinian suddenly extended his tapered finger to knock on the space before her.


    Song Qingchun quickly pulled her gaze back and realized Su Zhinian was pushing the menu toward her. He waved at it, signaling her to order. Then, he retracted his gaze and continued his conversation on the phone like she was not even there.


    They nned to start the dinner at 7 pm, and it was already 8 pm. Song Qingchun was hungry; however, when she flipped open the menu and looked at the price tag, she could feel her hunger dissipate. She cursed internally.


    F*ck, why would the price increase for 30 percent after a renovation?


    Song Qingchun surreptitiously reached for her wallet and closed the menu.


    She decided not to order anything; she would just have whatever Su Zhinian ordered. After all, one person was going to order less than two people ordering, right? She needed to skimp wherever she could...

 Chapter 143: Lifetime Complementary Card (3)

    Chapter 143: Lifetime Complementary Card (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun waited until Su Zhinian hung up the phone, and when he did, she pushed the menu back to him, adding, "Mr. Su, it was me who invited you to dinner, so you should be the one ordering."


    Su Zhinian studied Song Qingchun for a while. He did not reject the offer. He called the waiter and flipped the menu open to study it slowly.


    Song Qingchun might have looked calm on the surface and acted like she did not mind what Su Zhinian ordered, but her gaze had been following the menu in Su Zhinian¡¯s hands.


    She was so caught up in this that she did not realize that, under the table, her leg had brushed up against his feet.


    Through the contact, Su Zhinian managed to read her thoughts. He is not going to order lobster, is he? Even though I do wish for a lobster, it¡¯s so expensive... Good, good, he¡¯s flipping over to the next page...


    Before Song Qingchun could sigh in relief, Su Zhinian turned the page back, pointed at the lobster, and told the waiter standing beside him softly, "Two orders of this, please."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyeballs almost popped out of their sockets. After a half-minute pause, her inner monologue started raging. F*ck my life...


    Before Song Qingchun could finish cursing, Su Zhinian, who was reading her thoughts, lifted his head up lightly to look at Song Qingchun and asked purposefully, "That¡¯s alright with you, yes?"


    Song Qingchun offered up a smile and shook her head gently. She replied in a generous manner, "Of course, Mr. Su, do order anything you like, I don¡¯t mind it at all."


    However, internally, she was hissing violently. Is that alright with me? What do you think, Maniac Su! I did tell you to order, but did you need to order two? Have you lost your mind? Take pity on my wallet.


    Su Zhinian tried his hardest to suppress the smile that was threatening to appear on his face and nodded at Song Qingchun. Then, he really tried to ¡¯order anything that he liked¡¯. "This, this, and this, add this as well..."


    Can you even finish all that? Are you a pig! How can you eat so much? You¡¯re still ordering? Stop it already...


    Song Qingchun¡¯s angry roars slowly petered intomentations when she realized Su Zhinian showed no intention of slowing down any time soon. His finger that hovered over the menu kept pointing. Right then, Song Qingchun could feel her heart breaking... What to do? God, I feel like crying. Did I lose my mind that day? Why would I invite Maniac Su to a meal? Maniac Su is truly a maniac; he has ordered almost everything on the menu; is this how a rich man eats? God, I¡¯m tired. From today onwards, I swear to note to Golden Corner, this godforsaken ce, ever again...


    Just as Song Qingchun thought it could not be worse, Su Zhinian ordered an 82-year Lafite from the wine list.


    Song Qingchun could feel the smile on her face going sour. This was the first time she had felt that life was pulling a cruel prank on her.


    Her heart was in pieces, and she had lost even the stamina to mock Su Zhinian. She just wanted to crawl into a hole alone and cry herself to sleep. However, she couldn¡¯t. She knew she had to face the bill that would arrive after the dinner. There were still twenty days until her sry day, but even so, she would soon be in a sea of debt...


    Song Qingchun really wanted to cry, but on the surface, she piled on the smiles. When the Lafite arrived, she even stood up to pour a ss for Su Zhinian. She then toasted him and officially thanked Su Zhinian for his aid.


    Song Qingchun despised herself for how fake she was acting. She desperately wanted to kick Su Zhinian, but she still helped him to the dishes with a face full of smiles.

 Chapter 144: Lifetime Complementary Card (4)

    Chapter 144: Lifetime Complementary Card (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    After all, what¡¯s done is done. Song Qingchun chose to surrender to her fate and just enjoy the scrumptious Christmas dinner for now.


    There was reason Golden Corner charged an astronomical price for their food; the chef¡¯s work was wless.


    Song Qingchun was one of those girls who had enhanced metabolism, so she would not gain a pound no matter how much food she shoveled down her gullet. That night, she did shovel plenty of food into her stomach.


    After all, delicious food was one of the best constions when one was feeling down. Song Qingchun¡¯s heart that had been shattered by Su Zhinian was slowly pieced together during the meal, but before it couldpletely recover itself, the bad news came... in the form of a bill.


    Song Qingchun waited for the waiter toe with the bill and mentally calcted the price of the dinner they just had. Then, she worried whether she had enough cash on her or not. If not, she would need to get a loan from a friend or something.


    The waiter soon returned with the bill. He stood before the table with a polite smile and asked in a whisper, "I¡¯m sorry, but who should I give the bill to?"


    Song Qingchun desperately wished for Su Zhinian to volunteer, but before he had a chance to do that, Song Qingchun herself grabbed for the bill and said, "I will."


    Song Qingchun lowered her head to look at the price, one, two, three, four... When Song Qingchun calcted to thest number, her hand shook violently. The dinner was six figures! The bottle of wine alone cost half of the total. Her bank was going to be dry!


    Song Qingchun consoled her bleeding heart and smiled thinly at the waiter. Then, she reached into the bag to search for her credit card. Just as she handed her credit card over to the waiter with a shaking hand, the waiter passed her a scratch card in return, saying, "Miss, on ount of it being Christmas, our establishment is holding a special event. Everyone who dines at our ce tonight will have the chance to join the lucky draw. There is only one special prize, and it¡¯s a lifetimeplementary card. Why don¡¯t you try your luck at the lucky draw first before paying?"


    Song Qingchun had never been lucky with this kind of scratch card lucky draw. All her life, she had never won any kind of luck-based contest.


    No, wait, she had won a stick of bubble-gum once, but even then, Song Cheng stole it from her, so that didn¡¯t count.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s first instinct was to give up on the scratch card, but at the same time, she had to try anything she could. Therefore, she epted the card from the waiter and set it on the table. She pulled out a coin from her bag and scratched at the card.


    Song Qingchun was anticipating a ¡¯Thank you for your participation¡¯, so she did not even nce at the prize it revealed before passing it back to the waiter. As the waiter epted it, Song Qingchun took a nce at it. She blinked multiple times when she saw the word on it. She rubbed her eyes, and her gaze zeroed in on the prize. With a shaking hand, she pushed the card to the waiter and asked, "Can you please tell me what prize I have won?"


    The waiter titled his head to look at the prize. Then he used a gaze that was both envious and excited to congratte Song Qingchun. "Congrattions, miss, you are so lucky to have won the special prize! You are our only customer who will have a lifetimeplementary card. I will deliver the cardter, and in the future, all your meals here at Golden Corner will be free when you show us the card..."

 Chapter 145: Lifetime Complementary Card (5)

    Chapter 145: Lifetime Complementary Card (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    After Song Qingchun heard the waiter, she took the card back and stared at the word ¡¯special prize¡¯ on it for quite some time before she could believe she had actually won the special prize.


    Her hand that held the card was shaking slightly from sheer excitement. She whipped her head around to look at Su Zhinian; the light in her eyes was blinding. "Su Zhinian, you hear that? I¡¯ve won the special prize!"


    Su Zhinian... Ever since she asked for him to take over Song Empire, and he retorted by saying, "Miss, am I that close to you that you can refer to me by my name?" From that moment onwards, she had switched to calling him "CEO Su" or "Mr. Su".


    She was very good at maintaining her distance from him. Even though he knew she had identally called him by his name due to overwhelming joy, he could not help himself from shuddering all over when he heard the words ¡¯Su Zhinian¡¯e out of her mouth.


    Song Qingchun was too excited to realize her slip of the tongue and Su Zhinian¡¯s curious reaction.


    Then again, how could she not be excited?


    She had probably exhausted all the luck she would have throughout her life in that one night.


    When she received the handsomely crafted ck lifetimeplementary card from the waiter, she even waved it in front of Su Zhinian several times to gloat. Song Qingchun, who had still been crying over the bill several minutes ago, opened her mouth to announce generously, for real this time, "Have you had your fill? If not enough, order some more, I¡¯ll be paying!"


    After dinner, Song Qingchun went to use the bathroom while Su Zhinian excused himself to go to the underground parking lot to fetch his car.


    Due to her lucky win, Song Qingchun was exceptionally happy that night; she was humming all the way to the bathroom.


    When she pulled open the toilet cubicle¡¯s door, she could hear the sound of vomit from the sink. Song Qingchun saw a familiar figure copsed on the golden sink, vomiting all over the ce.


    Even without looking at his face, just from his back alone, Song Qingchun could tell this was Qin Yinan.


    ...


    Qin Yinan had gone for a business meeting with one of his clients at Golden Corner that night.


    When he arrived, the client wasn¡¯t there yet, so he had stood at the entrance, waiting for him to arrive. Before he could spot his client, he spotted Tang Nuan instead.


    He had pursued Tang Nuan for many years, and even though she had never promised to be his girlfriend, through the many years, they¡¯d had their fair share of arguments.


    No matter the size of the altercation, he would be the first to apologize.


    When he first set his sight on Tang Nuan, he already knew about her many weaknesses. However, he did not think those took away from her allure. After all, a little irresponsibility, selfishness, and irrationality could add to a girl¡¯s charm.


    Furthermore, when a man truly loved a woman, all those little weaknesses became strengths.


    He knew Tang Nuan had an arrogant side to her and did not share a good rtionship with other women. He had heard herin about many other women before, but since he loved her, he had indulged her. He would listen to herin with a smile and console her afterwards.


    However, the thing she had done at thekeside was unforgiveable. It had touched his bottom line. He treated Song Qingchun like his actual little sister; he would rather he himself suffer from the grievances than put Song Qingchun in an ufortable position.


    When she just started school, Song Qingchun had often been bullied. Oftentimes, before her biological brother, Song Cheng would do anything, Qin Yinan, who normally had a gentle demeanor, woulde out to fend for her.

 Chapter 146: Lifetime Complementary Card (6)

    Chapter 146: Lifetime Complementary Card (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Therefore, after what had happened at City Clubhouse, he had never contacted Tang Nuan nor did she reach out to him. Therefore, the date they had nned for Christmas and Christmas Eve was naturally ruined and undone.


    Tang Nuan descended from a red BMW. She was smartly dressed. The five-meter tall Christmas tree that had been prepared for the holiday glittered luxuriously with its yards of fairy lights. He noticed how Tang Nuan stood beside the car and smiled brilliantly at the person who came down from the passenger seat.


    It was a man who looked to be almost in his fifties.


    Tang Nuan and the middle-age man kept talking andughing on their way to Golden Corner; it was when they passed through the entrance that she saw him.


    Her gaze stopped on his face for less than a second, like he was aplete stranger, before she moved her eyes away. She then piled on her smiles to chat the man up and brushed past him.


    It was not until she had walked quite a distance away that he dared to turn around to sneak a look at her. The middle-age man extended his hand to ¡¯identally¡¯ brush up against her waist, but Tang Nuan did not skirt away or tell him off.


    The window of his room faced the first floor¡¯s lobby, and he was given theplete view of her during dinner.


    The middle-age man kept pushing her alcohol, and Tang Nuan did not reject it; she knocked them back one ss after another and practically allowed herself to be touched all over by the man.


    If this was before, he probably would have rushed downstairs and directly pulled her away. However, this time, he did not do anything. Regardless, his originally fine mood was ruinedpletely after witnessing all of that. He had forgotten all the proposals he had prepared for the client and angered the client so badly with his unpreparedness and distraction that the client left angrily, leaving him behind alone to deal with a failed meeting and a table full of alcohol.


    When he downed thest of the bottle, Qin Yinan could feel nothing but a burning feeling at the bottom of his stomach. He vomited for a long time, lying prone on the sink until he felt like the entire content of his stomach had been emptied. It was then that he heard a soft voiceing from behind him. "Brother Yinan?"


    Qin Yinan took at least five minutes before the situation registered in his mind. He stood up slowly to look at the mirror before him to identify the person behind him. He stared at the reflection in the mirror for a long time, but he could not tell who it was. He turned around slowly and prepared to leave. However, before he could even take the first step, he fell face-first to the floor.


    Song Qingchun rushed forward to catch Qin Yinan, and the stench of alcohol assaulted her nose. She frowned subconsciously and asked, "Brother Yinan, why did you drink so much tonight?"


    "Who are you..." Qin Yinan asked in a slurred voice, but before he could finish the rest of the sentence, he resumed vomiting.


    There was nothing left in his stomach except acid, so he coughed up dry hacks and bile.


    After Qin Yinan finished vomiting, he copsed weakly on Song Qingchun¡¯s shoulder. His eyes were closed, and his breathing was steady, albeit weak.


    He could not return alone in such condition, and she couldn¡¯t just leave him there like that...


    After some thought, Song Qingchun pulled out her phone and gave Su Zhinian a call.


    ...


    Su Zhinian parked his car by Golden Corner¡¯s entrance. While he waited for Song Qingchun, his gaze asionally fell on the present box that was sitting on the passenger seat.

 Chapter 147: Lifetime Complementary Card (7)

    Chapter 147: Lifetime Complementary Card (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    When Su Zhinian intended to listen in on Song Qingchun, since she had taken a bit too long, her call came through to his phone.


    Su Zhinian thought Song Qingchun had run into some trouble, so he answered it quickly. Before he could say anything, Song Qingchun¡¯s voice came through the phone. "Mr. Su, do you mind if I not take your ride home tonight?"


    Su Zhinian frowned subconsciously. After a short pause on the phone, Song Qingchun continued carefully, "It¡¯s still early, and the subway¡¯s still running. The station is close to my home, and I don¡¯t wish to trouble you..."


    Before she finished, Su Zhinian pulled the phone away from his ear and ended the call.


    Su Zhinian lowered his gaze and leaned back in his seat. He was quiet and immobile.


    After a while, he turned around to look at the Golden Corner¡¯s glittering entrance. Through the cacophony, he could hear Song Qingchun, who was still at Golden Corner, say, "Can you please help me lift him into the car?"


    She was probably talking to a waiter because a respectful voice replied, "Of course, miss."


    After that, it was silent. After five minutes, Su Zhinian saw Song Qingchun and a waiter carry a person between them out of Golden Corner¡¯s revolving door.


    When the three of them reached the roadside, Su Zhinian had a clearer view of the person they were carrying. His hands that gripped the steering wheel tightened, and his face hardened.


    So, the reason she was skipping his ride home was because she had run into Qin Yinan...


    She had probably called for a taxi when she was inside Golden Corner because a taxi stopped about twenty meters in front of his car.


    The waiter helped lift the unconscious Qin Yinan into the car. Song Qingchun pulled out some tips from her bag to give the waiter. After all, he must have exhausted quite an amount of energy carrying Qin Yinan from inside Golden Corner to the car. Su Zhinian could even hear Song Qingchun catching her breath when she told the waiter, "Thank you so much for your help."


    The waiter epted the tips and returned a "thank you" as well. Then she climbed into the car and closed the door.


    The taillight of the taxi blinked as it slowly drove into the main road.


    Su Zhinian waited until the taxi was a distance away before he stepped on the gas pedal to follow it.


    The taxi stopped in front of an apartment building. Su Zhinian also stopped about twenty meters behind the taxi.


    He could hear clearly Song Qingchun in the taxi asking for the amount of fare. After paying, she even asked the driver for help to carry Qin Yinan out of the car.


    Without the driver¡¯s help, she was wobbling, carrying Qin Yinan alone. Qin Yinan was obviously unable to stand on his own. Even though he was not heavy, he was tall. Several times, she almost fell while carrying him.


    It was not until Song Qingchun and Qin Yinan disappeared into the building that Su Zhinian got out of his car. He stood in the chilling breeze in only a thin shirt and pants.


    It was almost 11 pm, but the city was still alive due to Christmas.


    All sorts of sounds drifted into Su Zhinian¡¯s ears, a lovers¡¯ quarrel, the sound of a baby crying, the sound of firecrackers, theughter at a friendly gathering... However, they were not loud enough to drown out the sound of Song Qingchun¡¯s heavy breathing as she dragged Qin Yinan in and out of the elevator and into his house.

 Chapter 148: Lifetime Complementary Card (8)

    Chapter 148: Lifetime Complementary Card (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Qin Yinan probably tripped on something inside the house because Song Qingchun yelped, "Brother Yinan, careful!"


    Then there was the sound of shuffling footsteps, the sound of a door being opened, and the sound of a bed taking the full weight of a grown man. Finally, there was the sound of a long sigh from Song Qingchun.


    Even though he could not see into Qin Yinan¡¯s house, he could visualize the scenario from various audio cues. Song Qingchun probably helped Qin Yinan with his shoes and covered him with the duvet before going into the bathroom to retrieve a wet towel to wash and clean his face.


    Qin Yinan woke up in the middle from the coughing that he heard. The man mumbled, "Thirsty", and then there was the sound of Song Qingchun trotting out of the bedroom and water pouring. When Song Qingchun returned to his bedroom, she said in a patient and kind voice, "Brother Yinan, water."


    After helping Qin Yinan with the ss of water, Song Qingchun seemed to have returned to the kitchen because Su Zhinian heard something like a juicer being operated. Then she returned to the bedroom. "Brother Yinan, how about a ss of watermelon juice? I hear it¡¯s very good to help with hangovers."


    Qin Yinan had woken up slightly probably from consuming the water and watermelon juice. He croaked, "Song Song."


    After a short pause, he added, "Sorry for troubling you."


    "Brother Yinan, is there a need for that between us?" He could hear the smile in Song Qingchun¡¯s words. "Brother Yinan, you must not be feeling so well from the hangover. Quickly go back to sleep, I will help you cook some porridge. Remember to have some tomorrow morning or your stomach will ache for the rest of the day."


    Qin Yinan mumbled an acknowledgement. Song Qingchun then stepped out of the room, a few stepster, she stopped. "Brother Yinan, I also ced a ss of water by your bed. I¡¯m worried you¡¯ll be thirsty in the middle of the night, so remember to reach for it if you need it."


    "That¡¯s enough, Song Song. I¡¯ve drunk too much, but I¡¯m notpletely useless." Qin Yinan might sound like he wasining, but there was humor in his tone.


    Song Qingchun chuckled. Su Zhinian then heard the sound of a switch being turned off, and the sound of door closing. Then, it was the sound of washing pots and rice... Qin Yinan¡¯s mumbling voice said, "Song Song, I want to have pumpkin porridge."


    "I know, Brother Yinan..."


    Su Zhinian turned and got back into his car before Song Qingchun finished the rest of her reply. He mmed on the pedal before even putting on seatbelt. He should not have followed them. In her heart, of course, Qin Yinan was more important.


    Her concern for Qin Yinan came from her heart, while her concern for him was because of a contract.


    Even though he could return home daily to have her home-cooked meal, he knew deep down that the reason she even knew how to cook was because she wanted to learn how to cook so that she was qualified to be Qin Yinan¡¯s wife. Her most sessful dish was pumpkin porridge because that was Qin Yinan¡¯s favorite food.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s knuckles were white from gripping the steering wheel too tightly.


    Actually, he was really happy. Since he could not openly help her pay the bill, he had personally contacted Golden Corner¡¯s boss to design this lucky draw activity for her.


    He would pay for this meal and every meal in the future... because didn¡¯t she say that she liked the food at Golden Corner?

 Chapter 149: Lifetime Complementary Card (9)

    Chapter 149: Lifetime Complementary Card (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    If she liked it, then she could have it whenever she wanted. Her every bill would be sent his way.


    He hadvished her without Song Qingchun even realizing it. Even without her thanks or appreciation, he still felt quite blissful.


    He had thought he could finally have a Christmas that he would remember with a smile, but in the end, the way the day had ended was still so painstakingly harsh.


    ...


    It had been at least five years since Su Zhinian had touched alcohol.


    Thest time he drank was when he¡¯d stumbled across that secret five years ago. He had spent seven days and seven nights submerged in a state of inebriation. The time before that when he drank was also five years ago on his birthday... That time, he made the mistake that had inextricably linked them together.


    Five yearster, he had gotten drunk again.


    When he left the bar, morning had already broken. With faltering steps, he walked to his car. He tried many times before his handnded on the car door. He copsed into the car with the world still spinning. After a short nap in the back of the car, he pulled out his phone from his pocket and called his driver.


    About half an hourter, someone knocked on the car window. After the person opened the lock and got in, he realized it was not the driver but his secretary, Cheng Qingchong.


    Before she got in, she grabbed a bottle of water from the trunk. She twisted the cap open and passed it to Su Zhinian.


    After gulping two mouthfuls, Su Zhinian tossed the bottle back at Cheng Qingchong. He asked tonelessly, "Why are you here?"


    "Mr. Zhang, the driver is not in Beijing, he just called me," Cheng Qingchong answered truthfully. She twisted the cap back on and ced the bottle back on the passenger seat. It was then that she saw the exquisitely wrapped present.


    Christmas is already over... but the present is still here in Big Boss¡¯ car? This is the first time I¡¯ve seen Big Boss so drunk. Could it be that there was some altercation between Big Boss and "the person hiding in his memory" on Christmas?


    Cheng Qingchong took the driver¡¯s seat and turned back wordlessly to stare at Su Zhinian. After she put on the seatbelt, she asked, "CEO Su, where to?"


    Su Zhinian uttered with his eyes shut, "Company."


    His tone was too quiet, and his words were too jumbled for Cheng Qingchong to hear him clearly. She asked again, "I¡¯m sorry but where?"


    This time, there was no answer.


    Cheng Qingchong stared at Su Zhinian in the backseat through the rear-view mirror. She noticed hisck of reaction and added after some thought, "Shall we go home?"


    Su Zhinian frowned when he heard the word "home". A hue of darkness rose between his brows. He opened his eyes slowly, as if he was remembering something. The eyes that looked out the window were lost, and the words tumbled quietly out of his mouth. "Home? Home..."


    Then, ayer of self-deprecation and mocking covered his eyes, as he continued. "No, don¡¯t go home, nobody cares whether I go home or not..."


    Then his eyelids dropped.


    Cheng Qingchong could still hear him when he began, but the volume slowly petered off. In the end, Cheng Qingchong only managed to catch the words ¡¯go home¡¯ twice. The rest was incoherent mumbling to her ears.


    If not for the fact she could see his lips move through the rear-view mirror, she wouldn¡¯t have known that he was even speaking.


    The expression on Su Zhinian¡¯s face was so rxed that Cheng Qingchong thought he was asleep. After some short hesitation, Cheng Qingchong started the engine and headed in the direction of his home.

 Chapter 150: Lifetime Complementary Card (10)

    Chapter 150: Lifetime Complementary Card (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "The person hiding in his memory" is staying with him, right? If there are altercations between them, then they will have to talk it out. Big Boss spent so much to prepare the ¡¯crown jewel¡¯; it will be such a waste if it is not given to her! Any woman who receives this present will be overjoyed! Big Boss loves her so much, so he will definitely be happy when he sees the joy on her face...


    Cheng Qingchong stared at the road ahead, and her lips curved into a smile.


    No one knew she was also hiding a secret within her heart. The secret was rted to her Big Boss.


    She had liked him, from many years ago. During her interview, she had started to like him. That was why she tried her best to be efficient, perfect, and diligent; it was her only way to be able to stay by his side.


    However, she knew very well that his love was not meant for her. Therefore, she had never once thought about pursuing her Big Boss; she had resigned herself to standing by his side and being his right-hand woman. She would be happy if he was happy, she would be sad if he was gloomy, and she would be satisfied if he could find bliss and happiness.


    Cheng Qingchong parked the car by the bungalow entrance. She turned around to call him. "CEO Su."


    Su Zhinian opened his eyes slowly. His gaze was still floating all over the ce. It was after a while that he realized they had reached the destination. He grumbled a "Hmm" as he pushed the door open and stepped out of the car.


    Su Zhinian floundered in his steps. Cheng Qingchong got out of the car to help him but was pushed away. He said, "Thank you, but you can go home now,e and fetch me tomorrow morning."


    "Yes, CEO Su." Cheng Qingchong pulled back her hands and stood obediently by the car. She watched Su Zhinian stumble to the front door, key in the password, and get in before she got into the car and drove away.


    ...


    Song Qingchun reached the bungalow at around 11:30 pm. She noticed the lights on the second floor were out, so she knew Su Zhinian had not returned.


    She was feeling a bit bloated from the amount she scoffed down during dinner. Song Qingchun decided to do a 30-minute run on the treadmill in the downstairs gym to wind down after a long day.


    The heater of the house was powerful, and when the run was over, Song Qingchun was covered in sweat.


    She took a warm bath in her bedroom and went down to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. As she twisted the cap open, her phone, which she had left in the living room, rang.


    Song Qingchun subconsciously nced at the wall clock; it was almost 1 am, who would call at such an hour?


    She gulped down the water with a frown as she walked to the living room. She answered the call after she saw the caller ID. "Brother Yinan?"


    Qin Yinan¡¯s mind had probably cleared from a good sleep because his words were much clearer. "I woke up to use the toilet and was reminded of the fact you had to return home alone. I was worried, so I called to check on you."


    ...


    It was not until Su Zhinian stepped across the front door that he realized he was home.


    He stood for a long time at the entryway. He finally took the first step, but it was unsteady, and he careened to the side. Thankfully, he grabbed the wall in time. He was bending over to untie his shoes when he heard a voice inside the house. "Brother Yinan?"


    His brain was slow to process it due to the alcohol. He stood there frozen before soon realizing it was Song Qingchun¡¯s voice.


    She¡¯s already home... His mind had only just reached this conclusion when he heard her say with a smile, "I reached home safely a long time ago."

 Chapter 151: Sincerity Is Just Next to Misery (1)

    Chapter 151: Sincerity Is Just Next to Misery (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Who is she talking to?


    Su Zhinian frowned and resumed taking off his shoes. He walked into the living room with faltering steps and spotted the phone in her hand.


    So, she¡¯s on the phone... Even though Su Zhinian could normally tell instantly who was on the other end of the line, that night, his brain was addled by alcohol.


    "Brother Yinan, you have drunk too much tonight, let¡¯s chat some other time, you need to get some rest."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s body froze; his feet stuck to the ground.


    Qin Yinan... Of course, she is talking to Qin Yinan... She rejected my ride home just to take care of Qin Yinan. Even after she took him back home, she was still talking to Qin Yinan...


    Fury coursed through Su Zhinian¡¯s body, cooking up a potent cocktail of bitterness and jealousy.


    He zeroed in on Song Qingchun and saw the gentle smile that decorated her face. She replied in a soft, sweet, gentle, and also slightly irked voice, "I know, Brother Yinan, I will go to bed soon..."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s fists suddenly tightened, and a part on his left chest expanded with great pain, like it could explode at any moment. It made him feel greatly ufortable.


    He red at her smiling face that was like a flower in bloom, and with a squint of his eyes, he controlled her hand that held the phone and opened it.


    "Okay... Good bye, Brother Yinan... Good..." Just as Song Qingchun was ready to say the word "night", her hand that held the phone suddenly opened, and the phone slipped out of her hand, pulled by gravity. Itnded heavily on the marble floor.


    Very soon, Song Qingchun came to with her eyes blinking. She stared confusedly at her palm that was empty before lowering her head to look at the screen of her phone, which had cracked; the phone call had cut off.


    Did my hand shake just now? When did the phone fall to the floor?


    Song Qingchun frowned deeply. Just as she bent down to grab her phone, she noticed, out of the corner of her eye, that a person had been standing behind her since god knows when.


    Song Qingchun shuddered involuntarily and whipped her whole body around. She realized it was Su Zhinian who was standing half a meter behind her with his lips pursed.


    When did he reach home? Why does he have to stand behind people so quietly like that? Who is he trying to scare?


    Song Qingchun inhaled to calm her frazzled nerves. It was then that she realized the ugly expression on Su Zhinian¡¯s face. His eyes that stared at her did not have one bit of warmth; they were frighteningly cold.


    Song Qingchun instinctively gulped in fear. She tried her best to suppress the nerves that were unravelling once again. She grinned slightly at Su Zhinian and said carefully, "Mr. Su, you¡¯re home?"


    Su Zhinian ignored her and continued staring at her unblinkingly.


    He was fine during dinner, so what happened?


    Song Qingchun sweated under his scrutiny. Her fists tightened unconsciously, and she forced another smile at him. "Mr. Su, do you wish to have anything to drink?"


    There was still no reaction from Su Zhinian, but Song Qingchun noticed his pupils were rapidly constricting. A powerful presence assaulted her, causing her breath to stop in her throat. She asked in a shaking voice, "Or do you wish to take a shower first? Do you want me to draw a warm bath for you?"

 Chapter 152: Sincerity Is Just Next to Misery (2)

    Chapter 152: Sincerity Is Just Next to Misery (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    After Song Qingchun said that, she waited for Su Zhinian to reply. Realizing he was not going to, she took two steps back, wanting to go past him and head upstairs.


    However, she had merely put one foot back when Su Zhinian suddenly reached out to grab her wrist and pulled her to stand before him.


    Song Qingchun was rattled by Su Zhinian¡¯s sudden action. Her heart constricted and stopped beating.


    Before she realized what was happening, before she could even get a word out, or even a sound, his palm grabbed the back of her head, and his lips eagerly and deliberately attacked hers.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s brain nked out at that moment; her eyes opened and stared dazedly at Su Zhinian¡¯s painting-like features that were ufortably close to her.


    His gentle and fiery lips ground against her lips with every ounce of energy in his body.


    His hand that grabbed her wrist slowly moved to her waist. With an energy that was reserved for kneading hard bread, he attempted to grind her into his body.


    He parted her lips forcefully, and his tongue danced around hers without reservation.


    It did not seem like he was kissing her; if anything, it felt like he was merely using her to release emotions that were trapped inside his heart. His kiss deepened in force, and his expression turned more savage.


    It was not until Song Qingchun felt the pain from the end of her tongue that hershes quivered, and her brain started moving and registering what was happening.


    Su Zhinian is kissing me... Song Qingchun¡¯s heart shook, and only then did she notice the miasma of alcohol that was surrounding them.


    He¡¯s drunk? As the two words cropped up in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind, her fingers shook violently.


    This was exactly how it went down five years ago. He was drunk and kissed her without warning... After that, the thing happened... Was it going to repeat itself again?


    The blood drained from Song Qingchun¡¯s face, and her whole body started to quake with fear. Her hands instinctively went up to shove him away.


    He sensed her resistance because, as he kissed her, he used his powerful arm to restrain her wrists.


    She wanted to escape; she kept moving her head away before she finally escaped his lips. The man¡¯s brows creased, and with a swipe of his arm, he held her wrists tightly and the other arm arrested her neck. She was pinned into ce, and his lips caught her mouth again.


    His body was closely linked to hers. Even through twoyers of clothing, she could feel his burning passion, and it caused her body to shake from cold fear.


    She was in hisplete control, there was no way for her to escape. She was like a fish on the chopping block, just waiting for his knife to drop.


    Five years ago... it was simr five years ago. She could remember the impossible heat of his body, how his kisses were like attempts to swallow her, and the forcefulness as he tore her clothes apart...


    Song Qingchun was still living the trauma in her mind when Su Zhinian¡¯s kisses went south of her neck and slowly moved downwards...


    Her lips shook, and her heart was overworking from fear and apprehension. Just like five years ago, pleading words tumbled out of her whitened lips.


    "Su Zhinian, please let me go... Su Zhinian, please... no..."

 Chapter 153: Sincerity Is Just Next to Misery (3)

    Chapter 153: Sincerity Is Just Next to Misery (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Her pleas fell on deaf ears as he feverishly munched on her bare skin.


    An indescribable sensation of paralysis and disgust spread from his lips to the rest of her body, amplifying the fear within Song Qingchun. She instinctively tried to escape. Catching the opening when the grip he had on her wrist loosened, she shoved him away. She turned and ran for the nearest exit.


    However, he was much faster than she was. Before she could get two steps away, he pulled on her wrist. Pain shot through her; his force on her wrist was so strong that it seemed like he was trying to snap it in two.


    Before she could recover from the pain, she was pushed from behind and toppled to the sofa. Hended heavily on her, effectively pinning her underneath him.


    Hended on her like a dead weight. The heavy feeling reminded her perfectly of the same event that happened five years ago. The moment his lips fell on her neck, she started to panic. She tried her best to struggle free, but her strength was minisculepared to his. His hands mped on her shoulder and kissed her even more forcefully.


    Song Qingchun knew she had no way to run, so she opened her lips to plead with him. "Su Zhinian, let me go... You¡¯re drunk... Please wake up, please don¡¯t do this..."


    Suddenly, a crisp sound of tearing filtered into her ear. Her whole body froze, then she felt the breeze and his fiery lips on her bare chest...


    The same feeling of despair from five years ago enveloped her. Tears overflowed from her eyes, and she had dropped all pretension of pride and honor. The pleadings turned into begging. In a shaking tone, she begged, "Su Zhinian, please don¡¯t do this, please, I beg you... please..."


    She repeated the word "please" like she could find no better word to express her desperation. Her tears, which fell like pearls from a broken ne, muddled her speech; in the end, seemingly having no energy left or perhaps having surrendered to despair, her mouth was silent, and her body, which had still been struggling, suddenly stopped moving.


    It was when Su Zhinian¡¯s fingers caressed her waist that he realized something was wrong. He slowly raised his head to realize her empty eyes were looking at a spot on the ceiling while tears flowed freely out of them.


    His brows creased, and he pinched her chin to pull her face down to look at him.


    In his sharp gaze, there was a dancing burning me.


    She only met his gaze for a second before hurriedly averting her eyes. Her lips were shivering conspicuously. She sounded like she was mumbling a prayer, but it was drowned out by the sound of her weeping.


    He stared at her teary face for a long while before slowly moving his eyes downwards. His brows furrowed when he noticed her unkempt clothing, and then it slowly dawned on him what he had done under the influence of alcohol and anger.


    Her lips kept moving, but this time through the tears, he could pick up clearly what she was saying.


    "Please, please let me go..."

 Chapter 154: Sincerity Is Just Next to Misery (4)

    Chapter 154: Sincerity Is Just Next to Misery (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    There was no soul behind her words; it was like she had lost her spirit, and she was merely repeating those words on rote.


    Su Zhinian was rattled. After a few seconds, he heard her begin again.


    "Please, please don¡¯t do this, please..."


    Su Zhinian shivered violently, and he woke up from his drunken stupor almost instantly. The great anger that resided in his eyes gradually and silently dispersed, until there was barely a trace left.


    It was then that her thoughts drifted into his mind. They were dripping with fear, resistance, helplessness, and despair. Is he going to rape me like he did five years ago?


    ¡¯Is he going to rape me like he did five years ago?¡¯


    This sentence was like a sharp knife that pierced deeply into Su Zhinian¡¯s very core. It twisted around, mutting his heart.


    His eyes turned dark, and his pupils rapidly contracted. As if shocked, he suddenly jumped off her body and stumbled back several steps before he stopped.


    He should not have returned home; if he hadn¡¯t, the most he would have done was dwell in his own misery and heartache at thepany... After he returned, when he saw her on the phone with Qin Yinan, he was reminded of how she had ditched him for Qin Yinan and the words she had said when she cared for Qin Yinan. The envy, the jealousy, and the anger unsealed the emotions that he had suppressed for so many years.


    She was still crying; her tears had wetted her hair. Her weak pleadings could be heard asionally in the quiet living room. "Please, please..."


    After a long while, she finally realized he had gotten off her. Her body instantly curled in a defensive position and shrank back into the sofa. She pulled the clothes that he had torn to cover her exposed body.


    Her reaction stung his heart. Subconsciously, he squatted down beside the sofa and extended his hand to her. He merely wanted to help her dry her tears, to tell her he was sorry...


    However, as his finger went toward her, she noticed his approach, and her wide, teary eyes nced at him with guardedness. Afraid that he was going to resume what he had just started, she shrank deeper into the cushions of the sofa. Her body curled up into a smaller ball, and she started to shake violently. Fear was written on her nched face.


    Su Zhinian stopped moving as he stared into her eyes. He saw the sadness, pain, and a trace of helplessness in them.


    His hand hung in mid-air for a long time before they clenched into fists. He pulled them back awkwardly and allowed them to fall weakly by his side.


    He stood beside the sofa and looked at her with his head lowered. His lips moved like he had something to say. However, in the end, he said nothing but took two steps back, closed his eyes, and turned to leave.


    The cold of the winter night caused Su Zhinian, who was already half-woken from Song Qingchun¡¯s tears, topletely awaken from his haze of inebriation.


    He stood under the light of the porch, listening to the sound of weeping that drifted out from inside the house. Every sob was like a sharp knife that was aimed at his heart. He turned his head around to look at the light in the window. He bit on his lips and took his first step to walk out the bungalow gate.


    ...


    Cheng Qingchong drove for a long while before realized the ¡¯crown jewel¡¯ was still sitting on the passenger seat. She hesitated before deciding to turn the car around.

 Chapter 155: Sincerity Is Just Next to Misery (5)

    Chapter 155: Sincerity Is Just Next to Misery (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The only reason she had sent Big Boss home was so that he could talk the conflict out, which would be easier with a present, wouldn¡¯t it?


    When she reached Su Zhinian¡¯s residential area, just as she was going to take a final turn, she spotted a familiar shadow standing under a street light. Cheng Qingchong immediately turned the steering wheel around to move toward it.


    It was not until she was close that Cheng Qingchong realized it was really Su Zhinian.


    The man held a half empty water bottle in his hand, leaning against the street light. Perhaps it was difort of the light, his eyes were closed, and the light from the streetmp fell quietly on him. His perfect features were given an ethereal quality, but in his expression, she once again caught the heavy sadness that could not be dissolved.


    Cheng Qingchong stepped on the brake with a face full of shock. Didn¡¯t I drop Big Boss home? Why is he here alone? Furthermore, his ears are red from frostbite; he must have been outside for a long time. Could it be that he was chased out by "the person in his memory"?


    Cheng Qingchong got out the car to get to the passenger seat to retrieve the ¡¯crown jewel¡¯ to hand it over to Su Zhinian. Su Zhinian, who heard themotion, slowly peeled his eyelids open. When he saw her, his brows furrowed as if asking why she was there.


    Cheng Qingchong exined in a hurry, "CEO Su, I noticed your stuff that was left in the car, so I turned back to give it to you."


    Then, Cheng Qingchong opened the passenger door. However, before she could reach for the wrapped present, Su Zhinian had already dropped the water bottle in a nearby trashcan, pulled open the backdoor, and climbed into the car. He ordered in a monotonous manner, "Take me to thepany."


    Cheng Qingchong paused for a moment before she turned to look at Su Zhinian. The iciness in his eyes signaled the state of his mood.


    She kept her opinions to herself and her lips moved to reply, "Yes".


    She withdrew her hand that was reaching for the wrapped present.


    The car stopped at thepany entrance. Cheng Qingchong turned around to say softly, "CEO Su, we¡¯re here."


    Su Zhinian retracted his gaze that was looking out the car window and nodded slightly before he pushed open the car door to step out.


    Cheng Qingchong stared at her Big Boss¡¯ shadow as he wandered into thepany. After a short moment of hesitation, she rolled down the car window to call him. "CEO Su."


    Su Zhinian stopped and turned to look at her, but he did not speak.


    Cheng Qingchong undid her seatbelt and picked up the wrapped present on the passenger seat. She rushed out of the car and passed it to Su Zhinian. "CEO Su, your thing."


    Su Zhinian looked at the present for a while before he extended his hands to ept it. He turned to walk toward the door. When he was reaching the revolving door, Su Zhinian suddenly stopped like he had just remembered something. He turned to call after Cheng Qingchong, who was getting into the car, "Cheng Qingchong..."


    Cheng Qingchong looked up and asked, "CEO Su, do you have any other orders?"


    "Help me order a cell phone, a model that is famous among female users..." Su Zhinian suddenly stopped mid-sentence. Then, he continued, "Never mind, forget it..."


    With a self-deprecating tone like he had said something he shouldn¡¯t have, he muttered under his breath, "She wouldn¡¯t want anything from me anyway..."

 Chapter 156: Sincerity Is Just Next to Misery (6)

    Chapter 156: Sincerity Is Just Next to Misery (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    It was then that Su Zhinian realized he had said too much. He shut his mouth immediately.


    His face, covered with weariness, looked at a streetmp faraway. It was after some time that he said, "You can go home."


    Then, he stepped into the revolving door.


    His back was straight, but Cheng Qingchong could see the loneliness that weighed down on her boss. She knew he was unhappy, and her heart wrenched with pain. Her hand that gripped the car handle unconsciously tightened.


    ...


    Su Zhinian had no idea how long he spent sitting at his office chair before he moved his hand to press at the stomach that was rumbling with pain from too much alcohol. Then, his gaze slowly fell on the present beside him.


    He lost his attention staring at the present. He unwrapped it and flipped the box open. The whole set of jewelry glittered, dazzlingly reflecting the office light. The glow was so bright that he had to look away. He mmed the box shut the next second. He stood up and walked to a cab in the room. He pulled one of the drawers open and dropped the present in it.


    The drawer was huge and deep. It was filled with all sorts of presents. He stared at these various presents of different sizes, ages, colors, and a shade of mncholy appeared on his face.


    For these past few years, whenever she needed anything, he would unconsciously have his secretary buy it. However, he was never able to gift them to her after the purchase, so he either had his secretary throw them away or he dropped them into this drawer, forgotten and unused.


    He really wanted to be good to her, but he knew he couldn¡¯t.


    He knew perfectly well there was no possibility between them after he found out the secret five years ago. However, in these past five years, he could not stop himself from listening in on her, following her every move, and sharing in her joy and sadness. Like a crazy man, he even applied for a secret number to message her. In fact, when he knew Song Cheng hadmitted suicide, he appeared at her side at the first notice and followed behind her for one whole day as she cried her heart out. When Song Empire faced financial crisis, before she found him, he had already collected all the information he could on thepany.


    He really shouldn¡¯t have signed that contract with her, to have her move into his house, but he desperately wanted to see her, and that was the only way he could see her on a daily basis.


    He had been trying so hard to learn to give her up, but certain love would only intensify the more one wanted to get away from it.


    He had been trying so hard to not be sad because of her, but sincerity was closest to misery. The realer the love, the more vulnerable one was to sadness.


    He had already lost count how many times he had screamed her name inside his heart after the day wound down and he was alone with his thoughts. Every time he called her name, a fresh bloody hole appeared on his heart.


    Tingting, Tingting, Tingting...


    ...


    If not for the fact that Su Zhinian had almost vited her due under the haze of alcohol, she would have forgotten, when she first signed the contract with him, he had told her, "If I ever want you, it is solely because of convenience, after all, I¡¯ve used you once before."


    She understood what he meant by that. Therefore, the first few days she moved into his bungalow, she had spent her nights like there a mouse, jumping at the smallest movement. However, as the days passed and he did not touch her, she had slowly let her guard down.

 Chapter 157: Sincerity Is Just Next to Misery (7)

    Chapter 157: Sincerity Is Just Next to Misery (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    However, after that drunken incident, Song Qingchun started to push the time before she arrived at the bungalow to 7 pm, and she would faint from tiredness and worry rather than sleep naturally at night. Her sleep was so light that any small movement would wake her up instantly, following which she would rush to the window to check whether or not he had returned. Then, she would return to her bed and toss and turn until she passed out yet again into her dreams.


    However, after that drunken night, Su Zhinian had not returned home since.


    The two of them did not have any interaction beyond the confines of the contract, so if Su Zhinian did not return home, their paths wouldn¡¯t cross, at least, until New Year¡¯s Eve. If not for that New Year¡¯s Eve party, it would have been the exact same as what he had done five years ago. After the big fight, he had tossed her a cheque and vacated her house immediately, cutting all contact.


    It was not a chance meeting at the New Year party; Song Qingchun knew she would meet Su Zhinian there before even she left her home.


    This was because the party was the 100th day celebration 1 for her high school student council president¡¯s first child.


    Song Qingchun believed the only person capable of getting all of their high-school ssmates in one room was definitely her Student Council President.


    When they were still at school, the Student Council President enjoyed great poprity. After graduation, while everyone dispersed to pursue their own thing, the Student Council President was the only one who kept contact with everyone throughout the years. When he got married, half of her high-school mates attended his wedding. For his son¡¯s 100th day party cum New Year party, most of her high-school friends who lived in Beijing attended. If not for the sign that said "°ÙÈÕÑç" 2 on the restaurant entrance, Song Qingchun would not have trouble believing this was a high-school reunion.


    Song Qingchun arrived rather early, and she shared a table with the few friends who she kept in contact with. Before the party started, Qin Yinan arrived. Qin Yinan had been in the Student Council Committee, so he was good friends with the president. He gave a thick red packet to his friend beforeing to say hi to Song Qingchun.


    Then, he bade Song Qingchun farewell and went to sit with the people from his own ss. It was then that Tang Nuo and Su Zhinian stepped into the restaurant.


    Song Qingchun was not the one who noticed them. It was her friend beside her who tipped her off. Her friend had been a star chaser ever since high school; she idolized Jay Chou, Nichs Tse, Andy Lau, F4, but in her heart, Su Zhinian was her biggest idol.


    When she gossiped with Song Qingchun in ss, around seventy percent of the conversation would be about Su Zhinian. She was already married and had two children, but when she saw Su Zhinian walk in, it was like high-school all over again. She grabbed Song Qingchun¡¯s arm excitedly and sighed in great admiration. "Su Zhinian is here, my idol... For so many years I have not seen him, but he is still as perfect as I remembered..."


    The expression on Song Qingchun¡¯s face froze when the name "Su Zhinian" was mentioned. She ignored her friend, who was gripping her arm a bit too tightly, as she instinctively retreated into herself. It was after quite some time that she dared to move her gaze toward the entrance.


    He still carried a nonchnt expression on his face; his suit was sharp; every button was in ce and his tie was straight and perfect, aplete opposite to Tang Nuo beside him, who had three shirt buttons open even though it was the middle of winter.


    "Ahhh... He¡¯s looking our way!" her friend yelped rather excitedly. Her voice was loud. Song Qingchun forced a smile at her before turning her head away wordlessly, trying to avoid meeting Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes.

 Chapter 158: Sincerity Is Just Next to Misery (8)

    Chapter 158: Sincerity Is Just Next to Misery (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun¡¯s table was far away from Su Zhinian¡¯s table. That,bined with the jolly atmosphere of the party, allowed Song Qingchun to hide her ufortableness well.


    After the party was over, the Student Council President opened a few tables in the mah-jongg room at the building¡¯s top floor.


    Before they went upstairs, someone suggested they take a group picture for memory.


    For his son¡¯s 100th day celebration, the president had employed a professional photographer. Since the equipment was all there, everyone abided by the suggestion. With the president leading, everyone was arranged into two rows, sorted by height.


    Song Qingchun was of middle height among the group of women. but since she had selected a pair of ten-centimeter-tall heels that night, she had to stand in the back row.


    The person standing beside her was Song Cheng¡¯s friend. She knew him well enough that they managed to share a few in jokes. After a lot ofining and joking, the group was finally positioned and ready.


    After the photographer set up everything and had everyone settle down, the person beside Song Qingchun was suddenly pulled away and another person stood in his ce.


    Song Qingchun turned to look with a frown, and she realized with a start that it was Su Zhinian.


    The man had not much of an expression as he stared ahead. He did not even look at her, but even so, Song Qingchun could feel her body freezing up. She instinctively moved deeper into the crowd, trying to get as far away from Su Zhinian as possible.


    "Three, two..."


    As the photographer finished the countdown, everyone said, "Cheese!"


    Su Zhinian, who stood beside Song Qingchun, did not say a word but helplessly curved his lips up to a certain degree.


    Just as the photographer said "one", Su Zhinian was suddenly shoved from behind by an unknown person. He faltered and knocked into Song Qingchun. He was afraid that he would topple her over, so he extended his hands to grab her shoulder to steady her without thinking. Her body shook and then she raised her head to look into his eyes that just so happened to be looking down. Just as the two pairs of eyes met, the camera snapped.


    After the picture session was over, everyone dispersed like a flock of doves. Song Qingchun recovered from her shock and quickly averted her eyes. She struggled loose from Su Zhinian¡¯s grasp on her shoulders and escaped in a hurry.


    Due to the free flow of alcohol during the party, the atmosphere was rxed while they were ying mah-jongg. There were asional cheers throughout the room; the overall mood was celebratory.


    Song Qingchun did not y in the beginning. She stood in the corner between Qin Yinan and Song Cheng¡¯s friend, watching them ying. When one of the female yers had to get up to use the bathroom, Song Qingchun was called by her friend to join in. "Qingchun, I have to go attend to something, please y for me."


    Without waiting for her answer, she pulled Song Qingchun toward her table beside the window. Then she sat her down on one of the empty seats.


    "This round I¡¯m the banker, and those are my chips. Here, the dice..." The friend exined in broad strokes as she pushed the dice into Song Qingchun¡¯s palm. She patted her on her shoulders, and before Song Qingchun could say anything, she ran away.


    Song Qingchun looked at the dice in her hand and the yers sharing the table. Her eyes eventually fell on the one person she had been most scared to meet for the past few days.


    Su Zhinian.

 Chapter 159: Sincerity Is Just Next to Misery (9)

    Chapter 159: Sincerity Is Just Next to Misery (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    He sat to her left-hand side, and Tang Nuo was opposite from her. Tang Nuo was talking to him, and due to the noise in the room, his body was leaning toward Tang Nuo to hear him more clearly.


    Tang Nuo¡¯s was half-shrouded behind the haze of cigarette smoke. However, it did not detract from his presence; it was as clean, sharp, elegant, and attractive as she remembered.


    Tang Nuo was chuckling to himself like he had spotted something funny.


    However, Su Zhinian maintained his cold demeanor, even when Tang Nuo reached the climax of his story. He merely moved his head slightly, a paragon of the stability, reticence, and maturity that he was known for.


    The Student Council President sat on Song Qingchun¡¯s other side. He was on the phone, and based on the words like "baby", "pumpkin", and other babyish words tumbling out of his mouth, Song Qingchun knew he was talking to his little prince who was celebrating his hundredth day on Earth.


    The Student Council President nced at her and noticed she was in a state, so he knocked her corner of the table and rushed, "Qingchun, why are you nking out? Throw the dice, it¡¯s your turn!"


    Song Qingchun was pulled back to reality. She smiled apologetically at the Student Council President. Tang Nuo turned his head her way, attracted by themotion. He took a deep inhtion of the smoke and flicked the cigarette end at the nearby ashtray before greeting Song Qingchun with a smile. "Hello, little junior."


    Tang Nuo had been in the same ss as Qin Yinan and Song Cheng. They had also been basketball buddies when they were in high-school. Every time he saw her, he would call her "little junior." Even thoughter he was forced to stay back a grade due to horrible results like Su Zhinian, his nickname for her hadn¡¯t changed.


    After that, Su Zhinian also turned to nce at her.


    He was in quite a good mood, perhaps entertained by Tang Nuo¡¯s story; the iciness normally in his eyes had disappeared. Due to the lighting in the mah-jongg room, he looked like a gentle and suave young master from one of those wuxia 1 stories.


    However, when Song Qingchun met his gaze, her chest could not help but tightened. The hand that was ready to toss the dice turned into a fist. She tried her best to suppress her internal anxiety and forced out a smile at Tang Nuo. "Senior Tang, nice to meet you."


    She tossed the dice after a pause.


    Su Zhinian pulled his gaze away. Even though she was trying her best to hide it, he could discern the fear and anxiety on her.


    Tang Nuo had always been a chatterbox, and the Student President Council had consumed a bit too much alcohol due to the celebration. Throughout the game, the two of them were able to fill up the conservation around the table.


    Song Qingchun sat with her spine straight. To ensure that she did not lose her mind, she forced herself to focuspletely on the game.


    However, the unique, elegant, and faint scent of Su Zhinian seemed to drift into her nose whenever he moved to take a tile or surrender a tile. It made it extremely difficult for her to calm down.


    The only thing going for her was her good luck. Other than the two rounds won by the Student Council President and Tang Nuo, she won the rest of the rounds. She did not realize that Su Zhinian had been feeding her wins.


    "Little junior, please show us some kindness, you¡¯ve won eighteen rounds already. If this continues, both the President and myself are going to lose everything!" When the new round started, Tang Nuo could not help but jokingly mock Song Qingchun. However, as he said so, out of the corner of his eye, he stared at Su Zhinian.

 Chapter 160: Sincerity Is Just Next to Misery (10)

    Chapter 160: Sincerity Is Just Next to Misery (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian had no intention of acknowledging Tang Nuo¡¯s nce at him. He leaned against the back of his chair elegantly. His own hand reached for the tile and added it into his wall. His tapered finger glided over his wall and discarded a ¡¯two dot¡¯ tile.


    Song Qingchun unconsciously raised her eyes to look at Su Zhinian, who was seated to her left. She reached for the tile from the board. The words that reached her mouth were swallowed down her throat.


    That was her winning tile... He was feeding her another win...


    Tang Nuomented in a weird and meaningful tone, "Su Zhinian, what is up with you today? Your mah-jongg skills are not this bad normally."


    Su Zhinian really did look like he was having the worst luck that day. Ever since Song Qingchun had sat at the table, he had not won one round and kept discarding tiles that caused her win... Before Song Qingchun could recover, Su Zhinian tossed out yet another "two dot". Then, he even turned to look at her. However, noticing herck of reaction, he turned his gaze away. He picked up a tile and toyed with it in his palm. asionally, he would use it to knock on the table, creating a crisp sound.


    It was Tang Nuo¡¯s turn. While he reached for his tile, his mouth was kept busy. He added another snidement directed at Su Zhinian. "Su Zhinian, you¡¯re not going to lose so much that you¡¯ll have to leave this ce in only your underwear, are you?"


    Su Zhinian had lost ten consecutive rounds, but there was no trace of anger or sadness on his face. Even when facing Tang Nuo¡¯s snidements, he merely raised his brow. After the Student Council President and Song Qingchun had discarded their tiles, he once again discarded a ¡¯two dot¡¯.


    In this one round, he had discarded three ¡¯two dot¡¯ tiles in a row, if Song Qingchun did not announce her win then, she would not be able to win already... Song Qingchun bit on her lips, and after a short moment of hesitation, pushed over her wall and whispered, "I¡¯ve won again."


    Tang Nuo extended his neck to look at Song Qingchun¡¯s tiles. Then he purposely used his elbow to knock Su Zhinian. "Su Zhinian, do you have enough money on you? A word of advice, turn left after you go down the stairs, walk 300 meters, and you¡¯ll find an ATM..."


    Before Tang Nuo even finished, Su Zhinian pulled out a stack of money from his wallet and ced it in front of Song Qingchun. Then he said the first word to her since the incident a few days prior. "Count that, is it enough?"


    Even though Song Qingchun had been winning, their bet was small. The stack of money Su Zhinian had dropped on the table was more than enough to cover her winnings. When Song Qingchun prepared to give back the rest, Su Zhinian replied, "Keep it with you for now..."


    Song Qingchun froze with the stack of money in her hands. Then she heard him say softly, "We¡¯ll settle the ounts when the entire game¡¯s over."


    ...


    Tang Nuo was rather thirsty after a long game, so he called the waiter to bring them several bottles of RIO cocktails.


    The Student Council President grabbed one without asking.


    Tang Nuo took another, popped the cap, and passed it to Song Qingchun. She epted it and softly said, "Thank you."


    Tang Nuo grabbed another and passed it to Su Zhinian, who shook his head.


    "Not even these? Su Zhinian, I know you¡¯re trying to stay off alcohol, but isn¡¯t this a bit too much? This is not much different from a fizzy drink; the alcohol content is barely discernible; it¡¯s not going to get you drunk..."


    Tang Nuo grumbled for some time, but realizing he was not going to change Su Zhinian¡¯s mind, he sighed and gulped down the bottle himself. Then he turned to face Song Qingchun opposite him. "Little junior, you¡¯ve won so much today. ording to tradition, you should treat us to supper, don¡¯t you agree?"

 Chapter 161: I Will Not Touch You Again (1)

    Chapter 161: I Will Not Touch You Again (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun, who was drinking the RIO, suddenly stopped.


    It was indeed the tradition for the winner to treat the others, but her time was not hers after 7 pm. It would seem extremely selfish for her to disagree, but what if he did not allow her to agree?


    Song Qingchun did not know what to do, so she unconsciously snuck at look at Su Zhinian.


    "Yes, you should treat, and it shall be a big meal... Let me think, where shall we go?" The Student Council President agreed with Tang Nuo¡¯s suggestion. He tilted his head to look at Song Qingchun. "There¡¯s a nearby holiday vi that serves the best wild game, shall we go there?"


    The Student Council President noticed Song Qingchun did not reply so he added, "Qingchun, don¡¯t worry, the money Su Zhinian lost to you is more than enough for a meal..."


    Before he could finish, his gaze fell on Song Qingchun¡¯s wrist. With a frown, he asked instead, "Qingchun, what happened to your wrist?"


    As he asked, the Student Council President reached for Song Qingchun¡¯s wrist to inspect it. Before his finger could touch her, Song Qingchun recovered and hurriedly hid her hands under the mah-jongg table. She acted so rashly and forcefully that the RIO was sshed all over her body.


    "Why such a flustered reaction?" The Student Council Presidentughed. He pulled out the napkin nearby and passed it to Song Qingchun. Then he added with concern, "That was a big bruise on your wrist, what happened? Is it better now?"


    Song Qingchun shook her head but said no words. Her face was white. She grabbed the napkin to wipe at her shirt and thanked the Student Council President.


    "What? Little junior, your wrist is hurt? Did you put medicine on it? Is it serious? Let me see..." Tang Nuo then stood up and circled around the table to go to Song Qingchun.


    Tang Nuo only took two steps before Song Qingchun jumped up from her seat with a stir. The sleeves of her wool sweater were pulled over her palms. With her head lowered, she said hurriedly, "I have to use the toilet!"


    Then, she turned and ran away like she was running from some sort of life-threatening danger.


    Tang Nuo stopped in his tracks and asked in confusion, "What¡¯s with her?"


    The Student Council President shrugged as if saying, "I have no idea either." After a short while, he added, "But now that you mention it, Song Qingchun has a vibrant personality, so why was she so quiet tonight? Maybe something¡¯s on her mind?"


    "Su Zhinian, what¡¯s wrong with little junior?" Tang Nuo turned to look at Su Zhinian. After all, they lived under the same roof; he should know the reason.


    Su Zhinian lowered his head to study the tile in his hand. He seemed to be totally lost in thought. After a long while, he slowly raised his head, and with his eyes unfocused, he mumbled an "hmm". He stood up and grumbled, "Excuse me."


    Then he absent-mindedly left the room.


    ...


    When Song Qingchun came out of the toilet, she nced at her watch, and it was already almost 7 pm.


    The Student Council President lived in the city, and the party was also being held in the city. It would take her two hours to reach Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow from the party venue. She was definitely going to bete.


    However, regardless of whether she would bete or not, Song Qingchun already nned to leave the party.

 Chapter 162: I Will Not Touch You Again (2)

    Chapter 162: I Will Not Touch You Again (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    After leaving the toilet, Song Qingchun went to purchase something at the nearby 7-Eleven before returning to the game room.


    Su Zhinian was already gone. Two other yers had reced them at the table. Song Qingchun ced the thing she had bought on the corner of the mah-jongg table and told Tang Nuo and the Student Council President apologetically, "I have to run; I will definitely buy you a meal next time. Today, I will treat you to something else to tide you over."


    ...


    It was snowing lightly when she left the restaurant. Song Qingchun had taken the subway to travel to the restaurant. The night was cold, so she wrapped her coat tighter around her as she walked to the subway station on the west side of the restaurant.


    Song Qingchun slowly stopped after she walked for about one hundred meters. Even though there was a distance between them, she could see clearly Su Zhinian was leaning against a car parked in front of her. He was toying with the keys in his hand. He would press it once in a while, causing the car lights to blink continuously.


    It seemed he had been standing there quite a while already based on the thinyer of snow on the car¡¯s rooftop and his shoulder. There were even ice crystals at the end of his hairs.


    He stared deep into the night. She was unable to read his expression because she could only see the side of his face. However, she was able to pick up a sense of destion around him like he wasmenting something he had lost.


    Is he waiting for someone?


    Song Qingchun pulled on her shirt sleeves and subconsciously wanted to turn away and take another route. However, before she could move, he saw her and stood up to run toward her. He stopped before her and asked, "Going out of the city?"


    Before she answered, he added, "I¡¯ll give you a lift."


    Several momentster, as if afraid that she would reject him, he raised his arm up and pointed at his watch, adding, "It¡¯s 7:10 pm already, your time is mine."


    ...


    Su Zhinian did not leave after he dropped Song Qingchun at home.


    Actually, along the way home, Song Qingchun had considered this possibility, but when it really happened, she was still quite nervous.


    After entering the house, she hanged up Su Zhinian¡¯s suit jacket before wandering into the kitchen.


    When dinner was prepared, she cautiously went upstairs to call for Su Zhinian. Before when he had dinner, she would stand beside him to serve him, but this time, she used ¡¯having a stomach ache¡¯ as her excuse and went to hide in her bedroom.


    Song Qingchun did not know when Su Zhinian finished his dinner, but when she went downstairs one hourter, there was no one left in the dining room.


    The food was already cold, but even if it hadn¡¯t been, she had no appetite. She took a sip out the soup that was lukewarm and started cleaning the kitchen and dining room.


    When they had returned home, it was 9 pm. When Song Qingchun was done with all the chores, it was already 11 pm.


    She did not rush upstairs but stayed in the dining room to look at the falling snow. It was when she felt the chills rising up her feet that she retreated to her bedroom.


    The bungalow was quiet. The study light was still on, and Su Zhinian¡¯s muffled voice could be heard from within; he was probably on another video conference.


    After Song Qingchun took her bath, shey in bed, ying on her phone. She wanted to wait for Su Zhinian to return to his bedroom first before falling asleep. However, leaning against the headboard, she could not hold the drowsiness at bay any longer, and she tumbled into her dreams.


    Probably because Su Zhinian was at home, Song Qingchun had a restless sleep; she kept having nightmares.


    Although technically, they were not nightmares but the scary memories that haunted her past.

 Chapter 163: I Will Not Touch You Again (3)

    Chapter 163: I Will Not Touch You Again (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Other than a work call, Su Zhinian actually was not working that evening.


    Due to his impressive hearing, he could pick up and focus on the smallest of voices. Therefore, no matter how noisy it was, it would not cause him any distraction.


    In fact, he had no idea from whence he had gotten the habit of listening to her movements as he did his work.


    When he was busy in the study, she was quite bored, alone in the huge bungalow, so she would talk to herself, making mockingments on certain observations. Most of them were pettyints about the littlest of things, but to him, they were like the songs of angels.


    These past few days he had been staying at thepany, and whenever the rest of thepany had left, he would stand before the window, study the sleeping city, and think about her. Even if she would not talk to him, as long as he could hear her speak, be it curses or insults thrown at him, he would be more than satisfied...


    He knew he missed her, but he had no idea how much until he saw her again that day. Subsequently, he realized how deep his longing for her was.


    Afterward, he followed her home.


    Actually, he knew perfectly well she was really unwilling to stay under the same roof as him. She was hiding from him, and he knew very well she was lying about the stomach-ache, but he convinced himself to believe her. To give her the space to wander around the house, he even hid in the study so that she would not chance running into him.


    He just wanted to listen to her voice so that he could convince himself that he was still close to her... But that night, she was unusually quiet.


    She did not hum when she was washing the dishes; she did not grumble about the pimple breaking on her when she applied her skincare product; she did not mock the fake news or over-hyped products when she was ying on her phone...


    A cacophony of voices drifted into his ears, but because she was so quiet, he felt his world had gone silent too.


    He was sitting in a heated room, but he felt like the blood coursing through his body was frozen and cold.


    He had no idea how long he sat in his chair, just nking out. The rows of ck letters weren¡¯t registering in his mind. When he was ready to close the document, he suddenly heard from the next bedroom, her whispering voice saying, "No, no..."


    Su Zhinian frowned instantly and focused on her voice. Then he realized she was weeping from the shaking voice repeating, "Please, don¡¯t... Please, please..."


    Then, she opened her lungs and screamed.


    Su Zhinian dropped the document, stood up, and dashed out of his study. He burst through the bedroom door without a moment¡¯s thought.


    She gripped the bed mattress tightly like she was caught in a nightmare. Her body shook uncontrobly, and tears kept falling out of her eyes. Her lips moved, but there was no sound.


    Su Zhinian almost copsed beside her bed. With shaking hands, he pulled her into his embrace. He caressed her face and said, "Tingting! Tingting!"


    He called her name, and finally her wetshes shook twice before recognition slowly lit up her eyes.


    There was abject fear in her eyes, and her expression was lost. She had been crying so much during her nightmare that she was still sniffling when she woke up.


    "You had a nightmare?" Su Zhinian¡¯s fingers wiped away the liquid on her face. His voice was cold, but his tone was much gentler. "Everything¡¯s okay now, it¡¯s just a dream. Don¡¯t overthink it, it¡¯s not real..."

 Chapter 164: I Will Not Touch You Again (4)

    Chapter 164: I Will Not Touch You Again (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Before Su Zhinian continued to console her, he read the thoughts in the girl¡¯s heart and knew what kind of nightmare she was having. His fingers that was wiping her tears suddenly froze.


    She was not dreaming; she was merely reliving her past.


    She was remembering about five years ago, the night he was drunk and raped her... Her heart was filled with fear, despair, and anxiety.


    She was still recovering from her dream, her breaths came fast and quick, her body was shaking greatly, and the mattress was rumpled in her grip.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s finger that was inches from her face was shaking greatly. He wished to hug her, to give her some physicalfort, but in the end, he pulled his finger away from her face and his arm away from her shoulder as he slowly and gently ced her back on the bed.


    Earlier, she had been wearing a turtleneck sweater to cover every inch of her body, but now, in her pajamas that showed her chest and neck, Su Zhinian could see the bruises that covered her pearly skin.


    His heart stopped when his gaze fell on the bruises that snaked around her two wrists. He was the one who had done this to her.


    Actually, that afternoon, in the game room, when the Student Council President had spotted those wounds, he already knew what was going on.


    That was because, in order to feed her the wins, his foot was lightly leaning against hers, to read her thoughts.


    However, at the time, he did not see the situation with his own eyes. He merely knew from her heart that the wounds were caused by him when he forced himself on her. She was afraid others would find out, so she had hurriedly covered them with her sleeves and escaped from the scene.


    Only then did he know how deep her fear toward him went. His mood fell to rock bottom, and he fabricated an excuse to leave.


    Now, after he found out about the darkest thing that was hiding in her heart, he realized she was not only scared of him, she was deathly afraid of him.


    Why would I have that dream? It hasn¡¯t returned for so many years already, so why would it reappear again? Is it because of what he did several days ago... The situation was too simr, so you were reminded of it... Song Qingchun, stop fixating on it, it¡¯s all over; everything¡¯s in the past. It has been several years already; it¡¯s time to get over it...


    Su Zhinian settled himself by the side of her bed, his arm still hanging limply on her shoulder. After Song Qingchun recovered from her nightmare, her thoughts streamed into his mind through their physical contact. They were like water rushing into his chest, slowly drowning his heart with sorrow and pain.


    Song Qingchun sighed before she realized someone was sitting beside her. She immediately jumped with caution when she realized it was Su Zhinian. Why is he here? Could it be that...


    Su Zhinian did not wait for her thought to finish before standing up and dashing toward the bedroom door.


    When he almost reached the threshold, he stopped. With his back against her, he slowly turned around. He took in the change from relief to fear on her face, and his heart was gutted. He bit his lips silently before opening his mouth to say, "Don¡¯t worry, I will not touch you."


    A sh of sadness flickered across his intense eyes, and he repeated what he had just said in a soft and light tone.


    "I promise, I will never touch you again..."

 Chapter 165: I Will Not Touch You Again (5)

    Chapter 165: I Will Not Touch You Again (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    He had said the same thing twice before Song Qingchun realized what he was talking about. She looked at him with a nk gaze.


    Breaking through theyers of caution and fear in her eyes were surprise and relief. Even though she tried her best to hide them, they were ringly obvious in Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes.


    As if unable to believe her ears, or perhaps unable to trust him, she asked cautiously after a short pause, "What?"


    He had long since known that she did not like him and detested him touching her and that she would be naturally overjoyed when she heard him promise her that. He expected such a reaction, so he shouldn¡¯t have been sad, right?


    Regardless, Su Zhinian still averted his eyes from her face to focus on the blurry light filtering out of the nightmp beside her bed. His expression was as airy as the fog in the early morning. After some time, with a flutter of his eyshes, he opened his lips. "I said..."


    With just those two words, his chest was already roiling with a great deal of emotions. The collision was so strong and severe that his breath was caught in his throat, and his heart wrenched from acute pain.


    He took a deep breath to sooth his breaking heart and forced himself to finish the rest of the sentence. "For the rest of the remaining days you have to stay at my house, I swear to noty a finger on you. As the contract dictates, you will be responsible only for my living arrangements."


    Actually... he really wanted to tell her was that, if she felt like staying at his ce was true torture, she was wee to move back home, and after a hundred days, he would still return to her a revived Song Empire. However, he could not bring himself to say that, and the words seemed to change on their own when they left his mouth.


    At the end of the day, he was unable to say goodbye to her just like that even though he knew farewell was inevitable.


    He believed the greatest pain in the world was none other than realizing he had been causing the person he loved the most in the world immense pain. Separation had always been hard because even though he knew it was time to let go, he could not help but grip that much tighter.


    He sounded serious and not like he was joking. Furthermore, in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind, the only person in the world who did not know how to joke was Su Zhinian.


    Song Qingchun felt like she was dreaming. She unconsciously pinched herself, and she recovered only when she felt pain. Her lips moved, but in the end, she could only nod silently.


    Su Zhinian continued speaking after a long pause. "You do not need to worry about me acting like a few days ago..."


    He paused as if he had no idea how to continue.


    Song Qingchun knew he was referring to the drunken night he almost raped her. She lowered her head and bit on her lips, then his toneless words drifted into her ears. "...Don¡¯t worry, it will not happen a third time; I willy off the alcohol."


    After that, he turned to look at her. There was a flood of emotions in his eyes, like they were drowning a host of secrets. Before Song Qingchun could understand what they were, he grabbed the door knob behind him and closed the door softly as he exited her room.

 Chapter 166: I Will Not Touch You Again (6)

    Chapter 166: I Will Not Touch You Again (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Without Su Zhinian in her bedroom, the air seemed much clearer and lighter. Song Qingchun¡¯s nerves that were stressed taut began to slowly rx as well.


    She got off her bed and went into the bathroom to wash her face. Then, she returned to her bed. Suddenly, she stopped moving and stared at the spot where Su Zhinian had been standing.


    He just mentioned that he wouldy off the alcohol... Just that afternoon, during the game, he had rejected the bottle of RIO passed to him by Tang Nuo. Tang Nuo had mumbled many things in reply, and one of them was...


    "Not even these? Su Zhinian, I know you¡¯re trying to stay off alcohol, but isn¡¯t this a bit too much? This is not much different from a fizzy drink. The alcohol content is barely discernible; it¡¯s not going to get you drunk..."


    After that, Tang Nuo had leaned toward the Student Council President and continued mocking Su Zhinian. "Who knows what has possessed the guy recently? Starting fromst week, he suddenly said he was going toy off the alcohol, but I have to say, the man¡¯s impressive. He indeed did not touch a drop of wine during a recent business meeting. No matter how drunk the room was, he was either nursing a ss of in water or Chinese tea..."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s brows creased slightly. At the time, she did not make much out of it, but at that moment, for some reason, her brain decided to remind her of those words.


    So, he wasn¡¯t just feeding her lies tofort her. In fact, he had already started refraining from drinking before telling her about it. Didn¡¯t this mean that, before promising her that he would not touch her, he had alreadye to this decision on his own?


    However, she remembered the implicit part of their contract was for her to trade her body in exchange for a revived Song Empire. Therefore, even if he did force himself on her, no matter how afraid or fearful she was, she could not me it on him; she had literally signed her agreement to it.


    So why would he promise her that... he would noty a finger on her?


    When Su Zhinian said those words just now, she did not pay much attention to them, but now that she did, she realized it was full of curious loopholes.


    He said that she would only be responsible for his living arrangements, but when he promised to take over Song Empire, he said he did not want anything but her one hundred days. However, now he had even promised to not touch her anymore... While which party the earlier contract favored was up for debate, this new updated contract was definitely unfair to him.


    After all, who in the world would waste so much money and energy just to hire a housekeeper?


    Furthermore, that housekeeper had once pointed at his face asking him to get lost, as far away as he could!


    The more Song Qingchun thought about it, the more confused she became. Shey in her bed, unable to fall back to sleep.


    She tried closing her eyes to shut off the world, but when she did, her mind was filled with the image of Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes that looked at her before he left her bedroom. There were so many meanings in them that she could not understand.


    When she met those eyes, she felt her heart skip a beat, and when she was reminiscing about that moment now, she could still her heart racing for some reason.


    Song Qingchun did not want to fixate on that gaze, but she could not control herself. Surprising even herself, she felt her heart ache for that gaze.


    Song Qingchun inhaled deeply twice and extended her palm to touch her heart. She realized her heart was beating very hard, and in its deepest corner, there was a section that felt weirdly hollow.

 Chapter 167: I Will Not Touch You Again (7)

    Chapter 167: I Will Not Touch You Again (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    He had said that he would no longer touch her; she should be happy, but... but why was there an indescribable sadness stuck in her chest?


    ...


    Actually, Song Qingchun had a hard time figuring just how her rtionship to Su Zhinian had gotten closer. Before this, they were like oil and water, but for some reason, they had bonded. In fact, if not for that drunken night, she realized with a start they had been sharing a peaceful and friendly rtionship.


    Ever since Su Zhinian had said he would not touch her, he would still return home often but not as often as the period around Christmas. In other words, their rtionship also did not return to the way it was prior to Christmas.


    Song Qingchun herself could not describe her current rtionship with Su Zhinian. They were not strangers as she would still share a few words with him whenever he returned from work, but they were not friends either because most of the words shared never went beyond the simple greetings or orders like her calling him for dinner or him asking her to brew some coffee for him.


    They lived under the same roof and were physically close, but Song Qingchun felt they were worlds apart, like they were living in parallel universes, always aware of the other but their paths never crossing. Looking back, their friendly rtionship before Christmas seemed just like a dream.


    Su Zhinian spent most of his time at home, locked up in the study; he would only see Song Qingchun when he returned home and during dinner. The study was hisir, without his permission, she was not to enter.


    Actually, when she first moved in with him, at night he used to spend a few hours watching the television in the living room or go for a jog in the gym. Song Qingchun would wait at his side to serve him.


    After the many times he hid himself in the study after returning home, the girl knew he was making it so that he would not disturb her. This was his home, but he had given her most of the space.


    Song Qingchun actually felt this was quite a rxing arrangement. She and Su Zhinian would spend the remaining days of the contract in this suspended reality of sorts, and he would return to her a revived Song Empire. In fact, she felt like she should give him some of Song Empire¡¯s shares as sign of appreciation.


    However, she did not realize that after two weeks of such an uninteresting life, she would have the closest contact with Su Zhinian in her life: she woulde to share the same bed as him.


    No, nothing happened between them that night, even though everything had already happened between them.


    It was a weekend around the middle of January 2016, Song Qingchun did not think she would ever forget that day.


    Many things happened that day, and she also found out the answer to a question that had eluded her for years. She made a decision, and of course, she shared a bed with Su Zhinian that night.


    The weather that day was horrible; the haze was horrendous; the government had even issued a red warning.


    Qin Yinan asked her out for lunch that day. Before she left home, she even took a special detour to the pharmacy to buy a mask to filter out the smog.


    The lunch was scheduled for 12:30 pm, and Song Qingchun arrived ten minutes earlier. She had thought it would only be her and Qin Yinan, but to her surprise, there was a third guest.

 Chapter 168: I Will Not Touch You Again (8)

    Chapter 168: I Will Not Touch You Again (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    That person was Tang Nuan.


    Tang Nuan had probablye with Qin Yinan. When she arrived at the restaurant, the two of them were already sitting side by side at the table, chatting among themselves. They seemed to have been there for a while; a smile hung on Tang Nuan¡¯s face, and Qin Yinan looked contented.


    Song Qingchun spotted Tang Nuan from a distance away, and her movement stopped. Her woman¡¯s instinct told her this was a lunch thrown by Tang Nuan to ostentatiously apologize to her. Without wasting too many brain cells, Song Qingchun knew Tang Nuan had managed to get Qin Yinan to forgive her through some sweet words and farfetched justification.


    Perhaps Song Qingchun had stopped moving for too long because the waiter came over to ask in a soft voice, "Miss, do you need help?"


    The waiter¡¯s question was loud enough to catch Tang Nuan and Qin Yinan¡¯s attention. Both of them lifted their heads at the same time to look at her. The smile on Tang Nuan¡¯s face disappeared instantly while Qin Yinan stood up to greet her with a warm smile. "Song Song."


    Song Qingchun stood there for a while before taking the few unwilling steps forward. The waiter pulled out the seat opposite from Qin Yinan for her. As she sat down, he immediately presented her with the menu.


    The specialty of this restaurant was old Beijing cuisine. There was a tofu dish that was cooked with chicken broth; that was Song Qingchun¡¯s favorite.


    Song Qingchun had already prepared to order that before she arrived at the restaurant, but her appetite hadpletely disappeared when she saw Tang Nuan. She had half a mind to just stand up and leave.


    In the end, it was Qin Yinan who made the order. He ordered Song Qingchun¡¯s favorite and coupled it with Old Beijing Yogurt, which was one of her fancies as well.


    After the waiter served the dishes, Qin Yinandled a bowl of tofu broth for Song Qingchun and poured her a ss of corn juice. Then he cleared his throat and announced, "Song Song, actually, this lunch was not my idea; it¡¯s Tang Nuan¡¯s intention to treat you to lunch."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s spoon that reached for the tofu froze, and the girl eventually ced the spoon back into the bowl.


    "Song Song, are you still angry about what happened before?" Qin Yinan began again in his polite and slightly pleading voice, "Tang Nuan has already exined everything to me. She regretted what happenedst time. She said it was because there was only one spot of anchor-woman open at the station, and it pitted both of you against each other, so you really can¡¯t me her, right?


    "Furthermore, Tang Nuan did not intend to jump into the water to frame you; she merely slipped and fell. A few days before that, you pped her, and she was still nursing that anger. The freezing cold made her lose her rationality, and she only did that regrettable thing because she was not acting herself that day."


    So, it was exactly as she had predicted... A thin smile appeared on Song Qingchun¡¯s face. It was ironic that perhaps the person who knew Tang Nuan the best in the world was probably her, Song Qingchun!


    Before Song Qingchun turned to Tang Nuan, thetter opened her mouth to apologize. The words were not dripping with arrogance and pugnacity like usual but instead there were regret and remorse, like she had truly learned her lesson. "Qingchun, I am really sorry. I was not thinking straight at the time, and I regretted it deeply after the fact. I shouldn¡¯t have done what I did. I¡¯m sorry; I¡¯m really sorry..."


    Song Qingchun was really not interesting in her bold face lie. She raised her hand to rub at her temple before sheunched her counterarguments.

 Chapter 169: I Will Not Touch You Again (9)

    Chapter 169: I Will Not Touch You Again (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    If Song Qingchun knew Tang Nuan, then Tang Nuan also knew Song Qingchun. Before Song Qingchun could say anything, Tang Nuan added in a tone that was as pitiable as possible, "Qingchun, actually, I have been trying to find an opportunity to apologize to you..."


    She had been trying to find an opportunity to apologize to her? The chances for that were plenty since they worked in the same building; they literally had to see each other multiple times in a day. This kind of bullsh*t could only be bought by someone blinded by love like Qin Yinan...


    "But I had no idea how to begin. I struggled for a long time before I contacted Yinan to have him ask you out for lunch on my behalf. Qingchun, I¡¯ve thought about this for a long time; we have known each other since high-school, and you had been nothing but nice to me. You even volunteered to stay behind to let me escape during that incident with the ruffians. So, I really shouldn¡¯t have fought with you over the anchor-woman spot. Qingchun, I will not fight for the spot with you anymore. If you don¡¯t believe me, I am willing to quit TW Station..."


    So, there it was... Song Qingchun was wondering how she had managed to fool Qin Yinan; it was through the intentional self-injury tactic of saying she would quit TW Station.


    Song Qingchun knew that even if Tang Nuan broke up with Qin Yinan and cut all ties, Tang Nuan would not leave TW Station and give up being a thorn in Song Qingchun¡¯s side. s, Song Qingchun had no evidence to prove that.


    Song Qingchun had truly miscalcted. She had been cornered by Tang Nuan. If she refused to ept her apology, then it seemed like the fault would fall on Song Qingchun.


    Furthermore, Tang Nuan¡¯s purpose for jumping into the water was none other than the fact Tang Nuan had lost the biggest weapon against her because Song Qingchun had told her openly she was giving up on Brother Yinan. That was Tang Nuan¡¯sst resort, to make sure Song Qingchun would lose Qin Yinan even as a friend.


    s, her n backfired, and Tang Nuan had ended up ruining her rtionship with Qin Yinan. So... of course, the apology was insincere; the lunch was a Hongmen Banquet 1 .


    Or else, why would she drag Qin Yinan to this lunch. This whole thing was a show for him as the audience. If Song Qingchun refused Tang Nuan¡¯s apology, then Qin Yinan would see how unreasonable she was and would probablye to Tang Nuan¡¯s aid...


    Song Qingchun acted dumb and smiled brightly. Then she added like she only then understood what they were talking about. "I¡¯ve gone through my mind trying to figure out what Tang Nuan is talking about. That thing happened so long ago that I¡¯d already forgotten about it. There was no harm done in the end, right? So why would I be angry?"


    Tang Nuan had already dug such a huge hole for her, but what could she do but to jump headfirst into it? She had no option choice but to act generous. Song Qingchun was irked, but what else could she do; she had practically asked for it by assuming Tang Nuan would just back down after the incident by theke.


    When Qin Yinan saw this reaction from Song Qingchun, his expression conspicuously rxed. "Song Song, it is wonderful that you are not angry. Actually, I was quite nervous when I called you out for this lunch; I was afraid that you might get angry at me."


    So even though Brother Yinan likes Tang Nuan, I still hold a ce in his heart? Or else, he wouldn¡¯t have worried that he might anger me...


    Song Qingchun subconsciously flicked her eyes to look at Tang Nuan. Song Qingchun saw the displeasure percting in her eyes when Qin Yinan said those words.

 Chapter 170: I Will Not Touch You Again (10)

    Chapter 170: I Will Not Touch You Again (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Perhaps she also didn¡¯t expect Qin Yinan would be concerned about her feelings. Tang Nuan¡¯s displeasure greatly improved Song Qingchun¡¯s mood, even the smile on her face turned sincere. "Brother Yinan, I¡¯m really fine with it."


    "Good, good, then let¡¯s eat." Qin Yinan helped Song Qingchun to one of the dishes and only then moved to help Tang Nuan.


    Even though Tang Nuan maintained the smile on her face, the displeasure at the bottom of her eyes only intensified. In contrast, Song Qingchun was feeling much better; the appetite that she had lost before had gradually returned.


    Song Qingchun should have known that, based on Tang Nuan¡¯s personality, she would not allow herself to be treated as the second ce for long. However, she did not expect Tang Nuan would expose a giant secret in the middle of lunch.


    That secret answered a question that had been troubling Song Qingchun for a long time, and it made her blood boil with anger and grievances.


    Tang Nuan began by saying, "Yinan."


    In a friendly tone, she then asked, "Do you remember how we met?"


    Qin Yinan nodded and answered after he swallowed the food in his mouth, "Of course I do."


    "I remember it, too. So many yearster, thinking about it, I still feel touched by it; it was so juvenile but pure." When Tang Nuan reached this part, a mist of gentleness appeared in her eyes.


    Like she was speaking to a good friend, she then said, "Qingchun."


    When Song Qingchun lifted her head, she continued by asking her, "Do you know how Yinan and I met?"


    At the time, Song Qingchun thought Tang Nuan was rehashing her old tactic of using her history with Yinan to annoy her. Song Qingchun shook her head at Tang Nuan and looked down to continue her fight with the food, ignoring her.


    Since the purpose of Tang Nuan was to gloat, of course, she would not stop simply because Song Qingchun responded with silence. If anything, she carried on rather passionately to detail the story of how she met Qin Yinan. "Yinan and myself, we met at our high-school library of all ces, can you believe it? At the time, I was going through my poet phase. How I idolized the poems by Xu Zhimo 1 . I remember borrowing one of his books, and I would copy the paragraphs or stanzas that I liked. I even tried to mimic his writing style and wrote a poem. When I returned the book, I had forgottenpletely about it and left the paper note with the poem inside the book..."


    Initially, Song Qingchun was mocking Tang Nuan for her stupidity; she had already told her she was no longer interested in Qin Yinan, so why was she still wasting her breath?


    In truth, she had been trying hard to move Qin Yinan to the status of friend or elder brother in her heart. Initially, when she had to let him go, it had honestly been hard, but it had been more than a month, and the pain had dulled tremendously.


    Time was truly the best medicine. One day, she believed she would be able to let gopletely and would do nothing more than wryly smile when reminiscing about the years of her life she had spent chasing after a guy.


    However, what Tang Nuan said next made Song Qingchun stop smiling and perk her ears up to listen.


    "I remembered the dumb thing I had done one weekter, so I ran back to the library to locate that book. To my surprise, I was unable to find the poem, but instead there was a new paper note in it..."

 Chapter 171: The Most Silent Love (1)

    Chapter 171: The Most Silent Love (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun raised her head to look at Tang Nuan.


    Tang Nuan held her gaze, and the smile on her face was brilliant. Even her voice had dropped to a seductive drawl. "...The paper note also contained a small poem. The handwriting was nice, as was the poem. It struck my heart the first time I read it..."


    Tang Nuan turned over to look at Qin Yinan as if reminiscing about their shared history. That shared gaze was overflowing with love.


    "...Then I borrowed the same book from the library. After a few nights of brain squeezing, I finally came up with another poem to reply. I slipped the poem into the pages of the book before returning it. With a nervous heart, I returned to the library one weekter, and to my surprise, there was a new note in it. I could tell from the handwriting, it was written by the same person who wrote the previous poem. It was then that I realized someone, like myself, was also closely following this book. After that, this became a literal poetry book club between us."


    Song Qingchun stared directly at Tang Nuan, and her grip on the chopsticks tightened.


    A literal poetry book club... Why was that so familiar...


    Many years ago, against a wonderful sunset that framed the wonderful memory of that afternoon, Tang Nuan and a few of her close sisters were returning home pushing their bicycles; Song Qingchun, at the time, had used the same shy and affectionate tone to tell them, "That was how Brother Yinan and myself started the literal poetry book club."


    Back in the present, Tang Nuan was still rying her first meeting story with Qin Yinan. "...After a while, the poems started to feel pretentious even to ourselves, so we stopped writing poem, and instead, we started to share the little secrets in our hearts. Finally, just one week before the grade exam, I returned to the library onest time to check out the book, and it was then that we officially met."


    Following Tang Nuan¡¯s lead, Qin Yinan could not help but chime in, "That¡¯s right... Even though it has been six years since then, it feels like that was just yesterday. Whenever I think about it now, my heart still gets warmed from the feelings. Even now, I can still clearly remember that one stanza that you wrote me..."


    Qin Yinan looked at Tang Nuan, and his face split into a gentle and loving smile. "I wish the greatest happiness for the ones who love me, and I wish the one who I love, loves me back."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s fingers that held the chopsticks started to shake. Not only Qin Yinan remembered this stanza, she remembered it, too. Even until today, she would still asionally scribble that sentence out whenever she was lost in thought.


    After a long hesitation, she turned to Qin Yinan. With as much control as she could muster, she opened her lips to ask, "Then what about you, Brother Yinan? Of the many stanzas that you¡¯ve written, which one is your favorite?"


    Qin Yinan contemted it for a long time. He then smiled bashfully and dered solemnly, like he was saying his wedding vows, "May you hold my hand in love andpanionship, but may good fortune hold yours in parting and solitude."

 Chapter 172: The Most Silent Love (2)

    Chapter 172: The Most Silent Love (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    As Qin Yinan finished those words, the chopsticks in Song Qingchun¡¯s palmnded with a thud.


    Then, she sprung up from her seat, bringing the conversation to an abrupt end. Her sudden movement made Qin Yinan also stand up with concern. "Song Song, what¡¯s wrong?"


    Song Qingchun shook her head several times at Qin Yinan before she could croak a sentence out, saying, "I¡¯m fine, I need to use the bathroom. Excuse me."


    "I¡¯ll go with you then..." Qin Yinan walked over to Song Qingchun, but before his finger could even reach Song Qingchun¡¯s arm, she suddenly whipped her head around to re at him. Her eyes were rimmed with red like she could cry at any moment. In a rather sharp voice, she said, "No need!"


    Then, Song Qingchun, as if realizing her inappropriate outburst, blurted out, "Sorry, I just want to be alone."


    She then hurriedly fled from the scene.


    In her hurry to escape, Song Qingchun¡¯s right ankle tripped on the table corner. The acute pain squeezed her heart, and her tears started to fall. She dashed to the toilet and locked the door. Then she slid down the wall and started to cry with her hands mped over her mouth to dampen the sound.


    The time of youth was beautiful because many things that were inappropriate or artificial could be done with such righteous abandon.


    Unlike adulthood where you had to hold your tears in no matter how sad you were. Even now, when she was alone in the bathroom, Song Qingchun did not dare allow herself to weep openly.


    She felt all the air in her body had been sucked out from her. If not for Tang Nuan¡¯s little trip down memoryne, she would not have realized her little interactions with Brother Yinan would have be the string that tied her Brother Yinan to another person.


    She knew the only reason Tang Nuan brought this up was to hurt Song Qingchun, who had already given up on her Brother Yinan. She knew it was Tang Nuan¡¯s intention for her to cry, and even though she did not want to admit it, Tang Nuan was sessful; she had indeednded a critical blow.


    She had always been bothered by why Brother Yinan would fall in love with Tang Nuan. Even though Tang Nuan was pretty, her school had not beencking pretty faces. Now she realized, it was because of those paper notes, her paper notes!


    She was the person behind those notes. Qin Yinan had asked Song Cheng to go borrow the book by Xu Zhimo from the library for him, and due to hisziness, Song Cheng had passed the errand on to Song Qingchun. That was how she knew Brother Yinan admired Xu Zhimo. It was due to this that she had started reading Xu Zhimo and even wrote a poem to slip into the book before passing it to Song Cheng.


    Every day after that, she would visit the library, paying special attention to that Xu Zhimo book. Finally, the book had been returned, and she realized the paper note her Brother Yinan had left in it.


    After that, it was as Tang Nuan said, she and Brother Yinan would alternatively check out that Xu Zhimo book for their literal poetry book club.


    Brother Yinan did not know he was corresponding with her, but she knew that, on the other end, it was Qin Yinan, and the only other person who knew that detail was... Tang Nuan. At the time, they had shared a friendly rtionship, and young girls had a hard time keeping secrets, especially among a group of close sisters.


    So... she had been so close to living her dream; she had been just one step away from getting together with Brother Yinan.


    After all, he had already fallen in love with the person who wrote those paper notes...

 Chapter 173: The Most Silent Love (3)

    Chapter 173: The Most Silent Love (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun finally could not hold it in anymore and started to wail.


    ...


    Su Zhinian was also at the same restaurant, but he was in one of the private rooms upstairs.


    Even though it was a weekend, he was in a business meeting. Initially, the meeting was booked at a high-end holiday vi, but when he heard the phone conversation between Song Qingchun and Qin Yinan about him inviting her to lunch, he had his secretary switch the venue.


    He arrivedter than them, and when he passed the hall, he could catch Qin Yinan and Song Qingchun sitting at the same table from far away. However, he did not expect Tang Nuan to join them.


    This client he was meeting that day was rted to Song Empire. Therefore, other than asionally dropping in to listen to Song Qingchun, most of his attention was focused on the client. From the snippets of conservation, he realized Tang Nuan was apologizing to Song Qingchun.


    The space heater in the room was on full power. He felt stuffy in the middle of the meeting, so he stood up to hang his coat on the provided rack. As he did so, Su Zhinian turned to focus on Song Qingchun. To his surprise and consternation, she was crying.


    The sound of crying was muted like they were muffled by a palm mped over the mouth.


    Su Zhinian lost his mind as he stood before the coat rack. It was not until his secretary called his name that he recovered. However, his attention for the rest of the meeting was shattered. He had no idea what had happened to her, but he knew the volume of her crying had increased, in fact, she had started to wail.


    Su Zhinian fidgeted anxiously in his seat. Finally, he could not help himself from interrupting the client, who was in the middle of an excited sales pitch, and dashing out of the room.


    Standing in the stairwell, Su Zhinian listened for the source of her crying and followed the sound. When he reached the door of the second-floor bathroom, her crying became more conspicuous, and it came from right underneath him.


    Su Zhinian skipped the elevator and mmed open the door to the fire escape next to the bathroom. He ran down the stairs and crashed into the bathroom.


    He stared at the closed door to the female toilet for a while before closing his eyes to control the girl inside, who was crying her heart out, to open the lock.


    She had stopped crying since her mind was controlled; however, tears were still running down her face, and her eyes were bloodshot.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s heart pinched with pain before striding into the female bathroom and shutting the door close behind him as he pulled her into his embrace.


    He was wearing a thin shirt, and as her tears fell on his chest, the sadness they represented permeated his bare skin into his heart, and his arms tightened their hold on her.


    Actually, this was not the first time he had appeared by her side to give her a hug when she was at her saddest.


    In the five years after she had made him get out of her life, he would still listen in on her and be there to give her a hug whenever she cried. She was never alone, but she did not know that because he had taken over her mind.


    He was never there for her happiness, but he was always there to share in her sadness.


    Su Zhinian hugged Song Qingchun for a long time before he pulled her face gently away from his chest and used his fingers to gently wipe away her tears. Then, he lowered his head to kiss away those tears that still remained on her face. Then, he slowly pulled her out of his embrace and caressed her face with affection, kindness, pain, and love before opening the door and walking out of it.


    Song Qingchun, who was still under his control, stood up to lock the door after Su Zhinian exited the bathroom and continued upstairs.

 Chapter 174: The Most Silent Love (4)

    Chapter 174: The Most Silent Love (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    When Su Zhinian returned to the room, the client was forcing Cheng Qingchong to drink. When she saw him, she immediately sprung up from her seat like she had found her savior. "CEO Su, you..."


    The first thing Cheng Qingchong noticed was the small area of dampness around the left of Su Zhinian¡¯s chest. She assumed her boss had identally sshed water on himself in the bathroom. However, when she looked closer, the words that she had ready in her mouth suddenly stopped.


    On top of the circle of wetness was a blob of ckness and a daub of light red.


    When Su Zhinian got closer, Cheng Qingchong realized the blob of ck was ruined mascara and the light red looked like smudged lipstick with a pearl shine.


    Then... this means that the wet circle is a woman¡¯s tears? Big Boss has a severe obsession with cleanliness¡ªa special cleaning crew is hired to take care of the office every day¡ªand he is very averse to female contact.


    In Cheng Qingchong¡¯s memory, her boss would reject even a handshake from a female client, so why would he allow a woman to cry on his chest?


    In this world, the only person who would have that special treatment is probably ¡¯the person hiding in his memory¡¯, right? So, that means, this girl is also at this restaurant?


    Even though Cheng Qingchong had never entertained the thought of having Su Zhinian, she was still interested in this person whom she had a crush on.


    ...


    Song Qingchun remembered clearly that she was squatting on the floor crying, leaning against the door, so why would she be standing in the next second?


    Furthermore, the tears on her face had disappeared like they were gently wiped away. In fact, she could feel a lingering warmth on her skin.


    Song Qingchun scanned the toilet curiously and confirmed she was still alone. The door was locked, and it did not appear like anyone hade in. Song Qingchun frowned deeply and scratched her chin. For some reason, she felt she was missing a part of her memory.


    She had experienced this sensation several times before. Whenever she was crying at her saddest moments, she would suddenly lose her memory. Song Qingchun had once brought this up with Song Cheng, but her brother had refused to believe her, saying it was because her tears had soaked into her brain, confusing it.


    Song Cheng was obviously spouting nonsense, but Song Qingchun had no better exnation other than her memory deteriorating as she grew older.


    However, this had happened more than once or twice... Song Qingchun¡¯s brows were creased, and a thought slowly bubbled within her heart: could it be that she suffered from temporary memory loss? Then again, that wouldn¡¯t exin why it only happened when she was at her saddest...


    Just as she was lost in her thoughts, her phone rang. It was from Qin Yinan. He was concerned about her since she was taking so long. After she replied that she would be back in a bit, she hung up the phone.


    The devastated Song Qingchun was distracted by the sudden ¡¯memory loss¡¯, so she did not feel as bad as before. She fixed herself in the mirror by washing away the ruined make-up. She took a deep breath and exited the bathroom after waiting for the red in her eyes to slightly dim.

 Chapter 175: The Most Silent Love (5)

    Chapter 175: The Most Silent Love (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Qin Yinan was just standing outside the bathroom. He hurried over when he saw her and asked with a face full of concern, "Song Song, are you alright?"


    Song Qingchun shook her head. "Brother Yinan, I¡¯m fine."


    "Really?" Qin Yinan asked again.


    Song Qingchun forced a smile at him and used the lightest tone she could manage to reply. "Really, something suddenly came over me just now; I¡¯m sorry for making you worried, Brother Yinan."


    "Why did you apologize to me? That¡¯s not your fault." Qin Yinan visibly rxed upon seeing her smile. He reached out to tussle her hair like he used when they were growing up and berated her lightly, "Silly girl."


    Song Qingchun felt her heart twist slightly with emotions when he said that. An urge rose within her to tell her that this silly girl was the real person writing all those paper notes. Before she could stop herself, his name tumbled out of her mouth. "Brother Yinan."


    "Hmm?" Qin Yinan replied in a soft voice, a perpetual smile hanging on his face.


    Song Qingchun opened her lips, but she could not find the energy to continue. Over all these years, she had seen with her own eyes just how much Qin Yinan loved and adored Tang Nuan. He loved her to such an extent that Song Qingchun felt she had to give up on her childhood dream.


    Tang Nuan was to Qin Yinan, what her Brother Yinan was to her, the best and most treasured existence.


    If she was in his ce, she would rather be an idiot shielding this false beautiful perception forever than face the ugly truth, because she knew how painful that was... to have oneself cruelly yanked out of one¡¯s own carefully constructed dream.


    Her biggest wish, ever since she was young, was that Qin Yinan would find his greatest happiness. Even though she had already given up on him, and his happiness was no longer her business, she did not have the heart to expose the truth, toy the misery on him.


    "Why are you stumbling over your words? Juste out with it. Since when did you learn to be so cautious around me?" Qin Yinan said after Song Qingchun stood there silently for a while.


    "It¡¯s not that..." Song Qingchun shook her head again at Qin Yinan. With slightly forced smile, she lied. "I just remembered how you liked to tussle my hair like that when we were young."


    Qin Yinanughed and ruffled her hair once more. He even patted her on the top of her head, adding, "Silly girl."


    Song Qingchun puffed her cheeks and pretended to be angry at Qin Yinan. "I¡¯m not silly; you¡¯re silly."


    "At least, not as silly as you." Qin Yinan chuckled. "Alright, it¡¯s wonderful that you¡¯re feeling better. I have to use the toilet; I¡¯ll see you outside."


    ...


    If given the choice, Song Qingchun really did not want to face Tang Nuan alone, so she did not return to the table but hung around the partition close to the bathroom.


    There were two pots of green trailing nts ced on top of the partition. It was clear that they were taken good care of from their leaves that trailed almost to the floor.


    Song Qingchun pinched one of the stubby leaves and was toying with it when a rhythmic clicking of high heels came from behind the partition.


    "Still thinking about the literal poetry book club?" As the familiar female voice rang out, the sound of high heels stopped.


    Song Qingchun lowered her gaze and ran her fingers along the green veins of the nt leaf. She ignored the woman¡¯s voice.


    "However, I do wonder, how devastated will Qin Yinan be if he finds out the person he has been in love with all these years is actually the wrong person?"

 Chapter 176: The Most Silent Love (6)

    Chapter 176: The Most Silent Love (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Seeing as Song Qingchun still did not rise to the bait, Tang Nuan did not hurry; instead, she blinked and tilted her head to the side as if deep in thought and started talking to herself. "That reminds me, I do wish to see Qin Yinan¡¯s face when he realizes the truth..."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s finger shivered, and she whipped her head around to re at Tang Nuan. "Tang Nuan, how long do you wish to continue this atrocity? Aren¡¯t you afraid of karma from doing so many awful things? If you hate me so much thene after me, why do you have to rope Brother Yinan in every time?"


    Tang Nuan shruggedzily at the usation. She half-leaned on the partition and smiled at Song Qingchun. "Why, do you feel bad for him? Didn¡¯t you say you have given up on him? If that¡¯s true, then it should be none of your business how I treat Qin Yinan. Or were you lying to me and you still cannot give up Qin Yinan?"


    Song Qingchun sighed and turned back to study the nt. She regretted answering Tang Nuan and allowing this to continue.


    "Song Qingchun, I¡¯ll be honest, the only reason I so kindly revealed the story of how I, quote-unquote, met Qin Yinan was to let you know how close you were to winning your dream guy, Qin Yinan, and how he was ultimately stolen by me, Tang Nuan, at the veryst minute, just like how my happiness..." Tang Nuan¡¯s coquettish eyes were shining with aplicated glow, and her gaze that fell on Song Qingchun turned cold and wintry.


    If not for her, perhaps the man that she loved would not be so cruel to her. Even though years had passed, her right cheek would still asionally burn with pain, a pain that seared right into her bones.


    Tang Nuan took a deep breath and changed the topic. "However, Song Qingchun, even if you know it was me who reced you, what does that change? Perhaps in the beginning, it was because of your notes that he fell in love with me, but that was just an opening, a bridge you could say, the person he treasured the most in his heart is still me and not you.


    "How else would you exin his willingness to forgive me after the incident at City Clubhouse? He knew I purposely jumped into theke to frame you and almost sent you to jail and ruin your future. Yes, he was very angry at the time, but that day, I merely faked spraining my ankle before him, and he could not stop himself from rushing over to help me. In the end, he chose to forgive me..."


    Tang Nuan was not lying, but she did suffer from the sin of omission. Of course, she would not bring up those details; they would undermine her intention to hurt Song Qingchun.


    Actually, Qin Yinan dide over to help her when she fell, but his face was cold. It was she who used the opportunity to fall into his embrace and apologize to him, telling him how sorry she was as she pulled out the letter of resignation from her bag.


    Tang Nuan saw Song Qingchun¡¯s palms grip into fists, and her lips curled into a satisfied smile. Even her tone wasced with snarky glee as she said, "Therefore, it looks like you are not that important to him after all."


    "Tang Nuan, whether Brother Yinan cares for me or not, I can use my own eyes and heart to observe, there is no need for you to waste your breath trying to put a wedge between us." Song Qingchun straightened up and walked away without ncing at Tang Nuan.


    Before she moved away, Tang Nuan reached out to grab her elbow. "Song Qingchun, do you dare to entertain me in a bet or not?"


    Song Qingchun frowned and after a pause, turned to look at Tang Nuan.

 Chapter 177: The Most Silent Love (7)

    Chapter 177: The Most Silent Love (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "If you think what I¡¯m saying merely is to sow discord between you and Qin Yinan, then how about a bet?" Tang Nuan smirked at Song Qingchun. There seemed to be plenty of intentions hidden behind that smile; it was hard to tell what was on Tang Nuan¡¯s mind. "We will bet to see who is more important in Qin Yinan¡¯s heart!"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes that stared at Tang Nuan slowly narrowed. She had a bad feeling forming at the bottom of her heart.


    "Song Qingchun, since you do not wish to face the truth, I will have to force you to face it..." After a purposeful silence, Tang Nuan added, "Didn¡¯t they say the decision made before life or death is definitely the most authentic and important?


    "Then, we shall see which of us Qin Yinan will save in a life or death situation!" A manic glow lit up Tang Nuan¡¯s eyes, and her whole person was radiating an unhinged energy. Her painted lips opened and closed with chillingly graceful tempo. "...Therefore, Song Qingchun, care to entertain me in this bet?"


    "Not interested!" Admittedly Song Qingchun would not mind finding out once and for all who was more important to Qin Yinan, she or Tang Nuan, but she would not do it on Tang Nuan¡¯s terms. The woman was creeping her out with her mention of life or death choices... Song Qingchun tried to pry her arm loose from Tang Nuan¡¯s grasp and went on her way.


    However, Tang Nuan¡¯s grip tightened as if she was anticipating this reaction from Song Qingchun.


    Song Qingchun ordered with added solemnity, "Tang Nuan, let me go, I¡¯m not interested in your crazy game!"


    Tang Nuan merely looked at her quietly. Ten secondster, Qin Yinan exited the bathroom. "Hmm, why are the both of you standing here?"


    The moment he said that, Tang Nuan turned to address him with a face full of smiles. In Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes, that smile was dripping with unkind intentions. "Yinan, you¡¯re out?"


    Qin Yinan walked toward them and asked, "Why are you guys here and not seated at the table?"


    Suddenly, Qin Yinan¡¯s expression changed, and he yelled, "Careful!"


    Song Qingchun had been trying to see through Tang Nuan¡¯s ploy, and Qin Yinan¡¯s scream pulled her out of thoughts. She turned to look at him with curiosity as Qin Yinan charged at Tang Nuan and her. The first name that came out of his mouth was Tang Nuan. It was desperate and urgent. However, the person that he charged toward was Song Qingchun. He jumped at her and toppled her over, covering her with his body. Then, three different sounds filtered into her ears.


    The first was Qin Yinan¡¯s grunt, while the second and third were the sound of two pieces china falling and breaking, one after another.


    Qin Yinan used every ounce of energy in his body to charge at Song Qingchun. He practically mmed his chest into Song Qingchun¡¯s face. The shot of pain stung her eyes. Before she realized what had happened, she felt some kind of liquid running down her neck. She turned to look with a frown, and the first thing that hit her was the irony smell, then she saw blood, a huge pool of blood.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s brain stopped working, and after ten seconds, she slowly raised her head to look at Qin Yinan.

 Chapter 178: The Most Silent Love (8)

    Chapter 178: The Most Silent Love (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Before she could understand what was happening, Qin Yinan¡¯s body shook twice before copsing fully on her body. Then, she saw the gaping wound on the back of Qin Yinan¡¯s head.


    "Brother Yinan! Brother Yinan!" Song Qingchun called his name twice before realizing the two broken flower pots, soil, and twigs that littered the floor. Tang Nuan had her back stuck to the wall, her face was nched and her eyes swirling with disbelief.


    Song Qingchun then realized that everything was thanks to Tang Nuan!


    This was the test or bet she mentioned earlier. She knocked into the partition as Qin Yinan walked out of the bathroom, causing the two flower china pots to fall.


    Unlike Song Qingchun, Tang Nuan knew what was happening. The moment she pushed the partition, she already stealthy took a step. However, Song Qingchun and Qin Yinan did not know that... However, for some reason, even though Qin Yinan was yelling Tang Nuan¡¯s name, his body was charging at Song Qingchun.


    Brother Yinan... Her Brother Yinan chose to save her at the most crucial moment... and not Tang Nuan, the love of his life!


    Something struck Song Qingchun¡¯s heart heavily, and her whole body started to shake. Her hands that held Qin Yinan were shivering involuntarily. Her mouth was moving, but no words came out. It was not until the waiters rushed over that she cried out, "Ambnce, someone call an ambnce!"


    ...


    Su Zhinian, who returned already to the private room by this point, had obviously lost his focus. His attention kept slipping, and he was clearly not listening or replying when the client was talking to him.


    Cheng Qingchong felt the mood in the room turn increasingly awkward. She tried her best to lighten the mood. After downing a big ss of brandy with much difficulty, she was finally able to get the client to smile again. The client then told Su Zhinian, "CEO Su, then shall we sign on our cooperation?"


    Su Zhinian replied with a nonmittal "hmm" before going radio silent again. An annoyed frown appeared between the client¡¯s brows.


    The business deal is almost done, what is Big Boss up to? Worried that the client would just up and leave, Cheng Qingchong sidled close to Su Zhinian and reminded him with a whisper, "CEO Su?"


    Su Zhinian acted like he did not hear her, but the expression on his face gradually turned frosty.


    "This..." The client turned to Cheng Qingchong with a drawn face.


    Cheng Qingchong replied with an apologetic smile. She was going to remind Su Zhinian again when Su Zhinian suddenly mmed the chopsticks on the table angrily. Ignoring the shock of his secretary and the client, he stood up and dashed out of the room with a dark expression.


    Su Zhinian pressed the elevator button repeatedly, and when the door opened, he dashed into it hurriedly. Inside, his finger kept hitting the button for first floor.


    The elevator reached first floor in less than ten seconds, but the usually calm and collected Su Zhinian kept pacing inside the elevator to work off his agitation. Su Zhinian dashed out of the elevator when it was opened only a sliver. He headed directly toward the bathroom. He was several meters away when he saw the flower pot falling from the partition and heading directly toward Song Qingchun¡¯s head.


    He was unsure who Qin Yinan would save, but he would definitely save Song Qingchun.

 Chapter 179: The Most Silent Love (9)

    Chapter 179: The Most Silent Love (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    However, it was physically impossible for him to save Song Qingchun; unlike Qin Yinan, he was too far away from her. Unlike Tang Nuan, Su Zhinian had no interest in knowing who Qin Yinan would save, who he really cared about. He was not willing to take this bet because he was unable to live with the possible results of this bet.


    If Qin Yinan chose Song Qingchun, of course, that would be best. If he chose Tang Nuan... Su Zhinian did not dare toplete that train of thought. Therefore, without hesitation, he directly controlled Qin Yinan¡¯s consciousness to charge at Song Qingchun.


    Then, the heavy pot fell directly on Qin Yinan¡¯s head.


    An indiscernible pain also shot through Su Zhinian¡¯s body. The pain was so acute that it took his breath away. He almost copsed on the spot. Then, he felt a sticky liquid flow down the side of his ears as the sound of Song Qingchun¡¯s anxious shouts floated into his ears. "Brother Yinan! Brother Yinan!"


    As if shocked by electricity, Su Zhinian stumbled back into the elevator. Through the closing doors, he noticed the anxiety and guilt on Song Qingchun¡¯s face as she stared at Qin Yinan.


    Su Zhinian screwed his eyes shut from the pain and vertigo. He pressed a random button for the elevator floor and slid down the elevator wall weakly. He knew he needed to get to the hospital to stop the blood loss. He pulled out his phone, intending to give Cheng Qingchong a call; however, his addled brain made him press the first number that came into his mind. The phone rang for a long time, but no one picked up. Through much difficulty, he pulled the phone before his eyes, and as the words slowly came into focus, he realized he had called "The person hiding in my memory". Then, the call was disconnected since no one answered.


    Su Zhinian felt his focus give. Keeping his eyes open was too tiring, so he closed them. As he did so, Song Qingchun¡¯s voice from downstairs drifted clearly into his ears.


    "Tang Nuan, I¡¯m telling you, you¡¯d better pray that nothing happens to Brother Yinan, or else I will never forgive you!" Following that was the sound of a resounding p.


    Then, it was the sound of Song Qingchun asking the restaurant waiter anxiously, "Where¡¯s the ambnce? Why hasn¡¯t it arrived yet? The blood is still flowing, do you have a first aid kit at the restaurant?"


    "The ambnce is here? Thank goodness... Please save Brother Yinan... I¡¯m also going to the hospital..."


    "Brother Yinan, hang in there..."


    Then her voice petered to a silence; she had probably gotten into the ambnce and left.


    A bitter smile appeared on Su Zhinian¡¯s handsome face. What was he hoping for? The first number that he called was hers...


    Even though he knew it was because of his intervention that Qin Yinan saved Song Qingchun, from her perspective, it was Qin Yinan who saved her; therefore, it was only natural for her to be worried about her Brother Yinan.


    However... that did not stop the pain that surged through his heart.


    Tingting, do you know?


    I¡¯ve spent all these years quietly watching over you, protecting you just like this.


    I can only love you from afar since I am forbidden from loving you.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s smile gradually faded until it was not even noticeable anymore as his consciousness weakened, and he tumbled into the dark abyss.


    ...


    When Su Zhinian woke up, he was already at the hospital.

 Chapter 180: The Most Silent Love (10)

    Chapter 180: The Most Silent Love (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    He was called into being by Song Qingchun¡¯s voice. "You have to get better soon..."


    However, when he opened his eyes, his bedside was empty. Su Zhinian sat up from bed, and he almost crumpled over from another shot of pain due to the sudden movement.


    He looked around and saw only an empty room.


    Was I hallucinating or dreaming? As he thought so, Su Zhinian heard Song Qingchun¡¯s voice again. "Please wake up soon..."


    Su Zhinian frowned slightly, and this time, she said, "Brother Yinan..."


    Brother Yinan... These two words cleared Su Zhinian¡¯s mind immediately. This was such a coincidence; he was staying at the same hospital as Qin Yinan.


    Su Zhinian nced at the watch on his wrist. It was nearly 7:30 pm. He had been unconscious for five hours, and Song Qingchun had stayed by Qin Yinan¡¯s side for these five hours?


    "CEO Su, you¡¯re awake?" The door to his room was pushed open, and Cheng Qingchong walked in, interrupting his thoughts.


    Su Zhinian raised his eyes to look at Cheng Qingchong andy back down in his bed without saying a word.


    "CEO Su, what happened to you? How did you get the serious wound on the back of your head?" Cheng Qingchong ced the medicine on the table and moved to check Su Zhinian¡¯s glucose drip. It was running out, so she pressed the service bell on the wall.


    She did not pursue the question since she noticed he had no intention of exining. However, her heart was still beating from fear.


    He was found in the elevator with his whole shirt dyed red from a copious amount of blood. She was still trying her best tofort the client when she received the news. Dropping everything, she immediately rushed him to the hospital.


    At the time, his breath was so weak that she thought he wouldn¡¯t be able to make it...


    The doctor arrived at the room, answering the service call. He inspected Su Zhinian¡¯s body and confirmed that he was doing fine.


    Cheng Qingchong opened her lips to suggest, "CEO Su, how about you stay at the hospital for a few more days for observation?"


    Su Zhinian did not answer. Instead, he stared at the ceiling with a rather hazy gaze. He was listening to Song Qingchun.


    "Brother Yinan, are you feeling better? Do you know who I am? Brother Yinan, you scared me. I¡¯ve ordered some porridge for you; it¡¯ll be here soon. You have to eat..."


    So, Qin Yinan had woken up.


    "CEO Su?" Cheng Qingchong began again. Before she could finish the sentence, Su Zhinian suddenly ordered in an icy tone, "I need to go home!"


    Cheng Qingchong was startled, and she tried to advise him against it. "CEO Su, your wounds still need medical attention, and the drip hasn¡¯t even finished yet. Even if you¡¯d prefer to recover at home, you need to at least stay for tonight..."


    Su Zhinian suddenly raised his hands to pull the IV drip from his arm. Ignoring the globules of blood, he pulled out the coverlet. When he passed Cheng Qingchong, he ordered through his lips that were slightly shaking, "Get me home, get me home this instant!"


    ...


    Not long after Qin Yinan woke up, Uncle Qin and Auntie Qin arrived at the hospital.


    Now that his parents were there to take care of him, Qin Yinan advised Song Qingchun, who had been taking care of him for the whole afternoon, to go home and take a break. Uncle and Auntie Qin agreed with their son.


    Unable to win an argument against three mouths, Song Qingchun finally left the hospital at 9 pm.


    She pulled out her phone to check and was shocked to realize she had several missed calls. One of them had evene from Su Zhinian...

 Chapter 181: Sharing the Same Bed (1)

    Chapter 181: Sharing the Same Bed (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The time he called was almost the time Qin Yinan fainted from saving her. At the time, her whole focus had been on Qin Yinan; she had not paid any attention to her phone.


    Su Zhinian had never called her, especially after that drunken night, their rtionship was lukewarm as best, so why would he suddenly call her? Was it due to something important?


    After a short hesitation, Song Qingchun called Su Zhinian back, but no one answered.


    Song Qingchun frowned slightly and moved her phone away from her ear to end the call. As she did so, her gaze fell on the time shown on screen. It was slightly past 9 pm. Her heart froze; the man had once said, if she was unable to fulfil her side of the contract, he would make Song Empire disappear!


    She had to be at his ce by 7 pm ording to the contract. She had lost track of time due to Qin Yinan, and she had also forgotten to call Su Zhinian to ask for a day-off. Now she had even ignored his call...


    The more she ruminated on it, the chillier her heart felt. Song Qingchun rushed to the hospital entrance to hail a taxi while praying ardently that Su Zhinian had decided not to return home that day.


    Song Qingchun paid the driver and got out of the car.


    Before entering the gate, Song Qingchun nced at the second floor of the bungalow. It was shrouded in darkness; not one light was on. Her heart, which was in her throat, rxed slightly because it seemed like Su Zhinian was not home.


    Song Qingchun jogged to the front door. She keyed in the password, pulled open the door, and reached for the light switch. Therge chandelier in the first floor living room lit up the whole interior space.


    The air in the room was rather damp, so Song Qingchun shrugged off her coat before bending down to pull her slippers out of the shoe rack.


    Song Qingchun walked toward the kitchen to start working on dinner. She only took two steps when she saw Su Zhinian sitting on a sofa in the living room. Her whole body shook from the fearful surprise, and she froze.


    Su Zhinian is at home? But why would he be sitting in the dark? Could it be that he¡¯s been waiting for me toe home toy a nasty trap for me?


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart raced exceptionally fast. She did not even dare to nce at Su Zhinian. With a bowed head, she stood there quietly, waiting for the scolding that did note.


    However, hisplete silence made her skin crawl with consternation. She unconsciously swallowed a mouthful of saliva and started apologizing. "Mr. Su, I¡¯m so sorry for beingte..."


    Her only reply was a roomful of silence.


    The stress in Song Qingchun¡¯s heart only increased; she even had trouble breathing. She continued in a shaking voice. "I swear this is the first time and also thest time...


    "Mr. Su, I have truly learned my lesson; it was not my n to bete."


    Song Qingchun apologized profusely but got no reply from Su Zhinian. Finally, she could not help but quietly raised her eyes to look at Su Zhinian. Then, she realized the man was almost copsed on the sofa, his head slumping weakly on his shoulder.


    Is he asleep?


    "Mr. Su?" Song Qingchun bit the bottom of her lips and called Su Zhinian twice. Since he still gave no reaction, she collected her courage and approached him carefully.

 Chapter 182: Sharing the Same Bed (2)

    Chapter 182: Sharing the Same Bed (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Mr. Su?"


    Song Qingchun stopped before Su Zhinian and called his name. Realizing he still showed no signs of replying, she reached in further to look at his name. She was shocked to realize the extreme pain that painted his face; his lips were startling white, and a dangerous looking hue of red was burning up his fair skin.


    His rapid breathing was amplified by the silence of the room. His breaths werebored like he had severe trouble breathing.


    Song Qingchun frowned with worry as she extended her hand to lightly feel Su Zhinian¡¯s forehead. Her hand flinched as if burnt.


    Why is he burning up so badly? It¡¯s like the temperature of boiling water.


    "Su Zhinian? Su Zhinian!" Song Qingchun reached out to shake his shoulders, and her voice that called his name became much louder. In the urgency of the moment, she directly called him by name.


    However, the man did not show any signs of rousing. Due to her violent shaking, his suit jacket that was not buttoned slipped from his shoulders, revealing a white shirt that was covered with bloodstain underneath.


    Song Qingchun was rattled. She peeled off his shirt with trembling fingers and sighed slightly when she confirmed there was no visible wound on his body. She inspected other parts of his body, and it was then that she discovered the bandage on the right side of his head.


    The white bandage was already soaked through with blood. In fact, she now realized there was even bloodstains on the sofa.


    Where did this head injurye from? And it looks as serious as Brother Yinan¡¯s wounds... Plus, he is suffering from such high fever, is he even in mortal danger in such a state?


    Song Qingchun remembered that Auntie Sun, before she left, had told her that Su Zhinian had a family doctor. She could contact him should Su Zhinian require any medical attention. Therefore, Song Qingchun hurriedly pulled her phone out of her purse and scrolled through her contact list. Finally, she found the name ¡¯Doctor Xia¡¯.


    After calling Doctor Xia, Song Qingchun used every bit of energy in her to drag Su Zhinian upstairs and into his bed.


    First, she peeled his bloodied clothes away and used a warm towel to wipe the dried blood on his body away. Then, she found a thickforter to cover his body.


    Five minutester, Song Qingchun heard the sound of a car¡¯s horning from downstairs. She stared through the bedroom window to confirm it dide from the bungalow entrance. She dashed downstairs to fetch Doctor Xia.


    Doctor Xia was a white-haired gentleman who looked to be in his sixties, but his gait matched someone half his age.


    He had already asked many things about Su Zhinian on the phone, so he arrived with his doctor¡¯s equipment, which Song Qingchun helped haul to Su Zhinian¡¯s bedroom.


    Doctor Xia inspected Su Zhinian for almost half an hour before removing his mask.


    Song Qingchun, who was holding vigil in the bedroom, stood up to ask, "Doctor Xia, how is Mr. Su doing?"


    "Thankfully, his wounds have been cleaned before, so there is no infection. I¡¯ve re-bandaged him, but before the wounds fully recovers, there is bound to be some blood loss. However, generally speaking, he is doing better than he looks. Regardless, we have to do something about his fever because it might harm his recovery. I have to attach a drip on him."


    Doctor Xia pulled out various medicines from his medical bag and started mixing them into the glucose water. Then, he hung the IV bag from a simple scaffold and aimed the needle head urately into the blood vessel on the back of Su Zhinian¡¯s right arm.

 Chapter 183: Sharing the Same Bed (3)

    Chapter 183: Sharing the Same Bed (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Doctor Xia then used a band-aid to secure the needle. When he raised his head to look at Song Qingchun and noticed her pale face. He consoled her kindly, thinking she was worried for Su Zhinian. "Little girl, don¡¯t worry, he¡¯ll be fine."


    In reality, she was less worried, more spooked. He wouldn¡¯t wake up no matter how loudly she called his name, and his fever showed no signs of retreating; it felt like he was dying. Regardless, Song Qingchun did rx after hearing the steadfastness in Doctor Xia¡¯s voice. She smiled at Doctor Xia. She asked him to rest as she went downstairs to fetch him a ss of water.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s IV drip wouldst for at least three hours. Due to his advanced age, Doctor Xia started to doze off on the sofa after the first hour.


    Even though Song Qingchun had not been to medical school, she did learn how to deal with IV drips from the nurses when she stayed at the hospital to look after Song Menghwa.


    Afraid that Doctor Xia might catch a cold sitting there in the bedroom, she said, "Doctor Xia, I¡¯ll go clean up the guest room for you to stay in. I¡¯ll look after him; I know how to change the drip, don¡¯t worry."


    "You know how to do that?" Doctor Xia asked with surprise. When Song Qingchun nodded in reply, he stood up to stretch before he walked to Su Zhinian to check his vitals. "Since you know how to change drip, I think I will go home first. At my age, it¡¯s impossible to fall asleep in another bed. His situation has stabilized, and I believe his fever will be gone around midnight..."


    Doctor Xia rummaged through his medical bag to produce several bottles of medicine. He ced them before Song Qingchun to exin to her how to properly take them. "These medicines must be had after the three major meals every day for a whole week. I¡¯ll be back tomorrow night to change the drip and medicine."


    "Thank you, Doctor Xia." Song Qingchun sent Doctor Xia out, and as the senior doctor climbed into his car, Song Qingchun added, "Drive carefully."


    "Get back in there, the person upstairs needs your attention more than I do." Doctor Xia pointed at the second floor as he started the engine.


    Song Qingchun waited until the car left the bungalow before turning into the house.


    The television in the bedroom was still open. It was ying amercial; the drama she was watching had already finished. Song Qingchun sat on the sofa and grabbed the remote to flip through the channel. In the end, she decided there was nothing interesting on, so she turned off the television.


    When Doctor Xia was still around, at least she had someone to talk to, but now that the senior doctor was gone, without the background noise from the television, the room appeared exceptionally lonely and cheerless. Song Qingchun sat nking out on the sofa for some time before turning to look at Su Zhinian.


    The man was still unconscious, and the liquid in the first drip was almost reaching bottom.


    Song Qingchun stood up to wait beside his bed. After changing the drip bag, it was already almost 11 pm. Song Qingchun started to feel drowsy, and she was afraid she might fall asleep sitting in thefy sofa, so she just stood beside the bed.


    The room was so quiet that Song Qingchun could hear the sound of the liquid flowing through the drip.


    She stared at the drip for a while before moving her gaze to the bed and finally settling on Su Zhinian¡¯s face.


    In her memory, this was the first time she had seen him in a vulnerable state.


    His pale skin was practically transparent, and his exquisite features were devoid of life. His painting-like face now looked like a delicate yet lifeless and soulless sculpture.

 Chapter 184: Sharing the Same Bed (4)

    Chapter 184: Sharing the Same Bed (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Probably due to his difort, he kept mumbling and moaning incoherently. His brows were in deeply furrowed, and his face was a picture of sickness and fatigue. It made him look so... vulnerable.


    However, even in this state, his handsomeness was still quite impressive. Song Qingchun was not ashamed to admit she often judged people based on looks alone. Both Song Cheng and Qin Yinan were handsome men, so her standards had always been high.


    In high-school, Su Zhinian, who transferred over to her school, outshone Song Cheng and Qin Yinan; she had been greatly dissatisfied with that. In her mind, Qin Yinan was the most handsome guy in the world, but when she saw Su Zhinian in person, she had to admit, he was indeed an otherworldly beauty!


    Even after her innocence was taken away when she was 18, and her hatred toward him had solidified into a permanent scar on her heart, whenever someone talked about how handsome some random new idol was, she could not help but mock them internally; they were not as handsome as he was.


    The ill Su Zhinian lost his usual unapproachableness and instead gained a sense of vulnerability that endeared him to others.


    Song Qingchun could not help but study his face until she lost track of time and started entertaining some random thoughts in her mind. No wonder those girls all fall head over heels for him, after all, he does have a ridiculously handsome face. This does make me wonder what kind of woman he would be into... Then again, his personality is such a turn-off; I pity the woman who will end up as his wife and have to suffer his abrasive personality.


    Song Qingchun was pulled out of her reverie when a murmur drifted into her ears. It was from Su Zhinian, but it was too soft for her to make out what it was.


    However, this did make her think about her earlier thoughts. Why would she care about the kind of woman he liked? It had nothing to do with her. After all, no matter who he ended up with, it would not be her.


    Song Qingchun shook her head forcefully, attempting to shake those thoughts out of her mind. Then she turned to look at the IV bag; half of the bag was already gone.


    Song Qingchun paced around the bed due to boredom. Twenty minutester, the drip finally emptied. She squatted down beside his bed and removed the pillow supporting his arm like the nurse had taught her. She used the cotton to press on the back of Su Zhinian¡¯s hand. She held it there until the blood stopped, then she retrieved a band-aid from the bedside table and pasted it over the needle wound.


    Doctor Xia reminded her before he left that if his fever still remained after 3 am, she was to call him. Therefore, Song Qingchun used her hand to feel Su Zhinian¡¯s forehead. He was still burning, but it was better than before. She set an rm before pulling over the sofa to sit beside his bed. She intended to get forty winks before the rm woke her up to check his temperature, and after that, she would return to her own bedroom.


    Song Qingchun had a hard time falling asleep on the sofa. In her half-asleep state, she heard Su Zhinian¡¯s voice. She woke up immediately and leaned closer to his mouth. She managed to discern one word. "Water."


    She rushed to pour him a ss of water and helped him drink it as he drifted in and out of consciousness.

 Chapter 185: Sharing the Same Bed (5)

    Chapter 185: Sharing the Same Bed (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun ced the water ss on the bedside table and moved to help Su Zhinian lie back down, as she had lifted him up earlier into a seated position before giving him the water. When she bent over help him with the mattress, he reached out to grab her wrist. Song Qingchun froze, and the next second, she was pulled to join him in bed, caught in his tight embrace.


    His unique scent covered her instantly and aroused the fear deep within her heart. It reminded of the thing he had done to her, and subconsciously, she tried to struggle from his grasp.


    She escaped easily because he was weak from his illness. When she almost got up from his bed, she heard him beg in a weakened voice, "Can you please give me a hug?"


    His voice sounded scratchy due to the fever, but his tone was surprisingly gentle; there was earnest pleading in it. This made Song Qingchun instinctually turn to look at this face. Then her whole body froze like some force had locked her in ce.


    Sadness and pain were written all over face. With his eyes screwed shut, his bloodless lips were murmuring non-stop, "...Just hug me once, please... I¡¯ve met you so many times in my dreams, but you never want to give me a hug... So, couldn¡¯t you give me a hug just this once? Please? Just one hug... Please... Just one hug..."


    The mncholy in his voice shot through Song Qingchun like an arrow. She felt her chest ache and tighten. The squeeze was so harsh that she had trouble breathing.


    This was the second time that he had made her heart ache... The first time had happened half a month ago when she woke up from her nightmare and he told her he would noty a finger on her again; it was the look he gave her before he left her bedroom.


    Her impression of Su Zhinian had always been stuck at an image of arrogance and ruthlessness. He was aloof, cruel with his words, and in fact, she believed he was a man without emotions and sympathy. This was because she had never seen him smile even once in the time she had known him.


    Therefore, she did not expect that she would one day see such intense sadness on his face and hear such desperate pleading from him.


    Right then, she realized how pitiably little she seemed to know about him.


    While Song Qingchun was lost in her thoughts, Su Zhinian once more reached out for her. He kept mumbling softly, but in the quiet of the night, Song Qingchun heard every single word clearly.


    "Don¡¯t be afraid, I just want to hug you... Can you hug me, please?"


    Song Qingchun was shaking violently. Her heart was tearing into pieces. This man before her had done such despicable things to her, and she knew this was his fever talking; the person he was looking for was not her, but right then, she seemed to have lost her mind and slowly raised her hands toward him,pelled by the sadnesscing his words.


    His scent and body temperature still made her feel a certain degree of uncertainty and fear, but she still reached for his waist and pulled him in for a hug with shaking fingers.


    She could feel the man¡¯s body freeze, and his arms that encircled her suddenly tightened, crushing her into his chest.

 Chapter 186: Sharing the Same Bed (6)

    Chapter 186: Sharing the Same Bed (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    His hug hurt her slightly, which made her want to escape from his embrace. However, before she could do that, he lowered his head and snuggled into her neck and smiled. Then his head yfully rubbed against hers, and he started chuckling like he had found something greatly satisfying.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s struggle stopped and she turned to look at Su Zhinian after several seconds.


    Her shoulder pillowed the man¡¯s head. His eyes were closed, and his brows rxed with ease. His pale lips were parted in a toothy grin to reveal his pearly whites.


    His smile was like the sun on a summer¡¯s day, exceptionally warm and bright. This version of Su Zhinian waspletely different from the normal Su Zhinian. He was practically radiating a soft glow, endearing himself to everyone in a close vicinity, whereas normally, it felt like he was looking down on everyone from far away, even though he was just standing before them.


    Song Qingchun was lost, staring at him. However, his smile soon dissipated, and the curve of his lips turned into a frown. "I wish I could hug you like this my whole life... But I know you wouldn¡¯t want that, you still hate me deep down in your heart and can¡¯t wait to get as far away from me as you can, right?


    "I¡¯ve spent my whole life trying to find you, so why don¡¯t you remember me..."


    Fog seemed to fall over his face like a veil. He tightened his arms around her and did not say anything more.


    This hug was like the look he gave her that night before leaving her bedroom; it made her nervous and agitated for some unknown reason.


    Song Qingchun had no idea what he was talking about. Her eyes that looked at his closed eyelids were filled with confusion. Eventually, she chalked it up to his fever talking. However, she felt, from his way of speech and expression, that those words were meant for her, but he said that she had forgotten him; that didn¡¯t sound like her.


    The room was quiet except for the sound of their breathing tangling together.


    After who knows how long, a whisperedment began again. "But no matter what, it is already more than enough that I am able to hug you like this once."


    Then, he slowly released his arms around Song Qingchun. They slowly reached for her arms on his waist and gradually moved them from his body.


    He really did wish to hug her forever until the sun died and the world ended, but even in his sickness, he did not dare to indulge too long in his dream.


    He ced her arms back beside her body and moved his body further away from her. There was suddenly a great distance between them on the bed. Then he said, "Thank you so much..."


    His lips curved into a gentle and sincere smile. The short hug just now seemed to have fulfilled his greatest wish in the world. His face was a picture of satisfaction.


    His smile seemed to glow from within, but for some reason, Song Qingchun swore she could see the endless sorrow hiding behind it, and her heart started to pound with a dull ache.


    She hated to be close to him. She should have turned to escape his bedroom after he let her go, but for some reason she could not exin, she once again crawled into his embrace.

 Chapter 187: Sharing the Same Bed (7)

    Chapter 187: Sharing the Same Bed (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    His whole body quivered, and the many there quietly without any reaction.


    Song Qingchun held her breath from nerves. She could hear her heartbeat like her heart could jump out of her throat at any moment.


    After a long time, Su Zhinian suddenly reached out to hug her. He pulled her in so forcefully that she felt her back breaking.


    Song Qingchun grimaced from pain, but she did not struggle. Then, she could hear him mumble beside her ear several times, "Tingting... Tingting..."


    Every time he called Tingting¡¯s name, Song Qingchun could discern a different type of emotion behind it; there was pain, love, helplessness, and more...


    Who is this Tingting? The person he likes? So those words earlier were meant for Tingting as well?


    She remembered the sentence she had identally seen in his diary: ¡¯I¡¯ve expended three lifetimes to find you, and now I will use another to make you my wife.¡¯ Such a beautiful promise was made to this girl by the name of ¡¯Tingting¡¯ as well?


    The night quieted down. Song Qingchun could sense that Su Zhinian¡¯s temperature had gone down. Perhaps because this was the first time she had shared a bed with a man, she had trouble going to sleep. Her eyes were closed, but her brain was working in overdrive.


    Her body, caught in his embrace, was unable to rx. Regardless, drowsiness eventually came as the night drew on, and her consciousness started to falter. Just as she was falling asleep, the rm rang.


    She peeled open her eyes with great effort to switch off the rm before reaching out to feel Su Zhinian¡¯s temperature. His fever was gone. Due to extreme drowsiness, she returned to slumber without thinking of much else.


    ...


    In the morning, the first ray of the winter sun filtered through the window and hit Su Zhinian on his face. He opened his eyes.


    He felt like he had slept for a very long time and had experience a very beautiful dream, one involving her.


    Su Zhinian stared at the snow-white ceiling, reminiscing about his dream, before stretching his body. It was then that he realized the anomaly in the room.


    Song Qingchun was asleep using his shoulder, and her palm was lightly ced on his chest. One of his arms were snaked around her neck, and another was holding her waist.


    This intimate pose stunned Su Zhinian for a long time before the reality from the night before slowly came back to him.


    He frowned slightly and remembered he had sent his secretary away at the hospital and returned home alone. After he reached home, he had only managed to drag his weakened body through the front door before copsing on the living room sofa.


    His head had been in extreme pain, and his heart had been racing, but he had refused to go to sleep.


    He was waiting, waiting for the clock to strike seven, but even when it did, she still hadn¡¯t returned. Finally, he could not hold on any longer and fainted in the living room.


    But now, he found himself in his bedroom, and she was lying beside him...


    Su Zhinian scanned the room and noticed the several bottles of medicine on the table and the new band-aid on the back of his arm. Underneath it was a needle wound that was recovering.


    So, it was not a dream.


    Su Zhinian did not get out of bed but staredzily at Song Qingchun. His eyes deepened with emotions like he was trying to carve this beautiful moment into his heart for life.

 Chapter 188: Sharing the Same Bed (8)

    Chapter 188: Sharing the Same Bed (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    As he did so, Su Zhinian slowly fell back to sleep.


    Due to everything that had happened the night before, it was already 11 am when Song Qingchun woke up.


    Initially, Song Qingchun was still at a loss. She prepared to stretch like she usually did when she realized she was in Su Zhinian¡¯s bedroom. She raised her head in rm, and Su Zhinian¡¯s breath-taking features were revealed before her eyes.


    He looked much better than the night before. Even though his face was still pale, it was livelier than the previous day. At least, he was sleeping and not fainted. His breathing was even, and there was even a hint of a smile on his lips.


    It was not often for Song Qingchun to be so close to Su Zhinian. In her memory, there were only three times this had happened before, and the first two times were thanks to alcohol. At the time, her whole focus had been on trying to escape, so she had not had the luxury of time to study his face, much less as closely as she was able to that morning. Even from such a close distance, she was unable to find any blemishes on his face; his skin was so smooth that it was like he had been born without pores.


    Now that Song Qingchun was wide awake, she started to worry about the thing that she waspelled by sadness to do the previous night. Even though nothing had happened between them, Song Qingchun still had a hard time figuring out how to exin to Su Zhinian that they had ended up in the same bed, and this was considering the lukewarm rtionship they had shared recently.


    Song Qingchun hesitated for a while beforeing to a solution; she was going to escape from his bedroom while he was asleep and pretend that the whole thing had not happened.


    Song Qingchun used the least amount of force that she could to lift Su Zhinian¡¯s arm off her waist. Then, she climbed out of the bed, picked up her slippers on the floor, and slunk out of his bedroom.


    Song Qingchun warmed herself in the bath after she returned to her bedroom and changed into a clean set of clothes. After exiting the bathroom, she realized her phone had been left in Su Zhinian¡¯s bedroom.


    After drying her hair, Song Qingchun returned to Su Zhinian¡¯s bedroom door and pushed it open as lightly as she could. She poked her head in and was shocked to realize Su Zhinian was already awake. He was leaning against the headboard with a nk expression on his face, staring at the clock on the wall.


    Song Qingchun subconsciously tried to pull her head out, but Su Zhinian had already turned his head around and caught her eyes.


    Song Qingchun had no choice but to greet Su Zhinian. "Mr. Su, you¡¯re awake?"


    Su Zhinian nodded wordlessly.


    "My phone was left in your bedroom," Song Qingchun exined as she pointed at the pillow next to Su Zhinian.


    Su Zhinian did not respond but stared unblinkingly at her, as if asking her wordlessly, Why would your phone be left in my bed?


    Song Qingchun was suddenly reminded of the fact she fell asleep using his arm as a pillow, and a faint blush rose to her face.


    Thankfully, he was out of it for the whole ofst night...


    She searched her mind for a random excuse and exined, "I was in your room to fix your IV dripst night. I must have left it here before I returned to my bedroom."


    Su Zhinian stared quietly at her as if trying to make out whether she was lying or not. After a long time, he let out a "hmm" and used his chin to point at her phone, signaling for her to get it.


    Song Qingchun sighed in relief under her breath and raced to his bedside. When she reached out to grab her phone, her gazended on a long hair underneath Su Zhinian¡¯s arm.

 Chapter 189: Sharing the Same Bed (9)

    Chapter 189: Sharing the Same Bed (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Having one or two long hairs on the floor was understandable if she did, as she imed, spend some time in his bedroom. However, if her hair was found under his arm, didn¡¯t that mean that she had spent the night sleeping in his bed?


    Song Qingchun¡¯s hand that reached for the phone slowed. She looked around, then she suddenly raised her eyes to look at Su Zhinian and asked, "Mr. Su, how¡¯s your fever?"


    Song Qingchun raised her hand to touch Su Zhinian¡¯s forehead while her other hand surreptitiously swiped the hair away from his bed.


    When her hand fell on Su Zhinian¡¯s forehead, he stopped moving, and her thoughts poured into his mind.


    So, she was worried that he might find out she had slept in his bed from noticing her hair... Even though there was another reason behind her concerned question, Su Zhinian still felt warm in his heart.


    The usually reticent man suddenly opened his mouth to initiate a conversation. "Did Doctor Xiae overst night?"


    Song Qingchun nodded as she carefully felt Su Zhinian¡¯s temperature. Her mind was not on the words that poured out of her mouth. "I saw you copsed on the sofa when I returnedst night, and your whole body was covered in blood. I was so spooked. Thankfully, Auntie Sun gave me the number of your family doctor before she left, so the first thing I did was to call Doctor Xia. However, if I had known Doctor Xia was already at such an advanced age, I wouldn¡¯t have made him rush over sote in the night and would have called the ambnce instead."


    Song Qingchun caught herself and stopped talking.


    She berated herself for her stupidity. He was already unconscious when she returned, so he might not have known what time she returned, but now she was admitting to him openly that she had vited the contract bying homete the previous night.


    He did warn her that, if she vited the contract, he would make Song Empire disappear...


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart started to beat anxiously; even her palm on Su Zhinian¡¯s forehead broke out in cold sweat.


    It was already past 7 pm when he fainted the night before, so he already knew about the infraction. He just wanted to chat, but he had scared her instead.


    Those harsh words that he once said were simply to cover up his real thoughts, but who would have thought the girl had memorized every single ¡¯threat¡¯ that he had made?


    Just as Song Qingchun was going to admit her mistake and apologize, Su Zhinian suddenly said, "What are we having for lunch?"


    Song Qingchun was startled and looked at Su Zhinian with disbelief. His face was serene; there was no trace of anger or displeasure.


    As if surprise by his reaction, she was stunned silent for a long time. It was not until he prompted her with a "hmm" that she immediately pulled her hand away from his forehead and whispered in a flustered voice, "I¡¯ll cook something light. Doctor Xia said you have to watch what you eat for another few days."


    Su Zhinian nodded easily. "Okay."


    Song Qingchun continued to study Su Zhinian to make sure there was no displeasure hiding underneath the surface before wandering out of his bedroom with her phone in her hand. It was not until she was standing in the kitchen that she dared to raise her hands to p her face lightly twice. She wasn¡¯t dreaming; Su Zhinian really had not pursued her mistake foring homete the previous night!

 Chapter 190: Sharing the Same Bed (10)

    Chapter 190: Sharing the Same Bed (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun messaged Qin Yinan in the middle of making lunch; she found out he had returned home from the hospital.


    Perhaps it was because the words Su Zhinian from the night before had touched her, perhaps it was because he had forgiven her for herte return, regardless, Song Qingchun, who had nned to visit Qin Yinan that day, started to have doubts.


    If she left after making lunch, then Su Zhinian would be all alone at home. He was not staying with his mother and had lost his father when he was a child. Furthermore, he was seriously injured.


    Song Qingchun bit her bottom lip and finally decided to write Qin Yinan an apology message. "Brother Yinan, thank you for saving my life yesterday. I know I promised to visit you today but something important came up; I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll be able to make it. I¡¯m so sorry."


    "No matter, Song Song, I¡¯m already feeling much better," Qin Yinan¡¯s reply came quickly. Through the words, Song Qingchun could see his smiling face.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Brother Yinan..." Song Qingchun repeated. Then, she added another line, a question that she did not have the time to worry about yesterday. "Brother Yinan, why would you save me yesterday and not..."


    Song Qingchun did not bring up Tang Nuan, but she knew Qin Yinan would understand what she meant.


    Qin Yinan studied Song Qingchun¡¯s message for a long time before writing his reply. "Song Song, to be honest, when I saw the two falling flower pots, the sentence I was going to shout was, Tang Nuan, Song Song, get out of the way; however, I can only remember saying, Tang Nuan before I find myself copsing on you."


    Everything he said was the truth; even he himself had a hard time exining the choice he had made then.


    Qin Yinan paused for a while before telling Song Qingchun the most honest thought in his heart. "Song Song, actually, I was flustered facing that situation; I really had no idea what to do. Between you and Tang Nuan, I really did not hope any harm woulde to either of you. Thankfully, in the end, no one was hurt."


    He had no idea who to save, but in the end, he had chosen to save her. A warm feeling filled Song Qingchun¡¯s heart as she read the message from Qin Yinan. "Regardless, Brother Yinan, I am deeply appreciative of your help."


    "What¡¯s the point of thanks between us?" Qin Yinan replied, and before Song Qingchun could respond, another message from him came. It read: "Silly girl."


    Song Qingchun smiled and continued messaging Qin Yinan, telling him to take care of himself and rest before she stopped.


    Her mind kept returning to the scene of Qin Yinan saving her life as she washed the ingredients. Even though it had been more than 24 hours since then, the memory was still fresh in her mind.


    It was her impression that, in Qin Yinan¡¯s heart, Tang Nuan was more important than her. Even for the incident at City Clubhouse, she had only managed to reach a tie with Tang Nuan with her twenty years¡¯ worth of friendship with him.


    Therefore, Song Qingchun was surprised that, at the most crucial moment, Qin Yinan had chosen to save her.


    Song Qingchun felt her heart racing slightly; a strong feeling that was not unlike yearning was slowly growing in her heart.

 Chapter 191: Learning How to Stop Loving You (1)

    Chapter 191: Learning How to Stop Loving You (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Doctor Xia returned to check Su Zhinian at around 3 pm. Like the previous day, he left after changing the bandage for him and reapplying the drip.


    After lunch, Su Zhinian leaned against the headboard and used his arm that was not attached to the drip to work on hisptop, which he had retrieved earlier from the study.


    Song Qingchun did not dare leave as she was afraid Su Zhinian might copse causing back-blow of blood. Therefore, she nted herself on the carpet and ced herptop on the coffee table and started to y.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow faced the southern side, so the room was bright from the copious amount of afternoon sun. He was reading a work document while she was ying a game.


    Even though each of them was caught in their own isted world and had no interaction, the general atmosphere in the room was peaceful andfortable.


    Due to his injury, Su Zhinian¡¯s stamina was worse than usual. He had to stop due to a mounting headache after staring at the screen for about an hour. He ced theptop to the side and turned to study Song Qingchun.


    The girl was oddly concentrated on herputer; her right hand pressed the mouse continuously while her left hand flew over the keyboard.


    The headphones she was wearing were ying a song. He could pick up part of the rhythm; it was something very familiar, a song he swore he know.


    The girl was very expressive. She would smile, pout, bite her lips, and even hum along to the music in her ears. "We have all been forgotten, all have been forgotten for a long time. Time is a roadside thief..."


    Looking at this scene, Su Zhinian¡¯s lips unconsciously curved into a smile. He prayed for time to stop so that he could stay in that moment forever.


    Song Qingchun would asionally turn to nce at Su Zhinian¡¯s drip. Whenever she did, Su Zhinian would close his eyes, pretending to sleep. When she turned back, he would open his eyes to continue studying her.


    After this was repeated several times, lulled by the effect of the medicine, Su Zhinian truly fell asleep.


    When he opened his eyes next, the drip had been changed.


    Probably because her legs were numb from sitting on the floor for too long, Song Qingchun had moved onto the sofa, still engrossed in her game. However, her expression appeared to be troubled. Her finger kept pressing the same button on the keyboard, and her lips grumbled, "What¡¯s happening? It used to work before, so why hasn¡¯t it worked this time?"


    Su Zhinian frowned and could not help but ask, "What¡¯s wrong?"


    Song Qingchun raised her head from behind theptop screen. "Mr. Su, you¡¯re awake?"


    Su Zhinian nodded slightly before his gaze fell on herptop again. Song Qingchun exined quickly, "Myptop suddenly died; I couldn¡¯t get it to restart no matter what."


    Su Zhinian moved in his bed and offered, "Let me take a look at it..."


    "You also know how to fixputers?" Song Qingchun asked in shock as she slid off the sofa and walked to Su Zhinian hugging herptop.


    Su Zhinian nodded as he epted theptop. He pressed two keys on the keyboard and a series of English letters appeared on screen. His fingers worked on the keyboard quickly and added lightly, "I know a little."


    Before long, Song Qingchun¡¯sptop was fixed.

 Chapter 192: Learning How to Stop Loving You (2)

    Chapter 192: Learning How to Stop Loving You (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun stared nkly at theptop, which had beenpletely unresponsive no matter how hard she pressed the on button.


    Know some? The man took less than a minute to fix everything and that is just knowing some?


    Song Qingchun stood beside his bed. Since she wanted to see theputer screen, her head was leaned slightly forward. Her long dark hair fell onto Su Zhinian¡¯s hand.


    This meant that he could read her inner thoughts easily.


    Su Zhinian heard the impressed shock in her heart and continued working on herptop, with no change in his expression other than blinking asionally. His other hand that was not attached to the IV drip slid on theptop¡¯s touch pad and would move to press a few keys once in a while. Various windows continuously appeared and disappeared on screen.


    Song Qingchun had a hard time catching up. Theputer suddenly restarted before Song Qingchun had chance to ask, What are you doing?


    Su Zhinian turned to look at her as if he knew the question on her mind and answered nonchntly, "There was a little problem with the system; I¡¯ve helped you check and fix it. It should be fine from now on."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s longshes flicked twice after he finished. She nodded dumbly and answered with a dazed "Oh."


    He had not only helped her fix her current problem but had also helped ensure the same problem would not ur in the future. She would not have to worry about herptop dying on her anymore. Maniac Su is too humble. How can he say that he only knows some when he is obviously so good at this? This alone is enough for him to be called Technician Su...


    Su Zhinian stared at the restartedputer screen and his gaze mellowed. Technician Su... Another new nickname?


    He pressed a few more buttons to check theputer was fully working before exiting to the desktop interface. He told Song Qingchun in a clear voice, "It should be fixed now. The backlog in the system, I¡¯ve helped you clear as well; it should run noticeably faster now."


    Su Zhinian reached out to close theptop, but he stopped when his gaze fell on a shortcut icon on the desktop. It was an online game that was released many years ago.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes started to falter as he stared at that icon. It was not until the girl beside him started to wonder what was wrong that he swallowed a mouthful of saliva and asked in a tone as calm as he could, "You... are still ying this game?"


    Seeing as Su Zhinian was going to close theptop, Song Qingchun was ready with her ¡¯Thank you.¡¯ However, the words of appreciation never did leave her mouth because the man had stopped moving as he stared at herputer screen. She looked at him curiously and was going to ask him what was wrong, but the man posed her that question.


    Song Qingchun looked at the screen to check what Su Zhinian was referring to before nodding and answering without hesitation.


    "Yup."

 Chapter 193: Learning How to Stop Loving You (3)

    Chapter 193: Learning How to Stop Loving You (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    When Su Zhinian heard her answer, his fingers obviously shook. Even his face twitched with emotion. However, that was quickly suppressed by his will power, and it returned to his normal expressionless features.


    Only he knew the scale of turmoil that had been raised internally.


    He was awfully familiar with this game because it was the only game he had ever yed in his life.


    This particr game had been world famous before; it was the precursor for many simr type games. Yearster, it had lost some of its poprity, but it still enjoyed quite arge yer base.


    However, he was surprised to find Song Qingchun was still ying it after so many years.


    This game was the game he had taught her to y during that year he stayed at her house.


    For Su Zhinian, who had been forced to repeat a grade, schoolwork was easy. Hence, he had plenty of spare time on his hands. At the time, the poprity of this game had been at its height, many people had rmended it, and the advertisements for it had been everywhere. The gamepany had also hired a famous celebrity as the ambassador. Bored and with nothing better to do, Su Zhinian had downloaded the game to pass the time.


    It had not been his intention to be the best yer and rule the entire gaming world, but it had just happened, and he had not been prepared for her to find out.


    One of the reasons for the game¡¯s huge poprity was the gorgeous character modelling. Furthermore, one could tweak the attire and facial features to one¡¯s preference. It was why the game was popr among the female crowd as well.


    Song Qingchun had been attracted to the game when she saw the clothes and jewelry offered in game. Initially, she had started off standing beside him, watching him y. Eventually, she had lugged herptop to him and told him to help her download the game.


    Like most games, the game offered tutorials for beginner, but Song Qingchun refused to use them since she could just ask Su Zhinian.


    At the time, he had already epted private work, but even though he might have been working, he would put down everything to patiently teach her how to y whenever she came to him for help.


    If described in gaming terms, she would be his disciple.


    Due to the nightmares he had experienced as a child, he was not good at social events. Therefore, he was deeply appreciative of this game because it provided a non-intrusive channel tomunicate with her.


    In the game, he yed a male character, and she yed a female character. In the end, they even got married in game.


    He was a much better yer than she was; he could solo many impossible in-game bosses. She had often been envious of him because she wasn¡¯t able to get many items she wanted, and she had not possessed enough in-game gold to purchase them from the yer market. Initially, she would annoy him daily, asking him to gift them to her.


    He would pretend not to notice every time, hoping that it would make her talk to him longer. Eventually, he would give her the items or equipment that she wanted.


    After that repeated itself of many times, she had started to demand more and more. Whenever she spotted anything that she wanted on his character, she would use hisputer to log into his character and transfer stuff that she wanted to her character.


    After the transaction waspleted, she would run back to herputer and fire off a message to his in-game inbox saying, "Thank you for your kindness!"


    Then she would run back to hisputer to reply, "You¡¯re wee!"


    Perhaps she had begun to feel that her actions were getting a bit too shameless, so she had started finding some reallyughable reasons to excuse her actions.

 Chapter 194: Learning How to Stop Loving You (4)

    Chapter 194: Learning How to Stop Loving You (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Her excuses had been different every time, but there was one excuse that he would always remember clearly.


    ...


    It was a spring afternoon; the day was bright and the flowers in the Song family¡¯s garden were in full bloom.


    She was sitting on the balcony. She stretchedzily, tired from ying all morning. She noticed he was on the phone, so she made use of the opening to ess hisputer and start gifting herself stuff.


    Just as she was about to wrap things up, he hung up and walked toward her. She lifted her head and grinned calctedly at him. Then, she uttered the most shameless excuse ever. "You¡¯re my husband, and everything that belongs to the husband belongs to the wife as well."


    When he heard that sentence, his body froze to the spot like someone had screwed his feet to the ground.


    After she transferred half of his in-game gold to her ount, as if afraid that he might yell at her, she escaped to her bedroom, hugging herptop.


    That day, he stood for a long time at the balcony. It was not until the sun started to set that he dragged his tired body to sit in front hisputer. He then saw the message that she had sent to his in-game character. "Thank you, my husbando."


    He looked at the two words, ¡¯my husbando¡¯, for a long time, his heart crashing with emotions. It was only after a very long time that he typed a reply. "You¡¯re wee, my waifu."


    She replied with a shy emoji before adding, "Let¡¯s change to a couple¡¯s name. Every couple in game has one of those."


    He gave an "okay", and then she wentpletely silent. About half an hourter, she sent him two names: ¡¯Zhinian-Qingchun¡¯ and ¡¯Qingchun-Zhinian¡¯ 1 .


    ...


    Such a beautiful memory, but when he thought back on it, Su Zhinian¡¯s heart only felt a great pain because...


    Su Zhinian¡¯s lips moved slightly and sucked in a deep breath to prepare for the rest of the memory to return.


    ...


    "But due to work and the things that have been going on, I don¡¯t y as often as before..."


    Song Qingchun noticed Su Zhinian had gonepletely silent while looking at herputer; it appeared he was deep in thought. She added that observation, trying to get his attention so that she could get herptop back, but when she reached for theptop, she too suddenly got weirdly silent.


    It was he who had taught her how to y the game. They had even gotten married in-game, which had been great fun.


    To celebrate the asion, she had even given out in-game gold to yers in the same server, and of course, that gold came from his ount.


    She had ¡¯borrowed¡¯ many pieces of legendary equipment from his ount and became the queen of the gaming world. She would cut down any yers that rubbed her the wrong way. However, she would still asionally lose to skilled yers, even though she was decked out in the best equipment because she had never earned them herself. However, that waspletely fine because her in game husbando was the best yer of that game, and he would always help her take revenge.


    At the time, everyone in game had bowed down to her.


    However,ter... after she kicked him out of her house in real life, she had cut all ties from him in-game. She had divorced him and returned every single piece of equipment she had taken from him. Since he had refused to take them back, she had tossed them out like rubbish and cklisted him as a yer in game.

 Chapter 195: Learning How to Stop Loving You (5)

    Chapter 195: Learning How to Stop Loving You (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    After he forced himself on her in a state of drunkenness, she had started to avoid him. Later, when he stumbled upon the secret, he had stopped looking for her. They seemed to have parted right then and there.


    At the time, he also thought that was the worst ending that could ever be between the both of them. However, he realized there was worse ending.


    At least, he was still slightly connected to her in game.


    She had stopped logging in for that period of time, but he had logged in almost daily and spent most of his time staring at her greyed-out profile picture. He would go boss hunting like usual, but when the equipment rewards burst from the defeated boss, there was no longer a pretty female avatar circling around his character like a hawk. Whenever he opened a rare chest, gone was the girl who would look over his shoulder and grab the stuff that she wanted for herself.


    She had ordered him to keep quiet about that night, and he did.


    However, people had found out somehow. When they were preparing for the grade exam, the whole school had found out about it, and it had been the hot topic of the month. She had returned home, furious, to have it out with him.


    ...


    She refused to believe that it was not him who had leaked the information. Her furypelled her to say many ugly things to his face. She berated him for hisck of honesty, shamelessness, and despicability. How could he broadcast to the school that he had slept with her?


    She even said that the greatest regret of her life was meeting him. That day was the worst day of her life, but it was not that good for him either.


    This was the first time he had seen her after stumbling upon the secret. The hatred and agitation he had been suppressing choked his chest. He was not angry at her per se, he was angry at the destiny and fate. However, he lost it when he heard her say, "The biggest regret of my life is meeting you."


    "That¡¯s such a coincidence, Song Qingchun. The biggest regret of my life is meeting you as well!"


    She had a fiery personality, so when she heard that from him, she exploded. Her whole body was trembling with fury. With a finger pointing at his nose, she ordered, "Get out, Su Zhinian, get out of my house. Get as far as possible from my house. I curse the day that I ever met you!"


    Her temper was still high, so after two deep breaths, she yelled at the top of her lungs, "Su Zhinian, you are apletely horrible man; I hate you! I hate you the most! Get out, get out, get out!"


    Probably to put weight behind her words, she logged into the game before his eyes and divorced and cklisted him in game.


    At that moment, he saw she was on the brink of a mental breakdown.


    She suddenly became very quiet. Su Zhinian waited until she crumbled to the floor and started to weep. Then he walked to the table beside his bed, picked up his wallet, pulled out an empty cheque, wrote down a number, and tossed it at her, adding, "Consider this a thanks for the days I¡¯ve stayed at your house."


    Then, he started to pack. He did not utter a word throughout the process while she kept on crying. He did not even say a farewell before he picked up his luggage and left her house.

 Chapter 196: Learning How to Stop Loving You (6)

    Chapter 196: Learning How to Stop Loving You (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    That departure meant they did not see each other for a long time.


    Su Zhinian bowed his head,ing out of his memory. Then, through contact with Song Qingchun¡¯s body, he realized the girl was also thinking about the same thing. With a nervous heart, she was thinking, Why would I bring up the fact that I¡¯ve yed less of this gamepared to before for no reason? I¡¯m just purposely pulling at old scabs, aren¡¯t I? What if this irked Maniac Su and he suddenly decides to bring up myte returnst night?


    The atmosphere in the room froze due to the awkward silence from both parties.


    Su Zhinian moved his gaze away from the game icon, and to smooth over the mood as well as to make her rx, he changed the subject. "What level are you now in the game?"


    Song Qingchun was obviously feeling ufortable because she answered after a long pause in a soft voice, "Level 183."


    "That¡¯s quite high." Su Zhinian closed theptop, ced it to the side, and reclined back down the bed. In an attempt to make conversation, he continued, "I¡¯ve not opened my ount for a long time; I can¡¯t even remember what level I was."


    His tone was still cold, but at least the usual pressure in it was already gone.


    Su Zhinian had not touched the game ever since she cklisted him. After all, the only reason he had continued ying in the first ce was because of her.


    A hue of sadness cropped up in Su Zhinian¡¯s gaze. After three seconds of sadness, he said, "I remember there have been two big updates to the game, right?"


    "Hmm..." Perhaps because of the serene expression on Su Zhinian¡¯s face, like he was not affected like the words she said before, Song Qingchun sighed in relief, and her words flowed more easily. "But the basics haven¡¯t changed. Certain levels are harder to aplish. In fact, this level I¡¯ve been farming has taken me half a month, and until now I still haven¡¯t beaten it."


    "It¡¯s that difficult?" Su Zhinian asked, but before Song Qingchun could answer, he said, "Let me take a look at it."


    Then he picked up herptop once more and logged into the game. Looking through Song Qingchun¡¯s quest menu, he pointed at one and asked, "This level?"


    Song Qingchun had no idea what Su Zhinian was up to. She looked at him with some confusion before nodding.


    "Wait a minute," Su Zhinian said as he took up the keyboard again. He looked at the game code closely like he was researching it. Then he downloaded a software and started writing a program.


    Song Qingchun waited quietly and did not disturb him. She had no idea what was happening on herputer, so she turned her attention to the drip bag.


    When the bag was empty, the room was still filled with the sound of Su Zhinian¡¯s typing.


    Song Qingchun said softly, "Mr. Su, I¡¯m going to help you take out the needle."


    Su Zhinian answered with a "hmm" without taking his eyes off theputer screen. Song Qingchun squatted down beside the bed and removed the needle in one smooth motion, then she pressed on the needle wound with a cotton swab.


    Her palm just so happened toy on top of his fingers, which caused Su Zhinian¡¯s typing to stop for a minute. He turned to look at her for about five seconds before continuing with his work.


    Song Qingchun pasted the band-aid on the back of his hand. When she stood up, Su Zhinian stopped typing and announced, "Done."

 Chapter 197: Learning How to Stop Loving You (7)

    Chapter 197: Learning How to Stop Loving You (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian turned the screen to face Song Qingchun. His tapered finger tapped on the touch pad, and a piece of software popped up. "Try this patcher and see whether your game is easier."


    Patcher? He was writing so much codes just now to create a patcher? But doesn¡¯t that require a certain amount of skill and time? It has taken him less than one hour to finish writing it!


    Song Qingchun looked at Su Zhinian with disbelief before squatting down beside his bed and logging into the game. She started the level that she had been stuck on for half a month.


    Even though the patcher was rushed, the interface was easy to understand. However, since this was the first time Song Qingchun had used something like it, Su Zhinian leaned away from the headboard to guide her whenever she needed help. After she got into it, Su Zhinian became silent as he studied the smile that had appeared on her profile. His fingers slowly moved to the band-aid on the back of his hand, to the spot that she had touched moments earlier.


    When Song Qingchun was trying out the patcher, she was mighty impressed by Su Zhinian, but when she managed to kill the boss that she had been stuck on for the past half month in less than one minute, she had real admiration for Su Zhinian!


    As she picked up the chests dropped by the boss, she wheezed out in disbelief, "The level has be so easy now? This patcher is too much of a cheat! Su..."


    Song Qingchun wanted to say, Su Zhinian, you¡¯re a God!


    However, before she could finish, Su Zhinian interrupted her in a nonchnt tone, "Why don¡¯t you try to pick up another quest?"


    Song Qingchun followed Su Zhinian¡¯s suggestion and epted a new quest. This quest was not difficult, and with the aid from Su Zhinian¡¯s patcher, it became a breeze. However, the final boss was a sudden quiz; it tested the yer¡¯s esoteric knowledge of the game¡¯s world. There was not only a time limit, a wrong answer would also send the yer back to question one!


    Games these days are really bing more and more insane, Song Qingchun grumbled internally as she started the quiz.


    Song Qingchun had a habit of reading the questions out loud. The first few questions were easy; she knew all the answers. However, as the questions got harder and Song Qingchun was about to Google them, Su Zhinian suddenly provided her with the answer.


    As the timer drew to a close, Su Zhinian straightened up in bed and leaned forward to look at herputer screen. Before Song Qingchun could read the question, he had already given the answer. Later, perhaps annoyed that Song Qingchun¡¯s fingers moved too slowly, he extended his arms to snake around Song Qingchun¡¯s shoulder to help her answer the quiz.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s attention waspletely dominated by the game, so she did not notice thepromising position they were in.


    As the questions flew across the screen, her admiration toward Su Zhinian increased. Just what kind of brain does he have? I haven¡¯t even finished reading the questions, and he¡¯s already given the answer. The scariest thing is that, so far, there have been no mistakes!

 Chapter 198: Learning How to Stop Loving You (8)

    Chapter 198: Learning How to Stop Loving You (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Is he answering the questions or just showing off?


    She knew how great his mind had been when they were in high-school, but she had no idea it was at such a level. This was practically the power of an omniscient being!


    She was just saying how insane the game was, but now she realized how wrong she was;pared to Su Zhinian, the game was so sane that it was patently boring!


    Because Song Qingchun had taken too much time at the start of the quiz, Su Zhinian was toeing the line when he finished the quiz. A gaudy ¡¯Congrattions¡¯ appeared on the screen, in front of a pool of virtual flowers.


    This was all Su Zhinian¡¯s handiwork, but for some reason, Song Qingchun was more excited than he was. iming all the chests that littered the floor, Song Qingchun eximed joyfully, "Su Zhinian, you¡¯re a god! A hundred questions, a hundred freaking questions, and you answered all of them without making a single mistake in less than ten minutes! Impressive, so impressive!"


    Su Zhinian... His full name had slipped out of her mouth once again, probably because of the excited state she was in.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s body froze, and his gaze fell on Song Qingchun¡¯s profile. Her eyes were smiling, and her longshes were shaking from joy. Su Zhinian could feel his heart racing, following the fast tempo of her excitedshes.


    After picking up all the chests, she turned to look at the questions of the quiz. Mathematics, game history, geography,nguage... it had truly all kinds of questions. For some, she could not even understand the question itself!


    How could he possibly know all these? Is he still human? He shouldn¡¯t be called Su Zhinian; his name shall be Omnipotent Su instead...


    Su Zhinian¡¯s arms were still around Song Qingchun¡¯s shoulders, so he could read her mind clearly.


    Omnipotent Su... Su Zhinian¡¯s heart shook violently. She had given him two nicknames already that day.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s fingers started to shake, influenced by the raging emotions in his heart. Then he suddenly realized that he was still hugging her, so he immediately but quietly took his arms away.


    Song Qingchun was still focused on reading those questions, so she did not realize the weird situation going on with Su Zhinian. She turned around after she finished reading them with her eyes shining with sincerity and appreciation. "Su Zhinian, thank you so much. If not for your help today, I have no idea how long I would have needed to continue doing the levels before I could hand in the quest. And that quiz just now, I probably would have spent the rest of my life stuck at that impossible quiz..."


    She had called him Su Zhinian twice, and his heart was blooming with joy. Even his tone had gotten much more gentle than usual. "It¡¯s fine; it¡¯s no big deal."


    After a pause, Su Zhinian felt like she deserves a bit more of an exnation, so he added, "I write code to pass the time when I¡¯m bored."


    Writing code to pass the time when he¡¯s bored? Who in the world would do something like that when they¡¯re bored? Is he really not boasting?


    If this was before, Song Qingchun would definitely have silently mocked Su Zhinian after hearing him saying that, but that day, she had a more pressing question on her mind.


    "But didn¡¯t you study business? Why are you so good atputers?"

 Chapter 199: Learning How to Stop Loving You (9)

    Chapter 199: Learning How to Stop Loving You (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    In his memory, this was the first time she had genuinely been interested in his life. She had never shown much interest in him in the many years they had known each other, including that one year when they were close.


    Was it because he was used to being ignored by her?


    One simple question like that managed to touch his heart deeply.


    "I attended some sses in high-school." Su Zhinian paused before exining in more detail. "Perhaps guys are naturally interested inputers? I joined some lectures for it in university. My skill is probably just okay."


    Joined some lectures? Just okay? Able to write a patcher on the spot like that and that is just okay? Please, that is very okay! My god, I should have known he is a humble brag kind of guy; no wonder he has no friends. Wait a minute, this means that he is very capable atputer stuff, then he can probably...


    An idea cropped up in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind. After a short moment of hesitation, she asked, "Since you are so good at this, is it possible for you to retrieve messages that I have identally deleted?"


    "Should be doable," Su Zhinian answered after some contemtion.


    "What about deleted chat messages on WhatsApp?" Song Qingchun pressed.


    Su Zhinian answered, "Should be okay too."


    A sh of happiness appeared in Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes. "Does this mean you can recover deleted emails as well?"


    When Su Zhinian heard this question, he could tell what Song Qingchun was going for. He should have known this would happen. When he controlled Qin Yinan¡¯s mind to save her, it had reignited her affection for Qin Yinan.


    However, the situation had been too dangerous that day; he had not had the time to analyze the consequences; he just wanted to save Song Qingchun.


    It had always been like this over the years; he was there for her sadness but would never be a part of her happiness because her happiness was his fatal venom.


    Su Zhinian looked at the hope and joy in Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes, and he could not bear to reject her request. After a long silence, he nodded slightly and said, "Should be able to do that too."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes started to shine brightly. She opened her mouth to ask cautiously, "Then can I ask you for a favor?"


    Even though she did not say it yet, he knew what favor it was.


    Su Zhinian lowered his gaze and replied, "What kind of favor?"


    Song Qingchun bit her lips and exined, "I deleted 99 emails a while ago, can you help me recover them?"


    He knew about those 99 emails; they were the email correspondence she¡¯d had with ¡¯Qin Yinan¡¯ during the first year of his military training.


    Su Zhinian swallowed deeply and, in spite of the pain in his heart, replied, "I can try."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s face lit up with a smile when he agreed. She immediately logged into her own email inbox and passed theptop to Su Zhinian.


    Su Zhinian did not say anything and started working. Song Qingchun stood beside him for a while before slinking out of the bedroom and going to the kitchen to fetch a bowl of dessert she had cooked that afternoon for him.


    When she pushed open the bedroom door, Su Zhinian had already closed theptop, and he was looking out the window, leaning against the headboard.


    Song Qingchun could discern sadness from his face, like he had stumbled into misfortune. For some reason, looking at him in this state, Song Qingchun¡¯s mood started to drop as well.

 Chapter 200: Learning How to Stop Loving You (10)

    Chapter 200: Learning How to Stop Loving You (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She paused at the door before heading in. She passed the dessert to Su Zhinian and said, "Mr. Su, this is a red date soup, drink it, it¡¯s an antianemic."


    Su Zhinian pulled back his gaze back from the window and nodded at Song Qingchun. He epted the bowl and stirred the soup with the spoon. Just as he raised the soup to his lips, his eyes identally swept over theptop beside him, and he added coldly, "It¡¯s ready."


    Song Qingchun replied, "Thank you."


    Then she clicked open herptop and found the 99 emails she had deleted appearing in her previously empty inbox. She stared at them for about two seconds and closed theptop without clicking one open to check the content.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s chewed and tasted the dessert quickly with his head bowed. His expression was light and reserved; however, Song Qingchun could feel the sadness radiating off him.


    What happened? He looked so happy earlier...


    Song Qingchun deliberated in her heart whether or not to do something to cheer him up. Then she opened her lips to say, "I just realized how perfectly capable you are..."


    Song Qingchun started listing off his talents on her fingers as she named them one by one. "A genius in the business world, an incredibleputer technician, a quiz whiz... When we were at school, you could y the piano and saxophone. Now that I think about it, you¡¯re also very good at sports, like basketball and football, and I believe you were the first-ce winner for our school¡¯s hundred-meter sprint, right?"


    She can still remember the things from so long ago?


    Su Zhinian¡¯s mood started to improve. Even though she said he was so capable, he felt so useless because his emotions were so easily influenced by her words. She had himpletely in her palm.


    "Also, you¡¯re a good gamer." She counted a lot, and perhaps because she had run out of idea, she blurted, "You¡¯re so good at making money too!


    "You really can do anything and everything!"


    Song Qingchun noticed the smile in Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes, and she asked half-jokingly, "This does make me curious, is there anything that you do not know how to do in this world?"


    When Su Zhinian heard that question, his hand stopped moving before letting the spoon drop with a clink. He stared at the red dates floating in the bowl before slowly raising his head to look at Song Qingchun and answered after a short pause. "There is."


    Her intention had been to lighten the mood, but when she heard Su Zhinian¡¯s answer, her interest was piqued. She stared at him with a face full of interest. "What is that?"


    Su Zhinian looked at Song Qingchun silently, but his heart had already given the answer. I do not know how to stop loving you.


    With his superpowers, he was indeed blessed with many advantages. His memory was better than normal, and that helped greatly when he wanted to pick up a new skill. There was truly nothing that he was unable to learn.


    However, that was one skill that had always eluded him.


    That was... his inability to stop loving her.


    Ever since he had found out about that secret and given her the cheque, the moment he left her house, he really did promise himself to stop loving her.


    But certain love would only get clearer the more one wanted to get away from it.

 Chapter 201: 99 Declarations of Love (1)

    Chapter 201: 99 Derations of Love (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Like an apparition, she haunted his every dream and waking hour. He had tried many methods to make himself stop thinking about her, to stop caring about her, to stop loving her.


    But... he had only managed to torment himself. In the end, he had given up on the impossible and instead learned to how to protect her from the shadows. It was through this that he managed to stand up once more.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s silencested from so long that Song Qingchun could not help but urge him, "What is it that you do not know how to do?"


    Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes wandered before they focused on Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes. After a long time, he answered in a toneless manner, "I do not know how to give birth."


    Song Qingchun looked at him for quite some time. Her eyes blinked several times before she turned her head away in anger!


    Is he toying with me? Of course I know he wouldn¡¯t know how to give birth!


    Then Song Qingchun felt rattled. Wait a minute, did Su Zhinian, that ice-king, just tell a joke?


    Su Zhinian smiled lightly, watching Song Qingchun¡¯s humorous reaction, before lowering his head to finish the rest of the dessert and handing the empty bowl back to Song Qingchun.


    Song Qingchun nced at the clock to realize it was already 7 pm; it was time to prepare dinner.


    Song Qingchun epted the bowl and added, " I will return to the kitchen to prepare dinner."


    Su Zhinian nodded wordlessly.


    He waited until Song Qingchun had left his bedroom and the sound of cooking started in the kitchen before he moved to his ownputer and opened it.


    He opened the browser and searched through his email. After he keyed in his address and password, the inbox revealed 99 emails; they were all from Song Qingchun.


    He stared at the emails quietly for a long time before clicking the sent panel. Simrly, there were another 99 emails; the recipient was Song Qingchun for all of them.


    That¡¯s right; the person who had been corresponding with Song Qingchun in that year Qin Yinan was in military had not been Qin Yinan but Su Zhinian.


    It was not his intention to pretend to be Qin Yinan, but it was because Song Qingchun had sent an email to Qin Yinan and had been waiting for a reply. No reply hade for a whole month.


    He could not stand watching her unhappiness, so he had hacked into Qin Yinan¡¯s email ount and used Qin Yinan¡¯s name to reply to her.


    She had been overjoyed when she received the mail; she had replied on the night she got it. From the lines of words, he could discern the overflowing care, love, and longing she had for Qin Yinan.


    Every single email he received from her had been a session of torture; he was both happy and sad.


    Happy that he could get an update on her life, how she had been doing, who she got into an argument with, the wallet she had identally dropped on the way home, the new outfits and bags she had bought.


    Sad that all those details were meant for Qin Yinan¡¯s ears.


    99 emails were proof that he had been there for an entire year, quietly and loyally.


    The 99 emails also contained a secret known only to Su Zhinian. In his replies in the name of Qin Yinan, the word count for each email was simr every time.


    Removing the punctuation, there would be 520 Chinese characters.


    Not one more, not one less.


    520. 1


    99 emails, 99 derations of ¡¯I love you.¡¯


    He had been using his own way through Qin Yinan¡¯s email to tell her again and again, "I love you."

 Chapter 202: 99 Declarations of Love (2)

    Chapter 202: 99 Derations of Love (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Footsteps approached his door, but Su Zhinian, who was caught up in his memory, did not realize it until Song Qingchun pushed open the door and walked to his bedside. He quickly closed the browser and returned to the desktop.


    "Mr. Su, do you wish to have noodles or rice for dinner?" Song Qingchun had a pink apron on, withce trimmings and a giant bow on the front. It made her look cute and young.


    Su Zhinian, out of habit, wanted to say that anything was fine, but he caught himself and uttered, "Noodles."


    Song Qingchun replied with a smiling, "Okay."


    Then she swiftly turned to leave his bedroom.


    Su Zhinian looked at the empty doorway for a long time before turning back to hisputer screen. It was ying a screen saver.


    It was a screen capture from the game, which he had taken when they were both still ying it. The virtual background was of a verdant nature; he stood alone on top of a boulder, his sword in hand and a cute fairy pet floated above his shoulder. Behind him, she squatted beside a river, the flower bed rising up to cover her legs, and her pet, a spirit cat, was rolling and jumping in a circle around her.


    They had spent a whole afternoonpleting a quest chain and happened upon this secluded, picturesque area.


    At the time, the game had been at the height of its poprity and yers were everywhere. However, at that moment, there had only been the two of them there. Even though it was a virtual world, he had felt a surfeit of peacefulness and happiness. Without realizing what he had done, his finger had reached for the screen capture button.


    He had upgraded and gone through manyputers over the years, but he had never left this screen capture behind.


    If not for the group picture taken at the Student Council President¡¯s party, this was probably only the only picture he had of both of them.


    ...


    After three days of rest, Su Zhinian was feeling much better.


    On thest day, as Doctor Xia collected all the IV bags, he reminded Song Qingchun to make sure Su Zhinian had his daily medicine and replenished the medicine on his head injury every time he changed the bandage. He also needed to wait for another three days before he could wash his hair.


    Su Zhinian, who was feeling better, returned to his study to catch up on work that night.


    After cleaning the dining room, Song Qingchun was reminded of the order Su Zhinian had given her that afternoon. She turned away from her bedroom and went instead into his bedroom to find the bloodied attire from the dirtyundry bucket.


    Song Qingchun could tell that the attire was custom made, and the price must have been expensive. It could still be worn after a wash, but Sanitary Su had ordered her to throw it away!


    Such a waste, Song Qingchun grumbled internally. She rolled up the dress pants and tossed them into the trash bag. As she was going to do the same to the shirt, her gaze fell on the corner of the shirt, and she frowned. She pulled the shirt taut and realized that, even though the whole right-hand side of the shirt was dyed red, the left side waspletely clean, except for a pool of clear, dried liquid near the chest. There were dirt marks around the water stain, two blobs of darkness above and a daub of red below.


    Her woman¡¯s instincts told her that the red was the color of lipstick or lip-gloss.


    A woman¡¯s interest in anything gossipy made Song Qingchun pull the stain closer to her eyes. She studied it carefully and confirmed it was the color of lip-gloss, and the ck blob was the result of ruined mascara.

 Chapter 203: 99 Declarations of Love (3)

    Chapter 203: 99 Derations of Love (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    There was only one possibility for a woman¡¯s make-up to be ruined, and that was water...


    However, what woman would crawl into someone¡¯s chest just right after washing her face...


    Song Qingchun frowned in contemtion before realizing with a start that the woman had most likely been crying!


    In other words, the stain was a tear stain?


    She had stayed at his ce for so long; she had not seen him on the phone with a woman much less brought a woman home. Only his work friends would call him on thendline. This meant that... Song Qingchun had been under the impression that he had no female friends that he was privately close to, but then, he had allowed this woman to cry on his chest, so obviously she had been wrong.


    Wait... Could this be that girl, Tingting ?


    The night he fainted, he had called out for ¡¯Tingting¡¯ for so many times. Through his fevered mutterings, Song Qingchun could tell he was deeply in love with this ¡¯Tingting¡¯. However, unfortunately, the love seemed to be one-sided.


    When Su Zhinian transferred to her high-school, he had instantly be the most popr kid in school. Everyone had been talking about him, and he had been shrouded in a mysterious hue. He was rumored to be inhumanely perfect; however, for Song Qingchun at the time, she had beenpletely uninterested in Su Zhinian.


    Eventer, when he moved into Song Qingchun, she had never taken an earnest interest in him. Since she did not care about him, she had never thought to learn his likes or dislikes, much less venture into his world.


    However, after the five years, during which the distance between them had slowly grown wider, she found herself interested and curious in his romantic life. Only, she herself was not aware to this silent change.


    Song Qingchun knew too little about Su Zhinian, so even though she racked her brain for a long time, she was unable to tell who this ¡¯Tingting¡¯ was. As she mulled over it, she curled the shirt around her arms to roll it up before tossing it into the trash bag.


    As she did so, the smell on the shirt drifted into her nose. The smell of blood, his body scent, the pungent smell of antibiotics, and a faded perfume.


    This perfume smelled incredibly familiar, like she had smelled it somewhere before.


    Song Qingchun stopped what she was doing, unfurled the shirt, and sniffed at it carefully.


    His scent was the most concentrated at the sleeves, the smell of blood was the heaviest on the right-hand side of the shirt, and the antibiotics were most pungent on the back. However, the perfume she had smelled earlier disappeared.


    Song Qingchun continued to sniff at his shirt, and after some time, she finally caught that smell again. It was confirmed the perfume came from the stain around the left of his shirt.


    In other words, this was the perfume worn by the woman who cried in his embrace? But why is this perfume smell so familiar? Like I¡¯ve smelled it somewhere before, no, like I smell this almost every day. This means that the Tingting he likes is someone I know?


    Song Qingchun thought about it, biting her fingernails. She could not figure out a possible candidate for ¡¯Tingting¡¯ in her circle of friends. When she removed her hand away from her face, she was sted in the face by a whiff of the simr perfume. She sniffed the air and was shocked to realize the perfume came from her own wrist.


    Song Qingchun widened her eyes in shock and sniffed her wrist and the shirt alternately multiple times, and then she confirmed that they were indeed the same brand of perfume!

 Chapter 204: 99 Declarations of Love (4)

    Chapter 204: 99 Derations of Love (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Her perfume was gift from a friend of Song Cheng who hade to stay at their house for a few weeks when she came travelling from France. She had given Song Qingchun the perfume as an appreciation gift before leaving.


    Song Cheng¡¯s friend was a professional perfumist. When she presented Song Qingchun the perfume, she had specially mentioned that the number of people who owned that perfume in the world was less than ten. Theposition of the perfume was a unique creation of hers.


    Song Qingchun was not a user of perfume, but that bottle of perfume turned her around. She loved the smell dearly; she had even made Song Cheng ask his friend for another two bottles, and now she only had half a bottle left.


    She had been using the perfume for about two years. Throughout that time, she had met many women and smelled many perfumes, but she had never once smelled a simr perfume on others.


    But now, she had smelled it on Su Zhinian¡¯s shirt...


    After a short hesitation, as if trying to confirm some suspicion in her mind, she stood up to raise the shirt toward the light and started to closely examine the lip-gloss color left on Su Zhinian¡¯s shirt.


    A jewel tone red with some shine... This was simr to the Armani lip-gloss she used on a daily basis!


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart started to race. This was the first time every cell in her body had seemed to scream with nervousness. She remembered that day, after Tang Nuan revealed she had reced her to snatch Qin Yinan away, she had gone into the bathroom to cry.


    However, she had lost some of her memory. When she came to, she had been standing, even though she remembered clearly that she had been squatting down before, and the tears on her face had dried. At the time, she had felt that there was something unspeakably weird about everything, but she could not put a finger on it. However, now that she thought about it, it felt like she had been hugged for a long time...


    The perfume smell, lip-gloss color, her crying... Too many coincidences!


    Could it be that the woman crying in Su Zhinian¡¯s chest had been herself?


    Song Qingchun was rattled by this thought that had suddenly cropped up in her mind. Her fingers that held the shirt started shaking, and even her breathing wasing faster and lighter.


    She stood there for a long time, nking out, before she realized her heartbeat had gotten so much faster than her usual pace. Her heart felt like it was trying to break out of her chest.


    She took the shirt and headed toward Su Zhinian¡¯s bedroom, aiming to demand an exnation. However, she stopped at his door.


    No, wait... The day I cried, I remember locking the bathroom door, and I remember unlocking it before leaving...


    If Su Zhinian had really been in the bathroom tofort her, to hug her, to wipe away her tears, then how did he open the locked bathroom and get out with the door locked the whole time?


    That was impossible...


    Could it be that things were that coincidental?


    There was another woman who used the same perfume as her, the same brand and color of lip-gloss, and had cried her heart out on the same day as her?


    Song Qingchun felt like her head was going to explode. She paced about the room furiously, scratching her head, trying to settle on an answer.

 Chapter 205: 99 Declarations of Love (5)

    Chapter 205: 99 Derations of Love (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Just as Song Qingchun was spiraling into insanity, the door to the study was pulled open and Su Zhinian¡¯s voice drifted out.


    "Brew me a cup of coffee."


    "Okay." Song Qingchun immediately stood to attention and answered ordingly. When she noticed Su Zhinian¡¯s gaze slowly moving toward the shirt in her grasp, she quickly hid it behind her and nodded, adding, "Understood, Mr. Su."


    Su Zhinian did not say anything but looked at Song Qingchun with a gaze filled with equal measure confusion and probing before nodding and retreating into his study.


    Song Qingchun took a deep breath to calm her beating heart before biting her lips and looking at the bloodied shirt in her hands. Finally, she snuck to her bedroom and hid the shirt in there.


    ...


    The door to the study was open, but Song Qingchun did not walk in. Instead, she stood at the door and knocked on it. Su Zhinian was focused on the document in his hands. Without raising his head, he answered softly, "Come in."


    Song Qingchun slunk into the room and was about the put the china cup on the table when Su Zhinian¡¯s hand reached out toward her. So, Song Qingchun ced the cup in his hand instead.


    "Thank you," Su Zhinian said nonchntly before raising the cup to his mouth, his gaze still fixated on the document. His other hand kept moving, the pen scrawling all over the paper.


    Su Zhinian took a sip of the coffee and frowned involuntarily, realizing the taste was off.


    Before he couldment anything, Song Qingchun¡¯s soft voice said, "Mr. Su, you¡¯re still in recovery; coffee is not good for that, so I heated you a cup of milk instead."


    The pen in Su Zhinian¡¯s hand shuddered, and a long line appeared on the page of the document. This was the first time she had ever denied his order ever since moving in with him.


    Before this, she would follow his orders to the tee like a robot, never mixing in her own emotions or thoughts. There was that one time when he had asked her to boil some meat slices because he was suffering from acid reflex. She did so without asking any questions. During dinner, he had his palm over his rumbling stomach and pointed at the boiled meat slices by way of exnation, but she had merely glossed over the fact and helped him with the dish without any words of concern.


    Song Qingchun thought Su Zhinian¡¯s silence was a sign of his displeasure so she added, "Mr. Su, this is Doctor Xia¡¯s order..."


    Before Song Qingchun finished, Su Zhinian interrupted with a light "Okay."


    Then, his hand picked up the pen and continued to write. He sipped the milk slowly like it was coffee.


    Song Qingchun stood quietly beside him, and when she saw Su Zhinian stop for a break, she added, "Mr. Su, let me help you change your bandage. Doctor Xia said we have to reapply the medicine often over these few days."


    "Okay." Su Zhinian put down his work and pointed at the spot behind him, signaling for Song Qingchun to go ahead.


    The first three days, when the injury had been at its worst, it was Doctor Xia who had changed his bandages. Even though the injury had been given three days to heal, Song Qingchun still wheezed audibly in shock and fear when she unveiled the bandage gauze.

 Chapter 206: 99 Declarations of Love (6)

    Chapter 206: 99 Derations of Love (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She could feel the pain just from looking at it, so she was exceptionally light and careful as she went about her business. Just as Doctor Xia had taught her, she cleaned the wounds, then applied the ointment quickly and efficiently, but she slowed down as she retied the bandage.


    Su Zhinian did not notice this change in her speed; he was focused on his work. It was when Song Qingchun¡¯s thoughts poured into his mind through her fingers on his scalp that he started to frown.


    Howe his wound looks so familiar? Hmm... It looks just like the wound on Brother Yinan¡¯s head. I was there when the doctor was examining and cleaning up Brother Yinan¡¯s wound. Howe the size and cement of the wounds... My god, now that I think about it, the wounds on Su Zhinian arepletely simr to Brother Yinan¡¯s.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s expression turned serious, and the document rumpled under his forceful grip. He tried his best to maintain hisposure as he asked as nonchntly as he could, "You done?"


    Song Qingchun was pulled out of her thoughts and hurried to finish fixing the bandage. However, her mind kept going back to that curiosity. I remember when I asked him how he got injured a few days ago, he told me he had an ident... but how can there be such a coincidence that he suffered the same type of injury as Brother Yinan?


    Su Zhinian did not say anything and focusedpletely on following Song Qingchun¡¯s thoughts.


    As Song Qingchun tied up thest bandage, she could not help herself and asked softly, "Mr. Su, can I ask you a question?"


    Su Zhinian, who had seen thising, paused for a few seconds before replying. "What is it?"


    "Er... Did you have lunch at Beijing restaurant the western side of town a few days ago?"


    There were simply too many coincidences. His shirt had the same scent as her perfume and a lip-gloss stain simr to hers, and then there were the wounds on his head. Her instincts told her, something bigger was at work.


    Crap... I forgot to deal with the various evidence left on my shirt when Iforted her inside the bathroom that day.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s heart shook with fear. He tried his best to maintain his poker-face as he cleared his throat to reply. "I don¡¯t think so."


    No? Song Qingchun had her suspicions.


    Su Zhinian, who should have been sweating in his seat, managed to stay calm because he was able to read Song Qingchun¡¯s mind thanks to his superpowers, and he turned the question around on Song Qingchun. "Why would you ask that?"


    "I..." Song Qingchun stammered before Su Zhinian¡¯s question.


    Even though her instincts told her that there were simply too many curious coincidences, there were also simply too many things that could not be exined.


    After all, she had seen how Qin Yinan had covered her with his body, and she had personally locked the bathroom door and unlocked it before she left. So it was likely that all the coincidences she had noticed to do with Su Zhinian were really just that, coincidences.


    Song Qingchun was silent for a long time, so Su Zhinian urged her with a "Hmm?" as he flipped another page of the document.


    She quickly answered, "No, nothing important, it was just that I thought I saw you at the restaurant that day..."


    After a brief pause, Song Qingchun added, "Then where were you having lunch that day that you suffered from such serious injury?"

 Chapter 207: 99 Declarations of Love (7)

    Chapter 207: 99 Derations of Love (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    This silly girl... Why would she ask in such a roundabout manner? She should have asked about where I was having lunch that day directly and double-checked with the restaurant. After all, for someone of my stature, the booking would certainly have had my name on it.


    Su Zhinian ced the document slowly on the table and turned around to look at Song Qingchun. His gaze was serene, but there seemed to be questioning and probing behind it, like he had seen through her ploy, and it made her feel quite uneasy.


    Thankfully, Su Zhinian soon looked away and signed his signature on one of the documents.


    Just as Song Qingchun thought he was not going to answer her, he replied in his clear voice, "Golden Corner."


    After that, as if refusing to give her time to mull on it, he continued speaking without pause. "I still have work to do, do you mind leaving me alone for now?"


    Even though Song Qingchun still had many questions on her mind, she knew she had to leave after Su Zhinian said so. She nced twice at Su Zhinian before turning slowly around and leaving his study.


    When Song Qingchun closed the door behind her, Su Zhinian finally dared to release the paper he was holding, only to reveal a palm that was covered with ayer of sweat.


    That was too close... She has started to suspect me as the person who hugged her while she cried in the bathroom. She has even started to question the injury on my head. If not for the mind-reading, I would have been exposed just now!


    He was also thankful for the many coincidences that could not be logically exined or else he really did not know how he would have exined himself.


    Su Zhinian sighed in relief and raised his hand to loosen his top button


    He was reminded of the looks of pity mixed with disbelief people directed at him when he told them of his mind-reading and mind-controlling powers, and the looks of fear and evasion when he named their deepest and darkest secrets. Eventually, they had even sent him into a sanatorium because they thought he was really crazy.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s lips were stretched into a thin line, and his gaze, which stared at where she had just stood, was filled with pain and anxiety.


    If she really found out about his superpowers, would she hide from him, despise him, or be scared of him like everyone else? Just like his childhood friends who called him names and wished for him to disappear from this world.


    ...


    After Song Qingchun returned to her bedroom, she sat down on the carpeted floor, and her brain was in a mess as she stared at Su Zhinian¡¯s bloodied shirt before her.


    Her mind hade up with multiple possibilities, but they were quickly refuted bymon sense.


    In the end, she started to settle on illogical answers, like, could it be that Su Zhinian was simr to Professor Du from ¡¯My Love from the Star¡¯ and was actually an alien?


    Song Qingchun ended up making herselfugh from the ludicrousness of her mind. She told herself that she had lost her mind and stood up to walk to the balcony, hoping the breeze would help clear her thoughts.

 Chapter 208: 99 Declarations of Love (8)

    Chapter 208: 99 Derations of Love (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The residential area Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow mostly consisted of vis and bungalows. There were no apartmentplexes to spoil the beautiful view of the city.


    The night was still young, but due to the cold weather, the residential area was quiet except for the asional roaring of wind.


    The sub-zero temperature soon froze Song Qingchun throughout. She shivered involuntarily but the cold did help to clear her mind.


    Regarding the coincidences that night, since she was unable toe to a conclusion then, she decided to put it on the backburner; eventually, the answer would show itself.


    Song Qingchun leaned on the railing, staring at the sole cypress on the patio, and for some reason, her mind wandered to Qin Yinan.


    These few days, she had been keeping in constant contact with Qin Yinan over the phone, and he had been recovering well and would return to work tomorrow.


    Probably due to her focus on Su Zhinian for the past few days, she did not have the time to sort out her real feelings at the bottom of her heart. Now that Su Zhinian was busy and she had some time alone, she decided no time was better than now.


    Actually, when Tang Nuan told her about the whole "literal poetry book club" incident, she had half a mind to tell Qin Yinan everything, but she chose not to do in the end because she did not have the heart to see her Brother Yinan suffer from having loved the wrong person for so many years.


    Who knew Tang Nuan woulde up with the crazy test to let her see how Qin Yinan practically sacrificed his life to save her...


    Before the incident, Song Qingchun had truly been on her way of giving up on him. He was her childhood dream, but dreams were dreams only because they couldn¡¯t be realized.


    But now, her dream appeared to have a chance of bing reality. After all, this was twenty years¡¯ worth of feelings; they could not be forgotten so easily.


    Song Qingchun had to admit, the heart that had almost shriveledpletely was rejuvenated. However, this time, she did not want to repeat her old mistake anymore of dragging it out endlessly, because that was simply too taxing...


    Some people say the hardest thing was having the one you love not love you back, but Song Qingchun felt that was wrong; the hardest thing was theck of courage to confess to someone you love and being stuck in that twilight zone of eptance or rejection.


    She did not wish for herself to end up in that horrible state again.


    After losing Song Cheng, she was no longer the little princess who everyone cherished; for Song Cheng who truly loved his sister with all his heart, she refused to let him see her torturing herself in that state of limbo.


    Therefore, over the past few days, when she had been ale at night, she had steeled her resolve to confess to Qin Yinan and tell him the whole truth about the notes in Xu Zhimo¡¯s books.


    If he epted, then perhaps they might have a future together. If he rejected, then she could finally convince herself to treat him as nothing more than a friend.


    Her mind was made up, but putting it into motion still required that bit of courage and guts. Three days had passed, and she still hadn¡¯t made a move.


    Song Qingchun sighed under her breath and tilted her head as she focused on a singlemppost out on the street. Perhaps it was the mncholy of the moment, but she grumbled to herself, "Should I confess to Brother Yinan?


    "Yes or no? No or yes? If no, will I be able to live without knowing the answer...


    "So, I should go, what¡¯s the worst that could happen? There are only two possible oues, either together forever or forever stranger!"

 Chapter 209: 99 Declarations of Love (9)

    Chapter 209: 99 Derations of Love (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Worst case scenario between Brother Yinan and me wouldn¡¯t be strangers, so I should gather my courage to confess... How about this weekend? Sigh, this weekend it is..."


    Song Qingchun shivered from the cold. She hugged her shoulders and ran back into the bedroom. She identally used too much force when closing the balcony door, and it mmed close with a loud thump.


    ...


    Back in the study, Su Zhinian¡¯s face as he studied his work document was peaceful as the surface of water, but his hand that gripped the pen was white with force. Finally, the pen snapped in two with a crack.


    This was a familiar scene... Ever since Song Qingchun moved in with him, this had happened multiple times already. However, no matter how many times it happened, the pain in his heart never seemed to decrease in intensity.


    Like a statue, Su Zhinian stared at the document motionlessly. It wasn¡¯t until the witching hours had arrived, the girl next door had fallen asleep, and the dogs in the neighborhood had stopped barking that hisshes flickered once more with activity. He raised his head to look outside at the darkness, his face as dark and deste as the starless night.


    ...


    Song Qingchun¡¯s n to confess changed before she went to bed. This happened without fail every time. Whenever she thought about confessing to Qin Yinan, her confidence would g. However, even though Song Qingchun hadn¡¯t preparedpletely for her date with Qin Yinan, she still cleared some time to return to the Song family that Sunday.


    Song Menghwa had already been discharged from hospital, but his room was still packed with medicine, and the family doctor woulde to take his blood every other day.


    When Song Qingchun arrived, Song Menghwa was taking his afternoon nap, and her sister-inw, Fang Rou, was in the kitchen cooking some porridge.


    The first to spot Song Qingchun was a recently hired maid. She came from Fang Rou¡¯s hometown. She was one year younger than Song Qingchun but had to work as a maid due to poor family conditions back home. However, she was not embittered by life and was a fast learner, so she was well-loved by the family.


    "Young Miss, you¡¯re home?" The maid greeted Song Qingchun with a smile before turning to yell in the direction of the kitchen, "Madam, the Young Miss is home."


    Half a minuteter, Fang Rou came out from the kitchen as she reminded the butler to watch over the fire cooking the porridge before smiling at Song Qingchun. "Qingchun, howe you didn¡¯t tell us you¡¯reing home."


    Song Qingchun greeted her sister-inw before exining, "I happened to be in the area and thought about picking something up from my room, so this wasn¡¯t nned."


    "Have you had dinner?"


    "I have."


    Fang Rou nodded and scanned Song Qingchun from head to toe. "You look thinner, is it because..." For Song Menghwa¡¯s benefit, Fang Rou lowered her voice and whispered into Song Qingchun¡¯s ear, "...Su Zhinian isn¡¯t treating you well at his ce?"


    "No, that¡¯s not it. He¡¯s not been very well recently, so I haven¡¯t had time to take care of myself," Song Qingchun exined with a smile. She then pointed at the ceiling and said, "Big Sister, I¡¯m in a hurry, so I¡¯ll go grab my stuff first."


    Fang Rou smiled. "Go ahead."


    As Song Qingchun ran upstairs, she heard Fang Rou¡¯s voiceing from behind her. "Careful, don¡¯t slip on the stairs."


    Even though Song Qingchun had moved out of the Song family house, her room was cleaned every day, so it was clean and tidy.

 Chapter 210: 99 Declarations of Love (10)

    Chapter 210: 99 Derations of Love (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She nted herself directly on the floor and pulled out the bottommost drawer of the cupboard. It was filled with an assortment of memorabilia.


    She emptied the drawer on the floor, and a letter fluttered out. She opened it and plenty of little notes spilled out.


    Song Qingchun quickly swiped them into a pile andter confirmed these were letter-esque notes Qin Yinan had written to her during high-school.


    Song Qingchun stuffed the notes back into the envelope and arranged everything back into the drawer. Finally, there was a white envelope that remained; it had the seal ¡¯Official Song Empire Document¡¯ on it. Song Qingchun frowned, and her expression dropped.


    This was Song Cheng¡¯s suicide note.


    If not for this suicide note, she wouldn¡¯t have believed her big brother hadmitted suicide.


    Even though that was months ago, Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes still started to mist as she held the envelope in her hands.


    After a long hesitation, she opened the envelope with trembling fingers and pulled out the white paper from within. When she saw Song Cheng¡¯s familiar handwriting, her tears fell in earnest.


    She had read the letter over a hundred times. She could memorize the content of it easily, but whenever she read it again, she would still cry inconsbly.


    Song Cheng had always been a positive person, and under his guidance, Song Empire had been on its rise. He had married a beautiful wife, and they had nned to have a baby of their own, so truly, Song Qingchun had a hard time understanding why he would suddenly jump off the side of a building.


    With a sniffle, Song Qingchun started to read his suicide note, line by line, character by character. She was still sad, but she had learned to ept it.


    When Song Qingchun read the section directed at her, she could not control her tears anymore.


    Qingchun, I haven¡¯t had the opportunity to tell you this, but even though I have always bullied you, in my heart, you are a woman who is just as important as our mother.


    Song Cheng was three years older than she was, and his favorite pastime was fighting with her and bullying her. She would alwaysin that he was a horrible big brother, and she refused to call him big brother, always referring to him by name. Whenever she called Qin Yinan "Brother Yinan", he would pinch her on the back of her neck and twist her face around to look at him and exim mock-angrily, "Hello, I am your real brother!"


    He had said that many times, but not once had she yielded and called him "Brother". It was after his death that she regretted their many inconsequential fights, regretted how she had been such an impatient sister, regretted that she hadn¡¯t called him "Big Brother" daily.


    Qingchun, I know you will cry, but remember, I have always preferred to see you smile.


    Qingchun, I know my decision will be difficult for you to understand, but I hope you can forgive me, forgive your irresponsible big brother.


    Qingchun...


    Song Qingchun choked on her tears. She stopped reading because she already knew what came next.


    Song Qingchun cried for a long time before picking up the suicide note again to continue reading; however, her eyes were fixated on the word Qingchun .


    This is weird; he has written my name correctly. Since he was young, he would purposely write my name incorrectly to piss me off. This was a habit he never changed even though he was a grown man.

 Chapter 211: Warmth in the Heart (1)

    Chapter 211: Warmth in the Heart (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun was rattled by her sudden discovery. She rushed to her study table and flipped on the table light. She studied the note again and realized it was true; it was not her imagination.


    There were 18 ¡¯Qingchun¡¯s on the note, and all of them were written correctly!


    Song Qingchun grabbed a book given to her by her brother and flipped open to the first page where he had written her name. She started to seriouslypare the handwriting, and her heart chilled. The general frame was simr, but the details were different.


    Due to the extreme simrity, Song Qingchun did not suspect the note¡¯s authenticity. If not for her idental discovery, she probably wouldn¡¯t have found out about this discrepancy.


    Song Qingchun was sure this note was not written by Song Cheng! This meant that Song Cheng did not leave a note; this note was faked. Therefore, Song Cheng¡¯s death...


    Song Qingchun shivered violently before she could continue with her hypothesis. The reality was slowly confirmed in her mind... This was not a real suicide!


    If it wasn¡¯t suicide, then it had to be a homicide!


    Song Qingchun¡¯s hands moved involuntarily to cover her mouth. Her whole person was dropped into a spiral of panic. Five minutester, anger started to blossom on her face.


    Then who killed Song Cheng?


    She would never forgive that person. Even though Song Cheng had been buried for almost five months, she would never rest until his murderer was discovered and his death avenged!


    Song Qingchun grabbed the note and dashed out of the room. She was going to push open the door to Song Menghwa¡¯s bedroom when Fang Rou¡¯s gentle voice drifted from the corridor. "Qingchun, what¡¯s with the rush? What¡¯s going on?"


    Song Qingchun turned to see Fang Rou, who was walking her away with a china bowl. She bit her lips; it was not until her sister-inw was standing beside her that she pushed the note to her face and asked, pointing at her name, "Big Sister, look at this. This name is written correctly, right?"


    "That¡¯s right," Fang Rou answered. She then raised her eyes and asked rather confusedly, "And what¡¯s wrong with that?"


    After a short silence, Song Qingchun said in a shaking voice, "Whenever my brother wrote my name, he would always get it wrong!"


    Fang Rou looked at Song Qingchun for a long time as the information slowly registered in her head. As if finally understanding the implications of Song Qingchun¡¯s words, the china bowl fell from her hands and hit the floor.


    With a nched face, she asked with utter disbelief, "You mean... your brother didn¡¯tmit suicide?"


    Song Qingchun nodded in confirmation.


    "Then... who killed him?" Fang Rou suddenly eximed with agitation as tears fell from her eyes like pearls from a broken ne, one after another gliding down her face. "Who was so cruel as to murder him? We mustn¡¯t let this be, let¡¯s tell Father!"


    However, when Fang Rou¡¯s hand fell on the doorknob, she suddenly paused as if remembering something. "Qingchun, Father hasn¡¯t been doing so well over thest few days, if he was presented with this news..."


    Song Qingchun was hit by a harsh realization; yes, Song Menghwa might not survive another huge blow like this...


    "Qingchun, what do you think we should do?" Fang Rou asked helplessly.


    Indeed, what should they do? The Song Family¡¯s pirs were herself and her sister-inw, what could two women like them do? Song Qingchun felt helplessness weigh down on her, but suddenly, an idea came to her like light streaming through a haze of dark cloud.

 Chapter 212: Warmth in the Heart (2)

    Chapter 212: Warmth in the Heart (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Qin Yinan.


    This was probably how a woman¡¯s mind was wired; the first person toe into her mind when she was at her most helpless was normally the one that she loved.


    Furthermore, the one that Song Qingchun loved was her Brother Yinan, who grew up with her and had absolute confidence and trust in her.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s flustered heart calmed just thinking about Qin Yinan. She told Fang Rou in a firm voice, "Big Sister, I will go discuss this with Brother Yinan first. After all, he was in the military once, so he will be more knowledgeable about this than either of us."


    Fang Rou was still crying silently. She wiped away her tears and nodded. "That¡¯s not a bad idea."


    After a short pause, Fang Rou added, "Then, Qingchun, when do you n to meet Yinan?"


    Song Qingchun took out her phone to look at the time, then she said, "Today."


    She carefully folded Song Cheng¡¯s ¡¯suicide note¡¯ and put it inside her pocket as she said, "Brother Yinan will be on the southern side of the city today fornd inspection. Hispany ns on opening a holiday vi there. I have no clue when he will return to the city. Since it¡¯s still early, I think I will drive over there to meet him personally."


    Then, Song Qingchun turned to ask the butler, "Please help me ready the car."


    "Yes, Young Miss," the butler replied as he went searching for the car key.


    "Use my car, your car hasn¡¯t undergone its annual inspection; I doubt they will let you out of the city." Fang Rou had stopped crying, with ast sniffle, she said with renewed determination, "I will go get you the car key."


    Fang Rou then left for her own bedroom. As she passed the stairs, she pointed at the spilled porridge in front of Song Menghwa¡¯s bedroom door and ordered the butler, "Remember to clean that upter."


    ...


    In her original n, Song Qingchun was going to confess to Qin Yinan that day, but there was a change of n due to extenuating circumstances.


    As she drove toward the highway, she realized that changes truly run faster than ns. She still had to meet Qin Yinan that day, but not for a confession, for something much more important.


    ...


    Due to his head injury, Su Zhinian had taken a weeklong break from work. After removing the stitches from his wound that morning, Su Zhinian did not return to his home but went to Song Empire.


    Along the way, he had Cheng Qingchong call all the Song Empire¡¯s administrators who were enjoying their weekend to go to thepany for an emergency meeting.


    He had tied up many loose ends when he first took over Song Empire, but during his week of absence, there were still some problems with operation. Even though they were handily settled by the newly elected vice-president Lin Zong, Su Zhinian was furious. Heid into everyone at the meeting, and everyone looked down at the table, not even having the courage to breathe audibly.


    The meetingsted for four hours, and when it was over, the roomful of peopley exhausted in their chairs and sighed collectively in relief.


    Cheng Qingchong, who had been with Su Zhinian for many years and had her own ways of dealing with Su Zhinian¡¯s personality, also had to be extra careful that day.

 Chapter 213: Warmth in the Heart (3)

    Chapter 213: Warmth in the Heart (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    However, even so, she could not avoid being spurned by fire.


    After the meeting was over, Cheng Qingchong looked at Su Zhinian¡¯s schedule and noticed there was a dinner that night. However, looking at the state Su Zhinian was in, she believed letting him return to ¡¯the person hiding in his memory¡¯ might be a better idea, so when Su Zhinian asked for his schedule, she suggested probingly, "CEO Su, you just recovered from your injury, how about you cancel the dinner tonight and go home to rest?"


    Before she finished, Su Zhinian mmed the document he was holding on the table and stood up from his chair. He pointed at the seat he had just vacated and said, "Is that so? Should I call you CEO Cheng then? Here, take this seat."


    Cheng Qingchong was silenced by fear and lowered her head immediately.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s freezing gaze shot through her, and he pointed at the door, yelling in a tyrannical manner, "Get out!"


    Cheng Qingchong practically started moving the same instant he said the word "get". She ran out of his office without looking back.


    Silence returned to his office, but perhaps due to the term ¡¯go home¡¯ mentioned by Cheng Qingchong earlier, Su Zhinian stewed in a miasma of misery.


    It is the weekend; that woman has gone to find her Qin Yinan, hasn¡¯t she? Has she confessed and was her confession sessful? If it¡¯s sessful, is she on a date with Qin Yinan? If it failed, is she hiding somewhere, crying alone?


    Su Zhinian rubbed his tired eyes and reclined in his chair. He closed his eyes slowly and, after a while, raised his hands to block his eyes.


    Time trickled past. The sky outside his window gradually darkened, and the bright lights of the city blinked into existence.


    Su Zhinian maintained that posture for a long time.


    Cheng Qingchong, who had been yelled at by Su Zhinian, hid in the break room and did not dare venture within a five-meter radius of his office.


    At 8 pm, hearing no sounds from the office, Cheng Qingchong mustered her courage and went to his door to check up on him.


    When she¡¯d escaped from his office, she had been too flustered to close the door properly, so she pushed a sliver of the door open and peered in.


    The atmosphere in the office was surprisingly peaceful. The man leaned in his chair like he was sleeping. The scene felt so peaceful that it seemed like that man who had yelled at everyone that afternoon was not the same man who was inside the office.


    Just as Cheng Qingchong was hesitating whether or not to announce herself, Su Zhinian said lightly, as if he knew she was at his door, "What time is it already?"


    Cheng Qingchong quickly pulled out her phone. She stepped into his office but stayed far away and answered carefully, "8 pm."


    After a long silence, Su Zhinian answered with an "Oh."


    Another long silence followed before he gave another response. However, he did not say anything. Instead, he stood up from his chair and dashed toward the bathroom.


    Even though she was standing quite far from him, Cheng Qingchong saw the wetness on the back of Su Zhinian¡¯s palms that had been covering his eyes. Under the light of the crystal chandelier, they glistened brilliantly.


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s heart shrunk. Big Boss was crying?


    Before she could recover from that discovery, Su Zhinian had exited the bathroom.

 Chapter 214: Warmth in the Heart (4)

    Chapter 214: Warmth in the Heart (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The man¡¯s face was wet with water. His deep eyes werecking emotion, just like the tone he used when speaking to her. "Dinner."


    Cheng Qingchong quickly recovered. If not for the fact she had seen the tear stains on the back of his hands, she would not have believed that her Big Boss had emotions and could even cry.


    Cheng Qingchong swallowed to calm her nerves and asked, "Where to?"


    After a short pause, Su Zhinian answered, "Golden Corner."


    This was the first and only outside dinner he had ever shared with her in the years they had known each other. It was during Christmas when he had even nned a lucky draw to hide the fact he was gifting her a lifetimeplementary card.


    At that hour, she should have been home already. If it were any other day, he would have returned home in a heartbeat, but that night, he was scared... scared to find out if her confession was a sess and if she was finally a couple with Qin Yinan.


    He had never been a weak person, but when it came to dealing with her, he was the weakest man there ever was.


    ...


    The only reason the holiday vi was going to be built at the northern side of town was due to its natural environment. It was quite difficult for the construction project to not ruin the natural beauty there.


    The ce was still undeveloped, so it did not have any hotels or even a hostel. Thus, Qin Yinan was staying at a vige hostel about one kilometer away from the construction site.


    During her chat with Qin Yinan, she knew the exact location of that hostel. However, the winding road of the mountains still proved quite a challenge to her before she finally found her way. She wanted to call Qin Yinan, but the signal was horrible in the mountains. She called multiple times, but there was no answer. Finally, Song Qingchun could only resign herself to using the road signs and the asional people by the street. When she reached the vige Qin Yinan was staying at, it was already almost 6 pm.


    It was not really a hostel but a big house with empty rooms to spare. When Song Qingchun walked in, the female hostess thought she was a potential customer, so she greeted her passionately, a passion that visibly lessened when she found out Song Qingchun was there just to look for a person. She dropped an "I don¡¯t know" and went to continue herundry, ignoring Song Qingchun.


    In the end, it was a male upant who pitied Song Qingchun, that told her, "You mentioned Qin Yinan? The handsome, tall young man? He left in his car for the city about two hours ago!"


    "He has returned to the city?" Song Qingchun frowned. "But his project isn¡¯t due to finish until next Wednesday, right?"


    "He left parts of the work to his colleague, who is ying cards in the house next door. He mentioned he has something to take care of in the city and will return tomorrow."


    Song Qingchun called Qin Yinan on her phone, but there was still no answer. After thanking the man, Song Qingchun went back into her car and headed back toward the city.


    The mountain roads were shorter than the high way, but due to the slopes and curves, she couldn¡¯t go fast.


    The ce was a deste area; there was barely a soul walking along the road in the morning, much less at night. Along the way back, Song Qingchun never saw another car or person.


    The winds outside whipped furiously. Song Qingchun¡¯s heart started to beat with fear as she drove alone in the darkened night. She couldn¡¯t wait to get on the highway and leave this bleak expanse of a forest road; however, God seemed to be out for her that night because her car suddenly died in the middle of nowhere.

 Chapter 215: Warmth in the Heart (5)

    Chapter 215: Warmth in the Heart (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    No matter how much Song Qingchun turned the ignition, it just wouldn¡¯t start.


    Without the sound of the car, the wind scouring the forest outside the window was amplified. The surrounding mountains were a natural amplifier that increased the echoes of the wind and hollowed out Song Qingchun¡¯s heart.


    Song Qingchun started to panic, but the car was like a broken toy ced along an uninhabited road. It did not respond to Song Qingchun¡¯s actions or prayers.


    Due to theck of power, the heater inside the car had also gone away. The temperature was dropping drastically. However, Song Qingchun did not feel the cold; in fact, she was breaking out in sweat.


    She tried starting the car many times before giving up. She extended her phone high in the air, trying to get a signal to get onto the towing service¡¯s website. s, the connection was too weak.


    With trembling fingers, Song Qingchun pushed open the door and got out. The icy wind hit her cold and hard in her face. There was no sign of human activity nearby.


    Song Qingchun was not a scaredy-cat, but at that moment, it was as if her courage waspletely depleted. She grabbed the shlight from the trunk of her car and trudged further up the road, hoping the high altitude would get her a better signal. As she walked, her whole body was tense; even her legs were shaking greatly, like they could crumble at any given moment.


    The hill on the slope looked close, but it still took Song Qingchun a full half an hour before she reached the top.


    She nced at her phone. There was better signal but no inte connection. That was better than nothing, because now at least she could call for help.


    Just like how it was when she found out Song Cheng might not havemitted suicide, the first name that popped into her mind at her direst time of need was Qin Yinan.


    The low temperature froze her fingers, and it took multiple tries before she managed to key in Qin Yinan¡¯s number and call him.


    Ever since she was a young girl, she go to Qin Yinan for help whenever she needed anything, and he would always be d to lend his aid. This was a habit that had been ingrained in her.


    Even now, before Qin Yinan picked up her call, she already felt she was saved. Her beating heart had calmed down quite a bit.


    However, she was about to experience the feeling of being thrown from heaven to hell. This was worse than being sent directly to hell from Earth because, being sent from Earth didn¡¯t allow one to feel false hope.


    This had happened on Song Qingchun because the person who answered Qin Yinan¡¯s phone was Tang Nuan.


    "Hello, Song Qingchun."


    Tang Nuan¡¯s voice was as gentle as ever, but in Song Qingchun¡¯s ears, they were like echoes from the deepest bowels of hell, freezing herpletely. Her hand that hold the phone stopped moving before she recovered momentster. "Where¡¯s Brother Yinan?"


    "He¡¯s taking a shower!" Tang Nuan said without shame. A single man and a single woman spending time in a same room in the middle of the night, and one of them was taking a shower...


    Of course, Song Qingchun understood the insinuation of Tang Nuan¡¯s words. Her fingers started to shake, and her soul seemed to escape from her eyes, which were turning nk.


    Brother Yinan had saved her, reigniting her hope in him, but... now, he and Tang Nuan...


    Song Qingchun felt a distinctive pain starting to w through her body from the deepest part of her heart.

 Chapter 216: Warmth in the Heart (6)

    Chapter 216: Warmth in the Heart (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Tang Nuan, on the other end of the phone, prompted, after Song Qingchun¡¯s long silence, "Do you need anything from Yinan?"


    Even though Song Qingchun had a hard time epting the truthid out before her, she needed to save herself first. However, before she could ask Tang Nuan to pass the phone over to Qin Yinan, she heard the door of the bathroom being pulled open and "Tang Nuan, where¡¯s the towel?"


    "Coming," Tang Nuan replied and tossed the phone on the bed. Then, Song Qingchun heard the sound of footsteps padding across the floor. That was probably Tang Nuan handing Qin Yinan his towel because Song Qingchun could hear the rustling of fabric, like someone was drying his hair.


    She couldn¡¯t tell who the person that initiated it was, but she could eventually hear, through the sound of the whipping mountain gale, the intimate sound of kissing and Tang Nuan¡¯s light, breathy moans...


    Song Qingchun felt heavy pressure pressing down on her ears, making them hurt with extreme pain. She opened her mouth, trying to shout into the phone, but in the end, only her lips moved before she removed her phone from her ears and ended the call.


    After Song Cheng¡¯s death, he had been in the military, and she had survived the biggest loss in her life alone.


    When he returned, he had promised he would make up for Song Cheng and treat her better on Song Cheng¡¯s behalf, but when she desperately needed his help, he was too busy frolicking with another woman.


    Her dream, which had been revived, was ruthless shot down again before it could even materialize into a confession. Song Qingchun tried her best to hold her tears back as she called her sister-inw for help. No one answered. She tried her house¡¯sndline, but that had no answer, too.


    These were the people she thought of in her time of need, but in the end, none of them woulde to her aid when she needed them.


    The man she had loved ever since she was a little girl was upied with another woman, and her living rtives were unreachable. It turned out, her beloved brother, who she was sure would havee to help her if he was still alive, had been murdered.


    These two tragedies happening in the short span of one day had surpassed Song Qingchun¡¯s mental capacity. She had never felt so lonely and helpless in her life before; it was as if the whole world had decided to abandon her.


    After who knows how many calls she had made to her home, she finally could not help herself and copsed with a sniffling weep in the middle of the mountain road. The girl cried desperately and despairingly.


    She cried for the dream that she had harbored for years, which had finally and truly died in her heart.


    ...


    Cheng Qingchong realized that Su Zhinian was curiously out of sorts that night. He kept ncing at his watch and hesitation was apparent on his face.


    After the ident at work, Cheng Qingchong did not darement anything, so she remained silent throughout.


    After they had finished dinner and were back in the car, Cheng Qingchong asked, "CEO Su, where are we going now?"


    Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes glossed over with mncholy when he heard that question. His lips stretched into a thin and finally answered, "Back topany."


    A few minutes after the car had started moving, Su Zhinian suddenly said, "Wait..."


    Then he paused, like he was having a great mental altercation inside his heart.


    He really should give Song Qingchun a call. From her tone, he would be able to tell whether her confession was a sess or failure, but he needed a reason. In just a second, Su Zhinian had settled upon an excuse, so he pulled out his phone from his pocket and made a call to Song Qingchun.

 Chapter 217: Warmth in the Heart (7)

    Chapter 217: Warmth in the Heart (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The night darkened, and the temperature on the mountain continued to drop. Through the wind, Song Qingchun could hear the sound of crying being carried into her ears.


    Probably due to her absolute despair, her battered mind had a moment where she felt like the crying did note from her own mouth.


    Song Qingchun did not know how long she hadin there crying; in the end, she cried until she lost her voice, her body waspletely frozen, and her teeth were chattering from the cold. Even so, her tears continued to fall endlessly.


    Utilizing a great store of energy, she forced the tears to stop. She looked at the darkness around her helplessly before standing up to walk toward her car. However, she only managed to take one step before her legs, which had be rubbery from sitting against asphalt, failed her, and Song Qingchun once again copsed to the freezing ground.


    Song Qingchun tried to push herself up multiple times from the rough asphalt, but she failed. Eventually, she gave up and surrendered to her fate. With her eyes brimming with tears, she was suddenly reminded of the one time she had gotten lost when she was still a little girl. She had wandered off during thete afternoon and couldn¡¯t find her way home. It was a night as dark as this one. She remembered crying, and just as she felt like she was going to choke on her tears and die, Qin Yinan with a shlight had appeared out of the dark, calling her name.


    Even though she had still been small at the time, she could discern the anxiety on Qin Yinan¡¯s face. When he found her, he had knelt before her immediately and pulled her into his embrace, consoling her.


    In the end, it was he who had carried her home on his back. She was still young at the time, but lying on his back, she had grumbled with a pout, "Brother Yinan, I thought everyone had abandoned me!"


    What did he say then?


    Her memory of her childhood wasn¡¯t fresh, but she would always remember his response back then.


    He said, "That won¡¯t happen, Song Song. As long as I¡¯m around, you will never be abandoned."


    At the time, she had felt his back was her biggest source of warmth and reliance in the whole wide world.


    However, yearster, she found herself in a simr conundrum, but the young man who had made that promise was nowhere to be seen. He had quietly changed over the course of time.


    Song Qingchun, after releasing her stress through tears, felt better. She pulled out her phone and remembered she could still call her assistant. The cold slowed her motion, and when she finally found her assistant¡¯s number, before she could call, a call came into her phone instead.


    Song Qingchun did not have the time to look at the Caller ID before pressing ept. Then, a familiar yet cold, harsh tone came through. "Hello?"


    Su Zhinian... Why would he call me?


    Song Qingchun was stunned before realizing with a start that it was already 9 pm. He probably didn¡¯t see her at home, so he was calling to enquire about that.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart raced with panic. After a pause, she began speaking carefully. "Mr. Su..."


    Before she could say, "I¡¯m sorry", Su Zhinian¡¯s voice,ced with suspicion, travelled into her ears. "You¡¯re outside?"


    Su Zhinian asked that because he heard the sound of wind through his phone. After he asked that question, he realized with a frown that the wind was too loud to be a city breeze; it sounded more like a harsh mountain gale.

 Chapter 218: Warmth in the Heart (8)

    Chapter 218: Warmth in the Heart (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian focused his hearing on the phone and realized that, other than the sound of wind, there was no other sounding from her end; it was eerily quiet.


    A bad feeling settled in his gut. Before Song Qingchun could answer his question, he asked, "Where are you now?"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart had stopped beating when Su Zhinian asked if she was outside. It took a great measure of courage before she could prepare to apologize but Su Zhinian¡¯s continued ¡¯interrogation¡¯ had shattered her mustered bravery. She sucked in a deep breath, and her phone almost fell from her shaking fingers. However, without a better answer in mind, she blurted out his name in an effort to stall. "Mr Su... I..."


    The words "Mr. Su" rushed out of Song Qingchun¡¯s mouth, and in her nervousness, her volume was louder than usual. Thanks to that, Su Zhinian could discern the nasally undertone in her voice.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s heart shrunk. She¡¯s crying? This means her confession failed?


    A mixture of happiness and pain serrated his soft, gentle heart. Su Zhinian interrupted her again and repeated his question. "I said, where are you now?"


    His worry was masked behind a stern voice.


    His usual presence was pressuring enough, so his added sternness made Song Qingchun, who waste once again, chilled to her core. She bit her lips and apologized unconsciously, "I¡¯m sorry..."


    "Please tell me, where are you?" Perhaps due to theck of a clear answer after two questions, his tone was rather hurried.


    Song Qingchun was spooked into silence. One secondter, she finally answered truthfully, "I¡¯m in the mountains on the northern side of the city..."


    Mountains on the northern side of the city? Wasn¡¯t she going to confess to Qin Yinan? Why is she there instead?


    Su Zhinian¡¯s brows were deeply furrowed as his brain span quickly. Then he was reminded of a snippet of a conversation he had heard during dinner some time back. Organization SW was going to open a holiday vi there, and they had approached him for investment. The project was handled by an up-ander with the surname Qin. Even though he knew Qin Yinan worked for Organization SW, at the time, he did not put two and two together and failed to realize that it was Qin Yinan who was overseeing the project.


    So, she went so far for her confession... She is still out there even though it¡¯s already sote, does she not nning to return tonight? Then why was she crying? Were those tears of joy?


    Su Zhinian looked out the window with a grim face. He was going to call Song Qingchun toe fetch him with the excuse that he had drunk too much that night, but he didn¡¯t expect she would be so far out of the city.


    Song Qingchun waited for a long time for Su Zhinian to say something. Over the phone, she was unable to read his expression and gauge the situation, so she was additionally worried. After swallowing a mouthful of saliva and she exined carefully, "I do n to return as soon as possible, but my car has broken down in the middle of the road, and I couldn¡¯t get it to restart. I am here alone, and I¡¯m trying to get someone to help me reach the towingpany."


    Actually, Song Qingchun really did not want to trouble Su Zhinian. She only exined so much because she did not want him to be angry at her, hoping he would forgive her vition of the contract.

 Chapter 219: Warmth in the Heart (9)

    Chapter 219: Warmth in the Heart (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Thebination of the freezing wind and her continuous crying had drained Song Qingchun, and she felt light-headed, like she was suffering from ack of oxygen in her brain. It was why she did not realize that her words did not sound like an exnation but more like her venting her personal frustration.


    She continued ¡¯exining¡¯, but her words barely registered in Su Zhinian¡¯s ears because he was still hung up on the first few key terms that she had said: "car broke down" and "alone".


    "Therefore, Mr. Su, I also have no idea when I will be able to reach home," Song Qingchun stammered.


    Su Zhinian, who had been silent throughout, suddenly cut in with a question, "Are you on road 108?"


    Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t catch up to Su Zhinian¡¯s train of thought, so she replied with a confused "hmm" before recovering and answering, "Yes."


    "I am not far from you, wait for me."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s sentence was short and to the point, toneless and emotionless, especially thest three words, it sounded like he was giving orders.


    However, Song Qingchun had no idea that the moment she was said was "alone," Su Zhinian had already kicked the driver and Cheng Qingchong out. In fact, Cheng Qingchong did not even have time to grab her purse before Su Zhinian mmed the door and drove away.


    Su Zhinian had vited so many traffic rules, breaking the speed limit, running red lights, and even upying thene specially meant for buses. With one hand on the steering wheel and another holding the phone, he masterfully weaved through the traffic, causing many drivers to roll down their windows and curse at him.


    As if impervious to those curses, he stepped on the pedal as the car zipped toward the northern side of town.


    He told me to wait for him... So this means he ising to fetch me?


    Song Qingchun had a hard time believing what she had heard. It was after a long time that she slowly opened her mouth to respond, "Okay."


    On the other end of the phone, Su Zhinian had already reached the highway. He wanted to hang up to focus on driving, but when he was reminded of the fact she was alone in the middle of nowhere, crying, his heart was suspended in a state of worry. Therefore, he said, "Don¡¯t hang up, I¡¯m afraid I wouldn¡¯t be able to locate you without your help."


    "Okay," Song Qingchun answered softly, but she was unable to hear herself because her words were swallowed up by the wind, so she confirmed in a higher volume, "I understand."


    Su Zhinian also responded with an "Okay." Since he was driving way over the speed limit, Su Zhinian¡¯s focus was mostly on the road, so the both of them stopped talking.


    Beside his ear was the sound of rushing winds and the sound of her rubbing her hands together because of the cold.


    Beside her ear was the sound of passing cars, and the asional sound of him clearing his throat, probably from the dry air in his car.


    Listening to those sounds, Song Qingchun¡¯s feeling of fear, sadness, anxiety, and helplessness gradually dissipated.


    Even though she was still stranded in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by darkness, she did not feel so afraid anymore. In fact,ter, she even had the leisure to appreciate the beautiful stars-filled night sky as she unconsciously looked up into the sky.

 Chapter 220: Warmth in the Heart (10)

    Chapter 220: Warmth in the Heart (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Unlike the city, the night sky in the mountains was not marred by light pollution. The full moon had broken through the clouds, lighting up the skies. Under such a dreamlike atmosphere, Song Qingchun heard Su Zhinian¡¯s voice drifted through the speaker. "You¡¯re outside the car?"


    "Yes." Song Qingchun assumed he had asked that because he¡¯d heard her footsteps on the asphalt.


    "Isn¡¯t it cold?" His attention was distracted by driving, so the question sounded more like an afterthought than an actual concern. Even so, to Song Qingchun¡¯s ears, they sounded mellifluous; she believed only this man would be able to make an afterthought sound so touching.


    With the phone raised to her ears, Song Qingchun looked up into the glittering night sky and breathed out her reply. "A bit..."


    It was actually quite cold, or else she wouldn¡¯t have been pacing around, trying to get some warmth back into her limbs.


    After a long time, Su Zhinian¡¯s voice said, "Then, get into the car..."


    As he said so, Song Qingchun heard from his end the sharp sound of a car screeching to a halt and honking.


    "What happened?" Song Qingchun asked anxiously. Theck of an answer worried Song Qingchun, so she questioned with added desperation, "Su Zhinian? Are you okay?"


    "I¡¯m fine," Su Zhinian finally responded. His voice was calm like the little incident earlier was just an imagination in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind. Then, she heard the sound of the car picking up speed and Su Zhinian saying, "Get back into the car, it¡¯s warmer in there. Be careful not to catch a cold."


    Due to the fact he had almost gotten into a deadly ident, Su Zhinian did not dare to let his focus off the road; therefore, he did not realize he had let slipped that he was concerned about Song Qingchun.


    Song Qingchun had heard that sentence many times throughout her life, from Song Menghwa, Song Cheng, Qin Yinan, her butler, and her friends. This kind of concern wasmon among friends, but when it came out of Su Zhinian¡¯s mouth, for some reason, Song Qingchun felt something in her chest suddenly softened.


    She was freezing, ravaged by the elements, but a warmth originating from her heart surged through her body.


    Perhaps... she was truly helpless at the time, so Su Zhinian¡¯s appearance was like a shaft of light in the dark, lighting up her despairing heart with hope. Therefore, her appreciation for his every word of concern was amplified and heightened.


    She had known Qin Yinan since she was a little girl. In her heart, there was never an individual whose importance was greater than Qin Yinan¡¯s. Over these years, she had never given up on him, but that was only because he had never truly been a couple with Tang Nuan, but now their rtionship had already been cemented by physical intimacy... regardless of who he would love, she knew it was time to really let go.


    Because she had promised herself that this was thest time she was going to put herself in a vulnerable position. A love triangle, for the sake of everyone, someone had to bow out.


    Qin Yinan, who she had felt would always be there for her, had abandoned her when she needed him the most.


    On the other hand, Su Zhinian, who she viewed as the bane of her life, had surprised her when she was at her lowest point.


    A warmth flooded through her body like a tsunami swallowing an entire ind.

 Chapter 221: Stingy for That 100 (1)

    Chapter 221: Stingy for That 100 (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    A weird feeling that she had never experienced before started to flourish at the bottom of her heart.


    Su Zhinian prompted her with a "hmm", since he still hadn¡¯t heard a reply from Song Qingchun after so long.


    Song Qingchun was pulled back from her reverie. "What¡¯s wrong?"


    Then, she realized what that "hmm" represented, so she quickly added, "It was because I got bored cooped up inside the car that I came out. I¡¯ve been moving around, so it isn¡¯t that cold..."


    As she said so, a breeze lifted up and Song Qingchun¡¯s teeth started to chatter from the cold. Her lie was thus conveniently poked through by Mother Nature. Song Qingchun pouted and settled on another excuse. "Furthermore, the night sky here is really beautiful. I¡¯ve spent my whole life in the city, I¡¯ve never seen something as majestic as this except in inte stock photos."


    Only that small hill on the road was able to get signal. If she returned to the car, the signal would be broken. She was alone in the middle of nowhere, so Song Qingchun chose to suffer the cold rather than face the emptiness alone. Furthermore, having this chat with Su Zhinian, listening to the various noisesing from his end, she felt weirdlyforted.


    Su Zhinian knew Song Qingchun was lying, but he couldn¡¯t tell why. He stepped on the gas pedal, afraid that the girl was starting to lose her rationality in the cold.


    She continued talking about how beautiful the night sky was. Afraid that she might feel awkward, Su Zhinian would asionally reply with a "hmm."


    Until the end, she probably had nothing else left to say, so when she heard his "hmm", she also replied with a "hmm." Thus, a game of sorts was started; he replied to her "hmm" with another "hmm", and the cycle continued. Eventually after this was repeated several times, she burst outughing, and beyond that, he could pick up the sound of her feet tapping against the ground; she was probably pacing to get the temperature back into her legs.


    After a period of mutual silence, she added, probably out of boredom, "Su Zhinian, can you turn on the radio in your car?"


    "Okay." Su Zhinian then flipped on the radio. It was ying a radio drama that his driver was a fan of. Following Song Qingchun¡¯s request, Su Zhinian flipped the channel over to a music station. Worried that she was unable to hear it through the phone, Su Zhinian even tuned the volume up.


    Thete-night radio usually yed ssics. She hummed along to it as she jogged.


    Noticing that the number of cars on the road was decreasing, Su Zhinian felt hope pour through his heart. It would normally take 4 hours from Su Zhinian¡¯s original location to reach where Song Qingchun was, but Su Zhinian had only used one hour and twenty minutes.


    He continued on Road 108 for about ten minutes, and Su Zhinian could hear Song Qingchun doubly in his ears. One from his phone and another from down the mountain road.


    The signal in the mountains was faltering. The call between Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun started to get choppy; even the songs on the radio were getting increasingly interrupted by white noise.


    Thankfully, the sound of her repeated "Hello?" was getting closer to his ears.


    When Su Zhinian turned another corner, there she was, standing alone by the side of the road, framed by his car¡¯s headlights.

 Chapter 222: Stingy for That 100 (2)

    Chapter 222: Stingy for That 100 (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun, who noticed the light, also turned around. Through the windshield, their eyes met.


    Their call had already ended a long time ago, but he was still holding the phone to his ear singlehandedly. The moment their eyes met, even over the distance and through the blinding headlights, she managed to notice his features rx. In fact, it felt like she had seen the usual calm man sigh in relief, as if his greatest worry had been solved.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s first impression was that she had seen wrongly. She blinked to get a better look, but Su Zhinian¡¯s car shot past her at extreme speed. She was sted in the face with a harsh and sharp shot of wind. It reminded her of how he was as a person.


    The car made a sharp U-turn further ahead and ground to a halt before Song Qingchun. Through the sound of tires chafing on asphalt, Song Qingchun could detect the smell of burnt rubber.


    The car door was shoved open, and Su Zhinian jumped out. Without closing the door, he dashed at Song Qingchun.


    His exit from the car was so abrupt that he didn¡¯t even take his jacket. He was in only a thin white shirt. The mountain gales ruffled his hair, and his skin was red from the frost in the wind.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s brain short-circuited, watching Su Zhinian¡¯srge body approach her step by step. Her heart started to slow following his approach. When he stopped before her, her heart had stopped.


    He was so much taller than her, so when he stood before her, he was shielding herpletely front the raging winds. When he saw her tear-rimmed eyes, his brows unconsciously furrowed. He said in an emotionless tone, "Let¡¯s go."


    History tends to repeat itself. Those two simple words caused fresh tears to reappear in Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes, and a memory buried deep was once again awakened in her mind.


    She was reminded of that Christmas when she travelled across thousands of miles to find Qin Yinan but returned with a broken heart. It was such a winter night at the Beijing airport. Stranded without any money on her, she had merely wanted to try her luck by calling home, but he had rushed over to fetch her...


    At the time, he had not yet be a multi-millionaire, but his reaction down to the smallest of expression was awfully simr. The rushed brake, the open car door as he jumped down to fetch her, the "Let¡¯s go." that was said in a toneless manner with an impatient growl.


    At the time, the young Song Qingchun had only felt appreciation toward him, but now, as the same thing repeated itself, Song Qingchun felt impossibly touched.


    Su Zhinian frowned, noticing Song Qingchun hadn¡¯t moved from her spot. He prompted, "Why aren¡¯t you moving?"


    She was still silent. There was an added trace of nervousness in Su Zhinian¡¯s next question. "Are you not feeling well?"


    As he said so, he raised his hand to feel Song Qingchun¡¯s forehead.


    Song Qingchun finally came to and shook her head at Su Zhinian. "I¡¯m fine."


    Then she lowered her head to hide the tears prickling her eyes. After a pause, she said in a gentle and soft whisper, "Let¡¯s go home."

 Chapter 223: Stingy for That 100 (3)

    Chapter 223: Stingy for That 100 (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian did not say anything. His hand paused for a moment on Song Qingchun¡¯s forehead and realized she was thinking about the Christmas five years ago when he had rushed to fetch her at the airport. His heart greatly softened. Staring at the top of her head, he said, "Okay."


    His eyes softened, and he was as ethereal as a god sent from the stars, caught in the moon¡¯s halo, as he repeated the words she¡¯d just said. "Let¡¯s go home."


    ...


    After they got into the car, Su Zhinian turned on the heater. Not only that, he went into the trunk to retrieve a nket for Song Qingchun. Looking at the car parked in front of them, he picked up his phone to call the towingpany he had contacted before he got there.


    Both of them hade from the city, but when he arrived at Song Qingchun¡¯s location, the towingpany had only covered one-third of the journey; it would be another 3 hours before the towingpany reached their spot.


    Su Zhinian turned around to look at Song Qingchun, who was sitting in the car. He was worried about the girl who had spent the majority of the night shivering in the wintery winds, worried that she might fall ill if they stayed there any longer. Therefore, he gave the towingpany Song Qingchun¡¯s car number, negotiated for a high price, and assured them he would go to theirpany the following day to settle the fees.


    Su Zhinian told Song Qingchun the deal with the towingpany inside the car, and since she did not voice any dissatisfaction, he started the engine and departed.


    The car moved for around ten minutes before Song Qingchun could feel her limbs thawing from the freezing temperature. She had experienced many things that day, and her nerves were caught in a tense state. When she was alone up there in the mountain, the fear and cold had prevented her from feeling tired, but now that she was in thefort of Su Zhinian¡¯s car, she felt disproportionately tired.


    She felt like she had survived a life or death ordeal and copsed in the car seat. She didn¡¯t even have the energy to move a finger.


    She was not only tired physically but mentally as well. The heater and overall stability of the car rxed Song Qingchun greatly, and she fell into a slumber.


    After about half an hour on the highway, Su Zhinian turned into a rest stop to fill up on gas. Before he got out of the car, he noticed the nket had slipped off Song Qingchun. As the car slowed to a stop, he leaned over to pull the nket back up.


    His movements were light, but he still woke Song Qingchun up. She opened her bleary eyes and asked blurrily, "We¡¯ve arrived?"


    "Not yet." Su Zhinian tugged the nket behind her shoulders and exined softly, "The car has run out of gas."


    After a pause, he added, "Sorry for waking you up, go back to sleep."


    His tone was cold as usual, but a warmth suffused Song Qingchun¡¯s heart. Her lips curved into an involuntary smile and nodded lightly at Su Zhinian before closing her eyes obediently. However, her ears were perked up to tune into the man¡¯s movements.


    After Su Zhinian got out the car and closed the door, Song Qingchun lost all her intention to sleep. She peeled her eyelids open slowly and stared at Su Zhinian, who stood beside the car, through the window. She adjusted the seat and was going to reach for her phone to look at the time when she felt a poke by something on her left-hand side. It was a piece of white paper.

 Chapter 224: Stingy for That 100 (4)

    Chapter 224: Stingy for That 100 (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Out of curiosity, Song Qingchun pulled it up to her eyes. Her expression froze when she read the content. It was a receipt for highway tolls. It recorded clearly the time when the owner had passed through the toll.


    Su Zhinian said he was near the northern side of town when he called, right? So why would the receipt say he departed from the southern part of Beijing?


    Song Qingchun clicked on the call records in her phone. The time Su Zhinian called her was about ten minutes before this receipt was issued. In other words, he had only departed from the city after receiving her call?


    Song Qingchun stared unblinkingly at the paper in her grasp. Her eyes were still, but her heart was roiling with emotions.


    So... he hadn¡¯t been really geographically close to her when he called and purposely came to fetch her?


    In fact, getting from where he was to her earlier location in the mountains, even if one was driving at the maximum speed, it would take at least four hours, but he had only spent slightly over one hour. Therefore, he had been breaking the speed limit throughout his entire journey?


    Song Qingchun was reminded of the sudden brake she had heard on the phone from before. From the serenity in his voice, she was lulled into a falsefort that everything was fine. Thinking back, she realized how dangerous it must have been!


    Song Qingchun¡¯s fingers that held the paper started to shake.


    Actually, it couldn¡¯t be said that he treated her nicely. His tone toward her was usually cold and unfeeling. He had done the worst to trample on her honor and heart during that unfortunate night so many years. Even after they reconvened, he had used every method avable to shame and humiliate her. Therefore, in her heart, she had the impression that he hated her, just like how she hated him.


    Therefore, the things that happened that night truly unsettled her...


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart started to panic.


    The car door was suddenly pulled open, and Song Qingchun was forced toe to terms with reality quickly. She slipped the paper into her palm quietly and turned her head around to look at Su Zhinian.


    The man¡¯s cold gaze scanned her face, and he asked in his usual toneless manner, "Not going to sleep anymore?"


    Song Qingchun nodded wordlessly.


    Su Zhinian restarted the car and returned to the highway. With the content of the paper crowding her mind, Song Qingchun finally couldn¡¯t hold it in anymore. She asked, "Where were you when you called me?"


    Su Zhinian looked straight ahead on the road and answered calmly, "Yang Lin Golf Course."


    Su Zhinian turned the steering wheel to switch into anotherne to bypass a truck. Then he added, "CEO Zhang from Lu Yang invited me to join him for a game of golf this afternoon, so I was already out of the city, and his golf course is at the northern countryside."


    Song Qingchun answered with an "Oh."


    However, internally, she grumbled, You liar, you were still inside the city when you called! Liar! Liar Su!


    After that, Song Qingchun calmed down, and a frown formed between her brows. But why would he lie to me about this?


    Song Qingchun studied Su Zhinian through the rear-view mirror. The street lights bordering the highway on both sides framed his strong jawline and carved features in a dreamy glow.


    However, she also noticed a trace of tiredness on his face, and that was probably from hours of long-distance driving.

 Chapter 225: Stingy for That 100 (5)

    Chapter 225: Stingy for That 100 (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    They were only a quarter of the way home, but it was fast approaching midnight. They still needed around two to three hours before they would reach home, so in other words, Su Zhinian would have to spend the rest of the night driving.


    It was because of her that he had to suffer like this. Song Qingchun¡¯s heart was assaulted by guilt. She stared at Su Zhinian through the rear-view mirror and soon came to a decision. "Su Zhinian, do we need to return to the city tonight?"


    Confusion shed across Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes. He turned around to nce at Song Qingchun, at which point, she added, "It¡¯s already almost 12 am. It¡¯ll be 2 to 3 am when we reach the city; why don¡¯t we just find a hotel nearby to rest for the night?"


    Song Qingchun, at the time, did not realize how suggestive her enquiry sounded. It was not her intention to have it sound like an invitation; she merely worried for Su Zhinian¡¯s mental state. She didn¡¯t want him to tire himself out driving. However, as the question left her mouth, she realized how ambiguous she sounded. She lowered her face with a blush and added rather awkwardly, "Probably because of the cold, I just wish to rest for a night before returning to the city tomorrow morning, is that okay?"


    Actually, that was a lie. She¡¯d had an eventful day, but she was already feeling much better from the short nap in his car. Sitting in the car for another two to three hours was no problem. Therefore, it was not that she wanted to rest; she wanted to give Su Zhinian the opportunity to rest.


    "Okay." Su Zhinian briefly paused to think. "I hear there¡¯s a good holiday house nearby; it¡¯s about five kilometers from here, is that okay?"


    Like Su Zhinian, Song Qingchun replied with a single word. "Sure."


    Su Zhinian parked the car by the roadside to reset the navigation. After fifteen minutes, Song Qingchun finally saw the lights of the holiday house.


    The car stopped before the entrance. Su Zhinian passed the key to the valet and joined Song Qingchun in the lobby.


    When he booked the rooms, Su Zhinian asked for a luxury suite, but those were all booked due to the holiday weekend. Therefore, Su Zhinian changed the booking to two single-bed rooms.


    The receptionist was probably confused by the appearance of a couple who asked for separate rooms, so her eyes lingered for a moment on the both of them before shaking her head and exined respectfully, "I¡¯m sorry, Sir and Miss, we are only left with a single room with king-sized bed."


    One room, one bed, oneforter...


    Su Zhinian was reminded of the promise he had made Song Qingchun of how he wasn¡¯t going toy a finger on her again. After a short hesitation, he turned around to discuss it with Song Qingchun. "How about we change to another hotel?"


    "Sir, we are the only hotelier around, the area around us is mostly government protectednd. The closest hotel is about twenty kilometers away," the receptionistmented with a smile.


    Twenty kilometers... That will be at least one hour of driving. The goal is to give him the chance to rest, not work him even harder. But, this means staying in the same room with him and even sharing the same bed...


    A part of Song Qingchun¡¯s heart still niggled with worry. Her palms tightened into fists, and her face was flushed before she said anything. Finally, she said in the softest of tones, "We can just share the same room, why not?"

 Chapter 226: Stingy for That 100 (6)

    Chapter 226: Stingy for That 100 (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun¡¯s voice was barely discernible near the end. Her gaze wandered all over the ce, everywhere except near Su Zhinian¡¯s face. He could tell that, when she said they could share the same room, she was still quite anxious.


    Isn¡¯t she tired? How can she possibly rest with such a level of anxiety?


    Su Zhinian stared at Song Qingchun for a while before his ck pupils moved slightly, as if he hade up with a great idea. He reached for his ID on the table and told the receptionist in a light tone, "Use her ID to register the room."


    "But, sir, if two of you are staying, we have to register both of your IDs," the receptionist said.


    "Hmm..." Su Zhinian paused before adding, "I know, just follow my instruction for now."


    The receptionist nodded and helped Song Qingchun register.


    He only used my ID to register, meaning I¡¯ll be staying here alone? What about him?


    Song Qingchun looked on as Su Zhinian put his ID back into his wallet. With a suspicion forming in her mind, she asked with a frown, "What about you?"


    Su Zhinian did not answer but pulled out his credit card to pass to the receptionist. After paying, Su Zhinian epted the room card and passed it to Song Qingchun. "Go up."


    Go up? Alone? It¡¯s as I thought; he¡¯s not going to stay, right?


    Song Qingchun did not take the room card. Her bright eyes zeroed in on Su Zhinian and repeated her question, "What about you?"


    "I¡¯ll find another hotel. You¡¯re tired, so you can rest here tonight. I wille and pick you up tomorrow." Su Zhinian shrugged nonchntly as he pocketed his wallet.


    So, it was as she¡¯d thought...


    He had promised not to touch her anymore. He had noticed her anxiety, so this was his decision, his consideration for her concern?


    She had only said she was tired because she wanted to give him an opportunity to rest, but now he had given her the only room. Even though his words and actions were done with such insouciance, Song Qingchun could still feel his kindness and concern for her.


    The strong emotions that Song Qingchun felt when she saw that piece of paper at the gas station started moving again.


    Her breathing started to catch as she stared at Su Zhinian. Suddenly, she reached for his hand and swiped his wallet. She pulled out his ID and passed it to the receptionist. "Please help him register as well, thank you."


    Then, she turned around to face Su Zhinian. With a serious countenance, she said, "Either we both stay here, or I¡¯ll follow you to another hotel."


    One refused to stay together, and the other refused to stay unless together. The receptionist was caught in a conundrum. She looked at Su Zhinian and then at Song Qingchun, and she did not daree to a decision on her own.


    Su Zhinian studied Song Qingchun¡¯s severe face for a while before nodding at the receptionist.


    As they walked to the room, Song Qingchun¡¯s face was flushed, and she didn¡¯t say a word to Su Zhinian.


    Even though it was king-sized bedroom, there was a small living room.


    Song Qingchun dashed into the bathroom as soon as the door opened. When she exited the room, Su Zhinian was seated gracefully on the sofa in the living room, and the previously empty coffee table now had on it a thick, ck, leather-bound book.

 Chapter 227: Stingy for That 100 (7)

    Chapter 227: Stingy for That 100 (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian was probably tired; his eyes were closed as he leaned on the sofa. He slowly opened his eyes when he heard movement. Using his chin, he pointed at the book and tossed out one word. "Supper."


    Then he reached for the phone beside him and put it on the coffee table, adding "Dial zero."


    Finally, he closed his eyes again.


    Even though he was stingy with his words, Song Qingchun understood what he meant. If she wanted supper, press zero on the phone. She had spent the whole night shivering in the mountains, and she was indeed hungry because she hadn¡¯t had dinner. However, she was surprised that he had the foresight to realize this even though she had not mentioned anything of the sort to him.


    The shyness and awkwardness Song Qingchun felt when she invited Su Zhinian to stay instantly dispersed. She stood at the door to the bathroom quietly, staring at Su Zhinian for a long time before moving to the coffee table and squatted down to flip through the menu.


    She flipped through the whole menu before calling room service to order braised beef noodles and a cup of yogurt. Before hanging up, as if remembering something, she turned to Su Zhinian and asked in a whisper, "Do you want anything?"


    Su Zhinian shook his head emotionlessly without opening his eyes. Then, Song Qingchun said into the phone, "That¡¯s all, please send it to room 1123."


    The room was exceptionally quiet after she hung up. Song Qingchun stood up slowly. She was hesitating whether or not to draw herself a warm bath when her gaze fell on the man who was lying in the chair.


    Probably tired from maintaining the same posture in the long hour drive, the man¡¯s hand was ced behind his neck, slowly kneading it.


    After a brief silence, Song Qingchun asked a question that she knew the answer to. "Is your neck not feeling well?"


    After that, before she could stop herself, her lips added, "Do you want me to give you a massage?"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s offer had truly surprised Su Zhinian. After a beat or two, he opened his eyes to look at Song Qingchun. His gaze was as silent as his mouth.


    Song Qingchun showed a toothy grin as she walked to stand behind the sofa to massage his shoulders.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s body froze, and he heard Song Qingchun saying, "I know I¡¯m not a professional masseuse, but it should help."


    Su Zhinian did not say anything and closed his eyes. His expression was mild, but his fists thatid on the armrest had already curled into fists.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s had a good feel for massaging, and it did help Su Zhinian rx; even his expression had softened.


    The room¡¯s yellowish glow softened his face even more, making him feel much more approachable than usual.


    Song Qingchun repeated the two massage techniques that she knew, and she slowly lost herself, staring at Su Zhinian.


    She had known him for so many years, but it was not until today that she realized he actually had a caring and gentle side.


    Unlike Qin Yinan, who always greeted the world with a spring-like smile, Su Zhinian was like the face of winter, cold and unforgiving. People feltfortable in Qin Yinan¡¯s presence while they couldn¡¯t wait to get away from Su Zhinian.


    However, she didn¡¯t expect that Qin Yinan would manage to chill her heart to its core.

 Chapter 228: Stingy for That 100 (8)

    Chapter 228: Stingy for That 100 (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She also hadn¡¯t expected that Su Zhinian, who she had always associated with cruelty and ruthlessness, would bring warmth to her frozen heart.


    Qin Yinan, who she thought would give her the world, was not as good as she thought, while Su Zhinian, who she thought the worst of, was a much better person than she gave him credit for. In fact, he treated her better than Qin Yinan ever had that day.


    Even though Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes were closed and looked like he was asleep, his mind was actually wide awake. Through her fingers on his shoulders and neck, he was reading her mind.


    When he read thetest thought that she had, his palm that had curled into fists started to shake slightly.


    This was probably the first time in his life where he had beaten Qin Yinan in her heart.


    Due to theparison between the two, Song Qingchun was inevitably reminded of the scene when she called Qin Yinan and her heart fell.


    Who would have thought that her pursuit of Qin Yinan, which hadsted for years, would end in such a manner? It fizzled out before she could even confess her love.


    So, her confession failed, and Qin Yinan ended up with Tang Nuan? It does sound like she is ready to give up for real this time.


    Su Zhinian, who had been a walkingndmine the whole day, couldn¡¯t help but smile when he read this thought. His smile was faint, but it still fell into Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes.


    After a short moment¡¯s daze, her own lips curved into a light smile, and she grumbled with some dissatisfaction internally, What¡¯s with him, I¡¯m nursing a broken heart here, and he¡¯s smiling? Is he even human?


    Even though she wasining internally, Song Qingchun did not realize her gaze that fell on Su Zhinian had be incredibly gentle and tender.


    He does look handsome when he smiles, like a shaft of sunlight breaking through the wintry fog. If he smiled more often, he would definitely have more female pursuers.


    Thinking about that, Song Qingchun¡¯s lips curled up even higher.


    ...


    Worried that she might get too tired, Su Zhinian had Song Qingchun stop after a while.


    Soon after that, the room service arrived with the food. Song Qingchun was so hungry that she copsed on the coffee table and started wolfing down the food.


    Su Zhinian leaned on the sofa, watching her eat through her reflection on the floor-length window; his gaze was as soft as water.


    Song Qingchun, after finishing her meal, stretched in satisfaction before walking into the bathroom to prepare a bath.


    As she pushed the bathroom door open, she realized she didn¡¯t have a change of clothes with her.


    But not changing the undergarments after shower is so... ufortable. Song Qingchun bit her lips and remembered the hotel seemed toe attached with a convenience store. Song Qingchun ran to the bedroom¡¯s study table and ransacked the ce to look for the store¡¯s guide. After finding it, she noticed they did sell disposable lingerie.


    Song Qingchun pulled out her coat from the closet, and when she was going to step out of the room, she remembered that she hadn¡¯t brought her purse with her in her hurry to leave the Song family that afternoon.


    Her footsteps stopped. She searched all over her body and managed to scrunch up a bunch of small change; the biggest note she had was 20 RMB.


    Song Qingchun tossed all the money on the bed and ttened them out before stacking them up. The stack looked quite thick, but after a quick calction, there was only 65 RMB.

 Chapter 229: Stingy for That 100 (9)

    Chapter 229: Stingy for That 100 (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "This is such a ck market. Normally, they sell a set of disposable lingerie for at most 20 RMB at the mall; this hotel¡¯s store sells them for 88 RMB?"


    Song Qingchun grumbled, fingering the stack of money in her hands. Then she ran through the rest of the items on the store guide, and her mouth never stopped moving. "Merchants are all evil; entrepreneurs are all vampires..."


    Song Qingchun¡¯sints, for some reason, burned even Su Zhinian. "And that Maniac Su, even though we have that contractual rtionship for me to take care of his living arrangements, it makes no sense that I have to pay even for his food and everyday items...


    "I¡¯ve stayed at his ce for almost two months already, and those daily cooking ingredients add up. Hell, even those everyday items like toiletries are such a money sink. Furthermore, Maniac Su will only use certain high-end brands, and of course, their prices are just ridiculous."


    Song Qingchun, who was raised in a rtively wealthy family, didn¡¯t have the habit of bookkeeping. Since she was on a roll, she decided to do some math of her recent expenditure, and she was shocked. "F*ck me, around eighty percent of my sry has been spent on Maniac Su?


    "No wonder, I¡¯ve been wondering why my life has be so ufortable recently? Now I know, just think about it, before this, I can spend half of my sry to pamper myself by buying clothes, bags, shoes, and make-up. Now the money that was meant for myself has to be spent on Maniac Su! No wonder life has been such a bore recently!


    "He is a multi-millionaire with multiplepanies under his name, and he still wants to take advantage of my hard-earned sry? The man is the devil incarnate! I¡¯ve done my best every day to serve him. I¡¯m practically the best maid he has ever had, and he wouldn¡¯t even pay me a hundred RMB?"


    Song Qingchun, caught in the drama of the moment, even moved to wipe away her fake tears and sighed deeply. "So be it, since I can¡¯t afford the disposable lingerie, I¡¯ll just settle for some padding. I can turn the undergarment inside out and with some clean pads, that shouldst me until tomorrow..."


    Song Qingchun put on her coat and pulled the bedroom door open. When she passed Su Zhinian, who was sitting in the living room, the man opened his eyes and asked, "Where are you going?"


    Song Qingchun stopped and said, "I need to go buy some stuff from the downstairs convenience store."


    "Perfect, buy something for me if you¡¯re going down." Su Zhinian stood up and walked to stand before Song Qingchun. He then pulled out a hundred note from his wallet and handed over to her.


    "Mr. Su, what do you need?" Song Qingchun asked as she reached for the note. When her finger brushed against his, the man saw the n that was forming in her mind. Perfect indeed, he wants me to buy something for him. Perhaps I¡¯ll have enough leftover change to buy a set of disposable lingerie!


    "Get me a copy of the evening newspaper," Su Zhinian replied softly. His finger was still touching hers, so he was given a glimpse into her next thought, But what if he wants me to buy something expensive and I can¡¯t make up the 88 RMB I need? This man is also another thing; his wallet is so thick, but he only gives me one paper note? Stingy! He tipped the room service but not me? One-star review!


    As Song Qingchun thought so, she heard the term ¡¯evening paper¡¯.


    Yes, the evening paper only costs one RMB, meaning I will have 99 RMB left. Even after buying that set of disposable lingerie, I can even treat myself to a small cup of ice-cream! Then again, would he be so stingy as to ask for all the change back?

 Chapter 230: What Is Youth Without Passion? (1)

    Chapter 230: What Is Youth Without Passion? (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Even though those were Song Qingchun¡¯s real thoughts, she put on the air of generosity and shook her head at Su Zhinian, adding, "The evening paper only costs 1 RMB; that¡¯s too much! I¡¯ll just pay for it!"


    Of course, Su Zhinian didn¡¯t really need to read the evening paper. It was just that he had heard Song Qingchun grumbling about money in the bedroom, and he was using this as a front to give her some.


    Who knew his kindness would be distorted by the girl? She mocked him for his stinginess, assuming he would ask for the full change in return!


    Su Zhinian stared quietly at Song Qingchun, who pretended like she didn¡¯t need the money even though her fingers were still reaching for it. Just as Song Qingchun was going to pull the note away, his fingers tightened as he pulled the note back from her grasp. He slipped it back into his wallet and pulled out a coin to ce into Song Qingchun¡¯s palm, together with an especially polite "Thank you."


    Song Qingchun stared at the one RMB coin in her palm, and her eyes widened greatly. Her expression changed several times in the span of that half a minute. Finally, she forced out a smile that was somehow more mncholic than a crying face and said, "Mr. Su, it¡¯s just one RMB; there¡¯s no need..."


    Song Qingchun then returned the coin to Su Zhinian.


    The man didn¡¯t give her the chance to do that as he turned and walked away. He nted himself back on the sofa.


    Song Qingchun stood there with the coin in her palm before she gradually recovered. She told Su Zhinian, "Well, I¡¯ll be leaving."


    Then she left the room with a sour expression.


    The moment the door closed, Su Zhinian could hear clearly Song Qingchun¡¯s voice drifted from the corridor. She was trulyying into him.


    "Who can tell what in the God¡¯s name this is? One RMB? Maniac Su thought I¡¯m some beggar who needs his charity?


    "So, he is not only stingy but also miserly! Very stingy and very miserly! One RMB, a multi-millionaire and he gave one RMB? For shame!


    "It¡¯s official, my night is ruined, and here I thought I could buy myself a cup of Haagen Danz ice cream!


    "Stingy! Too stingy! One RMB, one RMB? Su Zhinian, you should just be called One RMB Su from now on! One RMB Su! One RMB Su!"


    Su Zhinian leaned back in the sofa, listening to Song Qingchun¡¯s mocking, reminiscing about the assortment of expressions on Song Qingchun¡¯s face as he returned the 100 RMB note to his wallet in exchange for the coin. It went from shock to disbelief, from disbelief to anger, then to sadness and many more. His lips curved into an attractive smile, and before he knew it, a series of chuckles escaped his mouth.


    ...


    Su Zhinian had showered by the time Song Qingchun returned with a bag of padding and the evening paper. He was wrapped in a bathrobe, watching the television with his hair half-dried.


    Song Qingchun was still nursing her grief, but her tone toward Su Zhinian was as deferential as ever. "Mr. Su, your evening paper."


    "Hmm." Su Zhinian did not take his gaze off the television screen. His hand that held the remote pointed at the coffee table, signaling for Song Qingchun to put the stuff there.


    Song Qingchun put the newspaper down obediently and said, "If there¡¯s nothing else, I have to use the bathroom."


    Su Zhinian nodded. Just as Song Qingchun turned around, he suddenly called out, "Wait."


    Song Qingchun turned around with a frown and saw Su Zhinian pass her a stic bag.

 Chapter 231: What Is Youth Without Passion? (2)

    Chapter 231: What Is Youth Without Passion? (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun nced at him twice. Noticing he had no intention of exining himself, she reached for the bag.


    The bag was quite heavy. Song Qingchun opened it and was surprised by the treasures inside. The bag contained a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, face cream... even moisturizing lotion and moisturizer!


    That was not all, underneath those were a set of disposable lingerie and cotton pajamas. On top sat a smaller ck packet. Song Qingchun reached for it and pulled it open. A carton of Haagen Danz ice-cream peeked out at her.


    When did One RMB Su buy all of this?


    Song Qingchun raised her eyes from inside the bag to look at Su Zhinian. The man pulled his gaze away from the television to nce at her before picking up the evening paper and casually flipped through it. "I had room service send it over just now."


    Song Qingchun nodded nkly, her feet frozen to the spot. This is such a coincidence; how did he know I need disposable lingerie and have a hankering for ice cream?


    Su Zhinian noticed herck of reaction. He flipped through another page of the newspaper andmented softly, "It¡¯s already quitete. Go rest after you take the bath."


    Song Qingchun responded with a "hmm" before adding an "okay" and finally a "thank you" before she ran into the bathroom, hugging the bag.


    After she came out of the shower, she blow-dried her hair and got into the pajamas bought by Su Zhinian. She jumped onto the bed, and with her legs folded underneath her, she opened the Haagen Danz carton. Right then, the bedroom door was pushed open and in walked Su Zhinian with a cup of milk.


    Even though it was Song Qingchun who requested for Su Zhinian to stay in the same room, and she had prepared to share the same bed with him, when it was happening in real time, she was still quite nervous, so much so that she was unable to open the carton lid despite her multiple attempts.


    Su Zhinian ced the cup on the study table and grabbed the carton from her wordlessly. He pried it open and returned it her.


    Song Qingchun replied with a soft "thank you" before epting it and scooping the ice-cream into her mouth with a small spoon.


    Su Zhinian did not reply as he turned to the wardrobe to pull out the spare pillow andforter inside.


    Song Qingchun silently sighed in relief. Thankfully, he knew to retrieve his own stuff; this made Song Qingchun feel morefortable about sharing the same bed because at least they wouldn¡¯t sharing the sameforter.


    Su Zhinian arranged theforter on the bed. He was reaching for his pillow when he saw Song Qingchun stick another big scoop of ice-cream into her mouth. He frowned slightly and walked to pick up the cup he left on the table. He walked to Song Qingchun andmented lightly, "Don¡¯t eat too much ice-cream in the middle of the night, be careful of acid reflux."


    "Okay." Song Qingchun pouted and shoved another spoonful into her mouth before cing the carton on the bedside table.


    Su Zhinian passed Song Qingchun the cup. "Drink some warm milk and don¡¯t stay up toote."


    She had thought he¡¯d poured the milk for himself, but it was actually for her.


    After a short daze, Song Qingchun epted the cup with another "thank you."


    The warmth from the cup travelled along her palm and then her chest before finding its way to her heart.


    Su Zhinian did not say another word but stacked the pillow he had pulled out of the wardrobe on top of theforter before pulling them up together and heading toward the bedroom door.

 Chapter 232: What Is Youth Without Passion? (3)

    Chapter 232: What Is Youth Without Passion? (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The cup of milk that went to Song Qingchun¡¯s mouth stopped moving. She looked at Su Zhinian open the door, and in her desperation to speak, she choked on the milk and started to cough violently.


    Su Zhinian turned from the noise and saw Song Qingchun¡¯s face started to redden from nonstop coughing. She pointed at theforter and pillows in his grasp and tried to speak but was consumed by coughing every time.


    However, he soon got her message. In the bedroom warm lights, his footsteps that moved toward her slowed, and the nervousness on his face due to her sudden coughing disappeared. He finally said, "I¡¯ll sleep in the living room."


    Then, he turned to open the door. As he stepped outside, he stopped, as if remembering something. He didn¡¯t turn to face her. As the light from the living room fell on his face, it framed her practically crystalline skin. His tone was lighter than before, but somehow it sounded intensely helpless. "You can rest without worry; I will note in even after you fall asleep."


    You can rest without worry, I will note in even after you fall asleep.


    The tone he used was awfully simr to the one he had used when she found him in her bedroom after she was scared awake by her nightmare. He had said back then, "I promise, I will never touch you again."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart that rxed when she realized he was going to spend the night in the living started to wrench with an indescribable unease.


    She could clearly sense a part of her heart giving. Many times, the words had reached her mouth, but she would swallow them back down her throat again.


    She stared at his profile and eventually lowered her cup to look into the cup of warm milk without saying anything.


    Su Zhinian did not add anything else and left the bedroom, closing the door behind him.


    He left with the light in the room. Song Qingchun finished the milk in one gulp and ced the empty cup on the bedside table. She tossed and turned in the bed, unable to fall asleep. Finally, she leaned on her side, biting her lower lip, hugging theforter, and staring at the closed door. It was her wish that they would not have to share the same bed, and he had granted her wish, so why was she not feeling happy?


    Plus, had she lost her mind earlier? When he said he wouldn¡¯te into the bedroom after she fell asleep, a dull pain started in her heart, and there was even a moment when she wanted to blurt out and tell him to just stay in her bed.


    Song Qingchun was flustered, thinking about all these contradictory thoughts. She covered her face with theforter and started counting sheep, trying to lull herself to sleep.


    ...


    The room became quieter as the night darkened.


    Song Qingchun was tired, but her mind simply wouldn¡¯t rest. She found herself half-dreaming; she dreamed of Song Cheng, Qin Yinan, and Su Zhinian. She was tormented by these dreams for many hours, and Song Qingchun was finally falling asleep when she heard a voice in her ear saying, "Tingting!"


    The voice was familiar and sounded earnest. Song Qingchun frowned in her half-sleep. As her locked brow started to rx, she once again heard someone call "Tingting." The desperation was more pointed than before, like some great pain was hidden behind it, a pain that made her heart twitch and her eyes fly wide open.

 Chapter 233: What Is Youth Without Passion? (4)

    Chapter 233: What Is Youth Without Passion? (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The whole world was curiously quiet, and when Song Qingchun looked through the open curtains, she could see the full moon and glistering stars hanging in the sky.


    Song Qingchun stared outside the window for half a minute before closing her eyes. As she tried to fall back to sleep, she heard again someone call, "Tingting! Tingting! Tingting!"


    This time, the name was repeated three times, and each time the volume was louder and the tone more desperate than the one preceding it. Even Song Qingchun felt her heart wrench from the anguish in the voice.


    As the third call faded, she suddenly heard the sharp sound of the ends of the coffee table dragging across the floor. Song Qingchun sat up in bed,pletely awake.


    So, the first two "Tingting" that she had heard were not a hallucination. She wasn¡¯t dreaming; they were the cries of Su Zhinian, who was sleeping in the living room. His voice sounded incredibly depressed, like he was suffering in a great, painful struggle...


    Song Qingchun suddenly pulled off theforter, jumped off the bed, and dashed toward the bedroom door without even putting on the indoor slippers. As she pulled the door open, she stopped.


    Only a single floormp was on in the living room, so there was only a dim light in an area of the room.


    Su Zhinian was seated on the sofa, and his hands, which were gripping theforter, were white from force; even the fabric was rumpled from being grabbed so forcefully. However, it didn¡¯t seem like he had noticed her; he stared outside the window with an unfocused pair of eyes, his breathinging fast.


    His face was nched, and she could see the beads of sweat that slowly glided down his face, charting a clear water trail.


    Song Qingchun studied this Su Zhinian for a while before moving again. Unlike before, her footsteps were lighter and slower this time.


    Her approach still alerted Su Zhinian. The man turned slowly around, and the gaze that fell on her was still filled with a certain degree of fear and helplessness, but that was quickly hidden by his usual chilliness. He coughed lightly and said apologetically, "Did I wake you up?"


    That wasn¡¯t true because she herself had been having trouble sleeping.


    Song Qingchun shook her head and changed the subject. "Are you okay?"


    Su Zhinian nodded with a "hmm" before turning his head away. He tried his best to appear rxed and calm, but Song Qingchun noticed how tense his shoulders were.


    She stood where she was for a moment before moving to the mini bar and prying the mini fridge open to retrieve a bottle of cold water. She then walked to Su Zhinian and passed it to him.


    "Thank you," Su Zhinian replied with his toneless voice, his head lowered, and not looking at her. He twisted the bottle open and took a generous gulp before cing the bottle on the coffee table and leaving the sofa to use the bathroom.


    Su Zhinian locked the door from the inside and leaned on the sink. He stared at himself in the mirror and took several deep breaths before the pumping in his chest finally slowed down.


    He had been dreaming again. He had dreamed of her walking away from him with her back toward him. He had tried his best to catch up to her, but no matter how hard he ran, the distance between them couldn¡¯t be closed. Out of options, he¡¯d yelled her name at the top of her lungs. His throat was dry from all the shouting, but still, she hadn¡¯t turned back to look at him.


    He had lost count of the times he had woken up in the middle of the night, screaming her name. Every time he did, it felt like he had caught a serious illness; it drained him greatly.

 Chapter 234: What Is Youth Without Passion? (5)

    Chapter 234: What Is Youth Without Passion? (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    That was because, in the dream, those cries were a manifestation of his years of pain and love, exhibiting them practically drained him all of the energy he had in his body.


    This dream would recur asionally and had started when they parted ways five years ago. Since she had moved into his house, thest time he had dreamed that nightmare was two months prior, so he was quite surprised himself that it had happened that night.


    The pain that caught his breath in his dream still lingered, making his hands that gripped the corner of the marble sink go that much harder.


    ...


    The moment Song Qingchun heard the door to the bathroom open, she sprung up from the sofa to look at Su Zhinian.


    The man had washed his face, and the two tendrils of hair framing his forehead were still dripping with water. The droplets of water slid down his strong jawline, caressing it softly.


    Su Zhinian was obviously surprised that Song Qingchun was still in the living room because she noticed the shock in his eyes when he said, "Why didn¡¯t you go back to bed?"


    Then, Su Zhinian took a detour to the mini bar to pull out a bottle of red wine. He uncorked it and reached for a wine ss from the cupboard.


    "I can¡¯t sleep..." After she answered, Song Qingchun saw Su Zhinian starting the pour the wine, her brows furrowed as she asked, "You¡¯re still going to drink when it¡¯s already sote?"


    This was his habit formed from years ago. Whenever he dreamed about her, he needed to have some alcohol in him to take the sense of pain away, to dull the raging emotions in his heart.


    Su Zhinian replied with a nasally "hmm" before his movement stopped. He had promised her he would never drink again... because it was due to alcohol that he had taken advantage of her twice.


    He could hold his alcohol, but...


    For the sake of insurance, Su Zhinian put the bottle away and returned to the sofa empty-handed. He sat down gracefully, leaned back, and closed his eyes wordlessly. He timed his breathing to try to calm his roiling emotions.


    Why did he leave the ss at the bar?


    Song Qingchun looked at Su Zhinian and the half-filled, untouched ss of wine with confusion. Her gaze alternated between the two before she remembered the promise he had made her.


    He¡¯d said he would not touch another drop of alcohol again... So, this was him telling her he was a man of his words?


    He needed the wine to wash away the pain from his dream? The amount of wine he poured wouldn¡¯t be able to make anyone drunk, so this gesture is purely for my sake? Just like how he volunteered to leave this hotel and thenter sleep alone in the living room...?


    The floormp¡¯s light fell on Su Zhinian¡¯s face, its harsh white light casting a fuzzy glow over his features.


    Song Qingchun stared at him for a while before saying, "Are you sleepy?"


    Su Zhinian opened his eyes to look at her.


    Song Qingchun added, "I¡¯m unable to fall asleep, probably because there¡¯s something bothering me. If you not feeling sleepy, do you mind if we talk?"


    A trace of overwhelming surprise shed through the bottom of Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes. After a pause, he replied calmly, "Sure."


    Song Qingchun smiled, but instead of sitting down, she walked to the mini bar to grab the bottle of red wine Su Zhinian had opened and the half full wine ss. She also retrieved another empty wine ss and ced it all on the coffee table.

 Chapter 235: What Is Youth Without Passion? (6)

    Chapter 235: What Is Youth Without Passion? (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun squatted down beside the coffee table to fill up both sses. Then she pushed one toward Su Zhinian. "Chatting alone is no fun, how about some wine to go with it. You don¡¯t mind right?"


    Su Zhinian frowned, staring at the red liquid before him. It was after a while that he slowly shook his head. Song Qingchun raised her ss at Su Zhinian. "Cheers. Thank you foring to fetch me today."


    Song Qingchun then downed half of the ss before cing the ss back on the table. Then she stared at Su Zhinian, her dark pupils asking, Aren¡¯t you going to ept my thanks?


    After some hesitation, Su Zhinian raised the ss to his lips and pretended to take a small sip. He cleared his throat and asked, even though he already knew the answer, "Why did you suddenly decide toe to this part of town by the way?"


    He knew she was there to look for Qin Yinan, but she didn¡¯t know that he knew. She said she wanted to talk, so he yed along.


    Talking of this made Song Qingchun¡¯s face drop. She raised the ss and tipped some wine into her mouth before sighing despondently. "I came to look for Brother Yinan."


    "What¡¯s so important that you have toe so far to find him?" He also knew it was because she was going to confess to Qin Yinan.


    "Yes, there was something important, something very important." Song Cheng was quite possibly murdered, how is that not important?


    Su Zhinian bowed his head to hide the sadness in his eyes. So, the confession is indeed something very important to her.


    Su Zhinian did not know how to continue the conversation, so he just let it hang. Song Qingchun also went silent, thinking about Song Cheng. She looked out the window, and tears started to prick her eyes.


    Noticing the tense atmosphere, Su Zhinian swirled the wine ss twice before trying to change the subject. Suddenly, Song Qingchun, who sat to his left, grabbed her wine ss that was left on the table earlier and finished it in one gulp without batting an eye.


    She ced the ss down heavily, and the eyes that looked at him started to mist.


    People say when you¡¯re sad, you¡¯ll feel better if you talk it out with a friend.


    Song Qingchun knew her rtionship with Su Zhinian couldn¡¯t really be considered friends, but she desperately needed someone she could talk to.


    No one knew how much torment her heart had gone through that day. She felt alone and helpless; she just wanted to find someone to share it with, but the person who she wished to discuss this with wasn¡¯t avable. So, she had held it in until finally, at the moment, the dam broke.


    "I..." Song Qingchun managed to squeeze out a word before shutting up. As if struggling internally, she finally continued as if having made a great decision. "Do you know why I came to look for Brother Yinan today?"


    Su Zhinian did not answer, but his fingers that held the wine ss were twitching with anger. He knew she was going to tell him about her failed confession next.


    Song Qingchun knew he wasn¡¯t the person she wanted to talk to if she asked her heart¡¯s honest opinion, but beggars can¡¯t be choosers. She felt abandoned by the whole world, and since he was willing to lend her an ear, why not?

 Chapter 236: What Is Youth Without Passion? (7)

    Chapter 236: What Is Youth Without Passion? (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Perhaps it was the loneliness of the night or the wine talking, but Song Qingchun felt vulnerable and needed someone to vent with. However, before she even spoke, her eyes started to get wet. "It was because of my brother, Song Cheng; he was murdered and did notmit suicide like we thought."


    Such a twist, even spoken in Song Qingchun¡¯s light tone, stunned Su Zhinian. His hand shook, and the red liquid in the ss sshed out, staining the back of his palm.


    Su Zhinian quickly put the ss down and pulled a napkin to dab at the spilled wine. He tried his best to calm himself, and facing her teary eyes, he asked with obvious disbelief, "What did you say?"


    "I said, my brother did notmit suicide..." Song Qingchun repeated as she grabbed the wine bottle to pour herself another ss. As the tears flowed down her face, she added, as if worried that Su Zhinian did not understand her meaning, "To put it simply, my brother, he was murdered!"


    Therefore, the very important thing she went to Qin Yinan was not the confession but about Song Cheng?


    As the jealousy in his heart died down, it was reced by the bombshell she had just dropped. Even though Su Zhinian had cultivated a strong heart from the years of hardships, he was still quite dazed from this news Song Qingchun just given him. Even his tone was shaking slightly when he asked, "How did you know that?"


    "It¡¯s his will..." Song Qingchun downed another ss of wine like she was drinking water. Then she wiped away her tears, stood up, and went into the bedroom. One minuteter, she came out with a piece of paper in her hand. She sat back down in her earlier position and spread the piece of paper before Su Zhinian. Pointing at the ¡¯Qingchun¡¯ written by ¡¯Song Cheng¡¯, she eximed, "Look, the character Qingchun is written correctly, something Song Cheng would never do in his life. Therefore, this will wasn¡¯t written by him; it was mimicked by someone else!"


    Su Zhinian studied the will cautiously and realized every ¡¯Qingchun¡¯ was written in the correct way.


    He had stayed at the Song family for almost a year. Even though they weren¡¯t close, he knew Song Cheng had the habit of miswriting Song Qingchun¡¯s name.


    On the surface, this will did look like Song Cheng¡¯s personal writing, but after Song Qingchun pointed out the mistake, other suspicious details started to surface.


    Song Qingchun was right. This final note by Song Cheng was too suspicious and so was his death!


    Perhaps it was the wine coursing through her body, but Song Qingchun felt quite rxed, recliningzily on the sofa. She reminisced about her shared past with Song Cheng, and the waterworks began anew. "I was truly shocked when I discovered this. The Song family has never been anyone¡¯s enemy, so why would someone go for Song Cheng¡¯s life?


    "My first instinct was to go look for Father, but he¡¯s not feeling so well; I¡¯m afraid he wouldn¡¯t be able to survive this news, so the next name that came to mind was Brother Yinan...


    "Other than Father and Song Cheng, Brother Yinan was truly the only person I can think of who I can rely on in this world."

 Chapter 237: What Is Youth Without Passion? (8)

    Chapter 237: What Is Youth Without Passion? (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    When a woman was at her most helpless, while the first person who came to mind might not be her most loved one, they would definitely be the most important person to her.


    In Song Qingchun¡¯s case, Qin Yinan was her most loved one and the most important person in her life. That man dominated every part of her heart.


    He, on the other hand, did not wish for her love or even affection; the only wish he had was that she would think about him when she was at her lowest. Even so, that smallest of wishes was an extravagant hope.


    The matters of her heart would always be his pain.


    At this moment, she needed to be heard, so no matter how much it pained him, he would assume the role of a listener faithfully. Su Zhinian did not say anything to disturb Song Qingchun; he even passed her the paper napkin wordlessly. Song Qingchun epted it. "Thank you."


    She used her to wipe her face and took another gulp of wine before continuing. "Do you know? Brother Yinan has always been there for me ever since I was a little child. He would be the first to stand and fight for me whenever I was bullied in kindergarten. He was the first to find me when I was lost. Whenever Song Cheng refused to allow me to tag along, Brother Yinan would be the first toefort me when I cried. He even said he wouldpensate for Song Cheng, and I really believed him; I believed he would even take care of me for life.


    "So, when I found out Song Cheng didn¡¯t die from suicide, the first thing I did, after recovering slightly from the shock, was rush toward the northern side of town. I did call Brother Yinan along the way, but no one answered.


    "When I arrived, Brother Yinan had already left for the city. The signal in the mountains was not good; I couldn¡¯t make any outgoing calls, so I rushed back to the city. Who knew the car would die on me, halfway back? After walking for a long distance, I finally found a spot that could receive some signal. When the call to Brother Yinan was picked up, I really felt it was a ray of light shining through theyers of dark clouds, but..."


    When she reached this point, Song Qingchun was reminded of the scene that had happened when her call to Qin Yinan was picked up, and her eyes started to water again. However, her lips were forcefully turned up into a smile. She exined the situation between Tang Nuan and Qin Yinan in broad stroke. "He was with Tang Nuan. It was then that I realized how I¡¯ve been lying to myself over the years. For Qin Yinan, I am never the person he wanted to look after; it was my fault for overthinking his promise and blowing it out of proportion. I shouldn¡¯t have thought he would really take care of me in Song Cheng¡¯s stead, much less for as long as forever..."


    This was the truth she had been unwilling to face over the years. If Qin Yinan truly cared about her... when he saw her phone call history on his phone, even if it was epted by Tang Nuan, he would have called back to check.


    So, it was truly time for her to wake up, but no one else would know how painful this realization was.


    After all, he had once been everything to her, giving up on him was no different from getting a part of her torn out of her.


    "To be honest, when you called tonight to ask where I was, it was at my most despairing moment, so I am deeply thankful for you. If not for that, I really can¡¯t imagine what would have happened to me then." Song Qingchun downed the remaining ss of wine with a smile lighting up her face. She hadid herself open, pouring her troubles and fears into him, but the man who was looking at her patiently was like a bottomless pit, always hungry for more.

 Chapter 238: What Is Youth Without Passion? (9)

    Chapter 238: What Is Youth Without Passion? (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Do you know? I was really afraid, sad and alone. I miss my big brother; I miss Song Cheng."


    The tears started to fall again as Song Qingchun clutched her chest and said in a toneced with pain, "I wish he was still alive. I¡¯m really tired. I wish to avenge him, and I wish to know who killed him. But, where do I even start?"


    The rest of her words were swallowed by her sobs. She tossed back another ss of wine and reached for the wine bottle as if it wasn¡¯t enough. Her tears flowed as freely as the wine. As she raised the ss to her lips, Su Zhinian reached out to gently press her wrist, stopping her. Then, he removed the wine bottle and ss from her hands and set them far away, adding, "You should stop drinking, if you continue, you¡¯ll feeling much worse in the morning."


    "But, that can¡¯t be as bad as I feel now."


    Before Song Qingchun could finish, Su Zhinian suddenly pulled her up by her wrist. His force was strong enough that, before she realized it, she was already in his embrace.


    She was unable to see his face, but she could hear his soft voiceing from the top of her head. It had an undercurrent of heartache. "Then let it out, you¡¯ll feel much better if you do."


    His few simple words made the tears return to Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes.


    He felt the wetness near his chest, and his lips stretched into a thin line. He didn¡¯t say a word and held her closer to his body. His strong and warm chest gave her a sense of stability, which, in spite of everything, made her forget her reservations and lower her guard. Unlike before where her tears were reserved, she started to break down like a child wrapped in his arms.


    The room was quiet, other than the sound of her crying. The view outside the window was gorgeous, lit up by the solemp that was still on in the room.


    He held her in his arms quietly. The man with an impossible obsession for cleanliness allowed her tears and snot to stain his robe. His hands stroked her long hair without rhythm, giving her the most gentle and silentfort.


    With his mind-reading ability, he could tell she wasing down from her heightened emotions. When shepletely released her negative emotions, he slowly removed her from his embrace and used his fingers to lovingly wipe the tears away from her face.


    Even though her tears had stopped falling as much as before, there were still some that leaked out of the corner of her eyes. With utmost patience, he brushed all of her tears away until she was feeling much better.


    He went to the mini bar to pour her a ss of warm water.


    "Thank you." Her voice was a bit rough from all the crying. Even though she had stopped crying, she was still choking from tears.


    He waited for her to drink some water before asking, "Feeling better?"


    "Yes, thank you..." Song Qingchun¡¯s throat felt filled with phlegm, as if she was down with the flu. The words that came to her mouth suddenly stopped.


    The whole scene just now felt utterly familiar, like it had happened to her before...


    Song Qingchun, who held the ss in her hands, started to frown in contemtion. She was reminded of the memory losses she had over the past few years whenever she hid to cry.

 Chapter 239: What Is Youth Without Passion? (10)

    Chapter 239: What Is Youth Without Passion? (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Whenever she came to, she would experience a curious sensation that she always had a hard time describing, but at that moment, she realized with a start that it felt exactly the same as what she was feeling then!


    Therefore, during her memory loss, someone hugged her and wiped away her tears?


    Song Qingchun was reminded of Su Zhinian¡¯s bloodied shirt that she had hidden away, and her heart quivered...


    She already suspected him, and this discovery added to her suspicions...


    Or could this really be another coincidence?


    However, if it wasn¡¯t, how did he manage to appear by her side tofort her and then disappear without a trace whenever she cried?


    Su Zhinian noticed Song Qingchun had gone into some sort of a trance in the middle of her sentence, so he coughed lightly to get her attention.


    Song Qingchun shook her head to toss the ludicrous idea out of her mind. As her gaze fell on the wet stain on Su Zhinian¡¯s chest and the manner in which she had cried like a child, she lowered her face that was starting to blush and said awkwardly, "I¡¯m sorry for losing control of my emotions like that...


    "But, I genuinely thank you, I do feel much better..."


    Her nose was still runny and her eyes red from the crying, but the smile on her face was sincere. She tilted her head to look him silently for a while before adding, "...Now it¡¯s your turn!"


    "My turn?" Su Zhinian was confused, unable to understand what she meant.


    Song Qingchun snuggled into afortable position before exining to Su Zhinian, "You had a bad dream, didn¡¯t you? I saw the sadness on your face, and if you keep it cooped up inside you, it¡¯ll only hurt you in the long run. Come on, let it out, it¡¯ll make you feel much better, trust me, I know."


    So, that is what she meant... Su Zhinian blinked silently. It was not that he didn¡¯t want to share his pain, but he couldn¡¯t. Certain love could only flourish in the darkness, away from the light, forgotten but never buried.


    His silence gave Song Qingchun the impression that he didn¡¯t know where to start, so she gave him some help. "The Tingting you mentioned in your dreams, she¡¯s a girl you like?"


    She was reminded of the time she had taken care of his head injury; that night, he had mistaken her for Tingting and had said many things in his sleep. From those words, she could tell that he had lost this girl by the name of ¡¯Tingting¡¯.


    She hadn¡¯t told him about the night they shared the same bed, so she purposely avoided bringing up that night and quickly asked, "Do you mind telling me the story behind you and her?"


    When Song Qingchun asked that question, she suddenly realized she was truly interested in the answer.


    Su Zhinian was still silently staring at the night sky outside the window. His handsome face seemed to flicker in the dark. His lips were stretched into a thin line as if her question had reminded him of a painful and dark memory.


    Just as Song Qingchun thought he was going to ignore her and she was going to switch the topic to something lighter, he said, apropos to nothing, " What is youth without passion? 1 "

 Chapter 240: From a Moment to an Eternity (1)

    Chapter 240: From a Moment to an Eternity (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    What is youth without passion?


    This was the first time Song Qingchun had heard that, and at that moment, she didn¡¯t realize it was rted to herself. It was not until muchter that she realized how nuanced the meaning of that sentence was, more than the literal meaning, he was giving her a hint; s, it had fallen on deaf ears.


    What is Qingchun without Zhinian?


    He used a short sentence containing both his name and hers to describe the story between him and Tingting.


    However, at the time, she didn¡¯t know she was the Tingting on his lips and waspletely unaware that there was a person who had been chasing her for almost twenty years.


    When she knew everything, she realized, that short sentence also contained the meaning, what would Song Qingchun be without Su Zhinian.


    If there was no Su Zhinian, she believed, after that long deep-night conversation between the two of them, the person Song Qingchun would soon have disappeared from the world.


    ...


    Song Qingchun was stunned when she heard that sentence. She had no idea whether she was startled by the emotions of the sentence itself or the enveloping sadness in Su Zhinian¡¯s tone when he said it.


    Regardless, she was stunned for a long time until Su Zhinian opened his lips to continue. "This sentence is probably the most appropriate sentence to describe my story with her."


    After that, she slowly recovered. She looked at him directly and repeated the sentence many times in her mind before asking, "She was someone you knew in your youth? Then, you started to love her, and until now, you haven¡¯t given up on her?"


    "That¡¯s right." He nodded without hesitation before quickly shaking his head. Song Qingchun was confused by action, but he soon exined himself, "It was not during my youth that I met her; it was when I was eight."


    When he was eight? Then they can be considered childhood friends. Could it be that he is just like me? He loves his childhood friend who is unfortunately in love with someone else?


    The simrity of their experiences piqued Song Qingchun¡¯s interest. A feeling of camaraderie rose in her heart, and she sighed. "So, another story of childhood sweethearts... s, in the real world, those never end well..."


    "No, we were not childhood sweethearts." Su Zhinian paused as ayer of sadness glossed over his face. However, he desperately wished that they were.


    All these years, he had been wondering, if he had grown up alongside her like Qin Yinan, would he have acquired a ce of importance in her heart?


    "We only met once when we were both children."


    "Once?" Song Qingchun widened her eyes in shock. She then enquired with interest, "And then what happened?"


    "Then, I searched her for ten years before I finally found her again."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s tone was light, like he was talking about someone else¡¯s past and not his own, but when the word ten years fell out of his mouth, Song Qingchun felt her heart shake.


    Ten years... A decade... How long that was. A person¡¯s life onlyprised of a few decades, and he had used about one-tenth of his life to look for another person.

 Chapter 241: From a Moment to an Eternity (2)

    Chapter 241: From a Moment to an Eternity (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "And then?"


    Su Zhinian was reminded of the excitement he had felt when he found her, the fact that he had been unable to sleep the night before speaking to her, the way his heart had raced when he realized he had fallen in love with her, and finally how she had ignored him for Qin Yinan when he reached out by calling her Tingting. A fog settled over his face, and he said, "She doesn¡¯t remember me anymore."


    "She doesn¡¯t remember you? Then did you tell her you¡¯ve been looking for her for about a decade?"


    Song Qingchun hadpletely settled into the role of a spectator; she had no idea the girl Su Zhinian was referring to in his story was her.


    She wasn¡¯t at all reminded of the incident in her high-school when Su Zhinian approached her to ask whether her name was Tingting. Perhaps, it was simply buried far too deep in her mind.


    "I did, but she still couldn¡¯t remember me..."


    I¡¯m being so obvious, and yet it still didn¡¯t bring up any memories within her? Su Zhinian¡¯s gaze surreptitiously swept over Song Qingchun¡¯s face, which was filled with interest and curiosity. Then again, this is only normal... After all, her heart is dominated by Qin Yinan; she has never even once look at me in that manner, so why should I expect that she would remember all these incidents rted to me?


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart fell as she saw the disappointment on Su Zhinian¡¯s face. She couldn¡¯t help herself but console him by scolding ¡¯Tingting¡¯. "This Tingting is really too much, does she have a brain of a pig or goldfish? How can she forget something so important? Even after so many reminders, she still couldn¡¯t remember you? This is just... No, this is more than just a case of bad memory; she must be mentally challenged..."


    Su Zhinian was feeling low, but when he heard Song Qingchun¡¯s relentless mocking, his originally sad face started to twitch with weird emotions.


    He wanted tough, but he also felt a headacheing. Doesn¡¯t she know the person she¡¯s mocking is actually herself?


    Su Zhinian raised his fingers to massage his temple. He cleared his throat to interrupt her. "Actually, it wasn¡¯t her fault, after all, she was too young when we first met; she has probably forgotten all about it."


    Even though it was her who was scolding herself and it was for his sake, he couldn¡¯t help but jump in to defend her.


    Although he was indeed confused by all this... She did tell me her name was Tingting, so how could she even forget that she was once called Tingting? Is the name that unimportant?


    When Song Qingchun heard Su Zhinian¡¯stestment, her hands went to seal her mouth immediately. Why did I run my mouth off just now? After all, this girl is Su Zhinian¡¯s sweetheart... No matter how insufferably stupid she is, she is, of course, the most perfect person in Su Zhinian¡¯s mind.


    Song Qingchun thought about it and decided to apologize. "Erm... I¡¯m sorry about what I said. That was the alcohol talking; I hope you don¡¯t mind and won¡¯t take it to heart."


    Afraid that Song Qingchun might feel awkward, Su Zhinian exined immediately, "No, it¡¯s fine."


    After noticing Su Zhinian was really not angry, Song Qingchun added, "Then, can I ask you a question?"


    "Sure," Su Zhinian nodded.


    "I identally read your diary before this, I swear I didn¡¯t do it on purpose, I didn¡¯t know it was your diary. Anyway, I saw a sentence..." Song Qingchun paused and recited the sentence from memory, "...I¡¯ve expended three lifetimes to find you, and now, I will use another to make you my wife..."

 Chapter 242: From a Moment to an Eternity (3)

    Chapter 242: From a Moment to an Eternity (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Was that entry because of her?"


    After Song Qingchun finished the sentence that she thought was poetic, she noticed a trace of stupor on Su Zhinian¡¯s face, like he was not mentally present. After a long time, he replied with a soft "hmm", adding, "Yes, it was written for her."


    Due to his reticent nature, Song Qingchun thought that he had finished speaking, but he added after a short pause, "That is my lifelong dream."


    He blinked into focus, and his expression turned serious. Like making his vows, he uttered seriously, "A dream that I have not given up to this day."


    In Song Qingchun¡¯s mind, Su Zhinian was an emotionless machine; she had known him for so many years, but she had never seen him express any kind of emotion. At times, she was convinced that he was a human robbed of emotions like those monk or nun characters in wuxia novels, those who did not walk among humans and did not understand the meaning of love or emotion.


    However, when she heard him say that, her heart was gripped by emotions.


    His tone was light and t, but it had depths of feeling to it. So, it turned out, contrary to what she had thought, it was not that he didn¡¯t understand the matters of love and emotions, if anything, he was more familiar with them than anyone else; his frigid exterior hid a heart that was burning brighter than anyone else.


    She remembered him saying, in the haze of his fever, "I know you are unwilling, in fact, you must hate me in your heart; you couldn¡¯t wait to get as far away from me as you can."


    They were a couple who broke up due to some circumstances?


    She had never been as interested in his life story as she was at that moment. The girl who had said she only had one question, asked another. "Did you break up with her?"


    "Break up?" Su Zhinian mumbled the term. How he wished they had broken up... Even though the two words were the source of much sadness, at least it represented a shared history together. But what about him? He had never tasted the sweetness of love before he had been forced to give it up!


    Su Zhinian¡¯s expression was calm, but his eyes that looked at her had started to lose focus; even his voice had started to shake. "We were never really a couple."


    "Huh?" Song Qingchun was confused. Never really a couple? What does he mean by that?


    Song Qingchun frowned deeply, and after a long pause, came up with the most logical possibility. "She rejected your confession?"


    Su Zhinian felt tears pricking his eyes. He bowed his said and exined, "I¡¯ve never confessed my love to her before."


    "You mean, you¡¯ve spent ten years looking for her, and until now, she doesn¡¯t know you are in love with her?"


    No confession, never a couple, so what has he been doing?


    "Yes, she has no clue that I love her." After a pause, Su Zhinian added, "I believe she will never ever know I am deeply in love with her."


    "Why?" Song Qingchun was thoroughly confused by Su Zhinian.

 Chapter 243: From a Moment to an Eternity (4)

    Chapter 243: From a Moment to an Eternity (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "If you ask me, when you really love someone, you should tell that person. How else are they going to know your inner feelings?


    "Also, listen to me. You are handsome, wealthy, and many girls are in love in you. Perhaps this person you love will reciprocate your love, so you should really try and confess."


    Song Qingchun was worried about Su Zhinian, perhaps because she was touched the purity of his love that hadsted for ten years and beyond. She felt his love was bigger than life. In her heart, she really wished that he could end up with this girl by the name of ¡¯Tingting¡¯.


    "In this world, there are many romances that don¡¯t have the chance to blossom due to that fear of taking the first step...


    "I remember reading a romance web novel that I hear is based on a true story. The author is Ye Fei Ye, it¡¯s titled is ¡¯Bringing the Nation¡¯s Husband Home¡¯, I believe. The male and female lead were actually in love since middle school, but due to theirck of courage to confess, they missed each other for 13 years...


    "So, you should really let her know that you have spent so many years looking for her and have spent so many years loving her!"


    "That¡¯s no longer possible." In contrast to Song Qingchun, Su Zhinian maintained a serenity throughout. The volume of his voice was so much lower than Song Qingchun¡¯s, but there was great force behind it; it was so powerful that it silenced Song Qingchun.


    After she found her power of speech, she asked, "Why isn¡¯t it possible?"


    She wanted to give him some encouragement, but everything she wanted to say sounded trivial in her mind, so she didn¡¯t. She was too busy consoling him, so she didn¡¯t realize she was caught in the same situation.


    She knew perfectly well this feeling of being unable to express one¡¯s love.


    It was not due to theck of love but theplete opposite; it was because the love was so strong that one didn¡¯t have the heart to disturb the other person¡¯s happiness. Therefore, could it be that he was in the same situation, the person he loved had found her own happiness, so he had chosen to keep his suffering and love to himself?


    Before the thought fully formed in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind, Su Zhinian opened his lips to say, "Actually, I did once consider confessing my love to her, but before that could happen, it was destined that my dream will never be a reality."


    Will never be a reality, what does he mean this time?


    Song Qingchun looked at Su Zhinian, waiting for what he had to say next with bated breath.


    Sometimes, he would chew over it multiple times in the most silent hour of the night, and while he thought he had gotten used to living with the pain, when he needed to voice it, he was still surprised by the pain that decimated his heart.


    "In this world, I can be together with any woman but her!" Su Zhinian¡¯s expressionless face was crawling with sadness, affecting even the atmosphere in the room. He stared at a space before him for a long time before moving his lips to say, "Because I simply cannot love her!"


    As if to remind himself, he repeated, in the most serious of tones, "Yes, I simply cannot love her!"


    When he finished those few words, it appeared as if his spirit had left his corporeal body. No one could understand the amount of pain his heart was in at that moment. It was not that he refused to love, but he simply couldn¡¯t love.


    His biggest wish in the world was to be able to openly tell her, Tingting, I love you.

 Chapter 244: From a Moment to an Eternity (5)

    Chapter 244: From a Moment to an Eternity (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Why can¡¯t you love her?" That night was like a night of one million whys for Song Qingchun. Su Zhinian didn¡¯t reply; that was probably the first time he had chosen to answer her question with silence.


    When he was posed the question, he was a picture of insouciance on the surface, and his hands gripped the armrest even tighter. If not for his superhuman self-control, he believed he would have made a fool of himself then.


    Song Qingchun noticed Su Zhinian¡¯s reluctance to borate, so she pouted and reached out to grab the ss of wine that was ced faraway by Su Zhinian earlier. She warmed her throat with the alcohol and found another topic to lighten the mood; however, that topic was still rted to Su Zhinian and Tingting. "Then you still love her even though you cannot love her?"


    Even though the question sounded contradictory, Su Zhinian understood what Song Qingchun meant. Focus returned to his eyes, and he dered solemnly, "Yes."


    He then turned his face around to look her in the eye. She could see the fire burning in him, as he said, "Yes, I do love her. I will continue to love her."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart, for some reason, started to race. He was merely answering her question, so why did she feel he was talking directly to her, as if she was the intended audience?


    Song Qingchun felt her face starting to burn. She unconsciously averted her eyes. She was reminded of the fact that she had not seen the trace of any woman in his house for as long as she had stayed there. Perhaps it was her reporter instinct kicking in, she pressed, "Even though I don¡¯t know the actual reason that prevents you from loving her, why are you doing this to yourself since you know that you will never end up happily with her and all your efforts will simply go to waste?


    "Haven¡¯t you tried loving other women? After all, a lifetime can be very long if it is spent nursing a one-sided love..."


    Su Zhinian interrupted Song Qingchun without hesitation. "I don¡¯t mind. If it¡¯s not her then I¡¯d rather live and die alone."


    Song Qingchun was once again startled before she turned around to look at him with widened eyes. She didn¡¯t expect her thoughtless advice would elicit such a serious deration.


    He stared at her and exined without blinking, "For me, she is the most important person in the world."


    His idental meeting with her had sparked a fire in him that would burn forever.


    "I cannot love her, yet I cannot not love her.


    "My love for her begins in a moment but willst an eternity."


    These were flowery ims of love, but they sounded sincere and faithfuling from Su Zhinian¡¯s lip. His endless determination could be heard between the lines.


    Su Zhinian had given Song Qingchun many surprises and shocks that night, but she had to admit, the biggest shock was right at that moment.


    She had always assumed there was no one more loyal, no one who had persevered more, than her in her constant pursuit of Qin Yinan, but inparison to Su Zhinian, hers was truly nothing more than puppy love.


    For a moment, Song Qingchun appeared to have lost the ability to speak; she didn¡¯t know how to respond to Su Zhinian¡¯s statements.

 Chapter 245: From a Moment to an Eternity (6)

    Chapter 245: From a Moment to an Eternity (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The room was submerged in a curious silence.


    ...


    It had not been Qin Yinan¡¯s intention to return to the city that day. However, he had received Tang Nuan¡¯s call that afternoon, saying she wished to have dinner with him and that she had something important to tell him in person.


    The inspection around the construction was at a slow period. If not for the longmute, he would have chosen to just stay in the city.


    After receiving Tang Nuan¡¯s phone call, Qin Yinan thought about it and eventually decided to meet her.


    The vige he stayed at didn¡¯t have a water supply, so he hadn¡¯t taken a bath in a few days. Qin Yinan nned to return home first to get into a fresh change of clothes before meeting Tang Nuan. However, the roads into the city were clogged due to weekend traffic. When he finally got into the city, it was already almost 7 pm.


    The traffic didn¡¯t get better in town; Tang Nuan¡¯s house happened to be on his way home, so when he received the continuous stream of calls from Tang Nuan, he decided to just stop at her ce first. The first thing he did was to use her bathroom to take a shower.


    After taking a shower, he realized there was no towel in her bathroom, so he pulled open the door to ask for one from her.


    What happened next shocked him.


    In the years he had pursued Tang Nuan, their rtionship had always been kept in an ambiguous stage, close but not intimate. In fact, they had even shared the same room during one of their outings.


    However, their rtionship wasn¡¯t physical. He could see that Tang Nuan still had her reservations about him.


    Therefore, he was so surprised that after passing him the towel, Tang Nuan didn¡¯t leave but stood before him, studying him quietly. At the time, he was confused by her reaction. While he rubbed his hair dry, he wanted to ask her what was wrong, but before he could do so, she suddenly stood on her toes and leaned in to kiss him on his lips.


    His brain was nk before his whole consciousness was taken over by the male desire. He couldn¡¯t remember who carried on and who allowed it to continue, but before he knew it, they had already ended up on the bed, their lips tightly locked together.


    To be perfectly honest, Tang Nuan was the woman of his dreams, so it would be a lie if he said he hadn¡¯t envisioned her in that manner before.


    At the time, they were two single people alone in the room, and her initiation had truly aroused the fire of desire within him to its maximum.


    However, at thest crucial moment, he stopped.


    The reason was simple. Their rtionship had been ambiguous throughout the years, and he had suffered through them to preserve the sanctity of their rtionship, so of course, he wouldn¡¯t let it go to waste then.


    His breathing wasing fast, and his eyes seemed to burn through her. Utilizing every ounce of energy within him, he pushed himself off her and dropped an "I¡¯ll go make you something to eat," before escaping her bedroom in a hurry.


    Tang Nuan slowly caught her breath as she pulled theforter over to cover her body. She spied Qin Yinan busying himself in the kitchen through the door, which was not closedpletely, and reached out for Qin Yinan¡¯s phone.


    Song Qingchun had ended the call.


    From her understanding of Song Qingchun, the girl¡¯s love for Qin Yinan must have been rekindled again after he sacrificed his life to save her.


    Honestly, she had thought Qin Yinan would save her, but in the end, he had chosen to save Song Qingchun, but so what? She had her ways to make Song Qingchun¡¯s heart, which was refilled with hope, drop back into the abyss of despair in an instant!


    Then, Tang Nuan deleted the call history without hesitation.

 Chapter 246: From a Moment to an Eternity (7)

    Chapter 246: From a Moment to an Eternity (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She sounded desperate on the phone; she¡¯s looking for help from Qin Yinan?


    s... Qin Yinan will never know that when she needed him the most, she called him.


    I wonder what the look on Song Qingchun¡¯s face is now. Sadness? Crying? Breakdown? Despair?


    Tang Nuan¡¯s lips curved into a chilling smile.


    She deserves every bit of it and more. I swear to repay her several hundred times the pain that she had given me!


    ...


    That night, not only had the rtionship between Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian changed, the rtionship between Qin Yinan and Song Qingchun had also changed.


    It was not until muchter that Qin Yinan realized that losing someone was extremely easy; sometimes, all it needed was a small coincidence.


    ...


    The two of them were seated there quietly in the dimly-lit room. Song Qingchun slowly came to as Su Zhinian moved his body.


    She moved her gaze away from him. To conceal the shock that he had given her, she lifted the ss of wine to her mouth. In the middle of her sip, Su Zhinian stopped her and pushed a ss of water into her hand inside. "Don¡¯t drink too much alcohol; the sun will being up soon. Drink some water and go rest."


    Song Qingchun turned to look out the window. He was right; the edges of the horizon had started to brighten.


    She took two sips of the water obediently. As she stood up to head toward the bedroom, he suddenly called her name, "Qingchun."


    Song Qingchun turned around with a confused look on her face.


    Su Zhinian stood up and looked into her eyes. After a short pause, he said, "The thing with your brother, Song Cheng, don¡¯t worry too much about it, I¡¯ll help you get to the bottom of the truth."


    Song Qingchun had not been expecting this when Su Zhinian called her. She was frozen to the spot, as if someone had pressed the pause button on her. Her rtionship with Su Zhinian couldn¡¯t be considered close, so she was really surprised that he was so willing to help her.


    "Go to bed," Su Zhinian said softly before turning around to smooth out theforter that covered the sofa.


    Song Qingchun stood there, watching Su Zhinian cleaning up the ce, and her heart started to give.


    The first drunken incident had left a deep, dark scar on her heart. The many happy moments that they had shared before that incident werepletely soured from that moment onward.


    Instead of saying she hated him, it was more urate to say she didn¡¯t have the courage to face what had happened that night. It had always been her belief that if she didn¡¯t meet him anymore, she could just go on pretending the night had never happened.


    Therefore, in her heart, there was a reluctance to truly understand him, be it the incident five years ago or during their contractual rtionship now.


    Until that night, after the talk, she realized that the unapproachable Su Zhinian, the one she thought was heartless and cruel, was not all there was to the man.


    If she really thought about it, he actually wasn¡¯t as bad as she thought; it was merely everything he had done since was tainted by that incident five year ago.


    Furthermore, five yearster, he had helped her quite a lot.


    The many things that had happened in the two months they stayed together crossed Song Qingchun¡¯s mind. When she saw how he was going to squeeze his 180 centimeter plus body onto the one-meter sofa, the words just came naturally out of her mouth.


    "Su Zhinian, why don¡¯t youe sleep in the bedroom?"

 Chapter 247: From a Moment to an Eternity (8)

    Chapter 247: From a Moment to an Eternity (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian, who was cleaning up the sofa, suddenly stopped. With his back toward her, the arms that gripped theforter tightened greatly.


    The room was exceptionally quiet, so much so that he thought he had imagined that sentence. After maintaining his posture for some time, he recovered to smooth out theforter.


    Even though Song Qingchun didn¡¯t have any intention in mind other than the hope that Su Zhinian could have a morefortable sleep in the bed, after she said what she said, her heart still started to race.


    She stared at his immobile back for a while before adding, "Su Zhinian, don¡¯t sleep on the sofa, use the bed instead. You still need to drive in the morning. You¡¯ll get a better rest in bed."


    Even though he was facing away from her, her face still burned.


    Near the end, Song Qingchun felt her face was on fire. Her voice slowly petered out, and she nced at Su Zhinian, who had be a statue. She balled her palms into fists and bit her bottom lip, as ifing to a decision. She moved forward wordlessly to pull theforter and pillow away from Su Zhinian¡¯s hands and took them into the bedroom without looking at Su Zhinian even as she brushed past him.


    Song Qingchun tossed Su Zhinian¡¯sforter and pillow on the other side of the bed before squirming into her ownforter. She curled up inside theforter like a snail before tapping her burning face lightly and found the ability to breathe, an ability that was taken away again when Song Qingchun heard the bedroom door being pushed open.


    Through theyer of fabric, Song Qingchun could sense Su Zhinian¡¯s gaze on her. She curled even deeper into theforter, not unlike an entombed mummy.


    Su Zhinian stood at the door for a while before closing it lightly behind him as he stepped into the room. Following his approach, Song Qingchun¡¯s body froze up even further; she felt the blood inside her body had even stopped pumping.


    She could hear the rustling sound of fabric as Su Zhinian moved theforter about. Thest minute felt like a century to Song Qingchun. Then, the bedroom became so very quiet, her sweaty hands grabbed the cloth of the bed underneath her. After some time, she felt motion from the man in the room, and before Song Qingchun realized what was happening, she felt the other side of the bed sink.


    Song Qingchun shivered involuntarily, and she screw her eyes shut.


    In the silence of the room, Song Qingchun could hear the Su Zhinian¡¯s light breathing and her own beating heart. The man¡¯s unique scent filtered through the fabric and into her nostrils.


    It was afortable scent, like the smell of spring water. It helped to rx Song Qingchun¡¯s strung up nerves. As drowsiness came, her breathing slowly calmed down, and she fell asleep.


    Su Zhinian, who had been lying quietly beside her, slowly sat up and gently removed part of theforter that was wrapping up her head.

 Chapter 248: From a Moment to an Eternity (9)

    Chapter 248: From a Moment to an Eternity (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Due to the heater in the room, the girl¡¯s face, which was covered up, was burning up with a pink hue, and several beads of sweat flowed down her face. Her mouth was slightly open, and her breathing came stably.


    The man, who merely wanted to help the girl get some air, got lost studying her face.


    He couldn¡¯t help himself from reaching out to lightly caress her small face. He was exceptionally careful, like he was handling the most fragile treasure in the world. He blinked slowly as he leaned in to nt a light kiss on her forehead.


    The moment his lips touched her skin, his face lit up with love andpassion. His presence mellowed out greatly, bing as soft as water.


    His lips stopped on her forehead for mere seconds, but for him, those seconds were enough tost him a lifetime.


    With his fingers still beside her ear, he studied her sleeping face. Every cell in his body seemed to bemunicating to her those words that he had hid within him for years. After a long time, he stroked her long hair and whispered kindly, "Good night."


    It was unknown whether the girl in her dream had heard him or not, but her lips slowly curved into a smile.


    ...


    When Song Qingchun woke up, sunlight was already streaming into the room through the floor-length window.


    Song Qingchun felt refreshed from a good night¡¯s sleep. She stretchedzily in bed, and her leg identally knocked into something hard. With a shock, she turned around and was greeted with the best scenery.


    The man who seemed to have walked out of a painting was still asleep.


    The morning sun fell on his face, creating shadows underneath his long eyshes. His perfect skin glistened from the light as if it had been airbrushed.


    This quiet and passive side to the man surprisingly made Song Qingchun¡¯s breath catch in her throat.


    Even though she had seen this face many times before, she was still impressed by his looks when she was not expecting it. Even she herself had lost count the number of times she had tried to spot a blemish.


    Even though it pained her to admit it, even if she was being absolutely nit-picky, there was simply nothing about his face that she couldin about. His face belonged in a painting and not in real life.


    Song Qingchun started to feel light-headed at the illogicality of it all. She felt the picture before her was simply too unreal to be true; it was like she was having an illusory dream.


    She could not help herself from reaching out to touch the man¡¯s face. The warm feeling to her touch made her heart skip a beat. She immediately retracted her finger and pouted, staring at his perfect features.


    This Maniac Su, how can a man be more beautiful than a woman? Maniac Su should just lose the Su Zhinian name and be called Beauty Su from now on!


    It was not the first time Song Qingchun had mocked Su Zhinian and given him defamatory nicknames, but for some reason, the usual rush that apanied it was missing. If anything, she felt a dull difort in her heart.


    She frowned and tilted her head. Staring at the man, she repeated her thoughts several times and realized the issuey with the term ¡¯Maniac Su¡¯.

 Chapter 249: From a Moment to an Eternity (10)

    Chapter 249: From a Moment to an Eternity (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The nickname, Maniac Su, had stuck ever since he moved into her home and, for some reason, squeezed her hand too hard during their first handshake. Not only did he not apologize to her, he even walked away rudely with a cold face. Ever since then, she had called him Maniac Su!


    In the one year that they shared the same roof, almost every other day, she would scold him, calling him Maniac Su in her heart. Even five yearster, when she needed his help to save Song Empire, she was calling him ¡¯Maniac Su¡¯ internally even though on the surface she referred to him respectfully as ¡¯Mr. Su¡¯ every time.


    In her vocabry, Maniac Su equaled to Su Zhinian. The nickname used to flow out of her lips normally and easily, so howe she felt so awkward using it now?


    This feeling was like... someone she wished to protect had been insulted. Even though it wasn¡¯t herself who was insulted, she couldn¡¯t stand for it. Since when did Su Zhinian be someone that she cared about?


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t realize her fingers were still ced on Su Zhinian¡¯s face. She stared at him and contemted on this mystery for a long time beforeing to a conclusion.


    It was probably the case that her impression of him had improved quite significantly after theirte-night talk. She realized he was not a bad person and now felt rather ufortable when she called him a maniac.


    Now that she thought about it, he was actually quite a good person. Other than his curious personality and irascible temper, there was really nothing seriously wrong with him...


    Handsome, wealthy, trustworthy, didn¡¯t smoke, didn¡¯t gamble, and was staying away from alcohol... Song Qingchun, who once thought Su Zhinian was the worst man on the face of the, suddenly realized the man had many positive qualities to him, and the quality that impressed Song Qingchun the most was his undying loyalty.


    He was truly an Adonis to many modern females... The woman who married him would probably lead a life with no regret.


    ...


    Actually, Su Zhinian had woken up an hour earlier; however, the world where she was there when he opened his eyes was too beautiful for him to abandon just like that, so this was the first time in his life he had decided to bezy in bed.


    He did intend to open his eyes when she woke up. Su Zhinian didn¡¯t have much sleep the night before because Song Qingchun was a restless sleeper. She tossed and turned in bed, kicking him in his shin multiple times.


    However, before he could open his eyes, he read from inside her mind that she was impressed by his looks, so he decided to pretend to be asleep.


    Initially, he merely wanted to know what her honest opinion of his looks was, but he was ultimately touched by the thoughts in her mind.


    The young Su Zhinian was new to the world of rtionships; like many young boys, the only channel of expressing their jealousy was through anger. Perhaps they thought this was the only way to get the girl¡¯s attention just like how little boys would often bully the girl he liked just to get her attention.


    However, this kind of childish and juvenile method would often only earn the girl¡¯s ire.


    The jealousy of his youth led him into making the biggest mistake of his life when he took control of her consciousness in the haze of his drunkenness.


    He believed he would always maintain the role of an antagonist in her heart. Therefore, he was truly surprised that the day hade where she would praise him.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s lips involuntarily curved into a smile.

 Chapter 250: One Danger After Another (1)

    Chapter 250: One Danger After Another (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    And his smile only deepened as time passed.


    ...


    Hmm? What is he smiling about? A sweet dream perhaps?


    Song Qingchun was curious when she noticed the smile that had appeared on Su Zhinian¡¯s face.


    I wonder what kind of dream it is that it could make him smile even in his sleep. Could it be a dream about that Tingting? I should have asked him what the full name of that girl is. After all, they were high-school sweethearts; I might even know this Tingting!


    Song Qingchun bit her nails, and her thought wandered back into the past. She couldn¡¯t remember much from her childhood.


    The only thing she could remember was the chats she would have with Song Menghwa after dinner as the two of them nted themselves before the television. Although, among the many interesting stories shared with Song Menghwa, there was one that was rted to the name ¡¯Tingting¡¯.


    ording to Song Menghwa, this happened when she was in kindergarten. Her name was Song Qingchun, so the kids at the kindergarten would call her Qingqing or Qingchun. Actually, the name ¡¯Qingchun¡¯ was quite pleasant, but to her ears at the time, it sounded like a boy¡¯s name.


    She didn¡¯t remember much about this incident, but ording to Song Menghwa, Song Qingchun had been angry at him for giving her such a boyish name. She had created a ruckus, demanding to have a name change.


    Song Menghwa yielded to her demands and told her toe up with her own name, and they would refer to her with that name. Of course, Song Menghwa was merely indulging in her girlish fancy; nothing came of this, obviously. Regardless, Song Qingchun spent the whole afternooning up a new name for herself.


    The first name she could think of was Song Tiantian, then it was Song Tingting, before finally changing it to Song Nuannuan. Listening to how Song Menghwa retold it, she used the whole afternoon toe up with three names and yet spent less than three hours using each. Before the night even ended, her Song Nuannuan had be Song Yiyi.


    Whenever Song Menghwa recounted this story, Song Qingchun wouldugh. Even thinking about it now, Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t help but be amused by her young self. Song Qingchunughed while appreciating her childhood naivet¨¦. However, just as she did so, the sleeping man suddenly pulled his eyes open. His gaze that looked at her appeared to be hiding a mental breakdown. He hissed at her through gritted teeth, "Scammer!"


    Song Qingchun was confused by the sudden scolding. She looked at Su Zhinian with utter confusion, innocence written all over her face.


    Is he scolding me? Or is he sleep talking...


    Before the thought could fully form, Su Zhinian spoke again. "Song Qingchun, you immoral scammer!"


    Then, Su Zhinian peeled off theforter, got out of bed, and dashed toward the bathroom. He then mmed the bathroom door loudly.


    Song Qingchun puffed up her cheeks and pouted at the closed bathroom room. She grumbled softly, "What kind of person acts like this? The first thing he does after waking up is tobel people as scammer. What did I scam from him, his virginity or innocence?"


    In the bathroom, Su Zhinian had a hard time dissolving the grievances in his heart. With his eyes closed, Song Qingchun¡¯s grumbling drifted into his ears. He took several deep breaths.


    His question fromst night was answered. No wonder she couldn¡¯t remember telling him her name was Tingting.


    So, the name she gave him after he used all his money to buy those two lollipops was one that she had abandoned after less than three hours.

 Chapter 251: One Danger After Another (2)

    Chapter 251: One Danger After Another (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She still dares to grumble? What has she scammed from me? She, Song Qingchun, has used a "Tingting" to scam the determination and passion of my whole life!


    ...


    Even though Su Zhinian was stilling down from the anger of realizing Song Qingchun was the world¡¯s most horrific scammer, he didn¡¯t ignore Song Qingchun. After leaving the bathroom, he brought her to enjoy a scrumptious lunch and drove her back to the city, dropping her right at the entrance of herpany before parting.


    Often, the rtionship between humans would increase and decrease in the subtlest of ways.


    Even though Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian still abided by the contract, their rtionship had started to change since that night.


    Song Qingchun still referred to him as "Mr. Su", but the number of times she called him "Su Zhinian" had drastically increased.


    Even though she was still his maid in a certain capacity, he would asionallye to lend her a hand like helping her wash the cooking ingredients, wipe the table, or there were a few days where it was he who prepared the breakfast.


    She was still cautious around him and had some reservations, but she was already much more rxedpared to before when it felt like she was constantly walking on a minefield. Sometimes during dinner, she would chat noisily with him or tell him a joke; she even asked him to join her in game whenever there was an opening in his schedule.


    As they say, you couldn¡¯t have the cake and eat it. While her rtionship with Su Zhinian improved, Song Qingchun found herself bing more distant from Qin Yinan.


    There was no argument between the two; ever since they were little kids, there had never been any secrets between Song Qingchun and Qin Yinan, the only exception being the fact that she was secretly in love with him.


    However, after that night, Song Qingchun stopped seeing Qin Yinan as a confidante. For example, she didn¡¯t tell him that Song Cheng hadn¡¯t died bymitting suicide, and not even good news like Song Empire¡¯s revenue had increased fifty percent ever since Su Zhinian¡¯s take over.


    Beyond that, she stopped messaging Qin Yinan daily or bugging him toe out to lunch or dinner with her.


    Song Qingchun worked at the samepany as Tang Nuan. Qin Yinan would oftene to fetch Tang Nuan, so there was plenty of opportunity for Song Qingchun to meet Qin Yinan. Whenever that happened, they would nod at each other and chat for a while, but the usual rapport and closeness Song Qingchun used to feel around Qin Yinan hadpletely disappeared.


    From the conversation with Qin Yinan, she knew Qin Yinan had cemented the rtionship with Tang Nuan. After so many years of hard-work, he had finally managed to get Tang Nuan to ept him; they were finally an actual couple.


    In the end, she didn¡¯t expose Tang Nuan¡¯s real behavior. However, she had truly and really given up on Qin Yinan. Thest good thing she did for this man that she had silently pursued for so many years was hiding the fact that it was Song Qingchun herself who had beenmunicating with him through those notes.


    She believed that was thest non-regrettable thing she would do for this man in this one-sided rtionship that had haunted her for years.


    The months flew by, and soon, it was the end of January. In about eight days, it would be the Lunar New Year.


    The workload before the New Year was always high. Oftentimes, people would leave the office in a daze after a full day ofborious work.


    At the end of one such day, Song Qingchun stumbled into an rming incident.

 Chapter 252: One Danger After Another (3)

    Chapter 252: One Danger After Another (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The Station Manager came to announce some things right before the time to get off work, causing a half-hour dy to the time they could leave the office.


    After the Station Manager left, Song Qingchun went to use the bathroom. When she came out, the whole office had already disappeared, only the cleaners remained.


    Song Qingchun put her things away and took the elevator. In the lobby, the two receptionists had left. The only one there was the security guard.


    After exiting the revolving door, Song Qingchun was hit in the face by a st of cold wind. She quickly turned around to zip up her coat. After she put on the scarf and the wool cap, she heard a familiar voice calling her from behind. "Song Song."


    Song Qingchun froze before turning around to see Qin Yinan¡¯s car parked by the roadside. He was sat in the driver¡¯s seat with his head leaning out the window. With a smile on his face, he asked, "Getting off work?"


    Song Qingchun adjusted the wool cap on her head and moved down the steps slowly. She stopped about one meter away from his car and replied, "Brother Yinan."


    Qin Yinan smiled even brighter. He opened the car lock and pointed at the seat behind him. "It¡¯s quite cold outside, do you want toe in to wait?"


    Song Qingchun shook her head. Before she could answer Qin Yinan, Tang Nuan¡¯s voice came from the other side. "Yinan,e and help me take these, they¡¯re hot."


    Song Qingchun turned toward the voice and saw Tang Nuane out of the caf¨¦ not far away, with two cups of coffee in her hands. She was navigating her way down a series of steps.


    "Song Song, I¡¯m sorry, please wait for a moment." Qin Yinan tossed Song Qingchun an apologetic smile before opening the car door to dash toward Tang Nuan. He reached out to take the coffees away from Tang Nuan as they walked back to the car.


    When he reached the car, Qin Yinan passed one of the coffees to Song Qingchun without a second thought. "Song Song, here. This will warm you up."


    Tang Nuan, who had seen Song Qingchun a while ago, made a show of sipping her coffee slowly before smiling to greet Song Qingchun. "Qingchun."


    Song Qingchun nced at Tang Nuan but did not respond. She shook her head at the cup of coffee Qin Yinan offered and rejected him with some random reason she pulled out of thin air. "Thank you, Brother Yinan, but my stomach is not feeling too good today."


    Tang Nuan, who stood to the side, quietly gave Song Qingchun a faded smile as she threw her a side-eye, as if saying she had expected Song Qingchun¡¯s answer.


    On the other hand, when Qin Yinan heard this, his brows furrowed, and he asked with concern, "Is it a stomach virus? Have you been to the doctor?"


    Tang Nuan, who thought she was on the winning side, froze when she heard these concern-filled questions from Qin Yinan. She slowly pulled the cup of coffee away from her lips as dissatisfaction crept onto her face.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s response was in line with his usual self; he was always this worried when she said she was not feeling well. The old Song Qingchun would have her heart warmed whenever she saw this reaction on Qin Yinan, but now her heart was unusually unaffected.


    Song Qingchun smiled slightly and replied, "I¡¯m fine; it¡¯s just that coffee is not good for an empty stomach."


    Qin Yinan¡¯s expression visibly rxed. Noticing the caf¨¦ not far away, he said, "Wait for me, I¡¯ll go buy something for you to eat."

 Chapter 253: One Danger After Another (4)

    Chapter 253: One Danger After Another (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    As he said so, Qin Yinan let go of Tang Nuan¡¯s hand.


    An intense hatred immediately filled Tang Nuan¡¯s eyes. The only reason she agreed to be Qin Yinan¡¯s girlfriend was because she couldn¡¯t give Song Qingchun the opportunity to confess to Qin Yinan.


    She was the most familiar with Song Qingchun¡¯s personality. Qin Yinan was her Achilles¡¯ heel. Even though Tang Nuan knew Song Qingchun hated her to the core, for the sake of preserving the illusion of happiness in Qin Yinan¡¯s mind, Song Qingchun wouldn¡¯t dare expose her true nature.


    Tang Nuan believed she had to be the most important individual in Qin Yinan¡¯s heart because he had abandoned Song Qingchun many times for her sake. However, during the bet at Beijing Restaurant, Qin Yinan had chosen to save Song Qingchun and not her.


    Other than Song Qingchun, who looked on with a face full of shock, she couldn¡¯t believe what had happened either.


    However, looking at it in retrospect, Qin Yinan had probably gone to save Song Qingchun because he had seen her evade the falling vase. She was convinced that she was definitely the most important person in Qin Yinan¡¯s heart. She was irreceable.


    However, unbeknownst to herself, the choice made by Qin Yinan at Beijing Restaurant had still cast a shadow over her conviction. She started to mind the little acts of kindness Qin Yinan usually performed for Song Qingchun. She started to notice Qin Yinan seemed to treat Song Qingchun as well as he treated her.


    Qin Yinan suddenly turned, as if remembering something. "Song Song, what would you like? How about a sandwich and atte?"


    Tang Nuan¡¯s gaze turned colder; her fingers curled more tightly around the paper cup, causing it to crumble slightly in her grasp. All of these years, the only leg up she had over Song Qingchun was her dominance of Qin Yinan¡¯s attention and pampering, but she was even losing that onest advantage.


    Her lips stretched into a thin line, and her eyes narrowed. With a tip of her wrist, she sshed the hot coffee on her arm. Then she started to scream for help.


    Qin Yinan, who was leaving, turned toward Tang Nuan when he heard the yelling. His brows furrowed with concern when he saw the welt on her arm. He dashed to her side to grab her arm and examine the injury. As he studied it, he asked in a voice that was a mixture of concern and reproach, "How can you be so careless?"


    Tang Nuan¡¯s eyes started to mist, and she looked at Qin Yinan silently but with a face full of innocence.


    Qin Yinan reached through the open car window to pull out two wet napkins. He wiped away the coffee stain carefully and blew on the injury dotingly. "This might get serious if not treated immediately. I think we¡¯d better go to the clinic to have it checked out."


    I was right all along; I am the most important in this poor man¡¯s heart because only I can eclipse the existence of Song Qingchun in his heart whenever I feel like it.


    Tang Nuan nced at Song Qingchun and rewarded the other woman with a condescending and brilliant smile. The next second, she told Qin Yinan in a gentle tone, "Yinan, I¡¯m fine. You¡¯d better go get something for Qingchun to eat."


    Qin Yinan was not clued into Tang Nuan¡¯s petty trick, but Song Qingchun, of course, knew what she was doing.


    Can you be a little more fake?


    Song Qingchun scoffed internally and ignored the taunting gaze from Tang Nuan. Before Qin Yinan said anything, she opened her mouth.

 Chapter 254: One Danger After Another (5)

    Chapter 254: One Danger After Another (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Brother Yinan, that won¡¯t be necessary. I will just return home to have dinner; there¡¯s no reason to fill up now."


    Tang Nuan had used this tactic many times, and it usually managed to hit Song Qingchun where it hurt. Even after the first time she had decided to give up on Qin Yinan, Tang Nuan¡¯s repeated tactic honestly still irked her.


    However, now, perhaps Song Qingchun had reached a state of zen. She felt like an outsider watching in. Other than pity for Qin Yinan, the pain that usually wracked her heart was nowhere to be found. Other than that, she also felt a teensy bit annoyed that Tang Nuan didn¡¯t know how to appreciate the good man that she hadnded.


    Qin Yinan was reminded of the task that he was in the middle of doing. He turned to Song Qingchun apologetically and said, "Song Song..."


    The two of them had known each other for years; sometimes, they could tell what was on the other person¡¯s mind without the use of words. Song Qingchun smiled and interrupted him. "Brother Yinan, you¡¯d better take Tang Nuan to the hospital now; I¡¯ll be leaving."


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t want to stay in Tang Nuan¡¯spany any longer, so she waved goodbye at Qin Yinan and turned to leave.


    ...


    Usually Song Qingchun would take the taxi home, but due to the dy caused by the Station Manager and the couple, Song Qingchun chose to take the subway. She was afraid she might not be able to reach Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow before 7 pm otherwise.


    Herpany was around one and a half kilometers from the subway station. As she turned a corner, a man in arge ck coat suddenly appeared to ost her. "I¡¯m sorry, Miss. Do you mind telling me where Hwa Rong Mall is?"


    Song Qingchun was a native Beijing resident. However, the city had transformed a lot over the past decade. She might not know all the new roads or locations, but she was still familiar with the few famous locales, like the city mall.


    Song Qingchun stopped to give the man directions without hesitation.


    However, since her scarf was covering half of her face, Song Qingchun¡¯s words were a bit jumbled as evidenced by the man when he asked apologetically, "I¡¯m sorry, Miss, I can¡¯t hear you clearly. Do you mind removing your scarf?"


    Song Qingchun pulled her scarf off and repeated everything she had said to the man. The man focusedpletely on her face throughout. Even when Song Qingchun was done, he was still staring directly at her face.


    Song Qingchun was feeling ufortable under his scrutiny, so she coughed lightly and added, "So, have you remembered all that?"


    The man came to, and with his eyes still on Song Qingchun¡¯s face, he nodded in quick session. He thanked her multiple times before parting. As he left, he even turned to look at Song Qingchun several times.


    Perhaps Song Qingchun had imagined it, but she felt the way the man studied her was more than simple curiosity. She put the scarf back on and hurried toward the subway station.


    The station was crowded. Song Qingchun followed the crowd as she passed through the safety inspection. The train had arrived by the time she reached the tform. However, due to the immense crowd, she didn¡¯t squeeze into it and decided to wait for the next train.


    The train took away around ny percent of the passengers who had stood waiting at the tform.

 Chapter 255: One Danger After Another (6)

    Chapter 255: One Danger After Another (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun managed to squeeze to the front of the crowd. While she waited for the train to arrive, she pulled out her phone to check her messages.


    In less than a minute, the tform started to fill again.


    The speakers announced that the train would be arriving soon. Song Qingchun put away her phone to prepare to board the train. Before Song Qingchun realized what was happening, she was shoved forcefully from behind and sent flying beyond the yellow line.


    The incident was so sudden that Song Qingchun only managed to hear people yelling, "Be careful."


    She was about to tumble into the rails propelled by the momentum when someone from the crowd reached out to grab her arm. Amid the cacophony, she was pulled back into the crowd.


    The person¡¯s first instinct was to save her, so he had not measured the force of his pull. Song Qingchun crashed into his chest and both of them copsed to the floor. Several secondster, the train sped into the station.


    The tform was silent for about ten seconds before themotion started again. The kind-hearted in the crowd asked concernedly, "Are you two alright?"


    "I¡¯m fine."


    The person who had saved Song Qingchun was a young fe. He grinned brightly at the crowd and jumped up from the floor in one smooth motion. As he patted the dust away from his clothes, he saw Song Qingchun was still lying dazed on the floor. He squatted down to help her up and asked, "Hey, are you okay?"


    There was still a trace of fear in Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes. She turned mechanically to look at the young man, following his voice.


    Her gaze was nk and her face pale; she was obviously spooked by the sudden incident.


    The train slowed to a stop, and the doors opened. The crowd noticed the two¡¯s rtive safety and gradually filed into the train.


    Song Qingchun felt her legs going rubbery from shock. The young man pitied her in this condition, so he decided to help her to the best of his ability. He supported her as the two of them got onto the train.


    The train had passed two stations by the time Song Qingchun slowly recovered. The dangerous incident at the tform reyed in her mind in slow motion like in the movies. Her heart started to palpitate, and she broke out in cold sweat.


    If not for the young man who had reached out for her arm, she would have been a meat cake by now...


    Song Qingchun closed her eyes to calm her mind. After several deep breaths, she finally reached a state where she was operable. She then opened her eyes to look at her savior.


    The young man was around eighteen or neen. He was tall, and his face seemed to be ready to break into a smile any time. The young man felt her gaze on him and gave her another face-wide grin. "Are you feeling better now?"


    Song Qingchun responded with a smile of her own and replied, "Much better now, thank you very much."


    The young man started to blush when he saw her smile. He raised his hand rather awkwardly to scratch his head, and he replied in a stammer, "It¡ª it¡¯s nothing important. Don¡¯t¡ª don¡¯t need to thank me."

 Chapter 256: One Danger After Another (7)

    Chapter 256: One Danger After Another (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun smiled, looking at the young man¡¯s cute reaction. She smiled and thanked him once more, which only seemed to make the man blush even harder; his face was so red that Song Qingchun was worried blood was going to start pouring out of his nostrils.


    Song Qingchun changed the subject. "What¡¯s your name?"


    The man raised his finger to fiddle with the sses sitting on his nose before answering, "Gao Ming."


    After a pause, he asked, "What about you?"


    "Song Qingchun."


    "That sounds so familiar like I¡¯ve heard it somewhere before... Wait, I remember now, you¡¯re that reporter from TW Station, aren¡¯t you?"


    ...


    Song Qingchun found out the young man was a second-year university student and a Hubei native.


    It was Song Qingchun who reached her destination station first. She wanted to treat the young man to a meal as sign of appreciation, but he rejected her offer because he was on the way to a date with his girlfriend.


    As she exited the subway, the rush of cold wind on her face cleared Song Qingchun¡¯s mind greatly.


    As she walked toward Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow, she reyed the incident in her mind. She still shivered from the possible consequences.


    When Song Qingchun arrived at his front door, she pulled out her phone to ry her experience that day among her circle of friends. She ended it with an "I almost met God today" coupled with a "crying" and "frowning face" emoji.


    ...


    Su Zhinian, who was managing twopanies at the same time, was the busiest he had ever been during this period before Lunar New Year.


    He had just finished a video conference with Song Empire¡¯s top management, and before he could grab a gulp of water, he was called to attend another meeting by Cheng Qingchong.


    Su Zhinian massaged the bridge of his nose to relieve the tension that had started to gather in his mind. He stood up, grabbed his phone, and left the office.


    Hugging a stack of documents andptop, Cheng Qingchong hurried behind him. When Su Zhinian almost reached the meeting room, he received a message alert on his phone.


    Su Zhinian pulled it out and realized it was a WhatsApp message. He clicked it open and saw it was a new message in a group. He was about to exit when he noticed thetest sender was Song Qingchun. He immediately opened it.


    "Today, when I was taking the subway home, I was pushed beyond the yellow line. If not for the young man who pulled me back, I guess I would have been tomorrow¡¯s morning headline... That was too close! Even now, my heart is still beating. I almost met God today...????"


    Su Zhinian suddenly stopped moving.


    Cheng Qingchong turned to look at him with befuddlement. "CEO Su?"


    Her words fell on deaf ears as Su Zhinian stared with absolute focus at the phone screen. Then, his brows furrowed deeply. He pointed at the door, signaling for Cheng Qingchong to head in first. Then he walked toward the window, pressing a series of a numbers on his phone.


    His call was picked up almost immediately. Following Song Qingchun¡¯s greeting, Su Zhinian could also hear the sound of rushing water and the whirring of the exhaust fan.


    She¡¯s cooking? Then it really seems like she¡¯s safe and sound.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s worried heart finally rxed. He was about to sigh in relief when the expression on his face froze because he...

 Chapter 257: One Danger After Another (8)

    Chapter 257: One Danger After Another (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Because he heard through the phone, other than the sound of her cooking, there was also an undercurrent of other sound.


    The sound was soft and weak. Even he, with exceptional hearing, could barely pick it up, much less a normal person. The sound was out of ce. It was something he had not heard around his bungalow for the two years he had stayed there.


    The noise on Song Qingchun¡¯s end was rather loud because she was in the kitchen. On his end, the staff were working overtime. The sound of printers, people on the phone, secretaries chatting in the break room, the honking of cars outside... they all conspired to muddle his hearing, making it hard for him to discern the source of the incongruent sound from Song Qingchun¡¯s end.


    Song Qingchun put the phone on speaker and ced it on the counter. She waited for a long time, but there was no reply from Su Zhinian. As she washed the vegetables, she said a questioning "hello" into the phone and called his name. "Su Zhinian?"


    Su Zhinian was so focused on discerning the curious sound that he merely responded with an offhand "hmm" before going silent again.


    After she finished washing the vegetables, Song Qingchun turned off the tap and pulled out a few napkins to dry the water on her hands. She picked up the phone and asked, "Why did you call?"


    Su Zhinian could hear clearer now that the sound of the water was going. He didn¡¯t answer Song Qingchun immediately but held his breath to focus on that barely discernible sound.


    The sound had a rhythm to it; it came fast and slow, fast and slow... It sounded like human breathing, and from the heaviness of the sound, the breathing of a man!


    This bungalow was his personal property; other than Tang Nuo, no one knew about it. Tang Nuo was in the conference room, waiting for the meeting to start, so this man... was her guest?


    Su Zhinian¡¯s gaze that looked out at the glittering neon lights of the city suddenly turned chilly. He asked in a brusque tone, "You have a guest at home?"


    Song Qingchun was about to ask Su Zhinian, Why aren¡¯t you saying anything? However, she stopped when she heard that question from Su Zhinian.


    She first responded with a confused "huh?" before pulling open the kitchen door to look into the living room. Then the perplexed Song Qingchun added, "No... I¡¯m the only one home."


    After leaving the kitchen, without the influence from the exhaust fan, Su Zhinian could hear the sound even clearer.


    The breathing wasing from upstairs, and Song Qingchun didn¡¯t sound like she was lying.


    Before Su Zhinian¡¯s mind could analyze what was really happening, he heard footsteps, yes, it was from that person. He could hear the man glide surreptitiously across the floor, stopping often, lest he make too much noise...


    Su Zhinian frowned instantly and realized with a start that there was a burr in his house.

 Chapter 258: One Danger After Another (9)

    Chapter 258: One Danger After Another (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    It¡¯s fine if things at the house are stolen, but... if the thief stumbles into Song Qingchun and harms her in the heat of the moment or just to cover up his tracks...


    When he reached this part of his thought, Song Qingchun¡¯s confusion-filled voice came from the phone. "Su Zhinian, why would you ask that so suddenly?"


    "Qingchun." The moment Song Qingchun finished her sentence, Su Zhinian called her name.


    "Hmm?" Song Qingchun replied instinctually, then she suddenly realized ever since the night that they had the deep talk, he had started calling her Qingchun instead of the earlier Miss Song or Song Qingchun.


    "I¡¯m in the mood for green bean soup; go to the supermarket to help me buy some green beans." Su Zhinian believed the best solution was to get Song Qingchun out of the house before she had a chance to run into the burr.


    After giving the order, Su Zhinian dashed toward his office.


    Song Qingchun, who was still ruminating on the change of title, replied offhandedly, "Okay."


    Then she tilted her head to look out the window, thinking to herself, The change in how he addresses me is a bit sudden¡ªit literally happened overnight¡ªbut the word Qingchun sounded quite mellifluousing from his lips...


    Su Zhinian grabbed his car keys from his office and dashed toward the elevator without even taking his jacket.


    His gait was hurried, and he looked nervous; he even started to jog after a while.


    The workers who saw this were confused. Cheng Qingchong came out of the meeting room, and she had just yelled out "CEO Su" when the elevator door closed.


    Su Zhinian stared at the red number on the elevator panel that was changing. He realized that the girl on the other end of the phone merely replied once, and he stopped hearing any sound from her end, so he asked again, "Did you hear me or not?"


    "I did..." Song Qingchun blinked into consciousness and replied obediently, "We have green beans at home; I¡¯ll start cooking now..."


    Su Zhinian frowned. "Never mind, I¡¯ve changed my mind. Leave the green beans alone, go buy some oatmeal from the supermarket."


    "We have oatmeal at home too; I just bought some yesterday."


    Su Zhinian was rattled. As he started his car, he went through all the meals that he could think of off the top of his head. "How about red bean? Corn? Salmon steak? Lately, Beijing has been suffering from haze; you¡¯d better go buy some Chinese yam..."


    As if afraid that Song Qingchun would say they already had all that at home, he added after taking a pause, "Then, buy some tomatoes. I remember we don¡¯t have eggs left in the fridge, so get some of those too. Also, remember to get some detergent and soap while you¡¯re there..."


    Before Su Zhinian could finish, Song Qingchun cut him off. "Have you forgotten? We just went to the supermarket yesterday. We bought most of what you mentioned yesterday. Especially the eggs, we bought a whole case, remember? The fridge can barely fit anymore."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s car left the underground parking lot and stopped moving after one minute.


    He was caught in a severe traffic jam. Honking and red lights formed a palpable wall, caving him in.


    On Song Qingchun¡¯s end, the burr upstairs probably heard Song Qingchun on the phone and thought that she wasing up. His footsteps were much more cautious. After what sounded like the rustling of clothing, Su Zhinian heard the crisp sound of a flick knife being opened.

 Chapter 259: One Danger After Another (10)

    Chapter 259: One Danger After Another (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    His hands that gripped the steering wheel shook as his heart shivered. With cold sweat crawling down his face and back, he yelled vehemently into the phone, interrupting Song Qingchun, "Song Qingchun, go to the market if I tell you too, stop giving me so many excuses!"


    Song Qingchun could sense the imposing presence through the phone, causing her lips to mp shut.


    Perhaps it had been so long since Su Zhinian was angry at her, but the sudden change flustered Song Qingchun; she stammered for a reply. Furthermore, they had been talking amiably just one second earlier; the switch was too much for her to handle.


    With the car still caught in traffic, Su Zhinian grumbled in an irked tone, seeing as Song Qingchun still hadn¡¯t given a response, "Why aren¡¯t you moving? Did you not hear me?"


    As he finished, Su Zhinian heard the sound of Song Qingchun grabbing her coat off the rack and rushing out of the house.


    As the door mmed shut, Su Zhinian¡¯s heart that had reached his throat finally rxed. He was afraid that Song Qingchun would reach home before him while the burr was still there, so he added in a more warm tone, "Wait for me at the entrance to the mall, I¡¯ll be there in a minute."


    The mood of the girl who had been scolded for no reason was a bit low, so she merely answered with an unsatisfied "Okay."


    Su Zhinian could hear the unhappiness in her voice. He opened his lips, attempting to say a few words of constion, but he didn¡¯t know where to start, so in the end, he kept silent. He hung up after he heard her getting out of the gate.


    The traffic was so bad that the car barely moved a hundred meters in five minutes. It was then that Su Zhinian saw the sign for a subway station out of the corner of his eyes. After weighing all the possible consequences in his mind, Su Zhinian pushed open the car door, abandoned his car in the middle of the road and dashed toward the subway station.


    ...


    Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t remember clearly thest time Su Zhinian had been so angry at her.


    When she first moved into his bungalow, suffering because of his impossible mood swings was part of her job scope. Almost every time they met, he would scold or berate her.


    At the time, she had gotten used to his cranky personality. Inparison, his tone wasn¡¯t even that bad¡ªhe was merely being a bit more adamant than usual¡ªit was nothingpared to his early outburst. However, for some reason, she felt greatly saddened by it in her heart.


    In fact, as she pushed the shopping cart and picked up the eggs as he had ordered, tears came inexplicably to her eyes. There was an unspeakable grievance festering in her chest.


    Song Qingchun paid for the items with a frowning pout. Just as she exited the mall, she saw Su Zhinian walk toward her, holding a phone in his palm. It looked like he was on the phone.


    Then, Song Qingchun¡¯s phone rang. She pretended not to hear it, standing beside the shopping cart with her head bowed, bagging her purchase.


    Several minutester, a shadow appeared beside her.


    Without raising her head, Song Qingchun knew it was Su Zhinian based on the scent that lingered on his body.


    "Why aren¡¯t you answering your phone?" Su Zhinian¡¯s light voice came from above her head.


    Song Qingchun ignored him and focusedpletely on the task of shoving household items into shopping bags.

 Chapter 260: Im Sorry and Its Okay (1)

    Chapter 260: I¡¯m Sorry and It¡¯s Okay (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian stared at the top of her fuzzy head for a while and reached out to help wordlessly. Song Qingchun still didn¡¯t give him any response, not even a nce his way.


    The two of them packed the purchases in silence.


    Su Zhinian had ordered her to buy quite a lot of things, enough to fill up two full bags. The cart was not allowed to leave the mall entrance, so Song Qingchun reached out to carry one of the bags as they prepared to leave. However, before she could take even a step, the bag was taken away by Su Zhinian. "I¡¯ll take it."


    Song Qingchun froze slightly before letting her hand go.


    After leaving the supermarket, Song Qingchun instinctively aimed her eyes at the roadside, but she failed to spot Su Zhinian¡¯s car.


    He didn¡¯t drive? Song Qingchun frowned in confusion and followed behind Su Zhinian, who was carrying the two bags, one in each hand, as they headed toward the residential area.


    Su Zhinian had a fast gait, so he would asionally find himself walking far ahead of Song Qingchun; however, when that happened, he would stop for a moment and only resumed walking when he heard Song Qingchun¡¯s approaching footsteps.


    It was not until they had almost reached their housing area that Song Qingchun realized Su Zhinian was only wearing a thin shirt in the middle of winter.


    Song Qingchun, who had been giving Su Zhinian the cold shoulder, started to notice various incongruities on his attire. His usually pressed and clean shirt was rumpled like he had just squeezed through a crowd.


    When they reached his ce, Song Qingchun raised her finger to key in the password. However, Su Zhinian suddenly grabbed her wrist. He stared at the closed door for a moment, appearing to be deep in thought before letting her hand go.


    What is up with him tonight? Song Qingchun rolled her eyes and then proceeded to key in the password. She pushed open the door, changed into a pair of indoor slippers, and went into the kitchen.


    Looks like she is really unhappy this time... She didn¡¯t even help me get my slippers.


    Su Zhinian stared at Song Qingchun¡¯s back for a while before cing the two bags on the floor. Then he bent down to grab his own slippers from the shoe rack.


    Su Zhinian categorized the purchases and stashed them in the fridge. He nced at Song Qingchun, who was working at the stove, through the ss door of the kitchen before heading upstairs.


    Su Zhinian pushed the doors to all the upstairs rooms open. All the rooms looked tidy and untouched, but Su Zhinian, with his eye for detail, still managed to pick out signs of the room being searched. The rooms were merely returned to their original state after the search.


    Su Zhinian had the habit of keeping some cash at home in case of emergency. His stash of cash was ced in his bedside table¡¯s drawer. There wasn¡¯t even a lock, so his first reaction was to pull the drawer open. The cash was still in there, untouched.


    Su Zhinian pulled out the wad of cash and gave it a rough count. He then realized the amount of correct.


    Su Zhinian frowned, ced the money back into its ce, and left for his study.


    With just a rudimentary scan, he could confirm that no one had been inside his study.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s heart that had rxed from noticing Song Qingchun¡¯s safety started to palpitate again.


    Someone has obviously been in the house but none of the valuables are missing. Mypany¡¯s secrets were ced openly on the study table; they were unmoved as well.


    This means that the burr... was not here for the money orpany secrets, so that person wasn¡¯t really a burr to begin with.


    Then, if he was not here for the money, he was here for the person living here?


    But who? Me or Song Qingchun?

 Chapter 261: Im Sorry and Its Okay (2)

    Chapter 261: I¡¯m Sorry and It¡¯s Okay (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The naturally erudite Su Zhinian pulled his attention to the group message that Song Qingchun had sent after some contemtion.


    The day she met with danger at the subway station, an unknown person broke into the house. Once, it might be a coincidence, but twice?


    Su Zhinian was reminded of the sound of the flick knife he had heard on the phone during his phone call with Song Qingchun, and his jaw tightened.


    The normal first reaction for a burr when caught is to run, but this man chose to arm himself instead...


    Obviously, he came prepared, probably to take someone¡¯s life...


    And quite possibly, all the coincidences that happened today day weren¡¯t really coincidences...


    So, the ident at the subway station was probably hiding a bigger conspiracy, with the intention to murder.


    There was ack of emotion on Su Zhinian¡¯s face, but his eyes were radiating a sub-zero temperature.


    And it looks like they¡¯re targeting Song Qingchun.


    Their purpose was clear, to take her life, but who are these people? And what did she do to attract the ire of such individuals? And what was that man looking for, ransacking almost every room in his house¡¯s second floor?


    The document in Su Zhinian¡¯s hands crinkled from force, and his usually calm face scowled with brutality as an aura of pure fury emanated around him, sucking the air out of the room.


    Regardless, as long as he was there, no harm was going toe to Song Qingchun!


    ...


    Song Qingchun, who had been scolded by Su Zhinian for no reason, still hadn¡¯t recovered from her misery. After making dinner, she didn¡¯t go upstairs to call him like usual but informed him through the in-house monitor.


    On the dining table, other than the sound of utensils and tes, there was no other sound. After having her fill, Song Qingchun collected the empty tes from the dining table and went into the kitchen wordlessly.


    When she had cleaned, put everything away, left the kitchen, she was shocked to realize Su Zhinian was still sitting in the dining room. She lowered her head and was ready to walk past him when Su Zhinian¡¯s faded voice called after her, saying, "Brew me a cup of coffee and bring it to my study."


    Then, he stood up, pushed the chair he was sitting on under the table, and headed upstairs.


    After the coffee was brewed and she was going to head upstairs, Song Qingchun, in her lousy mood, spotted the pepper shaker left on the dining table. Her pupils turned for a moment and then they lit up brightly because she¡¯d just had a lightbulb moment. She ced the coffee on the dining room and reached for the pepper shaker. She shook some into the brown liquid and stirred it with the tiny spoon. As she did so, she chuckled rather wickedly.


    "Who asked you to suddenly go crazy and be mad at me? And you still want me to brew you coffee? Fine, have a taste of my specially made Pepper Coffee Extravaganza!"


    After the ck pepper hadpletely dissolved, Song Qingchun nodded in satisfaction as she washed the spoon and ced it back on the saucer.


    The study door was open, and Su Zhinian was seated in front of theputer, typing something expressionlessly.


    Before Song Qingchun knocked on the door, Su Zhinian lifted his head to look at her as if he could sense her arrival. Then he nodded at the table, signaling for her to put the coffee there.

 Chapter 262: Im Sorry and Its Okay (3)

    Chapter 262: I¡¯m Sorry and It¡¯s Okay (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun walked into the room and ced the coffee on an empty space on the table obediently.


    The moment she put the coffee cup down, Su Zhinian¡¯s hand reached for it and picked it up. Song Qingchun had intended to leave and let the whole thing y out on its own, but when she saw Su Zhinian¡¯s action, she stopped as if frozen.


    She stared directly at the cup that moved closer and closer to Su Zhinian¡¯s lips, and she started to snicker internally.


    However, just as the cup was going to reach the man¡¯s lips, he stopped.


    Su Zhinian raised his originally lowered eyes to meet Song Qingchun¡¯s gaze. He noticed her eyes that were glued to the coffee cup in his hand. His gaze studied her face and moved the cup away from his lips. Even though he knew the truth, he asked purposely, "Do you want a sip?"


    Song Qingchun was startled. It took her a moment to realize that Su Zhinian had misunderstood her constant gaze on the coffee cup. She shook her head immediately.


    Su Zhinian ignored her shaking head and passed her the cup. His kind offer made Song Qingchun swallow the rejection that had reached her throat.


    When Song Qingchun heard that, she almost choked on her saliva. She waved her hand at Su Zhinian and added obediently, "That¡¯s fine, Mr. Su, this is for you. I¡¯ll just brew another cup for myselfter."


    Su Zhinian insisted generously, "No, it¡¯s okay. The coffee smell has woken me up quite nicely already; you can have the drink."


    Then, he moved the cup even closer to Song Qingchun, offering it to her.


    No, this is definitely not okay! This is my revenge plot; if I took the fixed drink, then I really would be stupid!


    Just as Song Qingchun racked her mind, trying toe up with a suitable excuse to convince Su Zhinian to drink the coffee, the man, who had been staring at theputer screen, nced at her because she still hadn¡¯t epted the cup. He even added a confused-sounding "Hmm?"


    As they say, a guilty conscience makes one a coward. Song Qingchun was spooked by this seemingly innocent, questioning gaze by Su Zhinian. Then, no matter how reluctant she was, she epted the coffee cuppliantly.


    "Drink it while it¡¯s hot," Su Zhinian added before turning back to theputer screen. After he turned his face away from her view, a hue of warm smile appeared at the bottom of his eyes.


    He looked to be focusing on hisputer, but actually, he had been following the girl¡¯s movements out of the corner of his eye. She had the cup of coffee wrapped around the palm of her hands, and a frown was fixed on her face. Her lips moved alternatingly between a pout and a frown.


    The smile in Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes deepened, softening the presence around him.


    After a moment, he turned around after concealing the mirth in his eyes and asked, "Why are you just holding it?"


    Then, he added in an overly suspicious tone, "Could it be that there¡¯s something wrong with the coffee?"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart was quivering, but she had to maintain an appreciative smile on her face.


    What have I done? I¡¯ve shot myself in the foot, haven¡¯t I? Just how did this happen? Why am I the one being punished here? I did nothing wrong, but if I don¡¯t drink this, isn¡¯t it obvious that there is indeed something wrong with the coffee?


    Song Qingchun gritted her teeth surreptitiously and raised the cup to her lips.

 Chapter 263: Im Sorry and Its Okay (4)

    Chapter 263: I¡¯m Sorry and It¡¯s Okay (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    However, when the cup reached her lips, Song Qingchun¡¯s conviction faded.


    If she didn¡¯t know there was some issue with the coffee, she would have finished the cup in one gulp, but she had an issue doing that with such gusto while knowing there was indeed something wrong with the cup of coffee.


    Song Qingchun weighed the options silently in her mind before suddenly yelping out loud as if she just remembered something. She opened her mouth to say, "Mr. Su, I just remembered that my favorite drama is starting soon. Do you mind if I take this coffee downstairs to enjoy with the drama?"


    Su Zhinian¡¯s original intention was to toy with her; he hadn¡¯t intended to force her to drink the questionable coffee to begin with. So, he shrugged and nodded easily to conceal the fact that he had seen through her little trick.


    Song Qingchun sighed under her breath. She immediately rushed toward the door as if she couldn¡¯t bear staying for another second in his room.


    Su Zhinian called from behind her when she reached the door, "Wait."


    What now? Has he changed his mind and wants me to finish this cup now?


    Song Qingchun¡¯s body froze with her back facing Su Zhinian. It took her a moment to turn around, and when she did, an exceptionally fawning smile was stered on her face. "Mr. Su, do you have any other orders?"


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t say anything as he released his grasp on the mouse and retrieved something from his study table drawer. Then he stood up, walked around the table, and headed toward her.


    Is heing over to personally force me to drink it?


    Song Qingchun¡¯s ck eyes started to shudder from fear. Just as she was contemting the idea of pretending to let the coffee cup drop from her hand, Su Zhinian stopped before her and passed her the item in his hand. "This is for you."


    It was a ck credit card.


    Song Qingchun was confused and raised her head to let out a confused "Hmm?" at Su Zhinian after some time.


    Su Zhinian was probably really busy with work and didn¡¯t want to waste too much time, so he directly ced the card in Song Qingchun¡¯s shirt pocket. Then he turned and headed back to his desk in a hurry.


    Perhaps Song Qingchun had imagined it, but she felt the man¡¯s series of actions felt rushed, like he was ashamed. In fact, as he returned to his desk, he even identally knocked his feet on the corner of the table.


    As if attempting to conceal his clumsiness, Su Zhinian cleared his throat and sank back down into his chair slowly. Then, facing away from Song Qingchun, he dered in an official tone, "Use that card for any household purchases in the future."


    Su Zhinian grabbed the mouse, and as he keyed in the password to unlock hisputer, he added, "The card¡¯s PIN code is the same as the house¡¯s ess code."


    Throughout, he didn¡¯t take another look at Song Qingchun.


    After a pause, he said, "If there¡¯s nothing else, you can go now."


    Then, he focused on theputer, and the sound of typing began again.


    "Okay."


    Song Qingchun responded sinctly before turning and leaving the study in a rather dazed state, holding the coffee cup in her hands.


    After Song Qingchun closed the door behind her, Su Zhinian closed his eyes and let out a long breath. Then, he continued working on hisputer as a pink blush crawled onto his fair cheeks.

 Chapter 264: Im Sorry and Its Okay (5)

    Chapter 264: I¡¯m Sorry and It¡¯s Okay (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The first thing Song Qingchun did after returning downstairs was flushing the coffee down the toilet. Then, she washed the cup, dried her hands, before reaching for the bank card that Su Zhinian had ced in her pocket.


    A ck card... The card had to have at least 5,000,000 RMB in the ount before the bank would process such a card. In other words, Su Zhinian had given her a card worth 5,000,000 RMB to take care of his living arrangements? Looks like this One RMB Su only chooses to be generous on certain asion, but when he does, it¡¯ll be crazy frightening.


    "But why would he use the same password for some many important things? Don¡¯t tell me those six digits are also the password for his phone,puter, and safety box?" Song Qingchun mumbled to herself as she turned to card around. Her gaze fell on the box where the signature of the owner would normally be. Normally, the box would have the owner¡¯s signature so thatparison could be made if there was a need for it.


    However, on this card given by Su Zhinian, instead of a signature, there were two simply words: I¡¯m sorry.


    The words looked freshly-written; the ink was still drying. Song Qingchun could recognize the handwriting; it was definitely Su Zhinian¡¯s. Therefore, the main reason for giving her the card, other than to pay for the living arrangements, was to apologize to her?


    Is he apologizing for the way he sounded on the phone tonight?


    No wonder he directly shoved the card into her pocket when she didn¡¯t reach for it in the study, and it also exined the hurried way he had scurried back to his desk and chased her out without giving her the opportunity to react.


    The lousy mood that she had been bearing the whole night melted like snow on the first day of spring. In fact, she felt the softest part of her chest go extremely warm and fluffy.


    This arrogant man has actually apologized to me?


    Song Qingchun studied the ¡¯I¡¯m sorry¡¯ on the back of the card, and her lips curved into an involuntarily smile, lighting up her whole face. A curious light was collecting at the bottom of her eyes, and it seemed to soften her features, making her look that much more attractive.


    Song Qingchun stood there, looking at the ck card, for a long time before putting it in her wallet and brewed another cup of coffee that she knew would match his taste palette.


    Su Zhinian had abandoned a roomful of top management toe searching for her, so he was in the middle of a resumed phone conference when she entered the study. He ced his finger on his lips to shush her when he noticed her in the study.


    Song Qingchun did not disturb and ced the cup carefully on his desk. As she turned to leave, she suddenly turned back as if remembering something. Then, in a quiet move, she picked up his pen, took a sticky note, scribbled something on it, and pasted it on the side of the coffee cup before slinking out of the study.


    When Su Zhinian finished the phone conference, it was already two hourster.


    The first thing he did after closing theputer was to peel off the note she had left on the coffee cup.


    On it was written also two words.


    ¡¯It¡¯s okay.¡¯


    They were probably a reply to the ¡¯I¡¯m sorry¡¯ that he left on the back of the ck card.


    Su Zhinian smiled, and a gentle glow softened his eyes. The light in them rippled like water, casting a warm radiance over his features.


    His fatigue dispersed in that very moment as if swept away by the most refreshing spring breeze.


    He leaned back in his chair and took small, enjoyable sips of the cold coffee until it finished.

 Chapter 265: Im Sorry and Its Okay (6)

    Chapter 265: I¡¯m Sorry and It¡¯s Okay (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian went downstairs, cleaned the cup, and ced it back into the cupboard before returning to the second floor.


    Before entering his own bedroom, he thought about it and took a detour to stand before Song Qingchun¡¯s bedroom door.


    He fiddled with the doorknob, expecting it to be locked like usual, but to his surprise, the door was opened.


    The girl in bed had already disappeared into her dreams, smiling in her sleep.


    Su Zhinian took slow, deliberate steps into the room. Her lips were curved beautifully into a smile, but the rest of her body was in quite an unsightly state. Only half of her body was covered by theforter, and one of her arms had even fallen off the edge of the bed.


    Su Zhinian reced her arm carefully back by her side and then slowly shuffled theforter to cover her exposed body. He even helped her tone down the brightness of the lights in the room.


    When he prepared to stand up and leave, he noticed that the ck card he had given her that night was clutched in her hand.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s gaze softened with affection. He couldn¡¯t help but reach out to caress the line of her jaw, and in that moment, he was reminded of the words she had mumbled to herself earlier.


    "But why would he use the same password for some many important things? Don¡¯t tell me those six digits are also the password for his phone,puter, and safety box?"


    She was absolutely right; he did use those six digits for all his passwords.


    Those six digits were not her birthday, not his mother¡¯s birthday, and not his own birthday.


    Those six digits were 961008.


    Those six digits represented October 8th, 1996, the date he first met her.


    Those six digits represented the best day and the happiest day of his life.


    Those six digits represented the day his life officially started.


    ...


    Song Qingchun really thought she had been jinxed recently. She believed she had practically stumbled into all the possible bad luck she could have in her life within that short period of time.


    She almost fell onto the tracks taking the subway. A car almost hit her on the way to work the next morning. A brick falling from several stories high almost hit her when she was on site with her assistant to interview a famous celebrity. Even when she went shopping with her friend on the weekend, she almost slipped and fell from the esctor as she was shoved by some ruffians some behind.


    Initially, Song Qingchun assumed it was a lull in her fortune, and she was considering paying Yonghe Temple a visit and lighting some incense.


    However, these ¡¯idents¡¯ kept happening, and even she herself started to get suspicious of it.


    Song Qingchun might have been a reporter, but she worked the entertainment beat; she couldn¡¯t have incurred the hatred of someone to the point where that person would want to im her life.


    Regardless, Song Qingchun also sensed that she was being secretly protected by someone in the dark. It was a feeling that was inexplicable; one could call it a woman¡¯s intuition perhaps.


    The reason Song Qingchun felt this way was because she always managed to survive these ¡¯idents¡¯.


    Initially, she chalked it up to her own good fortune, but no matter how lucky one was, it was impossible for one to escape danger so many times, right?


    So just as she was adamant that someone was plotting against her life, she was sure that someone was surreptitiously protecting her from harm. This feeling only increased as the number of ¡¯idents¡¯ increased.


    However, she had also considered the fact that it was merely a self-defense mechanism conjured up by her mind due to the many shocks she had been subjected totely.


    However, her suspicion was confirmed on the night of Lunar New Year¡¯s Eve.

 Chapter 266: Im Sorry and Its Okay (7)

    Chapter 266: I¡¯m Sorry and It¡¯s Okay (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The contract between Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian did not allocate any holiday; however, during breakfast on New Year¡¯s Eve, Su Zhinian still announced to Song Qingchun that she was going to have a three days¡¯ break.


    Su Zhinian started to pack after breakfast. He was going to spend the holidays with his mother. Before returning to her ce, he even sent Song Qingchun home to the Song family. It was not until Song Qingchun walked safely into the door and he heard the conservation starting between Song Qingchun and Song Menghwa that Su Zhinian drove away.


    The helpers around the house had been given holiday, so only Song Menghwa, Song Qingchun, and Fang Rou remained at the house for the holiday.


    Song Qingchun spent the whole afternoon at home, helping Fang Rou with the decorations and preparing the reunion dinner.


    After the reunion dinner, CCTV¡¯s Reunion G 1 began. Fang Rou was in the kitchen cleaning up while Song Qingchun apanied her father to watch the television with a bowl of mandarins to snack on.


    The atmosphere was just lively enough, but it still seemed rather lonely due to the absence of Song Cheng. Song Menghwa didn¡¯tugh at any of the host¡¯s jokes, probably because he was missing his son. He stayed in the living room for only half a minute before taking his medicine and retiring to bed.


    Song Qingchun had not been interested in the TV show to begin with, so after Song Menghwa left, she turned off the television and went to her own bedroom as well.


    Song Qingchun had put her phone on charge in her bedroom before going down for the reunion dinner, so the first thing she did after going into her bedroom was to check her phone. It had five unanswered calls and many WhatsApp messages.


    Most of the messages were spam greeting messages; Song Qingchun ignored most of them. She opened the first non-spam message and realized it was a message from Qin Yinan inviting her to join him at a new year party down at North Sea Garden.


    Song Qingchun believed Tang Nuan would be at the party, so her first instinct was to reject. However, before she could do that, a call from TW Station¡¯s Manager came in. It was the same invitation as Qin Yinan¡¯s. ording to her boss, Hwa Nuo¡¯s CEO had hired a cruise ship and was holding a giant party at North Sea Garden. He had invited many cooperatingpanies to attend. The Manager had called to ask Song Qingchun, who was celebrating New Year in Beijing, toe join in the fun.


    Before Song Qingchun could settle on an answer, the door to her bedroom was pushed open. In walked Fang Rou with a te of sliced fruits, which she ced on Song Qingchun¡¯s bedside table.


    Song Qingchun was reminded of the fact that Fang Rou had practically not taken a step out of the house after Song Cheng¡¯s death to focus on taking care of Song Menghwa. Considering this was not an intimate party thrown by Qin Yinan and Tang Nuan but arge corporate event, Song Qingchun thought about it and asked, "Manager, can you get me two invitations?"


    "Definitely, in a minute, I¡¯ll send you a QR Code; you just need to swipe it at the entrance to gain entry."


    Her boss was probably in a hurry to contact other people, so he hung up after saying that.


    Song Qingchun put her phone down and called after her sister-inw who was leaving the room. "Big Sister."


    Fang Rou turned around and replied with a gentle "Hmm?"


    "There¡¯s a New Year party at North Sea Garden tonight. Since Father is already asleep and the night is still young, why don¡¯t you join me, and we¡¯ll go have some fun?"


    Fang Rou shook her head slowly and replied in a gentle drawl, "Thanks, but I don¡¯t think so. I don¡¯t have any clothes for the asion..."


    As if afraid that Song Qingchun might continue trying to persuade her, Fang Rou added after a pause, "Furthermore, Father might wake up while we¡¯re gone. Then, there¡¯ll be no one at home to help him."

 Chapter 267: Im Sorry and Its Okay (8)

    Chapter 267: I¡¯m Sorry and It¡¯s Okay (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun did wish for Fang Rou toe along with her, but she was not that obtuse. It was obvious from her many reasons that Fang Rou preferred to stay home. Even though Song Qingchun felt bad for leaving her, she respected Fang Rou¡¯s choice.


    ...


    When Song Qingchun stepped into North Sea Garden, she could already see therge second story cruise ship. The cruise ship had a Chinese traditional decoration with rows ofrge rednterns hanging around it, giving it a Lunar New Year atmosphere.


    Song Qingchun went on the ship after swiping her invitation on the avable scanning device at the entrance and realized the Chinese traditional theme went beyond the d¨¦cor. The waitresses were in red Qipao, and even the champagne flutes were jade-colored zed sses.


    The first-floor cabin was packed with people. Even though Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t guarantee she knew everyone there, most she was at least an acquaintance of. Song Qingchun greeted them and took a sip from her flute as the asion demanded. Even though she merely took a small sip every time, she was still rather tipsy by the end of it.


    She didn¡¯t even have the opportunity to enjoy the view after getting onto the cruise. Therefore, Song Qingchun gave the excuse that she wished to get a better view of the garden from the upper deck when she passed a staircase. She then hurried up the stairs to escape from the party-goers.


    The second floor of the cruise ship was half open deck and half resting areas and guest rooms.


    There was quite a crowd gathered at the resting area ying Mah-jongg. Song Qingchun cleverly avoided them after ncing through the window into the room. She walked down the corridor and nodded at familiar faces as she headed for the open deck.


    Some of the doors to the guest rooms were open. Inside them were couples sharing intimate moments or having a good time. Song Qingchun peeked into an empty room and realized the interior was luxuriously decorated, rivalling that of a seven-star hotel. It looked like the CEO of Hwa Nuo had spent a lot on the party.


    The cold sea breeze swept Song Qingchun¡¯s face as she stepped onto the open deck. She shivered from the cold and immediately decided to head back into the warmth of the ship cabin.


    There was nothing interesting on the second floor. When Song Qingchun passed one of the guest rooms, she crashed into the man that was heading out. It just so happened to be the Student Council President of her high-school.


    The President apologized and invited her to join them; he said a lot of her high school friends had congregated in there. Before Song Qingchun could say anything, she heard Tang Nuan¡¯s voice drifting out from within. "Yinan, help me open this."


    Song Qingchun had better things to do than find trouble for herself, so she grumbled that she had to use the bathroom and escaped toward the staircase.


    As Song Qingchun stepped onto the first tform of the staircase, she heard Qin Yinan¡¯s voice calling from behind her. "Song Song?"


    Song Qingchun stopped and turned around to meet Qin Yinan, who was in a handsome blue suit. He was walking slowly toward her.


    Song Qingchun waited until he reached her before, greeting him in return. "Brother Yinan."


    "When did you arrive?"


    "It has been a while already."


    "So why didn¡¯t youe find me?"


    "I was caught up talking to some of my friends from work."


    Song Qingchun answered his every question with a friendly smile. Her answers were sinct and to the point; there was no extra boration or fluff.


    Qin Yinan frowned imperceptibly because this wasn¡¯t how normally Song Qingchun would act. She would always add and embellish her answers to his simple questions.


    Qin Yinan went suddenly quiet as his dark eyes stared unblinkingly at Song Qingchun like he was trying to find something out. After a while, he asked in a rather serious tone, "Song Song, have I done anything to make you unhappy recently?"

 Chapter 268: Im Sorry and Its Okay (9)

    Chapter 268: I¡¯m Sorry and It¡¯s Okay (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun was shocked and slowly answered as she came to, "Of course not."


    "Are you sure?" Qin Yinan asked in a soft and firm note as he continued to stare at Song Qingchun, as if trying to figure whether she was lying or not.


    The girl¡¯s eyes were calm, and her lips were smiling; it didn¡¯t look like she was hiding anything from him. Could it be that he was merely overthinking things?


    Qin Yinan thought about it and winked at Song Qingchun as he pulled his gaze away. Then, he pulled a carefully wrapped small box from his suit and passed it to Song Qingchun. "This is your New Year present."


    Song Qingchun epted it with a big smile. "Thank you, Brother Yinan."


    Qin Yinan stood there and nced several times at the box in her grasp. Finally, he couldn¡¯t help himself and asked, "Aren¡¯t you going to open it?"


    "It¡¯s the same even if I open itter at home." Song Qingchun smiled softly at Qin Yinan as she put the present away. After a pause, she added, "This way, the mystery will be kept alive."


    Qin Yinan didn¡¯t say anything, but his previously mild-mannered expression turned rather severe.


    If he was doubting whether or not he was overthinking stuff before, now he was certain he most definitely had not.


    Song Qingchun would demand a present from him during every big holiday, and as time passed, it had be his habit to prepare a present for her every time a holiday came around.


    Whenever she received his present, she would ask excitedly what it was as she tore it open. Most of the time, he would gift her girly essories, which she would put on before him and ask him whether it looked nice on her or not with an eager smile.


    Sometimes, there would be people around them when she did that, but she never seemed to mind, unlike today, where her reaction after receiving his present was mild at best. She held it listlessly in her hands, showing almost zero interest in it.


    Qin Yinan hardened his lips and studied Song Qingchun. He repeated his earlier question. "Song Song, I feel like we have been getting further and further away from each other recently, are you sure I have not done anything to make you unhappy, or have I done anything wrong?"


    "Brother Yinan, you have gotten awfully sentimental after you found yourself a girlfriend," Song Qingchun said half-mockingly with a pair of smiling eyes before adding in a much more serious note, "Brother Yinan, you¡¯re overthinking this. We¡¯re still as close as before. You¡¯re my Brother Yinan, so it¡¯s impossible for there to be much distance between us. Furthermore, didn¡¯t you promise you¡¯ll always be my Brother Yinan? Or are you saying all of this because you want to renege on that promise?"


    That¡¯s right, you would always be my Brother Yinan like how you were in the past, like how you are now, and how you will always be in the future.


    However, he would never know behind that simple statement hid the years she had spent loving him.


    She didn¡¯t distance herself from him; she merely stopped loving him.


    In other words, it was not that he wasn¡¯t good enough; he simply hadn¡¯t noticed her enough. Honestly, it wasn¡¯t his fault; he didn¡¯t make her unhappy or offend her in any way. This was her own mistake for holding onto hope in a one-sided rtionship.


    Therefore, she wasn¡¯t lying. After the haze of the blind hope had dispersed, he was still the Brother Yinan she had known since childhood; that identity hadn¡¯t changed.


    Even though it was his question to begin with, in the end, he was the one being jokingly mocked as Song Qingchun turned the question around and ced him in the hot seat. Qin Yinan didn¡¯t know whether tough or cry. However, looking at her acting this way, it did neutralize his worry quite significantly. He replied, "Nonsense, why wouldn¡¯t I continue to be your Brother Yinan?"

 Chapter 269: Im Sorry and Its Okay (10)

    Chapter 269: I¡¯m Sorry and It¡¯s Okay (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Through the reprimand, Song Qingchun could discern the barely hidden pampering, not unlike the indulgence a big brother allowed his younger sibling.


    It was at that moment that Song Qingchun finally saw the truth for what it was.


    It was the same truth she had glimpsed at the City Clubhouse when he patted her head after gifting her the birthday present and advised her to not take so much alcohol. Thinking back, she realized he was merely treating her like a little sister.


    At the time, even though she had already made the decision to give up on Qin Yinan, the ferocity of the truth had hurt her heart in a certain way.


    In retrospect, she knew at the time, she was still lying to herself; she still held out hope that Qin Yinan would one day realize his importance in her heart. However, now, she truly felt nothing in her heart beyond the appropriate feeling of thankfulness and friendliness between family. Gone was the sadness and pain that had gripped her heart. She even managed to look into his eyes and reply half-jokingly, "Brother Yinan, I will definitely hold you to your promise!"


    Qin Yinanughed and replied indulgently, "When have I ever lied to you?"


    ...


    It was Su Zhinian¡¯s annual habit to apany his mother as they weed the New Year. After the reunion dinner, he joined his mother to watch the New Year G that he was not one bit interested in.


    Su Zhinian received a call from Tang Nuo at 8 pm, asking him to join him at a party at North Sea Garden. He rejected his friend without hesitation.


    After Tang Nuo arrived at the party, he took a picture of the cruise and sent it to Su Zhinian, adding his ownmentary on how pretty the ce looked.


    Su Zhinian knew Tang Nuo was baiting him. He merely replied with a nonchnt "hmm" in response to Tang Nuo¡¯s exaggeratedmentary.


    The reply had the opposite effect Su Zhinian was hoping for because Tang Nuo now saw it as a challenge and started sending Su Zhinian a picture every few minutes.


    Initially, he would still look at them, butter, he just chose to ignore them.


    Who knew Tang Nuo was more annoying than he gave him credit for? Even without any response from Su Zhinian, he was having fun on his own, flooding his inbox with endless snaps of the party.


    His phone kept on ringing, and in just five minutes, there were already 65 unread messages in his WhatsApp.


    He stared at the uninteresting New Year G, but his mother kept ncing at the phone he had ced on the coffee table.


    During the ninth time his motherid her eyes on his phone, Su Zhinian finally reached out for his phone. He opened WhatsApp and was ready to cklist Tang Nuo when thetest photo his friend sent caught his eyes.


    On the right-hand corner of the picture was a girl in a nude colored dress, clinking her champagne flute with someone cut off by the frame with a smile on her face.


    That¡¯s Song Qingchun... She has gone to the party as well?


    Su Zhinian¡¯s finger, which was going to cklist Tang Nuo, halted. He stared at the picture for a long time, and finally, a message came from his friend, "So how was it? Did the person caught in thest picture arouse your desire toe to the party?"


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t reply but turned his head around to nce at his mother, who was raptly watching the show on the television.


    Tang Nuo was right; he was interested in going, but it was more than his desire to spend the New Year with Song Qingchun. More importantly, he was worried danger mighte to Song Qingchun.


    For this period of time, other than during the night when they were under the same roof, he had been secretly protecting her.

 Chapter 270: The Deep Kiss in the Deep Water (1)

    Chapter 270: The Deep Kiss in the Deep Water (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Concerned about her safety, he had moved his work from his office to the caf¨¦ opposite from herpany so that he could follow her movement constantly so as to ensure her safety.


    Before he came to his mother¡¯s, he had purposely dropped her home first and waited until she had gone in before leaving to ensure she would be safe even while he wasn¡¯t around.


    Tonight is New Year ¡¯s Eve, and the party seems crowded, so it should be safe...


    The more Su Zhinian tried to convince himself of this, the most worried he became. He kept looking at his mother and was trying to figure out a way to excuse himself when his mothermented, "Zhinian, your phone has been ringing non-stop, is it something urgent? If it¡¯s something you need to attend to, then go. You don¡¯t need to stay to apany me; I¡¯ll be fine."


    For the past few years, his mother would also tell him to go out to meet his friends, and he would reject it every time. However, this year, when he heard his mother say that, he nodded after a short silence, and his light tone was filled with apology. "Tang Nuo is looking for me. I¡¯ll be back in a bit."


    "There¡¯s no need to rush home, safety is the most important." Auntie Su stood up with a smile as she went searching for a thick winter coat for her son. She passed him his car keys, and standing by the open doorway, she reminded him to drive safely before her son got into the car and left.


    ...


    On the streets during New Year¡¯s Eve, there was barely another vehicle on the road. The trip that would usually take Su Zhinian over an hour waspleted in thirty minutes that day.


    Before Su Zhinian parked his car, amid the cacophony of noises, he managed to pick up Song Qingchun¡¯s voice saying, "Thank you, Brother Yinan."


    Qin Yinan is also here? Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes glistened as he ended the ignition. As he prepared to grab his coat and wallet, he heard Qin Yinan¡¯s voice reply, "Aren¡¯t you going to open it?"


    "This way, the mystery will be kept alive."


    Sounds like they¡¯re talking about opening a present. Qin Yinan has prepared a New Year present for Song Qingchun?


    The cold wind streamed into the car as Su Zhinian pushed the door open. He took the first step out of the car when he heard Qin Yinan¡¯s voice again. "Song Song, I feel like we have been getting further and further away from each other recently, are you sure I have not done anything to make you unhappy, or have I done anything wrong?"


    [Song Qingchun has been distancing herself from Qin Yinan?] Su Zhinian didn¡¯t mean to eavesdrop on their conversation, but his focus was inevitably drawn to Song Qingchun¡¯s reply. Then he heard Song Qingchun say in a joking voice, "Brother Yinan, you¡¯re overthinking this. We¡¯re still as close as before. You¡¯re my Brother Yinan, so it¡¯s impossible for there to be a big distance between us. Furthermore, didn¡¯t you promise you¡¯ll always be my Brother Yinan?"


    It was as if a sharp knife suddenly plunged itself into Su Zhinian¡¯s heart, stopping it from beating.


    With the car door swung wide open, half of Su Zhinian¡¯s body was outside the car and the other half within it. The breeze from the sea was bone-chilling, but it was iparable to the chilliness that originated from his heart. He stared nkly at the reflection of the lights on the surface of the water when he heard her continue to speak.

 Chapter 271: The Deep Kiss in the Deep Water (2)

    Chapter 271: The Deep Kiss in the Deep Water (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Or are you saying all of this because you want to renege on that promise?"


    Su Zhinian¡¯s grip on his coat tightened as his lips stretched into a thin line. A sh of anxiety crossed the bottom of his eyes.


    He desperately wished for his ability to hear from miles away to stop working; he knew it had always been his choice to stop listening, but he couldn¡¯t stop himself. Even though he understood it was no different from self-torture, he increased his focus on the conversation between Song Qingchun and Qin Yinan. In fact, he concentrated so much on them that it felt like he was just standing beside them, listening in; he could even pick up their tone between the lines.


    "Nonsense, why wouldn¡¯t I continue to be your Brother Yinan?"


    "Brother Yinan, I will definitely hold you to your promise!"


    "When have I ever lied to you?"


    ...


    At that moment, Su Zhinian felt like a veil had smothered all his senses; he could hear nothing, see nothing, and feel nothing.


    Like a mortified statue, he remained stuck in his pose of half-way getting out of his car. After a long period of inactivity, he was slowly brought back to life by a visceral pain radiating from a part of his body.


    Where does the paine from? he asked himself.


    He then pulled the half of his body back into the car and lightly closed the door. He simmered in the quietness of his car for a long time before his hand reached out to touch his left chest. His hand travelled up and down his chest as if physically searching for an answer. Then it dawned on him that the pain originated in his heart.


    A gloom materialized at the bottom of Su Zhinian¡¯s dark eyes, and a bitter smile appeared on his lips.


    He wished desperately to be a normal person so that he wouldn¡¯t be exposed to her actual inner thoughts and wouldn¡¯t need to listen to her words of intimacy with another man, and ultimately, he would be able to lie to himself.


    However, that was impossible; the world was unable to deceive him, and he was unable to deceive himself.


    There were many different sounds travelling through his ears, some were watching the New Year G, some were partying, some were having a quiet reunion among family, and themon thread through them all was a satisfied feeling of happiness and contentment.


    Due to theparison, he felt exceptionally lonely and isted. Su Zhinian suddenly felt incredibly tired, and he lowered his head. With his hand still on his chest, he could feel his heart beat, and with every beat, it was felt like it was screaming with pain.


    It was a pain that he could never voice in public, a pain that was destined to be suffered by him alone, buried deep in his heart.


    ...


    The ship started moving toward the center of the North Sea Garden¡¯ske at 10 pm.


    As the party officially started, Hwa Nuo¡¯s CEO took the stage and started giving his speech. Everyone at the party pped and cheered politely for the host.


    The phone in Song Qingchun¡¯s bag suddenly started to vibrate. She stopped pping and pulled it out. It was a call from the Song family¡¯sndline.


    Afraid that something had happened to Song Menghwa, she quickly retreated out of the hall. Since the first floor was too noisy, she went upstairs, down the corridor, and into the rtively quiet bathroom.


    As Song Qingchun prepared to answer the call, the door to the bathroom was suddenly pushed open.

 Chapter 272: The Deep Kiss in the Deep Water (3)

    Chapter 272: The Deep Kiss in the Deep Water (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She turned around instinctively, and before she could see anything, her head was covered roughly by a piece of ck cloth. The sudden assault made her scream for help immediately.


    However, her assant was quick and fast. Before she could get a word out, he mped his palm over her mouth through the fabric and dragged her body out of the bathroom.


    Song Qingchun knew it was a man. Probably afraid that he would be found out, he moved fast and rough; he managed to get her to stop struggling in several motions.


    His hand that mped over her mouth also pressed down on her nostrils causing her to go lightheaded from theck of oxygen.


    Her both eyes were covered by the cloth, so she could see nothing. She had no idea where the man was taking her except he was going there fast. Since the party had officially started, there was barely a soul on the second floor, and his footsteps were exceptionally sharp and loud in the empty corridor.


    Through the sound of celebration that drifted up from downstairs, Song Qingchun could hear the breathing of this maning quick and heavy, probably a sign of nervousness.


    She continued to try to make some noise, but since her mouth was mped shut, she only managed to produce incoherent, muffled noises. It was simply too soft for the party-goers to notice.


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t know what this man was nning to do, but considering the number of ¡¯idents¡¯ that had been happening to her, her instincts told her that he most likely meant her harm.


    From the various ¡¯idents¡¯ so far, the person behind them only wanted one thing, and that was her life. She just so happened to have survived them every time. However, this time, it appeared that her luck had run out!


    Song Qingchun continued to survive, but being dragged roughly around the cruise liner had taken pretty much every ounce of energy out of her body.


    Her heart was a worried mess. From the feeling of her feet knocking on edges, Song Qingchun realized they were heading downstairs. Song Qingchun, in her heels, almost sprained her ankles many times. In the middle of it all, she was suddenly lifted into the air. A st of cold wind hit her body. She felt droplets of water among it, and Song Qingchun realized she had been brought to the deck.


    There was a huge crowd right downstairs, and the man wouldn¡¯t be able to escape while lugging her over his shoulders. It would have been less of amotion if he had killed her in the bathroom, but he had chosen to drag her to the deck. There was only one reason he would do that... he was going to toss her overboard!


    Even though Song Qingchun knew how to swim, it was the middle of winter. Theke must be incredibly chilling. If she fell into the water, her limbs would probably freeze immediately, and she would drown before someone discovered her body.


    Then, none of them would know what had happened; they would probably assume that she slipped and fell into the water.


    No one would know what really happened and avenge her death.


    Song Qingchun started to struggle once more, and her survival instincts made her press the Home button on her phone subconsciously. Using her feeling alone, her finger sought its way to the lower left end of her key pad, and she started pressing randomly on it.


    She had received several calls that night, and most of them had been from the people at the party.

 Chapter 273: The Deep Kiss in the Deep Water (4)

    Chapter 273: The Deep Kiss in the Deep Water (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    When she heard the home page click open, she purposely moved her fingers up a bit. As long as she managed to make a call, then she would have a chance to survive this assault on her life.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s world was stillplete darkness. Her heart was a writhing mess as she prayed for the call to be made.


    The call finally started. The sound of the dial tone was amplified due to the rtive silence of the deck. She must have identally pressed the speaker button in her blind hurry.


    Her assant suddenly stopped moving. Even though she could see nothing, Song Qingchun could feel the menace around the man sharpened. The force he elicited as he grabbed the phone from her grasp was so strong that the edges of her skin were raw from pain.


    Then, she heard the dial tone end and the sound of something being dropped into the water.


    Before Song Qingchun could grasp the reality of herst hope being snuffed out, she was dragged to the edge of the ship. In one fell swoop, the man lifted her over the railing and dropped her into the water without hesitation.


    Following therge ssh of water that appeared on the surface of theke, the man didn¡¯t stay for long and turned to escape from the scene.


    The man¡¯sst few actions were done in one smooth motion. It had happened so fast that Song Qingchun didn¡¯t even have the time to realize what was happening. As she hit the surface of the water, her brain went dull from the shock of pain and cold. Then, she started to fall, pulled by gravity. When the water pressure squeezed her ears with pain, it finally registered in her mind that she had been pushed overboard. She peeled the ck fabric off her face and struggled to swim to the surface.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s long dress weighed her down and the sub-zero temperature of theke water made her limbs go numb.


    With every ounce of energy in her, she finally managed to poke her head through the surface of the water. The cruise liner was still moving and was already about ten meters away from her. She was right in the middle of the freezingke, so swimming tond was out of question. She swam as fast as she could toward the cruise, screaming for help as she went.


    However, the cruise was incognizant of her plea for help; it just continued on its merry way. None of the people on the ship noticed the girl struggling in the dark waters.


    The icy water had almost frozen her limbs, and her speed gradually slowed. The cruise liner went further and further away from her. In the end, she couldn¡¯t hold on anymore and started to sink. She tried her best to keep herself afloat, but theke water kepting into her mouth, choking her. Then it submerged her nose, her eyes, and finally the top of her head. In the end, only her two waving hands remained above the water.


    She could feel the air in her lungs leaving her, her iling hands gradually weakened, and her consciousness started to falter.


    The sound of the party, which she could still hear at the beginning, began to fade away into total silence.

 Chapter 274: The Deep Kiss in the Deep Water (5)

    Chapter 274: The Deep Kiss in the Deep Water (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian had half a mind to leave, but he couldn¡¯t leave Song Qingchun behind on her own. He couldn¡¯t be certain Song Qingchun woulde into any danger that night, if anything, she would probably be safe, considering the number of the people at the party. It would definitely draw attention if someone was to make an attempt on her life. However, he wasn¡¯t a hundred percent certain, so in the end, he chose to stay.


    However, he didn¡¯t join the party but stayed in his car.


    He could hear many things in his ears, but he didn¡¯t focus on any of them as the conversations between Qin Yinan and Song Qingchun repeated themselves in his mind.


    Furthermore, didn¡¯t you promise you¡¯ll always be my Brother Yinan?


    Always... a beautiful adverb that shredded his heart into pieces. He knew, he was being jealous, jealous that she had made a promise that wouldst always.


    He, too, wished he could always be by her side, but he knew perfectly well that was not meant to be; he would be the first to deny himself that wondrous dream.


    However, even though he knew why it was not meant to be, his brain couldn¡¯t stop the desire of his heart. In the match between rationality and emotion, thetter won out. He couldn¡¯t help himself from being jealous of her rtionship with other men and couldn¡¯t help himself from feeling happy when she was kind enough to be good to him.


    This was like a cruel joke God had yed on him. It was a question with no correct answer, and it would only make him sink deeper and deeper into the abyss of despair.


    Su Zhinian sat quietly in the car, and bitter anguish crept onto his handsome face. He lost count of time as he stewed in his own misery until his phone started to ring.


    "The world was ours; yet with a turn of the shoulders, we have be strangers."


    His ringtone was a song sung by a rising male singer. His tone was soft and gentle, and Su Zhinian felt it was another generic love song when he first heard it.


    "The person hiding in my memories, I pray for your happiness and safety..."


    When he heard this sentence, his brows twitched.


    "If we met again in the crowd, would you still remember the way my gaze fell on you..."


    Su Zhinian slowly returned from his reverie. This was a ringtone he had set specifically for Song Qingchun. She¡¯s calling me?


    Su Zhinian¡¯s heart shook and immediately went searching for his phone.


    "The person hiding in my memories, thank you forpleting my youth, thank you for your once sincerity, thank you for teaching me how to love..."


    Su Zhinian finally found his phone, which had fallen underneath the seat. The song reached this part and suddenly stopped because the call was cut off.


    Su Zhinian unlocked his phone immediately and gave Song Qingchun a call. It was picked up and ended instantly. He tried calling her again, and all he got was, "I¡¯m sorry, but the number you have called is currently unavable."


    Her phone has no more battery? What happened?


    Su Zhinian¡¯s brows furrowed deeper, and he went searching for Song Qingchun¡¯s voice. He failed to pick up on her familiar tone but did manage to hear the sound of something falling into the water. Then, he heard the frantic sshing of water.


    Something has fallen into the water?


    Su Zhinian turned toward theke subconsciously.


    Through the car window, the surface was dark as a dark mirror. He could see nothing other than the rednterns on the cruise swaying in the wind.


    Just as Su Zhinian was about to turn back to locate Song Qingchun¡¯s voice, he heard a sharp scream.


    "Help..."

 Chapter 275: The Deep Kiss in the Deep Water (6)

    Chapter 275: The Deep Kiss in the Deep Water (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The sound obviously came from theke... Could it be that someone has fallen in?


    Before Su Zhinian could confirm the thought, he heard again another call for help. Su Zhinian heard it clearer this time, and his face nched. He shoved the car door open, jumped out of it, and dashed toward theke without even locking the door.


    "Help... Help..."


    The cries for help kepting from the direction of theke. Su Zhinian, who was now out of his car, could hear it more clearly, and his fear was verified; the person who had fallen into the water was really Song Qingchun.


    Su Zhinian reached thekeside and looked around. Then he ran along the bank toward the lights of the cruise ship. When he reached the spot where her voice was the clearest, he removed his shoes and jumped into the water without batting an eye. He swam as fast as he could in the direction of Song Qingchun¡¯s voice.


    He had the habit of going to the gym and would go swimming at least two days a week. Furthermore, Tang Nuo would take him on a trip to the seaside as a holiday every summer. In other words, he was not an amateur swimmer; however, when he jumped into the icy cold water, his body still entered a shock. Regardless, it didn¡¯t affect his speed, especially when he heard the sound of her voice weakening, that only made him swim even faster.


    When he was around a hundred meters away from her, he could finally see her head bobbing above the water surface. He sped up as she continued to sink underwater.


    He took a deep breath and dived underwater. The murkiness of theke water influenced the rity of his sight. He swam around twenty meters down in the direction he believed she was, and he finally saw her limp body floating in the water.


    He dashed forward like a dolphin and curled his arm around her waist. With a kick, he pulled both of them to the surface. After taking a deep breath, he started to call her name. She leaned weakly onto his shoulder with her eyes closed, giving no response.


    He didn¡¯t dare to remain too long in the water. With his arm still around her waist, Su Zhinian dragged her as he swam to the shore.


    He pushed her onto drynd before climbing out of the water himself. He was rather drained from the swimming, but he didn¡¯t dare to dawdle. He quicklyid her lifeless body on the grassy field by theke and reached out to press down hard on her stomach. It was not until she started to cough out water that he stopped. Then, he pulled her into a tight embrace. After that, he leaned back and tapped her face lightly, calling, "Tingting."


    Herck of response prompted him to test for her breathing by putting his finger under her nose. He ced her back on the ground and, after a deep breath, lowered his head, stuck his lips onto hers, and blew the breath into her body.


    ...


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart started to regain its function, and her consciousness slowly returned. When she was just about to break through the realm of unconsciousness, the first thing she felt was something attaching itself to her lips. They were soft yet cold.


    Before she could tell what they were, the thing extricated itself from her lips. She frowned slightly before realizing the thing had returned once more.


    Compared to before, this time, she felt the added sensation of suppleness that made her heart beat faster.


    What is this?


    Her lips moved involuntarily, and she couldn¡¯t help herself from extending her tongue, trying to lick it.

 Chapter 276: The Deep Kiss in the Deep Water (7)

    Chapter 276: The Deep Kiss in the Deep Water (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She felt a tingle travelling from the tip of her tongue, through her body, reaching for her heart. She could feel the soft thing that she had touched with her tongue increase in temperature.


    Weird... What thing is this that it can rise in temperature as a response?


    Song Qingchun licked the thing again to seek for more clues. Eventually, her tongue sought an opening. So, this thing is not a whole thing but parted in the middle...


    Her tongue stopped moving before poking itself into the opening probingly and cautiously. The temperature inside was even higher, and the first thing her soft tongue came upon was two rows of tough-feeling objects. She used her tongue to glide over them, and it tickled her so much that she couldn¡¯t help herself from repeating it several times.


    Then, she felt the temperature around the tip of her tongue rise. All of a sudden, a slippery, cartginous object struck her tongue, and her whole body shivered as if struck by lightning. In the haze of her half-consciousness, she heard a moan.


    Why would this soft thing create a sound?


    Song Qingchun was so shocked that her first instinct was to retract her tongue. However, as her tongue retreated an inch, the slippery object from before sought her out and curled itself around her.


    A weird, exciting sensation instantly coursed through her body, causing her mind to gopletely nk.


    She had no idea how long the slippery thing tussled and twined around her tongue before lowering its force. She felt a dull pain at the root of her tongue. She rolled her tongue back from tiredness, but before her lips could close, the fiery thing followed her tongue into her mouth and started another round of entanglement with her.


    This round was even more passionate than before. The two soft things she licked earlier grinded themselves on her lips forcefully.


    She could hear her own breathing going faster, and her body was bing like warm putty, as if the energy in her body was being sucked out of her by that soft and fiery thing.


    An inexplicable desire that she had not experienced before appeared within her, but she had a hard time answering what exactly she was desiring. In the end, she merely opened her mouth and surrendered herself to the piece of softness¡¯ will.


    After who knew how long, the slippery thing finally exited her mouth, but the soft thing was still tightly attached to her lips. After half a minute of inactivity, they milled themselves on her lips once more.


    However,pared to before, it was less forceful and intense. In fact, it wasmunicating a feeling of care and cherish. Song Qingchun felt her heart soften and warm.


    She reached upwards unconsciously and felt a strong and powerful thing. Her hands groped around for sometimes before Song Qingchun realized it felt like a man¡¯s waist.


    The slippery thing that had retreated from her mouth suddenly returned to pry open her lips and teeth. A sudden and strong sense of passion and thirst streamed through her whole body, and the wheels in her brain started to turn.

 Chapter 277: The Deep Kiss in the Deep Water (8)

    Chapter 277: The Deep Kiss in the Deep Water (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    If she was holding someone¡¯s waist, then the two pieces of soft meat-like thing and the moist, slippery object also belonged to a man... Then, those were...


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart stopped beating.


    So, the thing she had licked out of curiosity with her tongue was a man¡¯s lips, the opening she stuck her tongue into was a man¡¯s mouth, the two rows of tough-feeling fences were rows of a man¡¯s teeth, and the slippery thing was the man¡¯s tongue.


    Therefore, the series of curious reactions her body was feeling was caused by her passionate kiss with a man!


    The man who had dominated her lips had lost himself in the passion of the moment. Now, she could even hear the sound people made during an intimate smooch, an incriminating sound that made the heart tingle and skin blush.


    Wait, wasn¡¯t I pushed overboard into theke? So why am I being kissed now? This means I¡¯m not dead and this kisser has saved me? So, it was mouth-to-mouth resuscitation he was doing before...


    The temperature on Song Qingchun¡¯s face rose, but her brain didn¡¯t stop thinking about it.


    Yes, I did initiate the kiss, but that was because my mind was in a state from being drowned, so how could this man take advantage of my fragility and vulnerability?


    At the same time, she could feel an inexplicable sadness and mncholybined with desire and gentleness in the man¡¯s kiss.


    This feeling was exceptionally familiar, like she had personally experienced it somewhere before.


    Song Qingchun thought about it for a long time but could note up with an answer. On the other hand, the man¡¯s kiss didn¡¯t seem to falter in force; if anything, it had gotten more desperate, like he was marking his territory or trying to physically force the emotions and secrets from his body into her heart through the kiss itself.


    Just who was kissing her? And how did he manage to pour so many words and emotions into such a passionate kiss?


    Song Qingchun¡¯s longshes flickered twice, and her eyelids finally slowly opened.


    ...


    Su Zhinian immersed himself in the kiss with Song Qingchun. The kiss had gone deeper than he could possibly have imagined, but he felt it was still not enough. He reached out to grab the back of her head, intending to increase the intensity of the kiss.


    However, her tongue, which had been quite pliable all along, suddenly froze, and his actions halted. Then, he realized she had awakened and was wondering internally who was kissing her.


    Su Zhinian froze and knew the girl was going to open her eyes.


    His flustered mind controlled the girl¡¯s consciousness right at the moment her eyelids were going to flip open.


    He made her close her eyes again as he extricated himself from the girl. He nced at her lying on the grassy bank onest time before turning to leave without a second thought.


    There was a hurriedness in his steps, like he was worried she might suddenly wake up and discover it was him all along.


    ...


    Song Qingchun opened her eyes to a glorious starlit sky.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s brows furrowed into a frown as she sat up on the grassy field. There was still someke water caught in her throat. She coughed violently twice, expelling the remaining water before turning to look around. The grassy field was empty except for her.


    This is weird. There was definitely someone lying on top of me, kissing me, so where did that person go?

 Chapter 278: The Deep Kiss in the Deep Water (9)

    Chapter 278: The Deep Kiss in the Deep Water (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Or was that all a dream?


    Song Qingchun subconsciously reached out to touch her own lips. A dull pain struck her when she touched the left side of her bottom lip. She remembered the man biting her on that spot, lost in the passion of the moment.


    So... the kiss wasn¡¯t a dream; it was real!


    But how did he disappear the moment she opened her eyes?


    Or did she lose consciousness again in the middle of it?


    Song Qingchun looked around once more and even opened her mouth to yell, "Is anyone there?


    "Are you the one who saved me?"


    Song Qingchun finally quieted down after she realized there wasn¡¯t going to be a reply.


    Her wet clothes stuck to her body, and as the night breeze buffeted thekeside, she shivered uncontrobly from the cold. However, the cold didn¡¯t seem to register in her mind as she stared nkly at the surface of theke.


    So, her intuition was right. It wasn¡¯t due to her good fortune that she had survived so many attempts on her life; someone had been secretly protecting her, and that person was most likely the person who had kissed her that night.


    If not for him, she would have died so many times already!


    So now she knew there was a guardian angel looking over her and protecting her silently without her knowing.


    Even though she had not seen him or heard him and had just survived a trip to the gates of hell, she didn¡¯t feel afraid or nervous; there weren¡¯t even tears in her eyes. If anything, there was an inexplicable stability and serenity residing in her heart.


    She was alone, and the sound of merriment drifted into her ears from the cruise that was not far away, but she didn¡¯t feel lonely.


    Her finger traced the outline of her lips, and they involuntarily curved into a smile.


    ...


    The cruise slowly returned to the shore. Song Qingchun, who was lost in her thoughts, did not realize this.


    After the cruise settled, Qin Yinan was the first to dash out from it. He ran toward Song Qingchun with impossible speed and knelt down beside her. He demanded anxiously, "Song Song?"


    Before Song Qingchun could recover and greet Qin Yinan, Qin Yinan pulled her into his arms and carried her quickly back onto the ship.


    "What happened? Did she fall overboard?"


    "Miss Song, are you alright?"


    Qin Yinan ignored the questions from the crowd and dashed toward the ship¡¯s second floor. As he carried Song Qingchun in her arms, he issued instructions to a few of his close friends.


    "Zhang Zi, call a doctor toe. Song Song looks fine on the surface, but I¡¯m still worried.


    "Lin Ge, do you mind calling the kitchen to boil some ginger tea for Song Song? It¡¯ll help force out the cold.


    "Also, Sun Ru, Song Song needs a change of clothes. Can you go to a nearby mall and buy a new set of clothes for her? She wears S."


    As Qin Yinan rattled off his orders, he barged into one of the guest rooms on the second floor open and nced into the bathroom. Then he told the Student Council President, "Prez, can you help me fill the bath with some hot water? Song Song must be frozen from the fall into theke; a warm bath will help."


    After giving all the orders, Qin Yinan wrapped her whole body with the provided nkets andforters, ignoring the fact that her clothes would wet them all. Then he stood up to grab the air-conditioner remote to increase the temperature in the room.

 Chapter 279: The Deep Kiss in the Deep Water (10)

    Chapter 279: The Deep Kiss in the Deep Water (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    After the warm bath was ready, Qin Yinan carried Song Qingchun into the bathroom.


    Before Qin Yinan left, Song Qingchun scanned the crowd that had gathered in the room. She pulled Qin Yinan closer and whispered into his ear, "Brother Yinan, I¡¯m fine. Can you please tell the people to go downstairs and continue the party? There¡¯s no need to wait here."


    Qin Yinan nodded and added as a reminder, "Call me if you need anything, I¡¯ll be in the other room."


    Qin Yinan left the bathroom after seeing Song Qingchun nod and closed the door behind him.


    Song Qingchun felt her body warm up in the water, and she instantly felt better.


    When she exited the bathroom, almost everyone who was there earlier had dispersed. The door was closed, and it was quiet. Qin Yinan was perched on the sofa alone.


    When he heard the door to the bathroom open, he immediately stood up and asked with concern, "Feeling better?"


    "Yes." Song Qingchun nodded.


    "Come take a seat and dry your hair," Qin Yinan said as he plugged the hair-dryer into the socket.


    Song Qingchun sat down on the plush sofa. She reached out for the dryer, but Qin Yinan ignored her and gently helped her dry her hair. After that, he carried her in his arms and ced her carefully on the bed. The soakedforter from before had been reced with a new one.


    Qin Yinan pulled theforter over Song Qingchun and grabbed the ginger tea before sitting beside her. He then fed her with a little spoon, spoonful by spoonful.


    As the warm liquid travelled down her throat, Song Qingchun felt much better. However, the smell of the ginger was too pungent for Song Qingchun. She shook her head at the spoon that was heading toward her after finishing almost a third of the cup. "Brother Yinan, that¡¯s enough."


    Qin Yinan nodded understandingly and ced the cup back on the bedside table. He moved to cover Song Qingchun¡¯s feet, which were poking out from underneath theforter, before asking, "Song Song, how did you fall into the water?"


    Song Qingchun told Qin Yinan everything that had happened earlier, and as she ryed the story, his face became much darker. When she finished, he extended his hand to touch her hair and said apologetically, "I¡¯m sorry, Song Song. This is all my fault for failing to protect you."


    "Don¡¯t say that. Look at me, I¡¯m fine now, aren¡¯t I?" Song Qingchun smiled softly at Qin Yinan.


    Qin Yinan did not feel any better from Song Qingchun¡¯s words of constion, if anything, it only made him feel worse. "I¡¯ve already asked Zhang Zi to go call the police. Don¡¯t worry, I will definitely find out who this person is, and he will have to face the judgement of thew!"


    "Thank you, Brother Yinan," Song Qingchun said softly before adding, as if remembering something, "By the way, Brother Yinan, how did you know I¡¯d fallen into the water?"


    "Someone called me," Qin Yinan replied.


    There were two people who knew about her ¡¯ident¡¯; one was the one who had thrown her in, and the other was the one who had saved her. The former wouldn¡¯t have called Qin Yinan, so by the process of elimination... Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes glowed brightly, and she asked rather excitedly, "Brother Yinan, who called you? Where¡¯s your phone? Let me have a look at it."


    Before Qin Yinan could hand her the phone, Song Qingchun reached out to grab it on her own. She clicked open the call history with much excitement, but in the end, it was apany number.


    Song Qingchun was swamped by a wave of disappointment. She stared at the number for a long before raising her head to ask something.

 Chapter 280: A Fool for Life (1)

    Chapter 280: A Fool for Life (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Brother Yinan, did the caller give you his name?"


    "No..." Qin Yinan added after a pause. "He was sinct. He merely mentioned that you had fallen into the water and were recuperating on the eastern side of theke before hanging up."


    "Thanks," Song Qingchun replied before going silent. Looks like this mystery person doesn¡¯t want me to know his identity or else he wouldn¡¯t have used a public phone to call Qin Yinan without even leaving his name.


    Qin Yinan noticed Song Qingchun had gone awfully quiet, so he prompted, "What¡¯s wrong?"


    "Nothing." Song Qingchun only managed to squeeze out one word before there was a knock on the door.


    Song Qingchun quieted down as Qin Yinan turned toward to door to ask, "Who is it?"


    There was no answer, so he stood up and walked to open it.


    Song Qingchun peeked around Qin Yinan to nce at their visitor. It was her colleague from TW Station who was good friends with Tang Nuan. The moment Song Qingchun saw the person, she knew why she was there. She averted her gaze, and as she did, the person said the words that Song Qingchun expected her to. "Mr. Qin, I¡¯m sorry for disturbing you, but Tang Nuan suddenly suffered from a horrible stomach ache. It is so painful that she said she is unable to even move."


    Qin Yinan frowned before turning to look at Song Qingchun. "Song Song, wait a minute, I¡¯ll be back in a bit."


    Song Qingchun nodded wordlessly. Her face was calm, and she didn¡¯t give much of a response.


    She knew perfectly well that Tang Nuan was merely making a scene because she couldn¡¯t stand Qin Yinan spending so much time taking care of her. This was Tang Nuan¡¯s way of summoning Qin Yinan away from her.


    Song Qingchun also knew there was a ny percent chance that Qin Yinan wouldn¡¯t return after he left. He would probably send one of his friends toe take care of her in his ce. However, to her surprise, Qin Yinan returned after fifteen minutes, and he came carrying a few bags in his arms. They were clothes for her to change into.


    Song Qingchun was shocked. She asked after recovering from her surprise, "How¡¯s Tang Nuan?"


    "I had Zhang Zi take her to the hospital. Don¡¯t worry about her, you need to rest. When you¡¯re feeling better, I¡¯ll take you to the police station to report the case, and then I¡¯ll send you home."


    ...


    "I had Zhang Zi take her to the hospital. Don¡¯t worry about her, you need to rest. When you¡¯re feeling better, I¡¯ll take you to the police station to report the case, and then I¡¯ll send you home."


    Su Zhinian stepped out from a hundred-year-old tree when he heard that sentence.


    The thin shirt that he was wearing had started to frost from staying out in the elements for far too long.


    His whole body was shivering¡ªeven his teeth were chattering from cold¡ªbut he didn¡¯t rush toward his car. Instead, he walked toward the ce Song Qingchun had been lying earlier.


    He stared emotionlessly at that spot, and the memories of his kiss with her slowly flooded his mind. He squatted down slowly to caress the slightly frozen dried grass, and his gaze softened with affection.


    It was he who had made the call to Qin Yinan. Even though he knew Qin Yinan carried a torch for Tang Nuan, he also understood the ce Song Qingchun held in Qin Yinan¡¯s heart.


    However, he ultimately was not Qin Yinan, so he stayed behind until he heard Qin Yinan promise he would send Song Qingchun home. Only then did Su Zhinian¡¯s heart rx.

 Chapter 281: A Fool for Life (2)

    Chapter 281: A Fool for Life (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Another incident where he had sessfully protected her life and it was now time again for him to disappear silently.


    He loved her deeply, but she could never discover his love. He had been protecting her, but he could never be by her side because he was afraid, afraid that once he was allowed to be openly good to her, the flood of emotions that he had kept in ce for years would break the dam and submerge his life.


    No one knew how deep and crazy his desire for her, which continued to ravage his mind every single minute, was.


    It was his fortune to have met her, and it was his trial to have fallen in love with her.


    He had thought she would be the single greatest source offort and warmth in his life, but when he found out about that secret, he knew this warmth would always be beyond his reach.


    He was a fool to have loved the wrong person, but he was a willing fool.


    He knew how wrong he was, and yet he couldn¡¯t stop himself from making the same mistake over and over again.


    The dim rays of light from the streetlight not far away fell on his face, shrouding his features with a fuzzy mist. His fingers travelled repeatedly over the spot she had been lying on earlier, grazing the tips of the grass slowly and purposely as if he was trying to draw a magic seal to imprint the passionate and fiery kiss that they had shared into the deepest part of his heart.


    There were simply too few good memories that they had shared together, but he would always repeat them in his mind, writing them into his bones so that he would never forget them as long as he had a breath in him.


    This was because he knew, one day, he would have to leave her, and after that, his world would wither and die. He needed these few shared memories with her to enable himself to survive a barren world without her.


    The breeze from theke made Su Zhinian shiver. His fingers traced the grassy spot twice before he stood up slowly. He turned to look down at the surface of theke. Various colored lights were reflected on theke¡¯s surface, turning it into a captivating panorama.


    When he prepared to leave, his gaze caught something floating on the surface of theke out of the corner of his eyes. He turned subconsciously toward it, and using the lights from afar, he managed to discern it was a present box. The rectangr box hadn¡¯t been unwrapped, and the shape had be rather deformed after being soaked in the water.


    Is that Song Qingchun¡¯s?


    Su Zhinian was reminded of the conversation between Song Qingchun and Qin Yinan that he heard when he first arrived at North Sea Garden.


    Since it¡¯s a present from Qin Yinan, it must be very important to her, right? She will be heartbroken when she discovers she has lost it.


    After a short contemtion, Su Zhinian dived back into the water to retrieve the box. It was not until he reachednd again that he lowered his head to study it.


    The present was delicately wrapped, but the packaging was rather ruined from the long time it spent in the water.


    Su Zhinian nced twice at the box before heading toward his car.


    ...


    Qin Yinan waited until the doctor confirmed there was nothing wrong with Song Qingchun before taking her to the police station.


    While they were at the police station, Qin Yinan¡¯s phone rang multiple times. One time, Song Qingchun subconsciously nced at his ringing phone and saw that it was Tang Nuan. Qin Yinan still didn¡¯t answer but merely tapped several times on his phone, probably to reply with a message, before putting the phone on silent and sliding it back into his pocket.

 Chapter 282: A Fool for Life (3)

    Chapter 282: A Fool for Life (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    By the time Song Qingchun finished giving her statement, it was already 1 am. They had missed the New Year fireworks.


    Qin Yinan was worried that Song Qingchun was hungry after such a long, stressful event, so when they passed a 24-hour fast food chain, he turned around to ask, "Song Song, are you hungry? Do you want to go have something to eat?"


    "I¡¯m not hungry..." Song Qingchun shook her head before adding, "I¡¯m just tired; I wish to go home to rest."


    "Okay," Qin Yinan answered, and he pulled his focus back onto the road.


    Silence filled the car. Song Qingchun looked at the passing neon lights through the window and realized that night was probably the first time she had ever rejected an invitation by Qin Yinan. Previously, she would have given up the entire world to have her Brother Yinan invite her out for supper.


    Song Menghwa and Fang Rou were already asleep when they reached the Song family¡¯s home. Qin Yinan was afraid that he might identally wake up the rest of the family, so he bade Song Qingchun at the door. Before parting, he added with worry and concern, "Remember to drink something warm before you sleep, make sure the heater in your room is on, and use theforter to cover up your body. You might not feel bad now, but I fear you might not feel toofortableter into the night. The cold of theke might cause a fever or flu, so if you need me, just call."


    After Qin Yinan returned to his car, he didn¡¯t start his engine straight away but pulled out his phone. He expected unread messages or unanswered calls from Tang Nuan, but other than a bunch of spam wishes, there was nothing from Tang Nuan.


    Qin Yinan first gave her a call, but there was no response. He knew that she was unhappy, so he sent a conciliatory message. "How¡¯s your stomach? Are you feeling better?"


    There was no reply.


    Qin Yinan sent another message. "I¡¯ll go see you now, how does that sound?"


    Still no reply.


    After a long silence, Qin Yinan sent yet another message. "Tang Nuan, I know you¡¯re not happy that I¡¯ve ignored you even though you¡¯re not feeling well tonight, but you have to understand that Song Song is like my own little sister; she is very important to me. How can I possible leave her after what happened tonight? Furthermore, Song Cheng was my best friend in the whole world. Now that he¡¯s no longer with us, it is my responsibility to help him take care of his little sister."


    There was still no reply. Qin Yinan tried calling again and realized Tang Nuan had turned off her phone. His lips stretched into a thin line and tossed his phone onto the passenger seat before driving away.


    ...


    Song Qingchun did heat a cup of warm milk before going to bed. Then, she turned off the light and snuggled into her bed.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s body and heart were tired after everything that had happened that night, but she didn¡¯t feel even a little drowsy.


    The night was quiet except for the asional sound of firecrackers.


    As these different sounds drifted into her eyes, Song Qingchun reminisced about the things that had happened at the grassy bank of North Sea Garden.


    It had been two hours, but she could feel the tingling sensation the kiss had left on her lips.


    She was alone in her room, but a blush still rose to her face as her heart started to beat fast, and an inexplicable feeling of intimate warmth burgeoned within her.

 Chapter 283: A Fool for Life (4)

    Chapter 283: A Fool for Life (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    It was not that she had not experienced this sensation before. During the time she was still crazily obsessed with Qin Yinan, her heart would race in this manner whenever he touched her head.


    However, there was a difference between the excitement she had felt then and the excitement she felt now. This was a feeling she had not experienced in her life before.


    It was a sensation that made her whole body feel like warm butter, soft and wobbly. In fact, when she thought about the man¡¯s tongue intertwined with hers, her whole body shook violently and involuntarily. She reached for herforter and scurried under it in a hurry.


    It was a curious feeling. Covered in the dark, Song Qingchun could hear her heart beating in her ears. She really wanted to know the identity of the man who had made her feel this way.


    Song Qingchun hid under herforter with her thoughts for quite some time, and she only poked her head out of it when her phone, which she had left on the bedside table, rang. She had just slotted in the SIM card from the ruined phone, which was surprisingly still usable.


    Who is it? It¡¯s already sote.


    Song Qingchun reached for the phone and realized it was a message. She clicked it open and was shocked to discover it hade from that one number that would asionally send her messages. Thistest message was as sinct as the ones preceding it. "Happy New Year."


    Song Qingchun had scrolled through everyone she knew in her mind earlier, and none of them seemed like her mysterious savior. However, when she saw that message, it clicked instantly in her mind.


    Thest time this number had contacted her was two months ago. If not for the sudden iing message, she really wouldn¡¯t have thought to connect the dots.


    Whenever this number messaged her, it was to lend her aid, give her support, or congratte her. Even though they were always a few short words, the messages managed to bring her warmth and support when she needed them the most.


    The feeling she got from these messages were simr to the feeling her mysterious guardian elicited in her; therefore, the person sending her these messages had to be her mysterious guardian!


    Furthermore, the fact that the messages would alwayse at the time she needed them the most meant that the owner of these messages had been following her movements.


    This person, who was always able to save her in the nick of time, had to be a person within her close circle of friends, or someone who interacted closely with her on a daily basis.


    The more Song Qingchun thought it, the more certain she became. She deleted the "Happy New Year" reply she had typed and changed it to "Were you the person who came to North Sea Garden to save me tonight?" Then, she hit send.


    Just like her messages from before, there was no reply. However, this time, Song Qingchun did not give up after sending one or two messages.


    "Who are you?"


    "I want to see you in person, is that possible?"


    "Why have you been protecting me and helping me?"


    "So, the person who has been watching over me for the past few days has to be you!"


    In the end, Song Qingchun¡¯s messages changed from a question into an affirmative statement.


    However, it was as if she was talking to a wall; themunication was one-sided. She tried calling the number, and it was unreachable as usual.


    "Why won¡¯t you let me know your identity? And still insist to be so good to me?"


    Song Qingchun knew there wouldn¡¯t be an answer, but that didn¡¯t stop her from asking that very question. Then, she went totally silent, as if praying or waiting for an answer.


    She stared at the eleven digits that appeared on her phone screen until they were memorized in her heart. Then, her fingers started moving, punching the virtual keyboard keys.

 Chapter 284: A Fool for Life (5)

    Chapter 284: A Fool for Life (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "I really wish to meet you, hopefully you¡¯ll make my wishe true."


    That was supposed to be thest message sent by Song Qingchun. However, theck of a reply made Song Qingchun consider things from his perspective, and she came up with possibilities as to why he wouldn¡¯t meet her. Did he suffer from low self-esteem? Was he ugly? Too poor? Did he have a disability?


    Song Qingchun thought about it, biting her fingers. She realized that might be the case, so she added, "Don¡¯t worry, I believe beauty is skin deep; I will not look down on anyone based on their looks or wealth. Furthermore, you have been nothing but nice to me; I just want to thank you in person."


    Song Qingchun yawned after sending that long message. She ced her phone down and closed her eyes as she prepared to sleep. However, her eyes suddenly burst open as if she was reminded of something. She grabbed her phone and typed, "Happy New Year," and hit send.


    ...


    Su Zhinian leaned gracefully against the dining table, studying the messages sent by Song Qingchun one by one carefully while holding a cup of warm tea in his hand.


    To be truthful, he had only sent that "Happy New Year" because he wanted to find out whether she had caught a cold from her ¡¯ident¡¯. The fact that she had managed to reply so quickly told him she was doing perfectly fine.


    However, he was shocked that she had managed to work out that the person who messaged her and the person who had saved her were the same person.


    When Su Zhinian saw thest message sent by Song Qingchun, his lips curved into an smile.


    Beauty is skin deep? What curious idea she has gotten in her mind this time? She thinks I¡¯m ugly or dirt poor?


    Su Zhinian raised her head to look at his luxuriously decorated bungalow before his gaze fell on a china vase that stood in the corner of the room. He had won it at a Hong Kong bidding war with a nine-digit price.


    And his looks¡ªSu Zhinian nced at himself in the mirror¡ªhe had noment.


    Su Zhinian finished his tea and sniffed through his slightly congested nostrils. He went upstairs and was about to turn off the lights in his bedroom when his phone rang.


    It was another one of her messages, replying the message he had sent her that night. "Happy New Year."


    At that moment, warmth suffused his heart.


    Happy New Year, Tingting


    ...


    The series of attempts on her life had made Song Qingchun realize none of them were idents; they had all been manmade.


    This caused her to squirrel up at home throughout the whole holiday season. She rejected all of the invitations from her friends and stayed home to apany her father. They would y chess, chat, sleep, or she would catch up on her Korean drama.


    However, she would asionally whip out her phone to reread those messages between her and her mysterious caller. Perhaps she had done this so many times that Song Menghwa even asked if she was in a rtionship.


    She shook her head and denied it adamantly, but for some reason, her face was feverish, and her heart raced.


    Qin Yinan visited the Song family on the second day of Lunar New Year. He had two purposes in visiting that day; one was to pay Song Menghwa a visit on Chinese New Year, and the other was to check up on Song Qingchun.


    Song Qingchun was rather bored cooped up in her home for the holidays. Finally, it was the fourth day of Lunar New Year; she was supposed to return to Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow that day. She was d that she finally had a reason to leave home, but she was worried.


    Would any ¡¯idents¡¯ happen to her on the way to Su Zhinian¡¯s ce?

 Chapter 285: A Fool for Life (6)

    Chapter 285: A Fool for Life (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Even though she knew someone was watching over her... what if the person was otherwise upied? This was her life she was putting on the line. Now that she knew about the danger, she had to take steps to prevent it.


    Song Qingchun thought about it, and the best solution was to find herself a driver to send her to Su Zhinian¡¯s house directly.


    Her family driver still hadn¡¯t returned from holiday, so she would have to walk a distance to the taxi stop, thus giving her assant an opening. Song Menghwa was not feeling physically well enough to drive, her sister-inw would not be useful in a physical conflict, and Qin Yinan... was her best choice, but Song Qingchun didn¡¯t feel like bothering him.


    She didn¡¯t want her other friends to know she had been living with Su Zhinian because it might lead to some unsavory rumors, and Song Menghwa would probably die from anger should he find out!


    Song Qingchun scrolled through her long list of contacts many times and realized her safest bet was probably Su Zhinian.


    He had helped her a lot over the past two months, but that was because he had volunteered to help. This time, she was going to ask him for help. Song Qingchun still felt a bit worried about that idea. Considering the kind attitude he had shown her before Lunar New Year, Song Qingchun took a deep breath to muster her courage and sent Su Zhinian a WhatsApp message. "Are you there?"


    After the message was sent, Song Qingchun realized the words sounded a bit too forward, so she added a ¡¯pleading face¡¯ emoji. Then, she realized her heart had started to race.


    She gripped her phone and paced around her room. Three minutester, Su Zhinian¡¯s reply came; it didn¡¯t even contain a word. "?"


    "Erm." Song Qingchun didn¡¯t know what to say and continued with a bunch of "..." before going into the real topic. "I have a favor to ask."


    Her phone showed, ¡¯The other person is currently typing.¡¯ After some time, another "?" popped up on her screen.


    Doesn¡¯t he know how to chat? Can he use nothing other than a question mark? Song Qingchun grumbled internally, but her face was smiling. Even her fingers tapping on her phone were getting extra excited. "Tell me first, are you free or not?"


    This time, the phone showed he was typing for a long time, but there was no new iing message.


    Could it be that Maniac Su is a slow typist? Howe there¡¯s nothing after so long?


    Suddenly Song Qingchun¡¯s phone rang. She nced at her phone screen and it said "Maniac Su".


    Why does he always choose to call whenever I message him? Is he really a slow typist? Slow Typist Su...


    Song Qingchun mocked him internally as she answered the phone. She began with the gentlest "hello" that she had ever said in her life.


    On the other end of the phone, Su Zhinian¡¯s tone was as dead as air above the grave. He didn¡¯t seem like he was in the mood to drag this out because he asked directly, "What favor?"


    This Maniac Su is really such a boring person, didn¡¯t he know to begin with a New Year greeting or something? Now, it¡¯s going to make my request sound so awkward... Song Qingchun had no choice but to cut to the chase. "I have to return to your ce today, right? If it¡¯s not too much trouble, do you minding to fetch me?"

 Chapter 286: A Fool for Life (7)

    Chapter 286: A Fool for Life (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    After she said that, Song Qingchun realized with a start the hand that was holding the phone was covered with sweat. She tossed her phone into her other hand and wiped her hand on her clothes. Then, realizing how brazen her request sounded, she was about to exin to Su Zhinian why she needed his help when the man on the other end of the phone asked in his uniquely emotionless voice, "Where are you now?"


    Song Qingchun answered instinctively, "I¡¯m at home."


    "Okay." Su Zhinian was probably driving because Song Qingchun could hear the asional shrill honking of a vehicleing through the telephone. After a while, he said, "I understand."


    The he hung up.


    Song Qingchun was stunned, listening to the dial tone in her ear for a long time before realizing the call had been ended. She looked at the phone in her hand and blinked with disbelief.


    This Maniac Su agreed toe fetch me without asking why or how? Since when did he be so friendly toward me?


    Song Qingchun traced all the changes back to the night they had shared in the mountains. The day he hade to fetch her, and they had talked deep into the night. It was also that night when Song Qingchun had realized that he cared about her despite his cold exterior. But... why would Su Zhinian be good to her?


    She had once hated him deeply. She had utterly berated him and had even thrown him out of her world, so why was he so good to her?


    Song Qingchun thought about it for a long time but couldn¡¯te up with a logical exnation. She shook her head to toss the question out of her mind. Then she frowned slightly. Did I just call him Maniac Su again? His caller ID on my phone is still Maniac Su.


    With her palms cupped over her phone, Song Qingchun copsed onto her bed. She bit her bottom lip, thinking, as she pressed the edit button and changed "Maniac Su" into "Sanitary Su".


    Then, Song Qingchun looked at the name and felt like "Slow Typist Su" sounded better, so she changed it to that. Then, she realized "Cold-Blooded Su" matched his attitude better. She puffed out her cheeks and changed it to "Silent Su", then with a shake of her head, the name was changed to "Diary Su". Then, she frowned because "Technician Su", "Genius Su", "Liar Su", "One RMB Su", and "Beauty Su" were prize nicknames as well.


    All of these are golden, which one should I use?


    Song Qingchun bit her finger and hesitated for a long time beforeing to a decision. Since Su Zhinian hadn¡¯t arrived yet, she wrote every single one of the nicknames on a piece of paper and then tore them into small pieces. She ced them on the table and shuffled them. Just as she was going to draw the official name for Su Zhinian on her phone, her phone rang.


    Song Qingchun nced at it and realized it was from Su Zhinian. Her finger that reached for one of the paper pieces stopped and changed its direction to grab her phone instead. Before she could offer a greeting, Su Zhinian¡¯s toneless voice drifted into her ears. "I¡¯m here."


    "I¡¯ll be there in a minute." Song Qingchun hung up and grabbed her bag and jacket in a hurry before dashing out of her bedroom. She suddenly made a U-turn as she reached the top of the stairs.

 Chapter 287: A Fool for Life (8)

    Chapter 287: A Fool for Life (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She ran back to her desk and grabbed a random paper piece off her table before turning around to bounce down the flight of stairs.


    ...


    After Su Zhinian jumped into theke to save Song Qingchun, he caught a cold because he hadn¡¯t sought warmth immediately after. Instead he had stood in the freezing cold in his wet clothes for about two hours.


    He was worried about Song Qingchun, so he had visited the hospital to take shot so that he would recover faster. He had even taken double the rmended dosage for his medicine. However, due to his constant stakeout at the Song family¡¯s residence from early morning tote night, his cold never seemed to improve.


    His fever continued until the third night of the Lunar New Year. He took a warm bath that night, and after a long well-needed sleep, he felt much better when he woke up the next morning.


    After breakfast, he took hisptop and several documents to a caf¨¦ near the Song family and parked himself there. He was still sniffling from his flu, and he was swamped by fatigue after just three hours of work. He ordered something simple for lunch at the caf¨¦ and leaned against the sofa for forty winks.


    He woke up at around 4 pm because he knew Song Qingchun would depart toward his bungalow soon. He packed away his things and left the caf¨¦ after paying his bill. He got into his car and drove toward the Song family¡¯s residential area. It was then that his phone rang.


    He pulled out his phone while his other hand was on the steering wheel. He nced at the phone disy and was shocked to see it was a message from Song Qingchun.


    He replied with a "?" because he was driving. Then, he saw the burst of messages that came from Song Qingchun.


    "I have a favor to ask..."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s brain ceased to move when he saw that sentence. He quickly recovered after a honk from another driver. He clicked open the message, and after making sure it was truly a message from Song Qingchun, his brain shut down again.


    Another shrill car honk from behind his car woke Su Zhinian up.


    He was idling at a junction, and because he was too caught up in the message from Song Qingchun, he hadn¡¯t realized the light had turned green. The driver behind him got impatient.


    He replied to Song Qingchun rapidly with another "?" and ced his phone on the passenger seat. With both hands on the staring wheel, he pressed down on the gas pedal, and after passing that junction, he picked up his phone again and realized Song Qingchun had sent him a message. "Tell me first, are you free or not?"


    This time, he did not reply with a message but called her directly.


    The callsted less than ten minutes, and he took exactly that long to reach the Song family¡¯s ce. He gave Song Qingchun a call to remind her of his arrival. After hanging up, he clicked open his WhatsApp messages and read that message from Song Qingchun repeatedly. "I have a favor to ask..."


    He felt like he was dreaming, this was the first time she had actively sought him out for help after their departure during the third year of high school.


    When he used to stay with the Song family, this was how she usually began her sentences.


    "Su Zhinian, I have a favor to ask, do you minding shopping with me this weekend?"


    "Su Zhinian, I have a favor to ask, I can¡¯t find a taxi, can youe to Xi Dan toe fetch me?"


    "Su Zhinian, I have a favor to ask, when youe home, do you mind taking a detour to Nan Luo Street to help me buy a slice of honey cheese cake?"

 Chapter 288: A Fool for Life (9)

    Chapter 288: A Fool for Life (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Su Zhinian, I have a favor to ask..."


    ...


    When Song Qingchun exited the door, she could see Su Zhinian¡¯s car parked not far away.


    She walked over to it and knocked on his window. However, the window remained shut.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s car windows were so tinted that Song Qingchun had to practically stick her face onto the ss before she could see Su Zhinian sitting in the driver¡¯s seat, enraptured by something on his phone with his head lowered.


    However, she was unable to make out the content that had captured his attention. His usually cid face was suffused with a warm glow like he was remembering something new and happy from his past.


    Song Qingchun knocked on the window again, and when she saw Su Zhinian still gave zero response, she pulled on the car door. The door was locked, so Song Qingchun had no choice but to give Su Zhinian a call.


    Song Qingchun could hear the sound of music drifting out of the window. It wasn¡¯t particrly clear, but she could filter out a few words. "The person hiding in my memories... if we meet again in the crowd..."


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t answer his phone but turned to look out the window. Then, he raised his hand to unlock the door.


    Song Qingchun pulled the door open, and she hear Su Zhinian¡¯s ringtone more clearly. "The person hiding in my memories; Thank you forpleting my youth; Thank you for your once sincerity; Thank you for teaching me how to love..."


    Song Qingchun found both the song lyric and melody exceptionally touching. She nced subconsciously toward Su Zhinian¡¯s phone, but before her eyes couldnd on his phone disy, the call was cut off, and the screen returned to the home page. Then, she looked on as he pocketed his phone with a face devoid of emotion.


    As Song Qingchun pulled on her seatbelt, she asked, "How did you manage toe so fast? Were you around the area when I called?"


    "Yes," Su Zhinian answered as he started the engine.


    Su Zhinian¡¯spany and home were on the western side of town, and Song Qingchun¡¯s house was on the southern side. Most of Su Zhinian¡¯s area of activity limited itself to the western side of town. She was about to ask why he was around her house when she saw the stack of documents andptop lying on the backseat through the rear-view mirror. Therefore, her question changed. "Did you have a business meeting somewhere nearby?"


    Who would schedule a business meeting during Chinese New Year? The only reason I¡¯m here is for you. Su Zhinian answered with a half-hearted "hmm" after a pause.


    "But isn¡¯t it the New Year holiday? Why do you keep yourself so busy?" Song Qingchun stopped because she realized Su Zhinian wasn¡¯t looking particrly hale.


    It had only been five days since they had parted during the afternoon of Lunar New Year¡¯s Eve, but he looked thinner and so much more tired than before. His face was pale in a sickly kind of way.


    Song Qingchun frowned and asked, "...You¡¯re sick?"


    Su Zhinian was rattled because he didn¡¯t expect her to see through him so easily. He was unresponsive for a long time before nodding slightly. "Hmm."


    After a while, he added, "Just a minor fever."


    "It¡¯s bad to get fever during the winter. Did you go to the hospital? Get a shot? Have you taken your medicine?"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s series of concern-filled questions surprised Su Zhinian. After a dyed moment, he nced at her through the rear-view mirror.

 Chapter 289: A Fool for Life (10)

    Chapter 289: A Fool for Life (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian moved his gaze away from her and onto the road. He answered her questions patiently, one by one. "I¡¯ve been to the clinic, was on a drip for three days, and just had my medicine this morning."


    After a pause, Su Zhinian added, "I¡¯m feeling much better already."


    "Good," Song Qingchun said as she shifted into a morefortable position. "There aren¡¯t many cooking ingredients left at home, right? Do you mind taking a detour to the supermarket?"


    "Sure." Su Zhinian had no issue with that.


    After a short silence, Song Qingchun added, "We will have something light since you¡¯re sick. Is that okay with you?"


    Su Zhinian replied affirmatively again.


    Song Qingchun then turned her head to look out the window, thinking about the menu that night.


    The car stopped in front of a red light. Su Zhinian turned to study Song Qingchun through the rear-view mirror.


    Since when did she start to n our menu and not cook anything I ask for? Furthermore, the menu is nned with my health in mind.


    Su Zhinian retracted his gaze as the lights turned green. The car continued moving forward, and his gaze that looked at the road was rippling with rose-colored affection.


    ...


    The first step was often the hardest to take.


    Ever since Song Qingchun had started the precedent of asking favor of Su Zhinian, naturally, it didn¡¯t stop with just one.


    After Song Qingchun arrived at Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, she didn¡¯t leave the house. It was the same for Su Zhinian as well. He stayed in, probably to help with his recovery.


    The seventh day of Lunar New Year was when most people started work again. After the lesson on New Year¡¯s Eve, Song Qingchun didn¡¯t dare take the taxi or subway alone again. Therefore, she came to Su Zhinian for another favor on the night of the sixth day of the Lunar New Year.


    Simr tost time, Su Zhinian didn¡¯t hesitate for one second when Song Qingchun came to him for help. However, this time, Song Qingchun did exin that some hidden forces were aiming for her life.


    Even though Su Zhinian knew all of this already, he still dropped all of his work to listen intently to her story. He was not even this focused during his business meetings.


    On the morning of the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, Su Zhinian didn¡¯t have his driver to fetch him. Instead, he personally drove to Song Qingchun¡¯s house to act as her driver.


    When they almost reached TW Station, the girl became visibly concerned like there was something big bothering her.


    Su Zhinian made use of the red light to brush his hand on Song Qingchun¡¯s arm to read her thoughts. He now knew she was worried about asking him for a third favor, which was to have hime fetch her after work. She was too ashamed to voice that request, and her brain wandered to some other possible alternatives like hiring a strong man to be her 24-hour bodyguard...


    Man... bodyguard... When Su Zhinian heard these two words, his eyes twitched even though most of his face was unmoved.


    The car crawled to a stop before TW Station. Song Qingchun gathered her bag slowly, and before she got out of his car, she nearly voiced her request many times, but they all changed into something else as they escaped her lips. "Erm, thank you for your help... Drive safely... Goodbye... I¡¯ll see you at home."


    Eventually, Song Qingchun ran out of stuff to dy the inevitable. She climbed out of his car, and before closing the door, she looked at Su Zhinian with obvious pleading in her eyes, but she still hadn¡¯t found a way to ask him for the third favor. Finally, she waved at him weakly. "Goodbye."

 Chapter 290: Was That You? (1)

    Chapter 290: Was That You? (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Thus far, she had said goodbye eight times, and she had managed the impossible of still not asking her favor after such a long prelude.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s heart twisted from listening to her weak attempts at asking him for help. He spotted the girl¡¯s drawn face as she prepared to close the door, and he called out, "Qingchun."


    "Hmm?" Song Qingchun pulled the car door wider open and poked her head in.


    Su Zhinian said in a tone that was as emotionless as his face, "I have a meeting with a client at the clubhouse just in front this afternoon; if you want, I can drive you home after work."


    Song Qingchun nodded happily at him like she had just won the lottery. Her dark eyes glowed brilliantly like a universe full of stars. "Okay. Thank you."


    Su Zhinian was dazed by her pretty eyes that fell on him. He averted his gaze and nodded imperceptibly. Then, he heard her say the ninth goodbye before he drove away. Due to his offer that day, Su Zhinian managed to earn himself a new nickname, Driver Su.


    For the sake of her personal safety, Song Qingchun wished that Su Zhinian could drive her to and from work every day.


    Worried about Song Qingchun¡¯s personal safety, Su Zhinian wished that he could be by her side 24 hours every day.


    Thus, Su Zhinian officially became the driver who sent Song Qingchun to and from work every day.


    The only reason Su Zhinian signed that contract with Song Qingchun was because he wished to create more shared memories between them; he didn¡¯t dare ask for anything more.


    The fact that their rtionship had improved to the point where he would drive her to and from work had already gone beyond his expectations. He believed this was supposed to be the absolute limit of their rtionship. However, in less than a week, that limit was broken through.


    ...


    That day was 23rd February, sixteen days to the end of his contract with Song Qingchun.


    Song Qingchun, by then, had stopped counting down to the days until she would be able to escape from hisir every night.


    That morning, Su Zhinian sent Song Qingchun to TW Station like usual. After he witnessed her enter thepany lobby safely, he drove to the nearby clubhouse where his secretary, Cheng Qingchong, was already waiting with the documents in the private room he had been using for the past few months.


    The moment Song Qingchun reached her office, she was called to meet with the Station Manager. When the meeting ended, it was already 11 am. Her assistant osted her and told her rather excitedly that there was a new lead for the news they had been following for months. When they passed the breakroom, Song Qingchun nced into it and saw Tang Nuan and Qin Yinan, who were sitting inside.


    She smiled at Qin Yinan as her assistant updated her on the details, and when her assistant paused for a moment, she greeted him with a "Brother Yinan" before walking to her office.


    When she reached her office door, a colleague called over to her, "Song Qingchun, there¡¯s a delivery for you, pleasee sign for it."


    Song Qingchun told her assistant to wait for her and walked toward the deliveryman, who was waiting by the elevator door.

 Chapter 291: Was That You? (2)

    Chapter 291: Was That You? (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    To her memory, she had not done any online shopping, so there shouldn¡¯t have been any deliveries for her... unless it was this something she had bid on before Chinese New Year?


    Song Qingchun rushed toward the deliveryman in her heels with confusion festering in her mind.


    When Song Qingchun got close, the deliveryman bent over and picked out a green box from his package. He nced at the order form that was pasted on the box and asked, "Are you Miss Song Qingchun?"


    "Yes." Song Qingchun stopped at around half a meter away from the young man.


    "Miss Song, please sign here." The deliveryman passed Song Qingchun both the box and a pen.


    Song Qingchun epted the box with both hands and looked at the form. It was indeed her name on it. She assumed it was some kind of snacks that she had forgotten ordering and signed the order without a second thought.


    The rest of the office was too busy to give their little transaction any thought.


    The young man scanned the room surreptitiously and reached into his jacket pocket when he was certain no one was watching him and Song Qingchun. He pulled out the object and hid it from view inside his sleeve.


    After she finished writing his signature, Song Qingchun passed the pen and order form back to the young man. Just as she was going to say "Thank you", the deliveryman¡¯s right hand suddenly struck at her throat.


    Song Qingchun could see the glint of a cold steel in the young man¡¯s hand clearly. It was a sharp flick knife.


    Song Qingchun screamed instinctively in the face of this sudden threat. Her brain then went nk like she had suddenly lost control of her body. When she next came to, she realized with a start she had retreated about two meters away from the deliveryman.


    Her scream had attracted the attention of the whole office, and they all nced toward the elevator entrance.


    Frustrated by his missed strike, the deliveryman charged at Song Qingchun like a crazed man. He aimed at Song Qingchun¡¯s heart recklessly because he knew this was probably going to be hisst chance.


    The screams in the office rose endlessly.


    ...


    After the night at the New Year¡¯s Eve party, Tang Nuan had avoided Qin Yinan for more than a week. She had refused to take his calls or see him in person.


    Even though Qin Yinan had osted her at work, she had acted like he was not there no matter how desperately he pleaded for her forgiveness.


    It was not until the day before that things had changed. She was going to go shop with her friends that day, and when she left her house, Qin Yinan was already there waiting at her door. She still did not address him and continued on her own to the mall.


    She knew Qin Yinan had been trailing her from home. In fact, they ¡¯just so happened¡¯ to have lunch at the same restaurant. He even had the waiter send over her favorite sweet and sour fish. However, she didn¡¯t even touch the dish. At the mall, she saw a Louis Vuitton purse that she liked. It was a limited-edition purse with a gorgeous design. Naturally, the price was quite ¡¯gorgeous¡¯ as well. She liked it a lot, but it was a bit out of her price range, so she left the shop empty-handed with a sad pout on her face. Then, she went to rest at the upstairs tea house with her friends.

 Chapter 292: Was That You? (3)

    Chapter 292: Was That You? (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She excused herself to use the bathroom, and when she came out, Qin Yinan was leaning against the wall outside of the bathroom, carrying a big bag in his grasp.


    When he saw her, he straightened up and called her name. "Tang Nuan."


    Like before, she ignored him and walked away.


    He reached out to grab her arm. Her brows furrowed into a frown, and her first instinct was to scream for help. However, before she could do anything, he pushed the bag in his hands into her grasp. "This is for you."


    It was then that she realized the stic bag was from LV.


    The thing inside was hidden behindyers of protective fabrics. She had no idea what it was, and he didn¡¯t tell her. He merely stared at her for a while and added, "Have fun at the mall."


    Then, he realized his grasp on her arm and left.


    She waited until he was quite a distance away before lowering her head to pull the stuff out of the LV stic bag. She pulled open the coverings and realized it was the LV purse she had been checking inside the store.


    Qin Yinan does care about me a little bit more... Her lips curved into a smile as she held the purse in her hands, and her ruined mood that had clogged her chest for days finally cleared.


    She ran to catch up to him in her heels. She didn¡¯t say anything but ced her hand around his arm. He understood what she didn¡¯t say and reached out to put his hand on her waist.


    The first cold war they had ever had since they were a couple ended just like that.


    It was the Lantern Festival 1 , and it was a day off for Qin Yinan. He found out that Tang Nuan hadn¡¯t had breakfast through their phone conversation, so he came to her office to bring some food for her to eat.


    Tang Nuan had finished her work for the day, so she joined him in the breakroom to enjoy the meal that he had brought.


    When Song Qingchun exited the Station Manager¡¯s room, she shared a light greeting with Qin Yinan. It didn¡¯t go beyond a casual meeting between acquaintances, and Tang Nuan felt at ease noticing that.


    However, her ease didn¡¯tst for long. Five minutester, a scream split the peacefulness of the office.


    At the time, Qin Yinan was using a napkin to wipe her fingers. Before she could identify the source of the scream, Qin Yinan¡¯s expression changed, and he growled in low voice, "Song Song."


    Then, he dropped the napkin he was holding and stood up to dash out of the breakroom.


    She didn¡¯t hesitate to stay. The moment Qin Yinan stood up, she made to follow and reached the door to the breakroom at the same time as him.


    Song Qingchun, by the elevator, was in a state of shock. The deliveryman was grimacing with fury and resentment, while the rest of the office was in panic and disbelief.


    Before Qin Yinan and Tang Nuan, who had just gotten out of the breakroom, could understand what was happening, the deliveryman suddenly raised his hand, a knife glinting in it and aimed it as Song Qingchun¡¯s heart.


    "Song Song!" Qin Yinan yelled out Song Qingchun¡¯s name the moment the deliveryman made his move. His scream was sharp and shrill; his face was drained of blood.


    He leaped toward Song Qingchun without a second thought, and from the way he was going at it, it was obvious that he was going to take this stab in Song Qingchun¡¯s stead.


    This reminded Tang Nuan of the little bet she¡¯d made with Song Qingchun at the restaurant. She had been so sure that Qin Yinan would save her, but he had ended up saving Song Qingchun.


    Then, at North Sea Garden, they were in the middle of a passionate kiss when he received a phone call informing him that Song Qingchun had fallen overboard.

 Chapter 293: Was That You? (4)

    Chapter 293: Was That You? (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    He had shoved her away without hesitation and run in a hurry toward the captain¡¯s room. That night, he¡¯d only had Song Qingchun in his eyes. Eventer when she faked the stomach ache, the man who usually thought the world of her merely asked his friend sent her to the hospital. Later, when she called him, he didn¡¯t answer any of the calls and said he¡¯d call herter before turning his phone off.


    She had been using the fact that Qin Yinan valued her more than Song Qingchun to mock thetter, but in the end, when the situation really called for it, his concern for Song Qingchun went way beyond his concern for her, Tang Nuan.


    And it was going to happen again. He was going to sacrifice his life once more to save Song Qingchun...


    Tang Nuan had allowed it to happen once, but she definitely would not allow it to happen again!


    With a cold sheen in her eyes, Tang Nuan screamed shrilly Qin Yinan¡¯s name and copsed in a fluster into his arms, stopping him from reaching Song Qingchun.


    She buried her face into his chest and gripped his shirt tightly. Her whole body shook violently, and she pretended like she was spooked by the deliveryman¡¯s action, her eyes and lips quivering with fear.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s mobility was limited by Tang Nuan¡¯s interference, and he could only look on as the deliveryman¡¯s knife flew toward Song Qingchun¡¯s chest.


    "Song Song!" His voice had lost its usual mildness, and there was a desperate destion in it. He shoved Tang Nuan away unhesitatingly and, once more with a voice that had gotten course, yelled, "Song Song."


    He then picked up his pace as he dashed toward Song Qingchun.


    Perhaps it was because of nerves, the deliveryman slipped and fell to the floor. The knife in his grasp flew out of his grip. The deliveryman stayed on the floor for about ten seconds, probably dazed from his sudden copse, before getting back on all fours to crawl speedily toward the knife. He only managed to take several steps before a man flew out of the elevator and dived down on the deliveryman. The mysterious man was so fast that no one saw who it was. He grabbed the deliveryman¡¯s sleeves and rained punches on his face.


    The deliveryman wailed from pain, and his scream pulled everyone in the office out of their shock. Then, someone quickly ran over to pick up the flick knife the deliveryman had dropped while others called the cops. Someone even managed to procure a nylon rope to apprehend the deliveryman.


    Even though Song Qingchun had survived many near-death ¡¯idents¡¯ recently, this was the first time someone hade so close, physically, to iming her life. Plus, this was not something a person could get used to through experience. She felt her legs giving underneath her, and she crumbled to the floor.


    The shot from her bottom as shended on the floor did wake her up a tiny bit. She raised her hand to touch her left chest, which had been so close to being stabbed by a knife, and she realized the heart beneath her skin was racing at an indescribable speed.


    "Song Song, are you alright?" Qin Yinan rushed to Song Qingchun with a face full of worry. He was about to squat down to examine any possible wounds on her body when someone else bent over to pull Song Qingchun off the floor.

 Chapter 294: Was That You? (5)

    Chapter 294: Was That You? (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Qin Yinan¡¯s arms that reached out toward Song Qingchun stopped in mid-air awkwardly. After a while, he realized what had happened and raised his head to follow Song Qingchun as she was picked up from the floor.


    Su Zhinian was wearing a simple white shirt, but it was rather rumpled, probably because he had just been in a physical scuffle. One of the buttons on his sleeves had popped open to reveal his muscr lower arm.


    His carved features wore a frighteningly cold expression. Fury and menace danced within his gaze, and his presence seemed to suggest that he was about to bring the world down.


    His usual aloofness lent him an approachable aura, but Su Zhinian in the peak of his angermanded a powerful presence. One nce at him and a chill would run down one¡¯s spine.


    However, even in such conditions, his looks were still as captivating as ever.


    Qin Yinan had thought it was one of Song Qingchun¡¯s colleagues who hade to lend her a hand, so he was shocked to realize it was Su Zhinian.


    A sh of surprise crossed his eyes, and after he recovered from his initial shock, he greeted Su Zhinian politely. "CEO Su, when did you get here?"


    Even though he had known Su Zhinian for many years, they had never been close; therefore, the greeting was awfully polite and business-like.


    Su Zhinian was still catching his breath from the energy he had exhausted by making a meat pie out of the deliveryman.


    With his hand around Song Qingchun¡¯s shoulder, he stared directly at Song Qingchun as if he didn¡¯t even hear Qin Yinan¡¯s question. After a while, he asked, "Are you alright?"


    The menace hemanded still lingered, and his tone was harsh and frigid.


    Song Qingchun frowned slightly as his voice drifted into her ears. It was then that she realized she was no longer on the floor. Her eyes turned toward the direction of the voice and saw Su Zhinian.


    Su Zhinian... Shouldn¡¯t he be at work? Why is he here?


    Song Qingchun¡¯s brain had trouble processing the multitudes of information flooding into it.


    Meeting and holding her gaze, Su Zhinian asked again, "Are you hurt in any way?"


    This time, Su Zhinian didn¡¯t wait for an answer. He lowered his head and started to examine her body. When he saw the gash on the chest area of her clothes, he reached out to examine it without hesitation. "Do you feel any pain here?"


    Even though his tone was calm as ever and seemingly devoid of emotion, the unusual speed with which the question was asked betrayed his concern.


    Song Qingchun started to blush from his intimate action and shook her head as she took a step back to create some distance between them.


    Su Zhinian, in his worry, reached out for the top of her chest twice and pressed it twice to ensure there was no sticky feeling on his fingers before he sighed in relief and removed his hands.


    "Do you need something to drink?"


    Just as he asked that, a few police officers came over to them. They interrupted him when they asked Song Qingchun, "I¡¯m sorry, miss, but are you the victim?"


    Song Qingchun was feeling more like herself then. She noticed there were police officers all over the office talking to her colleagues to gather statements as well as information, and the deliveryman was detained in cuffs.


    Song Qingchun nodded at the police officer who posed her the question and added, "Yes, I am."

 Chapter 295: Was That You? (6)

    Chapter 295: Was That You? (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "We need you toe with us to the station to give a statement," the officer exined.


    "Okay." Song Qingchun nodded again before adding, "Do you mind if I go get my bag and coat first?"


    "Go ahead," the officer said as he pulled out a camera to start snapping pictures of the chaotic scene.


    Song Qingchun had truly been spooked by that sharp knife. Even though the danger was over, the abject fear still lingered in her heart. It drained her greatly, and as she thought a step toward the direction of her office, her legs gave, and she started to fall.


    Su Zhinian, who stood beside Song Qingchun, quickly reached out to support her.


    "Song Song, are you okay?" Qin Yinan, who was not far away, rushed over to ask with great concern.


    Su Zhinian frowned but said nothing. Through his physical contact with Song Qingchun, he knew what she was thinking internally. He understood she was feeling weakened from fright. Ignoring Qin Yinan, he bent over to sweep Song Qingchun into his harms, dashed toward the nearest resting area, and ced her gently down on a sofa. He half-squatted before her and said, "Wait for me here, I¡¯ll go get the things you need."


    Song Qingchun responded with an "hmm" and added in a soft voice, "My phone is underneath a blue-covered document on the right hand side of my desk."


    "Okay." Su Zhinian stood up, and his gaze fell on a few bottles of unopened mineral water on the table. He grabbed one, twisted it open, and passed it to Song Qingchun. "Drink up, you¡¯ll feel better."


    Song Qingchun looked at Su Zhinian¡¯s face with her head raised for some time before expressing her thanks as she reached for the water bottle.


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t stay for long as he walked past the sofa and headed for Song Qingchun¡¯s office.


    Half a minute after he left, Qin Yinan walked into the area and asked, "Song Song, are you feeling better? Are you hurt anywhere?"


    Su Zhinian, who was facing away from them, paused slightly, but he didn¡¯t turn around, instead pushing open the door to Song Qingchun¡¯s office.


    "I¡¯m fine, Brother Yinan." Song Qingchun shook her head half-heartedly in response to the strings of questions from Qin Yinan. She lowered her eyes and took a gulp from the water bottle. Then she couldn¡¯t help herself from raising her eyes to look in Su Zhinian¡¯s direction.


    Quite a number of her colleagues were also staring at him, but he moved around calmly, ignoring the gaggle of eyes on him.


    He swung open the door to Song Qingchun¡¯s room easily, a simple move that seemed to radiate a deep-seated sense of nobility. His spine was straight, and his head was held high; he possessed a quiet confidence that was fit for a royalty.


    The anger surrounding him hadn¡¯t dispersedpletely. Earlier, when she looked at him, she had noticed the frigidness in his eyes. She used to be deathly afraid whenever she noticed this, but this time, she didn¡¯t feel a shred of fear; in fact, she felt inexplicablyforted.

 Chapter 296: Was That You? (7)

    Chapter 296: Was That You? (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Song Song, I understand how scared you must feel now, but thankfully, it was just a scare; you¡¯re safe now."


    Qin Yinan was still busy consoling her. His tone was as gentle and caring as ever. It had once been the sound that Song Qingchun loved most in the world. Her heart would move whenever she heard it, but now, her face was unaffected. She appeared to be listening to Qin Yinan, but in reality, his words had fallen on deaf ears. If anything, she found his incessant words rather distracting. Song Qingchun¡¯s gaze alternatively fell on the water bottle Su Zhinian passed her earlier and the door to her own office.


    Su Zhinian soon exited her office with her bag and coat in his grasp. Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes that had nced toward her door for who knows how many times now immediately glued themselves to Su Zhinian.


    "This is just a passing nightmare, Song Song. Don¡¯t fixate on it. Now that I think about it, the incident during New Year¡¯s Eve might be done by this man as well. You have to bring that up with the police officerster so that they can close the case on both."


    It was this point that Qin Yinan realized Song Qingchun had been nking out on him. Song Qingchun tilted her head and seemed to look past him, enraptured by something behind him.


    Qin Yinan raised his hand and waved it in front of her eyes, calling, "Song Song?"


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t respond to him in any way other than moving her head away to avoid his hand and continue looking in that direction.


    Qin Yinan also turned around to follow her gaze. Before he could understand what had attracted her attention so, he heard her sweet voice say, "Have you got everything?"


    Qin Yinan then realized that Song Qingchun had been looking at Su Zhinian. He immediately stood up to greet Su Zhinian one more time. "CEO Su."


    Su Zhinian nodded at Qin Yinan expressionlessly before turning his head away quickly to address Song Qingchun. "Here."


    Then Su Zhinian passed Song Qingchun her bag.


    Right then, the two policemen who had answered the call had finished taken all the statements. The officer who had talked to Song Qingchun earlier walked over to say as a reminder, "Have you gathered all of your belongings? Can we go to the station now?"


    "I¡¯m sorry for making you wait, yes, we can go now." Song Qingchun ced the water bottle back on the table. She stood up, and before she could grab the coat from Su Zhinian¡¯s hands, the man covered her with it and even half-bent to help her fasten the coat buttons one by one.


    The whole office¡¯s eyes were on them, but Su Zhinian conducted this series of action like they were in private.


    After a long while, Song Qingchun¡¯s ears started to burn. She didn¡¯t stop him but stood there as if frozen. Her only movement was her eyes, which moved upward to stare at the man¡¯s beautiful face, only inches from away her.


    An inexplicable warmth that she had not experienced for a long time swept through her body, giving her a sensation that she was being protected, cherished, and loved.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes that stared at Su Zhinian were calm, but her heart was quivering with emotions.

 Chapter 297: Was That You? (8)

    Chapter 297: Was That You? (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    While Song Qingchun was caught in a daze, Su Zhinian finished doing her buttons. He took a step back to introduce some distance between them and asked in a whisper, "Are you feeling better now?"


    "Much better, thank you."


    The whole scene reminded of her incident on the cruise. Both times, she had seen the face of Death, but her shaking heart really did calm down a lot after his appearance.


    The officer probably got impatient from all the waiting, so he coughed and said, "Can we go now?"


    Song Qingchun immediately nodded and apologized once more to the officer. "Yes, I¡¯m sorry."


    Then, she turned to grab her bag. However, Qin Yinan helped her to it first. He was about to offer to apany her to the police station when Song Qingchun suddenly turned toward Su Zhinian, who was standing beside them, and asked, "Are you free? Do you mind apanying me to the station?"


    The moment Su Zhinian said "yes", his hand naturally extended toward Qin Yinan, who was holding Song Qingchun¡¯s bag. Qin Yinan halted for a moment before passing the bag to Su Zhinian.


    When Su Zhinian epted the bag from Qin Yinan, their fingers brushed, and Su Zhinian could read his thoughts immediately.


    He ns to apany Song Qingchun to the police station?


    A ball of fire lit up inside Su Zhinian immediately.


    How dare he offer to apany Song Qingchun after what just happened! If he really cares about Song Qingchun, why didn¡¯t he jump forward to protect Song Qingchun when she was in mortal danger?


    If not for the fact he was physically close to her office; if not for the fact, he just so happened to lie down for a rest and habitually check up on her; if not for the fact he dashed out of the clubhouse and ran toward her office without a second thought; if not for the fact he ignored the receptionist¡¯s warning and jumped into the elevator; if not for the fact he controlled her mind at thest second to hastily step back; if not for the fact he controlled the deliveryman and made him fall in the nick of time; if not for the fact he managed to subdue the deliveryman as he flew out of the elevator; if not for all that, wouldn¡¯t this Qin Yinan have stood there and watched Song Qingchun being stabbed to death?


    When he was in the elevator, he even heard Tang Nuan call out to him, saying "Yinan, I¡¯m scared."


    So, while Song Qingchun was a hair-breath¡¯s away from death, he was busy consoling his love?


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t me Qin Yinan for loving Tang Nuan; after all, he understood better than anyone that love wasn¡¯t logical. However, at the very least, Qin Yinan had grown up with Song Qingchun. He had heard Qin Yinan promise Song Qingchun so many times he would look after her.


    If he was truly a man of his word, why didn¡¯t he reach forward to apprehend the deliveryman when I made the young man copse to the floor?


    Or in his mind, was consoling Tang Nuan more important than saving Song Qingchun¡¯s life?


    He knew Song Qingchun was in danger, but he didn¡¯t know the extent of the danger. When he heard the knife shred the fabric of the clothes Song Qingchun was wearing, his heart had been in his throat.


    If he had reacted one secondter, then Song Qingchun...


    Imagining the worst possible scenario made Su Zhinian simmer in anger. Perhaps it was his intention to add oil to the fire, because Qin Yinan chose this moment to add, "I hope it¡¯s not too much trouble for CEO Su to send Song Song home after she gives her statement..."

 Chapter 298: Was That You? (9)

    Chapter 298: Was That You? (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Who gave him the power to order me around? And he thinks I wouldn¡¯t drop Song Qingchun home?


    Su Zhinian¡¯s expression turned icy, and he pulled the bag away from Qin Yinan¡¯s grasp before the man could finish. He said coolly, "Let¡¯s go," to Song Qingchun and took the first stride toward the police officer.


    Song Qingchun immediately followed. Then, as if remembering something, she turned to tell Qin Yinan, "Brother Yinan, we¡¯re leaving."


    Qin Yinan said, "Be careful on the road, call me if you need anything."


    Su Zhinian suddenly stopped moving.


    "Okay, goodbye, Bro..."


    Su Zhinian frowned and took several steps back toward Song Qingchun. Before she finished the words ¡¯Brother Yinan¡¯, he opened his mouth to ask, "Can you walk?"


    His question was a bit out of the blue, so Song Qingchun didn¡¯t understand what he meant at the beginning. She then noticed his gaze that fell on her legs, and the meaning of his question hit her immediately.


    She tried moving her legs and then nodded at Su Zhinian, adding, "Yes, I can."


    Su Zhinian replied with an expressionless grunt before ncing twice at her legs. Then, he shoved her bag into her grasp, pulled her off her feet into his arms again, and moved wordlessly toward the elevator.


    The two police officers made to follow with the deliveryman between them. After they left, the atmosphere in the office slowly returned to normal.


    It was the young female workers who started the conversation back up as they said in a high pitch, "I¡¯ve finally seen Su Zhinian, and he looks much more handsome in personpared to pictures!"


    "He is so manly, when he dashed out of the elevator to deliver the punishment on that deliveryman, I swear my soul left my body! I¡¯m not advocating violence, but wasn¡¯t that hot?"


    "He¡¯s just my dream guy. Cold on the surface but can be incredibly explosive when the situation calls for it. He looks like such a gentleman, but there¡¯s a sexy beast living within him!"


    Listening to thements around her, Tang Nuan¡¯s hands, which had already balled into fists, tightened further. Her manicured fingers pierced through the flesh on the ball of her fists. However, the physical pain couldn¡¯t rival the pain in her heart.


    She had lived in the same city as Su Zhinian for many years, but they had never crossed each other¡¯s paths, not even once.


    In fact, even when she tried to purposely ¡¯run into¡¯ him, most of time, she could only manage to look at him from afar.


    However, these few days, when she got off work, she kept running into him because he was there to fetch Song Qingchun.


    Most of her memory of him remained at five years ago, when they were both still in high school. Even though she had not attempted to talk to him, when she saw him over these past few days, she swore that he had gotten more attractivepared to the young Su Zhinian.


    His physical appearance and personality hadn¡¯t changed much. Simrly, his heart had remained unchanged. He was still deeply in love with Song Qingchun, and naturally, he still treated her with equal cruelty and ruthlessness.


    One day, she purposely chose to leave work earlier than Song Qingchun. When she exited thepany, she saw him leaning against his car as he waited for Song Qingchun.


    After much hesitation, she finally gathered her courage to step forth to greet him. "Su Zhinian, long time no see."


    She believed that the man would have forgiven her already since the incident had happened so long ago.

 Chapter 299: Was That You? (10)

    Chapter 299: Was That You? (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    However, to her surprise, not only did he ignore her, he crawled back into his car as if he couldn¡¯t bear to be in the same breathing space as her. He treated her the same way he did five years ago. A simple gesture couldcerate her heart a million times.


    She felt awkward and exposed, even though she knew that no one was paying them any heed. She ran away quickly with her face burning. Then, she hid behind amp-post and saw how Su Zhinian was leaning over the seat to help Song Qingchun, who had appeared in the car, with her seatbelt.


    Today, just like five years ago at the nightclub, she had again witnessed how he went ham on another human being for Song Qingchun¡¯s sake.


    The man that she loved could perform the tenderest of gestures but could also explode with menace and anger that could swallow the world depending on the situation.


    However, be it menace or kindness, they had nothing to do with her; they were reserved for Song Qingchun only.


    He had once been kind to her as well, but his kindness had always stopped short of being close, much less intimate. He would nod at her when she was still friends with Song Qingchun, or he would help her carry her purchases when she was out shopping with Song Qingchun.


    Everything nice he had done for her, it was because of Song Qingchun, and every cruelty he had directed her way was due to Song Qingchun as well. So, how could she not hate Song Qingchun?


    Her hatred burned to an impossible height. Not only had she forever lost Su Zhinian due to Song Qingchun, she also realized she was less important than Song Qingchun in Qin Yinan¡¯s heart!


    If not for her little trick earlier, which had stopped Qin Yinan, he would have jumped in front of Song Qingchun to shoulder that stab to the heart.


    The more Tang Nuan thought about it, the harder she realized it was to calm down. She was so caught up in her brewing enmity that she didn¡¯t even realize Qin Yinan had return to her side.


    "Tang Nuan?" Qin Yinan called her name, and when he realized she wasn¡¯t responding, he reached out to touch her face, adding, "What¡¯s on your mind?"


    Tang Nuan recovered, and her eyes that looked at Qin Yinan were chilled and dark.


    Qin Yinan was shocked by the animosity swirling in her eyes. He was about to ask what was wrong when Tang Nuan suddenly raised her hands to move his palm from her face and walked away.


    Qin Yinan ran to catch up to her. He was totally confused by Tang Nuan¡¯s sudden mood swing. "What¡¯s wrong?"


    Tang Nuan didn¡¯t answer and stalked into her own office. Before Qin Yinan could follow her in, she mmed the door close in his face and locked it.


    The mming of the door was loud enough to attract the whole office¡¯s attention.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s face was twitching with shame, but he still knocked on the door with good grace and patience. When he realized Tang Nuan had no intention of opening the door, he pulled out his phone to call her, but she hung up on him.


    This is Tang Nuan¡¯spany, and everyone is still working. Qin Yinan thought it was better to deal with this privately, and so he messaged Tang Nuan to say he would wait for her during lunch and left.


    ...


    When Song Qingchun gave the officers her statement, she did follow Qin Yinan¡¯s advice and reminded the police that the deliveryman was probably responsible for her incident at the North Sea Garden. The officer nodded and replied that they would conduct their own investigation; they couldn¡¯t be sure that everything was rted to the deliveryman.


    Regardless, before the truth was found out, the police reminded Song Qingchun kindly that she¡¯d better seekpany whenever she left home for the sake of her personal safety.

 Chapter 300: Was That You? (11)

    Chapter 300: Was That You? (11)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun had truly been rattled that day. When the knife shredded her clothes, she swore she could feel the icy touch of cold steel. Therefore, even before the kind reminder from the officer, she had already nned to take a short holiday from work.


    The Station Manager was concerned that such a big thing had happened under his watch. If Song Qingchun¡¯s life was threatened again inpany space, thepany itself would be dragged into a legal mess. Therefore, when Song Qingchun called thepany to ask for a break from work, the Station Manager approved it without a second thought.


    It was already 1 pm when they exited the police station.


    When they got into the car, Su Zhinian asked, "What do you want to have for lunch?"


    Song Qingchun was still recovering from the attempt on her life, so she had no appetite. After a pause, she said, "Let¡¯s go home first. I¡¯m not particrly hungry at the moment."


    "Okay." Su Zhinian nodded and started the engine.


    During one of the stops at a red light, Su Zhinian pulled out his phone and passes it to Song Qingchun after pressing twice on the screen.


    Song Qingchun was confused. She didn¡¯t take the phone immediately but turned to look at him in confusion. She added a confounded "Huh?"


    Su Zhinian stepped on the pedal when the light turned green as he told Song Qingchun with a face devoid of emotion, "Even if you¡¯re not hungry, you have to eat something."


    Song Qingchun then realized that the screen of his phone was showing a picture of a take-out menu.


    Considering the fact that he had been apanied her for so long, Song Qingchun realized that, even though she might not have much of an appetite, he was probably hungry. She epted the proffered phone and asked, "What do you want?"


    Su Zhinian answered with a shrug while staring ahead, "I¡¯ll have anything you want."


    Meaning... he wants me to order something I like? So, this whole charade is his way of advising me to eat?


    Song Qingchun¡¯s gaze, which was staring at the gaudy menus on disy, softened.


    The two sentences that he had said didn¡¯t sound overtlyforting, and he didn¡¯t even utter them in a caring tone, if anything, he sounded cold and harsh, but in her mind, those few words were much greater than passages of sweet nothings.


    A sense of serenity and warmth filled Song Qingchun¡¯s heart.


    This feeling is oddly familiar...


    Song Qingchun started to frown as she held the phone in her hands. She ruminated for a long time but couldn¡¯te up with a reason for why this felt so familiar.


    After Song Qingchun had been silent for a long time, Su Zhinian coughed and asked, "Have you made up your mind on what to have for lunch?"


    Song Qingchun was pulled back from her reverie and looked down at the phone. It was showing the menu for a Cantonese restaurant, so she said, "How about Cantonese cuisine?"


    "I¡¯m okay with anything," Su Zhinian replied in a tone equivalent to a shrug and turned the steering wheel.


    After making the order, Song Qingchun passed the phone back to Su Zhinian. Then she leaned back in the seat to study the man in the driver¡¯s seat through the rear-view mirror.


    The feeling he had elicited in her was incredibly familiar. It was simr to a feeling someone had given her some time ago.


    Song Qingchun frowned as she thought and suddenly pulled out her phone like she had remembered something.

 Chapter 301: Was That You? (12)

    Chapter 301: Was That You? (12)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She clicked open the messages sent to her by the mystery number, and it clicked in her mind. The feeling of serenity and warmth Su Zhinian gave her was simr to the feeling she got when she received those messages from the mystery number.


    Short sentences but full of warmth. It was the perfect description for the phone messages and the way Su Zhinian spoke to her. Now that she thought about it, the simrity between the two was uncanny.


    Furthermore, based on her earlier analysis, the sender of these messages had to be close to her and have an impressive background, or else he wouldn¡¯t have been able to know and thus leak so much personal information of superstars to her.


    Su Zhinian fulfilled those two criteria easily. So, could Su Zhinian be the person behind these messages?


    Song Qingchun was stunned by her discovery and hypothesis. Her pair of widened dark eyes studied Su Zhinian silently through the rear-view mirror. Her gaze trailed from his face down to his hands that gripped the steering wheel.


    Those are blood stains... dried blood... he recently got injured?


    Song Qingchun frowned and started to look up and down Su Zhinian¡¯s body. Then she discovered a few flecks of dried blood on his white shirt.


    However, it didn¡¯t seem like he was physically injured. The blood seemed to have been sttered on him. Song Qingchun remembered the deliveryman that she had seen earlier at the police station. He had been in a truly bad shape.


    She had been too scared by the knife held in the deliveryman¡¯s hand to focus on how Su Zhinian dashed out of the elevator and how he went crazy on the young man.


    However, from the mess of a face that Song Qingchun had seen at the police station, she could imagine how ruthless Su Zhinian was. Then again, she wouldn¡¯t need to leave everything to imagination. She had seen how ruthless Su Zhinian could be in a physical confrontation from the scuffle he was in five years ago at the nightclub.


    So, it appears that the blood on him came from the deliveryman.


    Now that Song Qingchun had calmed down and distanced herself from the heat of the moment, her brain started to focus on details that didn¡¯t seem important at the time. Details like...


    How did Su Zhinian manage to suddenly appear at TW Station to save me?


    This was simr to how she had been saved at thest minute every time during the series of ¡¯idents¡¯ she had experienced before New Year¡¯s Eve.


    By then, she knew there was a guardian angel watching over her, silently protecting her.


    That person, whoever he might be, must have been following her closely or else he wouldn¡¯t have been able to appear at the time she needed saving the most, and today, Su Zhinian did appear out of nowhere when she was in the most dangerous of situations.


    She was reminded of the conclusion she had reached on the first day of the Lunar New Year; the person behind the mysterious messages was the same person as her guardian angel.


    After considering every thought and observation in her mind, Song Qingchun concluded that Su Zhinian managed to provide her with the same touching feeling of serenity and warmth as the mystery number and would appear when she most needed it like her guardian angel.

 Chapter 302: Was That You? (13)

    Chapter 302: Was That You? (13)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    He carried on him the qualities of these two characters, and said two characters were one and the same.


    Therefore...


    Song Qingchun¡¯s beating race stopped at that moment; even the blood coursing through her veins had slowed down. Her brain shut down, and her breath gradually slowed.


    In that moment, it was as if her body had petrified. She stopped moving for a long time until her breath came back to her as a sentence appeared in her mind, word by word, syble by syble.


    Therefore, Su Zhinian is the owner of the mysterious number and the guardian angel who has been secretly protecting me?


    The thought was like a ray of light that streamed through her haze of confusion. It shot right into Song Qingchun¡¯s heart, causing her whole being to shake.


    "What¡¯s wrong?" Su Zhinian, who noticed the weird state she was in, turned his head around to ask.


    "No, nothing." Song Qingchun quickly suppressed the fervor boiling in her heart as she turned to look at Su Zhinian with a smile. When the man¡¯s attention turned back to the road, she continued to focus on him through the rear-view mirror.


    Initially, she was merely curious about why the feeling of warmth Su Zhinian gave her was so familiar. However, she didn¡¯t expect that as she followed her own train of thought, it would lead to such a startling discovery.


    If this had been the Song Qingchun from months ago, she would definitely have denied this possibility at first because she wouldn¡¯t have believed that Su Zhinian would be so good to her, unlike this guardian angel who had been silently protecting her.


    However, now that she hade to know a little more about the man beside her, she knew this man was more than his aloof exterior. When Tang Nuan framed her at the City Clubhouse, it was this man who had gone to her rescue; when she was stranded at the northern mountains, it was this man who had gone to fetch her; even now, after the incident at the North Sea Garden, it was again this man who had volunteered to drive her to and from work every day.


    Without her paying much notice, he had done so much for her, giving her so much warmth and support.


    Therefore, even though he had said the worst things and had done wrong by her, he still treated her with genuine care and kindness. It seemed, he could really be the person behind the mystery number.


    "What are you thinking? Aren¡¯t you going to get out of the car?" Su Zhinian¡¯s voice broke Song Qingchun¡¯s train of thought.


    Song Qingchun realized with a start that they had already arrived home. Su Zhinian was standing beside the car, paying for the take-out that had arrived right on time.


    Song Qingchun waited until the take-out delivery left before she exited his car with her bag.


    Su Zhinian locked his car, turned to key in the door password, and stepped into the house.


    Song Qingchun stood for a minute or two on the driveway before she made to follow.


    After lunch, Su Zhinian went upstairs to answer a phone call.


    Song Qingchun cleaned the dining table mechanically with her attentionpletely on her own thoughts. Then, somehow, she found herself standing in her bedroom.


    She crawled into bed, and with her back leaning against the headboard, she flipped through the numerous messages in her phone twice. Then, as if remembering something, she jumped out of bed and pulled out a shirt from underneath the bed. Then, she retrieved a piece of paper from the shirt pocket.


    The shirt was the bloodied shirt Su Zhinian had asked her to throw away when he suffered the head injury.

 Chapter 303: Was That You? (14)

    Chapter 303: Was That You? (14)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    It was the toll receipt she had identally found in his car when he had gone to fetch her that day. He had told her he was already near her when she called but the receipt showed that he had practically been at the other end of town.


    At the time, other thanbelling him as Liar Su, she also couldn¡¯t figure out why he would lie to her.


    Even now, she didn¡¯t have a clear concrete idea why the deception was necessary, but she understood it was because he didn¡¯t want her to know that he was actually worried about her.


    He had been trying his best to conceal his real thoughts, just like the owner of those mysterious messages. He would appear to solve her problems, but he would always ignore her questions revolving around his identity, as if he didn¡¯t want her to know who her benefactor was.


    Other than that...


    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes gradually fell on the lipstick stain left on the front of the shirt.


    On the night he had gone to fetch her from the northern mountains, she had lost control of her emotions and cried. He had even offered his chest for her to lean on. After that, she had realized that the feeling was incredibly simr to how she felt all these years after the weird memory losses that would happen whenever she was at her saddest.


    At the time, she even suspected someone hade to hug her and wipe away her tears during her memory loss phase.


    And she was even reminded of this bloodied shirt.


    Even now, despite theck of evidence supporting that someone had appeared to keep herpany during her memory losses, if that person did exist, then that person must be simr to the guardian angel who had been keeping tabs on her recently.


    The most important clue happened when she was entering first year of university. She had cried her heart out then, and it was around that time too that she had received a message from the mystery number. This was too much of a coincidence; there was simply too many observations to suggest the person who appeared during her memory losses was simr to the owner of these mysterious messages.


    Lastly, this bloodied shirt was the evidence that told Song Qingchun that the person who always appeared during her memory losses was Su Zhinian.


    Song Qingchun hadn¡¯t noticed this before, but now that she thought about it, most of her lucky escapes and good fortune could be tied back to Su Zhinian.


    If she had been suspicious of Su Zhinian during the car ride home, she was fifty percent certain now that Su Zhinian was the person she was looking for.


    Suddenly the doorbell rang, pulling Song Qingchun out of her reverie. She went downstairs and realized it was a delivery.


    Remembering the incident from that morning sent a chill down Song Qingchun¡¯s spine. She didn¡¯t dare open the door for the deliveryman toe in; instead, she asked the person to ce the stuff down by the door. She waited until the deliveryman had left before she opened the door to retrieve the delivery.


    It was a document for Su Zhinian.


    Song Qingchun took the document and headed upstairs. She was so caught up in her thoughts that she forgot to knock on his bedroom door before pushing it open and heading in.


    "Su Zhinian..." Song Qingchun only managed to get these three words out of her mouth before her voice got caught in her throat with her eyes staring straight at Su Zhinian.


    Su Zhinian had probably just gotten out of the shower because there were still water droplets hanging to his body, and he was sitting in the sofa only in his underwear. His fair skin, taut muscles, and washboard abs glistened seductively under the light that filtered in through the window.


    Su Zhinian froze for a few seconds, meeting Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes, before he hurriedly reached out for the pants that wereid out beside him and put them on.

 Chapter 304: Was That You? (15)

    Chapter 304: Was That You? (15)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    After Su Zhinian put on his pants, he turned around and asked, in a tone that was as nonchnt as he could manage, "Do you need anything from me?"


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t say anything, but her big, dark eyes settled on his body without moving.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s ears started to burn under her scrutiny. He cleared his throat, and when he realized she still didn¡¯t give any response, he walked to the bed to grab his shirt and put it on as gracefully and as calmly as he could.


    It looked like he was unfazed on the surface, but the fact that two of his buttons were put on in the wrong ce belied his nervousness.


    His ears burned even brighter, and a faded blush rose on his face. He subconsciously turned his face around to avoid meeting her eyes. Then, he coughed louder to grab her attention.


    Song Qingchun slowly recovered, and it took her a minute to realize what she had been doing.


    Her face was flushed, and she immediately took her eyes away from Su Zhinian. She ran out of his bedroom,pletely forgetting the purpose of her being there.


    The door was mmed shut heavily, and about one minuteter, it was forcefully shoved open again.


    Song Qingchun rushed back in with a red face. She dropped the package on Su Zhinian¡¯s desk and hurriedly said, "This is yours."


    She then retreated out of his bedroom again without even ncing at him.


    The bedroom door mmed shut with a bang.


    Su Zhinian stared at the package Song Qingchun had dropped on the table, and the faint blush on his face deepened.


    After a while, he reached for the document. He was about to open it when the door was opened for the third time.


    Su Zhinian stopped moving and turned his gaze toward Song Qingchun, who was standing by the door. She didn¡¯t walk in, and her eyes were glued to the desk before him.


    Su Zhinianpiled his emotions and opened his lips to ask lightly, "Anything else?"


    When Song Qingchun heard his question, she didn¡¯t answer but raised her eyes to scan his face. Then she strode into his bedroom. She stopped when she passed the trashcan in his room. She lowered her head and looked in.


    There were plenty of blood-dyed cotton balls, and it was heavy with the smell of alcohol.


    Some of the cotton balls were still wet, so she knew these were fresh.


    Song Qingchun was reminded of the scene on his desk. The medical box was open, and inside was a bag of cotton balls, tweezers, an ointment, and an uncapped alcoholic disinfectant.


    Actually, when she came in to give him the package, her eyes had identally caught a glimpse of this paraphernalia. However, she was in such a rush to leave that she didn¡¯t have time to ponder on their presence. It was when she reached her own bedroom that she realized what was wrong.


    Why would he take those things out for no reason? He¡¯s injured?


    She thought about it, and she returned to his bedroom because she was concerned. As she expected, she found the bloodied cotton balls in his trashcan.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s lips stretched to a thin line as she turned to look at Su Zhinian. "Where are you hurt?"


    When Song Qingchun looked into the trashcan, Su Zhinian knew what was on her mind.


    He was indeed injured. When he tackled the deliveryman off his feet at her office, his leg had been injured in the process. It went to show how aggressive he had been then.

 Chapter 305: Was That You? (16)

    Chapter 305: Was That You? (16)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Needless to say, he didn¡¯t wish to let her know he had been injured. However, she had appeared too suddenly earlier. He had been so caught up putting clothes on that he forgot to take care of the medical box on his desk.


    And so, she still found out in the end. So he was actually dressing his wound which exined the state of dressing she found him in earlier.


    Based on the blood-soaked cotton balls in the trashcan, Su Zhinian¡¯s injury is quite serious.


    Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t not help, so she squatted before Su Zhinian and reached out to pat his body after realizing that the man wasn¡¯t going to answer her. When her fingers touched his right lower calf, Su Zhinian, who was lost in his thought, suddenly shuddered.


    Song Qingchun stopped moving and carefully rolled up the right leg of his pants. There was a sizeable gash on his lower leg, and blood was still oozing out of two spots where the wound was the most serious.


    "How did you get it so injured?" Song Qingchun frowned. She then turned around to grab the tweezers to soak a cotton ball in alcohol and wipe Su Zhinian¡¯s wounds. "Be patient, this might sting a little."


    Then, she pressed the ball on his wounds. Even though the man didn¡¯t say a word, Song Qingchun could still see his feet lightly shake. She naturally lightened her force.


    Song Qingchun repeated this motion several times before she finished disinfecting Su Zhinian¡¯s wound. She pulled out a cotton swab and dabbed it with the ointment before applying it lightly on his wound. She couldn¡¯t help but ask, "Is this from the fight with the deliveryman this afternoon?"


    That was not the truth, but he couldn¡¯t possibly let Song Qingchun know the injury was caused by his superpower. Therefore, Su Zhinian merely nodded with a light "Hmm."


    "It must really hurt. Why didn¡¯t you mention it earlier? Wounds have to be fixed as soon as possible, what if you get an infection?"


    As she applied the medicine, Song Qingchun grumbled non-stop. She didn¡¯t realize it, but her words of reproach revealed her deep concern for him.


    "And it is on your right leg. Didn¡¯t it hurt when you had to step on the gas pedal when you drove?"


    "Also, you..." Song Qingchun paused before continuing. "You even managed to walk for such a long distance. I wonder, do you even have pain receptors? Do you really think you¡¯re made of iron? And you¡¯re injured, so why would you get into the shower?


    "Do you even know how to take care of yourself?"


    Su Zhinian wasn¡¯t irked in any way by Song Qingchun¡¯s continuous berating andining. He stared at her serious face as she applied the medicine, and his lips slowly curved into a smile.


    She¡¯s worried about me... Earlier, she even almost asked why I would carry her over such a long distance if I¡¯m injured.


    An inexplicable satisfaction suffused his entire body. He had never wished for her to be good to him, so whenever she showed him a teensy bit of kindness, it felt like he had gained the whole world.


    After Song Qingchun finished applying the medicine, she was worried the fabric of his pants would affect the recovery of his wounds, so she grabbed some gauze to fix a simple bandage over his wounds.


    "Don¡¯t remove this gauze before the night falls, I¡¯m afraid the wound might not recover nicely if you do."

 Chapter 306: Was That You? (17)

    Chapter 306: Was That You? (17)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Remember to change the bandage tomorrow morning. If there¡¯s no obvious sign of infection, better keep the bandage on for another day.


    "Actually, now that I think about it, I¡¯lle check it for you tomorrow morning.


    "Also, I know you are obsessed with cleanliness, but you¡¯d better not take a shower for the rest of the day.


    "Did you hear what I said..."


    Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t help but raise her head when she got no reply from Su Zhinian. Her eyes met his, and he smiled at her.


    The ¡¯or not¡¯ that had reached her lips slid back down her throat.


    He had beautiful eyes, his dark pupils as maic as ck holes, pulling her gaze to fall into his eyes. It was as if she could lose herself in his gaze.


    The atmosphere in the room tensed, and a sense of intimacy was unleashed. Su Zhinian¡¯s smile on his lips slowly disappeared, and there was a rolling mist of carnal desire that blotted out his smiling eyes.


    His breathing became heavy, and he leaned in closer to her face.


    His breaths felt hot on her skin, causing her eyshes to shiver uncontrobly. Her lips quivered from nervousness as she whispered his name. "Su Zhinian..."


    Hearing his nameing out of her lips stopped Su Zhinian. He closed his eyes and tried his best to suppress the carnal desire within him. After a while, he pulled his head, which was heading to her lips, away from her forcefully.


    This wouldn¡¯t have been the first time he had kissed her. Other than the two times he had gotten drunk and forced himself on her, the remaining times, the kiss was done when he had taken control of her consciousness. In other words, she had no recollection that he had even kissed her.


    He almost lost control of himself and kissed her just now. It would have exposed the secret that he had been hiding in himself for so many years.


    She continued to remain in a squatting position before him. The scent on her body kept assaulting his nostrils, causing the blood in his body to boil.


    Afraid that he might lose control of his sanity, he removed his injured leg away from her face and rushed into the shower in a flustered motion.


    ...


    Song Qingchun was frozen in her position. She mind was still stuck in the moment Su Zhinian leaned into her face.


    For some reason, it reminded her of the kiss of life she had shared with her guardian angel who had saved her on the New Year¡¯s Eve.


    Even though Su Zhinian didn¡¯t actually kiss her, the racing of her heart that she felt when he leaned in was very simr to the feeling she had felt that night.


    How could two different people give her the same feeling, the same skipping of the heart?


    This confirmed her suspicion that he was indeed the person she was looking for.


    The door to the shower was pulled open, and Song Qingchun turned her head to look at the man who was exiting it.


    As if surprised that Song Qingchun was still in his bedroom, Su Zhinian paused in his steps and stopped moving for a few seconds before continuing to head toward the sofa.


    Song Qingchun slowly stood up from the floor, and her gaze remained fixed on his face. When he posited himself gracefully on the sofa, she opened her lips to ask, "Su Zhinian, have you had the experience of being blessed with a guardian angel who secretly protects you before?"

 Chapter 307: Was That You? (18)

    Chapter 307: Was That You? (18)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian seemed to be confused by her question because his eyes stared at her, filled with befuddlement. "What do you mean by that?"


    Song Qingchun stared straight into his eyes and pressed. "Have you?"


    He didn¡¯t like where this line of questioning was going but he realized she wouldn¡¯t give up until she got an answer. So, after a short period of silence, he answered, "I have not."


    "I have." She admitted almost at the same time as he gave his answer. Without taking a breath, she rattled off the eleven digits of the mystery number. The number that had been used to send her all those messages.


    After she did so, her gaze scanned Su Zhinian¡¯s face closely as if trying to catch any trace of a clue from his face.


    However, it seemed like Su Zhinian had just heard those eleven digits for the first time in his life. There was no noticeable change on his face other than confusion. He looked at her with utter bewilderment and even asked, "What are those numbers?"


    What are those numbers? Does he really not know what they mean, or is he just pretending?


    Song Qingchun continued to study Su Zhinian for a while before continuing. "This is a phone number. The owner of this number has been watching over me, and he began doing that in the dark five years ago."


    This time, she didn¡¯t give him any chance to respond and finished everything she wanted to say in one breath.


    "For five years, whenever I faced an impossible hurdle, this number would send me a message to help me ovee it, and whenever I felt low, he would send me a message of well wishes. It might sound like nothing, but they always cheer me up.


    "Furthermore, I¡¯ve mentioned this to you several days ago. Recently, someone has been attempting to take my life, but at the most crucial moment, I have been able to survive it. It was not until the night of New Year¡¯s Eve that I realized someone has been protecting me secretly.


    "Therefore, this allowed me toe to the conclusion that this person, who continuously manages to save me from danger at the most crucial moment, has to be the same person who has been keeping tabs on me for thest five years."


    A feeling of affirmation crossed Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes, which were staring right at Su Zhinian. She bit her lips and added, "This person, who has been protecting me, has been watching over me for five years. This means that I am of a certain importance in his heart. Therefore, since the source of the multiple dangers that have befallen me recently hasn¡¯t been abolished, it only makes sense for him to keep a closer eye on me, right?"


    Song Qingchun gulped. "Therefore, when I got caught in the dangerous situation at the office today, it would make sense for that person to be the first to jump out to save me, right?"


    Even though Su Zhinian was unable to read Song Qingchun¡¯s thoughts, he could guess where she was going with her series of extraptions and questions.


    "And the person who came to save me was you." Song Qingchun suddenly stopped after she said that sentence.


    Su Zhinian maintained a measured expression, one that didn¡¯t showcase any trace of anxiety or nerves, even though his heart was strung taut. It was as he¡¯d expected.


    The room was exceptionally quiet with neither of them talking. After a long time, Song Qingchun finally asked the question that was clouding her mind.


    "Was that you?"

 Chapter 308: Was That You? (19)

    Chapter 308: Was That You? (19)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Are you the person who has been sending me these messages for thest five years?


    "Are you the person who has been wiping away my tears whenever I cried?


    "And..."


    She was the one doing the questioning, but her heart was racing at an abnormal speed, and her hands were clenched into fists as she stared at the startlingly handsome face, which gazed emotionlessly back at her.


    "...are you the person who has been secretly protecting me over the past few days?"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s three questions were sharp, clean, and straight to the point. There was no room for misinterpretation.


    However, her sharp questions were like heavy punchesnding on a pillow, barely able to elicit any responses out of him.


    He sat there quietly and calmly, his whole body radiating his usual sense of aloofness and coldness. After she finished, he lowered his gaze for two seconds before slowly moving his head up to look into her eyes. Then, he answered her question in a serene and soulful voice that tugged at her heartstrings.


    "I am not."


    There was obvious hesitation on Song Qingchun¡¯s face. "But I feel that person is you..."


    "You feel?" Su Zhinian scoffed, picking out the weakness in her statement. Even though he didn¡¯ty it all out in the open, Song Qingchun understood what he meant; her feeling didn¡¯t equate to the truth.


    Song Qingchun opened her mouth to object, but no voice came out.


    "You¡¯re mistaken." Su Zhinian¡¯s gaze settled on her face for a few moments before moving it easily away to look at the gorgeous scenery outside. He then added a few words, "The person you¡¯re talking about is not me."


    The moment he said that his eyes squinted to hide the stark pain in them. The pain disappeared as quickly as it arrived.


    The sunlight carved out a beautiful golden halo around Su Zhinian¡¯s body, one that took Song Qingchun¡¯s breath away.


    She was unable to catch a good look of his face, but she could hear sincerity from his earlier words. It didn¡¯t sound like he was lying to her, but he was not giving her the answer she had been hoping for.


    Is he really not lying to me? But if he is not it, then who could that person be? She thought about it, and there was no better candidate than Su Zhinian.


    Just as she was going to ask more questions, there was a voice inside her heart that told her that she was right on the money; he was that person all along. Song Qingchun didn¡¯t know whether this was due to her hopeful thinking or because she simply wished to have this mystery solved.


    Regardless, the hope and joy that she had been carrying was easily extinguished by a few harsh words. She was sad, and her first response was denial, thus making the rest of her argument sound rather hurried andme.


    "The feeling that you give me is very simr to the feeling the owner of this mystery number gives me. The feeling I got every time I woke up from my memory losses to find that my tears had been wiped away after a long night of crying was simr to how I felt when you wereforting me that night at the hotel."

 Chapter 309: Was That You? (20)

    Chapter 309: Was That You? (20)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "And the night I fell overboard, the person who saved me kissed me. When you leaned into my face just now, it felt simr, very simr."


    "Qingchun."


    Su Zhinian, who had been quietly listening to her, suddenly called her name to interrupt her.


    He stared out the window for a few seconds before allowing his gaze tond on her face. "Going back to the night we shared at the northern countryside. Have you forgotten something I¡¯ve told you when I was consoling you?"


    He was lost for words as if he didn¡¯t know how to continue. The bedroom was so quiet that the sound of the ticking clock was discernible to the ear.


    After who knew how long, Su Zhinian shifted in his seat and finished the rest of his statement like he had finallye to a decision. "Have you forgotten, I already have a person in my heart?"


    Song Qingchun was stunned.


    Su Zhinian went on. "From the words you said, I realize that the person you¡¯re looking for views you as the most important thing in the world, but I have to say, you are not the person who I treasure in my heart. So, how can I be the person you¡¯re looking for?"


    Su Zhinian¡¯s tone became a little bit incredulous near the end. Honestly, he didn¡¯t expect he would one day use Song Qingchun to deny Song Qingchun.


    What he said slowly registered in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind. That¡¯s right, how could I have forgotten? He already has a person that he loves; her name is Tingting. She is the most important person in the world for him; he can¡¯t love her, and yet he can¡¯t stop himself from loving her. For Tingting, he was willing to suffer a life of solitude. Since he can¡¯t be with her, he¡¯d rather die alone.


    He also once wrote something beautiful for her: I¡¯ve expended three lifetimes to find you, and now I will use another to make you my wife.


    He was right; the person who had been watching over her had to be someone who loved and valued her deeply. In the end, the person he loved was not her, and that was reason enough to eliminate him from the pool of candidates.


    However, even so, Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t convince her own instinct. She didn¡¯t give up and continued her questions. "But, you have been so considerate toward me, and looked after me so much recently..."


    "I feel indebted to you," Su Zhinian answered before Song Qingchun could finish.


    "Indebted?" Song Qingchun repeated the term, unsure what he meant by that.


    "Yes, indebted." Su Zhinian repeated it again, to help her confirm that she hadn¡¯t misheard him. The rest of his sentence was delivered in the gentlest tone she had ever heard from him, but his words were like sharp knives thatcerated her heart. "After all, I once took your most important thing from you when I was drunk so many years ago. Even so, I still feel apologetic toward you."


    The nightmare that she hadn¡¯t thought about for a long time was suddenly brought up, and Song Qingchun¡¯s face nched.


    Su Zhinian paused but didn¡¯t open his eyes to look at her face, which was now twisted with pain. His lips turned down with something akin to pity as he said, "Furthermore, I find you in a rather pitiable condition at the moment. I¡¯m taking care of you because it makes me feel better."


    They were not lovers, so no matter from which perspective, she really shouldn¡¯t have taken his kindness toward her with such deep consideration and with such importance. After all, he was not the Brother Yinan whom she had pursued for years.


    However, for a reason that she couldn¡¯t understand herself, Song Qingchun¡¯s heart felt like it had broken into pieces when that sentence was uttered from his lips. Her breath caught in her throat, her lips quivered, and her eyes were getting red with tears.

 Chapter 310: I Dont Need Your Charity (1)

    Chapter 310: I Don¡¯t Need Your Charity (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    His appearance when Qin Yinan had greatly disappointed her had given her hope and warmth. Their rtionship recently had been incredibly harmonious. In fact, without her knowing it, he had be an important fixture of her life, so much so that she once felt he was as good to her as Qin Yinan once was.


    However, she didn¡¯t realize that was simply because he felt indebted to her; it was his charity.


    The amount of warmth she felt from his kindness earlier was simr to how cold she felt right then. She realized heaven and hell was truly an intention away.


    The warm air processed by the heater fell on her body soundlessly, but her limbs were chilled to their bones. If anything, the contrast only made her realize how chilled she felt.


    She told herself, she really should give up on the hope that he was the person she was looking for, but rationality had no ce to dictate the matters of the heart. Through the mist that appeared in her eyes, she looked at him and asked softly, "Then, why did you just so happen to appear at mypany today?"


    The one thing he hated the most in the world was seeing her cry. He had appeared so many times silently by her side to wipe away her tears, but now, he had be the cause for her tears.


    He stared into her ck eyes and the mist that could fall as tears at any moment as he replied in a chilling tone, "I was looking for Sun Yang."


    Sun Yang was TW Station¡¯s CEO, Song Qingchun¡¯s big boss.


    "I was also surprised by what I saw when the elevator opened. To be honest, I didn¡¯t even have any idea who I had saved before I tackled the deliveryman; it was onlyter that I realized that person was you."


    It was not that Su Zhinian hadn¡¯t prepared for the day she would find out about his secret. He had prepared the lies that he would need beforehand in case the day really arrived, but he had truly surprised himself at how perfectly emotionless he was acting at the moment.


    So, he was merely being heroic and not because of me.


    Song Qingchun had never considered herself an annoyingly persistent person¡ªshe didn¡¯t even act this way with her most favorite Brother Yinan¡ªbut that day, she had asked more questions than she knew decorum allowed. She knew it was time to leave with the remnants of dignity she still had.


    She tried her best to sound as bright as possible when she said, "I¡¯m sorry, I probably was mistaken then."


    However, she still couldn¡¯t help herself from getting choked on her words.


    Su Zhinian, surprising even himself, managed to squeeze a generous-sounding "It¡¯s okay."


    Then, he followed the flow of conversation, adding some words of constion, "I hope you¡¯ll soon find the person you¡¯re looking for."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart was breaking, but she forced a smile and replied, "Thank you."


    Without missing a beat, she added, "If there¡¯s nothing else, I shall return to my room."


    She knew that her smile must have looked even more awkward than her tears, but she forced her lips to curve upwards. It was not until she saw him nod wordlessly that she dared turn around and allow her tears to fall.

 Chapter 311: I Dont Need Your Charity (2)

    Chapter 311: I Don¡¯t Need Your Charity (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun really didn¡¯t understand why she was crying.


    At the end of the day, Su Zhinian had merely denied her suspicion that he was the person she was looking for and said that his kindness toward her was because he felt indebted to her. Was that worth her tears?


    The answer should have been no, but when she returned to her bedroom and saw the toll receipt and bloodied shirt, her heart fractured, and she crumbled onto her bed. She buried her face into the soft pillows and started weeping softly to herself.


    ...


    Su Zhinian leaned against the sofa, maintaining the same posture he had been in when Song Qingchun left his room. His gaze fell nkly on the television attached to the wall. His ears were filled with the sound of her tears.


    His palms were gripping the armrest so tightly that the veins were popping up.


    She had started to notice the person who had been protecting her, and that meant that her heart was starting to fall for that individual. However, she could never know that the person who was protecting her was the only person she couldn¡¯t show any interest in.


    He had made the mistake and fallen into the dark abyss without the chance of salvation, but she was different. She was still at the start; there was still a chance for her to turn back; she didn¡¯t need to follow him down this path of no return.


    Therefore, to shatter the suspicion at the bottom of her heart, he had to say those ruthless things without hesitation. No one knew that, even though he might have looked unaffected on the surface, when he said those words, his heart wascerated with wounds.


    His passion toward her was overflowing, but he had to be cruel to her. She was his most treasured person in the world, but he had to hurt her the most.


    But would she ever know that the hurt and pain he had caused her was actually the best protection that he could give her.


    The sound of crying kept drifting in from the room next door, and his heart fell apart, piece by piece, following the sniffling of her tears.


    The questions that she had posed earlier reverberated in his ears.


    "Are you the person who has been sending me these messages for thest five years?"


    Yes.


    "Are you the person who has been wiping away my tears whenever I cried?"


    Yes.


    "Are you the person who has been secretly protecting me for these past few days?"


    Yes.


    Yes, I am all those things, but I can never let you know that fact.


    ...


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t know how long she had cried, but she realized she had cried until her throat was sore, and her whole body was drained.


    Shey in her bed, too tired to even move a muscle. It was not until the sun set and the moon rose that she slowly picked herself up from the bed.


    She picked up the bloodied shirt and toll receipt and dropped them into the trashcan inside the bathroom. Then she stood before the bathroom mirror, staring at her red-rimmed eyes. She opened the faucet to wash the dried tear stains on her face away.


    When she was applying the face-cream on her face, her eyes caught the edge of the shirt that was peeking out from the top of the trashcan. Her movement stopped before she mmed the tube of face-cream back onto the counter surface and dashed out of the bathroom. She merely took two steps before she went back into the bathroom to dig the shirt and receipt out of the trashcan, rolled them up, and shoved them back under her bed again.

 Chapter 312: I Dont Need Your Charity (3)

    Chapter 312: I Don¡¯t Need Your Charity (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian got into a cold war.


    Probably still recovering from the multiple attempts of her life, Song Qingchun hid herself in the bungalow. Su Zhinian also stopped going to hispany and finished his work in his study.


    Even though the two shared the same roof, they didn¡¯t cross paths other than during the three daily meals.


    Su Zhinian knew Song Qingchun was purposely avoiding him. He also noticed she was conspicuously more reserved and silent than her usual self, not unlike how she had acted when she first moved in to the bungalow. Other than calling him for meals, she barelymunicated with him.


    Using his super hearing, he knew she spent most of her time cooped up in her room, ying games, listening to music, reading, or sleeping.


    This kind of life went on for five days until it was February 28th, the secondst day of the month.


    The tension and pressure from recent had probably spooked Song Qingchun¡¯s system because her period, which usually came punctually at the middle of the month, was dyed to the 25th when she felt a pain radiating from her lower stomach.


    On the morning of the 28th, Song Qingchun felt incredibly ufortable when she woke up. After lunch, she curled back into her bed, trying to lie down for the day, but before she could fall asleep, her stomach started to twist with pain.


    Song Qingchun gripped the mattress tightly, trying to suppress the pain. In the end, she couldn¡¯t help herself but moan in pain several times.


    When the wave of pain passed, she feltpletely drained. A sheen of cold sweat covered her face. Shey in her bed, trying to monitor her breathing. Then, she got off the bed, attempting to go downstairs to grab a ss of warm water. To her surprise, when she pulled open her bedroom door, there Su Zhinian was.


    He was holding a mug in his hands; it looked like he was going downstairs to refill his cup of coffee.


    After the incident that day, neither of them had brought it up. Even though she had apologized to him, she still felt awkward when she was around him. The words that he had said that day were like a thorn stuck in her heart. Whenever she thought about it, she could feel a dull paining from her chest.


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t wish to go downstairs beside Su Zhinian, so after the initial startle when she saw him, she pretended that she had forgotten something and headed back into her bedroom. She was going to wait until he returned to his study before she ventured downstairs.


    However, before Song Qingchun could take several steps back, Su Zhinian stopped and asked, "What¡¯s wrong? Are you not feeling well?"


    He nced twice at the cold sweat that was flowing down her forehead so that the girl would know what he was referring to.


    "No, it¡¯s fine," Song Qingchun answered immediately.


    Su Zhinian had already heard Song Qingchun¡¯s moans from his study, so he knew she was suffering from a painful period.


    The only reason he hade out of his room was because her moans had kept on going for so long without any sign of slowing down. He noticed how pale she looked, and he asked the question out of deep concern.


    Initially, he wanted to add, If the pain is too harsh, why don¡¯t you give Doctor Xia a call?


    However, since she had merely dropped him a distant, "No, it¡¯s fine," he didn¡¯t know how to continue.


    Su Zhinian stared at Song Qingchun, and his lips moved, but in the end, he said nothing. He nodded at her before turning to head downstairs.

 Chapter 313: I Dont Need Your Charity (4)

    Chapter 313: I Don¡¯t Need Your Charity (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    When Su Zhinian was in the kitchen waiting for the coffee to brew, he considered making a ss of brown sugar water for Song Qingchun. He picked up a ss and eventually set it back down.


    I have to stop being so ostentatiously good to her; it¡¯ll be better that way.


    Su Zhinian returned to his study, but he found himself unable to focus. Frustrated, he closed hisputer, and his attention wandered out the window. Eventually, he pulled out his phone to order take-out.


    ...


    Normally, Song Qingchun would go downstairs to prepare dinner at around 6 pm, but she was not feeling so well that day, so when she reached the kitchen, it was already 6.30 pm.


    The doorbell rang when she was preparing to cook. Song Qingchun ced all the ingredients away and headed to the front door.


    She realized it was yet another delivery. She had the person leave the items on the floor and waited until the deliveryman had departed before opening the door to retrieve the package. It was take-out from Golden Corner. ording to the take-out order pasted on top, the dishes were all her favorites.


    There was only herself and Su Zhinian at home; she was sure she hadn¡¯t ordered any take-out, so it had to have been Su Zhinian.


    It has been my habit to prepare dinner daily, so why did he call for take-out today? Is it because he noticed I was not feeling well this afternoon?


    If this was before, Song Qingchun would definitely have felt warmth in her heart, but for some reason, all she was feeling then was a sense of disappointment. Song Qingchun hauled the take-out into the dining room and ced it on individual tes before calling Su Zhinian down for dinner.


    The door to his study was closed. She stood outside the door and was going to knock on it like usual to announce that dinner was ready before turning back downstairs. However, before her hand could reach the wooden door, Su Zhinian¡¯s cold voice drifted out from within.


    "Tomorrow? I don¡¯t think I can make it tomorrow... I know about the cooperative proposal with SR. We¡¯ve been following that for half a year already, and now, finally, they are showing the interest to cooperate. I know that is not easy, but I have something even more important to deal with tomorrow. The bottom line is I cannot go to thepany tomorrow. If this sours the rtionship with SR, then so be it. If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯m going to hang up now."


    The moment Su Zhinian hung up his hand phone, thendline in his study rang. He picked up immediately, and after a period of silence¡ªthe person on the other end was probably talking¡ªSu Zhinian replied in a rather annoyed fashion, "Haven¡¯t I mentioned that tomorrow¡¯s meeting will be postponed? You people cannot handle such a simple thing without me? Then, why did I spend so much money to hire all of you, to be vases and decorations?"


    Then, Song Qingchun heard the sound of the phone mming. The study finally became quiet again. Song Qingchun stood at the door for a while before raising her hand again to knock on the door.


    "Come in."


    Song Qingchun pushed the door open and habitually nced toward the desk. Su Zhinian was not there. Eventually her gaze found him standing motionlessly before the window, looking out at the starlit night. She couldn¡¯t attempt to guess his thoughts.


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t step into his study but said softly, "The take-out¡¯s here."


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t turn around and didn¡¯t reply.


    Song Qingchun was ready to leave when Su Zhinian¡¯s cell phone rang once more. He picked it up to look at the caller ID. After a long time, he finally chose to answer it. Then, he uttered a name she was familiar with.


    "Tang Nuo."

 Chapter 314: I Dont Need Your Charity (5)

    Chapter 314: I Don¡¯t Need Your Charity (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian¡¯s phone was not on speaker, and she was quite a distance away, so Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t tell what Tang Nuo said on the phone. After about a minute, Su Zhinian suddenly turned to nce at her before mumbling an okay into the phone.


    After a while, he added, "I really will be busy these next few days. Yes, it has been my lifelong dream to work with SR, but as they say, dreams are beautiful because they cannot be fulfilled."


    "Sad?" There was a barely discernible coarseness to Su Zhinian¡¯s voice. When he said this word, his voice sounded as low as his spirits.


    He was facing away from her, so she couldn¡¯t catch his expression, but she could sense the heavy feeling of helplessness radiating from his frame.


    "It¡¯s not like I have not experienced something sadder..."


    For some reason, when he said this sentence, Song Qingchun¡¯s heart squeezed with pain, a pain even more acute than the pain he had given her several days ago.


    ...


    Su Zhinian¡¯s phone kept on ringing through the night and the words "SR" and "not going to thepany" fell from his lips constantly.


    Song Qingchun knew of SR; it was a famous global enterprise.


    From the snippets of phone conservation, Song Qingchun could tell SR was thepany Su Zhinian had been trying to deal with perhaps ever since he started hispany. Su Zhinian¡¯spany had been liaising with SR for more than half a year, and they had finally showed interest by sending their representative to Beijing to visit hispany and discuss the possibility of a cooperation. However, at this most crucial moment, thepany CEO, Su Zhinian, had suddenly said he was unable to go to thepany.


    The phone calls he had received were all calls trying to persuade him to change his mind. However, even until they finished dinner, Song Qingchun realized Su Zhinian didn¡¯t show any sign of budging from his position.


    Su Zhinian was home every day throughout her break period. Song Qingchun knew this was because he was afraid some danger mighte to her should he leave her alone at home. He was shouldering the responsibilities of twopanies and the job stability of more than one thousand people, and yet, he was willing to put that all on the line, and now even his lifelong dream of cooperating with SR, simply because of her.


    The feeling of disappointment and loss Song Qingchun felt when she saw the take-out dinner had a resurgence in her heart.


    So what if he¡¯s good to me? It¡¯s just to repay the debt he felt he owed me. If not for the incident that happened five years ago, he wouldn¡¯t have given a minute of his day, I¡¯m sure.


    The words he said that day had pierced through her dignity and heart. If this had happened one month earlier, she would have cheered; she would have been the first to hold a celebratory party if hispany went under. However, now, she realized disappointedly that even if she knew he was merely making amends, she didn¡¯t have the heart to witness him give up so much for her.


    Song Qingchun struggled internally for a long time. When Su Zhinian ced his chopsticks down and prepared to leave the table, she finally said something.


    "Su Zhinian."


    Su Zhinian looked toward her with surprise; a shallow hue of joyful astonishment colored the bottom of his eyes. He replied after a dyed moment, "What¡¯s wrong?"

 Chapter 315: I Dont Need Your Charity (6)

    Chapter 315: I Don¡¯t Need Your Charity (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun lowered her head to avoid Su Zhinian¡¯s gaze as she gripped the chopsticks in her hand tightly. Before she could force the words out of her mouth, there was already a prickly sensation around her eyes, and her throat closed slightly. She took a deep breath and said, "Su Zhinian, I don¡¯t need your charity."


    The joy at the bottom of Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes started to disperse. He looked at her silently.


    "Su Zhinian..." She called his name again as she looked up, and her lips curved into a self-deprecating smile. About ten secondster, she swallowed again, silently yet forcefully, as if trying to push down the sadness that had collected at her throat. She made herself sound as bright as possible when she continued speaking. "If you are giving up this wonderful opportunity to fulfil your lifelong dream simply because you feel indebted to me because you took my virginity so many years ago, I wish to inform you sincerely that there is no need for that."


    Opposite Song Qingchun, Su Zhinian sat with his spine straight. His gaze was still on her, but his expression started to blur, covered by the chandelier¡¯s light that fell on his handsome face.


    Song Qingchun felt pain at the back of her eyes from the pooling of tears. She lowered her head and whispered, "Please go to work at yourpany tomorrow because I am going to be away from home as well."


    Song Qingchun stopped because she choked on her voice. After a necessary pause, she continued, "No matter what, I wish to apologize for the trouble and inconvenience I have caused you recently."


    Then, Song Qingchun pushed the chair back as she stood up, grabbed all the tes and utensil off the table, and headed into the kitchen.


    ...


    When Song Qingchun finished the dishes and exited the kitchen, Su Zhinian was no longer sitting in the dining room.


    She stared at the chair Su Zhinian had vacated, and her focus swayed. Ever since he told her everything he had done was to repay a debt, there was something she didn¡¯t dare to¡ªand didn¡¯t know how to¡ªexamine burgeoning in her heart.


    The more she thought about it, the more frustrated Song Qingchun became. She wiped the table with more force than necessary, and only stopped when the dining table was practically glistening like a mirror. She returned to the kitchen to clean her hands and retreated to her room.


    Due to her period pain, Song Qingchun went into bed after an early shower. However, she had trouble sleeping. She hugged her pillows, thinking about what she should do when Su Zhinian was not home tomorrow. Will anything dangerous happen if I stay home alone? Who can I find to apany me if I do go out? Brother Yinan? But he already has a girlfriend, bothering him doesn¡¯t sound like a bright idea.


    Song Qingchun buried her face into the fluffy pillow, and a haze of sadness enveloped her, causing her to grumble softly to herself, "If only Song Cheng were still alive..."


    Song Qingchun eventually sighed and said, "Bah, I probably shouldn¡¯t pull anyone else into this mess. If something really happens, I wouldn¡¯t wish the tragedy on any one of my friends.


    "How about this? I¡¯ll just leave home early in the morning and quietly return after he leaves for hispany. With the doors and windows all locked, I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll be as safe as anything at home, right?


    "Furthermore, the real perpetrator has been apprehended, so why am I scaring myself? Therefore, Song Qingchun, it¡¯ll be fine, it¡¯ll be fine, it¡¯ll be fine..."


    Song Qingchun repeated "it¡¯ll be fine" many times to convince herself, but no matter how frequent she repeated it, there was still a trace of fear in her heart that wouldn¡¯t disappear.

 Chapter 316: I Dont Need Your Charity (7)

    Chapter 316: I Don¡¯t Need Your Charity (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She gripped the mattress tightly as she looked out the window at the night sky. A faded consternation climbed up her brows. "If only I didn¡¯t push myself to ask Ma..."


    Song Qingchun stopped to correct herself before continuing. "...Sanitary Su those questions that day."


    Even though she resented him in some ways for being so inconsiderate of her feelings, she still found herself unable to use the term ¡¯Maniac Su¡¯ to refer to the man.


    "Then, I would have been able to trouble him to send me to and from work like usual, but now..."


    Song Qingchun slowly closed her eyes as she took a deep sigh. She finished the sentence in her mind. But now, I know all the kindness he has ever shown me was merely to repay a debt. I simply can¡¯t take advantage of him anymore. I still have my dignity left.


    Song Qingchun realized once more a familiar pain had appeared at the bottom of her heart. It was concentrated and sharp, causing her heart to ache with every breath.


    She was so focused on mending her wounds that she didn¡¯t realize what the cause of her pain was. She had so many friends she could ask for help, but why did she feel pain when she realized she could no longer ask him for help?


    ...


    "It¡¯ll be fine, it¡¯ll be fine, Song Qingchun, it¡¯ll be fine, it¡¯ll be fine..."


    Su Zhinian leaned on the faux-leather European chaise, listening to Song Qingchun¡¯s voice, which was smothered by the mattress. His gaze was glued to a modern-style floormp before him.


    Initially, he was slowly counting every "it¡¯ll be fine" that came out of her mouth, but he eventually lost count until he heard her mumble, "Then, I would have been able to trouble him to send me to and from work like usual..."


    Right then, his heart felt like it was mped by a vice, causing all the air to leave his body in an instant.


    The cruel words that he had uttered a few days agopletely undid the close rtionship that they had managed to nurture. It was beautiful but not destined to bloom, therefore, it could only wither.


    He would never again hear her say, "Su Zhinian, I have a favor to ask..."


    In reality, he shouldn¡¯t feel sad. After all, this was what he wanted; this was how he wished it would end.


    However, he couldn¡¯t stop his heart from breaking. He wished desperately that she would trouble him for life, but he knew when their story reached the end, the person standing beside her could never be him.


    ...


    Song Qingchun was woken up by her rm early the next morning. She jumped out of bed, washed her face and teeth, and then ran downstairs to prepare breakfast. When she went up to call Su Zhinian; it was 7 am, her time of freedom.


    Song Qingchun stood beside his bedroom door and knocked. "Breakfast¡¯s ready."


    The room beyond the door was quiet, and there was no answer. She assumed Su Zhinian was still sleeping, so she returned to her bedroom. She didn¡¯t n to stray far from his house, so she merely grabbed her wallet and her phone and shoved them into her bag before leaving her bedroom.


    She left a note on Su Zhinian¡¯s bedroom door before leaving.


    Song Qingchun put on a pair of high heels at the front door, but after realizing the mall wouldn¡¯t be opened so early in the morning, she switched them out for a pair of ts. She decided to go to the nearby park for a little jog instead.

 Chapter 317: I Dont Need Your Charity (8)

    Chapter 317: I Don¡¯t Need Your Charity (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun, who had sheltered herself indoors for the past few days, started to shiver the moment she pushed the door open. She instinctually pulled the sleeve of her clothes up to cover her neck and took a deep breath before walking into the cold. However, she merely took two steps and hadn¡¯t even gotten down the steps when she stopped in her tracks.


    Su Zhinian, in a ck winter-coat, was leaning against his car leisurely with both of his hands tucked into the pockets.


    Underneath the winter-coat was a simrly ck suit, a simple white dress shirt, and a tie with ck and white stripes. It gave him an air of royalty. His hair was tousled, and his exposed ears were red. It was probably due to the fact he had been standing in the cold winds for some time.


    Su Zhinian turned to look at her when he heard the door open.


    Song Qingchun stood for a while on the steps before regaining her senses and slowly took the steps toward him. When she brushed past Su Zhinian, she still decided to greet him after some hesitation.


    "I¡¯m just going out..."


    Before she could finish her sentence, Su Zhinian suddenly straightened himself and reached out to grab her elbow. Without saying anything, he pulled her around the car, opened the door to the passenger side, and shoved her in.


    "Su Zhinian, what are you doing?" Song Qingchun, who was confounded by his series of actions, demanded as she struggled to exit his car. The man reacted faster than she did, and he pressed a palm on her to fix her in her seat and leaned over to help her with the seatbelt with his other hand. Then, he leaned back out and mmed the door shut. Before she realized what was really happening, he had already hopped into the car, started the engine, stepped on the gas, and left the bungalow.


    The roads of Beijing at 7 am were empty, so Su Zhinian drove quite fast. Song Qingchun did ask him several times where they were going, but he answered none of her question.


    Just as Song Qingchun was going to lose her temper, Su Zhinian suddenly made a turn off the main road, continued for another a hundred meters, and stopped before a tall skyscraper.


    Su Zhinian stopped the engine, hopped out of the car, went to the passenger side, pulled the door open, and signaled for Song Qingchun to get down before the security arrived.


    Song Qingchun did as she was told, and as she was standing on firm ground, she finally realized they were at Su Zhinian¡¯spany.


    She subconsciously turned to look at Su Zhinian. Su Zhinian acted as if he couldn¡¯t feel her gaze on him and tossed his car keys casually to the waiting security guard. Then, he reached out to grab her hand and dragged her toward the lobby.


    The receptionist, who had not seen Su Zhinian arrive at thepany for a long time, was visibly shocked. Her eyes only grew even bigger when she saw her boss was dragging a woman behind him. After a whole minute, she rushed to the elevator to operate it for Su Zhinian, greeting him in the process. "Good morning, CEO Su."


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t even nod to acknowledge the receptionist¡¯s greeting and pulled Song Qingchun into the elevator as it arrived.


    The elevator went to the top floor, and it was a female secretary who saw Su Zhinian walk in first. She stood up to greet him with a, "Good..." but her words got caught in her throat when she noticed Song Qingchun, who was behind Su Zhinian. The secretary was obviously stunned.


    "...morning, CEO Su."

 Chapter 318: I Dont Need Your Charity (9)

    Chapter 318: I Don¡¯t Need Your Charity (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Hmm." Su Zhinian, with his lips still zipped shut, acknowledged her with a guttural sound. With his hand still attached to Song Qingchun, he dragged her toward his office. Before opening the door, he turned to look at the table closest to his office. He frowned when he noticed it was empty. Then he turned to ask, "Where¡¯s Cheng Qingchong?"


    "Sister Cheng is in the breakroom," answered the female secretary who had just greeted Su Zhinian and tried her best to move her gaze away from Song Qingchun to Su Zhinian. "When Sister Cheng returns, I¡¯ll remind her toe see CEO Su in your office."


    Su Zhinian nodded emotionlessly and reached out to open the door to his office. Before walking in, he stopped and turned to order, "Go downstairs and buy some breakfast, have Cheng Qingchong bring it with her when she returns."


    "Yes, CEO Su."


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t say anything more and dragged Song Qingchun into his office. Then, he closed the door, blocking the gaze of the whole office, which had been following Song Qingchun.


    Su Zhinian released his grasp on Song Qingchun¡¯s hand and pointed at the sofa in the room, signaling for Song Qingchun to sit there. Then he removed his coat to hang it and posited himself before his desk.


    The documents had piled up to the height of a small mountain since he had been absent from thepany for a few days. Su Zhinian flipped through them randomly, and before he had begun, he already felt a headacheing.


    When Su Zhinian booted up hisputer, he caught, out of the corner of his eye, Song Qingchun, who was standing by the door, staring directly at him with her pair of dark, watery eyes.


    His fingers that were keying in the password stopped. He looked at his keyboard for some time before raising his head to meet Song Qingchun¡¯s gaze. "Before the police concludes the case, you¡¯d better not go wandering off in case anything dangerous happens to you."


    Su Zhinian seemed to have more he wanted to say, but he didn¡¯t add anything after the pause beyond thest reminder. "Today, you can stay in my office."


    Then he proceeded to ignore Song Qingchun and focus on his work.


    "What the hell? Didn¡¯t I tell him I don¡¯t need him to do all this for me anymore? Why did he drag me to hispany..." Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t help but grumble under her breath as she watched Su Zhinian busy himself with his work.


    Before Song Qingchun could finish herint, she saw Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes slowly float toward her. She immediately managed her expression and forced a smile at him. When Su Zhinian moved his gaze away, she rolled her eyes and pouted with derision as she walked toward the sofa Su Zhinian had pointed at earlier.


    Song Qingchun had just sat down for ten seconds before she heard a knock on the door.


    Su Zhinian answered the knock without even taking his eyes off his work.


    The door was pushed open to a reveal a young woman in a light pastel suit. The woman¡¯s long hair fell beside her ears that were adorned with a pair of white pearl earrings. They entuated the woman¡¯s graceful beauty and quiet intellect.


    "CEO Su..." The woman began in a soft and gentle voice. However, even though she was talking to Su Zhinian, her eyes gradually wandered toward Song Qingchun.


    When Song Qingchun caught her gaze, the woman even gave her a warm and friendly smile. Then she walked to Su Zhinian¡¯s desk and ced a set of breakfast on it. "CEO Su, the breakfast that you ordered."

 Chapter 319: I Dont Need Your Charity (10)

    Chapter 319: I Don¡¯t Need Your Charity (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Okay," Su Zhinian answered while staring at a document.


    Cheng Qingchong was used to Su Zhinian¡¯s ways, so she didn¡¯t say much but turned to ce the other breakfast before Song Qingchun.


    When Song Qingchun thanked her, she realized the other woman¡¯s eyes were studying her. Song Qingchun smiled at her, which seemed to draw the woman out of her reverie. Su Zhinian¡¯s secretary then delivered her a kind smile before nodding at her and standing up to walk to Su Zhinian¡¯s desk. Then in a professional tone, she reported the recent activities that had happened at thepany and the few crucial tasks that needed his immediate attention.


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t once take his eyes off his work while he listened to Cheng Qingchong. He waited until Cheng Qingchun finished before he asked, while signing a document, "When will the representative from SR arrive?"


    "10 am."


    Su Zhinian put the pen down and nced at his wrist watch. He put the document away and said, "Have the manager from human resources, sales, management, and teche to my office one by one in that order. Tell them, each of them only has 10 minutes, so make sure they keep to the important details and don¡¯t waste my time."


    "Yes, CEO Su."


    Su Zhinian picked up another document and started to read. As Cheng Qingchong moved to carry out his order, Su Zhinian suddenly called her name.


    "Cheng Qingchong."


    Cheng Qingchong stopped and turned around. Su Zhinian waved for her to get closer. Cheng Qingchong frowned with a short hesitation before leaning in. Su Zhinian stood up slightly from his seat and got closer to her ear. Using a voice that was audible to the two of them only, Su Zhinian spoke for about three minutes. Throughout the process, Cheng Qingchong kept nodding with a smile on her face. When Su Zhinian finished, she replied with a soft, "Yes, CEO Su."


    She nced at Song Qingchun, who was taking a sip of the soy bean milk, before leaving Su Zhinian¡¯s office.


    Two minutes after Cheng Qingchong left, there was a stream of people that headed into Su Zhinian¡¯s office. All of them tried to hide the interested nces that they kept tossing Song Qingchun¡¯s way.


    The sofa in Su Zhinian¡¯s office was huge, but since Song Qingchun was sitting on it, he didn¡¯t signal for anyone else to sit there. They all stood before his desk to give their report.


    Cheng Qingchong returned once. She was carrying arge bag in her hands, but instead of going to Su Zhinian, she ced the bag before Song Qingchun. She smiled kindly at Song Qingchun and whispered, "Call me if you need anything else."


    Then, she smiled once more at Song Qingchun before leaving the office.


    Song Qingchun searched through the giant bag and realized it contained a variety of magazines, snacks, and aptop.


    This was probably Su Zhinian¡¯s order. Song Qingchun subconsciously nced toward Su Zhinian, who was busy with his work.


    Just like he dealt with Cheng Qingchong, he alternated between the discussion with his managers and the mountain of paperwork that had piled on top of his desk.


    His face was drawn with focus and concentration, his every movement a manifestation of a strategist¡¯s confidence and prowess.


    He was naturally reserved and aloof around the fairer sex, which was why certain parts of the inte made him out to be as alluring as a forbidden fruit. For some reason, the absolute focus and serenity he showcased while he was working added to that attraction of the forbidden. A monastic chill radiated from every cell of his body.

 Chapter 320: The Quiet Man (1)

    Chapter 320: The Quiet Man (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    His face was like the masterpiece of a Greek artist who had put their attention into every line and angle on his face. Even though he was not wearing an expression, it could still present a fatal attraction, one that would ensure people were not able to take their eyes off him.


    His brows would crease and rx as he read through the document. When he made a decision with his workers, his fingers would asionally twiddle the pen in his grasp or habitually reach out to his temples to massage them. His movement was slow when he read the document, his eyes following his progress closely, starting from the top left and going from one line to another. There was no hesitation when he dropped his signature; it was done in one smooth motion.


    Song Qingchun had seen many people at work before, but she had never realized a person could be so fatally attractive when he was absolutely focused on his work. It was then that she realized a man could exude natural temptations when he worked.


    The sound of discussion in the room fell away from Song Qingchun¡¯s ears as she lost herself studying Su Zhinian.


    After some time, probably reminded of the fact Song Qingchun was still in the room, or maybe he could feel her gaze on him, Su Zhinian ced a signed document on his desk, and his eyes slowly turned to Song Qingchun.


    When their eyes met, Song Qingchun lowered her eyes hurriedly and pretended to search for something in therge bag left behind by Cheng Qingchong. She eventually pulled out a magazine and pretended to read it.


    She stared at the magazine for a long time, but none of the content registered in her mind. There were multiple voices talking about the issues of liquidation in the room, but the voice that fell into her ears was Su Zhinian¡¯s alone.


    His tone was levelled, mirroring his personality. There was a sense of aloofness, devoid of obvious rhythm and emotion. However, in Song Qingchun¡¯s ears, his words were as mellifluous as an angel¡¯s song. Song Qingchun was so caught up drinking in Su Zhinian¡¯s voice that the colorful pages she was supposed to be looking at gradually turned into images of Su Zhinian at work.


    It was only when Cheng Qingchong returned to the office and served her a cup of milk tea that her attention was pulled back to the present. She looked at Cheng Qingchong confusedly and even let out a "Hmm?"


    "This here is the sugar packet. You can add it if you think the drink is not sweet enough." Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t show any sign of impatience and repeated the sentence she said earlier gently.


    "Thank you," Song Qingchun said, and she realized there were only herself, Su Zhinian, and Cheng Qingchong left in his office. The group of people who were there to discuss business with him hadpletely disappeared.


    "You¡¯re wee," Cheng Qingchong replied with a pair of smiling eyes. She then left the room, taking the waste leftover from the breakfasts with her.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s office was perfectly soundproof. Other than the sound of the air purifier, there was no other noise.


    Song Qingchun had never been in quietpany with Su Zhinian before at the bungalow, and for some reason, her heart started to race.


    She flipped through the magazine that she had lost all interest in, and without realizing it herself, the corner of her eyes kept drifting toward Su Zhinian.


    Su Zhinian was still and silent. He worked through the mountain of documents with absolute focus as if he didn¡¯t know the meaning of the word ¡¯tired¡¯.

 Chapter 321: The Quiet Man (2)

    Chapter 321: The Quiet Man (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The girl was reminded of the quiet, working type, as she studied the man who was concentrating fully in his work. She could understand the attraction.


    She finally understood why they say the most attractive man is a hardworking man.


    Now that I think about it, Su Zhinian definitely fits the profile of any woman¡¯s dream catch. Handsome, wealthy, and fit. He has a natural body frame that could support and bring out the best of a tailored suit. If he came from a wealthy family withplicated power struggles, then he would truly be one of the male leads of those silly romance web novels.


    s, Su Zhinian came from a rather simple and, honestly, quite sad background. Raised by a single mother who suffered from a serious illness during his growing years, forcing him to enter the workforce while he was still young. I can still remember him having to look for part time work online when he stayed at my house.


    Song Qingchun allowed her mind to wander, and when she returned to the present, she was shocked to realize Su Zhinian was still in his absolute focus.


    Just how does he manage to maintain such a level of concentration? How can he be enraptured by something as boring as work?


    This whole hardworking man with not a concern about the outside world persona does help the ¡¯werewolf¡¯ image they gave him though.


    Song Qingchun was suddenly reminded of an entry she read on an online dictionary.


    Werewolf: A perfect gentleman before the crowd, but your own private beast in bed. Hard at work in suit and tie, hard at work between the sheets as well. Often a creative and powerful lover who would bring you to ces where you want to be.


    It might sound a bit too scious, but it did fit Su Zhinian almost too perfectly.


    Song Qingchun stared at Su Zhinian and couldn¡¯t help but wonder what this cold and aloof man would be like if his mes of passion were ignited.


    The man was wearing a sharp suit, and his shirt was buttoned up to his cor, but the image pictured in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind was the practically naked man she had seen when she identally stumbled into his bedroom several days ago.


    The clear and bouncy skin, powerful and reliable chest, as well as taut and stringy muscles...


    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes gradually moved away from Su Zhinian¡¯s face to fall on his chest, abdomen, his mighty pair of legs, before settling on the small opening between his pants and shoes where his fair ankle peeked out from underneath.


    I wonder what he would be like in the middle of doing the deed with a woman...


    That deed had happened between them once, but she had been too afraid and scared at the time to study the details. Therefore, Song Qingchun could only rely on her imagination.


    She imagined him kissing a woman¡¯s neck, his face flushed with the heat of carnal desire. The moans that he might have made and the glistening sweat that would be stuck to his fair and glowing skin...


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart started to beat as the images formed in her mind. She felt a heat surge through her body, and even her throat became rather parched.


    Just as Song Qingchun moved onto another image that would be too indecent to be put into words, Su Zhinian suddenly closed the file in his hands, put the pen he was using down, and looked toward Song Qingchun.

 Chapter 322: The Quiet Man (3)

    Chapter 322: The Quiet Man (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    It was 9.55 am, and the representative from SR was going to arrive in about five minutes. He needed to prepare to wee the representative. However, before leaving his room, Su Zhinian wished to inform Song Qingchun that if he was too busy caught up in the meeting and was unable to apany her for lunch, she could go have lunch with Cheng Qingchong, and if she felt bored and wished to find someone to talk to, she could get Cheng Qingchong to apany her as well. Therefore, Su Zhinian cleared her throat and called her name.


    "Qing..." When the first syble left his lips, Song Qingchun shuddered like she was shocked. She lowered her head immediately, and the magazine in her hands scrunched up with a crunch. Then, for some unknown reason, she sprung up from the sofa.


    "I have to use the toilet!" she blurted out in a hurry and dashed out of his office before Su Zhinian even had the chance to inform her how to get to the bathroom.


    Cheng Qingchong was going to knock on the office door to inform Su Zhinian of the imminent meeting when the door burst open with Song Qingchun dashing out from within. Cheng Qingchong was caught by surprise and was about to greet Song Qingchun, but thetter dashed straight past her and headed for the breakroom.


    Cheng Qingchong frowned with confusion as she looked toward Su Zhinian. Before she could make sense of the situation, Su Zhinian ordered, "Later, have Jurry apany me to wee the SR representative, you keep an eye on her."


    Cheng Qingchong knew the ¡¯her¡¯ in question was naturally the beautiful girl her boss had brought with him to thepany. She nodded and replied, "Yes, CEO Su."


    Su Zhinian stood up and smoothed down the clothes, which had gotten ruffled from being in a seated position for too long. As he did so, he ordered Cheng Qingchong in a toneless manner, "Remember to watch over her carefully and don¡¯t let her leave this floor."


    "Yes, CEO Su."


    "If I am unable to return before lunch, you order a boxed lunch for her." After a pause, Su Zhinian added, "Order the take-out from Golden Corner. In fact, go make the order now, it will arrive at noon sharp. Her favorite dishes are..."


    Su Zhinian rattled off a few dishes and, after a while, added as an afterthought, "You apany her during lunch; she doesn¡¯t like to eat on her own."


    "I understand, CEO Su."


    When Su Zhinian passed Cheng Qingchong, he stopped and said, "Right, her period just came, so don¡¯t order anything cold for her. Also, the ice-cream in thepany breakroom, make sure she stays away from that."


    "Yes, CEO Su."


    "If you¡¯re unable to pull yourself away from work, then assign someone else to look after her and keep herpany." Su Zhinian took two steps and halted because he still felt worried. In the end, he assigned his most reliable employee to be Song Qingchun¡¯s chaperone for the day.


    "Yes, CEO Su."


    Su Zhinian stood there for a while, and after he felt he had done everything he could, he finally left with Jurry.


    ...


    I must have lost my mind, envisioning Su Zhinian in bed with a woman in his office, and those visions were definitely not child-friendly.


    Song Qingchun nted herself on the toilet seat without even lifting the lid up. She tapped her burning face lightly. Several deep breathster, her beating heart finally calmed down.


    She purposely spent a very long time in the bathroom and dragged her feet as she walked toward Su Zhinian¡¯s office. She finally sighed in relief when she realized he was no longer in there.

 Chapter 323: The Quiet Man (4)

    Chapter 323: The Quiet Man (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun was alone in the room, so she started to do something she had not done since she arrived that morning: study his office.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s taste was like his personality, simple but full of charisma. His office¡¯s decoration had a minimalistic ir to it, but everything he ced in the room was delicate and exquisite.


    His office was huge, and there was a mini tree that reached up toward the ceiling before the floor-length window. A swing chair was hanging from the branch, and Song Qingchun believed it was only for decoration purposes because it looked very much unused.


    Song Qingchun felt the scene looked very familiar. She stepped forward to touch the swing, and with her head tilted, she tried to remember where she had seen this scene before. She even sat in the swing chair, hoping it would jog her memory, but she came up with nothing.


    Eventually, she stood up and walked toward his desk. She sat in his working chair and spun around twice. Then she gripped the pen he had left on the table. It felt hefty, and Song Qingchun pulled a piece of white paper over. She mimicked Su Zhinian and scrawled some random words on the piece of paper before cing the pen down.


    She stood up from the chair and walked to the cab that was around three meters tall behind her. The files and documents were arranged nicely behind the ss door. Other than that, there were also foreign books about economics and business. There was a row of drawers underneath. Compelled by curiosity, Song Qingchun pulled on them one by one, and to her surprise, the seventh drawer was not locked.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s first instinct was to push it back in, but her eyes couldn¡¯t help but wander toward its contents. The drawer was filled with various present boxes. From the wrappers and packages, most of them came from world famous brands.


    My God... Su Zhinian is a present hoarder? Furthermore, these aren¡¯t cheap; from a cursory nce, the total value of these presents should be more than eight digits already!


    Song Qingchun¡¯s interest was piqued. She grabbed the box on top and flipped it open. It was a whole set of jewelry that glistened generously under the lights of the office¡¯s chandelier.


    This is so pretty... Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t stop herself from grabbing one of the bracelets and testing it on her wrist. It fitted her perfectly.


    It¡¯s gorgeous, but howe I¡¯ve not heard of this brand before?


    Song Qingchun flipped the box over to nce at the brand name. She then got out her phone to Google it. She discovered that it was a custom jeweler with more than a hundred years¡¯ history based in Hong Kong.


    One of these days, if I have the chance to go to Hong Kong, I have to pay the ce a visit. Just as Song Qingchun was lost in thought, the office was pushed open, and in walked Cheng Qingchong.


    Song Qingchun immediately pulled the bracelet off her wrist, snuck them back into the box, and closed the drawer.


    Turning around, she smiled awkwardly at Cheng Qingchong, exining, "I was looking at the books, and I guess curiosity got the best of me."


    Cheng Qingchong replied to her with a smile that seemed to say, it¡¯s okay, before asking, "I¡¯ve ordered lunch, it will probably arrive in half an hour, do you wish to drink anything in the meantime?"


    "No thanks, I¡¯m fine." Song Qingchun shook her head. Her eyes eventually wandered back to the drawer filled with presents, and she couldn¡¯t help herself from asking, "Miss Cheng, Su Zhinian bought those present for his personal collection?"


    "No." Cheng Qingchong was reminded of Su Zhinian¡¯s order to keep Song Qingchunpany. Noticing the girl was in the mood to chat, she pointed at the sofa and both of them sat down. "Those are presents purchased by CEO Su."

 Chapter 324: The Quiet Man (5)

    Chapter 324: The Quiet Man (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Presents?" A surprised Song Qingchun asked with disbelief, "Those were presents purchased by Su Zhinian?"


    "Yes." Cheng Qingchong nodded in confirmation. Whenever a holiday came near, Su Zhinian would pick out several presents, but they never seemed to get gifted; therefore, all of them eventually ended up in the drawer.


    It was because of these presents that she realized the man she admired already had a person upying his heart.


    In her capacity as his personal secretary, she was practically always by his side whenever he was at work, and the time he spent at work was severely greater than the time he spent at home. However, she had never once seen this person that her boss had fallen for. Therefore, she had always been curious just what kind of woman had managed to attract Su Zhinian¡¯s heart.


    This type of curiosity was not jealousy or envy; she purely wanted to know where the man of her heart had ced his. There was a kind of love in the world that wasn¡¯t built on the basis of ownership but a blessing that he would find his greatest happiness in life.


    Therefore, even though she had never seen his love, she had been quietly praying for them to have a happy ending.


    When she exited the bathroom and heard that her boss had dragged a woman to work, her heart was leaping with joy. The woman that her boss loved would be the woman she respected and supported. She could finally meet the woman who would satisfy her curiosity, so how could she not be happy?


    Even though Cheng Qingchong had quietly studied Song Qingchun many times earlier, she still couldn¡¯t take her eyes off Song Qingchun¡¯s exquisite features as she sat across from her. She eventually smiled and continued the conversation. "Yes, those are all presents purchased by CEO Su."


    The confusion in Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes deepened. "But, if they¡¯re presents, howe he hasn¡¯t gifted them away and keeps them hidden in this drawer?"


    "That is something I don¡¯t understand either." Cheng Qingchong shook her head. This was a question that had been troubling her for years as well.


    Song Qingchun resonated with this answer given by Cheng Qingchong. She nodded in approval, adding, "You¡¯re right, Su Zhinian¡¯s brain is wired in apletely different way from a normal human being. There is often ack of reason to his actions, so if we understood his thoughts, we would definitely need to seek help!"


    Cheng Qingchong merely smiled and didn¡¯t reply.


    The one sitting before her was the real deal; it was her right to mock Big Boss, but Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t dare to.


    From their conversation, Song Qingchun knew Cheng Qingchong¡¯s name.


    Qingchun, Qingchong, they did sound like sisters.


    For some reason, Song Qingchun felt weirdly close to Su Zhinian¡¯s personal secretary. She took a sip of the milk tea and asked in an attempt to gossip, "Those presents, Su Zhinian purchased them all for one person, right?"


    Song Qingchun noticed Cheng Qingchong nod, and she continued her questioning. "Then, do you know who that person is?"


    Big Boss has already brought you to the office. If that isn¡¯t a way to announce to the world your budding rtionship, I really do not know what is.


    Cheng Qingchong thought Song Qingchun had asked a funny question because obviously those presents were for Song Qingchun.


    Cheng Qingchong smiled gracefully and looked into Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes as she replied, "Miss Song, you surely know how to make a joke, isn¡¯t the answer to your question fairly obvious?"

 Chapter 325: The Quiet Man (6)

    Chapter 325: The Quiet Man (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Hmm, what do you mean by that?" Song Qingchun then winked at Cheng Qingchong with a smile and mimicked her earlier tone and said, "Miss Cheng, you surely know how to make jokes, if I already know the answer, why would I ask you?"


    Cheng Qingchong was trying to hint to Song Qingchun that the presents were all meant for her. She assumed the girl would get it, but to her surprise, the girl started to joke with her instead, and it really did look like the hint had flown way over her head.


    Who would have thought the girl Big Boss loves is so ditzy and cute...


    Just as Cheng Qingchong thought that, Song Qingchun said, "Miss Cheng, unlike you, I don¡¯t spend my days beside Su Zhinian, so I really don¡¯t know many things about him."


    Then, Song Qingchun leaned in conspiratorially and whispered, "So, if you know who the person is, can you please tell me?"


    Unlike you, I don¡¯t spend my days beside Su Zhinian... if you know who the person is...


    The gears in Cheng Qingchong¡¯s mind started to turn when she heard those words from Song Qingchun. For some reason, those words sounded particrly like the words of a private investigator in her mind.


    Could it be that I¡¯ve misunderstood her? Miss Song is not as ditzy as I believed, and she assumed these are presents Big Boss bought for another woman? The only reason she is pressing with these questions is because she wants to know the identity of the non-existent "other woman" in Big Boss¡¯ life?


    This could lead to misunderstandings of impossible heights. I must clear this up lest any unnecessary misunderstanding happens between them.


    Cheng Qingchong immediately shook her head at Song Qingchun and exined with a serious expression, "Miss Song, I can promise you that CEO Su has only shown interest in one woman throughout all these years. I¡¯ve been his assistant for many years, and I have never seen him have any sort of unsavory interaction with a female. In fact, I can count on my fingers the number of times I¡¯ve seen him have private conversations with female clients or guests."


    Song Qingchun knew all that already; what she really wanted to know then was the actual name of this Tingting.


    She couldn¡¯t help herself from cutting Cheng Qingchong off and pressed with some degree of desperation. "I know all that already, so please just tell me who that person is."


    Hearing this, Cheng Qingchong was even more certain that Song Qingchun had misunderstood Su Zhinian. She knew it was not the time to convince Song Qingchun that Su Zhinian was truly the most loyal man she had ever met but clear up the misunderstanding once and for all. "Miss Song, all these presents purchased by CEO Su are for..."


    Song Qingchun opened her eyes wide, staring at Cheng Qingchong with herplete focus, waiting for the final answer to be revealed.


    Unfortunately, just as Cheng Qingchong reached the most crucial part of the revtion, her phone, which she had ced on the table, rang. It was from Su Zhinian.


    The years of professional training made Cheng Qingchong pick up the phone the moment she saw Su Zhinian¡¯s name on the disy. She said respectfully, "CEO Su."


    "Okay, I understand."


    Then Cheng Qingchong stood up, whispering, "I¡¯m sorry."


    She pointed at the office door and walked out, her heels clicking against the floor.

 Chapter 326: The Quiet Man (7)

    Chapter 326: The Quiet Man (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Cheng Qingchong returned to the office half an hourter. When Song Qingchun saw her walk in, she immediately put down the magazine in her hands and shoved the things that had littered the sofa away to clear a space for Cheng Qingchong to sit.


    Cheng Qingchong had sat down for barely a second before Song Qingchun asked, "So who are those presents for?"


    Cheng Qingchong gripped the phone in her palm tightly and averted her eyes away from Song Qingchun¡¯s anticipatory gaze. She bit her lower lip unconsciously before forcing a business smile on her face, adding slowly, "Those presents are naturally for the person CEO Su likes!"


    Of course, I know that! Song Qingchun grumbled internally. She maintained her expression so that she didn¡¯t look too agitated before asking again, "I know it¡¯s for the person he likes, I mean, who is that person?"


    Cheng Qingchong shook her head and replied with an innocent look, "That, I do not know. CEO Su doesn¡¯t like others talking about his private stuff, and he has never once shared that information with me."


    "Oh..." Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes were glossed over with disappointment, and she uttered listlessly, "Sorry, I thought you knew who that person was..."


    Cheng Qingchong did know, but during the phone call from her boss, when he had asked her to send some emails, he had casually brought up the fact that she was not to discuss anything with Song Qingchun about his rtionship. Even though his tone was light, and it was just a simple sentence, Cheng Qingchong, from her years of experience working with him, heard the inherent warning in it.


    Cheng Qingchun felt pricked by guilt when she saw Song Qingchun¡¯s visible disappointment. She lowered her head and, after a moment¡¯s silence, raised her head to say something interesting to try and smooth out the awkward atmosphere. "However, even though I don¡¯t know who that person is, I¡¯m certain that the person is incredibly important to CEO Su."


    Perhaps the disappointment from before was too strong because Song Qingchun didn¡¯t respond much to Cheng Qingchong¡¯s attempt at reconciliation. Her lips twitched slightly and acknowledged her with a simple "Hmm."


    The atmosphere in the room gradually froze. Cheng Qingchong stared at Song Qingchun for a while and was suddenly reminded of an interesting incident from her past. She couldn¡¯t help herself and began talking again. "There was a winter about two years ago when CEO Su and I went on a business trip to America. On the day, we were supposed to meet with the client; it was snowing heavily, so the meeting was postponed. Therefore, we returned to the hotel empty-handed. CEO Su was feeling particrly somber that day. He drank quite a bit at the hotel¡¯s restaurant that night. When I helped send him back to his room, he kept on mumbling the name, Tingting."


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s face grimaced with heartache when she thought about it. "At the time, my curiosity got the better of me. I made use of the fact that CEO Su was drunk and asked, is Tingting the girl you like? Do you know what his reply was?"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s interest was piqued. She turned and looked at Cheng Qingchun with enthusiasm dancing in her eyes.


    Cheng Qingchong smiled with mncholy as she turned to look out the window. Her eyes seemed to be zed with sadness. Three secondster, she continued, "He said, ¡¯No, she is not the girl I like; she is the woman I love.¡¯"


    Like and love were words used to describe a rtionship; like could be due to interest or passion, but love was meant to be forever.

 Chapter 327: The Quiet Man (8)

    Chapter 327: The Quiet Man (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun¡¯s mouth fell open, and her gaze, which was fixed on Cheng Qingchong, was visibly shocked.


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s lips turned up slightly, and her face was quiet, as if reying the memory in her mind. After a long time, she continued in a soft and gentle tone. "Even though he was drunk, I didn¡¯t dare intrude too much into his privacy. Therefore, I merely ced him on the bed and prepared to leave. However, just as I leaned in to pull theforter over him, CEO Su, in his state of inebriation, mumbled another sentence.


    "Even though it had been so many years, the sentence is still fresh in my mind, he said..." Cheng Qingchong¡¯s eyes, which had been looking outside the window, suddenly turned to meet Song Qingchun¡¯s gaze. "...he said, ¡¯She was my then, is my now, and will be my forever.¡¯"


    She was my then, is my now, and will be my forever.


    It was Song Qingchun¡¯s belief that the most beautiful words Su Zhinian had ever said were, ¡¯I¡¯ve expended three lifetimes to find you, and now, I will use another to make you my wife.¡¯


    But the man never ceased to amaze her. Even though the story had nothing to do with her, her heart was deeply touched by it.


    She was shocked to realize the softest part hiding deep inside her left chest gave. It was rumbling from some sort of difort.


    She was my then, is my now, and will be my forever.


    Just what kind of rtionship would warrant this kind of loyalty?


    But why wouldn¡¯t she tell her who that person was?


    Cheng Qingchong stared at Song Qingchun for a while longer before moving her gaze away. The office was once more plunged into silence. Two beautiful young women sat on the sofa, nursing their own thoughts, with nomunication between them.


    After some indeterminate amount of time, Cheng Qingchong¡¯s phone suddenly rang. It was the take-out delivery from Golden Corner.


    She went downstairs to ept the delivery and followed Su Zhinian¡¯s order to apany Song Qingchun for lunch. After lunch, she excused herself to use the bathroom. When she was done, she took a detour to the breakroom to wash some fruits and brought them with her into the office. She was surprised to see Song Qingchun asleep in the swing chair.


    Cheng Qingchong put the fruit te down and went looking for a nket from Su Zhinian¡¯s personal breakroom. The door was pushed open when she returned with a nket.


    "CEO Su," Cheng Qingchong greeted in a whisper.


    Su Zhinian nodded slightly as he nced toward the sofa. His brows creased when he noticed she wasn¡¯t there. "Where is she?"


    Cheng Qingchong pointed toward the swing and replied, "Miss Song is asleep."


    Su Zhinian turned to the direction she was pointing, and he was visibly surprised when he saw the sleeping girl.


    He stared at that scene for a long time before he reached out to take the nket from Cheng Qingchong. "I¡¯ll do it."


    "Yes, CEO Su." Cheng Qingchong, who knew how to read the atmosphere, added after some pause, "I¡¯ll be outside if you need me."


    "Wait," Su Zhinian called as she turned to go, and using a low voice, he ordered, "If anyonees to find me, tell them to return in thete afternoon."


    Cheng Qingchong nodded wordlessly as her gaze drifted toward Song Qingchun. Big Boss probably doesn¡¯t want anyone to disturb Miss Song¡¯s rest.


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t say anything as he walked toward Song Qingchun with the nket in his hands.


    Before Cheng Qingchong closed the door, she looked back into the office. She saw Su Zhinian slink toward the swing chair and drape the nket on the sleeping girl¡¯s body in an exceptionally light movement. His face looked at her incredibly softly, and his finger lightly grazed her face, filled with a deep desire to love and cherish.

 Chapter 328: The Quiet Man (9 + 10)

    Chapter 328: The Quiet Man (9 + 10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s attention was lost as she stared at the scene. Eventually, she closed the door quietly behind her and left the room.


    ...


    After Song Qingchun told Su Zhinian she didn¡¯t need his charity, she had tossed and turned in her bed, thinking about the possible danger that coulde to her should she stay at home alone; that had caused her to sleep quitete. That morning she had woken up at 6 am, so she had felt exceptionally drowsy by the time the afternoon came.


    Her dreams were filled with images of Su Zhinian working seriously in his suit and tie. It was probably the result of her studying him for so long earlier that afternoon.


    Then, the scene in her dreams changed. Suddenly, Su Zhinian¡¯s quiet and professional image changed. His tapered fingers reached for his shirt cor to remove the tie slowly and deliberately. Then, he started to work on the buttons on his shirt before undoing the buckle of his belt.


    Out of nowhere, the image of Su Zhinian undressing turned into Su Zhinian taking a shower. The water caressed his strong chest and licked his delicious abs before it went trickling downward.


    The rest of the image was clouded by the hot steam. When she could see clearly again, Su Zhinian was in bed, leaning the headboard; his perfectly toned upper body waspletely exposed since theforter only reached his waist.


    There was originally only one person in her dream, but at this point, a mysterious woman suddenly made an appearance. It was then the scenes in her dream became too scious to be described here. Song Qingchun had never seen pornography before, but the Korean dramas and Japanese manga she enjoyed would still asionally show some age-restricted scenes. Somehow, all of the male leads¡¯ faces were reced by Su Zhinian in her dream.


    At the beginning, there was no sound in her dream, but eventually, she started to hear passionate moaning and grunting. With a flicker of her eyshes, Song Qingchun finally woke up. She realized she was in a quiet room, and beautiful rays of sunlight were filtering in through the window.


    The atmosphere was one of peace.


    Song Qingchun stretchedzily in the swing, and she stared out the window for a long time before she moved her head to take in the room. She eventually noticed Su Zhinian, who waspletely focused, working at his desk.


    When did he return?


    Song Qingchun moved her body and was shocked to realize a nket was carefully draped over it.


    Su Zhinian did this?


    Her gaze wandered to the man once more. The afternoon sun fell on him as it streamed through the window, his long and curlyshes creating a pair of beautiful shadows under his eyes.


    His skin had the illusion of being transparent, reflecting the light of the afternoon sun. It was truly a mesmerizing picture.


    She had spent quite a long time in the morning studying him, but even now, she was still shocked by the view that unfolded before her eyes. Song Qingchun stared at Su Zhinian for a long time, and her attention started to waver. She then remembered her dream about him.


    He had also been working tirelessly in it.


    "Ah," Song Qingchun yelped under her breath before using her hands to mp over her mouth. Her small face was flushed immediately, and her ears burned.


    He had not only been working tirelessly in her dream; he had also been doing something else tirelessly in it.


    The blood-pumping images from her dream repeated in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind as if she was re-watching them in slow-motion.


    Su Zhinian was fixing a document that had some incongruities when he heard a soft "ah" in his ears.


    He frowned slightly and raised his eyes to look in Song Qingchun¡¯s direction. His eyes met the girl¡¯s.


    Su Zhinian stared at her for a few seconds before putting his pen down and asking in a clear voice, "You¡¯re awake?"


    The girl didn¡¯t respond to him in any way. She merely stared at him like she hadn¡¯t even heard him.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s frown deepened. He assumed her brain was still fuzzy from just waking up, so he added, "Do you want something to drink? I can have Cheng Qingchong send something in."


    Su Zhinian reached out to press the phone on his desk as he asked that. Before his finger could hit the call button though, he realized how red Song Qingchun¡¯s face was.


    The room¡¯s temperature is not high, and the onlyyer on her is just a nket, she shouldn¡¯t be burning up like this... Fever?


    Su Zhinian thought about it before putting his work away and walked toward Song Qingchun. He stood before her and asked in whisper, "Do you feel ufortable?"


    The girl still didn¡¯t give any response, but her face burned even brighter, as if blood was going to gush out of her nostrils at any moment.


    Is it really fever?


    Su Zhinian instinctually reached out to ce his hand on Song Qingchun¡¯s forehead.


    A bit hot but not high enough to be a fever... Thank god... Su Zhinian sighed in relief.


    But then, the girl¡¯s thoughts started streaming into his mind through the physical contact. Good God, what has happened to me? Isn¡¯t it enough that my thoughts started to wander into some unsavory ces in the morning, does it need to happen in my dream as well?


    Unsavory ces? What does she mean by that? Su Zhinian¡¯s brows creased, and his hand, which he had been about to move away, stayed firmly on her forehead.


    Why did I dream about him in the shower? I have not seen him in the shower before, have I?


    As the thought cropped up in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind, Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes narrowed dangerously. Him... Who is this him ?


    His question was soon answered. Then again, in the dream, Sanitary Su did have quite a good body.


    Absolute surprise shed through Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes. Before he could digest the shock, he suffered from another palpable impact due to the thought that appeared in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind next.


    There were images of him in the various sex positions with a woman in her mind. The images were extremely detailed and precise. He could even see the droplets of sweat that stuck to their skin and hear the sounds of obscene breathing.


    But, I have to admit, the images of him doing it with someone were quite hot.


    Su Zhinian felt a part of him grow harder, and the blood in his body started to rush into that part. Someone? Who is this someone? What the hell is going on? Why must she think about such dirty stuff for no reason at all?


    Su Zhinian was turning away from shyness and frustration. However, before he could pull his hand away, a brand-new thought appeared in the girl¡¯s mind.


    Eh, why is Maniac Su¡¯s face so close to me so suddenly? Hmm, he looks so gorgeous from afar, but upon closer inspection, he¡¯s even more handsome. It is truly a face of pure perfection, a face that would make any woman¡¯s face light up with a smile and her legs open wide in invitation.


    Su Zhinian almost coughed out a mouthful of blood.

 Chapter 329: Too Weak to Get Angry (1)

    Chapter 329: Too Weak to Get Angry (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Her legs open wide in invitation...


    Su Zhinian, who could maintain his cool under any circumstances, shivered violently when the sentence in Song Qingchun¡¯s heart travelled through his hand and into his mind. He almost coughed out a mouthful of blood.


    Who the hell taught her these kinds of descriptions that I¡¯ve not even heard of before?


    As Su Zhinian¡¯s hand shivered, it shook Song Qingchun¡¯s forehead that was attached to the end of his palm. This movement instantly pulled Song Qingchun back from her wandering thoughts. Immediately, she felt a warm pressure on the top of her face. After one second of confusion, she turned to look at Su Zhinian¡¯s face, which was dangerously close to hers.


    So, she had not been imagining the close up of Su Zhinian¡¯s face in her mind; instead, it was because she didn¡¯t realize Su Zhinian himself had wandered so close to her. Oh God, and to think I¡¯ve been salivating over his good looks throughout the morning.


    As the description ¡¯her legs open wide in invitation¡¯ drifted across the girl¡¯s mind, Song Qingchun felt her face start to burn, and the heat quickly spread throughout her entire body. She knew perfectly well that those were merely thoughts, so Su Zhinian couldn¡¯t have known them, but for some reason, Song Qingchun was extremely nervous facing the man, like a thief caught red-handed.


    Song Qingchun swallowed multiple times before she found her voice. "What¡ª what¡¯s wrong?"


    Su Zhinian stared at Song Qingchun for about two seconds before replying. "Nothing, I was worried you were down with fever since your face was so red."


    Song Qingchun became increasingly restless under his gaze. She could feel her heart racing at an impossible speed. She didn¡¯t dare move recklessly because she felt she might fall at any moment. Her eyes, looking at Su Zhinian, started to dart around. She said in a withering and shaking voice, "There¡ª there¡¯s no fever; the temperature in the room is a bit hot, that¡¯s all..."


    As she said so, Song Qingchun turned her head down from shame and guilt to avoid Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes.


    "Is that so?" Su Zhinian added in a breezy tone as he increased pressure to his palm that was ced on her forehead.


    Song Qingchun was made flustered by his question. She wanted to reply with a "Yes" in a manner that was as natural as she could manage, but her words were caught in throat. Perhaps she was overthinking it, but for some reason, she felt like... he had seen through her real thoughts.


    The more Song Qingchun thought about this, the more anxious she became. Her eyes, which were locked onto her knees, started to wander again before settling on the area just below Su Zhinian¡¯s waist.


    Hmm, what¡¯s wrong with his pants? Why is there a bulge?


    Su Zhinian had to assume a half-bent posture to feel Song Qingchun¡¯s forehead. He was standing in such a way that her legs were caught beside his lower waist. As this thought materialized in her mind, she felt something hard touching her knees.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s thoughts stopped moving immediately. Even though there were twoyers of clothes between them, she could still feel the radiating heat. Then, the reality slowly registered in her mind. No wonder there is a bulge, that¡ª that¡¯s Sanitary Su...


    Su Zhinian was caught twice by surprise. Before the thought could finish forming in her mind, he suddenly turned and walked away.

 Chapter 330: Too Weak to Get Angry (2)

    Chapter 330: Too Weak to Get Angry (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun was so shocked by Su Zhinian¡¯s sudden reaction that her head whipped up. In just a few seconds, Su Zhinian had already walked to the door of his personal breakroom. He shoved the door open and walked in without any hesitation. Then the door mmed shut with a loud bang.


    Why did he leave mid-sentence?


    Song Qingchun frowned, staring at the closed door. Then, the thought that was interrupted by Su Zhinian slowly reformed in her might.


    Sanitary Su was showing reaction... down there...


    Song Qingchun¡¯s face burned even brighter. Even though Su Zhinian was no longer physically in the room, she still lowered her head in a flustered manner. Her fingers gripped the nket tightly, so much so that they went white. She then released her grip before tightening it again; she alternated between the two as if hesitant about something.


    Eventually, she reached out slowly to the spot that had been touched by Su Zhinian¡¯s thing earlier. As her finger reached it, it instantly retreated like it had been shocked by electricity. Several secondster, she attempted the same thing again. This time, her hand didn¡¯t remove itself but insteady quietly over the spot for several moments. After a while, her fingers started to scratch the surface of her jeans with force, as if trying to gouge something out of it with physical force.


    Su Zhinian seemed to have locked himself in the breakroom. The office was quiet, and the weird atmosphere still hadn¡¯t dissipated.


    After some time, the office door was pushed open silently. Song Qingchun turned toward the sound and saw Cheng Qingchong walked gently into the room like she was afraid her heels might make too loud a sound.


    Cheng Qingchong was visibly startled when she noticed the empty desk. She turned toward the direction of the swing, and her body rxed when she saw Song Qingchun had awoken. Her steps now became more natural. She asked, "Miss Song, I¡¯m sorry, but where is CEO Su?"


    Just as Song Qingchun was about to answer, the door to the breakroom was pulled open. Su Zhinian walked out of it with an expression that couldn¡¯t be read. His gaze fell on Cheng Qingchong immediately. "What¡¯s wrong?"


    The words that threatened to escape Song Qingchun¡¯s mouth were forcibly swallowed when she saw Su Zhinian. The flush on her face, which had dispersed earlier, started to rise again. She didn¡¯t dare to even look at Su Zhinian, and she immediately turned her head away from the room and looked out the window.


    Cheng Qingchong moved her gaze away from Song Qingchun to Su Zhinian, saying, "CEO Su, it¡¯s time for the meeting. We¡¯re all waiting for you."


    Su Zhinian nodded as dashed out of the office without acknowledging Song Qingchun. It was like she wasn¡¯t even there.


    Cheng Qingchong was surprised by Su Zhinian¡¯s overly aloof reaction. She subconsciously turned toward Song Qingchun and realized the girl¡¯s reaction was simr to her boss¡¯. She looked out the window with a faded expression. It seemed like she was hell-bent on pretending her boss wasn¡¯t there in the room as well.


    Su Zhinian remembered he had forgotten to take the documents for the meeting when he reached the door. Without even turning around, he ordered, "Bring the files on my desk."


    He then left the office at a leisurely pace.


    Cheng Qingchong grabbed the files like she had been told to, and by the time she left the office, Su Zhinian was already in the meeting room.

 Chapter 331: Too Weak to Get Angry (3)

    Chapter 331: Too Weak to Get Angry (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    When she noticed this situation, the first thought that crossed Cheng Qingchong¡¯s mind was that something unhappy had happened between the two of them and that they were in the middle of a quarrel.


    She believed her boss¡¯ mood would be incredibly bad, and she might get burned from a careless mistake.


    Therefore, before Cheng Qingchong pushed the door to the meeting room open, she snuck a nce through the ss partition beside it. She noticed the icy expression on Su Zhinian¡¯s face, and that confirmed her earlier suspicion. She was exceptional careful about her every motion, down to the amount of force she used to push the door open.


    When there was still arge distance between Cheng Qingchong and Su Zhinian, she stopped. With an extended arm, she handed the document to Su Zhinian. "CEO Su, the files that you wanted."


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t respond; his face didn¡¯t even twitch in acknowledgement.


    Theck of reaction sent a chill down Cheng Qingchong¡¯s spine. Her boss would only react like this when his mood was at its worst. She didn¡¯t even dare inhale before taking two steps back to take her own seat at the table. She even surreptitiously pushed her chair as far as she possibly could from Su Zhinian without making too much noise.


    The meeting began on time. The first to speak was the Finance Manager. Cheng Qingchong gripped her pen and thought, So this is going to be the first sacrifice. The first one will always get the worst treatment; oh, I can¡¯t bear to watch this.


    However, to Cheng Qingchong¡¯s surprise, Su Zhinian still didn¡¯t seem to react in any way, not even giving the Finance Manager a nce after the twenty-minute-long presentation.


    This is too out of the ordinary; is this the calm before the storm? A sign that something worse ising?


    Cheng Qingchong took the meeting¡¯s minutes carefully with her shaking fingers.


    The other managers continued to speak until it was Su Zhinian¡¯s turn to conclude the meeting. The room dovetailed into absolute silence because Su Zhinian remained as still as a statue. Like usual, the room of people kept tossing nces at Cheng Qingchong, signaling for her to do her job of reminding Su Zhinian.


    Cheng Qingchong really didn¡¯t have the guts to do that, but she couldn¡¯t just let the roomful of importantpany managers sit there, wasting time. Therefore, she summoned every bit of courage she had and turned to whisper to Su Zhinian, "CEO Su?"


    Su Zhinian still didn¡¯t show any sign that he had heard her. Cheng Qingchong increased her volume and called twice. "CEO Su? CEO Su?"


    Su Zhinian¡¯s eyelids started to move, and Cheng Qingchong felt like she was witnessing a statuee alive. She was about to say, CEO Su, do you have anything to add? However, before she did, she noticed the faded blush that rose to Su Zhinian¡¯s face.


    Cheng Qingchong looked like she had seen a ghost, and her whole body froze. Her mouth fell open slightly, and she blinked several times at Su Zhinian, even pinching herself under the table to make sure she wasn¡¯t imagining stuff.


    Is this for real? Big Boss is blushing?


    As if confirming her thoughts, she saw with her own two eyes that Su Zhinian¡¯s ears had slowly turned bright red.


    So, when he sted out of the office earlier without a nce at Miss Song, he wasn¡¯t mad, but he was being shy? Oh my God, I¡¯ve served Big Boss for so many years, but I¡¯ve only just found out that he¡¯s actually the type that can¡¯t admit his feelings?

 Chapter 332: Too Weak to Get Angry (4)

    Chapter 332: Too Weak to Get Angry (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian had been in the world of business for so many years that even if he wasn¡¯t paying any attention during the meeting, he wouldn¡¯t have made a fool of himself. Therefore, he quickly realized Cheng Qingchong was calling his name. He pulled his attention back to reality, and his gaze swept the gathered managers in the meeting room.


    Noticing that they were all staring at him, Su Zhinian realized they were waiting for him to speak. Even though he had no recollection of the meeting at all, he still managed to squeeze out some official-sounding speech. He then ended the meeting without waiting for the room to respond and stood up to leave the room.


    Cheng Qingchong grabbed the documents, but she didn¡¯t leave the meeting room immediately. She nced through the ss partition to examine Su Zhinian, who was standing in front of his office.


    The floor was quite empty, probably because they had something else to attend to.


    With a hand in his pocket, Su Zhinian raised his other hand before lowering it again. He kept repeating this movement.


    Cheng Qingchong frowned, confused by his action. Eventually, she made to walk toward him, assuming he needed some help. Just as she was about to call out his name, Su Zhinian, as if sensing her approach, raised his moving arm to his eyes and pretended he was checking the time. He looked at it for two seconds before pushing the door open calmly.


    It was not until the door closed that Cheng Qingchong realized what Su Zhinian had been doing earlier. Big Boss wanted to enter his office, but he was too shy to face Miss Song, so he was hesitating. When he realized I was approaching, he pretended to be checking the time to mask his awkwardness.


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s lips lifted into a natural smile. Big Boss truly has reached the top of the temperamental scale; that¡¯s just too cute!


    ...


    It was already 5 pm when the meeting ended. There was an important dinner appointment scheduled that day for Su Zhinian at Eldorado. If Su Zhinian hadn¡¯t gone in to thepany that day, Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t think she could have possibly convinced him to attend the appointment. However, since he was at thepany, Cheng Qingchong figured there was no harm in trying.


    Cheng Qingchong knocked on Su Zhinian¡¯s office door at 5.30 pm.


    She pushed open the door after she heard Su Zhinian say, "Come in."


    She didn¡¯t walk in immediately but stood at the door to observe the situation in the room.


    Su Zhinian was seated at his desk working while Miss Song was ying on her phone, reclined in the sofa.


    The atmosphere in the room seemed calm on the surface, but when Cheng Qingchong looked closer, she noticed her boss¡¯ knuckles were white, evidently gripping the pen too forcefully, and Miss Song¡¯s finger was tapping a bit hurriedly on her phone.


    Cheng Qingchong walked into the room and noticed Su Zhinian¡¯s gaze drift toward Song Qingchun out of the corner of his eyes. However, when his gazended on the girl, he quickly retracted his eyes. On the other hand, Song Qingchun surreptitiously raised her eyes to look at the mirror that was hanging in the room. She bit her lower lip, studying Su Zhinian¡¯s reflection in the mirror for a few seconds before hurriedly lowering her head with a reddened face.


    There was no interaction between the two, but this situation made Cheng Qingchong feel so touched and warm inside.

 Chapter 333: Too Weak to Get Angry (5)

    Chapter 333: Too Weak to Get Angry (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She stood before Su Zhinian¡¯s desk and found herself unable to speak because she didn¡¯t have the heart to ruin the moment. As if noticing her reluctance to speak, after signing thetest document, Su Zhinian looked up to nce at Cheng Qingchong.


    Meeting his gaze, Cheng Qingchong immediately said, "CEO Su, you have a dinner appointment at Eldorado 8 pm tonight."


    Su Zhinian, who was reaching for another file, had his motion slowed when he heard that sentence. As he flipped through the new document in a careless and nonchnt manner, he answered softly, "Cancel it."


    "But CEO Zhang from Rui Si ising, and you promised to attend this appointment years ago. Furthermore, CEO Zhang has invested in the new project that we¡¯re starting next month..." Before Cheng Qingchong managed to finish her piece, she sensed Su Zhinian¡¯s gaze back on her again. His emotionless gaze belied a powerful charisma, zipping her mouth shut immediately.


    If this were any other time, Cheng Qingchong would have escaped from the room immediately. However, this time, she stood where she was, and after staring at Su Zhinian for two seconds, her eyes nced at Song Qingchun, who was also in the room. Her dark pupils moved twice, and she said softly, after gathering her courage, "But CEO Su, when I was chatting with Miss Song this afternoon, she was quite excited when I mentioned we might be having dinner at Eldorado tonight. She said that she has not been there for a long time and that she missed the food there."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s hand, which was flipping a page, stopped moving. However, he turned to look at Cheng Qingchong the next second. There was ack of emotion in his eyes, and Cheng Qingchong couldn¡¯t tell whether he had believed her or not. Her palms clenched nervously into fists, and after a quick thought, she added in a hurry, "CEO Su, if you don¡¯t believe me, why don¡¯t you ask Miss Song?"


    Then, Cheng Qingchong turned to call out, "Miss Song?"


    Ever since Su Zhinian returned to his office, Song Qingchun had found it hard to concentrate. None of the conversation between Cheng Qingchong and Su Zhinian had managed to register in her mind. When she heard her name called, she raised her head in a blurred manner and said, "Huh?"


    "Miss Song, didn¡¯t you mention to me that you wish to go to Eldorado this afternoon?" Cheng Qingchong repeated what she had said earlier calmly, and while Su Zhinian wasn¡¯t looking, she winked conspiratorially at Song Qingchun.


    When did I say I want to go to Eldorado?


    Song Qingchun was about to say that she hadn¡¯t when she saw the signal from Cheng Qingchong. As she swallowed her words back down her throat, the reality of the situation slowly dawned on her. She decided to y along and nodded before softly adding, "I did."


    "Therefore, CEO Su..."


    Before Cheng Qingchong could continue to persuade Su Zhinian, the man cut her off by saying, "I understand. Have the driver prepare the car at 7 pm. You can go now."


    Cheng Qingchong left the office, and the room returned to a state of silence. Su Zhinian resumed his work, and Song Qingchun, who had grabbed a random magazine to bury her face in, suddenly got increasingly flustered.

 Chapter 334: Too Weak to Get Angry (6)

    Chapter 334: Too Weak to Get Angry (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Even though she didn¡¯t know the full extent of the conversation exchange between Cheng Qingchong and Su Zhinian, she had managed to work out from Cheng Qingchong¡¯s reaction that there was a dinner appointment at Eldorado that night. Su Zhinian initially didn¡¯t want to go, and then Cheng Qingchong mentioned that she wanted to go, and Cheng Qingchong even turned to ask for her cooperation.


    She really didn¡¯t think that she herself would be able to influence Su Zhinian. The only reason she had helped Cheng Qingchong was because she didn¡¯t want Cheng Qingchong to be caught in a lie and get scolded by her boss. She really didn¡¯t think Su Zhinian would actually change his mind and agreed to go to Eldorado.


    Is this because of me?


    If this was before, Song Qingchun would have felt her heart go warm from sweetness, but now, amid the sweetness, there were traces of mncholy and disappointment. He is doing all of this because he feels he owes me for the incident that happened five years ago, or perhaps it¡¯s because of the pitiable state I¡¯m in recently, or maybe it¡¯s a sad mixture of both.


    Regardless, her dignity and moral integrity told her that she shouldn¡¯t have continued to ept his kindness. The thought that a woman would be willing to ept the kindness from her rapist wasughable. That day, when she had asked if he was the person she was looking for, his reply had been like a palpable p to her face.


    She should have been angry at him for all the humiliation that he had caused her. She should have told him to his face that she didn¡¯t care for his kindness that was born out of charity. She should have acted like five years ago and cut him out of her life.


    However, she didn¡¯t. Even though she had tried to hide herself from him and limit their amount of conversation, she didn¡¯t totally sever their rtionship. Even today, when he dragged her to hispany and told her to stay in his office, she didn¡¯t stand up and leave like she should have done.


    From a particr moment in time that she couldn¡¯t pinpoint, she had found herself unable to be cruel to him like she had once been capable of. Even the resentment and hatred she harbored against him from five years ago had started to disperse. She couldn¡¯t find it within herself to hate him anymore.


    When did she change into such a weak person? Or was she afraid of the possible consequences of their fall out? But what was it that she was afraid of, she should have nothing to lose... right?


    ...


    Cheng Qingchong returned to the office to remind Su Zhinian at 7 pm.


    When Su Zhinian reached to grab his coat, his fingers identally touched Song Qingchun¡¯s jacket. With his fingers on the fabric of her coat, he was reminded of the perverted thoughts that had crowded Song Qingchun¡¯s mind that afternoon. He blushed imperceptibly before pulling his fingers away. He put his coat on, facing away from Song Qingchun, before walking out of his office.


    As they took the elevator down, Su Zhinian kept his gaze forward, and he didn¡¯t nce at Song Qingchun once.


    The driver was already waiting in the car when they reached the underground parking lot. When he saw Su Zhinian¡¯s group, he immediately got out of the car to open the door for them.


    Cheng Qingchong took the passenger seat while Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian were seated in the back.


    As if nned, the both of them leaned against to the doors, creating the biggest distance that they could between them. However, even so, in the cramped interior space, just how far could they get from each other?


    Su Zhinian could pick up the faint scent of Song Qingchun¡¯s body crawling into his nostrils.


    His heart and certain other body part, which he had finally managed to calm down earlier, started to get aroused once more.

 Chapter 335: Too Weak to Get Angry (7)

    Chapter 335: Too Weak to Get Angry (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The main reason for his reluctance to have close contact with the opposite sex could be traced back to the incident with the middle-aged woman in the sanitarium. That memory haunted his dreams, especially in his teenage years.


    Even though the middle-aged woman hadn¡¯t done much to him¡ªafter all, he had taken control over the woman¡¯s body and mmed her head into the wall¡ªthe incident had still cast a dark shadow over his growing psyche. This was due to the perverted thoughts that he could read from her mind due to their physical contact.


    His youthful soul had been scarred. From that, he had gained the habit of taking several showers a day, and even today, he was famous for his obsession with cleanliness. He felt like he was dirty and needed to clean himself often.


    Even though he couldn¡¯t stand being near women, for the sake of his work, he had to suppress his feeling of disgust and forced himself to socialize with them throughout the years.


    Even though the act of socializing was negligible in other people¡¯s eyes, they threatened his limits. This was because, no matter how beautiful, gracious, and gentle they appeared on the surface, Su Zhinian would be assaulted by a feeling of disgust and aversion the moment he shook their hands. The urge to pull his hand away would emerge immediately. No one realized that, when no one was looking, he would have to spend a lot of time to sterilize his hands with alcohol sanitizer before the feeling of disgust would disappear.


    When he shook their hands, he would be able to read their inner thoughts. There was often surprise, infatuation, and, of course, carnal desire.


    There was even one time when a woman was thinking about bedding him while she greeted him with a kind smile, and he lost his cool. Ignoring the social decorum, he pped her hand away and turned to leave. He was close to vomiting on the spot.


    However, today, when he read those thoughts, which were more scious and explicit than the woman¡¯s, in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind, he didn¡¯t feel any disgust. On the contrary, he had even be excited by it.


    Of course, he was still a bit angry that she would imagine him in bed with some other woman.


    He knew perfectly she was not trying to seduce him, but the fact that it waspletely idental and organic only served to heighten his arousal.


    However, he didn¡¯t expect she would notice his bodily reaction.


    When he read that thought in her mind, his first reaction had been shock, followed by absolute panic, panic from sheer embarrassment.


    He knew she didn¡¯t know he could read her thoughts, but he still found himself at a loss. His fight or flight mechanism had kicked in, and he had chosen thetter.


    He hadn¡¯t dared look at her throughout the afternoon. However, during the meeting, he had still found his thoughts wandering all over the ce and had been unable to focus on one thing.


    He believed that if he did end up making eye contact with her, he would have to lock himself up in the bathroom and stand under a cold shower for the whole afternoon.

 Chapter 336: Too Weak to Get Angry (8)

    Chapter 336: Too Weak to Get Angry (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian shook his head slightly, trying to remove such unsavory thoughts from his mind. He leaned against the cushions on the sofa with his eyes closed. Then, he started counting numbers, attempting to use that clear his mind. However, for some reason, his train of thought went from Arabic numbers to Her legs open wide in invitation.


    Her legs open wide in invitation...


    The phrase was like a cursed mantra, repeating itself in his mind throughout the afternoon. There was one instance when he even signed "Her legs open wide in invitation" instead of "Su Zhinian".


    Su Zhinian felt like he had been infected by Song Qingchun because those perverted thoughts started to crowd his mind as well, but instead of an unknown woman, the female lead in his imagination was all Song Qingchun.


    The familiar sense of heat spread through his body, causing his sense of smell to heighten. Song Qingchun¡¯s sense clung to his nostrils. The man loosened his tie, but the sense of sultry heat travelling through his body didn¡¯t decrease. The images in his mind turned ever saucier, and the final thought that broke hisposure was him thinking about Song Qingchun¡¯s legs opening wide in invitation.


    Su Zhinian sucked in a deep breath and mmed the button on the car door before he lost control of himself.


    The window rolled down with a mechanical whirr. The deep winter breeze sucked the warmth out of the car and gradually bnced out the rising temperature within Su Zhinian.


    ...


    Beijing at 7 pm was a city of traffic jams. The journey from Su Zhinian¡¯spany to Eldorado that would normally take twenty minutes ended up taking one hour.


    Everyone was already there when Su Zhinian¡¯s group arrived, so the waiters started to serve once Su Zhinian took his seat.


    The people at the table probably had quite a bit of interaction with Su Zhinian because they were not surprised to see Cheng Qingchong with him; they even greeted her kindly. However, when their focus fell on Song Qingchun, traces of surprise did register in their eyes.


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t show any intention of making introduction, so when one of the guests stood up to make a toast, he couldn¡¯t help but ask, "And this is..?"


    "Miss Song." Su Zhinian only mentioned the surname to tell the room that enquiry into the identity of the woman was not going to go beyond that. He clinked his ss with the man, and after finishing the ss of wine, he added, "A friend, not from thepany."


    His tone was light and airy, but Cheng Qingchong, who sat beside Song Qingchun, understood the hidden meaning.


    In the business circle, beautiful women were amonmodity. They would be brought to dinner meetings not because they were professionally capable but because they were social butterflies, experts at worming their way into the men¡¯s heart. After all, most men loved to be in thepany of beauties.


    Of course, this kind of beautiful vase would be the target of much flirting and scious jokes over food and drink.


    The way Su Zhinian introduced Song Qingchun was a way of telling these people that Miss Song was not someone they could treat in that manner. His simple words belied his deep desire to guard and protect her.


    There is perhaps only Miss Song who could make Big Boss do such a thing in this world.


    After dinner, the host, CEO Zhang, booked two private rooms. The few CEOs gathered in one room to y games while the rest congregated in the other to sing karaoke.

 Chapter 337: Too Weak to Get Angry (9)

    Chapter 337: Too Weak to Get Angry (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun had drunk a fair amount during dinner, so not long after she followed Cheng Qingchong into the private room, she needed to use the bathroom.


    Before they parted, Su Zhinian pulled Cheng Qingchong aside, when Song Qingchun was not looking, and ordered his secretary to stick close to Song Qingchun. Therefore, when Song Qingchun said she had to use the bathroom, she put down the popcorn in her hands without hesitation and followed her out.


    The bathroom only had one stall open, and Cheng Qingchong allowed Song Qingchun to use it first.


    When Song Qingchun went in, Cheng Qingchong entered another stall that had just been vacated. Song Qingchun told Cheng Qingchong she would wait for her outside before exiting the bathroom.


    When Song Qingchun was washing her hands at the counter, she nced at the mirror and caught a familiar figure. Even though the other person was only showing her back, Song Qingchun could identify her easily as Tang Nuan, who she had not seen for a long time.


    Tang Nuan was wearing a tight-fitting red dress that barely went past her buttocks. Even in deep winter, the woman was only wearing a thinyer of silk stockings. She was caught in a passionate embrace with a man, smooching the house down.


    That man was not Qin Yinan.


    Lost in the passion of the moment, the man¡¯s meaty hand, which was on her back, started to slither down her waist toward her buttocks. In the end, the man even snuck his fingers underneath her dress.


    Tang Nuan moaned shyly before pulling her lips away from the man¡¯s face. Then, she untangled her arms that were circling the man¡¯s neck and moved them toward the man¡¯s unruly fingers. She pulled his hand out and smoothed down her ruffled dress before pping the man coquettishly on his arm.


    The man chuckled softly before leaning into her ears to whisper something. Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t hear what the man said, but she saw Tang Nuan raise her hands to p her partner¡¯s arm jokingly a few more times before adding, "Stop kidding around. I¡¯ll wait for you when the dinner is over tonight."


    "Okay." The man pecked her twice on her cheeks before releasing the hand that was hugging her waist. "Go back to the room to wait for me; I have to use the bathroom."


    He then proceeded to p Tang Nuan on her butt.


    As two of them parted, Song Qingchun finally had a good look of the man kissing Tang Nuan. It was a middle-aged man.


    As the man walked toward the bathroom, Tang Nuan¡¯s gaze also turned that way. When she saw Song Qingchun, there was visible shock in her eyes before she continued to smile sheepishly at the middle-aged man as if she hadn¡¯t seen Song Qingchun. It was not until the man walked into the bathroom that she retracted her smile, and her gaze scanned Song Qingchun¡¯s coldly. Their eyes met through the mirror for about three seconds before Tang Nuan huffedzily and turned to walk away in her heels.


    However, Tang Nuan only took two steps before Song Qingchun crumpled the paper napkin in her palms and tossed it into the trashcan. Then, she chased after Tang Nuan. She blocked the woman¡¯s way and red right into her eyes. There was fury burning in Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes, and even her voice was crackling with anger. "Tang Nuan, do you know what you¡¯re doing? How can you even face Brother Yinan, who treats you so nicely?"


    Even without her history with Tang Nuan and Qin Yinan, Song Qingchun would have been pissed witnessing Tang Nuan cheat on him based on Song Qingchun¡¯s childhood friendship with Qin Yinan alone.


    She berated Tang Nuan without holding back. "Has your head been kicked by a mull, how can you do something so disgusting?"

 Chapter 338: Too Weak to Get Angry (10)

    Chapter 338: Too Weak to Get Angry (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "You¡¯re Brother Yinan¡¯s girlfriend, so how can you push your lips on another man¡¯s face in broad daylight and even n to leave with him tonight? I question if you really love Brother Yinan. Either way, Tang Nuan, just how much of a slut are you to be capable of doing such despicable things, aren¡¯t you afraid of karma? You..."


    "Song Qingchun." Perhaps Song Qingchun¡¯s anger-filled words were so nasty to the ears that even Tang Nuan couldn¡¯t stand hearing them anymore, so she cut her off coldly. "Mind your own business. It is my business who I sleep with, what is it to you?"


    "How you want to sully yourself is indeed none of my business, but I will not stand quietly and watch you betray Brother Yinan." Song Qingchun red angrily at Tang Nuan.


    Tang Nuan scoffed audibly. "Why is that? You¡¯re heartbroken watching me go around sleeping with other men while I still carry the title of Qin Yinan¡¯s girlfriend? Song Qingchun, you¡¯re funny, didn¡¯t you tell me you don¡¯t love Qin Yinan anymore? Since you no longer care about him, why are you reacting this way? Or have you been lying to me all along and you still love Qin Yinan?"


    "If you¡¯re doing this simply because you hate me, then I can tell you now, it is really unnecessary because it won¡¯t work..."


    "Is that so? Based on what I¡¯m seeing now, I feel like my n is working just fine..." Tang Nuan lowered her head to look at her manicured fingers and said in an exceptionallyzy tone, "Also, aren¡¯t you tired of always questioning my love for Qin Yinan. Didn¡¯t I give you a perfectly clear answer five years ago? Do you want me to repeat it once more for you?"


    Then, she repeated the same sentence that she had told Song Qingchun five years ago, word by word. "Song Qingchun, tell me, how does it feel to have your stuff taken away again?


    "To tell you frankly, I do not love Qin Yinan, but I did not reject him when he confessed his love to me, do you know why?"


    Resentment slowly bubbled up in Tang Nuan¡¯s eyes; her nonchnt tone slowly became harsh and pointed. "Because you like him, and that is reason enough for me to pull him along by his nose. I want you to see how I am going to y with the man you love.


    "To be honest, I¡¯ve never loved Qin Yinan in the past five years." Tang Nuan could feel her heart twist a bit when she said that, but when she was reminded of how Qin Yinan had been about to sacrifice himself to save Song Qingchun when she was attacked by the deliveryman, her heart turned to stone, and she hissed through clenched teeth, "Not even one tiny bit."


    ...


    Qin Yinan had been having the worst days recently.


    He had finally managed to mend the bridge with Tang Nuan, but now, they were back in a cold war situation. He had tried everything he could in the past week, but there was no sign that Tang Nuan was going to ept his attempt at reconciliation.

 Chapter 339: Stay Like This Forever (1)

    Chapter 339: Stay Like This Forever (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Over the past few days, he had been caught up at work, so he didn¡¯t have the time to go look for her. She was purposely avoiding him, so they hadn¡¯t met for quite some time.


    That night, he had a dinner meeting at Eldorado. As he left thepany, he even purposely took a detour to a florist to purchase a bouquet of flowers and ced them in his car. He messaged Tang Nuan, asking her out for a date.


    The dinner was two hours long. After he sent the satisfied client away, he pulled out his phone. There were many messages and spam texts, but there was nothing from her. Qin Yinan sent another message to her and stared at his phone, waiting for a reply. There was none. While waiting for the waiter toe back with the bill, he used the opportunity to use the bathroom.


    While he was in the middle of relieving himself, a middle-aged man walked in, and the man kept sneaking nces at him.


    There were many open urinals inside the bathroom, but the man purposely used the one beside him. As the middle-aged man undid his belt, his gaze kept drifting Qin Yinan¡¯s way.


    He was confused and annoyed by the man. Qin Yinan quickly finished his business, zipped up his pants, and strode toward the door.


    As he pushed open the door, a familiar voice drifted into his ears.


    "Since you no longer care about him, why are you reacting this way? Or have you been lying to me all along, and you still love Qin Yinan?"


    He recognized it as Tang Nuan¡¯s voice. She sounds unhappy, is she in the middle of an argument?


    Qin Yinan walked out of the bathroom without hesitation. He cleaned his hands at the public sink outside hurriedly, pulled out one of the paper napkins, and headed toward the corridor as he wiped his hands. He was going to go help Tang Nuan.


    Before he could take the step outside, another familiar voice drifted into his ears; it was not Tang Nuan this time but Song Qingchun.


    "Tang Nuan, stop harping on about the fact that I once loved Brother Yinan; even if I didn¡¯t, I would havee out to stop you when I saw what happened just now!"


    I once loved Brother Yinan... The phrase was like a bolt of lightning hitting Qin Yinan right on his head, petrifying his whole body.


    Song Qingchun and Tang Nuan seemed to have reached a lull in their argument because they had gone quiet.


    However, Qin Yinan felt his whole world had just been upended; in fact, he felt like he was dreaming.


    In those several minutes, multiple emotions arose in his heart. Before he could process what Song Qingchun had just said, he heard the girl press in a severe tone, "Tang Nuan, do you actually love Brother Yinan, or are you just leading him on? If you¡¯re doing this simply because you hate me, then I can tell you now, it is really unnecessary because it won¡¯t work..."


    What is Song Song talking about? I don¡¯t understand what¡¯s happening. Tang Nuan is leading me on because she hates Song Song?


    Qin Yinan started to frown, but then Tang Nuan¡¯s voice began again. "Is that so? But based on what I¡¯m seeing now, I feel like my n is working just fine..."


    "Also, aren¡¯t you tired of always questioning my love for Qin Yinan? Didn¡¯t I give you a perfectly clear answer five years ago? Do you want me to repeat it once more for you?"


    Five years ago? How is what they¡¯re talking about rted to stuff that happened five years ago?

 Chapter 340: Stay Like This Forever (2)

    Chapter 340: Stay Like This Forever (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Song Qingchun, tell me, how does it feel to have your stuff taken away again?"


    Before Qin Yinan could understand the earlier question, another puzzle appeared. Steal? What has Tang Nuan stolen from Song Song?


    Qin Yinan felt like he was watching the climax of a television drama; the explosive revtions came one after another, and he could barely keep up.


    "To tell you frankly, I do not love Qin Yinan, but I did not reject him when he confessed his love to me, do you know why?"


    As Tang Nuan uttered that question, the past memories shed across Qin Yinan¡¯s mind. Throughout the years, he had confessed many times to her, but every time, she would lower her head, sh a nervous smile, and tell him that she still needed time before she could give him an answer.


    Since she had said that, there was no reason for him not to believe her. He had never suspected that her words had a hidden meaning to it.


    Qin Yinan didn¡¯t know what he was worried about, but his palms had curled into fists, and the paper napkin he held in his hand earlier was crushed into a ball.


    "Because you like him, and that is reason enough for me to pull him along by his nose. I want you to see how I am going to y with the man you love."


    The sentence was like a sharp knife carving a wide gash through Qin Yinan¡¯s chest before it plunged into his heart. His petrified body shook slightly.


    This is obviously Tang Nuan talking, but howe it sounds so unfamiliar?


    He felt like he was hearing her for the first time. In his memory, no matter how angry she was, the words that left her mouth were always gentle and soft, unlike the resentful and cruel tone that he heard now.


    "To be honest, I¡¯ve never loved Qin Yinan in the past five years..."


    Qin Yinan felt like someone had cruelly twisted the knife that was stuck deep into his heart; he could hear the muscle tearing.


    His heart was dripping in pain. The girl that he had pursued for five long years, his official current girlfriend, was admitting openly and easily that she had never loved him. It was not that she had not caused him sadness in the years he had pursued her, but Qin Yinan realized that was nothingpared to what he was feeling then.


    However, the worst was yet toe.


    "Not even one tiny bit."


    Not even one tiny bit, that was how much she loved him. The small trace of hope that stubbornly clung to his heart waspletely extinguished.


    "However, even if I don¡¯t love him, I will not let him go because I like to see you suffer. I want you to understand that it is because of you that I am treating him this way! So, Song Qingchun, don¡¯t me me for my cruelty, it is thanks to you that all this is happening to him!"


    Qin Yinan thought he had gone crazy because he swore he could hear the smile in his girlfriend¡¯s voice when she said those words. As if to hit the final nail into his coffin, Tang Nuan started tough.


    How happy he had felt when she finally agreed to be his girlfriend was how ludicrous he felt at that moment.


    He had thought it was his five years of perseverance that had finally touched her, but in the end, that was not the truth. She was merely using him as a weapon, a weapon to hurt the girl who he grew up with, his best friend¡¯s sister, the person he had promised he would be extra kind to because he wouldn¡¯t want her to feel left out since Song Cheng was no longer with them... but in the end?


    The more Qin Yinan thought about it, the more absurd he realized the situation was. There was nothing else he could do butugh. His mouth was open wide, exposing his sparkling white teeth, but his eyes were slowly getting red.

 Chapter 341: Stay Like This Forever (3)

    Chapter 341: Stay Like This Forever (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Qin Yinan had never considered himself a weak person, but he found himselfcking the courage to continue listening.


    His heart ached with every breath, so much so that he had trouble standing upright. He faltered for several steps back until he found support by copsing on the sink counter. He knocked into the sharp end of the counter as he went down, but the physical pain on his body was iparable to the pain in his heart. However, that sharp shot of pain did squeeze a fresh tear out of his eyes.


    ...


    "So, Song Qingchun, don¡¯t me me for my cruelty, it is thanks to you that all this is happening to him!


    "Also, I don¡¯t have the energy to waste my time arguing about this with you. If you have it in you, feel free to go search for Qin Yinan and tell him I¡¯ve cheated on him..." Tang Nuan paused to sh Song Qingchun a bright smile. "...but I doubt it¡¯ll be of any use. In fact, that idiot, Qin Yinan, will probably even apologize to me for not treating me better. I¡¯ll probably get him to believe that I¡¯m innocent and you¡¯re just lying to trick him."


    Listening to how Tang Nuan used the word ¡¯idiot¡¯ to describe Qin Yinan made the anger within her burn even brighter. Her whole body was shaking with fury.


    She stared at Tang Nuan¡¯s condescending face, and she really wanted to release her pent-up anger; however, she found herself at a loss for words. She swallowed hard and raised her hand toward Tang Nuan¡¯s face without thinking about it.


    However, her hand stopped in mid-air because her sudden movement caused a sharp pain to emanate from her stomach, giving Tang Nuan the opportunity to grab Song Qingchun¡¯s wrist and hold her hand there.


    Song Qingchun tried to pull her hand away, but she was feeling weak, drained by the immense paining from her lower abdomen.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s action reminded Tang Nuan of the incident in thepany¡¯s bathroom. She had tried to p Song Qingchun, but for some reason, the p hadnded on her own face.


    After that, Song Qingchun had even pped her one more time while the whole office was watching.


    The fact that both Qin Yinan and Su Zhinian treated her as the treasure in their palm was enough to make Tang Nuan blow her top off. The girl¡¯s audacity toe after her... chilled Tang Nuan¡¯s face, the grievances and resentment she had suffered due to Song Qingchun from past and present boiling in her eyes.


    Tang Nuan¡¯s gaze shed viciously, and her hand that was not holding Song Qingchun¡¯s wrist went flying at Song Qingchun¡¯s face without hesitation.


    The extreme pain from her stomach had rendered Song Qingchun defenseless. She could only look on helplessly as Tang Nuan¡¯s palm gathered force and arced through the air. Just as the p was going tond on her face, Song Qingchun closed her eyes to brace for impact.


    However, the pain that she expected didn¡¯te; what dide was a surprised gasp.


    The gasp did not originate from Song Qingchun. She opened her eyes slowly to see Tang Nuan¡¯s hand, which was inches away from her face, held in ce tightly by another arm.

 Chapter 342: Stay Like This Forever (4)

    Chapter 342: Stay Like This Forever (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    It was two beautiful arms with tapered fingers and bulging with muscles. Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes were glued to them for a few seconds, before her eyes followed the arm tond on Su Zhinian¡¯s perfectly gorgeous face.


    The man, who was usually in a calm and collected mood, was burning with anger. His face was as dark as the underside of the moon. Traces of malice flickered between his eyes.


    As if not realizing she was looking at him, his sharp gaze prated Tang Nuan as he hissed out two razor-sharp words. "Let go!"


    Tang Nuan didn¡¯t give any response, probably shocked by his sudden appearance or stunned into submission by his presence. She merely looked at him dumbly.


    A sh of disgust crossed Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes. Losing his patience, his grip of her wrist tightened, and the pain caused her painted face to contort with a grimace. With a voice loud and severe enough to drown out her scream of pain, he repeated, "Let go!"


    This time, his tone was harsher and heavier than before. Even Song Qingchun shook involuntarily, shocked by the insistence and the edge to his words.


    Blood drained immediately from Tang Nuan¡¯s face. Her lips were quivering greatly, and her eyes darted around frantically before she understood what Su Zhinian was talking about. She then hurriedly released her grasp on Song Qingchun¡¯s hand.


    The moment her fingers opened up, Su Zhinian flung her away cruelly. His action was fast and resolute, like he was chucking away a particrly disgusting piece of trash from his grasp.


    The force of his action was so strong that she was sent flying against the wall. Her headnded on the solid wall with a resounding thud.


    Su Zhinian ignored the womanpletely. There was barely a twitch of emotion on his face; he wouldn¡¯t give a damn if Tang Nuan just died there and then.


    He didn¡¯t even want to waste his anger on her. As he flung Tang Nuan away, he shifted his attention from her without hesitation. As his gazended on Song Qingchun, his expression softened greatly. "How are you feeling?"


    Another wave of intense pain came from Song Qingchun¡¯s stomach. Her face paled considerably as she whined under her breath.


    "What¡¯s wrong?" Su Zhinian frowned with worry before turning to re at Tang Nuan, viciously adding, "What did she do to you?"


    As he turned back to look at Song Qingchun, his face softened with concern. He asked in a gentle tone, "Are you physically hurt?"


    "No..." Song Qingchun barely squeezed out the word when the pain knocked the breath out of her body. Her hands gripped her stomach tightly.


    As he reached out to feel her abdomen, Su Zhinian whispered gently, "Stomach ache?"


    When his hand touched hers, his brows creased even deeper. "Why is your hand so cold?"


    The physical contact did help him read her thoughts, and he understood the amount of pain she was in.


    "Be patient, I¡¯ll take you to the hospital now," he said as he moved to pull her into a hug.


    "There¡¯s no need." Song Qingchun grabbed Su Zhinian¡¯s arms to stop him. Her teeth were ttering from pain as she exined, "I¡¯m just suffering from painful..."

 Chapter 343: Stay Like This Forever (5)

    Chapter 343: Stay Like This Forever (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian understood what she nned to say before Song Qingchun could finish.


    He was reminded of the painful moans he had heard in his studying from her room the day before. His heart was gripped by guilt. He knew she suffered from painful periods, so he shouldn¡¯t have allowed her toe to Eldorado. He should have taken her home after work.


    "Then shall we go home?" he asked gently.


    Song Qingchun was too drained to even speak. Her biggest wish was to lie in bed and sleep. So, when she heard Su Zhinian¡¯s offer, her first instinct was to nod.


    However, she was reminded of the apology given by Cheng Qingchong while the two of them had been on their way to the bathroom. "Miss Song, I¡¯m sorry for using you in CEO Su¡¯s office earlier today. I shouldn¡¯t have said you want toe to Eldorado without asking you first... but tonight¡¯s meeting is just too important for CEO Su to miss."


    Song Qingchun immediately swallowed the "okay" that was on the tip of her tongue and shook her head. "It¡¯s okay, I¡¯ll be fine with a ss of warm water..."


    Su Zhinian, who read her thoughts, swept her into his arms without waiting for Song Qingchun to finish and walked toward the entrance. When he passed a waiter, he stopped to leave behind some orders.


    The waiters at Eldorado had all been professionally trained. When Su Zhinian reached the front door, the driver was already there waiting with their coats and jackets.


    Is he going to leave?


    Even though Song Qingchun had no idea whether she was correct or not, when Su Zhinian ced her on the floor, she still said, "The driver can send me back home just fine, you stay."


    Su Zhinian did not answer her as he reached for her jacket and helped her put it on. When he grabbed his own coat, he ordered the driver, "Call for a recement car and drive Secretary Cheng home when she¡¯s done."


    "Yes, CEO Su."


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t say anything beyond that and pulled Song Qingchun along toward the car door.


    The driver cleverly moved past them and helped get the passenger door open.


    Song Qingchun was still feeling rather anxious when Su Zhinian started the engine. She stared at him through the rear-view mirror and asked softly, "Is it okay for you to leave just like that?"


    "It¡¯s fine," Su Zhinian answered as he stepped on the gas pedal.


    Song Qingchun watched as Eldorado got smaller and smaller in the rear-view mirror, and her heart started to worry. She pursed her lips and asked again, "Is it really fine?¡¯


    "Don¡¯t worry, if it¡¯s not fine, Secretary Cheng can handle it," Su Zhinian answered in an assertive tone.


    "Okay," Song Qingchun replied softly.


    Su Zhinian turned around to nce at her. As if trying to make her feel better, he added, "I don¡¯t pay her that much just so she can act like a vase."


    At this point, Su Zhinian was reminded of the thought he had read from Song Qingchun¡¯s mind earlier, and he realized it was not Song Qingchun who had wanted toe to Eldorado. Su Zhinian scoffed soundlessly before adding, "She is very capable!"


    That was obviously apliment, but for some reason, Song Qingchun felt there was another meaning behind Su Zhinian¡¯s words.

 Chapter 344: Stay Like This Forever (6)

    Chapter 344: Stay Like This Forever (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Qin Yinan had a hard time recalling what happened next, but when he came to, there was a continuous sound of cryinging from the corridor.


    It was a sound he was very familiar with; it was the sound of Tang Nuan crying.


    Why is she crying? What happened when I wasn¡¯t paying attention? Did she and Song Song really get into a physical altercation?


    Qin Yinan immediately ran toward the corridor, and when he turned the corner, it was the second time he was struck by lightning that night.


    Not far away from where he was standing, Tang Nuan was nestled in a man¡¯s embrace, crying her heart out. He recognized the man; it was the middle-aged man who had been eyeing him in the bathroom.


    The couple didn¡¯t notice him, and he didn¡¯t make any sound to attract their attention. He merely stood there and looked at them quietly.


    Whenever he heard Tang Nuan cry, he would pull her into his arms to console her like she was the most fragile thing in the world, but now, the sound of her crying was like two nails plunging themselves deeper and deeper into his skull. He felt like fainting from the sheer mental pain.


    Tang Nuan eventually stopped crying¡ªshe probably felt tired. It was then that the middle-aged man reached out to massage her back. "Alright, stop crying already."


    Then, the man pulled her face off of his chest and lowered his head to kiss the tears on her face away. She didn¡¯t reject or push him away, allowing the man to slobber his wet kisses all over her.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s knuckles cracked as he clenched his fists tightly, and his usually mellow gaze turned bitterly cold. He really couldn¡¯t have imagined that the woman had merely been using him as a tool for the past five years, and now, she was openly cheating on him before his eyes.


    Perhaps the middle-aged man had gotten tired from sitting around, but he pulled her waist in and pinched on it.


    "It¡¯s time to go home. Stop crying, what will other people think if they see you like that? Your head still hurts? Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll make you forget all about itter tonight."


    The words of the middle-aged man were lewd and indecent, but Tang Nuan didn¡¯t get angry or indignant. Instead, she leaned into his chest with a coquettish smile and pped his arm jokingly, grumbling, "You dirty thing, you."


    Qin Yinan felt his heart squeeze with pain, and he could see dark blots before his eyes.


    The woman that he had loved fully and deeply through the years had not only spat on his sincerity but also trampled on his dignity.


    At that moment, he was really curious deep within her heart, just how important was he to her? No... importance was probably too great of a word for what he was in her mind.


    He was reminded of the way she would smile whenever they were together; he had assumed that those were smiles of happiness, but now, he realized they had all been smiles of condescension. Perhaps she was smiling at how big an idiot he was.


    Qin Yinan suddenly startedughing. Even though Tang Nuan and the middle-aged man had disappeared, he stared fixedly at where they had been sitting and continued tough.


    ...


    Cheng Qingchong spent quite a bit of time in the toilets. She had probably eaten something wrong that day.


    When she exited the stall, her stomach was still rumbling. She thought about staying longer in the bathroom but tossed that idea out of her mind when she realized Miss Song was still waiting for her outside. As she pulled open the bathroom door, before she even stepped out of it, she could hear the sound of someoneughing.


    Theughs were harsh on the ears; they sounded even more sorrowful than crying.

 Chapter 345: Stay Like This Forever (7)

    Chapter 345: Stay Like This Forever (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Cheng Qingchong leaned out of the door with confusion and saw a man standing still in a corner, staring at a spot right before him.


    She didn¡¯t want to get herself entangled in another person¡¯s business, so she rushed toward the sink in a hurry.


    Cheng Qingchong could still hear the harrowingughs through the sound of rushing water. In fact, theughs had gotten louder and louder, making her heart shake. She turned off the tap and dried her hands rapidly before rushing toward the stairs, attempting to make a quick escape.


    As she reached the staircase, the man suddenly stoppedughing and opened his mouth to say in a self-deprecating tone, "Idiot! Indeed, I am the biggest idiot in the world..."


    As if trying to prove a point, the man raised his finger to point at himself. As his finger poked his chest, tears fell naturally out of the corner of his eyes.


    However, his lips curved even higher, and the tears followed the curve of his smile and flowed into his lips.


    Cheng Qingchong was startled for a second as she watched this before she quickly lowered her head and tried to escape the scene as fast as she could.


    At the staircase¡¯s corner, she couldn¡¯t help but nce backward. The man had retreated to the wall and was now in a squatting position on the floor.


    The corridor was quiet, and he didn¡¯t make any sound, but she could see clearly his shoulder move up and down in a rhythmic motion, so she knew he was quietly crying.


    ...


    The moment Song Qingchun reached her bedroom, she copsed on her bed. The pain had gotten much more manageablepared to when she was at Eldorado.


    However, there were still asional episodes of intense pain that shot through her. She tossed and turned in her bed, trying to find afortable position, but it was ultimately to no avail.


    She kicked the mattress with frustration. Then she heard a knock on her door. Before she could answer, the door was pushed open, and in walked Su Zhinian with a ss of liquid in one hand and a towel in the other.


    He stood beside her bed and passed the ss to her. Song Qingchun sat up with a grimace as she epted the ss. She took a sniff at it and realized it was ginger tea.


    The man didn¡¯t leave but sat down on the edge of her bed. He pulled out theforter without a word and tugged at her clothes up without warning.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s body froze solid and almost sent the ss of ginger tea flying at him. Before she could ask him what he was doing, she felt a warm temperature radiating from her stomach.


    It was the warmth from the towel he was holding; something seemed to be wrapped inside it.


    As if reading her thoughts, the man pulled her clothes back down and covered her with theforter before exining, "I don¡¯t have any thermo-packs at home, so it¡¯s just warm milk in a stic bag."


    "Oh." Song Qingchun nodded and lowered her head to take a sip of the ginger tea before adding, "Thank you."


    Su Zhinian acknowledged her with a soft "hmm" as he ced one of his hands on the towel above her stomach, and his other hand smoothed out the ruffled bed corners.


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t say anything as she lowered her eyes to sip the ginger tea quietly.


    The warm liquid travelled down her throat into her stomach, warming her cold limbs quickly.


    The warmth of the towel under his palm gradually lightened the pain in her lower abdomen, and the sense of difort throughout her body slowly dispersed.


    She even felt mentally refreshed, and it was then that she realized how quiet the room was.

 Chapter 346: Stay Like This Forever (8)

    Chapter 346: Stay Like This Forever (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Holding the ss of half-finished ginger tea in her hands, Song Qingchun tried to look for a topic to break the silence in the room. "Thank you for your help at Eldorado; if not for you, I would have been pped by that little slut, Tang Nuan."


    Su Zhinian raised his eyes to look at her, but he didn¡¯t say anything in return.


    Song Qingchun had gotten used to Su Zhinian¡¯s method ofmunication and understood the nce he had given her was his way of acknowledging he was listening, so she continued speaking naturally. "That Tang Nuan has truly impressed me with her level of depravity this time. She is already Brother Yinan¡¯s girlfriend, and there she was, kissing and cuddling with another man, and let me tell you, that man is so much uglier than Brother Yinan. It¡¯s one thing if he¡¯s younger than Brother Yinan, but you know..."


    Actually, this was Su Zhinian¡¯s favorite mode of engagement with Song Qingchun, her telling him about her day while he listened quietly. The one thing that ruined it was the fact she was talking about Qin Yinan.


    If this was before, he would have excused himself by giving the excuse that he needed to work or something simr. However, ever since that day when she asked him if he was the person she was looking for, the distance between them had noticeably grown. Therefore, even though he really didn¡¯t want to stay and listen, he still nodded at her, giving her signs that he was still listening.


    Song Qingchun continued with renewed vigor upon noticing his reaction. "That Tang Nuan has snatched herself a middle-aged sugar daddy! And I¡¯m not even exaggerating, if that man was a few years older, he could be her father! Isn¡¯t she insane..."


    Through the hand on her stomach, Su Zhinian could read the anger in the girl¡¯s heart; she was feeling indignant on Qin Yinan¡¯s behalf.


    The anger made him purse his lips, and his gaze that fell on her gradually moved to look out the window.


    This was amon urrence for Su Zhinian; his heart was his, but it would always hurt because of her.


    Just like tonight, when he heard her argument with Tang Nuan in the middle of his game, she had been defending the man that he hated, but the first thought that hade to his mind was to worry about her, and so he ran to help her immediately.


    Song Qingchun took a big gulp of the ginger tea and wanted to continue when she noticed Su Zhinian was no longer paying attention and looking out the window.


    There was ack of emotion on his face like he was spacing out. A faint glow fell on the man¡¯s face, creating a mist of sorts, giving him an air of mystery and attraction.


    Song Qingchun blinked into consciousness, and her heart shook violently.


    This was not the first time that day she had lost her attention staring at him. She was reminded of the fact she had just been sharing her grievances with him earlier. Their rtionship shouldn¡¯t have been so close after the cruel things he had told her that day.


    Even though she didn¡¯t have the courage to draw herselfpletely away from him, her dignified self shouldn¡¯t have allowed her to act like nothing had happened between them.


    Furthermore, when he sent her home from Eldorado and continued to care for her... she knew he was merely repaying his debt toward her, and she knew she shouldn¡¯t have epted that, but she couldn¡¯t help herself from feeling a little burst of joy when he did all those things.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s train of thought stoppedpletely then.


    After a long time, a truth that she had to admit finally surfaced in her heart.

 Chapter 347: Stay Like This Forever (9)

    Chapter 347: Stay Like This Forever (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    He had told her outright that the only reason he was treating her so nicely was because he felt he owed her for that night.


    However, even so, she found herself yearning for his acts of kindness; in fact, if possible, she wanted him to be good to her forever.


    Forever...


    Su Zhinian, who was looking out the window expressionlessly, shook violently when he read the word in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind.


    His sudden reaction woke Song Qingchun up, and before she could understand what was happening, he pulled his hand away from her stomach.


    Song Qingchun frowned, noticing theck of weight on her stomach, and she asked with confusion, "What¡¯s wrong?"


    He stood up urgently and dashed out of the room without a look at her as if he hadn¡¯t even heard her question.


    "Su Zhinian, wait..." Song Qingchun sat up in her bed in a hurry, but before she could get the rest of the sentence out, the door to her bedroom was mmed shut, causing the rest of her words to stop in her throat.


    ...


    Su Zhinian¡¯s face was nched as he leaned against her room door. His fist gripped the door knob tightly, and his whole body was frozen solid.


    It was like he was battling an inner struggle. Eventually, he loosened his grip on her door knob and walked toward his study.


    He sat before his desk and lost himself, looking at the wall across from his table. Finally, he pulled open one of the desk drawers and picked up his diary.


    He flipped through the diary quietly until he reached thetest empty page. He sighed as he grabbed his pen to begin the entry. "2016 February 29. 10:50 pm. Cloudy with mist."


    The tip of his pen stopped on the paper for a moment before continuing easily.


    "There are only ten days left until March 10, the day she has to leave me.


    "Today, I brought her to the office, and she discovered the hoard of presents I was unable to give throughout the years. She was so close to knowing from my secretary that those presents were all meant for her.


    "I was too busy to apany her for lunch today, and when I returned, she was asleep in my office¡¯s swing chair. I lost myself looking at her sleep. I wonder if she realizes the scenery with the swing was something she imagined.


    "Today, she also thought about me in many ridiculously perverted situations. She even used one sentence to describe me, ¡¯a face that would make any woman¡¯s face light up with a smile and her legs open wide in invitation.¡¯ It has caused me plenty of trouble focusing throughout the afternoon.


    "At Eldorado, when CEO Lu enquired about her identity, I only mentioned her surname. If possible, I didn¡¯t even want her to be there; the men in the field of business are the most heartless creatures I¡¯ve ever known. If possible, I wish for her to stay in a pure and untainted world forever."


    Su Zhinian stopped when he reached this part. His grip on his pen tightened, and he bit on his lips several times as he stared at the page before continuing.


    "Multiple times, I¡¯ve prayed for her to change her impression of me; she doesn¡¯t need to even like me, as long as she doesn¡¯t hate me as much.


    "But tonight, I read the word ¡¯forever¡¯ in her heart.


    "Even though she wants me to be good to her forever, I cannot; the secret from five years ago has made it so that I can only be a guest in her life. Her wish is something, I, Su Zhinian can never fulfil."

 Chapter 348: Stay Like This Forever (10)

    Chapter 348: Stay Like This Forever (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "The word was like a resounding p hitting me on my face, waking me up instantly, causing me to escape in a hurry. There can never be a forever between me and her.


    "There is only ending in this story of ours..."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s fingers that were holding the pen started to shake, even his handwriting started to be more of a scrawl.


    "...I can be nothing more than a guest in her story; I cannot stay for life."


    After Su Zhinian finished the entry with a full stop, he mmed the diary shut immediately.


    The study was quiet. He leaned against his chair staring at the chandelier hanging on the ceiling, listening to the sound of his heart breaking.


    What she wished for was not to be with him forever nor for him to love her forever, but a mere request of him treating her nicely forever. However, it was a wish that he simply couldn¡¯t permit.


    If he could, why would he have used a stranger¡¯s number to apany her all these years?


    If he could, why would he have used his superpower to secretly wipe her tears all these years?


    If he could, why would he have denied her suspicion so cruelly when she asked if he was the person she was looking for?


    It was because he couldn¡¯t be her knight in shining armor, only be her guardian angel... one she could never find out about.


    Su Zhinian felt his eyes prickle with pain, and his throat started to get congested. He felt like something was tearing his chest open, causing his blood to run like water.


    How desperately he wished he could pamper her forever... but he couldn¡¯t allow her to walk the same path of sin he had been treading.


    Thankfully, he had a super power that had allowed him to make this early discovery. There was still chance for him to turn this around; she still hadn¡¯t fallen for him so deep yet.


    As of the following day, he could not allow himself to lose control and be nice to her anymore... no, it had to start from that moment onward.


    It was unfortunate because they only had ten days left between them, and he had lost the only thing that gave him the will to live.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s dark eyes were filled with bitter sadness. He raised his hands to cover his face and leaned back even further in his chair.


    The chandelier in the room shone down on him as if mocking him by putting his misery on full disy.


    ...


    Su Zhinian¡¯s sudden departure confused Song Qingchun. Her mood, which had been getting better, dampened again.


    She had trouble sleeping that night. She tossed and turned in bed, only managing to fall asleep at 5 am.


    She only got a few hours of sleep before she was woken up by her phone. Song Qingchun¡¯s head was in a fit of pain from theck of sleep, and there was ack of spirit in her voice that answered the phone.


    However, that quickly changed when she realized the phone call was from the police station. "You mean, I am no longer in any danger from now on?¡¯


    "That¡¯s right, Miss Song, the incidents that have been happening to you since the start of the year were all done by Sun Jian. He is Xia Ji¡¯s loyal fan, and since you reported that article on Xia Ji¡¯s drug habit, he has harbored resentment against you. He followed you for two months before taking any action."

 Chapter 349: A Bad Feeling (1)

    Chapter 349: A Bad Feeling (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The police officer described the situation to Song Qingchun and even congratted her. "Congrattions, Miss Song, from today on, you don¡¯t need to live in fear anymore."


    The officer seemed quite happy about closing the case.


    Song Qingchun was overjoyed having received the news. She replied with a "thank you" before hanging up.


    She nced at the clock and realized it was 7 am. Even though she had only had two hours of sleep, the excitement from the call hadpletely eliminated any semnce of drowsiness from her mind. She went into the bathroom to clean herself before hopping downstairs to prepare breakfast.


    She called Su Zhinian for breakfast, and during the meal, she ryed the information the police officer had told her to him.


    Su Zhinian did not join in her conversation. He sat across from her with an expressionless face, eating the breakfast silently and gracefully.


    "...Before, when I saw the scenarios with crazy fans on those television dramas, I thought it was just an exaggeration, but obviously, I was wrong. Regardless, the incident has finally drawn to a close, and I am released from the daily torment.


    "I swear I would have shut down if I¡¯d been forced to coop myself indoors any longer. I¡¯ve decided to return to work tomorrow, andter, I¡¯m going to go shopping to celebrate."


    Song Qingchun then pulled out her phone to look for the things that she wanted to buy.


    "Thetest POLA looks quite interesting. Oh, I have to get that eye-cream too, also thetest Dior bag..."


    Su Zhinian, who had been eating with his head lowered, slowly raised his eyes to look at the girl opposite him.


    Her fingers, which were tapping the phone screen, were fair and youthful, her eyes were smiling with anticipation and joy, and the sound from her lips was like the song of a thousand birds, mellifluous and beautiful.


    Su Zhinian studied the picture before him for a while before sighing internally and lowering his gaze. He finished the porridge in his bowl in record time and uttered the first word he had directed at her that morning. "There¡¯s a meeting at 9 am, so I¡¯m leaving."


    Song Qingchun, who had been chattering happily, was startled by the information Su Zhinian suddenly dropped. When she came to and wanted to reply, Su Zhinian had already left the dining room.


    Song Qingchun picked up her spoon to stir the porridge in her bowl. Her ears followed the sound of Su Zhinian climbing upstairs, downstairs, opening and closing the front door, and finally the sound of the car engine starting.


    It was not until she couldn¡¯t hear the engine sound any more that Song Qingchun¡¯s gaze slowly returned to the bowl left behind on the table opposite her, and her brows creased into a frown.


    Is it me or has that Su Zhinian been acting very weird this morning? So be it, it¡¯s not like I can understand the man¡¯s thoughts anyway; he is, after all, a weirdo.


    Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t pinpoint what was strange about Su Zhinian, so she shrugged it off and lowered her head to finish her breakfast.


    However, her joyful mood from earlier had dispersed. In fact, her mood also continued to decrease as she cleared away the table and returned to her room.


    She chalked it up to the effect of her period and didn¡¯t dwell on it. She applied some basic make-up before grabbing her bag and leaving the house.


    Perhaps it was because she had not gone shopping for a long time, but Song Qingchun¡¯s condition was exceptionally good that day. It was already way past 5 pm when she finally returned home.

 Chapter 350: A Bad Feeling (2)

    Chapter 350: A Bad Feeling (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Perhaps shopping was truly the best stress reliever for women, because when Song Qingchun hauled the many different bags upstairs to her room, she was even humming a tune; the depression from the morning had disappeared without a trace.


    It was still too early to prepare for dinner, so she sat with her legs crossed on her bed and unboxed her purchases one by one. She then arranged them nicely and snapped a picture to post in her WhatsApp friend group before putting them away.


    It was 6.30 pm when she was finished with all that. Song Qingchun washed up and went to the kitchen to prepare dinner.


    After Song Qingchun finished cooking and walked out of the kitchen, she looked out the window at the darkening sky, and the sense of loss that she had held back for the whole day through shopping and cooking slowly returned to her.


    The room was quiet so quiet that it heightened her sense of loneliness.


    This was the first time she had felt weirdly ufortable being alone in thevishly decorated andrge house. Everywhere she turned, there was something that felt out of ce.


    She picked up the remote and switched the television on. It was ying a period drama that she had been following. However, Song Qingchun found herself unable to focus on the drama. In fact, as it dragged on, she felt bored by it.


    She switched the volume up to its maximum, but for some reason, it made her feel even more agitated than when the room was quiet.


    Song Qingchun tossed the remote control away with frustration. Her eyes left the television screen and swept the clock on the wall. It was 8.30 pm.


    Why isn¡¯t Su Zhinian home yet?


    As the thought shed in her mind, Song Qingchun realized why she felt so ufortable cooped up in therge bungalow.


    It was because he wasn¡¯t there. Earlier, even when he was at home daily, there was practically zeromunication between them because they were in the middle of a cold war, so it should not have mattered to Song Qingchun whether he was home or not, but the feeling of distress in her heart couldn¡¯t be denied.


    The more she thought about it, the more annoyed she became. Song Qingchun let a deep breath out before standing up to pace about the room with her phone in hand. Her eyes were glued to the time on her phone.


    8.40 pm. It had only been ten minutes, but Song Qingchun felt ten years had passed.


    She didn¡¯t know what hade over her, but she clicked Su Zhinian¡¯s WhatsApp open and typed out a message. However, instead pressing the send button, she gripped her phone and paced around the house. When the clock almost hit 8.50 pm, Song Qingchun gritted her teeth, stared at the message she had typed, and pressed send.


    ...


    Su Zhiniany in his bed listening to Song Qingchun¡¯s movement in the room next door. He didn¡¯t get much sleep.


    He found himself unable to focus during work the next day. Initially, he had thought it was because he was distracted by his discovery from the day before, but as noon arrived, his heart started to get worried, and his blood started to chill.


    This kind of worried sensation gave him an ominous feeling, like something really bad was going to happen.


    He checked the recent activities of hispany and Song Empire and realized both were doing just fine. It¡¯s not thepanies, then what is it?


    Su Zhinian suddenly thought of his mother.

 Chapter 351: A Bad Feeling (3)

    Chapter 351: A Bad Feeling (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    He had stayed away from home when he entered university, but he would visit her week.


    It had been almost three weeks since thest time he had gone to his mother¡¯s. Thest visit had been on New Year¡¯s Eve.


    He would arrange for his mother to go for a physical check every year, and her health report had just arrived at his office a few days ago.


    Reminded of this fact, Su Zhinian searched for his mother¡¯s health report and sighed in relief when he realized everything seemed to be fine. However, it didn¡¯t take long for his heart to start worrying again.


    He was unable to focus during work. Su Zhinian thought it about and finally decided to leave thepany and pay his mother a visit.


    It was sunset when he arrived, and the house was painted a golden red.


    It was his mother¡¯s personal nurse who opened the door for him. The nurse was pleasantly surprised by his visit. After she greeted him, she ran upstairs, shouting, "Madam, Madam, Sir is home."


    Soon after that, his mother came down the stairs with a face full of smiles.


    Auntie Su couldn¡¯t help herself from enquiring about his recent situation. When the nurse went to prepare dinner, his mother leaned in to ask probingly, "Are you going to stay for dinner?"


    Su Zhinian nodded, and his mother stood up and headed toward the kitchen happily. Through the exhaust fan, he could hear his mother order the nurse to cook every one of his favorite dishes.


    He was abandoned in the living room, and the television was ying a children¡¯s animation. Bored, he pulled out his phone and flipped through it. When he opened WhatsApp, the post that Song Qingchun had uploaded one minute earlier appeared on screen.


    "Today¡¯s spoil of war, he he he..."


    It was attached to a picture taken with her bed as the background. It consisted of various cosmetics, jewelry, bags, and clothes.


    As per his usual habit, Su Zhinian raised his hand to click like, but before he reached the red heart button, he was reminded of the decision he had made the day before and eventually pulled his finger away after some hesitation.


    The dinner was scrumptious, and it filled the whole table. His favorite dishes were all there.


    After dinner, the nurse served a fruit te. Su Zhinian picked a slice of apple up with a toothpick and was about to toss it into his mouth when he heard a message alerting from his phone.


    He chewed on the apple as he pulled his phone out.


    The apple was sweet and sour, but when he read the message, the fruit in his mouth seemed to turn into tasteless wax.


    It was a simple message from Song Qingchun. "Are you still at work? When are youing home?"


    Coming home... Su Zhinian stopped chewing, and his eyes dimmed.


    "Zhinian, have some more." His mother pushed the te of fruit toward him after she noticed that he had stopped moving.


    "Thanks." Su Zhinian recovered and poked another piece of apple. As he did so, the phone in his hand vibrated again. He turned toward it subconsciously and realized it was another message from Song Qingchun. "I¡¯ve finished cooking dinner."


    There was even a smiley face sent with it.


    Su Zhinian stared at his phone for a long time but didn¡¯t reply. Eventually, he closed his eyes, shoved another piece of apple into his mouth, and put the phone back into his pocket.


    ...


    Song Qingchun waited for Su Zhinian¡¯s reply until 9.30 pm, and nothing came.

 Chapter 352: A Bad Feeling (4)

    Chapter 352: A Bad Feeling (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Her already bad mood worsened. She stopped pacing about the room and curled up on the sofa, staring directly at her phone.


    Time trickled by. There was still nothing from Su Zhinian at 10 pm. The whole bungalow was quiet; there was no sound of a car pulling up to the house.


    Perhaps Song Qingchun¡¯s period amplified her emotions because her eyes started to get red when she was staring at Su Zhinian¡¯s profile picture on WhatsApp.


    She took a deep breath, ced her phone down, and looked out the window. Staring at the darkness outside, a tear fell out of the corner of her eyes.


    It was not until 11 pm that a car rolled up to the house. There was the sound of a car engine, and the headlights piercing through the windows.


    Song Qingchun jumped up off the sofa immediately, put her slippers on, and rushed toward the front door. As she pushed the door open, Su Zhinian wasing out of his car.


    She was only wearing a simple shirt, and the chilliness outside made her voice shake. "Su Zhinian, wee home."


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t answer as he closed the car door and headed toward the front door. Song Qingchun closed the door behind him and asked Su Zhinian, who was changing his shoes, "Are you hungry? Do you wish to eat something? I can help you..."


    Before Song Qingchun could continue to say ¡¯heat dinner up¡¯, Su Zhinian cut her off coldly. "No need."


    "How about coffee?"


    Su Zhinian tossed his keys on the table, and without even turning to look at her, he replied, "No need."


    After a pause, he continued in a simrly cold and toneless manner. "A bit tired, going to bed."


    Then, he headed upstairs without a backward nce.


    It was when Song Qingchun heard the door to his bedroom m shut that she slowly removed her gaze away from the staircase that Su Zhinian had disappeared up on.


    The joy she experienced from his return dispersed like the wind. She stood for a long time by the front door before walking into the dining room. The girl, who had not had her dinner, stared at the tableful of dishes with zero appetite.


    She wrapped them up in stic wrap and ced them in the fridge before heading upstairs.


    Even though she only had two hours of sleep the night before, Song Qingchun stared at the ceiling for a very long, spacing out before she eventually fell asleep.


    When she woke up the next morning, Su Zhinian had already left home. Song Qingchun stood at the door to his empty bedroom for a very long time before returning to her own room to change and head toward TW Station.


    ...


    The anxiousness from yesterday returned with a vengeance, causing Su Zhinian¡¯s eyelids to jump uncontrobly.


    The bad feeling was even more pronounced, causing his anxiousness to turn into irritation. He had scolded practically everyone at thepany before it was even noon. In the end, he was left fuming in his room for the whole day because no one dared visit him.


    Su Zhinian mmed the proposal on the table, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes trying to rx.


    Perhaps because he hadn¡¯t had a good night sleep for two consecutive nights, he fell asleep at work.


    He had a wonderful dream where he was holding hands with Song Qingchun, sitting on top of a sunny grass field.


    There was no conversation between them, but they would turn to each other at the same time and share a meaningful smile; it was enough to warm his heart fully.

 Chapter 353: A Bad Feeling (5)

    Chapter 353: A Bad Feeling (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    His face was warmed by the sun, and his hand that held her palm was coated with ayer of sweat. However, he didn¡¯t let go and crossed his fingers through hers instead.


    The picture was so perfect that if he died then and there, he would have died a happy man. However, suddenly, Song Qingchun, who was lying beside him, started to groan in pain.


    He turned toward the sound and realized with a shock that the white dress she was wearing was half-soaked in blood.


    He stood up in a hurry to examine the wounds on her body, but he couldn¡¯t find any. He tried to carry her to the hospital, but the girl seemed to weigh several thousand tons; he couldn¡¯t move her no matter how hard he tried.


    Blood continued to flow from her body.


    Her brows were furrowed, and the eyes that looked at him were filled with pain. Su Zhinian could see the color slowly draining from her face.


    He called her name with desperation, but her eyelids continued to droop. When they closed fully, her hands slipped from his palm. He could feel the warmth escaping her body. In the end, he felt like he was holding a block of ice in his embrace.


    ...


    Su Zhinian woke from his nightmare with a shock. His face was pale, and his breathing was erratic as his chest rose up and down. Even his usual calm eyes were frosted over with ayer of fear and anxiety.


    He took several deep breaths before calming down to observe his surroundings.


    The sunlight filtered in through the windows and fell generously on his body. His hands, gripping the armrest of his office chair, were slick with sweat.


    He was still in his office; everything that had just happened was a dream.


    Su Zhinian sighed greatly in relief. He raised his hand to nce at his watch. It was 1.30 pm; he had been asleep for only twenty minutes.


    He sat in his chair for some time before trying to get up, and when he did, he realized his legs had be putty.


    He steadied himself slowly as he stood up and walked toward the window. Staring out at the numerous skyscrapers, he realized then that his clothes were stuck to his body. His clothes werepletely soaked from the cold sweat that had broken out during his dream.


    He would dream about her often, but this was the first time he had dreamt about her being in any form of danger... and the dream felt so awfully real.


    Is this a sign that Song Qingchun is in danger?


    Su Zhinian frowned and gave Song Qingchun a call without a second thought after he pulled his phone out of his pocket.


    The phone rang for a long time, and there was no answer. The ominous feeling started to collect in his heart. He grabbed his coat and headed toward the door of his office. When he was about to open the door, the phone was picked up, and a heavy yawn drifted from the other end of the line. Then, Song Qingchun¡¯s blurry voice came through. "Hello?"


    She just woke up? Su Zhinian stopped moving, and before he could say anything, Song Qingchun said through another yawn, "What¡¯s up?"


    Looks like she is perfectly fine. Su Zhinian¡¯s heart that had reached his throat finally rxed. After a while, he grumbled darkly, "Prepare oatmeal porridge tonight."


    Then he hung up on her.

 Chapter 354: A Bad Feeling (6)

    Chapter 354: A Bad Feeling (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun listened to the dial tone from her phone, pulled it right up to her face, and double-checked it before confirming it was indeed a call from Su Zhinian.


    "Did he call just to hang up on me? Rude," Song Qingchun grumbled with a pout before tossing her phone away. She stretchedzily and shook her head twice to toss the residual drowsiness out of her mind, which hadn¡¯t had a good night sleep for two days.


    Even though all he had said was "prepare oatmeal porridge tonight," Song Qingchun¡¯s dampened mood greatly improved. She even started to hum as she opened herputer to deal with the work that had piled up during her absence.


    In the middle of her work, Song Qingchun stood up and went to the breakroom for a cup of coffee. She returned with the coffee in her hands and a bright smile on her smile. As she sipped her coffee, she picked up her phone and stared smilingly at her phone record, which had Su Zhinian¡¯s name at the top.


    ...


    I really need to calm myself down; it was just a dream. Also, didn¡¯t the police officer call to say the deliveryman admitted to everything?


    Su Zhinian gripped the phone in his hand and fell into deep thought. Then, he tossed his coat aside and returned to his desk. After keying in hisputer password, he continued his work. However, it only took ten minutes before his eyelids started twitching, and his heart started palpitating again. This time, it was worse than before. His heart was beating so fast that he swore it could burst out of his chest at moment.


    Su Zhinian stopped working and raised his hands to massage his temples. As he did so, the scenes from his dream appeared in his mind.


    He knew she was safe from the phone conservation, so where did this bad feelinge from?


    Su Zhinian¡¯s brows creased into an involuntary frown, and his lips stretched to a thin line.


    Have I missed something?


    Su Zhinian thought about it for a long time but couldn¡¯te up with an answer. His mood waspletely ruined. Unable to focus at work, he gave himself an early leave and left for home.


    ...


    That night, Su Zhinian had that same dream again.


    Song Qingchun was smiling like blooming flower, and he was like a bee that couldn¡¯t pull himself away, but suddenly, the scene in his dream started to change.


    This time, blood didn¡¯t flow out of Song Qingchun for no reason; she was standing in the middle of an empty road, and she didn¡¯t seem to notice a speeding car wasing at her.


    He was standing by the roadside. He waved and yelled for her attention, screaming for her to jump out of the way, but she didn¡¯t seem to notice him and stood there, quietly looking at him.


    As the car was about to hit her, he jumped to save her without a second thought.


    Even though there was quite a distance between them, as the car almost made contact with Song Qingchun, he suddenly appeared before her and managed to push her away in the nick of time. He was knocked into the air by the car, and while he was flying through the air, he saw the girlnd by the roadside with a thud before he mmed heavily into the concrete floor.

 Chapter 355: A Bad Feeling (7)

    Chapter 355: A Bad Feeling (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Before the body-shattering pain could register, Su Zhinian found himself sitting up in bed, his eyes wide open.


    As he took a deep breath, he looked around the room. When he saw the familiar decoration, he knew he had just had a nightmare.


    His pajamas werepletely soaked by cold sweat, which was still trickling down his forehead.


    He leaned against the headboard, trying to catch his breath. It was not until he felt more himself that he grabbed his phone from the table to nce at it. It was 2 am.


    The nightmarepletely ruined his desire to go back to sleep. He pulled off the bed cover and walked into the bathroom to take a shower. He changed into some casual clothing and returned to his bedroom.


    The night was quiet, so quiet that he could pick up the sound of Song Qingchun sleeping. Su Zhinian went downstairs to pour himself a ss of warm water. After he finished it, he returned upstairs, but instead of going back to his bedroom, he pushed open the door to the room next door quietly.


    There was a dim nightlight on in her room. The heater was probably set on a high temperature because half of herforter had been kicked away. Her phone was ced beside her, the message alert blinking asionally.


    Su Zhinian rearranged theforter, grabbed her phone, and ced it carefully on the bedside table before sitting down on her bed. His hands caressed her face lovingly, and his eyes stared closely and carefully at her sleeping face.


    In the past twelve hours, he had dreamed about this girl twice, and both of them had been nightmares. The only difference was that she was harmed in the first one while he was harmed in the second one to save her.


    There was an interesting thing about his dream. His usual response whenever he realized she was in any sort of danger was to control her consciousness to make a quick escape, but for some reason, in that moment, his superpowers had been unusable. No matter how hard he tried, she stood there, unmoving. He had given up and tried to control the driver, but simrly, it was to no avail. The car hadn¡¯t slowed down or swerved to evade her.


    He had been troubled by a curious feeling for the past few days and now with these two nightmares, Su Zhinian couldn¡¯t help but ask, Is this some sort of hint? A hint telling me that something bad will happen to Song Qingchun? And I will be hurt because of her?


    Therefore, the anxiety that has stubbornly stuck around was not because of work, Mother, or her, but it was my subconscious warning me of imminent danger?


    Su Zhinian¡¯s lips stretched into a thin line, and his hand that was ce on her face carefully and lightly traced the outline of her jaw.


    If everything happened as he predicted, he would have no reservation in using his life to save hers.


    No matter what happened to him in the end, as long as she was alive, everything would be fine.


    There was endless warmth and kindness circting at the bottom of Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes. His expression softened, and his lips lit up with a wisp of a smile.


    ...


    Su Zhinian got up early and headed to work the next morning.


    He was caught up at work for the whole morning, and he only managed to have his lunch at 2 pm.


    He was invited to attend an Audi product release that afternoon, so without taking a breather, he rushed toward the venue at the eastern side of town right after lunch.

 Chapter 356: A Bad Feeling (8)

    Chapter 356: A Bad Feeling (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Due to his immense workload, Su Zhinian would do work while he was travelling. Perhaps it was hisck of sleep for the past few days or perhaps it was the heavy traffic jam, the man who had never experienced carsickness started to feel nauseous after staring at theptop for a few minutes.


    He closed hisptop and tossed it aside. He closed his eyes and leaned against the sofa. He didn¡¯t think he would fall asleep, but as the car lurched and stopped indefinitely, he started to drift off to sleep. That was the third time he was visited by the nightmare.


    The dream was simr to the one he¡¯d had the day before. The car was still speeding toward her, and no matter how loud he shouted, she didn¡¯t seem to react in any way. In fact, she still smiled nonchntly at him. His superpower had disappeared, and at thest minute, she was once again shoved away by him before the car almost hit her.


    As he was knocked into the air, a soft voice called after him. "CEO Su? CEO Su?"


    Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes flew open, and he saw Cheng Qingchong, who was sitting in front, looking at him with concern.


    "CEO Su, are you alright?" Cheng Qingchong pulled a few paper napkins out of her purse and passed them to Su Zhinian.


    Su Zhinian shook his head as he epted the napkins to wipe the sweat falling down his face.


    Cheng Qingchong guessed correctly that he was bothered by nightmare but didn¡¯t have the guts to ask him about it. In the end, she passed him a bottle of water.


    "Thank..." Su Zhinian¡¯s voice was hoarse, so he cleared his throat audibly before continuing. "...you."


    Then he twisted the bottle open and took a healthy swig.


    Silence reigned once more in the car. With the water bottle in his hand, Su Zhinian turned to look out the car window as if deep in thought.


    Cheng Qingchong nced at him through the rear-view mirror, and her eyes were colored with concern and care that shouldn¡¯t have been there when she noticed how pale his face was.


    It wasmon for Su Zhinian to attend this kind of product release event. Even if he didn¡¯t say a word, his natural poise and grace was enough to get him through the event with ease. However, he was visibly distracted that day. He was caught not paying attention when a number of people came to greet him.


    If not for the professional Cheng Qingchong, who helped him neutralized many situations, Su Zhinian would havended himself in many an awkward social exchange already.


    There was still twenty minutes until the event officially began. However, Su Zhinian was already tired, therefore, he brought Cheng Qingchong to go hide in a quiet corner.


    As they moved there, Su Zhinian was blocked by the old CEO from SW.


    They greeted each other with polite smiles and SW¡¯s CEO introduced Su Zhinian to the person beside him. However, introductions weren¡¯t necessary because they had known each other for a long time.


    "CEO Su, this is my most capable employee, Manager Qin Yinan."


    After his boss made the introduction, Qin Yinan raised his wine ss at Su Zhinian with a gentle smile. "CEO Su, long time no see."


    Su Zhinian tipped the wine ss in his hand in return and replied politely, "Long time no see."


    "You two know each other?" SW¡¯s CEO asked.


    "We¡¯re from the same high school," Qin Yinan answered.


    "It¡¯s a small world indeed."


    ...


    The few of them stood there and chatted until SW¡¯s CEO¡¯s phone rang. He bowed his head apologetically before leaving to answer his phone.

 Chapter 357: A Bad Feeling (9)

    Chapter 357: A Bad Feeling (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    His departure caused the situation to turn awkward. Qin Yinan didn¡¯t think it was decorous to ask to leave right after his boss had, so he sought a random topic to continue the conservation. "By the way, I wish to thank you for what you did at Station TW. It¡¯s thanks to you that Song Song is not harmed."


    Qin Yinan was referring to his opportune appearance to detain and apprehend the deliveryman. Su Zhinian lowered his head and didn¡¯t reply.


    Even though Qin Yinan had known Su Zhinian for many years, they weren¡¯t close. Plus, Qin Yinan was sensitive enough to tell Su Zhinian didn¡¯t have a favorable impression of him. Heughed rather awkwardly beforeing up with the excuse to leave. "CEO Su, if you¡¯ll excuse me, I think I saw my friend there."


    Before Qin Yinan could finish his sentence, Su Zhinian suddenly interrupted him. "Mr. Qin."


    Qin Yinan turned to look at him.


    Cheng Qingchong was raking her mind, staring at Qin Yinan. Who is this man? Why is he so familiar? I feel like I¡¯ve seen him somewhere before...


    Before she came up with an answer, she felt Su Zhinian¡¯s gaze on him. She understood his message immediately; after all, she had been his assistant for many years. She smiled and said, "CEO Su, I¡¯m sorry, do you mind if you excuse myself to use the bathroom?"


    Su Zhinian nodded slightly. Cheng Qingchong nced at Qin Yinan twice, and as she turned around, she suddenly recognized him at the man who had been crying despairingly in front of the bathroom at Eldorado.


    The dejected and despondent man at Eldorado was aplete change from the dashing, confident, and kind man standing before her. No wonder she hadn¡¯t recognized him at first.


    After Cheng Qingchong walked away, Su Zhinian addressed Qin Yinan and said, "Mr. Qin, can I upy a few minutes of your time?"


    Qin Yinan was surprised that Su Zhinian would have something to say to him. After a moment of shock, he nodded. "Sure."


    "Shall we?" Su Zhinian raised his hand that held the wine ss and pointed at the balcony.


    "Okay," Qin Yinan answered and signaled for Su Zhinian to go first.


    Su Zhinian nodded with thanks before walking toward the balcony. Qin Yinan grabbed two sses of red wine from the passing waiter and quickly made to follow.


    As the door to the balcony closed, the area became silent and private; it was a good ce to chat.


    Qin Yinan walked to Su Zhinian¡¯s side and offered him a ss of wine. "Here."


    Su Zhinian lowered his head to look at his own almost empty wine ss and shook his head. "I don¡¯t drink."


    Qin Yinan was startled. He nced at the ss in Su Zhinian¡¯s hand and realized the clear liquid in it wasn¡¯t white wine but water.


    Qin Yinan didn¡¯tment on it but ced one of the wine sses in his hands on the table. Then, he took a generous sip out of the other. Noticing Su Zhinian¡¯s silence, he asked, "CEO Su, what do you wish to discuss with me?"


    Su Zhinian stared right ahead as if he hadn¡¯t heard Qin Yinan or he was considering how to begin.


    Qin Yinan, with his patience, didn¡¯t say anything to rush him but stood there quietly and waited.


    After about five minutes, Su Zhinian finally retracted his gaze to look at Qin Yinan. Then, he raised the ss to his lips and finished the final bit of water left in it before saying, "I wish to talk to you about Song Qingchun."

 Chapter 358: A Bad Feeling (10)

    Chapter 358: A Bad Feeling (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    When Su Zhinian mentioned the name "Song Qingchun", he could see Qin Yinan¡¯s mellow expression froze visibly. Su Zhinian¡¯s frowned imperceptibly, and it was then that he noticed the tip of Qin Yinan¡¯s fingers that held the wine ss had be a bit white.


    What happened between him and Song Qingchun?


    Su Zhinian blinked and ced his hand naturally on the railing, his arm brushing up against Qin Yinan¡¯s.


    Song Song... Ever since he discovered she was in love with him from her argument with Tang Nuan at Eldorado, the image of the girl kept appearing in his mind even though he had tried his best not to think about her.


    It was his habit to chat with her almost daily on WhatsApp, asking about her day, but these few days, when he picked up his phone and clicked into their chat box out of habit, he had found himself unable to send any messages to her.


    While Tang Nuan had upended his world that night, the shock caused by Song Qingchun was not minute either. He really didn¡¯t expect the girl to be interested in him. Even now, several days after his discovery, he still felt like it was a dream.


    For these past few years, he had asked her for help to pursue Tang Nuan and had revealed to her many times how much he adored Tang Nuan... but if he had known she liked him, he wouldn¡¯t have done all those things.


    The more he thought about the things that he had done, the more ashamed he felt.


    He didn¡¯t know how to face her. He didn¡¯t mean to hurt her, but he had hurt her the most.


    So, Qin Yinan was also there when Song Qingchun had that huge argument with Tang Nuan at Eldorado. Her confession, which she couldn¡¯t muster the courage to vocalize for all these years, finally found its way into his ears.


    Su Zhinian felt a sour feeling bubbling in his heart.


    Humans are selfish creatures, and Qin Yinan was no different. He knew she liked him, but he didn¡¯t want her to know he knew that she liked him because he was scared, scared that once she found out the truth, they wouldn¡¯t even be friends anymore.


    Qin Yinan was silent for a long time before he turned to look at Su Zhinian. He broke the silence by saying, "What about Song Song?"


    Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes shone and dimmed. After some time, he said, "I have had close interactions with her recently due to Song Empire. You know how Song Cheng¡¯s death has affected her, and the incidents that have been happening recently seem to have taken quite a toll on her as well."


    Honestly speaking, Qin Yinan was not wrong. Su Zhinian did harbor hostility toward him, or rather, it was hostility born out of jealousy and envy as well as hatred for being the cause of her many tears.


    However, the continuous nightmare had shaken Su Zhinian to his core. After Song Cheng passed away, at least he was still there to watch over her, but if something happened to him as well...


    Therefore, even if he didn¡¯t like Qin Yinan one bit, he knew Qin Yinan was the only person left in the world who would treat Song Qingchun nicely and sincerely.


    Furthermore, Qin Yinan already knew she liked him, so it would be a happy ending. After all, Qin Yinan was able to give her promises that he, Su Zhinian, wouldn¡¯t be able to keep.


    "A few times, I¡¯ve noticed her hiding in a corner, crying to herself."

 Chapter 359: The Glorious Years (1)

    Chapter 359: The Glorious Years (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "At the end of the day, she is still a girl; the pressure on her must be incredibly high, considering the multiple attempts on her life. You grew up with her and have always been close to her, so I hope you¡¯ll care about her a little bit more."


    "Thank you, CEO Su, for your reminder." Qin Yinan went silent for a long time before adding, "It is my fault for missing certain things due to my busy schedule recently."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s arm had been leaning against Qin Yinan¡¯s arm, so he knew Qin Yinan was not busy because of work but because he had been trying his best to mend the bridge with Tang Nuan earlier.


    However, regardless of the reason, when Qin Yinan heard his words, Su Zhinian heard, in the man¡¯s heart, his real concern for Song Qingchun and Qin Yinan¡¯s reminder to himself to find more time to apany her.


    Since Su Zhinian had achieved the goal he had set out to do, he saw no reason to stay. He ended the conversation crisply. "The presentation is starting soon, if Mr. Qin needs to be somewhere else then go ahead."


    "Okay, then I shall return to my work first," Qin Yinan answered, and before leaving, he added, "Thank you again, CEO Su, for the much-needed reminder."


    Su Zhinian nodded slightly and did not reply. After Qin Yinan left the balcony, he turned to look up at the setting sun. He stood there for a long time until Cheng Qingchong came to get him. He retracted his gaze, arranged his expression, and returned to the hall with a nk expression.


    The presentationsted until 5 pm. There was a dinner right after, but Su Zhinian didn¡¯t stay. In the car, Cheng Qingchong looked at the time and asked habitually, "CEO Su, shall we return to thepany?"


    After three seconds, Su Zhinian shook his head.


    "Send me home."


    ...


    Song Qingchun was surprised that Su Zhinian was already home when she stepped through the door. Even though they didn¡¯t share much of a conversation and Su Zhinian retreated to his study right after dinner, the sense of loneliness that had bothered Song Qingchun for the past two days didn¡¯t appear. After dinner, shey in her bed and went through the drama updates she had missed over the past few days.


    When she finished all the updates, it was already midnight. Song Qingchun went to use the bathroom, and as she moved to set the rm for the next day, she noticed it was already March 4th.


    March 10th... that was when her contract with him would end. In other words, she would only need to stay for another seven days in his bungalow.


    Song Qingchun, who had been yawning earlier, felt the drowsiness leave her body instantly. She curled under theforter and closed her eyes, but sleep simply wouldn¡¯te.


    After a while, she heard the door to the study open, the sound of Su Zhinian walking across the corridor, and finally the door to his bedroom closing. The bungalow became incredibly quiet after that, and she felt even more awake then before.


    She had no idea how long she stayed in bed with her eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling, but eventually, she felt her heart wiggle with pain like something was pressing down on it, suffocating her in the process. She pulled the cover back and got out of bed quietly, put on a thick coat, and walked out onto the balcony.


    Even though it was already the start of spring, the temperature at the middle of the night was still ridiculously low. Song Qingchun started shaking after standing there for a while. When she prepared to return to her room, suddenly she heard Su Zhinian¡¯s voiceing from the bedroom next door.

 Chapter 360: The Glorious Years (2)

    Chapter 360: The Glorious Years (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Tingting!" His sudden shout was amplified by the silence of the night.


    Song Qingchun halted in her steps, and soon after that, she heard Su Zhinian shout again.


    "Tingting! Tingting¡ª"


    The volume and emotions of his shouts were more intense than in the one preceding it. In the end, it sounded like he was yelling at the top of his lungs, causing the heart of the listener to wrench greatly in pain and sorrow.


    Song Qingchun went nk for a second before running toward Su Zhinian¡¯s bedroom without a second thought.


    As she pushed the door open, Song Qingchun flipped the light on and rushed to his bedside. Su Zhinian was lying in bed with his eyes screwed shut, his brows in a deep lock and his mouth still mumbling "Tingting" continuously. From his forehead to his neck was covered in sweat, and his fists gripped the covers incredibly forcefully.


    "Su Zhinian? Su Zhinian?" Song Qingchun bent down without hesitation to grab the man¡¯s arm to shake him awake.


    The man was trapped in his mind and didn¡¯t show any signs of waking up. In fact, his brows were creased even deeper, and his body had started to shake.


    "Su Zhinian?" Song Qingchun raised her voice and called his name several times. Realizing he still showed no signs of waking up, she dropped his arm and went to tap his face lightly instead.


    "Su Zhinian, wake up, wake up..."


    The man suddenly raised his hand to grab her waist and pulled her into his arms. He hugged her with great force, causing her body to stickpletely to his chest, but it seemed like he didn¡¯t think that was enough. As he called for "Tingting", he hugged her closer as if he was trying to rub her into his skin.


    Song Qingchun felt like her waist was going to break from the force, and tears threatened to fall out of her eyes. She took several deep breaths and groaned in pain, but he remained unmoved.


    She reached down toward his waist with much difficulty; she hoped that he would wake up by pinching him. She spent a great amount of strength wiggling her hand out of his embrace and under his quilt.


    Before she could reach his skin, his lips that had been calling "Tingting" suddenly stopped moving. She thought this meant that he had woken up, so she looked upwards automatically. Before she realized what was happening, his cold and soft lips stered against her lips with a great store of energy.


    Her brain went nk immediately, and her body waspletely petrified.


    His kiss was passionate and uninhibited. As time passed, the forcefulness of his kiss didn¡¯t decrease but increased, like he was trying to swallow her whole.


    It was not until his tongue was trying to work its way through her lips and teeth that she slowly came to. She stared at the man¡¯s long eyshes and aquiline nose that was incredibly close to her face, and it was then that it hit her what was happening.


    Before she could react, his soft tongue started tangling with hers.


    A gush of numbness and thrill surged through her entire body, flooding her ability to think and react. It fried her sense of rationality and thought. She allowed her body to be taken inpletely by him like she was his willing puppet.


    The kiss caused her heart to palpitate. The sound of them kissing and their moaning as well as groaning drowned out every other sound in her mind.

 Chapter 361: The Glorious Years (3 + 4)

    Chapter 361: The Glorious Years (3 + 4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    As the kissnded on her face, Song Qingchun felt a part of her hollowed out. She wanted more to fill the void that had opened up within her, but she didn¡¯t know what could possibly do that. Her eyes slowly closed, and her hands slowly climbed up to his shoulders. She herself didn¡¯t realize that her clumsy lips had started to respond to his kisses.


    He stopped moving as if sensing her reciprocation before dominating her lips more authoritatively. The tension in the room slowly rose, and their breathing came harder as their body temperature rose.


    Both of them wished to gain more from each other. His tongue sought hers as he pulled theforter that separated their bodies out and tossed it from the bed.


    There were only two thinyers of pajamas separating their bodies, so they could feel the heat radiating from each other¡¯s bodies clearly. Lost in the haze of seduction and passion, he rolled over with great force, and with no hesitation, he pressed the girl heavily under his looming body.


    His lips travelled down from her lips to her slender neck. His breathing came fast as heavy as his fingers peeled the buttons on both his and her clothes away with brute force and desperation.


    The contact between bare skins created a spark that caused his whole body to shiver. Then, like a beast unleashed, he bit hungrily on her skin and flesh.


    The pain he left on her body sent surges of electricity through her, causing her body to vibrate uncontrobly. She felt like her limit was being breached, and she wanted to escape, but she couldn¡¯t summon any energy even if she tried. In the end, she grabbed his shoulders tightly like that was her saving grace.


    When she felt his powerful hands travel down her waist, her legs closed instinctively, and her grasp on his shoulders tightened, causing her finger to pierce into his muscr flesh.


    She could feel his fingers working their way through her panties. She couldn¡¯t tell whether it was fear or shyness that caused the voice that left her lips to be as small as a mosquito¡¯s. "Su Zhinian..."


    In that moment, the call of his name sounded like a woman¡¯s moaning, filled with seduction and challenge, but it made Su Zhinian freeze instantly.


    Everything was too real; the tender touch under his fingertips, the electricity charging through his body, and the velvety sound of her voice; this didn¡¯t seem like a dream.


    Su Zhinian wished desperately to finish this wonderful dream, but he was afraid, afraid that this was not a dream. He had inflicted a grievous wound on her once; he couldn¡¯t do that to her again.


    Su Zhinian forcibly pulled his rationality back, suppressed the expanding desire in his mind, and slowly raised his head to look at her.


    Her eyes were closed, and her two rows of eyshes were fluttering crazily like the ps of a butterfly¡¯s wings. Her long hair was spread out over his bed and some stuck to her arm, pasted there by their sweat.


    Her upper body was almost naked, and her pajamas he had torn open covered her body modestly. There were traces of red wounds of varying degrees left on her neck and chest.


    His sudden pause made her brows crease involuntarily. She waited for a moment, and when the man still showed no sign of a response, she couldn¡¯t help herself but open her eyes slowly. They spoke of confusion.


    She stared at him, lost, as the reality of the situation gradually dawned on her. Her face immediately flushed red, and her eyes that had been staring at him lowered.


    She was close to doing that thing with him. The images of the things they did a moment ago filtered into her mind following that thought. The temperature of her face burned even higher, and she subconsciously wanted to grab something to shield her face from view. As she tried to move her hands, she realized they were still attached to his shoulders. She shivered violently before retracting her arms and grabbed at the mattress a bit awkwardly.


    This is his bedroom, and I am lying in his bed in the middle of the night... Will he get the wrong idea?


    "You were having a nightmare, and I came over to look," Song Qingchun exined without turning to look at Su Zhinian. However, the rest of the exnation got stuck in her throat after a few flimsy words.


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t answer, and the room was quiet; the sexual tension from before still lingering.


    Song Qingchun was still pressed under his body. She could feel his gaze on her face, and she bit her lips from anxiousness.


    Her shyness, awkwardness, and the traces he left on her body made Su Zhinian¡¯s turn redder. The desire in his body burned brighter, and his arms that was holding him up gripping the mattress tighter. He closed his eyes, and his Adam¡¯s apple moved up and down several times before he forced himself from her and rolled off the bed.


    He bent over to pick up theforter from the floor and tossed it over to her. Song Qingchun only then realized how exposed she was, and she snuggled into theforter.


    He stood beside the bed and nced at the shape under theforter once before turning away speedily and dashing toward the bathroom. His gait was so fast and forceful that it felt like he wouldn¡¯t be able to pull him away if he didn¡¯t leave now.


    It was not until Song Qingchun heard the sound of running water from the bathroom that she dared to poke her head out from underneath theforter. She didn¡¯t dare stay for long in Su Zhinian¡¯s bedroom. She tossed theforter away and climbed out of bed.


    Her pajamas were so ruined that they could barely cover her body. She eventually returned to grab theforter and wrap it around her body in a hurry before fleeing his bedroom.


    Song Qingchun leaned against the back of her bedroom door with her hand pressed over her chest. She stood in that posture for a long time before she could calm down.


    With a weakened pair of legs, she walked to her closet to find a fresh pair of pajamas. She put them on and sat on her bed, hugging Su Zhinian¡¯sforter.


    The scent of his body travelled into her nostril as she breathed, and his body temperature still lingered on her body. Her heart that had calmed earlier started racing again, and her blood boiled with something akin to a desire. It made her grip theforter tightly, and as she did so, the image of them entangled within each other cropped up in her mind.


    The image felt so authentic that Song Qingchun could hear the sounds of their mixed breathing. Her face burned as if she had fever. As she shook her head to toss the memory out of her mind, she heard a rhythmic knocking on her door, and Su Zhinian¡¯s clear and mellifluous voice drifted in.


    "Qingchun."

 Chapter 362: The Glorious Years (5)

    Chapter 362: The Glorious Years (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun jumped from shock. Just as she was wondering whether she should answer Su Zhinian or not, he asked, "Are you asleep?"


    She knew this was the man giving her a way out. If she still didn¡¯t have the courage to face him after the thing that had happened, she could just pretend to be asleep.


    Song Qingchun thus decided to sit there in silence and not respond.


    The man outside the door was quiet for about half a minute before he began again. "I know you¡¯re still awake."


    As he said so, Song Qingchun heard the door click open. Su Zhinian then walked in with a calm and measured gait.


    He was wearing a white, cotton t-shirt and pants. His face had returned to his usual frigid aloofness so quickly that Song Qingchun had to wonder if the incident earlier had just been a mirage in her mind.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s breath caught in her throat as Su Zhinian walked closer. With her head lowered, she toyed with theforter brought from his room because she was unable to look him in the eye.


    In contrast to her, the man was much more collected. He stood before her, staring at the top of her head for a while before walking to her desk to pull her chair over and sat down on her right-hand side.


    Why is he sitting down? Is it to discuss the thing that happened earlier?


    Before the thought could settle in her mind, Su Zhinian¡¯s cold voice began again. "Just now..."


    As if having difficulty continuing, he paused after merely saying two words. After some time, he finally added, "That thing, I¡¯m really sorry, that was my mistake."


    "It¡¯s..." Song Qingchun raised her head instinctually to look at him.


    She wanted to say that it was okay, but the moment the first word escaped her lips, she shut her mouth with remorse; she wanted right there and then to bite her tongue off.


    He was the man, and she was the woman. Furthermore, it was him who initiated the whole thing. Even though she didn¡¯t struggle that greatly, it was she who had been taken advantage of. If she epted his apology so easily, wouldn¡¯t it seem like she was too much of a slut, a woman with no morals?


    Song Qingchun pulled her eyes away from Su Zhinian¡¯s face in a hurry and lowered her head once more.


    The room became exceptionally quiet, and this quietness pressed down hard on Song Qingchun. Her fingers that gripped hisforter were incredibly restless.


    The situation in the room became increasingly awkward, such that she felt difficulty breathing. It was when she felt she was going to faint fromck of breathing that he spoke again. "Did I wake you up?"


    Song Qingchun knew Su Zhinian was talking about his sleep-talking. She shook her head and said, "Nah."


    She lowered her head to think about it and added softly, "I was still awake."


    Su Zhinian nced at the clock on the wall; it was already 4 am. This meant that it had been around 3 am when he was mumbling in his sleep. He frowned and said without thinking, "Why were you up sote?"


    "I..." It was because she was bothered by the deadline of their contract that she was unable to fall asleep. She pursed her lips and lied. "...I was caught up in my dramas."


    When he returned from the study to his bedroom, there had been no sound from her bedroom, so she had definitely not been watching her dramas. However, he didn¡¯t expose her lie; he merely nodded silently.

 Chapter 363: The Glorious Years (6)

    Chapter 363: The Glorious Years (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Silence returned to the room.


    Song Qingchun shifted around consciously to smooth over the awkwardness. Suddenly, she asked to salvage the atmosphere, "You dreamed about the girl that you love again?"


    Su Zhinian nodded once more.


    Song Qingchun was reminded of the night they shared down at the hotel in the mountains. He had simrly been yelling for "Tingting" in his dream. She couldn¡¯t stem her interest and continued to ask, "Do you call for her name like this whenever you dream about her?"


    After the question left her lips, Song Qingchun realized thest time she asked about this "Tingting", it was out of curiosity.


    But it was different today. It was not curiosity that made her ask that question, but she was reminded of the presents clogging the drawer at his office, and the one sentence his secretary, Miss Cheng Qingchong told her. She was my then, is my now, and will be my forever.


    He is so fatally loyal to this Tingting...


    It was her initial intention to lighten the mood in the room, but it had achieved the opposite effect. Song Qingchun felt a damp and heavy feeling clogging her heart.


    She was nning to ask What kind of dream would cause you so much pain? after he replied, but now, after he did reply affirmatively, her interest in his story greatly dissipated.


    It was she who had brought the conversation to Tingting, but her interest was lost. In fact, she realized, she was afraid, afraid to hear anything more about this Tingting from his lips.


    Therefore, after a moment of contemtion, she searched for a reason to chase him out of her room. "I need to wake up in a few hours to get to work."


    Song Qingchun then lowered her head and waited. However, the hint seemed to fly over Su Zhinian¡¯s head because he remained unmoved. Finally, Song Qingchun raised her eyes to stealthily nce at him.


    The man was staring quietly and with absolute focus at her hands like he had something important on his mind. She followed his gaze and realized her fingers had been twiddling hisforter.


    So, this means he wants theforter back?


    Song Qingchun immediately released her grip on it and helped him smooth out the patches that she had wrinkled. She then passed it to him and exined softly, "I¡¯m sorry, I needed something to cover the body, and this was the closest thing."


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t move to ept it.


    Song Qingchun bit her lips and remembered Su Zhinian¡¯s obsession with cleanliness. I¡¯ve used theforter, so he probably wants a fresh one. ording to the contract, I¡¯m supposed to be responsible for his living arrangements. Does this mean he¡¯s waiting for me to prepare for him a freshforter?


    Song Qingchun then ced theforter in her hands on her bed and said, "I¡¯ve used this already, so I¡¯d better find you another one."


    Then, Song Qingchun walked out of her bedroom and into Su Zhinian¡¯s bedroom. When she returned from changing hisforter, Su Zhinian was still in the same position as when she left, seated quietly in the chair.


    She didn¡¯t walk into the room but stood at the door and reminded him, "I¡¯ve changed the quilt for you."


    Su Zhinian sat in the chair quietly, staring out the darkness of the night outside the window, showing no sign that he was going to leave any time soon.


    Song Qingchun waited for a while. Noticing hisck of response, she assumed the man didn¡¯t hear her, so she repeated, "I¡¯ve changed the quilt for you, so you can go rest now."

 Chapter 364: The Glorious Years (7)

    Chapter 364: The Glorious Years (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian sat there immobile. Just as Song Qingchun was going to remind him for the third time, Su Zhinian suddenly opened his lips to call her name.


    "Qingchun."


    Song Qingchun swallowed the words that had reached her mouth and looked at him with curiosity as she uttered a confused, "Hmm?"


    Su Zhinian continued ncing out the window before slowly moving his gaze to fall on her. "Can you follow me somewhere?"


    "Huh?" Song Qingchun was confused by the sudden request before adding, "Now?"


    "Yes." Su Zhinian nodded and repeated, "Now."


    Where does he want to go in the middle of the night? Song Qingchun wanted to ask for more information when Su Zhinian stood up from his chair and dered, "I¡¯ll return to my room to change, and I¡¯ll wait for you downstairs."


    When he passed Song Qingchun, he paused for a moment to say, "It¡¯s cold outside, so wear something thick."


    Then, he exited her bedroom and closed the door behind him.


    ...


    After Song Qingchun put on her coat and exited the house, Su Zhinian had already started the car.


    The weather outside was bone-chillingly cold, but he didn¡¯t wait inside the car. He leaned against the car as he usually did when he went to fetch her from work.


    When she got near, he quickly went around the car to help her with the door. When she got in, he even leaned in to help her with the seatbelt.


    Song Qingchun stared at the man¡¯s face as he was putting the seatbelt on for her, and a thought bubbled up in her mind. Since when did it be a habit for him to put on the seatbelt for me?


    Probably afraid that she was cold, Su Zhinian turned the heater in the car up before starting the engine. Then he drove off the driveway.


    Beijing at 4 am had practically no cars on the road, so they went uninhibited. While they were waiting at the first red light, Su Zhinian switched on the radio, probably because Song Qingchun would get too bored.


    It was ying some ssics. The familiar tune smoothed Song Qingchun¡¯s heart. The car drove for about half an hour before stopping at the roadside.


    Song Qingchun nced out of the window and realized they had stopped in front of a row of shops. She frowned in confusion and turned to ask Su Zhinian with some measure of disbelief in her voice, "We¡¯re here?"


    "Yes, we are." Su Zhinian stopped the engine and got out of the car to help Song Qingchun with the passenger door.


    Su Zhinian locked the car after Song Qingchun got out, and he then pointed at a small alleyway between two of the buildings, adding, "Let¡¯s go."


    Song Qingchun nced at Su Zhinian with enquiry in her eyes; however, since Su Zhinian didn¡¯t seem like he was going to exin himself, she had no choice but to follow obediently behind him.


    They didn¡¯t share a word along the way, and he stayed a distance of about half a meter away from her.


    After they entered the alleyway, the light was much darker. Due to the sudden nature of this trip, Song Qingchun was wearing her usual high heels, and when she identally tripped on an empty can, it was Su Zhinian who reached out to catch her.


    The alleyway was short, only about two hundred meters long. The other side of it was a one-way street. The man pulled her along as he turned left and headed east.


    Along the way, they passed a night market hawker stall selling barbeque. Trails of smoke rose into the air from the pot of coals.


    A middle-aged woman, probably the proprietor, sat before the pot, minding the me while a song was ying on her phone.


    When Song Qingchun passed, through the tune alone, she could recognize the song.

 Chapter 365: The Glorious Years (8)

    Chapter 365: The Glorious Years (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    It was a ssic that had been covered by many famous artists, ¡¯Love Rumored to Have Come Back.¡¯


    "I heard from my friend that the love stricken you came back;


    "I want her to help me greet you, because I¡¯m afraid I will never get it out;


    "How much do you feel about the past, you, who let my heart break;


    "I still deeply love..."


    Song Qingchun trailed behind Su Zhinian until she could barely hear the music anymore, and it was then that the man suddenly stopped. Song Qingchun realized they were standing in front of yet another alleyway.


    Song Qingchun looked around with confusion and was about to ask Su Zhinian why he stopped when he told her in a in voice, as if sensing the question on her mind, "We¡¯re here."


    Song Qingchun nced at the various billboards advertising the items inside the shops and blinked with confusion.


    We¡¯re here? Su Zhinian wanted me to follow him here?


    Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t help but ask, "The ce that you wish toe is here?"


    "Yes," Su Zhinian confirmed as his gaze eventuallynded on the left wall of the alleyway. His gaze slowly softened as if he was looking at something close and dear to him.


    Song Qingchun stared at Su Zhinian¡¯s handsome profile and asked, "Where is this ce?"


    Perhaps she had imagined it, but she swore she saw Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes, which were looking at the wall, shine with pain when she asked that.


    "I heard from my friend that you, who understood me so well, came back;


    "I want her to help me keep it a secret, because I¡¯m afraid I will be more heartbroken if we met;


    "I¡¯m still having feelings for our past, and you, who once gave me happiness;


    "I still deeply love..."


    The lyrics of the song drifted from the barbeque stall.


    Song Qingchun listened to it for a while before asking, "Is this ce somewhere incredibly important to you? Why aren¡¯t you talking?"


    No matter the question, Su Zhinian remained silent. He was deeply lost in thought as if he was reminiscing about something from his part.


    Song Qingchun realized her questions weren¡¯t getting through to the man, so she stopped asking. She stood to the side quietly, waiting for him silently.


    "There¡¯s the hurt of wanting to meet you, but also fear of meeting you, there¡¯s the love still hidden in my heart;


    "I can only put you in my heart."


    The song continued to y, and it was jumping between loud and soft depending on the direction of the cold wind.


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t know how long they stood there in each other¡¯spany. He was still the same way when her two legs had almost frozen solid. It was as if he had morphed into a statue, standing in his original posture, staring down the alleyway.


    Song Qingchun stomped her feet about, trying to get the blood flowing in her legs. Sensing her difort, the man turned around to stare at her. After a while, he removed the coat he was wearing and handed it to her.


    Song Qingchun nced at the thin shirt he was wearing and immediately shook her hands to say, "It¡¯s okay..."


    He didn¡¯t wait for her to finish before cing his coat on her. Then he turned back around to stare down the alleyway.


    Time trickled by, and they remained in that position until the hawker stall eventually closed. It was then that Su Zhinian finally turned his eyes back from the alleyway to look at Song Qingchun. He said lightly, "Let¡¯s go."

 Chapter 366: The Glorious Years (9)

    Chapter 366: The Glorious Years (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    On the way back, Su Zhinian still said nothing.


    However, perhaps he was too eye-grabbing, when they passed the half-closed barbeque stall, the middle-aged woman nced several times at Su Zhinian. The song ¡¯Love Rumored to Have Come Back¡¯ was still ying.


    "The kind of hurt of wanting to meet you, but also fear of meeting you, makes my long for you even more;


    "I can only keep you in my heart;


    "Only keep you in my heart."


    When they turned back into the first alleyway, the song became much quieter.


    "Your voice, your silhouette, your hand, I swear I never once forgot;


    "As to you choosing your present lover, I can only say I¡¯m a little sad;


    "I really put my heart and soul into waiting."


    When the songpletely disappeared, Song Qingchun managed to catch a glimpse of Su Zhinian¡¯s car from inside the alleyway.


    After they exited the alleyway, Su Zhinian pulled out the car key. As he prepared to open the car, he saw an old man pushing a cart in front of them. The old man was probably going home from the nearby night market that was closing. There were two sticks of pink-colored cotton candy poking out from the cart.


    Su Zhinian called after the man without hesitation. "Sir, how much for the cotton candy?"


    The gentleman stopped and told Su Zhinian the price. "One for 10 RMB."


    Su Zhinian reached into his pocket habitually and realized he had forgotten to take his wallet in his hurry to leave. He climbed into his car to scrounge up all the coins he could find, and after a brief calction, they added up to 20 RMB. He bought the two cotton candy sticks and passed them to Song Qingchun, who was shivering by the roadside.


    When they were back inside the car, Su Zhinian turned the heater up to its maximum and soon the car became warm again.


    Song Qingchun, who was in the passenger seat, held the cotton candy, one in each hand. She took a bite from the one on the left and then another from the one on her right.


    Su Zhinian saw this through the rear-view mirror, and his eyes started to get dreamy. Even 17 yearster, he could still see the shadow of her younger self.


    The alleyway that they had been to was the ce where they first met, seventeen years ago; it was where their story began.


    At the time, to stop her from crying, he had pulled her hand and brought her to the nearby supermarket to buy her two lollipops using all the money he had on him.


    And today, even though it didn¡¯t cost him everything he had to purchase those two cotton candy sticks, it did cost him everything he currently had on him.


    He had returned to that alleyway throughout the years, just to stand there and wait for her to appear, but she never did.


    He had been hoping that, one of these days, as he stood there, she would suddenly appear.


    However, his hope didn¡¯t oncee true; she had never returned to that spot ever again.


    The only reason he had taken her there that day was to fulfil his own selfish dream, to give him thest opportunity to lie to himself.


    When Song Qingchun licked the cotton candy in her right hand, she noticed Su Zhinian was looking at her through the rear-view mirror, and her movement stopped. She followed his gaze in the mirror, and her eyes eventuallynded on the cotton candy in her hands. After some contemtion, she raised one of them close to his face, asking, "You want a bite?"


    When Su Zhinian heard her, his first reaction was surprise beforeughing earnestly, augh that softened the frigid presence around him. Just like so many years ago, he didn¡¯t reject her offer and lowered his head to take a bite out of the cotton candy.


    The sweetness of glucose spread through his body, but deep down in his heart, the pain became even more bitter and pronounced.

 Chapter 367: The Glorious Years (10)

    Chapter 367: The Glorious Years (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian started the car engine, but the car didn¡¯t move.


    Song Qingchun thought it was because he was waiting for her to finish the cotton candy. However, when she finished both sticks of cotton candy, he still didn¡¯t seem like he was going to start driving any time soon.


    Song Qingchun turned to look at him in confusion several times, and in the end, she couldn¡¯t help but ask, "Aren¡¯t we going?"


    He didn¡¯t answer, but his hand did reach for the handbrake. However, he immediately retracted his hand as his finger touched it, and he ced it back on the steering wheel. He stared ahead at the darkened road and remained in a state of silence.


    Just as Song Qingchun was about to ask him again, Su Zhinian, who had been quiet all this while, suddenly said, "Qingchun."


    "Hmm?" The words changed in Song Qingchun¡¯s mouth as she responded to his call. She then raised her head to look at him.


    The man reverted to silence as his gaze was glued to a point right in front of him. It was as if he was weighing how to proceed in his mind.


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t say anything to rush him and waited patiently. However, ayer of anxiety started to crawl all over her heart. The cramped space was so quiet that she could hear the sound of the heater blowing out hot air.


    Five minutester, Su Zhinian finally began again and called her name for the third time. "Qingchun."


    However, this time, it didn¡¯t precede a prolonged silence; he continued smoothly. "Song Empire is now back on its track. Its profit margin for this month will probably be twice the profit margin for the past year."


    So, he wants to talk about Song Empire. Song Qingchun pursed her lips and broke into a smile. "Oh yes, my sister-inw has told me about that already. She even mentioned how impressed she was."


    Su Zhinian nodded and continued. "For the past few months, Song Empire has made some tactical business deals, some for as long as five years, most three years, and a small amount for only one year. When the cooperative contracts reach their expiry, for those with five-year contracts, you have to extend the cooperation no matter what, even if you have to sacrifice some profits. Those with three-year contracts have some room for negotiation while those with only one-year contracts, you have to cut them off no matter how lucrative their offer may be."


    How could she have forgotten their contract was ending soon? In a few weeks¡¯ time, he wouldn¡¯t be Song Empire¡¯s CEO anymore, so he was giving her advice on the future direction of Song Empire.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s mood dampened as she moved her eyes away from his face and lowered it. She eventually answered, "I understand."


    "Zheng Hao is a capable man; he has the necessary leadership skills to take over as the CEO." Su Zhinian paused and turned his head away from Song Qingchun before continuing. "Of course, these are merely my personal rmendation."


    Song Qingchun repeated, with her head still lowered, "I understand."


    Su Zhinian stared closely at her reflection in the rear-view mirror and didn¡¯t add anything else.


    Actually, he had many things he wanted to tell her, but the only thing he could bring himself to discuss with her were detached topics like those revolving around Song Empire.


    The words that he really wanted to say, the words that wereced with his love and emotions, always halted before his lips and manifested as his actions.

 Chapter 368: Good Night, I Love You (1)

    Chapter 368: Good Night, I Love You (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian nned to tell her those things on thest day of their contract, when they were due to part, but he was afraid that if he didn¡¯t say them now, he wouldn¡¯t have the chance to do that in the future.


    He had once again dreamed about her in an ident that night. Simr to the two nightmares before it, he sacrificed himself to save her. Unlike the nightmares from before, in his dream, he managed to hear the sound of his bones breaking before she woke him up.


    The bad omen that bothered him when he talked to Qin Yinan earlier only increased in intensity after his dream. It was why he brought her there.


    Su Zhinian sat quietly and stared at the girl through the rear-view mirror. After a long time, he blinked continuously as if waking up. With a final nce at Song Qingchun, he gripped the steering wheel tighter and stepped on the pedal.


    Su Zhinian seemed to purposely drive as slow as possible as they headed home. When they reached the bungalow, there was almost a hazy glow on the horizon.


    Song Qingchun, who didn¡¯t get much hours of sleep that night, was leaning against the cushion, half asleep.


    When the car rolled to a stop, the girl, who was half awake, pulled her eyes open and mumbled incoherently. It sounded like, "We¡¯re home?"


    Noticing the familiar visage of the bungalow, she pushed the car door open and got out with a yawn.


    When Song Qingchun walked to the front of the car, Su Zhinian was just getting out. He locked the car and called her name. "Qingchun."


    Song Qingchun, who was heading toward the front door, stopped moving and turned around. When she did, he was already standing in front of her.


    Before she could say anything, he narrowed his eyes and controlled her consciousness. She stood there like a statue, not moving a muscle.


    The next second, he reached out to pull her into a deep hug.


    He ced his hand on the back of her head and pressed the girl¡¯s head into the curve of his neck. He then bent over slightly to snuggle into the space between the girl¡¯s neck and shoulder. He rubbed his face on her skin like a kitten and turned his head around to face her ears. He then proceeded to whisper the words that he couldn¡¯t bring himself to say inside the car into her ears lovingly and gently.


    "Tingting, whenever you¡¯re sad in the future, do not hide in a corner and cry. Don¡¯t be shy with your tears; a girl needn¡¯t be so strong. It is not a shame to cry, at least someone will give you a shoulder to lean on.


    "Since you suffer from painful periods, then stop eating ice-cream the few days before and after your period. Soak your feet in a warm bath during cold days because the books say that is helpful to ease the pain.


    "When you go shopping, don¡¯t forcibly wear those heels that are too high. You are not short, even with just ts, you¡¯ll be able to stand out among the crowd.


    "Also, you really are not fat, don¡¯t skip meals for the sake of dieting.


    "Don¡¯t sleep toote at night. No matter how good your concealer is, it won¡¯t be able to undo the damage to your health.


    "Stop going out alone in the middle of the night. Even though Beijing is quite a safe city, you cannot be too careful.


    "If you¡¯re home alone, please remember to lock the door.


    "Go to the clinic or hospital if you¡¯re sick, don¡¯t just go buy random medicine from the pharmacy, after all, you are not an actual doctor."

 Chapter 369: Good Night, I Love You (2)

    Chapter 369: Good Night, I Love You (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Remember to cultivate the habit of bringing an umbre whenever you go out, or you¡¯ll return soaked every time..."


    ...


    He had never been a person of many words, and he had even surprised himself with the number of reminders he wanted to give her. It was then he realized how much he actually worried about her.


    She was not dumb, in fact, she was much more independent than most girls her age, but he couldn¡¯t stop himself from worrying about her.


    As Su Zhinian rattled off his kind reminders, his voice started to shake. With his eyes red with tears, he snuggled deeper into her embrace. Then, he stood there quietly before pulling her slowly out of his hug.


    He studied her face carefully before raising his fair hand to touch her. With endless desire, love, and care, his fingers touched every inch of her face carefully and slowly.


    His eyes that looked at her didn¡¯t blink, as if he was trying to imprint her face into his mind. His fingertip eventually rested on her lips, and his gently-glowing eyes grimaced with absolute pain.


    He wished desperately to be there for her forever, even if she didn¡¯t know that it was him.


    His lips curved into a grievous smile, and a momentter, he pulled his fingers away from her face quickly and forcefully.


    Hershes flickered into consciousness as the control he had on her disappeared.


    She titled her head and finished the "hmm" that she had started to vocalize before he took control of her consciousness.


    The usual aloofness appeared back in Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes. He looked at her and said tly, "Good night."


    He merely wanted to say good night? Song Qingchun¡¯s brows creased with confusion and responded as the situation demanded. "Good night to you too."


    Looking at her smiling face, his lips couldn¡¯t help but twitch with good humor. He added, "Your work starts at 9 am, better go catch some sleep while you can."


    "Okay." Song Qingchun nodded and replied, "You too."


    Su Zhinian nodded silently. Song Qingchun turned and prepared to run into the house when she suddenly remembered something and turned around to ask, "There is an event at Song Empire this afternoon, are you going?"


    "I probably won¡¯t be able to make it; I have something else to do."


    She wanted to fetch a ride from him if he was going. Song Qingchun sighed with regret and pointed at the front door saying, "Then, I shall go in first."


    Su Zhinian nodded and stood where he was watching her disappear into the house. As the sound of her steps running up the stairs drifted into his ears, he whispered, "Tingting, good night."


    His good night was beyond a simple salutation; it encapsted his dream, hope, desire, love, and most of all, an apologetic regret, a regret that he wouldn¡¯t be able to give her more good night¡¯s in the future and an apology that he wouldn¡¯t be able to stay by her side forever.


    ...


    When Song Qingchun returned to her bedroom and shrugged off her coat, she felt moisture under her fingertips when she identally brushed up against the woolly cor of her jacket.


    It felt like some sort of liquid was stuck to it.


    This is weird... Was the mist that heavy this morning?


    Song Qingchun frowned as her fingers touched the damp spot. For some reason, her heart started to ache.

 Chapter 370: Good Night, I Love You (3)

    Chapter 370: Good Night, I Love You (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Even though the pain onlysted for a moment, it was intense enough to knock the breath out of her.


    Did she imagine it? Or had something happened earlier? But howe she had no recollection of it?


    ...


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t lie to Song Qingchun. He was really preupied and thus unable to attend the event at Song Empire.


    However, this was not something on his schedule; it was something that he had suddenly decided to do when he sent Song Qingchun home that morning.


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t walk into the house but walked to the nearby breakfast restaurant to buy some buns and porridge.


    He didn¡¯t have any appetite, so he only bought her portion. Worried that she would miss it, he left a note about it on the fridge door.


    He took a shower, changed into a new suit, stood before the mirror to knot on his tie before leaving his bedroom.


    Before going downstairs, he took a detour to her room. He stood about ten minutes beside the sleeping beauty before leaving the house and drove to hispany.


    It took him about two hours to finish dealing with the work that had piled up over the week. Then he called the top managers of thepany for a meeting thatsted for three hours. When it was over, it was already 1 pm.


    Cheng Qingchong, who was hugging a stack of document, asked on their way back to his office, "CEO Su, what do want to have for lunch today? Thepany¡¯s canteen provides the menu of..."


    Before she could finish, Su Zhinian interrupted her by saying, "You make the choice."


    Then, he pushed the door open and walked into his room. For the sake of security, Cheng Qingchong chose the food that Su Zhinian normally had for lunch when he was at thepany.


    After Su Zhinian finished his lunch, he called Cheng Qingchong to clear the utensils away. Before she left, he added, "I have to leave for a few hours. Anything important, just leave it on my table; I¡¯lle back to deal with it all at night."


    "Yes, CEO Su."


    After Cheng Qingchong left, Su Zhinian leaned against the chair for about ten minutes before he stood up, grabbed his jacket and car keys, and took the elevator to the underground parking lot.


    Su Zhinian drove for about an hour before he reached the police station. He parked and made the necessary registration. Then, a young police officer arrived to lead him to a room deep inside the station.


    "Mr. Su, the person that you want to meet is inside."


    Su Zhinian nodded as he pushed open the door and walked in.


    This was a room to hold convicts. There was barely any light in it, and theck of cleaning gave the ce a rank smell.


    The deliveryman who made an attempt on Song Qingchun¡¯s life at TW Station was cuffed and sitting in the chair.


    He had been there for only twenty days, but he looked so much thinner than before. His beard had grown, adding more age to his face, but the bruises inflicted still hadn¡¯t healed.


    Su Zhinian nced at the chair opposite the deliveryman. He frowned at its dirtiness. He didn¡¯t sit down but strode to stand before the convict. Su Zhinian stopped when his leg was brushing against the deliveryman¡¯s knee.


    He red down at the young man and asked directly, "You are Xia Ji¡¯s loyal fan?"


    The deliveryman probably still remembered the punishment Su Zhinian delivered on him and was afraid he might suffer yet another physical assault, so he blurted out the answer in a hurry when he heard the question.


    "Yes, yes, I am."

 Chapter 371: Good Night, I Love You (4)

    Chapter 371: Good Night, I Love You (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian did not rush to ask the second question but used his power to determine whether the deliveryman was lying or not. When he was sure he wasn¡¯t lying, he continued to ask, "You wanted to kill Song Qingchun because she exposed the fact that Xia Ji is a drug addict?"


    The young man nodded. "Yes."


    "Song Qingchun was pushed off a cruise on the night of New Year Eve, that was you too?"


    This time the young man visibly hesitated before answering, "Yes, I did that, too."


    Su Zhinian read the uncertainty in the deliveryman¡¯s heart. Is he lying?


    Su Zhinian frowned slightly, and his expression turned severe. He red right at the deliveryman and repeated his question. "Are you really the one who did it?"


    Even though the tone employed by Su Zhinian was simr to the one he had used before, the drop in his tone when he reached the end of his question put a great pressure on the young man. His eyes started to dart about, and he refused to meet Su Zhinian¡¯s gaze.


    Even though he didn¡¯t say anything, Su Zhinian still managed to read the true thoughts in his mind. Why would he ask that question twice? Has he caught on to the fact that I wasn¡¯t the one responsible for the incident at North Sea Garden?


    Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes were burning with malice. He is indeed lying to me...


    He uttered in a chilling and affirmative tone, "I know it was not you who was responsible for the incident on the cruise and the other incidents before it. So why would you admit to those sins? Tell me honestly, who asked you to do all this?"


    Other than the first phrase, the rest was all Su Zhinian¡¯s extraption. Su Zhinian knew he was not going to get an answer from the deliveryman¡¯s mouth, but he would be able to get it from his heart.


    After Su Zhinian asked the question, he could feel the young man¡¯s heart quake with fear.


    How did he know I didn¡¯t do those things and I was asked by someone to shoulder the me? Brother Kun¡¯s n has been exposed? No, the n was for me to shoulder the me, and then the rest of us will have the opening we need to go after the Song family¡¯s youngdy.


    Who cares? I shouldn¡¯t worry myself over it. After all Brother Kun promised that as long as I admit to all the crimes, they will transfer 1,000,000 RMB into my wife¡¯s ount after the deal is done. Therefore, this is already out of my hands. Even if something happens outside, it will have nothing to do with me.


    The deliveryman¡¯s train of thought reached this part, and he was about to act innocent before Su Zhinian, but then the chair he was sitting on was sent flying.


    His head mmed heavily on the floor. When he recovered from the pain that jumbled his mind, the room was already empty. The man who had interrogated him earlier was already gone.


    ...


    This is not over yet.


    Su Zhinian rushed out of the police station, ignoring the police officer who was talking to him. He jumped into his car and as he started the engine; he pulled out his phone to give Song Qingchun a call.


    The call rang for a long time, and no one picked it up until it went into the answer machine. "I¡¯m sorry, the number you¡¯re calling is currently unavable. Please try againter."

 Chapter 372: Good Night, I Love You (5)

    Chapter 372: Good Night, I Love You (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Something grabbed Su Zhinian¡¯s heart tightly, preventing his blood from flowing through his veins. His hand on the steering wheel was shaking greatly. He stepped on the gas pedal with great force, and his car shot out of the police station. His other hand keyed in her number once more shakily and pressed the call button.


    Simr to before, it rang for a long time, but there was no answer.


    Su Zhinian felt his heart constrict at a rapid speed as an inexplicable fear crawled through it and sent waves of chills down his spine. He turned at a junction without looking at the traffic light and sped toward Song Qingchun¡¯spany.


    Two hundred meterster, Su Zhinian was suddenly reminded of the question Song Qingchun asked him that morning, "There is an event at Song Empire this afternoon, are you going?"


    It was he who had approved that event.


    Su Zhinian raised his wrist, and he nced at the watch. It was 3 pm. The event should be starting soon. Therefore, she wouldn¡¯t be at TW Station but Song Empire¡¯s event venue.


    The event by Song Empire wasrge; the venue had been booked by Song Qingchun¡¯s sister-inw, Fang Rou. It was at a private clubhouse on the eastern side of town; in other words, theplete opposite end from TW Station.


    The next chance to turn around on the road he was currently on was at least five kilometers away.


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t hesitate and made an emergency U-turn right where he was. Su Zhinian knew he was far away from Song Qingchun¡¯s location. Even with his super-hearing, he wouldn¡¯t be able to hear her voice. However, as he sped toward the clubhouse, he kept repeating the calls and focused on his hearing. He searched for her voice, filtering through the cacophony of noises.


    When he reached a roundabout, even though he still hadn¡¯t discovered Song Qingchun¡¯s voice, he did pick up a conversation about Song Empire.


    The voice was far away from him, and he could barely pick up the words. "Have you sessfully infiltrated Song Empire¡¯s event venue?"


    It was the voice of a man, very brassy, and it had an out-of-state ent. The person seemed to be on the phone because a voice that was even smaller in volume replied instantly, "Brother Kun, we¡¯re in ce already."


    Brother Kun? The deliveryman at the police station mentioned this name as well. From their conversation, it sounds like they haven¡¯t started their operation. So, Song Qingchun is still safe.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s heart rxed slightly. He stepped on the gas and focused his attention on this phone conversation.


    "Remember, we have to make it this time. ording to the information I received, that CEO Su who has been sticking around Song family¡¯s youngdy like a fly is not with her today. F*ck, he has been guarding her like he was her personal bodyguard recently, and we were unable to do anything. Now that he isn¡¯t there today, we have to make use of this perfect opportunity. Make sure nothing goes wrong, you hear me?"

 Chapter 373: Good Night, I Love You (6)

    Chapter 373: Good Night, I Love You (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Don¡¯t worry, Brother Kun, it will be a guaranteed sess this time. Brother Kun, I have to hang up now, the young miss from the Song family seems to be heading off alone, wait for our good news." Then the phone was cut off, and Su Zhinian could only hear the dial tone in his ears.


    Song Qingchun is heading off alone, and they are making a move soon. Since she is still safe, why isn¡¯t she answering my calls? Is the event venue too loud, or did she put her phone on silent?


    Su Zhinian¡¯s brain turned as he made another call to Song Qingchun. Simrly, there was no answer.


    Su Zhinian frowned. The most important thing now is to find someone to apany Song Qingchun and not let her wander off a lone. Wait a minute, the Song family has always shared a good rtionship with the Qin family. Qin Yinan will definitely be there for an event hosted by Song Empire.


    Su Zhinian thought about this and hung up the phone. He scrolled through his contacts for Qin Yinan¡¯s number and made the call. It rang twice before it was picked up. Through themotion at the event, Su Zhinian could hear the man say, "Hello..."


    Su Zhinian interrupted him immediately and went straight to the point. "Have you seen Song Qingchun?"


    "I have..." Before Qin Yinan could finish, Su Zhinian interrupted him again. "When was this?"


    Qin Yinan answered after three seconds, "About ten minutes ago..."


    "She is in danger now," Su Zhinian interrupted him for the third time.


    "Huh?" Qin Yinan was confused by this statement given by Su Zhinian. After his initial daze, he asked, "How would you know that?"


    "I just do, okay, that is not important," Su Zhinian said in a hurry and continued as if he knew what Qin Yinan was going to ask next. "I don¡¯t have time to exin it to you now. The most important thing is you have to go look for her and stay by her side, quick!"


    This was the first time Qin Yinan had heard Su Zhinian address him so seriously, so he swallowed the suspicion in his heart and replied in an equally serious tone, "Okay, I understand. I will go look for her now; I¡¯ll call you back when I find her."


    ...


    Qin Yinan didn¡¯t lie; he had indeed been together with Song Qingchun about ten minutes ago.


    At the time, Song Qingchun was holding a champagne flute in her hand. She was excusing herself from a conversation, and when she turned around, there he was, not far away from her. She smiled at him and called for him gently like usual. "Brother Yinan."


    If he didn¡¯t know about the fact she once loved him, he would have responded with a natural smile in return and walked to meet her.


    He knew he would run into her before he came to the event, but he was flustered because he didn¡¯t prepare for them to meet in such a sudden encounter.


    This caused him to stand there dazed for about half a minute,pletely immobile. In the end, it was Song Qingchun who walked over to meet him. She waved her hands yfully before his eyes and joked, "Earth to Brother Yinan, are you there?"


    The first thing that he did after he came to was lower his gaze. He was silent for about ten seconds before he raised his head again with a smile and said, "Song Song."

 Chapter 374: Good Night, I Love You (7)

    Chapter 374: Good Night, I Love You (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    They chatted for a long time; Song Qingchun evenined to Qin Yinan about the cold weather even though the spring had begun. Qin Yinan nodded along to her words and was the perfectpanion.


    In the middle of their conversation, someone who was walking by them called out Tang Nuan¡¯s name. Initially, Qin Yinan didn¡¯t even notice it; it was Song Qingchun who turned her face down a direction and became dazed for a few seconds. He subconsciously followed her gaze, and this was how his eyes met Tang Nuan¡¯s from across the room.


    She was wearing an eggshell-white off-the-shoulder dress that entuated her voluptuous figure. She looked perfectly dazzling.


    Ever since he overheard the argument between Song Qingchun and Tang Nuan at Eldorado, Qin Yinan had never once contacted Tang Nuan. Of course, it was the same the other way round.


    The two of them had drifted apart without much fuss. In fact, now that he thought about it, that was barely a week ago, but at the event, when Qin Yinanid his eyes on that familiar face, he felt like he was looking at someone whom he hadn¡¯t met for a century.


    Tang Nuan¡¯s gaze settled on him for less than three seconds before she pulled it coldly away. She turned around with haughtiness and walked away from their gaze.


    The expression on Qin Yinan¡¯s face was light. It was not until he couldn¡¯t hear the click of Tang Nuan¡¯s high heels that he turned around to look at Song Qingchun. It was then that he noticed the concern, gloom, and hesitation in Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes.


    Song Qingchun started to lose focus for the rest of their conversation. Several times, she interrupted Qin Yinan but had nothing to say. It was quite obvious that she had something she needed to get off her chest, and her eyes kept drifting toward Tang Nuan¡¯s direction. In the end, she couldn¡¯t muster the courage to do it, so she found herself an excuse and walked away.


    Qin Yinan knew why Song Qingchun was acting this way. He also knew what the big secret that she couldn¡¯t find herself to reveal to him was. He even understood why she couldn¡¯t do it; she didn¡¯t want him to be unhappy.


    Therefore, he didn¡¯t stop her and allowed her to leave. Looking at the girl who was walking away, he was struck by an epiphany. It was as if a truth that had eluded him for years had finally revealed itself.


    Song Qingchun had known many things, but she never once brought them to him because she was afraid it might hurt him. Therefore, he shouldn¡¯t have bothered himself over how to face her after he knew she had once loved him.


    He should have extended the same courtesy she had shown him. During the argument, she said she loved him... He heard the "-ed" clearly, meaning it was in the past; since it was already in the past, what was the reason for bringing it up again?


    Therefore, the best solution was to revert back to how it used to be between them, treat her as the little sister he cherished the most in the world and forgot the fact that she had loved him.


    Qin Yinan, who came to a decision, sighed in relief. The smile that he had on his face when he greeted others at the event was much more earnest.


    He walked toward the waiter, hoping to get a second ss of wine because he had finished the one in his hand. As he reached for one of the sses, a hand grabbed it before he could.


    Qin Yinan turned toward the person and saw Tang Nuan toss her head back and down the ss of wine in one shot without batting an eye.


    If this was before, Qin Yinan would definitely have reached out to stop her.


    However, this time, he merely stood there quietly and allowed Tang Nuan to finish the ss.


    Tang Nuan frowned as she reached for a second ss.

 Chapter 375: Good Night, I Love You (8)

    Chapter 375: Good Night, I Love You (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She had been looking at Qin Yinan out of the corner her eye as she raised the ss to her lips. Simr to before, Qin Yinan didn¡¯t react in any way, much less stop her even when she finished the ss.


    Tang Nuan pinched her palm surreptitiously and ced the empty ss back on the waiter¡¯s tray. Then she pretended to slip and fall into Qin Yinan¡¯s chest. She could feel the man¡¯s body tense for a moment, and after half a minute of silence, he slowly raised his hands.


    She knew the reason he hadn¡¯t been contacting her was because he was sullen due to the fact she had ignored all of his attempts at apology. However, she only needed to y some tricks, and he would be back under her thumb. She knew he would then ce his arms around her waist and ask her lovingly if she had sprained her ankle.


    Tang Nuan buried her face into Qin Yinan¡¯s chest, and a confident smile blossomed on her face. However, before her smile could even reach her lips, the man¡¯s handsnded on her shoulders, and he pushed her roughly out of his embrace.


    The burgeoning smile on Tang Nuan¡¯s face shattered instantly, and she looked up at Qin Yinan with utter disbelief.


    Qin Yinan ignored her gaze and reached out for a ss of wine after he removed his hands on her shoulders. He then turned to leave without saying a word to her.


    "Qin Yinan!" Tang Nuan suddenly yelled his name. As the words left her mouth, she realized this was the first time she was the one to break the cold war between them in their rtionship that hadsted for years.


    Qin Yinan stopped moving, and as he prepared to turn, the phone in his pocket started to ring. He pulled it out without hesitation and nced at the Caller ID. His face froze for a moment when he realized the call wasing from Su Zhinian. Then, he answered it in a hurry.


    "Hello..."


    "Have you seen Song Qingchun?"


    "I have..."


    "When was this?"


    "About ten minutes ago..."


    "She is in danger now."


    "Huh?" Right then, Qin Yinan started to scan the venue for Song Qingchun¡¯s shadow.


    "How would you know that?" As he posed Su Zhinian that question, he turned toward the direction Song Qingchun had headed down earlier. He was about the take the first step when Tang Nuan rushed before him to block his way.


    "I just do, okay, that is not important... I don¡¯t have time to exin it to you now. The most important thing is you have to go look for her and be by her side, quick!"


    "Okay, I understand. I will go look for her now, I¡¯ll call you back when I find her." Qin Yinan was made worried by the urgency in Su Zhinian¡¯s words. He hung up and was about to step around Tang Nuan when she pulled on his arm and demanded, "Qin Yinan, didn¡¯t you hear me call you?"


    Qin Yinan, who was half-facing away from Tang Nuan, pursed his lips into a thin line and shook Tang Nuan off.


    Tang Nuan, who was wearing heels, was knocked off her feet and stumbled for a few steps back from Qin Yinan¡¯s forceful shove. She eventually lost her footing and fell to the floor, screaming as she went down.


    Qin Yinan merely stopped for a minute before disappearing into the crowd without even turning around to look at her.


    Tang Nuan pinched the lower side of her arm to make sure she wasn¡¯t dreaming. When the pain registered in her mind, her face started to twist.

 Chapter 376: Good Night, I Love You (9)

    Chapter 376: Good Night, I Love You (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She went to block his way because she heard Song Qingchun¡¯s name mentioned in the phone call.


    She didn¡¯t want him to interact with Song Qingchun, and that was why she had reached out to grab him. However, she didn¡¯t expect that the man who didn¡¯t even dare raise his voice at her would shove her away so roughly and forcefully due to Song Qingchun!


    The more she thought about it, the more unbnced she became. Her teeth chattered continuously from sheer anger.


    ...


    The event venue was huge. Qin Yinan was catching his breath after running around the venue once, but he still hadn¡¯t seen Song Qingchun.


    He didn¡¯t even take the time to quench his thirst and continued to ask the guests about Song Qingchun¡¯s location as he went around the venue a second time.


    Finally, it was Song Menghwa who told him Song Qingchun had gone to use the bathroom. Qin Yinan didn¡¯t even have the time to thank Song Menghwa before he jogged toward the bathroom.


    The bathroom at the clubhouse was not separated by gender and had its own individual room. Qin Yinan ignored the decorum and knocked on the doors of every room, looking for Song Qingchun.


    He apologized profusely, and there was still no trace of Song Qingchun after he checked all twelve rooms.


    The phone in his pocket started to ring again; it was from Su Zhinian. As he was about to answer it, his gaze caught onto a familiar looking purse left on the counter inside one of the unupied rooms whose door was open. The purse looked suspiciously familiar, like he had seen it somewhere before.


    Qin Yinan stopped moving to rack his mind about it. He didn¡¯t answer the phone and stepped into the room.


    He picked up the purse, and the more he studied it, the more familiar it became. Then, it hit him. He pulled the purse open to search for an identification. He found some ID, and as he flipped it open, Song Qingchun¡¯s smiling face looked back at him.


    Qin Yinan immediately raised his head to look around the room. The room was clean and there was some water around the sink counter. This meant that Song Qingchun had probably just left this room.


    Qin Yinan grabbed Song Qingchun¡¯s purse and ran outside. He stood at the door and nced around him. The left corridor left back to the event venue, while the right corridor branched off into two smaller corridors, one leading to the back garden, another to the emergency exit.


    He came from the venue and hadn¡¯t seen her along the way, so she had to have turned right.


    But the back garden and emergency exit, which way did she go down?


    Qin Yinan turned right, and his brain started to move. He ran to the junction between the two and stopped.


    Song Song probably went to the back garden for some fresh air after feeling cooped up among the crowd. Furthermore, the bathroom is an open ce. It is unlikely that any danger woulde to her here. It¡¯s more likely that they would wait for her to go to some ce more secluded like the back garden.


    Qin Yinan analyzed everything in his mind and dashed toward the door, heading toward the back garden. However, he merely took two steps when he suddenly stopped. He turned slowly around, and his gaze settled on the space to the bottom-right corner of the emergency exit door.


    He stared at it for about ten seconds before walking over to it and squatting down to pick a glittering bracelet of the floor.


    He was incredibly familiar with this bracelet. He¡¯d had it custom-made for her as her birthday present... and it was sitting there on the floor.

 Chapter 377: Good Night, I Love You (10)

    Chapter 377: Good Night, I Love You (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The bracelet was perfectly fine, not broken in any way, meaning it hadn¡¯t identally fallen off her wrist.


    This could only mean one thing: someone had purposely removed it and left it there, and that person was most likely Song Qingchun.


    She left her purse in the bathroom and her bracelet by the door... One could be due to her carelessness, but two items in a day?


    Qin Yinan looked at the bracelet in his palm, and his heart started to race.


    Is it really as I suspected? Song Song purposely left this bracelet here? Something bad has already happened to her, and she left this behind as an SOS signal? This means that she has gone through the emergency exit?


    Qin Yinan stood up immediately and pushed the emergency exit door open. He was faced with another choice to make, upstairs or downstairs.


    With the precedence of the bracelet, Qin Yinan paid special attention to the floor. He spotted something glistening on the third step of the stairs that headed down. Qin Yinan rushed forward to pick it up. It was an earring that was part of a set with the bracelet. The shine came from the diamond on it.


    Qin Yinan didn¡¯t stop and jump down the stairs three steps at a time. He would poke his head out at every exit on each floor and continued to run downwards after noticing nothing out of ce. It was not until the car park in the basement second floor that he found the other side of Song Qingchun¡¯s earring on the floor.


    This means that Song Song was dragged to the underground car park?


    Qin Yinan didn¡¯t hesitate, pulled open the emergency exit and dashed into the car park. The ce was small, and most spaces were upied.


    If Song Song was truly dragged here, the next course of action for her abductors would be to shove her into their car and leave the scene immediately.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s brows creased into a deep frown. He thought about it for around two seconds before going to check the few empty spots that remained. He searched every inch of the empty spaces.


    The sound of his running footsteps echoed through the carpark. Qin Yinan ran from Zone A to Zone C and finally found thest piece of jewelry thatpleted the set he had given Song Qingchun on an empty space between an Audi and Ferrari, the diamond ne.


    This confirmed Qin Yinan¡¯s earlier suspicion, and his heart started to beat out of rhythm.


    Su Zhinian said Song Song is in danger, and he also mentioned that the string of misfortunes she was involved with earlier were all done on purpose; they were all attempts on her life. Therefore, if Song Song was abducted from the clubhouse, then there is a great chance that her life is danger!


    Qin Yinan felt the blood circting through his body chilled. He grabbed the pieces of jewelry that he had picked up along the way in his hands as he dashed toward his own car. He pulled open the door, jumped into it, and shot out of the parking lot without even putting his seatbelt on.


    When he reached the carpark exit, Qin Yinan slowed down and yelled at the carpark attendant, "Within these twenty minutes, how many cars from Zone C have left the building?"


    The attendant answered without even needing to read the records, "Other than you, there is only a minivan that has left."

 Chapter 378: Thank You for Letting Me Love You (1)

    Chapter 378: Thank You for Letting Me Love You (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "What brand? What color? Can you remember?"


    "A Buick perhaps..." The attendant added with more confidence, "I believe it was a Buick, and the car was yellow."


    Qin Yinan pressed on the gas pedal as he asked, "Which way did it turn?"


    When the answer, "right" drifted into his ears, he had already turned the steering wheel and was headed that way.


    ...


    Song Qingchun set her rm at 7 am, but due to ack of sleep from the night before, she didn¡¯t wake up even though the rm was ringing the house down.


    She even dreamed about Su Zhinian French-kissing a woman. Initially, she held the attitude of a bystander; she appreciated the scene like she would appreciate a particrly tasteful moving picture. However, as the kiss reached its climax, the woman, who was originally facing away from her, suddenly turned her head slowly around.


    She was still imagining the woman¡¯s features in her dream, but when she got a closer and took clearer look, her heart shrunk rapidly, and she woke up from the dream.


    Song Qingchun sat up from her bed, clutching theforter in her arms. She patted her chest to calm her beating heart and slowly turned around to look at the mirror in the room. Then, the face that looked at her in the dream appeared in the reflection. She was so spooked by it that she screwed her eyes shut, unwilling to face the truth.


    Crap, what is going on with me? Why would I dream about doing those things with Su Zhinian? This must be rted to the things that happenedst night...


    As that thought streamed into her mind, she was reminded of how she was pressed under Su Zhinian in bed and how he had ravaged her with his kisses. Her face turned red like it was burned.


    Song Qingchun shook her head vehemently, trying her best to shake the unsavory thoughts out of her mind, before she went to grab her phone. Her phone had died because she had forgotten to charge itst night.


    Song Qingchun immediately climbed out of bed, put her phone into charge, and walked into the bathroom. She nced at the clock on the wall as she did, and she realized with a start it was already 11.30 am.


    Song Empire¡¯s event was going to start at 3 pm, so it looked like she was going to miss work that day.


    As Song Qingchun walked into the bathroom, she tried toe up with a valid-sounding reason for her boss on why she had missed the whole day of work.


    Many excuses came up in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind while she was in the shower, but she hadn¡¯t settled on a satisfactory one when she was brushing her teeth in front of the mirror. Her eyes swept the bite marks on her exposed skin, and her train of thought went from excuses for her boss to the sexy scenes with Su Zhinian.


    She gulped subconsciously and identally swallowed a mouthful of toothpaste. She shook her head once more, trying to push those thoughts out of her mind. Then she lowered her burning face and tried to focus on brushing her teeth.


    Song Qingchun went downstairs to grab a ss of water in the kitchen when she saw the note left by Su Zhinian on the fridge.


    It was only a short few words. "Breakfast is in the oven."


    Unbeknownst to her, Song Qingchun¡¯s gaze that stared at the note softened with affection. Her lips curved into a happy smile. She stuck the note to her pajamas as she waltzed to the oven to retrieve the breakfast that Su Zhinian had purchased for her. She sat at the dining table and finished every single bit.


    Song Qingchun left Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow at 1 pm to head toward the clubhouse where Song Empire¡¯s event was held.

 Chapter 379: Thank You for Letting Me Love You (2)

    Chapter 379: Thank You for Letting Me Love You (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    When she arrived, the venue was already crowded. She sought out Song Menghwa and Fang Rou first. After greeting them, she turned around and met Tang Nuan.


    Both of them pretended the other wasn¡¯t there, and they brushed past each other. After bidding farewell to an uncle who she had known since she was a child, she ran into Qin Yinan.


    She had quite a good chat with him, if not for the sudden interruption of Tang Nuan.


    Song Qingchun told herself that she needed to fess up to Brother Yinan about the truth that Tang Nuan had cheated on him. However, thinking about how loyal and charmed Qin Yinan was toward Tang Nuan all these years, she simply couldn¡¯t bring herself to do it.


    Even though it was Tang Nuan who was disloyal to him, for some reason, the guilt weighed down on Song Qingchun. As Qin Yinan smiled genially at her, the feeling of guilt intensified. In the end, she made up an excuse and escaped the scene.


    Actually, she didn¡¯t have to use the bathroom, but when Song Menghwa called her, her gaze swept her shoulders as she turned around, and the bite marks on her chest that was covered up by concealer had started to show.


    Afraid that her father might notice it, she said hurriedly that she had to use the bathroom. As she used the concealer to ther over those bite marks, the memory of how they got there appeared in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind.


    What is wrong with me? Su Zhinian has already admitted it was all a mistake so why has the thought been stuck in my head for the whole day?


    Song Qingchun cupped some cold water in her hands and sshed it over her face. She was trying to bring the temperature of her burning face down as soon as possible.


    She sshed her face twice when she suddenly stopped moving. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, and her brows slowly creased.


    Something¡¯s off... She had been too flustered the night before to make any sense of it. Then, she was brought for a confusing spin by Su Zhinian and headed straight to bed after they returned. She didn¡¯t have time to mull over the incident but now that she thought about it... Howe it feels so familiar?


    Song Qingchun stopped everything she was doing and raised her fingers to touch her lips; she started to reminisce on how she felt when Su Zhinian kissed herst night. Suddenly, her finger shivered.


    The kiss fromst night was eerily simr to the kiss she had gotten from her savior at the North Sea Garden.


    Song Qingchun bit on her fingernails as she contemted this "coincidence".


    Su Zhinian said, it was not him who saved me...


    But if it was not him, how could the two kisses be so simr? Is he lying?


    Song Qingchun frowned deeply and stood there for a long time before pulling back her thoughts.


    Argh, this is so confusing. I¡¯ll just ask him when I have the chance. Furthermore, Father sounded like he had something important to tell me when he called me just now.


    Song Qingchun fixed her make-up and pushed everything back into her purse before turning to head out of the bathroom.


    She had pulled the door open a sliver when arge force pushed it in from the outside. The strength of the force made her falter back a few steps. When she steadied herself, the door had been mmed close, and a man wearing the uniform from the clubhouse was standing in the room with her.


    Song Qingchun was dazed and was about to demand an exnation when the man rushed over to press her against the wall and reached out to mp his palm over her mouth.

 Chapter 380: Thank You for Letting Me Love You (3)

    Chapter 380: Thank You for Letting Me Love You (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    A crisp sound drifted into her ears, and then she felt the touch of something cold and sharp on her neck. The man holding her hostage leaned into her ear and whispered threateningly, "If you do not want me to slice your neck, you¡¯d better listen to me obediently."


    Then, Song Qingchun saw the man drop a backpack he was carrying on the floor. He pulled Song Qingchun roughly and forced her to look at the bag as he kicked it and added with warning, "Take out the working clothes inside and put them on."


    The man didn¡¯t have the patience to drag this out, so when he noticed Song Qingchun had hesitated for three seconds, he pushed the knife he had on her neck deeper and hissed, "Quick!"


    Song Qingchun felt a shot of paine from her neck, and something sticky trickled down. She was scared into motion. She bent over to take the overalls out from the backpack and put them over her dress.


    As she pulled the overalls over her head, she surreptitiously slipped off the jewelry she had on and dropped them into the overalls¡¯ pocket.


    After she put the overalls fully on, the man immediately urged her to start moving. Worried that he might discover the purse she¡¯d left on the sink counter, Song Qingchun didn¡¯t struggle and followed his order obediently. The man¡¯s arm was ced intimately on her waist, but in reality, that was where the knife was held. They exited the bathroom like that, joined to each other.


    Before entering the emergency exit, Song Qingchun silently took her bracelet out of the pocket and dropped it on the floor.


    If she disappeared from the venue, eventually, someone woulde look for her. She didn¡¯t know whether someone would notice the trail she¡¯d left behind or not, but it was better than nothing.


    Discounting the purse, she only had four pieces of jewelry to make the trails.


    Song Qingchun was a nervous wreck, but she tried to calm down and think about the strategic locations that she would leave these four pieces of jewelry.


    In the underground parking lot, Song Qingchun managed to drop her ne outside a yellow Buick minivan before she was shoved into it.


    The minivan¡¯s windows were all heavily tinted, so it was impossible for those from the outside to look in. When she was forced into the car, the person waiting inside immediately stered her mouth with tape and bound both her arms behind her.


    Other than herself, there were three other men inside the minivan. One of them was young, almost the same age as her. He sat in front of her.


    The one who sat beside her was rotund. He was wearing a tank top, revealing two arms that were tattooed with dragons.


    A middle-aged man was driving the minivan. He had a deep cut on his face.


    As the minivan turned right out of the clubhouse, it sped down the highway.


    The three men inside the car were quiet; they didn¡¯t share any conversation between them. The only motion was when the young man sitting in front of her answered a call. He responded sinctly, "All done."


    Then he hung up.


    Song Qingchun had been through many life-threatening incidents, but this was not something that one could get used it with experience. She was afraid... because this was, after all, an abduction!

 Chapter 381: Thank You for Letting Me Love You (4)

    Chapter 381: Thank You for Letting Me Love You (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She felt like her heart was going to jump out of her chest soon.


    She had no idea how long the car had been going or how fast it was going. Through the window, she could only see that they were heading toward the countryside. Initially, she could see the asional car or two on the road, but now there was nothing but trees and mountains.


    The fog was heavy that day, she could barely see beyond fifty meters. The day had passed, and the road they were on had no streetlights. The headlights of the minivan were the only source of light for miles, and this didn¡¯t bode well for Song Qingchun.


    Sometimeter, even the road condition had gotten worse. The road started to shrink, and the tires kept bouncing over bumps and holes in the ground.


    After that treacherous stretch ofnd, the driver with the scar on his face wanted to step on the pas pedal when a ray of light filtered through the fog. Song Qingchun shut her eyes from the bright light. The driver cursed loudly and pressed the horn multiple times. The car from the other end didn¡¯t stop and proceed to ram into the minivan. The vehicles crashed with a loud bang, and Song Qingchun was tossed around inside the car before the world slowed to a stop, and the sound of the engine went off.


    There was about half a minute of silence inside the car before the man sitting closest to Song Qingchun cursed. He rolled down the window and cursed loudly, "Motherf*cker, do you know how to drive or not?"


    There was no answer from the other side.


    "Let¡¯s just ignore him, we have something more important to attend to," the young man sitting in front of Song Qingchun said in a calm tone.


    The men inside the minivan heeded his advice, and the engine was started again. The car opposite from the minivan pulled back drastically. Then, there was a long stretch where Song Qingchun heard the sound of rubber grinding on asphalt. Before the minivan could start its engine, the car rammed into it again.


    The minivan¡¯s lights went off once again. The driver was cursing the house down. He tried to start the engine, but the car simply wouldn¡¯t start.


    The car opposite was twisted until it had lost its original shape, but one of its headlights was still blinking. Song Qingchun felt that car looked very familiar.


    She couldn¡¯t identify whose car it was. Then the car door was pushed open, and a person walked out from it.


    Due to the fog andck of light, Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t catch a good look of his face.


    The person stood where he was and stared at the minivan for about thirty seconds before he retreated to the trunk of his car to retrieve something that looked like a metal pole. Then, he started to move toward the minivan.


    "F*ck, what is going on?" the driver yelled before turning around to nce at Song Qingchun. "Don¡¯t tell me he¡¯s here for this little girlie?"


    The fat man beside Song Qingchun turned around to re at her and asked, "You know him?"


    "Don¡¯t waste your breath. There are three of us and one him, what is there to be afraid of?" Song Qingchun realized it was the young man who made the call among this group of ruffians. He paused for a moment before turning around to look at the fat man beside Song Qingchun. "I¡¯ll go down and you."


    Then, he looked at the driver while pointing at Song Qingchun. "You keep a good look on her."

 Chapter 382: Thank You for Letting Me Love You (5)

    Chapter 382: Thank You for Letting Me Love You (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The driver nced at Song Qingchun through the rear-view mirror and promised confidently, "Leave it to me."


    The young man didn¡¯t respond but bent over to grab a wooden stick about one meter long from underneath the chair. Then he pushed open the door and got down.


    The fat man beside Song Qingchun followed soon after. He pulled a dagger about ten centimeters long from his pocket and unsheathed it. He looked at it, and as if unsatisfied, he tossed the dagger back into the car and searched for a wooden stick from underneath the seat. This time, Song Qingchun got a clearer look, and the wooden stick had been sharpened at one end.


    The fat man didn¡¯t close the door, so Song Qingchun could hear the conversation outside rather clearly.


    It was the young man who called out first. "Who are you? You¡¯re here for the person in the car?"


    "Let her go."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes widened to their maximum when she heard the voice.


    It¡¯s Brother Yinan... He found the clues I left behind and chased after me the entire way?


    "Let her go? You must be kidding; do you know how much time and money we¡¯ve wasted to catch her?" This time it was the fat man who answered.


    "Tell me what you want, I will try my best to fulfil it. As long as you let her go, I will pretend this never happen; I won¡¯t even call the police."


    Before Qin Yinan finished, the young man scoffed like he had heard the greatest joke ever. "Man, we¡¯ve heard that line many times before. If you know what¡¯s good for you, I advise you turn back now before you yourself get hurt."


    It was quiet for about ten seconds before Qin Yinan¡¯s gentle voice began again. "This is a nk cheque; you can put down any amount you like."


    "Stop wasting my time, who knows, perhaps you¡¯ve already called the cops and just stalling for them toe? Regardless of the amount of money, we will not let go of the girl because what we need is her life!" The fat man had quite a temper on him. It was obvious that he didn¡¯t wish to drag this on with Qin Yinan. He cut him off fiendishly. "If you still refuse to budge, then I don¡¯t mind digging another grave."


    Before the fat man could finish, Song Qingchun suddenly heard a scream. It was followed by an angry roar from the fat man, "F*ck, how dare you kick me?"


    Then, there was a crazymotion. There was shouting, fighting, cursing, and yelling. From the sound alone, Song Qingchun¡¯s heart was beating erratically.


    Qin Yinan had once served in the military, so he was quite good at fighting. He wanted to incapacitate the group of kidnappers without killing them, but in the midst ofbat, he realized the two men were also trained mercenaries. They were fast and furious; they didn¡¯t hold back and aimed to kill with every move.


    Furthermore, Qin Yinan was outnumbered. When the wooden stick almost poked through his chest, he swung the metal pole expertly around andnded a hit on the fat man¡¯s arm. As the fat man screamed, the wooden stick in his grasp cluttered to the floor. The young man was distracted by his aplice¡¯s scream, and Qin Yinan made use of that opening to whack him right on his head.


    Song Qingchun, who couldn¡¯t see outside of the car, was beyond worried.

 Chapter 383: Thank You for Letting Me Love You (6)

    Chapter 383: Thank You for Letting Me Love You (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    While themotion was going on, Song Qingchun tried her best to crawl toward the door that the fat man had left open.


    However, she moved exceptionally slow because all her limbs were tied up. When she finally got herself to the edge of the seat, the driver¡¯s door suddenly burst open. The driver, who had been left behind in the car, jumped out and grabbed her arm roughly, pulling her out of the car. "Stop what you¡¯re doing!"


    The driver dragged Song Qingchun to the front of the minivan. Song Qingchun¡¯s legs were bound, so she was unable to maintain her bnce. When the driver released his grip on her, she copsed to the floor headfirst. Before pain could register, the driver pulled her up by her hair and ced a knife on her neck, warning, "If you don¡¯t stop now, I will kill her instantly!"


    When Qin Yinan saw that, the metal pole that was heading toward the fat man suddenly stopped. "Song Song!"


    "Drop the weapon in your hand!" the driver threatened.


    Even though Song Qingchun¡¯s mouth was taped, she looked Qin Yinan in his eyes and shook her head.


    "Song Song!" Qin Yinan understood this meant that she didn¡¯t want him to toss his only weapon away. He himself knew that if he lost the metal pole, it would most likely spell the end for both of them. His grip tightened on the metal pole, and he continued to yell her name.


    "Drop it!" The driver added pressure to the knife on Song Qingchun¡¯s neck. A trickle of red started to flow down her fair neck.


    Qin Yinan didn¡¯t hesitate this time and released the pole from his grip. The next second, the fat man, who had been moaning in pain on the ground, grabbed the falling pole and aimed it angrily at Qin Yinan¡¯s head.


    With a moan, Qin Yinan¡¯s normally kind face grimaced with pain. Half a minuteter, blood started to pour openly down his face. Then, the fat mannded another powerful blow on his back. Qin Yinan wavered slightly before kneeling to the floor.


    The fat man¡¯s eyes were burning from fury, probably incensed by Qin Yinan¡¯s assault on him earlier. Even though Qin Yinan had already copsed on the floor, he didn¡¯t let up on his assault. He raised his foot and stomped right on Qin Yinan¡¯s broken body. His added weightbined with his bloodlust meant that his hits were more lethal than normal.


    Qin Yinan was still recovering from the hit to his head, so he couldn¡¯t retaliate even if he wanted to. The only thing he could do was raise his hands and shield his head from the relentless assault.


    With a malicious glint in his eyes, the fat man aimed a powerful kick at Qin Yinan¡¯s stomach, causing him to cough up a mouthful of blood and stomach acid.


    Song Qingchun was in throes of despair, watching this. She struggled earnestly, ignoring the knife on her neck. Her tears fell like pearls, soaking the tape over her mouth. The edge of the tape started to loosen, its adhesive weakened by her tears.


    She shook her faces continuously as if trying to will the situation before her away. As she did so, the tape slid from her mouth.


    Song Qingchun wailed, "Brother Yinan!"


    She then chomped on the driver¡¯s palm, putting all of her strength into that bite.


    An intense pain shook the driver¡¯s arm, and the de he was holding fell to the floor. As if working on instinct, his hands that were grabbing Song Qingchun¡¯s hair gathered strength, and he mmed her head right against the front of the car.


    The pain radiating through her mind blotted out Song Qingchun¡¯s sight, and she almost copsed.

 Chapter 384: Thank You for Letting Me Love You (7)

    Chapter 384: Thank You for Letting Me Love You (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Her bite on the driver¡¯s palm loosened slightly from her wavering consciousness. However, she held on stubbornly with herst shred of persistence.


    The pain on his hand inmed the driver. He twisted Song Qingchun¡¯s hair and mmed her head once one time on the side of the car. Then, he proceeded to grind her face on it.


    The second hit knocked the wind out of Song Qingchun. Her vision started to fail, and she felt something weting out of her nose. It flowed into her lips; it tasted like iron.


    Perhaps it was due to the pain, Song Qingchun didn¡¯t release her jaw and sunk her teeth even deeper into the driver¡¯s flesh.


    Her head was pulled roughly back from the surface of the car. Through what appeared to be a haze, Song Qingchun could see Qin Yinan, who had gonepletely still on the floor. Hey there like a dead body, allowing the still-angry fat man toy the punishment on him. The fat man by now was straddled over Qin Yinan, whacking his head continuously while cackling like a madman.


    Fresh blood spurted out and covered the fat man¡¯s face and body.


    Then, her head was mmed against the car for the third time. Before the pain even had the chance to register, Song Qingchun felt her consciousness fading. Is this the end?


    She had been through so many dangers, but there was not once where it was like this, where she was put through so many suffering... because someone would appear at the most opportune moment to save her, so why didn¡¯t he appear that day?


    The thought was fractured in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind as the driver mmed her head one more time against the sturdy car.


    This time she didn¡¯t feel anything, not even pain. Song Qingchun¡¯s teeth on the man¡¯s palm loosened because she didn¡¯t have any energy left in her anymore, not even the energy to sense pain.


    The driver sucked in a deep breath as he massaged his bloody palm. Then he walked to Song Qingchun¡¯s side and mimicked his fat friend and kicked the girl¡¯s heavily in her stomach.


    Song Qingchun was sent flying up into the air like a piece of paper beforending heavily on the rough surface. She felt the bones in her body crack; there was simrly no pain, but she could barely move her body anymore. It was as if she was pulled out of the situation, and from where she was perched, she could see her body shaking, probably from pain and fear.


    The next second, her vision went hazy again, and she realized she was looking from the perspective of her body once more. She saw a blurry figure, who she supposed was the driver, pick up the dagger from the floor and slowly walked toward her.


    He¡¯sing to end me, so fate truly cannot be escaped? But who is behind all this? Who wants me dead so badly?


    With a rity that belied exnation, she noticed the fat man had stood up from Qin Yinan¡¯s body. He was perhaps tired and had finished his "fun". The fat man then spat on Qin Yinan¡¯s face and grabbed a wooden stick that was lying on the floor. He tossed it in his hand as if trying to test its weight before turning its pointy end toward Qin Yinan¡¯s chest. Then, like a vampire hunter who was trying to push a stake through its victim¡¯s heart, the fat man shoved the wooden stick straight at Qin Yinan.


    Perhaps my time has arrived, but what has Brother Yinan done to have to die with me?


    My guardian angel, where are you?


    The clouded image of Su Zhinian appeared in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind. Suddenly, she wished to see his face... before she died, she wished to see him onest time... or to hear even his voice...


    Song Qingchun¡¯s thread of consciousness had reached its limits. Thest image she saw before she wentpletely under was the dagger in the driver¡¯s hands that came plunging at her heart.

 Chapter 385: Thank You for Letting Me Love You (8)

    Chapter 385: Thank You for Letting Me Love You (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Thest thought on her mind was rather illogical, then again, so was the whole situation. The pain from a knife being plunged through flesh must be incredibly great.


    However, before she could know the answer, darkness swallowed her world. Before she gotpletely knocked out, she heard the sound of a caring from afar. It sounded very familiar, like the sound of Su Zhinian¡¯s car, the sound of the engine revving every morning as he left for work.


    Has Su Zhinian really arrived or is this my mind tricking me at thest moment of my life?


    Song Qingchun tried her best to flip her eyes open to get a closer look, but there seemed to be a thousand tons pressed down on her eyelids. In the end, the darkness caught up to her and dragged her down into the abyss.


    ...


    Even though he had contacted Qin Yinan to go look for Song Qingchun, Su Zhinian was still a worried mess. As he rushed to the private clubhouse that hosted Song Empire¡¯s event, he kept ncing at his phone.


    It had been twenty minutes, and there was still no reply from Qin Yinan.


    The anxiety that had been troubling Su Zhinian for the past few days started to beset him again. It caused him to have difficulty breathing. He grabbed his phone and gave Qin Yinan a call. The phone rang for a long time, but no one answered.


    Su Zhinian hung up to call Song Qingchun instead. When he thought the call going to go into voicemail, the call was answered.


    The normally calm Su Zhinian blurted out Song Qingchun¡¯s name out of pure excitement. "Qingchun?"


    "It¡¯s me." It was a male voice who answered. "Qin Yinan."


    Su Zhinian was confused for a moment before asking, "Why is it you? Where¡¯s Qingchun?"


    Qin Yinan on the other end of the phone was silent. Su Zhinian got the answer he needed from that period of silence. His hand that was ced over the steering wheel shook, and his car almost ran into the highway railing. He mmed on the brake and repeated his question. "Where is Qingchun?"


    "I¡¯m sorry, I was one step toote; she has been taken." Qin Yinan¡¯s voice was raw. "But she left behind some clues. Based on those clues, I managed to find out it was a yellow Buick minivan that has taken her, and it was heading north; I¡¯m chasing after it now."


    Su Zhinian hung up before Qin Yinan could finish his report. With shaking fingers, he sought out Cheng Qingchong¡¯s number and gave his secretary a call. Before she could say anything, he ordered in a hurry, "Contact Doctor Xia and have him prepare an ambnce to follow my car."


    Since Song Qingchun had been abducted, it didn¡¯t bode well for her. Therefore, he needed to have a medical unit on standby. Su Zhinian added, "Also blood packs, bring enough blood packs. O type blood."


    This was Song Qingchun¡¯s blood type. Su Zhinian believed it was be necessary should anything bad happen to Song Qingchun.


    Su Zhinian rattled off his orders, and before Cheng Qingchong could even question what was happening, he ended the call after saying, "In a moment, I will share my GPS location to your phone. Use it to keep track of my location."


    After he did as he promised, he called Qin Yinan.


    Along the way, Su Zhinian kept a constant channel ofmunication with Qin Yinan. After he had been driving for two hours, Su Zhinian finally managed to triangte Qin Yinan¡¯s location from the descriptions given by the other man.


    Su Zhinian was worried that something might happen to Song Qingchun. Since they had been giving chase for so long and still hadn¡¯t seen a trace of the minivan, Su Zhinian told Qin Yinan to turn into a shortcut to cut before the group of abductors.

 Chapter 386: Thank You for Letting Me Love You (9)

    Chapter 386: Thank You for Letting Me Love You (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Fifteen minutester, Qin Yinan told him on the phone that he had seen the minivan. When he heard this news, he ordered Qin Yinan immediately, "Run your car into it!"


    Qin Yinan was startled by his order. "What?"


    "The road ahead is a mountain raise; it¡¯s very narrow. If we allow them to go on it, it¡¯ll be very hard to catch up to them, so we have to stop them at where you are!" Su Zhinian exined and ordered once more with force, "Step on the gas and ram your car into theirs!"


    ...


    After a resounding boom, Su Zhinian could feel the car shaking from Qin Yinan¡¯s side.


    "Are you okay?" Su Zhinian asked.


    Half a minuteter, Qin Yinan¡¯s reply came, "I¡¯m fine."


    Then Su Zhinian heard the sound of car engine starting through the phone; the engine of Qin Yinan¡¯s car hadn¡¯t died, so this meant that it was the minivan that was holding Song Qingchun. Su Zhinian ordered with vehemence, "Quickly back up and knock into them again! Crush their engine!"


    ...


    After he hung up the phone, Su Zhinian paid full attention to the road. He didn¡¯t know how many times his feet had pressed on the gas pedal, which had reached its maximum, before he could finally hear Qin Yinan¡¯s voice.


    Due to the long distance, he could only hear snippets of it. After ten minutes of driving, a wicked sounding voice appeared beside his ears. "If you don¡¯t stop now, I will kill her instantly!"


    "Song Song!"


    This is Qin Yinan¡¯s voice. Someone is threatening Song Qingchun¡¯s life?


    Su Zhinian¡¯s heart started to race. His car was already travelling at its maximum speed, but he still felt it was going way too slowly. As he got closer, the situation on Song Qingchun¡¯s side got clearer.


    There was the sound of metal hitting against flesh followed by the copsing sound of something heavy. Then, it was the sound of beating and cursing, moaning and screaming. In the midst of it all, there was the sound of Qin Yinan¡¯s subdued groans and what sounded like Song Qingchun¡¯s incoherent and stifled screams and crying.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s hands that gripped the steering wheel were white from force. Even though he wasn¡¯t there personally, he could imagine how violent and brutal it must be.


    There was a sound of someone coughing, Song Qingchun¡¯s scream of "Brother Yinan" muffled by her tears, and then a man¡¯s scream of pain, which was immediately followed by, "F*ck, you little bitch, let me go!"


    After that, Su Zhinian heard a loud bang. Before he realized what it was, Song Qingchun¡¯s groan of pain drifted into his ears. The pain was on her body, but it tore up his heart. At that moment, he felt like an invisible hand was gripping his heart tightly, causing such intense pain that he could barely breathe.


    His face immediately nched.


    His eyes darkened like a brewing storm when the second bang filtered into his ears. His face was as white as a piece of paper.


    His heart trembled when he heard something heavy like a bodynding with a thud on the floor. It was then that he finally saw a ray of light shooting through the darkened highway. The light wasing from in front of him.


    As he got closer, Su Zhinian realized it was a single headlight.


    He immediately switched on his high beam. Utilizing the bright ray as well as his superhuman sight, Su Zhinian had a clear view of the overall situation.

 Chapter 387: Thank You for Letting Me Love You (10)

    Chapter 387: Thank You for Letting Me Love You (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    A man was plunging a dagger toward Song Qingchun¡¯s heart. Another man was in the middle of sinking a sharpened wooden stake into Qin Yinan¡¯s chest.


    He could use his superpower to take control of one of them, but if he saved Song Qingchun, Qin Yinan would be a goner.


    He didn¡¯t have the time to make the decision because his car had already reached the yellow minivan.


    He mmed on the brake, and before even the car slowed to a stop, he pushed open the door and jumped out of it. He dashed without hesitation at the fat man who was closest to him. He fired at him like a loose cannon.


    At the same time, the driver who was holding the dagger suddenly stopped moving. Simrly, Su Zhinian seemed to have entered still frame because he too had stopped moving.


    The next second, the driver with the dagger suddenly twisted his wrist around and stabbed himself angrily in his chest.


    Following the blood-curdling scream, Su Zhinianunched his body into the air and kicked at the fat man¡¯s head, knocking his heavy body about one meter away.


    "F*ck, who kicked me..." The fat mannded on his head, and it took part of his consciousness away. The curse word was halfway out of his mouth, when he felt something pressed down hard on his chest, like someone was stepping on him.


    The fat man reared his head around, trying to see who it was, when he felt big droplets of liquid falling on his face. It smelled very much like iron.


    He raised his hand to swipe the liquid that had fallen near his eyes away before he managed to catch a closer look of the man who was looking down on him. Due to his blurry vision and the fact that the man was standing facing away from the light, the fat man was unable to catch his identity. However, he managed to see how the wound on his chest was rapidly dying his shirt red.


    The man was taking in deep breaths, and he swayed unstably like he would copse at any moment; even so, the presence that radiated off him was spine-chilling.


    The figure dripping in blood was like a menace looking at the fat man directly from his worst nightmare. He uttered in a shaking voice, "Who are..."


    Before he could get the rest of his question out, the man raised the leg that was pressed on his chest and kicked right on his head, knocking him outpletely.


    The originally chaotic scene suddenly turned incredibly quiet. A cold breeze blew, and the smell of blood was heavy in the air.


    With a single hand on the floor, Su Zhinian supported himself in a kneeling position. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. With a shaking body, he forced himself to stand up.


    He gritted his teeth and shuffled toward Song Qingchun with faltering steps. His every step looked like it might be hisst.


    When he was one meter away from her, he finally copsed.


    He nced at the driver to make sure that he was really unconscious before he started crawling toward Song Qingchun and reached out his bloody hand to caress her face.

 Chapter 388: Thank You for Letting Me Love You (11)

    Chapter 388: Thank You for Letting Me Love You (11)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The nightmare and anxiety that had been troubling him was truly an omen. However, he didn¡¯t expect them toe true so soon. If only he could have arrived sooner...


    When he had driven her back home that early morning, he had thought, if truly his nightmare was going toe true and some danger was going toe to Song Qingchun, it probably had plenty to do with the deliveryman.


    Therefore, after he settled everything at work, he had rushed to the police station. However, he was still toote. If only he had skipped work and gone to the police station to interrogate the deliveryman directly, then this whole tragedy could have been avoided, right?


    His handsome face grimaced from pain. He tried his best to suppress the groan that was threatening to escape from his lips as his fingertips slowly touched her skin. His eyes that stared at her were as gentle as water, and a wisp of a smile appeared on his lips.


    However, it is still not toote, is it?


    He had still managed to arrive at the veryst moment to save and protect her.


    Furthermore, he had managed to take her back to the ce where they first met the other day. Even though it was not like his dream where she materialized down the other end of the alleyway and met his eyes, it was the next best thing. He had told her everything he had been keeping in his heart, and he left her in the care of a good man.


    So, he should be happy, because even without him, she would survive. But howe the worry in his heart still wouldn¡¯t disperse?


    The slight groan eventually escaped from Su Zhinian¡¯s lips. He was not afraid of death, and he had died for her; it was all worth it. He was afraid that no one would look after her anymore when he was gone.


    Therefore, if it was possible, he really didn¡¯t want to put himself in such a dangerous position.


    In that situation, she and Qin Yinan had been in mortal danger. He couldn¡¯t not save one or the other. He knew if he saved Song Qingchun but allowed Qin Yinan to die, she would cry her heart out, and the biggest fear he had in his life was to see her cry.


    He didn¡¯t dare leave any one of the two abductors with weapons or take down one before focusing on the other. Furthermore, he was quite far away from her... he was afraid that it might be toote, or he might get caught up fighting the fat man. He was afraid of putting her in dangerous situation... because the one thing he didn¡¯t have the courage to ce as bet in this whole wide world was her safety.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s fingers that caressed Song Qingchun¡¯s face started to weaken. He tried his best to make his fingers stay on her face longer, but he couldn¡¯t help it when his hand slowly slid down from her face.


    The memories that he treasured at the bottom of his heart, the source of his pain and happiness, the days that they once shared, they all started to sh across his mind.


    When he moved into her house and she offered him her hand as introduction, he shouldn¡¯t have left a bad impression due to his jealousy of Qin Yinan. He should have greeted her with a smile. "Nice to meet you, my name is Su Zhinian."


    When they spent the whole afternoon in the bungalow ying the online game and she stole the equipment from his avatar and imed shamelessly that "everything that belongs to the husband belongs to the wife as well," he shouldn¡¯t have gone silent but replied, "As long as you want it, everything that I have is yours."

 Chapter 389: Thank You for Letting Me Love You (12)

    Chapter 389: Thank You for Letting Me Love You (12)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    After he got drunk and forced himself on her, he should have apologized, or anything was better than what he did. When she pointed her finger at him and chased him out of her house, he should have begged for her forgiveness, starting by saying sincerely, "I am sorry."


    When she appeared at his house five yearster, he shouldn¡¯t have forced her out because he was afraid of facing his own emotions. Instead, he should have said, "Tingting, I¡¯ve missed you so much over these years."


    When she came to ask him to take over Song Empire, he shouldn¡¯t have made her jump through so many hoops ande up with some ridiculous contract. He should have been open about it and said, "Even if you didn¡¯te to me, I would have helped you."


    When she asked whether he was the person she was looking for, he shouldn¡¯t have said those hurtful words. He should havee clean and said, "Yes, I¡¯ve always been by your side."


    When he heard her desire was for him to be good to her forever, he shouldn¡¯t have escaped because of fear. He should look into her eyes and promised, "Tingting, as long as you wish it, I will be good for you forever."


    He should, he shouldn¡¯t, he shouldn¡¯t, he should...


    There were many ¡¯he should¡¯s within their rtionship, but he had always chosen the he shouldn¡¯t.


    His secrecy and cruelty were born out of a desire to protect her, just like now, hisst kindness was to save her the knowledge and guilt that he had died for her...


    Su Zhinian slowly closed his eyes. Suddenly, he heard Cheng Qingchong¡¯s voice, and he was reminded of thetest choice between the he should and he shouldn¡¯t that he had just made. He believed this was perhaps thest choice he would make in his life, and in the end, he still chose to do something he shouldn¡¯t.


    The sound of the car engine neared. Su Zhinian opened his blurry eyes, and he could see the approaching headlights.


    He tried desperately to move closer to her lips, to kiss her. He mustered every ounce of energy he had remained within him, but as he raised his head, it fell greatly against the cold asphalt once more.


    I¡¯m sorry, I can¡¯t even give you onest goodbye kiss.


    I¡¯m sorry, I can¡¯t continue to love you anymore, even if I desperately wanted to.


    I¡¯m sorry... I¡¯m really really sorry.


    But do you know?


    Tingting, I¡¯m d because you¡¯ve given me the opportunity to love you. So, thank you, but this is where the road ends.


    Following the sound of screeching tires, the door of the ambnce burst open. Cheng Qingchong was the first to jump out. She ran to Su Zhinian, and before she could get a word out, her tears had started to fall like an open faucet. "CEO Su, CEO Su, hang in there!"


    With tears streaming down her face, she turned to yell frantically, "Doctor Xia, where is Doctor Xia?"


    "Cheng Qingchong..." Su Zhinian suddenly raised his hand to pull on her finger. Cheng Qingchong immediately turned back around to look at Su Zhinian.


    The man¡¯s lips moved, and his voice came slowly. Cheng Qingchong leaned in closer and closer until she could hear his weak voice ask, "Do you still remember the three orders I gave you on the car?"


    Cheng Qingchong nodded as her tears fell more freely.


    "Get Doctor Xia to give me a shot to stop the blood flow. Apply a quick bandage and take me away now in my car. The police will arrive soon." After that, Su Zhinian tossed Cheng Qingchong an appreciative gaze.


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s tears fell like waterworks. She really didn¡¯t want to abide by his orders. However, even though she had learned many things following Su Zhinian all these years, the only thing she hadn¡¯t learned was to say no to him.


    ...


    Cheng Qingchong supported Su Zhinian into his car. Cheng Qingchong started the engine, backed out, and left while tears continued to flow out of her eyes.


    As the car left the scene, Su Zhinian felt the energy in his body slowly draining. His eyelids started to droop, and the memory of better days started to materialize before his eyes. Beside a crowded roadside, he could see her holding two lollipops in her hands and her juvenile voice saying, "Big Brother says you¡¯re a bad man, so you have to be a bad man."

 Chapter 390: The Contract Ends (1)

    Chapter 390: The Contract Ends (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun felt like she had been dreaming for a very long time. When she opened her eyes, she was staring at a white ceiling; it felt like she was in another world. Her surroundings were quiet except for the asional sound of footsteps outside the door.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s brain was apletely nk. She stared at the ceiling for a long time before she slowly moved her head to look out the window.


    The weather was perfect, the open blue sky not tainted by a single piece of cloud. The sun was hanging up in the middle of the sky, shining down gloriously on the world. The window was slightly ajar, and the spring breeze carried with it the wonderful smell of grass and flowers, tickling the curtains.


    Such wonderful weather made Song Qingchun¡¯s lips curve into a smile. Her gaze moved away from the window and into the room. Her eyes caught the bag of IV drip that was to the side of her bed. She then noticed it was attached to the needle on the back of her left arm.


    What¡¯s going on? Have I fallen sick?


    Song Qingchun wanted to raise her right hand to feel her body, but when she tried to move it, she realized it was heavily held in someone¡¯s grasp. She frowned and turned to look to her right. She saw Song Menghwa¡¯s head that was lying on top of her bedside slowly rise.


    The first emotion that registered in Song Menghwa¡¯s eyes was shock. He then raised his hand to wave it before Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes to make sure that her pupils were able to follow his motion. Then, he rushed out the door yelling, "She¡¯s awake; she¡¯s awake..."


    He ran back into the room to pick up the phone by her bed and made a call.


    The door to the bathroom was pushed open, and Fang Rou came running in. Her face split into a smile when she saw that Song Qingchun was awake. "Qingchun, you¡¯re finally awake! Do you know how worried we were? You¡¯ve been out for three days and four nights already!"


    Three days and four nights? I¡¯ve been asleep for so long?


    Song Qingchun¡¯s brain was still waking up. She didn¡¯t really understand what was happening when a group of people in white garbs started to crowd the room.


    There were men and women among the group. They surrounded her trying to get her blood pressure and record her heartbeat. One of them even pried her eyelids open to give it a look.


    Half an hourter, most of the group finally dispersed. Song Qingchun sighed in relief. Then, one of the taller guys removed his mask and asked her, "Can you still remember your name?"


    Song Qingchun frowned and noted the doctor didn¡¯t seem like he was joking with her, so after a moment of silence, she answered, "Song Qingchun."


    "Then, do you know who this is?" The doctor turned to point at Song Menghwa who was being supported by Fang Rou.


    Song Qingchun answered, "My father."


    "How about this?" The doctor pointed at Fang Rou.


    "My sister-inw."


    After Song Qingchun answered all of his questions, the doctor turned to Song Menghwa and Fang Rou with a smile. "There doesn¡¯t seem to be anything wrong with Miss Song. We couldn¡¯t find any blood clots in her brain, and there are no signs of amnesia. Her prolonged period of sleep is probably due to the head trauma that she suffered. Currently, she is still recovering from a slightly concussion, but after a period of rest, she¡¯ll be fine."


    Head trauma... Concussion...


    When the doctor said those words, the memory of the abduction slowly filled up her nk mind. Her brows creased, and the images from that night gradually flooded her mind.

 Chapter 391: The Contract Ends (2)

    Chapter 391: The Contract Ends (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She remembered the dagger that had been heading for her chest.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s hand involuntarily reached for her left chest. The sensation of pain that she expected didn¡¯te. Her hands paused for a few moments before she added the pressure on her palm. She pressed on her chest several times before she could be convinced that she really wasn¡¯t injured there.


    The dagger didn¡¯t make contact with her body... this meant that at the veryst minute, someone had saved her.


    Even though her consciousness was gging then, she could still feel the intention to kill from the driver, so he couldn¡¯t have stopped at thest minute.


    At the time, other than the three abductors and her, there was only Brother Yinan... but Brother Yinan was already unconscious, assaulted by the fat man.


    So, it was not Brother Yinan who saved me... Song Qingchun¡¯s train of thought halted for two seconds, and her eyes shone as if she just remembered something. Could it be my guardian angel, the person who has been watching over me?


    Then Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes burned with conviction. Yes, it must be him, because only he would appear at the moment I need help the most! If only I¡¯d held on and didn¡¯t faint so soon, I would have been able to confirm the identity of this guardian angel with my own two eyes!


    Song Qingchun bit her lips with some resentment. As she lowered her head, she was suddenly reminded of Qin Yinan. She turned around and asked Song Menghwa and Fang Rou, "Where¡¯s Brother Yinan?"


    She had seen with her own two eyes how aggressive and relentless that fat man was... In fact, she remembered that the sharpened stick was raised above the fat man¡¯s head as he plunged it right at Qin Yinan¡¯s chest right before she fainted.


    In that high-tension situation, would the person who saved her also save Brother Yinan?


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t dare continue her train of thought. She held her breath and repeated the question with a shaking voice. "How is Brother Yinan?"


    "Yinan, that child, suffers a greater injury than you do. A few of his rib bones were broken and so were his legs. Thankfully, he spent a few years in the military before, and his physique is better than most. His life is not endangered, but he has to stay in the hospital for at least a month for his bones to heal," Song Menghwa answered and added at the end, "In fact, Yinan woke up two days before you did."


    Song Qingchun sighed in relief when she heard that. She reached out to pull the needle from her arm and said, "Where is Brother Yinan, I want go see him now."


    "Stay here, I¡¯ll help you." Song Menghwa reached out to stop Song Qingchun. "Yinan is just next door. Before you woke up, I went there to pay him a visit. He just had his medicine and went back to sleep. He¡¯ll probably wake up at night, so you can visit him then. For now, let this drip finish first."


    ...


    As Song Menghwa said, Qin Yinan woke up at around 7 pm.


    Song Qingchun suffered from a bit of a weakness in her body due to prolonged period in bed, but other than that, she felt fine. Therefore, she chose to have dinner in Qin Yinan¡¯s room.


    Compared to her, Qin Yinan looked a lot worse for wear. He had bandages all over his head and chest, his legs were encased in ster, and cuts as well as bruises could be seen from the littlest parts of his skin that were exposed.

 Chapter 392: The Contract Ends (3)

    Chapter 392: The Contract Ends (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    His face was bloated and heavily bruised; it looked uncannily like a color wheel with heavy emphasis on blue and green. His usual handsome features had disappeared without a trace.


    When Qin Yinan saw Song Qingchun, he smiled as he usually did. However, due to the wounds on his face, his smile had lost its usual gentleness, and it seemed rather creepy.


    "Song Song." If not for his familiar and kind voice, Song Qingchun wouldn¡¯t have believed this was her Brother Yinan.


    This happened to Brother Yinan because of me.


    "Brother Yinan." Guilt rushed at her like a tsunami, swallowing Song Qingchunpletely. She steadied herself against the rush of emotions and walked into the room, replying to his greeting.


    When she got closer, Song Qingchun realized how serious the injuries were. Wherever she looked, there wasn¡¯t a patch on him that wasn¡¯t injured in some ways.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes started to water so she lowered her head and uttered softly and sincerely, "Brother Yinan, thank you."


    Even though she only said a few words, Qin Yinan understood what she meant. He patted the empty seat beside him and replied in a low voice, "Silly girl, why did you thank me? I was just doing what I¡¯m supposed to."


    Even though Song Qingchun no longer had romantic feelings toward Qin Yinan, when she heard the gentle words escape from his mouth and the fact that he had dropped everything toe and save her when he realized she was in danger, waves of emotions filled her heart. She was touched.


    Her eyes prickled with tears, and she added softly with guilt, "I¡¯m sorry, Brother Yinan. This is all my fault. It¡¯s because of me that this happened to you."


    "No, it¡¯s my fault. I should have stayed close to you at the event." Perhaps he was still recovering because Qin Yinan halted in the middle of his sentence to take in a deep breath. Worried that it might exacerbate the guilt in Song Qingchun, Qin Yinan suppressed the pain radiating through his body and smoothed it over with a smile. After a moment¡¯s silence, he added, "No matter what, thankfully you¡¯re safe in the end. If anything really happened to you, I wouldn¡¯t have known how to face Song Cheng."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes were red with tears. Her heart was weighed down by both guilt and emotion. She opened her lips to say something, but nothing more than a sniffling sob came out. In the end, she apologized one more time and didn¡¯t know how to continue beyond that.


    Qin Yinan saw the sadness in Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes, and he reached out to pat the girl on her head. However, the wound on his body prevented him from doing so. Eventually, he smiled and changed the topic. "Fine, let¡¯s not talk about that anymore. What¡¯s for dinner?"


    ...


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart ached with guilt when she saw how Qin Yinan¡¯s hand that grabbed the chopsticks shaking as he reached for his meal. After dinner, when she noted the red in Qin Yinan¡¯s mother¡¯s eyes when she helped her son clear away the utensils, her heart wrenched with guilt even more.


    When Auntie Qin told her that she didn¡¯t need to trouble herself with the dishes, she ran into the bathroom without hesitation. Hiding in the bathroom, she surreptitiously wiped away her tears and returned to Qin Yinan¡¯s bedside only when she was feeling better.


    Qin Yinan looked drained. Hey in bed with his eyes closed. He slowly opened them when he heard the approaching footsteps.

 Chapter 393: The Contract Ends (4)

    Chapter 393: The Contract Ends (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun sat on the chair beside his bed and reached out to grab the apple and peeler that were left on the table. When she peeled the apple, Song Qingchun thanked and apologized to Qin Yinan once more. "Brother Yinan, I¡¯m sorry, and thank you so much."


    "Song Song, if you carry on with this, I am really going to be angry." Even Qin Yinan¡¯s mock-angry voice sounded weak to Song Qingchun¡¯s ears. She forced a smile and lowered her head to focus on peeling the apple.


    The room was quiet except for the faded sounding from the bathroom where Auntie Qin was washing the dishes.


    After Song Qingchun skinned the apple, she cut it into smaller pieces and fed one to Qin Yinan using a toothpick.


    When he finished the apple piece, Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t help her curiosity and asked, "Brother Yinan, is your chest injured?"


    "I don¡¯t think so," Qin Yinan answered as he bit the apple piece that Song Qingchun was dangling by the side of his mouth.


    "But before I fainted, I saw that fatty aim the wooden stake at your heart." Song Qingchun frowned.


    "That can¡¯t be true because there is no wound on my chest." Qin Yinan thought about it and suggested, "Could it be that you were mistaken?"


    "No." Song Qingchun shook her head and confirmed, "Even though my consciousness was fading at that moment, I am sure of what I saw."


    "Then..." Qin Yinan hesitated before offering another possibility. "The fatty was hurt earlier, could he have suddenly fainted?"


    "No." Song Qingchun shook her head again. "Plus, the coincidence goes beyond that. The driver was aiming his dagger at my chest right before I fainted."


    After a three-second pause, Song Qingchun added, "But simr to you, I don¡¯t have any chest wound, so I believe, someone appeared to save us, furthermore... let¡¯s say, you¡¯re right, the fatty did faint while he was going to plunge the stake into your chest, but the driver wasn¡¯t injured in any way, and they wanted my life, that much is clear. With both of us unconscious, he could have killed me easily."


    Qin Yinan¡¯s brows creased deeply. Suddenly he said, "Could it be him?"


    "Who?"


    Qin Yinan was silent and denied the possibility. "No, that¡¯s impossible..."


    "Brother Yinan, who are you talking about?" Song Qingchun pressed.


    Qin Yinan recovered and looked into Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes when he said, "Su Zhinian."


    Song Qingchun was startled and her fingers that held the toothpick tightened.


    "The only reason I could discover that you had been taken so soon was because he called me to tip me off. However, we were still one step toote. I eventually tracjed down your location using the jewelry you left behind."


    "You said, it was Su Zhinian who called you?" Song Qingchun asked again even though she had heard Qin Yinan clearly. The toothpick in her hand started to shake.


    "Yes." Qin Yinan didn¡¯t notice how unnatural she was acting. He nodded slightly and continued. "When I was chasing the minivan, Su Zhinian was still in the city; he was at least a hundred kilometers away from us. I was chasing you at full speed, and he was also chasing us at full speed."

 Chapter 394: The Contract Ends (5)

    Chapter 394: The Contract Ends (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Therefore, he would have needed plenty of time to catch up to us. Furthermore, the streets of Beijing would have been heavily jammed at the time. So, if help did arrive at thest minute, logically speaking, it wouldn¡¯t have been Su Zhinian because the time didn¡¯t fit.


    "Furthermore, based on your analysis, both of us were in mortal danger, but we¡¯re both safe, so logically speaking, there had to have been two people who came to save us because in such a situation, if only one person came, then that person would have to have superpowers like in the television series or the more logical answer would be that two people came. But how did they decide who to save in that nick of time?"


    The more Qin Yinan thought about it, the more confused he became. Eventually he gave up and fell silence. Then, as if remembering something, he turned to Song Qingchun and said, "Song Song... speaking of Su Zhinian, I have something I have to tell you.


    "Thankfully he was around this time. It was him who first discovered you were in danger, and it was him who told me to use the shortcut. I have to admit, Su Zhinian¡¯s brain works in impressive ways; it was him who told me to run my car into the minivan as well."


    "It was him who told you all those things?" Song Qingchun, who had been silent, suddenly asked. Before Qin Yinan answered, she added, "Did he tell you he was in the city on the phone while you were chasing after me? Or did you hear him wrongly?"


    "Impossible." Qin Yinan then grabbed his phone and searched through it. He found a recording and yed it for Song Qingchun. "I was toying with my phone that day and happened to have my auto-record on."


    Of course, this was not a coincidence; it was a habit he had kept over the years. It was to record every single conversation he had with Tang Nuan, to savor every memory they made together.


    Just like Qin Yinan said, Song Qingchun heard Su Zhinian¡¯s usual cavalier and cold voice in the recording. "You go chase after her. I¡¯m still in the city; I fear it¡¯ll be toote."


    Even though the recording didn¡¯t end there, Song Qingchun didn¡¯t have the mind for it anymore. For the rest of dinner, she kept getting distracted; none of the words from Qin Yinan¡¯s lips registered in her mind. In the end, she came up with an excuse that she was tired and returned to her room.


    It was still early, but she pretended she was not feeling well andy down in bed.


    Facing away from Fang Rou and Song Menghwa, Song Qingchun stared out the window at the dark night, and her mind was a total mess.


    What should I do?


    Even though she had personally heard Su Zhinian say he was trapped in the city at the time of her abduction, she couldn¡¯t help but suspect that Su Zhinian was indeed the person she was looking for.


    Before she was abducted, in the private clubhouse¡¯s bathroom, she had just realized how simr the kiss he had given her the night before was to the kiss she had received from her savior at the North Sea Garden. And today, Qin Yinan had just told her that it was Su Zhinian who first discovered she was in danger.


    Only the person who had been keeping a close watch over her would be the first to know she was in danger... The coincidences kept piling up in her mind.


    The suspicion that was eliminated by Su Zhinian reignited in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind. She rolled out of bed and ignored the questioning gaze from Song Menghwa and Fang Rou to grab the phone she had been charging the whole afternoon. When she was going to give Su Zhinian a call, a message alert came into her phone.

 Chapter 395: The Contract Ends (6)

    Chapter 395: The Contract Ends (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun nced at it for a second and could recognize it as the mystery number.


    She opened the message without hesitation. The message was as sinct as before, but when she read the short few words, her whole body froze as if petrified.


    "The most beautiful incident is not loving you but meeting you."


    When she received this message five years ago, she had thought the owner of these messages was her secret admirer. From middle school under now, many boys had confessed to her before, so she had heard much more fanciful promations than this before ,but for that moment, these few simple words managed to reach deep into her heart and touch it.


    It was her father who pulled her back from her reverie. She had no clue what Song Menghwa was asking, so she merely replied with a half-hearted "okay" before wandering back to her bed and sitting down.


    When she raised the phone to her face again, she realized how shaky her fingers were. The phone had already auto-locked. It took her an incredibly long time for her to align her fingerprint to open the lock. She stared at the eleven numbers for a long time before slowly typing back a reply.


    "Who are you?"


    "Can you please reply to my message?"


    ...


    Simr to before, there was no reply. Song Qingchun stared at her phone, waiting for a reply, for a very long time. After she confirmed there wouldn¡¯t be an answer, her eyes nced at the time the message had entered her phone.


    2016 March 4th, 8.24 pm.


    It was the night of her abduction. He had been sending her messages for five years already, and never once did he say anything remotely sentimental, so why did he send something like this on her night of abduction?


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart shook violently. Then the feeling that something huge had happened without her knowing appeared in her mind.


    It made her restless. She shut her eyes and took in several deep breaths to calm herself down. Then, the possibility of Su Zhinian being the owner of the mysterious number caused her toe to a conclusion. Maybe something happened to him...


    Song Qingchun immediately sought out his number and gave him a call.


    "I¡¯m sorry, the number you¡¯re calling is currently unavable, please try againter. Thank you."


    Song Qingchun frowned and tried calling the bungalow¡¯sndline. There was no answer.


    The anxiety in Song Qingchun¡¯s heart intensified. She called Su Zhinian¡¯s cell phone and the bungalow¡¯sndline alternately like a robot, but there was no answer from either end.


    ...


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t suffer from any injury, and the only reason she stayed at the hospital for so long was because she had been unconscious several days.


    The next morning, she requested to leave the hospital. With Song Menghwa¡¯s insistence, she went for a full body check, and after making sure everything was physically fine with her, she finally got her wish.


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t return home with her family but said that she wished to stay behind to look after Qin Yinan. Confused by her daughter¡¯s action, Song Menghwa frowned. However, in the end, he relented. After all, it was due to Song Qingchun that Qin Yinan suffered such grievous injuries.


    Atte afternoon, Song Qingchun lied to Qin Yinan and left the hospital to rush to Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow.


    Just like how she usually did after work, she cleaned Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow from top to bottom. There was not a speck of dust in sight.

 Chapter 396: The Contract Ends (7)

    Chapter 396: The Contract Ends (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    A few of the windows downstairs were open, and a spring breeze filled the house with the bouquet of spring.


    Song Qingchun changed into her indoor slippers and dropped her bag on the coffee table. She moved to close all the windows on the first floor before heading upstairs. The door to Su Zhinian¡¯s bedroom was open and like usual; everything was in its ce. There was no sign of chaos within observable range; even the air in his room was suffused with his unique faded scent.


    Song Qingchun returned to her own bedroom. The closet that she left in a state of mess had been cleared, and herundry had been done and arranged in the cupboard, neatly categorized.


    Song Qingchun changed into a cotton casual outfit and wandered downstairs to prepare dinner. After she prepared a tableful of dishes, Song Qingchun walked into the dining room, and the clock on the wall told her it was 8.05 pm.


    She nted herself on the living room sofa, waiting for Su Zhinian toe home.


    The drama series that she had been following ended that day. Even though she had skipped a few episodes in the middle, she got the gist of it. She was enraptured by the plot, and when she came to next, it was already 9.30 pm; Su Zhinian was still not home.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s stomach started to growl. She sauntered into the dining room and had a simple meal. Then she wrapped the leftovers up and ced them in the fridge.


    She went for a slow jog in the downstairs gym for half an hour. After that, she returned to the dining room to pour herself a ss of water. She returned to her room for a shower, and when she finished applying all her creams and conditioners, it was already 11 pm. It was still silent downstairs, no sign of a car returning.


    Song Qingchun surfed Tao Bao, and when she got tired of shopping, her phone showed that it was already March 9th 00.31 am.


    In less than 24 hours, her contract with Su Zhinian would be over. Before retiring for the night, Song Qingchun tried giving Su Zhinian another call, and it still wouldn¡¯t go through.


    Song Qingchun woke up early the next morning. The first thing she did was to run to the window to look down at the porch. It was empty.


    After brushing her teeth and cleaning her face, she purposely poked her head into Su Zhinian¡¯s bedroom before going downstairs. The room was in the same state as she had seenst night.


    This means that he didn¡¯t returnst night...


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t have the mood to prepare breakfast, so she just warmed up the leftovers in the fridge. After having her fill, she returned to the hospital; however, she soon left when it was noon. Before returning to the bungalow, she took a detour to hispany, and after asking the receptionist, she was told Su Zhinian wasn¡¯t at thepany.


    It was 3 pm when she reached the bungalow. Song Qingchun wandered around the living room, waiting for Su Zhinian to show up.


    Her routine was awfully simr to the previous day. She prepared dinner, and the food was left cold; she had a few bites, wrapped them up, and shoved them into the fridge. She took a shower, andy in bed, going through her beauty rituals. When she prepared to sleep, there was still no trace of Su Zhinian.


    The clock struck twelve, and March 10th had arrived. ording to their contract, it was time for Song Qingchun to pack up her stuff and leave Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow.


    She sat in her bedroom and didn¡¯t move. Eventually, as the night deepened, she fell asleep.


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t have much of a sleep, and when the first ray of morning sun hit her face, she woke up.

 Chapter 397: The Contract Ends (8)

    Chapter 397: The Contract Ends (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    However, Song Qingchun didn¡¯t feel like going back to bed.


    After a simple wash in the bathroom, she intended to go downstairs to cook up something to eat, but her appetite disappeared once she stepped into the dining room. She wandered listlessly into the living room and grabbed the phone to give Su Zhinian yet another call.


    It was still disconnected.


    Song Qingchun waited from morning to noon and from noon tote afternoon.


    Finally, there was the sound of a car pulling onto the driveway.


    She sat up instantly from the sofa. After confirming she hadn¡¯t heard wrongly, she jumped off the sofa and rushed to pull the front door open.


    The car that crawled into the driveway was not Su Zhinian¡¯s car but a red Audi.


    Song Qingchun started to frown when the car door was pushed open and out stepped Cheng Qingchong. Cheng Qingchong nced at her before closing the door behind her and walked toward the girl who was standing beside the door.


    Song Qingchun regained her senses and said, "You¡¯re here for Su Zhinian? He¡¯s not..."


    Before Song Qingchun could finish, Cheng Qingchong cut her off. "Miss Song..."


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s eyes that stared at Song Qingchun paused. After a long time, as if Cheng Qingchong needed time to suppress some violent emotions within her, she offered Song Qingchun a friendly smile before adding, "It was actually CEO Su who ordered me toe find you."


    Su Zhinian... Song Qingchun had a sense why Cheng Qingchong was there. She was silent for a few second before taking a step back to wee Cheng Qingchong into the house.


    When Song Qingchun signaled for Cheng Qingchong to sit, she asked politely, "Miss Cheng, do you want anything to drink? Coffee or tea?"


    "Thank you, Miss Song, but there¡¯s no need. I have a few words for you, and then I¡¯ll be going." The business smile was still stered on Cheng Qingchong¡¯s face.


    Song Qingchun nodded. She stood beside the sofa for quite some time but didn¡¯t sit. Instead, she ventured into the dining room to fetch two sses of warm water. She passed one of them to Cheng Qingchong.


    Cheng Qingchong epted it with both hands and replied respectfully, "Thank you."


    Song Qingchun forced a thin smile and took the empty seat across from Cheng Qingchong.


    Cheng Qingchong held the ss in her hands as if deliberating on how to begin. Song Qingchun remained quiet and waited patiently. The living room was so quiet that one could hear the ticking of the clock.


    After some time, Cheng Qingchong finally raised her head to meet Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes. She smiled with some trace of apology before beginning in an official tone. "Miss Song, CEO Su is currently in the USA and can¡¯t return due to work. Therefore, he purposely called to send me over to remind you that the contract you signed with himst year will be expiring today."


    "Hmm." Song Qingchun answered with her head lowered and added, "I know."


    The expression on Cheng Qingchong¡¯s face had returned to her usual professional appearance. Even her voice had lost her earlier friendliness; it was cold and official. "The Audi is the ride CEO Su prepared for you; he wishes for you to pack and leave his estate as soon as possible."


    Even the car to send her away was ready; this was not "as soon as possible"; she was forced to leave that very day.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s hands that gripped the water ss tightened.

 Chapter 398: Living in Memory (1)

    Chapter 398: Living in Memory (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian¡¯s series of orders were so brutal that she didn¡¯t even know how to respond to Cheng Qingchong.


    Cheng Qingchong stared at Song Qingchun and went silent. The orders that Su Zhinian had given her over the phone that day, she could still remember them word for word. They were at the tip of her tongue, but she found herself unable to voice them.


    Cheng Qingchong gritted her teeth several times and tried her best to maintain the business-like smile on her face. She shattered the room¡¯s silence by uttering, "Miss Song, when do you n to start packing? Do you need my help?"


    Song Qingchun heard the friendliness in Cheng Qingchong¡¯s voice, and technically, Su Zhinian¡¯s secretary had gone beyond her assigned role to offer her help, so she should be thankful, shouldn¡¯t she? However, Cheng Qingchong¡¯s words were like daggers stabbing one after another into Song Qingchun¡¯s heart.


    She was wrong before; Su Zhinian didn¡¯t want her to leave that day, but he needed her to leave instantly...


    So, this is how desperately he wants me to leave...


    She could have left when the sun rose, but she stayed for so long simply because she wanted to meet him, but now, Song Qingchun felt there was no need to wait anymore, or rather, she had no reason to continue waiting.


    In this world, there was none that didn¡¯t need face, she was no exception. He could have given her a call to tell her to leave, but he sent his own assistant to chase her out. Is he that worried that I wouldn¡¯t leave? This reminds me too much of the cheesy scenes from those trashy web novels where the rich CEO sends his personal secretary to take care of the mistress that he¡¯s tired of.


    The blood hadpletely drained from Song Qingchun¡¯s face. She could feel her whole body shaking, she didn¡¯t dare take a look at Cheng Qingchong because she was afraid to catch a glimpse of emotions like sympathy and pity in the other woman¡¯s eyes. She bit her bottom lip with more force than necessary and ced the ss hastily back on the table.


    The water sshed out due to the suddenness of her movement. She didn¡¯t care about the stain that was gathering on the floor and stood up to say, "I¡¯ll go pack now."


    She then turned to rush upstairs. In her hurry to escape, she identally slipped on the pool of water and copsed back into the sofa, her toes knocking against the edge of the hardwood sofa chair. She felt tears trying to escape from her eyes, but when she heard Cheng Qingchong stand up and ask if she was alright, she held her tears in. She didn¡¯t answer as she stood up and suppressed the pain in her toes as she ran upstairs and mmed the door to her bedroom close.


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t know how she managed to pack her things, but when she came to, all of her stuff had been forced inside her suitcases with no sense of order and rhythm to them. When she¡¯d arrived at his house, she only had one bag, but when she left, to her surprise, she had three.


    When Song Qingchun dragged her first suitcase downstairs, she saw Cheng Qingchong was still standing there. She ignored her and lowered her head as she passed by her and dropped her bag by the door. Then she returned upstairs to fetch her two other suitcases.


    A few of her shoes were ced in the shoe rack next to the door. She grabbed a nearby stic bag and started to shove them in. The bag had reached its maximum capacity, but there were still a few pairs of shoes left on the rack.

 Chapter 399: Living in Memory (2)

    Chapter 399: Living in Memory (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t really exin her anger, but she pulled the front door open and tossed those mismatched shoes into the trashcan. Then, she dragged her three suitcases to the gate.


    As Cheng Qingchong said, there was an Audi waiting at the gate. She knew the person behind the wheel; it was Su Zhinian¡¯s driver. When he saw here out, the driver immediately jumped out to help Song Qingchun with her luggage.


    Song Qingchun denied his help with a firm no, which startled the driver. He subconsciously raised his head to meet Cheng Qingchong¡¯s eyes, who wasing out behind Song Qingchun.


    Cheng Qingchong shook her head imperceptibly at the driver, and he pulled back his arms that were reaching for Song Qingchun¡¯s bags.


    Two minutester, the taxi Song Qingchun called finally arrived. She knocked on the driver¡¯s door, signaling for him to open the trunk. Then, she stubbornly denied the help offered by Su Zhinian¡¯s driver and hauled her bags into the trunk all on her own, even though it did take a toll on her.


    Song Qingchun opened the door to the backseat and was about to go in when Cheng Qingchong called her name. "Miss Song..."


    Song Qingchun stopped moving but didn¡¯t turn to see Cheng Qingchong.


    "...Before you leave, CEO Su wants me to tell you something."


    Song Qingchun seemed to have frozen in that half-bent pose.


    Cheng Qingchong continued with a professional smile on her face and carried out Su Zhinian¡¯sst order perfectly, through the pain and difort that it caused her. "CEO Su said, now that the contract is over, the rtionship between the two of you is officially over. He hopes that the rtionship can return to the pre-contract state. He hopes that you¡¯ll stop bugging him."


    Bugging him?


    Song Qingchun stood, dazed, for about five seconds before she crawled into the car and mmed the door close without even a look at Cheng Qingchong.


    The taxi driver started the engine immediately and left the bungalow.


    Song Qingchun leaned against the backseat cushion, and the tears she had been trying to hold in since Cheng Qingchong¡¯s arrival finally fell. Their rtionship since the very beginning was based on a contract; it was written down on paper; she had even written her signature on it.


    When he promised her that he would return a revived Song Empire to her at the end of the one hundred days, he had even reminded that would also be the end of whatever rtionship they had. Their rtionship was nothing more than a trade...


    She only had herself to me for falling into the entrapment of feelings and forgetting the very basic premise of their rtionship. However, she didn¡¯t expect he would be so much crueler and more clear-cut than she was when it came to the matters of rtionship.


    Song Qingchun raised her hands to cover her eyes, but it was not enough to stop the tears from flowing.


    ...


    Cheng Qingchong stood at the door until the taxi had disappeared before the smile on her face disappeared.


    She turned to tell the driver, "Mr. Zhang, I¡¯m sorry for causing you to make this unnecessary trip."


    After the driver left, she turned to head back into Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow.


    She took the stairs up to the second floor and stood at the door to Song Qingchun¡¯s original bedroom. The ce had been emptied out, and seeing this, her eyes started to wet.


    Big Boss might have said those cruel things to Miss Song, but who will ever know how much crueler he is to himself?


    He truly had ced his life on the line that night for Miss Song.


    Since he was rushed to the hospital that night, until now, he was still unconscious.


    In fact, I doubt anyone knows that his heart even almost stopped twice.

 Chapter 400: Living In Memory (3)

    Chapter 400: Living In Memory (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Did he make the decision when he was on the way to save Miss Song that he would give up his life to save her should the situation demand it?


    It was why he used such a serious and sincere tone that she had not heard from him before when he gave her those three orders on the phone.


    The three orders were all rted to Miss Song.


    The first was for her to make an anonymous call to the police station to report that the person behind Miss Song¡¯s abduction was a character by the name of Brother Kun.


    The second was for her toe to his bungalow to chase Miss Song away with the most official, business-sounding, and cruel tone she could muster.


    The third was the thing she was going to do now.


    Cheng Qingchong took a deep breath and held in the tears that were threatening to fall. Then, she closed the door and headed back downstairs.


    When she closed the front door, she suddenly stopped moving as if remembering something. She left the door open and went to the trashcan to retrieve the shoes Song Qingchun had dropped in there earlier.


    Even though she couldn¡¯t tell whether her Big Boss was going to wake up or not, she believed that, since he had ordered her to say such cruel things to Miss Song, he was prepared to cut all ties from Miss Song already.


    When Miss Song left, she didn¡¯t make a scene; in fact, she was overtly calm, but as a fellow woman, Cheng Qingchong understood that was the most urate manifestation of sorrow. Miss Song must hate Big Boss very much now... Therefore, even if one day Big Boss does wake up, perhaps Miss Song will really treat him like a stranger as he asked her to.


    In her memory, she had rarely seen her Big Boss smile; the only time he was happy, it was because of Miss Song, but now that Song Qingchun had left... He will be very sad in the future, right? These shoes are the only thing left behind by Miss Song, if he sees them, at least he¡¯ll beforted somehow by the memory, right?


    As Cheng Qingchong thought about it, she bent over to pick out the pair of shoes one by one from the trashcan and ced them back on the shoe rack. When she finally closed the front door, her eyes started to tear up again.


    Cheng Qingchong pulled out several paper tissues to dab away her make-up that had ruined by the tears. She redid her make-up before leaving the ce.


    Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t return to thepany but went to the hospital. Cheng Qingchong took the elevator to the third floor and walked to Qin Yinan¡¯s room. She knocked on it.


    "Come in," said the gentle voice from within.


    Cheng Qingchong knew Song Qingchun¡¯s room and knew she had left the hospital two days ago. However, she pretended she didn¡¯t know all that. When the man¡¯s voice told her toe in, she pushed the door open, poked her head in, and her brows creased into a frown as she uttered a confused, "Hmm?"


    There was only Qin Yinan in the room. He was reading, lying against the headboard. He thought it was the nurse who knocked on his door. He raised his eyes from his book when he heard the confusion in the "Hmm", and he saw a strange woman standing at the door. He asked in a calm voice, "I¡¯m sorry, but who are you looking for?"

 Chapter 401: Living in Memory (4)

    Chapter 401: Living in Memory (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "I¡¯m sorry, I seem to have gotten the wrong room." Cheng Qingchong smiled apologetically. As she closed the door, she purposely mumbled in a rather loud voice. "Weird, they told me this is Song Qingchun¡¯s room, how can it be wrong?"


    Qin Yinan was lowering his head to continue reading when Cheng Qingchong closed the door, but he immediately called out when he heard that name. "Wait..."


    Cheng Qingchong poked her head back into the room and tossed Qin Yinan a questioning look.


    "Who did you say you were looking for just now?" Qin Yinan asked.


    "Song Qingchun..." Anticipation rose on Cheng Qingchong¡¯s frowning face. "Mr. do you happen to know Song Qingchun? Then, can you tell me where her room is?"


    Qin Yinan closed his book and replied, "She was discharged from hospital two days ago."


    "Huh?" Cheng Qingchun pretended to be surprised. As she grumbled internally about herck of courage to attend Beijing Film Academy when given the choice, she started to mumble with a vexed expression, "But she left something important with me, and I¡¯m supposed to return it to her as soon as possible."


    Cheng Qingchong then raised her head to look at Qin Yinan. It was that day that Cheng Qingchong realized Miss Song¡¯s childhood friend was actually the man that she had seen have a mental breakdown at Eldorado.


    To be exact, this was the third time she had met Qin Yinan. The previous time was at Audi¡¯s new product release event. At the time, he was in a sharp suit, radiating a gentle and handsome presence, theplete opposite from the bandaged figure before her.


    The world is too small, Cheng Qingchong thought internally, but on the surface, she feigned innocence. She asked, "Are you Song Qingchun¡¯s friend?"


    "I grew up together with Song Song."


    "Meaning you two are close to each other?"


    Qin Yinan nodded.


    Cheng Qingchong asked in a pleading tone, "Then, can I leave this box with you? Please pass it to Song Qingchun when you have the chance. I need to catch a ne, so I couldn¡¯t stay to go look for her."


    "Sure." Qin Yinan nodded easily. Then he tried to reach out to grab the box; however, when he did, his nce caught his legs that were encased in ster. He smiled apologetically at Cheng Qingchong and asked, while pointing at his legs, "Do you minding over to me? I¡¯m in kind of a difficult position."


    "Sure. " Cheng Qingchong smiled and walked over with the box. "By the way, do you mind giving me your name? That way, I can tell Song Qingchun on the phone I¡¯ve left the box with you."


    "Qin Yinan."


    They had been introduction at the Audi event already, but Cheng Qingchong had forgotten his name. When she heard it again that day, she realized how beautiful his name sounded.


    "Mr. Qin, nice to meet you, my name is Cheng Qingchong."


    Cheng Qingchong gave Qin Yinan a simple self-introduction. As she walked close to his bed, she stumbled on her high heels, and as she tried to steady herself, the box in her hands flew out andnded right on Qin Yinan¡¯s bed.

 Chapter 402: Living in Memory (5)

    Chapter 402: Living in Memory (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The box tipped, and its contents spilled out. Cheng Qingchong used the bedside table to steady her bnce and apologized to Qin Yinan. "I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Qin."


    "It¡¯s okay." Qin Yinan smiled gently at Cheng Qingchong before turning his gaze to her ankles. "Are you hurt?"


    Cheng Qingchong shook her head and rushed over to clear away the mess that had fallen all over the bed. Qin Yinan, the gentleman that he was, helped her out.


    They were all trinkets of a girl; there were cards, stickers, and a perfectly preserved teddy-bear shaped eraser.


    Qin Yinan and Cheng Qingchong quickly cleared half of the stuff away. When Qin Yinan reached for a card that had fallen beside his arm, his motion suddenly paused.


    This card looks so familiar.


    Cheng Qingchong had been watching Qin Yinan out of the corner of her eyes. When she noticed the shock in Qin Yinan¡¯s eyes, she knew she had aplished the third order given by her boss.


    Her boss had told her on the phone, the first thing she needed to do after sending him to the hospital was to drive to his house and grab this box that was hidden in Song Qingchun¡¯s make-up table. After Song Qingchun left, she was to pretend that she had found this box that was ¡¯left behind¡¯ by Song Qingchun and bring it to Qin Yinan.


    Yes... Qin Yinan... Big Boss repeated that name thrice that night and reminded her that, no matter what, she had to make sure Qin Yinan discovered the cards inside.


    Probably realizing he had been dazed for too long, Qin Yinan immediately tossed the card inside the box and continued to help Cheng Qingchong clear away the mess. However, he soon discovered a few more cards that he could recognize.


    When thest card was ced inside the box, Cheng Qingchong closed the lid and ced the box on the bedside table that she knew was within Qin Yinan¡¯s reach. Then, she bade him farewell.


    Qin Yinan maintained a gentle smile on his face, but when Cheng Qingchong left his room, his gaze slowly wandered to the box.


    He knew that looking through Song Qingchun¡¯s stuff without her permission was highly disrespectful, but those few cards, they were too familiar... like he had seen them somewhere before.


    Qin Yinan stared unblinkingly at the box for a long time, and eventually, he reached out against his better judgement and ced it on his legs.


    He searched for one of the familiar cards among the mess of trinkets. When the clear and youngish-looking handwriting on the card stared back at him, he was dazed like someone had mmed his head with a hammer.


    Earlier, he had felt the cards were familiar, but now he was sure; these cards were his.


    That was his handwriting from high school, and the poem on the cards were all written by him in high school.


    He had borrowed a book about Xu Zhimo from the library and discovered a poem written on a paper in it. He had written a poem in return, and that was how the literal poetry book club thatsted for almost a year had started.


    But isn¡¯t Tang Nuan the person who was behind the poems? Why are all the cards with Song Song then?


    Could it be that Tang Nuan gifted these cards to Song Song when they were still good friends?


    Qin Yinan frowned as he continued to pull out the rest of the familiar cards from the box. He flipped them open and read through them one by one.

 Chapter 403: Living in Memory (6)

    Chapter 403: Living in Memory (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    All the cards he had written that year, as few as they might be, were all there in the box.


    If Tang Nuan truly did gift them to Song Song, she wouldn¡¯t have given her everything. So, there is only one logical exnation...


    Qin Yinan had settled on the answer, and his fingers that held the card had started to shake.


    He was suddenly reminded of the ¡¯apology lunch¡¯ that Tang Nuan had asked him to invite Song Qingchun to at Beijing restaurant. During the meal, Tang Nuan had even brought up the story of how they supposedly met with a bright smile.


    At the time, there was even tears in Tang Nuan¡¯s eyes. Pulled along by the emotions, he had added with sentiments that the most beautiful line she had ever written was: I wish the greatest happiness for the ones who love me, and I wish the one who I love, loves me back.


    He remembered that after he said that, Song Qingchun, who had been unusually quiet throughout the meal, suddenly chimed in. "Then what about you, Brother Yinan? Of the many stanzas that you¡¯ve written, which one is your favorite?"


    He remembered feeling embarrassed about exposing his youthful attempt at poetry. However, in the end, he had recited seriously, "May you hold my hand in love andpanionship, but may good fortune hold yours in parting and solitude."


    When he finished, the chopsticks in her hand had fallen onto the table with a thud. Then, the girl had jumped up from her seat like she was shocked.


    He, too, had stood up then and enquired about her condition. She had given an excuse and escaped to the bathroom. He¡¯d offered to apany her but was firmly rejected.


    He remembered being worried because she spent inordinate amount of time in the bathroom. When he went to look for her, she was walking out of it. By then, she had returned to her usual self.


    Thinking back, he realized there were many simrities between the way she was acting that day and the way she was at the Song Empire¡¯s event. She¡¯d looked like she had many things she wanted to tell him, but she couldn¡¯t bring herself to.


    At Song Empire¡¯s event, he had finally picked up the signals Song Qingchun had been trying so hard to send his way, namely her warnings about Tang Nuan, and that was only because he, by then, had been disillusioned with Tang Nuan. However, at Beijing restaurant, he still hadn¡¯t escaped Tang Nuan¡¯s charm, and he had never once suspected Tang Nuan.


    But now... now, he finally understood everything.


    He understood why Song Qingchun would react so out of ce at Beijing restaurant, and he understood why the girl behind the poems, the girl that represented, to him, an image of purity and kindness would use him as a weapon to hurt other people.


    So, it was all a lie...


    The poems that had touched his young heart had not been written by Tang Nuan at all.


    In other words, the girl that he, Qin Yinan, had been protecting, cherishing, loving, and caring for was not even the girl who he had fallen in love with in the first ce.


    He had thought Tang Nuan¡¯s idental confession at Eldorado was going to be the biggest blow he would receive, but holding the cards in his hands, he realized... how wrong he was!


    The situation was so absurd that Qin Yinan didn¡¯t know how to react other than tough, andugh he did. Qin Yinan stared at the poems, and he started to chuckle. Then he raised his hands to cover his face as if to stop himself fromughing too hard.


    Eventually, glistening liquid seeped through his bandage and flowed through his fingers.

 Chapter 404: Living in Memory (7)

    Chapter 404: Living in Memory (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t leave the hospital but stood in the corridor to observe Qin Yinan through the ss window. When he reached for the box and pulled out the cards, her heart finally settled.


    She didn¡¯t stay after that and turned to leave. However, she didn¡¯t leave the hospital; instead, she went upstairs to ICU. She pushed open the door and walked in. The ce was quiet except for the beeping of machines.


    She walked to the bed where a handsome man was asleep. Her lips curved into a slight smile, and she reported back to him like she normally did after she aplished his orders. "CEO Su, I¡¯ve finished all of your orders."


    However, this time she didn¡¯t receive back the usual nod or a nonchnt "Hmm."


    Cheng Qingchong knew he couldn¡¯t hear her, but she took a deep breath and continued her report. "CEO Su, I¡¯ve called the police station and given them the information anonymously. They assured me they¡¯ve started to look into this Brother Kun. Miss Song moved out of your bungalow today, and I¡¯ve made sure Mr. Qin has seen those cards..."


    Before she could finish, Cheng Qingchong¡¯s words petered into sobs. She lowered her head and started to weep. She liked him, but she had never once thought of owning him.


    All these years, he had given her many things to do, and she had found her own joy in aplishing these quests that he had given her. However, this time, she had sessfully carried out his three orders, but for some reason, her heart twisted with pain.


    Actually, that was a lie; she knew the reason. She was in pain, feeling sorry for this man that was walking on the edge of life and death.


    Big Boss has given up so much for Miss Song, but he is unwilling to let Miss Song know that. In fact, he has cultivated this impression that he is a cold-blooded individual to push Miss Song away from him...


    Doesn¡¯t it hurt?


    It must have hurt, right?


    Big Boss must really love Miss Song. Even if it costs him his life he would do everything within his power to give Miss Song a life of ease. Even when he was at the brink of death, he couldn¡¯t stop worrying about Miss Song, because before the ident happened, he had already arranged everything for her.


    In this world, how many men would do so much for a woman?


    To be perfectly honest, she really didn¡¯t want to tell Miss Song those things; she really wanted to vite his order and tell Miss Song, "To save you, CEO Su is dying, can you please go and see him before it¡¯s toote? All these years, you have been the only person dominating his mind, and all those presents in his office are meant for you..."


    However, she didn¡¯t do that. Not because she was selfish due to her interest in him but because as she drove him away from the scene, before he fainted, he had told her, "Do not let her know...


    "Even if I die... do not let her know any of this... I¡¯d rather she hate me and remove my existence from her life than let her suffer any trace of guilt because of me.


    "Also, you have to make sure Qin Yinan sees those cards... because then someone will look after her, and I can...


    The man had started coughing violently, blood trickling down his lips. He had been running out of energy, but he¡¯d forced himself to finish hisst words.


    "...finally rest in peace."

 Chapter 405: Living in Memory (8)

    Chapter 405: Living in Memory (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She had done everything he had ordered her to do, but could he really leave in peace?


    Currently, the man was barely hanging on to his life; he could go at any moment. When his soul left his body and saw himself alone in the room without his love, Miss Song, by his side, would he really not regret it?


    Cheng Qingchong slowly crumbled to the floor in a mess of tears.


    She knew that he wouldn¡¯t regret it because as long as Miss Song was taken care of, no matter how deep the pain, he would be willing to suffer it withoutint.


    It was why she had followed his orders to the tee. His biggest wish in life was not to be together with Miss Song but to make sure Miss Song had a carefree life.


    His wish was her wish, so no matter how much it hurt her, Cheng Qingchong would carry out hisst order to the best of her capability.


    ...


    Song Qingchun dropped the luggage she taken from Su Zhinian¡¯s house at her own home and left for the hospital without unpacking.


    When she walked through the hospital entrance, she came head-to-head with a familiar face.


    Cheng Qingchun really didn¡¯t expect she would run into Song Qingchun so soon, so her expression visibly dazed. Then, she quickly lowered her head to hide her puffy eyes. She forced a smile at Song Qingchun and greeted her, "Miss Song."


    Song Qingchun really didn¡¯t have the energy to deal with Cheng Qingchong. The words that she had told her a few hours ago at Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow were still fresh in her mind. The sudden meeting tore her fresh wound open once more. Therefore, her first response was to ignore Cheng Qingchong and pretend that she didn¡¯t see here. However, she was toote; Cheng Qingchong had already greeted her.


    Her hand gripped thece of her purse tighter, and she summoned a great load of energy to keep her voice as level as possible when she replied. "Miss Cheng."


    After that, Song Qingchong tried to walk around Cheng Qingchong and went into the lobby. When she passed Cheng Qingchong, Su Zhinian¡¯s assistant called her again. "Miss Song, you left something at CEO Su¡¯s ce, and while I was clearing up your bedroom earlier, I found it. It looked fairly valuable, so CEO Su had me delivered it to you. I didn¡¯t know you had already left the hospital, so I left it with your friend, Mr. Qin Yinan."


    I¡¯ve been gone for less than two hours and my bedroom has already been cleared out? Su Zhinian is so desperate to have the trace of my existence wiped out of his life?


    Song Qingchun bit her bottom lips to stop her body for shaking. After a long time, she squeezed out four simple words. "I understand, thank you."


    Then she walked away without a look back.


    It was because of her that Qin Yinan had suffered such a great injury, so no matter how sad she was, Song Qingchun forced herself to put on a bright persona around him.


    However, it seemed like it was Qin Yinan who had something on his mind. Since she entered his room until she finished cutting him some fruits, he had said less than two sentences.


    Song Qingchun assumed this meant that he was tired, so she didn¡¯t bother him too much. After he finished the te of fruit, she stood beside his bed, staring at the clear IV drip.


    The room was quiet, and the light outside the window slowly darkened. Qin Yinan¡¯s drip finally finished when the sky was dark. Song Qingchun called the nurse to change the needle and was going to prepare dinner for Qin Yinan when the phone Qin Yinan had ced on the sofa to charge suddenly rang. It was a message alert.

 Chapter 406: Living in Memory (9)

    Chapter 406: Living in Memory (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    In the quiet room, the message was greatly amplified. Qin Yinan turned to look at the sofa.


    Due to his condition, Song Qingchun helped him grab the phone. When she disconnected the phone from the charger, the screen lit up, and her eyes identally scanned the content.


    It was a message from ¡¯Baby Nuan¡¯, and it was a very short message: "You¡¯ve been hospitalized?"


    Baby Nuan... Is that Tang Nuan?


    Song Qingchun lowered her gaze and delivered the phone to Qin Yinan with an unreadable expression. Then, she went to get the dinner from the nurse.


    Qin Yinan epted the phone but didn¡¯t unlock it. He tapped on the screen to make it light up. When he saw the brief content of the message, the corner of his lips visibly froze. He stared at it for about half a minute before cing it beside his pillow without writing a reply.


    When Song Qingchun returned with dinner, Qin Yinan was lying in his bed, looking up at the ceiling like there was something interesting on it. Song Qingchun pushed the movable table to Qin Yinan¡¯s bedside. Qin Yinan didn¡¯t show any response, and it was until Song Qingchun reached out to shake him that he replied with an "oh" and sat up in a hurry.


    They didn¡¯t share any conversation during dinner. Other than the sound of chopsticks hitting the te, the room was quiet. After dinner, Song Qingchun cleared away everything. She passed Qin Yinan a ss of water, and the room soon returned to its silent state.


    The silence turned the atmosphere in the room weird. Song Qingchun could see that Qin Yinan was in a bad mood, and she predicted that it had plenty to do with Tang Nuan.


    When she was still crazy about him, she would have done everything within her power to cheer him up whenever she saw he was feeling down. However, now she was nursing her own heartache, she didn¡¯t have the power left in her to be a clown to cheer someone else up.


    Their negative energy worked off of each other, and in the end, they only made each other feel worse. From some inexplicable reason, Song Qingchun felt tears prickling her eyes. She was afraid that she might lose herposure if she stayed any longer, so she stood up and said, "Brother Yinan, it¡¯s gettingte; you need to sleep soon. I have to go home already."


    Qin Yinan slowly turned to look at her after a long time and replied with another "oh." He looked like he didn¡¯t quite understand what she had just said.


    Before leaving, Song Qingchun was reminded of the words that Cheng Qingchong told her when they met at the hospital entrance, so she added, "Brother Yinan, did a Miss Cheng Qingchong leave something with you that belongs to me?"


    "Hmm." Qin Yinan nodded and pointed at the box on the bedside table rather distractedly.


    It was then that Song Qingchun noticed the box on the table. The box used to be her most treasured possession; however, that day, she had been there for hours but didn¡¯t even notice the thing.


    Song Qingchun hugged the box and bade Qin Yinan farewell before heading for the door.


    When she pulled the door open, the sound of door creaking probably roused Qin Yinan. He looked at the box in her embrace and suddenly called out her name. "Song Song."


    Song Qingchun looked over her shoulder with a "Hmm?"


    Qin Yinan seemed to want to say something, but eventually, he merely smiled kindly at her and added, "Be careful on your way home, remember to message me when you get there."

 Chapter 407: Living in Memory (10)

    Chapter 407: Living in Memory (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Okay, I will." Song Qingchun waved goodbye to Qin Yinan and left, closing the door behind her.


    Qin Yinan was left alone in the room. With his hands behind his head, hisid in his bed and looked up at the ceiling. His gaze started to falter.


    Actually, the question he wanted to ask earlier was, "You¡¯re the person who replied to my poems, right?"


    However, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to voice the questions. He searched through her box thoroughly that afternoon and realized most of the things inside were rted to him. They were little trinkets to record her youthful infatuation with him.


    All this while, Qin Yinan had thought that she viewed him just like a big brother, just like she viewed Song Cheng. He hadn¡¯t expected her reliance on him was more than that between siblings.


    At the bottom of the box, he found a piece of white paper, parts of the paper itself were wrinkled as if it had been left to dry after being soaked in water. The words on it were blurred but still legible. He could recognize it as Song Qingchun¡¯s handwriting. Based on the content, Qin Yinan believed that what had soaked the paper were tears. From the ink, he believed it was written not long ago.


    "Brother Yinan, from today onwards, I will start to learn to give up on you."


    "Brother Yinan, this is the first day I¡¯ve given up on you. I told myself not to send you any messages, but I couldn¡¯t help myself and sent you one."


    "It¡¯s the second day. I¡¯ve sessfully prevented myself from sending you a single message, but I did chat with you on WhatsApp."


    "It¡¯s the tenth day. My heart doesn¡¯t seem to hurt that much anymore when I think about you."


    "It¡¯s the twentieth day. I once thought I would be unable to give you up; in fact, I thought I would have to give up on giving you up, but now, I realize, that might not be the truth."


    "It¡¯s the thirtieth day. I can¡¯t believe I forgot to record my daily feelings about you for as long as ten days, and I can face you naturally now. I believe, I have truly put you behind me now."


    ...


    Even though he didn¡¯t mean to hurt her before, it was undeniable that he had been the cause for her many tears. Now, she had finally walked away from that sadness, so why would he bring up the past and tear open her wounds?


    Qin Yinan stayed in that nk state for a long time before sighing atst. He grabbed the phone beside his pillow, clicked it open, and read the message sent by ¡¯Baby Nuan¡¯. He stared at the few words for a long time before tapping on her name and changing ¡¯Baby Nuan¡¯ to ¡¯Tang Nuan¡¯.


    ...


    On March 12th, the temperature suddenly rose; it made wearing a winter coat an impossibility unless you wanted to be cooked alive.


    Song Qingchun cleared half of her day to collect all of her winter coats and send them for dry cleaning. When she was folding the coats, she reached into all of the pockets to empty the contents.


    In less than a few minutes, there was a sizeable pile on the floor consisting of coins and receipts.


    When she was searching through the pockets of a pink fur coat, she found a folded piece of paper note inside the pocket. She opened it with a frown and saw the words ¡¯Beauty Su¡¯ written on it.


    Her heart suddenly stopped as if someone had squeezed it hard, the pain causing her eyes to be red with tears.


    She no longer had anything to do with him, but why was she still affected by his presence like they were in a symbiotic rtionship?


    This was the eighth time that day she had been affected by his presence, or rather, theck of.


    The first was in the morning when she had been woken up by her rm. After her morning rituals, she had rushed downstairs to prepare breakfast. When she noticed Fang Rou, who was cooking in the kitchen, it had hit her that she was no longer at Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow, so she didn¡¯t have to prepare breakfast for him anymore.

 Chapter 408: Another Meeting (1)

    Chapter 408: Another Meeting (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The second time was when she¡¯d lugged her tired body back into her room and turned on herputer to y game; the little patcher he had made for her had popped up on screen.


    The third time was when she had gone downstairs for breakfast. Her sister-inw had made oatmeal porridge, his favorite food.


    The fourth time was when the delivery had arrived, and she had reached into her wallet to pay for it, only to find the ck Card he had given her, and the "I¡¯m sorry" on the back.


    The fifth time was when she¡¯d gone shopping with Fang Rou. When her sister-inw reached for dairy farm milk, she had switched it out for Califia vegan milk because that was the brand Su Zhinian preferred.


    The sixth time was when she¡¯d returned home with her sister-inw. As soon as she stepped into the living room, the news Song Menghwa had been watching mentioned Su Zhinian¡¯spany.


    The seventh time was when she¡¯d answered her phone; his name was still near the top of her phone records.


    And this was the eighth time...


    She remembered how the paper note got there. It was after the incident at North Sea Garden. She had been too afraid to leave home alone, so she had called him toe fetch her. She had felt ufortable about keeping him as ¡¯Maniac Su¡¯ in her contact list, so she had intended toe up with another for him. Therefore, she¡¯d written down all the nicknames she had given him over the years, and when she was about to pick one, he had reached her house. She had grabbed one in a hurry, shoved it into her pocket, and promptly forgotten about it.


    It was only 11 am; it had been a short five hours since she woke up, but her emotions had been disturbed due to him eight times already.


    Initially, she had only needed a few seconds to rearrange her feelings, but the eighth time, she finally lost control of her emotions and red rimmed her eyes. For a reason that she couldn¡¯t exin to herself, she reached out to her phone, searched for his name among her contact list, and changed ¡¯Maniac Su¡¯ to ¡¯Beauty Su¡¯ through her tears. After that, the dam that had been holding in her tears copsed, and she doubled over and cried, gripping the paper note tightly in her hand.


    It was weird; there was nothing more than a trade between them, and when the contract was made, she had wished desperately for this day to arrive. Now, her dream hade true; Song Empire had been revived, and she was no longer indebted to him. However, she couldn¡¯t find it within her to be happy. Even if he did say something nasty through his secretary when she was chased out of his house, it had been two days already, so what was the real exnation for the congested feelings in her heart?


    She felt like there was knife stuck in a heart, like there was unfinished business between them. The wound in her heart would not start to recover until the knife was taken out.


    The weather outside the window was wonderful. The trees danced ording to the rhythm of the wind, and the flower buds peeked their heads out of the grass.


    Inside the room, the girl was crying so hard that she had difficulty catching her breath. Her stifled tears writing a heart-breaking story.


    ...


    Beijing¡¯s spring was incredibly short.


    After the spring holiday, the temperature of the city rose tremendously. There was already the smell of summer in the air. The girls on the street started sporting shorter skirts.


    Song Qingchun had an interview scheduled that afternoon with a famous celebrity at a private coffee shop in Sanlitun 1 . The celebrity had risen to fame within the past six months, so there were still plenty of mysterious things about him. The questions were many and easy.


    The interview that was scheduled to take two hours waspleted in one hour.

 Chapter 409: Another Meeting (2)

    Chapter 409: Another Meeting (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    It was 3 pm when Song Qingchun exited the coffee shop. The smiles of the people on the street were as bright as the sun.


    Song Qingchun got into her car and looked into the sky. The rolling clouds and warm sunlight could make anyone feel better. Suddenly, she was not in a rush to get back to TW Station. She sat in her car and allowed herself to be carried along by the traffic.


    Eventually, Song Qingchun parked her car beside the entrance to a park. She was about to get out to go for a walk when a young man in a white shirt ran toward a young woman dressed in a yellow sundress standing at the garden entrance, waving two pink, fluffy cotton candy sticks in his hands.


    The girl¡¯s smile was as sweet as sugar when she epted the candy from the boy. She stood on her tiptoes to peck on the boy¡¯s cheek before they held hands and walked into the garden together, each holding a cotton candy stick.


    As they sauntered along, the couple held their cotton candy before each other¡¯s faces for the other person to take a bite out of it.


    The whole scene reminded Song Qingchun of how they used to be... In fact, thest time she¡¯d seen him, he had incidentally purchased her two cotton candy sticks. However, unlike the boy, he had given her both of them.


    Things had been going so well, so how did they be strangers literally 24 hourster?


    Song Qingchun made some calctions in her mind and realized... it had been two months since she¡¯d seen him.


    She didn¡¯t think Beijing was so big that two people who had practically spent their days in each other¡¯spany wouldn¡¯t have the chance to meet after separation.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s intention to rest disappeared without a trace. She sat in her car for a long time until the cart that sold the cotton candy slowly passed by her window. She rolled down her window and asked with a raw voice, "Hello, how much for one?"


    "10 RMB."


    This is such a coincidence... Even after two months, Song Qingchun could recognize this old man as the seller who they had run into that early morning. The irony of the situation was not lost on her; she could stumble across this cotton candy seller that she had nothing to do with but not him, never him...


    Song Qingchun lowered her gaze and pulled out a fifty note from her wallet.


    The seller passed her one cotton candy and was about to give her the change when she added as an afterthought, "Give me two."


    Song Qingchun closed the car window and sat inside her car holding one cotton candy in each hand. She sat in that position for a long time. It was not until the sugar melted, flowed down the wooden stick, and came into contact with her hand that she regained her senses.


    She lowered her head to take a bite out of the misshapen cotton candy. The sugar tasted sweet in her mouth but bitter in her heart.


    It was then that she realized she was once more affected by Su Zhinian.


    I need to snap out of it. It has been sixty days already, why do I keep thinking about him?


    Song Qingchun stopped her train of thought and pushed the door open to drop the two cotton candy sticks into the nearby dustbin. She ran back into her car and pulled out some paper napkins to wipe her hands clean. She then started the engine and left.


    She needed to find something to do, to upy her mind, or she would be in a miserable state until shey down for bed.


    Suddenly, her phone, which had been left on the passenger seat, rang.

 Chapter 410: Another Meeting (3)

    Chapter 410: Another Meeting (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun controlled the steering wheel with one hand and leaned over to grab the phone with another. She looked at the Caller ID and hesitated for a moment before putting the phone to her ear. "Dad."


    "Qingchun," Song Menghwa was probably in the middle of a chess game because Song Qingchun could hear the sound of a piece knocking against wood in the background, "are you free tonight?"


    Song Qingchun answered, without second thought, "I need to stay at thepany."


    "What? Hello? What did you say? I can¡¯t hear you..." Song Menghwa suddenly raised his volume to interrupt her. After several hellos he continued. "Qingchun, I think the connection at your uncle Sun¡¯s ce is not that good, can you even hear me? I¡¯ve missed you; you haven¡¯t had dinner with me for such a long time already, so you have toe to Jin Yuan tonight to apany me, okay? Goodbye, I¡¯ll see you there..."


    "Hello, Dad?" Song Qingchun was starting to protest, but Song Menghwa hung up immediately, not giving her the chance. Song Qingchun heard the dial tone from her phone and tried to call Song Menghwa back. However, the operator told her that the phone had already been switched off.


    This lousy trick again!


    Song Qingchun threw the phone back at the passenger seat in frustration and raised her free hand to massage her temple. She couldn¡¯t help but grumble in dissatisfaction. "What does he mean by haven¡¯t had dinner with him for a long time, what about the dinnerst night? This is obviously a blind date."


    Yes, a set up so to speak...


    After the incident two months ago and also probably due to the loss of his son still haunting him, Song Menghwa was incredibly worried about Song Qingchun. He had even hired two bodyguards to tail her every hour of the day.


    The police hade to conclude the report. Of the trio that abducted her that night, the driver, due to the wound to his heart, had died due to massive blood loss. The young man had said he fainted before anything happened, so his answer to everything was: "I don¡¯t know."


    The fatty had woken up after one month, and as if spooked, his mind was extremely muddled. However, the police had still managed to pick up from his ramblings that someone appeared to save her and Qin Yinan that night.


    Regarding the identity of that person, the police had searched high and low, but they had note up with anything.


    However, when the police returned to report to her, they had passed Song Qingchun a clear stic bag containing a gold button.


    The officer had told her that the button was found at the scene. It looked expensive, not something affordable for the three abductors. It was rted to her, so they had left it in her care.


    It was a menswear¡¯s button and seemed to have fallen from a shirt. The design was simple yet elegant.


    She had asked Qin Yinan and confirmed that it didn¡¯t belong to him. In fact, when she heard the denial from him, her heart had shaken for a moment.


    It was not Qin Yinan¡¯s and not the three abductors¡¯, so it had to belong to her savior.


    This button was her only clue to finding that person.

 Chapter 411: Another Meeting (4)

    Chapter 411: Another Meeting (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Afraid that she might identally lose the button, she strung it through a red thread and wore it as a pendant of sorts around her neck.


    Five days after the incident, there had been an anonymous tip to the police station reporting that the mastermind behind the abduction was someone by the name of ¡¯Brother Kun¡¯.


    With that lead, the police had interrogated the young man and fatty, and they¡¯d managed to pry from their lips the full name of Brother Kun; it was Xie Kun. Most likely, he had gotten wind of the n¡¯s failure because when the police raided hisir, the man was gone.


    Regarding why they were targeting Song Qingchun¡¯s life, the young man had said Brother Kun had promised them arge sum of money after the deal was done to help them escape the country. Xie Kun didn¡¯t give them the exact reason, so the whole truth could only be exposed after Xie Kun was behind bars.


    However, there was still a big mystery that remained; why would the driver suddenlymit suicide?


    Xie Kun was a wanted man all over the country, which meant that Song Qingchun was temporarily safe. Song Qingchun begged her father to fire the two bodyguards who followed her around like flies, and finally, he relented. However, in return, he started pushing her toward marriage, hoping that she would have someone to look after her.


    Initially, Song Menghwa would only nag her to go on dates, but after realizing she was not doing anything of that kind, he started tricking her intoing to these blind dates. She would go to dinner with him, and there would be a young man at the table.


    After this happened a couple of times, Song Qingchun started finding reasons to reject going out to dinner with her father. However, Song Menghwa had be even more cunning than she was, giving her no chance to reject him at all.


    Furthermore, Song Menghwa was still recovering from his illness, so Song Qingchun only dared to skip dinner a few times lest it caused her father¡¯s blood pressure to rise.


    Now that she thought about it, this week, Song Menghwa had called her seven times asking her out to dinner. She had skipped the one on Monday and found a reason to escape from the rest. If she didn¡¯t appear for the dinner tonight, it would most likely threaten Song Menghwa¡¯s limit.


    Song Qingchun felt a headacheing just thinking about this. She rolled down the window to let in some air. However, it didn¡¯t seem to blow her troubles away. Frustrated, she turned the air conditioner up to its maximum.


    As the chilling winds fell on her face, she felt slightly better.


    ...


    Song Menghwa¡¯s dinner was set at 7.30 pm.


    When Song Qingchun passed TW Station, it was still early, so she dropped in to pass the interview records to her assistant.


    Song Qingchun left herpany at 6.30 pm. Even if the traffic was horrendous, it wouldn¡¯t take her an hour to reach Jin Yuan.


    However, she didn¡¯t prepare for the sudden change in weather. Ten minutes after she left herpany, lightning started to rumble, and it began to pour. The slippery road caused an ident, and she was stuck in traffic for an hour.


    When she arrived at Jin Yuan, it was almost 8.30 pm.


    Song Qingchun rushed to the private room, and she saw only Song Menghwa in there.


    Huh? My guess was wrong; this is purely a family dinner?


    As Song Qingchun frowned with confusion, Song Menghwa stood up from his seat, and his face fell. He ignored her and said to the driver who was standing there, "We¡¯ll go home now!"

 Chapter 412: Another Meeting (5)

    Chapter 412: Another Meeting (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Dad..." Song Qingchun pleaded with Song Menghwa. She was just about to exin when Song Menghwa huffed angrily and walked past her.


    It was the driver who clued Song Qingchun in. After Song Menghwa left the room, he whispered into her ear, "Young Miss, you¡¯d better go apologize to Old Master when you¡¯re home. This time, he found you a young man who¡¯s just returned from his study overseas. Hees from a good family background; I hear he¡¯s the son of some university chancellor. He waited for an hour and left in an angry fit, saying Old Master didn¡¯t have the sincerity to make this work, and that made Old Master lose face."


    Song Menghwa¡¯s deliberate coughs came from outside the door, and the driver shut up immediately. He smiled apologetically at Song Qingchun and quickly left.


    ...


    To be honest, Song Qingchun sighed in relief that the blind date had ended up in a dud. In fact, when she saw the dishes left on the table, she even sat down and started enjoying them.


    Song Qingchun paid the bill and left to use the bathroom before leaving Jin Yuan.


    When she stood at the sink, the cubicle behind her opened. She didn¡¯t turn around but focused on washing her hands. She pressed the dispenser for soap and was rubbing her hands drying with the paper napkins when she heard someone call from behind her, "Miss Song?"


    Song Qingchun was startled and raised her head to see Zheng Hao in a smart suit walk toward her in the reflection of the mirror.


    Song Qingchun followed Su Zhinian¡¯s rmendation and had Song Menghwa officially hire Zheng Hao as Song Empire¡¯s CEO. As Su Zhinian predicted, Song Empire ran smoothly in Zheng Hao¡¯s care, and thepany was only getting better.


    Song Qingchun dropped the paper napkin into the dustbin and straightened up to smile at Zheng Hao. "CEO Zheng, this is such a coincidence."


    "It is..." Zheng Hao smiled in response and asked, "You¡¯re also here for dinner?"


    "Yes." Song Qingchun nodded.


    "With Old Director?"


    "Yes, but he already left."


    "That¡¯s such a shame; I need to report something to him," Zheng Haomented with a sigh.


    "Is it important?" Song Qingchun asked nonchntly, merely as a way to continue the conversation.


    "It¡¯s not particrly important; it¡¯s rted to CEO Su..."


    "CEO Su?" Song Qingchun frowned slightly. "Su Zhinian?"


    When Song Qingchun saw Zheng Hao nod, her frown deepened. "What about him?"


    Zheng Hao was under a professional obligation to tell Song Qingchun, and he had been trying to find a way to remind Song Menghwa these past few days, so he said conservatively, "It¡¯s about CEO Su¡¯s one hundred million investment."


    "One hundred million investment?" Song Qingchun was dumbfounded. "What one hundred million?"


    "Miss Song, don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve forgotten it like Old Director?"


    Song Qingchun was made even more confused. "Forgotten? CEO Zheng, do you mind rifying? I don¡¯t quite get it..."


    "CEO Su used one hundred million to save Song Empire..." After all, it was not Zheng Hao that owed the money or had money owed to, so he didn¡¯t go into details.


    Song Qingchun was dazed. She stared at Zheng Hao for a long time before asking, "When was this?"


    This time it was Zheng Hao who was dumbfounded. "Miss Song, you really don¡¯t know about this?"

 Chapter 413: Another Meeting (6)

    Chapter 413: Another Meeting (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun shook her head slightly and didn¡¯t speak.


    Zheng Hao understood what she didn¡¯t say and borated. "Thepany was pushing out a new product when CEO Su took over Song Empirest year. The production was halted because thepany was running low on funds. At the time, I was the person responsible for that product; the situation was truly dire. If we couldn¡¯t find the money to continue the production, Song Empire would really have gone under. Furthermore, the Old Director¡¯s physical condition wasn¡¯t that favorable at the time, so none of us dared disturb him. Song Empire was in huge debt with the banks, so asking for a loan was impossible.


    "Just as everyone was certain thepany was going to go bankrupt, CEO Su, who had taken over thepany for only twenty days, transferred one hundred million from his personal ount into Song Empire and allowed the product to bepleted. It was because of that product that Song Empire was given a chance toe back from the dead.


    "When CEO Su transferred the money, he didn¡¯t mention whether it was an investment in Song Empire or whether it was a loan to Song Empire. Therefore, we all assumed the discussion had already happened between CEO Su and the Old Director or Young Miss. Song Empire is preparing to invest in a new project next month, but Old Director hasn¡¯t mentioned what to do with this amount of money. I¡¯m afraid of investing the money that doesn¡¯t belong to thepany, so I¡¯ve been meaning to ask Old Director whether to leave this money from CEO Su aside or..."


    Song Qingchun could feel her heart gradually shrink and blood started to drain from her face.


    When he proposed a contract with her before agreeing to take over Song Empire, she had assumed he wanted her body as exchange. However, the contract had ended, and he still hadn¡¯t taken a cent from Song Empire and hadn¡¯t truly touched her.


    Now that she thought about it, it was apletely unfavorable contract for him. Even as the other party in the contract, she herself felt that it was not worth it for him. However, she didn¡¯t expect that he would have done so much more than he told her; the contract was so much more unfavorable to him than she had assumed. After all, one hundred million was not a small figure.


    If... if she hadn¡¯t happened to stumble across Zheng Hao and hear this news from him, would she have never known about this one hundred million that he gave without asking for anything in return?


    ...


    The rest of the conversation didn¡¯t register in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind; in fact, she couldn¡¯t even recall how the conversation ended. When she came to, she was already sitting in her car.


    When she exited Jin Yuan¡¯s parking lot, the heavy downpour had slowed to a drizzle. It was 10 pm, and the traffic was still quite heavy due to the rain.


    She turned on the radio, and the masculine yet mellifluous voice of the broadcaster soothed her conflicted feelings.


    When she was waiting at a red light, the advertisement on the radio ended, and a beautiful melody started to y.


    Song Qingchun felt the melody was extremely familiar, so she paid special attention to it.


    "I said I fear most the breeze before the rain, you said it¡¯s the same for you too..."


    As the familiar lyric drifted out of the radio speaker, Song Qingchun¡¯s heart squeezed with pain.

 Chapter 414: Another Meeting (7)

    Chapter 414: Another Meeting (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She couldn¡¯t remember when thest time she had been so affected by him in the span of a day.


    "It seems that we¡¯ve both been loved by someone before; those dreams that were perfect to the point of not needing to be remedied; the many simr kinds of tenderness; there were also have different kinds of sadness..."


    She could still control her emotions when she saw the cotton candy in the afternoon, but her controlpletely unraveled when this song started to y. Memories flooded her mind like a broken dam, twisting her heart with pain.


    This song, she had heard it many times since the first time she heard it in Su Zhinian¡¯s study.


    Even though it had been almost five months, she could still remember what happened that day.


    She had asked him for a day-off to attend Qin Yinan¡¯s party. She¡¯d had an argument with Tang Nuan, and Tang Nuan had jumped into theke to pin an attempted murder charge on her. That night, she had almost gotten into a deep load of trouble, and it was him who hade to her rescue at thest moment.


    That night had been the first time she actively brewed coffee for him without him asking. The door to his study had been left slightly ajar, and since she didn¡¯t get any response after knocking on the door for a long time, she had pushed the door open and walked in. At the time, he had been half-copsed on his desk, seemingly writing or drawing something. When she¡¯d gotten close, she had realized he was writing his diary.


    That night had been the first time she actively asked him out for dinner. She remembered it had beente, and she had asked why he was staying up sote. He had said that he had some work toplete. She¡¯d seen the pile of documents about Song Empire on his table and noticed, for the time, the ck under his gorgeous pair of eyes.


    That night, she had even given him a new nickname: Big-headed Su.


    It was him who had fetched her from the northern mountains.


    It was him who had saved her from the deliveryman at TW Station.


    It was him who had prepared a ss of warm milk for her during her painful period.


    ...


    It was then that Song Qingchun realized Su Zhinian had done so many things for her. She had thought she wouldn¡¯t remember these things that appeared insignificant, but she realized she remembered every single one of them, and they had all been kept in a corner of her heart.


    His presence was like a tattoo, forever seared on her heart.


    It has been two months since the man harshly tossed me out of his house, so why do I still think about him so often?


    The mist before Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes got heavier.


    The car in front of her was gaining speed, but for some reason, Song Qingchun mmed on the brake, and the car came to a sudden halt. The next second, the car shook from the force from behind. Song Qingchun, who waspletely unprepared, had her head mmed heavily on the steering wheel.


    Song Qingchun calmed her beating heart and carefully examined the wound on her forehead through the rear-view mirror. Through the mirror, she saw the driver door of the car behind her open.


    She grabbed a paper napkin in a hurry to wipe away her tears. She then took a deep breath and pushed the door open to step out.


    She closed the door and was walking toward the car behind her when she saw a familiar figure get out from the passenger side.


    She was startled, and her footsteps stopped. As if acting on instinct, her eyes then zeroed in on the car¡¯s windshield.


    Through the falling rain, and using the light of the streetmp as a guide, she saw a familiar and handsome face sitting in the backseat.

 Chapter 415: Another Meeting (8)

    Chapter 415: Another Meeting (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Those deep eyes, aquiline nose, perfect jaw...


    He was wearing a pure ck suit and snow-white shirt underneath it. The simple contrast of ck and white brought out his majestic air perfectly.


    Even though he was seated in the car, saying no words, and had no obvious expression on his face, she could feel his elegant and impressive presence wash over her.


    He seemed to sense her eyes on him because his face, which was lowered, suddenly looked up, and his dark eyes met her own.


    Song Qingchun waspletely petrified. Like a scene out of a movie, she stood immobile in the rain, holding his gaze through the windshield.


    This surprise meeting made her feel like she was in a dream. She felt like this was a hallucination. She reached out to pinch the ball of her palm, and she finally conceded it wasn¡¯t when the pain registered in her mind.


    After two months, she had finally stumbled across him again in the busy streets of Beijing. She would be reminded of him every other day, but when she really saw him in person, she finally realized how much she missed him.


    Su Zhinian... Su Zhinian...


    Song Qingchun repeated his name twice in her mind and slowly turned up her lips at the person who had been haunting her every waking hour. However, right then, as if she was nothing more than a stranger his car had unfortunately crashed into, Su Zhinian slowly and deliberately turned his head away to look out the window on his right.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s smile as well as the blood in her body froze. The feeling of joy was instantly extinguished by hisck of concern. The slow drizzle continued to fall on the windshield, blurring her view of him, but it was made clear once more by the mechanical movement of the windshield wiper.


    She stood in a daze on the street; she didn¡¯t even have the mind to retract the smile that was forming on her lips.


    She saw Su Zhinian reach out gracefully to tap on the car window. Cheng Qingchong, who had alighted from the car, walked over, bowed down, and said respectfully, "CEO Su."


    Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t hear clearly what he said, but Cheng Qingchong soon nodded, straightened up, and walked toward her.


    Cheng Qingchong stopped at around half a meter away from Song Qingchun. She smiled politely before she greeted, "Nice to meet you, Miss Song."


    After speaking with Cheng Qingchong, Su Zhinian had pulled his gaze away and didn¡¯t nce at her once even though her eyes had been glued to him. When Cheng Qingchong called her name, she nodded automatically. It was not until ten secondster that she finally moved her gaze to settle on Cheng Qingchong¡¯s face. The voice that fell from her lips was a bit raw. "Long time no see, Miss Cheng."

 Chapter 416: Another Meeting (9)

    Chapter 416: Another Meeting (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Long time no see..." Cheng Qingchong returned another professional smile at the greeting. Before Song Qingchun could say anything, Cheng Qingchong added in a tactful manner, "Miss Song, CEO Su wishes for me to ask whether you would like to settle this ident privately or officially through the police?"


    Don¡¯t we know each other? Does he need to be so formal dealing with such a small ident?


    Instantly, the words Cheng Qingchong delivered on his behalf two months ago when she was chased out of his bungalow echoed in her mind. "CEO Su said, now that the contract is over, the rtionship between you and he is officially over. He hopes that the rtionship can return to the pre-contract state. He hopes that you¡¯ll stop bugging him."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s expression became increasingly frozen.


    The Beijing¡¯s weather in May was just right; it was the period with the most wonderful weather of the whole year. Even if it was raining, it wouldn¡¯t have been cold. However, at that moment, Song Qingchun was chilled.


    It was not that she didn¡¯t remember the words that he had said, but with the precedence of what happened five years ago, she really didn¡¯t think that they would end up as strangers should they really meet again. Obviously, she had underestimated the coldness of his heart.


    Cheng Qingchong stood patiently in the rain, waiting for Song Qingchun. However, her patience was seriously tested when the other woman didn¡¯t seem like she was going to say anything, so she coughed and added, "Miss Song?"


    Song Qingchun recovered and sucked in a light breath before saying, "That won¡¯t be necessary..."


    Under normal circumstances, it would the car at the rear who would shoulder full responsibility in such ident, but in this case, the fault fellpletely on Song Qingchun. It was her fault for bing absent-minded while she was driving and mistaking the brake for gas pedal.


    "That..." Cheng Qingchong started to speak with difficulty before stopping after saying that one word. She nced at Song Qingchun¡¯s car and turned back to walk to the window. She lowered her head to talk to Su Zhinian inside the car, and Su Zhinian passed her something. Then Cheng Qingchong returned to converse with Song Qingchun. "CEO Su said that this is his fault, and it is only fair that hepensates you for any damage. Furthermore, Miss Song, you¡¯re injured; CEO Su said that if you need, I can apany you to the nearest clinic, but if you don¡¯t, please take this."


    Then, Cheng Qingchong passed Song Qingchun the thing that she had gotten from Su Zhinian. Song Qingchun leaned closer and saw that it was a check. Su Zhinian had signed it, but the column for the amount had been left empty.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s face turned even whiter when she looked at the piece of paper. Her hands curled into fists involuntarily, and her head lowered out of habit.


    Tendrils of ice radiated from her heart and slowly crawled over her entire body. Even the wound on her forehead started to sting.


    Once he had dropped his work and driven her home to take care of her simply because she had a painful period, but now, in contrast, she had gotten into an ident, and there was blood trickling down her forehead, but all he did was get his secretary to buy her off with money? He didn¡¯t even have the courtesy to get out from his car and talk to her in person.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s signature on the cheque was still the one she recognized; it was powerful and flowy,pleted in one stroke.


    However, the longer Song Qingchun stared at it, the more unfamiliar it became to her.

 Chapter 417: Another Meeting (10)

    Chapter 417: Another Meeting (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    In fact, at that moment, she herself started to wonder if the 100 days she spent with him was just a dream she made up.


    This very dayst year, at this very door,


    The pretty face outshone the peach blossom.


    I don¡¯t know where the beauty went;


    The peach flowers still smile in spring breeze. 1


    The Su Zhinian she knew had already disappeared. Song Qingchun clenched her fists tightly to stop herself from losing herposure.


    She took a deep breath to calm the raging emotions in her heart. She then turned around to smile at Cheng Qingchong with much difficulty. However, the serenity in her voice surprised even herself. "I¡¯m fine, and the car¡¯s fine too, so I really don¡¯t need anypensation."


    "Do you need me to apany you to the clinic?" Cheng Qingchong asked in a polite voice.


    This time, Song Qingchun replied instantly. Almost the second Cheng Qingchong finished her question, she shook her head violently. "No need."


    Cheng Qingchong noted the vehemence in Song Qingchun¡¯s rejection. Her lips moved, but she didn¡¯t force Song Qingchun to ept the check. Instead, she turned around for the third time and walked back to the car window.


    There were many cars on the road at 10 pm in Beijing. Vehicles flew past them, headlights ring all the way. The rain had started to fall in earnest. Since Song Qingchun didn¡¯t have an umbre, her clothes started to get soaked.


    A breeze caressed her thighs, which were exposed, causing her whole body to shiver involuntarily.


    This time, Su Zhinian had a long conversation with Cheng Qingchong. When Cheng Qingchong straightened up to walk toward her, through the windshield, Song Qingchun saw Su Zhinian pulled his gaze back from the window, and for that one moment, it fell on her. However, he quickly moved it away as if she was something not worth his attention.


    Due to theck of light, Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t see the expression on his face clearly, but she could sense his intention to draw as big a distance between them as possible.


    Cheng Qingchong once more returned to stand before Song Qingchun, and she said, "Miss Song, I¡¯ll leave this name card with you, please free to contact me when you take your car to the mechanic; I¡¯ll pay for it through CEO Su¡¯s insurance."


    [This is possibly Su Zhinian¡¯sst kindness.


    Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t wait for Song Qingchun¡¯s approval this time and slotted her name card right under her car¡¯s windshield wiper. Then, she smiled politely at Song Qingchun and said her goodbye. "Miss Song, if there¡¯s nothing else, we¡¯ll be leaving."


    Cheng Qingchong stood waiting for Song Qingchun to respond for about half a minute. When she didn¡¯t, Cheng Qingchong shed her another professional smile and said goodbye again before turning to leave.


    As the door mmed shut, Su Zhinian¡¯s driver started the car. The shing headlights dazed the already baffled Song Qingchun. When she came to, Su Zhinian¡¯s car was already by her side.


    The radio in her car was still on. Perhaps the radio station had done a mistake or fate was ying its cruel joke because the song she had been listening to earlier was still ying.


    "I said I fear most the breeze before the rain; you said it¡¯s the same for you too. We bothugh while looking at the sky, and talked and talked until we both were crying."


    Her car had blocked thene they were in, so his car needed to swerve into the nextne to go past her. Due to the heavy traffic, his car was moving slowly since his driver was looking for a hard-toe-by opening in the nextne.


    Through the backseat window, she managed to catch a clearer glimpse of his frosty face.


    "It seems that we¡¯ve both been loved by someone before. Those dreams that were perfect to the point of not needing to be remedied, the many simr kinds of tenderness, there were also different kinds of sadness..."

 Chapter 418: The Man of Her Dreams Has Returned (1)

    Chapter 418: The Man of Her Dreams Has Returned (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The same inhumanly handsome features and stifling presence...


    It was everything she remembered and more.


    They were inches apart, yet it felt like they were worlds away.


    Two friends that have been friends for many years, the reasons that our two loves came and went.


    After the events have happened and the times have changed, we both reminisced on the side of the road.


    That dream in which we were pped in the face was like the sound of rumbling thunder...


    The car slowly drove away, carrying him away from her sight. Her eyes had been glued to him, but he acted like she was thin air, not even ncing her way once.


    We have all been forgotten, all have been forgotten for a long time;


    Time is a roadside thief.


    That sleeve under the umbre and that face that is waiting for an answer;


    How much happiness has turned into loneliness in the end?


    The car eventually drove past her and elerated until it disappeared among the traffic of busy Beijing.


    And the song in her car was still ying.


    We have all been forgotten, all have been forgotten for a long time.


    How many words should be used to describe ¡¯love¡¯?


    You spoke so calmly and easily, I watched dark clouds fly away, and because I understand all the things you say, love often has a beginning but no ending...


    ...


    The rain suddenly started to pour again, the needle-like water drops turned into pearl droplets. Song Qingchun¡¯s attire was quickly soaked through. Her wet, long hair stuck to her face and neck, but she still stood where she was,pletely immobile.


    The cars on the road slowly dwindled. A few drivers slowed down to toss her a confused look, watching her stand in a daze out there in the rain. Eventually, a kind mother stopped by the roadside and came to stand by her side with an umbre, asking with concern, "Girl, why are you standing here in the rain? You¡¯ll catch a nasty cold."


    Song Qingchun blinked into consciousness, and she pulled her gaze back from where she hadst seen Su Zhinian¡¯s car. She turned and forced a smile at thedy who was talking to her and shook her head.


    "Girl, your forehead is hurt. The rain could cause a serious infection; you have to be careful." The mother was a kind person; as she advised Song Qingchun, she pulled out her phone to help her call an ambnce. "I think I¡¯d better call you an ambnce."


    "Really, there¡¯s no need," Song Qingchun said in a tone that was incredibly hoarse. She smiled at the mother and said, "There¡¯s really no need; I was merely spacing out. I¡¯ll go now."


    The worrieddy followed Song Qingchun to her car and even asked her if she needed to call a taxi. Song Qingchun smiled and thanked her for her kindness. She waited for thedy to return to her car before she started her engine and continued on the road.


    The song on the radio finally changed, but it was not like Song Qingchun was really listening to anything that was on.


    Song Qingchun wanted to return home, but she turned and turned around a roundabout, seemingly unable to find the exit that would lead her home. When she finally made an exit, it was not the correct one, and it led her to the part of Beijing where the nightlife congregated.


    Ever since that incident during high school, Song Menghwa had forbidden her froming to this kind of ce, but when Song Cheng was still around, he had still snuck her out once or twice before.


    The colorful lights shed until Song Qingchun felt like she was about to go dizzy. She searched for a long time but still couldn¡¯t find that nightclub that she had once visited. Eventually she settled on a random one and drove into its carpark.

 Chapter 419: The Man of Her Dreams Has Returned (2)

    Chapter 419: The Man of Her Dreams Has Returned (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    When Song Qingchun got out of her car, the valet was visibly startled seeing the state he was in.


    He had worked there for years and every guest he ushered through the door was dressed up to the nines. This was the first time where he saw someone came to the clubpletely drenched and with a fresh wound on the forehead...


    However, when he spotted the limited edition Chanel watch on Song Qingchun¡¯s wrist, he quickly removed his shock. He helped Song Qingchun park her car nicely and led her into the club.


    It was 11.30 pm, and the atmosphere was getting heated. The music was booming, and under the flickering lights, couples were grinding against each other on the dance floor.


    Song Qingchun slumped into one of the booths that faced the stage. The waiter told her that there would be a live performance at midnight.


    The booth was part of a package that came with a bottle of white wine, a bottle of red wine, a dozen beers, a big fruit te, and assorted nuts. The package cost five digits.


    Song Qingchun had the waiter open all the alcohol and filled up her heavy crystal mug with foaming beer. She downed it like it was water, and as the alcohol worked its way through her system, she gradually felt better. The congested feeling in her heart slowly unraveled.


    Other than her own, other booths were filled with partying groups. In fact, the booth right opposite from her was so full with people that some of the female guests that barely had anything on were forced to sit on people¡¯sps.


    Song Qingchun was much too conspicuous in this environment. Many tossed curious nces at her, and even a few men came over to ask whether they could join her.


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t even raise her eyes to acknowledge them; she focused fully on her drinking.


    All the alcohol seemed to go straight to her dder because she only sat there for fifteen minutes before she needed to use the bathroom. By then, she had finished two and a half bottles of beer. She was still rather conscious. When she exited the bathroom, she stumbled across a couple who were smooching the house down in the corridor.


    It was midnight when she returned to her booth, and the show had already started. Ady in white dress got up to the stage, greeted the room, and started singing.


    "I said I fear most the breeze before the rain;


    "You said it¡¯s the same for you too.


    "We bothughed while looking at the sky, and talked and talked until we both were crying..."


    The singer had remixed the song into a techno version, and the original touching melody was so wrangled that Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t even recognize it at the beginning, but as the familiar lyrics drifted into her ears, she started to get depressed again.


    What the... When did this song get so popr? Why is it yed wherever I go?


    Song Qingchun grabbed the beer bottle by the neck and downed the rest of the bottle in one go.


    It had been a long time since she had drunk so openly. She remembered thest time she had done this; it was her birthdayst year. Qin Yinan had promised he would apany her, but he had ended up with Tang Nuan instead. Or more urately, ever since her first contact with alcohol when she was eighteen, every time she had gotten blind drunk, it had been due to Qin Yinan... but this time...


    The image of the aloof man that she saw through the whipping rain and car window suddenly materialized in her mind.

 Chapter 420: The Man of Her Dreams Has Returned (3)

    Chapter 420: The Man of Her Dreams Has Returned (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She felt like her heart had been struck by a million needles; the intense pain made her breath catch in her throat. She reached out to grab at the nearest bottle of bottle and threw it down her throat.


    Song Qingchun finished almost the whole bottle of white wine before mming it down heavily on the table. She raised her head to nce toward the stage. Thedy was still performing the same song, ¡¯We Have All Been Forgotten¡¯, but instead of singing, she was now dancing to the beat.


    Her dancing ability was much better than her singing. Her seductive moves lit the venue up, and wolf-whistles kept oning from the crowd.


    Theughing and cheering of the people around her amplified Song Qingchun¡¯s loneliness and sadness. At the time, she still had the rity of mind to realize that if she continued to drink, it could get dangerous for a girl like her who was there all alone, without aid... However, despite her better judgement, she grabbed another bottle and continued drinking.


    The sudden rush of wine made her cough. She bent over from coughing, and it was so violent that tears trickled out from her eyes.


    No, I¡¯m here to find happiness, to party! How can I be so useless and cry?


    Song Qingchun sat in her booth and mimicked the people around her; she forced herself tough, and a sad chuckle escaped from her lips. However, the more sheughed, the greater the desire to cry. The tears around the corner of her eyes glittered conspicuously, reflecting the strobing light at the club.


    She raised her hand to wipe away her tears. She heard the chuckles that escaped her lips, and her tears continued to fall like a string of broken pearls.


    This is horrible... I managed to do this five years ago when I promised to be a stranger to him, so why couldn¡¯t I do it now?


    When she was chased out of his home, she had consoled herself with the fact that time would heal everything. She would be downcast for at most a few weeks, and then she would be her old self again. However, it had been two months, and the memories hadn¡¯t dissipated; if anything, they were more real and pronounced than before.


    The worst thing was, when she saw him on the street earlier, she didn¡¯t feel any resentment toward him within her; the only thing she felt was surprise and joy from meeting again after such a long period of separation.


    When they wrote down the contract, she had expected this ending. In fact, she wished for it, so she had no reason to me him. It was her own fault for wanting a different ending.


    However, he was so cold... like he had never been a part of her life at all, so cold that he wouldn¡¯t give her any more than that initial nce.


    Song Qingchun finally lost control of her emotions. Her inhibitions were removed by the alcohol, and she copsed on the table and started to wail.


    The loud music smothered the sound of her crying; she couldn¡¯t even hear herself, which was probably for the best.


    She was a picture of devastation, aplete contrast to the world of celebration and depravity around her.


    asionally, people would pass her booth and nce at her. Most of them thought she was merely resting her head from drinking too much.


    She wept for a very long time; it seemed like she was going to cry until the end of days. Many people passed her booth, there were men and women, but only a man in a ck suit stopped before it.

 Chapter 421: The Man of Her Dreams Has Returned (4)

    Chapter 421: The Man of Her Dreams Has Returned (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Her tears stopped instantly. The man stood where he was and stared at her for a moment before walking around the table to sit down beside her.


    He pulled the bottle away from her hands and ced it gently on the table before reaching over to her shoulder and pulling her into his embrace.


    The party in the club carried on, while inside the darkened booth, he held her quietly in his arms. She shivered slightly, and he couldn¡¯t help but raise his hand to lightly pat her on her back. It was only after a long time that he finally pulled her from his arms.


    He lowered his head and saw that both her eyes and nose were red from tears. Her make-up waspletely ruined, and her longshes were tangled together from the copious number of tears. She was as sad-looking as possible.


    He sighed lightly. It sounded like frustration and heartache. With his one hand, he held her face gingerly and used his other to carefully wipe away her tears and snot.


    The tapered fingers that held her face were strong and powerful, but as they brushed her tears away, they spoke of immeasurable tenderness and care.


    After he cleaned her face, his finger settled on the wound on her forehead. His actions were light as he examined the wound. After making sure the injury was not serious, he pulled out a disinfectant wipe from his pocket to clean her wound. At the same time, he cleared away the blood that had dried around the wound.


    Eventually, his hand rested on the back of her head. It stayed there for a very long time before it raised her head, and he dropped a faded kiss in between her brows. Then, he let go of her and left as quietly as he came.


    A minute after he left, Song Qingchun suddenly went searching for her phone in her bag. With her lead lowered, her fingers tapped mechanically on the disy and sent a message out. "I¡¯m at MIX, unable to drive, can youe fetch me?"


    After the message was sent, she ced her phone back into her bag.


    ...


    Song Qingchun blinked into consciousness. She looked at the stage that had another set of performers on it, and her frown deepened.


    Her alcohol-addled mind was slow to pick up what was wrong with the picture. Wait... I was crying facing down on the table, so why am I now sitting up straight watching the performance then?


    The perplexed Song Qingchun looked around before her gaze settled on the bottle of white wine, which only had a third left, sitting on the table. She frowned even deeper.


    If I¡¯m not mistaken, I was holding the bottle; when did it go so far away from me? What¡¯s going on? Am I really that drunk?


    Suddenly, a lightbulb lit up inside Song Qingchun. She raised her hands to touch her own face. It was dry; the tears that had been stuck to her face before were all gone.


    She seemed to understand everything instantly. She jumped up from the seat, grabbed her purse, and walked to the bathroom with faltering steps.


    She copsed before the counter and widened her eyes, looking at her reflection in the mirror.


    Her skin was fair and dry, all traces of tears gone. She also noticed that even the dried blood on her forehead had been cleaned.

 Chapter 422: The Man of Her Dreams Has Returned (5)

    Chapter 422: The Man of Her Dreams Has Returned (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun¡¯s fingers started to shake on top of the counter.


    Her guess was correct; someone had induced a temporary memorypse in her. Over the past two years, it was not that she hadn¡¯t had episodes where she had cried her heart out before, but there was no incident of memory loss. In fact, after she wiped away her tears, a number of times, she had been confused about why it had happened... but now it had returned.


    Whenever she cried, she did it in the privacy of her own room, but today, her emotions had gotten the better of her in a public situation. This was a perfect opportunity because if someone did appear... no, someone had to have appeared because even the wound of her forehead had been cleaned.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart slowed for a beat before she turned back around and stalked about to her booth.


    She looked around her and asked the night-club goers in the booth to her left, "Did someone join me in this booth just now?"


    The tableful of guests in various states of inebriation could barely slur out a coherent sentence much less understand her question. A girl smiled brightly at her, and a man shook his head at her, saying, "No, no date, my girlfriend is with me tonight!"


    Well, I hope she finds out what a pig you are, cheater! Song Qingchun cursed him in her head and turned to the booth on the other side.


    A middle-aged man nodded when he heard her question, adding, "Yes, someone was there before..."


    Then, he started tough. "Girl, you¡¯re funning. He even helped you wipe away your tears, and you came to ask me about him? How drunk are you?"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s breath stopped. She stared at the man and pressed, "Then do you know where he went after that?"


    "He¡¯s right there..." The middle-aged man titled his bottle down a direction. Song Qingchun quickly turned toward it.


    "You see there. The one in a ck suit, the tall fe, the one squeezing through the dance floor..."


    The strobing lights in the club made it impossible for Song Qingchun to catch the man¡¯s face clearly. She only managed to get a profile. Before the middle-aged man could finish, she dropped a hasty "thank you" and ran with teetering steps onto the dance floor. She tried to make her way toward the man.


    The dance floor was a mess of wiggling bodies. Song Qingchun could barely move forward one step before being shoved back another two steps. When she finally got to the spot where she thought the man was, the person had already disappeared. She stood where she was and started to look around. There were a million of unfamiliar faces; in fact, one of the foreign faces extended his hand toward her, asking her for a dance.


    Song Qingchun rejected him with a slurred apology before wiggling her way to the stage. She used every ounce of energy in her body to haul herself on stage. The performance had long since finished, and the stage was upied with even more people dancing. Song Qingchun stood up with much difficulty and finally spotted the back of therge ck shadow on the right-hand side of the dance floor.


    Perhaps it was her wishful thinking, or perhaps the flickering lights in the club had induced a hallucination in her, but she saw Su Zhinian¡¯s back ovepping on the individual.


    After Song Qingchun recovered from her daze, she realized the person was walking toward the exit.


    He¡¯s leaving?


    It had taken her so much trouble to finally spot him again; she couldn¡¯t let him escape so easily. Song Qingchun jumped off the stage and squeezed her way toward the exit.

 Chapter 423: The Man of Her Dreams Has Returned (6)

    Chapter 423: The Man of Her Dreams Has Returned (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    In her hurry to catch up, she knocked into many dancers. Each time she hastily apologized before squeezing her way forward. Those who were good-tempered ignored her and continued to dance, while others either cursed her under their breaths or yelled expletives at her.


    Even though it was only a small distance, when Song Qingchun squeezed her way out of the dance floor, sweat covered her body. However, she didn¡¯t dare to rest. Without even taking a breath, she ran toward the elevator.


    In the end, she was still one step toote; as she reached the elevator, the door was just closing.


    However, Song Qingchun refused to give up. She took the stairs and ran down to the first floor. When she reached the lobby, the ck shadow was exiting the nightclub¡¯s revolving door.


    She picked up the pace, but her step faltered, and she sprained her ankle. The pain caused her to wheeze. She yanked her heels off her feet and chased the shadow out of the door.


    Outside, the rain had stopped. There were pools of water on the road, reflecting the blinking lights of the various nightclubs.


    Compared to the rowdy atmosphere inside, the night seemed exceptionally quiet. Other than the asional car, the streets were deserted.


    She was still one step toote... couldn¡¯t catch up to him...


    She slowly raised her hand to rub the golden button dangling on her neck. Thankfully, she had at leaste away with something that night. She had confirmed that she wasn¡¯t dreaming; her guardian angel did really exist.


    She stood at the entrance for a long time before she ced her heels on the floor. She put them back on and walked back into the nightclub. Inside, the party was still going on.


    Song Qingchun found her way back to her booth, and the first thing she did after she sat down was send a message to the 11 digits.


    "You¡¯re at MIX, right? You know I was chasing after you, and that is why you have to leave in such a hurry, isn¡¯t it? Why wouldn¡¯t you let me see you in person?"


    ...


    There was no reply.


    Even though Song Qingchun had expected as much, she couldn¡¯t help but feel disappointed. Song Qingchun held the phone in her hand for a long time before reaching for the alcohol that was left on the table.


    Once she began, she didn¡¯t stop; it reached a point where she couldn¡¯t tell what she was drinking anymore. It all went down her throat like pure water. Eventually, after multiple trips to the bathroom, she finished all the bottles on her table.


    The different kinds of alcohol reacted violently with each other within her body. Her world was pulsating both from within and without; she felt heated, and there was a constant feeling that the ground under her feet was shifting.


    She couldn¡¯t summon any energy in her body and slumped against the sofa. Herst remaining shred of consciousness prevented her from copsing in public. She tried her best to not sumb to drowsiness, but in the end, her willpower was no match for the cocktail of alcohol in her system.


    She had a wonderful dream. The ck shadow had returned like an apparition walking out of a mist. He sat down beside her and removed his jacket to ce it over her.


    As he did so, she was shaken awake. She smiled dazzlingly at him, saying in a questioning tone, "You finally wish toe meet me?"


    He didn¡¯t answer, and she slumbered back into her dream within a dream.


    There was a silent bubble enclosing them, isting them from the raucous world around them. There was an indescribable sense ofpletion and serenity about the picture that they made.

 Chapter 424: The Man of Her Dreams Has Returned (7)

    Chapter 424: The Man of Her Dreams Has Returned (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    After a long moment of silence, she leaned in toward him. He felt it but didn¡¯t evade. Sheid her head gently on his shoulder, and his whole body tensed. However, he didn¡¯t push her away.


    After some time, his hand slowly reached over her back to settle gently on her waist. She wriggled about in his arms, trying to locate a morefortable position to snuggle into, and it was then that she felt his hand on her waist tighten.


    Her lips curved involuntarily into a smile. She pulled her eyelids slowly open, and a familiar, handsome profile revealed itself before her eyes. Her gaze softened, and the smile on her lips turned brighter.


    "So, it is really you," she mumbled softly before closing her eyes and leaning closer into his arms, "Su Zhinian."


    "Yes..." An elegant voice drifted into her ears. "...It is me."


    She didn¡¯t say anything else as her hands reached for his shoulders. She wished vehemently that the dream would go on forever... because the man had finally returned to her in her dream.


    ...


    When Qin Yinan received Song Qingchun¡¯s message, he was working overtime at hispany, dealing with an important proposal.


    His brows furrowed when he saw her message. As he collected his stuff, he apologized to his colleague before rushing out of hispany in a hurry. Hispany was close to MIX, and due to theck of traffic at night, it only took him forty minutes to reach his destination.


    MIX at 1 am was at its busiest; the ce was crowded beyond belief. He didn¡¯t know where Song Qingchun was. He gave her a few calls, but none were picked up. He looked for her in the individual booths, and finally, he found her soundly asleep.


    His face twisted upon noticing the table full of empty wine and beer bottles. Before he moved forward, he checked the state of her clothing; they didn¡¯t look disturb. He sighed in relief. Then he tapped lightly on her face, trying to rouse her, but it was to no avail; Song Qingchun was too far gone by then. He helped her collect her stuff and called the waiter over to clear the bill. Then, he carried her out of MIX.


    The night was rather cold due to the earlier rain. Afraid that Song Qingchun might catch a cold, Qin Yinan took off his own coat to wrap it around Song Qingchun.


    He didn¡¯t realize that, about five meters behind him, a girl in a tight, glittering outfit was staring at him and Song Qingchun.


    She looked on as he ced Song Qingchun inside his car and leaned over to put the seatbelt on Song Qingchun. He found a nket to cover Song Qingchun¡¯s body before hopping into the car that she had been driven in so many times before.


    The car engine started but hadn¡¯t moved when someone called, "Tang Nuan? What are you doing standing there? Let¡¯s go party!"


    "Okay,ing." Tang Nuan eventually moved her gaze away from the car that she was so familiar with to join her friend. However, she only took two steps before she turned around to look at the car, which was making a U-turn through the club¡¯s revolving ss door.


    "Tang Nuan, why are you stopping again?"


    Tang Nuan immediately turned around and apologized before rushing into the elevator.


    Through the closing door, she saw the car drive away.


    ...


    The car soon disappeared after it melted into the main road.


    Not long after that, a shadow eventually walked out from behind a streetmp.

 Chapter 425: The Man of Her Dreams Has Returned (8)

    Chapter 425: The Man of Her Dreams Has Returned (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    As he stepped out of the shadows, Su Zhinian¡¯s perfect face became increasingly noticeable. He didn¡¯t hurry to leave but stood quietly under the lonely streetmp. His gaze followed Qin Yinan¡¯s car until it disappeared into the traffic.


    A light shower started to fall from the sky. It was not heavy; instead, it was small and loose like a woman¡¯s hair.


    The rain wasn¡¯t heavy, but as he stood there, his dark hair eventually became wet and clung to his face.


    Regardless, he still showed no intention of leaving. He had one of his hands in his pocket, and he stood there quietly, staring at the empty street as if he had all the time in the world to waste.


    The rain started to fall in earnest. His presence that was clean, elegant, and cold was colored by the falling rain to gain a sense of mncholy. His white dress shirt was soaked, and the half-opaque fabric stuck to his skin.


    Water droplets collected on his hair trailed down his perfect profile before falling to the floor. He didn¡¯t seem privy to what a sexy scene he was creating in the rain; he merely stood there, quietly staring at the empty streets.


    He couldn¡¯t tell how he woke up. When he did, he had found himself at Yun Nan in spring.


    Later, it was his secretary who had filled him in on all the happenings. His situation had been getting worse when he was seeking treatment in Beijing; he had been unconscious for more than half of the month. The group of expert doctors hired from around the world had not been able to do anything to save him.


    Finally, running out of options, with Doctor Xia¡¯s personal rmendation, they had taken him to Yun Nan to seek the counsel of a senior practitioner of Chinese medicine. It was then that his condition had gradually improved.


    His memory of his life at Yun Nan consisted of medicine, inspections, and medical examination...


    And, of course, memories of her.


    He really didn¡¯t expect that he would have such a dramatic reunion with her on the side of a busy street on the first day he returned to Beijing. He didn¡¯t even have time to prepare for it.


    When their eyes met for that one moment, in his heart, he had already pulled her deeply into his embrace, telling her the misery he had been subject to due to being forcibly taken away from her.


    However, those were words only for his heart. They would never see the light of day. All he could give her was aloofness and distance.


    His clear pair of dark eyes shed with misery. His gaze became lost, and the hand that was stuck in his pocket clenched tightly into a fist, suppressing the pain that was raging through his heart.


    When he signed the hundred-day contract with her, even without that ident, he had already prepared to make a clean break with her when the contract ended, because she was, for him, a dream that couldn¡¯t survive a day in reality.


    In fact, when the knife plunged into his heart, a part of him had wished that it would be the death of him.


    That way, he wouldn¡¯t have to wake up to a world where she wasn¡¯t around him anymore. He wouldn¡¯t feel pain from having separated from here; he wouldn¡¯t feel pain from having to fake a chilling presence around her; he wouldn¡¯t feel pain from his inability to love her.


    Those hundred days were the most beautiful and selfish dream he had given himself.

 Chapter 426: The Man of Her Dreams Has Returned (9)

    Chapter 426: The Man of Her Dreams Has Returned (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Since it was nothing more than a dream, he had to eventually wake up from it no matter the amount of pain that it costed them both.


    Therefore, he had returned to his role as a guardian angel. He would appear whenever she needed him, and she would never know he was there for her. Just like tonight, he had been worried when she ventured into the nightclub. He had followed her but didn¡¯t show himself.


    Even though the music was booming and the crowd was noisy, all he heard was the sound of her crying.


    He knew his appearance would lead to manyplications, but he couldn¡¯t help himself.


    In the haze of her alcohol-addled mind, she thought he was a part of her dream. When she leaned into her, the rational part of his mind told him to lean away, but his heart made him reach out to hug her instead. He allowed himself to materialize in her ¡¯dream¡¯. it was not until Qin Yinan showed himself that he disappeared back into her shadows.


    His body was still recovering from the grievous wound. The rain soaked his bandage and caused his chest to radiate pain.


    He knew he should have gone home to rest, but he couldn¡¯t pull himself away from looking in the direction she had disappeared to.


    No one knew how many times he had done this, standing alone in the dark to look after her, ever since he had discovered the secret five years ago.


    ...


    Song Qingchun woke up the next morning with a tremendous headache. She couldn¡¯t avoid the fate of being lectured severely by Song Menghwa.


    When Song Cheng was still around, she could rely on him to spring her out, but now that he was gone, she was helpless. Her sister-inw, Fang Rou, didn¡¯t dare openly defy Song Menghwa, and so, Song Qingchun was subjected to her father¡¯s endless scolding until her savior arrived in the form of Qin Yinan.


    It was a weekend, so Qin Yinan came over to check up on Song Qingchun. Before he entered the door, Fang Rou sought him out quietly and told him in a whisper that Song Qingchun was in the middle of being heavily reproached by Song Menghwa.


    When they were children, it had not been umon for Qin Yinan to save Song Qingchun¡¯s from Song Menghwa¡¯s lectures, so after he greeted Song Menghwa, he cleverly turned to Song Qingchun and said, "Didn¡¯t you say you wanted me to apany you to go window-shopping today?"


    Song Qingchun, in her hangover, was slow to catch up to Qin Yinan¡¯s intention. She turned to him with befuddlement in her eyes and replied, "What?"


    Song Menghwa chided her angrily, "What do you mean, what? Quickly go get ready, how long are you going to make Yinan wait?"


    Song Qingchun pouted and retreated to her room to change.


    When she came down, Song Menghwa personally sent them off. Before they left, Song Menghwa scanned Qin Yinan up and down and nodded with satisfaction several times.


    Song Qingchun felt chills rise all over her body when she noticed her father¡¯s action. Her instincts told her, her father was brewing some scheme in his mind, and it definitely wouldn¡¯t be beneficial to her. However, her instincts didn¡¯t tell her what kind of scheme it would be.


    ...


    Song Qingchun¡¯s instincts were right; Song Menghwa was indeed cooking up some scheme, but it couldn¡¯t be said that it would be harmful to Song Qingchun.


    When Qin Yinan had returned with Song Qingchun the previous night, the maids and Fang Rou had already been asleep. He hade downstairs to take a ss of water and just so happened to see how careful and loving Qin Yinan was when he was taking care of Song Qingchun.


    Staring at that scene, he had suddenly realized how foolish he was. He had been searching high and low for someone to take care of Song Qingchun, so how could he have forgotten there was a perfect candidate right before his eyes?

 Chapter 427: The Man of Her Dreams Has Returned (10)

    Chapter 427: The Man of Her Dreams Has Returned (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The more Song Menghwa considered it, the more he felt like Qin Yinan was a good man whom he could entrust Song Qingchun to.


    In fact, when he sent Song Qingchun and Qin Yinan smilingly away, he turned to ask the old butler, "What is your impression of Yinan?"


    "Young Master Qin is a good-tempered, patient, and overall, a good man," the butler answered. Song Menghwa nodded in agreement, and the smile on his face grew bigger.


    The butler had once been Song Menghwa¡¯s personal assistant. When Song Menghwa handed thepany over to Song Cheng, he too had retired alongside his immediate boss. After years of serving Song Menghwa, he was incredibly familiar with the man¡¯s thoughts. He also smiled when he saw the bright smile on Song Menghwa¡¯s face. After a moment, he whispered, "Old Sir, is it fair for me to believe that you intend to marry the Young Miss to Young Mass Qin?"


    "I really cannot hide anything from you, can I?" Song Menghwaughed before asking, "Do you think it¡¯s a good match?"


    "Of course, Young Miss and Young Master Qin are meant for each other if you ask my humble opinion," the butler answered.


    Song Menghwa also thought the same way. Heughed heartily before shaking his head and sighing. "s, this is not something that I can decide on their behalf. That girl, Qingchun, doesn¡¯t seem like she wants to settle down anytime soon."


    "Actually, Young Miss is still young, so Old Sir needn¡¯t worry yet."


    Song Menghwa heard that, and his emotions dropped. "How can I not worry? Ah Cheng is already not with us; I¡¯m really afraid for her. Thinking about the incident that happened two months ago now still makes me shiver."


    Song Menghwa sighed and added, "Even now, the mastermind who nned the whole thing is still out there. I¡¯m too old to be able to protect her. If I knew such a tragic fate woulde to her if she was brought into the Song family, I wouldn¡¯t have carried her home then. Truly, this is all my fault."


    "Old Sir?" The butler suddenly raised his voice to interrupt Song Menghwa. "Didn¡¯t we say we wouldn¡¯t bring this up anymore? The Young Miss is a child of the Song family; we have maintained that status quo for over twenty years. What if someone overheard what you said and ryed it to Young Miss?"


    Song Menghwa chuckled with embarrassment before signaling his trusty confidant to help him go back into the house. "This old brain is not working so well anymore."


    ...


    The car ident on the road became something insignificant, or at least, that was how the parties involved wanted it to be; it didn¡¯t cause much of a ripple in the rtionship between Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian.


    The days went by, and the temperature in the city gradually rose. After that incident, Song Qingchun didn¡¯t stumble across Su Zhinian anymore.


    asionally, when she woke up from her temporary break at her work table and looked out at the shiny sun, she would wonder if she had dreamed the whole incident in her mind.


    Even though she didn¡¯t see Su Zhinian in person anymore, she would still receive constant news about him.


    Su Zhinian¡¯spany¡¯s stock price when through the roof. Thepany¡¯stest product line sold several million units. Su Zhinian bid with 8 digits for a painting at a charity auction.


    That kind of news would circte her workce even before she found him to take over Song Empire. However, at the time, she would simply turn her nose down at them and walk away as if reluctant to hear another word about him.


    However, whenever his news appeared now, be it good or bad, she would stand still and finish listening to it quietly.

 Chapter 428: The Wrong Message (1)

    Chapter 428: The Wrong Message (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    If it was good news, she would smile involuntarily, and if it was bad news, she would frown. Sometimes, there would be people beside her who would ask, "What¡¯s wrong?¡¯


    She would smile and reply, "Nothing."


    Then, she would walk away alone or continue chatting with her friends. No one knew that, whenever that happened, she too would ask herself, What¡¯s wrong with me?


    Eventually, Song Qingchun did meet Su Zhinian, even though it was just a short meeting.


    That day, she was very busy at work; she had a long morning and merely had time to grab a bun for lunch before she had to rush to a golfing event with her assistant to interview a celebrity who had just returned from receiving a film award overseas.


    The weather that day was nice, and the air stood still; there wasn¡¯t even a breath of wind.


    When she arrived, her interviewee just so happened to arrive as well. Since they were both avable, the interview started ten minutes earlier than scheduled and finished twenty-five minutes earlier than she had predicted. Since there was still some free time left, Song Qingchun petitioned the celebrity to shoot a small video for TW Station, just a small greeting for the viewers.


    Even though the film star had received many awards over the years, he was not full of himself in anyway. When he heard Song Qingchun¡¯s suggestion, he agreed readily. He changed into a golf outfit to match the venue and patiently shot some short videos for Song Qingchun.


    After that, Song Qingchun bade farewell to the kind film star. When she and her assistant were heading to the carpark through the field, a golf ballnded suddenly beside her feet.


    Song Qingchun jumped slightly from shock and was about to bend over to pick up the golf ball when someone called her name. "Song Qingchun?"


    She raised her head in confusion and saw Tang Nuo in a ck golf outfit, holding a golf club, standing about two meters away from her.


    "So, it is really you." Tang Nuo took slow steps toward her. As he grabbed the towel around his neck to wipe the sweat on his forehead, he added, "This is such a coincidence."


    "Indeed." Song Qingchun smiled and waved the golf ball in her hand, asking, "Is this yours?"


    "Yes, thank you," Tang Nuo answered, and as if afraid Song Qingchun might think he was a horrible golfer, he quickly added, "I was ying with it just now and happened to knock it out of the park when I realized we weren¡¯t ying baseball."


    Song Qingchun chuckled politely at theme joke and passed the ball back to Tang Nuo. It was then that she heard the familiar cold voice say, "Found the ball yet?"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s fingers trembled, and the ball almost slipped from her grasp. She stood her ground and slowly ced the ball in Tang Nuo¡¯s hands before turning to the voice.


    It was daytime, so she had a clearer look this time.


    He was in a simr outfit to Tang Nuo¡¯s, but his was white. He wasn¡¯t holding anything in his hands, which were both leisurely ced in his pockets. A hat sat casually on top of his head.


    Out of his usual suit and tie, he looked much younger. However, his usual expressionless face was still present. Under the rays of the sun, his fairly white skin looked like an unblemished white jade.


    He seemed to have lost some weight since thest time she saw him, which was before she had been chased out of his house. His jawline had gotten sharper, but that only added more to his charming allure.

 Chapter 429: The Wrong Message (2)

    Chapter 429: The Wrong Message (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Tang Nuo spun the ball in his palm twice before turning to answer Su Zhinian. "Found it, not only that, I¡¯ve found a familiar face."


    Then, Tang Nuo titled his chin at Song Qingchun. Su Zhinian then moved his gaze from Tang Nuo to Song Qingchun.


    When Song Qingchun saw him do that, she instinctively swallowed a deep gulp and clenched her hands into fists.


    When his gaze fell on the top of her head, her heartbeat seemed to skip for a moment before she hurriedly lowered her eyelids. After three seconds, she opened them again to meet his gaze.


    A few days ago, it had been night-time, and he had been inside a car while she was outside, so she couldn¡¯t get a good look at him. However, this time, everything was clear before her eyes.


    There were no emotions at the bottom of his eyes; they were filled with such disinterest that Song Qingchun felt like he was looking at a stranger.


    Does he use a simr way to look me inside the carst time?


    Song Qingchun felt something akin to pain starting to climb out of her heart. If this was before the hundred-day contract, she would have greeted him easily should they meet in such a circumstance, but now, Song Qingchun was at a loss, or rather, she was afraid, afraid that he would ignore herpletely even if she opened her lips to talk to him.


    She didn¡¯t say a word, and he didn¡¯t add anything to the conversation either, causing the atmosphere to turn awkward with tension.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s assistant stood to the side withplete befuddlement; her gaze darted around before settling on Tang Nuo.


    Tang Nuo was as confused as Song Qingchun¡¯s assistant. Song Qingchun has already moved into his house, so why are they so frigid with each other? A lover¡¯s quarrel?


    Tang Nuo tried to smooth over the awkwardness by smiling at Song Qingchun and said, "Qingchun, do you want to join our game?"


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t answer but took a look at Tang Nuo then at Su Zhinian. Before she could say anything, Su Zhinian moved his gaze away from her and told Tang Nuo, "I¡¯m leaving."


    He seemed afraid that Song Qingchun might really say yes.


    Then, he turned and left.


    In fact, Song Qingchun wanted to shake her head and reject, but she didn¡¯t realize Su Zhinian wouldn¡¯t even give her the opportunity do that.


    The words that had reached her words eventually were stuck there; she was caught in such an awkward situation that she didn¡¯t know how to proceed without making a total fool of herself.


    Tang Nuo knew Su Zhinian loved Song Qingchun, and many times, he had tried to be the matchmaker. However, every time, Su Zhinian would only ignore him with a silent stare. But this was the first time that his attempt at matchmaking had backfired so badly in his face. He just wanted to help, but howe it seemed like he had made it worse?


    Tang Nuo raised his hand to scratch his nose and tossed Song Qingchun an ashamed and apologetic smile. "That..."


    Tang Nuo only said one word before stopping himself because he couldn¡¯t figure out a word of constion that wouldn¡¯t sound hurtful while being sincere.


    Thankfully, Song Qingchun quickly rearranged her emotions and shook her head understandingly at Tang Nuo, adding, "I still have something to do, so I¡¯ll be leaving too."


    This was the salvation Tang Nuo needed to assuage the anxiety and embarrassment he was feeling inside, so he epted the kindness Song Qingchun extended readily and yed along. "Okay, I willpensate this with a meal next time."


    Song Qingchun smiled but didn¡¯tment on the invitation; she merely said goodbye before leaving with her assistant.

 Chapter 430: The Wrong Message (3)

    Chapter 430: The Wrong Message (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Tang Nuo chased after Su Zhinian and asked, "What happened back there? Even if there was an argument, there¡¯s no need for all that hostility and indifference."


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t say anything but picked up his pace, trying to leave Tang Nuo behind. Tang Nuo could be quite persistent when he wanted to. He ran after Su Zhinian to catch up to his speed and said, "Didn¡¯t I present you the perfect opportunity just now? You just needed to be silent. After I convinced Song Qingchun to join us for the game, I would have found an opportunity to ask her to join us for dinner. When the time came, I would make myself scarce. Then, with just the two of you around, in the quiet of the night... you know... everything can be settled easily..."


    The more Tang Nuo said, the more he felt proud of his n. "It was truly a perfect n..."


    However, before he could finish, Su Zhinian suddenly stopped, perhaps annoyed by Tang Nuo¡¯s rambling or maybe Tang Nuo had identally pressed a button. He hissed in a tone as cold as ice, "I no longer have any rtionship with her!"


    Tang Nuo was first startled before studying Su Zhinian¡¯s face to make sure he wasn¡¯t joking. From the severity of his expression, it didn¡¯t look like he was. Furthermore, he had known Su Zhinian for years, and he was not the joking kind; even if he was, he wouldn¡¯t joke about his rtionship with that woman.


    After a short silence, Tang Nuo asked in a concerned and serious tone, "What happened?"


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t answer but turned around to continue walking forward.


    "It is definitely not as bad as you think. It¡¯smon for a couple to have the asional argument. As long as there¡¯s love, everything can be resolved..." Tang Nuo followed and gave some advice.


    Su Zhinian who always chose to be silent whenever Tang Nuo pried into his rtionship issue suddenly opened his lips to say, "I wish this was an argument."


    "What?" Tang Nuo thought he had misheard him so he stopped and asked for confirmation.


    "Nothing." Su Zhinian lowered his gaze to focus on the put. He gauged the distance before raising his club to hit at the ball.


    Tang Nuo knew this was the end of the conversation, so he cleverly shut up and focusedpletely on the game.


    However, as the game went on, it was Su Zhinian who was constantly distracted. Eventually, he gave up and stood on the grassy patch, leaning on the golf club, which he stuck into the ground. With his eyes on a cloud drifting through the sky, he internally finished the statement he was making earlier.


    I wish this was an argument... because what I wouldn¡¯t give to bicker like a couple with her; even though the sadness and tears would have been because of her, it would be something enjoyable... but that happiness can never be mine.


    ...


    After that meeting on the golfing green, the rest of Song Qingchun¡¯s days seemed to lose luster like the colors were drained out of them.


    Perhaps it was the high from the many eventful incidents earlier, like the drowning, the abduction, and the attempt on her life, inparison, for Song Qingchun, her life now seemed... nd. There was nothing of interest that happened, and her every day was a repetition of the one before it, waking up, going to work, going back home, sleeping.


    It had gotten so mundane that her discovery one day that she had forgotten to take her purse managed to rock her heart and make her lose her footing.

 Chapter 431: The Wrong Message (4)

    Chapter 431: The Wrong Message (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    It was a Friday, and Song Qingchun was driving home after a gathering with her colleagues. She was reminded of the fact she needed to buy a new concealer when she passed a mall. Therefore, she turned into the mall¡¯s carpark instead of going home.


    She was quite lucky because it was thest day of the mall¡¯s anniversary sale.


    She had used the same brand of concealer for years, and she liked it. Since there was a sale, she purchased a whole set, which wouldst her for six months. After all, the set was about fifty percent off.


    After the cashier rung her purchase and waited for Song Qingchun to pay, Song Qingchun flipped through her bag but couldn¡¯t find the purse that she used as her wallet.


    She believed she had left her purse inside her car, so she blurted an apology to the cashier before rushing to the carpark. She searched her whole car but couldn¡¯t find her purse. Then she remembered she ced her purse on her make-up table to clear away the coins and must have left it there.


    What should I do now?


    Song Qingchun wasn¡¯t that hung up on the sale, but the fact that she couldn¡¯t purchase the stuff that she had selected did soil her mood a bit. Furthermore, she really did need that concealer.


    The mall was quite far from her house, and if she went home to grab her purse, the mall would have closed by the time she returned.


    However, the mall was close to Qin Yinan¡¯s house. Even if he was still at hispany, hispany was only 20 minutes¡¯ distance away.


    Song Qingchun thought about it and decided to call Qin Yinan to foot the bill for her.


    She pulled out her phone and opened her WhatsApp chat with Qin Yinan. She clicked on the first name that appeared, typed the text hurriedly, and sent it.


    "I¡¯m at the mall near Hwa Mao; I forgot to bring my wallet, but I have to buy something. Are you at home or at thepany? If you don¡¯t mind, can you pleasee help me pay for this?"


    Then Song Qingchun added, "I really desperately need your help. I have to make this purchase; it¡¯s an emergency!"


    Then, she added a few begging emoticons.


    ...


    While Su Zhinian recovered from his injury, he had tossed himselfpletely into work. That way, he would have a reason to take his mind of that woman.


    Even so, he still found himself wandering into her orbit a few times subconsciously. Thankfully, she didn¡¯t notice him.


    One time, after work, he managed to pick up her voice among the cacophony of the city. He drove through the city for a long time before locating her car. He thus trailed behind her, slowly driving through half of Beijing city.


    He noticed the bumper of her car had been fixed. He didn¡¯t hear any report from Cheng Qingchong, so she had probably used her own car insurance.


    The next time was when he exited Golden Corner and spotted her getting into Qin Yinan¡¯s car.


    He had spaced out for a long time, standing by the roadside. Then he was reminded of the bill mailed over by Golden Corner several days ago, so she really did use the lifetimeplementary card at Golden Corner.


    The third time was after he got off work. He had been passing TW Station and heard her conversing with her colleague about an assignment.


    He had parked the car by the roadside, got out, and leaned against his car, looking up at Song Qingchun¡¯s office whose light was still on.

 Chapter 432: The Wrong Message (5)

    Chapter 432: The Wrong Message (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    He stood there until it was 12 am, and through therge street, he saw her walk out of TW Station. There were only streetmps breaking through the darkness of the night.


    She didn¡¯t drive that night and hailed a taxi.


    He couldn¡¯t help himself from getting into his car and turning around to follow the taxi she had gotten into. He followed her all the way until she reached the Song family¡¯s home. He didn¡¯t leave even after she got into her house and the light in her room came on.


    He sat inside his car listening to the various sounds she made. At that moment, his heart was at his most serene; it created an illusion for him... that they still shared the same house. Even though there was no conversation, just listening to her presence was good enough.


    ...


    Another time, it was raining. She didn¡¯t carry an umbre and was hiding in a telephone booth to shield herself from the rain. He paid a little boy 100 RMB to get him to gift her an umbre. He sat inside his car and smiled when he saw her bend over to ruffle the little boy¡¯s hair and thank him for his kindness.


    ...


    Other than that... the meeting at the golf course the other day had truly been an ident.


    He had agreed to the invitation from Tang Nuo to have a change of scenery, so he didn¡¯t pay attention to the sound of his surroundings, and thus had no clue that she was there.


    The weather that day had been perfect, and she had on a green dress. Her skin had glistened under the sun, and she had looked as pure as the first snow, making his heart skip a beat when heid his eyes on her.


    ...


    His body still hadn¡¯t made a full recovery, and Doctor Xia was still going to his house to check up on his condition every other day. Of course, the medicine kept oning as well.


    Probably due to the added workload he pulled onto himself recently, or perhaps it was due to the whole night he spent outside of the Song family¡¯s house, he was burning up slightly the next day.


    He didn¡¯t mind it that much, and when Doctor Xia came for the routine check-up, he asked the senior doctor for permission to take two paracetamol tablets.


    After that, he was feeling much better... but today, the fever had suddenly returned. He attended an important meeting that night, and his head was pulsating with pain after the meeting finished. When they asked him to join them for dinner, he rejected them and left to return home to rest.


    He had bought himself a new apartment near hispany, but in the haze of his fever, he had returned instead to the bungalow that he had once shared with her.


    He had owned the bungalow for three years, and even though she had merely stayed there for one hundred days, the ce was filled with traces of her. After she left, he started to despise returning to this ce. However, no matter how great the resentment, he would find himself returning to this house once every so often.


    When he was changing into the in-house slippers, he spotted the random assortment of Song Qingchun¡¯s shoes on the shoe rack. He stood there, dazed, for a long time before going upstairs to steep himself in a warm bath. After he exited the bathroom, he felt much better.


    The bungalow was incredibly silent. Heid in bed and habitually leaned in to listen to the sound from next door.


    He knew that the sound of her mocking the ridiculous plots of the television drama, the unsatisfactory rumbling she made about him, and even the sound of her breathing wouldn¡¯t be there, but he couldn¡¯t help himself from listening in.


    Half an hourter, his head started to burn.


    He lugged his tired body to pour himself a ss of water and used it to wash down the pills prescribed by Doctor Xia.


    He returned to his bedroom to use the bathroom. He was ready to lie back down in bed when the phone he had left beside his pillow started to ring.


    He picked it up, intending to switch it to silent mode, when he saw her name appear on screen.

 Chapter 433: The Wrong Message (6)

    Chapter 433: The Wrong Message (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The tip of his finger trembled as it hovered over the disy. Eventually, he clicked the home button, unlocked the phone, and clicked the message open.


    There were three WhatsApp messages from her.


    "I¡¯m at the mall near Hwa Mao; I forgot to bring my wallet, but I have to buy something. Are you at home or at thepany? If you don¡¯t mind, can you pleasee help me pay for this?"


    "I really desperately need your help. I have to make this purchase; it¡¯s an emergency!"


    The third message consisted of six begging emoticons.


    The first thought that popped on Su Zhinian¡¯s mind was that Song Qingchun had lost her phone and the thief was nning to scam her contacts, but the more he thought about it, the more unlikely it became. After all, if this was truly a thief, why would he or she ask him out to meet him at a mall in the middle of the night?


    So... sending the wrong message? Perhaps, she intended to send this to someone else but identally sent it to me? Su Zhinian eventually settled on this hypothesis.


    But who did she mean to send these to? Qin Yinan?


    Su Zhinian shook his head violently to stop his train of thought.


    The few times he had seen her, Qin Yinan would be around by her side. From their conversation, he could hear that they shared an amiable rtionship. It was as he hoped; Qin Yinan treated her very nicely, and he didn¡¯t concern himself with that Tang Nuan anymore.


    She had loved Qin Yinan for years. Even though she had identally been hurt by him many times, could feelings really be extinguished so easily? Therefore, the person she really wanted to spend the rest of her life with should be Qin Yinan, right?


    That was why, before he separated from her, he had started trying his best to pull Song Qingchun and Qin Yinan together.


    In the many notes that she had sent Qin Yinan, there was one sentence that ironically described his feelings perfectly. "I wish the greatest happiness for the ones who love me, and I wish the one who I love loves me back."


    Since he could never be a part of her happiness, then the happiness she deserved, he would help her find it.


    The usually decisive Su Zhinian stared at the screen for a long time, weighing the options of informing her of the mix-up or just ignoring itpletely. Eventually, he tossed the phone aside and copsed onto his bed.


    His hands were ced behind his head, and he stared at the ceiling. He could feel the temperature of his body rising.


    The fever made his head feel heavy, and his consciousness started to drift.


    There was an impulse burgeoning in his heart that he was trying to suppress. He raised his phone and dropped it, sat up in his bed before lying down again, his brows creased and rxed... After so many repetitions, he eventually pulled open his closet, put on a casual outfit, shoved his phone and wallet into his pocket, grabbed the nearby car keys, put on his shoes, and left.


    The moment his car entered the carpark, Su Zhinian could hear Song Qingchun¡¯s voice drifting from upstairs. He cut off the car engine and sat for quite some time in the car before pushing the door open and going upstairs, dragging his weakened body.


    Su Zhinian walked toward Song Qingchun¡¯s voice like it was a lighthouse in a sea of fog. He exited the elevator and in front of him were disy cases of various make-up. He took one painful step after another, following her voice, before finally spotting her in front of a red-colored counter.


    ...


    While waiting for Qin Yinan, Song Qingchun spent her time chatting with the cashierdy.

 Chapter 434: The Wrong Message (7)

    Chapter 434: The Wrong Message (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The two were of the same age so had many shared interests. The counterdy even shared a video she had just seen on YouTube with Song Qingchun.


    The video was quite humorous, and Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t help butugh. The counterdy had seen it before but still enjoyed watching it with Song Qingchun. However, in the middle of the video, the counterdy moved her eyes away from the screen and eventually had her eyes glued to a spot behind Song Qingchun.


    The video finished, and Song Qingchun was returning the phone to thedy when thedy pointed behind Song Qingchun and said, "Miss Song, the person you called to pay your bill seems to be here already. Is that him?"


    Song Qingchun turned around and was about to call out to Brother Yinan when her expression froze, and her whole brain shut down. Her mouth was open, but no voice came out.


    That¡¯s not Qin Yinan; that¡¯s Su Zhinian.


    That was the first thought that appeared in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind, and then she realized this was the third time she had coincidentally run into Su Zhinian, and this time, he was much closer to her physically than the previous two.


    When Song Qingchun was still in her daze, Su Zhinian had reached the counter.


    He¡¯s always here to buy cosmetics? It is such a coincidence that we share the same brand... But wait, these are female cosmetics, so he¡¯s buying them for someone else?


    Some other woman?


    When those three words materialized in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind, her fingers, which were resting on the counter, shook slightly.


    Su Zhinian stopped before Song Qingchun, and his gaze slowly fell on her face. The hint of a smile was still on the corner of her lips, and the bottom of her eyes were bright as if reflecting the lights in the mall. However, her expression was a bit dull.


    He waited for a while, and after realizing that she didn¡¯t seem like she was going to speak any time soon, he cleared his throat lightly and uttered in a crisp tone, "Where¡¯s the bill?"


    Song Qingchun was befuddled before she realized Su Zhinian was talking to her. She let out a confused grunt before the situation dawned on her.


    The bill... my shopping bill? So, he¡¯s not here to buy cosmetics and happened to run into me. He¡¯s here to pay my bill?


    But... how did he know I didn¡¯t bring my wallet? I remember sending the message to Brother Yinan and not him...


    The first thing Song Qingchun did after that was pull out her phone and open her WhatsApp.


    After she confirmed she had indeed sent the wrong message, her eyes widened to their maximum, and her brain blew up into smithereens.


    How, how did I end up messaging Su Zhinian? I was sure I searched for "Yinan"...


    So, what do I do now? He has already warned me from being so clingy, and do I even have the face left to ask him to pay my bills? But he¡¯s already here, if I tell him that it was all a mistake, will he think I¡¯m toying with him?


    Su Zhinian stood quite a distance away from Song Qingchun, so he couldn¡¯t read her thoughts. He looked at the girl that stared dumbly at him without saying a word, and his brows furrowed. Then he turned to look at the counterdy.


    Thedy met his gaze and understood what was left unsaid. She immediately grabbed the bill on the table and proffered it to him.


    Su Zhinian epted with one hand and turned without saying a word to walk to the cashier.


    After Song Qingchun realized Su Zhinian had walked away, he had already paid her bill and was walking back from the cashier.

 Chapter 435: The Wrong Message (8)

    Chapter 435: The Wrong Message (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    As he walked closer, Song Qingchun immediately stood up from her seat and stared nervously at him. At that moment, she really didn¡¯t know what to say.


    He didn¡¯t even look at her and passed the receipt back to the counterdy. Then he stood there quietly before turning to Song Qingchun to add, "Anything else?"


    After a moment, Song Qingchun realized he was asking whether she had other outstanding bills. She shook her head hurriedly, adding, "No."


    He didn¡¯t answer, only giving a grunt of acknowledgement as her reply. Then he didn¡¯t stay and turn to leave.


    Before paying, the counterdy had already packed Song Qingchun¡¯s purchase. Song Qingchun stared at his back before grabbing the small bag off the table and jogging to catch up to him. She finally reached him at the elevator door.


    The elevator closed, and they headed down to Floor B2. There was no one else in the cramped elevator; silence was their onlypany.


    Song Qingchun twisted her fingers around the thread of her shopping back before turning to study Su Zhinian, who was standing beside her, out of the corner of her eyes. She bit her lips and said softly, "So sorry for tonight, but thank you very much."


    Su Zhinian stared at the closed elevator door and didn¡¯t respond.


    She had a hard time reading his real feelings, but from the annoyance on his face, it seemed like he was very unhappy.


    Is it because I¡¯m being ¡¯clingy¡¯, or does he consider my idental message harassment?


    Song Qingchun felt a dull pain starting to creep through her heart. She lowered her gaze, and after a long silence, she opened her lips to try to exin. "I didn¡¯t do this on purpose. It was really not my intention to trouble you; I just wanted..."


    Song Qingchun wanted to say that she had intended to message Brother Yinan, but for some reason, she had identally sent the message to him instead.


    Once upon a time, she wouldn¡¯t have thought twice about praising her Brother Yinan before him, but now, she realized she didn¡¯t want to talk about another man in hispany.


    Song Qingchun lowered her head and continued her exnation, skipping the whole thing with Qin Yinan in a whispered tone. "In any case, tonight was truly an ident. Don¡¯t worry, I promise you, this will not happen again..."


    The more she exined, the darker his expression became. Song Qingchun saw this but continued fumble through her exnation regardless. "I swear this is the first andst time, I promise you..."


    "Then, I hope you are a person of your word," Su Zhinian suddenly interrupted in a severe tone.


    A great pressure following his words swept over Song Qingchun; it rendered her speechless instantly. She lowered her head even more and started to bite on her lips away from his gaze.


    The air in the elevator seemed to freeze, weighing down heavily on its only two upants.


    The red letter above the door finally reached B2. As the door opened, Su Zhinian stepped out of it without hesitation.


    Song Qingchun stared at his back and, after a moment¡¯s thought, called out to say, "Thank you for your help tonight; I will repay the money as soon as I can."

 Chapter 436: The Wrong Message (9)

    Chapter 436: The Wrong Message (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Before she finished her sentence, he suddenly stopped moving. Although Song Qingchun wanted to get out of the elevator, because he was blocking the door, she couldn¡¯t.


    He was facing away from her, so she couldn¡¯t see his expression. However, she could tell he was unhappy from how straight his back was. He didn¡¯t turn to say anything in return; he just stood there quietly.


    Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t recall thest time she had been so scared in his presence. She lost even the courage to look at his back, and thus, lowered her head to stare at the shopping bag in her hands instead.


    The atmosphere in the elevator turned heavy and awkward.


    The door tried to close several times, but since he was standing at the entrance, the door closed and then opened before it went straight to rm.


    Song Qingchun was irked by the shrill sound and so reached out to press the ¡¯open¡¯ button. The rm stopped, and silence reigned once more in the parking lot.


    Song Qingchun suddenly understood something, and she opened her mouth to say, "That money, I will contact your secretary and give it to her."


    Why didn¡¯t I think about that when I said I would return the money to him earlier?


    During the interaction after the car ident, he had been so business-like as if he didn¡¯t want anything else to do with the girl anymore. Even the discussion ofpensation had gone through his secretary.


    Therefore, he probably got angry because he thought he would have to see me another time when I return the money.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s face nched. She bit her lips and was quiet for a long time before uttering in a voice barely above a whisper, "Don¡¯t worry... you will not see me when I return the money to..."


    Before she could finish, Su Zhinian, who was facing away from her, suddenly turned. There was winter brewing in his gaze. He interrupted her harshly as if he couldn¡¯t stand her mumbling anymore, "So, you too can be taught how to listen to orders?"


    Song Qingchun was confused. She raised her head to look at him; her gaze spoke of befuddlement, as if she didn¡¯t understand what he meant by that.


    He met her gaze, and his whole body shook. Then he realized what he had just said. He whipped his head away from her, and his palms clenched tightly into fists. He forced himself to focus on his rationality and tossed out a sentence coldly.


    "Do whatever you want as long as you stop appearing before my eyes."


    Then he left, with quick and long steps.


    ...


    Song Qingchun reached the front of her car when a car sted past her at full speed. She turned toward it, and in that sh, she caught Su Zhinian¡¯s handsome profile.


    She stood nkly beside her car for a long time before heading in. She didn¡¯t start the engine in a hurry but pulled out her phone to check her WhatsApp. She clicked on the search box and punched in three letters: QYN.


    Her phone used the 9-key numeric keypad, and since she contacted Qin Yinan quite often, she normally typed in the first letter of his name¡¯s individual syble, and his name would appear.

 Chapter 437: The Wrong Message (10)

    Chapter 437: The Wrong Message (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    However, as she typed in "QYN" this time, the name that came out was Su Zhinian.


    SZN, QYN, they shared the same keys on the keypad. Therefore, this was the reason, when she keyed in "QYN" just now, she didn¡¯t notice the name that appeared before sending it out. This exined why it was Su Zhinian who had received her message.


    When did "QYN" on her phone stop referring to Qin Yinan but Su Zhinian?


    When the number of times she had typed Su Zhinian into her phone surpass the number of times she had typed Qin Yinan?


    Song Qingchun stared at her phone and was reminded of the many messages she would send him, asking him about the menu he wanted for dinner and begging him to buy something on his way home.


    After their separation, in her most vulnerable moment, she would type in his name, thinking about sending him a message. However, every time she finished writing the message, she would chicken out and delete it.


    It was then that Song Qingchun realized the man had be such a fixture in her life.


    ...


    Su Zhinian sat in his car, staring at the familiar vehicle that left the underground carpark. He then raised his hands to massage his temple that had started to pulse with pain due to his worsening fever.


    He had lost control that night.


    Everything was ording to what he wished for. She really did abide by everything he wanted her to do. She had cut herself off from him and really didn¡¯t cling to him in any way; therefore, he should have been happy. However, when he heard her repeat the promise that he wanted her to make again and again, he had snapped.


    Was it because of his fever that he let things that he shouldn¡¯t have said slip out?


    "So, you too can be taught how to listen to orders?"


    Did he really mean what he said?


    Of course not... If he was truly honest to himself, he wished for her to stop listening to his orders so much; he wished she would go bother him every other day; he wished they could return to how it once was.


    But that was just a dream. Most of the time, dreams could only fizzle in reality.


    However, thankfully, he had managed to maintain his rationality at the most crucial moment that night.


    He didn¡¯t expose his true wish before her and stopped himself before the next sentence that he wanted to say could escape from his lips: ¡¯Do you know how much I wish that you will stand up to me?¡¯


    Instead, he blurted out a cruel line. "Do whatever you want as long as you stop appearing before my eyes."


    He believed that, after tonight, this would be thest time she would appear before his eyes. Probably, the ident that night wouldn¡¯t even repeat itself again.


    This is good; it¡¯s for the best, he thought to himself, but he felt like someone had reached into his heart and forcefully pulled a part out, the hollow part left throbbing with pain.


    ...


    Song Qingchun returned the money the next day. As she promised, she didn¡¯t show herself before Su Zhinian.


    She took a detour to hispany in the afternoon, dropped the money in a packet, and left it with the receptionist. She didn¡¯t even meet Cheng Qingchong but simply messaged her and left in a hurry.

 Chapter 438: Pulled Together by Fate (1)

    Chapter 438: Pulled Together by Fate (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s schedule was so full that day that when she noticed Song Qingchun¡¯s message, it was already three hourster.


    At the time, she just so happened to have two emergency proposals that needed Su Zhinian¡¯s signature, so before she went into his office, she took the elevator to the lobby to grab the package that Song Qingchun had left for her pass to Su Zhinian.


    Like usual, Cheng Qingchong knocked on the door thrice and waited until she heard Su Zhinian¡¯s clear voice before she pushed the door open and walked in.


    Su Zhinian was busy on hisputer, and Cheng Qingchong tried to make herself as quiet as possible. She stood quietly in front of his desk, hugging the documents, and only spoke when his fingers stopped typing. "CEO Su, these require your signature."


    Su Zhinian nodded but didn¡¯t say anything as if there was something on his mind. After a moment, he continued typing on the keyboard. At one point, he pressed enter and extended his open palm to Cheng Qingchong.


    Cheng Qingchong immediately handed him the relevant documents.


    Su Zhinian lowered his head to scan through the proposal. He signed them quickly after making sure there was nothing wrong with them. He then passed them back to Cheng Qingchong before turning back to hisputer.


    He was going to continue working when he noticed, out of the corner of his eye, that Cheng Qingchong still standing there in his office. He frowned slightly before turning to look at her.


    Cheng Qingchong sensed his gaze on her and immediately passed the envelope in her hands to him. "CEO Su, this is something Miss Song asked me to pass to you."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s expression visibly froze, and he stared at the envelope in Cheng Qingchong¡¯s hands for a long time before blinking awake. After ten seconds, he pointed at a space on his table and turned back to theputer screen.


    Cheng Qingchong ced the envelope on the spot he had gestured to and retreated silently from his office.


    When she closed the office door, she habitually nced back into the room and realized Su Zhinian had picked up the envelope that she had left on the table and was staring nkly at the stack of bills that he had pulled out.


    He looked peaceful on the surface, but she swore she could sense an atmosphere of sadness and disappointment surrounding the peaceful man.


    A long time after Cheng Qingchong closed the office door, Su Zhinian finally lowered his gaze and slid the bills back into the envelope. He pulled open a random drawer and dropped the envelope into it.


    The fever that he had been suffering from since the day before showed no signs of receding, and at that moment, he felt incredibly drained.


    He leaned back in his chair with a tired sigh. He stared at the half-finished email on his screen. It was for an emergency business deal, but he couldn¡¯t summon the drive to finish it.


    I didn¡¯t expect she would return the money so fast... So, it seems like she too couldn¡¯t wait to cut herself clean away from me, doesn¡¯t it?


    Now, there is truly nothing tying us together anymore.


    Su Zhinian turned to look at the sun shining through the window and could sense that he was rapidly sumbing to the darkness.


    The secret from five years ago ensured that they could never be together, but they could still be each other¡¯s friends.


    The secret from five years ago made it his destiny that he could only hide his sinful emotions in his heart.


    Therefore, after the hundred contracted days, he didn¡¯t give himself the opportunity to get close to her anymore because he was afraid, afraid that he would one day lose control of the emotions that he had kept trapped in his heart for so many years, afraid that he might pull her down into the darkened abyss with him.

 Chapter 439: Pulled Together by Fate (2)

    Chapter 439: Pulled Together by Fate (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    However, she would never understand that the only reason he had to push her away was simply because he loved her too much.


    Sadness started to fill up the room like smoke. His eyes, which were staring out the window, were filled with pain and despair.


    He didn¡¯t mind it, but he was sad, sad that from that moment onwards, he would have to return to his endless life in the darkness.


    Ever since Cheng Qingchong passed him the envelope, Su Zhinian couldn¡¯t focus on his work anymore.


    His fever rose to the point where Su Zhinian found it difficult to even breathe. Finding himselfpletely unproductive at work, he eventually decided to leave and go home.


    Beijing in early summer was prone to drastic changes in weather.


    When Su Zhinian left hispany, it was still sunny. However, after driving for only ten minutes, the city had started to darken. Lightning struck and thunder shed. Instantly after, buckets of rain started to fall.


    Due to the unexpected weather change, the traffic turned horrendous. There was an ident on the main road, and the jam stretched for miles. Su Zhinian, in his frustration, abandoned his usual route and turned into an alley.


    ...


    When he was close to the city¡¯s hospital, Su Zhinian spotted a familiar figure.


    When he got close, Su Zhinian confirmed that he was not mistaken. He stepped on the brake, and when the car rolled to a stop, he rolled down the window and greeted the man. "Uncle Song."


    ...


    It was Song Menghwa¡¯s scheduled physical check-up that day. The family butler was on holiday, and he had taken the house¡¯s only car with him.


    After lunch, Song Menghwa had hailed a cab to get to the hospital because the weather had been nice, but who would have thought the weather would change so drastically when he exited the hospital?


    It was hard to catch a taxi at the hospital entrance, and this already near-impossible task was made even harder by the horrible weather. Song Menghwa had stood under an umbre by the entrance for about twenty minutes, and not one taxi had passed by. He was about to call Song Qingchun toe fetch him when a car crawled to a stop before him. As the window rolled down, a light greeting drifted out from within. "Uncle Song."


    Song Menghwa bent over to catch a glimpse of Su Zhinian sitting within. His face immediately split into a smile as he said, "It¡¯s you, Zhinian. This is such a coincidence."


    "You¡¯re waiting for taxi?" Su Zhinian asked as he nced at their surroundings. He noted theck of taxis, so he hopped out of his car and walked around the car to pull the passenger door open for Song Menghwa. "How about I give you a lift home, Uncle Song?"


    The rain was so heavy that even though Su Zhinian only stood for about two minutes in the rain, he was drenched.


    ...


    Perhaps people would get chatty like a child as they grew older.


    Along the way home, Song Menghwa discussed many things with Su Zhinian.


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t show any trace of annoyance and patiently chatted with Song Menghwa.


    ...


    Su Zhinian¡¯s intention was to drop Song Menghwa at the door of the Song family¡¯s house and then leave immediately. However, he found himself overwhelmed by Song Menghwa¡¯s kindness and insistence that he stay for dinner.


    It would have been incredibly rude for Su Zhinian to reject the offer, so he had no choice but to drive his car into the Song family¡¯s driveway.


    The interior of the Song family¡¯s home remained unchanged, still the same as when he stayed there, other than signs of wear and tear due to passage of time.


    Song Menghwa was still as kind as he remembered. When the elder man noted his soaked clothes, he ushered him upstairs to take a warm bath.


    Song Menghwa brought him to the guest room that he had once stayed in. The furniture from years ago was still there, and even the arrangement was still the same.

 Chapter 440: Pulled Together by Fate (3)

    Chapter 440: Pulled Together by Fate (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The room was clean, probably because the maid still cleaned it every day.


    When he had stayed at the Song family¡¯s home, whenever Song Menghwa returned from his business trip, he would bring back clothes for Song Cheng and Song Qingchun. He wouldn¡¯t forget Su Zhinian¡¯s share as well.


    When Su Zhinian had left the Song family, he had only taken his own clothes with him. The clothes that Song Menghwa had bought for him were still arranged neatly inside the closet.


    However, those were for a high school Su Zhinian. He couldn¡¯t fit into most of them now. Song Menghwa searched through the closet for a long time beforeing up with a shirt that was slightly bigger in size.


    After a warm bath, Su Zhinian felt better. He had just dried his hair and was going downstairs when Song Menghwa came upstairs to call him for dinner.


    Song Qingchun was not home, and therge dining table that could fit ten people only sat three: himself, Song Menghwa, and Fang Rou.


    Su Zhinian had met Fang Rou once before. She had still been Song Cheng¡¯s girlfriend back then. At the time, they were acquaintance, and thatyer of rtionship hadn¡¯t changed after so many years. His impression of her at that time had been that Fang Rou was just as her name suggested, a gentle and soft-spoken woman. That impression still held true.


    The rain was still falling heavily after dinner. It was still early, so Song Menghwa asked Su Zhinian to join him in his study. Since Song Qingchun hadn¡¯t returned, he agreed.


    Ever since he was young, Song Menghwa loved to y chess. His hobby remained the same after so many years.


    Now that he thought about it, the reason Su Zhinian learned how to y chess was because Song Menghwa had taught him. Song Menghwa was a master at ying chess. In fact, he remembered that the young Su Zhinian had promised himself that he would one day beat Song Menghwa without using his mind-reading power. s, before that dream came into fruition, the fall-out with Song Qingchun urred and he left the Song family.


    So many yearster, Su Zhinian had grown much more mature in his thinking. Even though he hadn¡¯t touched the game for years, he still managed to steal a victory from Song Menghwa easily.


    This was the first time Song Menghwa had been beaten at his own game for years, and now that he had found himself a worthy rival, he held Su Zhinian back to y one game after another.


    To be honest, Su Zhinian had started to feel unwell again after dinner, but since he didn¡¯t want to be a spoilsport, he yed along until it was 10 pm. He was ready to find himself an excuse to leave when he heard the sound of a caring from the outside. Half a minuteter, the door was open, and Song Qingchun¡¯s soft voice drifted into his ears. "Big Sister..."


    Since she didn¡¯t see Song Menghwa, she asked, "Where¡¯s Dad?"


    "In the study, we have..." Fang Rou began to speak, but she could barely finish her sentence when the door to the study was pushed open heavily by Song Qingchun. "Dad, how were the results of your check-up today?"


    Song Qingchun then leaped into the study and curled her arms around her father¡¯s neck like she used to when she was a child. She was about to ask for more details when she noticed the man sitting across from her father. Her expression froze.


    Su... Su Zhinian? Why is he here?


    "After so many years, the girl is still as clumsy and rude as ever," Song Menghwa said to Su Zhinian with a smile. Even though it sounded like he was scolding Song Qingchun, the tone was full of love. Song Menghwa made his next chess move before warning Song Qingchun, who had copsed on top of his body, "What are you doing all spaced out? Why haven¡¯t you greeted our guest?"

 Chapter 441: Pulled Together by Fate (4)

    Chapter 441: Pulled Together by Fate (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun was pulled out of her thoughts instantly. She moved her gaze away from Su Zhinian and pulled herself up from her father. After she straightened herself, she opened her lips to say, "C... Su Zhinian."


    The first name that came to her mouth was actually "CEO Su", but thankfully, the sibnt sound of C sounded just like S, and she managed to quickly change it to Su Zhinian.


    From Song Menghwa¡¯s perspective, she and Su Zhinian had always been good friends. Furthermore, it was Song Qingchun who had convinced Su Zhinian to help Song Empire. If she called him CEO Su, it would have raised her father¡¯s suspicion.


    Su Zhinian was more collected than her. There was no observable w on his body. When she greeted him, he took his gaze away from the chessboard to nod at her with a nk expression, a gesture to reciprocate and acknowledge her greeting before turning back to focus on the game.


    Perhaps because he had reached an age where things in the past became more exciting than things in the future, as the game progressed, Song Menghwa started to reminisce about the period when Su Zhinian had lived with the Song family.


    Su Zhinian yed along nicely. In fact, whenever Song Menghwa was stuck on a memory, he would remind him about it. In contrast, Song Qingchun merely stood to the side like a statue. She uttered zero words and only smiled in return when Song Menghwa turned to look her way.


    The atmosphere in the study was quite harmonious, but Song Qingchun felt it was sucking the breath out of her. After she stayed for a few more minutes, she gave her father some excuse and escaped from the room.


    After she returned to her bedroom for less than a minute, Song Menghwa called her from downstairs.


    Song Qingchun pulled the door open in a hurry and rushed downstairs. She saw Su Zhinian standing at the front entrance, bidding farewell to Song Menghwa.


    Song Qingchun knew her father had called her down to send the guest away, to be a polite host, so she moved to stand behind Song Menghwa silently. Song Menghwa stood at the door until Su Zhinian¡¯s car disappeared down the road, and Song Qingchun apanied him quietly. Then, she held her father¡¯s arm as they turned back into the house.


    It was then that Fang Rou rushed downstairs with a bag in her arms. "Where¡¯s Mr. Su?"


    "He left already," Song Menghwa answered before asking, "What¡¯s wrong?"


    Fang Rou answered, "Mr. Su forgot to take his clothes home. I¡¯ve dried them already."


    "He won¡¯t have gone far." Song Menghwa turned to Song Qingchun naturally and said, "Use your car¡ªyou can catch up to him easily¡ªand return Zhinian¡¯s clothes to him."


    Song Qingchun wanted to reject, but other than her, there was no one else in the house who had a driver¡¯s license. Therefore, she changed tactic instead. "How about tomorrow? I¡¯ll mail it to him tomorrow."


    Song Menghwa¡¯s face fell immediately. "What sort of nonsense is that? At most, he¡¯ll only have reached the gate by now. Give him a call and tell him to wait for you. Why are you making this moreplicated than it should be?"


    "Fine! Fine!" Song Qingchun pouted and grumbled before grabbing the bag from Fang Rou and leaving the house.


    ...


    Song Qingchun pulled out her phone to call Su Zhinian, but her memory from the previous night about the cosmetics made her freeze.


    The words Cheng Qingchong had told her when she was chased away from the house were still fresh in her mind, and that, coupled with "Do whatever you want as long as you stop appearing before my eyes", made her think twice.


    Perhaps he won¡¯t even answer if I call him...

 Chapter 442: Pulled Together by Fate (5)

    Chapter 442: Pulled Together by Fate (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun thought about it before pocketing her phone and jumping into her car.


    The streets were empty since it was already 11 pm. Song Qingchun sped down the main road and was about to leave the housingpound when she spotted Su Zhinian¡¯s car by the side of the road, its emergency lights blinking.


    Song Qingchun frowned and mmed down on the brakes. Even so, when she stopped, she was about a hundred meters in front of Su Zhinian.


    She parked her car and hopped out, grabbing his clothes that were on the passenger seat. Then she jogged toward Su Zhinian¡¯s car.


    Before Song Qingchun returned to her home, Su Zhinian had already been walking on a thin line, close to copsing. When she did return, he had tried his best to keep himself upright. After leaving the Song family, perhaps it was the sudden release of tension, a raging fire surged through his body. His fever returned with a vengeance, causing the recovering injury on his chest to start aching as well.


    After driving some distance, his sight had started to blur, and an incessant humming echoed in his ears. He had quickly stopped by the roadside to catch his breath, leaning against the steering wheel. However, his condition didn¡¯t get better. If anything, the pain on his chest only grew more insufferable; he felt like there was a knife twisting in his chest.


    With his shaking fingers, he pulled out his phone to give Cheng Qingchong a call when he heard the screeching sound of tires beside his eyes. He turned to look at the source and watched Song Qingchun¡¯s car grinded to a halt in front of his car. Then, she exited the car with a bag in her hands and started running to him.


    He immediately raised his phone to his ear, pretending that he was talking on the phone. After making sure she saw he was ¡¯talking on the phone¡¯, he pretended to end the call and put the phone away. Then, he restarted his car like he didn¡¯t even see her.


    She started to run even faster when she heard the engine; she even raised both her hands to wave at him to catch his attention.


    The road was filled with puddles after the rain. She was running in heels, and due to thebinedck of lights and her hurry, she slipped and tripped.


    This was so sudden that he didn¡¯t have the time to take over her consciousness to help her break the fall, only able to watch on as shended face-down on the floor.


    She was wearing a dress that couldn¡¯t provide her much cushion. When she mmed against the hard floor, he heard a painful groan. He didn¡¯t think twice before pushing the door open and jumping out. He dragged his tired body and rushed to her side.


    When Su Zhinian reached Song Qingchun, she was already in a seated position, examining the wound on her knee.


    She blew carefully and lightly on her wounds before stopping altogether suddenly, probably because she had spotted his shoes out of the corner of her eyes. The next second, she raised her head, and their eyes met.


    There was still a tear hanging in the corner of her left eye. She had fallen into a shallow puddle, dirtying her pretty dress. There was even mud drying on her face and in her hair.


    Like a sorry puppy, she looked pitiable and... cute.

 Chapter 443: Pulled Together by Fate (6)

    Chapter 443: Pulled Together by Fate (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun held Su Zhinian¡¯s gaze for several seconds before realizing she was still sitting in the puddle. Her face started to blush greatly as she lowered her head out of embarrassment. Then, with a hand pushed against the floor, she finally crawled up into a standing position.


    Due to her leg injury, as she struggled to stand upright, she faltered and almost copsed back to the ground.


    Thankfully, Su Zhinian, who stood beside her, quickly reached out to grab her arm to stop her from tumbling.


    "Thank you." Song Qingchun raised her eyes to nce at Su Zhinian.


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t answer. As she found her footing, he released his grasp on her arm immediately. He wanted to say, ¡¯Do you need me to send you to the nearest hospital to get your wound checked out?¡¯ However, by the time the words reached his throat, they¡¯d changed, and he ended up saying, "You were looking for me?"


    Song Qingchun replied with a confused "hmm" before remembering her entire purpose and shoved the bag toward Su Zhinian.


    Thankfully... when Fang Rou folded his clothes, she had wrapped them inside a stic bag, so they weren¡¯t dirtied.


    Song Qingchun sighed in relief and held out the bag for Su Zhinian, exining, "This is your stuff that you identally left at my home. Dad said, since you¡¯d just left, he wanted me to chase after you to give it back to you."


    "Okay," Su Zhinian replied a low voice and stared at the proffered bag for a long time as if hesitating before reaching out slowly to grab it.


    His fingertip just so happened to touch hers, and in that brief moment of contact, she felt a heated sensation travel right into her heart.


    His temperature doesn¡¯t seem right.


    Song Qingchun frowned and her hands that she should be pulling back halted. The next second, she realized that Su Zhinian seem to be suffering from a high fever.


    "You..." Just like how she used to when they shared the same house, she turned her face up at him and wanted to ask if he had a high fever.


    However, only one word left her mouth when she realized they no longer shared any sort of rtionship, and her concern would only sound like she was being extra clingy.


    Song Qingchun ruminated on it, and when she pulled her hand back, she said awkwardly instead, "If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll be leaving."


    When their fingertips touched, he read her internal thoughts.


    It is indeed as I thought; in her heart, I¡¯ve be nothing more than a stranger.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s gaze dimmed slightly before he lowered his head. Shielded from Song Qingchun¡¯s gaze, his lips were stretched into a thin line. Then, he nodded and said, "Okay."


    "Then..." Song Qingchun paused. He seems to be burning up, is he really okay? From the looks of it, his face is extra white. Is he sure he doesn¡¯t need medical attention?


    She was reminded of how Su Zhinian would always ride it out without going to the hospital whenever he was sick or injured. This was something she had observed while staying with him, so her thought at the time was... Is he going to return to his house and wait until the fever naturally blows over?


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart shook with pain. She bit on her lips and slowly finished her sentence. "...goodbye."


    "Okay, goodbye," Su Zhinian replied in a level tone as he stood where he was.


    Song Qingchun hesitated for a moment before walking away. However, she barely took the first step when Su Zhinian, who was standing in front of her, started to sway before copsing fully into her grasp.

 Chapter 444: Pulled Together by Fate (7)

    Chapter 444: Pulled Together by Fate (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun faltered two steps back before she could steady herself. Su Zhinian, in her grasp, had started to slide toward the ground, so she immediately reached out to grab his arm.


    His muscr body didn¡¯t have any extra weight, but the difference in their weight still meant that Song Qingchun had to use a great amount of energy before she could hold him upright.


    With such close contact, Song Qingchun had a clearer look of his face.


    His eyes were closed, and his fair skin was tinged red. His long brows were furrowed as if in pain.


    "Su Zhinian? Su Zhinian?" Song Qingchun called his name twice, trying to get his attention. After he failed to respond, Song Qingchun raised her hand to touch his forehead. His temperature was as high as boiling water, causing her to pull back her hand instantly.


    The temperature that he left on her fingertips was merely a tip of the iceberg. In fact, she could feel his body, which was copsed on top of her, shaking involuntarily.


    Their contractual rtionship was already over. From his various words and actions, it was clear that he didn¡¯t want anything to do with her anymore. To put it simply, if he was to die then and there, it wouldn¡¯t have anything to do with her.


    If not for the fact she didn¡¯t want to anger Song Menghwa, she wouldn¡¯t have been there in the first ce.


    Song Qingchun bit on her lips in thought before raising her head to look around. The street was empty; there was not a car in sight.


    Can I really leave him unattended here? Or should I help him call the ambnce before leaving?


    As Song Qingchun pondered over the option, she turned to look at Su Zhinian. He seemed to be in extreme pain because his furrowed brows creased even deeper and his kissable lips were mumbling incoherently due to pain.


    The mumbling tore at Song Qingchun¡¯s heart. She stared at his struggle for a moment before lugging his heavy body, ignoring the pain from her knee, toward her car.


    Song Qingchun used every ounce of her energy before she managed to shove Su Zhinian inside her car.


    While panting, she helped him put on the seatbelt and walked around the car to climb into the driver¡¯s seat.


    Song Qingchun started the engine while taking a nce at him. His hands were pressed against his abdomen, and a great amount of sweat was falling down his nched face. He kept moaning in pain.


    This was not the first time Song Qingchun had seen an injured Su Zhinian; however, even when he had his head cracked and his shirt had been dyed with blood, he had not been so lifeless. He looked like he was barely hanging on to life, and his life could be snuffed out at any moment.


    Song Qingchun was anxious beyond belief, but she didn¡¯t think about it and pulled out her phone to call Doctor Xia with shaking hands.


    ...


    When Song Qingchun arrived at Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow, Doctor Xia still hadn¡¯t arrived.


    She dragged him out of her car and toward the bungalow entrance.


    He was still unconscious. Song Qingchun tried keying in the old password, and to her surprise, the door opened with a click.


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t even have the time to help Su Zhinian change his shoes. She used every bit of her energy to drag him upstairs and eventually dropped him on his bed.

 Chapter 445: Pulled Together by Fate (8)

    Chapter 445: Pulled Together by Fate (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She covered him up with his silk sheets before going into the bathroom to run a towel under cold water. She twisted it dry and ced it over his burning forehead.


    The touch of the cold fabric made his brows, which were locked, slightly rx, and the moaning that escaped from his mouth slowly decreased.


    Song Qingchun sighed deeply as she pulled a chair over to his bedside and sat down. She stared at his nched face and mumbled in a low voice, "I¡¯m telling you now, I¡¯m not being clingy or whatever you want to call it. I just cannot allow you to die on the streets; I would help a stranger if I found him or her in your condition. Furthermore, you had done so much for Song Empire."


    Speaking of Song Empire, Song Qingchun was reminded of what Zheng Hao had told her, of the one hundred million investment he had put into Song Empire. She couldn¡¯t help but mock the sleeping man before her. "I¡¯d say, you¡¯re one weird individual. How can you be so nice and so horrible when you want to be?


    "I thought we were bing fast friends when we stayed together, but the moment the contract ended, you turned around and changed into aplete stranger; what kind of human being can do that?


    "I told myself yesterday to stop getting myself mixed up with you and have a clean break like you have done, but today..."


    Why did you have toe to my house? And just so happen to leave behind your clothes? And pick the perfect moment to faint...


    Song Qingchun sighed softly and moved her gaze away from Su Zhinian¡¯s face. She spotted one of his legs dangling from the bed. Afraid that it might cause him difort, Song Qingchun pulled his shoes off, then ran to the other side of his bed, jumped onto it and pulled his body onto the bed. When she fixed the sheets, she realized his hands were still pressed tightly over his abdomen.


    Song Qingchun stopped moving. She noted the unusual force he was applying on it; it was as if he was trying to suppress some kind of pain.


    Song Qingchun stared at it for two seconds and felt there was something wrong with it. She gingerly removed Su Zhinian¡¯s hands and realized the spot he had been covering had several traces of blood.


    Her heart trembled violently before she unbuttoned his shirt rapidly. Then she saw therge wound on his muscr abdomen.


    The wound was deep, and it was filled with numerous stitches. The wound seemed to be healing, and the blood had probablye from the fact he was clutching at it too hard earlier. There was ayer of new flesh, and the sight it made, mingling with the wounded flesh, was eerie indeed.


    Song Qingchun felt like her breath was taken away. She stared at the giant wound with bated breath before her brain started to move.


    The wound looks fresh, so he was injured only recently. That also looks like a knife wound. It was aimed at the abdomen, probably aiming for the vitals...


    Song Qingchun slowly turned her gaze to settle on Su Zhinian¡¯s face. His eyes were still screwed shut.


    His lips are as white as his face. No wonder I felt he had lost too much weight when I ran into him at the golf course a few days ago. The sense of sickness around him then was probably due to this fresh wound as well. The reason for his fever tonight is probably this too, right? But when did he suffer this wound? And why? What happened?

 Chapter 446: Pulled Together by Fate (9)

    Chapter 446: Pulled Together by Fate (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    When these questions circted through Song Qingchun¡¯s mind, for some reason, she felt like the blood in her body was flowing the other way. Her heart skipped three beats, and an inexplicable feeling consumed her.


    It was not until she put his clothes back on, snuggled him under the mattress, and the wound was nowhere to be seen that her breath returned.


    ...


    Simr to the time when Doctor Xia had arrived to check on Su Zhinian¡¯s head wound, he examined Su Zhinian¡¯s body, gave him a drip, and gave Song Qingchun some notes and medicine before leaving.


    When Song Qingchun sent Doctor Xia away, she took the opportunity to ask where the wound on Su Zhinian¡¯s abdomen hade from.


    Doctor Xia was visibly startled when he heard her question. After a long pause, he smiled like he usually did at Song Qingchun and said, "I¡¯m not too sure about that myself; he was already like this when he came to me."


    Her instinct told Song Qingchun that Doctor Xia was lying, but she couldn¡¯t figure out why; she knew it would not be courteous for her to press the good doctor, so she just nodded along andter bade Doctor Xia farewell.


    Then, she returned to his bedroom and sat by his bedside, watching the drip fall. For some reason, her mind returned to the wound she had seen; she felt like... that wound hid a dark and important secret.


    ...


    Three hourster, Song Qingchun changed the needle for Su Zhinian. She used a cotton ball to press on his arm to stop the blood before pasting a bandage over it. Feeling his forehead, she realized his fever still hadn¡¯t retreated. Worried that he might need her help in the middle of the night, she decided to wait by his bedside.


    As the night deepened, Song Qingchun got increasingly drowsy. She tried to force her heavy lids open and asionally reached out to feel Su Zhinian¡¯s temperature.


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t know how many times she repeated this action before a hazy light started to filter through the window, and Su Zhinian¡¯s fever finally dissipated. The tired Song Qingchun copsed on his bedside and fell into a slumber.


    ...


    When Su Zhinian opened his eyes, the sun had already risen. The summer daylight fell through the windows and lit up his vast bedroom.


    Still recovering from his fever, he felt a sense of lethargy and weakness weighing him down. He stared at the ceiling for quite some time before memories from the previous night came into his mind.


    He remembered trying to survive the difort raging through his senses as he waited for Song Qingchun to leave. In the end, he had lost consciousness before he could tell whether Song Qingchun had left or not. But now, he was in his own home?


    Su Zhinian rolled his eyes around and started to examine his surroundings.


    There was a mobile drip rack beside his bed, and two empty bags hung upon it. Then, he spotted the bandage on the back of his arm.


    His brows were tied in a deep knot. He suddenly sat up, as if remembering something. As he did so, he saw Song Qingchun lying on the edge of his bed, sweetly dreaming.


    The daylight fell on her upper body, coloring the dried mud on her face and hair a golden yellow.


    She had not changed out of the dress she¡¯d had on yesterday. The dirty water on it had dried, and there were dirty splotches all over it.


    However, her hands and arms had been washed; they pillowed her head.


    So... it was she who brought me home after I faintedst night?

 Chapter 447: Pulled Together by Fate (10)

    Chapter 447: Pulled Together by Fate (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    From the way she¡¯s dressed, she stayed by my bedside the whole night?


    Su Zhinian¡¯s heart trembled violently, and he could feel it slow down in its beating rhythm.


    She must be worn out. The dark circles under her eyes are heavy, and her lips are slightly white, probably from theck of a proper rest.


    Guilt weighed down heavily on Su Zhinian¡¯s heart. This man who had ridiculous obsession with cleanliness reached out to clean the dried mud out of her hair.


    Regardless of her intention, even if it was simply because she couldn¡¯t allow a fellow human being to die before her, an iparable warmth swept through his entire body.


    Ever since he met her when he was eight andter found her ten yearster, he had been like her shadow, apanying her tirelessly from the dark.


    He had never asked for her to turn around to notice him. Her asional kindness toward him, even if it was idental, would make him feel like he owned the whole world; it gave him the greatest satisfaction he had ever known.


    His hands stayed on her hair for some time before he pulled back his quilt, got out of bed, and went into the bathroom. He returned with a warm towel.


    Not minding the dirt on her body, he pulled her into a hug and ced her on his bed. Then he used the towel to carefully rub away the mud stuck to her face and hair.


    As if worried that he might identally wake her up, his touch was as light as a summer breeze, filled with love.


    After cleaning her hair and face, he ced the dirtied towel on his bedside table and moved to examine the wound on her knee.


    After one night, the wound started to bruise. Pieces of dirt were caked with dried blood, and the wound was heavily bruised.


    Su Zhinian grabbed the first-aid kit and used a pair of tweezers to pick up a cotton ball and dip it into iodine before dabbing it carefully over her wound. After disinfecting and cleaning it, he applied some ointment on it before wrapping it with a thinyer of gauze. Then, he ced the quilt lightly over her body.


    He raised his finger to caress the girl¡¯s face. Eventually, his gaze settled on a golden button that hung from her neck.


    It looked so familiar.


    Su Zhinian frowned as he used his finger to raise the button up. As he got a closer look, he realized it was a button from the shirt he had been wearing when he saved her two months ago.


    That shirt was from the personal collection of a highly-fashionable French menswear. There was not a second one. Even the twelve buttons on the shirt were unique.


    Due to the gaping wound on his abdomen, he¡¯d had to abandon that shirt. However, since the buttons were made from pure gold and they had a design that matched his taste, he had pulled them off the shirt before he disposed of it.


    However, he had only collected eleven buttons and not the expected twelve. Who would have thought that the missing button had been hanging around her neck all along?


    The button was probably a clue that the police had given her. Even though she wouldn¡¯t have known the button belonged to him, the fact that she had kept it close to her heart made his own heart start to rage with emotions.

 Chapter 448: Her Approach (1)

    Chapter 448: Her Approach (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    It was already noon when Song Qingchun woke up. When she stretched her limbs, she realized with a start that she was lying in bed and not copsed by the side of it.


    The bedroom was empty except for her, and Su Zhinian was nowhere to be seen.


    When she got out from bed, she noticed the bandage on her knee. In her sleep, she had probably moved around because the edges were falling off, and she realized that her wound had been treated.


    There were only herself and Su Zhinian in his bungalow, so... He treated my wound while I was asleep?


    Song Qingchun sat at the edge of his bed, staring at the gauze that covered her knee. The softest part of her left chest welled with a curious warmth, and she didn¡¯t realize her lips had curved into a smile.


    She felt like she had woken up in a different timeline, one where they still shared that hundred-day contract.


    Just as Song Qingchun was spacing out, the bedroom door behind her was pushed open. She turned around instantly to watch an expressionless Su Zhinian walk in.


    Song Qingchun jumped up from his bed subconsciously, and due to the haze of her sleep, the words in her head tumbled out of her mouth without any thought. "Has your fever retreated?"


    Her tone sounded just like the one she used when they still shared the bungalow; there was no trace of awkwardness or forced politeness. It brought them close together as if the period of separation was just an illusion.


    Su Zhinian stared at Song Qingchun in silence for a few seconds before nodding silently.


    Song Qingchun walked to him easily and naturally ced her palm on his forehead. When her soft palm pressed on his skin, his hands gripped subconsciously into fists.


    After waking up and going downstairs that morning, he had not returned to his bedroom.


    With some time away from the dream-like environment of his bedroom, rationality had slowly returned to his brain. He had sat in quiet rumination on the sofa, thinking about how they had managed to get bungled together even after every cruel things and actions he had said and done.


    It seemed like fate had been pulling them together.


    He had heard some noises from his bedroom when she woke up. He had stood outside the door to his bedroom for a long time, trying to formte a cruel eviction message. However, he was dazed by the gorgeous picture as he pushed the door open.


    The sun outside the window was glorious. Looking into the eyes of the girl who was one head shorter than him, he could see her sincere concern as she felt his temperature. The moment was so perfect that he didn¡¯t have the heart to shatter it; he found himself unable to say the words that had already reached his lips.


    Song Qingchun had no idea what Su Zhinian was thinking about. She ced her palm on his forehead for about a minute before pulling away.


    Her eyes seemed to smile at him when she said, "Your fever seems to have disappeared, but your temperature is still quite high. When Doctor Xia came to look over you yesterday, he left some medicine, so you¡¯d better take it as required."


    Song Qingchun then turned to walk to the bedside table to look over the many medicine packets and bottles. She exined to Su Zhinian, "This white bottle is for anti-inmmation; Doctor Xia said to take four each time, and this one..."


    Song Qingchun turned to ask Su Zhinian, "Wait... you still haven¡¯t had any right?"


    She then prepared the medicine as Doctor Xia ordered and walked to the coffee table to pour a ss of water.

 Chapter 449: Her Approach (2)

    Chapter 449: Her Approach (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun walked to Su Zhinian and handed him the ss of water and medicine, adding, "Better take them now lest your fever returnster."


    Su Zhinian stood where he was and stared directly at Song Qingchun, giving zero reaction.


    Song Qingchun thought this was because he didn¡¯t like bitter medicine, so she opened her lips and uttered in a supplicating tone like one might use with an unruly child, "You¡¯ll feel better if you take it..."


    Su Zhinian suppressed his urge to reach out. His hands gripped tightly until his perfectly manicured nails poked into the ball of his palm.


    Song Qingchun frowned, noticing Su Zhinian¡¯sck of response. She met his gaze with some confusion, and after holding his gaze silently for a few seconds, the message that he didn¡¯t say slowly registered in her heart.


    How could she have forgotten the abyss that should have been between them. He had been indisposed when she carried him home the previous night, but now that he was himself again, it was time for her to leave.


    A great sense of disappointment pressed down on her heart. Her eyes that stared at Su Zhinian started to waver. Like a thief caught red-handed, her dark pupils started to dart nervously before she eventually lowered her head.


    Simrly, her hands that held the ss of water and medicine also fell weakly to her side. The room fell into an awkward silence.


    Neither party spoke for a long time. Song Qingchun took a deep breath to counter the disappointment rising in her heart. She raised her lips and shed a forced smile at Su Zhinian, exining, "I had to carry you home because you fainted yesterday night. You were all alone at home, and I was worried you would need help in the middle of the night so, so I stayed."


    Then again, he has mentioned repeatedly that there is no longer any rtionship between us, so why should I care if an ident did happen to him?


    The more Song Qingchun exined, the more beaten she felt. She borated until her voice couldn¡¯t be heard anymore.


    "I understand," Su Zhinian said clearly and after a moment, added, "Thank you for your help."


    "No need, anyone else would do the same." Song Qingchun smiled forcibly before lowering her head again.


    Sensing the tension that had started to rise in the room, Song Qingchun swallowed deeply and added in a rush, "Remember to take your medicine, the amount in my palm is the amount Doctor Xia rmended."


    For some reason, Song Qingchun felt a burgeoning sadness in her heart. She knew it was time to bide her farewell, ce the ss of water on the table, and leave. However, perhaps she still worried about his fever or for some other reason that she couldn¡¯t exin, but she found herself unwilling to leave.


    She tried her best to make herself not look so sad and maintained the levity in her voice as she said, "If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll be leaving."


    "Okay." Su Zhinian stared at the top of her head, and sadness shed across his eyes. However, it disappeared as fast as it appeared. He said that one simple word and nothing else.


    Song Qingchun noticed his reticence and assumed that was because he couldn¡¯t wait for her to leave.


    Song Qingchun felt the pain in her heart growing, and her nose started to twitch, foreshadowing theing tears and sniffles.

 Chapter 450: Her Approach (3)

    Chapter 450: Her Approach (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She gripped the ss in her hand tightly and stood there without a word.


    Perhaps he had imagined it, but he thought he saw utter disappointment on the girl¡¯s face, like she was being forced to give up her most beloved stuff animal in the world.


    He had spent his whole life trying to love her, and it had never been his intention to make her sad. When he saw her in that state, he subconsciously wanted to reach out to console her or at least take away the ss of water and medicine from her grasp.


    However, he merely raised his hands an inch when the girl suddenly raised her head; there was a natural smile on her fair face. She uttered in a light and brief tone, "Goodbye."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s half-raised hands hung awkwardly in midair. He nodded slightly at her, and then she turned to the bedside table to ce the ss of water and medicine on it. After that, she grabbed the bag that was left on the chair beside it and turned toward the bedroom door.


    An urge to grab her arm and pull her into his embrace welled up within him when Song Qingchun walked past. Then, he would ask her, Can you please stay to apany me?


    However, he knew that he couldn¡¯t; he could only watch her leave. His fists shook as he pitted his rational brain against his emotional heart.


    Eventually, his brain won out. He stood there quietly by the bedroom door and did nothing as he listened to her pad down the stairs.


    When she opened the door, there was the sound of an engine from the driveway. Then he heard the conversation between her and Doctor Xia.


    "Miss Song, you¡¯re leaving?"


    "Yes, I have something to attend to."


    "How¡¯s Mr. Su?"


    "Better, but his temperature is still a bit high."


    "I will go take a look at him then. Thank you for everything yesterday."


    "You¡¯re wee. Goodbye, Doctor Xia."


    ...


    Song Qingchun waited until Doctor Xia had reached the second floor before she closed the door. When the door was half-closed, her eyes swept the shoe rack, and she saw the many disposable chopsticks that came with take-outs on it.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s brows furrowed, and her hand that held the door stopped. She nced at the second floor before slinking into Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow and going into his dining room.


    The dining room was clean, and there were a few unopened take-out boxed on the table. They were probably his meals for the whole day, and they were still untouched.


    Song Qingchun walked around the dining table with a deep frown. She pulled open the fridge, and her frown deepened when she saw it was empty. Other than a few bottles of milk and water, there was nothing in it. There were three boxes of ice-cream in the freezer, and those were her purchases when she had stayed there. She still hadn¡¯t finished them when she had been tossed out of his house.


    Song Qingchun stood there dazed for half a minute before turning to pull open the door to the kitchen. As she expected, the situation in there was exactly as she¡¯d left it. In other words, for the past half a month, no one had even turned on the stove in Su Zhinian¡¯s kitchen!


    This means that he has been having take-out for his every meal?


    Song Qingchun frowned. Her heart softened when she was reminded of therge wound on his abdomen.


    How has he even managed to survive until now? Even when his injury was at its worst, he was living on these unhealthy take-outs for every meal?

 Chapter 451: Her Approach (4)

    Chapter 451: Her Approach (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    No wonder he has lost so much weight and looks sickly.


    Sometimes, the deepest show of emotion was the most silent; it came without warning or fanfare. However, this didn¡¯t take away from the strength of the emotion, one that would oftenpel someone to do things that they shouldn¡¯t.


    Song Qingchun found herself in such a situation at that moment. She knew Su Zhinian¡¯s life no longer had anything to do with her, but when she saw the take-outs on the table and the empty fridge, instead of walking away like she should have done, she cleared away the take-outs on the table and the take-out menus Su Zhinian had stuck all over the fridge door. She dropped them all into the dustbin and went to the nearest supermarket to restock Su Zhinian¡¯s refrigerator. She even cooked a scrumptious meal for him.


    Song Qingchun took half an hour shopping for Su Zhinian. Then she spent some more time in the kitchen cooking porridge, stir-frying some vegetables, and making a stew. When she finished with everything, Song Qingchun pulled out her phone and realized with a start it was already 5.30 pm.


    A curse fell out of Song Qingchun¡¯s lips. "F*ck, it¡¯s sote already?"


    She had thought to be finished with all that while Su Zhinian was stuck to the drip and had nned to leave without him noticing. However, she had lost track of time.


    She started counting on her fingers. "Doctor Xia came around 1.30 pm, and if he helped Take-out Su with the drip then, at thetest, Take-out Su will be done with the drip by 4.30 pm."


    Song Qingchun then heard the loud whirring of the exhaust fan that she had kept on in the kitchen. The noise had covered up any other voice in the room, so she wouldn¡¯t have heard anything else.


    She frowned and grumbled under her breath, "Doctor Xia should have left already, right?"


    "Then again, it didn¡¯t seem like Take-out Su hase downstairs." Ayer of hope surfaced at the bottom of Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes. "The fan is loud, so if he hade downstairs, he would have wandered into the kitchen to see what¡¯s wrong."


    Song Qingchun bit on her fingers. She analyzed the situation in her head while ncing at the cooking porridge. She reached out to lower the me and told herself, "I¡¯d better leave before Take-out Su realizes what¡¯s happening."


    Song Qingchun pulled open the kitchen door and dashed out of it as fast as she could. When she reached the dining room, she stopped and walked to the dining table as if remembering something. She grabbed the nearest pen and paper, voicing out the thing that she was writing. "The porridge is in the kitchen; you can turn off the fire after another twenty minutes."


    She tossed the pen away and stuck the note to the center of the dining table. Then she rushed out of the dining room.


    She poked her head into the living room, and realizing no one was there, she sighed in great relief and started to slink toward the front door.


    When Song Qingchun reached the couch, she grabbed her bag that was lying on it. She took a deep breath to calm herself and was going to make onest mad dash out of Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow when she heard the sound of footstepsing down the stairs.


    Song Qingchun froze and turned instinctively around. She saw Su Zhinian, who had his hands in his pockets, wander down the stairs leisurely.

 Chapter 452: Her Approach (5)

    Chapter 452: Her Approach (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun¡¯s mind waspletely nk. She stared at Su Zhinian dumbly and unblinkingly like she was stunned into a mental shut down.


    When Su Zhinian¡¯s gaze fell on her, his expression remained the same. He continued walking leisurely down the steps until he reached one meter in front of Song Qingchun and stopped.


    He was much taller than she was, so he was looking down at her.


    As if stirring from her daze, Song Qingchun slowly raised her eyes to look at him.


    The afternoon sun filtered into the room through the living room¡¯s floor-length window. It fell right onto his face, lighting up his features with a golden hue.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and after a half-second hesitation, she quickly lowered her head.


    He stood immobile before her. Even though she didn¡¯t look at him, she knew that his eyes were boring into her as if quietly questioning her, Why are you still here?


    She quivered under his gaze and reached out to grab at the end of her sleeves. Then she whispered an exnation. "You¡¯re still recovering, and too much take-out is bad for you, so I..."


    As Song Qingchun continued, her voice became smaller.


    He already said we no longer share a rtionship. I¡¯ve lost the right to even cook for him... The more I exin, the more bothered I will appear in his eyes. I should have just turned and left.


    The feeling that had welled up in her heart that afternoon when she said her goodbye returned. She bit her lips and blurted out, "...I¡¯ll go now."


    Then she brushed past Su Zhinian and ran toward the entrance.


    However, she merely took two steps when Su Zhinian suddenly reached out from behind her to grab at her fair arm, to stop her from moving.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s palm was hot. It made Song Qingchun shiver involuntarily. Then she turned to zero in on his grasp on her arm.


    What is he up to now?


    As if the man could read her thoughts, the moment these few words popped up in her mind, he suddenly said in a light tone, the first word he uttered since he came downstairs, "Stay."


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t catch his meaning initially. She turned dumbly around to stare at Su Zhinian, who was standing behind her. She asked in return, "What?"


    Su Zhinian was silent with his eyes closed for a long time, as if fighting an inner struggle. After some time, the man opened his eyes, and they settled on Song Qingchun¡¯s face. Then, he repeated the word he had said earlier with much more boration. "Stay for dinner."


    Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t believe her ears. The eyes that stared at Su Zhinian were filled with disbelief.


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t borate. He released his hold on her arm. His eyes swept her dirtied dress that she had been wearing for one whole night and day. After a moment¡¯s silence, he turned and went up the stairs.


    He told me to stay for dinner... but now he¡¯s heading upstairs? What¡¯s going on? Is this a sign of regret? He¡¯s using his action to tell me to leave?


    Just as Song Qingchun wasing up with a hypothesis, Su Zhinian returned. There was a white T-shirt in his hand. He passed it to her and said lightly, "Go take a bath first before dinner."

 Chapter 453: Her Approach (6)

    Chapter 453: Her Approach (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun was startled for a moment before she realized the messy state that she was in.


    No wonder so many people were looking at me sideways when I went shopping just now.


    With a blush rising to her face, Song Qingchun snatched the white t-shirt from Su Zhinian and nodded with a soft "hmm" before rushing upstairs.


    ...


    When Song Qingchun moved out of Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow, she had pretty much hauled all of her clothes away with her. Su Zhinian searched for a long time throughout the second floor, and the biggest T-shirt he could find was barely enough to cover the lower half of Song Qingchun¡¯s buttocks.


    Song Qingchun stood in front of the mirror in the bathroom and tried to pull the shirt down several times before heading downstairs.


    Su Zhinian was seated in the living room, watching the television with his legs crossed. When he heard her footsteps, he turned instinctually toward the stairs. When he saw her exposed pair of legs, his eyes were glued to them. He forced himself with great willpower to look away before it became ufortable. Then he stood up and walked into the dining room before Song Qingchun.


    They assumed their usual seats at the dining table. Due to force of habit, Song Qingchun dished up his meal for him.


    They didn¡¯t share any conversation at the table, each busy eating their own fill. However, their eyes would asionally turn the other person¡¯s way, but when he looked at her, she was eating with her head lowered, and when she looked his way, he was drinking the soup with his head lowered.


    This reminded both of them so much of when they were staying together.


    Other than the sound of chopsticks hitting on the bottom of the bowl, the dining room was eerily quietly. However, unlike the awkwardness in Su Zhinian¡¯s bedroom earlier, it was afortable quiet with a warm, fuzzy feeling.


    After dinner, like in the past, Song Qingchun started to clear up the dining table.


    Su Zhinian initially wanted to help, but when he grabbed the cloth to wipe down the dining table, he raised his head to look into the kitchen. His gaze swept over Song Qingchun, who was standing at the sink doing the dishes.


    She was standing in a half-bent position, and because of that, her T-shirt was raised, revealing her sexy behind.


    He stared at that picture for quite some time before realizing what he was doing. He turned quickly away as a pink hue rose to his face.


    He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He then opened his eyes and continued to do his chores. Even though he forced himself not to look that way, his eyes seemed to have a will of their own as they kept drifting toward the kitchen. An inexplicable sense of heat coursed through his body, causing his breathing to turn heavy. He was afraid he might go crazy if he stayed any longer, so he left the cloth on the table and dashed out of the dining room.


    ...


    It was already 7.30 pm when Song Qingchun came out of the kitchen.


    The living room was vacated. The television was ying, but Su Zhinian was nowhere to be found.


    He had asked her to stay to repay her for her cooking. She was no longer his housemate, so it was time for her to leave.


    Song Qingchun stood in the living room for quite some time before taking the steps to head upstairs.


    The door to Su Zhinian¡¯s bedroom was open. Song Qingchun peeked in, and it was empty. Then she walked to the study.


    Before she reached the door, Song Qingchun could hear the sound of Su Zhinian talking within.


    This was a picture that was all-too familiar.


    When she had lived at his ce, she would hear him on the phone talking about work almost every night.

 Chapter 454: Her Approach (7)

    Chapter 454: Her Approach (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    At the time, she didn¡¯t think too much of it. She had merely concluded that he was a busy man. Sometimes, his work-rted calls would go past one or two hours... but now, listening to his familiar and light tone, she realized she missed it.


    Usually, when he was busy, she would find ways to entertain herself, either by running in the gym, or watching her dramas in the living room... That kind of life, now that she thought about, was quite mundane, but for some reason, she found herself missing it.


    A fade sense of disappointment rose to Song Qingchun¡¯s chest. She stood at the door for a long time until Su Zhinian hung up the phone. She then raised her hand to lightly knock at the door.


    "Come in." Su Zhinian¡¯s crisp voice drifted out from within.


    Song Qingchun pushed open the door, and as she walked in, she saw Su Zhinian make another call. He probably had something important at work to deal with. He pointed at the sofa, and before he could say anything to her, his call was picked up. He waved for her to wait before starting to discuss stuff like shares, profit margins, and the like.


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t disturb him and obediently went to sit at the sofa. Her eyes scanned Su Zhinian¡¯s study before eventually falling on the window in which she could see Su Zhinian¡¯s reflection.


    He was seated in a graceful pose, his one hand cradling the phone, the other clicking the mouse. It seemed like his brain was working on both things separately.


    When she stayed with him, it was not umon for Song Qingchun toe find him when Su Zhinian was busy.


    She remembered one time she needed his help with a game. She had a hard time passing the trial, so she hugged herptop and came searching for his help. Simrly, he was having a video-conference with a foreigner. He only had her wait for five minutes, but she remembered how impatient she had been at the time.


    However, today, she found herself wishing that his call would go on forever. That way, she could stay in hispany forever and ever.


    In spite of her wish, the call soon ended.


    Su Zhinian ced the phone down and continued typing on hisputer for about a minute before leaning in his chair and raising his fingers to massage the bridge of his nose. After some time, he turned to Song Qingchun and said, "Sorry for making you wait."


    Song Qingchun shook her head at him. She didn¡¯t want to say goodbye, but she turned her lips up at Su Zhinian and uttered, "It¡¯s gettingte; I have to leave now."


    "Wait for a while longer." Su Zhinian removed his fingers from his face. He saw the confusion in Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes, so he exined softly, "Your clothes are still in the dryer."


    Song Qingchun blinked several times before she remembered the machine sound she had heard when she wasing upstairs earlier. She hadn¡¯t paid it much attention, and now she realized it was the washing machine. Meaning he helped me wash my dirty clothes?


    For some inexplicable reason, Song Qingchun felt a sweet and warm feeling suffuse through her heart.


    She responded with an "oh" before her lips curved involuntarily into a smile. Then she added, "Thank you."


    Su Zhinian replied with a grunt of acknowledgement and nothing else.


    Song Qingchun studied him quietly and thought internally, Has he finished his work?

 Chapter 455: Her Approach (8)

    Chapter 455: Her Approach (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    After a moment, Song Qingchun saw Su Zhinian even pull out his phone and start to y on it.


    Song Qingchun knew Su Zhinian had always been a man of few words. Even when he was with his mother, one would think he was a mute or something. Even though she had gotten used to him acting this way, it didn¡¯t mean that she was immune to the awkwardness that arose from theplete silence. So, it fell on her to initiate a conversation lest it became ufortable.


    When Song Qingchun said the first word, Su Zhinian ced his phone down and looked at her.


    "If you¡¯re eating at home, steaming or making stews are very easy. Don¡¯t keep relying on take-outs, they are not good for you."


    "Hmm." Su Zhinian nodded.


    When he used to live alone, Auntie Sun would cook for him. However, when she moved in, he paid Auntie Sun a great deal of money for the old woman to retire. After Song Qingchun moved out, he didn¡¯t call Auntie Sun back or hire a new homemaker because he wanted to keep the ce exactly as she left it. That way, he could at least pretend that she had never left.


    This afternoon, when he was waiting for the drip, his eyes had been closed as hey in bed. It seemed like he was sleeping, but he was actually focusing on her every movement downstairs.


    The sound of running water, the sound of a knife on the chopping block, the sizzling sound of cooking, the bubbling sound of the soup boiling on top of the constant whirring of the exhaust fan...


    There were endless noises, but in his ears, they were like a melody from the heavens. Only he himself would know how much he had missed these daily noises since he had returned from Yun Nan and stayed in the house alone.


    He didn¡¯t need her to talk to him, didn¡¯t need her to smile at him, didn¡¯t need her to even be by his side; as long as he could close his eyes and listen to her move around the house, he was satisfied.


    After Doctor Xia left, he could focus on her movement even more. He could see his inner conviction crumbling.


    At the time, he had been thinking about what he should do. He couldn¡¯t bring himself to tear her away just like that. He wished desperately for this happy and peaceful rtionship between them tost.


    He really wanted to be selfish, just a little for once in his life. He didn¡¯t need much; he just wanted to be her normal friend.


    When he heard her call him "Take-out Su", that wish had grown many times over.


    She hadn¡¯t created a new nickname to mock him for a very long time, and he missed even that desperately.


    When he heard her footsteps heading toward the door, he finally couldn¡¯t hold it in anymore. He rushed downstairs and grabbed at her arm when she said she was going to leave.


    Seeing that Su Zhinian wasn¡¯t responding to her conversation topic, Song Qingchun quickly switched to another.


    Su Zhinian returned from his thoughts and continued to pay Song Qingchun the attention she deserved.


    As the conversation continued, Song Qingchun was suddenly reminded of the wound she had seen earlier, and she couldn¡¯t help herself from asking, "When you did suffer the wound to your stomach?"


    Su Zhinian¡¯s expression visibly shook because he wasn¡¯t anticipating this question.

 Chapter 456: Her Approach (9)

    Chapter 456: Her Approach (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun thought he was surprised at the fact that she knew, so she exined, "When I brought you back yesterday, I saw your hands clutched over your stomach. I moved them away and saw blood. Later that night..."


    I took off your clothes... Song Qingchun found herself unable to say those words, so she lowered her head bashfully and skipped over it. "... I saw your wound."


    She switched the subject immediately after. "What caused the injury? A knife?"


    Su Zhinian nodded.


    "But why would you get stabbed by a knife?" Song Qingchun asked.


    "It was an ident. I got into an altercation with a mugger, and his hand slipped," Su Zhinian answered with a shrug. It sounded like the whole incident didn¡¯t matter to him, but his words brought back some trauma for Song Qingchun.


    Altercation, knife... Song Qingchun was reminded of her abduction. She saw the knife sh before her eyes as the driver plunged it toward her chest.


    Thankfully, she had been savedter.


    So, in other words, he had experienced the same thing as her; they had both been harmed by knives. For some reason, the random titbit that Qin Yinan had told her, that it was Su Zhinian who had warned him of the danger she was in, floated into her mind.


    Her instinct told her that those two things were connected somehow. She turned to look Su Zhinian in the eye and repeated the first question she¡¯d asked, "When did this happen?"


    Su Zhinian¡¯s expression was still as the surface of ake. He answered without hesitation, "About a month ago."


    A month ago? The abduction happened two months ago. The timeline doesn¡¯t match.


    Song Qingchun felt like something was wrong, but she couldn¡¯t put her finger on it. After a while, she said, "I got into some trouble during the Song Empire¡¯s event several months ago. When I recovered, I asked Brother Yinan, and he said it was you who called him to inform him of my situation, and that was how he managed to reach me in time."


    Song Qingchun stared directly at Su Zhinian like a police officer interrogating her suspect. She queried, "So, how did you know I was in danger?"


    Su Zhinian acted like he couldn¡¯t understand what she was referring to. As she was about to call him out on it, he eximed, as if he just remembered something, "Oh!


    "I was having dinner at Golden Corner at the time. I heard something in the bathroom and thus called Qin Yinan."


    Golden Corner? Golden Corner is on the west side of the city; the event venue was on the east side. No wonder Brother Yinan vetoed the possibility that it was Su Zhinian who came to save us that day the instant I brought it up. The time just doesn¡¯t fit. Getting out of the west part of city alone would take two hours...


    Furthermore, from his reaction just now, it really does seem like he doesn¡¯t have any recollection of the incident. If it is really him who saved me and Brother Yinan, his defense couldn¡¯t have been so wless...


    So, it is really me who has been overthinking it?


    But sometimes, the fact that the testimony was so wless was a w.


    Su Zhinian noticed the suspicion in the depths of Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes. They sat quite a distance apart from each other, so he couldn¡¯t read her mind. This meant that he had to be extra careful with his every single word.

 Chapter 457: Her Approach (10)

    Chapter 457: Her Approach (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    He looked at her in silence for a long time. She also wasn¡¯t saying anything, but from her facial expression, it was obvious that she was struggling with some sort of suspicion.


    Su Zhinian lowered his head to hide the rising anxiety in his heart. After he calmed himself, he raised his eyes to interrupt Song Qingchun¡¯s rumination by saying, "The washing machine seems to have finished already."


    Song Qingchun came to, and before she could say anything, Su Zhinian added in a light tone, "It¡¯s gettingte; I should rest too."


    Actually, he didn¡¯t want to chase her away, but since he couldn¡¯t read her mind, he was afraid of arousing her suspicion even more should she try to interrogate him further. He could never let her know he was the guardian angel she had been looking for all along.


    Song Qingchun understood the meaning inherent in Su Zhinian¡¯s words. He wanted her to leave already.


    Even though she still had many unanswered questions, she herself hadn¡¯t managed to wrap her head around the issue, so she had no idea how and what to ask Su Zhinian even if she wanted to.


    Since he had already brought up the fact that he needed to rest, she couldn¡¯t shamelessly stay anymore. Therefore, she suppressed her internal queries and said, "I¡¯ll go take a look."


    ...


    Song Qingchun changed back into her clothes. She poured Su Zhinian a ss of water and reminded him to take his medicine when she went upstairs to bid him farewell.


    Su Zhinian nodded, but instead of following her orders, he stood up and said, "I¡¯ll send you out."


    "That won¡¯t be necessary." Song Qingchun immediately shook her head. "You¡¯re still recovering, so you¡¯d better stay put. I¡¯ve already called a taxi; it¡¯ll be here soon."


    Song Qingchun was afraid that Su Zhinian would insist, so she added, "I¡¯ll message you when I reach home."


    Su Zhinian eventually conceded but not because of anything Song Qingchun said. His fever kept receding and returning; he was afraid that some ident might happen should he drive in such a condition, so he eventually agreed for Song Qingchun to take the taxi home.


    Instead, Su Zhinian wrapped a coat around Song Qingchun and helped her into the taxi.


    When Song Qingchun bade him farewell, the sense of unwillingness welled up in his heart again.


    Her spirit that was lifted during her long conversation with Su Zhinian started to drop as the taxi moved further and further away from his house.


    When she reached home, Song Qingchun jumped into her bed and reached for her phone as per her usual habit. However, instead of checking her WhatsApp and Facebook instantly, the first thing she did was to send Su Zhinian a message. "I¡¯m home."


    Her message alert was turned on, and she would know if a message came in, but she couldn¡¯t help ncing at the notification box while she scrolled through thetest news.


    There was no reply from Su Zhinian even after five minutes.


    Song Qingchun lost her interest in skimming through the social media. She didn¡¯t feel drowsy even though she hadn¡¯t had a good night sleep for a whole day already. She just felt... sad.


    She tossed and turned in bed and asionally reached for her phone. Eventually, she sat up in bed with frustration. She was about to go to the balcony to take a breather when the message came in.


    Song Qingchun practically jumped back into bed to grab at the phone left in it. When she saw that it was a message from Su Zhinian, her lips curved involuntarily into a smile.


    "Sleep early."


    Like his previous messages to her, it was sinct and to the point.

 Chapter 458: Know Thy Heart (1)

    Chapter 458: Know Thy Heart (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    What should I reply with? Good night? Nah... good night sounds like I¡¯m trying to end the conversation...


    Song Qingchuny in bed, biting her nails, thinking about it for a long time. She eventually sent a reply. "Have you taken your medicine?"


    This time Su Zhinian¡¯s reply came very fast. "Not yet."


    "Not yet?" Song Qingchun frowned as she typed. She edited the message she was typing. "Doctor Xia said, you have to take your medicine timely to have a speedy recovery. Why aren¡¯t you listening to your doctor?"


    Su Zhinian, who was leaning against the headboard, smiled when he read that long message from Song Qingchun. He couldn¡¯t help but feel warm from her concern for him.


    "I¡¯ll take it now." As he typed a reply, he got out of his bed to pour himself a ss of water. Using his good memory, he shook out the portion Song Qingchun had mentioned that afternoon and tossed it all into his mouth. As he ced the ss down, Song Qingchun¡¯s message came. "Do you still remember how many to take?"


    Su Zhinian, who had already taken the medicine, replied, "I think so."


    It was yes or no question, what does he mean by "I think so"? Song Qingchun frowned and formted a long reply for Su Zhinian. "Two pills from the white bottle, four of the anti-inmmation pills, take one of the smallest white pills, and for the biggest white pills, three."


    Song Qingchun received a "Hmm" from Su Zhinian before receiving another message. "Done."


    Due to some inexplicable reason, she felt really happy knowing he had taken his medicine. Holding the phone in her hand, she wanted to continue the conversation, but she had no idea what to say, so in the end, she merely said, "Good night."


    Su Zhinian stared at the two words on screen and a softness circted in his eyes. He typed, "I love you, good night," on his phone but edited the "I love you" out before he sent the message.


    When Song Qingchun received the "good night" from Su Zhinian, she felt weirdlyforted. She stared at the message for a long time before raising her finger to swipe up.


    She started rereading the messages they had shared that night. In fact, those messages weren¡¯t long; in total, there were probably less than a hundred words, but she felt like she was reading something more interesting and exciting than a novel.


    She reread the messages many times, and no matter how many times she reread the same thing, she didn¡¯t feel bored. She eventually found herself mping her hand over her mouth to stop herself fromughing. Song Qingchun bit on her finger with a stupid grin on her face. As she stared at the ceiling, she thought, Does this mean that we have ¡¯made up¡¯?


    Should be, right? After all, we¡¯re text buddies now!


    Song Qingchun pulled the cover over her head and started to giggle.


    ...


    She had no idea that, on the other end, Su Zhinian was rereading their many messages, too.


    His lips were also curved into a smile. He felt like his heart was melting, releasing a warm, fuzzy feeling. However, his smile slowly became tinged by sadness.


    Have we ¡¯made up¡¯ just like that?


    It was too wonderful, but the wonderful dream was just one step away from being his biggest nightmare. However, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to hurt her anymore, so he decided to let it be, to maintain their current status quo... to be friends, a pair of normal friends.


    ...


    The next morning, Song Qingchun woke up hugging her phone.


    She reread her messages with Su Zhinian before starting her morning rituals.

 Chapter 459: Know Thy Heart (2)

    Chapter 459: Know Thy Heart (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    While she was brushing her teeth, she grabbed her phone and replied to the message that Su Zhinian had sent the night before. "Sorry, I fell asleep quicklyst night, so I only just saw your message this morning."


    When Song Qingchun was having breakfast, she received the reply from Su Zhinian. "Woke up already?"


    ¡¯Yes...¡¯ Song Qingchun typed but deleted it after some thought. Then she snapped a picture of her breakfast and sent it to Su Zhinian along with a short message. "Have you had your breakfast?"


    "Not yet."


    "What are you having?"


    ...


    Just like that, the rtionship between two was pulled closer. Song Qingchun didn¡¯t question the earlier separation, and Su Zhinian didn¡¯t bring it up. Both had a shared understanding that the earlier period where they were strangers was to be ignored as a dark part of their history.


    Initially, Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian reinitiated their rtionship with messaging.


    With Song Menghwa¡¯s order to return Su Zhinian¡¯s one hundred million investment, Song Qingchun had a second face-to-face encounter with Su Zhinian.


    Ever since that first meeting, Song Qingchun wished for a second one. Therefore, when Song Menghwa said he needed to mail the cheque to Su Zhinian, Song Qingchun volunteered to personally hand it to him. After that, she kepting up with excuses to find Su Zhinian.


    After that second meeting came a third and a fourth. Eventually, she didn¡¯t evene up with a pretext to see him anymore.


    Song Qingchun never once examined why she wanted to see Su Zhinian. She merely followed her heart. Whenever she felt like seeing him, she would go see him.


    However, this didn¡¯t mean that Song Qingchun didn¡¯t understand what it meant.


    It was a Friday when Song Qingchun was forced to face her own feelings. When she woke up that morning, the weather was slightly dark. Song Qingchun reached for her phone out of habit and read the "good night" sent by Su Zhinian from the night before as she dragged her drowsy body into the bathroom.


    Su Zhinian appeared to have a busy day that day. Other than the few messages they shared that morning, Song Qingchun would have to wait for several hours before she received any reply from him.


    In contrast to Su Zhinian, Song Qingchun was unusually free. Due to ack of on-going assignments, she managed to scurry away to y some game at work and even spent two hours napping in her office. Eventually, her boss gave her an assignment, and she finally had a valid reason to leave her office. However, that assignment only took up half an hour before it was done.


    When she finished her assignment, it was already 5.30 pm. On the way back to herpany, she thought about the futility of her action, since thepany would be closed when she got there, so she took a detour and headed home.


    When she passed Nanluogu Alley, Song Qingchun was reminded of a cake she loved from one of the bakeries there. She parked her car by the roadside and headed into the alley with her purse.


    The bakery was crowded, and Song Qingchun lined up for about ten minutes before it was her turn.


    It was Song Qingchun¡¯s habit to put her card in the third slot of her wallet. She grabbed the card, as per her usual habit, and she didn¡¯t realize it was the wrong card. After being told the password she keyed in was wrong twice, she realized her mistake. She asked for the card back from the cashier and realized with a start that she had presented the cashier with the ck card given by Su Zhinian.


    Song Qingchun returned to her car but didn¡¯t start the engine instantly. Instead, she opened her wallet to stare at Su Zhinian¡¯s card.


    Su Zhinian had left for work a few days ago, and now that she thought about it, it had been almost a week since shest saw him. She also remembered he just returned to Beijing the previous night.

 Chapter 460: Know Thy Heart (3)

    Chapter 460: Know Thy Heart (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Due to their almost daily correspondence, Song Qingchun didn¡¯t realize how much she missed him until she saw that ck card. Suddenly, she wanted to meet him... to see his face and talk to him in person.


    The desire grew within Song Qingchun¡¯s heart at an impossible rate. She suddenly mmed her wallet shut like she hade to a decision. She started her car engine and took a turn at a junction before her, heading toward Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow.


    Previously when Song Qingchun wanted to see Su Zhinian, she would notify him about it beforehand through phone messages.


    This time, she wanted to give him a surprise. It was not until Song Qingchun parked her car inside Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow driveway that she was reminded of the fact that she hadn¡¯t given him a heads¡¯ up.


    But I¡¯m already here; I can¡¯t turn around now, can I? Song Qingchun thought about it and found herself an excuse before she switched off the ignition and alighted from her car.


    Song Qingchun knew the password to Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow, but she still pressed the doorbell to announce her arrival. However, there was no answer.


    Song Qingchun suddenly pulled out her phone as if she had just remembered something. She nced at the time. It was merely 7 pm; Su Zhinian was probably still on his way home.


    This was unlike the time where she still shared a contractual rtionship with Su Zhinian. She didn¡¯t think it would be wise for her to enter his house without his permission.


    Thankfully, this gave her the perfect opportunity toe up with an excuse for her sudden appearance. She decided she would wait for him to return and lie to him by saying that she had also just arrived and was about to ring the doorbell when she heard his caring.


    Song Qingchun, who had the whole n thought out, stood for a little while longer at the front door before returning to her car.


    Song Qingchun turned on the radio and pushed her seat back. She leaned into it and started ying game on her phone to pass the time. However, her eyes kept wander to the rear-view mirror.


    Time trickled by, but there was still no trace of Su Zhinian¡¯s car even though it was already 8 pm. Could it really be such a coincidence that the only time I came unannounced, he is busy and has not return home?


    Then, she was reminded of the fact that Su Zhinian still hadn¡¯t replied to the messages she had sent him that afternoon. Song Qingchun frowned and stared at her phone in disappointment. She started to wonder if she should fire him another message.


    Just as she was hesitating, the phone in her palm vibrated, and a message popped up.


    It was from Su Zhinian, replying to her message that asked about the weather in America, where he had gone for work. "Not bad."


    After that message, Song Qingchun stopped hesitating. She typed a reply to Su Zhinian instantly. "You¡¯re still not home?"


    ...


    This was probably the busiest day for Su Zhinian in the year 2016. He had met two clients in one morning, had three consecutive meetings in the afternoon, and had to socialize with an important partner that evening.


    He stole out to the bathroom and took that opportunity to reply to Song Qingchun.


    While he was in the bathroom, Su Zhinian felt the phone in his pocket vibrate. After washing his hands, he pulled out his phone and read her message. "You¡¯re still not home?"


    Su Zhinian answered honestly. "Not yet, there is an important dinner tonight..."


    However, at this point, Su Zhinian¡¯s fingers suddenly froze.

 Chapter 461: Know Thy Heart (4)

    Chapter 461: Know Thy Heart (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    He stopped typing and stared at the message from Song Qingchun. Then, his brows creased into a light frown.


    She asked why he was not yet home, not if he had returned home.


    Still not home... how did she know I¡¯m still not home? She¡¯s there?


    Su Zhinian¡¯s frown deepened and deleted the message he was typing. He thought it about and abandoned the messaging altogether. Instead, he gave Song Qingchun a call.


    The phone rang twice before it was picked up. Song Qingchun¡¯s dulcet tone then drifted through. "Hello?"


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t say anything but focused on the situation on Song Qingchun¡¯s end.


    "Why aren¡¯t you talking?" Song Qingchun asked after she waited for him to speak for a few seconds.


    As Song Qingchun¡¯s voice came through the line, Su Zhinian heard the voice of a middle-aged man. He was very familiar with that voice. He would hear it every day at home. It was the voice of the owner two doors down from him, calling his daughter toe down for dinner, so he was right.


    Su Zhinian wanted to ask, ¡¯Are you at my ce?¡¯


    But the words merely reached his throat. He realized she couldn¡¯t hear the sounds that he could hear, so he changed the question. "...How did you know I¡¯m not home?"


    Su Zhinian purposely paused for a second; before Song Qingchun could answer, he asked in a mock-questioning tone, "Are you at my ce again?"


    Song Qingchun then realized the message that she had sent were a huge give-away. She was directly telling him she was indeed at his ce. Song Qingchun gripped her phone tightly and uttered a soft, "Yes."


    Then she hurried to exin, "I happened to pass your ce when I remembered I have something important to talk to you about, so I turned into your driveway. I didn¡¯t know you aren¡¯t home..."


    "What..." Before Su Zhinian could finish, the door to the bathroom was pushed open, and the client he was meeting that night, CEO Lee, poked his half-drunk body in, asking, "CEO Su, why are you hiding in the bathroom?"


    "I¡¯ll be back in a minute," Su Zhinian answered before apologizing to Song Qingchun in a whispered tone. Then he asked, "You mentioned you need to discuss something with me, what is it?"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s excuse was to return Su Zhinian¡¯s ck card, but when she heard the conversation between him and the other man, she realized he had a business dinner that night. She understood he couldn¡¯t pull himself away, so she said understandingly, "It¡¯s nothing important. I don¡¯t want to disturb you, so we can talk about it another day."


    Su Zhinian, on the other end of the phone, was silent for a moment before saying something that had nothing to do with their current conversation. "Have you had dinner?"


    Song Qingchun startled for a minute before replying, "Not yet."


    "Then,e to Eldorado, my business will wrap up soon enough. We¡¯ll have dinner together." After a pause, Su Zhinian asked, "You¡¯re free for the night, right?"


    "Yes," Song Qingchun answered. "Then, I¡¯ll see you at Eldorado."


    ...


    Song Qingchun stepped into the Eldorado lobby. Before the waiter came to serve her, Cheng Qingchong came to her and said, "Miss Song, wee."


    Song Qingchun nodded and turned to look around, but she couldn¡¯t find Su Zhinian.

 Chapter 462: Know Thy Heart (5)

    Chapter 462: Know Thy Heart (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Before Song Qingchun could ask the question in her mind, Cheng Qingchong answered her pre-emptively, "CEO Su is still busy, so he had me wait here for you."


    Song Qingchun smiled but didn¡¯t answer. Cheng Qingchong waved for Song Qingchun toe in and led her to the elevator.


    The elevator stopped at the fifteenth floor. Song Qingchun followed Cheng Qingchong out of the elevator. Then, the secretary led her to the private room at the end of the corridor. Cheng Qingchong knocked on the door before pushing the door open a sliver. A wave of ear-splitting music drifted out from within. Cheng Qingchong raised her voice to yell, "CEO Su."


    After about half a minute, Su Zhinian walked out from the room. He closed the door behind him, and the cacophony of noises stopped. The corridor was much quieter.


    Cheng Qingchong stepped away from the corridor and respectfully stood to the side as she added, "CEO Su, Miss Song is here."


    Su Zhinian nodded and walked to stand before Song Qingchun. Actually, the original arrangement was really only to have dinner with CEO Lee, but after paying the bill, CEO Lee suggested they go to the karaoke.


    The business deal was at itsst discussion stage. Su Zhinian was afraid that if he rejected the invitation, the months of hard work would have been lost, so he had no choice but to call Cheng Qingchong from her house and have her wait for Song Qingchun at Eldorado¡¯s entrance.


    He lowered her body and told her apologetically, "It might be a while before I can pull myself away."


    "It¡¯s okay, work is more important." Song Qingchun smiled at him.


    Su Zhinian remembered Song Qingchun hadn¡¯t had dinner, so he asked, "Are you hungry?"


    Song Qingchun shook her head. "Not that hungry."


    Even though she said she was not hungry, Su Zhinian still turned to Cheng Qingchong and ordered, "I¡¯ll stay to apany CEO Lee and the rest; you take her downstairs to have dinner."


    "Yes, CEO Su," replied Cheng Qingchong.


    After he got Cheng Qingchong¡¯s promise, Su Zhinian turned to Song Qingchun and said gently, "Go have dinner downstairs first, when this is over, I¡¯ll go find you."


    After he said that, Su Zhinian thought about it and added, "Is that okay with you?"


    Song Qingchun nodded. "Sure."


    Su Zhinian turned to nce at Cheng Qingchong. Cheng Qingchun understood his meaning, and she moved forward, smiling at Song Qingchun, saying, "Miss Song, let¡¯s go."


    Song Qingchun nodded once more, and she told Su Zhinian, "Then we¡¯ll leave first."


    She waited until Su Zhinian replied with a "hmm" before she turned to follow Cheng Qingchong.


    When they almost reached the elevator door, the elevator opened to vomit out a group of girls. A waitress walked in front, and behind her was several pretty, young girls. They had exquisite make-up, and it seemed like they were in some kind of costume party. Some had on bunny costumes, another a school-girl costume; themon theme was theck of fabric.


    When the waitress walked past Cheng Qingchong and Song Qingchun, she nodded politely at them before leading the group of girls away.


    Due to their eye grabbing outfits, Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t pull her gaze away from them. She studied them closer and realized the oldest among them was probably only 24, and the youngest was probably barely 18.


    The elevator had closed when they reached it. Cheng Qingchong pressed the button and waited patiently for the elevator to arrive while Song Qingchun continued to spy on that group of girls.

 Chapter 463: Know Thy Heart (6)

    Chapter 463: Know Thy Heart (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The girls stopped right before the private room Su Zhinian was in. Song Qingchun, who was about to move her eyes away, stopped.


    She saw the waitress reach out to knock on the door and pushed it open, then leading the group of girls into the room.


    Song Qingchun frowned, and her gaze remained glued to the door of Su Zhinian¡¯s room.


    Cheng Qingchong stepped in to the elevator as soon as the doors opened. When she saw Song Qingchun still standing there, she reminded her, "Miss Song, the elevator has arrived."


    Song Qingchun came to and nodded at Cheng Qingchong as she stepped into the elevator. Before she got in, she turned to look at Su Zhinian¡¯s room. The waitress came out of it, and behind her, there were only three girls left.


    There were originally ten girls, so this means seven girls are left in Su Zhinian¡¯s private room?


    "Miss Song, why did you stop again?" Cheng Qingchong called after Song Qingchun, who had stopped at the elevator door.


    Song Qingchun immediately tore her gaze away and walked to stand beside Cheng Qingchong. However, she didn¡¯t answer the other woman¡¯s question. The elevator door closed, and they started to move downstairs.


    Song Qingchun stared at the dancing red numbers on top of the elevator door, but her mind was filled with the images of those young girls.


    The elevator stopped at the fourth floor. Realizing Song Qingchun still hadn¡¯t moved, Cheng Qingchong called to remind her again.


    When they both got out of the elevator, Cheng Qingchong turned to ask Song Qingchun, "Miss Song, are you feeling alright? You don¡¯t seem focused tonight."


    Song Qingchun shook her head and smiled at Cheng Qingchong. "I¡¯m fine."


    Cheng Qingchong smiled back in relief. However, when they were ordering, Song Qingchong spaced out a few more times.


    Cheng Qingchong knew Song Qingchun was an entertainment news reporter. When Song Qingchun appeared at Su Zhinian¡¯s office a few months ago, she had started researching about Song Qingchun on the inte, looking through the news articles that she had written.


    While they were waiting for the food to be served, worried that Song Qingchun might be bored, she purposely brought up a few celebrities that Song Qingchun had interviewed before, pretending that she was nosy and curious about the authenticity of those reports. She asked frivolous questions, like are those celebrities as good-looking in person.


    The more talkative Cheng Qingchong was, the quieter Song Qingchun became. Cheng Qingchong tried her best to draw Song Qingchun out of her shell, and she was about to give up when Song Qingchun suddenly threw out a question. "How many people are in the business meeting with Su Zhinian?"


    "Only one: CEO Lee," Cheng Qingchong answered as she poured Song Qingchun a ss of warm milk tea.


    Only one? Song Qingchun frowned. In other words, in that private room, two men are sharing seven girls? Meaning one man will have the attention of three and a half girls?


    The image of Su Zhinian being surrounded by three coquettish young nymphs appeared in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind instantly. Her hand that gripped the chopstick tightened suddenly, causing the meatball she was holding in her bowl to fly out andnd squarely on the back of her palm.


    The meatball still had some juice in it, and it sttered all over Song Qingchun¡¯s hand. A faint red welt appeared on her skin immediately.


    "Miss Song, are you okay?" Cheng Qingchun immediately grabbed several plies of wet napkins and passed them to her.


    Song Qingchun epted them with a nk gaze. She then shook her head absent-mindedly at Cheng Qingchong before spacing out again.


    I gave her the napkins to wipe her hand, so why is she holding them in her palm and sitting there dumbly?

 Chapter 464: Know Thy Heart (7)

    Chapter 464: Know Thy Heart (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Cheng Qingchong stared at Song Qingchun for a while, and when thetter still hadn¡¯t moved, she once more reminded her, "Miss Song?"


    "Huh?" Song Qingchun raised her head to look at Cheng Qingchong. She realized the other woman wasn¡¯t going to say anything, so she followed Cheng Qingchong¡¯s gaze, which was fixed on her palm. Song Qingchun then realized the napkins Cheng Qingchong had handed her earlier had now been scrunched up into a ball.


    Sheughed awkwardly at Cheng Qingchong and ced the napkins on the table to tten them out. She wiped the back of her palm hurriedly before tossing them all away.


    She grabbed the chopsticks and continued to eating. However, Cheng Qingchong realized that, even though the chopsticks were moving, they weren¡¯t carrying any rice.


    What¡¯s wrong with Miss Song? It was her left hand that was sttered, but she used the napkin to wipe her right hand? She keeps moving the chopsticks to her mouth, but there is no food on them? And it doesn¡¯t seem like she¡¯s noticed what she¡¯s doing.


    Cheng Qingchong, who had corrected and reminded Song Qingchun many times that night, started to have second-hand embarrassment on behalf of Song Qingchun. She didn¡¯t think she could remind Song Qingchun once more without hurting the other woman¡¯s face.


    After some time, Song Qingchun realized the mistake she was making. Sheughed drily at Cheng Qingchong before exining softly, "I was just thinking about something; I¡¯m so sorry."


    "It¡¯s okay," Cheng Qingchong replied with a kind smile.


    Song Qingchun smiled in return before lowering her face. She looked at the tableful of dishes, but she had no appetite at all. Her mind was stuck to the situation that might have been happening in Su Zhinian¡¯s private room.


    She raised her chopsticks before putting them down again listlessly. She then raised her eyes to look at Cheng Qingchong and said, "I have to use the bathroom."


    "Shall I go with you?" Cheng Qingchong said as she stood up.


    "It¡¯s fine." Song Qingchun wanted some time to herself.


    Cheng Qingchong realized Song Qingchun was probably not feeling well and needed her privacy, so she sat back down and said understandingly, "Call me if you need me."


    "Thank you." Song Qingchun grabbed her bag and exited the room.


    Song Qingchun had no real destination in mind, so she wandered down the long corridor aimlessly. She walked slowly until she reached the elevator. There was someone waiting for the elevator, and he was going up.


    When the elevator door opened, she followed the man into it. When the man pressed his destination level, she also reached forward to press a random number. When the man exited the elevator, there was only Song Qingchun left in it. When the elevator stopped, she realized she was at the floor to Su Zhinian¡¯s private room.


    Weird, why am I here?


    Song Qingchun walked out of the elevator and stood at the door for a long time, thinking quietly to herself. She looked at the door to Su Zhinian¡¯s room and, after some hesitation, headed back into the elevator.


    She raised her finger to press the close button before pressing the open button right after. The elevator door opened and closed, closed and opened, following her orders. She repeated this umpteen times before she finally walked out of the elevator and made a beeline at Su Zhinian¡¯s room without stopping and without hesitation.

 Chapter 465: Know Thy Heart (8)

    Chapter 465: Know Thy Heart (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun stopped at the door and subconsciously raised her leg to try and kick the door down.


    Just as her foot was about to reach the door, the words that Cheng Qingchong told her earlier shed across her mind.


    This CEO Lee is an important partner for thepany. He is rted to some government officials. CEO Su needs his help if he wants to open up a new building in Hainan.


    Indeed, this kick would satisfy her own gratification, but if it caused any offense to that CEO Lee, it would be Su Zhinian who would suffer the loss.


    Song Qingchun halted her kick and slowly put her leg down. She stared at the shut door, and her pupils moved around as if she was trying toe up with a solution. She then turned around to look down the long corridor; it was empty.


    She bit on her fingers before silently moving her ears to the room door.


    Eldorado was a high-ss establishment; even the sound instion was top-notch. Song Qingchun had her ears to the door and held her breath. She focused on her hearing for a very long time, and her face started to flush from the ludicrousness of her action, but she still managed to hear nothing from within.


    Have I not found the right spot?


    Song Qingchun thought about it before moving her head to the other side of the door, but she still she heard nothing. She continued to move around the door... until her whole body was stuck to it like an octopus; however, even in that state, she heard nothing.


    Song Qingchun switched a few more poses before finally giving up. The impatient girl instead started to curse Eldorado silently. She took a step back with frustration and leaned against the wall opposite the door. She bit on her finger and started studying the structure of the door.


    If I can¡¯t hear anything from the door, what about the frame?


    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes lit up, and she rushed to glue herself back to the door without a second thought. She moved toward the edges of the door but still couldn¡¯t hear anything from the left side nor the right side. Eventually, she tossed her image to the wind and squatted down to the floor. Finally, from the sliver at the bottom of the door, she managed to pick up the sound of music.


    It sounded like people inside was singing an English song; the voice was fuzzy, and she couldn¡¯t tell what song it was.


    By now, Song Qingchun¡¯s whole body was stered t against the floor. She tried to push her ear as close as she could to the sliver, until her face hurt from grinding against the floor.


    She was finally rewarded with a clearer sound. Reinvigorated by this result, Song Qingchun pushed herself closer to the sliver when suddenly she heard the tinkle that meant the elevator was opening.


    Someone ising... Song Qingchun raised her head up in a hurry and saw a waiter walking out of the elevator.


    What should I do?


    Song Qingchun blinked, and a sh of light appeared at the bottom of her eyes. The next second, she copsed to the floor, pretending that she had identally tripped and fallen. She stood up with an exaggerated grimace and walked with a limp toward the waiter.


    When she passed him, the waiter nodded at her politely and even asked with concern, "Miss, are you okay?"


    Song Qingchun shook her head and rubbed at her arm, pretending like she had hurt herself there before taking the corner to head into the bathroom.


    Leaning against the bathroom door, Song Qingchun sighed in great relief. She waited in the bathroom for a while before pulling the door open and poking her head out.


    She just so happened to see the waitere out of Su Zhinian¡¯s private room.


    They called for room service? Meaning the waiter will have to return to their roomter?

 Chapter 466: Know Thy Heart (9)

    Chapter 466: Know Thy Heart (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun bit on her lower lip, and a thought shed in her mind.


    She could wait until the waiter returned and just so happened to walk past their room then to peek through the open door to see the situation inside.


    Song Qingchun, who had the n all sorted out, waited for the chance to arrive in the bathroom. Five minutester, Song Qingchun saw the waiter pass the bathroom with a few wine bottles.


    She took a deep breath and arranged her facial expression in the mirror before pulling the door open and walking out.


    The waiter heard the door open and turned around. When he saw her, he smiled friendly at her, probably remembering her from earlier. She nodded slightly in return and stared straight ahead. Her high heels clicked across the floor slowly.


    As she nned, the waiter stopped before Su Zhinian¡¯s room. When the waiter knocked on the door, she picked up her speed to get close to him. As the waiter pushed the door open and went in, she found herself standing right at the door.


    Her movement couldn¡¯t have been slower even if she tried. She stretched out her neck and stared right into the private room. The chandelier inside was off, and only the strobe lights were on. Two girls shared a microphone and twisted their bodies in aspromising a was as possible. As they sang out of tune, they kept winking and flirting at the two men sitting on the long sofa.


    Such depravity! Song Qingchun grumbled internally before moving her gaze in further. The waiter was bent over, putting the bottles down on the table, and a woman was kneeling on the floor, pouring the wine.


    Behind the woman was a man. Two other girls sat on either side of him, the one of his left seemed to be feeding him fruit slices while the other straddled his thigh, her slender body blocking Song Qingchun¡¯s view of the man¡¯s face. They seemed to be kissing, and the girl¡¯s already skimpy clothing managed to be skimpier. Her back was exposed, and the man¡¯s grubby hands were sliding all over it.


    Due to the dim lighting, Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t catch the color of the shirt the man was wearing. As mentioned earlier, his face was blocked, so she couldn¡¯t tell whether it was Su Zhinian or CEO Lee.


    When she prepared to avert her eyes to look at the other man, the waiter had finished his job. He stood up and said, "Enjoy the wine."


    Song Qingchun quickly pulled her gaze back and ran from the scene as fast as she could. When she was a distance away, she slowed down and resumed walking in a graceful pace.


    She heard the door behind her close and the sound of the waiter¡¯s footsteps bing lighter and lighter. It was not until the ding of the elevator reverberated through the corridor that Song Qingchun stopped walking, and her originally calm body started to shake.


    She knew this was how business meetings were often conducted; she was not a white lotus. As a reporter, she had seen much worse in terms of depravity.


    When she got downstairs down, she wondered what Su Zhinian would do with these girls. Even though she didn¡¯t have a concrete answer, her heart believed that the man who had always shown great aversion to female contact would not be as basic as other men. At most, he would have the girls sing some songs or pour some wine.

 Chapter 467: Know Thy Heart (10)

    Chapter 467: Know Thy Heart (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    However, the fact was, she didn¡¯t expect she would be shown such a view. Because she couldn¡¯t be certain whether the person she saw was CEO Lee or not, there was a fifty percent chance remained that it was Su Zhinian.


    More importantly, shouldn¡¯t two girls be enough for two men? Why would they need seven girls?


    To dance, to sing, to flirt, to kneel on the floor to pour wine, to hug, to touch, to kiss...


    It is true what they say; he who lies down with dogs must rise up with fleas! If one is already so depraved, the other can¡¯t be much better!


    Do they need to do all that to close a business deal?


    And to think he once told me with such deep emotion that he only loves Tingting and will not think about another woman in his life. Even if he dies alone, he will not regret loving her... it was all a lie!


    The crows all over the world are equally ck! Men are never creatures of their word!


    Even though it was not her whom Su Zhinian had lied to, Song Qingchun was indignant on Tingting¡¯s behalf. There was a great ball of fire within her, like someone had set her heart alight. The more she thought about the image that she had seen, the greater her fury burnt. This fury umted until she felt like her chest was about to explode.


    When Song Qingchun passed Su Zhinian¡¯s room, her face fell, and she stopped moving. She stared dead straight at the closed door, and there was an urge within her to kick the door open and drag that sorry man by the name of Su Zhinian out on his hands and knees.


    However, she still had a good head on her shoulders; this was after all an important business meeting.


    Song Qingchun felt like she had to vent somehow or else she might go crazy, but what could she do to assuage the anger and frustration in her heart?


    Song Qingchun stood before the door, gritting her teeth. Then she turned and dashed toward the elevator with purposeful steps as if she had a n in mind.


    She pressed the call button with more force than necessary and rushed into it when the door opened. She pressed the button for the first floor angrily.


    When the elevator reached the first floor and the door opened, Song Qingchun practically ran to the front counter.


    The receptionist saw her, smiled kindly, and asked, "Miss, how can I help you..."


    Before the woman could finish, Song Qingchun interrupted her. "Are there any currently avable Karaoke Girls at Eldorado?"


    The receptionist had heard this question many times before, but this was the first time the request hade from a woman. She was startled for a moment before she rearranged her facial expression and replied in a friendly tone, "Miss, how many do you need?"


    Song Qingchun raised her chin, stared at the receptionist, and uttered her demand loud and clear.


    "I need as many as you can give me!"


    Since she couldn¡¯t go in to drag Su Zhinian out, then she would flood the damn room with all the girls at Eldorado and flush the man out! Well, if he likes girl that much, seven is definitely not enough, have seventy instead!


    The receptionist was probably stunned by Song Qingchun¡¯s demand and presence; she was speechless, staring at Song Qingchun, for a long time.


    Song Qingchun frowned slightly before reaching into her purse to grab her wallet. She was pulling out her card, but she shoved it back and switched it out for Su Zhinian¡¯s ck card instead. She mmed it heavily on the counter and dered, "Did you not hear me? I said, give me as many girls as you have, and charge it all on this card!"

 Chapter 468: So This Is Love (1)

    Chapter 468: So This Is Love (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The receptionist¡¯s whole body shook when the card mmed on the counter. She quickly recovered, but the shock returned when those words tumbled out of the pretty face that stared at her.


    "Give me as many girls as you have, and charge it all on this card!"


    Eldorado was the biggest private club in Beijing, and they had the most Karaoke Girls. It was merely 10 pm, and most girls were free since their actual work hour started after midnight. Therefore, there were at least 150 avable girls.


    You, you, you... The receptionist repeated "you" three times in her heart before she moved the shock out of her expression and stammered out her question. "Miss, you... you really want... that... that many girls?"


    Song Qingchun stood straight and nodded without hesitation. She then frowned with impatience. She tapped the card twice on the marble counter and practically squeezed a reply out of the space between her teeth. They were sharp and severe. "Can you make it quick or you don¡¯t want my business?"


    Song Qingchun stressed the second phrase of her question, so the receptionist didn¡¯t dare dawdle. She passed Song Qingchun a bill that was seven digits long. Before she swiped Song Qingchun¡¯s card, she still hesitated and reminded her, "Miss, we have a no-return policy; are you sure..."


    Before the receptionist could finish, Song Qingchun red sharply at her, causing the receptionist to shiver involuntarily. She swallowed the rest of her question and obediently helped Song Qingchun with her purchase. She swiped the card and said, "Miss, please key in your password."


    Song Qingchun nced at the keypad out of the corner of her eye. She keyed in the password without hesitation and pressed confirm without batting an eye.


    Eldorado was a high-ss entertainment center, and practically all the customers that passed through the doors were loaded to a certain degree. However, this was the first time the receptionist had seen a woman conduct her purchase with such degree of nonchnce. After being stunned for a moment, the receptionist said in a faltering tone, "Miss, this is your card. Take care and please sign here."


    Song Qingchun grabbed the pen and signed Su Zhinian¡¯s name. Then, without a nce at the receptionist who was gawking at her, she ordered, "Send all these girls to 1808."


    Then, she grabbed the card and casually sauntered away.


    The receptionist had fulfilled her monthly quota in one night, but for some reason, looking at Song Qingchun¡¯s calm and graceful back, she felt a chill rise up her spine.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s mood improved greatly, but that barelysted five minutes. When she reached the door to the room where Cheng Qingchong was still waiting for her, her mood was as bad as she felt when she peeked into Su Zhinian¡¯s room.


    Seven girls were enough to create such a depraved scene; what would happen with more than a hundred girls?


    Will Su Zhinian flirt with every single one of them?


    Then the scious image of Su Zhinian being surrounded by a group of women cropped up in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind.

 Chapter 469: So This Is Love (2)

    Chapter 469: So This Is Love (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun felt the air around her starting to thin, and even her breathing had slowed. It was as if a huge rock was on her chest, which made her feel tired and frustrated.


    She didn¡¯t want him to spend time with those girls; she wanted to call him toe downstairs immediately.


    The thought was like a spark amid a stack of hay; it lit up her mind with a grand whoosh. and as the mes retreated, a n was formed. She stared at the door for a long time as if hesitating. Then, there was a firm resolution on her face as she pushed the door open.


    Cheng Qingchong heard the door open, stood up and asked, "Miss Song, you¡¯re back?"


    Song Qingchun smiled at Cheng Qingchong, but before she could say anything, she purposely took a faltering step, and as an "ouch" escaped from her lips, she sprained her ankle, copsing onto the heavy carpet with a thud.


    ...


    After being in the world of business for so many years, Su Zhinian had gotten used to many things except for one, the business meetings that involved Karaoke Girls.


    For many years, whenever he saw girls entering the room to join in the discussion, he would find an excuse and leave. However, sometimes the deal was too important for him to leave, so he would be left with no choice but to tough it out. That night was one of those times.


    CEO Lee was a respectful businessman and was a great business partner, but he had a quirk that Su Zhinian frowned upon deeply. He appreciated thepany of various kind of women during business meeting.


    The discussion with CEO Lee was literally at thest step. Therefore, since CEO Lee wanted to have a little fun that night, Su Zhinian had no choice but to y along.


    CEO Lee ordered seven girls at one go. Even though he kept to himself and sat quietly on the sofa, his heart was growing apprehensive. The most annoying part was CEO Lee knew how to share; he had two of the girls apany Su Zhinian.


    CEO Lee was a yer. He ignored Su Zhinian¡¯s difort and started ying with the girls himself. Under CEO Lee¡¯s orders, two of the girls stood before therge television screen that was built into the wall and started posing. He would have them wink at him or throw him a kiss.


    Su Zhinian shut himself off from his surroundings. Other than Song Qingchun and his mother, he was averse to female contact. Romantically speaking, he was only receptive to teasing from Song Qingchun; seduction from any other female would only make him feel weak in the stomach.


    He focused on his phone, trying to shut the girls out, but the girls who CEO Lee had sent his way probably saw this as a challenge and actively made advances on him. One of them grinded her chin on his shoulder, trying to take a look at his phone screen. In a tone that was as seductive as theye, she whispered into his ear, "What are you watching that¡¯s so interesting?"


    Unlike normal men who could be aroused by this seduction, Su Zhinian felt a feeling of disgust course through him. As if acting on instinct, he shoved the woman away from him.


    Then he grabbed the wet napkin on the table and wiped furiously on the spot the woman hadid her chin on. However, no matter how hard he scrubbed his clothes, he still felt incredibly dirty.

 Chapter 470: So This Is Love (3+4)

    Chapter 470: So This Is Love (3+4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    His stomach, which was already churning, worsened. The two girls were frozen in ce by his cold stare, and they maintained arge distance from him.


    In the dim lights of the room, the sticky and gooey sound of seven women circted around his ears, and his nostrils were filled with the heavy smell of cheap perfume. In fact, he could even hear the heavy breathing and moaning of the girl who had copsed on top of CEO Lee.


    Thebination of various sounds and smells gave his queasy stomach no rest. He was really worried that he might vomit there in the room. He was sure that would ruin CEO Lee¡¯s day, so instead of doing anything, he decided to close his eyes and lean back in the sofa, trying to zone everything out.


    It was working. After a while, the situation in his stomach started to settle.


    His tense body was about to rx when the door to the room was pushed, open and a waitress walked in, saying, "Sirs, the girls you ordered are here."


    After she said that, she pped her hands twice. The door was pushed wider open, and behind the waitress, girls started to file in. One girl, two girls, three girls... ten girls... thirty girls... seventy girls...


    The whole room was upied, there was barely standing space left. However, there were still girls who were trying to get in.


    What the hell is going on?


    The normally collected Su Zhinian looked at the endless parade of women, and his sanity almost snapped.


    Even CEO Lee, who was in the middle of heated moment with one of the original girls, was stunned. He looked at the roomful of women of all sizes and shapes with a gaping mouth.


    Eventually, with some of the girls climbing over one another, the girls finally stoppeding in.


    The waitress who stood at the door could no longer be seen, but they could hear her voice say, "Sirs, have fun."


    Then, the door closed with a click.


    Have fun? Just what kind of fun can be had in a room filled with more than a hundred girls?


    Su Zhinian felt his temples start to throb. It was as if his brain was expanding, and he was going to die from the headache.


    The specially trained girls started to introduce themselves.


    "Good sirs, nice to meet you, my name is Lingling."


    "I¡¯m Nana."


    "You can call me Anna."


    "My name is Fei Fei."


    "..."


    Su Zhinian felt like he was developing tinnitus as the girls reported their fake names in affectedly sweet tones.


    CEO Lee slowly recovered from his shock. There was an explosion of happiness in his eyes. He turned to Su Zhinian with his eyes practically sparkling and said excitedly, "CEO Su, is this a pleasant surprise from you?"


    Pleasant surprise? How is this pleasant in any way? But who the hell can tell me where thesedies came from? What the hell is happening?


    Su Zhinian wanted to shake his head, but the first thing he needed to do then was cover his nose and mouth. The one hundred or so different kinds of perfume in the room were going to smother him to death.


    CEO Lee stood up happily and started to evaluate the girls one by one. He poked one on the waist, another on her chest, and a few more on their buttocks, causing the girls to squeal and berate him mock-angrily.


    Su Zhinian could feel his stomach churning.


    "CEO Su, I love this surprise very very much..." CEO Leeughed, and he continued his ¡¯inspection¡¯.


    At one point, CEO Lee felt like it was wrong for him to enjoy this paradise alone, so when Su Zhinian walked past him in an attempt to storm out, CEO Lee pulled him back into the weing embrace of the girls.


    Various soft body parts ground themselves against Su Zhinian. He almost dry heaved then and there.


    "Right, right! The deal! Where¡¯s the proposal? I¡¯ll sign it now! I¡¯ll give you an additional twenty percent on top of the profit margin we discussed!" CEO Lee said generously, and as a man of his word, he really started to go search for the proposal.


    However, before he could locate that piece of paper, Su Zhinian reached his limits. He wanted to give CEO Lee an excuse and sought an escape. However, as he opened his mouth, he felt the vomit had reached his throat. He turned immediately to the side, shoved the girls that were blocking his way, dashed out of the room and into the bathroom. The moment he reached the sink, he started to vomit. Su Zhinian unloaded the entire content of his stomach until he started to dry heave.


    The vomiting drained himpletely. Su Zhinian closed his eyes with his two hands firmly gripping the edge of the counter. He twisted the faucet tiredly and cupped the water with his hands, using it to wash his face. He gargled his mouth and took a few deep breaths before he felt like himself again.


    He was turning the tap off and was about to go to the front desk to demand an exnation when his phone rang. It was a message alert.


    He wiped down his hands slowly with the napkin and pulled his phone out to nce at it. It was a message from his bank. About ten minutes ago, he had spent 1,780,000 RMB on a credit card.


    I was in the private room with CEO Lee ten minutes ago, so how did I spend so much money?


    Su Zhinian frowned and read the message closer. His gaze eventually settled on the number of the card; it ended with 0615.


    15th June was her birthday, so he had 0615 specially made into the ck card he had given Song Qingchun.


    The reality suddenly hit Su Zhinian. He clicked open his online banking ount and checked for the trantion list. It was as he expected; a transaction was made at Eldorado. In other words, it was Song Qingchun who ordered the roomful of women? Has she lost her mind?


    He had given her the card for quite some already, and she had never used it once. The first and only time she had used it was to send him more than a hundred girls?


    Su Zhinian was at the brink of a mental breakdown. He shoved his phone back into his pocket, exited the bathroom, and headed toward the elevator, leaving CEO Lee to his own devices.


    While he was waiting for the elevator toe, he even kicked at the door twice out of frustration that couldn¡¯t be suppressed.


    He had given her the card because he thought he could beforted knowing she would always have his money as a backup. Who would have thought the girl would do something so illogical?


    The more Su Zhinian thought about it, the angrier he became. The moment the elevator opened, he dashed out of it and headed straight for Song Qingchun¡¯s room. He didn¡¯t even knock and barged in.


    Cheng Qingchong, who heard themotion, whipped her head around. "CEO Su?"


    When she saw Su Zhinian, her expression froze. Then she greeted him respectfully before she put the phone that was beside her ear down. "CEO Su, I was about to call you. It was an ident. Miss Song didn¡¯t catch where she was moving and identally sprained her ankle."

 Chapter 471: So This Is Love (5)

    Chapter 471: So This Is Love (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian¡¯s hasty footsteps halted immediately when he heard Cheng Qingchong. His gaze naturally went to fall on Song Qingchun. The girl was sitting on the floor with one hand over her ankle. She must have suffered a horrible fall because her brows were screwed shut.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s brows also began to crease. He instinctually wanted to rush to her side, and his urge to demand to know what was wrong with her that night dissipatedpletely.


    Cheng Qingchong shivered involuntarily, feeling Su Zhinian¡¯s rage, which was directed toward her. She subconsciously lowered her head to evade his re that she knew wasing her way.


    "Why did I pay so much money to feed you? You can¡¯t be trusted to even look after one person!" Su Zhinian growled as he dashed to take care of Song Qingchun.


    Cheng Qingchong immediately stood up to vacate the spot beside Song Qingchun for her boss.


    Before Su Zhinian squatted down, he didn¡¯t forget to re severely at her. It caused Cheng Qingchong to falter back two steps.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s n had been to fake a fall and pretend to be in pain to have Cheng Qingchong call Su Zhinian down. However, in her clumsiness, her fake fall had turned real, and she had ended up actually spraining her ankle.


    To be frank, the injury wasn¡¯t serious; she didn¡¯t actually hurt her leg or anything. She simply had not anticipated the sudden pain, and it had made her crumble to the floor.


    As she expected, when Cheng Qingchong saw she fall, she had immediately rushed forward to check upon her. At the end of the day, Cheng Qingchong was Su Zhinian¡¯s personal assistant; she had managed to stay at his side for so long because she was really good at her job. While she consoled her, she had the waiter go buy a bottle of carthamus oil, as she whipped out her phone to call Su Zhinian. However, before she had the chance to make the call, Su Zhinian had arrived at the scene, apparently in some kind of mood.


    This was all her fault. Even if she did end up hurting her ankle, it was her own doing, it had nothing to do with Cheng Qingchong.


    After she listened to Su Zhinian rail at Cheng Qingchong and show no signs of slowing down, guilt weighed down on her. When he squatted down, she chanced a nce at him. Her heart shook due to the presence radiating off him. However, she still summoned her courage and said softly, "This is not Miss Cheng¡¯s fault; I was too careless..."


    Then, while Su Zhinian was not looking, she tossed an apologetic gaze at Cheng Qingchong.


    When Su Zhinian heard Song Qingchun, his lips were stretched into a thin line, and he swallowed the rest of his words. Then he picked Song Qingchun up off the carpet and ced her on the nearby chair.


    He waited until Song Qingchun was seated before he went down on one knee to inspect her injured ankle.


    There was slightly red bruise around the ankle.


    Su Zhinian felt his heart break. The fury that he was nursing while he stormed downstairs was watered down just like that. He raised his eyes to look at Song Qingchun, half-berating and half-concerned about her. "How could you have been so careless?"


    Actually, Song Qingchun was feeling better already, but when she heard what Su Zhinian said, for some reason, the unreasonable feeling of annoyance she had been feeling resurfaced.


    It was her own fault for faking a fall, but she inexplicably felt that the fault was on him. If he had not called for a room full of girls, they wouldn¡¯t have ended up in this situation. She lowered her head, giving him the silent treatment.


    Su Zhinian held her ankle in his hands. He could sense her displeasure, so instead of pressuring her, he returned to inspecting her wound, this time, more closely.

 Chapter 472: So This Is Love (6)

    Chapter 472: So This Is Love (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Thankfully, her bones and muscles weren¡¯t hurt. It was a slight sprain, and the ankle was a little red.


    Su Zhinian sighed in relief and turned to look at Cheng Qingchong. He was about to rain more hell on her when he remembered what Song Qingchun had said earlier. "This is not Miss Cheng¡¯s fault; I was too careless." He changed his tone to something politer and said, "Where is the carthamus oil?"


    "I¡¯ve already asked the waiter go buy one," Cheng Qingchong answered instantly. After a moment¡¯s pause, she added, "I¡¯ll go take a look; he should be back by now."


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t say anything and merely nodded. As Cheng Qingchong predicted, the moment she pulled open the door, the waiter had already returned with the bottle of oil.


    Cheng Qingchong epted it, thanked him, and walked back to Su Zhinian. She then passed it to him.


    When Su Zhinian raised his hand to ept it, his eyes caught sight of the food on the table, and his gaze froze slightly. He noticed the dishes were practically untouched. Then he raised his hand to touch the edge of one of the tes; it was already cold. He frowned and turned to Song Qingchun to ask, "Why didn¡¯t you have dinner?"


    When Su Zhinian reached over to touch the te, his arm swiped before Song Qingchun¡¯s face. She was given a whiff of many different perfumes. Her brows furrowed, and her spirits lowered. She averted her head, showing Su Zhinian the back of her head and continued to give him the cold shoulder.


    Su Zhinian waited patiently, but when he realized she was not going to talk, he didn¡¯t show any trace of annoyance. Instead he turned to Cheng Qingchong.


    Cheng Qingchong then exined, "Miss Song doesn¡¯t seem to have much appetite tonight; she didn¡¯t eat much after dinner was served."


    Su Zhinian felt some difort in his heart when he heard what Cheng Qingchong had to say. His fingers, which were twisting the cap of the oil bottle open, stopped, and he interrupted Cheng Qingchong. "Go get the waiter to take away these cold dishes and have them re-serve the whole table."


    "Yes, CEO Su," replied Cheng Qingchong.


    Su Zhinian saw the fresh iced orange juice on the table; he thought about it and added, "Make them skip the ice for the orange juice."


    "Yes," Cheng Qingchong replied once more and waited briefly in case there were more orders. When she was sure there wouldn¡¯t be any more, she left the room to inform the waiter.


    The dishes that were practically untouched were soon taken away. Silence reigned in the room once more. Cheng Qingchong closed the door. Su Zhinian was pouring the oil into his palm, and Cheng Qingchong suddenly chimed in to add, "CEO Su, what about the proposal contract with CEO Lee?"


    Su Zhinian looked at Song Qingchun, and there wasn¡¯t a struggle in his mind; he turned to Cheng Qingchong and said, "CEO Lee is still upstairs, go handle him for me."


    "But CEO Su, if CEO Lee sees that it is me, he might not want to sign the contract..."


    Song Qingchun was obviously unhappy, and she was injured while in his care, so Su Zhinian couldn¡¯t have cared less about the situation upstairs.


    Before Cheng Qingchong could finish her sentence, Su Zhinian interrupted her tly, "If he doesn¡¯t want to sign the contract, then so be it."

 Chapter 473: So This Is Love (7)

    Chapter 473: So This Is Love (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Cheng Qingchong swallowed the rest of her words. She stared at Su Zhinian, wanting to advise him, but she didn¡¯t dare do that, so she just stood there,pletely immobile.


    Su Zhinian rubbed his hand to use the friction to warm up the oil. Before he massaged Song Qingchun¡¯s ankle, he noticed Cheng Qingchong was still there. He raised his eyes slowly to nce at her.


    His eyes stayed on her for only a moment before he averted his gaze, but Cheng Qingchong could see the heavy warning in that one moment. It sent chills down her spine. Her flight instinct kicked in, and she walked hurriedly toward the exit.


    When she was closing the door, Cheng Qingchong heard Su Zhinian whisper in a gentle voice, "This might hurt a little bit, so be prepared. Don¡¯t worry, you¡¯ll feel much betterter."


    The tone was as gentle as it could be, as if he was worried that speaking one decibel higher would spook the person he was talking to. Cheng Qingchong subconsciously turned back to nce through the sliver of the door that was closing.


    Miss Song still had a drawn face, not giving Su Zhinian the time of day. She didn¡¯t even want to look him in the eye. In contrast, the usually graceful and majestic Big Boss didn¡¯t have a trace of annoyance or displeasure on his face. He picked up her ankle and started to massage it softly.


    Since many years ago, she knew that in the heart of this man, who she viewed as an entity akin to a god, was a woman that he loved.


    Even though all she ever wanted was for him to be happy, every time he did such self-effacing actions before her to please his woman, her heart would crack with sorrow. Cheng Qingchong gripped her fists tightly and channeled her pain to maintain the professional smile on her face as she took one step after another to walk toward the elevator and head upstairs.


    ...


    After Cheng Qingchong left, the room appeared more silent and emptier.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s palms were heated, and his applied force wasfortably strong. The massage made Song Qingchun feel incredibly nice andfortable. It soothed the pain from her ankle.


    During the massage, Song Qingchun pulled her gaze back from the window and looked at Su Zhinian. The room was filled with the smell of the carthamus oil.


    With his head lowered, he was focusingpletely on massaging her injured ankle. Looking at this, hershes trembled twice, and her hands, which were lying on the armrest, went to her dress and grip tightly.


    Su Zhinian finished massaging her ankle, but he didn¡¯t hurry to stand up. With his one knee still on the floor, he raised his head slightly and asked soothingly, "Do you feel better?"


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t say anything, but her eyes were red.


    Even though Su Zhinian was in physical contact with Song Qingchun, he couldn¡¯t read her mind because she wasn¡¯t particrly thinking about anything. However, he could sense the waves of sadness rolling through her chest. Su Zhinian looked at the redness in her eyes and started to get anxious. He asked in a deeply concerned tone, "What¡¯s wrong? Is your ankle still hurting?"


    She still didn¡¯t say anything, but tears started to fall from the corner of her eyes.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s back was instantly covered with a thinyer of cold sweat. He thought he had injured her, so he asked apologetically, "Did I identally hurt you? I¡¯m so sorry."


    As he said so, a tear slid down her face and fell squarely on the back of his palm.

 Chapter 474: So This Is Love (8)

    Chapter 474: So This Is Love (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian¡¯s heart trembled with extreme worry. Without a second thought, he stood up and said, "Let¡¯s go to the hospital."


    Then he reached out, aiming to pick Song Qingchun up with a hug.


    However, Song Qingchun reached out to grab his arm, stopping his motion. Then her tears started to fall freely, one after another, down her face.


    Su Zhinian looked at the state she was in and waspletely flustered. Just as he was figuring out ways to console her, the girl¡¯s mind finally started to clear, and he had a sense of what she was thinking.


    She had purposely feigned a fall to get him out of the private room and downstairs. She didn¡¯t understand what was going on with her, but when sheid her eyes on him, the pain on her ankle seemed several hundred thousand times worse, and her heart wrenched with grievances. Therefore, no matter how patient and kind he was, she refused to acknowledge him in any way.


    However, she didn¡¯t expect that he would scold Cheng Qingchong for not taking care of her, massage her injured ankle personally, and even abandon the deal he had been pursuing for months because of her.


    When she saw the image of him knelt down before her massaging her ankle, the grievances in her heart instantly turned into guilt.


    She saw how unreasonable she had been acting. She had wasted so much of his money and even sent him the plethora of girls to sabotage his business meeting.


    But what did he do in return?


    He didn¡¯t show a hint of displeasure. Instead, he was truly worried about her and even wanted to take her to the hospital to get checked out.


    The more he pampered and consoled her, the guiltier she felt. Eventually the guilt got so heavy that she didn¡¯t even know how to begin to apologize to him.


    The more Song Qingchun thought about it, the fiercer her tears fell.


    So, this was not an ident, and she sent those girls on purpose.


    Su Zhinian, who read her thoughts clearly, should have been angry, but when he saw the tears flowing out of her eyes, any fury that he could summon dispersed instantly, leaving behind only helplessness and heartache.


    Money lost can be earned again; business meetings can be rescheduled. However, there is only one Song Qingchun. So what if she is a little bit unreasonable? As long as her ankle is fine, none of that matters.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s body, which had been incredibly tense earlier because he had thought her ankle was heavily injured, gradually rxed. He slowly reached out to wipe the tears away from her face.


    "There, there... Stop crying now...


    "You¡¯re ruining your make-up..."


    Even though he had used his superpower to surreptitiouslyfort her over the years, he still hadn¡¯t mastered the art of consoling. He only had a few dry phrases to say.


    Song Qingchun slowly brought her emotions under control, aided by his patience. However, the guilt still made her unable to face him.


    The more she acted like this, the greater his heartache. He raised his hand to tousle her hair, saying gently, "The waiter was knocking on the door just now, why don¡¯t we have them serve the dinner, and we¡¯ll eat together?"


    With her head lowered, Song Qingchun was silent for a long time before finally nodding and giving him a wordless utterance of approval.


    It was just a murmur, but to Su Zhinian, it was the song of an angel.


    He grabbed the napkin and lovingly wiped the remaining tears from her face before having the waiter send the food in.

 Chapter 475: So This Is Love (9)

    Chapter 475: So This Is Love (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    After all the dishes were served, the waiters left, and Su Zhinian pulled the chair beside Song Qingchun out and sat down. Hedled a bowl of soup for Song Qingchun, ced it before her, and passed her a spoon.


    Before Song Qingchun epted the spoon, she raised her eyes to nce at Su Zhinian. She stretched her lips before saying softly, "I can eat alone just fine; why don¡¯t you go back upstairs?"


    "It¡¯s fine," Su Zhinian responded in a tone that was as nonchnt as it could be. He wiggled the spoon at Song Qingchun. When she epted it, he grabbed a piece of fish and put it in his bowl. He deboned the fish before switching his bowl with the one before Song Qingchun.


    Su Zhinian then grabbed a few of Song Qingchun¡¯s favorite shrimps and ced them in the bowl. He was rolling up his sleeves and ready to help her with the shrimp shells when he noticed she was still holding the spoon in her hand and hadn¡¯t had a bite of anything. He thus turned to address her and said firmly, "Miss Cheng is good at her job; if she¡¯s there, I don¡¯t need to be. She¡¯ll handle everything."


    Song Qingchun was familiar with Cheng Qingchong¡¯s professionalism and work ethic. However, if Cheng Qingchong could truly handle everything, Su Zhinian would not have needed to personally apany CEO Lee in the first ce, would he? Furthermore, Cheng Qingchong did mention that CEO Lee might not sign the contract if Su Zhinian didn¡¯t return.


    Song Qingchun took a sip of the chicken soup, and she still felt anxious. She turned to Su Zhinian and suggested, "Why don¡¯t you go back to CEO Lee? I¡¯ll wait for you here."


    After a pause, Song Qingchun added, "In the meantime, you can have Miss Chenge down to be mypany."


    Su Zhinian tossed Song Qingchun a reassuring look. "It¡¯s really fine, don¡¯t worry about it."


    Song Qingchun wasforted by the conviction in his voice. She took another few sips of the soup and was about to grab the fish he had given her when she turned around, bit on her lips anxiously, and asked, "Are you sure that it¡¯s really fine?"


    Su Zhinian caught the uncertainty at the bottom of her eyes. He subconsciously wanted to reach out to pat her on the head to console her, but he stopped himself when he saw how oily his hands were from the shrimp. So, he reassured her again. "It¡¯s really fine."


    He was concerned that issue might get stuck in her mind, so he added, "Furthermore, I managed to raise Song Empire from the dead, do you think this deal, if it falls through, is going to harm me?"


    Song Qingchun felt truly reassured. After a long night, she was indeed hungry, and with Su Zhinian¡¯spany, she started to eat.


    When she was about sixty percent full, Song Qingchun looked at Su Zhinian, who was reaching out to grab the towel to wipe his hands, and opened her lips to call his name. "Su Zhinian?"


    "Hmm?" Su Zhinian replied automatically as he grabbed for another paper towel.


    Song Qingchun knew he wasn¡¯t looking at her, but she still lowered her head from shame. She stared at the bowl of deshelled shrimps in front of her, bit on her lips, gripped her chopsticks tightly, and she uttered in a soft voice, "I¡¯m so sorry."


    Su Zhinian suddenly stopped moving.


    He didn¡¯t turn to look at her while her soft, whispering tone continued to drift into his ears. "I¡¯m really sorry for what I did tonight; I hope I haven¡¯t caused you too much trouble."

 Chapter 476: So This Is Love (10)

    Chapter 476: So This Is Love (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Even though she had caused him plenty of trouble that night, with that one sentence, all was forgiven.


    "I have acted out of line tonight; I failed to control my temper. I just don¡¯t like that..." Song Qingchun had been preparing the whole speech, but she still stopped when she reached this point.


    She wanted to say, "I just don¡¯t like that you¡¯re out looking for girls."


    However, when the words reached her lips, only then did she realize how wrong she sounded.


    Who was she to him to demand something like that?


    That¡¯s right. Why am I so worked up over things that have nothing to do with me? Why was I so angry that I made so many senseless decisions?


    Song Qingchun stopped in mid-sentence, so Su Zhinian turned to her with confusion and prompted her with a "Hmm?"


    Song Qingchun came to and shook her head in a hurry. She was about to just drop the whole thing, but she thought about it for two seconds and came up with an alternate ending to her sentence. "...I just don¡¯t like men who go looking for girls.


    "These types of men are, for me, too immature and disrespectful. You¡¯re my friend, and as a friend, I wouldn¡¯t want to see you develop such a horrible habit." Song Qingchun tried to cover up her real intention. Then to move the spotlight away from her, she looked Su Zhinian right in his eyes and interrogated, "Plus, didn¡¯t you say you have someone in your heart already? You shouldn¡¯t have disappointed her by doing such a thing! Don¡¯t you think this is a bad habit that can ruin a rtionship? Or are all men like this?"


    So, the reason she sent all those women into the room was because she thought... I have the habit of looking for girls?


    "I didn¡¯t call those girls," Su Zhinian exined in a clear tone, even though his heart was a mess. If the situation had allowed it, he would have knelt on the floor and raised his hands to the God above to prove his innocence; instead, he lowered his gaze and said, "Those were CEO Lee¡¯s orders; he likes..."


    Even though he was merely telling the truth, Su Zhinian still didn¡¯t feel like talking about others behind their back, so he didn¡¯t borate but exined in summary, "As you know, this is how the world of business works."


    So, that was CEO Lee¡¯s doing and not him... In other words, the man who I saw earlier toying with girls was not him.


    For some inexplicable reason, Song Qingchun felt much better already.


    "CEO Lee indeed sent two of the girls my way." Su Zhinian didn¡¯t realize how much he sounded like a husband who was suspected by his wife then.


    No wonder he has that perfume smell on him, it¡¯s because of those girls... Song Qingchun¡¯s mood darkened again.


    "I¡¯m not trying to show-off how much of a saint I am, but there is really nothing between those girls and me; there was barely any interaction between us." After he finished, as if worried that Song Qingchun might not believe him, Su Zhinian added, "I swear."


    After that, Su Zhinian was reminded of what she had said earlier, using him of being not faithful to the girl in his heart. His expression turned very serious as he looked at Song Qingchun. He uttered the rest of his words like a wedding vow, as serious a promise as theye, "My body and soul belong to the woman I love alone, even if we cannot end up together, I will not touch another woman beside her."

 Chapter 477: So This Is Love (11)

    Chapter 477: So This Is Love (11)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    His voice was soft yet maic, overcast yet graceful. It seemed to echo within the room, hitting Song Qingchun¡¯s heart again and again.


    The good feelings that she got from learning he didn¡¯t touch the girls froze in her heart instantly. Ever since she knew about this Tingting, she had heard him proim many times how much he loved her.


    "I¡¯ve expended three lifetimes to find you, and now, I will use another to make you my wife."


    "This is my lifelong dream."


    "I love her; I will always love her."


    "I don¡¯t mind dying alone if can¡¯t have her. I¡¯d rather choose loneliness without her."


    "I cannot love her, but I cannot not love her."


    "My love for her starts from now and ends with eternity."


    These promations were much grander than the one he made that night, but instead of being impressed by his loyalty like she usually would, she felt like a knife had been stabbed deep into her heart. It was bleeding profusely and dripping with acid.


    This feeling was very familiar. It was just like that year after her high school exam when she finally got into the same university as Qin Yinan. She rushed to Qin Yinan¡¯s home excitedly to confess her love to him, but he told her, "Song Song, I¡¯ve fallen in love with someone."


    The feeling was starkly familiar; it felt like her heart had exploded into smithereens, and she had trouble breathing.


    Song Qingchun stared at Su Zhinian¡¯s face that shone brilliantly under the glittering chandelier and she asked herself internally, Why would I feel this way... when Su Zhinian expressed his love for the woman that he loves?


    Su Zhinian realized that Song Qingchun had been staring at him for a long time without responding, and he couldn¡¯t help calling out her name. She blinked but still didn¡¯te to. He reached out his hand wave in front of her. "What¡¯s wrong?"


    Song Qingchun jumped as if shocked. Realizing her social faux-pas, Song Qingchun immediately lowered her head to conceal the emotions in her eyes. "No, nothing important... I just felt my stomach rumbling a bit just now."


    "Are you feeling better now? Do you need a ss of warm water?" Before Song Qingchun even nodded, Su Zhinian called for the waiter to pour her a ss of water.


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t have the mind to pay attention to what Su Zhinian was doing or saying; her mind was still stuck on the sentence Su Zhinian had told her earlier. "My body and soul belong to the woman I love alone. Even if we cannot end up together, I will not touch another woman beside her."


    The more she thought about it, the more unsettled she felt. Afraid that she might cause an episode before Su Zhinian, when the waiter came back with the water, she took a deep breath and told Su Zhinian in a tone that was as natural as she could muster, "I have to use the bathroom."


    Since she mentioned earlier that her stomach was not feeling too good, Su Zhinian didn¡¯t think too much of it. He nodded and said, "Okay."


    The moment he nodded, Song Qingchun grabbed her purse and stood up from her seat.


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t use the toilet but stood before the sink. She washed her face, and when she raised her head and grabbed the nearby tissue to wipe her face dry, her eyes fell on her own reflection in the mirror.


    She stared at herself for quite some time, and her fingers started to shake as if she just seen the truth that had staring at her all along.

 Chapter 478: So This Is Love (12)

    Chapter 478: So This Is Love (12)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Her lips were stretched thin, and she tossed the rumpled napkin in her palm into the dustbin before slowly turning around to leave the bathroom. She stood in the quiet corridor and stared at the private room not far away for a long time. Eventually, she turned the other way, walked toward the elevator, went downstairs, and left.


    ...


    Even though Su Zhinian had said that it was okay if CEO Lee dropped the deal, Cheng Qingchong still tried her best to get CEO Lee to sign it. She knew how important this deal was to him and to hispany. She also knew that he could choose not to care about anything to do with that woman by the name of Song Qingchun.


    But she cared.


    Because she liked the man, even though she did not hope to one day be with him, she wished him a world of happiness.


    Furthermore, she was happy to be able to do something for him.


    Cheng Qingchong had lost count of the amount of alcohol and the type of alcohol CEO Lee had forced her to drink. Eventually, it all tasted the same in the end. She suppressed the congested feeling in her chest and downed the drinks like water.


    She had overshot her threshold a long time ago, but her strong willpower kept her going. It was not until she managed to persuade CEO Lee to sign the papers that she left the room and left CEO Lee with the girls.


    She felt like she was walking on clouds; she tumbled only after a few steps. However, even in the state she was in, with bruises forming all over her body, she was happy. With her hand on the wall, she helped herself up, and when her eyesnded on the signed contract, her lips broke involuntarily into a smile.


    She had done one more thing for him.


    Cheng Qingchong looked at the contract like it was her baby. She flipped through it several times before cing it carefully back into her purse. With the wall as guidance, she pulled herself slowly toward the bathroom.


    Right at the door into the bathroom, her hands on the wall slipped, and she fell once more to the floor.


    The floor of the bathroom was slippery with water. Whenever she tried to stand up, she would slip and copse heavily back onto the floor.


    The corridor outside the bathroom was the ce with the most traffic. The females turned their noses up at her while the dirty males even snuck a look up her short skirt.


    Cheng Qingchong knew she was too drunk to be able to leave Eldorado without aid. Her boss and Miss Song were just downstairs; with one phone call, they woulde to her aid.


    However, even if she had to spend the whole night on the bathroom floor unattended, she would not make that call.


    Her boss had almost lost his life to save Miss Song. It was not easy for them to be on speaking terms again, so she could not ruin this for him.


    Cheng Qingchong took several deep breaths and summoned all the energy left in her. She attempted to climb up from the floor again, and this time, she reached much greater progress than the few trails before it. When she almost stood up upright, her knees gave, and she copsed, lurching forward.


    If she was to fall this time, it would probably cause some serious injuries.


    Cheng Qingchong closed her eyes, bracing for impact, but the pain did note because, at thest second, a hand reached out to grab and hold her falling body.

 Chapter 479: So This Is Love (13)

    Chapter 479: So This Is Love (13)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Miss, are you alright?" A gentle voice drifted into her ears, and her body was held upright by the owner of the voice¡¯s hand.


    Then the soft-spoken voice continued to say, "...Wait, it¡¯s you?"


    Who is it? It¡¯s someone I know?


    Cheng Qingchong tried her best to pry her eyes open to look at her rescuer. Through her drunken eyes, she could see three human heads floating about, and before she could even get a good look, her head started to spin, and she almost vomited. The alcohol had numbed her tongue, and after some time, she finally managed to slur out a question. "Who... who are you?"


    "You don¡¯t remember me? You walked into my room when you came to deliver Song Song¡¯s things at the hospital."


    As the man¡¯s voice began again, Cheng Qingchong racked her brain, trying to match the voice to a face. She felt like her brain was close to exploding, but eventually, at the final moment, the memory dide back to her. What... what the name of that person again?


    Cheng Qingchun squinted in focus and eventually squeezed out a word. "Qin..."


    "Qin..." she repeated, but before thest word, Yinan, coulde out, a veil fell over her eyes, and shepletely copsed in the man¡¯s arms.


    "Hey? Hey, Miss Cheng?" Qin Yinan shook the woman in his arms. After realizing she waspletely out of it, he looked around him but was unable to find anyone who seemed to be there with her. He could not just leave her there, so after a moment¡¯s hesitation, Qin Yinan pulled her into his arms.


    Eldorado had rooms to rent for the night. Qin Yinan used his credit card to open a room and ced Cheng Qingchong on the bed.


    He covered her up with the nket. When he got up to leave, she suddenly reached out to grab his wrist and moaned softly, "Water, water... water..."


    This is getting more troublesome by the minute... but she¡¯s Song Song¡¯s friend; I can¡¯t just abandon her, can I?


    Qin Yinan thought about it before pulling her grasp gently away and walking to the bar counter to twist open a bottle of mineral water. He returned to the bed, sat on it, supported her body up, and helped her with the water.


    Cheng Qingchong, after having her fill of water, became a lot quieter. Qin Yinan helped her with the nket and then left the room.


    ...


    Song Qingchun was like a controlled puppet, staring at the road before her as she drove on aimlessly.


    She did not know how long she was driving and had no idea where her destination was. However, she did notice that there were fewer and fewer neon lights around her. It was not until most of the lights had shut off that she heard her phone ringing.


    She parked the car by the roadside and pulled out her phone. She nced at the caller ID¡ªSu Zhinian.


    Then she realized with a start that she had left Eldorado without telling him.


    She did not pick up the phone, and it eventually went to voice mail. Song Qingchun then saw there were 17 unanswered calls and 13 unread messages from Su Zhinian on her phone.


    Before she could click one of the messages open, another call from Su Zhinian came.


    After a moment¡¯s hesitation, Song Qingchun decided to answer it. Before she could say anything, Su Zhinian¡¯s agitated and concerned voice came through.


    "Where are you?"

 Chapter 480: So This Is Love (14)

    Chapter 480: So This Is Love (14)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun squeezed her phone tightly as she lied, "I¡¯m sorry, an emergency came up. I forgot to tell you that I have to leave early."


    Su Zhinian, on the other end of the phone, was quiet for a long time before asking, "Are you okay?"


    "I¡¯m fine," Song Qingchun said with forced levity. She even added a smallugh to cover up her lie before she continued. "There¡¯s an emergency at thepany..."


    Su Zhinian seemed to have bought her lie because the worry in his voice seemed to have minimized. "When will it be over? I cane fetch you."


    "There¡¯s no need, I drove."


    "Okay then, be careful on your way home, and message me when you reach home."


    "I know." Song Qingchun paused before adding, "Then, I¡¯ll see youter?"


    "Okay, goodbye."


    Song Qingchun said a hasty "goodbye" before she hung up. Song Qingchun tossed her phone onto the passenger seat and sat in her car, spacing out. She looked out the window and realized with a start that she was at North Sea Garden.


    It was 12 am, and the ce was eerily quiet.


    Song Qingchun thought about it before opening the door and getting out. Then she started to walk into the garden. After the entrance, she turned left, which brought her to thekeside. Then, she started to wander about aimlessly.


    The night breeze of a summer¡¯s night carried with it some moisture and cold, causing her hair and dress to flutter incessantly.


    She smoothed down her hair roughly and ignored the fact that she was wearing high heels and continued moving forward. She did not keep track of how far she had walked, and she had no clue which part of North Sea Garden she was at because her mind waspletely upied by the thoughts of Su Zhinian.


    She only stopped when her tired legs could not carry her further. Then, she turned around in a circle and realized she was standing above an arched bridge.


    She leaned on the railing and looked at the ripples of light on theke surface. Her attention started to drift once more.


    When she saw the girls walk into his private room, she had been angry and agitated because she was jealousy.


    When she heard him proim his loyalty for Tingting, her heart had pained because she was envious.


    She could no longer hide the reality from herself... Su Zhinian, in her heart, was no longer the hated individual whom she would never want to have anything to do with in her life anymore.


    No wonder she thought about him so often after the separation.


    No wonder she was hurt by his aloofness after their reunion.


    No wonder, when he was down with a fever, she could have sent him to the hospital but decided to stay by his side to look after him personally.


    No wonder, when she realized he had been surviving on take-outs, she went to the supermarket to stock up his fridge and even cook a scrumptious dinner for him.


    No wonder, when she stepped into his bungalow, there was something preventing her from leaving.


    No wonder her heart broke when she said she had to leave.


    No wonder she had been texting him so constantly these recent days, be it morning or night.


    No wonder she kepting up with excuses to meet him.


    No wonder... so many no wonders, forced her to face the truth.


    Even though she did not know when her attention shifted from Brother Yinan to him, even though she did not know when he had managed to capture her heart, she had to admit one stark truth.


    Song Qingchun seemed to have fallen in love with Su Zhinian.

 Chapter 481: So This Is Love (15)

    Chapter 481: So This Is Love (15)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    When the thought slowly settled in Song Qingchun¡¯s heart, she could no longer hide from it, and she finally understood why she had been acting so out of character that night.


    She had known Su Zhinian for so long, but she had never been a scheming person around him; she was never an unreasonable person.


    Even when he scolded her and gave her with the ck card with the "I¡¯m sorry" written on the back, she had forgiven him easily.


    However, that night, when she saw Su Zhinian being concerned about her sprained ankle, she did not forgive him instantly but acted even more unreasonable. Now, she realized it was because she wanted him to show more concern toward her.


    When Song Qingchun still pursued Qin Yinan, she would always act like a spoiled little girl around Qin Yinan by identally hurting herself or pulling a long face around him to get Qin Yinan toefort and pamper her. Whenever that happened, she would feel satisfied like she was the most cherished thing in the world. If Qin Yinan caused her to be unhappy, she would be in a gloomy mood all on her own but refuse to tell Qin Yinan the reason until he discovered her unhappiness and came over to check up on her with concern. Then, her grievances would dissipate instantly, being reced by happiness.


    She did not realize she had replicated all of that with Su Zhinian already.


    When did I start to fall for him? Was it when the contract finished, and I could not push him out my mind? Or was it when he called me Tingting in his nightmare and forced himself on me for a kiss, but I didn¡¯t even push him away?


    Or was it even earlier, when I didn¡¯t get angry with him when he told me that all his kindness toward me was simply because he felt indebted to me?


    No, perhaps it was even earlier. When we could stay in the same room together without arguing, when I was audacious enough to order him to pour water for me, to have hime fetch me in the middle of the nowhere in the deep of the night, when we shared that heart-to-heart deep in the mountains, and when he helped me with the game patch... or perhaps, it started way earlier when my attention was dazed by his handsome face when we were first introduced after he moved into my house...


    She had still been hung up on Qin Yinan at the time, and that had prevented her from acknowledging how much she was actually attracted to him. This was exacerbated by the fact that he kept antagonizing her for no apparent reason. On her lips, she kept repeating that she hated him, and the repetition had convinced even herself, causing her to be unable to see the truth.


    If Song Qingchun was truly frank to herself, this was not in the initial stage of falling in love. She was not just wading into it; she was already half-submerged in it.


    The emotion she was feeling was much more intense than she predicted.


    This felt more like...


    Song Qingchun, who was leaning against the railing, trying to sort through her mind, suddenly felt as if her brain had stopped moving.


    She stared at the surface of theke for a long time before she allowed her train of thought to continue.


    Love.


    It was love, pure and simple.


    The intense feeling did not just feel like love; it was love, pure and simple.


    She used to hate him to her core until she swore off all interaction with him for as long as she lived, so she really did not expect that she would one day admit that she loved him. However, with the truthid out before her, she had to admit that she was wrong and face the music.

 Chapter 482: So This Is Love (16)

    Chapter 482: So This Is Love (16)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She loved him¡ªthat was the in truth. Without realizing herself, the seed of love had entered her heart, grown, taken root, blossomed, and was finally bearing fruit.


    The root of that love had grown so deep that if Song Qingchun were to uproot it, it would tear her heart apart.


    ...


    When Song Qingchun returned to her car, it was already 3 am. Beijing at that time in the morning was like a twilight zone; it had the bright lights and luster of a big city but the silence of a ghost town.


    When Song Qingchun left her car, she had not taken her phone with her. Before she started the engine, she nced at her phone. On top of the thirteen messages Su Zhinian had sent her after she snuck out of Eldorado, there were two new messages.


    "Are you still busy?"


    "?"


    Song Qingchun did not think about it and fired a reply in return. "Just got off work, going home."


    When she sent it, Song Qingchun realized the two messages from Su Zhinian arrived respectively two hours earlier and one hour earlier.


    It has been so long since the messages, and it¡¯s already sote; he should be asleep by now. Will my message wake him up?


    With that concern on her mind, Song Qingchun started the car engine, turned the steering wheel, and left North Sea Garden.


    Two hundred meters away from North Sea Garden, her phone, which was left on the passenger seat, vibrated. Song Qingchun nced at it and slowed her car down when she saw it was a message from Su Zhinian. She held the steering wheel with one hand and grabbed the phone with another. She quickly read his message. "Okay."


    Did I wake him up? Or was he still awake?


    Song Qingchun found it rather difficult to type using only one hand. She only typed two words when a message came into her phone. "By the way, you mentioned that you had something important to discuss with me tonight. What was it?"


    Song Qingchun was then reminded of the excuse she had used to go see Su Zhinian. She parked the car by the roadside and deleted the message she was typing. With her fingers flying over the phone screen, she formted a quick reply. "When I was staying at your ce, you gave me a ck card to take care of your living expenses. The card is still with me, and I had something to do near your ce this afternoon, so I stopped by on the way home to return it to you, but then I forgotpletely about it."


    So, it was to return the ck card. Disappointment shed through the eyes of Su Zhinian, who had stayed awake waiting for her reply. If possible, he wanted the card to stay with her forever, but now he had lost all pretext to pamper her.


    Su Zhinian leaned against the headboard staring at her reply. After some time, he typed his reply. "No need to rush."


    Regardless, that was his card, and she had no right to hang onto something so valuable. Furthermore, the purpose of the card was to help her cover his living expenses. Now that the contract was over, if she was to keep the card, wouldn¡¯t it seem like she was a gold digger?


    Even though Su Zhinian had told her there was no need to rush, Song Qingchun still set a date for the card return. "How about I take a detour to your house before I go to work tomorrow morning?"


    Su Zhinian did not agree or disagree. He merely replied with an "Ok."


    Song Qingchun thought about it and concluded, "Then tomorrow morning it is. I¡¯ll try to reach your ce before 8.30 am tomorrow morning."


    The reply from Su Zhinian was the same as before.


    "Ok."

 Chapter 483: So This Is Love (17)

    Chapter 483: So This Is Love (17)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The two consecutive, short responses stumped Song Qingchun. She did not know how to answer. After some time, she replied, "It¡¯ste, so why aren¡¯t you asleep yet?"


    "Waiting for you to reach home."


    It was a simple sentence, but it warmed Song Qingchun¡¯s heart. Before she realized she was in love with him, she would also have felt warmed when she received such messages from him, but now that she had faced the truth, the impact was much stronger; she could feel her love toward him intensifying.


    Song Qingchun parked her car on the driveway, and as she stepped upstairs, she messaged him. "I¡¯m home."


    As if waiting for her message, Su Zhinian replied instantly. "Sleep soon."


    "Okay, good night." Song Qingchun walked into the bathroom after she sent that reply.


    Just like usual, she stepped out of the bathroom and leaned to nce at her phone; Su Zhinian¡¯s message already arrived. It consisted of the same two words in return. "Good night."


    He would send her that message every night, but that night, when she read those two words, the emotions within her heart were raging.


    What should I do?


    After admitting to herself that she loved him, Song Qingchun realized her love only kept on increasing until she felt like she was going to be submerged by it.


    ...


    Even though Song Qingchun went to sleepte, she still managed to arrive at Su Zhinian¡¯s ce punctually at 8.30 am the next morning.


    Before they met up, they were already chatting on the phone. When Song Qingchun left her house that morning, the television in the living room was open. She just so happened to hear the news report about uing movies; one of them was produced by her favorite director. She had discussed his films with Su Zhinian before, and she realized that thetest film was produced by Su Zhinian¡¯spany. At the time, Su Zhinian had even promised her he would take her to the premier. They were already less than a week from the scheduled premier, but Su Zhinian had not brought this up again. She wondered if he had forgotten all about it.


    Now that she thought about it, in the time they had spent together, they had never gone to the movies together. While Song Qingchun waited for the red light, she titled her head reading the morning message from Su Zhinian, and she replied with a message hinting at him. "Timeline ising on the silver screen soon..."


    Su Zhinian had probably just woken up and was busy in the bathroom because she didn¡¯t receive a message from him until she arrived at his ce.


    The second Song Qingchun pressed on the doorbell, the door was pulled open. Su Zhinian was already all done up, and he was putting on his shoes.


    Song Qingchun waited for him to finish changing before passing him the ck card. Su Zhinian nodded at the ck card and, after a pause, reached out to take it.


    Both of them were rushing to work, so there wasn¡¯t much time to chat. While Song Qingchun pulled her car door open, Su Zhinian was fiddling with the knot of his tie. However, before she got in, he called out, "By the time, Timeline¡¯s premier is this Saturday at 9.30 pm, are you free?"


    So, he has not forgotten about that... A girlish joy coursed through her veins, causing Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes to light up. "I¡¯m free."


    Even though they had already promised, Su Zhinian still asked Song Qingchun, "Then... do you minding to the movies with me that night?"

 Chapter 484: So This Is Love (18)

    Chapter 484: So This Is Love (18)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Okay," Song Qingchun promised with a smile.


    Su Zhinian nodded but did not say anything else. After Song Qingchun got into her car, he walked over to help her close the door.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes followed Su Zhinian¡¯s car, which was behind her, as they left his bungalow. They continued this way until she turned at a junction to the right, and he went to the left. His car soon disappeared among the traffic.


    Song Qingchun stared at the road before her, and she suddenly realized, even though they had only parted several minutes ago, she already started to miss him. The feeling only got deeper and deeper, to the extent that she could not wait to be by his side again.


    Oh God, I never knew loving a person could be so exhausting!


    ...


    When Cheng Qingchong woke up, the sun was already shining. Due to the heavy drinking from the day before, her stomach was still burning. Shey in thefortable bed for a long time before she forced herself up through the haze of her hangover and headache.


    The mirror right before her gave her a perfect view of the room she was in. The room was luxuriously decorated, and there was an oil painting hanging on top of the bed she was in.


    I¡¯m in a hotel room?


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s heart skipped a bit. She pulled the cover off and sighed in relief when she saw her clothes had remained untouched.


    Thankfully, she had not been taken advantage of in her drunken situation. Thest thing she remembered was taking the contract from CEO Lee. Then, she fell on her way to the bathroom. So, why had she woken up in the hotel room?


    Cheng Qingchong had a hard time recollecting what had happened. She tried to focus, but the pain in her head proved too much of a distraction. She messaged her temples before getting down from the bed and into the bathroom.


    After a warm bath, she felt much better. When Cheng Qingchong went back to the bedroom to take her bag, she saw there was a half-drunk bottle left on the bedside table.


    Then, isted episodes started to appear in Cheng Qingchong¡¯s mind. A man carrying her, helping her drink the water, reaching out to wipe the water that fell out of the corner of her mouth, and even putting the cover on her...


    Who was that man?


    Cheng Qingchong racked her brain but could not figure out the identity of the mysterious man. She grabbed her bag and left the room. When Cheng Qingchong went to the front desk to check out, the receptionist told her, "Mr. Qin paid for the roomst night."


    Mr. Qin? The man who took care of me? But, which Mr. Qin?


    Cheng Qingchong went through her mind trying to locate this "Mr. Qin", but there was no one with the surname Qin among her acquaintances.


    She frowned slightly and opened her lips to ask the receptionist politely, "I¡¯m sorry, but do you mind giving me Mr. Qin¡¯s full name?"


    The receptionist lowered her head to look at theputer before raising it again and smiling at Cheng Qingchong, answering, "Mr. Qin Yinan."


    Qin Yinan... Qin Yinan... The name circted many times in Cheng Qingchong¡¯s mind before the identity of the man came to her.


    So, it was him... the childhood friend who grew up with Miss Song.


    Even though she had met him thrice, they could not have been considered even acquaintances; she really did not expect he would have been the one toe to her aid...

 Chapter 485: So This Is Love (19)

    Chapter 485: So This Is Love (19)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Cheng Qingchong was startled. Then she smiled gently at the receptionist before asking politely, "Do you mind giving me Mr. Qin Yinan¡¯s number?"


    The receptionist was an easy-goingdy. She told her politely to wait a moment before lowering her head to theputer and rattling off eleven digits.


    Cheng Qingchong saved it on her phone and double-checked it with the receptionist before thanking the receptionist and leaving Eldorado.


    In her car, Cheng Qingchong held her phone in her hand and formted a message to Qin Yinan. "Mr. Qin, good morning, this is Cheng Qingchong. Thank you for your helpst night. If you don¡¯t mind, can you give me your bank ount number? I will send you the payment for the hotel room."


    ...


    Ever since Song Qingchun forced herself to admit that she loved Su Zhinian, her days had been a torture.


    Whenever she was in Su Zhinian¡¯spany, her heart would race, but whenever she was not around him, she would have a hard time focusing because her heart would be thinking about him constantly.


    She knew he had someone that he loved. The man who was so loyal to Tingting would not have his eyes on her. She was destined to suffer in a one-sided rtionship. Since she could never seed, the logical thing to do was to distance herself from him, allowing both parties to drift apart and go their own ways, but she couldn¡¯t control her heart.


    He was like opium; she had gotten addicted to him and could not survive without him. She tried not texting him for half a day, and she found herself like the living dead; she couldn¡¯t bring herself to do anything but wait for the half a day to be over so that she could message him again.


    When she was attracted to Qin Yinan, the most she would do was space out thinking about him or be dazed for a moment when she saw him get too close with another female; it did not disturb her normal daily life.


    However, her attraction to Su Zhinian bordered on obsession. If he did not reply her for an extended period of time, she would be like a fish brought onnd; she could die from asphyxiation at any moment. When she heard the message alert on her phone, she would drop everything she was doing, no matter how important it was, to read it. If it was a message from Su Zhinian, she would grin endlessly, and if it wasn¡¯t, a deep frown would be carved between her eyes.


    Not only were her emotions disrupted by his presence, so was her living habit.


    During meetings, she should have been taking down the minutes, but when she returned to her office, she would open theptop to find it had been filled with ¡¯Su Zhinian¡¯s. She started eating the dishes that he liked, buying the brand of water he liked, and using the shampoo from the brand he preferred. In fact, she even bought hundreds of bottles of perfume to match the light cologne that he wore.


    One day, in the heat of the moment, she even started to Google him despite the fact she already knew him so well.


    As she corrected the wrong details on his wiki entry, she read up on details that she did not know about him.


    From the inte, she found out his birthday was June 15th.


    She was incredibly familiar with this date, because six years ago, it was on June 15th that he raped her.


    Six yearster, she found out that the source of her nightmares had actually urred on his birthday.

 Chapter 486: So This Is Love (20)

    Chapter 486: So This Is Love (20)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    All these years, she had refused to remind herself of that day. It wasing back to her now that she was supposed to have had dinner with him that night, but Qin Yinan had suddenly returned to Beijing, and she had stood him up.


    So... he was actually asking me to spend his birthday with him?


    This thought caused a sharp pain throughout Song Qingchun¡¯s mind. Her face burned with shame and guilt. If she had known it was his birthday, she would not have done what she did.


    ...


    June 15th was also the date that he had asked her out for the premier.


    ...


    Song Qingchun started to dream about Su Zhinian every night. On the night prior to the day of the premier, Song Qingchun even dreamed about confessing her love to him, to which he epted. They pulled each other into a hug, and a whirlwind romance led to a walk down the aisle. When the wedding procession music began, she woke up from her beautiful dream.


    She looked at the familiar ceiling of her bedroom, and disappointment gradually fell over her as she realized it was just a dream.


    She lost all intention of going back to sleep. Hugging her pillow, she tossed and turned in bed, reminiscing about the scenes from her dream.


    The more she thought about it, the more desperate her wish to be with him became. In fact, it reached a point where she wanted to rush to his house and tell him she wanted to be his girlfriend.


    She tried her best to suppress the urge, but the more she suppressed it, the greater it became. It tore her heart apart.


    It was only 6 am, but she was so tortured in bed that she felt like she had to move around to take her mind off it.


    It was June 15th, his birthday. When she found that out two days earlier, she already nned to get to the mall earlier in the morning to purchase a birthday present for him.


    However, 6 am was too early. She was afraid that she might really go crazy if she just stood there and did nothing, so she surfed the inte and logged into  to find herself something to read to pass the time.


    She didn¡¯t pay much attention to the book title or the author¡¯s name, but the plot was a well-written modern romance. The female lead was in love with the male lead, but the male lead was unable to reciprocate her love.


    The setting reminded her too much of herself, so Song Qingchun was attracted to it instantly.


    The female lead had a bubbly personality, and she was ten years younger than the male lead. Even though she knew the male lead had someone in his heart, she was not ashamed to pursue her happiness. She confessed many times to the male lead and was rejected every time until she eventually got her happy ending.


    Even though it was just a web novel, Song Qingchun was greatly moved by it.


    Can I really be like this female lead in the story? Be strong and persistent with my pursuit of love and eventually have my happy ending?


    But what about that girl, Tingting? He has told me how deeply in love he is with her many times.


    Song Qingchun started to feel conflicted. She grabbed her phone and paced around her room.


    But I was once so in love with Brother Yinan, and that has changed, hasn¡¯t it? So, isn¡¯t it possible that he might one day give up on Tingting and love me instead?


    Song Qingchun thought about this and raised her phone up. She clicked into the message box and started typing.


    "I like you..."


    She did not think that was impactful enough, so Song Qingchun edited it. "Su Zhinian, I have something important to tell you..."


    No, that sounds too serious.


    After numerous edits, there were only three words left in the message box.


    "I love you."

 Chapter 487: The Confession (1)

    Chapter 487: The Confession (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun stared at the phone disy, and her breathing hastened. Her fingers moved up and down, down and up, after many such repetition, she still didn¡¯t press that send button.


    What if the confession fails and he says he doesn¡¯t like me? Will we end up as less than even friends?


    A world without him...


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart squeezed with pain just thinking about this possibility.


    But how would I know if I never try?


    There was great fighting will in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind. In end, she was so frustrated that she pulled on her hair angrily and tossed the phone on the bed.


    ...


    With lovees concern.


    Song Qingchun troubled herself over this for a long time, but in the end, she still did not send that confession. At 10 am, she grabbed her bag and left for the mall.


    She spent four hours at the mall before she found the perfect present. When she was in line to pay for it, two young girls stood before her, excitedly chatting about something.


    Song Qingchun initially did not pay them any attention until one of the girls said, "You¡¯ve pursed him for six years already, congrattions, it¡¯s finally paying off."


    Then, her ears perked up, and she started to listen.


    "Yes, it¡¯s been a long six years and three months. When I started to fall for him, he already had a girlfriend, a beautiful girl from the Chinese Language course. Initially, I just wanted to be his friend, only hoping tofort myself by seeing him every day. However, one night, I identally confessed my love to him because I had a little too much to drink, but he rejected me..."


    It was supposed to be a sad memory, but when the girl told it, she was all smiles. "At the time, it truly felt like the world was ending because it became too awkward for us to be friends. Until we graduated from university, we barely spoke to each other, but I still loved him.


    "Perhaps, it was fate¡¯s will all along, because after graduation, we both applied to the samepany and became colleagues. I figured that, since we¡¯re both consenting adults and he no longer had the girlfriend, I¡¯d give it another shot. However, he still said that he preferred we be friends, but at least he didn¡¯t just shut me down like before. Through constant interaction, our rtionship gradually improved... and here we are, he proposed to me, and we¡¯re getting married next week..."


    ...


    Song Qingchun carried Su Zhinian¡¯s present, and as she returned to her car, her mind was filled with the story of the girl from the checkout line.


    She had seen a fictional sess story that morning, and she was already slightly convinced, but now, she had just heard an actual sess story happening in real life.


    She tried her best to give up on this rtionship, this love that she had discovered a little bit toote, but it had grown to a point where she couldn¡¯t just remove it from her heart. Since she could not make herself stop loving him, if she kept her love silent, it would continue to haunt her, causing her endless torture and trauma.


    Furthermore, hasn¡¯t he said that Tingting will never be with him?


    Song Qingchun picked up her phone to stare at the three words in her unsent message box, and she started to struggle once more.


    Confession is pain; rejection is pain. What shall I choose?


    Song Qingchun, who could not make up her mind, suddenly took a faltered step. In a moment of weakness, her finger identally pressed the send button. The three words, "I love you", had reached Su Zhinian¡¯s phone before she even realized what had happened.

 Chapter 488: The Confession (2)

    Chapter 488: The Confession (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    It was Su Zhinian¡¯s birthday and also a Saturday, the day that he set aside every week to visit his mother.


    Because he had invited Song Qingchun to the premier, which was on when he would usually visit his mother, he visited that day in the morning. He was to stay at her house for lunch.


    Since the mother and son only met each other once per week, whenever he went over for meal, Auntie Su would prepare a scrumptious meal. Since it was his birthday, the dishes were even more luxurious than usual. Practically, every dish that he had mentioned he liked since he was a child was on the table.


    Auntie Su was not a drinker and would always advise her son to stay away from alcohol, but that day, she took out the best Shaoxing wine, which her friend had given her. She poured a generous amount into a small pot and boiled it with a few bulbs of preserved plums. She let it simmer to allow the wine to get infused with the plum taste before she poured it back into a bottle and stored it in the fridge to chill.


    Ever since Su Zhinian promised Song Qingchun he would not touch a drop of alcohol, he had held onto his promise. Even though they no longer lived together, he still abided by this promise.


    Unwilling to disappoint his mother who had gone through all that trouble, Su Zhinian took a small sip. After lunch, he wanted to stay to help his mother clear up the dining table, but his mother soon chased him away to go rest in the living room.


    The weather that day was perfect. Perhaps because he had not touched alcohol for such a long time, such a small sip of wine caused him to get quite drowsy. He put two cushions underneath his waist and closed his eyes while leaning against the sofa.


    As he drifted off to sleep, suddenly the phone that he had ced before his chest started to vibrate, shaking him out of his dream.


    Su Zhinian continued to close his eyes for about half a minute before he pulled his phone before his eyes and opened them to see it.


    It was a message from Song Qingchun, there were only three words.


    "I love you."


    The summer crickets were chirping outside the window, and behind him, his mother was washing the dishes. He could even pick up the sound of the running water in the nearby waterfall.


    Su Zhinian stared at his phone for a long time. He felt like he was dreaming. He separated the three words on screen into individual characters and regrouped them again multiple times, continuously rereading it silently in his heart so that he could convince himself he was not dreaming.


    She had just told him, "I love you."


    The three simple words were like a giant bomb, levelling his world and mind.


    His fingers that held the phone were shaking violently, and even his breathing had started to get hurried and disjointed.


    She just sent him a message, and the message said, "I love you."


    The reality slowly settled in his heart once more, causing his heart to race instantly and his blood to boil. He could sense clearly the emotions that he kept hidden in his heart starting to rage once more.


    As if losing his sanity, he jumped off the sofa and dashed out of the house without informing his mother, who was still busy in the kitchen.


    He did not change into his shoes. In fact, when one of his slippers fell off as he was tumbling down the stairs, he did not even go back to pick it up. He dashed out of the house to his car. He pulled the door open and jumped in. As if remembering something, he clicked his phone open and typed with impressive speed. "Where are you now?"

 Chapter 489: The Confession (3)

    Chapter 489: The Confession (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    After Su Zhinian typed the question mark and was about to hit send, his whole body froze, and he sat in his seat as if someone was stopping him from moving.


    Her "I love you" caused a whirlwind to sweep through his world, making him the happiest person on the. He was going to rush to her side, pull her into a deep hug, and reply to her in person, "I love you, too."


    But how could he have forgotten... he had no right to be with her.


    How fiery his heart was earlier was how chilled his heart was at that moment. The boiling blood coursing through his veins was chilled instantly. His excitement turned immediately into a despair that he could not even express with tears.


    However, this is just a message, perhaps... she was kidding, or she sent it to the wrong person...


    As Su Zhinian consoled himself, he got out of his car slowly and dragged his beaten body across the floor, which was quite hot for the time of day.


    His mother was still busy in the kitchen. Su Zhinian copsed onto the sofa with extreme tiredness. He closed his eyes, but he could no longer go back to sleep, on the ount of the message from Song Qingchun crowding his mind.


    Three minutester, his mother came out of the sofa. When she saw her son copsed on the sofa, she thought he was asleep, so she quietly went upstairs. A momentter, she came back down with a nket and draped it over him.


    He opened his eyes slowly, and his mother smiled kindly at him, saying, "Why didn¡¯t you go to your room to sleep? You¡¯ll catch a cold from the air-conditioner here in the living room."


    He did not say anything but sat up slowly.


    His mother poured him a ss of water. Realizing he was not going back to sleep, she returned to her usual lecture. "Ah Nian, you¡¯re not young anymore. While being focused on your work is a good thing, you should think about your future and starting a family."


    Starting a family... when this phrase entered his ear, Su Zhinian¡¯s hand, holding the ss of water, shook slightly.


    There was only one woman who he wanted to start a family with, and that woman had just said that she loved him, but that was a message that he could never reply to.


    Su Zhinian did not say anything, and his mother continued on her own. "If you marry now and have a baby, I¡¯m still young enough to help you babysit. I can¡¯t say for sure that it¡¯ll be the same two years down the line."


    Su Zhinian ced the ss on the coffee table and leaned back against the sofa.


    His expression was peaceful like he was quietly listening to his mother¡¯s concern, but in his heart, a tendril of pain started to crawl its way out of his heart.


    He could not even make himself not feel disgusted from any other woman¡¯s touch, so how could he start a family like that?


    "When your Auntie Sun came before, she mentioned she had a rtive¡¯s daughter that is two years younger than you. She just came from the US for her studies, do you want to find a date to meet her?"


    The rest of what his mother said went in his left ear and out the right. Su Zhinian did not respond to anything she said.


    Probably tired of talking to herself, Auntie Su eventually stopped.


    After some period of silence, probably worried about her son¡¯s happiness, Auntie Su¡¯s lips started to move, but she only managed to get the words "Ah Nian" out before Su Zhinian¡¯s phone started to ring.

 Chapter 490: The Confession (4)

    Chapter 490: The Confession (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Looks at the lovers under the streetlight,


    "How they remind us of who we used to be;


    "Hugging and kissing, loving and parting..."


    Auntie Su quieted down and turned to look at Su Zhinian¡¯s phone following the sound of the ringtone. She saw the ID, "The Person Hiding in my Memory", on the blinking disy, and her eyes lit up. That ID... does this mean my son has someone already in his heart?


    Su Zhinian waited until the song reached "The person hiding in my memories I pray for your happiness and safety" before he picked his phone up, walked to the window, and answered it.


    ...


    Song Qingchun fidgeted in throes of frustration before she lowered her head to look at the phone in her grasp, then her whole body froze.


    When, when did I send the message? And it was sent five minutes ago? Wait... the message said that it has been read... Meaning... Su Zhinian has seen the three words?


    Song Qingchun¡¯s mind exploded instantly. The worry of whether to confess or not escaped her mind immediately, leaving behind a heart full of worry and anxiety.


    The message was sent in a state where she waspletely unprepared, and it had been read. What should I do now? Should I send Su Zhinian another message to tell him I¡¯ve mistakenly sent him the wrong message, but wouldn¡¯t he think I¡¯m nning to confess my love to someone else?


    But what if Su Zhinian rejects me?


    As these questions filtered into her mind, the originally flustered Song Qingchun started to calm down. Since she could not figure out whether to confess or not for the whole day and fate had already thrown the dice for her, instead of worrying herself over things that she could not control, she might as well wait patiently for the result.


    This was probably the longest wait in Song Qingchun¡¯s life.


    In those thirty minutes, plenty of emotions coursed through her heart; it was truly pure torture.


    As time passed, her initial nervousness gradually turned to great disappointment as she stared at the phone that had received no reply from him.


    He has read the message but chose not to reply, what does that mean? Silent rejection?


    Does this mean that we cannot even be friends anymore?


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart was covered with chills and pains, and her whole person started to shake.


    What should I do? I¡¯m not prepared to lose him yet.


    Furthermore, they were supposed to go to the movies that night, and it was his birthday. She had prepared a present and ordered a beautiful cake for him. Her n was to ask him to supper after the movie and surprise him with a birthday celebration!


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart turned increasingly worried, and her pupils darted about nervously. Then, as if remembering something, she immediately searched for Su Zhinian¡¯s name and gave him a call.


    While waiting for Su Zhinian to answer, Song Qingchun took several deep breaths to calm her heart down. When the phone was answered, her hands gripped subconsciously tighter and she softly whispered, "Hello."


    "Hmm." Su Zhinian¡¯s elegant and level voice came from the other end.


    Song Qingchun sucked in a deep breath silently before saying in a giggling voice, "Su Zhinian, that message just now was just a game."

 Chapter 491: The Confession (5)

    Chapter 491: The Confession (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    On the other end of the phone, Su Zhinian waspletely silent.


    Even though she knew he couldn¡¯t see her facial expression, Song Qingchun forced the corners of her lips to curve into a smile, At least it would make it easier to her to say what she needed to say next. "It was a truth or dare game with a friend of mine; she dared me to send an ¡¯I love you¡¯ message to my three most recent contacts. You just happened to be the third, and you know the rest..."


    That was the best excuse she coulde up with given the short notice. It would be able to conceal her real intention and resolve any awkwardness between them caused by those three words. Truly killing two birds with one stone.


    Song Qingchun praised herself internally for her brilliance and continued to exin to Su Zhinian. "Even though it was against the rules of the game to give an exnation, the friend is now in the bathroom, and with this perfect opening, I had to call you to exin lest you misunderstood the message."


    Song Qingchun concluded it with a sincere, "I¡¯m sorry."


    The other end of the phone continued to be silent for a long time before Su Zhinian¡¯s light voice said, "It¡¯s okay."


    As if refusing to dwell on that message, before Song Qingchun could say anything, he continued without missing a beat, "Do you want me toe fetch you for the premier tonight?"


    He bought my lie? Meaning we¡¯re still friends?


    Song Qingchun should have felt happy, but her heart twisted with sourness. She tried to keep her voice light as she replied, "Okay, but I don¡¯t know where I will beter. I¡¯ll message you to give you my location when it¡¯s almost the time, okay?"


    "Okay."


    Song Qingchun was afraid that her real emotion might expose itself should the conversation continue any longer, so after she heard Su Zhinian¡¯s reply, she quickly said, "My friend¡¯sing back, goodbye, I¡¯ll call youter."


    Before Su Zhinian could say his own goodbye, Song Qingchun hung up. He stood by the window with the phone still pressed to his ear, listening to the dial tone.


    Even though he could not respond in any way to her "I love you", when he found out it was merely a joke, like he had expected, hues of disappointment still colored his heart.


    Actually, this should have been the development he wanted; she did not love him, and they could continue to be friends. He should not have been sad.


    Even though he knew he should have felt d, as Su Zhinian nced out the window, endless sadness still filled up his eyes.


    "Ah Nian? Ah Nian?" Auntie Su, who realized her son had been standing immobile before the window for a long time, finally called out to catch his attention.


    Su Zhinian slowly recovered as he turned to look at his mother. Then, in a flustered manner, he put his hand down and returned his phone into his pocket.


    Even though Su Zhinian didn¡¯t say much on the phone, Auntie Su had still managed to pick out the most important detail. "Do you want me toe fetch you for the premier tonight?"


    When Su Zhinian sat down on the sofa beside his mother, Auntie Su asked with some anticipation, "Was that a girl on the phone with you?"


    Su Zhinian nodded slightly before raising his phone to his face and mechanically deleted the message, "Where are you now?", that he typed earlier from the message box.

 Chapter 492: The Confession (6)

    Chapter 492: The Confession (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    When Auntie Su saw Su Zhinian nod, she asked excitedly, "A girl that you like?"


    Su Zhinian answered with a light "hmm" as he clicked open the "I love you" message from Song Qingchun. He highlighted it, and the delete option appeared on screen.


    Since this is just a joke, might as well delete it...


    Su Zhinian¡¯s finger hovered over the delete button, but eventually he still moved his finger away.


    Even if it¡¯s just a joke, it¡¯s still great memorabilia...


    Auntie Su¡¯s smile practically reached the edges of her face. So, my son has a girl that he fancies...


    "Ah Nian, you should have told me you have a girl that you like, when are you going to bring her home for me to see?"


    The topic depressed Su Zhinian even more. He put his phone gently away and replied in a level tone, "We¡¯ll see."


    "What do you mean, we¡¯ll see? If you like her, then marry her. Don¡¯t worry, no matter who that girl is, as long as you like her, I will dly wee her into the house."


    As long as I like her, Mother, you¡¯ll wee her into the house? If I really bring Song Qingchun home, you¡¯ll probably be the first one to object...


    Su Zhinian¡¯s lips were stretched thin. He lowered his gaze to hide the disappointment in his eyes from his mother.


    ...


    That night, after Song Qingchun met up with Su Zhinian, she managed her emotions very well; there were no telling signs that she was in love with him. She acted as she usually did.


    During the movie, Song Qingchun only managed to pay attention to the movie for about twenty minutes. She spent the rest of the time focused on Su Zhinian, who sat beside her. It looked as if she was paying attention to the screen, but actually, she had been studying Su Zhinian¡¯s handsome profile out of the corner of her eyes. It got to a point where she had forgotten she was in a theatre and started envisioning her future with Su Zhinian.


    Even so, Song Qingchun did not slip up before Su Zhinian. She hid her emotions perfectly well. After the movie was over, Song Qingchun, who had zero recollection of the plot, had high praise for it and chatted happily about it with Su Zhinian.


    When they left the theatre, it was already 11.30 pm.


    There was only half an hour left of Su Zhinian¡¯s birthday. Beforeing to the movie, Song Qingchun had done all the necessary nning, so after getting into Su Zhinian¡¯s car, she pointed at a nearby 24-hour restaurant and said, "How about we go there for supper?"


    Su Zhinian nodded easily. Then, the car slowed to a crawl before stopping at the entrance to the restaurant.


    The ce was elegantly decorated. It had an outdoorsy feeling to it with the hanging flower pots in the area.


    The restaurant was huge, but there were few customers. Only two to three tables near the entrance were upied, and they were intimately whispering among themselves.


    In the middle of the restaurant, there was an elevated stage where a young woman was singing softly while strumming her guitar.


    The atmosphere in the restaurant was quiet yet intimate. Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian selected the innermost table and sat down across from each other.

 Chapter 493: The Confession (7)

    Chapter 493: The Confession (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Very soon, a waitress came over with two menus. Song Qingchun passed one of them to Su Zhinian before flipping through the remaining menu.


    This was supper for two, so Song Qingchun only ordered four family-style dishes. Then she raised her head to ask Su Zhinian, "What do you want?"


    When he heard Song Qingchun¡¯s question, he turned to the waitress and said, "One mocha."


    "Yes, sir." The waitress wrote his order down before turning to Song Qingchun. "Miss, what would you like?"


    Song Qingchun flipped to the drinks page and eventually settled on a warm milk tea. Then she waved for the waitress to lean in. She showed the waitress something on her phone, and the waitress nodded with a smile before collecting the menus and leaving.


    Very soon, the same waitress returned with a small cart. There was a circr te on it covered with a thermal cover.


    Most restaurants had thermal covers, and they would be removed when the dish was served. However, the waitress didn¡¯t remove the cover ever after she ced the te in the middle of the table. With her two hands ced beneath her stomach, she bowed with a bright smile and wished them "bon appetit" before turning to leave.


    Su Zhinian frowned, staring at the retreating waitress. He was about to call her back when Song Qingchun pulled out her phone to nce at the time and gasped, "Oh no, there are only five minutes left."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s frown deepened. Before he could ask her what she meant by that, Song Qingchun stood up from her seat and reached over to remove the cover.


    A beautiful cake revealed itself.


    All she ordered were family dishes; there wasn¡¯t a cake... Su Zhinian raised his head with confusion to look at Song Qingchun.


    Song Qingchun ced the cover on the table and sat back down on thefy cushion. She didn¡¯t say anything to answer the confusion on Su Zhinian¡¯s face. Instead she pulled out a blue, beautifully-wrapped box from her bag and passed it to Su Zhinian, saying, "Su Zhinian, happy birthday."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s expression froze. He stared at Song Qingchun as if transfixed before slowly blinking into consciousness. His gaze moved to the present in her hands, and then he was dazed once more. It was not until he heard the waitressing back with the cart to serve the food that he came to and reached out to ept the present from Song Qingchun. Then he said in a soft whisper, "Thank you."


    After the waitress served all the food and left with the cart, Su Zhinian carefully and gently opened the present box. There was a limited-edition LV belt sitting inside.


    Song Qingchun smiled at him and asked, "Do you like it?"


    "I do..." Su Zhinian¡¯s finger caressed the edge of the belt before he raised his eyes to look into Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes and repeated, "Thank you."

 Chapter 494: The Confession (8)

    Chapter 494: The Confession (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun smiled brightly. She lowered her head to look at the time, five seconds to midnight. She made use of thest five seconds to repeat what she said earlier. "Happy birthday."


    "Thank..." Su Zhinian had a notable pause before continuing. "...you."


    He might have seemed calm on the surface, but hidden from her view, his fingers hiding behind the box were shaking uncontrobly.


    It was only his wildest dream that he would get to hear the words "happy birthday" from her lips. The fact that it had be a reality, and not only that, he even got a specially wrapped present from her? His heart was shaking.


    After he calmed down from this euphoria, Su Zhinian finally had the courage to ask, "How did you know it is my birthday today?"


    Song Qingchun titled her head and answered honestly, "I saw it when I was surfing the inte."


    Su Zhinian nodded and was then reminded of the small interaction between Song Qingchun and the waitress earlier. Could it be... she has nned this surprise beforehand?


    Su Zhinian¡¯s emotions that had just calmed down started to rock once more. His hands subconsciously turned to grip the heavy marble table. His eyes that looked Song Qingchun became much sincerer. "So, you¡¯ve prepared all of this earlier?"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart skipped a beat being stared at by Su Zhinian¡¯s unflinching gaze. She replied with a soft "hmm" as she felt a blush rose to her ears. Afraid that her secret might slip under his scrutiny, she immediately pulled his attention away by reaching for the candles on the table. There were two long candles and five short candles. She lit them up and ced them on the cake. Through the dancing mes, she told Su Zhinian, "Even though your birthday is technically over, blow the candles out and make a wish."


    Although the restaurant was not crowded, Song Qingchun still didn¡¯t want to create a scene, so she lowered her voice and started to sing happy birthday to him. When she finished, Su Zhinian closed his eyes and made his wish.


    Lit up by the candle light, his handsome face was made even more pronounced. Her gaze that stared at him froze.


    He slowly opened his eyes after making his wish, and their eyes met.


    Other than the dancing mes, they could see each other reflected at the bottom of their eyes. Time seemed to have ceased. They were enveloped in a private and quiet world, their surroundings falling away.


    The candle mes danced higher and higher, but the two still remained unmoved, looking at each other silently.


    Thissted until the candles burnt out. One by one, the light in their eyes dimmed, and when thest me fizzled out, the man and the woman gradually awoke from their reverie.


    The pair seemed to shake in sequence, and they both turned to look out the window simultaneously.


    The atmosphere around their table turned curious, and the lines started to blur.


    However, the two pretended that nothing had happened and looked perfectly calm on the surface.


    Only Song Qingchun knew how fast her heart was racing, and only Su Zhinian knew how intensely his blood was boiling.

 Chapter 495: The Confession (9)

    Chapter 495: The Confession (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Both hesitated for a moment, waiting for the other person to speak up, hoping to diffuse the awkward atmosphere around them.


    Song Qingchun gripped the edge of her shirt and racked her mind for something to do when she was reminded of the cake.


    Su Zhinian stared at the window for a long time, and it eventually came to him that there was still a cake to deal with.


    As if nned, both of them pulled their gazes away from the window at the same time and fell on the knife on the marble table. She reached out her left hand while he reached out his right as they both moved in on the knife.


    Their hands reached the hilt of the de at the same time. His fingertip grazed hers, and both felt shocked by that small contact. Then, they retracted their hands at the same time.


    Her heart raced even faster like it could jump out her chest any time soon.


    His blood boiled even greater, causing his breathing to hasten and deepen.


    The curious and suggestive atmosphere deepened,cing and mixing with their hurried breathing.


    Song Qingchun lowered her eyes subconsciously and pulled on her shirt in anxiety. Su Zhinian lowered his head and let out a silent sigh.


    Then, she raised her head, and he raised his gaze, again meeting each other¡¯s eyes as if nned. When that happened, both of their breathing halted, and before either one could get a word out, one turned to the window rapidly while biting her lips and the other¡¯s fingers shuddered as he pretended to turn to the window calmly.


    The awkward atmosphere didn¡¯t dissipate; if anything, it became even more serious.


    Neither one of them dared to make a move, and they seemed to have frozen into ce. This continued for about three minutes. The two didn¡¯t turn to look at each other but managed to utter at the same time, "You..."


    When they heard the other person¡¯s voice, they stopped simultaneously.


    She looked out the window, thinking, What is happening tonight? I reached for the knife and he did too? I happened to look up and he did too? Even talking, we speak simultaneously... But, I cannot let this atmosphere continue to fester, can I?


    His brows were screwed tight, thinking, If this table wasn¡¯t partitioned by a wooden te, at least there wouldn¡¯t be so many coincidences... Regardless, I have to figure out a way to make this less awkward.


    When the thought formed in her mind, it settled in his as well. Then they both began simultaneously, "I..."


    They both stopped once more, and she wanted to tell him to go on, and he too wanted to have her carry on. After a moment¡¯s pause, both began again, "You..."


    This was the third time this had happened.


    Song Qingchun, who was almost smothered by this situation, threw caution to the wind and finished what she wanted to say in one go. "Never mind, you go first."


    "Never mind, you go first." Su Zhinian also mustered his courage to power through the sentence.

 Chapter 496: The Confession (10)

    Chapter 496: The Confession (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun smiled gently at Su Zhinian and raised her finger to point at thepletely-burnt candles, adding, "It¡¯s time to cut the cake."


    "Okay," Su Zhinian replied as he reached for the knife, stood up slightly, and cut the small cake into four pieces. He then put one slice on Song Qingchun¡¯s te before getting one for himself.


    Su Zhinian was not a fan of sweet food; he merely took one bite of the cake before he was overwhelmed by the artificial sweetness. However, he still held his spoon and continued to eat, one serious bite after another, because this was a birthday cake she had specially bought for him.


    He could not even remember thest time he had his own birthday cake. Hisst memory of that was when he was six.


    At the time, he and his mother had still been staying at his grandparent¡¯s. That day, his mother had been given a bonus at work, and she had used it to buy him a birthday cake.


    Soon after that, he discovered how different he was from everyone else. The aunt and uncle that had extreme distaste regarding him and his mother started to freeze them out. During his seventh birthday, his mother¡¯s bonus was snatched away by his aunt, and that was how his birthday party fizzled to nothing. Then, he became a monster in everyone¡¯s eyes. He spent his eighth birthday in the sanatorium. He did not even get a birthday wish, much less a cake or present. He spent that birthday trapped in his cell, looking at the blue sky through the small window in his room.


    After he was released from the sanatorium, he started staying at the hostel, and that was also when his reluctance to interact with people started. He stopped talking and smiling, his ssmates did not know about his birthday, and his mother would not be able to spend it with him because she would be too busy at work. As the years passed, his birthday gradually became just another day; there was nothing unique about it.


    Until... until he met her, and that was the first time in a long time that he felt like celebrating his birthday again, even if the only thing he wanted to do was to have a simple dinner with her.


    However, that small wish was dashed easily.


    She had stood him up. There was radio silence on her end while he stood like an idiot by the street, watching as she shared a romantic dinner with Qin Yinan in a high-ss restaurant, listening to the words "Brother Yinan" fall out of her supple lips.


    However, that was not the worst. The worst thing was, in his state of inebriation, hemitted the greatest sin, the sin that shattered all form of friendliness between them.


    That birthday, he... raped her.


    The spoon Su Zhinian had in his hand started to shake slightly.


    Ever since that day, he had stopped treating his birthday as something worth celebrating. He really thought he would spend the rest of his life without celebrating another birthday.


    He did not expect she would give him such a surprise. It reminded him of how she ced her trust in him when the world had abandoned him. "Big Brother says you¡¯re a bad man, so you have to be a bad man!"


    The familiar softening in the heart that he had never forgotten through the years started to appear once more, causing Su Zhinian¡¯s throat to close.


    The cake was soft and airy, but he had a hard time swallowing.


    He felt the tears that wereing to his eyes.

 Chapter 497: The Confession (11)

    Chapter 497: The Confession (11)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    He pushed his head lower and tried his best not to let his emotions show. When she was not looking, a single tear still escaped his control and fell gently on the cream on the cake, creating a small indent.


    Su Zhinian finished the cake on his te and ced the spoon down. Then, with his face lowered, he calmed his emotions before leaning on the chair and slowly raising his eyes to look at Song Qingchun, who sat across from him.


    There was a small piece of cake left on Song Qingchun¡¯s te. She was picking at it with her fork before she sent it into her mouth when she realized he was looking at her. She mumbled something at him, but he didn¡¯t catch it because her mouth was full with food. She munched the food and smiled to him before she swallowed the cake, took a sip of the warm milk tea, and cleared her throat. "I was saying that I¡¯m full from the cake alone, but it¡¯ll be such a waste if we just leave these dishes untouched."


    Su Zhinian stared at Song Qingchun, and after a moment, he said, "Don¡¯t worry about it."


    Song Qingchun frowned with consternation looking at the table of untouched food. "But, this is such a waste; we should at least take a few bites."


    Su Zhinian stared at Song Qingchun¡¯s small face without blinking, and he still said nothing.


    Song Qingchun thought about how Su Zhinian didn¡¯t know how to cook, so she raised her head to discuss it with him. "How about you take them home with you?"


    Still staring with extreme focus at her, Su Zhinian did not respond, not even with a nod or shake of his head.


    Song Qingchun was confused by his stare. Her brows moved and was about to ask him what was wrong when Su Zhinian opened his lips to call her name. "Qingchun."


    His tone was light, and in his levity was a solemnity that could not be mistaken. Song Qingchun¡¯s heart skipped a beat hearing him say her name, and after a moment, she replied, "Hmm?"


    Su Zhinian did not answer her in a hurry. He continued to look at her with his intense gaze. Just as Song Qingchun thought he was not going to say anything, he uttered, "Qingchun..."


    He called her name again, but this time, his tone was much lighter, and he didn¡¯t pause. The light at the bottom of his eyes turned very serious as he continued, "...I¡¯m sorry."


    The apology that was apropos to nothing confused Song Qingchun. She let out a "huh?" before turning to blink several times at Su Zhinian and adding, "For what?"


    Su Zhinian did not answer her question but repeated, "I¡¯m sorry."


    His expression and tone were so serious that Song Qingchun feltpelled to sit up straight and focus.


    She did not ask why this time but stared at him in return. After about ten seconds, he said, "For what happened six years ago, I¡¯m really sorry."


    Actually, he had been meaning to find the opportunity to apologize to her. He really didn¡¯t mean to do what he did. However, since that incident six years ago, too many things had happened, and he couldn¡¯t find a good time to sincerely apologize to her.


    What happened six years ago... Even though Su Zhinian did not go into the details, Song Qingchun understood he was referring to the night he got drunk and raped her.

 Chapter 498: The Confession (12)

    Chapter 498: The Confession (12)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Over these past few years, they had been strangers, and they had been close friends. They had shared many secrets and discussed many things, but both had skirted around this topic.


    There was that one time when their conversation had wandered to their high school exam. Song Qingchun said that she had woken up early that morning and stayed in front of herputer waiting for the result announcement. However, Su Zhinian had fallen silent after that. Then Song Qingchun remembered that the day of the results announcement fell in the period when her argument with him reached its height.


    Like that, the incident that night had be a taboo topic between them. Even though both of them would be reminded of that incident whenever a topic circled around it, they would both ignore it. However, that night, Su Zhinian brought it up directly.


    That night six years ago was a nightmare that had haunted Song Qingchun for more than two thousand days.


    Even though Song Qingchun could not pinpoint the exact time that she stopped being so hung up over it, it did not mean that she had let it gopletely. However, when she heard Su Zhinian apologize to her with such sincerity, her heart first trembled slightly before thatst bit of ill feeling dispersed like clouds touched by the wind.


    "Let¡¯s just let bygones be bygones." Perhaps due to Su Zhinian¡¯s willingness to talk about this, Song Qingchun also found herself more willing to talk about that taboo topic. "Furthermore, I should apologize to you as well."


    Song Qingchun lowered her face, and with her lips curving into a slight smile, she said softly, "We had a dinner date that night, and I shouldn¡¯t have stood you up."


    Everything had a beginning and an end, and there was nothing without cause. He had also suffered an injury that night, and that injury was like a thorn that had stuck in his heart for years. Even though it had been years, whenever he thought about it, his heart still twitched with pain.


    However, as they say, let he who tied the bell on the tiger take it off.


    Following that sentence of apology, he felt much better, and the pain that had stayed with him for years gradually disappeared.


    "No matter, the sin of the incident lies with me." His eyes, which were still staring at her, softened. "However, I really have no idea how that incident became news that spread through the school like wildfire."


    If Su Zhinian had told her this six years ago, she wouldn¡¯t have believed him, but now, after they had been through so much, after they had gotten to know each other better, she believed him without hesitation. "At the time, I was really angry when I heard those rumors spreading through school, and that was after you..."


    Song Qingchun did not know how to continue, so she paused. Even though Su Zhinian did not have contact with her body, he understood what she was trying to say; she was referring to the rape.


    He nodded at her, acknowledging that he understood.


    She then continued. "I really resented you back then; I couldn¡¯t think rationally anymore. That was why I went home in such a fit and tossed you out while saying so many ugly things to your face."


    The more Song Qingchun said, the smaller her voice became. Apology was written all over her face.


    "You had every right to do all those things to do. After all, it was indeed my fault; furthermore, I remember not acting so gentlemanly that day as well."


    In a way, they had simr personalities.


    Sometimes, one cannot fight fire with fire, and a little tact and distance goes a long way.

 Chapter 499: The Confession (13)

    Chapter 499: The Confession (13)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    After they talked it out, the barrier between them gradually disappeared. The misunderstanding and resentment was relocated to the folder that said "the past".


    As the conversation continued, Song Qingchun felt a big boulder had been taken off her shoulders, and a sense of lightness permeated her body.


    This could not really be considered a happy conversation, but there was a joy sitting within her. She even rested her face on her palms as she smiled at Su Zhinian andmented, "Times flies, doesn¡¯t it? Without realizing it, so many years have passed since our high school graduation."


    At this point, Song Qingchun purposely frowned and sighed. "We¡¯re all getting old..."


    "Time has barely touched you." Su Zhinian stared at Song Qingchun, and he uttered in a low, maic voice, "You¡¯re still as young and beautiful as you were then."


    Is Su Zhinian hitting on me?


    Roses bloomed in Song Qingchun¡¯s heart, and her lights lit up. "Even so, I have to admit that I¡¯m old; even my father is setting me up with men, pushing me into marriage already!"


    Marriage? Su Zhinian frowned. "When did this happen, howe I don¡¯t know about this?"


    "Since about two months ago, I¡¯ve met with more than a hundred men over sixty days." Thinking about that period of nightmare, Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t help but shiver. However, she quickly caught herself and added rather curiously, "But it¡¯s weird recently because he has not been forcing me to go on as many dates."


    More than a hundred guys?


    Su Zhinian, who was quite chatty earlier, suddenly turned morose.


    Those two months just so happened to be the period when I was not around her; I wonder if she fell for any of those dates. Su Zhinian thought about it internally before asking in a tone as natural as he could muster, "You didn¡¯t find anyonepatible in those hundred dates?"


    Why would I bring up those blind dates? Will he misunderstand, thinking that I¡¯m going to marry someone else soon?


    Song Qingchun shook her head with such vehemence that Su Zhinian worried it might fall off. "No, even though the number might seem a lot, I barely said more than one sentence with around 95 percent of them... the remaining 5 percent, they can be friends but not boyfriend material. They¡¯re not my type."


    Song Qingchun surreptitiously studied Su Zhinian as she continued. In her effort to stop Su Zhinian from misunderstanding her, she even told him a humiliating story. "The most recent one, I was stuck in the traffic because of the rain that night and was forty minuteste. By the time I arrived, the person had already left, and Song Menghwa almost had my head that night."


    Su Zhinian did not pity her but chuckled quietly hearing the blind date had up and left.


    Then, his thought circled back to the "my type" that Song Qingchun mentioned earlier. Even though he knew they could never end up together, he was curious what her type was.


    Su Zhinian forced a front of nonchnce as he picked up his cup of coffee, blew on its surface, and smiled before asking, "What kind of guys do you like? How can there not be one that struck your fancy among a hundred of them?"


    In Song Qingchun¡¯s mind, she had only seen Su Zhinian smile once. Now, as he sat across from her and smiled, the picture was so perfectly gorgeous that her mind stopped working.


    Immersed in his handsomeness, she had lost her ability to filter and think. When she heard his question, the answer slipped out of her tongue before she could help it.


    "My type is someone like you."

 Chapter 500: The Confession (14)

    Chapter 500: The Confession (14)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Someone like you...


    When these few words drifted into Su Zhinian¡¯s ears, the cup that he held in his hand shook, and the coffee spilled out, causing a dark brown stain to bloom on his white shirt.


    He reached out to grab the napkin on the table to daub at the growing stain on his shirt.


    His action startled Song Qingchun. She stared at him at a loss for a moment before realizing what she had just confessed to. Her face burned up immediately and was reminded of the message she had sent that afternoon, which he had seen but never answered.


    If his intention was to reject me before I called to tell him it was all a joke, then where does that leave us now?


    Song Qingchun suppressed the nervousness that started to crawl all over her heart. Then she exined in a hurry, "That, Su Zhinian, do not misunderstand what I said, I didn¡¯t mean it the way it was phrased. I mean, you fit the type of person I¡¯m looking for romantically..."


    Su Zhinian, who tried his best to keep calm, had his hands shake when he heard that sentence. The cup of coffee in his hand fell from his palm and crashed to the floor.


    The singer on stage was having a break between songs, and the restaurant was quiet, amplifying the sound of the cup shattering.


    Maybe I should stop trying to exin, since it sounds like I¡¯m making it worse!


    Song Qingchun¡¯s face burned even redder. What she would have given to have her tongue chopped off right then. She held in her breath and racked her brain toe up with a solution to salvage this awkward situation. "Never mind what I said early, what I really mean was..."


    When Song Qingchun said so, she did not notice that Su Zhinian¡¯s gaze had changed.


    "...your physical quality and outward appearance are simr to my perfect guy. Like... he has to be as rich as you, as tall as you. Not too skinny and not too buff... Good at his job..."


    Phew... That sounds better.


    Just as Song Qingchun sighed in relief internally, she raised her eyes to look at Su Zhinian as she continued to rattle off the qualities that she apparently appreciated in a man. "...like you, he must be of simr age to me..."


    However, she only managed to get one phrase out before she paused.


    This was because Su Zhinian was staring at her. His gaze was quiet and serious.


    His eyes were like a bottomless abyss, as if inviting her to fall into them. They were deep and dark, giving the illusion that they carried within them either many emotions or none.


    The light that shone within his eyes seemed to possess magical power. Under his scrutiny, her real emotions, which Song Qingchun had been trying hard to conceal all day, suddenly resurfaced.


    Is it because he apologized to me earlier?


    She realized that the fact she was in love with him was getting more and more difficult to hide.

 Chapter 501: The Confession (15)

    Chapter 501: The Confession (15)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    If she continued to hold his gaze, Song Qingchun was sure he would have been able to see into her heart.


    Song Qingchun was nervous and rmed. Without thinking about it, she jumped up from his seat, said, "I need to go the bathroom."


    She stormed off without waiting for a reply from Su Zhinian.


    ...


    Song Qingchun hid in the bathroom for a long time before she came out again. There were only her and Su Zhinian left in the restaurant.


    The singer was beginning a new song, and she had her guitar slung over her shoulder.


    Su Zhinian sat in his original seat. His legs were crossed, and he looked out the window.


    The waitress had cleared away the mess on the floor, and there was a new cup of coffee on the table. Hot steam was still rising up from it.


    The emotions that she finally had controlled over after a long period of time in the bathroom started to act up again. Song Qingchun stood at the door to the bathroom, took a deep breath, gripped her fists tight, and the strolled back to the table.


    Su Zhinian heard her movement and turned around to look at her. His gaze was clear and calm, his expression t like everything that happened earlier did not faze him at all.


    However, when Song Qingchun caught his gaze, her heart still skipped a beat.


    Song Qingchun sat lightly back in her seat. She scanned Su Zhinian quickly before lowering her eyes again.


    Just as she wondered how to initiate a conversation and whether to address what had happened before, Su Zhinian said in a formal tone, "Do you still remember Song Cheng¡¯s will that you have showed me before?"


    The sudden mention of Song Cheng put a dampener on Song Qingchun¡¯s roiling emotions instantly. She raised her head and nodded at Su Zhinian, adding, "I do."


    "You told me, Song Cheng wrote your name correctly and it was not his habit to do so. That¡¯s why you suspect that the note wasn¡¯t written by him and the suicide is all a cover up, correct?"


    Song Qingchun continued to nod.


    "There is some new information on that front." Su Zhinian picked up the coffee and took a careful sip, then he revealed to Song Qingchun the information he just received. "I¡¯ve had my men look this over for the past five months, and finally, there is some news."


    Su Zhinian took a pause before staring at into Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes and said, "After Song Cheng was sent to the hospital after the incident, didn¡¯t the doctor say he has signs of anti-depressants in his system?


    "Furthermore, the amount was quite big, suggesting that he has been taking them for a long time? Therefore, the logical conclusion was he had been suffering from depression for a very long time and didn¡¯t want to tell anyone because he didn¡¯t want his family and friends to worry. However, the depression eventually overwhelmed him, and he did what he did; that¡¯s the official story, right?"


    "Yes." Song Qingchun had told Su Zhinian all of this when she mentioned the possibility that Song Cheng¡¯s suicide wasn¡¯t really a suicide to him.


    "However, my sources tell me, Song Cheng never went to any psychiatrist, and he never purchased any anti-depressants."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s lips moved, but nothing came out of them.


    Su Zhinian gulped before continuing. "Just think about it, if we follow that story, Song Cheng had to go to a psychiatrist to get the prescription to buy those anti-depressants. However, I¡¯ve checked with all the nearby psychiatrists; Song Cheng was not their patient."

 Chapter 502: The Confession (16)

    Chapter 502: The Confession (16)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Of course, I understand the stigma thates with mental illness. They would have their doctor keep it a secret, but there should still be some traces. However, after such a long investigation, my source came up with nothing. There is only one exnation: Song Cheng didn¡¯t suffer from depression, and someone had been slipping him anti-depressants when he wasn¡¯t looking. This person is most likely the person who killed Song Cheng. Unfortunately, I still have no clue who this person is."


    When Su Zhinian talked about Song Cheng¡¯s death, his tone was light, and he made sure not to stress too much on it, lest it influence Song Qingchun¡¯s mood.


    For her part, when she heard the revtion, there was obviously shock and disbelief, but other than that, she was also touched.


    Even though Song Cheng had always bullied her whenever he was alive, for Song Qingchun, he was family. These past months, she had been trying to investigate more on his behalf, but she did not know where to begin.


    Su Zhinian did tell her that he would help her investigate, but at the time, she thought he was only saying that tofort her. Furthermore, she had not heard him talk about Song Cheng after that night.


    It had been five months since that fateful night, and she was surprised he would suddenly bring it up, telling her there had been some new progress.


    This means that... all this time, even though Su Zhinian didn¡¯t once mention it, he has been helping me investigate without telling me?


    Even though his tone was light, and he did not go into the detail, there were so many psychiatrists in the city, and it would have been a gigantic project for him to confirm the story with them one by one!


    Following that thought, Song Qingchun¡¯s gaze, which fell on Su Zhinian, gradually changed.


    Su Zhinian, who did not pick up on the change, even consoled her gently when he finished. "Don¡¯t worry, I will figure out a way to continue this investigation. Sooner orter, the truth will be unveiled."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s hands, which were resting on her knees, trembled greatly when she heard hisforting words. Her eyes that stared at him started to drift. "Why are you helping me?"


    "Because I promised to."


    As Su Zhinian answered, the singer on stage started singing again. However, through the music, Song Qingchun still managed to hear the four words out of Su Zhinian¡¯s lips clearly.


    Because I promised to.


    As a man, he had never made a vow, but he treated his every word like a vow.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes started to mist, and the feelings that she had been trying to suppress all night started to w their way up her throat.


    "Love made us sillier than when we were single;


    "It also made us moreplete than ever.


    "We fall deeper into it without asking much;


    "If not for that kiss, that year would have been much colder."


    The two were silently listening to the song. Then Su Zhinian raised his watch to look at the time. It was about 1 am already. He said, "It¡¯s gettingte, let¡¯s go."


    Then Su Zhinian raised his hand to call the waitress over for the bill.


    "Wait." Song Qingchun suddenly called out to stop him.


    Su Zhinian turned to look at her. Song Qingchun held his gaze and stared quietly back at him. Then she said, "Su Zhinian, I have something to tell you."


    Su Zhinian paused for a second before lowering his arm. He did not say anything but nodded at Song Qingchun.


    Song Qingchun had never been so nervous in her life. Her fists were trembling. She took a deep breath and breathed out greatly before telling Su Zhinian in a serious tone, "I meant what I said."


    Su Zhinian frowned as if he did not understand what she said.


    Song Qingchun sucked in another deep breath and repeated what she said to rify. "I meant what I said when I said you¡¯re my type."


    "Trust became some sort of special ability;


    "Affinity is only a self-deluding innocence.


    "Night always makes us miss someone even more,


    "Especially his addicting eyes."


    Song Qingchun continued through the song without taking a breath. In fact, she had stopped breathing and finished the rest of her sentence in one breath. "To be urate, you¡¯re not only my type; you¡¯re exactly the person I¡¯m looking for."

 Chapter 503: The Confession (17)

    Chapter 503: The Confession (17)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian, who initially did not understand what Song Qingchun was saying, understood everything when "you¡¯re exactly the person I¡¯m looking for" drifted into his ears. In that moment, a barely discernible anxiety crossed his face as if he was deathly afraid of something. Without thinking about it, he tried to stop her from continuing. "Qingchun..."


    But Song Qingchun continued like she did not hear him. Her gentle eyes looked at him, and her confession continued to pour out. "You are the person I¡¯ve been looking for all these years."


    The moment Song Qingchun stopped, the singer on stage reached the climax of this love song.


    "It¡¯s so rare that you can meet the right person;


    "It¡¯s rare that you¡¯re serious,


    "And give it your best shot without much thought..."


    "Qingchun..." Su Zhinian called her name again through the song, but this time, his tone was much more serious, like he was forcing her to stop, like he couldn¡¯t bear to listen to her words anymore.


    Perhaps affected by the lyrics of the song, Song Qingchun really did quiet down. She listened to the singer with some focus and blinked slightly when she heard those lyrics.


    It was not that she had not loved someone before¡ªafter all, she had been obsessed over her Brother Yinan for so many years¡ªbut there was not once when she had been so certain in her belief.


    Su Zhinian was the other half Song Qingchun was supposed to look for. When she was around him, she feltplete.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes glowed brightly. She looked at Su Zhinian with focus and sincerity, and she opened her heart up to him. "Su Zhinian, just now, I realized you are the very person I have been looking for all these years."


    "Qingchun," Su Zhinian¡¯s voice was shaking; his tone even sounded pleading to Song Qingchun, "please, I beg you to stop."


    Please, I beg you to stop... She also wanted to stop, but once the heart was opened, it could not be closed that easily. Furthermore, how could she stop when it had reached this stage?


    It was toote to stop anything, so Song Qingchun opened her lips to continue. "Su Zhinian..."


    She just called his name, but he sprung up from his seat like he could not wait to flee the scene.


    Song Qingchun sat immobile in her seat, staring at Su Zhinian, who reached out for the car key on the table, and she continued on like she was saying this more for her sake than his. "...I love you."


    "We both thought that love was like dawn,


    "But it turns out that the hardest part was dusk.


    "We both feel in love with a poet,


    "But a poet is also just a normal person."


    I love you... The confession fell into Su Zhinian¡¯s ears following the melody of the song.


    His hand shook, and the car key that he had just grabbed fell from his fingertips and hit the floor with a shattering jingle.


    His hands tightened into fists. After a few seconds of silence, he turned slowly around to look at the girl who was sitting quietly in her seat across from him.

 Chapter 504: The Confession (18)

    Chapter 504: The Confession (18)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun looked at Su Zhinian with her face turned up, the glow at the bottom of her eyes almost spilling out. She smiled softly at him, and her eyes curved gracefully. In an intimate voice, she repeated, "Su Zhinian, I love you."


    After she realized she loved him, whenever she was around him, she would be nervous and excited. After she confirmed she was going to confess, her heart had never stopped beating.


    However, now, after she let everything out, her worry fell away. The cold sweat that covered her palm evaporated, and her heart was calm.


    Her eyes that locked onto his did not move away. She had not prepared her confession beforehand, but the words tumbled out of her mouth smoothly and easily. "As you know, I once loved Brother Yinan, and I really thought that I would spend the rest of my life with him, but starting from a point that I cannot even pinpoint myself, my heart..."


    Song Qingchun raised her hand to touch her chest. "This ce, which used to be upiedpletely by Brother Yinan, is nowpletely dominated by your presence."


    Su Zhinian stared at Song Qingchun unblinkingly, and his gaze was dark. Even so, he had not uttered a word in return.


    The restaurant was quiet. Since there were no other customers, the waitresses were gathered around the bar, chatting among themselves. Someone probably made a joke, because augh escaped from their small group.


    After thatughter died down, Song Qingchun took in a deep breath before continuing. "I do not when I started to fall for you, and I cannot say why I have fallen for you, but I can say for certain that I love you; I¡¯ve loved you for quite some time now."


    After she said that sentence, she understood why she had failed to confess to Qin Yinan even though she had crushed on him for so many years. She thought it was because she wascking in courage, but now she realized, that was not true; what she wascking in that rtionship was love.


    When there was enough love, it would naturally spill over and escape one¡¯s lips in the form of a natural confession. True love was not something that could be kept locked up within the heart.


    "...I love you until I couldn¡¯t get you out of my mind...


    "...I love you until I wish to spend the rest of my life with you...


    "...I love you until I just want to spend my days loving you..."


    When Su Zhinian heard these confessions, his eyes finally returned to normal. He slowly moved his head away to look out the window. After about ten seconds, he staggered one step back and copsed weakly back onto the sofa like his entire store of energy had been drained.


    Song Qingchun lowered her gaze. Studying his perfect features, she smiled incredibly warmly, and the glow in her eyes was filled with love and gentleness. "... Su Zhinian, do you know you have silently changed so many of my habits?


    "I¡¯ve gotten used to the brand of toothpaste you use...


    "I¡¯ve gotten used to the mild cologne that you wear...


    "I¡¯ve gotten used to buying the brand of mineral water you prefer...


    "I¡¯ve gotten used to going on walks with you every weekend..."


    Now that she listed them out, Song Qingchun realized how deep Su Zhinian¡¯s influence in her life had actually be.


    "I¡¯ve gotten used to the many habits you¡¯ve instilled in me..."


    Song Qingchun stared into Su Zhinian¡¯s dark eyes, and she asked sincerely, "I don¡¯t want to change any of those habits, is that okay with you?"

 Chapter 505: The Confession (19)

    Chapter 505: The Confession (19)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian knew it was time for him to speak. However, even as he stared into her eyes, his lips were tightly sealed. As time trickled by, he still did not seem to want to answer her question.


    That afternoon, when she identally sent him that message, "I love you", he had also responded by putting up a wall of silence. Now, he was doing that same thing.


    What is he thinking? Is he going to reject me like I was afraid of?


    When Song Qingchun waited for an answer from Su Zhinian, she started to sweat with worry. She grabbed the edge of her shirt, trying to find something to do so that she would not appear so flustered. Then she forced a smile at Su Zhinian and slowly added, "I admit, I never thought you would be such an integral part of my life, but after I¡¯ve admitted to the truth in my heart, I can give up any part of my life but you... so can you please say yes?"


    Su Zhinian still replied with silence.


    Thisck of an answer shrouded Song Qingchun¡¯s nervous heart with ayer of fear and panic. Her female instinct told her that her confession was a failure, but she would not give up before she heard the rejection directly from his mouth. "I know you have a girl in your heart, one who you said would be your only love in life... but you also said that there is no future between you and her... so if possible, will you allow me to take her ce instead?"


    Su Zhinian¡¯s lips were stretched into a thin line, and he still did not seem like he was going to speak. His handsome face was as unreadable as the surface of theke¡ªit was expressionless¡ªbut somehow, Song Qingchun saw a trace of cruelty on it.


    Song Qingchun waited for a long time until her eyes started to tear up. She suppressed the tingling sensation that was prickling her eyes and repeated, "Is it okay with you? Can you? Will you?"


    "I don¡¯t want to change any of those habits, is that okay with you?"


    "Can you please say yes?"


    "Will you allow me to take her ce instead?"


    Su Zhinian was asked thrice by Song Qingchun, and finally, he responded.


    He raised his hand to rub his face before leaning back on the sofa. One of his hands wasid gently on the table, giving him an air of grace and ease.


    He did not look at her but lowered his gaze to focus on the table. His fingers tapped on the marble top asionally like he was deep in thought. After some time, he finally raised his eyes to meet hers. "Qingchun..."


    Even though Song Qingchun had sensed this was going to be the result, she did not have the courage to face it. When Su Zhinian said her name, she also whispered his name subconsciously in return. "Su Zhinian."


    As if reading her uncertainty and fear, Su Zhinian did not continue after calling her name. He gave her half a minute to rearrange her emotions before his lips started to move.


    There was panic in Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes as she looked at him.


    This time Su Zhinian did not slow down for even a second. He said in his polite and business-like voice, "Thank you for your interest in me; I¡¯m ttered and d."


    The bad feeling intensified within Song Qingchun¡¯s stomach. She could not even feel the pain from her nails that had squeezed deeply into the ball of her palm. "Su Zhinian..."

 Chapter 506: The Confession (20)

    Chapter 506: The Confession (20)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian continued like he did not hear Song Qingchun, aplete mimicry of what she did earlier. "...In fact, I¡¯m a little bit touched."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s mouth was open, but this time, even his name couldn¡¯te out. The blood in her body froze.


    "You are beautiful, clever, ande from a wonderful family. Overall, a very nice girl... but..." Su Zhinian paused as he stared at Song Qingchun as if weighing the sentence in his mind.


    Even though he had said many beautiful things and did his best to praise her, Song Qingchun¡¯s tears started to fall because she knew what those words meant; they were constion prizes.


    Facing her tears, he was calm. He had probably thought about many different versions, but none worked, so he kept quiet. The silencested for almost five minutes. Su Zhinian lowered his gaze to avoid her tears before delivering the final punch.


    "I¡¯m sorry..."


    When the word, sorry rolled off his tongue, he raised his eyes to meet her eyes and continued in a manner that was as direct as possible. "...but I don¡¯t love you."


    I don¡¯t love you...


    Song Qingchun¡¯s tears hung on her face, and she stared nkly at Su Zhinian¡¯s perfect face for a moment before the words slowly registered as they repeated themselves in her mind.


    I don¡¯t love you...


    I don¡¯t love you...


    I don¡¯t love you...


    Song Qingchun felt the air being knocked out of her body with each repetition. It was the height of summer, but her limbs were so cold that it felt like she was in deep winter. This was the first love confession of her life and her first rejection. She looked at him dumbly, unsure how to respond.


    Her brain shut down, and even the tears had stopped flowing out of her eyes.


    Silence reigned once more between them; the atmosphere was awkward.


    After a while, when Su Zhinian noticed Song Qingchun still had not said a word, he added, "I will never learn to love you in the future."


    Then Su Zhinian raised his arm to call for the bill before giving Song Qingchun time to process what he said.


    When the waitress came with the bill, Song Qingchun slowly recovered, and the waterworks resumed earnestly. Her emotions had gotten so out of control that she started to sniffle.


    Su Zhinian knew she was crying, but he did not react to it. He pulled out his wallet, passed the waitress his card, entered the passcode, and signed the statement in one smooth motion. When the waitress thanked him, he nodded coldly.


    Then he slipped the receipt into his wallet and put the wallet back into his pocket before bending over to pick up the car key that had fallen to the floor. He then stood up from his seat, all ready to leave.


    He took two steps before he turned back to look at Song Qingchun. The girl was openly weeping until the tip of her nose had turned red. She looked as pitiable as she could have.


    Su Zhinian pursed his lips and averted his gaze. After some thought, he uttered a cold farewell before walking away.

 Chapter 507: He Is Not a Possibility for You (1)

    Chapter 507: He Is Not a Possibility for You (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Goodbye... Is that our final goodbye?


    Is this really it? This is the end of our road... we cannot even be friends anymore?


    When Qin Yinan told her that he had fallen in love with Tang Nuan, her heart wrenched with pain, but unlike then, on top of that pain, there was a sense of panicked urgency in it.


    Her instincts kicked in, and she called his name, stopping him from leaving, "Su Zhinian!"


    The man stopped, stood by an empty table, and looked over his shoulder.


    There was such ack of emotion in his eyes that she felt her courage gging. She swallowed several times before she could raise her voice to ask, "Are... are you rejecting me because of that girl Tingting?"


    Su Zhinian nodded. "Yes."


    Hisck of hesitation sent another spike to pierce through her heart. Song Qingchun knew she had started to mumble because of heartache, but she couldn¡¯t stop herself. "But... but didn¡¯t you say she will never be together with you? You... you..."


    Before she could finish, the man cut her off. "So what?"


    The two airy words stumped Song Qingchun. Her lips were open, but she didn¡¯t know what to say.


    Indeed, so what? So what if Tingting cannot be with him? It does not mean that he has to ept my love... so, what should I do now?


    Su Zhinian noticed she had gone quiet, so he started to move away again. When he walked past her, Song Qingchun reached out to grab his sleeve using courage that she didn¡¯t know she had. "Su Zhinian... I can wait..."


    Song Qingchun slowly turned around to look into Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes. "...I can wait until you need to find someone to spend the rest of your life with..."


    The physical contact helped him understand the authenticity of her offer and the fear clouding her heart. He avoided her gaze, and after a slight daze, he uttered in a tonepletely devoid of warmth, "Thank you, but I really don¡¯t need you to wait for me."


    Before the other half of Song Qingchun¡¯s sentence¡ª when that happens, can you please consider me first? ¡ªcould leave her lips, she was once more cruelly rejected. This time, she really did not know what she could say to make him change his mind.


    She bit her lower lip hard as she looked at him. However, her eyes started to get so misty that the man had be nothing more than a blur in her eyes.


    Su Zhinian raised his hand to put on Song Qingchun¡¯s wrist. She knew he was going to pull her hand away. Her heart was in aplete panic. She held onto his sleeve like it was herst saving grace and asked, "Then... can we still be friends?"


    He had rejected her so cleanly and cruelly, but she still could not bear to be strangers with him. When she asked that question, Song Qingchun only recognized how frivolous a person¡¯s honor was when they were at their lowest.


    In dramas and stories, those who got hurt the deepest were oftentimes those who loved the most. Like a moth knocking incessantly against the flickering light, they would not give up because they had too much to lose.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s silence started to make Song Qingchun mumble, "We can pretend that tonight never happen; you can pretend that I have never said anything; we can go back to how we once were as friends and nothing more..."

 Chapter 508: He Is Not a Possibility for You (2)

    Chapter 508: He Is Not a Possibility for You (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Yes, just normal friends, normal friends..." Song Qingchun seemed to be clinging on to the only ray of light in a world of darkness, and she repeated it multiple times before turning to ask Su Zhinian with anticipation and pleading, "Okay?"


    "What do you think?" The words that came out of Su Zhinian¡¯s mouth were exceptionally calm. Just four words, they were delivered without hatred or passion, but they still made Song Qingchun bite her lower lip harder until she could taste blood in her mouth.


    Through her hand on his shirt, Su Zhinian could read the sadness in her heart, but he forced himself to continue. "You know I have always been averse to female attention and pursuers, and you have also seen how I¡¯ve rejected them... so please don¡¯t make this harder on both of us than it already is."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s hand that was pulling on Su Zhinian¡¯s sleeve became weaker and weaker, and her eyes that looked at him started to waver as she slowly lowered her head.


    Yes, she did know that. When they were in high school, she had personally witnessed how he rejected the love confessions of the high school girls. At the time, she had even pitied those girls who were publicly shamed by his rejection. Who would have thought she would one day end up as one of those girls?


    After a pause, Su Zhinian nced at Song Qingchun¡¯s hand, which had notpletely let go of his sleeve, before he steeled his heart topletely break hers. "I can continue to be your friend, but that is only if you don¡¯t have any feelings toward me, so please do not appear in my life ever again."


    He could feel her body shudder, but his heart did not soften as he continued. "Because the thing I hate most in the world is a clingy girl, so please don¡¯t make me hate you, understand?"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s nched face had fallenpletely, and arge tear fell on the back of Su Zhinian¡¯s hand before she rapidly pulled her hand away.


    As she did so, he moved away from her and left in a hurry.


    She heard his footsteps get lighter as he moved away. Then she heard the waitress tell him politely, "Come again, sir."


    She heard the entrance was pulled open and closed. Then she could hear nothing from him anymore.


    She sat frozen in her seat for a long time before she copsed on the table and started to wail like her world had crumbled.


    The waitresses in the restaurant heard her ear-splitting wails, and they looked at each other in panic, but no one came forth tofort her.


    The singer gripped the microphone in her hands with her eyes closed and waspletely immersed in her song.


    "Love made us sillier than when we were single;


    "It also made us moreplete than ever.


    "We fall deeper into it without asking much;


    "If not for that kiss, that year would have been much colder."


    That only made Song Qingchun wail even harder. If not for that night, would there have been so much history between them?


    "Trust became some sort of special ability;


    "Affinity is only a self-deluding innocence.


    "Night always makes us miss someone even more,


    "Especially his addicting eyes."


    He said, he hates clingy girls the most. Does that mean I will have to spend the rest of my life missing him?


    "It¡¯s so rare that you can meet the right person;


    "It¡¯s rare that you¡¯re serious and give it your best shot without much thought.


    "It¡¯s rare that you fell in love with the right person,


    "But regretfully, he¡¯s not a possibility."

 Chapter 509: He Is Not a Possibility for You (3)

    Chapter 509: He Is Not a Possibility for You (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun¡¯s crying did not show any sign of slowing down, and her knuckles, which were pressed against the table, were startlingly white.


    "It¡¯s so rare that we can meet the right person;


    "It takes the good fortune umted over a few lifetimes to be able to reach an ending together.


    "It¡¯s rare that we fell in love with the right person,


    "Even if that person is not the one who walks to the end with us.


    "At the same time, I would like to wish him to be braver in his future love."


    ...


    As he exited the restaurant, the balmy wind of a summer night touched his face. Su Zhinian stood at the door, listening to Song Qingchun cry, with his hands in his pockets before he pulled out a phone to make a call. After he hung up, he looked up into the sky before raising his feet to walk down the stairs and move to his car with a measured expression on his face.


    He grabbed the key and unlocked the car. The headlight blinked twice before he pulled the door open and crawled into it.


    The girl was still crying, and she showed no sign of slowing down.


    He raised his palm to ce it on his chest, which had gone numb. It was not until he felt his heart beating underneath that he realized he was still alive. However, even though he was alive, he felt like he was staring right at death.


    Just like a statue, he sat immobile in that position with his hand held over his chest before he eventually moved his palm to before his eyes.


    In the middle of his palm, there were five bloody wounds, where he had pierced through his skin with his fingernails. No one but himself would know how he managed to suffer through her confession and force the rejection out of himself.


    The whole incident took less than ten minutes, but for him, it was a torment as long as a century.


    She had fallen in love with him. The girl that he met when he was eight and had spent eight years searching for, the girl who haunted his every dream and every waking hour, the girl who he would give up everything for... had fallen in love with him.


    It should be something worth celebrating, but... when he heard her confession, his heart wrenched with great agony, causing tears toe to his eyes.


    The thing that he was most afraid of had finally arrived. The man who had never regretted anything in his life regretted signing that hundred-day contract with her. He would give up everything to rewind time, agree to her demand to revive Song Empire, maintain a respectful distance, and continue to be her friend. He did not need more... because he would not be able to survive with anything more.


    His selfishness had caused her such pain.


    A vice mped Su Zhinian¡¯s heart, and the pain caused the blood to drain from his face. Even in his dreams, he wished she would one dayy her eyes on him, and when that day finally arrived, there was nothing he could do but reject her.


    He then realized that getting her to love him but not being able to ept her was a greater pain than him loving her from the sidelines without her knowing.


    It hurts when you have someone in your heart and mind but can¡¯t have them in your arms.


    When this titude shed across Su Zhinian¡¯s mind, his whole body shuddered, and he raised his hands to cover up his face.


    Beijing at 1 am was exceptionally quiet, and her crying kept drilling its way into his ears.


    He knew the sound of her tears would only intensify his torment, but he refused to leave, perhaps taking this as his own punishment.


    He had hurt the one person he cared about the most in the world.


    His fingers, covering his face, started to shudder. A tear mixed with the blood in his palm and slipped through his closed fingers.

 Chapter 510: He Is Not a Possibility for You (4)

    Chapter 510: He Is Not a Possibility for You (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Her love was that thing he yearned for the most and the thing he was most afraid of. When he started having those nightmares, he wanted to use the opportunity to part way from her. At the time, he ordered Cheng Qingchong to do those three things not only because he was afraid no one would look after her after he was gone, but also, he wanted for them to return to being strangers.


    However, he underestimated his attraction toward her, and he overestimated his resistance against her attraction.


    The first step led them down a slippery slope to this point of no return. Other than cutting her loose, there was no other option avable to him. The secret he discovered five years ago had destined that he could never promise her anything... she could never be a possibility for him.


    The bloody tears that sipped through his fingers grew in intensity until his shoulders started to shake.


    Tingting, do you know?


    When I said that I do not love you and will never learn to love you in the future, that was a lie because I have never stopped loving you.


    When I said that I do not need you to wait for me, that was also a lie because no matter what happens in the future, I will always be your side.


    When I said that I do not want you to appear in my life anymore, that was a lie because... you were too good for me, so good that I am afraid, afraid that if this is allowed to carry on any further, I might be unable to control the desire in my heart and drag you into an abyss of sin with me.


    ...


    Qin Yinan was sleeping when his phone rang. He was used to having all the lights off in the room when he was sleeping, so his room was pitch ck. He opened his eyes and stared at the darkened ceiling for a moment before realizing it was really his phone that was ringing.


    His hands reached for the phone, and the re from it made his eyes squint. Through the re, he managed to catch two words, ¡¯Su Zhinian¡¯, on the disy.


    Why is he calling me at 1 am?


    Qin Yinan pulled himself up in bed before answering the phone. "CEO Su."


    "Mr. Qin..." Su Zhinian¡¯s light voice drifted through the phone. Qin Yinan could even hear the whipping winds of Beijing at night in the background. "...I¡¯m so sorry for disturbing you, but if you¡¯re free now, pleasee to the 24-hour restaurant near Zhong Xin Road¡¯s cinema to fetch Song Qingchun."


    "Song Song?" Qin Yinan asked in confusion. "What¡¯s wrong with Song Song?"


    "You¡¯ll know when youe." Su Zhinian was obviously not in the mood to chat because he hung up after saying what he needed to.


    You¡¯ll know when youe...


    These few words caused Qin Yinan to worry. He did not even change out of his pajamas before he shrugged on a jacket, grabbed his keys, and left his house.


    Beijing streets at night were as empty as could be. With his foot on the pedal, Qin Yinan raced to Zhong Xin Road. He soon saw the 24-hour restaurant that Su Zhinian had mentioned on the phone.


    Qin Yinan parked his car randomly by the roadside before he jumped out of his car and dashed into the building.


    Qin Yinan ignored the waitress¡¯ greeting and dashed into the dining area. With his breathing fast, he scanned the dining area speedily before his gaze finally settled on Song Qingchun, who upied a table by the window.

 Chapter 511: He Is Not a Possibility for You (5)

    Chapter 511: He Is Not a Possibility for You (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The girl was copsed on the table with her back facing the door and her body shaking uncontrobly.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s heart twitched with extreme pain, causing his footsteps to slow down. He stared at the crying Song Qingchun for a long while before resuming his steps to walk toward her. When he got closer, he could hear that Song Qingchun¡¯s voice had gotten hoarse from all the crying.


    He did not disturb her but stood quietly by her side and allowed her to cry her heart out.


    Qin Yinan waited until her crying got softer and her emotions were not so intense before he reached out to grab the underside of her arm to pull her up from the table and turn her around to face him.


    Song Qingchun felt someone¡¯s touch on her, and she subconsciously raised her watery eyes to look at the person. When she saw it was Qin Yinan, she quickly lowered her face, and her tears started to fall again.


    Qin Yinan pulled the napkin from the table silently and carefully helped Song Qingchun dry the tears on her face. He went through the whole box of napkins before Song Qingchun finally stopped crying.


    Then, Qin Yinan asked in his gentle way, "Shall we go now?"


    Song Qingchun looked at Qin Yinan with her reddened eyes and nodded lightly.


    Qin Yinan didn¡¯t say anything else as he bent down to grab Song Qingchun¡¯s purse from the floor and her phone from the table before he reached out to hold her shoulders and lead her out of the restaurant.


    Along the way, Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes did redden several times, and she sniffled from the snot that clogged up her nostrils.


    Qin Yinan pulled open the passenger side door and supported Song Qingchun as she got in. After helping her with the seatbelt, he walked to the trunk to grab a bottle of mineral water. He twisted the cap open as he got into the driver seat.


    Qin Yinan passed the bottle to Song Qingchun. "Here, you¡¯ll feel better."


    "Thank you." Song Qingchun sniffed once more.


    Qin Yinan waited until Song Qingchun took a sip and twisted the cap closed before he asked, "Are you sure you can return home in this state?"


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t answer but turned to look at the rear-view mirror.


    The girl that stared back her had her hair in a mess, and her eyes were swollen like walnuts. If Song Menghwa saw her in such a state, he would be worried beyond belief.


    Even though Song Qingchun didn¡¯t voice her thought, Qin Yinan could see her hesitation, so he offered, "Do you want to crash at my ce then?"


    Song Qingchun was silent for a long time before nodding. Qin Yinan then started the engine wordlessly.


    On the way home, when they passed a 7-11, Qin Yinan stopped. He had her wait in the car and got out alone. When he got out of the store, there was an extra stic bag in his hand.


    He pulled the backdoor open and dropped the bag in before walking to the driver side and driving off.


    Qin Yinan lived in an apartment studio with only one bedroom. After he brought Song Qingchun in, he went into the bathroom. After twenty minutes, he came out and passed the stic bag he had gotten at the convenience store to Song Qingchun, adding, "Why don¡¯t you go take a warm bath first?"


    After Song Qingchun came out of the bathroom, Qin Yinan was no longer in the bedroom. The sheets of the bed that he slept in had been changed into a new set.


    Just as she stood there confused, the bedroom door was pushed open, and Qin Yinan walked in with a ss of milk in his hand.

 Chapter 512: He Is Not a Possibility for You (6)

    Chapter 512: He Is Not a Possibility for You (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Qin Yinan passed the milk to Song Qingchun. After she epted it, he sat down on the sofa beside the bed.


    Holding the warm milk in her hands, Song Qingchun raised her head to look at Qin Yinan with her bloodshot eyes, asking, "Brother Yinan, was..."


    Song Qingchun wanted to say ¡¯Su Zhinian¡¯, and the words had reached the tip of her tongue, but before she could say it, her heart wrenched with pain, and her eyes started to water. She lowered her head in a hurry and gripped the ss in her hands tightly before she forced herself to continue in a slightly broken voice. "...it him who told you?"


    Qin Yinan knew the ¡¯him¡¯ in Song Qingchun¡¯s question referred to Su Zhinian.


    Before he reached the restaurant, he had been curious what happened to her. When he saw the distraught state he was in, his curiosity had only intensified. He had many questions for her, like why was she crying? What happened between her and Su Zhinian?


    However, when Qin Yinan looked at Song Qingchun¡¯s shivering frame, he kept the questions to himself and answered truthfully with a nod.


    He had a feeling the questions he had on his mind would make Song Qingchun sadder, so he chose to forget about them for now. Then again, he probably would not have gotten an answer even if he had asked. Song Qingchun, in that state, was in no mood to share. She merely took a small sip of the milk before returning it to him.


    Qin Yinan did not force her. He epted the practically untouched ss of milk and told her gently, "I¡¯ve changed the sheets and cover, rest early."


    "Okay." Song Qingchun wanted to smile at Qin Yinan, but her lips refused to curve upwards. She found herself unable to smile even if she wanted to.


    She tossed Qin Yinan an apologetic gaze and said in a raw voice, "Brother Yinan, thank you."


    "Good night." Qin Yinan smiled kindly at Song Qingchun before leaving the bedroom. As he closed the door, Qin Yinan added in constion, "Song Song, don¡¯t dwell on it."


    The moment Qin Yinan closed the door, the tears started to fall once more. She didn¡¯t want to dwell on it either... but she couldn¡¯t help herself.


    When she heard Su Zhinian tell her about Song Cheng, she was really deeply touched, and she threw caution to the wind and confessed to him. In her mind, the worst scenario was that he would reject her, and they wouldn¡¯t able to be friends anymore. She had thought that she could suffer through that possibility.


    However, when it really happened, she realized she had overestimated herself and had underestimated the depth of her feelings toward him.


    Song Qingchun blinked continuously, and the tears in her eyes fell like rain.


    She cried all the tears that could possibly be stored in her body out that night, and she thought she wouldn¡¯t be able to produce anymore tears, but the tears kept on falling.


    ...


    Qin Yinan stood outside his bedroom door and could hear Song Qingchun¡¯s interrupted and muffled crying through the wooden door clearly.


    At a point, through the tears, he heard her mumble a name. Even though the name was mangled by her tears and raw throat, he still managed to catch it.


    "Su Zhinian."


    Even though he didn¡¯t know for certain what had happened between her and Su Zhinian that night, he believed Song Song had truly fallen for Su Zhinian.


    After he hauled her home when she drank herself into a stupor at MIX, she didn¡¯t know this, but when he was taking care of her, in her inebriated state, she had mumbled Su Zhinian¡¯s incessantly through the night.

 Chapter 513: He Is Not a Possibility for You (7)

    Chapter 513: He Is Not a Possibility for You (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Su... Su... Zhinian..."


    Another ¡¯Su Zhinian¡¯ filtered through door and her tears.


    Qin Yinan suddenly felt a part of his heart break; the pain knocked the breath out of himpletely.


    Was there a more painful experience in the world than regret?


    When he was hospitalized, he should not have opened Pandora¡¯s box, but he did. After he found out about all the wrongs that he had identally done by her throughout the years, he desperately wanted topensate, to make amends, but... at that time, he realized the girl no longer needed hispensation or amends.


    The girl who traded poems with him was his first real love; it was the most beautiful dream he had ever been a part of. But at the end of day, no matter how beautiful it was, it was ultimately just a dream.


    He still wanted to live in that wonderful dream, but the girl had moved on, taking the colors of the dream with her, forcing him toe face to face with the cruel reality.


    So, what should he do now?


    He knew the answer perfectly well, because he had answered that question a long time ago in a poem when he was still a teen.


    "May you hold my hand in love andpanionship, but may good fortune hold yours in parting and solitude."


    He mouthed this promise that he had made several years ago soundlessly before slowly leaning against the wooden door. As the sound of crying continued to drift into his ears, a heavy shade of pain floated across his eyes.


    ...


    It was not only Su Zhinian who stared at Qin Yinan as he hugged Song Qingchun into his car. The other spectator was Tang Nuan, who had not contacted Qin Yinan for the past four months.


    She spotted Qin Yinan¡¯s car sh by her on her way home.


    Actually, over the past few months, it was untrue that she had not met Qin Yinan at social events. However, since he had shown no signs of wanting to apologize to her, she also ignored him.


    Perhaps due to the alcohol in her acting up, as she stared at his passing car that drifted away through the rear-view mirror, for a reason that she couldn¡¯t exin to herself, she made a sharp U-turn and gave chase after Qin Yinan¡¯s car.


    She saw him park beside a restaurant, and through the bright window, she followed him as he walked to stand beside a table. After a long time, she saw him pull the person copsed on top of table up and helped her lovingly, gently wiping away her tears.


    Even though the woman was facing away from her and she could not get a clear view, from the way she was dressed and her back, she recognized the woman as the hated Song Qingchun with just one nce.


    Qin Yinan lowered his head to whisper something to Song Qingchun. Even though Tang Nuan could not get a good look of Qin Yinan¡¯s face, from the pose and manner she was most familiar with, she knew he must have beenforting her to the best of his ability. After all, she had faked many tantrums throughout the years they had been together to make himfort her.


    He held her shoulders as they walked out of the restaurant. Simr to what happened before at MIX, he pulled the door open for her, helped her with the seatbelt, and passed her a bottle of water, which he had fetched from the trunk. Qin Yinan¡¯s attention and kindness toward Song Qingchun were overflowing in these actions.


    Once upon a time, it was Song Qingchun who had stood watching as he did all those things for Tang Nuan, but things had changed, and she found herself in the spectator seat.


    When Qin Yinan started his car engine and drove away, somethingpelled Tang Nuan to tail his car.


    She did not expect that Qin Yinan would take Song Qingchun to his home.


    A great wave of anger and jealousy swallowed her up like a tsunami.

 Chapter 514: He Is Not a Possibility for You (8)

    Chapter 514: He Is Not a Possibility for You (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    When they were in high school, it was due to Song Qingchun that she had been pped in the face by Su Zhinian, who she adored.


    It was because of that she decided to steal Song Qingchun¡¯s crush from right under her nose. Through the years, she had made use of Qin Yinan to beat Song Qingchun, to make her feel better about herself... but now, even Qin Yinan, who she thought she already had wrapped around her finger, had started to drift away from her and started to circle around Song Qingchun!


    Tang Nuan¡¯s knuckles that gripped the steering wheel were white. Staring at the light in Qin Yinan¡¯s room, her eyes shed with animosity and venom.


    ...


    The vehemence of Su Zhinian¡¯s rejection deterred Song Qingchun from looking for him. That night, he told her to stop appearing in his sight and that was what she did.


    After she loosened her grip on his sleeve that night and he left without turning back, he had not seen her again.


    Yes, he had not seen her again, but she could still see him every day.


    The business news on the television and newspapers would report on Su Zhinian or Su Zhinian¡¯spany often, and his picture or video would appear alongside the report.


    In front of the camera, he was still the same, hard to get close to andpletely devoid of emotion. During the rare asions when he agreed to be interviewed, his answers were brief and to the point.


    Even though they had not met since that night, she believed he was surviving just fine. Hispany had purchased a family business with decades of history; hispany¡¯s products were still sat on top of the sales charts; hispany¡¯s shares had risen eighteen times in the past month alone... He was on his way to being named the man of the year, so how could he not be surviving just fine?


    But what about her?


    To be frank, Song Qingchun had to admit things were going well for her as well. Under Zheng Hao¡¯s guidance, Song Empire was growing; Song Menghwa¡¯s physical condition was getting better; she had gained nine headlines in the past month, surpassing the record made by Tang Nuan; Station TW¡¯s news anchor was taking a pregnancy leave starting from next week, and the station manager had told her the spot was probably hers; thepany had a worker¡¯s holiday trip in July to Paris, and she shopped to her heart¡¯s content there...


    This was probably the luckiest she had ever been since Song Cheng¡¯s death. However, she did not feel one bit of happiness.


    Every day, Su Zhinian would pop up in her mind. Sometimes, in the middle ofughing, an urge to break down and cry would assault her. Whenever she walked the streets and saw couples holding hands on dates, like a crazy person, she would imagine herself and Su Zhinian in that same position.


    Nevertheless, no matter how sad the ending was between them, it was still an ending.


    Compared to six years ago, when she pointed at his nose and chased him out, when he left a check on the table and left, this separation had a deeper sense of finality to it.


    They say that time is the best medicine.


    From the summer in June to autumn in November, three whole months had passed, one hundred days. However, the wounds in her heart did not close up. In fact, they only tore open even more.


    He had fabricated a wonderful dream around her. The dream was over, but she still found herself unable to wake up from it.

 Chapter 515: He Is Not a Possibility for You (9)

    Chapter 515: He Is Not a Possibility for You (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    That night, he had already told her clearly that he did not need her to wait for him. The message was still in her mind, but she still waited dumbly for him to return.


    She had stolen away to take a peek at him by camping under hispany, just as she had done when she first reached out to him to help Song Empire. However, unlike that time, she did not rush forward to block him whenever he appeared.


    Instead, she would scurry behind the trashcan, behind the telephone post, behind the street lights, deadly afraid that he might spot her. There were two times when he walked past her hiding ce, and she was close enough to him that she could hear the familiar footsteps and voice. Both times, the palpitation in her heart made her attention waver, and she stood there for a long time before she was herself again.


    In spite of everything, they still identally came across each other that one time.


    It was the entrance to Beijing Hotel. She was walking in, and he was going out. He was surrounded by a group in suits and ties, and she was all alone.


    Their paths crossed, and the man in a ck suit was as handsome as ever. Her eyes merely nced at him for a moment before her heart tightened up, and she stopped breathing.


    He turned around to tell Cheng Qingchong something. His every move spoke of the majesty of an emperor.


    When they walked past each other, there was about two meters between them. He turned slightly her way, but she could not tell whether he had actually seen her or not, because he dashed past her like a st of wind, leaving behind only the faint smell of cologne that he usually wore.


    Her steps halted, and she froze for a long time before she slowly turned her body around to see him bend over and get into his car.


    That day, she stood like a dummy in Beijing Hotel¡¯s lobby for a long time. The pedestrians on the street eitherughed at her, pointed at her, or frowned at her. It got so much attention that the waiter had to walk out from the restaurant to ask her if she needed any help.


    She came to slowly and shook her head at the waiter. She thanked him before walking toward the elevator. After the elevator door closed, her eyes started to well up.


    Her love toward him had not decreased, but in his eyes, she had be nothing more than a stranger. Her days without him were colorless and boring.


    Many times, there was a smile on her face even though her heart was weeping.


    One day, as the clock struck midnight, she received a call from Qin Yinan, and that call changed her life forever.


    ...


    In the public¡¯s eyes, these three months were the most glorious period of Su Zhinian¡¯s life; he had reached so many milestones. However, only the man himself knew how meaningless his life was behind the glittering fa?ade.


    He returned to his original state, eating alone, sitting at home alone, spacing out alone, and tailing behind her silently to quench his desire to see her.


    ording to the news, he had done many things worth celebrating recently, but if he was being frank, he really did not know what was there to celebrate.

 Chapter 516: He Is Not a Possibility for You (10)

    Chapter 516: He Is Not a Possibility for You (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The only things worth remembering were when she dropped her wallet, and he controlled her mind to pick it back up; when she had her eyes on a ne alongside another woman, and he controlled the other woman to surrender the ne to her; when she was waiting for a taxi by the roadside, and the wind blew up her dress, but she didn¡¯t realize it, so he controlled her mind to put her hand over her dress...


    He also remembered using his super-hearing to listen to the sound she made as her hands were pressed over her stomach as she suffered from her painful periods, the affection in her voice as she discussed hertest favorite movie with her colleagues, the sound she made as she camped herself outside of hispany, her voice on her phone as she queued for coffee...


    Many times, he pulled out his phone to reread the many messages they had shared over the years. In the end, he would feelpelled to send her a message to check up on her, but he nevermitted to it.


    On Valentine¡¯s Day, he had already typed "Happy Valentines", but he did not send it. Instead, he switched to the old phone that he had not taken out for a long time to send her a holiday greeting.


    Her response was still the same. She sent him many replies in return, and they all revolved around his identity and her request to meet him in person. He did not reply and stared at the phone, spacing out for a long time. When he was about to switch off the phone, another message from her came. This time it was an unusual message, or at least, it was not about his identity. "I¡¯ve fallen in love with someone, but that person doesn¡¯t love me."


    A simple sentence made his heart quake with so much pain that he bent over clutching his chest.


    He did not do anything; he definitely could not reply. What he did was press the shutdown button immediately.


    He could hear the sound of screams in his blood and soul, saying, I love you, I love you, I love you!


    Was his life happy?


    No.


    Was his life painful?


    Yes.


    However, no matter how unhappy and how painful life was, it had to go on.


    Regardless, there were indeed changes to his lifepared to before he signed that one-hundred-day contract with Song Qingchun.


    For one, the time he spent ying mah-jongg at Eldorado had increased tremendously. Before this, Tang Nuo could pull him out of hisir no matter how hard he tried, but now, Tang Nuo felt like ghosting Su Zhinian whenever he saw the man¡¯s caller ID appear on his phone.


    It was not that he was suddenly bitten by the mah-jongg bug, but Su Zhinian felt like he might go crazy if he stayed at home and stared at the wall alone any longer. He needed to find something to do after he had finished all his work-rted assignments.


    On the night of November 18th, he had a business meeting at Beijing Hotel. It ended at about 8.30 pm, and like usual, he had asked Tang Nuo out for a game at Eldorado.


    At the dinner table, CEO Yang brought along his new secretary. She was a pretty girl and looked like Song Qingchun from certain angle. She also happened to wear a pastel yellow dress that Song Qingchun also owned, so when she sat down, he could not help himself but nce several times her way.


    Of course, this did not go unnoticed by the people seated at the table. CEO Yang saw this happen under his gaze, and he made a note of it in his heart. When the meeting reached its midpoint, he leaned into his secretary¡¯s ear and used a voice only loud enough for the both of them to hear. "Go entertain CEO Su, this deal is all on you."


    The female secretary nodded and raised her ss of white wine to direct it at Su Zhinian, saying, "CEO Su, cheers."


    Everyone in the business knew, other than the female bosses who handled big investments, Su Zhinian would not drink with any females.

 Chapter 517: A Passionate Night (1)

    Chapter 517: A Passionate Night (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Cheng Qingchong naturally knew of this habit of his. Normally, she would step in to take the invitation instead, lest the situation became too awkward.


    This time, she was about to do that as well, but she merely reached her wine ss and had not said anything when Su Zhinian suddenly reached for the ss of water before him and clinked it against the secretary¡¯s ss before sipping it gracefully.


    Even though Su Zhinian did not say anything, this action of his made CEO Yang grin widely, and Cheng Qingchong stared at him with shock.


    Su Zhinian agreed to the social convention not because he liked the deal but because the secretary looked a bit like Song Qingchun. The secretary tried to get him to drink with her after that, but Su Zhinian had returned to his usual self.


    Perhaps because secretary looked too much like Song Qingchun, Su Zhinian found himself missing Song Qingchun dearly that night at the dining table. His attention drifted from the discussion and went out of the room trying to search for her voice.


    To her surprise, within the same building, although he did not find her voice, he did stumble across the voice of a familiar figure.


    It was Song Menghwa.


    He too was having dinner at Beijing Hotel. It sounded like it was a reunion between old friends, and Song Menghwa was talking about his daughter.


    "That daughter of mine recently became TW Station¡¯s news anchor," Song Menghwa said in a voiceced with pride.


    "Oh yes, I know, I¡¯ve seen her broadcast. I¡¯ve not seen your daughter for so many years, and she has grown into a beautiful woman."


    Song Menghwaughed from the praise. It was obvious that he was enjoying thepany.


    "But, Ol¡¯ Song, your daughter is reaching the age to get married, right? Or is she already someone¡¯s wife?"


    "No, unfortunately, not yet." There was disappointment in Song Menghwa¡¯s reply.


    "Ol¡¯ Song, what is that disappointment in your voice? Something¡¯s bothering you?


    "Ol¡¯ Song, you shouldn¡¯t be worried. Your daughter is so beautiful, so I¡¯m sure she has many suitors.


    "Or are you filtering through them to look for one that could match the Song family¡¯s standard? Ol¡¯ Song, you shouldn¡¯t meddle in young people¡¯s business."


    "What kind of person do you think I am?" Song Menghwa said in a mock-injured voice before turning serious. "I only wish that the person is good to my daughter. If he can do that, even if he wants Song Empire, I will dly hand it over to him."


    "Ol¡¯ Song, you¡¯re still the same after so many years, always pampering that daughter of yours.


    "Then Ol¡¯ Song, is your daughter still looking for her Mr. Right? Do you need us to help introduce?"


    "Thanks, but that won¡¯t be necessary, I already have the perfect candidate in mind, and all of you know that person," Song Menghwa said mysteriously.


    "Who is it?"


    "Stop teasing us already, tell us, whose family¡¯s son is this?"


    "Who else can it be? It¡¯s Ol¡¯ Qin¡¯s son!" Song Menghwa answered.


    "Ol¡¯ Qin?" someone asked before adding. "His son, if I remember correctly, is an upstanding young man and a close friend of Song Cheng, right? What¡¯s his name again? Qin... Qin something Nan..."


    "Qin Yinan."


    When Song Menghwa uttered those two words, Su Zhinian¡¯s hand shook, and the cup he held in his hand suddenly fell onto the table.


    The hot water in it sshed all over the table and his shirt sleeves.


    His fair skin was scalded red; however, he merely sat immobile in his seat, staring nkly ahead like he could not feel the pain.

 Chapter 518: A Passionate Night (2)

    Chapter 518: A Passionate Night (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    When they saw this, the people at the table started to speak over each other, trying to prove their ¡¯concern¡¯.


    "CEO Su, are you okay?"


    "CEO Su, what¡¯s wrong?"


    Cheng Qingchong, who sat beside Su Zhinian, pulled out a napkin and asked with sincere concern, "CEO Su, are you hurt?"


    As she said so, she passed the napkin to Su Zhinian. Su Zhinian, though, continued to stare ahead,pletely ignoring the chaos around him.


    "His skin is red. Quickly get the waiter to bring some balm or ointment." CEO Zhang, who sat somewhat close to Su Zhinian, immediately turned to call the waiter.


    "Get a cold towel first," CEO Su chimed in.


    Cheng Qingchong noticed that Su Zhinian had not reacted in any way, so she leaned in to whisper, "CEO Su?"


    The smell of Cheng Qingchong¡¯s perfume caused Su Zhinian¡¯s brows to crease as he turned to Cheng Qingchong.


    "CEO Su, is your wrist hurt?" Cheng Qingchong asked softly as she met his gaze and passed him the napkin that she had held in her palm for a long time already.


    Su Zhinian was dazed before his pupils gradually fell on his wrist, and when he saw that red area on his skin, confusion shed across his eyes.


    When did this happen? Why didn¡¯t I feel anything?


    The waiter came into the room with the ordered cold towel. He presented it to Su Zhinian with both hands, saying, "Sir."


    Su Zhinian stared at his burned skin and did not respond like he was deep in thought.


    The waiter prompted again before raising his eyes to seek help from the nearby Cheng Qingchong.


    Cheng Qingchong reached out to take the towel and ced it over Su Zhinian¡¯s wrist. "CEO Su, let the wound chill first."


    Before the towel touched his skin, Su Zhinian moved his hand away and said lightly, "Not necessary."


    He raised his head to look at the tableful of people. He pushed the chair behind him as he stood up and announced, "Consider this dinner my treat, enjoy the meal, I have to leave first because something came up."


    What happened? What is behind this sudden change in CEO Su?


    The people at the table looked at each other with confusion before calling out in unison.


    "CEO Su."


    "CEO Su."


    Following the wave of ¡¯CEO Su¡¯s, Cheng Qingchong stood up and said in a raised voice, "CEO Su, I¡¯ll go with..."


    As if knowing what she was going to say, Su Zhinian bent over to grab his phone on the table and ordered softly, "You stay behind to take care of the bill."


    Before waiting for the response, he grabbed his coat hanging on the back of his chair and slipped out.


    Su Zhinian ran into another person as he walked out the elevator. When the other person apologized to him, he still gave no response but continued to walk toward Beijing Hotel¡¯s entrance with a nk face.


    Su Zhinian stood before Beijing Hotel¡¯s glittering revolving door for a moment before turning to the convenience store attached to the hotel to purchase a pack of cigarettes.


    Leaning against themp post, Su Zhinian lit one of the cigarettes. This was the first cigarette he had ever smoked in his life, and it made him cough violently.


    Eventually, the coughs got so severe that tears spilled out of his eyes.

 Chapter 519: A Passionate Night (3)

    Chapter 519: A Passionate Night (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    After Su Zhinian left, Cheng Qingchong called to inform the driver.


    When the driver saw Su Zhinian, he walked over immediately. "Mr. Su."


    Su Zhinian was bent over coughing before he straightened himself. Under the singlemp post, the lines of the man¡¯s face were carved by the lights enhancing his handsomeness; however, at the bottom of his eyes, a red light was glowering.


    The driver staggered back a few steps, startled by what he saw. After a moment, he asked cautiously, "Mr. Su, are you okay?"


    Why are so many people asking me that question tonight?


    Su Zhinianughed at the absurdity of the question as he tossed the cigarette box in his hands to the driver and opened his palm at him, saying, "Car key."


    ...


    Su Zhinian did not know where he was going; he just drove through the busy Beijing streets aimlessly. The traffic at 8 pm was rather congested, and Su Zhinian was either honking for others to move, or others were doing the same to him.


    As night drew close, the number of cars on the streets gradually dipped, and the speed of Su Zhinian¡¯s car increased. He drove all around the city and only drove off the main street when his tank almost hit the bottom.


    Su Zhinian drove on the side street, looking for the next gas station. After filling the tank, Su Zhinian drove away from the station, and he only got onto the street when therge billboard on the skyscraper before him started to y the news from that morning.


    "Good morning, thank you for tuning in to TW Station. I¡¯m your host, Song Qingchun."


    Song Qingchun in her professional get-up was making her introduction with a smile. She looked gorgeous and knowledgeable.


    Su Zhinian stepped on the gas pedal subconsciously, and he raised his head to stare at Song Qingchun on screen through the wind-shield.


    When Song Qingchun still stayed at his bungalow, for some inexplicable reason, they once chatted about her professional dream.


    She was munching on an apple at the time and told him in that jokingly arrogant ways of hers that if she was to be a news anchor, she would be the most beautiful and graceful news anchor in the world. Then she tilted her head to the side and asked him, "Am I right?"


    At the time, he was seated at the sofa with a cup of tea in his hand. When he heard that question, he turned around to look at the girl syed ungracefully on top of the sofa with one of her legs dangling off the coffee table. His lips twitched, and he lowered his gaze to look at the tea leaves swirling at the bottom of his cup. Then, he silenced his conscience and lied, "Yes."


    Now, she finally became the news anchor that she always dreamed of... and as he looked at her through the screen, he had to admit, she was right. She was indeed a paragon of grace and beauty.


    However, that beauty and grace was not his to enjoy; she would soon be Mrs. Qin...


    He could never be with her, and he knew she could not wait for him forever; eventually, she would have to marry. However, he did not expect that news of her marriage would arrive so soon. In just three months from their separation, she was going to be in the white dress soon.


    Even though the wedding date was not confirmed, from the conviction in Song Menghwa¡¯s words, Su Zhinian was certain this nuptial between Qin Yinan and Song Qingchun merely needed a formality to make it official.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s chest suddenly shrank, the pain causing him to wheeze out a deep breath.


    Qin Yinan is good to her, and they do match each other. Furthermore, Qin Yinan is slowly climbing hispany ranks, and he¡¯s good at his job, so if he takes over Song Empire, it will definitely continue to thrive...

 Chapter 520: A Passionate Night (4)

    Chapter 520: A Passionate Night (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    He had once tried to push them together, and now that they were finally together, it was something worth celebrating.


    He should have been d... but Su Zhinian felt like someone had shed his chest open with a knife and reached in to grab his heart and pull it out. The pain caused all the color to drain from his face, and his perfectly trimmed brows creased deeply.


    There were cars that came oning from behind him. Since his car blocked one of thenes, many drivers honked in irritation or rolled down their windows to curse at him when they drove past him. However, Su Zhinian sat in his car like he did not hear anything with his eyes glued to the billboard screen.


    The newssted thirty minutes, and his car blocked the traffic for thirty minutes. It was not until Song Qingchun smiled and bade the viewers goodbye that he lowered his head and looked at the street before him.


    The light had just turned red, so he leaned back in the seat and waited with a nk expression. As the light turned green and he was going to step on the oil, his phone rang.


    It was from Tang Nuo.


    "I say, Big CEO Su, are you still on for the game or not? You¡¯re the host, but you¡¯re more than three hourste. What are you nning exactly?"


    Su Zhinian interrupted his friend and answered the first question Tang Nuo posed. "I¡¯m going."


    "But, it¡¯s already 11 pm, and we still need to work tomorrow, so why don¡¯t we call it..."


    Before Tang Nuo could finish, Su Zhinian hung up. When he reached Eldorado, there was only Tang Nuo in the game room.


    "Can¡¯t help it, it¡¯s already toote; the other two were called home by their wives..." Tang Nuo started to exin when he saw how nched Su Zhinian¡¯s face was. He stopped talking and stared at him for a while before asking, "Are you okay?"


    Su Zhinian dumped himself on the nearest sofa and grabbed the remote to turn on the television. The quiet room was soon filled with the sound from the television.


    Tang Nuo looked at Su Zhinian before shrugging and walked over. Even though he knew Su Zhinian had sworn off alcohol for half a year already, he joked, "Feeling down? How about a drink or two to drown your sorrows?"


    Su Zhinian raised his head to look at him and nodded. "Sure."


    Tang Nuo was stunned. He blinked multiple times before asking in shock, "You¡¯re kidding right? You said okay?"


    Su Zhinian did not say anything but reached out for the drinks menu on the coffee table.


    Tang Nuo¡¯s eyes were wide open. He sat down beside the man and pressed, "Hey, haven¡¯t you sworn off alcohol for Song Qingchun? Why are you falling off the wagon now?"


    Su Zhinian continued to ignore Tang Nuo and reached for the service phone to call the waiter.


    He doesn¡¯t look like he¡¯s joking... For Su Zhinian, he could betray anyone in this world but Song Qingchun. The promise he made her is practically worth gold, so what¡¯s happening now?


    The waiter strode in, disrupting Tang Nuo¡¯s thoughts. Su Zhinian waved the waiter over and started ordering from the menu. He ordered beer, champagne, red wine, white wine, and even vodka.


    Tang Nuo was dazed for a long time before he recovered and immediately pulled the drink list away from Su Zhinian¡¯s hands. He then told the waiter, "That¡¯s enough, thank you."


    Soon after, the waiter returned with the alcohol order.

 Chapter 521: A Passionate Night (5)

    Chapter 521: A Passionate Night (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Various alcohol bottles of differing sizes filled the entire table. Before the waiter could ask which one he should open, Su Zhinian answered, "Open all of them."


    After the waiter left, Su Zhinian grabbed the closest bottle without looking at thebel, raised it at Tang Nuo, tipped his head back, and downed the drink.


    ...


    Qin Yinan apanied his boss on a business dinner thatsted until 1 am. His boss staggered out of the building, and his words were slurred. As Qin Yinan held his boss and supported him out, his boss repeated the story of how he started from nothing three times.


    His boss¡¯ driver was already waiting at the entrance to Eldorado. With the driver¡¯s help, Qin Yinan helped his boss get into the car. After his boss left in his car, Qin Yinan pulled his car key from his pocket and walked toward the parking lot.


    He had walked for about fifty meters when he heard the sound of someone vomiting. He turned toward the sound subconsciously and saw a man doubled over, holding a tree with his hand, and spilling his guts out.


    When Qin Yinan walked past the man, he nced at him. There was probably nothing left in the man¡¯s stomach because the stuff leaving his mouth seemed to be bile.


    The man was facing away from Qin Yinan, and he only looked at him once before turning his head away. He felt the man look familiar, but he was not one to intervene into another¡¯s business, so he left in a hurry.


    He only took two steps when Qin Yinan heard the sound of a loud thud. When he turned into the parking lot, he turned back to look, and the man had copsed to the floor. The man seemed to be trying to get up, but even using the tree as support, he still continued to slip and fall.


    Just as Qin Yinan was hesitating whether to go and help, the man suddenly turned his head around. Through the dim street lights, Qin Yinan saw a familiar face stare at him.


    Su Zhinian... that man is usually so kept together. Why has him drunk himself into this state?


    After a moment¡¯s daze, Qin Yinan walked over and bent down to grab Su Zhinian¡¯s arm to pull him off the floor. "CEO Su, what happened to you?"


    Su Zhinian stumbled in his grasp before finally steadying himself and slowly turning his head around to look at him.


    It was probably the alcohol acting up because Su Zhinian stared at him for a long time before finally slurring out a question. "Who... who are you?"


    As Su Zhinian opened his lips, the heavy stench of alcohol hit Qin Yinan on his face, causing thetter to hold his breath.


    Just how much did he drink?


    Qin Yinan slowed down his tone and answered, "CEO Su, I¡¯m Qin Yinan."


    He might have imagined it, but when Qin Yinan offered his name, Su Zhinian¡¯s face suddenly darkened. He stared at him for a while before slowing turning back around as he uttered a slow "Oh."


    The next second, he suddenly doubled over and started to dry heave.


    Qin Yinan waited until Su Zhinian stopped vomiting before saying, "CEO Su, where do you live? I¡¯ll drive you home..."


    Before Qin Yinan could finish, with his head still lowered, Su Zhinian mumbled, "Treat her well..."

 Chapter 522: A Passionate Night (6)

    Chapter 522: A Passionate Night (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Even though he was drunk beyond belief... Even though his hair and clothes were a mess... Even though there were dried vomit flecks still stuck to his chest... Even though his words were slurred from the alcohol... Even though Qin Yinan could not catch what he really said... When he said those few words, Qin Yinan still managed to sense the intense mncholy radiating from his whole body.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s hand shook, holding Su Zhinian¡¯s arm. He responded before asking, "CEO Su, what did you say?"


    "Treat her well..." Su Zhinian continued repeating himself as if he didn¡¯t hear Qin Yinan. "Treat her well... You have to treat her well..."


    When Qin Yinan had a clearer listen, his fingers started to shake.


    CEO Su is talking in his drunk state? Treat her well? Who is she? Who would have thought this seemingly aloof man has such a fiery heart?


    "...Do you know how much I envy you?" Before the thoughts could settle in Qin Yinan¡¯s mind, Su Zhinian continued to mumble. "If possible, I will give up everything to trade ces with you... that way I can finally love her openly..."


    Before Su Zhinian could wheeze out the ¡¯and freely¡¯, he started to cough, but there was nothing inside him that he could vomit out anymore. He was so ufortable in this state, and his body started to shiver.


    "...Do you know how much I yearn to love her?" The man, who finally stopped coughing, stared at the ground quietly before he began softly again. "...She is the only thing that I would give up my life to protect, so I really don¡¯t want to give you the opportunity...


    "But..."


    Qin Yinan did not know what Su Zhinian was talking about; he only felt the man was in the throes of despair. He wanted to cut him off, but for some reason, whenever Qin Yinan wanted to stop him, the words reached his mouth and stopped. So, he just stood up, supporting him, and listening quietly.


    "...But, I cannot. She deserves all the love and kindness in the world, and I cannot deprive that from her by contaminating her with my impurity and obscenity.


    "So... you have to treat her well, you have to.


    "If... if you dare do wrong by her..." Su Zhinian, who grumbled sadly and softly with his head lowered, suddenly raised his head. His bloodshot eyes that red at Qin Yinan were filled with viciousness. "...I will make you pay!"


    Even though Qin Yinan knew Su Zhinian was drunk and was mumbling nonsense, when that fiendish gaze fell on him, his heart still trembled with fear.


    Su Zhinian did not continue saying anymore threats. His eyes, fixed on Qin Yinan, started to waver, and his head slowly drooped.


    Qin Yinan saw his lips move, but the breeze of the autumn night carried the words away from Qin Yinan¡¯s ears. He only managed to pick out isted words like "Ting" and "love". When the wind stopped blowing, he finally managed to catch aplete sentence. "d to have found you, sorry to have found you."


    The duo was silent for a long time before Qin Yinan uttered, "CEO Su, where do you live?"


    Su Zhinian wasplete lost. He did not answer.


    Qin Yinan turned to look at the glittering fa?ade of Eldorado. After some contemtion, he turned and dragged Su Zhinian back toward it.

 Chapter 523: A Passionate Night (7)

    Chapter 523: A Passionate Night (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The breeze blew up the fallen leaves that soon covered up the mess Su Zhinian had made by the tree.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s words had been blown away by the wind. "Tingting, I love you dearly, but my love can only be silent. However, I¡¯m d to have found you, sorry to have found you."


    ...


    With the waiter¡¯s help, Qin Yinan supported Su Zhinian back into Eldorado¡¯s guest room and dropped him on the sofa.


    As the waiter was leaving, Qin Yinan called him. He nced at Su Zhinian sprawled on the sofa, walked toward the waiter, and led him out of the room.


    Once outside, he pulled out several notes from his wallet and passed them alongside the card of the room to the waiter. "Please wait here for twenty minutes, when a girl by the name of Song Qingchun arrives, pass the room card to her."


    The waiter nced at the notes underneath the card and nodded. "Yes, sir."


    "Thank you." Qin Yinan thanked him and nced at the closed door onest time before taking his leave. Before he stepped into the elevator, he made a call.


    Song Qingchun was probably asleep; the call rang for a very long time before it was picked up. "Hello?"


    "Song Song." Qin Yinan uttered Song Qingchun¡¯s name as he walked into the elevator.


    "Brother Yinan?" Song Qingchun sounded drowsy on the phone. She probably nced at the clock before asking in a coarse voice, "Why are you calling me sote at night? Has something happened?"


    "Yes," Qin Yinan answered and was silent for a few seconds before continuing. "Song Song, I ran into Su Zhinian at Eldorado."


    The other end of the phone was silent. After about one minute, she muttered, "Okay."


    "Erm... he is very drunk... and alone. I got a room for him at Eldorado, but I am unable to take care of him because I¡¯m here with my boss, and he is also in a state. I have to send my boss home, so I wonder, do you have time or not?"


    There was another stretch of silence on the other end of the line. Qin Yinan, who grew up with her, knew what she was thanking. He understood she wanted toe, but she was hesitating, so he added, "He¡¯s not in a particrly good state. He had too much to drink and has been vomiting all over the ce. I¡¯m afraid that, if no onees to look after him through the night, he might choke on his own vomit."


    "What¡¯s his room number?" Song Qingchun suddenly asked.


    "1805..." Qin Yinan gave her the room and added, "I¡¯ve left the room card with the waiter, and he¡¯s waiting at the room door."


    ...


    After hanging up, Song Qingchun stared at her phone for a long time before throwing her covers off and getting out of bed.


    She put on a simple casual outfit and grabbed her car key and purse before rushing downstairs.


    After leaving her residential area, she mmed on the brake when she passed the 24 hour pharmacy. She picked up her purse and ran into the shop to purchase hangover relief medicine.


    The Song family was close to Eldorado, so it only took Song Qingchun ten minutes to reach it. She tossed the car key to the valet and dashed into the building without even closing the car door.


    ...


    Qin Yinan waited by the roadside and only turned and left after he saw Song Qingchun¡¯s shadow disappear into Eldorado¡¯s lobby.

 Chapter 524: A Passionate Night (8)

    Chapter 524: A Passionate Night (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Qin Yinan got into his car and put on his seatbelt, but he didn¡¯t start the engine. Instead, he turned around to look at Eldorado¡¯s entrance, where people still streamed in and out even though it was already midnight.


    Song Song should have epted the room card and entered Su Zhinian¡¯s room by now, right? Then, she will take extreme care of the drunk Su Zhinian through the night.


    The next morning, when Su Zhinian wakes up, he will think it was Song Song who dragged him off the street and spent the whole night taking care of him.


    Su Zhinian will definitely be touched and appreciative. That will definitely undo the awkwardness that has fallen over them for the past three months.


    That way, I¡¯m sure Song Song will be happy.


    Initially, he did not think about calling Song Qingchun. When he asked where Su Zhinian¡¯s house was the second time and still didn¡¯t get an answer, he turned around to look at Eldorado, and the name Song Qingchun appeared in his mind.


    Ever since three months ago, when he epted the call from Su Zhinian and fetched the crying Song Qingchun home from the restaurant, there had been no interaction between Su Zhinian and her.


    She did not mention that night anymore, and he did not bring it up. On the surface, she looked absolutely normal; she went to work, went with parties with her friends, and had on her usual smile. However, she could never fool him, who had grown up with her.


    Whenever they would go out to eat, she would be smiling, and when the television mentioned Su Zhinian, her smile would freeze, and the usually talkative girl would be suspiciously quiet. She once came over to ask him to join her in an online game. When she blurted out the name ¡¯Su Zhinian¡¯, he noticed her turn her head away and bite on her lower lips.


    The most memorable event, however, happened when he went over to her house to give Song Menghwa some tea leaves. Song Qingchun was having her afternoon nap. When he realized the nket had fallen off, he walked over to pick it up for her. When he got closer, he saw the earbuds in her ears. He quietly removed one and plugged it into his ear because he was curious what she was listening to. Plus, since he had nothing to do while he waited for her to wake up, he had figured why not. He listened to the song for about half an hour, and it kept reying the same song: "We¡¯ve all been forgotten".


    He knew this song well enough because Song Qingchun once told him this was Su Zhinian¡¯s favorite song. He sat on the sofa, staring at her sleeping face for a long time, and left before she even woke up.


    At that time, he finally understood why she would plug in her earphones whenever she was free; it looked like she was whiling time away by listening to music, but it was actually a manifestation of her deep longing for a certain someone.


    Therefore, when the images shed across his mind, he made a decision to book a room for Su Zhinian and had Song Qingchune over to take care of him.


    Song Song has been trying to get close to Su Zhinian but didn¡¯t have the opportunity, so I¡¯ll give her one.


    He had once promised her, "May you hold my hand in love andpanionship, but may good fortune hold yours in parting and solitude."


    But that had been ruined by the appearance of Tang Nuan.


    However, from then on, he would hold onto his promise.


    Qin Yinan pulled his gaze away from Eldorado. He stepped on the gas pedal, and his car slowly left the parking lot.


    I¡¯m merely fulfilling my promise to her; I should beforted, so... what is this prickling sense of pain in the heart?

 Chapter 525: A Passionate Night (9)

    Chapter 525: A Passionate Night (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun epted the room card from the waiter and took several deep breaths before swiping the card on the door and pushing it open.


    Qin Yinan had booked a suite, and only the lights in the living room were on. The doors to the other rooms were open, but they werepletely dark.


    Su Zhinian was leaning against the sofa before the windows with his eyes closed.


    Probably due to the over drinking, his face was startlingly white. The top buttons of his shirt were unbuttoned, revealing his sturdy corbones that glistened under the lights.


    Song Qingchun stood at the door, studying Su Zhinian, before she closed the door quietly behind her and tip-toed toward the sleeping Su Zhinian.


    As she got close, he suddenly stood up from the sofa, causing Song Qingchun to jump back instinctively in shock. Then, she stood there as Su Zhinian staggered all the way toward the bathroom.


    The door to the bathroom was open, and soon, a series of vomiting sound came out from it. Song Qingchun gripped the purse and medicine in her hands tightly before she ced them on the coffee table and wandered into the bathroom.


    He did not switch on the lights, but using the lights from the living room, she could see the man bent over the sink, coughing and vomiting furiously.


    She dashed forward to stand beside him and reached out to pat his back lightly.


    The sound of his coughing gradually dwindled. Eventually, he raised his head to look at the mirror before them. Due to theck of lighting, Song Qingchun could not catch a good look of his face, and she had no idea whether the man in his state was able to recognize her or not.


    He reached out to seek out the faucet. His fingers searched the surface for a long time, but he could not find it. Song Qingchun immediately helped him with it.


    He cupped his palms under the faucet, trying to scoop up the water to gargle his mouth. However, due to his incessant shivering from excessive drinking, the water sshed out of his hands the moment the liquid touched his skin.


    Song Qingchun turned around to switch on the lights in the bathroom. She grabbed the stic mug on the counter, rinsed it twice, filled it with water, and passed it to Su Zhinian.


    In his daze, Su Zhinian epted the mug, but before he could pull it to his lips, the mug slipped from his grip andnded in the sink. Thankfully, the mug was stic or else they would have had another emergency to deal with.


    Song Qingchun fetched the mug from the sink and filled it with water again. This time, she personally put the mug to his lips. After she made sure he had cleaned his mouth, she dragged him out of the bathroom and into the bedroom.


    Song Qingchun ced Su Zhinian on the bed and gave him the medicine before pulling his dirtied shoes and clothes off.


    Even though he was drunk beyond belief and there were no other people in the room, when Song Qingchun saw his muscr chest and abs, her face still blushed shyly. She could not help herself from taking a few extra nces before pulling the nket over him.


    His hand was dangling from the bed. When she reached over to pull it back under the cover, she noticed the wrist was exceptionally red like it was scalded. In fact, when she looked closer, it had started to blister at several ces.


    Song Qingchun stared at his wrist for a moment before grabbing her purse and leaving the room.


    When she returned, Su Zhinian was already asleep. She knelt beside the bed and tenderly used the disinfectant and bandage she just bought from the convenience store to take care of Su Zhinian¡¯s wound.


    The room was quiet. Song Qingchun, who had finished applying the bandage, did not get up from the floor. She stared at his hand for a long time before slowly turning her head up to look toward his face.

 Chapter 526: A Passionate Night (10)

    Chapter 526: A Passionate Night (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Under the faded light of the bedroom, his features were both more pronounced and more chiseled by the coloration of shadows and light. Perhaps due to the alcohol, his already fair skin looked more transparent than usual.


    His whole person had the appearance of a silent statue, no signs of ws or blemishes in sight. Even though his face paled due to the tiredness and drunkenness, the man was still startlingly handsome.


    She had not seen him for three months, but she would see his face every day. In fact, often, she would be able to perfectly draw out his face in her dreams. In spite of the fact his face was forever seared in her mind, when she studied him at such a close distance, Song Qingchun¡¯s breath was still taken away from her.


    The time in the room seemed to have stopped. He slept quietly while she looked over him silently.


    As time passed, the medicine started working its magic. His creased brows started to rx, and his expression was not as tense as before.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s gaze that stared at Su Zhinian started to focus, and her eyes filled with tenderness; even her lips curved involuntarily up into a smile. She could not help but reach out toward his face.


    She was afraid that her touch might wake him, so her fingers were shaking greatly. As her fingertips almost touched his face, she still resigned from fear. She looked at him and swallowed deeply as if cheering herself on. Her fingers began reaching for his face again.


    The moment her skin touched his cheek, a surge of electricity coursed through her body, causing her heart to skip a beat and her finger to shake violently. Then she immediately pulled back her finger. After a long time, she started to whole process again.


    The man was still fast asleep, so her bravery increased. Her fingertips slowly moved to his brows and gently trailed the shape of his eyes beforending on hisshes, his aquiline nose, the line of his jaw, and ending on his beautiful lips.


    His lips were incredibly soft, and there was some degree of warmth left on them. Her fingertips stopped there for a long time, unwilling to move.


    It was not until the night sky outside the window started to see light that his breathing became more steady, and Song Qingchun finally turned to move her eyes that had been staring at the man¡¯s face.


    He should be waking up soon, and since he didn¡¯t vomit anymore after that earlier incident, I doubt he¡¯ll continue to vomit. The sun ising up, so it¡¯s time to leave. He did say, he doesn¡¯t want me to appear in his sight anymore...


    The scene from three months ago when she confessed to him appeared in her mind, and tears threatened to flow down her clear eyes.


    She really did not want to leave, and she prayed vehemently for time to stop there and then. She hoped that he would keep on sleeping; that way, she would be able to be by his side quietly, loyally, and without fear.


    However, that was merely a wish.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes started to well up. She lowered her eyes to suppress the burgeoning sadness in her heart and slowly stood up from the floor.

 Chapter 527: A Passionate Night (11)

    Chapter 527: A Passionate Night (11)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She had been kneeling on the floor for hours, and her legs were numb. When she stood up, she staggered from a cramp, and without anticipating it, Song Qingchun fell right on top of Su Zhinian.


    Her face happened to fall into the small of his neck and the mixture of alcohol and the scent unique to the man coursed into her nostrils. She shivered violently and subconsciously raised her head up; his picturesque face was just inches away from her. Her breathing stopped, and her face started to burn.


    She struggled to climb up from his body, but the pain from her leg cramp stopped her from moving, so she could only lie on top of his body quietly, biting her lower lips, and with her face burning, waiting for the cramp to ease.


    His breathing from his nose would asionally fall on her face, carrying with it a sense of familiar warmth. It tickled her heart and made her unable to look at his face. So, she turned away to look at his ear. Song Qingchun didn¡¯t realize her breathing wasing fast.


    Suddenly, the breathing of the sleeping man started to be heavy. Perhaps she had imagined it, but even though there was a nket between them, Song Qingchun could have sworn she could feel the body temperature of the man rising until to the point where she felt her skin was being scalded. Her legs started to weaken, and her energy was draining out of her body. This feeling made her feel flustered and helpless; it made her want to run. Ignoring the pain from the cramp, she ced her palms on his shoulders and tried to flip her body off of him. However, just as her body left his, someone grabbed her wrist, and she was flipped back on top of the man.


    Her heart shivered greatly, and she hurriedly whipped her head up. The originally sleeping Su Zhinian was staring right at her.


    His usually calm eyes were overflowing with passionate emotions. His gaze was searing, and it was as if two mes were dancing in his eyes. This made Song Qingchun even more nervous; she lowered her face post-haste and tried to muster up some exnation. Her lips opened, but no words became out. In the heat of the moment, she struggled her wrist loose from his grasp and tried once more to escape from him.


    This time before she could move her body away, her waist was locked in ce by his muscr and powerful arms.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart stopped beating, and before she could understand what was happening, he suddenly rolled on top of her, changing their position in bed, with him on top and her cowering underneath his robust figure. Instantly, his powerful presence swept through her whole existence, causing her breath to be caught in her throat.


    Her whole body froze up, and she didn¡¯t dare to even move a muscle. Her pupils darted all over the ce except to look him in the eyes. Her brain was a mess before finally providing her with an exnation. She stammered, "Yes, yesterday you..."


    She merely got out these few words when his tapered fingers grabbed her jaw to force her to look into his eyes. Her heart dropped, but before she could even see his face clearly, his lips suddenly charged toward her and dominated her lips.


    Her eyes were wide open, staring at his face that was literally right before her, and her mind was aplete nk.

 Chapter 528: A Passionate Night (12)

    Chapter 528: A Passionate Night (12)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    His kisses were like desperate attempts to take away her breath, her energy, and her soul. It felt like the world had fallen away and her brain had stopped working; she couldn¡¯t process where she was and what was happening to her.


    It was not until her breath was catching in her throat and his longshes flickered before her eyes that her brain started moving again. He¡¯s kissing me...


    Song Qingchun¡¯s body shivered slightly, and the next second, she felt the man¡¯s force on her lips increase. She could taste his desperation and desire. The feeling continued to grow until it couldn¡¯t be contained anymore.


    An inexplicable desire and yearning exploded from the deepest part of Song Qingchun¡¯s heart. It grew endlessly and wildly.


    This desire was something Song Qingchun had not experienced before; it was strange and animalistic.


    It made her want to run, and with a burst of energy that she couldn¡¯t exin the origin of, she escaped his lips to take in deep breaths of fresh air. With a shaking voice, she wanted to stop him, but she only managed to get out the first word of his name before she felt the man¡¯s fingers on the back of her head as they held her in ce.


    As if afraid that she might squirm away from him again, he held her in with more force and passion. She had no way to run or hide, so she could only suffered his passion passively.


    Their kisses reached such a fever pitch that Song Qingchun felt her consciousness fading. It eventually reached a point where she surrendered to his passion. Without realizing it herself, she closed her eyes and started kissing him back. She reciprocated his kisses by teasing him, closing and opening her lips.


    His tongue soon found its way into her mouth, tangling with her tongue. Song Qingchun felt her body lit up by passion.


    Her frozen body started to be limp and malleable in his grip, and her breathing started to slow and match his rhythm.


    He kissed her until her lips were numb and her mind started to spin. Her breathing seemed to have stopped, and when she thought she was about to die from asphyxiation, she felt his grip on her body loosen.


    However, before she could sigh in relief, his zing lips started to imprint themselves all over her body, causing waves of numbness to surge through her.


    Her body shivered intensely. She could sense the carnal desire in her body and the flustered emotion in her mind.


    She was afraid, but she could not pinpoint the source of her fear. She wanted to push him away, but there was no strength behind her shove.


    While her mind was fighting it out, she realized his fingers had found their way to her back. His teeth bit on the zipper of her clothes and she could feel the air touch her bare skin as he pulled his head back.


    Theshes of her closed eyes trembled violently, and her hands gripped the mattress underneath her tightly.


    She bit on her lower lip instinctively.

 Chapter 529: A Passionate Night (13)

    Chapter 529: A Passionate Night (13)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    His and her clothes started to fall off the bed like leaves, and soon, the floor of the bedroom was covered with their deposited clothes. Thest fabric that was tossed off the bed was the bed cover.


    Finally, there was nothing between them but their bare skin.


    When he saw the fear and helplessness on her face, there was a hue of tenderness that appeared in his eyes. He slowly reached out to hold her face and started to calm her with his gentle and loving kisses.


    Her fear and nervousness gradually fell away with his help. She hadpletely fallen into his seduction.


    He sensed her reciprocation and slowly moved his lips away from her face and down her body.


    The heat in the middle of his palm crossed her bare skin, leaving behind trails of me, scorching her skin and igniting her heart.


    As his hands danced over her skin, she couldn¡¯t help but moan, stimted by his touch. The sound broke hisst vestige of inhibition, and he soon sought entrance.


    The first sensation that she felt was pain, causing a single tear to flow out of the corner of her eye.


    He forced himself to slow down as he bent down to kiss away her tear. After he made sure she had gotten used to his presence, he brought her along with him to the heights of carnal pleasure. The world was theirs to enjoy. The atmosphere in the room started to be tense and heavy as if a heatwave was surging through it.


    The three months of unhappiness between them dissolved easily. In fact, when she reached the climax of pleasure, she groaned involuntarily, and his name escaped from her lips.


    "Su Zhinian... Su Zhinian..."


    On top of her usual soft tone, there was a hoarse, animalistic growl in it. It caused his whole body to shake, and he felt a part of him start to grow. As his sweat fell on her face, he couldn¡¯t help but grunt her name in response. "Tingting..."


    Her senses were over-simted, causing her brain to slow down in the process. When she heard his passionate yet gentle grunt, something sensuous within her appeared, and her hands that had been grabbing the mattress loosened to mp around the man¡¯s sturdy waist.


    Her active response caused a wildfire reaction in his mind and body. Both of their sweat-licked bodies started to shake, and their breathing had started to intermingle. As they both approached climax, the sound of his snarling grunt reached her ears once more.


    Her hands on his waist started to w into his skin, andpelled by the heat surging through her body, she tossed her head to reach toward his lips. However, at that moment, she heard falling from his kissable lips, that name again. "Tingting..."


    That name broke through the haze of their carnal pleasure. Her body froze, and with her head still tipped upwards, her eyes open. A fatally attractive face opened up before her eyes.


    Her heart shuddered, and she saw his lips move once more. "Tingting..."


    This time, she not only heard it clearly but also saw it clearly.


    He¡¯s calling Tingting... Tingting... the name of the woman who has been dominating his heart.


    The blood on her face drained, and her head fell heavily on top of the pillow.


    They were in the middle of the most intimate moment between two humans, but another woman¡¯s name escaped from his lips.


    Heat seeped instantly out of Song Qingchun¡¯s body, and she felt like she was suddenly dropped into the coldest of winter nights without a single item of clothing on. The chilling, raging winds sent chills all over her body, freezing her previously boiling blood in just a mere second.

 Chapter 530: A Passionate Night (14)

    Chapter 530: A Passionate Night (14)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    All the passion oozed out of every cell in her body. Suddenly, she felt dirty and exposed. A pain gripped her heart so intensely that she could not breathe. She tried to move away to catch her breath, but she realized with a start that her body waspletely immobile.


    As if frozen into space, she stared at his passionate face for a long time before her eyes finally moved, and tears gradually fell from her eyes, trailed down her face, and dropped into her ears.


    Her grasp on his waist gradually loosened in strength and fell limply on the bed.


    There were a few seconds during the whole process when her heart surged with joy. In fact, the rational part of her brain that was still functioning thought for a moment that tonight was going to be the night they could bury the hatchet, and he would finally fall in love with her.


    Now, she realized, it was all just part of her wishful thinking.


    The man was still in a half-inebriated state and had mistaken her for the girl that he loved.


    She really wanted to shake him awake, to push him off of her or ssh a basin of cold water on his face, and tell him her name was not Tingting but Song Qingchun.


    However, she did not feel like there was any energy left in her to even move a muscle. A fury burned in her heart, but there was not enough fuel to fire it up into a me.


    She was chilled to her core, but he was still enraptured in the height of passion.


    This stark contrast made more tearse to her eyes. She subconsciously pushed her face to the side, to make sure he could not see her face. She was afraid that he might hear her cry, so she bit on her lips tightly until she could even taste blood on her tongue.


    She did not know when the whole thing ended. She only remembered that, in that moment of release, she could not hold onto her emotions and wept for a fraction of a second. She quickly caught herself, and before he realized it, she turned her body around and bit on the mattress.


    The man after release did not take notice as he copsed to her side. Then, he reached out to pull her gently into his arms to cuddle.


    His chest was firm and warm, but it caused her heart to twitch even more with pain.


    He ced his hand on top of her head and rubbed her head affectionately like a cat before lowering his face to kiss her hair. Then, he moved to her ears and whispered in a voice reserved for the most intimate of moments, "Tingting, I love you."


    I love you...


    She never knew that the most beautiful words in the Englishnguage could be turned into such a sharp knife.


    Song Qingchun buried her face in the covers and curled her body into a fetal position as her tears started to fall suddenly.


    Su Zhinian, who was hugging her, was silent for five minutes before his bodily reaction started to reignite once more.


    The tips of his fingers were like searing brands, causing her body to shake wherever he touched her.


    Song Qingchun wanted desperately to resist, but she could not summon energy. Her weak resistance merely riled him up even more, and she was eventually pressed under him again.


    His action came faster than before, and the pain in her heart was slowly overwhelmed by sensational pleasure.

 Chapter 531: Is This for Me? (1)

    Chapter 531: Is This for Me? (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    This was not her first time, not even in that one night, so she was tired. Furthermore, she had stayed up to look after Su Zhinian throughout the night. Thebination of general exhaustion and rollercoaster of emotions knocked Song Qingchun out, and she waspletely copsed in his arms when it was all over.


    ...


    When Song Qingchun woke up, it was already 3 pm.


    She felt like every bone in her body had been broken, and there were sores all over her body. She stared at the ceiling nkly for a long time before the events from the previous night surfaced in her mind. Her heart shrunk in that second, and she sprang up in bed, clutching the cover to her chest.


    The room was quiet, and she was alone.


    If not for the lingering smell in the room, the trace of kisses all over her body, and the properly washed, dried, and folded clothes on the bedside table, it would not have been hard for her to assume that the images that appeared in her mind were all merely a dream.


    Song Qingchun wrapped the covers around her and got off the bed. Due to the weakness in her knees, her gait was slow. She did not walk into the bathroom but stood before the bedroom door. She pulled it open softly and peeked through the gap.


    The afternoon light filtered through the window and lit up the living room. The ce was as quiet and as empty as the bedroom.


    So, he has already left...


    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes dimmed. She stood at the door for a long time before turning to walk into the bathroom. After taking a warm shower, she felt much better. She blow-dried her hair and exited the bathroom. Not in a hurry to get into a change of clothes, she went into the living room to pull out her phone.


    Her phone had run out of battery.


    As she turned back into bedroom, she spotted a take-out bag left on the coffee table. She frowned as her legs paused. She pulled it open and peered in. It was packed with her favorite breakfast.


    Su Zhinian bought this?


    A faded warmth colored Song Qingchun¡¯s heart, but that was quickly eclipsed by the name ¡¯Tingting¡¯ that suddenly rang across mind.


    When she saw the food, honestly, she did want to reach in to take a bite, but now, her appetite had left her. Her finger grazed the packed breakfast before she dropped the whole bag on the table and walked back into the bedroom.


    She grabbed a hair band to pull her tousled hair into a ponytail before putting on her dried undergarments.


    In her hurry to leave the housest night, she only wore a pair of panties and a long dress.


    She picked up her panties and put them on. When she reached for the dress, something fell out from between the fabric. Itnded with a thud.


    She did not hurry to pick it up but proceeded to squirm into the long dress. After she smoothed out the ruffles in her dress, she bent down to pick up that thing that fell earlier.


    Sitting on top of the hotel room¡¯s plush carpet was a box.


    She picked up the box with a curious frown. When she got a clearer look of the writing on the box, her face nched, and with a shiver, the box fell once more to the floor.


    ...


    When Cheng Qingchong saw Su Zhinian for the first time that morning, she knew something was off.


    The fact that this was the first time she had ever known himete to work aside, when he arrived, he did not even stop to ask her about his daily schedule but barged into his office and locked the door behind him.

 Chapter 532: Is This for Me? (2)

    Chapter 532: Is This for Me? (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The whole afternoon, no matter how harsh the people frompany banged on the door, the door to the CEO¡¯s office remained closed.


    Cheng Qingchong purposely waited until everyone in the office went home before she switched off herputer. She packed her bags but did not hurry to leave the office. Instead, she moved her chair silently to the CEO¡¯s office door. Standing on the chair, she looked into the room through a clear ss panel on the top part of the wall. She saw Su Zhinian standing before an open drawer, spacing out, andpletely immobile like a statue.


    Cheng Qingchong observed Su Zhinian in his office for about an hour. In that whole hour, Su Zhinian maintained his posture.


    Don¡¯t tell me Big Boss has spent the whole afternoon staring at the drawer for so many hours?


    The thought crossed Cheng Qingchong¡¯s mind when another bubbled up. Wait, that drawer is the one filled with presents meant for Miss Song, right?


    So, why would Big Boss lose sight of time watching those presents? He misses Miss Song?


    Just as Cheng Qingchong was weighing the possibility in her mind, Su Zhinian, who had been silent for so long, finally moved. He turned slowly around and staggered slightly as he moved to the sofa in the room.


    Before he sat down, his face just so happened to turn toward the general direction of the door, giving Cheng Qingchong a clear view of his tear-rimmed eyes.


    Cheng Qingchong gasped inaudibly as Su Zhinian sat down on the sofa, raised his head up, and closed his eyes, facing the chandelier on the ceiling. Then, he returned to hispletely immobile state.


    The expression on his face was serene, but Cheng Qingchong noticed that his hands, which wereid on top of the coffee table, were white. There was a small box in his hands, and the box was misshapenpletely from his excessive force.


    Cheng Qingchong recognized that box. Before she started working under him, that box was already in his possession.


    Big Boss had purchased many presents for Miss Song over the years even though none of them had reached the hands of the intended recipient. After they were sequestered to that drawer, none of them had ever seen the light of day again. This box, however, was the sole exception; she would asionally walk in on him staring nkly at the box.


    The box was old, and it looked like it was purchased years ago; the wrapping paper was already incredibly faded.


    Cheng Qingchong sighed quietly and was about toe down from her chair and head home when she saw Su Zhinian raised the box to his eyes.


    Cheng Qingchong had always been curious about the box¡¯s contents, and even though she had been by his side for so many years, she had never once seen him open the box before. Therefore, when she saw what Su Zhinian was doing, she stopped what she was doing and focused on the man.


    Su Zhinian stared at the box for about ten minutes before he fixed the crushed box back to its original state as best as he could. He slowly opened it.


    The box¡¯s lid just so happened to block her view of the actual contents, but when he opened it, her eyes were blinded from the light refracted from within.


    That¡¯s a dia... Before the thought formed in Cheng Qingchong¡¯s mind, she saw Su Zhinian lift the item out of its box.

 Chapter 533: Is This for Me? (3)

    Chapter 533: Is This for Me? (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    It was a diamond ring. The ring matched Su Zhinian¡¯s eye for beauty, simple yet elegant. However, the style was rather outdated, at leastpared to the current rings on the market.


    Cheng Qingchong stared dumbly at the diamond ring for a moment before the gears in her mind started to turn once more. This mean that, before I met Big Boss, Big Boss already nned to propose to Miss Song? But, what stopped the proposal or made it unsessful?


    Just as Cheng Qingchong was in a state of befuddlement, Su Zhinian seemed to sense an eye on him, so he suddenly turned to nce Cheng Qingchong¡¯s way. Cheng Qingchong immediately scurried to hide. Squatting on the chair, she got down stealthily. Then, she moved the chair back to its ce, grabbed her bag, and slinked out of the office.


    ...


    After Cheng Qingchong left, the office became even more silent.


    Su Zhinian leaned against the white, leather sofa, staring at the diamond ring hanging off his finger. Even though the chandelier was glittering above his head, his expression was dim. His mind was a mess, as if there were many things crowding it, but when he tried totch onto any one thought, they continuously slipped through his grasp.


    The only thing he could remember was waking up to her sleeping soundly and peacefully in his arms. It was about 11 in the morning, and the sun was up in the southern sky. Through the open window, the rays filtered generously into the room.


    The scene was so wonderfully beautiful that it made him believe he was still dreaming. In fact, he even hugged her closer and used the top of his nose to nuzzle her cute ears beforending a morning kiss that was hourste on her fair cheek.


    As if sensing his kiss, in her dreams, she snuggled deeper into his chest. Her approach caused a heat wave to surge through his heart and the rest of his body.


    Unable to suppress his rising desire, with his eyes half-closed, his lips wandered about her face beforending squarely and powerfully on her lips.


    A familiar and powerful shock of electricity shot at him from his memory the moment their lips touched.


    The feeling was so real that it finally dawned on him that he was not dreaming... Su Zhinian¡¯s whole body shook, and his eyes flew wide open.


    Song Qingchun, who appeared right before his face, had her plump lips slightly open, and her skin that was exposed to the open air showed signs of their shared intimacy.


    As if knocked on the head by a heavy gavel, Su Zhinian¡¯s drowsiness disappeared instantly, and he rolled off of her and rushed into the bathroom at full speed.


    He opened the faucet and used the ice-cold water to ssh his face. His heart was palpitating at an impossible speed. If not for his hands holding the sink, he would have copsed directly to the floor.


    He had drunk too much the night before, and he had no recollection of how he had ended up in Eldorado¡¯s guest room. The only faded memory that he had from the night before was how he had met her in his alcohol-addled dream.

 Chapter 534: Is This for Me? (4)

    Chapter 534: Is This for Me? (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    In his dream, she used a wet towel to wipe away the dirty smudges on his face and body. Then she gave him medicine and water... before gently helping him bandage the wound on his wrist.


    She stayed by his side for such a long time that he wished he would die in his sleep right there and then. She even reached out to touch his face. Her trembling and slightly cold finger sent tremors and heat waves all over his body.


    Her finger eventually settled on his lips and refused to budge after a long time. He was afraid to move even an inch lest he lost control of his body and moved to kiss her fingertip.


    He could feel his breathing getting more rapid, his body temperature rising, and his bodily function kicking in... He knew he was starting to feel carnal desire toward her.


    However, even in his dream, he did not dare act out of ce because she didn¡¯t belong to him; he couldn¡¯t contaminate her, and thus, he tried his best to control the raging hormones that were starting to torment his body.


    He resisted until he felt like his blood vessels were about to pop. When her finger finally left his lips, he sighed in relief under his breath, but before that breath couldpletely escape, her whole body suddenly copsed into his arms, and the alluring scent on her body instantly filled his nostrils.


    He gripped his fists tightly, fighting the desire that was forming within him. Shey on top of him for a long time, seemingly unwilling to move. For him, that every second was like a torturous century.


    He tried to hold everything to such a degree that it pained him both physically and mentally. Just as he reached his breaking point, the girl started to grind against him. Through the cover, he could feel the softness and litheness of her body; her struggle aroused the desire within him to its maximum.


    His rationality waspleted overwhelmed. Even though he knew it was a grave mistake, even though he knew he should not have done it, he lost control. He gripped her wrist, and in his dream, the desire and passion he had reined in for years finally exploded.


    He kissed her with such passion, but instead of running away, she reciprocated... Little by little, he allowed himself to submerge into the abyss of darkness.


    It was truly a perfect dream. The girl in his dream shielded herself shyly under him and called his name in such an alluring manner.


    ...


    Su Zhinian stopped his thoughts from wandering further as his eyes gradually fell on the three bandages that were applied neatly over the wound on his wrist.


    Even though it had been hours since he woke up at Eldorado, when he saw those bandages on his wrist, he still reacted the same way he did at the bathroom in Eldorado; his whole body started to shake, and cold sweat broke up all over his back, drenching his skin.


    He wished desperately for that dream from the night before to be just that, a dream, but he had to face the truth: that was all part of reality.


    After six years, he had once again identally harmed her because he could not control himself.


    However, six years ago, he still had not discovered that secret. At the time, he had scoured the whole of Beijing to search for the perfect ring because he sincerely wanted to propose and marry her.

 Chapter 535: Is This for Me? (5)

    Chapter 535: Is This for Me? (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Six years ago, he did not give her the ring.


    Six yearster, he stared at the ring for the whole afternoon but still could not give it to her. The only thing he could do was... stomp her heart.


    Su Zhinian, who had not had a bite to eat the whole day, did not feel hungry. He stayed in his office until 10 pm before he pulled the ring off his pinkie finger, ced it back into the box, and dropped it into his pocket. Then, he grabbed the car key, got up, and left hispany.


    Su Zhinian circled the city for a while before turning to go home.


    His chest felt very congested, and when he passed a road filled with gingko trees, he rolled down the car window to let the autumn wind in. The wind blew in several gingko leaves, but it did make the man feel much better.


    When his car passed the gate of his residential area, it was already 11 pm. The gate was closed. He honked, and the guard on duty immediately opened the gate for him when he saw Su Zhinian¡¯s profile through the rolled-down car window. The guard greeted him with a smile. "Mr. Su, wee home."


    Su Zhinian nodded wordlessly while staring straight ahead. After the gate opened wide, he pressed on the gas pedal and zipped in.


    The car shot past one bungalow after another before he reached the street that led to his bungalow. When he was almost at the door, he stepped on the brake harshly. The car mmed to a stop, and the screeching of tires against the asphalt was amplified by the rtive quietness of the night.


    Pulling the hand brake, Su Zhinian was ready to get out. However, his fingers just reached the car door when a familiar sound of breathing drifted into his ears. His brows creased, and he nced through the windscreen to spot Song Qingchun cowering beside his front door.


    She had heard the sound of his car earlier and was looking at him with her head raised through his windshield. She was still wearing the clothes from yesterday, so Su Zhinian assumed she hade directly from Eldorado and had not returned home.


    Su Zhinian believed that she had spent several hours waiting for him at his home because she wanted to stand up when she saw him, but her legs staggered, probably from numbness for prolonged squatting.


    In the end, using the wall as support, Song Qingchun pulled herself up. She did not walk forward but stood where she was quietly, staring at him from the distance.


    Using the porch light, Su Zhinian managed to catch the glimpse of the box in her hands.


    She stood outside the car, and he sat inside. Neither of them made a move, and they stayed in this position for a long time.


    After five minutes, Su Zhinian finally pulled his gaze back. He pushed open the car lightly and alighted from his car with grace. He mmed the door shut behind him, holding the car key with a cid face. Then, he started to take stable steps toward her. Su Zhinian stopped when he was about a meter away from Song Qingchun.


    He lowered his head and then reached out to key in the door password. The system beeped to signify the door was open, and he turned to ask her in a very light tone, "Do you want toe in?"


    Song Qingchun shook her head slightly, and the tension on the box in her grip heightened.

 Chapter 536: Is This for Me? (6)

    Chapter 536: Is This for Me? (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian pushed his hand into his pocket, and an elegant and frigid presence radiated naturally from his body.


    He did not force Song Qingchun and nodded before asking, "Why..."


    He was clearer than anyone why she was there, but he still paused for a second before finishing the sentence. "...are you here?"


    Su Zhinian¡¯s overtly indifferent reaction made Song Qingchun too afraid to even look him in the face. In fact, she had half a mind to just turn back and run. She wanted to leave, to give up on the question that she had spent a day waiting for an answer to.


    Su Zhinian noticed Song Qingchun¡¯sck of reaction and frowned. After half a minute, he prompted her. "Hmm?"


    Hearing the prompt from Su Zhinian, Song Qingchun gripped the box in her hands, and after mustering onest bit of courage, she raised her eyes to meet Su Zhinian¡¯s gaze and slowly opened up her palm, asking, "Is this for me?"


    Su Zhinian lowered his eyes to look at the box sitting in the middle of Song Qingchun¡¯s fair hand.


    Under the weak porch light, the box of morning-after pills sat quietly like it was on disy.


    Song Qingchun was so nervous that her heart had stopped beating. Holding her breath, she stared directly at Su Zhinian as if worried that any small trace of emotion might escape her detection.


    However, the man was calmer and more collected than she anticipated. In fact, his eyes did not even waver when he spotted the pills. He stared at the box for a long time before raising his eyes to meet hers and nodded openly. "Yes."


    It was just a simple word, but it managed to drain all the color from Song Qingchun¡¯s face. She stared at him, and her lips moved as if trying to ask him why, but before she could get the question out, she mped her mouth shut and lowered her head.


    When she saw the box of morning-after pills that afternoon, she had already understood everything. Like a puppet that had lost its soul, she stared at the pill box that had fallen to the room floor for an extended period of time before she bent over to pick it up.


    Her car was parked at Eldorado, but she had not taken it. In fact, she had not even grabbed her purse before she wandered out into the busy streets of Beijing, holding the box of pills in her hands. She had walked alongside the busy city streets for hours, and it was not until the sun started to set that she hailed a taxi and headed toward Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow.


    She had waited for him for a total of five hours.


    She hade in person to ask him because there was still a ray of hope left in her heart. She wanted to look him in the eye, and perhaps she might see that this was a big misunderstanding.


    She should have known better.


    The answer was already right before her eyes when he took his departure from Eldorado without notifying her, leaving behind only a box of morning-face pills.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s hands slumped to her side, and her face was startlingly white.


    In a moment of surprising rity, she realized how big of an idiot she looked right there and then.

 Chapter 537: An Impromptu Journey (1)

    Chapter 537: An Impromptu Journey (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Her hand that held the box swung weakly like she had lost all energy in her.


    Before she could get a word out, her eyes started to tear up. She bit on her lips and suppressed the waves of emotions that were attempting to overwhelm her. After she had a modicum of control her emotions, she finally raised her head to nod and respond, "I understand."


    When she saw that box of pills, her heart had been a mixture of sadness and fury. In fact, she had thought, if he dared to admit to buying her the pills, she would m the box in his face. However, when she was actually living the experience, she became surprisingly calm; she told him that she understood and even forced a smile, adding, "That¡¯s the only reason I came today. Since you¡¯ve given me the answer, it is time for me to leave."


    As thest word left her mouth, before Su Zhinian could say anything, Song Qingchun whipped around, gripping the box of morning-after pills in her hand, and walked quickly away.


    When she walked past his car, Su Zhinian suddenly called out, "Wait."


    Song Qingchun stopped moving but did not turn to look at the man. Su Zhinian stared at her back for a long time before turning to look at the old Chinese parasol tree whose leaves were yellowing in his yard. A breeze happened to blow then, carrying a few leaves to the ground. When the dried leaves hit the floor, Su Zhinian said, "Take the pills as soon as you can; they are more effective the closer the time of ingestion is to the deed."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s body shook slightly, but she did not turn around or do anything else.


    "Also, I¡¯m sorry for what happened yesterday..."


    When Song Qingchun heard those few words from Su Zhinian, her lower lips started to quiver. Was there a greater injury than a woman being told by the man that she loved to take morning-after pills and for the man to apologize for identally sleeping with her the night before?


    "I had too much to drink. If you need anypensation, feel free to ask..."


    Before Su Zhinian could finish his sentence, Song Qingchun, who had been facing away from him, suddenly turned around to look him in the eye. She did not say a word but ripped the box open and popped the pill into her mouth. Without the aid of any water, she swallowed the pill right before his eyes.


    The bitterness followed the pill as it slid down her throat; it made her want to gag, but she kept her mouth shut until she could feel the pill settling in her stomach. Half a minuteter, she asked Su Zhinian, "Now are you satisfied?"


    Then, Song Qingchun gaped her mouth at him to prove to him that she had really swallowed the pill before she turned rapidly around and stormed off.


    Her fast walking turned into a jog before evolving into a full-on sprint.


    She was wearing high-heels, and it was very ufortable to run in them, but with a grit of her teeth, she powered on and only slowed down when she turned the corner.


    She didn¡¯t bend over to take her breath or to take a look at her chaffed feet; instead, she just kept on walking. She left Su Zhinian¡¯s residential area and continued to wander aimlessly.


    It waste at night, so there wasn¡¯t anyone else on the streets. Other than that, there also weren¡¯t many cars on the road.

 Chapter 538: An Impromptu Journey (2)

    Chapter 538: An Impromptu Journey (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The road sprinkler truck just passed the road, and the street was wet. The night breeze gathered, and the air was humid. The wind was strong, messing up Song Qingchun¡¯s hair and clothes. She walked on slowly until she copsed to the floor when her legs could not carry her any further.


    Across the street, several people exited the bar, and in their alcoholic high, they hugged each other and sang at the top of their lungs.


    She hugged her knees, pulling her body into a protective huddle. She sat in that state quietly for a long time until the conversation she just had with Su Zhinian drifted back into her mind. Her eyes started to tear up as she buried her face in her knees.


    "Why... are you here?"


    "Hmm?"


    "Is this for me?"


    "Yes."


    ...


    "Wait."


    "Take the pills as soon as you can; they are more effective the closer the time of ingestion is to the deed."


    "Also, I¡¯m sorry for what happened yesterday."


    "I had too much to drink, if you need anypensation, feel free to ask..."


    His words were like a curse, repeating themselves again and again in her mind. She finally could not hold her emotions in and broke down like a baby.


    ...


    Not far away from the girl, a car was parked by the roadside. Su Zhinian sat in the car, staring nkly ahead. The sounds of the girl crying were like knives ying him alive.


    He knew he had done the right thing, but when he saw her swallow the pill right before his eyes and stumble out of his porch... when he saw her stagger about the streets like a broken doll,pletely unaware of her surrounding... when he saw her copse onto the floor in a heap of tears... his conviction started to break. In fact, there were several times when he almost hit the gas pedal to chase after her, park the car by her side, get down, and pull her into a deep hug.


    The harder Song Qingchun tried not to let her crying be heard, the greater the struggle in Su Zhinian¡¯s heart.


    As if operating on its own mind, Su Zhinian¡¯s hand reached into his pocket to pull out the diamond ring.


    The waterworks started in earnest, and the girl¡¯s open wailing crunched Su Zhinian¡¯s heart. Apulsion to get out of his car, rush to her side, get down on one knee to apologize to her, and ask her to marry him swept through him crazily.


    She wailed with such intensity that her breath was caught in her throat. Looking at her shivering frame, his rationality waspletely shattered. Throwing all caution to the wind, Su Zhinian reached for the car door.


    However, before he could push the car door open, Song Qingchun staggered up into a standing position. His movement stopped, and through the windshield, he saw the girl walk toward a public phone booth. She tossed a coin in and made a call.


    The phone rang for a while before it was answered, and Qin Yinan¡¯s soft-spoken voice came from the other side. "Hello? Who is this?"


    "Brother Yinan..." Song Qingchun¡¯s voice was nasal from the heavy crying.


    "Song Song?" Qin Yinan had heard the distress in her voice, so he asked concernedly, "What¡¯s wrong? Why are you crying? What happened?"

 Chapter 539: An Impromptu Journey (3)

    Chapter 539: An Impromptu Journey (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun sniffled once more before saying, "Brother Yinan, I don¡¯t have my phone on me, and my purse was left at Eldorado. I¡¯ve used thest coin on me to make this call, so can youe fetch me?"


    Even though Su Zhinian was about a hundred meters away from Song Qingchun, using his super-hearing, he managed to hear the sound of fabric shuffling as Qin Yinan put on his clothes, and he asked hurriedly, "Song Song, where are you?"


    "The bridge across from Hwa Mao."


    "Stay there and don¡¯t move, I¡¯ll be there in a minute."


    After Qin Yinan finished, Su Zhinian could hear the door mming and the man¡¯s rushing footsteps.


    After the phone was hung up, Song Qingchun leaned against the phone booth and stared at the open road nkly,pletely immobile.


    Her phone call had drenched thepulsion within Su Zhinian¡¯s heart because it reignited his rationality. With his tight grip on the diamond ring, he closed the car door that was half-open.


    ...


    Qin Yinan first took Song Qingchun to Eldorado to grab her things before sending her home. It was already 2 am, and Song Menghwa and Fang Rou were asleep already. Afraid that they might wake them up, Song Qingchun had Qin Yinan park his car at the gate and not the driveway.


    When Qin Yinan stumbled across the heavily drunk Su Zhinian, his intention had been to help Song Qingchun, but in the end, it appeared that he had only made things worse.


    Staring at her slender frame that staggered back into the Song family¡¯s home, Qin Yinan was worried, so he got out of the car and followed her in.


    ...


    When Song Qingchun reached the door and was looking for the house key, the door was suddenly pulled open from within. With a shock, Song Qingchun raised her eyes to see Song Menghwa with a drawn face staring down at her.


    "Dad? Why aren¡¯t you asleep yet?"


    Song Menghwa ignored that question and interrogated her immediately. "Where have you been to for one whole day and night?"


    "I..." Song Qingchun was truly at her breaking point, but she still forced herself toe up with a reasonable excuse for her father. "...Where else would I be? I was at thepany. There has been a big assignment for the past two days, and I¡¯ve been working until..."


    "Lies! I dare you lie to my face some more!" Song Menghwa cut her off severely. "Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know you snuck out of the house around midnight yesterday! Also, your phone has been off from this morning until now, do you ever turn off your phone if you¡¯re on work duty? Tell me honestly, where the hell have you been?"


    So, I¡¯ve been found out already... Song Qingchun tried to maintain the levity and ease on her face. Her eyes moved in contemtion before smiling in an attempt to cate Song Menghwa. "I got a call from a friendst night asking me to go out. I had too many to drink and slept at her ce..."


    Ever since she was a child, she would be able to use her cute ways to escape the wrath of her father. This time, she was repeating the method. During the middle of the conversation, she hugged Song Menghwa¡¯s arm and shook on it like she was like a little girl, saying, "...I swear this is thest time; there will never be a next time... okay... Dad?"


    Song Qingchun spoke pleadingly as she surreptitiously tried to gauge Song Menghwa¡¯s mood.

 Chapter 540: An Impromptu Journey (4)

    Chapter 540: An Impromptu Journey (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    When she saw the hint of a smile on his face, she sighed under her breath. Then she raised her head up with a giggle and said obediently, "Dad, you¡¯re still recovering. Come, let¡¯s go in; it¡¯ll be better for your health."


    "You¡¯re the main reason my health is bad!" Song Menghwa berated Song Qingchun, but there was a joking tone in his words. With Song Qingchun holding his arm, they slowly turned to walk back into the house.


    Just as Song Qingchun was ready to make her escape, Song Menghwa suddenly turned to look at her neck area, and the smile on his face froze instantly.


    "Dad?" Song Qingchun did not notice the look on his face, and she was merely curious because he had stopped moving.


    When she finally saw the severe expression on Song Menghwa¡¯s face, Song Qingchun¡¯s heart dropped, and she unconsciously followed her father¡¯s gaze thatnded slightly above her chest.


    She was wearing a dress with a low-cut Peter Pan cor. Normally, she would wear the dress with the cor right under her corbone, but since her neck and corbone were filled with the signs of Su Zhinian¡¯s kisses, she purposely pulled the zipper up to her neck.


    When she was ying cute with Song Menghwa earlier, the zipper probably loosened, and the whole swath of skin with traces of his kisses was exposed to Song Menghwa.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s body froze, and she subconsciously dropped Song Menghwa¡¯s arm, took a step back, and zipped up her dress to the top. Then, like a child caught red-handed, she stood there with her head lowered.


    The atmosphere at the door instantly turned severe and heavy.


    His daughter had left the home in the middle of the night and had kept her phone off the whole day... Song Menghwa was not so dumb as to not understand the meaning of the kisses on his daughter¡¯s neck and body.


    Even though Song Menghwa was not that traditional to the point of forbidding sex before marriage, no father would be calm in that situation.


    Song Menghwa knew Song Qingchun was sweating bullets, but after processing everything in his mind, he said, "Qingchun, tell your father who this person is."


    Of course, Song Qingchun knew what her father was asking about. Song Qingchun gripped her fists tightly because she did not know how to answer.


    Song Menghwa had pampered her dearly since she was a child; if he knew she had slept with a guy, he would definitely track that person down and force him to take responsibility. But Su Zhinian... had stated his intention when he bought her that box of morning-after pills.


    If Song Menghwa dragged Su Zhinian out to answer for what he did, she really could not tell what would happen...


    Song Menghwa realized Song Qingchun had remained silent for a long time. His brows were deeply furrowed when he repeated the question. "Qingchun, who is this person?"


    Song Qingchun bit on her lips and still did not know how to answer. The atmosphere turned more heavy and severe.


    Just as Song Menghwa was going to blow his top off, the sound of footsteps came from the gate.


    Song Menghwa turned his head to the footsteps, and when he saw it was Qin Yinan, he was startled before asking, "Yinan? Why are you here sote at night?¡¯


    Before Qin Yinan could answer, something settled in his mind, and he asked more sternly, "Yinan, was it you who sent Qingchun home?"

 Chapter 541: An Impromptu Journey (5)

    Chapter 541: An Impromptu Journey (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Good evening, Uncle Song," Qin Yinan greeted politely before answering his question. "Yes, it was me who brought Song Song home. I saw her standing at the door not going in, so I came to see what¡¯s wrong."


    Song Menghwa looked at Song Qingchun standing beside him and asked, "It¡¯s Yinan?"


    Qin Yinan did not know what kind of conversation Song Qingchun and Song Menghwa were having before he came over, so when he heard his name mentioned, he was confused. When he was about to ask for details, Song Qingchun with her head lowered suddenly nodded and whispered softly, "Yes, it is Brother Yinan."


    Qin Yinan was even more confused, and he turned to Song Qingchun for rification.


    Song Qingchun felt his eyes on her, and to clue him in, she added, "I¡¯ve been together with Brother Yinan since midnight yesterday."


    When Qin Yinan heard that, it clicked. Song Menghwa was probably interrogating Song Qingchun on the identity of the man who Song Qingchun had eloped in the night for.


    Even though he had no idea what had really happened for Song Qingchun to use him as a shield, he still cooperated. "Hmm."


    Song Menghwa, however, had gonepletely silent. He stood at the door looking at Qin Yinan then at Song Qingchun. Then, after a while, he said, "Qingchun, go upstairs. Yinan,e with me to the study."


    Howe this sounds more serious than I assumed?


    Qin Yinan nodded. "Okay."


    He tossed a look at Song Qingchun before following behind Song Menghwa into his study with a face filled with confusion.


    The moment the door was closed, Song Qingchun could hear Song Menghwa¡¯s furious roar. "Qin Yinan, you sure have guts! Who gave you permission to ruin my daughter¡¯s innocence behind my back?"


    Then, Song Qingchun could hear the sound of something heavy crashing against the floor or the wall.


    ...


    Qin Yinan stayed in the study for about half an hour.


    When he was scolded by Song Menghwa, he received a message from Song Qingchun. He first helped Song Menghwa return to his bedroom, before he pulled out his phone to nce at the message. Then he went upstairs to knock on Song Qingchun¡¯s bedroom door.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s bedroom door was not locked; obviously, she was waiting for him.


    Qin Yinan did not wait for Song Qingchun to respond before he pulled the door open and walked in.


    Song Qingchun was sitting in the sofa, hugging a pillow, staring out into the darkness outside the window.


    When she realized someone else was in the room, she pulled her gaze back and turned to Qin Yinan with eyes filled with apology. "Brother Yinan, I¡¯m really sorry."


    During Song Menghwa¡¯s lecture, Qin Yinan had realized that Song Menghwa was under the impression that he had slept with his daughter. When he heard Song Qingchun¡¯s apology, he was silent for a moment before asking, "He...st night, and you...?"


    Even though Qin Yinan did not spell it out, Song Qingchun knew what he meant.


    He was asking her if something physical had happened between her and Su Zhinian the previous night.


    Song Qingchun buried her face into the pillow and nodded wordlessly.


    They¡¯ve slept together, but why is she so sad and pushing this on me? This means that... Su Zhinian, that son of a bitch, refused to take responsibility for what he did?


    Qin Yinan felt a fury rage through him. He sprang up from the sofa and growled, "I¡¯ll go find him now!"

 Chapter 542: An Impromtu Journey (6)

    Chapter 542: An Impromtu Journey (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Brother Yinan!" Song Qingchun also jumped up from the sofa and reached out to grab Qin Yinan¡¯s sleeves.


    Since they were children, whenever Song Qingchun would approach him crying because she had been bullied, he would step in even before Song Cheng did. He would stalk into Song Qingchun¡¯s ss and beat the crap out of the boy who bullied her.


    During middle school, one boy who confessed to Song Qingchun but was rejected by her refused to leave her be. It was Qin Yinan who dragged Song Cheng to where the boy was hanging out and beat him until he swore to stop harassing Song Qingchun.


    In Song Qingchun¡¯s memory, whenever she was bullied, Qin Yinan would be the first toe to her rescue, but no matter how mad he once was, it was iparable to the rage that was surging through his veins at that moment.


    Qin Yinan shook Song Qingchun¡¯s hand away without thinking and dashed toward the door.


    Song Qingchun did not even get into her shoes as she ran to chase after him and pulled on his shirt once more. "Brother Yinan..."


    With a tense expression, Qin Yinan finally stopped because he heard the tremble in Song Qingchun¡¯s voice.


    Song Qingchun raised her eyes and forced a smile at Qin Yinan that somehow looked sadder than a frown. "Brother Yinan, just let him be."


    Indeed, what other choices were there?


    It was because she needed an answer that she went to his house with the box of pills to ask him in person, and what did she get in return? A deeper sadness and greater humiliation.


    The only reason she would direct Song Menghwa¡¯s fury at Qin Yinan the moment she saw the man appeared was because she did not want Song Menghwa to go look for Su Zhinian. So, of course, she would not let Qin Yinan go seek out Su Zhinian either.


    If he wanted to take responsibility, he would have done that a lot sooner and would not have left her with a box of morning-after pills. Haranguing him would only lead to more humiliation for her.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s tone was light yet firm. It caused Qin Yinan¡¯s heart to crack; just how helpless was Song Qingchun for her to utter those words?


    Qin Yinan stood there quietly for some time before finallypromising. He suddenly became weirdly agitated as he raised his hands to rub his face. Then he told Song Qingchun, "Song Song, I¡¯m sorry; I shouldn¡¯t have given you that callst night."


    He was trying to help her, but things definitely did not go the way he nned. Instead, he only deepened the wound on her heart.


    "Brother Yinan, it¡¯s not your fault." Song Qingchun smiled sincerely despite the fragility in it. Tears fell out of her eyes as she said, "I asked you here because I want to apologize to you and also..."


    Song Menghwa loved her dearly. If he knew that his precious daughter had been taken advantage and that person refused to take responsibility, his heart would break.


    Su Zhinian would not y this role for her, but her Brother Yinan could.


    Song Qingchun stretched her lips before adding, "I might need to trouble you further to continue this acting before my father... and make him think that we¡¯re really together."


    Qin Yinan nodded after a long silence, saying, "I promise you."


    ...


    Song Qingchun¡¯s mood was so bad that she did not think she could function at work. However, staying at home only made her feel worse, so the next morning, she called herpany to ask for a week-long holiday, and that afternoon, she was on a ne to Japan.

 Chapter 543: An Impromptu Journey (7)

    Chapter 543: An Impromptu Journey (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun stayed in Japan for half a month. The whole time she was there, she cut off all connection to Beijing; her phone was switched off the whole time.


    She went from Hokkaido to Fuji Mountain, then from Fuji Mountain to Osaka, then moved onto Kyoto before ending up in Tokyo. She experienced many interesting and happy things along the way.


    While taking the spring bath at Hokkaido, she found a girl who was in a situation simr to her. They bonded over their shared pain and became fast friends. They were both there alone to find a little distance from the past. They travelled together for three days, and on theirst night together, both girls got wasted at a local bar. With faltering steps, they walked to the Hokkaido seaside, and in her drunken state, her new friend started yelling her lost love¡¯s name at the wide open sea.


    Influenced by the emotions of the moment, she followed suit. She knew Su Zhinian, who was way back at Beijing, couldn¡¯t hear her, but she still shouted in the general direction of Beijing at the top of her lungs, "Su Zhinian, I love you" and "Su Zhinian, I hate you" many times. Eventually, they broke down in each other¡¯s arms and cried. That night, the girl told Song Qingchun the sad state of her romance, and Song Qingchun did the same. Ever since she swallowed that pill, Song Qingchun had been having daily nightmares, but that night, she had a restful sleep for the first time in a long time.


    When she was at Fuji Mountain, she was approached by an American gentleman. He asked her out to dinner, and she did not reject him. She told him upfront that she wasn¡¯t looking for a romantic rtionship, but he wasn¡¯t offended, and thus, they became friends. After dinner, he asked her for a dance and gave her a bouquet of roses, which she epted with a smile.


    When she was at Osaka, she stumbled across a wallet on the street. Using the information inside the wallet, she managed to seek out the owner. To show her his appreciation, he gifted her a wonderful handcrafted bracelet.


    When she was in Tokyo, she came across a group of Chinese tourists doing line dancing. She stopped to look until eventually a kind mother dragged her to join them. Song Qingchun was a natural dancer, and she had great fun dancing with the group of Chinese tourists. It was not until sunset that they parted, and Song Qingchun hugged each of them goodbye.


    On her trip, she tried her best to enjoy the wonderful scenery and food, even though she was still struggling with the pain... even though she would still asionally be reminded of his cruelty... even though she would still dream about him to a point where she would wake up with tears on her face. However, as the trip wore on, the level of sadness gradually but surely decreased, giving space for happiness to fill her life. When she reached herst stop in Tokyo, she was feeling much better; she was feeling herself again.


    Japan was famous for their make-up industry, so the first thing she did when she arrived at Tokyo was visit the shopping malls.


    She chose to have her purchases delivered to her home, and to fill in the information, she had to turn on her phone.


    This was the first time she had used her phone since she arrived in Japan, and the phone rang for five minutes straight before it finally stopped.


    There were more than 999 WhatsApp messages and more than 99 missed calls.

 Chapter 544: An Impromptu Journey (8)

    Chapter 544: An Impromptu Journey (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The reason she had so many WhatsApp messages was because she had been added to a group without being asked, and the group messages had reached into the thousands in the ten days she had been in Japan.


    Other WhatsApp messages were from her friends; a few of them knew she was at Japan, so they wanted her to purchase some stuff.


    Qin Yinan had sent her a message as well. They were all greetings and his concern toward her. Before exiting WhatsApp, Song Qingchun replied with a hasty, "I¡¯m fine, don¡¯t worry."


    Most of the phone messages were missed calls notification from her phonepany. Half of those calls were from Qin Yinan, some were from her colleague, and others were from Song Menghwa and Fang Rou; the rest were mostly advertisements.


    Song Qingchun scanned through them and was about to turn off her phone again when she spotted a name among the list of senders.


    Cheng Qingchong.


    That¡¯s Su Zhinian¡¯s secretary... Why did she message me?


    "Miss Song, good morning, I¡¯m Cheng Qingchong, CEO Su¡¯s personal assistant. I need to talk to you about something; are you avable or not?"


    "Miss Song, have you received my message? I¡¯m Cheng Qingchong, CEO Su¡¯s personal assistant."


    "Miss Song..."


    Cheng Qingchong had sent her ten messages, one for each day she was in Japan.


    What does she want with me? And why is she so adamant? Does it have anything to do with Su Zhinian?


    Song Qingchun stared at the phone in her hand, and she felt something stinging her eyes. She pulled her lips back and pretended not to have seen the messages from Cheng Qingchong. She returned to the home screen and made a call home.


    The phone rang for several times before it was picked by Song Qingchun¡¯s sister-inw. After Song Qingchun filled her in on the delivery details, she asked about Song Menghwa. When she was about to hang up, Fang Rou suddenly asked, "Qingchun, where are you now?"


    "I¡¯m in Tokyo."


    "When are youing back?"


    "I don¡¯t know yet."


    "I¡¯m nning to go Japan soon with Sister Tang, where are you staying at Tokyo? How¡¯s the environment? Do you rmend we stay there?"


    "I¡¯m staying at Shangri Hotel; the ce is not bad. You and Sister Tang should consider staying here..."


    ...


    After hanging up the phone, Song Qingchun opened her messages to read through Cheng Qingchong¡¯s messages again. She bit on her lips before shutting down her phone.


    That night, Song Qingchun decided to splurge on a dinner at a three-star Michelin restaurant. The price was rather expensive, but the food was worth every penny.


    After dinner, Song Qingchun returned to her hotelpletely satisfied. She enjoyed the spring bath for a wholesome half an hour before crawling back into herfy bed. She wanted to call it a night, but she could not go to sleep no matter how hard she tried. Frustrated, she grabbed her phone and switched it on.


    There was already a new message from Cheng Qingchong.


    Song Qingchun flipped through her phone restlessly until she eventually replied to Cheng Qingchong.


    "?"


    Only then did she realize how unprincipled one could get when one was in love.


    Su Zhinian was so cruel and heartless toward her; she should hate him to his core, but she simply couldn¡¯t let that part of herself die.

 Chapter 545: An Impromptu Journey (9)

    Chapter 545: An Impromptu Journey (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    In less than half a minute after the message was sent, Song Qingchun received a phone call from Cheng Qingchong.


    Song Qingchun stared at the caller ID¡ªCheng Qingchong¡ªfor about half a minute before answering it and putting her phone to her ear.


    "Miss Song, good afternoon." Cheng Qingchongunched into her apology after greeting, giving no chance for Song Qingchun to say anything. "I¡¯m sorry for disturbing sote at night."


    "It¡¯s okay..." Song Qingchun paused for a moment before asking, "Miss Cheng, how can I help you?"


    Cheng Qingchong replied, "It¡¯s like this, Miss Song. Ten days ago, CEO Su suddenly disappeared. There are many things waiting for him to do at thepany; I know this is a bit rude, but I¡¯m wondering if you might know where he is."


    So, Miss Cheng has been calling me to ask about Su Zhinian... but there is already nothing between us, why would she think I know where the man is?


    Song Qingchun leaned against the headboard. Her eyes felt suddenly dry. She waited a moment before answering, "I¡¯m sorry, Miss Song, I don¡¯t know where he is."


    "So, even Miss Song doesn¡¯t know where CEO Su is." There was obvious disappointment in Cheng Qingchong¡¯s voice. Then, there was a long pause on the phone like she was hesitating before Cheng Qingchong continued. "Miss Song, can I ask you for a favor?"


    "Sure..."


    "I¡¯ve had many people contact CEO Su already, but he refused to pick up from any of them, so do you mind calling him to ask where he currently is?"


    Call Su Zhinian? I¡¯m probably the least qualified person to call him.


    Song Qingchun gripped her phone tightly and did not reply.


    Cheng Qingchong seemed to have noticed the awkwardness through the phone because she too had gone silent. After a long while, she asked, "Miss Song, is that too much trouble for you?"


    "I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m currently overseas, and it is indeed a bit troublesome." Song Qingchun blinked multiple times to stop the pain in her eyes. "I need to go take care of something, so if there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll hang up, goodbye."


    Then, Song Qingchun hung up immediately. Song Qingchun shut her phone down and closed her eyes, but sleep just would note. Her mind was nk, and shey there in the dark. Around midnight, a storm blew over Tokyo. It was not until around dawn that she fell into a drowsy sleep.


    When she woke up next it was already noon.


    The sky was exceptionally blue that day as if washed clean by the storm the night before. Song Qingchun helped herself at the hotel buffet before she returned to her room, put on some nice clothes, and left the hotel.


    The trip to Japan was a sudden decision, so Song Qingchun had no particr schedule to catch. She wandered the streets aimlessly, taking in the sights.


    When she passed a pavilion, she saw a group of people surrounding a giant canvas coborating on an oil painting. Even though she was not really an artistic person, Song Qingchun paid some money and joined in the fun.


    Song Qingchun thought this journey had already been interesting enough. She had made many new friends, gone on a wonderful date, helped a stranger with his wallet, joined a group of line dancers... so she did not expect on her second day at Tokyo, she would be robbed in broad daylight.

 Chapter 546: An Impromptu Journey (10)

    Chapter 546: An Impromptu Journey (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    At the time, Song Qingchun was standing before the canvas, giving no thought to the paint that sshed all over her clothes and body. Then, a motorcycle drove past her while the rider grabbed her bag.


    The motorcycle was moving so fast that when her bag was pulled, her whole body was sent flying andnded on the concrete floor. The sharp pain from the fall almost caused her to faint.


    When she recovered, she was already sitting on a bench around a hundred meters away from the middle of the pavilion, and the bag that she had seen being snatched away was sitting quietly on herp.


    Song Qingchun was utterly confused. She blinked several times to make sure that her sight was not wrong. I remember falling to the floor and the bag being grabbed... What just happened?


    Song Qingchun raised her eyes with confusion and looked around her. Around her were unfamiliar faces at a foreign country; there was no one that she recognized. None of them seemed privy to the dangerous interlude that had happened to her earlier.


    Song Qingchun recovered from her daze and was about to stand up from her bench and leave when an elderly woman nearby asked her in Japanese, "Miss, are you alright?"


    Song Qingchun had learned some Japanese and could understand the meaning of this simple sentence. She shook her head lightly and used her weakmand of thenguage to reply, "I¡¯m fine, thank you."


    "Wonderful... You¡¯re lucky that someone managed to grab your bag back for you. That man was truly impressive. It was also that man who carried you back to this bench for you to rest."


    The old woman said a long sentence in Japanese, but Song Qingchun could only understand snippets of it. However, from those snippets, Song Qingchun managed to reconstruct a whole story; a man helped her get her bag back, and that same man picked her up off the floor and ced her on this bench. He even purchased some medicine for her.


    Medicine... Even though Song Qingchun could not understand what the old woman was saying as she pointed at her bag, she did open up her bag when the term "medicine" shed across her mind. She saw a bottle of medicinal ointment sitting in it.


    Song Qingchun pulled the medicine out to which the old woman nodded in quick session. Then she used Japanese to utter a long sentence.


    Simr to before, Song Qingchun did not understand what she was saying. However, from her gestures, Song Qingchun could guess what the old woman was trying to say; the man squatted before her to help her apply the ointment before leaving.


    Song Qingchun wanted to ask the olddy some questions, but hermand of Japanese was not good enough to do that. Therefore, she tried using English. However, the olddy did not seem like she understood English; she shook her head at Song Qingchun with confusion. Eventually, someone called her name, and the friendly olddy bade her "sayonara" before taking her leave.


    Song Qingchun, who was injured, decided to return to the hotel. Even though the initial pain was intense, the injury on Song Qingchun was not serious.


    The wounds healed quickly, and there was barely any pain left on the second day. They had already scabbed over.


    When the scabs all fell off on the seventh day, Song Qingchun took the ne to return to Beijing.

 Chapter 547: Take Care of You for Life (1)

    Chapter 547: Take Care of You for Life (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The nnded safely at Beijing International Airport at 3 pm.


    Song Qingchun dragged her luggage and waited in the taxi line for about twenty minutes before she got into one. When the familiar sights of Beijing city appeared before her, her heart still rocked slightly.


    Twenty days had passed, and she returned to this city where she had put her memories to rest once more. She was now prepared to be nothing more than strangers with him.


    Song Qingchun pulled out her phone inside the taxi and switched it on. Simr to the time in Japan, it started ringing non-stop.


    The number of messages was still ridiculously high. She was going to scan through them when she saw there were more than 99 messages from Qin Yinan. Song Qingchun frowned as she scrolled through them. At the very bottom, she saw one of the messages. "Song Song, call me immediately when you see this message. Uncle Song suddenly fainted this morning, and he¡¯s now in the hospital."


    Song Qingchun started to panic and immediately called Qin Yinan. The phone rang once before it was picked up. Before Qin Yinan could say anything, Song Qingchun asked hastily, "Brother Yinan, how is my father doing?"


    "Still unconscious..." Qin Yinan was afraid that Song Qingchun might get unnecessarily worried, so he immediatelyforted her after bringing her up to date on her father¡¯s condition. "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m at the hospital, and the doctors are watching over him; he¡¯ll be fine."


    "Which hospital?"


    Qin Yinan gave the name, and Song Qingchun hung up immediately before he could finish. Then she told the driver, "Sir, take me to Hospital XX instead. Thank you."


    ...


    When Song Qingchun arrived at the hospital, Song Menghwa had already been released from surgery.


    He was lying in his sickbed, and if not for the rise and fall of his chest, one might have thought that he had truly passed away.


    The attending physician told her that Song Menghwa was in a critical condition. Even though they had stabilized him, it was another issue whether he would wake up or not. This might just be his eternal slumber.


    Song Qingchun almost fainted when she heard that. Thankfully, Qin Yinan, who had been staying at the hospital, reached out to hold her.


    Song Qingchun did not return home and stayed at the hospital. Qin Yinan stayed with her to keep herpany. When midnight arrived, Song Qingchun asked him to go home.


    Qin Yinan could not argue with her, and after making her promise multiple times that she would call him should she need help, he left the hospital.


    Song Menghwa did not wake up, and Song Qingchun did not sleep the whole night.


    It was not until 10 am the next morning that Song Menghwa finally woke up.


    Song Qingchun, who had been in a state throughout the night, broke down and cried when she saw her father¡¯s eyes flit open. She merely managed to get one word, "Dad", out before her emotions overwhelmed her.


    Song Menghwa, who had just woken up, was incredibly tired. He tried his best to raise his hand to touch his daughter¡¯s head, and he wanted to say something to console her, but someone knocked on the door.


    Song Qingchun wiped her tears and stood up.


    She assumed it was either Fang Rou or Qin Yinan because no one else would visit so early in the morning.


    To her surprise, it was Su Zhinian standing behind the door.

 Chapter 548: Take Care of You for Life (2)

    Chapter 548: Take Care of You for Life (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun was startled. Su Zhinian stood before her with boxes of nutritional pills in his left arm while his right was ced leisurely in his pocket. He was wearing a fitting ck dress shirt, which amplified his sense of elegance and overall attraction.


    Su Zhinian appeared much more in control than Song Qingchun was. He did not get stumped like she did, and his facial expression betrayed nothing. In a light tone, he exined, "I¡¯m here to pay Uncle Song a visit."


    Song Qingchun was pulled back from her shock and immediately averted her eyes away from Su Zhinian¡¯s face. She responded with a murmur but didn¡¯t move.


    Song Qingchun blocked the door with her whole frame, and Su Zhinian couldn¡¯t get in, so they simply stood in that position for a long time.


    Still lying in bed, unable to move much, Song Menghwa was curious about theck of activity and his missing daughter, so he called out in a hoarse and weakened voice, "Qingchun, who is it?"


    When Song Qingchun heard her father, she jumped two steps back like she was jolted by electricity. Su Zhinian took his step into the room. When he brushed past Song Qingchun, the girl¡¯s hand subconsciously went to grip at her clothes.


    "It¡¯s you, Zhinian. Come, take a seat..." Song Qingchun was also surprised that Su Zhinian woulde to pay him a visit, but there was an obvious cheer in his voice. After greeting Su Zhinian, he told Song Qingchun, "Qingchun, quick get Zhinian a ss of water."


    "I know," Song Qingchun answered. Then she took a deep breath before walking back into the room. When she was standing in front of the water machine, she leaned her ear closer to the bed to listen to their conversation. "Uncle Song, how are you feeling?"


    "Old disease, I¡¯ll survive."


    When Song Qingchun turned around with the ss of water, she saw Su Zhinian ce the boxes of nutritional pills on the bedside table.


    "You shouldn¡¯t have brought those things; I¡¯d be d even if you came empty-handed."


    Song Menghwa wanted to sit up, but his recently recovered body was too weak for him to be able to do even that. Su Zhinian saw this and quickly reached out to help Song Menghwa.


    He searched for two soft pillows to put behind Song Menghwa¡¯s back before replying, "I happened to pass a supermarket on the way over and went in to buy some."


    Song Menghwa chuckled and pointed at the chair that Song Qingchun had been sitting in while she held vigil beside him and told Su Zhinian, "Come, please take a seat."


    Su Zhinian epted the invitation with ease and grace.


    Song Menghwa then turned to Song Qingchun, who was sitting beside his bed. "What are you doing standing there with the cup in your hand?"


    Song Qingchun took a small step toward Su Zhinian and passed him the cup with her head lowered.


    "Thank you," Su Zhinian said officially as he reached out to take the water. Song Qingchun did not say anything in return. The moment the cup left her hands, Song Qingchun quickly jumped back.


    There was only one chair in the room, and since it was upied by Su Zhinian, Song Qingchun could only stand.


    There was no valid reason she could give to leave the room, so with no other choice, she could only walk over to the window furthest away from Su Zhinian and stand there.


    Other than that "I know" that she had used to reply to her father, Song Qingchun hadn¡¯t uttered a word since Su Zhinian walked into the room.


    The whole room was filled with the sound of conversation between Song Menghwa and Su Zhinian.

 Chapter 549: Take Care of You for Life (3)

    Chapter 549: Take Care of You for Life (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian¡¯s voice was light and familiar. Every time he spoke, Song Qingchun could feel her heart trembling.


    She stood beside Song Menghwa and could hear their conversation clearly, but not a single word registered in her mind until she realized Song Menghwa¡¯s was calling her.


    "Qingchun? Qingchun?"


    "Huh?" Song Qingchun turned around, and as her eyes swept past Su Zhinian¡¯s gorgeous face, hershes trembled. Using her most normal tone and voice, she asked, "Yes?"


    "What were you thinking about just now? You didn¡¯t respond even though I¡¯ve been calling you for so long."


    Song Qingchun pouted but didn¡¯t answer. Since Su Zhinian was there, Song Menghwa didn¡¯t press; instead, he ordered her, "Your sister-inw brought some fruits with her when she came yesterday, didn¡¯t she? Go prepare some for Zhinian."


    Song Qingchun nodded obediently and grabbed two apples and one orange as she headed into the bathroom.


    Song Menghwa had a personal sickroom. Song Qingchun squatted at the trashcan and used the peeler to take off the fruit skin before dicing the apples and separating the orange into sections. She ced them all into a stic box before carrying it back into the room.


    Song Qingchun grabbed two toothpicks, poked them onto the apple pieces, and ced the box on the bedside table.


    Su Zhinian turned around to look at her, but his words were directed at Song Menghwa. "Uncle Song, don¡¯t worry and focus on your recovery. I know a foreign expert; I¡¯ll call him toe to Chinater, and I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll have a solution."


    "Everyone has their fate written in the stars. If it¡¯s time for me to go then so be it, the only thing holding me back down is this daughter of mine; I¡¯m afraid that no one will be there to look after her..."


    "Dad, don¡¯t say stuff like that..." When Song Qingchun was looking after Song Menghwa the whole night, her heart was deeply worried; he was her only family left in the world. She was really afraid he might suddenly leave her behind, so when she heard him say something like that, her eyes started to well up immediately.


    "Fine, fine, fine. I¡¯ll stop... Look, I¡¯m perfectly fine, aren¡¯t I?" Song Menghwa consoled his daughter before turning tough conspiratorially at Su Zhinian. "This daughter of mine still cries so easily in public even though she¡¯s no longer a child; I¡¯m sorry if it makes you feel awkward."


    Su Zhinian lowered his head, acting like he didn¡¯t mind the open disy of emotion.


    With tears in her eyes, Song Qingchun turned to look out the window.


    Song Menghwa and Su Zhinian continued chatting for a little while longer before Song Menghwa started to get less talkative, probably from exhaustion. Su Zhinian noticed this, and he said sensibly, "Uncle Song, I still have something else to attend to. Please do rest, I¡¯lle visit another day."


    "Okay, I wouldn¡¯t want to hold you up." Song Menghwa nodded with a smile before turning to Song Qingchun and said, "Qingchun, walk Zhinian out for me."


    Song Qingchun nodded obediently. She waited until Su Zhinian took the first step before she made to follow behind him.


    Song Menghwa¡¯s personal room was far apart from the crowd, so it was quiet. Other than two nurses making their rounds, there was no one else in the corridor outside of his room, and the ce was silent.


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t walk beside Su Zhinian but maintained a constant one-meter distance behind him.


    Along the way, they were both quiet; neither one seemed to be in the mood to begin a conversation.

 Chapter 550: Take Care of You for Life (4)

    Chapter 550: Take Care of You for Life (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    When they almost reached the elevator, Su Zhinian stopped and said, "Here is good enough."


    Song Qingchun was confused for a moment before she realized what he was talking about. She nodded rather mechanically and uttered awkwardly, "Okay."


    After some time, she added, "Thank you for paying my father a visit."


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t say anything, but he lowered his eyes to look at this tired-looking girl. He seemed to be struggling with something before turning his head away to look out the window at the Chinese Parasol trees with their almost empty branches. Eventually, he pulled his gaze back to say, "Don¡¯t mention it."


    Then, Su Zhinian added, "Don¡¯t worry, Uncle Song will definitely be better."


    Is he consoling me?


    Looking in retrospect, the me didn¡¯tpletely fall on him for what happened that night. After all, he was drunk out of his mind, and she was the fully conscious one. When he kissed her, she could have shoved him away instead of reciprocating his advances.


    It was she who had fallen in love with him and given him the opportunity to hurt her. However, that didn¡¯t take away from the damage of that box of morning-after pills and the words he had said to her. He had ruined many things inside her heart, like her confidence and courage...


    She found herself unable to get excited from his one-sentence of concern. In her mind, this sentence of constion was merely perfunctory; he didn¡¯t mean much, if anything, by it.


    Song Qingchun was at a loss; she didn¡¯t know what the proper way to respond was. She contemted briefly before uttering another awkward, "Thank you."


    Su Zhinian lowered his eyes to shield his thoughts from the world. After a minute, he said lightly, "Then, I¡¯ll be going."


    "Hmm..." Song Qingchun responded, still refusing to look him in the eye. "Goodbye."


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t say a word and stood for a while before her. Then, when the elevator arrived, he walked away.


    Just as Su Zhinian walked into the elevator, Song Qingchun raised her head and called out, "Su..."


    She only uttered one word because she didn¡¯t know how to refer to him now. She bit on her lips awkwardly before adding, "Your secretary, Miss Cheng, contacted me earlier looking for you."


    Even though she had rejected Cheng Qingchong¡¯s request on the phone, Song Qingchun would find herself thinking about whether he had returned to hispany and whether Miss Cheng had managed to find him or not.


    Despite these thoughts crowding her mind, she did not once reach for her phone to contact him, but since they hade across each other, she¡¯d figured she would do Miss Cheng that favor.


    "She said, you¡¯ve not been going to thepany, and there are many things that needed your approval." Song Qingchun ryed what Cheng Qingchong had told her to tell Su Zhinian.


    Su Zhinian raised his head slightly and replied softly, "I understand."


    Song Qingchun then went silent.


    Su Zhinian paused for several seconds and didn¡¯t say anything until the elevator door closed.


    Song Qingchun stood where she was for almost a minute. She turned to look out the window. Several secondster, she could see Su Zhinian¡¯s back as he walked out of the building.


    Song Qingchun watched him until he got into his car and drove away. Then, she lowered her eyes, turned around, and returned to her father.

 Chapter 551: Take Care of You for Life (5)

    Chapter 551: Take Care of You for Life (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Menghwa was already asleep when Song Qingchun returned. Song Qingchun pulled the pillows underneath his body out to make her father morefortable. She slipped the cover over him and sat in the chair Su Zhinian had just vacated, spacing out as she stared at Song Menghwa.


    ...


    When Qin Yinan picked his phone to scroll through his phone that afternoon, he noticed an activity update by Tang Nuan in his circle of friends.


    "I¡¯m getting engaged." It was a simple statement attached to a picture. In the picture, Tang Nuan was holding a giant rose bouquet, her smile as gorgeous as the flowers and the ring on her finger shining at the camera.


    Even though he knew his rtionship with her was all fake, this was someone who he had treated sincerely once, so when he received the message, his mind was nk for a few moments.


    When Qin Yinan got off work at 7:30 pm, he did not return home but went to the hospital. When he arrived, it was already 9 pm, way past dinner time. Many visitors had already left to give the patients the opportunity to rest. The hospital was quiet.


    The door to Song Menghwa¡¯s room was half open. Qin Yinan walked toward it, and before he announced himself, he could hear Song Menghwa¡¯s weakened voice and Song Qingchun¡¯s muffled cryinging from within.


    "Qingchun, I won¡¯t be here forever; I know my body well. Even if I survive this ordeal, the next one will be just around the corner.


    "One of these days, I will be gone, so when that day arrives, don¡¯t be sad. After all, a human¡¯s days are numbered."


    "Dad..."


    "I know that you¡¯re afraid, I¡¯m also afraid, afraid that once I¡¯m gone, you¡¯ll be all alone in the world, and that¡¯s why I¡¯ve been trying so hard to hang on...


    "...I will try to be by your side as long as I can. Looking back, time flies; in just a blink of an eye, you¡¯re so big already...


    "I¡¯ve had a fulfilling life, and the only thing that worries me now is you. It¡¯s my wish to see you find a good shoulder to lean on for life, to start your own family... If no one is there to look after you, I don¡¯t think I can pass away in peace. If only Song Cheng was around... he would definitely help me watch over you... s, he..."


    At this point, Song Qingchun started to wail in earnest.


    Qin Yinan swallowed deeply and slowly retreated back from the room. He even helped close the half-open door along the way.


    He leaned against the wall of the corridor and could hear Song Qingchun¡¯s muffled crying drifting through the wall. For some reason, he started to think about the words that Song Menghwa had shared with him on the night he sent Song Qingchun home.


    Initially, Song Menghwa had really been angry; however, all the things were sent crashing on the floor and none directed at him.


    Eventually, the older man asked him to sit down and even served him a cup of tea as he told him many things about Song Qingchun. Some information he knew, some he didn¡¯t.


    He told him about Song Qingchun¡¯s favorite food, her biggest fear, her emotional soft spots, her ambitions in life, and much more. At the end, Song Menghwa¡¯s tone became incredibly soft like he was pleading him, begging him to look after Song Qingchun, to not let any harme to his precious daughter.

 Chapter 552: Take Care of You for Life (6)

    Chapter 552: Take Care of You for Life (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Menghwa told him many things.


    He said that a girl without the support of her maiden family was like a child without a home because she had no one to turn to, so if Song Qingchun was more than a little headstrong, he begged him topromise.


    He mentioned that Song Qingchun was not interested in taking over Song Empire, and her dream was to be a news anchor. If he wanted to take over Song Empire, he would not mind, but if he wanted to sell it to the highest bidder, he was okay as well. Even though this was his life¡¯s work, the biggest wish he wanted in his life was for Song Qingchun to live a happy life.


    At the end, Song Menghwa said, when Song Empire stumbled into its financial crisis the year before, he had set an amount of money aside for Song Qingchun. In the event that he suddenly passed away, the card was in the second drawer of his study table, and the passcode was Song Qingchun¡¯s birthday. The amount might not have been enough for Song Qingchun to have avish lifestyle, but it was definitely enough for her to live the rest of her life without worry.


    Even though Song Menghwa told him those things on the basis of a misunderstanding, Qin Yinan still felt greatly touched.


    When he heard that conversation between Song Qingchun and Song Menghwa earlier, he felt the same way.


    When he returned from the military, he had promised her that he would treat her better topensate for his friend, Song Cheng. However, all he had given her were tears, and now she was crying more tears for Su Zhinian.


    When he thought about this, Qin Yinan pulled out his phone to search for Tang Nuan¡¯s number. He stared at that number for a long time, thinking about her engagement, before making a call.


    ...


    When Qin Yinan¡¯s call came, Tang Nuan was putting on her face mask. She grabbed the phone, and her lips curved into a satisfied smile when she saw the caller ID: Qin Yinan.


    She knew that Qin Yinan cared about her; it had only been hours since she released that engagement news, and the man who had stopped talking to her for months came calling.


    Tang Nuan did not hurry to answer her phone, slowly peeling off her mask, pleased with herself. She wiped off the residue left on her face with a sponge before pressing the ept button. She raised the phone to her ear and asked coldly, "Yes, how can I help you?"


    On the phone, Qin Yinan was oddly calm. "Tang Nuan, are you free now? We need to talk."


    "I don¡¯t think we have anything to talk about..."


    Before Tang Nuan could finish giving her speech, Qin Yinan cut her off. "It won¡¯t take too much of your time, at most half an hour."


    Tang Nuan was silent before answering with added impatience in her voice, "Fine, where do you want to meet?"


    "Where are you now?"


    "Home."


    "How about the coffee house opposite from your house?"


    "Okay."


    "I¡¯ll be there in twenty minutes."


    ...


    Tang Nuan had not felt so happy in such a long time. Even though it was already night and she had just finished her skincare ritual, she still put on make-up and tried on twenty dresses before deciding on a sapphire short dress. She grabbed her glittering crystal clutch as she left.


    When Tang Nuan arrived at the coffee house, Qin Yinan had been there for a while already.


    It was 10:20 pm, so the ce was pretty much deserted. Tang Nuan pushed open the door and stood at the entrance, looking around the space before spotting Qin Yinan at the table nearest to the innermost window.


    In her heels, Tang Nuan sauntered toward the man.

 Chapter 553: Take Care of You for Life (7)

    Chapter 553: Take Care of You for Life (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Qin Yinan turned around when he heard her footsteps. As his eyesnded on Tang Nuan, he nodded slightly, straightened up, and pointed at the empty chair opposite from him, telling her non-verbally to sit.


    Qin Yinan was silent and so was Tang Nuan. She ced her clutch on the table before sitting down gracefully. Qin Yinan gged down the waiter and passed Tang Nuan the menu in a gentlemanly manner. Tang Nuan flipped through the menu loosely and ordered herself a cup of cold milk tea.


    Before, Qin Yinan would stop her whenever Tang Nuan ordered something cold. She was having her period that day, and she knew better than to order an iced drink, but she did that because she needed to get a reaction out of Qin Yinan.


    However, after she made her order and the waiter confirmed it, Qin Yinan, who sat across from her, did not seem like he was going to intervene.


    Qin Yinan did not even look at the menu and ordered a cup of coffee. After the waiter left, Qin Yinan put down the phone he was holding in his hand and leaned back in the chair. He stared at Tang Nuan and asked, "You¡¯re engaged?"


    He is here for the engagement...


    Tang Nuan, who was feeling a bit angry due to Qin Yinan¡¯sck of concern when she ordered the iced milk tea, released when she heard this question. She held Qin Yinan¡¯s eye contact, but instead of admitting to her engagement, she said, "Someone did propose to me."


    Qin Yinan nced at Tang Nuan and answered, "Congrattions."


    Isn¡¯t he here to stop me from getting married? Why is he congratting me?


    An ominous feeling settled in Tang Nuan¡¯s stomach, and she frowned deeply. Perhaps it was fate, or maybe God was toying with her, but when that feeling appeared, the audio in the shop started ying a fitting song.


    "Breakup happily, I wish you happiness;


    "You can find an even better love..."


    Then, Qin Yinan opened his lips to say, "Tang Nuan, I came to find you today because I wish for us to have a concrete ending."


    Tang Nuan¡¯s lips tensed. Qin Yinan knew this was a sign that she was unhappy, but he was no longer the foolish man he had once been, so he continued calmly. "After all, this has dragged on long enough, and it is time for us to call it quits."


    Qin Yinan paused as if to think before saying seriously, "Tang Nuan, let¡¯s break up."


    Tang Nuan was dazed. A few months ago, whenever she was riled up by the interaction between Song Qingchun and Qin Yinan, Qin Yinan would bend over backwards and call her every day to console her. It was not until Song Qingchun spotted her kissing another man at Eldorado that Qin Yinan stoppeding to look for her. That b*tch Song Qingchun told him about me?


    Her expression turned ugly immediately. "Is it because Song Qingchun told you something about me?"


    Qin Yinan answered instantly and without hesitation, "No."


    His answer was so quick and ready that Tang Nuan could not shake the suspicion that Song Qingchun had indeed told him something. For some inexplicable reason, she started to get flustered, and without thinking about what she was doing, she started giving excuses. "Don¡¯t tell me that you would rather believe her than me? You¡¯ve told me so many times that you love me, but you wouldn¡¯t even grant me the most basic of truths, so is this how hollow your love really is?"


    "Love?" Qin Yinan chuckled like he had heard a joke. A condescending light was aglow in his eyes as he stared at Tang Nuan.

 Chapter 554: Take Care of You for Life (8)

    Chapter 554: Take Care of You for Life (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The condescension in his voice seemed more like it was meant for himself than for her. "That love was never yours to begin with, wasn¡¯t it?"


    The one sentence from Qin Yinan caused Tang Nuan to freeze up.


    That love was never mine to begin with? What does he mean by that? Could it be that he has found out about everything?


    As if hearing the question in her mind, Qin Yinan exined calmly, "Tang Nuan, to tell you the truth, I have found out everything that I should know and things that I shouldn¡¯t know I¡¯ve heard them and seen them in person. What am I to you but a tool to hurt Song Song? So ask yourself, is there even love between us to begin with? Even if I did once love you whole-heartedly, I cannot be together with you. Furthermore, the love that you¡¯ve selfishly enjoyed throughout the years belonged to Song Song to begin with.


    "Earlier, you used me of trusting her and not trusting you. To tell you the truth, she didn¡¯t tell me anything; it was me who found out about everything. Regardless, even if I didn¡¯t find it out myself and it was her who told me, I would have believed her implicitly.


    "There is no reason other than the fact that she truly cares for me, and I feel the same way toward her.


    "The only reason I asked you out today is to break up with you in person. I don¡¯t want us to drag this out anymore.


    "That¡¯s everything I want to say." Qin Yinan pulled out his wallet and ced a 100 RMB bank note on the table. "I need to go, goodbye."


    Qin Yinan did not wait for his coffee to arrive and ced the note beneath the ashtray. Then, he stood up.


    "Qin Yinan!" Tang Nuan sprang up from her seat as well.


    As if deaf, Qin Yinan grabbed his phone and keys off the table and prepared to leave.


    "Qin Yinan!" Tang Nuan¡¯s shout this time was super loud, causing the whole room of people to look their way. Qin Yinan ignored the woman, pushed the door open, and walked out without turning around.


    "Qin Yinan!" Tang Nuan stomped on her feet and yelled his name at the top of her lungs, but the man had gotten into his car and could not even hear her.


    At that moment, the waiter came over with the tray. "Miss, your iced milk tea and coffee."


    In her rage, Tang Nuan reached out to grab the drinks and mmed them on the floor.


    "Miss..."


    As if knowing what the waiter was going to say, with shaking hands, she dropped several 100 RMB notes on the table, hissing, "Enough?"


    The waiter did not say anything as he collected the money and left.


    Tang Nuan slumped back in the chair weakly. Staring at the seat Qin Yinan had just vacated, hatred and anger bubbled up within her.


    Song Qingchun... This is all Song Qingchun¡¯s fault. It was her who caused Su Zhinian to p me six years ago, and now, it is again this b*tch¡¯s fault for causing Qin Yinan to break up with me... I will never forgive her!


    Tang Nuan gritted her teeth in anger, and her whole body started to shake.


    ...


    After Qin Yinan dealt with Tang Nuan, he returned to the hospital. Song Menghwa had just finished his drip and was sleeping.


    He apanied Song Qingchun until the next morning when he left.


    After leaving the hospital block, Qin Yinan did not hurry to get into his car. Instead, he leaned against it, and after some thought, he pulled out his phone.

 Chapter 555: Take Care of You for Life (9)

    Chapter 555: Take Care of You for Life (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    As if dealing with troublesome thoughts, Qin Yinan kept switching his phone on and off, causing the disy to flicker incessantly. Qin Yinan did not know how many times he repeated this action before he swiped his phone open and clicked onto his WhatsApp chat with Song Qingchun. He sent her a message. "Sleeping?"


    After half a minute, the reply came. "Not yet..."


    The screen showed "The other person is currently typing", but Qin Yinan did not wait for her message toe, calling her directly. Song Qingchun picked it up almost the very second the call was made.


    Through the phone, Qin Yinan could hear the shuffling of Song Qingchun¡¯s footsteps and the door being opened and closed, before Song Qingchun said, "What¡¯s up, Brother Yinan?"


    "Song Song..." Qin Yinan had thought abouting clean with Tang Nuan, and he did, but he had never once thought about doing that with Song Qingchun. He knew about the years she had spent crushing on him, but he promised himself, if she did not bring it up, he would continue to pretend he did not know anything about it.


    Even though he knew of her rocky rtionship with Su Zhinian, she being the one interested in him but not the other way around, he still did not share the truth her. Even at this moment, after hearing what Song Menghwa told him and her, even if he really wanted to be her shoulder to her to rely on, it did not cross his mind to tell her the truth.


    The reason was simple; he did not want to ce extra pressure on the girl whose heart was already focused on someone else. Furthermore, considering everything that had happened between them, she still had not told him about her crush on him; this meant that she still valued their friendship.


    He had once made her a promise. May you hold my hand in love andpanionship, but may good fortune hold yours in parting and solitude.


    That was a promise he was willing to fulfil.


    Therefore, even though he meant every single one of his words, he expressed them in a way that sounded like he was merely doing her a friendly favor. "Uncle Song¡¯s health is deteriorating, and he probably wants you to find your own home as soon as possible. Earlier, you asked for my help to act alongside you. Now, I¡¯m calling you to say, if you need me, I can take care of you for life."


    Even though he sounded clean and crisp on the phone, she did not know that he only managed to say that after he cleared up his rtionship problems with Tang Nuan. Song Qingchun knew what he meant.


    Actually, that night, her father had once again told her many things, and the inherent meaning was he wished for her to get married to Qin Yinan as soon as possible.


    She yed dumb throughout the night, and Song Menghwa smiled but did not spell it out.


    Now that Qin Yinan had volunteered his help, she could have epted it easily to make her father happy. Furthermore, Su Zhinian had rejected her so cruelly and adamantly already, so there was no reason for her to reserve any hope on that front. However, her heart still screamed no...


    Therefore, in the end, she still rejected Qin Yinan in a roundabout way. "Thank you for your offer, Brother Yinan. If I really need it, I will tell you."


    ...


    The stage of Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun had reached such a stage that even Song Qingchun herself did not think it was possible between them anymore. The only reason she rejected Qin Yinan¡¯s help was because she could not convince herself yet.


    However, one weekter, something urred that caused her to end up at Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow and happen upon a startling discovery.

 Chapter 556: Take Care of You for Life (10)

    Chapter 556: Take Care of You for Life (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Well, three discoveries to be precise.


    The situation happened shortly after Song Qingchun¡¯s holiday was over, on the fourth night after she returned to work at Station TW. Early that morning, the northern wind swept through Beijing, causing the temperature in the city to drop several degrees in just a few short hours.


    When Song Qingchun left the hospital that morning, she took a detour home to grab a light yet warm feather nket for Song Menghwa before rushing to herpany.


    That afternoon, Song Qingchun happened to run into Su Zhinian at the entrance to City Clubhouse. It was due to work that she was there. She had a document that she urgently needed to give to the station manager, who was there.


    City Clubhouse was a famed clubhouse in Beijing, and it was VIP only. During Song Empire¡¯s financial crisis, Song Qingchun had unsubscribed to all her VIP memberships, so she was not allowed entry. The only thing she could do was give her station manager a call while she waited inside the car.


    After ten minutes, Song Qingchun saw the managere out of the elevator through the windscreen and City Clubhouse¡¯s ss window. She quickly put her phone away and rushed out of the car with the document in her hand.


    When she had almost reached the entrance steps, the manager was already out the door. Song Qingchun was waving at him when a car slowly crawled to a stop at City Clubhouse¡¯s entrance, blocking her and her boss.


    The valet seemed to know the car, because as it stopped, he went respectfully forward to open the car door and bowed. "Mr. Su, wee."


    Mr. Su... Before Song Qingchun¡¯s brain could register the identity of this Mr. Su, her head turned subconsciously to look, and Su Zhinian got out from the car with ease and grace.


    He closed the door behind him and tossed the car key at the valet while smoothing down his suit, which had crinkled from driving in the car.


    He was in the middle of doing that when he noticed her. He raised his eyes slowly and nced at the girl who was at the bottom of the steps. He fixed his tie and whispered his room number to the valet before walking around the car and heading into City Clubhouse.


    "Qingchun?" As the valet drove Su Zhinian¡¯s car away, the station manager¡¯s voice drifted over from the entrance.


    Song Qingchun recovered and rushed up the stairs toward the station manager, saying, "Sir, this is the information you..."


    Through the revolving door, Song Qingchun saw Su Zhinian inside City Clubhouse¡¯s lobby with one hand in his pocket, talking on the phone. Behind him was a colorful tapestry with floral motifs. The gorgeous backgroundplemented his handsome face perfectly.


    Song Qingchun was subconsciously fazed when the scene hit her. However, she quickly pulled her gaze away as she finished the sentence. "...need."


    The station manager epted the document. He flipped through it to make sure no major mistakes jumped out at him before giving Song Qingchun a few simple orders and leaving.

 Chapter 557: Tsundere Su (1)

    Chapter 557: Tsundere Su (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun stood where she was, watching as her station manager walked back through the revolving door. As she turned around, her gaze could not help but wander toward Su Zhinian, who was still on the phone.


    There is the reason our mothers told us to keep our eyes forward when we walk. Song Qingchun was too distracted to realize someone wasing up behind her. She identally stepped on someone¡¯s feet and soon a shrill yelp shot into her ears.


    Song Qingchun was spooked and immediately retreated for a few steps. However, she was too rushed in her movement that she knocked into the trashcan that was at the front of City Clubhouse.


    When Song Qingchun faltered and almost crashed to the floor, she probably imagined it, but she swore she could detect hints of nervousness at the bottom of Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes. In fact, she thought she saw the man was nning to rush out to get her.


    Thankfully, the valet beside the door was agile enough to reach for her arm. "Miss, careful."


    Song Qingchun instantly pulled her gaze back from the ss window. "Miss, are you alright?"


    Song Qingchun shook her head and smiled apologetically at the valet, adding, "Thank you."


    The valet responded with a smile and released his grip on her arm when she straightened up.


    When Song Qingchun turned back to talk to the person she knocked into earlier, the corner of her eyes swept the lobby of City Clubhouse. Su Zhinian, who was still on the phone, had turned his body around so that his cold back was facing her. She could not spot any sign of the worry and concern that she thought she had seen earlier. Was I hallucinating?


    Song Qingchun frowned slightly before averting her gaze to address the person she identally stepped on early. It was a young and pretty girl. She was fashionable and looked ssy except for the ugly grimace on her face.


    "I¡¯m really sorry. I didn¡¯t mean it. I¡¯m sorry," Song Qingchun apologized profusely.


    The girl ignored herpletely as she pulled out a napkin from her purse, bent over, and wiped Song Qingchun¡¯s footprint from her shoes. Then she straightened up and nced condescendingly at Song Qingchun, grumbling to no one in particr, "There are crazies everywhere these days. Don¡¯t you know how to use your eyes when walking? Disgusting floozy..."


    Then she red fiendishly at Song Qingchun before raising her chin and turning away as she walked toward City Clubhouse.


    Even though it seemed like the girl was talking to herself, her actions made it very obvious that she was mocking Song Qingchun. Even though the faulty with Song Qingchun, being mocked for something she had apologized for still rubbed her the wrong way. Furthermore, the valet next to her had heard everything.


    Song Qingchun smiled awkwardly before turning to walk down the steps.


    She only took two steps when a shrill scream came from the lobby. She turned subconsciously around and saw the girl who had scolded her earlier had fallen to the floor.


    Song Qingchun was shocked and was about to pull her eyes back when she saw Su Zhinian, who was standing in front of the girl, continue the phone conversation with one hand and pull out the luscious roses from a vase next to him with his other arm before mming them on the girl¡¯s face.

 Chapter 558: Tsundere Su (2)

    Chapter 558: Tsundere Su (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Another ear-splitting scream came, and it caused Song Qingchun¡¯s body to shiver. From the bloody gashes on the girl¡¯s perfectly made-up face, she believed that Su Zhinian had not held back. Perhaps Su Zhinian¡¯s presence was too impressive that the many waiters and security guards around him did not dare step forward to stop him.


    Ignoring the girl¡¯s cries for help, Su Zhinian took one step forward with a drawn face. He looked down at the girl who had her palm mped over her mouth to muffle her crying. He then bent over slightly, and his lips moved.


    Due to the distance between them, Song Qingchun could not hear what he said. However, she did see him straighten up after he finished and pull out a stack of cash to p the girl on her face before walking away with the phone to his ear. He reverted to his usual aloof self as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened as he walked toward the elevator.


    ...


    Su Zhinian discovered Song Qingchun¡¯s car when he was driving toward City Clubhouse. He didn¡¯t follow her, but he really did have some business to attend to at City Clubhouse; however, the whole phone call was indeed only for show.


    While he was "on the phone", the person he had dealings with at City Clubhouse had given him multiple calls. He was to return after Song Qingchun passed the stuff over to her boss, but as he turned to leave to take the elevator, Song Qingchun identally walked into another person.


    The girl was truly clumsy. In ssic Song Qingchun fashion, she only made things worse by backing off and knocking into the trashcan. At the time, his attention had shiftedpletely onto Song Qingchun. He instinctively moved toward the entrance, but he only took two steps when the valet reached out for Song Qingchun.


    He thought this was over, and the person he was supposed to meet with was giving him another call. However, when he turned to walk toward the elevator, he heard the grumbling of the girl who Song Qingchun had knocked into from the entrance.


    "There are crazies everywhere these days. Don¡¯t you know how to use your eyes when walking? Disgusting floozy..."


    He turned around subconsciously and saw the preening girl walk into the lobby while Song Qingchun¡¯s face was bright as a tomato.


    The girl¡¯s phone suddenly rang. She picked it up, and the other person sounded like her partner because Su Zhinian heard a male voice call her "baby". Like a machine gun, she started to unload on her significant other. "Honey, you won¡¯t believe how unlucky I am. I was stepped on the toe by a b*tch earlier; it freaking hurts. The new Burberry I bought from Ennd ispletely ruined... Such bad luck... If not for my good mood today, I would have made her bend over to wipe the shoes clean for me..."


    When those degrading words drilled into Su Zhinian¡¯s ears, his temper was lit up like a match to a pool of oil. Without thinking, he turned around and stalked toward the girl. When he walked past her, he reached out his leg to trip her, and the phone in her hand flew out andnded on the floor heavily, cracking the screen.


    Following her scream, expletives slipped from her lips.

 Chapter 559: Tsundere Su (3)

    Chapter 559: Tsundere Su (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    After cursing the woman he had been protecting, she still wanted to curse him?


    Then again, he probably would not have been so angry if she had only cursed him, but cursing the most important woman in his life? No, that was an offense he would not stomach no matter what.


    Therefore, when the beginning of the word "f*ck" left the woman¡¯s mouth, he grabbed the roses beside him and flicked it furiously on her face. Staring at the blood that trickled down her face, he dropped a sentence that did not sound like he was one bit repentant. "Sorry, I happen to be one of those crazies."


    When the girl heard him say that, her face was twisted from anger, and with a choking voice, she screamed, "I will call the cops; someone call the cops!"


    Call the cops?


    He had been dragged into jail because he beat someone until he was lying unconscious at the hospital for Song Qingchun, so he was not threatened in any way.


    Su Zhinianughed like he had heard a wonderful joke. Not at all worried about her threat, he bent closer to the girl and said in a light, breezy tone, "Do you know their number? It¡¯s 110."


    Then, he straightened up. With condescension in his eyes, he pulled a stack of bills out from his pocket and pped it on her face before making to leave. As if struck by inspiration, he turned back around to look down at her, adding, "Use this to buy yourself a new phone to call the cops."


    After saying that, the fire inside Su Zhinian¡¯s heart felt much smaller. He raised his phone to apologize to the person on the other end as he walked toward the elevator.


    ...


    Sitting in the private room at City Clubhouse, Su Zhinian turned his head to watch Song Qingchun get into her car that was parked by the roadside. The car slowly drove away, and Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes trailed the shadow of the car until it disappeared among the busy traffic.


    ...


    He stayed at City Clubhouse until 5 pm when Su Zhinian received a call from Cheng Qingchong reminding him that he had a dinner meeting at Beijing Hotelter that night. He stayed for another five minutes after hanging up before bidding his farewell. When he arrived at Beijing Hotel, Cheng Qingchong was already waiting for him in the lobby.


    When she saw him, she instantly walked over to greet him. After he nodded, she fell into position behind him and reminded him about the people who would be there at the dinner. Most of them were regr business partners, but there was one CEO Huang from some Jin Rong Company that he was not familiar with. However, this CEO Huang was also thetest to arrive at the meeting.


    When CEO Huang was led into the room by the waiter, Su Zhinian was ying on his phone with his head lowered. The host of the dinner introduced them, and Su Zhinian politely put down his phone to nod at CEO Huang. Just as he was going to return to his phone, he frowned and raised his eyes again to look in CEO Huang¡¯s direction.


    However, he was not looking at CEO Huang but the woman apanying him.


    She smiled gracefully beside CEO Huang and was shaking hands with the host of the dinner. "Nice to meet you, CEO Zheng, my name is Tang Nuan."

 Chapter 560: Tsundere Su (4)

    Chapter 560: Tsundere Su (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian¡¯s gaze did not settle on Tang Nuan for more than a second before he went back to his phone. He swiped through his phone with ease, but internally, he was getting increasingly disgusted by the dinner.


    Su Zhinian was already a man of few words at such dinners, but with Tang Nuan there, he was practically a man of zero words.


    After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere around table started to loosen, and the other guests started to rx. When Tang Nuan came over to share a ss of wine with CEO Zheng, she sat not far away from Su Zhinian, so she unconsciously turned to look his way.


    In the room filled with depravity, Su Zhinian leaned quietly against the sofa, ying on his phone, like a pure lotus rising through the mud. Under the refraction of the chandelier, his perfect features caused her heart to palpitate and her breath to catch.


    Tang Nuan stared at Su Zhinian for a long time before clinking her ss with CEO Zheng. She downed the ss and purposely took a long detour around Su Zhinian to return to her seat.


    After she sat down, she pulled out her phone, pretending to look at the time, while her eyes kept ncing Su Zhinian¡¯s way. There were no obvious changes in Su Zhinian¡¯s expression, but it was as if he knew she was checking him out because in less than a minute, he stood up and left the room.


    Su Zhinian went to the toilet and stood at the window at the end of the corridor to feel the chilling wind on his face. After realizing he could not be out there anymore without seeming disrespectful, he returned to the room.


    The people in the room were even more drunkpared to how they were when he left. A few of them were talking at such a high volume that one could easily mistake them to be in the middle of an argument.


    Su Zhinian pulled the chair out, and before he could sitfortably, CEO Zheng said, "CEO Su, if I¡¯m not mistaken you graduated from X High, right?"


    Su Zhinian did not know what kind of conversation they were having while he was outside, so when he heard the question from CEO Zheng, he turned toward him and nodded slightly.


    "Then, this is such a coincidence because Miss Tang, who CEO Huang brought along, also graduated from X High! So, you two are high school alumni. You two are so fated, wouldn¡¯t you agree?" Listening to the excitement in CEO Zheng¡¯s voice, one would think it was him who found his high school alumni.


    Fated with Tang Nuan? CEO Zheng must be kidding.


    Su Zhinian averted his gaze from CEO Zheng, leaned back in his chair, and picked up his phone to exclude himself from the conversation.


    However, since CEO Zheng had opened that can of worms, it was beyond Su Zhinian¡¯s control now.


    "That is indeed such a coincidence. Then, this means that Miss Tang knew CEO Su when you were in high school?"


    Tang Nuan smiled brightly and said, "No one didn¡¯t know CEO Su at X High. CEO Su was our school symbol."


    "Of course, CEO Su would be a level above the rest even at a young age." Someone immediately made use of the opportunity to butter up to Su Zhinian.


    "Then, I¡¯m sure CEO Su had quite a number of girls pursuing him in high school, right?" There had to be a busybody at such an asion.


    "You¡¯re wrong there. It was not quite a number; practically all the girls at school treated him like their prince in shining armor..." Tang Nuan nced toward Su Zhinian, and after noticing hisck of reaction, as if he didn¡¯t mind the discussion at his expense, she smiled and continued. "Whenever Valentines or Christmas arrived, CEO Su¡¯s drawer and locker would be filled with so many presents and letters that they spilled out onto the floor."

 Chapter 561: Tsundere Su (5)

    Chapter 561: Tsundere Su (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "So, did CEO Su ept any one of them?"


    "You¡¯ll have to ask CEO Su." Tang Nuan could not remember thest time she managed to have such friendly conversation in Su Zhinian¡¯s presence. Ever since high school graduation, they had bes on different orbits.


    The few times she had managed to see him were because of Song Qingchun. He was her biggest pain and her biggest dream. Even after so many years, she would still dream about himte at night. Therefore, there were no words to describe how excited she was to see him at the dinner. She had been looking for an opportunity to say hi to him or talk to him, but there had been no opening.


    When she heard someone ask that question, she decided to jump on it. Following the question, she turned toward Su Zhinian and said with a brilliant smile on her face, "CEO Su, they¡¯re asking whether you were in any rtionships during high school."


    Su Zhinian continued ying on his phone like he could not hear Tang Nuan. His face was unmoved, and thus, he ignored Tang Nuan¡¯s words.


    Everyone was interested in Su Zhinian¡¯s private life, so when Tang Nuan started talking about her high school experience with Su Zhinian, she had the room¡¯s rapt attention. Therefore, Su Zhinian¡¯s silence cast a total damper over the room¡¯s atmosphere.


    Thankfully, they were used to his aloof personality, so after two minutes of silence, someone quickly jumped in to salvage the situation. "CEO Su and Miss Tang were high school friends, and it is indeed rare for them to meet so many yearster. This is a wonderful reunion, and Miss Tang and CEO Su should drink on it."


    "Yes, yes, you¡¯re right, drink on it." Someone concurred, and others already called for the waiter to refill their sses.


    Noticing the atmosphere in the room, CEO Huang turned toward Tang Nuan and whispered, "Go share a drink with CEO Su."


    This was Tang Nuan¡¯s biggest dream, and now she had the whole room behind her, so she stood up slowly with the ss in her hand and sauntered toward Su Zhinian.


    When she reached Su Zhinian¡¯s side, before she could say anything, Su Zhinian suddenly put away his phone and turned to talk to Cheng Qingchong sitting beside him in a very low voice. Then, Cheng Qingchong leaned into his ear to reply with a very long sentence.


    Tang Nuan stood there awkwardly with the ss in her hand. When Su Zhinian finally finished talking with Cheng Qingchong, Tang Nuan stered on a smile and said, "CEO Su, here¡¯s to..."


    Before Tang Nuan could finish, Su Zhinian suddenly pped his hands like an idea had juste to mind, so he turned to whisper to Cheng Qingchong again.


    Everyone in the room knew Su Zhinian was purposely and openly ignoring Tang Nuan.


    Of course, Tang Nuan knew this as well. She stood awkwardly to the side, and her smile was slowly slipping.


    After five minutes, Su Zhinian finally finished the conversation with Cheng Qingchun. As if finally realizing someone was standing beside him, he turned around to nce at Tang Nuan before reaching his hand out to grab the ss of wine on the table.


    When she saw this, Tang Nuan thought he was finally going to acknowledge her invitation, and the bad mood that had collected over her heart parted like the Red Sea before Moses.


    "CEO Su, I..."

 Chapter 562: Tsundere Su (6)

    Chapter 562: Tsundere Su (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    This time, Tang Nuan only managed to get a few words out before Su Zhinian raised his ss to Cheng Qingchong. He told her something, and Cheng Qingchong nodded, epted the wine ss, walked to CEO Zhang, and said with a smile, "CEO Zhang, CEO Su wishes for me to share this ss with you to celebrate the happy cooperation between ourpany and yours."


    The smile froze on Tang Nuan¡¯s lips.


    So... she had mistaken his intention... or rather Su Zhinian had purposely done that to make her look bad. He had purposely nced at her to make sure she misunderstood before setting her out to dry in shame.


    If Su Zhinian¡¯s earlier action was not clear enough that he was purposely ignoring Tang Nuan, then this action delivered that message loud and clear!


    Everyone who was at the dinner was a people person, so everything that was left unsaid didn¡¯t escape anyone¡¯s detection. Tang Nuan could feel the room¡¯s gaze on her. There were different thoughts behind each gaze; some were confused, others were interested, and the rest were there to savor the drama.


    Tang Nuan¡¯s grip on the wine ss tightened.


    She had suffered so much humiliation at his hands, but she refused to learn the lesson, willingly finding trouble time after time. She should have known based on the depth of his love toward Song Qingchun. When she abandoned Song Qingchun at the night club so many years ago, he had been quite clear about his resentment toward her. Even after so many years, he still hadn¡¯t forgiven her.


    Actually, she knew him better than he gave her credit for. She knew he wasn¡¯t one to hold onto old grudges because he believed that would only eat up his precious energy; however, she was his only exception because it was rted to Song Qingchun.


    At this point, the images from a few days ago when Qin Yinan dumped her appeared in her mind... and her breath started to be abnormal.


    Song Qingchun, this is all Song Qingchun¡¯s fault.


    Song Qingchun was like a curse that haunted her for life.


    But no matter, because after tonight, Song Qingchun will be over.


    ...


    Su Zhinian noticed Tang Nuan¡¯s refusal to leave his side, and he frowned. Disgusted to the stage of refusing to even share a word with her, Su Zhinian kicked the chair out underneath him, stood up, and prepared to find himself another seat.


    Behind Su Zhinian was the wall, and Tang Nuan had blocked half of his way. When he walked past her, even though he wanted to maintain asrge a distance as possible, he still brushed up against her clothes, and her internal thoughts drifted into his mind. But no matter, because after tonight, Song Qingchun will be over...


    The simple sentence caused Su Zhinian to freeze in his steps.


    Tang Nuan did not notice that Su Zhinian had stopped beside her. Her eyes that looked out the window turned cold following her chilling thoughts.


    That night, Song Qingchun was scheduled by the station manager to interview a male celebrity at Eldorado. The celebrity was a famed womanizer and would often force himself on women because his powerful family would silence those women on his behalf.


    Tang Nuan had once helped this celebrity when he was on his way up, so when she found out through thepany grapevine that Song Qingchun was interviewing him that night, she reached out to him to have him ruin Song Qingchun.

 Chapter 563: Tsundere Su (7)

    Chapter 563: Tsundere Su (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Ruin Song Qingchun?


    When Su Zhinian read these words from Tang Nuan¡¯s heart, he frowned instantly.


    She found a male celebrity to ruin Song Qingchun? How?


    Before Su Zhinian coulde up with an answer, Tang Nuan¡¯s heart already provided him with one.


    The easiest way to ruin a womanpletely was to take away her purity, to force her to live with endless shame. Of course, she knew Song Qingchun would not allow the man to do anything he wanted without fighting back, but it would not matter because the man had ways to make her submit. The most straight-forward solution was a date rape drug.


    Of course, the male celebrity did not agree to do this without asking for something in return. Tang Nuan promised that after the event was over, she would manufacture more headlines for him, but she knew one of the bigger reasons the man agreed so easily was because Song Qingchun was a beauty.


    Date rape?


    Su Zhinian stood there brooding; his face was still as aloof and cold as before, but there was a fiendishness growing at the bottom of his eyes.


    Tang Nuan nned to ¡¯ruin Song Qingchun¡¯ by having a man rape Song Qingchun?


    The hands that were hanging by Su Zhinian¡¯s side had started to shake uncontrobly.


    Tang Nuan, who had no clue her own thoughts had been exposed and read, was so immersed in the wickedness of her n that her mouth curved into a chilling smile.


    It¡¯s almost 9 pm. Song Qingchun¡¯s interview with the man was scheduled at 8 pm, so by now, the n should be well on the way already.


    Or has it already started? Maybe Song Qingchun has drunk the drugged alcohol and is being dragged out of Eldorado by the man. Or perhaps Song Qingchun is already all naked, drugged out of her mind, and the man is currently having his way with her.


    That b*tch has always seen herself as above me, hasn¡¯t she? Perfect. After tonight, I do want to see how she dares show her face around me anymore. Both Su Zhinian and Qin Yinan like her, right? I do want to see how those two men are going to pretend like nothing has ever happened and continue to protect her like some kind of treasure after tonight!


    Wait, the man has a group of pals that he hangs out with who participate in his womanizing activity. I should have asked him to bring his gang all around tonight.


    The thought of Song Qingchun being ravaged by a group of nasty men caused so much excitement within Tang Nuan that a gloating, self-satisfied low chuckle escaped from her turned-up lips.


    However, the moment that breath of air escaped from her mouth, Su Zhinian, who was standing beside her, took a sudden step back to raise his hand and swipe it heavily across her face.

 Chapter 564: Tsundere Su (8)

    Chapter 564: Tsundere Su (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The force of the p was so strong that Tang Nuan was sent flying into the chair beside them. The edge of the chair jabbed into her waist, and the pain caused tears toe to her eyes instantly. The whole room¡¯s attention immediately turned their way.


    Before anyone realized what was happening, with a crazily tense energy billowing around him, Su Zhinian pulled Tang Nuan up by her hair and sent another powerful face at her face. This p was even stronger than the one preceding it.


    Tang Nuan felt her ears ringing with pain before she realized her body had crashnded on the dining table. The tes and the dishes were sent flying all over the ce, causing everyone toe to and jump up from their seats.


    "CEO Su, what¡¯s going on?"


    "CEO Su, please use your words. After all, Miss Tang is ady; violence is not the solution."


    "CEO Su..." Even Cheng Qingchong, who had just shared a drink with CEO Zhang, could not help but call out his name.


    However, these voices of concern only riled Su Zhinian up even more. His eyes were raging red, and without thinking about the consequences, he raised his leg and kicked Tang Nuan right in her stomach. Tang Nuan grimaced from extreme pain, and trails of blood were leaking out of the corner of her mouth.


    "Su Zhinian, this is my woman; even if there is anything disagreeable between the both of you, you cannot do this..." CEO Huang, who had brought Tang Nuan along, was close to calling it quits.


    Su Zhinian ignored CEO Huangpletely. He red viciously at Tang Nuan, whose face was so bloodied and bruised that her face could not be recognized anymore. However, he showed no sign of slowing; he even grabbed the wine bottle nearby, aiming to swing it at Tang Nuan¡¯s head.


    "CEO Su!" When Cheng Qingchong saw this, she swallowed her sense of fear and rushed forward to grab Su Zhinian¡¯s arm. "CEO Su, you¡¯ll kill her!"


    "Let go!" Su Zhinian roared as he swung Cheng Qingchong off. Cheng Qingchong faltered several steps back and knocked into the wall. Ignoring the pain from her back, she rushed forward to stop Su Zhinian again.


    However, no matter how fast she was, she was not faster than Su Zhinian. She had been at Su Zhinian¡¯s side for years, and this was the first time Cheng Qingchong had seen Su Zhinian raise his hand toward a person, much less a woman.


    Big Boss is famed for keeping his distance from female. Even during business meetings, he tries his best to be as far away from female contact as possible; however, now he is angry enough to physically assault Miss Tang. The only person who could incite this degree of anger in him is only Miss Song, so could this mean that there is conflict between Miss Tang and Miss Song?


    At the final moment, these thoughts shed across Su Zhinian¡¯s mind. She stopped moving. Staring at Su Zhinian¡¯spletely foreign back, she shouted in the nick of the moment, "CEO Su, you have to think about Miss Song!"


    Miss Song... These two words caused Su Zhinian¡¯s action to conspicuously slow.


    He narrowed his eyes dangerously and mmed the wine bottle on the table. Then, he reached out to pull Tang Nuan up by her hair. Lowering his face, he stared into her eyes. In a voice that was audible only to the both of them, he hissed through his gritted teeth, word by word, "If anything really happens to Song Qingchunter, I swear you will not live to see the sun rise tomorrow!"

 Chapter 565: Tsundere Su (9)

    Chapter 565: Tsundere Su (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    After saying that, Su Zhinian released his grip on Tang Nuan¡¯s hair. Ignoring the eyes on him, he took a step back, grabbed the suit jacket hanging on the back of his chair, and dashed out of the room, a majestic aura swirling around him.


    A long time after Su Zhinian left, the people in the room slowly came to one after another. Facing the chaos, everyone looked at each other before their gazes collectively fell on Tang Nuan and CEO Huang, who had brought her along.


    The only reason CEO Huang had brought Tang Nuan along was because he thought she could at least be a beautiful vase, but who could have known that she would only make things more awkward for him? If possible, CEO Huang really wished he could act like he did not know Tang Nuan. s, the whole room knew it was him who brought Tang Nuan, so he could not pretend like he was not personally involved in this business.


    CEO Huang stood to the side for a while before taking steps toward Tang Nuan. With a drawn face, he pulled her off the table and asked, "Are you okay?"


    The kick from Su Zhinian at her stomach caused an indescribable pain to weaken her body. When she was pulled up by CEO Huang, she finally had enough energy to open her eyes. She thought she would see concern in CEO Huang¡¯s eyes, but to her disappointment, all she saw was disgust and annoyance.


    An unspeakable sense of being wronged rose up in her heart. She lowered her gaze, and her blood-stained lips stretched into a thin line. She nodded weakly and replied, "I¡¯m fine."


    After that, Tang Nuan started coughing violently to the point where she coughed out a mouthful of blood. After the coughing subsided, she remembered that shee with CEO Huang and realized he must have been angry because she had made him lose face, so she forced her head upwards to tell him, "I¡¯m sorry."


    In Tang Nuan¡¯s mind, CEO Huang treated her well. They had met each other when she went to interview him. He would call her intimately as darling, and hevished her with gifts like rose bouquets, make-up kits, clothes, bags, and jewelry. He had never once raised his voice at her, so she believed if she actively apologized to him, he would brush it off and bring her to the hospital to have the best doctor check on her wound.


    When CEO Huang heard her apology, his face became even more drawn. With his voice lowered to a severe volume, he started berating her before the roomful of people. "What is going on with you? I asked you to share a drink with CEO Su, but look at the mess you¡¯ve made!"


    Tang Nuan¡¯s heart was instantly chilled to its core. She stared dumbly at CEO Huang for a moment before averting her gaze and pulling her arm away from his grasp. She whispered softly, "I need to use the bathroom."


    Without waiting for his answer, she turned around, with her hands over her stomach, and waddled her way out of the room.


    Tang Nuan left the room and walked toward the bathroom when another door along the corridor opened, and Qin Yinan in a faded blue shirt walked out of it.


    Tang Nuan¡¯s first reaction was to turn around to prevent Qin Yinan from seeing her in this state. However, she could barely walk without support, so how could she manage to react with such agility and mobility?


    Therefore, after Qin Yinan closed the door, his gaze slowly but surely fell on her body.

 Chapter 566: Tsundere Su (10)

    Chapter 566: Tsundere Su (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    As if not expecting to see her in this state, his expression was one of shock as his brows creased deeply.


    She was so familiar with this reaction from him. When she tripped on the running field during high school years, he would always react in this way before rushing over to pull her off the ground and carry her all the way to the nurse¡¯s office.


    She would use the simr technique to hurt Song Qingchun when they were still a couple. She would pretend to hurt her ankle. Whenever he heard her yelp, his first reaction would to be frown and drop everything he was doing to rush to her side. Therefore, when Tang Nuan noticed this reaction on Qin Yinan, for a fleeting moment, she thought he would rush over like he used to, pull her into his embrace, and demand who did this to her angrily.


    However, that only happened in Tang Nuan¡¯s mind. Qin Yinan stared at her silently for a few minutes until the door behind him opened again. Another person came out and asked in surprise, "Manager Qin, weren¡¯t you going to the bathroom?"


    He lowered his gaze and turned around to smile politely at the person behind him. "Was in the middle of a call, going now."


    Then, he left with that person. When CEO Huang berated her, Tang Nuan had only felt mildly indignant but not sad or aggrieved. However, when she saw Qin Yinan turn his back on her, she suddenly felt like she had been abandoned by the world, and her eyes started to redden immediately.


    Since when did the man that would put her before anything else in the world learn to act like he had nothing to do with her, even when he saw her in a state where she needed his help the most?


    Tang Nuan was dazed for quite some time. Holding her tears in, she climbed up the wall and slowly moved toward the bathroom.


    Qin Yinan was already out of men¡¯s room. He was facing away from the door, standing before the sink. After he dried his hands, he picked up his phone, and it sounded like it was from his mother. "Mom... I haven¡¯t had much to drink, don¡¯t worry. Don¡¯t stay up for me, go to sleep early. I still need to pay Song Song and Uncle Song a visit at the hospitalter..."


    When Tang Nuan heard the name "Song Song", she mmed the door to the female¡¯s toilet heavily, causing the people inside to cast inquisitive and weird nces at her. Tang Nuan ignored them, as she copsed to the floor, hugging her shoulders. She curled up into a fetal postion and started to cry.


    Su Zhinian, who she loved the most in the world, had once again tried to kill her because of Song Qingchun. Before he left, he even threatened her darkly, "If anything really happens to Song Qingchunter, I swear you will not live to see the sun rise tomorrow!"


    Qin Yinan, who treated her as the most precious treasure in the world, had bepletely heartless toward her, also because of Song Qingchun.


    Tang Nuan suddenly stopped crying because a thought shed through her mind. How did Su Zhinian know I n to ruin Song Qingchun tonight? That should be a secret between me and the male celebrity... Or did Song Qingchun manage to call him for help?


    Tang Nuan was confused for a moment before tears overwhelmed her once more.


    The more her tears came, the sadder she felt. Her mind was filled with memories of how Qin Yinan would pamper and console her, and like a vicious cycle, it caused her tears toe even faster. She could not stop crying until a female voice came from above her.


    "Miss Tang, are you alright?"

 Chapter 567: The Beauty who Caused the Generals Fury (1)

    Chapter 567: The Beauty who Caused the General¡¯s Fury (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Tang Nuan stopped crying and raised her eyes with streaks of tears still running down her face. A graceful woman was standing before her. She blinked away her tears before she could get a good look of the woman. Then a sh of surprise and recognition registered in Tang Nuan¡¯s eyes as she whispered, "It¡¯s you?"


    "I¡¯m ttered that Miss Tang still remembers me after so many years," the woman said softly as she opened her purse to pull out several wet napkins. Then, she bent down beside Tang Nuan to personally help her wipe away the tears and blood on her face before straightening up and tossing the napkins into the trashcan in the bathroom. She continued to say slowly and gracefully, "Miss Tang, if you¡¯re free now, do you mind sharing a few words with me?"


    Tang Nuan stared at her for a moment before nodding. The woman saw this and instantly broke into a smile. Then, she bent down once more to pull Tang Nuan off the ground. She told Tang Nuan, "I¡¯ll wait for you in the underground parking lot."


    ...


    Tang Nuan walked out of the elevator and heard the sound of car honking. She followed the sound and saw an Audi Q7 parked in a spot near hers.


    She walked to the car, and the window rolled down to reveal the face of the woman who said, "Miss Tang, doe in."


    The woman waited for Tang Nuan to put on the seatbelt before starting the engine. She drove Tang Nuan along the streets of Beijing for quite some time before turning into a darkened alleyway that would not see any pedestrian activity.


    The woman turned off the engine and asked, "Miss Tang, six years ago, I gave you the information that Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian slept together, and you had the time of your life spreading it around before high school graduation, didn¡¯t you?"


    Tang Nuan was surprised that the woman would cut right to the incident from six years ago, so she was startled. She pulled her lips tight but did not say a word.


    The woman did not mind her silence and continued in a gentle and kind voice. "At the time, Song Qingchun was looked down on by everyone at school because of that news, and she parted ways from Su Zhinian from then onward. They didn¡¯tmunicate with each other for five years, and that was what you wanted, right?"


    Tang Nuan lowered her gaze and responded with a question of her own. "I¡¯m sorry, but what do you want from me?"


    The woman also did not answer but followed it up with another question. "Do you hate Song Qingchun?"


    Song Qingchun. The name caused disgust and anger to sh across Tang Nuan¡¯s eyes, and she answered without hesitation, "Yes."


    "How much hate?" the woman asked.


    Tang Nuan did not answer, but her hands were gripped tightly into fists.


    The woman smiled disarmingly. "What if I told you that the reason I came to you tonight to is help you with that hate?"


    Tang Nuan looked toward the woman with shock. "How do you intend to help me?"


    "You two share the samepany, so I¡¯m sure there are many opportunities for you to interact with her, right?" As the woman said so, she passed a ck bottle to Tang Nuan. "This here is a bottle of pills; the trace amount is so small that daily consumption will not lead to any damage; however, prolonged consumption will lead to more serious effects. If you can slip a pill into Song Qingchun¡¯s drink or food every day, with a little bit of patience, she will one daypletely disappear from your life, and you won¡¯t be affected by her anymore."

 Chapter 568: The Beauty who Caused the Generals Fury (2)

    Chapter 568: The Beauty who Caused the General¡¯s Fury (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "I¡¯ve given you the method and opportunity; whether you take this opportunity is your choice, but a word of advice, this kind of opportunity normally onlyes once." The woman then pushed the pills further toward Tang Nuan. Noticing her reluctance to take it, she opened Tang Nuan¡¯s purse herself and dropped the bottle into it. "Alright, it¡¯s gettingte, I¡¯ll send you home."


    When the woman started the car, Tang Nuan, who had been silent, suddenly asked, "You¡¯re not helping me out of the kindness of your heart, are you?"


    "Of course not." The woman mmed on the pedal and turned around to admit openly. "Of course, I¡¯m not helping you because I¡¯m such a saint; it¡¯s because we have the same target in mind: Song Qingchun¡¯s death."


    "Do you mind telling me why?" Tang Nuan asked.


    The woman was quiet for a long time before answering in a soft-spoken voice that was incongruent to the content of her words. "Because I want to make Song Menghwa¡¯s life a living hell."


    The woman did not borate as she drove out of the alleyway. The woman dropped Tang Nuan at the gate to her residential area. Before Tang Nuan got out, she reminded Tang Nuan, "I know what you are worried about; you are afraid they¡¯ll be able to trace the drugs back to you. Don¡¯t worry, this drug is very rare. Even if they discover it in the autopsy, they will think it¡¯s some sort of anti-depressant, thus creating the mirage that she killed herself out of depression. For example, Mrs. Song¡¯s suicide four years ago when she dropped into the sea on a cruise and CEO Song¡¯s suicide from falling off thepany building."


    ...


    Song Qingchun had an interview that night with a male celebrity. Initially, she wanted to have the interview at a quiet ce like a caf¨¦, but the male celebrity insisted on having the interview at Eldorado or there would be no interview.


    Such a big-head... Song Qingchun pouted and grumbled internally after she hung up. However, she still packed up her stuff and headed for Eldorado. She had no choice because the man had just filmed a famous series and was thetest "Nation¡¯s Husband", so she had to get this interview.


    The scheduled interview was supposed to start at 8 pm, but the man only arrived leisurely at 8.30 pm. This was the first time Song Qingchun had met this man in person. Since she was young, she had grown alongside facially-gifted men like Qin Yinan and Song Cheng. After she met Su Zhinian, her eye for handsome men was subconsciously stricter than most.


    When Song Qingchun saw him, she was not a bit impressed by this man who the inte praised as illogically handsome; in fact, she scoffed internally. That¡¯s all?


    However, on the surface, she still provided a friendly, polite smile. "Mr. Yang, nice to meet you. My name is Song Qingchun. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to interview you."


    Mr. Yang nced at Song Qingchun¡¯s hand that was hanging in the air and did not show any sign of moving forward to shake it. In fact, he did not even greet her, but like an emperor, he opened up his arms and nced at his assistant behind him.


    The assistant immediately rushed forward to help him out of his jacket. Then the assistant grabbed his clothes and cleverly retreated out of the room.


    Mr. Yang made a show of looking at the watch on his wrist before raising his eyes to study Song Qingchun¡¯s face twice before moving to the sofa to sit down.

 Chapter 569: The Beauty who Caused the Generals Fury (3)

    Chapter 569: The Beauty who Caused the General¡¯s Fury (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun took back her hand that was hanging in the air slowly. She stood where she was for two seconds before turning around to sh a perfect smile at the man, not revealing one trace of anger at the man¡¯s arrogance and smugness. "Mr. Yang, can we start our interview now?"


    Just like before, the man ignored Song Qingchunpletely as he reached out to ring the service bell. Then he picked up the menu, leaned back in the sofa, and started to read.


    Song Qingchun was used to this kind of big-headedness from stars in the industry, so she smiled like nothing had happened as she walked to the sofa, found a spot not too far and not too close from Mr. Yang, and started preparing her notes and recorder for the interview. Mr. Yang ordered a bottle of wine and a fruit te.


    After those were served, Song Qingchun asked for the third time, "Mr. Yang, can we start now?"


    This time Mr. Yang did respond to her. "No need to rush."


    He sat up to grab the alcohol on the table and poured it in the two sses set down by the waiter. He passed one to Song Qingchun and raised the other at her, saying, "Let¡¯s drink to rx first."


    When she was in high school, Song Menghwa and Song Cheng had drilled it into her head not to drink with strangers, so all through the years, while Song Qingchun would asionally drink, it was only during family functions.


    She stared at the wine offered, and she replied with an apologetic smile, "I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Yang, but I don¡¯t drink."


    Mr. Yang raised his brow but did not force it on her. He tossed his head back to finish his ss in one gulp. Then, he poured himself another ss. Swirling the wine in his hand, he turned to look at Song Qingchun and said, "Shall we start?"


    "Okay, Mr. Yang." Song Qingchun smiled thinly and reached out to start the recorder. However, before she could, Mr. Yang suddenly pulled the recorder away from her grasp. Song Qingchun turned to look at him with confusion. He twirled the recorder in his hand and took another sip of his wine before adding, "I don¡¯t like recording. If you have any questions, you can ask and record it with pen and paper."


    Such a douche! Song Qingchun cursed internally but smiled with agreement. "Okay, Mr. Yang."


    Biting the end of her pen, Song Qingchun lowered her head to look at the first question on her list and opened her lips to ask, "Mr. Yang, what is your opinion about the great poprity of the TV series you just shot?"


    Mr. Yang tilted his head to the side to make a show that he was deep in thought and answered Song Qingchun¡¯s question seriously. Song Qingchun also started jotting down his answer.


    When the wine bottle was half-finished, Song Qingchun was almost finished with the question list. Song Qingchun nced at thest two questions and chose to start with the one that was more explosive. "Mr. Yang, we¡¯ve discusses everything about your work, do you mind if I ask you something personal?"


    After Mr. Yang nodded, Song Qingchun continued. "Some time ago, there was a rumor on the inte that stated you are getting married soon, is that true? Will you be getting married within this year?"

 Chapter 570: The Beauty who Caused the Generals Fury (4)

    Chapter 570: The Beauty who Caused the General¡¯s Fury (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Mr. Yang did not seem to hear her clearly because he leaned into her and asked, "Sorry?"


    Song Qingchun repeated the question.


    "Sorry?" Mr. Yang repeated that and moved to close the gap between them. His approach brought with him a heavy stench of alcohol and cologne. It made her frown, and she subconsciously moved further away to create some space between them. Then, she repeated her question another time kindly and patiently.


    Mr. Yang did the same thing until Song Qingchun reached the end of the seat. Just as Mr. Yang was going to press his body on top of Song Qingchun, she finally lost her patience and stood up from the sofa. However, before she could get up, Mr. Yang suddenly reached out to grab her wrist.


    Song Qingchun tried pulling away and said, "Mr. Yang, you have had too much to drink."


    Mr. Yang ignored her struggle and pulled Song Qingchun right into his embrace. Then, he stuck his mouth into her ears. As he blew on it, he asked in an intimate, growling tone, "What was your question? I didn¡¯t hear you."


    Then, he opened his mouth to nibble on her earlobe. Song Qingchun shivered instantly and, without thinking, reached out to shove the man away from her face. She demanded angrily, "Mr. Yang, please show some respect!"


    Mr. Yang chuckled like it was all a joke. "Respect? Why don¡¯t youe and show me how?"


    As he said so, his hands on her wrist moved to her waist, and her whole body was tightly wrapped in his arms. Song Qingchun instinctually started to resist.


    However, the man seemed to enjoy her resistance. He allowed her to wiggle in his arms until he eventuallyughed and said, "Don¡¯t you know? You¡¯re only making it hotter for me. All that grinding is making me lose control."


    He then leaned in to kiss Song Qingchun¡¯s face. His touch made Song Qingchun nauseous, and she almost vomited. She shoved at his shoulders heavily and pulled her face as far away from him as she could. She started screaming for help.


    Mr. Yang did not seem to mind. In fact, he added wickedly, "Baby, scream all you want, but even if you scream until your throat burns, no one wille to save you."


    Then, he turned Song Qingchun around and pinned her underneath him on the sofa. Using one hand, he mped both of her wrists into a vise while his other hand gripped her chin while he forced kisses on her lips.


    Song Qingchun averted her head wildly trying to escape his lips. She used every ounce of energy in her body to escape his grip, but due to the natural difference in men and women¡¯s physical attributes, she was unable to escape from him no matter how hard she tried.


    The man¡¯s lips once more sought hers out. The sense of disgust and resentment filled her, and with a wild reserve of strength, one of her hands shook loose. She searched for a random object nearest to her on the table and swung it heavily on the man¡¯s head.

 Chapter 571: The Beauty who Caused the Generals Fury (5)

    Chapter 571: The Beauty who Caused the General¡¯s Fury (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Following a groan close to her ears, Song Qingchun felt the grasp Mr. Yang had on her wrist conspicuously weaken. Taking this opportunity, she raised both of her arms and shoved Mr. Yang off her.


    Mr. Yang was so caught up nursing the pain on his head that he did not expect this sudden push from Song Qingchun. Thus, he tumbled off the sofa, and his back knocked into the edge of the marble table top. The shot of pain made him suck in a deep breath, and an expletive escaped from his lips.


    Song Qingchun did not dare to waste any more time. The moment the man got off her, she climbed up from the sofa. She grabbed her purse beside her, turned around, and rushed to the door.


    In her hurry to escape, she did not notice where her legnded. Incidentally, her heels stepped on Mr. Yang leg and following the man¡¯s scream, Song Qingchun¡¯s staggered. Thankfully, she reached out just in mind to grab the edge of the table, preventing herself from falling to the floor.


    Ignoring the pain on her ankle, she jumped over the man¡¯s legs and shuffled toward the door. However, she barely took two steps when the man reached out to grab her leg and pulled strongly, causing Song Qingchun to fall headfirst to the ground.


    The heavy m against the floor caused Song Qingchun to feel dazed in the head. She saw Mr. Yang getting up from the floor out of the corner of her eyes. Fearing that he mighte after her once more, she dropped her bag and gritted her teeth as she used the side of the sofa to pull herself up.


    The moment Song Qingchun stood up, someone pulled on her ankle. With a scream, she once more fell to the ground. Then, her whole body was dragged toward Mr. Yang, who was pulling on her ankle.


    When Mr. Yang first saw Song Qingchun¡¯s picture, he had already been interested. That was why he had agreed to Tang Nuan¡¯s demand so easily. When he saw her in person, he had realized she was even more attractive than her picture. Therefore, he did not rush toy the punishment on her but pretended patiently to do the interview with her.


    He had toyed with many women in his life and had used many despicable tactics, but most women surrendered themselves to him willingly due to his status and looks. As he got more alcohol in him, his bodily desire became more uninhibited. He moved physically toward her, trying to get a feel from her.


    Who would have thought this soft-looking woman would be so stubborn internally and would hurt him physically?


    Mr. Yang swiped what he thought was sweat that was trickling down his forehead. When he saw it was blood, his eyes turned vicious. He turned Song Qingchun harshly around so that she would be facing him. He started tearing through her clothes, and he leaned down to bite and kiss her fair skin.


    Following the sound of tearing, Song Qingchun felt the chilling air touch her chest. She hurriedly moved her arms to shield the front of her chest and instinctually reached out to p the man¡¯s face.

 Chapter 572: The Beauty who Caused the Generals Fury (6)

    Chapter 572: The Beauty who Caused the General¡¯s Fury (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Mr. Yang¡¯s face was pped to the side. He looked at the sofa for a moment before turning his head around slowly to look at Song Qingchun.


    There was anger and resentment on his face, but it also had a cold smile curved on it. Just as Song Qingchun thought he was going to scold her, he suddenly reached out to grab her hair, pull her head up, and pped her twice on her face.


    "You dare p me? You will pay dearly for that."


    The man seemed to have lost his rationality. As he cursed, he mmed Song Qingchun¡¯s head heavily against the floor. With no thought of whether his excessive force would hurt Song Qingchun, he tore her clothes apart.


    The pain on her head caused Song Qingchun to be dazed. A momentter, she felt something sticky trickle down her face. When the liquid reached the edge of her lips, she tasted blood in her mouth.


    She was stupefied until she heard something like a belt being unbuckled, and her whole body shivered. Then, she felt something wet and sticky on her corbone, and her stomach turned. Like a crazy woman, she started to scream and struggle.


    Her crazy struggle caught Mr. Yang by surprise. He lost control of her for a moment until he reached out angrily attempting to strangle her by the throat to pin her to the ground, but when his arm swiped past her face, she raised her head and chomped on it. There was a great force behind that bite; it felt like she was trying to tear a piece of meat off his bone. However, Mr. Yang was only angered by this assault. He raised his other arm and mmed it hard on the side of her head.


    The pain caused Song Qingchun to loosen her bite. Mr. Yang took his chance to pry Song Qingchun¡¯s mouth open. When he saw the deep bite mark on his arm, his chest rose with anger. As he turned around to grab the ss of wine he had poured for Song Qingchun earlier, his face twisted in anger, and he cursed, "F*ck, fine, if you want to do this the hard way, we will. Do you really think I can¡¯t make you submit? After you drink this, you¡¯ll be begging me for more.


    "Don¡¯t worry, I will not be the only one who will be servicing you tonight. I¡¯ll call my people over, and you will have the best night of your night. This is to reward you for hurting me."


    Mr. Yang then pulled Song Qingchun by the hair and shoved the ss to her lips. "Drink, drink this!"


    From the man¡¯s words, Song Qingchun knew the drink was drugged. If she was still conscious, she might have the opportunity to escape, but if she really drank it, then it would really be over. So, no matter how hard the man pushed the drink against her lips, Song Qingchun kept her mouth mped shut.


    Mr. Yang was obviously reaching the limit of his patience. His hand that was grabbing her hair moved to pinch her chin to force her mouth open. Then, he poured the drink into her mouth.


    Song Qingchun shook her head around violently, but even so, a small amount of alcohol still filtered into her mouth and trickled down her throat.


    A wave of endless despair instantly washed over her.

 Chapter 573: The Beauty who Caused the Generals Fury (7)

    Chapter 573: The Beauty who Caused the General¡¯s Fury (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The feeling of despair reminded her of the night she was kidnapped at Song Empire¡¯s event, the feeling that she waspletely helpless as she saw the kidnapper knock Qin Yinan unconscious and the knife heading for her chest. So eerily simr, she was able to observe everything, but there was nothing she could do.


    However, for the kidnapping, at worst, she would have died, but this time? If she was really raped...


    The moment that thought came into her mind, Song Qingchun felt like dying; she abandoned her dignity and started begging Mr. Yang in a pleading voice. However, no matter what she said, the man did not show any sign of stopping. There was not much wine in the ss, and most of it had sshed out on Song Qingchun¡¯s face or the floor.


    The moment the ss was emptied, Mr. Yang could not wait to straddle Song Qingchun¡¯s body again. She could see the man gyrating on top of her and feel his lips touching her bare skin... Song Qingchun felt the hair all over her body rising. She had not felt so dirty in her life before. The despair within her heart amplified, and the begging voice in her lips gradually softened until it disappeared.


    Shey on top of the frozen floor, staring at the ceiling. As the tears fell silently down her face, she thought about her options. The more she considered it, the more cowardly she felt. She did not think she had the courage to face what wasing, and in the end, the thought of suicide surfaced in her mind.


    Yes, she would rather die than allow herself to be degraded in such a matter.


    Die... The word circted around her mind continuously. Her tears stopped flowing, and with a despairing heart, she came to a decision. She swallowed deeply and whispered, "Su Zhinian."


    The tears that had stopped earlier started to fall again following the sound of her voice.


    "Su Zhinian... goodbye..."


    She mumbled the few words softly before closing her eyes. Using her final store of energy, she bit powerfully on her tongue.


    ...


    Following a sharp screech of tires, Su Zhinian¡¯s car rolled to a stop by the roadside. He shoved the door open and ignored the valet who was greeting him.


    He rushed into the lobby, and as he rushed toward the elevator, he tried to focus on Song Qingchun¡¯s voice.


    Eldorado was a night-time paradise, and there was a cacophony of voices. Su Zhinian tried searching for a long time, but he could not locate Song Qingchun¡¯s voice.


    The fear and anxiety stopped the breath in his throat. As he continued searching for Song Qingchun¡¯s voice, he forced his way into many private rooms, trying to locate Song Qingchun.


    Su Zhinian lost count of the doors he had poked his head into and the number of curse words he had heard that night; his only thought was to look for her. Just as he aimed to rush to the third floor, Song Qingchun¡¯s voice suddenly appeared beside his ears.


    It was very light and very soft.


    However, using his super hearing, he heard it very clearly.


    She was calling his name.


    "Su Zhinian..."


    Su Zhinian felt something grip his heart. He stopped moving instantly and focused fully on the source of the voice.


    "Su Zhinian..." It was his name being called again, and it came from upstairs. Su Zhinian shoved the emergency door beside him open and rushed up the stairs.

 Chapter 574: The Beauty who Caused the Generals Fury (8)

    Chapter 574: The Beauty who Caused the General¡¯s Fury (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian¡¯s whole body shook as he dashed through the emergency exit door. There was only one room next to the door, and standing beside it was a young man hugging a jacket, leaning against the wall and ying on his phone.


    Su Zhinian headed toward the door without thought and hesitation. When the young man noticed his approached, he stood up straight and reached out to block him. "I¡¯m sorry, sir..."


    Before the young man could finish, Su Zhinian raised his leg to kick the room door wide open. The main lights in the room was not on; only the colorful strobe light was on. Using the light from the corridor, Su Zhinian managed to spot Song Qingchun, who was cowering under the figure of a man.


    Noticing themotion, the man raised his head off of Song Qingchun and growled angrily, "Xiao Yi, why are you sleeping on the job?"


    "I¡¯m so sorry, Brother Yang." The young man by the name of Xiao Yi immediately apologized to the man inside the room then he turned to look at Su Zhinian. "Sir, you cannot do this..."


    Then he rushed forward, attempting to close the door. However, before he could reach the door knob, his whole person was kicked flying into the room by Su Zhinian.


    Following a heavy thud, the man who was leaning down to kiss Song Qingchun¡¯s skin suddenly stopped moving. The man¡¯s tone was even more menacing because he had been interrupted twice already. "Xiao Yi, you don¡¯t want to follow me anymore, do you..."


    Before he could finish, the angry words in his mouth turned into a wailing scream as his whole person was sent flying off Song Qingchun, and he mmed into the wall.


    After themotion died down, Mr. Yang raised his hand to scratch his chin that was kicked and forced out, "F*ck, who the hell dares to kick..."


    As he said so, he turned his face forward. A dark shadow headed toward him with such speed that he could not even catch a good look of the shadow¡¯s face. Surrounded by a menacing aura, the shadow ran toward him, raised his leg, and lobbed a powerful kick at his head.


    Before Mr. Yang could even finish screaming, hended on the floor heavily before sliding down the waxed floor out the room. The mannded in such a twisted heap that it seemed like he would have difficulty spewing out a word, much less getting up.


    The shadow raised his head to look at the man who he had just kicked out of the room chillingly before turning to walk toward Song Qingchun who was curled on the floor.


    Only after he got close did Su Zhinian realize the state she was in. Her clothes were barely covering her body, and there were obvious bruises on her arms and chest. Su Zhinian¡¯s lips were stretched into a thin line, and the fire within his body lit up like mes being fed with oil.


    He raised his hand to pull on his tie. Then, he removed his suit jacket and bent over to drape it over Song Qingchun¡¯s body.


    Sensing his approach, like a scared animal, the girl mumbled a weak "don¡¯t touch me" as she grabbed his coat and shuffled desperately backwards.

 Chapter 575: The Beauty who Caused the Generals Fury (9)

    Chapter 575: The Beauty who Caused the General¡¯s Fury (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian frowned. As he tried to reach toward Song Qingchun again, she suddenly raised her head and screamed sharply, "Don¡¯t touch me!"


    Then, her tears fell like broken pearls. With greatly trembling lips, the girl repeated softly, like a broken record, "Don¡¯t touch me, don¡¯t touch me..."


    Her every "don¡¯t touch me" was like a knife shooting right at Su Zhinian¡¯s heart. His breathing turned heavy, and as he reached out to pull her into his embrace, he saw the two reddened palm prints on her face.


    Like being shocked by electricity, Su Zhinian¡¯s whole body tensed. The next second, he suddenly stood up and grabbed the wine bottle left on the table as he did. He walked toward the door like a devil delivering judgement and swung the bottle heavily on Mr. Yang¡¯s head.


    As the bottle shattered into pieces, Mr. Yang screamed like he was an animal led to the ughterhouse. Blood immediately spluttered out of his head. Before the first wave of pain even passed through his body, he felt someone haul him up and swing him right back into the room.


    He happened tond right beside his assistant. After coughing out blood, with his palm on his chest, he croaked angrily at his assistant, "What are you still doing here? Do you not see this madman? Go get the security now!"


    The reason Mr. Yang dared to bring drugs into Eldorado was because his uncle was one of Eldorado¡¯s shareholders. Even the manager had to bow deeply whenever they saw him, much less the security guards. F*ck, this man dares to beat me at my ce? I will have the security kill him.


    Su Zhinian took slow deliberate steps toward Mr. Yang. When he raised his feet to step on his chest, Mr. Yang¡¯s thoughts drifted into his mind.


    "Security?" His eyes narrowed dangerously, and his tone wasced with cruel mockery. "Fine, I¡¯ll call them for you."


    Then, Su Zhinian moved his leg from the man¡¯s chest and walked to the call to press on the service bell.


    Three secondster, the service bell was picked up. Before the person could say anything, Su Zhinian said, "This is Su Zhinian. Three minutes, in three minutes I want all the security at Eldorado gathered at the fifth floor¡¯s Room 106."


    "Yes, Mr. Su." The moment the receptionist hung up, Su Zhinian grabbed the china next to him and flung it at Mr. Yang.


    The china shattered into pieces and rained on the man. Before he could recover from the shock, a vase came flying his way.


    Su Zhinian seemed to have lost his rationality. Anything that was not glued to the surface was picked up by him to throw at Mr. Yang: the phone receiver, decorations, paintings. The whole room was filled with the sound of stuff crashing and Mr. Yang¡¯s desperate cries for help.


    When Eldorado¡¯s security manager arrived with the security team, the whole room was beyond recognition already.


    Mr. Yang was so shocked out of his mind that he could not remember who called the security. The moment he saw the security manager, he crawled toward him like he had seen the light, yelling, "Quick, quick, Sun Zhuang, arrest this madman..."

 Chapter 576: The Beauty who Caused the Generals Fury (10)

    Chapter 576: The Beauty who Caused the General¡¯s Fury (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Come, I do wish to see who dares arrest me!" As Su Zhinian said that, he grabbed Song Qingchun¡¯s bag and mmed it on Mr. Yang¡¯s face.


    When Sun Zhuang, the security manager, heard Su Zhinian, he nced at the man surrounded by a majestic aura and took in deep breath surreptitiously. Not only did he not take a step forward, he took a step back and said in a tone that was as obsequious as possible, "Mr. Su."


    Behind him, the group of security guards stood alert at the door. They did not dare to move one inch toward the entrance.


    Su Zhinian ignored security guards, that numbered over one hundred, and continued flinging stuff at Mr. Yang like crazy. He gave no thought to what he was throwing and less thought to the damage he might inflict upon Mr. Yang. Mr. Yang was right; he was really no different from a madman. The aura rising off him was so strong that the people gathered at the door did not dare to even breathe.


    Su Zhinian continued his madness until there was nothing else left in the room for him to throw. However, his murderous fury did not seem like it was dying down. Using a strength that no one knew he had, he toppled the marble table.


    Following a deafening boom, Su Zhinian rushed to Mr. Yang¡¯s side and started kicking and punching him. The man screamed and wailed, begged and cursed, but none of that seemed to register in Su Zhinian¡¯s mind. He just continued raining punishment on the man until the voice of the begging man started to sound like he was choking on his blood.


    If this is allowed to continue, he will really die here. If that happens, Mr. Su might survive the tragedy, but Eldorado will not.


    The security manager took in the harrowing scene but did not dare intervene; instead, he picked up his walkie-talkie to contact the hotel manager.


    The hotel manager rushed over. The two of them grumbled for a long time, pushing the responsibility on each other, but neither one dared to step into the room.


    "So, what to do now? Find the boss? Mr. Su is currently Eldorado¡¯s biggest shareholder; even the boss would not dare stop him. The other shareholders? Impossible..."


    "But we can¡¯t just let this go on..."


    Just as the two managers whispered to each other trying toe up with a solution, a waiter at the back of the group suddenly piped up, "Hey, is there a girl in the room?"


    Mr. Yang often uses Eldorado as his hunting spot, could this girl be histest victim and Mr. Su has lost his mind because of this woman?


    As the saying goes, men always lose their temper and sanity because of a woman.


    The two managers looked at each other, and then the hotel manager pped silently like he just remember something important. "Just look at the both of us, how can we forget about Miss Cheng?"

 Chapter 577: Love and War (1)

    Chapter 577: Love and War (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Indeed, why didn¡¯t we think of Miss Cheng? She will definitely be able to resolve this issue!" the security manager concurred. The hotel manager instantly pulled out her phone to call Cheng Qingchong.


    After hearing the hotel manager describe the situation, instead of providing a solution, she asked, "Was Miss Song... bullied?"


    Miss Song? Who is this Miss Song?


    The hotel manager was confused before it dawned on him that thedy in the room had to be Miss Song. He nced into the room in a hurry and saw Miss Song¡¯s dress still sitting perfectly on her body, so he turned back to the phone and said, "Miss Song¡¯s dress is still perfectly wrapped over her body, I believe she was not touched by Mr. Yang..."


    Cheng Qingchong sighed in great relief on the phone and said rather dly, "Good, good, this means that it can still be saved..."


    Then Cheng Qingchongunched a series of orders at the hotel manager. "First, do not try to stop CEO Su when he is at the height of his fury or else you¡¯ll end up in the same hospital as that Mr. Yang.


    "Secondly, CEO Su haspletely lost his sanity, and the only way to pull him back is to remind him of Miss Song like Miss Song is crying or something like that. If that does not work, you have to get Miss Song to help you stop CEO Su. Even at the height of his madness, CEO Su will not hurt Miss Song one bit.


    "Finally, quickly go open a room at Eldorado so that CEO Su has a ce to let Miss Song rest."


    After hanging up, the hotel manager instantly ordered his men to follow Cheng Qingchong¡¯s instructions. Then with a deep breath, he walked to the room entrance and yelled, "Mr. Su, Miss Song doesn¡¯t look like she is doing so well!"


    Su Zhinian did not respond but continued to kick at Mr. Yang¡¯s stomach, causing the man to cough out another mouthful of blood.


    The hotel manager tried to walk into the room to find the "Miss Song" mentioned by Cheng Qingchong on the phone. However, as he reached the door, he sensed Su Zhinian¡¯s gaze on him, and he involuntarily jumped several steps back. He pointed at Song Qingchun, who was cowering in the corner, and whispered softly and weakly at Su Zhinian, "Mr. Su, I just want to go check up on Miss Song to see whether she¡¯s injured or not."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s lips twitched, and he moved his gaze in the direction the manager was pointing. Then he saw Song Qingchun with her head buried in her knees, her shoulders shaking, weeping softly.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s heart twisted with pain. With a final kick that sent Mr. Yang flying, he turned and walked toward Song Qingchun. He only took two steps, when the miraculously still alive Mr. Yang growled at his assistant, "Have you lost your brain? If the security won¡¯t help, why you didn¡¯t call the cops?"


    "Yes, yes, yes, Brother Yang," Xiao Yi stammered. With his greatly shaking fingers, he pulled out his phone, but he only pressed one when Mr. Yang wheezed out, "Wait, don¡¯t call the police first, get me mywyer, I need to sue him..."


    Sue me?


    When Su Zhinian heard these two words, his anger rose once more. He took two steps back to stand above Mr. Yang. He looked down at him and announced in a deliberate tone, "Want to bring me to court? Fine, I¡¯ll give you the chance to choose... do you want to be the defendant or the intiff?"

 Chapter 578: Love and War (2)

    Chapter 578: Love and War (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "I bet if you bring this to court, many girls wille out of the woodwork to sue you. Since you like the court so much, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll enjoy going in and out of it for months. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll love that very much, won¡¯t you?"


    As Su Zhinian said so, he nced Mr. Yang up and down before adding, "These wounds on your body will have healed before the case is brought to court. How about I give you one that willst to help you with your case!"


    The moment he finished, Su Zhinian suddenly raised his help to kick at Mr. Yang¡¯s crotch. The pain felt by the man was something that could not be described with words. His face twisted beyond recognition, and the scream that left his mouth went beyond what a normal human could produce.


    All the security guards present were males, even Mr. Yang¡¯s assistant was male, so they all understood the pain that Mr. Yang was feeling. Xiao Yi reached unconsciously to shield his lower body. The next second, everyone saw as Su Zhinian¡¯s feet kicked continuously at Mr. Yang¡¯s crotch like he was trying to end the Yang family line. Mr. Yang started spazzing on the floor, and his mouth was close to foaming. Every man who witnessed this butchering tightened their legs subconsciously and averted their gaze silently.


    Su Zhinian stopped attacking to pull his wallet out of his pocket. He retrieved a name card from it, bent over, and shook it at Mr. Yang¡¯s face. "This is my name card. My name, contact number, andpany address are all on it. I shall await yourwyer¡¯s letter!"


    Su Zhinian pped Mr. Yang¡¯s face with the card before removing his foot from the man¡¯s crotch. Then he turned around and walked toward Song Qingchun.


    When he was standing over Song Qingchun, the fury was still burning within him; however, as he squatted down before him, like magic, everyone could see the fury in his eyes dissolve instantly into endless tenderness and care.


    Afraid that he might spook her, he did not reach out to touch her but called her name softly.


    "Qingchun?"


    The girl¡¯s body shivered once, and the sound of crying weakened considerably.


    "...It¡¯s me," Su Zhinian said gently. Song Qingchun slowly raised her head from her knees. Su Zhinian reached out toward her head. When he realized she did not react as violently as she did before, he finally had the courage to put his hands slowly on her hair to brush it twice before adding softly, "I¡¯ll bring you away from this ce now, is that okay?"


    Song Qingchun did not say a word as she stared at his eyes. Then she nodded.


    Her little reactionpletely softened the fury caught between Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes. It was as if the man¡¯s heart had melted. With a careful motion, he wrapped his suit jacket tighter around the girl¡¯s body before he pulled her upwards into his arms and walked toward the door.


    When the security manager saw this, he immediately waved his hand to have the security clear a path for them.


    When Su Zhinian passed him, the hotel manager immediately followed Cheng Qingchong¡¯s suggestion and opened his lips to say, "Mr. Su, we¡¯ve prepared the Orchid Room for you; you can bring Miss Song to rest there."

 Chapter 579: Love and War (3)

    Chapter 579: Love and War (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Later, he realized he should not have said anything because the moment that he did, Su Zhinian, who was passing through the crowd, suddenly stopped moving. His white shirt was dyed with blood that had spurted from Mr. Yang¡¯s body. His earlier rage meant that he sweated profusely. There was still sweat hanging from the ends of his hair, and beads of sweat were trickling down his handsome jaw.


    The man was sexy in this state, and it managed to take the breath away from the fewdies in the crowd.


    His tone was clear, slow, light, and evenzy when he said, "How long have you been at Eldorado?"


    The hotel manager was shocked by the sudden question, but he recovered quickly and instantly replied, "Four years and three months already, sir."


    The moment he finished answering, Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes suddenly turned sharp, and his tone carried on a hardened edge. "Have you been blind for those four years and three months? Haven¡¯t you seen that she has been to Eldorado with me multiple times already? Since when have I be so unimportant that my people will not be taken care of at Eldorado?"


    The hotel manager was so scared out of his mind that he immediately lowered his head in shame. He did not even argue but responded with a shaking voice, "I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Su, this is my mistake."


    It was not that he had not seen Su Zhinian arrive with a femalepanion other than Miss Cheng, but that had happened at least two months ago. It wasmon for these female escorts beside rich men to change constantly, so he did not pay this Miss Song any mind.


    Su Zhinian ignored the hotel manager¡¯s apology and continued walking forward. Just as everyone thought the storm was over and was about to sigh in relief, before the breath could escape from their nostrils, Su Zhinian suddenly stopped like he had remembered something. His gaze was like a dagger as he stared right at the security manager. This caused the security manager¡¯s knees to go weak, and he almost copsed to the floor in a begging position.


    "And you, he¡¯s blind, but you¡¯re also blind? Why didn¡¯t you assign a few people to watch over her to make sure nothing happened to her?"


    Even though he was not looking at the hotel manager, when he heard the "he" mentioned, the hotel manager still shivered twice. The security manager, who stood beside him, stammered through his exnation. "I¡¯ve not seen Miss Song before, and that¡¯s why this is allowed to happen. Next, next time, I¡¯ll pay more attention, I¡¯m sorry, sorry, Mr. Su..."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s face darkened instantly.


    Next time? Do you think there will be a next time?


    The security manager realized his faux-pa and instantly remedied it. "I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Su... Whenever Miss Song arrives in the future, I assure you, we will have security follow her the whole time."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s expression rxed slightly. After a cold harrumph, he passed through the crowd, hugging Song Qingchun, without saying another word.


    After Su Zhinian stepped into the elevator, both the managers only had the courage to start breathing again.

 Chapter 580: Love and War (4)

    Chapter 580: Love and War (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian had gone beyond getting angry for Miss Song; it seemed like he would tear the whole damn world down for the sake of Miss Song! Even the innocent would not be spared.


    ...


    As Su Zhinian hugged Song Qingchun and carried her toward Orchid Room, they passed many people who knew Su Zhinian. Ashamed to let them see the state she was in, Song Qingchun kept hiding her face in Su Zhinian¡¯s chest.


    After who knows how many "Good afternoon, Mr. Su", Su Zhinian finally stopped moving. Following the sound of a card being swiped, a gentle female voice said, "Mr. Su, do you need anything else?"


    Su Zhinian hauled Song Qingchun into the room and told the waitress at the door, "Prepare me an S size outfit, a set of pajamas, two ice packs, two boiled eggs, and a bottle of salve to heal bruises."


    Su Zhinian ended his sentence with a rising tone like he was still worried about something. Then he added, "Also give Doctor Xia a call, get him toe to Eldorado."


    "Yes, Mr. Su," the waitress replied before leaving and closing the door. Su Zhinian ced Song Qingchun on the sofa. He was reaching out to pull at her chin to inspect the palm prints on her face. However, before his fingertip reached her face, the girl suddenly jumped up from the sofa. She lowered her head to have her tussled hair shield her face and whispered, "I...have to take a shower, dirty..."


    When she said the word "dirty", her voice audibly shook like she was on the verge of tears. Before waiting for a response from Su Zhinian, she turned around and dashed into the bathroom. Very soon, there was the sound of rushing water.


    Using his super hearing, Su Zhinian still managed to pick out the sound of the girl crying through the cascading water that she tried to use to hide her tears.


    The fury that had not really died down in his heart was reignited, but this time it carried with it a thick sense of fear.


    Yes, fear.


    If he had not bumped into Tang Nuan at the dinner... if someone had not just so happened to bring up their shared past... if someone had not goaded Tang Nuan toe greet him with a drink... if not for the fact that she had spaced out, blocking his way, and he managed to read her thought as he brushed past her... then, Song Qingchun¡¯s virtue would have been taken by that sleazy Yang already.


    No one could understand the fury within his heart when he read the term "rape" in Tang Nuan¡¯s thought; no one could understand the rage coursing through his vein when he saw the girl he could give up the entire world to protect cowering underneath a strange man. Thinking back, there was only one thought on his mind at that moment: to kill someone.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s crying did not show any signs of ceasing, and Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes that looked out the window that opened into the night sky of Beijing turned colder by the second. Eventually, he pulled out his phone to give Cheng Qingchong a call.


    Cheng Qingchong was probably still awake due to the call from the hotel. The phone only rang once before it was picked up. "CEO Su."

 Chapter 581: Love and War (5)

    Chapter 581: Love and War (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Call all the Eldorado¡¯s shareholders and tell them to gather," Su Zhinian said.


    Cheng Qingchong was startled. She nced at the time; it was already 10:30 pm. She asked hesitantly, "Now?"


    "Yes, now. I¡¯m calling a shareholder¡¯s meeting now." After a pause, Su Zhinian continued. "Also, call Lawyer Zhang, have hime over here as well. Tell him to prepare a stock transference form and stock purchase form."


    "Yes, CEO Su."


    ...


    After hanging up on Cheng Qingchong, Su Zhinian stood before the window and did not move. The crying in the bathroom gradually quietened down until there was no more. His tense heart also gradually rxed.


    Time ticked by slowly. Su Zhinian raised his arm to look at the time. Song Qingchun has been in there for an hour already, she¡¯s still not ready yet?


    After a moment of contemtion, Su Zhinian turned around to walk toward the bathroom door. He knocked on the door and called out, "Qingchun?"


    The bathroom was quiet. Other than water, there was no other sound. Su Zhinian¡¯s heart skipped a beat before he raised his hand to knock at the door again, this time with more urgency. "Qingchun? Have you finished showering?"


    Still, his question was met only with silence. Su Zhinian frowned slightly. He was about to knock for the third time when someone knocked on the room door.


    The door to the bathroom was just next to the room door. Su Zhinian pulled it open since he was just standing there. The waitress had returned with everything he had asked for.


    Su Zhinian turned to look at the coffee table and nodded at it, telling the waitress non-verbally to ce all the stuff there. Then, he reached out to knock on the bathroom door again. "Qingchun, please answer if you hear me or else I¡¯ming in."


    Simr to before, other than the sound of rushing water, there was no response.


    Su Zhinian was reminded of how flustered she had been when she raced into the bathroom earlier, and his heart was assaulted by anxiety. He turned to ask the waitress, who had ced everything on the table and was leaving, "Is there an extra key to this door?"


    "I¡¯ll go get it now, Mr. Su, please wait for a minute," the waitress said politely before rushing out of the room. Two minutester, she returned with a whole ring of keys. Fishing one out, she passed it to Su Zhinian and said, "Mr. Su, here you go."


    Su Zhinian did not say anything as he epted the key, pushed it into the lock, and turned it. The door clicked open, and Su Zhinian returned the key to the waitress. He then pushed the door open and walked in.


    The beige white tiles of the bathroom floor were covered in water, and the steam clouded everything in the bathroom. Su Zhinian closed the bathroom door softly behind him. Ignoring the fact that his leather shoes would be ruined by the hot water, he stepped deeper into the room.


    He walked toward the bathtub when he finally saw Song Qingchun.


    She was curled in the bathtub, and the faucet beside her was opened to its maximum. The water flowed freely even though the bathtub was already full. Water spilled out of the edge of the bathtub, forming a miniscule waterfall of sorts.


    The showerhead above the bathtub was also opened to its maximum. There were several emptied shower gel bottles floating outside of the bathtub, and the tub was filled to brim with bubbles. They ran out of the tub, following the overflowing water and flooding half of the bathroom.


    Seemingly not privy to his approach, Song Qingchun was holding a shower gel bottle in her hands and continued to squeeze its contents into the bathtub.

 Chapter 582: Love and War (6)

    Chapter 582: Love and War (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The bottle in her hands was already empty, but she still squeezed like her life depended on it. After finally realizing nothing wasing out, she tossed it aside and reached out to grab at any unopened bottle that was left on the nearby rack.


    She pulled the cap open and squeezed more into the tub and onto the bath scrubber. Then, she started to scrub her skin. Her skin was looking slightly wrinkled due to prolonged soaking in the water. She had probably tortured herself in such a manner for quite some time already because certain parts of her skin were so rough that trails of blood could be seen.


    From where he was standing, Su Zhinian could see the obvious feeling of disgust that was lodged between Song Qingchun¡¯s brows. That feeling of disgust might not have been something others understood, but he understood it perfectly well. She was feeling disgusted at herself.


    He understood it because he had gone through the same thing when he was trapped in the sanatorium. Back then, he had been pressed under the middle-aged woman, and she had touched him all over his body. At the time, he had scrubbed his skin until it was red, too, just as Song Qingchun was doing. Even when he saw the blood flowing from his skin, he still felt like he was very dirty.


    Su Zhinian lowered his gaze, and with a stretch of his lips, he stepped forward to pull the scrubber away from the girl¡¯s grip.


    As if jolted by electricity, the girl whipped her head up and demanded in a shrill voice, "Give it back!"


    Then, she jumped up from the tub and reached out to wrestle it away from him. Afraid that she might slip, Su Zhinian grabbed hold of her arms and tossed the scrubber aside. Sheshed out at him, trying to get the scrubber, and Su Zhinian, without an option, pulled her into his tight embrace, trying to stop her struggle. At the same time, he whispered consolingly, "Enough, you can stop showering already."


    As she continued to struggle in his arms, she mumbled incessantly, "Not yet... dirty..."


    Her torn top fell off her body when she stood up, and it was then floating in the tub. Her wet skirt was sticking to her body, and as she tried to wiggle her way out of his grasp, she drenched his shirt and cks.


    However, no matter how hard she struggled, Su Zhinian did not let go. Unable to escape his hold, the girl started to cry. Following her tears, the force of her struggle started to weaken.


    Su Zhinian did not say anything but pulled her deeper into his embrace. His silent action caused the girl to give up strugglingpletely. As if having found her rock, she hid deeper into his chest and started to wail.


    He stood there quietly beside the bathtub, holding her, apanying her.


    Her cries were like knives shing one gaping wound after another on his chest. The more she cried, the more painful he felt; however, he understood that she needed this release, so he merely stood there quietly for her to unload all her stress and frustration on him.


    She continued crying there for a long time until her throat was hoarse. Su Zhinian reached out to gently and slowly patted her on her back. Even though he had not whispered a word, that rhythmic patting managed to slow her crying down.


    Using his superpower, Su Zhinian managed to sense the calm that started to settle over her heart. Thus, he slowly pulled her out of his arms, raised her reddened face up, and used his thumb to slowly rub the tears away from her face.

 Chapter 583: Love and War (7)

    Chapter 583: Love and War (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Her tears and crying hadpletely stopped other than the asional sniffles. Su Zhinian then removed his fingers from her face. With one hand on her back and another holding her face lightly, he lowered his head to touch her forehead using his forehead and suggested in a gentle voice, "We¡¯ve stayed in the bathroom for quite some time already. You¡¯ll catch a cold if you stay here any longer, so how about I help you take a bath and then I¡¯ll carry you out, is that okay with you?"


    His voice was soft and replete with gentleness and care. It filtered through the sound of rushing water to warm Song Qingchun¡¯s heart, and it made the girl¡¯s eyes started to redden again. Su Zhinian used the middle of his palm to massage her cheeks and added softly, "Why are you crying again? Let¡¯s not waste our tears on that trash of a man, ok?"


    Hearing his words, Song Qingchun¡¯s tears started to fall in earnest. Su Zhinian rushed to wipe away her tears without hesitation and with utmost patience. "Come on now, stop crying. If you continue to do this, your eyes will swell from all the tears... Stop crying, okay?"


    His words finally seemed to register in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind. She nodded wordlessly. Suppressing the water that wasing to her eyes, she snuggled her head deeper into his chest and reached out her hands to circle his waist.


    Even though she was not prated by the man, the dirty feeling she felt when he tore open her clothes and licked and kissed her skin was a stubborn nightmare that refused to leave her be. It caused her to feel greatly appalled. She truly tasted despair that night; at the height of her despair, she had even considered biting her tongue tomit suicide.


    Until now, even though she was no longer trapped in that disgusting room, her heart was still quaking with fear and anxiety, so distressed was the girl that shepletely ignored how cruel Su Zhinian had been to her. At that moment, she just needed a shoulder to lean on, to relieve the fear clogging her heart.


    Su Zhinian read her internal thoughts, and his heart twisted with pain following each entry. His handsome brows were locked deep with heartache.


    He acted with the same amount of insouciance as she did. Even though he was shouldering a huge secret that prevented him from getting too close to her, at that moment, he just wanted to protect her and provide her with any kind of sce that he could.


    The pair stayed in that quiet embrace for a long time until the phone in Su Zhinian¡¯s pocket rang. Song Qingchun then moved her face off from Su Zhinian¡¯s chest.


    With one hand still on her waist, Su Zhinian used his other free hand to answer his phone. He nced at the caller ID, which said "Cheng Qingchong", before picking it up.


    "CEO Su, all of Eldorado¡¯s shareholders and Lawyer Zhang are already waiting outside of Orchid Room; I¡¯m sorry, but they wish to know when the shareholder¡¯s meeting will start."


    "Let them wait," Su Zhinian replied with these three words before pulling the phone away from his ear and ready to hang up.


    "Then, what about Doctor Xia? He¡¯s also waiting outside; shall I send him in?"


    As Su Zhinian was about to hang up, he heard this question from Cheng Qingchong. He paused for a moment before adding, "Wait for my call."


    Then, he hung up.

 Chapter 584: Love and War (8)

    Chapter 584: Love and War (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian ced his phone on the sink counter beside him then lowered his head to say to Song Qingchun, "Come out after you finish your shower, okay?"


    The long embrace earlier had quietened down Song Qingchun¡¯s rocking heart. When she heard him say that, she nodded slightly.


    Earlier, he offered to help her to take a bath because of her state of distress and the worry that she might catch a cold for staying too long immersed in the water. Now that she was doing much better, Su Zhinian tousled her wet hair and said in his gentle voice, "I¡¯ll go wait for you outside?"


    To take a bath, she had to get out of her clothes, but the clothes were barely hanging onto the girl¡¯s body then; she was practically half-naked. Song Qingchun, who just realized this, lowered her head with shame and bit her lips, but she did not say a word.


    Su Zhinian, through reading her thoughts, assumed that she was being shy, so he released the grasp on her waist. He was about to leave when she reached out to grab his hand again. The girl still kept her head low; she did not look at him or say a word. However, through the touching of their palms, he understood perfectly what she could not bring herself to say.


    It would seem too unvirtuous if she asked him to stay to apany her while she took a bath even though she really did not want him to leave. She did not want to be left alone because that would be when the memories from hours ago woulde back to haunt her. However, she could not bring herself to ask him to stay.


    Song Qingchun bit on her lower lip, and her hand that hung onto Su Zhinian¡¯s hand started to loosen its grip. Just as her fingertips were about to part from his hand, Su Zhinian sighed softly and turned around helplessly to pull the stopper from the bottom of the bathtub before grabbing the showerhead to direct it at Song Qingchun.


    Other than the sound of water, nothing else could be heard inside the bathroom. Like a stic doll, Song Qingchun stood in the bathtub motionlessly with her head lowered from shyness.


    Su Zhinian helped her wash her hair and body seriously before pulling the towel hanging in the room to wrap around her body. He sighed under his breath as he pulled out another towel to dry her hair. He tossed that towel aside as he went to grab another to wrap around her hair before he picked her up, walked out of the bathroom, and ced her gently on the bed.


    Su Zhinian rummaged through the pile of stuff brought by the waitress to search for the pajamas and underwear to pass to Song Qingchun. Then, he walked back into the bathroom to get the hairdryer.


    When he returned, Song Qingchun was already dressed.


    When Song Qingchun was harassed by Mr. Yang, he had not been by her side, so he had no clue how far the extent of the damage went. He had no clue whether the bruises on her body were all there was. So, after plugging in the hairdryer, he offered, "Do you mind if I have Doctor Xiae in to examine you?"


    Song Qingchun nodded, while adding a soft "hmm". Her face was still red from the fact he had just helped her take a shower.


    After getting her permission, Su Zhinian stood up to head toward the door. He told Doctor Xia to examine Song Qingchun carefully and thoroughly, so when he finished drying Song Qingchun¡¯s hair, Doctor Xia was still doing his examination.


    Su Zhinian stood to the side to let the old doctor do his work. After five minutes, Doctor Xia finally pulled the stethoscope off his ears and told Su Zhinian, "Miss Song was probably drugged. Thankfully, the amount is very small, and the body will remove it all from her system naturally. She is going to be fine, but I will still write her a prescription should she feel the need to take some medicine."

 Chapter 585: Love and War (9)

    Chapter 585: Love and War (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Drugged?" Su Zhiniantched onto that word after Doctor Xia delivered his diagnosis. Then, the word "date-rape" that he read in Tang Nuan¡¯s mind again reappeared in his mind, and the fire that finally extinguished in his heart was reignited again.


    Thankfully, he had called for Doctor Xia or else he would not have known about the drugs because he doubted Song Qingchun would have volunteered that information. Even though he had not toyed with those drugs before, he knew those drugs were extremely detrimental to the human body!


    Song Qingchun heard the word that escaped Su Zhinian¡¯s lips, and she assumed he was asking her about how she was drugged. She grabbed the cotton ball offered to her by Doctor Xia to press on the needle wound on her arm that the doctor used to draw her blood. Then, with her eyes lowered, she exined slowly, "I was interviewing him normally when he suddenly started to get rough. We got into an altercation, and in his rage, he grabbed me by the chin to force the drugged wine down my throat to get me to be quiet."


    She used only several sentences to conclude what happened with Mr. Yang, but when Su Zhinian heard her description... his face turned dark, and the murderous intent within him started to burn once more.


    After Song Qingchun finished, she raised her eyes to look at Su Zhinian, like a child looking for assurance, and she continued, "When he was angry, he even beat me and scolded me..."


    However, when she noticed the icy ze in his eyes, her heart shivered involuntarily, and her subconscious told her to keep her mouth shut.


    After sending Doctor Xia away, Su Zhinian returned to the bedroom with a face covered with frost. He seemed to be in the worst of his mood. He sat by the bedside and grabbed the boiled egg. The force that he used to knock it against the table top was unnecessarily hard. Even the force that he used to toss the eggshell into the trashcan was like he was trying to topple the can.


    He practically shoved the egg into her face, but as he massaged it around her wound, he became incredibly gentle. In fact, it carried with it a sense of tenderness and care. The anxiety that Song Qingchun was feeling due to his anger gradually dissipated.


    He did not say a word and neither did she.


    The bedroom was silent, but his expression did not let up; if anything, when he helped her with the bruises on her body, the coldness between his eyes only intensified. After he finished dressing all of her wounds, with a drawn face, he asked, "Are you hurt anywhere else?"


    His tone was icy, but it sent warmth into Song Qingchun¡¯s heart. She shook her head and replied softly, "No more."


    Even though she had already given him the answer, he still carefully examined her body to make sure he had not missed a spot. After making sure she was really fine, he stood up, walked to grab a bottle of water, twisted it open, and passed it to Song Qingchun. After she epted it, he handed her the medicine given by Doctor Xia.


    Song Qingchun took the medicine obediently. With a drawn face, Su Zhinian tucked her into the bed and forced out three sharp words. "Go to sleep."


    Even though Song Qingchun did not have Su Zhinian¡¯s superpower, she managed to tell that his anger was not directed at her but at the fact that she had been bullied.


    She followed his order and obediently closed her eyes.


    That night was simply too harrowing for her, both mentally and physically, so she was exhausted beyond belief.

 Chapter 586: Love and War (10)

    Chapter 586: Love and War (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian sat down beside her in bed. His elegant and light scent kept drifting into Song Qingchun¡¯s nose. It calmed Song Qingchun¡¯s nerves that had been taut the whole night. After a while, she sessfully drifted off into sleep.


    While he stayed at her side, around ten calls came into Su Zhinian¡¯s phone that he had already set into silent mode earlier. They all came from Cheng Qingchong.


    He knew it was those shareholders who were rushing her and forcing her to make these calls. Using his super-hearing, the conversations of the people outside the door filtered into his ears clearly.


    "Miss Cheng, you have to rush CEO Su. It¡¯s almost 1 am, and we¡¯ve been waiting for about two hours already."


    "That¡¯s right, Miss Cheng... you have to make another call to remind him."


    "I¡¯m sorry everyone," Cheng Qingchong said, "I¡¯ve made several calls, and CEO Su hasn¡¯t picked up."


    "Miss Cheng, if CEO Su stays inside for the whole night, does this mean all of us have to wait here throughout the night?"


    ...


    When Su Zhinian heard this, he lowered his head to pull his phone out. He tapped on it and one minuteter, the conversation from outside the door continued to drift into his ears.


    Cheng Qingchong said, "CEO Su just messaged me."


    "What did he say?"


    "Did he tell us to go back first?"


    Cheng Qingchong sounded like she had a hard time rying the information. After a few minutes of hesitation, she read the message word by word. "CEO Su said, he is currently putting Miss Song to be bed, and he hopes everyone will continue to exercise patience?"


    "Are you kidding me? He wants us to stand here simply because he¡¯s putting a woman to sleep?"


    "Isn¡¯t this a bit too much?"


    "Just what kind of emergency happened that we have to have the shareholder¡¯s meeting tonight? Can¡¯t we wait until tomorrow?"


    ...


    All these voices of dissent feel into Su Zhinian¡¯s ears, but they didn¡¯t cause any changes to his face. He still sat by Song Qingchun¡¯s side patiently, waiting for the girl to fall asleep.


    At the end of the day, the girl was spooked, so even though she fell asleep quickly, her sleep was light and restless. Whenever Su Zhinian sensed the anxiety emerging in her heart, he would reach out to pat her lightly twice.


    After repeating this motion for who knew how many times, Song Qingchun finally stabilized in her dreams. In fact, she seemed to be having some kind of sweet dream because even her lips had curved slightly into a smile.


    It was then that Su Zhinian finally raised his wrist to look at the time. It was almost 2.30 am.


    He smoothed out his wrinkle shirt, stood up, and slunk out of the bedroom. Then he closed the door with the littlest sound as possible before he walked to the room door and opened it to let the people who had been waiting for hours outsidee in.


    ...


    Song Qingchun initially was seriously having trouble sleeping because the face of Mr. Yang would keep appearing in her dreams. She would relive that state where she was pressed under him.


    However, whenever fear would start in her heart, someone would be beside her, patting her back lightly and whispering softly, "I¡¯m here, don¡¯t worry; I¡¯m always here for you, go to sleep..."


    Then, following that reassurance, her heart would calm down as she slowly drifted off to sleep. In her dreams, she could feel someone¡¯s hand ced on her back; it wasrge and warm. It made her feel protected and cherished so much so that she could not help smiling in her sleep.

 Chapter 587: Rebirth (1)

    Chapter 587: Rebirth (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The restful sleep continued for some time until Song Qingchun noticed the warmth on her back had disappeared. She frowned and reached out unconsciously toward the edge of the bed. The depressed side of the bed had returned to its t state, but a person¡¯s body temperature still lingered at the spot that was vacated.


    Her frown deepened, and her hand reached out all over the bed in her half-sleeping state. Unable to find Su Zhinian¡¯s body, her long and curledshes flickered twice before slowly opening. The bedroom was quiet. Other than the dim nightlight beside her bed, none of the lights in the room were on.


    The windows¡¯ curtains about two meters in front of her were not closed, and through the ss, she could see the glittering sights of Beijing at night. Song Qingchun slowly sat up hugging the covers to herself. Her gaze scanned the bedroom, but Su Zhinian was nowhere to be seen.


    Where is he? Has he left?


    Song Qingchun turned subconsciously toward the bedroom door. Then she pulled off the cover and got out of the bed. The bedroom floor was padded with a thick carpet, so she made no sound as she walked on it.


    She walked to the bedroom door and was about to pull the door open when she heard the slow conversation outside the heavy wooden door that was carved with floral motifs.


    "Mr. Su, I do not understand what you¡¯re saying. Why do you suddenly wish to purchase my stocks away from me with such a high price?"


    Even though the voice was purposely suppressed, Song Qingchun could tell the voice belong to a middle-aged man.


    "CEO Yang, I¡¯m giving you three times the market price to purchase your stock, so I suggest you sign the transference form now. Regarding why, I¡¯m sure you have a better idea than I do." The voice that replied to this middle-aged man was extremely familiar to Song Qingchun; it was Su Zhinian¡¯s voice. This conversation seemed to have gone on for quite some time already because she could hear the impatience in his light voice.


    "Mr. Su, my nephew, Yang Zheng indeed has made a foolish mistake tonight, but you have beaten him to such a degree that he needs to be hospitalized, shouldn¡¯t that be considered even already? You don¡¯t need to kick me out of Eldorado, do you? I promise, Yang Zheng will not do such a thing in the future anymore, so can you please reconsider this?"


    It was again the middle-aged man who said this. At this point, Song Qingchun finally understood what they were discussing.


    Yang Zheng is the celebrity that I interviewed... and this CEO Yang is his uncle and Eldorado¡¯s shareholder. So Su Zhinian is forcing his uncle out of Eldorado?


    This time, it was not Su Zhinian who replied him but Cheng Qingchong. In her usual soft-spoken and professional voice, she said, "I¡¯m sorry, CEO Yang but I advise you sign the form now."


    Cheng Qingchong then took a pause. Song Qingchun could not see what was happening out of her room, but she had a feeling Su Zhinian was giving Cheng Qingchong some kind of signal. Secondster, Cheng Qingchong continued. "CEO Yang, if you sign now, you can still stand to earn. If you insist on being so stubborn, it¡¯ll only get worse from here on out."


    "CEO Su, are you trying to threaten me?"


    Before CEO Yang finished his sentence, Su Zhinian answered him easily and affirmatively, "CEO Yang, you¡¯re mistaken¡ªI¡¯m not trying to threaten you; I¡¯m openly threatening you."

 Chapter 588: Rebirth (2)

    Chapter 588: Rebirth (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "CEO Su, we¡¯re all businessmen based in Beijing, and we¡¯ll still run in the same circle, do you need to push thing so far? How about this? I¡¯ll have my nephew personallye to apologize to Miss Song after he gets out of hospital, what do you think about that?" CEO Yang tried to negotiate this further with Su Zhinian even though desperation could be heard in his voice.


    Su Zhinian seemed like he was done having this conversation with him. Instead of answering CEO Yang, he turned to address Cheng Qingchong. "Give him half a minute. Half a minuteter, if he still refuses to sign the papers, then just pull the plug."


    "Yes, CEO Su," Cheng Qingchong replied in her stable and collected voice.


    CEO Yang probably was frustrated from his inability to persuade Su Zhinian. That frustration was only intensified by Su Zhinian¡¯s words. CEO Yang flipped instantly. "Su Zhinian, don¡¯t think simply because you¡¯re Eldorado¡¯s biggest shareholder, you can shove people around! The stock belongs to me. If I want to sell then I will sell, who gives you the right to control what I do?"


    Su Zhinian did not react in any way to CEO Yang¡¯s taunt. Cheng Qingchong reminded him with a smile, "CEO Yang, there¡¯s still twenty seconds left."


    "Su Zhinian, you really think this world needs to bow to you simply because of the money in your pocket? You have to take a better look at yourself, a bastard born out of wedlock, even with all the money that you¡¯ve earned, it doesn¡¯t take away from the depravity and poverty that run in your blood..."


    Su Zhinian, who these insults were directed at, still did not rise to the bait. However, Song Qingchun, who stood behind the door, had her hands clenched into fists, and displeasure shed across her eyes.


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s voice was less cordialpared to before, and her soft voice was nowced with suppressed anger. "CEO Yang, five seconds left."


    "F*ck all of you, I won¡¯t be signing anything tonight! I do want to see what you¡¯ll do to me, forcing a signature is illegal..."


    "Time¡¯s up." When Cheng Qingchong announced that, there came an angry roar from beyond the door. "Su Zhinian, have you lost your f*cking mind for that b*tch..."


    Before he could finish, Song Qingchun heard a sound that reminisced of something hard being mmed on someone¡¯s face. Following that were CEO Yang¡¯s wails of pain.


    However, the second the screams left his mouth, it sounded like his mouth was muffled because only the sound of muffled screams remained.


    "Before entering this room, I warned everyone to speak in soft voices. Whoever dares to wake the person inside there up, I will slice that person¡¯s tongue out!"


    In Su Zhinian¡¯s suppressed voice, Song Qingchun heard an intense warning that caused the girl to shake involuntarily.


    "Also, CEO Yang, don¡¯t think I really cannot make you sign the paperwork. I was merely giving you face earlier.


    "Remember a few years ago, when you were trying to renovate the piece ofnd on the eastern side of town. There was a stubborn family of five that refused to move, but suddenly, all five of them died in a car ident in the middle of the night, did you really think the whole incident was covered up perfectly?


    "Also, the female university student at University A. Your wife found out that you raped her and went to the university to make a fuss, causing the girl tomit suicide. You paid someone 2,000,000 RMB to create the false rumors that it was she who seduced you, don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve forgotten about that as well?"

 Chapter 589: Rebirth (3)

    Chapter 589: Rebirth (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Of course, that is not the total amount of your sins; in fact, these barely scratch the surface. Forgery, illegal shake-downs... if I start to list them now, it¡¯ll probably take until the sun rises. You¡¯re still free to not sign this paper, but I believe that no matter how powerful the Yang family is, it won¡¯t be able to cover up the whole sky with one hand, right?"


    CEO Yang, who had been groaning non-stop, became radio silent when Su Zhinian mentioned this. After a while, he seemed to recover from his shock. Due to the hand on his mouth, his voice was muffled, but Song Qingchun still managed to pick out the sentence. "How did you know about all that?"


    "How I know about all that doesn¡¯t concern you. The point is... when did Song Qingchun be an individual you people from the Yang family can bully freely?"


    Song Qingchun, who heard this sentence, had her eyes widened to the maximum, and she could feel a spot at the bottom of her heart starting to boil with emotion.


    "You¡¯re going to make enemy with our Yang family for a mere woman? You have to understand that my Yang family still has some uses to you!" CEO Yang didn¡¯t seem like he was giving up anytime soon. He continued to mumble, trying to persuade Su Zhinian by bribing him. "My big brother said it is only a matter of time until the piece ofnd at the eastern side of town falls into our hands. When that happens, I¡¯m more than willing to present it as a present to..."


    Su Zhinian scoffed with derision. "CEO Yang, if I was in any way afraid of your Yang family, I wouldn¡¯t have touched Yang Zheng today! To tell you the truth, I¡¯ve known the ugly sides of your family for a long time, but since it had nothing to do with me, I was toozy to care, so you only have yourself to me foring after my woman!"


    My woman... Song Qingchun¡¯s body started to shake, and her hand subconsciously reached out to cover her mouth.


    Su Zhinian said that I¡¯m his woman. The emotions that were boiling in her chest threatened to spill over.


    "So what if I make enemy with the entire Yang family for the sake of one woman, what can you do about it? Onest chance, are you going to sign the paper or not?"


    For some reason, CEO Yang suddenly started to mumble in a flurry. His talking speed was so fast that Song Qingchun had a hard time following what he was saying, but from the tone of his voice, it sounded like he was begging Su Zhinian.


    After half a minute, CEO Yang could be heard gasping for air, and he said clearly, "Fine, I¡¯ll sign, there¡¯s no need to call the police!"


    After he dered so, Song Qingchun could hear the sound of a pen scratching the surface of paper. It was silent for about two minutes outside the door before Cheng Qingchong¡¯s voice began again. "CEO Su, CEO Yang has given his signature, and the paper has been approved by Lawyer Zhang. Please take a look."


    Su Zhinian did not say a word, and Song Qingchun could hear the sound of papers rustling. About ten secondster, there was pop as if a stack of paper hadnded on the table.


    It was quickly followed by Cheng Qingchong saying, "CEO Yang, thank you for your cooperation, you¡¯re dismissed."


    After the sound of the door opening and closing, it was still Cheng Qingchong who said, "CEO Su, do you need anything else?"


    After a moment, Cheng Qingchong continued. "Then, I¡¯ll be leaving with Lawyer Zhang."

 Chapter 590: Rebirth (4)

    Chapter 590: Rebirth (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    This time, Song Qingchun heard Su Zhinian answer with a soft "hmm."


    Then, there was the sound of two shuffling feet. After the door closed with a click, the room reverted to a state of silence. Outside the door, Su Zhinian seemed to be deep in thought. It was only after quite a while that he stood up and walked toward the bedroom.


    His footsteps came closer and closer until it felt like he was standing on just the other side. It was then the Song Qingchun came to with a start. Her eyes shed with panic, and her dark pupils scanned the room twice. Then, she tip-toed all the way to the bed and snugged under the covers. The moment she did so, the bedroom door was pushed open.


    Song Qingchun immediately closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep. Su Zhinian closed the door behind him softly and turned to walk toward her bed. His footsteps were soft, and he created no sound as he walked on the heavily-padded carpet. However, Song Qingchun could still sense his approach. When he stopped beside her bed, she could feel the blood coursing through her veins freezing uppletely.


    She did not dare open her eyes and could not make out what Su Zhinian was doing. The whole world seemed to have frozen in that moment until the girl felt a shadow falling over her face.


    Su Zhinian is bending over. What for? Before the thought settled in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind, she could feel the cover being pulled lightly. When she jumped into the bed, one of her legs had been left exposed.


    Song Qingchun felt Su Zhinian sitting down at the edge of the bed. Even though she still had not opened her eyes, her instinct told her that the man was looking at her. Song Qingchun¡¯s heart was beating so fast, and her hands that were hidden under the covers grabbed the mattress unconsciously.


    The room in the middle of the night was eerily quiet.


    Just as Song Qingchun was about to break under the man¡¯s constant and focused scrutiny, the man¡¯s hand suddenly reached out to fall on her hair.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart stopped at that moment. She could feel his fingers caressing her hair, and an inexplicable feeling surged through her heart. Then, she felt his fingertips falling on her face, and the man seemed to be leaning in toward her. He got so close that she could feel his hot breath on her skin. It caused her mind to gopletely nk before a thought eventually pulled through.


    What... what is Su Zhinian doinging so close?


    Before she could get an answer, Su Zhinian¡¯s lips had almost reached hers. Song Qingchun suddenly stopped breathing, and her heart screamed, Is he going to steal a kiss from me?


    Following her thoughts, her grip on the mattress tightened. But... but why would he do that?


    Just as the thought formted in her mind, Su Zhinian¡¯s head that was lowering suddenly halted.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s brows frowned involuntarily. Then she could feel the man averting his face. After a moment¡¯s silence, the man sat up, moving his head away from her face.


    So... he¡¯s not going to kiss me? Then what exactly was he doing?

 Chapter 591: Rebirth (5)

    Chapter 591: Rebirth (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Of course, what was I thinking? He doesn¡¯t like me. How could I forget about that box of after-morning pills?


    As this thought settled in her mind, Song Qingchun felt Su Zhinian¡¯s hand, which was ced beside hers, tremble slightly. Her train of thought stopped before returning to her original concern. But... if he doesn¡¯t like me, why would he call CEO Yang over to force him out of Eldorado¡¯s shareholders while I was asleep? Also, why would he mention something like, "the point is... when did Song Qingchun be an individual you people from the Yang family can bully freely?"


    Doesn¡¯t it sound like he¡¯s looking out for me?


    He also mentioned, he wouldn¡¯t mind making enemy of the Yang family because of me, someone he even called his woman.


    His woman... Those two simple words managed to revive the heart that Song Qingchun had spent half the month travelling through Japan to deaden. It started to twitch with activity again.


    Eldorado¡¯s stock price is not cheap, and he used three times the market price to buy it from CEO Yang, only because he wanted to teach that Yang Zheng and his uncle a lesson? But why would he care?


    She could still remember that, a few months ago, Cheng Qingchong managed to persuade Su Zhinian, who didn¡¯t want to his dinner meeting that night, simply by bringing up the fact that she, Song Qingchun, liked spending time at Eldorado.


    So, the real reason he¡¯s doing all this is to prevent simr things from happening to me in the future at Eldorado? To prevent others from taking advantage of me?


    Song Qingchun could not even bring herself to interrogate Su Zhinian because she herself had a hard time following her thoughts.


    Previously, he had treated her so incredibly well, causing her to fall for him, causing her to think he carried her within his heart. That was why she had convinced herself to confess to him on the night of his birthday.


    She could not forget how cold and final his rejection was.


    The sting of that rejection still felt fresh in her heart.


    However, tonight, when he saw she was being raped by Yang Zheng, it seemed like he had lost his mind. Even though she was stunned by fear, cowering in the corner with her tears, she still had a recollection of what he did.


    He looked like he was taking revenge for the person that he loved the most in the world.


    Also, when he picked her up to leave the scene, he had been in such a bad mood that he had even scolded the innocent hotel and security managers. In contrast, when he was alone with her in the bathroom, he had been so gentle and so patient apanying her, and he had even helped her bathe.


    When he helped her out of the bathroom, he had called Doctor Xia to her aid. When he heard from the doctor that she had been drugged, his smiling face had suddenly turned cold and severe.


    Everything that Su Zhinian did for her that night was like a movie reying constantly in her mind.


    If he is, as he imed,pletely uninterested in me, why would he treat me so nicely? The attention and care he¡¯s showcased haspletely surpassed one between a tonic friendship and even between normal couples.


    However, if he really does like me, why would he reject me when I confessed my feelings to him and even went so far as getting me the morning-after pills after the night that we shared?


    Song Qingchun was at aplete loss.

 Chapter 592: Rebirth (6)

    Chapter 592: Rebirth (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She could feel her dying heart being given a new lease on life. It was as if there were two figures fighting at the bottom of her heart. She could not tell which would emerge the winner. They had been fighting for so long that she eventually fell back to sleep.


    ...


    Su Zhinian waited until Song Qingchun¡¯s breathing stabilized before he moved his fingers away from her hand. He stared at her sleeping face for a moment before standing up and walking slowly to the window.


    Staring at city lights, his rationality slowly returned.


    He had tried so hard to hide his intentions, but the girl managed to wake up after he left the bedroom. He had tried so hard to evade her, but when he found out that someone was going to rape her, he could not stop himself from rushing to her rescue.


    That night, he had truly been consumed by anger. His rationality and even sanity had been overwhelmed by fury. It did not even cross his mind how his actions were going to affect the girl.


    If not for the fact that he had managed to read her mind and knew she was merely pretending to be sleeping, wouldn¡¯t she have known by now that he actually still cared deeply about her?


    It was too close, so close... that just one wrong step and he would have revealed his heart to her. Su Zhinian stood before the window until the sun rose in the eastern sky. Then he slowly turned around to look at the girl who was sleeping in bed.


    The girl was probably having a wonderful dream because her features were greatly softened by a smile, and there was even a cute blush coloring her two cheeks. It made him feel like rushing forward to give her a kiss.


    Su Zhinian stared at Song Qingchun for a long time but did not walk toward the bed. Instead, he purposely chose the route that was furthest from the bed as he headed toward the door. Then, he pulled the door open and left.


    ...


    Probably due to the medicine from Doctor Xia, Song Qingchun had a restful sleep that night. She only woke up when the sun was shining through the window.


    The rays of the autumn sun filtered through the ss to fall on her face, causing the girl to flit her eyes open. Song Qingchun reached out her hand to blot out the sun. She then sat up in bed and scanned the room she was in. The bedroom was empty except for her.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s brows creased slightly. As the memories from the night before bubbled up in her mind, she immediately pulled the cover back and jumped out of bed. She then rushed to the bedroom door, pulled it open, and raced out.


    The living room was bright from the sun, and simr to the bedroom, it was empty. Song Qingchun¡¯s mouth fell open, and she pulled the door to the attached study open. It was also empty.


    She instantly turned around to the bathroom inside the bedroom. If not for the empty shower gel bottles that littered the floor, telling her that everything that had happenedst night was real, she would have thought she had lived through an emotion-filled dream.


    Su Zhinian... has left?


    Song Qingchun stood barefoot in the cold bathroom for a long time before the thought cropped up in her mind. Then, an indescribable sense of loneliness and disappointment instantly swept through her body.


    She dragged her tired body out of the bathroom, and the moment she reached the bedroom, she heard someone knocking on the door.

 Chapter 593: Rebirth (7)

    Chapter 593: Rebirth (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian just went out for a stroll and has now returned?


    There was a glow in Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes as she dashed to the door and pulled it open.


    The waiter did not expect such arge reaction from the resident, and he was obviously fazed. He then smiled politely at Song Qingchun and said, "Miss Song, this is your bag, please check there is nothing missing."


    It¡¯s only the waiter returning the bag I lost in the private roomst night.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes instantly lost their glow. She epted the bag and looked through it roughly. When she noticed her wallet, car key, and phone were still in there, she forced a smile at the waiter and replied, "Everything¡¯s in there, thank you."


    The waiter smiled back at her. As he turned to leave, Song Qingchun suddenly called out in a hopeful voice, "Did... did Su Zhinian have you send this bag over?"


    "Yes, CEO Su ordered the front desk to collect Miss Song¡¯s stuff and send it over at 11 am."


    He had them sent the stuff over at 11 am because he was afraid they might disturb my sleep? I knew he had something to do with this; they wouldn¡¯t have helped me return this bag for no reason. The feeling of disappointment she felt from realizing Su Zhinian had left after she woke up slightly dissipated. Maybe he has an important meeting, so he had to leave before I woke up?


    Song Qingchun looked at the waiter with a hue of happiness in her eyes. "Then, what about Su Zhinian? What time did he leave?"


    "Mr. Su?" The waiter thought about it before answering. "Mr. Su left quite early in the morning; I believe it was around 5 am."


    The smile at the bottom of Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes froze in that instant. She stared at the waiter as if in a daze. The waiter waited for a moment. After realizing she had nothing else to say, he prompted her politely, "Miss Song, do you still need anything else?"


    Song Qingchun recovered and lowered her head to hide the emotions in her eyes as she shook her head at the waiter. She closed the door and carried her bag as she walked back into the bedroom. When she fell asleepst night, it was about 3 am, so he merely stayed for an hour before leaving.


    It was not as she thought that he had to leave to deal with apany emergency. He never wanted to stay to apany her in the first ce.


    But how did that exin the things that he did for herst night? His anger, his fury, and his gentleness... those events were still fresh in her mind, so how did he manage to return to the state of a stranger the next morning?


    Song Qingchun sat at the edge of the bed and stared out the window at the ring sun for quite some time. It was not until her eyes felt like they were drying up that she collected her confused thoughts and her clothes before leaving Eldorado.


    ...


    On the way back to TW Station, Song Qingchun dreaded the scolding from the station manager for being AWOL the whole night and morning without giving thepany any notice. Unfortunately for her, the moment she stepped out of the elevator, she bumped into the station managering out of the toilet. The manager was caught by surprise before asking, "Song Qingchun, didn¡¯t you message me earlier this morning to say that you¡¯ve to miss work today because you¡¯re not feeling well? Why are you here now? Are you feeling better?"


    Message him? When did I message the manager to ask for a sick leave?


    Song Qingchun looked at the man in confusion for a moment before the truth dawned on her.

 Chapter 594: Rebirth (8)

    Chapter 594: Rebirth (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun smiled at the station manager and said, "After taking the medicine and going for a sleep, I feel much better. I still need to wrap up the interview from yesterday, so I figured I ought to return to finish the work."


    "Good, good, but even so, you need to take care of your health. If the sickness returns, feel free to leave work early."


    "Thank you, sir."


    After the station manager left, Song Qingchun grabbed her bag and walked to her office. It was during lunch break that Song Qingchun arrived at thepany. Many were copsed at their desks, taking the rest that they needed. asionally, one or two her colleagues might pass Song Qingchun on their way to the breakroom, and they nodded with a smile at her.


    Tang Nuan was sitting at her own desk. On the surface, she appeared to be working on theputer, but actually, she had been following Song Qingchun out of the corner of her eyes. It was not until Song Qingchun entered her office and closed the door that she pulled her gaze away.


    She picked up her bag and ced it on the desk in front of her. She opened it and stared at the small bottle sitting within, her face deep in thought.


    ...


    Song Qingchun sat in her chair and switched herputer open. Then, she searched for her phone from her pocket. It was just as the station manager had said¡ªthe message mentioning her illness and asking for sick leave was sitting in her sent folder.


    It was sent at 4.58 am.


    I was asleep then... so it was Su Zhinian who used my phone to send this message? But why? Since he already chose to leave me when I was still asleep, why would he help me ask for a sick leave and order the front desk to help me collect my stuff and return the bag to me only at 11 am? His actions are full of contradictions. Does he care for me or not?


    The thoughts that she wasted a lot of her energy to shove to the back of her mind at Eldorado resurfaced. Simr tost night, the two figures in her heart started to fight again. Thebination of her exhaustion and the medicine from the previous night meant that Song Qingchun had fallen asleep before the match reached its conclusion.


    However, now that she waspletely awake, the two kept fighting in her mind, and the end was nowhere in sight. It only caused distraction and annoyance within her.


    Song Qingchun stood up in frustration and started to pace around her office. Just as she was about to peel her hair out of her scalp, someone knocked on her door. Song Qingchun took a deep breath to present aposed front. She sat back down in her chair and said, "Come in."


    The one who walked in was her assistant to report on the summary of the week¡¯s work. Initially, Song Qingchun could still pay her assistant some attention, but after a while, it sounded like nothing more than white noise to her as her attention drifted back to Su Zhinian.


    Her assistant¡¯s report was actually not long, but for Song Qingchun, it felt like forever. As her mind wandered, her gaze fell on a bouquet that was left on her working table. She reached out to pick out a rose and, as she pulled out the rose petals one by one, started to list internally, He loves me, he loves me not...


    Soon, thest petal was plucked.


    He loves me not.


    Of course, he doesn¡¯t love me. If he did, he wouldn¡¯t have bought me that box of morning-after pills, would he? But...


    If this was before the previous night¡¯s incident, Song Qingchun would not have doubted her conviction.

 Chapter 595: Rebirth (9)

    Chapter 595: Rebirth (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun picked up another rose, and the red rose petals fell from her fingertips one after another. He loves me. He loves me, right? That should be it, or else there is no reason for him to treat me so nicely. But... But this, but that, my god, I¡¯m going crazy!


    Song Qingchun mmed the rose angrily on the table. The assistant, who was still in the room, took a deep breath and jumped several steps back.


    Song Qingchun was then reminded that there was still someone else in her office. She used her fingers to massage her temples and told her assistant weakly, "Thank you, you can go now."


    "Yes, Miss Song." As if worried that Song Qingchun would swallow her whole if she stayed in her room any longer, she blurted out an affirmative and left.


    Song Qingchun sat in her chair, spacing out for quite some time, before picking up her phone to give Su Zhinian a call. The call rang for a very long time, but no one picked it up. Eventually, Song Qingchun chose to message him instead. "Thank you for your helpst night."


    About one minuteter, her phone showed that the message had been received. She waited for about ten minutes, but there was no reply from Su Zhinian. Therefore, she made another call to Su Zhinian. Simr to before, there was no answer.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s flustered heart started to get weighed down. She gripped her phone in her palm and sat quietly in the chair for about an hour. Suddenly, she turned around to theputer like she had found the perfect solution. She swiped the rose petals that littered her table off the edge and pulled the keyboard to sit before her. She entered the world wide web to search for a rtionship forum. She clicked to open a new thread and leaned back, biting her nails while staring at the empty thread box. Then she keyed in an eye-grabbing thread title.


    "Emergency, waiting online. Slept with an Adonis who refused to be responsible. Asking for advice!"


    Then Song Qingchun started typing the content.


    "Dear almighty forum users, I¡¯m stuck in a conundrum and need you toe to my aid. Mr. S is rich, handsome, and fits every female¡¯s idea of an Adonis. Due to various reasons, we shared a period of close interaction, and I found myself falling for him.


    "Initially, I told myself to keep my love in my heart, but on the night of Mr. S¡¯s birthday, the heart decided to do what it wanted, and it made me confess to Mr. Su. Unfortunately, I was cruelly rejected by Mr. S with the reason that he already had someone else living in his heart.


    "I thought that was the end of my story with Mr. S. However, some timeter, Mr. S had too much to drink, and I was asked to take care of him. We identally slept together that night. The next morning, it was aplete tragedy. Mr. S left me with nothing but a box of morning-after pills.


    "It took a long time for me to get over Mr. S, butst night, when I was almost raped by a man at work, at the most crucial moment, Mr. S appeared like Superman to save me. He not only rescued me but also beat that offending man into a pulp.


    "Mr. S and the uncle of the man who tried to take advantage of me belong in the same shareholders group. After Mr. S helped me get into bed (Mr. S has no idea that after he left, I woke up and managed to hear everything), he called the uncle over to force him out of the shareholders group. He told the uncle that it was because of me that he was doing all this¡ªit was the uncle¡¯s nephew¡¯s fault foring after his woman!"

 Chapter 596: Rebirth (10)

    Chapter 596: Rebirth (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "After I woke up, Mr. S had already left. However, before he left, Mr. S used my phone to ask for a sick leave from mypany on my behalf and ordered the staff not to disturb my sleep.


    "An hour ago, I reached out to him using the excuse that I wished to thank him. I¡¯ve messaged and called him in person, but he did not answer to either. I really am at a loss to his true feeling, so my dear forum users, please tell me, do you think Mr. S likes me or not?"


    After Song Qingchun typed out everything, she scanned it twice for mistakes and typos before pressing the confirm button. She did not have time to wait for the reply toe because her assistant barged into her room to ask her to attend a staff meeting. Song Qingchun had no choice but to close the inte browser, collect her stuff off the table, and rush out of her office.


    ...


    When the meeting finished, it was almost time to get off work. Song Qingchun did not have the time to go visit her father at the hospital the day before, so she quickly packed up all her stuff and left for the hospital.


    Song Qingchun had not had anything to eat since that morning. The food at the hospital was overly light, and it did not fit her appetite. So, before she got to the hospital, she took a detour to a fast food restaurant near herpany to purchase a set meal.


    When she was waiting for her order, Song Qingchun remembered the thread that she had posted. She logged into the forum via her phone and was given a shock of her life. Her thread had managed to acquire more than ten thousand replies in less than two hours.


    When she used to scroll through Google Answers and Baidu, she was familiar with viral questions, but she did not expect that she would end up being the creator of one. Song Qingchun clicked open her thread to scan through the replies.


    User 1: Pics or fake news, NEXT.


    User 2: As u should know, we advocate breaks up.


    User 3: Too difficult to process.


    User 4: OP, which web novel¡¯s plot have you copied this from?


    User 5: Obviously, he only likes your body but not your person. Regardless, he won¡¯t let others get close to your body. That¡¯s how those temperamental types act.


    User 6: I¡¯m also very temperamental, and I agree with the poster above me.


    ...


    These are all nonsense replies...


    Song Qingchun grumbled internally about theck of civility and responsibility on the inte. She flipped through many pages ofments before she found some that made sense.


    "He has someone he likes but still treats you well¡ªthis proves that he perhaps also likes you but is fighting within himself over who he likes more, you or the person in his heart."


    "OP, all this happened because Mr. S was drunk, right? If you really want an answer, you should test him when he¡¯s sober. Just go up to him and force yourself on his lips. From his bodily reaction, you¡¯ll be able to tell whether he¡¯s really into you or not!" a user by the name of ¡¯Lu Jinnian¡¯s biggest fan¡¯mented.


    "Yes, I raise both my hands and feet in agreement. This kind of love spection is the most annoying. Instead of tormenting yourself over it, you should ask him in person," a user by the name of "Ye Fei Ye¡¯s books are the most interesting" replied to the user above. Then the two of them started chatting among themselves.

 Chapter 597: Song Qingchuns Test (1)

    Chapter 597: Song Qingchun¡¯s Test (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Lu Jinnian¡¯s Biggest Fan: "But I feel OP doesn¡¯t have the courage to hash it out with Mr. S in person or else she wouldn¡¯t havee online to ask us for help."


    Ye Fei Ye¡¯s books are the most interesting: "You may be right. After all, OP has been rejected once already. Plus, the morning-after pills must have been a great blow¡ªany sane girl would have lost all trace of courage."


    Lu Jinnian¡¯s Biggest Fan: "It is indeed easier said than done. Then again, better a finger off than aye wagging. Like what you mentioned earlier, instead of being tormented endlessly, might as welly it out in the open and get it over with."


    Ye Fei Ye¡¯s books are the most interesting: "True, so at the end of the day, I still support the OP going to demand rification from Mr. S. After all, OP, what do you have to lose? The worst result is another rejection, which you¡¯ve already experienced."


    ...


    The conversation between the two reached an astounding number, more than one hundred posts. Eventually, they also attracted the attention of other users.


    Millie is my Husbando: "I also think OP should demand an exnation from Mr. Su, what is the meaning of his actions, why is he ying hard to get? Is he out searching for a spare tire?"


    Ye Fei Ye¡¯s books are the most interesting: "True. Ask! Ask! Ask! Important things have to be repeated thrice."


    Miya Grows Mayo: "Indeed, OP you¡¯ve been rejected twice already, so what¡¯s there to lose? We¡¯ll be rooting for you!"


    Lu Jinnian¡¯s Biggest Fan: "Why don¡¯t you replicate what he did? Get suitably wasted and go approach him! If all else fails, you can pretend to forget it ever happens!"


    Millie is my Husbando: "Wonderful idea. 10/10, would support again!"


    Ye Fei Ye¡¯s books are the most interesting: "I second the proposition! OP, get some alcohol in you and go search for Mr. S. Even if you¡¯re rejected, it won¡¯t be too awkward since you¡¯ll be drunk! The alcohol will soften the blow!"


    Miya Grows Mayo: "True, true. Alcohol hides many things, OP. You can make use of this opportunity to feel out Mr. S, like pretending to sprain your ankle while drunk. If a man loves a woman, he will immediatelye to her rescue at a moment¡¯s notice, and he will be extremely nervous."


    ...


    The conversation started to pick up the pace as more users joined in the thread. There were simply too many replies, and Song Qingchun did not have the time nor the inclination to go through them one by one. For the most part, of the replies she scanned through, the users urged her to demand an answer from Su Zhinian.


    In the end, there was a user by the name of "Tangtang loves Yangyang" who summarized the whole thread. "OP, if you have the courage, then go and find Mr. S to nt a kiss on his lips. If his body reacts to you in a certain way, then you can ask him whether he likes you or not. If you don¡¯t think you¡¯re courageous enough to do that, you can rely on liquid courage. Ps. Ye Fei Ye¡¯s books are the most interesting, you¡¯re also reading her writing? I¡¯m her biggest fan."


    Ye Fei Ye¡¯s books are the most interesting: "Is this Ye Fei Ye¡¯s fan club... what¡¯s happening?"


    ...


    Perhaps it was the courage lent to her by the hundreds of inte users or perhaps Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t rest easy not knowing the answer, but as she scrolled down the thread, she raised her hand to wave the waiter over to ask for a can of beer.

 Chapter 598: Song Qingchuns Test (2)

    Chapter 598: Song Qingchun¡¯s Test (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The forum users were right. When she was rejected and swallowed the morning-after pills, she had lost not only her courage but also her confidence. Earlier in the afternoon, it was not that it didn¡¯t cross her mind to go to Su Zhinian to demand an exnation, but no matter how strong that desire was, the only thing her courage allowed her to do was those two unanswered phone calls between them and the message that only went one way.


    His rejection and cruelty had made her a coward in the world of love. One bottleter, Song Qingchun was still in need of courage. Three bottlester, Song Qingchun was seventy percent drunk but was still clear-minded enough to fear facing Su Zhinian.


    Four bottles, five bottles, six bottles... Song Qingchun had drunk herself into a stupor and could barely tell which way was up. She sprang up from her seat to wave the waiter down for the bill. After paying, she stumbled out of the restaurant. Leaning against themp post, her hand dangled weakly in the air for a long time before a taxi finally stopped before her.


    Song Qingchun reached out to grab the car door, but the door seemed to move away from her hand on its own. Eventually, the driver had to get out to help Song Qingchun into the car. She climbed into the car in a daze, and the moment she felt the headrest at the back of her head, she closed her eyes.


    The taxi driver asked her multiple times for her destination before her eyes fluttered open to look at the blurry vision before her. After some time, she mumbled softly, "What time is it?"


    "It¡¯s 8.30 pm."


    "It¡¯s sote already?" A trace of panic crossed Song Qingchun¡¯s face. She stammered due to the alcohol in her body. "Sir, you have to drive me back to Shining Light Residences now. I was to return home before 7 pm to prepare dinner. If I¡¯mte, he¡¯ll be pissed...


    "Yes, he¡¯ll be pissed."


    Song Qingchun mumbled thest phrase of her sentence twice before closing her eyes again. The taxi driver heard the term "Shining Light Residences" and assumed that was the best destination he was going to get out of Song Qingchun, so he drove her there.


    However, since she didn¡¯t give him an exact house number, the driver could only drop her at the gate. "Miss, we¡¯re here."


    Song Qingchun peeled her eyes open and turned her head around to look at her surroundings. She caught the words ¡¯Shining Light Residences¡¯ that were carved onto a rock standing by the gate, and she pushed the car door open and climbed out.


    "Miss, you still haven¡¯t paid your cab fare."


    "Right, my bad." Song Qingchun stopped walking and dropped several notes into the car through the open window without even asking for the price.


    "Miss, that¡¯s too much."


    Song Qingchun turned and walked away as if she had not heard the taxi driver. Song Qingchun walked for about thirty minutes before she reached the door to Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow.


    She didn¡¯t knock but directly keyed in the gate password and walked into the housepound. She followed the trail of rocks to the front door. She was about to key in the password when the door was pushed open from within.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s movement halted before she slowly turned her head around to look at the person standing at the door.


    Su Zhinian was standing away from the light in the living room. She looked at his shadowed face for a long time before she realized the deep frown between eyes. Is he unhappy that I¡¯ve returned homete?


    Song Qingchun smiled softly at Su Zhinian before saying, "I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Su, foring homete."

 Chapter 599: Song Qingchuns Test (3)

    Chapter 599: Song Qingchun¡¯s Test (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian was in the middle of a video conference in his study when he heard the sound of someone keying in the password at the gate of his house. He frowned slightly and assumed that he had heard wrongly. Regardless, he turned the volume of hisputer down. To his surprise, he heard the ng of the iron gate being open and sound of someone¡¯s shuffling footsteps.


    The number of individuals who knew the password to his house was not many, other than Tang Nuo, there was only Song Qingchun...


    Su Zhinian apologized to the person in theputer before he got up to walk to the window. He saw Song Qingchun staggering through his garden and toward the front door. Without even bidding the person he was having a conference with farewell, he rushed out of his study and raced downstairs.


    When he pulled the door open, her hand was hanging in the air, trying to key in the door password. What is she doing her sote?


    Su Zhinian¡¯s brows creased unconsciously. He was about to ask her why when the girl smiled softly at him and said, "I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Su, foring homete."


    Su Zhinian was struck by the familiarity of that phrase. She used to say that when they shared the hundred days under the same roof. Su Zhinian instantly froze on the spot.


    Song Qingchun waited for a moment, and when she realized he hadn¡¯t replied, she thought he was unhappy, so she continued in that soft tone of hers. "Mr. Su, I promise I won¡¯t return sote anymore in the future."


    Then, she walked into the house. As she stepped over the threshold, she tripped and fell forward. Thankfully he was standing before her, so she fell right into his arms. When that happened, the faint smell of alcohol hit him.


    She¡¯s drunk? Su Zhinian¡¯s brows moved, but he still didn¡¯t say a word. After she struggled out of his arms and straightened herself up, she raised her head up to sh him a warm smile. "Mr. Su, have you had your dinner?"


    So, in her state of inebriation, she returned to those days when she still lived here?


    Afraid that she would fall, Su Zhinian¡¯s fingers were still holding her arms as she parted from his embrace.


    He¡¯s always so silent in his care, she thought internally as she smiled brighter at him. Then she said in a gentle voice, "I¡¯ll go prepare dinner now."


    She shrugged his arms off and walked around him to head into the dining room. As she walked away, she mumbled, "Mr. Su, what do you want to have for dinner? I remember you like sweet-and-sour fish, so we can have that. Maybe beef or braised eggnt... Hmm, how about tofu soup? What do you think?"


    Time seemed to have regressed in that moment. It had been a period of such peace and harmony, but now, it just seemed exceptionally painful to Su Zhinian.


    Su Zhinian felt something prickling at the edge of his eyes when he heard the questions from Song Qingchun. His lips trembled for a long time. It was not until she walked into the dining room that he replied in a very soft voice, "Okay."


    Su Zhinian was closing the front door and was walking toward the dining room when Song Qingchun staggered out of it. In her hands was the trolley that Su Zhinian had purposely bought for her for grocery shopping when she still lived with him.


    "Mr. Su, we¡¯ve run out of ingredients in the fridge. I¡¯ll go to the market and return shortly."


    The pain around Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes heightened. He knew that she was drunk and couldn¡¯t remember anything, but he still averted his gaze from her face.

 Chapter 600: Song Qingchuns Test (4)

    Chapter 600: Song Qingchun¡¯s Test (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    While she was shopping, he stayed behind her the whole time. She selected many things, and those were all his favorite food.


    She had left her bag on the sofa in his living room, so even though she searched for a long time at the check-out counter, her wallet was not to be found. It was only when the man ced his wallet in her palm that she broke out into smile andmented self-deprecatingly, "Oh, the wallet was in my hands all along."


    After paying the bill, she walked about one meter ahead of him while pushing the trolley. It was about two hundred meters from the market to Su Zhinian¡¯s residential area, and along the way, they were plenty of 24-hour convenience store and pharmacies.


    When she passed one of the pharmacies, she suddenly stopped moving. She stared at the shop nkly for quite some time before depositing her trolley and dashing into the shop. He had no idea what she was up to, so he immediately picked up the trolley and ran to catch up to her. When he reached the door, she wasing out with her hands overflowing with medicine boxes. The cashier was running behind her, saying, "Miss, you still haven¡¯t paid for those."


    Su Zhinian immediately pulled out his wallet and passed the cashier several bank notes before chasing after Song Qingchun, who was stumbling toward the next door convenience store. Simr to before, just as he reached the entrance, she was running out of it with a bottle of mineral water in her grasp. Then, she squatted down by the roadside and started peeling open the medicine boxes like her life depended on it.


    He had no idea what kind of medicine it was because he was too busy paying the manager of the convenience store.


    When he walked closer to Song Qingchun, he realized the boxes were all morning-after pills. He dumped the trolley he was dragging along on the street and reached out to grab the hand that was in the middle of popping the pills into her mouth.


    "Who are you? Why are you stopping me? Let me go!" With a deep frown on her face, she groused as she struggled to shake her hands loose from his grasp.


    "You like me taking these pills, don¡¯t you? I¡¯m just trying to make you happy!" Since she couldn¡¯t pry her hand away from his grip, she raised the box that was in her other hand to her lips and used her teeth to peel the packaging away.


    She was so fast that before he managed to stop her, she already popped the pill into the mouth. Su Zhinian in his haste grabbed all the pills away from her and tossed them into the nearby trashcan. Then he gripped her chin and used his forefinger to reach into her throat to pull the pill that was running down her throat right out of her mouth.


    Annoyed at the man¡¯s intervention, Song Qingchun mped her mouth shut to bite on his finger. There was force behind her chomp, and a sharp pain shot through his body, radiating from his finger. However, he still showed no signs of letting the pill go.


    As they struggled, Song Qingchun suddenly choked on her own saliva. She immediately released her bite on his finger, turned her head around, and started coughing.


    He reached out to pat her lightly on her back. After she stopped coughing, she turned around to smile thinly at him. "Thank you..."


    He knew she was so out of it that she couldn¡¯t even recognize him anymore. The next second, she said, "Can I borrow your phone?"


    Before waiting for his consent, she reached for his pocket. He grabbed her wandering hand and ced his phone right in her palm.


    She thanked him as she pulled the phone away. She unlocked it and started dialing a number. Su Zhinian was incredibly familiar with that number because it was his phone number.


    She dialed the number, and it was the automated female operator who answered. "I¡¯m sorry, the number you¡¯re calling in the middle of another call."


    However, Song Qingchun acted like she didn¡¯t hear it and begged pleadingly, "Su Zhinian, I¡¯m drunk, can youe fetch me? Why aren¡¯t you talking? You don¡¯t want to help me, is that it?"


    As she demanded, he could clearly see two lines of tears running down her face.

 Chapter 601: Song Qingchuns Test (5)

    Chapter 601: Song Qingchun¡¯s Test (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian felt like someone had sucker-punched him in the guts. He stood beside Song Qingchun, just staring at her quietly.


    "...Or are you too busy toe get me?" Her words sounded natural and easy, and there was even a trace of smile in her voice, but her tears kept oning. "Then, it¡¯s okay..."


    She took a pause as if worried that she might lose herposure. She bit on her lower lip and after a while, forced her lips into a smile. With her eyes shining with tears, she added with a barely discernible tremble in her voice, "...It¡¯s okay, I can wait for you. Pleasee fetch me when you¡¯re no longer busy, okay?"


    After she asked that question, the curve on her lips suddenly disappeared. Like her soul had been pulled out of her, she gripped the phone in her hand and stared at the street ahead of her dumbly. After a long while, she said softly to herself, "How could I have forgotten? You already told me not to wait for you anymore..."


    A veil of loneliness seemed to have fallen over her at that moment. When she finished the statement, her eyes scanned her surroundings as if with panic. Following two rows of tears, she lowered her eyes, and the hand that held her phone fell limply to her side like she had lost all her energy. "...In fact, you won¡¯t even be my friend anymore."


    Her hand holding the phone and her head fell even lower. Then, tears the size of pearls fell on the asphalt, creating a rhythm of sorts.


    Those were the cruel words that he had told her on the night he rejected her. When he said those words, his heart had been twisting with pain. However, he had still forced them out of his lips. The main reason was because he wanted her to give up on him, but he did not expect that they would cause the girl such emotional trauma.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s heart broke into pieces as he stared at the girl who was crying soundlessly. His lips were moving, and he was about to call out her name when the girl slowly sat down to the floor and curled up into a ball. With a voice that was as airy as fog, she started to talk into the phone again. "Su Zhinian, I don¡¯t want to be a bother in your life, but I really love you. Can¡¯t we pretend that the confession didn¡¯t happen and return to the state of being friends?"


    As she continued to talk, she began to choke on her tears. "I promise not to fall in love with you, to not let you find out I¡¯m in love with you. If you need a greater assurance, I can find a boyfriend or even get married. That way, I wouldn¡¯t be able to cling onto you anymore. It¡¯s a happy ending for both of us, right? That way, we will only be friends. That way..."


    She suddenly raised her head to look at him. There were two globes of light shining at the bottom of her teary eyes. They spoke of hope as she breathed out. "...That way, we¡¯ll be able to be just friends, right?"


    Su Zhinian felt like someone was using a knife to carve through his heart. Blood gushed out of his heart, and the pain seeped into his bones and marrow.

 Chapter 602: Song Qingchuns Test (6)

    Chapter 602: Song Qingchun¡¯s Test (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The girl in her drunken state started to bber. She demanded in a teary tone, "Why didn¡¯t you answer?"


    Suddenly, she jumped up from the floor to run to him and grabbed his arms. With a face covered in tears and a smile, she stared at him and asked, "You will promise me that, right?"


    The hope at the bottom of her eyes made Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes start to water. He turned his head away unconsciously to avert her gaze.


    "I know, you will not agree to it..." Disappointment entered the girl¡¯s voice. She lowered her head, and her grip on his arm tightened. She suddenly raised her head again and requested with great expectation, "But, can¡¯t you just lie to me just this once and say okay?"


    As if afraid that he might even deny her veryst wish, she offered many guarantees. "Just lie to me, okay? Just that one word. I swear I¡¯ll leave you alone after you say that one word, please?"


    Even though she wasn¡¯t begging him on her knees, she might as well have been. "I beg you please..."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s face was nched from the intense heartache, and his lips started to quiver. He forced a breath down before turning around to meet her eyes and was about to give her the "okay" that she wanted when the girl suddenly shook her head and mumbled dispiritedly to herself, "I¡¯m sorry, I got the wrong person. Of course, he wouldn¡¯t be here... You¡¯re not him, I¡¯m sorry, I got the wrong person... Sorry..."


    Then, she released her grip on his arm and wandered back to her original spot. Just as she was about to run into the trashcan, she stopped, her mouth still mumbling, "I¡¯m sorry, I got the wrong person."


    Then, she slowly squatted down and started to cry into her sleeves. When he grabbed all of the pills away from her and dumped them into the trashcan, one happened to fall out of the can andnded right beside her leg.


    As she wept, her eyes started to wander toward it. Then, with shaking fingers, she reached out to grab it. She raised the box to before her eyes and used the dim streetlight to stare at the words on the packaging. Like a child learning how to speak for the first time, she read the words one by one. "Emergency, morning, after, pills..."


    After reading the product name for the first time, she paused as if waiting for the words to line up in her mind. Then, she repeated in a light voice once more, "Emergency morning-after pills... morning-after pills..."


    With her mouth still hanging open, she turned around to look at him. She asked softly, "Do you think he¡¯lle see me if I follow his direction and take these pills?"


    Su Zhinian felt like something sharp was lodged in his throat, and it caused pain toe to his eyes.


    The girl waspletely submerged in her own world. She paid him no heed. After saying that sentence, she reached out to start patting the ground with both of her hands. When she found her phone, her face that was filled with tears broke into smile as she raised the phone to her ears. Then she said with forced levity, "Su Zhinian, can you pleasee see me? I promise you, I will be a good girl and eat however many morning-after pills you want me to eat... Su Zhinian..."


    Before Song Qingchun finished her sentence, Su Zhinian, who stood some distance away, suddenly started to walk toward her. He then bent down to pick her up from the floor.

 Chapter 603: Song Qingchuns Test (7)

    Chapter 603: Song Qingchun¡¯s Test (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The girl waspletely weakened in her state. As she was hauled up from the ground, the phone slipped from her grip and fell to the floor. She yelped and wanted to bend down to grab it when the man pulled her into a deep hug.


    He could sense the confusion in her heart; she was curious who he was. His arms that encircled her tightened to pull her deeper into his hug. Then, he buried his head into the nape of her neck and croaked out in a choking voice, "It¡¯s me. I¡¯m Su Zhinian. I¡¯m here..."


    The girl in his arms froze when she heard the name. After a while, she asked slowly, "Who did you say you are?"


    "Su Zhinian. I said, I¡¯m Su Zhinian."


    As if unable to believe him, she leaned into his clothes and took several deep breaths. As she did that, he read her mind. It is indeed Su Zhinian¡¯s scent...


    She blinked several times, and her heart was starting to dance with joy. She whispered in a voice that wasced with unbridled happiness, "You¡¯re really Su Zhinian?"


    "Yes, it is really me," Su Zhinian answered with utmost patience.


    "You¡¯re really here?"


    "Yes, I¡¯m really here."


    As Su Zhinian confirmed, Song Qingchun started to wail. "Why are you only here now? Do you know how long I¡¯ve been waiting for you? So long... Why are you only here now?"


    Su Zhinian listened to her unreasonableints, and he burrowed his face deeper into her neck. One of his tears fell on her skin. "I¡¯m sorry, I shouldn¡¯t have been sote. I¡¯m sorry."


    She grabbed his shirt tightly and asked with a big frown on her face, "Now that you¡¯re here, will you be leaving?"


    His arms that hugged her froze. When he sensed the fear at the bottom of her heart, he leaned into her ear and promised, "No, I¡¯m not leaving again."


    "Really? You really aren¡¯t going to leave me?"


    "Yes," he answered without hesitation.


    His apology and his promise made her heart burst with joy. It also brought up the grievances, cruelty, and sadness he had caused her recently, it made her tearse even harder. In fact, she even stomped her feet once in his embrace.


    "Do you know how annoying you are? If you already have someone you love, why do you insist on treating me so well? Since you¡¯ve already started treating me so well, why would you stop? Since you cannot give me the promise of a lifetime, then why did you approach me? Do you know how much I hate you, how much I hate your hot and cold nature? How can you bully me in such a manner? You¡¯re a horrible person... Horrible bully..."


    She started to rattle off the sadness and grievances that were buried at the bottom of her heart. He hugged her wordlessly, allowing her toy her resentment on him.


    Eventually, her energy waned, and the words that left her lips softened until there was only soft crying that remained as she leaned on his chest.


    Her emotions gradually stabilized. Her tears and snot were smudged on his shirt.


    Then, she raised her hands to hug him at his waist. The man¡¯s body froze before he pulled her deeper into his embrace.


    The streetlight shone quietly on the both of them. The asional passer-by would turn to look at them. However, the two seemed to have formed a bubble around themselves. In the quiet of the autumn night, they stayed in each other¡¯s embrace, quiet and content.

 Chapter 604: Song Qingchuns Test (8)

    Chapter 604: Song Qingchun¡¯s Test (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun felt like she had woken up from her deepest sleep in months. The midday sun was already shining when her eyes fluttered open.


    The hangover caused her a great headache. When she opened her eyes, her mind was still fuzzy.


    She pooled the cover around her out of habit. She thought about lying in bed even longer, but the familiar yet faded scent that drifted into her nostrils caused her to frown. Then, it hit her that the cover was not the pink one that she normally used; it was in deep blue color. This was obviously a male style.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s drowsiness waspletely shattered like someone had swung a bat at it. She sat up instantly in bed. Her eyes wandered about, and it finally dawned on her that she was in Su Zhinian¡¯s bedroom.


    Why am I here? Song Qingchun¡¯s frown deepened. Before she realized what was happening, the bedroom door was pushed open, and Su Zhinian dressed in a white casual shirt walked in with a several articles of clothing in his arms.


    Song Qingchun recognized those as the clothes that she had worn the previous night. She whipped her head downwards unconsciously and realized with a start that she was wearing Su Zhinian¡¯s shirt.


    Oh my God, what is going on? Why am I sleeping in his bed and wearing his shirt? When did I remove my clothes and put his on? Howe I have no memory of such an event? The more Song Qingchun thought about it, the greater the pain in her head.


    Su Zhinian stopped at a spot about a meter away from the bed. He dropped her clothes on the bed and said lightly, "Go freshen up if you¡¯re awake, thene downstairs for breakfast."


    Then, without waiting for her response, he turned and left the room. As the bedroom door closed with a click, Song Qingchun scoured her mind for an exnation as she slowly descended from the bed and walked toward the bathroom.


    Song Qingchun wandered to the sink counter, and when she noticed the new toothbrush and cup on the counter, she knew they had been specially prepared by Su Zhinian. She grabbed them off the counter and started to brush her teeth.


    Song Qingchun moved the toothbrush twice before she raised her head to look into the mirror. Her eyes widened to their maximum. What happened here?


    The one-meter-wide mirror was covered in words written in lipstick.


    Even the white wall around it was not spared from the lipstick. Song Qingchun was immensely familiar with the lipstick color because it was the one that she used every day.


    With the toothbrush dangling from her lips, Song Qingchun was stunned before she lowered her head to look toward the trashcan and saw the emptied Chanel lipstick that was sitting in it. Song Qingchun blinked several times before she calmed her beating heart. Then, she turned to read the writing on the mirror and wall.


    "Su Zhinian is a big bully", "Su Zhinian is a horrible person", "Su Zhinian is a liar"...


    These insults, Song Qingchun was very familiar with them because they were written in her handwriting...


    The toothbrush fell from her lips andnded in the sink. She stared at those scolding words and used a great store of energy to calm her heart down. Then she lowered her head to pick up the toothbrush. She cleaned it, squeezed another squirt of toothpaste on it, and continued brushing her teeth. She could not help her eyes from wandering to the wall of text.


    "Su Zhinian loves Song Qingchun", "Song Qingchun loves Su Zhinian the most", "Su Zhinian will love Song Qingchun forever"...

 Chapter 605: Song Qingchuns Test (9)

    Chapter 605: Song Qingchun¡¯s Test (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun¡¯s hand shook and the edge of her toothbrush poked into her gum, the jolt of pain caused tears toe to her eyes. She took several deep breaths before the pain subsided. Then, she continued to brush her teeth as she looked toward the mirror and wall.


    Pretty much all of the words were written in her handwriting and they expressed her love toward Su Zhinian...


    Thinking about Su Zhinian that was sitting downstairs, she prayed for a hole open up on the floor where she could hide inside forever. I must have been incredibly wasted to have done something so humiliating...


    Song Qingchun shook her head twice to clear her mind. She was above to rinse her mouth when she saw two lines of words that were written in a cursive handwriting out of the corner of her eyes.


    "Su Zhinian is a big bully", "Su Zhinian is a horrible person", "Su Zhinian is a liar"...


    "Su Zhinian loves Song Qingchun", "Song Qingchun loves Su Zhinian the most", "Su Zhinian will love Song Qingchun forever"...


    Song Qingchun¡¯s expression froze. This is Su Zhinian¡¯s handwriting. I have alcohol to excuse my behavior, but what about him? Did he drink as well?


    With the toothpaste bubbles still in her mouth, Song Qingchun stared at the two lines for about five minutes before she blinked, realizing what had really happened the prior night. She had been about to visit her father at the hospital when she was inspired by the forum users and borrowed liquid courage to demand an exnation from Su Zhinian... but she got wasted before she could garner the courage to ask for rification from him.


    No wonder the headache was so pronounced when she woke up! It was the effect from the heavy drinking. Then again, why would I end up at Su Zhinian¡¯s home? Did I call him without me knowing?


    Song Qingchun fetched a cup of water to gurgle her mouth. She spat out the water, ced the toothbrush and cup back on the counter, and rushed out of the bathroom.


    She circled Su Zhinian¡¯s bathroom twice before her eyesnded on her bag that was sitting on the sofa. She rushed toward it and flipped it open to search for her phone. She clicked it open to look at her call history.


    There¡¯s no record of me calling Su Zhinian... So how did I end up here?


    Song Qingchun looked at her phone with a face full of confusion. She returned to the bathroom, her brows deeply locked in contemtion.


    She remembered standing up from her seat after downing three bottles of beer. There was a rush thatpelled her to go seek out Su Zhinian. However, she merely took two steps when the drive left her, and she slumped back down into her seat. She remembered calling the waiter to bring her another four bottles of beer!


    Song Qingchun opened the faucet and used the water to clean her face as she reminisced about the previous night¡¯s events.


    Six bottles were her limit. It was then she had realized that she was bing drunk and her consciousness was gging. She had been afraid that she might not remember Su Zhinian¡¯s reaction despite the fact she had the courage to call him, so she had turned on her phone¡¯s recording function. She had swiped through her phone, but it had felt as if the words were floating about, so she had asked the waiter for help.


    When Song Qingchun¡¯s thought reached this part, before cleaning the toothpaste off her face, she rushed out of the bathroom to grab her phone.


    The phone was still recording even though hours had passed.

 Chapter 606: Song Qingchuns Test (10)

    Chapter 606: Song Qingchun¡¯s Test (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun nced at the ¡¯Battery Low¡¯ indicator. Afraid that the phone might die on her, she immediately stopped the recording. After the file was saved, she searched for her Bluetooth earbuds and plugged them into her ears as she wandered back into the bathroom.


    The recording started ying. She could recognize the different sounds at the restaurant. She hit the fast forward button until she could hear her own voice calling the waiter for the bill. After a rustle of white noise, Song Qingchun could hear the taxi driver asking her for the destination.


    In her drunken state, the girl instead asked the driver for the time. After being told the time, she grumbled, "Shining Light Residences."


    So... I drank myself back to the time when I still share the hundred-day contract with Su Zhinian.


    Song Qingchun continued to fast forward through the recording. Through the snippets of sound and her own recollection, she realized that she did not knock or ring the bell¡ªshe keyed in the gate password and barged into Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow. Then, she demanded to cook dinner for him. There was an emptiness thatsted for about half an hour after that. That¡¯s probably the half hour I left the phone at his home when we went shopping.


    From the shuffling footsteps, Song Qingchun could tell that Su Zhinian apanied her to the market. When the recording picked up next, there was only one set of footsteps, so she believed he carried her home.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s footsteps became clearer and clearer as he walked closer to the phone. Then, she could hear someone being ced on the sofa. After Su Zhinian deposited her, he seemed to be leaving from the dwindling sound of his footsteps in the recording.


    He took about six steps when Song Qingchun heard the ear-splitting wail of a woman saying, "Su Zhinian, don¡¯t leave me! I don¡¯t want to leave your home...


    "Please, don¡¯t leave me..."


    Then, Song Qingchun guessed that she rolled off the sofa because of the loud bang that followed. Then, there was the sound of Su Zhinian rushing over and his anxious shout. "Careful!"


    "Don¡¯t leave me, please don¡¯t go..."


    The woman in the recording continued to plead as if the pain did not register in her mind.


    Su Zhinian sighed helplessly and said patiently, "I was just going to pour you a ss of warm water."


    She could not hear what happened next because it was overwhelmed by the keening of a banshee. At this point, Song Qingchun had lost all courage to continue listening. She had no idea how big a handful her drunken self was.


    She was alone in the bathroom, but she still reached out to cover her face with both her hands, too ashamed to face herself in the mirror.


    The helpless Su Zhinian had probably hauled her to the dining room and poured her a ss of water there. Then, her tuneless singing drifted through the earbuds. "Do you love me or not? I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m supposed to say. Do you love me or not? I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m supposed to do."


    As she frowned through her horrible singing, she could hear the sound of Su Zhinian¡¯s footsteps going upstairs. He was likely carrying her and her bag in his arms because the sound of footsteps was especially clear in the recording.

 Chapter 607: Accidential Discovery (1)

    Chapter 607: idential Discovery (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    There was the sound of the door being opened, followed by his footsteps and the sound of her bagnding on the plush sofa. Finally, he said, "Sit here and be quiet. I¡¯ll go draw you a bath."


    Song Qingchun, who was listening to the recording, had no recollection of what her past self was thinking. In any case, she suddenly quietened down and replied to Su Zhinian with an obedient and affirmative "Okay."


    Su Zhinian turned to walk toward the bathroom, but before he reached it, there was sound of vomiting on the recording. I even vomitedst night?


    Song Qingchun bit the edge of her lip when she heard Su Zhinian¡¯s voice say, "Don¡¯t move, it¡¯s very dirty!"


    There was a continuous shuffling of frantic footsteps before the sound of the door being pulled open and then finally the sound of rushing water.


    The phone had been left back in the living room, and the action was happening in the bathroom, so the audio was faint. Song Qingchun increased the volume of her phone to the maximum, and through the sound of water, she could hear herself groaning. "I don¡¯t want to take a shower, no water..."


    Then, there was sharp yell from Su Zhinian. "Careful!"


    Following which, the sound of something akin to a person falling to the floor came through the earbuds. She expected her own yelp of pain, but what came was Su Zhinian¡¯s grunt.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s expression was one of shock. Su Zhinian used his body to shield me before I fell?


    From the grunt, she could guess he probably had injured some part of his body trying to save her. Before the thought coalesced in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind, she could hear her voice that had softened and slurred from alcohol saying, " Oppa 1 , you look so pretty, why do you look so simr to the person that I love?"


    Oppa? Where did thate from?


    Song Qingchun shut her eyes and took a deep breath. However, before she could take in the full breath, she could hear Su Zhinian¡¯s rather urgent and angry roar. "Song Qingchun, stop! Where are you touching?"


    Where was I touching? What?


    "Song Qingchun, stay still or I¡¯ll just throw you into the tub!"


    Sounds like I was lying on top of him ¡¯cause he jumped down as a meat shield to break my fall... Song Qingchun¡¯s heart skipped a beat.


    "Song Qingchun, do you not hear me?" Following that growl, there was the sound of him sucking in a sharp breath and the sound of him hissing desperately, "Song Qingchun, stop, stop reaching down there!"


    "Hmm? What is this? Why is it so hard?"


    When Song Qingchun heard her own voice said that, she finally understood what was happening, and her face burned bright. Her hands had actually wandered to that part of his body when she was drunk...


    Song Qingchun felt like her knees were going to give.


    There was an assortment of screams and growls on the recording, and she had a hard time telling what was happening in the bathroom, but she believed that Su Zhinian had managed to stop her perverted actions. About half a minuteter, she heard her drunken voice again. "Oppa, why are you dousing yourself with cold water?"


    Song Qingchun, who was now sober, knew the answer to the question she was asking the previous night.

 Chapter 608: Accidental Discovery (2)

    Chapter 608: idental Discovery (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She bit on her lips out of shyness and heard Su Zhinian demand angrily, "Get out!"


    Then, there was no sound other than running water. About one minuteter, Song Qingchun heard her own soft weeping.


    For shame... It is all her fault for being so unreasonable to begin with, so why is she crying now? My God, I can¡¯t stand myself! Even Song Qingchun had a hard time siding with herself.


    "Come now, stop crying."


    Su Zhinian was trying to console me?


    Song Qingchun¡¯s mouth fell open. The girl in the recording started to wail in earnest, probably because she realized she could pull one over Su Zhinian. The sound of the water had stopped, so Su Zhinian¡¯s words were exceptionally clear. "I¡¯m sorry, it was my mistake for yelling at you... Stop crying, okay?"


    Song Qingchun stood quietly in the bathroom, listening to the man on the recording, her heart melting into a pool of water in that instant.


    However, the Song Qingchun in the recording was not so easily appeased. The girl suddenly pped Su Zhinian¡¯s hand before escaping out of his grasp. She seemed to have run into the living room and then back into the bathroom. Song Qingchun believed the outburst was to grab the bag that was left in the living room because the quality of recording became much clearer.


    There was an indistinct sound on the phone before her resentment-filled voice shot through.


    "Su Zhinian is a big bully!


    "Su Zhinian is a horrible person!


    "Su Zhinian is a liar..."


    Then Song Qingchun heard tapping sounds, suddenly understanding how that lipstick writing had ended up on the mirror and wall. She had scolded Su Zhinian to such a degree, but the man had not said a word.


    For some reason, the girl in the recording suddenly softened her tone as she continued to write. The words of resentment slowly turned into words of love.


    "Su Zhinian loves Song Qingchun.


    "Song Qingchun loves Su Zhinian the most.


    "Su Zhinian will love Song Qingchun forever..."


    She must have had a great time because the sound of lipstick knocking on the surface became louder and louder. In her drunken state, the girl probably thought to share the fun, so she even invited Su Zhinian to join her.


    Su Zhinian initially rejected, but her endless begging and needling eventually wore him down. There was a heavy sigh before he submitted. "Fine, fine, I¡¯ll write..."


    "You write, Su Zhinian is a big bully!"


    After hermand, there was really the sound of writing.


    "Also, Su Zhinian is a horrible person, and Su Zhinian is a liar!"


    Those were all insults toward him, but he did not seem to mind and followed her order easily. The scratching of the lipstick on the wall came fast and quick like a melody of sorts. In fact, when he finished, he asked, "Anything else?"


    She dragged out her "hmm" before she replied, "Write Su Zhinian loves Song Qingchun."


    About ten secondster, there was sound of writing.


    So Su Zhinian was forced to write those words... but he could have ignored it or written something else, right?

 Chapter 609: Accidental Discovery (3)

    Chapter 609: idental Discovery (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    He already said he doesn¡¯t like me. Was he just being mindful of my drunken self? How could he allow me to walk over him like that with no shred of impatience?


    Just as Song Qingchun was confused beyond reason, Su Zhinian, who had beenpletely quiet while he was writing, suddenly repeat the words that she had just made him write. "Su Zhinian loves Song Qingchun."


    The way he read the statement was slow, like he was voicing every syble as he wrote them down.


    The bathroom was silent except for his low, sexy voice and the tapping sound of the lipstick hitting against the wall. Song Qingchun knew he was talking to her, but standing before the sink counter, listening to those words, a warm feeling rushed through her heart, filling it with joy and satisfaction.


    Song Qingchun had no idea whether she heard it correctly or not, but she swore Su Zhinian¡¯s voice had softened after he finished writing that statement. "Is that enough?"


    "Not enough, not enough!" the drunken woman said. Then just like before, she dragged out her "hmm" before adding, "You need to add, Su Zhinian loves Song Qingchun the most!"


    "Okay." This time Su Zhinian conceded easily and started writing without hesitation. Simr to before, he voiced out the sentence that he wrote. The moment he finished, the girl demanded, "Su Zhinian loves Song Qingchun more than most!"


    He grunted in reply. Then it was followed by the sound of lipstick on the wall. This time, he did not read out what he was writing. Then, there was the sound of somethingnding in the trashcan, probably because he had finished the lipstick. After that, her slurring voice began again. "Su Zhinian loves Song Qingchun more... Wait, the number of words is wrong! Su Zhinian loves Song Qingchun more... Su Zhinian, you liar, why didn¡¯t you write Su Zhinian loves Song Qingchun more than most! Liar Su!"


    Then the girl started to cry because she did not get her way. He sighed helplessly and seemed to pull her into a hug. It sounded like he ced his finger on the wall and read to her one word after another. "Sorry, I heard you wrongly. I wrote, Su Zhinian will love Song Qingchun forever and ever."


    "Su Zhinian will love Song Qingchun forever and ever..." She followed her finger to match the words on the wall. Finally, she broke into a smile. "You¡¯re right, you didn¡¯t lie to me... It is really ¡¯Su Zhinian will love Song Qingchun forever and ever¡¯..."


    "Of course, I wouldn¡¯t lie to you."


    "Stop, why are you ying with my hair? It¡¯s no fun..."


    "Indeed... Su Zhinian will love Song Qingchun forever and ever..."


    Even though it was not technically a confession, Song Qingchun¡¯s heart still warmed with joy upon hearing it through the phone. Perhaps it was the recording or her own wishful thinking, but when Su Zhinian repeated that phrase, it sounded like he was making his wedding vows, the greatest promise in the world.

 Chapter 610: Accidental Discovery (4)

    Chapter 610: idental Discovery (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    His low and maic voice reverberated in the bathroom, causing her heart to swing with joy. In that moment of self-deception, Song Qingchun even made herself believe Su Zhinian was confessing to her.


    When Song Qingchun recovered from his promise of "Su Zhinian loves Song Qingchun forever and ever", the sound of the recording had be incredibly quiet. From the little sound that she could hear, Song Qingchun guessed that her drunken self had gotten tired and was lying in Su Zhinian¡¯s bed, falling asleep. He apanied andforted her.


    Su Zhinian tried getting up after she had fallen asleep, but his movement woke her up. The girl mumbled incoherently in her sleep, and Su Zhinian would immediately reach out to pat her on the back, whispering, "I¡¯m here, go to sleep..."


    This repeated multiple times before silence reigned. After about ten seconds, Song Qingchun could hear Su Zhinian¡¯s very soft footsteps and then the sound of scrubbing¡ªhe was probably cleaning away her vomit.


    Earlier, the window in the room should have been opened. After he cleaned the room, he closed the window, and the echo in the recording became more pronounced. From the sounds, Song Qingchun could hear Su Zhinian walking into the bathroom. After that, he walked about and should have stopped beside the bed. In any case, other than the sound of her sleeping, there was no other sound.


    Just as Song Qingchun thought the recording was over and she was about to pull the earbuds out of her ears, Su Zhinian¡¯s very light voice said, "Tell me, what am I going to do with you?"


    After that, a very long silence followed before there was a soft sigh by Su Zhinian. Then, the man left the bedroom.


    What am I going to do with you? These simple words crashed into Song Qingchun¡¯s heart powerfully. Why would Su Zhinian direct such a sentence at me?


    It was filled with helplessnessced with heavy sadness like he was caught in a deep struggle.


    Could it be that the forum users were right? Su Zhinian actually does like me but still can¡¯t let go of that Tingting, so he¡¯s hesitating?


    Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Song Qingchun felt like her heart was going through a rebirth. The box of morning-after pills hadpletely killed thest shred of hope at the bottom of her heart. She really had believed that it was impossible between them in this lifetime.


    If her suspicion had been aroused when he came to her rescue at Eldorado the previous night, then with this recording in her phone, she had confirmed that he still carried her within his heart.


    Even though she had no idea how much weight she carried within his heart, it was definitely not as unimportant as he made it out to be. And that... was enough.


    Her biggest fear after all was not his rejection but that he would treat her like a disposable. She did not mind that he still loved someone else; after all, hadn¡¯t she sworn to only love Brother Yinan before? Furthermore, it was already confirmed that he could never end up together with this Tingting.

 Chapter 611: Accidental Discovery (5)

    Chapter 611: idental Discovery (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Holding her phone, Song Qingchun¡¯s fingers started to tremble, and her lips curved up uncontrobly. She must have been so deeply in love with Su Zhinian¡ªthat was why she could be so happy just knowing he still cared about her.


    Her heart that had been weighted down for all these months started to rx. Song Qingchun felt courage surge through her veins. The dearth of courage she had experienced in her office before approaching Su Zhinian disappeared instantly.


    Love could really work many miracles; it could knock the wind out of your sail but could also inspire you endlessly. If she still upied a space in his heart, it meant that she still had hope.


    She could actively pursue him, cling onto him, or refuse to leave his side.


    Time is a very powerful weapon, it can help youpletely forget a person and can help you fall irrevocably in love with another. Therefore, as long as she didn¡¯t give up and continued to persist, she believed that she could get Su Zhinian to forget the unrealistic love that he had held onto for years and finallyy his eyes on her!


    The more Song Qingchun thought about it, the more excited she became. The blood in her body boiled until she could not wait to rush downstairs to confess to Su Zhinian one more time.


    No, wait, that might not be such a good idea... Thest time she did that, she had been rejected so ruthlessly... this meant that Su Zhinian still had not forgotten his Tingting. So, even if she confessed then and there, the result would have been still the same.


    If she needed to make Su Zhinian fall in love with her, she needed to get close to him first. Currently, their rtionship was barely more than strangers, so how could he possibly consider her as a romantic partner? This was unlike before when he helped her save Song Empire and she lived in his house. The most two recent encounters they had were because of a crucial event. One was because she was drunk, and the other time, she was almost raped... but she could not let that happen to her every day, right?


    Song Qingchun racked her brain for a long time, trying toe up with an excuse to allow her to stay close to Su Zhinian. She shook her head with a sigh. While she was in the toilet, she cleared her mind and came to the decision to do something crucial first.


    She was going to follow the forum users¡¯ advice and confirm for onest time whether Su Zhinian truly cared about her or not.


    Even though she had the recording as proof, those could have been words he said just tofort a drunk girl. She needed to see his reaction when she was sober.


    The first method given by the users was to force a kiss of his lips and check his body for a reaction...


    Song Qingchun bit on her fingernail and envisioned the situation in her mind. She did not think she could ever summon the courage to pull that off, so with a shake of her head, the idea was vetoed.


    The next method was to pretend to be sick or injured... to see how whether he would be worried or not...


    Song Qingchun nodded to herself and sat up from the toilet. She flushed and took a deep breath before exiting the bedroom and heading downstairs.


    When she turned at the staircasending, she could hear the whirring sound of the exhaust fan. She knew Su Zhinian was in the kitchen.


    Song Qingchun took another deep breath, walked past the living room, and slowly sauntered toward the dining room.

 Chapter 612: Accidental Discovery (6)

    Chapter 612: idental Discovery (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    When Song Qingchun was about two meters away from the dining room, the sound of the exhaust fan stopped, and Su Zhinian walked out of the kitchen with a te in his hands.


    He ced the te on the table before he noticed her standing at the door. He nced at her coldly before adding indifferently, "Have your breakfast."


    Then, he pulled out his usual seat and sat down. Song Qingchun nodded wordlessly. Her heart was inexplicably nervous. The hands by her side clenched into fists, and she started walking toward him.


    There were two staircase steps separating the living room and dining room. When Song Qingchun put her feet on the first step, she sucked in a breath surreptitiously. With a grit of her teeth, she closed her eyes, and her feet slipped from the edge of the second step. Even though Song Qingchun was already mentally prepared, when she toppled onto the floor, the pain still managed her wheezed out in shock.


    Her first reaction was not to check her injury but to watch out of the corner of her eyes to follow the movement of Su Zhinian sitting at the dining room table. She could see the man who was moving a bite of food toward his mouth suddenly stop. He dropped the te and spoon onto the table, ignoring the scalding on his skin, kicked the chair out from behind him, and dashed to her side.


    Along the way, he even knocked into a chair, but he did not seem to notice that. He merely raised his leg to kick the chair aside before he squatted down before her.


    "Are you injured?"


    His tone sounded airy, but Song Qingchun, who had been paying close attention to him, could still pick out the undertone of nervousness and concern.


    Song Qingchun did not say a word but continued to study Su Zhinian. Su Zhinian assumed that the girl was stunned from the pain, so he pulled her up in his arms, brought her down the steps into the living room, and ced her on the sofa.


    He squatted down to her level and started inspecting her body. When he saw the bruise on her leg, his brows frowned deeply. He said softly, "Wait for me."


    Then he stood up and raced upstairs. He soon returned with a medical box in his hands.


    Su Zhinian knelt down on one knee before her and flipped the box open. He picked out the bottle of alcohol disinfectant and told her, "This might be painful," as he dressed her wound.


    Song Qingchun shivered from pain, and secondster, she could sense the pressure on her wound decreasing. The wound was not serious, and after disinfecting it, Su Zhinian grabbed a few sters and pasted them over her wound.


    Song Qingchun lowered her gaze to look at Su Zhinian in hisplete focus, and her heart started to rock with emotions.


    This was not the first time he had shown such concern toward her, but previously, she had been too caught up in her own drama to notice the changes in his facial expression.


    This time, she faked the injury to examine his reaction, so throughout the whole process, her eyes had been glued to his face like she was afraid she might miss the smallest of emotions.

 Chapter 613: Accidental Discovery (7)

    Chapter 613: idental Discovery (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The forum users had said that if a man really cared about a woman, he would rush to her aid at a moment¡¯s notice when she was in any form of danger... Su Zhinian ticked that box.


    The forum users had also said that if a man really cared about a woman, his expression would disy nervousness and heartache no matter how hard he concealed it when she was injured... Su Zhinian also ticked that box.


    In conclusion, Su Zhinian did care about her.


    Song Qingchun, who was lost in thought, did not notice that Su Zhinian¡¯s hands, which were applying the bandage, suddenly halted.


    So, when she heard the sentence, "What am I going to do about you?" from her phone recording... this proved that he was struggling internally, too.


    Struggling because he cared... just like how she was when she had not faced the truth of her emotions. She remembered her endless hesitation, her inability toe to a choice...


    So, she faked a fall to test me, and she had started recording before she arrived at my ce drunkst night... The edge of Su Zhinian¡¯s lips tensed. When he was cooking in the kitchen, he had not been paying attention to what she was doing upstairs. Even though he loved listening to her and the sound of her everyday life, she might have been in the middle of showering! He was not so perverted as to eavesdrop on that.


    However, if I had just spared a moment of my time to listen to what she was doing upstairs, I wouldn¡¯t have fallen for this trap!


    All this while, I¡¯ve been trying so hard to conceal my real self, but today, I¡¯ve failed. The cat is out of the bag! Now, how am I going to get out of this one?


    Su Zhinian, who was normally calm, started to sweat. Su Zhinian¡¯s brain turned at a record speed, but he was still unable toe up with a solution. When he raised his head and met Song Qingchun¡¯s gaze, there was a rage that suddenly coursed through his veins. However, it was unclear whether the rage was directed at her or himself.


    "Su Zhinian?" Song Qingchun called his name with a frown on her face. He was still gently helping me with the wound seconds ago, what happened?


    Su Zhinian¡¯s face darkened. He stood up and turned like he did not even hear her. Then he stormed toward the bungalow entrance.


    "Su Zhinian!" Song Qingchun jumped up from the sofa and chased after Su Zhinian.


    When he pulled the door open, shetched onto his arm. As if acting on instinct, he swung her back forcefully and red coldly at her, adding, "You¡¯d better not be here when I return."


    After he dashed through the door, before the door closed, he pushed a sliver open and hissed ruthlessly, "Also, you¡¯d better make sure thatst night is thest time anything like that happens! Do note to me when you¡¯re drunk ever again!"


    Then he mmed the door shut.


    Song Qingchun was dazed. When she came to, she pulled the door open and looked out. Su Zhinian¡¯s car was nowhere to be seen. She stood by the side of the door for a long time in her pajamas before she turned around to walk back into the house.


    The good cheer that she had felt moments ago from discovering Su Zhinian¡¯s intention left her and her heart frozen.

 Chapter 614: Accidental Discovery (8)

    Chapter 614: idental Discovery (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun stood dumbly in the living room for a long time trying to figure out what had happened to Su Zhinian to make him suddenly flip out.


    Her brain started to pour insecurities into her heart until her earlier conviction started to break. The courage that had filled her body earlier started to escape like a deted balloon. She sighed to suppress the pain around her eyes. Dragging her heavy footsteps, she headed back upstairs.


    Her every step was incredibly slow, a great contrast to the bounce in her step when she had bounded down the stairs about ten minutes ago.


    In those ten minutes, so many things had happened.


    One second, he had been so nervous and anxious about her injury...


    The next second, he suddenly told her, "Do note to me when you¡¯re drunk ever again..."


    She believed that only Su Zhinian would be able to toy with her emotions so freely and greatly in this world. Song Qingchun slowly pushed the door to the bedroom open, and then she changed into her own clothes. When she went into the bathroom to take her phone, she nced at the lipstick writing on the walls, and her eyes started to redden despite her telling herself not to.


    She found a nearby cloth, dipped it in water, and slowly wiped the lipstick off the mirror and wall. Then she left the bathroom with her phone. She stood before the sofa and returned the stuff that had spilled out of her bag when she was searching for her phone earlier. Then, she stood up, grabbed her bag, and left.


    She held her breath and stormed forward without stopping. When she passed the living room, she did not even nce at the familiar decorations. She was afraid that if she did, she would not be able to stop herself from crying.


    Song Qingchun stood at the entrance and was trying to get into her shoes when her tears eventually fell.


    She put on her shoes and noticed that the door to one of Su Zhinian¡¯s shoe-racks was not closed.


    He must have forgotten to close it after he pulled his shoes out and left in a fury.


    Song Qingchun reached out to close it for Su Zhinian, but as she leaned downwards, she spotted a few pairs of familiar shoes inside the rack.


    Her brows twitched, and she squatted down slowly before pulling the other door open.


    Earlier when their contract reached its conclusion and Cheng Qingchong came to chase her out of the house, she had been too angry and insulted to pack her shoes, so she had dropped some of them into the trashcan.


    She had not paid attention when she shoved those shoes into the trashcan, so when she returned home, she realized most of them were missing the other pair.


    However, these shoes that should have been in the trashcan were all sitting perfectly in his shoe rack.


    Who picked them back out? Since Su Zhinian doesn¡¯t like me, why did he keep my shoes?


    Song Qingchun bit on her lips and unconsciously reached out to touch those shoes. When her handnded on a pair of golden heels, Song Qingchun saw some familiar packaging inside the rack.

 Chapter 615: Accidental Discovery (9)

    Chapter 615: idental Discovery (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun knew that snooping through other people¡¯s stuff without permission was hical, but after a moment of hesitation, she still grabbed the box with the familiar packaging.


    The box was wrinkled like it had been soaked in water... but it seemed unopened.


    Song Qingchun held the box in her hands and studied it several times. The longer she stared at it, the greater the sense of familiarity, like she had seen it somewhere before. However, no matter how hard she tried, she could not find it in her memory.


    Song Qingchun lowered her head and was ready to ce the box back into the basket when she saw a colorful shirt inside the basket. She knew it was a shirt Su Zhinian would wear, but it was smudged with color dyes. The man with the cleanliness obsession had probably shoved it in here to throw it awayter.


    But why did she feel those colored dyes look so familiar?


    Song Qingchun lifted the shirt up, and in that moment, a piece of paper fluttered out from within. Song Qingchun lowered her head to look at it unconsciously. It was a ne ticket. She picked it up and noticed it was a ne ticket from Japan to Beijing.


    Japan to Beijing?


    Something clicked in Song Qingchun¡¯s heart, and she turned to look at the date. The date was the same as the day she returned from Japan to Beijing. Not only that, it was the same flight as well!


    Song Qingchun¡¯s dark pupils widened with shock. Then she remembered Cheng Qingchong calling her when she was travelling at Japan to see whether she had seen Su Zhinian... Could it be that Su Zhinian was actually in Japan when they were all looking for him? But why would he be in Japan? Is it for...


    Song Qingchun stopped her mind frompleting the thought. Her brain was a mess of information. Her fingers that held the ticket even started to shake. After a long time, as if she had just remembered something, she suddenly stood up, grabbed the soaked box, Su Zhinian¡¯s shirt, and the ne ticket, and raced out of his house. She hailed a cab and headed home.


    ...


    The car stopped at the Song family home. Song Qingchun searched for the house key as she ran toward the front door. There was too much rubbish inside her bag, causing her much difficulties in searching for the keys. In the end, she gave up and mmed on the door instead.


    It was her sister-inw, Fang Rou, who opened the door. She was significantly surprised when she saw the state Song Qingchun was in and asked with concern, "Qingchun, what¡¯s wrong with you? Why are you in such a state?"


    "It¡¯s nothing." Song Qingchun brushed her off and rushed upstairs without taking off her shoes. She ran into her own bedroom and dropped the stuff on her bed. Then, she ran into her closet and started to rummage through it. From the bottommost drawer, she pulled out a white cotton dress.


    Song Qingchun ced the dress on the bed and ced Su Zhinian¡¯s shirt next to it.


    The dye on the dress and the dye on Su Zhinian¡¯s shirt were simr!


    No wonder she felt Su Zhinian¡¯s shirt was so familiar. So, he was the one who saved her when she was robbed at Japan!


    Therefore, her spection earlier was right. Su Zhinian followed her to Japan after he found out she was going there!

 Chapter 616: Accidental Discovery (10)

    Chapter 616: idental Discovery (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun¡¯s breath caught in her throat. She stared at the two articles of clothing on the bed before rolling them up in a hurry, shoving them in her bag, and bounding back downstairs.


    "Qingchun, are youing to visit father in the hospitalter?" Fang Rou, who was sitting in the living room folding the clothes, called after her when she saw Song Qingchun rush down the stairs.


    "I¡¯ll go thereter tonight; I¡¯m in the middle of an emergency," Song Qingchun replied as she rushed to the front door.


    "What¡¯s happening? Why are you rushing all over the ce..." Before Fang Rou could finish her sentence, Song Qingchun had already mmed the door behind her and jogged her way out of the house.


    Song Qingchun stood at the gate to her residential area and waved vehemently in the air to get a taxi. After she got on, she gave the driver the address of Qin Yinan¡¯spany. Thankfully, there was not much traffic at that time, so it only took half an hour for her to arrive at Qin Yinan¡¯spany.


    Song Qingchun grabbed her phone to give Qin Yinan a call as she rushed into hispany. Qin Yinan was probably busy because no one answered her call. Song Qingchun got into the lobby and pressed the button for the lift.


    Just as the lift was going to arrive, the return call came from Qin Yinan. Song Qingchun pressed the ept button and before Qin Yinan could get the greeting out of his mouth, she asked urgently, "Brother Yinan, where are you now?"


    "At thepany..." Qin Yinan answered instinctively, and after that, he realized the urgency in her voice, so he asked nervously, "What¡¯s wrong? Anything happened?"


    "I¡¯m at yourpany¡¯s entrance. Can you pleasee out now? I have something important to ask you!"


    Qin Yinan, who was in the middle of an important meeting with his colleagues, immediately dropped the pen in his hand when he heard Song Qingchun mention "something important". He stood up, gave everyone his apology, and rushed out of the room without even taking off his name tag.


    From afar, Qin Yinan spotted Song Qingchun standing outside the ss door and rushed over to her. "Song Song."


    "Brother Yinan." Song Qingchun jogged to his side and showed him the soaked box and cut right to the point. "Brother Yinan, do you recognize this?"


    "Of course I do," Qin Yinan smiled gently like he had heard a joke. "Song Song, the important thing you mentioned is to ask me this? Is today April¡¯s Fool..."


    "Brother Yinan, this is the present that you gave me, right?" Song Qingchun stared at Qin Yinan directly in his eyes and asked him seriously, signaling to him that she was not joking.


    Qin Yinan frowned noticing her severity. "Song Song, what¡¯s wrong with you? Of course, this was my present to you. It¡¯s the New Year present I got you on the ship at North Sea Garden on New Year¡¯s Eve..."


    "New Year¡¯s Eve, North Sea Garden, the New Year present you gave me?" Song Qingchun filtered out the main points of Qin Yinan¡¯s answer and repeated them to him in the tone of an enquiry.


    "Yes..." Qin Yinan nodded, and before he realized what was going on, Song Qingchun suddenly turned to run away.

 Chapter 617: You Like Me, Right? (1)

    Chapter 617: You Like Me, Right? (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Song Song..." Qin Yinan was made confused by Song Qingchun¡¯s action. He raised his voice to call her name, attempting to get her to stay to exin herself.


    Song Qingchun understood what Qin Yinan was trying to do. As she raced out of the lobby, she shouted over her shoulder, "Brother Yinan, I don¡¯t have the time to exin it to you now; I need to meet someone. After that, I¡¯ll exin everything to you..."


    She raced down the steps of hispany, and there was a taxi sitting by the side of the road. The passenger inside was in the middle of paying the cab fare. She rushed toward it, pulled the door open, and jumped into the backseat.


    The passenger took his change and got out. The moment the door closed, Song Qingchun immediately cut in to tell the driver her destination. "ST Empire."


    Sitting in the car, Song Qingchun¡¯s fingers that held onto the soaked box started to tremble. Initially, she also could not confirm that the box was the present from Qin Yinan. However, when she saw the simr dyes on both clothes, the bold spection cropped up in her mind. That was why she had gone to ask for confirmation from Qin Yinan. Who would have thought it was really as she spected? This really was the present given to her by Qin Yinan on New Year¡¯s Eve.


    On that night, while she was on the phone with Fang Rou, she had been snatched and thrown off board. Since she had just picked her phone out of her bag, the zipper to her bag had been open. As she sought to save herself in theke, the contents of the bag had spilled out into theke, and that included the present from her Brother Yinan, which she had not even had the chance to open yet.


    At the time, she had even felt a tiny twinge of regret because of this. However, she did not expect that, nine monthster, she would have discovered this present that should be at the bottom of North Sea Garden¡¯ske in Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow.


    The fact that this present was at Su Zhinian¡¯s house could only mean one thing; the person who came to save her when she fell intoke that night was him¡ªSu Zhinian!


    Song Qingchun¡¯s fingers shook violently, and the blood coursing through her veins started to boil. She could even feel every cell in her body start to shake with excitement and agitation.


    Therefore... the person who had been protecting and watching over her during that period when she was constantly, inexplicably targeted must be rted to him as well.


    No, not only rted to him, her guardian angel was quite possibly him.


    This was because when she was almost stabbed by the deliveryman at herpany, the first person that came to her rescue was also him!


    This present box was like a key that answered all the question in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind. Everything started to fall into ce.


    No wonder she felt that the kiss he gave her when she was in the bathroom at Song Empire¡¯s event was so simr to the deep kiss that she received on the grass banks of North Sea Garden.

 Chapter 618: You Like Me, Right? (2)

    Chapter 618: You Like Me, Right? (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    No wonder she felt that he could have been the man behind the mysterious number. When she confronted him about it, she had been cruelly rejected, with the excuse that it was nothing more than he felt he owed her, but now, from the looks of things, he might have been lying at the time.


    If it was simply because he felt like he owed her, did he need to abandon so much of his professional work to follow her to Japan?


    If it was simply because he felt like he owed her, did he need to continue helping her secretly investigate Song Cheng¡¯s death using so much of his finances and resources even though he had already cut all ties from her?


    If it was simply because he felt like he owed her, when she was trapped in the northern mountains, did he need to pretend like he was near her when in fact he was speeding through town toe fetch her?


    If it was simply because he felt like he owed her... all the memories floated up in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind.


    Sometimes, the smallest action of an individual can touch you for a moment, but a moment does notst; human beings have to look forward, and the feeling of appreciation in that moment will eventually be washed thin by time. However, when one looks back to reminisce about the past, it is not that surprising to realize that the care that one person gave you was... much greater and much moremon than you expected.


    Song Qingchun kept a tally in her head until she could not keep track of the times Su Zhinian had shown her a great amount of care and concern. The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Su Zhinian does care about me, and the intensity of his care is so much greater than I could have envisioned, but if he cares about me so much, why would he reject me when I confessed to him? If he cares about me so much, why would he slip me that box of morning-after pills after our night together? If he cares about me so much, why would he give me so many things to cry about?


    Song Qingchun was suddenly reminded of the nickname she gave him when she discovered the toll receipt in his car, Liar Su!


    When she decided not to use ¡¯Maniac Su¡¯ to refer to him anymore, among all the fresh nicknames that she came up with, the first one she rejected was ¡¯Liar Su¡¯. However, looking back, ¡¯Loyal Su¡¯, ¡¯Technician Su¡¯, ¡¯Beauty Su¡¯ were all lies; the only one that was real was Liar Su!


    If not for the fact she had identally discovered the ne ticket, the dyed shirt, and the soaked present box, would she have continued to be swindled by him forever and ever?


    Song Qingchun thought about the tears that she had shed for Su Zhinian and the pain in her heart that was caused by Su Zhinian, and the fire in her heart raged brighter and brighter. It felt like the fury in her chest was going to spill out. She had to peel the liar¡¯s mask off Su Zhinian¡¯s face that day, or else she would never be able to sleep at night!


    The taxi rolled to a stop in front of Su Zhinian¡¯spany. Song Qingchun in her fury, growled at the taxi driver, "Sir, how much?"


    When did the gentle girl who got into the car be such an angry woman? thought the innocent taxi driver.

 Chapter 619: You Like Me, Right? (3)

    Chapter 619: You Like Me, Right? (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The taxi driver was dazed before telling Song Qingchun the fare. Song Qingchun grabbed a handful of money out from her pocket, nced through it to make the amount was about right, and shoved it toward the driver. Then, she practically jumped out of the car.


    Song Qingchun stood under Su Zhinian¡¯spany and tipped her head back to look at the skyscraper that shot into the sky. She fixed her hair that had gone ruffled from all the rushing about against the shiny ss, took a deep breath, raised her chin up, and took slow deliberate steps toward thepany entrance.


    The door sensed Song Qingchun¡¯s approach and opened slowly. For this past year, Song Qingchun had been to Su Zhinian¡¯s many times. In fact, when she stayed with Su Zhinian, she even followed him to work once so Song Qingchun was familiar with thepanyyout.


    She grabbed her bag as she walked into thepany lobby. She didn¡¯t nce about but walk straight toward the elevator like she owned the ce. The receptionist saw her and immediately called, "Miss, I¡¯m sorry, but who are you looking for?"


    "Su Zhinian," When Song Qingchun answered thedy, she didn¡¯t even slow down in her steps.


    "I¡¯m sorry, miss, but do you have an appointment?"


    "No," Song Qingchun answered truthfully as she stood quietly before the elevator and reached out to press the "up" button.


    "Miss, I¡¯m really sorry, but without an appointment, you will not be able to see CEO Su." The receptionist had run out from the front desk toe stop Song Qingchun.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s gaze swept thedy who was running toward her, and she ignored her to step into the elevator. The elevator closed, and she pressed the number for the top floor. The red number above the door continued to climb. Following the "ding dong", the number stopped climbing, and the door opened.


    The receptionist had probably called the manager because when Song Qingchun stepped out of the elevator, there were already people there stopping her. "I¡¯m sorry, miss, but you cannot go in."


    Song Qingchun walked past the people that stopped her with a frosted face.


    ST Empire¡¯s workers had professional training, so even though they were there to stop Song Qingchun, they did not get physical. Instead, they only persuaded her using their words. "Miss, if you continue this further, we¡¯ll need to call security."


    Song Qingchun did not stop but moved faster. When she passed the secretary department, one of the secretaries grabbed the phone on her table to call the security department.


    Cheng Qingchong, who wasing out of the breakroom, was dazed when she saw this scene. She called out, "Miss Song," before using her gaze to signal to the secretary who was on the phone to stop. She would take care of this.


    Cheng Qingchong ced the cup of coffee in her hands on her office desk and walked toward Song Qingchun. "Miss Song, you¡¯re here to look for CEO Su?"


    Before Cheng Qingchong could continue, Song Qingchun reached out to push the door to Su Zhinian¡¯s office open. Warm sunlight drifted into the space that was familiar to Song Qingchun, but the space before the two-meter-long desk was empty.


    Song Qingchun scanned the room and asked, "Where¡¯s Su Zhinian?"

 Chapter 620: You Like Me, Right? (4)

    Chapter 620: You Like Me, Right? (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "CEO Su is currently in the second meeting room..."


    As Cheng Qingchong said that, Song Qingchun turned around and headed toward the second meeting room like she was on a warpath. Cheng Qingchong was startled before she realized what Song Qingchun was up to. She called out again, "Miss Song," as she rushed ahead to stop her. However, she was ultimately toote. When she turned around, Song Qingchun already had her leg in the air, and she kicked the door to the second meeting room wide open.


    The sales manager who was standing before the screen with the remote in his hand froze in ce. The eyes of everyone in the meeting room instantly turned to Song Qingchun, who was standing at the meeting room door.


    Su Zhinian, who had stormed out of his house and left Song Qingchun behind, had a hard time concentrating at work. There was a bad feeling at the bottom of his stomach, so during the meeting, he had mentally not beenpletely there. It was only when he realized that the meeting had submerged into total silence that he slowly came to.


    He turned toward the sales manager curiously and was about to ask if he was done when he noticed the awkward expression on the man¡¯s face. Su Zhinian was confused and turned to look around him. Everyone had their head turned toward the door, and he also followed suit. When he did, he saw Song Qingchun staring directly at him, and her gaze was like daggers, stabbing holes on his body.


    Su Zhinian, who had not been paying attention to anything, did not know when Song Qingchun had arrived at hispany. He frowned slightly before his icy gaze fell upon Cheng Qingchong, who had just arrived at the door.


    Cheng Qingchong lowered her gaze unconsciously to avoid his stormy gaze. She said apologetically, "CEO Su, I¡¯m sorry, I failed to stop Miss Song, I¡¯ll bring her away now."


    After that, Cheng Qingchong instantly turned to address Song Qingchun, "Miss Song, you¡¯d better head back to the office. After CEO Su¡¯s meeting is over..."


    However, before she could finish, Song Qingchun stepped into the meeting room. Under everyone¡¯s gaze, she walked directly to Su Zhinian and dropped the creased box onto the meeting room table before announcing, "I have something to discuss with you, so either you have all these people leave the room for now and we will talk here, or youe with me alone and we¡¯ll talk somewhere else!"


    The sound of inhtion came from all corners of the room. The eyes that looked at Song Qingchun were colored with admiration. They had been with CEO Su for so many years, and this was the first time that they had seen someone use that kind of attitude to speak to him.


    However, right after that admiration was worry. This youngdy is a goner! CEO Su is not someone to be trifled with.


    Everyone stopped breathing simultaneously.


    However, to everyone¡¯s surprise, Su Zhinian, who sat in his chair, looked at the ruined box on the table before raising his head to say softly, "All of you leave the room."


    Their eyes were colored with shock and awe. They turned to look at Su Zhinian before their eyes wandered to Song Qingchun with disbelief. Then, they all stood up and left the room in a single file.

 Chapter 621: You Like Me, Right? (5)

    Chapter 621: You Like Me, Right? (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    After everyone had left, Cheng Qingchong tactfully closed the door behind her. In therge meeting room, only Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian remained. The big screen had started to show the screen saver due to extended period of inactivity. The words "ST Empire" were bouncing all over it.


    Su Zhinian leaned back in his chair for a moment before standing up slowly to walk to the screen. He picked up the remote to turn off the screen. Then he tossed the remote back onto the table. Following the sound of the remotending on the hard surface, his eyes fell quietly on Song Qingchun, whose chest was rising up and down due to the fury within her. "Tell me what you want to discuss with me."


    I have already dropped the box before him, and I don¡¯t believe that a man with his level of intelligence doesn¡¯t know what I¡¯m hinting at. To think he still has the audacity to ask what I want to talk about!


    The fact that the words that came out of his mouth were not to exin the origin of this box but to ask her what she wanted to discuss with him made the fire in Song Qingchun¡¯s chest re up even more. She took a brazen step forward to grab the box that was left on the table and lobbed it angry at Su Zhinian. She hissed through gritted teeth, "Su Zhinian, you horrible liar!"


    The man stood where he was quietly and didn¡¯t evade. The box brushed the edge of his ear before hitting the screen behind him. It bounced back andnded beside his feet. He was not fazed by Song Qingchun¡¯s anger. In fact, he even leisurely bent over slowly to pick up the box.


    The moment he straightened himself up, Song Qingchun pulled the zipper to her bag open and poured the contents onto the meeting table. She then grabbed the ne ticket and tossed it heavily at Su Zhinian as she scolded, "You¡¯re a horrible liar!"


    The ne ticket was too light, so even though Song Qingchun tossed it at him with great force, it merely fluttered down onto the table before it even reached Su Zhinian. Su Zhinian lowered his gaze to look at the ne ticket, but his face was still as calm as ever.


    Song Qingchun pulled out the two balled up shirts, walked to Su Zhinian, and opened them wide on the table before him. With her shaking finger, she pointed at her own dress and Su Zhinian¡¯s shirt. "Blue, red, green, yellow... The paint that stuck to my clothes when I was painting at Japan can be found on your shirt as well!"


    Song Qingchun pulled out the ne ticket from underneath the clothes and waved it heavily at Su Zhinian, adding, "The day I returned from Japan, you also returned from Japan, and you were even on the same flight as me! When I was in Japan, I received a phone call from your secretary, Miss Cheng, to inquire about your location..."


    Song Qingchun raised her eyes to lock with Su Zhinian¡¯s dark eyes. She demanded seriously, "You were also in Japan for those few days, right?"


    Su Zhinian closed his eyes but didn¡¯t speak.


    "The period of time I was in Japan, you were in Japan trailing me, weren¡¯t you?"


    Song Qingchun mmed the ne ticket on the table, grabbed the box from Su Zhinian¡¯s hands, and continued to press. "Fine... don¡¯t speak, never mind, how about this?"

 Chapter 622: You Like Me, Right? (6)

    Chapter 622: You Like Me, Right? (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "This is the birthday present that Brother Yinan gave me on New Year¡¯s Eve, do you mind exining to me why it appeared at your house?"


    No wonder I¡¯ve been feeling so weirded-out since I left home... something did happen.


    Su Zhinian still held an expression of insouciance, but the hands that were hanging by his side had started to grip with force. He really had not expected the girl to stumble across the items that he had shoved inside the shoe rack. If he had known this was going to happen, he would have destroyed the whole box when he had the opportunity.


    "You¡¯re still not going to say anything, are you?" Song Qingchun¡¯s voice had started to tremble from anger. She stared at him directly and continued without batting an eye. "Fine, do it your way because I can answer it for you. The reason this present was at your house is because when I was pushed overboard into theke at North Sea Garden, it was you who saved me!"


    The intense glow at the bottom of Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes was like aser beam that shot right into Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes. He did not dare to hold her eye contact, so he averted his head to avoid her gaze.


    Intent on finding out the whole truth, Song Qingchun moved along with his head to hold his eye contact. She had been trying her best to find her guardian angel. In real life, even though her guardian angel had never once taken care of her while she was sick and was never there when she was sad¡ªin fact, they had never even shared a conversation¡ªhe had given her so much warmth.


    After all, he had saved her life. Without him, she would not have lived to this day. After she listed out the answer on his behalf, the fury in her chest started to dissipate.


    Staring at Su Zhinian¡¯s perfect face, the anger in her eyes started to soften. Even her pointed tone became gentler in nature. Even so, there was still a confidence in her voice. "When I was hunted down by the crazy people, I always managed to survive the danger at thest minute; that was because you were watching over me, right?"


    Su Zhinian¡¯s bit on his lips as if he was cornered by Song Qingchun. His eyes that stared at her started to waver. Finally, under her scrutiny, he opened his lips to say, "Qingchun..."


    "Su Zhinian..." As if knowing what wasing, the moment Su Zhinian opened his mouth, Song Qingchun cut him off, adding, "...I don¡¯t want to hear your exnation. I just need you to tell me whether everything that I¡¯ve said just now is right or wrong?"


    Su Zhinian moved his eyes away.


    So, Song Qingchun continued speaking. "Or, Su Zhinian, if this makes this easier on you, tell me, are you the person who I¡¯ve been looking for all this while?"


    The two consecutive ¡¯yes or no¡¯ questions shook Su Zhinian¡¯s heart, sending it into chaos.


    He peeled his eyes open to look at her. After a moment¡¯s silence, his lips finally moved.


    "Qingchun..."

 Chapter 623: You Like Me, Right? (7)

    Chapter 623: You Like Me, Right? (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "I¡¯ve said, I don¡¯t want to hear your exnation; I just need to know, is it yes or no?" Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes started to water, and her tone became agitated. The man who had once again been interrupted fell silent.


    Song Qingchun stared at Su Zhinian¡¯s face, which was devoid of emotion. She really wanted to derive something from his appearance, but he was such a master concealer that she was unable to notice anything. In the end, she bit on the corner of her lips like she hade to a decision in her heart. Suddenly, she took a brave step forward, and before Su Zhinian realized what was happening, she nted her arms on his shoulders. With a forceful shove, she pushed him several steps back until his back was leaning against the giant screen.


    While Su Zhinian was still caught off guard, the girl circled her arms around his neck, pushed his head down, and stood on her tip-toes to nt a kiss on his lips. The intimate contact caused a shiver to go through his body and shattered the rationality in his mind.


    Her soft and supple lips with their warmth and sweetness was his Achilles¡¯ heels.


    His brain stopped working for a moment before he realized what was happening between them. He reached out unconsciously to push her away, but she seemed to have expected that as her arms around his neck tightened. In fact, she even used her legs to curl around his leg. Like an octopus, she suckered herself to his body.


    He could feel the softness and litheness of her body through theyers of clothes. His hands hung awkwardly in the air.


    Her kiss was shy and awkward; there was no skill or any trace of seduction. If anything, it felt like she was merely grinding her lips on his lips. However, even so, it still lit up the me of passion within him.


    He tried his best to retain his rationality, but that failed when the girl used her tongue to tap on his lips. His whole body shook like he was shocked with electricity. His hands that hung in the air slowly moved to fall on her waist.


    He knew that he was supposed to push her out of his embrace, but her tongue was like a slithering snake, prodding his lips open and slipping into his mouth.


    His hands could not resist hugging her waist. He was powerless before her kiss. He sucked on her tongue to intensify the kiss that she had initiated. Their breath started to mingle, and they were lost in the passion of this kiss.


    His body started to heat up, and her face started to redden. The atmosphere in the meeting room turned passionate and sweet. There was even face-reddening sounds of kissing that kept escaping from their intertwining lips and tongues.


    The kisssted for who knew how long. Song Qingchun only knew when it ended, and she felt like she was walking on cloud nine.


    Her arms were around his neck, and he was hugging her waist.


    She took in big, deep breaths while his breath came faster and quicker.


    The distance between their lips were merely one centimeter wide, and their breathing intermingled intimately.

 Chapter 624: You Like Me, Right? (8)

    Chapter 624: You Like Me, Right? (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Time seemed to have stopped in that moment. After some time, Song Qingchun slowly raised her eyes to gaze upon Su Zhinian¡¯s handsome face, and she asked softly, "That person is you, right?"


    The man who sent messages to console me when I was feeling down is you, right?


    The guardian angel who has been protecting me from danger is you, right?


    The only person who stayed by my side after Song Cheng¡¯s death and Song Empire¡¯s fall when everyone could not wait to dissociate from me is you, right?


    Song Qingchun, who had been in the mood to tear Su Zhinian apart when she rushed to hispany, started to cry after she asked this question.


    Do you know? I¡¯ve been searching for you for so long.


    Do you know, even though we do not share a rtionship, you are very important to me?


    Do you know that you are the light in my darkness?


    Do you know how happy I am to know the person I love has been watching over me silently?


    To be honest, I hate you a tiny bit; I hate you for once dousing my fire with your icy cruelty.


    To be honest, I resent you; if you can¡¯t give me your whole life, why did youe into mine?


    To be honest, I me myself because even though you have treated me thusly, I still cannot stop myself from loving you; I me my heart for lighting up with hope whenever you show me a little of kindness; I me how spineless I am when I¡¯m around you...


    I know I should retain my dignity and walk away with my head held high...


    But when I found out you¡¯re my guardian angel, all that hate and resentment, my dignity and pride, that all became so unimportant, sopletely insignificant... because nothing is more important than you who saved me again and again from the brink of death.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s tears started to fall like waterfall. She released her grip around his neck and moved her fingers to touch his face and brows, her fingers shaking as she did so. "Su Zhinian, stop lying to me. I know you¡¯ve not done all this because you feel indebted to me...


    "Stop hiding yourself, I know you care about me.


    "Or else, you wouldn¡¯t have allowed my drunken self to spend a night at your home.


    "Or else, you wouldn¡¯t have rushed over in such a hurry to help me when I threatened to fall.


    "Or else, you wouldn¡¯t have been so adamant to seek justice when you know I was sexually assaulted at Eldorado."


    Even though she once had a heavy crush on Qin Yinan, she had never felt such desperation to spend the rest of her life with a man.


    Even though everyone said that love could not be forced, theirs was not forced because he had no other reason to treat her so well, right?


    After all, in the world, how many men could do the things that he had done for her?


    Therefore, since he was unwilling to take the first step, she would take it for him. Furthermore, the bravery to take this step, she channeled it through him.


    Life is short, and she really did not want to mess up the opportunity to secure her happiness.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s lips curved into a smile following her thoughts. As the tears at the edge of her eyes slid down her face, she opened her lips to ask, "Su Zhinian, actually, you like me, right?"

 Chapter 625: You Like Me, Right? (9)

    Chapter 625: You Like Me, Right? (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Her soft question was like an atomic bomb blowing up beside Su Zhinian¡¯s ears. It caused his eyes to shake, and thatpletely brought him out of the illusion of the kiss.


    There was still a trace of passion swirling at the bottom of his eyes, but his rationality was slowly pushing it back down. He did not answer her question immediately but used his hands to push her out of his embrace. His push was light, but there was an irrevocable force behind it.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart started to fluster. She reached out to move her hands away from his face tond on his shoulders. She gripped him tightly, raised her eyes to hold his eye contact, and demanded, "Even at this stage, you¡¯re still going to push me away?"


    Su Zhinian¡¯s lips stretched as he moved his head away to avert her gaze. Then he put his hand on hers, which were on his shoulders.


    Song Qingchun knew he was trying to shrug her off, so her force on his shirt tightened unconsciously. Her originally soft tone turned sharp with nervousness. "Su Zhinian, I know you like me, why are you trying so hard to pretend that you don¡¯t?


    "Do you have something you¡¯re afraid of? Or do you have some difficulty that you can¡¯t ovee?"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s woman instinct told her that she was right. Afraid that he might suddenly shove her away, she did not even give him the opening to answer before adding in hurry, "You can tell me anything..."


    Song Qingchun tried to keep the vibration in her voice to a minimum. She looked at him with hope in her eyes.


    "...we can face it together."


    We can face it together... When those words fell into Su Zhinian¡¯s ears, his hands that were trying to shove Song Qingchun¡¯s arms off him suddenly stopped.


    We can face it together... It was such a wonderful statement. He had dreamed day in and day out that he could really face it together with her... but if that was possible, why would he have spent all those years tormenting himself over it alone?


    He was really touched by her promation. In fact, there was a moment in his mind when he had decided to drop everything and head into hell with her. However, it was because he loved her so dearly that he could not bring himself to do that to her.


    He would rather she hate him for life than have her suffer the torments of hellfire.


    Song Qingchun stared at him unblinkingly. She had no idea whether she was going to face heaven or hell, and her breathing had slowly stopped.


    His refusal to speak only made her heart beat faster. Finally, she could not stand it anymore and called out his name. "Su Zhinian?"


    Following that, his gaze slowly fell on her face.


    The emotions in his eyes roiled like the ocean. They calmed down after a while and he slowly said her name in return.


    "Qingchun...


    "You¡¯re right, the person who saved you in North Sea Garden on New Year¡¯s Eve was me."

 Chapter 626: You Like Me, Right? (10)

    Chapter 626: You Like Me, Right? (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    A blinding glow shot through Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes, which were filled with anxiety. Is he finally admitting it?


    Su Zhinian saw the brightness in her eyes, and his heart started to break. "When you were dangerously pursued, I did sacrifice a lot to protect you.


    "But..."


    Even though Su Zhinian had tried his best to ensure the serenity on his face, he could not help the slight tremor in his voice when he continued. "...I¡¯m not the person you¡¯ve been looking for."


    Song Qingchun frowned, and disbelief was in on her face.


    "Also..." He paused and used the shortest amount of time to rearrange his emotions before he continued in his usual calm and collected way. "...I don¡¯t like you."


    The light in Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes started to dim. Su Zhinian did not seem to notice the girl¡¯s reaction. He turned to look out the window, and his attention flew out into the open sky like he was reminiscing about his memory. After some time, he suddenly asked Song Qingchun a question seemingly out of nowhere. "Do you still remember the time I sought you out at the school entrance when we were in high school together?"


    The disappointment in Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes was reced by confusion. She turned to stare at Su Zhinian. Her brain could not find the memory that he was referring to, so she shook her head at him.


    Yes... she could not remember much about their shared past. He had no idea whether to be happy or sad that she could not remember most of the stuff from their past because... it was due to her forgetfulness that he could deliver the coup de grace to her heart.


    "It was during summer. One day after school, you were waiting for someone at the school entrance. I walked to your side and asked if you are Tingting." Su Zhinian looked out the window, and his eyes were as still as dead. His tone was filled with such indifference that it felt like he was talking about some other person¡¯s past. "You replied, ¡¯I¡¯m sorry, senior, you must be mistaken; my name is not Tingting.¡¯


    "Before you left, I even reached out to grab your hand. Before I could say anything, you hurriedly reassured me that your name is not Tingting and that your name is Song Qingchun then. Then you ran across the street."


    Following Su Zhinian¡¯s description, fragments of the memory slowly reappeared in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind. At the time, she had been in her second year, and she had believed that she had to rush to a snooker date with Qin Yinan and Song Cheng that night. At the time, she had been waiting for Qin Yinan fetch her, and someone dide to her to say those things.


    However, at the time, she only had her eyes on Qin Yinan and no one else. She did not even pay notice to the fact that the person was actually him. She remembered thinking when she was asked those questions, Who is this person, and who is Tingting? Do I look that simr to this Tingting?


    Just as Song Qingchun reached this thought, Su Zhinian continued speaking softly. "That day, I did get the wrong person..."


    Even though she was Tingting, he had to lie yet again time to her.


    "The only reason that happened was because you look too simr to Tingting."

 Chapter 627: Our Paths Didnt Cross (1)

    Chapter 627: Our Paths Didn¡¯t Cross (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Something clicked in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind, and her heart squeezed with pain. Su Zhinian knew what was going in her mind and knew how hurtful the rest of his words would be; however, after ten seconds of silence, he continued slowly. "The reason I¡¯ve been so hot and cold toward you all these years is because I would be caught under the impression that you¡¯re her until I realize you¡¯re really not..."


    So... so all these years, the reason he is suddenly good to me is because he has mistaken me as the Tingting that he loves... The color in Song Qingchun¡¯s face started to drain. She was quite proud of her own face, proud that she was prettier than most, but that day, her face had pulled the biggest joke on her.


    He could read from her heart the sadness and shame; it caused his own heart to twitch with pain. He tried his best to maintain the aloofness about him and monotonously rattled off the rest of his speech like he was repeating what he had memorized. "I really want to be good to her, but I didn¡¯t even have the chance to see her in person. Since you resemble her so much, I have been really under the illusion that you¡¯re her many times, and I couldn¡¯t contain myself from being good to you. So, all this while, I¡¯ve not been sincere toward you because you¡¯re merely a tool for me to lie to myself. For that I apologize..."


    At this point, Su Zhinian slowly turned his face around to meet Song Qingchun¡¯s face, which was as white as paper. The man could no longer feel the sensation of pain from the surfeit of pain in his heart. His mouth continued to move, but he himself really had no idea what he was talking about. He was on auto-pilot, his bodypleting the mission he had given himself. "This is why, even though I¡¯ve saved your life, I could not let you know why because I did not want the unnecessary trouble. It was never my intention to reveal all this because it is unfair to you, but I was wrong because it has created such a big mistake, so now I have..."


    "To undo this mistake, right?" Song Qingchun finished Su Zhinian¡¯s sentence with a shaking voice. The man stretched his lips but did not say a word despite the fact that his facial expression had said plenty.


    Mistake... Tingting is his treasure, but I, Song Qingchun, am just a mistake, a mistake he has to undo...


    Song Qingchun bit on her lips to prevent her tears from falling, but as she stared at his icy face, they still fell uncontrobly.


    She was so confident when she arrived, but now, she could barely get a word out.


    Su Zhinian could feel her confidence being stamped out by him little by little through their physical contact her. Then, he reached up to remove her hands on his shoulders. "I¡¯m really sorry, this is not your fault. I will stop pretending you¡¯re her in the future. If there¡¯s nothing else..."


    Even though he did not finish the sentence, Song Qingchun understood what he meant. If there¡¯s nothing else, please leave...


    Song Qingchun¡¯s hands clenched into fist.


    Since she did not move, Su Zhinian himself took the initiative and walked away from her.

 Chapter 628: Our Paths Didnt Cross (2)

    Chapter 628: Our Paths Didn¡¯t Cross (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Just as he brushed past her, Song Qingchun, who had been extremely quiet, suddenly grabbed his arm with a burst of energy to pull him to face her. Then, without warning, she once more came up on her tip-toe to kiss him on his lips.


    Even though she had not learned how to kiss, this kiss was much more alluring than her previous awkward attempt at bouncing lips. She powered through his resistance and used her tongue to pry open his lips, to swim about in his mouth, luring and seducing the man.


    He could clearly sense the desire and passion he had tried his best to suppress reigniting by the girl¡¯s action. He knew he had to push her away because if he did not, he would fall into the darkened abyss.


    However, the girl¡¯s arms around his waist was surprisingly tight. He was afraid that he might identally hurt her if he used excessive strength, so at that moment, he was powerless.


    His tongue tried to avoid hers, but she seemed to expect his evasion because she tried keeping up with his tongue, the two dancing about dangerously and passionately within his mouth cavity.


    The girl blushed crazily because, at the back of her head, a little voice scolded her for throwing herself right at another man. In fact, she was so lost in the moment that she bit on the tip of his tongue for extra simtion. This caused the man to shiver, and his rationality was shattered once more; he started kissing her back in earnest.


    Eventually, they got to a point where his hand was ced behind the back of her head, and his lips suckered on hers hungrily like he was trying to melt his mouth into hers. He was caught in the taste of her sweetness, and he could not tell what was what anymore.


    After quite some time, Song Qingchun¡¯s arm that was around his waist slowly slithered down his abdomen and right down into his belt...


    Her touch made his blood boil with lust and love. He waspletely lost in her presence, and the force of his kiss got deeper, crazier, and more desperate. He demanded for more, and his hands that were on her waist started to move as well.


    She moaned softly, and his lips trailed down her small chin, creating intimate bite marks down her neck and chest.


    Her breath became more and more unstable beside his ear. Unable to control himself, his hands reached into her blouse. When his fingertips touched her bare skin, she shivered involuntarily, and her mouth nibbled on his earlobe.


    Su Zhinian grunted before he heard Song Qingchun say beside his ears with unstable breathing, "Su Zhinian... you¡¯re still lying to me!"


    Su Zhinian¡¯s kisses on Song Qingchun¡¯s corbone stopped. Through their skin-to-skin contact, he managed to read her mind.


    The forum users said that if a man really loves a woman, he would not be able to resist the seduction of said woman; even if he does in the beginning, he will eventually sumb. He failed to resist the earlier kiss, and he still is unable to resist this kiss...


    Then she said, "If you don¡¯t like me, why are you reacting so wildly and passionately to me?"


    No wonder she willingly leaned toward me! She¡¯s testing me just like at the bungalow.

 Chapter 629: Our Paths Didnt Cross (3)

    Chapter 629: Our Paths Didn¡¯t Cross (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian did not answer Song Qingchun¡¯s question. Instead, he lowered his eyes and started to mull. Suddenly, he pulled Song Qingchun up by her waist and strode powerfully toward therge meeting room table. Then, he reached out to swipe all the stuff off the table and onto the floor.


    Following themotion, Song Qingchun was ced directly onto the hard surface by Su Zhinian. Before she realized what was happening, Su Zhinian¡¯s powerful body loomed over her, pinning her beneath him.


    "Su Zhinian, you..." Song Qingchun could not get the rest of her words out because her lips were taken over by the man. He pried her teeth open forcefully and swept the sweetness inside her mouth like he was the rightful owner.


    His hands reached underneath her clothes to massage her bare skin. Her consciousness was soon taken over by the man¡¯s actions. She could, however, feel his lips slowly move from her face to fall on her neck, corbone, and chest.


    His fingers moved out of her clothes to slowly remove her buttons one by one. She had been dragged down into the abyss by him. She could feel the desire in her body crying out loud. She wanted and needed more, so she unconsciously reached out to grab his neck, a continuous soft moaning escaping her lips.


    However, his movement suddenly stopped right at that moment.


    She waited with her eyes closed. She frowned unconsciously when she realized the man did not seem like he was going to make the next move. Her eyes fluttered open slowly with confusion.


    When her eyes met his, the man who was just seconds ago still intertwined with her suddenly moved away from her body and slowly straightened himself before her.


    Song Qingchun was startled before she realized the air around the man had been reced by a wave of iciness. She blinked several times with confusion before she turned to look at his dark eyes.


    Her lips fell open like she wanted to say something, but she did not know how to ask why he had stopped, so her mouth eventually closed again.


    The expression on his face was so cold and aloof that the girl could not help but imagine whether the fiery passion just now had merely been a dream in her head.


    He stared quietly at her eyes for a moment before moving his beautiful lips. "Any healthy man would have a bodily reaction when a woman throws herself at him. This is a normal biological reaction, and it has nothing to do with feelings."


    However, only he himself knew the kind of weird man he was. Other than her, he had never been aroused by any woman before.


    "But being aroused doesn¡¯t necessarily mean that I will take you!"


    When Song Qingchun heard this, she finally understood why the man had been silent when faced with her question before pressing her again the table and starting those intimate moves.


    He... was trying to tell her with his actions that even if she managed to get a reaction out of him, at the most crucial moment, he could stop any time he wanted.


    And her? She foolishly thought he could not control himself because she had the hubris to believe he was unable to resist her.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s hands unconsciously started to w underneath her. The harsh marble table top caused her fingernails to bleed with pain, but she continued to w at it like she could not even feel the pain.

 Chapter 630: Our Paths Didnt Cross (4)

    Chapter 630: Our Paths Didn¡¯t Cross (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "So..." As Su Zhinian said so, he bent down slightly to grip her chin and turn her head toward the mirror in the room. Through the reflection, Song Qingchun saw her naked body exposed to the world while Su Zhinian, who was standing before her, was perfectly dressed.


    The scene looked like a slut trying to seduce a gentleman who was not interested. The contrast was more powerful than the words that he had said; it was like a p that hadnded squarely on her face.


    He is indeed interested in my body but just as a piece of meat. If he really cared about me, would he shame me in such a manner?


    "Now, do you understand? When I¡¯m sober, I will noty a finger on you. You have to remember that every time something has happened between us, it was because I was drunk out of my mind, right?"


    Following his words, her tears fell down one after another,nding on his fingertips.


    His lips stretched thin wordlessly. The expression on his face turned colder and harsher as he continued to speak cruelly. "...That is because, in my inebriated state, I mistook you for Tingting since you resemble her so much."


    Song Qingchun turned her face away, and her tears fell like pearls. Through her tears, she whimpered, "I know... Please stop now, I understand what you¡¯re saying..."


    Su Zhinian continued talking like he had not even heard her. "To be honest, if not for your resemnce to Tingting, I would not have evenid an eye on you. But if you¡¯re really that desperate for me to fill the void within you, that¡¯s fine, because I don¡¯t mind using you to fulfil my own fantasy. We each take what we need, right?"


    "Please, I beg of you, stop talking! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" Song Qingchun mumbled the words ¡¯shut up¡¯ like a mantra after Su Zhinian finished his speech.


    However, the man did not stop. "However, you have to understand that it¡¯ll be nothing more than a contract. Even if we sleep together, it does not mean that I¡¯m interested in you; it¡¯s only because you look so much like her. You¡¯ll only ever be her substitute..."


    A flustered Song Qingchun raised her hands to swipe at Su Zhinian¡¯s hand that was on her chin like a crazy woman before mping them forcefully over her ears, and she cried shrilly, "Stop it! Stop it!"


    However, his words filtered through her palms and drilled right into her ears.


    "You¡¯ll never rece her..."


    Song Qingchun screamed out of desperation and climbed down from the office table. She picked up her clothes that littered the floor and put them on in a hurry.


    Su Zhinian stood to the side and watched her with an icy gaze. There was apleteck of emotion in his eyes.


    After Song Qingchun put on her clothes, she did not even nce Su Zhinian¡¯s way. With her head lowered, she shoved all the things she had brought into her bag and rushed out of the meeting room.


    When the door opened, Su Zhinian, who was standing in the meeting room, heard Cheng Qingchong¡¯s concerned voice ask, "Miss Song? What¡¯s wrong?


    "Miss Song, be careful..."


    Just as Cheng Qingchong said that, Su Zhinian heard the sound of someone knocking into a chair.

 Chapter 631: Our Paths Didnt Cross (5)

    Chapter 631: Our Paths Didn¡¯t Cross (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Miss Song, are you alright? Are you injured?"


    Following that, Su Zhinian could hear the elevator door open and Song Qingchun¡¯s footsteps disappearing after the door close. About one minuteter, he heard her rush out of the elevator. He moved toward the window and lowered his head to catch the girl wave down a taxi and leave.


    She will definitely give up this time, right?


    From that day onward, no matter how their paths crossed in the future, she would not have any desire toward him anymore.


    This is the right thing to do... It pains me to do this, but this is the right thing to do.


    He knew that she would one day walk out of the haze of pain that he had created. Then, she would meet another man, fall in love, and have the happy ending that she deserved, while he would continue to watch from the side-lines quietly, blessing her and protecting her.


    There were three rhythmic knocks on the meeting room door before it was pushed open, and Cheng Qingchong spoke. "CEO Su, the meeting just now is still unfinished, shall we continue it?"


    Su Zhinian was facing away from Cheng Qingchong, and he did not answer. Cheng Qingchong noticed the chaos in the room, and her brows furrowed. She walked into the room and started to pick up the documents,ptop, and pens that littered the floor.


    When Su Zhinian had swiped the stuff off the table, theptop had gone flying at the wall and broken into two.


    Cheng Qingchong held the both parts before her and thought about the money that had gone to waste. Then, she turned to Su Zhinian and said, "CEO Su,ter I¡¯ll go get anotherptop that is from the same model. Then, I¡¯ll transfer the data from this one into the new one; you won¡¯t notice the difference."


    Su Zhinian, who had been silent since Cheng Qingchong walked in, suddenly asked, "Is that so?"


    Cheng Qingchong was startled. She felt like Su Zhinian was not really replying to her, but she still answered as she was expected to do. "Yes, CEO Su."


    Su Zhinian did not say a word, but his eyes that looked out the window were covered with ayer of sadness. Yes, a newptop could be purchased, but even if the internal drive was carried over, it was ultimately not the sameptop anymore. Just like how... he had crushed her heart into pieces that day. Even after the cracks healed, it would not be the same heart she had today.


    So, he would no longer see this Song Qingchun, who would tear down the world to love him. There would never be another girl who stormed into his meeting to demand the meeting be stopped and m her palm on the table before him and order majestically, "I have something to discuss with you, so either you have all these people leave the room for now and we talk here, or youe with me, and we¡¯ll talk somewhere else!"


    "Hmm, why is there an MP3 yer here? Did Miss Song leave it behind?" Cheng Qingchong walked to Su Zhinian¡¯s side and passed him a small red MP3 yer.

 Chapter 632: Our Paths Didnt Cross (6)

    Chapter 632: Our Paths Didn¡¯t Cross (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    After a while, Su Zhinian finally turned around to ept the MP3 yer.


    "CEO Su, about that meeting..." Cheng Qingchong merely got half of her sentence out when she was dazed by the redness in Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes. She swallowed the rest of her sentence and changed what she had nned to say. "Shall we reschedule it to tomorrow?"


    Su Zhinian lowered his head to look at the MP3 yer in his palm and answered softly, "Yes."


    "Then, CEO Su, if there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll be leaving."


    Su Zhinian did not respond, so Cheng Qingchong grabbed the mess that she had cleaned up and walked out of the meeting room. Su Zhinian stood before the window for another ten minutes before turning to walk out of the meeting room. He did not return to his office but walked right into the elevator, got into his car, and drove home.


    He changed his shoes at the front door and slowly padded upstairs. He was very tired, but he did not go to his bedroom but his study.


    He sat in his chair and pulled out the MP3 yer from his pocket. He looked at it for a while before pressing the y button on the device. The familiar music began, and he recognized it as his favorite song, ¡¯We¡¯ve all been forgotten¡¯.


    After the four-minute-long song finished ying, the next song began, and it was still the familiar melody of ¡¯We¡¯ve all been forgotten¡¯. Su Zhinian frowned and picked up the yer. He clicked open the ylist and realized there was only one song, ¡¯We¡¯ve all been forgotten¡¯.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s fingers that held the MP3 started to tremble. So many times, he had seen her on the streets from a far and noticed the earbuds in her ears. He had assumed she was listening to the radio, but it turned out that she had been listening to one song all along.


    Su Zhinian felt someone reach into his heart to squeeze it. It caused the air in his body to leave instantly. He leaned against the chair before his frozen body started to thaw.


    He slowly reached out to key in the password for the shelf beside him. He rummaged through it for a long time before pulling a very old document bag out of it.


    Su Zhinian stared at the document for a long time, and his eyes started to shake with fear, as if the bag was Pandora¡¯s Box. Finally, with shaking fingers, he opened it and pulled the document within it out. When he saw the first sentence of the first page, the color drained from his face immediately.


    ...


    Song Qingchun did not know where to go. She only knew that she had to get away from Su Zhinian as fast as she could.


    She waved down the first taxi that she saw and gave the driver a random address. The car finally stopped after an hour. She slowly raised her head to look around. Then, it came to her, that in her hurry to escape, she had given the address for Deep Bay.


    She paid the driver and got out. The sky was still bright, so the ce was deserted and eerily quiet.


    Song Qingchun followed thekeside and wandered aimlessly forward. She had no idea how long she had walked, but when she was tired from walking, she found a bench by the roadside and sat down.


    By then, the ce had started to get crowded. There was a group of seniors ying chess, children kicking a ball, and a few couples singing on the guitar.


    Song Qingchun found the bench furthest from the activity and sat down.


    She stared at theke surface, and the words that he had told her reverberated in her ears.


    I¡¯m really sorry, this is not your fault. I will stop pretending you¡¯re her in the future...

 Chapter 633: Our Paths Didnt Cross (7)

    Chapter 633: Our Paths Didn¡¯t Cross (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun¡¯sshes flickered. Someone seemed to have stabbed a knife into her heart because it started to twitch with pain. She reached out unconsciously toward her chest, trying to use physical activity to stop her heart from breaking. However, no matter how hard she tried to hold her heart together, it continued to crack.


    The pain had started when he said those things at hispany, but it was not until now that it registered in her mind that her heart was breaking. The pain suddenly became so intense that she doubled over with her hands on her chest. Her eyes were red with pain; however, before the tears came, a pretty multi-colored Jianzi 1 fell by her feet.


    "Big sister, it¡¯s your turn!" A pair of small white hands picked up the Jian Zi by her side and cheered joyfully.


    My turn? To do what? Song Qingchun sucked in a deep breath surreptitiously to suppress the heartache before she slowly raised her head. A little girl about five years old stood before her. She looked just like a doll with an endearing smile. Song Qingchun forced a gentle smile and said, "My turn to do what?"


    "To sing of course..." The little girl was not shy around the stranger. She grabbed hold of Song Qingchun¡¯s wrist and tried to pull her up.


    Song Qingchun was about to ask the little girl for more details when a female university student came to them and started to exin, "Miss, it¡¯s like this... we¡¯re ying a game of sorts. It¡¯s a singing marathon, and whoever the Jian Zi falls beside has to sing with our band."


    As the student exined, she pointed at the group that Song Qingchun had assumed were couples earlier.


    ...


    Song Qingchun was practically dragged to the microphone by the little girl. There was quite a sizeable crowd in the garden. A few of them were previous singers, and they pped with cheers when they saw Song Qingchun.


    Then, a young man walked over and handed her an iPad, asking her to select her choice.


    Song Qingchun did not think she could wiggle her way out of this one easily, so she lowered her gaze to scan through the song list. There were at least one hundred of them. When Song Qingchun saw one that she was familiar with, she pointed at it and said, "This one."


    This was a song that she had fallen in love when she watched the TV show, "I Am a Singer". Deste Sandbank by L Hsu.


    ...


    With the apaniment by the university band, Song Qingchun started to sing. When she reached the climax of the song, the many memories that she shared with Su Zhinian started to appear in her mind.


    "...I don¡¯t necessary need you back;


    "Just that whenever I am watching the ocean alone,


    "Turning my head around only to find that you are not around,


    " What¡¯s left is just me pacing around..."


    When she heard about his name at school, she did not care about him. When she met him at her home after school and was told he was going to stay at her house for a year, she offered him her hand generously.


    At home, she was the pampered princess, but he dared to leave her alone at the mall, causing the penniless girl to have to walk home in her heels for hours; this had made her resent him for a long time.


    When a boy from the next ss cultivated an unhealthy obsession in her, Song Cheng was out of country, and Qin Yinan was in the military, so it was Su Zhinian who had escorted her to and from school every day to make sure the boy stay away from her.

 Chapter 634: Our Paths Didnt Cross (8)

    Chapter 634: Our Paths Didn¡¯t Cross (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    When she wanted to give Qin Yinan a Christmas surprise and went up north to find him, she had returned devastated. It was Su Zhinian who had gone to fetch her at the airport at midnight.


    In the dreary third year of high school, gaming with him had been her only entertainment.


    He was her teenage nightmare, and they had parted in the summer after a huge fight.


    Several yearster, when they met again, it was him who revived Song Empire from the clutches of death; it was him who saved her from the brink of death multiple times; it was him who saved her from the cage that was Qin Yinan; it was him who gave her the greatest care and the deepest pain.


    This is a normal biological reaction; it has nothing to do with feelings...


    But being aroused doesn¡¯t necessarily means that I will take you...


    As these voices drilled into her mind, Song Qingchun stood there dazed andpletely forgot to follow the melody of the song. The students who were ying in the band all turned to look at her, the back-up singers still humming to aid her.


    However, the girl seemed to have retreated into her own world. She stood there unmoving, the many variations of his face appearing before her eyes... icy, gentle, cold, anxious, angry, condescending, cruel...


    When I¡¯m sober, I will noty a finger on you...


    To be honest, if not for your resemnce to Tingting, I wouldn¡¯t even haveid an eye on you.


    His and her story had begun so beautiful.


    His and her story had so many twists and turns in the middle.


    So howe his and her story had such a bitter ending?


    But if you¡¯re really that desperate for me to fill the void within you, that¡¯s fine, because I don¡¯t mind using you to fulfil my own fantasy...


    Even if we sleep together, it doesn¡¯t mean that I¡¯m interested in you; that¡¯s only because you look so much like her. You¡¯ll always only be her substitute...


    She felt like her tears wereing, but her eyes were incredibly dry. The greatest pain, she realized then, was when you wanted to cry but the tears were already dry, because it was the heart that was weeping.


    She slowly came to when the song almost reached the end. She heard the students around her singing the lyrics.


    "I don¡¯t necessary need you back;


    "Just that whenever I am watching the ocean alone,


    "I am not the fatigued silhouette you see;


    "I¡¯m not the looking the way you would want to see me."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s lips moved, and like a robot, she followed them mechanically.


    "I don¡¯t necessary need you back;


    "It¡¯s just that whenever I walk alone into the crowd,


    "My independence is gone;


    "Who will teach me to be courageous?"


    Her courage to seek love traded for a loss of the man and a pain that couldst for thousands of miles.


    That love, she really did not know how to let it go even though she knew she had to because eventually she had to return to the crowd... alone.


    She did not really need him to return, but...


    Song Qingchun, with her quivering lips, finished the song.


    "My independence is gone;


    "Who will teach me to be courageous?"


    Then, the song ended. Song Qingchun passed the microphone to the female student who was standing nearby. epting the girl¡¯s thanks, she nodded gently with a "you¡¯re wee" before turning to walk away.


    She walked for some time before halting in her steps.


    Before her was a stream of endless traffic, and there was cheer of happinessing from the garden behind her.

 Chapter 635: Our Paths Didnt Cross (9)

    Chapter 635: Our Paths Didn¡¯t Cross (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun stood by the roadside until a taxi stopped. She got into the car and told the driver to take her to the hospital. The taxi soon entered the car stream.


    Song Qingchun sat in the backseat, watching the billboards that whipped past the car window, and her eyes started to tear up. She could feel her heart falling into the darkened abyss, never to see the light again.


    A love that she realized all toote had dragged on for a great half of a year before dying in the middle of autumn.


    Someone once said, ¡¯If you¡¯re in love and realize you¡¯re falling for another person, that second person will mostly likely be your real love because if you truly loved the first one, you would not have fallen in love with the second one.¡¯


    When she was obsessed with Qin Yinan, she had wondered if there would be another man greater than him. Fate seemed to be toying with her because she really dide across that another, but that ¡¯another¡¯ was someone she could never be with.


    The mist in her eyes condensed into tears, but Song Qingchun refused to let them fall.


    The taxi stopped at the entrance of the hospital. Song Qingchun paid the driver and got out quietly. She then took one step after another toward the hospital. However, instead of heading toward the entrance, she turned toward the small garden at the back of the hospital. There was no one there, and it was there that Song Qingchun copsed.


    So unfortunate, I love you so, but I still need to leave you.


    So regretful, love really needs courage, but your final cruelty has snuffed out the courage within me.


    So disappointed, it is you who made me stop searching for love, but you were merely a stop.


    Song Qingchun cried so hard that her whole body started to shake.


    I hope I nevere across another individual like you in the future again.


    I hope I learn to forget you after these tears have finished falling.


    Even though I¡¯m unwilling and I don¡¯t think I¡¯m able to, I have to let go...


    Song Qingchun cried for long long time before she stopped. With a sniffle, she picked out a napkin and mirror from her bag. Using the garden light, she cleaned up her face. She took several deep breaths and slowly forced her tired body up. She closed her eyes and started to count-down internally silently from ten to one.


    Ten: Su Zhinian, I don¡¯t regret meeting you.


    Nine: Su Zhinian, I¡¯m d to have met you.


    Eight: Su Zhinian, I¡¯m happy we were once so close.


    Seven: Su Zhinian, I regret having those fights with you.


    Six: Su Zhinian, I¡¯m thankful to God for giving me the opportunity to meet you again five yearster.


    Five: Su Zhinian, thank you for everything you¡¯ve done for me, from Su Empire to saving my life.


    Four: Su Zhinian, I realize I¡¯m in love with you.


    Three: Su Zhinian, I love you.


    Two: Su Zhinian, goodbye.


    ...


    Song Qingchun paused for a moment before counting thest number. Following the ¡¯one¡¯, she thought, Su Zhinian, farewell.


    Su Zhinian... I wish you well after we go our separate ways.


    This was Song Qingchun¡¯s final thought on the matter.


    Should we meet again in the future, you will not see the Song Qingchun who once depleted all the courage within her to love you.


    Song Qingchun tried her best to curve her lips into a faded smile. Then she slowly moved toward the hospital building on her high heels.

 Chapter 636: Our Paths Didnt Cross (10)

    Chapter 636: Our Paths Didn¡¯t Cross (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The moment the smile bloomed on her face, at the back of her mind, she thought, You¡¯ve never met me, and I¡¯ve never loved you. We¡¯ll do it your way, and that is thest thing I¡¯ll do for you. We¡¯ll pretend that you¡¯ve never met me and I¡¯ve never loved you.


    ...


    To prevent Song Menghwa from seeing through her forced levity, Song Qingchun purposely stopped several meters before his room to collect her thoughts. As she took her step forward, before she even reached to open the door, Song Menghwa¡¯s voice drifted out from within.


    "Ol¡¯ Zhang, remember not to reveal the things the doctor said about me not living past another half a year to Qingchun..."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s hands hung in the air. Not living past half a year... What does he mean?


    Song Qingchun¡¯s mind was nk before it hit her. In less than half a year, my father is going to join my brother and leave me forever?


    Her heart followed the thought and squeezed with pain. The pain was not smaller than the one given to her by Su Zhinian that afternoon.


    "Old Sir, we can¡¯t hide this forever. You have to understand that paper cannot hide a ball of fire... Eventually, the young miss will find out and she will still be saddened by it." This time it was Ol¡¯ Zhang who answered. Ol¡¯ Zhang was Song family¡¯s old butler, and before that he was Song Menghwa¡¯s personal assistant.


    "Yes, that¡¯s true, but it¡¯s still better than letting her know now and living the rest of her days in fear. When her mother passed away five years ago, she locked herself up in her room and refused to eat for a whole week. When Song Cheng passed awayst year, even could not survive the shock, and what happened to her when I was at the hospital? While I was in aa, she must have been crying day in and day out, right?"


    "Yes, for that period, young miss stayed by your side, but she didn¡¯t say a word, like she had gone senile."


    "That¡¯s why... Just wait until the day I take myst breath. It might be too sudden for her, but she won¡¯t be too sad for so long. If she finds out now, she¡¯ll definitely start crying asking me not to leave her..."


    Ol¡¯ Zhang did not say anything but sighed softly.


    "Ol¡¯ Zhang, you¡¯ve known me for years and you know me better than anyone else. If it is really as the doctor said and the most I have is another six months, then you¡¯ll have to help me watch over Qingchun... Even though I¡¯ve talked to Yinan, that kid, to have him take care of her, I still can¡¯t help myself from worrying about her."


    "Old Sir, don¡¯t worry, I will take good care of the young miss."


    "Ol¡¯ Zhang, thank you. The other girl though, Fang Rou, looks very soft-spoken and gentle on the surface, but something about her strikes me as wrong. Song Cheng has been dead for a year already, but she is still the same, understanding and filial. There is no observable change in her, and that is weird. I believe she¡¯s waiting for me to die to get a share of the assets... Sigh, so be it, after all, she was with Song Cheng for so many years. If she is really after the money, liquidize the Song Empire shares that I have currently and give them all to her. Just make sure she doesn¡¯t make life too difficult for Qingchun..."

 Chapter 637: Lets Get Married (1)

    Chapter 637: Let¡¯s Get Married (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Yes, Old Sir."


    Song Menghwa, who heard the promise from Ol¡¯ Zhang, suddenly started tough. "Don¡¯t you feel I¡¯m getting more and more annoying telling you the same thing every day I see you?"


    "Old Sir, why would you say that?"


    "Ol¡¯ Zhang, to be frank, I¡¯m scared, scared that one day it¡¯ll be over just like that. I still want to see Qingchun walk down the aisle; I want to personally give her away... Our Qingchun is so beautiful and so nice, howe there isn¡¯t a man who hase snap her right up? Ever since she was a little girl, I¡¯ve been imagining her wedding; it has to be a glorious wedding, as luxurious as it can be... but... it doesn¡¯t seem like she¡¯s in a hurry to get married anytime soon. So be it, love can¡¯t be rushed. The most important thing is that she¡¯s happy."


    Song Qingchun lowered her head, and two lines of tear fell. She did not push the door open but took several silent steps back and left.


    ...


    Song Qingchun waited in the lobby of the hospital until she saw Uncle Zhang leave before she returned to her father¡¯s room. Song Menghwa looked like he was going to sleep because the nurse was helping him with the pillow on his back.


    When the nurse saw Song Qingchun, she greeted her with a smile, "Miss Song."


    Song Qingchun replied with a smile. She ced her bag on the table, walked forward, and whispered to the nurse, "Let me."


    The nurse nodded and took a step back. Song Qingchunid her father carefully out on his bed and helped him with his nket before sitting down beside his bed. She stared at her father, who had grown old in the two days they had not met, and called out softly, "Dad."


    Song Menghwa was probably tired from his long conversation with Ol¡¯ Zhang, but when he heard her voice, he still forced his eyes to look at her and said, "Why is your face so white? Not feeling well?"


    "No, too much worktely, that¡¯s all..." Song Qingchun leaned on her father¡¯s arm like she used to do when she was a little girl. She was really tired, and she had nothing to say. She just wished to close her eyes and sleep. However, she still opened her mouth and uttered softly, "Dad, you have to recover quickly... and return home soon."


    "Of course, when the doctor came to check on me today, he said I can leave the hospital in another few days..."


    Lies! Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes pooled with tears, but she said with a smile, "That¡¯s wonderful news! After Dad, you¡¯re out of the hospital, let¡¯s go visit Mom and my brother, okay? I¡¯ve not seen them for so long already¡ªI miss them."


    "Okay, I miss them, too."


    "Also... Dad, after you leave the hospital, you have to take care of your health and live until you¡¯re a hundred years old; I still need you there to walk me down the aisle and be the grandfather to my children..." Tears slid down Song Qingchun¡¯s cheeks, but when her words fell in Song Menghwa¡¯s ears, they sounded like the words of a child.


    Regardless, when Song Menghwa heard the words ¡¯marry¡¯ and ¡¯children¡¯, he was very happy. There was an added strength in his reply. "That¡¯s for sure. I will definitely be there when my beautiful and precious daughter walks down the aisle..."


    ...


    Song Qingchun had a hard time sleeping that night.


    Perhaps because she had received two devastating pieces of news that day, she started to suffer from a fever at around 5 am.

 Chapter 638: Lets Get Married (2)

    Chapter 638: Let¡¯s Get Married (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She was already at the hospital, but she did not go to see a doctor. It was 8 am when Song Menghwa woke up, and the nurse arrived with breakfast.


    Song Qingchun, who was feeling light-headed, suffered through the breakfast at the hospital beside Song Menghwa. She only left when her sister-inw, Fang Rou, came over.


    After returning home and taking a shower, she changed into a new set of clothes. When she was leaving for work, a dark veil fell over her eyes, and she would have fallen down the stairs if not for the fact that she managed to grab hold of the bannister at thest moment.


    Song Qingchun stopped moving for quite some time before slowly making her way back down the stairs. Her initial n had been to drive to herpany, but since she was not feeling so well, she left her car keys at the front entrance and put the high heels she had thought about wearing back onto the rack, instead putting on afortable pair of ts.


    When Song Qingchun reached the gate of the residential area, she called for a cab. Even though the cab was quite far away from her location, she still decided it was safer to wait for the driver than to drive herself.


    On the way to work, Song Qingchun received a phone call from the station manager, and she changed the destination to City Clubhouse instead.


    Song Qingchun teetered on her shivering legs to get the stuff that the station manager had asked her to get from the receptionist at City Clubhouse before walking back to the roadside to lean on the streetmp, waiting for a taxi toe.


    City Clubhouse was located near the old pce, and that was not a ce where taxi drivers congregated. Song Qingchun called for many cabs, but none of them came; however, Su Zhinian dide. He seemed to have something to do at City Clubhouse, and his car rolled to stop in front of her.


    Song Qingchun, who was not feeling well, did not notice Su Zhinian¡¯s car at first. She was too focused on her phone to get a taxi when she heard the door m and the clicks of high heels across the floor. Then, the sound stopped, reced by Cheng Qingchong¡¯s voice. "Miss Song?"


    Song Qingchun was silent for a moment before slowly raising her head.


    "So, it is you..." Cheng Qingchong smiled genially at her beforementing politely, "Miss Song, this is such a coincidence."


    "It really is." Song Qingchun forced a smile.


    "Is Miss Song also here on business?"


    "Yes."


    "Then, Miss Song, I¡¯ll see you around. I still have work to attend to inside."


    Song Qingchun nodded wordlessly.


    "Goodbye."


    "Goodbye."


    After Cheng Qingchong left, Song Qingchun lowered her gaze back to her phone screen. After half a minuteter, she seemed to sense something and slowly raised her eyes at the streets in front of her.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s usual car slowly fell into her sight. Through the windshield, she caught sight of Su Zhinian, with his air of elegance and grace, sitting in the backseat, with his head lowered, focusingpletely on theptop on his knees.


    It had only been ten hours since Song Qingchun hadst seen Su Zhinian, but it felt like it had been decades. Song Qingchun lost her train of thought, staring at Su Zhinian, but she quickly recovered. Acting like she had not seen him, she lowered her head quietly, pushed her phone back into her bag, turned around, and continued walking.

 Chapter 639: Lets Get Married (3)

    Chapter 639: Let¡¯s Get Married (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun walked until she was about a hundred meters away from Su Zhinian¡¯s car before she stopped.


    Before, when she was waiting under the streetmp, her legs had already been shaking from illness. The short walk seemed to have drained every drop of energy within her. She had trouble even trying to breathe. Song Qingchun reached out to lean against an old tree by the roadside. She closed her eyes to take several deep breaths before turning around to lean against the tree trunk.


    There was still no response when she tried calling for a cab. Realizing she was unable to move on her own two feet anymore, Song Qingchun doubled the price and called for another cab service.


    The messages kept on firing through the app, but there was no taker.


    Song Qingchun felt the cold sweat that had soaked her clothes. She gripped her phone tightly and held onto her consciousness as firmly as she could. Even if she had to faint, she had to wait for Su Zhinian to leave first. Time moved exceptionally slow since she was in pain.


    The minute digit on her phone had only changed five times while Song Qingchun felt like she was about to copse. When the digit jumped for the seventh time, Cheng Qingchong finally came out from City Clubhouse.


    Her gait was fast and professional, but in Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes, she was not fast enough. Her eyes were practically glued to Cheng Qingchong¡¯s feet. When she reached the car and got into it, Song Qingchun sighed in relief under her breath.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s car started to move. As the car passed her, Song Qingchun knew Su Zhinian would not even pay her any heed, but she still lowered her head. After about half a minute, when Song Qingchun thought his car had long since driven away, she slowly raised her eyes to see that Su Zhinian¡¯s car had for some reason stopped before her again. The car was about twenty meters away from her. She had the perfect view of Su Zhinian through the car window.


    Probably because the car had started moving, he was no longer on hisptop. Instead, the man was leaning against the car seat luxuriously, and around him was an air of chilliness.


    Actually, the moment Song Qingchun saw Su Zhinian, her first instinct had been to avert her eyes. However, the high fever had caused her reactions to be slower than usual. When she was about to pull her eyes away, the man suddenly turned around, and their eyes met across the distance.


    Song Qingchun bit on her lips, and her movement stopped. Even through the haze of the fever, she could clearly see theck of warmth and cruelty at the bottom of his eyes.


    Through the corner of her eyes, Song Qingchun saw Su Zhinian¡¯s driver put down his phone and started to drive again.


    His eyes that stared at her wereing closer and closer. Just as the front of the car was about to pass her, a world of darkness covered her eyes, and she fell headfirst to the floor.


    The fall made her groan in pain. Before she faded out of consciousnesspletely, her eyes floated instinctively toward Su Zhinian sitting inside the car.


    The man did not seem to notice her fall even though he was looking at her. There was no change in his expression, and he even slowly moved his gaze away.

 Chapter 640: Lets Get Married (4)

    Chapter 640: Let¡¯s Get Married (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The expensive car slowly moved out of her sight. Song Qingchun was unable to tell whether she was hallucinating or not, but she swore she could hear the sound of a car braking. However, when she raised her eyes toward the direction of the traffic, Su Zhinian¡¯s car kept on driving with no signs of slowing down. If anything, the car only sped up and had disappeared down a great stretch of the road in just the blink of an eye.


    An intense pain overwhelmed her body, causing her breathing to stop in her throat before her whole person was submerged in the darkness.


    ...


    Song Qingchun was not hallucinating. When she saw Song Qingchun crumble to the floor through the rear-view mirror, Cheng Qingchong, who was sitting in the passenger seat, screamed out, "Mr. Wong, stop the car!"


    Mr. Wong, the driver, was shocked by her sudden scream and mmed on the brake. Out of habit, Cheng Qingchong leaned forward and turned around to tell Su Zhinian, "CEO Su, Miss Song has fainted by the roadside."


    When Song Qingchun used to visit ST Empire with Su Zhinian, Song Qingchun did not have the face to bother the workers, so she would go into the breakroom to brew herself a cup of coffee. She was unfamiliar with their coffee-machine, so she had identally scalded herself. After the assistant rushed into the office to inform Su Zhinian, Su Zhinian, who was in the middle of briefing her about the uing meeting, had dashed out his office almost the moment the assistant finished her words. Therefore, Cheng Qingchong was certain her little reminder would definitely make her big boss, who had treated Miss Song like aplete stranger today, rush out of the car in a hurry.


    However, to her surprise, Su Zhinian merely raised his eyebrow lightly and ordered the driver, "Continue driving."


    It seemed like he had nothing to do with Song Qingchun.


    The driver looked at Su Zhinian then at Cheng Qingchong. Finally, he stepped on the gas pedal.


    As the car continued to elerate, Cheng Qingchong turned around in disbelief. She stared at Su Zhinian for a few moment. Her lips moved, but ultimately, she did not say anything; she simply turned her body around slowly to look forward. However, the corner of her eyes were still following Song Qingchun via the rear-view mirror. The girl seemed to havepletely fainted; she was lying there perfectly immobile.


    She wanted to say something to Su Zhinian, but when she saw the icy gaze in her boss¡¯ eyes, she swallowed her words. After the car had moved for about a hundred meters, Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes drifted once more to the rear-view mirror. He saw a stranger passing Song Qingchun and seemed to be hesitating whether to help her or not.


    Su Zhinian frowned slightly and controlled the person to make him bend over to pick up Song Qingchun¡¯s phone and make a call...


    ...


    Song Qingchun felt something icy touch her on her burning forehead, and her consciousness slowly returned.


    In her hazy consciousness, she felt someone unbutton her cor because there was air falling on her shoulders. Following the shattering sound of what sounded like ss, she felt something coldnd on her shoulder, then a sharp jolt of pain due to needle puncturing her skin.

 Chapter 641: Lets Get Married (5)

    Chapter 641: Let¡¯s Get Married (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She instinctively wanted to stop it, but a pair of warm hands held her in ce. The needle head went deeper and deeper into her skin like it was about to reach bone. Following the spread of the medicine, the pain was amplified endlessly. Song Qingchun could not help but cry in pain and mumble softly, "Hurts..."


    The man holding her patted her lightly and kindly on her back and softly whispered to her, "Endure it a little bit longer, it¡¯ll be better soon..."


    Soon? But the longer she endured, the sharper the pain. Her whole body started to shake, andyers of cold sweat broke out on her forehead.


    "Done?" It was still the kind guy who spoke. Following his question, a fuzzy substance that felt like a towelnded on her forehead to wipe away her cold sweat.


    "Soon..." This time it was a cold-sounding female voice who replied. After that, Song Qingchun felt the needle being extracted from her shoulder and the press of a cotton ball on the wound.


    Drifting in and out of consciousness, Song Qingchun felt the man who had been holding her rearranging her clothes and putting her back into bed before leaving to converse with the female voice. She vaguely heard mention of three times every day and two doses each intake. Finally, there was the sound of footsteps leaving.


    After who knew how long, Song Qingchun heard the sound of someone approaching, then the fall of another cotton nket on her body. Following which, the spot next to her sunk, like someone had just sat on it.


    She waited for some time, but the person beside her did not say a word. She wanted to open her eyes to take a look, but no matter how hard she tried, she could not pull her eyes open. Before long, the effect of the medicine took over, and she went back into sleep.


    ...


    When Song Qingchun opened her eyes next, the sky outside the window was already dark.


    Her throat was parched. She looked around the room and noticed a kettle sitting on the bedside table. She struggled up, pulled the cover back, and got out of bed. There were no slippers beside the bed, so she had no choice but to walk barefooted across the cold floor to reach it.


    She remembered heading to City Clubhouse as per her boss¡¯ request to take something. After that, she came across Su Zhinian, and then she fainted...


    She could remember rather fuzzily, someone taking care of her when she was unconscious... wiping her sweat and feeding her water... so she was inside the apartment of the person who saved her?


    Song Qingchun thought about it for a few seconds before putting the cup of water down and walking out of the bedroom in her bare feet.


    The living room was empty, and only the lights in the dining room were on. There were soundsing from the kitchen.


    Without much thought, Song Qingchun headed toward the kitchen. Just as she passed the living room sofa, the kitchen door was pushed open, and the sound of soup being boiled drifted out through the open door. Song Qingchun saw Qin Yinan, who was wearing an apron, walk out of it with a te in his hand.


    Song Qingchun called out as per her habit, "Brother Yinan."


    Qin Yinan raised his head upon hearing her voice. Looking at Song Qingchun standing in his living room, Qin Yinan¡¯s face broke into a gentle and fine smile. "You¡¯re awake?"

 Chapter 642: Lets Get Married (6)

    Chapter 642: Let¡¯s Get Married (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Before Song Qingchun answered, Qin Yinan¡¯s brows furrowed, and he asked, "Why are you walking all over the ce without any slippers? What if you hurt yourself?"


    Then, he walked around the dining table, heading for the front door. He opened the shoe rack and got a pair ofdies¡¯ slippers out from within. When he saw that it was a pair Tang Nuan had left in his house, he stopped moving for a moment before tossing them into the trashcan. Then, he picked out a pair of ts, walked back to Song Qingchun, and ced them before her. "I¡¯m sorry, I don¡¯t entertain much, so do bear with me. I hope you don¡¯t mind wearing these."


    Song Qingchun nodded as she raised her feet to step into the shoes.


    Qin Yinan raised the back of his palm to touch Song Qingchun¡¯s forehead. He ced it there for a while before retracting it and saying, "Good, the fever¡¯s down. Go sit there and rest, food will be ready soon."


    As he spoke, he pointed at the sofa in the living room. After Song Qingchun nodded, he turned to head back into the kitchen. Song Qingchun stood where she was for quite some time. She did not follow Qin Yinan¡¯s instructions to sit on the sofa but slowly followed behind him and padded into the kitchen.


    The kitchen door was not closed. When she was standing at the door, Qin Yinan sensed her presence and raised his head to look at her. "What are you doing here? It¡¯s hot and damp in here."


    Song Qingchun smiled but did not reply. She leaned against the door frame and looked at the decorations in the kitchen. Qin Yinan soon finished cooking. He turned off the gas and ced the dish on an oval-shaped te. Then, Song Qingchun leaned in to take the te from him, adding, "Let me."


    Qin Yinan halted for a moment before eventually handing the te to her. Song Qingchun put the te on the dining table, and Qin Yinan walked out behind her with a soup pot in his hands.


    Song Qingchun grabbed heat-instion pad from beside the table and ced it in the middle of the table. Qin Yinan ced the pot on it and then removed his apron before smiling at Song Qingchun. "What you still doing standing there? Go wash your hands, it¡¯s time to eat."


    Song Qingchun nodded. She lowered her head slightly and turned to the bathroom attached to the living room. When she came out of it, Qin Yinan wasdling a bowl of soup for her.


    Song Qingchun walked forward and pulled the chair out. As she sat down, Qin Yinan passed her the bowl and said, "You just woke up from such a serious illness. I bet you don¡¯t have much of an appetite, but take a sip of the soup; it¡¯ll warm your stomach."


    "Thank you, Brother Yinan."


    Qin Yinan smiled quaintly and did not say anything.


    Both were quiet during the meal. Song Qingchun, who had just recovered, really did not have much of an appetite; she only took a few bites of the rice before putting the chopsticks down.


    However, he was not anxious to leave the dining room. Instead, she sat where she was, staring at Qin Yinan, who was wolfing down the food with gusto. After a moment, she asked, "Brother Yinan, how did you know I¡¯d fainted?"


    "I didn¡¯t..." Qin Yinan swallowed a mouthful of food before continuing. "I was on the way to work when I received a call from your phone. It was a stranger who said you had fainted by the roadside. I immediately rushed over when I heard that."


    "It was..." Song Qingchun paused before uttering, "... a stranger?"


    "Yes, a stranger who happened to pass by."


    Song Qingchun immediately retreated into a bubble of silence, and her head lowered even further.


    Qin Yinan looked at her and frowned. "What¡¯s wrong?"

 Chapter 643: Lets Get Married (7)

    Chapter 643: Let¡¯s Get Married (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "No, nothing." Song Qingchun looked up and smiled at Qin Yinan as she shook her head. Qin Yinan believed her and resumed eating his food.


    Song Qingchun turned her head slowly toward the window, and the smile in her eyes disappeared. In its ce, was a well of condescension. Just what was I thinking? Why did I still believe that Su Zhinian would have contacted Brother Yinan after I fainted? I should have known better when I saw his car drive away.


    After dinner, Qin Yinan did not hurry to clear the table but walked into his bedroom. When he came back out, he had several boxes of medicine in his hands. When he walked past the living room, he also grabbed a ss of water.


    Returning to the dining table, he first ced the water before Song Qingchun before following the doctor¡¯s orders and passing her the medicine. "Better take them now lest you forget itter."


    Song Qingchun epted them with a nod.


    Qin Yinan stood to the side and watched her swallow the medicine before starting to clear away the dishes. Song Qingchun stood up, trying to help, but was chased away by Qin Yinan. He ordered her to go rest in the living room.


    Song Qingchun sat on the sofa and flipped the television on. One of her favorite variety shows was ying, but her mind was somewhere else. She was looking at the television screen, but the plot never registered in her mind. For some reason, she started to remember the conversation between her father and Uncle Zhang that she had overheard at the hospital the previous night.


    After Qin Yinan finished washing the dishes, he came out of the kitchen with a fruit te for Song Qingchun. She took several bites of the fruit before stopping. Then, she turned to Qin Yinan and asked, "When did you buy this apartment?"


    "Last year." Actually, Qin Yinan had bought this apartment because he wanted to share it with Tang Nuan after they got married. He had chosen this ce because of the name, Nan Tang Yuan.


    Qin Yinan paused for a moment before adding, "But, I¡¯m in the middle of the negotiations; I¡¯ll probably be selling it next month."


    "Why? Brother Yinan, you¡¯re also flipping real-estate?" Song Qingchun asked half-jokingly.


    Qin Yinan smiled but did not exin. Silence reigned once more.


    After some time, Song Qingchun uttered, "It¡¯s gettingte; I should get back home."


    "I¡¯ll drive you," Qin Yinan said as he stood up to walk back into his bedroom. Then, he came out with her bag and a jacket.


    Before leaving, Qin Yinan handed her the jacket, saying, "It¡¯s cold tonight. Wear this so that you don¡¯t catch a cold."


    The roads were unusually quiet that night, and Qin Yinan¡¯s car soon reached the Song family¡¯s residential area.


    Qin Yinan did not get out from his car. Instead, he pulled Song Qingchun¡¯s bag open to take out all the medicine inside and exined the intake methods to Song Qingchun.


    Song Qingchun listened to Qin Yinan quietly, but there was no change in expression on her face. Her brain, however, was a mess, like two people fighting inside. She was thinking about Su Zhinian and Song Menghwa.


    Before Qin Yinan finished, Song Qingchun suddenly interrupted him by calling his name. "Brother Yinan."

 Chapter 644: Lets Get Married (8)

    Chapter 644: Let¡¯s Get Married (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Hmm?" Qin Yinan moved his gaze from the medicine to Song Qingchun¡¯s face. Song Qingchun had her face lowered like she was deep in thought.


    Qin Yinan waited patiently, but when he noticed she was not going to speak, he prompted, "What¡¯s wrong?"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s hands that wereid on her knees gripped into fists. Certain words had not yet left her mouth, but there was already pain at the back of her eyes.


    She pressed her lips tight and contemted the words that she was going to say in her mind again and again. Aftering to a decision, she raised her head to meet Qin Yinan¡¯s eyes and asked, "Brother Yinan, are you still in a rtionship with Tang Nuan?"


    Qin Yinan was not expecting this question, and he visibly reeled from shock before shaking his head and admitting, "I¡¯ve not talked to her in a long time."


    After a pause, Qin Yinan added, "We¡¯ve already... broken up."


    Song Qingchun thought that if she had heard this sentence one year ago, she would have been ecstatic. However, in that one year, too many things had changed, and this sentence that she had been praying for most of her life felt so t and pedestrian in her ears.


    Qin Yinan noticed Song Qingchun¡¯s reticence, and he smiled. "She and I, we¡¯re really not suitable for each other. It would have been a waste of time if we dragged it out, and there was no future for us, but... why would you suddenly ask this?"


    When Song Qingchun heard his question, her eyes shuddered. She suppressed the tears that were threatening to pour out of her eyes before moving her lips to ask somethingpletely unrted to Tang Nuan and the topic that she had started earlier. "Brother Yinan, on the second night my father was hospitalized, you called me, do you remember that?"


    Qin Yinan was silent for a moment, thinking about the incident Song Qingchun was suddenly referencing before nodding slightly. "I do."


    Song Qingchun lowered her head and pulled lightly on her hair like she did not know how to continue. After some time, she asked, "Then, do you remember what you told me that night on the phone?"


    What I told her on the phone? I remember saying, ¡¯Song Song, Uncle Song is not feeling so good, and he wishes for you to have a shoulder to lean on. A while ago, didn¡¯t you say you want me to act alongside you? I¡¯m calling to say, if you need it, I can be that shoulder for as long as you wish...¡¯


    Qin Yinan filtered the words in his mind. He believed that he had guessed the purpose of the girl bringing this up and said, "You¡¯re asking me to act alongside you?"


    Song Qingchun shook her head slightly. Ten secondster, she opened her lips to say, "Not acting."


    Not acting?


    Song Qingchun¡¯s lips curved into a smile before turning earning to look at Qin Yinan with her watery eyes. "Brother Yinan, didn¡¯t you say that if I need it, you¡¯re willing to take care of me forever?"


    At this point, Song Qingchun took a deep breath and tried to make her words sound as t as possible. "If I say, I need it now..."


    Song Qingchun hesitated as if she did not the correct way to phrase her words. However, soon, she continued in a different manner to express what she wanted to say. "To put it simply, Brother Yinan, will you marry me?"

 Chapter 645: Lets Get Married (9)

    Chapter 645: Let¡¯s Get Married (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Yesterday, when Song Qingchun overheard the conversation between Song Menghwa and Uncle Zhang, yes, her heart had broken, but it had not crossed her mind that she would fulfil his wish so soon.


    After she woke up from the fainting and asked Qin Yinan who it was that called him, she was frankly hoping that it would be Su Zhinian who had contacted him.


    With the truth disyed right before her, she only then realized how heartless the man who hurt her was. She was sad, but beyond that sadness, there was an epiphany.


    After that fever, she felt like her mind was fresher and brighter. She had finally seen the light. He waspletely emotionally unattached to her. Even if she had felt it before, it was not meant for her but someone she had the misfortune of resembling.


    When Qin Yinan was busying him with washing the dishes, she had sat in the living room, and many thoughts had crossed her mind. The love that she wanted would never be hers, so all she had left was her family; she could not disappoint her family.


    She was Song Menghwa¡¯sst concern in this world. She really did not want him to go, but the matters of life and death were beyond her control. However, what she could control was whether or not to be a filial daughter, to not let him worry too much in his twilight years. She had always been his constant source of worry ever since she was a little girl, and it was time to grow up.


    She knew it was wrong to finagle her Brother Yinan by pleading to his kindness, but she did not care about it anymore. Song Menghwa¡¯s days in this world were numbered, so numbered that she did not have the time to forget Su Zhinian, meet someone new, fall in love, and get married.


    She knew that she was being very unfair to Qin Yinan. There was no reason for him to put the rest of his life on hold simply because she wanted to please her father¡¯s dying wish. He could very easily find himself a beautiful wife and walk down the aisle with his actual love. However, Qin Yinan was the only option that she could think of. Furthermore, Song Menghwa was already under the impression that Qin Yinan was her boyfriend.


    Song Qingchun did not know how to take Qin Yinan¡¯s lengthy silence. She was unsure whether he was stunned by her sudden proposal or thinking about how to reject her.


    She did not interrupt him and waited patiently. There was a stretch of silence inside the car thatsted for about ten minutes before Song Qingchun said softly, "Brother Yinan, if you think this is too much of an inconvenience, I understand. Feel free to say no, I can go on dates..."


    When Qin Yinan heard thest sentence from Song Qingchun, his heart twitched with pain. Isn¡¯t she in love with Su Zhinian? But in spite of everything, she still has to marry someone else; her heart must be weeping, right?


    "Brother Yinan, I know you wish to help me as a friend, but that does not mean that you have to agree to this favor, so..."


    "Song Song..." Before Song Qingchun could finish, Qin Yinan, who had been silent, suddenly spoke. Song Qingchun stopped talking and looked at Qin Yinan quietly.


    Qin Yinan stared at the Chinese parasol tree outside the car window. His Adam¡¯s apple moved up and down twice, like he was figuring out how to proceed before turning to look into Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes, adding, "...If what you said just now is a decision you made after you¡¯ve considered all else, then I agree."


    This time, it was Song Qingchun who was shocked.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s soft-spoken voice repeated, "I agree, let¡¯s get married."

 Chapter 646: Lets Get Married (10)

    Chapter 646: Let¡¯s Get Married (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    One weekter, when Song Menghwa was about to enter the surgery room for the second time that month, Song Qingchun revealed the news about her uing nuptials with Qin Yinan. As she expected, Song Menghwa could not hide the grin on his face.


    Even though Song Qingchun told Song Menghwa it was merely an engagement, her father treated it as their marriage and started discussing the details of the wedding with her. When Fang Rou arrived at the hospital, he even had her start to prepare for the wedding.


    Fang Rou was equally happy when she heard the news, and she even joined Song Menghwa in discussing the wedding details. Song Qingchun did not have the heart to rain on his parade.


    Looking at the smile on her father¡¯s face when she told him she was getting married, Song Qingchun felt like the sun had returned to her world, and everything was going to be okay. Actually, this isn¡¯t so bad, is it? At least, in exchange for this hurtful decision, I¡¯ll be able to make the person who cares about me the most in this world the happiest he has ever been; it¡¯s really worth it, is it not?


    Song Menghwa¡¯s surgery was aplete sess. After he woke up from the anesthesia, the first thing he did was call Qin Yinan¡¯s parents.


    At 9 pm that night, Qin Yinan and his parents arrived at the hospital. Qin Yinan¡¯s parents had watched Song Qingchun grow up and loved her like she was their own daughter. When they heard about the news, they were also beyond happy, not unlike Song Menghwa. The young couple was shoved to the side, and the parents started happily discussing the details of the wedding.


    The three elders even brought out a calendar to look for a date with good Feng Shui. That date was December 12th. After deciding the date, the three elders started discussing the wedding venue and the like.


    After they had decided practically everything, Song Menghwa finally turned to Song Qingchun and Qin Yinan, who had been ignored the whole night, and asked with a giant smile on his face, "Yinan, Qingchun, what do you think about having the wedding on the twelfth of December? It¡¯s still two months away, so there is enough time to prepare..."


    Qin Yinan¡¯s first reaction was to turn to look at Song Qingchun. After sensing his gaze on her, Song Qingchun smiled lightly and answered, "As long as Brother Yinan is fine with it, I¡¯m fine with it."


    Auntie Qin immediately swooped in on her son¡¯s behalf. "Of course, Yinan is fine with it. It¡¯s decided then, the wedding is on the twelfth of December!"


    Uncle Qin, who had always been subservient to his wife, concurred, "Yes, the twelfth of December it is."


    "Now that the date has been decided, what about the venue?" Song Menghwa asked. "We¡¯re considering Beijing Hotel, what do you two think of that?"


    "As long as Song Song is okay with it," Qin Yinan replied.


    "We¡¯ll leave it to you," Song Qingchun said. "We¡¯ll just follow what the parents decide."


    ...


    Song Qingchun¡¯sst sentence was like a pill of assurance for the three elders. They took out pen and paper and started designing the wedding schedule without even asking the young couple for their opinions.


    Song Qingchun sat to the side with a gentle smile on her face and listened to them quietly. Qin Yinan would asionally chime in, but she remainedpletely silent throughout.


    In fact, when their discussion reached its climax, she even turned her head to look out at the darkened sky, and her mind started to wander.

 Chapter 647: Exchanging Invitations (1)

    Chapter 647: Exchanging Invitations (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Am I getting married just like that? I suppose I am... s, the groom is not someone who I love.


    ...


    That night, after Qin Yinan sent his parents home, he gave Song Qingchun a call. At the time, it was alreadyte at night, so the hospital was quiet. Song Qingchun was afraid that the call might disturb other patients, so she hung up on Qin Yinan before shrugging into her jacket and heading toward the hospital¡¯s garden to give him a call back.


    Song Qingchun chatted for a while with Qin Yinan. When Qin Yinan reached his own ce and parked his car, his tone suddenly turned serious. "Song Song, I know you¡¯re marrying me because you¡¯re trying to make Uncle Song happy. If, God forbid, Uncle Song is no longer with us one day and you wish to get out of this marriage, you can talk to me anytime..."


    Song Qingchun did not expect that Qin Yinan would suddenly talk about such a serious topic. She gripped her phone tightly and was silent for a moment before saying, "Brother Yinan, after I marry you, I will treat the marriage seriously, don¡¯t worry. I will not disappoint you..."


    When she said thest sentence, Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes still became rimmed with redness. After a pause, she added, "But if youe across your true love, someone you want to spend the rest of your life with, you can also tell me. I will return your happiness and the rest of your life back to you."


    ...


    After ending the call with Qin Yinan, Song Qingchun was not in a hurry to get back to her father¡¯s room. She sat on the garden bench and allowed the chilly wind to ravage her body. She shivered uncontrobly as she raised her phone up to her eyes and entered a new entry in the calendar.


    December 12th¡ªWedding.


    After that, Song Qingchun looked at the date on the home page. It had only been ten days since she parted from Su Zhinian... but it felt like those things that had happened with Su Zhinian were from her previous life.


    Ever since her run-in with Su Zhinian at City Clubhouse ten days ago, they had not seen each other. Song Qingchun believed that the next time they met, her identity would be more than Song Qingchun, Song Menghwa¡¯s daughter, Song Empire¡¯s young miss, TW Station¡¯s anchor¡ªshe would have another new identity, Qin Yinan¡¯s fianc¨¦ or wife


    Song Qingchun tilted her head back and smiled to try to force the tears back into her skull. The glow reflected in her dark, shining eyes started to fade little by little.


    ...


    This wedding for Song Qingchun was only a ritual, so she did not feel any happiness or anticipation; she just wanted it to be over with, so she asked for a simple ceremony. However, Song Menghwa refused. He said that he only had one daughter in his life, so his daughter¡¯s wedding had to be glorious and luxurious.


    At the end of the day, Song Qingchun did not care, so she just went along with it.


    As they prepared for the wedding, no one noticed that the bride did not really want to get married because she yed the role so well. When they needed to book the venue, she asked for a holiday to go; when they were deciding the menu, she also asked for a holiday to attend; even with small details like invitations and wedding candies that could be left to the wedding nner, Song Qingchun specially asked for a holiday and spent the whole day at the shop browsing the selection.

 Chapter 648: Exchanging Invitations (2)

    Chapter 648: Exchanging Invitations (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The invitations were separated into four piles to be filled out by different groups of people: Song Qingchun, Qin Yinan, Song Menghwa, and Qin Yinan¡¯s parents.


    There were still one and a half months left to the wedding, but once Song Menghwa finished filling in his invitations, he could not wait to share this good news with others, so he had Uncle Zhang send them out as soon as possible.


    ...


    Su Zhinian left the country for business. He stayed in America for almost a week before returning to Beijing. Su Zhinian went alone, but Cheng Qingchong knew his schedule, so she arrived early at the airport to fetch him. She brought along with her a bunch of emergency documents that needed his approval.


    For some inexplicable reason, the traffic from the airport back to the city was extremely congested. This made Su Zhinian agitated sitting in the backseat, and his brain started to wander. Hoping to find something to do, he looked to the documents that Cheng Qingchong had brought and started to flip through them while the car idled in traffic.


    It was almost an hourter when the traffic became more manageable. Su Zhinian put down the documents and massaged his eyes, which had gotten quite sore. He leaned against the seat with his eyes closed.


    After several minutes, Cheng Qingchong asked, "CEO Su, back to thepany or your home?"


    After a fifteen-hour flight and ack of a shower during those fifteen hours, Su Zhinian, who had a cleanlinesspulsion, replied without missing a beat when he heard that question. "Home."


    Since the day was still early, the traffic inside the city was smooth, so they soon arrived at Shining Light Residences. When the car passed through the gate, the security guard waved for the driver to stop. Cheng Qingchong rolled down the window, and the guard ran forward to ask, "Is Mr. Su in the car?"


    Cheng Qingchong nodded, and before she could ask for more information, the guard ran back to his post and walked back with an envelope, which he passed through the window. "This is a delivery for Mr. Su; it has been here for days already."


    "Thank you." Cheng Qingchong epted it and smiled in appreciation. The guard was a young man who blushed slightly when he saw Cheng Qingchong¡¯s brilliant smile. He took a step back and pressed on the remote to open the gate.


    The car started again. Before reaching Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow, Cheng Qingchong turned around to give Su Zhinian the enveloped. "CEO Su, your mail."


    Su Zhinian epted it with a nod and then tossed it toward the pile of documents. The car rushed toward the residential area and soon arrived at Su Zhinian¡¯s home.


    Before the driver came around to open the door for him, Su Zhinian got out on his own, grabbed the stack of documents into his arms, and walked into the house. He dropped the documents on his bed and started undressing as he walked into the bathroom.


    After a warm bath, Su Zhinian felt refreshed. He put down some casual clothes and used the towel to dry his hair, which was still dripping, as he walked out of his closet.


    When he walked past the bed, he seemed to remember something. He leaned over to pick up the delivery.


    When he saw the name of the sender, his brows furrowed. Song Menghwa... Why would Uncle Song send me a letter?


    Su Zhinian thought about it as he tore the delivery open. Then a red-colored card fluttered out of the envelope and fell to the floor.

 Chapter 649: Exchanging Invitations (3)

    Chapter 649: Exchanging Invitations (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian bent over to pick up the card and tossed the envelope aside. The outside of the card was impably designed. A big red heart had the word "Invitation" printed in big ck block letters in the middle. Beside it was word ¡¯Joy¡¯ 1 gilded in gold. The design was romantic and celebratory.


    Uncle Song gave me a wedding invitation it seems... Wait, the Song family is having a wedding?


    Su Zhinian stopped drying his hair. He stared at the invitation for a long time before he blinked twice, tossed the towel aside, and pulled the card open.


    The first thing that he saw after opening the card was the picture of Song Qingchun and Qin Yinan. In the picture, Song Qingchun was standing before a wall of flowers, her head lowered and her smile coy. Qin Yinan stood beside her with one of his hands on her face and another holding her hands while he looked down at her.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s lips quivered involuntarily as his gaze moved slowly down.


    "You are cordially invited to the wedding of my daughter, Song Qingchun, on 12th December 2016 (Chinese Calendar) or 9th January 2017 (English Calendar). We hope that Mr. Su Zhinian wille to share in the joy of the ceremony.


    "Venue: Beijing Hotel.


    "Time: 12 pm."


    At the most bottom part of the card, there was amon Chinese wedding greeting line¡ª¡¯Holding your hand, we¡¯ll grow old together.¡¯


    There were not many words on the card, but Su Zhinian read it multiple times before his gaze eventuallynded on the phrase ¡¯the wedding of my daughter, Song Qingchun¡¯.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s wedding... Song Qingchun is getting married.


    It was not until the word ¡¯married¡¯ sounded in his mind that Su Zhinian realized that Song Menghwa had mailed him an invitation to Song Qingchun¡¯s wedding.


    Su Zhinian felt like he was dreaming. He unconsciously reached out to pinch his arm. When he felt the jolt of pain, he had to admit the truth; he was not dreaming.


    Song Qingchun was really getting married...


    Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes moved around in obvious panic. He was so unlike himself that he forgot to release the fingers that were pinching himself. He stood like a statue beside his bed, holding the invitation in his hand,pletely immobile.


    The sun slowly moved below the horizon. It was not until the local church¡¯s bells started to ring that Su Zhinian moved his eyes away from the card.


    He looked out the window somewhat lost. Staring at the lights of the city, he nodded rather mechanically and told himself, "It¡¯s gettingte; it¡¯s time for dinner."


    Su Zhinian put the card down, turned around, and walked downstairs with a calm expression. He looked no different from his usual self. He walked calmly into the kitchen and opened the fridge to take out some eggs, tomatoes, and a bag of noodles.


    After finished dicing the tomatoes, he only then realized that the tomatoes had not been washed yet.

 Chapter 650: Exchanging Invitations (4)

    Chapter 650: Exchanging Invitations (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    He walked back to the fridge to take out another tomato. This time, he remembered to wash it first. However, the tomatoes that he put under the faucet were the ones that he had already cut. In the end, he only got sticky tomato juice on his fingers.


    After dealing with the tomatoes, when he cracked the egg open, he dropped the shell into the bowl as well. He whipped the egg for a long time before he realized that the shells had be so small that it was impossible to take them out.


    A simple tomato omelet took Su Zhinian about half an hour to cook. Even the noodles that he did was undercooked. He put the dishes down on the dining table and took a bite of the omelet and spat it out. He believed he had poured half of the bottle of salt into it. Frustrated, he tossed the dishes away and settled with a pack of instant noodles.


    He only finished half of the bowl when his appetite left him. His hands that held the fork were shaking so hard that he eventually mmed the utensil onto the dining table, stood up, and headed back upstairs.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s initial n afternding was to return home, take a good bath, sleep for a bit, and continue with his work. However, after that failed dinner, the man who returned upstairs grabbed the documents off his bed and headed directly into his study instead.


    Cheng Qingchong had brought him about ten documents, and some were about a hundred pages thick. Su Zhinian, who usually only skimmed through the important parts, sat before the table that day and read through them word by word like a good boy.


    When he finished reading those documents, it was already 4 am. The sun wasing up soon, but the man still did not feel drowsy, or rather he did not want to give himself any chance to rest. He collected the documents, went back to his bedroom to change into his suit, and drove to thepany. When he arrived, it was only 5 am.


    Other than the night guard, thepany was empty. Su Zhinian took the elevator to his office. The week he was away, the documents on his desk had piled up greatly.


    ...


    By the time Cheng Qingchong arrived for work and was walking into Su Zhinian¡¯s office to go over his schedule, Su Zhinian had already finished reading through the documents on his table.


    Big Boss usually takes over a week to finish the backlog after hees back from his business trip, but this time, it has only taken him one night to finish them...


    Cheng Qingchong was dazed before she quickly suppressed her disbelief and surprise to discuss the schedule with Su Zhinian.


    Usually, Su Zhinian would usually reply with a grunt whenever Cheng Qingchong went through his schedule, and then he would ask her to leave his office. However, this time, after she finished, Su Zhinian opened his palm to ask for the schedule from her.


    He looked at the schedule for awhile before picking up his pen to draw on it. After some time, he handed the schedule back to Cheng Qingchong.


    When she saw the edited schedule, she almost copsed from shock. Su Zhinian¡¯s normal schedule was already quite packed, but he had added more work to his already full schedule. Based on the new schedule, he would not even have time to use the bathroom, much less eat.

 Chapter 651: Exchanging Invitations (5)

    Chapter 651: Exchanging Invitations (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Cheng Qingchong looked at it for a while before peeping up from the schedule to look at Su Zhinian.


    Usually at this time, Cheng Qingchong would remind Su Zhinian about the meeting that would happen in five minutes, but this time, she stammered, "CEO¡ª CEO Su, is this today¡¯s schedule..."


    Cheng Qingchong wanted to add "or the week¡¯s?" but she cleverly swallowed the rest of her question.


    Su Zhinian nodded with ease. "Yes."


    After a pause, he raised his eyes to ask, "Are there any problems?"


    "No, of course not." Cheng Qingchong shook her head in a hurry. You¡¯re Big Boss; as long as you¡¯re happy, there¡¯s no problem.


    Then she used a great amount of energy to pick up the hefty stack of documents off Su Zhinian¡¯s table and quickly retreated out of his office.


    ...


    Cheng Qingchong thought this was because Su Zhinian wanted to catch up on the work he had missed while he was overseas. She thought that it would onlyst for a day, but she had no idea how wrong she was...


    When Su Zhinian was away from thepany, the people in thepany could not wait for him toe back because they needed his signature for many things, but after he returned, everyone wished that he would go on another business trip.


    The man had gone insane. It was one thing for him to assign himself such a hectic lifestyle, but he forced the wholepany to suffer with him. After thepany finally caught up to the normal progress and when everyone thought they could finally catch a breath, Su Zhinian suddenly moved the project from next month forward. There were still many things that had not even begun with this project, so with this order from Su Zhinian, the workload of everyone at thepany increased manyfold.


    The wholepany was filled with cries ofints and despair. It was then that Cheng Qingchong, who had been by Su Zhinian¡¯s side for years, realized that there was something wrong with her big boss.


    However, on the surface, Su Zhinian looked perfectly fine; he was strong and stable, fast and urate when he was making decisions, and the working performance had increased several times. In fact, in just a week, the profits of ST Empire kept on rising¡ªeven the loss margin from previous years was seeing profit.


    This kind of Su Zhinian seemed off to Cheng Qingchong, but she could not put her finger on why. The heavy workload eventually sent half of thepany into the clinic or hospital after it was allowed to carry on for half a month.


    However, Su Zhinian still showed no signs of slowing down. In fact, when he found out that the manager of the ounting department was in the hospital, he even kindly volunteered to take over his job.


    Big Boss personally doing the ounting... This news shocked the entirepany and greatly confounded Cheng Qingchong. By this point, Cheng Qingchong had finally confirmed that her big boss was suffering from some kind of heavy trauma.


    However, before Cheng Qingchong managed to find out what kind of trauma Su Zhinian had suffered, she found out why Su Zhinian had been working himself out so heavilytely.


    It was a Saturday, an off-day technically, but she was still called out by Su Zhinian to go meet a client.


    The meeting ended at 2:30 pm. Cheng Qingchong thought that Su Zhinian had other ns, so she was very surprised when he climbed into the car and said, "Go home."

 Chapter 652: Exchanging Invitations (6)

    Chapter 652: Exchanging Invitations (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    This answer was a pleasant surprise to Cheng Qingchong. These days, whenever she wanted to sit down to rest, Su Zhinian would approach her with more work. Beijing on Saturday was a traffic nightmare. In the afternoon, there were ces that cars could not even move.


    The ce they were meeting the client happened to be in the center of the city, so the car had to stop every other minute. Even though ST Empire¡¯s workers had a high workload, the person who had the most work was actually Su Zhinian. The work he had taken on over the past half month was five times the workload of a normal worker.


    As his personal assistant, Cheng Qingchong knew that Su Zhinian spent most of the nights sleeping at thepany. He must have been incredibly tired from the work exhaustion; however, sitting in the car, he did not make use of the opportunity to close his eyes to rest like he usually would.


    Perhaps because she too had been quite busy recently, she had not even had much time to observe him. Now, she looked at him quietly through the rear-view window and realized that the man had lost so much weight in the past fourteen days, there were heavy circles under both his eyes, and his whole presence radiated weakness and lethargy.


    Even though she had been by his side for years, she would never tire of studying him. Actually, Cheng Qingchong was quite tired herself as well. She wanted to close her eyes to sleep, but she forced her eyes open to surreptitiously study Su Zhinian.


    The car drove for about half an hour, and when it was about to pass Shin Kong ce, Su Zhinian suddenly widened his eyes and ordered, "Stop the car!"


    The driver¡¯s grip shivered from the shock. He quickly turned the steering wheel and parked by the roadside. Su Zhinian stared forward wordlessly like he had something on his mind.


    Since the car behind them could not move, they were honked constantly. Eventually, Cheng Qingchong could not help but ask, "CEO Su, what¡¯s wrong?"


    Su Zhinian was like a human who had lost his soul, and he did not answer. The people from the car behind them even got out to walk over and knock on their car window. The driver apologized profusely to them.


    Cheng Qingchong had no choice but to wave her hand before Su Zhinian¡¯s face while calling his name.


    "CEO Su?"


    Su Zhinian immediately recovered. Just as Cheng Qingchong was about to ask whether they should pass this traffic light and find a spot to park after that, Su Zhinian suddenly pushed the door open and got out.


    Before he mmed the door close, Cheng Qingchong heard from Su Zhinian, "You two can go."


    Cheng Qingchong stared at Su Zhinian walked across the road without turning to look at the oing traffic, and her heart welled with a bad omen. She struggled internally for a long time before asking the driver to let her out. She made to follow after Su Zhinian.


    ...


    Su Zhinian entered Shin Kong ce¡¯s mall through the back door. He looked about for a moment before moving toward the luxury department.


    He stopped moving when he reached the elevator. Like a wooden puppet, he stood there, looking at a space about fifty meters before him.


    Song Qingchun, in a pair of ts, was walking beside Qin Yinan, shoulder to shoulder. The girl without her heels was at least one head smaller than Qin Yinan.


    Both of her hands were empty, but he was carrying many shopping bags of varying sizes.

 Chapter 653: Exchanging Invitations (7)

    Chapter 653: Exchanging Invitations (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Despite the distance between them and the noise of the crowd, he could still hear their conversation clearly.


    "We¡¯ve bought the dress, the high heels, the bag, ne and bracelet, what¡¯s left?" Song Qingchun paused slightly before continuing. "Right, engagement rings and wedding rings."


    Rings... Su Zhinian¡¯s body tensed, and the hands hanging by his sides gripped silently into fists.


    "Since we¡¯re only inviting our close friends to the engagement party, why don¡¯t we skip the engagement rings and just go for the wedding rings?" Song Qingchun said in a manner of an enquiry as she turned to look at Qin Yinan.


    Because of this, her attention was distracted, and she did not notice that someone was walking toward her. Afraid that she might bump into the other person, Qin Yinan reached out to grab her shoulder to pull her deeper into his arms, adding, "Since we¡¯re buying rings, why not both?"


    Song Qingchun did not think much about it. She nodded and said, "Okay then."


    "Tiffany or Charles Garnier?"


    "Let¡¯s go look at both before we decide..."


    After that, Su Zhinian watched on as the happy couple walked into the Charles Garnier shop. The moment Su Zhinian identally heard Song Qingchun¡¯s voice, he knew that he was being a masochist by jumping out from his car. However, he could not stop himself as he wandered into the mall to seek them out and follow them. He even stood beyond the door and observed as she and Qin Yinan stood before the disy, choosing their rings.


    The lights in the store were bright, which practically put their facial expressions on disy. Qin Yinan was still his usual gentle self. Whenever Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes lingered a bit longer on a ring, he would tell the salesgirl, "Do you mind taking this out for us to see?"


    When Song Qingchun tried on the ring, the ray refracted by the diamond lit up her eyes and punctured his heart. They stayed in the store for about half an hour before they selected a beautiful pair of engagement rings.


    Even from a distance, Su Zhinian still managed to catch a good look of that ring.


    It was of thetest cut, elegant and exquisite. The diamond was big and slightly pink in color. It was prettier and more eye-catching than the ring he had prepared six years ago in preparation to propose to her.


    Song Qingchun, however, did not seem to be able to find a wedding ring that she liked. After trying many on, she still shook her head. Then Su Zhinian heard her tell Qin Yinan, "How about we go to Tiffany?"


    "Okay." Qin Yinan nodded as he pulled out his wallet and asked for the salesgirl to pack up the rings that Song Qingchun had selected.


    When they turned to walk out of the Garnier store, Su Zhinian immediately jumped to hide behind a round pir. One minuteter, he could hear Song Qingchun and Qin Yinan walking past his hiding ce.


    It was not until their footsteps became very light that he dared slowly turn around to watch them walk into the Tiffany store.


    They stopped even longer inside the Tiffany store. The salesgirl at Tiffany was more outgoing than the girl at Garnier. As she helped them with the selection, she chatted with them to help ease the mood. "Miss and Sir, when are you getting married?"

 Chapter 654: Exchanging Invitations (8)

    Chapter 654: Exchanging Invitations (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "January 9th," Qin Yinan answered.


    "Meaning it¡¯s only one month and a few days away... What about the wedding? How are the preparationsing along?"


    "Do you mind letting me see that? Thank you." Song Qingchun pointed at the disy before replying to the salesgirl. "The preparations are almostplete."


    The salesgirl ced the rings that Song Qingchun had selected on the ss top and said, "This pair is from ourtest collection, called Golden Boy and Jade Girl. It¡¯s perfect for you two; the groom is handsome, and the bride is pretty, as the name suggests."


    Song Qingchun smiled lightly but did notment. She lowered her head to try on the ring. However, Qin Yinan asked with good humor, "You really think so?"


    "Of course..." The salesgirl continued to mumble, but it was lost on Su Zhinian¡¯s mind, which was stuck on the phrase "Golden Boy and Jade Girl".


    Golden Boy and Jade Girl... to describe a well-suited couple. What¡¯s the lower half of the original couplet?


    Pair made in heaven... Yes, Golden Boy and Jade Girl, pair made in heaven.


    There was a knife that stabbed right into Su Zhinian¡¯s heart, causing the blood to drain from his face. It has been at least ten days since I received her wedding invitation... Why is the pain still so intense?


    Wasn¡¯t it not long ago when she came to thepany to test my heart? Why is she suddenly marrying someone else? Then again, why am I being affected? This is the result I¡¯ve been hoping for, isn¡¯t it?


    It has always been my dearest wish for her to find a good man to lean on, to get married and give birth, to live a life of normalcy and happiness that many people wanted, hasn¡¯t it? Finally, it¡¯s happening before my eyes, so I should feel d, shouldn¡¯t I?


    Honestly, yes, he was d, d that the girl he had been protecting for all these years was finally taking the route to happiness, but the heart could not be reasoned with. What else could he do but watch the color drain from his world as the girl walked away from his life?


    So many years ago, when he discovered the secret, he had already imagined this scene, and in his imagination, he was happy because the girl he loved was getting the happily-ever-after that he could not give her. But now, standing there in the air-conditioned mall, he was so devastated that he felt like crying.


    Song Qingchun finally made her selection. When Qin Yinan got up to pay the bill, Su Zhinian felt the oxygen around him dispersing; he had such difficulty breathing that he felt like fainting right there and then. This time, he did not wait for them to walk out of the store before he turned around and left.


    ...


    Cheng Qingchong stood at about twenty meters behind Su Zhinian. When she saw him, she also saw Song Qingchun and Qin Yinan who were ring-shopping.


    Even though she did not have Su Zhinian¡¯s super-hearing, from the way Song Qingchun and Qin Yinan interacted in the jewelry stores, Cheng Qingchong was certain they were getting married soon.


    So the reason Big Boss has been acting so weirdly these few days is because the woman he loves so deeply is going to be someone else¡¯s bride.


    His heart must be weeping with pain. Just how Big Boss survived the news of Miss Song getting married is beyond myprehension!


    However, the biggest shock for Cheng Qingchong was Song Qingchun¡¯s groom; it was Mr. Qin!

 Chapter 655: Exchanging Invitations (9)

    Chapter 655: Exchanging Invitations (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    He was the man who had taken care of her when she found herself in a drunken and helpless state at Eldorado...


    Even though Cheng Qingchong could not see Su Zhinian¡¯s expression, she could detect the depression and devastation that formed a wall around his whole person. Her heart quivered with pain.


    She really wanted to walk forward to give him a consoling hug, but she knew she could not. The only thing that she could do was stand there quietly to share in his pain.


    When Su Zhinian started to move away, Cheng Qingchong made to follow.


    Su Zhinian walked away at an incredible speed as if he was afraid that he might rush in to stop Song Qingchun if he did not escape from the scene quickly. This meant that Cheng Qingchong had to jog to keep up with him.


    Su Zhinian was in such a rush that he was not paying attention when he walked out of Shin Kong ce and knocked into a trashcan. However, it was as if the man¡¯s pain receptors hadpletely died. He continued to rush to the street to call a taxi. He pulled the door open in a hurry and jumped in like he was trying to run away from something.


    This was the first time in her life that Cheng Qingchong had witnessed this side of Su Zhinian. Her boss was the calmest, most stable, and most collected person she knew, but at this moment, he was as helpless and as flustered as a little boy lost in a dark, scary forest.


    Cheng Qingchong could not help worrying about him, so she quickly hailed for a taxi to follow behind Su Zhinian.


    Su Zhinian returned to Shining Light Residences. Around a hundred meters from his bungalow, Cheng Qingchong got out from her car. She stood there and watched the man pay the driver and limp toward his home. She knew that this was because he had injured his leg from running into the trash can earlier.


    However, due to her identity, she could not show herself to give himfort even if she wanted to. She could only follow him quietly and watch him walk into the house.


    Cheng Qingchong did not hurry to leave but stood quietly by the roadside, watching the bungalow. She knew, regardless of whether she stayed there or left for her home, he would not know, and it probably would not matter in any way to him. However, she just felt like staying to apany the man.


    Time trickled by slowly; the sun fell, and the moon rose. There was no light in the bungalow, as if no one was home. If not for the fact that Cheng Qingchong had personally seen Su Zhinian walk into the house, she would have suspected that the ce was deserted.


    Even though she did not know what he was up to in the darkness, she was certain that he must have been feeling very sad and mncholic.


    ...


    Actually, Su Zhinian had not done anything after he returned to his house. He did not even change and just crawled into bed.


    He closed his eyes and kept on telling himself to sleep because perhaps he might not feel so sad after he fell asleep. However, there was a certain kind of pain where the further you wanted to get away from it, the more acute the pain became. For the past half a month, his daily sleeping hours had been less than two hours. His body¡¯s exhaustion threshold was beyond a normal person¡¯s, but just like those earlier days, he simply could not make himself fall asleep.


    Finally, he opened his eyes, and using the weak light from outside the window to stare at the ceiling, he counted the hours until the sun rose again.


    What is the biggest pain in the world?


    The biggest pain is me forcing you away so cruelly, and when you finally moved on, I¡¯m still standing there unable to let you go, so d and willing to y the role of a bystander in your life, which you¡¯ll never know about...

 Chapter 656: Exchanging Invitations (10)

    Chapter 656: Exchanging Invitations (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    When Cheng Qingchong returned home, it was already 2 am. Even though she was not the one in love with Song Qingchun, she was unable to sleep due to Su Zhinian, who was in love with Song Qingchun. That whole weekend, she was not feeling herself.


    Monday, Cheng Qingchong arrived at thepany at 9 am. Cheng Qingchong thought the work schedule from the past half a month would continue and Su Zhinian would be at thepany already, working his depression off. However, when she knocked on the door to his office, there was no reply from within. Big Boss didn¡¯te to work today?


    Cheng Qingchong walked back to her desk with confusion. She prepared the documents Su Zhinian would use for the 10 am meeting and brewed herself a cup of coffee. She booted up herputer to deal with some minor works, and it was not until 9.55 am that Su Zhinian finally showed himself.


    In his usual ck suit, white shirt, and gold cuff-links that glowed in the light, one could not detect a trace of sadness on the man.


    Cheng Qingchong was dazed for a moment before standing up to greet him. "Good morning, CEO Su."


    Su Zhinian nodded expressionlessly as he walked into his office. Cheng Qingchong carried the stack of documents and made to follow. Due to his earlier habits, nowadays, when Cheng Qingchong arranged his schedule, she would make it as full as possible. However, this time after she finished reporting on the schedule, Su Zhinian, who was on theputer reading through a report, did not ask for the schedule butmented lightly, "Cancel the meeting at 11 am, the client meeting at 3 pm, and the dinner meeting tonight. Also, slow down the progress for the YL project..."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s a few words had practically removed half of the entries on Cheng Qingchong¡¯s schedule. When Su Zhinian increased the schedule, she had been shocked, and now that he was decreasing it, she was equally shocked. Has Big Boss been so hurt by Miss Song that his brain is not working, or has he finally seen the light after a week? He¡¯s not using work to paralyze himself anymore?


    However, this was not the most surprising thing; that happened during the morning meeting. When the sales managermitted a mistake that even Su Zhinian at his best of mood would not forgive, this time, he merelymented, "Be more careful next time."


    Then he letting the mistake go.


    When the shaking sales manager came to Cheng Qingchong to ask if he was going to get fired, Cheng Qingchong herself felt like she was in a dream. In fact, during lunch break, Su Zhinian returned to his old habit of leaning against his office chair and closed his eyes to rest for twenty minutes.


    If not for the fact that Cheng Qingchong had personally witnessed how devastated Su Zhinian had been that Saturday afternoon, she would have thought that the scenes she saw that day were merely a mirage.


    This was because the pictures of Song Qingchun and Qin Yinan ring-shopping not only did not mess up Su Zhinian¡¯s life but instead fixed him back to a life of normalcy.


    Ever since that Monday, Su Zhinian stopped overworking himself like crazy. Other than the asional overtime, he came to and left work on time. He would also go out with Tang Nuo when he had the time.

 Chapter 657: Single for Life (1)

    Chapter 657: Single for Life (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    This version of Su Zhinian appeared so normal that he was no different from how he usually was.


    Even Cheng Qingchong could not detect anything weird about him, much less anyone else. She sensed something off about him, but when she looked closer, she could not find any obvious w.


    During a dinner that Friday night, one of the guests was Su Zhinian¡¯s high-school friend, who had received a wedding invitation from Qin Yinan. He even brought up the wedding between Song Qingchun and Qin Yinan before Su Zhinian.


    Cheng Qingchong, who sat beside Su Zhinian when his high-school friend brought up the wedding, kept a close eye on the man. He had his eyes lowered and spun the chopstick in his hands. His expression was nk and calm like he was thinking about something else. However, when the person asked Su Zhinian directly if he had received the invitation, the man raised his eyes slowly and nodded. "I have received an invitation, yes."


    Then, the person asked, "Will you be going?"


    To which Su Zhinian replied, "Of course, why not?"


    Then they continued to talk about topics like how much the red envelope should contain and what kind of wedding present would be suitable, and Su Zhinian answered everything. Su Zhinian was being so genial that it did not seem like he was hurt by Miss Song¡¯s wedding announcement.


    There was no darkness in his eyes; there was not even a noticeable trace of sadness in his dark eyes. However, for some reason, this Su Zhinian who was as dull as a pool of dead water made her heart scrunched intensely with pain.


    It was then that she realized he was not in pain, nor had he walked out from the pain. He had lost his will to live and had be nothing more than a walking dead. He might have looked mourous and lively on the surface, but his heart was already dead.


    ...


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s observation was not wrong. Su Zhinian did not change much on the surface, but deep within, the change was undeniable.


    Su Zhinian was a naturally reticent man. When he was with Tang Nuo, it was like he was mute. They might be together for hours, but the total number of words out of Su Zhinian¡¯s mouth would be less than ten.


    He preferred his ownpany, but now that he had be a hermit, he would use go to the market alone, eat alone, and when he was on the street, remain far away the crowd. He had built himself a world, and he was determined to lock himself in it.


    ...


    There were thirty days between the announcement of the wedding to the actual wedding itself.


    Fate was a curious thing; sometimes, the day before, two individuals were just hashing it out, and the next day, they would cross each other¡¯s path on the street. Sometimes, fate would pull people apart as randomly as it pushed them together. In those thirty days, it was like Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun were like living in parallel universes; their paths had not crossed once.


    Ever since the moment the hope died in Song Qingchun¡¯s heart, she had forced herself to not think about anything rted to Su Zhinian. Her work originally had nothing to do with his career, so after she forced herself to draw the line in the sand, she had never heard even a mention of the name ¡¯Su Zhinian¡¯ in the past thirty days.


    Certain people and certain events, if you tried hard enough, they would stop appearing in your mind. However, this did not mean that they were forever gone from your heart.


    Song Qingchun really thought that she would never pull that part of her heart out again, but on the day she was scheduled to take wedding pictures with Qin Yinan, she still managed to run into Su Zhinian.

 Chapter 658: Single for Life (2)

    Chapter 658: Single for Life (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    However, Song Qingchun had no idea that it was not a coincidence. Su Zhinian knew beforehand that she was taking the pictures at Red Garden¡¯s Meilin, so he also decided to have his business meeting there.


    The date and venue of Song Qingchun photoshoot, Su Zhinian had heard about from his mother. The main reason Auntie Su had brought that up was because she wanted to find out more about this girl that he loved.


    ...


    Since he had work that weekend, he visited his mother earlier in the week on a Wednesday. When he arrived at his mother¡¯s ce, Auntie Su had juste back from the city. She was pleasantly surprised to see him and hurried alongside the maid to prepare a scrumptious dinner for him.


    During dinner, Auntie Su suddenly told him, like she had just remembered something, "I just came from back from the hospital today."


    He was shocked and quickly turned around to ask, "Are you not feeling well?"


    "No, it¡¯s not that..." His mother seemed to hesitate before adding, "I was there to visit your Uncle Song."


    The shock fell from his face, and he nodded matter-of-factly. His mother put a piece of chicken on his te. "I heard about his sickness while I was ying mah-jongg with my friends. They told me it was serious. After all, I¡¯ve known him for years, and when I was sick, he even volunteered to take care of you, so in any case, I had to visit him."


    Su Zhinian nodded in agreement.


    His mother seemed to be hesitating. She stared at his face like there were words on her lips, but she did not know how to begin.


    Even though she did not voice it out loud, he understood what she was going to say. Regardless, she continued. "Ah Nian, your Uncle Song has always treated you well. When you¡¯re free, you should go visit him."


    Su Zhinian took a bite of the rice and nodded slowly. "Okay."


    His mother then broke into a smile. The conversation ceased for a moment before his mother picked up the thread of conversation. "By the way, when I went to pay your Uncle Song a visit, I heard from him that Qingchun is getting married. He said that he has mailed you an invitation. He wants you to bring me along to the ceremony, is there such a thing?"


    Su Zhinian replied with another nod.


    "Why didn¡¯t you tell me?" Auntieined lightly before adding, "I hear from your Uncle Song that Qingchun¡¯s wedding preparations areing along nicely. They¡¯re going to have the wedding photoshoot tomorrow afternoon at Meilin. The only thing that¡¯scking is the wedding dress. The wedding nner has booked a famous French designer, but they have been having some difficulty fixing the time..."


    Auntie Su continued excitedly. Laced between each word was envy. Su Zhinian did not say a word in response. He merely sipped his ginger soup quietly.


    His mother eventually sighed and said, "Qingchun is three years younger than you, and she¡¯s already getting married. Look at you, why isn¡¯t there any progress on your end?"


    Then, his mother leaned in to say, "Zhinian, tell your mother, how is your rtionship with the girl that you loveing along?"


    That girl that you love... The phrase was like an axe, splitting his guard right in two.


    Su Zhinian ced the soup bowl down on the table in a hurry, stood up, and said, "I have to use the bathroom."


    As he escaped the scene, he heard his mother sigh from behind him. "When will that boy change? Always so evasive when ites to the topic of marriage."

 Chapter 659: Single for Life (3)

    Chapter 659: Single for Life (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian did not slow down but move even faster. He shoved the bathroom door open. Leaning against the sink counter, he closed his eyes and stayed quiet for two seconds before turning on the faucet to ssh his face with water.


    Su Zhinian raised his head to look at his face in the mirror, which was dripping with water, and his eyes started to redden.


    Indeed... How is the progress with the girl that I love? What progress can there be but a loss of contact since she is going to be someone else¡¯s wife soon?


    ...


    Sometimes, the speaker¡¯s intention might not match the message the listener heart, and some things are not hard to find out.


    After leaving his mother¡¯s ce that night, the first thing Su Zhinian did was make a call. In just a few words, he managed to find the identity of the designer Song Qingchun was trying to make an appointment with.


    Su Zhinian was not familiar with this famous fashion designer, but he had business rtions overseas that he could use. He made a few international calls to get the contact information of the French designer. Then, he called the designer in person to discuss Song Qingchun¡¯s wedding dress.


    After hanging up, Su Zhinian clicked Song Qingchun¡¯s name and wanted to give her a call. However, he thought about it. Since he did not know how to exin the situation to her, he decided to change the destination of his business meeting tomorrow to manipte a chance encounter.


    However, even so, the encounter between Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun was still too much of a coincidence.


    His car just arrived at Red Garden, and he had just taken a few steps when he saw Song Qingchun in a white dress and a few people dragging the long train walk out from the church not far away.


    She did not notice him and turned the other way. However, the man stood as if frozen.


    Cheng Qingchong was confused by Su Zhinian¡¯s suddenck of movement. She had just called out, "CEO Su," when she followed his gaze and saw Song Qingchun¡¯s back. The rest of her question was stuck in her throat.


    Even after Song Qingchun¡¯s figure had long since disappeared around the corner, Su Zhinian was still standing there, staring in that direction.


    Cheng Qingchong did not interrupt him but stood there by his side quietly. It was not until the business partner got impatient waiting for them and called her on the phone that Su Zhinian pulled his gaze back.


    Just like changing scenes in a movie, Su Zhinian¡¯s originally sad face suddenly turned back to its usual nonchnce like he had seen nothing and nothing had happened. He took strides into the meeting room.


    During the meeting, Su Zhinian found himself unable to concentrate. His gaze kept drifting out the window toward the direction of Red Garden. Even though all he could see was the surface of theke, he still managed to hear the snippets of the photographer¡¯smands inteced with the shing sound of the camera.


    "Yes,e closer, good, good..."


    "The groom hugs the bride¡¯s waist... Look natural a bit... Good..."


    "The bride, I need you to stand on your toes to pretend like you¡¯re going to give the groom a kiss... Yes, yes, perfect..."


    ...


    Song Qingchun had not worn contacts for a long time, and she had forgotten to bring her eye droplets. Her eyes became quite agitated as the photoshoot went on.

 Chapter 660: Single for Life (4)

    Chapter 660: Single for Life (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She powered on until thest set of pictures was taken. Without taking off her wedding dress, she rushed toward the bathroom.


    After removing her contacts, Song Qingchun felt much better. She used the napkin to dab away the tears the fell down her face and turned to walk out of the bathroom.


    However, she only took two steps before stopping. Su Zhinian was standing at the wall opposite from the bathroom entrance with his head lowered, typing on his phone. Song Qingchun really did not expect to run into Su Zhinian there. Therefore, when she saw him, her brain drew aplete nk.


    She stood there dazed for a moment as their shared memories overwhelmed her like a giant wave.


    These few days, the thought of the man really did not cross her mind so much so that she managed to lie to herself that she had forgotten about him. However, when they met face-to-face, she had to admit that she had not forgotten one bit about their time spent together.


    She had not predicted she would one day cross paths with Su Zhinian, so she did not know how to act. Of course, she had not envisioned it would be when she was wearing her wedding dress.


    In less than ten seconds, there were plenty of scenarios ying in Song Qingchun¡¯s head. In the end, she caught herself feeling nervousness and butterflies in her stomach.


    Wait, what am I being nervous about? Because he does not like me, I¡¯m not allowed to marry someone else? I¡¯ve not done anything wrong by him; if anything, I¡¯m the innocent victim in this whole debacle. It is impossible for me to stop my world from moving simply because I once loved him, right?


    Song Qingchun tried her best to stop her raging emotions. She took a deep breath quietly. After a long struggle in her mind, she finally decided to y this like a stranger, like they did not know each other.


    After all, that was the result he wanted, and that was the most suitable scenario between them.


    She was not one to hold onto grudges, but that did not mean that she did not care. She would never forget the things he had done, particrly the words he had said in hispany meeting room.


    At this point, Song Qingchun pulled her gaze back from the man. Even with a n in her mind, she still found herself to be quite nervous.


    She grabbed the tulle of her dress, lowered her gaze, and walked one step after another out of the bathroom.


    The closer she got to Su Zhinian, the shakier her legs underneath her dress became. However, she tried to appear as collected as she could be on the surface.


    As she turned out of the door, even though Song Qingchun tried to keep her distance from Su Zhinian, she was practically brushing shoulders with him, and the man¡¯s unique scent snuck into her nostrils.


    One step, two steps, three steps, four steps, five steps...


    Song Qingchun counted the steps that she took in her mind to counteract the nervousness she was feeling. When she was one meter away from Su Zhinian, she finally dared to breathe again. Right then, she heard his voice from behind her. "Qingchun?"

 Chapter 661: Single for Life (5)

    Chapter 661: Single for Life (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    She did not know if the uncertainty in his voice was because Su Zhinian happened to see her back but was unsure it was her or if he himself was hesitant to talk to her.


    Song Qingchun stopped moving instinctively. She did not turn around, but her hands that gripped the dress tightened intensely.


    Why did he call me? There¡¯s no rtionship between us anymore, isn¡¯t there?


    Song Qingchun stretched her lips and was prepared to walk away, acting like she did not hear him when Su Zhinian behind her once again called her name and walked to stand before her, to block her way, adding, "It is really you..."


    Song Qingchun was flustered and did not know how to respond to his greeting. Su Zhinian, who was usually stingy with his words, stared at her made-up face and asked as if on purpose, "Here to take the wedding photos?"


    Song Qingchun rearranged her facial expression, nodded slightly, and replied with a soft "Hmm".


    Su Zhinian did not respond verbally but continued to stare at her. When he saw her as he arrived at Red Garden, his heart had wrenched with pain from the girl¡¯s devastating beauty in a white dress. When he stood so close to take a look, she was even more beautiful than he could ever have imagined.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s grip tightened on his phone before he cleared his throat and forced his eyes to move away. Then he asked somemon question like "How¡¯s the wedding preparationing along?"


    "Hmm..." Song Qingchun continued to "hmm" before adding, "...Yes, it¡¯s going swell."


    "Okay." Su Zhinian¡¯s gaze flew to settle on the ss window beside her. He stared at the dried grass outside the window, and his gaze wavered.


    Song Qingchun stood there for a while. When she realized that he did not seem like he had anything else to say, she prepared to find an excuse to leave. However, Su Zhinian suddenly spoke again in a tone that sounded like he was talking to himself. "The wedding date is 9th next month?"


    Song Qingchun nodded, but this time she responded in a way that was more natural than before. She smiled politely like she had met an old friend and said, "Yes, you¡¯ve received the invitation, right? If you have time on that day, you have toe."


    Su Zhinian responded with an equally polite smile. Simr to her, he replied in a tone befitting a pair of old friends. "Of course."


    This time, Song Qingchun did not linger. She cut straight to the point. "Well then, I¡¯ll see you there."


    "Okay." Su Zhinian nodded awkwardly as he moved out of Song Qingchun¡¯s way.


    Song Qingchun did not show any signs like she wanted to stay any longer. She picked up her dress and moved forward. When she brushed past him, he suddenly said, "Oh, by the way..."


    Song Qingchun did not say anything but turned her head to look at Su Zhinian.


    However, Su Zhinian did not dare to look her in the eyes. He lowered his head, pulled out his phone, and sent a number right to her phone. Then, he exined in a nonchnt tone, "Two days ago, when I was having dinner with my mother, she said that you¡¯ve been trying to contact Tony to make the wedding dress. I happen to know him through a friend. I¡¯ve informed him about your wedding. The number I just sent you is his direct line, so you can call and discuss the details of the dress with him."

 Chapter 662: Single for Life (6)

    Chapter 662: Single for Life (6)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    That was not supposed to be the end of Su Zhinian¡¯s sentence. There was another part, but he couldn¡¯t bring himself to continue speaking so he stopped where he was. I¡¯ve already talked to him beforehand to have him clear his schedule to focus on your wedding dress.


    Just how was one going to describe Song Qingchun¡¯s feelings when she heard that sentence?


    She felt likeughing. The situation was so absurd that she did not know what to do butugh. She could not even tell whether the man was joking or not.


    This man who she had once loved, and if she was being honest with herself, the man whom she still loved deeply, the man who had forced her to marry someone else... This man was so kind to worry about her wedding dress?


    Song Qingchun really didugh in the end, but itsted for barely a second before she stopped and turned her gaze away. With a soft "goodbye", she left without waiting for him to reply. Su Zhinian stood where he was quietly. Even after Song Qingchun walked further and further away, even after she disappeared around the corner, his eyes were still glued to where she had departed.


    The wintry sun with its balmy raysnded on his face through the windows, brightening the man¡¯s face.


    ...


    When the meeting reached its climax, Su Zhinian had suddenly stood up and mentioned that he had to use the bathroom. The roomful of people waited for him for almost half an hour, but there was still no trace of the man. Overwhelmed by the room¡¯s pressure, Cheng Qingchong had no choice but to go out in search of Su Zhinian.


    Cheng Qingchong walked toward the bathroom, and along the way, she saw Su Zhinian, who stood frozen like a statue standing in the middle of the corridor. She halted in her steps before continued moving forward. When she was about one meter away from him, the man recovered, and the first thing he did was lower his gaze.


    Even though he was quick, Cheng Qingchong still managed to capture the glisten at the corner of his eyes.


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s heart shrank rapidly, and she stopped where she was. Su Zhinian slowly raised his head. His eyes were clear and dark; the earlier sadness was thus buried deeply following a simple lowering of the head.


    Cheng Qingchong did not say anything, and Su Zhinian did not ask. The pair returned to the meeting room soon after. Su Zhinian, whose attention was fleeting before leaving the meeting room, returned a new man. He was extremely focused, and the meeting was wrapped up quickly after that. Then, he brought Cheng Qingchong to leave Red Garden.


    On the way back to the city, Su Zhinian, who had been silent, suddenly told the driver, "Go back to thepany."


    After a pause, Su Zhinian said to Cheng Qingchong, "I have something to tell you."


    When they arrived at thepany, it was already 5:30 pm.


    It was weekend, and the receptionist was not at work. It was Cheng Qingchong who helped Su Zhinian call the elevator.


    When they reached the office floor, Su Zhinian ordered Cheng Qingchong to brew him a cup of tea before he wandered into his own office.


    Cheng Qingchong pushed open the office door with the cup of tea in her hands, and she saw Su Zhinian standing before the window. Outside the window, the sun was setting.


    Cheng Qingchong ced the tea lightly on the table and called out, "CEO Su."


    Su Zhinian stood with his back away from her and did not show any response.


    Cheng Qingchong was silent.


    It was not until the sun set, the moon rose, and the nightlife of Beijing began that Su Zhinian turned slowly around and walked gracefully to his office table.


    He raised the tea that had gone cold to his lips to take a slow sip. Then he put the cup down before pulling the drawer to the left of his table open.

 Chapter 663: Single for Life (7)

    Chapter 663: Single for Life (7)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian pulled out a box that was wrapped in red paper. He pushed it toward Cheng Qingchong.


    "On the 9th next month, have someone sent this present to Beijing Hotel..."


    Su Zhinian paused beforepleting his order. "...for her wedding."


    Su Zhinian did not wait for Cheng Qingchong to reply as he continued to pull out a thick red envelope from the drawer. The envelope was almost bursting at the seams. "And this."


    Cheng Qingchong stared at the present and the red envelope before raising her eyes to do something she had not done in her life before, to inquire about Su Zhinian¡¯s personal life. "CEO Su, you¡¯re not going to attend Miss Song¡¯s wedding?"


    "Hmm..." If this was the old Su Zhinian, that would have been the end of the conversation, but today he was surprisingly talkative. "...I will be leaving for American in a few weeks to negotiate a new cooperation deal over there. It unfortunately will cut into the date of her wedding, so I will need you to represent me."


    Big Boss is using business as an excuse, right? No man in this world would have the courage to see the woman he loves walk down the aisle with some other man...


    Cheng Qingchong lowered her gaze to hide the heartache at the bottom of her eyes. She nodded lightly and promised, "CEO Su, I understand."


    After a slight pause, Cheng Qingchong asked, "The present and red envelope, do you want me to leave them with you for now or..."


    "Take them with you," Su Zhinian replied.


    "Yes."


    "That¡¯s all. Go home to rest now."


    "Goodbye, CEO Su," Cheng Qingchong picked up the stuff from the table and turned to leave. When she exited his office, she heard something that gave her the shock of her life. Su Zhinian replied, "Goodbye."


    ...


    When Cheng Qingchong reached her home, she put the stuff Su Zhinian wanted her to give Song Qingchun carefully into her cupboard. After locking them, she went searching for her phone to make a note lest she forgot about it. She then realized she must have left her phone at thepany breakroom when she was making the cup of tea.


    Cheng Qingchong changed back into her formal attire and returned to ST Empire. The whole building was quiet. Cheng Qingchong took the elevator to her floor and was shocked to realize the lights in Su Zhinian¡¯s office were still on.


    Big Boss is still at work?


    When Cheng Qingchong left her home, she had changed her heels for a morefortable pair of running shoes. Other thanfort, they also did not make much noise. Cheng Qingchong snuck her way to Su Zhinian¡¯s office door soundlessly. She was about to knock on the door when, through the sliver that she had identally left open when she left, she saw a Su Zhinian who had one of his hands on his forehead with his head lowered, weeping with his voice muffled.


    On his table were different kinds of presents. Other than the jewelry set he had bought at Hong Kong the year before, Cheng Qingchong had seen some of the presents, and others she waspletely unfamiliar with.


    However, she knew those were all from that drawer.


    Su Zhinian was too upied in his misery to notice her presence. She could clearly see that his other hand that was left on the table was holding a glistening wedding ring.


    His hand on his forehead slowly slid down to cover his eyes, and tears slowly seeped through his fingers.


    Cheng Qingchong saw this, and her tears also started to flow uncontrobly.

 Chapter 664: Single for Life (8)

    Chapter 664: Single for Life (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Su Zhinian had always thought that he was a mentally strong person, and as such, he had believed that he could survive the news of her marriage; he had believed that he could attend her wedding with smile; he had believed that he could greet Qin Yinan and Song Qingchun in person and congratte them on their union.


    However... those were just his beliefs.


    In the end, he realized, he was not as strong as he had believed. If anything, he found himself to be quite fragile.


    He could not even survive the news of her marriage much less attending her wedding in person.


    All this while he had been trying his best not to fixate on her marriage, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not escape the news. The news of her wedding was practically on the lips of everyone he met, including even his own mother.


    He knew he should not have manipted that chance encounter, but his heart had won out in the end. When he saw her in the wedding gown, his world had shattered into a million pieces. After Cheng Qingchong left, he had pulled out all the presents that he had bought her over the years and opened them up one by one. The memories from the past had gradually flooded his mind.


    He had searched her for ten years. The night he had lost sleep over her, he wrote down a statement: "The most heart-breaking moment in the world is when I¡¯ve been looking for you, but you have already forgotten me."


    From then on, he had made a silent wish deep down in his heart. I¡¯ve expended three lifetimes to find you, and now, I will use another to make you my wife.


    Yes... before finding her, the biggest driving force of his life had been to relocate the girl he had met when he was eight. After finding her, that driving force had changed to be making her his wife...


    Making her his wife...


    Making her his wife...


    Making her his wife...


    However, the girl he had been trying to marry as his wife was going to marry someone else in another twenty days.


    Finally, he could hold it in no longer. He raised his hand to hold his forehead, and with his shoulders shivering, he started to weep. The wheel of fate kept on turning slowly but surely. He was not even given the chance to pursue his dream, but she had already be the love that he could not touch in his life.


    However, she was his only love; he would love her but no one else. Why couldn¡¯t he love her?


    She was going to marry someone else soon, living the life of happiness that she deserved, but what about him?


    Indeed, what about him? Die alone? Without an heir? Give up already?


    Su Zhinian copsed onto the table, and his shoulder shook ever harder. There were mumbled voicesing out from his lips. They were desperate calls of her name.


    Tingting...


    Qingchun...


    Tingting...


    Qingchun...


    ...


    Cheng Qingchong realized that something was off on the third day after she ran into his vulnerable moment. It was a Tuesday, but Su Zhinian did not show himself at work even though it was almost noon.


    There was an important client to meet that afternoon, but even though Cheng Qingchong had made many calls to Su Zhinian, there was no answer. Finally, Cheng Qingchong could only apologize profusely to the client with a drawn face.


    Using the lunch break, Cheng Qingchong rushed over to Su Zhinian¡¯s house. She pressed on the door bell for a long time, but there was no answer. It was eventually the security guard who came to inform her that Su Zhinian had left Shining Light Residences early in the morning.


    Cheng Qingchong had a bad feeling. As she hailed a cab to rush back to thepany, she kept on calling Su Zhinian. When she stepped into thepany lobby, she finally received a call back from Su Zhinian. He wanted her to go to his office to collect a document.

 Chapter 665: Single for Life (9)

    Chapter 665: Single for Life (9)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The document was on Su Zhinian¡¯s table, and when Cheng Qingchong picked it up, her gaze identally swept over the thing underneath it.


    The color drained from her face. It was a letter of resignation.


    Even though Cheng Qingchong did not open the letter to look through the content, based on the three words on the cover, it was enough for her to know that the letter was written by Su Zhinian.


    ST Empire was built from the ground up by the man, but now he is handing in his letter of resignation... This means that he is going to step down from his post as the CEO but retain his shares and observe from the side-lines. But ST Empire has grown so much under his leadership, why would he suddenly choose to let go?


    Cheng Qingchong held the ne ticket in her fingers, which started to shake. As if suddenly realizing something, she grabbed the phone on Su Zhinian¡¯s table and made a call to the airlines.


    Cheng Qingchong always helped Su Zhinian book his ne ticket and hotel, so she was familiar with his identity card number. After giving the number to the airlines, she was told Su Zhinian only booked a single-trip ticket; there was no return ticket.


    Big Boss¡¯ journeys overseas have always been pre-arranged. Therefore, a round-trip ticket is booked everytime. But this time, there is only a single ticket going to America. Also, this letter of resignation...


    Cheng Qingchong was suddenly reminded of the favor Su Zhinian asked her to do that Saturday, to attend Song Qingchun¡¯s wedding on his behalf and to present the happy couple with the present and red envelope.


    Could it be that Big Boss does not n to return?


    It was then that Cheng Qingchong realized this man whom the outside world described as wless also had a cowardly side to him.


    Ever since he received the news about Miss Song¡¯s wedding, he had appeared so calm and collected on the surface. No matter who brought up the details of the wedding, he would join in with an unaffected tone like Miss Song¡¯s wedding had nothing to do with him. At those times, he affected such an unconcerned air, but in reality, he cared about it more than anybody else.


    However, instead of saying he was trying to trick the world, it was truer that he was trying to trick himself. He thought by pretending not to care about it, he could spare himself the heartache, but in the end, he could not outrun his heart. He did not have the courage to see Miss Song marry someone else, so he chose to escape, to run, to be a deserter.


    That was better than facing the truth.


    The phone on the table rang once more. It was from Su Zhinian, calling to find out whether Cheng Qingchong had located the document.


    Cheng Qingchong steadied her emotions and answered, "I have."


    After hanging up, she grabbed the document along with Su Zhinian¡¯s letter of resignation and ne ticket.


    When she arrived at the meeting hall, Cheng Qingchong spotted him easily. He stood out in the crowd with his presence that spoke of his great prowess and ability; there was not a trace of weakness observable on the man.


    Su Zhinian epted the document and started discussing the business with the people in the room.


    Cheng Qingchong did not disturb him and retreated from the room, closing the door silently behind her.


    It was 3 pm when Su Zhinian exited the building. When he picked out the car key and saw Cheng Qingchong standing beside his car, his expression was one of shock before he stopped and asked lightly, "Why aren¡¯t you back at thepany?"

 Chapter 666: Single for Life (10)

    Chapter 666: Single for Life (10)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Cheng Qingchong stared at Su Zhinian wordlessly.


    Su Zhinian frowned and moved to pull open the door because he did not have time to waste on her. After he got in and started the engine, Cheng Qingchong suddenly reached out to pull on his car door. She waved the letter and ne ticket before his face. "CEO Su, does this mean that you¡¯re nning to leave and not return?"


    There was an obvious rage that crossed Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes. Then, the next second, he remembered that he had identally left the stuff under the document that he had asked her to fetch. He pressed on his lips and reached out to take the letter and ne ticket back from Cheng Qingchong, adding, "This doesn¡¯t seem to have anything to do with you."


    Then, Su Zhinian moved to pull the door shut. Cheng Qingchong, who had always been so obsequious before Su Zhinian, blocked the door with a sudden burst of bravery and demanded, "CEO Su, you¡¯re leaving because of Miss Song, right?"


    There was obvious dissatisfaction surfacing on Su Zhinian¡¯s face.


    "CEO Su, if you like Miss Song that much, why aren¡¯t you fighting for her but running away?"


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s words struck a nerve. Fight? If I could fight, I would have fought tooth and nail six years ago. Why would I make myself suffer for so long through these years?


    The temper of Su Zhinian, who was normally patient toward Cheng Qingchong, at least rtive to how he treated other females, suddenly red. He mmed on the gas pedal, causing the girl who was teetering on her heels to almost fall to the floor.


    When Cheng Qingchong raised her head again, Su Zhinian¡¯s car was already nowhere to be seen.


    ...


    The chance encounter with Su Zhinian at Meilin had cast a gloom over Song Qingchun¡¯s mood that had not improved over the week.


    Song Qingchong¡¯s car was with the mechanic that Wednesday, so it was Qin Yinan who came to fetch her from the hospital. On the way home, while waiting for the traffic light to turn green, Song Qingchun saw the billboard by the roadside that was advertising ST Empire¡¯stest product, and her already foul mood only turned for the worse.


    That afternoon, Song Qingchun¡¯s period came, and she had not been feeling well the whole day. Before leaving the hospital, she had called Fang Rou to inform her to take her ce to apany Song Menghwa. Then, she gave Qin Yinan a call, to tell him not toe to the hospitalter.


    "What¡¯s wrong?" Qin Yinan asked.


    Song Qingchun exined that she was not feeling well. Who would have guessed that when she left the hospital that afternoon, Qin Yinan, whom she had told not toe to get her, was already waiting at the door?


    After taking several packs of ginger tea that afternoon, Song Qingchun already felt better. Qin Yinan noticed the pink on her face and suggested they dine at Beijing Hotel when they passed the ce.


    Song Qingchun thought about it before agreeing.


    After dinner, it was already 9 pm. On the way home, they passed a stall selling baked potatoes. Knowing it was her favorite snack, Qin Yinan stopped the car to buy a pack for her.


    When the car reached the Song family¡¯s home, Song Qingchun incidentally had just finished the pack of potatoes. When she parted with Qin Yinan, he noticed the crumbs stuck to her lips, and he naturally reached out to wipe them away.


    The suppleness of her skin under his touch made Qin Yinan stopped in his motion.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s fingertip stopped on the edge of Song Qingchun¡¯s lips for such a long time that the girl slowly raised her eyes with a frown to look at him.

 Chapter 667: The Person He Likes Is You (1)

    Chapter 667: The Person He Likes Is You (1)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The street lights softened Song Qingchun¡¯s features. Qin Yinan¡¯s eyes glistened, reflecting the lights. Perhaps it was the bit of alcohol he had during dinner, or perhaps he simply wanted to see her reaction, but he suddenly leaned in toward her face.


    His action startled Song Qingchun.


    After all, I¡¯m going to marry Brother Yinan in twenty days... I¡¯m is already his fianc¨¦, and I¡¯ve said that I will not ask for a divorce after I marry him. Even if Brother Yinan does not n to spend the rest of his life with me, even if Brother Yinan might ask for a divorce down the line, I am supposed to adapt to my wifely duties after we get married, right? Duties like... bearing his children...


    Brother Yinan is already giving up a lot by agreeing to marry me; I couldn¡¯t possibly be so selfish as to not perform the expected wifely duties, right?


    Many thoughts shed through Song Qingchun¡¯s mind as Qin Yinan leaned in. In the end, she closed to slowly close her eyes.


    She could clearly sense the distance between them closing. Her heart started to beat faster, and there as a feeling of repulsion rising within her that made her want to wish him away. She tried her best to stay her body, but when Qin Yinan¡¯s lips almost touched hers, she still could not help herself from pulling her face away.


    She understood what she was supposed to do, but she could not bring herself to submit to it. Even if that man had cut all ties from her and she was free to marry another man, she still could not imagine herself being intimate with another man.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s lips hung awkwardly in mid-air. The atmosphere in the car suddenly tensed with awkwardness.


    Song Qingchun reached for her purse just to find something to do. She struggled for a long time and was about to apologize to Qin Yinan, but then Qin Yinan suddenly reached forward to lean into her ear to carefully examine it. Then, he moved his hand to rub at the edge of her ear, saying with a certain degree of helplessness, "Just how did you eat that you managed to get crumbs around your ears? I¡¯ve been looking at it for such a long time, wondering what those things are."


    Song Qingchun knew this was Qin Yinan giving her a way out. She was really appreciative of his kindness, but on the surface, she still pouted as if really angry that he would point something like that out.


    Qin Yinan chuckled twice before using his hand to pat her lightly on her head. Then he leaned back in the driver¡¯s seat, saying, "Okay, it¡¯s gettingte. You¡¯re not feeling so well, right? So go take a bath and rest."


    "Goodbye, Brother Yinan." Song Qingchun undid the seatbelt, got out, and waved at Qin Yinan. It was not until Qin Yinan bade her farewell that she closed the door, turned around, and headed into the house.


    Qin Yinan sat in his car and waited until the lights came on in Song Qingchun¡¯s bedroom before he turned the steering wheel and drove away.


    ...


    A car had been parked on the road just in front of the Song family¡¯s home for ten minutes. Neither Song Qingchun nor Qin Yinan noticed that there was a person standing behind the nearby tree.


    ...


    Tang Nuan had to log into QQ, which she had not used for a long time, to send an email.


    There were plenty of chat boxes that popped up. Tang Nuo scanned all of them briefly and was about to exit QQ when she saw the mention of her name within her university friends¡¯ chat group.


    She only clicked into it because she had nothing better to do. Then she saw the sentence "I always believed that Qin Yinan would marry Tang Nuan."

 Chapter 668: The Person He Likes Is You (2)

    Chapter 668: The Person He Likes Is You (2)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    The sentence truly stunned her. Before she even recovered, she saw the same person make anotherment. "Who would have thought he would end up marrying Song Qingchun?"


    End up marrying Song Qingchun? What is the meaning of this?


    Tang Nuan blinked with disbelief as the chat continued to fill up withments.


    "Yes, I¡¯m surprised by that, too, but it has to be true; I mean, even the wedding invitations have been sent."


    "Today is the 23rd already. It¡¯s not long until the date of their wedding."


    "Sigh, once upon a time, Qin Yinan treated Tang Nuan like she was his princess..."


    "Indeed, it was as if the man was afraid Tang Nuan would slip through his fingers..."


    After the humiliation Su Zhinian gave her at the dinner meeting, causing such shame to CEO Huang. CEO Huang had ignored her for a long time. It was not until he saw her again at Eldorado in her best get-up that he pleaded and begged for her to follow him back to his ce. The first conflict between Tang Nuan and CEO Huang had ended just like that. CEO Huangvished her like he used to. Money, make-up, and bags kepting her way.


    However, unlike before, she no longer felt any joy looking at these gifts.


    She even found herself subconsciouslyparing CEO Huang and Qin Yinan.


    For example, whenever it was her time of the month, Qin Yinan would always prepare a cup of ginger tea for her, while CEO Huang would leave her to her own devices since they could not have sex. Whenever she felt like cooking, Qin Yinan would join her in the kitchen, while CEO Huang wouldin about her cooking. Whenever she felt tired from a long day of work, Qin Yinan would volunteer to massage her feet, while CEO Huang only thought she was being annoying.


    The more she made theseparisons, the more she missed the days she had shared with Qin Yinan. Over the past few months, she had been considering finding Qin Yinan, but her pride and arrogance had prevented her from doing so.


    Until today... when she suddenly received the news that he was getting married.


    It was like she was struck by lightning. She sat like a dummy at her work desk, and after work, she wandered the streets like soulless bag of bones. For some inexplicable reason, when she came to, she was already standing before Song Qingchun¡¯s house.


    When she saw the scene between him and her inside the car, she could see the world around her copsing, and darkness overwhelmed what was left of her world.


    Tang Nuan stared at Qin Yinan¡¯s car that was driving further and further away. With a grit of her teeth, she turned to re at Song Qingchun¡¯s house with resentment before rushing to the side of the road to hail a cab. She jumped into the car and had the driver follow Qin Yinan¡¯s car.


    After Qin Yinan drove into the underground parking lot of his building, Tang Nuan paid the driver in a hurry before jumping out of the taxi.


    When Tang Nuan exited the elevator, Qin Yinan was in the middle of looking for his key. Before she even had the chance to catch her breath, she screamed, "Qin Yinan!"


    Qin Yinan was startled, and he stopped moving. His head slowly turned around, and when he saw her, the warmth in his eyes faded considerably.

 Chapter 669: The Person He Likes Is You (3)

    Chapter 669: The Person He Likes Is You (3)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    "Qin Yinan..." Tang Nuan called Qin Yinan¡¯s name one more time in a voice that she did not realize was shaking. She demanded, "You¡¯re getting married to Song Qingchun?"


    Qin Yinan put his key away and openly nodded without hesitation at Tang Nuan. "Yes."


    After a short pause, he even contributed the date. "The ninth, next month."


    Tang Nuan was unable to tell whether it was regret or some other kind of emotions swirling in her chest but her breath became quite uneasy. "Why are you marrying her?"


    Qin Yinan tipped his lips up into a smirk. He turned his head back as if using his action to tell her the two sentences he had just given her was already the extent of his patience. He inserted the key and continued to open the door like she was not even there.


    Qin Yinan was pushing the door open when Tang Nuan suddenly rushed forward to grab his arm. The girl, who always had a haughty attitude around him, softened her tone for the first time as she begged, "Yinan, can you please not marry her?"


    Qin Yinan did not answer her but used his hand to pry her grasp off him. Tang Nuan held on like her life depended on it. However, her fingers were slowly removed one after another by Qin Yinan. She lost herst bit ofposure and pleaded with desperation, "Let¡¯s not break up, okay? Let¡¯s get back together, Yinan. Let¡¯s get back together..."


    This sentence lit up Qin Yinan¡¯s fury like oil to fire. He suddenly increased his force as he shoved Tang Nuan away. Then, he walked into his home and mmed the door heavily behind him.


    Tang Nuan stared at the closed door before rushing forward to m on it repeatedly like she had gone crazily. However, no matter the amount of fuss that she made, even if she had woken his neighbors up, Qin Yinan, who obviously was inside, ignored her like he could not even hear her. Tang Nuan, exhausted, finally slid to the floor. Hugging her knees, she started to cry softly.


    The longer she cried, the greater the imbnce in her heart. At one point, she suddenly sprung up on her feet like she had just remembered something. She rushed toward the stairwell and exited Qin Yinan¡¯s apartment building.


    When Tang Nuan reached home, she started rummaging through her house. Her house was practically a den of chaos before she finally found the little bottle that woman gave her. Yes, she had kept the bottle in her house all that while because she could not summon the courage to really poison Song Qingchun. She hated Song Qingchun to her core, but when she had to really kill her, she found herself unable to take the first step. However, now, everything had changed. She needed to kill Song Qingchun because only by having Song Qingchun dead would Qin Yinan not marry her.


    ...


    After returning to her bedroom, Song Qingchun tossed her bag to the side. When she was about to enter the bathroom to take a shower and remove her make-up, the phone in her bag rang.


    Song Qingchun assumed it was Qin Yinan who had called to inform her that she had left something in his car. However, when she picked up the phone and saw the caller ID, the expression on her face froze with shock.


    She stood there for so long that the call eventually ended. However, the other person did not give up and kept on calling.


    Song Qingchun came to, and the first thing she did was to switch the phone to silent. She did not want to be harassed by it after she tossed it onto the bed and walked into the bathroom.


    When she came out of the bathroom, the disy of her phone was still flickering, a sign that the person was still calling her.

 Chapter 670: The Person He Likes Is You (4)

    Chapter 670: The Person He Likes Is You (4)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Song Qingchun tried her best to ignore the phone call. She blow-dried her hair, applied the moisturizer, and was about to settle down for the night when she could not help herself and nced at the phone out of the corner of her eye.


    The most recent call just ended, and the screen showed that there were 26 unanswered calls, all from that same number.


    The past month had been so peaceful; why would things rted to him suddenly appear in her life with such startling consistency?


    To be frank, she really did not want to have anything to do with him, or rather, she was afraid to have anything to do with him. Song Qingchun stared at the phone for a while before averting her gaze. She then got up to turn off the lights,y back in bed, and closed her eyes.


    Song Qingchun was feeling exhausted from her period pains, so she was quite drowsy when the clock struck nine. However, due to the incessant phone calls from that number, the moment she closed her eyes, the sound of her phone¡¯s ringtone that crowded her mind.


    Song Qingchun rolled in bed with frustration to grab her phone and switch it off. She knew she was merely running away from the problem, but that was all she could do at that moment.


    However, before the phone died down, Song Qingchong saw the message that number sent her. "Miss Song, I¡¯m standing before your house. I¡¯ll continue to wait until you answer the call ore out to see me."


    Song Qingchun tossed her phone away and hid underneath the covers. She snuggled under it for less than half a minute before she kicked the cover off and getting out of bed. She walked to the window to slide it open. The icy wind surged into the room, causing Song Qingchun to shiver. She looked downwards at the street light before her house, and there was indeed a woman standing under it.


    She was only wearing a light office outfit in such a weather. She kept stomping her feet and cupped her hands to her mouth, blowing warm air into them.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s grip tightened. She turned back into her room, changed, and grabbed her phone and wallet before going downstairs.


    Song Qingchun only reached the door when Cheng Qingchong at the roadside saw her. A smile bloomed on her face as she rushed toward her. "Miss Song, you¡¯ve finallye out to see me."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s lips tightened. She did not open the gate, and over the distance of the patio, her voice had a chilly undertone to it. "Miss Cheng, what do you need from me sote in the night?"


    "I..." Cheng Qingchong looked left and right. She had many things on her mind, but they were in a mess. She did not know where to begin, plus they could not converse by yelling, could they?


    Cheng Qingchong thought about it and said, "Miss Song, how about we find a nearby coffee house and talk it out over there?"


    Song Qingchun lowered her gaze. After a moment¡¯s silence, she said, "We can talk about it here."


    Cheng Qingchong realized that it did not seem like Song Qingchun intended to move. Cheng Qingchong bit on her lower lip and finallypromised. "Okay."


    Song Qingchun frowned slightly, noticing that Cheng Qingchong¡¯s fingertips had turned red. Before the other woman continued, she opened the gate and walked out. "There¡¯s a Starbucks just around the corner, is that okay?"


    Cheng Qingchong was startled before realizing that Song Qingchong had agreed to her earlier suggestion. She smiled gratefully and said, "Yes."

 Chapter 671: The Person He Likes Is You (5)

    Chapter 671: The Person He Likes Is You (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Then, Cheng Qingchong added, "Thank you."


    Song Qingchun did not acknowledge it. Her face was still as expressionless as before. After closing the gate, she walked toward the Starbucks. The distance between Song Qingchun and Cheng Qingchong was about two meters wide. On the way there, each ruminated on their own thoughts silently, and neither made an attempt to converse with the other.


    The worker at the Starbucks recognized Song Qingchun because she was a regr costumer. When he saw her walk in, he went forward to greet her. "Miss Song, why are you here sote at night?"


    "Something came up." Song Qingchun smiled politely as she sought out a ce to sit. Cheng Qingchong took the seat across from her.


    Song Qingchun still had not said a word to her. She pulled out the menu and passed it to Cheng Qingchong before turning to tell the worker, "The usual for me."


    Before Song Qingchun finished the order, the worker already started to write it down. "Vani coffee."


    Cheng Qingchong ordered Lemon Tea. The worker left with their order and returned to the counter to prepare. Since it was already quitete and they were inside a residential area, the ce was almost empty. The audio was ying a song by Eason Chan.


    Song Qingchun realized that Cheng Qingchong did not seem like she was going to talk any time soon, but she did not urge her. Instead, she started to space out, staring at a picture hanging on the wall. Cheng Qingchong, who sat across from her, stared at her profile, deep in thought.


    It was not until the worker served their orders that Song Qingchun pulled her attention back. She used the spoon to slowly stir the coffee before picking it up to take a small sip. She put the cup down, looked at Cheng Qingchong, and asked, "Miss Song, what do you want to discuss with me?"


    The cup of lemon tea was already beside her lips, but when Cheng Qingchong heard Song Qingchun, she put the cup down without taking a sip. She smiled slightly before saying, "Miss Song, I¡¯m sorry for disturbing you when it¡¯s already sote at night."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s lips twitched. She almost said that it was okay, but she did not because after all, it was indeed quite rude of her to have imposed on her privacy. She was Su Zhinian¡¯s secretary, and they only knew each other through him; they really could not be considered friends.


    Both women were silent for a moment before Cheng Qingchong cut right to the main topic. "Miss Song, I hear you¡¯re marrying Mr. Qin on the 9th next month."


    Three days ago, Su Zhinian had asked her the same question, and now, three dayster, his secretary hade to repeat it. Song Qingchun was dazed because nodding slightly. Just as she replied to Su Zhinian, she answered with a "hmm".


    Cheng Qingchong had thought about it a long time beforeing to find Song Qingchun. She knew Su Zhinian that really hated it when someone intervened in his personal life. She also understood that by approaching Song Qingchun, her days at ST Empire would be numbered.


    All these years, she had been so careful while staying by his side to not step on andmine lest she was chased way, but now, she really could not hold back anymore. All this while, she had personally seen how miserable he was. In fact, he was going to leave by his lonesome self.

 Chapter 672: The Person He Likes Is You (6)

    Therefore, even if she would be chased out of ST Empire and his life, she could not bear to let him suffer anymore. She would trade her suffering for his.


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s grip on the cup tightened. She bit on her lips and said honestly, "Miss Song, the reason I¡¯m here is because of CEO Su."


    When she received the first call from Cheng Qingchong, Song Qingchun knew it had to be rted to Su Zhinian; however, when she heard his name uttered on Cheng Qingchong¡¯s lips, Song Qingchun¡¯s fingers still shook slightly. She lowered her eyes to hide the pain in her eyes.


    This time, Cheng Qingchong did not allow the conversation to peter into silence. "CEO Su has written a letter of resignation, and he will resign from thepany as its CEO."


    There was a st of surprise in Song Qingchun¡¯s heart, but that was quickly suppressed by sorrow. Even if his departure caused ST Empire to copse, it still had nothing to do with her, right?


    "CEO Su has booked a ne ticket to France on the 31st of this month. He booked a one-way ticket. CEO Su is not one to do stuff with nning, so this can only mean that he does not intend to return from France after this departure.


    "Miss Song, the reason CEO Su is leaving... is because of you."


    Compared to Cheng Qingchong¡¯s rather quaking tone, Song Qingchun maintained her serenity. Her longshes created two fluttery shadows under her eyes. Her silence caused Cheng Qingchong to fret in her seat. Before she got too cowed, she blurted out her request to Song Qingchun. "Miss Song, can you please not get married? Can you please ask CEO Su to stay?"


    When Song Qingchun heard the request from Cheng Qingchong, her eyes felt sour with tears, but she still forced a smile. After a long time, she slowly raised her eyes.


    The darkness in her eyes was clear and transparent. "I¡¯m sorry, Miss Cheng, but I believe you¡¯re mistaken. Whether Su Zhinian stays or leave, resigns or not, it does not have anything to do with me. Plus..."


    Song Qingchun paused to keep the quivering out of her voice. "Plus... who am I to ask Su Zhinian to stay? You¡¯ve really gotten the wrong person for this job."


    Then, Song Qingchun raised her hand to call the worker. "Bill."


    "Miss Song, I swear, everything I said was the truth..." Cheng Qingchong got anxious when she saw Song Qingchun reach into her pocket to grab her wallet. Urged by the situation, she blurted out, "...Miss Song, remember you once asked me about who those presents in CEO Su¡¯s office are for? Those were all meant for you."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s fingers that were ced on the table shook slightly, but her face still spoke of disbelief.


    "Also, Miss Song, your birthday is 8th December, right?


    "Do you know? Every year, on that day, CEO Su will have me order a birthday cake and have me throw it out when night falls..."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s lips stretched silently with force.


    Her birthday was indeed 8th December, but... in this world, she was not the only person who celebrated her birthday on 8th December.

 Chapter 673: The Person He Likes Is You (7)

    Cheng Qingchun saw the incredulity on Song Qingchun¡¯s face, and she quickly raise her palm to swear. "Miss Song, I swear that every word that I¡¯ve said is true. If you don¡¯t believe me... Also, the name your number is saved in CEO Su¡¯s phone as the person hiding in my memory; I saw that myself..."


    Person hiding in my memory... She had seen this screen name on his phone before, but she had no idea what that represented or whose number it was. Song Qingchun could not help but raise her eyes to look at Cheng Qingchong.


    This reaction from Song Qingchun revived the light of hope in Cheng Qingchong¡¯s heart. Her tone was getting more excited because she believed she was starting to convince her. "Miss Song, from the first day I joined ST Empire, I knew there is someone CEO Su loves deeply. However, all these years, I was unable to find out that person¡¯s identity until I saw that screen name. Then, I confirmed that the person he likes is you..."


    The person he likes is you... These few words caused Song Qingchun¡¯s heart to tremble in pain. Her eyes that stared at Cheng Qingchong could not help but turn to look out the window at the street lights in the autumn night. The tension between her eyes increased as the many conversations that they had shared filtered into her mind.


    Su Zhinian, I love you... I have no idea when this love started to blossom in my heart, and I cannot really exin why I have fallen in love with you... I only know what my heart says, and it¡¯s telling me that I love you...


    Qingchun, you¡¯re beautiful, clever, ande from a good family. Any man would be lucky to have you, but I¡¯m really sorry, I¡¯m not that man... I don¡¯t love you...


    This was the answer he had given her to her first confession. He had answered it so easily, openly, and without any hesitation; it was more than enough to exin his non-interest in her. However, now, his secretary hade to find herte in the night to tell her that she was the person he liked.


    If this was several months ago, she believed that she might even have danced with joy when Cheng Qingchong revealed these things, but now, there was a noticeableck of joy and excitement. What remained was emptiness and confusion.


    Should I believe Cheng Qingchong? Even if I do, on what grounds?


    The worker came back with the change. Song Qingchun blinked several times and slowly arranged her thoughts. She epted the money and said in a faded tone, "Thank you."


    After the person left, Song Qingchun turned her gaze back to Cheng Qingchong. The other woman¡¯s nervousness was apparent, as if afraid that she would not believe her. Song Qingchun lowered her gaze and exined softly, "Miss Cheng, you¡¯ve misunderstood the whole thing. The person Su Zhinian likes is not me but someone else; it is just a coincidence that I look very much like that person."


    To me, you¡¯re merely her recement...


    The words that Su Zhinian told her right to her face in ST Empire¡¯s meeting room cropped up in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind. Her lips turned a shade whiter. Like a doll, she repeated the sentence back to Cheng Qingchong. "To Su Zhinian, I¡¯m merely her recement."


    Cheng Qingchong was stunned. Recement? Miss Song is just a recement for the girl that CEO Su really loves?


    "So, all those things that you said Su Zhinian did... they were not meant for me but someone else..."

 Chapter 674: The Person He Likes Is You (8)

    Chapter 674: The Person He Likes Is You (8)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    From the moment Song Qingchun decided to meet Cheng Qingchong, she knew that she had to peel open her wounds again. That was why she chose to pretend not to see the call when it arrived. However, in the end, her heart gave.


    Certain kinds of pain were so deep that no matter how long it had been, the moment one brought it up, the wound would still feel as fresh as new.


    After Song Qingchun said "not meant for me but someone else", her breath caught in her throat. She did not feel like continuing this conversation, so she grabbed her phone and wallet off the table, blurted out a quick goodbye, and stood up.


    Cheng Qingchong saw Song Qingchun¡¯s second attempt at leaving and called out several times in her desperation before she reached out to grab her arm. She would not, could not, believe that her Big Boss merely treated Miss Song as a recement.


    Big Boss only shows his emotions when he is around Miss Song. Big Boss is such an aloof person, his exception being Miss Song. It is as if the kindness he owes the world is all directed at one person. If Miss Song was merely a recement, would he do that? Furthermore, Big Boss has even done that for Miss Song...


    When this thought came into her mind, Cheng Qingchong¡¯s eyes lit up with inspiration. She uttered in a hurry, "Miss Song, do you know that CEO Su almost lost his life to save you?"


    Song Qingchun was really getting a bit angry at Cheng Qingchong¡¯s insistence. She reached out to remove the grip on her arm. Cheng Qingchong was afraid that Song Qingchun would escape the moment her grip on her arm loosened, so she yelled out everything that she knew. "Miss Song, do you still remember the time when you were kidnapped and Mr. Qin rushed to save you?"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s hands that were prying Cheng Qingchong¡¯s fingers off her arm suddenly halted.


    Cheng Qingchong grasped this opportunity to share the truth. "When you and Mr. Qin were on the brink of death, someone appeared to save you, right? Yes, the person who came to save the both of you at thest minute was CEO Su!"


    That person... Song Qingchun had been searching for that person, even in her dreams. She wanted to know who it was that had saved her and Brother Yinan¡¯s lives.


    She even kept the only evidence that person left at the scene¡ªa button¡ªas a ne around her neck. Song Qingchun¡¯s mouth fell open, but no words came out. However, the force that she was using to shove Cheng Qingchong off gradually disappeared.


    Cheng Qingchong was not physically there to witness how Su Zhinian had saved Song Qingchun and Qin Yinan, but she revealed everything else that she knew. "That day, I was supposed to fetch an important client at the airport, but on the way there, I received a phone call from CEO Su. He had me call Doctor Xia and told me to follow him by tracking his phone..."


    "...I didn¡¯t know what happened before that, but when I arrived, CEO Su had suffered a grievous wound on his stomach, and the blood kept on flowing. He was lying by your side, and his breath was fading."


    Cheng Qingchong, who relived the memory in her mind, could not stop her eyes from getting teary.

 Chapter 675 The Person He Likes Is You 9

    "The first thing he said when he saw me was to go check on you..."


    Song Qingchun could clearly sense her heart that had died starting to beat and fidget with chaos and confusion.


    "After making sure you were fine, the second order he gave was to have Doctor Xia inject him with painkiller and have me lead him away from the scene.


    "That knife wound was really deep, Miss Song. You should know among the three kidnappers, one of them got hurt in the stomach, and he really did die on the way to the hospital...


    "CEO Su was unconscious for two whole months, but there was no sign of improvement. In the end, it was Doctor Xia who brought him to Yun Nan to find him a more experienced doctor..."


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s tears started to fall freely, "Miss Song, you weren¡¯t there to see the state CEO Su was in. During that period, his life was really hanging by a thread. In fact, there were a few times when his heart really did stop..."


    The more Cheng Qingchong revealed, the more jumbled Song Qingchun¡¯s mind became.


    From Cheng Qingchong¡¯s lips, she heard about a Su Zhinian who would give up his life for her, but the Su Zhinian she faced was one who could not have been crueler even if he tried. So, which was the real Su Zhinian?


    "CEO Su was really lucky to have survived that ordeal. Actually, Miss Song, do you know this? When CEO Su was unconscious, there were many times where it crossed my mind to find you, but I didn¡¯t dare because CEO Su forbade me from doing so. Before he fell unconscious from the heavy wound, before he thought about his own life, he was thinking about you. He really loves you¡ªhow are you going to exin that?"


    Indeed... how was she going to exin that? Then again, there were other things that defied exnation as well. If he really did love her, why would he reject her confession? Why would he buy her the box of morning-after pills right after their night together? Why would he humiliate her so in hispany¡¯s conference room?


    Song Qingchun¡¯s body started to shake. A familiar feeling coursed through her. She felt like she had travelled back in time to when she was lying on the floor after witnessing Su Zhinian beat up that male celebrity at Eldorado.


    At the time, her dead heart had also been given a new lease on life. Was she going to do the same thing again?


    "CEO Su was afraid that should he perish, you might be tormented by guilt." Cheng Qingchong, who remembered the man when he was choking on blood as he finished the orders, could not help but weep.


    Every single sentence that Cheng Qingchong said was torture for Song Qingchun.


    Her heart started to quiver with fear, afraid that this was merely a trap, afraid that she might fall into the same trap as she did before, afraid that she might start lying to herself that he cared about her simply because of these things that he did, afraid that she might find out that she was merely being stupid in love.


    After all, he had already told her that the reason he did all those things for her was because he had taken her as the person that he really loved, and she was merely a tool for him to seekfort.


    That pitfall, she had fallen into it many times already.


    She only had one heart, and it could not afford being tortured by him so many times.


    "CEO Su said that as long as Miss Song survives, everything would be fine with him. Also, CEO Su, at that moment, was still thinking about you because he ordered me to..."


    Cheng Qingchong was suddenly reminded of the three things that Su Zhinian had ordered her to do.

 Chapter 676 The Person He Likes Is You 10

    However, before Cheng Qingchong could say anything, Song Qingchun, who had been listening to her quietly, suddenly shrugged her hand off and rushed toward the entrance.


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s grip on Song Qingchun had lessened since the other woman had quietened down earlier. The sudden action from Song Qingchun caught her by surprise. Cheng Qingchong, whose focus waspletely on convincing Song Qingchun, was startled by the sudden shove, which sent her teetering back a few steps.


    Cheng Qingchong was wearing thin heels. She knocked into the chair behind her, which unsteadied her bnce, causing her to copse to the floor.


    When the waiter helped her get up, Song Qingchun had already run out of the coffee shop.


    Ignoring the pain radiating from her ankle, she limped toward the entrance, but the road was empty, and Song Qingchun was nowhere to be seen. Cheng Qingchong pulled out her phone to give Song Qingchun a call. It was hung up the moment it was picked up. She tried calling again, but the number was busy. Cheng Qingchong knew Song Qingchun had blocked her.


    Even after I¡¯ve revealed so much, I¡¯m unable to change her mind? She still insists on marrying Mr. Qin? Or is she too shocked by the many revtions? Perhaps, I shouldn¡¯t have unloaded so many things on her in one go; I should have given her time to digest it all. After all, there is still one more week until CEO Su¡¯s departure...


    Cheng Qingchong thought about it before walking to the roadside to hail a cab and leave.


    ...


    It was not until Cheng Qingchong¡¯s cab disappeared round the corner that Song Qingchun walked out from a dark alley next to the Starbucks. She stood by the road for a long time before turning around to head home.


    Back in her bedroom, she changed into her pajamas, turned off the light, crawled into bed, and closed her eyes to sleep. Her expression was as still as water like the short incident with Cheng Qingchong did not even happen.


    Song Qingchun maintained this attitude until the next morning. She still followed her normal routine; she woke up on time, went downstairs to have breakfast, went to work, and visited Song Menghwa at the hospital after work. Her lifestyle remained the same.


    However, Qin Yinan knew her well and noticed her tendency to space out over the following two days. For example, when the two of them were inside the car, they would be in the middle of the conversation when the girl would turn her head to the window, and her concentration would flutter.


    For another example, they would be at dinner, and when he was about to ask her what she was going to have, he would find her staring expressionlessly at the white walls of the restaurant.


    There was even this one time when she excused herself to use the bathroom but stayed in there for about twenty minutes. The door to the bathroom was open, and when Qin Yinan went to check up on her, he saw the girl standing before the sink, staring dumbly at her reflection in the mirror.


    However, he was unable to tell what was troubling her. Her expression did not give anything away. Her face was t and unaffected; there was no sadness or joy. It was like she was thinking about something or nothing at all.


    As the wedding date drew closer, Song Menghwa¡¯s condition got better.


    The first day Song Menghwa was allowed to leave the hospital was a weekend. Song Qingchun did not have work that day and arrived at the hospital early in the morning to collect the stuff that the family had brought to the hospital over the period Song Menghwa had been in hospital.

 Chapter 677 Conceal 1

    Song Qingchun finished packing everything when it was about 3 pm. Song Menghwa was listening to an audiobook while leaning against the headboard. Song Qingchun, who was feeling a bit tired, was about to sit in the sofa to rest when someone knocked on the door.


    "Qingchun..." Song Menghwa took off the headphones and called Song Qingchun.


    "Coming..." Song Qingchun said as she stood up to get the door. She was surprised to see the guest was Su Zhinian¡¯s mother. She quickly recovered from her shock, smiled, and greeted her politely. "Auntie Su."


    Then Song Qingchun stepped back to let here in. When Song Menghwa saw the guest, he quickly paused the audiobook and signaled for Song Qingchun to serve tea. When Auntie Su epted the hot tea from Song Qingchun, she smiled as she engaged her in conversation. Most of the conversation was Auntie Su praising her.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s lips curved into a smile as she listened patiently to Auntie Su before she returned to the sofa and started preparing the fruit te.


    "Why are you at the hospital today?" Song Menghwa asked.


    "I came to collect my physical exam result, thought I¡¯d drop by to see you," Auntie Su answered before asking, "When are you leaving the hospital?"


    "Tomorrow. If I stay in here any longer, I¡¯ll miss Qingchun¡¯s wedding..." Song Menghwa was probably quite bored from his long stay at the hospital; his tone was quite excited when he answered.


    Auntie Su smiled indulgently. Then she suddenly reached into her purse to take out a velvet box. She handed it to Song Menghwa. "This is the wedding present I prepared for Qingchun."


    Song Menghwa opened the box for Song Qingchun. Inside it sat a white jade bangle. The rity of the jewelry was a testament to its high price.


    "You shouldn¡¯t have! Why waste money on something so expensive?" There was an undertone of fault in Song Menghwa¡¯s words. Auntie Su merely smiled and did not reply.


    Song Menghwa continued. "By the way, how is Zhinian? I remember he is the same age as Song Cheng, isn¡¯t he? It¡¯s about time for him to settle down as well..."


    The peeling knife Song Qingchun was holding stopped in mid-air. Then she heard Auntie Su sigh. "Don¡¯t remind me. I¡¯ve urged him until there¡¯s no breath left in me, but there¡¯s still no sign of anything."


    "Is it because he hasn¡¯t found someone he likes?" Song Menghwa had quite a good impression of Su Zhinian the first time he met him, so he was truly concerned on Auntie Su¡¯s behalf. "How about I introduce some girls to him? I do know quite a few youngdies from respectable families..."


    Auntie Su shook her head and continued to sigh. "Don¡¯t bother, I¡¯ve introduced who knows how many girls to him already, but he simply refuses to meet them. There¡¯s nothing we can do...


    "But..."


    Auntie Su suddenly changed her tone, "...Zhinian does have a girl that he likes..."


    "That¡¯s wonderful news. Tell him he¡¯s not getting younger; if he has someone he likes, he should get married soon."


    "That¡¯s what I said, but he refused to bring this girl for me to see. Speaking of which, I¡¯m still angry at him for this. If not for an idental discovery, he probably would have continued to hide the fact that he has someone he likes from me ... I really don¡¯t understand the way young people think these days. Why wouldn¡¯t he just save the person¡¯s name on his phone but insist on calling her some person hiding in his memory?"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s hand shook, and the knife fell from her grip. The edge of the knife shed a small cut on her finger, and blood trickled out from the wound.

 Chapter 678 Conceal 2

    "I couldn¡¯t remember it clearly; it was a bunch of nonsensical words. If I knew her name, at least I can go look for the girl myself, but tell me, what am I supposed to do with a nickname like this?"


    Listening to Auntie Su¡¯sints, Song Menghwa could not help butugh along. Song Qingchun ced the fruit and knife down quietly, stood up, and walked toward the bathroom.


    When she almost the closed the door, she heard Auntie Su say, "Whenever that number calls, it¡¯ll y this song that is rted to the person in the memory and how he wishes her well... It¡¯s sweet and all, but tell me, why hasn¡¯t he set a song for his own mother?"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s body tensed. It was not until Auntie Su and Song Menghwa moved onto another topic that she slowly closed the door behind her. She was in there to wash her hands, but she stood before the mirrorpletely frozen.


    Auntie Su¡¯s words were probably nothing more than harmless banter with her father, but it was more than that for her.


    The person hiding in my memories, I pray for your happiness and safety... She was very familiar with the song; it was Lee Hang Liang¡¯s ¡¯The Person Hiding in my Memory¡¯. The first time she heard this song was at the start of the new year, just after new year¡¯s eve. She had been afraid for her own safety wandering out alone, so she had asked him to fetch her from the Song family¡¯s house.


    He had arrived in matters of minutes. When she came out of the gate, she had immediately spotted his car. That day, the man had probably had something on his mind because she had knocked on his window for a long time, but there had been no response. Eventually, she had needed to call him to rouse him.


    It was when she was standing outside the car that she had heard this song. At the time, she didn¡¯t think much of the song, definitely not the hidden meaning behind it, but Auntie Su just said, whenever "the person hiding in my memory" called his phone, this song would y.


    The words Cheng Qingchong told her two days ago started to appear in her mind.


    She had said the words Auntie Su just confirmed. They both agreed that "the person hiding in my memory" was the girl he loved.


    It was untrue to say that Song Qingchun¡¯s heart didn¡¯t feel anything, but she tried her best to suppress it to make it seem like it had nothing to do with her. She really didn¡¯t want to think about these things, but fate seemed to be fighting against her, putting such incidents in her path to rock her heart.


    She was really afraid of this feeling because it stripped her of her sense of security. The feeling of having her hope revived and dashed again and again had depleted her of her courage. She really didn¡¯t have the bravery to go through the whole process again.


    Song Qingchun knew it was not that she had stopped loving the man, but she no longer had the courage to love him. However, that didn¡¯t mean that the love had died. She couldn¡¯t control her heart. She would find herself at aplete loss thinking about the words Cheng Qingchong had told her. Then her conviction to spend the rest of her life with Qin Yinan would start to flicker.


    This was happening again now. The words Auntie Su said had once more confused her mind and heart.


    ...


    No matter how conflicted Song Qingchun was in the bathroom, when she exited the door, she returned to the normal Song Qingchun.


    She finished peeling the fruits silently. She answered Auntie Su¡¯s questions about the wedding politely and even apanied Auntie Su out the hospital in the end.

 Chapter 679 Conceal 3

    Song Qingchun really thought she could hold on until Su Zhinian left at the end of the month and her wedding on the ninth next month. By that time, she would be Qin Yinan¡¯s wife, and that identity would stop her heart from rocking all over the ce.


    The days went by one after another; in the blink of an eye, it was already the 30th of August. Su Zhinian would be leaving the next day. Song Qingchun saw this as a marathon, and she was at the veryst leg of the race. If she held on for another day, victory would be hers.


    However, when she woke up that morning, reached for her phone, and saw the date, her heart still pained involuntarily. The closer it was to Su Zhinian¡¯s departure date, the moremon it was for Song Qingchun to get distracted and the longer she would space out. However, it still didn¡¯t cross her mind to go look for Su Zhinian.


    That day when he peeled off all her clothes and stood before her perfectly dressed, it hadpletely ruined her dignity and eclipsed all the hope in her heart. Therefore, even if Cheng Qingchong was not lying, even if he would forever remain a part of her heart, even if the light of her world was going to dim following his departure, she wouldn¡¯t beg him to stay.


    To prevent herself from thinking about Su Zhinian¡¯s departure, Song Qingchun¡¯s schedule on the 30th and 31st was jammed packed.


    Qin Yinan was away in Shanghai for work, so Song Qingchun, who didn¡¯t have a car to use that day, had to rely on taxis whenever she went out.


    Keeping oneself busy could help keep many troubles out of one¡¯s mind. However, fate wasn¡¯t done toying with Song Qingchun. As if trying to make this marathon as difficult as possible for Song Qingchun, since she refused to go to find Su Zhinian, fate ced Su Zhinian right in her path.


    ...


    Su Zhinian actually didn¡¯t n to have any interaction with Song Qingchun.


    On the 12 pm ne tomorrow, he would be leaving Beijing for France, and he didn¡¯t think he would ever return in his life. Therefore, on hisst day in Beijing, he still couldn¡¯t help himself from sneaking a look at her.


    The weather that day was exceptionally bad. The fog was heavy, and the sky was dark. At around 4 pm, a sheet of snow started to fall. Due to the city¡¯s low temperature, the snow didn¡¯t melt, and in just an hour, the city had changed into a winter wondend.


    Song Qingchun was in the middle of an interview, and it had been an hour since she entered the Starbucks. However, he wasn¡¯t in a hurry. After all, he had cleared his schedule that day just to follow her around. He stared at the flurry of snow outside his car as her mellifluous voice drifted into his ears. It was truly heaven on Earth.


    5:30 pm arrived, and she finally finished the interview. She left the Starbucks and tried to g down a cab. The Starbucks was situated at quite an isted part of the city, so there were no cabs patrolling the streets there on normal days, much less when it was snowing.


    The snow didn¡¯t show any sign of stopping. In fact, it only got heavier. The girl shivered in the cold, and ayer of white started to cover her hair and shoulders.


    Su Zhinian really didn¡¯t want to have any interaction with Song Qingchun, but the girl, standing out there in the cold with not manyyers on, had started to sneeze.


    Su Zhinian was afraid that she might fall ill, so after a moment¡¯s hesitation, he drove his car out from his hiding spot, pretended he happened to be passing by, and slowed down to a stop before her.

 Chapter 680 Conceal 4

    Su Zhinian rolled down the window, and the wind carried snowkes into his car. When they fell on the leather seat, they immediately melted into droplets of water in the warm air inside.


    Song Qingchun had her head lowered, trying to call a taxi, so she did not notice that a car had stopped before her. Su Zhinian opened his lips, trying to call her name, but he thought about it, undid his seatbelt, and got out in person.


    Bracing the wind and snow, Su Zhinian walked around to the front of his car. Before he reached her, Song Qingchun suddenly raised her head to look at him. Su Zhinian stopped right in his tracks.


    The wind grew stronger, but the both of them seemed to have frozen in time, allowing the heavy snow to gather around and on them.


    A car honk from not far away pulled Song Qingchun back to reality. She moved her gaze that was staring at him to a telephone booth that had be white from snow. As she hesitated over whether to greet him or not, Su Zhinian resumed moving and walked closer to her.


    Song Qingchun sidled to the side when she felt he was about to reach her. She was wearing heels, and the floor underneath her was already frozen. The bottom of her heels slid on the slippery surface, and her whole body swerved dangerously down one side.


    Su Zhinian quickly reached out to hold her and asked, "Did you hurt your ankle?"


    A normal person would have been concerned, but most of them would stop at general questions like, "Are you okay?"


    However, Su Zhinian had asked, "Did you hurt your ankle?"


    A simple question had belied his concern and care...


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart started to be flustered. She instinctively tried to remove herself from Su Zhinian¡¯s grasp. She took two steps back to introduce a respectable distance between them before she lowered her gaze and answered tly, "Thank you..."


    Song Qingchun paused for a moment, feeling like she needed to say something more, but there was nothing else that she wanted to say. Therefore, in the end, she opted to leave. However, before she could say goodbye, Su Zhinian, who had ignored her thank you, suddenly asked, "Are you waiting for your ride?"


    Song Qingchun could only answer truthfully. "Yes, waiting for a taxi."


    "Where are you going?"


    What¡¯s it to you?


    Su Zhinian seemed to read her thoughts, or maybe he thought his question was indeed too forward, so he added, "It¡¯s not easy to get a taxi here, how about I give you a lift?"


    "No..."


    He was absolutely right. The girl had been waiting for almost an hour, and there was still no taxi in sight, but in any case, she did not think it was appropriate to ept a ride from him.


    Before Song Qingchun could reject him, Su Zhinian began again. "It¡¯s snowing so heavily, and it¡¯s gettingte."


    Again, he was right. It was indeed snowing heavily, it was gettingte, and the ce was isted. Song Qingchun hesitated for a while before nodding. "If it is really no inconvenience to you, please send me to the nearest subway station."


    "Okay." Su Zhinian then took two steps back to help Song Qingchun with the passenger-side door as he usually did.


    However, as his fingersnded on the door handle, before he even pulled it open, Song Qingchun behind him said softly, "I¡¯ll just sit in the back."

 Chapter 681 Conceal 5

    Su Zhinian¡¯s fingers froze. After about two seconds, he responded with a faded "Hmm."


    He understood that she was trying to mark the separation between them; this was what he wanted, but in the end, it still hurt him.


    Su Zhinian slowly pulled back his hand. He was about to help her with the back door, but before he could do that, Song Qingchun patted the snow off her body and climbed into the car on her own.


    Su Zhinian stood outside the door for a moment before walking around the front of the car to get back into the driver¡¯s seat. After he put on the seatbelt, he snuck a nce at Song Qingchun in the rear-view mirror.


    When he got out from the car earlier, he did not turn off the ignition. The snow that had gathered on Song Qingchun¡¯s hair melted with a speed observable to the naked eye.


    He leaned over toward the passenger seat to pull open thepartment. He pulled out a clean white towel from within and handed it to Song Qingchun.


    Song Qingchun was confused before she understood the meaning of his action. She thanked him softly before taking the towel to wipe off the water from her hair and face.


    Su Zhinian did not say a word but turned to look at the road and started the engine.


    It was incredibly silent inside the car, which caused the atmosphere to be awfully tense. Perhaps Su Zhinian wanted to smooth over the atmosphere or simply because he wanted to talk to her, when the car stopped at the red light, he suddenly asked, "How is the wedding dressing along?"


    He knew that she had already designed and made the wedding dress because when Tony helped her with the dress, she took several pictures and shared it among her friends. The girl in the picture was gorgeous; there was a glint in her eyes, and the white dress heightened her beauty and grace.


    Song Qingchun probably did not expect that Su Zhinian would actively seek a conversation with her because she was visibly surprised. She nodded before adding a "thank you" minutester.


    Su Zhinian understood that she was thanking him for helping her contact Tony. He did not respond, but his eyes that stared at the snow started to waver. After a moment, when Su Zhinian wanted to say something, Song Qingchun¡¯s phone suddenly rang.


    It was from Qin Yinan.


    Through the rear-view mirror, he saw her lower her head to talk Qin Yinan in gentle tone. On the phone, Qin Yinan reported that the ne had been dyed because the weather in Beijing was too bad. He was practically stranded at the Shanghai airport, so he had called to ask if she wanted a souvenir.


    Song Qingchun smiled. She tilted her head to think about it before telling him she wanted an eye-cream. Qin Yinan agreed easily. They did not hang up even as Qin Yinan went searching for the brand that she preferred. Song Qingchun described the brand to him over the phone, and after he had made the purchase, Qin Yinan asked her whether she needed something else, and she replied, "That¡¯s all..."


    Even though it was a conversation that was fairly mundane, Su Zhinian¡¯s heart was bleeding with pain as he listened to it.


    When Song Qingchun finally hung up, Su Zhinian realized with a start that he had driven past the entrance to the nearest subway station. When he saw the confusion on her face, he uttered rather awkwardly, "I¡¯m sorry, I wasn¡¯t paying attention and already drove past the ce."

 Chapter 682 Conceal 6

    His attention was entirely on her phone call, and that was why he had driven past the subway station.


    There was ack of expression on Song Qingchun¡¯s face. Su Zhinian did not know whether she bought his lie or not. After a pause, he added, "Are you going home?


    "In any case, we¡¯re already not far away from your home, how about I just drive you home?"


    Indeed, he¡¯s right. We¡¯re close to home already. If I insist on taking the subway, it¡¯ll only appear too obvious and awkward... Song Qingchun smiled distantly and politely replied, "Thank you."


    Su Zhinian did not respond but pull back his gaze to focus on his driving. However, he found it difficult to concentrate. The girl finally acted in the manner he had hoped for, only smiling politely when she received his help; she treated him with respect from a distance, and the trace of attachment and emotions between them was nowhere to be seen.


    Along the way back to the Song family¡¯s home, there was zero conversation between Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian.


    Song Qingchun had Su Zhinian drop her at the gate to her residential area. Su Zhinian did not reject. He stepped on the brake and stopped at the gate. Before Song Qingchun got out of the car, she nced at the towel in her hand. She thought about returning it to him, but the awareness of his obsession with cleanliness stopped her from doing so. She believed he would only throw it away if she returned it, so she dropped the towel in her bag instead. After thanking him for one more time, she pushed on the car door.


    The door was locked, and Song Qingchun could not open it. She turned to look at Su Zhinian sitting in front and called out to remind him, "The car door is locked."


    Su Zhinian stared dumbly at the flurry of snow outside the windshield and did not respond to her call. Song Qingchun waited for a while before calling him again. Seeing as the man still had not reacted to her prompt, she reached out to pat on the back of his car seat.


    Su Zhinian turned around to look at her with confusion in his eyes.


    Song Qingchun repeated, "The car door is locked."


    "Oh..." Su Zhinian answered, and after a moment¡¯s hesitation like he was gauging her words, he gave another "oh" before unlocking the door.


    Song Qingchun did notment on his weird behavior but turned back around to push the door open. As she prepared to get out, Su Zhinian suddenly called her, "Qingchun."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s fingers trembled before she looked over her shoulder at him. She was silent.


    Su Zhinian stared at the rows of houses before him like he was at a loss. The car was sitting idle when he identally stepped on the gas pedal, and it lurched forward. He quickly stepped on the brake to stop the car. After taking a breath, he said, "...Congrattions on your wedding."


    Song Qingchun was not expecting thisment from him. Her expression was one of shock before her lips slowly curved into a smile, and she replied naturally, "Thank you for your blessing."


    Su Zhinian lowered his head and nodded slightly.


    Song Qingchun turned away from the man and got out of his car. As she stood on the ground, he suddenly called her name again.


    "Qingchun."


    Su Zhinian turned his head away from Song Qingchun because he felt his eyes getting warm.


    "...take good care of yourself."


    Is he bidding me farewell because he¡¯s leaving tomorrow? Song Qingchun felt like her brain was reflecting the weather outside, roaring with wind and snow.

 Chapter 683 Conceal 7

    There were many questions swirling in her mind.


    She wanted to ask him, Did you injure your stomach to save me when I was kidnapped?


    She also wanted to ask him, Who are the presents in your office really for?


    She desperately wanted to ask him, Why did you save my number as the person hiding in my memory in your phone¡¯s contact list?


    She had many questions she needed him to answer, questions that had flooded her mind for the past few days. However, even as the questions wed their way up their throat, she could not get them out of her lips.


    In the end, a faded smile appeared on her lips, and she replied in an official tone, "Same to you, take care of yourself."


    Su Zhinian replied with a nod.


    She could not see his face, but she felt like she managed to see a heavy dose of sadness from his back. Her heart could not help but twitch with pain.


    The next second, he slowly turned around to look at her. His expression was clear and light; the trace of sadness that she thought she had seen was indiscernible. The words that escaped his lips were surprisingly light and airy. "Qingchun, goodbye."


    These two simple words caused Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes to prick with tears. She forced the edges of her lips up as high as she could to reply to him with a brilliant smile.


    "Goodbye, Su Zhinian," she said.


    Then Song Qingchun closed the car door, held her bag to her side, and turned around. After she took two steps toward the gate, she heard a clear and mellifluous voice calling her. "Qingchun."


    It was Su Zhinian again.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s footsteps halted, and she turned around. Su Zhinian¡¯s car that was parked at the roadside had disappeared. She turned to look down the road to catch the tail light of his car disappearing into the snow.


    He didn¡¯t call me; I was only imagining things. Song Qingchun turned back around. When she took her first step, the tears finally fell from her eyes.


    She knew that the goodbye was more than just a mere goodbye. It was their final farewell.


    When she said, "Goodbye, Su Zhinian", it represented, "Su Zhinian, farewell."


    After tonight, when tomorrow came, they would be in different countries. The world wasrge enough for two people who had lost their chance at happiness to not meet ever again.


    Song Qingchun had thought she could ept Su Zhinian¡¯s departure easily and with a sense of detachment, but when she walked into her residential area, she stumbled into the residential area¡¯s garden, copsed onto the snowy ground, and started to wail.


    Around her, the snow continued to fall.


    ...


    After Su Zhinian left the Song family¡¯s residential area, he did not return home but went to visit the alleyway where he first met her. He stayed in his car for a long time before turning off the ignition and getting out of the car.


    He stood at the entrance to the alleyway. The front of his jacket was unbuttoned, and it fluttered crazily in the raging wind.


    He stared at the round boulder at the front of the alleyway, the boulder that had remained unmoved throughout the years. He seemed to be able to see the little girl standing beside it, licking her lollipop.


    He stood there until midnight, until his body was frozen solid, until a thickyer of snow had gathered on him, before he returned to his car and drove back to his bungalow.


    After taking a warm shower, he did not rest. Instead, he pulled out his luggage and started to pack.

 Chapter 684 Conceal 8

    Su Zhinian did not have many things to pack, but it still took him a long time to finish packing.


    At 7 am, Su Zhinian walked into his study. He sat before his table and picked up the pen to write an entry in his diary. Then he ced hisptop and diary into his suitcase. When he looked at the time next, it was already 8:30 am.


    His ne was scheduled at 12 pm. It was time to depart for the airport. Su Zhinian put on his windbreaker and dragged his luggage downstairs. Before he left the ce, he turned off the electricity and water meters of the bungalow.


    Su Zhinian ced his luggage into the trunk of his car, nced at the bungalow where he had shared the hundred days that felt like a dream with her, turned around, got into his car, and drove away.


    Su Zhinian arrived at Beijing International Airport at 10 am exactly. He leisurely sorted his boarding pass, deposit his luggage, and passed the security check. When he entered the VIP lounge, it was only 10:30 am. There was still one hour and five minutes left until his boarding time.


    The weather in Beijing after the snowfall was wonderful. The sky was blue, and the sun was shining. Su Zhinian sat in the lounge, watching the airnes arriving and leaving the airport until drowsiness from theck of sleep caught up to him, and he leaned against the chair and closed his eyes to rest.


    ...


    Song Qingchun did not have a good sleep. After she closed her eyes, her mind kept having impossible dreams; some really did happen, and others werepletely fictional.


    At 3 am, her head felt heavy with torment. She kicked the cover off with frustration and got downstairs to pour herself a ss of warm water. She felt much better after drinking it. She returned to her room and switched on the television. Her eyes did not close after that.


    Song Qingchun had an interview that morning at 7:30 am. She prepared for work at 6 am and left the house in her car. The interview finished around 9:30 am, which was when the city started to rise for a new day. She followed the flow of traffic as she headed for Station TW.


    Song Qingchun was busy until 10 am, when she finally had time to breathe. When she was brewing herself a cup of coffee in the breakroom, she pulled out her phone to y while she waited for the coffee. She nced at the time.


    There¡¯s only two hours left until Su Zhinian¡¯s ne departs from Beijing. He should be at the airport now, dealing with the boarding procedures, right?


    Song Qingchun stared at her phone until her attention gged. It was not until the water started to bubble that she quickly shoved her phone back into her pocket, grabbed the coffee, and returned to her office.


    Boredom was exceptionally hard to endure. Song Qingchun sipped half of her coffee, ced it back on the table, and grabbed her bag because she had a lunch date with Qin Yinan at Golden Corner.


    The date was at 11 am. Qin Yinan was not working that day, so when Song Qingchun arrived at 10:40 am, Qin Yinan was already waiting in the lobby of Golden Corner.


    Qin Yinan had already booked their seats. When he saw Song Qingchun walk in, he stood up immediately.


    The waiter beside him led them politely up to the second floor. They took multiple turns on the long andvishly-decorated corridor before they reached their private booth.


    When Song Qingchun saw the two orchid nts ced at the entrance of the room, her whole body instantly froze.


    Qin Yinan, who noticed this weird reaction from her, immediately turned to ask her with concern, "What¡¯s wrong?"


    Song Qingchun was quiet, but her eyes slowly moved upwards. When she saw the words ¡¯Orchid Pagoda¡¯ above the door, her body shivered once more.

 Chapter 685 Conceal 9

    ¡¯Orchid Pagoda¡¯. It wasst year when she came here to celebrate Christmas with Su Zhinian. That night, she had been exceptionally lucky to have won a lifetimeplementary card at Golden Corner at the lucky draw.


    Throughout that year, she hade to have a feast at Golden Corner many times with that card, but she had never been lucky enough to get the Orchid Pagoda booth again.


    The waiter had pushed the door open. The paintings on the wall, the china on the table, the rug... the decoration inside was exactly the same as the year before. Song Qingchun suddenly felt like the time had regressed. She could see Su Zhinian in his white shirt leaning gracefully against the carved red-wood chair, talking on his phone. She could even hear the lilt that was unique to his voice.


    "Song Song? Why are you standing there at the door?" Qin Yinan, who had already walked in, asked softly when he saw Song Qingchun still frozen beyond the entrance.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s gaze floated beyond Qin Yinan¡¯s shoulder to fall on the chair in front of the window.


    "Song Song?" Qin Yinan frowned as he turned back to walk toward her.


    When Qin Yinan was standing before her, Song Qingchun suddenly came to. She uttered with a nched face, "Brother Yinan, I¡¯m not feeling so well. Excuse me while I use the bathroom¡ªyou can make the order first."


    Qin Yinan thought Song Qingchun was suffering from a fever again. He was about to reach out to touch her forehead when the girl turned around in a hurry to run toward the bathroom. Along the way, Song Qingchun ran past two waitresses and even identally knocked into one of them.


    Even though it was Song Qingchun¡¯s fault, the waitresses still bowed deeply to apologize to Song Qingchun. "I¡¯m so sorry."


    One of them raised her head to look at Song Qingchun after she finished apologizing. Then her face lit up with recognition. "Miss Song, nice to see you again."


    Song Qingchun had no recollection of this waitress. She forced a smile before turning to escape from the scene.


    After Song Qingchun left, the other waitress asked the woman who greeted Song Qingchun, "You know her?"


    "Of course, I do. Christmasst year, she came to have dinner with ST Empire¡¯s CEO at the Orchid Pagoda. I was their server that night."


    The waitress probably thought Song Qingchun was out of earshot because she added conspiratorially, "Do you still remember about the one lifetimeplementary card our shop issuedst year? She¡¯s the owner of that card."


    "Is that for real?" There was obvious disbelief in the waitress¡¯ voice.


    "Of course, I personally handed the card to her. However, at the time, the pretext was that the card was part of the shop¡¯s Christmas lucky draw event. In actuality, that waspletely untrue..."


    Wait, what does she mean by that? Song Qingchun, who was around the corner, suddenly stopped moving when she heard that.


    "...the real person who gave her that lifetimeplementary card was not our shop but ST Empire¡¯s CEO.


    "I¡¯m not too familiar with the details, but I know that the lucky draw event was nned by ST Empire¡¯s CEO and not our promotion. I heard that ST Empire¡¯s CEO did all that to find a way to gift that lifetimeplementary card to Miss Song."

 Chapter 686 Conceal 10

    That event was not organized by Golden Corner but by Su Zhinian? When she heard this, Song Qingchun¡¯s fists gripped tightly.


    "In other words, to gift this surprise to her, ST Empire¡¯s CEO mobilized enough finances to prepare lucky draw presents for all the customers at Golden Corner that night?"


    "That¡¯s night. Furthermore, that lifetimeplementary card wasn¡¯t really a lifetimeplementary card. While it is true that Miss Song doesn¡¯t pay a cent when she patronizes us, that is only because her bills are always sent to ST Empire to be covered by its CEO...


    "To put it simply, he is paying every time shees to Golden Corner..."


    ...


    After the two waitresses walked into the elevator, Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t hear them anymore. However, what she heard was enough to make the emotions in her heart toss and turn violently.


    The meals she had bought at Golden Corner were not on the house but actually covered by Su Zhinian?


    She remembered actively inviting him out to dinner Christmasst year. At the time, Song Empire had not been doing well, and she did not have much money on her. When he ordered that exorbitant amount of food, she remembered cursing him internally. In fact, when she realized he purposely selected those expensive dishes, her tears had almoste out of her eyes right there and then.


    At the time, he had acted with such coolness. He did not even pretend to reach for his wallet when the bill came. She remembered mocking him for hisck of gentlemanly nature. She also remembered how her gloom over the expenses cleared up when she won that lifetimeplementary card. She had even told him to order some more if he was still hungry.


    In the end, the lifetimeplementary card that she was so proud of had not been won because of her good luck but because of Su Zhinian. In other words, when she invited him to dinner, he already prepared to pay for the bill?


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart was rocking violently. She even felt her breathing bing increasingly fast. She faltered back two steps to lean against the wall, to support her body lest she slid to the floor.


    Her mind was a mess. Her confession, his rejection, her courage, his cruelty, the sneer on his face when he peeled off her clothes in the meeting room, the many tears she had shed for him...


    The words she heard from Auntie Su, the revtions from Cheng Qingchong, the discovery she just happened across via the two waitresses...


    Song Qingchun felt like her brain was going to explode. The urge that was suppressed by fear for the past few days started to overwhelm her heart.


    She really did not want to make herself fall into this whirlpool again...


    But that man always had the ability to revive her heart even after he had delivered the final blow.


    She really wanted to suppress this urge, but she still found herself dashing out from the bathroom and racing toward the elevator. It was like her body was beyond her control.


    She needed to get to the airport even though she did not know what she would do there, even though she really had not decided whether to beg him to stay or not.


    But she needed to get to the airport. She needed to see him, even if it was just his back walking away, or just the sight of the airne that carried him away...


    When the elevator reached the lower ground carpark, Song Qingchun rushed toward her car. As she searched for her car key, her phone rang.


    She grabbed the car key in her palm as she reached for her phone. She then nced at the caller ID.

 Chapter 687 The Fall 1

    When she saw the caller ID, her whole body froze.


    Beauty Su...


    It was a phone call from Beauty Su...


    It¡¯s 11 am. There¡¯s only one hour left until his departure time. Why would the man suddenly call me after the period of silence between us?


    Song Qingchun could feel her heart racing for some inexplicable reason. She stared at the ringing phone in her hand as she took several deep breaths. Finally, she had the courage to pick up the call. The call was connected, and she heard his rather anxious voice say, "Qingchun?"


    Song Qingchun wanted to answer, but before she could say anything, she felt someone¡¯s hand mp over her mouth from behind, and the phone fell from her fingers. She heard the phonend on the floor with a heavy thud. Then a ck cloth covered her eyes, and she was dragged from behind by a powerful force.


    ...


    Su Zhinian closed his eyes, but he was not sleeping. He was slowly counting down the time he had before his departure.


    Actually, he knew he should not have felt so sad because when he discovered that secret so many years ago, this ending was already destined.


    He knew that he should not have been so depressed¡ªafter all, they did share two nights together. Those two nights might have been nightmares for her, but they were dreams that he did not dare even wish for.


    He should learn to be satisfied. After all, he had already shared a hundred days with her. There had been plenty of warmth,ughter, and kindness. Even though there was sadness and anger as well, he believed that when he sat alone in a foreign country in a crowd of foreign faces, he would smile at the memory.


    He would spend the rest of his life hopping from one business meeting to the next.


    The rest of his life would be too long because he could not be with her.


    The rest of his life would be too short because it was not enough time for him to love her.


    There was moisture in the corner of Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes. The buzz of the ne flooded his ears. Suddenly, he was overwhelmed with the desire to listen to her voice onest time before he departed.


    Even though he had memorized her voice in his heart, he believed this would be thest time he would hear her in real life.


    The airport was quite far away from the city, so even with his super-hearing, he would not necessarily be able to hear her, but this did not mean that he was not going to try. He closed his eyes to focus on her voice.


    However, before he located her voice, he first heard a familiar male voice.


    "Are the ne ticket, money, and passport prepared?"


    The voice was so familiar that Su Zhinian frowned deeply to ce it.


    "Okay... I promise the deal will be sessful this time, but you have to guarantee that I¡¯ll be able to leave the country safely. Don¡¯t worry, after that previous lesson, there will be no mistakes this time. Furthermore, that Su Zhinian who has been muddling is leaving China, right?"


    When Su Zhinian heard his name, the pieces clicked in his mind. No wonder he felt the name was familiar but couldn¡¯t ce it immediately¡ªit was the voice of that Brother Kun whom he had only heard once.


    The Brother Kun who had ordered his men to pursue Song Qingchun had returned to Beijing after the police¡¯s focus on him had loosened!


    Doesn¡¯t this mean that Song Qingchun is in mortal danger?


    Su Zhinian immediately sprung up from his seat!

 Chapter 688 The Fall 2

    As Su Zhinian stood up from the chair, he heard Brother Kun¡¯s voice again. "...As long as that Su Zhinian is not in the way, it¡¯ll be fine..."


    He seemed to be driving¡ªthe voice was getting smaller and smaller until Su Zhinian could not even hear him anymore. Su Zhinian ran toward the source of Brother Kun¡¯s voice without much thought. He ran from one end of the airport to the other end like he was on a race when he finally caught snippets of Brother Kun¡¯s voice again.


    "...I¡¯ll be reaching Golden Corner in a bit... Give me... An hour...


    "In an hour... I guarantee... the news of Song Empire... young miss... News anchor... TW Station... falling from water tower... will be... over the news..."


    Su Zhinian concentrated fully, but that was all he could hear. However, he had heard enough. In this one word, Brother Kun was going to push Song Qingchun off a building...


    Su Zhinian¡¯s hair on the back of his neck stood up all at once as his heart started to race. Even his temples were throbbing with pain. His brain spun quickly to parse the words he had just heard in his mind twice. Then, he managed to hypothesize that Song Qingchun was having lunch at Golden Corner then.


    Su Zhinian reached out to grab his phone when he realized that he had left his phone on his seat in the VIP lounge in his hurry earlier. Thus, he ran back to the lounge. When Su Zhinian picked up his phone, his finger that tried to unlock it shook in trepidation.


    Right then, the grudge and unhappiness between him and Song Qingchun had gone all out the window. He did not even click into the contact list but typed in her number directly and called.


    The phone rang several times, but no one picked it up. Su Zhinian turned to look at the sunlight shining outside the window in agitation. He did not give his luggage and his ne much thought as he dashed out of the airport.


    Along the way, Su Zhinian knocked into many people and apologized many times. When he exited the airport and reached the carpark, Song Qingchun¡¯s phone was finally picked up.


    Su Zhinian, who had his heart to his throat, desperately wanted to make sure Song Qingchun was safe, so when the call was answered, he called her name anxiously.


    "Qingchun?"


    However, it was not Song Qingchun¡¯s silence nor her distant voice that answered the phone but a sharp and desperate yelp. Then, there was the sound of someone¡¯s muffled screams. It was her, and it sounded like someone had their hands over her mouth.


    "Qingchun? Song Qingchun?" Su Zhinian screamed her name several times, and the only thing that answered him was the sound of the phone falling the floor. Then the call ended.


    Am I toote?


    As the thought formed in his mind, cold sweat trickled down Su Zhinian¡¯s face. He almost got run over by a car when he ran away across the road because, in his urgency, he did not look at the oing traffic.


    As he ran toward his car, he called Qin Yinan. However, Qin Yinan did not answer his phone. In fact, when Su Zhinian jumped into his car, Qin Yinan¡¯s phone was shut off.

 Chapter 689 The Fall 3

    Su Zhinian stepped on the gas pedal without even putting on his seatbelt. He turned the steering wheel as his car sted out of the carpark and got onto the highway that led back to the city.


    One hour... It¡¯s already 11.10 am... There¡¯s only forty minutes left to the timeframe Brother Kun promised his handler... I have to reach Song Qingchun within the next forty minutes if I want to prevent this tragedy from happening.


    As the thought settled in Su Zhinian¡¯s mind, the force on the gas pedal increased. The man was like a ticking time bomb; every cell in his body was tense. He stared at the road in front of him, operating the car as his mind churned.


    He had only heard a snippet of the words from this ¡¯Brother Kun¡¯, especially the second half of his sentence.


    In an hour... I guarantee... the news of Song Empire... young miss... News anchor... TW Station... falling from water tower... will be... over the news...


    He was probably be saying: In an hour, I guarantee that the news of Song Empire¡¯s young miss, the news anchor from TW Station, identally falling from the Water X Tower will be broadcasted all over the news.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s brows furrowed deeply. Water X Tower should be the location where this Brother Kun was dragging Song Qingchun. It was the most crucial piece of information, but it was also the one that he could not hear clearly.


    If I call the police, Song Qingchun might have died before they even figure out where this ce is. Therefore, the best solution is to figure out where this Water X Tower is myself, then inform the firefighters and police to have them set up the safety and safety cushion. But what exactly is this Water X Tower?


    Su Zhinian had a good memory, and he had been born and raised in Beijing. He had been to many ces and had a good memory of most of them. After he started ST Empire, the first field that he entered was real estate. Many buildings in Beijing had dealings with ST Empire...


    Su Zhinian squeezed his mind toe up with buildings that had Water or Tower in their name, but the only name he coulde up with was ¡¯Beyond the River Leisure Club¡¯. Su Zhinian nced at the clock in his car¡ª11.20 am¡ªthere was less than thirty minutes left.


    The sweat started to pour on Su Zhinian¡¯s face. The longer he spent trying toe up with an answer, the more anxious he became; the more anxious he became, the worse his concentration became.


    Eventually, he pulled out his phone to call Cheng Qingchong.


    Cheng Qingchong was surprised to receive his call. "CEO Su, you¡¯ve not left?"


    Su Zhinian did not have the time to deal the pleasant surprise in Cheng Qingchong¡¯s voice. He cut her off and quickly ordered, "Help me search for buildings with the words ¡¯water¡¯ and ¡¯tower¡¯ in their names that we have in the city..."


    Cheng Qingchong was efficient after years being under his training. In less than thirty seconds, her voice cut through the sound of typing. "Water likeke water? Tower like tall tower?"


    "Yes..."


    As Su Zhinian finished, he could hear the shuffling sounding from Cheng Qingchong¡¯s end. After another minute, Cheng Qingchong reported, "CEO Su, there are about 28 buildings with those two words in their names within the city."

 Chapter 690 The Fall 4

    So many? Su Zhinian nced at the rear-view mirror and swerved into anotherne, passing a Honda. Then, he asked, "How many within the area of Beijing Fourth Circle?"


    "15," Cheng Qingchong answered.


    "How about around Golden Corner?" Since Brother Kun had promised that he would deal with Song Qingchun within an hour, that meant that he would not pick a location that was far. After all, the further the location, the higher the chances for idents. Furthermore, when he overheard Brother Kun, it sounded like he was not far away from the airport, so this Water X Tower had to be close to Golden Corner.


    "Four."


    Good... one in four chance...


    "Focus on these four, give me the height for each one of them."


    "Water Source Tower, it¡¯s a beauty salon, it¡¯s on the third floor of Jin Yuan mall..."


    Not this one, three floors is not high enough to cause death. Furthermore, this is a mall; it¡¯ll create too much of amotion and will be difficult for him to escape... Su Zhinian vetoed the option in his mind.


    "...Water and Sky Tower, it¡¯s a business block, 34 floors in total..."


    Office building. Not many people will use the elevator during business hours, and it has 34 floors. Perfect location tomit his crime... Su Zhinian asked, "Where is this?"


    "196 on the west second ring..." After answering Su Zhinian¡¯s question, Cheng Qingchong continued. "Beauty Water Tower..."


    Before Cheng Qingchong introduced Beauty Water Tower, Su Zhinian interrupted her with a "Next."


    When Brother Kun mentioned the location, there was a pause between Water and Tower. There was no such pause in Beauty Water Tower, so this could not be it.


    "Thest one is Water Observatory Tower. The highest floor is the 27th floor. It is on the eastern side of Golden Corner... It¡¯s about five kilometers away from Golden Corner..."


    Water and Sky Tower, Water Observatory Tower, both ces are tall enough to cause death from falling. They are also close to Golden Corner, so one in four is now narrowed down to one in two, but which one is it?


    ...


    When Song Qingchun was shoved inside the car, she finally realized that she was being kidnapped again. Even though this was not her first time being kidnapped, this was not something one could get used to. It did not mean that she was not nervous and worried.


    If anything, due to the horrendous aftermath of the earlier kidnapping, her heart only fluttered even more.


    Song Qingchun was dumped into a dark sack. The opening of the sack was tightened, and the space was so small that she felt like she had difficulty breathing. Her mouth was taped by duct tape, so she could not speak. Other than the sound of the engine and honking from the traffic, there was nothing else she could hear.


    The car repeatedly elerated and decelerated, causing her head to knock against the front of the cushion and the back of the seat in front constantly.


    The previous time, even though she was gagged and bound, she could see who her kidnappers were and even managed to leave a trail of clues as she was kidnapped. However, this time, she was really caught by surprise. She did not even have the opportunity to yell at Su Zhinian, who was on the phone, for help before she was taken away.


    As the air inside the sack lessened, Song Qingchun¡¯s breathing became lighter.

 Chapter 691 The Fall 5

    Theck of oxygen caused the nervousness in her heart to slowly turn into despair. Her body, trapped inside the sack, started to shake uncontrobly. The car took a sharp turn, and the noises around became much smaller. However, the road seemed to be rocky because the car kept bumping.


    Song Qingchun was shaken to such a state that she felt like vomiting. Then the car stopped. She heard the door open, and the door she was nearest to also opened as a draft of cold air flooded in. Song Qingchun was dragged out of the car, hoisted over the man¡¯s shoulder, and carried away.


    The man moved very fast. Song Qingchun¡¯s head was facing downwards, causing the blood to rush to her brain. It made her feel much more ufortable than when she was bouncing inside the car.


    Song Qingchun had no clue where the man was taking her. She could hear the sound of metal being opened and closed. Finally, the man seemed to climb up some steps, and she was deposited on the floor.


    Her back knocked into something that felt like an iron bar. The pain caused Song Qingchun to suck in a deep breath. Then, she heard a metal door creaking. Following which, she felt like she was being elevated like she was inside an elevator. However, it did not feel like she was inside a normal elevator but more like an industrial elevator, one that was attached to the outside of the building. As the height grew, the louder the sound of wind became, and her body started to shiver from the billowing cold winds.


    When the elevator stopped, Song Qingchun could feel the thing that carried them up swaying in the wind like it could be blown away at any moment.


    Following a loud ¡¯boom¡¯, Song Qingchun was hoisted up again. The man started walking but not before kicking the door behind him shut. Then, it was more stairs climbing.


    After about five steps, Song Qingchun could hear the wind even clearer. The man who carried her seemed to have tired himself out because he sat down beside her and started to catch his breath inrge gulps.


    After who knew how long, the man sitting beside her pulled her sack around in a circle. Then she felt some movement at the end of her feet. Before long, a strong buffet of cold wind sted into the sack.


    The man walked to her head. Pulling on the edge of the sack, she was dumped onto the ground.


    The sudden blinding light after a long period in the dark forced Song Qingchun to mp her eyes shut. Shey on the frozen ground for a moment before she opened her eyes to see the thickyer of snow underneath her.


    Song Qingchun raised her head to look around her. It then dawned on her that she was on the roof of a tall skyscraper. She could see the other tall buildings around her.


    Before Song Qingchun could get an idea of where she was, she was pulled up by her arm. She then turned around to look at her kidnapper. It was a man in his thirties. He looked unkempt, his beard was unshaven, and his long hair covered half of his face. There were dirty smudges on his body like he had not taken a shower in a long time. Even the clothes he was wearing had patches on them.


    The man did not seem like he was in a conversational mood. He pulled her along forcefully to the edge of the rooftop.

 Chapter 692 The Fall 6

    When she got closer to the edge, Song Qingchun realized this was an unfinished building. There was scaffolding all over, but the construction seemed like it was reaching the end stages already. A sign not faraway told her where she was.


    Water Observatory Tower.


    Song Qingchun had a slight of recollection of this area. An investor had bought the piece ofnd with a great amount of money, but when the project almost finished, the money ran out, so the ce remained unfinished even though it had been half a year since then.


    No wonder she felt the elevator she just took was not like a normal elevator¡ªit was a cargo-lifter used by workers. The four walls were merely iron bars with metal webbing.


    When they were close to the edge, the man suddenly pushed her forward. Song Qingchun stumbled forward and copsed against the railing.


    The man had brought her to the tallest building in the area. When she leaned over the edge, she could not even see the objects on the ground. Song Qingchun mumbled nervously, trying to ask what this man wanted.


    The man ignored her mumblingpletely. He gripped the cor of her shirt and started to toss her over the railing.


    Even though the man had not said anything, Song Qingchun knew he was trying to throw her off the edge. She struggled literally for her life. She tried totch onto his arm, refusing to get tossed over the railing.


    However, even though the man looked frail, he was surprisingly powerful. No matter how hard she struggled, kicked, or iled, he did not even wince. Using force alone, he shoved her over the railing.


    One of Song Qingchun¡¯s legs was hanging off the side of the building.


    The feeling of stepping on air underneath her feet caused her heart to chill. She tried to w her way back onto the rooftop, but the man used his body to block her way. Then, he reached out to pull the tape off her face.


    The pain caused tears toe to Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes.


    "You..."


    She opened her mouth to scream at the man, but she only got one word out before she heard the door behind them being kicked open. Song Qingchun and the man turned around at the same time to see a shadow dashing at them.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart started to surge with joy. Her survival instinctspelled her to shout, "Help... Help..."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s call for help and the sudden intruder flustered the man. In the urgency of the moment, he acted almost in reflex and channeled all the force in his body into his arms as he shoved Song Qingchun out into the air.


    Song Qingchun was too weak inparison to the man. She did not even have the time to process when she found herself falling from the edge.


    The next second, Song Qingchun was overwhelmed by the sensation of free falling. The smell of death surrounded her instantly. It stopped her breathing right in her throat.


    It reminded her of the time she tried bungee jumping. However, at the time, she had been seeking adrenaline. She remembered screaming from excitement then, but now, her lips would not even open. Her jaw was locked in ce by a heavy sense of inevitability and despair.

 Chapter 693 The Fall 7

    The winds were cold and chilly. It felt like they were scratching her cheeks as she plummeted.


    Through the raging winds, Song Qingchun felt like someone was calling her name. The voice was familiar. She forced her eyes open with and turned her head around to look up.


    She could see someone had poked his upper body out from the edge of the rooftop. Before she could see who it was, the man had moved back from the edge.


    Song Qingchun blinked several times and nced at the empty edge of the rooftop. The feeling of despair washed over her once more. She was about to close her eyes to prepare for eternal sleep when she saw someone jumped from the edge of the rooftop...


    The image would probably be seared forever into Song Qingchun¡¯s mind. Song Qingchun thought that she was hallucinating. She peeled her eyes open as wide as possible, and she could see a ck shadow hurtling toward the ground toward her.


    ...


    Su Zhinian deduced that the location was Water Observatory Tower because of one sentence from Cheng Qingchong.


    "CEO Su, isn¡¯t this Water Observatory Tower an area that was left unfinished about half a year ago due tock of funds?"


    The penny dropped for Su Zhinian after hearing that statement.


    If someone wants to mask a murder with suicide, an unfinished construction site is definitely a good choice. Furthermore, unfinished buildings often don¡¯t have working security cameras.


    After hearing that sentence from Cheng Qingchong, Su Zhinian called the police instantly.


    When he arrived at Water Observatory Tower, both the police and firefighters were already there. He did not go to check on the security cushions but dashed upstairs in the lift.


    As the lift rose, the sound of the wind became louder, the noise from ground became smaller, and the sound of Song Qingchun¡¯s muffled screams became clearer.


    Her cries were like knives aimed at his heart, but they were also a source of security because at least this meant that she was still alive.


    The lift was quite fast, but it was not fast enough for Su Zhinian. In frustration, he kicked at the door several times.


    Su Zhinian practically flew out of the lift when it reached the top floor. He kicked open the iron door and ran toward the rooftop.


    When Song Qingchun raised her voice to call for help, he jumped up the final steps of the stairs. The view of the rooftop opened before him, and all he could see was Song Qingchun fluttering like a kite whose string had been cut as she fell from the edge of the rooftop...


    Su Zhinian could feel his heart shrink at an impossible speed. His knees gave as he copsed against the railing. Watching Song Qingchun fall, he yelled out her name with desperation.


    "Song Qingchun!"


    However, no matter how hard he called, he could not stop her from falling. He could only watch as she fell away from him.


    Su Zhinian could hear the world around him crumbling. Hepletely ignored Brother Kun, who was also on the rooftop. He took two steps back before leaping up over the railing to jump down the side of the building.


    The pull of gravity dazed Su Zhinian for a second. Then he tried his best to catch up to Song Qingchun.


    However, they were falling at the same velocity. No matter how hard he tried to get to her, the distance between them would not shorten or change.

 Chapter 694 The Fall 8

    Su Zhinian squinted when he noticed the long cotton coat that Song Qingchun was wearing. He noticed how it billowed in the wind, and a thought came to his mind.


    ...


    The shadow was facing away from the light, so Song Qingchun could not see his face. She tried her best to focus, but the sunlight was too blinding. All she could see were bursts of light halos in her vision. Among those blinding halos, Song Qingchun felt like she could see the familiar and handsome face that belonged to Su Zhinian.


    Is this my mind ying tricks on me before I die?


    Song Qingchun stared at the visage and unconsciously felt like reaching out to touch Su Zhinian¡¯s face. However, the moment her fingers twitched with motion, the focus of her eyes started to disperse. The hand that originally reached upwards instead moved toward the zipper of her clothes.


    The winds rushed into her open coat, and it ballooned up with air. Even though the coat was not really a parachute, the air resistance offered after it fully opened up was still strong enough to slow her fall.


    The distance between them slowly closed. When they were almost at the same level, the man agilely reached over to grab her wrist. At the same time, he released the control he had over her mind. Her expression was one of confusion. She first turned to look at her wrist because she felt something was holding her there. When she saw the watch on his wrist, her expression froze.


    Their contact made it possible for him to read her thoughts. Am I dreaming? Why is there suddenly another person falling beside me, and why is this person wearing the same watch as him?


    Before she finished her thought, Su Zhinian pulled on her wrist to drag Song Qingchun right into his embrace. Then his other arm circled around her waist.


    His action caused the girl to shake. Her long and curlyshes fluttered like the wings of a butterfly before she slowly turned to look upwards.


    As she slowly did so, Su Zhinian¡¯s perfectly carved face gradually fell into her gaze. The perfect jaw, thin lips, aquiline nose, dark and dreamy eyes, manicured brows...


    The light streamed from the back of his head, casting his face in a golden halo. It heightened the best of his features, which was pretty much his whole face.


    The scene before her eyes was so pretty that she believed she had to be dreaming. She stopped breathing and stared with extreme focus at Su Zhinian.


    I¡¯m dreaming... I have to be...


    When Song Qingchun thought about the death that awaited her, her eyes that settled on Su Zhinian were colored with a hue of sadness.


    While she was falling, she slowly reached out to touch his face. To her surprise, her fingers did not phase through his skin. Instead, she felt warm skin.


    Song Qingchun frowned slightly as her fingers started to move quickly around Su Zhinian¡¯s face. When her fingersnded on the top of his lips, she could feel the tickle of his warm breath on the back of her skin.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s fingers shivered as a drastic thought settled in her head. Once more, she whipped her head up to meet Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes.


    At the bottom of his dark eyes, she could clearly see the reflection of her own face.

 Chapter 695 The Fall 9

    This feeling underneath my touch is too real. It does not feel like a dream.


    Before Song Qingchun¡¯s brain could make thest leap in logic, Su Zhinian seemed to sense something. He released the grip he had on her wrists to pull her deeper into his arms. Then he turned around in midair so that he was the one on the bottom. He was going to use his body as a shield to protect her from the impact.


    Being held so closely caused Song Qingchun to tremble. Everything was happening too suddenly. Before she recovered from the shock of her discovery, before she could even understand what he was doing, the two of themnded heavily on the ground.


    However, it did not feel like the ground. There was a great bounce following a toughnding. Thending was so rough that Song Qingchun felt like her heart had stopped beating; her consciousness almost snapped and submerged into darkness.


    The operative term here is almost. Eventually, the darkness parted from Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes. The blood in her body gradually calmed down, and her brain started to work again.


    She felt like every bone in her body had shattered. Shey there with her eyes closed, and her chest rose up and down at a high frequency. Before she could confirm whether she was dead or alive, a voice called out beside her.


    "Qingchun?"


    The voice was like the sound of an angel, a voice she was very familiar with. It was Su Zhinian.


    Song Qingchun was confused.


    "Qingchun?" Su Zhinian noticed the girl¡¯sck of response in his arms, and he called out once more.


    Am I in heaven? Why am I hearing his voice?


    Su Zhinian read that thought and breathed out in relief. He suppressed the pain that overwhelmed his every sense and forced out through gritted teeth, "...Are you alright?"


    He only managed to utter three words before he had to give up.


    Song Qingchun, who still felt like she was dreaming, snuggled deeply into his arms before answering with a soft "hmm". Then she felt something was wrong, and she continued to wiggle, trying to feel out what was wrong.


    Her continuous wiggle caused the pain in his body to intensify to an impossible degree. His back was drenched with cold sweat.


    Song Qingchun quickly realized she was lying on top of something. She immediately jumped up, and when she saw Su Zhinian, just as she did while in midair, she reached out to touch his face.


    It was a sensation that could not have been more real. Song Qingchun finally confirmed that she was not dreaming. Su Zhinian was really beside her, he really did call her name, and he even told her...


    However, that did not mean that she understood what was really happening. She stared at the man dumbly, and the question escaped her lips. "Su Zhinian, is it really you?"


    Su Zhinian really wanted to reach out to smooth her hair that was tousled from the fall, but he could not lift his arms no matter how hard he tried. He could only lie there quietly and slowly nod.


    "Yes, it¡¯s me."


    Yes, it¡¯s me...


    These three simple words caused Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes to redden with tears.

 Chapter 696 The Fall 10

    Song Qingchun could feel her heart being overwhelmed by something; it tasted sweet and sour with a hint of pain. Song Qingchun repeated the words Su Zhinian told her several times in her minds, and her brain that was put in some sort of stasis after being pushed off the edge of the building started to resuscitate.


    The leap of faith that she saw, his hand that stretched toward her in mid-air, the tight grasp he had on her wrist as he pulled her into his embrace, how he sacrificed himself to act as her body shield before they hit the floor... All those things that she had thought were merely illusions created by her mind... were all real.


    When he saw her fall from the building, he had followed her.


    Song Qingchun¡¯sshes twitched with fear, and tears swallowed up her eyes. She stared at him like a post-trauma victim before asking, rather a bit toote, "How about you, are you alright?"


    As she asked that question, she reached out to inspect his body. Her every touch was like a hellish torment for Su Zhinian. Before he answered, Song Qingchun raised her head to look at his eyes. "Su Zhinian, are you okay?"


    Was he okay? Of course not. Even though the firefighters had managed to set up the safety cushions in time, a fall from 27 floors up¡ªa height of about eighty meters¡ªstill injured him greatly, especially since he acted as human shield to protect Song Qingchun.


    He could not tell precisely where the injured was because pain hadpletely overwhelmed all his senses. However, when facing the question by Song Qingchun, he tried his best to maintain hisposure. Using practically thest bit of his strength, he breathed out two words. "It¡¯s okay..."


    It¡¯s okay because you¡¯re safe.


    His expression was calm, so calm that Song Qingchun really thought he was fine. Right then, the emotions in her heart started to churn once more, and she whispered softly, "Why did you jump down after me?"


    Just as she finished that question, her tears started to fall like a broken dam. Before waiting for him to answer, she repeated herself like a broken record, each instance of question fiercer than the one before it. "Su Zhinian, why did you jump down after me? Why did you jump down after me? Why? Why? Why?"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s questioning eventually turned into sobs.


    He listened to her cry and watched her tears fall. He desperately wanted to reach out to help her wipe away her tears, but he could not move. In fact, he did not have enough energy left to even say something tofort her. He could not even move his lips to tell her not to cry. In the end, he could only settle with looking at her gently.


    Why did he jump down after her?


    Was it necessary for there to be a reason? Then was this reason enough?


    At the time, he did not know whether they had prepared the safety cushion or not. Even if they had, a fall of eighty meters might still have killed her.


    When they were alive, he could not be with her, but in the afterlife, he would not hesitate to walk alongside her, to be herpany.

 Chapter 697 Overheard Conversation 1

    Su Zhinian¡¯s silence intensified the sadness in Song Qingchun¡¯s heart.


    This was a building tens of meters tall. Even if there were security cushions, the impact from the fall might still have killed someone, so why did he choose to jump down after her?


    If there had not been any safety cushions, wouldn¡¯t they have died together?


    The moment the possibility appeared in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind, the color drained from her face instantly. The relief from having just escaped death did not even ur to her. Instead, her mind was filled with fear, and this fear caused her emotions to be quite frazzled. As she cried, she suddenly shouted shrilly at Su Zhinian, "Do you understand what you just did? Have you lost your mind? You could have died!"


    She had been pushed off the building, but he had chosen to jump off it. Even though it was to save her, she was still mad at him.


    After yelling at Su Zhinian, Song Qingchun could not help but use her knuckles to pound on him. Su Zhinian could not evade, and even if he could, he would not have. Even though the pounds were light in force, they still managed to cause the pain in his body to spread. He concentrated fully, trying his best not to groan in pain out loud.


    Song Qingchun¡¯srge tears followed her action and fell on his skin. Eventually, perhaps because the fear caught up to her or perhaps because the pent-up emotions finally rxed following her relief, she copsed like a child onto his chest and started to cry in earnest.


    As she cried, she still did not forget to scold him. To be perfectly honest, Su Zhinian really could not make out what Song Qingchun was saying. Thankfully, since she was lying on top of him, he could read her thoughts and understood what she was trying to say.


    "Su Zhinian, have you lost your mind? Why did you jump after me?"


    "Did you think about the consequences if something really happened?"


    "Do you know how much fear you¡¯ve put me in..."


    The more Song Qingchunined, the greater the resentment she felt. She instinctively leaned forward to want to bite on his shoulder, but when her teeth touched his shirt, she could hear him cough deeply, and then she felt somethingnd on her hair.


    Song Qingchun froze. Then she reached out to touch her hair, and she felt something liquid and sticky. She slowly moved her hands to her eyes, and what she saw between her fingers was blood.


    Like an idiot, she froze on the spot,pletely immobile. After some time, she gradually moved her head to look at Su Zhinian. His chin was covered with blood, and there was a trail of blood escaping from his lips, which were screwed shut.


    Song Qingchun looked at Su Zhinian, and her lips fell open. After gathering her energy, she said in a trembling voice, "Su Zhinian, what¡¯s wrong? What¡¯s wrong with you?"


    Su Zhinian started to cough, and his breathing became dangerously rapid. There was sweat pooling nonstop on his forehead, and the blood that flowed out of his lips became heavier. Song Qingchun reached out in a hurry to cover his mouth to try to stop the bleeding, but her palms were soon dyed red.

 Chapter 698 Overheard Conversation 2

    Song Qingchun tried to choke back her tears but to no avail. She had just been feeling relieved and thankful that they had both survived the fall, but in the end, she was the only lucky one.


    Even though her mind was notpletely focused during mid-fall, she still remembered him pulling her into his embrace before they hit the ground to shield her. So, her luck was traded with his bad luck.


    Su Zhinian felt his consciousness dispersing. Through their physical contact, he could fuzzily read the anxiety and distress residing at the bottom of her heart. This caused him to worry. However, there was nothing he could do but allow his eyelids to slowly close until all he could see was darkness and she was no more.


    He could hear her crying intensify; there was even desperation in her sobs now as she called his name again and again. Eventually, she even started to beg him.


    "Su Zhinian, didn¡¯t you say you¡¯re going to France? Then leave, why did you return? Get on your ne and leave..."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s eyelids fluttered lightly, but they did not flip open. His mind was consumed by empty silence.


    ...


    The world around them became chaotic. The ambnce had arrived. Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian were surrounded by police and the medical crew. However, Song Qingchun did not seem to notice their presence. She continued to mumble, "Su Zhinian, please, I beg you... Please... Please..."


    Even though I might have been sad if you left me for Paris, that sadness would have been more sufferable than you leaving me this way.


    Song Qingchun lost count of the times she repeated "please". She cried until her throat was raw with pain, but there was still no reaction from Su Zhinian.


    ...


    When Su Zhinian called, Qin Yinan had left Orchid Pagoda in search of Song Qingchun because she had disappeared for quite some time.


    It was lunch time, and the bathroom was crowded. Qin Yinan did not think it was appropriate for him to barge into the female bathroom, so he asked a passing youngdy for help looking for Song Qingchun. Thedy told him the bathroom was empty.


    Qin Yinan was reminded of Song Qingchun¡¯s less than ster expression before she excused herself to use the bathroom, and his heart twitched with worry. He immediately ran back to the booth to grab his phone. He was about to call Song Qingchun when he realized his phone had died fromck of battery.


    Qin Yinan apologized to their waiter and left Golden Corner in a hurry. He first returned to the Song family residence, but when he did not find Song Qingchun there, he drove to Station TW. When he reached the office building for Station TW, Qin Yinan saw the news reporting on the giant screen that was attached to the side of the building.


    "At 11:37 am today, there was an incident at Water Observatory Tower involving a male and a female.


    "The female is suspected to have been pushed from the tall building while the man jumped to follow her. Below are the pictures taken from the inte shot by nearby citizens."


    Then, the screen was flooded with pictures. Qin Yinan only took one nce at them before he stopped in his steps.


    Due to the distance and the moving targets, the picture was not clear, but Qin Yinan still managed to recognize at first nce that the woman in the picture was wearing the same clothes as Song Qingchun.


    Before Qin Yinan could get a better look, the scene returned to the news anchor.

 Chapter 699 Overheard Conversation 3

    "Beforending on the safety airbags, the man used his body to shield the woman, and that caused him serious injury. Currently, both of them are being rushed to the People¡¯s Hospital to be saved. The perpetrator is still on the loose. The condition of both the male and female victim is still an unknown; we¡¯re waiting for an update from the hospital. ording the information from the police, the man is Mr. Su Zhinian, the CEO for ST Empire..."


    If the man is Su Zhinian, then the woman has to be Song Song... Qin Yinan suddenly turned around, rushed toward his car, and drove to People¡¯s Hospital.


    ...


    Other than Qin Yinan, Auntie Su also noticed this news. Perhaps it was the mother-and-son rtionship, Auntie Su¡¯s eyelids had started to twitch since lunch. She evenmented on it to the care-taker, and thedy joked that perhaps something good was about to happen.


    Something good? Currently for Auntie Su, the only good thing she was anticipating was her son¡¯s marriage. Auntie Su looked on the bright side, thinking perhaps today was the day Su Zhinian was finally going to bring this person hiding in his memory home to meet her.


    However, the optimistismsted for less than ten minutes because it was then that television in the dining room reported on Su Zhinian¡¯s fall.


    Auntie Su was truly stunned beyond words. She stared at the screen for a long time without reaction until the care-taker said nervously, "Madam, madam, they say it was young master who fell from the building."


    Auntie Su finally came to. With a shake of her hands, the chopsticks fell to the floor. Then she stood up with a nched face and wandered into her bedroom while asking the caretaker to call the driver. They were going to the hospital.


    ...


    After Song Qingchun was hauled into the ambnce alongside Su Zhinian, she copsed from a mixture of raging emotions in her heart. When she woke up next, it was because of a nightmare.


    She dreamed about Su Zhinian covered in blood. No matter how hard she called him or shook him, hey on the floorpletely immobile. She wanted to reach out to sense his breathing, but her finger would weaken whenever she wandered close to his nostrils. After multiple struggles, she finally ced her finger under his nose. She could not feel anything; there was definitely no breath. She grabbed his wrist in a hurry to feel his pulse, again, she did not feel anything...


    She woke up shaking and screaming. "Nooo!"


    "Song Song?" Qin Yinan, who sat beside her, also jumped from his seat, spooked by the sudden scream.


    When Song Qingchun heard his voice, she turned to look at him before turning her head around to inspect her surroundings. All she could see was white. There was a needle stuck into her arm. She believed that she was at the hospital and it was alreadyte because the sky outside the window was dark.


    Qin Yinan touched Song Qingchun¡¯s forehead, and when he realized that her fever had gone, he turned to press on the service bell.


    Before he ended the call, Song Qingchun suddenly leaned forward to grab his sleeve, asking in desperation, "Where is Su Zhinian?"


    As she asked that question, she pulled off the cover and got down from bed. The drip attached to her arm pulled, and it shed a puncture wound on her arm.


    "Song Song, the drip is still working. Please lie back down..." As Qin Yinan advised her, he reached out to grab Song Qingchun¡¯s shoulders.

 Chapter 700 Overheard Conservation 4

    Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t care less about the drip. She grabbed at it and pulled it out without thought. Then, she even shoved Qin Yinan away to race out of the room. Qin Yinan grabbed Song Qingchun¡¯s clothes and ran after her. When he reached the door, he heard Song Qingchun question the nurse he had called. "Where is Su Zhinian? How is his condition? Which room is he in?"


    Qin Yinan walked over to put the clothes over Song Qingchun, who only had a thin patient¡¯s gown on. Then he smiled apologetically at the nurse and said, "I¡¯m sorry, pleasee backter to check on her."


    Qin Yinan waited until the nurse walked away with the equipment before pointing at the room at the end of the corridor. "He¡¯s currently in the ICU."


    Song Qingchun raced down the corridor without missing a beat.


    ...


    When Song Qingchun got closer, she noticed two persons sitting by the door. One of them was Auntie Su, the other was Cheng Qingchong.


    When Cheng Qingchong saw Song Qingchun, she immediately stood up to greet her. "Miss Song."


    Song Qingchun nodded slightly to acknowledge her before turning to Auntie Su beside her. It had not been long since Song Qingchun hadst seen Auntie Su. At the time, Auntie Su had been the picture of grace and looked much younger than her actual age, but now her hair had fallen out of ce, her eyes were red, and even her skin had lost its usual luster.


    Song Qingchun knew Auntie Su must have known it was because of her that Su Zhinian ended up in this state. In other words, it was because her that Su Zhinian was in the ICU. At the end of the day, it was all her fault.


    Song Qingchun turned to Auntie Su and said guiltily, "Auntie Su, I¡¯m sorry."


    "Qingchun, what are you talking about..." Even though her son was on the brink of death because of her, Auntie Su didn¡¯t me or hate Song Qingchun. As she used the handkerchief to wipe away her tears, she croaked through tears, "...It wasn¡¯t you who pushed Ah Nian off the building; it was his own choice to jump after you. Plus, it was not wrong for him to save you; I¡¯ve raised him well... because if I was there I would have told him to do the same. So, don¡¯t worry, the main point is you¡¯re safe..."


    In the end, Auntie Su couldn¡¯t control her emotions, and she started to weep. If Auntie Su had scolded her, Song Qingchun probably would have felt better. The fact that she didn¡¯t me her but instead turned around tofort her only made Song Qingchun feel worse.


    Tears slid from her eyes as she apologized one more time to Auntie Su. Then she turned around to look into the room through the ss window.


    Su Zhiniany in bed quietly with his eyes closed, no trace of life observable on his face. If not for the beeping heart monitor beside him, showing his heartbeat, he would have looked no different from a dead body.


    The back of his arm was affixed with many needles and many drips that transferred medicine into his body. The blood on his face had been cleaned away, and his facial features were as exquisite as ever. However, as Song Qingchun stared at his face, there was a whirlwind of pain that tore through her heart.


    When they were rescuing Su Zhinian, Qin Yinan had been there throughout. When he saw how fazed Song Qingchun was, staring at Su Zhinian, he couldn¡¯t help but move forward to stand by her side and whisper, "His condition is a bit worrying. He suffers from multiple shattered bones and pleural effusion, but don¡¯t worry, tomorrow, the nation¡¯s best surgeon will arrive to conduct operation on him¡ªhe¡¯ll be fine..."

 Chapter 701 Overheard Conversation 5

    "You¡¯ve just woken up. We¡¯lle backter after we finish the body check, okay?"


    When Cheng Qingchong heard Qin Yinan, she also joined in. "The doctor said that CEO Su is currently safe; he¡¯s just unconscious. Miss Song, you¡¯d better listen to Mr. Qin and go for your body check."


    Song Qingchun shook her head and was about to say that she was fine when Auntie Su, who sat on the bench, said, "They¡¯re right, Qingchun. You need to confirm with the doctors that you¡¯re really alright. After all, you did fall from such a great height. Ah Nian is already in such condition; we can¡¯t let anything happen to you, too."


    Song Qingchun swallowed the words that had reached her lips back down her throat. She nodded at Auntie Su and returned to her room, supported by Qin Yinan.


    ...


    Other than general fatigue, there was nothing wrong with Song Qingchun¡¯s body. After the inspection, she ignored the nurse¡¯s advice to rest and rushed to Su Zhinian¡¯s room to apany Auntie Su. Auntie Su was in her old age already, and she was not primed to stay throughout the night. Song Qingchun knew she would not be able to get any sleep when her son¡¯s life was hanging in the bnce, but she still offered Auntie Su her bed to rest.


    Since Cheng Qingchong had to work the next morning, Song Qingchun told her to leave by 4 am.


    Auntie Su went down for a rest at around 3 am and woke up at 5 am. Qin Yinan went to buy some breakfast. Even though neither of them had an appetite, they still forced themselves to eat something.


    At 6 am, the doctor came to do a check-up on Su Zhinian. He reported that the patient was stabilizing, and the operation could be performed on time that night. He even ordered them to go home to take a shower and bring along their clothes while the patient was resting.


    When Auntie Su returned to the hospital, the caretaker came along with a bag of clothes.


    Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian had both been rushed to the hospital, and Song Qingchun knew the password to his bungalow, so when she went home to get her clothes, she took a detour to his ce to grab a change of clothes for him.


    Qin Yinan dropped Song Qingchun at the Song family residence and then left. Song Qingchun grabbed a handful of toiletries and underwear before driving over to Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow.


    She had spent a hundred days at his ce, so she was familiar with his living habits. She dashed upstairs and strode into the closet in his bedroom. She grabbed two casual outfits and two sets of cotton pajamas before pulling open the drawers to look for his socks and underwear.


    There was quite a number of drawers in Su Zhinian¡¯s closet. Song Qingchun found the socks but could not locate his underwear. She pulled open the drawer one by one, and when she pulled open the thirdst drawer, among the drawer-full of paraphernalia, Song Qingchun¡¯s gaze settled instantly on a clear stic bag. The bag was holding a handful of buttons.


    The buttons were familiar to her eyes, like she had seen them somewhere before¡ªthey were golden in color.


    After a pause, Song Qingchun reached out to grab the bag. She counted the buttons in it; there were eleven buttons in total.


    As she counted, the sense of familiarity heightened. Her brows furrowed deeply trying to ce it. When she raised her head in contemtion, her eyesnded on the red line around her neck. Then something dawned on her as she raised her hands to pull the red line quickly out from under her sweater.

 Chapter 702 Overhead Conversation 6

    Since the button was hanging from her neck, it was difficult to make a goodparison. Song Qingchun pulled the red string apart and gripped the button to ce it alongside the buttons in the stic bag.


    Same color, same model, same size, same shape, even the lines on the buttons were the same.


    Song Qingchun felt like someone had reached into her heart to grip it tightly until she could not breathe. Her facial expression froze as she stared dumbly at those buttons. Her pupils moved slightly before she teetered back two steps to fall against the wall behind her.


    So... what Cheng Qingchong told me that night was true. When Brother Yinan and I were in mortal danger, the person who arrived to save us was him.


    Him fainting and the gaping wound I saw on his stomach really were because of me!


    Song Qingchun¡¯s body started to shake uncontrobly. Cheng Qingchong had revealed many things that night. She had said that the knife wound had really been serious, that he had suffered for a total of three months before he woke up. Over the course of those three months, his heart had stopped beating several times. She also said that it waspletely due to pure luck that Su Zhinian had survived that ordeal... and before he fainted, he had made Cheng Qingchong promise him that she would never reveal any of that to Song Qingchun because he did not want her to have his death on her shoulders.


    Her heart was jolted with electricity and twitched violently. Even her breath stopped for a moment.


    Ever since herte-night conversation with Cheng Qingchong, Song Qingchun would find herself thinking about her words when she let her guard down. However, she told herself every time that those were not real, that they couldn¡¯t be real because Su Zhinian didn¡¯t love her. She had to believe what she had seen.


    To be frank, she knew this was a sign of her weakness. She was afraid of getting hurt, so she chose to evade it. She started to hypnotize herself. She even cklisted Cheng Qingchong¡¯s number on her phone; she had believed she could distance herself from this ordeal that way.


    However, this was merely a fool¡¯s errand. This was the worst self-defense mechanism. She had thought that as long as she held on until he left the country and she married Qin Yinan, she would not think about him again and would not get hurt anymore.


    However, these buttons were like a p to her face; they woke her uppletely. Su Zhinian had not only saved her once but twice. He had almost lost his life twice just to save her.


    All the while, she had thought she was lucky because she managed to survive all these tragedies... but now she realized it was all because of Su Zhinian. It was because he had used his own life to trade for her life again and again!


    He said that she was merely a recement, but did he need to go to such lengths for a recement?


    Especially yesterday, when he jumped off the edge of the building without a thought for the preservation of his own life, without asking for rewards, without regret withoutint...


    No matter how hard she wished to lie to herself, she understood the meaning inherent in the action of dying for another. Song Qingchun gripped the buttons in her hand, and her weakened body slowly slid down the wall.


    The person who was cruelest to her in the world was also the person who treated her the best in the world and the person who had managed to pull so many lies over her head.

 Chapter 703 Overhead Conversation 7

    He cared more about her than any other person in this world, but why... why would he harden his heart to be cruel to her time after time?


    Song Qingchun suddenly remembered the one question she asked Su Zhinian at hispany after she found the soaked present box in his house. "Do you have something you¡¯re afraid of? Or do you have some difficulty that you can¡¯t ovee?"


    At the time, she had been sure that he had some dark secret that caused him to put up a front despite the fact that he loved her. However, her conviction was soon destroyed by his talk of a recement. After that, her conviction was a wilted flower, destined not to bloom again.


    But now... with these buttons and his willingness to die for her... she knew that her initial conviction was right. Behind Su Zhinian¡¯s aloof front, there had to be some sort of secret, a secret that prevented him from loving her even though he did love her.


    ...


    That afternoon, a group of experts came to examine the still unconscious Su Zhinian. Then they proposed two possible surgery operations. After discussing with Auntie Su and Song Qingchun, they decided to go for the option that was more conservative. Whether Su Zhinian would wake up depended on the sess or failure of the surgery.


    Even though the group of experts were the best in their field, all surgery came with its own risk. Therefore, as the time drew closer to 8 pm, when the surgery would start, Auntie Su and Song Qingchun became increasingly anxious.


    At 6 pm, the doctor came to check on Su Zhinian one more time.


    At 7 pm, the surgery room was getting ready.


    At 7:30 pm, Su Zhinian was wheeled into surgery.


    Auntie Su, who followed behind the bed. almost copsed several times from the weakness in her knees. Song Qingchun, who was equally worried, tried her best to support her as they walked to the surgery room door.


    At 7:50 pm, the surgery room door was mmed shut. About half a minuteter, the ¡¯Surgery¡¯ light above the door came on.


    Song Qingchun helped Auntie Su as they moved to sit on the bench. Then, both of them turned in unison toward the closed door. Neither of them talked to each other, and they started to wait amid the dreary silence.


    Before the doctor went in, he told them that if the surgery was sessful, it would be finished in under two hours, but if the surgery dragged beyond two hours, the situation would be a bitplicated.


    Therefore, for the initial two hours, even though they were worried, both Auntie Su and Song Qingchun still looked quite calm.


    However, when the clock struck 10 pm and the surgery light was still on, time seemed to stretch to infinity. Each second seemed to slow down drastically. Song Qingchun and Auntie Su, who had suffered silently for two hours, started to fidget with concern.


    Auntie Su was the first to give. At 10:10 pm, she started to mumble nervously. At every one minute¡¯s interval, she would turn to ask Song Qingchun, "Why hasn¡¯t the surgery over yet?"


    At 10.15 pm, that one minute interval changed to tens seconds.

 Chapter 704 Overheard Conversation 8

    Auntie Su¡¯s anxiousness only amplified the fear in Song Qingchun¡¯s heart. However, she understood that if she showed any traces of it, they would both copse, so she tried her best to find some words to console Auntie Su while, at the same time,forting herself.


    "Auntie Su, don¡¯t worry, perhaps the surgery started a littlete."


    "Auntie Su, they¡¯re probably just wrapping up the surgery; Su Zhinian will be out soon."


    When it was 10:25 pm, even Song Qingchun¡¯s palms were covered with sweat. To calm her beating heart, she stood up and started to pace up and down the corridor.


    "Auntie Su..."


    "Auntie Su..."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s constion and Auntie Su¡¯s questions reverberated through the quiet corridor.


    At 10:35 pm, Song Qingchun¡¯s voice started to quiver.


    At 10:45 pm, Song Qingchun was too weak to continue to pace. Instead, she leaned against the wall opposite Auntie Su.


    At 10:50 pm, Auntie Su started to weep softly. Amid her tears, Song Qingchun¡¯s breathing started to race.


    At 11 pm, Auntie Su¡¯s weep had turned into open crying, and Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes became rimmed with redness as well.


    At 11:20 pm, Auntie Supletely copsed. She almost fainted from crying several times. Song Qingchun had also reached her limit. When she felt like she could not handle this anymore, the surgery light finally went off, and the door was slowly pushed open.


    Auntie Su, who had been on the verge of another fainting spell minutes ago, suddenly stood up with a burst of hidden energy to rush toward the doctor. "How is Ah Nian? Is he alright?"


    Song Qingchun straightened herself, wanting to rush forward as well, but she realized there was barely a whiff of energy left in her body. She could not even move, and her back was covered with sweat.


    The doctor pulled off his mask, and the face underneath it was tired from three hours of surgery. He answered, "Mr. Su¡¯s surgery was very sessful, but he still requires another twenty-four hours of close observation. If he survives the next twenty-four hours, he¡¯ll achieve a full recovery."


    Song Qingchun sighed under her breath. She struggled upwards, but before she could make the first step, Auntie Su suddenly crumbled. Thankfully, the doctor was agile enough to grab her. With the nurse¡¯s help, they sent Auntie Su to a nearby empty room, examined her, and put her on a drip.


    Song Qingchun made sure Auntie Su¡¯s condition had stabilized before she moved to Su Zhinian¡¯s room. The man¡¯s body was attached with many tubes, and he was surrounded by many medical machines. The drip that was attached to his arm was new because the bag was still quite full.


    Auntie Su had not rested properly over the past few days, and that,bined with the overall stress, caused her to copse. However, with a good rest, she would be fine. With the nurse watching over her, Song Qingchun was not worried. She pulled over a chair to focus on staying by Su Zhinian¡¯s side.


    When the sun rose, Auntie Su finally roused herself. She was feeling better and returned to Su Zhinian¡¯s room.


    Auntie Su told Song Qingchun to go home to take a rest on the ount that she had not slept for two days and two nights already. However, Song Qingchun could not rest knowing that Su Zhinian still had not left the danger zone, so she decided to crash on the couch in the room instead.

 Chapter 705 Overheard Conversation 9

    Song Qingchun was exhausted, but she could not have a good sleep. She would wake up every other hour, and it was not until 11 am that she finally fell asleep. Song Qingchun then woke up at 3 pm.


    Su Zhinian woke up earlier than the doctor predicted. His eyes fluttered open by 5 pm. However, since the drip was mixed with painkillers, he did not say a word after he woke up.


    The doctors and nurses all rushed over to inspect him. They crowded his bed, and thest avable space was taken by Auntie Su. Song Qingchun had no choice but to look at him from afar.


    Su Zhinian did not react in any way to Auntie Su¡¯s excited and teary words. He seemed to be shell-shocked as he stared at the white ceiling for a long time. Some timeter, his pupils slowly moved like life had returned to the man, then he croaked out softly and weakly, "Where¡¯s Qingchun?"


    Her heart felt like it was wrapped by something; it was warm and nice with an undercurrent of sourness and satisfaction. He had been unconscious for two days and two nights, and the first words out his mouth were asking about her.


    Auntie Su was too caught up in her own relief and joy to notice her son¡¯s question. She rambled on. "Ah Nian, how are you feeling? Do you know how big a scare you¡¯ve given your mother? Thank god you¡¯re awake now..."


    Su Zhinian frowned slightly because he did not get the answer he wanted. His lips moved, but before he could speak, a soft voice said, "Su Zhinian."


    The voice was barely above a whisper, but Su Zhinian still turned toward it with a tilt of his head. Through the crook of Auntie Su¡¯s arms, Su Zhinian met Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes.


    Auntie Su was still fussing over Su Zhinian. Song Qingchun stared at him quietly and did not say anything else, but her lips curved into a smile. When he saw her smile, he was temporarily dazed before blinking several times, and his facial expression visibly softened.


    The curve of Song Qingchun¡¯s smile became more pronounced, and her eyes started to get teary. Su Zhinian¡¯s lips moved. Even though he did not vocalize it, Song Qingchun could see clearly on his lips that he was trying to tell her not to cry.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s tears fell, but the smile on her face glowed brighter. She mimicked him and mouthed back to him. "I know, but I¡¯m too happy, happy that you have woken up."


    Her lips moved very slowly, trying to enunciate every syble very carefully. When she finished and he wanted to reply to her, Auntie Su realized her son had been staring in a direction and followed his gaze to look at Song Qingchun.


    My son has been staring at Song Qingchun since he woke up... Auntie Su¡¯s thought filtered into Su Zhinian¡¯s mind through her hand that held her arm. Su Zhinian lowered his gaze to pull his eyes away from Song Qingchun to his own mother. Then he called out softly, "Mum."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s voice immediately pulled Auntie Su¡¯s attention back from Song Qingchun. She turned around to care about her son once more.

 Chapter 706 Overheard Conversation 10

    The doctor confirmed that since Su Zhinian had woken up, it was only a matter of time until he recovered. After the doctor told Su Zhinian the things he had to take care about, he left the room. A few minutes after that, Su Zhinian fell back to his sleep. He was out of it until 10 pm that night.


    The nurse came to check on his temperature and blood pressure. They were fine. After dispensing some medicine, she left.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s current condition meant that someone still needed to watch over him throughout the night. Auntie Su was old, so Song Qingchun was worried that it would take too much of a toll on her body, so she rented a room at the hotel across from the hospital and asked Auntie Su to rest there for the night. She would stay with Su Zhinian.


    Auntie Su felt much better since Su Zhinian woke up. Since she was undeniably tired, she agreed to Song Qingchun¡¯s suggestion. Song Qingchun led Auntie Su and helped her settle in before returning to the hospital.


    ...


    Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian¡¯s fall made headlines, so even Song Menghwa heard about it and rushed to the hospital on the second day of Su Zhinian¡¯s surgery. Su Zhinian woke up that day for only ten minutes before returning to sleep, lulled by the effect of the medicine.


    Song Menghwa and Auntie Su chatted at the hospital for the whole afternoon before leaving. When Song Qingchun apanied her father to the entrance, she mentioned that she was going to stay at the hospital so that Auntie Su did not have to take care of Su Zhinian alone.


    Su Zhinian had suffered this tragedy because of Song Qingchun, so Song Menghwa agreed without hesitation. Before Song Menghwa got into the car, she told him something that had been on her mind for the past two days. "Dad, I¡¯ve discussed this with Brother Yinan. We wished to dy the wedding... at least until Su Zhinian gets out of the hospital."


    Song Qingchun really had discussed this with Qin Yinan already. That was the first thing she had done when she found those buttons in Su Zhinian¡¯s closet. Su Zhinian still had notpletely woken up, and there was still confusion in her heart that needed to be cleared up. However, the wedding could not be cancelled just like that. Plenty of preparation had gone into the wedding, so Song Qingchun only opted to suggest dying the wedding.


    Qin Yinan had not been surprised by her request. When he received her call, he had said gently, "Song Song, I was about to call you to ask whether you want to dy the wedding or not."


    Song Menghwa asked after a slight pause, "What did Yinan say about this?"


    "He doesn¡¯t mind," Song Qingchun answered.


    After another period of silence, Song Menghwa added, "Alright, if he¡¯s fine with it, then it¡¯s okay. After all, you getting married with Yinan in this state is a bit inappropriate. Dying it is right. Don¡¯t worry about the guests; I¡¯ll call them personally to exin the situation, so you just focus on taking care of Zhinian."


    However, after Song Menghwa got into the car, he still reminded Song Qingchun, "Qingchun, understand that while it is responsible for you to look after Zhinian, remember that Yinan is your fianc¨¦. Don¡¯t forget about him. Call and talk to him when you have the chance."


    Song Qingchun nodded wordlessly. She waited until Song Menghwa left before turning upstairs.


    Su Zhinian had woken up while she was away. When Song Qingchun walked into the room, Auntie Su was sitting by his bed, holding a bowl of hot herbal porridge in her hand, and asking him to eat it.


    Perhaps because of the nasty smell or the bitter taste of the herbs, Su Zhinian turned his head toward the window petntly, refusing to open his lips.

 Chapter 707 Overheard Conversation 11

    Hearing the door close, Auntie Su turned to look at Song Qingchun. She smiled embarrassingly at her before turning back to gently and patiently persuade him. "Ah Nian, no matter what, you have to eat some so that you¡¯ll get better."


    Su Zhinian ignored his motherpletely.


    "Ah Nian, if you don¡¯t want to have porridge, then okay. Tell me what you want to eat; I¡¯ll go buy it for you now..."


    Song Qingchun noticed Su Zhinian still not responding, and she couldn¡¯t help but whisper to Auntie Su, "What¡¯s wrong?"


    "Don¡¯t know what¡¯s wrong with him. When he just woke up, he said he wanted to eat something, so I went to heat some porridge for him, but now he doesn¡¯t want it anymore," Auntie Su said.


    Song Qingchun frowned as she turned to look at Su Zhinian. She asked with an undercurrent ofint, "Why won¡¯t you have a few bites?"


    Su Zhinian did not answer and maintained the aloofness on his face. The man who had just recovered still had little color to skin. There was a rare shade of fragility on his face. Perhaps Song Qingchun had imagined it, but she thought she saw a hue of sadness and mncholy on the man¡¯s face as he looked out the window.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart was already heavy with guilt before she came in. Seeing him in this state heightened the guilt in her heart. She sighed softly and told Auntie Su, "Why don¡¯t you let me try?"


    Auntie Su had tried persuading Su Zhinian for hours, and there was no progress, so she was more than willing to let Song Qingchun try. She stood up to give the seat to Song Qingchun as she passed the younger woman the bowl.


    Song Qingchun stirred the porridge twice before scooping up a spoonful. She raised it to her lips to blow on it. The smell of the medicine almost caused her to vomit, but she suffered through it with a smile. She then moved the spoon to the side of Su Zhinian¡¯s mouth.


    When she noticed Su Zhinian stretched his lips tighter as the spoon approached, Song Qingchun said softly like she was coaxing a child, "Come now, even if you don¡¯t have much of an appetite, you have to eat something. I know the porridge doesn¡¯t taste great, but it¡¯s good for your recovery. Tell you what, I have a pack of sweets in my purse; after you have some of the porridge, I¡¯ll let you have some of them."


    In Song Qingchun¡¯s mind, if Su Zhinian refused to do anything, either he would walk off or dress the person down instantly¡ªthis tactic of saying nothing was something new to her.


    Before he went down to rest, his mood was not bad. What happened? Is it because he¡¯s feeling a bit sullen from being cooped up in his room all day?


    Song Qingchun thought about it and continued in her soft tone. "I know that lying in bed all day is notfortable, but if you want to recover soon and move about, you have to eat this medicinal porridge."


    Auntie Su was getting increasingly anxious from Su Zhinian¡¯sck of response, so she cut in to say, "Ah Nian, what do you want to eat? Please tell me, okay? I¡¯ll go buy it for you now, I promise it won¡¯t take long..."


    "Auntie Su, this medicinal porridge is rmended by Doctor Xia. It¡¯s best for his recuperation. It¡¯s definitely better than outside food, plus who knows what kind of ingredients goes into that food? It might harm his body."


    After Song Qingchun told Auntie Su that, she turned back around to say kindly, "...How about this? I¡¯ll ask the doctor tomorrow to see whether you can go out or not. If it¡¯s permissible, I¡¯ll wheel you downstairs to take a spin around the garden, what do you think about that?"

 Chapter 708 Overheard Conversation 12

    Su Zhinian was acting up because he had overheard the conversation between Song Qingchun and Song Menghwa. However, his heart gradually softened with Song Qingchun acting that way. Eventually, he could not help but turn his head around to look at her.


    Meeting his eyes, Song Qingchun smiled sweetly. "If you don¡¯t believe me, I can ask the doctor when heester. But we really cannot go out tonight; the weather is too cold, and the wind too chilly, which is not good for your body..."


    Su Zhinian nodded slightly. Even though he still had not said anything, it was enough to brighten the glow in Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes. She moved the spoon again to his lips. This time, he opened his mouth slowly and swallowed the food. This reaction from Su Zhinian made Auntie Su as happy as a lottery winner.


    ...


    After finishing the porridge, Song Qingchun passed the bowl back to Auntie Su. She picked up the ss of water from the table for Su Zhinian and then went into the bathroom to take a warm towel to clean Su Zhinian¡¯s mouth and face.


    These caring actions from Song Qingchun gradually softened the expression on Su Zhinian¡¯s face. The day was gettingte. After putting Su Zhinian into bed, she told him softly that she would send Auntie Su to the hotel first before returning.


    Su Zhinian nodded, and both Song Qingchun and Auntie Su left his room. When Song Qingchun returned, Su Zhinian was already asleep. Half of his body was exposed to the winds. Song Qingchun slunk into the room to turn off the main light and switched on the dimmer sleeping lights before helping him with the cover.


    The room was quiet. Song Qingchun sat beside the bed, and her earlier sleep debt caught up to her. However, before she could fall asleep, she heard Su Zhinian groan from pain, and she woke up immediately. Song Qingchun heard a muffled groan from Su Zhinian¡¯s throat. It sounded deep like the man was trying very hard to suppress it. However, she could still hear his teeth chattering from trying to hold in the pain.


    Song Qingchun flicked on the light and saw Su Zhinian¡¯s face was white, his forehead was drenched with sweat, his hands were gripping the covers tightly, and his whole body was shivering.


    Song Qingchun remembered that when the nurse came to administer the medicine earlier in the day, she mentioned that the hospital had lowered the dosage of anesthetic, so Su Zhinian might feel some degree of pain from his wound. She advised him to try to persevere naturally lest he develop a reliance on pain-killers.


    Song Qingchun reached out to feel Su Zhinian¡¯s forehead. She sighed in relief when she realized he was not burning up.


    Song Qingchun rushed into the bathroom and used the warm water to dampen a towel. She used it to wipe away the sweat on Su Zhinian¡¯s face. When she saw how his body was curled up from pain, her heart cracked with pain and guilt. She could not stop herself from asking, "I¡¯ll go get the nurse to give you a shot, okay?"


    Before Song Qingchun got up, Su Zhinian grabbed her wrist. Song Qingchun knew this meant that he did not want the painkillers, so she had no choice but to follow his wishes. She sat beside his bed and patted his uninjured shoulder in a consoling manner.


    However, herfort seemed to be of little use. His lips were practically purple from pain. Song Qingchun felt tears pricking her eyes. She eventually ignored hismand and reached out, attempting to press the service bell on the wall.


    With a pull of his wrist, Su Zhinian dragged her onto the bed. Due to pain, his breathing was heavy and fast.

 Chapter 709 Overheard Conversation 13

    He gripped her shoulders tightly and shook his head. He tried to say something but did not have the energy to form even a syble. Song Qingchun¡¯s shoulders were in pain from the vise-like grip, but she did notin. Looking at how the man was suffering, Song Qingchun could not help but reach out to circle her arms around his waist. She ran her palms up and down his back, trying tofort him.


    Her embrace froze his shivering body for a moment before he nuzzled deeper into her arms. Song Qingchun hugged him closer to her heart while continued to rub him on his back.


    Pain drenched his body with sweat, and the sweat made both of their clothes wet. However, they still did not part from this embrace.


    Gradually, the pain started to ebb, and Su Zhinian quieted down. However, his arms that held her never did let go. After his breathing stabilized, Song Qingchun tried to maneuver her way out of his arms, but she almost woke up the man when she did so. Song Qingchun stopped moving and resumed lulling him to sleep. He nudged his head deeper into her chest and tightened his arms around her before falling back to sleep.


    Even in his sleep, the man had powerful arms. Song Qingchun was locked in ce. She was afraid that if she moved, it would wake him up like before, so she relented and stayed in his arms.


    His warm breath tickled her chest; it made her feel all tingly inside. As her heart melted, she leaned her head onto the top of his head and then closed her eyes. Eventually, fatigue caught onto her, and she joined him in the dream.


    ...


    When Su Zhinian woke up, the first sense that was simted was smell. The sweetness of Song Qingchun drifted into his nostrils, and he realized that he was snuggling in the girl¡¯s arms.


    The whole dream-like situation dazed him for quite a while before everything fromst night registered in his mind. He had been in such pain, and she hade over tofort him gently.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s heart surged with warmth. Afraid that he might wake her up, he slowly extricated himself from her arms. He looked at the bags underneath her eyes and was reminded of the loving care she had given him over the past few days. He hugged her closely and stared at her quietly. He did not dare make a noise lest he woke her up.


    For Su Zhinian, the best thing in the world was to look at her quietly. There was nothing that needed to be said or done; this was enough to make him feel like the luckiest man in the world.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes that looked at Song Qingchun softened with love and gentleness. In the end, he reached out to caress her cheeks. His fingers moved to hershes, then to the tip of her nose. He made himselfugh at the atrocious bliss that he was feeling at that moment.


    Suddenly, Su Zhinian¡¯s expression turned serious. His eyes that looked at her were as deep as the ocean. He blinked slightly before moving his lips to settle before her forehead. He nted a light kiss on it. He stopped there for a long time before slowing moving his lips away.


    Su Zhinian, who was lost in the general blissfulness of the moment, did not realize that there was someone standing outside the room who bore witness to everything.


    ...


    Auntie Su woke up early that morning. She packed some breakfast at the hotel and rushed to the hospital.


    When she walked past the window of her son¡¯s room, she turned to look in. She thought she would see Song Qingchun lying by the side of Su Zhinian¡¯s bed simr to two days ago, but she got the shock of her life when she saw Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun lying in the same bed, holding each other in their arms.

 Chapter 710 Overheard Conversation 14

    Auntie Su stopped in her tracks. She stared at the scene inside the roompletely frozen. She looked at her own son stare with utmost focus at Song Qingchun, his usual nk face crawling with gentleness, love, and kindness.


    She stood there and watched her own son reach out to caress Song Qingchun¡¯s face lovingly, entertained by such a simple gesture. Finally, she saw her own son¡¯s eyes light up with emotion as he slowly leaned in to kiss Song Qingchun¡¯s forehead. After stopping there for some time, he parted and slowly moved his lips to kiss the tip of her nose and her lips.


    Auntie Su staggered two steps back like she had been given the greatest shock of her life. Then, she turned and rushed toward the bathroom at the end of the corridor.


    She dropped the breakfast into the trashcan, dashed into a random empty cubicle, locked the door, leaned against the wall, gripped her chest, and started to gasp for air. Oh my God, what have I just seen? My own son kissing Song Qingchun? No way... I have to be mistaken, yes, something must be wrong.


    Auntie Su then moved to pinch herself on her thigh. The pain somehow calmed herself down. She closed her eyes and continued to breathe in deeply.


    No one knew her son better than her. When had her son looked at a woman in such a loving manner before? When had her son smiled that brilliantly before? But he had done all those things because of Song Qingchun.


    She knew perfectly well what this represented. This meant that her son was in love with Song Qingchun.


    The events that had happened over the past few days suddenly repeated themselves in Auntie Su¡¯s mind, and she now had apletely different view of them. Her son did not jump off the edge of the building out of his desire to save an innocent¡ªit was because he loved Song Qingchun.


    No wonder the first thing her son did after he woke up from the surgery was to search for Song Qingchun.


    No wonder her son would obediently open his mouth when it was Song Qingchun who fed him the medicinal porridge.


    No wonder her son ignored herpletely when she scolded him for ying on his phone, but he quietly ced his phone to the side when Song Qingchun mentioned that the re from the phone could harm his recovery just that one time.


    I must have gotten too old; how can I have missed these clues and details? Of course, I should have known something was not right when that son of mine, who rejects all femalepany with such insistence, allowed Song Qingchun to take care of him while at his weakest.


    She did not think so much of everything because she forgot that, unlike her, these two children did not know the truth.


    She made the fatal mistake six years ago. After running into Song Menghwa, she should not have agreed to have him take care of Su Zhinian when he offered to help her look after Su Zhinian. At the time, she had really thought that it could be a good development; she had done it with good intentions, but looking bad, this was all her fault.


    To think that she even told her son that he was free to love anyone as long as he brought her home for her to see.


    Now she understood everything; the truth was set before her. Her son loved Song Qingchun, but she could not approve.


    Her son could be with anyone but Song Qingchun.


    As Auntie Su thought about this cruel joke fate had pulled on her, she started to weep.

 Chapter 711 Overheard Conversation 15

    When Su Zhinian went off to university, she started praying for him to get a girlfriend.


    However, year after year, as her son¡¯s business grew bigger and bigger, there was practically no news on the rtionship side. At the time, she had thought, perhaps he would find someone after he graduated.


    s, there was still no progress after graduation. She looked on with impatience as her friends started to visit with their grandchildren. Whenever her son came for his weekly meal, she would needle him about his rtionship situation. She started to worry about her own son and even began to believe those rumors floating around the inte that he had some kind of weird fetish.


    When she found out that her son had someone he liked, she instead prayed to meet this girl. In fact, when ying mah-jongg with her mates, she would say proudly that perhaps their family was going to wee a marriage soon.


    Now, she had finally met the girl her son loved, but she could not give them her blessing; she had to walk away from the promise she had given her son. In fact, she had to y an antagonist who pulled them apart.


    She really did not want to, but she had no other choice.


    ...


    Auntie Su did not return to Su Zhinian¡¯s room. After she calmed herself down, she left the hospital and went to her hotel room. At around 11 am, she pretended to have just woken up and walked to the hospital.


    When she once again appeared by the window, Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian had both woken up. Song Qingchun was feeding Su Zhinian a fruit juice blended from all the fruits given by the visitors who hade to visit Su Zhinian.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s room was facing the sun. The curtain was open, and the wintry sun showered the room with its warm light. They made gorgeous couple, one sitting by the bed and the other lying in it. It was picture perfect. Even though Auntie Su was already in her advanced years, when she saw this scene, her heart was still touched. This couple in the room really looked like they were meant for each other.


    As she stared at them, Auntie Su¡¯s eyes started to redden. She quickly turned her head around to look at the dried tree branches outside the other window. Then she slowly pushed the room door open like she had not seen anything earlier.


    It was Su Zhinian who heard her first. He turned to look at the door as he swallowed the juice that Song Qingchun had just fed him. He called out, "Mother."


    Song Qingchun turned from the sound. She greeted gently with a smile, "Auntie Su, good morning."


    "Good morning," Auntie Su replied kindly as she usually would. Then, she grabbed the juicer and headed into the bathroom to clean it.


    When she came out, Song Qingchun was discussing the lunch menu with the nurse. When she saw Auntie Su, she smiled brightly and asked, "Auntie Su, what do you want to have for lunch?"


    Auntie Su thought, Why am I feeling so guilty when I haven¡¯t even done anything yet?


    She averted her gaze away from Song Qingchun and replied genially, "Anything works."


    Song Qingchun nodded and then turned to continue the conversation with the nurse.


    Auntie Su slowly walked to bed to pull on the quilt to cover Su Zhinian¡¯s feet that were hanging in the open. She stared at Su Zhinian, who was reading thepany document Cheng Qingchong had brought over yesterday, and said, "Ah Nian, where¡¯s your phone? Can you lend it to me? I need to call home and have Xiao Lin bring something when shees overter."

 Chapter 712 Overheard Conversation 16

    Xiao Lin was the name of the caretaker Su Zhinian employed to look after Auntie Su.


    Su Zhinian flipped the document with one hand while his other searched for his phone. His thumb settled on the home page for some time to unlock the phone before passing it to his mother.


    After Auntie Su made the call, she turned to nce at the bed. Su Zhinian held a pen in his hand as he jotted down his signature on one of the documents. She lowered her head quickly and tapped into the contacts. She typed the word ¡¯hiding¡¯ in the search box. When the entry for ¡¯the person hiding in my memory¡¯ came up, she clicked on it, copied the details, and sent them to her own phone. Then, she deleted the message, walked back to the bed, and ced the phone by the side of Su Zhinian¡¯s pillow, adding, "Ah Nian, I¡¯ve ced your phone here, okay?"


    Su Zhinian answered with a grunt without even lifting his head. Auntie Su stood beside the bed for some time before turning to leave.


    ...


    Like the day before, it was Song Qingchun who sent Auntie Su back to the hotel that night. Song Qingchun did not step into the hotel; she merely stood at the steps before the lobby and bade Auntie Su farewell. "Auntie Su, good night."


    "Good night," Auntie Su replied with a smile. Just as Song Qingchun turned, she suddenly called her name. "Qingchun."


    "Yes?" Song Qingchun turned around, and her lips curved into a slight smile.


    Auntie Su removed her phone from her pocket. "Do you mind giving me your phone number? I¡¯ve known you for so long, and I still don¡¯t have your number."


    "Of course." Song Qingchun immediately pulled out her phone and said, "Auntie Su, why don¡¯t you tell me your phone number? I¡¯ll give you a call now."


    "Okay..." Then Auntie Su listed the eleven digits. After Song Qingchun entered the number, she repeated it once to Auntie Su. After Auntie Su nodded, she dialed the number. After about five seconds, Auntie Su¡¯s phone rang. Song Qingchun ended the call and said good night once more before turning to leave.


    Auntie Su waited until Song Qingchun walk away before she clicked open the phone record. She memorized the phone number and opened her inbox. Shepared it to the number that she had messaged herself from her son¡¯s phone. The eleven digits matched each other perfectly.


    Even though Auntie Su knew this wasing, when the concrete proof was ced before her, her face was still white. After some time, Auntie Su put away her phone and raised her head to look at the hospital before sighing greatly and walking back despondently into the hotel.


    ...


    Auntie Su did not close her eyes at all that night. Early the next morning, she climbed up from bed.


    She did not go to the hospital but sent a message to Song Qingchun saying she would be too busy that day to visit Su Zhinian at the hospital. She would need to depend on her to take care of Su Zhinian. When Auntie Su received the message from Song Qingchun telling her not to worry, she left the hotel.


    It was not until 2 pm that Auntie Su arrived at the hospital.


    On the third day, Auntie Su also arrived at the hospitalte. In fact, she was two hourster than the day before.


    On the fifth day, after dinner and when the nurse came to change the IV, Auntie Su said that she was a bit tired and wished to return to the hotel.


    Song Qingchun tipped the nurse to have her pay more attention to Su Zhinian before she left with Auntie Su.


    It was snowing lightly that afternoon, so the road outside the hospital and the hotel were dusted with flurry of snow


    After crossing the zebra line, Song Qingchun stopped at the steps to bid farewell to Auntie Su. However, Auntie Su suddenly pointed up at the caf¨¦ on the second floor of the hotel and said, "Qingchun,e up with me. I have something to talk to you."

 Chapter 713 Overheard Conversation 17

    Song Qingchun was surprised by Auntie Su¡¯s sudden demand. Even though she was confused, she still nodded obediently and said, "Sure."


    The hotel¡¯s caf¨¦ was empty. Song Qingchun and Auntie Su found a table close to the window and sat down across from each other. Auntie Su, in her youth, had brought up her son on her own. At the time, she had wished that she could join the other young women her age in these high-end cafes to have a leisurely afternoon coffee, but she could not because of her purse strings. As she got older and richer, she no longer enjoyed the smell of coffee even though she could now purchase the best coffee in the world. When the waiter came with the drinks menu, she ordered a pot of tea that was more to her taste considering her age.


    After the tea was served, Song Qingchun reached out to pour the tea, but Auntie Su was faster than she was. The olderdy picked up the pot, poured two cups of tea, and served one to Song Qingchun.


    "Thank you." Song Qingchun epted it with both hands. Auntie Su nodded with a smile as she raised the other cup. She took a small sip, and the fragrance of tea dispersed in her mouth. However, her heart was twisted with pain and guilt.


    Auntie Su did not say a word but continued to sip on the tea. Her silence caused a bad omen to settle in Song Qingchun¡¯s heart. She stole a nce at Auntie Su over her tea cup, and after who knew how many times she did that, Auntie Su finally ced the cup down on the table andmented with a kind smile, "That¡¯s a good brew of tea."


    Song Qingchun was not much of a tea connoisseur, so when Auntie Su said what she did, she merely nodded along. Auntie Su added more hot water into the tea pot and poured another two cups of tea in her graceful ways.


    When Auntie Su ced the tea pot down on the table, Song Qingchun finally could not hold it in any longer and asked, "Auntie Su, didn¡¯t you say you have something to discuss with me?"


    "Yes," Auntie Su answered, but she did not continue straight away. After a pause, she added, "It is cold outside. Have some tea to warm your body first, and we¡¯ll talk after that."


    Since Auntie Su had said that, Song Qingchun did not dare to openly urge her anymore. She could only wait patiently. After Auntie Su poured the fourth cup of tea, she finally said, "Qingchun, first, I wish to thank you for looking after Ah Nian throughout this difficult time."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s hand that held the cup to her lips moved downwards, and she quickly said, "Auntie Su, you shouldn¡¯t have said that. Su Zhinian got into this ident because of me. I¡¯m merely doing everything that is within my responsibility."


    Auntie Su smiled and did notment anymore. She looked at Song Qingchun for a while before lowering her eyes and sighing softly. Eventually, she cut to the chase. "Qingchun, to tell you the truth, the reason I waste to visit Ah Nian these past few days is because I was away to interview a private nurse for Ah Nian."


    Interview a private nurse? Song Qingchun was startled, and a burgeoning idea of why Auntie Su asked her up was forming in her mind.


    Auntie Su formted the words in her mind and said, "I hope you don¡¯t see this as an offense. After all, you need to return to work, and your father needs you. I cannot make you stay by Ah Nian¡¯s side to look after him day after day..."


    Song Qingchun was unable to tell whether Auntie Su was merely being polite to her or there was a hidden meaning, so she stretched her lips but did not say anything.

 Chapter 714 Overheard Conversation 18

    "I liked the candidate I met with today. She¡¯s gentle but efficient. I like her very much. In fact, I¡¯ve already hired her toe take care of Ah Nian starting from tomorrow. With her here, we will not need to trouble you anymore. You won¡¯t need toe tomorrow."


    If Song Qingchun thought Auntie Su was being ambiguous earlier, the elder woman spelled it out clearly for her then. She gripped the cup tightly and used some time to digest what Auntie Su said. "Auntie Su, I¡¯ve asked mypany for holiday, and my father knows I¡¯m at the hospital. You really don¡¯t need to go and find a care-taker; furthermore, who is to say the care-taker will really look after Su..."


    Before Song Qingchun could finish, Auntie Su interrupted her. "I know the new care-taker will definitely not be as focused and as caring as you, but I¡¯d rather she takes care of Ah Nian than have you around Ah Nian anymore. Now do you understand what Auntie is trying to say?"


    There it is... It was really as she expected. Auntie Su¡¯s main purpose was to chase her away; the new care-taker was merely a pretext. Song Qingchun moved her lips, but she did not know what to say. Since Auntie Su had already been so direct with her demand, what else she could say?


    The atmosphere between them froze with awkwardness. After some time, Auntie Su sighed softly. She averted her gaze from Song Qingchun and said, "Qingchun, I¡¯m really sorry, but as a mother, I have to protect my son. You¡¯re basically a married woman with a weddinging soon. It is simply too inappropriate for you to hang out every day with my son.


    "Furthermore, my son has suffered such a grievous wound because of you. I simply cannot afford to have that happen again. Ah Nian is everything I have, and I cannot lose him. So... Qingchun... Auntie is begging you, please leave and don¡¯te around to see my son again, please?"


    Auntie Su had a hard time saying those words. So many years ago, when she firstid her eyes on Song Qingchun, she had really liked this little girl. When she was seriously ill, she had not had time to meet her, but whenever they met, she would buy the girl a beautiful dress. She really treated her like her own daughter. In fact, when the girl suddenly appeared at her housest year, even though she was surprised, she had been d.


    However, who would have thought that one day, she would need to y the role of a viin to bully the girl?


    She had no choice. She had to do this to protect both of them.


    Song Qingchun was shamed by Auntie Su¡¯s words. She could not help but lower her head.


    Auntie Su was right. She should have conducted herself more appropriately as Brother Yinan¡¯s fianc¨¦, and who knew what injury mighte to Su Zhinian if she continued to stay with him?


    A few moments ago, she did consider trying to persuade Auntie Su to change her mind, to have her stay to take care of Su Zhinian, but now she realized that she did not have the right to demand for that.


    After some time, Song Qingchun slowly raised her head to look at Auntie Su¡¯s eyes. She blinked twice before saying, "Auntie Su, I should be the one who apologize."

 Chapter 715 Overheard Conversation 19

    "I¡¯m sorry." Song Qingchun gripped her fists tightly because the pain kept her thinking straight. She sucked in a breath surreptitiously before adding, "I understand what to do. I¡¯ll leave the hospital tomorrow."


    "Qingchun, thank you." Auntie Su did not even have the courage to look Song Qingchun in the eyes anymore. She lowered her head and added, "I¡¯m sorry."


    Song Qingchun on reflex wanted to say that it was okay. Her lips opened, but nothing came out. She moved her eyes away and uttered, "Auntie Su, if there¡¯s nothing else, I will return to the hospital."


    "Okay."


    The moment Auntie Su said that, Song Qingchun stood up. Before she left, she even went to the counter to pay for the pot of tea.


    ...


    Song Qingchun exited the hotel, walked across the zebra crossing, and entered the hospital, but her mind was elsewhere. She did not hurry to return to Su Zhinian¡¯s room but went to sit on the cold bench in the hospital garden. She sat there for a long time until her body shivered uncontrobly from the cold. She stood up slowly and headed back into the hospital building.


    It was already 11 pm. Song Qingchun assumed that Su Zhinian would be asleep already, but when she pushed open the door, the man was sitting in bed, looking at the darkness through the window.


    She paused for a moment at the door before walking in and closing the door softly behind her. She walked to the bedside to ask, "Why aren¡¯t you asleep yet?"


    Su Zhinian turned to look at her but did not answer. After several seconds, he turned to look out the window again.


    "Have you taken your medicine?" As Song Qingchun asked that, she picked up the medicine box from the table. She noticed there were still four pills in it, so she knew Su Zhinian had not had his medicine. She walked to grab a ss of warm water, ced it on the bedside table, counted the necessary number of pills, and passed them to Su Zhinian. "Here, take these and go to sleep."


    When Su Zhinian raised his hands to take the ss, Song Qingchun noticed that the needle wound on the back of his hand was bleeding. She frowned andmented, "Why didn¡¯t you press on the wound when you took out the needle? It¡¯s bleeding all over the ce."


    Su Zhinian still did not answer. He lowered his head, tossed the pills into his mouth, and swallowed them with a gulp of water.


    Song Qingchun pulled open the drawer to take out some cotton balls. She grabbed Su Zhinian¡¯s hands and pressed on the wounds.


    The bleeding gradually stopped. Song Qingchun dropped the blood-soaked cotton balls into the trashcan. Then she found an alcoholic towelette to wipe his hands clean. She moved the pillow underneath his back away and helped him get into a sleeping position. She helped him with the cover and turned off the lights in the room, adding, "Good night."


    Then she stood up to walk to the bathroom.


    From the moment Song Qingchun walked into the room, Su Zhinian was like a doll, allowing Song Qingchun to do everything for him. However, just as Song Qingchun turned around, he suddenly reached out to grab her wrist.


    Her body shivered. Before she turned to look at him, the man pulled, and she fell into the bed with him.


    "Why is your body so cold?" As Su Zhinian said that, Song Qingchun felt she was pulled deeper into his embrace. His hug was tight and powerful like he was afraid she might suddenly leave his side. It caused her back some pain.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s hands that were lying on her side shifted slightly before they too moved up to circle his back. She hugged him tightly in return.


    The room was quiet, the man and the woman saying nothing.

 Chapter 716 Overheard Conversation 20+21

    Certain beauty like fireworks onlysted for a moment. As pretty as they were, one should never expect them tost. However, even with the knowledge of its transient nature, it did not mean that one would not be sad when it finally passed.


    Even though she did not say anything, he understood everything because he had heard the full conversation between her and his mother. The dream-like bliss that hadsted for the past few days was finally going to end. However, other than a hug, he could not give her anything else.


    They stayed in that hug for a long time until their arms were sore. However, neither of them showed any desire to leave the other¡¯s arms. If anything, the hug only got tighter, like they wished to melt into the other¡¯s body.


    If possible, they wished for time to stop, and they would die in each other¡¯s arms. s, that was merely a dream.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes that were before Su Zhinian¡¯s chest started to prickle with tears. Eventually, tears slid out from the corner of her eyes and soaked his cotton pajamas. He knew she was crying. He wanted tofort her, but he did not do anything; he just stayed there quietly and allowed her to cry her heart out.


    Her tears seemed to possess some magical energy. They passed through his clothes, seeped through his skin, melted into his bloodstream, and finally formed needles to pierce through his heart. The pain was so intense that his eyes started to water. A single tear fell from his eyes, trickled down his face, and gently fell onto hers.


    The girl¡¯s body quivered before she suddenly raised her eyes. Using the dim light in the room, he could see the water shining in her eyes.


    He tried to turn his head away to hide his blood-shot eyes, but she suddenly reached upwards to hold his face. Then, she slowly raised her chin to meet his lips.


    Her lips were quivering greatly, and her tears fell even faster from her action. The girl¡¯s tears slid down her face and flowed into their lips, sour and salty.


    His body shook, and he used his hands to grip the back of her head to start to ravage her in return. His beastly manner practically took all the breath away from her lungs.


    The deeper their kisses, the hotter they felt. The girl, with an unknown reserve of courage, threw caution to the wind and started to tear away at his shirt.


    The buttons of his pajamasnded silently on the floor. Then her hand slithered down his stomach while her other hand actively removed her own clothes. All this while, she was holding him hostage with her kisses. Then they touched skin to skin.


    She grabbed hold of his neck and leaned in for a deeper kiss.


    The girl was like a lithe and charming nymph, draining all his resistance and rationality.


    His body reacted strongly to her advances. He tried his best to maintain the rity of his mind, trying to remove himself from her, but his injuries prevented him from doing that. With his breathsing fast, he could onlyin weakly. "Qingchun, please don¡¯t... Qingchun, no... Qingchun..."


    However, his request fell on deaf ears. Her hands continued to wander all over his bare skin. When her hand finally slithered down his crotch, the man groaned, and his sensibility shattered into pieces.


    Love and lust overwhelmed the pain as the man suddenly flipped over to press the girl underneath him.


    ...


    When he entered her body, a dizzying sensation settled over him. This was not their first time, but it was his first time doing it with a conscious mind.


    The previous two times were like a dream to him. Even though they were wonderful dreams, when he woke up the next morning, other than the general lethargy, the precious and intimate moments they shared the night before felt like they were from another life.


    However, this was different. The sensation was so real. He could feel the girl¡¯s shyness, the suppleness of her skin, her dignity... and her temperature.


    Su Zhinian paused for a moment. With his mouth still kissing Song Qingchun, he started to slowly move.


    The otherworldly sensation caused both of them to suck in a deep breath. She gripped his shoulders, and he held her waist as if on instinct. The temperature in the room rose, and the closeness between them grew.


    Other than each other, there was no one else in their eyes.


    He loved her, and she also loved him, but certain love could only be vented off in such a manner. His love tranted into motion. His assault grew heavier and heavier like he wanted to send her flying into space. How hard he was equaled to how much he loved her.


    When it all ended, she was tired, and the man with his injury was even more drained than she was. They both copsed onto the bed. With the other in their arms, they both fell gently into sleep.


    ...


    When the sun came up the next morning, Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes flitted open.


    The passion from the night before caused a general weakness in her body. She wiggledzily in Su Zhinian¡¯s embrace before turning her head around to look at the man. His eyes were closed, sleeping sweetly.


    Song Qingchun stared at him for a moment before lightly pulling off the cover. She then climbed out of his embrace and out of bed.


    She went into the bathroom to take a quick shower. Then, she came out in a clean set of clothes. Finally, she started to pack. Her actions were soft because she was afraid that she might wake the sleeping man.


    She ced her bag on the sofa and slowly walked back to the bedside. She stared at the sleeping Su Zhinian quietly for a while as a single tear slid down her cheek. She turned quickly around, grabbed her bag, and left the room.


    Song Qingchun stood at the hospital entrance to hail a cab. After she got into the car, she messaged Auntie Su, informing her that she had left the hospital. She did not wait for Auntie Su to reply; she just gave the driver the address and told him to drive away.


    ...


    Song Qingchun did not know that before she sent the message, Auntie Su was already standing at the window in her room, looking down at the hospital entrance.


    After Auntie Su received her message, she immediately made a call. She released a long sigh, walked into the bathroom, and cleaned herself up before making her way to the hospital opposite.


    ...


    Song Qingchun also did not know that when she woke up, Su Zhinian was already awake.


    He knew that she was going to leave soon, so he pretended to be asleep. He listened to her in the shower, listened to her pack her things, listened to her even breathing when she stood beside his bed... and finally listened to her walk away from his room.


    After she got into the elevator, he pulled his eyes open. The man, who was still heavily wounded, dragged his body forcefully out of bed.

 Chapter 717 Overheard Conversation 22

    Su Zhinian had difficulty even standing upright, much less walking. He drained pretty much all of his energy to nudge himself away from the bed. However, hisck of bnce caused him to teeter toward the side when he released his grip on the bedpost. Thankfully, he reached out to grab the wall at thest second to stabilize himself.


    Enduring the pain from his legs, he shuffled toward the door using the wall as support. However, he only moved about two meters before his body started to shake from pain. His face was white, and his forehead was covered in endless amount of cold sweat.


    When Su Zhinian reached the room door, there was almost no energy left in his body. He had trouble even bringing air into his lungs. Su Zhinian pulled open the door and took one step out. A nurse saw him and rushed over worriedly, saying, "Mr. Su, you shouldn¡¯t be out of bed; your leg injury still hasn¡¯t recovered."


    Su Zhinian stretched his bloodless lips and moved toward the window at the end of the corridor inch by inch without saying a word. The nurse did not have the heart to see him torture himself thusly, so she reached out to support him.


    Su Zhinian, who was averse to female contact, did not reject her aid. When he finally got to the window, Song Qingchun had already left in the taxi.


    No matter how hard the nurse persuaded him, he refused to budge from his position. In the end, he copsed from over-exhaustion, and the hospital workers had to haul him back into bed.


    That afternoon, Su Zhinian suffered from a high fever. The whole hospital¡¯s doctors had tried to administer all kind of fever medicine, but they were all to no avail. The feversted for three days and three nights before it gradually receded.


    ...


    After Song Qingchun left, a new care-taker came to take her ce. The nurse, who believed Song Qingchun was Su Zhinian¡¯s girlfriend, was surprised by this sudden change. However, Su Zhinian himself was so unaffected by this that she had to suspect her earlier conviction. If anything, without Song Qingchun there, Su Zhinian became an easier patient to take care of.


    When Song Qingchun was still there, when the nurse came to help Su Zhinian check his vitals, she would run into Song Qingchun coaxing Su Zhinian to take his medicine, juicing fresh fruit, or feeding him porridge.


    She remembered thinking that ST Empire¡¯s CEO, who looked so unapproachable on the surface, was nothing more than a hard to please child. However, after Song Qingchun left, the nurse never saw or heard Su Zhinianin about the choice of food or medicine. The nurse personally thought the hospital¡¯s food was a culinary abomination and was shocked to see Su Zhinian enjoying it like it was the best food in the whole world.


    The days flew by one after another, and Su Zhinian slowly recovered. He could get up from bed and walk a small distance. Then, his workload started to increase. The sickroom started to receive visitors dressed in suits and ties. However, Song Qingchun, who had remained a question in the nurse¡¯s mind, never showed herself again.


    One day, after measuring his blood pressure, it was just the nurse and Su Zhinian in the room. She nced at Su Zhinian, who was typing on his keyboard, and she could not stop herself from asking, "Mr. Su, is Miss Song recently busy? Why haven¡¯t I seen her around?"


    Su Zhinian stopped typing for a few seconds before resuming his work. He answered with a t grunt. "Perhaps."


    He really had no idea whether she was busy or not. After the day she left, he had not had the pleasure of hearing her voice anymore, much less seeing her in person.

 Chapter 718 Overheard Conversation 23

    Even though the nurse asked the question, she did not dare press her luck. She collected her stuff in a hurry and left the room.


    When she reached her next room, she realized that she had dropped the thermometer. She had to turn back to get it. When she passed the window of Su Zhinian¡¯s room, she saw the man, who was originally focused on his work, staring at the bathroom door,pletely spaced out.


    ...


    Song Qingchun indeed did not return to the hospital again. However, she knew everything about Su Zhinian.


    That afternoon when she left, she purposely returned to the hospital entrance. She waited there for hours until she finally saw the new care-taker that Auntie Su had hired for Su Zhinian. When the care-taker came out of the hospital, Song Qingchun rushed forward to ost her. Then, they formed a deal. She would pay her a sum of money, and the care-taker would report Su Zhinian¡¯s daily condition to her.


    Other than the three days of high fever at the beginning, the remaining news was good news. The care-taker was a friendly woman. She would send Song Qingchun more than ten messages in one day. This meant that Song Qingchun had a live feed to Su Zhinian¡¯s room.


    "Mr. Su had two eggs and a bowl of porridge this morning."


    "Mr. Su worked for three hours in the afternoon."


    "Mr. Su woke up after a half an hour nap."


    "There was a brief meeting in Mr. Su¡¯s room this afternoon. One of the five visitors was handsome."


    "A man by the name of Tang Nuo came to visit Mr. Su with eight boxes of healthy food. Mr. Su definitely could not finish it all."


    "The fruits ced in Mr. Su¡¯s room have started to decay."


    "Mr. Su can walk on his own already."


    "Mr. Su can now stand for longer than ten minutes."


    Even though Song Qingchun was not personally there to look after Su Zhinian, the rush of daily good news kept her mood at a constant high. Of course, that did not preclude the asional bad news.


    "Mr. Su seems like he¡¯s in quite a foul mood today. He didn¡¯t even finish lunch."


    "Mr. Su scolded someone on the phone today."


    "Mr. Su dumped his work documents on the floor."


    When she received such messages, Song Qingchun would also be worried. Her replies to the care-taker would be long as well.


    "Is Su Zhinian doing better now?"


    "Why was he so unhappy?"


    "Have you tried cooking his favorite food? He likes..."


    As the date drew closer to the end of the month, Song Menghwa¡¯s questions regarding her uing nuptials to Qin Yinan became more constant and persistent.


    One day, she received the message from the care-taker that said, "Miss Song, Mr. Su will be leaving the hospital tomorrow."


    Since he was leaving the hospital, she had to face certain things.


    Things like her marriage to Qin Yinan, which her father had been bugging her about. Things like the eleven buttons that she had found at his house. Things like the deep dark secret that prevented him from loving her.


    The day Su Zhinian got out of the hospital, Song Qingchun had an interview at the eastern part of the city. The care-taker fired her a farewell message. "Miss Song, Mr. Su has left the hospital. Thank you for everything. Goodbye."


    Song Qingchun replied with a short farewell. Then she clicked open her phone¡¯s calendar. She nced at the dates and decided to pay Su Zhinian a visit at his bungalow thating Friday.

 Chapter 719 Overheard Conversation 24

    That Friday, as the clock struck 3 pm, Song Qingchun finished all her work and left thepany. When Song Qingchun found the eleven buttons at Su Zhinian¡¯s closet, she had already decided to have a conversation with him, but she had not decided how.


    However, with the precedent at ST Empire, Song Qingchun had to make even more preparation. She had brought so much evidence to hispany to hash it out with him, but the man had still managed to fool her with all sorts of excuses. Therefore, Song Qingchun told herself that she had to be more than prepared this time.


    Song Qingchun did not drive but went there by subway. She arrived at Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow at 3:50 pm. Even though Song Qingchun knew that entering Su Zhinian¡¯s ce without informing him counted as trespassing, she was desperate for an answer.


    The password to his ce had not changed throughout the years, and she gained entry easily. She made a beeline toward his upstairs bedroom.


    Actually, Song Qingchun merely had a hunch, but she was surprised to really have found an old model phone in the cupboard in his bedroom. Song Qingchun switched on the phone and waited for a minute for it to boot up. She clicked into the messages panel and saw her own phone number instantly.


    Song Qingchun did not hesitate and clicked the messages open. Thetest message fell into her gaze. "The most beautiful thing was not loving you but meeting you."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s finger trembled before she scrolled upwards. The messages that he had sent her and those she had sent him... those messages that were in her phone were in this phone as well.


    This meant that... her instinct was right all along. Su Zhinian was the man she had been looking for, the person who had been supporting her in secret, the person who had been messaging her throughout the years, the person who always looked out for her at her lowest moments, the person who once confessed his love to her through phone messages.


    Even though she had already mentally prepared herself before she came over, when the truth was exposed before her, her emotions still started to rage uncontrobly.


    With this phone as evidence, Su Zhinian cannot wiggle his way out of this one, right? The only thing I need to do now is figure how to start this conversation when he returnster.


    Song Qingchun gave herself a pep-talk as she closed her eyes to take a deep breath. After some time, she was feeling much calmer.


    As she stood up to clean up the mess she had made in his room, she heard a familiar car engine outside. She froze where she was before running to the balcony to see Su Zhinian¡¯s car slowly entering the bungalow¡¯s driveway.


    The car slowed to a stop, and Su Zhinian stepped down from it. He walked to the front door to key in the password.


    It¡¯s only 4:30 pm; why is Su Zhinian home so early? Did he not go to work today?


    Song Qingchun was confused. She held the phone she found in the cupboard, turned around, and dashed toward the bedroom door.

 Chapter 720 Overheard Conversation 25

    When Song Qingchun snuck into Su Zhinian¡¯s bedroom, she forgot to close the door. In her hurry to exit, she did not close it behind her either. Just as she reached the stairs, she heard the door being opened.


    Song Qingchun held the bannister, took two steps down, and was about to call out his name when she heard Auntie Su¡¯s voice drifted up from downstairs. "Ah Nian, what do you want to have for dinner tonight?"


    Why has Auntie Su returned with Su Zhinian? Song Qingchun stopped moving. If Auntie Su, who has warned me away from her son, sees me here, she will be sad and disappointed, right?


    Just as Song Qingchun was deciding whether to retreat upstairs to find a ce to hide or not, she heard Su Zhinian say, "That won¡¯t be necessary. I have a dinner meeting to attend tonight."


    Then there was the sound of the shoe rack being opened and the loud p as a pair of slippers was ced on the floor. Song Qingchun leaned down the stairs just enough to see what was happening near the front door. Su Zhinian was helping his mother get a pair of slippers. He ced the shoes before her. Without waiting for her to put them on, he dragged a suitcase and walked into the living room.


    What is Su Zhinian doing dragging a suitcase around? Before the thought settled in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind, she heard Su Zhinian speak again. "Why did you suddenly think of visiting today?"


    "Xiao Lin came to buy something in town. I was worried about you since you just got out of the hospital, so I came over to see how you¡¯re holding up..." Auntie Su¡¯s slippers created sounds as she padded across the floor. "...Xiao Lin wille to pick me upter."


    So, Auntie Su is leaving soon? Song Qingchun sighed under her breath as she pulled her head back. Just as she was about to slink back into Su Zhinian¡¯s bedroom to wait for Auntie Su to leave, she heard the elder woman say, "...Ah Nian, to be honest, I came here because I need to talk to you about something."


    Even though it was with his own mother, Su Zhinian was still his reticent self. It sounded like he went into the dining room to grab two sses of water. He ced one on the table and took a sip out of the other one. He replied with a light "ok", prompting his mother to go on.


    I¡¯m already acting like a burr, having snuck into his house. Wouldn¡¯t it be too immoral to eavesdrop on their private conversation? Song Qingchun thought about it and continued to rush upstairs. However, the speed of sound was faster than how fast she could move.


    "...Ah Nian, I came to find you because I wish to talk..." Auntie Su stuttered over this conversation like she had a hard time getting it out of her. "...talk... talk about Qingchun..."


    Qingchun? When Song Qingchun heard her name, she stopped moving on reflex. Auntie Su wants to talk to Su Zhinian about me?


    ...


    Su Zhinian reacted more calmly than Song Qingchun. In fact, it seemed like he had been expecting this conversation.


    He finished the ss of water slowly and ced the ss on the table gracefully before turning up to look at Auntie Su and nodding slightly at her.

 Chapter 721 Overheard Conversation 26

    Su Zhinian¡¯s easy eptance made Auntie Su incredibly anxious. She gripped her hands tightly. After taking a deep breath, she asked, "Ah Nian, that person hiding in your memory, the girl you once told me you love, is your Uncle Song¡¯s daughter, Song Qingchun, correct?"


    ...


    Song Qingchun had thought about a hundred thousand possible topic Auntie Su might want to talk to Su Zhinian about, but she really did not expect that the first question out of Auntie Su¡¯s mouth would be the same exact question she wanted to ask Su Zhinian.


    Song Qingchun stopped breathing and focused fully on listening to Su Zhinian¡¯s answer. The silence stretched for a long time, and she was unable to hear Su Zhinian¡¯s voice.


    Just as Song Qingchun thought she might have imagined that question, Auntie Su continued. "Ah Nian... you don¡¯t need to hide it from me anymore. Actually, I¡¯ve found out everything. That day I asked for your phone, saying I needed to contact Xiao Lin, that was a lie; it was to get the phone number of the girl you love."


    Song Qingchun was reminded of the little incident with Auntie Su at the front of the hotel when the elder woman asked for her phone number.


    As if confirming her thought, Auntie Su continued. "...That night, when Qingchun escorted me back to the hotel, I asked for her phone number. I discovered her number is an exact copy of the phone number I took from your phone.


    "Ah Nian, did you fall in love with Qingchun that year when you moved into Uncle Song¡¯s house? You jumped off the building for Qingchun because you love her and wanted to use your own life to trade for hers, right?"


    The bungalow was eerily quiet. Other than the questions from Auntie Su, there were few other noises. The ticking of the grandfather clock in the living room became exceptionally loud.


    The tick-tock continued for who knew how long before Auntie Su continued the conversation. "Ah Nian, some time ago, when Secretary Cheng came to the hospital, I talked with her. I found out from her that you once wrote a resignation letter and booked a ne ticket to leave this country and swore to never return again. Am I right?"


    Su Zhinian, who had been silent throughout, finally uttered, "Yes."


    "But that n was foiled because of Qingchun¡¯s ident, right?"


    "Yes."


    Silence reigned once more. Auntie Su seemed to be struggling before she finally said, "Ah Nian..."


    When she called Su Zhinian¡¯s name this time, tears gently fell down her face. "...Ah Nian... I support your decision to leave this country."


    Auntie Su¡¯s voice wasced with the choking sound of tears. "...Leave China and go to France. Find a good girl there to settle down with. Don¡¯t worry about your mother, I¡¯ll take good care of myself. We can still talk on the phone, or we can try Skype. Leave, Ah Nian, leave as soon as possible."


    Why would Auntie Su turn around to ask Su Zhinian to leave after finding out he loves me?


    Song Qingchun was so befuddled by the whole conversation that she did not realize Su Zhinian had just admitted to loving her.


    Su Zhinian was silent for a very long time before announcing with finality, "Okay, I will go."

 Chapter 722 Overheard Conversation 27

    "I¡¯ll finish up everything at thepany as soon as possible, and I¡¯ll leave."


    Theck of resistance from Su Zhinian caused Auntie Su to cry earnestly. "Ah Nian, I¡¯m sorry, this is all my fault... But Ah Nian, I have to do this, just like how I had Qingchun leave the hospital the moment I realized you like her. You¡¯re my son, and while others might not understand you, I do. After Qingchun left, even though you ate your medicine and food on time, I could see that you were not happy. I¡¯m sad, too, but I really have no other choice.


    "Because you cannot be together with Qingchun, you cannot fall in love with Qingchun. You can love any girl in the world but your Uncle Song¡¯s daughter."


    Su Zhinian pulled out the tissue and passed it to his mother. He wanted to ask her to stop crying, but when the words reached his lips, they became something else. "I know..."


    Auntie Su epted the tissue and was about to use it to wipe away her tears when she heard the two words from her son. She was startled and raised her head to look at him with shock.


    Su Zhinian stared out the window, and his face was filled with a heavy fog of sadness. His longshes fluttered, and the words that came out of his mouth were light. It sounded like he was talking more to himself than to his mother. "...I know... I cannot be together with her... and that¡¯s why..."


    Su Zhinian suddenly stopped, and his hands that were ced on the elbow of the chair gripped tightly.


    That¡¯s why... six years ago, when he raped her, he did not take responsibility.


    That¡¯s why... six yearster, when she confessed to him, he had to cruelly reject her.


    That¡¯s why... after they ended up together in bed, he could only give her a box of morning after pills.


    That¡¯s why... when she gathered her courage to demand an exnation from him at hispany, he had to choose to hurt her cruelly.


    That¡¯s why... when he knew she had to leave after that night, he did not say anything and allowed her to leave.


    That¡¯s why... so many things happened the way they did.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s words stopped the tears in Auntie Su¡¯s eyes. Her pupils started to dart around with panic like she was afraid of something. With her shaking lips, she asked, "Ah Nian, you know?"


    "Yes." Su Zhinian nodded.


    His action was light, but in Auntie Su¡¯s eyes, it was like a bomb had exploded. Her hands shook, and even her words had started to tremble. "What do you know?"


    Su Zhinian lowered his gaze. "I know everything."


    "You know everything?" Auntie Su repeated that sentence to herself. Her eyes that looked at Su Zhinian were flustered. "Ah Nian, what do you mean by that? Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve always known that your Uncle Song is... is... is..."


    Auntie Su repeated the ¡¯is¡¯ many times, but she could not finish the sentence.


    Su Zhinian stretched his lips, and his eyes that looked out the window started to ze over. As if talking about somebody else¡¯s business, he used a tone that could not have been more unaffected to finish his mother¡¯s sentence.


    "...is my father?"

 Chapter 723 Overheard Conversation 28

    Auntie Su was shocked beyond words. When had her own son found out about this secret that she had kept inside her heart?


    She had so many questions, but she did not know how to even begin.


    Su Zhinian pulled his gaze back from the window, and it quietly settled on his mother¡¯s face. He looked at his mother¡¯s quivering lips, sighed quietly, and proceeded tofort her. "Don¡¯t worry, I will not tell anyone."


    Indeed, he would not. Since finding out about this secret six years ago, he had not breathed a word of it to anyone else. It was not that he looked down on his biological father, but he chose to respect his mother.


    Actually, six years ago, it was aplete ident that he had stumbled across this secret.


    At the time, he got drunk after Song Qingchun stood him up for Qin Yinan. After he returned home that night, he raped her, taking her virginity.


    When he woke up the next morning, he started to tear down the world to look for her. Even though he had superpowers, when a person was purposefully hiding from him, it could be really difficult to find her.


    He searched for her for three days and three nights. Even though he was tired and exhausted beyond belief, he knew he could not sleep. When he passed the hospital, he was reminded of his ailing mother. He decided to take a short break while he paid her a visit.


    Everything seemed to be written in the stars because when he exited the elevator, he heard the conversation between his mother and Song Menghwa.


    At the time, Song Qingchun¡¯s mother had just passed away not long ago. His mother was consoling Song Menghwa. He was not really paying attention to the details of their conversation, and he merely remembered his mother asking Song Menghwa at the end of their conversation, "You¡¯re not getting any younger. Have you considered re-marrying?"


    When he heard this, he really thought his mother had overstepped the boundary of decency with that question.


    However, Song Menghwa did not seem to mind it. He chuckled good-naturedly before saying, "What are you talking about? I promised Jiang Rou to only have her as mywfully-wedded wife in this life."


    When he reached his mother¡¯s sickroom, he could see the expression that froze on his mother¡¯s face when Song Menghwa said that sentence. However, his mother hid it well, quickly she smiled, and said, "You¡¯re still the same after so many years."


    When he knocked on the door and walked in, they changed their topic of conversation. After some time, his mother said that she was getting tired and asked Song Menghwa to return to his work.


    It was he who sent Song Menghwa away. When he returned to the room, his mother was already asleep. When he helped his mother with the cover, Su Zhinian realized she was actually still awake, reminiscing about the events from her youth.


    He knew his mother was a university friend of Song Menghwa, but he had no clue his mother actually liked Song Menghwa. However, Song Menghwa had his eyes on her roommate, Jiang Rou, Song Qingchun¡¯s biological mother.


    Even though Song Menghwa knew his mother first, and it was through his mother that he was introduced to Jiang Rou, and his mother did not think to intervene. His mother had always had a more easy-going personality. Since Song Menghwa preferred Jiang Rou, she did not say anything but chose to hide her love inside her heart.


    When they were fast approaching graduation, Song Menghwa and his mother attended a party organized by their mutual friends. They both had quite a bit to drink at the party.

 Chapter 724 Overheard Conversation 29

    His mother could not remember much about that day. When she gained consciousness next, Song Menghwa was already sleeping beside her. At the time, she had been the first to wake up. Her initial reaction was one of shock. She rolled out of bed, skipped even the convocation, and left the university without much notice.


    The next time his mother met Song Menghwa, it was twenty yearster.


    His mother, in her hurry to escape the university, did not im her graduation certificate. She wasted four years of university life. It was hard finding a job without a degree, so she ended up as a salesgirl in the mall.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s grandparents were very traditional in the sense that they believed the purpose of having a daughter was to get her to marry. Therefore, after his mother¡¯s graduation, they kept pushing her toward that direction. There was a person living in his mother¡¯s heart, but unable to resist her father¡¯s orders, she went on one date after another.


    There was a man who was about ten years older than her who showed interest in her. His family owned a factory, so he was fairly wealthy. He promised his grandfather a great sum as dowry, and after hearing the promised amount, his grandfather could not wait to marry his mother off.


    Before his mother could even say no, she realized that she was pregnant. The era his mother was living in was much more conservative than today¡¯s society. His mother, who got pregnant out of wedlock, was practically the shame of society.


    His grandparents lost face because of this and decided to send his mother away from the city and back to the countryside.


    He returned to the city when he was three years old. Initially, their n was not to return to his grandparent¡¯s ce. However, that was also the year when his grandparents decided to move. The government provided assisted living, but the size of the ce was decided by the size of the family. Therefore, Su Zhinian and his mother were ordered to move back in with the family.


    When he was used by everyone of being a monster when he was eight, his mother had stood with the rumors instead of with him. Truth be told, he did spend a period resenting his mother.


    However, at the end of the day, this was his mother, one of the few people who would treat him with sincerity and kindness without asking for any return. Furthermore, was there really anything that coulde between the bond between the mother and her son?


    Actually, even though his mother was a push-over, she still showed asional bursts of courage. For example, when she asked Song Menghwa if he had any intention of re-marrying. Even though he felt she was being very impolite, at the end of day, she was merely seeking another opportunity, right? Regardless, it was ultimately not meant to be. What she got in return was another devastation and a final conviction.


    His mother was also a kind person. She would rather suffer this secret on her own than ruin Song Menghwa¡¯s happy family. She did not want to hurt Song Menghwa¡¯s two children, to have them know that their father actually had a bastard son outside of the family.


    Therefore, when he read these thoughts from his mother¡¯s mind, the emotion he felt was tenderness to his mother.


    Bigger than his love for Song Qingchun was his responsibility and respect to his own mother. His birth was his mother¡¯s pain, but she had raised him without regret. He was his mother¡¯s source of joy and a secret that she was unwilling to tell anyone.


    Therefore, if his mother wanted to keep this secret then so would he. If his mother wished to continue her kindness, then so would he.


    Even if he had to stand before Song Menghwa for the rest of his life, knowing that he was his biological father, he would continue to refer to him as his ¡¯Uncle Song¡¯. That was the least he could do for his mother.


    ...


    "...is my father?"


    When these few words fell from Su Zhinian¡¯s lips in such an unaffected manner and drilled themselves into Song Qingchun¡¯s ears, she felt like lightning had struck her.


    Shock, surprise, disbelief, denial... At that moment, Song Qingchun felt like she was physically being shattered into pieces. Her world was falling apart around her.

 Chapter 725 Overheard Conversation 30

    The phrase "is my father?" floated around her mind, silencing every other thought. The question was so domineering that she had lost track of the rest of the conversation between Su Zhinian and Auntie Su.


    The reason she had gone there was to discover the secret in his heart. Before she came over, she had thought about plenty of possibilities. She had even considered themon trope of Su Zhinian hiding the fact that he was suffering from an incurable disease. She believed that if that was the case, she would be willing to fight it alongside him.


    But now?


    The real secret had not even crossed her mind. The truth was... she and Su Zhinian were siblings from different mothers.


    Yes, biological siblings... Oh God... I¡¯ve had sex with my biological brother... Song Qingchun felt the world go dark, and she almost copsed to the floor.


    No wonder after their drunken night together, he left her with a box of morning-after pills.


    No wonder, when she took care of him at the hospital and actively leaned forward to kiss him and seduce him, he resisted her so adamantly. She remembered him repeatedly telling her to stop at the start, but the girl had refused to stop and continued to seduce him in her clumsy ways, causing him to lose control.


    Now she realized, the one time that they shared when both of them were conscious was not a beautiful memory to treasure but an indelible mark of shame and sin. Song Qingchun shook her head violently, trying her best to shake these thoughts out of her mind. She tried to convince herself that this was merely a nightmare, but in the end, all she could do was stumble several steps back and slide down the wall.


    I... I¡¯ve fallen in love with my own brother... and have done the unspeakable with him.


    Tears escaped from the corners of her eyes and soon covered her whole face before falling one by one to the floor.


    ...


    After Su Zhinian sent Auntie Su away, he stood for a long time in the garden before turning back into the house. He nced at the suitcase that was left in a corner of the room.


    It was the same luggage he had used when he decided to leave Beijing. He had left the airport in person but had forgotten about his luggage, which had been mailed to France. In the end, it was the nepany that contacted him to im the luggage.


    He had thought about unpacking earlier, but now, he dashed that thought out of his mind because he had promised his mother that he would leave Beijing as soon as possible.


    Su Zhinian turned his head around to look at the sunset out the window. He appreciated the nature¡¯s beauty for a moment before pulling out his phone to call the airline.


    "Hello... Yes, please help me check the next avable flight from Beijing to Paris. There¡¯s a flight next Wednesday? National Flight, first ss seat avable? Good... For booking, the name is Su Zhinian..."


    Su Zhinian was about to continue when he heard a small sobbing sound by his ears. He instantly stopped talking, and his brows furrowed.


    "Hello? Sir?" The customer service attendant on the phone prompted politely since Su Zhinian did not finish his sentence. It was right then that Su Zhinian heard the sobbing again.


    It was soft and light, and it came from upstairs.


    Su Zhinian felt his heart crashed and turned subconsciously toward the stairs.

 Chapter 726 Qingchun, I Love You 1

    Su Zhinian, who had not been paying any attention to the movement in his house, gripped his phone silently for a moment before dashing toward the stairs like he had just noticed something.


    Running up the stairs, he turned the corner to see Song Qingchun, who was copsed on the second floor corridor. The girl¡¯s face was covered in tears. Her eyes were unfocused, her lips were white, and it appeared like she had just received the worst surprise in the world.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s footsteps gradually slowed. The phone in his hand was still connected. The customer service personnel could be heard urging, "Sir, hello, are you still there? Sir, do you still wish to book this flight? Sir?"


    Su Zhinian pulled back in his shock. He moved the phone away from his ear and ended the call without ncing at the screen. The whole bungalow was submerged into silence. Other than Song Qingchun¡¯s muffled cries, there was no other sound.


    The time ticked by little by little. The sun outside the window started to set. It was not until the moon rose and the lights of the neighbourhood came on that Su Zhinian moved his creaky limbs toward Song Qingchun.


    There were only nine steps left, but it took Su Zhinian five minutes to walk up them. He stood before Song Qingchun and looked down at her crying figure before slowly squatting down beside her.


    She has heard everything, right? She has to have. Why else would she be crying in such a state? All those years, all that effort to keep it a secret, the nightmare that I¡¯ve kept hidden from her, eventually, the cat¡¯s out of the bag...


    An indescribable anxiety and confusion swept through Su Zhinian¡¯s body. His eyes darted around nervously before he swallowed deeply and moved his lips. The words that came out of his mouth were surprisingly dry, and they soundedpletely unlike him. "Qingchun..."


    After saying her name, he already did not know how to continue.


    The girl heard his voice and cried even harder. He hesitated for a long time before he raised his finger to touch the tears on her face.


    He wanted to help her wipe away her tears, but he noticed how his touch made the girl flinch before she raised her eyes to look at him. The eyes that stared at him were filled with fear, confusion, shock, despair, and absurdity. Lastly, in the bottom of her eyes was a dim glow of hope. The girl suddenly reached out to grab his arms, looked into his eyes earnestly, and asked, "Su Zhinian, everything that I heard just now was a lie, right?"


    Su Zhinian¡¯s finger stopped in midair. He looked at her face that was filled with anticipation, and he felt like someone had just stabbed his heart repeatedly with a knife. It caused his whole body to be overwhelmed by pain.


    "Su Zhinian, just now, your mother was just joking with you right?" Song Qingchun repeated earnestly, her eyes shining with desperate hope. Su Zhinian averted his head in a hurry because he did not dare to look into her eyes.


    "Su Zhinian, you cannot be my father¡¯s son, right?


    "Su Zhinian?


    "Su Zhinian...?


    "Su Zhinian, are you really my father¡¯s son?"

 Chapter 727 Qingchun, I Love You 2

    Are you really my father¡¯s son?


    Su Zhinian understood how much distress the answer to this question would bring Song Qingchun because he had experienced the same thing six years ago. When he found out the truth, he hadughed, and he had cried; his world had spun to such a degree that he could not recognize it anymore.


    That was truly the lowest point of his life. The man with a serious obsession with cleanliness had kept himself drunk at a bar for seven days and seven nights. When he was out of money, he had been kicked out of the bar and spent the night under the sky over with a group of beggars.


    At the time, he had thought about ending his life. He had stood at the edge of a tall building as the wind ravaged his body. Watching the small ck dots down on the ground, he had thought about ending his misery with a simple jump.


    The saddest thing for Su Zhinian in this world was that whenever Song Qingchun came to him looking for constion in desperation and despair, he could only reject her with cruelty.


    It was that way when she confessed to him; it was that way when she waited for him at his door with the box of morning-after pills in her hands; it was that day when she came to confront him at ST Empire; now... with the truth out in the open, it was still that way. He could not even lie tofort her by saying that she had misheard everything. He knew that the words he was going to say were going to hurt her, but he could only clench his fists, nod slightly at her, slowly turn his head towards her, look into her eyes, and say, "Qingchun, I¡¯m sorry..."


    I¡¯m sorry.


    Just two simple words had shattered Song Qingchun¡¯s attempt at self-deception. The phone that Song Qingchun found from Su Zhinian¡¯s bedroom fell from her grasp andnded with a thud. Then, the girl slowly leaned towards the wall behind her. At that moment, she wished to both cry andugh.


    Who cane to tell me what is really happening?


    Even though she had heard the confirmation from his mouth, she still refused to believe, was unable to believe, this man standing before her¡ªthis man who was blessed by the heavens, this man who gave her much pleasure and pain, this man who she had fallen in love with was her older brother from a different mother!


    And she had not only had sex with her biological brother once but thrice. Once was when both of them were conscious, and it was she who had initiated it.


    The floodgates opened, and tears cascaded from Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes. However, her lips curved upwards to reveal two rows of perfectly white teeth. She started to giggle.


    She felt like she was going insane!


    When the phonended with a thud, Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes turned subconsciously towards it. When he saw the phone that he had kept hidden in his bedroom cupboard, his fingers trembled.


    That¡¯s why she snuck into the house? To find this phone? Then she should have known everything by now? She probably came to interrogate me with this phone, but before that happened, she overheard the conversation with me and Mom.


    As the thought settled in Su Zhinian¡¯s mind, Song Qingchun¡¯s awkwardugh drifted into his ears. He turned his head up to see the girlughing while tears continued to pour down her face.


    This Song Qingchun, at the brink of insanity, made Su Zhinian even more worried than when he found a desperate Song Qingchun at the top of the stairs.


    He reached out unconsciously to grab her shoulders. "Qingchun..."


    Before he could say anything, the girl reacted like she had been shocked by electricity. She pushed up to shove him away.

 Chapter 728 Qingchun, I Love You 3

    He was caught off-guard by her reaction. He was unbnced, and his back knocked into the bannister. It caused his injury that was still healing to twitch with pain. The next second, Song Qingchun jumped up from the floor like she had been shot with adrenaline, dashed past him, and down the stairs without even taking a look at him.


    Su Zhinian wanted to chase after her, but the pain had incapacitated his body. He could only lie there as he listened to her quick retreating steps, and the door mmed. She left in such a hurry, without hesitation.


    She must have felt incredibly dirty, sinful, and uneptable when she realized that she loved him after hearing that she was his biological sister.


    A heavily sense of listlessness seeped from every cell within his body. He leaned against the wall in a gesture of defeat, staring up at the ceiling above him.


    Everything that he had tried so hard to conceal for so many years still fell apart.


    If he had known this was going to happen when she came to him for help with Song Empire... he should have been more adamant in his rejection.


    If he had known this was going to happen even after he aided her salvage Song Empire... he should have stayed far away from her.


    At the very beginning, when they first met, he should not have been so nice to her. When he found out about the truth so many years ago, he really did try to make himself forget her, to make himself stop loving her.


    But...


    She was the sole light in his life when he was a mere child. When everyone abandoned him, she was there to support him without asking why.


    He had looked for her for ten years, the motto of his life was, ¡¯I¡¯ve expended three lifetimes to find you, and now I will use another to make you my wife.¡¯ When he still had not known anything, love had already rooted in his heart. At the time, even though she did not even hold him in her eyes, he had silently promised his whole life to her.


    When he realized she was his biological sister, he had tried to stay away, but certain rtionships would only deepen with distance. He knew it was dirty, sinful, and shameful, but he could not stop himself from crazily and stubbornly loving her.


    He really did not want to drag her into hell with him. Just like that night at the hospital, he knew it was wrong¡ªhe tried his best to stop her from doing the biggest mistake of her life¡ªbut while she was his biological sister, she was also the love of his life. He could never resist her beauty, her seduction. He had thought that would be theirst encounter, and he had so dumbly believed that no one would find out about the truth. He was willing to end up in hell alone; after all, he had stayed there for such a long time already, and he did not mind falling deeper into the abyss of hell. He even thought about ignoring the judgment of the society to be together with her... but... so many things had happened, and he could not even be sure how things had managed to evolve to this stage.


    Su Zhinian slowly closed his eyes to rest his brain that was getting tired from the issues swirling in it. His brows burrowed and rxed continuously. A haze of despair and sadness oozed from his body, forming a suffocating bubble around him.


    ...


    After Song Qingchun raced out of Su Zhinian¡¯s house, she did not return home or to thepany. She switched off her phone andpletely went off the radar.

 Chapter 729 Qingchun, I Love You 4

    Song Qingchun was a grown woman, so Song Menghwa was not particrly worried when she did not return home that night. It was after the second day of her disappearance and a phone-call from TW Station informing him that Song Qingchun had missed work for two days already that he started to worry.


    Song Menghwa first gave Qin Yinan a call. Qin Yinan also had not heard from Song Qingchun. In fact, he had been trying to reach her as well. Everyone who knew Song Qingchun volunteered to look for the missing woman, but no one could find her.


    Su Zhinian was the only exception. He managed to locate her on the second day of her disappearance. Song Qingchun did not leave Beijing but hid herself in a holiday vi in the countryside. She booked a vi for herself, and the vi was next to ake. The view outside the window was glorious.


    When she rented the ce, it was the blossoming season for Red Berry trees, which surrounded theke. Many visitors came for the natural wonder, but ever since Song Qingchun signed in to the vi, she had not left.


    She locked herself up inside. All the windows in the vi were closed, and the curtains were pulled. Be it morning or night, the ce was steeped in total darkness. Su Zhinian called the vi¡¯s restaurant every day during the three normal meal times to get them to send food to her ce, but no matter how hard the waiter banged on the door, there was no answer from within.


    The vi was mostly quiet. If not for the fact that Su Zhinian had seen Song Qingchun enter the ce personally, he would have believed the ce was empty. Song Qingchun locked herself in the building, unwilling to eat and drink, and Su Zhinian apanied her in her fast.


    These two people caused the vi¡¯s manager heightened worry. He was afraid that something might happen to them if they continued to fast. Just as the manager decided to have someone break down the door to Song Qingchun¡¯s vi to ask her to leave, Song Qingchun suddenly pulled the door open.


    Su Zhinian, who waited outside the door, slowly turned his head around when he heard the door open.


    Compared to her, he was in a messier state. His clothes were unkempt, his hair was all over the ce, his eyes were bloodshot fromck of sleep, and his beard was growing wildly since he had not shaved for three days.


    She was wearing a simple light blue dress, dark leggings, and long boots. Her long hair fluttered in the wind. Other than her face, which looked slightly emaciated from theck of food, she looked perfectly fine.


    Song Qingchun knew that Su Zhinian was looking at her, but she did not bother to even nce his direction. She called the waiter over calmly and ordered a bunch of dishes.


    About half an hourter, the dishes Song Qingchun ordered were sent into the vi.


    She asked for the waiter¡¯s help to pull open the curtains in the dining room. She sat at the head of the two-meter-long dining table that was filled with food and started wolfing it down.


    The girl eventually had her fill and burped loudly, massaged her stomach with satisfaction, kicked the chair back, stood up, and went back to the bed to sleep.


    When Song Qingchun woke up next, it was alreadyte afternoon. Simr to before, she ordered a tableful of food, and even though it was unclear whether she was really hungry or not, she continued to shove the food down her throat. When she reached her limits, she returned to the bedroom to sleep.


    Song Qingchun continued this glutinous lifestyle for three whole days, and on the fourth day, she walked out of the vi and took a stroll around the Red Berry trees.

 Chapter 730 Qingchun, I Love You 5

    After Song Qingchun deemed it permissible to leave the vi, she would walk around the ce for a long time. Su Zhinian would be beside her like her shadow, but she acted like he did not even exist. She did not acknowledge him with a nce, much less a word.


    Initially, when Song Qingchun left the vi, she was wearing not enoughyers or her heels would slip on the pebbled road, he would give her his jacket or reach out to hold her. However, whenever that happened, Song Qingchun would change into a different person. She peeled the jacket off her, threw it to the ground, and angrily flung his arm away before turning back to the vi.


    Su Zhinian knew that Song Qingchun did not want to see him, so whenever she felt likeing out, he would evade her so that he would not appear in her sight. However, the holiday vi was only so big, and they had to run into each other at some point.


    That day it was snowing heavily, and a few children of the vi residents were out ying in the snow. Song Qingchun, who was at least ten years older than them, joined the children and started to y alongside them. When their snowman was half built, they abandoned the project to start a snowball fight. Song Qingchun, who had not smiled for all these days, started tough sincerely when she yed with the children.


    Through the silveryughter of children, Su Zhinian, who stood hidden in the corner, could hear the earnestughs that erupted from Song Qingchun¡¯s throat.


    The children eventually ganged up on Song Qingchun. She tried to run away to escape their assault. The snow was so heavy that she could not really see where she was going. In fact, she was running toward his direction while she kept on turning to make faces at those children.


    All his attention was locked onto the Song Qingchun, who seemed to have resurrected, so when she knocked into him, he waspletely caught by surprise. They slipped from the snow and crashnded onto the floor.


    He was lying on the snow, and she was copsed on top of him.


    While she was lying on the floor, she was stillughing. However, when she raised her head and met his eyes, theughter caught in her throat, and the smile on her face froze. He held her waist and asked with concern, "Are you hurt?"


    When she heard his voice, the joy immediately drained from her face. She pulled her gaze away from him, and as she was about to get up from him, the group of children caught up to her. They pelted the soft snowballs at her. In their joyful rush, the children really did not pay much attention to where they were aiming. When some of the bigger snowballs came flying at Song Qingchun¡¯s face, Su Zhinian unconsciously reached out to block them.


    His act of concern seemed to provoke her. The girl bounced off his body immediately as she rolled to his side. Then she stood up on her own and red rather angrily at the man who was lying on the snowy ground. She pped the snow off her clothes and rushed toward the vi.


    The group of children were confused by her sudden departure. They all ran toward her, shouting "Big Sister" along the way.


    The rowdy snowy yground suddenly became so quiet with Su Zhinian stranded there alone.


    Hey there in the snow for a long time before he stood up. He walked toward her vi out of habit, and when he arrived, he saw the waiter carrying many bottles of wine into it.

 Chapter 731 Qingchun, I Love You 6

    If this was before, Su Zhinian definitely would have stopped Song Qingchun from drinking, but this time, he didn¡¯t.


    He leaned against the door to Song Qingchun¡¯s vi quietly, watching the flurry of snow falling before him while from behind him came the glugging sound of Song Qingchun downing the alcohol like water.


    Her tolerance for alcohol was still as bad as he remembered. After she was drunk, she started to call the front desk to send more wine.


    Su Zhinian allowed the waiter to do this once before stopping him from then on.


    Inside, Song Qingchun was alreadypletely drunk. She mumbled many things to herself; he could even hear her cursing him. The alcohol slurred her words, so he couldn¡¯t really understand what she was saying. However, she seemed to hit the sweet spot right after because she startedughing, stood up, and began dancing all over the room.


    Song Qingchun continued making a ruckus until she finally calmed down around midnight. Su Zhinian waited until her breathing stabilized before he returned to his own vi to rest.


    The weather was nice the next day. The sun showered the vis with its generous ray, making the red of the Red Berry trees pop amid the white of the snow. The contrast gave the ce a dreamy look.


    Su Zhinian woke up punctually at 8 am. After he had his breakfast, he made his way to Song Qingchun¡¯s vi like usual. The girl still had not woken up from her drunken sleep. He leaned against the wall, staring at the group of children chasing each other in the snow while he waited for her to wake up.


    There was finally motion in the vi when it was 10 am. Song Qingchun had finally woken up. She groaned in pain due to the serious hang-over. Shey in bed for about fifteen minutes before dragging her exhausted body to the bathroom.


    The sound of water persisted for fifteen minutes before it stopped. Then, there were sounds of bottles being opened and closed. Su Zhinian, who spent a hundred days living her before, knew this was her going through her skin care ritual.


    After the ruffling sound of Song Qingchun putting on her clothes, the vi became eerily quiet. Su Zhinian raised his wrist to look at the time. It was 11:15 am. Following her past habit, it was about time for Song Qingchun to call the restaurant for food.


    However, he stayed there until 11.45 am, and there was still no sounding from within. Just as Su Zhinian thought the girl had fallen back to sleep, he could hear the sound of her footsteps walking downstairs.


    The pping sound of slippers moved closed to the door. As per his habit, Su Zhinian straightened himself and went to the other side of the wall to hide.


    The door was pulled open. Song Qingchun did not walk down the steps but turned her head to look down the direction Su Zhinian was standing. She stood for a long time at the door. In the end, she did not close it but left it open as she walked toward Su Zhinian.


    Suffering from a hangover, she had a pale face. The recently dried hair was hanging freely from her face, and as the wind gathered, it flew all over the ce. She stared at him quietly for a moment before lowering her eyes and asked softly, "Can we talk?¡¯


    "Okay." Su Zhinian nodded. He looked at the snowyndscape around them and the girl without her jacket, and he suggested, "It¡¯s cold outside, shall we talk inside?"


    Song Qingchun nodded silently before turning to walk back into her vi. She did not close the door, and Su Zhinian understood this was because she wanted him to follow her.


    When Su Zhinian entered the ce, Song Qingchun was already sitting on the sofa. She was probably still suffering from a headache because she was busy massaging her temples.

 Chapter 732 Qingchun, I Love You 7

    Su Zhinian did not hurry to sit down but walked into the dining room to pour a ss of warm water for Song Qingchun. When Su Zhinian ced the ss down on the table before Song Qingchun, it created a clear ringing sound. This caused Song Qingchun¡¯s fingers that were massaging her temples to stop. Two secondster, she sat up straight and peeled her eyes open.


    Su Zhinian sat down across from her. Despite the signs of lethargy on his face, he looked as gracious and handsome as usual. It had been ten days since Song Qingchun found out about the truth.


    Even though ten days was not a lot, it was not short either. Furthermore, time had miraculous powers when it came to healing; it was perhaps enough for one toe to terms with an impossible truth.


    The girl was far calmer than the Song Qingchun that Su Zhinian had found in his bungalow ten days ago. She did not waste time on pleasantries and cut to the point directly, "Do you have any proof regarding the statement you¡¯re my father¡¯s son?"


    "I do," Su Zhinian answered readily.


    "Can I see it?" Song Qingchun demanded.


    Su Zhinian stared at the rows of Red Berry trees outside the window before nodding and answering, "Yes."


    He stood up and said, "Wait for a moment."


    Song Qingchun nodded.


    Su Zhinian left her vi. Of course, Su Zhinian was not crazy enough to carry the document on him at all times, but he had packed the document in his luggage when he nned to move to France. Therefore, it just happened that he had the evidence she needed.


    Su Zhinian pulled open one of thepartments of his suitcase and fished out a brown envelope. Then, he returned to Song Qingchun¡¯s vi. He sat down in his chair and raised his eyes to see Song Qingchun, who seemed to have lost her attention, looking out the window. He ced the document on the table and used his fingertip to slowly push the documents toward her.


    Ten seconds after Su Zhinian retracted his hand, Song Qingchun finally pulled her gaze back from the window. She lowered her eyes to look at the brown envelope. She swallowed deeply as if to galvanize herself before leaning forward to pick the envelope up. Her fingers were surprisingly still when they worked around the threat that bound the envelope.


    Song Qingchun opened the envelope, and a thick stack of paper fell out. On the cover was the words ¡¯DNA Paternity Test Result¡¯. The names of the participants were Su Zhinian and Song Menghwa.


    Song Qingchun still remembered something about the DNA recognition process that she had learned in high school. Siblings of different sex from different paternal or maternal line could not have a DNA confirmation; that is only possible for siblings of the same sex. Therefore, if the siblings wanted to confirm their hereditary rtionship, they had to go through theirmon parent, either the father or the mother.


    In other words, for them to know whether Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian were biologically brother and sister, they had to go through their shared parent, which would be Song Menghwa.


    She was Song Menghwa¡¯s biological daughter¡ªthat was a fact set in stone. Therefore, if Su Zhinian and Song Menghwa had biological rtionship, it was a confirmed fact that they were real brother and sister.


    The report¡¯s content was long, and it was interspersed with plenty of specialized terms that caused Song Qingchun to haveprehension issues. However, she still read through it, word by word, sentence by sentence.


    The room was quiet except for the sound of her flipping through the pages.

 Chapter 733 Qingchun, I Love You 8

    Song Qingchun read the report for half an hour before she reached the conclusion¡ªbiological father and son.


    Actually, she had known that truth about ten days ago. However, with the undeniable scientific evidence ced before her, Song Qingchun thought, I cannot continue to lie to myself. I¡¯ve tried so hard to run, to escape, to evade seeing the truth, but I know it is not possible; I need to face it head-on.


    Ever since Song Qingchun picked up the report document, Su Zhinian had been wrought with worry and anxiety. Even though he had known and epted the truth so many years ago, whenever he identally brushed his hand with the envelope, his heart would still twist with pain.


    Song Qingchun had finished reading the report, but she still stared at the document, giving no response. Thisck of reaction made Su Zhinian sweat in his seat. After some hesitation, he said, "Qingchun..."


    When she heard his voice, her eyshes flickered for a moment. She arranged the document neatly and ced it back into the envelope. She resealed the envelope with the string and slowly pushed it back to Su Zhinian.


    This natural and smooth eptance by Song Qingchun worried Su Zhinian to his core. To his surprise, Song Qingchun spoke over him in a calm tone. "Su Zhinian, I want to discuss something with you."


    Su Zhinian was shocked by her serenity. He stared at her eyes, and after confirming she was not acting out, he nodded and said, "Go on."


    Song Qingchun averted her head. Certain words, even before they left the mouth, caused a great pain in the heart. The demand that was on her lips, the moment he epted it, there would an irreconcble barrier between them for the rest of their lives.


    Song Qingchun took a deep breath, ced both of her palms on her knees, stared at Su Zhinian, and said seriously, "Su Zhinian, I need you to reconcile with your biological father."


    Su Zhinian held Song Qingchun¡¯s gaze. The gaze felt heavy. His lips moved, but he did not say anything.


    "Su Zhinian, I need you to reconcile with your biological father," Song Qingchun repeated as if she was worried that Su Zhinian did not hear her. "Our..."


    Song Qingchun only said one word before she paused. She was going to say ¡¯our father¡¯, but who knew better than the man and the woman how much those two words were going to hurt them?


    Song Qingchun closed her eyes to sigh. She could not bring herself to say it. "Father doesn¡¯t have much time left. Song Cheng¡¯s death has caused such trauma to him. If he knows that he still has a son other there, he will be overjoyed. Furthermore, he has the right to know, just like you have the right to know he¡¯s your biological father. The two of you shouldn¡¯t spend the rest of your lives not knowing..."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s lips were sealed. He did not say anything with regards to Song Qingchun¡¯s suggestion. He was silent for a long time as if to think before giving her a final answer. "I need to discuss this with my mother first."


    Song Qingchun forced out an answer through her throat that was tightening. "Okay."


    The vi becamepletely silent again. After some time, Song Qingchun spoke again. "Su Zhinian, I have another request..."


    Su Zhinian nodded wordlessly.


    "Su Zhinian, let¡¯s go on a date."

 Chapter 734 Qingchun, I Love You 9

    Su Zhinian sat across from herpletely immobile as he stared at her like he was stunned by her sudden suggestion. Song Qingchun blinked several times, smiled thinly at Su Zhinian, and repeated in a clearer and slower tone, "Su Zhinian, let¡¯s go on a date."


    This request from Song Qingchun¡¯s lips sounded like a confession, or at least, she treated it with the sincerity of one. Su Zhinian had a hard time telling what was on her mind. He continued to stare at her before nodding, and five secondster, he said, "Okay."


    After a pause, Su Zhinian asked, "When?"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s expression softened with a smile following Su Zhinian¡¯s promise. She titled her head to look at the sun shining outside the window. She answered without hesitation, "How about now?"


    After some thought, Song Qingchun added, "Is that okay?"


    Su Zhinian nodded and agreed almost instantly. "Of course."


    ...


    Qin Yinan identally heard from the wife of his colleagues that Song Qingchun was at the vi situated at the northern part of town. The next day, he skipped work, woke up early in the morning, and rushed over.


    Qin Yinan parked his car in the parking lot, and before he even closed the ignition, he saw Song Qingchun walking out of the main entrance with her arm intertwined in Su Zhinian¡¯s arm through the windshield. Behind them was a bellboy. There were two suitcases sitting on top of the stroller that he was pushing.


    Su Zhinian was wearing a dark winter coat. The man was as elegant and graceful as usual. Song Qingchun would asionally tip her head back to talk and chat with him. He would also asionally nod and talk in response.


    When they reached Su Zhinian¡¯s car, Song Qingchun released her arm from Su Zhinian¡¯s grasp. She stood beside the trunk and continued talking while Su Zhinian pulled open the trunk and, with the bellboy¡¯s help, put the suitcases into it.


    After the bellboy left, Su Zhinian walked to the passenger side to help Song Qingchun with the door. Song Qingchun leaned down and crawled into the car. Su Zhinian leaned his upper body into the car to help Song Qingchun with the seatbelt before he closed the door, walked around the car, and got in.


    Su Zhinian started the engine. When his hand on the wheel, the car slowly drove past the front of Qin Yinan¡¯s car.


    No wonder we couldn¡¯t find Song Song for the past few days... she was with Su Zhinian.


    From the way her arm hung from Su Zhinian¡¯s arm, they must have buried the hatchet already, right?


    Of course, that is to be expected. After all, Su Zhinian practically gave up his life to save Song Song. No matter the misunderstanding between them, it should have dispersed by now...


    Actually, after the both of them fell off the building and she mentioned to him the possibility of dying the wedding, Qin Yinan knew in his heart that the marriage was over. Everything was moving along the script that he had predicted, but when the truth was ced before him, Qin Yinan realized that the degree of heartache did not decrease simply because he had anticipated it.


    Once upon a time, he had been the main character of her life, and he had all the advantages in the world, but with just a missed opportunity, he had dropped from the main character to be the side character.

 Chapter 735 Qingchun, I Love You 10

    Sometimes, one missed opportunity could mean a missed connection for life.


    ...


    Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun did not leave the countryside but took the highway to the airport. Two hourster, they got on a ne heading toward Harbin. The flight was three hours long. When itnded, it was alreadyte night. Thankfully, Su Zhinian had booked the ride before they got on the flight. When they exited the airport, the ride to the hotel was waiting.


    Su Zhinian booked a luxurious suite. There were two bedrooms, one for himself and another for Song Qingchun.


    After depositing their luggage, Su Zhinian brought Song Qingchun to dinner. When they returned, they had a bath separately and went down to rest.


    At 7 am the next morning, both Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian woke up as if their biological clocks were linked. They had breakfast at the hotel before wandering into the snowy ind.


    They were at the central street at around 3 pm. There were many couples on the road sharing a popsicle, holding hands. When they passed a 7-Eleven, Su Zhinian stopped to buy each of them a popsicle.


    During sunset, Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian went to the Sophia Square to visit the church that was dubbed the most beautiful church in China. There, they released a white pigeon. At night, they went to the Ice and Snow World. Song Qingchun was in awe at the beauty of the ice castle.


    When they reached the hotel, it was already 11 pm. The whole day of ying drained Song Qingchun. She had afortable warm bath and retired to bed.


    The morning of the third day, Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian left Harbin to visit the Lovers¡¯ Valley at Huang San. They did not use the cable car but trekked the mountain on foot. Along the way, they even met a senior couple.


    On the fifth day, Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian flew to Yun Nan to visit the Butterfly Spring. When they returned from the Butterfly Spring, they flew to Li Jiang. They visited the small shops at Li Jiang, and Su Zhinian gifted Song Qingchun a silver bangle.


    Since the visit to Li Jiang was spontaneous, they did not book the hotel beforehand. There was only one room left, and Song Qingchun had to share it with Su Zhinian.


    The hotel room was made using wood, and the sound instion was not that good. The small town that was known for its sexcapades was filled with ambiguous sounds throughout the night. However, in Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian¡¯s room, silence reigned, and they slept peacefully.


    Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian stayed in Li Jiang for only one night before they flew to Zhu Hai. Zhu Hai was a famed holiday spot, but due to the time restriction of Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian¡¯s trip, they only visited Lovers¡¯ Road.


    The road that was built by the sea was long. They arrived at the ce in the afternoon, but they had not walked the whole stretch even when the sun fell.


    The ne-hopping journey had exhausted Song Qingchun. Thest stretch of the road had Su Zhinian carrying Song Qingchun on his back.


    Su Zhinian walked very slowly. Song Qingchun leaned on his back, smelling the salt in the wind, chatting non-stop with him.


    When they passed a particr shop, Song Qingchun suddenly sighed with regret. "This ce is highly rmended on the inte. I hear they make such delicious cakes. Unfortunately, they¡¯re not open today."

 Chapter 736 Qingchun, I Love You 11

    Su Zhinian had carried Song Qingchun for quite a long stretch of road already, but the breaths that left his lips were even. "No worry, this won¡¯t be thest time we¡¯re here. We¡¯ll reserve it for next time."


    The smile on Song Qingchun, who was lying on Su Zhinian¡¯s back, suddenly froze. Next time? Yes, there are plenty of chances toe to Zhu Hai in the future, but as a date with you? This is probably the first andst time...


    Song Qingchun felt her throat closing up. She lowered her head to hide the tears in her eyes. She answered with a light grunt, trying to keep the situation as light as possible.


    Su Zhinian, who carried her on his back, could read her thoughts clearly. His stable gait slipped inconspicuously before he carried on walking. However, the talkative Song Qingchun became incredibly silent after that. She leaned on Su Zhinian¡¯s back with her eyes closed, thinking about the matters of her heart.


    Even though Su Zhinian was carrying Song Qingchun, his natural brilliance and aura did not decrease. His inhumane good looks and the pretty girl on his back attracted the attention of many people. There were even a few youngdies who picked up their phones to snap their picture, their hearts sighing with envy for Song Qingchun.


    "The girl is so lucky to have someone carry her all along the Lovers¡¯ Road..."


    "You¡¯re right, and the man is so handsome as well!"


    ...


    Thesements floated into Song Qingchun¡¯s ears, and it caused her eyes to prickle with tears. Indeed, she and Su Zhinian had looked like a perfect couple for the past few days.


    They had done almost everything a couple would normally do. They went for a movie together, shared a tub of ice-cream, sat side-by-side on public transportation... he even bought her flowers when they passed people selling flowers on the street.


    He was a qualified boyfriend... no, a perfect boyfriend... a wless boyfriend.


    When the bus became too crowded, he used his body to shield her; when she injured her legs on the treacherous mountain roads of the Lovers¡¯ Valley, he squatted down in front of her to help her dress the injury; on the ne, when the air-conditioning was too cold, he helped her with the nket after she had fallen asleep...


    How could she not feel content and happy from such treatment?


    However, the happier she felt, the deeper the pain in her heart. Just like this very moment, they looked picture perfect on the surface, but behind that picturey a heavy sadness.


    ...


    Song Qingchun eventually fell asleep while being carried by Su Zhinian. When she woke up, Su Zhinian had finished walking the stretch of Lovers¡¯ Road.


    It was 9 pm. Song Qingchun¡¯s stomach was rumbling since they had walked for so long already.


    Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian found a random restaurant to fill their stomachs. Later that night, they rushed to the airport and took thest flight of the day to visit thest destination of their country-wide date, Hai Nan.


    Su Zhinian had a seaside vi near San Ya. After it finished buildingst year, it had been left empty. Song Qingchun was lucky enough to be its first visitor.

 Chapter 737 Qingchun, I Love You 12

    The d¨¦cor of the ce was minimalistic but elegant. The window opened to the sea. In front of the house, there was a swimming pool, two sunshades by the poolside, and underneath them were leather recliners.


    Song Qingchun was exhausted and didn¡¯t have the energy left to look around the vi. After Su Zhinian pointed out her bedroom, she bade him good night before dragging her luggage toward it.


    When Song Qingchun woke up the next morning, it was already noon. The weather that day was perfect. The sea was a glittering blue while the sun shone brilliantly. Song Qingchun stretchedzily standing before the window in her room before she brushed her teeth and walked downstairs.


    Su Zhinian was already awake. He was sitting on the living room sofa, talking on the phone. When he saw her, he pointed at the dining room, telling her wordlessly to go have breakfast first.


    Song Qingchun did not have much of an appetite when she just woke up. After she took a few bites, she walked around the vi on her own since Su Zhinian was still on the phone. She did not want to disturb him. When she returned to the living room, Su Zhinian was still on his phone. Song Qingchun sat on the sofa and naturallyy down to lean her head on Su Zhinian¡¯s legs. Then she reached out to grab the grapes on the table to eat.


    While Su Zhinian answered the phone with one hand, his other hand was ced on her head. He would y with her hair and asionally look down at her.


    Just as Su Zhinian nced at Song Qingchun for the thirteenth time, her hand that was sending another grape into her mouth stopped. She removed the grape from her mouth and extended her arm to put it to Su Zhinian¡¯s lips.


    Su Zhinian nced at the fruit at the tip of her fingertips. He then opened his mouth, bit the grape away, and started chewing. Then, Song Qingchun repeated this motion again and again, feeding him one grape after another.


    The sun was shiningzily, and the sea was calm. Other than his voice, the ce was peaceful and quiet.


    Song Qingchun, who was chewing on the grape, suddenly felt her rxed feelings turn sour. Even the extra-sweet grape made her grimace from perceived sourness.


    This had happened quite frequently for the past few days. Just as the atmosphere between them perfectly mirrored a happy couple, a wave of indescribable sadness and pain would sweep them over.


    Although she could normally suppress it, perhaps because this was theirst day today, when the sadness struck, Song Qingchun found it difficult to stay still. She shoved the grape in her hand quickly into Su Zhinian¡¯s lips before jumping up from his legs, standing up, and running to the bathroom.


    Su Zhinian hung up not long after that. He sat on the sofa quietly. His hands were swimming over the spot she had just vacated as if reminiscing a wonderful memory using his sense of touch.


    Song Qingchun exited the bathroom about ten minutester. Su Zhinian turned around and could no longer see any trace of disappointment and sadness on her. As she smoothed down her hair, she pointed at the wonderful weather outside and suggested, "How about a walk?"


    ...


    For dinner, Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian had an open barbeque by the beach.

 Chapter 738 Qingchun, I Love You 13

    Sitting on the table next to Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian was a couple of their age. From the snippets of their conversation, Song Qingchun found out they had been a couple for six years. This was their tenth visit to Hai Nan, and it was to have their wedding pictures taken. They were nning to get married on 14th March, the white Valentine.


    They looked to be perfectly in love. The man held an iPad to talk about the future they had imagined for themselves when they were university sweethearts. "We will get a house; it doesn¡¯t need to be too big as long as it can shield us from the rain and wind."


    The woman sitting across from the man nodded with a smile, adding, "We aplished thatst month, so we can cross that off the list."


    The man listened to the woman¡¯s order and tapped several times on the iPad. Then he continued, "We will get a car; it doesn¡¯t need to be too expensive as long as it can take us to ces."


    "We aplished thatst year, so we can also take that off the list..."


    The man continued to read, and most of the things they had imagined for their future had been aplished. Only a few of them remained.


    "Get a pet Labrador."


    "Have a baby."


    "Travel around the world."


    ...


    The future they had imagined for themselves was simple andmon; it was the dream for most couples in the world. However, these simple dreams that could be aplished by anyone with enough hard work were, for Song Qingchun, an impossible goal.


    Actually, Song Qingchun really did not intend to eavesdrop on the couple. She really wanted to enjoy thiste moment of the date with Su Zhinian happily and joyously, but the volume of the couple was a bit high. In the end, her words with Su Zhinian in conversation started to quiver, and the smile that she forced upwards started to dete.


    Su Zhinian sighed deeply under his breath as he reached out to grab her hand. He stood up, pulling her up with him. He waved the waiter over to pay the bill and brought her away from the restaurant.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s vi was at the north side of the restaurant but he pointed the south side and asked, "How about a walk?"


    Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun had already strolled along the beach that afternoon, but when she heard his suggestion, she still nodded with a smile and agreed easily. "Sure."


    Su Zhinian gripped her hand tightly and pulled her along as they walked along the sea. Every ten meters, Song Qingchun could see couples sitting on the beach or hugging each other or kissing.


    This romantic atmosphere caused even the sea breeze to carry a hint of sweetness.


    Perhaps influenced by the environment, Song Qingchun leaned closer toward Su Zhinian¡¯s arm. Both of them walked slowly on the beach. Suddenly, the conservation Song Qingchun overheard from the couple at the barbeque restaurant drifted into her mind. She knew she was building sand castles in the air, but she still turned toward Su Zhinian to ask, "Su Zhinian, if one day we get married, where shall we take our wedding pictures?"


    Su Zhinian¡¯s hand that held Song Qingchun trembled slightly. Through reading her mind, he knew she was day-dreaming, so he yed along. "Where do you want to go? Rome? Paris? Aegean Sea?"

 Chapter 739 Qingchun, I Love You 14

    Su Zhinian stopped for a pause, and he was reminded of the fact it had been a recent trend to go to the North Pole to take wedding pictures, so he suggested, "Or the North Pole?"


    Song Qingchun turned around to look at him, and even her eyes were smiling. "We can go anywhere?"


    "Of course, anywhere you want," Su Zhinian answered without hesitation. He continued to help Song Qingchun fulfil her dream, or maybe it was him living the dream through her; it was impossible to tell anymore, "...And our wedding can be held at church in Ennd. Didn¡¯t you say, you like a Korean celebrity? We can hire him to officiate the wedding..."


    "That sounds wonderful," Song Qingchun eximed excitedly, but her eyes started to tear up. "And the wedding has to have many fresh flowers but not too many red roses; I¡¯m impartial to those. I want to wear both a white dress and the phoenix robe... Hmm, do you think I¡¯m being a bit too greedy?"


    "Of course not, if you like it, we can have two weddings, one traditional and another western."


    "The wedding vehicle has to be all Maserati because I like the name; I don¡¯t like Lamborghini."


    "Of course, as long as you like it, the wedding can be any shape or form that you want..."


    "After the wedding, we will go on our honeymoon. I want to go visit the Maldives, Korea, Germany, go shopping in France, and see thevender fields at Florence." A silent tear fell down Song Qingchun¡¯s cheek when she said that.


    "And after the honeymoon, we will both go to work in the morning, but on Friday nights, we can go to the movies. If you¡¯re too tired and don¡¯t feel like going out, it¡¯s okay as well. We can stay at home and even consider changing one of the rooms into a home cinema.


    "If you¡¯re free on the weekend, we can go hiking in the mountains or go enjoy the springs.


    "During the holiday, we can even go on a car trip.


    "Then, we should prepare for a pregnancy. We¡¯ll have a cute little baby..." Song Qingchun started to choke on her words, but she forced herself to smile. "...Su Zhinian, would you prefer boy or girl?"


    "As long as it¡¯s our baby, whether it¡¯s a boy or a girl, I will love him or her regardless..." Su Zhinian tried to keep the pain from entering his voice. "...If it¡¯s a girl, I will protect both you and her. If it¡¯s a boy, we will protect you together..."


    "But I feel it¡¯s better if we have one boy and one girl. The boy can be the bigger brother to protect his little sister..." Perhaps this was something that could not be achieved, but Song Qingchun did not mind speaking her mind. She had started crying in earnest, but she still forced herself to finish her sentence. "...By the way, I just got an inspiration for a pet name. It can be what we call our first child¡ªLittle Sesame. What do you think?"


    Su Zhinian¡¯s lips quivered when he answered. "It¡¯s perfect. Little Sesame, what a cute name..."


    Song Qingchun wanted to say something else.


    We still have time toe up with the name for the second child.


    However, the sounds that escaped her lips were tears and wailing.Chinese bridal garment

 Chapter 740 Qingchun, I Love You 15

    Su Zhinian¡¯s heart was twisted with pain, causing his breath to escape his body. The next second, he pulled Song Qingchun into his embrace, hugging her tightly. She cried for a long time in his arms before her emotions stabilized.


    Su Zhinian then slowly released her from his embrace. He used his finger to wipe away her tears before pulling her along as they strolled down the beach. When they passed the public restroom, Su Zhinian stopped and said, "I need to use the bathroom. Do you mind waiting for me?"


    ...


    Su Zhinian left for about half a minute when Song Qingchun was osted by a random passer-by to ask for directions.


    Song Qingchun was not a local, so she was unfamiliar with the ce. She apologized to the person several times. However, the strong sea breeze overwhelmed her voice, and the person seemed to be weak in hearing. He asked her the same question several times before nodding and leaving after hurriedly giving his thanks.


    The sea at night was rather chilly. Song Qingchun paced around the sandy beach, trying to work some warmth into her limbs. The time passed by slowly, but Su Zhinian still had not exited the restroom.


    Song Qingchun could not help but wander toward the restroom. Even though it was already night, Song Qingchun did not dare trespass into the male toilet. She stood at the door and yelled, "Su Zhinian?"


    There was no answer, so Song Qingchun raised her voice and yelled once more. There was still no answer. Song Qingchun stared at the entrance to the male bathroom with consternation. She took two steps toward it before retreating one step back. Just as she was hesitating, a man walked over. The blushing Song Qingchun quickly took a step back and turned around.


    The man, however, also turned around to face her. He stood before her and said, "I¡¯m sorry, but are you Miss Song Qingchun?"


    "Huh?" Song Qingchun had been in too many ¡¯idents¡¯ to count, so she was wary of this strange man. She narrowed her eyes at him, and her brain screamed with rm. I don¡¯t know this man, should I just run away and scream for help?


    Even though Song Qingchun had gone quiet after a single confused grunt, the man continued. "A gentleman by the name of Su Zhinian wanted me toe and tell you to follow this path forward. When you reach the end, turn right, and you¡¯ll see him after another hundred meters..."


    So, it¡¯s Su Zhinian¡¯s man. Didn¡¯t he say he needed to use the bathroom? Why did he wander off to such a distant spot?


    Song Qingchun was lost in her thought before she realized she still had not thanked the man. Song Qingchun followed the man¡¯s instructions. She walked down the path to the end and then turned right.


    That stretch of the beach did not have any lights, so Song Qingchun could only see her way using the weak light of the moon. She did not have a ruler on her to gauge the exact distance of one hundred meters. When she felt like she had walked one hundred steps, she stopped. She looked around, but she couldn¡¯t see Su Zhinian.


    Just as she was about to yell the man¡¯s name, she heard the sound of something sizzlinging from behind her.


    Song Qingchun turned around unconsciously. Before she could realize what the source of that sound was, there was a great explosion in the sky. She titled her head up and saw the sky above the sea filled with endless fireworks.

 Chapter 741 Qingchun, I Love You 16

    The scenery was picture perfect. Before Song Qingchun could recover from this dreamlike scenery, there were more sizzling sounds in her ears. Then, around her, she could see brilliant fireworks. The sizzling sounds continued, and the lights surged into the sky like dragons before exploding into colorful, blinding flowers.


    The fireworks lit up the darkness. The seapped the shore, and the breeze continued to blow.


    Song Qingchun stood where she was. She turned and twirled to watch the fireworks exploding in all directions above her. She felt like she was in a fairy-tale world surrounded by glittering trees and glowing flowers.


    Suddenly there was a giant explosion that shocked Song Qingchun. Through the light of the fireworks, Song Qingchun could see small shadows fluttering down from the sky. When they reached her eyes, she reached out to grab them. She then realized that they were flower petals. Pastel, warm white, yellow and green...


    "Qingchun..." Song Qingchun, who was caught in this magical moment, heard a familiar voice call her name, carried along by the sea breeze. She turned toward the voice, and another burst of fireworks flew into the sky. With the fireworks exploding behind him, Su Zhinian walked gracefully toward her. The fireworks gilded his figure, making it seem like the man was glowing with a halo.


    He stared at her as he continued to walk step by step toward her. As he moved closer, Song Qingchun¡¯s heart started to be inexplicably nervous, and her hands unconsciously gripped the white flower petal that she had caught earlier.


    Su Zhinian stopped about half a meter before Song Qingchun. He stared into her eyes before lifting his head up to look at the fireworks in the sky. Then he took a step forward and said, "Do you remember? You once told me that you wished to have a fireworks disy in your name."


    Song Qingchun was startled. She blinked dumbly at Su Zhinian before remembering fuzzily that she did indeed say such a thing. It was the year when he was staying with the Song family. She had wanted to go see the New Year fireworks disy, but Qin Yinan had not been in Beijing. Running out of options, she had asked him to apany her.


    The fireworks that night had been gorgeous. She had even jumped excitedly at one point. Then she had grabbed Su Zhinian¡¯s sleeve and sighed. "I wish in the future, someone would have a fireworks celebration just for me..."


    Just as she finished that statement, there had been another wave of fireworks, and she had pulled out her phone, busy taking pictures. The young man who stood beside her had both of his hands in his pockets. He had looked unaffected and even bored on the surface, but he had watched at her intensely out of the corner of his eyes.


    Even though Su Zhinian was not holding Song Qingchun, he could tell from her facial expression that she had been reminded of that memory. He lowered his eyes and took another step forward to get close to her.


    The sea breeze carried his scent toward the girl. The flower petals kept on falling, covering the man and the woman with them.


    He stared into her eyes and began slowly and sincerely, "Qingchun, I adore you."

 Chapter 742 Qingchun, I Love You 17

    Song Qingchun was stunned into disbelief. She stared back into Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes and could see the endless fireworks reflected in them. Su Zhinian had shed his usual aloofness. He was like a handsome and kind prince, elegance yet approachable. Beneath his inhumanely-handsome exteriorid a warm beating heart, a gentleness that Song Qingchun had not noticed in him softened the man¡¯s expression. Even his voice that repeated the promation was much more affable than usual. "Qingchun, I adore you..."


    As he said so, his long and curlyshes flickered slightly. With the sound of fireworks exploding in her ears, he continued to say, "...I have adored you all through my youth."


    The sound around her seemed to have been sucked away in that moment. Song Qingchun felt the world suddenly became very quiet. She already knew that he like her, but with him standing before her and hearing it from his lips, she was touched and excited. She felt her heartstrings being pulled along.


    She could feel her face burning up. She bit on her lips as her dark clear eyes stared directly at Su Zhinian. She didn¡¯t say a word, but her hands silently gripped the edge of her shirt due to nervousness.


    "I love you, Qingchun," Su Zhinian said in his gentle voice, but when the confession left his lips, a wave of emotions rushed at Song Qingchun. It caused her slender body to tremble, and the eyes that looked at him were colored with some shock.


    Su Zhinian, who normally would not deign to smile, shed a gentle and brilliant smile at her when he saw the shock at the bottom of her eyes. His smile was like a ray of sunlight showering Song Qingchun¡¯s heart with brightness.


    His voice wasced with a warm gentleness, making the words that he said next sound that much more romantic. "Qingchun, I love you. I¡¯ve loved you before you started to love me. I¡¯ve loved you for seven seasons."


    The sound of fireworks around them started to dwindle. The colorful lights in the sky started to dim.


    Su Zhinian stood where he was graciously, staring unblinkingly at Song Qingchun. All those words that he had kept for years, all those words that he had always wanted to say but could not...


    "Qingchun, do you know? The greatest time of my life began when I first met you.


    "And the only wish of my life is to..."


    Even though she had seen this promise a long time ago, she had no idea that it was meant for her. In his dreams, he had repeated this many times for her, but who would have thought that he would one day be able to stand before her and tell her openly in person?


    Su Zhinian practically breathed out the phrase syble by syble.


    "I¡¯ve expended three lifetimes to find you, and now, I will use another to make you my wife."


    She remembered this sentence clearly because it was because of this sentence that her impression of him started to change. However, it had never crossed her mind that it was written with her in mind.


    Touched? Of course, she was. How could she not be when she was confessed to by the person she loved?


    The tears of joy swirling in Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes gently fell.


    Su Zhinian reached out to caress Song Qingchun¡¯s cheeks. As his finger touched her tears, she suddenly leaned forward, used her arms to circle his neck, stood on tip-toe, and kissed him on his lips.

 Chapter 743 Qingchun, I Love You 18

    Su Zhinian was caught by surprise, but the next second, he grabbed Song Qingchun¡¯s waist with one hand, held the back of her head with the other, and returned her kiss.


    The man and woman were like desperate animals, giving their all in the kiss. The friction was so harsh that they started tasting blood in their mouths. However, neither of them showed any intention of parting. If anything, the hug tightened, and the kiss deepened, as if they were trying to suck the other into their bone and blood.


    The kiss was determined, fiery... and sad.


    The kisssted for a long time before it stopped. Both of them were catching their breath. Neither of them said anything as they hugged each other closer.


    The fireworks had ended, and the sea returned to its usual silence. Other than thepping of sea and the breeze, there was no other sound. The moon in the sky showered the beach with its faded glow, and their shadows extended into the darkness.


    Time trickled by slowly. The rowdy beach started to quiet down, and many people left. Even the road adjacent to the beach had started to empty. However, they were still hugging each other tightly. If possible, both of them wished for time to stop right then.


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t know how long she stayed in the quiet hug with Su Zhinian when suddenly a female voice screamed, "Honey, look, there¡¯s a falling star!"


    Then an excited voice followed. "You¡¯re right. Wait, there¡¯s more..."


    "It¡¯s a meteor shower..."


    Perhaps the woman¡¯s voice was too loud because the visitors who had not left the beach all turned to look at the sky. Then, there was a newmotion starting.


    "It¡¯s really a meteor shower..."


    "Quick, take a picture..."


    "Hello? You hear me. I saw a meteor shower at Hai Nan..."


    Song Qingchun, who was snuggled in Su Zhinian¡¯s arms, could not help but raised her head to look up into the sky. It was as the people eximed¡ªmeteors were flying across the sky above the sea.


    The next second, Song Qingchun released her arms around Su Zhinian. She pressed her palms together like she was praying. She nced at the man beside her who had remained unmoved, and she urged him, "Su Zhinian,e let¡¯s make a wish!"


    Su Zhinian nodded wordlessly. Even though he thought this was incredibly juvenile, he humored her by mimicking the girl. The duo was silent for some time. When Song Qingchun finished making her wish and peeled her eyes open, Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes were already open. He had his head back and was watching the meteors shing across the sky.


    The crowd not far away from them seemed to have reached the peak of their excitement. One of them faced the sea and the sky and yelled at the top of his lungs, "Zhao Xiaorou, will you allow me to take care of you forever and be my wife?"


    "I will!" A female voice followed instantly.


    The other people seemed to be affected by the emotions, and they all started screaming, everyone louder than the person preceding them.


    "Su Nan, I love you!"


    "Honey, I promise to never make you mad again!"


    ...


    For some reason, Su Zhinian, who was normally reserved, decided to follow suit as he cupped his palms around his mouth and yelled, "Song Qingchun, I love you!"

 Chapter 744 Qingchun, I Love You 19

    Song Qingchun turned to look at Su Zhinian with disbelief. This was the first time she had seen Su Zhinian acted so childish and unreserved.


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t seem to think this was out of ce. He continued to yell at the sky filled with falling meteors again and again, "Song Qingchun, I love you, I love you, I love you..."


    Song Qingchun stared at Su Zhinian¡¯s profile for a while before doing the same thing as him. "Su Zhinian, I love you, I love you, I love you..."


    Song Qingchun screamed until her throat was sore. The meteor shower came to an end. Su Zhinian turned to look at Song Qingchun while catching his breath. He stared at the girl¡¯s face as she stared up into the sky and repeated the promation that he had made many times that night. "Song Qingchun, I love you."


    Without waiting for an answer, he continued in a voice that was loud enough for the both of them. "...I really really really love you..."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s lips arced beautifully. Her eyes that looked up into the sky did not move away. She acknowledged his confession with a slow nod before replying, "Me too... I also really really really love you..."


    After a pause, she added, "Su Zhinian."


    By now, the man had turned back to look at the sky. Neither of them was looking at each other. After some time, he said, "Song Qingchun, do you know what the wish I made was?"


    Song Qingchun held her breath like she knew something. Her eyes blinked, and she looked up deeper into the sky. Then she shook her head wordlessly. The sea breeze continued to blow, tussling Su Zhinian¡¯s hair. He moved his hair back from his face before saying, "I hope that the Song Qingchun who I love can forever stay in heaven."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes started to well up. She tried her best to keep the smile on her face intact. She didn¡¯t say anything because she knew he hadn¡¯t reached the end of his sentence.


    "Song Qingchun, will you please make my wish a reality?"


    Song Qingchun opened her lips, but the simple words of "I will" couldn¡¯te out of her mouth no matter how hard she tried.


    "Song Qingchun, please give up on our love."


    Tears slid down Song Qingchun¡¯s face. She could not control them anymore.


    With his head titled back, Su Zhinian continued in his calm tone. "Song Qingchun, please stay in the heavens; don¡¯t be like me, sinful and condemned."


    The forced smile on Song Qingchun¡¯s face froze, and the tears came even harder.


    The sea breeze suddenly picked up, and the two of them swayed with imbnce in the wind. Su Zhinian continued to stare at the sky for a long long time before he slowly said thest sentence. "Song Qingchun, please return to Beijing and marry Qin Yinan."


    Song Qingchun already teary eyes were filled with more tears. Her neck had started to hurt from looking up at the sky for a bit too long. She tried to maintain the smile on her face. She nodded slightly at thest meteor in the sky. Before she could get any words left, her tears fell even harder. Her cheeks were soon covered with tears. She tried to keep the tremble out of her voice as she whispered, "Okay."

 Chapter 745 Qingchun, I Love You 20

    Song Qingchun, please return to Beijing and marry Qin Yinan.


    Okay.


    That was how their date ended. That was also how their love story reached itsplete end.


    The cruelest thing in the world was not never meeting someone you loved but missing the connection even though you had met.


    The saddest thing in the world was not the person you loved not loving you, but despite the fact the both of you loved each other, you were destined not to be together.


    When she asked for the date, both of them knew this date was the only andst dream they could leave each other. Of course, the reason this was as beautiful as a dream was because one would have to wake up from it eventually.


    Now that the dream was over, it was time for both of them to face reality. Their ending was already written when it was revealed that they were biological brother and sister.


    He and she, after they departed from this dream, were no longer Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian but brother and sister.


    They were blood-rted brother and sister... brother and sister... so how could they be together?


    At the end of the day, this involved more than the two of them. He had his mother to think about, and she had her father. Beyond that, there was society, bloodlines, and morals. There were too many elements between the two of them, so their only option was to be apart.


    Before the date even began, Song Qingchun knew this moment wasing, but when she was really experiencing it, she realized that she still had a hard time epting it. However, no matter how hard it was for her to ept, the truth was the truth.


    Song Qingchun took a deep breath and tried her best to force her tears to stop, then she said, "I will try my best to make your wish a reality. I will marry Brother Yinan and have my happily-ever-after, but you have to promise me one thing in return..."


    Was there a bigger pain than telling the person one loved to marry someone else?


    But what could they do? Neither of them had the power to fight the whole world, so they could only choose topromise.


    "Find a gentle and beautiful woman, marry her, and get your happily-ever-after as well."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes started to redden. He nodded lightly, and his reply sounded choked with tears. "Okay."


    Song Qingchun could not stop her tears from falling. She ran toward the ocean. With the icy water around her ankles, she repeated what she had done months ago at Hokkaido. She screamed at the vast expanse of water, venting her frustration and anger. "Why do we have to be siblings?


    "Why can¡¯t we be together?


    "Why must the world tear us apart?


    "Why is her my brother?


    "Why? Why? Why?"


    Song Qingchun yelled at the top of her lungs until the resentment in her chest started to dissipate. She grasped violently for air before yelling onest time at the ocean. "Su Zhinian, I love you! Su Zhinian, goodbye!"


    Parting was always painful.


    After saying that goodbye, Song Qingchun copsed weakly to the floor. Burying her face in her knees, she started to cry.


    Su Zhinian stood at about three meters behind her, watching her shadow, and he uttered in a t and graceful tone, "Goodbye, Song Qingchun."

 Chapter 746 99 Mails 1

    Even though Su Zhinian¡¯s voice was soft, Song Qingchun still heard him clearly. Her sobbing stopped for a moment before continuing.


    How sad, we have just fallen in love, but we have to part.


    How cruel, we are so in love, but we have to be apart.


    ...


    During the date between Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian, two momentous events happened in Beijing.


    The first was rted to the person who attempted to murder Song Qingchun, Brother Kun. After he pushed Song Qingchun off the building, Brother Kun fled the scene as fast as he could in the prepared car. However, he met an ident during his runaway. Even though he was detained on the spot, he was already unconscious from the serious injury. On the third day, Brother Kun passed away silently in the hospital.


    With his passing, Brother Kun¡¯s identity, whether there was a mastermind, and the identity of that mastermind, if there was one, all became a mystery. They could not even tell whether this meant that Song Qingchun was finally safe with Brother Kun¡¯s death.


    The second incident was rted to Qin Yinan and Cheng Qingchong. The night Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian stayed at Li Jiang and had done nothing, Cheng Qingchong and Qin Yinan thousands of miles away slept together.


    Yes, they had done the deed.


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s first time was given to Qin Yinan.


    ...


    That day, Li Jiang had the perfect spring-like weather, but Beijing had the year¡¯s most serious haze.


    Ever since Qin Yinan saw Song Qingchun left the holiday vi with Su Zhinian, the usually mellow Qin Yinan was in an inexplicably rotten mood. When he was at work, he had scolded his subordinates multiple times for unreasonable causes.


    There were many coincidences in the world.


    The day Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian arrived at Li Jiang, Tang Nuan was actually visiting Li Jiang with CEO Huang. They were packing to leave the hotel, preparing to go to the airport and return to Beijing.


    Neither Song Qingchun nor Su Zhinian saw Tang Nuan, but Tang Nuan, who was sitting in the hotel lobby with a pair of sunsses waiting for CEO Huang to clear the bill, saw them clearly.


    At the time, Tang Nuan was talking on the phone with her friends. When she saw Song Qingchun hold Su Zhinian¡¯s hand and walk into the same room, she hung up immediately and snapped a few pictures.


    Tang Nuan arrived at Beijing that afternoon at around 6 pm.


    The moment theynded, CEO Huang received a call saying he had a meeting to attend that night, so he left in a hurry after he dropped Tang Nuan at her home.


    Tang Nuan did not stay at home for long either. She pushed the door open to drop her stuff off before turning back out to call a cab to find Qin Yinan.


    When Tang Nuan reached hispany, Qin Yinan just so happened to be leaving work. Qin Yinan had seen her, but he walked toward his car without even acknowledging her.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s disregard for her angered Tang Nuan for some reason. In her heels, she marched toward Qin Yinan¡¯s car, pulled his car door open, shoved her phone in his face, andmented with unbridled sarcasm, "Qin Yinan, look closely, is this the fianc¨¦ you found? You¡¯re getting married soon, but she¡¯s out holidaying in Li Jiang with another man and sharing the same room with him?"

 Chapter 747 99 Mails 2

    As if afraid that Qin Yinan did not get what she was insinuating, Tang Nuan even helped him swiped through the coge of pictures she had taken that day.


    So, they went to Li Jiang after Song Song left with Su Zhinian.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s lips stretched silently when he looked at those pictures. Then, he turned his head away, jumped into the car, and stepped on the gas pedal, ignoring Tang Nuan. Before he turned the corner, he could see the angry Tang Nuan, whom he had left behind, stomping on the ground through the rear-view mirror.


    Initially, Qin Yinan nned to go home for dinner with his parents, but the interruption from Tang Nuan hadpletely ruined his mood. When he was stuck in traffic, he received a call from his university friends. He turned at a junction and headed toward Eldorado instead.


    The days Su Zhinian were gone from Beijing, Cheng Qingchong¡¯s workload did not decrease but increase. Today was the third day Cheng Qingchong had been to Eldorado that week.


    Actually, Cheng Qingchong could not be considered a close friend of Qin Yinan. Other than that one time when Qin Yinan helped her, they had barely interacted. However, fate seemed to like them as a pair because they kept crossing each other¡¯s paths.


    They once again ran into each other again that night. When Cheng Qingchun left the meeting, it was already 11 pm.


    Cheng Qingchong leaned again the corridor wall and used her phone to call a taxi. After she hung up and prepared to leave to wait at the entrance, the room door right opposite from her fell open. Cheng Qingchong raised her head in reflex and saw Qin Yinan walk out of it.


    Even though they were not technically friend, they could not be considered strangers either, so Cheng Qingchun¡¯s natural reaction when she saw him was to smile and greet him politely. "This is such a coincidence, Mr. Qin."


    "Hello..." It was obvious that Qin Yinan was drunk from the way he stared at her and the way he slurred out his short greeting before he swayed toward the bathroom using the walls as support.


    He was so light on his feet that even with the wall as support, he still carelessly tripped and fell to the ground.


    Cheng Qingchong who witnessed this, called out instinctively before rushing forward to help him up. "Mr. Qin, are you alright?"


    Qin Yinan took some time to process her question before turning to look at her. He stared at her face for a while before calling out in soft voice, "Song Song."


    His words were so jumbled that Cheng Qingchong could not tell what he was saying. After she helped him stand upright, she released the hold on his arms. The man swayed on his feet and was about to copse forward once more. Cheng Qingchong immediately reached out to pull on his arm. Looking at the state he was in and remembering how the man had once helped her, Cheng Qingchong called the passing waiter to book a room and help her drag Qin Yinan into it.


    After Cheng Qingchong deposited Qin Yinan on the bed, helped him pull off his shoes, and snuggled him in, she prepared to leave.

 Chapter 748 99 Mails 3

    However, when she reached the door, the drunk Qin Yinan suddenly turned in bed and fell from the bed, creating a loud bang.


    Cheng Qingchong stopped moving and turned around to see the man lying on the ground, trying to get up but was unable to. After a short hesitation, she walked back to help the man get back into bed.


    When Qin Yinan fell into bed, Cheng Qingchong was identally pulled along with him. Her face just so happened tond right before his.


    This was the first time she had such close contact with a man in her life. When his alcohol-filled breathsnded on her face, Cheng Qingchun¡¯s heart started to fluster. Even though Qin Yinan was too drunk to realize what was happening, Cheng Qingchong still lowered her eyes in a hurry. After several seconds of awkwardness, as if realizing the picture they were making, she immediately jumped off his body with her face burning.


    Cheng Qingchong was so fazed by the experience that she staggered for several steps back before her breathing started to settle. Cheng Qingchong tapped her face lightly and bit on her lips as she rushed toward the door. However, when she almost reached the door, a thought shed in her mind, and she stopped moving.


    She stood with her back facing Qin Yinan for some time before slowly turning around to look at the man lying in bed.


    He is Miss Song¡¯s fianc¨¦, and their wedding date is already set...


    When I went to persuade Miss Song for Big Boss, Miss Song showed no signs of opting out from the marriage. After that, Big Boss jumped off am eighty-meter-tall building to save Miss Song, but Miss Song only stayed to take care of him for a few days before disappearing off the face of the Earthpletely.


    And now, even though Big Boss has been released from the hospital for about half a month already, the wedding between Mr. Qin and Miss Song is still going to happen.


    Miss Song still ns to marry Mr. Qin even though Big Boss has sacrificed so much for her?


    But, Big Boss loves Miss Song so much...]


    Thinking about the scene of Su Zhinian crying in his office, Su Zhinian staring at the ring, Su Zhinian hurting so much throughout the years because of Song Qingchun, her hands gripped into fists.


    Since Miss Song is unwilling to cancel the marriage, then perhaps I can try to intervene via Mr. Qin.


    Cheng Qingchong was shocked by this thought that cropped up in her mind.


    She knew that if she followed through with the n that she had juste up with, the person who stood to lose the most was herself because Mr. Qin might not call off the wedding even if she sacrificed herself, but... she really wanted the best for her Big Boss. Therefore, even though she didn¡¯t haveplete confidence, she was willing to try. This way, at least there was still hope!


    Cheng Qingchong bit on her lips silently and lowered her head to take a deep breath. She turned around to face away from Qin Yinan before slowly removing her clothing piece by piece. She tip-toed across the carpet on her barefoot, walking toward Qin Yinan...

 Chapter 749 99 Mails 4

    Cheng Qingchong stared at Qin Yinan, who was groaning in pain from the drunkenness. His brows were locked deeply. Her nails pushed into the ball of her palms as she held her breath, slowly leaned down, and reached out to work on Qin Yinan¡¯s shirt buttons.


    Her fingers were shaking so crazily that she took a full minute to remove eight buttons. When the man¡¯s firm and supply skin fell open before her eyes, her body shook like it was shot by a jolt of electricity.


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s fingers stopped in midair for a while before they moved toward Qin Yinan¡¯s belt. As the belt opened with a cling, Cheng Qingchong¡¯s heart skipped a beat twice.


    She had been a studious girl at school, and since her parents forbade her from having a boyfriend when she was still studying, she had rarely associated herself with the boys in ss. After her graduation, her first job had been with Su Zhinian. After so many years, other than her one-sided admiration for her Big Boss, her love life had truly been as pure as a piece of white paper. Now that she needed to seduce a man... she really didn¡¯t know how to start.


    Cheng Qingchong thought about it and finally ced her hand awkwardly on Qin Yinan¡¯s exposed skin. She could feel the man¡¯s body slowly reacting to her touch.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s body temperature continued to rise until Cheng Qingchong felt like her hand was getting scorched. Thispletely unfamiliar sensation made her feel like fleeing in panic. Cheng Qingchong tried her best to suppress the resistance forming in her heart as she used her hands to wander all over Qin Yinan¡¯s skin.


    With her lips shaking, she thought about mimicking the scenes in those romance movies and tried tond a kiss on his lips, but in the end, her lipsnded on his shoulders...


    The touch of the supple lips made Qin Yinan¡¯s brows twitch. He reached out to hug her shoulders and breathed out in an intimate and kind tone like he was talking to his most precious treasure, "Come on now, don¡¯t tease me..."


    In Cheng Qingchong¡¯s memory, there had never been a man who used such a gentle tone to talk to her before. Her body froze, and she turned her head instinctively up to look at Qin Yinan.


    The drunken man had opened his eyes, and the familiar glow that she had always associated with him was shining in his eyes. He did not look like he was drunk. He looked at her for a long time before his lips curved into a smile. "Song Song... you¡¯re back..."


    Qin Yinan¡¯s smile was like a breath of spring breeze, carrying warmth andfort. However, behind his words was a barely discernible regret and sadness.


    Without waiting for a reply, he hugged her closer and said, "Now that you¡¯re back, please don¡¯t leave me again, okay?"


    Perhaps only in his dream, he dared be so honest to himself.


    Finally, I know who the real love of my life is, but you¡¯ve already moved on. Now that you¡¯re back, please don¡¯t leave me again, okay?


    Qin Yinan snuggled his head deeper into Cheng Qingchong¡¯s hair, and he closed his eyes with satisfaction. His mouth continued to mutter, "Song Song, Song Song..."


    He has mistaken me for Miss Song...?


    Cheng Qingchong found it ufortable to be so physically close to a man, but she powered on. After all, it would be over with a grit of the teeth, right?

 Chapter 750 99 Mails 5

    Cheng Qingchong bit on her lips and answered softly, "Yes, it¡¯s me, I¡¯m... I¡¯m back, Mr..."


    Cheng Qingchong wanted to say ¡¯Mr. Qin¡¯ out of habit, but when the first word left her lips, she was reminded of Song Qingchun¡¯s usual form of address for Qin Yinan, so she changed it.


    "...Brother... Yinan..."


    Her gentle and soft ¡¯Brother Yinan¡¯ seemed to carry with it a kind of magic that caused the fire within Qin Yinan¡¯s body to go aze. The emotions that he had held in for a long time exploded within his chest. Itpelled the man to jump up in bed and roll around, pressing her underneath him.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s sudden movement shocked Cheng Qingchong. Her instinctive reaction was to push him away to escape, but when her handsnded on his shoulders, she was reminded of Su Zhinian, and she then forced herself to put her hands back down.


    She knew that what she was doing was extremely immoral, but she had spent practically her whole life until then walking the straight line, and she had never done anything out of ce. In fact, when she found out that her Big Boss had someone he loved already, she could only retreat out of the picture willingly. Her opportunity to be crazy in love had been taken away from her, but she wished to be crazy for once for the man that she loved.


    With this thought forming in her mind, Cheng Qingchong reached out her arms again, but this time to pull on his neck.


    Her willingness caused Qin Yinan¡¯s rationality topletely shatter. He skipped the forey and skipped directly to the main event. Cheng Qingchong, who had not done this before, was tormented by the pain, but she did not dare to cry in pain. She merely bit on her lips and sucked in one breath of cold air after another.


    ...


    After the thing ended, Qin Yinan hugged Cheng Qingchong and copsed into his satisfied sleep.


    Cheng Qingchong waited until the man had fallen deep asleep before she silently pulled his arms away and crawled out from his chest. The drunken man did not have the consciousness to measure his strength, so she felt pain all over her body after everything was said and done.


    Cheng Qingchong stood on shaking legs and dragged her battered body toward the bathroom. She opened the shower and started to scrub her body.


    As the water fell from the showerhead, tears fell from the girl¡¯s eyes as well. She squatted inside the shower, and with the sound of rushing water all over her, she started to weep softly.


    She had to ask herself, Was it really worth it?


    However, in matters of love, that was never really a question. At the end of the day, it was a question of willingness. And she was willing to sacrifice everything for her Big Boss. However, this did not mean that she would not feel regret and sorry for herself.


    ...


    When Qin Yinan woke up, the sun was already in the middle of the sky.


    The first thing that he felt was the throbbing headache. He massaged his temples as he sat up in bed. He reached out as per his habit for his phone when he realized he was not in his bedroom.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s brows twitched and slowly but surely, many images fromst night came back into his mind.


    He must have had too much to drink, but it was definitely not enough to pass out. Furthermore, if he did pass out, he would not have been able to do such a thing with a woman right?


    Perhaps... all the alcohol did was to muddle his mind.


    He believed he had mistaken the person...st night for Song Qingchun...

 Chapter 751 99 Mails 6

    Qin Yinan closed his eyes and sighed under his breath. Then, he pulled off the cover, picked up the clothes from the floor, and put them on one by one. When he walked toward the bathroom, he noticed a woman was standing in front of the room¡¯s floor-length window. She was wearing a bathrobe, facing away from him, and looking at the world outside.


    This is the person... I had rtions withst night?


    Qin Yinan stopped moving and stared at the person¡¯s back for some time before moving slowly toward her. Cheng Qingchong heard his footsteps and turned back from the window.


    When Qin Yinan saw the woman¡¯s face, he was instantly shocked. He couldn¡¯t believe the woman he had sex with the night before was... Cheng Qingchong.


    After a moment¡¯s hesitation, he said, "Miss... Cheng?"


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s face was a bit white. After he called her name, she nodded slightly at him wordlessly. Qin Yinan did not ask anymore questions because the bruises in the shape of lips that covered her exposed neck had answered all the questions that he had.


    Furthermore, Qin Yinan didn¡¯t know what he should say. Everything was so sudden that he didn¡¯t know how to react. He stared at Cheng Qingchong for some time before pointing at the bathroom and saying, "Please wait for me, I need to use the bathroom first."


    "Okay..." Cheng Qingchong¡¯s tone was more natural than Qin Yinan¡¯s.


    Qin Yinan didn¡¯t answer. When he turned to walk toward the bathroom, his gaze nced toward the unkempt bed. When he saw the small blush of red amid the wide expanse of white sheets, he halted for a moment before rushing toward the bathroom. He closed the door behind him.


    Qin Yinan was in the bathroom for about half an hour before exiting.


    After his morning ritual, Qin Yinan had almost returned to his usual clean and handsome self. He used the towel to dry his short hair. Tossing the towel on the table, he walked to Cheng Qingchong, pulled out the chair, sat down, and said, "Have you had anything since you woke up?"


    Cheng Qingchong shook her head. "Not yet."


    "Then, shall we have something to eat first?" Qin Yinan suggested as he stood up to reach for the phone.


    "It¡¯s okay, I have a meeting in the afternoon," Cheng Qingchong said as she nced at the clock on the wall, she added, "I need to leave in twenty minutes."


    Qin Yinan sat back down. He stared at Cheng Qingchong and said, "I¡¯m really sorry for what happenedst night."


    Cheng Qingchong lowered her head wordlessly. Actually, the thing that happenedst night wasn¡¯t his fault, was it? She was the perpetrator. She had practically thrown herself at him, so why was he apologizing?


    Qin Yinan rubbed his hand before uttering with conviction and determination, "Don¡¯t worry, I will take responsibility."


    This answer from Qin Yinan did surprise Cheng Qingchong. Actually, before she did those thingsst night, she had been worried. There were too many men in the world who would say they loved you but would ditch you once they got what they wanted. Furthermore, she and Qin Yinan were only slightly closer than strangers. She really did not expect the first words out of his word to promise her he would be responsible.


    "However, that might not be so soon because..." Qin Yinan paused before continuing. "...You also know about my promise to Song Song. Don¡¯t worry, I will definitely be responsible, but I will have to trouble you to wait for now..."

 Chapter 752 99 Mails 7

    Actually that period will probably be shorter than expected... After Song Songes back from Li Jiang to Beijing with Su Zhinian, the wedding will most likely be called off.


    Qin Yinan had stated his intention quite clearly, but after a moment¡¯s silence, Cheng Qingchong still asked hesitantly, "You... are going...to marry me?"


    "Yes." Qin Yinan nodded without hesitation. "I will marry you."


    Then, Qin Yinan turned around to look to the side; therefore, he didn¡¯t realize that when he made the promise, there was a sh of surprised happiness that crossed Cheng Qingchong¡¯s eyes. However, the next second, Cheng Qingchong started to lose focus, staring at Qin Yinan¡¯s profile.


    She could not tell what the man was thinking. The man¡¯s usual gentle demeanor was oveid with a hazyyer of sadness. Cheng Qingchong¡¯s heart dulled with pain, and an insurmountable guilt swept over her. He must really love Miss Song... Or else, he wouldn¡¯t be calling her namest night. Now, he has no choice but to give her up because he has to take responsibility for me.


    Cheng Qingchong bit on her lips, and she could not help voicing the question in her heart. "Why... why would you choose to be responsible? You..."


    Actually, Cheng Qingchong wanted to say something else. You can always just walk away and pretend this didn¡¯t happen.


    However, she was afraid that if she really that, she would nt the idea in Qin Yinan¡¯s mind, so she swallowed the rest of her sentence.


    Qin Yinan stared at the haze in the sky. Hisshes flickered twice. He didn¡¯t look at Cheng Qingchong when he gave her his answer. "It was my drunken mistake that has ruined your life, so I have to be responsible for my actions."


    Qin Yinan¡¯s soft and gentle tone was like a sound p to Cheng Qingchong¡¯s face. Her face burned with shame, and she turned quickly away to look out the window.


    She knew that she should be thankful that Qin Yinan was such a responsible man unlike those yers out there who would end this little mishap with an offering of gifts or money, but Qin Yinan¡¯s sense of responsibility caused Cheng Qingchong¡¯s heart to grip with guilt.


    She had never done a bad thing in her life, so she really did not expect that the first malicious thing that she did would be to frame and bully a good man.


    The more Cheng Qingchong thought about it, the more she felt like crying. To escape this situation, she stood up and said, "I have to leave for thepany already."


    Before waiting for Qin Yinan to answer, she grabbed the clothes on the sofa and rushed toward the bathroom.


    When Cheng Qingchong put on her clothes and exited the bathroom, she did not dare get near to Qin Yinan. She grabbed the bag that she had left on the table, gave him a hasty farewell, and fled the room.


    Just as the door closed with a click, Qin Yinan slowly blinked.


    All the words he had said just now came from his heart. He really would take this responsibility. He had taken a girl¡¯s first time in his drunkenness because he had mistaken her for someone else, and there was simply no way he would run away from this responsibility.


    However, he also did not expect that this was how he was going to lose his first time as well.

 Chapter 753 99 Mails 8

    When Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian returned to the vi from the beach, it was already 11 pm. The driver Su Zhinian called beforehand was already waiting by the entrance.


    When the driver saw Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun, he immediately jumped out from the car and greeted them politely. "Mr. Su, Miss Song."


    Using the streetlight near the vi, Song Qingchun could recognize the driver as the man who approached her at the public restroom, giving her direction to where Su Zhinian was.


    So, Su Zhinian has been nning this surprise all along... Song Qingchun smiled at the driver but did not say anything as she headed into the vi to start packing.


    When Song Qingchun came down the stairs with her luggage, Su Zhinian, who had been talking to the driver at the door, had disappeared. When the driver saw her walk out of the door, he rushed forward immediately to help her with the bags.


    Song Qingchun stood beside the car and watched the driver haul her luggage into the trunk. When the driver went to hold the door open for her to get in, she unconsciously turned to look back at the house. Therge bungalow was quiet and did not contain any trace of Su Zhinian.


    "Miss Song, we have to depart soon or else we¡¯ll bete..." the driver prompted when Song Qingchun stood unmoving. Song Qingchun pulled her gaze back and stared at the open car door for a moment before bowing down and getting into the car. The driver closed the door behind her.


    When the car started, Song Qingchun turned to look out the car window. Under the flickering streetlights, the vi had the appearance of a crystal pce. As the car drove away from the vi, and the building gradually disappeared from her sight, but the man still didn¡¯te out to bid her farewell.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes that stared out the window started to water.


    Everything wasing to an end.


    The man whom she had hated, the man whom she had loved, the man who had given her so many wonderful memories and hurtful nightmares...


    Everything wasing to an end.


    ...


    It was not until the car disappeared over the horizon that Su Zhinian slowly came out from behind the wall of the second-floor bedroom. He stood on the balcony, staring at the car moving away, his expression t and faint.


    Everything wasing to an end.


    The girl he had searched for 10 years, the girl he had always followed after their reunion, the girl he realized he had fallen in love with after one night, the girl who shared the most precious year of his youth, the girl who he couldn¡¯t help himself from protecting even after their separation...


    Everything wasing to an end.


    ...


    Song Qingchun returned to Beijing and could not help but worry about the epic scolding from Song Menghwa. Thankfully, when she mentioned that she was ready to marry Qin Yinan, Song Menghwa¡¯s anger receded.


    Before the date, Song Qingchun had requested Su Zhinian to reconcile with his biological father. Regarding that, Su Zhinian¡¯s answer was that he had to discuss with his mother first. However, the man was far more efficient than she had expected. On the third day after she returned to Beijing, she received a message from Su Zhinian.


    "Qingchun, my mother has agreed."

 Chapter 754 99 Mails 9

    After receiving the message from Su Zhinian, she told Song Menghwa after she returned home that day itself. She said that she identally overheard this conversation between Auntie Su and Su Zhinian.


    When Song Menghwa received this news, he was indeed stunned beyond words. However, he did remember identally sleeping with a woman in his youth. It was a drunken night before his university convocation. However, when he woke up, the woman had already disappeared. All these years, the incident had been like a thorn in his heart. Every time he thought about it, he would be anxious. He had believed that he would carry this mystery to his grave, but who would have thought when he was at the end of his life, the mystery would be solved?


    Song Menghwa had trouble sleeping that whole night. After a night of contemtion, he decided to seek the truth. However, this was more than his own issue. If Su Zhinian was really his son, it would mean that Song Qingchun would suddenly have an elder brother, so during breakfast, Song Menghwa asked for her opinion.


    "Qingchun, I n to find your Auntie Suter today, what do you think?"


    Song Qingchun of course understood what her father was insinuating. The girl, who was eating a bowl of porridge, stopped before she raised her head to sh a smile at her father, saying, "That¡¯s great."


    However, Song Menghwa was still worried, so before she left for work, he asked her the same question. Song Qingchun affirmed her father¡¯s decision before leaving.


    When Song Qingchun saw those reconciliation scenes on those television snows, the shows would y incredibly emotional music to make tearse to the viewers eyes.


    She was also curious about how the scene of reconciliation between Song Menghwa and Su Zhinian would y out. However, that was only her being curious. That afternoon, when Song Menghwa went to find Su Zhinian to ask for the truth, she was a no-show.


    That afternoon, when Song Qingchun returned home, before she even walked in, she could hear Song Menghwa¡¯s boomingughtering from the study. He seemed to be in an extremely good mood. His voice was louder than usual. "The game¡¯s over. I keep losing when ying with you."


    After that, Song Qingchun could pick out the sound of chess pieces being moved.


    "Look at the time, we¡¯ve been ying for the whole afternoon; maybe we should go for a walk. Zhinian, do you mind helping me get up?"


    When Song Qingchun heard the word ¡¯Zhinian¡¯, her footsteps halted before she bent over silently to remove her shoeces to swap her shoes out for indoor slippers.


    She just walked into the living room when the door to the study opened, and out came Su Zhinian holding Song Menghwa¡¯s arm.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s body shivered, and her first instinct was to turn and run. However, before she could do that, Song Menghwa already saw her and smiled brightly at her. "Qingchun, you¡¯re home?"


    "Good afternoon, Dad." Song Qingchun greeted her father, but she did not dare look at Su Zhinian, who was standing beside Song Menghwa. She was afraid that if she did so, herposure wouldpletely crumble. She tried her best to maintain the smile on her face. Staring at Song Menghwa, she also greeted Su Zhinian. "Su Zhinian."

 Chapter 755 99 Mails 10

    Before Su Zhinian could respond, Song Menghwa interrupted her. "Why are you still calling him Su Zhinian? Qingchun, you should call him your older brother from now on."


    Older brother... When these two words fell into Song Qingchun¡¯s ear, a trace of nervousness shed across her eyes. She unconsciously lowered her gaze and gripped her purse. She held her breath silently for two seconds before she finally looked up at Su Zhinian. "Right, I¡¯ve forgotten, I should call you older brother from now on..."


    The brighter the smile on Song Qingchun¡¯s face, the deeper the wound in her heart. The curve of her smile rose awkwardly. As she looked at Su Zhinian, she opened her lips and said, "Brother..."


    A simple term of endearment drastically pulled their distance apart. Su Zhinian stared at Song Qingchun for a long time. Theck of expression on his face made it difficult for one to tell his thought. After some time, he responded with an emotionless nod.


    However, for Song Menghwa, that one ¡¯brother¡¯ from Song Qingchun made him immensely happy.


    Song Cheng¡¯s death had been a fatal blow to his heart. However, Su Zhinian¡¯s appearance was, as Song Qingchun said, a much needed balm to his heart.


    Even though she knew this wasing, when she was standing there, experiencing it personally, Song Qingchun realized that she had overestimated herself. That one ¡¯brother¡¯ almost drained all of her energy, so when she heard Su Zhinian¡¯s reply, she immediately gave a random excuse and rushed upstairs.


    That night, Song Qingchun locked herself in her room and only showed herself when it was dinner time.


    At the dinner table, Song Menghwa was actually the most excited. Fang Rou had always put herself as second ce in deference to others, so when she noticed how happy Song Menghwa was, she was happy for him as well. Su Zhinian, with his years of experience in the business world, was an expert at hiding his real feelings, so he chatted easily with Song Menghwa at the dining table.


    Only Song Qingchun felt out of ce.


    Even though she tried to make it seem like there was nothing out of the ordinary, that dinner was really the hardest meal she had ever had in her life.


    However, that night was merely the beginning.


    Perhaps because Song Menghwa was in his twilight years or because he wanted to make up to Su Zhinian, he often called Su Zhinian over to join them for meals. This was, for Song Qingchun, day after day of torment.


    Of course, that was not all. Even before Song Menghwa knew Su Zhinian was his own son, he was already worried about his marriage, so he only got more ¡¯hardworking¡¯ after the reunion. One time, when Song Qingchun came back from work, Song Menghwa walked out of the study with a thick stack of pictures in his arms. He then showed them to Su Zhinian.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s first reaction was to hide upstairs, but Song Menghwa spotted her before she could escape. He removed his sses to call her over. Then, after she sat down, he showed the pictures to her as well, asking her to help Su Zhinian pick a possible candidate.


    Truth be told, any one of the girls in the photographs was outstanding in their own right, but in Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes, they were no better than a pile of cow dung. She really didn¡¯t want to be there, but she could only suppress her heartache, force herself into the role of an obedient little sister, and help Su Zhinian find his match.

 Chapter 756 99 Mails 11

    Certain things the public might not know, but the Qin family, who were close to the Song family, were clued in. Qin Yinan thought after Song Qingchun came back from Li Jiang, she would definitely contact him to talk about ending the marriage. In fact, before she even came to her, he already nned to exin to his own parents and Uncle Song that he had identally slept with another woman in his drunken state. Thus, he would shoulder all the responsibility and return Song Qingchun¡¯s freedom.


    However, to his stupefaction, two pieces of news came to him after Song Qingchun returned. One was that he needed to find a suitable date to marry Song Qingchun, and the other was that Su Zhinian was Song Menghwa¡¯s estranged son.


    If Su Zhinian was Song Menghwa¡¯s estranged son, then it meant that Su Zhinian was Song Qingchun¡¯s biological brother. Song Qingchun loved Su Zhinian, but she could never marry him...


    These two pieces of newspletely shattered Qin Yinan¡¯s n.


    As a responsible man, he could not just ignore Cheng Qingchun, but his heart and the promise he had madepelled him to stick with Song Qingchun.


    While he was caught in the difficult situation, both parents decided to have their wedding on March 14th, the day of White Valentine.


    ...


    Song Qingchun thought she would eventually get used to the role of Su Zhinian¡¯s little sister as time passed. However, that definitely was not happening, so she chose the solution of avoidance.


    See no evil, hear no evil.


    Whenever Su Zhinian was invited to the Song family, she would either workte at thepany or wander the streets alone. She would wait until midnight, when Su Zhinian had left, before she returned home.


    However, even if she avoided Su Zhinian like the gue, she would still receive updates about him from Song Menghwa.


    Su Zhinian did go out to meet with the girls Song Menghwa set him up with. He had met one of them three times already. ording to Song Menghwa, this was a done deal.


    Song Qingchun, who was drinking a bowl of soup at the time, also thought the same way. To make that Su Zhinian, who always pushes femalepanions away, meet her three times, it indeed sounds like a done deal.


    At the beginning of March, Song Qingchun even met this girl at the Song family home. She chatted a long time with her in the capacity as Su Zhinian¡¯s little sister. The girl was soft-spoken, gentle, and kind. When she stood beside Su Zhinian, even though it pained Song Qingchun to admit it, they did look perfect for each other.


    Song Qingchun felt d of this development. She tried to aplish his wish of marrying Qin Yinan, to be Mrs. Qin and live in the bright world, away from darkness and sin.


    He was also living up to his promise of finding a good girl, trying to form a rtionship, and slowly using the new girl to rece her.


    This was a good development... a painful but appropriate development.


    The girl stayed with the Song family for most of the day before she left. Su Zhinian stayed after she left. Perhaps it was because she saw Su Zhinian with another woman, but Song Qingchun had trouble sleeping that night.


    She went downstairs at midnight to fetch herself a ss of water due to thirst. When she did so, she noticed that the lights in the dining room were still on. Who is still up sote at night?


    Song Qingchun walked toward the open dining room door with confusion. She saw Su Zhinian standing inside with his head lowered, trying to pull out some medicine from a white medicine pill box.

 Chapter 757 99 Mails 12

    <h4>Chapter 757: 99 Mails (12)</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Lonelytree <strong>Editor: </strong>Millman97


    The pills fell into his palm, and he shoved them all into his mouth without even counting. He then used the ss of water before him to wash them down.


    Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t see thebel on the box due to the distance between them, but when Su Zhinian raised his hand to toss the pills into his mouth, Song Qingchun managed to catch a glimpse of the mountainous pills that filled his palm. <i>What pills are those? Why is he taking so many of them at once?</i>


    Song Qingchun frowned slightly as she walked into the dining room.


    Su Zhinian noticed the movement and turned unconsciously toward the door. There was a sh of uncertainty and consternation that crossed his eyes when he saw it was Song Qingchun. However, that was quickly suppressed as he reverted to his usual calmness and aloofness. After a pause, he asked, ¡°You¡¯re still up?¡±


    Song Qingchun nodded wordlessly as her gaze fell on the box in Su Zhinian¡¯s grasp. Su Zhinian¡¯s fingers that fell into Song Qingchun¡¯s gaze trembled slightly, and his palm moved to hide the medicine box as best as he could. Then he cleared his throat, as if attempting to move the topic of conversation. ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re here for water?¡±


    The stutter in Su Zhinian¡¯s voice made Song Qingchun turn to study his face. His facial expression was as elegant and as graceful as ever, but for some inexplicable reason, she felt like there was something off about him.


    Since Song Qingchun didn¡¯t answer, Su Zhinian reached out on his own to grab a ss of warm water and passed it to her.


    ¡°Thank you,¡± When Song Qingchun epted the ss, she nced once more at the box in Su Zhinian¡¯s hand. After she took a sip of the water, she asked, ¡°Are you ill? Why are you taking so many pills?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s nothing serious¡­ Just a minor flu¡­¡± Su Zhinian exined sinctly. After a pause, he pointed upwards and said, ¡°I¡¯ll be going up then, have to get up early tomorrow.¡±


    Song Qingchun nodded, took another sip of water, and said, ¡°Good night.¡±


    ¡°Night¡­¡± Su Zhinian brushed past Song Qingchun¡¯s shoulder, walked out of the dining room, and went upstairs. The quietness of the house amplified the sound of Su Zhinian¡¯s footsteps. They felt like they fell right on Song Qingchun¡¯s heart, making her feel incredibly congested.


    Since Song Qingchun slept veryte the night before, she woke upte the next morning. She had a morning meeting at thepany, so she rushed through her morning rituals, grabbed her bag, and ran downstairs.


    To her surprise, Su Zhinian was still at home, having breakfast with Song Menghwa in the living room. The breakfast was scrumptious. However, because she was in a hurry, Song Qingchun didn¡¯t have the time to enjoy it all slowly. She slurped down a bowl of porridge at lightning speed, ced the bowl down, and prepared to leave. When she stood up, Su Zhinian suddenly pulled out a document and pushed it toward her.


    Song Qingchun looked at him with confusion and slowlynded back down in her seat. Su Zhinian, who saw her confusion, didn¡¯t show any sign of exining. He pulled out a pen from his pocket, ced it on the document, and said, ¡°Sign this.¡±


    <i>Sign this? What is this?</i>


    Song Qingchun opened the document and realized it was a document of transference for ST Empire¡¯s stocks and several prime real estate locations in Beijing.

 Chapter 758 99 Mails 13

    The sky-high price of ST Empire¡¯s stocks aside, those several estates were worth several million RMB.


    Why would he suddenly give me so much money?


    Song Qingchun turned to look at Su Zhinian once more. This time, Su Zhinian did not continue to be silent. Instead, as he sipped on the porridge, he calmly said only one word.


    "Dowry."


    Dowry... Song Qingchun¡¯s expression froze. Since Su Zhinian was being too concise, Song Menghwa stepped in to exin. "It should be your father who prepares the dowry, but as you know, I¡¯m far too old to be able to worry about all that. Ah Nian volunteered to help me, so I agreed, but I really didn¡¯t expect Ah Nian to offer his ownpany¡¯s stocks and some real estate as your dowry."


    In other words, it was Su Zhinian who prepared all the dowry? Song Qingchun lowered her head instantly. If this was any other woman, she would be overjoyed, right?


    However, this dowry was like several million knives shing Song Qingchun¡¯s heart. She was getting married soon, but the groom was not the man she loved, and the man she loved helped prepare the dowry to send her away.


    Song Qingchun had no recollection of how she managed to drop her signature on the document because when she came to, she was already inside a taxi heading toward herpany.


    Song Qingchun was not herself that whole morning. During the meeting, she was caught spacing out several times. When she was in the breakroom, she allowed the hot water to overflow and scalded her hands. That afternoon, she ordered her favorite food, but she merely took a few bites before her stomach started to turn.


    She felt like vomiting.


    After tossing the food away, she nned to rest for a moment when she received a call from Qin Yinan. Then she remembered that it was 6th March; she was supposed to go dress-shopping with Qin Yinan.


    The salesgirl who met them at the store was a pretty youngdy. She showed them all thetest designs one by one. Song Qingchun looked through them absent-mindedly.


    The girl could see that she was not in the mood. She tried to lighten the mood for the sake of making business. "Sir, Madam, your wedding is on March 14th? Isn¡¯t that the White Valentine? That¡¯s so romantic. Where do you n to go for your honeymoon after the wedding?"


    Honeymoon... Even though both sides¡¯ parents did bring this up once, neither Song Qingchun nor Qin Yinan had discussed this.


    When Qin Yinan went to fetch Song Qingchun, he had already noticed herck of excitement. Even though he had also been troubled by Cheng Qingchong¡¯s issue for the past few days, he would always put Song Qingchun first, so he followed the salesgirl¡¯s topic and tried to lighten Song Qingchun¡¯s mood. "Song Song, where do you wish to go? Japan? English? New Zend? Rome? France?"


    As Qin Yinan listed the names, Song Qingchun, who was scrolling through the dresses, suddenly stopped moving. Beside her ears, she could hear the words that she told Su Zhinian as she held his arm as they walked along the beach at Hai Nan. They had been postting their future, and she had told him, After our wedding, we¡¯ll go on our honeymoon. I want to go visit Maldives, Korea and Germany, after that, a shopping spree at Paris, France...

 Chapter 759 99 Mails 14

    After a pause, Qin Yinan added, "...If we go to France, we can also take a detour to Florence..."


    When Qin Yinan said that, Qingchun was instantly reminded of the same sentence she had told Su Zhinian. ...Of course, we need to take a detour to Florence to look at thevenders in bloom.


    Song Qingchun started to tremble uncontrobly. She was holding a dress in her hands at the time, and the fabric was getting ruffled from her tight grip.


    The salesgirl couldn¡¯t help but say something to remind her. "Miss, I¡¯m sorry but you cannot grab the dress so tightly.


    "Miss?


    "Miss?"


    The girl called her several times, but Song Qingchun didn¡¯t respond. Eventually, she turned toward Qin Yinan pleadingly. Qin Yinan walked over and reached out to grab Song Qingchun¡¯s wrist. Then he carefully fished the dress out of her hands. "Song Song?"


    Song Qingchun recovered from her thoughts. She looked at Qin Yinan and realized the mistake she hadmitted. She smiled apologetically and said, "I¡¯m fine."


    Before Qin Yinan could say anything, she turned around to continue selecting the dress. As she walked through the shop, she answered Qin Yinan¡¯s earlier question. "How about Rome?"


    Qin Yinan was confused for a moment before he realized that Song Qingchun was answering the question about their honeymoon location. In his memory, Song Qingchun had never said anything about liking Rome, so he was confused why she would pick that location.


    Qin Yinan looked at Song Qingchun¡¯s profile for a moment before asking, "But didn¡¯t you hate historical ces like Rome?"


    "Yes, I find it boring..." Song Qingchun picked up a white dress with diamond iid. She put it before her body and modelled it in the mirror before continuing in a faded tone. "...but you like it right?"


    "Me?" Qin Yinanughed. He picked up a ck suit that matched Song Qingchun¡¯s white dress and held it in front of the mirror before saying, "When did I say I like Rome? I can¡¯t remember it."


    Song Qingchun ced the white dress back on the rack. She gave Qin Yinan a side-eye before picking up yet another dress. She mocked him half-jokingly, "Stop toying with me, Brother Yinan. During our email correspondence, you told me more than once you like Rome very much."


    Song Qingchun thought the dress she was holding was not bad, so she signaled the girl, saying she wished to try it on.


    Qin Yinan asked the girl to bring a matching suit before he followed Song Qingchun. "Song Song, what are you talking about? What is this email correspondence?"


    Song Qingchun, who was about to walk into the dressing room, stopped. Before she turned around, she heard Qin Yinan say, "Howe I don¡¯t remember sending you any emails?"


    The words Song Qingchun wanted to say were stuck in her throat. She stared at the confused Qin Yinan for some time to ensure he was not lying. Right then, her heart dropped with consternation. With a frown, she said, "Don¡¯t you remember? It was during the first year you joined the military. You would send me an email every few days..."


    Qin Yinan became even more confused.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s frown deepened. An inexplicable feeling crawled all over her back. She swallowed before exining it more clearly. "That email is , don¡¯t you remember?"

 Chapter 760 99 Mails 15

    Qin Yinan¡¯s expression looked a bit sluggish, probably because he did feel the email address sounded familiar, but he couldn¡¯t pinpoint it.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s temper was a bit high that day probably because her mood was not so great. Just as she was about to remind him that he had sent her 99 emails with that address, Qin Yinan suddenly eximed with a loud "Oh!" and said, "Song Song, I remember now..."


    Song Qingchun nodded. "Yes..."


    Before she could finish, Qin Yinan continued. "...but that email was stolen not long after I joined the military. I stopped using it, so I couldn¡¯t have sent you any emails."


    Brother Yinan didn¡¯t use that address? Then who was the person who sent me 99 emails?


    "...Therefore, Song Song, the person who mailed you is not me. Perhaps it¡¯s the hacker who stole the address. But it¡¯s impossible to find out who that person is now. After all, it has been so long."


    Qin Yinan proffered his spection, but none of the wordsnded on Song Qingchun¡¯s ears. It was until the salesgirl reminded them that the outfits were already prepared in the dressing room that they both recovered. Then, they separated and wandered off to separate dressing rooms.


    Song Qingchun sat on the bench in the dressing room hugging the dress. She didn¡¯t move to try on the dress because her mind was filled with thoughts about those emails.


    Brother Yinan said the address was stolen, and it might have been done by a hacker, but that shouldn¡¯t be. If it was a random hacker, how could he know so much about me and Brother Yinan... Obviously, the person was liaising with me, masquerading as Brother Yinan... so who could that person be?


    Song Qingchun scratched her brain thinking about the possible answer. Suddenly, she pulled out her phone from her pocket like she just realized something. She opened her email app and logged into the address When the system asked for a password, she stared at it for some time before keying in six numbers.


    961008


    These digits were the password to Su Zhinian¡¯s house and the password for the ck Card he had given her. At the time, she had been confused why the man would use the same six digits for all his passwords. She had even grumbled about how dangerous it was if he also used the same six digits for his safe deposit box,puter, and stuff. Even though it did cross her mind to try out the six digits around the house, she didn¡¯t really do it.


    She was unsure whether those six digits would be the password, but when she discovered that those emails didn¡¯te from Qin Yinan and someone was masquerading as him, the first name that appeared in her name as if on instinct was Su Zhinian.


    This was because the one other person who knew her that well in this world was Su Zhinian.


    The signal in the dressing room was weak. After she keyed in the password, the phone loaded for a very long time before it changed into another page. Song Qingchun held her breath as she stared unblinkingly at her phone. As she expected, the page didn¡¯t tell her the password was wrong but entered the mailbox sessfully.


    The mailbox was incredibly clean. All it had were 99 emails in the inbox and 99 emails in the outbox.


    The emails in the inbox all came from her own email address.


    She was right all along. Throughout the years, all those Qin Yinan emails that she had treasured like gold all came from the man by the name of Su Zhinian.

 Chapter 761 99 Mails 16

    Just how much warmth had he given her without her knowing?


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart that was caught in a haze for the whole day started to beat with great speed. Her hands that were wrapped in one another started to shake uncontrobly. The emotions that she had been suppressing since she returned from Hai Nan exploded in that moment. Her brain was a mess. She did not have any intention of trying on the dress anymore. What she needed then was to find a quiet ce to chill out alone...


    Song Qingchun sprang up to her feet and pulled the dressing room door open. The salesgirl who was waiting outside immediately rushed over with a smile. "Miss, how is the dress fitting..."


    However, when she saw the dress held in Song Qingchun¡¯s arms, she paused. "...What¡¯s wrong, miss? You don¡¯t like the dress?"


    Song Qingchun shoved the dress into the girl¡¯s arms, and without saying a word, she brushed past the girl and staggered her way toward the entrance.


    "Miss? Miss?" The girl looked at Song Qingchun¡¯s retreating back and the dressing room that housed Qin Yinan. She hesitated for a moment before knocking on Qin Yinan¡¯s room door. "Sir, sir, the miss has run away..."


    Qin Yinan only had on half the outfit, but he immediately dropped the rest of the clothes. He put on his own shirt and rushed out of the dressing room without putting the shirt into the dress pants. He also shoved the remaining clothes into the salesgirl¡¯s hands before running toward the entrance with a hasty apology.


    Qin Yinan ran around therge mall several times, but he was unable to spot Song Qingchun. He stood before the vending machine to catch his breath. Then, he reached into his pocket to pull out his phone. He was about to call Qingchun when he saw that Cheng Qingchong had sent him a message. When he saw the message, his hand shook, and the phone slipped from his fingers, the screen shattering into pieces.


    ...


    After their night together, Cheng Qingchong had not interacted with Qin Yinan. However, Cheng Qingchong did keep an eye on Qin Yinan. She even used her business connections to get more updates on Qin Yinan. She didn¡¯t hear anything about an uing nuptial.


    Even though Qin Yinan did promise that he would be responsible for her, one month had passed, and Qin Yinan still had not contacted her. Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t feel that disappointed. Her ultimate goal was to stop him from marrying Miss Song; whether he married her or not, she really didn¡¯t mind.


    Su Zhinian stopped disappearing from thepany. He returned to his usual schedule,ing to work at 9 am and returning home at 5 pm. He looked perfectly normal on the surface. There was this one time when Cheng Qingchong came in to deliver a document to him, and she realized he was messaging ¡¯the person hiding in my memory¡¯.


    The days slowly passed, and Cheng Qingchong¡¯s heart started to calm down. Big Boss has resumed contact with Miss Song, and there was no wedding news between Miss Song and Mr. Qin. Most importantly, Big Boss often goes to Miss Song¡¯s house after work. All this points toward a happy ending between Big Boss and Miss Song.


    Whenever she thought about this, Cheng Qingchong would smile to herself, but behind that smile was a sharp pain to her heart.


    Regardless, if feelings could be quantified, her happiness for her Big Boss far outweighed her own unhappiness.

 Chapter 762 99 Mails 17

    Just as Cheng Qingchong thought everything was set in stone, during a charity dinner where she apanied Su Zhinian to, she ran into a friend whom she had enquired about Qin Yinan from earlier. When they were catching up, the friend suddenly remembered and informed her, "Hey, remember you asking about updates on Qin Yinan? He¡¯s getting married to Song Empire¡¯s youngdy soon. If I¡¯m not mistaken, the wedding date is March 14th, White Valentine."


    Cheng Qingchong heard the news and was stunned beyond words. She eventually came to. She smiled thinly at her friend and excused herself. Cheng Qingchong was used to social gatherings like a dinner party, but she found herself a corner and hid herself from any social interaction that night.


    The chandelier lit up the dinner hall, and like usual, she managed to pick out Su Zhinian¡¯s shadow among the many guest with just one look. The man looked calm and serene on the surface; it seemed like he had all the time in the world.


    She had been tricked by this demeanor of his... She spent time with him daily, but she still failed to notice any w in him. Had he hidden it too well?


    Big Boss chose to suffer the pain and agony silently and alone. In the darkest hour of the night, will he have difficulty sleeping or shed tears thinking about Miss Song¡¯s uing marriage like he used to?


    Before the dinner ended, Cheng Qingchong messaged Su Zhinian, saying that she need to leave early because she was not feeling well. That night, she could not sleep at all. The next day, she asked for a day-off from work and went to the hospital.


    She found an old friend and chatted with her for a long time. In the end, she gave her friend a stack of money and finally got what she needed¡ªa fake certificate.


    It was already 3 pm when she exited the hospital. She hailed a cab to return to her residential area. She didn¡¯t hurry to return to her room but sat in the park on a bench and allowed the chilling wind to ravage her. She sat there in contemtion for a long time before she pulled out the fake certificate that she had wrangled from the hospital. She snapped a few pictures and sent them to Qin Yinan.


    Since I¡¯ve taken the first wrong step, there¡¯s no reason not to walk this road to this end, right?


    I must be mad... Perhaps, but as long as I have a breath in me, I will not allow anyone to steal Big Boss¡¯ love away from him!


    ...


    Song Qingchun walked along the deep winter streets aimlessly for some time before she joined the hurrying crowd into the subway. She swiped her public transport card and allowed herself to be carried into the train by the crowd.


    She remained on the train until it reached its end and got off because she felt the station name look quite familiar. Coming out of the subway entrance, she took a left and walked for about ten minutes. She found herself at the corner leading into Shining Light Residences.


    She walked along the sidewalk and took multiple turns. When she stopped ten minutester, she realized that she had wandered to Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow without realizing. Ever since she came to his ce and overheard his conversation with Auntie Su, she had never returned.


    Ever since they had known each other, the best memories that they shared had all happened within this bungalow.


    Since they returned from Hai Nan, Song Qingchun had promised herself that she would let many things go, but when she was standing in front of this bungalow and when she raised her head to look at the building that was washed in the burnished glow of the setting sun, many memories rushed into her mind.

 Chapter 763 99 Mails 18

    Song Qingchun stared at the building for a long time before walking slowly forward, keyed in the password, pushed open the steel gate, and walked in.


    A year passed by in the blink of an eye. One year ago, at this time, she had been chased out of his bungalow. At the time, she had still been lying to herself about her feelings toward him. She remembered being angry at him for sending his secretary to deal with her, but now, she realized that she had already fallen in love with him. The reason she had been angry was because she didn¡¯t want to leave.


    The patio was still the same, other than a few new Red Berry trees that covered thewn with their flowers. Song Qingchun could not have been more familiar with this bungalow, but she still wandered around the premises like she was on a tour.


    She walked to the front door and looked at the closed door for a moment before walking up the steps to key in the password, push the door open, and walk in. The ce was as clean as she expected. In the corner of the room, a new sunflower stalk was blooming in its vase.


    Song Qingchun squatted down to pull open the shoe rack. The slippers she had used when she was a house guest were ced orderly inside. It was easy to convince herself that she had never left. Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes reddened with tears. She pulled the slippers out and ced them gingerly before herself. She put them on and walked into the house.


    She was alone in the three-hundred-footrge bungalow. The ce was eerily quiet, amplifying the sound of her footsteps as she walked around the house. Song Qingchun circled the ground floor before moving upstairs. Her first destination was her former bedroom. Other than her stuff that she had already removed from the house, the room had remained practically the same. Even the China Doll which she purchased on a whim was still sitting quietly on the bedside table.


    Song Qingchun sat down on the bed before she walked out and turned into his bedroom. The window to the balcony was open, and a cold breeze drifted into the room, causing the indoor temperature to be slightly lower than the corridor.


    Song Qingchun walked over to close the window. When she turned around, she spotted a few white boxes sitting on Su Zhinian¡¯s bedside table. Song Qingchun recognized them as the same box from which he had taken out his medicine two night ago.


    She walked forward to pick one up. When she saw thebel "Tranquilizer" on the surface, she frowned. Tranquilizer? Why is Su Zhinian taking tranquilizers, and so many of them at the same time?


    Song Qingchun panicked for a moment before she gripped the box and ran out of the bedroom. She rushed into the study, and as she predicted, there were simr white boxes sitting next to Su Zhinian¡¯sputer. This means that... he has ced tranquilizers all over his house? No, wait, he carries them on him at all times.


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t know much about tranquilizers. She walked to Su Zhinian¡¯s desk and turned on hisputer. Even though theputer was password-protected, Song Qingchun knew the password already. She opened the browser and typed in the word ¡¯tranquilizer¡¯. The results came back in less than a second.


    "Tranquilizer is amon drug used for calming effect and to aid sleep. If used in appropriate dosage, a tranquilizer is beneficial to human health. It can help one calm down, improve sleeping habits, and a verifiable anti-depressant. It also helps with anxiety."

 Chapter 764 99 Mails 19

    Su Zhinian has trouble sleeping or is facing psychological issue?


    She continued to type and then saw a warning. "Overdose on tranquilizers will cause addiction, illusion, light-headedness, or in serious cases, death from apnea."


    Song Qingchun was reminded of how he swallowed that handful of pills, and her lips quivered. The mouse she was holding slid off the edge of the table andnded with a thud. Does this mean he is addicted to the pills since he takes so many of them?


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t dare imagine the worst. A bone-tingling chill climbed up her back slowly. If she didn¡¯t identally wander into his bungalow that day, would she have next received news of his death because of a tranquilizer overdose?


    What is wrong with him that he has to take so many tranquilizers? He looks so normal on the surface...


    Song Qingchun closed her eyes and sucked in a deep breath to suppress the fear in her heart little by little. The bungalow was quiet. Song Qingchun sat before theputer for a long time before she slowly opened her eyes. She stood up and nned to collect all the tranquilizer around the house and toss them out. However, in her rush to stand up, she identally knocked into the table, causing a document to flutter down to the ground.


    Song Qingchun bent over to pick the papers up one by one. One of the files had flown to the deepest corner of the table. She pressed her body down on the table and finally fished the document out. As she struggled to stand up, a booklet fell from the pile of document gathered in her hands.


    The booklet was familiar to Song Qingchun, it was his diary. When she still stayed with him, she had seen him write in the booklet more than once. Song Qingchun had always been curious what kind of diary entries the man wrote, but she had never once thought about viting his privacy.


    However, as she stood there in his study, the rush to read the diary overwhelmed her because she wished to know the man¡¯s thoughts, what his daily thoughts were, how his life was after their separation, and most importantly, perhaps she could find out why he need to take so many tranquilizers.


    Song Qingchun squatted down on the floor and stared at the diary for a long time before slowly standing up. She arranged the document that she had knocked over and ced them on the table. Then, she grabbed Su Zhinian¡¯s diary and slowly walked over to the coach next to the window. The setting sun filtered through the window and fell judiciously on her. It bathed her in a soft warm glow.


    Song Qingchun stared at the cover for a long time before she opened it. Unlike earlier, where she simply sought out a random page, this time, she read it from the very beginning.


    "1996, October 1st, sunny."


    Song Qingchun frowned when she noticed the date. 1996, this was so many years ago. At the time, Su Zhinian is probably only seven or eight? He started writing the diary when he was so young?


    Song Qingchun was duly impressed as she continued her reading. The entry only had one line. "Mother finally came to fetch me out of the sanatorium."


    Sanatorium? Su Zhinian has been in a mental hospital and when he was only seven or eight?

 Chapter 765 99 Mails 20

    A dull pain gripped Song Qingchun¡¯s heart, and she continued to read.


    "1996, October 3rd, sunny. I just transferred into a new school. It has been three days since I left the sanatorium, but I still feel the world around me is a piece of darkness. The world around me is within arm¡¯s reach, but for some reason, it feels incredibly distant."


    "1996, October 5th, 3 am, starless. I once again woke up from the nightmare. The first thing I did after pulling off the cover was to rush into the bathroom. There is no hot water in the dormitory, so I shivered in the cold bath for one whole hour. The dormitory is quiet because all my roommates are asleep. I shivered under the covers throughout the night, but I was unable to sleep because I feel the dirt hasn¡¯t been washed off me."


    Dirty? Why would Su Zhinian see himself as dirty?


    There were merely three entries on the first page, but it already gave Song Qingchun so many questions. She flipped over the page carefully.


    "1996, October 6, light rain. The nightmare returned, and I found myself back in the mental hospital room. I¡¯m no longer in there, but the olddy¡¯s touch all over my body remained. It felt incredibly real in the nightmare. I felt so disgusted that I proceeded to vomit in the bathroom for half an hour straight. That was followed by another one hour of cold showering.


    "During ss, I felt the whole ssroom was dirty¡ªeven the ssmates were immensely dirty. I started to have fever in the afternoon. Today is a Friday, so we were allowed home after school. I¡¯m home alone because mother is at work. I didn¡¯t call mother to tell her about my fever. Instead, I found some medicine lying around the house, took that, and went to sleep."


    Song Qingchun read the phrase ¡¯the olddy¡¯s touch all over my body¡¯ several times before she understood what it meant. The young Su Zhinian was molested? No wonder he has such an obsession with cleanliness; it¡¯s because of this.


    The image of the young and innocent Su Zhinian being taken advantage of seemed to appear before her eyes. It was ovepping with the image of the boy struggling with his sickness alone in bed. Song Qingchun felt like someone had reached into her heart to pull on it tightly. It caused all the air to escape her body. She really didn¡¯t know that he had such a troubled childhood.


    "1996, October 8th, sunny and windless. It¡¯s a boring weekend. I walked around town with an earphones in. The streets were crowded, but I felt like I was an outsider looking in.


    "I met a little girl at the entrance of Ming Jing alley. A suspicious man wearing a cap offered her sweets, and she agreed to follow him just like that. The man was a human trafficker.


    "Initially, I didn¡¯t want to get involved, but when the girl brushed past me, she helped me pick up my wallet. It was simply because I did not feel like owing her that I told her the man was a bad person. She looked at me with her eyes wide open. She didn¡¯t say a word in return. At the time, I thought she looked devastatingly dumb. I thought that she couldn¡¯t understand what I was saying. Just as I was about to regret being such a busybody, the girl suddenly told the man that she did not want to go with him because ¡¯big brother¡¯ said he was a bad man."

 Chapter 766 Diary for One 1

    "The human trafficker refused to give up and tried to cheat the girl. It was then that I decided to walk away. After all, I¡¯d already gotten used to the fact that no one in the world would believe me. However, that girl surprised me by yelling at the human trafficker with conviction a sentence that still reverberates in my head until now


    "Big brother says you¡¯re a bad man, so you must be a bad man!


    "The girl in her agitation bit on the lollipop in her mouth. It shattered into pieces and dropped to the ground. She started crying, and the human trafficker hurried away because she was causing a scene. I have neverforted a girl before, and I have spoken less than ten sentences since I left the mental hospital. I was really helpless dealing with a weeping girl.


    "Running out of options, I used all the money I had on me to buy her two new lollipops. The girl finally stopped crying and broke into a smile. For some reason, her smile seemed to light up my dark and hazy world. The girl talked a lot, and while I tried to contribute to the conversation, I didn¡¯t know how to. In the end, I only asked her what her name was. She said her name was Tingting, Song Tingting... Tingting, Song Tingting, Tingting, Song Tingting, Tingting, Song Tingting..."


    That was probably the longest diary entry for Su Zhinian. He spent the whole night filling the page with "Tingting, Song Tingting". Song Qingchun stared at the three words, and her eyes started to redden.


    Truth be told, she had once been curious about the identity of this Tingting. She had believed that it was a real person once upon a time, but after she confirmed Su Zhinian had always loved her, she believed that Tingting was merely a character he had created to confuse her.


    She had a hard time remembering stuff from her childhood years. She only had several images in her mind. However, when she read that entry, everything gradually fell into ce. It was then that she realized that the Tingting Su Zhinian had been crying for and could not forget was her all along.


    She really could not make the connection between the Tingting on Su Zhinian¡¯s lips and the many names she had tried on when she was a child. She really did not expect that she would have run into Su Zhinian while she was using the name Tingting.


    "1996, November 5th, light snow. I¡¯ve returned to Ming Jing alley. I stood there for four hours, but there was no sign of her."


    "1996, December 25th, Christmas. I bought two lollipops and purposely waited at Ming Jing alley for her to appear. I stood there in the freezing cold for the whole day, but she still didn¡¯t show herself."


    "1997, March 8th, cloudy. Spring has arrived. I really cannot tell how many times I¡¯ve been to Ming Jing alley, arriving with hope, leaving with disappointment."


    "2000, October 8th, sunny. Four years have passed in the blink of an eye. I¡¯ve been looking for her, but there has been no progress. Whenever I feel low in spirit, I think about her."


    "2004, June 1st. Children¡¯s Day. It has been eight years already. I¡¯m entering high school, and she is probably in junior high. I still haven¡¯t forgotten about her. I know I probably won¡¯t see her again in my life, but I will continue to search for her, the only person who gave me light in the darkest period of my life."

 Chapter 767 Diary for One 2

    "2005, December 3rd, heavy snow. Mother is sick, not feeling well. I thought about her a lot today."


    "2006, September 1st, hot sun. Mother is transferring hospital. For the sake of mother, I decided to change school as well. It has been almost ten years since Ist saw her, but the impression of her in my memory only deepened. Today, when I fell asleep by mother¡¯s bedside at the hospital, I dreamed about her. When I woke up, I was a bit confused, and I had a hard time telling whether the girl I saw ten years ago was real or just a figment of my imagination."


    "2006, September 17th, cloudy. My request for the school transfer has been approved. The environment at the new school is not bad. The only annoyance are the various letters that stuffed my drawer every morning."


    "2006, September 31st, windy. Remembered the names of two boys, Song Cheng and Qin Yinan, because apparently, I¡¯ve usurped them as the most handsome student. Childish and boring."


    "2006, October 27th, sunny, sunny, sunny. Dear diary, do you know? I¡¯m really happy today because I finally met her! Ten years, ten yearster, I finally found her again. Even though ten years have passed, I still managed to identify her with one nce. She is the Tingting I¡¯ve been looking for! Unfortunately, she didn¡¯t even nce at me when she walked past me."


    "2006, November 2nd, cloudy. Her name is Song Qingchun; Tingting is probably her pet name."


    "2006, November 4th, sunny. By the school¡¯skeside, I saw a boy confess to her."


    "2006, December 24th, light snow. She is Song Cheng¡¯s little sister. When Song Cheng came to our ss today, I smiled at him because he is her older brother."


    "2007, January 4th, sunny. The holiday ising soon. Won¡¯t be able to see her for a month. Annoyed."


    "2007, March 14th, White Valentine. She stood at the school gate alone. After a long wait, I finally walked up to her, and the first thing I said was ¡¯Hello¡¯. The only thing I saw in her eyes was wariness due to a stranger. She asked me, ¡¯Can I help you?¡¯


    "¡¯Is your name Tingting?¡¯ was my question. She said that I had the wrong person. I desperately wanted to tell her that I wasn¡¯t wrong. Ten years ago, I met her at Ming Jing alley, but before I could say any of that, she told me impatiently that her name wasn¡¯t Tingting, her name was Song Qingchun. Then, she ran toward the boy by the name of Qin Yinan. Sad."


    "2007, March 15th. 1 am. Can¡¯t sleep. The most heart-breaking thing in the world is when I¡¯ve been looking for you, but you have already forgotten me."


    "2007, March 15th, 7 am. Stayed up since the previous entry. Not feeling sleepy, weirdly refreshed. I believe that I have fallen in love with the girl I¡¯ve searched for the past ten years."


    "2007, April 18th, 10 pm. The homework given by the physics teacher was so easy that I fell asleep writing it. I dreamed about her, and in the dream, I told her that I¡¯ve expended three lifetimes to find her and now I will use another to make her my wife."


    "2007 May 8th, cloudy. Got in a fight today because two boys mocked Tingting. They said she looked innocent on the surface but was internally a real b*tch. I was angered beyond belief. The teacher punished me by putting me on cleaning duty until the semester is over."

 Chapter 768 Diary for One 3

    "2007, May 14th, sunny. When she went shopping with her friend, she mentioned liking one of the nes on disy. She didn¡¯t buy it. After they left, I went to look at the ne; the price was startling. I went to waiter at a night club. The bouquet of perfume at the ce was heavy, and many women kept wandering around me. Disgusting, stomach upset often."


    "2007, June 15th, cloudy. The exam was over, need to stay for another year. Got the sry from the nightclub. Just enough to buy the ne. Finally, don¡¯t need to return to that ce anymore. One month of vomiting caused me to drop 8 kilos."


    "2007, June 28th, sunny. I ced the ne quietly in her bag. That afternoon, I saw her wear the ne when she went to the bathroom. Really happy."


    "2007, August 21st, sunny. Mother met with an old friend. The friend promised to look after me when she¡¯s recuperating in the hospital. Actually, I don¡¯t need anyone to look after me, but when I found out the friend¡¯s name was Song Menghwa, I agreed immediately because Song Menghwa¡¯s daughter is Song Qingchun."


    "2007, September 23rd, cloudy. It has been twenty days since I moved in with the Song family. She doesn¡¯t seem to like me. She likes Qin Yinan."


    "2007, November 23rd, sunny. One month to Christmas, she has started preparing gifts for Qin Yinan. Since I want to spend more time with her, I agreed to apany her to go gift-shopping. Got jealous and angered because she wouldn¡¯t stop talking about Qin Yinan. Left her at the mall and went home. Too guilty to fall asleep at night."


    "2007 December 14th, light snow. She stopped talking to me a long time ago. She even refused to look me in the eye. I wish to apologize to her, but she won¡¯t give me the chance because she harrumphs and walks away whenever she sees me."


    "2007 December 25th. Christmas. She went to find Qin Yinan. Both of Qin Yinan¡¯s parents were not home. Received her call at midnight saying she lost her wallet and was stranded at the airport. Heard the tears in her voice. Hurried to fetch her, that was the best day of my life since I moved in with the Song family."


    "2008 January 5th. Mood getting better because we¡¯re getting closer."


    "2008 May 7th. First time I¡¯ve felt the rush to kill. Be it Tang Nuan or the ruffians at the nightclub, no one is allowed to bully the love of my life!"


    "2008 May 23rd. My birthday. Invited her to have dinner with me."


    "2008 May 24th. She stood me upst night. I got drunk and raped her... Failed to find her even though I¡¯ve been looking for her whole day already..."


    "2008 May 25th. I sold all my stuff and my gaming ount. Collecting all the money I had, I bought a diamond ring. If she shows herself, I will propose to her immediately. I know that she will be resistant, but I will give her all the time she needs and try my best to get her to say yes."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s fingers that held the diary started to shake. So, after that nightmarish night, he bought a ring and nned to propose to her.


    "2008 May 27th. The most unforgettable day of my life. The most despairing day of my life. I stumbled upon a secret thatpletely shattered my dream."

 Chapter 769 Diary for One 4

    "2008, May 31st. So drunk..."


    Song Qingchun believed, when Su Zhinian wrote that entry, he must have been blind drunk because she could only recognize the first two words before the rest of the entry devolved into a bunch of iprehensible lines. At the darkest moment of her life, Song Qingchun hated Su Zhinian deeply, but she now realized that the person who gave her such devastation was not having it easy either.


    "2008, June 11th, sunny. The weather today was perfect, but my world was a te of darkness. Just received the report from the hospital. I¡¯m really Song Menghwa¡¯s son. The love of my life is my younger sister from a different mother..."


    "2008, June 23rd. The result of the exam is out. The grade was better than expected, received many offers from multiple famous schools. Didn¡¯t feel happy at all. Have no idea who spread the rumors at school that Tingting and I have slept together. I know that I shouldn¡¯t have let the rumors get to me, but the first thing I did was to rush home to check up on her. Ran into an enraged Tingting because she suspected it was me who started the rumors. Really didn¡¯t intend to get into an argument with her, but the news that she is my biological sister still bugged me deeply. When she chased me out of the house, I did what she asked. Not only that, I even dropped her a cheque. Thinking back, such a clean break might not be the worst."


    "2008, December 25th. Christmas. Passed a store on the way home. Bought a beautifully-wrapped crystal apple. After walking out of the store, only realized it was meant for her. But she¡¯s my little sister, what am I thinking?"


    "2009, January 1st, New Year. Got drunk with Tang Nuo but still had a bit of consciousness left to hear myself mumbling her name. Tingting, Tingting... What should I do? Even if I know she¡¯s my sister, I can¡¯t stop myself."


    "2009 March 5th, another spring has arrived. Today, on the street, saw a girl wearing a red dress with white polka dress. Was reminded of her because she had the same dress. Lost my thought standing there in the streets. I miss her dearly... When I was writing my report, I wrote down my name as hers."


    "2009 September 7th, holiday. She has returned to Beijing. I ran into her on the street identally. She became much prettier since Ist saw her, grew taller as well. Only at that moment did I realize how much I missed her. The love remains despite the fact of the truth. The sun this morning was glorious. I sat in the car, but I could only feel the darkness around me. I know that I must try my best not to fall for my little sister, but whenever she appears before me, all my conviction shatters. My life of sin thus began."


    "2009, November 28th. I was tasked to make a report at Shanghai. The venue happened to be her school. I saw her, and she also saw me, but she pretended like she didn¡¯t know me and walked past me like I was just another stranger on the street."

 Chapter 770 Diary for One 5

    "2009, December 25th, Christmas. She cried for a long time because of Qin Yinan. She¡¯s the one shedding tears, but I¡¯m the one suffering the pain. I really wish tofort her, but I didn¡¯t dare get close. I¡¯m afraid she would think I¡¯m taking advantage of her. After a long period of contemtion, I came up with the perfect solution. I applied for a new number to message her, wishing her Merry Christmas. She didn¡¯t reply, but it¡¯s okay because I¡¯m used to her ignoring me."


    "2010, October 8th. I¡¯ve officially registered mypany in Beijing. I chose this date because I first met her on October 8th."


    "2011, April 5th. Interviewing for a secretary. Don¡¯t really want one because used to doing everything alone. However, the workload is piling up, had to hire one. Many people came for the interview. Ended up choosing Cheng Qingchong for the simple reason that she came to the interview wearing a blue dress that Song Qingchun also has in her closet."


    "2012, March 6th. Qin Yinan left to join the military. She has been waiting for him to reply, but Qin Yinan was nowhere to be found. Her sadness affected me. I believe my love toward her has shattered my sanity. I¡¯ve epted the sinfulness of my life, so I acted like a crazy person and hacked into Qin Yinan¡¯s email address. I pretended to be Qin Yinan and replied her. After she received the reply, she was so happy, and I was happy for her. Even though there was a dull pain underneath that happiness, I¡¯m used to it. It¡¯s okay."


    ...


    "2013, April 8th. I¡¯ve sent 99 emails to her in just a year. She doesn¡¯t know they came from me. She believes they came from Qin Yinan. Her love toward Qin Yinan must have deepened. Even though I feel sad, it¡¯s okay. Better that she falls in love with someone else than me. However, there is a little secret that no one knows. Those 99 emails have the same word count, 520, I love you. 99 emails, telling you I love you 99 times."


    ...


    "2015, August 7th. Song Cheng died. Perhaps it was our blood rtion, but when I heard this news, my heart skipped a beat. The next thing I thought about was her. When I saw her, it was as I expected, she was crying helplessly like a child."


    "2015, September 17th. Song Empire¡¯s stock market copsed, and Song Menghwa was hospitalized."


    "2015, October 2nd. She came to see me, but I didn¡¯t meet her."


    "2015. October 29th. Underestimated her persistence. She still hasn¡¯t given up even though I told her so many nasty things."


    "2015. November 2nd. She waited outside mypany for a whole day. Actually, I really want to help her, but I didn¡¯t dare make the first move. I can only use those bad memories we shared to guilt her. I didn¡¯t dare to be good to her because I was afraid, afraid that once I start, I wouldn¡¯t know how to stop. I¡¯m afraid my kindness will influence her, will drag her into the abyss of hell with me, so I could only harden my heart to be someone she hates to the core."


    "2015. November 23rd. She¡¯s sticking to me even harder. I¡¯m annoyed because I feel my conviction breaking. I wish to be closer to her, that¡¯s my biggest wish, but I¡¯m afraid my selfishness will ruin her for life."

 Chapter 771 Diary for One 6

    "2015, November 25th. She copsed by the roadside due to menstrual cramps. When she woke up the next morning, I heard her answer a phone call from Qin Yinan. I know she couldn¡¯t love me, but I was still angered by jealousy and chased her away. However, worried about her health, I rushed out to pull her back. I thought about it and decided to be selfish for once. I¡¯ll let her stay by my side for a hundred days, just a hundred days. I wish to collect the best memory for myself in these hundred days."


    ...


    "2016, January 2nd. I can never be there for her happiness, but I¡¯ll always be there for her sadness."


    "2016, January 5th. I smiled because of her... I smiled. Staring at the smile on my face in the mirror, I was confounded for at least ten minutes. I haven¡¯t seen myself smile for years already."


    "2016, February 20th. Keep having nightmares, a bad feeling in my stomach. Will bring her to Ming Jing alley tonight."


    ...


    "2016, June 10th. I¡¯ve returned to Beijing. Surprised that I¡¯m still alive, also surprised that I managed to run into her the first day I returned to Beijing. I¡¯m sorry, Tingting, I can only pretend to not know you because I¡¯ve already entertained my selfishness once; I cannot do it again."


    ...


    "2016, June 19th. She used my card to order a roomful ofdies. I vomited from the overall sense of disgust. Very angry, wanted to demand an exnation from her as I rushed downstairs. Saw that she has sprained her ankle. The anger left mepletely, only felt pain in my heart."


    "2016, June 25th. The difference between lunar calendar and western calendar is a bit wide this year. This means that my birthday, which is normally in May, was dyed until the end of June. Today is the happiest day of my life because she confessed to me. Very happy, I can even hear the flowers blooming in the background. Very sad because I had to reject her. She has no idea, the person she is confessing to has loved her for a long time already..."


    ...


    "2016, September 25th. Heard the news of her getting married to Qin Yinan. Got drunk, and in my dream, I slept with her again. Woke up to realize it really did happen. I left her with a box of morning-after pills. That night she swallowed the pills right before my eyes. After she left, I stood dumbly at the front door until midnight. Then I went to the pharmacy to buy many boxes of morning-after pills. Munched on them like snacks. They taste very bitter."


    "2016, November 4th. She went to Japan, and I followed her. During the journey, she met many interesting events, but she didn¡¯t know that those were all specially arranged by me."


    ...


    The memories of her trip to Japan flooded Song Qingchun¡¯s mind. Tears the size of peas slid down her cheeks. The lucky encounters that she experienced had nothing to with her luck but everything to do with Su Zhinian.


    ...


    2016, December 30th, heavy snow. I drove her home. I believe this is thest time we shall see each other. I¡¯ll be leaving on the ne tomorrow, never to return. Goodbye, Tingting. Goodbye, the girl that I love, I wish you a life of happiness."

 Chapter 772 Diary for One 7

    "2017, February 6th, hazy. Just came back from Hai Nan. Reconciled with my biological father. She called me ¡¯big brother¡¯, and at that moment, I realize there can only be more darkness in my life. Haven¡¯t written a diary entry in a long time, so I don¡¯t know where to begin. I guess I should start by apologizing.


    "Tingting, that night at Hai Nan, we promised each other, after we return to Beijing, you¡¯ll marry Qin Yinan and I¡¯ll meet someone new. We promised to both start brand new. When we see each other next, we¡¯ll be nothing more than siblings. However, I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯ve lied to you again. The only reason I agreed was because I want you to stay in heaven. The abyss of hell, I¡¯ve been here for years already. I can no longer return to a normal life.


    "If you want me to give up loving you, I¡¯d rather die. You will never know that in the 1996, the year that I met you, I decided that if I can¡¯t have you then I¡¯d rather be alone. If there is someone out there that can take your ce, I would have given up on you so many years ago when I discovered you¡¯re my sister. Or perhaps I¡¯m being too stubborn. Regardless, when I realized I love you, I locked my heart. I¡¯ve trapped myself within the cell I¡¯ve built for myself. I will never leave it, and I don¡¯t want to leave it if it¡¯s not with you."


    "2017, February 10th. Song Menghwa helped me assess many marriage candidates. He even called Song Qingchun over to help. I could see that she was unwilling, but she still sat down to help.


    "When I reached home, it was already 11 pm. After taking a shower, Iy in bed but couldn¡¯t fall asleep. I thought about my story with her from the beginning to the end in my head, but I still don¡¯t feel like sleeping.


    "This is the fourth time I have been unable to sleep since the trip from Hai Nan. I know she has to marry Qin Yinan, and I know I have to let her see that I am doing fine, but I don¡¯t know how long I can put on this front any longer. I¡¯m not that strong, at least not strong enough to not do anything as the love of my life walks down the aisle with another man, not strong enough to attend their wedding, to raise my ss at them and wish them a life of happiness."


    "2017, February 14th. Her wedding date has been decided, March 14th, White Valentine. This morning, I had a raging headache for almost three hours. When I stood before the window looking at the sunset, my body suddenly rushed forward.


    "Thankfully, the ss window was there to stop me. At that moment, I realize perhaps I have fallen ill because I really considered suicide at that moment. I know it is time to see the doctors, but I didn¡¯t go. Instead, I bought myself plenty of tranquilizers. The reason I refuse to see the doctor is very simple. I¡¯ve fallen in love with my younger sister. I¡¯ve expected the disgust and contempt thates with that reality. It¡¯s okay because I experienced that when I was young. However, I don¡¯t want people to know she¡¯s my younger sister because I don¡¯t want her to experience the disgust and contempt because of me. She¡¯s the most beautiful thing in my life, and I refuse to let the world pollute her."


    "2017 February 16th. I realized missing you has a nickname; it¡¯s called stabbing myself one thousand times. I miss you greatly."

 Chapter 773 Diary for One 8

    "2017, February 19th. My situation is worse than expected. I can feel my senses receding by the day. I no longer feel the need to smile, to cry, or even to feel pain. I feel like a walking dead. The dosage of the tranquilizer has increased from 4 to 8 per intake."


    "2017, February 21st. During lunch, I realize I can no longer taste food. More importantly, during the meeting, I couldn¡¯t bring myself to announce the ending of the meeting. The words simply won¡¯te to my mouth. Am I missing the ability of speech right after missing the ability of taste?"


    "2017, February 23rd. I¡¯m afraid that I¡¯ll copse randomly one day before the date of her wedding, before I leave Beijing. I¡¯ve increased the dosage of the tranquilizer, but the anxiety still remains. In my annoyance, I shredded a contract worth several hundred million. I don¡¯t even know who I am anymore. I agreed to Song Menghwa¡¯s request to meet a girl because I want to let her know I¡¯m trying my best to live up to my end of the promise."


    "2017, February 25th. Today, I haven¡¯t said one single word. When I returned home, I tried talking to myself because I was really afraid that I had lost the power of speech. I realized the words ¡¯Tingting¡¯ and ¡¯Qingchun¡¯ roll off my tongue easily. I increased the dosage of the tranquilizer, and I finally had a good night¡¯s sleep, but I understand that was because I passed out from the overdose."


    "2017, February 27th. I found myself unwilling to get up from bed because I dreamed about her. Only in my dreams do I dare love her."


    "2017, March 3rd. I found awyer to split up the stocks under my name. 30 percent I¡¯ll give her, and 20 percent I will leave for mother and Song Menghwa. As for the real estate, mother and she will each share half. After thewyer left, I stared out the window, nking out for a long time. I¡¯ve known that I will inevitably lose her since many years ago. Even though she has never really been mine, as her wedding date draws closer, I feel like the distance between us grows bigger. I realize I¡¯m not as strong as I imagine. That night, the Su Zhinian at Hai Nan who gave her the promise, the beautiful dream has also given her his life."


    Liar, big liar... The person who suggested to return to a life under the sun after the date was over is you, but the first to renege is also you.


    He had lied to her many times, and she would always fall for it.


    Liar, big liar...


    Song Qingchun wiped away her tears and turned the page. Only onest entry remained.


    "2017, March 5th. I finally brought the girl I¡¯ve met with three times home. Tingting was home as well. She seemed to have a good rapport with the girl. Speaking of which, I haven¡¯t really spoken a full sentence to that girl before. Actually, I really didn¡¯t want to smile at the girl, but Tingting was there, so I forced myself to. I¡¯ve promised her, we will both walk away into a better life. Even though I¡¯m faking it, Tingting has to see that I¡¯m living up my end of the bargain so that she willmit to hers."

 Chapter 774 Diary for One 9

    "I¡¯d rather be alone, and even if I have to surrender everything, including myself, I only wish for her to remain clean and pure. That night, I overheard her conservation with Qin Yinan on the phone about dress-testing. Images of her in the Red Garden in her wedding dress filled my mind. 3 am but couldn¡¯t sleep from stress in the heart. Was downstairs taking the pills when she ran into me. Was panicked beyond belief, stammered when I asked her if she wanted to drink water. Eventually, found a random reason and escaped as soon as I could. When she told me good night, I only had enough rity left in me to reply with a simple, ¡¯night¡¯.


    "The handful of tranquilizers cannot calm me down even when I¡¯m back in my room. The lights in the house are still on, and they are blindingly bright. However, my world is as dark as it could be. There will never be a ray of light that shoots through the darkness like that fall in 1996, October 8th."


    There will never be a ray of light that shoots through the darkness like that fall in 1996, October 8th...


    A knife seemed to shoot through Song Qingchun¡¯s heart, and her whole body shivered from the painful impact. Her hand that gripped the diary shook violently, and her tears fell on the diary one after another, smudging Su Zhinian¡¯s handwriting.


    From the moment she realized he loved her, she had never doubted his love, but she had no idea how deep his love went. All this while, she had thought that her love for him was incredibly deep, but after reading his diary, she realized that her love was nothingpared to his love for her.


    He had so cruelly rejected her confession, he had left her that box of morning-after pills, he had humiliated her so deeply at his office... but now she realized, when he did all those things, he was harming himself as well.


    He was such a liar, an indubitable liar who had swindled her since the beginning and until the end, but she found herself unable to hate him. If anything, she only felt heartache.


    She was his light... She was his light... She was his light... He knew that he could never leave her, but he tried his best to force a front when he was around her, all so she would live a life of purity under the sun.


    But what about him?


    Behind the persona that he had manufactured, he was struggling alone in darkness, madness, and despair.


    She thought that the month she had lived after returning from Hai Nan was the worst there could be, but she had never realized that the man who looked so serene on the surface only managed to look so unfeeling because his heart was already dead.


    He had once told her that he had loved her throughout his youth, but that was untrue; he had loved her throughout his life.


    The diary slipped from Song Qingchun¡¯s fingers.


    Song Qingchun could not control her emotions anymore as her body slid down from the sofa. She copsed to the cold floor in a weeping heap.

 Chapter 775 Diary for One 10

    The open window in the study allowed the night breeze to drift in. It made the diary pages flutter continuously, creating a coge of Su Zhinian¡¯s handwriting from juvenile to mature and back again.


    Amidst the shuffling sound of the pages and her tears, a phrase appeared in her mind. What is Youth without Passion?


    This was the sentence that he had told her when he went to fetch her at the northern countryside. During their midnight talk session, when she asked him about Tingting, this was what he had told her.


    At the time, she had thought that Tingting was a girl whom he had loved since his youth and that he had not given up on her. It was not until that moment that she realized, the sentence ¡¯What is Youth without Passion?¡¯ meant more than that. A hidden meaning that had eluded her until then¡ªIf there was no Zhinian, would there be a Qingchun?


    A simple sentence that consisted of both of their names, it was a phrase that perfectly captured their story.


    What is Youth without Passion?


    If there was no Zhinian, would there be a Qingchun?


    Indeed... if there was no Su Zhinian in the world, would she, Song Qingchun, exist?


    Song Qingchun suddenly climbed up from the floor and rushed downstairs, ignoring the tear stains on her face. When she left home that morning, Song Menghwa had asked Su Zhinian to dinner that night, but Su Zhinian had rejected it, saying he had a dinner meeting at Eldorado. She had to talk to him, immediately, instantly, now...


    Song Qingchun pushed open the door and rushed out without even changing in her shoes. She left her jacket upstairs, so when the chilling breeze picked up, she shivered from cold. However, it did not cross her mind to run back into the house to pick up her jacket, and she rushed toward the gate.


    It was not easy to run in indoor slippers. When she got to the roadside to hail a cab, she realized that she had lost one of the slippers.


    Before the taxi even stopped stably at the entrance of Eldorado, Song Qingchun tossed the driver 100 RMB, shoved the door open, and jumped out. She flew out with the top part of her body leaning forward, and she almost copsed to the floor. Thankfully, she caught herself at thest second. Without taking a breath to calm herself, she rushed into Eldorado¡¯s lobby.


    When Song Qingchun was almost raped at Eldorado, Su Zhinian¡¯s rage had made it so that all the workers at Eldorado could recognize her easily.


    Eldorado did not entertain guests that were underdressed, but when the lobby receptionist saw Song Qingchun, she did not dare say anything. In fact, even the hotel manager came out to greet her politely. "Miss Song, do you need any help?"


    "Where¡¯s Su Zhinian?" Song Qingchun looked around the lobby.


    "You mean, Mr. Su? Mr. Su is in room 1008..."


    Before the manager finished, Song Qingchun ran toward the elevator.


    It was ufortable running with just one slipper, so when she passed a trashcan, Song Qingchun bent over to pull the slipper off her foot. She dropped it into the trashcan and hopped into the elevator.Non-literal trantion.Literal trantion.

 Chapter 776 Im Not Marrying 1

    Song Qingchun ignored the waiter who came forth to stop her. She walked toward the door of room 1008 and shoved it, putting all her weight behind it. The door was flung open and mmed heavily into the wall. The booming sound caused the conversation in the room to immediately stop.


    After about one second of silence, the man who was seated with his back facing the door roared angrily, "What is the meaning of this?"


    As he turned around, everyone else on the table also turned in unison toward the entrance.


    The only exception was Su Zhinian. The man seated at the head of the table was staring intently at a painting on the wall.


    The waiter who stood beside Song Qingchun apologized profusely for not stopping her. "I¡¯m so very sorry. This is my mistake..."


    As he said so, he tugged on Song Qingchun¡¯s sleeves, attempting to pull her out. Song Qingchun looked at Su Zhinian¡¯s face for about two seconds before she shrugged the waiter off. Ignoring the gaggle of eyes on her, she walked toward Su Zhinian in her bare feet.


    "Miss, who are you? How dare you interrupt an important meeting just like that?" The man who roared earlier began again. Song Qingchun ignored him like he was made of air. With her gaze zeroed in on Su Zhinian, she continued to walk deeper into the private room.


    "Waiter, stop her, call security to help if you need it..." Another guest who saw how under-dressed Song Qingchun was ordered the waiter, worried that Song Qingchun was there to create trouble.


    Su Zhinian, who had been absent-minded throughout the meeting, finally noticed the weird atmosphere in the room. He turned slowly around, and when he saw Song Qingchun, who was stalking toward him like a vengeful spirit, his body froze unconsciously. He sprang up from his seat with an awkward expression on his face like he had been caught red-handed.


    Other people at the meeting who wanted to chime in shut up immediately when they noticed this reaction from Su Zhinian. Some of them asked curiously, "CEO Su?"


    Su Zhinian did not respond. When he saw the thin clothes Song Qingchun was wearing, he frowned. Then he pushed the chair out from behind him and walked around the table toward her. His gait was fast, so he reached her in just two steps. "Why didn¡¯t you put on a coat in such cold weather?"


    The people around the table was stunned. So, this young woman with unkempt clothing is here for CEO Su?


    Song Qingchun stared straight at Su Zhinian and did not breathe a word.


    Su Zhinian noticed the red at the bottom of her eyes, and his frown deepened. "What happened? Who made you cry?"


    His concern made Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes redden even more. Her lips pursed with force, but she still did not say a word.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes flickered about with panic, and it was then that he realized she was barefooted. There was a flush of red on her left toe. Su Zhinian¡¯s tone turned concerned and angry. "Why did youe out in the cold without putting on your shoes?"


    She knew that he was that angry because he was concerned about her, but the moment Su Zhinian¡¯s tone turned heavier, her tears fell.


    Ignoring the roomful of people, she peeled her lips back and scolded him right to his face.


    "Su Zhinian, you big liar!"

 Chapter 777 Im Not Marrying 2

    Su Zhinian aside, the whole roomful of people was shocked by Song Qingchun¡¯s words. They looked at her with their eyes wide like they could not believe what they were seeing and hearing.


    The moment Song Qingchun opened her lips to scold Su Zhinian, the sadness and heartache she had felt when she read the diary all changed into a ball of fury. If not for the fact she identally discussed about the honeymoon location earlier with Qin Yinan, would she ever have found out he had masqueraded as her Brother Yinan tomunicate with her?


    If not for the fact that she keyed in the password to test if it was his email address and went to his bungalow to read his diary, would she have kept being lied to and really married Qin Yinan on March 14th?


    Then, she would move on to her supposed happily-ever-after while he waited for death in darkness and despair?


    The more Song Qingchun thought about it, the angrier she became. Her expression that red at Su Zhinian became stern, and her tone was shaking with anger. "How could you do this? Lie to me again and again! We promised each other, so how can you not live up to your promise? Su Zhinian, you¡¯re a horrible person."


    As she said so, Song Qingchun raised her leg to kick at Su Zhinian¡¯s knees. Since Song Qingchun was not wearing any shoes, the rebound from that kick caused a jolt of pain to drill into her heart. She sucked in a deep breath. This was her own mistake, but she even med the pain on Su Zhinian. She vented at him. "Do you think it¡¯s fun lying to me? Do you know how much I hate you? No, not only hate, I resent you!"


    Song Qingchun raised her leg again, but before she kicked at his knees, she remembered the pain from before. She stopped moving and stomped her foot on the ground. The next second, another shot of pain came from the ball of her foot. It caused tears toe to her eyes. She was the one who had been lied to, but howe it was her that was hurt every time she came to confront him?


    Song Qingchun¡¯s tears came even harder.


    Su Zhinian was tickled by Song Qingchun¡¯s clumsy reaction. At the same time, he felt pain in his heart as well. The first thing he did was squat down to inspect her leg. When his fingertip touched her ankle, Song Qingchun in her anger suddenly kicked her leg forward on Su Zhinian¡¯s shoulder. The man was defenseless and fell to the ground from that kick.


    The people in the room was so shocked that they forgot to breath. Who is this woman? She sure has guts!


    Just as everyone thought Su Zhinian was going to retaliate, the man stood up calmly from the floor. With everyone looking on with shock and awe, he told Song Qingchun gently, "Can you please wait for a moment?"


    Then he turned back to his seat to grab his jacket. Facing the room of shocked individuals, he hastily apologized before returning to Song Qingchun, grabbing her hand, and pulling her along.


    In her fury, Song Qingchun flung his hand away. Su Zhinian patiently reached for her arm again. His advance was again rebuffed. Staring at her bare feet, he bent over, picked her up in his arms, and walked out of the room.

 Chapter 778 Im Not Marrying 3

    Held in Su Zhinian¡¯s arms, Song Qingchun kept trying to escape while her mouth continued to berate him. Other than anger, the only thing Su Zhinian could read from her mind was the usation that he was a big liar.


    Even though he was greatly confused by all this, when she struggled to escape his embrace, he pulled her closer in case she identally slipped from his arms.


    How deep it hurt was how angry she was. However, even though the anger was caused by him, as they tussled back and forth, the fury in her chest gradually dissipated. When Su Zhinian ced her in his car¡¯s passenger seat and squatted down to inspect her feet, her anger had pretty much disappeared.


    Su Zhinian got into the car and said that he would send her home, but Song Qingchun said that she wanted to go to his bungalow. He paused, but before he could say anything, her tears started to fall again. There was no choice but for him topromise. He started the engine and drove back to his house.


    When they passed a 24-hour pharmacy, Su Zhinian stopped the car. He soon returned with an ointment in hand. When he got back into the car, Song Qingchun saw it was an ointment for bruises. Did he buy that for me?


    Song Qingchun lowered her head. In the past, when he did something like this, her heart would be harmed, but this time, her heart dulled with pain. Just as Su Zhinian turned the steering wheel to head back into the traffic, Song Qingchun, with her head still lowered, suddenly whispered under her breath, "Su Zhinian, you idiot!"


    Su Zhinian¡¯s fingers that gripped the steering wheel trembled. He kept his eyes on the road and his mouth shut, but there was a trace of innocence that crossed his eyes. Why am I an idiot?


    As if she could tell what he was thinking, she continued to mumble, "Su Zhinian, I¡¯ve not met a bigger idiot than you in my life! You¡¯re so dumb! So stupid! So..."


    Song Qingchun had difficultying up with another adjective. She halted for a moment before saying angrily, "...You giant idiot!"


    Really a giant idiot... How can he be this nice to a woman?


    Even if that woman was herself, when she saw how well he treated her, she could not help but feel guilty. Su Zhinian¡¯s lips opened as if he was trying to defend himself, but when he saw her red eyes that looked at him like a little bunny, he stopped talking. So be it. I¡¯ll just be an idiot. I¡¯ll let her vent.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s silent submissionpletely melted Song Qingchun¡¯s heart. It caused her emotions to stabilize. He focused on the road ahead while she huddled in the passenger seat, staring out the window, arranging her thoughts.


    When the car almost reached Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow, Song Qingchun¡¯s phone suddenly sounded with an alert.


    After two seconds of hesitation, Song Qingchun pulled her gaze back from the window. She pulled out her phone from her pocket. She looked at the new message, unlocked the screen, and replied, "Okay, I¡¯ll be there in a bit."


    After sending the message, Song Qingchun turned around to tell Su Zhinian, "Stop the car."

 Chapter 779 Im Not Marrying 4

    Su Zhinian was startled. He stepped on the brake and turned around to look at her. Feeling his gaze, Song Qingchun exined, "Brother Yinan wants to meet with me, and I need to go see him now."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s face waspletely expressionless. When the car stopped, and Song Qingchun pushed the door open to step out, he finally replied, "Okay."


    After a pause, he added, "Do you need me to take you there?"


    "It¡¯s okay, I¡¯ll call for a taxi." When Song Qingchun got her legs out from his car, she realized that she was not wearing any shoes. She got back into his car, pointed at his house, and said, "I need to get my shoes from your house first."


    "Okay." Su Zhinian nodded and restarted the engine. He was visibly flustered because he mistook the gas pedal for the brake, and the car shook violently.


    ...


    Song Qingchun put on her clothes without washing her legs. She bade Su Zhinian farewell as she turned to head out the door. Su Zhinian called after her, and she turned around. He passed the ointment he bought earlier to her and said, "Go home... remember to put..."


    The pause in his voice made Song Qingchun¡¯s heart quiver with pain. She knew that he was acting this way because she was going to meet Qin Yinan. Song Qingchun struggled internally for a moment but did not say anything. She epted the ointment and smiled thinly at him before running out of his sight.


    ...


    When Song Qingchun reached the Green Ind Cafe, Qin Yinan was already there. When she stepped into the ce, he waved at her. "Song Song."


    Song Qingchun responded with a smile. She walked toward his table and sat down across from him. Song Qingchun¡¯s stomach was rumbling because she had not had dinner. She epted the menu Qin Yinan passed her. She flipped through it twice and turned her head up to ask the waitress with a frown, "Is there no staple meal?"


    The waitress shook her head and apologized, "I¡¯m sorry, miss. We don¡¯t serve main meals after 9 pm."


    Song Qingchun raised her eyes to look at Qin Yinan. Qin Yinan nced out the window to spot a 24-hour fast food restaurant across the street. He suggested, "How about we go there instead?"


    If this had been before, Song Qingchun would havepromised with a snack, buttely, she had found herself yearning for food, the more the better or else. Her stomach would be churning non-step. So, when she heard Qin Yinan¡¯s suggestion, she agreed without hesitation. "Okay."


    Qin Yinan nodded apologetically at the waitress before he stood up with Song Qingchun to walk across the street to the fast food ce. Qin Yinan had already eaten his dinner, and he did not have much of an appetite, so it was Song Qingchun who made all the orders. The ce was quite deserted, so their orders were served expediently.


    Before Song Qingchun dug in, she remembered the message Qin Yinan sent her. She looked at the man at her table and asked, "Brother Yinan, didn¡¯t you say you have something to tell me? What is it?"


    "We¡¯ll talk after you finish." Qin Yinan¡¯s eyes that looked Song Qingchun were soft with kindness.


    Song Qingchun nodded and took a bite of the burger. After she swallowed, she added, "That¡¯s fine. I have something to discuss with you as well."


    Qin Yinan was surprised but did notment on it. There was no conversation between the two. Song Qingchun finished the burger quietly.


    Qin Yinan lowered his head, and his finger appeared to be drawing something on the table like he was thinking about something.

 Chapter 780 Im Not Marrying 5

    "Brother Yinan."


    Qin Yinan raised his head after a pause. Looking at the empty tray before her, he smiled and said, "You had your fill?"


    "Yes," Song Qingchun replied with a smile. She titled her head to the side to look at Qin Yinan. Then she asked, "Brother Yinan, what is it that you want to talk to me about?"


    When he received the message from Cheng Qingchun, Qin Yinan had been caught in a struggle. She was pregnant, and she was carrying his child. He had taken the woman¡¯s first time, and it was bad enough that he had dyed taking responsibility. He could not possibly ask her to go for an abortion or abandon thempletely.


    Actually, the moment he found out that Cheng Qingchun was pregnant, he knew that he had to give up on Song Qingchun.


    Once upon a time, he had thought Tang Nuan was the one for him. For the sake of Tang Nuan, he had hurt Song Qingchun many times. Now that he knew Song Qingchun was the girl he had been looking for, he had no choice but to be sorry to her one more time.


    He had missed her that one time so many years ago, and it had been destined since then that they would never be in each other¡¯s life again.


    Qin Yinan had rehearsed apology in his heart many times, but with her sitting before him, he found it difficult to say it.


    Song Qingchun waited for a long time for him to speak and eventually had to prompt him. "Brother Yinan? Why aren¡¯t you saying anything?"


    Qin Yinan slowly blinked into consciousness. He opened his lips, but before any words escaped, his heart twitched with shame and sadness. He turned his head to look at the passing cars outside the restaurant. He then closed his eyes like he had made a decision. "Song Song, I¡¯m sorry, but I cannot marry you."


    Song Qingchun was visibly surprised. Qin Yinan still had not opened his eyes. He waited for a moment, but when Song Qingchun did not say anything, he repeate, as if worried that she didn¡¯t hear him clearly, "I¡¯m really sorry, but I cannot marry you, Song Song. This is all my fault, and I didn¡¯t expect things will progress this way..."


    The rtionship between them was barely above friendship, but Qin Yinan was talking like he was the husband confessing to his wife about his extra-marital affair. Song Qingchun blinked several times at Qin Yinan, and the surprise still had not left her face.


    Qin Yinan raised his hands to rub his face. Then, he slowly turned around to meet Song Qingchun¡¯s gaze. "I¡¯m sorry, Song Song. I¡¯m really sorry..."


    His multiple apologies finally stuck home. Song Qingchun recovered and smiled at him, adding, "Brother Yinan, please stop apologizing. Actually, the reason I came to find you tonight was to tell you I can¡¯t marry you anymore..."


    This time, it was Qin Yinan who was stunned.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s tone was full of apology, just like how Qin Yinan¡¯s had been earlier. "I was about to say the exact thing you just told me, and that is why I was so surprised. So, Brother Yinan, don¡¯t feel sorry. Furthermore, it was me who asked you to marry me as a favor, so it should be me who apologizes to you..."


    ...


    When Song Qingchun exited the fast food restaurant, it was already 11 pm.


    She called for a cab. However, she did not return to home but went to Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow.

 Chapter 781 Im Not Marrying 6

    She sat in the speeding taxi, looking at the glittering lights of the city through the window. At that moment, she felt weirdly at peace. She did not lie to Qin Yinan; she did not say those things because she wanted tofort him. If he did not message her that night, she would still have asked him out to talk.


    When she confronted Su Zhinian at Eldorado, she had been furious, furious at his duplicity, his dishonesty, but most of the fury came from heartache. She had never felt so much pain due to a man before. Some people would say that, when one really loved another person, the first and foremost feeling would never be happiness, bliss, warmth or hurt; it would be heartache.


    Her heart pained because she could not understand why he had to be so dumb, why he had to suffer all that pain silently and alone. He could have easily pulled her into hell with him. He knew that he could never leave her, but he chose without hesitation to surrender himself to push her into the light.


    His patience, his silence, and his sacrifice melted the fury in her heart. When she sat in his car as they drove to his house, she too had been looking out at the night sky. She had many things on her mind.


    She could readily admit to herself, when she knew he was her biological brother, she could not ept it, but she had forced herself to. After she digested this truth, her wish to be a couple with him really died because how could a pair of biological siblings be in love? The world would not have epted it.


    Even in Hai Nan, her belief had held firm; there could never be romantic love between them.


    However, sitting in Su Zhinian¡¯s car, she hade to a decision. It was purely a coincidence that before she contacted Qin Yinan, he had already messaged her. She knew that when she said she had to go see Qin Yinan, she was hurting him, but she did not exin her decision to him because she believed that if he knew what she was going to do, he would do everything in his power to stop her.


    Song Qingchun stared at the streets that became more familiar as the car headed toward Shining Light Residences. Her heart was calm; in fact, this was the first time she had felt so convinced with a decision in her life.


    After midnight, Shining Light Residences did not allow outside vehicles to enter. Therefore, Song Qingchun had to stop by the gate and finish the rest of the journey on foot. The residential area was quiet with the lights still on in several buildings. Song Qingchun turned a few corners before she reached Su Zhinian¡¯s house.


    All the lights in his house were still on. In the dark night, one could clearly see into the house through the windows that were not curtained. Song Qingchun did not press the doorbell but keyed in the password and walked into the house easily. Su Zhinian did not realize that someone had entered the house because the ce was quiet.


    Song Qingchun tossed her shoes away and stepped on the cold granite floor in her bare feet. She looked all around the house before finding the man standing at the balcony attached to the room that she had once stayed in.


    He only had a thin white shirt on. He was standing so immobile in the winter night that he appeared like a statue.


    Song Qingchun took a nket and walked slowly toward the balcony. She stood on her tip-toes and put the nket over his shoulders.


    She had touched him thusly, but the man still stoodpletely immobile like he had lost his soul.

 Chapter 782 Im Not Marrying 7

    Su Zhinian¡¯s diary had mentioned more than once that he would space out like this after returning from Hai Nan. When Song Qingchun saw this sentence, she had not paid it much mind. It was not until now, when she saw how soulless Su Zhinian, that she realized the depth of sorrow and loneliness that was behind that one simple sentence.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart rocked with pain. She walked one step forward to stand beside the man. She moved her lips to shatter the silence on the balcony. "What are you looking at?"


    Half a minute after she said that, Su Zhinian slowly turned his head toward her. When he saw her, a sh of surprise dyed his eyes. Am I hallucinating?


    Su Zhinian¡¯s lips moved, and he whispered her name as if trying to find out whether she was real or not. "Qingchun?"


    "Yes..." Song Qingchun turned around to smile at Su Zhinian then nodded empathetically. "...It¡¯s me."


    Why isn¡¯t she with Qin Yinan? Why is she here? Is this a side-effect from the tranquilizers? But she seems so real...


    Just as Su Zhinian was lost in his illusion, a night breeze picked up and tousled her hair. Her hair swept his face. It tingled him, and the sensation was so real that Su Zhinian unconsciously reached out to touch his own face. Her silky smooth hair intertwined with his fingers. He lowered his head to stare at the ck hair in his fingers for about two seconds before his whole body shivered.


    So, it¡¯s not an illusion, it¡¯s real... she¡¯s really here...


    As the thought settled in Su Zhinian¡¯s mind, his eyes wandered all over her body. When he saw that she was standing in the balcony in her bare feet, his brows furrowed deeply. The next second, he pulled his slippers off, bent down, and helped her put them on.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s slippers were toorge for her feet, but they retained his body temperature. The warmth slowly reintroduced senses to her frozen feet.


    He originally wanted to ask why she was back, but when he noticed how dirty and cold her feet were when he helped her put on the slippers, he stood up, grabbed her arm, and pulled her back indoors. She had not even dressed the injury on her feet. He was reminded of how the cold would affect her menstrual cramps.


    He pointed at the sofa, signaling for her to sit down, as he walked into the bathroom. After about ten minutes and the sound of plenty of water rushing, Su Zhinian came back out with a small tub filled with warm water.


    He squatted down before her, ced the tub down, and reached out to help ease her feet into the water. This was the first time someone had helped her wash her feet since she was a child, so Song Qingchun could not get used to it. She pulled her legs back instinctively and said softly, "Thank you, I¡¯ll do it myself."


    As if her words fell on deaf ears, Su Zhinian tightened his grip on her ankles to stop her from escaping. With his head lowered, he focused on scrubbing out the blood stains and dirt from her feet.

 Chapter 783 Im Not Marrying 8

    This whole situation brought tears to Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes. She stared at Su Zhinian, who was helping her wash her feet, and her power of speech was taken away from her.


    After Su Zhinian washed Song Qingchun¡¯s feet clean, he poured the dirty water away and took a dry towel to wipe Song Qingchun¡¯s feet dry. Then he sat down beside her, pulled out the ointment from her grasp, and carefully applied with medicine with the aid of a cotton ball.


    His movement was extremely light and gentle. When he got a closer look of the wounds on her feet, his brows furrowed, and displeasure crossed his handsome face. However, this only made him move even gentler. He held her feet in his hands and inspected them carefully to make sure the wounds were not deep before he cautiously applied the ointment. His cautiousness and gentleness that seemed like he was handling the most delicate thing in the world made Song Qingchun bite the corner of her lips unconsciously.


    All her life, her living environment had been a lot better than many girls her age. She was the youngest of her family and was thus pampered from birth. However, it was not until she met the man by the name of Su Zhinian that she realized all that pampering was nothingpared to the lengths he would go to for her.


    Song Qingchun bit on her lips harder, and her eyes started to well up. Su Zhinian finished applying the ointment and tossed the cotton ball into the dustbin before telling Song Qingchun, "Sit there quietly and wait for me toe back with a pair of shoes."


    As he turned to leave, Song Qingchun suddenly reached out to grab his wrist. Su Zhinian was startled. Before he could turn around to look at Song Qingchun, he heard the girl¡¯s very soft voice. "Su Zhinian, tonight it was Brother Yinan who asked to meet me."


    Indeed, it had been his wish for Song Qingchun to marry Qin Yinan because, using his superpower of mind-reading, he had read more than once from Qin Yinan¡¯s heart his authentic thoughts. His feelings toward Song Qingchun were sincere; it was why after he suffered that sh to his abdomen, he ordered Cheng Qingchong to let Qin Yinan know the girl he had the literature book club with was actually Song Qingchun. This was because he wanted Qin Yinan to treat Song Qingchun better¡ªonly then could he be at ease leaving the love of his life in Qin Yinan¡¯s hands.


    Only he knew how painful it was for him tomit to that decision, but since Qin Yinan could give Song Qingchun the thing that he could not, he had no choice but to opt for this option.


    However, this did not mean that he was spared from jealousy and envy. He resented listening to the words ¡¯Brother Yinan¡¯ on her lips. Therefore, whenever Song Qingchun said that, Su Zhinian¡¯s hands would quietly clench into fist, and he would gopletely silent.


    Song Qingchun stared at Su Zhinian¡¯s profile and suppressed the feelings that appeared in her heart from the fact that the man had just washed her feet. "Brother Yinan said... he couldn¡¯t marry me anymore."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s handsome face was first filled with surprise before it waspletely overwhelmed by unbridled anger. The next second, he shrugged Song Qingchun¡¯s hand off his wrist, bent over to pick up his coat, and dashed toward the entrance with a drawn face.


    Song Qingchun really did not anticipate such a vtile reaction from Su Zhinian. She jumped down from the sofa, ignoring the slick ointment on her feet that had not dried yet.

 Chapter 784 Im Not Marrying 9

    The moment Song Qingchun¡¯s hands fell on Su Zhinian¡¯s grip, the furious man once more shrugged her hands off and dashed down the stairs. Ruin the marriage? Qin Yinan dares to not marry Song Qingchun?


    The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. He jumped down the stairs two or three steps at a time. Song Qingchun could not catch up to him, so she stood at the top of the stairs and yelled at Su Zhinian, "Su Zhinian, when Brother Yinan sent me the message, I was about to message him as well."


    Su Zhinian slowed down his footsteps, but he did not stop.


    "Therefore, even if Brother Yinan didn¡¯t call to tell me he can¡¯t marry me, I would have told him the same thing."


    Therefore, even if Brother Yinan didn¡¯t call to tell me he can¡¯t marry me, I would have told him the same thing... What does she mean by that? Su Zhinian suddenly stopped moving like it had just dawned on him. He turned his head up to look at Song Qingchun standing at the top of the stairs.


    Song Qingchun held his gaze and pressed on her lips. She then repeated herself but in a clearer words. "Su Zhinian, actually, I went to see Brother Yinan today to tell him, I¡¯m not going to marry him."


    Su Zhinian stopped movingpletely. His eyes that looked at her were roiling with emotions. After some time, he said in a cold voice, "Qingchun, but you promised me at Hai Nan..."


    "What about your promise to me at Hai Nan!" Song Qingchun interrupted Su Zhinian and continued in an agitated tone. "We promised each other, after that night, we¡¯d both return to the human world to live our lives and then treat each other as nothing more than siblings, but Su Zhinian..."


    At this point, Song Qingchun halted. She knew what she was about to say represented. Heaven or hell, she could only pick one, and it was a road that had no return. She really tried her best to listen to his advice and stay in heaven, but she would rather be with him in hell.


    Song Qingchun took a deep breath and slowly walked down toward Su Zhinian. Her every step was filled with conviction like her every single step was a hard decision to be made.


    "You have not been living up to your promise, haven¡¯t you?


    "You have been lying to me, haven¡¯t you?


    "You never intended to return to the world of light; from the very beginning, after you shoved me back to the human world, you¡¯ve been prepared to stay in hell, haven¡¯t you?"


    The three consecutive questions from Song Qingchun unsettled Su Zhinian. He did not know how to answer.


    When Song Qingchun was one step away from Su Zhinian, she stopped. The elevation of the staircase bnced out their height difference. She stared right into his eyes and smiled. Her words were as gentle as thepping of water.


    "Su Zhinian, how about Ie down to hell to apany you?"

 Chapter 785 Im Not Marrying 10

    Standing before her, it was as if she was already in hell. Song Qingchun realized that hell was not as terrible as she thought; if anything, she felt a sense of belonging and peace, unlike earlier days when her mood would swing endlessly.


    "You should give up approaching any girls, and I will not marry. Neither of us should force the other into doing things that we don¡¯t like. We¡¯ll stay in hell and watch each other¡¯s back, okay?"


    Su Zhinian, how about Ie down to hell to apany you? We¡¯ll stay in hell and watch each other¡¯s back, okay?


    These were such sad words, but they brought immediate warmth to Su Zhinian¡¯s ck, frozen heart. Even his eyes had started to prickle with tears. He admitted readily, even in his dreams, he wished to hear such words.


    Many years ago, when he realized that she was his biological sister, there was a part of him, that small part that was shrouded with sin, that wished to pull her into abyss of hell with him. However, afraid that it might pollute and ruin her, he used all his power to suppress that sinful part of him.


    When he heard those words from her lips, his heart that he believed had died since he returned from Hai Nan started to beat with life. He could hear his heart yelling the most earnest wish into his ears, Say YES! Say YES! Say YES!


    Those instructions were like hypnosis, causing Su Zhinian to go silent for a long time.


    Happiness and bliss were right before him, but did he have the guts to reach for it?


    However, his happiness was going to be traded for her whole life. She was the girl he had wasted his whole life to protect. He would rather torment himself endlessly than ruin her.


    Su Zhinian slowly closed his eyes. After about a minute, he opened his eyes again, and they were shining with the usual cold glow. His eyes that stared back at Song Qingchun and his tone were calm and level. "Qingchun, you have to realize this is not realistic. We cannot be together. This world, this society, will not allow us to be together..."


    "Whether we be together or not is our decision; what does it have to do with this world and society?" Song Qingchun saw this questioning from miles away, so when Su Zhinian asked the question, she was already prepared with the answer.


    After taking a pause, Song Qingchun softened her tone and continued. "Su Zhinian, I understand what you¡¯re worried about. You don¡¯t want me to fall into a twisted romantic rtionship, but I¡¯m not afraid. I don¡¯t care about how the world views me; I just want to be together with you..."


    As she said those words, there seemed to be a ray of seven lights crossing his eyes.


    "Even if it¡¯s an endless abyss, I would jump into it to be with you. So, Su Zhinian, please don¡¯t reject me anymore, okay?"


    Her determination caused his already quaking heart to start to shake. He could feel the word "okay" wing its way up from his heart, up his throat, and to his lips.

 Chapter 786 Im Not Marrying 11

    Su Zhinian swallowed deeply to push the ¡¯okay¡¯ back down his throat.


    Song Qingchun suddenly reached out to grab his shirt cor. "I don¡¯t envy the light anymore; I just want to stay beside you even if it¡¯s the deepest reaches of hell. As long as it¡¯s with you, even hell can be heaven..."


    The ¡¯okay¡¯ Su Zhinian finally forced down his throat started to resurface because of that sentence from Song Qingchun. Before he could react, the word almost slipped out of his lips. At the veryst moment, he mped his mouth shut, flung Song Qingchun¡¯s hands away, turned, and escaped downstairs.


    "Su Zhinian, I¡¯ve already said, I don¡¯t minding to hell with you, why do you still care so much!


    "Su Zhinian, you know as well as I do, neither of us will be happy if we¡¯re apart, so why are you doing this!


    "Su Zhinian, I¡¯m telling you I¡¯vee to this decision, so it will not change. No matter what you think, you have to agree to it!"


    Song Qingchun trailed behind Su Zhinian and yelled at his back. The man did not react to her in any way. He reached thending, pushed open the door to the gym, and strode in.


    Song Qingchun followed him to the gym, and she saw Su Zhinian expertly locking up the doors and windows. "Su Zhinian, are you deaf? Can you hear me or not?"


    Su Zhinian responded with a wall of silence. After locking the door and windows in the gym, he walked out of the room. He brushed past her without taking a nce at Song Qingchun and walked into the living room, his hands still holding the keys.


    Song Qingchun followed with a frown. "Su Zhinian, why are you locking the doors and windows? Also, we¡¯re in the middle of a conversation, can you please show some respect!"


    Su Zhinian wiggled the windows to make sure they could not be open. Then, he shoved the keys into his pocket and strode toward the front door.


    "Su Zhinian, where are you going? You¡¯re not trying to escape, are you?" It was then that Song Qingchun realized something was off. She ran to catch up, but she was still toote. The man had already exited the house.


    "Su Zhinian, stop right there!" Song Qingchun raced toward the man, but when she reached the front door, the door was mmed shut. Song Qingchun could hear the lock between twisted on the other side.


    He¡¯s trying to lock me inside the house? Song Qingchun practically mmed into the door. She twisted the door knob as hard as she could to try to force it open. However, she was still one step toote. No matter how hard she pushed, the door refused to budge.


    Song Qingchun was incensed beyond belief and started to kick at the door.


    "Su Zhinian, you coward, bastard, wimp, chicken..."


    Song Qingchun roared angrily as she kicked at the door. "I¡¯m telling you, Su Zhinian, if you dare, then lock me up for life. Otherwise, the moment you open this door, I¡¯m going to stick to you for life."


    Song Qingchun in her rage started to curse. "F*ck, I¡¯ve never been so pissed in my life. Su Zhinian, is this how a man handles thing? Run away from the problem?"

 Chapter 787 Im Not Marrying 12

    Song Qingchun turned around angrily. Like a crazed beast, she dashed back into the living room. She paced around therge room, and the more she did so, the bigger the fire in her heart. She eventually walked back to the front door and kicked at it twice. Then, she yelled, "Su Zhinian, I¡¯m telling you, if you don¡¯t let me out now, I¡¯ll tear your house down!"


    Song Qingchun looked around the room and realized that every single of the decoration was probably worth more than gold. She bit on her lips and finally dashed into the dining room, grabbed a ss cup, and mmed it heavily to the ground.


    "I¡¯m not kidding, I, Song Qingchun, am a woman of my words!" Song Qingchun screamed as she raised her ears toward the front door. Realizing Su Zhinian had not responded to her threat, Song Qingchun bit on her lips, grabbed another cup, and mmed it once again to the floor.


    "Su Zhinian, if you don¡¯t let me out now, I¡¯m going to torch this ce down!"


    "Su Zhinian, I¡¯m turning on the gas!"


    "Su Zhinian, I¡¯m calling the cops."


    "Su Zhinian, if you don¡¯t open this door, I¡¯m going to ram my head into it..."


    "Su Zhinian, don¡¯t make me jump down from the second floor..."


    ...


    Song Qingchun knew that Su Zhinian was standing outside the door, so she screeched all the threats that she coulde up with to scare him. However, the man remained unmoved no matter the threat. If this was any other time, she would have created a ruckus throughout the night, but recently, Song Qingchun had been feeling a bit unlike herself. She not only would get hungry often but also tired easily. Her naps wouldst longer than usual.


    She only created chaos for half an hour, but it drained herpletely. She copsed exhaustedly on the sofa, toozy to move even a muscle. Even the scolding words that escaped her lips became soft.


    Finally, she closed her lips thinking about giving it a rest. She would continue this when Su Zhinian had the guts to show himself. However, hugging the pillows, leaning on the couch, Song Qingchun fell into a sleep.


    Su Zhinian, who stood outside the door, waited until Song Qingchun stabilized before he used the key to open the door and slunk back in. The ce was a total mess and every surface, upstairs and downstairs was covered with stray article of clothing.


    Su Zhinian frowned with disgust looking at the chaos before he walked to the sofa to pick Song Qingchun up.


    He ced her on his bed and covered her with the nket. Then, he cleaned up the bedroom before sitting down on the bed and reaching out to caress her face.


    The girl in her dream seemed to sense the heat of his palm because she snuggled deeper into the center of his palms and even nuzzled against it.


    This kitten-like behavior of hers caused Su Zhinian to exude an aura of gentleness.

 Chapter 788 Im Not Marrying 13

    His fingertips continued to trace the line of her jaw lightly. The girl was so deep in her sleep that she did not show any sign of waking up. Perhaps she even enjoyed the affection because her lips curved into a smile. His heart was melted into a puddle of water, and his eyes that stared at him became soft as first snow.


    The night darkened, and the girl fell deeper into her dream. Su Zhinian stayed beside her in bed,pletely immobile. His eyes became covered with mncholy. She had just told him, she was willing to apany him in hell. He had been alone throughout his whole life... so only God knew how thrilled he was when he heard that sentence.


    But Tingting, do you know? Heaven and hell are only a thought away. I¡¯ve been in hell for so long that there¡¯s no longer any hope for me, but you¡¯re different. You can still turn back now, so don¡¯t be like me and fall into hell without turning back.


    Even if Qin Yinan will not marry you, please don¡¯t consider the option of returning to me. Because your one moment of impetuousness could very well ruin you for life.


    At the most crucial moment tonight, I chose to flee but this doesn¡¯t mean that I¡¯ll be able to suppress the darkest desire in my heart in the future. Therefore, Tingting, stoping to me and doing this to yourself; I will really act as you say and lock you up in hell forever and ever.


    The sky outside the window started to turn white. Su Zhinian pulled his finger away from Song Qingchun¡¯s face. He pulled on the cover and stood up. He nted a very light kiss between her brows and turned to walk out the bedroom.


    The streets of Beijing at seven in the morning were empty. Su Zhinian soon reached Qin Yinan¡¯s apartment. He parked the car underneath Qin Yinan¡¯s building and strode into the elevator, pressing Qin Yinan¡¯s apartment floor.


    He stood outside Qin Yinan¡¯s apartment and pressed on the doorbell. After two minutes, Su Zhinian finally heard the sound of approaching footsteps through the door. Qin Yinan pulled the door open without even asking who it was.


    A dense smog of alcohol drifted out from within the apartment, causing Su Zhinian to frown with disgust.


    Qin Yinan looked like he was dying, and he was swaying on his feet. He stared at Su Zhinian for a long time before he could recognize who it was. Then he slowly moved back from the doorway, adding, "Come in."


    Su Zhinian followed Qin Yinan into the apartment wordlessly. The moment Qin Yinan closed the door, Su Zhinian reached out to grab the cor of Qin Yinan¡¯s pajamas. He red at the other man and interrogated in a chilling voice, "Did you really tell Song Qingchun you can¡¯t marry her?"


    Qin Yinan was confused for a moment before he was focused enough to nod and say, "Yes..."


    Before he finished, Su Zhinian¡¯s punch went flying at his face.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s head lolled to the side from the punch, and a line of liquid slowly trailed down the corner of his lips.


    He did not retaliate. In fact, it did not seem like he could sense pain because his expression remained unmoved. He allowed his head to hang toward the side for quite some time before raising his hand to wipe away the stuff at the corner of his lips. Staring at the sticky and red liquid stuck to his hand, he chuckled to himself and nodded in agreement.


    "Yes, I fully deserve that..."

 Chapter 789 Im Not Marrying 14

    Qin Yinan¡¯s ostentatiously care-free reaction fueled Su Zhinian¡¯s anger. He mped his hands around Qin Yinan¡¯s neck, nning to choke the life out of him. As if feeling that was not enough, he took a step back and raised his leg, aiming to kick the man¡¯s abdomen, when Qin Yinan¡¯s thoughts filtered into his mind. If only I didn¡¯t overdrink and mistake Cheng Qingchong for Song Song in my drunken state...


    Su Zhinian¡¯s movement halted. Cheng Qingchong? My secretary?


    He loosened the hold on Qin Yinan¡¯s neck, and his icy gaze shed with surprise.


    The drunken Qin Yinan was still trapped in the memory from the night before. Su Zhinian continued to read more of his thoughts. ...In that case, if Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t get pregnant, would I have carried out the marriage with Song Song?


    Cheng Qingchong is pregnant? When Su Zhinian heard from Song Qingchun that Qin Yinan had reneged on the marriage, he was very confused why this man who had been so nice to Song Qingchun would give up on her. He had considered the possibility of Qin Yinan having another woman, and he had even suspected that it was Tang Nuan, but the name of his secretary truly was a shock. Not only that, she already carried his child?


    If I didn¡¯t bow out of the marriage, would Song Song proceed to marry me? Qin Yinan suddenly scoffed in self-deprecation. Who am I kidding?


    When he heard from Song Qingchun that she had something simr to tell him, he had been petrified. He had sat where he was for a long time before pulling his gaze back onto Song Qingchun. He had leaned back in his chair before asking, "Is it because of Su Zhinian?"


    He knew better than anyone that the only person who could make her withdraw from the marriage was Su Zhinian. However, he had still asked because he wanted to hear it from her lips, to devastate himself onest time. The answer had been even more devastating than he thought.


    Song Qingchun, who was Su Zhinian¡¯s biological sister, had admitted without hesitation and readily with a crisp and unambiguous, "Yes."


    Her in attitude had brought tears to his eyes. However, he had refused to give up and exined it to her in the manner of a friend. "Song Song, you have to understand that he¡¯s your older brother... You cannot be in love with him..."


    How she replied to him, he could still replicate word by word. She had said, "Brother Yinan, I know he¡¯s my brother, and I¡¯m his sister. We can never be a couple, but that doesn¡¯t mean we cannot be together, right?


    "Brother Yinan, I understand that you¡¯re just looking out for me, but I know what I¡¯m doing. In fact, I¡¯ve never been so clear of a decision before. If I really proceed to marry you, it¡¯ll really be the biggest mistake of my life.


    "Tonight, before I came to see you, I thought it through. In this life, even if I cannot marry Su Zhinian, I will not marry anyone else.


    "He¡¯s not going to take a wife, and I¡¯m not going to find a husband; we¡¯ll just be together forever, a lifetime of being beside each other..."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s confession caused Su Zhinian¡¯s body to shudder violently. His leg that was aimed at Qin Yinan¡¯s abdomen slowly moved back onto the floor.

 Chapter 790 Im Not Marrying 15

    Qin Yinan was too caught up in his own thought to notice the changes in Su Zhinian. It was hard to describe what he was feeling at that moment. He suddenly felt Song Song had be a stranger. He had grown up with her, but at the moment, there was a part of his brain that told him the girl sitting across from him was not the Song Song he knew and recognized.


    Her courage, conviction, determination, and relentlessness. She was like a sun, glorious yet blinding with her beauty.


    After he found out she had fallen in love with Su Zhinian, he had promised himself that he would not interfere into her rtionship anymore because he had once given the promise ¡¯may you hold my hand in love andpanionship, but may good fortune hold yours in parting and solitude.¡¯


    However, he had been curious what kind of position he and Su Zhinian upied in her heart. It was at that moment that he got the answer; he understood the difference between him and Su Zhinian in her heart.


    He was her crush from her childhood years, and Su Zhinian was the love of her life. In a person¡¯s life, there could be many crushes, but normally, only one heartfelt love of one¡¯s life. Only a love of such depth could make one change, and he, Qin Yinan, had never introduced any changes in Song Qingchun.


    He had thought that truth was hurtful enough, but when he asked her the next question, her answer had been yet another painful strike to his heart.


    He had asked, "Song Song, aren¡¯t you afraid? Afraid of the pointing fingers of the world, the colored gazes of the people around you? You have to understand that you¡¯re betting your whole life to make this decision."


    She had answered, "I¡¯m not afraid.


    "As long as I have Su Zhinian, I¡¯m not afraid because the whole world, for me, is iparable to one Su Zhinian. I¡¯d rather give up the whole world if I cannot have Su Zhinian.


    "Su Zhinian is my life."


    Su Zhinian had gone there to demand an exnation from Qin Yinan, so he didn¡¯t expect to read his and her conversation fromst night from his heart.


    As long as I have Su Zhinian, I¡¯m not afraid... the whole world, for me, is iparable to one Su Zhinian... I¡¯d rather give up the whole world if I cannot have Su Zhinian... Su Zhinian is my life...


    Su Zhinian¡¯s hands that held Qin Yinan¡¯s cor started to tremble before dropping weakly to his side. He staggered two steps back before knocking into the cupboard that was ced by the front door.


    The pain jolted him awake. Without a nce at Qin Yinan, who festering in his own despair, Su Zhinian turned slowly around to exit his apartment. He pressed the elevator button, exited the building, pulled the car door open, started the engine, and left in his car.


    The whole series of actions seemed to be done on autopilot.


    His brain kept repeating the words that he managed to read from Qin Yinan¡¯s heart. The desperate desire to return to her once more was awakened within him.


    His car, without him realizing it, was headed toward his own bungalow.


    He gripped the steering wheel tightly as hemanded himself to turn around at the next corner. However, the car followed the direction of his heart as it headed for Shining Light Residences.


    Su Zhinian, do you understand what you¡¯re doing if you return to Shining Light Residences? Do you know what this represents?

 Chapter 791 Im Not Marrying 16

    It means that she can never enjoy the things that the normal girls her age do, like walking the streets holding the hand of the man she loves. You¡¯ll be depriving her of the dream of every woman, walking down the aisle in a white dress. She¡¯ll lose many good things in her life, and in their ce will be istion and disgust from the world.


    She can have a lover, but she can never have a home. Even going on a date with her lover will be an exercise of extreme secrecy. As she grows old, she¡¯ll start to envy the women around her because they¡¯ll one by one enter motherhood, but she¡¯ll never have a child. Her spouse bracket will stay empty for life. If unfortunately enough, you leave before her in your old age, she will not even have a child to look after her.


    Therefore, Su Zhinian, are you sure you want to return to Shining Light Residences?


    Are you sure you want to rush to her side, pull her into your arms, and tell her, "Tingting, just like you said, I¡¯m not going to take a wife, and you¡¯re not going to find a husband. We¡¯ll just be together forever, a lifetime of being beside each other..."


    If you¡¯re sure, you can gain a lifetime of happiness, but she will lose her entire life because of you.


    The car took a sharp right turn and dashed into the Shining Light Residences. Su Zhinian turned the many corners expertly. As his bungalow appeared in his view on his left-hand side, his emotions started to rage.


    Su Zhinian, you said you love her so much, so why are you so cruel to ask her to abandon a life of light and hope and drag her into the darkness of hell with you?


    Su Zhinian, how can you be so heartless?


    An emergency brake caused the car to grind to a halt before the bungalow apanied by the screeching of the tires. Without missing a beat, Su Zhinian twisted the steering wheel to turn the car around. He stepped on the gas pedal and drove away from the bungalow with incredible speed.


    I cannot do this.


    Even if her words really did touch him, he still did not have the heart to ruin her life. He could not bring himself to pull her down into hell with him, could not bring himself to make her lose all the hope and light she deserved, and could not bring himself to cause her to lose the whole world because of him, one Su Zhinian.


    ...


    Song Qingchun had a long sleep. When she woke up, it was already noon, and the sun was bright outside the window. The girl, who had slept for about twelve hours, stretchedzily in bed. She then snuggled deeper into the mattress, unwilling to wake up on such a wondrous day.


    Since it was a Saturday, she pulled the cover around her and closed her eyes. She nned to stay in bed a little while longer before she sought out Su Zhinian, but to her surprise, when she opened her eyes, it was alreadyte afternoon.


    Song Qingchun, who had slept for so long, still felt like it was not enough. She got out of bed while yawning. She went to brush her teeth, and when she got downstairs to fetch a ss of water, she realized that the bungalow that she had trashed the day before had been cleaned up.


    Su Zhinian was not home, and the window on the first floor was open. Thete breeze blew into the housezily, causing the curtains to flutter.


    After gulping down the ss of water, Song Qingchun¡¯s stomach rumbled noisily. She went through Su Zhinian¡¯s fridge to scrounge some food. After she had her fill, she picked up her bag and left his bungalow.


    Song Qingchun called Su Zhinian first, but there was no answer. After that, she called home.

 Chapter 792 Im Not Marrying 17

    The person who answered the phone was the maid of the house. Since Song Qingchun would always call home to ask whether Su Zhinian was home to avoid running into him, this time, before she said anything, the maid offered the information. Young Master Su was ying chess with the Old Master Song, and she asked whether she wasing home for dinner.


    Song Qingchun said that she was before hanging up. She called for a cab and raced home. Pushing open the door, there was no one in the living room. Song Qingchun rushed upstairs to change into a more casual outfit. When she came down, she wandered into the kitchen, where Fang Rou was in the middle of dinner preparation with the maid. She greeted them before moving toward the study. Just as the maid had said, Su Zhinian was ying chess with Song Menghwa.


    When Song Qingchun saw Su Zhinian, the fury from being locked up against her will at his home reignited. However, she could not do anything about it on the ount of Song Menghwa. While her father was not looking, she would re fiendishly at Su Zhinian, but the man, even if he met her death gaze, did not react in any way. His expression was as nk as a piece of water.


    The calmer Su Zhinian was, the angrier Song Qingchun became. She even started to kick his shin underneath the table. Her kicks were powerful, but the man did not seem to contain any pain receptors as he stared at the chess board in thought before making his next move.


    His imperviousness made her feel even more suffocated.


    Song Qingchun kept trying to search for some alone time with Su Zhinian, but the man seemed to have read her thoughts because he stuck to Song Menghwa like glue. Eventually the maid came to call them for dinner, and Song Qingchun still had not had one minute with him alone.


    On the table, Song Qingchun sat across from Su Zhinian. The girl, who had nowhere to vent her fury, kept doing little tricks to annoy him. She either kicked him under the table or purposely stole the food that he was trying to take.


    He did not have much for dinner and was the first to put down his chopsticks. Song Qingchun saw that and followed suit. She prepared to stand up and follow him should he leave the table, but the man sat where he was and pulled out his phone to y.


    No matter how dull Song Qingchun¡¯s senses were, she knew Su Zhinian was trying to avoid being alone with her. She red at him angrily. The man could feel her eyes on him but did not even raise his head once to look at him. After a while, Song Qingchun pulled out her own phone and started typing.


    "Su Zhinian, you bastard!"


    Su Zhinian¡¯s phone across from her sounded with alert. He merely nced at the popped-up message before continuing to y his game.


    Pretend not to see it?


    Song Qingchun bit her lips and typed rapidly on her phone. She sent many messages out, causing Su Zhinian¡¯s phone to cry endlessly. Song Qingchun¡¯s messages were incoherent; they were random words meant to annoy Su Zhinian. In the end, Su Zhinian switched his phone to airne mode and put it inside his pocket.

 Chapter 793 Im Not Marrying 18

    Aren¡¯t you obsessed with phone games? Why did you stop?


    Just as Song Qingchun wanted to give Su Zhinian a gloating look, Song Menghwa suddenly asked, "Ah Nian, who has been messaging you so constantly?"


    After that, Song Menghwa passed an empty bowl to the maid, signaling for her todle for him a bowl of soup. Before Su Zhinian answered, he asked, "Is it Xiao Yang?"


    Xiao Yang was one of the girls Song Menghwa had introduced to Su Zhinian, the girl Su Zhinian had met thrice. Her full name was Yang Lin.


    Su Zhinian knew that Song Qingchun had been staring at him, so when he turned to look at Song Menghwa, he kept his head lowered. It was not until his face was turned away from Song Qingchun that he raised his eyes and nodded absent-mindedly.


    When Song Menghwa saw this, he smiled brightly. "You¡¯ve been texting Xiao Yang all this while?"


    Out of the corner of his eyes, Su Zhinian saw the glint in Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes. After a moment¡¯s silence, he nodded once more and lied, "Yes."


    A girl who he¡¯s met three times and still in contact with, there¡¯s probably something between them... Song Menghwa¡¯s face glowed brightly. Then he asked a question that he had been meaning to ask. "Then, what do you think of Xiao Yang?"


    What do I think? Honestly? He could not even remember the full name of this Xiao Yang. Actually, it was then that he managed to match the name to the face; Song Menghwa was talking about the girl he had met thrice. Su Zhinian knew that, even though Song Qingchun appeared to be looking at her phone, her attention was actually fully ced on this conversation.


    He was silent facing Song Menghwa¡¯s eyes that glowed with anticipation. Then he answered, "She¡¯s okay."


    As these words fell from his lips, he could see Song Qingchun¡¯s fingers shake out of the corner of his eyes.


    Su Zhinian was naturally reserved, and if he was willing to use these two words to describe a woman, it meant that he had quite a good impression of her. Perhaps because he felt like his end wasing, Song Menghwa was extremely nervous about the future of his children. "Good, Ah Nian, you¡¯re not getting any younger, and your mother has been waiting so long for a grandson. It¡¯s about time you take this seriously."


    "Hmm..." Su Zhinian answered softly like he was thinking about it. After some time, he turned toward Song Menghwa and said gently, "I know... Actually, I¡¯ve been thinking about ittely."


    After a pause, Su Zhinian continued. "When the time is about right, I will consider marriage."


    Consider marriage? Song Qingchun heard these words and felt like she had been struck by lightning. Her eyes that stared at her phone froze, and her heart fell at a rapid speed.


    What is Su Zhinian talking about? Consider marriage? With the girl he has met just three times? He obviously does not like her, the only reason he agreed to go out with her was to swindle me, so why is he considering marriage all of a sudden?


    Song Menghwa was stunned from the pleasant surprise. Then heughed happily and said repeatedly, "Good...Good..."


    Fang Rou, who said beside him, also smiled and chimed in softly. "Father, congrattions, looks like our family is going to enjoy two good events soon."

 Chapter 794 Im Not Marrying 19

    "You¡¯re right..." Su Zhinian had already said he was still considering it, but Song Menghwa still asked, "Ah Nian, have you got ns for when you¡¯re getting married?"


    After a few seconds, Song Qingchun heard Su Zhinian answer, "As soon as possible."


    After that, Song Menghwa¡¯sughter and the whole dining room faded into the background. The sound of conversation, congrattions, and the television from the living room all disappeared. The only sound left in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind was¡ªSu Zhinian is considering marriage, and he wants it as soon as possible.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes started to get crowded with tears. When she raised her head away from her phone to look across from her, the man had already left his seat. She jumped up from her chair immediately and ran out the dining room. She saw Su Zhinian putting on his jacket, telling Song Menghwa, "I need to leave because there¡¯s something I need to take care of at thepany."


    Song Menghwa walked Su Zhinian to the door. "Drive carefully."


    Following Su Zhinian¡¯s barely discernible "hmm", Song Qingchun could hear the car engine being started. She stood at the door to the dining room for two seconds before running upstairs. She grabbed a random coat, grabbed the car key out of her bag, and ran back downstairs.


    When he saw the agitated state she was in, Song Menghwa, who had returned to the living room after sending Su Zhinian away, couldn¡¯t help but stop to ask Song Qingchun, "Qingchun, where are you going sote in the night?"


    "I just remembered that I left my wallet at thepany." Song Qingchun gave a random excuse, pushed open the door, and ran out. She jumped into her car and started the engine without putting on the seatbelt. Her car raced out of the yard and headed in the direction Su Zhinian¡¯s car had disappeared.


    I told him yesterday I want to be with him, and today, he said that he is considering marriage. Is this his answer to my offer of going down to hell to apany him?


    Without me, he is living a life that cannot be called one. In fact, he needs to overdose himself on tranquilizers daily to survive each day. Even in such a state, he refused to allow me to join him, why? Now, to force me away, he¡¯s going to marry some woman he barely knows and doesn¡¯t like?


    She knew everything he did was for her, but... it still made her incredibly angry! Song Qingchun could sense the anger from yesterday starting to boil in her heart.


    She stared at the road ahead with a pair of eyes that were burning with vengeance. After cutting through two red lights, she finally saw Su Zhinian¡¯s car. She stepped on the gas pedal to race toward him.


    The distance between them became closer and closer. Just as Song Qingchun¡¯s car was about fifty meters away from him, Su Zhinian seemed to realize that she tailing him because the speed of his car suddenly increased.


    Su Zhinian, you want to run away from me? In your dreams!


    Song Qingchun turned the steering wheel to switch into anotherne. She stepped on the pedal, and in just a blink of an eye, her car surpassed Su Zhinian¡¯s car.

 Chapter 795 Im Not Marrying 20

    Song Qingchun did not give Su Zhinian any time to react. With a twist of the steering wheel and a screeching of tires on asphalt, her car arced greatly on the road before stopping in a horizontal position, blocking the road entirely. Su Zhinian had no choice but to step on the brakes.


    Due to force of inertia, Su Zhinian¡¯s car continued to move toward Song Qingchun¡¯s car. Her car was adjacent to his moving vehicle, so the front of his car would knock into the side of her car.


    She might be injured from the collision... Su Zhinian turned the steering wheel at the veryst moment to ram his car into the railing.


    Following a loud crash, Su Zhinian¡¯s whole body was thrown inside the car like a rag doll. Then, he saw that the front of his car had started to smoke.


    Thankfully, he reacted fast enough to crash into the railing. If he had knocked into her car, this force of impact... Su Zhinian, who did not have the guts to continue the spection, had his face darkened immediately. Does she want to die? Why did she pull such a dangerous stunt on the street?


    Su Zhinian pulled off the seatbelt angrily, pushed open the car door, and got out. At the same time, Song Qingchun also shoved her car door open and crawled out of her car. She did not even close her car door and stalked toward him on her heels.


    Su Zhinian was still caught up in the shock of the car ident. He was so mad that he felt like breaking her neck. He mmed the door heavily behind him and turned to face Song Qingchun, who was walking toward him. He opened his mouth to berate her sharply. "Song Qingchun, are you crazy? Do you know what you¡¯re doing, can you please grow up and be a responsible adult for once..."


    Before Su Zhinian could finish, Song Qingchun, who was half a meter away from him, tossed the bag in her hands right at his face. "Su Zhinian, shut the f*ck up! Who are you calling crazy!"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s assault of the flying bag was so fast and sudden that the man only realized what was happening when the bag was almost right before his face. He moved his head aside in a hurry, and the bag flew right beside his ear. The chain of the bag cut his ear, and it throbbed with pain.


    The bagnded on Su Zhinian¡¯s car with a loud bang. It was then that Su Zhinian realized that Song Qingchun had walked in front of him. His mouth had begun to form the start of another sentence when Song Qingchun raised both her hands to shove him heavily on his chest. Su Zhinian, who was once more caught by surprise, was pushed back two steps, and his back crashed into his car.


    "You, you, you! You¡¯re the one that¡¯s crazy!"


    Song Qingchun did not give Su Zhinian the chance to recover from the pain radiating from the back of his waist. She jumped at him, bracing her arm on his neck to press his body into the car, and raised a punch to knock at his chin without warning.


    Her sudden uppercut sent Su Zhinian¡¯s head flying and knocking heavily into the hard casing of his car.

 Chapter 796 Domestic Violence 1

    Su Zhinian could see stars before his eyes and did not even have the chance to say a word before Song Qingchun pulled her knee back and aimed at his crotch.


    If this really connects, it¡¯ll definitely be broken...


    Suppressing the pain from his head, Su Zhinian raised his hands in a hurry to block Song Qingchun. His action was construed by Song Qingchun as retaliation. It only incensed her even more. Without giving it much thought, she raised her hand to swipe harshly at Su Zhinian¡¯s head.


    "Su Zhinian, how dare you counter? Yesterday, you locked me up against my will, and today, you want to hit me..."


    The more Song Qingchun yelled, the angrier she became. She once more tried to knee Su Zhinian. The man blocked it with his leg, and the impact caused him to groan with pain. He grabbed her iling arms and stopped her by hugging her body tightly. Then he exined, "I¡¯m not trying to hit you..."


    Song Qingchun, who had practically lost her sensibility from anger, ignored Su Zhinianpletely. Locked in his binding hug, Song Qingchun bit angrily at his arm. She did not let go until she heard Su Zhinian groan. He sucked in a deep breath alongside the rest of the sentence. Due to pain, the force of his embrace around Song Qingchun weakened.


    Song Qingchun pulled herself off from him. She took a step back and kicked relentlessly at his lower abdomen. Su Zhinian¡¯s brows were knitted deeply as he held his stomach with his hands, leaning against his car. Before he could do anything, Song Qingchun charged at him like a crazed wildebeest, her ws and jaws glinting maliciously.


    She was so fast and relentless that if Su Zhinian retaliated or defended himself, he would hurt her, so to protect her, he could only suffer her aggression silently. She kept on attacking him until she feltpletely drained. She stopped to catch her breath.


    He sat down on the cold asphalt floor with his hands over his stomach. He leaned against the tire with a face grimacing with pain. His breathing was heavy and uneven.


    Song Qingchun stood before him and stared down at him. There was a ball of fury burning in her eyes. She took several deep breaths while ring at him before hissing the following through gritted teeth. "Su Zhinian, you asked me just now if I knew what I was doing and why I was asking so crazy.


    "I¡¯m telling you now, I know very well what I¡¯m doing. From the very beginning, I knew what I was doing!


    "I¡¯m not acting crazy, especially just now. I was very determined to hurt you!


    "I understand your concern, but that doesn¡¯t mean I approve of it. Therefore, Su Zhinian, I, Song Qingchun, tell you clearly and openly. Your decision, other than being together with me, will not be epted!


    "And don¡¯t think you can make me ept anything else!"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s speech was not too fast nor too slow. Her tone wasced with strong determination.


    She had delivered such heavy physical punishment and was scolding him openly, but Su Zhinian could feel an inexplicable warmth slowly enveloping him.

 Chapter 797 Domestic Violence 2

    "Therefore, Su Zhinian, don¡¯t think you can leave me while you suffer in the darkness of the hell alone and pass the days by overdosing on tranquilizers. Don¡¯t think you can force me away by getting married!


    "I¡¯m telling you, Su Zhinian, you¡¯re my man. The only person that can stand by your side is me, Song Qingchun. If you cannot marry me in this life, then don¡¯t you dare think about having someone else take that spot. Therefore, you¡¯d better remove marriage from your mind..."


    Talking about this made Song Qingchun roll her eyes with anger. Hugging her arms before her chest, she nced incredulously at Su Zhinian and scoffed, "Considering marriage? You must be kidding me!"


    Su Zhinian, who had been listening to her quietly, peeled his eyes back softly and uttered in a clear and t voice, "But... I wasn¡¯t kidding."


    "You!" Song Qingchun raised her leg to kick at Su Zhinian. Su Zhinian moaned. His lips moved, but before he could say anything, he saw Song Qingchun raise her leg again. He eventually chose to shut up facing her silent threat.


    Song Qingchun put her leg down with satisfaction. Looking down on Su Zhinian, she continued her tirade. "...After tonight, if I hear anything about you getting married, be prepared to suffer! But it¡¯ll be worse than tonight. I¡¯ll send you right to the hospital next time. Next offense will be hospitalization for a month, after that... Don¡¯t need to think about after that anymore.


    "Su Zhinian, I¡¯m warning you, if there¡¯s a next time, I¡¯ll break your legs instantly, but don¡¯t worry, I will do my best to take care of you for the rest of your life!"


    Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes were glowing with curious and blinding light. He adored this side of Song Qingchun because he could sense her concern toward him and how deep she cared about him. However, at the same time, it made his rational decision start to waver as it got ceased with uncertainty.


    He could feel the blood in his veins boiling, taunting him, urging him to pull her down into hell with him, but he really could not do it, to use his hands to ruin her life...


    Su Zhinian lowered his head and was silent for a moment before raising his eyes to meet Song Qingchun¡¯s gaze. "Song Qingchun, you have to know that even if you don¡¯t approve of my action, it doesn¡¯t mean that you can stop me. For example, you want to be with me, but if I don¡¯t want to... you can¡¯t do anything about that, right?"


    The most hated thing in the world for Song Qingchun was how cavalier Su Zhinian could be when they were in the middle of an argument or when he rejected her. It made her feel so insignificant, like all she said didn¡¯t matter.


    Her chest started to rise and fall unevenly due to anger. Her fists gripped tightly, and her teeth chattered with anger. "Su Zhinian, do you have to do this?"


    Su Zhinian held his breath to hold the emotions that were churning in his chest. He nodded quickly before he had chance to reconsider. "Yes. You said, you will not approve of any decision I make other than being together with you, but I¡¯m the total opposite. I can promise you anything, even death, but the only thing I cannot do is to be together with you."


    "Then, die! You bastard..." Song Qingchun took another step forward, looking like she was going to skin him alive.

 Chapter 798 Domestic Violence 3

    However, she only just raised her feet off the floor when she stopped like she just remembered something. When she read the diary yesterday, the first emotion that came to her heart was heartache and wistfulness. In fact, that anger originated from her heartache. She only came to this decision after plenty of contemtion.


    She knew better than everyone else that their love could never be blessed by the world. She was afraid, very afraid, of others¡¯ scornful gazes, afraid that they would point and talk about her behind her back, afraid of being isted and treated as a monster... But no matter how afraid she was, she still bravely took the most difficult first step.


    She had given up the whole world for Su Zhinian. Yesterday, when he went to meet Qin Yinan, she had been anxious. However, when she sat across from Qin Yinan and told him everything, she felt everything was settling into ce. On the taxi back to Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow, she had asked herself, Will I regret this?


    The answer hade clearly and confidently. Never.


    In the future, even if she was abandoned by the world, yes, she would be saddened and hurt, but she would never regret this decision. On the way back to his bungalow, she had kept envisioning if she told him she wanted to be with him, would he hug her happily or regret her?


    Based on what she knew about him, the possibility of him rejecting her was much higher. At the time, she had even told herself, It¡¯s okay, there¡¯s still time. You can slowly convince him.


    Later that night, she had opened her heart up to him, but he had locked her up in his bungalow and escaped. Then, she had switched to the method of annoying him endlessly, but no matter how hard she stuck to him, all he did was ignore her, even thinking about pushing her away by getting married.


    Finally, she used physical force... but he still rejected her.


    She had done everything she could think of, but she had still failed to convince him. However, that was okay because she still had onest power move left. Song Qingchun looked left and right and spotted a beggar underneath one of the show windows.


    Song Qingchun pulled her leg back then turned around in a wide arc. Without telling Su Zhinian what she was up to, she strode toward the beggar.


    Wait, wasn¡¯t she going to kick me? Why did she just walk away so easily? Su Zhinian stared at Song Qingchun¡¯s back with a deep frown on his face. He sat up straight with confusion. He looked on as Song Qingchun walked to a beggar and squatted down beside him.


    With his super-hearing, he could hear Song Qingchun ask the beggar with a giggle in her voice, "Do you think I¡¯m pretty?"


    Has she lost her mind? Why would she go ask a random stranger such a question in the middle of the night?


    Even though Su Zhinian did not think that the beggar would be a bad person, he still stood up using the side of his car as support because he was concerned. He rubbed his stomach to ease the wounds before walking toward Song Qingchun and the beggar.

 Chapter 799 Domestic Violence 4

    It was unclear whether the beggar was stunned by the sudden enquiry or by Song Qingchun or honestly startled by her beauty, in any case, under the dim street lights, he stared at the girl before him for a long time without reacting.


    Even though Song Qingchun was squatting before the beggar, her attention had remained focused on Su Zhinian. When she saw him stand up and walk toward them, her heart settled. Then, she tilted her head to the side and repeated her question. "Do you think I¡¯m pretty?"


    The beggar stared straight at Song Qingchun. He nodded a bit dumbly at her and stammered, "Pre...pretty."


    "Do you like how I look?" Song Qingchun asked gently.


    "Of, of course." After the beggar answered, his cheeks started to blush, and he lowered his head shyly. Su Zhinian could hear their conversation clearly and elerated his speed.


    "My name is Song Qingchun, what¡¯s yours?"


    Through the corner of her eyes, she could see Su Zhinian hasten toward them, and Song Qingchun¡¯s mood improved. She cupped her head in her hands and continued chatting with the beggar.


    "I, I, I..." The beggar repeated ¡¯I¡¯ many times before lowering his shame with shame and whispered, "I... I don¡¯t have a name. My friends call me Two Balls."


    Song Qingchun was startled. She did not think she could utter the words ¡¯Two Balls¡¯, plus it sounded very disrespectful. She thought about it and said, "How about I call you Brother Two?"


    Brother Two? Su Zhinian did not realize that he was basically jogging at this point.


    The beggar scratched his head shyly and chuckled twice from this ¡¯Brother Two¡¯ that escaped from Song Qingchun¡¯s lips.


    Song Qingchun was silent for quite some time squatting before the beggar. It was not until she could hear Su Zhinian¡¯s footsteps clearly that she said, "Brother Two, you said that I¡¯m pretty and you like how I look, so what if I ask you to marry me, will you do it?"


    Su Zhinian stopped right about five meters behind Song Qingchun.


    Will you marry me? The girl found a random beggar on the street to marry just to prove her point?


    The beggar definitely did not see thising. He had been begging on the streets for all of his life. People had given him money and food, but this was the first time that someone had donated a wedding proposal. He stared at Song Qingchun open-mouthed like he had lost his mind.


    What does it mean that Su Zhinian has stopped? This method also fails?


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart dropped slightly, but her face maintained its soft glow. She whispered intimately to the beggar, "I¡¯m Song Empire¡¯s youngdy, and my brother is ST Empire¡¯s CEO. Well, the public doesn¡¯t know this yet, but my brother is very good to me. He gave me eight houses as a dowry, and they are all prime real estate in Beijing city."


    Of course, he could hear the sarcasm in her voice. Su Zhinian, who stood not far away, uttered in a cold voice, "Song Qingchun, stop acting foolish, step away from that man!"


    Song Qingchun continued like she had not even heard Su Zhinian. "Also, my brother has given me thirty percent of ST Empire¡¯s stock. If you marry me, that money will be yours, and you will not have to live on the streets anymore, so will you marry me?"

 Chapter 800 Domestic Violence 5

    At that moment, the light glowing in the beggar¡¯s eyes was like he had won five hundred thousand dors. His dirty fingers pinched his own thigh. When he felt the pain, he slowly recovered. He was not dreaming; this was real. A fairy had appeared in his life asking to marry him with arge dowry. Are all rich people this crazy?


    The beggar blinked several times but did not dare speak as if worried that the moment he spoke, the girl before him would disappear.


    "Song Qingchun!" Su Zhinian¡¯s voice was dripping with anger.


    If this was before, Song Qingchun would definitely be spooked by this tone from Su Zhinian, but now, she had nothing to fear. She did not bat an eye at Su Zhinian. She winked at the beggar and smiled brightly. "If you say yes, we will go register at the registry office first thing tomorrow morning."


    The beggar was blinded by Song Qingchun¡¯s bright smile. He stammered, "Is this for real...?"


    "Of course, it is..." She just tossed her bag away, and her car key was left in her car, so she had nothing valuable on her to stress the point. She lowered her head to look around her body, but she could not find anything expensive.


    Eventually, she tried to yank the jade bangle off her wrist. However, she only did that half way when she remembered the golden button hanging from her neck. She raised her hand to pull it off and handed it to the beggar. "If you don¡¯t believe me, I can gift you this as down payment. This is made of pure gold, and even though it isn¡¯t worth too much, it is still worth something."


    That was his button that she had been wearing around her neck. Even though she already knew that he was her life savior, he did not ask for the button back from her because he liked the idea that she carried on her something that was once close to him. However, now, she pulled it out to give to a random stranger as... down payment? Was she selling herself to the beggar?


    Even though he knew that Song Qingchun was doing this on purpose, it did not stop the jealousy and envy from bubbling up within Su Zhinian.


    "Song-Qing-Chun!" Su Zhinian hissed out her name syble by syble. His tone was so chilling that the beggar whom Song Qingchun was talking to shivered uncontrobly. He nced at him with fear in his eyes and immediately stood up from the floor, attempting to escape.


    However, Song Qingchun reached out to grab the beggar¡¯s arm. She turned around to smile at Su Zhinian. Then she pointed at the beggar beside her and said, "Brother, this is my new fianc¨¦, what do you think?"


    Fianc¨¦? Su Zhinian¡¯s fists tightened. Song Qingchun knew that the man standing before her was at his limit, but that was her point all along; she wanted to anger him to push him to his very limits!


    She turned fearlessly to smile at the beggar with a smile as sweet as honey, and she made the introduction. "Brother Two, this here is my older brother. His name is Su Zhinian, ST Empire¡¯s CEO. As the saying goes, when the father is not around, the eldest son shall take his ce. Quick go and greet him, and we will consider that meeting my parents."


    Song Qingchun could hear Su Zhinian¡¯s knuckles cracking crisply, but she was not done yet.

 Chapter 801 Domestic Violence 6

    She hollered at Su Zhinian, "Brother, what do you think of fianc¨¦? He¡¯s just perfect, isn¡¯t he?"


    Perfect? Su Zhinian was angered beyond words. He pulled on his tie with agitation, and there was a murderous glow in his eyes.


    Well, is that fiery enough for you or not? If you think that¡¯s not enough, let¡¯s make this fire burn even brighter! Song Qingchun smiled gently at Su Zhinian. "Brother, does your silence mean that you approve of my fianc¨¦?


    "Brother Two, this is wonderful, my brother has given his silent approval, so we can get married tomorrow.


    "Brother Two, what are you doing standing there like a pole? Quick, thank my brother! By the way, Brother Two, even though you look older than my brother, we value hierarchy in this society, so you still need to refer to him as your brother! Quick, try it once!"


    Goaded by Song Qingchun, the beggar tried to call Su Zhinian "Brother", but before he could issue any voice, his mouth mped up from Su Zhinian¡¯s icy gaze, and his legs started to shiver.


    The only thing you know how to do is bully a normal citizen. What a man you are!


    Song Qingchun puffed up her cheeks in anger. Noticing Su Zhinian still standing where he was, she gritted her teeth silently. She prepared to also push herself to the limits. She did not believe he would not react after she pushed things thus far!


    Song Qingchun gathered her courage and told the beggar, "Brother Two, since my brother has already approved of this marriage, then shall we have a love-binding kiss? After all, we¡¯re getting married tomorrow, so I don¡¯t mind sharing the night with you. After this kiss, let¡¯s go to a nearby hotel to get you all cleaned up. Then we¡¯ll go to the registry tomorrow, what do you think?"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s tone got sweeter as she progressed. The sweeter her voice got, the bigger the me in Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes. "Song Qingchun, I will count to three. If you don¡¯t stop this nonsense by then, you..."


    Before Su Zhinian could finish his threat, Song Qingchun suddenly stood on her tip-toe to reach toward the beggar¡¯s lips.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s words were caught harshly in his throat. He cursed under his breath. Ignoring the fact that she was taunting him, ignoring the conviction he had built for himself, with a narrowing of his eyes, he controlled the beggar to move his face away to avoid Song Qingchun¡¯s lips. Then, with two or three steps, he rushed to them to grab Song Qingchun¡¯s arm and pull her away from the beggar.


    "Big brother, what are you doing! Why are you stopping me from kissing my future husband?"


    Su Zhinian¡¯s chest was rising and falling nonstop. He searched for a stack of bills from inside his pocket and tossed it to the beggar. Then he pulled the gold button Song Qingchun had given away from the beggar¡¯s fingers before walking toward his car, dragging Song Qingchun along with him.


    "Let me go, I want to stay with my fianc¨¦, let me stay..." Song Qingchun dropped to the ground, trying to use her body weight to stop Su Zhinian.


    Su Zhinian turned around to re at Song Qingchun, who sat on the ground with no regards for her image. With a twist of his wrist, he pulled her up from the floor and hauled her over his shoulders. He carried her in such a manner over the zebra crossing.

 Chapter 802 Domestic Violence 7

    "Put me down, you bastard. Aren¡¯t you going to get married with that girl soon? Why do you care what I do with my life? Didn¡¯t you want me to stay in heaven? As you wish, I found myself a new fianc¨¦, so why did you break us up! Let me go, I want to go and find my fianc¨¦!"


    Song Qingchun was ced heavily on the ground by Su Zhinian. She turned her head to look at the roadside. The beggar had grabbed the stack of money Su Zhinian tossed him and run before more trouble came to him.


    "My fianc¨¦ is leaving; I have to go with him..." Song Qingchun grumbled as she shoved Su Zhinian away. She started to move toward the beggar, attempting to run after him. "Brother Two, wait for me, I¡¯ming with you..."


    Su Zhinian grabbed Song Qingchun¡¯s wrist to pull her back and shoved her inside his car.


    "Brother..." Song Qingchun only got one word out before Su Zhinian suddenly leaned in to press his lips over hers.


    Why are you kissing me if you do not want me?


    Song Qingchun turned her face away out of petty anger to avoid Su Zhinian¡¯s lips. Su Zhinian turned his head to follow her.


    Do you think this can solve the problem?


    Song Qingchun turned her head the other side to avoid Su Zhinian again. Su Zhinian raised his hand to grab the girl¡¯s chin to force her face to stay in ce. He leaned in for the third time, and his uneven breath slowly approached her lips.


    They had not kissed for a long time, and the moment their skin touched, a strong jolt of electricity ran through both of their bodies. Song Qingchun¡¯s body shivered, and her struggle to run away from him stopped.


    Su Zhinian slowly rubbed her lips, savoring it and tasting it as a continuous wave of shivering parsed through their bodies. He slowly pulled out his tongue to lick her lips before pulling her teeth open to dip into her mouth.


    In her anger, she bit on his tongue, causing the man to groan with pain. However, his tongue did not show any sign of leaving her mouth. Her teeth that mped over his tongue gradually loosened as his tongue continued to wiggle in her mouth. The speed of his tongue increased as his action became more domineering. Eventually, he had his hand at the back of her head, and they lost themselves in the fiery passion.


    The fury in her chest gradually faded following his kiss. Her hands slowly moved upwards to hug his waist to reciprocate his passion. He pulled her deeper into her arms, and the two leaned into the kiss along the side street.


    After a long time, one that felt to be a century long, he finally released her.


    His breath was uneven, and her face was flushed. He leaned his forehead against hers while his hands cupped her face with his thumbs slowly and firmly caressing her cheeks. His voice was low with a deep maism, sexy and alluring. "Tingting, don¡¯t do that in the future anymore. Don¡¯t call anyone on the street your fianc¨¦..."


    "If you don¡¯t want me, then I will continue to do that, find a random stranger on the street to marry..." Before Song Qingchun could finish, Su Zhinian once again blocked her lips.

 Chapter 803 Domestic Violence 8

    Her lips were incredibly soft. Even though he had just kissed her earlier, he still found himself unable to resist the temptation. His kiss was forceful, and he almost peeled the skin off her lips. He was addicted to her sweetness. He could not help but continue to lean forward until her whole person was pressed up tightly against the car.


    Due to pain, she moaned softly, and it was then that he slowed down. However, he still showed no sign of moving apart from her. He held her head in his hands and allowed his tongue to explore deeper into her mouth.


    Song Qingchun felt her body slowly bing putty because of his kiss. Even the pain from her back started to fade into the background. Her surroundings, her breath, and her mouth were filled with his scent. The air in her lungs was slowly sucked away by the man. She gripped his shoulders, hanging on for dear life. She opened her lips slightly attempting to take in more air, but this only caused him to kiss her harder, his tongue ravaging her mouth without reservation or hesitation.


    Su Zhinian only let her go when Song Qingchun was struggling for herst breath. Heaving greatly with his head lowered, he stared deeply at her face that was dyed red. He hissed through gritted teeth, "Tingting, you¡¯re making me crazy..."


    His tone was extremely brutal, and yet it was filled with a sense of helplessness.


    I¡¯ve always prayed and wished for you to have a better life, but you keeping to shake my conviction again and again.


    "You have to understand that I¡¯m powerless before you..." Su Zhinian looked like he could rush forward at any moment to snap the neck of this woman. He gritted his teeth darkly, but he could not be angry at her; he did not have the heart to me her.


    In the end, he sighed deeply. He raised his hands to slowly caress her forehead, to put her hair that was tousled by the wind behind her ears. He held her face in his palm, and he sighed softly yet with a tone full of helplessness. "Tingting, tell me, what should I do with you?"


    His tone was pitiable yet alluring, pampering yet distancing. Song Qingchun¡¯s fingers that held his shirt trembled slightly. Unconsciously, she peeled her eyelids back to meet his eyes.


    The emotions that originated from the kiss remained at the bottom of her eyes. It caused him to lose his focus, and he only recovered several minutester. His thumb continued to massage her supply cheek, and his lips moved, his tone carrying with it traces of loneliness and mncholy. "Tingting, do you know how hard it is pretending not to care?"


    Even in his dreams, he wished tovish his attention on her, but for the sake of her future, he could only pretend not to care.


    Pretend not to care...


    These simple wordspletely dispersed the anger and depression in Song Qingchun¡¯s heart.


    At that moment, even though she couldn¡¯t tell what he was thinking and wouldn¡¯t be able to ess his thought from a diary entry, the phrase ¡¯pretend not to care¡¯ was like a giant force hitting her directly at her heart, letting her feel his helplessness, his struggle, his pain, and his heartache.

 Chapter 804 Domestic Violence 9

    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes could not help but redden. When she opened her lips next, the earlier anger and stubbornness hadpletely disappeared. What remained was merely a soft gentleness and a faded concern. "Then what about you? Do you how much you¡¯ve hurt me over the past two days?


    "Do you know how much courage it took me tomit to that decision to be with you? I¡¯ve exhausted every bit of courage within me to ask you let me apany you in hell, but you turned around wordlessly and locked me up in your house. No matter how mad I acted or how loud I yelled, you refused to give me any response."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes started to well up. Su Zhinian held her close to his heart and lowered his eyes to hide the apology in them. He simply allowed her to vent on him soundlessly.


    "The first thought that crossed my mind after leaving the bungalow was to go look for you, but you refused to give me any chance to speak. No matter how hard I followed you, you kept sticking to father. In the end, you even said you¡¯d consider marrying someone else..."


    Tears fell down Song Qingchun¡¯s cheeks slowly. Her soft and gentle tone became colored with resentment. "...Su Zhinian, do you know, even if I can¡¯t marry you, I will not stand idle and watch you marry someone else? Unlike you, I can¡¯t pretend not care when watching the one I love marry someone else even if it kills me to do so."


    "I know."


    I know I¡¯ve been hurting you, but at the same time, I suffer ten times the pain you¡¯re suffering. At the darkest moment of my life, you walked in like a ball of light. Even now, twenty yearster, you¡¯re the purest existence in my life. I really don¡¯t want to pollute you despite the crazy desire to pull you into hell with me so that you¡¯ll belong to me forever. Tingting, listen to me. Can you hear how cruel and how dark I am?


    A light sadness crawled unto Su Zhinian¡¯s face. "...I¡¯ve always known that. Ever since I found out that you¡¯re my sister so many years ago, I¡¯ve been hurting you."


    "But now? Do you still n to hurt me?" Song Qingchun stared directly at Su Zhinian, her teary eyes surfeit with nervousness. He knew how afraid she was, afraid that he might reject her one more time.


    He also read from her heart what her next course of action would be should he reject her.


    This means that no matter what I say, she is hell bent of being together with me?


    Her determination, her stubbornness, and her refusal to leave him alone...


    A cocktail of emotions crowded his chest, creating violent reactions with one another. Su Zhinian¡¯s fingers that caressed Song Qingchun started to quiver. He stared into her eyes and asked clearly and seriously, "Song Qingchun, do you understand what you¡¯re saying?"


    Song Qingchun held his gaze, and her answer came out clear and without hesitation. "I do."


    Through the physical contact, he could read the most authentic thought in her heart, and they were identical to the answer that left her lips.


    It reminded of the rity of her trust so many years ago when she said, "Big brother said that you¡¯re a bad man, so you have to be a bad man."

 Chapter 805 Domestic Violence 10

    "I know very well what I¡¯m talking about." Song Qingchun waited for a moment before continuing. Certain words she had told Qin Yinan but had never told him, so she did not mind repeating them. "I¡¯ve never been clearer with my decision in my life. Su Zhinian, I want to be together with you. In this world, you¡¯re the one who treats me the best. You can¡¯t be so responsible to run away after you rose my standard so high. To hell with the world, even if the whole world is added up, it cannot be better than you..."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s answer reminded Su Zhinian of the words he read from Qin Yinan¡¯s heart that morning.


    As long as I have Su Zhinian, I¡¯m not afraid because the whole world, for me, is iparable to one Su Zhinian. I¡¯d rather give up the whole world if I cannot have Su Zhinian. Su Zhinian is my life.


    Su Zhinian could feel his blood surging through his veins. Even though he tried to keep his voice even, when he spoke next, his voice still trembled. "Tingting, what if I tell you, the moment I say yes, you¡¯ll lose the opportunity to get away from me? Even if you regret it in the future, I¡¯ll never let you go again; will you be afraid?"


    "I¡¯m not afraid," Song Qingchun answered with the same rity as before. As if afraid that he would not believe her, she even nodded twice at him.


    "Not only that, I can¡¯t give you a romantic proposal like a normal couple; I can¡¯t give you avish celebration on Valentine¡¯s day like a normal couple; I can¡¯t even give you a luxurious wedding like a normal couple. Won¡¯t you regret that?"


    "I will not regret any of that."


    "We can¡¯t ever hug each other in broad daylight or even admit to the world that we¡¯re in love; we can only survive the rest of our lives in the darkness. Are you sure that is what you want?"


    "I¡¯m sure." Song Qingchun smiled softly at Su Zhinian. Her voice was as gentle as moonlight, but it belied an iron will.


    "I can never put your name openly beside mine. I can¡¯t even give you a child. Tingting, have you really thought this through?"


    "I have. When I went to search for Brother Yinanst night, I already did."


    The moment Song Qingchun finished, Su Zhinian reached out to pull her into his tight embrace.


    Do you know? God is fair to everyone. He has given me a superpower that no one else has but has condemned me to a life of solitude and pain. However, ultimately, I am happier than others because I have Song Qingchun.


    Su Zhinian pressed Song Qingchun tightly into his chest but did not think that was enough. He increased the pressure as if attempting to press her into his frame. This is the best feeling ever; it¡¯s like I¡¯m holding the whole world in my arms.


    Su Zhinian was so touched that his eyes reddened with tears. One of his tears fell from his eyes, slid down his cheek, and fell onto her neck. With his mouth next to her ear, he croaked, "Tingting, you know I¡¯m powerless before you..."


    The tear might be light, but it carried an impossible weight it. The moment it fell on Song Qingchun¡¯s skin, she shivered, and her arms reached out to hug Su Zhinian¡¯s waist.

 Chapter 806 Yes 1

    He¡¯s crying, andbined with what he said, this means he is finally saying yes, right?


    Song Qingchun was not really that dumb, but since Su Zhinian had rejected her so many times, it was really hard for her to tell what was on his mind.


    She thought about it and asked with some uncertainty, "So... this means that you agree?"


    He could read her thoughts clearly. Even at a time like this, after he had just warned her of him locking her up in the dark, dirty hell with him and not letting go of her for life, there was no shred of fear in her heart; there was no hesitation. Instead, she was thinking about whether he had said yes or no.


    Su Zhinian pulled her in closer. He kissed her hair and opened his mouth to confirm. "Yes."


    At the end of the day, he still lost to her. They still ended up walking down the worst path.


    Even though it vited his initial conviction, he could not find it within him to reject her anymore. He really wished the best for her, but when he realized that she would continue sticking to him to like banshee if he rejected her, his conviction started to waver.


    No one knew what would happen in the future, but Su Zhinian was certain that,e hell or high water, he would do everything within his power to protect her even if it meant giving up his life.


    Yes... Su Zhinian¡¯s answer reverberated in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind for a long time. She peeled herself out of his hug and raised her eyes to look at him. She asked inquisitively, "Su Zhinian, you¡¯re finally going to say yes? You¡¯ve finally thought it through and decided to be with me?"


    "Yes."


    The man under the street light was inhumanely handsome. His face was like a startling portrait, and his voice was as deep as the ocean.


    "We¡¯ll be together forever. I¡¯ll never wed, and you¡¯ll never marry."


    In her excitement, Song Qingchun reached out to hug Su Zhinian. Through their hug, he could sense the cheer and joy in her heart.


    Silly girl, so happy for going down to hell? Tell me, how could I... not love such a girl?


    Su Zhinian raised his hands to hug Song Qingchun in return. However, Song Qingchun suddenly jumped in his embrace like an excited little girl. She actually knocked into his arm, the very spot where she had scratched him when she was assaulting him earlier. The sudden pain caused him to shiver and moan.


    Song Qingchun stopped what she was doing and blinked innocently at him. Then her gaze settled on the wound on his arm that she had caused. She looked at it for a while before it dawned on her what had happened. She immediately extricated herself from him and took a hasty step back.


    That was my fault... Song Qingchun bit on her lips and tried to apologize, but she thought better of it because this was all his fault to begin with. In the end, shepromised and asked, "Are you hurt?"


    Of course, what kind of real damage could a little girl do to him even at the maximum of her energy? All the wounds were minor. However, looking at the girl who refused to admit her mistake despite her guilt, Su Zhinian could not help but tease her by saying, "What do you think?"


    Song Qingchun pouted and turned her head away to look at a random street light.

 Chapter 807 Yes 2

    Su Zhinian could not start his car due to the damage. He called the traffic police and the towingpany to tow the car away. He was even fined 2,000 RMB for destruction of public property.


    Instead of his own, Su Zhinian used Song Qingchun¡¯s car to drive them back to his bungalow. On the way home, when they passed a 24-hour pharmacy, Song Qingchun called for him to stop. She jumped down from the car to purchase two sticks of medicinal ointment.


    After returning to the bungalow, Song Qingchun went to take a shower. She put on one of Su Zhinian¡¯srger T-shirts and urged him to take his bath. When Su Zhinian came out from the bathroom, Song Qingchun just finished drying her hair. She patted the sofa beside her, signaling for Su Zhinian to sit. She used the ointment to cover the wounds on his body.


    The ointment¡¯s smell was rather pungent. When Song Qingchun applied it to the bloodiest wound on his arm, her stomach suddenly turned. She immediately dropped the medicine on the table and rushed into the toilet.


    Before Su Zhinian realized what had happened, he heard the sound of vomitinging from the bathroom. He stood up in a hurry and rushed to the toilet where he saw Song Qingchun copsed before the toilet, vomiting her stomach out.


    With a frown, Su Zhinian walked forward and squatted down to pat Song Qingchun on her back. "What¡¯s wrong?"


    Song Qingchun shook her head. Just as she wanted to tell Su Zhinian that she was fine, she turned back down the toilet and started vomiting again. The food she had for dinner that night had beenpletely digested, so all she vomited was stomach acid.


    Su Zhinian continued to pat her on the back. Looking at how ufortable she was, he said with concern, "I shall go call Doctor Xia."


    Then, he stood up. As Song Qingchun vomited, she reached out to grab hold of his arm to stop. "It¡¯s fine..."


    Before she could finish the sentence, another wave of vomit came up her throat.


    "This is not fine. We cannot allow you to continue vomiting like this." Su Zhinian pushed Song Qingchun¡¯s hand off and walked out the bathroom.


    Song Qingchun, who finished vomiting, pushed the flush button and stood up in a hurry to chase after Su Zhinian. She pulled the phone away from his hands. "I¡¯m fine. The food I had for dinner was probably too oily, that¡¯s all."


    Su Zhinian frowned and tried to grab his phone back. Song Qingchun hid it behind her and said, "Doctor Xia is in his advanced age already. Let¡¯s not bother him sote at night. Furthermore, I already feel much better."


    Su Zhinian continued to look at her with concern.


    "I¡¯m fine, I¡¯m really fine." To make Su Zhinian stop worrying, Song Qingchun even did a series of jumping jacks before him.


    After asking once more and receiving a nod with a smile, he finally relented.


    Before he went downstairs to warm her a ss of milk, he still reminded her with concern apparent on his face, "If you¡¯re not feeling betterter, we won¡¯t call Doctor Xia; we¡¯ll just go to the hospital."


    ...


    After finishing the ss of milk, Song Qingchun climbed into Su Zhinian¡¯s bed and snuggled underneath the covers.


    Su Zhinian cleaned the ss and ced it on the table before turning off the lights and walking to his bedside.


    He stood there staring at Song Qingchun¡¯s head that poked out of his two-meter-wide bed for some time before peeling the cover back to lie down beside her.

 Chapter 808 Yes 3

    Only a small light was open in the bedroom, giving the ce a sense of closeness and intimacy. Su Zhinian and Song Qingchuny in bed together, and there were about two meters between them. This was not the first time they shared the same bed, but it was the same time that happened after everything was said and done.


    Previously, when they did the deed, he had been drunk twice, and the other time, she still had not known the truth, but this time was different. Even though they had promised to be together, certain things were still hard to approach.


    The night was quiet, and neither of them spoke, but they could hear the other¡¯s breathing clearly. Neither of them felt like sleeping; they stayed in their position for a long time until they felt ufortable. They both turned in bed in unison causing their hands to identally touch. Song Qingchun¡¯s fingertips trembled, and then she could feel the man¡¯s warm hand covering her soft hand.


    He gripped her hand tightly as if sending her warmth before their finger crossed. An inexplicable sweetness and bliss radiated from their crossed palms to fill up the room with an atmosphere of peace and affection. This was probably what they called a peaceful life.


    Two people who loved each other staying together did not need to do certain things to feel happy. Even if they justy in bed holding each other¡¯s hands, the world would fill with bliss.


    Su Zhinian was really satisfied.


    The satisfaction only increased when he saw the same feeling reflected in Song Qingchun. He gripped her hand tighter and told the girl who was increasingly overwhelmed by drowsiness, "Tingting, good night."


    Song Qingchun turned around to face Su Zhinian. She looked at the man¡¯s face, which was looking up at the ceiling. Her face broke into a happy smile, and she replied, "Good night, Su Zhinian."


    Su Zhinian also turned to look at her. They bothy in their side of the bed and studied each other using the dim light in the room. Song Qingchun, who had tired easilytely, soon surrendered. Her eyelids started to droop. Before she fell asleep, Su Zhinian could not help himself but call her name. "Tingting?"


    "Hmm?" Song Qingchun tried her best to stop her eyelids from falling and answered him softly while staring at his shining eyes.


    Even though the decision had been made, Su Zhinian still felt internally anxious. He gripped her hand even tighter and said softly, "Tingting, let me ask you onest time, will you really not regret this?"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s face fell immediately. She red at Su Zhinian and warned grumpily, "Su Zhinian, do you want to get beaten up some more?"


    Su Zhinian¡¯s face rxed facing Song Qingchun¡¯s anger. He stretched his arm to circle Song Qingchun¡¯s neck. "Tingting, even if you regret it in the future and want to get away from my side, you can¡¯t me me when I refuse to let you go."


    When Song Qingchun heard this, her face broke into a smile. She giggled twice before snuggling into Su Zhinian¡¯s chest. "Of course, I won¡¯t."


    Su Zhinian chuckled internally and lowered his head to nt a good night kiss between Song Qingchun¡¯s brows.


    Song Qingchun felt the kiss, and her eyes smiled.


    Very soon, she drifted to sleep.

 Chapter 809 Yes 4

    The second day was a weekend. Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun stayed at home and spent the peaceful day together in each other¡¯spany.


    Su Zhinian had a morning meeting on Monday, so he woke up early in the morning. Before he left, he pasted a note on the bathroom mirror. Song Qingchun slept until 9 am before she crawledzily out of bed. As she brushed her teeth, she read the note that Su Zhinian had left for her.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s note said that he had ced his car keys on the shoe rock by the front door. The cars were in the garage, so she could have whichever car she preferred. The note also said, he had left some cash in the top drawer of the bedside table. He checked her wallet and realized there was not much cash in it. He already put some notes in, but if she felt that wasn¡¯t enough, she could take more from the drawer. Finally, the note reminded her that there was breakfast in the oven.


    Su Zhinian had bought the breakfast for her before he left. It was her favorite meat bun. Song Qingchun sat at the dining table and finished a half bowl of porridge before taking a bite of the bun. The skin of the bun was thin, and with one bite, the juices of the meat sshed into her mouth. This bun was once considered by Song Qingchun to be food of the Gods, but that morning, as the smell of meat entered her nostrils, her stomach started to turn.


    Song Qingchun squatted before the toilet and vomited for quite some time before she stopped.


    This is weird... Is it really as Su Zhinian said, a stomach bug?


    Song Qingchun walked upstairs as she pulled out her phone to nce at the time. There was still half an hour left until it was time for work. She shook her head and reminded herself to stop at the pharmacy after work. She then hopped upstairs to grab her bag. She chose the most low-profile vehicle from the garage and rushed to herpany.


    Song Qingchun, who did not have much for breakfast, felt faint from hunger before noon. She left her office half an hour before lunchtime to go to the downstairs canteen to fetch some food for herself.


    After having her fill, Song Qingchun felt much better. She returned to her office and leaned against her chair as the sunlight filtered into her room. Without realizing it, Song Qingchun fell asleep, and when she woke up, it was already two hourster.


    Song Qingchun, who napped for so long, felt that her throat was extraordinarily dry. She stood up to stretch before grabbing her mug off her working table and heading toward the breakroom.


    In the breakroom, she saw Tang Nuan brewing coffee. Song Qingchun stood at the door for a long time before eventually taking the first step in. They used to fight like cat and dog, but these days, when they encountered each other, they treated each other like air.


    Song Qingchun stood before the water machine, waiting for the water to warm up, while Tang Nuan stood before the coffee machine, waiting for the coffee to brew. Neither of them uttered a word, and the atmosphere in the breakroom was palpably tense.


    Tang Nuan¡¯s coffee was ready first, and the aroma of coffee instantly filled up the room. The next second, Song Qingchun¡¯s hot water was ready. She filled half of her cup with the water as wafts of coffee aroma drifted toward her. It was then that Song Qingchun¡¯s stomach churned, and she felt like vomiting again.


    She ced her mug in a hurry on the table and rushed toward the bathroom next to the breakroom with her palm cupped over her mouth.


    Tang Nuan held her cup of coffee in her hand as she prepared to leave the breakroom. However, she suddenly stopped and turned to look at the mug of water that Song Qingchun had left on the table.

 Chapter 810 Yes 5

    Song Qingchun¡¯s mug was steaming.


    Many days ago, when she found out that Song Qingchun was marrying Qin Yinan and after she was cruelly rejected and treated by Qin Yinan, her hatred for Song Qingchun had reached the maximum. She really couldn¡¯t wait for her to die.


    However, God seemed to be looking after Song Qingchun because even though they worked at the samepany, Tang Nuan couldn¡¯t find the opening to poison her. First, she took a long holiday from work due to the falling incident, and after that, Song Qingchun disappeared from the face of the Earth for quite some time. When Song Qingchun finally returned to work, Tang Nuan had to return to her hometown to visit her parents.


    Tang Nuan sometimes even thought that the opportunity had passed her by, but today, God suddenly smiled upon her by giving her such a convenient opening. Tang Nuan¡¯s teeth bit into her lower lip. Through the ss window of the breakroom, she could see that the rest of the office was busy, preupied with their work. She gritted her teeth and turned around to walk toward the water machine.


    She ced her coffee cup down beside Song Qingchun¡¯s mug. When she bent over to pick up one of the disposable cups, she fished out from her pocket the small medicine bottle that the woman had given her.


    She poured out a pill from within speedily. With her back turned toward the breakroom, she pretended to wait for the cup to fill. When the cup was almost full, she turned around to check whether someone was watching her. When she was certain no one was, she reached to grab her own coffee cup, as she did so, she expertly dropped the pill into Song Qingchun¡¯s mug.


    The pill dissolved quickly in the warm water. It soon disappeared without a trace. Tang Nuan continued to stare at Song Qingchun¡¯s steaming mug of water. Then, she grabbed her own coffee up and the disposable cup of water and walked out of the breakroom.


    She walked back to her cubicle and sat down. She sipped on her coffee as she nced at the disposable cup on her table. She leaned toward a male colleague sitting beside her and said, "Didn¡¯t you mention you¡¯re thirsty?"


    The male colleague, who was busy typing, turned to look at Tang Nuan with evident surprise. He eventually thanked her, epted the cup, and finished it in one gulp.


    Tang Nuan did not even respond with a "you¡¯re wee" as she turned back to her cubicle. As she keyed in the password to herputer, she pulled out her phone to search for that woman¡¯s number. She messaged her only a single word. "Sess."


    After the phone showed that the message had been sent, Tang Nuan ced the phone back on her table. She pulled her chair deeper into her table, and while it looked like she was focused on theputer screen, she was following the movement in and around the breakroom out of the corner of her eyes.


    About one minuteter, Song Qingchun finally exited the bathroom. Her face looked a bit pale, and she staggered slightly. She was probably really sick.


    As Song Qingchun¡¯s gaze scanned the office, Tang Nuan lowered her head and pretended to type something on the keyboard. She then turned to look at a colleague that sat in the direction of the breakroom. Through the ss window, she could see Song Qingchun walk into the breakroom. She picked up her mug of warm water and sauntered out.


    Just as Tang Nuan wanted to see whether Song Qingchun would drink the water, her phone on the table vibrated from a notification.

 Chapter 811 Yes 6

    She turned unconsciously toward it to nce at the phone screen that had lit up. It was a reply from that woman. It was a simple message with only two letters. "Ok."


    Through the message, Tang Nuan could even envision the sh of malice that crossed the usually gentle demeanor of that woman.


    She sure knows how to act... Tang Nuan mocked the woman as she continued to observe Song Qingchun. She picked up her phone and was about to send another message to that woman when the female colleague beside Tang Nuan peeled open a bag of Chili Chicken and, out of habit, passed Tang Nuan one.


    Tang Nuan epted it and threw it into her mouth. She chomped on the delicacy as she typed the reply on her phone. She only managed to key in the word ¡¯If¡¯ when she suddenly turned around and started to dry heave with her hands over her lips.


    The female colleague who gave her the Chicken Feet turned around and asked with concern, "Tang Nuan, are you okay?"


    Waving her hands at the female colleague, Tang Nuan replied that she was fine. She ced her phone and the rest of the Chili Chicken on her table before she stood up to rush toward the bathroom.


    The clicks of her high heels and the dry heaving that followed were very conspicuous in the quietness of the office.


    ...


    Ever since Song Qingchun caught Tang Nuan cheating on Qin Yinan, Song Qingchun had treated her as air. Even if they ran into each other face-to-face at the office, they would not acknowledge each other with even a gaze.


    When she almost reached her office holding the mug in her hands, she was osted by her assistant. The assistant asked her about the progress on thetest news article, and as she listened to her assistant, Song Qingchun raised the mug to her lips.


    The moment the warm water touched her lips, Song Qingchun could hear the sound of vomitinging behind her. The sound made her feel nauseous as well. She immediately put down the mug and turned toward the sound alongside her assistant. They saw Tang Nuan rush toward the bathroom with her hands over her lips.


    The female colleague next to Tang Nuan was close to her, so she stood up to follow Tang Nuan with concern. The female colleague did not go into the bathroom but stood at the door to talk to Tang Nuan.


    "Are you okay? Do you want to take a day-off? Shall I apany you to the hospital? Also... what has been wrong with youtely? I remember this is not the first time you reacted thusly to food in the span of a week..."


    Tang Nuan said something back, but Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t hear her over the distance. She could barely hear the female colleague¡¯s reply.


    Her assistant already lost her interest. She called out to Song Qingchun and pointed at theputer screen as she continued to discuss the matters of work with Song Qingchun. Song Qingchun turned to look at theputer screen. Amid the droning of her assistant, snippets of conversation from the bathroom would drift into her ears.


    "Is it because you drunk too muchst week? Tang Nuan, you should listen to me; you shouldn¡¯t drink so often and so much as a woman. It¡¯s very harmful to your stomach and liver..."


    Sister Hua, whose cubicle was closest to the bathroom, suddenly said, "Wait, Tang Nuan has been vomiting the past few days?"

 Chapter 812 Yes 7

    The female colleague turned around to say, "Yes, Sister Hua. She had a little much to drinkst week and has felt nauseous since then..."


    "Are you sure it¡¯s only a stomach bug?" Sister Hua was the only woman at the office who had given birth to two sons. After asking that question, she lowered her voice to ask, "Has Tang Nuan¡¯s monthly cycle been constanttely?"


    What does her monthly cycle have to do with Tang Nuan¡¯s vomiting? Song Qingchun frowned with anxiety, which caused her assistant, who was in the middle of a report, to freeze with apprehension. She asked carefully, "Sister Qingchun, is there anything wrong?"


    I have also been vomiting constantly... Furthermore...


    Something clicked within Song Qingchun. She ignored her assistant, and her hands that gripped the mug tightened unconsciously.


    As if confirming her thought, Sister Hua stood up to walk to the bathroom. She told Tang Nuan, who was washing her hands, "Tang Nuan, I¡¯ve been in your shoes before, and I feel like you might not be suffering from stomach flu. Even if your monthly cycle is normally all over the ce, it does not mean that the possibility that I¡¯m suggesting is impossible. Listen to my advice and go buy a maternity test because I believe you might be pregnant..."


    You might be pregnant...


    When Song Qingchun heard these words, her hands shivered, and the mug slipped from her grasp. It fell onto the table, causing the water to ssh everywhere. Her wrist soon turned red from the scalding.


    Her assistant yelped as she reached out to catch Song Qingchun¡¯s cup. However, the mug rolled off the table and crashed into pieces before she could reach it.


    "Sister Qingchun, are you alright?" Her assistant stood up in a hurry and pulled out several paper napkins to wipe the water stain off Song Qingchun¡¯s body. Song Qingchun was pulled back to reality when she felt her assistant¡¯s touch on her skin. She shook her head and epted the napkins from her assistant.


    As she wiped the water, her mind was elsewhere. About ten secondster, she smiled at her assistant and said, "Sorry, I was spacing out just now. Do you mind sending me the article draft through email? I¡¯ll take a look at itter."


    Her assistant nodded obediently. She stared at Song Qingchun and asked with worry, "Sister Qingchun, you don¡¯t look well. Are you feeling sick or anything?"


    "No, I¡¯m fine..." Song Qingchun once more shook her head at the assistant. She squatted down to pick up the mug pieces, but she identally cut herself, which caused her assistant to squat down immediately and press her finger tightly with the napkins to stop the blood flow.


    After applying a bandage, she told Song Qingchun, "Sister Qingchun, you¡¯d better go back to your office to rest. I¡¯ll clean up, don¡¯t worry."


    Song Qingchun hesitated before saying, "Okay."


    After a pause, she added, "Thank you."


    "You¡¯re wee." Her assistant smiled sweetly at her.


    Song Qingchun smiled in kind and turned to walk back to her office. After closing the office door, Song Qingchun crumbled into her chair like her energy had beenpletely drained.


    The words Sister Hua told Tang Nuan kept bouncing around in her mind.


    Tang Nuan might have had an irregr monthly cycle, but she was different. Hers would normallye within the few days of the month, but that did not happenst month.


    Those few days happened to coincide with the days Su Zhinian went on those dates set up by her father. She had been so busy being morose that she did not have the mind to pay attention to her monthly cycle.

 Chapter 813 Yes 8

    Then, she was caught up in the updates between him and that girl. Quickly following that was her discovery of his diary...


    Her mind had been upied with everything rted to him. If not for the opportune sentence by Sister Hua that day, she probably would not have realized that her period was already half a monthte.


    Simr to Tang Nuan, she was prone to nausea, especially when she was around heavy food. Furthermore, she realized that she tired and hunger easily. All she wanted to do was lie in bed and do nothing.


    Her mother had passed away the year she left for university, so she only had time to teach Song Qingchun how to use the tampon. The only other female in the house, her sister-inw, Fang Rou, didn¡¯t get the joy of motherhood before Song Cheng was killed, so Song Qingchun was understandably a bit clueless when it came to matters rted to pregnancy. However, this did not mean that she did not know anything at all. Based on her various symptoms, it was as Sister Hua diagnosed¡ªshe was most likely pregnant.


    The more she thought about it, the more anxious she became. Other than the nightmarish event that happened so many years ago between her and Su Zhinian, she had only had sex twice in these past six months, and both of those times had been with him. The first time, she had made a show of swallowing the morning-after pills. The second time had been at the hospital, and it had been she who initiated it. At the time, she did not know he was her biological brother.


    So, if she was really pregnant, it had to have happened that night.


    But could she really be that unlucky, the legendary hole in one had to happen to her?


    If she was really pregnant, what should she do? A child between blood siblings had to be removed.


    Song Qingchun raised her fingers to massage her throbbing temples. She felt increasingly agitated.


    ...


    Su Zhinian had an important dinner meeting that night, so he could not join the Song family. When it was almost time to get off work, he called Song Qingchun.


    Su Zhinian was reticent man, and Song Qingchunplimented him perfectly because she would normally dominate the conversation, and he would listen to her attentively.


    However, Song Qingchun was so preupied with the pregnancy that she did not have much to say. She sat in her office chair and stared out at the setting sun, cradling the phone in her hand. They only shared two sentences before the line was upied by silence.


    Su Zhinian was reading some document while he was on the phone. He waited for Song Qingchun to say something, and when she didn¡¯t, he frowned and called, "Tingting?"


    There was no answer, and his brows furrowed deeply. "Tingting? Tingting?"


    "Hmm?" Song Qingchun¡¯s confused answer finally came through.


    "What¡¯s wrong?" Su Zhinian asked with concern.


    "It¡¯s nothing..." Song Qingchun sounded dispirited on the phone.


    After a moment¡¯s silence, Su Zhinian put down his pen and pressed the call button on his working line. The call was picked up instantly.


    On the other end of the cell phone, Song Qingchun could hear Cheng Qingchong¡¯s voiceing out of the speaker. "CEO Su."


    "Cancel the dinner meeting tonight..."


    Song Qingchun caught the meaning in his orders and called after him in a hurry. "Su Zhinian?"


    When he heard her voice, Su Zhinian paused. He told Cheng Qingchong on the other line, "Wait for a moment."


    Turning his attention back to the line with Song Qingchun, he uttered, "Hmm?"

 Chapter 814 Yes 9

    This seemed to be a quirk of his. No matter how emotionless he was talking to others one second ago, he could switch to the most loving tone when he talked to her one secondter. Song Qingchun¡¯s heart instantly softened, washing away the depression that had clouded over her the whole afternoon. She held the phone in her hand and said softly, "Su Zhinian, don¡¯t cancel your n because of me, I¡¯m fine..."


    Su Zhinian on the other end of the phone was silent as if gauging whether she was lying to him or not.


    "...I¡¯m really fine, just a bit frustrated from work," To make Su Zhinian believe her, Song Qingchun forced a trace of resentment into her voice as she continued to vent at Su Zhinian. "Facing the same type of news every day, do you know how boring that is? That¡¯s not the worst. Having to create eye-catching headlines out of nothing is the true annoyance. Somedays, I feel like I¡¯m lying to the readers..."


    It was not out of the ordinary for Song Qingchun toin about frivolous stuff like this. However, listening to her endless grumbling, Su Zhinian did not show any trace of impatience. He ended the call to Cheng Qingchong silently and stopped reading his documents. Instead, he quieted down to listen to Song Qingchun with a concentration that was sharper than he was when he was in a meeting.


    The sunset outside the window dyed the whole city a brilliant red. Su Zhinian leaned in his chair, and as her words ofint drifted into his ears, his face rxed and softened.


    It reminded him of how it was many years ago, back when they were still in high school. Whenever she had a petty argument with her friends at school, she would storm into his bedroom door, toss her bag on his bed, wave for him to pour her a ss of water, and start toin about her so-called friends.


    To be frank, at the time, he really could not understand how a little girl like her could have so manyints, and he could not understand why she would get so angered over something as small as someone else stealing her thunder.


    Regardless, that was one of the happiest moments of his life. He liked listening to her grumble and gripe because this showed that she trusted him enough to unload her internal grievances on him.


    After Song Qingchun reached the end of her vent, she finished it with astment directed at him. "Sigh, I¡¯ll stop. After all, how would a big boss like yourself understand the pains of a small worker like me?"


    Su Zhinian who had been listening to Song Qingchun wordlessly suddenly said, "Does this mean you don¡¯t want to be a small worker anymore? Then we¡¯ll be a Big Boss..."


    "Big Boss? For Song Empire or ST Empire? You know as well as I do that I¡¯m only interested in the post an anchorwoman, or do you want to make me the Big Boss of TW Station?"


    "Sure..."


    Song Qingchun asked that question as a joke, so when Su Zhinian replied with no hesitation, it stunned her.


    Su Zhinian is saying this because he¡¯s trying to calm me down, isn¡¯t he?


    Regardless, Song Qingchun still felt deeply touched by his offer.


    After some time, Song Qingchun replied with a smile, "Okay, stop kidding, I have to go..."


    "Tingting..." Su Zhinian interrupted Song Qingchun softly but firmly.


    Song Qingchun waited for a moment, and Su Zhinian finally said in his leveled tone, "...I was not kidding."

 Chapter 815 Yes 10

    Song Qingchun held the phone in her hand, and her eyes widened slightly. The smile on her face lessened until it froze. Su Zhinian, on the other end of the line, paused for half a minute before he saidzily, "...I¡¯m serious, Ting Ting, as long as you wish for it, I will do it. Whatever you want."


    For hisst sentence, the usually detached man had a rare haughtiness in his tone. Song Qingchun could feel her heart race. Actually, she just did not want him to worry, and that was why she found some minor inconvenience toin about. She did not expect his response would be like that.


    Song Qingchun could not stop the edge of her lips from curving upwards. She held the phone in her hand and was silent for quite some time before she asked, "Whatever I want?"


    "Yes." Su Zhinian sounded as serious as if he was making a vow. "Whatever you want."


    Song Qingchun felt touched. The feeling overflowed, and she could feel warmthing to her eyes. She held the phone and tilted her head. She prolonged the humming sound like she was in deep thought. After a long time, she told Su Zhinian, who had been waiting silently and patiently for her, "...I want you to go to that dinner tonight and treat me to a big meal tomorrow!"


    Such a long build-up to make such a ¡¯demand¡¯ that ced him first... Su Zhinian¡¯s voice softened. "Okay, then I¡¯ll see you tomorrow night."


    "Okay, see you tomorrow night." The smile on Song Qingchun¡¯s face stayed until the call was over. However, when she looked at the pregnancy symptoms that she had googled on her phone, her gaze darkened once more.


    It was about time for her to get off work. Song Qingchun spaced out for a moment before she put her phone away, grabbed her bag, and walked out of the office. The office was quite rowdy. Man of her colleagues were discussing where they were going to have dinner, and one of the male workers turned to Song Qingchun to extend an invitation. "Qingchun, we¡¯re going to Hwa Mao for dinnerter, do you want toe?"


    Song Qingchun shook her head, and rejected with a smile, saying, "Thanks, but I have something else to do tonight."


    The elevator was next to the bathroom door. When Song Qingchun was waiting for the elevator, she saw Tang Nuan and the female worker who sat across from her walk out from the bathroom together. "Tang Nuan, I¡¯ve bought you five pregnancy test kits. Four have two red lines, and thest is ineffective. Sister Hua is correct; you¡¯re really pregnant..."


    The elevator door opened, and Song Qingchun rushed in to avoid their conversation. Song Qingchun opened the car door and climbed into the car that she had driven from Su Zhinian¡¯s garage. She sat inside with no thought on her mind for a while before she started the engine and stepped on the gas.


    Song Qingchun moved through the traffic, but her mind was elsewhere. She was heading towards the Song family home, but just as she was about to reach home, she thought about it before making a different turn. After travelling two hundred metres, Song Qingchun stopped the car by the roadside. She looked for her wallet inside her purse, got out, and walked into a pharmacy.


    Song Qingchun did not google how to use pregnancy kit, but since she heard Tang Nuan had bought five, she asked the cashier for ten sets at once.


    Afraid that they might be discovered, Song Qingchun hid the tests inside the middlepartment and closed the zipper before she started the car, slowly continuing her journey home.

 Chapter 816 Shes Really Pregnant 1

    After dinner, Song Qingchun apanied Song Menghwa to watch a little television. When her phone vibrated and she saw that it was Su Zhinian, she retreated to her bedroom. Her initial n had been to conduct the test after the conversation with Su Zhinian, but she fell asleep while talking on the phone with him.


    When she woke up, it was already 8 am the next morning. Her phone¡¯s battery had died. Song Qingchun charged it and went to take a bath. When she got out and was blow-drying her hair, she switched her phone on. The first thing she saw was a message from Su Zhinian sent at 11.30 pmst night, saying, "Good night."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes twinkled with mirth. Then she turned around to face the mirror. She put down the hair-dryer and started applying her skin care products. When she was done, she nced at her bag that was lying beside her. After taking a deep breath, she grabbed it and walked back into the bathroom.


    She squatted on the toilet and took out the pregnant test sticks from her bag. She unboxed one and read the instructions closely. She followed them to the tee.


    The instructions said that the result would be out in five minutes.


    Song Qingchun did not get up from the toilet. She stared unblinkingly at the row of neatly arranged pregnancy sticks. The five minutes was as long and as tumultuous as a century for Song Qingchun.


    She was deathly afraid that she was really pregnant, and as the more time dragged, the more anxious she became, to the point where she felt like she was having trouble breathing.


    Sometimes, the more one wished desperately against something, the bigger the chance it would ur. Fate could be that annoying.


    Of the ten sticks, the first toe out with the result was the fourth one counting from the right. It showed a weak positive. Song Qingchun matched that with the instructions. Weak positive did not necessarily mean pregnant. Song Qingchun was about to sigh in relief and was telling herself not to get so worried over nothing when the results for the third and sixth stick counting from the right also finished, and they both showed positive.


    Positive means... you¡¯re pregnant.


    Before Song Qingchun recovered from this thunder strike, the remaining seven sticks all showed their results one after another, and they all dered in unison: Positive.


    Ten pregnancy sticks, nine positive and one weak positive.


    ...


    Song Qingchun felt like there was a bomb that exploded beside her ears, shattering her mind into pieces. I¡¯m really pregnant...


    Even though she had harbored that suspicion since the day before, but she had still managed to carry on as normal because there had not been a clear answer, but now...


    Song Qingchun¡¯s mind was aplete nk. She stood up from the toilet mechanically, wrapped all the pregnancy sticks with toilet paper, ced them back in her bag¡¯spartment, and walked dumbly out of the toilet.


    Her lips were pursed as she walked to her bed and sat down on it. She stared at the morning sun outside the window with a pair of listless eyes. Sometimeter, her brain finally started to move.


    What should I do?


    She was really pregnant. The thing that she was most afraid of really did happen.


    Pregnancy, the weing of a new life, should have been a happy asion, but for Song Qingchun, it felt like the sky was falling down. It wasmon knowledge that the child between biological siblings would mostly be born with defects, and they normally would be taken out.

 Chapter 817 Shes Really Pregnant 2

    When thismon knowledge drilled into Song Qingchun¡¯s mind, her heart twitched with pain. As if sensing the predicament, even her stomach felt two jolts of pain. Song Qingchun knew better than anyone that the child couldn¡¯t kept, but after she stabilized her emotions, the first thing she did was to Google the things that a mother-to-be needed to be careful about.


    Song Qingchun, who had never been punctual at the dining table for breakfast, already sat waiting at the table at 8 am. The maid¡¯s shock was expected, but even Song Menghwa reached out to touch Song Qingchun¡¯s forehead to make sure she wasn¡¯t suffering from a fever.


    Song Qingchun normally wouldn¡¯t go near boiled eggs, but for breakfast that day, she had two in one sitting. When she departed for work, she reached habitually for her heels. However, she thought about it before taking them off to swap for a pair of ts.


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t even take the car but walked to the residential area entrance to hail a cab. Sitting in the backseat, she found herself unconsciously rubbing her stomach. Along the way to work, Song Qingchun¡¯s emotions were hard to describe. Her rational side nned to visit the hospital that week to schedule an abortion, but the sentimental side of Song Qingchun suddenly told the driver to take her to the hospital when they reached TW Station.


    Google said that when the mother-to-be found out about her pregnancy, the first thing she should do was to go to the hospital for a health check. Then she should purchase fte and calcium tablets to help ensure the baby¡¯s health.


    However, when the cab almost reached the hospital, the sentimental Song Qingchun switched back to rational Song Qingchun. Now that I¡¯m here, perhaps I should just do the abortion today to put it out of my mind.


    Song Qingchun paid the driver and walked into the hospital. She asked for a number for the department of gynecology and obstetrics. While she waited for her number, many thoughts were struggling in her mind.


    It was finally Song Qingchun¡¯s turn half an hourter. She sat before the doctor and told the doctor her condition in detail. After hearing everything, the doctor asked officially, "Do you still want the child?"


    Song Qingchun had already decided to take away the child before she entered the hospital, but...


    "Yes, I want to keep the child."


    The doctor nodded slightly. She typed for a while on theputer before passing Song Qingchun a list. "Here, you have to go do a type-b ultrasonic first to confirm that you¡¯re really pregnant."


    When the ultrasonic finished, it was already two hourster. Song Qingchun gave the doctor her report. The doctor flipped through it and nodded. She passed the report to Song Qingchun while pointing at something the size of a pea on it, saying, "Look, this is your baby at the moment. It is six weeks old, and everything looks normal.


    "However, your body is a bit weak, so you have to be careful of that. Try to maintain a happy mood and take as much rest as you can. I¡¯ll prescribe you some fte and calcium tablets. Remember to take them on time. Come back for your pregnancy check in one month."


    Song Qingchun thanked her as she epted the prescription list from the doctor. As she stood up to leave, she could not help herself from asking, "Doc...doctor, is there anything wrong with the baby?"

 Chapter 818 Shes Really Pregnant 3

    After a pause, Song Qingchun added, "I mean, defects like missing limbs or brain damage?"


    The doctor smiled reassuringly. "We won¡¯t know that now. The only thing that we can check is if there is sign of miscarriage. Defects like the ones you mentioned are only noticeable in the second or third trimester."


    "Okay," Song Qingchun answered. With her head lowered, she turned to pull the door open. Before she walked out, she turned back again to ask, "Doctor, can I ask your opinion regarding the abortion?"


    "Abortion?" The doctor frowned. "Didn¡¯t you already decide to keep the child? Why would you ask about that?"


    "Just in case."


    The doctor scanned Song Qingchun twice before exining it to her. "Under normal circumstances, the earlier the parents decides not to keep the baby, the better. If the abortion is dyed too long, the mother might suffer from healthplications."


    The doctor could see that Song Qingchun seemed to be struggling with the decision, so after giving her the exnation, she added, "So, you¡¯d bettere to a decision as soon as possible, best in less than two months."


    "Thank you."


    ...


    The news of the pregnancy came too suddenly for Song Qingchun. Song Qingchun was certain that if she could turn back time, she would not have done the things she did.


    Song Qingchun could not help but think this was punishment from God since the decision she made was simply too immoral.


    As she walked through the streets, her heart and mind were aplete mess. When she walked past a restaurant, her stomach grumbled because it was already lunchtime. She halted and, after some consideration, turned into the restaurant. She ordered some nutritious meals to feed her baby.


    Song Qingchun knew that she had to face that cruel decision sooner orter, but she really couldn¡¯t imagine herself going through with it. Regardless, before that happened, she was going to follow the doctor¡¯s instructions and swallowed the tablets alongside lunch.


    After paying her bill, Song Qingchun exited the restaurant. She had no desire at all to return to work.


    There were many questions on her mind. The first was, of course, whether to keep this child or not. Secondly, whether she decided to keep it or not, Su Zhinian had the right to know because he was ultimately the father. Lastly, if she decided to keep the baby, could she handle the travesty that followed? For example, how could she exin the origin of the child to Song Menghwa? She could not tell him that his two children had gotten in bed, could she?


    The more Song Qingchun thought about it, the more tired she felt. She found a bench by the street and sat down. She rubbed her temples as the noise of the city crowded around her. Song Qingchun did not know how long she had sat there when her phone in her pocket rang. It was a message from Su Zhinian asking her what she want to have for dinnerter that night.


    Song Qingchun was then reminded that she had a date with him. However, she had no appetite at all because her mind was surfeited with thoughts about the baby. She stared at her phone for a long time before replying, "I¡¯m not at work today. I¡¯ll see you at yourpany, and we¡¯ll discuss in person."


    Su Zhinian probably was busy because he only replied one word. "Okay."


    Song Qingchun breathed out a long sigh. She put her phone back into her bag and stood up. She walked to the roadside to hail a cab when she heard a scream not far away from her. She unconsciously turned toward it and saw...

 Chapter 819 Shes Really Pregnant 4

    She saw someone that she couldn¡¯t have been more familiar with... Tang Nuan.


    To be frank, Song Qingchun had asked herself many times if the Tang Nuan today was actually simr to the Tang Nuan she knew from high school. It was around senior year that the normally conservatively dressed Tang Nuan suddenly changed into another person. She started to wear incredibly revealing clothes and short skirts to show off her long legs, and she wouldn¡¯t leave the house without thickyer of make-up.


    Therefore, when Song Qingchun saw the woman in a low-profile cap, casual T-shirt, ts, and no make-up, she really had a hard time believing that was Tang Nuan. However, it was undeniable that the scream dide from Tang Nuan, who seemed to be in a bit of trouble, tussling with a fashionable middle-aged woman by the roadside.


    The middle-aged woman seemed toe from a respectable background. There was a BMW worth several hundred thousand parked behind her, and tworge bodyguards stood beside it. Underneath their sunsses, their expression was a scary grimace.


    Due to the distance between them, Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t clearly hear the argument between Tang Nuan and that middle-aged woman. The more the conversation progressed, the shriller the voice of the middle-aged woman became. It caused the people on the street to turn toward them to see what was going on.


    Even though Tang Nuan didn¡¯t have a single bit of make-up, with her arms crossed before her chest, her aura of arrogance and condescension was still noticeable when she scoffed. She probably said something nasty because the middle-ageddy suddenly yelled at the top of her lungs, "You b*tch, I¡¯m going to teach you a lesson today!"


    Tang Nuan turned around and walked away because she was obviously done with this exchange. She walked haughtily in the direction of Song Qingchun.


    "Stop right there, you b*tch!" the middle-aged woman roared as she ran toward Tang Nuan. As she caught up to her, she grabbed Tang Nuan¡¯s arm and pped her right on her face without warning.


    The middle-aged woman had put elbow grease behind that p because Tang Nuan¡¯s cheek started to bruise with a speed that was noticeable to the naked eye. Tang Nuan¡¯s eyes that red at the woman were filled with hatred. The woman continued to hiss at Tang Nuan, and the next second, Tang Nuan raised her hand to p the middle-aged woman back on her face.


    The p had not only stunned the middle-aged woman but also the two bodyguards behind her.


    A small crowd had started to form around themotion. Probably feeling ashamed, Tang Nuan hurried to leave before things could get worse.


    However, she only took a few steps before the middle-aged woman recovered and turned to scold the two bodyguards, ordering them, "What are you two doing standing there? Am I paying you to be models? Go grab her and pull her back!"


    The bodyguards came to instantly and started to chase after Tang Nuan. Even though Tang Nuan increased her pace, she wasn¡¯t fast enough to outrun the two bodyguards, who soon blocked her retreat with their imposing physical presence.

 Chapter 820 Shes Really Pregnant 5

    Tang Nuan tried to walk around the two bodyguards, but no matter where she moved, the two followed her like her personal barricade. By then, the middle-aged woman had caught up to her. Enraged by the p earlier, she grabbed Tang Nuan¡¯s hair and pped her face. "You b*tch, not only did youe to seduce my husband, you dare assault me..."


    Those in the crowd who originally wanted to lend Tang Nuan a hand all retreated when they heard what the middle-aged said. Their eyes that looked at Tang Nuan with pity now turned into condescension and disdain.


    Tang Nuan, who was pped, didn¡¯t stop to even breathe. She rammed her body right into the middle-aged woman as if on reflex. However, before she could inflict any damage, the two bodyguards reached out to grab Tang Nuan¡¯s arms. Tang Nuan was detained and had no choice but raised her legs to kick at the middle-aged woman¡¯s stomach. When she was about tond the kick, she was pulled back by the two bodyguards, causing Tang Nuan¡¯s kick to miss.


    The middle-aged woman wasn¡¯t one to be bullied. Since the bodyguards hadpletely detained Tang Nuan, her words became uglier as she pulled on Tang Nuan¡¯s hair and used her bag to continuously smack Tang Nuan¡¯s head and face.


    Tang Nuan initially still tried to struggle from the two bodyguard¡¯s vise-like capture, but at the end of the day, she was a mere woman. No matter how strong she was, she couldn¡¯t rival the strength of one man much less two professionally trained bodyguards. Tang Nuan eventually gave up and allowed the middle-aged woman to vent on her.


    The middle-aged woman didn¡¯t show any bit of mercy. Tang Nuan¡¯s cap had already been thrown off to god knew where, her hairs that were pulled out covered the floor, and there was even blood trickling out from the corner of her lips.


    If one had been counting, Song Qingchun and Tang Nuan¡¯s rivalry had dragged on for six years already. In these six years, Tang Nuan had given her many reasons to be sad, to be angry, and to despair. She really hated Tang Nuan; she saw her as her nemesis and would wish hell on her.


    Song Qingchun never imed to be saint; she didn¡¯t have a heart as big as a saint to forgive Tang Nuan for everything she had done. She didn¡¯t even deny the reason she had stopped gging down a cab was because she was going to stay to watch Tang Nuan suffer.


    However, as the punishment on Tang Nuan continued and worsened, Song Qingchun found her heart that hated Tang Nuan starting to soften.


    Is it because I¡¯m pregnant? The mother side of me ising out? Song Qingchun averted her eyes to look away from the horrible scene.


    At times, the world is less kind and beautiful than the media made it out to be. In fact, it is much darker and crueler than you would have expected.


    The crowd started to gather. Some walked away from pausing for a moment, some even picked up their camera to take pictures and videos, but none took out their phone to call the police.


    There was that moment when Song Qingchun hesitated to consider helping Tang Nuan, but when that thought crossed her mind, she scolded herself for being such a busybody.

 Chapter 821 Shes Really Pregnant 6

    What has Tang Nuan¡¯s life or death got to do with me? Based on Tang Nuan¡¯s personality, if I go to help her, she¡¯ll probably scold me for sticking my fingers into her business. Furthermore...


    Song Qingchun raised her eyes to nce at the tworge bodyguards.


    I¡¯m currently pregnant. A push or shove from any one of them might cause me the loss of my child...


    Child... Wait, isn¡¯t Tang Nuan pregnant as well?


    Song Qingchun¡¯s gaze moved toward Tang Nuan¡¯s lower stomach, and it was then that she realized that throughout the process, Tang Nuan had been arcing her back like she was trying to use her body to protect her child.


    Shocked, her hands unconsciously reached toward her own stomach. She truly had underestimated Tang Nuan. She had always thought that a woman like her who flitted about many different men would have a heart of stone, but the woman appeared to really love the child in her stomach.


    The child is innocent, right? If the beating continues, Tang Nuan might have a miscarriage right on the street...


    Song Qingchun hated how indecisive she was being. As if using action to force herself into a decision, Song Qingchun turned around to walk closer to the traffic.


    The traffic was busy, so it was hard to call a cab. Song Qingchun waited for five minutes, but no taxi stopped for her. Behind her came irregr moans and screams from Tang Nuan. Every time that urred, it caused Song Qingchun¡¯s heart to crack with pain. Unable to withstand it anymore, Song Qingchun took another few steps away from Tang Nuan, and her heart calmed slightly.


    Tang Nuan¡¯s screams finally stopped, and the middle-aged woman¡¯s scolding in turn became more heated and loud.


    When Song Qingchun turned around to look at the traffic from the other side, she managed to spot Tang Nuan¡¯s situation out of the corner of her eyes. She was curled up on the floor in the shape of a prawn, using her whole body to form a cover around her stomach.


    The middle-aged woman had been beating her for quite some time already, but she showed no signs of slowing down. She used the sharp end of her heels to stomp on Tang Nuan.


    Song Qingchun raised her hands unconsciously to cover her eyes. However, when her hands were moving in mid-air, Tang Nuan happened to look her way.


    Tang Nuan also didn¡¯t expect to spot Song Qingchun because there was an obvious surprise at the bottom of her eyes. She stared at her unblinkingly as if she was in deep hesitation. After a while, a pleading glow appeared in her eyes.


    Her bloodied lips seemed to move slightly as if she was trying to tell Song Qingchun something. However, before she could form the shape of the word, she bit on her lips and lowered her head as if in defeat.


    I have done so many horrible things toward Song Qingchun to make her hate my guts. Honestly, the feeling is mutual; I¡¯ve evenmitted to murdering her... although she was lucky enough to have that mug slip from her hands. The enmity between us is as deep as the ocean, why would she even considering to my aid?


    Tang Nuan¡¯s lips curved into a self-mocking smile,ughing at how dumb she was to think about asking for help from Song Qingchun. She closed her eyes slowly and curled deeper into the fetal position, trying her best to shield her stomach from the relentless attack.


    Tang Nuan, by then, could no longer feel anything; she was already numb to the middle-aged woman¡¯s assault.

 Chapter 822 Shes Really Pregnant 7

    Tang Nuan endured the beating with something akin to detachment until she felt a sharp pain originating from her abdomen. This sudden pain caused her heart to flutter with anxiety.


    Before this, no matter how relentless the middle-aged woman was, she didn¡¯t beg for mercy, but when she felt the pain from her stomach, she opened her lips to beg without a second thought. "Please, stop hitting me, I beg you please, stop."


    Her begging fell on the middle-aged woman¡¯s deaf ears. Tang Nuan had no choice but to seek help from the passer-by. "Please, help me... Anyone, please help me..."


    Most people, when they met Tang Nuan¡¯s pleading gaze, hurried to walk away as if this had nothing to do with them. A few of them did try to help, but they were either scared off by the bodyguards or pulled away by their friends.


    The pain in her stomach intensified until it felt like someone had reached into it with a knife and was carving her insides. The fear within Tang Nuan grew to an unimaginable proportion. She observed with sinking despair that the crowd around her had drastically lessened.


    Tang Nuan had thought about asking for help from Song Qingchun earlier and now threw her dignity to the wind. She didn¡¯t know whether Song Qingchun would help her or not, but she was the only person who knew her then. She opened her lips to yell at Song Qingchun who was still in the middle of hailing a cab. Her voice was wretched and shrill. "Song Qingchun, please don¡¯t go, you have to help me... Song Qingchun..."


    "Song Qingchun!" Song Qingchun, who was moving toward a taxi that had stopped for her, halted. This gave Tang Nuan the ray of hope that she needed. Tang Nuan had always maintained a supercilious stance before Song Qingchun, but now, she pleaded and begged. "Song Qingchun, I beg of you, I know you hate me, but I beg of you, please only you can help me now..."


    Tang Nuan¡¯s voice quivered due to pain, and tears were trickling out of the corner of her eyes. "Song Qingchun, only you can help me now so can you please help me? I beg of you. She is CEO Huang¡¯s wife, and CEO Huang needs Su Zhinian due to his recent business with him. You are so close to Su Zhinian so please, please, please...."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s hands slowly gripped into fists.


    Song Qingchun knew the CEO Huang on Tang Nuan¡¯s lips. When she apanied Su Zhinian to a dinner meeting some time ago, she met him once, and at the time, she had felt he look so familiar. With Tang Nuan filling in the nks, Song Qingchun realized that CEO Huang was the man Tang Nuan cheated on Qin Yinan with.


    "Song Qingchun, I just need one sentence from you; it is not much to ask, please... If you help me, I will disappear from your eyes forever. I swear that I will not cause you any harm in the future ever again...


    "Song Qingchun, please..." Tang Nuan¡¯s tone hadpletely changed. She sounded like a wailing woman. Song Qingchun turned around unconsciously and saw Tang Nuan vomit a pile of blood to the floor. Tang Nuan seemed to have lost the power of speech due to pain. Song Qingchun noticed Tang Nuan¡¯s lips opening and closing, she seemed to be mouthing the words, "...Please...sa-save... my... chi-child..."


    Please save my child? Song Qingchun only then realized there was a small ssh of red near Tang Nuan¡¯s backside.

 Chapter 823 Shes Really Pregnant 8

    Is that a sign of miscarriage?


    Song Qingchun¡¯s hands went unconsciously to her own lower abdomen. She knew about her own pregnancy in a way because of Tang Nuan. Even though she only found out that she was pregnant that morning, she could understood how a mother cherished her own baby. Yes, she might hate Tang Nuan, but her baby was innocent.


    She were no saints, but she wasn¡¯t callous enough to stand there and watch as an innocent life disappeared before her eyes.


    The taxi was already waiting for her; she could very well open the door and get in. However, as she stood there and witnessed the travesty that was happening, her legs seemed to have be leaden, and she found herself unable to move. At the end of the day, she just didn¡¯t have that cold-blooded streak in her.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s fist trembled for a long time before she turned around with determination and yelled at Tang Nuan¡¯s assaulter, "Stop!"


    Maybe they didn¡¯t expect someone would reallye to Tang Nuan¡¯s rescue, or perhaps the middle-aged woman had gotten tired of beating her, but when she heard Song Qingchun, she really stopped. The eyes of the crowd all fell on Song Qingchun immediately.


    Song Qingchun walked forward with her lips pursed. Even though Tang Nuan said that she only need a sentence from her, Song Qingchun was afraid that Su Zhinian¡¯s name might not be as useful as Tang Nuan hoped. In the crazed madness of the woman, she might turn on her, so Song Qingchun stopped when she was, three meters away from Tang Nuan.


    Song Qingchun regarded the middle-aged woman for a while before smiling. "You¡¯re Mrs. Huang?"


    The middle-aged woman wasn¡¯t deaf to Tang Nuan¡¯s pleas earlier. Although she didn¡¯t know this young woman who intervened in her business, she did know the name Su Zhinian. She knew that she had to give face to this woman who apparently knew Su Zhinian.


    The middle-aged woman¡¯s face was still twisted with anger, but her tone softened noticeably. "And you are?"


    "My name is Song Qingchun ,and Song Menghwa is my father." Song Qingchun smiled as she offered her father¡¯s name. People in the business circle might not have heard of her name, but they did know of Song Menghwa. Furthermore, Su Zhinian did take over Song Empire once. Her reason of mentioning Song Menghwa¡¯s name was to let Mrs. Huang know that she really did know Su Zhinian.


    Mrs. Huang understood what Song Qingchun didn¡¯t say. She stood there silently as if gauging how to proceed.


    Song Qingchun waited patiently for half a minute before saying politely, "Mrs. Huang, from what you said just now, I can understand that this is her fault, but the punishment has been delivered, so if it¡¯s possible, could you be kind enough to put this matter behind us and call it a day?"


    Mrs. Huang still didn¡¯t say anything.


    She really hated this little b*tch who seduced her husband, but her livelihood waspletely dependent on her husband. Even what she did that day was done behind her husband¡¯s back. To be honest, she wasn¡¯t afraid this Tang Nuan wouldin to her husband, but she was indeed cautious of this Song Qingchun. After all, she wasn¡¯t clear what the nature of the rtionship between this Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian was. If she didn¡¯t give Song Qingchun face, would shein to Su Zhinian, and might it cause a broken deal between her husband and Su Zhinian?


    Song Qingchun could see that Mrs. Huang was hesitating.

 Chapter 824 Shes Really Pregnant 9

    The size of the blood stain near Tang Nuan¡¯s butt continued to grow. After a few seconds of silence, Song Qingchun pretended to receive a call. She pulled out her phone from her pocket, and while she pretended to look at the caller ID, she surreptitiously and speedily unlocked her phone and speed-dialed Su Zhinian¡¯s number. She ced the phone to her ear and lowered her voice intimately to call out against the dial tone. "Zhinian?"


    This was the first time in her life that Song Qingchun had referred to Su Zhinian intimately as ¡¯Zhinian¡¯. When the words escaped her lips, the skin on her back crawled.


    Song Qingchun took a long pause as she nodded; she was actually waiting for Su Zhinian to pick up. However, Su Zhinian was probably busy. Song Qingchun felt if she kept up the silence, her jig might be up, so she forced herself to enter a monologue. She said into the phone, "Hmm, what did you say? You¡¯re passing Shin Kong ce? You want to buy me a present..."


    Song Qingchun tried to make her voice as gentle as possible. She even added in a few giggles here and there to her monologue. Suddenly, the phone was picked up. "Tingting? What¡¯s wrong?"


    Her monologue had reached the climax, so she couldn¡¯t just give up now, could she?


    Song Qingchun had no choice but to ignore Su Zhinian¡¯s question and powered on through her one-woman show. "Chanel¡¯stest bag? You shouldn¡¯t have..."


    "What?" Su Zhinian¡¯spletely confused tone came over the line.


    "Dior¡¯s ne? That works too..."


    Su Zhinian frowned. "Tingting, what are you..."


    Before Su Zhinian could finish his question, Song Qingchun began again. "You saw YSL¡¯s lipsticks too? Which color? But I like all of the colors from theirtest series..."


    By then, Su Zhinian knew better than interrupt, so he shut up.


    "You want to buy flowers for me too? I don¡¯t like red roses; I prefer the pink ones..."


    Su Zhinian believed that he understood what was happening. Song Qingchun was reminding him about the presents that he should prepare for their dinner dateter that night, right?


    "Okay," he said softly.


    Okay? What are you being okay about? Can you tell what I¡¯m doing? Song Qingchun mocked him internally, but the smile on her face glowed brighter. "Okay, I understand, I will be careful on the road; I¡¯ll see you at Golden Corner tonight."


    Golden Corner? This means that she wants the dinner to be at Golden Corner? Su Zhinian added another "okay". He was about to bid Song Qingchun goodbye when Song Qingchun¡¯s soft and shy voice came over the line. "Goodbye, Zhinian."


    Zhinian... such an intimate term of endearment... Su Zhinian could feel a shiver crawl all over his body; even his abdomen squeezed with excitement. With a tremble of his fingers, the phone slipped, and itnded on the marble stone floor, creating a crisp sound.


    What was that? Song Qingchun hesitated, but realizing that she had something more urgent to take care of, she hung up, turned around, and smiled apologetically at Mrs. Huang. "I¡¯m sorry, I had to take that call. Where were we..."


    Song Qingchun took a meaningful pause. She knew all these socialites were clever people, so she must have heard everything that she said on the phone. Song Qingchun¡¯s multiple repetition of ¡¯Zhinian¡¯ must have gotten the point across already.

 Chapter 825 Shes Really Pregnant 10

    Before the thought settled in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind, Mrs. Huang smiled fawningly at her. "Miss Song, since you¡¯ve pleaded the case for this..."


    Mrs. Huang was about to say little b*tch, but since Song Qingchun was there, she changed her form of address. "..dy, of course, I¡¯m more than d to put this behind me. I might not do this for anyone else, but since Miss Song has asked, of course, I have to give face..."


    Of course, this had nothing to do with Song Qingchun but everything to do with Su Zhinian. Regardless, this was themon practice among the rich and famous; Song Qingchun smiled a business smile that managed to be faker than Mrs. Huang¡¯s. "I¡¯m really appreciative of Mrs. Huang¡¯s kindness. If there¡¯s an opportunity in the future, I have to treat Mrs. Huang to repay you for this favor."


    "Miss Song is being too kind..."


    ...


    After a bit more socialization, Song Qingchun and Mrs. Huang parted. Thetter got into her BMW and left with the two bodyguards. The crowd started to disperse because the show was over.


    Song Qingchun lowered her head to look at a pale-faced Tang Nuan curled up on the floor. Her lips moved, aiming to ask if she was okay, but she didn¡¯t feel it was necessary when the words reached her mouth. Therefore, without waiting for a word of thank you from Tang Nuan, Song Qingchun turned to walk toward the taxi that was still waiting for her.


    Before she got on the car, she turned around to nce at Tang Nuan, who struggled to stand up several times but failed. She sighed softly before opening her purse to pull out a thick stacks of bills. She ced it before the taxi driver and said, "I¡¯m sorry, sir, but can I ask you for a favor? You see thatdy over there? Can you please drive her to the hospital? I believe she might be about to miscarry, if she hasn¡¯t already."


    The taxi driver looked at the stack of bills, and after a moment¡¯s hesitation, he nodded. He pushed open the car door and walked toward Tang Nuan.


    Song Qingchun walked around this taxi to hail another one. She got in and left the scene. Song Qingchun didn¡¯t turn around again so didn¡¯t notice that Tang Nuan was looking at her with a cocktail of emotions in her eyes.


    ...


    When Song Qingchun called him, Su Zhinian had been in the middle of a meeting. He waited until the Sales manager finish the section of his report before he stood up with a "sorry" and walked out of the meeting room to find a quiet ce to answer Song Qingchun¡¯s call.


    ...


    Zhinian...


    Su Zhinian, who did not notice his phone had fallen out of his hands, had his lips curved into a smile, looking out at the world through the window.


    Zhinian...


    Su Zhinian reminisced about the way his name rolled off Song Qingchun¡¯s lips, and his lips went even higher¡ªeven his eyes had begun to smile.


    Zhinian...


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t think he could ever get tired of hearing that word repeating itself inside his head. Eventually, he couldn¡¯t help himself fromughing out loud. After a slight pause as if surprised that he would catch himselfugh, Su Zhinian felt anotherughing fiting. However, before theughs could escape his throat, he heard Cheng Qingchong¡¯s voice behind him. "CEO Su."


    Su Zhinian immediately removed the smile from his face to maintain his professional image. He raised his hands to fake a cough to actually shield his smile from view. Suppressing the glorious happiness in his heart, he replied with an aloof "hmm". The second after that, he found himself unable to control his lips from curving upwards once more.

 Chapter 826 A Hug 1

    Cheng Qingchong stood about one meter behind Su Zhinian and said politely, "CEO Su, we¡¯re all waiting for you to continue the meeting."


    "Hmm..." Simr to before, Su Zhinian merely gave a soft reply, but before he could get the reply out, the irrepressible intent tough caused his voice to go a smidge higher than usual. Cheng Qingchong looked at Su Zhinian rather curiously.


    Su Zhinian immediately stopped talking. To prevent the awkwardness from lingering, he walked past Cheng Qingchong to head toward the meeting room. He tried swallowing in an attempt to suppress the bubblingugh, but he ended up choking on his own saliva. Su Zhinian pressed his lips tightly together to preserve his image that would be lost if heughed in front of the whole office. Not long after that, his fair skin developed a red hue from all the holding in.


    "CEO Su?" Noticing the phone that was lying on the floor, Cheng Qingchong called after Su Zhinian to remind him.


    Su Zhinian thought that was Cheng Qingchong noticing something off with him, so he ignored her and walked even faster.


    "CEO Su?" Cheng Qingchong called again.


    Realizing Su Zhinian didn¡¯t stop, she bent over to pick up the phone and chased after him in her heels. Her heels clicked across the office floor, and they were like sounds from a nightmare to Su Zhinian¡¯s ears as they got louder and louder. The ce was filled with ST Empire¡¯s workers, and while they were used to seeing Cheng Qingchong rush all over the ce to fulfil Su Zhinian¡¯s demands, they hadn¡¯t seen their boss run in a panic before, and they weren¡¯t going to.


    Just as Cheng Qingchong¡¯s footsteps were about to reach him, Su Zhinian whipped his body around in both shame and anger. He was about to unleash hell on Cheng Qingchong when his secretary offered him his phone and said, "CEO Su, you left her phone behind."


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s words hadpletely stopped Su Zhinian¡¯s reprehension in his throat. After a few seconds of hesitation, his face frosted over as he grabbed the phone more than a little bit harshly away from Cheng Qingchong and walked in the meeting room. The innocent Cheng Qingchong felt a mixture of confusion and fear. I didn¡¯t do anything wrong, did I?


    The meeting room door was pulled open once more and out walked Su Zhinian. Cheng Qingchong was so spooked that she held her breath. As Su Zhinian walked toward her, her back slowly broke out in cold sweat. When Su Zhinian stood before her, Cheng Qingchong felt like her heart was going to stop.


    "You can leave work now..."


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s eyes were round and wide. Wait, am I fired? Big Boss found out that I¡¯ve meddled in his business by meeting Miss Song on my own? Then again... I should have known this day woulde when I made that decision that day...


    Cheng Qingchong sighed under her breath and lowered her head to hide the dimness in her eyes. Then, Su Zhinian¡¯s cold voice continued to say, "...Because I need you to go to Shin Kong ce to help me buy some stuff. Wait for my message that will give you all the information you need..."


    After a pause, Su Zhinian added, "...Then, send all the stuff to Golden Corner. Book me a private room and ce the stuff in it. After that, you¡¯re free to leave work."


    Su Zhinian finished giving his orders and turned around to head back into the meeting room. Cheng Qingchong closed her eyes in congruence with the closing of the meeting room door. She patted herself on her chest to calm her beating heart down. She took several deep breaths before she was feeling herself again.

 Chapter 827 A Hug 2

    Su Zhinian was already waiting in the room when Song Qingchun arrived at Golden Corner. When the waitress pushed open the door, Su Zhinian, who sat in the chair, turned toward the noise. When he saw the casually dressed Song Qingchun and the ts she was wearing, Su Zhinian frowned imperceptibly.


    Song Qingchun, like all girls her age, loved to dress up. She was rarely seen in such casual attire outside of home... Su Zhinian seemed to have frozen in ce until Song Qingchun walked in and the waitress closed the door behind her. Left to their privacy, he asked, "Why are you so casual today?"


    Naturally, it was because of her pregnancy that Song Qingchun swapped her usual outfit for afortable one. She didn¡¯t expect the first question out of Su Zhinian¡¯s lips would be about her outfit. She still hadn¡¯t figured out an appropriate way to broach the topic of the pregnancy with him...


    Song Qingchun was stunned for a moment before replying with forced levity, "Just feel like changing style once in a while."


    Perhaps it was the guilt talking, as Song Qingchun walked toward the table, she asked, "Why? Does it not look good on me?"


    "Of course not, you look nice." Su Zhinian stood up, walked around the table to help Song Qingchun with the chair. He went back to his own seat after Song Qingchun sat down. He passed the menu to Song Qingchun. Staring at the girl who was flipping through the menu, he added, "It makes you look young."


    After a woman got over the age of 25, the term ¡¯look young¡¯ became a nicepliment.


    Song Qingchun enjoyed thepliment as well. She smiled like a flower. As she pressed the service bell, she even red at Su Zhinian with faux annoyance, saying, "Are you trying to say I¡¯m actually very old then?"


    "Of course not," Su Zhinian exined in a hurry. With a low and sexy voice, he said, "I meant you look just like a high school student."


    Song Qingchun smiled and shamelessly epted the praise. "Thank you."


    Then the waitress walked in to take their order. Even though Song Qingchun still hadn¡¯te to a decision regarding the child in her stomach, when she made her order, her subconscious made her pay attention to many things, and she ended up with an order list that was light on oil, salt, and sugar.


    Song Qingchun closed the menu and realized Su Zhinian had been studying her curiously. He asked, "You done?"


    "Yes." Song Qingchun nodded readily and passed the menu back to Su Zhinian. The man epted the menu and flipped through it easily. He found Song Qingchun¡¯s favourite dishes. Before he ordered them, he had asked Song Qingchun¡¯s opinion, but to his surprise, Song Qingchun rejected them all.


    Su Zhinian frowned and studied Song Qingchun inquisitively. He handed the menu back to the waitress. When the waitress handed him the wine list, Su Zhinian asked Song Qingchun, "How about a Lafite?"


    Whenever Song Qingchun came to Golden Corner, that was what she usually had.


    Song Qingchun shook her head. "No, a ss of warm water is fine."


    Those who came to Golden Corner either had wine or tea; almost no one had asked for in water before. Thus, when Song Qingchun said that, even the waitress was caught by surprise.


    Song Qingchun noticed the waitress¡¯ stunned expression, so she asked with a frown, "Is that not possible?"


    The waitress turned around to nce at Su Zhinian. Su Zhinian stared deeply at Song Qingchun for a few seconds before nodded slightly. The waitress smiled and answered Song Qingchun politely, "Of course, that¡¯s fine, Miss Song."

 Chapter 828 A Hug 3

    After the waitress left, silence reigned in the room. Outside the window beside the table, Beijing wasing alive. Glittering lights reflecting off of each other, showing a beautiful side of modernity.


    Song Qingchun held her chin with one hand as she turned to appreciate the scenery. As she turned back around, she saw Su Zhinian bent over the table, rummaging through something down there.


    Song Qingchun leaned sideways to look down the table, but her view was blocked by the wooden panelling of the table. Therefore, she could only ask, "What¡¯s wrong?"


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t reply as he continued rummaging under the table. After a while, he straightened himself and pushed a delicate box toward Song Qingchun. She looked at him with surprise. "This is for me?"


    Su Zhinian nodded. Song Qingchun epted the box and opened it before him. A pretty ne was sitting inside; it was a Dior. Song Qingchun was about to ask why Su Zhinian would suddenly gift her such a valuable present, when arger box was gently pushed toward her.


    Song Qingchun stared at Su Zhinian with a face piled up with confusion as she opened the second box. This time it was a Chanel bag sitting inside. Song Qingchun could recognize with one nce that it was thetest bag released by Chanel.


    Why would Su Zhinian give me a ne and bag?


    Before the question could be answered, another big box appeared before her. She blinked several times as if shocked before peeling open the packaging.


    What entered her sight were three letter, YSL. Song Qingchun flipped open the casing, and a neatly arranged row of lipsticks was unveiled before her. Song Qingchun did a quick mental calction, and almost all the YSL lip colours were there.


    Why would he buy me so many lipsticks? I won¡¯t be able to finish using them... Song Qingchun raised her head and was about to ask Su Zhinian why when the man like magic pulled out yet another bigger rectangr box from underneath the table. The box was rather heavy because Su Zhinian had to use both hands to haul it up from underneath the table.


    Song Qingchun pushed open the wooden lid, and arge bouquet of pink roses was sitting in it.


    Chanel¡¯s bag, Dior¡¯s ne, YSL¡¯s lipsticks, pink roses... Those are everything I said to confuse Mrs. Huang when I was trying to help Tang Nuan earlier. Song Qingchun¡¯s mouth fell open, and she looked at Su Zhinian rather dumbly.


    The man leaned against the chair gracefully, the ssic hanging light cast a warm glow that lit up his whole person. Song Qingchun looked at Su Zhinian, and underneath the warm and fuzzy feeling surrounding her heart,yers of anxiety started to gather.


    She was afraid that her argument with Mrs. Huang would cause harm to her baby, so in the heat of the moment, she had leveraged Su Zhinian and purposely showed off their close rtionship before her, to make Mrs. Huang feel like she was very close to Su Zhinian. However, she didn¡¯t expect her random rambling would cause him so much trouble; he treated the nonsense that was pouring out of her mouth with such sincerity that it shamed her.


    These presents were like sound ps to her face, and they caused her to lower her head in guilt and shame.

 Chapter 829 A Hug 4

    Even though she didn¡¯t do it on purpose, it was undeniable that she did take advantage of him, and it was for Tang Nuan, who she hated. He had unwittingly became her tool...


    The more Song Qingchun thought about it, the more she hated herself.


    What was he thinking when he went out to buy these presents? What was he thinking when he heard me intimately call him Zhinian? Was he very happy? But if he knew all those happiness was just a show, a ruse, how disappointed will he be? Song Qingchun didn¡¯t have the courage to continue to specte on Su Zhinian¡¯s frame of mind, and she was almost out of breath from the heaviness that weighed down on her heart.


    "What¡¯s wrong?" Su Zhinian, who noticed the weird way she was acting, asked gently with concern. However, the kinder he treated her, the worse she felt. Song Qingchun lowered her head even more.


    Due to the wooden partition between them, Su Zhinian couldn¡¯t reach her to find out what she was thinking. He looked at the top of her head for a moment before his gaze fell on the mountain of presents before her. She doesn¡¯t like the presents? Her mood seems to have dropped after I gave her the presents...


    "You don¡¯t think these presents?" Su Zhinian¡¯s tone softened even more.


    Perhaps it was the pregnancy talking, but Song Qingchun had been experiencing serious mood swings. She wasn¡¯t a sentimental person per se, but when she heard the pampering and concern in Su Zhinian¡¯s words, her tears fell involuntarily.


    This caused Su Zhinian to fluster. The waitress happened to walk in then to serve the dishes. He pointed at the presents on the table and ordered immediately, "Toss all this stuff away."


    The waitress was stunned before nodding quickly. She ced the dishes on a counter by the wall and rushed forward to clear away the boxes. However, before she couldy a finger on them, Song Qingchun shook her head vehemently. Her sudden movement made the waitress stop, and she turned to look at Su Zhinian.


    Su Zhinian stared at Song Qingchun for a moment before he raised his hand to wave the waitress away. The waitress bowed and retreated. When the waitress exited the room, Su Zhinian stood up and walked around the table to stand before Song Qingchun. He turned her chair around and squatted before her. With his head raised, he could see the tears that were still falling down her face. He sighed painfully as he lifted his hands to wipe away her tears. "Tell me, what¡¯s wrong?"


    It was she who had fooled him, but it was him who ended upforting her. In that instant, Song Qingchun saw how much of a green tea she was acting. She leaned back in her chair to avoid his hands. With her head lowered and her lips pursed, she uttered softly and sulkily, "I¡¯m sorry."


    Why is she apologizing to me? Su Zhinian looked at Song Qingchun with confusion.


    Song Qingchun knew Su Zhinian was waiting for an exnation, but she was afraid, afraid that after he found out the truth, he would be sad and disappointed. However, she was already at fault for taking advantage of him, so she really shouldn¡¯t hide the truth from him. Furthermore, he had all the right to know, and he deserved a sincere apology...


    With this thought in mind, Song Qingchun raised her head to meet Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes.

 Chapter 830 A Hug 5

    The man¡¯s handsome face carried with it a natural sense of coldness and aloofness. Even now, his face was t and emotionless, probably from years of practice and habit. However, she still managed to discern a wealth of concern and patience under that veneer.


    This kind of reaction only intensified the guilt within Song Qingchun. Her lips stretched, and she decided to exin everything that happened that afternoon to him. "This afternoon, at..."


    Song Qingchun hesitated and decided to skip over the fact her encounter with Tang Nuan happened at the front of the hospital. "...When I was waiting for the taxi, I ran into Tang Nuan."


    Tang Nuan... Su Zhinian hadn¡¯t heard this name in a long time already. His brain wasn¡¯t programmed to remember female names, but Tang Nuan was one of the few exceptions. The reason was because she was Song Qingchun¡¯s nemesis, so when Su Zhinian heard Tang Nuan¡¯s name, his brows furrowed and hatred shed across his eyes. As if operating on instinct, he uttered coldly, "She created more problems for you?"


    Before she answered, he examined her up and down. The usually reticent man scolded her like one would berate an unruly child. "Why didn¡¯t you call me when there was trouble? What if you were hurt?"


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t feel wronged; if anything, there was a warm glow in her clear eyes. When she spoke next, her voice carried a feminine quality that she didn¡¯t notice. "It¡¯s not that. She didn¡¯t create problems for me. In fact, nothing happened between us..."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes that looked at her were dyed with disbelief. Song Qingchun had no choice but to continue exining. "...It was she who ran into some trouble. It was because of that CEO Huang, the one who is nning a deal with you. You know CEO Huang has a hidden rtionship with Tang Nuan, right? I believe the rtionship was exposed because she was sought out by CEO Huang¡¯s wife, and Tang Nuan was assaulted by Mrs. Huang in broad daylight on the street..."


    So she¡¯s fine... Su Zhinian sighed in relief. In this world, other than Song Qingchun, he didn¡¯t give a rat¡¯s *ss about any other woman¡¯s business. However, since it involved Song Qingchun, he still looked at her sincerely and listened to her patiently.


    Song Qingchun exined in broad strokes how relentless Mrs. Huang was before getting to the point. "...You also now how rocky my rtionship with Tang Nuan is. I wanted to walk away, I¡¯ve even called the cab, but before I could get away, she called my name...


    "She begged me to help her, I..."


    Under Su Zhinian¡¯s scrutiny that spoke, ¡¯Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re such a saint to stay and help her¡¯, Song Qingchun continued honestly in a volume that was decreasing. "...So I did..."


    Song Qingchun could sense the incredulity in Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes. Honestly, even she had a hard time believing it herself. "I know, I know I have no obligation to help her, but that is not the point. The point is that Mrs. Huang didn¡¯t seem like she believed I¡¯m close to you... She had two bodyguards with her, and I was afraid she might set them on me, so I had no choice but to give you a call..."


    After a long detour, Song Qingchun finally reached the crux of her exnation and gripped the edge of her clothes nervously. With her head lowered like a child caught red-handed, she continued honestly, "...I called you Zhinian purposely on the phone because I needed Mrs. Huang to believe we do share a close rtionship..."

 Chapter 831 A Hug 6

    Su Zhinian¡¯s expression froze, causing the atmosphere in the room to freeze alongside with him.


    Song Qingchun was so nervous that her palm started to sweat. She used a voice that was as small as a mosquito to say, "...To make the scene more real, I pretended that you called me because you wanted to buy me gifts, and then, and then..."


    And then... he knew the rest.


    Song Qingchun stuttered several "and then"s before she joined Su Zhinian in silence. Song Qingchun lowered her head because she didn¡¯t dare to look him in the eye. She believe that he must be greatly disappointed. Actually, she really wanted to sneak a nce at his expression, but she was afraid, afraid that to see frustration and dissatisfaction in his eyes.


    The room was so quiet that Song Qingchun could hear a car honking from outside the window.


    Time continued to trickle by, but Su Zhinian still didn¡¯t give any reaction, and this caused Song Qingchun¡¯s heart to race at an unimaginable speed. Actually, she knew she could have hidden this truth from him by happily epting the gifts and sharing a quiet dinner with him, but she felt sorry for him, and she couldn¡¯t forgive herself for taking advantage of him.


    With her head lowered, Song Qingchun bit on her lips and uttered in a wisp of a voice, "Su Zhinian, I¡¯m sorry, I shouldn¡¯t have done that..."


    This was the first time, Song Qingchun had cared so much about another person¡¯s thoughts, and it was also the first time that she had apologized with such sincerity to another person. Even before, when she had a crush on Qin Yinan, whenever there was a conflict between them, even if she was the cause of said conflict, she would turn around and walk away in a fit until Qin Yinan surrendered to soothe her.


    It was her impression that admitting defeat to reconcile with another person was something incredibly embarrassing, but now she realized that when you really loved someone, you would do everything to earn their love and forgiveness.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s wall of silence made Song Qingchun even more worried. She was really afraid that he would be unhappy and would ignore her. They had been together less than four days, so they had not even had the chance to enjoy the bliss and sweetness yet, but they would experience their first cold war already?


    Song Qingchun opened her lips pitiably. "Su Zhinian, I know I¡¯ve disappointed you. If you¡¯re unhappy, feel free to scold me, but please don¡¯t ignore me..."


    Su Zhinian, who had been squatting before her, suddenly stood up slowly.


    Is he going to walk away in anger? Song Qingchun immediately reached out to grab Su Zhinian¡¯s sleeve to stop him from walking away. "Su Zhinian, it is my fault, please don¡¯t be mad..."


    Perhaps it was the hormones in her body, but as she begged Su Zhinian for forgiveness, her tears started to fall. "If not, you can even hit me, but please don¡¯t ignore me and give me the cold shoulder..."


    Her voice was filled with pity and shame; it drifted into Su Zhinian¡¯s ears and caused his heart to melt into a pool of water. For a moment, he regretted his decision to y a joke on Song Qingchun to pretend to be mad, to see how she would react.


    Su Zhinian, who couldn¡¯t carry on this fa?ade anymore, used his hand to tousle Song Qingchun¡¯s fluffy hair. "Who told you I¡¯m mad?"

 Chapter 832 A Hug 7

    Song Qingchun was startled before cautiously raising her head to look at Su Zhinian. Her cute and ditzy manner tickled Su Zhinian¡¯s funny bone, and even his eyes started to smile. His hand that was ced upon her head couldn¡¯t help but ruffle her long hair. "You must be tired after talking for so long. How about we have something to eat first?"


    Song Qingchun stared at Su Zhinian¡¯s impossibly handsome face and blinked twice wordlessly.


    When Song Qingchun was going through her story, Su Zhinian had heard the rumbling in her stomach. Even though he asked a question, after he said so, he immediately turned around to call the waitress to serve the rest of the food.


    However, before he could walk away, Song Qingchun reached out to grab his sleeve and asked with uncertainty, "You¡¯re really not mad?"


    Su Zhinian tilted his head sideways and saw the anxiety festering at the bottom of the girl¡¯s eyes.


    Looks like if I don¡¯t exin myself clearly, she won¡¯t have a peaceful dinner. After some silence, Su Zhinian tossed the thought of calling the waitress out of his mind. He turned around to stare into her eyes and said, "Tingting, I¡¯m really not mad."


    As he said so, Su Zhinian reached out to smooth down her hair. "I was a bit sad when you said that you called me Zhinian as an act, but that small degree of sadness wouldn¡¯t amount to anger."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s words wereced with sincerity, but the anxiety in Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes still didn¡¯t disperse. She bit on her lower lips in thought before once more asking softly, "Really not mad?"


    "Yes."


    She still felt unconvinced. Her finger made circles on the table as she said, "Are you willing to swear on it?"


    It was a juvenile request, but Su Zhinian removed the hint of a smile from his facepletely as he bent down to maintain the same height as Song Qingchun, who was seated. He looked in her eyes and promised, "Tingting, I swear on my life I¡¯m not angry at you. If anything, I¡¯m worried by the way you¡¯re acting."


    After a moment¡¯s silence, Su Zhinian continued, but the name that escaped his lips was not Tingting but... "Song Qingchun."


    His tone was more severe than usual, and Song Qingchun¡¯s heart went up to her throat. While holding her gaze, Su Zhinian spoke in an unusually serious tone. "My purpose beside you is to make you happy and not make your life more miserable. Even though I¡¯m d to know you care so much about me, as long as it makes you happy, you can do anything you want."


    My purpose beside you is to make you happy and not make your life more miserable. The simple promise struck right into the softest part on the left side of Song Qingchun¡¯s chest. Her eyes started to mist. There were many things that flooded her mind that she wanted to say to him in return, but in the end, she could utter out one phrase. "Huggies?"


    As she said so, Song Qingchun raised her head and opened her arms.


    Su Zhinian leaned into her embrace without hesitation. A simple hug pulled the two of them closer, and even the atmosphere in the room became pleasantly warm.


    Song Qingchun, who was snuggled in Su Zhinian¡¯s arms, seemed to remember something as she raised her head to lean into Su Zhinian¡¯s ear and whispered gently and slowly, "Zhinian."

 Chapter 833 A Hug 8

    It felt like a heavenly song had descended on him. Su Zhinian lowered his head to kiss Song Qingchun on her lips. He dominated her lips for a long time before letting her go unwillingly. With one of his hands on her waist and another rubbing her flushed cheeks, he breathed in heavily before he couldn¡¯t help him fromining slightly. "If such thing happens again in the future and I¡¯m not around, please don¡¯t rush forward to help others and put yourself in danger, okay?"


    Song Qingchun nodded obediently. Su Zhinian couldn¡¯t stop himself from leaning in for another kiss. After several pecks, with his lips still attached to hers, he said, "But I am a bit unhappy, not because you took advantage of me, because of Tang Nuan. Did she lose her mind? To find you for help. And you, what were you thinking to go and help her?"


    "Su Zhinian, you¡¯re so narrow-minded." Song Qingchun grinded her lips on Su Zhinian alluringly for a moment until she noticed the coldness between his brows dissipating. Only then did she answer. "Actually, it wasn¡¯t my intention to help her. If I¡¯m being frank, it felt good seeing her getting her due punishment, at least it was initially...


    "But..."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s tone suddenly turned depressed. She ced her hands around Su Zhinian¡¯s waist and leaned back to introduce some distance between their lips before continuing. "...But she¡¯s pregnant and was doing everything she could to shield her stomach during the assault. I... I felt sorry for her and the baby. After all, the baby is innocent."


    Su Zhinian, who couldn¡¯t care less about Tang Nuan, grunted absent-mindedly.


    The talk of Tang Nuan¡¯s pregnancy reminded Song Qingchun of the baby in her own stomach. With her focus on the issue of pregnancy, she didn¡¯t notice the furrowing of Su Zhinian¡¯s brows.


    The baby in the stomach? Whose stomach? Tang Nuan¡¯s?


    Song Qingchun leaned her head onto Su Zhinian¡¯s chest. Listening to his powerful beating heart, Song Qingchun lowered her eyelids involuntarily. After a while, she called out, "Zhinian?"


    "Yes?" the man answered.


    Song Qingchun opened her lips, but it was not a confession that fell out of her lips.


    "Do you like children?"


    Why would she suddenly ask this? A bad feeling crawled up Su Zhinian¡¯s heart. He answered after a meaningful silence, "I don¡¯t; they¡¯re too noisy."


    Of course, he only gave that answer because he and she could never have children.


    He believe that she was merely inspired by Tang Nuan¡¯s pregnancy to have asked that question. Perhaps she was feeling sad about the experience of motherhood being taken away from her because she chose to be with him.


    Even though Su Zhinian answered readily, Song Qingchun knew he was lying to her. How could he not like children? Even if he doesn¡¯t like little kids, he will definitely cherish his own child.


    When she sat alone on the bench that afternoon, she had already made the decision to confess to Su Zhinian, but when the moment arrived, she found herselfcking in courage.


    After all, other people¡¯s pregnancies were good news that should be celebrated, but hers was a nightmare.


    Song Qingchun, who was lost in thought, didn¡¯t realize that Su Zhinian¡¯s expression changed. It had be rather stiff and rigid.

 Chapter 834 A Hug 9

    Wait... She said the child in my stomach, so it¡¯s not the child in Tang Nuan¡¯s stomach but her own... She¡¯s pregnant... This should have been something worth celebrating, but it caused Su Zhinian¡¯s smile to tense.


    All those weird actions and anomalous incidents slowly added up in Su Zhinian¡¯s mind.


    No wonderst week at home, she kept on vomiting. At the time, I thought she had a stomach bug.


    No wonder she didn¡¯t go to work today and chose such a casual outfit.


    No wonder she purposely ordered those lightly-vored dishes when she made her order and even asked for a ss of warm water when I suggested wine.


    So, she is pregnant...


    Su Zhinian¡¯s fingertips that held Song Qingchun started to tremble. He lowered his head unconsciously, the question hanging on her lips. However, it was then that he realized if he asked her about her pregnancy, how was he going to exin the source of his knowledge? Expose himself regarding his superpower?


    Su Zhinian was brought back to his childhood and those faces of disgust and fear that stared guardedly at him when he told his supposed friends and family about his superpower. His lips moved but eventually mped shut. He knew he shouldn¡¯t have hidden such a big secret from her, but he was afraid, afraid that she would react simrly to those people¡ªhide and run away from him with distaste...


    He really couldn¡¯t tell how Song Qingchun would react to knowing that her deepest and darkest secrets would never be hidden away from him. His guess was mortal fear...


    ...


    The atmosphere now is just perfect. If I drop the bomb about the pregnancy, it¡¯ll ruin everything, won¡¯t it?


    Since I¡¯ve not prepared myself yet, why not wait untilter?


    Song Qingchun thought about it before raising her head to look at Su Zhinian. "Shall we eat?"


    Su Zhinian was looking out the window as if he had something important on his mind. He didn¡¯t seem to have heard her.


    "Zhinian? Su Zhinian?" Song Qingchun called him twice, but the man still ignored her. Finally, she had to pinch the man on his waist before he jumped and lowered his head to respond, "Hmm?"


    "A penny for your thoughts?"


    "It¡¯s nothing." Su Zhinian shook his head before asking, "Anything wrong?"


    "Let¡¯s eat, I¡¯m starving."


    Su Zhinian nodded. "Okay."


    Throughout the dinner, Su Zhinian acted his normal self. One would have a hard time telling he was any different from usual. On the other hand, Song Qingchun had a bit much to eat. When Su Zhinian added another bowl of rice for her, he stared at her and asked, "Didn¡¯t you say you want to go on a diet? Why are you having so much?"


    Su Zhinian noticed the moment Song Qingchun¡¯s expression froze. However, she recovered quickly by puffing up her lips and argued, "One needs enough energy to go on a diet!"


    Su Zhinian stared at Song Qingchun and nodded; he didn¡¯t expose her lies.


    After dinner, when the waitress came in with the bill, Song Qingchun gave an excuse to run out of the room to use the bathroom. Su Zhinian was still in the room, but Song Qingchun still grabbed her bag with her when she went out.


    Su Zhinian nced at the bag in Song Qingchun¡¯s hand before epting the bill from the waitress. It might have looked like he was reading the details on the bill, but actually, his ears were intently following the sound of Song Qingchun¡¯s movement.

 Chapter 835 A Hug 10

    He heard Song Qingchun¡¯s footsteps move for a few steps before stopping. Then it sounded like she was talking to a waitress or waiter. "I¡¯m sorry, do you mind fetching me a ss of water?"


    It was a female voice who answered her. "Of course not, please wait a moment."


    About half a minuteter, Song Qingchun¡¯s reply came. "Thank you."


    Then there was sound of the zipper being opened. She was probably rummaging through her bag because there was a muffled sound of stuff being tossed around. As if answering Su Zhinian¡¯s confusion, the waitress who handed Song Qingchun the ss of water said, "Miss, are you pregnant? Cause I notice you¡¯re eating fte and calcium tablets."


    After the sound of swallowing, Su Zhinian heard Song Qingchun say, "Yes."


    "This is such a coincidence; I¡¯m also pregnant. I¡¯m two months pregnant, what about you?"


    "One and a half months."


    Perhaps that was a link between mothers because Song Qingchun chatted quite openly and easily with the waitress. The waitress asked, "Have you gone to the hospital for your medical?"


    "I did, just went this morning." Song Qingchun sounded like she had passed the ss back to the waitress before adding, "Thank you."


    So, she skipped work today to go for a check at the hospital... One and a half months pregnant... Meaning it happened that night at the hospital...


    "Mr. Su?" The waitress who stood beside Su Zhinian, waiting for him to sign the bill, finally prompted him after realizing he had spaced out looking at the bill. Su Zhinian quickly came to, grabbed the pen, and signed the bill speedily.


    After the waitress left, Su Zhinian leaned back in his chair. He stared at the city lights outside the window for some time before he put his hand into his pocket to remove his phone. He made a call.


    "Hello, is this Doctor Xia? No... I¡¯m perfectly fine. I¡¯m calling because I have a medical question. How big is the probability for a defective child between biological siblings? ...The child will most likely suffer even after birth? ...Rare are the cases where the babies from such a rtionship are healthy? No... I¡¯m simply asking for a friend... Then, what is your professional opinion? ...There¡¯s no other choice? ..."


    At this point, Su Zhinian heard Song Qingchun¡¯s footsteps returning. "Okay, I understand... That¡¯s all, thank you... Goodbye."


    The moment he finished talking, the door was pushed open. Su Zhinian turned around to look at Song Qingchun, who was walking in, before hanging up the call.


    "What¡¯s wrong? Is it work calling?" Song Qingchun asked.


    "No, it¡¯s nothing important. That was Tang Nuo calling..." Su Zhinian gave a random reason as he picked up the boxes of present that he had bought and walked toward her.


    ...


    Su Zhinian dropped Song Qingchun at the gate to the Song family¡¯s residential area. He didn¡¯t get out from the car. After she walked through the gate, he drove away.


    Su Zhinin drove for about two hundred metres before mming on the brakes to stop by the roadside. Doctor Xia had just told him on the phone that the probability of a defective child among siblings was very high. Many people kept the child out of mercy, but for most, the ending was less than happy.


    Song Qingchun was already one and a half months pregnant. When he hugged her at Golden Corner earlier, he could read from her heart that she hadn¡¯t readied herself to tell him the news yet. However, he didn¡¯t have time left for her to get ready. He had to figure out a way to make her aware that he already knew about her pregnancy, and it had to be as soon as possible.

 Chapter 836 Youre More Important than the Child 1

    She told the waitress she went to the hospital this morning, and the fte and calcium tablets are in her bag, this means that...


    Su Zhinian suddenly had an idea surface in his mind. He immediately gave Tang Nuo a call.


    After hanging up, Su Zhinian stared at the silent streets for a while before starting the engine to drive toward a nearby 24-hour convenience store. He bought two bottles of Fenjiu, climbed back into his car and returned to the Song family.


    ...


    It was Song Cheng¡¯s wife Fang Rou who opened the door for him. Like usual, she greeted him kindly before opening the door the let him in. The Song family had maids, but Fang Rou personally bent down to help Su Zhinian grab a pair of slippers and ced them before him.


    Su Zhinian thanked her. After putting the slippers on, he walked into the living room. Song Menghwa was nowhere to be seen. He was about to ask after him when Fang Rou behind him softly said, "Father is in the shower."


    Su Zhinian nodded wordlessly before nting himself gracefully down on the sofa. He ced the two bottles of wine on the coffee table, but Fang Rou did not join him. Instead, she walked behind Su Zhinian to head into the dining room. One minuteter, she came out with a cup of hot tea.


    "Thank you." Su Zhinian had just said that when Song Menghwa¡¯s bedroom door was pushed open. Fang Rou smiled at Su Zhinian before turning to walk toward Song Menghwa and said, "Father, Mr. Su is here."


    Then she held his arm as they walked toward the sofa.


    Song Menghwa leaned against the sofa and asked, "Ah Nian, why are you here sote at night?"


    "A friend of mine gifted me two bottles of Fenjiu during dinner tonight. I remembered it¡¯s your favorite, so I drove over."


    Fang Rou sat beside Song Menghwa with a smile andmented, "Father, Mr. Su sure is filial."


    Song Menghwaughed happily before asking Fang Rou to go prepare some fruits for Su Zhinian. Su Zhinian sat on the sofa, and while it appeared like he was chatting with Song Menghwa, his attention was focused on Song Qingchun¡¯s movements upstairs.


    Other than the sound of the television, there were no other weird noises from her room. Just as Su Zhinian suspected Song Qingchun had fallen asleep, he heard her speedily jump down from bed, the sound of her rapid footsteps across the floor, the door being shoved open, and finally the sound of vomiting.


    She vomited for a long time before stopping. It probably exhausted the poor girl because he could hear her gasping for air. Then, there was the sound of water flushing. About half a minuteter, the room started to quiet down again. Then Su Zhinian heard the ruffling of clothes.


    Is she undressing for bed? Su Zhinian continued chatting calmly with Song Menghwa for a little while longer before standing up to leave.


    Just as Song Menghwa walked him to the door, Su Zhinian acted like he just remembered something and stopped. "By the way, where is Qingchun?"


    "Upstairs." Song Menghwa pointed upwards and turned to order Fang Rou, "Fang Rou, do you mind going up there to get Qingchun..."


    "That¡¯s fine, I¡¯ll go up myself," Su Zhinian interrupted Song Menghwa. Then he added, "I have something to discuss with her about work."A type of Chinese spirit distilled in Fenyang.

 Chapter 837 Youre More Important than the Child 2

    Su Zhinian pretended to knock on Song Qingchun¡¯s bedroom door twice before pushing it open and walking in. The sound of water in the bathroom provided the perfect cover to his movement. The girl in the shower was humming happily, and she didn¡¯t even hear him walk in.


    Su Zhinian walked to the bathroom door and knocked on it. After a while, the sound of water inside stopped, and Song Qingchun called out, "Who is it?"


    "Tingting, it¡¯s me."


    "Huh?" Through the bathroom door, Su Zhinian could hear Song Qingchun walking toward him barefooted. "Didn¡¯t you say you¡¯re going home? Why did you turn back?"


    "I remembered that I had something to give father on the way home, so I came back..." After a pause, Su Zhinian added, "...You¡¯d better finish showering first lest you catch a cold. We can talk after you¡¯re done."


    "Okay," Song Qingchun answered. There was the sound of her barefoot on the bathroom tiles, then the sound of the faucet being twisted open, and finally the sound of rushing water.


    Su Zhinian stood at the bathroom door for a while before turning around to walk toward her bed. He picked out his phone to send Tang Nuo a text. "It¡¯s time."


    About ten seconds after the message was sent, Song Qingchun¡¯s phone rang. Su Zhinian didn¡¯t hurry to remind Song Qingchun, who was in the bathroom. Instead, he waited until Tang Nuo repeated the call three more times before he walked toward the bathroom and knocked on the door.


    After the water stopped, Su Zhinian uttered, "Tingting, your phone has been ringing. It sounds like an emergency...."


    Su Zhinian paused before continuing in a kind voice. "...Do you mind if I take a look at it?"


    Song Qingchun was in a hurry to wash away the shampoo on her hair, so she answered without thinking. "Sure."


    Su Zhinian, who had received Song Qingchun¡¯s permission, returned to the bed quickly. He grabbed Song Qingchun¡¯s bag, opened it, and started to rummage through it. Song Qingchun was in a hurry to get out from the bathroom since Su Zhinian was waiting for her. However, since she was pregnant, she stood under the bathroom¡¯s warm light and carefully and slowly wiped her hair dry. When Song Qingchun dried her hairpletely, she pulled open the bathroom door and walked out.


    Her make-up counter was just next to the bathroom door, so she exited and took a sharp left turn to sit before the mirror. She grabbed a bottle of skincare lotion and squirted out a generous amount on her palm.


    However, Song Qingchun was suddenly reminded of the baby in her stomach. Worried that such products might harm the baby, she put the bottle back on the counter and walked back into the bathroom. When she was washing the product away, she turned to ask Su Zhinian, who was standing in her bedroom, "Who was it that called me?"


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t reply. She frowned but didn¡¯t dwell on it. Instead, she took a detour and walked into her closet. She rummaged through the many drawers before she located a bottle of harmless natural oil. With that, she walked back into the bedroom.


    She twisted the cap open, and when she was going to apply it on her face, she suddenly remembered that her phone was ced in her bag, and her bag also had...


    Song Qingchun whipped around to look at Su Zhinian.


    The man was reading through several pieces of paper in his hands, and on her bed was neatly arranged the fte and calcium tablets that the doctor administered her that morning.


    The ball of toilet paper was sitting on top of her bag, and resting on it were the ten pregnant test sticks that she had used that morning.


    Song Qingchun froze for who knew how long before Su Zhinian finally finished reading her pregnancy report. He lowered his gaze and was silent for a moment before he walked toward her with the report in hand.

 Chapter 838 Youre More Important than the Child 3

    When he read the news of her pregnancy from her heart at Golden Corner, he had truly been shocked, but when he pulled out those tablets and the hospital report from her bag, his heart, which already knew the truth, still went limp for quite some time before it started to beat again.


    Su Zhinian stood before Song Qingchun and looked into her eyes. His lips stretched thinly, but he didn¡¯t speak. His hands that gripped the report increased in strength.


    Song Qingchun was petrified. The bottle in her palm was squeezed into a sticky mess when her palm closed into a fist.


    After a silence thatsted an eternity, Su Zhinian raised the report to her face and asked, "Is this yours?"


    Song Qingchun nodded wordlessly.


    After the question left Su Zhinian¡¯s lips, he realized how dumb that question was. The report had her name on it, so who else could it have been? Regardless, he still asked two more dumb questions, "Are those pregnant test sticks also yours? Have you been taking those fte and calcium tablets?"


    Song Qingchun continued to nod in silence. Su Zhinian turned his head to look out at the night sky through the window. The silence between them continued to stretch. After some time, Su Zhinian swallowed forcefully like he hade to a decision. He turned back around to tell Song Qingchun softly but firmly, "Tingting..."


    Su Zhinian choked involuntarily on his voice.


    "...we cannot keep this child."


    Song Qingchun had known that from the very beginning, but she had held out hope that a miraculous solution might appear. That afternoon, when she was sitting alone by the street, she had even imagined that Su Zhinian might have been that miracle.


    s, the first words out of his mouth when he knew about her pregnancy were denying that miracle. He effectively wiped out all the hope in her heart.


    Song Qingchun unconsciously reached for her stomach as she stared at Su Zhinian. She asked cautiously, "...Is there no other way?"


    Is there no other way? The question had crowded his mind when he found out about her pregnancy. He had called Doctor Xia at first notice, and when he was told by the old doctor to abort the child, the first question out of his lips had been that very question.


    He knew how big the hope was behind that one simple question. He didn¡¯t want to ruin it for her, but he could only reply with a full apology. "Tingting, you know the situation we¡¯re in... The gods¡¯ tolerance was already at the limit when we defied morality and got together, so if this child is born, they will be destined for a life of tragedy. Also, you know the probability of this child being defective is very high. When they grow up, they might even hate us for giving birth to them..."


    "But if I undertake the abortion, they might hate me for the murder!" Song Qingchun listened to Su Zhinian¡¯s argument, and her emotions got riled up. Eventually, she lost control of herself and started to scream, "Yes, I said murder. This is a life, Su Zhinian, and it is your child. How can you be so heartless..."


    Before Song Qingchun could finish, Su Zhinian reached out to mp his palm over her lips.

 Chapter 839 Youre More Important than the Child 4

    Song Qingchun was about to pry Su Zhinian¡¯s palm away when there was a knocking on the door. Then came Fang Rou¡¯s soft voice saying, "Qingchun?"


    Su Zhinian raised his finger to his lips to shush Song Qingchun. He waited until Song Qingchun nodded before he pulled his hand back from her lips. Then he quickly turned around to grab the pregnancy sticks, tablets, and report and shoved them back into Song Qingchun¡¯s bag.


    Song Qingchun waited until Su Zhinian closed the bag before opening the bedroom door. "Big Sister, how can I help you?"


    "No, it¡¯s nothing. I¡¯m going to sleep, and I brought you a ss of warm milk before going to my room." Fang Rou passed the ss of milk to Song Qingchun with a smile.


    "Thank you, Big Sister." Song Qingchun epted it with a bright smile before walking back and opening the door wider. "Do you want toe in?"


    "It¡¯s okay, I need to wake up early tomorrow morning." After a pause, Fang Rou asked with concern, "Was there an argument between you and Mr. Su earlier? Did I hear you raise your voice?"


    "No, it¡¯s nothing. I merely got carried away due to excitement."


    "Good, good." Fang Rou smiled, pointed at her own bedroom door, and turned to leave.


    Song Qingchun waited until Fang Rou was two meters away before she closed the door. She turned around, wanting to continue the conversation, when Su Zhinian shook his head at her. He walked toward her and leaned into her ear to whisper, "It¡¯s very inconvenient to talk about this here. How about this? Youe to my ce on Friday morning. We¡¯ll talk it out then. Okay?"


    Even though Song Qingchun wanted toe to a decision regarding the baby as soon as possible, he was right. It was indeed not a convenient ce to discuss such a topic. She thought about it and nodded. "Okay."


    ...


    The break-up of Qin Yinan and Song Qingchun¡¯s marriage was brought up by Qin Yinan to both of their parents. Song Qingchun was also present. She stressed that there was no love between her and Qin Yinan, and she had only agreed to this marriage because of Song Menghwa. After everything was said and done, Father Qin still grabbed a ss off the table and mmed on Qin Yinan¡¯s head.


    The reason Song Menghwa wanted Song Qingchun to get married was to find her someone to rely on. Now that he had a new son in Su Zhinian, he wasn¡¯t as sad as he should have been when he received the news. He did feel sorry. Song Qingchun tried her best to apologize to her father, and since Song Menghwa did treat Qin Yinan as his own child, the whole thing didn¡¯t turn into an awkward situation.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s parents were understandably angry, and they felt sorry toward the Song family. However, Qin Yinan was their son, and after hearing about Cheng Qingchong¡¯s condition, they did get mad, but eventually, they had to ept the marriage.


    The Song family and the Qin family¡¯s union had been dyed many times already. If they cancelled it, it might affect both families¡¯ reputation. Therefore, after a long discussion, the wedding would go on as usual, but the bride would change from Song Qingchun to Cheng Qingchong.


    Song Menghwa had sent out all those invitations, and it was toote to take them back now. As a final solution, Song Menghwa had Qin Yinanmunicate with the Cheng family to ask their family if Song Menghwa could take Cheng Qingchong as his step-daughter.


    Qin Yinan called Cheng Qingchong right before the two families. Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t think about it too much and agreed easily.


    The wholeplicated incident was thus settled. Now they only needed to wait for the wedding date to arrive.

 Chapter 840 Youre More Important than the Child 5

    Regardless of the circumstances, Qin Yinan¡¯s wedding was an asion worth celebrating. Song Qingchun was happy on his behalf. After she bandaged his head wound, she used a ss of fruit juice in ce of a wine to congratte Qin Yinan sincerely. However, after leaving that dinner, Song Qingchun¡¯s feeling of joy dispersed immediately.


    That was because the following day was Friday. She was to meet Su Zhinian to deal with that issue.


    Song Qingchun had trouble sleeping that Thursday night. She was tormented by nightmares where she dreamed about a small white thing crawling toward her. When it got closer, she saw that it was a very cute baby. The baby in her dream was of indeterminate sex. The baby had a pair of pretty eyes. They blinked continuously as the eyes stared at her, giving off a sense of innocence. The baby seemed to be afraid of her as it scanned her up and down. Eventually, it slowly climbed up her body. It nestled in her arms and reached out to touch her face and uttered in a babyishnguage, "Mommy."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart melted and hugged the baby closer to her. She toyed with the baby as it giggled continuously. However, out of the nowhere, the baby started to cry. "Mommy, why don¡¯t you want me? Mommy, how can you abandon me?"


    Song Qingchun felt her heart squeeze. Her whole body shivered, and her eyes flew open. The first thing she did was touch her stomach. After realizing that she was just dreaming, she sat up to lean against the headboard and gasp hungrily for air.


    She nced at the bedside clock. It was 5:30 am. She tried to go back to sleep, but her mind was fully upied by the memory of the baby in her dream. Even though she knew it was merely a dream, when she remembered those questions that the baby had asked, she still felt chilled to the core.


    Song Qingchun sat in her bed until it was 7 am. She got up and prepared to face the day.


    Song Menghwa was still asleep, and Fang Rou was preparing breakfast with the maid in the dining room. Song Qingchun greeted Fang Rou before she turned toward the front door.


    "Qingchun, aren¡¯t you going to have breakfast?" Fang Rou asked.


    "No, I¡¯m in a hurry; I need to go meet a friend," Song Qingchun answered as she slipped into her shoes.


    "Oh, wait a moment." Fang Rou seemed to remember something right then. She called for Song Qingchun to wait for her as she rushed upstairs. After sometime, she returned with a purse. She passed it to Song Qingchun. "Haven¡¯t you been wanting this purse? I bought it for you when it was on sale. Here, try it out."


    Song Qingchun thanked her happily. She carried it on her shoulder and twirled in front of the mirror by the front door before tilting her head to ask Fang Rou with a smile, "How does it look?"


    "It looks perfect on you," Fang Rou answered before adding, "Why don¡¯t you take it with you? It matches your outfit nicely."


    Song Qingchun studied it in the mirror and realized that Fang Rou was right. Song Qingchun upended the stuff from her own bag and swept all of it into the new purse. Then she said goodbye to Fang Rou and left the house.


    ...


    When Song Qingchun reached Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow, it was 7:30 am. She had thought that Su Zhinian would still be in bed, but when she keyed in the front door password and pulled the door open, she saw him walking down the stairs gracefully in a casual outfit.

 Chapter 841 Youre More Important than the Child 6

    As if expecting her to arrive earlier than promised, he didn¡¯t show any trace of surprise at her arrival. When she changed into the slippers, he opened his lips to ask, "Have you had breakfast yet?"


    Song Qingchun shook her head.


    "There¡¯s a new shop opening across from the housing area. They serve quite delicious breakfast, want to go?"


    Song Qingchun thought about it and said, "Okay."


    Su Zhinian changed his shoes, grabbed the car key, opened the door, and went out with Song Qingchun. Like a true gentleman, he opened and held the car door for her. After she was seated, like usual, he bent into the car to help her with the seatbelt.


    The shop was right across from Shining Light Residences, so they arrived in less than five minutes. Su Zhinian made all the orders. He asked for two bowls of porridge, four steamed buns, and a te of crispy pickled radish.


    When they were almost done, Su Zhinian raised his eyes to look at Song Qingchun. He asked, "Can you apply for leave from work today?"


    Song Qingchun took a sip of the porridge before answering. "Yes."


    "Then, do you mind following me to some ce?"


    Aren¡¯t we supposed to discuss the issue of the child? Why isn¡¯t he bringing it up? Song Qingchun hesitated before nodding. "Sure, I don¡¯t mind."


    Su Zhinian nodded as Song Qingchun pulled out her phone to send her boss a message about her leave. After Su Zhinian paid for the breakfast, Su Zhinian didn¡¯t hurry to usher Song Qingchun into his car but took a detour to a nearby convenience store to buy a few bottles of mineral water to ce in the backseat of his car.


    The weather in Beijing had been warming up over the past few days. Sitting in the passenger seat, Song Qingchun felt rather cooped up, so she rolled down the window to let fresh air in.


    The road they were on was quite congested. The car halted and moved for about half an hour before the traffic cleared. Song Qingchun noticed that Su Zhinian¡¯s car was moving outside of the city. Song Qingchun was curious about where their destination was. Her lips moved several times, aiming to ask Su Zhinian, but eventually, she chose to silence herself.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s car drove stably on the road. Song Qingchun, who didn¡¯t get much sleep the previous night, leaned against the car seat and inevitably fell asleep.


    Through the rear-view mirror, Su Zhinian nced at Song Qingchun. He reached over to lower the back of her seat to make her morefortable. Song Qingchun opened her blurry eyes to look at Su Zhinian as he did so before she slowly returned to her dreams.


    When Song Qingchun woke up, Su Zhinian¡¯s car was slowing down. Apparently, they had reached their destination. Song Qingchun leaned up in her seat to look out the window. Other than an unadorned steel gate, there was no sign in sight. She frowned in confusion before turning around to ask Su Zhinian, "We¡¯re here?"


    "Yes." Su Zhinian parked the car and pushed the door open. He got down first before walking around the car to get the door for Song Qingchun. Song Qingchun hesitated before she unbucked the seatbelt and got out, holding her purse.


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t exin himself but pulled Song Qingchun along as he headed toward the steel gate.


    There was no bell, so Su Zhinian used his hands to shake the gate heavily for a while until it nged. About five minutester, a middle-aged woman ran over to open the gate for them.


    Su Zhinian had probably talked to the middle-aged woman on the phone already. After giving her his name, the woman weed them in kindly and enthusiastically.


    After walking through the gate, they took a turn, and Song Qingchun saw a sizeable patio. There were seven to eight children absorbed in various activities; the eldest among them was about seven and the youngest about two.

 Chapter 842 Youre More Important than the Child 7

    Normally, when there was a group of children hanging out together, there would be chaos, but these kids were curiously devoid of any vibrancy and life. When Song Qingchun got closer, she realized that all the children were underdeveloped. Some sat there with drool dripping out of their mouths while others had underdeveloped limbs.


    Song Qingchun turned her head unconsciously away to look at Su Zhinian. As if reading the question in her mind, Su Zhinian offered her the answer. "All the children here were born with natural defects."


    The middle-aged woman heard Su Zhinian and turned around to smile kindly at Song Qingchun. "I heard from Mr. Su that you¡¯re a reporter who wishes to do a special report on children with congenital abnormalities, is that right?"


    Huh? I don¡¯t think I have that assignment. Song Qingchun looked at Su Zhinian and it was then that she understood this was his arrangement all along. She didn¡¯t expose his lies but smiled politely at the middle-aged woman.


    The middle-aged woman led Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun deeper into the facility. She made introductions along the way. "This ce was built due to the donation of a kind Buddhist. All the children here were abandoned, and the reason is unfortunately that they were born with congenital abnormalities.


    "Like that one over there. His name is Mao Mao, and he¡¯s five years old today. When his mother was pregnant with him, the doctor confirmed that there were defects with him, but since he was a boy, the family was insistent on keeping him. However, after birth, due to his defects in his leg muscles, he couldn¡¯t walk. He is unable to take care of himself, and if there is no one there to look after him, he will be incontinent. Initially, his parents did take good care of him, but as time went on, they started to face marital and economic difficulties. Eventually, his parents divorced, and since neither of them wanted him, he was left at the gate of our orphanage.


    "That girl¡¯s name is Xiao Dan. She¡¯s seven years old, and sadly, she is a child of rape. Her mother was raped by her uncle, and since she was too young to have an abortion, she eventually gave birth to Xiao Dan. Xiao Dan might look normal on the surface, but her IQ is less than a one-year-old baby¡¯s. She doesn¡¯t know how to speak or how to eat on her own, and she has a hard time recognizing people."


    "Then, there¡¯s..." The middle-aged woman introduced the children in the courtyard to Song Qingchun one by one.


    Each child carried a tragic backstory, but their stories had one simrity¡ªthey were all born with congenital abnormalities.


    "Miss Song, when you write the report, you have to remind society that abortion isn¡¯t something inherently bad. Yes, some might see it as cruel, but Miss Song, do you know what is even crueller? Giving birth to them andter leaving them to fend for themselves.


    "I understand that a mother¡¯s love is all-epassing, but my work here has taught me the cruel lesson that love oftentimes cannot withstand the ravages of reality. Eighty percent of children with congenital abnormalities end up getting abandoned, and the lucky ones end up here...


    "Indeed, I do not deny the existence of good parents in the world who would do everything for their child, regardless of the state they¡¯re in, but what about after the parents pass away? Who will take care of the child?"


    Before the middle-aged woman could finish, a girl rushed out of the house and yelled anxiously at her, "Miss Yang,e quick. Xiao Duo is acting up again!"

 Chapter 843 Youre More Important than the Child 8

    The middle-aged woman immediately rushed into the house after hurriedly apologizing to Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun. Song Qingchun stood where she was for a while before she gave chase after the middle-aged woman. When she stepped into the house, she saw a young girl who kept ramming her head into the wall. There was already arge stain of blood on her forehead, but it was as if she didn¡¯t understand pain; she kept banging her head against the wall.


    The middle-aged woman who was called Sister Yang and the younger woman who came out to get her earlier tried to pull the little girl away from the wall, but the girl seemed to have lost her mind. Her head lolled back and forth until the younger woman gave the girl a tranquilizer shot, and the little girl gradually fell asleep.


    Sister Yang bandaged the girl¡¯s head before she stood up to apologize to Song Qingchun. Then she led her out of the house.


    "That was Xiao Duo. I forgot to introduce her to you earlier. Her parents are biological siblings."


    That one sentence from Sister Yang caused the blood to drain from Song Qingchun¡¯s face. Her teeth chattered for a moment before the power of speech returned to her. "Does she often have outbursts like that?"


    "Yes, thankfully, it¡¯s morning when we have people looking after her, so we can stop her in time, but sometimes she acts up at night, and she will knock herself unconscious before we even realize what happened."


    The rest of what Sister Yang said failed to register in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind. When she came to, Su Zhinian already had his arm around her shoulders, leading her away from this orphanage that catered specifically to defective children.


    Song Qingchun sat in the chair with a nched face. She didn¡¯t utter a single word as Su Zhinian drove them back to the city.


    When the car reached the city, Song Qingchun finally recovered from the nightmarish scenes. Her hands reached toward her stomach involuntarily. Her pupils darted about with panic before she slowly lowered her eyes. Eventually, her gaze fell on the document that Su Zhinian had ced on herp earlier. Song Qingchun frowned before she picked up the envelope to open it.


    She saw two ne tickets inside, for herself and Su Zhinian, from Beijing to Shanghai. Other than that, there was a hospital bill for an abortion operation at Shanghai Main Hospital. The date was next Wednesday.


    Song Qingchun stared at the term ¡¯abortion operation¡¯ for a long time before it registered in her mind the meaning of those words. Then, her tears fell without warning.


    She didn¡¯t know whether it was from fear or from anger, but a ball of fire rose up her heart. She turned around to re at Su Zhinian, who was still driving. With a voice shaking with fury, she yelled, "Su Zhinian, is this what you call discussing it with me? You¡¯ve prepared everything, haven¡¯t you? It doesn¡¯t cross your mind to respect my opinion at all!"


    Facing Song Qingchun¡¯s interrogation, Su Zhinian pursed his lips but didn¡¯t hurry to answer. He parked the car by the roadside before turning around to look at Song Qingchun. "Tingting, don¡¯t get too agitated. You¡¯ve seen for yourself how pitiable those children are, do you wish such a fate for our child?"

 Chapter 844 Youre More Important than the Child 9

    Su Zhinian made the wrong move by mentioning those children because it only made Song Qingchun more emotionally unstable. She had to admit that the trip to the orphanage did shake her conviction to keep the child, but as a mother, she didn¡¯t have the heart to end her own baby¡¯s life.


    This constant toss-up between yes and no caused even her body to quiver. She suddenly became angry at Su Zhinian because he had used a simple action to strike right into her heart to shatter her conviction.


    Song Qingchun knew that Su Zhinian was merely being logical, but the words that came out of her mouth were incendiary. "How do you know our child will definitely be defective? Yes, the probability of the baby between siblings having a congenital abnormality is high, but it is not one hundred percent. What if the baby in my stomach is a healthy child? How can you live with yourself?"


    "Tingting, you said it yourself, what if? How can you be sure that we are the one in one hundred thousand lucky ones?"


    "Then, how can you tell we are not? Furthermore, we can wait until the child is big enough to confirm whether he or she is healthy or not. If it is confirmed that we are that unlucky, it is still not toote to have the abortion then!"


    "No!" Su Zhinian, who maintained a level of calmness when talking to Song Qingchun, suddenly became stern and serious. "Tingting, listen to me, I will never agree to this method. You and I both know very clearly that abortion is physically harmful to the mother, but the degree of harm is greatly minimized if the abortion is induced when the pregnancy is less than two months in. As the foetus grows older, the risk to the mother will get bigger. The confirmation for whether the foetus has congenital abnormality or not is something that can only be known in theter stages of pregnancy or even after birth. I will never allow your pregnancy to go on for that long to wait for the confirmation before we do the surgery! It¡¯s too dangerous!"


    After a pause, Su Zhianin added firmly, "I can give up the child, but you, I will never allow any potential harm toe to you! Therefore, wipe this idea out of your mind! It is not going to happen, impossible!"


    Su Zhinian¡¯s delivery made Song Qingchun even more agitated. "Even if it¡¯s dangerous, I¡¯ll be shouldering the risk, not you! Furthermore, you don¡¯t own me, who are you to make this decision for me? My body, my decision! I will not go to Shanghai next Wednesday! If you want it so badly, go down there on your own! The only way I¡¯m going is if you knock me unconscious and drag me to it!"


    "Tingting, I know this is a hard decision, but it is not an easy decision for me to make either. I am equally disheartened as you are, but this doesn¡¯t mean that we can be irrational!"


    "I¡¯m not being irrational, Su Zhinian. You¡¯re not carrying the child, so you¡¯ll never understand the feeling of a mother and how I am willing to bet my life for our child!" Song Qingchun¡¯s tears fell even harder. As if convincing herself, she added firmly, "I don¡¯t care, I will keep this child no matter what. I will take this bet! Even if it kills me, I need to do it!"


    "Then, what about me?" Compared to Song Qingchun¡¯s upset tone, Su Zhinian¡¯s voice appeared weirdly serene. "Tingting, you¡¯re willing to die for this child, but what about me? Have you considered me? I¡¯m willing to lose everything, but I cannot lose you."

 Chapter 845 Youre More Important than the Child 10

    This simple sentence delivered in a levelled manner caused Song Qingchun to quiet down immediately.


    "Tingting, do you know how much I hated myself when I found out about your pregnancy? I resent myself for acting so rashly, resent myself for not reminding you to take the morning-after pills. The torment that you¡¯re facing is because of me. I¡¯ve already caused you so much torment, so I cannot allow this torture to continue on any further.


    "If we take away this child now, you¡¯ll be pained and saddened, but it¡¯ll pass. Time will heal, but if we give birth to a troubled child, it¡¯ll be a lifelong burden on you.


    "Tingting, I admit my love for this child is definitely less than the amount you have for it because, for me, you¡¯re far more important than the child. If I have to make a choice, I will not hesitate to choose you and give the child up.


    "So, Tingting, I really cannot force myself to stay my hands knowing you¡¯re making a mistake. I cannot bring myself to see you get tormented for the rest of your life due to an unhealthy child.


    "Next Wednesday, I will apany you to Shanghai. No one will know us there, and I will be by your side throughout. Please, for the sake of our future, Tingting, remove this child, okay?"


    Song Qingchun started to wail in earnest. She could feel her heart shaking. His every single word was like a knife aiming at her knife. She twitched as if stabbed.


    Before this, when people talked about how great a mother¡¯s love was, she nodded along, but she didn¡¯t really understand the extent of that love. Now, she really understood; a mother could give up everything for her child. She knew that Su Zhinian was right, and it behoved her to follow his advice, but she simply couldn¡¯t do it. She couldn¡¯t nod in agreement.


    In fact, after a long internal struggle, she still shook her head at him.


    Su Zhinian, who was holding Song Qingchun¡¯s hand, could sense the wavering of her internal conviction. He made use of this opportunity to make his appeal. "Tingting, if you really want a child, we can adopt...


    "We¡¯ll give the child a happy and wonderful home. And I know that you¡¯ll be a wonderful mother...


    "So, please don¡¯t bet with your life for the sake of this one, okay?


    "You have to know that if anything happens to you, I will not hesitate to follow you... So, please, for my sake..."


    Song Qingchun suddenly shrugged Su Zhinian¡¯s hands away like she was jolted by electricity. She was afraid that if this conversation any further, she would be convinced by him and give her approval. Before Su Zhinian realized what was she doing, Song Qingchun already removed the seatbelt, shoved the door open, grabbed her purse, and run out.


    "Tingting!" Su Zhinian called her name and got out to chase after her. However, he was ultimately toote. Before he caught up to her, she had already hailed a cab and got into it.


    Su Zhinian hurried to run back to his car. By the time he got on the road, the cab that Song Qingchun was in had already disappeared among the traffic.


    As he drove in the general direction that the cab disappeared in, he focused on locating her voice among the din of the city, but she was quiet, so very quiet that he simply couldn¡¯t find her.


    He pulled out his phone to call her, but her phone was off.

 Chapter 846 Her Hesitance 1

    Tang Nuan fainted the moment she was hauled into the cab by the driver. When she woke up, it was already midnight. The patient¡¯s room was very quiet, and the white lights in the ceiling were blindingly bright.


    She stared at the lights for a long time before suddenly raising her hands to touch her t stomach. The heart-piercing pain had already disappeared; everything seemed suspiciously quiet.


    What about my child... Tang Nuan sat up in hurry.


    A nurse not far away was startled by Tang Nuan¡¯s sudden movement. She rubbed her blurry eyes and asked in a bleary tone, "Miss, you..."


    Before the nurse could finish, Tang Nuan interrupted her urgently. "Where is my child? Is the child safe?"


    "Miss, don¡¯t worry, your child is safe." The nurseforted her with a warm smile as she stood up from the sofa to walk toward the bed. "Your body is still very weak, and you need to rest. Certain wounds on your body are quite serious, but thankfully, there are no broken bones. The doctor suggests to stay away from drugs because it might cause irreparable damage to your child, but he did prescribe some drugs to help the baby because the injuries did cause some minor trauma to your child..."


    As the nurse exined, she passed Tang Nuan some medicine. Tang Nuan wiped the cold sweat off her forehead. She epted the medicine and washed it down with a ss of water. She passed the empty ss back to the nurse and thanked her softly.


    Tang Nuan, who had been unconscious for a long time, found herself unable to go back to sleep. The nurse who was assigned to her kept nodding off in her little corner.


    Tang Nuan leaned against the headboard as she stared at the night sky outside the window. Without any prompting, the scenes from that afternoon rushed into her mind, the relentless assault of Mrs. Huang and the imperviousness of the crowd to her cries of help. These would have been traumatic for any other person, but the scenes left Tang Nuan¡¯s mind without leaving much a trace. The only image that stayed stubbornly in her mind was Song Qingchun pulling out a stack of bills to hand to the taxi driver before she left.


    ...


    CEO Huang came to visit Tang Nuan at the hospital that Wednesday. He came carrying many things, clothes and purses from brands Tang Nuan adored as well as plenty of expensive jewelry. In fact, the moment CEO Huang stepped into the room, he started arguing with the nurse to tell her to get him the hospital manager because he wanted to change Tang Nuan into their best patient¡¯s room.


    If this was before, Tang Nuan would have been greatly touched by such actions from CEO Huang, but now, her eyes barely flickered, watching the roomful of expensive presents. When only she and CEO Huang remained in the room, she asked him, "Why didn¡¯t you tell me that you¡¯re married already?"


    CEO Huang took her hands in his and told her many things. They were apologies and promises, like how he had sent his wife to Hong Kong so that she would not be troubled by her in the future. However, he stressed that she need to rest well so that the baby could grow healthily. He even promised that after the baby was born, he would gift her a bungalow that she had her eyes on.


    In the middle of his speech, CEO Huang¡¯s phone rang. It was probably rted to work. After he hung up, he continued to feed Tang Nuan with more sweet words before kissing her on her cheek and leaving her a tall stack of cash. He promised that he would be backter before leaving in a hurry.

 Chapter 847 Her Hesitance 2

    Tang Nuan sat in bed for a long time before her eyes wandered around this best patient¡¯s room in the hospital. Eventually, they settled on the mountain of luxury items that filled up the entire sofa. As she stared at them, Tang Nuan¡¯s lips curved upwards, and she started chuckling softly to herself.


    These stuff that filled up the sofa would cost at least several ten thousand RMB. A working ss man might work his whole life and still wouldn¡¯t be able to afford half of them, but me? A beating and a pregnancyter, they¡¯re all mine. And that¡¯s not all, if this child in my stomach is a boy, I¡¯ll even get a bungalow that is worth several million...


    Now that I think about it, this beating and this child in my stomach sure are worth a lot of money...


    Tang Nuan¡¯sughter became louder and louder until tears started to fall out of the corner of her eyes. She was suddenly reminded of Qin Yinan. If she had still been Qin Yinan¡¯s girlfriend and the child in her stomach was his, how would he have treated her?


    He probably wouldn¡¯t have been able to give her all these luxury or even a bungalow worth millions; he could only afford a small studio apartment that he would have to continue to pay off for the rest of his life.


    But...


    When she was sick, he would stay beside her, too worried about her to leave; when she was tried, he would squat down before her to massage her feet in warm water; when she was hungry, he would personally go into the kitchen to cook for her; when she was bullied, his normally gentle eyes would be filled with anger...


    But he was merely a chess piece for her to deal with Song Qingchun, a chess piece that she could give up at any moment... so what was wrong with her? Why had she been reminded of his kindness so much recently?


    ...


    Tang Nuan didn¡¯t take any of the presents given by CEO Huang. On Thursday morning, before she left the hospital, she gifted all the presents to the hospital nurses without batting an eye. She gave most of the presents to the nurse who had taken care of her over the past two days. To thank her for her generosity, the nurse personally escorted her out of the hospital and even used her own phone to call Tang Nuan a cab.


    However, Tang Nuan didn¡¯t get into the taxi the nurse called for her because she ran into Su Zhinian.


    The hospital was crowded with people, but the man would always be the centre of attention no matter where he was. Now that she thought about it, Tang Nuan realized that she had not seen him for a very long time already.


    A years-long habitpelled Tang Nuan to follow Su Zhinian silently even though her mind had no clue why she was doing that.


    Tang Nuan thought that Su Zhinian was at the hospital because he was not feeling well, but to her surprise, he was there to schedule the time for an operation.

 Chapter 848 Her Hesitance 3

    Tang Nuan left the hospital and didn¡¯t go out to party like she usually would but stayed obediently at home, watching television and sleeping, probably to undo the damage her child had suffered.


    At 11 pm that Friday night, after cooking herself some supper, Tang Nuan prepared to climb into bed when she received a message. It was from that woman.


    "She¡¯s back at thepany. It¡¯s time to make your move."


    The message was short and vague, but Tang Nuan understood what the woman meant. Song Qingchun was now at TW Station. So she had to go back to thepany and find an opportunity to poison her.


    Today was a Friday, and since tomorrow was a weekend, there wouldn¡¯t be that many people at work. She could return to thepany with any reason. With Song Qingchun and herself alone at thepany, she could find an opportunity to poison her easily. In fact, she could make use of the fact that Song Qingchun had helped her that Tuesday. Just give her a ss of drugged water as thanks, and it would be done.


    If Tang Nuan had received this message any time prior to that Tuesday, she would have departed for TW Station happily. But now... Tang Nuan stared at the message for a long time until the phone locked itself automatically, and she still hadn¡¯t moved from her bed.


    Perhaps it was her silence or someone was watching over her, but after half an hour, Tang Nuan¡¯s phone suddenly rang. It was from that woman.


    Tang Nuan hesitated, staring at the phone before answering it. The female voice that came through was polite and gentle. "Am I disturbing your sleep, Miss Tang?"


    "No..." Tang Nuan paused and asked even though she already knew the answer, "Why are you calling sote at night?"


    The woman on the phone knew that Tang Nuan was ying dumb with her, but she didn¡¯t expose her. Her tone was simr to before, kind and soft. "I just sent you a message, and since you haven¡¯t replied after so long, I was worried about you, so I gave you a call."


    Tang Nuan hesitated before answering, "Is that so? I will go take a look at it now."


    Tang Nuan had read the message many times already, but she still made a show of reading it again. "But it¡¯s already after midnight, perhaps she has gone home already..."


    "She¡¯s there, and she¡¯ll be there throughout the night." The woman cut Tang Nuan off in her soft but firm voice.


    Tang Nuan was silent since she didn¡¯t know what to say. After about half a minute, Tang Nuan finally continued. "Actually, I¡¯m not feeling so well, is it possible..."


    "Miss Tang, if I¡¯m not mistaken about three years ago, you published a leaked photo of Sun Ying. However, I hear from my sources, the woman in the picture wasn¡¯t even Sun Ying but someone who looked simr to her that you found and nted simply because you needed a promotion. Of course, who would have thought the public pressure after the release of that photo would be so big that Sun Yingmitted suicide? It would be unfair to call that your fault, right?"


    Tang Nuan¡¯s face nched, and her fingers that held the phone started to tremble.


    "...Also two years ago, that explosive public interest news about decency on public transport. I do wonder how true your report on it is. I would bet there is plenty of misinformation that someone, like the boss of TW Station, would find upon taking a closer look, right?


    "That¡¯s not all. I¡¯m d that CEO Huang invited you to go on a ¡¯business¡¯ trip with him to Li Jiang several months ago. I¡¯m sure the two of you shared some wonderful times together, right? Although, I¡¯m curious, how much of that trip did you actually remember? Would you like a reminder? I have a video here that I can send to you to jog your memory."

 Chapter 849 Her Hesitance 4

    After she managed to collect herself, with trembling voice, Tang Nuan asked, "Have you been watching me?"


    The woman on the phone acted like she didn¡¯t even hear Tang Nuan¡¯s question and continued in her soft-spoken tone that caused the hairs on Tang Nuan¡¯s back to rise. "Miss Tang, there are many other examples that I simply do not have time to list. I just want to remind you that, certain things, once you¡¯ve gotten yourself involved, cannot be got out of that easily. Furthermore, haven¡¯t you gotten yourself way too deep already to want an out? Therefore, the ball is in your court. If your actions satisfy me, everything that I know will remain a secret, but if you don¡¯t... Miss Tang, be prepared to lose your career, your life... everything..."


    "Aren¡¯t you afraid that I will go to the police ande clean about everything?" Tang Nuan countered.


    "...Feel free to do that, but I have no guarantee what will happen to you... and that baby in your stomach..."


    "You mad woman, you..." The mention of the child caused Tang Nuan to lose herposure. She started cursing the woman with her whole body shaking. Regardless, no matter how ugly her curses were, the woman on the phone maintained her grace and calmness like she didn¡¯t even hear Tang Nuan. "Miss Tang, I hope I can receive the good news from you before I see you in person this weekend. Goodbye, Miss Tang."


    Then, the call was ended, leaving Tang Nuan with the busy dial tone. She moved the phone away from her ear to call the woman back, but all she got was the voicemail saying, "I¡¯m sorry, but the number you¡¯re calling is currently not in service."


    Tang Nuan took in two deep breaths through gritted teeth before throwing her phone at the wall.


    ...


    Half an hourter, Tang Nuan eventually arrived at the entrance to TW Station. After paying the taxi driver, she raised her head to look at this building where she had built her career. After a pause, she grabbed her bag and went up the stairs into the building.


    The office was quiet, and the sound-activated lights came on following her footsteps. She pressed for the elevator toe. After a ring of the bell, the elevator door opened. Tang Nuan stepped into it and stared at the row of numbers for a long time before reaching out to press the number for the floor that she needed to head to.


    The elevator door closed, and as the red number climbed, the expression on Tang Nuan¡¯s face gradually froze.


    The elevator eventually stopped, and with another bell, the door opened. Tang Nuan summoned her legs to move as she slowly walked out of the elevator. Other than a few lights, the ce was dark.


    The ce was dim, and as the woman promised, the lights of Song Qingchun¡¯s office were startling bright.


    Tang Nuan didn¡¯t switch on the lights but walked toward her own cubicle, turned on herputer, and sat down.

 Chapter 850 Her Hesitance 5

    Tang Nuan sat frozen in her seat for a long time, staring at the harsh re of the monitor. Her mind was a mess. She couldn¡¯t tell what her real thoughts were, and she didn¡¯t know what her choice should be.


    The night gradually passed. The sky outside the office window started to brighten until the sun rose from the eastern horizon, casting the whole office in its warm glow. The world outside started to prepare to wee a new day. It was then that Tang Nuan slowly blinked into consciousness.


    She sighed deeply and grabbed her wallet to go downstairs to get some cash from the ATM next door. Then she went to the office cafeteria to buy two sandwiches and two sses of milk before returning to the office.


    Tang Nuan returned to her cubicle and ced her wallet down. She pulled out an envelope from her drawer and put in the cash that she had just withdrawn from the ATM. She sealed the envelope and opened her bag to retrieve the medicine bottle. She shook out several pills and dropped them into one of the sses. Tang Nuan waited for the pills toplete dissolve before walking toward Song Qingchun¡¯s office, carrying the breakfast that she had bought and the envelope.


    Honestly, she was really touched by Song Qingchun¡¯s aid that day, especially thest thing that she did. If she didn¡¯t pass the taxi driver that money, she would have lost her child already. If she was given another chance to make her life choices, she wouldn¡¯t have aligned herself with that mad woman, but life had no retries. The arrow had been released from the bow.


    She was in the news business, and she knew how dangerous public opinion could be. She didn¡¯t have the courage to face the consequences if all of her evil deeds were exposed. Furthermore, she was pregnant. Admittedly, she wasn¡¯t a good person, but she wanted to be a good mother. The moment she found out about her pregnancy, her love toward her child started to overflow. She suffered through the beating for her child, she begged the one person she had hated her whole life for her child, and now she had to be evil again for her child.


    Tang Nuan stood outside Song Qingchun¡¯s office quietly for a long time before raising her fist to knock lightly on the door. There was no response.


    Tang Nuan knocked again, and this time, she heard the chair moving. She waited for another few minutes. When Song Qingchun didn¡¯te to the door, she pushed it open and walked in.


    Song Qingchun was curled up in her chair, staring at the sunlight outside her window. Tang Nuan had no idea what was on Song Qingchun¡¯s mind, but her face was pale, and she didn¡¯t seem to realize that someone else had walked into her office.


    Tang Nuan stood at the door for some time before closing the door behind her and walking toward Song Qingchun. She ced the drugged milk before Song Qingchun.


    Song Qingchun, who had remained motionless, raised her eyes to look at her but didn¡¯t say anything or have any change in her expression before she turned her head back to look out the window.


    Tang Nuan ced one of the sandwiches beside the ss of milk. She looked around Song Qingchun¡¯s office and pulled a chair over to sit down. She then pushed the envelope toward Song Qingchun. "Inside is the money you paid the taxi driver that day."


    Song Qingchun seemed to have morphed into a statue because she didn¡¯t even move her pupils in reaction to Tang Nuan.


    After a moment¡¯s silence, Tang Nuan took a sip of her milk and said, "Thank you."

 Chapter 851 Her Hesitance 6

    Song Qingchun was stillpletely unresponsive like she had submerged into another world and was unable toe out from it. Tang Nuan lowered her gaze and pursed her lips before adding, "You¡¯ve been hard at work for a whole night already. You must be tired. Here, have something to eat."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes finally moved. After about ten seconds, her eyes gradually to move and fall on Tang Nuan¡¯s face. "You were also at thepany yesterday night?"


    "Yes." Tang Nuan couldn¡¯t remember thest time she¡¯d had such a civil conversation with Song Qingchun already. She had a hard time getting used to this type of conversation that didn¡¯t involve yelling and snidements, so she stuttered before exining, "There¡¯s a big story happening next week, and the information still hasn¡¯t been coted. So I came to work on it."


    "Okay." Song Qingchun turned back around to the window. The words that left her mouth next could have been meant for either Tang Nuan or herself. "You¡¯ve got a baby to worry about now, so don¡¯t tire yourself out too much."


    Tang Nuan had the ss of milk to her lips when her hand trembled. The hot liquid sshed out of the ss and scalded her fingertips.


    Is she worried about my child? Tang Nuan raised her head dumbly to stare at Song Qingchun¡¯s profile. Thetter didn¡¯t have on any make-up, and Tang Nuan noticed there was a small beauty mark at the tip of her nose.


    Time seemed to have rolled back many years, back to when they were in high school. Tang Nuan and Song Qingchun used to sit next to each other and during ss. Song Qingchun had been prone to spacing out, and this was the exact expression she would have when Tang Nuan turned around to look at her.


    At the time, even though Song Qingchun was still young, she had already been quite a beauty. Tang Nuan would sometimes lose herself staring at her, thinking, If only I had a face like hers...


    Tang Nuan¡¯s favourite feature on Song Qingchun¡¯s face was that beauty mark of hers. ording to Chinese culture, that represented wealth. At the time, she and Song Qingchun had still been friends, and conversations like that weremon.


    "Tang Nuan, if it¡¯s that time of the month for you, stay away from the cold food."


    "Tang Nuan, this diary is so pretty, how about I buy you one as well."


    "Tang Nuan..."


    At the time, Song Qingchun probably treated me as her real friend. s, I approached her because I had a hidden agenda in mind. Why I am suddenly reminded of all these things from the past? Is it because I¡¯m about to do what I¡¯m about to do?


    Tang Nuan closed her eyes slightly to arrange her emotions before slowly opening them again. She was about to tell Song Qingchun drink and eat while it was still hot when, out of the corner of her eyes, she saw the medicine bottles that were left on Song Qingchun¡¯s table. She couldn¡¯t have been more familiar with those bottles because she had been taking them. Those were fte and calcium tablets.


    Why is Song Qingchun taking them too? Tang Nuan frowned and then realized that Song Qingchun¡¯s table was also filled with many paper notes that were full of scribbles.


    "Baby, I¡¯m sorry", "Little Sesame", "Su Zhinian", "Baby, mummy don¡¯t have the heart to do this to you"...


    Little Sesame, Su Zhinian, Baby, Mummy... These words flooded Tang Nuan¡¯s mind. She needed some time to process everything before she turned to Song Qingchun with shock and asked, "You¡¯re... pregnant?"


    Then, her gazended on Song Qingchun¡¯s stomach, but it was still t like hers.

 Chapter 852 Her Hesitance 7

    No wonder I ran into her at the hospital, she was there for pregnancy check-up like me. But why does she need to apologize to her child? Could it be that...


    Tang Nuan¡¯s brows furrowed before asking, "...Is there something wrong with your child?"


    Tang Nuan¡¯s question caused Song Qingchun¡¯s body to shiver. Her reaction confirmed that Tang Nuan was right. Perhaps this was her inner mother talking, but she continued. "Can¡¯t something be done, considering how advanced our medical technology is? What did the doctor say? I¡¯m sure something can be done, right? Look at me, my child is fine even after the beating that day. So I¡¯m sure it¡¯ll be fine!"


    Song Qingchun turned away from her. After a long silence, she sighed, "It¡¯s no use..."


    Tang Nuan didn¡¯t say anything, but through the mirror in the room, she could see clearly two lines of tears fall down Song Qingchun¡¯s face. Tang Nuan had never seen Song Qingchun in so much sadness, despair, and pain before. In her mind, Song Qingchun had always been an arrogant and eye-grabbing existence.


    God only knew how much she had wished to see this side of her before, but instead of feeling d, she realized that her heart twitched greatly with pain as if someone was gripping it tight.


    She should hate her deeply. It was her who caused Su Zhinian to turn on her; it was her who made Su Zhinian hate her; it was also her who caused Qin Yinan to leave her... Song Qingchun was responsible for so many tragedies in her life, but this woman who she hated to her core was going to lose her child after saving hers.


    Just like that, the decision that she had made started to waver. The reminder for Song Qingchun to drink the milk while it was hot fell from her lips and down her throat.


    The office was quiet for sometimes before Song Qingchun turned back around. She wiped the tears from her eyes and reached out to grab the ss of milk from her table. The earlier sadness had left her face, and as she thanked Tang Nuan, she raised the ss to her lips.


    After she took a sip, Tang Nuan¡¯s quest would bepleted. She could escape from the woman¡¯s grasp and move overseas to begin a new life. Her life wouldn¡¯t be destroyed, and she would be given a new lease on life.


    Tang Nuan¡¯s hands curled anxiously into fists. She tried her best to stop her lips from saying anything, but when the milk touched Song Qingchun¡¯s lips, the two words, "Song Qingchun!" escaped from her words before she could stop herself.


    The urgency in Tang Nuan¡¯s voice stopped Song Qingchun. She raised her eyes to look at Tang Nuan, but when thetter didn¡¯t say anything, she continued to tip the ss of milk into her mouth.


    Tang Nuan didn¡¯t dare to rush forward to swipe the ss out of Song Qingchun¡¯s hand because that would have been too obvious. In her desperation, she was reminded of the name "Su Zhinian" written on Song Qingchun¡¯s note, and she blurted out something rted to him hoping to distract her.


    "Song Qingchun, I saw Su Zhinian at the hospital three days ago!"


    Thankfully, the name "Su Zhinian" did make Song Qingchun stop moving. Eventually she did move the ss of milk away from her lips, and her eyes that stared at Tang Nuan were coloured with confusion.


    Tang Nuan sighed in relief under her breath.

 Chapter 853 Her Hesitance 8

    Tang Nuan¡¯s heart that was in her throat rxed. She smiled at Song Qingchun and exined, "Su Zhinian, he was at the hospital to schedule an operation, do you know anything about that?"


    Song Qingchun frowned. Operation? What kind of operation? Is it an abortion? But that was already scheduled in Shanghai...


    Tang Nuan stood up from the chair and started to pace around Song Qingchun¡¯s office while her eyes kept ncing at the ss of milk on Song Qingchun¡¯s table. While she was figuring out a solution, she continued exining to Song Qingchun, "...It was a total coincidence that I ran into him. I didn¡¯t follow him into the patient¡¯s room, so I don¡¯t know what he was going to discuss with the doctor. I waited until he left and heard some gossip from the nurses..."


    After making sure she had all of Song Qingchun¡¯s attention, Tang Nuan slowly walked closer to the table and leaned against it with one of her hands on the table, "They were talking about why a handsome man like Su Zhinian woulde to the hospital to opt for a vasectomy..."


    Vasectomy? Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes widened to their maximum. Tang Nuan then revealed that Su Zhinian went to the hospital the day before yesterday, a Thursday. In other words, Su Zhinian had already arranged the operation for himself before talking to her about the abortion? To prevent this from happening again, he was going to cut off all the loose ends first?


    "I don¡¯t know about the actual date of the surgery, and that was all I heard..." Tang Nuan slowly moved her arm toward Song Qingchun¡¯s milk as she told the story. When her hand was touching the ss, she pretended to want to stand up, and with a nudge of her elbow, she knocked into the ss.


    The ss tipped all over Song Qingchun¡¯s table, spilling the milk everywhere. The liquid trailed down the table and fell onto Song Qingchun.


    Tang Nuan yelped as she quickly fetched the paper napkins to pass it to Song Qingchun. "I¡¯m sorry, I really didn¡¯t mean to do that, are you hurt?"


    Song Qingchun, who was preupied with Su Zhinian¡¯s vasectomy, thanked Tang Nuan absent-mindedly as she epted the napkins to wipe the milk off her body.


    Song Qingchun cleaned herself up and ignored the wet stains on her clothes. She stood up, grabbed her purse, and told Tang Nuan, "I¡¯m sorry, I have to leave because I need to go do something."


    Before Tang Nuan could reply, Song Qingchun had already dashed hastily out of her office.


    Tang Nuan stood where she was until Song Qingchun mmed the door closed behind her. Tang Nuan then turned to look out at the light outside the window.


    She had been so close, but in the end, she didn¡¯t have the heart to kill two lives at the same time...


    But what about her own baby? It was either Song Qingchun or her, one of them had to die...


    Tang Nuan¡¯s lips stretched, and with a sudden burst of energy, she jumped out of Song Qingchun¡¯s office. She yelled at Song Qingchun, who was running toward the elevator, "Song Qingchun!"


    Song Qingchun turned back to look at her, and the lightnded on her face just right, casting her face in a warm glow. Tang Nuan felt like she was staring through time at the girl whom she once considered a dear friend.


    Tang Nuan was stunned by this illusion before she issued the single word, "That..."


    Then, Tang Nuan closed her lips like she had something on her mind, but she didn¡¯t know how to say it.

 Chapter 854 Her Hesitance 9

    Song Qingchun had never expected that this was going to be thest time she talked to Tang Nuan and that thetter¡¯s reticence before parting was going to be Song Qingchun¡¯sst impression of her. This was because less than twelve hours after their separation, Song Qingchun received news of Tang Nuan¡¯s death.


    At the time, Song Qingchun was so caught up with the news of Su Zhinian¡¯s vasectomy that she didn¡¯t have the mental capacity to notice Tang Nuan¡¯s curious state. She merely urged her after Tang Nuan didn¡¯t speak for a long time. "Yes?"


    Tang Nuan¡¯s gaze on her was quiet yet meaningful, like she needed tomunicate many things but couldn¡¯t do that via words. It was lost on Song Qingchun that this was a sign of Tang Nuan¡¯s deep inner struggles. Specifically, she was debating whether or not to tell Song Qingchun that someone was out for her life.


    If she didn¡¯t tell Song Qingchun, she might have a chance at survival, but if she did, then her fate was sealed...


    Song Qingchun was in hurry to get to Su Zhinian, so honestly, she was a bit annoyed at Tang Nuan¡¯s ambivalence.


    "Tang Nuan, you can tell me whatever you wish to tell me after this. I¡¯m in a hurry," Song Qingchun finally said before she turned around to press the elevator button.


    "Qingchun." After Song Qingchun stepped into the elevator, and the door was about to close, Tang Nuan called her one more time. She called her "Qingchun" and not "Song Qingchun"; it sounded like the Tang Nuan from the past was calling her name all of a sudden.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and she unconsciously raised her head up to look at Tang Nuan. Through the closing elevator door, Song Qingchun saw Tang Nuan smile and wink at her.


    The smile was at once familiar and strange; it reminded her of her best friend, Tang Nuan from high school, the girl whom she had shared muchughter and many secrets with.


    Time seemed to have run backwards, and she found her surroundings falling away to form a school yground that was washed with sunlight. She and Tang Nuan had simr school uniforms on. Just like how she remembered it, Tang Nuan was standing quite a distance away from her, greeting her by calling her "Qingchun" and then smiling that smile of hers, a smile that lit up her whole face with good cheer.


    Song Qingchun stared unblinkingly at Tang Nuan, and her eyes and lips couldn¡¯t help but be filled with a joy. Her lips curled upwards into a toothy grin.


    Tang Nuan saw Song Qingchun smile and responded in kind by smiling even bigger, and in turn, Song Qingchun did the same.


    The girls had known each other since they were sixteen, and now they were twenty-six. There was a full ten years and many incidents between them. As they smiled at each other sincerely and wordlessly, Song Qingchun could have sworn that there was a slightly glint that appeared around the corner of Tang Nuan¡¯s eyes. It caused her smile to freeze for a fraction of a second. Before she could confirm whether or not that was a tear, the elevator door closed.


    After Song Qingchun walked out of TW Station and stood by the roadside to hail a cab, she turned her head up to look at the floor of her office. However, she was unable to see anything due to the harsh reflection of the sunlight. Then she heard a car honking from behind her. She quickly turned, got into the taxi, and left.


    Song Qingchun really didn¡¯t anticipate that after this hasty escape of hers, the next time she saw Tang Nuan, it would be at a crime scene.


    Tang Nuan passed away in a horrific car ident. The coroner confirmed she died on the spot, one body but two lives. The scene of the ident was harrowing.

 Chapter 855 Her Hesitance 10

    After Song Qingchun Station TW, she headed straight for Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow. His ce was empty. The arrangement of the shoes at the front door looked identical to how she left them when she went out that morning. With one nce, Song Qingchun knew that Su Zhinian hadn¡¯t returned to his home.


    Like Tang Nuan told her, she did find a scheduling report from the hospital about a vasectomy in Su Zhinian¡¯s bedroom. It was ced under his diary. Song Qingchun grabbed the diary to flip through it and realized that there was a new entry she hadn¡¯t read before.


    It was written three days ago.


    "Little Sesame, I¡¯m sorry.


    "I love you, but I love your mother more.


    "After you go to heaven, you can hate me all you want, but please remember, your mother really did love you."


    Three simple sentences caused Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes to redden instantly. A thin piece of paper fluttered out of the pages of the diary. Song Qingchun bent over to pick it up and open it. It was a design for a gravestone. Song Qingchun could recognize the handwriting on the stone as Su Zhinian¡¯s.


    The design was well done, and unlike normal gravestone, it looked rather cute, with engraved balloons, teddy bears, and Mickey Mouse. The name on the stone was Little Sesame, and Song Qingchun understood instantly who the design was for.


    A single tear fell out of Song Qingchun¡¯s eye.


    Actually, Su Zhinian cares more deeply about our child than he shows, doesn¡¯t he? However, he has to maintain enough rationality despite his pain to help us make the best decision. In fact, he already nned to give up on the possibility of future children simply because he didn¡¯t want to put me through such torment again...


    There are many horrible men in the world who would make their women undergo abortions again and again simply for the sake of their sexual satisfaction, but what about Su Zhinian? He¡¯d rather undergo the surgery himself than let any harme to me ever again...


    Song Qingchun sucked in a deep breath as she sought out her phone from her purse. She opened her phone that she had left shut down for about twenty-four hours, and the moment she activated it, it rang continuously with alerts. Most of them came from Su Zhinian; there were missed calls and unread messages.


    Song Qingchun believed that when she ditched him and ran away, he must have been incredibly worried. Song Qingchun immediately called Su Zhinian back, but coincidentally, his phone was off.


    His phone battery probably died, so how am I going to reach him? I can stay here and wait, but what if he doesn¡¯te home until he locates me? Song Qingchun stood in his bedroom for quite some time before she suddenly grabbed her purse, ran downstairs, and hailed a cab to go to Ming Jing alley.


    ...


    Su Zhinian searched up and down for Song Qingchun for one whole day and night. It was not unlike how he upended Beijing to look for her six years ago when he identally slept with her in his drunken state.


    In spite of his superpower, if someone intended to hide themselves away from him, he realized that his superpower was not much of a help.


    The moon soon rose. Another side of Beijing city came alive, one replete with bright lights and nightlife. Su Zhinian, who hadn¡¯t rested his eyes for more than twenty-four hours, felt a throbbing pain behind his eyes. As his body weakened, his heart started to fill with despair from his failure to locate Song Qingchun.

 Chapter 856 A Hint That Cost Her Life 1

    Su Zhinian forced himself to power on. After who knew how manyps across the city, he slowed his car down to focus on locating Song Qingchun¡¯s voice. There was still no sign of her, and he was submerged in a sea of despair that hadn¡¯t left him since 30 hours ago. The long hours of unrest caused Su Zhinian¡¯s heart to go a bit haywire. He could see stars asionally before his eyes, and it caused his stomach to turn. The man in his condition had no choice but to park his car by the roadside and lean his head against the steering wheel to rest.


    His body and brain were equally tired. Su Zhinian closed his eyes, but the voices in his mind denied him the grace of sleep. Between her and the child, he had chosen her without hesitation, but would she give him up for the sake of the child?


    Su Zhinian¡¯s hands gripped the steering wheel tightly. A familiar sense of pain started to crawl out of his heart. But not too long ago, she just promised she would be by my side as long as we shall live...


    As this thought entered Su Zhinian¡¯s mind, his body froze like he had just remembered something. He raised his head in a hurry, and the next second, he stepped on the gas pedal and the car zipped through the traffic.


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t have much faith in his prediction, but he felt like there was something pulling him forward, urging him to go to that ce. The streets at midnight were empty, so Su Zhinian reached his destination in less than ten minutes. He mmed on the brakes, and the car screeched into a halt. Ignoring the fact that his car might have blocked all traffic, he jumped up from his seat and dashed across the street.


    When Su Zhinian reached the middle of the road, with cars going to and fro around him, he spotted a familiar shadow standing at the entrance to the alleyway.


    She seemed to have been there for quite some time already because she was leaning rather weakly against the wall. She would asionally look down the alley and took two steps down it before finally squatting down from fatigue.


    There were passers-by walking past her who tossed curious nce at her. She probably felt embarrassed because she raised her hands to shelter her face, pretending to wipe at the perspiration on her forehead. Perhaps she was truly exhausted; the girl who had been squatting for a while spotted a rock not far away before moving over to it and sitting on it without paying attention to the disgraceful image she was creating.


    Su Zhinian hadpletely forgotten he was standing in the middle of the road. The moment he saw Song Qingchun, his surroundings had fallen away to highlight her presence. The cars around him kept honking, and some had even rolled down their windows to curse at him.


    His ears were flooded with car honks and unsavoury curses, but he seemed to have lost his sense of hearing as he stood there staring at Song Qingchun.


    Song Qingchun seemed to sense something because she retracted her wandering gaze and slowly turned her head around to look at Su Zhinian blocking the traffic. She was visibly startled before she stood up from the rock.


    Her action was everything he needed to pull him back to reality. He immediately rushed through the crowded traffic to head toward her. He stopped when he was about two meters away from her. She stood under the dim street light quietly, her eyes that stared at him were watery and clear.


    After about half a minute, she pouted and grumbled like a little girl, "Su Zhinian, why were you sote? Do you know how long I¡¯ve been waiting for you already?"

 Chapter 857 A Hint That Cost Her Life 2

    A single sentence gave life back to Su Zhinian¡¯s heart. His body quivered, and before he could react, a sourness prickled the back of his eyes. He immediately lowered his eyes to hide the water in his eyes.


    Su Zhinian was facing away from the light, and his face was shrouded in shadows. Song Qingchun was unable to catch his expression. The only thing she could notice was how unkempt his clothes were. His shirt was rumpled, and his sleeves were unbuttoned. It added an air of weariness to his clean and cold presence.


    With his eyes lowered, Su Zhinian¡¯s calm exterior belied a raging storm within. They had just had their first fight yesterday. Song Qingchun had made the first move at reconciliation, but Su Zhinian didn¡¯t reply, which caused the already awkward atmosphere to tense even more.


    Song Qingchun stared at Su Zhinian with anticipation on her face before lowering her head, and her fingers started to scratch a little unnaturally at the back of her hands. Su Zhinian¡¯sck of reaction put Song Qingchun on the spot, and her small face began to blush with embarrassment.


    I¡¯ve already made the first move, so what does he want anymore by being so damn silent? I admit I lost control of my emotions yesterday, but it¡¯s because of our baby. In the end, haven¡¯t I returned? Is he that narrow-minded?


    Dissatisfaction curled up into Song Qingchun¡¯s heart. She bit on her lips, and when she noticed Su Zhinian still hadn¡¯t responded, her embarrassment turned into anger, and she turned around ready to leave.


    However, Su Zhinian was faster than she was. She just took the first step when he rushed to catch up to her.


    Song Qingchun, with her head lowered, had just seen a pair of slippers covered with dust when a shadow fell over her. She was about to raise her head to take a look at it when a powerful force grabbed her at her arm. She leaned forward from the imbnce and fell into a warm and familiar embrace.


    He hugged her tightly. Even though he still hadn¡¯t said anything, she could feel his body that was hugging her lightly trembling. Song Qingchun¡¯s heart gradually softened as she leaned obediently in Su Zhinian¡¯s chest, allowing him to hold her.


    The asional car honks, the sound of passing footsteps, and human activities all faded to the background as if the whole world only consisted of these two individuals holding each other.


    After a very long time, after Su Zhinian managed to get hold of his emotions, he leaned his head toward her ear and whispered, "Do you know afraid I was when I was out looking for you? Please don¡¯t do that to me again, okay?"


    His tone was as calm as usual, but Song Qingchun managed to discern a slight quivering in his voice like he was begging her. Song Qingchun¡¯s heart cracked with pain. Her eyshes trembled as she raised her hands to hug his waist and burrowed her head deeper into his chest, promising him with a soft "okay".


    Her reply caused an inexplicable emotion to surface in Su Zhinian¡¯s heart, and he hugged her closer. The two of them maintained this stance until Song Qingchun¡¯s stomach started rumbling. Su Zhinian then released her to ask, "Hungry? What are you in the mood for?"

 Chapter 858 A Hint That Cost Her Life 3

    Su Zhinian then grabbed Song Qingchun¡¯s hand and pulled her back to his car. As they walked, he asked, "Would you prefer Golden Corner or Beijing Hotel?"


    Su Zhinian only gave two names before he felt a tug on his arm. He stopped moving and turned around with surprise. The girl was pointing down a direction twenty-five degrees to the left of them, saying, "I want to have that."


    Su Zhinian followed Song Qingchun¡¯s finger and saw that she was referring to a barbeque shop. The ce was crowded, and it was open-air in the sense that all the tables were ced outdoors.


    He had given her the choice of so many high-ss restaurants, but she had chosen a roadside stalls. Su Zhinian paused for a moment before relenting. However, before they ventured to the stall, Su Zhinian returned to his car to park it nicely lest it continued to hold up the traffic.


    The stall was already full. Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian found an unupied low table and sat down. Song Qingchun hadn¡¯t had anything to eat since lunch, so she was famished. Along with Su Zhinian, they spent around 200 RMB at that stall.


    The car was parked more than 1,000 metres away, so after they had their fill, they walked back toward it while holding hands like they were on a walk. Song Qingchun, after dinner, was reenergized and started chatting with Su Zhinian. There was a lull in their conversation when Su Zhinian asked, "Why would youe here to wait?"


    "I did call you, but your phone was off. I was sure you were still out there looking for me, but I had no clue where you could be, so I came here." Song Qingchun, after she finished exining, added, "I believed, you¡¯d eventuallye here because you once told me, over the years, you¡¯ve beening here waiting for me to appear."


    Indeed, he had spent many hours throughout the years standing dumbly at Ming Jing Alley waiting for her, and today, his patience finally paid off.


    An indescribable softness appeared out of the left side of Su Zhinian¡¯s chest. He suddenly stopped moving and turned toward Song Qingchun. He stared at her for a long time and nodded slightly before leaning in to say softly and earnestly, "And finally you have appeared."


    Finally, you¡¯ve appeared at the ce that we met. It has been eighteen years, from our younger years to after we¡¯ve both built a life for ourselves, finally you¡¯ve arrived at the ce where we first met, where I¡¯ve been waiting for you...


    Song Qingchun¡¯s face that looked back at Su Zhinian couldn¡¯t help but be brightened up by a smile. At that moment, a car happened to pass, and its lights cast a glow on Su Zhinian¡¯s face. She managed to catch a clearer glimpse of the circles under his eyes, the stubble around his jaw, his cracked lips, and the obvious signs of exhaustion on his face.


    He hasn¡¯t rested since I jumped out of his car?


    Song Qingchun felt a heartache tearing at her heart. She thought about it and said, "Su Zhinian, can you promise me something?"


    "Sure," Su Zhinian answered without hearing the promise. He grabbed her hand again as they walked slowly alongside the road. Then he asked, "What promise is it?"


    Shouldn¡¯t you have asked that before you said yes? Even though Song Qingchun mocked him internally, her heart was warm. She ran forward to surpass Su Zhinian and turned around to walk backwards. She looked up into his face and said, "If we have another argument like the one from yesterday in the future and I run off again, please don¡¯t be so worried about me."

 Chapter 859 A Hint That Cost Her Life 4

    "After I feel much better, I¡¯lle back to Ming Jing Alley to wait for you so that you cane and find me here¡ªthis way you won¡¯t need to search high and low all over the city anymore..." Song Qingchun tilted her head to the side in a show of contemtion before adding, "I won¡¯t be angry for long, at most 48 hours..."


    "Hmm..."


    48 hours might still be a bit too long


    Song Qingchun puffed up her cheeks and corrected herself, "...24 hours, at most 24 hours. No matter how unhappy I might be, I¡¯ll definitely return here in less than 24 hours; that way you can juste here to find me!"


    Song Qingchun felt like she was such a genius foring up with such an idea. She smiled as she turned her head to ask, "What do you think? Isn¡¯t this the perfect proposal?"


    "It is not bad..." After a while, Su Zhinian repeated what he said earlier. "But, I¡¯d prefer you not to disappear like that. If you¡¯re really that mad, you can tell me to leave. After you¡¯re not feeling that angry anymore, you can tell me, and I¡¯ll return..."


    As Su Zhinian continued, he raised his hands to pull on Song Qingchun¡¯s shoulders to prevent the crowd from knocking in her. "...Because I can¡¯t stop myself from getting worried about you... Worried about your safety, worried about whether you have taken good care of yourself, worried about whether you eat on time, worried there wasn¡¯t anyone there to snuggle you into bed at night, worried that you¡¯ll never return after you leave, but I¡¯m different. Even if you chase me away, I will definitely return..."


    Because all these years I¡¯ve been by your side, just one step away. Because you¡¯re my home, where my heart belongs. It has been this way, is this way, and will continue to be this way.


    Song Qingchun was deeply touched and a blissful feeling swallowed her heart. She smiled brightly at Su Zhinian before turning back around to walk beside him.


    She believed, this was the prettiest moment of her life. Holding hands with him as if they were walking toward their future together. Submerged in this wonderful feeling, Song Qingchun reported to Su Zhinian what had happened to her when she disappeared.


    "Su Zhinian, I actually stayed at thepany for the whole night."


    "Hmm."


    "Su Zhinian, actually I did return to your house to look for you this early afternoon."


    "Hmm."


    "Su Zhinian, I saw the thing you left on your bedside table."


    "...Oh."


    Su Zhinian was a reticent man, so it appeared like Song Qingchun had many things to get off her chest. Before this, Song Qingchun didn¡¯t think she was such a chatterbox, but now, even she felt like her mouth just wouldn¡¯t close.


    Then again, since he has nothing to say and I have plenty to say, this means that we are perfect for each other. In a way, weplete each other, yes?


    Song Qingchun was tickled by this fanciful notion that appeared in her mind. After a moment¡¯s silence, she added, "Little Sesame will love that gravestone you designed."


    "..." Su Zhinian¡¯s footsteps slowed imperceptibly.


    She just said, Little Sesame will love that gravestone, this means that...


    Su Zhinian whipped his head around to look at Song Qingchun.


    Song Qingchun pretended to not have noticed that. With her eyes looking forwards, there was mist starting to cover her eyes. She curved her lips upwards, and with sincerity and rity,she said, "Su Zhinian, let¡¯s go to Shanghai next Wednesday."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s lips stretched thinly, but he didn¡¯t say a word in reply.


    Song Qingchun lowered her gaze. "Su Zhinian, I¡¯ll listen to you and take away Little Sesame."

 Chapter 860 A Hint That Cost Her Life 5

    If the child is uniquely blessed, he¡¯ll definitely suffer after I give birth to him. In that case, I cannot hurt the child while, at the same time, hurting you who loves me thusly. I¡¯m sad to give up on this child, but the reason I¡¯m sad is because, other than the loss of motherhood... the bigger reason is because this child is your present to me. It is because the child is yours that I have to protect them with such desperation.


    Su Zhinian, who held her hand, could read the many thoughts that crossed her mind.


    What was the most hauntingly beautiful thing in the world?


    For your sake, I¡¯m willing to give up our child, and simrly, for me, you¡¯re willing to do the same.


    This girl, eighteen years ago, had managed to bring light into his darkened life with a simple statement¡ª"Big Brother says you¡¯re a bad man, so you have to be a bad man." Eighteen yearster, she still managed to brighten his whole world with a simple, perhaps even unintentional, gesture.


    He believed, there was only one woman in this world who could make his world so dark with despair and instantly brighten with hope so easily. So how could he not love and protect such a precious woman?


    Su Zhinian pulled his elbow back to pull Song Qingchun closer to his face. He lowered his head to kiss Song Qingchun lightly on her lips. Song Qingchun¡¯s body trembled as his tongue sought entry through her lips.


    The night of the first spring was cold, but the kiss was hot. The couple tussled in each other¡¯s embrace as the cold winds of the night caressed their fiery bodies.


    After a long kiss, Su Zhinian finally relinquished her unwillingly. With both of their breathsing hard and uneasy, he used his fingers to gingerly wipe the tears from the corner of her eyes. "I¡¯m sorry, Tingting. I promise I¡¯ll never cause such pain in your life anymore."


    "I know..." Song Qingchun understood, that was not an empty promise; he did schedule a vasectomy operation to follow up on his words. She forced her lips to smile and continued softly, "...But Su Zhinian, I¡¯ll do the surgery, so you don¡¯t need to do it. If you also do the surgery, who is going to take care of me after my surgery? So, you cannot do it; you have to take care of me... Also, I¡¯m warning you, don¡¯t expect me to take care of you... Don¡¯t create unnecessary trouble for me... Between the two of us, I¡¯ll allow you to take care of me, but don¡¯t expect the same treatment in return!"


    She was so worried about his health that she would make such a ridiculous demand. Her alternative way of stopping him caused Su Zhinian¡¯s chest to fill up with warmth, but beneath all that, there was a sharp pain that pierced his heart.


    He couldn¡¯t stop himself to holding her and kissing her again, to use his action to prove to her his love and his apology.


    He wanted to hold her forever, kiss her until they were both old. However, he still eventually let go of Song Qingchun. Holding the blushing girl¡¯s hand, they walked toward the car that was parked not far away. When they almost reached it, Su Zhinian still offered, "Tingting, if you want to cry, do cry it out, don¡¯t hold it in."


    Song Qingchun was confused before she understood that he was referring to the abortion. He didn¡¯t want her to hold in her sadness.


    Indeed, she was devastated, how could she not be? However, this man had already sacrificed so much for Little Sesame, she didn¡¯t want to worry him anymore.

 Chapter 861 A Hint That Cost Her Life 6

    "Yes, I¡¯m sad." Song Qingchun pursed her lips to make a saddened expression, but the next second, she pouted girlishly at Su Zhinian. "But I know Little Sesame will understand. After they are in heaven, they will know we¡¯re doing this only for their sake.


    "Honestly, I was incredibly sad yesterday, but now that I think about it, it¡¯s not so bad to not have the burden of childbearing. Honestly, I don¡¯t think I¡¯m prepared to be a mother yet; I can¡¯t believe I thought I was ready to wee a new life to this world. Therefore, taking away Little Sesame might not be an entirely bad thing, right? Su Zhinian?"


    The more she rationalized the sharper the pain and guilt in Su Zhinian¡¯s heart. He didn¡¯t answer her question because he didn¡¯t want to expose her forced levity. Also it was an impossible question to answer, either yes or no was the wrong answer. Even if he consoled her, it would only make her feel worse. Therefore, all he did was squeeze the hand he was holding and made a silent promise to himself to not cause her anymore pain as long as he was alive.


    His silence turned into worry in her eyes. Even though her heart was cut into ces due to the imminent abortion, his deep concern and love provided Song Qingchun with much needed assuagement. She really didn¡¯t want him to continue in this slump. Plus, he hadn¡¯t had a good rest from his long search for her.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s dark pupils turned as she tried to figure out a way to console Su Zhinian. When they reached the door, Song Qingchun stopped moving. Su Zhinian also stopped with confusion, retracting the hand that was reaching for the door to open it for her. He was about to turn to look at her when she suddenly stood on her tip-toes to reach toward his ear.


    The street was noisy with people, so with a lowered voice, people wouldn¡¯t have been able to hear her, but she was practically speaking in a voice that was audible only to mosquitoes. "Also, if you think about it, without the baby, we can finally..."


    Song Qingchun allowed her sentence to linger and hum meaningfully as she winked conspiratorially at Su Zhinian. She didn¡¯t finish the rest of her sentence in her mind, so Su Zhinian was rather lost at what was she insinuating. His expression was one of confusion.


    Song Qingchun winked one more time at Su Zhinian, and hisck of reaction made her doubt herself. Is he really that obtuse?


    Song Qingchun had no choice but to continue to whisper into his ear. "You know... that thing, that thing..."


    The confusion in Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes only deepened. That thing? What thing?


    Is he ying a prank on me or not? Song Qingchun in her agitation raised her voice to exim, "We can have sex, that thing that made me pregnant in the first ce..."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s voice caught the attention of the people near them. The women smiled to themselves while the males tossed Su Zhinian the ¡¯look¡¯, a secret code between men.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s face burned up instantly. What she wouldn¡¯t give to turn back time or find a hole to crawl into at that moment.


    Her intention was pure¡ªshe just wanted to cheer Su Zhinian up¡ªso why did God punish her for it?

 Chapter 862 A Hint That Cost Her Life 7

    It made it sound like I¡¯m desperately trying to seduce him... Furthermore, if he didn¡¯t get it earlier, then I should have let it be, why shouldy it out in the open for him? This is all his fault... Oh God, I feel so dumb! Song Qingchun, who was fatally embarrassed, swung Su Zhinian¡¯s hand off to rush to the car and pull the back door open.


    She was about to escape into the car when she was pulled back out by Su Zhinian. He hugged her from behind and used his face to nuzzle into the crook of her neck, blowing hot and wet breaths on her ear. His voice when he spoke was dripping with touching gentleness and an irresistible attraction. "Tingting, are you trying to seduce me?"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart skipped a beat, and her face burned even redder. She bit on her lower lip and lowered her head out of shyness.


    "But, it¡¯s okay because I like it when you take the initiative..."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s head lowered even more, and her face burned brighter. She couldn¡¯t help but mock him internally. Like your head, what initiative!


    Su Zhinian read her thought and pulled her closer. He was about to whisper a few more arousing words into her ears when the phone in her pocket suddenly rang. Su Zhinian had no choice but to shut his lips and release Song Qingchun.


    With her head still lowered, Song Qingchun pulled out her phone from the pocket. She nced at the number, and it was an unknown number not registered on her phone. She hesitated before answering. An unfamiliar male voice came through, "Hello, is this Mrs. Song Qingchun?"


    I don¡¯t think I recognize this voice... Song Qingchun turned unconsciously to look at Su Zhinian before asking, "Yes, she¡¯s speaking but you are..?"


    "I¡¯m from the public safety department."


    Public safety department? What does he want with me? Song Qingchun nced once more toward Su Zhinian. Su Zhinian could hear the conversation and frowned. They shared a look before Song Qingchun continued cautiously on the phone, "I¡¯m sorry, but how can I help you?"


    "Do you know Miss Tang Nuan?"


    Song Qingchun nced at Su Zhinian again before continuing, "Yes."


    "She¡¯s dead." The officer on the phone was so direct that Song Qingchun had a hard time registering the meaning of his words.


    The officer on the phone continued officially, "About twenty minutes ago, there was a car ident at Kui Nan Road, and Miss Tang Nuan died on the scene. After our investigation, we found out she has a great amount of drugs in her system even though she was pregnant. However, based on our investigation, Miss Tang Nuan wasn¡¯t a drug user, so we suspect this is not an ident but a homicide. We recovered the victim¡¯s phone, and thest message on it was a Whatsapp message to you; that is why we¡¯re contacting you. Do you minding to the scene right now? We need your cooperation for this investigation."


    The phone slipped from Song Qingchun¡¯s fingers andnded heavily on the floor. The phone wasn¡¯t broken because the police officer on the other end was still talking


    Even the usually calm Su Zhinian was caught by surprise. He was startled for a moment before bending down to pick up her phone to tell the officer, "okay" in a low voice.

 Chapter 863 A Hint That Cost Her Life 8

    Along the way to the scene of the crime, Song Qingchun checked her phone, and as the officer said, there was a recorded message from Tang Nuan in her Whatsapp inbox. She clicked it open, and Tang Nuan¡¯s broken upst words came through. "There... is... recorder... purse..."


    ...


    When they arrived at the scene, Tang Nuan was already covered under the while sheet. This was the third time Song Qingchun had faced the death of a familiar figure in her. The, first was her mother, second was Song Cheng, and now it was Tang Nuan.


    Even though there had been plenty of bad blood between her and Tang Nuan, when she walked toward the carrier with shaking legs and unveiled the white cloth to reveal Tang Nuan¡¯s starkly pale face that was wiped clean, the anger and resentment she once felt toward the other woman melted like snow at the first sign of sun. In their ce was an inexplicable heartache and sadness.


    When their rivalry was at its height, Song Qingchun did wish the worst upon Tang Nuan, but now when it seemed like they were finally going to bridge that rivalry, she passed away.


    Just this morning, she came into her office with an offering of breakfast. They chatted merrily, and Tang Nuan even thanked her with sincerity. But now she was lying there soullessly, fallen into her eternal slumber.


    Before Song Qingchun left thepany, they even shared a meaningful smile, a smile that seemed to wash away the misunderstandings and arguments that had built up between them over the years.


    At the time, she had even thought, Maybe I don¡¯t hate Tang Nuan as much as I thought I do.


    In a way, hating a person for ten years meant that said person had a ce in your heart, didn¡¯t it? Song Qingchun even nned after having the conversation with Su Zhinian. She would have called Tang Nuan to ask her what she was going to say to her that afternoon when she stopped her at the elevator. She had many ns including a n of reconciliation, but before that could happen, Tang Nuan died.


    How can Tang Nuan just die like that? Song Qingchun looked at Tang Nuan with her eyes closed and startlingly pale lips, and her tears fell.


    There were still police officers at the scene, taking pictures to record the crime scene. Tang Nuan¡¯s car was an unrecognizable wreck, and the front of the car was still billowing with white smoke.


    The driver¡¯s seat was filled with blood, and some had already dried and hardened. The whole crime scene was filled with the stale, nauseating smell of blood. Some came from the mother, some from the child...


    Song Qingchun felt her throat closing. Just a few days ago, she had saved her from Mrs. Huang¡¯s assault. Everything was still fresh in her mind, so how could everything change so fast and so soon?


    One of the officers kept talking on the phone. It should have been the officer who called Song Qingchun earlier. After hanging up, he walked to a middle-aged officer, who was probably the leading investigator, and the younger officer reported, "The call just now confirmed the victim is someone¡¯s mistress. There was a witness who saw she was assaulted by the wife a few days ago on the street. Boss, do you think it could be possible that the victim used a drug to escape the pressure from being found out and this is ultimately just an ident?"


    After a pause, he added, "Or perhaps, this is a suicide attempt and the hallucinogens was a means to summon her courage?"


    "Impossible!" Song Qingchun, who had been quiet since she arrived at the scene, suddenly stood up from the ground and rejected those spections firmly. "Impossible, Tang Nuan would nevermit suicide."


    For the sake of her child, she had even begged Song Qingchun to help her. Even when she was physically assaulted, she did everything she could to protect her child.

 Chapter 864 A Hint That Cost Her Life 9

    Therefore a mother like that would never willingly harm her child...


    "If this is not a suicide, then it¡¯s a homicide? But what is the motive?" the inspector asked.


    "ording to the information gathered, the victim doesn¡¯t have any huge grudges with anybody," the officer who contacted Song Qingchun earlier said.


    "If we follow thisdy¡¯s spection and assume this is a homicide, then those drugs must have been forced into the victim¡¯s system." The officer who had been busy snapping pictures joined in the conversation.


    The inspector ordered, "Have the experte to look at the victim¡¯s car to check whether it has been tempered with or not."


    One of the officers answered, "The call has been made. The car will be towed soon for the expert to examine."


    The officer who contacted Song Qingchun asked her for a confirmation. "Are you sure the victim will notmit suicide?"


    "I¡¯m sure," Song Qingchun answered without hesitation. She was about to provide more guarantees when something on Tang Nuan¡¯s wrist captured her attention. The first to notice this ck in Song Qingchun¡¯s attention was Su Zhinian.


    With a frown, he followed her gaze, but he didn¡¯t spot anything out of ce, so he asked, "What¡¯s wrong?"


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t answer but turned around to walk to Tang Nuan¡¯s body again. She squatted down slowly to hold Tang Nuan¡¯s wrist to examine it closer. Tang Nuan¡¯s body still had some warmth, a warmth that would make one¡¯s heart chill. Song Qingchun¡¯s fingers trembled before her eyes zeroed in on the bangle she was wearing.


    Su Zhinian stood where he was for a while before he followed her and squatted down beside her. He stared at the bangle alongside Song Qingchun before asking again, "What¡¯s wrong?"


    Song Qingchun shook her head, but her eyes never left the bangle. After several seconds, she said, "I too can¡¯t tell what¡¯s wrong, but this bangle stood out for me for some reason like I¡¯ve seen it somewhere before... and quite often too... Definitely not on Tang Nuan, but I can¡¯t remember on who..."


    Su Zhinian frowned as he moved his gaze to fall on the bangle on Tang Nuan¡¯s wrist again. He stared it for a long time, but other than its impressive rity, there was nothing worth noting about it.


    The inspector saw how Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian were squatting there, whispering among themselves, so he came over to ask, "Did you guys find a clue?"


    Su Zhinian shook his head. "No."


    He nced at Song Qingchun, who was still studying the bangle. He thought about it before asking the inspector, "Do you mind if I take a picture?"


    The inspector allowed it. "Go ahead."


    Su Zhinian pulled out a phone from Song Qingchun¡¯s purse and took several pictures of Tang Nuan¡¯s bangle.


    ...


    Earlier that afternoon when Song Qingchun left TW Station...


    The moment the elevator closed, Tang Nuan¡¯s tears started to fall like the pearls of a broken ne.


    The smile that she gave Song Qingchun disappeared instantly as she copsed to the floor as if all her energy had left her. She held her face in her hands as she started to cry.

 Chapter 865 A Hint That Cost Her Life 10

    Tang Nuan had never tasted regret in her life before, but in that moment, she definitely felt the sting of it.


    She regretted projecting her rage on Song Qingchun due to that p from Su Zhinian during high school.


    She regretted making Song Qingchun go through the same pain that she felt, to steal Qin Yinan away from her.


    She regretted spreading the news about Song Qingchun sleeping with Su Zhinian that she received from that woman.


    She regretted dangling Qin Yinan¡¯s kindness toward her before Song Qingchun during her university years to hurt Song Qingchun.


    She regretted doing so many immoral things just to prove herself better than Song Qingchun.


    She regretted not appreciating Qin Yinan when he held her in his palms.


    She regretted so many things... but most of all, that very first mistake that led her on the path to where she was now.


    These past few months, she had been reminded of how nice Qin Yinan had treated her. She couldn¡¯t understand why the man kept appearing in her mind when she was certain she had never liked him. He was merely her tool, but when she forgave herself and forgave Song Qingchun, the truth that was blinded by her hatred started to peer through the dark clouds. She thought she love Su Zhinian the most, but perhaps without her realizing it, she had fallen in love with the gentle soul, Qin Yinan.


    To anger Song Qingchun, she kept reminding her that she didn¡¯t like Qin Yinan, that she was merely using him. Perhaps she had even convinced herself of that without realizing it. Her blind hatred had closed her eyes to the good that was before her.


    When Qin Yinan sacrificed himself to save Song Qingchun again and again, she was unhappy, but she thought that was because she was losing to Song Qingchun. Now she realized, she was being jealous.


    Her heart wanted him, but her brain kept telling her otherwise.


    When he suggested the break-up, she had been sad, but she had quickly turned that sadness into hatred toward Song Qingchun. When she knew he was going to marry Song Qingchun, she had panicked before rushing to his ce. She had surrendered her pride and begged him to take her back.


    s, it was toote... If only, she could have seen the light sooner.


    If only she had known earlier, she wouldn¡¯t have done all those illegal things and had the woman lord them over her; if only she had known earlier, she wouldn¡¯t have tangled herself with CEO Huang, and she wouldn¡¯t have broken up with Qin Yinan; if only she had known earlier, she probably would have stayed friends with Song Qingchun and perhaps even gained a friend in Su Zhinian through Song Qingchun; if she had known earlier, she would have introduced herself as Tang Nuan to Qin Yinan and not the Tang Nuan that she manufactured to trick him.


    s, there was no redoing in life. It was already toote.


    Tang Nuan didn¡¯t know how long she had cried, but when she stood up from the floor, the sun was already setting. She stepped into the bathroom to wash her face. When she came out, she received a call from that woman.


    It was an invitation to meet that night.


    What shoulde woulde. Even if she didn¡¯t contact Tang Nuan, Tang Nuan would have contacted her. For the sake of her child, she had to fight for any chance she got.


    However, Tang Nuan had underestimated the heartlessness of that woman.

 Chapter 866 A Hint That Cost Her Life 11

    It was still quite early before the schedule meeting time, so after leaving Station TW, Tang Nuan drove toward A High.


    Ever since high school graduation, Tang Nuan hadn¡¯t returned to school. Even though it had been seven years, when she walked on that street in front of her school gate, Tang Nuan felt like she was walking back in time. Tang Nuan parked her car by the gate, locked it, and walked into the school grounds.


    The school had been given a face-lift; it looked newer and cleaner than when she was a student there. Since it was a weekend, the school was practically vacated other than the group of boys ying basketball on the field. The general structure of the school hadn¡¯t changed. There was a fountain greeting her when she walked through the gate, on her left side was the field, on her right side was a very small garden, and the building in front of her was filled with ssrooms.


    Tang Nuan didn¡¯t walk into the ssrooms but raised her head to look at the third floor. Through the clear window, she felt like she could see her young self and Song Qingchun wearing the same school uniform wiping the windows with cloths.


    She was not one to live in memories, and she thought she had already forgotten many things, but standing there, she realized that she remembered many things with greater rity than she thought.


    "Tang Nuan, my dearest Tang Nuan, can you please show me yournguage homework, pretty please..."


    "Tang Nuan, I just bought the newest magazine, do you want to borrow it?"


    "Wow, Tang Nuan, is this my birthday present? I love it..."


    Tang Nuan raised her hand to wipe away the mist at the corner of her eyes. She walked around the ssrooms to head toward therger field at the back school. The memories of the ce all surged back at her.


    During Sports Day, for the hundred meter sprint event, she remembered the loudest voice from the crowd was Song Qingchun cheering her on. "Go Tang Nuan! Go Tang Nuan!"


    After self-study, they would have dinner at the canteen and the field would be filled withughter between her and Song Qingchun. "Tang Nuan, look, your breast grew bigger again."


    During physical education ss, she would hide under the tree with Song Qingchun, sharing girly secrets, "Tang Nuan, I¡¯m telling you this in confidence. Yesterday, I received another note from Brother Yinan."


    As Tang Nuan walked away from the field, tears continued to fall from her eyes. When she passed theke, she could see her younger self being osted by a boy one year senior from her, asking her to go the inte caf¨¦ with him. She refused, but he didn¡¯t leave her be. Just as she fretted with anxiety, Song Qingchun suddenly burst into the scene to pull on her arm. She pulled her along, knocking the boy out of the way, warning him, "Tang Nuan already said she¡¯s not interested in you, don¡¯t you understand English? If you dare hassle her anymore, I tell my brother about it!"


    One Christmas before the library building, Song Qingchun in a red dress held two pom-poms in her hands, teaching her how to dance. "Perfect, that¡¯s perfect. Tang Nuan, you¡¯re a natural dancer!"


    The canteen on Thursday would be filled with students. Song Qingchun squeezed her way to the forefront, but she only managed to grab one chicken leg. With a pout on her face, she told her, "What should we do? There¡¯s only one... So be it, Tang Nuan, here. It¡¯s that time of the month for you, so you need the extra nutrients."


    Inside the small garden behind the ssrooms, she was crying like a child. Song Qingchun ran over in a hurry and squatted down to sh several bank notes before her. "Tang Nuan, don¡¯t cry. It¡¯s just a wallet, right? What is there to cry about? We can share my allowance! Don¡¯t cry."

 Chapter 867 A Hint That Cost Her Life 12

    Tang Nuan found herself crying at the same spot she once did several years ago. However, this time, no matter how distraught she was, there was no worried Song Qingchun who rush over to console her.


    Once upon a time, she had such a precious friendship, but she had ruined it with her own two hands. She really did know her mistake then, and she wanted a do-over, but was that possible?


    That afternoon, when Song Qingchun hurried to leave Station TW, she had hesitated about telling her who had killed her mother, brother, and was nning to kill her, but now, Tang Nuan¡¯s hesitation fell away.


    She had to tell Song Qingchun the truth. She wasn¡¯t doing this to save her child or herself, but she wanted to do something for her once friend, a way to bookend or reignite the cherished memories they once shared. Tang Nuan felt like she owed Song Qingchun at least that much.


    However, this was a world that operated on proof. Without any, she didn¡¯t think she could convince Song Qingchun of that woman¡¯s evil nature. Therefore, she needed time to collect some proof.


    Tang Nuan knew the repercussion of her actions, the loss of her career, her reputation, and her image.


    On the way to meeting that woman, she asked herself, Are you afraid?


    Of course, she was afraid, very afraid in fact, but this was a decision that she had made.


    Tang Nuan took a detour to the mall to pick up a wonderful present, and when the salesgirl was wrapping it up, she asked her for a red packet. After leaving the shop, she withdrew some cash to put inside the packet. After sealing it, she put the present alongside the money inside her bag.


    Tomorrow was Qin Yinan¡¯s wedding...


    Before this, it had never crossed her mind to wish that man happiness. If anything, she had cursed that man multiple times, but now, she sincerely wished for his happiness, and she prayed that he would have a wonderful life together with his bride-to-be. Her gifts carried all of her blessings to this man who she had missed her chance with.


    Back in her car, as she drove toward the scheduled meeting location, Tang Nuan called to arrange for her departure from this country. The person on the phone asked when would she like to depart, and she answered, "As soon as possible."


    Tang Nuan understood she was not going to return after she left.


    She hung up the phone when she arrived at her destination. She parked her car slowly and pulled out her trusty recorder that she had been using as a reporter for the past two years and hit the record button.


    She sat in the car for several seconds to contemte everything. After taking a deep breath, she pushed the door open, descended from the car, and slowly headed toward the single bungalow that sat before her.


    The ce was as isted and as eerie as she remembered it.


    The patio of the bungalow was off, and the only source of light was thentern that hung on the porch. Tang Nuan borrowed the dim light as she navigated the pebble road toward the front door.


    Tang Nuan was about to raise her hand to press the bell when she heard through the window that was slightly ajar the woman¡¯s voice.


    "Tang Nuan will being to meet me tonight. Our meeting is scheduled at 10 pm. It is 9:20 pm now. I suppose she¡¯ll be here soon."


    Tang Nuan¡¯s brows furrowed, and she put her hand down. She leaned closer to the open window so that she could hear clearer what was being said.

 Chapter 868 A Hint That Cost Her Life 13

    "No, it¡¯s still not yet time to abandon her as a valuable chess piece yet. I want to use her hands to kill Song Qingchun. As you know, unless truly necessary, I do not wish toe after Song Qingchun personally because that Su Zhinian is too hard to deal with. Brother Kun¡¯s gang tried to harm her many times, but they were all stopped by Su Zhinian. If not for the fact we were smart enough to ram our car into Brother Kun¡¯s car when he was escaping from the cops, causing him serious injury and dying on the way to the hospital, we would have been exposed already."


    Brother Kun? Tang Nuan frowned. When she was pitting herself against Song Qingchun, she had unwittingly found out many things about her like the Brother Kun mentioned by this woman. Brother Kun was the person who kidnapped Song Qingchun and pushed her from an eighty-meter-tall building.


    At the time, after the incident was exposed, Brother Kun, in his attempt to escape, got involved in a car ident. Everyone assumed that Brother Kun became too careless in his hurry to escape, but it looked like it wasn¡¯t an ident all along.


    "I¡¯ve discovered that Tang Nuan¡¯s hatred for Song Qingchun is not that deep anymore¡ªshe has started to show signs of hesitation. We need to figure out a way to incite her hatred toward Song Qingchun... Su Zhinian... The one person Su Zhinian cares about is Song Qingchun, and Tang Nuan adores Su Zhinian, so I think we can do this..." The woman inside hummed in contemtion before continuing. "...Tomorrow will be Qin Yinan¡¯s wedding. Tang Nuan will definitely be there. You go nt someone there to let slip the information that the person who revealed her identity to Mrs. Huang was Su Zhinian and the reason he did that was because of Song Qingchun...


    "ording to Tang Nuan¡¯s personality, she will hate Song Qingchun deeply when she receives this news. After all, her emotional state will be incredibly fragile on that day..."


    Tang Nuan had no clue who was on the other side of the phone, but the woman chuckled lowly to herself with her lips curved and confirmed, "...Indeed, the reason I revealed the affair between Tang Nuan and CEO Huang to Mrs. Huang was to egg her on. The girl has gone softtely, and she is of no use to us unless we make her hate Song Qingchun..."


    Tang Nuan¡¯s eyes widened to their maximum. So it was this woman who told Mrs. Huang about me and CEO Huang... No wonder I never knew about CEO Huang¡¯s marriage and why Mrs. Huang suddenly appeared even though my affair with him has gone on for so long already... It¡¯s all a set-up! At the end of the day, I¡¯m merely a chess piece, a scapegoat for this woman to use... Truly, how foolish I¡¯ve been!


    If I didn¡¯t run into her phone call identally, would I really have been taken advantage of like the gullible woman that I am at Yinan¡¯s wedding tomorrow? Would I have been tricked into killing Song Qingchun?


    Tang Nuan¡¯s chest rose and fell unevenly. She tried her best to suppress the fury in her heart as she took a cautious step back from the window to try to slink away from the bungalow before the woman inside the house even noticed her.


    s, she merely took two steps when the woman hung up her phone and stopped talking.

 Chapter 869 A Hint That Cost Her Life 14

    The bungalow became eerily quiet. Tang Nuan¡¯s heart squeezed with fear. Like a thief, she became even more cautious in her movement. When she reached the steps of the porch, her phone in her bag suddenly rang, and it sounded particrly loud in the quiet surroundings.


    Tang Nuan pulled her phone out in a hurry. When she switched it to silent mode, the woman¡¯s voice drifted out from within the house. "Who is it?"


    Tang Nuan was so spooked that her breath caught in her throat. She didn¡¯t dare to reply as she rushed toward the outside gate. As she was running away from the house, all the lights came on in unison as the electronic gate slowly closed.


    Tang Nuan looked around anxiously. Before waiting for the front door behind her to open, she turned rapidly around and took calm steps toward the front door. Since the woman inside the house had noticed her presence, if she persisted in running toward the gate, it would only tip the woman off to the fact that she had eavesdropped on her conversation. Therefore, the best solution was to pretend like nothing had happened and she had just arrived


    Tang Nuan tried to calm herself down as she walked toward the house. When she reached the steps that she had zipped down earlier, the door was pushed open from within to reveal the woman¡¯s carefully made-up face.


    Before the woman said anything, Tang Nuan smiled at her and opened her lips to greet her in a tone that was as normal as possible. "Good evening."


    The woman stood at the door with one hand on the wall, staring at her face for a long time as if trying to figure out something. Tang Nuan tried to make her face seem as unaffected as possible. About half a minuteter, the woman said gently, "Good evening."


    Tang Nuan smiled once more. The woman responded in kind as she took a step back to wee Tang Nuan into the house. "Come in."


    Afraid that the woman might catch her weakness, Tang Nuan walked up the steps and into the house without hesitation. The woman dropped her a pair of slippers before walking into the kitchen. Two minutester, she came out with two sses of hot water. When she noticed that Tang Nuan was still standing at the front door, she pointed at the sofa and smiled lightly like a ripple across the surface of water. "Come, take a seat."


    "Thank you." Tang Nuan paused for a few seconds before taking the seat. The woman ced one of the sses before Tang Nuan. She invited Tang Nuan to take a sip before pointing at the bathroom door. She then stood up and walked into it.


    The woman stayed in the bathroom for a long time before she came out. She walked to the sofa and nced at the ss of water that had turned cold before Tang Nuan, then she asked, "Would you prefer another ss of water? Was it too hot?"


    Tang Nuan curved her lips and shook her head. "It¡¯s okay, I¡¯m not thirsty."


    The woman smiled as if she believed her. She didn¡¯t say anything as she sat down gracefully before Tang Nuan.


    The room was quiet for about ten minutes before Tang Nuan said, "You called me here because of Song Qingchun?"


    After a pause, Tang Nuan added, "Don¡¯t worry, I guarantee you¡¯ll hear the good news by tomorrow night."


    "That would be perfect." The woman picked up the ss before her to take a reserved sip before putting the ss down and smiling at Tang Nuan again. She seemed pretty satisfied with Tang Nuan¡¯s promise because her eyes were glowing gently and kindly.

 Chapter 870 A Hint That Cost Her Life 15

    She leaned gracefully on the sofa as she toyed with the bangle on her wrist. She pulled it off and put it on repeatedly, an amusing game for the woman. After a long silence, when Tang Nuan was about to speak, the woman¡¯s phone suddenly rang. The music of the phone was rather incongruous in the quiet room.


    It caused Tang Nuan to shiver in her seat. The woman pulled out her phone. After ncing at the caller ID, she ced the bangle she had just removed on the coffee table before walking into the room across from the living room to answer the call.


    Since the door was closed, Tang Nuan had no clue what the woman was talking about on the phone. She waited for about ten minutes, when the closed door was opened, and the woman sauntered out slowly.


    Tang Nuan turned her head to nce at the clock on the wall. Shemented, "It¡¯s 11 pm already..."


    The woman followed her observation and took a look at the clock as well. Tang Nuan lowered her gaze and said, "It¡¯s gettingte. I shall be taking my leave then."


    The woman stopped beside the sofa where Tang Nuan was before and nodded softly. "Okay, it is gettingte. Be careful on your way home."


    Tang Nuan nodded politely as she grabbed her bag. She tried to maintain her bnce as she stood up. She turned around and told the woman, "Good night."


    "Good night." The woman answered peacefully as she stood back to make way for Tang Nuan. Tang Nuan didn¡¯t say anything. Carrying her bag, she walked at a fast pace toward the front door.


    When she passed the woman, the woman suddenly called her name. "Tang Nuan?"


    Tang Nuan stopped moving. Before she could even turn around to look at the woman, the woman stuck a syringe that she retrieved from who knew where expertly and urately into Tang Nuan¡¯s arm.


    Tang Nuan yelped from the shot of pain. Her first instinct was to struggle, but anticipating her move, the woman shoved her hardly on her side to knock her into the coffee table. Before Tang Nuan could collect herself from the physical assault, the woman jumped on her, pressing the liquid inside the syringe into Tang Nuan¡¯s system.


    It was not until the woman pulled the needle harshly away that Tang Nuan yelled at the woman, "What have you done?"


    The woman¡¯s face had lost the gentleness and kindness from earlier. In their ce was a heavy murderous air. She answered Tang Nuan honestly, "Just a little shot of hallucinogens."


    Hallucinogens... A type of drug... This means my child is...


    Suddenly crazed, Tang Nuan climbed up from the coffee table to rush at that woman. However, the drug worked fast. The woman merely pushed her lightly before she copsed once more on the table. She struggled to get up, but she couldn¡¯t gather any strength in her limbs.


    "You really think I don¡¯t know anything?" The woman scoffed in condescension as she bent down to grab Tang Nuan¡¯s bag. She rummaged through it before she pulled out Tang Nuan¡¯s recorder and pressed the y button.


    As the recording yed, Tang Nuan knew then that the woman had already suspected her way before she arrived. Everything she did was merely a set-up to entrap her.

 Chapter 871 A Hint That Cost Her Life 16

    "I¡¯ve already told you, Song Qingchun and yourself, there can only be one who survives. Since you chose to save Song Qingchun this morning, you should know how your ending will be..."


    The woman paused before shaking her head disappointedly. "To be honest, Tang Nuan, I really didn¡¯t want to take your life because you¡¯re still useful to me, but unfortunately, you¡¯ve overheard things you shouldn¡¯t and have attempted to record it to expose me... so I¡¯m sorry, I will have to kill you."


    A viciousness shed across the woman¡¯s eyes, and she picked up her phone to call a number.


    ...


    The recording has already been deleted, there goes my only evidence and perhaps even my life... but I cannot allow myself to die like this...


    Before her consciousnesspletely shattered, Tang Nuan turned her pupils to look around her surroundings. Her eyes eventually settled on the bangle left on the coffee table. Her eyes shined as she reached out in a hurry to hook that bangle across the table to her.


    This is an essory that the woman likes. Even if I die, I will drag her down with me! Tang Nuan used every ounce of energy she had left to shove the bangle onto her wrist.


    ...


    Five minutes after the woman hung up on her phone, a man walked into the room. The two shared a quiet conversation before the man picked Tang Nuan up and left the bungalow rapidly. Tang Nuan was ced inside the driver¡¯s seat of her own car. The car door was locked, and the ignition was on.


    Tang Nuan tried to step on the brakes, but the brakes had been tampered with. The car kept increasing in speed along the quiet street of the night. The only thing Tang Nuan could do was keep turning the steering wheel to avoid running into the corners and rails.


    She finally managed to pull into a perfectly straight road. However, she could see clearly the world around her changing. She knew that she would run into something soon, and her life would end.


    She used thest bit of energy left in her to pull out her phone. She wanted to call the police, but all her fingers could do then was tremble uncontrobly. Her fingersnded on the keys, but they were not powerful enough to key in any numbers.


    The car continued to gather speed. It was about 180 kilometers per hour now. The front of the car was slightly titled, and she was going to run into the bridge before her.


    She could see Death waving at her, and many images shed before her eyes. She knew those were the effect of the hallucinogens. Her breathing became increasingly fast. She had given up on calling the cops. With a grit of her teeth, she pressed on Qin Yinan¡¯s picture with her shaking fingers.


    It was an icon she had saved on the home page for emergencies.


    The call went out. Inside the cramped space, she could hear the sound of the dial tone. She didn¡¯t make this call to ask for help; she knew that was already toote. She just wanted to hear his voice¡ªeven just a "hello" would have been enough. If she still had enough energy left in her, she wanted to give him a sincere "I¡¯m sorry" and perhaps even a "happy marriage".


    The phone continued to ring, but Qin Yinan didn¡¯t pick up.


    Her car got closer and closer to the bridge.


    Tang Nuan prayed vehemently, but at the seventh ring, the call was suddenly ended.


    Qin Yinan didn¡¯t answer her phone; no, more precisely, Qin Yinan had hung up on her...

 Chapter 872 A Hint That Cost Her Life 17

    A single tear fell from Tang Nuan¡¯s eyes. He still hasn¡¯t forgiven me...


    There were only several hundred metres left until the car hit the bridge. Tang Nuan, in thest moment of her life, suddenly remembered something. With a rity of motion that surprised herself, Tang Nuan opened Whatsapp to find Song Qingchun¡¯s name and pressed the record button. "There... is... recorder... purse..."


    The incredible speed of the car and the hallucinogens caused Tang Nuan to slur. She could only get out these few words before the car crashed.


    ...


    The phone slipped from Tang Nuan¡¯s hand, and the message was sent out after her finger left the record button. The pain surging through the body overwhelmed the effect of the hallucinogens, and it caused rity to return for that brief moment before death.


    Her breathing became shorter and shorter. She could sense her life force leaving her body.


    Instead of despair, she felt regretful and sorry, especially sorry for the innocent child in her stomach.


    There were many things that she wanted to do.


    After gaining evidence on that woman, she was going to call Song Qingchun out for lunch and tell her everything she knew before apologizing sincerely to her.


    She nned to dress beautifully to Qin Yinan¡¯s wedding the next day. She wasn¡¯t going to stir the pot. She would have raised three sses in his name: first to congratte him on his wedding, second to wish him a happy marriage, third to pray for a lifetime of happiness for him. Then she would bid him farewell, one that he wouldn¡¯t know was going to be theirst farewell. Finally, she would smile at him, apologize to him, and tell him she loved him internally.


    She wanted to raise her child to be a respectable person. She would leave Beijing and begin a new life for herself overseas. She would impart all the lessons that she had missed to her child, to learn to be kind, to be tolerant, to not walk the wrong path she had trodden.


    But now, none of those things were going toe true...


    Tang Nuan felt her eyelids getting increasingly heavy. She hated this feeling, but she couldn¡¯t resist it.


    Didn¡¯t they say every person in the world deserved a chance at forgiveness?


    She really did learn her lesson, but it was toote... Perhaps God had never wanted to give her the chance to turn over a new leaf. However, He wasn¡¯t too bad. At least, He gave her the chance to leave behind a crucial hint in thest moments of her life.


    It was a hint that cost her life, so she wished they would understand it.


    Tang Nuan finally closed her eyes onest time, and her breathing stopped.


    ...


    When Tang Nuan¡¯s call came, Qin Yinan was at his wedding location, preparing for the big event. The ce was crowded and noisy. It was only after a reminder from the wedding nner that he realized his phone was ringing.


    Qin Yinan advised them on the cement of his and Cheng Qingchong¡¯s wedding picture as he pulled out his phone. He nced at the caller ID.


    Tang Nuan.


    He paused for a second before ending the call to continue his work. When Qin Yinan left the wedding hall, it was already 1 am.


    In less than ten hours, he was going to begin a new chapter of his life. This was a wedding prepared for him and Song Qingchun, but in the end, the bride who walked down the aisle was not going to be her.

 Chapter 873 A Hint That Cost Her Life 18

    Qin Yinan stood at the roadside for some time before moving to his car. He just took two steps when the phone in his pocket rang. It was a Whatsapp message alert. Who would message me sote at night?


    Qin Yinan pulled out his phone to look at it. It was a message from Song Qingchun. "Tang Nuan died, an hour ago, car ident."


    Qin Yinan staggered and almost tripped. He found his footing eventually and fumbled a few steps forward to lean against his car. Staring at the words on his phone, his face nched as he read it again and again.


    ...


    The second day of Qin Yinan¡¯s wedding coincided with the day Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian were supposed to leave for Shanghai, which then coincided with Tang Nuan¡¯s cremation.


    That day, everyone who knew Tang Nuan, including her high schools friends, came to pay their respects. Those who argued with her, those who considered her a friend, those who had just heard of her... Of course, Qin Yinan, whom she had loved and hated, was also there. Even Song Qingchun, whom was once her nemesis and best friend, was there. Alongside Song Qingchun was Su Zhinian, whom she had loved throughout her youth.


    Before death, all the love and hatred became insignificant. Everyone was remembering the good side of Tang Nuan.


    The moment Tang Nuan¡¯s body was moved into the crematorium, quite a number of people shed tears, and even Qin Yinan¡¯s eyes were red. Other people dropped stalks of orchids before Tang Nuan¡¯s grave, but only he who left her with a red rose.


    Some of the nosier guests started whispering among themselves, "Wasn¡¯t Qin Yinan a married man? Does this mean he actually still loves Tang Nuan?"


    Qin Yinan overheard this and pursed his lips, staring at the cold gravestone.


    Did he still love her? Was that question really important? The woman was already dead, and in herst moment, she called him, but he didn¡¯t answer. He didn¡¯t dwell on the significance of that fact because he knew this represented that she still had a ce for him inside her heart.


    However, he believed that she also understood that he had never loved her; he loved the girl who she had pretended to be, and that rose was for the girl whom he had mistaken throughout his youth.


    Song Qingchun was thest to pay her respects. She didn¡¯t say anything before her tears started to fall. Be it the Tang Nuan whom she met when she was 16 or the Tang Nuan who died when she was 26, at that moment, the person lying in the grave was her high school best friend, Tang Nuan.


    Even Su Zhinian, who had always hated Tang Nuan, bowed respectfully at her grave and left her a yellow orchid.


    ...


    That afternoon, the people who had gathered due to Tang Nuan started to return to their lives.


    Due to Qin Yinan¡¯s wedding and Tang Nuan¡¯s funeral, Song Qingchun didn¡¯t even have time to worry about the loss of Little Sesame tomorrow.


    However, at that moment, after the dust had settled on the cemetery, she merely allowed herself to be saddened for a moment before she changed out of her ck mourning clothes to swap for a more cheerful outfit to attend Song Empire¡¯s annual anniversary.


    However, no one could have foreseen the momentous event that would happen at the anniversary, an event that was as exciting as riding the roller-coaster.

 Chapter 874 So We Can Be In Love 1

    Night had just fallen, and the entrance of City Clubhouse was crowded with reporters from many media outlets. Even though the guests hadn¡¯t arrived, the lights kept blinking. Song Qingchun arrived with Song Menghwa. The car had just stopped at the end of the red carpet, and before the door even opened, the reporters rushed toward the car door like a bunch of raptors crowding around a piece of meat.


    Song Qingchun held the skirt of her dress gingerly in her hand, and she bent out of the car. She was surrounded by shing lights and cameras. She maintained a generous smile as she held Song Menghwa. Under the shing lights, they moved along the red carpet gracefully into the hall.


    The whole City Clubhouse was booked by Song Empire. The decoration of the venue had been decided on by Fang Rou; the ce was as glittering and as magical as a crystal pce out of the fairy tale. In a hundred-meter-wide hall were gathered with more than half of Beijing¡¯s rich and famous.


    Everyone came dressed to the nines as they shared amusing stories over cocktails and wine. After arriving, Song Qingchun stayed by Song Menghwa for only a moment before their old butler arrived, who took Song Menghwa to meet his old friends.


    Song Qingchun, who was left unattended, held a ss of water in her hands as she waltzed over to a group of socialites.


    Song Qingchun only shared two sentences with the group of girls when argemotion happened near the entrance. She, alongside the girls, turned toward it unconsciously to see Su Zhinian in a ck suit walk into the hall surrounded by the cluster of reporters.


    Some reporters who chased after him for an interview, after being blocked outside of the entrance, stretched their mics as far as they could as they shouted questions at his back.


    Su Zhinian seemed to have gotten used to this lifestyle. He carried on with ease until he stopped under the chandelier at the centre of the hall. He then started to look around like he was searching for something or someone.


    It was only when his gaze met Song Qingchun¡¯s that he stopped looking around. He nodded at her with a smile before turning around to chat with the businessmen who had surrounded him.


    Half an hour until the official beginning of the anniversary, Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian were caught in their own circles, forced to socialize. The two of them didn¡¯t cross paths, much less share a conversation.


    Among the socialites who were close to Song Qingchun, two of them just celebrated the first month anniversaries of their babies. Due to this asion, the topic of conversation circted around the issue of babies. Even the cost of a baby¡¯s diapers was discussed with apparent joy and happiness.


    Song Qingchun stood to the side with a smile on her face. She didn¡¯t join in the conversation, but her hands kept wandering unconsciously to her stomach. In less than ten hours, she and her baby were going to part ways. Song Qingchun lowered her eyes to hide the dimness in them as her mood fell to its lowest point.


    She stood at the edge of the conversation for a few moments longer before she excused herself silently to find a seat in the hidden corner to sit down. Song Qingchun was alone for less than a minute when her phone vibrated. It was a message from Su Zhinian.


    She looked around before spotting Su Zhinian around a group well-dressed men. He was leaning gracefully against the bar, and while the people around him were happily chatting, he had his head lowered, typing on his phone.

 Chapter 875 So We Can Be In Love 2

    The phone in Song Qingchun¡¯s palm continued to vibrate. She pulled her gaze back from the man and lowered her head to click the message open. Su Zhinian had sent over two harmless jokes.


    Song Qingchun was prone ofughing at cheap jokes, but due to Little Sesame, she found herself unable tough when reading these two jokes that normally would have floored her.


    Standing not far away, Su Zhinian had been keeping an eye on her. Noticing theck of a smile on her face, he continued to send her more jokes. His actions warmed her heart. When she read the twelfth message that he sent, a faint smile appeared on her face.


    When he saw that, he finally stopped what he was doing. Staring quietly at her lowered profile, he eventually lowered his gaze, ignoring the people around him, and sent her a message saying, "I¡¯m sorry for my inability to be there for you when you¡¯re sad."


    When Song Qingchun saw this message, the forced levity in her eyes slowly got reced by a rolling mist. Regardless of how close they were in private, before the public, they had to maintain a respectable distance.


    No matter what, the public would always stand between them. They could never stand right by each other¡¯s side like a normal couple. Even now, when she was at her lowest, but she couldn¡¯t expect him to provide her a shoulder to lean on with the eyes of the public watching. He could onlyfort her in such a surreptitious manner like sending her phone messages.


    Their love would always remain a secret.


    ...


    The anniversary began at 9:30 pm sharp. The hostess who was specially hired for this asion stood on the lit stage and began with a wee speech. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention?"


    The originally rowdy hall became instantly quiet.


    "Let us wee Song Empire¡¯s chairperson, Mr. Song Menghwa, to the stage!" The hostess smile as she waved to wee Song Menghwa onto the stage. Then she led the crowd by being the first to apud.


    Amid the apuse that was like a rushing wave, Song Menghwa, with the aid of his staff and the butler, walked onto the stage. Song Menghwa stood at the centre with the white spotlight around him.


    Putting both of his hands on the staff, he looked around the hall. He waited until the apuse died down before clearing his throat. After the ce becamepletely silent again, Song Menghwa said, "Good evening, honoured guests. First, I would like to extend my appreciation to everyone for putting aside a piece of their valuable time to attend Song Empire¡¯s anniversary celebration. Standing here today, I have some very important news to announce.


    "I believe it ismon knowledge that my health is deteriorating. So, the first thing I would like to announce is, from this moment onwards, I am officially stepping down from my post as Song Empire¡¯s chairperson, and this post will be filled by..."


    Song Menghwa took a deliberate pause for the news to sink in. The hall turned their attention toward Song Qingchun, the sole remaining heir of the Song family.


    "...my estranged son, Mr. Su Zhinian of ST Empire."


    Amotion started to rise within the hall. The media reporters who were held at the door by the security started to snap their cameras. Following the sound of camera clicks, the hall was filled with blinding light.

 Chapter 876 So We Can Be In Love 3

    "I believe many people here might be shocked by the announcement I just made. Honestly, when I found out about this news, I was equally shocked."


    Song Menghwa was already in his twilight years, and he had lived a full life. At the end of his life, he no longer cared about rumours and those talking behind his back. Now, he only cared about people around him, so this decision was one he had been nning for a long time.


    Su Zhinian was his son, even though one born out of wedlock. This was to be frowned upon normally, but Song Menghwa was at a stage that was beyond caring. The reason he announced this news at Song Empire¡¯s anniversary was because he wanted to let the whole world know that, while Su Zhinian was his estranged son, he was ultimately his beloved son.


    Switching from his official demeanour, Song Menghwa started to get a bit emotional. "However, when the shock wore off, I felt happy and d. d that while the heavens had taken one son away from me, he had allowed me the chance of reconciling with another. I would love to think that this is the work of my eldest son, Song Cheng.


    "The fault lies with me and not my son. Whether their surname is Song or Su, they are my most precious boys."


    The disordered crowd started to quiet down again. After about ten seconds, another round of thunderous apuse started again. Amid the apuse, the hostess raised the microphone to her lips to wee Su Zhinian to the stage.


    Su Zhinian wasn¡¯t clued into this sudden decision by Song Menghwa. However, he was at ease dealing with such surprises. Heading onto the stage, he epted the microphone and, in a calm and collected manner, said, "Good evening, I am Su Zhinian. From today onwards, I will be the new chairperson of Song Empire. I hope you¡¯ll continue to support thepany."


    ...


    Next to take the stage was Song Empire¡¯s current CEO, Zheng Hao, who gave a brief description of Song Empire¡¯s future projects. Then, it was the most quintessential part of any celebration, time to bring out the champagne.


    Normally, it was Song Menghwa and his wife or Song Cheng and Fang Rou who hosted this ceremony. However, since Mrs. Song and Song Cheng were no longer with them, the pair who hosted this ceremony this year consisted of Song Menghwa¡¯s children, Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian.


    "Now let us wee Mr. Su Zhinian and Miss Song Qingchun to the stage to help us open the champagne..." Following the hostess¡¯ announcement, the apuse began again. After that, it curtailed into the music that drifted out from the hall¡¯s speakers.


    Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian walked toward the tower of champagne flutes. The waiter pushed a trolley that was full of various champagne bottles slowly toward them.


    Two MCs stood beside Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian, one each to help them with the ceremony. With the streams of congrattory words from the hostess, they opened the bottles.


    After the hostess finished, the two MCs carried the bottles to the centre of the stage with a wide smile on their faces. They ced the bottles down, and each carried a flute of champagne for Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian.


    Before they epted the flutes, the mellifluous background music ended, and it was reced by the sound of white noise.


    Even the trained MCs were made slightly flustered by this sudden change.


    The hostess frowned as she moved the microphone away from her lips and turned to ask the stagehand, "What¡¯s happening?"


    Then she turned back to calm the situation. "I¡¯m so sorry, perhaps there¡¯s a little mistake with the audio system¡ªI¡¯m sure it¡¯ll be fixed in..."

 Chapter 877 So We Can Be In Love 4

    Before the hostess could finish, the sound of a conversation broke through the white noise. "Su Zhinian, is this what you call discussing it with me?"


    The crowd, who had been looking around, thinking it was an audio malfunction, slowly turned their eyes toward Su Zhinian.


    Wait, isn¡¯t this my voice?


    As this thought settled in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind, her own voice that was quivering with anger like she was holding a great ball of fury within her drifted into her own ears. "You¡¯ve prepared everything, haven¡¯t you? It doesn¡¯t cross your mind to respect my opinion at all!"


    About one second after Song Qingchun realized it was her who was talking on the audio, everything dawned on Su Zhinian. With just two sentences, he understood this was a recording of the conversation he had shared with Song Qingchun after they left the orphanage. But this was their private conversation, why would it be broadcasted at Song Empire¡¯s anniversary?


    Su Zhinian frowned slightly when he heard a cold male voice in the audio. "Tingting, don¡¯t get too agitated..."


    The voice was warped in the audio, so even though Song Qingchun had just taken to the stage, the crowd still couldn¡¯t recognize it was her in the recording. However, since Su Zhinian was clearly named, everyone was certain this was him talking.


    "You¡¯ve seen for yourself how pitiable those children are, do you wish such a fate on our child?"


    Child... Su Zhinian has a child? The crowd¡¯s eyes that were already on Su Zhinian were filled with shock. Even Song Menghwa¡¯s eyes were widened with disbelief.


    "How do you know our child will definitely be defective? Yes, the probability of the baby between siblings having congenital abnormalities is high, but it is not one hundred percent. What if the baby in my stomach is a healthy child, then how will you live with yourself?"


    Before the public restored from this explosive news that Su Zhinian had a child, they were stunned by the news revealed by this female voice.


    Siblings... The person who is Su Zhinian¡¯s sibling...


    Some in the crowd had already caught onto the situation as their gaze moved from Su Zhinian to fall on Song Qingchun.


    "Tingting, you said it yourself, what if? How can you be sure that we are the one in one thousand lucky ones?"


    Song Qingchun by now finally realized this was a recorded conversation between her and Su Zhinian. She remembered their argument only got worse from there. Just as Song Qingchun wanted to say something to stop the recording, Su Zhinian¡¯s voice came through the speakers.


    "Tingting, I really cannot force myself to stay my hand, knowing you¡¯re making a mistake. I cannot bring myself to see you get tormented for the rest of your life due to an unhealthy child. Next Wednesday, I will apany you to Shanghai. No one will know us there, and I will be by your side throughout... Please, for the sake of our future, Tingting, remove this child, okay?"


    Her conversation with Su Zhinian had been heavily edited to only leave behind the important parts. Song Qingchun turned unconsciously around to nce at the man standing behind her. His lips were tense, and the iciness in his eyes was bone-chilling.


    The people in the hall finally caught up to the whole situation at this point.


    The ¡¯Tingting¡¯ on Su Zhinian¡¯s lips actually referred to Song Qingchun.

 Chapter 878 So We Can Be In Love 5

    The audio continued, as if afraid that the people didn¡¯t know the ¡¯Tingting¡¯ was actually Song Qingchun. However, the topic of conversation had shifted away from the child to the words of romance between Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian.


    "Qingchun, I love you..." Following Su Zhinian¡¯s promise, the audio continued to the sound of kissing and the hurried sound of breathing. The audio didn¡¯t seem like it was going to stop any time soon. The sound of kissing became more obvious, and there were even asional scious gasps and groans. The atmosphere at the hall became intensely awkward.


    The hall was silent for about ten seconds after the audio finally stopped. Eventually, someone eximed in disbelief, "Oh my God, Song Menghwa¡¯s son and daughter are in an incestuous rtionship!"


    "That¡¯s so disgusting. They¡¯re biological siblings with the same father, but they had sex with each other?"


    "Not only that, they have birthed a devil spawn from this disgusting rtionship."


    ...


    Following the first critique, the conversations continued and amplified until the hall became chaotic. The reporters outside the hall slowly came to, one after another. They continued to snap pictures as they rushed with renewed vigour into the hall.


    The security guards were so caught off-guard by the revtions and the sudden burst of energy from the reporters that they were unable to stop the media. When they recovered, the reporters had already formed a circle around Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian.


    "Mr. Su Zhinian, is it confirmed that you have a rtionship with Miss Song Qingchun?"


    "Miss Song Qingchun, do you mind rifying about the baby in your stomach? Does it belong to Mr. Su Zhinian?"


    "Mr. Su Zhinian, Miss Song Qingchun, do you understand the incestuous and immoral implication of your rtionship?"


    ...


    Facing the reporters¡¯ aggressive questions, Song Qingchun¡¯s face continued to pale. The first thing Su Zhinian did was pull Song Qingchun into his embrace and raise his hand to shield her face from the cameras.


    ...


    "Good afternoon, the location where we¡¯re now is the City Clubhouse where Song Empire¡¯s anniversary is being held. The two people standing behind me are Mr. Su Zhinian and Miss Song Qingchun, and their shared father is the founder of Song Empire, Song Menghwa." Some of the reporters already started a live feed. "Just moments ago, an audio recording just exposed their incestuous rtionship. From the recording, we know for a fact that Miss Song Qingchun is already pregnant, and the father is Mr. Su Zhinian."


    ...


    The security guards slowly came to and rushed back to control the scene. The questions from the reporters¡¯ lips became more and more pointed and rude.


    "I would like to know how Miss Song Qingchun and Mr. Su Zhinian ended up together! When was the first time you had sex with each other?"


    "It is obvious that you two know that you share an incestuous rtionship, so is the sex purely a shared experience between a healthy couple, or were you simply looking for the excitement from taking the forbidden fruit?"


    ...


    The situation was messy as hell. Su Zhinian could feel the girl in his arms shivering uncontrobly.


    An indescribable anger followed by heartache radiated from his figure.

 Chapter 879 So We Can Be In Love 6

    Right then, a reporter shoved his camera under Su Zhinian¡¯s hand and started to snap pictures of Song Qingchun brazenly. "Miss Song Qingchun, are you the one who seduced your older brother?"


    This question from the reporter lit Su Zhinian¡¯s rage like match to oil. Before the reporter¡¯s question finished, he grabbed the camera that was aimed at Song Qingchun and mmed it heavily on the floor. Following a loud crash, there was several shrill screams.


    Without missing a beat, the remaining reporters started to take pictures of the broken camera. The reporter who first started the live feed pointed her partner¡¯s video camera at the broken camera and exined in an excited voice, like this news would get her a promotion or bonus, "The loud noise we heard just now was caused by Mr. Su Zhinian who grabbed one of our reporter friends¡¯ cameras and mmed it to the ground..."


    Following the reporter¡¯s words, the other hounds started to interrogate Su Zhinian.


    "Mr. Su Zhinian, why would you suddenly be so angry?"


    "That¡¯s right, Mr. Su Zhinian. Was that reporter earlier right? Was it really Miss Song Qingchun who seduced you?"


    "Miss Song Qingchun, why are you hiding in Su Zhinian¡¯s arms, is it because you feel shame? Since you know how shameful this whole incident is, why would you go and seduce your older brother in the first ce? How did you bring yourself to do such a despicable thing?"


    Suddenly, the microphones and cameras of the reporters who surrounded Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun all fell uncontrobly from their hands. The group of reporters looked at the carcasses of their equipment thaty on the floor, and their questioning stopped. They looked at each other, and one question was stuck in all their minds. Why did I let go of my stuff earlier?


    Su Zhinian pulled Song Qingchun deeper into his embrace to shield her face from the camera lights. He reached out angrily to grab the microphone away from the hostess who still hadn¡¯t recovered from her shock. He raised the microphone to her lips, and his low voice was swimming with thick threat. "Didn¡¯t all of you want an answer? Fine, then I¡¯ll give you something to write about!"


    Su Zhinian scanned the group of reporters coldly, and when they epted his gaze, they all averted their eyes away out of fear.


    "Yes, I am in a rtionship with her, but she didn¡¯t want to in the first ce; it was me who forced myself on her!


    "So, if you want to find someone to pin the me on, me me! This thing has nothing to do with her; she¡¯s also a victim!"


    A reporter raised a microphone toward Su Zhinian as if he had some questions for him. However, before he could get any words out, Su Zhinian opened his lips and announced chillingly, "I do not ept any interview because I don¡¯t feel like I need to exin myself to any one of you, but I do have one thing to say, and that is..."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s gaze darkened, and a wave of palpable murderous fury radiated from his frame. "You can nder me all you want, but..."


    Su Zhinian gritted his teeth angrily as a murderous fire danced in his eyes.

 Chapter 880 So We Can Be In Love 7

    "...If any disrespectful words are aimed at her, do not me me for what happens next!"


    Su Zhinian then tossed the microphone heavily on the stage. He lowered his head to whisper toward Song Qingchun, "Let¡¯s go."


    As he led her off the stage, the presence around Su Zhinian was so strong that none of the more than hundred people in the hall dared stop him.


    Su Zhinian could feel the girl in his embrace quivering heavily. He leaned into her ear to whisper softly and reassuringly, "It¡¯s okay, I¡¯m here. Don¡¯t be afraid."


    As Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun walked further away from the group of reporters, one of the more intrepid reporters recovered. However, he didn¡¯t have the guts to ost Su Zhinian, so he raised his microphone to point toward Song Menghwa, who until now had remained into a stunned state. "Sir Song Menghwa, I would like to ask your opinion on the fact that your two children are in an incestuous rtionship. What do you think?"


    Song Menghwa didn¡¯t answer for a long time. He even blinked and asked the reporter rather nkly, "You¡¯re telling me, Ah Nian and Qingchun are in a rtionship?"


    Hisck of acuity was probably due to the anger caused by Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun.


    "Yes." The reporter nodded and pulled the microphone away from Song Menghwa back to him. "Just now, your son personally admitted that he wanted to be together with your daughter, so he forced himself on your daughter. From the way he just reacted, he didn¡¯t think contaminating his own little sister is anything worth being ashamed about. What about you? Do you feel ashamed by the actions of your children?"


    "Ah Nian and Qingchun are in a rtionship?" Like a broken record, Song Menghwa repeated his earlier question. He looked shell-shocked like he hadn¡¯t recovered from the dropped bomb of a revtion.


    "Sir Song Menghwa, after this scandal, are you still going to hand Song Empire over to Su Zhinian?"


    "Sir Song Menghwa, will you stop your children from being together?"


    ...


    All the other reporters saw this opportunity and crowded around Song Menghwa. Song Menghwa didn¡¯t seem like he even noticed their presence, and he kept mumbling to himself, "Ah Nian and Qingchun are in a rtionship?"


    Then as if remembering something, he turned to ask the butler beside him, "Did I just hear they say Qingchun is pregnant?"


    "Yes, sir." The butler nodded and answered respectfully.


    "She¡¯s pregnant... she¡¯s pregnant..." Song Menghwa continued to repeat himself again and again.


    The reporters looked at each other facing this scene, and for once, they didn¡¯t dare to press any further. It seems like the old man is having a mental breakdown...


    Song Menghwa mumbled for a while before suddenly raising his head to ask the crowd of stunned reporters, "Who among you has a recording of the audio just now?"


    The reporters were silent before one of the younger female reporters passed him her recorder.


    Song Menghwa raised it to his ear and focused closely. Then he frowned and said to no one in particr, "Abortion?¡¯


    The next second, Song Menghwa jumped up from his seat with the aid of the staff and raised his voice to yell, "Su Zhinian, get over here!"

 Chapter 881 So We Can Be In Love 8

    Why did Sir Song Menghwa suddenly be so energetic after listening to the recording?


    Everyone present knew about Song Menghwa¡¯s frail condition, and he had been hospitalized several times already.


    Even though the crowd had this question in their hearts, no one dared say anything, afraid that they might cause Song Menghwa to faint with the wrong question. They wouldn¡¯t want that crime be on their hands. So, after Song Menghwa¡¯s roar, they became totally silent as they turned their gaze back toward Su Zhinian, who was leading Song Qingchun toward the hall entrance.


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t stop, and this only angered Song Menghwa even more. He mmed his staff onto the floor angrily and continued to yell. "Su Zhinian, are you deaf? I dare you to take one more step forward! Get yourself back here!"


    Song Qingchun, who was held in Su Zhinian¡¯s arms, stopped. Since she stopped, after taking another small step forward, Su Zhinian had to stop as well.


    "Come here!" Su Zhinian¡¯s refusal to turn again made Song Menghwa¡¯s orders beced with unbridled fury. Song Qingchun, who was buried inside Su Zhinian¡¯s embrace, shivered uncontrobly when she heard Song Menghwa¡¯s forceful order. She unconsciously wanted to escape from Su Zhinian¡¯s arms to look at Song Menghwa. However, Su Zhinian hastily reached out to stop her.


    What is she doing? Can¡¯t she see those reporters are just waiting for her to show her face? If she turns around, the world will only end in chaos!


    Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t struggle away from Su Zhinian, so she pulled on his sleeves and whispered in a voice that was audible between the two of them only, "But Father is calling us..."


    Song Qingchun hadn¡¯t even finished when Song Menghwa¡¯s staff knocked into the floor again. "Su Zhinian, do you still see me as your father or not!"


    Song Menghwa was probably really angry because his staff knocked into the table and caused the wine ss on it to topple over and crash to the ground with a crisp sound.


    This is bad... Song Qingchun¡¯s voice was anxious facing Su Zhinian¡¯s indifference. "Su Zhinian, Dad¡¯s body is not good. We mustn¡¯t anger him like this..."


    Su Zhinian pressed his lips. Eventually, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to ignore the girl¡¯s pleas, so he turned around, holding her in his arms.


    Song Menghwa stood at the centre of the stage, holding his staff. Behind him stood the butler and Fang Rou, as well as Qin Yinan and Cheng Qingchong, who had wandered over to try to calm him down.


    He red at Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun, who were walking toward him, his expression as dark as the other side of the moon. This side of Song Menghwa, Song Qingchun had never witnessed in her life before. She was so scared that her limbs were cold, and her legs were shaking as she took one step after another toward her father.


    She only nced at Song Menghwa¡¯s stern face once before she quickly lowered her eyes and held her breath to wait for the storm to arrive.


    Compared to her anxiety and nervousness, Su Zhinian was as calm as a stone in the river. He was at least one head taller than Song Menghwa. Even though he was the son and looked respectful on the surface, the majestic presence radiating off him was enough to swallow up Song Menghwa.


    With his drawn face, Song Menghwa took his eyes off Su Zhinian to settle on Song Qingchun¡¯s face before moving to look at her stomach.

 Chapter 882 So We Can Be In Love 9

    Even though Song Qingchun didn¡¯t dare look up at her father, she could feel his gaze fall on her stomach. Perhaps Little Sesame had felt the same thing because her stomach twitched twice with pain.


    "You¡¯re pregnant?" Song Menghwa¡¯s tone was gentlerpared to before. However, there was still a harsh undertone beneath it, which caused Song Qingchun¡¯s heart to quiver with fear. She bit on her lips, and her head lowered even more. After a while, she answered in a mosquito-like voice, "Yes."


    The expression on Song Menghwa¡¯s face didn¡¯t change much as he continued to stare at Song Qingchun¡¯s stomach. Hisck of reaction caused the atmosphere in the hall to stagnate ufortably.


    The crowd paid full attention to this scene. Some of the reporters, since their cameras had been broken, took out their phones to record this momentous confrontation.


    The hall was eerily silent. Song Qingchun could feel her palms covered with sweat. Realizing her father still hadn¡¯t said anything, she stretched her lips and eventually said, "Dad, I¡¯m sorry, but please don¡¯t..."


    Before Song Qingchun could finish, Song Menghwa suddenly raised his staff.


    Is Sir Song Menghwa going to hit her? But that¡¯s her daughter; isn¡¯t that a bit too cruel?


    Some in the crowd sucked in a breath; others turned their heads away. Qin Yinan¡¯s first reflex was to rush toward Song Menghwa. Hearing the swishing sound of the staff through the air, Song Qingchun closed her eyes to brace for impact.


    Su Zhinian, who stood beside her, turned his whole body around to shield Song Qingchun without a thought.


    And just like that, Song Menghwa missed,nding heavily on the spot Su Zhinian just vacated. His force was too strong that he even fell forward. The crowd was stunned.


    So, he was about to hit his son and not his daughter...


    Even Su Zhinian was surprised. After releasing Song Qingchun with a shocked face, before he could find his bnce, Song Menghwa¡¯s staff came flying at his back. Itnded heavily on his back, causing him to flounder forward beforending on Song Qingchun.


    In his rage, Song Menghwa aimed another hit at Su Zhinian¡¯s back. He scolded him angrily, "Su Zhinian, you undutiful son, you disappoint me so much!"


    The two hitsnded on the same spot, and it caused a very subdued groan to escape from Su Zhinian¡¯s mped lips.


    "Dad!" Song Qingchun recovered and yelled out without a second thought. She escaped from Su Zhinian¡¯s grasp to stop Song Menghwa.


    Su Zhinian, who heard the sound of whishing air, knew that the third hit wasing. Afraid that it might identally swipe Song Qingchun, with a pull of his arm, he locked her tightly in his embrace as another heart-piercing pain came from his back, one that caused his whole body to shake slightly.


    "Uncle Song!" Qin Yinan, who had stopped earlier since the staff missed, rushed forward again after hearing the shout that escaped from Song Qingchun¡¯s lips.


    Even Fang Rou and the butler came forward to calm him.


    "Father, don¡¯t get too mad..."


    "Old Sir, we definitely can talk this out. There¡¯s no need for violence..."


    Song Menghwa ignored thempletely. He grabbed his staff, and the hitsnded on Su Zhinian like rain.

 Chapter 883 So We Can Be In Love 10

    "Who gave you permission to touch my precious daughter!"


    "Su Zhinian, is this how a man should conduct himself? Did the school not teach you the meaning of respect?"


    "Answer me, do you even respect Qingchun?"


    ...


    The reporters who captured this scene had already started to write the news articles while sending the images to their colleagues at their respectivepanies to race for the headline. "Song Empire¡¯s founder, Song Menghwa, lost his temper over his children¡¯s incestuous rtionship and openly beat his son."


    ...


    "Su Zhinian, I thought you¡¯re an honourable man. Why didn¡¯t I realize there¡¯s a coward living within you!"


    "How can you face your own mother?"


    "You dare not admit the pregnancy? Even goes on to suggest an abortion?"


    ...


    Wait, what did he just say? The reporters who were taking pictures, recording videos, writing scripts, and even those who were there to advise Song Menghwa... were all stunned once more.


    ...


    "The health of the child aside, do you know how harmful to a woman¡¯s body an abortion is?" The more he dwelled on the issue of abortion, the angrier Song Menghwa became. As the staffnded repeatedly on Su Zhinian¡¯s back, Song Menghwa hissed through gritted teeth, "Do you think I raised Qingchun with such love so that you could bully her and trample on her dignity?


    "More than that, you¡¯re also nning to bully my grandchild? Going to Shanghai for abortion? Is it because you¡¯re scared that doing it at Beijing will cause me to know and beat you up? I found out already, and you still won¡¯t be able to escape that beating!


    "I¡¯m warning you, Su Zhinian, if you dare to harm even a single hair on my grandchild, I¡¯ll beat you to death myself!


    "And you dared suggest leaving the city for the abortion, why don¡¯t you go to Mars for the abortion if you¡¯re so damn clever!"


    ...


    In his moment of weakness, Su Zhinian loosened his grip on Song Qingchun. The girl escaped from his embrace and ran to block him from further assault from Song Menghwa. "Dad, stop hurting him already. Dad..."


    Song Menghwa immediately pulled back the staff that was heading toward Song Qingchun. The staff stopped about ten centimeters away from Song Qingchun¡¯s head.


    Song Menghwa tossed his staff aside and rushed down toward Song Qingchun. Just as he was about to pull Song Qingchun, Su Zhinian swallowed the pain radiating through his body to reach out and block Song Menghwa. "Father, vent all your anger on me, don¡¯t hurt Tingting..."


    "Shut up! Did I ask you to speak?" Song Menghwa red fiendishly at Su Zhinian before turning around to smile as gently, as softly, as concernedly at Song Qingchun as he could, "Qingchun, did I hurt you just now? Are you feeling ufortable? I¡¯m sorry if I scared you."


    Su Zhinian, who had been beaten up and scolded, looked at the expression on Song Menghwa that changed as fast as switching channel, and he blinked dumbly. Even Song Qingchun was looking at her own father nkly; she had a hard time following what was happening.


    Song Menghwa looked Song Qingchun up and down. After realizing she wasn¡¯t hurt, he sighed in relief and asked with a smile, "Qingchun, are you tired after standing for so long?"


    Song Qingchun, who still hadn¡¯t caught up to the situation, shook her head after being stunned for a long time.


    "Then, are you thirsty?" Song Menghwa¡¯s smile was as bright as the sun.

 Chapter 884 So We Can Be In Love 11

    Song Qingchun was so shocked by the development that she didn¡¯t even dare shake her head anymore.


    "Are you hungry?" As Song Menghwa fussed over her with concern, he ced his hand on Song Qingchun¡¯s shoulder to lead her toward a chair to the side. He sat her on it and continued to enquire in his kind tone, "Pregnant mothers get hungry easily. I notice that you haven¡¯t had a bite to eat since the event began, so how about we get some food for you first?"


    Song Menghwa turned around to order the butler, "Go have the chef prepare some delicious meals."


    Then he turned back around to ask Song Qingchun, "Qingchun, what kind of food do you want to eat? Name any dish you want, and I¡¯ll have the chef prepare it immediately!"


    Song Qingchun, who was beyond confused, didn¡¯t dare to inhale, much less name a dish. Song Menghwa took this as a sign that Song Qingchun wasn¡¯t particrly in the mood for anything, so he took matters into his own hands and had the butler order the chef to prepare all of Song Qingchun¡¯s favourite food. Before the butler left, Song Menghwa even added, "Remember to tell them hold the seasoning and spicy stuff. A pregnancy mother¡¯s body is already heated, so better stay away from spicy food."


    After butler left, Song Menghwa turned back to Song Qingchun. He was as happy as if he had just signed a million dor contract. No, that was wrong. How could his precious grandchild bepared to a million dor contract? His grandchild was priceless.


    Song Menghwa looked at Song Qingchun, and he could already see a fair and bubbly baby smile at him. Instantly, he chuckled mirthfully before asking in a voice that was bursting with joy, "Qingchun, how many months along are you?"


    What is wrong with Dad? Has he lost his mind due to this thing between me and Su Zhinian? Song Qingchun looked at Song Menghwa, and there was tears in her eyes.


    ...


    Song Qingchun aside, none of the people in the hall could understand what was happening. It was as if the staff that fell on Su Zhinian also hit them all on the head.


    Who can tell us what is going on? The father of this incestuous rtionship is not going to stop it, and he¡¯s angry because his children n to take away this fruit of evil?


    ...


    Since Song Qingchun didn¡¯t answer him, Song Menghwa assumed that she had just found out that she was pregnant and hadn¡¯t gone to the hospital for a check-up yet. Then again, since that bastard son of his had already suggested abortion, why would she go for the check-up?


    Song Menghwa suddenly felt a me surge through his body. He whipped his head around to stare daggers at Su Zhinian. He huffed angrily at him before turning around to transform into a smiling, kind father. "Qingchun, tell me, have you gone to the hospital for your pregnancy check-up yet?"


    Then Song Menghwa turned to Qin Yinan to order, "Yinan, quickly call Ol¡¯ Zhao to get him here to give our Qingchun an immediate check-up..."


    Just as Qin Yinan pulled out his phone to make the call, Song Qingchun finally mumbled, "That... that won¡¯t be... necessary... I¡¯ve already... been... to the... hospital..."


    Song Qingchun stammered through her words before she found her voice again. "...The baby is now seven-weeks old."


    Seven weeks... Meaning in less that 8 months, I can see my grandchild already? Song Menghwa startedughing jovially. It was then that Song Menghwa realized the confused and awkward situation around him.

 Chapter 885 So We Can Be In Love 12

    Song Menghwa gradually stoppedughing. He looked around at the confounded faces that stared at him before he suddenly realized what had happened. He gasped dramatically and raised his hand to pat himself on his head before mumbling, "I¡¯m getting old. How could I forget such an important thing?"


    Then, Song Menghwa picked up the staff, and with everyone watching, he took deliberate steps toward the stage. He epted the microphone from the hostess. Looking at the people under the stage, before he could say anything, he startedughing. "I¡¯m so sorry for the surprise small interlude at this anniversary. I hope everyone wasn¡¯t too shocked by it."


    Small interlude? Did he just describe his children¡¯s incestuous rtionship with a word that is as insignificant as small interlude... The hall was quiet before people started to look at each other and discuss among themselves.


    "Standing here, I have three things to announce." Song Menghwa ignored the burgeoningmotion and continued smilingly.


    Song Menghwa raised three fingers. "Firstly, I want to apologize for my son¡¯s earlier rash behaviour. With regard to the equipment that was broken earlier, our Song Empire¡¯swyer will contact yourpany personally to deal with adequatepensation."


    Themotion dwindled slightly.


    "The second announcement is happy news." As if to prepare for the great news, Song Menghwa¡¯s face was filled with unbounded joy. "And that is..."


    Song Menghwa¡¯s gaze fell lovingly and gently on Song Qingchun¡¯s body. "...My daughter is pregnant. Song Empire has its third generation heir. When the opportunity presents itself, I will definitely host a celebration to share in this joy. In fact, I shall now extend the invitation to all of you toe to my grandchild¡¯s hundred-day anniversary in eleven months!"


    If this was any normal situation, such an announcement would have been followed by thunderous apuse, but after Song Menghwa announced it, the hall was as silent as the cemetery.


    Brushing off the open disy of rudeness, he pped at his own announcement before moving on. "The third announcement is also a joyous announcement, and that is..."


    Song Menghwa couldn¡¯t help butugh before leaning into the microphone to announce happily and excitedly, "The wedding between my son and my daughter!


    "The wedding date..."


    Since this happened all too suddenly, Song Menghwa stopped after saying those three words, but he only halted for a moment before continuing. "...The wedding date is still undecided, but I can guarantee that it¡¯ll happen some time next year."


    Qingchun is pregnant, and we have to be careful during the first trimester. However, her figure might change after three months, and the wedding dress might not look pretty on her, so we had better wait until after the child is born to deal with the wedding, Song Menghwa thought to himself before telling the guests under the stage, "...When that happens, I promise I will personally send the wedding invitation to every honoured guest."


    Song Menghwa¡¯s three announcements were like lightning that struck the hall, causing the ce to be raucous withmotion.


    "Sir Song Menghwa, thew of this country dictates that biological siblings are not allowed to get married. Do you realize that what you¡¯ve just announced is illegal?"

 Chapter 886 So You Can Be In Love 13

    "Sir Song Menghwa, do you really think this is appropriate?"


    "Sir Song Menghwa..."


    Song Menghwa was not fazed by the tsunami of questions directed his way. He stood calmly on stage. With a smile on his face, he made a sign for the crowd to quiet down. "Please, hold your questions for now. Let me exin myself."


    ...


    The chaos in the hall gradually dampened; however, some of the reporters still had straggling questions. One of them was exceptionally grating to Song Menghwa¡¯s ears. "Don¡¯t you know that the child between biological siblings will often end up with crippled limbs or a retarded mind? Do you still wish to keep such an unfortunate child?"


    "What absurdity! Why are you cursing my grandchild?" Song Menghwa red angrily at the reporter who had asked this rude question before continuing to exin into the microphone. "I, Song Menghwa, do admit that I couldn¡¯t wait to have a grandchild, but I¡¯m not someone who is so depraved as to allow my children to do stuff that is totally immoral!


    "The only reason I allow my daughter to keep her child is because of a Song family secret that is known only to the Song family."


    Actually, that number was exaggerated by Song Menghwa. The only people who knew about this secret was himself, his wife who already passed away, and his loyal butler. He said what he did to preserve the reputation of his son and daughter. Even though he knew that they would not have known this secret beforehand, he had to create an illusion for the media to believe that Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian had known the truth from the very beginning and had always shared a normal rtionship.


    "This secret is rted to my daughter. My daughter, Song Qingchun, is not my biological daughter."


    The hall started to get rowdy again. Su Zhinian frowned as he turned to look at Song Menghwa. The mouth of the seated Song Qingchun, who had her eyes fixed to the reflections of the light on the marble floor, fell slightly open.


    "Qingchun is a child adopted by myself and my wife from the hospital when she was three months old. All my old friends here should know that my wife has been pregnant twice, but the second child was a stillborn birth.


    "At the time, the hospital was crowded, and my financial situation wasn¡¯t as good as it is now, so my wife shared the maternity ward with another woman.


    "The unfortunate thing was while my wife suffered from a stillborn, the other woman died from excessive bleeding three hours after her childbirth. The woman¡¯s husband was a police officer, and he died on duty when she was six months pregnant. The baby girl was thus born as a parentless child. After discussing it with my wife, we decided to adopt the child at the hospital to give her a whole family."


    The hall was silent, and Song Menghwa continued. "Of course, you might suspect me of creating this story to prevent a financial crisis to Song Empire or to wipe away the scandal from my children. I understand that. To prove our innocence, I am willing to conduct an open DNA test with my daughter before the media.


    "Of course, my children have known this a long time ago. Therefore, they are not as you all would like to believe, getting together while thinking that they were biological brother and sister."

 Chapter 887 So We Can Be In Love 14

    "I know, then you¡¯ll be asking, since they already knew the truth, why the decision to take away the child? Why wouldn¡¯t they juste out with the truth?


    "That¡¯s because..." Song Menghwa paused to re once more at Su Zhinian with vengeance in his eyes. "...my son is seriousmitment-phobe!"


    Su Zhinian, who was suddenly branded amitment-phobe, didn¡¯t even blink once. As he stared at Song Menghwa, his expression didn¡¯t change one bit.


    "I¡¯ve long known my son has a person he loved, but he refused to tell me because he was afraid that I was going to force him to get married. But now, there¡¯s a baby on the way, and he has the audacity to ask my daughter to go for an abortion. Tell me, how can I not get angry?


    "Because of that, I lost control of my temper earlier..."


    Song Menghwa chuckled.


    The atmosphere in the hall slowly reverted to normal following Song Menghwa¡¯s exnation. Some of the elder CEOs in the crowd nodded understandingly at Song Menghwa. Song Empire had been founded by Song Menghwa with his own two hands. Even though his health had been deteriorating in recent years, it didn¡¯t mean that he wasn¡¯t a careful and calctive thinker.


    Also, based on what they knew of Song Menghwa, his reaction after finding out about the abortion was ultimately understandable because it did fit his personality. He was someone who would care so deeply about his grandchild.


    Of course, that was only part of the truth. The reason Song Menghwa did all that was to muddle everyone¡¯s focus and to take the harsh spotlight away from the rtionship between Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian. This enabled him to repackage their rtionship in a more eptable way.


    "Of course, there is ast question that remains to be exined.


    "In the recording just now, there was talk of congenital abnormalities for the child between biological siblings..." As Song Menghwa said that, his brain started to spin. "That wasn¡¯tpletely true. As all of you know, this daughter of mine is a news-anchor, half an entertainer so to speak. The girl loves acting and always ropes her family into doing skits with her. If I¡¯m not mistaken, that recording was merely a collection of the many yful skits between my son and daughter; it¡¯s not real. If you don¡¯t believe me, those who have the recorded audio, please y it for all of us. That recording was obviously manufactured."


    One of the reporters did follow Song Menghwa¡¯s instruction. Due to the explosive nature of the revtion, many had overlooked the details. However, with Song Menghwa¡¯s reminder, after listening to the audio for the second time, they realized that there were indeed many parts of conversations that had obviously been snipped and cut.


    "He¡¯s right..."


    "Indeed, they were still talking about being lucky, but all of the sudden, there¡¯s talk about an abortion in Shanghai."


    "This audio has definitely been tweaked."


    As the crowd discussed this discovery among themselves, Song Menghwa came out to conclude this sudden revtion. "As all of us know, business trade is like a war. I believe some malicious party intentionally recorded my children¡¯s little acting skits to manufacture this travesty to attack Song Empire¡¯s reputation. We will hand this incident over to the police. We¡¯ll definitely get to the bottom of this and get the real culprit to answer to everyone, including, of course, the Song family!"


    Worried that Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun, who had morphed into statues, would undermine his exnation, after Song Menghwa got down from stage, he immediately hauled the two stupefied statues upstairs using the excuse that they needed to nurse Su Zhinian¡¯s injuries.

 Chapter 888 So We Can Be In Love 15

    Song Menghwa had single-handedly turned the chaos at the anniversary around. Regardless, it had taken a great toll on him. The moment they entered the room, Song Menghwa slumped weakly into the sofa. With his hand on his heart and his eyes closed, he breathed in and out for a long time before his breathing stabilized. He moved his arms little by little before using the sofa arms as support to sit up in the chair.


    Song Menghwa opened his eyes to see the empty space before him. He was confused before turning his eyes to look around the room. Eventually, he spotted Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian, who stood by each other at the door. The two of them hadn¡¯te out of their petrified state. They stood there looking nkly ahead,pletely immobile.


    "What are you two standing there for?" Song Menghwa frowned before ordering, "Come in and take a seat!"


    His words seemed to havended on deaf ears because Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian stood where they were¡ªtheir eyelids barely even twitched. Song Menghwa frowned even deeper. He urged them again. Since they still didn¡¯t seem to hear him, he grabbed his staff to knock heavily on the leg of the coffee table.


    Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian¡¯s bodies shook slightly before they both turned their nk gazes toward Song Menghwa. Song Menghwa, after getting their attention, ced the staff next to the coffee table and demanded, "Come here!"


    Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian moved robotically toward him. Song Menghwa pointed at the sofa across from him, to signal for them to sit. Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian were like two puppets, sitting awkwardly at the edge of the sofa, not unlike a primary school students who were frozen after being summoned into the headmaster¡¯s office.


    Song Menghwa leaned forward. Before he got into the heart of the matter, he asked Song Qingchun with concern, "Qingchun, how are you feeling? Do you feel ufortable in any way?"


    Song Qingchun shook her head mechanically as if someone had pulled the string above her.


    Song Menghwa then sighed in relief. He proceeded to exin his n for the future, "This is what I think. Since Qingchun is currently two months pregnant, and the first trimester is too dangerous for too much movement, so I don¡¯t suggest having the wedding so soon. Qingchun needs all the rest she can get. What do the both of you think?"


    Wedding? Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian still hadn¡¯t recovered from their daze. The word swirled in their minds for a long time, but there was barely any expression on their faces.


    "Can you even hear me?" Song Menghwa raised his voice.


    Su Zhinian, who until now hadn¡¯t really grasped what Song Menghwa was saying, nodded immediately. Song Qingchun saw Su Zhinian nod, so she mimicked him.


    Song Menghwa then continued. "In three months, Qingchun might not look pretty in her dress with the stomach, so I suggest we have the wedding after the birth of the child."


    This time, Song Menghwa didn¡¯t wait for them to nod before continuing. "The main mission for Qingchun now is to rest well to prepare for childbirth. Su Zhinian, I don¡¯t care how busy your work is because from now on, your main job is to take care of your wife and child."


    After giving all of his opinions, Song Menghwa suddenly leaned inquisitively forward to ask with a big smile, "Have you figured out a name for the child?"


    Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun were like two idiots staring at Song Menghwa, giving him zero response.


    Song Menghwa frowned and leaned back to focus on selecting a name for his grandchild when Su Zhinian suddenly opened his lips to say, "Did you just say... have a wedding?"

 Chapter 889 So We Can Be In Love 16

    What does he mean? I¡¯ve wasted my breath exining myself for so long, but he still doesn¡¯t understand me?


    Song Menghwa¡¯s eyes that stared at Su Zhinian became coloured with displeasure.


    Song Qingchun, who heard Su Zhinian¡¯s voice, also slowly recovered from her shock. She blinked twice before asking with uncertainty, "Dad, did you just say to rest well and prepare for childbirth?"


    Song Menghwa immediately bit back his words to scold Su Zhinian and turned around to smile at Song Qingchun. He nodded happily. "Yes, of course, that¡¯s what you need to do now."


    Su Zhinian, who hadn¡¯t received an affirmative answer, tried his luck again. "Father, what you meant just now was to ask me to have a wedding with Tingting?"


    Song Menghwa tutted with displeasure. He was about to re at Su Zhinian when Song Qingchun asked, "Dad, you did mention childbirth, right?"


    "Yes, yes, yes." Song Menghwa nodded without any trace of impatience as if he was afraid that Song Qingchun might not understand him.


    "Dad, the wedding you mentioned is for me and Tingting?" Su Zhinian asked for the third time.


    At the same time, Song Qingchun said, "Dad, does this mean that I can keep this child?"


    Song Menghwa ignored Su Zhinianpletely. He focused his full attention on Song Qingchun. He urged nervously, "Of course, why wouldn¡¯t you keep this child?"


    "Father, does this mean that I can marry Tingting?" Su Zhinian asked for the fourth time.


    Song Qingchun asked, "But, Su Zhinian is my biological brother, right? Will the child really be healthy?"


    "Of course, the child will be healthy, as strong as a cow I might add! Didn¡¯t I already exin everything just now? You¡¯re not my biological daughter." After the words left his mouth, Song Menghwa realized how hurtful those words could be, so he immediately added, "But Qingchun, even so, I¡¯ve already treated you as my real daughter, so please don¡¯t be sad."


    "Father, I can really marry Tingting..." Su Zhinian who had been ignored since the very beginning, asked for the fifth time.


    However, before he could even finish the question, Song Menghwa turned around to re at him fierily and cut him off. "Ask, ask, ask, how many times do you want to ask the same damn question? If not a wedding, what else do you want to n? Don¡¯t tell me you n to marry Qingchun with just a registration at the registry office? I¡¯m warning you, I will not let Qingchun marry you without a grand wedding!"


    Su Zhinian blinked innocently before his whole body froze as he turned over Song Menghwa¡¯s every word in his mind. After the meaning of Song Menghwa¡¯s words finally registered in his mind, an indescribable happiness like spring water washed over his whole body.


    So, I can get married to Song Qingchun... In other words, Song Menghwa¡¯s revtion about Tingting¡¯s identity is all real; he didn¡¯t say those thing for the sake of PR.


    This great surprise caused Su Zhinian to exim loudly and suddenly, "So, Tingting is really not my biological sister?"


    Song Menghwa, who was in the middle of consoling Song Qingchun, was spooked by Su Zhinian¡¯s loud deration. He grabbed the ashtray off the table and aimed it just above Su Zhinian¡¯s head.

 Chapter 890 So We Can be In Love 17

    "Have you dropped your brain at home? Why are you so insistent on asking these useless questions? If you were really biological siblings, do you think you could still sit here peacefully? Do you think I would let the two of you get married?"


    Su Zhinian titled his head to avoid the ashtray. He should have been angered by this treatment, but he felt weirdly happy being scolded this way. He couldn¡¯t stop the smile from blossoming on his face. So, I¡¯m not rted to Tingting by blood...


    Su Zhinian smiled more as a great force of happiness sted his mind into emptiness, save for one thought. So, I¡¯m not rted to Tingting by blood...


    Su Zhinian couldn¡¯t hold theughter in. Then he suddenly jumped up from the sofa. No, this is too exciting. I can even feel the molecules in my body shivering. I need to find a ce to calm myself down to fully digest this news.


    Su Zhinian turned around without saying a word. He dashed out of the room and mmed the door heavily behind him. The waitress outside the door was shocked by Su Zhinian¡¯s sudden appearance. Before she could approach him to ask if she could help, Su Zhinian flew past her like a st of wind.


    The waitress had her mouth wide open. Before she recovered from the superhuman feat that she had just witnessed, Su Zhinian, who had almost reached the elevator, suddenly raced back toward her.


    Ignoring the curious gaze the waitress kept tossing his way, Su Zhinian paced back and forth along the long corridor. Suddenly, an unbridled rage surged through his chest. He ran toward the room Song Menghwa and Song Qingchun was in, pulled the door forcefully open, and roared at Song Menghwa, "Why wouldn¡¯t you tell me earlier that Song Qingchun is not your biological daughter?"


    Do you know how many years of torment and torture I¡¯ve been through because Song Qingchun is your daughter?


    Do you know how many tears I¡¯ve shed silently in the night because Song Qingchun is your daughter?


    Do you know how many times I have to cruelly reject her approach and confession because Song Qingchun is your daughter?


    Do you know how close I was to force her to take out the child in her stomach because Song Qingchun is your daughter?


    Do you know... because Song Qingchun is your daughter...


    Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes shed a deep crimson as his chest rose unevenly. He couldn¡¯t help raise his finger to point at the two culprits in the room. After steadying his breath, he uttered syble by syble, "I knew this Song Qingchun¡¯s scammer quality had toe from somewhere, and now I know she learned it from you!"


    One used the fake name ¡¯Tingting¡¯ in her young age to scam his whole life.


    Another purposely kept his adoption a secret for as long as he could to scam his love for the daughter.


    A whole f*cking family of scammers!


    "Good God, I feel like cursing..." Su Zhinian¡¯s teeth chattered audibly. "But you know why I¡¯m not cursing right about now?"


    Su Zhinian breathed out heavily to ease the pent up fury in his chest before exining clearly.


    "Because my child¡¯s grandfather is my father!"


    Su Zhinian, after finished venting, mmed the door shut again and left.


    If not for the fact that they came from the same bloodlines, he had half a mind to curse the whole damn line of ancestors!

 Chapter 891 So We Can Be In Love 18

    Under the confused gaze of the waitress who looked at him like he was crazy, Su Zhinian continued the pace up and down the corridor before shoving the door open again. Without even closing the door, he dashed to the sofa. He reached out to grab Song Qingchun¡¯s arms and pulled her up from the sofa.


    "Su Zhinian, what are you doing? Qingchun is pregnant; you have to be more careful..." Su Zhinian drowned out Song Menghwa¡¯s lecture as he pulled Song Qingchun tightly into his arms.


    He knew that he was acting a bit too crazily, but then again, how could he not be? Ever since he had stumbled upon the secret that he was Song Menghwa¡¯s son, there had not been a single night when he didn¡¯t imagine how glorious his life would be if they weren¡¯t biological siblings.


    However, the greater the dream, the more devastating the reality when he woke up the next day. His love toward her was so deep that it had be a part of him. How deep his love was equalled to how excited he was then. In fact, he was so excited that he had difficulty exining the many joyful emotions that flitted through every cell in his body.


    Su Zhinian hugged Song Qingchun tighter and tighter. His lips fell open, but he found the words paled inparison to the range and intensity of his feeling. In the end, he lowered his head to kiss Song Qingchun hungrily and heavily on her lips.


    He knew there were several waitresses outside the open door sneaking a peek at their kiss, and he also knew that Song Menghwa was just standing beside them. However, he didn¡¯t care anymore; he didn¡¯t want to care. All he wanted was to use the most direct method to actualize the cheer and tion that filled his heart. Although they were already having a child together, this was the first time he had been allowed to kiss so openly and without reprimand.


    As Su Zhinian gobbled up her lips, he could feel his eyes getting sour with tears.


    Tingting, do you know how much I have wished to be able to hug you, kiss you, and love you so openly? I really didn¡¯t expect this day woulde...


    Su Zhinian lost himself in the kiss, and the quiet room started to fill with some unsavoury noises. Even Song Menghwa, who already had three children, had to turn away with his face burning. He waved at one of the waitresses standing at the door to get her into the room to help him up and lead him out of the room. Before he left, he even tactfully closed the door for Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian.


    The room was left only with him and her. Su Zhinian¡¯s kiss became deeper and stronger like he was trying to merge Song Qingchun¡¯s into his soul. The kiss continued until the room started to swirl, until the temperature of their bodies rose to the maximum, until Song Qingchun felt like he was sucking the breath out of her... Su Zhinian finally released her while gasping for breath.


    If not for her pregnancy, Su Zhinian would have used physical activity to share with her the joy that was bubbling in his heart.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s heart beat so strongly in his chest that he felt like it would jump out of his throat any time soon. He pulled Song Qingchun into his embrace and held her there for a long time before finally uttering one of the many promises and observations that currently upied his mind.


    "Tingting, so we can be in love..."

 Chapter 892 Tingting, I Have Superpowers 1

    So, we can be in love...


    Such a simple sentence, a sentence of a few words, but when it fell into Song Qingchun¡¯s ears, it touched her heart and caused tears toe to her eyes.


    She did find it a bit hard to process the fact that she was not Song Menghwa¡¯s daughter, but when she saw how nervous Song Menghwa was in his attempt to console her, and after realizing that she could openly be in love with Su Zhinian, she suddenly realized that actually she hadn¡¯t lost anything. In fact, she had gained a lot.


    One of the most important things that she had gained was definitely the confirmation that, yes, she and Su Zhinian could be in love.


    They could walk on the streets holding hands, kiss each other sweetly, lean on his shoulders at the cinema... she could even ask him to carry her when she was tired after a long day at the mall. They could do all that and any other sweet activities between normal couples.


    Of course, now they could openly confess their love to the world, he could ask her to marry him, she could marry him without worry, and most importantly, they could wee their child into the world.


    The many interjections in Song Qingchun¡¯s heart filtered into Su Zhinian¡¯s mind, creating a crescendo of impossible intensity.


    Confession, proposal, marriage, childbirth...


    These four words circted in his mind for a long time before he suddenly released Song Qingchun. He told her hurriedly, "Tingting, wait for me a moment."


    Then he dashed out of the room for the third time that hour.


    Su Zhinian took the elevator to the underground parking lot. He jumped into his car, mmed on the gas pedal, and zoomed out without even putting on the seatbelt. He took ten minutes to finish a journey that would normally take half an hour.


    He parked his car hastily in front of hispany. Ignoring the security guard who greeted him, he dashed into the elevator and pressed the button for the top floor. He keyed in the password to his office urgently before shoving the door open.


    He practically tore apart his office before he found the wedding ring that he had bought for Song Qingchun that day after that fateful night six years ago. Without taking a break to catch his breath, Su Zhinian dashed back down hispany, jumped into his car, and raced back to City Clubhouse.


    Oh my God, I can finally propose to Song Qingchun; I can finally bring Song Qingchun to get the certificate... Wait, certificate?


    I¡¯ve never been married, will this process be too difficult? What else do I need?


    Su Zhinian frowned and pulled out his phone. He clicked open his contact list, and as he looked through it, he decided to call a close friend who had recently gotten married to ask for more details.


    ...


    When the phone rang, Lu Jinnian had just finished his bath and was walking out of the bathroom. He walked to the bedside to pick up his phone. After ncing at the caller ID, he answered it. "What¡¯s up?"


    "Are you busy?" Su Zhinian asked perfunctorily. Before Lu Jinnian could answer, Su Zhinian interrupted him and cut to the chase. "Can you help me get a marriage certificate?"


    Get him a marriage certificate? What kind of joke is he ying on me? In what world does one need another person to help apply for marriage certificate?


    Lu Jinnian suspected that Su Zhinian was pranking calling him. He took a deep breath to suppress his anger before replying, "I¡¯m sorry, I own an entertainmentpany, not a civil affairs bureau. CEO Su, you¡¯ve got the wrong person!"

 Chapter 893 Tingting, I Have Superpowers 2

    Lu Jinnian nced at Qiao Anhao, who was lying in bed. After that, she might fall asleep, thus depriving him of his ¡¯nightly activity¡¯. By the time Su Zhinian answered, he had hung up already. Listening to the dial tone on his phone, Su Zhinian cursed his friend before finding another person to call.


    ...


    When the phone rang, Sheng Shi was in the middle of helping Gu Lansan bath the two children. He waved at the nearby maid to get her to rece him. Then he grabbed the towel to dry his hands and walked out of the bathroom to take the call. "Yes?"


    "If I¡¯m not mistaken, you have family members working with the government, right? Can you help me get a marriage certificate as soon as possible?" After that, Su Zhinian did not forget to make use of the opportunity to nder Lu Jinnian. "I just called Lu Jinnian. He said, since he doesn¡¯t own a civil affairs bureau, he can¡¯t help me..."


    Before Sheng Shi answered the call, he had grabbed a ss of water to sip at it. When Su Zhinian named his demand, the water burst out of Sheng Shi¡¯s lips.


    As he dabbed at the water stains on his clothes, he exined patiently to Su Zhinian on the phone, "CEO Su, I¡¯ve heard of people helping others apply for a VISA, passport, and even housing certificate, but this is the first time I¡¯ve heard of someone asking for help to get a marriage certificate."


    At this point, he couldn¡¯t help but throw in a verbal jab at Su Zhinian. "I cannot help but wonder, are you seriously that clueless, or is this a gloating call to say that you¡¯ve finally escaped the singles¡¯ ranks? Seriously though, do you happen to have nine dors? Do you happen to know where the civil affairs bureau is? If the answer to both questions is yes, please take your new bride..."


    Before Sheng Shi finished, it finally dawned on Su Zhinian. He did know about the procedure; it had just left his mind due to his excitement.


    "Thank you, but you can stop now because I just remembered it," Su Zhinian said to interrupt Sheng Shi before hanging up.


    As Su Zhinian¡¯s car sped across the city, he had a hard time suppressing the joy in his heart. He decided to share the news with Tang Shi, whom he often yed mah-jongg with. Su Zhinian¡¯s text said, "I¡¯m getting married and bing a father soon."


    Tang Shi nced at the three babies arranged in a neat row in the crib and replied, "And I have triplets."


    Has joy lowered my IQ? Why would I call others to ask about things that I already know and gloat to a married man?


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t reply to Tang Shi, but it didn¡¯t mean that his IQ had returned to his usual level because he then sent a gloating message to the single Tang Nuo instead.


    "I¡¯m getting married soon; guess who the bride is."


    Almost the next second the message was sent, Tang Nuo replied, "Song Qingchun."


    This is no fun; how can he get it right with just one guess?] Su Zhinian tossed his phone on the passenger seat as he turned the steering wheel to steer his car into City Clubhouse¡¯s underground parking lot. After he parked the car, Su Zhinian couldn¡¯t help butugh.


    Then again, it was no surprise that Tang Nuo got it right. As he has said earlier, the only woman who has ever been able to wander into my life and stay there is Qingchun. Furthermore, I once told Tang Nuo that if I was unable to marry Song Qingchun, he was not going to marry.


    Su Zhinian mmed the car door shut and rushed into the elevator.


    Inside the room, Song Qingchun held a ss of milk in her hands, sipping on it slowly.

 Chapter 894 Tingting, I Have Superpowers 3

    Without any preamble, Su Zhinian rushed into the room and squatted down to the same level as Song Qingchun. Looking into her eyes, he said, "Tingting, I love you."


    Actually I have many confessions that I could tell you.


    Like...


    Tingting, do you know? I¡¯ve loved you since many years ago.


    Tingting, I¡¯ve exhausted my whole life looking for you.


    Tingting, I just want to spend my life with you.


    Not only that, I have many beautiful words that I can tell you.


    Thank you for letting me meet you and for allowing me to marry you.


    The most beautiful part of my life began after I met you.


    Youplete me, and my life would¡¯ve been empty without you.


    However, they only sound unnecessarily verbose and sharinepared to the simple ¡¯I love you.¡¯


    Of course, that¡¯s not all...


    Song Qingchun was stunned facing the sudden promation from Su Zhinian. She blinked slightly. Endless emotions continued to flow out of Su Zhinian as he said in a soft and slow voice, "Tingting, let¡¯s be together okay?"


    Song Qingchun was deeply touched by these two simple promations that contained many deep emotions. Her fingers trembled, and the ss fell from her grip. It shattered on the floor, and the milk pooled into a small puddle before her.


    Song Qingchun ignored the mess and blinked twice at Su Zhinian as tears started to appear in her eyes. After experiencing so many things, they could finally be together.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s lips curved upwards, and she nodded at Su Zhinian without hesitation.


    Yes, yes, let¡¯s be together, we can finally be each other¡¯spany...


    Tears slid down Song Qingchun¡¯s cheek, falling to the floor one after another. Staring at her tears, Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes started to redden as well.


    He knew that he had done many stupid things that night, but those who had never gone down to hell and experienced true despair would not understand his feelings.


    It might have appeared juvenile, uncouth, stupid... In fact, others might have perceived him as crazy, but he didn¡¯t care because those people wouldn¡¯t understand his joy. The love that he had hidden in his heart for eighteen years had finally been given the chance to flourish.


    Su Zhinian, who had just confessed, stared at Song Qingchun for a while before suddenly going on one knee. He knelt on the pile of broken ss. The ss pierced into his knee, but he knelt there stably as if he couldn¡¯t feel the pain. His eyes that looked at Song Qingchun became serious and severe. He retrieved the old wedding ring from his pocket and opened the box slowly to show it Song Qingchun.


    "Tingting, will you marry me?"


    Actually, he could have bought a bigger and more expensive ring, but he didn¡¯t. The first thing that entered his mind when he thought about the proposal was this ring, this ring that had witnessed his heartache, pain, and many sleepless night.


    It had been dyed for so many years, but finally, this ring was about to return to its rightful owner.

 Chapter 895 Tingting, I Have Superpowers 4

    Song Qingchun knew from reading his diary that after that eventful night, Su Zhinian had gone out to buy a ring to propose to her, but she had never seen that ring in person.


    At that moment, when Song Qingchun saw the rather ragged velvet box and the old-fashioned ring that sat inside, she believed that was the ring that Su Zhinian had bought for her so many years ago.


    Honestly speaking, the ring¡¯s model was outdated, and the diamond was small. The stone¡¯s rity was poor, and the cut was imperfect. Furthermore, the box looked worn and old because it had been Su Zhinian¡¯s habit to take it out to look at it whenever he missed Song Qingchun.


    Song Qingchun stared at the imperfect wedding ring, and even without a luxurious proposal and without an expensive ring, her heart melted into a puddle, and her tears fell uncontrobly. This ring carried his undying love for her that had survived all these years. So, in spite of its cheap price tag and its outdated model, it was the most meaningful and beautiful present she had ever received in her life.


    "Yes..." Song Qingchun only managed to get out one word before her voice was overtaken by choking sobs. Her hands flew to her mouth to cover the sound of crying, and they were soon wet with tears. She nodded vehemently at him and pushed her hand out excitedly at him. When he put the ring on her finger, she finished her sentence through her tears.


    "Of course, I¡¯ll marry you."


    ...


    Su Zhinian was so excited that even after the whole Song family had gone to bed, he still couldn¡¯t rest. The man didn¡¯t feel a bit drowsy and stared at the ceiling. He couldn¡¯t wait for the sun to rise and then report to hispany to share the good news with all his workers. Regardless, no matter how desperate he wished for it, the night still passed by slowly.


    Su Zhinian turned agitatedly in bed and thought rather confusedly, When I didn¡¯t have Song Qingchun, the night felt overly long, but now that we are together, howe it feels like the night has gotten longer?


    Su Zhinian sighed as he turned his head to look at Song Qingchun, who was asleep. Her face and her features had already been carved into his heart, but as he studied her face, he realized it was not enough. He continued to study her face until there was a glow in his eyes.


    He continued to look at her, and his face broke into a smile. A satisfied chuckle escaped his lips, and he immediately raised his hands to cover his lips. He looked at her silently. After confirming that he hadn¡¯t woken her up, he sighed under his breath. Then, he leaned in closer to carefully examine her face. The more he did so, the happier he became. In fact, he couldn¡¯t help himself from burying his face into the silk pillow to muffle the sound of hisughter.


    Su Zhinian continued this crazed actions until it was 5 am. It was then that fatigue caught up to him, and he passed out.


    Even in his dreams, he couldn¡¯t help but maintain a smile on his face. Just as he was in the middle of a fabulous dream, Song Qingchun¡¯s anxious call appeared beside his ears.


    "Su Zhinian? Su Zhinian?"

 Chapter 896 Tingting, I Have Superpowers 5

    Is it an emergency since she sounds so urgent? Su Zhinian woke up instantly when he heard Song Qingchun¡¯s voice; all the drowsiness had left his mind. He was about to open his eyes when Song Qingchun¡¯s desperate call of came once more.


    "Su Zhinian."


    Su Zhinian frowned, and a thought crossed his mind. Could it be that everything that happened yesterday was just an excuse made up by Song Menghwa? Is she really my biological sister?


    Shuddering all over, he closed his eyes that were in the middle of opening, hoping to retreat back to his perfect dream.


    "Su Zhinian!" Following Song Qingchun¡¯s loudest yell thus far, Su Zhinian heard the door to his bedroom being pushed open. As her footsteps carried across the floor, she didn¡¯t stop calling his name.


    Could it really be what I expected? Before I have had enough of this perfect dream, I¡¯m about to get shoved back into hell? Su Zhinian, who was reluctant to face this truth, pretended to still be asleep. He rolled in bed to switch into another position to continue to fake a deep slumber.


    "Su Zhinian!" Song Qingchun, who couldn¡¯t ¡¯wake¡¯ Su Zhinian, pulled the cover back and dropped it on the floor. Then she climbed into bed and used her fingers to pinch his nose shut while her palm to cover up his mouth.


    Su Zhinian held his breath for as long as five minutes before opening his eyes wide as he gasped desperately for air.


    Song Qingchun immediately retracted her arms and said anxiously, "Su Zhinian..."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s heart twitched twice following her voice. He really didn¡¯t have the courage to face the cruelty of his dream being taken away from him. So, he jumped down from bed without thinking and rushed into the bathroom. "Tingting, I need to use the bathroom first, we can talkter".


    "Su Zhinian, I have something important to talk to you¡ªyou can use the bathroom after that," Song Qingchun said as she followed Su Zhinian.


    The door closed in her face, and Song Qingchun raised her hand to knock heavily on the bathroom door. When she heard him ask her to give him a minute, she looked around the room before her gazended on the dresser. She walked toward it, pulled the drawer open, and used a key she found within to unlock the bathroom door.


    In the middle of peeing, Su Zhinian immediately used his hands to cover his little Su Zhinian, and the unfinished stream covered both his hands.


    Su Zhinian, who was disgusted by his own pee, forced his vomit down his throat and turned to hiss at Song Qingchun with both desperation and helplessness, "Song Qingchun, didn¡¯t I tell you I have to use the toilet?"


    Song Qingchun nced at Su Zhinian¡¯s private part that was covered and responded with an unaffected "Oh..." before telling Su Zhinian, "Carry on, it¡¯s okay.


    "Su Zhinian, listen to me because I have something serious to discuss with you..."


    Carry on? How? With her standing right there? Su Zhinian¡¯s face darkened. Before he could vent his frustration, his mindtched onto another phrase in Song Qingchun¡¯s sentence¡ªsomething serious.


    Howe it was getting closer and closer to the scene he imagined? Could it be that after a good night¡¯s sleep, the distance between them was going to widen again?

 Chapter 897 Tingting, I Have Superpowers 6

    Su Zhinian straightened himself in a hurry, then he rushed to the sink. As he rubbed his hands raw, he interrupted Song Qingchun without thought, "Tingting, please go out first. After I¡¯m done, we¡¯ll sit down and talk, okay?"


    He admitted, he was really fragile at the time, he really needed time to prepare himself mentally before he was flung out of heaven and into hell.


    "No, this cannot wait anymore because what I¡¯m going to discuss with you is of the utmost importance."


    What is more important than the fact that we can no longer be together?


    Song Qingchun slowly and unwittingly pushed Su Zhinian closer and closer to his nightmare. Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes dimmed. His lips tensed, and a pleading sound entered his voice involuntarily. "Tingting..."


    He knew that he was acting dumb, but even if he could have a few more minutes submerged in this beautiful dream, he would fight tooth and nail for it. Su Zhinian¡¯s lips moved, and his clear voice was tinged with sadness and mncholy. "Let me brush my te..."


    He was going to say, Let me brush my teeth first, okay?


    However, before he could finish, Song Qingchun cut in hurriedly. "Su Zhinian, don¡¯t you feel that audio recording at the anniversary event yesterday was a bit weird? The content of the recording included private conversations between the two of us..."


    Su Zhinian bit down the words that had reached the tip of his tongue. He stared at the water running out of the faucet for a long time before turning around to say, "Tingting, this is what you wanted to discuss with me?"


    Song Qingchun looked at the surprise in his eyes and nodded, slightly confused. After a while, she said, "Yeah."


    After receiving the confirmation, Su Zhinian¡¯s tense back instantly rxed, and his expression softened greatly. He grabbed his toothbrush, squirted a reasonable amount of toothpaste on it, and shoved it into his mouth.


    As he brushed his teeth, he could not help but grumble internally, I should have expected this; the scammer personality in her just won¡¯t rest. Why would she say it¡¯s something of the utmost importance? My soul almost escaped due to this scare. Then again, as long as it¡¯s not rted to the fact that she¡¯s turned back to my sister, I suppose I can put this behind me.


    With toothpaste hanging on his lips, Su Zhinian¡¯s lips curved into a smile.


    What is he thinking? Why does he appear so happy when I¡¯m discussing an issue of such importance?


    Song Qingchun frowned, staring at the fully rxed Su Zhinian who seemed disproportionally joyful from an activity as mundane as brushing his teeth. Regardless, she continued. "...Furthermore, the recording involves conversations that were taken from more than one location. This means that the recorder or the bug is somewhere close to our bodies, or rather, we¡¯ve been carrying it..."


    Su Zhinian, who was about to gargle his mouth with water, frowned when he heard this spection from Song Qingchun, and his expression turned serious.


    The previous night had simply been too eventful. It had caused his brain to be so submerged in joy that he had forgotten about this very important detail!


    "Say, do you think the recorder or bug is in your car or your house? Or is it possible that the person who has been spying on us has prepared more than one bug?"


    While Song Qingchun mumbled her spection to herself, Su Zhinian suddenly turned to Song Qingchun like he just remembered something important.


    "Where¡¯s your phone?"

 Chapter 898 Tingting, I Have Superpowers 7

    "Huh?" Song Qingchun was started; she didn¡¯t seem to get what Su Zhinian meant.


    "Phone, I mean where¡¯s your cell phone?"


    "Oh." Song Qingchun rushed out of the bathroom and soon returned with her phone. Su Zhinian epted it and opened her WhatsApp. As he did so, he asked, "You haven¡¯t deleted any messages, right?"


    "I don¡¯t think so..." The moment Song Qingchun finished, Tang Nuan¡¯s voice reverberated through the bathroom.


    "There... is... recorder... purse..."


    Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t follow what Su Zhinian was doing. She didn¡¯t understand why he would suddenly rey Tang Nuan¡¯s dying message. She frowned and stared at Su Zhinian, who was uncharacteristically focused listening to Tang Nuan¡¯s message. She whispered, "Have you found anything?"


    Su Zhinian was silent for a long time. Instead of answering Song Qingchun, he posed her another question. "Where¡¯s your purse?"


    Song Qingchun blinked nkly. "Which purse?"


    "Where do you normally keep your bags and purses?" Su Zhinian rified.


    "In my closet..."


    Before Song Qingchun finished, Su Zhinian rushed toward the closet. She hurried to follow. As she stepped into her closet, Su Zhinian asked, "Do you still remember which purse you were carrying the day we visited the orphanage?"


    Song Qingchun had so many bags, and she changed the bag that she carried almost daily. However, while she might not remember the bag of any given day, she definitely had a good memory of the purse she carried the day they visited the orphanage. That was because on that morning, before she left home, her sister-inw gifted her a new purse.


    Song Qingchun looked around the closet before pointing at the purse on the second row third one from the left. "That one."


    "The LV one?" Su Zhinian nced at the brand and asked for confirmation.


    Song Qingchun nodded. Su Zhinian grabbed the purse and opened all the zippers to search through it.


    "What are you looking for?" Song Qingchun walked forward to inquire. Su Zhinian didn¡¯t answer as he searched through every lining avable in the purse. Finally, he pulled out a bug the size of a button from a small pocket that was buried at the bottom of the purse.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes widened to their maximum. Something seemed to dawn on her, but her mouth still fell open with disbelief. "Why¡ª why is there such a thing in my purse?"


    Su Zhinian bit on his lips. Ignoring Song Qingchun, he pulled out the electronic battery out from behind the bug before asking, "Did you buy this purse yourself, or was it a gift?"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s face was pale. After taking a few deep breaths, she said, "It was a gift from my sister-inw."


    Sister-inw? Fang Rou?


    Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian shared a look. Even though they didn¡¯t say anything, the next second, they both turned around in unison to run toward the bedroom door. They first rushed to Fang Rou¡¯s bedroom. The room was empty. Then they ran downstairs; there was still no sign of Fang Rou.


    After asking the maid, they were informed that Fang Rou hadn¡¯t returned home since the previous night...


    Song Qingchun raced to thendline to call Fang Rou, but the phone wasn¡¯t in service.


    Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun shared another look. Su Zhinian pointed at the ceiling, and they both returned to the bedroom as calmly as they could.

 Chapter 899 Tingting, I Have Superpowers 8

    Once the door closed behind them, Song Qingchun spoke. "It was Big Sister who gave me this purse, so does that mean it was her who was behind the recording? But why would she do that?"


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t answer any of Song Qingchun¡¯s endless questions. He continued to study Song Qingchun¡¯s phone.


    "Big Sister treats me and Dad very well; there¡¯s no reason for her to do this... Su Zhinian..."


    "Tingting." Su Zhinian interrupted Song Qingchun by raising her phone to face her. "Take a look at this."


    Song Qingchun quieted down and obliged. What Su Zhinian showed her was a picture, and she managed to discern almost immediately that it was a picture of Tang Nuan¡¯s arm.


    "Do you still remember that night when you spent a lot of time looking at this bangle on Tang Nuan¡¯s arm? At the time, I even asked you what was wrong. You shook your head and said that you couldn¡¯t be sure, but you just know something was off. After that, I took a picture of it. Now, take a closer look at it, does it belong to Fang Rou?"


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t answer instantly, but she used her fingers to erge the photo on her phone. She stared at the bangle and started to examine it closely. That day, due to ack of direction, she had been unable to connect it to Fang Rou, but now that Su Zhinian brought it up, Song Qingchun suddenly realized why the bangle look so familiar to her.


    She passed the phone back to Su Zhinian and walked to a dresser. She pulled open a drawer to take out a photo album. She flipped through it for a long time until she stopped before a picture. It was a picture taken during Song Cheng and Fang Rou¡¯s wedding day. The picture showed an elderly woman handing a jade bangle to the bride, Fang Rou. The bangle was identical to the one worn by Tang Nuan on the day of her death.


    "This originally belonged to my grandmother, but she passed away not long after Fang Rou married into the house. Grandma was so happy the day Song Cheng got married. She gifted this expensive jade bangle to Fang Rou on the day of their wedding." As Song Qingchun exined, shepared Tang Nuan¡¯s picture to the picture in the album. Her instinct was right; it was really the same bangle. "Grandmother didn¡¯t wear this bangle often, but Fang Rou definitely did. As you know, even though we live in this same house, I wouldn¡¯t spend the whole day focusing on her essories..."


    Song Qingchun paused to think before continuing. "...No wonder yesterday morning, during breakfast with Fang Rou, I felt something was off. I kept staring at her but couldn¡¯t figure out what was wrong. Perhaps she noticed I¡¯ve been staring at her, so she purposely spilt the bowl of soul on her and left in a hurry. She was probably afraid that I might spot something..."


    Song Qingchun, who had not been able to catch up to Su Zhinian¡¯s train of thought earlier, hadpletely seen through the whole thing.


    "Therefore, the real reason behind thatst message from Tang Nuan was to tell me that there was a hidden problem inside my purse? That was what she was trying to tell me, right?"


    Following that inquiry, Song Qingchun¡¯s heart twitched with pain. Without waiting for Su Zhinian¡¯s answer, she continued. "And this bangle, she purposely wore it on her wrist because she knew she was about to die and left this as a clue for me, right?"

 Chapter 900 Tingting, I Have Superpowers 9

    Before, when she didn¡¯t know these details, when she received the news of Tang Nuan¡¯s death, she had only felt regret and pity, but now that she had found out that thest thing Tang Nuan did with her dying breath was to leave clues for her, Song Qingchun¡¯s tears couldn¡¯t stop falling.


    That woman had been her bitter rival since their youth. However, in the end, the person who helped her understand many things was this woman whom she had once hated deeply.


    Many things that she had not understood at the time, she understood now. That morning, before she left, Tang Nuan smiled at her; that smile had been an attempt at reconciliation. When they were still best friends, they had promised each other, whenever they got into a serious argument but neither had the courage to admit their mistake, one of them would smile at the other. The smile was their secret code, an appeal for forgiveness. Therefore, that day, Tang Nuan really did want to mend all the broken bridges with her.


    Song Qingchun really didn¡¯t expect that this woman who had once chilled her heart would touch her so deeply. Su Zhinian could read her thoughts and reached out to pull her into his embrace. Leaning against his chest, Song Qingchun cried like a baby. She was crying for the once pure friendship that they had shared in their youth; she was crying for the best friend whom she thought she had lost but had regained at the end.


    Ten years earlier, she was her best friend; ten yearster, she was still her best friend.


    Song Qingchun cried for a long time before her emotions stabilized. She leaned against Su Zhinian¡¯s shoulder. As she sniffled, she said with a voice that was hoarse from tears, "Can we go visit Tang Nuan on her anniversary?"


    "Definitely."


    Song Qingchun leaned deeper into Su Zhinian¡¯s arms. After a moment¡¯s silence, she continued. "Su Zhinian, since it is Fang Rou who was behind the recording, do you think she was also the mastermind behind all the random attacks?"


    Song Qingchun merely threw that out for fancy, but when the spection left her lips, she suddenly escaped from Su Zhinian like an inspiration struck her. "I just remembered, do you still remember I was mugged at the Japanese pavilion? I did call home the night before, and I distinctly remember Fang Rou asking me where I was staying!


    "Also the night of the New Year¡¯s Eve at North Sea Garden, when I was pushed overboard, Fang Rou also knew where I was then..."


    She went through all of the ¡¯coincidences¡¯, and Song Qingchun felt a chill run up her spine. Once might have been a coincidence, perhaps even twice was chance, but thrice, four times... many times? Then, it had to have been nned!


    "The most important point is that after I found out about Song Cheng¡¯s suicide, I went to find Brother Yinan at first notice. At the time, my car had some issues, and it was Fang Rou who lent me her car, but her car broke down in the middle of the road.


    "And it was from then that those attacks started..."


    Su Zhinian, who received such an influx of information, grabbed onto the crucial point. "Does Fang Rou know about Song Cheng¡¯s fake suicide?"


    "Yes..." Song Qingchun¡¯s face nched immediately. She stood there dumbly like her soul had left her body before uttering with quivering lips, "...It was after she knew that I uncovered the inconsistencies in my brother¡¯s suicide that those attacks urred with increased frequency. And since my brother didn¡¯tmit suicide... So..."

 Chapter 901 Tingting, I Have Superpowers 10

    So, everything could be exined perfectly now. The answer was on her lips, but Song Qingchun only managed to utter out several ¡¯so¡¯s without proceeding to state the obvious.


    In the end, it was Su Zhinian who pointed out the obvious with a chilling voice. "...So, there is 99 percent that it was Fang Rou who killed Song Cheng!"


    As the confirmation left Su Zhinian¡¯s lips, a ck veil fell over Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes, and she fainted.


    ...


    When Song Qingchun woke up, it was already midnight, and she was at the hospital. The room was quiet, and Su Zhinian was leaning against her bedside with his eyes closed, probably asleep from fatigue.


    Song Qingchun only moved slightly before she woke up Su Zhinian. He checked on her with concern before pushing the call button on the wall. Several minutester, a group of doctors rushed into the room.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s condition was fine. She fainted because of thebined stress of the pregnancy and the sudden revtion. Now that she had woken up, the doctors said that she could return home to rest. However, Su Zhinian was too worried and chose for Song Qingchun to rest for one more night at the hospital for observation.


    Su Zhinian first gave Song Menghwa a call to report Song Qingchun¡¯s safety before flipping open the heat-instion box to feed Song Qingchun. Song Qingchun heard from Su Zhinian that Song Menghwa still did not know about Fang Rou. She agreed with Su Zhinian¡¯s decision to temporarily hide the information from Song Menghwa; she was afraid that the shock might push him over the edge.


    Su Zhinian also told Song Qingchun that he had contacted the police and the public safety department to investigate Fang Rou. After dinner, afraid that Song Qingchun might fixate on the unnecessary, Su Zhinian found many light topics to chat with her until she fell asleep.


    The second day, before Song Qingchun was discharged from the hospital, Su Zhinian had her go through many different medical checks, and after confirming multiple times that she was fine, they finally left the hospital.


    The traffic in Beijing at eleven in the morning was slow. The sun of the new spring was bright and warm, and many flowers by the roadside had started to peek their heads out to wee the New Year.


    Song Qingchun knew, for the sake of her child, it was unwise to focus on Fang Rou. Furthermore, Su Zhinian had already promised that he would definitely apprehend Fang Rou, but on the way home, she still couldn¡¯t help but say, "Just how did I not realize that the culprit has been by my side all along? Thinking back on all the kindness Fang Rou has shown me over the years, I cannot help but shiver..."


    Song Qingchun only got half-way through her words before she felt her hand being grabbed by a warm and powerful hand. She stopped and lowered her head to see Su Zhinian¡¯s hand holding hers tightly.


    She froze at that image for a while before raising her head to look at Su Zhinian. The man happened to turn around to look at her. "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll protect you..."


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t expect he would need to live up to his promise in less than one minute after he said that.


    ...


    The incident happened one second after Su Zhinian said, "I will protect you."


    As Song Qingchun¡¯s heart warmed from his words, her face broke into a smile. However, right about then, out of the corner of her eyes, she saw a car rushing at them from the opposite side of the road...

 Chapter 902 Tingting, I Have Superpowers 11

    Song Qingchun¡¯s body shuddered as she whipped her head around to look at the windshield. Su Zhinian, who was driving, was about to pull his gaze back to the road when he felt Song Qingchun¡¯s hand that he was holding shiver uncontrobly. He frowned, and as he turned to look at her, he blurted out, as if on instinct, "What¡¯s..."


    Her face was terribly white, and fear filled her eyes. Her lips were trembling like she was about to say something but was unable to due to the heavy quivering of her mouth. Su Zhinian¡¯s heart fell, and the remainder of the sentence "...wrong?" lodged in his throat. He felt a very bad omen, and he turned his sight quickly to follow Song Qingchun¡¯s gaze.


    In just one nce, Su Zhinian knew what was happening. An old truck that was twice the size of his car was running at them headfirst at an incredible speed.


    If the truck ran into his car, it would definitely crush them under it. The truck was fast enough to kill himself and Song Qingchun. As the thought settled in Su Zhinian¡¯s mind, his hairs all over his body stood on end, and his back was instantly drenched in cold sweat.


    Song Qingchun, who finally recovered from the shock, turned around to yell anxiously at Su Zhinian, "Su Zhinian! Car! Car!"


    Su Zhinian bit on his lips. Without even the time to console Song Qingchun, he stepped on the brake as his brain churned. They were on a narrow road, and the truck was wide enough to cover the entirene. There was iing traffic from behind them, so if he turned around, it would cause a chain ident.


    They were between a rock and a hard ce.


    The truck increased in speed, and it drew closer and closer to Su Zhinian¡¯s car. The truck was moving so fast that even if he mmed on the brake, he wouldn¡¯t be able to stop it.


    Song Qingchun is carrying a baby... If there¡¯s too much of a tremor, it might cause a miscarriage!


    This risk, he couldn¡¯t take... so there was only one choice and that was...


    The truck didn¡¯t seem like it would have passed the safety inspection. If it rammed into the road rails at its speed, it might have tipped down the side, but that might have caused both the driver and the truck to get demolished on the spot.


    He would survive as heavy a damage as the truck driver... Therefore, his life was linked to the driver... However, he did promise that he would protect her...


    Su Zhinian¡¯s hands that gripped the steering wheel tightened. His lips tensed, and as sweat fell down his forehead, his eyes narrowed suddenly.


    Song Qingchun, who was too shocked to respond, saw the truck that was heading toward herself and Su Zhinian suddenly make an emergency turn, about one second before they would collide, to ram into the rails.

 Chapter 903 Tingting, I Have Superpowers 12

    The truck had such arge mass, and thus inertia, that even when it was grinding against the rails, it didn¡¯t stop instantly. It continued to tip forward for a while before it finally stopped. The front part of the truck hanged dangerously off the edge, and it was billowing with dark smoke.


    Through the windshield, Song Qingchun could see the truck driver, who was not far away, copsed like a rag doll in the driver¡¯s seat. There was blood trickling down from his forehead.


    Such a gory scene caused Song Qingchun¡¯s stomach to turn, and she immediately turned her face away. The shock of the event caused Song Qingchun¡¯s breath to catch in her throat. She pulled down the car window, and the warm spring draft wafted into the car, carrying with it the faded smell of flowers.


    Song Qingchun sighed in relief and couldn¡¯t help butment, "That was so close!"


    Before she heard the response from Su Zhinian, the pungent smell of blood sneaked into her nostrils. Why would the truck driver¡¯s blood drift here so soon?


    Song Qingchun frowned when Su Zhinian¡¯s weak voice came from beside her. "Tingting?"


    Song Qingchun turned toward the voice. The man was as pale as a sheet of paper. His perfect face was covered with blood. It trailed down his jaw and dripped endlessly on his white shirt, causing red florets to bloom one after another.


    Song Qingchun was struck dumb when she saw this. Su Zhinian¡¯s car was at least several meters away from the truck when he stepped on the brakes, and the truck didn¡¯t even make contact with their car, so how did Su Zhinian get hurt?


    Su Zhinian stared at Su Zhinian¡¯s injury for a while before realizing something as she turned slowly around to nce at the truck driver. They both suffer a bloody wound to the left side of their head... The injury of the truck driver can be exined by the ident, but what about Su Zhinian? How did he get injured? Who can tell me what¡¯s happening?


    Su Zhinian coughed for a whole before he managed to find his voice. When his words came out, they were weaker than before. "Tingting, are... are you alright?"


    Song Qingchun, who was still in a stunned state, turned her gaze toward Su Zhinian. It took her a moment before she could meet his eyes. Even though she didn¡¯t say anything, he could see from her face that she was shocked but safe. His heart sighed with relief. He smiled at her and said with difficulty, "It¡¯s wonderful that you¡¯re safe..."


    Before he could finish, Su Zhinian started coughing, spraying the steering wheel with blood.


    Song Qingchun suddenly woke up. She called his name before her tears came. "Su Zhinian, what¡¯s wrong with you? How did you get injured? Don¡¯t joke with me, Su Zhinian! Tell me, what¡¯s going on?"


    The truck driver had copsed, and Su Zhinian had maintained his consciousness on willpower alone.


    He knew that he had many things to exin, but he no longer had the time to give her the details from the beginning until the end.

 Chapter 904 Tingting, I Have Superpowers 13

    She carried their child and couldn¡¯t be exposed to too many surprises, so he only picked the important parts to tell her.


    "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be fine..." As Su Zhinian said so, he raised his hand, attempting to touch her face, but his hand hung for a long time in mid-air before itnded heavily on his knees.


    He tried to move his arm again, but only his fingers moved; his hand had never left his knee. Eventually, he gave up with a smile. He forced a smile at her and said softly, "...Remember to take good care of your body..."


    His smile caused her heart to twist with pain, and her tears fell even harder.


    "You¡¯re no longer alone... I¡¯m afraid that you might do something harmful to yourself, so don¡¯t. Think of our baby..." It took great effort for Su Zhinian to speak. With every word, blood poured out of his mouth.


    The reason for Su Zhinian¡¯s injury had long since escaped Song Qingchun¡¯s mind considering his situation. She was crying like a child as she raised her palm to close his lips¡ªshe thought innocently that this might stop the bleeding.


    However, her palms were quickly dyed red. He started coughing heavily again, and Song Qingchun could feel something warm and sticky hit her hands. Song Qingchun could feel his lips move underneath her palm. She shook her head to stop him. "Please don¡¯t waste your energy talking, Su Zhinian, please..."


    As she said so, she lowered her head and used one of her hands to rummage for her phone to call 110. In a practically begging tone, she told the ambnce where they were.


    After hanging up, Song Qingchun could clearly see that Su Zhinian¡¯s breaths had started to be weak, and his eyelids had started to lower.


    She was afraid that she might lose him forever after he closed his eyes, so she grabbed his hands almost desperately. She tried to keep him awake by talking with him, but the more she tried toe up with a conversation, the emptier her mind became. In the end, she realized he had been attempting to touch her face earlier, so she pulled on his arm and stered her cheek to the ball of his palm. "Su Zhinian, you wanted to touch my face earlier, right? Here..."


    The wetness and softness in his palm caused his eyelids to flicker to reveal a very small slit. He looked at the girl who was crying desperately, and he smiled softly to try to console her, but this only made Song Qingchun feel worse.


    After facing his aloof side for so long, Song Qingchun had once wondered what his softer side would be like, but she didn¡¯t envision she would find that out this way.


    "Su Zhinian..." They had just received the blessing to be openly in love. She was afraid that he might suddenly let go, so she opened her lips to beg him to stay, but the sounds that left her lips were all blubbering cries.


    By reading her thoughts, he could sense her fear. Using every ounce of energy left in his body, he used his thumb to carefully massage his cheek. He moved his lips, and a barely discernible voice said, "I... will... never... leave... you...


    "...I... have... promised... I... will... protect... you... so ev... ev... even... death will... not take.. me... away from..."


    "From... from..."


    Before the ¡¯you¡¯ could form, Su Zhinian¡¯s hand fell feebly from Song Qingchun¡¯s grasp.

 Chapter 905 Tingting, I Have Superpowers 14

    The world seemed to have stopped in that moment. About three secondster, there were wailsing from inside the car. The cries continued until they suddenly stopped. Song Qingchun stared at Su Zhinian, and tears fell involuntarily from her eyes. She found herself unable to form any sounds due to the overwhelming heartache. The space inside the car was creepily quiet as despair slowly butpletely swallowed up Song Qingchun.


    ...


    Thankfully, it was nothing more than a scare.


    When the truck ran into the rail, the inertia sent the driver flying against the windshield. He fainted from impact, but despite the gory appearance, he was not fatally injured.


    Su Zhinian already awake when he arrived at the hospital. When he opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was Song Qingchun, who had a paler face than him. Su Zhinian¡¯s head was sown with seven stitches. After an afternoon of rest, considering how the hospital might be ufortable for Song Qingchun, who was pregnant, he quickly arranged for a discharge. Naturally, he was stopped with vehemence by both Doctor Xia and Song Qingchun. In the end, he had no choice but to stay for another twenty-four hours at the hospital for observation.


    On the morning of the third day, when Su Zhinian got discharged from the hospital, the truck driver was going through the same process. However, the difference was that Su Zhinian was driven home by Song Qingchun while the truck driver was ferried to the police station.


    Afraid that they might cause Song Menghwa unnecessary worry, they didn¡¯t return home but went straight to Su Zhinian¡¯s bungalow.


    Before leaving the hospital, Su Zhinian just got off the drip. Due to the effects of drug, Su Zhinian fell into a slumber not long after he reached home.


    During the two nights at the hospital, Song Qingchun had been too worried to get a good night¡¯s sleep. Now that everything seemed to be recovering, her fatigue caught up to her. Song Qingchun suddenly felt greatly exhausted. Burrowed in Su Zhinian¡¯s chest, other than thankfulness from having survived that nightmare, the bigger part of her felt relieved. Listening to Su Zhinian¡¯s steady breathing, she soon drifted off to sleep, too.


    When Song Qingchun woke up next, it was already noon. One of Su Zhinian¡¯s arms was pillowed underneath her neck while his other arm encircled her waist. Perhaps it was the sedative in his drug, the man was still soundly asleep.


    The sun of a new spring washed the room with its generous glow. Song Qingchun felt like she had woken up into a dream. The scene was so precious that Song Qingchun didn¡¯t have the heart to shatter the illusion. She stayed quietly in Su Zhinian¡¯s embrace, not moving even a muscle.


    After surviving a tragedy, when the initial shock and sadness washed over, all that was left was a heart of deeper appreciation. When she saw Su Zhinian¡¯s life slipping away before her, Song Qingchun had truly understood the meaning of loss. That feeling had almost broken her sanity; it was not unlike feeling the world crumbling around her.


    If possible, at the time, she would have sacrificed herself to save Su Zhinian. So, when he really opened his eyes, all she had left in her heart was thankfulness, gratitude, and appreciation.


    In the quiet room, Song Qingchun smiled, facing the sleeping Su Zhinian. She snuggled deeper into his embrace. The man in his sleep seemed to feel her approach because he hugged her closer.

 Chapter 906 Tingting, I Have Superpowers 15

    Perfumed by love, even the air around them smelled sweet. Sniffing the faded sweetness that radiated off Su Zhinian¡¯s body, Song Qingchun felt like she was flying up into the heavens, her body as light as floating cloud.


    Until now, I realize money, standing, reputation, all that ispletely unimportantpared to staying beside you. Song Qingchun rubbed her face lightly on Su Zhinian¡¯s chest. This familiar and warm feeling made her feel good.


    Her lips curved involuntarily into a smile. However, before the smile reached her eyes, her eyelids suddenly flipped open, and her expression froze. Momentster, she removed her head from his chest to stare at the bandage on his head, and her brows furrowed.


    She was certain that Su Zhinian didn¡¯t experience any ident that might exin the head injury. In fact, she had even convinced herself that she had imagined it due to shock. However, now, two days and two nightster, the injury on his head was still there. She couldn¡¯t lie to herself and say it was an illusion anymore. So why would Su Zhinian experience the same injury as the truck driver?


    Since Su Zhinian and the truck driver were rushed to the same hospital in the same ambnce, she had the chance to take a close look at the driver¡¯s injury. It mirrored Su Zhinian¡¯s injury perfectly. Over the past two days, this question had been troubling her. She hade up with many exnations, but none of them made any sense.


    With the frown, Song Qingchun stared at Su Zhinian¡¯s sleeping face. After a long contemtion, Song Qingchun extricated herself softly from his embrace. She ventured into the bathroom to clean herself up before wandering downstairs to prepare lunch. The question did not leave her mind for even a minute.


    Just as Song Qingchun dropped all the ingredients of the soup into the pot, she suddenly stopped moving, as if frozen. She stared at the fan in the kitchen for long time before something clicked inside her. An old habit of hers appeared¡ªshe bit on her fingernails to think about stuff.


    When Qin Yinan saved me at Beijing Hotel and suffered an injury to his head, Su Zhinian also suffered from the same injury... That night, I came homete. Afraid that he might scold me from my transgression, I snuck into the house, but the first thing I saw was Su Zhinian lying unconscious on the couch... In fact, I remember thinking at the time, when I was applying the medicine, why did he suffer the same injury as Brother Yinan?


    Also...Cheng Qingchong told me that Su Zhinian had suffered a knife wound to his stomach to save me; he almost died from that attack. I have personally seen that stomach wound. It was scary and startling, and now thinking back, the driver of the trio that kidnapped me died from a simr wound to his stomach...


    Not only that...


    Song Qingchun closed her eyes to calm herself down before she allowed her thoughts to wander any further. It¡¯s already confirmed that Su Zhinian is the person behind the mysterious number... I¡¯ve always suspected that there was a person who was there to apany me to help brush away my tears when I was at my saddest, but there would always be a short-term memory loss like there was a missing link...


    Song Qingchun bit on her lips. She mmed the cover on the pot, switched on the fire, and dashed back upstairs.

 Chapter 907 Tingting, I Have Superpowers 16

    She could remember indistinctively from reading his diary that she saw an entry that read, "She cried again. I went to dry her tears."


    His dairy had recorded more than ten years of their time together. She had finished it in one afternoon, so it was inevitable that there were details that she had missed. She needed to go look for his diary and read through it again. Perhaps there was information inside there that could help her exin this illogical situation.


    Song Qingchun found Su Zhinian¡¯s diary in his study. The first entry began when he was eight, the year he was sent into the sanatorium. The first ten years mostly recorded his effort to search for and how he missed ¡¯Tingting¡¯.


    Song Qincghun flipped through the pages until she reached the point where they graduated from high school and went their separate paths. Finally, she found some clues between the lines.


    "2010, March 6th. Today is a weekend. The spring ising back. Missing her so desperately, I flew to Shanghai. The moment I stepped into the school, I heard her crying. I looked for her for about ten minutes before finding her squatting behind the school¡¯s abandoned building, crying like a child."


    In the year 2010, I was crying at the back of the school¡¯s abandoned building?


    Song Qingchun titled her head to the side to jog her memory.


    During the university years, I did shed many tears for Brother Yinan, but the amount of time I hid myself up and cried like a child can be counted on one hand... Mom passed away at the end of ¡¯09, so this incident in early ¡¯10 probably had something to do with Brother Yinan.


    Right, I remember now, I was crying because I just found out about the news that Tang Nuan spent a night out with Brother Yinan... That was probably the first time in my life that I experienced memory loss. When I came to, the tears were already dried. I straightened up to look around, but the ce was quiet and empty other than myself...


    Song Qingchun lowered her head to continue to flip through the diary. Every few pages, she would discover entries about how ¡¯she had cried¡¯. Some incidents she could still remember the reason for, but others she only had fuzzy recollection of. However, all of them shared a simrity, and that was... they were rted to the memory loss. So, perhaps her spection was right. Su Zhinian was there when she was crying.


    But how did he manage that without leaving a trace?


    Song Qingchun couldn¡¯te up with an answer. She continued to read through the diary until the entries fromst year, and she read an entry that was even more shocking.


    "It was today that I found out Tingting has secretly given me so many nicknames: Maniac Su, Sanitary Su, Silent Su, Cold-blooded Su, Diary Su, Poet Su... I love them all equally."


    She had never dared to use the nicknames she gave him openly; she always whispered them under her breath. How did he manage to hear her?


    Before the question regarding the memory loss could be answered, another new question had appeared.


    Song Qingchun flipped through the diary, and she realized with a start that he had known about all of the nicknames that she had given him!


    Furthermore, she found an entry that truly gave her the shock of her life. It recorded her argument with Tang Nuan inside Station TW¡¯s bathroom. He obviously wasn¡¯t there, but he had overheard their argument!

 Chapter 908 Tingting, I Have Superpowers 17

    Even the colleagues from the samepany didn¡¯t hear my argument with Tang Nuan, so how did Su Zhinian hear it?


    Oh my God, could this be the legendary iraudience? Or he¡¯s like the Professor Du from My Love from the Stars, an alien?


    But this is not a drama... this is real life!


    Admittedly, I¡¯m not a learned person, but at least I can differentiate reality and fiction!


    Song Qingchun scratched her head harshly. She felt like her brain might explode if she dwelled on this any longer, so she gave up. Since she wouldn¡¯t be able toe up with a correct answer no matter how long she spent investigating this, she figured that she might as well ask Su Zhinian directly.


    ...


    Even though the injury wasn¡¯t fatal, the wound on Su Zhinian¡¯s head was still quite serious. After the sedative wore off, the wound started to twitch with pain. Even though Su Zhinian had never once vocalized the difort, Song Qingchun managed to notice him gripping the cover unconsciously through the night. Therefore, even though she had a boatload of questions waiting for answers, she didn¡¯t trouble him with them while he was suffering from pain.


    The next afternoon, Doctor Xia came to change the bandage. When Song Qingchun was sending Doctor Xia away, she told Doctor Xia about the little observation that she had noticed on Su Zhinian. The man was suffering from pain. Before Doctor Xia got into his car, he pulled out a ck bottle from his medical bag and passed it to Song Qingchun. He told her to apply it three times daily to soothe Su Zhinian¡¯s wounds.


    It was unknown whether it was the miraculous effect of Doctor Xia¡¯s medicine or Su Zhinian had magical recuperative powers, but in less than two days, the wound on his head healedpletely, leaving behind quite an ugly scar.


    When Doctor Xia came for the final check-up, he helped Su Zhinian removed the surgical stitching. Before leaving, he reminded Song Qingchun to continue applying the medicine because it would help heal the scar. Song Qingchun stood at the door until Doctor Xia¡¯s car drove away before she turned slowly around to walk back into the house.


    She raised her head to nce at the stairs leading to the second floor. She walked into the kitchen to pour Su Zhinian a ss of lemonade before heading for the study. Song Qingchun didn¡¯t knock and walked into the study directly. Su Zhinian was seated in front of his desk, on the phone.


    Song Qingchun ced the lemonade on his table. Su Zhinian looked at her and continued the conversation on the phone.


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t leave. She searched for a book from the shelves and sat on the sofa, waiting for Su Zhinian to finish working.


    Su Zhinian was indeed busy. After hanging up the phone, he started typing on theputer. asionally, he would flip through the document on his table and pick up his pen to scrawl something on it.


    When Song Qingchun was one-third through the book, she tossed a nce Su Zhinian¡¯s way. She saw the man lean back in his chair and pour the lemonade down his throat. Song Qingchun closed the book and turned around to say, "Are you free?"


    Su Zhinian, who had his mouth full of lemonade, mumbled an unclear "hmm". Song Qingchun ced the book on the coffee table. She patted the sofa before her and said, "If you¡¯re free, do you mind chatting with me for a moment?"


    Su Zhinian¡¯s hand that was tipping the ss froze. He looked at her with shock. Then his grip on the ss tightened as if he had suddenly understood what she wanted to discuss with him.


    It has finally arrived.


    That day, when he used his superpower to control that truck driver, he knew this day would eventually arrive.

 Chapter 909 Tingting, I Have Superpowers 18

    To be fair, even without this truck ident, he would havee clean eventually. She was the love of his life, and if he wanted them to spend the rest of their lives together, honesty was important.


    However, this had happened so suddenly that he wasn¡¯t mentally prepared yet. He was afraid, afraid that she might react the same way as those people from his childhood after she found out about the truth. The fear, the istion, the hatred... he couldn¡¯t bear to see those emotions on her face.


    "Su Zhinian?" Song Qingchun looked at how Su Zhinian had gone petrified with the ss in his hand, and she couldn¡¯t help but prompt him.


    "Hmm..." Su Zhinian heard her and quickly pulled himself back from his thoughts. He finished the rest of the lemonade slowly before resting the ss back on his desk. He stood up to walk toward Song Qingchun.


    Su Zhinian sat down across from Song Qingchun. He nced at the book Song Qingchun had just put on the table, it was the English version of ¡¯Luan Shi Jia Ren¡¯. He then raised his eyes to meet her gaze. She was probably figuring out a way to formte the question. Her lips moved several times, but nothing came out. Su Zhinian waited patiently for a while before uttering, "What¡¯s wrong?"


    "I..." Song Qingchun only said a word before going quietly again. A long silenceter, she began anew. "I have something to ask you."


    Su Zhinian could feel his heart tense with fear. He tried to maintain his calmness as he nodded at Song Qingchun to have her continue.


    "Erm..." Song Qingchun raised her hand to point at Su Zhinian¡¯s diary. "...Sorry, but I¡¯ve read your diary without your permission."


    Su Zhinian nodded wordlessly. He already knew about that. He knew that it was because she had glimpsed through his diary that she had resolved herself to cancel the marriage with Qin Yinan and apany him to hell. That was the most painful and the most beautiful period of their love story.


    At the time, he had been worried that she might catch those weird urrences in his diary and would approach him with questions. It was not untilter, when he confirmed that those observation had slipped her mind, that his heart calmed.


    "No, I meant to say, when you were asleep for these past two days, I¡¯ve been reading through it again."


    Su Zhinian pressed his lips as he stared at Song Qingchun. He waited quietly for the blow that woulde next. As he expected, this time she had noticed the weird entries that had escaped her attention earlier.


    "In your diary, it stated that you came to help me wipe away my tears multiple times, but I have zero recollection of that. Furthermore, I made sure I was alone whenever I felt like crying, so how did you hear me and find me?"


    Song Qingchun paused. Since Su Zhinian didn¡¯t answer, she leveled all of the questions in her mind in one go. "...Also, those mocking words and nicknames that I gave you were not meant for your ears. I¡¯ve never mentioned them to you, so how did you find out about them? Also, my argument with Tang Nuan at Station TW...


    "I am sure you weren¡¯t with us inside the female toilet, so how did you hear us?


    "Furthermore, a few days ago, during that close shave, I remember that our car had already stopped..."

 Chapter 910 Tingting, I Have Superpowers 19

    "The truck didn¡¯t even touch your car. He rammed into the rails. The truck driver was hurt, but why did you suffer the same injury as him?


    "Not only that, when Brother Yinan was injured by the falling vase, you also suffered from the same wound... Even though I¡¯m a little bit fuzzy about the details since it was so long ago, I¡¯m certain your wound was simr to Brother Yinan¡¯s...


    "So, Su Zhinian..." Song Qingchun paused to hold her breath. She looked at Su Zhinian seriously and asked carefully, putting emphasis into every syble, "How did you hear me from so far away?


    "How did you appear and disappear so silently without me noticing whenever I was at my saddest?


    "Why do you suffer the same injuries as other people?"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s questions were followed by a long silence. Su Zhinian sat quietly at the sofa as he stared at Song Qingchun. He didn¡¯t answer for a long time. Song Qingchun didn¡¯t urge him to answer. She stared back at him, waiting patiently.


    Time seemed to stand still. After a long time, Su Zhinian blinked silently, like a pictureing alive. He looked around the room like he was looking for something. Just as Song Qingchun was about to ask what he was doing, Su Zhinian suddenly narrowed his eyes. The girl before him, who was about to speak, closed her lips, stood up from the sofa, and walked towards his desk.


    She stood before the desk and retrieved a pen and a stack of white paper before returning to her seat. She stood at where she was, bent over, and used the pen to write something on the paper. "My name is Song Qingchun."


    As thest word ended with a flourish, Su Zhinian opened his narrowed eyes, and Song Qingchun blinked into consciousness. She remembered staring at him, waiting for him to speak, so how did she end up standing there, with a stack of paper before her and holding a pen in her hand? There was even a sentence on the paper written in her handwriting.


    Her memory seemed to have vanished once more...


    Song Qingchun raised her head confusedly to look at Su Zhinian. Before she could voice her question, Su Zhinian suddenly stood up to hold her hand. He then uttered the question that was on her mind. "Su... Su Zhinian, what just happened?"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes widened fully. Her lips moved, and just like seconds ago, the words that hadn¡¯t left her lips appeared from Su Zhinian¡¯s mouth. "How... how did you know what I was about to say?"


    Su Zhinian stared closely at Song Qingchun, and his lips twitched. He continued to read her thoughts, and the words that left his lips were as calm as ever. "Oh my God, am I hallucinating? Why would Su Zhinian know what I want to say?


    "How does Su Zhinian know everything that crossed my mind?


    "What is going on? Am I dreaming? Or am I hallucinating from watching too many Korean dramas?"


    As thest sentence fell from Su Zhinian¡¯s lips, Song Qingchun becamepletely bewildered and stunned.

 Chapter 911 Tingting, I Have Superpowers 20

    Her brain waspletely nk, so shocked that no thoughts formed in her mind. As he revealed the secret that he had hidden in his heart for so many years before her, Su Zhinian¡¯s heart stopped alongside his breathing as he stared into Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes. He was nervous, anxious for her reaction.


    Silence reigned once more. It was even more silent than when she had been waiting for him to answer her earlier. The sun poured in through the window, lighting up the room.


    Song Qingchun froze, staring at Su Zhinian. She didn¡¯t move, and her eyes were as nk as the expression on her face; there was no trace of emotion. Her silence caused the blood flowing through Su Zhinian¡¯s veins to slow down until it came to a halt.


    Even though there were no thoughts circting through her mind, by holding her hand, he knew she was stunned by the revtion. This reaction of hers was something that he was unfortunately very familiar with. It was how those people from his childhood had reacted when he told them their secret thoughts.


    After the other person recovered from the shock, they woulde up with many reasons to resolve the awkwardness, like having their darkest secret revealed or re furiously at him. Eventually they would all run away from him like he was some kind of detestable trash...


    What about Song Qingchun? Would she have the same reaction? Su Zhinian suddenly didn¡¯t have the courage to face what came next. He was not afraid of being abandoned by the whole world, but he didn¡¯t think he could survive being disposed of by her.


    Su Zhinian lowered his gaze, and his hand that held Song Qingchun started to slip. Just as he was about to turn and walk away, Song Qingchun raised her head dumbly to stare into his face. She looked at him thusly for quite some time before asking a silly question. "Su Zhinian, was everything that just happened... real?"


    She¡¯s finally caught on to the truth... Here ites, the thing that I¡¯m afraid of the most...


    Things had already reached this juncture. Even though he was afraid, there was no other option for him to take. Facing her question, he could only nod and answer, "Yes, they¡¯re all real."


    "Okay." Song Qingchun nodded before lowering her head to stare at the paper that had the words ¡¯My name is Song Qingchun¡¯ on it. She contemted it for a moment before rushing out of the study without a word. Her speed was fast, but she didn¡¯t forget the m the door shut behind her.


    Su Zhinian, who stood in the study, could hear Song Qingchun as she rushed down the stairs and the front door being pulled out. He turned unconsciously towards the window and saw that the girl had raced across the pebbled patio towards the gate without even putting on her shoes.


    She looked like she was running away from a monster.


    He didn¡¯t me her for acting this way, but an indescribable sadness washed through him like rain, causing his breath to catch in his throat

 Chapter 912 Tingting, I Have Superpowers 21

    Ultimately, she still got scared of me? She ran away without once looking back. She didn¡¯t even hesitate or look back...


    As the iron gate mmed shut, Su Zhinian¡¯s body turned cold even though he was standing in the warm sunlight. His dark pupils seemed to be translucent in that moment as endless desperation and sadness overflowed from them.


    He wanted to chase after her, to beg her to stay, but... the Su Zhinian whom she had known all this time had never been the real Su Zhinian. The Su Zhinian he had revealed to her that day was theplete Su Zhinian, and certain revtions could never be taken back.


    It was he who firstmitted the sin of omission, so he had no right to force her to ept it. He had once told her that if they got together, if the day came when she wanted to leave him, he would never let her go.


    Indeed, even then, he didn¡¯t want to let her go, but he knew that was merely an empty warning. He didn¡¯t really think he would use some method to make her stay should the daye when she wanted to leave him.


    If you truly love someone, how could you force that person to ept someone that they couldn¡¯t?


    Even if that someone was him, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to force anything on her again.


    Using his super hearing, Su Zhinian knew Song Qingchun had already reached the gate of Shining Light Residences.


    After a moment, he didn¡¯t hear the sound of her hailing the cab but her soft grumbling. "I¡¯ve run so far; a normal person wouldn¡¯t be able to hear me, right? So, surely I can test it now!"


    After Song Qingchun coughed audibly twice, Su Zhinian heard his name. "Su Zhinian? Su Zhinian? Can you hear me?"


    She didn¡¯t run because she was scared? She merely wanted to run a test? Su Zhinian frowned slightly. Even though the anxiety in his heart hadn¡¯tpletely dispersed, he still focused fully on her voice.


    "Song Qingchun is a super duper pretty girl."


    "Su Zhinian is a big maniac!"


    "Song Qingchun is the most beautiful person in the world!"


    "Su Zhinian is the ugliest!"


    She grumbled a few phrases, and Su Zhinian heard her footsteps return back to his bungalow. After the iron gate swung open, Su Zhinian saw the girl jogged back into the house with the same urgency she had shown when she left. The front door was heavily shoved open and mmed shut. Her footsteps padded upstairs until she sted through the door of his study. Song Qingchun was busy catching her breath.


    There was a sheen of sweat over her forehead. With a hand on her waist and another over her chest, she gasped hungrily for air before she asked, "Did you hear what I just said at the gate?"


    Su Zhinian nodded. Before he could exin anything, Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes glowed with excitement, and she asked, "What did I say?"


    This response was something Su Zhinian hadn¡¯t experienced before. It made him very anxious. He was surprised that she didn¡¯t act the same way as other people, but he was anxious about her reaction after she discovered more of his power.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s lips pressed before he repeated, in the most level voice possible, the phrases she had uttered without missing a word. "Song Qingchun is a super duper pretty girl."

 Chapter 913 Tingting, I Have Superpowers 22

    He wasn¡¯t exactlyplimenting her, but she nodded in agreement like he had not been manipted to say that.


    "Su Zhinian is..." Su Zhinian paused before continuing in a softer voice. "...a big maniac!"


    Song Qingchun nodded with a smile, and she held her hand over her mouth to cover up the giggles.


    "Song Qingchun is the most beautiful person in the world!"


    Song Qingchun still epted thepliment shamelessly and even went so far as replying politely, "Thank you!"


    "Su Zhinian... is the ugliest!"


    This time Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t hold it in and burst outughing. She rudelymented, even though this was all her doing, "Su Zhinian, while I thank you for yourpliments, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s nice for you to keep scolding yourself."


    "..." Su Zhinian moved his lips wordlessly.


    Song Qingchun suppressed the giggling urge, and her eyes that looked at Su Zhinian turned serious. She stared at him from a distance away before slowly taking a step forward. She looked him up and down before asking seriously, "Su Zhinian, are you human?"


    Su Zhinian continued to nod wordlessly.


    "Then..." Song Qingchun moved her gaze to fall on the paper on the coffee table. The paper with the sentence ¡¯My name is Song Qingchun¡¯ was still sitting openly on it. She pointed at it and continued. "...What is going on with this?"


    Su Zhinian was silent. After a while, Song Qingchun pressed. "Su Zhinian?"


    Su Zhinian raised his head to look at her. He pointed at the sofa, signalling for her to take a seat. After they were both seated, with about a meter between them, he looked at her unblinkingly for an extended period of time before admitting slowly, "Tingting, I have superpowers."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes turned wide and round. She thought that she had misheard him, so she uttered a confused "Huh?" on reflex. Su Zhinian took a deep breath to suppress the anxiety and nervousness collecting in his heart before repeating himself with greater rity. "Tingting, I have superpowers."


    Song Qingchun stared dumbly at Su Zhinian, and her brain processed the message for a long time before she blinked, regaining her awareness. Superpowers? Is this some kind of drama or what?


    Before the thought settled in her mind, Su Zhinian realized through the pping of hershes that Song Qingchun had recovered from the news he dropped. So, he continued slowly.


    "...I have super hearing, several hundred times more than a normal individual. As long as the distance isn¡¯t too far, no matter how soft the voice, I can still hear it.


    "When I have physical contact with another person, I can read their thoughts. Like just now, when I was holding your hand, I could hear the thoughts that were going through your mind.


    "Lastly, and most importantly, is regarding this paper that you see..." Su Zhinian exined as he picked up the paper from the table. "...I can control another person¡¯s mind for a short period of time to make them do something. For example, the car ident a few days ago. It was me who controlled the truck driver to turn his truck towards the rails.


    "However, the downside of this superpower is that I will suffer the injury suffered by the person whose mind I was controlling... There¡¯s also one more thing. After I stop controlling their mind, the person will experience short-term memory loss; in other word, they will not remember what happened when I was controlling their mind."

 Chapter 914 Tingting, I Have Superpowers 23

    How would you react if someone close to you told you that they had superpowers?


    Song Qingchun¡¯s favourite drama at the time was ¡¯You from the Stars¡¯. She was so submerged in the plot that she would often wish that her future half would be like Professor Du and have amazing superpowers. But that was merely a wish; she really didn¡¯t expect that, one day,her dream would be reality.


    Was it hard to ept? Of course, it was.


    However, this hard to ept reality perfectly exined all the questions that had been troubling her. She could finally understand how he could console her without letting her know, and it exined why he would suffer the same injury as the truck driver.


    So... If one was to follow this thread of argument, when Qin Yinan sacrificed himself to save her from the falling flower pot and not Tang Nuan, it was because of Su Zhinian? The night she was kidnapped, Su Zhinian controlled the driver to stab himself in his stomach to save her and Brother Yinan?


    Incredible, it was truly incredible! There wasn¡¯t a discovery more preposterous than this!


    However, no matter how incredible or preposterous it was, behind theseplicated feelings, there were also heartache and appreciation.


    After Song Qingchun recovered from the cocktail of emotions, after she calmed down, she was left with plenty of disbelief and shock. She felt like she was dreaming. Her silence was torment for Su Zhinian. He knew that she was silent because she was contemting the issues surrounding his superpowers, and what she said next would be her ultimate judgement towards him.


    This was the most nervous Su Zhinian had ever been. Sweat was pouring down his face as if to prove that point. Just as he thought that he was about to crumble into a mess, Song Qingchun finally gave a response."Su Zhinian?"


    Su Zhinian stared at Song Qingchun and answered with a throaty "hmm" without opening his lips.


    "Let¡¯s go for a walk?"


    Su Zhinian had envisioned this situation more than once in his mind. He had predicted what Song Qingchun¡¯s reaction would be the day he revealed his secret to her. What would the first word out of her mouth be?


    He believed, it might be a shocked question back at him. "You can read my thoughts?"


    Or perhaps a more cautious, suspicious response. "This means I won¡¯t have any secrets before you?"


    Maybe a direct approach and cut their ties. "Su Zhinian, I¡¯m sorry, but I cannot ept my partner knowing all of my thoughts every hour of the day."


    However, in all of his scenarios, he had never envisioned that she would say, "Let¡¯s go for a walk."


    Su Zhinian was stunned as if struck by lightning. Simr to Song Qingchun¡¯s stunned reply when she heard he had superpowers, he also answered with a "Huh?" filled with disbelief.


    "I said, let¡¯s go for a walk," Song Qingchun said as she stood up, "I¡¯ll go change my clothes. You¡¯d also better prepare yourself. We¡¯ll meet downstairs."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s reaction was so out of his expectations that Su Zhinian sat dumbly on the sofa, trying to decipher a possible deeper meaning in her words. It was not until he heard Song Qingchun finish changing and walk downstairs that he quickly returned to his own bedroom to change into afortable, casual outfit.


    In the car, Su Zhinian kept turning to look at Song Qingchun, as if expecting her to go crazy at any moment, but the girl was more collected than he predicted.

 Chapter 915 Tingting, I Have Superpowers 24

    However, the more normal Song Qingchun reacted, the tauter Su Zhinian¡¯s nerves. He needed to know how Song Qingchun really felt about his superpowers. Along the way to their destination, he tried both purposely and identally brushing his hand against hers, but he failed to read any thoughts from her mind.


    As the car neared the mall, Su Zhinian became increasingly agitated. Eventually, he couldn¡¯t stop himself from calling her name. "Tingting?"


    "Hmm?" Song Qingchun turned her head away from the window to look at him. Su Zhinian¡¯s mouth moved, but the question that was on his mind couldn¡¯t form on his lips. Eventually, he asked, "Where do you want to go?"


    After a pause, Su Zhinian added, "How about ACR?"


    Song Qingchun nodded easily. "Sure."


    Su Zhinian nodded after her. Through the rear-view mirror, he nced at her. His mouth moved multiple times, but still, the question wasn¡¯t asked. He didn¡¯t have the courage to find out the truth. He was afraid that she was merely acting this way because she was in denial. He was afraid that he might burst the bubble, and in the end, it was him who would get hurt.


    Even though his heart was a mess and all over the ce, it was better than having it torn open by separation.


    ...


    ACR was one of the more high ss shopping centres in Beijing. The cheapest item here would cost five digits.


    Due to the exorbitant selling price, it deterred the normal public, so ACR was deserted at most times. At least, that¡¯s how it used to be. About two years ago, when Lu Jinnian was spotted dating Qiao Anhao at ACR, they were at the height at their poprity, and they identally brought poprity to ACR. This caused many people who couldn¡¯t afford anything at the centre to visit it whenever they were free to see whether they would run into any celebrities.


    Since they woke up, Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun hadn¡¯t had anything to eat. So after they arrived, Song Qingchun suggested they go for a meal at the top floor. They selected a restaurant that served Hong Kong style cuisine to dine in. Since it was not lunch time, the ce was quite empty.


    The ce served delicious dishes with exquisite presentation. The pregnant Song Qingchun was starving, so after the dishes were served, she dug in immediately. When she was half full, Song Qingchun slowed down, and her eyes wandered around the restaurant.


    Song Qingchun saw a waitressing out of the kitchen with a corn soup. Suddenly, inspiration came to her. She bit on her chopsticks and whispered, "Su Zhinian?"


    Su Zhinian, who was lost in thought, raised his head to look at her.


    Song Qingchun looked left and right as if she was a thief. She then raised her hand to cover her face as she used a voice that was barely audible to say, "Didn¡¯t you say you can mind control people? I want you to control that waitress to serve us the corn soup."


    Su Zhinian frowned with disagreement.

 Chapter 916 99 Wishes 1

    Song Qingchun sped her palms together and turned her watery eyes at him. "Su Zhinian, I just want to see your power in action to see if you¡¯re lying to me... Please..."


    Su Zhinian sighed with disapproval before turning to signal for Song Qingchun to stop. He then turned to look at the waitress. With a frown, Song Qingchun saw the waitress, who was walking away from their table, suddenly turn around to walk toward them.


    The waitress ced the bowl of corn soup on the table and even smiled gently at her. "Miss Song Qingchun, bon apetit."


    Song Qingchun knew this was Su Zhinian telling her that through the lips of the waitress, but she still pretended like it came from the waitress herself. She smiled at the waitress and politely replied, "Thank you."


    The waitress responded in kind. She then turned to leave. However, she only took two steps before she stopped. Song Qingchun nced at Su Zhinian and saw that the tension between the man¡¯s brows had rxed. He had an expression that said, This has nothing to do with me.


    Song Qingchun knew that the waitress was no longer under his control. She tried to stop her lips from curving up as she called after the waitress. "Miss?"


    The waitress turned slowly toward her voice, and there was apparent confusion on the waitress¡¯ face. Song Qingchun pointed shyly at the corn soup on the table and said, "I¡¯m sorry, but I don¡¯t think we ordered this."


    The waitress looked at the table that she had been heading toward originally before turning to look at Song Qingchun¡¯s table. She frowned confusedly but still rushed forward to apologize as she picked up the soup. "Sir, Miss, I¡¯m so sorry for my mistake."


    "It¡¯s okay," Song Qingchun replied with an understanding smile. She waited until the waitress was quite a distance away before she chuckled to herself. She did feel sorry for using the waitress, but she just wanted to see Su Zhinian¡¯s power in action.


    ...


    After lunch, Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun went down to the mall. Song Qingchun walked into a store that she normally visited. The salesgirl, who saw the expensive outfit Su Zhinian had on, rushed forward with outward passion. She introduced the many items on sale as she followed behind Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian.


    From the moment Song Qingchun stepped into the shop, the salesgirl went through her pitch until her throat was dry, but Song Qingchun didn¡¯t utter a word in response. After the salesgirl had followed them all the way around the shop, she became a bit despondent because Song Qingchun didn¡¯t seem like she was about to buy anything. Eventually, even the sales pitch stopped.


    The salesgirl apanied Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian silently as they circled back to the shop entrance. Su Zhinian thought Song Qingchun was going to leave because she didn¡¯t spot anything that she wanted. However, as he took the first step out of the shop, he realized that the girl had suddenly stopped.


    He paused and turned around with confusion to look at Song Qingchun. "What¡¯s wrong?"


    Song Qingchun stood where she was and turned her face up to look at him. She didn¡¯t reply to his question and didn¡¯t seem like she was going to leave with him.

 Chapter 917 99 Wishes 2

    Su Zhinian frowned. He waited for a while, and when he realized that she still showed no sign of moving, he walked back to her side. Due to her pregnancy, she stood at a much lower height than him because of her ts. He lowered his head to ask softly, "What¡¯s wrong?"


    Like a mute, Song Qingchun seemed like she had lost the ability of speech. Su Zhinian waited patiently even though underneath his calm demeanor was a quivering heart. Has she finally found herself unable to ept this superpower?


    Song Qingchun stared at Su Zhinian for a while before raising her hand slightly at him. Her action caused Su Zhinian¡¯s already worried heart to tense. After a moment¡¯s hesitation, he gripped her hand cautiously, afraid that he might read bad news from her mind.


    Su Zhinian, can you read my mind? If you can, wink at me.


    Song Qingchun looked at Su Zhinian with a nk expression,municating with him with a code that only they would understand. Just as Su Zhinian winked at Song Qingchun, a brand-new thought appeared in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind.


    The blue bag, the pearl ne, purple dress, pink coat...


    Su Zhinian¡¯s brows furrowed with confusion. He didn¡¯t understand the meaning of this list in Song Qingchun¡¯s heart... at the beginning.


    The two of them stood at the entrance of the shop, causing the other customers the trouble of needing to walk around them. After this had carried on for a while, the worker in the shop couldn¡¯t help bute out to remind them, "Sir, Miss, I¡¯m sorry, but do you mind moving a bit to the side?"


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t react and continued to list the items in her mind. ...The pink heels, jeweled bag, mink throw...


    Su Zhinian, who waspletely focused on her thoughts, also didn¡¯t pay any heed to the worker¡¯s words. The worker, having been ignored, coughed awkwardly before beginning again. "Sir..."


    This time, the worker¡¯s volume was a bit high, and it interrupted Song Qingchun. Before she could stop herself, an impatient thought appeared in her mind. Do you mind...


    Su Zhinian read her thought and whipped his head around to re at the worker. The man¡¯s icy gaze was dripping with such heavy warning that the worker faltered several steps back involuntarily. Su Zhinian then turned back to focus on Song Qingchun.


    Song Qingchun smiled apologetically at the worker before continuing their silentmunion. ...The jewelry with a four leaf clover, the silver heels... and thattest purse from my favorite brand.


    The two individuals didn¡¯t show that much of a change in their expression. They merely maintained their eyes on each other. This scene, from an outsider¡¯s perspective, might have looked like they had fallen into the charm of the other person¡¯s eyes. This caused the passersby to toss them curious looks.


    Since the two of them maintained this position for such a long time, some of the more curious passersby had even stopped to observe them from a distance away. The duo ignored the world around them,pletely absorbed in themunication that only the two of them could understand.

 Chapter 918 99 Wishes 3

    The salesgirl who had helped Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian as they wandered all over the store started to get a bit impatient. The two had stared at each other for about six to seven minutes already. The salesgirl grumbled with some annoyance to her co-worker, "I¡¯m d that they¡¯re so in love, but couldn¡¯t they do this at home? The rest of the world still needs to operate!"


    Some of the people in the crowd who had gathered to observe Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian started to get bored since the duo didn¡¯t do anything else other than stare at each other, so they started to leave. Those that remained were joined by other passersby, and they started gossiping among themselves, pointing and discussing Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian¡¯s action, or rather,ck of action.


    As the sound of discussion heightened amid the crowd, the workers inside the shop were considering calling the security. It was then that Song Qingchun concluded her list. Su Zhinian, I¡¯d like all those things that I¡¯ve listed.


    With that sentence, Su Zhinian suddenly understood. She had suddenly stopped moving earlier because she wanted to use his superpower to go shopping.


    Su Zhinian raised his other hand to caress her face and nodded readily. "Of course."


    The two statues had finally moved. The workers inside the shop looked at them with anticipation. Are they finally going to leave after blocking the road for such a long time?


    The crowd who thought they could witness a kissing scene turned away, shaking their heads with disappointment.


    Just as the crowd dispersed and the workers turned their attention back to the other customers, Su Zhinian pulled Song Qingchun not out of the shop but back into the shop. The crowd turned back with confusion while the workers paid attention to them out of the corner of their eyes while they served other customers. And then, everyone witnessed a curious yet exciting scene...


    An incredibly handsome man pulled an expressionless woman along as they walked around the shop. They stopped before each counter, and the man raised his slender finger to point at several items. This continued for about ten minutes before he told the salesgirl, "Wrap up all the items that I¡¯ve just pointed and deliver them to..."


    Then, he pulled out a name card from his pocket and handed it to the salesgirl. "...this address."


    They didn¡¯t really count how many items Su Zhinian had ordered, but the two cashiers spent at least half an hour beforepleting the order. Su Zhinian took less than thirty seconds to sign the receipt.


    Such an easy spender... but that was not the point. The point was... the young, pretty girl who stood beside him had maintained an expressionless face throughout. She didn¡¯t acknowledge him with a nce or a thank you after the man bought items that amounted to the price of almost a small apartment for her.


    However, the man didn¡¯t seem the mind theck of reaction. If anything, as they were escorted out of the shop like the valued customers that they were, the man would turn asionally to whisper gently into the ice-woman¡¯s ear.

 Chapter 919 99 Wishes 4

    The passersby who stayed to look were mostly women. Even though the items weren¡¯t bought for them, they acted more excited than Song Qingchun, who received the presents.


    The man pampers the girl so much! Even though the girl barely acknowledges him, he still continues to pamper her! He even attempted to cheer up the girl multiple times! This girl sure is unreasonable but... that is why we¡¯re jealous, right?


    Even after Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian had wandered off, the girls still hadn¡¯t recovered from the scene that they had just witnessed.


    ...


    Initially, Su Zhinian had thought that this was Song Qingchun¡¯s way of testing his superpower, but the girl seemed to have gotten addicted to this method ofmunication. She kept using her heart tomunicate with him as if her lips were sewn shut.


    Therefore, for the rest of the afternoon, it was Su Zhinian who dominated the conversation as they wandered in and out of the many shops. Song Qingchun stayed beside him and maintained that expressionless face that she had on at the first store no matter how amazing his stunts were.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s perfect features would attract the gaze of the crowd no matter where he was. As people focused their gazes on him, they would naturally notice Song Qingchun¡¯s resting b*tch face that was beside him as well as the scenes where Su Zhinian leaned close to her ear to whisper kindly and gently to her.


    The passersby would toss them envious looks; asionally, some in the crowd mightment on them. There were a few times when their voices were too so that Song Qingchun managed to hear them.


    "Goodness, that woman is disgusting! She didn¡¯t even smile even though the man is so good for her!"


    "That¡¯s right, this is why we shouldn¡¯t pamper our daughters lest they expect the world is to do their bidding!"


    If Song Qingchun could hear these untteringments, naturally, Su Zhinian could hear them as well. Even though she didn¡¯t react in any way to thesements, Su Zhinian would either ask her whether she was tired or squat down to help her tie her shoces when those people turned to look andment on himself and Song Qingchun.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s aloof face belied an overjoyed heart. Su Zhinian, you¡¯re so evil; you¡¯re doing this on purpose, aren¡¯t you? You¡¯re purposely making them direct their jealous fury at me!


    Su Zhinian, shall we go into the Chanel store?


    Song Qingchun¡¯s heart was hyped with excitement as many thoughts burst into her mind.


    Su Zhinian, I like that pair of shoes; my size is 35.


    Su Zhinian, I want a ss of warm milk...


    Su Zhinian...


    During the shopping trip, Su Zhinian couldn¡¯t help but wonder what her real opinion of his superpowers was. He knew she was happy, but he couldn¡¯t tell whether that happiness wouldst or was only temporary.


    Many times, the question had arrived at his lips, but eventually, he would bit it back after considering the joyfulness that suffused Song Qingchun¡¯s heart. He didn¡¯t have the heart to break up her excitement and didn¡¯t have the courage to ruin the moment.


    ...


    Song Qingchun finally gave it a rest after they walked around the entire ACR. By then, it was already 9 pm.

 Chapter 920 99 Wishes 5

    On the way to the carpark, Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian walked along a newly built street by ACR. The shop windows along the street were glittering with neon lights, and the trees that lined both side of the streets were strung with fairy lights, lending the ce a fairy-tale look.


    Song Qingchun, who had beenmunicating with Su Zhinian via his superpower, finally stopped. She was stilling down from the excitement of the shopping spree as her merry tone bore witness to. "Su Zhinian, why did you buy so many things for me today?"


    But you¡¯re the one who asked for them... Su Zhinian nced at Song Qingchun speechlessly, but he didn¡¯t voice his innerint.


    Song Qingchun noted the mocking gaze from Su Zhinian but wasn¡¯t angered. If anything, she hugged his arm tighter, and her smile bloomed even brighter. Continuing in her shameless tone, she uttered, "...Do you know how shy I was with all those people looking at me?"


    Why didn¡¯t I notice that? Su Zhinian gave Song Qingchun another side-eye. His lips twitched imperceptibly, and he looked at her like a headmaster looking at an unruly student.


    Song Qingchun pouted stubbornly at him before smiling brightly. As she reminisced over the wonderful afternoon, she said, "Su Zhinian, aren¡¯t I amazing? I didn¡¯t utter a single word, but you managed to understand me fully and clearly!"


    Wait, what?! Isn¡¯t that because of me? Su Zhinian scoffed with disbelief as he turned his face away from her, ignoring her.


    Song Qingchun grumbled with dissatisfaction, "Su Zhinian, I know you¡¯re being envious of me, jealous that I have such a wonderful boyfriend but you don¡¯t."


    Jealous? Why would I be jealous of myself? Su Zhinian gave another scoff and turned his face further away.


    Song Qingchun mimicked Su Zhinian¡¯s scoff, and as she did so, Su Zhinian suddenly called her name like he just remembered something. "Tingting?"


    "Hmm?" Song Qingchun raised her head unconsciously to look at him.


    "There¡¯s something even more amazing, do you want to try?"


    Song Qingchun blinked innocently, unable to follow Su Zhinian¡¯s meaning. "What do you mean?"


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t answer. He looked at her quietly for a moment. The next second, the girl was controlled to slowly close her eyes. Then, he released her hand and took two steps back before turning to dash away.


    ...


    After about half a second, Song Qingchun¡¯s longshes flickered slightly, and her eyes flitted open. Su Zhinian, who was standing beside her, had disappeared, and she felt a bit disorientated, like someone had muddled with her memory. This was all too familiar, so familiar that she was certain Su Zhinian had just mind-controlled her.


    People walked up and down the street. Song Qingchun turned her body around to search for Su Zhinian as she mocked him on her lips. Suddenly, a pretty young girl approached her and smiled genially at her, adding, "Song Qingchun, I wish you feel good every day."

 Chapter 921 99 Wishes 6

    The pretty girl walked past her and left before Song Qingchun understood what had happened. Do I know this girl? How did she know my name? And she even gave me her blessing...


    Song Qingchun turned around with confusion to look at the girl¡¯s retreating shadow. Before she understood what happened, someone patted her on her back. Song Qingchun turned around and saw two little girls waving smilingly at her. One of them said, "Song Qingchun, I wish you happiness for every minute and every second."


    The other girl immediately followed it up with, "Song Qingchun, I wish you joy for every minute and every second."


    Just like the earlier young woman, the two girls ran away happily after that. Not long after, a middle-aged couple came forward and said in unison, "Song Qingchun, I wish that good luck apanies you forever."


    After the couple left, it was a young man wearing a cap, with headphones hanging around his neck, who stopped before her and stepped down from his skateboard to say, "I wish for you to always be safe."


    "Song Qingchun, I wish you¡¯ll find a good home."


    "Song Qingchun, I wish you¡¯ll get better every year."


    "Song Qingchun, I wish the world will treat you kindly."


    "Song Qingchun, I wish you¡¯ll never lose your path."


    After the young man left, many other people continued to ost her. They all gave her a blessing before walking away. The street was filled with many different people from various backgrounds and regions around China. Some of them had such strange ents that Song Qingchun strained to understand what they were saying.


    Song Qingchun stood where she was as if petrified for some time before the reality dawned on her.


    "Song Qingchun, I wish you have both high heels and running shoes."


    "Song Qingchun, I wish you have both wine and tea."


    "Song Qingchun, I wish fate spares you from misfortune."


    "Song Qingchun, I wish you have a stupendous life."


    Eventually, the different Chinese ents changed into foreignnguages; there were Japanese, English, French...


    Each blessing waspletely different. Some made herugh; others warmed her heart.


    "Song Qingchun, I wish you a lifetime of love."


    "Song Qingchun, I wish you¡¯ll be treasured for life."


    "Song Qingchun, I wish you¡¯ll end up with the one you love."


    "Song Qingchun, I wish the glow in your eyes will never dim."


    Song Qingchun finally was so touched that she raised her hands to stop the tears from falling. The people kepting to give her their wishes.


    "Song Qingchun, I wish you¡¯ll never be disappointed."


    "Song Qingchun, I wish you¡¯ll have a fulfilling life."


    "Song Qingchun, I wish you¡¯ll never miss the things that you want in life."


    "Song Qingchun, I wish you¡¯ll turn around at this moment."


    Song Qingchun had been counting in her heart since the first young woman approached her; this was the 99th blessing.


    After listening to thetest wish, Song Qingchun quickly turned, and as she expected, underneath the tallest tree was Su Zhinian, shrouded by the shimmering light.

 Chapter 922 99 Wishes 7

    The colours of the fairy lights in the tree kept changing, showering his white shirt with swirling colors, lending the man a mythical air.


    Song Qingchun, I wish you¡¯ll turn around at this moment.


    And there he was...


    Such a wonderful blessing.


    The tears that finally stopped started to fall once more. In that instant, the gorgeous scenery had fallen away to leave behind this wonderful man. There was quite a distance between them, so she couldn¡¯t see the expression on his face clearly, but she could feel his gaze on her.


    She took several steps forward and stopped when she could make out his face. She curled her teary face into a smile and shed a toothy grin at him. He stood where he was, staring at her, unmoving.


    The public kept walking before them, but they held each other¡¯s gaze. The greater her tears, the bigger her smile. Perhaps influenced by her smile, eventually, his expression softened with gentleness.


    The girl who stood where she was suddenly moved forward to race towards him. He looked at her, leaning against the tree trunk. It was not until she was panting rather unevenly before him that he said, "Tingting, you¡¯re amazing, so amazing the world couldn¡¯t wait to shower you with its blessing."


    Song Qingchun had said something simr jokingly earlier, but who would have thought he would mimic it so perfectly. Song Qingchun was tickled by his words, and she burst outughing. She nodded at him in agreement. "Indeed, I am that amazing!"


    Then, her tears fell one after another like they wereing out of the faucet. When she was approached by the middle-aged couple, Song Qingchun had worked out that this had everything to do with him. Even though he still maintained a joking manner when he said thatst sentence, she was deeply touched.


    99 people, 99 faces, and 99 blessings. There was no one repetition. In other words, he came up with every single one on his own.


    An indescribable feeling surged through her, a feeling thatpelled her to ignore the world around them, to rush into his embrace and stand on her tiptoes to kiss him. Just as her lips were about to touch his, she was suddenly shoved back from him.


    Song Qingchun, who had just been rejected, turned toward Su Zhinian with confusion.


    The man¡¯s gentle face suddenly became incredibly serious. His dark pupils stared at her closely. After a long hesitation, he asked in a low voice, "Tingting, aren¡¯t you afraid of me?"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes were covered with puzzlement.


    "Or, do you hate me?" After a pause, Su Zhinian added as an exnation, "... Because of my superpowers."


    Song Qingchun blinked twice before she understood what Su Zhinian was getting at. But why would she be afraid of him? Why would she hate him?


    She found his superpowers amazing and out of this world, so why would she despise him because of that?


    Of course, most importantly, she could find many interest things to do with his superpowers, just like their shopping spree that afternoon...

 Chapter 923 99 Wishes 8

    Amazing, out of this world... Ever since he was sent into the sanatorium by his own mother when he was eight, Su Zhinian had viewed his superpowers as some sort of a curse. He really didn¡¯t expect that a girl would one day use such wonderful terms to describe his superpowers.


    That afternoon, she had suggested they go for a walk, not because she was in denial, but because she thought it was refreshingly amusing. Did she not understand the ugly side of his superpowers, or had she truly epted it?


    Su Zhinian¡¯s fingertips that were held on Song Qingchun¡¯s waist started to quiver slightly. He suppressed his raging emotions and tried to exin himself as rationally as he could. "Tingting, you have to understand that this means I can read all the thoughts in your heart; you¡¯ll never be able to have any secrets from me."


    "I know..." Song Qingchun¡¯s reply was far calmer than he expected. "...But I¡¯m already going to spend the rest of my life with you, so why would I keep secrets from you?"


    I¡¯m already going to spend the rest of my life with you, so why would I keep secrets from you?


    Fear and disgust were because they had ulterior motives, but if the intention was pure, what was there to be afraid of?


    Su Zhinian was startled by the ease of her logic. He suddenly lowered his head to im her lips. His kiss was domineering as his tongue swept every corner of her mouth. As they lost themselves in this kiss, they hugged each other closer.


    The lights in the tree kept on changing. The asional passerby would toss them a curious gaze, but the two ignored all others, and their kiss deepened.


    ...


    The day Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian went shopping at ACR, Cheng Qingchong just so happened to go there to shop with her girlfriends. When they exited the restaurant, it was around 10 pm. The night of early spring was quite cold. Cheng Qingchong stood at the entrance putting on her coat when her friend suddenly patted her on her shoulder. "Qingchong, look over there, look!"


    Cheng Qincghong turned to see a couple kissing dreamily underneath a tall tree. Even though she couldn¡¯t catch either one of the faces, with just one nce, Cheng Qingchong recognized them as Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian.


    The two were so lost their in the kiss that a crowd had formed around them. When they finally parted, the surrounding crowd even apuded. Song Qingchun hid her face shyly in Su Zhinian¡¯s chest, and they left the scene with Su Zhinian pulling her along.


    The two hadpletely disappeared from her view, but Cheng Qingchong still stood there dumbly on the steps of the restaurant. "Qingchong, what are you doing? We¡¯re leaving!"


    Cheng Qingchong, who was once more patted on her shoulder, recovered quickly. She smiled apologetically before following her friends to head towards the taxies.


    Her friends left before her, and Cheng Qingchong stood there for an extra two minutes before she got into one of the taxies.


    The streets were surprisingly empty. Cheng Qingchong sat in the car, looking at the glittering lights that colored the Beijing nightlife through the window, and the scene of Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian kissing kept entering her mind.

 Chapter 924 99 Wishes 9

    That scene was so beautiful, just like how a television drama would do it, a post-production romantic cut.


    It was after she married Qin Yinan that she found out the news that Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian were siblings from different mothers. Words couldn¡¯t even describe how shocked she had been.


    To prevent Qin Yinan from marrying Song Qingchun, she had even taken advantage of Qin Yinan when he was drunk and climbed into his bed. She had even sought help from a friend to create a fake pregnancy to force Qin Yinan to give up on Song Qingchun. She had thought that way, the man that she loved would have the chance to finally marry the girl that he loved, but who would have thought that fate had other ns in mind?


    She had cried that night when she found out the truth. She had cried for herself and for Su Zhinian, who had loved Song Qingchun for so many years.


    Only God knew how happy she was at Song Empire¡¯s anniversary, when she found out Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun weren¡¯t actual biological siblings. The Adonis that she had silently loved for so many years was finally going to get his happy ending; how could she not be happy?


    Especially tonight, when she saw they kiss openly under the night sky, she felt d. However, after the dness washed over, her heart dropped. As she had wished, Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun finally had their happy ending.


    But what about her? Her life was a veritable mess. She wasn¡¯t pregnant, but Qin Yinan¡¯s parents, her parents, and Qin Yinan himself thought she was pregnant. She wondered how long she could fake this pregnancy.


    Even though her sole purpose of marrying Qin Yinan was to stop him from marrying Song Qingchun, she couldn¡¯t just ask for a divorce after her mission was aplished. She came from a traditional family, and she couldn¡¯t forget how happy her parents were when she told them she was getting married. She didn¡¯t think they could survive the shock and disappointment of her divorce.


    However, after Qin Yinan found out she wasn¡¯t really pregnant, he would definitely divorce her, right?


    There wasn¡¯t really an emotional foundation between them. They had been married for more than half a month already, but they still treated each other like guests. In fact, Qin Yinan did slip and call her Miss Cheng several times when they were alone. Therefore, to swindle him into bed to make the fake pregnancy real was out of question.


    The more Cheng Qingchong thought about it, the greater her headache. She raised her fingers to her temples to massage them as she slowly closed her eyes.


    Cheng Qingchong pushed open the door to see Qin Yinan, who was packing his suitcase in the living room. Qin Yinan turned towards the noise, and when he saw her, he greeted, "Wee home."


    Cheng Qingchong nodded in acknowledgement. She changed into a pair of slippers as she walked into the house. She stared at his suitcase for a while before asking, "Are... you leaving for work?"


    "Yes, going to Shanghai. Leaving tomorrow and will be back two days after." Qin Yinan ced the folded shirts in the suitcase. Suddenly, he pointed at a bag that was ced on the couch. "Right, that is for you."


    For me? Cheng Qingchong was startled before she bent down to pick up the bag and opened it. A pair of ts was sitting inside.


    "Since you¡¯re pregnant, it¡¯s unwise to keep wearing heels..." As Qin Yinan started to exin, Cheng Qingchong¡¯s fingers shook, and the ts fell to the floor.


    "What¡¯s wrong?" Qin Yinan stopped what he was doing and turned towards her with concern. "Why do you look so pale?"

 Chapter 925 99 Wishes 10

    "Are you feeling unwell? Should we go to the hospital?"


    "It¡¯s okay." Cheng Qingchong quickly shook her head at Qin Yinan as she searched for an excuse to give him. "Just a bit tired from the gathering earlier. I¡¯ll be fine after a rest."


    Qin Yinan sighed in relief, and the tension between his eyes rxed. "Then, quickly go and rest."


    Cheng Qingchong bit on her lips as she nodded. Just as Cheng Qingchong was pushing the door to the bedroom open, Qin Yinan suddenly called her again. "Cheng..."


    Perhaps he still had not gotten used to calling her by her name. He paused before continuing. "Qingchong, are you sure you¡¯re alright? If you¡¯re not feeling well, you have to tell me. I don¡¯t mind staying home to apany you and canceling my work tomorrow."


    With her back facing Qin Yinan, Cheng Qingchong stopped moving as an indescribable sense of guilt assaulted her, causing tears toe to her eyes. Her knuckles that gripped the door handle had be white with force.


    Even though he had not married her because of love, after their marriage, she could sense he had been trying his best to be a good husband. Since she was pregnant, he had never once asked her to clean the house or do theundry. They didn¡¯t share the same bedroom, but he even helped her wash her undergarments.


    He knew that pregnant woman need plenty of nutrients, so when he wasn¡¯t that busy at work, he woulde home early to prepare different kinds of soups for her. There was that one time when she had fallen asleep in front of herputer doing her work. When she woke up the next morning, she had already been in bed, and she realized that he was copsed before herputer, helping her finish her work. Since they were from different professions, it must have taken him a whole night of research toplete it.


    Cheng Qingchong took in a deep breath to force a smile to her face before turning around to console him softly. "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m really fine."


    After getting her confirmation, Qin Yinan didn¡¯t press. He smiled gently at her and added, "Okay then, I won¡¯t disturb you any longer. Rest well."


    "Hmm." Cheng Qingchong nodded. As Qin Yinan¡¯s warm smile fell on her, she turned around in a hurry and dashed into her bedroom. Before closing the door, she peeked through the small sliver to see the man who was squatting on the floor, arranging his suitcase and preparing for his work tomorrow.


    After closing the door, Cheng Qingchong felt the energy in her body leave her. She leaned against the door and gradually slid to the floor. She lowered her head to her knees, and the question of the baby once again wed itself into her mind.


    Suddenly, someone knocked on the door behind her, and she stood up in a fluster to pull it open. Qin Yinan passed her a ss of warm milk, saying, "Here, it¡¯ll help your sleep."


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s lips fell open before she quickly lowered her head. She whispered a soft "thank you" as she epted the ss.


    Qin Yinan bade her "good night" as he raised his hand to help her close the door. Before the doorpletely closed, Qin Yinan added, "After you finish the milk, just leave it on the bedside table. I¡¯ll clean it up tomorrow morning before I leave for work.


    "Also, for these two days that I¡¯m not in Beijing, if you don¡¯t feel like cooking, you can go to my parent¡¯s. If you feel that¡¯ll be too awkward, call me, and I¡¯ll have someone send food over."

 Chapter 926 Flushing Her Out 1

    "No," Cheng Qingchong said practically the moment Qin Yinan finished his sentence. Realizing she might have reacted too harshly, she smiled apologetically at Qin Yinan, adding, "I mean, I don¡¯t want to trouble them too much. Furthermore, the food provided at the office is not bad, so I¡¯ll just have my meals there."


    "Okay." Qin Yinan smiled kindly back at her before closing the door.


    Just as the door was about to close, Cheng Qingchong suddenly called out, "Qin Yinan."


    "Hmm?" Qin Yinan pushed the door open a sliver.


    "That..." Cheng Qingchong¡¯s lips moved, but under Qin Yinan¡¯s gentle gaze, the words that reached her lips gradually tumbled back her throat. She smiled at him and said instead, "Thank you, good night."


    Qin Yinanughed good-humouredly before closing the door again. As the door clicked into ce, Cheng Qingchong staggered a few steps back before falling on her bedside. She hade so close to blurting out her secret and confessing all of her lies.


    However, she ultimately didn¡¯t have that courage. She was afraid that after knowing the truth, he would divorce her. Her parents were old, and they had worried about her happiness for a long time already. However, her life recently had felt like she was dancing on a knife¡¯s edge; she might fall at any moment. The shame and guilt were especially intense whenever hevished his kindness and concern upon her.


    The pressure had gotten so harsh that she started to weep. Then, a thought bubbled up in her mind. It was then that she realized one shouldn¡¯t lie because after you started with one, you would have to continue to make others to cover up the first one. It was a slippery slope. Then again, what choice did she have?


    As she wiped her tears, Cheng Qingchong pulled out her phone from her bag. She message the doctor friend who had helped her before. "I want to arrange a fake miscarriage, can you please arrange it for me?"


    The reply came in less than several seconds. "Yes, you can pretend to fall and have the ambnce send you to my ward. I¡¯ll take care of the rest."


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s fingers trembled, and it took her a long time to type and send two words. "Thank you."


    "You¡¯re wee." Cheng Qingchong¡¯s tears continued to fall as she stared at this reply.


    ...


    Su Zhinian practically kissed Song Qingchun all the way back to Shining Light Residence. The car stopped in the driveway, and without turning off the ignition, Su Zhinian crawled across the small space to squeeze his body on top of Song Qingchun.


    The two spent quite a long time in the passenger seat before they tumbled out of the car with their hair dishevelled and clothes unkempt.


    After they got into the house, without removing his shoes, Su Zhinian pulled Song Qingchun into his arms and lowered his head for the umpteenth time that night to press his lips upon hers.


    He pried open her teeth forcefully. As he sucked on her tongue, he pushed and shoved her body towards the direction of the staircase.


    Coat, wallet, car keys, shirt, shoes... The articles of clothing fell one after another, forming a trail from the front door to the staircase.

 Chapter 927 Flushing Her Out 2+3

    Song Qingchun was kissed until her legs quivered. Before they got up the stairs, her legs had be as weak as a puddle of water. She leaned into Su Zhinian¡¯s shoulder because her body started to fall.


    Su Zhinian held her waist to allow her to lean her whole body against his. As her soft body copsed on top of Su Zhinian, it caused the man¡¯s eyes to turn red with passion. With a deep intake of breath, he pressed her against the wall of the staircase as his mouth wandered all over her face, her chin, andter down her neck. Song Qingchun¡¯s body quivered following his every kiss.


    With the sound of fabric tearing, Song Qingchun felt the air fall on her bare chest before the man¡¯s bare lips covered itpletely. She unconsciously leaned her body deeper into his embrace. Her waist brushed up against something hard, and after a shiver, she slid back in a hurry from him.


    Her coquettish movement caused the man to groan with pent-up passion. He bit yfully on her skin before he pulled her up by her legs and moved up the stairs as his kisses continued tond on her chest.


    "...Su Zhinian... Lighter, not so hard..." The man¡¯s force was alternating between hard and soft, causing the girl to yelp. It sounded particrly ambiguous in the quiet house.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes burned redder. He kicked the bedroom door open, and after taking two forward steps, he suddenly released his hands that were holding her back. The girl, who lost all points of support, fell onto the bed with a scream. The man then jumped on her like a beast, pinning her to the bed, and continued to ravage the spots that he had already kissed earlier.


    Her breaths became more intense, and the sound fell continuously on his ears like rain. It caused his brain to be overloaded. Their clothes were the innocent victims as they got torn up by the man¡¯s powerful arms before they fluttered to the floor.


    He pressed down hard on her body, and she curled her arms around his strong waist. The room was filled with the sound of their heavy breathing. As their breathing ovepped, it created the most provocative of noises.


    He didn¡¯t hurry to make the ultimate move. He teased her endlessly until the girl became a puddle of y in his arms. The asional arm that rose to stop him felt more like a seduction than a rejection.


    The reserved groan that came from her lips was soft and alluring; it was like an aphrodisiac, super-charging his senses. His chest rose and fell. Eventually, he tried to nudge her legs open. The girl resisted him. He lowered his head to kiss her between her brows to soften her resistance. It was then that he spotted a book in bed out of the corner of his eyes.


    Mummy Dearest.


    The two words were like lightning striking him right beside his ears.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s hands gripped the mattress tightly until it balled in his hands before he forced himself off her and retreated. Then, he fell heavily on her like he was greatly exhausted from having fought a great battle.


    The sudden halt in her movement caused the girl to frown. Eventually, she opened her eyes to look at him.


    Su Zhinian could read Song Qingchun¡¯s thoughts easily due to the physical contact.


    The man who was ravaged by the fire coursing through his veins didn¡¯t exin himself. He nced at the ¡¯Mummy Dearest¡¯ that was in the bed.


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t understand his hint; her eyes that looked at him were watery and innocent. Her small face was flushed, and her lips were red and plump. His saliva on her lips caused the skin to glow seductively.


    This image caused the blood to surge towards a certain part of the man¡¯s body. He groaned heavily as if physically assaulted, and he reached out to grab the magazine and ced it over her face.


    Song Qingchun pulled ¡¯Mummy Dearest¡¯ off her face and red angrily at him before turning to read the cover of the book. Mummy... Dearest... This was the magazine I bought several days ago for... Little Sesame!


    Song Qingchun froze, and her heart tightened with anxiety. She pulled her sense around her stomach, and when she didn¡¯t feel any difort, she sighed in relief. That was so close... Almostmitted a horrible mistake... Thankfully, nothing happened...


    What does she mean by a horrible mistake? Without that horrible mistake, would there be a Little Sesame? And nothing happened? Does this mean nothing is going to happen? Su Zhinian sighed heavily with regret.


    Song Qingchun, who felt his displeasure, was shocked for a moment before realizing he had read her thoughts. Song Qingchun immediately leaned into his ear to whisper softly and understandingly, "You also know, you¡¯re not in a good condition to visit Little Sesame at the moment..."


    You¡¯re not in a good condition to visit Little Sesame at the moment... This tactful sentence by Song Qingchun fell into Su Zhinian¡¯s ears, and somehow, it got turned into an image of his little Su Zhinian entering her body...


    "What if, in your carelessness, you poke Little Sesame¡¯s head?"


    Poke Little Sesame¡¯s head... The urge that he had a hard time suppressing raged once more within Su Zhinian. He groaned twice as the still image in his mind turned into an action flick. Is she sure she¡¯s trying to console me and not seduce me?


    "...So, please be patient, when the time is right, we..." Song Qingchun didn¡¯t finish her sentence and she turned to look out the window with a blushing face. Su Zhinian, who was lying on top of her, read the remainder of the sentence in her mind.


    ...can do it as much as you want.


    As many times as I want? Now the action flick had be HD.


    Su Zhinian could feel the pressure gathering in his lower body. He jumped off of her with gritted teeth, rolled off the bed, and rushed into the bathroom without turning back once.


    ...


    The sound of rushing water continued for half an hour before it stopped.


    Su Zhinian pulled open the bathroom door to see the unmade bed, the clothes that littered the floor, and Song Qingchun, who had the cover up to her chest. The area between her neck and her chest that was exposed showed signs of kisses and bite marks.


    With just one nce, Su Zhinian felt a part of himself getting incredibly spirited. Before he lost control of himself, he mmed the bathroom door shut. The sound of rushing water began anew.


    ...


    When Su Zhinian came out again, he only managed to stay in bed, hugging Song Qingchun, for a while before he needed to use the bathroom again.

 Chapter 928 Flushing Her Out 4

    The cold shower was not as effective as he thought. Su Zhiniany beside Song Qingchun and had a hard time sleeping because, as the faint smell from her body drifted into his nose, he would wake up with desire once more.


    In the end, Su Zhinian sat up in bed and pulled out his phone to distract himself. The weak light from the phone woke up Song Qingchun, who hadn¡¯t really drifted off to sleep.


    Su Zhinian, who sensed the girl¡¯s movement, turned around to look at her. When he saw her open eyes, he immediately switched off his phone. "I¡¯m sorry, did I wake you up?"


    Song Qingchun shook her head. Su Zhinian leaned back into bed and pulled Song Qingchun into his embrace. The temperature of his body started to rise again.


    "Su Zhinian... Can¡¯t..." Song Qingchun¡¯s reminder was lost on her lips because Su Zhinian had leaned in to swallow up her lips. His kiss was soft yet persistent as his hand started to wander all over her skin. The atmosphere in the room heated up again.


    Song Qingchun evaded his lips in an attempt to stop him. "...We cannot do this in the first trimester..."


    His lips followed the turn of her head to fall on her ear. He bit her earlobe and licked it with his tongue. Song Qingchun shivered, and the rest of the words stopped in her throat.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s wandering hands moved to her waist until they found her hand. He held her hand as he moved it back to his t stomach andter more downwards until her hand was close to his important part.


    The temperature and warmth of her hand caused his whole body to shiver. His breath that fell on her ear became very uneven as he said pleadingly, "Tingting, can you please lend me a hand?"


    Without waiting for her answer, he led her hand to rest on it and he started to guide her through the motion.


    ...


    Even though it wasn¡¯t actual sex, when it was over, Su Zhinian still felt greatly satisfied. When he thought about it, this was the closest they had ever been since they were allowed to fall in love.


    Su Zhinian kissed the girl, whose eyes had remained closed throughout from shyness, on her forehead. Then he pecked her on her hair, then her lips, before moving unwillingly away from her. He went into the bathroom to retrieve a towel to help Song Qingchun clean up. Then, he changed the bedsheets, and after snuggling Song Qingchun until the cover, he went back into the bathroom to take a warm shower.


    When he came out, Song Qingchun seemed to be asleep already. Su Zhinian slunk towards the bed and crawled in as soft as he could. He reached out to hug her, and it was then that he realized she was still awake.


    The night was quiet. After that intimate moment earlier, they felt closer to each other. Song Qingchun leaned against Su Zhinian¡¯s chest, listening to his powerful heart beating. Unable to fall asleep, she started chatting with him.


    They chatted through the night until both of them drifted to sleep in each other¡¯s arms.


    However, they didn¡¯t expect, when they woke up next, two bad pieces of news would be waiting for them.

 Chapter 929 Flushing Her Out 5

    When Song Qingchun woke up, it was already afternoon. Su Zhinian was already awake, but he stayed in bed and skipped work that day. Theyzed in bed for a while before Song Qingchun got up to use the bathroom.


    When she came out, Su Zhinian was sitting up in bed, leaning against the headboard. The earphone was attached to his phone, and from his conversation, Song Qingchun knew it was rted to work.


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t disturb Su Zhinian. She walked to his side to hold his hand and inform him that she was going down to prepare some food. After Su Zhinian nodded, she turned to leave.


    Her stomach was growling from skipping breakfast. Song Qingchun prepared two bowls of noddle soup. She was about to head upstairs to call Su Zhinian when the doorbell rang. Song Qingchun stopped and turned towards the front entrance.


    Through the camera, Song Qingchun saw a young man holding arge box in his hands. It was the deliveryman. Her previous incident with the deliveryman had traumatized Song Qingchun. She had never epted a delivery in person after that anymore, so like usual, she had the young man put the box on the floor. She only opened the door and retrieved the box after the young man had left.


    The box was carefully wrapped. The brand name LAMER told Song Qingchun this was probably the package of make-up products she ordered off the inte a few days ago. The excited girl didn¡¯t go up the stairs to get Su Zhinian but turned her face up to yell up the stairs, "Time for lunch."


    Then she ced the box on the coffee table and bounded happily into the kitchen to grab a pair of scissors. The package was wrapped in multipleyers. Song Qingchun removed the paper wrappings of the deliverypany to take out the green exquisite box that the LAMER brand was famous for.


    A bow was standing on top. Song Qingchun removed the wax seal and unwrapped the bow. Then she reached out to open the box...


    ...


    After hanging up, Su Zhinian pulled off the cover to head into the bathroom. While he was brushing his teeth, he heard the doorbell. He was about to head downstairs when he heard Song Qingchun ask the deliveryman to put the stuff by the door.


    Su Zhinian gargled and rinsed his mouth. When he was cleaning his face, he heard Song Qingchun yell, "Time for lunch."


    That was followed by the sound of her opening the delivery along with the rustle of paper.


    After turning off the faucet, Su Zhinian could hear clearer. Other than the sound of Song Qingchun¡¯s motions, there was a slithering sound. The sound was soft, and it came from within his bungalow. It sounded sinister and caused the hair on his arms to rise.


    Su Zhinian stopped moving to focus on the sound as his brows furrowed. Eventually, he managed to confirm where the sound came from.


    His heart was gripped with terror as he raced out of the bathroom and bedroom. As he raced down the stairs, he screamed at Song Qingchun, "Don¡¯t move!"


    Song Qingchun, who was in the middle of opening the box, was startled by Su Zhinian¡¯s sudden scream. She turned around with confusion. Before she could ask why, Su Zhinian had already jumped down the stairs to stand before her.

 Chapter 930 Flushing Her Out 6

    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t even stop to catch his breath. He grabbed her hands that were heading towards the box and pulled her several steps back.


    "What¡¯s wrong..." Song Qingchun staggered and fell into the man¡¯s arms. After she found her footing, she raised her head up in confusion to look at him. Su Zhinian lowered his head to shush her before turning to focus on the box sitting on the table.


    The room was quiet. Song Qingchun didn¡¯t hear anything wrong. She waited for a while and was about to turn to ask Su Zhinian when she saw the stern and icy expression on his face. Her question caught in her throat, and her gaze alternated between the man and the box.


    After some time, Su Zhinian released his grasp on Song Qingchun¡¯s wrist and took slow deliberate steps towards the box. He bent over to lean his ear close to the box. After confirming that the shuffling sound dide from inside the box, he straightened up with his brows furrowed.


    "Is there anything wrong?" Song Qingchun walked forward to ask softly.


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t answer but used his arm to push Song Qingchun to stand behind him. He then looked around before pulling Song Qingchun into the kitchen with him to grab a wooden chair.


    "What are you going to do with that chair?


    "It¡¯s just the make-up I bought off the inte a few days ago.


    "Tell me what¡¯s going on."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s reticence caused Song Qingchun to grumble unsatisfactorily at him. Su Zhinian¡¯s face was eerily dark, and he didn¡¯t answer any of Song Qingchun¡¯s words. He ced the chair heavily into the middle of the patio and pulled Song Qingchun back into the house. Then he stopped and told her in a stern, firm tone, "Stay inside the house and don¡¯t move."


    Then Su Zhinian released his grip on her. He walked to the table to pick up the green box with the LAMER brand.


    "Su Zhinian, where are you taking my stuff?" Song Qingchun took a step forward unconsciously to follow Su Zhinian.


    Su Zhinian turned around to growl at Song Qingchun behind him, "Please stay where you are!"


    The tone of his order finally got to Song Qingchun because she stopped where she was. She witnessed Su Zhinian take the box carefully to the patio and put it down lightly beside the chair that he had left on the patio earlier.


    Before Song Qingchun realized what he was doing, the man suddenly picked up the chair and smashed it heavily at the box. Su Zhinian had used all the force inside his body because the chair smashed into pieces as it hit the floor.


    The loud noise caused Song Qingchun to shiver. The chairy about Su Zhinian in broken pieces, the green color box had already lost its shape, and something viscous akin to flesh and blood flowed out of it.


    Song Qingchun took two steps towards Su Zhinian to see clearer. When she got a closer look, she immediately turned back around.

 Chapter 931 Flushing Her Out 7

    That viscous stuff that she thought was simr to a mixture of flesh and blood was exactly that...


    The box that she thought contained her make-up had a live snake inside it!


    Even though the snake had been killed by Su Zhinian on the spot, its head was incidentally preserved, and Song Qingchun could see the long tongue falling out of its mouth. Song Qingchun had never been a fan of slimy creatures that crawled on the floor like snakes, so she didn¡¯t know much about them. However, with her limited knowledge, she knew this was a cobra, a poisonous creature. Instantly, Song Qingchun¡¯s back was covered with cold sweat.


    If Su Zhinian didn¡¯t stop her earlier from opening the box, there would only have been one of two results. She would have been bitten and died from poisoning, or she would have realized what was happening and copsed to the floor in her attempt to escape. She was still in her first trimester, the most unstable time of a pregnancy, so no matter the result, it wouldn¡¯t have been pretty.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s breathing became uneven from fear. She didn¡¯t have the courage to turn around to witness the travesty. With her back facing Su Zhinian, after a few deep breaths, she finally found her voice to ask, "Are you alright?"


    "I¡¯m fine..." Following the man¡¯s calm answer, Song Qingchun could sense him walking towards her. She leaned easily into his arms and hugged him tightly to prevent herself from falling to the ground. Su Zhinian used his hand to pat her lightly on her back as he led her into the house.


    After he helped her sit down, Su Zhinian poured her a ss of water and asked whether she needed medical attention.


    The nched Song Qingchun, who was still in shock, shook her head. She took a sip of the warm water before she slowly calmed down. She turned towards Su Zhinian, and the first words out of her mouth were "Fang Rou."


    "It¡¯s Fang Rou!" Before Su Zhinian said anything, Song Qingchun repeated herself with affirmation. "It has to be Fang Rou! When I made this order a few days ago, she was standing beside me; she even asked me to get her a bottle of face cream.


    "The woman sure is crazy. Even after she¡¯s exposed, she refuses to give up. She¡¯s obviously trying to kill me and my child. If you didn¡¯t stop me just now, I... I..."


    Song Qingchun became more agitated as she continued. "...After killing Song Cheng, she still wants to harm me and my child! I will never forgive her, never..."


    "Okay, Tingting, the important point is that you¡¯re safe..." Su Zhinian pulled Song Qingchun into his embrace tofort her.


    When he heard the slithering sound earlier, he had already guessed it was Fang Rou. As long as that woman wasn¡¯t captured, Song Qingchun wouldn¡¯t bepletely safe. However, that woman was as slippery as that snake, even though she had done so many horrible things, she had left no evidence to pin the crimes to her.


    Therefore, they would need to prepare a lot more if they want her to face thew... but one thing was sure, they had to take action soon!


    Just as the thought settled in his mind, Song Qingchun suddenly raised her head in his arms to ask, "Su Zhinian, say, do you think the ident that we got into earlier was rted to her as well?"

 Chapter 932 Flushing Her Out 8

    "I believe she has to be involved somehow. Think about it, who would drive a truck so fast on a Beijing street?" Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes chilled. "Fang Rou won¡¯t rest until we¡¯re dead. The woman has lost her mind!"


    Song Qingchun pressed her lips and went silent. After a while, Song Qingchun uttered in a surprisingly firm voice, "Su Zhinian, we mustn¡¯t sit idle anymore."


    Even though she didn¡¯t say more than that, Su Zhinian could read the n that she was formting in her mind. Su Zhinian shook his head to deny it immediately. "While it¡¯s true that we have to take some action, we needn¡¯t to do it your way!"


    "Su Zhinian, you have to admit that my n is the best n there is."


    "That might be true, but your n is also the most dangerous one there is. Think about our child, please don¡¯t be rash! Plus, the police are still investigating..."


    "The investigation has gone on for how many days already, and do we have any results? Su Zhinian, I can¡¯t wait any longer. If this only affected me, I could have lived my life a bit more carefully, but like you said, we have our child to consider. If we don¡¯t settle this issue as soon as possible... I¡¯m worried that she might be able to harm our child..."


    "Yes, that is true, but Tingting, this doesn¡¯t mean that I¡¯ll be willing to put you in harm¡¯s way!"


    "But Su Zhinian, with great riskes great rewards. I promise I will take good care of myself, and you¡¯ll be there to protect me, right?"


    "Even so, it¡¯s still too dangerous, there are too many uncertainties involved... No! I won¡¯t allow it! No way!"


    ...


    Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun argued for a long time, but it was to no avail. Before they came to a conclusion, a call came in.


    It was from Su Zhinian¡¯s new secretary. Due to his argument with Song Qingchun, Su Zhinian¡¯s tone was a bit dark. The new secretary was probably spooked because she stammered for a long time before she got the point across. "...Sister Cheng, identally fell at the entrance to the breakroom... There¡¯s a lot of blood... and water..."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s brows tightened. "Has she been sent to the hospital?"


    Song Qingchun, who had her head turned away due to her argument with Su Zhinian, heard the term ¡¯hospital¡¯ and quickly turned her head worriedly back toward Su Zhinian.


    "Which hospital?" As Su Zhinian asked this question, Song Qingchun¡¯s heart fell. Ignoring the fact that they were in the middle of an argument, she quickly asked Su Zhinian, who hung up his phone, "Who was sent to the hospital?"


    "Some ident happened to Secretary Cheng."


    Cheng Qingchong? An ident? But she¡¯s pregnant, right? Song Qingchun asked with a frown, "What happened?"


    "She slipped and fell; there was plenty of blood," Su Zhinian said as he stood up to rush upstairs, "...You stay home to rest; I¡¯ll go take a look at the hospital."


    Song Qingchun stood up to follow. "Wait, I¡¯m going with you."


    Su Zhinian nced at Song Qingchun, and his lips moved. However, eventually, he decided to let this drop and nodded.

 Chapter 933 Flushing Her Out 9

    When Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian arrived at the hospital, Cheng Qingchong had juste out of the surgery room. The woman was wheeled out of the room, still unconscious.


    When she heard Su Zhinian say that there was plenty of blood, Song Qingchun had prepared for the worst, but she really didn¡¯t expect the worst possible oue to be reality. Cheng Qingchong had a miscarriage.


    Perhaps because they were both mothers-to-be, when Song Qingchun saw the pale Cheng Qingchong attached to the drip, she felt incredibly saddened. However, beyond feeling sorry for Cheng Qingchong, she couldn¡¯t help but envision this tragedy happening to herself. Right then, Song Qingchun¡¯s conviction towards the decision that caused her to have a row with Su Zhinian earlier only heightened.


    ...


    When Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian received the news, Qin Yinan, who was in the middle of his meeting at Shanghai, also received the news. He abandoned the meetingpletely, didn¡¯t even return to his hotel, and took thest flight of the day to return to Beijing.


    When Qin Yinan reached the hospital, it was already night. Cheng Qingchong, who woke up in thete afternoon, had already fallen back to sleep.


    ...


    That day, Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian waited at the hospital for Qin Yinan to arrive before they left. Before leaving, Song Qingchun called Qin Yinan to the side to console him. Qin Yinan said that he was fine, but Song Qingchun could see how sad he was.


    However, no matter how sad he was, he didn¡¯t me Cheng Qingchong one bit. When she woke up, it was he who took the extra effort tofort her. When she heard what he had to say, Cheng Qingchong¡¯s tears fell.


    Qin Yinan assumed that she was crying for her lost child. He raised his hand but hesitated in midair. Eventually, his hand fell on her back as he patted her lightly tofort her.


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s tears fell even more. She croaked out a soft, "I¡¯m sorry."


    "You shouldn¡¯t apologize to me; it was an ident. It¡¯s not your fault."


    Cheng Qingchong wailed, and her hands that hid underneath the cover gripped into fists.


    Her apology was not for the child that wasn¡¯t there to begin with but for another one of her lies.


    ...


    On the way home, Song Qingchun brought up her n again to Su Zhinian. As she expected, it was vehemently rejected by Su Zhinian. They got into another argument.


    However, in the end, like all the arguments they had had and would have, it was Su Zhinian who went begging Song Qingchun for forgiveness, and it was he whopromised.


    ...


    The n went even more smoothly than Song Qingchun expected.


    Song Empire had a new product lineunching in Hong Kong in April, and Su Zhinian left for it on April 3rd.


    The man who had kept a low profile was caught by the media at Beijing Internal Airport on the day of his flight.


    Beijing in April weed in a new spring. Many girls on the street put on the dresses that had been put to rest for almost half a year.


    On the second day Su Zhinian had left for Hong Kong, Song Qingchun left home early in the morning in her car. She was alone, wandering through the business centre of Beijing. It was around noon that Song Qingchun realized someone was tailing her.

 Chapter 934 Flushing Her Out 10

    The temperature that afternoon was about twenty degrees Celsius. The people on the street were either wearing short-sleeved shirts or thin t-shirts, but that person stood out like a sore thumb in his all-ck get-upplete with a wool cap and mask. Song Qingchun continued shopping, trying her best to pretend not to have noticed the weird individual.


    However, as she waltzed in and out the shops, she would nce at the many reflective windows and mirrors to pay attention to that person.


    At 3 pm, Song Qingchun found a caf¨¦ on the fourth floor to rest and have a ss of warm milk. She sat at the table, flipping through the magazine for about twenty minutes when her phone rang. She nced at the disy before deleting the message in her inbox. Then, she called for the waiter for the bill, stood up, and left for the elevator.


    Song Qingchun stepped into the elevator, and as the door slowly closed, she caught another glimpse of the mystery man in ck. When the elevator reached the underground parking lot, Song Qingchun headed for her car directly. When she reached her car, she realized that the four tyres had been shed.


    Song Qingchun called the towingpany before returning upstairs to the ground floor. Song Qingchun stood at the entrance to g down a taxi. In less than half a minute, a taxi arrived.


    Song Qingchun nced at the person in the driver¡¯s seat through the window before pulling the backdoor open to climb in. She gave the driver the Song family¡¯s address. The driver didn¡¯t answer. After Song Qingchun put on her seatbelt, he started the car.


    Song Qingchun pulled out her phone, and as she lowered her head to look at the screen, she noticed the ck outfit, cap, and mask that were hidden under the seat. Song Qingchun didn¡¯t allow her gaze to linger. She closed her eyes, pretending to sleep.


    Song Qingchun was quite a good actress because the driver thought she was so dim that he even turned around to pull her phone out from her fingers when the car stopped at a red light. However, she didn¡¯t open her eyes. It was about half an hourter that she yawnedzily and rubbed her blurry eyes.


    She pretended to be shocked as she looked out the window. The car had left Beijing city and was heading towards the highway. She asked curiously, "Where are we?"


    Then, she sat up straighter and patted the driver¡¯s seat on its back to pretend to kindly remind the taxi driver, "Sir, you got the wrong road..."


    The taxi driver continued to step on the gas pedal as if she hadn¡¯t said a word.


    There was a partition between the backseat and the front seat, so Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t have reached the driver even if she wanted to. Desperate, she turned towards the doors, but she realized they were locked. She pretended to panic as she demanded angrily where the driver was taking her as she started to look for her phone, telling the driver that she was going to call the police.


    Knowing she wouldn¡¯t find her phone, Song Qingchun started to plead and beg the driver.


    Her pleas fell on deaf ear as the driver stared straight ahead while the car continued to zoom forward to an unknown destination.

 Chapter 935 Split-Second Decision 1

    The car eventually stopped by a beach. Song Qingchun was shoved along the path toward the sea by the taxi driver. Song Qingchun took careful steps, afraid that being rash might harm her baby. The scene as she was led to the beach was practically identical to how it was inside the car.


    Song Qingchun kept asking the driver questions, but the man was impervious to her inquiries. Song Qingchun was brought to a slightly worn yacht. Song Qingchun nced at the ship twice. She observed that it was a blue yacht with white stripes as she was pushed into the interior.


    The shove was quite sudden and harsh; Song Qingchun staggered, falling forward. Thankfully, she grabbed hold of support at thest minute. Before she straightened herself, Song Qingchun heard the door m heavily shut behind her. She turned around and realized that the taxi driver didn¡¯t follow her in. She rushed towards the door to pull on the door and realized with a falling heart that it was locked from the outside.


    However, no more audience, Song Qingchun dropped the pretext of panic. She looked around calmly, trying to work out where she was. Even though the ship looked worn on the outside, inside it was clean and neat.


    A kitchte, bedroom, bathroom, and living room¡ªit had everything an apartment would have, just smaller in scale. However, it was still quitefortable. Song Qingchun walked around the room. Other than the half ss of red wine and half-eaten instant noddles left on the coffee table, there was no sign of life. The ce was vacated other than herself.


    Song Qingchun stood by the window and looked at the expansive sea. Then, she sat down on the sofa. It was then that she noticed the box of matches, cigarettes, and a faded photograph that was ced beside the ss of red wine. The picture showed a whole family; Song Qingchun believed it was the father, mother, and two sisters. The younger daughter looked like she was only several months old, sucking on the pacifier in her mother¡¯s arms, her eyes closed.


    The elder daughter looked to be four or five years old. She stood between her parents, holding a paper windmill and a bright smile on her face. The mother, though, looked suspiciously familiar; she reminded Song Qingchun of someone.


    Song Qingchun frowned before it hit her. Then, her gaze wandered back to the elder daughter. Even though so many years had passed and the girl probably had grown up by now, Song Qingchun could tell that this little girl was Fang Rou.


    Isn¡¯t Fang Rou an orphan? What¡¯s with this picture? Amid Song Qingchun¡¯s confusion, the yacht¡¯s door was pushed open. Song Qingchun put down the picture and turned towards the door. She saw Fang Rou walk in.


    Even though they had not met for just a few days, it felt like years had passed. Song Qingchun felt like she was looking at a person that was not Fang Rou because this woman was so different from the Fang Rou in her impression. She couldn¡¯t believe this icy woman was the kind big sister that she had known for the past five years!


    Fang Rou¡¯s gaze swept Song Qingchun, and her expression was eerily chilling. She greeted her with a nonchnt tilt of her chin before leaning down to pick up the half-finished ss of wine. She walked to the faucet to clean it up before pouring herself another ss. She turned around to raise it at Song Qingchun, asking, "Would you like one?"

 Chapter 936 Split-Second Decision 2

    Song Qingchun looked at Fang Rou without words and without smiles. Facing Song Qingchun¡¯s silence, Fang Rou¡¯s lips twitched involuntarily into a smile. However, the smile was no longer the one that Song Qingchun was familiar with, a smile that was as soft as a cloud. Instead, it had a heavy hint of mockery in it.


    She leanedzily into the chair, swirling the ss with ease as she took asional sips. She finished half the ss before realizing it was probably too rude to enjoy it alone, so she waltzed back to the refrigerator to pull out a rtively healthier fruit juice and toss it at Song Qingchun.


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t touch the juice bottle. She turned toward Fang Rou and asked in a surprisingly calm voice, "It was you who ordered the taxi driver to pull me here?"


    Fang Rou took another sip of the wine and sighed with satisfaction before nodding openly at Song Qingchun and admitted, "That¡¯s right."


    "Why would you do that?"


    Fang Rou smiled twice as if she had just been told a joke. However, the next second, her expression turned as cold as ice. With a tone dripping with frost, she said, "Because I want to take your life."


    Fang Rou had attempted to kill Song Qingchun many times, and she had failed each time. Song Qingchun knew that already, but when she heard the confession from Fang Rou¡¯s lips, she still couldn¡¯t help shivering.


    Song Qingchun stared Fang Rou in the eye and held her gaze before asking the question that had been stuck in her minds for these few days. "Was it you who kill my brother?"


    Fang Rou¡¯s fingers that held the wine ss quivered slightly. She lowered her gaze, and in that moment, Song Qingchun thought she could see sadness on that woman. However, thatsted exactly only a moment before it dissipated behind a condescending smile. The woman took another slow sip of the wine before admitting readily, "Yes, it was me who killed Song Cheng."


    Her easy admission was like a sharp knife stabbing into Song Qingchun¡¯s heart. Song Qingchun¡¯s voice, which had been unrealistically calm since Fang Rou walked in, started to shiver with agitation. "Why would you kill him? He was so good to you. You have to know that he..."


    Anger made Song Qingchun swallow the rest of her words.


    However, Fang Rou was unfazed by her anger. She continued to sip the wine leisurely and continued to describe how she managed to kill Song Cheng in a tone that sounded like she was talking about the recent changes in weather. "To tell you the truth, from the first day I met Song Cheng, I never thought to be good to him. The reason I got close to him, became his girlfriend, and married him was solely to enter the Song family. Of course, the other reason was to im his life as well."


    Song Qingchun¡¯s whole body was quivering with anger. She inhaled through gritted teeth for several times before she found her words. "Fang Rou, you¡¯re.... heartless!"


    "You might want to rethink that judgement because that¡¯s not all." Fang Rou started chuckling to herself. In a clear and airy tone, she continued. "I killed Tang Nuan as well. Do you know, before Tang Nuan died, she came to me, hoping to collect evidence of my crime for you? s..."

 Chapter 937 Split-Second Decision 3

    Fang Rou¡¯s tone suddenly becameced with derision, her every word dripping with condescension. "...She really thought she could pull one over on me? She¡¯s still too young to be my match. At the time, I only used one sentence to make her broadcast the fact that you slept together with Su Zhinian all over your school. A dumb b*tch like her only deserved to be used and tossed away!"


    So, the rumours came from her... Tang Nuan died because she attempted to help me? If our rivalry didn¡¯t begin, would she still be alive?


    Song Qingchun had a hard time telling whether she was sad or pained. She told herself internally to calm down repeatedly; it would be over soon. The only reason she was there that day was to confront Fang Rou personally to collect the evidence of her heinous crime, right?


    However, no matter how hard Song Qingchun tried to stay rational, her chest kept rising and falling unevenly due to the raging emotions.


    "Wait, don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re angered on Tang Nuan¡¯s behalf? You sure are a bigger woman than I am then, or did you not know that she once tried to poison you..." The sarcasm in Fang Rou¡¯s words couldn¡¯t have been clearer even if she tried.


    "That was before. She didn¡¯t go through with it, did she? To err is human, so I can forgive her because she eventually did turn around and try to undo her mistake, did she not? But you, you¡¯re worse than a human!"


    "Yes, I¡¯m inhuman! I¡¯ve given up to be a human a long time ago." Fang Rouughed derisively and continued to drop bombs on Song Qingchun. "After all, only an inhumane person like myself could kill her own mother-inw not long after her marriage..."


    Her mother-inw... Mum? Song Qingchun screamed angrily, "Fang Rou, I¡¯m going to kill you!"


    As she sprung up from her seat, she grabbed the nearby pillow and threw it at Fang Rou.


    Fang Rou didn¡¯t even attempt to evade. She seemed to enjoy Song Qingchun¡¯s anger like it was a precious delicacy. She continued to sip on the wine andugh like she was chatting with her best pal as she continued to give the details on how she murdered Song Qingchun¡¯s mother.


    She continued until there were no more grizzly details to be told. Fang Rou smashed the ss in her hand to the floor and stepped towards Song Qingchun, who had smashed every single item in the room.


    "I¡¯ve said everything I need to; you should thank me for letting you die knowing the truth.


    In that moment, Fang Rou seemed to morph back into the sister-inw that Song Qingchun knew too well. Her expression softened into a gentle and weing countenance. However, there was a gun in her hand, and its dark barrel was pointed directly at Song Qingchun¡¯s head.


    Song Qingchun, who was in the midst of her psychotic rage, suddenly stopped when she noticed the gun. She straightened up, and the barrel of the gun followed her movement precisely.


    Fang Rou seemed to have exhausted her patience. She switched off the safety. Following a crisp click, Song Qingchun¡¯s heart rushed to her throat.


    Fang Rou¡¯s gun was deceptively close to her. She could see the tension in the other woman¡¯s knuckle as she pulled on the gun¡¯s trigger.

 Chapter 938 Split-Second Decision 4

    In this crucial moment, Song Qingchun became surprisingly steady and calm. She looked at Fang Rou silently without moving even a muscle. She was calm, way too calm considering the situation she was in. It caused Fang Rou to hesitate for a moment, and her finger that pressed the trigger halted. She paused for two seconds before pulling on the trigger with a grit of her teeth.


    "Fang Rou." Song Qingchun suddenly called her name. Her tone was level.


    Since she had the gun in her hand and thus the upper hand in the situation, Fang Rou found herself kind enough to give Song Qingchun another minute to say herst words.


    Fang Rou released her finger from the trigger and put the gun down beside her without hesitation. Her lips twitched with generous contempt. "What? You nning to beg me for mercy?"


    "No, not that..." Song Qingchun¡¯s tone was as serene as her expression. "Before you pull the trigger, I have something to tell you."


    So talkative even at your deathbed? But could this be another ploy or hers? This doubt caused Fang Rou to panic for a moment before she vetoed it with a shake of her head. Even if there was a ploy, so what? She didn¡¯t expect to escape this crime unscathed; this was herst and fatal hit. Even if Song Qingchun had sent for help, they couldn¡¯t be faster than her bullet! Furthermore, her biggest help was in Hong Kong, wasn¡¯t he?


    Fang Rou chuckled darkly to herself and raised her eyebrow at Song Qingchun. However, she didn¡¯t say a word. Under her scrutiny, Song Qingchun pulled off the bracelet from her wrist. Song Qingchun pressed a button on it, and the quiet room reverberated with the sound of their earlier conversation.


    "You¡¯ve confessed to the full extent of your crime. I will hand over this recording to the police; even with the bestwyer, it will be useless," Song Qingchun exined slowly as the recording drew to a close.


    How could she not be angry when she heard what Fang Rou had to say? However, the ferocity of her action was not as Fang Rou predicted, a manifestation of anger, but at the end of the day, it was merely another show to urge Fang Rou step by step toward confessing all of her crimes.


    Song Qingchun knew that she was Fang Rou¡¯s ultimate target, and it was why she coulde up with the n of using herself as the bait to lure out Fang Rou. It was also why the n had been so vehemently rejected by Su Zhinian in the first ce.


    Fang Rou was not a dumb person. After all, how could a person who spent years nning multiple murders be stupid?


    Even though Song Qingchun only said one simple sentence, Fang Rou got the gist in less than few seconds.


    "You already knew that the driver nned to harm you? You yed along and got into the car to lure me out into the open?" Before waiting for Song Qingchun to answer, Fang Rou shook her head and corrected herself. "No, to be precise, you already nned this beforehand. You nned to use yourself to lure me out? In other words, you weren¡¯t really out shopping today; it was all a show to give me a fake opening..."

 Chapter 939 Split-Second Decision 5

    Fang Rou suddenly stopped as her brows furrowed deeply. About half a minuteter, she suddenly raised her head in a hurry as if an important detail had dawned on her. Her eyes that stared at Song Qingchun had a deep sh of resentment in them. "...This means, the news about Su Zhinian leaving for Hong Kong is also fake?"


    Almost the same second as she finished the question, Fang Rou raised the gun to point directly at the spot between Song Qingchun¡¯s brows. This time, she didn¡¯t hesitate.


    In her urgency, Fang Rou didn¡¯t notice that when she raised her arm, Song Qingchun¡¯s lips moved several times, and she whispered very softly three times, "Su Zhinian."


    Then, Fang Rou stopped and stood where she was as if frozen. The three repetitions of Su Zhinian¡¯s name was a code between Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian. This was already discussed before the n began. When Su Zhinian heard his name called thrice, he would mind-control Fang Rou.


    Even though everything was nned, when Song Qingchun was living out the n, the danger and urgency she put herself in still made Song Qingchun sweat profusely.


    After Song Qingchun called "Su Zhinian" thrice, she unconsciously closed her eyes and gripped herself tight, trying to stop her weak legs from giving out. Nothing was certain in the world. She was afraid that Su Zhinian might not be as fast as Fang Rou. She was afraid that before Su Zhinian took control of Fang Rou, she would get shot in the head.


    Song Qingchun held her breath, standing there for about ten seconds. When she didn¡¯t hear the gun shot, she slowly opened her eyes.


    Fang Rou stood where she was with the same expression and pose like a wooden mannequin. Song Qingchun raised her palm to wave it twice before Fang Rou¡¯s eyes. When she realized the other woman waspletely still, she gave out a long sigh of relief. She swallowed several times before she found the strength to slowly pull the gun out from Fang Rou¡¯s grasp.


    Holding the gun in her hands, Song Qingchun fell two steps back and put some distance between herself and Fang Rou, who might recover at any moment. Then came themotion from outside the door.


    Song Qingchun knew this was Su Zhinian and Qin Yinan, who had been following her closely since the morning.


    Initially, Song Qingchun really didn¡¯t think of asking Qin Yinan for help. It was Su Zhinian who asked on her behalf. Since this involved Song Qingchun¡¯s personal safety, he could not take too many precautions.


    However, right then, Song Qingchun felt that Su Zhinian was right to ask for Qin Yinan¡¯s help. There were two guards on the yacht. If Su Zhinian was alone, even with his superpower, he might not have survived the ordeal unharmed.


    Themotion came closer to the yacht. Song Qingchun could hear Qin Yinan¡¯s voice say, "Go in to check up on Song Song, leave the rest to me."


    "Thank you." With a reply from Su Zhinian, the door of the room was kicked open. He nced around the interior before rushing to grab Song Qingchun. He inspected her all over as he asked with concern, "Are you injured? Do you feel unwell? How are you feeling?"


    Song Qingchun just nodded when Fang Rou, who stood not far away, slowly came to.

 Chapter 940 Split-Second Decision 6

    Su Zhinian could feel Song Qingchun¡¯s body freeze in his arms, and his brows furrowed.


    "Did she injure..." Before Su Zhinian finish, he looked down and saw Song Qingchun had been looking in a certain direction with pain in her eyes. He understood everything instantly. He swallowed the rest of his question and turned his head toward where Song Qingchun was looking.


    Fang Rou¡¯s expression wasplicated as she stared at her empty hands. She mumbled, "What happened?"


    After repeating the question several times to herself, she whipped her head up to look at Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian. The resentment in her eyes was so deep that it felt like she was going to tear them apart then and there.


    "Was it you who do it? Or was it you?" Fang Rou¡¯s eyes alternated between Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian before she locked onto Su Zhinian. "It was you, wasn¡¯t it? What did you do to me? You..."


    As she said so, Fang Rou grabbed the nearby chair as if crazed and tossed it at Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun. Su Zhinian pulled Song Qingchun to the side, and the chair crashed into the window, causing the ss to shatter.


    Shielding Song Qingchun behind him, Su Zhinian turned his head sideways to whisper to Song Qingchun, "You got the recording?"


    "Yes."


    "We¡¯d better leave first; the police will arrive soon..."


    Fang Rou yelled, interrupting him. "Leave? The party¡¯s not yet over, and you already want to leave? Impossible!"


    Fang Rou pressed on a remote that had appeared as if out of thin air, and the yacht that sat by the beach shuddered like it was walking up. As the ship filled with the sound of a motor running, the ship shot out into the ocean.


    "F*ck!" Su Zhinian cursed as he narrowed her eyes at Fang Rou. The remote in Fang Rou¡¯s hand was tossed at him. Su Zhinian grabbed it and pressed all the buttons on it, but the yacht didn¡¯t show any sign of slowing down.


    Fang Rou recovered faster from the second mind-control. Even though she still didn¡¯t know what had happened, she scoffed and didn¡¯t waste time to introduce the whole face of her crazy n. "Don¡¯t waste your energy; before Song Qingchun got onto this yacht, I already tweaked this ship. We will not stop. The police might being, but they will by be able to catch up to us so soon, and when they do, we will probably all be at the bottom of the ocean already..."


    Like a crazed evil master-mind, Fang Rou petered off to an evilugh. It caused the hair on Song Qingchun¡¯s back to rise, and unconsciously, she gripped Su Zhinian¡¯s arm. Su Zhinian, who could feel her anxiety, reached out to hold her hands.


    Fang Rou eventually stopped. As she wiped away the tears that fell out of her eyes, she tilted her head and said smilingly at Song Qingchun, "Just now, before I pulled out the gun, you told me you had something you want to tell me... This is such a coincidence because before the three of us crash into the ocean, I also have something to tell you..."


    Fang Rou walked towards a tripod that was covered under a red cloth. She pulled off the cloth to reveal an iPad, and the screen was showing the Song family¡¯s living room.


    Song Menghwa clutched his chest, and he leaned against the sofa with a pale face. His lips opened and closed. His face was covered in tears, both dried and still fresh.

 Chapter 941 Split-Second Decision 7

    "Dad!" Song Qingchun called out as she dashed unconsciously toward the iPad. Su Zhinian reached out to grab her shoulders to stop her from getting too close to Fang Rou. ncing at Song Menghwa, who was at the verge of fainting, his lips stretched as he turned around to re at Fang Rou with murderous intent burning in his eyes.


    Fang Rou shrugged indifferently. She then turned around to look at the peaceful surface of the sea. She said in an airy and slow tone, "I admit, you guys are clever and brave toe up with this n to bait me out into the open.


    "But no matter how clever you are, you failed to calcte one crucial point, and that is..." The setting sun washed Fang Rou in its glow, giving the woman a mirage of vulnerability.


    "Everything that I¡¯ve nned all these years is to ruin the Song family. After the Song family is ruined, I have nothing left to do in this world."


    To be precise, ruining the Song family was her goal in life.


    "...Therefore, I¡¯ve put my own life on the line tomit to this n..." Fang Rou¡¯s eyes glistened with subdued mirth at this point. Her chin raised upward to the sun slightly, and there was a peaceful smile on her face like she hade to terms with the end of her life. "...So no matter how clever and how brave you are, how could you possibly beat someone who has nothing to lose?"


    "But why? Why do you want to do this? What has the Song family done to you that you need to ruin us?!" Song Qingchun, who was snuggled in Su Zhinian¡¯s arms, demanded angrily.


    "Why?" Fang Rou repeated that word thrice before turning around slowly to look at the iPad. Song Menghwa on the screen was as confused as Song Qingchun. The elderly man¡¯s lips were quivering uncontrobly. He also wanted to ask her why, but the shock of the situation was such that he couldn¡¯t even utter a single word.


    "Indeed, I haven¡¯t even exined why yet..." Fang Rou straightened up to walk to the coffee table to pick up the picture that Song Qingchun had been looking at earlier. Her expression suddenly became incredibly soft and gentle, and a small smile lit up her face. She picked up the photograph and caressed it lightly. As if talking to herself, her tone had traces of sadness and yearning in it.


    "...I¡¯m not the Fang family¡¯s daughter. They adopted me because they couldn¡¯t have a child of their own.


    "Therefore, my name is not actually Fang Rou, it¡¯s Zhao Xiaoyan..." Fang Rou lowered her gaze andughed slightly. "...The name is not as beautiful as Fang Rou, is it? But for me, no other name could be more beautiful than Zhao Xiaoyan... because it is the name given to me by my real mother. If possible, I wish to live my life with the name Zhao Xiaoyan, but..."


    Fang Rou¡¯s face suddenly changed to be colored by hatred and resentment. Her gaze that red at the iPad was heavy with enmity.


    "...but Song Menghwa has ruined such a small wish of mine!


    "None of you know how happy my family was! Even though we weren¡¯t as wealthy as your Song family, at least my mother stayed at home to take care of me and my sister, my father went to work every day, and we would go on a family trip every weekend..."

 Chapter 942 Split-Second Decision 8

    "...My father¡¯s sry was not high¡ªhe could barely support our whole family¡ªbut my mother managed the household well, so whenever a big holiday arrived, we could still go to a slightly better restaurant to enjoy a scrumptious meal as a family...


    "Later in life, after I entered the Fang family and married into the Song family, I had endless money to spend and exquisite meals served day in and out...


    "But I wasn¡¯t happy. The happiest moment of my life was when my parents were still around...


    "Yes, we were poor, but we were happy... Of course, that happiness was something rich people like you wouldn¡¯t understand. Money cannot buy happiness, but it sure can buy many things like the butchering of a whole happy family!"


    Fang Rou¡¯s tone started to quiver, and she practically hissed the rest of her story. "...The incident happened about twenty years ago. I do wonder if Song Menghwa still remembers it after so many years. I believe you won¡¯t; after all, why would you care about an insignificant family like ours?


    "It was a wintry night. My little sister suffered from a sudden high fever. Mom and Dad took her to the hospital. That morning, Dad had just purchased a new car worth 70,000 RMB, and we were supposed to go on a trip the day after, but who would have thought that the first trip the car took would be to the hospital?


    "It was snowing heavily that night. I stayed home alone and waited until morning, but my parents and sister hadn¡¯t returned. I didn¡¯t go to school and stayed at home to wait for them. I was about to faint from hunger when it was almost noon. However, I held on until night fell and the policeman came, telling me to go with him to meet my parents and sister...


    "I remember how d I was. I thought my parents were at the hospital, too busy taking care of my sister, so they had asked the policeman toe for me. I followed the policeman happily, and yes, he did bring me to the hospital, but it was to the morgue."


    Fang Rou¡¯s whole frame seemed to be radiating hate. Her eyes were brimming with tears. "To this day, I cannot forget that memory. My parents and little sister arranged side by side. They were very quiet with their eyes closed, like they were sleeping. No matter how loud I yelled or how hard I shook them, my cry-baby little sister didn¡¯t cry, my Mom didn¡¯t smile, and my Dad didn¡¯t open his eyes...


    "They were dead, all dead... Died in an ident on the way to the hospital, died at the hands of the murderer Song Menghwa!"


    Fang Rou shuddered with fury. "Yes, it was Song Menghwa who was speeding under influence that night, crashing into my parents¡¯ car, causing my whole family to die on the spot!


    "But that¡¯s not all he did! The worst is Song Menghwa used his money to buy the judges or someone because it was obvious that he was driving under influence, but it became reckless driving. He also found himself a shamelesswyer to defend himself in court...


    "Such a horrible ident, three lives were lost, but what did Song Menghwa get as punishment? Several ten thousand RMB to me aspensation? I ask you, do you think I want that money? My parents are dead, why would I need your money? Song Menghwa was barely affected. His driver¡¯s license didn¡¯t get revoked, and hispany only got better, even entering the stock market...


    "Why? Tell me why, even though Song Menghwa had killed someone, his life only got better and better?


    "What about me? In the orphanage I was bullied, at school, I was mocked, and even my adopted family didn¡¯t like me!"

 Chapter 943 Split-Second Decision 9

    "My stepfather raped me when I was sixteen!


    "If my parents didn¡¯t die, would such things have happened to me? If my parents didn¡¯t die, I wouldn¡¯t have had to stay at the orphanage and suffer the bullying from the other kids! If my parents didn¡¯t die, I would have grown up as a normal girl, I would have had a father to rely on, a mother to pamper me, and when the time is right, I could have had a pure rtionship with a boy I loved and who loved me¡ªnot one forced upon by an old man at least twenty years older than me!


    "All the tragedy in my life was caused by Song Menghwa!" Fang Rou red at the iPad angrily. With her shivering finger pointing at Song Menghwa like ance, she repeated, "It¡¯s all you! This is all your fault! Therefore, I have to make you go through what I¡¯ve been through! Let you have a taste of how I¡¯ve been living since I was young!"


    Song Menghwa in the video cried harder. With a shaking lips, he finally croaked out the following after gathering his remaining strength. "Yes... That was my mistake, but you have to understand that it was the court¡¯s ruling that I only need to pay your family several thousands RMB because you forgot one thing¡ªyour father was driving on the opposite side of the road. It was actually me who volunteered to increase thatpensation number to several ten thousand... At the time, I offered to adopt you, but you rejected it...


    "Yes, it was my mistake to have been drinking before getting behind the wheel, but if your father hadn¡¯t been driving on the wrong side of the road, that tragedy wouldn¡¯t have happened...


    "I know you hate me, but do you know? It was me who set up your parents and sister¡¯s grave. I also went to the orphanage to check up on you, but I felt bad..."


    "Shut up! Stop feeding me lies! I won¡¯t believe anything you say!" Fang Rou yelled shrilly to interrupt Song Menghwa. "I opened this video link today not to resolve our conflict but to let you see with your own eyes the death of your own precious daughter and your bastard son! Honestly, I didn¡¯t n to im your bastard son¡¯s life since he wasn¡¯t technically part of your family, but since he¡¯s already here, then perfect, we¡¯ll just all die together! The more the merrier!"


    Fang Rou suddenly reached her hands upwards to peel her jacket off, exposing her bare skin to Su Zhinian and Song Menghwa. However, no one would pay attention to her little article of clothing then because around her waist was a row of explosives and the countdown on it only had 30 seconds left!


    Song Menghwa coughed out a mouthful of blood when he saw this, and the maid¡¯s scream and the butler¡¯s agitated call for the ambnce came through the iPad. Song Qingchun¡¯s hands, which were in Su Zhinian¡¯s grasp, were shivering greatly.


    Su Zhinian could feel the fear in Song Qingchun clearly. He bit on his lips and narrowed his eyes, attempting to control Fang Rou. His n was to rip off the bomb in the shortest amount of time and throw it into the ocean. s, before he could do anything, Fang Rou startedughed like crazy. "Let me exin something. This explosive on me contains a mercury trigger; the moment it is removed from my body, it¡¯ll explode. So, Su Zhinian, why don¡¯t you try it out to see whether I¡¯m bluffing or not..."

 Chapter 944 Split-Second Decision 10

    "Please let them go," Song Menghwa begged. "I¡¯ll do anything you want to; I can give you anything you want, just don¡¯t harm them..."


    Song Menghwa coughed out another mouthful of blood, and his body started to convulse.


    "Sir, please don¡¯t stress yourself, Sir!"


    Following the butler¡¯s worried voice was the maid¡¯s anxious cry. "Sir! Sir!"


    Fang Rou ignored the chaos on Song Menghwa¡¯s side and turned to smile thinly at Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun. "However, there¡¯s a way to stop this explosive. There are two lines here, one will stop the bomb, another will cause it explode instantly, so... care for a game?"


    Fang Rou then lowered her head to look at the time. "Time is ticking; there¡¯s only 15 seconds left! Quick, make up your mind, or your whole family of three is going to die with me!"


    Fang Rou continued tough to herself.


    However, she onlyughed for a few times before she suddenly stopped. Her expression became incredibly dull, and she turned slowly to walk towards the window that was shattered by the chair earlier.


    Song Qingchun was startled by this sudden change in Fang Rou. It was not until Fang Rou was attempting to jump out the window that she recovered. She shoved Su Zhinian¡¯s arm that was around her away and dashed forward to grab Fang Rou. She screamed desperately, "Su Zhinian, stop it!


    "Su Zhinian, you promised that you¡¯ll never abandon me! You cannot do this! If you make Fang Rou jump into the sea, you¡¯ll die as well! You cannot do this!"


    The moment Su Zhinian released his control on Fang Rou, he rushed forward to pull Song Qingchun¡¯s back. He nced at the timer¡ªten seconds left.


    Ten secondster, the bomb on Fang Rou would explode, and they would all have a deep sea burial!


    Su Zhinian gripped Song Qingchun¡¯s arms tightly and stared into her eyes deeply like he was trying to imprint her face in his brain and his heart. The way Su Zhinian looked at her caused Song Qingchun¡¯s heart to curl with fear. She alternated looking between Fang Rou and Su Zhinian. She shook her head vehemently with tears in her eyes, "You cannot leave me alone, we¡¯ll both jump into the ocean, yes, we¡¯ll both jump!"


    They weren¡¯t close to any other boat, and who knew when the police would arrive? Song Qingchun was pregnant, so if she jumped into the ocean, she would definitely miscarry, and that would put her life in danger!


    However, if it was he who controlled Fang Rou to jump into the ocean, it would be different! At worst, he would die alongside Fang Rou, but that way, Song Qingchun and their child would be safe.


    He already put her in danger by agreeing to this crazy n; he couldn¡¯t make the same mistake twice!


    Su Zhinian raised his hand to caress Song Qingchun¡¯s cheek; the small gesture was representative of all the love and warmth that he had toward the love of his life. He lowered his face to kiss her lips. It was a light peck, and with his head leaning against hers, he said softly, "Tingting, thank you for walking into my life."


    The timer only had seven seconds left.


    "I love you..."


    Six seconds.


    "Live well on my behalf."

 Chapter 945 Split-Second Decision 11

    Five seconds.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s hands that were holding Su Zhinian were shaking heavily. Her voice had be hoarse from crying. "Su Zhinian, you cannot do this; you cannot leave us alone. We¡¯ll jump out together, I beg you please, Su Zhinian, please..."


    No matter how desperate Song Qingchun¡¯s pleas were, Su Zhinian leaned inch-by-inch away from her. "Tingting, can I hear you call me Hubby once?"


    When he was eight, when he met her, his dream was to look for her.


    After finding her, his dream became to marry her.


    From his childhood to his youth, from his youth to his adulthood, he had waited for almost twenty years, more than 7000 painful nights, before he managed to call her hiswfully wedded wife, but now he would have to leave her.


    He had no regrets, but if he really need to find one, it was he had never heard her call him "hubby" once.


    A simple request caused Song Qingchun¡¯s tears to fall ever harder. She reached out to encircle his waist. She knew that wasn¡¯t enough to stop him from leaving, but she had to do something. Her tears were flying all over the ce as she shook her head strongly and screamed like she had lost her mind, "No, I refuse to!"


    Fang Rou, who stood at the window,ughed shrilly and maniacally as she witnessed it. However, when she stopped, she turned her head around to look at the setting sun out the window, and an atypical serenity appeared on her face.


    It¡¯s over, it¡¯s finally over. My pitiable,ughable life is finally over. God knows, I¡¯d already given up on my life years ago; the only reason I persisted until now was to wait for this exact moment.


    Every human being had a fear of death, but she didn¡¯t. She had anticipated the arrival of this day desperately. With death, she was finally going to find release. This world was simply too ugly, and she didn¡¯t wish to stay one second longer. She couldn¡¯t wait to see her parents and little sister. She had waited for them for so long and had missed them so much...


    Four seconds.


    Fang Rou nced at the sea¡¯s surface that glittered with the reflection of the golden sun. She could see the mirage of her father, mother, and little sister... as well as Song Cheng... The handsome man whom she had pushed off the edge of the building to his death was the only good thing toe out of this mess, the man who loved her without reservation.


    She closed her eyes, and a pure and soft smile lit up her face. Dad, Mom, Little Sister, we¡¯re finally going to unite again... I¡¯ve finally avenged you... Song Cheng, I¡¯m sorry, and I love you too...


    Three seconds.


    Fang Rou emptied her mind and closed her eyes, waiting for the end toe.


    Su Zhinian pressed a light kiss on Song Qingchun¡¯s forehead before he turned to look at Fang Rou. Song Qingchun¡¯s throat was raw from all the crying. Even though her eyes were covered by tears, she could sense the man turning slowly to look at Fang Rou.


    She understood what that meant. That parting of the face was going to be the parting of life and death.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s got choked on overwhelming despair, and while her tears continued to fall, there were simply no cries anymore. There was no cry powerful enough to contain her sadness and despair.

 Chapter 946 Spilt-Second Decision 12

    Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes fell on Fang Rou¡¯s body. When the timer dropped from three to two, Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    However, before he could control Fang Rou¡¯s mind, a pair of hands suddenly reached from the beyond the window Fang Rou had broken earlier. The pair of hands moved so fast that before Su Zhinian could tell who they belonged to, they had already twined themselves around Fang Rou¡¯s waist.


    Fang Rou, who had her eyes closed, screamed from shock. Before she could react in any way, she was yanked out of the window.


    "Song Song..." A very gentle and soft voice fell in Su Zhinian¡¯s ears before it was swallowed up by another sound, the sound of something falling into the water.


    Su Zhinian frowned, realizing then that "Song Song" was Qin Yinan¡¯s term of endearment for Song Qingchun. He immediately rushed towards the window. The yacht was moving so fast that in just a second, they were already far away from where they had been. Su Zhinian looked out of the window and saw there were two figures floating in the open sea.


    "Qin..." Su Zhinian had only called out on word before a loud explosion caused the sea¡¯s surface to roil with heavy waves. The ship rocked, causing Su Zhinian to grip the rail to steady himself.


    Salty sea water fell from the sky like rain, pitter-pattering as it fell on the yacht. After a long time, the sea reverted to its usual calmness. The golden sun by now was half submerged behind horizon, and the sea was dyed a brilliant red-gold hue.


    The scenery was exceptionally beautiful.


    Su Zhinian slowly slid down onto the deck like the energy in his body had left him. His heart seemed to have stopped beating like something was holding it hostage.


    It was until only when a sliver of the sun remained in the sky that Su Zhinian slowly recovered.


    The yacht continued to move endlessly towards its mysterious destination. The temperature out in the sea dropped lower and lower. As thest bit of light was going to disappear, Su Zhinian caught sight of something floating toward them on the ocean.


    It was a blue shirt and golden buttons. His hands clenched into fists, and it was then that he realized that his palms were pierced through with shattered sses.


    That¡¯s Qin Yinan¡¯s suit jacket... But we¡¯re already more than several hundred metres away from the explosion, just how strong was the explosive force that it would push his clothes to this spot?


    ...


    After taking down the two powerful security guards, he had his hands on his waist trying to catch his breath when the yacht that Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian were on suddenly shot out of the dock.


    Song Song is pregnant, Fang Rou is a master maniptor, and Tang Nuan is dead...


    As these thoughts filtered through Qin Yinan¡¯s mind, his heart constricted. It was not that he didn¡¯t have faith in Su Zhinian¡ªthat man loved Song Song with all his being, so how could he not protect her?


    However, he still couldn¡¯t stop worrying. He rushed to jump onto one of the vacant jet skis and chased after the ship. After half an hour of high-speeding racing, Qin Yinan finally caught up to the yacht.


    Qin Yinan, who had two years of military training, was far more agile than a normal individual. He scanned the side of the cruise before grabbing onto the indentations on the wall to scale the side of the ship.

 Chapter 947 Split-Second Decision 13

    The windows of the yacht were heavily tinted, so Qin Yinan had trouble seeing what was happening inside. Furthermore, the noise of the engine and the sea breeze obscured Qin Yinan¡¯s hearing. He had no way of telling the situation inside. Noticing one of the broken windows, he wedged himself towards it.


    As he got closer, the clearer he could hear.


    "Tingting, thank you for walking into my life.


    "I love you.


    "Live well on my behalf."


    Why would Su Zhinian tell Song Song these things? Is the situation inside that dangerous? Qin Yinan¡¯s heart picked up pace, and he moved faster toward the broken window.


    "Su Zhinian, you promised that you¡¯ll never abandon me! You cannot do this! If you make Fang Rou jump into the sea, you¡¯ll die as well! You cannot do this!"


    Song Qingchun¡¯s wailing pleas were like daggers aimed at Qin Yinan¡¯s heart. It caused his arms to weaken for that one moment¡ªhe almost fell from the edge and slipped down into the sea.


    "Su Zhinian, you cannot do this; you cannot leave us alone. We¡¯ll jump out together. I beg you please, Su Zhinian, please..." Song Qingchun¡¯s voice had be raw from all the crying.


    Qin Yinan, who finally reached the window, peeked in. Su Zhinian was hugging Song Qingchun, his lips falling lightly between her eyes. Fang Rou was standing before the window that he was next to with her eyes close and her lips turned up against the falling sun.


    The air of peace around her was incongruous to the explosives wrapped around her waist. The timer on it showed that they only had three seconds left. With just that nce, Qin Yinan understood everything.


    No wonder Song Song has been begging Su Zhinian, the man ns to die together with Fang Rou to preserve her safety?


    That exins why she has been holding onto him like she wishes to pin him to the floor...


    When the situation dawned on Qin Yinan, the timer on Fang Rou¡¯s waist had ticked down to two seconds. Only one second had passed, but that change in a number was like a mallet hitting Qin Yinan heavily on his head.


    Before he had the chance to think about what he was doing, he reached out to grab forcefully at Fang Rou¡¯s waist. He was originally leaning tightly against the wall of the yacht, but this motion caused him to lose his bnce, and he tipped right towards the ocean.


    The first sound that entered his mind was Fang Rou¡¯s scream. Then he felt Fang Rou struggle in his arms. He used every ounce of energy to wrap his arm around her. As they fell through the air, the sharpened edges of the broken window shed Fang Rou¡¯s skin, causing her blood to drip on his face. Then, it was all water.


    He sank quite a distance below the water¡¯s surface before slowly floating to the top. As he broke the surface, he turned to search for the cruise. It was already quite a distance away, and his face broke into a smile.


    Good, they¡¯re both safe...


    Before the thought even settled in his mind, his ears buzzed with an intense vibration. Then he was swept away by a gigantic force. It felt like his brain was jangling within his skull; it felt very nauseating. Every muscle in his body ached. Instead of getting used to the pain, it continued to climb until it reached such a point where even his breathing became difficult.


    It stripped him of all energy, but weirdly enough, it cleared his mind. He could see everything extra-clearly at that particr moment.

 Chapter 948 Split-Second Decision 14

    He knew that he was dying, and this was possibly hisst breath. What were the final thoughts in one¡¯s mind at death¡¯s door? Despair? Panic? Hopelessness?


    Qin Yinan couldn¡¯t tell. The only feeling he had then was a sense of weightlessness; everything had be frivolous, well, everything but one. With thest shred of his rity, he turned his eyes trying to locate the yacht.


    He wanted to know whether the cruise had survived the explosion.


    Through the raining sea water, he caught a glimpse of the ship speeding steadily away, and it was then that his palpitating heart started to calm.


    Song Song is safe... Qin Yinan felt a wave of thankfulness wash over him, but immediately following that was a wave of mncholy, one that threatened his eyes with tears.


    I still remember Song Song used to find me the moment she came into some trouble, but where was I? I promised Song Cheng that I would look after her, but I¡¯ve failed... I¡¯ve disappointed her again and again until she lost all hope in me.


    After that? When he finally understood everything, even if he had a million reason to be good to her, he had lost the right to be by her side. He had so many more advantagespared to Su Zhinian¡ªhe knew Song Qingchun way before Su Zhinian, he had once been closer to Song Qingchun than Su Zhinian, and he had once treated Song Qingchun better than Su Zhinian¡ªbut... he had also hurt Song Qingchun perhaps even more than Su Zhinian.


    Actually, these past few months he had been thinking. What if they weren¡¯t toyed with by fate? What if they didn¡¯t identally take the wrong steps for so many times? What if Song Song... what if Song Song had waited for him?


    s, love was something that had zero to no patience.


    Their story was like a sadedy. When she pined to be by his side, he had never once considered her; when he wanted her to be his girlfriend, she had already moved on.


    What could he do?


    The only thing he could do was act like he still didn¡¯t know, pretend like he didn¡¯t have her in his heart.


    The only thing he could do was to protect her happiness when she needed it the most.


    Was this how he nned to make up to her?


    He had once shattered the love she had for him, and now he was going to sacrifice himself to fulfil the love she had for another man.


    Was it enough to make up for all the heartache he had caused her?


    Song Song, certain things in life you¡¯ll never know.


    But I¡¯ve lived up to my promise.


    May you hold my hand in love andpanionship, but may good fortune hold yours in parting and solitude.


    Song Song, I¡¯m really sorry.


    The sea was unusually quiet after the great disaster. Qin Yinan drifted in and out of the surface of the sea. Many thoughts filled his mind, and slowly but surely, drowsiness caught up to him. Qin Yinan slowly closed his eyes because he felt like sleeping.


    Time seemed to regress right there and then. He seemed to return to his childhood, and he smiled at the memory of the little girl who loved to cower in his chest and talk to him in her babyish words.


    The little girl with two cute ponytails, the little girl who trailed behind him often, calling him Brother Yinan, Brother Yinan.


    The little princess who bounced into his bedroom and sprawled her text book open before him, pleading, "Brother Yinan, can you please teach me?"


    Also, the girl who wrote the single sentence that defined his youth, the most beautiful period of his life.


    I wish the greatest happiness for the ones who love me, and I wish the one who I love, loves me back.


    Her name was Song Qingchun.

 Chapter 949 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 1

    Eight monthster...


    Song Qingchun had already applied for leave from TW Station to prepare for birth around six months ago. As the due date drew closer, the time Su Zhinian spent at ST Empire also became shorter and shorter.


    That early morning on December 27th, Song Qingchun was woken up by Little Sesame¡¯s kicking before the sun even rose. Her eyshes barely flickered twice before Su Zhinian, who was asleep hugging her, awoke.


    It was a Monday, and Su Zhinian had a morning meeting at 8 am and an incredible client to meet at 10 am.


    The man who woke up at 6 am helped his wife, who had gotten a bit clumsy from carrying the huge stomach, prepare for the day. After breakfast and a short walk around the nearby park, he promised Song Qingchun multiple times that he would return home to apany her for lunch before he was forced out the door by the impatient Song Qingchun.


    Before starting the car, Su Zhinian even rolled down the window to repeat the same promise to Song Qingchun. With Song Qingchun looking on with annoyance, heughed to himself as he turned the steering wheel to leave the house.


    December 27th was also the date for Song Menghwa¡¯s annual physical check-up. After the butler and Mrs. Su left with her father, Song Qingchun sat before the window for a quiet moment between herself and Little Sesame. After a while, Song Qingchun turned to tell the personal nurse hired by Su Zhinian for her to ready the car before she went upstairs.


    Song Qingchun changed into a loose dress and carried arge bag as she walked out of the house. However, as she pulled to open the door, the nurse stammered hesitantly, "Miss, Mr. Su said if you¡¯re going out, it¡¯s better to call him to inform..."


    Before the nurse finished the sentence, Song Qingchun interrupted her with a smile. "It¡¯s fine, we¡¯re only going to ST Empire."


    The nurse was stunned for two seconds before realizing Song Qingchun just wanted to give Su Zhinian a surprise visit. She immediately helped Song Qingchun get into the car and closed the door. To make sure she wasfortable, the nurse even lowered the seat for Song Qingchun.


    Before going to ST Empire, Song Qingchun took a detour to the hospital. She wasn¡¯t there to check Song Menghwa¡¯s health report but headed straight to the third floor in-house patient block.


    Afraid that something might happen to Song Qingchun, the nurse coddled Song Qingchun like she was some kind of national treasure.


    The nurse had been to the hospital many times with Song Qingchun, so she led Song Qingchun to their destination without any order from her.


    When the nurse wanted to raise her hand to knock on the door, through the window, Song Qingchun saw Cheng Qingchong sitting beside the bedside feeding Qin Yinan a bowl of porridge spoonful by spoonful. Song Qingchun immediately reached out to stop the nurse. They stood beside the window patiently until Qin Yinan finished his meal before she allowed the nurse to knock on the door.


    As the nurse did so, Cheng Qingchong¡¯s soft voice drifted out from within. "Come in."


    The nurse pushed the door open and tactfully stood beside the door, holding it open for Song Qingchun. She closed the door lightly after Song Qingchun walked in.


    Cheng Qingchong, who was in the middle of clearing away the utensils, stopped when she saw Song Qingchun. She rushed forward to hold Song Qingchun. "Miss Song, you should have called us when you arrived. I would have gone down to fetch you."

 Chapter 950 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 2

    "I¡¯ve told you many times to stop calling me Miss Song, just call me Qingchun." Song Qingchun red at Cheng Qingchong in mock anger.


    "She¡¯s right, you know..." Qin Yinan, who had his fill, sat up in bed. Cheng Qingchong helped Song Qingchun to the sofa and immediately rushed over to put two pillows behind Qin Yinan to make him feel morefortable.


    Qin Yinan was startled by this caring action by Cheng Qingchong. He lowered his face for a while before smiling gently as he continued his sentence. "...Calling her Miss Song adds unnecessary distance. If you don¡¯t feel like calling her Qingchun, you can follow my lead and call her Song Song."


    Cheng Qingchong nodded before turning to ask Song Qingchun, "Would you like a ss of water?"


    "It¡¯s okay, I just came over to drop off some things for Brother Yinan." Song Qingchun shook her head and smiled. Then she picked up a bag and passed it to Qin Yinan. "Brother Yinan, happy birthday!"


    Cheng Qingchun epted it on Qin Yinan¡¯s behalf and walked to set it before him. Qin Yinan didn¡¯t open it right away but nodded his thanks. Then his gaze fell on Song Qingchun¡¯s pregnant stomach. "How many days longer?"


    "About one week to ten days." Song Qingchun lowered her head to touch her big tummy, her expression washed with a motherly glow.


    "That¡¯s perfect. I¡¯m supposed to be released the day after tomorrow. I¡¯ll be there by the delivery room to wee Little Sesame into this world..." Qin Yinan, who was smiling, suddenly became overcast.


    Song Qingchun knew he was reminded of the child Cheng Qingchong had lost when she had the miscarriage, so she quickly changed the topic. "Brother Yinan, after you get out of hospital, you¡¯d better hurry and have one with Qingchong. One yearter, Little Sesame will have a ymate."


    Cheng Qingchong lowered her head with a blush. Qin Yinanughed happily as if he didn¡¯t mind the idea that much.


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t stay at the hospital for long.


    It was Cheng Qingchong who walked Song Qingchun out. When she returned, Qin Yinan had already gotten out of bed. He stood beside the window, opening the birthday present Song Qingchun had bought for him. Cheng Qingchong closed the door softly and walked towards Qin Yinan. She saw it was a beautiful watch that was sitting inside the opened bag.


    Cheng Qingchong, who had taken care of Qin Yinan for eight months, knew this was his favourite brand. Qin Yinan stared unblinkingly at the watch for a long time before he realized Cheng Qingchong was standing beside him. He turned to look at her.


    Cheng Qingchong, who felt his gaze, smiled kindly. "That¡¯s a wonderful present."


    "It is," Qin Yinan replied and closed the bag to put it on the table.


    "Erm, I didn¡¯t know it¡¯s your birthday today, so I didn¡¯t get anything for you..." Cheng Qingchong smiled apologetically at Qin Yinan. "...but happy birthday..."


    Qin Yinan didn¡¯t say anything. His eyes that were still on Cheng Qingchong were deep and dark, carrying with it an indescribable passion.


    Cheng Qingchong was made ufortable by this stare, and she lowered her head quickly.

 Chapter 951 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 3

    Even though she had averted her eyes, she could feel his gaze searing into her. Cheng Qingchong¡¯s heart started to race for some reason. This feeling unhinged her. Her lips opened, and she found a random excuse to diffuse the situation. "Erm, the doctor said that your leg wound is still recovering, so even though you can get out of bed, it¡¯s better if you don¡¯t stay on your feet for too long... so let me help you get back into bed."


    Qin Yinan responded with silence. The atmosphere in the room became palpably awkward. This was the first time in her life that Cheng Qingchong had found herself in such an environment. Her fingers were shaking nervously. Just as Cheng Qingchong was about to turn and run away, Qin Yinan finally said, "Okay."


    Cheng Qingchong sighed in relief. She quickly reached out to hold Qin Yinan¡¯s arm to guide him back to the bed. She helped him get into the bed.


    She was still recovering from the palpitation of her heart from Qin Yinan¡¯s focused gaze earlier. When she was helping him get into bed, she identally brushed up against his hand. She quickly pulled back like she was shocked by electricity, but the man reacted faster than her, grabbing her hand before she could retreat. "Why are your hands so cold?"


    Qin Yinan then realized Cheng Qingchong was only wearing a thin wool sweater. She went out to send Song Song off wearing just that? No wonder...


    Without thinking about it, Qin Yinan pulled the slightly startled Cheng Qingchong¡¯s other hand in between his palms and ced them underneath the cover.


    "It¡¯s winter already; even a child knows to put on a winter coat before leaving the building. Why didn¡¯t you put one on?"


    Cheng Qingchong lowered her head even more. As she tried to pull her hands away, Qin Yinan grabbed them even tighter. "Where are you going? You have to get warmed up first!"


    Cheng Qingchong was unable to struggle and started to blush. She didn¡¯t dare raise her eyes to look at Qin Yinan. Something seemed to brushed up against her heart, causing it to quiver with weakness.


    This was the first time in her life a man had grabbed her hand thusly and shown so much concern toward her.


    There was a sedative in Qin Yinan¡¯s medicine, so he fell asleep soon after.


    Cheng Qingchong raised her head carefully to look at Qin Yinan¡¯s sleeping face. Over the past eight months, she had faced this man daily, but for some reason, today, when sheid her eyes on his face again, her heart started to race. Was it because he was holding her hands?


    Cheng Qingchong extricated her hands silently from Qin Yinan¡¯s palms. Her palms were covered with sweat. She rubbed them on her clothes, and her heart palpitated even harder.


    When Qin Yinan woke up next, it was already noon. Cheng Qingchong was leaning against his bed, ying on her phone.


    He looked at her for a while but didn¡¯t disturb her. He leaned in silently towards her phone and realized with a shock that she was writing an online diary.


    He had just caught glimpse of her online username when she realized his presence. Like seeing a ghost, she sucked in a deep breath before hiding the phone before her. She stammered, "You, you¡¯re awake? I... I¡¯ll find you something to eat."


    Then she rushed out of the room.

 Chapter 952 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 4

    Qin Yinan looked at Cheng Qingchong¡¯s retreating shadow, and he couldn¡¯t help butugh. Who would have thought the super secretary beside Su Zhinian would be so cute?


    Qin Yinan leaned against the headboard and whistled happily for some reason. Then he pulled out his phone to log into the website and keyed in half of the username he saw earlier. It came back with 200 plus profiles, but since he managed to catch a glimpse of her user profile picture earlier, he found Cheng Qingchong¡¯s profile easily.


    Her first entry was: "I feel so guilty towards him, so in the past eight months, I stayed by his side day and night to take care of him. Hopefully, it was enough to make amends."


    Guilty? Eight months? These two phrases made Qin Yinan frown. For the past eight months, he had stayed inside this hospital room, and she had apanied him for the past eight months withoutint.


    For the first five months, he had been unconscious; he didn¡¯t know how dedicated she was in taking care of him. It waster that he heard from the nurses that she would clean his body every day, massage his limbs, and talk to him about his childhood memories that she heard from his mother.


    However, he did witness personally how she had taken care of him for the remaining three months.


    To be honest, he had never seen a woman treat him so nicely in his life, so nicely that he felt... if he didn¡¯t reciprocated her tenderness and care, he wasn¡¯t a man anymore!


    So, the ¡¯he¡¯ in question was definitely talking about him... but why would she feel guilty toward him?


    Qin Yinan continued to read.


    "I ¡¯had a miscarriage¡¯, but it wasn¡¯t real. I pretended to slip and broke the blood bags hidden in my chest to create a mirage to cover the lie that I was pregnant."


    No one followed her diary, so there was noments or likes. Basically, it was a ce for her to jot down her personal feelings.


    "I¡¯m not pregnant, and I¡¯m afraid, what shall I do?"


    "I¡¯m getting married to a man I don¡¯t love."


    "I¡¯ve given him my first time. He said he will take responsibility, but it has already been a month, and there has been no news. In fact, I heard about the setting of his wedding date today. For the man that I love, I pretended to be pregnant to guilt trip him."


    "I have no regrets, I tell myself every day, I have no regrets even though these nights, I kept dreaming about that night with him and would wake up in cold sweat. However, the moment I realize what I did will guarantee the man that I love his happiness, I feel much better."


    "I did something horrible today¡ªI actively seduced the man who was drunk. The next morning, I pretended it was he who forced himself on me. I¡¯m sorry,but I had to do it. I couldn¡¯t sit idly and allow the man that I love to be alone and sad, so I used my own body to set a trap for you!"


    ...


    Qin Yinan¡¯s fingers that were holding the phone had started to shake.


    He had clicked into her diary merely to see whether she was like other girls her age who posted some pretty selfies or pictures of food, but who would have thought he could stumble upon such a huge secret!

 Chapter 953 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 5

    No, this was more than a secret; this was a lie and a conspiracy!


    That night, he thought that he had done the wicked in his drunken state and had felt indebted towards her, so much so that even though he couldn¡¯t let go of Song Qingchun, he felt an immense responsibility towards Cheng Qingchong. In the darkest hour of the night, he would wake up from his nightmare, shaking with cold sweat, unable to fall back asleep, caught between two impossible situations.


    After their marriage, he had treated her well. It was not only because of the baby in her stomach¡ªto bepletely honest, the baby was not a child of love, so he didn¡¯t have that much of a connection to it. He treated her so well, not only because he felt guilty towards her but also it was what she deserved.


    The care that she hadvished on him for the past eight months really did warm his heart. Even though he couldn¡¯t exin where that feeling that gradually filled his heart came from, he had to admit that he didn¡¯t detest the way everything was going. In fact, there were that few moments where he thought to himself, Actually, this is not a bad way to live the rest of my life... Without the history of youth, without too many highs and lows, just a life of quiet apaniment.


    But at that moment, he realized how big of an idiot he was, an idiot that was toyed in a woman¡¯s palm!


    Qin Yinan¡¯s lips curved into a self-deprecating smile. Then again, why am I surprised? Thinking about the years Tang Nuan toyed with like an idiot, what else can I be but the biggest idiot in the world! An idiot who is nothing more than a ything for women!


    As the thought filtered into his mind, Qin Yinan started chuckling to himself. The dark chuckles were exceptionally creepy and hair-rising in the quiet room.


    Qin Yinan suddenly stoppedughing, and his eyes, staring at the phone, frosted over. An air of chilliness permeated his frame as his lips stretched tightly as if he was concocting a heinous n.


    When Cheng Qingchong opened the door, Qin Yinan moved his gaze away from the phone to look at the wall. His expression changed in lightning speed to revert to his usual gentleness. He smiled at Cheng Qingchong, who was walking towards him with the lunch box as he closed his phone and slid it under the pillow.


    He lookedpletely serene, like nothing out of the ordinary had happened, like he had not found out everything.


    ...


    After Song Qingchun left the hospital, she had the nurse drive her to ST Empire. During the initial stages of her pregnancy, she did show up to thepany multiple times with Su Zhinian, sothe lobby receptionist and security guards knew her well. As she got out from the car, they bowed politely to greet her. "Good afternoon, Miss Song."


    Song Qingchun smiled in return before walking towards the elevator and asking the receptionist who led her there, "Is Su Zhinian at work?"


    "Yes, CEO Su is in," The receptionist answered as she helped Song Qingchun call for the elevator reserved forpany VIPs.


    Song Qingchun thanked the receptionist with a smile before walking into the elevator.


    When she reached the top floor, Song Qingchun waved at the secretary who came out to serve her, to just ignore her and to focus on her work. She walked familiarly toward Su Zhinian¡¯s office.

 Chapter 954 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 6

    Su Zhinian¡¯s secretary followed Song Qingchun¡¯s order and sat back down at her desk, but she still picked up the phone to give Su Zhinian a call. Song Qingchun didn¡¯t wait for the secretary to inform Su Zhinian. Instead, she scanned her fingerprint on the door, pushed it open, and walked in.


    Song Qingchun¡¯s first reaction was to nce toward Su Zhinian¡¯s working table; however, before that, her gaze was attracted by an image at the corner of the couch. It was a pair ofdies¡¯ high heels. They were decorated with shining diamonds and attached to the heels were a pair of silky smooth legs.


    Above the legs was a tight skirt that could barely cover the firm buttocks. Next to the skirt was a pair of cks that Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t be more familiar with. Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes lingered at the small space between the skirt and the cks for about five minutes before she slowly moved her eyes up. She saw a pair of fair arms entwined tightly around Su Zhinian¡¯s arm, and Su Zhinian was trying his best to extricate himself from the pair of fair hands.


    Staring at this scene, Song Qingchun had no discernible reaction on her face. She merely blinked lightly as her gaze continued to wander upward to fall on Su Zhinian¡¯s face. Her expression was dull and calm, but she noticed how Su Zhinian suddenly increased the force in his arm to pull the woman that clung to him away. He shoved her back, and she fell backward.


    Ignoring the possibility that he had harmed the woman, Su Zhinian jumped from the couch and rushed toward Song Qingchun. In his panic, his leg knocked into the coffee table; the sudden pain causing his leg to go weak. He stumbled a bit before hurriedly straightening himself to stand before her.


    Afraid that Song Qingchun might minsunderstand, Su Zhinian gripped her hands and uttered hurriedly, "Tingting, you have to believe me, I didn¡¯t..."


    When she heard the term "I didn¡¯t", Song Qingchun¡¯s face fell.


    Why did I say that? That only makes me sound very guilty!


    As the words left his lips, Su Zhinian realized that he had said the wrong thing. At that moment, he wished he could bite his tongue and die.


    "Tingting, don¡¯t be mad, listen to me, think of our child, our child..." The mention of the baby only made Song Qingchun¡¯s face darken even more.


    Su Zhinian got even more anxious, and the more panicked he was, the more flustered he became. What he wouldn¡¯t do then to introduce more rationality into his mind. He collected himself as best as he could and exined to Song Qingchun, "I have nothing to do with her. Before you walked into the room, I swear the distance between us was maintained at one meter and above...


    "The moment I answered the call about your arrival, she suddenly jumped at me to grab hold of my arms. She refused to let go, and that is what you saw..." Everything Su Zhinian said was the truth, but for some reason, even he found it hard to believe. He needed someone to coborate his story, so he turned around in desperation to look at the woman. "...What are you doing spacing out? Quick, exin yourself!"


    Urged by the desperate Su Zhinian, the woman opened her lips as if she was going to say something, but in the end, she turned her head pitiably downward like she had been caught red-handed.

 Chapter 955 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 7

    I must have lost my mind to have asked her to be my witness! This is only making things worse; the misunderstanding¡¯s getting deeper and deeper! Su Zhinian scolded himself for his stupidity. He turned around to raise three fingers before Song Qingchun and swore, "Tingting, I promise you everything that I¡¯ve said is true. If there¡¯s any falsity, then may God strike me down..."


    Su Zhinian only got through half of his swearing when Song Qingchun reached out to grab his hand and interrupt him. "I trust you."


    Su Zhinian was startled and looked at Song Qingchun with apparent disbelief. He studied her expression closely and tried to read her real thoughts through their entwining hands. Song Qingchun seemed to have known he would do that because she pulled her hands away to put a stop to his mind-reading. She walked around Su Zhinian toward the woman sitting on the couch.


    There were two important reasons why she left home that day. One was to give Qin Yinan his birthday present, and the other was to visit Su Zhinian at his office. Before she arrived, she had already predicted this ambiguous scene between Su Zhinian and another woman. The only reason she knew that was because this woman had given her enough hints when Su Zhinian wasn¡¯t paying attention.


    To be precise, they weren¡¯t hints but challenges.


    Three days ago, when she was doing Su Zhinian¡¯sundry, she had found used lipsticks in Su Zhinian¡¯s suit pocket. However, Song Qingchun didn¡¯t panic like other women in simr situations because she knew Su Zhinian definitely wouldn¡¯t get himself involved in an affair.


    Su Zhinian was handsome, young, rich, and famous; it was natural that he had many admirers. In fact, when he apanied her to the hospital for her pregnancy checks, there were nurses who confessed to him. Therefore, Song Qingchun didn¡¯t think too much of that lipsticks and dropped it into the dustbin and out of her mind.


    Perhaps it was herck of reaction that instigated the exacerbation of the taunting because the next day, she detected the smell of a female¡¯s perfume and a long brown hair on Su Zhinian¡¯s removed suit.


    Song Qingchun had faith in Su Zhinian¡¯s loyalty, but she was still slightly disturbed, This woman has daily interactions with Su Zhinian?


    Therefore, yesterday, when Su Zhinian returned home, she had sniffed his suit. It was the same perfume smell, which meant that he had met that woman again that day. Before bed, Song Qingchun had tried to find out more information under the pretext of chatting. She managed to find out that he had been trying to close a deal with a representative from Thand for the past few days. They were supposed to sign that contract at 10 am the day after.


    Song Qingchun understood instantly that the mystery woman was this supposed representative.


    After the contract was signed, Su Zhinian¡¯s interaction with that woman would be over, so Song Qingchun didn¡¯t think too much of it and decided to let things y its course. However, this morning, after Su Zhinian went to work, as she did hisundry, she discovered a faded lipstick stain on his clothes.

 Chapter 956 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 8

    The stain was on the back of Su Zhinian¡¯s shirt. Even though Song Qingchun didn¡¯t witness how the lipstick stain was ced there in person, she could guess the woman did so when Su Zhinian wasn¡¯t paying attention.


    She could pretend to not notice in the beginning, but if the woman wanted to instigate something, she was down for it.


    Most importantly, she dared to sneakily drop a kiss on her man! Had she given her that permission?


    Given an inch and take a mile?


    Song Qingchun had red up instantly. She had grabbed the nearest pair of scissors to cut the shirt into pieces before throwing it into the dustbin. That was when she had decided to make a trip to ST Empire, to meet this other woman!


    Song Qingchun, who stood before the other woman, slowly returned from her thoughts. The meeting of enemies often started with gauging of the other person. However, Song Qingchun didn¡¯t even acknowledge the other woman with a nce. She announced directly, "You¡¯re not needed here already, please leave."


    The woman obviously didn¡¯t expect that the first words out of Song Qingchun¡¯s lips would be to chase her away. An obvious shock shed across her eyes, but in spite of the shock, she leaned sexily into the couch andid her hands across her exposed legs, caressing them slowly as if in invitation. She didn¡¯t show any sign of standing up from the couch. She ignored Song Qingchun and turned to look at Su Zhinian, waiting for the man to make his decision.


    Other than that, the woman¡¯s face was coloured with condescension as if she was mocking Song Qingchun.


    In reality, the woman was indeed mocking Song Qingchun. Who do you think you are to chase me away?


    Obviously, she didn¡¯t believe Su Zhinian would offend her and give up a deal worth several billion for the sake of a woman!


    Pfft... Just a fan of Su Zhinian, even less than a mistress, who do you think you are to y this with me? Fine... I, Song Qingchun, will y this game with you!


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t show any trace of anger from being ignored by the woman. She maintained her calmness and continued to say, "If you insist on staying, then fine..."


    Song Qingchun then turned to yell out Su Zhinian¡¯s open office door, "Secretary Yang!"


    Very soon, the secretary that weed Song Qingchun earlier rushed into the office. "What is your order, Miss Song?"


    After that, she turned to greet Su Zhinian, who was still standing there, "CEO Su."


    Before this, when the people at thepany saw Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun, they would greet Su Zhinian before greeting Song Qingchun. However, there was that one time a new worker only greeted Su Zhinian but ignored Song Qingchun. It caused Su Zhinian to explode, and he berated the worker for at least half an hour before stopping, and that was only because the shamed Song Qingchun asked him to. However, that wasn¡¯t the extent of his craziness. After Song Qingchun left thepany, Su Zhinian called an emergency meeting to set up a new rule¡ªall workers in ST Empire had to greet Song Qingchun first no matter who was with her.

 Chapter 957 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 9

    "Call security to toss..."


    Song Qingchun, who realized that she didn¡¯t even know the woman¡¯s name, stammered for a moment. Then again, she wasn¡¯t interested enough to find out. If she had to remember the name of every woman who had a crush on Su Zhinian, her daily life would only consist of memorizing names. Thus, Song Qingchun pointed her finger at the woman sitting on the couch and finished hermand.


    "...this woman out of thepany!"


    Secretary Yang, who received this order, blinked with disbelief. She didn¡¯t dare walk to the desk to make the call, so she turned with hesitation to look at Su Zhinian.


    The ¡¯that woman¡¯ on Miss Song¡¯s lips was theirpany¡¯s biggest recent client. They couldn¡¯t wait to ingratiate themselves to her, so how could they treat her so rudely?


    The woman saw Secretary Yang¡¯s reaction, and her lips curled into a smile. Like she was gloating at Song Qingchun, she tossed her a taunting gaze before turning around, right before Song Qingchun, to sh a seductive smile at Su Zhinian.


    F*ck! Song Qingchun saw this and cursed the woman internally. It¡¯s one thing for her to indirectly taunt me so many times, but it¡¯s another when she openly tries to seduce my man before my very eyes! She¡¯s just...


    Before Song Qingchun could finish the thought, the woman, who had beenpletely silent until then, suddenly opened her lips. However, her words were not directed at Song Qingchun but at Su Zhinian. "Nian, this is the type of woman that you like?"


    Her tone was dripping with sarcasm.


    Su Zhinian frowned, and he unconsciously wanted to say something to defend Song Qingchun, but before he could say anything, he received a warning gaze from the angered Song Qingchun. "Su Zhinian, I dare you to say a word to any woman without my permission!"


    Even if I know that you¡¯re only talking to her toe to my aid, I still do not allow you to talk to her!


    Su Zhinian shut up obediently without hesitation.


    "Tsk tsk, how can there even be such an irate woman in the world?" The woman buffed her fingernails and shook her head disapprovingly at Song Qingchun before standing up from the couch. "Nian, our proposal discussion isn¡¯t finished yet; shall we continue?"


    You forbid Su Zhinian from talking to me, and you really think he won¡¯t? If I bring up work-rted topic, he has to talk to me! The woman picked up the document from the desk and said, "Nian, I can promise all the negotiations you want, but I have only one request in return, Nian..."


    Nian, Nian, Nian... Nian this, Nian that! Just who do you think you are? Song Qingchun was angered beyond belief, but most importantly, the woman was openly taunting her. She had just banned Su Zhinian from talking to her, and she brought up work instantly. It was obvious that the woman didn¡¯t think she was going to lose to Song Qingchun.


    Song Qingchun suddenly felt her anger leave her. Sheughed to herself and stood there quietly. Fine, if she wants to face-p herself, then I, Song Qingchun, am going to stand here and watch that happen!

 Chapter 958 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 10

    The woman continued to try to wrangle Su Zhinian into the conversation by talking to him about work, but Su Zhinian didn¡¯t reply even once. The atmosphere in the room slowly became awkward. The woman gradually lost her confidence, and at one point, her voice even broke.


    However, she refused to give up. She thought about it, stood up from the sofa, and waltzed toward Su Zhinian in a manner that was as sexy as possible. Song Qingchun even stood to the side to let her walk through, more than d to let her make a fool of herself.


    "Nian, what do you think of my previous suggestion?" the woman asked as she bit on her lower lips seductively and winked at Su Zhinian.


    Su Zhinian, who was barred from talking, didn¡¯t even acknowledge her with a shift in his expression. The moment she got near, he even took a step back to maintain a healthy distance between them. The woman pouted in mock annoyance at Su Zhinian and forced out a face that was as pitiable as possible before taking another two steps toward Su Zhinian. Su Zhinian continued to retreat expressionlessly.


    I¡¯ve never met such a shameless woman before! Su Zhinian ignored her so openly, but she still refuses to give up?


    Losing her patience, Song Qingchun turned toward Secretary Yang and ordered rather impatiently, "Secretary Yang, where¡¯s the security?"


    Everyone at thepany knew that it was better to offend CEO Su than to make enemy of his precious Miss Song!


    Secretary Yang heard the annoyance in Song Qingchun¡¯s voice and shivered with apprehension. She turned towards Su Zhinian to plead, "CEO Su?"


    Song Qingchun had just warned him from speaking to any other women, and Secretary Yang was also a woman. Su Zhinian retreated two hasty steps back to introduce more distance between himself and that woman as he nodded at Secretary Yang with his mouth sewn shut.


    Does this mean CEO Su wants me to throw the client out? Secretary Yang stood where she was and didn¡¯t move.


    The next second, Su Zhinian shot a warning nce at her.


    Secretary Yang didn¡¯t dare dawdle and rushed to this table to call security. Security arrived at Su Zhinian¡¯s office in less than five minutes.


    The woman obviously didn¡¯t expect Su Zhinian to agree with Song Qingchun¡¯s order to toss her out. She dropped her act and demanded urgently, "Nian, do you know what you are doing? If you continue with this craziness, this cooperation is over! Do you know how many people are lining up to cooperate with me?"


    Su Zhinian, who couldn¡¯t speak to the woman, looked around the office before walking to the table to pick up the proposal. He tore it into two before the woman¡¯s eyes before dropping it into the trashcan.


    He was openly telling the woman that he couldn¡¯t give a flying f*ck about this cooperation!


    The woman was hauled out of the room and warned, "Nian, you will regret this. All this for a mere woman..."


    "Wait!" Su Zhinian suddenly said.


    The woman¡¯s eyes instantly glowed.

 Chapter 959 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 11

    Su Zhinian took slow and deliberate steps toward the security guard. The woman¡¯s eyes that fell on Su Zhinian shone with anticipation. However, Su Zhinian never even acknowledged her with a look. Instead, he turned toward the male security guard and said, "Please tell that woman, the mere woman on her lips refers to the only woman for me, Su Zhinian!"


    Song Qingchun said that, without her permission, he was not to talk to any women, but she didn¡¯t say anything about him talking to another man...


    The woman is just standing right there, why wouldn¡¯t CEO Su tell her directly? Why this hassle?


    The male security guard was made confounded by Su Zhinian¡¯s action. He was stunned for a whole minute before nodding in a hurry and turning to tell the woman everything Su Zhinian had said, without missing a single word.


    Su Zhinian nodded in satisfaction at the security¡¯s performance. He continued to say, "And the second sentence is, when I received the call and was about to stand up to wee her, it was her who reached out to rudely grab at my arms; it was at that moment that the cooperation was already over!"


    The security guard nodded robotically and repeated what he was told to the woman. However, he only got half of it out when then womanmented with a cold smirk, trying to get a rise out of Su Zhinian, "Su Zhinian, you¡¯re so adamant to deny our cooperation to prove your loyalty, but is that not a sign of your fear, afraid that you¡¯ll fall to my seduction?"


    Facing the woman¡¯s direct interrogation, Su Zhinian stood before her but still didn¡¯t answer her directly. He continued tomunicate through the male security guard. "Tell her, yes, I¡¯m afraid but not afraid of her seduction. I am afraid of creating a misunderstanding with the person that I love."


    After the male security guard repeated that, Su Zhinian lost all of his patience. He tossed a sentence at the security guard, but this time it was not meant for the woman but the guard himself. "Remember, Tingting¡¯s original order was to toss her out! So toss her out!"


    The woman¡¯s chest rose and fell unevenly. She couldn¡¯t wait to leave. She turned and stalked out of Su Zhinian¡¯s office. In her warpath of fury, her high heels clicked audibly across the floor.


    There were three elevators leading to and from the top floor. One of them was meant for VIPs. When the woman came, since she was technically a VIP, so she used that reserved elevator. Therefore, when she left, she still headed habitually for that elevator.


    Before the elevator arrived, Song Qingchun, who had been watching this unfold, suddenly said, "Secretary Yang, get me two pieces of white paper and a pen!"


    Huh? Secretary Yang was once more startled. However, when she received the warning gaze from Su Zhinian, she rushed out of the office with lightning speed and returned soon with the stationery.


    Song Qingchun opened the paper on Su Zhinian¡¯s desk. With one hand on her waist and the other holding the pen, she started to write on the paper. Song Qingchun stopped after about ten seconds. Then, she told Secretary Yang, "Bring some tape and follow me."


    Then she walked off toward the elevator.


    A confused Su Zhinian tagged along.

 Chapter 960 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 12

    Before Song Qingchun reached the elevator, the door opened with a ringing ¡¯ding dong¡¯. Even though the fa?ade on the woman¡¯s face was breaking, she maintained her haughty air as she waltzed into the elevator.


    Before she entered the elevator, Song Qingchun, who was about a meter behind her, suddenly called out.


    "Wait."


    The woman ignored Song Qingchunpletely and didn¡¯t halt even once. Su Zhinian, who followed behind Song Qingchun, coughed twice.


    The security guard caught the hint immediately and reached out to block the woman. The woman frowned, but since she couldn¡¯t walk around the burly security guard, she crossed her arms before her chest and turned to toss Song Qingchun an impatient look.


    Song Qingchun ignored her and walked slowly to the elevator to press the close button. The doors closed slowly, and Song Qingchun pulled out one of the two pieces of paper in her arms. She held it against the cold metallic door of the elevator and ordered, "Secretary Yang, the tape."


    "Yes, Miss Song," Secretary Yang walked to her with the tape. Song Qingchun tossed her a look, signaling for her to tear off a piece of the tape. Since she had no scissors on her, Secretary Yang used her teeth to bite off a piece of the tape and passed it respectfully to Song Qingchun.


    Song Qingchun epted the tape and used it to paste the paper securely on the elevator door. Then she took a step back to admire her handiwork. She nodded with satisfaction before passing the other piece of paper to Secretary Yang and saying, "Help me paste this on the ground floor door of this elevator."


    Secretary Yang was baffled. Like everyone around her, she stared directly at the paper Song Qingchun just pasted on the door. It read, ¡¯B*tches and dogs not allowed entry.¡¯


    So this is why Miss Song called for the woman to stop. It¡¯s to dere her rights. this is just... Before Secretary Yang could finish the thought, she heard a heavy cough from Su Zhinian. She shivered into being and grabbed the paper Song Qingchun was holding and rushed down the stairs.


    Song Qingchun waited until Secretary Yang had left before she raised her hand to point at the sign she had just put up, telling the security guard to read the instruction closely before turning to walk back into Su Zhinian¡¯s office.


    Since CEO Su already followed Miss Song¡¯s words to toss this important client out of thepany, then naturally, he must wish for us to follow the instruction on this paper since it was given by Miss Song...


    At that moment, the security instantly turned toward the woman and waved for her to use the other elevator, adding, "Miss, please."


    The woman¡¯s expression wasplicated. It changed from red to white, from anger to humiliation. It was quite interesting to watch the changing emotion.


    Eventually, she took a deep breath. Instead of being angry, sheughed condescendingly as Song Qingchun brushed past her andmented drily, "Miss Song sure is funny. Didn¡¯t you say you have full faith in CEO Su? If that is true, then what is the meaning of this action? Being unreasonable, or were you just lying to yourself earlier?"

 Chapter 961 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 13

    Su Zhinian heard the woman and frowned as exasperation crossed his eyes. He was about to ask the security guard to speed up when Song Qingchun stopped moving and turned around slowly. She took two steps toward the woman, stared her in the eyes, smiled gently at her and said slowly, "I do have faith in Su Zhinian, but that doesn¡¯t mean that I forfeit my right to get jealous!


    "I don¡¯t mind other girls admiring my man, but I will never forgive those who intend to act on such admiration. I¡¯m not an unreasonable person under normal circumstances, so do not poke the bear because you cannot handle the consequences!


    "What? Feeling wronged? Why are you ring at me so fiendishly?"


    Song Qingchun smiled thinly and said, "If that¡¯s the case, then..."


    With Song Qingchun¡¯s gazended on the security guard who stood to the side, the words were directed at him, but they were meant for the woman¡¯s ears, "After you escort this woman out of ourpany, get your team up here and clear away all the stuff that has touched by this woman before and change everything for a new set!"


    After a pause, Song Qingchun¡¯s gaze nced towards Su Zhinian. She tipped her chin at him and ordered, "And you, get in there. Throw away all of the clothes that have been touched by this woman now!"


    Song Qingchun then turned and walked back into the office. Su Zhinian didn¡¯t dare stay even a minute longer and followed quickly. After two steps, he turned back to a standing employee and said, "Remember to get bleachter to cleanse the elevator, my office, the toilet that she used, the breakroom..."


    Su Zhinian thought about it and added, "...And leave some for me!"


    Song Qingchun, who was walking away from Su Zhinian, smiled to herself. She thought she was already being quite unreasonable, but who knew Su Zhinian would go the extra mile unprompted? But this is good as well¡ªit helps draw the line. Dares to sneak up towards my man? Humph!


    After entering Su Zhinian¡¯s office, Song Qingchun ignored the man trailing behind her. He sounded like he was exining himself, but the way his lips and eyes curved upwards belied the true feelings in his heart. Song Qingchun walked into the closet attached to his office and searched through his clothes.


    "Tingting, I really didn¡¯t know she had those kinds of intentions!"


    A shirtnded on Su Zhinian¡¯s chest.


    "As you know, I¡¯ve been so wrapped up in your uing birth that I kept getting distracted doing work, so how would I notice such things?"


    cks hit Su Zhinian in his face.


    "I swear, when I work with a female client in the future, I will stay as far away as I can..."


    Su Zhinian grabbed the tie that was flying at him, but his mouth never stopped. "...But, Tingting, you were gorgeous earlier; I love how you were jealous about me..."


    As he removed his pants, Su Zhinian continued. "Tingting, can you repeat those words you said earlier to me? They were like music to my ears..."

 Chapter 962 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 14

    Song Qingchun¡¯s lips curved upwards as she flipped through the row of suit jackets to find the one that best matched the outfit he was going to wear. She finally found one. As she turned around to pass it to Su Zhinian, she felt some hard objects in the pocket. She reached into it without much thought and hauled the stuff out. Two red booklets appeared in her hands.


    Su Zhinian was facing away from Song Qingchun and standing before the mirror to fix his tie, still immersed in the earlier scene. His smile turned brighter and brighter before heughed out loud, saying, "Tingting, you are really my idol!"


    Song Qingchun didn¡¯t pay any attention to what he was saying as she stared at the gilded words printed on the cover of the booklets. She frowned. Marriage certificate? Between who?


    Song Qingchun flipped open the book jacket and saw a picture of herself and Su Zhinian. When did I get a marriage certificate with Su Zhinian? Why do I have no recollection of this?


    Haven¡¯t we discussed this earlier? We¡¯re going to postpone the wedding until after the childbirth. I want to be able to fit into the wedding dress, and he promised me a romantic proposal andvish wedding. We will then go to the registry the day after to register our marriage... That was what we have agreed upon, wasn¡¯t it?


    Su Zhinian, who was done with the tie, urged Song Qingchun, "Tingting, please hand me a jacket!"


    The date on this certificate is eight months ago... The second day after Song Empire¡¯s anniversary event. This means that Su Zhinian snuck to do this the day after he knew everything was safe? Plus, I¡¯m in the picture, so he used his superpowers to do this?


    "Tingting..." Su Zhinian, who waited for the jacket, repeated his request, but before he could finish, something pped him heavily on his body. Su Zhinian thought it was the jacket, so he reached out to grab it, but it turned out to be a red booklet.


    He was confounded for a second, and before his brain caught up to the situation, another bookletnded on his chest.


    Su Zhinian whipped his head up, and when he saw the dark expression on Song Qingchun¡¯s face, he was so scared that his legs felt like giving at that moment. "Please let me exin..."


    Before he could finish, Song Qingchun hissed through gritted teeth, "Su Zhinian, I demand a divorce!"


    F*ck! I thought I¡¯d kept this secret so well! Is she a bloodhound reincarnated or something?


    At the time, he had been too excited after finding out she wasn¡¯t his biological sister. Afraid that there might be unforeseeable changes, he had controlled her mind and snuck to the government department under the cover of the night to rush the marriage certificate...


    Now, here we are... Su Zhinian¡¯s heart shivered at the term ¡¯divorce¡¯, and he hurriedly admitted his mistake. "This is all my fault. You can ask for anything you want inpensation, but can we please discuss this? Don¡¯t divorce me..."


    "No, there is no discussion; there can only be a divorce! Divorce! Divorce! Divorce!" A person could only experience registering for their marriage once in their life¡ªor at least she only wished to do it once¡ªso how could he deprive her of that experience?


    But... divorcing after registering will show up in our records that we¡¯ve been divorced!


    As Su Zhinian tried his best toe up with a way to remove this thought from Song Qingchun¡¯s mind, he pleaded to buy some time, "Tingting..."

 Chapter 963 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 15

    Su Zhinian only got one word out because, at that moment, Song Qingchun, who stood before him, suddenly reeled back with her hands on her stomach, and her face turned incredibly nched.


    "Tingting?" Su Zhinian asked anxiously. He rushed to her side immediately. "What¡¯s wrong?"


    Song Qingchun held her stomach and uttered a soft "pain" before groaning. Su Zhinian held her in his arms and could experience the pain she was in. It caused him to be flustered; this was one of the few asions where his brain had stopped functioning. He asked a rather dumb question, "Pain? From where?"


    "Sto-ma..." Song Qingchun could barely finish the word when her whole body shivered with pain.


    Su Zhinian also started to shake. Without hesitating, he yelled at the top of his lungs, "Secretary Yang! Secretary Yang!"


    Secretary Yang soon appeared in his office following some crashing sound. She was about to greet Miss Song when she was shocked by the scene that unfolded before her. Thankfully, she recovered quickly since she was a mother of two already. She saw the stain on Song Qingchun¡¯s pants and concluded quickly, "CEO Su, Miss Song¡¯s water just broke... The baby ising..."


    Water just broke?


    Even though this was his first child, Su Zhinian, who had read many books to prepare, nced at Song Qingchun¡¯s lower body, and when he saw the water stain that Secretary Yang mentioned, he pulled Song Qingchun off the floor into his arms and ordered Secretary Yang in a hurry, "I¡¯ll send Tingting to the hospital now. Call the doctors and get them to be ready!


    "Also, call the Song family and get them to grab the bag that I¡¯ve already prepared and left in the second floor bedroom. Have them send it to the hospital!


    "Also, get someone to start the engine of my car in the parking lot!"


    Su Zhinian was at the office door when Song Qingchun pulled on his arm weakly. He lowered his head to look at the woman who had a sheen of sweat on her forehead, and his heart twitches with pain. He consoled her as best as he could. "Tingting, don¡¯t be scared. We¡¯ll be at the hospital soon, hold in there..."


    Song Qingchun moaned from pain. After some time, she finally forced out a weak voice, saying, "Di... divorce..."


    Still thinking about divorce at a time like this? Su Zhinian¡¯s gait stuttered as he said, "Tingting, we can talk about thatter..."


    "No..." Song Qingchun shook her head. She was in too much pain to vocalize her thoughts, but through the close contact, Su Zhinian knew what was on her mind.


    If you don¡¯t agree to the divorce, then I will have no energy to give birth to this child! Su Zhinian shivered from fear, and even the words that stumbled out of his lips were shaky. "Tingting, don¡¯t be crazy..."


    Song Qingchun grunted with pain, cutting Su Zhinian off. Then he read another thought from her mind. If you refuse to divorce me, then I¡¯ll definitely be depressed, and if I¡¯m depressed, then I¡¯ll have a hardbour...


    Su Zhinian¡¯s face suddenly became even whiter than Song Qingchun¡¯s.


    Urgh, the pain... Following an internal scream, Song Qingchun¡¯s thoughts returned to the earlier subject... And with hardbour, there is a chance of metrorrhagia...


    If not for the fact that Su Zhinian had to support Song Qingchun in his arms as he rushed down the stairs, he might just have copsed from the thoughts circling through Song Qingchun¡¯s mind.


    Metrorrhagia might cause both the mother and the child to die...


    Mother and child to die?

 Chapter 964 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 16

    Su Zhinian had read about quite a few cases of failedbour when he was doing his research. When he read that forbidden thought in Song Qingchun¡¯s mind, a shocking image of Song Qingchun lyingpletely immobile on the birthing table covered in blood appeared in his heart.


    Su Zhinian¡¯s nerves, which were already strung taut due to the sudden breaking of water, snapped right there and then. Hepromised immediately. "Di... di... divorce. I¡¯ll listen to everything you say. I¡¯ll have Secretary Yang draft the divorce paper immediately..."


    ...


    Twelve hourster, with the aid of the doctors and nurses, Song Qingchun finally gave birth to a healthy little girl. Song Qingchun was so tired and only nced at the swaddled baby in the nurse¡¯s arms once before falling asleep.


    ...


    When Song Qingchun woke up the next day, Su Zhinian was sitting beside her bed. When he was feeding her chicken soup during lunch, Qin Yinan and Cheng Qingchong, who had just finished the progress of signing out of the hospital, came to visit her.


    They stayed in Song Qingchun¡¯s room untilte afternoon. When they reached home, Cheng Qingchong had just helped Qin Yinan lie down to rest when the doorbell rang. She opened it to reveal a deliveryman with a big box. Even though she was baffled, she epted the box. When the deliveryman left, she opened it, and inside was a bouquet of colourful flowers with a card.


    "Thank you for your patient care for the past eight months¡ªQin Yinan."


    Cheng Qingchong blushed for some reason, reading the card. This was the first time in her life she had received flowers from a man!


    ...


    Song Qingchun stayed at the hospital for three days before returning to the Song family¡¯s home.


    Song Menghwa¡¯s health was deteriorating day after day. When his wish was finally fulfilled, holding his precious granddaughter in his arms, the smile couldn¡¯t leave his face. Actually, four months ago, the doctor already told Song Qingchun that he wouldn¡¯t stay in this world for long. She believed that he managed to hold on for so long solely because of willpower.


    If there was anything left for Song Menghwa to yearn for in his life, it was to personally walk Song Qingchun down the aisle to give her hand to Su Zhinian. They already nned to have the wedding after the pregnancy, so Su Zhinian focused on the wedding preparation while Song Qingchun spent the month recovering with postnatal care.


    ...


    After one month, Little Sesame had grown much bigger than before. She had already learned how to smile sweetly and wave at others.


    Song Qingchun, who felt imprisoned for that whole month, finally got her release.


    Throughout the month, Cheng Qingchong would receive presents given by Qin Yinan almost daily. There were flowers, clothes, jewellery, bags, and various make-up products. Cheng Qingchong had a feeling that they had slowly settled into married life. She would prepare dinner for Qin Yinan every night, and he would bring her to the movies every weekend.


    The marriage that she initially had zero hope for had brought her plenty of unexpected joy.


    In fact, there was one afternoon when Qin Yinan was working and she was reading. She identally fell asleep. When she woke up, she happened to see Qin Yinan cing a nket over her. At that moment, a thought shed across her mind.


    Turns out, in this world, there is a man other than Big Boss who can make my heart race, and his name is Qin Yinan.

 Chapter 965 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 17

    Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian¡¯s wedding was set for February 14th, Valentine¡¯s Day. On February 12th, Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun threw their joint bachelor and bachelorette party.


    The party was organized by Tang Nuo; he booked a big room in Eldorado and had practically invited all of their high school friends. The atmosphere was great that night from meeting old friends, and the party was still going strong even at 1 am.


    Song Qingchun was still in the period of breastfeeding, so the extended period out of home made her feel slightly ufortable in her chest area. She excused herself to the bathroom to fix it.


    When she was leaving, Qin Yinan lost a game and was forced to the karaoke machine to sing a song. Qin Yinan¡¯s choice of song for that night was a popr recent song called Gentleman.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s voice was low, giving the song a mncholic touch. If not for the displeasure in her chest, Song Qingchun really would have stayed to listen to him.


    When she opened the door and walked out, Qin Yinan reached the chorus, singing, "Can I still give you a hug like how it used to be? The one little step back you take when we¡¯re in conversation, I can only pretend that it doesn¡¯t hurt; I can only pretend to be a gentleman, to continue as if nothing has happened..."


    As Song Qingchun closed the door of the room behind her, Qin Yinan, who closed his eyes as if he was focusing on the song, slowly opened them to look at the door that was swinging shut.


    Song Qingchun, who hade out of the bathroom, deposited the mechanical milker and milk bottle inside her bag, washed her hands, and was about to return to the room when a familiar voice called, "Song Song."


    Song Qingchun turned toward the sound, and Qin Yinan was leaning against the wall of the corridor with the top of his shirt slightly open. There was a sconce above him, and the dim light enhanced the lines of his facial features. As recognition dawned on Song Qingchun, she smiled and said, "Brother Yinan."


    Qin Yinan stared at Song Qingchun for a moment before straightening up to point at the corridor leading towards the garden, asking, "How about a walk?"


    Song Qingchun was silent for a few seconds before nodding with a smile. "Sure."


    The pebbles crunched under their footsteps, and they stopped when they reached the swing. Song Qingchun, who was feeling rather tired, nted herself on the swing. With both her hands on the ropes of the swing, she swungzily.


    Qin Yinan leaned against the trunk of a tree as he stared at Song Qingchun. Then he pulled out an exquisite box from his pocket and passed it to Song Qingchun. "Congrattions on your wedding."


    Song Qingchun epted it with a smile. Like she used to, she opened it before Qin Yinan. A pretty diamond ne sat within. She smiled and raised her head to thank him. "Thank you, Brother Yinan."


    Qin Yinan smiled in kind and reached out habitually to pat her on her head like he used to. However, when his fingertips fell on her head, he could feel the girl freeze under his touch. She used to like this. Then again, so many things have changed.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s hand hung awkwardly in the air for a second before he pulled it back. He added, "In the blink of an eye, Song Song is already going to be someone¡¯s wife."


    "Indeed, in the blink of an eye, Brother Yinan, it¡¯s going to be a year since you married Qingchong." Song Qingchun leaned her head against the swing rope and looked up at Qin Yinan.

 Chapter 966 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 18

    "Indeed..." Qin Yinan mimicked Song Qingchun¡¯s tone to repeat this word before going silent.


    Indeed... time flies.


    So fast that you, who once loved me, have moved onto someone else and are going to be the happiest bride soon.


    So fast that I¡¯ve lost even the right to touch you on the top of your head like we used to.


    Just like the song earlier, the little changes have wrought such deep damage. However, I could only pretend to not care, to be a gentleman, to try my best to be understanding and fair. The deeper the pain, the harder I have to hide it.


    The atmosphere froze, such that even Song Qingchun, who didn¡¯t initially notice it, started to feel slightly weird.


    Qin Yinan knew that if he allowed himself to be silent any longer, the covers that he had set in ce would soon be exposed. He blinked and stood up straight to say, "It¡¯s chilly outsidee on, let¡¯s get back in."


    Song Qingchun looked at Qin Yinan, and the man looked no different from his normal self. Chalking it up to her fluctuating hormones, Song Qingchun nodded with a thin smile and stood up from the swing. Qin Yinan allowed her to go first, and as Song Qingchun turned into the corridor, he called her name.


    Song Qingchun turned around.


    Qin Yinan stood under a tree in the garden with his hands in his pockets, his gentle and graceful smile lighting up his face as he said, "Song Song, congrattions on your happy marriage."


    Song Qingchun blinked multiple times. For some reason, she felt as if there was something caught in her throat. She nodded forcefully before shing a brilliant smile and turning to head back into the room.


    Qin Yinan stood where he was, watching her disappear into the shadows quietly.


    Song Qingchun, congrattions. The girl that I love, I wish you a life of happiness.


    ...


    The atmosphere back in the room was still at an all-time high. Tang Nuo had gotten quite a few drinks in him, and he pulled Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian up onto the stage and started his own brand of interrogation.


    At least, it started as an interrogation.


    The questions started to fly. Like...


    "Su Zhinian, when did you fall in love with Song Qingchun?"


    "Song Qingchun, when did you fall in love with Su Zhinian?"


    "Su Zhinian, is Song Qingchun your first love?"


    "Song Qingchun, is Su Zhinian your first love?"


    "Su Zhinian, why did you fall in love with Song Qingchun?"


    "Song Qingchun, what is the most touching thing Su Zhinian has ever done for you?"


    As the interrogation went on, for some reason, Su Zhinian started to take over the whole deal, and instead of being the questioned, he volunteered the information actively.


    "I met her when I was eight. Even today, that meeting is the most beautiful and treasured memory of my life."


    The room started to quiet down until there was no sound other than Su Zhinian¡¯s voice.


    "Meeting her marks the beginning of my life; she is my beginning and will be my end."


    Perhaps it was a coincidence, or maybe Su Zhinian had controlled someone to pick a song, but a melody that Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t be more familiar with filled up the room.


    "I said I fear most the breeze before the rain; you said it¡¯s the same for you too."


    When Kay Tze¡¯s mellifluous voice began, an indescribable mixture of feelings filled Song Qingchun¡¯s heart. There was happiness, sadness, mncholy, regret...


    Compelled by the atmosphere of the moment, she slowly raised the microphone her friends shoved into her arm to her lips and picked up where Su Zhinian had left off. "He spent ten years looking for me."

 Chapter 967 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 19

    "Ten years, 3,650 nights... In those 3,650 nights, he has been my guardian angel, looking after me without me knowing.


    "We bothugh while looking at the sky. We talked and talked until we both were crying..."


    As the song continued, Song Qingchun looked at the glittering lights of many coolers and continued softly. "He¡¯s not my first but will be myst. Meeting him is the best thing that has ever happened to me."


    "It seems that we¡¯ve both been loved by someone before. Those dreams that were perfect to the point of not needing to be remedied..."


    Without rehearsing, Su Zhinian picked up the moment Song Qingchun put her microphone down. "I was lucky; my years of searching were not in vain. Ten yearster, I finally found her again in school."


    "The many simr kinds of tenderness, there are also different kinds of sadness..."


    Several memories, Song Qingchun had experienced, but she could not remember. It was through his diary that the memories had returned to her. She picked up the microphone again to say, "Do you know what the most heart-breaking distance in the world is? It¡¯s when he has been looking for me, but I¡¯ve forgotten all about him."


    "Two friends that have been friends for many years, the reasons that our two loves came and went..."


    With the song in the background, Su Zhinian used the lightest tone to reminisce about their youthful reunion. "Even though, at the time, she couldn¡¯t remember me, to be able to see her every day was enough. To see her walking through the mall with her friends, lugging the stacks of homework to the teacher¡¯s lounge,ughing with her friends at the school fields, those were the colors of my bleary and gray existence."


    "After the events have happened and the times have changed, we both reminisced on the side of the road..."


    Listening to Su Zhinian, Song Qingchun felt tears pricking her eyes. She tried to maintain the curve of her smile and the calmness in her tone. When he finished, she continued. "Even though I couldn¡¯t remember him, looking back, I¡¯m really touched. He defended me when I was bullied by gangsters, he worked nights as a waiter to buy me a present that I liked, and when I left schoolte at night, he would be following a distance behind me to keep watch over me..."


    Song Qingchun was a sentimental person. Many times, when Su Zhinian made her heart feel warmed, she would reciprocate it by being sweet to him as well. However, this was the first time she had expressed her feelings to him so openly. Instead of shame and shyness, she felt weirdlyforted, like everything was right.


    "That dream in which we were pped in the face was like the sound of rumbling thunder..." As the thunder effect drifted out of the audio system, Song Qingchun swallowed back a tear to finish her sentence. "...I believe, the luckiest I¡¯ve ever been in my life was when I met Su Zhinian."


    "We have all been forgotten, all have been forgotten for a long time..."


    As the song reached the chorus, their story reached its chorus as well.


    Su Zhinian opened his lips and continued in the same airy tone. "God has been kind to me. Through a coincidence, I happened to move into her house, but our first meeting was bad. When I greeted her, I identally gripped her hand a bit too tightly, giving her a bad first impression."

 Chapter 968 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 20

    Song Qingchun could picture the scene in her mind. At the time, she had been really pissed, but now, in retrospect, it had be such a cute memory. With tears glistening in her eyes, she mock-pouted and grumbled, "He¡¯s right; I could feel my bones breaking then."


    The group of friends who sat quietly listening to their story were tickled intoughter by this littleint. Kay Tze¡¯s song continued amid theughter. "Time is a roadside thief. That sleeve under the umbre and that face that is awaiting for an answer. How much happiness has turned into loneliness in the end?"


    Song Qingchun stopped joking, blinked twice, and spoke into the microphone. "However, in spite of that initial hup, our rtionship continued to improve. Even though his mood fluctuated like the weather, when I was stuck at the airport that one night and had no way of going home, it was he who rushed to fetch me.


    "Even though he had an obsession with cleanliness and had warned me many times not to eat in his room and mess up his bed, he did not once kick me out of his room despite the many mug rings I left on his table and the chips that fell into his bed."


    That was the first year they had spent together after ten years of not meeting each other.


    The memories she remembered were fresh on his mind as well. After she stopped, he continued. "We spent the day ying games or reviewing schoolwork; I apanied her when she went shopping, and she came to watch my games. It became natural for her to jump on the back of bike as I rode to school, and I was willing to do all those things for her unprompted... but..."


    "Things didn¡¯t go as nned." Song Qingchun continued when Su Zhinian paused. "Perhaps if this was allowed to continue, we would have ended up together sooner, but it didn¡¯t; we didn¡¯t get closer, but instead, at the third year of high school, we went our separate ways..."


    That was when pain entered their story. A faded hue of sadness entered Song Qingchun¡¯s voice. "After that huge fight, we promised we wouldn¡¯t have anything to do with each other anymore, but he reneged on his words. In the following five years, just like those ten years he spent looking for me, he was watching over me silently. I wasn¡¯t aware of his presence until tragedy struck Song Empire, and as if destined, God once again pulled us together."


    "When we were sharing that lukewarm rtionship, she gave me many nicknames¡ªManiac Su, Cold-Blooded Su, Sanitary Su, Diary Su, Big-headed Su, Liar Su, Technician Su, Omnipotent Su, One Dor Su, Loyal Su..."


    "During this period, he was good and bad. He was so good that he rushed through the city to fetch me when I was stranded in the northern countryside; he was so good that he organized a lucky-draw at Golden Corner as a pretext to gift me a present. However, he was so bad that just as I thought we could be friends again, he left his role at Song Empire and drew a clear line between us cruelly; he was so bad that even though he was on the brink of death for three months because of me, he refused to let me know about it."

 Chapter 969 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 21

    The song was still going on; the sad melody filling up the room with a mncholic atmosphere. Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun hadn¡¯t stopped, continuing to retell their own story.


    "After that, I tried my best to push her away, but she kept advancing toward me; she even confessed to me on my birthday."


    "But he rejected me cruelly and left me alone at the caf¨¦. At the time, I understood just how much courage one needs to fall in love."


    "After that, I tried to be good to her, but I inevitably hurt her many times..."


    "After that, he apanied me to fall from an 80-meter building..."


    Their words flowed over each other¡¯s smoothly until one point when Su Zhinian said, "I¡¯m lucky, and I¡¯m d, because you¡¯ve given me the opportunity to love you."


    This was something that he had told himself when he thought he was going to die from having stuck a de into his stomach.


    A tear slid down Song Qingchun¡¯s face. She followed his suit and confessed, "I¡¯m lucky, and I¡¯m d, that I¡¯m your past, now, and forever."


    "I¡¯m touched because you didn¡¯t give up on me when I rejected you."


    "I¡¯m touched because you¡¯ve written the most touching diary that I¡¯ve ever read for the sake of one person."


    "..."


    "..."


    "We have all been forgotten¡ªall have been forgotten for a long time. How many words should be used to describe ¡¯love¡¯?


    "You spoke so calmly and easily; I watched dark clouds fly away, and because I understand all the things you say, love often has a beginning but no ending."


    Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian, who seemed like they were in the middle of aic dialogue performance, stopped alongside the song. The room reverted to one of silence. The room was seated with so many people, but not one uttered a word. Time seemed to have stopped in that moment.


    After some time, Su Zhinian slowly turned around to look at Song Qingchun. When he spoke, his voice wasn¡¯t as unaffected as before. Instead, there was a choking nature to it. "Now, I¡¯m very happy because you¡¯re finally going to be my bride."


    Song Qingchun also turned to face him to look him in the eyes. The tears slid slowly down her face as she replied, "Now, I¡¯m very blessed because I¡¯m finally going to be your bride."


    As she finished, Su Zhinian reached out to pull her into his arms. Ignoring the people around them, he lowered his head to kiss her.


    She was startled for a moment before raising her arms to encircle his neck and reciprocating his passionate kiss.


    As the kiss deepened, the people in the room slowly recovered. They started pping, and as the ps reached a thunderous chorus, some started to whistle. Just as the atmosphere reached its peak, Su Zhinian slowly let Song Qingchun go.


    He didn¡¯t seem to even notice the chaos around them as he stared deeply into her eyes. His lips slowly curled into a smile.


    Song Qingchun followed his smile, and happy tears fell down her eyes freely.

 Chapter 970 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 22

    Su Zhinian lowered his head to peck away the tears on Song Qingchun¡¯s face. Using a voice that only she could hear, he whispered, "I¡¯ve expended three lifetimes to find you and now I will use another to make you my wife."


    She understood why he would say that then. This was his dream, and it was finally going toe true.


    Song Qingchun stood on her tiptoes to lean into Su Zhinian¡¯s ear. Her tears touched the man¡¯s face, and she repeated a sentence to him that he had once told her. "What is youth without passion?"


    What is youth without loving someone fully, deeply and without reservation?


    And without Su Zhinian, how would there be Song Qingchun in this world?


    What is youth with passion?


    What is Song Qingchun without Su Zhinian?


    ...


    When they left Eldorado, it was already 1 am. The first thing Song Qingchun did after reaching home was to visit Little Sesame in the nursery.


    Little Sesame was sleeping sweetly, but her lips puckered up as if sensing her mother was caressing her face.


    ...


    At around 11 pm, Cheng Qingchong left the ce since she could not find Qin Yinan. She came out and was about to give him a call when she saw Qin Yinan¡¯s car slowly stopped before her. Cheng Qingchong put away her phone and walked in a hurry toward his car in her thin heels.


    Qin Yinan got out, walked around the car, and stood by the passenger door. He smiled and reminded her, "Careful, there¡¯s no need to rush."


    Cheng Qingchong blushed for some reason. She lowered her head and did slow down. Qin Yinan helped her with the door and even helped her with the seatbelt. The faint scent on his body kept drifting into Cheng Qingchong¡¯s nose¡ªit caused even her neck to redden, and she lowered her head even more.


    After Qin Yinan finished with the seatbelt and straightened up, he couldn¡¯t help but reach out to touch her on the top of her head when he saw her in this position. Cheng Qingchong gripped her clothes tightly, and even her breathing became anxious. The atmosphere was ambiguous and flirtatious; it flustered her greatly.


    Thankfully, Qin Yinan¡¯s hand soon moved away from her head.


    Cheng Qingchong sighed under her breath. Beneath that relief, however, she discovered a shade of disappointment in her heart. She found herself anticipating Qin Yinan cing his hand longer on her body and even pulling her into his arms...


    Goodness, what¡¯s wrong with me? Cheng Qingchong pulled on her clothes and turned to look out the window. She was reminded of several days ago when Qin Yinan suddenly stopped moving to stare closely at her. She was a nervous wreck, thinking he was about to kiss her. In the end, he had merely moved away, and simr to now, she found herself being weirdly disappointed.


    And this was not an isted incident...


    Cheng Qingchong bit on her lips, and something clicked in her heart.


    When Cheng Qingchong felt more like herself, she discovered that Qin Yinan¡¯s car wasn¡¯t heading home but instead was turning toward the countryside. She frowned and turned toward Qin Yinan with confusion. "Are... aren¡¯t we going home?"

 Chapter 971 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 23

    Qin Yinan, who heard the question, turned to look at her and smiled kindly. "Bringing you to somewhere special."


    "Where is it?"


    Qin Yinan turned back to look straight and didn¡¯t speak. Cheng Qingchong bit the corner of her lips. She was curious, but she didn¡¯t press.


    ...


    Qin Yinan finally stopped the car at a hill that Cheng Qingchong couldn¡¯t name. Qin Yinan lowered the Cheng Qingchong¡¯s seat until it was t before turning to tell her mysteriously, "Close your eyes."


    Cheng Qingchong stared at him wide-eyed for two seconds before asking, "Why? Why are you being so mysterious?"


    Qin Yinan didn¡¯t answer her but urged gently, "Close your eyes first."


    Cheng Qingchong relented. Then, she heard the top of the car being pulled back, and the night breeze touched her skin. She shivered involuntarily from the cold, and Qin Yinan¡¯s voice drifted into her ears. "Okay, you can open your eyes now."


    Cheng Qingchong opened her eyes with anticipation and was about to ask what he had nned, but she only got the first word out when she was stunned silence by the scene that appeared before her eyes.


    It was a sky filled with stars. It was as pretty as a picture. The weather that night was so perfect that the stars felt like they were within her reach.


    Cheng Qingchong had her breath taken away by this marvelous view. After some time, she heard Qin Yinan ask, "Do you like it?"


    Cheng Qingchong opened her lips, and her body suddenly shivered like she was shocked. She remembered, not that long ago, she had been walking home with Qin Yinan after finishing a movie at the cinema. She had raised her head to look at the sky and pointed out one of the stars to Qin Yinan with pure excitement.


    Qin Yinan had maintained his gentleness before her tion. He asked her softly and slowly, "You like stars?"


    She had nodded hurriedly and exined that when she was small, she used to sit in the patio of her parent¡¯s house to gaze at the stars. However, after moving to Beijing, the night sky had been taken over by the neon lights, and she hadn¡¯t seen a beautiful star-lit sky in a long time already.


    He had merely smiled and didn¡¯tment further. She had assumed that he wouldn¡¯t remember the details of their small talk, but tonight, he had brought her to this hill to gift her this unforgettable present.


    Cheng Qingchong felt an indescribable feeling surging through her chest. Her head that wanted to turn to look at Qin Yinan suddenly froze looking at the stars, and tears involuntarily fell out of her eyes.


    Why is he so good to me? So good that even the thought that maybe spending the rest of my life with him is not bad after all has cropped up in my mind. However, I¡¯ve done such unforgiveable things to him... I don¡¯t deserve all this kindness...


    Her sight was made blurry from her tears, and the stars lost their brilliance behind the watery sheen of her tears. She wanted to apologize ande clean to him, but her lips trembled greatly, and she found herself unable to form a single word.


    Qin Yinan noticed how weird she was acting, and he sidled close to her. When he saw the tears in her eyes, he frowned deeply and asked with concern, "What¡¯s wrong? Did I do something wrong?"


    "I... I..." Facing Qin Yinan¡¯s outpouring of worry and concern, the apology refused to leave Cheng Qingchong¡¯s lips. In the end, it manifested itself as more tears.

 Chapter 972 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 24

    Previously she had been afraid, afraid that getting a divorce would worry her parents, so she hade up with more lies to cover up the earlier ones that she made. But now, she was afraid, afraid that once he found out the truth, he would hate her... so she didn¡¯t dare be honest with him, didn¡¯t dare apologize to him.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s brow furrowed even deeper. As he helped Cheng Qingchong wipe away her tears, he kept consoling her gently. When the tears slowly dried up, she realized that he had been holding her face, and her heart started to race again. Her ears reddened, and her eyes lowered; a tear slid down her cheek following her movement.


    When Qin Yinan used his thumb to wipe away that tear with a helpless sigh, he identally brushed against her lips, and a shock of electricity jolted through both their bodies. They both shivered in unison. Cheng Qingchong¡¯s eyes turned upward to realize that Qin Yinan¡¯s clear eyes had been looking at her.


    The temperature in the car continued to rise. Qin Yinan¡¯s Adam¡¯s apple rose twice, and his head leaned in closer to Cheng Qingchong. Cheng Qingchong gripped his arm worriedly. Her head started to lean back, but she stopped. She looked at his eyes that were closed, and she also slowly closed hers before she felt his lips on hers.


    His kiss was like his personality, soft and gentle.


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s fingers that held his arm gradually loosened, and her whole person copsed in his arms. His hands found their way into her shirt and her whole body froze. However, under his fingertips¡¯ slow dances around her skin, she gradually rxed.


    Their clothes gradually fell off one after another, flying from the front seat to the back. His fiery skin stuck to her supply skin, causing their bodies to shake even more.


    He kissed every inch of her skin, and when he felt her reciprocate, he pulled her deeper into the passionate embrace.


    It was a night of unbridled passion on top of the nameless hill.


    ...


    Back in Beijing, Su Zhinian snuck into Song Qingchun¡¯s bed and pulled her into his embrace. His impatient fingers infiltrated her pajamas.


    Song Qingchun groaned from annoyance before opening her eyes to see Su Zhinian¡¯s handsome face before her eyes. Before she realized what was happening, his lips found hers.


    The man had probably been holding it in for a long time because he was incredibly impatient. When he realized that there was a reaction from her body, even without removing the rest of the clothing, he wanted to rush toward the main event already.


    His body was hot, so hot that she had trouble breathing. He kissed her face slowly and deliberately as he tore open the clothing that was between them and pushed them off the bed. He gritted his teeth to hold it in until he felt her body had gotten used to it before increasing in strength.


    A barely discernible voice escape from her lips. It was light and weak, but it sounded like an explosion in Su Zhinian¡¯s ears. Like the most effective aphrodisiac, he lost himself in the moment, and his force suddenly increased tenfold.


    After the event was over, he didn¡¯t hurry to leave her.


    Hey on top of her, hugging her tightly as his warm sweat covered both of their bodies.

 Chapter 973 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 25 + 26

    The room was quiet other than their heated and hurried breaths that ovepped over each other. When they recovered from the earlier passion and their breathing calmed down to normal, the room became even quieter, so much so that they could each hear the other person¡¯s heartbeat.


    Su Zhinian leaned his body deeper into hers. Song Qingchun, who bore the brunt of his weight, was crushed, but her heart was filled with an indescribable satisfaction. She reached out unconsciously to hug his waist.


    The air that had been cleared suddenly became heavy with desire once more. Su Zhinian¡¯s lips printed themselves on every inch of Song Qingchun¡¯s face. The small, contained excitement from each kiss caused Song Qingchun¡¯s body to quiver endlessly. When his lips fell on hers, she reciprocated actively.


    That led to another deep and passionate kiss, raising the temperature of the room to its maximum again. Su Zhinian left kiss marks all over her body until her hands reached out to grip him tightly on his shoulder. Another round of savage and passionate love-making began anew.


    Perhaps they hadn¡¯t been so physically close for such a long time or perhaps it was the memories from the bachelor-bachelorette party that put them in such a mood. Those conversation might have appeared simple, but they had touched both of the parties involved deeply, causing the two to be extra sentimental. They were joined for a long time before parting unwillingly again.


    Song Qingchun was physically tired from the two consecutive rounds, but her mental state was extremely stimted. She leaned on Su Zhinian¡¯s warm, wide chest. Listening to his strong heartbeat, she was suddenly reminded of something. She raised her eyes to look at the man¡¯s perfect jawline and asked, "Su Zhinian, if I¡¯m not mistaken, this is the thirtieth time this month you¡¯ve snuck into my room, right?"


    Ever since Little Sesame left the hospital, he woulde into her room to sleep with her.


    Even though Su Zhinian was holding Song Qingchun, the girl had nothing else other than this question in her mind, so he was confused where she was leading with this. He hesitated for quite some time before softly responding, "Hmm..."


    That¡¯s all you have to say for yourself? Song Qingchun waited for Su Zhinian to go on. When he didn¡¯t, she frowned and said, "And if I¡¯m not mistaken, we¡¯re still not a pair ofwfully wedded husband and wife..."


    At this point, Song Qingchun paused before editing her words. "...Wait, that¡¯s wrong¡ªwe¡¯re a divorced couple!"


    Su Zhinian frowned when he heard the term divorced. However, he uttered in a calm voice that had an undertone of residual seduction from the earlier love-making, "So?"


    It caused her heart to race.


    So? You should know what! Song Qingchun couldn¡¯t help but pout upon being reminded of the fact that Su Zhinian had snuck behind her back to register their marriage.


    It was one thing to do that behind my back, but after our divorce, he still sneaks into my room every night to mess with me... Considering the fact that we¡¯re divorced, he dares to toss me a ¡¯So?¡¯


    What kind of attitude is this?


    "Well, what do you think?" Song Qingchun puffed up her cheeks to re at Su Zhinian before huffing heavily and turning around to show him her back. She had brought this up simply because she wanted him toe up with a solution to get them married again, but who would have thought the man would be so inconsiderate?


    The more Song Qingchun thought about it, the more agitated she became. She turned around to re at Su Zhinian. "I¡¯m telling you, we¡¯re currently living together illegally, so get out of my room!"


    Su Zhinian retorted with a sly smile, "No, Tingting, we¡¯re not living together illegally. Kicking me out will be illegal though."


    Song Qingchun scoffed. What kind of nonsense is he bbering about this time? How can it be illegal for me to kick him out?


    Su Zhinian, who was mocked, reached out his arm calmly over Song Qingchun¡¯s body to pull open the bedside table on her side of the bed. He pulled out a document from within, ced it before her, turned on the bed light and said, "If you don¡¯t believe me, read it for yourself."


    Song Qingchun recognized the document as the divorce papers she had signed when she was tormented by Little Sesame¡¯s birth. Of course, at the time, she didn¡¯t peruse the details of the contract. Song Qingchun flipped open the document, and when she saw the details, her eyes widened into saucers.


    The house belongs to me, the car belongs to me, thepany belongs to me, the child belongs to me...


    All these uses look normal but thisst point¡ªhe... he also belongs to me? What the f*ck is this?


    Su Zhinian who was hugging Song Qingchun could read the thoughts from her mind. He gave her several seconds to digest the information before grabbing the document and tossing it out from the bed. He rolled underneath her to ce himself on her body. Massaging her back, he uttered slowly, "Tingting, you¡¯ve signed the contract yourself. I¡¯m now your property. If you chase me out... I¡¯m protected by thew; I can sue you if I want to..."


    Sue your head... Sue, sue, sue, why don¡¯t you call yourself Sue Su?


    No, wait, how can there be such a shameless person in this world! He writes himself into the divorce papers? How shameless is he? Shameless Su!


    But it¡¯s rather cute, I have to say. Reminds me of those ck-bellied main characters from those novels that I read... ck-bellied Su...


    Having not been bequeathed a new nickname for a long time, Su Zhinian¡¯s whole body froze when these three terms filtered into his heart. Sue Su? Shameless Su? ck-bellied Su?


    A familiar feeling surged through him, and he couldn¡¯t help himself from snuggling his head into her neck, and in response, she curled her legs around his waist.


    The room became crowded with the heavy sound of moaning, breathing, and groaning once more.


    ...


    Back on the nameless hill, Qin Yinany quietly on top of the ttened car seat with Cheng Qingchong curled up in his arms.


    A night breeze dissipated the mist of sensual air that surrounded them.

 Chapter 974 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 27

    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s mind slowly recovered from the earlier passion. There was still a lingering smell in the air. She merely took a sniff of it, and her face burned up instantly. She bit on her lips silently before it registered in her mind that she had just done that thing with Qin Yinan in his car atop an isted hill...


    Ever since he left the hospital, he had been nice to her, but he had never once acted out of line. In fact, this was the first time they had ¡¯been together¡¯ since their marriage. And it was he who initiated it without the influence of alcohol...


    But why would he suddenly touch her? Was it because...


    Cheng Qingchong had never been in a romantic rtionship before and had never been pursued by guys. The kindness Qin Yinanvished on her gave her the impression on several asions that perhaps he did like her.


    However, that wasn¡¯t a confirmed fact because he had never once told her that before. Therefore, her answer to her own question was that perhaps Qin Yinan did like her to a certain extent, but like usual, she couldn¡¯t confirm it.


    The top of the car was still open, and the mountain breeze was a bit chilly. As the heated air dissipated, the temperature in the car dropped. Cheng Qingchong, who was lost in her little thoughts, shivered involuntarily.


    "Are you cold?" Qin Yinan, who sensed her shivering, hugged her closer and reached out to grab his coat that was dangling from the window. He wrapped it gently around Cheng Qingchong¡¯s body to shield her from the howling winds.


    Following that kind action, Cheng Qingchong returned from her thoughts. She raised her head to look at Qin Yinan. After a small struggle, she still forced herself to ask the question on her mind. "Erm..."


    She only got out one word before her face burned up. She lowered her face because she didn¡¯t dare face him. She gathered her courage and forced herself to continue. "...Just now, why did you..."


    Cheng Qingchong couldn¡¯t bring herself to say "do that thing with me" due to shyness. Even though she didn¡¯t ask theplete question, Qin Yinan understood what she meant. He reached out to smooth out her tousled hair and answered with a pampering chuckle. "Silly girl, what do you think the reason is?"


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s face reddened even more due to this return-question. Even her breathing had gotten shallow. She could guess what he was hinting at, but she still shook her head wordlessly.


    "Still don¡¯t get it?" Qin Yinan lowered his head to ce his chin on Cheng Qingchong¡¯s head. His voice was incredibly soft and gentle when he said, "Then let me ask you, Qingchong...¡¯


    Qingchong... This is the first time he has called me by name since our marriage... Cheng Qingchong bit her lips tightly when she heard Qin Yinan¡¯s patently soft voice asking, "...Do you like me?"


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s breathing disappeared.


    Did he just ask, do I like him? She who had never really considered this question noticed her mind go nk. She hesitated for a long time while he waited patiently. Eventually, she replied in a thin voice, "I don¡¯t know."


    Qin Yinan didn¡¯t reply for a long time. The situation became rather awkward.


    Cheng Qingchong, who was flustered earlier, started to feel her heart palpitate with nervousness for some reason.

 Chapter 975 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 28

    Why isn¡¯t he talking? Is he mad? Cheng Qingchong snuck her eyes upward to look at Qin Yinan, and she noticed a shade of disappointment on his face. Feeling her eyes on him, Qin Yinan forced a smile and joked, "Don¡¯t know or don¡¯t like?"


    He tried to be jovial, but it couldn¡¯t hide the heavy current of sadness. Cheng Qingchong felt something grip her heart. Without thinking, she immediately shook her head and blurted out, "No, it¡¯s not that..."


    Cheng Qingchong, who realized what she was saying, felt her face burning up. However, Qin Yinan hugged her happily like he had been granted his greatest wish in the world. Heughed audibly and even used his head to nudge intimately at her neck.


    The shy Cheng Qingchong was tickled fancy by his demeanor, and her heart started to rx.


    He had to like her, right? That was why he would have sex with her and treat her so nicely, and it was why he would ask her whether she liked him or not and was disappointed when she said that she didn¡¯t know...


    She had to like him, right? After their close time together.


    Or else, she would have pushed him away when he tried to touch her.


    Or else, she wouldn¡¯t have thought he was better than her Big Boss when she made the identalparison.


    Or else, her emotions wouldn¡¯t have been strung along by his.


    Or else, she wouldn¡¯t have thought it might be not so bad to spend the rest of her life with him.


    "Then, what about you?" Cheng Qingchong, who hid away her smile, raised her head to look at Qin Yinan before asking, "Do you like me?"


    Qin Yinan¡¯s lips curved into a slight smile, and he lowered his head to nt a kiss on her lips before answering, "What do you think?"


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s breathing halted, and she lowered her head with a blush.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s tongue carefully and lightly caressed her lips, and he mumbled, "Of course I like you... I like you a lot... So, will you spend the rest of your life with me?"


    Cheng Qingchong nodded. "I will."


    Qin Yinan pried open her lips, and his tongue danced around hers. Cheng Qingchong felt his other arm moving from the periphery of her eyes. She then heard a crisp click, and as Qin Yinan leaned away from her face, a pretty and exquisite diamond ring appeared before her eyes. "Remove the ring from your finger and take this."


    Cheng Qingchong was stunned.


    Qin Yinan pulled her hand toward him, removed the ring that he had put on her ring finger during their wedding ceremony off, and slid this new ring gently on. "Should have thrown that ring away a long time ago. That was merely a showpiece to go along with the marriage. This ring, I personally bought it for you."


    Cheng Qingchong froze instantly. She didn¡¯t even dare to move hershes.


    Qin Yinan patted her lightly on her head to call her back to reality. "Do you like it?"


    "I do." Cheng Qingchong nodded before reaching out her arms to hug him over his neck.


    She sincerely did like it; she liked the ring and the giver of the ring. She liked it so much that she was afraid of losing him. So, those bad things that she had once done, she decided to keep as her own secret, and she swore to not let them see the light of day.

 Chapter 976 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 29

    But she promised that she would be extra good to him, be loyal to him, and use the rest of her life to make amends to him.


    ...


    Three rounds of physical activities hadpletely drained Song Qingchun. When it was over, she copsed on the bed, unable to move even a muscle. Su Zhinian grabbed a wet towel to clean both of them up. Then he hugged her and massaged her back. When he realized that she hadn¡¯t fallen asleep, he leaned closer to her eyes to whisper, "Tingting, in the morning, let¡¯s go to the registry."


    "Huh?"


    "I¡¯ve called the people there. Even without going through the divorce process, we can register our marriage one more time."


    So, the wish that was on her mind, he had already made all the necessary preparations. Even though he had mind-reading skills, she had never thought about that in his proximity, so he didn¡¯t know about that. I, Song Qingchun, sure am lucky to be able to have found such a caring man to spend the rest of my life with.


    Song Qingchun was touched. She nodded with a soft "hmm" that wasced with a choking sound.


    "Also, I¡¯m sorry. I shouldn¡¯t have gone to get the certificate without you. I was just too afraid to lose you."


    "It¡¯s alright..." Tears still fell out of Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes. She leaned deeper into Su Zhinian¡¯s body. Her lips curved into a smile, and she asked the question that suddenly entered her mind. "Su Zhinian, do you have any regrets?"


    "What kind of regret?"


    "Regret that you found out from your mother that you¡¯re my father¡¯s son and regret not knowing I¡¯m my father¡¯s adopted daughter, causing us to miss each other by so many years."


    Do I feel regret? Su Zhinian asked himself honestly. He contemted it for a long time before admitting with confidence, "I don¡¯t regret it."


    Perhaps in other people¡¯s eyes, those misunderstandings between us should be nothing but a huge block of regret, but they aren¡¯t that for me. Because... you know why?


    That is merely a joke yed on me by destiny, but we have learned plenty from that joke.


    Do you believe in fate?


    I do because, looking back, many things happened for a reason. If I didn¡¯t discover that secret many years ago, we wouldn¡¯t have been forced to part, and I wouldn¡¯t have realized how much I love you.


    If I didn¡¯t discover that secret many years ago, I wouldn¡¯t have epted you, and I never would have known that you love me so much that you¡¯re willing to apany me in hell.


    While we were experiencing all those misunderstandings, it was definitely painful, but we have learned from that pain, learned how to love and cherish each other.


    Most importantly...


    Su Zhinian suddenly turned to meet Song Qingchun¡¯s eyes and said sincerely, "...Those roads that I¡¯ve walked with you by my side, be they bitter or sweet, were the most precious gifts that God has given me.


    "And, I have you."


    Song Qingchun looked back into Su Zhinian¡¯s eyes. With happy tears, she smiled brightly. "Indeed, I too have no regret because I have you."


    Love has many shapes and forms. As long as you¡¯re by my side, no matter the trials, our love will bloom into luscious flowers.


    ...


    When the first ray of sun rose from the east, Qin Yinan¡¯s eyes fluttered open. Cheng Qingchong, who was already dressed, was asleep, snuggled in his arms.

 Chapter 977 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 30

    Qin Yinan didn¡¯t wake her. He stared at her sleeping face quietly until she woke up. Then, he passed her some water to gargle her mouth. They cleaned up as best as they could on top of the hill before returning to the city.


    At 10 am, Qin Yinan¡¯s car entered Beijing.


    The night before had taken a toll on Cheng Qingchong. As Qin Yinan drove home, she leaned against the chair and closed her eyes to take a rest. When she woke up, the sun was shining generously through the windshield. Remembering that neither of them had eaten breakfast yet, she offered, "What do you want to have for breakfast? Drop me off by the market. I¡¯ll go buy some ingredients and cook something for you when we get home."


    Qin Yinan nodded and said, "Okay."


    Cheng Qingchong smiled. Qin Yinan stared right ahead; his expression was serene, but his eyes had a sh of iciness in them.


    ...


    At 10 am, Su Zhinian also woke up. Song Qingchun was still sleeping. He didn¡¯t wake her. After brushing his teeth, he walked to the nursery to check up on Little Sesame.


    Song Qingchun woke up at 10:30 am. Su Zhinian squeezed the tooth paste onto her toothbrush, practically serving her every need throughout. Then he helped her get into her chosen outfit of the day before they took their Identity Cards, walked down the stairs together, got into his car, and left for the government office.


    At 10:45 am, his car parked safely at the office¡¯s carpark. Su Zhinian helped Song Qingchun with the door and grabbed her hand as he led her into the hall.


    ...


    At 10:50 am, Qin Yinan¡¯s car also stopped at the office¡¯s entrance. He found a secluded corner at the carpark to park his car. Cheng Qingchong turned to look at him with surprise, asking, "Aren¡¯t we going home? Why are we here?"


    Qin Yinan didn¡¯t hurry to answer her. He switched off the ignition and leaned slowly on the car seat. He didn¡¯t turn to look at Cheng Qingchong, but the gentleness that covered his face earlier had all fallen away to make way for a chilly air.


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s lips fell open, and a bad omen crept up within her.


    There was a minute-long silence before Qin Yinan cleared his throat and spoke in a voice that was devoid of the gentleness that Cheng Qingchong had matched to the man. Instead, his voice was dry, emotionless, and icy. "Cheng Qingchong, let¡¯s go in to get our divorce."


    Cheng Qingchong was stunned silent. She looked at Qin Yinan without any reaction.


    The car was eerily silent. Not far away, a shrill car honk sounded.


    After some time, Cheng Qingchong blinked into consciousness. Thinking she had misheard him, she opened her lips to ask Qin Yinan, "What did you just say?"


    After asking that question, she even shed a smile at him.


    "I said, let¡¯s go in to get our divorce." Qin Yinan repeated the words that he said earlier syble by syble.


    As his words fell into her ears, Cheng Qingchong¡¯s smile froze on her lips, and a single tear gathered at the edge of her eye.


    He couldn¡¯t have been clearer, and she did hear him clearly. As the tear slid silently down her cheek, her lips moved, and she weakly uttered, "Turn left at the junction in front, and that¡¯s the direction to go home. About two hundred meterster, there¡¯s a Walmart¡ªit should be open by now..."

 Chapter 978 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 31

    "Cheng Qingchong!" Qin Yinan cut her off harshly and rudely.


    Thinking about it, this was the first time he had used such a harsh tone with her; it scared Cheng Qingchong so much that she mped her mouth shut. The car reverted to a state of silence. Half a minuteter, Qin Yinan began again. "Do you still not understand what I¡¯m saying?


    "I, Qin Yinan, am disposing of you, Cheng Qingchong.


    "Do you get it now?"


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s lips fell open, but no sound came out. The tears that were swirling in her eyes stopped moving at that moment.


    "I believe that you should know why I¡¯m doing this better than anyone else." Qin Yinan scoffed with derision before adding, "Taking advantage of a vulnerable drunken man, removing his clothes, and seducing a man whom she¡¯s not even familiar with, or have you forgotten how depraved you were that night?"


    Depraved... A single word made the blood drain from Cheng Qingchong¡¯s face. Her eyes that fell on Qin Yinan started to waver, and in the end, she lowered her head in shame. So, he has discovered all my lies... but when did he find out? Is it when he started being good to me? Howe I didn¡¯t notice anything?


    Just as the thought cropped up in Cheng Qingchong¡¯s mind, Qin Yinan¡¯s emotionless voice started again.


    "Also, you weren¡¯t pregnant, weren¡¯t you?


    "Miss Cheng, that was definitely a wonderful n, I¡¯m mighty impressed. Pretending to be pregnant to force me to marry you and then using a fake miscarriage to round up the lie, fooling not only me, but also my parents and your own parents.


    "But that¡¯s not all. Most importantly, you managed to win over everyone¡¯s concern and care, didn¡¯t you? How does it feel to have everyone cherish and hold you in their palms? Did it feel nice knowing how clever you were? It must have been incredibly satisfying fooling the world around you, the sensation of being the one who pulled the wool over so many people¡¯s eyes.


    "It must have felt great.


    "Was it great?"


    Qin Yinan¡¯s volume got louder as he continued his usation; he was practically screaming near the end. Who would have thought that the man who was normally as gentle aspping water would be so scary when he was angry?


    Cheng Qingchong shrunk into herself, and her head lowered even more. She bit on her lips and gripped her clothes tightly, not daring to breathe. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw Qin Yinan¡¯s chest rising and falling unevenly from anger. She really wanted to exin herself, but what was there to exin? He was right¡ªit was all her fault, wasn¡¯t it?


    Cheng Qingchong moved her lips and eventually did squeeze out, "I¡¯m sorry."


    "I don¡¯t need your apology." Qin Yinan was far more clear-cut than she was. "From the day I discovered everything, I haven¡¯t yearned for your apology. If I wanted your apology, I wouldn¡¯t have wasted so much energy to be good to you, to make you fall in love me, to hold you up to the heaven and then, when you least expected it, kick you down to hell. If I wanted your apology, do you think I would have done all that?"


    So, all those kind gesture, those good memories, they¡¯re all just a lie... In other words, he doesn¡¯t really like me...


    Cheng Qingchong sat transfixed as if petrified, holding her position,pletely immobile.


    Her silence made Qin Yinan weirdly annoyed and agitated.

 Chapter 979 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 32

    He raised his hand to undo the top button of his shirt. However, that didn¡¯t seem to decrease the fire in his chest. He then rolled down the window to let air into the car.


    He waited for a while, and when Cheng Qingchong still hadn¡¯t recovered from her stunned state, he opened his lips impatiently. "I still have a meeting in the afternoon, so please give me an answer soon. Actually, when you think about it, you haven¡¯t lost anything. You¡¯ve cheated one night from me, and I¡¯ve cheated one night from you; we¡¯re even. We don¡¯t owe each other anything now, right? By the way, don¡¯t think you can use the same trick twice after our divorcest night, I made sure not to ejacte into you..."


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s body trembled slightly, and her eyes turned sour. Tears appeared in them, and she tried her best to not let them fall.


    Is she crying? Qin Yinan found himself increasingly agitated; he undid another button on his shirt. When he caught the scratch mark that she left on the front of his chest during their sessionst night out of the corner of his eyes, his lips tensed, and he pulled out his phone. "If you don¡¯t want to, that¡¯s fine, I¡¯ll call your parents now to tell them we¡¯re getting divorced, and when they ask why, I¡¯ll inform them of the type of good daughter they¡¯ve raised..."


    Then, Cheng Qingchong heard the sound of him typing on the keyboard. Her heart shuddered violently, and she instantly yelled, "I agree, I agree, I agree."


    When she repeated ¡¯I agree¡¯ three times, Qin Yinan¡¯s fingers that gripped his phone tightened. He then pocketed his phone, opened the carpartment, pulled out their marriage certificate and identity cards, and got out the car without waiting for her.


    He must have prepared long ago... Even the certificates and cards are already in the car...


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s nk gaze followed Qin Yinan for a while before she removed the seatbelt and alighted from his car. Qin Yinan didn¡¯t say anything to her. He locked the car behind them and walked toward the hall without waiting for her. With a nched face, Cheng Qingchong followed behind him with her head lowered.


    The receptionist saw them enter and asked politely, "Sir, Miss, you¡¯re here to register your marriage or to register a divorce?"


    "Divorce," Qin Yinan answered easily and readily. Cheng Qingchong, who stood one meter behind him, shivered.


    The receptionist passed them each two documents, asking them to fill the forms in first. Then, the counter would call their number to continue with the process.


    Qin Yinan thanked the receptionist and grabbed the provided pen to fill in the form without hesitation. Cheng Qingchong¡¯s eyes widened, looking at how fast he wrote. Her attention was lost for a moment before, without a shaking hand, she grabbed the pen, lowered her head, and started to write.


    ...


    In the same building, on the second floor, Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian were handing in their marriage certificate registration.


    The couple stood before a red background, facing the camera. They held each other intimately and smiled brightly and happily at the camera.

 Chapter 980 Song Qingchuns Su Zhinian and Su Zhinians Song Qingchun 33

    After taking the picture, each of them pledged an oath and went through their wedding vows with a serious expression.


    "I, Su Zhinian, take you, Song Qingchun, to be my wife..."


    "I, Song Qingchun, take you, Su Zhinian, to be my husband..."


    "We promise to honor all the responsibilities orded to a married couple: We promise to be loyal to our parents, caring to our children; We promise to be true to each other in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health. We swear by the oath we make today and will try our best to live by it to the end of our lives!"


    ...


    While Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian were going through their vows, the counter called Qin Yinan and Cheng Qingchong¡¯s number.


    They sat next to each other before the counter. As the worker read through the documents they had handed in, he asked officially, "Are you sure you¡¯re going through with the divorce."


    "Yes." Qin Yinan couldn¡¯t wait for this to be over with.


    Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t dare look the worker in the eye. She nodded slightly and whispered, "Yes."


    The worker picked up the stamp without hesitation, and a red "VOID" appeared on their red marriage certificates.


    ...


    Song Qingchun held Su Zhinian¡¯s arm as they left the office with the red marriage certificate booklet with a bright smile on her face. The sun was shining perfectly that afternoon. Walking down the steps, Su Zhinian suddenly called her name.


    "Tingting."


    Song Qingchun stopped and turned to look at Su Zhinian. Su Zhinian stared into her eyes and called out softly, "My lovely wife."


    Song Qingchun blushed lightly before turning to head toward the car. Su Zhinian ran after her to help her open the door. Before getting into the car, Song Qingchun stood on her tiptoe to kiss him on the cheek and then whispered into his ear, "My handsome husband."


    Su Zhinian¡¯s expression softened with love. Before the girl could escape into the car, he grabbed her, pressed her against the car, and nted a big, wet kiss on her lips.


    The sun that spring was glorious. Their world was perfect. Both of them knew that it would be as beautiful for the rest of their lives.


    There is a kind of love in the world where the one you¡¯re looking for is the one who will never give up on you.


    He was too lucky, and she was too lucky.


    He would never give her up and she would never let him go.


    ...


    Please don¡¯t be too good to me, Cheng Qingchong thought. I¡¯m afraid when I want to give myself to you, you won¡¯t want me anymore.


    ...


    When the divorce was finalized, Qin Yinan flipped through the papers easily before tossing Cheng Qingchong her copy and leaving the office in a hurry. Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t catch the paper, and it fluttered to the ground.


    When she bent over to pick it up, the term "Divorce Papers" stared her right in the face. She spaced out for a moment, squatting there on the floor, before she gathered herself and stood up.


    Standing at the entrance, Cheng Qingchong turned to look at Qin Yinan¡¯s car out of habit, and his parking spot was already taken by some other car.


    He¡¯s already left...


    Cheng Qingchong lowered her head and took slow, deliberate steps down the stairs.

 Chapter 981 Leave Before I Return 1

    Even though the previous night in the car with Qin Yinan had not been her first time, it hurt as deep as her first time.


    The pain made her feel very ufortable. However, twenty-four hours ago, in spite of the difort, there had been joy in her heart. But now,, as she walked down the street, the pain radiating from the lower part of her body turned into an indescribable bitterness in her heart.


    It was only a short two hundred meters between the door of the registry office and the taxi stand, but it had exhausted all the energy within Cheng Qingchong. She held the roadside railing for support and was about to lean on it to rest when there was a screeching sound of brake beside her ears.


    Then, the car that halted beside her rolled down its window, and a bagnded at her feet. Cheng Qingchong was first startled before she recognized the bag as hers, so this could only mean...


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s body froze, and she slowly turned around. As she expected, Qin Yinan could be seen through the open window. His expression was dark, and he was staring ahead. He refused to even acknowledge her with a nce. After tossing her the bag, he turned the steering wheel, preparing to leave.


    "Qin Yinan..." Cheng Qingchong called out of habit.


    She merely called his name but was forced to close her mouth when she saw the gaze filled with condescension and annoyance directed her way. She staggered a step back with her head lowered. She stared at the ring that had been on her ring finger for a few hours. With a grit of her teeth, she pulled it off forcefully and passed it to Qin Yinan through the window.


    The diamond shimmered brilliantly under the sun. Qin Yinan nced at the ring before turning to look coldly at her.


    Cheng Qingchong, who felt his gaze, lowered her head again. He had bought this ring to set up the trap for her; he didn¡¯t really mean it as a present to her. Since that was the case, she should have returned it to him.


    Cheng Qingchong waited for a long time, but Qin Yinan didn¡¯te forward to take the ring. She didn¡¯t think she had the courage to face yet another derisive nce from the man, so she pressed on the ring twice before pushing her hand through his car window. She ced the ring lightly on the dashboard before pulling her hand back quickly.


    Qin Yinan, who had been silent, stared at the ring and started to scoff for some reason.


    The scoff was light, but it made Cheng Qingchong¡¯s heart quiver with fear. She continued to retreat another two steps. She bent over to pick up her bag, and before she could get up, she saw something sh from the corner of her eye. She turned unconsciously towards it and saw the ring arc through the air before falling into the river that surrounded the city.


    "That ring is like the trash that I just disposed of; I don¡¯t want it back anymore."


    As what Qin Yinan had just done registered in Cheng Qingchong¡¯s mind, thisment floated out from inside his car. She gripped her bag unconsciously... Trash that he just disposed of, is he talking about me?


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s already pale face got even whiter, and her flustered emotions manifested in the way she kept scratching at the bag with her fingers.


    Qin Yinan looked at the unresponsive and silent Cheng Qingchong for some time before pulling his gaze away. Then he said coldly, "Before I arrive home from work, I want you to have moved all of your stuff out."


    Then, with a step on the oil pedal, he dashed off.

 Chapter 982 Leave Before I Return 2

    Cheng Qingchong shivered in the dust. After a while, she slowly turned to look at the road. Qin Yinan¡¯s car had already disappeared. She stared at the space his car had vacated, spacing out for a long time. Then she gripped her bag tightly before rushing toward the other end of the road. She stood beside the rails to stare down at the gently gurgling river underneath it. The surface of the river was calm; the ripple caused by the ring had already disappeared a long time ago.


    To kick me out of his house so soon after the divorce is settled, he probably hates me very much.


    To ask me to move everything that I own out of his house, he probably hates me very much.


    Of course, she had envisioned how it would be when her lies were exposed, but she really didn¡¯t expect a scenario like this. She had always felt guilty toward him. However, she didn¡¯t expect that he had already seen through her ploy when she was wrought with guilt but had chosen not to expose her.


    Instead, he hadid a giant trap for her, slowly leading her to fall into it willingly with his show of gentleness and kindness.


    Finally, unable to holding it any longer, a single tear fell out of Cheng Qingchong¡¯s eye. It slid down her cheek slowly beforending on her lips. It tasted as bitter as her heart.


    Those sweet memories, they were merely a lie.


    Then again, she approached him initially on the pretext of a lie, so she couldn¡¯t find it within her to me him. She deserved such an ending...


    Yet, that awareness didn¡¯t help soften the blow or lighten the sadness in her heart. The sadness from the fact that she had fallen for his trick and given him her heart, not knowing he merely wanted to trample on it.


    During that period when he was good to her, her every blush, her every increased heartrate, they must have provided plenty of sadistic amusement to him, right?


    Also,st night, when he asked her whether she liked him or not, his heart must have been filled with derision upon noticing how flustered she was.


    No wonder, when she returned the same question to him, he answered, ¡¯What do you think?¡¯


    Even though she hadpletely fallen into his trap, he refused to tell her a lie and say that he liked her.


    She had fallen for him and given him her heart, but he didn¡¯t want her anymore, so what should she do now?


    Staring at the river, Chen Qingchong¡¯s face was veiled with sadness, confusion, and loss.


    Cheng Qingchong stood by the river like a dummy for a long time before she turned to hail a cab. She didn¡¯t hurry to return to his ce but when to the mall. She searched through all the jewelry store before she located a ring simr to the one that Qin Yinan had gifted her.


    She didn¡¯t make the purchase but did nce at the price tag. Then, she left for ¡¯home¡¯.


    The ce looked familiar and strange at the same time.


    Cheng Qingchong stood at the door and scanned every inch of the living room before walking into her bedroom. She located all the gifts that Qin Yinan had given her throughout their marriage and searched for their individual price tag on the inte. She then ced them neatly on the bed before moving onto packing her luggage.


    The sun had almost set when Cheng Qingchong finished packing. She cleared away all the items that she didn¡¯t need and dropped them in the downstairs trashcan. Then, she sat on the bed that she had slept in for the past year, staring at the setting sun out the window. She used her phone to transfer an amount of money into the card that Qin Yinan had given her when they first got married.

 Chapter 983 Leave Before I Return 3

    When the phone notified her that the transaction had been sessful, Cheng Qingchong removed the bank card and the house keys from her purse. She ced them on the bedside table, stood up, picked up her luggage, and left Qin Yinan¡¯s house.


    Before closing the door, Cheng Qingchong still turned back to nce at Qin Yinan¡¯s room. The lights in the room weren¡¯t one, and it was getting dark. The ce was shrouded in shadows, but Cheng Qingchong could easily recognize the shadowy shapes in the darkness¡ªthe European style tablemp, the running machine, the badminton racket...


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s eyes started to mist. As if afraid, she quickly pulled the door closed and ran to the elevator. She was alone in the elevator, staring at the ticking red number. The mist gathering at the bottom of her eyes started to pool before falling down her face as tears.


    ...


    Qin Yinan purposely waited until midnight before returning home. When the door fell open, the darkened interior made him frown.


    When he was in hospital for eight months, his originalpany fired him. Thankfully, when he was working for thepany, he had be friends with an investor who had been trying to pull him into a joint business. Since the opportunity had presented itself, Qin Yinan jumped at the chance to start a smallpany.


    The starting of a newpany took most of his time, so he would often returnte from all the business and social meetings. However, no matter howte he was, there would always be a singlemp open in the living room when he returned. When the dim light washed over him, no matter how tired he was, his heart and body would start to rx.


    Qin Yinan stood at the door for a long time until the voice-operated light in the corridor dimmed. He stood there frozen for a long time before he coughed twice to switch on the light once more. He stepped into the house and pulled on the fluorescent light switch, and the room lit up instantly.


    He bent down to pull the shoe rack open. When he grabbed his slippers, his eyes wandered over to the side, and the empty space reminded him of the fact that the pair of female slippers with a cute kitten decoration had already disappeared.


    Qin Yinan had no idea what came over him, but his heart felt strangely congested. He mmed the slippers down on the floor and stuck his feet harshly into them before stepping into the living room.


    Qin Yinan threw the keys habitually toward the coffee table, and when he bent over to grab the pot to pour himself a ss of water, he realized that the surface of the coffee table had been cleared away. The exquisite tea set with a pink floral pattern had disappeared. That tea set was a purchase made by Cheng Qingchong on Taobao during the early days of their marriage. She would make sure the pot would always be filled with water so that the upants of the house would be able to enjoy a cool ss of water whenever they wanted.


    Initially, she had been the only one who drank from it, but from an unknown period onward, this also became his habit. The man who used to directly drink from the filtered water tap would use the tea set to quench his thirst.


    Qin Yinan shook his head with agitation, and he pulled his hand back from the coffee table. He walked into the kitchen to grab himself a ss of water. in water should taste the same no matter the source, but for some reason, he found himself unable to finish that one ss.


    In the end, he poured it down the sink. He opened the fridge and realized that there was bottle of RIO sitting within. As he chugged it down his throat, he walked toward his bedroom. In those twenty meters across the living room, he noticed many little things that had been changed or gone missing.

 Chapter 984 Leave Before I Return 4

    The few colorful pillows that Cheng Qingchong had bought that were on the sofa, the painting that she had hung on the wall, the pair of dolls that she had put beside the television as decoration...


    That woman sure is obedient, I had her remove all her stuff, and she really didn¡¯t leave one piece behind!


    Qin Yinan scoffed and tipped his head back to finish the RIO in one gulp. Then he removed his shirt and stepped into the bathroom to take his shower.


    After showering, Qin Yinan stood before the mirror in the window and used the towel to wipe his hair dry. When he identally got a nce of the w marks left on his chest and back, he froze, and even thepany business details that he was thinking about stopping moving in his mind.


    After a long time, Qin Yinan finally pulled his gaze away from the mirror. He rubbed his hair roughly twice, put on his pajamas, and left the bathroom. There was a meeting tomorrow morning, but lying in bed, Qin Yinan found it difficult to fall asleep.


    He tossed and turned in bed for a long time before getting up to walk to the balcony. After being sted by the spring breeze for a few minutes, he returned to the living room to pour himself a ss of water. When he passed the main bedroom, he couldn¡¯t help but nce at it.


    Before this, when he came out at night, he would be able to see a sliver of light from underneath the dooring from the night light Cheng Qingchong had the habit of putting on when she slept.


    Now, it waspletely dark.


    After drinking half the ss of water, Qin Yinan returned to his room. However, at thest minute, he walked to the main bedroom and pushed the door open. The window within was open, and the night draft caressed him lightly on his face¡ªit carried with it the faded scent of Cheng Qingchong.


    Qin Yinan flipped on the light, and the originally packed room was startlingly empty except for a veryrge box that had been left on the bedside table. It was not sealed.


    Stuff that she left behind? Qin Yinan walked toward it to pry it open. With just one nce, he was petrified. All the presents that he had bought for her were in there¡ªbig ones, small ones, cheap ones, expensive ones... Even the pair of socks that he had bought for her when they went to the movies a few days ago was in there. The packaging wasn¡¯t even opened yet, but it sat in there as if unused.


    For some reason, Qin Yinan¡¯s heart skipped twice. Then he closed the box in a hurry. When he did so, he saw the keys and bank card left on the table. The keys were to his house, and the bank card was the card that he had given her for everyday expenses on the second day of their marriage.


    The bank was connected to his phone, so he would receive a message from the bank if the card was used in any transaction. However, they had been married for almost a year, and he hadn¡¯t received any messages about this card. If not for it sitting right there, he would have forgottenpletely about it already.


    Qin Yinan gulped before turning to head back to his bedroom. His desire to sleep had be even less. He picked up his phone to look at the time¡ª4 am¡ªhe needed to report at work in less than four hours. Qin Yinan gave up on the thought of sleep and clicked his email open to do some work. He then realized there were few new messages in his inbox. Without thinking about it, he clicked them open.


    He was just thinking about there hadn¡¯t been any messages about transactions using the card and here they were.


    However, they weren¡¯t purchases but transfer alerts.


    When he looked closer, he realized there were six digits.

 Chapter 985 Leave Before I Return 5

    He had never used this card for his personal business, so who would transfer so much money to him?


    Was it a mistake or...


    Cheng Qingchong?


    She had been holding this card, so this money came from her?


    Qin Yinan¡¯s face darkened, and without thinking about it, he found Cheng Qingchong¡¯s number and dialed it.


    ...


    Over the few years that Cheng Qingchong had worked at ST Empire, she had amassed quite a small fortune for herself. She was a girl living alone in Beijing with no assets to her name, so other than the monthly fixed expenses she needed to survive and a fixed amount sent back to her parents, she had pretty much saved the rest.


    However, at the end of the day, she was only a secretary, so her sry wouldn¡¯t be that high. The money she transferred to Qin Yinan that afternoon had practically emptied her savings.


    For the eight months that Qin Yinan had stayed at the hospital, to take care of him, she had to quit her job. After leaving the hospital, he had started a newpany. Concerned that he might be too busy to take care of himself, she had been holding off finding a new job and hadmitted all of her time to taking care of the house and the man. After she married Qin Yinan, she had quit renting her original apartment.


    The sudden arrival of the divorce unhinged her. The only ce she could go after leaving Qin Yinan¡¯s ce was the hotel. There was only 20,000 RMB left in her bank, and she needed that tost until she found herself a ce and a new job. Therefore, Cheng Qingchong decided to find a random hostel for now.


    After checking in, the first thing she did after getting to her room was to open herptop to send her resume and to look for a ce to rent. When she was done with everything, it was already 1 am.


    Even though she had not had a bite since morning, Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t feel hungry. She closed theptop and sat with her legs crossed on the bed, looking at the night sky out the window for a long time before getting down off the bed to use the bathroom.


    When she was in the shower, Cheng Qingchong saw through the reflection of the bathroom window the clustered kiss marks all over her body. They reminded her of how gentle Qin Yinan had been when kissing her on the nameless hill the previous night, and her hand that held the showerhead shivered violently.


    That passionate love-making that she had mistaken as love was nothing more than his revenge. She had thought that night would mark the beginning of a new and wonderful phase of her life, but it was the start of a nightmare.


    An indescribable pain and heavy despair twisted itself around Cheng Qingchong¡¯s chest. It was so heavy that it squeezed the breath out of her. She forced herself to look away from the mirror and focus on cleaning her body. She grabbed the towel to wipe her body, put on her pajamas, crawled into bed, and turned off the light. The room was dark. She stared at the ceiling, and tears involuntarily fell onto the pillow.


    That morning, before him, she didn¡¯t dare to cry.


    When she left, there were other people outside the elevator, so she still didn¡¯t dare to cry.


    Now, in the middle of the night, even when she was alone, she didn¡¯t dare to cry out loud.


    Actually, she wasn¡¯t a crier because no one would have cared about her tears.


    Last night, she couldn¡¯t stop herself from crying before Qin Yinan, and it was then that she realized she had considered him a confidant, and that was why she dared to cry before him. s, it was all a show. His kind action of wiping away her tears was added insult to injury.


    Cheng Qingchong really wanted to will herself to stop crying because no one would have cared if she died crying. s, her tears simply refused to stop.

 Chapter 986 Leave Before I Return 6

    The tears continued to gather until she found herself sobbing. She raised her hand and bit on it to stop the tears. She curled deeper into her bed, wrapping herself up under the cover, before she granted herself the release of crying.


    She thought she would never meet a person while she was still alive to draw her attention away from her Big Boss, but she really did. She really did want a genuine future with him, but she had squandered her chance. She didn¡¯t even have the courage left to apologize to him.


    She had never been in a rtionship, and she had never been the target of a boy¡¯s insistent pursue. This was the first time she had felt love, but her very first time had stung her so deeply.


    If only I could stop loving him...


    Every time Cheng Qingchong thought her tears had finished, a new batch would appear. After who knew how tears, even though her crying was soft, her throat still became raw, and she cried until her body started to shake. She gripped the mattress tightly to vent the waves of pain that assaulted her heart.


    Suddenly, through the cover, Cheng Qingchong heard the phone ring. She stopped crying, used the cover to wipe away her tears, and poked her head out to grab her phone to look at the caller ID.


    It was from Qin Yinan.


    Her eyes widened with disbelief. She pinched herself on her leg, and the pain made her realize she wasn¡¯t dreaming. She quickly epted the call.


    "Hello?" It was after she spoke that Cheng Qingchong realized how hoarse she sounded. She swallowed once to push the "how can I help you?" down her throat.


    On the other end of the phone, Qin Yinan didn¡¯t speak for a long time.


    Even though Cheng Qingchong couldn¡¯t see him through the phone, she could feel something was off. The little hope resting at the bottom of her heart dissipated. She gripped the phone and asked cautiously, "Why are... you calling... sote..."


    Qin Yinan cut her off. "Did the money in my bank ounte from you?"


    So, this is why he¡¯s calling me... Cheng Qingchong¡¯s eyes were filled with disappointment while she mocked herself in her heart. Why am I still holding onto hope? Thinking that he might call to apologize and make amends? I do know how to dream...


    "Did the moneye from you or not?" Qin Yinan asked again.


    Cheng Qingchong came to and quickly answered, "Yes..."


    "Why!" Qin Yinan¡¯s voice on the phone turned colder.


    Cheng Qingchong bit on her lips and stammered timidly, "It¡¯s to pay for the ring... and the presents you¡¯ve bought me..."


    Those presents had been bought on the pretext of deceit, and they weren¡¯t cheap. If she hadn¡¯t lied to him earlier, she wouldn¡¯t have minded it so much, but since it was she who had disappointed him first, it was only fair for her to clear the tab. The ring had been lost, and she had already used those presents, so she decided to return them to him in terms of cash.


    Hearing the exnation, Qin Yinan was silent.


    His breathing was startlingly clear in the middle of the night, causing the phone to slip slightly from Cheng Qingchong¡¯s palm. She bit on her lips several times before saying, "I¡¯ve made multiple calctions. That ring and those presents add up to about 230,000. The money I¡¯ve paid you is still not enough, so I¡¯ll pay you the remaining several ten thousand RMBter..."

 Chapter 987 Leave Before I Return 7

    "That won¡¯t be necessary!" Qin Yinan uttered coldly to interrupt Cheng Qingchong. "Those presents were bought to make you fall into the trap, so they were worth every penny! Furthermore, I haven¡¯t given you a cent of alimony from our divorce, so if you insist on giving me that money, consider it your alimony!"


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s eyes watered, and her tears, which had finally stopped moment ago, started to fall silently again.


    On the phone, Qin Yinan was silent. Realizing that Cheng Qingchong hadn¡¯t said anything in return, he scoffed condescendingly, and the derision in his voice was transferred through the electrical signal into Cheng Qingchong¡¯s ears. "Why aren¡¯t you saying anything? Is it because you think the amount is too low? Then again, for a liar, do you think you have any right to demand more money from me?"


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s face was drained of blood. She bit her lower lips tightly and tried to stop herself from making any noise. Her body was shaking from the force that she needed to stop herself from crying on the phone.


    Qin Yinan continued to mock, and since Cheng Qingchong still didn¡¯t respond in any way, he probably lost any interest in continuing this conversation, so after a few seconds¡¯ pause, he concluded easily and cruelly, "To be honest, I haven¡¯t even thought about giving you any alimony. The only reason I refuse to take the remaining few ten thousand from you is for the sake of my peace. So please, Miss Cheng, from now onward, stay as far away from me as you can. Don¡¯te looking for me with the pretext of loaning money or something of that sort because I really don¡¯t want to have anything to do with you anymore..."


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s slender body shook. A very small sob escaped from her bloodied lips. The sobbing was weak, and itsted barely a second. Cheng Qingchong quickly pushed her palm to her mouth to stop herself from crying.


    That sound was barely above a whisper, but Qin Yinan still captured it. His string of berating words suddenly stopped. He was silent for quite some time. Afraid that she might make a noise to expose herself, Cheng Qingchong bit on the ball on her palm. After a while, she realized she could just hang up the phone.


    However, before she could do that, Qin Yinan ended the call. The dial tone on the phone appeared intensely sharp in the quiet room.


    Cheng Qingchong sat there dumbly with tears falling down her face before shey back down in bed and closed her eyes. Qin Yinan¡¯s chilling tone filled her ears.


    "So please, Miss Cheng, from now onward, stay as far away from me as you can..."


    "... I really don¡¯t want to have anything to do with you any more..."


    Every time the phrases were repeated, Cheng Qingchong¡¯s heart twitched with pain. She raised her hands to mp them over her ears, but it only made his words louder in her mind. In the end, she surrendered herself to the torment. Hugging the cover, she curled into a fetal position and stared nkly out the window to wait for the sun to arrive.


    ...


    After that phone call, Cheng Qingchong really did disappear from Qin Yinan¡¯s life. It was not because she had purposely been trying to avoid him¡ªit was simply because they no longer belonged in the same world.


    Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t return to ST Empire after lying to Qin Yinan for the sake of Su Zhinian.

 Chapter 988 Hello, Sir, Goodbye, Sir 1

    Cheng Qingchong had signed a nonpetition contract when she entered ST Empire, so she could not return to a simr field for two years after her departure. Thus, she avoided personal assistant roles as a choice when she did her resume. Cheng Qingchong graduated from a good university with great results, and her first job after graduation was ST Empire, so her resume was golden.


    The current Cheng Qingchong was simr to the Cheng Qingchong who had just left university, with almost zero money in her savings ount. Beijing was a city with high living costs, so without waiting for it, Cheng Qingchong jumped at the hotel manager post offered by ¡¯Four Seasons¡¯ because they offered her the highest pay.


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s daily life was work on top of work; she shared the schedule with another hotel manager. For the first month of her new work, she was assigned the graveyard shift, but in the second month, she got the day shift.


    Time flew, and soon, the third month arrived, and she once more returned to the night shift. Beijing had started to enter spring. As the manager, Cheng Qingchong only needed to handle guests who ordered the presidential suite.


    The presidential suites at Four Seasons were separated ording to different levels as well. Many rooms were not open to the public and reserved for special individuals, like Room 8888 was always reserved for her former Big Boss, Su Zhinian.


    Of course, there were a few presidential suites that were bookable by the public, but due to the high asking price, most of the time, they would be vacant.


    Cheng Qingchong arrived at work at around 7 pm. After a simple dinner, she changed into the hotel uniform and took over the shift from the other manager. Then, she was informed there would be a VIP guest arriving at 9 pm that night for Room 1111.


    Cheng Qingchong, as hotel manager, would need to personally wee the VIP guests. At 8:50 pm, she came down from her top floor office and waited in the lobby.


    At 9:10 pm, a race car slowed to a stop before the hotel entrance. The valet rushed to get the door and a foreign gentleman came down.


    All the guests who booked the presidential suites would need to first send in their identity documents for verification. Cheng Qingchong lowered her head to nce at the picture attached to her work file and after confirming this was her guest, she walked forward and used her best working manner to greet him in English, "Wee Mr. Smith. I¡¯m the hotel manager, Cheng Qingchong. Wee to Four Seasons."


    "Nice to meet you, Miss Cheng," Mr. Smith extended his hand to Cheng Qingchong and replied in fluent Chinese.


    Despite her surprise, Cheng Qingchong maintained a professional smile on her face. She shook Mr. Smith¡¯s hand politely. She was about to usher Mr. Smith into the lobby when the car Mr. Smith just got out from opened once more, and another man stepped down from it.


    Cheng Qingchong turned toward it unconsciously, and when she saw the man, her brain stopped working.


    It was Qin Yinan whom he had not seen for a long time.


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s heart squeezed, and the words he had once told her repeated in her mind, "So please, Miss Cheng, from now onwards, stay as far away from me as you can..."


    If this was any other situation, she would have escaped instantly, but that was impossible; she was on duty to serve Mr. Smith.


    Cheng Qingchong gripped the file in her hand and tried to keep the smile on her face as best she could. When Qin Yinan straightened himself, she waved at the lobby, saying, "Mr. Smith, please."


    Following Cheng Qingchong¡¯s voice, Qin Yinan¡¯s gaze moved to fall on her face.

 Chapter 989 Hello, Sir, Goodbye, Sir 2

    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s breathing halted, and before meeting Qin Yinan¡¯s eyes, her head lowered. To ensure the quality of her service, Cheng Qingchong tried her best to ignore the sourness in her heart. She used the greatest speed she could to rearrange her feelings before raising her head to greet Qin Yinan politely. "Good evening, Sir."


    She didn¡¯t refer to him as Mr. Qin. He had already told her that he didn¡¯t want anything to do with her.


    He wasn¡¯t going to stay at Four Seasons that night because she didn¡¯t have his information, so she chose the most formal term of reference¡ªsir.


    Qin Yinan didn¡¯t react in any way. In fact, before she could finish, he already turned his head away to talk to Mr. Smith. He carried on as if she was someone of no import to him. Then again, that was indeed the correct way he should act; she was of no importance to him.


    Since she was at work, Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t waste too much time dealing with her own internal issues; she also tried her best to ignore Qin Yinan as she turned around and, with as stable steps as she could manage, lead Mr. Smith and Qin Yinan to the VIP elevator.


    After stepping into the elevator, Cheng Qingchong swiped her card and pressed the button for top floor.


    As the elevator moved upward, Qin Yinan maintained a constant conversation with Mr. Smith. Cheng Qingchong stood where she was like a mannequin with a smile stered on her face without breathing a word.


    The elevator opened when it reached the top floor. Cheng Qingchong bowed and waved her hand at the open door. After Mr. Smith and Qin Yinan walked out, she followed behind him and walked past them to get to the door of Room 1111. She swiped the room card and pushed the door open to wee them in.


    Cheng Qingchong stood at the door and after Mr. Smith took a quick tour of the room, she asked politely, "Mr. Smith would you like to have anything to drink?"


    Mr. Smith shook his head and pointed at the bathroom, telling her wordlessly that he wished to take a shower first. Then he nced at Qin Yinan. Thinking about the fact that his guest might need to wait for him, he asked, "Mr. Qin, would you like to have something to drink?"


    Qin Yinan nced Cheng Qingchong¡¯s way, but his answer was directed at Mr. Smith. "Coffee."


    Mr. Smith turned toward Cheng Qingchong. "A cup of coffee, please."


    "Of course," Cheng Qingchong replied with a smile.


    Just as she was about to close the door, Mr. Smith called after her, "Right, before I forget, please help me prepare some supper."


    "Of course, Mr. Smith." Cheng Qingchong walked back into the room to pick up the menu to pass it to Mr. Smith. "What would Mr. Smith like to have?"


    Mr. Smith looked through the menu quickly before putting it down. As he pulled the cupboard open to retrieve a pair of slippers, he answered Cheng Qingchong, "The B Set, thank you."


    "Of course, Mr. Smith," After a pause, she asked, "Do you wish to have the supper brought to the room or served at the restaurant?"


    Then, Cheng Qingchong politely took the slippers away from Mr. Smith to remove the stic wrapping before squatting down and puting the slippers neatly before the man¡¯s feet.


    Qin Yinan, who was leaning against the table not far away, saw how reverent and deferential Cheng Qingchong was acting and frowned lightly.


    "The restaurant will be fine."


    "Of course, Mr. Smith. I¡¯ll have someone inform Mr. Smith when the supper is ready."


    As Cheng Qingchong stood up, Qin Yinan moved his head away to look out the window as if this had nothing to do with him.

 Chapter 990 Hello, Sir, Goodbye, Sir 3

    The coffee Qin Yinan requested was soon served. Mr. Smith was still in the shower, and Qin Yinan sat alone in therge living room, looking through the paper.


    Cheng Qingchong walked lightly to ce the cup of coffee on the coffee table before Qin Yinan, asking, "Sir, would you like to add any sugar or milk to your coffee?"


    Qin Yinan stared at his newspaper and didn¡¯t respond.


    Cheng Qingchong waited awkwardly beside the table. When she realized he was not going to talk to her, she ced the china bowls with sugar and milk down beside the coffee cup.


    "Sir, enjoy your coffee," she politely said before hugging the tray and leaving the room.


    When the supper was ready, Cheng Qingchong first gave Mr. Smith¡¯s room a call. After ensuring they were ready, she personally went to lead them to the restaurant. Simr to how she led them to the room, Cheng Qingchong walked in front while Mr. Smith and Qin Yinangged behind to talk about work.


    Cheng Qingchong knew from their conversation that Mr. Smith came to China this time to discuss a cooperation with Qin Yinan. The presidential suite at Four Seasons had been booked by Qin Yinan in Mr. Smith¡¯s name.


    The restaurant was almost empty at that time of night. Cheng Qingchong led Mr. Smith and Qin Yinan to a window seat. After she helped them with the table setting, she asked the waitress to serve the supper.


    Since Mr. Smith and Qin Yinan seemed like they were going to discuss business over supper, Cheng Qingchong tactfully stood quite a distance away from their table.


    There was a client near the restaurant entrance who identally knocked a te off the table. Most of the restaurant waitresses were off the clock already, so it was Cheng Qingchong who rushed forward to ask with concern, "Miss, did you hurt yourself?"


    The client shook her head.


    Cheng Qingchong smiled and helped the client retrieve a new te before squatting down to hurriedly pick up the shattered pieces.


    ...


    When the te fell on the ground and crashed into pieces, Qin Yinan unconsciously turned toward the sound. Initially, he didn¡¯t think much of it until he saw Cheng Qingchong bend down and used her bare hands to pick up the pieces. It was then that his lips tensed involuntarily.


    Now that he thought about it, it had been almost two months since hest saw her.


    It had crossed his mind multiple times to check up on how she was doing, but he didn¡¯t really act on it. It was not until today when he saw her at Four Seasons that he knew she had entered the hotelier business.


    It had to be said that she was the perfect manager, so perfect¡ªthat it annoyed him for some reason.


    Out of the corner of his eyes, Qin Yinan saw Cheng Qingchong¡¯s body shudder. He turned toward her and managed to catch a glimpse of a bloody cut on her finger. Even though the wound looked quite serious, she didn¡¯t seem to feel the sensation of pain because the next second, she returned to her calm self and continued to pick up the pieces. She wrapped them up carefully in a cloth and walked toward the bathroom.


    When Cheng Qingchong came out from the bathroom, Mr. Smith had just finished his supper. He stood up alongside Qin Yinan.


    Qin Yinan didn¡¯t follow Mr. Smith upstairs, so thetter had Cheng Qingchong send Qin Yinan away. Cheng Qingchong nodded with a smile. After Mr. Smith returned to his room, Cheng Qingchong did as she was asked and walked Qin Yinan to the hotel entrance.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s driver was already waiting at the entrance.

 Chapter 991 Hello, Sir, Goodbye, Sir 4

    Cheng Qingchong stood at the door and bowed to Qin Yinan, who got into his car, saying, "Doe again, Sir."


    As she finished the sentence, the car door was mmed heavily in her face. Cheng Qingchong¡¯s body shook, and the smile on her face became rather awkward. However, as the ignition started and before the car left, Cheng Qingchong still tried her best to maintain a smile at Qin Yinan inside the car.


    Qin Yinan acted as if he didn¡¯t even see Cheng Qingchong; he moved his gaze away coldly from her tond on the rear-view mirror.


    As the car drove away, through the rear-view mirror, Qin Yinan could see Cheng Qingchong standing at the fountain in front of the hotel nkly for quite some time before turning to head back into the hotel.


    She didn¡¯t use the front door but a side door. Qin Yinan noticed a ster bandage on her hand that held the door open.


    The perfectly professional smile was still stered on her face. Perhaps Qin Yinan had imagined it, but he swore he saw a sh of sadness that flitted across her polite smile.


    She must have had it hard. She has always been thin, but now she¡¯s stick-thin; her face has lost so much weight that it looks rather skeletal.


    Qin Yinan looked at the rows of neon lights that shed across his car window, and for some reason, the scene of Cheng Qingchong squatting on the floor to help Mr. Smith with his slippers and her on the floor to pick up the shattered pieces appeared in his mind.


    Her post, the hotel manager, was merely a better title for the general maid, but the pay was slightly higher.


    As the thoughts filtered through Qin Yinan¡¯s mind, the annoyance he felt in Mr. Smith¡¯s room appeared once more.


    ...


    Perhaps due to Qin Yinan¡¯s sudden reappearance, Cheng Qingchong found her night shift extraordinarily long that night. When the morning finally came and her shift was over, she received a call from her mother saying that she had just returned from a trip with her friends to Europe. Their ne was going tond at Beijing Airport. She said that she wanted to see her daughter and her son-inw. She wished to stay for a few days before returning home.


    She had already been divorced to Qin Yinan for two months already. Cheng Qingchong knew that the secret couldn¡¯t be kept for long, but since she didn¡¯t know how to tell her parents. She had been postponing it, but now, her mother suddenly wanted to visit Beijing.


    Cheng Qingchong sat on the bus with a mounting headache. After she got off, she gave her mother a call, wanting toe clean on the phone.


    However, before she could say anything, her mother eximed excitedly that she had mailed some local treats to her address. She ordered her to keep them in the freezer, and when she arrived at Beijing, she would cook them for her and Qin Yinan. She even added that it was all Qin Yinan¡¯s favorite food.


    Cheng Qingchong found herself unable to get to the real purpose of her making that phone call.


    Eventually, she could only bid her mother goodbye with a heavy sigh.


    ...


    Mr. Smith stayed at Four Seasons for a full week. In that week, Qin Yinan visited Four Seasons many times, and Cheng Qingchong ran into him many times.


    Simr to how she had acted when she first saw him at Four Seasons, she maintained a professional and rather subservient attitude around him.


    On the day of Mr. Smith¡¯s check-out, Qin Yinan came to Four Seasons to send him to the airport.


    Just as Mr. Smith was leaving his room, his phone rang.


    Mr. Smith apologized to Qin Yinan before walking back into his room to take the call.

 Chapter 992 Hello, Sir, Goodbye, Sir 5

    There were only Cheng Qingchong and Qin Yinan left in the living room. Qin Yinan acted the same way he usually did, which was to treat Cheng Qingchong like a stranger. He leaned against the window to y on his phone. Cheng Qingchong stood at the entrance as her professional training requested her to.


    However, that day, Cheng Qingchong kept sneaking nces at Qin Yinan like she was struggling to say something to him but didn¡¯t have the courage to.


    Time trickled by, and Mr. Smith still showed no sign of ending his call. Cheng Qingchong gripped her hands tightly. If she didn¡¯t talk to Qin Yinan now, after he sent Mr. Smith away, she would have no opportunity to talk to him anymore.


    But... he hates me so much. If I ask him for this favor, he¡¯ll most likely justugh condescendingly at my face.


    Cheng Qingchong took a silent step toward Qin Yinan before sidling back to where she was. Mr. Smith finally exited his room five minutester. Cheng Qingchong recovered and maintained her professional smile until Mr. Smith and Qin Yinan left in the car.


    When she returned to her office, Cheng Qingchong received a message from her mother saying that she had just gotten onto the ne leaving Europe. Cheng Qingchong tossed her phone away and copsed onto her desk. She turned to look out the window, her heart heavy with worry.


    I still need to tell her the truth, but this is so hard to say over the phone. I should message her first to prepare her...


    Cheng Qingchong picked up her phone and tried to figure out the perfect way to formte her message. However, before she could type anything, someone knocked on her office door. It was the cleaner for Mr. Smith¡¯s room with a watch in her hand. "Manager Cheng, the guest left something behind."


    Cheng Qingchong put down her phone in a hurry to take the watch. Due to her recent constant contact with Mr. Smith, she recognized the watch immediately. He had probably dropped it when he was talking on the phone earlier. In his rush to leave, he probably didn¡¯t realize that he had dropped it. Cheng Qingchong called Mr. Smith¡¯s number, and the service center told her that the number was out of service.


    Has he got on the ne already? Cheng Qingchong struggled for some time before making a call to Qin Yinan.


    The call was picked up instantly, and Qin Yinan¡¯s gentle voice drifted through. "Hello, this is Qin Yinan."


    Cheng Qingchong couldn¡¯t remember thest time Qin Yinan used such a soft tone to talk to her, so her attention drifted off while holding the phone in her hand.


    "Hello? I¡¯m sorry..."


    Cheng Qingchong came to and immediately said politely, "Hello, Mr. Qin, we¡¯re calling from Four Seasons..."


    Before she could finish, Qin Yinan coldly cut her off. "What do you want?"


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s heart ached with pain. Gripping the phone in her hand, she continued as professionally as she could. "When we were cleaning the room, we realized that Mr. Smith has left his watch behind. We¡¯ve given his number a call, but it is already out of service. We¡¯re sorry for the inconvenience, but we had no choice but to call Mr. Qin."


    Cheng Qingchong paused before continuing. "Mr. Qin, if it¡¯s not too much trouble, is it possible for Mr. Qin to give us Mr. Smith¡¯s address so that we can mail him his watch? Or we leave the watch with Mr. Qin, and Mr. Qin can pass it over to Mr. Smith..."


    "In half an hour, I¡¯ll see you outside Four Seasons," Qin Yinan said tonelessly before hanging up directly.


    Cheng Qingchong was stunned for two seconds before she understood what he meant.

 Chapter 993 Hello, Sir, Goodbye, Sir 6

    He was going to pass Four Seasons soon, and she could give him Mr. Smith¡¯s watch then. Even though Qin Yinan said to wait after half an hour, Cheng Qingchong stood by the entrance after twenty minutes.


    She waited for fifteen minutes before Qin Yinan¡¯s car appeared and slowed to a stop on the other side of the street. It didn¡¯t seem like he was going to turn to the hotel, so Cheng Qingchong had no choice but to run across the street in her heels.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s window was rolled down. His driver was absent; it was Qin Yinan sat in the driver¡¯s seat, looking on his phone. His expression had the gentleness that Cheng Qingchong remembered. The memory struck her so suddenly that she stopped moving when she was around three meters away from his car.


    After some time, probably curious why Cheng Qingchong hadn¡¯t shown herself, Qin Yinan put away his phone and turned to look at the hotel.


    Meeting his gaze, Cheng Qingchong came to immediately. She lowered her gaze in a hurry, rushed to his car, and passed the watch that had been wrapped up in stic seal through the window. "Mr. Qin, Mr. Smith¡¯s watch."


    Qin Yinan nced at her without saying a word. After he grabbed the watch, he started the ignition.


    Cheng Qingchong immediately pulled her hands back. Standing beside the car, she looked at Qin Yinan. Her lips moved, but she didn¡¯t say anything. She didn¡¯t take a step back so that Qin Yinan¡¯s car could move away without hurting her.


    Qin Yinan waited, but since Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t show any sign of moving, he turned around with impatience to look at her. He didn¡¯t say anything, but his re did say a lot.


    Cheng Qingchong felt his re and bit on her bottom lip. She struggled for a while and finally decided to not say anything. She took two steps back, adding, "Take care, Mr. Qin."


    As she said so, Qin Yinan stepped on the oil pedal, and the car slowly moved away. Just as the window was going to be rolled up, Cheng Qingchong found a courage surge through her, and she shouted, "Qin Yinan."


    Qin Yinan stepped on the brake, and the car stopped.


    Cheng Qingchong stood at the back of his car with her hands gripping her uniform.


    Just what kind of emergency wouldpel her to call my name? Just as Cheng Qingchong was wondering what she had done, Qin Yinan¡¯s chilling voice came out from the car. "Is there anything else?"


    Cheng Qingchong turned around unconsciously, and through the rear-view mirror, she happened to meet Qin Yinan¡¯s emotionless eyes.


    These few days, she couldn¡¯t help herself from observing the man at work. Be it with the hotel workers or Mr. Smith, he would carry himself in the gentle and kind way Cheng Qingchong had associated with the man. She knew that he was a kind, patient gentleman, so she also knew that he must have hated her a lot to be able to adopt such an unfriendly and unapproachable demeanor whenever he interacted with her.


    "I..." Cheng Qingchong mumbled softly. "...I, I would like... to ask... ask you..."


    Cheng Qingchong stammered several times but was ultimately unable to finish her sentence.


    I would like to ask your favor to pretend that we¡¯re still married for a few days.


    Qin Yinan lost the little patience that he had. He pulled open thepartment, fished out a card, and tossed it out the window. "Miss Cheng, if there is anything else regarding work, please contact my secretary to schedule a meeting. I still have work to attend to."


    Then, Qin Yinan stepped on the gas pedal, and the car zoomed away, leaving Cheng Qingchong in the dust.

 Chapter 994 Dont Act Innocent In Front of Me 1

    Cheng Qingchong stood frozen, staring at a streetlight for a long time without moving. A wind gathered, blowing Qin Yinan¡¯s name card in the air. It fluttered and twirled before eventuallynding beside Cheng Qingchong¡¯s feet.


    Cheng Qingchong then pulled her gaze back to turn to the ground. Using the streetlight, she could see the content of the card clearly.


    Chen Yang¡ªSecretary.


    She clearly knew his personal number, and he knew hers as well. They obviously knew each other, but he told her to refer to his secretary instead if she had anything to discuss with him. If this was not a way for him to rify the state of their rtionship, she really didn¡¯t know what was...


    ...


    Cheng Qingchong returned to her office, and after cing Qin Yinan¡¯s card in her desk drawer, she threw herself into her work. Cheng Qingchun busied herself with the clients until 3 am. Her colleagues were drained, and some of them copsed directly onto their desks.


    The office was quiet. Cheng Qingchong held her face in her hands, and she stared silently out the darkened window.


    This was a habit that she had formed after her divorce to Qin Yinan. Whenever she found herself with free time on her hand, she would turn toward a random direction and space out. It would always end the same way, with the threat of tearsing to her eyes.


    Cheng Qingchong raised her hands to rubs her face to prevent the tears from forming. She grabbed her phone, stood up silently, and went to the bathroom.


    Inside the bathroom, Cheng Qingchong received another message from her mother. They were picture messages of male wallets and watches. "Qingchun, I hear from my friends that these are all internationally-famous brands, how about I buy one for Yinan?"


    Gi and Hermes. Indeed, these were internationally renowned brands, and one would cost her parents one whole year¡¯s worth of their retirement funds.


    Cheng Qingchong felt something catching in her throat. She took a deep breath to calm herself before typing a reply. "It¡¯s not necessary. He has all this stuff already. Please don¡¯t waste money."


    "What are you talking about? This is not a waste of money. Your father has specifically reminded me to buy a present for Yinan... Qingchong, what do you think of the second watch? The salesgirl told me it¡¯s thetest model, and it¡¯s limited edition," her mother replied via a voice message.


    "It¡¯s too expensive," Cheng Qingchong replied.


    She was about to add more when her mother¡¯s next voice message came. "It¡¯s not that expensive. Furthermore, Yinan has his ownpany now; it won¡¯t look good if it¡¯s too cheap, right?


    "Don¡¯t worry, we have some savings. As long as you two are happy, money is not that important.


    "Furthermore, when you got married, didn¡¯t Yinan¡¯s mother given you a bangle? ording to your father, that piece is worth tens of thousands, so of course, we will need to repay the kindness ordingly..."


    Her mother continued to send in a series of voicemails, and thest one was... "Okay, I¡¯ve bought it already. Please don¡¯t tell Yinan about it, I want it to be a surprise!"


    Afraid that it might worry them, Cheng Qingchong hadn¡¯t told her parents about her divorce.


    Every time they called her, they would inquire about Qin Yinan. She had always been an obedient child, so they bought her lies easily, and they believed she had been living a happy, married life in Beijing.


    Her parents came from normal background, and her family really didn¡¯t have a lot of savings. The only reason they were willing to splurge so much on Qin Yinan was because of her.

 Chapter 995 Dont Act Innocent In Front of Me 2

    All in the hopes that he would treat their daughter better...


    Cheng Qingchong stood in the toilet for a long time before moving back to her office. She sat staring at herputer for a while before finally pulling the drawer open to retrieve the card that Qin Yinan had given her.


    She had been hesitating whether to call him for help or not, but she really didn¡¯t have the courage to ask this favor from him. She knew, better than anyone, how much he hated her, so why would he help her?


    But she really didn¡¯t have the heart to see her parents saddened. Furthermore, knowing her mother, after she found out that she was divorced, she would start to worry endlessly about her life. Cheng Qingchong couldn¡¯t bear to have that on her conscience.


    Cheng Qingchong alternated between the choices until her shift ended. When she reached home, she finally summoned the courage to give Qin Yinan¡¯s secretary a call. Qin Yinan¡¯s secretary recorded her name and phone number, and he promised her that he would inform Qin Yinan of her call first thing in the morning.


    Cheng Qingchong thanked him before hanging up. Lying in bed, Cheng Qingchong, who hadn¡¯t had a good night¡¯s sleep, stared at the ceiling until her drowsiness caught up to her.


    ...


    Qin Yinan had to be personally involved in many things since hispany was new. His schedule was jam-packed; there were endless meetings for him to attend, countless documents to read, and numerous projects to approve. Even during recess that afternoon, he was reading some document at thepany canteen.


    After lunch, on the way back to his office, a female worker ran past in a hurry holding a lot of documents. She identally knocked into Qin Yinan, and all her files fluttered to the floor. The female worker shivered in fear and repeated multiple times, "I¡¯m so sorry, CEO Qin."


    Qin Yinan didn¡¯t get angered in any way; he even asked her kindly, "Are you alright?"


    Following which, he bent down to help her gather the documents. The female worker was so shocked by this development that all she could do was bow and thank him repeatedly.


    Qin Yinan smiled gently at her and told her, "Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s fine. Just remember to be careful next time, don¡¯t hurt yourself."


    Then he took a step back to let the girl past first and continued to his own office.


    Back in his office, Qin Yinan booted up hisputer and started to work.


    After a while, the secretary came in with a cup of coffee. Even though Qin Yinan was typing on hisputer, he stopped to thank him politely.


    The secretary seemed to have gotten used to Qin Yinan¡¯s kind demeanor. He stood before his desk and reported the situation around thepany. The head of the HR department had made some mistake that morning, and as the secretary went over the report, he snuck a look at Qin Yinan¡¯s expression. He thought he would be able to catch a rare dissatisfaction on his boss¡¯ face, but Qin Yinan merely concluded it with a "remind him to be more careful next time," before moving on to another topic.


    The secretary continued for another ten minutes before finishing everything on his file.


    Qin Yinan thought that was all, but when he flipped open another document, his secretary said, "CEO Qin, there¡¯s one more thing."


    Qin Yinan stared at theputer screen and asked gently, "Yes?"


    "Ady called this morning with the intention to schedule a meeting with CEO Qin."

 Chapter 996 Dont Act Innocent In Front of Me 3

    Qin Yinan responded with a soft "hmm", urging his secretary to continue.


    "Thedy has the surname, Cheng..."


    The lips of Qin Yinan, who could maintain his cool in every kind of situation, twitched tensely when he heard the name ¡¯Cheng¡¯.


    "Full name, Cheng Qingchong. She wished to talk to CEO Qin personally, so CEO Qin, should I schedule..."


    It was then that the secretary realized that something was off about Qin Yinan¡¯s expression. With a sh of surprise in his eyes, he stopped talking altogether. Even though he had only been Qin Yinan¡¯s secretary for a few months, Qin Yinan¡¯s temper, or theck thereof, had already be a stuff of legend. He had never been angry no matter how big the mistake his worker made; he would always discuss it calmly with everyone toe up with the solution.


    Chen Yang had never heard a single curse worde out of Qin Yinan¡¯s mouth. Even if he was busy and someone needed to see him, he would vacate his time to the best of his ability to listen to the other party.


    Chen Yang studied Qin Yinan for a while before confirming his boss was truly angered. He suppressed his burgeoning surprise and finished his earlier sentence. "... schedule a meeting?"


    Qin Yinan stopped typing. He didn¡¯t look up at his secretary but stared at hisputer screen for a long time. Instead of answering the question, he said, "Leave me to think about it first."


    During the meeting that afternoon, Chen Yang kept observing Qin Yinan, but the man was no different from his usual kind, gentle, polite, and humble self. It was as if the displeasure he had seen that afternoon was merely a figment of his imagination.


    The work that day continued until 7 pm. Before leaving work, Chen Yang dropped a document Qin Yinan wanted in his office. Qin Yinan wasn¡¯t working but stood before the window, smoking a cigarette.


    When he heard the door open, he merely turned around slightly. He raised his hand rather mechanically to take a deep breath before turning back to the window to slowly create several smoke rings in the air.


    Through the reflection on the window, Qin Yinan could see his secretary ce the document on his desk and bow at him before turning to walk toward the door. Just as Chen Yang pulled the door open, Qin Yinan suddenly said, "Wait a minute."


    Chen Yang turned around. Qin Yinan frowned like he was deep in thought. After snuffing the cigarette out, Qin Yinan slowly turned around, and leaned slightly against the window and remarked, "There¡¯s a brief opening in my schedule tomorrow, yes?"


    "Yes, CEO Qin."


    "Give her a reply to inform her toe to thepany tomorrow."


    Chen Yang was baffled by Qin Yinan¡¯s sudden deration before he soon realized that the "her" referred the Miss Cheng who had called that morning. He nodded in a hurry and said, "Of course."


    Qin Yinan lowered his head wordlessly.


    His secretary bade him farewell and left his office.


    Qin Yinan leaned against the window and stared at the shining chandelier in his room like there was something about it that captured his attention before sighing an exceptionally long breath.


    ...


    Due to her meeting with Qin Yinan that afternoon, Cheng Qingchong had a very restless sleep. She woke up several times in the night.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s secretary had only told her that Qin Yinan could see her in the afternoon without a specific time, so she arrived at Qin Yinan¡¯spany at 12 noon.

 Chapter 997 Dont Act Innocent In Front of Me 4

    After listening to her exnation, the receptionist called the CEO¡¯s office, and the reply she got was¡ª"CEO Qin is currently quite busy. Miss Cheng, please wait for him."


    Qin Yinan¡¯spany had just started, so unlike ST Empire, which contained an entire building, there wasn¡¯t even a resting area attached to the ground floor lobby. Thus, Cheng Qingchong could only stand at the door and wait.


    She hadn¡¯t had lunch, but afraid that she might miss Qin Yinan, she didn¡¯t dare leave. When she left home that morning, she wore rather high heels. Her calves were quite sore after standing for a while, so she leaned against the wall to ease the pain.


    Cheng Qingchong waited for four and a half hours before the receptionist called her again. When Chen Yang came to get Cheng Qingchong, they didn¡¯t share a word as Cheng Qingchong was led to the CEO¡¯s office.


    When Qin Yinan started thepany, he hade to her for some of her thoughts in terms of interior design. She had googled lots information for him and mailed him several types of design style. He had modified some of her designs and sent them to the manufacturingpany.


    At the time, he had even promised that when thepany started to gain profit, he would bring her to visit thepany they designed together. When she heard him say that, she had been rather happy.


    However, her happiness didn¡¯tst long. They soon got divorced, and when hispany had its opening, she had lost the right toe pay it a visit. Hispany really did follow many of their initial design ideals, and the real effect looked much better than on paper. However, she didn¡¯t have the luxury or ease of mind the enjoy them. As they neared the door to the CEO¡¯s office, her heart filled with anxiety.


    The secretary knocked thrice on Qin Yinan¡¯s door, and a voice that Cheng Qingchong couldn¡¯t have been more familiar with drifted out from within. "Come in."


    Chen Yang pushed the door open for Cheng Qingchong and said, "Miss Cheng, please."


    Cheng Qingchong forced a smile at him before taking deliberate steps into his office. Then the secretary closed the door carefully behind her. As the door clicked shut, Cheng Qingchong¡¯s heart also skipped a beat.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s office was rather huge. His desk faced the door directly, and behind him was a whole row of bookshelves with various kind of documents crowding them. He sat at his desk, talking on the phone, his voice soft and gentle.


    Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t interrupt Qin Yinan and stood quietly waiting at the door. After five minutes, Qin Yinan hung up, raised his head to look at her before pointing at the sofa, and told her, "Sit."


    Cheng Qingchong raised her eyes to look at him but stood where she was.


    Qin Yinan noticed she hadn¡¯t moved, but he didn¡¯t push her. He pulled out a cigarette from a box on his desk, lit it, stuck it between his fingers, and took a puff from it before asking, "What important thing does Miss Cheng want to discuss with me?"


    Even though Cheng Qingchong had practiced this speech many times in her house before she came, when she was living the moment itself, she still became rather flustered.


    Qin Yinan finished half of his cigarette, and through the haze, he nced at the silent woman and spoke once more. "Miss Cheng, I still have other business to attend to; I don¡¯t have all day to waste with you."

 Chapter 998 Dont Act Innocent In Front of Me 5

    "I..." Afraid that Qin Yinan might suddenly chase her out, Cheng Qingchong blurted out a single word. Then she bit on her lips and struggled for a long time before finally uttering in a soft voice, "...My mother ising to visit Beijing next Tuesday..."


    Qin Yinan seemed to be stump by this sudden deration. He held the cigarette in his hand for some time before saying, "What has that got to do with me?"


    What has that got to do with me? The question was like a knife shooting directly at Cheng Qingchong¡¯s heart, causing the color to drain from her face instantly. He¡¯s right... We¡¯re already divorced after all...


    Qin Yinan¡¯s one question caused the rest of the things Cheng Qingchong wanted to say to get stuck in her throat.


    Qin Yinan stared at her for a while before the reality dawned on him. He frowned slightly before asking, "Don¡¯t tell me, your parents still don¡¯t know that you¡¯re divorced?"


    Cheng Qingchong bit her lower lip even harder, and she lowered her head wordlessly.


    Seeing this, Qin Yinan knew that his guess was right. He looked at the top of her head for a while before realizing her purpose of being there. He narrowed his eyes to ask, "So, the reason you came to see me today is to want me to pretend in front of your mother that we¡¯re still married, right?"


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s head lowered even more, and she softly replied,"Yeah..."


    Qin Yinan suddenly started scoffing. He chastised her with derision and condescension. "Woman, you¡¯re still the same; you haven¡¯t learned anything it seems. The first solution thates to your mind is to lie and cheat."


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s body shivered slightly, and her fists tightened. Her fingernails pierced into the ball of her hands, but she had lost all sensation of pain.


    The way she was acting, for some reason, broke the strain of kindness and patience that Qin Yinan was born with. He pressed the cigarette against the bowl harshly and stood up from his chair. He picked up some document and walked toward the door as he hissed through gritted teeth, "I¡¯m telling you, don¡¯t even think about it. I will never lower myself to your level to maliciously lie to another human being. I advise you toe clean to your mother about the actual status of our rtionship. I have a meeting to attend to, so make yourself scarce..."


    As Qin Yinan brushed past her, Cheng Qingchong, with an unusual surge of courage, reached out to grab his sleeve.


    Qin Yinan stopped moving and sternly warned, "Let go!"


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s hand shivered twice. Her grip loosened slightly before she tightened the grip on his shirt again.


    Qin Yinan turned around and was about to use the document in his hand to smack her away when he saw Cheng Qingchong¡¯s tears fell on the back of her hand that held his shirt.


    Qin Yinan suddenly stopped moving as if petrified. He felt many needles poking his heart, causing it to quiver with pain. The pain incensed his already high temper, and he roared angrily at her, "Cheng Qingchong, stop acting all innocent in front of me. You¡¯re making my stomach turn!"


    Cheng Qingchong, who had her head lowered, raised her eyes to look at him unconsciously, and there was such unfamiliarity in her eyes like she couldn¡¯t recognize who she was looking at anymore.


    Her lips fell open, and her hand that held his shirt moved anxiously twice like she was about to let go, but she didn¡¯t.

 Chapter 999 Dont Act Innocent In Front of Me 6

    Thinking about her mother¡¯s messages and their heartache-filled gazes, Cheng Qingchong held her breath and pleaded in a minute voice, "Please, just this once..."


    As she said so, tears poured out of her eyes. As if afraid that he might see her tears, she quickly lowered her head.


    Her tears fell on his shirt, and that wet stain seemed to carry a great force within it, knocking the breath out of Qin Yinan. His heart squeezed from perceived trauma, and the next second, he shoved Cheng Qingchong rudely away, causing her to stagger several steps back to introduce some distance between them. He then growled with immense anger, "Aren¡¯t you a woman of any sly means? Why do you need me? Since you¡¯ve managed to keep me so dumbly cheated for so long, why can¡¯t you do the same to your mother? I repeat myself, I will not help you. Even if you get down on your knees to beg me, I will not help you, so you¡¯d better give up while you still can!"


    Qin Yinan¡¯s shove was quite forceful; he sent Cheng Qingchong flying into his office door. Her forehead knocked into the solid wood, causing a red bruise to instantly form on her fair skin.


    However, she didn¡¯t seem to feel pain. With her back on the door, she had her head lowered, listening to his lecture. When he was done, she slowly raised her head, but each time her head raised to reach the level of his shirt, she quickly moved her head away.


    She was shell-shocked like a trauma victim, and it took her a long time before her lips finally moved.


    Qin Yinan thought she was going to beg him, but even though her lips moved, she didn¡¯t make a sound. After about half a minute, her lips slowly closed. With tense lips, she straightened herself, turned around slowly, and reached out toward the door knob of the closed office door.


    She really didn¡¯t know whether her heart had died or had gotten used to the sensation of paid, but regardless, she simply couldn¡¯t feel anything from her heart anymore.


    She hade to him for help perhaps because she secretly still held out hope, or perhaps she was hoping some parts of the kindness that he had once shown her came from his sincere heart. Even if he might not love him, she thought he perhaps might give face to his once-inws who had been nothing but perfectly nice to him.


    Thus, she had gathered all her courage ande to visit him. However, she realized she waspletely wrong; the Qin Yinan she knew, the Qin Yinan who she thought was the kindest man she had ever met, was nothing more than a lie. He had shown her the truth, and it was time for her to ept it.


    If that was the case, there was nothing else she could do but leave.


    Cheng Qingchong twisted the door knob, and before the pulling it open, she hesitated whether to say goodbye or not. Then sheughed at herself for being so stupid. What am I thinking? How is that necessary? It¡¯s obvious that he cannot wait for me to leave, so why should I waste my breath?


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s lips stretched to a thin line. She pulled the door open, and with her head lowered, she walked out slowly.


    Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t turn to look back. She closed the door lightly behind her and walked toward the elevator.


    She only took several steps when she heard a loud banging from the room behind her like something heavy falling on the floor.


    She didn¡¯t turn or stop. If anything, she only picked up pace as she rushed toward the elevator. She waited for it to open. She walked into it, closed the door, and left the building.

 Chapter 1000 Ill Sleep on the Sofa 1

    Chen Yang stood up when he saw Cheng Qingchong leave Qin Yinan¡¯s office. He was about to knock on his door to remind him of an uing meeting when he heard a loud crash from within. His footsteps stopped immediately from shock.


    One minuteter, when he made sure there was no other sound from inside the room, he sidled up to the door quietly and knocked lightly on it thrice. He waited for a long time, but there was no answer. Just as he was hesitating over whether to push the door open to take a look or just turn around, the door was suddenly pulled open.


    Chen Yang was spooked and raised his head in a hurry to look at Qin Yinan. He blurted out, "CEO Qin, the meeting..."


    Qin Yinan ran past him like he wasn¡¯t even there. The elevator reached the first floor, and as Qin Yinan walked out of it, several of hispany workers wereing in.


    "Good afternoon, CEO Qin," they greeted him nicely.


    Qin Yinan didn¡¯t even acknowledge them with a nod. He ignored them fully and dashed toward the entrance. He looked left and right before rushing across the street ignoring the streams of busy traffic. He rushed to the side of a taxi and reached out to pull out Cheng Qingchong, who was in the middle of climbing into it.


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s eyes were incredibly red, and underneath her wet eyshes was a register of apparent surprise.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s lips pressed tightly, and his hand that grabbed her arms unconsciously tightened. Without giving her the chance to say anything, he lowered his head to her ear and uttered in an icy voice, "I hope you live up to your promise this time and this will happen just this one time."


    His words were so sinct that Cheng Qingchong¡¯s eyes that stared at him were confused like she was asking him wordlessly what he was referring to.


    Qin Yinan noticed the confusion in her eyes, but he didn¡¯t feel like exining himself. He released his grip on her arm, turned around, and went back the path he came from. It was not until his shadow disappeared into hispany that Cheng Qingchong realized what had happened.


    The taxi that she had hailed had already left, so she quickly called for another and asked the driver to send her to Four Seasons.


    The traffic was rather busy, and the car was stuck in a jam. Cheng Qingchong looked out the window at the many neon signs that wereing on one after another, and it was then the she realized that Qin Yinan¡¯s words referred to her pleas when she was holding onto his shirt.


    This means that he has agreed to help me? But why did he suddenly change his mind?


    ...


    Even though Qin Yinan had promised to help Cheng Qingchong, over the next two days, they were still like strangers and had zero interaction.


    Before Mrs. Cheng got onto the ne, she messaged Cheng Qingchong, telling her that she would arrive at Beijing Airport in another 17 hours.


    Cheng Qingchong nced at her phone and continued to follow up on a customer checking out. When she finished her job, it was already 11 pm. She hesitated for a moment before giving Qin Yinan a call on his phone.


    Qin Yinan hadn¡¯t fallen asleep yet, so the call was picked up quickly. Through the phone, Cheng Qingchong could pick up the sound of typing. He¡¯s still working sote at night?


    Before the thought settled in her mind, Qin Yinan¡¯s annoyed tone said, "Yes?"

 Chapter 1001 Ill Sleep on the Sofa 2

    Ever since their divorce, every time he talked to her, his tone would be pointed and filled with impatience.


    Even though she had heard it many times already, Cheng Qingchong still couldn¡¯t stop herself from being affected by it. Her finger rubbed the screen of the phone to distract herself from the pain in her pain, and she said carefully, "Mother will be arriving at Beijing by 5 pm tomorrow, so she might need to stay..."


    Even though he had promised to help her, he had done nothing to that effect. She had moved everything away from his home, and when her mother arrived at Beijing, it would seem out of ce to have her located at the hotel when there was an empty guest room at his ce...


    Cheng Qingchong bit on her lower lips and summoned her courage to continue.


    "...at home, so... can Ie over to your ce to decorate it..."


    Qin Yinan, on the other end of the phone, didn¡¯t say anything. Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t know what this meant, so she had no choice but to carry on. "Don¡¯t worry, I will not leave too many things at your ce. After Mother leaves, I¡¯ll clear away everything. I promise I will not be too much trouble..."


    Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t know how long her mother was going to stay at Beijing, but she added, "...I¡¯ll also try my best to get my mother to leave as soon as possible, so she won¡¯t be too much of a disturbance to your life..."


    Qin Yinan suddenly hung up. The dial tone on the phone was long and empty, causing Cheng Qingchong¡¯s heart to be unnecessarily worried.


    Before hanging up on her, Qin Yinan concluded the phone call with a simple sentence. "I¡¯ll give you my key tomorrow morning."


    ...


    Before Cheng Qingchong left work, she applied for several days of holiday. After she changed out of her uniform and left Four Seasons, she heard a car honking not far away. She turned towards the sound and saw Qin Yinan sitting inside his car.


    Cheng Qingchong walked towards him, but before she could say anything, Qin Yinan dropped the key through the window into her arms, turned the steering wheel, and left.


    When she returned home, Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t rest. She packed some of her stuff and hurried to Qin Yinan¡¯s home.


    Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t carry many things with her, she ced several pairs of shoes in the shoe rack, nted some female everyday items in the bathroom, and hung two of her clothes on the balcony to create the illusion that she was living there.


    After unpacking, Cheng Qingchong returned to her own rented home and rested until 3 pm before she departed for the airport.


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s mother arrived punctually at 5 pm.


    The pair of mother and daughter hadn¡¯t met for a long time, so they chatted for a while. When they were ready to leave the apartment, Mrs. Cheng looked around like she was searching for something. Then she asked, "Qingchong, Yinan didn¡¯te with you?"


    The day of her wedding aside, this was the first time Mrs. Cheng had been to Beijing. As the son-inw, Qin Yinan had all the reason and responsibility to be there. Cheng Qingchong knew about this as well, but she was no longer in a married rtionship with Qin Yinan. It was already one thing for him to agree to y along with her; she really didn¡¯t have the guts to ask for more.


    Cheng Qingchong lowered her head to hide the dimness in her eyes, and she said with forced levity, "He did want toe fetch you, but he has an important client to meet this afternoon, so he couldn¡¯t pull himself away."


    "I see..." Mrs. Cheng nodded understandingly and didn¡¯t show any sign of displeasure. "Then, let us go home quick to prepare dinner lest Yinanes home to an empty table."

 Chapter 1002 Ill Sleep on the Sofa 3

    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s lips curved into a smile, and just as she replied with an "okay", her phone rang. She stopped talking and pulled the zipper of her bag open to retrieve her phone from it. When she saw the caller ID, Cheng Qingchong was stunned for a moment. When she saw her mother looking her way curiously, she immediately answered the call. "Hello?"


    "Fetched your mother already?" Qin Yinan¡¯s cold voice asked.


    Cheng Qingchong was still shocked from Qin Yinan¡¯s sudden call, so she collected herself before answering rather mechanically, "Yes."


    "Where are you now?"


    Qin Yinan¡¯s tone was still icy, but this was their first normal conservation since their marriage, so Cheng Qingchong found herself rather unused to it all. She looked around for a sign before replying, "B4 exit."


    Qin Yinan stopped talking. Cheng Qingchong waited for a while before moving her phone to look at it. The signal was fine. When she was about to raise the phone back to her ear and ask if he was still there. Mrs. Cheng, who stood beside her, suddenly pulled on her arm and gasped, "Wait, isn¡¯t that Yinan?"


    Cheng Qingchong followed the direction her mother was pointing and realized she was right. Qin Yinan in a beautiful suit was pushing through the crowd to head towards them.


    When he saw Cheng Qingchong and her mother, he hung up on his phone. He closed the gap in a few steps and apologized politely and kindly to Mrs. Cheng, "Mother, I¡¯m so sorry. I rushed over the minute the meeting was over, but I¡¯m still toote."


    Mrs. Cheng was exceptionally happy when she saw Qin Yinan. "You shouldn¡¯t havee. Qingchong can fetch me just fine. I understand that you¡¯re busy."


    "How can I note in person to fetch you?" Qin Yinan pulled the luggage from Mrs. Cheng¡¯s hands and said, "My car is just down there,e on."


    Mrs. Cheng followed Qin Yinan, and when she saw Cheng Qingchong still standing there spacing out, she turned around to ask, "Let¡¯s go, Qingchong, what are you doing standing there?"


    Cheng Qingchong recovered. She hastily pulled her gaze away from Qin Yinan and replied a swift, "Coming."


    On the way home, Mrs. Cheng chatted happily with Qin Yinan. Qin Yinan maintained a calm and polite demeanour. No matter the enquiry from Mrs. Cheng, he answered with absolute. In fact, when they were stuck in traffic, he even pulled out a bottle of mineral water, twisted the cap open, and passed it to Mrs. Cheng.


    Cheng Qingchong, who saw this whole scene, had aplicated feeling in her heart.


    This was the Qin Yinan that she had known when she first met him, gentle, kind, polite, and gentlemanly.


    Once upon a time, she had admired this side of him. In fact, when he was being cruel to her, she still found herself cherishing this gentler side of him.


    But now, when he had reverted to this gentler self, she found her heart breaking with an even greater pain.


    Because she knew he was acting.


    He had used this side of him to steal away her heart little by little...


    ...


    Qin Yinan didn¡¯t drive Mrs. Cheng home but took them to Golden Corner. Qin Yinan ordered a tableful of food to wee Mrs. Cheng.


    Throughout the dinner, Qin Yinan kept serving Mrs. Cheng food and pouring her tea¡ªhis performance could only be described with one word: perfection.


    When they finished dinner and paid the bill, it was 8:30 pm. They reached home at 9:30 pm.


    Mrs. Cheng had just flown for more than ten hours that day, so she was exhausted. After they stepped through the door, Cheng Qingchong led her mother to the guest room and helped up fill up the bathtub.

 Chapter 1003 Ill Sleep on the Sofa 4

    Cheng Qingchong left the room only after her mother had retired for the night. Qin Yinan was no longer in the living room; the lights were off, but the television was on with its volume tuned down to its lowest, casting the hall in flickering lights.


    Since they were ying the part of a married couple, naturally, they had to sleep in the same room. Furthermore, Qin Yinan¡¯s apartment only had three rooms and one living room. Two of the rooms were designed as bedrooms while the remaining one had been repurposed into a study. Mrs. Cheng had used one of the two bedrooms, so only the main bedroom remained.


    The light in the study was off, so Cheng Qingchong knew that Qin Yinan was in the main bedroom. She struggled for a long time at the door before pushing the door lightly open and walking in.


    Qin Yinan had probably just taken a bath because his hair was still dripping with water. He was leaning against the headboard, looking through a document. When he heard the door open, he raised his eyes slightly to nce at the door.


    Cheng Qingchong lowered her eyes in a hurry before their gaze met. She closed the door carefully, and with a step that was as light as possible, she moved toward the bathroom. When Cheng Qingchong finished her nightly routine and came out of the bathroom, Qin Yinan was still busy with his work.


    Afraid that she might disturb him, she took the hair-dryer and slunk out the bathroom. She stood in the kitchen that was furthest from his bedroom to dry her hair.


    When Cheng Qingchong returned to the bedroom, Qin Yinan was no longer holding the document but aptop. In the crook between his neck and shoulder sat a cell phone. As he talked on the phone, he kept typing on the keyboard. From the conversation, Cheng Qingchong got an idea that he was sending an email.


    She ced the hair-dryer back in the bathroom cupboard and startedbing her hair in front of the mirror. When she was done, she slid noiselessly into the bedroom, deposited herself on the sofa and focused her attention to her phone. She tried to be as non-obstructive as she could be.


    The bedroom was quiet other than Qin Yinan¡¯s typing and the asional speech by the man as he responded to the caller on the other end of the phone. His words were soft and wrapped themselves warmly like a nket around Cheng Qingchong¡¯s heart.


    Cheng Qingchong, who was reading on her phone, slowly moved her attention to follow Qin Yinan¡¯s voice. Eventually, she stole a look at the man through the mirror in the room.


    Ten minutester, Qin Yinan hung up. Afraid that he might discover she was watching him, Cheng Qingchong quickly lowered her gaze back to her phone. Qin Yinan typed for about one minute on hisptop before he suddenly stopped.


    The silence in the room became increasingly awkward. Qin Yinan raised his eyes off theptop to look at the clock. It was already 11 pm. He then turned to look at the woman who seemed to have frozen on the sofa, and several secondster, he closed hisptop, got out of bed, and headed into the bathroom. When he came out, he turned off the lights. It seemed like he was going to sleep already.


    As the bedroom light dimmed, Cheng Qingchong came to. She raised her head and turned towards the shadow of a man in the room, asking, "Finished with work?"


    Without Mrs. Cheng, the gentleness and kindness she had witnessed that afternoon hadpletely disappeared. He grunted in response.


    Cheng Qingchong gripped her phone several times She thought about it and finally decided to say something that had been on her mind the whole day.


    "Thank you."


    Even though it was merely a show, one that had no authenticity, she still owed him her thanks. At least, he had lessened the worry in her mother¡¯s heart, making her believe that she had found a good husband and was leading a great life.

 Chapter 1004 Ill Sleep on the Sofa 5

    Even though Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t borate, Qin Yinan understood what she meant. He chuckled mirthlessly before saying, "Don¡¯t thank me. After all, this is no skin off my back, right? You should be worried about your mother; the happier she is now, the greater the despair she will feel when she finds out about the truth. After all, the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. You should know how that feels..."


    You should know how that feel... She did understand what he meant; it was he who gave her hope as high as the sky before mming her cruelly down into the abyss of disappointment. The color of blood slowly drained from Cheng Qingchong¡¯s face. She didn¡¯t speak, but a bouquet of bitterness started to bloom in her heart.


    The room became quiet. After some time, Cheng Qingchong raised her head to look at Qin Yinan. Pretending he hadn¡¯t just said those hurtful things, she told him nicely, "I¡¯m sorry for taking so much of your time today. Tomorrow, I¡¯ll bring my mother to go shopping. We will not disturb you anymore."


    Qin Yinan scoffed coldly, and his expression filled with condescension. "Don¡¯t you worr¡ªI¡¯ll be very busy tomorrow. Even if you drag me to apany your mother, I wouldn¡¯t be able to!"


    She said those things mainly because she didn¡¯t want to make him unhappy, but in the end, it backfired... He must hate me a lot to be able to find fault with everything I say, everything I do...


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s nail pinched the ball of her palms, and her tone was no longer as calm as before. "Also, the money for tonight¡¯s dinner, I¡¯ve already sent it to your ount."


    Qin Yinan frowned and walked toward the bed without saying anything. He pulled off the cover andy in it. Cheng Qingchong stood beside the sofa for some time before raising her eyes to look at the king-sized bed. She contemted it for a while before moving toward it.


    Qin Yinan didn¡¯t even nce at the woman who was approaching him. He sought out his phone and logged into his bank ount. There was indeed a transfer from Cheng Qingchong.


    The woman has not only given me the dinner money but also the airport parking fee and toll money...


    An indescribable fury surged through the man¡¯s veins. Qin Yinan tossed his phone aside, and it just so happen tond on the side of the bed that was unupied.


    Cheng Qingchong shrunk back from his sudden aggression. After some time, she moved back to the sofa and said, "I¡¯ll... sleep on the sofa."


    Qin Yinan chuckled to himself and ignored Cheng Qingchong. He turned in bed to show her his back.


    Cheng Qingchong took two careful steps forward to grab a pillow and softly bade him good night before turning around hugging the pillow.


    Before Cheng Qingchong could turn to leave, Qin Yinan sat up in bed. His action was so sudden that even the bed shook. Cheng Qingchong¡¯s body shivered from his sudden action. She instinctively took a step away from the bed. She nced at the man out of the corner of her eye. She saw the man¡¯s tightened jaw as Qin Yinan jumped toward her to grab her wrist and pull her into bed without warning.

 Chapter 1005 Ill Sleep on the Sofa 6

    Cheng Qingchong gasped with surprise as she raised her dimmed eyes to look at Qin Yinan. Qin Yinan¡¯s lips were tense, and his chest rose unevenly like he was suppressing some kind of anger.


    Cheng Qingchong had never seen this side of Qin Yinan before, so she shrunk back involuntarily in fear.


    This reaction from her, for some reason, snapped a nerve within Qin Yinan. He reached out to grab the pillow in her arms and threw it on the floor. Then, he pulled off her pajamas roughly and lowered his head to leave a love-bite on her neck.


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s mind went nk. It was not until all her clothes had fallen off her body that she realized what was happening. She reached out unconsciously to block Qin Yinan, but that resistance only made him increase his strength. Using one hand to pull both of her arms up and secure them above her head, his other hand ravaged the rest of her body savagely.


    He was like a beast assaulting her body forcefully and harshly, without any trace of gentleness and love.


    This time, he was not as gentle as he was on the nameless hill. The man seemed to have morphed into the manifestation of his carnal desire, savage and vigorous.


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s body quivered with pain, but since she was not as strong as he was, no matter how hard she struggled or how much she begged, she could not escape his grasp. If anything, it only made him punish her even harder. In the end, she could only bit on her lips and surrender to him.


    After a while, he started to be gentle, and the atmosphere in the room turned scious.


    Infected by the physical sensation, both of them started to get into the mood. His hands that held her wrists slowly rxed, and his hands fell on her bare skin. She did not push him away, and before the main event urred, she even reached out to grab him on his shoulder. She closed her eyes, and her face burned.


    Perhaps it was the heat of the moment or perhaps she did like him, she surrendered to the reaction of her body and slowly submerged herself into the illusion of that particr moment. She forgot about how much he hated her; it was as if she had an out-of-body experience like it was some kind of dream. She even breathed out his name naturally.


    "Yinan..."


    Her voice was so soft that he had a hard time telling what it was, but that did not stop his body from reacting to the seductive effect of her breathy words.


    They fell into the ecstasy of carnal joy and the height of the experience. She yelled out his name again, each call clearer than the one preceding it.


    "Yinan... Yinan... Yinan..."


    As she called his name, the originally gentle man suddenly turned aggressive. He gripped her chin tightly and painfully, forcing her to open her eyes to look at him. When he saw that he had gotten her attention, hemanded angrily, "Have I given you the permission to call my name in such a manner?"


    His voice was like a bucket of cold water, drenching the fire within her immediately. Her blushed face slowly nched, and her eyes that looked at him started to fill with tears.


    The man suddenly turned violent. Her whole body was shivering with pain, but he ignored thatpletely. He ravaged her cruelly and crazily, and when it was all over, he jumped away like he could not wait to get away from her.

 Chapter 1006 Save the Pity Party 1

    He did not even acknowledge her with a look but turned to walk into the bathroom. The air-conditioner in the room was set on high because it was a summer night. Without Qin Yinan¡¯s embrace, Cheng Qingchong shivered from the cold.


    Her body had been so savagely destroyed by Qin Yinan that she needed some time lying in bed,pletely immobile, before she could feel her limbs again. She pulled on the cover to wrap it over her body. She turned slightly in bed to curl into herself before she felt the unease in her body started to get better.


    The sound of rushing water came continuously from the bathroom. Cheng Qingchong knew that Qin Yinan was taking a shower.


    Is he trying to wash away my touch and scent from his body? Cheng Qingchong¡¯s eyes dimmed. Of course, he is. What other possibility could there be?


    After all, when she was consumed by the heat of the moment and called out his name, he even had the faculty of mind to stop her. He could not give up his hatred toward her even at a time like that.


    Furthermore, when he released himself, before she could evene down from the passion, he escaped from her quickly like she was nothing more than a stress-release tool to him. Cheng Qingchong curled into herself deeper, and her tears fell uncontrobly onto the bedsheets.


    It did feel like revenge and torture, the way he took her body. There was no trace of emotion or feeling. He must have hated her a lot to use this most direct method to humiliate her, to ruin her dignity.


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s tears continued to flow. Just as a sob was about to escape her lips, the sound of water in the bathroom stopped. The door was pulled open, and Qin Yinan stepped out from it.


    Cheng Qingchong hurriedly bit on her lips to use the pain to stop her tears. She held her breath, and as she buried her face into the bedsheet, she used the fabric to wipe away her tears.


    Qin Yinan used the hair-dryer for only a few minutes before he walked toward the bed. His hair was short, so it dried quickly.


    Listening to the encroaching footsteps, Cheng Qingchong¡¯s body tensed. She did not dare turn to look at Qin Yinan. Using her senses, she knew that he had reached the side of the bed. He waited for a few seconds before he reached out to pull the messy cover away.


    Qin Yinan yanked the whole cover off the bed.


    He climbed into the unupied side of the bed. When he pulled the cover back, he felt a moisture at the edge. Qin Yinan frowned, and his fingers rubbed the surface. Then it hit him, and he turned to look at Cheng Qingchong.


    Using the dim light in the room, Qin Yinan saw the woman¡¯s incredibly reddened eyes. Even though she tried to stop her tears from falling, she could not stop the mist from gathering in her eyes.


    As a single tear escaped her eye, Qin Yinan¡¯s heart flinched with pain. His body trembled, and his expression froze.


    Half a minuteter, he slowly came to. His Adam ¡¯s apple moved up and down twice before his expression turned severe. "Cheng Qingchong, why are you crying? If I remember correctly, you love crawling into a man¡¯s bed to be taken, right?"

 Chapter 1007 Save the Pity Party 2

    Love to be taken by a man... He¡¯s mocking me about what I did for Big Boss? The usation was like a sharp knife, splicing Cheng Qingchong¡¯s chest open before sticking deep into her heart.


    Once upon a time, she had given up everything for the man that she admired, but now that act of sacrifice became a weapon for another person to mock her with. Ultimately, who could she me but herself?


    She did that thing willingly; it was she who started this chain of event, so she had to suffer the consequences.


    Facing Qin Yinan¡¯s humiliation, all Cheng Qingchong could do was bite on her lips, lower her head, and say nothing.


    Looking at her acting that way, for some reason, Qin Yinan only got more incensed. He didn¡¯t hold back and continued to mock her. "What? Or have you forgotten how you removed your own clothes to crawl into my bed? You¡¯re a slut, so act like one and stop the pity party! Do you think I¡¯ll feel sorry for you? Cheng Qingchong, save it. Do you really think this will work on me? To tell you the truth, you¡¯re just a convenience for me to take advantage of..."


    Qin Yinan¡¯s lips split into sarcastic smirk, and he continued with malice. "...But, it seems like you¡¯re at least a little bit interested in me... I¡¯ve already treated you so badly, but you still lost yourself and called out my name when I touched you earlier... Huh... You¡¯re truly the sluttiest and the most shameless woman I¡¯ve ever met in my life..."


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s hands gripped the cover unconsciously. The tears that fell from her eyes suddenly stopped. Afraid that he might continue to insult her further, her eyes darted around with panic before she uttered in a trembling voice, "You... you still need to work in the morning. Sleep... sleep early. I¡¯ll... I¡¯ll go... over there."


    She pointed broadly at the sofa before shuffling away in bed.


    Qin Yinan hated Cheng Qingchong a lot; he wished hell upon her. Thus, every time he saw her, he woulde up with ways to humiliate her, but when he did, he did not feel better in any way. Instead, it would only make him feel angrier. As he saw her shuffle hurriedly away from him, with a surge of anger, he grabbed a pillow and tossed it rudely onto the floor.


    Cheng Qingchong was scared frozen by his sudden action.


    Qin Yinan coldly scanned the woman before hissing angrily, "Didn¡¯t you say you¡¯re going to sleep on the sofa. Then what are you doing standing there? Waiting for me to invite you to join me in bed?"


    Cheng Qingchong rushed toward the sofa with faltering steps. When she passed the pillow that was dropped on the floor, she bent over to pick it up. She jumped onto the sofa without releasing the pillow. She pulled the pillow close to her heart and curled into a ball.


    The sofa was not big, only 1.6 meters in length, but curling into a ball, the woman still left a huge expanse of space on the sofa.


    She did not take a new cover but pulled a random nket to wrap around her body. Qin Yinan could see her body shivering underneath the thin nket; it was difficult to tell whether she was crying or it was because of the cold.


    Looking at the scene, Qin Yinan¡¯s lips moved, but in the end, he said nothing. He pulled the cover harshly, turned around, and tried to sleep.

 Chapter 1008 Save the Pity Party 3

    When Cheng Qingchong woke up the next morning, Qin Yinan was already in the dining room, having breakfast with Mrs. Cheng.


    Afraid that Mrs. Cheng might notice her bloated eyes and ask her about it, Cheng Qingchong spent a long time in the bathroom, applying a wet towel drenched in cold water over them, and even put on heavy make-up and a pair of sses before leaving the bedroom.


    When Cheng Qingchong came out for breakfast, Qin Yinan had already left for work. She helped her mother clean up before they left together. This was the second time Mrs. Cheng had been to Beijing. The first time was to attend her daughter¡¯s wedding. Everyone had been too busy with the preparation to go sight-seeing, so when this time, Cheng Qingchong made a lot of ns to make up for lost time.


    She first took her mother to the Old Pce. They left at 2 pm and went to enjoy a lunch of Peking Duck. Then, they took a stroll around Wang Fu Jing before heading home at 5 pm. After putting away the clothes that she had bought for her mother and father, she followed her mother to the nearby mall to purchase some ingredients for dinner that night.


    When Qin Yinan returned home, the dinner was almost ready. Qin Yinan retained his filial appearance when he was around Mrs. Cheng. Noticing how busy the elderly woman was in the kitchen, he put down his car key, changed into his casual outfit, and wandered into the kitchen to offer his help.


    The kitchen was small, and with three people standing in it, it appeared even more cramped.


    Due to the incident fromst night, Cheng Qingchong tried to stay as far as she could from Qin Yinan. However, even so, she still found herself brushing up identally against him.


    Qin Yinan acted perfectly like nothing out of ce had happened, but the levity on Cheng Qingchong¡¯s face could not be maintained any longer. Afraid that her mother might see through her, she gave a random excuse and left the kitchen.


    Cheng Qingchong stayed in the living room, listening to the various sounds that came out from the kitchen: the sound of the extractor fan, the sound of chopping, the rushing of water, her mother¡¯sughs and the multiple pleasantries that fell naturally out of Qin Yinan¡¯s lips.


    The atmosphere was nice, but Cheng Qingchong¡¯s gaze that stared out the darkening window started to dim.


    ...


    The kitchen door was pulled open, and Mrs. Cheng yelled, "Qingchong, what are you doing standing there by the window? Come, help serve the food."


    Cheng Qingchong immediately pulled her attention back and answered, "Coming."


    She collected herself before turning around with a business smile and headed toward the kitchen.


    It was Mrs. Cheng¡¯s intention to cook for Qin Yinan, but in the end, it was Qin Yinan who was manning the stove.


    When Mrs. Cheng saw her daughter walk in, she handed her the ready dishes, telling her to put it on the dining table.


    There was only three of them, but the dinner was scrumptious with five dishes and one soup.


    Mrs. Cheng and Cheng Qingchong were the first to take their seats. When Qin Yinan arrived with the soup, Mrs. Cheng urged him to sit down and turned to order Cheng Qingchong, "Qingchong, serve the soup."


    "It¡¯s okay, I¡¯ll do it." Qin Yinan picked up thedle and reached out his other hand to take the bowl.


    When Mrs. Cheng ordered her, Cheng Qingchong¡¯s hand already went for the bowl.


    So naturally, Qin Yinan¡¯s handnded on hers.

 Chapter 1009 Save the Pity Party 4

    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s hand trembled greatly, and the bowl slipped from her hand like she was shocked. Thankfully, Qin Yinan reacted faster than her and managed to save the bowl from crashing to the ground.


    Mrs. Cheng saw this and couldn¡¯t help herself from nagging Cheng Qingchong. "Qingchong, what¡¯s wrong with you? You can¡¯t even hold a bowl properly."


    Cheng Qingchong suppressed the roiling tides in her heart and turned to pout at her mother.


    Qin Yinandled a bowl of soup and served Mrs. Cheng with both hands.


    Mrs. Cheng moved her gaze away from Cheng Qingchong onto Qin Yinan. Shemented with a smile, "Qingchong has always been clumsy since she was a child. Hopefully, she didn¡¯t give you too much trouble."


    Qin Yinan shook his head with a smile. Hedled another bowl of soup and ced it before Cheng Qingchong. Then, he added, "I find this clumsy of hers rather cute."


    Mrs. Cheng instantly broke into a wide smile. "Yinan, you¡¯ll end up pampering her too much."


    Qin Yinandled another bowl of soup for himself and didn¡¯t respond to Mrs. Cheng¡¯sment. After he took a sip of it, he saw Cheng Qingchong still maintaining the half-standing posture she assumed when her mother asked her to serve the soup. He frowned slightly and reminded her gently, "Qingchong, what are you doing standing there? Sit down and eat."


    Qingchong... He just called me Qingchong... Cheng Qingchong turned to look at Qin Yinan unconsciously. The man¡¯s face was filled with a gentle glow, but he didn¡¯t acknowledge her gaze.


    I sure am dumb. I knew he would act this way when mother is around, but I still can¡¯t help my heart from skipping a beat when he calls my name. Cheng Qingchong tried her best to ignore the rising disappointment in her heart. She sat down, lowered her head quickly to mask her anxiety, and took a sip of the soup.


    The taste is so familiar... When she was ¡¯pregnant¡¯ and was recovering from the ¡¯miscarriage¡¯, he would stew many different types of soup for her to aid her recovery.


    When she married him, he was already a good cook, but he didn¡¯t know much about soup. Probably afraid that she might get bored drinking the same soup every day, he bought a bunch of cooking books and would spend every hour of his day learning new recipes.


    She enjoyed the soup that he made, and her favorite was the chicken soup that he had incidentally cooked that day.


    He also knew that was her favorite, so there was one period where he would cook it for her daily. She was so in tuned with the taste that, even though she hadn¡¯t had it for months already, with just one sip, she could recognize it as his handiwork.


    Something seemed to lodge itself in Cheng Qingchong¡¯s throat, and she found herself unable to swallow the soup in her mouth. Her eyes were prickling with tears, and her fingers that held the bowl were quivering.


    No wonder he would hate me sopletely. He treated me so nicely and so sincerely once. It was me who trampled on his sincerity and kindness.


    Just like the dinner yesterday at Golden Corner, Mrs. Cheng kept chatting with Qin Yinan while Cheng Qingchong would only chime in when spoken to directly.


    The television in the living room was still on. When the dinner was almost finished, there was a baby diapermercial on television. The conversation at the table had reached a lull, so the sound of the baby¡¯s gurglingugh was exceptionally loud.


    Mrs. Cheng turned around to look at the television. As the fair and cuddly baby crawled all over the screen, she sighed deeply before turning to face Qin Yinan and spoke with some traces of regret and apology.

 Chapter 1010 Save the Pity Party 5

    "Yinan, actually, I¡¯ve been meaning to tell you this, but I¡¯m afraid it might peel back old wounds, so I have been keeping it in my heart..."


    Mrs. Cheng paused and sighed before continuing.


    "Please don¡¯t me Qingchong when she lost the baby from her idental fall at herpany; she didn¡¯t mean it. It was an ident.


    "That her first time pregnant, and she was too careless. I know it sounds like I¡¯m siding with Qingchong because I¡¯m her mother, but she was also very saddened by the miscarriage, so please don¡¯t me her. I¡¯m so worried that you will me her, so please don¡¯t..."


    Listening to her mother, Cheng Qingchong¡¯s head lowered even more. She gripped the pair of chopsticks tightly and suppressed the rising urge to dash out the room. She was ravaged by guilt. This was her plot, but it had caused her mother such unnecessary worry.


    The room was quiet for about half a minute before Qin Yinan answered in his gentle as water tone, "Mother, don¡¯t worry. Of course, I don¡¯t me Qingchong. If anything, this is my fault. I should have stayed at her side to look after her. In fact, I should have put my foot down to insist that she stay at home when she was pregnant instead of allowing her to go to work..."


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s face burned with shame as Qin Yinan¡¯s words drifted into her ears.


    "I¡¯m so d that have heard you say that." Mrs. Cheng¡¯s words had audible relief in them. "But you¡¯ve been working hard for two years already. Don¡¯t get me wrong, it¡¯s a good thing for a young man like yourself to achieve greatness in his career, but don¡¯t forget about your family. When Qingchong is pregnant again, I promise I will help you take care of her. After all, I¡¯m already retired and have no pressing matters on my hands."


    Qin Yinan shed a perfect smile. "That would be perfect. With Mother¡¯s help, I¡¯m sure everything will be fine."


    Mrs. Cheng smiled in return, and the atmosphere in the room rxed again. Elderlies were prone to go off at a tangent. Even though there was no pregnancy in sight, Mrs. Cheng couldn¡¯t help herself from reminding Qin Yinan about the things that they should be careful about when they had a baby in the future.


    Qin Yinan didn¡¯t show any trace of impatience, chatting kindly with Mrs. Cheng.


    After dinner, when Mrs. Cheng was clearing away the table, she suddenly handed the work over to Cheng Qingchong and rushed into her temporary bedroom like she was reminded of something.


    The moment Mrs. Cheng left, the smile on Qin Yinan¡¯s face disappeared without a trace, and even the air around him became heavy with chills.


    Cheng Qingchong was so scared that she didn¡¯t even dare breathe too audibly. She cleared away the tes cautiously, and when she carried the empty tes into the kitchen, Mrs. Cheng came out of the bedroom with a bag in her hands.


    Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t close the kitchen door, so when she was washing the dishes, she could hear her mother tell Qin Yinan, "Yinan, this is a little something from me and your father. Hopefully, you will like it."


    "Mother, you shouldn¡¯t have! Plus, it is me who should be preparing presents for the both of you, not the other way around! You shouldn¡¯t have wasted money on me."


    "What are you talking about? It¡¯s not a waste. After you married our Qingchong, we already considered you our son, so how can you call gifting our son a small present a waste? Yinan, your father and I don¡¯t live in Beijing, so we are greatly appreciative of you for helping us take care of Qingchong. If she iscking in any way, please do be tolerant of her..."


    Cheng Qingchong tuned herself out from the rest of the conversation. She lowered her head to focus on doing the dishes as fat tears fell into the sink.

 Chapter 1011 Save the Pity Party 6

    When Cheng Qingchong exited the kitchen, Qin Yinan was no longer in the living room; there was only Mrs. Cheng left, sitting on the sofa, watching the television. Cheng Qingchong sat down beside her mother to join her, and out of the corner of her eyes, she realized that was a strip of light underneath the door to the study.


    Duringmercial, Mrs. Cheng went into the kitchen to cut up some fruits. She ced them on two tes and passed one to Cheng Qingchong, pushing her to give it to Qin Yinan.


    Cheng Qingchong was afraid to face Qin Yinan alone, but she was more afraid of her mother seeing through her ploy, so she could only smile, ept the te, stand up, and head toward the study.


    She knocked on the door lightly, and when she heard the "Come in", she pushed the door open slightly. Then, Cheng Qingchong could hear Qin Yinan¡¯s voiceing from the open balcony. "I¡¯m so sorry, I know I¡¯m supposed to join the business meeting, but an emergency came up. I¡¯ll definitely treat you to a meal when the opportunity next shows itself... Again, I apologize, goodbye."


    After he hung up, Qin Yinan turned back to the room. When he saw it was only Cheng Qingchong, he turned his gaze back. He pressed a quick series of number on his phone and made another call. "Wasn¡¯t there a meeting that I¡¯ve missed this afternoon? Have it moved to tomorrow morning. Also... send me those few documents that I haven¡¯t finished reading at the office; I¡¯ll go over them now..."


    Cheng Qingchong ced the fruit te soundlessly on the study desk. Then she left. However, before the door closedpletely, Cheng Qingchong could hear Qin Yinan lower his voice to say into the phone, "I might not be able to clear my schedule for these next few days, so do move my appointment to ater date..."


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s hands that gripped the door knob tightened slightly. Qin Yinan is pushing back his work because Mother is here? But hispany just opened, and he needs to form rtionship with his clients... The first conversation I overheard was him apologizing to a potential client whom he had a meeting with tonight?


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s lips tightened, and she stood at the door for a while before returning to the living room to join her mother on the sofa.


    Mrs. Cheng had a habit of sleeping and rising early, so when her favorite television drama ended at 9:30 pm, she retired to the bedroom. While Mrs. Cheng showered, Cheng Qingchong went into the kitchen to heat a ss of milk for her. While she waited for the milk to warm, Cheng Qingchong booked two hot spring vacation tickets on her phone.


    When Cheng Qingchong entered Mrs. Cheng¡¯s room, Mrs. Cheng was justing out of the bathroom. Cheng Qingchong grabbed the hair-dryer and helped her mother dry her hair. She passed the ss of warm milk to her mother and said, "Mum, I don¡¯t think we¡¯ll be able to make it to the Summer Pce tomorrow..."


    "Huh?" Mrs. Cheng took a sip of the milk and turned toward Cheng Qingchong with a questioning gaze.


    ...


    On the way back to his room to grab some documents, Qin Yinan happened to pass the guest bedroom.


    The door wasn¡¯t closed, and he could hear Cheng Qingchong¡¯s lowered voice drifting out.


    "Yinan has a friend who owns a vi in the mountain hot springs. He gave Yinan twoplementary tickets, and he just passed them to me when I served him the fruit te.


    "Mum, let¡¯s go to the hot springs to rx tomorrow. The scenery there is gorgeous, and we can stay there to unwind for two days beforeing back to the city..."

 Chapter 1012 Remember to Take Your Medicine 1

    "Then what about Yinan? He¡¯s noting with us?"


    "He won¡¯t be able to make it..." Qin Yinan stopped at bedroom door as Cheng Qingchong answered on his behalf. Through the half-open door, he could see Cheng Qingchong turn toward Mrs. Cheng apologetically, "Mum, Yinan told me, he¡¯s really sorry that he can¡¯t apany you daily because of work."


    Mrs. Cheng smiled understandingly. "Yinan, that child sure is a good person. I came to Beijing to visit the both of you, not to create unnecessary trouble. He should focus on his work. As long as you apany me, it¡¯s fine."


    Cheng Qingchong smiled in response. She took the empty ss from her mother and said, "It¡¯s gettingte, Mom, rest well."


    As the pair of mother and daughter got up from the sofa, Qin Yinan lowered his head and left in a hurry.


    ...


    After Mrs. Cheng got into bed, Cheng Qingchong turned off her light, exited the room, and closed the door as lightly as she could. She unconsciously nced toward the study; the door was open, and the lights were on. Qin Yinan was probably still working within. Cheng Qingchong hesitated for a moment, but she didn¡¯t walk toward it lest she disturbed Qin Yinan. Instead, she turned silently toward the main bedroom.


    As she pushed open the door, Cheng Qingchong saw Qin Yinan lying against the headboard, reading some documents.


    Cheng Qingchong, who thought he was in the study, was shocked. She stood at the door for a few seconds, but the man was so caught up in his work that he didn¡¯t seem to have noticed her. She took a stealthy step into the room, closed the door, and rushed to the bathroom with her head lowered.


    When she came out after taking a warm bath, Qin Yinan had already put down the document. He stood before the window, holding a cup of hot tea in his hands, sipping it leisurely.


    Qin Yinan was facing away from Cheng Qingchong, so she gathered her courage to study the man. They had just parted from each other for a few months, but the man had gotten more mature than she remembered. Amid his usual kindness and warmth, there was an indescribable vigor, one that added to his charm.


    Even though she was no longer working at ST Empire, she still had contacts in the business field, and she would receive asional updates on him through her social contacts.


    Even though hispany had just started, it was developing well. In one or two years, he would be one of the shiniest stars in Beijing¡¯s business circle. Then, he would no longer be in the same world as her; she would need to admire him from afar like how she did with her former Big Boss...


    Qin Yinan suddenly turned, and his eyes met Cheng Qingchong¡¯s gaze, which had been studying him. Cheng Qingchong shook from shock and lowered her head in a hurry to focus her eyes on her knees. Did he realize I¡¯ve been watching him?


    Cheng Qingchong gripped the edge of her shirt anxiously when she heard the man¡¯s footsteps slowly moving toward her and finally stopping before her.


    Cheng Qingchong was so nervous that her breathing stopped. The man bent over slightly to ce the cup in his hands on the coffee table before her. Then he straightened himself up. However, he didn¡¯t walk away from her side.


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s palms were wet with sweat. She rubbed some of them off on her sleeves and snuck a nce at Qin Yinan out of the corner of her eyes.


    Qin Yinan, who was actually ying on his phone, just so happened to turn his head when Cheng Qingchong nced at him, and their eyes met perfectly.

 Chapter 1013 Remember to Take Your Medicine 2

    Cheng Qingchong was so spooked that her fingers trembled, and her eyes quickly darted away. Qin Yinan still stood beside her and didn¡¯t seem like he was going to move.


    She didn¡¯t dare to sneak a nce at him anymore because she didn¡¯t know whether he was ying on his phone or looking at her.


    The room was quiet, and the atmosphere grew increasingly awkward.


    Cheng Qingchong fidgeted in her seat. Just as she was about to crack under pressure, she suddenly remembered something and raised her head in a manner that was as calm as she could to look at Qin Yinan. "Er..."


    He didn¡¯t react in any way to her words; he kept his eyes focused on his phone.


    "...I¡¯ll be going to the hot springs with my mother tomorrow, and we won¡¯t be home for two days and two nights."


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s words sounded exceptionally loud in the quiet room. The original n was to visit the Summer Pce, but when she followed her mother¡¯s orders to send the fruit te to his study, she overheard him dying his work for their sake, so she came up with the sudden change of ns to not interrupt with his work.


    "So, you can busy yourself with your work and don¡¯t need to worry about us." She had no idea whether Qin Yinan was listening to her or not, so she stopped talking out of sheer awkwardness. She bit on her lips before continuing. "Mother has booked a ticket back home next Wednesday. Taking away the two days spent in the hot springs, there¡¯ll only be three days left..."


    Qin Yinan¡¯s eyes that looked at the phone screen darkened. The edge of his lips tensed involuntarily, and the conversation between Cheng Qingchong and Mrs. Cheng that he had overheard reyed in his mind.


    At the time, he had thought she was merely brushing up his affection point in front of her mother. He had even mocked her for how fake she was. After all, they were already divorced, and eventually, the cat had to get out of the bag. How happy she made her mother was how disappointed and devastated her mother would be when the truth came out...


    But now, he realized, he was mistaken. She wasn¡¯t purely acting to fool her mother;she was being considerate toward him.


    Qin Yinan was indeed busy. To find time to apany Mrs. Cheng, he had even sacrificed his resting hours. Therefore, he should be happy that she was so considerate toward him... but for some reason, Qin Yinan found himself getting increasingly annoyed like there was something stuck in his chest.


    "I¡¯ll figure out a way to exin it to my mother, as long as you help me send her off at the airport when she leaves."


    As Cheng Qingchong continued to exin herself, the greater the feeling of congestion in Qin Yinan¡¯s heart.


    "So, feel free to busy yourself with your work. You don¡¯t need to take care of my mother and myself..."


    "You think I want to take care of you two?" Qin Yinan suddenly put away his phone and shot Cheng Qingchong an icy re. "Don¡¯t forget it was you who came to beg me at mypany. I¡¯m merely doing what I¡¯m supposed to!"


    Cheng Qingchong stopped talking, and her eyes that looked at him were slightly dazed. She was merely looking out for him, and he still managed to find a way to make it her fault. Is everything I do in his eyes something to criticize?


    Cheng Qingchong felt tearsing to her eyes, but before they fell, she quickly lowered her head. Just as she was turning her head away from Qin Yinan, the man suddenly reached out to grab her wrist and pulled her forcefully up from the sofa.

 Chapter 1014 Remember to Take Your Medicine 3

    His sudden movement made her turn toward her in panic. His eyes were colored with fear. Before she could get a good look at his face, he threw her onto the bed and climbed on top of her.


    His weight caused her breath to catch in her throat. With the experience from the night before, Cheng Qingchong had a good measure of what wasing. However, before she could prepare herself, her pajamas were shredded by the man and thrown to the floor.


    That night, he was even rougher than the night before. Last night, yes, he had not been gentle in any way, but at least there was kissing and forey. But tonight, he went straight for the main event.


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s mind was filled by the sensation of pain. It was as if her body was being dismembered alive.


    He pressed down on her heavily, refusing her any escape. He was so carnal that it felt more like a physical torment than an act of physical intimacy. This act of domination and torture chilled Cheng Qingchong¡¯s heart to its core. She gripped the mattress tightly and gritted her teeth to stop herself from making any noise.


    To distract herself, Cheng Qingchong started counting numbers silently in her heart, but whenever she reached the number 99, the pain would jangle up her mind, and she started back at 1. She didn¡¯t know how many times she had repeated this when he finally stopped, and simr to yesterday, he couldn¡¯t wait to get away from her.


    Cheng Qingchongy there,pletely exhausted, before she could feel her limbs.


    However, unlikest night, the man didn¡¯t rush into the bathroom to take a shower buty quietly beside her, staring at the ceiling like there was something on his mind.


    Cheng Qingchong was drained; she wanted to just drift off to sleep right there and then, but she knew he despised her, so she struggled up, crawled down from bed, grabbed a pillow, and retreated to her spot on the sofa.


    Her action woken him up. He turned to look at her with confusion, and about half a minuteter, it dawned on him what she was doing. A sh of enmity crossed his eyes, and the next second, he yanked on her wrist to squash her underneath him, and the whole thing restarted again.


    He was even more savage than before. Her body kept shaking uncontrobly, but she did not make a single noise. Her silence enraged him for some reason, and he became even rougher. When he was done, he practically mmed her against the headboard before walking away to use the bathroom.


    Qin Yinan twisted the faucet open, and when he was going to walk under the shower, he noticed blood on his body. He frowned and turned around in the mirror; there was no wound on him, so the blood...


    I was so rough that I injured her?


    Qin Yinan was dazed before he pulled out a towel, wrapped it around his body, and walked out of the bathroom.


    The weak Cheng Qingchong had already crawled down from the bed and was curled up on the sofa.


    The mattress was wrinkled, and there was a sh of red on the bleached cover.


    It is her blood... I¡¯ve injured that part of her...

 Chapter 1015 Remember to Take Your Medicine 4

    Qin Yinan walked toward Cheng Qingchong unconsciously to inspect her wound, but as he squatted down before her and reached out his hands toward her, she hugged the thin nket to her body and curled deeper into the sofa like he was some kind of monstrosity. Her whole body was shaking, and her wet eyes followed his movement cautiously.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s arms stopped in midair. He stared unblinkingly at Cheng Qingchong for a long time and swallowed deeply before pulling his hands back. Then, he stood up in a hurry and dropped a sentence in an airy tone. "Remember to take the pill¡ªI don¡¯t want a certain someone to use a child to leverage responsibility over me again!"


    Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Cheng Qingchong¡¯s body shake violently when he said that, and her face turned even whiter than the color of the walls. He felt like he had imagined it, but his heart also quivered with pain.


    This feeling made him nervous and worried. He rushed back into the bathroom without hesitation, turned on the cold shower, and started to clean himself.


    When Qin Yinan came out of the bathroom, Cheng Qingchong was incredibly quiet; it seemed like she had fallen asleep. Qin Yinan stood before the sofa, staring at her sleeping face for a while, and there was an urge that rose within him to walk toward her, pull her into a hug, and carry her into bed with him.


    However, he only took the first step before he resisted it. He turned and walked back to the bed.


    The night had fallen, and it was quiet. Qin Yinan listened to the ticking of the clock on the wall, and he didn¡¯t feel like sleeping at all.


    It was not until morning that he managed to drift off to sleep. However, he soon woke up because he felt the need to use the bathroom. When he opened his eyes, before he even got up, he saw Cheng Qingchong had already awakened. Hugging the thin nket, she sat on the sofa with her legs crossed, staring out the sky that was still dark.


    He forgot the fact that he had to use the bathroom and lost himself staring at her. He stared at her for a long time, and in that long period of time, she didn¡¯t even blink once. His eyes that stared at her had gotten sour with tears, but the woman had remained as still as before. There was an emptiness in her eyes that unhinged him.


    Her face was pale.


    The sky outside started to be bright. When the first ray of the sunnded on her face, it cast her skin in an eerily white glow. It was then that she blinked slowly and got up in a slow motion from the sofa.


    She didn¡¯t turn toward the door as she dragged her battered body of the bedroom and closed the door lightly behind her.


    As the door closed with a click, Qin Yinan¡¯s pupils turned slowly. He sat up in bed to look at the vacated sofa. He got down from bed to use the bathroom. When he was done, for some reason, he wandered over to where she sat earlier and sat down to look out the window that she was looking out earlier.


    There was nothing interesting other than the blinding light of the new sun. However, Qin Yinan still sat there for a long time. When he stood up, his hand brushed up against something wet. He turned to look and realized the thin nket the woman had kept wrapped around her body had a huge wet stain.


    He knew that was her tears. She must have cried through the night to be able to drench the whole nket in her tears.

 Chapter 1016 Remember to Take Your Medicine 5

    The evening two dayster, Cheng Qingchong and her mother returned home from the hot springs. It was Mrs. Cheng who prepared dinner. When the dinner was done, Qin Yinan still hadn¡¯t returned from work. Mrs. Cheng refused to start dinner without Qin Yinan, so Cheng Qingchong could only wait. Qin Yinan finally returned at 9 pm.


    The man looked extremely exhausted. He ced the key on the shoe rack and went into the bathroom to wash his hands before taking his ce at the dining table. After dinner, while Cheng Qingchong did the dishes, Qin Yinan didn¡¯t retire to his study but sat in the living room to apany Mrs. Cheng.


    After finishing the dishes, Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t feel like sitting across Qin Yinan in the living room, so she found herself chores to do in the kitchen. She busied herself until 11 pm when Mrs. Cheng stood up from the sofa. She then exited the kitchen with a ss of warm milk and followed her mother into the guest bedroom.


    Cheng Qingchong apanied her mother until Mrs. Cheng fell asleep. Then, she came out. The television in the living room was still on, but Qin Yinan had already disappeared. She nced at the study, and it was dark, so Cheng Qingchong knew that he was in the main bedroom.


    Suddenly reminded of the events that happened two nights ago, Cheng Qingchong quivered with fear. She didn¡¯t think she had the courage to spend another night alone in the room with him, so she stood dumbly in the living room for a while before sitting down on the sofa. She picked up the remote control and looked for a random television show to watch.


    At midnight, Qin Yinan came out of the main bedroom. Based on the wetness in his hair, it appeared like he was fresh out of the shower. He was going to the kitchen to grab himself a ss of water.


    When he passed the living room, he nced at Cheng Qingchong. He noticed Cheng Qingchong lean her body further away from him when he did so. He knew she was trying to avoid him. During dinner, she didn¡¯t dare to look at him even once, and even though she still kept up appearances for the sake of Mrs. Cheng, when she talked or smiled at him, her eyes were always lowered.


    It had only been two days since he hadst seen her, but for some reason, he felt the woman had lost weight. Cheng Qingchong was a naturally fair person, but the whiteness around her face gave her an air of sickness.


    Shriveling up in therge sofa all alone, she looked pitiable.


    After Qin Yinan finished his ss of water, he didn¡¯t hurry to leave. He leaned against the dining table to stare at Cheng Qingchong¡¯s back for a while before retreating back to the main bedroom.


    When he passed the sofa, he stopped slightly because he wanted to tell her, Come back to the bedroom to sleep, I won¡¯t do anything to you.


    However, the moment the words reached his mouth, he felt a certain way. It was she who had messed with his mind so cruelly in the first ce, so why should he be concerned about her?


    In any case, after he found out about the truth, his deepest wish was to create hell for this woman. He had executed every step of his n to perfection; there was literally no blemish.


    It was already very out of his character to help her to amodate her mother, so why should heplicate their rtionship even more by showing her concern? After all, three dayster, after Mrs. Cheng left, they would have nothing to do with each other anymore.


    Qin Yinan nodded to himself and moved away from Cheng Qingchong. He pushed open the bedroom door and closed it behind him.


    It was gettingte, but Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t move toward the main bedroom. There was already nothing on the television, but she still held the remote in her hands, skipping through the many channels.

 Chapter 1017 Remember to Take Your Medicine 6

    Just as she was about to skip yet another channel, the door to the main bedroom was suddenly pulled open and out walked Qin Yinan.


    He¡¯s still awake sote at night? Cheng Qingchong asked herself internally, but she didn¡¯t have the courage to look at him, much less ask him in person.


    Qin Yinan stood at the door and looked at Cheng Qingchong for half a minute. His lips moved, but no words came out before he turned to walk toward the study. He moved as fast as wind, and when he closed the door, he swung the door heavily. However, probably due to the concern that a door mming might wake up Mrs. Cheng, he pulled on the door at thest minute. Yet, it was already quite obvious that he was in a bad mood.


    Although, this did mean that the main bedroom was empty. Cheng Qingchong sat on the sofa for some time, and when she noticed Qin Yinan didn¡¯t exit the study, she started to hesitate. However, in the end, she didn¡¯t get up from the sofa.


    She was afraid that after she went in, he would follow behind her...


    ...


    In the study, Qin Yinan sat at his table and lit a cigarette. The tower of documents was set up before him, but he didn¡¯t pick any up to read.


    The night was quiet, so even through the closed door, he could hear the sound of advertisementsing from the television in the living room. I¡¯ve already vacated the bedroom for her, but she still refuses to sleep in it? She ns to spend the whole night in the living room? So be it, if she wants to do that, fine, why should I care?


    Qin Yinan took a huge drag of the cigarette with a gloomy face. As he breathed out a mouthful of smoke, Qin Yinan suddenly squished the me of the cigarette angrily on the cigarette box. He kicked the chair out from behind him, stood up, and stalked toward the door.


    She doesn¡¯t want to rest? Fine, then I¡¯ll drag her back into the bedroom to...


    Qin Yinan had just reached the door when his phone that was ced on the desk rang. Qin Yinan turned toward the clock. It was already 3 am, who would call him at that time?


    Qin Yinan pulled his hand away from the door knob and turned back to his desk. When he saw the caller ID, he frowned before picking it up. "What¡¯s wrong? Why are you calling sote at night? Is it an emergency at thepany?"


    "CEO Qin..." As the voice on the phone continued, Qin Yinan¡¯s face turned darker and darker. "I understand. I¡¯ll go to thepany now."


    After he hung up, Qin Yinan yanked the door open. Ignoring Cheng Qingchong, he dashed back into his bedroom and changed into his formal clothes. He soon remerged from the bedroom, grabbed his car key, and dashed out.


    It was not until the front door mmed shut that Cheng Qingchong slowly blinked into consciousness. Who called Qin Yinan sote at night? And why did he leave in such a hurry? What happened?


    Cheng Qingchong frowned and stood up unconsciously from the sofa. She walked to the windows and after a while, she saw Qin Yinan¡¯s car leave the apartment and rush toward the city.


    ...


    Qin Yinan didn¡¯t return home for the whole morning. Later that night, Cheng Qingchong gave him a call. It was his secretary who answered, telling her CEO Qin was incredibly busy.


    After Mrs. Cheng went to sleep at 10:30 pm, Cheng Qingchong was standing in the living room alone.


    Without Qin Yinan, Cheng Qingchong figured she could use the main bedroom without worry. After taking a shower, shey down in her bed and soon fell asleep.


    After some time, Cheng Qingchong felt like someone had wandered into the room. She flitted her eyes open and saw Qin Yinan standing beside the bed in the middle of removing his necktie.

 Chapter 1018 Her Decision 1

    She woke up instantly. Cheng Qingchong¡¯s body tensed, and her hands that were under the cover gripped the mattress tightly while her eyes scanned him guardedly. Qin Yinan pulled his tie off and let it fall on the empty side of the bed. His gaze that looked out the corner of his eyes identally met her.


    He paused for a moment before turning to face her.


    Qin Yinan had been facing away from Cheng Qingchong earlier, so she didn¡¯t have a close look of his face. As his eyesnded on her, she realized his hair was unkempt, his face was lined with tiredness, and his eyes were ringed with dark circles. In essence, it seemed like he was deeply troubled.


    In Cheng Qingchong¡¯s mind, Qin Yinan had always been clean in his appearance; it was rare for him to appear so slovenly. Cheng Qingchong frowned, and shock shed across her eyes. The fear and anxiety she felt when she first saw Qin Yinan was gradually reced by confusion and curiosity.


    Qin Yinan left in a hurry so early in the morning after receiving that call, and he returned in such a devastated state. Did he run into some big trouble?


    Cheng Qingchong looked at Qin Yinan with her lips pressed to stop herself from asking that question.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s eyes only fell on Cheng Qingchong for a minute before he turned his head away and raised his hands to remove the button of his shirt. Perhaps it was because he knew she was awake, but his gaze would keep fluttering her way.


    Cheng Qingchong stared at him unblinkingly like she was petrified.


    Qin Yinan was made awkward under her unyielding stare. He frowned slightly and walked away toward the bathroom. However, he only took two steps before the phone he left on the bed started to ring.


    Qin Yinan stopped walking, and he faced away from Cheng Qingchong for two seconds before he turned back around. Without a nce at Cheng Qingchong, he bent over to pick up his phone. He nced at the ID, and when he realized it was from his secretary, his eyes dimmed. He didn¡¯t answer it in a hurry but only did so when he was out of the bedroom.


    Just as he closed the door, Cheng Qingchong lying in bed could hear his whispered voice saying, "How is it? Can you contact CEO Zhou..."


    As the door closed, silence returned to the room. Cheng Qingchong turned her body in bed to lie on her back. As she looked at the ceiling, a twist of anxiety started to form in her heart. Her woman¡¯s instincts told her that Qin Yinan had definitely run into some big trouble.


    She knew she shouldn¡¯t have to worry about Qin Yinan, considering the things that he had done to her, but she couldn¡¯t control her heart.


    Cheng Qingchong bit on her lips before pulling the cover off and getting out from bed. She snuck to the bedroom door and twisted the door knob open carefully to let the door open slightly ajar.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s voice came from the balcony attached to the living room. "...Try your best. If you can¡¯t then so be it, I¡¯ve already prepared for the worst..."

 Chapter 1019 Her Decision 2

    Prepared for the worst? Cheng Qingchong¡¯s hand that held the doorknob tightened. When Qin Yinan started speaking again, she held her breath to focus on her listening.


    "...At worst, I¡¯ll apply for bankruptcy... There¡¯s always money to be earned. It¡¯s not so bad... Regarding the bank loan, I¡¯ll figure it out... I still have the house and car, right?"


    Apply for bankruptcy? The problem Qin Yinan¡¯spany is facing is so big that he has to apply for bankruptcy? Just as the question entered her mind, Qin Yinan hung up.


    Cheng Qingchong immediately pulled her thoughts back, closed the door, and rushed back to lie in bed.


    The house was quiet for a long time before Cheng Qingchong heard Qin Yinan¡¯s footsteps,ing not toward the bedroom but the study. As the door of the study opened and closed, the house became quiet once more.


    Cheng Qingchong then pulled out her phone to call the number of one of her former colleagues. The colleague was probably asleep because the call was only answered after it was left to ring for a long time. "Hello?"


    "I¡¯m so sorry to call you sote at night..."


    "Qingchong?" The colleague probably didn¡¯t nce at the ID before she picked the call up. When she recognized the voice, she uttered with surprise, "What¡¯s wrong? Is it an emergency to be calling me sote at night?"


    "Yes... I have a question to ask you about Qin Yinan..."


    "Qin Yinan? Your husband?"


    Her colleagues didn¡¯t know about her divorce and still saw Qin Yinan as her husband. Cheng Qingchong paused for a minute before confirming with a soft "hmm". Then, she cut straight to the chase. "Is there a problem facing hispany?"


    "I¡¯m not particrly clear about the details, but I heard from some people yesterday that there¡¯s some sort of problem with the investment of your husband¡¯spany..." The colleague paused before adding, "...How about this, I¡¯ll call my contacts to get the finer details, and I¡¯ll update youter, okay?"


    "Okay."


    "But it¡¯s already quitete, so my contacts might not be avable. Do you mind waiting until tomorrow 10 am?"


    "Of course, I don¡¯t. Thank you for your help."


    ...


    After she hung up, before Cheng Qingchong could even ce her phone down, the return call from her colleague came.


    "Qingchong, this is such a coincidence, I have a friend working at your husband¡¯spany that is still up. So, I asked him about it, do you know Zhou Wei? He¡¯s one of the investors for your husband¡¯spany. Your husband¡¯spany has already finished the product, and they¡¯re now waiting for his investment money toe in, but the man has suddenly disappeared. Thepany budget all depends upon this uing product line, so if the money still doesn¡¯te by next Monday, I¡¯m afraid your husband¡¯spany will have to announce its bankruptcy. When he started thepany, your husband probably asked for a loan from the bank, so the situation might be a bit moreplicated than that..."


    Cheng Qingchong then connected this to what she had overheard from Qin Yinan¡¯s phone earlier, and she understood everything instantly. When Qin Yinan started thepany, they weren¡¯t divorced yet, so she did know about the bank loan.


    If the investment issue couldn¡¯t be solved, Qin Yinan would lose everything...

 Chapter 1020 Her Decision 3

    Cheng Qingchong found herself unable to go back to sleep, and Qin Yinan had not left the study after entering.


    Cheng Qingchong believed he must be extremely tired overworking himself, trying to salvage this situation.


    No wonder he looked so tired when he was removing his tie earlier. He mustn¡¯t have rested since he left the house sote at night. Did he even have anything to eat since then?


    The more she thought about it, the more worried Cheng Qingchong became. She tossed and turned in bed until she sat up, picked up her phone, and looked at the time. It was 3 am.


    Cheng Qingchong stared out at the darkened sky. She pulled off the cover and got out from bed to use the bathroom. After she came out, she stood by the bed for some time before she wandered out of the bedroom, pretending she was going to the kitchen to grab some kitchen, while in fact, it was because she was worried about him.


    The door to the study was shut, so Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t know how Qin Yinan was holding up on inside. She stood in the middle of the living room, staring at the door. She still couldn¡¯t summon the courage to walk toward it.


    He must be feeling tortured, all trapped in this, facing it alone... Cheng Qingchong considered going in tofort him, but the memory of his hatred and disgust toward her made her believe if she went to him, it would only worsen his mood.


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s eyes dimmed when she was reminded of this fact. She grabbed the edge of her pajamas before she turned to walk toward the kitchen.


    While she knew Qin Yinan might not even appreciate it, she still opened the fridge to retrieve some simple ingredients to cook a bowl of noodles. She cracked open an egg into the noodles and brew a cup of coffee. She ced both on a tray and carried it to the study.


    Cheng Qingchong bent over to ce the tray before the door. Then she stood to knock on the door lightly. She didn¡¯t say anything but moved away hastily into the main bedroom. The moment she closed the door, she heard the study door open.


    About a minuteter, the study door closed once more. Cheng Qingchong then pulled the bedroom door open slightly ajar to peek outside. The door to the study was shut, but the tray she left at the door had already disappeared.


    It was fine if he hated her¡ªshe could make sure that he wouldn¡¯t see her¡ªbut she hoped he would take care of his health especially in a stressful situation like this.


    ...


    Qin Yinan didn¡¯t return to the bedroom for the whole night, and Cheng Qingchong couldn¡¯t sleep because she was worried about him.


    Early that morning, Qin Yinan returned to his room to change his clothes and briefly shower. Then he left for hispany.


    Not long after he left, Cheng Qingchong¡¯s eyes fluttered open. She walked to the window to see Qin Yinan¡¯s car disappear from the residential area before she turned to walk toward the study.


    The door to the study wasn¡¯t locked. Cheng Qingchong twisted the doorknob, and it fell open.


    The first thing that hit her was a haze of smoke. Cheng Qingchong raised her hand to cover her nostrils before she walked into it.


    She looked around the study before moving to the desk. It was stacked with all kinds of files and documents.


    Her years of training at ST Empire enabled Cheng Qingchong to recognize these documents at first nce as Qin Yinan¡¯s decision to give up on Zhou Wei. He nned to find a new investor in the remaining three days, and the information gathered was all on venture capitalpanies.

 Chapter 1021 Her Decision 4

    Cheng Qingchong wasn¡¯t familiar with venture capitalpanies ,but amid the information gathered by Qin Yinan, she saw a familiar name... Jin Ze.


    Once upon a time, when she was still working at ST Empire, she had multiple interactions with him¡ªthey could be considered close.


    Suddenly, Mrs. Chen¡¯s voice came from outside the door. Cheng Qingchong put down the document on Jin Ze in a hurry and turned to walk toward the door. In her rush, she identally knocked a document off the table.


    The paper documents fluttered to the floor, creating a mess. Cheng Qingchong squatted down to pick them all up. It was then that she realized that documents were the property a ownership certificate and housing price estimates.


    At worst, I¡¯ll apply for bankruptcy... There¡¯s always money to be earned. It¡¯s not so bad... Regarding the bank loan, I¡¯ll figure it out... I still have the house and car, right?


    What Qin Yinan said on the phone the night before entered Cheng Qingchong¡¯s ears instantly, and her hands that held the documents trembled. Qin Yinan has already prepared to sell his house?


    Cheng Qingchong looked through the document more closely this time. She had been married to Qin Yinan for an entire year. Even though their marriage was only ceremonial, Qin Yinan did disclose all of his assets to her. At the time, he even offered to buy the house under her name, but since she was still feeling guilty from having tricked him, she didn¡¯t take that offer; she rejected it vehemently. He didn¡¯t press but instead gave her a bank card.


    He has three houses under his name and two more under his parents¡¯ names, five in total... But all five are included in this file... so he¡¯s nning not only to sell his own houses but also his parents¡¯? Then again, he¡¯s the only child, so of course, Mr. and Mrs. Qin will do everything in their power to help him...


    The previous night, she had just heard about the possibility of bankruptcy, but who knew that possibility was closer than she could ever have imagined? In the hurry to gather money, the houses would be sold at a price lower than the market price. Therefore, even though the five houses could be sold for quite a favorable sum, it was still quite a distance away from clearing the bank loan...


    That difference... was a number that even Qin Yinan work for the rest of his life, he would not be able to clear it... So, he might end up in court over this.


    "Qingchong? Qingchong?"


    Mrs. Cheng went into the main bedroom to find her, and since she couldn¡¯t, she started calling her name.


    Cheng Qingchong replied with a yell and quickly put the documents back on the table. Before she left, she couldn¡¯t stop herself from turning around to take a gander at that information on venture capitalpanies.


    ...


    It drained Cheng Qingchong both mentally and physically to put up a front as she apanied Mrs. Cheng around Summer Pce that morning.


    They left Summer Pce at around 3 pm. Cheng Qingchong, who didn¡¯t feel like staying outside, said that she wasn¡¯t feeling so that they would return home.


    On the way home, Cheng Qingchong pulled out her phone several times to look at the contact number of Jin Ze before pushing her phone back into her bag.


    The taxi dropped them at the entrance to Qin Yinan¡¯s apartment. As Cheng Qingchong and Mrs. Cheng rode the elevator to his floor, she once again pulled out her phone.

 Chapter 1022 Her Decision 5

    Simr to before, Cheng Qingchong ended up clicking open Jin Ze¡¯s contact details. Just as she was hesitating, the elevator arrived.


    After Mrs. Cheng stepped out of the elevator, she turned around when she noticed Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t follow her. She saw the nk expression on her daughter¡¯s face, and she asked, "Qingchong, what are you doing?"


    Cheng Qingchong came to and rushed out of the elevator. She then used the key to open the door.


    When Mrs. Cheng was changing her shoes, Cheng Qingchong held back to stand at the door. Her teeth gritted as she looked at the screen. Then her eyes glowed with determination like she had made a decision before she wrote a message to send to Jin Ze. "CEO Jin, this is Cheng Qingchong, are you free now? Can you talk on the phone?"


    The reply soon came. "I¡¯m free but I prefer to talk to you in person."


    Cheng Qingchong was expecting this kind of reply when she sent the message. She swallowed deeply before typing a response. "Then when will CEO Jin be free? Let¡¯s meet up in person."


    "Qingchong, if it¡¯s you, I¡¯m free always. How about now? Where are you? I¡¯ll fetch you."


    Cheng Qingchong nced at her mother and lowered her head to type a few words. "CEO Jin, give me an address. I¡¯lle to you."


    Jin Ze responded by sending her an address to a private club instantly. Cheng Qingchong replied with an "Okay." Then she pocketed her phone and told her mother, "Mum, there¡¯s an emergency at thepany, do you mind if you stay at home alone for a while?"


    ...


    Cheng Qingchong hailed a taxi, and when she arrived at the club, Jin Ze¡¯s assistant was already waiting.


    "Miss Cheng, you¡¯re finally here." Jin Ze¡¯s assistant greeted Cheng Qingchong politely before leading her into the club. Cheng Qingchong smiled at the assistant but said nothing. She moved through the revolving door.


    Along the way, she shared no words with the assistant. They turned around the maze-like corridors before they stopped before a red door.


    Jin Ze¡¯s assistant knocked on the door before saying softly, "CEO Jin, Miss Cheng has arrived."


    After a few seconds, a deep voice grumbled from within. "Let here in."


    The assistant then pushed open the door and stood to the side, telling her, "Miss Cheng, please."


    Cheng Qingchong forced another smile at him before taking deliberate steps into the room. When she took another step into the room, the door behind him was closed by the assistant.


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s heart quivered following the click of the door, but she tried to keep her steps as calm as possible as she walked toward Jin Ze sitting on top of a delicately-carved chair.


    She stopped when she was two meters away from Jin Ze, and she said politely, "Good afternoon, CEO Jin."


    Jin Ze heard her but didn¡¯t rush to raise his eyes to look at her. Instead, he picked up a kettle of boiling water to focus on steeping a pot of tea. He poured himself a cup and took a sip of it before leaning on the chair and acknowledging Cheng Qingchong with a nod.

 Chapter 1023 Her Decision 6

    Cheng Qingchong took a quick nce at the man before her and nodded in return.


    "Take a sit." Jin Ze pointed at the chair across from him before picking up the pot to pour two cups of tea. Cheng Qingchong followed the orders wordlessly but obediently.


    Jin Ze pushed a cup of tea to her and kindly offered, "Take a taste of this quality tea. It¡¯s Long Jin given by a friend when I visited Hang Zhou a few days ago. It¡¯s not bad."


    "Thank you." Cheng Qingchong picked up the cup and took a symbolic sip.


    Jin Ze smiled, not at all offended by her cautiousness and formality. He picked up his own cup and finished it in one gulp. Then he spoke in a tone that sounded like he was talking with an old friend. "Qingchong, thinking about it, we have not seen each other for almost one year already, yes?"


    Cheng Qingchong smiled and said, "That sounds about right."


    Jin Ze toyed with the empty cup in his hand and said in a manner of observation, "By the way, if I¡¯m not mistaken, this is the first time you came to me actively, yes?"


    Cheng Qingchong lowered her head and didn¡¯t answer.


    Jin Ze smiled to himself but didn¡¯t linger around that topic. He ced the cup down, leaned back on the chair, and stared at Cheng Qingchong¡¯s face for some time before asking, "So, tell me, what help do you need from me?"


    Jin Ze¡¯s directness unsettled Cheng Qingchong slightly, but she recovered quickly. She said in a calm tone, "It¡¯s like this CEO Jin, I wish to ask you for an investment."


    Jin Ze looked at the tea pot like he didn¡¯t even hear her. Then, just as Cheng Qingchong was about to borate, he poured himself another cup and said, "Is it for Qin Yinan¡¯spany?"


    His directness once more made Cheng Qingchong¡¯s tongue stuck in her throat.


    However, Jin Ze continued normally as if this was just a conversation about the weather outside, "If it¡¯s about him, go and get a divorce with him first before youe to talk to me."


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s lips tensed, and with her head lowered, she replied in a voice barely above a whisper, "We¡¯re already divorced."


    Jin Ze was startled when he heard this, but he soon started tough. "Already divorced...?"


    After hisughs settled down, he asked, "You¡¯re still willing to help him after the divorce? You still love him?"


    Cheng Qingchong kept her head lowered and didn¡¯t answer.


    Jin Ze didn¡¯t mind Cheng Qingchong¡¯s silence. He continued on his own, but his tone now had a business edge to it. "I¡¯ve heard about hispany¡¯s condition. Yes, I can invest in hispany, but Qingchong, you should know what I need from you in return."


    He was right; she did know what he wanted from her about three years ago.


    Jin Ze was probably in his forties, but he took good care of himself, so he looked to be only in his thirties. He was a famed business mogul and half of the nation¡¯s products were rted to hispany. Even ST Empire had quite a few of joint projects with him.


    It was due to those projects that their paths crossed.


    Jin Ze had a daughter. It was the most precious thing left behind by his wife, who had unfortunately passed away.


    The reason a big CEO like himself would pay attention to Cheng Qingchong was because she looked very simr to his wife from certain angles.


    So, what he wanted in trade was simple¡ªto be with him.


    But it was simply being together with him, with no marriage and no official title... for three years.


    He purposely reminded her of his rules. He said that his official document will only has his wife¡¯s name as his wife, and he wanted this from her simply to create the illusion that his lovely wife was still alive.

 Chapter 1024 A Heartfelt Kiss 1

    Three years ago, when he gave her this offer, she was revolted. The man looked so polite and presentable on the surface, but he was such a womanizing b*stard. At the time, she had felt sorely insulted and enraged. It was the first time in her life where she had cursed at someone. She had told him, "In your dreams, I¡¯ll never ept such demeaning conditions! To even suggest that is insulting!"


    He had been eerily unfazed facing her anger. He merely shrugged at her and exined openly that he respected her choices, but he wished she would keep his suggestion an option. He had even told her that if she came into any trouble in the future and need his help, he would always willing to lend a hand as long as she agreed to his conditions.


    At the time, even though she wasn¡¯t by any means rich, she could take care of herself just fine. She was incensed by his shamelessness, and she whipped her head around and stalked away in a fit of anger. She remembered cursing him internally for a long time, mocking him for being such a misogynist. To have the audacity to think he was able to purchase a woman¡¯s dignity with money!


    At the time, she was so sure she wouldn¡¯t find herself in that position, even if it meant that her quality of life would have a drastic increase, even if there were people around her who eventually opted for that lifestyle, her conviction didn¡¯t move.


    At least until... when Qin Yinan found himself in trouble...


    She knew plenty of rich people, but they weren¡¯t in any way rted or indebted to her in such a way that they would loan her a huge sum of money for no reason. The only person she could think of was Jin Ze, who needed something from her.


    Jin Ze finished sipping the tea in his cup before cing it back on the table. He extended his tapered finger to press on a button on the phone to make a call. "Didn¡¯t we receive a call from a Mr. Qin Yinan this morning? Give him a call back on my behalf. Tell him I¡¯m interested in hispany¡¯s products. Get him to prepare a detailed proposal, and I¡¯ll meet him personally tomorrow afternoon at 6:30 pm."


    After hanging up, Jin Ze turned to look at Cheng Qingchong¡¯s lowered face before saying, "You don¡¯t need to give me an answer now. You heard the call. I agreed to meet Qin Yinan tomorrow night. I will bring a contract with me to that meeting and..."


    Jin Ze paused before his tone dropped one pitch seductively lower. "... Qingchong, I believe you should know how to make me sign that contract."


    After that, he pulled out his phone to wave it at Cheng Qingchong. "...Tomorrow, 6:30 pm, before I head into that private room with Qin Yinan, I will take a look at my phone. Your answer will decide Qin Yinan¡¯s fate."


    Jin Ze shed a gentlemanly smile at Cheng Qingchong before pocketing his phone and standing up. He smoothed out his suit and said slowly, "Alright, I have a dinner meeting tonight, where are you off to? I¡¯ll drive you."


    ...


    Cheng Qingchong, in the end, rejected his offer. She called a cab to get back to Qin Yinan¡¯s house.


    It was a Friday, and it was around the time when people got off work, so the traffic was slow. Cheng Qingchong took one hour and twenty minutes to finish the journey that would normally take her half an hour.


    When she arrived, Mrs. Cheng had already prepared dinner, and Qin Yinan was already home from work.

 Chapter 1025 A Heartfelt Kiss 2

    Qin Yinan¡¯s phone rang during dinner. He picked out his phone to look at the caller ID; it was Chen Yang. Afraid that he might say something about bankruptcy and worry Mrs. Cheng, he apologized and stood up to walk to his study to answer the call.


    Even though Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t know who the call was from or what the content was about, when she saw Qin Yinan walk out of the study and that the man¡¯s deeply furrowed brows had rxed slightly, she knew what this represented. A glow of hope seemed to instill the man with renewed vigor; even his demeanor spoke of energy and spirit.


    He received the call from Jin Ze¡¯s side? Cheng Qingchong¡¯s hand that held the chopsticks tightened before she lowered her head further and continued to shove the food into her mouth.


    ...


    After dinner, Qin Yinan hid himself in the study and never came out again.


    After Cheng Qingchong cleared away the dining table, like usual, she joined Mrs. Cheng in the living room to watch a drama. When Mrs. Cheng retired to bed at 10 pm, she exited the guest bedroom, stood at the study door, and looked at it for a while before moving to the kitchen.


    She cooked a bowl of Tang Yuan and a cup of coffee and carried it to Qin Yinan¡¯s study. Simr to the day before, afraid that her appearance might cause Qin Yinan annoyance, she ced the food on the floor, stood up to knock on the door twice, and scurried back to the main bedroom.


    However, she only took two steps before the door behind her was pulled open, and she was washed in the light pouring out from the open study. Cheng Qingchong tensed, and she froze where she was.


    Even though Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t turn around, based on the shadows on the floor, she could tell Qin Yinan was standing at the door not far from behind her.


    Qin Yinan didn¡¯t utter a word, and the room was quiet. Cheng Qingchong was made flustered by the silence, and her hands involuntarily went to grip at her clothes.


    The atmosphere, due to the silence, became more and more curious.


    Cheng Qingchong felt herself unable to stomach the increasing pressure. She closed her eyes and swallowed a mouthful of saliva to try to calm herself. She then slowly turned around to sh a cautious smile at Qin Yinan.


    Afraid that he might respond with a sarcastic quip, Cheng Qingchong quickly lowered her head after a quick nce at him. She exined in a whisper, "My mother saw how busy you were, and she was worried that you might get hungry, so she ordered me to prepare some supper for you."


    Qin Yinan stared at Cheng Qingchong and remained silent. He didn¡¯t poke through her lie. He knew she made him the supper out of her own volition; it had nothing to do with Mrs. Cheng.


    She must have been worried that she would annoy me, so she ced the food by the door and left in a hurry.


    As this thought entered his mind, Qin Yinan felt his heart wrenched with sourness.


    Cheng Qingchong was made increasingly anxious by Qin Yinan¡¯s silence. Many times, she wanted to raise her head to see whether he was angry or not, but she would lose her courage at the veryst moment. She bit on her lips, and just as she was at her breaking point and was about to bid him good night and retreat to the bedroom, the man suddenly said, "I need to use the bathroom. Please could you carry the supper into the study?"


    His voice appeared extraordinarily soft and gentle in the quietness of the night.


    Cheng Qingchong was dumbfounded, thinking she was hallucinating.Tang Yuan (literally: ¡¯soup ball¡¯) is a Chinese dessert made from glutinous rice flour mixed with a small amount of water to form balls and then either cooked and served in boiling water with fermented glutinous rice, or sweet syrup (sweet ginger syrup, for example), or deep fried. (Wikipedia)

 Chapter 1026 A Heartfelt Kiss 3

    Did he just use a calm and peaceful tone to talk to me... Cheng Qingchong, who didn¡¯t dare to look at Qin Yinan, slowly raised her head.


    Other than exhaustion, there was no trace of derision and disgust on the man¡¯s face that she was most afraid of. The man¡¯s face that looked at her was gentle and friendly, so very simr to the man she had first met and had slowly fallen in love with.


    Cheng Qingchong lost her train of thought, looking at Qin Yinan. She didn¡¯t even dare to move, afraid that the smallest of movement might shatter this treasured illusion and the man¡¯s gentleness would turn out to be a fa?ade hiding a sting of venom.


    Qin Yinan was confused by the look Cheng Qingchong directed his way. He blinked several times in confusion before telling her in a slow and sincere voice, "Thank you."


    He stood where he was for a while before walking around the tray on the floor to walk toward the bathroom. When the light at the bathroom flitted on and the door closed, it was then that Cheng Qingchong recovered herself.


    Did he just use a friendly tone to talk to me? And not only once but twice? Even though the second sentence was just a simple thank you? Am I dreaming? Cheng Qingchong pinched the inside of her leg, and her brows furrowed from the sudden shot of pain. She almost yelped out from pain.


    So I¡¯m not dreaming. He really did do all those things... An excitement ravaged Cheng Qingchong¡¯s body like pouring rain, causing a fog to cover her eyes instantly. Her heart started to race, and her lips curved upwards involuntarily. Before she could stop herself, tears slid down the side of her face.


    Cheng Qingchong rearranged her emotions when she heard the toilet flush. She rushed to the study door, bent over to pick up the tray, and headed into the study. Before she reached the desk, Qin Yinan had already stepped into the room.


    His desk was filled with all kinds of documents, so it took Cheng Qingchong a long time before she managed to find an empty space to put the tray down. Then she turned to look at Qin Yinan.


    He was still as gentle as before; there was no sign of anger or displeasure. Even so, Cheng Qingchong still felt quite unsettled. She merely looked at him once before lowering her head hurriedly. She bit on her lower lip and uttered softly, "Remember to finish the supper while it¡¯s hot; it won¡¯t taste so nice when it¡¯s cold."


    "Okay." Qin Yinan nodded and pulled out the chair to sit on it. His kind reaction reduced the fear in Cheng Qingchong¡¯s heart. As he sat down, she quickly moved the te of Tang Nuan before him and even handed him a spoon.


    When they first got married, it was not unusual for him to work untilte at night. She would prepare various kinds of dishes and send them to his study. However, at the time, she was braver than she was now. She wouldn¡¯t ce them quietly by the door but walk right into the room with the food. If he was busy, she would wait quietly by the side, and if he wasn¡¯t, she would personally serve him the food like she did just now.


    Qin Yinan looked at the spoon Cheng Qingchong handed to him and was nk for a moment before he was himself again.


    When he raised his hand to take the spoon, his eyes met her clear eyes that look at him. He caught a sh of fear in her eyes, probably because she was still afraid of him.

 Chapter 1027 A Heartfelt Kiss 4

    Before they got married, his impression of her stayed at Su Zhinian¡¯s professional and business-minded personal secretary. After marriage, he realized she was actually no different from Song Song, a young girl at heart. She loved the color pink and beautiful jewelry and would be as excited as a child when she received surprise gifts.


    And now, after their divorce, when she faced him alone, there would be caution and fear in her eyes; she became had incredibly reserved like the life had been sucked out of her.


    For some reason, Qin Yinan kept finding himself reminiscing about old times that night. In fact, influenced by the memory, when he swallowed the first piece of Tang Yuan, he even raised his head to smile at her.


    His smilested barely a moment, but it was enough to let her know he was smiling at her. Instantly, disbelief colored her face just like how she had reacted when he asked her to send the supper into the study for him. However, this time she recovered quickly unlike before where she stood at the corridor stunned for a long time.


    He could sense the suppressed excitement radiating off her. She lowered her head and saw that the ash tray was already filled with cigarette butts. She picked it up and emptied the contents in the trashcan. Her gait as she returned the tray to his desk was as sprightly as a fairy, and her liveliness from before seemed to return for that one moment.


    The fact that he was willing to talk to her and even smile at her without getting angry steeled her heart. She started to help him clear away the trash and chaos in the study, and in the midst of cleaning, she even turned to him to ask, "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m sure the investment problem with thepany will be solved soon enough."


    Qin Yinan was startled and was confused at how she even knew about his financial trouble.


    Cheng Qingchong exined with broad strokes, "I heard it from my friends."


    Of course, she must have many friends in the business circle. Bad news travels fast; it¡¯s little wonder that she has heard about this... Qin Yinan lowered his eyes to continue working on his document, but he did answer her. "I hope so, too. At least it¡¯s not as it was before. Tomorrow, I¡¯ll be meeting Golden Wings Investment, so I have to work through the night to prepare all the necessary information."


    Golden Wings Investment belonged to Jin Ze. It was indeed as she expected; the call he received during dinner was from Jin Ze¡¯spany...


    "That¡¯s wonderful news! Theirpany is not bad; they¡¯ve invested in many sessful projects over the past few years..." Cheng Qingchong pretended like this was mere chit-chat to her. Then she turned to look at the documents stacking up on Qin Yinan¡¯s desk. "...Do you need to go through all of this in one night?"


    Qin Yinan answered with a faded "hmm" as he pulled out another document to flip through it.


    Cheng Qingchong had started her career as a personal assistant, so when Qin Yinan¡¯spany just started and the man would return home to continue his work untilte into the night, afraid that it might influence his recovery, she would offer him her help.


    As this repeated itself multiple times, it became a habit for him to ask her for help whenever he was swamped by work.


    Cheng Qingchong stared at the mountainous pile of documents, thought about it, and asked, "Is there anything I can help with?"


    Ultimately, things had changed between them. Even the offer of help no longer sounded as natural as it once was. Cheng Qingchong bit on her lips before adding, "When I was working at ST Empire, I was involved in many projects with Golden Wings. I¡¯m familiar with their situation, so I can help you."

 Chapter 1028 A Heartfelt Kiss 5

    Qin Yinan¡¯s fingers hesitated from flipping through the document. He kept his eyes on the words, but his gaze started to wander. Memories that seemed to be from several lifetimes ago fluttered into his mind.


    "Yinan, let me help you with this. I¡¯m familiar with them."


    "Also, Yinan, this couldn¡¯t be simpler to me. I¡¯ve dealt with plenty of such documents when I was under ST Empire; I can take care of them even with my eyes closed."


    "Yinan, I¡¯m done with these, are you done yet? Is there anything else you need my help with?"


    "Yinan..."


    When they just got married, she always referred to him as Mr. Qin or Qin Yinan. It was not until muchter than it just became natural for him to refer to her as Qingchong. When that happened for the first time, both of them were stunned, and the atmosphere had turned ambiguous. Her face had burned probably from shyness, and she had stood up to escape. Before she could do so, he had suddenly reached out his hand to grab her wrist and pull her back to stand before him. Then he told her, for the sake of fairness, she should call him Yinan from then on.


    When she heard him, her face had burned even redder. She had lowered her face and didn¡¯t say anything.


    At the time, his mind had been filled with the plot for revenge, so to try out the influence he really had over her, he had urged her gently to get her to call him Yinan. In the end, she had relented and called his name very softly. He had chuckled when he heard that. He had looked happy on the surface, but internally when he saw how he had managed to make the woman all flustered over something as simple as this, his heart had been filled with a mocking smirk.


    It was probably from then on that her term of reference for him change; the term Yinan would sound all over the apartment, and she had started to be more talkative in hispany. She had even started to share with him some of her dailyints.


    He had pretended to listen patiently every time like he didn¡¯t mind being her rock to lie on, but internally, he knew how calcting he was at the time as he watched how the woman fell into his trap step by step.


    Qin Yinan was quiet for a long time, and Cheng Qingchong assumed this was because he didn¡¯t her help. The good feeling that she got from having him speak in a kind tone and smile at her disappeared without a trace. She bit on her lips awkwardly before taking a step back to utter in a whispered tone that wasced with disappointment, "...Then, I shall not disturb you anymore. I will go rest for the night."


    Qin Yinan was pulled out his reverie by what Cheng Qingchong said. He turned unconsciously toward her, and the woman happened to be turning around. Her figure that was heading toward the door was exceptionally lonely and lost.


    For some reason, Qin Yinan felt his heart twitch with pity. Before he could understand what was happening, he picked up a few documents and said, "Thank you in advance."


    Cheng Qingchong stopped moving and turned around with disbelief. She stared at the documents that Qin Yinan was holding toward her for a few seconds before turning back to his desk with a bright smile on her face. She epted the documents and carried them to a round chair she liked and started to work on them.


    About five minutester, Qin Yinan raised his head to look at Cheng Qingchong.


    There was a floormp beside her to provide the source of light. The light fell on her, casting her feature in an exquisite glow.

 Chapter 1029 A Heartfelt Kiss 6

    Her long hair fluttered down her back easily. Her hair was so long that if she didn¡¯t pull it up, it might cover her sight, so she used a scrunchy to pull it into a ponytail. She looked so different from her normal professional image; it made her look several years younger.


    Qin Yinan stared at that image for quite some time before lowering his head to throw himself back into work.


    ...


    They both worked through the night. When the job was done, it was already 7 am.


    When Qin Yinan finished typing thest word, he yawned and leaned back in his chair. He massaged his tired shoulders and stood up to stretch his limbs. Then, his gaze fell slowly on the round chair in the room.


    Cheng Qingchong was curled up on top of it with her head titled to the side and her eyes closed. She was asleep.


    Qin Yinan stopped moving mid-stretch. He stood before his desk for some time before moving toward Cheng Qingchong. Theck of sleep caused her face to look a bit pale, and there was a trace of exhaustion between her brows.


    The air-conditioner in the study was on full st, but she only had thin pajamas on. Her shoulders were shrunk together, probably as a response to the cold. She looked like a poor kitty.


    Qin Yinan stood beside the floormp, staring at her quietly for a moment, before he bent down to pull out the document she held in her arms. After cing the documents on the desk, he gingerly pulled the woman up into his arms. She was probably really cold before he did so; she curled instinctively deeper into his embrace.


    This involuntarily and almost reflexive action that she did sent a jolt of electricity through Qin Yinan. He shivered violently before his heart started to pound crazily. Qin Yinan¡¯s arms that held Cheng Qingchong became frozen. His fingers twitched several times before he was sure she wouldn¡¯t identally slip from his arms. Then he walked out of the study and carried her to their bedroom.


    Qin Yinan ced Cheng Qingchong gently on the bed. He pulled theforter to cover it over her and naturally sat down in bed beside her to study her sleeping face.


    As he stared at her, Qin Yinan slowly reached out his hand to ce it on Cheng Qingchong¡¯s cheeks. He pulled her long hair back before his fingertip fell on her forehead, the tip of her nose, her lips... Qin Yinan¡¯s finger danced around her supple lips before the man suddenly lowered his body to lean towards the woman¡¯s lips.


    As their lips touched, a powerful stream of electricity surged through Qin Yinan. It fried his brain and made him lose all sense of self-control.


    As his breathing became harder and as his tongue tried to pry open her teeth, he realized with a start what he was doing.


    Why did he suddenly lose control to kiss her? Why was there a cherished feeling at the bottom of her heart when he saw her all curled up on the chair earlier? Why did he carry her so carefully and gently back to the bedroom and even help her snuggle into the cover?


    He loved Song Song and had even sacrificed his life for her sake. Even though Song Song had married Su Zhinian and had given birth to Little Sesame, the thought of the girl had never left his mind. During their marriage, the kindness that he showed Cheng Qingchong was merely to take revenge for her deceit. If that was the case, how was he going to exin the things that he did earlier and the feelings that were still roiling through his heart then?


    Qin Yinan was stumped and shocked by the questions that appeared in his mind. He stood up in a hurry and rushed into the closet. He grabbed a suit and dashed out of the bedroom.

 Chapter 1030 Can You Forgive Me? 1

    Qin Yinan took a quick shower in the bathroom attached to the living room. He changed into a clean set of clothes and stood at the living room, staring at the closed bedroom door for a while, before stepping into the study to grab his documents and leaving the house.


    ...


    Cheng Qingchong woke up soon after that. Mrs. Cheng had to catch her ne tomorrow morning. After days of tourist activities, both Mrs. Cheng and Cheng Qingchong were tired. They had no ns that day other than staying at home in each other¡¯s quietpany.


    Initially, Cheng Qingchong could still put up a normal front to chat with her mother as they watched the television, but after lunch, as time moved closer to 6:30 pm, she became more and more agitated.


    Mrs. Cheng noticed this about her and couldn¡¯t help but ask, "Qingchong, what¡¯s wrong with you?"


    Cheng Qingchong shook her head and told her that she was fine, just tired from working through the night helping Qin Yinan with his work.


    Mrs. Cheng bought her story and urged Cheng Qingchong to return to her bedroom to catch up on sleep.


    Cheng Qingchong was afraid that her mother might see through her acting if she stayed any longer, so she decided to take her mother¡¯s advice to go take a nap. The nap didn¡¯t happen because even with her eyes closed, all she could think of was the struggle of that one choice.


    She really didn¡¯t expect that she would face the choice with almost same conditions twice in her life.


    The first time, for the sake of Big Boss, she crawled into Qin Yinan¡¯s bed while he was drunk.


    And this time, for the sake of Qin Yinan...


    Truth be told, Cheng Qingchong had already made the decision when she went looking for Jin Ze. However much she was in love with Big Boss then was how much she love Qin Yinan then... or rather, how much more.


    This love was different from the feelings she had toward her former Big Boss. She liked Big Boss, but it had never crossed her mind to be together with him. She merely hoped for her Big Boss to find happiness, even if she wasn¡¯t one who provided him the source of said happiness.


    It was different with Qin Yinan. She loved Qin Yinan, and she wanted to be together with Qin Yinan. Simrly, she wished Qin Yinan would find happiness, but she wanted to be the one to provide him with the happiness.


    One kind of love was almost simr to admiration, but there was another type that couldst a lifetime.


    She was willing to sacrifice so much for her adoration-like love, so why wouldn¡¯t she be willing to make a bigger sacrifice for this love that she wished to have for the rest of her life?


    Tears started to fall from Cheng Qingchong¡¯s eyes. She was sad, not for her life that thus would be ruined¡ªshe was sad that her hope that Qin Yinan would one day forgive her and be together with her was thus ruined. Her hope would remain unfulfilled.


    Cheng Qingchong bit on her lips tightly before she allowed herself to cry. Afraid that Mrs. Cheng might hear her, she curled herself up in bed and hid under the cover. She wept and wept until she felt depleted of energy. She rubbed the tear stains off her face, sat up in bed, and grabbed her phone. She searched for Jin Ze¡¯s name, typed a speedy message, and sent it before she could stop herself.


    Her decision was resolute, as resolute as her heart that was willing to sacrifice everything for Qin Yinan.


    Her message that went to Jin Ze said, "I ept your conditions."

 Chapter 1031 Can You Forgive Me? 2

    About twenty minutester, Jin Ze¡¯s message came. The content was as short and to the point as Cheng Qingchong¡¯s. "Identity card number."


    Even though Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t know why Jin Ze would need that, she still followed his orders. This time, Jin Ze replied quickly, "I¡¯ve book you a ne ticket tomorrow afternoon to Shanghai. There will be people waiting for you at the airport."


    As Cheng Qingchong finished reading this message, the next message from Jin Ze came. "As long as my man has sessfully fetched you, he¡¯ll give me a call. After receiving that call, I¡¯ll send the money to Qin Yinan¡¯spany immediately."


    Jin Ze¡¯s house was indeed in Shanghai. Cheng Qingchong looked at the screen for a long time before replying, "I understand."


    Jin Ze stopped messaging to her. As Cheng Qingchong went to delete their phone messages, her phone vibrated. It was a message from Jin Ze. "I¡¯ll be leaving for France tomorrow night and return to Shanghai one weekter. In this one week, as long as you don¡¯t leave Shanghai, you can do anything you want. Tomorrow, the person who fetches you will present you with a card, spend however you wish to. Other than that, I¡¯ll find you a ce to stay in Shanghai. In one week, I¡¯ll be there, be prepared."


    In one week, I¡¯ll be there, be prepared... be prepared... Cheng Qingchong knew full well what these words represented. The color drained from her face, and her phone slipped through her fingers.


    Her mind was nk for a long time before she went to pick her phone up. She replied to Jin Ze with an "okay" before she deleted that message history as well.


    ...


    Mrs. Cheng¡¯s ne would depart in the morning, so she had to be at the airport at 5 am. Therefore, she went down for bed not long after dinner.


    Qin Yinan still hadn¡¯t returned home. The woman who hadn¡¯t had a good night sleep over the past two days didn¡¯t feel at all sleepy. She hugged her knees, sitting on the sofa. The television was on, but she was looking out the window.


    At around 9 pm, Cheng Qingchong¡¯s phone rang. It was a picture message from Jin Ze. It was a picture of the signed contract. Cheng Qingchong could see Jin Ze¡¯s and Qin Yinan¡¯s signatures on it.


    Jin Ze didn¡¯t attach any words to the picture, but Cheng Qingchong understood what he meant. He had kept up his end of the bargain, so she had better followed hers.


    The moment Cheng Qingchong deleted that message, she could hear someone keying the password on the front door, unlocking it.


    Cheng Qingchong put down the phone and stood up from the sofa. She only took two steps when the door was pushed open and in walked Qin Yinan. His gait was unsteady, and as he stood at the front door to remove his shoes, he swayed unevenly.


    Cheng Qingchong frowned and was quick to realize he was drunk. She rushed to his side and bent over to help him with his shoes. Then she retrieved the slippers from the shoe rack and ced them before him.


    Cheng Qingchong remained in the squatting position for a long time. Noticing Qin Yinan hadn¡¯t moved, she raised her head confusedly and realized the man had been staring closely at her with his head lowered.


    Even though there was a miasma of alcohol breath around him, his eyes appeared focused and sharp. They glowed genially and withpassion. Cheng Qingchong¡¯s heart skipped a beat.


    They looked at each other like this for a long time before he moved his head away, slipped out of his shoes, and put on the slippers.


    She came to, quickly stood up from the floor, and followed the swaying man into the main bedroom.

 Chapter 1032 Can You Forgive Me? 3

    Qin Yinan stood beside the bed and struggled to get out from his suit before stepping into the bathroom. When the sound of water started, Cheng Qingchong turned out of the bedroom to grab a ss of warm water from the kitchen.


    After Qin Yinan got out from the shower, he jumped into bed without even drying his hair. Afraid that he might catch a cold, Cheng Qingchong rushed into the bathroom to grab a dry towel to daub his hair dry before taking the hair-dryer to blow it dry.


    Qin Yinan didn¡¯t stop Cheng Qingchong as she busied herself over him. With his eyes closed, he appeared to be sleeping, but in reality, he was so awake that he could feel the intimate feeling as her fingers coursed through his hair.


    When she was done, Cheng Qingchong pulled away the wet pillow and reced it with another dry one. Then she stood up to cover him under theforter.


    Qin Yinan didn¡¯t open his eyes once. Since he looked like he was sleeping, Cheng Qingchong dared herself to carefully study the man¡¯s face. Eventually, she slowly stood up, grabbing the hair-dryer that she had left on the bedside table. As she turned to leave, Qin Yinan suddenly reached out to grab her wrist.


    Cheng Qingchong froze before slowly turning around.


    The man still had his eyes closed, but his lips were moving. Since his voice was so soft, Cheng Qingchong couldn¡¯t hear him clearly, so she prompted him. "Hmm?"


    When he didn¡¯t raise his volume, she lowered her head to his mouth, and it was then that she could hear him say, "I¡¯m really happy today...


    "...Do you know how worried I was, how close I was to losing everything... But thankfully, it was a blessing in disguise. After being duped, fate sent me an even better opportunity, a bigger investment..."


    The man kept mumbling like he was talking in his sleep.


    Cheng Qingchong had witnessed Qin Yinan at his drunkest, so she knew at best he was only slightly drunk then or else he wouldn¡¯t have been able to utter those words with such startling coherence.


    "...I¡¯ve not felt so good in such a long time. After I get the money, the products can finally enter the market... and I believe my product will be liked and weed by the public..."


    As he spoke, suddenly his arm pulled, and Cheng Qingchong fell into his embrace.


    "Perhaps... one or two yearster, thepany will be able to go public already..."


    Cheng Qingchong could sense how happy and excited he was. Leaning against his chest, listening to his powerful heartbeat, her lips curled into a smile, but her eyes prickled with tears.


    As long as he¡¯s happy, as long as he¡¯s happy... this means that everything is worth it...


    Qin Yinan still didn¡¯t open his eyes. Using his sense of touch, he nuzzled his lips next to Cheng Qingchong¡¯s ear. He ced his lips on her ear and whispered satisfactorily, "Are you happy for me?"


    Without waiting for her answer, he pressed, "Are you? Are you?"


    Cheng Qingchong swallowed the choking feeling in her throat and softly replied, "Of course, I am."


    Afraid that he might not hear her, she added after a pause, "I¡¯m very happy for you."


    As she said so, Qin Yinan¡¯s lip trailed down her jaw and brushed against her lips. His skin touched hers for a second or two before he chomped down on her lips.


    Cheng Qingchong widened her eyes out of both fear and shock.

 Chapter 1033 Can You Forgive Me? 4

    Even though they had already had sex many times, this was only the third time he had ever kissed her.


    The first time was when he was drunk and mistook her for Song Qingchun.


    The second time was on the nameless hill, when he brought her to see the stars and to trick her to fall into his trap.


    This was the third time...


    The previous two times, he didn¡¯t really mean it, but this time...


    Cheng Qingchong could feel the temperature in the room rising. She was so nervous that she found it getting hard to breath. It was not until she was almost out of breath that he finally stopped. His mouth was stuck to her lips, and when she opened her mouth to gasp for air, it caused the man to chuckle to himself. Then he slowly started to bite on her lips. It was intimate and gentle as he patiently used his tongue to y and lure her tongue out.


    The temperature of both of their bodies started to rise. He grabbed hold of her waist and pushed her close to his body. The suppleness of her skin caused his kiss to turn violent. His hands that were originally on her hand started to wander toward her skirt. As his hands caressed her bare skin, her body started to quiver.


    The atmosphere continued to heighten. Qin Yinan¡¯s lips fell on Cheng Qingchong¡¯s neck as he continued to move downwards. Even the man¡¯s breathings had gotten fast and hard as he immersed himself in the sweetness of the moment. He licked her svelte skin and mumbled, "Qing..."


    He only said one syble when his sound disappeared, and he stopped moving.


    I almost called out ¡¯Qingchong¡¯. Why would I do that? Have I lost my mind?


    Qin Yinan swallowed twice and pulled his lips slightly back from her skin. He could feel the desire for her body coursing through his veins. Suppressing the desire within him, his lips tensed in thought before he suddenly raised his head to reach for her ear. He bit on her earlobe, and as he sensed the woman¡¯s body rxed in his arms, he whispered, "Qingchun..."


    He could feel the woman in his arms tense and petrify into stone almost immediately.


    Pretending not to notice it, he moved to dominate her lips, adding another moan. "...Qingchun."


    Her body shuddered, and he could hear her hands fall on the pillow beside his head.


    "Qing..." Qin Yinan groaned for the third time, and before he could finish the final blow, he pretended to be overwhelmed by alcohol and wentpletely dead. He tried his best to calm his breathing, to make it sound like he had really fallen asleep.


    After some time, the woman who was lying on top of him slowly and gently extricated herself from his embrace.


    When she stood up, two tears dropped on his face. His hands, which were now hidden underneath the cover, tightened to grab the mattress. He tried his best to keep up his sleeping fa?ade.


    He could sense the woman standing beside his bed for a while before turning to leave silently.


    He could hear her move toward the balcony. Then there was the sound of the door being opened and a cold drafting into the room. Very quickly, the door was closed, and the room reverted to a state of silence.


    Qin Yinan then slowly opened his eyes; they were filled withplicated emotions.


    After he got the contract from Golden Wings Investment, he was supposed to go to a celebratory party with all the workers, but he soon left the venue and told his driver to send him home.

 Chapter 1034 Can You Forgive Me? 5

    On the way, he kept asking himself why he was rushing home. He had no answer until he pushed open the door and saw Cheng Qingchong squat down to untie his shoes for him. He realized that he wanted toe home because he wanted to share the joy with her.


    He wanted to tell her that he had just gotten the investment from Golden Wings, hispany products were going out to the market, and hispany was going to be saved.


    When he realized the truth of his thought, his heart was filled with anxiety just like how he felt when he escaped in a hurry that morning. He moved his gaze away from her all flustered. After changing the shoes, he dashed into the bedroom and then the shower.


    During the shower, he managed to calm himself down.


    The warm water evoked the umted exhausted from his many days of endless nights. When he got out of the shower, he was so tired that he copsed into bed without even drying his hair.


    When she came over to patiently and kindly help him dry his hair... it caused his heart to turn with emotions once more. Losing control, he pulled her into his embrace and even mumbled so many heartfelt words to her.


    He thought that by telling her what was hiding inside his heart under the pretext of drunkenness, he would feel much better since the stuff would have left his system. However, he ended up not only kissing her but also uttering her name.


    He was made scared by himself. His mind was a mess. Perhaps he was afraid that she might see the chaos in his heart, or perhaps he might end up regretting the cruelty that he had put her through. In any case, he was scared. He hated feeling scared, so without thinking about it, he went for the cruelest action to make this end as soon as possible.


    In a move that shamed even himself, he called out Song Song¡¯s name.


    He believed that her heart would have died already.


    He believed that, after Mrs. Cheng left tomorrow, there would be nothing left between them anymore.


    He believed that the unfamiliar fear would finally leave him be.


    Yes, that was what he believed, and it had to be true.


    Qin Yinan continued to hypnotize himself silently, trying to forget the pain that gripped his heart when that woman¡¯s tears fell into his face earlier. He tried to ignore the woman who was standing out alone in the balcony; he tried to pretend to not hear the silent weeping of the woman out there; he tried to allow tiredness and sleepiness to overwhelm him. He forced his eyes closed and forced himself to go to sleep.


    Even in his dream, he reminded himself, everything would go as nned; everything would return back to normal.


    ...


    When Cheng Qingchong returned from the balcony, it was already two hourster.


    Qin Yinan had long since fallen asleep. The room had an internal heater, but for some reason, she felt it was much colder than the open balcony.


    She stared at Qin Yinan in bed with a pair of red eyes for a long time before to the side of his bed. She studied his sleeping face and the tears that she thought had dried started to fall again.


    She knelt down beside the bed and reached out to very lightly caress his face.


    She knew this was probably thest time she could touch him again.


    Yinan... I¡¯m sorry... I shouldn¡¯t have used you for the sake of Big Boss... I shouldn¡¯t have tricked you with the child that doesn¡¯t even exist in the first ce... I¡¯m really sorry...

 Chapter 1035 Can You Forgive Me? 6

    I¡¯m sorry... I¡¯m sorry... I¡¯m sorry... Cheng Qingchong repeated the word of apology so many times that she didn¡¯t notice one inadvertently slipped from her lips. "I¡¯m sorry..."


    ...


    Actually, the moment Cheng Qingchongid her hand on Qin Yinan¡¯s face, the man had already woken up. Her fingers fell on his face but never moved. She didn¡¯t make any sound, and since he didn¡¯t open his eyes, he couldn¡¯t see her expression and thus had no clue what she was up to.


    The room was so quiet that Qin Yinan felt the feeling of her touch on his face had slowly be a part of his dream. Suddenly, he could hear her shaking voice saying, "I¡¯m sorry... I¡¯m sorry... I¡¯m really sorry, Yinan..."


    Qin Yinan felt like someone had used a knife to slice through his heart. His body shuddered, and the breath caught in his throat.


    She continued to murmur her apologies until she started to choke on them. Probably afraid that she might wake him up, she kept her crying and words to the softest of volumes, and it took hisplete focus for him to hear what she was talking about.


    "...I know you don¡¯t like me... I also the only reason you were once good to be was to take revenge on me..." Her voice was shaking terribly, and it wasced with a heavy sadness. As they drifted into Qin Yinan¡¯s ears, they squirreled into his heart and tore it open from within. "I know you hate me so deeply... but I don¡¯t me you... because it is my fault to begin with... and because..." Cheng Qingchong tripped on her words then. She sobbed silently before uttering softly, "...I like you."


    He knew she had feeling for him because that was only of the most important step of his revenge n. It felt like ages ago when they were on the nameless hill and he once asked her, "Do you like me?"


    Initially, the answer she had given him was "I don¡¯t know."


    As he pouted with disappointment, he had pressed, "Does that mean you don¡¯t like me?"


    Hurriedly, she had replied, "Of course not."


    If he was not mistaken, that was the very first and only time she had admitted that she liked him.


    When he heard her confession, Qin Yinan¡¯s heart started to race.


    "I... I like... I like you..." Cheng Qingchong talked slowly to prevent the emotions from getting the best of her. In that effort, she even had to repeat some words several times. Her words though sounded soft had an incredible despair and sadness to them. "...I really, really, really like you..."


    Qin Yinan seemed to be quietly sleeping, but he was internally overwhelmed by the feelings and emotions that were ravaging him.


    Her fingers that settled on his face finally moved. They brushed past his brows very lightly, and he could feel how hard they trembled. As if resonating with the vibration, his heart also quivered with pain.


    Before he could recover, the woman¡¯s soft and teary voice said, "Yinan... do you know? Actually, there has been a question stuck in my heart, will you forgive me?


    "But..."


    He could no longer control himself from keeping his eyes closed. Using the dim nightlight, he could see the woman has a smile on her face, but behind that smile there was a heartening plea.


    "...I don¡¯t dare to because I¡¯m afraid..."

 Chapter 1036 Ive Been Thinking About You Again 1

    "...Afraid that you¡¯ll mock me for imagining the impossible when I ask you of that..."


    As she continued to murmur, her fingers that were left on his face slowly retracted. For some reason, when Qin Yinan could no longer feel her touch on his face, a bad feeling settled within him.


    His instinct told him this was a final parting of sorts. Instantly, it felt like someone was gripping his heart tightly, which caused a painful choke to rise to his throat.


    He suddenly became weirdly nervous, so nervous that he reached out in a hurry to grab her hand that was moving away.


    The woman froze, and their eyes met.


    Before she could take a good look at the man¡¯s expression, he suddenly yanked her down into bed. He had his hands over her head to press her face into his with his lips passionately ravaging hers.


    His arms that held her tightened, slowly but surely. He squeezed her deeper into his embrace until it felt like he was going to break her back. As if possessed, the man dominated her lips and tongue crazily. He sucked whatever little breath she had out of her, not giving her the chance to escape or even gasp for air.


    Only by doing this could his pained and nervous heart manage to rx little by little.


    Just as the both of them were about to die from asphyxiation, he unwillingly let her go.


    Her eyes were rimmed red, and around them were tears.


    His eyes that looked at her dimmed. She only managed to open her bruised lips for a breath of air when he once more sought out her lips. The kiss was even crazier and more passionate than the one earlier. He held her body and turned in bed to press the woman down underneath his powerful body.


    He reached out anxiously to tear away the clothes between them. He dropped them in a hurry on the floor and entered her world deeply, hurriedly, and with a certain sense of anxiety.


    ...


    His actions reminded her of the night they shared on the nameless hill.


    It was as gentle and as caring as it was then...


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s mind faltered, losing herself in between dream and reality. Her tears slowly started to fall. She stared at the ceiling, and her body that was frozen from his sudden aggression started to rx.


    The temperature inside the room continued to rise. Their moans and heavy breaths ovepped with each other, creating a sensuous song of sorts.


    He had forgotten the hatred and resentment inside his heart and lost himself in the wondrous world of this unbelievable woman. She ignored his disgust and cruelty, falling into the abyss with the man.


    They spent every ounce of their energy to sense and appreciate the other¡¯s existence, temperature, and desire.


    She could not stop herself from calling out his name.


    "Yinan..."

 Chapter 1037 Ive Been Thinking About You Again 2

    As that word left her mouth, her body froze as she realized what she had done. Once upon a time, when she was also lost in the heat of the moment, she had blurted out his name, and he had told her coldly, "Have I given you permission to call my name in such a manner?"


    And now he is treating me so kindly. Is it because he has another trick up his sleeves?


    While she was worrying, Qin Yinan heard her call, gripped her waist, and entered her even deeper. She waspletely unprepared, and a seductive moan escaped her lips. It was soft yet incredibly powerful as it started a wildfire that burned through every cell of the man¡¯s body.


    It started gentle and full of care, but he started to lose control of himself and his desire. There seemed to be a ball of fire stuck in his chest. He had no idea what it was or what it represented, but the closer they were, the brighter it burned and the better he felt.


    She tried her best to submit to the aggression the man was directing her way. Under his relentless assault, her defenses copsed. Her hands that were gripping the mattress curled around his neck to grip his shoulders. Her touch sent a violent shudder down her body. Instead of disgust, it seemed like it only made his desire for her grow even stronger.


    It was a long timeter before things became peaceful again.


    She was exhausted, so exhausted that she did not feel like moving or even think about what had happened between them. She just wanted to fall asleep.


    Hugging her, he was feeling the same way. The air around them was filled with the smell of what they had done. Perhaps because he had allowed himself to fall too deep into his desire, it took him a while to recover from the haze of sensuality and passion. It was not until then that he realized at the veryst moment, when they both reached the climax, their hands had involuntarily sought out each other. That was how they were then, their fingers intertwined.


    It was something lovers did to send the other their love, to show the desire to hold the other¡¯s hand to the end of days.


    Qin Yinan frowned as he turned around slightly to look at their intertwining hands.


    He could still remember it was he who actively went to grab her hand. He grabbed her hand, and when his fingers crossed with hers, the woman¡¯s body shook as if with disbelief.


    These few days, he had been acting so strange and so unlike himself that he could not even understand what was happening.


    After a while, Qin Yinan¡¯s gaze moved away from their hands to fall on her sleeping face. He stared at her for quite some time before he realized he had lost himself looking at her.


    He knew he should release her hand and stop hugging her as they fell asleep, but when this thought crossed his mind, it onlypelled him to hug her closer, and his hand tightened around hers.


    ...


    After sending Mrs. Cheng off, Qin Yinan drove Cheng Qingchong back to the city. On the drive, he received a call from his secretary, asking when he would arrive at thepany.


    After finishing the call, Qin Yinan turned to ask Cheng Qingchong, "Where are you off to?"


    Cheng Qingchong turned to look out the window. They were not far from Four Seasons, so she said, "Can you drop me off at the hotel? I haven¡¯t reported for work for a long time."


    Qin Yinan nodded kindly and turned the steering wheel, making a right on the uing junction.


    Without Mrs. Cheng, there seemed to be a noticeableck of conversation between them.


    Qin Yinan stole nces at Cheng Qingchong through the rear-view mirror, and the woman was perhaps still exhausted from the night before because her face was pale. She was leaning back against the headrest with her eyes closed, as if catching up on sleep.

 Chapter 1038 Ive Been Thinking About You Again 3

    They stopped at a red light, and Qin Yinan did not realize he had lost himself once more staring at Cheng Qingchong. It was not until the cars behind them started to collectively honk that he recovered and moved on.


    When they were about 200 meters away from Four Seasons, Qin Yinan¡¯s phone rang. Since he thought it was another call from Chen Yang, he did not hurry to answer it. It was not until he stopped the car by the roadside that he picked up the phone slowly. When he saw the caller ID, his expression softened tremendously. He answered and called out caringly, "Song Song."


    The expression of Cheng Qingchong, who was not asleep at all, froze when she heard these two words. She titled her head slightly to the side and opened her eyes to look out the window.


    "No, I swear I didn¡¯t hide the thing from you on purpose. I simply wanted to resolve it on my own. And see, haven¡¯t I done exactly that? I¡¯ve obtained the contract from Golden Wings...


    "...Fine, fine. Song Song, don¡¯t be angry, I know you¡¯re worried about me..."


    Old habits die hard. When Song Qingchun was unhappy, Qin Yinan¡¯s first reaction was to console her. As she looked out the window, Cheng Qingchong¡¯s lips tensed slightly when the man¡¯s gentle as water tone drifted into her ears.


    Song Qingchun is probably calling because she heard about the crisis at Qin Yinan¡¯spany.


    Before she went to beg Jin Ze, Cheng Qingchong did consider the fact that Qin Yinan still had Song Qingchun, the unrted sister that was even closer than blood siblings, and by talking to Song Qingchun, he could easily gain the aid of her Big Boss.


    However, she knew better than anyone else that Qin Yinan would not go to Song Qingchun. Men everywhere in the world were the same; when they were down on their luck, they would insist on relying on themselves to ovee it. A man¡¯s foolish pride prevented themselves from asking help from the girl they once loved no matter how difficult the situation they were in.


    Even though the sacrifice she had made was huge, in a way, she felt a perverse pride that the person who managed to help Qin Yinan in his time of need was her, Cheng Qingchong, and not Song Qingchun, who grew up together with him.


    Sometimes, one just had to settle for second best. If one could not be with the one they loved, doing everything one could for them was a happy thing as well.


    No matter how big the hurt behind that happiness was.


    Because, as long as he¡¯s happy, everything¡¯s fine, right?


    At least now he...


    Cheng Qingchong nced at Qin Yinan through the rear-view mirror. Qin Yinan and Song Qingchun had changed topic; they were now talking about Little Sesame...


    She noticed that the depression and agitation that had been written on his face when the crisis struck two days ago hadpletely disappeared.


    He did not know she was helping him behind his back, and he believed it was his proposal that moved Jin Ze. It was because of that sess that he was radiating with confidence...


    Yes, as long as he¡¯s happy, everything¡¯s fine...


    Cheng Qingchong lowered her head. When Qin Yinan hung up his phone, she pointed at the roadside and said, "We¡¯re here."


    Qin Yinan stepped on the brake. Just as the car halted to a stop, Cheng Qingchong jumped out of the car immediately, as if she was afraid that she wouldn¡¯t be able to if she stayed any longer.


    Cheng Qingchong stood by the roadside and shed a bright smile at Qin Yinan. "Thank you for your help for the past few days."


    Initially, he was hesitant to lend his aid, but now that it was over, he felt weirdly unwilling to have it end.


    Qin Yinan pressed his lips and nodded slightly with a sprinkling of agitation. "Hmm."

 Chapter 1039 Ive Been Thinking About You Again 4

    His agitation did not escape Cheng Qingchong¡¯s eyes. However, it was construed as impatience in the woman¡¯s mind. Cheng Qingchong bit on her lips and tried to keep the smile on her face as she said, "Goodbye."


    Then, without waiting for Qin Yinan¡¯s reaction, she closed the door, turned around, and rushed into the hotel lobby.


    Goodbye, Qin Yinan. These few words needed at most six seconds to utter, but do you know? I used every ounce of energy within my body before I got was able to voice them.


    ...


    Qin Yinan¡¯s car stopped at Four Seasons¡¯ entrance for a while before he left.


    ...


    Not long after he left, Cheng Qingchong came out from the hotel. She turned into the attached convenient store to buy a box of morning-after pills. Unlike a certain main character, she did know how to protect herself.


    Since there was already no possibility between them, she could not allow herself to be identally pregnant with his child. It would be unfair to him and to the child.


    After swallowing the pills, Cheng Qingchong walked to the roadside to hail a cab. She gave the driver Qin Yinan¡¯s home address.


    When she arrived, she hurriedly cleared away all the stuff that she had moved into his house to create the illusion for her mother. Then, she ced the car key by the entrance and left in a hurry, pulling her luggage.


    She returned to her rental home, packing a few of her necessity, before rushing to the airport.


    She checked in, passed the security check, got on the ne, and finally left.


    Cheng Qingchong sat quietly in her seat. The scenery outside the small window was filled with clear blue sky and puffy clouds. Inside the window, the woman¡¯s eyes were puffy with tears.


    ...


    Right at that moment, Qin Yinan was at theunch conference of hispany¡¯s product. He was spirited and sharp, expertly doing all the advertisement and introduction. His phone was ced with his secretary. A message came in from Cheng Qingchong, but he was too busy to take notice of it.


    After the conference was over, it was followed by a dinner.


    When everything was settled and done, it was already 10 pm.


    By then, Cheng Qingchong had already met up with Jin Ze¡¯s arranged driver and reached the house Jin Ze assigned to her.


    ...


    Qin Yinan barely had the time to breathe throughout the day, that was how busy he was. When he reached home, it was almost midnight.


    Other than a few windows that were still bright with light, most of the apartments of his building were dark.


    Qin Yinan took the elevator to his floor and used the key to open his room.


    The room was surprisingly dark, and Qin Yinan frowned at the sense of unfamiliarity. It was then that he realized since Mrs. Cheng had left, Cheng Qingchong had probably moved out of his house already.


    As the thought came into his mind, Qin Yinan reached out to flip on the light. Without even taking off his shoes, he rushed into every room to take a look at everything. It was as he expected¡ªevery sign of the woman had been removed.


    All had returned to its original state like he wanted.


    Qin Yinan stood at the door to the main bedroom, nking out for quite some time, before he returned to the front door. He bent down to slowly remove his shoes, and when he walked past the living room, he was suddenly reminded of the previous day. When he returnedst night, at a time slightly earlier than now, she was sitting on the sofa, watching the television. He had had more than a little to drink, and she had squatted down to help him with his shoes.


    Qin Yinan swallowed hardly as he increased his pace to rush into the main bedroom. He removed his clothes and stepped into the bathroom to take a quick shower. When he exited and was about to use the hairdryer to blow dry his hair, his eyes unconsciously wandered toward the bed.

 Chapter 1040 Ive Been Thinking About You Again 5

    Last night, he had been exhausted after taking the shower. He had copsed onto the bed with his hair undried. She hade to him with the hair dryer to help him dry his hair.


    Today, his product finally got onto the market. Technically, he should have been celebrating, but he realized that night perhaps was the lowest he had felt all year.


    Qin Yinan did not know what was needling his heart, but after messily drying his hair, he mmed the hairdryer heavily on the cupboard before walking to his bed.


    After taking two steps, he turned as if reminded of something. In the weakness of the moment, he swore he could see Cheng Qingchong walk out of the shower, bend her body slightly over, and dry her hair where he had stood earlier.


    Qin Yinan sighed deeply and with annoyance before yanking the cover back and crawling into bed. However, his mind was filled with images of the passionate nights he had shared with Cheng Qingchong in this very bed.


    The picture of the woman as she bit on her lips as he entered her; the way hershes quivered when he kissed her; the way she snuggled underneath him, calling his name...


    Qin Yinan flipped over heavily in bed and grabbed the pillow to smother his face. He tried his best to push Cheng Qingchong out of his mind, but it only made him think about her even more. As this struggle continued throughout the night, Qin Yinan eventually fell asleep.


    Suddenly, Cheng Qingchong¡¯s sobbing appeared beside his ears.


    "I¡¯m sorry... I¡¯m sorry... I¡¯m really sorry, Yinan...


    "...I know you don¡¯t like me... I also the only reason you were once good to be was to take revenge on me...


    "...I know you hate me so deeply... but I don¡¯t me you... because it is my fault to begin me... and because... I like you...


    "Yinan... do you know? Actually, there has been a question stuck in my heart, will you forgive me?


    "Will you forgive me?"


    Qin Yinan¡¯s head shook vehemently, and he called out Cheng Qingchong¡¯s name in his sleep. "Qingchong, Qingchong..."


    Will you forgive me?


    As her words circted around his head, he could sense moisture on his face like her tears soaking him wet. He reached out to touch his face, and he frowned when it felt dry under his touch.


    Once more, he heard, "Will you forgive me?"


    Then, in his dream, he saw her smiling expression painted with tears. It felt like despair to him.


    The woman started to shift in his dream until she dissipated in a wisp of smoke. Before she disappeared, Qin Yinan yelled out her name as he sprung up into a seated position in bed.


    Qin Yinan gasped violently for air, and it took him a while to realize it was all just a dream. He raised his head to look around his familiar bedroom with his breath stilling fast. Then, he copsed onto his bed weakly.


    What is happening to me?


    Once he stepped into his home, he had constantly been reminded of her, and even in his dream, she was there.


    Qin Yinan kicked off the cover irritably and got out of bed. He found a pack of cigarette in the bedside table. He pulled one out and lit it. He took a puff from it before he started to nk out again, staring at the sofa in the room through the veil of smoke.

 Chapter 1041 Ive Been Thinking About You Again 6

    She had just spent two nights on the sofa, but how her slender frame had curled up on it, cowering under a thin nket, seemed to have been etched into his mind. It became so clear and real that it felt like the woman was really there in the room.


    Without realizing what he was doing, Qin Yinan walked to the sofa, squatted down, and reached out his hand. His fingertips found only air.


    Qin Yinan frowned, and then he realized that the sofa was unupied. There was not anyone on it; he was merely imagining things.


    Qin Yinan froze in his squatting position. It was not until his fingertips sizzled with pain that he realized the cigarette had almost burned down to its butt. He tossed the cigarette butt into the ashtray and slowly stood up. He worked his two legs that had gotten slightly wobbly from squatting down for too long before moving to the balcony.


    It was still quite far away until sunrise. However, Qin Yinan did not feel like sleeping. Like a statue, he stood out in the cold until the eastern horizon became dyed with white.


    ...


    "Qingchong! Qingchong!"


    Qin Yinan sat up in bed and gripped the cover with a nched face. He gasped for air before pulling the cover off to head into the bathroom.


    He twisted the faucet open and cupped some cold water in his hands to ssh his face. The chill of the water slowed his beating heart slightly.


    This was the third consecutive night this had happened.


    Cheng Qingchong left on the same day Mrs. Cheng departed from Beijing. From that night onwards, that question "Will you forgive me?" was like a curse repeating itself,plete with choking tears, beside his ears every night.


    The first night, after he was woken up, he had spent the rest of the night out on the balcony.


    Last night, after he was woken up, he joined a few of his friends at Eldorado for a whole game of mahjong.


    Tonight... he was really exhausted from theck of sleep, but when he tried to fall asleep, the visions of that woman would torment him.


    Qin Yinan sighed before closing the faucet and turned to head toward the study.


    He flipped open a document and submerged himself in his work. At least she left him be when he was working. Time trickled by slowly. Other than the sound of typing and Qin Yinan flipping through the pages, the room was quiet.


    After some time, while Qin Yinan was caught in the chaos piled up on his desk, he called out habitually, "Qingchong? Qingchong?


    "Are you free? If you are, do you mind helping me look over this document... Qingchong..."


    Qin Yinan raised his voice, and it was then that he suddenly stopped. His hand that held the document suddenly tightened.


    Qingchong, did I just call for Cheng Qingchong?


    But that woman is no longer staying her, is she?


    Qin Yinan ced the document slowly back down on the desk. He leaned back in his chair, and his gaze unconsciously wandered toward the round chair in the room. The floormp was still on, but that corner of the room felt curiously empty. No matter how hard he stared, the woman who was usually curled, doing her work, did not materialize.


    When Qin Yinan moved his gaze away from the round chair, his eyes were surprisingly red. He lowered his head to look at the surface of his desk before standing up. He returned to his bedroom, changed into his formal attire, and went to work.

 Chapter 1042 Ive Been Thinking About You Again 7

    When he got off from work, it was already 9 pm. Qin Yinan did drink some alcohol, but he wasn¡¯t drunk. However, what the alcohol did was overwhelm his brain with drowsiness. Once he entered his car, he asked the driver to take him home.


    He believed, that night, he could finally have a restful sleep, yes?


    The driver turned on the radio, and when the car passed the second roundabout, a familiar melody began.


    "I believe I still need to learn, to not close my eyes when I¡¯m sad. Before the tears form, let them evaporate into mist..."


    Qin Yinan, who had been leaning back in the chair with his eyes closed, slowly peeled them open to look at the radio. The driver thought this was his way of saying that he minded the noise, so the driver reached out to turn the music off.


    "Leave it on!" Qin Yinan called out to stop him.


    The driver was shocked and quickly pulled his hand back to the steering wheel. He looked straight ahead to focus on his driving. The mellifluous singing voice continued to fill up the car.


    "I believe I still need to work hard, to stop myself from crying when listening to love songs. Those memories of love will turn the recollection of our time together into tears. When I think about you, there¡¯s a despairing disappointment. That familiar shadow by the street makes my heart bleed..."


    It was not until then that Qin Yinan realized why the song was so familiar. The few days Mrs. Cheng and Cheng Qingchong stayed with him, there was this one night when he woke up to use the bathroom. When he passed the woman who was curling up on the sofa, he heard this song through her earphones.


    At the time, her eyes had been closed, her ears plugged into the song, her tears falling. He had pretended not to have noticed her as he walked past her into the bathroom. He had stayed in there for a long time, and when he came out, he had given up the direct route to his bed and gone the circuitous route around the sofa to his bed as if possessed, and then he realized she was still listening to this song.


    "When I think about you again, it¡¯s the reason I cannot hide. I believe I can get over your love, but in the sleepless night, I¡¯ve thought about you again..."


    The song in the car ovepped with the song in his memory, and like someone had pped him across his face, he shivered violently.


    I believe I can get over your love, but in the sleepless night, I¡¯ve thought about you again...


    Qin Yinan¡¯s eyes darted about in panic, and through the car window, he caught sight of the Four Seasons Hotel that was shining like a jewel in the dark. Without thinking about it, he blurted out, "Take me to the Four Seasons."


    "CEO Qin?" The driver was stunned and stepped on the brake.


    "Four Seasons, I said, take me to the Four Seasons Hotel," Qin Yinan repeated.


    The driver restarted the engine and made a U-turn when he could. The car eventually stopped at the hotel entrance.


    Qin Yinan knew it was the month for Cheng Qingchong to manage the night shift. He booked a VIP room and sat in the lobby, waiting for a while, but the person who came to serve him was not Cheng Qingchong.


    In a pure stroke of luck, the room they assigned Qin Yinan was the room Mr. Smith had stayed in, Room 1111.


    The decoration inside was as he remembered, simple and clean.


    After the server left, Qin Yinan picked up the phone to call for room service.


    He ordered supper, wine, champagne, popcorn...


    He had practically ordered everything the hotel could offer, but not once did he run into Cheng Qingchong.

 Chapter 1043 Ive Been Thinking About You Again 8

    When the clock struck midnight, Qin Yinan exited his room under the pretext of buying cigarettes. He walked around the hotel premise but didn¡¯t spot even Cheng Qingchong¡¯s shadow.


    Qin Yinan believed that she wasn¡¯t at work that day or had changed to the daytime shift. He bought himself a pack of cigarette and finished one outside the hotel before returning to his room.


    Perhaps because Cheng Qingchong was employed there, Qin Yinan had his first good night¡¯s sleep there in his room. When he woke up, it was already 11 am the next day.


    There was still one hour until check-out, but Qin Yinan was not in a hurry. Simr to the previous night, he picked up the phone to call for all sorts of room service. To his surprise, Cheng Qingchong still didn¡¯t show herself.


    After Qin Yinan took a shower and exited the hotel room to do the check-out at the counter, he came across a server that he believed he could recognize in the elevator. The reason he remembered this woman was because he saw this person twice talking to Cheng Qingchong when he joined Mr. Smith at the hotel.


    Cheng Qingchong, as the hotel manager, should definitely show herself to their VIP guest, but she wasn¡¯t there for the nightshift and isn¡¯t here for the dayshift either... Is she on sick leave?


    As the elevator went down, Qin Yinan nced at the server multiple times. When the elevator almost reached their destination, Qin Yinan finally coughed and introduced himself politely. "Hello, I¡¯m Qin Yinan, Cheng Qingchong¡¯s friend."


    The server was spooked when Qin Yinan suddenly talked to her, but her face rxed when he mentioned the name ¡¯Cheng Qingchong¡¯. She smiled sweetly at Qin Yinan and replied, "Nice to meet you, sir, how can I help you?"


    Qin Yinan lowered his eyes and asked in a gentle voice, "I wish to ask you, is Cheng Qingchong not working today?"


    When the girl heard this, she was baffled. "Qingchong? Sir, didn¡¯t you know? Qingchong has already resigned."


    Resigned? Qin Yinan¡¯s brows furrowed deeply.


    Seeing this, the server knew he really had no idea, so she exined, "Around five days ago, she called management saying she will not being back to work due to personal reasons. That day itself she came to finish the resignation process."


    Five days ago? Five days ago, she was still staying with me... There was nothing out of the ordinary that day, so why did she decide to resign?


    The elevator door opened, and since Qin Yinan didn¡¯t respond, the girl prompted him politely. "Sir, is there anything else? If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll excuse myself first."


    Qin Yinan was pulled out of his reverie. He responded with a quick "okay" before adding a sincere thanks to the girl.


    The girl smiled professionally back at Qin Yinan before turning to leave. After two steps, she suddenly turned to face Qin Yinan like she had just remembered something. "Oh, by the way, I hear from the other hotel manager that Qingchong seems to have left Beijing already."


    Left Beijing? Cheng Qingchong is no longer in Beijing? This time, Qin Yinan didn¡¯t react in any way. He merely stopped dumbly inside the elevator before walking out of it lifelessly. He staggered towards the hotel entrance, and as the bright sun hit him in the eyes, he felt his mind was filled by nothing but a wide expanse of nk whiteness.

 Chapter 1044 Paper Note 1

    Cheng Qingchong resigned five days ago, Cheng Qingchong has left Beijing...


    Ever since the first few days of their divorce, his mood had not been so agitated, but at least at that time, he knew she was in Beijing¡ªthere were those few times when he saw her waiting for a cab by the roadside through his car window. But now, he suddenly received the news that she had left this city.


    The scene where Cheng Qingchong squatted down beside him, talking to herself with a smile on her lips but tears in her eyes, appeared in Qin Yinan¡¯s mind.


    At the time, she had looked so sad.


    At the time, he had felt weirdly panicked. When her finger left his face, he had noticed a flustered feeling telling him she was about topletely disappear from his world. It wasn¡¯t his imagination; it was the truth.


    At the time, she had already finished the resignation.


    At the time, she had already decided to leave Beijing.


    At the time, she had told him so many things probably because she knew that was going to be theirst farewell.


    No wonder, the next day, after dropping Mrs. Cheng off at the airport, when he dropped her at Four Seasons, thest look that she gave him when she left his car was so weird. He didn¡¯t imagine the tears in her eyes when she bade him farewell.


    That was truly herst goodbye... Qin Yinan¡¯s lips fell open, and he started to run down the street in front of Four Seasons. He knocked into a stranger on the street and carried on running without a word of apology. The stranger¡¯s cursing words appeared behind him.


    He had forgottenpletely about the driver he had called earlier. He stood by the roadside and hailed a passing cab. As he jumped in, he gave the driver his home address.


    After he shot through the door, Qin Yinan started to ransack the ce without even removing his shoes.


    To be honest, he didn¡¯t know what he was looking for. He just immersed himselfpletely in the search, bending down to look through the bottom of the sofas, climbing up to the highest shelf in the kitchen.


    He dashed into the guest bedroom and then the main bedroom. He practically up-ended his whole house, but there was no trace of the woman left. She had taken away everything that would remind him of her, even the everyday household items.


    The continued searching exhausted Qin Yinan. He stood amid the chaos, and for a moment, he was as lost as a child before rushing into the onest ce that was still untouched, his study.


    He yanked all the books that he had collected over the years to the floor. He pulled out all the drawers and tossed out all the contents. Finally, his eyes settled on a divorce certificate and a velvet box.


    Once upon a time, he had plotted so hard for this divorce certificate, but now, the image of it burned his eyes with pain. He staggered back, like the certificate was something scary. He tripped on the debris and fell ungracefully on his butt.


    He winced slightly from pain. There was something hard poking him. He didn¡¯t hurry to stand up but turned around to look at the round chair beside him.


    Through the fabric, he could see a ball of crumpled paper that was stuck underneath the cushion.

 Chapter 1045 Paper Note 2

    Qin Yinan stood up immediately to push the chair away. He picked up the dirty ball of paper that was caught in the dust.


    He ttened it and spread it out. Cheng Qingchong¡¯s clear handwriting appeared before his eyes.


    "Yinan, I¡¯m sorry... Yinan... Yinan..."


    The whole page was filled with his name interspersed with several apologies. There really wasn¡¯t much content to the page, but Qin Yinan still looked through every single word closely, and he even spotted a question that was hidden between the lines. "If I admit every bad thing that I¡¯ve done to you, will you forgive me? Yes or no?"


    Yes or no?


    From the color of the handwriting, it seemed to have been written quite some time ago.


    He had rushed home in such a hurry, hoping to find something left behind by her, but who would have thought the only thing he could find was piece of paper with her apology?


    In other words, this piece of paper and all those words written on it were telling him, when Cheng Qingchong was his wife, she had already considered telling him that she was sorry and confessing her wrongdoings, but afraid that he wouldn¡¯t forgive her, she didn¡¯t dare open her lips.


    Therefore, all this time, she had been tormenting herself with anxiety and guilt.


    Qin Yinan looked at the paper for a long time before he moved his eyes away. He looked at the ceiling and became intensely quiet like a machine powering down.


    If, at the beginning, she really did confess to him, would he have forgiven her?


    He probably would...


    He believed, he would.


    So why didn¡¯t she?


    Was it because of fear?


    Fear because she cared about him?


    Then what about him? Why was he so angry then? Was it because of her deceit?


    She was the one who started this rivalry between them; he was merely returning the favor. He admitted, looking back, that he was unnecessarily cruel to both her and himself.


    He didn¡¯t consider himself a heartless person; after all, so many years ago, Tang Nuan had yed him for a bigger fool, and after he found out, he had merely cut all ties from her. He didn¡¯t hurt her in any way.


    Cheng Qingchong became the exception to his rule... Why was that? Even now, he couldn¡¯t tell why he was so filled with anger and resentment when he discovered her deceit.


    All this while, he had been unwilling to face this particr question. Due to Mrs. Cheng, his interaction with her became more constant for the first time after their divorce. Just like the reason behind so many of his actions that he couldn¡¯t exin to himself, he refused to figure out why.


    When all these questions piled up in his heart, he knew it was time to finally face the truth.


    If he had known about her secret when they were first married, what would he have done?


    He believed, he would have asked her out for a talk,id everything out on the table, and asked for a peaceful divorce.


    However, he found out she had tricked him after she had taken care of him so perfectly and kindly for eight full months. Even though their marriage was built upon a fake pregnancy and had no emotional foundation, when he was lying in bed, tormented by physical pain, she would sit down beside him tofort him by talking to him in her soothing voice, and miraculously, he would be quiet again.


    Many times, when he woke up from his afternoon nap and saw the woman sitting quietly wreathed in the sunlight reading her book, he would smile to himself.

 Chapter 1046 Paper Note 3

    That period at the hospital had been dry and boring, but it had also been the most peaceful period of his life. Until now, he had not thought about how sincere he had been then. He had really been that close to falling in love with her.


    He admitted that he cared about Tang Nuan, but more honestly, his love was more toward the memory of the girl who shared the book club with him during his youth rather than Tang Nuan herself.


    He admitted that he had once thought that he was in love with Song Song, but looking back, he might have misconstrued a love between family as romantic love. He would give up everything for her, but he never thought about asking for anything back from her.


    But the kind of feeling Cheng Qingchong gave him at the time?


    Around her, he felt like this was a person he could spend the rest of his life with.


    His whole life, that was a term that stretched across a wide expanse of time. When he was pursuing Tang Nuan, he didn¡¯t think he had told her that he would love her forever. When Song Song agreed to marry him, it also didn¡¯t cross his mind to keep her by his side for life. But he was interested in spending his whole life with Cheng Qingchong.


    At the time, he really thought he had found a girl whom he could spend the rest of his life with.


    At the time, he epted that Song Song had found herself a life of happiness. He could finally move on and carry on with his life.


    Even though, at the time, he wasn¡¯t sure how his feeling was actually towards her, he really did look forward to their future together.


    That beautiful future that he¡¯d seen was all a mirage.


    Their marriage was a sham from the very beginning. The tears that he had shed for his unborn child were nothing but a waste...


    The woman that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with only came to be with him for the sake of another man.


    Who wouldn¡¯t be angry? At the time, Qin Yinan had been filled with hatred; he hadn¡¯t hated someone so deeply in his life before.


    Naturally, he couldn¡¯t let her off so easily. He needed to make sure she tasted the same bitter medicine that she gave him, to raise her up to heavens just so he could kick her down to hell. Therefore, he was so kind to her, so extra-ordinarily kind, while he looked on with a detached eye as she fell step by step into his trap. All he was feeling then was wicked anticipation and mocking derision.


    Now, he finally got his wish¡ªthe wicked woman with a ck heart and a mouthful of lies had finally disappeared from his life with bruises that he inflicted all over her body.


    He had won. He should have been happy...


    But he didn¡¯t feel d. It was one thing when he didn¡¯t see, but he would lose control whenever he met her.


    He was such a nice guy... so why would he be so influenced by her?


    Right then, he realized when he was leading her step-by-step into the trap, he too had fallen into the trap himself.


    Perhaps his heart had known the truth since the very beginning, but he had refused to face it because he was afraid, afraid that he might feel regret for the many things that he had done. Thus, he powered on without thought. Now, when the woman had left the city, he finally copsed.


    All along, it wasn¡¯t Cheng Qingchong who was acting stubborn¡ªit was him.


    What he wanted was not what he expected. He couldn¡¯t ept this contrast; he couldn¡¯t cross thatst line in his heart.


    Song Qingchun loved Su Zhinian. He was envious, but he didn¡¯t mind as he even sincerely wished that they could spend the rest of their lives happily together.


    But Cheng Qingchong loved Su Zhinian¡ªthat he minded a lot... He cared about that more than anybody else. He couldn¡¯t ept the fact that she had made use of him for the sake of another man. He thought it was because of his pride, but now, he realized, at the time, he was being jealous.

 Chapter 1047 Paper Note 4

    Therefore, when he saw her bend over so respectfully and obsequiously helped Mr. Smith with his shoes, he was feeling all sorts of annoyed inside his heart.


    Therefore, when she greeted him so detachedly and professionally at Four Seasons, he was irked.


    Therefore, when she came to hispany to ask him for him, he couldn¡¯t help himself from chasing after her right after he chased her away with snidements and mocking words.


    Therefore, when Mrs. Cheng came, he tried his best to y the role of the son-inw. He thought he was only acting, but now he realized, he was sincerely concerned about Mrs. Cheng and wanted to be good to her because she was Cheng Qingchong¡¯s mother.


    Therefore, when she told him that she would sleep on the sofa, he was so angry and became even more incensed when she seemed to surrender to his savage desire.


    Therefore, this was why he found himself thinking about her often after she left...


    His emotional reaction belied how his heart really felt. Simrly, when he waved his arm to toss the ring into the river, it might have looked that way, but he was merely tossing a coin. However, it flew so fast that she couldn¡¯t catch a good look.


    But why would he do such a thing then? It was a question he had refused to face.


    Qin Yinan slowly put down the crumpled paper and stood up to stagger to his desk. He squatted down to pick up the divorce certificate and the velvet box. He opened the box, and the ring that sat within caught the reflecting light and blinded his eyes.


    Right then, as if cursed, the song that she was listening to on the sofa and the song he heard yesterday in his car drifted into his ears.


    "I believe I still need to learn, to not close my eyes when I¡¯m sad. Before the tears form, let them evaporate into mist..."


    "When I think about you, there¡¯s a despairing disappointment. That familiar shadow by the street makes my heart bleed..."


    A despairing disappointment... Did she feel the same emotion and that was why she was listening to this song?


    A despairing disappointment... Was that everything he had given to her?


    Qin Yinan¡¯s fingers that held the box started to tremble.


    "When I think about you again, it¡¯s the reason I cannot hide. I believe I can get over your love, but in the sleepless night, I¡¯ve thought about you again..."


    I believe I can get over your love but in the sleepless night, I¡¯ve thought about you again.


    He used all those lies that she had constructed around him to deny the truth of his heart. He thought this would help him stave away the guilt. But in so many sleepless nights, he had thought about her again... and again...


    ...


    Seven days passed by soon enough.


    The house Jin Ze had arranged for Cheng Qingchong was a high-end residential area in Shanghai. By standing next to the window, she could see out at the glittering Huangpu River.


    The river looked incredibly beautiful at night, reflecting both the starlight and the city light.


    The house came with an old homemaker who would prepare scrumptious meals for Cheng Qingchong every day. The old nanny also told her,should she want to leave the house to take a stroll, she could call for a driver.


    Cheng Qingchong replied, "Thank you, but it won¡¯t be necessary."


    She wasn¡¯t being polite¡ªit was just that even if she didn¡¯t venture out, there would be new clothes, bags, and jewellery that would be mailed to the house every day.


    All of them came from expensive brands and were from thetest line, but none of them struck Cheng Qingchong¡¯s fancy.


    Cheng Qingchong did see a picture of Jin Ze¡¯s ex-wife once; he had shown it to her when he approached her with the offer three years ago.

 Chapter 1048 Paper Note 5

    Even though she couldn¡¯t afford branded items, due to her constant interaction with the rich and famous, she could recognize the brands that Jin Ze¡¯s ex-wife loved to wear from the picture with just a nce.


    And the stuff that Jin Ze had people sent to the house matched the brands his ex-wife liked perfectly.


    Cheng Qingchong barely took a look at the stuff that he sent over before she had the old nanny ced them in the closet. Cheng Qingchong knew that, while on the surface those presents were gifted to her, they were actually meant for the wife in his memory. She was merely a stand-in, and these gestures had a deeper meaning for him than for her.


    Jin Ze not onlyvished plenty of money on Cheng Qingchong but secured her afortable life. She knew very well the type of life she was living. Even though she made sure she didn¡¯t spend a cent that didn¡¯t belong to her, she knew thebel of ¡¯mistress¡¯ couldn¡¯t be washed away from her. Even so, she refused to spend any of his money and spent most of her day cooped up indoors, listening to music.


    There was a song that she had been listening to since her divorce to Qin Yinan. It was Maggie Chiang¡¯s ¡¯I¡¯ve missed you¡¯.


    Her days were mostly empty, and she spent more time sleeping and spacing out than doing anything productive.


    ¡¯An idle mind is the devil¡¯s workshop.¡¯


    She had plenty of time to reminisce about her life with Qin Yinan and the possibility that could have happened between them.


    Sometimes, she would end up smiling thinly to herself; other times, she would end up nking out looking at the sun. No matter the scenario, in the end, she woulde to the same conclusion. No matter how Qin Yinan was doing, it had nothing to do with her anymore. Then, tears would prick her tears, and she would find a spot hidden from the old nanny and allow the tears to fall.


    If possible, Cheng Qingchong wished she could live in her memory forever. There had never been a period in her life where she wished so desperately for time to move a little slower.


    However, no matter how desperate her wish was, the seven days inadvertently passed.


    Perhaps because the next day was the day Jin Ze was supposed to return, Cheng Qingchong had a hard time falling asleep that night. The next morning, when she woke up and grabbed her phone to look at the time, she saw instead a message from Jin Ze.


    He told her that he was getting on the ne and would reach home at around 6:30 pm. The phone that she was using had been given to her by the man who had fetched her when she arrived in Shanghai. The number was a new Shanghai number.


    Honestly, even if Jin Ze didn¡¯t prepare this for her, she would have done it herself.


    When she epted his condition, she had already decided to bid goodbye to her life in Beijing. Therefore, after she sent Qin Yinan the message saying that she had moved everything away from his house, she disconnected her Beijing number.


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s rather drowsy mind was awakenedpletely after reading Jin Ze¡¯s message. She stared at the phone for a long time before sitting up in bed to lean against the headboard. She hugged the cover around her and spaced out, watching the sky that was still dark outside the window.


    Simr to the few days earlier, the old nanny prepared the breakfast on time.


    However, Cheng Qingchong acted differently from how she was for the past few days. Even though most of her time was spent nking out, her constantly gripped fists belied the increasing anxiety that was gathering in her heart.


    Time flew past quickly that day, and without her realizing it, the sun was already setting.


    When the old nanny went to prepare dinner, the doorbell rang.

 Chapter 1049 Paper Note 6

    The old nanny once told her that this piece of real estate had been bought by Jin Ze many years ago and hadn¡¯t been exposed to the public, so those who knew about its address were very few. It was rare for them to have guests who were not Jin Ze.


    Therefore, the one who pressed the doorbell had to be the owner of the house.


    Cheng Qingchong was sitting in the living room, wracked with tension, before standing up to get the door. However, before she reached it, the door was already pushed open from the outside after the person keyed in the password.


    Jin Ze still looked as presentable as he often did. He stood at the entrance to take off his jacket, and as he did so, he nced at Cheng Qingchong. When he saw her standing by the sofa like an idiot, his brows furrowed. He pointed at the shoe rack next to him, adding, "Slippers."


    "Oh..." Cheng Qingchong responded and stood where she was for another two seconds before running to serve Jin Ze. She opened the shoe rack to pull out a pair of slippers and ced them neatly before Jin Ze.


    Jin Ze slipped into the slippers and made a beeline for the wine rack. He pulled out an already open wine bottle and a ss. When he poured himself a ss a wine, he saw Cheng Qingchong still standing at the front door, so he ordered, "Bath water."


    Cheng Qingchong nodded heavily twice at him before walking into the main bedroom like a machine. Around twenty minutester, Cheng Qingchong came out from within. She stood at the bedroom door and said in a soft tone, "The bath has been drawn."


    Jin Ze nced at Cheng Qingchong but didn¡¯t say anything. He tipped the rest of the ss back, put the ss back on the counter, and moved toward the bathroom in the main bedroom.


    After Jin Ze removed his clothes, he suddenly realized that he had forgotten to carry with him his casual clothes. Thus, he called outside the door, "Xiao Yin."


    Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t respond.


    It was not until Jin Ze called "Xiao Yin" again that she realized he was calling her. Xiao Yin was the name of Jin Ze¡¯s ex-wife. He had already told her that she was merely the stand-in for his wife, and it was her fault for not getting used to it yet.


    Cheng Qingchong immediately answered his call. Then she heard Jin Ze¡¯s voice say, "Go into the closet to grab me a pair of pajamas."


    After a pause, Jin Ze added, "The blue ones."


    As she stepped into the closet, Cheng Qingchong saw the blue pajamas Jin Ze was referring to. They looked old and worn; the tailoring was alreadying loose. The old nanny knew he wasing home that day, sost night, she purposely pulled out these old pajamas to give them a wash.


    At the time, Cheng Qingchong had been curious about why a man as rich as Jin Ze would still keep a set of pajamas as old as these.


    Even though she didn¡¯t pose the question verbally, the old nanny saw the question on her face and told her that the pajamas were a present from Mrs. Jin to Mr. Jin.


    Cheng Qingchong carried the pajamas into the bathroom, and when she entered, Jin Ze was fully naked in therge bathtub that could fit in several adults. Bath salt had been added to the bath, and the copious amount of bubbles covered up most of his body, but even so, Cheng Qingchong still blushed vehemently. She ced the pajamas down and quickly retreated from the bathroom.


    By the time Jin Ze had finished the bath, the old nanny had finished preparing the dinner.


    After cleaning up the dinner, the old nanny took her stuff and tactfully exited the house to return to her own home.


    Only Jin Ze and Cheng Qingchong were left in the three hundred square foot house. This made Cheng Qingchong incredibly worried.


    The long overseas tripbined with the long ne ride had exhausted Jin Ze. It was only 10 pm when he told Cheng Qingchong, "Time to sleep."

 Chapter 1050 Chit Chat at the Table 1

    Cheng Qingchong sat as far away as she could from Jin Ze. Her fingers trembled when she heard this sentence, and the ss of hot water she was holding slipped from her palms. The hot water sshed out from the ss, and it scalded her fair skin instantly.


    After saying that order, Jin Ze ced the remote he was holding earlier down on the table and grabbed the ss of green tea that Cheng Qingchong had made from the coffee table. He took a small sip of it before standing up to walk toward the bedroom. After taking two steps, he suddenly turned around to nce at Cheng Qingchong, who was still seated. Assuming the woman didn¡¯t hear him before, he cleared his throat and repeated, "Xiao Yin, it¡¯s gettingte, time to sleep."


    Cheng Qingchong was pulled harshly out of her shock. Her eyes darted about frantically as she replied, "Okay..."


    She put the ss down on the table and stood up. Due to her anxiety, her hands kept unconsciously rubbing the spot that was scalded earlier. When she saw Jin Ze looking at her, she added, "Coming."


    Jin Ze nodded and turned around wordlessly to head into the bedroom withzy steps.


    As the door closed with a soft click, Cheng Qingchong¡¯s body trembled. She turned her nched face around to look at the picturesque Huang Pu River, and an indescribable sadness slowly overwhelmed her.


    Yinan, what are you doing now in Beijing? Workingte at thepany, or already resting at home?


    Yourpany¡¯s products just got onto the market, so I¡¯m sure you must be extremely busy. Yinan, I hope you¡¯re happy because I¡¯ve sacrificed a lot to make you happy, but don¡¯t take it as an usation. I¡¯m more than willing to make this sacrifice because I love you. You¡¯ll never know it, but I love you. I love you so much that I¡¯m willing to do anything for you.


    Cheng Qingchong forced her lips upward and held the tears that wereing to her eyes in. She took a deep breath and slowly turned around to head toward the main bedroom.


    The lights in the room were already off other than the two weak nightlights on the bedside tables.


    Jin Ze had already removed his pajamas, and he was only wearing boxer shorts, revealing his stout and muscr body.


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s gaze swept the man¡¯s figure hurriedly before she lowered her head and took cautious steps toward the bed.


    Even though her footsteps were light, Jin Ze still managed to sense her approach with his eyes closed. Jin Ze¡¯s eyes fluttered openzily. He looked at Cheng Qingchong before pointing at a bottle of oil that was left on the bedside table and uttered indolently, "Come give me a massage."


    Then, he turned to lie on his front.


    Cheng Qingchong swallowed before she crawled into bed and picked up the oil to pour some on her palms. After she rubbed it over them, she spread it over Jin Ze¡¯s broad back and started the massage.


    Cheng Qingchong had no interaction with Jin Ze, and the bedroom was conspicuously silent.


    About half an hourter, Cheng Qingchong got off the bed to soak a towel in some warm water. She twisted it dry and came back to wipe away the residual oil that was left on Jin Ze¡¯s body.


    Jin Ze seemed to have fallen asleep because he didn¡¯t react in any way as Cheng Qingchong fussed over him.

 Chapter 1051 Chit Chat at the Table 2

    Cheng Qingchong went back into the bathroom with the towel and gave it a good scrub. When she came out, Jin Ze didn¡¯t seem to have moved. She studied the man for a while before pulling her eyes away.


    His breathing sounds so even. He should be sleeping, right? Does this mean that I¡¯m spared tonight?


    Ultimately, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to share a bed with a man other than Qin Yinan, so after standing beside the bed, contemting it for a while, she turned and was about to head out the door when Jin Ze suddenly turned in bed.


    His action was so sudden that Cheng Qingchong froze with her breath held. She turned around slowly to look at the man. His eyes were still closed, but for some reason, Cheng Qingchong felt like he was looking at her. He patted the empty space beside him and said, "Lie down."


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s heart quivered twice, but she stood there immobile. About three minutester, Jin Ze flipped his eyes open, and in the same lumbering tone, he repeated his earlier words. "Lie down to sleep."


    It sounded ostentatiously patient, but Cheng Qingchong could hear the underlying warning.


    Her hands gripped the edge of her clothes tightly, but she didn¡¯t dare dawdle. She crawled into bed with shaking limbs and stayed as far as she could from the man. One more inch, and she would have fallen off the edge.


    Jin Ze turned his head to look at the distance between them that could be upied by another person, and he frowned. Without wasting time on Cheng Qingchong, he reached out to grab Cheng Qingchong¡¯s wrist to pull her right into his embrace.


    The scent of the unfamiliar man instantly filled up Cheng Qingchong¡¯s lungs. It caused her spine to freeze, and her body shook uncontrobly.


    Jin Ze¡¯s hands fell on Cheng Qingchong¡¯s waist to pull her deeper into his arms.


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s mind was in such a panic as if thunderstruck. Forgetting the fact that she had sold herself to Jin Ze to save Qin Yinan, she started to struggle on instinct. Jin Ze didn¡¯t expect her resistance. In an effort to save himself, he shoved her away, and she almost fell off the bed.


    Jin Ze frowned and turned to look at the woman with displeasure. He was about to scold her when he saw her curl up on the edge of the bed, wrapping the cover around her like some kind of trauma victim. Her quivering eyes were looking at him full of guard.


    The words that Jin Ze wanted to say stopped in his throat, and with a frown, he slowly approached Cheng Qingchong.


    The anxiety within the woman amplified with his approach. She kept moving backward until her back felt the wooden headboard. Without anywhere else to turn, she looked about before deciding to jump off from bed.


    However, before she could do that, Jin Ze reached out to grab her wrist to yank her before him.


    Jin Ze didn¡¯t say or do anything, but Cheng Qingchong started to lose control. As she struggled to escape from his grasp, she pleaded with tears choking up her words, "Please don¡¯t... No... Don¡¯t... I can¡¯t... Help..."


    Jin Ze¡¯s brows furrowed deeply, and his grasp on Cheng Qingchong¡¯s wrist tightened as he pulled her closer to his body.


    His action caused the woman to panic even more. She copsed in tears, and her mouth kept mumbling, "Please... give me some more time, please... please..."

 Chapter 1052 Chit Chat at the Table 3

    Even though she thought she had mentally prepared herself before she went looking for Jin Ze...


    Even she thought she could face this hell-like life, knowing her sacrifice would bring Qin Yinan happiness...


    When it really came to it, when Jin Ze approached her, she found herself unable to see it through.


    Cheng Qingchong could feel Jin Ze¡¯s grasp on her wrist increase in force until she grimaced in pain. She knew she was making the man upset. She was afraid, afraid that he would press her underneath him.


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s tears fell harder, and the words that escaped her lips were shaking incredibly. "...I can do everything you want me to but just this thing, can you just give me some more time, please?"


    Qin Yinan would never know what she had sacrificed for his sake. He hated herpletely due to her deceit so long ago; he hated her so fully that he didn¡¯t care about what she did or would do inpensation.


    Even if she begged for a little more time, she knew there was no hope between him and her. Regardless, she still wished to have a little bit more time before her heart would die.


    "Please... CEO Jin... I¡¯m sorry, but I beg of you, please..."


    Jin Ze looked at Cheng Qingchong¡¯s tear-stained face, and his lips tensed. Then, he suddenly released his grasp on her wrist. He reached out to pick up the pajamas from the floor, wrapped his body in them, and got out of bed. As he put on the clothes, he nced at the kneeling woman who was still weeping quietly in bed.


    He turned to walk toward the bathroom, but before he entered it, he stopped. Without turning around, with his back facing Cheng Qingchong, he uttered in a detached voice, "I¡¯m not so low as to force myself upon an unwilling woman. I¡¯m not that desperate yet. In fact, if I wish for it, there are plenty of women out there who are willing to take your ce. I can give you time, but I hope you understand one important detail.


    "You are amodity that I spent plenty of money to purchase, so your life belongs to me, Jin Ze. I hope you remove certain wishes from your mind as soon as possible because you know as well as I do that they cannot be realized. Therefore, I expect that, when Ie back next time, the person that greets me is Xiao Yin and not Cheng Qingchong because I, Jin Ze..."


    Jin Ze paused and turned slightly to meet Cheng Qingchong¡¯s teary eyes.


    "...don¡¯t need and don¡¯t want Cheng Qingchong."


    ...


    The next time Qin Yinan heard about Cheng Qingchong, it was two months after she left Beijing.


    By then, autumn had arrived in Beijing.


    There was a small drizzle that afternoon, so the weather was cold.


    Qin Yinan had a dinner meeting that night, and when he left hispany¡¯s carpark at 6 pm, the rain had already stopped.


    The venue for the meeting was at apound house near Beihai.


    Thepound was filled with gingko trees, and the leaves that had fallen during the rain covered the floor. The scenery was breath-taking.


    Qin Yinan parked his car, and as he stared at the scenery that looked like it came out of a painting, his attention drifted off.


    He was reminded of a picture that he had once seen on Cheng Qingchong¡¯s phone.


    It was a picture of her.


    Simrly taken during the fall after a quick shower.


    In her professional suit, she stood at apound littered with gingko leaves and smiled shyly to the camera.

 Chapter 1053 Chit Chat at the Table 4

    She looked young in the picture like she had just graduated from university.


    After some time, Qin Yinan blinked into consciousness and pulled his gaze away from the gingko trees. He switched off the engine, pushed the door, and got out. He oozed confidence and stability, not a trace of the fact that his attention had fluttered earlier.


    When Qin Yinan entered the room, the ce was already almost full. He had just sat down when the waitresses started to serve the food.


    The host of the night was CEO Chen, who had brought many bottles of wine with him from his collection. He ordered the waitress to open them, and before drinking, the room was already filled with the bouquet of sweet alcohol.


    The older the wine, the stronger the kick. After a few rounds, there were already a few who started to slur their words.


    Probably influenced by the memory of Cheng Qingchong earlier, Qin Yinan seemed rather down throughout the night.


    Over the past two months, he had tried to contact Cheng Qingchong, but the number he had of the woman was no longer in service. Her social media had been left to fester after their divorce. He tried to message her online, but he had not once received any reply.


    Two individuals in the same city probably wouldn¡¯t have met each other again after they parted. The odds were even smaller between him and Cheng Qingchong, who had moved from Beijing. Even though Qin Yinan had tried his best to gather more information on Cheng Qingchong, no one in his circle could offer any updates. Two months passed in the blink of an eyes, and Qin Yinan came up with nothing. The two of them were like two broken kites, each flying off to their own piece of sky, destined not to meet ever again.


    As the dinner dragged on, someone brought up the topic of ST Empire. Ever since his marriage to Song Qingchun, Su Zhinian had created one business miracle after another. It was not umon for a legend such as himself to be the topic of conversation. A legendary figure like him would never run out of fashion because people would always like to know how he managed to aplish so many miraculous feats.


    Of the guests that night, there was a CEO Zhang who had cooperated with ST Empire twice already. When the table was talking about Su Zhinian, he suddenly chimed in to bring up Su Zhinian¡¯s secretary.


    "You¡¯re talking about Miss Cheng? She¡¯s probably the most professional personal assistant I¡¯ve seen in my life!"


    "I remember it now. I think her name is Cheng Qingchong?"


    Qin Yinan, who was going to excuse himself for a smoke break, sat back down in his chair when he heard this familiar yet strange name.


    "That¡¯s right, her name is Cheng Qingchong. I saw her in Shanghai a few days ago."


    Shanghai? Qin Yinan¡¯s eyes glowed and turned to ask the speaking man, "Which area of Shanghai?"


    In his alcoholic haze, the man didn¡¯t notice the weird expression on Qin Yinan¡¯s face. He believed they were still chit-chatting, so he answered readily, "Around Huang Pu River... The famous high-end residential area. I hear the real estate there sells for about 60,000 RMB per square foot. I think it¡¯s called Lan Ting Garden or something... She has built a good life for herself though. That day, I saw it was an expensive imported car that came to fetch her. I was visiting a friend who also lives there that day, and ording to my friend, she lives in one of the single bungalows..."


    The man picked up the ss of wine to finish it before sighing to hide his intention to gossip. "...I wonder which rich guy she has managed to snap up for herself..."

 Chapter 1054 Chit Chat at the Table 5

    Chapter 1054: Chit Chat at the Table (5)


    Trantor: Lonelytree Editor: Millman97


    Qin Yinan didn¡¯t pay attention to the conversation after that; his mind was clouded by that single sentence.


    ¡°¡­I wonder which rich guy she has managed to snap up for herself¡­¡±


    Even though he was unfamiliar with Shanghai, he did hear once or twice about Lan Ting Garden before. It was the nation¡¯s famed silk-stocking district. Its residences were all rich and famous. Even he couldn¡¯t afford a ce there, much less Cheng Qingchong, so if Cheng Qingchong was really staying there, then¡­


    Qin Yinan didn¡¯t dare to consider the possibility further. He stayed at the table for a while longer before picking up his coat to leave the room.


    Qin Yinan walked to the parking lot but didn¡¯t hurry to get into his car. He leaned against the car door and pulled out his cigarettes. He finished several cigarettes before finally pulling the door open to get in.


    He started the engine and drove for a small distance before searching his phone to give his secretary a call. The call was soon epted, and Qin Yinan said in his usual gentle voice, ¡°There¡¯s a conference next Wednesday in Shanghai, isn¡¯t there? We decided to send Lin Qi? Inform him that he can take a rest. I¡¯ll go in his ce¡­ I understand, just dy the original n. I have something else to do in Shanghai other than the conference¡­¡±


    ¡­


    The conference was on a Wednesday, but Qin Yinan arrived in Shanghai on Monday.


    Even though the authenticity of the conversation at the table was suspect at best, after checking into the hotel that he booked, he drove the car that was arranged to Lan Ting Garden.


    The security around Lan Ting Garden was tight. Qin Yinan wasn¡¯t a resident and wasn¡¯t invited by any of the residents, so he parked his car right at the gate to Lan Ting Garden.


    He waited for eight hours straight until midnight. Many cars came in and out of Lan Ting Garden, but there was no sign of Cheng Qingchong.


    He returned to his hotel to take a warm bath. Lying in bed, he let his mind wander before falling asleep. Early the next morning, Qin Yinan woke up, and simr to yesterday, the first thing he did was drive to Lan Ting Garden.


    This time he waited for seven hours. At around 4 pm, just as Qin Yinan thought it was all merely a rumor, he spotted someone that looked like Cheng Qingchong at the gate.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s feeling was conflicting. He wanted to see Cheng Qingchong, but at the same time, he was worried that Cheng Qingchong would show herself at this residential area.


    But oftentimes, the more one fear something would happen, the greater the chance of it happening.


    At around 6 pm, a Maserati passed through the gate. It slowed at the corner, just brushing past Qin Yinan¡¯s car. At the time, he was smoking a cigarette, so his window was open. When he turned to flick the cigarette butt out, he nced at the car that was passing him, and through the window, he saw the profile that he couldn¡¯t have been more familiar with.


    The car left his sight in just a few seconds. However, those few seconds were more than enough for Qin Yinan to confirm that it was indeed the Cheng Qingchong that he had been thinking about every day for the past two months.

 Chapter 1055 - Chit Chat at the Table (6)

    <h4>Chapter 1055: Chit Chat at the Table (6)</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Lonelytree <strong>Editor: </strong>Millman97


    Qin Yinan hesitated for two seconds before snuffing out the cigarette and starting his car to follow the Maserati. The Maserati eventually stopped at the entrance to a high-end restaurant. Qin Yinan didn¡¯t get out from his car but parked it across the street from the restaurant. Three hourster, the Maserati that was also parked at the roadside moved to the entrance.


    Due to the distance between them, Qin Yinan couldn¡¯t see the situation inside clearly. Based on instinct and rogue outline, he believed Cheng Qingchong had gotten inside the Maserati, but unlike when she came, there was a man who got in after her.


    Then, the Maserati started and left.


    Qin Yinan stepped on the gas pedal to follow the Maserati. He maintained a sweet distance between them lest he was discovered. The Maserati returned to Lan Ting Garden.


    Qin Yinan was denied ess to the area, so he once again parked his car by the gate and could only watch as the car that carried Cheng Qingchong disappeared beyond the gate.


    It was an unknown timeter when he withdrew his gaze. Perhaps because he had been staring at the gate for too long without blinking, Qin Yinan felt pain in his eyes. He closed his eyes and slowly leaned against the chair, and his mind was filled with images of Cheng Qingchong inside the Maserati as it brushed past him.


    Even though he had only managed to catch a glimpse of her upper body, and it was only for a few short seconds, he could clearly see she was wearing a pink knitted blouse from an expensive brand, a brand that he hadn¡¯t seen her wear before. Her expression was mostly nk, and her lips were turned up into a slight smile.


    She looked spirited and not pale like she had looked when she left him. Compared to then, she had filled up slightly, making her look healthier and better.


    He believed that she must have been treated kindly for the past two months, or rather, the man that she had found must have treated her well.


    For the past two months, it was false to say he didn¡¯t consider what would happen should he manage to find her. In fact, he even went one step further to imagine their future together. When he saw the ie report for hispany, he had even gotten it into his mind that he would purchase a bungalow that she liked for her the day he found her.


    The year they were married, she had shared her wish for them to get a big bungalow once hispany got into the market. She wanted to personally decorate it.


    But now?


    He did find her, but there was already someone else by her side...


    At the time, it was he who so cruelly demanded a divorce, so there was no reason to expect her to wait for him after all the horrible things that he had done to her.


    And him? Wouldn¡¯t it be especially shameless to ask her toe back to him after knowing she had lived better without him?


    Qin Yinan pulled another cigarette out and lit it. He took deep puffs on it, and in his urgency, the smoke caught in his throat, causing him to choke. He copsed onto the steering wheel, coughing heavily until his eyes turned red.


    Qin Yinan stayed at the gate to Lan Ting Garden until dawn. The whole night, he didn¡¯t see the Maserati leave the residential area.

 Chapter 1056 - Chance Encounter (1)

    <h4>Chapter 1056: Chance Encounter (1)</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Lonelytree <strong>Editor: </strong>Millman97


    <i>She came out from Lan Ting Garden and returned to Lan Ting Garden in thepany of a man... So, if what the person hinted at is true, either she married a rich man or has be someone...</i>


    Qin Yinan had a hard time cing the term ¡®someone¡¯s mistress¡¯ on Cheng Qingchong. He¡¯d rather imagine her as someone else¡¯s wife than see her in a shameful position like this.


    Regardless, she had moved on, but what about him?


    Qin Yinan¡¯s eyes were incredibly bloodshot from theck of sleep. His eyes that looked at the rising sun out the window wavered. He was like a statue. Even the expression on his face didn¡¯t twitch in the slightest. He stayed in this state for a long time before pulling back his gaze, starting his car, and leaving.


    After the conference, Qin Yinan didn¡¯t stay in Shanghai. He went to the airport, got on a ne, and returned to Beijing. When he arrived, it was already 7 pm. After he got into the prepared car, the driver asked him where he wanted to go. Surrounded by the city¡¯s glittering neon lights, there was only one answer in his mind. ¡°Home.¡±


    When he arrived, Qin Yinan changed his shoes and went straight into the study. He pulled open his drawer to touch the velvet box and the divorce certificate before his fingers fell on the folded piece of white paper.


    He opened it, and staring at the ¡®Yinan¡¯ and ¡®I¡¯m sorry¡¯ that filled up the page, his eyes burned uncontrobly.


    He used his fingers to gently caress her handwriting, and they brushed over the question ¡®If I admit to you every bad things that I¡¯ve done to you, will you forgive me? Yes or no?¡¯ A single tear slowly fell from his eye, trailed down his jaw, and fell on the paper, blurring the ck ink.


    He had forgiven her. He didn¡¯t me her anymore, but she had already moved on.


    He must have hurt her deeply, and that was why she had searched for another man to rely on.


    But about him? It was his desire to spend the rest of his life with her¡ªhe spent two months looking for her¡ªand this was the result he got? How was he going to ept it? Would he eventually move on like her and start a new life?


    Qin Yinan¡¯s hands that held the paper shook greatly. His body quivered with weakness, and he copsed onto the chair. He raised his hands to cover his face, and fat tears slipped through the space between his fingers.


    In the quiet room, Qin Yinan was reminded of the first year he was married to Cheng Qingchong.


    After they got through the initial awkward period, she had revealed her many wishes for the future. She had said, after the fridge broke down, she wanted to get a bigger one, one with double doors because they both loved to cook. She had even said, when they renovated the ce in the future, she would get a big bathtub so that she could take afortable bath every day. Also, she wanted a big desk for the study so that she would have some space at the desk as well.


    Not long ago, when he signed a lucrative contract, he had been thinking, after he found her, he would bring her to purchase arge bungalow and make all her wishes a reality.


    However, in the blink of an eye, all those wishes had be part of history. Their rtionship had experienced an irrevocable and unsalvageable change.

 Chapter 1057 - Chance Encounter (2)

    <h4>Chapter 1057: Chance Encounter (2)</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Lonelytree <strong>Editor: </strong>Millman97


    How was she?


    It seemed like she had built a life for herself.


    What about him?


    He seemed to be holding on as well. Even though hispany had faced a serious financial crisis earlier, it had been resolved. After the release of the product, hispany¡¯s ie had experienced a steady rise, and he had just signed several important contracts this month. He was destined to join Beijing¡¯s circle of business elites. By then, there would be plenty of socialites who would fight to stay by his side.


    Therefore, they were both living a good life. But for some reason, that didn¡¯t seem to be the conclusion that either of them wanted.


    ...


    Spring came and went, came and went. As another season of warmth and blossoms came, Qin Yinan put down his work and stood before the floor-length window. Feeling the ray of the setting sun on his face, Qin Yinan felt reenergized from the lethargy that he had been feeling from working all day. It was then that he realized with a start that it was going to be his thirtieth birthday in a few days.


    <i>Thirtieth birthday? </i>The year he parted from Cheng Qingchong, he had only been 28. He remembered it so clearly because he spent his birthday that year at the hospital. She didn¡¯t know it was his birthday, and it was only after Song Song came to the hospital to give him the present that it finally dawned on her. She didn¡¯t have a present prepared, but after sending Song Song away, she sat beside him and told him softly, ¡°Happy birthday.¡±


    At the time, the birthday wish had made him happier than the birthday present Song Song gave him. When she held him to sit up in bed, he had realized how cold her hands were. It was the first time he had actively reached for her hands, and at the time, he had questioned himself for doing something like that.


    It was also that day that he had found out her existence beside him was nothing more than a ploy, an attempt at deceit.


    Ever since his brush with Cheng Qingchong in Shanghai two years ago, it had been one year and six months since hest saw her. Without him realizing it, so much time had passed between them.


    In this one year and six months, things were going on peacefully for him. Thepany¡¯s development was much better than he expected. Last month, he had just entered the American market. In just one month, the stock of hispany had tripled, and he was now worth more than he could ever imagine.


    Last year, his mother had fallen sick with a serious illness. She had spent a month hospitalized. After she recovered, she realized how much she wanted a grandchild, so she had been urging him to go on dates and get married.


    He didn¡¯t answer his mother¡¯s order. His mother eventually relented, thinking it was not wrong for her son to be focused on his work as well. However, even after one and a half years had passed, even he had seen with his own eyes that the woman had moved on with her life, he was still standing where he was, with no intention of marrying anyone other than Cheng Qingchong.


    In these one and a half years, he had spent most of his time overseas on business trips, and the remaining time had mostly been upied by his work.


    The time he had spent at home was incredibly limited, especially after he bought himself a new homest year. He hadn¡¯t returned to the home that he and she had shared since then.


    He knew that he was afraid, so in the past year, he had purposely filled his schedule with work because work was his only escape from overthinking. And with him caught up in work, he could lie to himself with the illusion that he had forgotten about everything.


    It was as if, even though he had a bleeding scar in his heart, as long as he didn¡¯t touch it to cause pain, he could pretend that it didn¡¯t exist.


    Right, he had also updated his car. It was better and more expensive than the Maserati that he had seen her inst time.

 Chapter 1058 - Chance Encounter (3)

    <h4>Chapter 1058: Chance Encounter (3)</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Lonelytree <strong>Editor: </strong>Millman97


    His life couldn¡¯t have been better, but that was only on the surface. Only the man knew how wounded and battered he was within.


    ...


    Two years ago, when Cheng Qingchong had gotten the job at Four Seasons, she had rented a studio apartment in Beijing. At the time, she didn¡¯t think she would leave Beijing any time soon, so to bargain for a lower rent, she had signed a two-year contract.


    It was stated on the contract that she couldn¡¯t leave before the designated two years or rent it to someone else, so for the two years she lived in Shanghai, the ce was still rented under Cheng Qingchong¡¯s name.


    As it was time to return the house, Cheng Qingchong had contacted the owner about one month ago. She chose this time because in these few days, Jin Ze, who was currently at America, wasing to Beijing. He needed her to apany him to a dinner, so when Jin Ze helped her book the ticket, she had him book it one week earlier. Before he arrived, she would take the time to settle the issue of the rented house. She was going to return to her room to clear away some stuff and deal with the rental contract. Then she would wait for him toe to Beijing and finish his work before they returned to Shanghai together.


    The ne Cheng Qingchong tooknded in the morning. She didn¡¯t stay at the hotel but moved back into her own rental house. She used the whole afternoon to clean the ce that had been vacant for a very long time.


    When all the cleaning was done, Cheng Qingchong was exhausted, but for some reason, she didn¡¯t feel like sleeping. Standing before the window, looking at the city that was both strange and familiar, she was silent for a long time before returning to her room to change her outfit, grab her bag, and leave the room.


    Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t have a destination in mind; she just wanted to wander about. It had been around two years since shest been in Beijing. Even though plenty of ces looked the same, if she looked closer, she could discern the changes.


    Whenever she passed a familiar spot, she would ask the taxi driver to slow down. She would look out the window for some time before asking the driver to move.


    The taxi moved around Beijing city for about two hours before ending at the entrance to Eldorado.


    Even though she hadn¡¯t been to Beijing for such a long time and the ce had changed its d¨¦cor, it was still shining with opulence.


    When Cheng Qingchong saw the sign that said ¡®Eldorado¡¯, memories of her past flooded her mind. Without a second thought, she asked for the driver to stop. She paid and got out. She walked toward the front door before stopping to raise her head to look at the room on the top floor.


    When she met him here for the first time, he didn¡¯t notice her. At the time, he was leaning against the wall next to the bathroom, crying to himself. It felt like his heart had been broken.


    The second time she ran into him here, she had just helped Big Boss secure a huge contract. She was drunk and staggered to the bathroom. She copsed into a man¡¯s arms without even taking a look at who it was. He helped her book a room and even patiently helper her drink some water. Like a true gentleman, he left her after he made sure she was safe.


    The third time she met him here, he was drunk. She booked a room for him, and it was from this night onwards that their fates intertwined.


    Now that she thought about it, his and her story really did start at Eldorado.

 Chapter 1059 - Chance Encounter (4)

    <h4>Chapter 1059: Chance Encounter (4)</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Lonelytree <strong>Editor: </strong>Millman97


    It was not until she came to that Cheng Qingchong noticed the tears in her eyes. She closed her eyes to take a deep breath and force the tears back. She was about to turn to leave when she caught a familiar figure in the lobby of Eldorado out of the corner of her eye.


    Cheng Qingchong froze, and several secondster, she slowly turned around. All of her focus gathered on that figure.


    <i>It is him, it is really him!</i>


    She didn¡¯t expect that the first time she returned to Beijing after so long, she would have such a chance encounter with him!


    Cheng Qingchong blinked several times as if unable to believe her eyes. After confirming she wasn¡¯t hallucinating, the tears that she had been trying to stave off started to fall.


    <i>Yinan, do you know how many times, alone at night, I¡¯ve wished to see you in person?</i>


    Qin Yinan was surrounded by many people in professional outfits. They were bidding each other farewell.


    Cheng Qingchong allowed her tears to fall freely while her dark eyes stayed firmly on Qin Yinan. Over the past two years, she had seen many pictures of the man in the newspaper. The man had grown more mature and cultivated from the pictures.


    However, seeing him in person, she realized the man actually hadn¡¯t changed much. He was still as soft-spoken and gentle with his demeanor as before, but there was an added sense of stability, which added to his allure.


    The crowd in the lobby of Eldorado gradually dispersed until only Qin Yinan and a young woman were left. The two of them walked out to the street side by side.


    They came closer to her until Cheng Qingchong could hear the conversation Qin Yinan was sharing with young girl. It was then that she recovered. Cheng Qingchong turned around in a hurry and quickly wiped away the tears on her face before she rushed to the other side of the road.


    In her hurry to escape, she missed a half meter tall stone pir behind her. She tripped over it and fell face first to the ground.


    The sharp pain caused Cheng Qingchong to gasp audibly. Afraid that Qin Yinan might have heard her, she struggled to stand up, and it was then that she heard a familiar and soft voice asking, ¡°Miss, are you alright?¡±


    Cheng Qingchong kept her head lowered, to have her hair cover up her face. She didn¡¯t even dare make a move.


    Since her face was all covered up, Qin Yinan was unable to get a good look of her. He bent down to hold her arm and help her get up. When he was about to ask if she could still walk, a familiar scent that greatly evoked his memory drifted into his nostrils. His body shook before he started to study the woman in earnest. In just a few seconds, it dawned on him. He pulled her body that had been trying to run away straight to stand before him.


    Even though he could only see half of her face through the curtain of hair, he managed to recognize her. ¡°Qingchong?¡±


    <i>Qingchong?</i>


    That was her name, but when it fell into her ears, it almost caused the tears that had stopped to start again. She couldn¡¯t even remember thest time someone had refer to her as Qingchong. If not for the fact he had just used her original name, she would have been on the way to thinking her name was Xiao Yin and no longer Qingchong.

 Chapter 1060 - Chance Encounter (5)

    <h4>Chapter 1060: Chance Encounter (5)</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Lonelytree <strong>Editor: </strong>Millman97


    Cheng Qingchong gripped her fists tightly until her nails pierced into the balls of her palms, but she didn¡¯t seem to have felt any pain. With her head lowered, she took a deep breath before raising her eyes to meet Qin Yinan¡¯s eyes steadily.


    She didn¡¯t know she was such a good actress. In reality, she was missing him so dearly that it felt like she was sick with memory of the man, but looking at him, with the pain in her chest reaching an impossible crescendo, she managed to force a thin and disinterested smile at the man. ¡°This is such a small world to have run into you at a ce like this.¡±


    Qin Yinan frowned slightly. Staring at her face, he hesitated for a moment before his eyesnded on her jeans, which had torn when she fell. A faded bloodstain was soaking part of it red. ¡°Shall we go to the clinic?¡±


    Cheng Qingchong was dumbfounded for a moment before she realized what he was talking about. <i>Is he concerned about me? But does he know? I¡¯m most afraid of his concern¡ªthat¡¯s even harder to bear than his mocking words.</i>


    Cheng Qingchong thought she would have a mental breakdown, but to her surprise, she replied with a thin and steady smile. ¡°It¡¯s fine, just a small scratch. I¡¯ll deal with itter myself.¡±


    When she finished that sentence, she almost started pping for herself for how impressive her acting was. However, she knew that her fa?ade was only temporary. Afraid that she might lose control the next minute, she yanked her arm away from his grasp and took a step back to introduce some distance between them. Swallowing the bitterness in her heart, she smiled at him. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, I¡¯ll be leaving.¡±


    The sudden emptiness in his palm made Qin Yinan frowned even harder. His silence unhinged Cheng Qingchong, making her wonder if she could just turn and leave like that.


    Thankfully, the young girl who apanied Qin Yinan chose to speak then. ¡°Yinan?¡±


    Qin Yinan was pulled out of his reverie. He studied Cheng Qingchong for a while before turning to walk back to the girl.


    <i>Is that his new girlfriend? </i>They were quite a distance apart, and Qin Yinan was speaking so softly to the girl that she couldn¡¯t hear them.


    Cheng Qingchong looked at the happy couple for about two seconds before quickly moving her eyes away. She dragged her injured leg and rushed toward the street. However, before she could even raise her hand to call for a cab, Qin Yinan¡¯s voice appeared behind her. ¡°Where are you staying? I¡¯ll drive you.¡±


    As he finished, a car slowly stopped between him and her.


    ¡°Thank you, but that...¡± Cheng Qingchong began to reject, but before she could finish, Qin Yinan pulled the door open and half-shoved her into the car. Then he got in after her.


    ¡°Where are you staying?¡±


    Cheng Qingchong could see how insistent he was. She bit on her lips before finally relenting and providing him with her address. Qin Yinan didn¡¯t say a word but gave the driver a look through the rear-view mirror. The driver turned on the GPS and started the car.


    The car was quiet except for the navigation voice of the GPS. When the satnav said they were one thousand meters away from their destination, Qin Yinan, who had been utterly silent, suddenly asked, ¡°How... how have you been for the past year or two?¡±


    Cheng Qingchong had been trying to maintain the smile on her so much so that her face was getting tired. When she heard Qin Yinan¡¯s question, she mustered all of her energy before she answered, ¡°Not bad, how about you?¡±

 Chapter 1061 - Chance Encounter (6)

    <h4>Chapter 1061: Chance Encounter (6)</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Lonelytree <strong>Editor: </strong>Millman97


    A greeting that couldn¡¯t have been simpler silenced Qin Yinan. After a long time, he said slowly, ¡°Not bad I suppose.¡±


    Cheng Qingchong smiled but didn¡¯t speak. Silence once more returned to the car.


    Qin Yinan was slightly surprised when he saw the gate of the residential area that car eventually parked at.


    <i>But she lives in such a luxurious bungalow in Shanghai, so why would she stay at such a broken-down apartment in Beijing? Could it be that she has broken with that man? Has she had to return to Beijing?</i>


    Qin Yinan¡¯s heart soared with anticipation. He stared at Cheng Qingchong and offered, ¡°Let me walk you home.¡±


    Cheng Qingchong was surprised and quickly shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s fine...¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s no big deal...¡± Qin Yinan nced at her injured leg. ¡°...This building doesn¡¯t have an elevator, right? It¡¯ll be definitely for you to climb all those stairs in the state you¡¯re in. Let me help you. I¡¯ll leave right after.¡±


    Qin Yinan walked first into thepound without giving Cheng Qingchong the chance to deny him. The woman paused for a moment at the gate before chasing after him with her injured leg.


    Qin Yinan knew Cheng Qingchong was trying to catch up to him, so he purposely slowed down. When she was close enough, he asked, ¡°Which building?¡±


    Cheng Qingchong pointed at a direction wordlessly. Qin Yinan turned to look at her injured leg. Then without warning, he stepped in front of her, and before she realized what was happening, he bent over to carry her in his arms.


    His embrace was as warm as she remembered. Cheng Qingchong¡¯s eyes prickled with tears, and she lowered her head even more. She didn¡¯t dare let her mind wander because she was afraid, afraid that she might end up unable to leave his arms.


    The purpose of her reason was to pick up her stuff, and she had to leave after that. So, no matter what happened, she had to remind herself of the position that she was in. She no longer had the power to make her own decisions. One year ago, when she made that decision, it had already been destined that they were not meant to be.


    Qin Yinan eventually reached the room Cheng Qingchong had rented. He ced her down, and she pulled out her key to open the door. She reached out to turn on the light in the room before turning around to tell him, ¡°Thank you.¡±


    He didn¡¯t say anything, but his gaze wandered beyond her door and into her room. Since he didn¡¯t show any sign of leaving and she wasn¡¯t rude enough to chase him away, after a moment¡¯s hesitation, she took a step back and said politely, ¡°Why don¡¯t youe in?¡±


    The ce had been unupied for more than a year already, so other than in water, she had nothing to serve her guest.


    Qin Yinan epted the bottle of mineral water that she offered with thanks. He twisted the cap open to drink from it.


    Ever since he came into the room, he had been observing it. He realized that in the small room, other than her stuff, there were no signs of a second upant.


    <i>Could it be that I¡¯m right? </i>Qin Yinan put down the bottle and asked in a forced-casual tone, ¡°When did you return to Beijing?¡±


    ¡°This morning.¡±


    ¡°Oh...¡± Qin Yinan paused before asking, ¡°...You just rented this ce today?¡±


    ¡°No, the year beforest. I came back this time to hand the room back to its owner.¡±


    <i>Meaning my spection is mostly wrong...</i>


    A sh of disappointment crossed Qin Yinan¡¯s eyes. After a while, he asked, ¡°Then, when are you leaving?¡±


    ¡°Next week,¡± Cheng Qingchong answered truthfully.


    Qin Yinan nodded wordlessly as he turned his gaze out the window.

 Chapter 1062 - Memory (1)

    <h4>Chapter 1062: Memory (1)</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Lonelytree <strong>Editor: </strong>Millman97


    The hope that he felt at the gate was suddenly submerged by a heavy wave of disappointment. <i>She didn¡¯t return to stay but to take everything she has left in Beijing back with her. Does this mean she¡¯s noting back to Beijing ever again?</i>


    He had thought that there was finally an opportunity to get close again, but the reality was much crueler than he expected. This parting was quite possibly thest that they would have; after that, their lives would go their separate ways.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s eyes that look out the window dimmed tremendously.


    Afraid that she might do something stupid, Cheng Qingchong focused all of her energy on controlling her emotions. Since he didn¡¯t say anything, she too didn¡¯t offer to fill in the void. The both of them just sat there quietly.


    After a very long time, Qin Yinan pulled his gaze back from the window to say, ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. I should leave.¡±


    When she heard his voice, Cheng Qingchong¡¯s initially wandering gaze turned into a gentle smile. She stood up and offered kindly, ¡°Let me walk you out.¡±


    Qin Yinan looked at Cheng Qingchong¡¯s smiling face for a few seconds before responding with a soft nod. Then he moved toward the door.


    After exiting the room, he turned left, and about fifty meterster, he would reach the staircase. Cheng Qingchong followed closely behind Qin Yinan, maintaining a meter distance between them, until the man reached the staircase. That was where she stopped.


    Qin Yinan stood with his back to Cheng Qingchong for a few seconds before slowly turning around. His dark, deep eyes held Cheng Qingchong¡¯s clear gaze for several seconds, and he uttered in a warm and slow tone, ¡°Farewell.¡±


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s body started to tremble slightly. Her eyes were painful from holding the tears in. She didn¡¯t dare blink lest the tears started to fall. Using every ounce of energy in her body, she smiled at Qin Yinan and replied in a tone as light as his, ¡°Farewell.¡±


    When she bade him goodbye, he stared at her eyes and pressed his lips slightly. He turned without a word and moved down the steps. As he raised his leg to slide down another step, his body froze for like a second before his feet found thending of the next step. He took one step after another until his figure disappeared around the corner, and he didn¡¯t turn back once to look at her.


    Looking at the emptiness before her, listening to Qin Yinan¡¯s dwindling footsteps until they disappearedpletely, she stood like a woman who had lost her soul. She stood in the same posture that she had held when Qin Yinan turned to leave. She was afraid to move, afraid that once she did, the scent that he had left in the air would disperse and she would not be able to find it again.


    After who knew how long, tears eventually fell from her eyes.


    They slid down her cheek into her lips. The saltiness and bitterness demolished the defense that she had erected since her chance encounter with him in just one blow.


    Energy escaped from her body, and she copsed onto the dirty floor. Her tears started to flow like a broken dam.


    <i>Yinan, I really didn¡¯t imagine I¡¯d be able to see you again in this lifetime.</i>


    <i>Do you know how much I¡¯ve missed you?</i>

 Chapter 1063 - Memory (2)

    <h4>Chapter 1063: Memory (2)</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Lonelytree <strong>Editor: </strong>Millman97


    <i>Do you know how happy I am to have had this chance encounter?</i>


    <i>Yinan, after all this time, I¡¯ve not forgotten you.</i>


    <i>But Yinan, do you know? The only thing I can do is make sure I stand further enough way to treat you as the most familiar stranger.</i>


    <i>I can only secretly love you, miss you, and wish you have a good life, and like this, cry for you secretly.</i>


    ...


    When Qin Yinan exited thepound, the driver who had been waiting for him immediately got out to help him with the car door.


    As Qin Yinan walked to the car, he reached habitually into his pocket to search for a cigarette. Coincidentally, he realized that his phone wasn¡¯t there as it should have been. He frowned and turned to nce at the building that he had just exited before retracing his path.


    When Qin Yinan got up the stairs and reached the third floor, his chest vibrated. It was then that he realized he had left his phone in his chest pocket and not his pant pocket. It turned out that he left it as Cheng Qingchong¡¯s ce.


    He stopped moving upwards. He did raise his head to look up at the fourth floor before turning to head back down the stairs.


    As he took the first step, very soft sobbing came from above him. He froze to focus on it and could easily recognize it as Cheng Qingchong¡¯s voice.


    <i>She¡¯s crying... </i>Perhaps afraid that someone might overhear her, the sound was muffled, and there was only an asional hup that escaped her lips.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s lips tensed, and as if possessed, he turned around to take two steps up the stairs. After turning the corner, with the dim light of the stairwell, he caught sight of the girl squatting at the corridor next to the staircase.


    She was half-seated on the dirty floor with her head buried between her legs and her shoulders shuddering continuously.


    This image sent a hook deep into Qin Yinan¡¯s heart, pulling on it tightly. The pain was so intense that his steps staggered, causing him to falter two steps down the stairs.


    She was still at the ce she was standing at when she sent him away.


    <i>Her voice sounds hoarse, she must have been crying for quite a while already, but I have not been gone for even ten minutes. Does this mean she has been crying since I left?</i>


    The whole building was quiet, other than the woman¡¯s muffled weeps.


    <i>What is she crying about?</i>


    He wanted to rush forward to pull her up from the ground to help her wipe away her tears and tofort her, but he knew he was no longer rted to her. Perhaps the source of her tears even had nothing to do with him.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s hands that were hanging by his sides tightened into fists. His face paled considerably as he watched her slender body quivering with tears. In the end, instead of going forward, he chose to slowly turn around and walk away silently.


    ...


    The chance encounter with Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t disturb Qin Yinan¡¯s life. He was as busy as ever with endless meetings, documents, and projects.


    The only change was, previously, he could rely on work to blot out any and all thoughts of her, but after meeting her that night, even when he was working, he would find himself spacing out in the middle of work, wondering what she was doing in Beijing, thinking about the image of the weeping woman that was seared into his mind.


    When those thoughts came, his heart would twinge with pain.

 Chapter 1064 - Memory (3)

    <h4>Chapter 1064: Memory (3)</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Lonelytree <strong>Editor: </strong>Millman97


    They were in the same city, but he didn¡¯t go look for her, nor did she. Thus, their path diverged.


    One week soon passed.


    On the morning of Qin Yinan¡¯s birthday, Cheng Qingchong received a call from Jin Ze, telling her that he would arrive at Beijing at 11 pm. However, because he had a meeting with an important client that night, he wouldn¡¯t be able to see her.


    Jin Ze also told her to pack her things. The following morning, he would have someonee fetch her stuff, and after apanying him to a party that afternoon, they would depart for Shanghai. After hanging up the phone, Cheng Qingchong, who had sleptte the previous night, lost the need to sleep.


    She stayed in bed doing nothing before getting up to walk to the window. Looking at the city that was rising up to wee a new day, her fingertip scrawled ¡®Yinan, happy birthday¡¯ several times on the misty ss before sighing lightly to head to the bathroom.


    After her morning ritual, Cheng Qingchong started to pack. She worked until 1 pm before all her stuff was packed, and she ced everything on the balcony attached to the living room.


    Jin Ze summoned her only the following morning, so in other words, she had one whole afternoon and night of free time to herself. After this day, she believed that she wouldn¡¯t return to Beijing in her whole life.


    Cheng Qingchong nced at her packed luggage for a while and grabbed her purse, changed her shoes, and left the door. Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t know where she should go. She wandered aimlessly at the gate of her apartment, and when she saw an empty cab pass, she stopped it.


    After she got in, she gave the driver an address. When the driver heard the address, his face was suffused with hesitation.


    Cheng Qingchong pulled a stack of bills out from her bag and passed them to the driver. After another bout of hesitation, the driver took the money and started the car.


    The car drove for two hours before it reached the destination. Cheng Qingchong didn¡¯t ask the driver to drive her up to the summit but told him to park by the roadside. She asked the driver to wait for her as she got back. She followed the hiking trail and slowly went up the hill.


    She walked for forty minutes before she reached the familiar empty space.


    It was still early, and the sun hadn¡¯t even set. Cheng Qingchong tipped her head back to look at the blue sky, but for some reason, she felt like she was looking at the sky full of stars from two years back.


    <i>¡°Close your eyes.¡±</i>


    <i>¡°Why? Why are you being so mysterious?¡±</i>


    <i>¡°Close your eyes first.¡±</i>


    <i>¡°Okay, you can open your eyes now.¡±</i>


    <i>¡°What¡¯s wrong? Did I do something wrong?¡±</i>


    She didn¡¯t expect that the night that he had set up for her to fall into was the most beautiful night of her life.


    Afraid that the driver wouldn¡¯t wait for her, Cheng Qingchong stood for only half an hour before she went back down the hill. As she got into the car, she apologized and thanked the driver before asking him to drive her back to the city.


    Not long after her taxi left, an expensive ck car came up the hill. It took the turn and headed up the summit.


    The car parked at the empty expanse, and the top opened. Qin Yinan raised his head to look at the sun that was setting as the horizon was painted a golden orange.


    It was his birthday, and he was supposed to have dinner with his parents that night, but for some reason, while he was working that afternoon, he was suddenly reminded of her.


    From what she had told him, he knew that she would be leaving the next day.

 Chapter 1065 - Memory (4)

    <h4>Chapter 1065: Memory (4)</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Lonelytree <strong>Editor: </strong>Millman97


    <i>Tomorrow... </i>Even though he thought he was prepared, when he knew she was about to leave, Qin Yinan still found it difficult to ept.


    He lost his desire to work instantly. He spaced out for a long time in his office before grabbing his car key and leaving thepany. He wandered around the city aimlessly before finding his way back to this hill.


    Even though two years had passed, he could still remember how shy she was after they had sex.


    She didn¡¯t know it was a ploy, so she had even asked him obtusely, <i>¡°...Just now, why did you...¡±</i>


    He had replied with a pampering smile, <i>¡°Silly girl, what do you think is the reason?¡±</i>


    She didn¡¯t answer, so he had added, <i>¡°Still don¡¯t get it? Then let me ask you, Qingchong, do you like me?¡±</i>


    She had been all flustered. ¡°I don¡¯t know.¡±


    At the time, he had thought that he was acting, but now, revisiting this ce two yearster, he realized, the only reason his acting of disappointment and regret could be so authentic was because he was indeed feeling those things.<i>¡°Don¡¯t know or don¡¯t like?¡±</i>


    <i>¡°No, it¡¯s not that...¡±</i>


    The atmosphere had then turned risqu¨¦. She had asked him in return, with a shy and faded tone, <i>¡°Then, what about you? Do you like me?¡±</i>


    How did he answer then?


    He had said, <i>¡°What do you think?¡±</i>


    ¡°Of course I like you... I like you a lot... So, would you spend the rest of your life with me?¡±


    At the time, at least part of him had been insincere. If time could turn back, he would have replied with utmost sincerity and faith. <i>¡°Of course I like you... In fact, I love you a lot... So, would you spend the rest of your life with me?¡±</i>


    If time could turn back, the next day, he wouldn¡¯t drag her to the registry office for the divorce.


    If time could turn back...


    s, time couldn¡¯t turn back; they had missed each other and were not meant to be.


    Qin Yinan put his phone on silent and didn¡¯t answer any calls that came to him. He stayed at the hill until the moon appeared. With the stars shining in the background, he started his car and went down the hill.


    When he reached the city, it was already 11 pm. He didn¡¯t return home but took a detour to where Cheng Qingchong was staying.


    He sat in his car for quite some time but didn¡¯t get out or enter thepound. He didn¡¯t follow his heart to go in to look for her.


    Then again, what could he have done if he did? Bid her farewell like an old friend? What was the point of that?


    After all, she no longer had anything to do with him.


    Thinking about it now, Qin Yinan hadn¡¯t returned to the apartment he shared with Cheng Qingchong for about half a year already.


    He had someone clean it every day, but as he pushed open the door, there was a sense of emptiness that assaulted him.


    He dragged his tired body into the study and locked the door behind him. From his drawer, he pulled out the divorce certificate, the ring, and the one thing that she had left at his house, the paper note.


    He studied these three things quietly and for a long time before lowering his head to look at his hand.


    Once this hand had held her hands tightly, so why did he let go?


    After the departure tomorrow, were they not going to see each other again?


    As this thought entered his mind, a tear escaped his eyes. With his eyes red, he searched for a lighter, and as he was about light the paper note on fire, the phone in his pocket suddenly rang.

 Chapter 1066 - Memory (5)

    <h4>Chapter 1066: Memory (5)</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Lonelytree <strong>Editor: </strong>Millman97


    Qin Yinan put the light away to grab his phone. He nced at the caller ID before answering it. He was about to answer the call with the usual ¡®Song Song¡¯ when a childish voice drifted through the line. ¡°Ankle... Unkle Yinan...¡±


    It was Little Sesame. She was already two years old, but she was still having difficulty pronouncing her words, like how uncle would be twisted into ankle or unkle.


    ¡°Little Sesame, why are you still up sote at night?¡±


    ¡°Just home...¡± Little Sesame answered before saying somethingpletely irrelevant. ¡°...I saw... Unkle Ma...¡±


    Her words faltered. Qin Yinan assumed that she was talking about ¡®her uncle¡¯s mama¡¯, thus referring to his own mother. He smiled gently and asked, ¡°Did your grandma give you some sweets to eat?¡±


    ¡°Not Grandma, Ankle Ma...¡±


    <i>What is ¡®ankle ma¡¯? </i>Qin Yinan frowned with confusion. As he was about to ask Little Sesame for more details, Song Qingchun¡¯s gentle voice came through the phone. ¡°Alright, Little Sesame, it¡¯s your bed time. Daddy will take you to your bedroom. Come, let Mommy talk to Uncle Yinan, okay?¡±


    ¡°Okay.¡± Little Sesame answered obediently, then she followed Song Qingchun¡¯s advice and spoke into the phone. ¡°Good night, Unkle Yinan!¡±


    ¡°Good night, Little Sesame...¡± Through the phone, Qin Yinan could hear Su Zhinian chase after Little Sesame as he corralled her into the bedroom. Then, there were some footsteps. There was a full minute of silence on the other end of the phone before her voice started again. ¡°Brother Yinan, happy birthday.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± he replied.


    ¡°Brother Yinan...¡± Song Qingchun called his name and then paused as if she didn¡¯t know how to continue.


    Qin Yinan didn¡¯t press; he waited patiently. Half a minuteter, Song Qingchun continued. ¡°Brother Yinan, the Unkle Ma Little Sesame was talking about earlier is not Auntie Qin but...¡±


    After another pause, Song Qingchun breathed out, ¡°...Cheng Qingchong. When we took Little Sesame for dinner tonight, we ran into her.¡±


    Qin Yinan had grown up with Song Qingchun. It was rare for her to talk to him in such serious tones. His heart quivered, and a very bad feeling soon crawled all over it. His instinct told him that what Song Qingchun was about to reveal to him was going to be some hidden secret.


    Suddenly, he felt fear. His fingers that held the phone tightened with nervousness. After some time, he replied with a ¡°hmm¡±. He sounded calm, but internally, he was an emotional wreck. ¡°What is it? Song Song, tell me.¡±


    ¡°Brother Yinan... Do you know... Cheng Qingchong, she...¡± It was unclear whether it was too hard for Song Qingchun to voice her words or she was afraid that Qin Yinan might not be able to face the shock of the revtion, as she stammered, ¡°...Do you know who she is with right now?¡±


    The more she acted like this, the more nervous Qin Yinan became. As the question left her lips, he urged, ¡°Who?¡±


    Even though they were an impossibility, he was weirdly interested in who Cheng Qingchong¡¯s new man was.


    On the phone, Song Qingchun was silent for a while before answering. Her voice was soft, but the words that she said were like thunder, shattering Qin Yinan¡¯s eardrum.


    ¡°Jin Ze.¡±

 Chapter 1067 - Memory (6)

    <h4>Chapter 1067: Memory (6)</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Lonelytree <strong>Editor: </strong>Millman97


    <i>Jin Ze?</i>


    It was a name that Qin Yinan couldn¡¯t have been more familiar with. In fact, even now, he would still quite often see the owner of the name, but when the name left Song Qingchun¡¯s mouth, he was stumped. He held his phone with a nk expression like he couldn¡¯t remember who the name belonged to.


    Song Qingchun waited for a while and when she didn¡¯t hear anything from Qin Yinan, she repeated what she had said. ¡°Jin Ze, the CEO of Golden Wings Investment.¡±


    <i>It was Jin Ze who offered to save thepany two years ago, and Cheng Qingchong has ended up together with Jin Ze... </i>Qin Yinan¡¯s already confused mind was shattered into pieces.


    Even though Song Qingchun had not said anything really incriminating, his heart was gripped with fear, afraid that what Song Qingchun would reveal was simr to what was on his mind.


    His heavy breathing made Song Qingchun realize that he was listening to her and also his emotions were all over the ce. She gave him half a minute to digest the news before continuing slowly. ¡°Brother Yinan, I hear from Zhinian that Jin Ze came to know Qingchong many years ago when she was still working for him. At the time, he showed interest in Qingchong, but his advances were firmly denied.


    ¡°However, about two years ago, when yourpany met the financial crisis, Qingchong, who had shown consistent disdain toward Jin Ze, suddenly agreed to be with him, and then Jin Ze provided you with mary support. So... Brother Yinan... don¡¯t you think there are simply too many coincidences?¡±


    If not for Su Zhinian¡¯s superpower, this would still have remained a secret. Song Qingchun really wanted to tell Qin Yinan the truth; it was indeed Cheng Qingchong¡¯s sacrifice that saved hispany. However, this had been discovered when they ran into Cheng Qingchong at the mall, and during the chit-chat, Su Zhinian identally brushed up against her hand when he was passing her a ss of water. Su Zhinian read all this information from her mind, but she couldn¡¯t reveal all that to Qin Yinan.


    Afraid that she wasn¡¯t being obvious enough, Song Qingchun thought about it before adding, ¡°Brother Yinan, Zhinian has told me before that Jin Ze spent a lot of money to purchase a mistress. I fear, that woman is Qingchong... Perhaps you should investigate...¡±


    Before Song Qingchun could finish, Qin Yinan ended the phone call. His hand that held the phone was shaking badly. He clicked multiple times on his phone before he managed to get his secretary¡¯s number.


    ¡°Help me pull out the phone records and message history of this number from one year ago...¡±


    Qin Yinan gave Chen Yang the phone number Cheng Qingchong was using when she was in Beijing, the number that she had already disconnected. After hanging up, Qin Yinan didn¡¯t know what word could even describe his feeling then.


    A desire to run appeared in his mind. Like an ostrich, he wished to stick his head in the ground, to pretend like all this didn¡¯t exist because he was afraid of knowing the truth. He was close to calling his secretary back to tell him to stop the investigation because his instincts told him that the truth might be too difficult to handle.


    Half an hourter, the secretary finally called him back. He said that the message history and phone records had been sent to his mailbox.


    Qin Yinan replied with a grunt and ended the call. Holding his breath, he froze beside theputer for some time before pulling the chair out to sit down.

 Chapter 1068 - Ending (1)

    <h4>Chapter 1068: Ending (1)</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Lonelytree <strong>Editor: </strong>Millman97


    After opening theputer and keying in the password, Qin Yinan¡¯s fingers floated above the mouse for some time before he clicked open his mailbox and entered his password to enter the main page.


    There was a red colored 1 at his inbox, reminding him he had just received a new email.


    Qin Yinan might look gentle and humble on the surface, but he was a man with great courage. Honestly speaking, even he had a hard time telling what he was so afraid of, but the fear clinging to his heart couldn¡¯t be denied or ignored.


    He hesitated for a moment before opening the mail and downloading the attachment. The new window came up, and using the mouse, he started to go through Cheng Qingchong¡¯s message history.


    ¡°CEO Jin, this is Cheng Qingchong, are you free now? Can you talk on the phone?¡± The date of this message was from two years ago, around the second day after hispany found itself in deep financial trouble.


    ¡°I¡¯m free, but I¡¯d prefer to talk to you in person.¡±


    ¡°Then when will CEO Jin be free? Let¡¯s meet up in person.¡±


    ¡°Qingchong, if it¡¯s you, I¡¯m free always. How about now? Where are you now? I¡¯ll fetch you.¡±


    ¡°CEO Jin, give me an address. I¡¯lle to you.¡±


    ¡°The Golden Years.¡±


    ...


    ¡°I ept your conditions.¡±


    <i>Conditions? What conditions?</i>


    ¡°Identity card number.¡±


    Qin Yinan couldn¡¯t be more familiar with the 18 digits Cheng Qingchong sent as a reply; it was her identity card number.


    ¡°I¡¯ve book you a ne ticket tomorrow afternoon to Shanghai. There will be people waiting for you at the airport. As long as my man sessfully meets with you, he¡¯ll give me a call. After receiving that call, I¡¯ll send the money to Qin Yinan¡¯spany immediately.¡±


    ¡°I understand.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll be leaving for France tomorrow night and return to Shanghai one weekter. In this one week, as long as you don¡¯t leave Shanghai, you can do anything you want. Tomorrow, the person who fetches you will present you with a card¡ªspend however you wish to. Other than that, I¡¯ll find you a ce to stay in Shanghai. One weekter, tonight, I¡¯ll be there, be prepared.¡±


    ...


    That was the message history between Cheng Qingchong and Jin Ze that afternoon. That night, Jin Ze sent a picture message to Cheng Qingchong.


    It was the proposal between Jin Ze and himself.


    The picture focused on the signature bars where his name and Jin Ze¡¯s name could be seen clearly, sitting side by side.


    ...


    Even though they were some simple messages, even though he didn¡¯t know what happen during their meeting, he had understood everything.


    Pain, disbelief, defeat... Various emotions flooded Qin Yinan. He felt like his heart was emptied, and fresh blood kept on pouring, filling up every inch of his body, drowning him from within. It felt as if every inch of his skin was embedded with a small knife; the pain seared his skin and severed his heart.


    The pain got so intense that his pain receptors went overload until he couldn¡¯t feel anything anymore.


    He read the messages on screen again and again until his brain started to get muddled. His eyes were puffy with pain, and as he rubbed them, trying to ease the pressure, tears fell like rain.


    When the financial crisis struck hispany, he had prepared for the worst.


    However, that didn¡¯t mean that he had given up; he had been trying his best to fight until the veryst moment.

 Chapter 1069 - Ending (2)

    <h4>Chapter 1069: Ending (2)</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Lonelytree <strong>Editor: </strong>Millman97


    When he received the call from Golden Wings Investment, hope had risen in his heart. He had spent the whole night preparing the document to meet Jin Ze the following day. When the man readily epted his proposal, he had assumed that it was his products that impressed him. At the time, he couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit proud of himself. After parting from Jin Ze, he had invited thepany workers to go celebrate at the KTV, but he had soon left because he couldn¡¯t wait to go home to share the good news with her.


    But now, he realized, he had not been as good as he had thought he was.


    The result that he was so proud of had been given to him by a woman who had given up her dignity and her whole life for him.


    All these years, as his career continued to rise and his wallet got thicker, the attention that fell on him increased. He had a morous life, and those who had once looked down on him couldn¡¯t wait to get in his good books now. At every dinner party, he would be approached by innumerable beautiful women, and he was the pride of his parents¡¯ lives.


    Everyone said that he was lucky and praised him for his ability and brilliance.


    Many times, he also thought he was extremely lucky, but now he realized, luck had nothing to do with it. All he had was a woman who loved him with no reservation and no regret.


    But what about her?


    When he was glowing under the spotlight, she was eking out her life in the darkest and most undignified of living arrangements.


    How did she manage to survive all these days?


    When she was alone, did she cry silently to herself like a few several days?


    His heaven for her hell.


    No wonder she squatted down beside his bed to mumble so many things to him the night before she left. No wonder her eyes that looked at him were filled with so much sorrow.


    So, this was the decision she was facing at the time...


    Qin Yinan couldn¡¯t stop the sob from escaping his throat. He raised his hand to bite on his arm. This was the first time he had lost such control of his emotions in his life.


    He bit on his arm until it bled, and he could taste blood. However, the tears didn¡¯t stop. After a good cry, Qin Yinan¡¯s emotions got released, and he felt better. He copsed on the study desk, and his quivering shoulders eventually stabilized.


    The study was quiet, and his brain was startlingly awake. He had never been so sure of a decision in his life before.


    After making the decision, he sat up, faced theputer, and started typing. He typed for a long time before he stopped. He carefully looked through the content that he had typed once before printing it out. He ced the paper inside an empty document file before leaving the study with it. He turned into the bathroom to wash his face. As he fixed his looks, he called his secretary to contact hiswyer and had him find Jin Ze¡¯s current location.


    ...


    After dealing with work, Jin Ze returned to Four Seasons. He was about to remove his clothes to take a bath when the doorbell rang.


    He assumed it was the bellboy who came with the red wine he ordered so he didn¡¯t rush. When he saw it was Qin Yinan, he was startled before greeting him.


    ¡°CEO Qin.¡±


    Qin Yinan¡¯s eyes that looked Jin Ze blinked twice. He didn¡¯t say a word nor did he wait for Jin Ze to invite him in. He strode into the room directly.


    Jin Ze was left standing at the door. As he came to, he closed the door before turning to walk back to the living room.

 Chapter 1070 - Ending (3)

    <h4>Chapter 1070: Ending (3)</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Lonelytree <strong>Editor: </strong>Millman97


    As Jin Ze was about to politely ask if the man wanted a drink, Qin Yinan dropped the document in his hands on the table. ¡°CEO Jin, I¡¯m sorry to disturb you sote at night, but I hope you¡¯ll give me some time to finish reading this document.¡±


    Jin Ze was confused by Qin Yinan¡¯s series of actions. He looked at the man who stood beside the sofa for a while before asking Qin Yinan to sit. He sat down, took the file, opened it, and peeled out the document from within.


    Qin Yinan did not stand on ceremony with Jin Ze; he quickly sat down across from Jin Ze. The room was quiet except for the sound of the paper as Jin Ze flipped through the pages.


    The further he read, the deeper the frown on Jin Ze¡¯s face. When he finished, Qin Yinan retrieved a pen from his pocket and ced it before Jin Ze. ¡°CEO Jin, if there¡¯s no problem, please sign the paper immediately. I¡¯ve contacted mywyer to make all the necessary arrangements. The moment you sign, I¡¯ll have hime up to officiate this document, and the papers will be sent to the court right after, effective immediately.¡±


    Jin Ze lowered his eyes to flip through the document again before tossing the document on the table. He leaned back in the sofa as he studied Qin Yinan¡¯s demeanor closely. After some time, heughed to himself before saying, ¡°CEO Qin, are you sure you¡¯re not sleep-walking?¡±


    ¡°No...¡± Before Qin Yinan answered, Jin Ze continued. ¡°...CEO Qin, may I ask, what sort of game are you ying? You came to my hotel room in the middle of the night to give me several million in assets? I really don¡¯t have the guts to drop a signature on a suspiciously sweet deal like this, so CEO Qin... name your price. I¡¯ll think about it before Ie to a decision.¡±


    Qin Yinan seemed to be waiting for this question from Jin Ze because as the other man finished, he answered readily, ¡°Cheng Qingchong.¡±


    Jin Ze was stunned. He repeated Cheng Qingchong¡¯s name as if he couldn¡¯t believe his ears, ¡°Cheng Qingchong?¡±


    ¡°Yes, Cheng Qingchong,¡± Qin Yinan confirmed for Jin Ze. ¡°That¡¯s my condition, Cheng Qingchong.¡±


    Both parties were experienced businessmen, there were certain things that needn¡¯t to be spelt out. By then, Jin Ze had understood Qin Yinan had found out some things that he shouldn¡¯t have.


    Jin Ze lowered his eyes to sweep the document spreading across the table. He was quiet for two seconds beforeughing softly. ¡°CEO Qin, I¡¯ve got to say, I¡¯m surprised that you¡¯re such a loyal man. You¡¯re willing to give up so much for the sake of a mere woman?¡±


    ¡°How else am I going to convince CEO Jin?¡± Qin Yinan replied in his graceful manner, his tone t without a trace of emotion. ¡°CEO Jin is a clever man, and everyone in the business circle knows that you don¡¯t do deal that isn¡¯t beneficial to yourself, so I believe, this contract I¡¯m offering is perhaps the most beneficial trade to CEO Jin, right? Plus, CEO Jin, haven¡¯t you been showing interest in my Qin Company¡¯s stocks for the past few months? What you want is currently sitting right before you. There¡¯s no reason for you to say no, right?¡±

 Chapter 1071 - Ending (4)

    <h4>Chapter 1071: Ending (4)</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Lonelytree <strong>Editor: </strong>Millman97


    ¡°From a business perspective, there¡¯s indeed no reason for me to reject this, but what I want to say is...¡± Jin Ze paused before continuing. ¡°Actually, CEO Qin is not that different from I am, right? We both see Cheng Qingchong as amodity, do we not? It¡¯s just that CEO Qin is more generous than I am, willing to give up the wholepany for one woman.¡±


    ¡°No, I¡¯m different from CEO Jin... Even two years ago, when CEO Jin agreed to Cheng Qingchong¡¯s conditions, CEO Jin didn¡¯t prepare for the investment to go to waste, or else CEO Jin wouldn¡¯t have studied the details of the contract so closely before signing the contract with me, am I wrong? CEO Jin is a real businessman, but I am not.¡± Qin Yinan stopped and slowly turned his head toward the window like he was deep in thought.


    After a while, his gaze returned to Jin Ze. ¡°I have never treated Cheng Qingchong as amodity. The purpose of this document is not for CEO Jin to surrender Cheng Qingchong to me; I¡¯m using it to purchase Cheng Qingchong¡¯s freedom.¡±


    Jin Ze was stumped. He nced at Qin Yinan with disbelief before shaking his head with augh like he had heard some kind of big joke. ¡°Did I hear CEO Qin correctly? CEO Qin is willing to go bankrupt just to purchase a woman¡¯s freedom?¡±


    If not for his years of perfect upbringing, Jin Ze really wanted to ask Qin Yinan if he had lost his mind.


    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s that simple.¡± Qin Yinan¡¯s answer sounded particrly sincere, without any hesitance. ¡°Therefore, CEO Jin, if there¡¯s no problem, please sign.¡±


    Jin Ze picked up the document to flip through it again. ¡°Are you sure you won¡¯t regret this?¡±


    ¡°I won¡¯t.¡± Qin Yinan picked up the pen to pass it to Jin Ze.


    Jin Ze epted it but before signing, he asked again, ¡°CEO Qin, after I drop my signature, you will lose everything. All the work that you¡¯ve put in over these years will be for nothing, and you will revert back to the state of an unknown poor man. Are you sure about this?¡±


    ¡°I am.¡±


    Jin Ze looked at Qin Yinan for two seconds before scrawling down his signature. As he did so, Qin Yinan pulled out his phone to call hiswyer.


    The procedure on thew¡¯s side progressed incredibly fast. In less than ten minutes, everything was settled and done.


    When Qin Yinan stood up with hiswyer and prepared to leave, Jin Ze suddenly called his name. Qin Yinan stopped at the door to the room and turned to look at Jin Ze.


    After Jin Ze waved for thewyer to leave, he stood up from the sofa. He stared at Qin Yinan, and his lips moved. There was something on his mind that he wished to tell the man, but the words somehow got changed into the following when they reached his lips. ¡°Cheng Qingchong has been with me for more than a year already, acting the role of my mistress. CEO Qin... no, I should refer to you as Mr. Qin now. Mr. Qin, if Cheng Qingchong is still willing to return to you to restart a life together, are you sure you won¡¯t look down on her?¡±


    This time it was Qin Yinan whoughed like he had heard a silly joke. Qin Yinan nced at Jin Ze like he was looking at a mad man. He didn¡¯t even waste his energy to answer the man¡¯s question. He turned around wordlessly and pulled the door shut behind him.

 Chapter 1072 - Ending (5)

    <h4>Chapter 1072: Ending (5)</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Lonelytree <strong>Editor: </strong>Millman97


    As the door closed with a click, silence returned to the room. Jin Ze held the same pose and expression he had when Qin Yinan left for a long time as he stared at the closed door. Then, he slowly moved his gaze away to fall on the document on the table. He bent down to pick up a cigar, lit it, and walked slowly toward the window.


    Beijing at night was as bright as day, but for some reason, even wreathed in light, there was an undercurrent of mncholy to everything.


    Jin Ze took a slow draft of the cigar and puffed out a beautiful smoke ring. Looking at the glittering lights, the man who normally only had time for the present and future suddenly found himself reminiscing about the past.


    He was a man who didn¡¯t have time for his past, and eventually, people often forgot the humble beginning that he came from. In fact, he too was caught in this mirage that he had created because he often found himself believing he was born with the riches. In reality, he was born poor, with barely anything to eat as a child. It was then that he swore to earn plenty of money to have a life free of basic worries like food and clothes.


    He was talented and hardworking. He soon won many people¡¯s respect and married Xiao Yin, who came from a rather respectable family.


    Xiao Yin was a gentle woman and an only daughter; the dowry that she brought with her was the capital to his first business venture. It failed horribly, and he ended up in a mountain of debt.


    The house that they were living in then was a gift from his inws. It was registered under Xiao Yin¡¯s name. In the end, it was Xiao Yin who went behind his back to sell the house to help him clear his debt. He had to move into a dormitory alongside Xiao Yin.


    It was true that misery lovespany.


    It was then that Xiao Yin was pregnant with their first child. At the time, they couldn¡¯t even take care of themselves, much less a child. For the sake of the child, he considered having Xiao Yin abort the child and they would have another when they were in better conditions, but he didn¡¯t know how to bring that up. It was Xiao Yin who saw into his heart and brought up the idea of abortion on her own.


    Due to poverty, Xiao Yin didn¡¯t have the avenue to make a good recovery. She failed to get pregnant for several years after that.


    His career started to turn for the better. Their home kept changing, each one bigger than the one preceding it, until they moved into a luxurious bungalow.


    Xiao Yin was finally pregnant again, but he was busy, busy working, busy expanding his empire, busy earning more money. He was so busy that when Xiao Yin went intobor, he was at a business meeting.


    His daughter grew up without hispany. He had seen his daughter less than ten times by the time she was three.


    He believed that money was the best way to show his love for them until the day of the ident. His daughter identally wandered to the middle of the road, and a car was rushing down at her. In an attempt to save her daughter, Xiao Yin jumped to push her daughter away. She died on the spot. It was not until then that he realized he had spent too little time apany Xiao Yin, but the little time that he did, Xiao Yin treated him so well, so so well.


    He missed that simple time.


    After Xiao Yin, there was no woman in this world who would tolerate him so quietly and withoutint anymore. Therefore, when he came across Cheng Qingchong, who looked like Xiao Yin, a very sick thought appeared in his mind.


    He would mold Cheng Qingchong into Xiao Yin. Therefore, he had Cheng Qingchong move into the house Xiao Yin was staying in before she died, wear the brands Xiao Yin preferred, and using the perfume Xiao Yin liked.

 Chapter 1073 - Ending (6)

    <h4>Chapter 1073: Ending (6)</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Lonelytree <strong>Editor: </strong>Millman97


    He had constructed himself an impable dream, and he had believed that he could keep this dream alive as long as he lived.


    However, no matter how rich he was, a dream couldn¡¯t be a reality. Reality couldn¡¯t be bought, and things started to move down a direction that he didn¡¯t anticipated.


    Honestly, that night more than one year ago, when he shared the bed with Cheng Qingchong, he did consider forcing the sex. After all, it was part of their contract; why should he not reap the reward of his investment?


    However, after her crying and her unreasonableness, he became tired, lost interest, and left.


    When he visited her next, it was one monthter. This time, he was not going to let her off that easy anymore. However, before dinner, he received a call from his daughter¡¯s school. His daughter identally fell down the stairs and was bleeding profusely. She needed blood, and the blood bank at the hospital was running low. Thus, she needed donation and needed it fast.


    He had already lost Xiao Yin; he couldn¡¯t suffer the loss of his daughter. He was scolding the hospital and the school heavily on the phone when the quiet Cheng Qingchong suddenly spoke up. She said that she had the same blood type as his daughter, and she was willing to volunteer to help his daughter.


    Cheng Qingchong gave more than one liter of blood. After the transfusion, she came down with a fever, and she was so weak that she could barely walk.


    But his daughter was saved.


    And it was then that the dream he constructed for himself started to shift. He didn¡¯t touch her. Initially, he thought he was being thankful, but even as time passed, he didn¡¯t touch her, one monthter, two monthster, six monthster, or even one yearter.


    In the end, even he couldn¡¯t figure out the real reason he hadn¡¯t touched her. He called her Xiao Yin, and he saw her as Xiao Yin, but internally, he knew that her name was Cheng Qingchong.


    His daughter loved her, and she too loved his daughter. In fact, her rtionship with his daughter was even better than his rtionship with his daughter. His daughter referred to her as Auntie Cheng, and during his daughter¡¯s birthday, she silently whispered to him that she wished for Auntie Cheng to be her mother. When he heard that wish, he nodded with a smile.


    He had assumed that was because it was his daughter¡¯s wish. If his daughter wanted the stars from the sky, he would take them down for her.


    Therefore, he started to think about how to make Cheng Qingchong marry him. However, before he could make any move, Qin Yinan¡¯s document was delivered to him. He signed it. In fact, when he saw the document for the first time, he knew he would sign it.


    Qin Yinan¡¯s analysis of him was urate; he was a businessman.


    Even if he did have other wishes, he would always put his own business first. It was like so many years ago, why he chose to marry Xiao Yin even though there were other women out there whom he was more interested in. The reason was simple; Xiao Yin came from a wealthier family than other women and loved him more than other women.


    There was one thing that Xiao Yin loved to keep on her lips; she was envious of him, and she wished their daughter would be more like him, instead of her.


    It had confused him at the time, but he understood it now.


    Xiao Yin wished that their daughter would learn from him, to put herself first, to have some self-love.


    It was true. The person he loved the most in the world was himself. No matter what decision he made in life, the first person he considered about was himself. He was clearer than anyone else that he wanted to keep Cheng Qingchong around, but more than that, he wanted to have Qin Yinan¡¯spany to expand his business.


    Jin Ze tipped his head back to look at a ne that crossed the sky. He blinked several times before pulling out his phone to send Cheng Qingchong a message.

 Chapter 1074 - Ending (7)

    <h4>Chapter 1074: Ending (7)</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Lonelytree <strong>Editor: </strong>Millman97


    The message only had two words.


    ¡°You¡¯re free.¡±


    After he sent the message, he thought about it before wandering back to the table. He snapped a picture of the document and sent it to Cheng Qingchong. She was a clever girl. Without an exnation, she would understand what happened.


    However, the man who had been cold-blooded for many years, who refused to mind other people¡¯s business, was surprised to find himself in a charitable mood twice that night.


    The first time was when he called Qin Yinan before the man left. He wanted to tell him, <i>I haven¡¯t touched her </i>, but he didn¡¯t because he felt it was very unlike him to do so.


    The second time was just now. He didn¡¯t need to send the picture to Cheng Qingchong, and after he did, he still couldn¡¯t understand why he did it.


    ...


    Cheng Qingchong wandered the streets of Beijing alone until 3 am before she returned home. She was sad but looked calm on the surface as she took deliberate steps up the stairs.


    She realized that Jin Ze¡¯s men would be there in a few hours. After a week of freedom, she would have to return to her identity as Xiao Yin. At the corner of the staircase to the third floor, Cheng Qingchong suddenly stopped. Like a soulless doll, she stood there dumbly for a long time before she moved her legs to climb up the rest of the stairs. As she did so, she sought out her key from her bag.


    The staircase was dark, and Cheng Qingchong coughed lightly to activate the light. She nced perfunctorily at her door before returning to focus on her key search. After a few more steps, she stopped. Then she raised her head again to look at the figure that was standing in front of her door.


    Cheng Qingchong was dumbfounded. For a moment there, she thought she was hallucinating. She stared unblinkingly at Qin Yinan.


    The corridor was quiet, and after the voice-activated lights went off, it became dark as well. The cigarette in the man¡¯s fingers flickered on and off.


    They stood like that in the dark for a long time until Qin Yinan coughed to himself. The light came on again to reveal the face that was carved into her memory.


    Her lips fell open, but before she could say anything, he began by saying, ¡°Why aren¡¯t you opening the door?¡±


    Cheng Qingchong¡¯s fingers that held her key shook. She used every ounce of energy to stop her emotions from running wild. With careful steps, she walked toward him. She lowered her head when she walked past him and used the key to open the door.


    ¡°Why...¡± Cheng Qingchong wanted to ask why he was there, but before she could get the question out, Qin Yinan pushed open the door and strode into the room like he lived there.


    He stood at the front door and looked around the room before his gaze settled on the luggage ced neatly on the balcony.


    His lips pressed as he snuffed the cigarette out. Then he stalked toward the balcony and grabbed the scissors that she had left on the table after she used them during the packing and ripped open the packages that she spent a long time wrapping up.


    ¡°Qin Yinan, what are you doing?¡± Cheng Qingchong came to, and without even closing the door, she rushed into the room.


    She tried to stop him, but she was not as powerful as the man. In less than two minutes, the man had shredded all of her paper packaging.


    ¡°Do you know how long it took me to pack all of them up? Why did you open all of them? What are you up to?¡±

 Chapter 1075 - Ending (8)

    <h4>Chapter 1075: Ending (8)</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Lonelytree <strong>Editor: </strong>Millman97


    Ignoring Cheng Qingchong¡¯s cries of protest, he unloaded the stuff from the luggage one by one. He had been to her house about one week ago. Even though he had a hazy memory of the ce, he could fuzzily remember where the things belong. Therefore, using his memory, he ced her stuff to back where they were supposed to be.


    When Qin Yinan grabbed Cheng Qingchong¡¯s clothes and hung them back up in the closet in her bedroom, the kind Cheng Qingchong finally lost her temper. ¡°Qin Yinan! Have you lost your mind? What are you doing?¡±


    Her anger made him stop moving. He stood facing away from her for a while before turning slowly around to meet her eyes. The man was unfazed in the face of her anger.


    ¡°Qingchong, it¡¯s simple. If you like it, you can continue to stay here; if you don¡¯t, you can slowly look for a new city to move to.¡±


    <i>Huh? What? I lost that ability when I signed the contract one and a half year ago.</i>The anger in Cheng Qingchong¡¯s eyes was instantly reced by a dim disappointment. She lowered her head and forced a smile at Qin Yinan. ¡°I¡¯ve already told thendlord I¡¯ll be moving out...¡±


    Qin Yinan cut her off. ¡°Qingchong, what I meant was, you¡¯re free.¡±


    <i>Free? I¡¯m free? </i>Cheng Qingchong frowned, and a bad feeling climbed up her heart. <i>Could it be that he has found out? But that¡¯s impossible, the deal between me and Jin Ze should only be known between me and Jin Ze...</i>


    It was then that her phone suddenly rang. She searched for her phone and looked at the screen. It was a message from Jin Ze.


    The content stunned her.


    Qin Yinan made use of this opportunity to speedily and neatly return her clothes back to the closet. After he finished unloading the luggage, he kicked it aside, and as he turned to grab another, he noticed that Cheng Qingchong¡¯s face was covered in tears.


    He frowned, and his expression was suffused with worry. He put down the luggage, and as he walked toward her, she suddenly opened her mouth to say, ¡°Why?¡±


    The simple question froze Qin Yinan where he was standing.


    The room was quiet, and they stood looking at each other quietly. Her tears kept falling, and when he saw the phone in her hand, it slowly dawned on him.


    <i>She must have found out. The phone alert earlier was probably a message from Jin Ze.</i>


    Before the thought settled in his mind, Cheng Qingchong demanded once more through her tears, ¡°Why are you so stupid?¡±


    <i>Why are you so stupid to use everything you own to trade for a woman¡¯s freedom? Why are you so stupid?</i>


    Such a simple question, but it caused Qin Yinan¡¯s eyes to redden instantly. He stared at her and posed the question back to her. ¡°But am I as stupid as you?¡±


    <i>Yes, I might be stupid, but am I as stupid as you?</i>


    His reply made Cheng Qingchong cry even harder.


    Was he stupid? At least he didn¡¯t think so. Even though he had lost everything and in other people¡¯s eyes, he was left with nothin, at least he had her, and for him, that was more important than all the riches in the world.


    Was she stupid? At least she didn¡¯t think so. Even though the days that she had chosen for herself were long and torturous, she had no regret as long as he was living well.


    <i>Why are you so stupid?</i>


    <i>But is it as stupid as you?</i>


    Were they stupid?


    Yes, they probably were both stupid, so very stupid.


    And yet, love makes one do stupid things, does it not?

 Chapter 1076 - Epilogues Epilogue

    <h4>Chapter 1076: Epilogue¡¯s Epilogue</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Lonelytree <strong>Editor: </strong>Millman97


    At eighteen months old, Little Sesame had already started to mumble her words. Even though her pronunciation wascking, it was enough tomunicate what she was thinking. Little Sesame was a particrly precocious child and would learn from the things that she saw.


    One day, when Song Qingchun was making a bottle of milk for Little Sesame, she was identally scalded by the hot water. All she did was gasp a little audibly, but Su Zhinian, who was working in his study, managed to pick it up with his super-hearing. He rushed down the stairs immediately, and when he saw the red welt on Song Qingchun¡¯s hand, he grabbed her hand to soak it under the running cold water. ¡°Why you didn¡¯t call for my help?¡±


    It was rather hot when it happened, but it didn¡¯t warrant Su Zhinian¡¯s type of overreaction. Song Qingchun smiled and said, ¡°It¡¯s fine. It¡¯s just an ident.¡±


    Due to their physical contact, Su Zhinian knew it really didn¡¯t hurt that much. He closed the faucet and grabbed a towel to wipe Song Qingchun¡¯s hand dry. Then, as per his habit, he leaned down to kiss the part that was burned twice and asked with concern, ¡°Does it still hurt?¡±


    Song Qingchun shook her head and smiled sweetly. ¡°Not anymore.¡±


    Su Zhinian finally rxed enough to turn and help Little Sesame with her milk. Little Sesame, who was ying in her toddler seat, saw this unfold and recorded it in her mind. She blinked confusedly. <i>Mommy was screaming from pain, so howe she can get better so soon with just a kiss from Daddy?</i>


    One day, in her hurry to rush upstairs, Song Qingchun tripped on the stairs, and simr to the milk incident, Su Zhinian, who was ying with Little Sesame in the living room, immediately rushed to Song Qingchun¡¯s side to check up on her. He kissed the bruise that was forming on her arm twice and asked with concern, ¡°Does it still hurt?¡±


    After Song Qingchun shook her head and told him it didn¡¯t, Su Zhinian finally allowed her to continue upstairs.


    Little Sesame, at the time, was learning how to stand on her own. She held the coffee table as support as she tried to stand up. She saw this scene, and her dark eyes blinked twice. Her head titled to the side, and she thought, <i>Why does Daddy kiss the spot that Mommy injured every time?</i>


    One day, Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian carried Little Sesame to the garden to y. Song Qingchun was bitten on the neck by an insect of some sort. The bite was slightly painful, and when Su Zhinian heard that thought in her mind, he leaned down to kiss the mosquito bite and asked, ¡°Does it still hurt?¡±


    Song Qingchun shook her head. ¡°Not anymore...¡±


    Little Sesame, who was ying a rubber ball on the grass, after witnessing this so many times, had an epiphany of sorts. Her heart surged with admiration, thinking, <i>Daddy must be magical. He can kiss pain away...</i>


    One day, Little Sesame was down with fever. Song Qingchun and Su Zhinian brought her to the hospital to have a shot. When Song Qingchun carried Little Sesame to the doctor, Su Zhinian excused himself to use the toilet. Little Sesame was brave; she didn¡¯t show any trace of fear when she saw the needle, but when the needle punctured the skin of her butt, her tears flew out immediately. Since the medicine needed some time to enter the system, the needle was stuck in her butt for quite some time. Little Sesame started wailing, and that,bined with the strong mp her mother had on her to stop her from moving, made her yell, ¡°Daddy, Daddy, my butt hurts...¡±


    When Su Zhinian exited the bathroom, the needle was pulled out. Little Sesame was crying so badly that she sounded like she was choking on her tears. When she saw Su Zhinian, she immediately cried out, ¡°Daddy, Daddy...¡±


    Her eyes lit up with hope. Su Zhinian rushed to her side, and as he reached out to grab her, Little Sesame turned around and pushed her exposed butt right at Su Zhinian¡¯s lips, grumbling, ¡°Kiss, kiss, Daddy, kiss, no pain anymore...¡±

 Chapter 1077 - Our Childhood (1)

    <h4>Chapter 1077: Our Childhood (1)</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Lonelytree <strong>Editor: </strong>Millman97


    The time by your side is the best confession I can give you.


    ...


    Su Yiting, pet name: Little Sesame.


    Lu Qiaochen, pet name: Little Rice Cake.


    ...


    Su Yiting and Lu Qiaochen first met at the birthday ball of the Tang family siblings. At the time, Lu Qiaochen was six and Su Yiting five.


    Lu Qiaochen, Tang Niangu, Tang Nianqin, and Tang Niancheng were ssmates at the same kindergarten. They already knew each other and were ying happily among themselves when Su Yiting arrived.


    Among the group, Tang Nianqin was the only girl, so she was exceptionally happy when she saw Su Yiting. She approached her with a bubbly smile.


    Su Yiting came to the party with Su Zhinian and Song Qingchun. Even though she was still a bit shy, with the passionate invitation from Tang Nianqin, she soon becamefortable enough to have fun and became fast friends with Tang Nianqin.


    Among the Tang family triplets, the eldest Tang Niangu was the most stable. Sitting on the wide cushion, he was busy ying his handheld game. When his mother, Gu Qincheng, asked him to help her greet their guests, he raised his head and smiled politely at Su Yiting, adding gentlemanly, ¡°Wee to the party.¡±


    ¡°Thank you,¡± Su Yiting replied politely.


    Tang Niangu smiled and turned back to focus on his game. With Gu Nianqin¡¯s introduction, Su Yiting soon joined the group of four.


    Tang Niancheng was a born prankster; the teachers at his kindergarten hadined about him many times already. At around noon, his yful streak started to surface, and his targets this time were Su Yiting and Tang Nianqin.


    There was no gender difference between children of their age, so one thing led to another, and Su Yiting and Tang Nianqin started to fight with Tang Niancheng.


    Even though it was a two against one fight, the two girls couldn¡¯t win against Tang Niancheng physically. As Tang Niancheng grabbed the wooden blocks off the floor to hurl at them, the eldest, Tang Niangu, immediately tossed the game aside and quickly pulled his sister behind him. Lu Qiaochen, who hadn¡¯t said a word or moved an inch since Su Yiting joined them, threw the book he was reading at Su Yiting, blocking the blocks that were heading toward Su Yiting just in time.


    Su Yiting staggered backward and copsed to the floor. After she recovered, she red at Tang Niancheng with her cheeks puffed out. Then she turned to look at the book that fell beside her. Before she could get a good look of the book title, a hand reached out to pick it up from the floor. She followed the arm and saw a boy¡¯s face that looked like it was painted. When the boy met her eyes, there wasn¡¯t any noticeable change in his expression. However, his body, which was turning away, did halt for a moment. After what looked like hesitation, he asked, ¡°Are you hurt?¡±


    Su Yiting shook her head and said, ¡°Thank you.¡±


    Lu Qiaochen nodded in acknowledgement. He stood where he was for a while before moving back to his seat by the window, opening the book, and continuing to read.


    Su Yiting¡¯s eyes trailed along the boy¡¯s footsteps.


    Even many yearster, she would still remember this scene. The gentle sunlight poured in from the window, bathing the young boy in it. His features were as handsome as the prince from the fairy tale that she read. He was sitting quietly, reading his book.


    The book title was rather long, and it was difficult for her to understand it at the time. She could only recognize it as ¡°X to the West.¡±

 Chapter 1078 - Our Childhood (2)

    <h4>Chapter 1078: Our Childhood (2)</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Lonelytree <strong>Editor: </strong>Millman97


    When Su Yiting crossed paths with Lu Qiaochen next, it was half a yearter on a cruise. This was the first time she had been allowed to follow her parents to an official dinner. If not for her mother¡¯s reminder, Su Yiting would have forgotten this young boy who had once saved her from distress.


    Two of the Tang family triplets were present. Tang Nianqin was not feeling well, so she stayed at home. Therefore, Su Yiting was left without a buddy that night.


    After the meal, all the kids were feeling sleepy. However, there weren¡¯t that many bedrooms to go around, so two of the children had to share the same room.


    The memory of Tang Niancheng¡¯s bullying still fresh in her mind, Su Yiting refused to share a room with Tang Niancheng or Tang Niangu, who looked simr to his younger brother. In the end, she had no choice but to sleep with Lu Qiaochen.


    Lu Qiaochen was simr to how he had been when Lu Yiting saw him for the first time, his face devoid of emotion. When he heard he was going to bunk with Su Yiting, he turned to look at the girl. When his father ordered him to lead Su Yiting to go and rest, he got up from his seat rather unwillingly. He walked to Su Yiting and said, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±


    Su Yiting turned to look at Song Qingchun. When Song Qingchun nodded, she mimicked Lu Qiaochen and jumped down from her seat. Then she ran to catch up to the boy. Lu Qiaochen stopped moving and turned his head sideway to nce at Su Yiting. The boy, who was averse to human contact, didn¡¯t swing Su Yiting¡¯s arm away. He slowed down his steps and allowed the girl to pull on his shirt, and they entered the room together.


    That afternoon, they shared the same nket during nap time.


    During lunch, Su Yiting had plenty of juice to drink. Therefore, in her nap, she dreamed that she was looking for the toilet. When she found it, she peed readily. She was woken up by the sticky feeling on her lower body. She opened her eyes blurrily, and as she patted her dress, she realized that she had wetted the bed. The five-year-old girl was drowned in feelings of shame, and in her nervousness, she started to sob softly.


    Lu Qiaochen was woken up by Su Yiting¡¯s crying. The boy sat up in bed with a frown, his demeanor suspiciously like a grown up. He turned to look at the crying girl with a curious frown. However, when he spotted the wet stain on the bed, the situation immediately dawned on him.


    Knowing that Lu Qiaochen had seen her wet the bed, Su Yiting cried even louder.


    Lu Qiaochen¡¯s frown deepened. He looked around the room before jumping off the bed. He half-dragged and half-pulled Su Yiting into the bathroom. He grabbed the hair-dryer and aimed it as Su Yiting¡¯s damp dress. Then, he cupped some water from the faucet and sshed it at his own pants. He pulled some napkins and tried his best to wipe the tears on the girl¡¯s face away. Like an adult, heforted her in a calm voice. ¡°Don¡¯t cry, don¡¯t worry, I guarantee no one will know.¡±


    Su Yiting heard this and nced at Lu Qiaochen through her tears. Then she asked with burgeoning hope in her voice, ¡°Really?¡±


    ¡°Really!¡± Lu Qiaochen¡¯s young face was set with stern promise.


    Su Yiting broke into a smile, and the frown on Lu Qiaochen¡¯s rxed.


    When the two kids came out from the bathroom, Song Qingchun and Qiao Anhao walked into the room together to check on the kids.


    Qiao Anhao spotted the stain on the bed instantly, and she turned to question the children, ¡°Who wetted the bed?¡±


    Su Yiting lowered her head nervously, but before she could say anything, Lu Qiaochen opened his mouth to say, ¡°Mother, I¡¯m sorry, it was me.¡±


    No matter how many yearster, whenever someone brought up Lu Qiaochen, this would be the first memory that entered her mind.


    It was probably also from then on that a pattern was formed. Su Yiting would get into trouble, and Lu Qiaochen would be there to clean up her mess.

 Chapter 1079 - Our Youth (1)

    <h4>Chapter 1079: Our Youth (1)</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Lonelytree <strong>Editor: </strong>Millman97


    When Su Yiting was seven, she became Lu Qiaochen¡¯s schoolmate.


    Lu Qiaochen was in the second year, and Su Yiting was just a first year. Their ssrooms were in buildings that were about a hundred meters apart from each other, but Su Yiting would find Lu Qiaochen¡¯s shadow in the stairwell of her ssroom¡¯s building during sses. Every time, he would have various kinds of snacks, and since they knew each other, Lu Qiaochen would share some with her.


    The children¡¯s world was simple and filled with innocence. Those snacks were like honey, sweeting Su Yiting¡¯s heart. It was then that she got really close to Lu Qiaochen. After school, when they were waiting for their respective parents, they would y with each other on the field.


    That year, Su Yiting identally shattered the teacher lounge¡¯s window with the pebble that she was toying with. It was Lu Qiaochen who shouldered the me. The teacher punished him by making him sweep the field for an entire week, and his parents were summoned to the school.


    When Su Yiting was in the second year, she failed her end of term exam. Afraid of being scolded by her mother who was waiting for her at home, Su Yiting hid herself in the bathroom and refused toe out.


    In the end, it was Lu Qiaochen who came to her with the solution. He tore up her results and told Su Yiting¡¯s mother confidently and openly that he had identally lost Su Yiting¡¯s results, but she was definitely the top-scorer of their ss.


    Song Qingchun believed him, and she was overjoyed. However, that onlysted until they reached home. Lu Qiaochen had no idea that Su Yiting¡¯s father had superpowers who exposed her scheme the moment she reached home. Su Yiting¡¯s deceit earned her mother¡¯s ire, and she was grounded for two weeks.


    When Su Yiting was in the third year, Lu Qiaochen¡¯s ssroom moved to the building that was closest to the track field. This meant that Lu Qiaochen had a clear view of the field from his ss room.


    One Wednesday afternoon, when Lu Qiaochen was attending a self-study ss, Su Yiting was attending a physical education ss on the field. When she was running track, she identally tripped and fell to the floor. The pen flew from his hand, and the young man dashed out of the room, ignoring the questions that his teacher sent his way. After he arrived at the field and saw that Su Yiting had only suffered a minor injury, he sighed in relief, but before he could do anything else, behind him came the stern warning of the discipline teacher.


    When Su Yiting was in the fourth year, she identally sprained her ankle, and it was Lu Qiaochen who carried her all the way home.


    When Su Yiting was in the fifth year, Lu Qiaochen skipped a grade and entered a high school that was two kilometers away.


    When Su Yiting was in the sixth year, it was Lu Qiaochen who fetched her to and from school every day on his bicycle even though his own school was in the opposite direction from her school.


    Su Yiting¡¯s high school was the same as Lu Qiaochen¡¯s. This time, their ssrooms were not in separate buildings but in the same one. Lu Qiaochen was on the third floor, and Su Yiting was on the fourth floor.


    Youths in high school, as they went through the awkward years, stopped hanging out with people from the opposite sex like how they used to in primary school.


    Boys hung out with boys, and girls hung with girls. Other than forced group activities, there would not be much interaction between the two. So, whenever there was a couple that got too close, there would be the inevitable rumors.


    It was thus that Lu Qiaochen and Su Yiting, who had known each other since they were little kids, became the main characters of a circting rumor.


    It was on one afternoon, when Su Yiting, who was in first year of high school at the time, was chatting with her friends that she was asked whether the Lu Qiaochen downstairs was her boyfriend that she realized that she had been the main character of a rumor for so long.

 Chapter 1080 - Our Youth (2)

    <h4>Chapter 1080: Our Youth (2)</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Lonelytree <strong>Editor: </strong>Millman97


    At the time, she had yet to understand the meaning of boyfriend. She looked at her friend with confusion and blinked innocently before asking, ¡°What is a boyfriend?¡±


    Her friend was made speechless by her innocence. Taking up the role as her teacher, she started lecturing Su Yiting on the topic of love and hate.


    The more her friend exined, the more confused Su Yiting became. Her friend, who eventually got tired of talking, pulled out several actually good romance novels from her bag and passed them to Su Yiting. In a tone that sounded like a wuxia master talking to her disciple, she said, ¡°After you finish these few books, you¡¯ll understand everything.¡±


    <i>So magical? </i>Su Yiting stared at the stack of books curiously before thanking her friend and epting them.


    After she got home and finished her homework, she was reminded of the books that her friend had given her. She selected a random title and started to read. When she started the first page, she couldn¡¯t stop, and she read through the night. The next day, Su Yiting was practically half-asleep in ss. She was caught sleeping by her teacher, who punished her by having her stand for ten minutes straight.


    Su Yiting used one week to finish the first novel, and another five days to finish another... Just like that, Su Yiting was pulled into the world of web novels by her friend. Regardless of whether it was a digital book or a physical book, she was a fan.


    It wasmon for girls to dream, to dream up a romantic up, a prince on a white horse. With the influence of the web novels, the dream only became more pronounced in Su Yiting¡¯s mind.


    She started to imagine the type of man she would fall in love with and the kind of love story they would make. Su Yiting submerged herself in her dream for as long as a year, and when she was in the third year of high school, Su Yiting finally found the man of her dream.


    That year, her rumored boyfriend, Lu Qiaochen, had moved up to senior school, and they were separated into different schools once more.


    That year, her first period came, and even her chest started to swell like balloons.


    When there was still a month to her midterms, she met Liang Yang, who wore a white shirt at an activity organized by the school. The young man was fresh and clean.


    It was Liang Yang who pursued Su Yiting.


    It all started with a love letter written on a blue stationery set. Liang Yang¡¯s handwriting was like its owner, nice to the eyes, and his words were poetic.


    Su Yiting instantly fell from this first assault. Her young girl¡¯s heart flooded with love, and after a night¡¯s hesitation, she decided to reply with a letter of her own, promising to be his girlfriend.


    Before the letter was even written, Su Yiting started to imagine the type of love story she would share with Liang Yang.


    Eloping because their parents barred them from being together... the tragedy of a fatal illness...


    In any case, she imagined the type of plot she read in the web novels happening to herself and Liang Yang.


    Naturally, Su Yiting became a pair with Liang Yang.


    They would secretly get together at the small garden behind the school after ss. Every time, Liang Yang would give her cute little snacks. They weren¡¯t as delicious as the important snacks Lu Qiaochen once shared with her, but in Su Yiting¡¯s eyes, the snacks from Liang Yang looked like roses, each more beautiful than thest.


    ...


    Lu Qiaochen found out Su Yiting was in a rtionship with Liang Yang three days after they became official.

 Chapter 1081 - His Disappearance, His Appearance (1)

    <h4>Chapter 1081: His Disappearance, His Appearance (1)</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Lonelytree <strong>Editor: </strong>Millman97


    That day, he was on his way to find Su Yiting with two tickets to a fan meeting with a famous celebrity.


    That celebrity was signed to Huan Ying Entertainment, and Su Yiting had been his fan for a long time already. She hade to him multiple times, asking him to help her figure out a way to meet the man. s, the celebrity had been busy shooting movies overseas. However, yesterday, the celebrity hade back to the country. That morning, Lu Qiaochen heard that the celebrity was going to have a fan meeting that afternoon as Beijing, so he went to his father¡¯spany to ask for two VIP tickets. Ignoring the fact that he was skipping school, he came to see Su Yiting, but to his surprise, the girl was not in the ssroom.


    Lu Qiaochen knew that Su Yiting wouldn¡¯t return home during afternoon break. He assumed that she had gone to the toilet, so he waited for her at the ssroom entrance. He waited for ten minutes, but there was still no sign of Su Yiting. In the end, it was the girl who sat next to Su Yiting in ss who approached him to tell him that Su Yiting was having a date at the back garden.


    The few simple words stunned him for quite a long time. It took him a while to understand what he had been told. His lips tensed, and after thanking Su Yiting¡¯s friend, he rushed toward the back garden.


    As mentioned by her friend, Su Yiting was talking andughing with a fair and delicate-looking young man surrounded by the blooming flowers.


    The two of them stood up since the bell was about to ring. Lu Qiaochen didn¡¯t have time to even hide, so the three of them ran into each other just like that.


    When Su Yiting saw Lu Qiaochen, she was overjoyed. She bounced to his side like she usually would and greeted him happily. ¡°Brother Qiaochen, how did you know I was here?¡±


    Lu Qiaochen stared at Su Yiting¡¯s smiling face for a while, but he didn¡¯t say anything as his gaze slowly wandered to the young man who was standing not far away. When Liang Yang met Lu Qiaochen¡¯s eyes, he also greeted him politely. ¡°Senior Lu, nice to meet you. I¡¯m Liang Yang, Xiao Yi¡¯s boyfriend.¡±


    Lu Qiaochen still didn¡¯t say anything. His gaze lingered on Liang Yang¡¯s face for another two seconds before turning back to Su Yiting. When he spoke, his tone sounded surprisingly casual. ¡°When did this start? Why didn¡¯t you tell me?¡±


    ¡°Just two days ago...¡± Su Yiting¡¯s cheeks burned. She lowered her head and quickly changed the subject. ¡°By the way, Brother Qiaochen, why are you here? Is it because you have something to tell me?¡±


    ¡°Yeah.¡± Lu Qiaochen passed the tickets to Su Yiting.


    Su Yiting epted them, and when she saw the details printed on them, she gasped with pleasant surprise. ¡°Brother Qiaochen, you¡¯re the best...¡±


    Before Su Yiting could finish, Lu Qiaochen turned to leave.


    Su Yiting stopped mid-sentence. Looking at Lu Qiaochen¡¯s back, she pouted and thought to herself, <i>Brother Qiaochen sure is acting very weirdly today...</i>


    However, this question stayed in her mind for less than a minute before it was reced by the shrill sound of the school bell. She jumped with a start, and after an ¡®unwilling¡¯ parting from Liang Yang, she returned to ss.


    Starting from that day, Lu Qiaochen, who normally came to see Su Yiting every two or three days, disappeared for more than half a month.


    Su Yiting, who was lost in the sweetness of first love, didn¡¯t even realize that he was gone until her friend asked, ¡°Howe I haven¡¯t seen your Brother Qiaochen recently?¡±


    For some reason, the image of Lu Qiaochen turning to leave after giving her the VIP tickets cropped up in her mind.

 Chapter 1082 - His Disappearance, His Appearance (2)

    <h4>Chapter 1082: His Disappearance, His Appearance (2)</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Lonelytree <strong>Editor: </strong>Millman97


    Su Yiting¡¯s good mood inexplicably turned sour. Lying on the table, she bit on the end of her pen for a while before surreptitiously sending Lu Qiaochen a message. ¡°Hey, what have you been up totely?¡±


    Lu Qiaochen¡¯s reply came muchter. There were no words, only a single picture. It was a picture of a tall stack of mathematics questions that Su Yiting hated more than anything in the world.


    Su Yiting pouted and shoved her phone back into the drawer to ignore Lu Qiaochen.


    Normally, when she didn¡¯t reply to Lu Qiaochen, Lu Qiaochen would send her another message to ask her what was wrong, but this time, even when school was over, Su Yiting didn¡¯t receive another message from Lu Qiaochen.


    Even after returning home, Su Yiting couldn¡¯t stop ncing at her phone. She was so distracted that she answered less than twenty percent of her homework questions correctly.


    But this was weird. Why would Lu Qiaochen not replying to her make her more anxious than when Liang Yang didn¡¯t reply to her?


    Su Yiting bit on the end of her pen in thought. Eventually, she snapped a picture of a math question and sent it to Lu Qiaochen. She attached it with a crying emoji and a plea of ¡°Teach me.¡±


    Then, Su Yiting started an internal countdown, starting from ten, nine, eight, seven... There was still no call when she reached one.


    Previously when she didn¡¯t know how to solve an equation, she only needed to snap a picture to Lu Qiaochen, and he would video-call her in less than ten seconds to give her a precise exnation.


    But today...


    Su Yiting pouted and was about to switch off her phone out of anger when her phone rang. It was a call from Lu Qiaochen. She hurried to answer it, and she only managed to get out the ¡°Brother¡± from ¡°Brother Qiaochen¡± before Lu Qiaochen interrupted her and exined the solution of the problem to her in a very formal tone. When he was done, he asked, ¡°Understood?¡±


    The moment Su Yiting replied that she understood, the phone was hung up. Su Yiting¡¯s mood dropped to the darkest abyss.


    Until Su Yiting graduated from high school, other than the ¡°good luck¡± she received before her midterms, Lu Qiaochen never voluntarily contacted Su Yiting. Even when Su Yiting was messaging him, he seemed like he was in that state of being forced tomunicate with Su Yiting. As this continued, Su Yiting also stopped trying to talk to Lu Qiaochen, and the two childhood friends slowly parted from each other.


    In fact, during summer holiday, there was one whole month where Lu Qiaochen and Su Yiting hadn¡¯t said a word to each other.


    Just as Su Yiting and Lu Qiaochen¡¯s rtionship was going to wilt and die, Su Yiting was ¡®dumped¡¯ by Liang Yang.


    Technically, she wasn¡¯t dumped. It was because Liang Yang was leaving the country. Liang Yang¡¯s mother had discovered their secret rtionship, and she ordered him to ¡®deal¡¯ with it before he moved overseas. Liang Yang argued with his mother for a mere ten minutes before he surrendered. Under his mother¡¯s scrutiny, he wrote a hundred-word message to Su Yiting. He exined as best he could, and after the message was sent, his phone was confiscated by his mother.


    Honestly, when Su Yiting received Liang Yang¡¯s message, she was a little bit saddened but not to the point of having her heart broken as the web novels like to describe. However, this didn¡¯t stop her from learning from the web novels and calling all of her friends one by one, pretending to cry, asking them to join her at the bar because she was going to nurse her ¡®broken heart¡¯ with plenty of alcohol.


    The first person that came to her mind was Lu Qiaochen. Lu Qiaochen, who sounded cold and detached on the phone, suddenly turned into a concerned friend when he heard she had been dumped. ¡°I know a ce that¡¯s not bad. Shall we go there? I¡¯ll pick you up.¡±

 Chapter 1083 - Dont Believe in Love, Believe in Me (1)

    <h4>Chapter 1083: Don¡¯t Believe in Love, Believe in Me (1)</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Lonelytree <strong>Editor: </strong>Millman97


    Even though she was supposed to drink away her sorrows that day, in the end, it was Lu Qiaochen who had a beer, and Su Yiting only had three big sses of fruit juice.


    The beer and fruit juices brought Lu Qiaochen and Su Yiting down memoryne.


    There was still one month until the start of the new semester at senior school. After that night, everything seemed to return to normal with regards to Lu Qiaochen. He would contact Su Yiting every two or three days for various reasons. One day it was to y snooker, another to go camping, Monday to go swimming, Friday to go hiking.


    The remainder of the summer holiday was jammed pack with activities arranged by Lu Qiaochen. Before Su Yiting¡¯s ¡®broken heart¡¯ had the chance to heal, she had alreadypletely walked out from the presumed sadness due the end of her first rtionship. On September 1st, she rode on Lu Qiaochen¡¯s bike as she entered another phase of her life, once more sharing the same school with Lu Qiaochen.


    Su Yiting didn¡¯t shake her habit of reading romance novels even when she was in senior school. Her mind was still filled with images of love stories that were hers alone. However, since her experience with Liang Yang, Su Yiting adopted a see no devil type of policy to the many love letters that she would receive at her locker.


    In her second year of senior school, Su Yiting fell in love with the main character from a series that was circting that summer. She endeared herself to Lu Qiaochen before demanding that he take her to Huan Ying Entertainment so that she could take a picture with the male celebrity.


    On the third day after the new semester began, a male student from their adjacent school confessed to Su Yiting with 99 red roses. The student looked rather simr to the male celebrity, and he was wearing the same shirt as the male character in the series on the day of confession, so in an instant, Su Yiting fell in love with him.


    Simr to how it was with Liang Yang, the moment the new boyfriend appeared around Su Yiting, Lu Qiaochen, who was practically her shadow, suddenly disappeared.


    However, unlike her first love, this rtionship ended sooner than she thought because Su Zhinian got himself involved.


    Su Zhinian didn¡¯t mind his daughter being in a rtionship, but he minded greatly if she was tricked or bullied. After his precious daughter was ¡®dumped¡¯ by Liang Yang, even though his daughter didn¡¯t seem to be that affected, Su Zhinian, as soon as he found out that his daughter was in a rtionship, purposely found time to meet the boy in person.


    After Su Yiting¡¯s second boyfriend left with a polite smile, Su Zhinian pulled Su Yiting into the car and seriously told his daughter, ¡°Break up with him as soon as you can. He only confessed to you due to a bet with his friends; he doesn¡¯t sincerely like you.¡±


    Su Yiting had discovered at a young age that her father had a mind-reading ability. When she heard this news, she was saddened for a while before she pulled out her phone to write a Dear John message to her soon-to-be ex-boyfriend.


    The boy replied, telling her how heartbroken he was, and there was regret written between every line, but with a pout, Su Yiting cklisted the boy.


    Three dayster, when Lu Qiaochen heard this news, he approached Su Yiting with her favorite yogurt drink with a bright smile, asking her to join him at the carnival that weekend.


    ...


    Su Yiting thought that after sending the bad ones away, the good ones would finallye, but who would have thought who the boys that came after her managed to be worse than the ones preceding them.


    Her third boyfriend treated her like an ATM machine.


    Her fourth boyfriend only wanted her as an essory because she was pretty. He thought that he would look great if he brought her out with him.


    Her fifth boyfriend was already dating eight other girls when he approached her.


    Her sixth boyfriend mainly wanted her for her body.

 Chapter 1084 - Dont Believe in Love, Believe in Me (2) (END)

    <h4>Chapter 1084: Don¡¯t Believe in Love, Believe in Me (2)</h4>


    <strong>Trantor: </strong>Lonelytree <strong>Editor: </strong>Millman97


    Su Yiting had been through so many rtionships, but every time, it was like children ying make-believe. Before they even got close enough to share sweet words, the rtionship was snuffed off; there wasn¡¯t even the chance for them to do anything more intimate.


    Therefore, Su Yiting¡¯s first hand-holding, first hug, and first kiss were all still to be taken.


    When Su Zhinian read the boy¡¯s scious intention of wanting to take advantage of his daughter, he red up instantly and beat the boy to a pulp.


    Su Yiting¡¯s seventh boyfriend, before Su Zhinian even had the chance to scan and filter the boy, also showed his scary side. Simr her sixth boyfriend, he only wanted Su Yiting for her body.


    However, he was more direct than the boy before him. The sixth boyfriend waited for Su Yiting to be the initiator, but the seventh boy dropped some drugs into her drink when Su Yiting agreed to go out with him for the first time.


    Of course, Su Yiting wasn¡¯t led away by the boy because at thest minute, Lu Qiaochen, whom she hadn¡¯t seen for a while, suddenly appeared to teach the boy a lesson and carried the drugged Su Yiting away.


    She was sent to the hospital to have her stomach pumped. When everything was settled, it was already midnight.


    Since the hospital was not far from Su Yiting¡¯s home, they decided to walk home. It was on the journey home that Su Yiting truly realized how dangerous it was. Fear and anxiety gripped her heart, and she started crying.


    The more she cried, the more devastated she felt. She studied her romantic history for the past three years, and she only ended up feeling worse for herself.


    ¡°All I ever wanted is a love story simr to the ones I read, is that so hard? Howe all the men I meet are nothing but jerks?


    ¡°I¡¯m pretty. I know how to sing, dance, and y the piano. Howe they are all just trying to take advantage of me?


    ¡°I knew it, the stories are all a lie. I¡¯ll never believe in love again. I swear off all rtionships. There are no good men in this world. Yes, I¡¯ve seen the truth. I will not let myself believe in love again.¡±


    Su Yiting cried vehemently. Her crying echoed across the empty streets before it entered Lu Qiaochen¡¯s ears.


    He stood before her with both of his hands in his pockets, staring at the girl squatting on the floor. He waited until her crying eased up before he sighed and took a step toward her. He bent down and pulled her up from the floor as he used his fingers to gingerly wipe away her tears.


    After wiping her tears, his fingers lingered on her face. His eyes met her red-rimmed eyes. When he was sure that Su Yiting¡¯s eyes were focused on him, he blinked twice before opening his lips slowly to utter, ¡°If you don¡¯t believe in him, believe in me.¡±


    Su Yiting stared at Lu Qiaochen and was stunned. Her earlier sadness was thest thing on her mind then.


    Perhaps she had imagined it, but the heartfelt moments that she had read about in those novels mimicked what she was feeling then almost perfectly.


    Lu Qiaochen moved his fingers away from her face to ce them on the back of her head. He knocked on the back of her head lightly as if punishing her for missing what was in front of her eyes for so long before titling her face upwards. He lowered his head to nt a light kiss on her lips before saying, ¡°Xiao Yi, the time that we¡¯ve spent together is my best confession to you.


    ¡°If you really no longer believe in love, then try to believe in me.¡±


    Su Yiting¡¯s heart started to race.


    It was not until then that Su Yiting understood why she was unable to find her Mr. Right even though she didn¡¯t stop searching. She didn¡¯t need to search to begin with; her Mr. Right had been by her side all along.


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