“You have a friend staying here, Captain Shen?” As Bai Yinning spoke, his gaze landed on Sang Yu. He asked with a smile, “And who is this lady?”
Although Shen Peichuan’s attitude towards Bai Yinning was ambivalent, he did not like or despise him. Rather, he thought that it was not right for him to keep pining for a married woman.
It was quite immoral of him.
“I should be asking you that question, Mr. Bai.” Shen Peichuan knew of the backgrounds of the people who were qualified to stay in such a neighborhood.
Although Bai Yinning was rather influential in Baicheng, he paled in contrast, when compared to the many powerful figures in B City.
If he knew someone staying in this neighborhood, it meant that he had some special acquaintances.
However, Shen Peichuan understood quickly. Glancing at Zhou Chunchun, he uttered with a smile, “Mr. Bai, you’ve got some good tricks up your sleeve, huh?”
Although Zhou Chunchun was not very intelligent, her family background was very powerful. It was quite impressive that Bai Yinning had managed to wed her.
Instead of dwelling on such meaningless topics with him, Bai Yinning asked seriously, “Can I speak to you in private, Captain Shen?”
As he was unaware that Shen Peichuan was already the deputy chief, he continued to address him as Captain Shen.
“What is there to talk about?” Shen Peichuan did not intend to try to make things difficult for him. However, due to his relationship with Zong Jinghao, it was better to refrain from getting too close to that man or being involved with him.
“I still have plans, so I’ll take my leave first.” With that said, he turned around and called out to Sang Yu, “Let’s go.”
“Captain Shen, is there a grudge between us?” Bai Yinning frowned. Should I be condemned just for liking someone?
Shen Peichuan glanced at him. “No, but I only make friends with honest men. I don’t have a good impression of people who continuously desire someone else’s wife.”
With that, he left with Sang Yu.
Bai Yinning was unaware of how to reprehend him. He knew that it was not right, but it was impossible to control one’s feelings, right?
If his emotions could be controlled by his rational faculties— if he could stop liking a person at will— he would have done that a long time ago. However, despite repeatedly reminding himself that this was not right and that he should just give up on her, his feelings still existed.
I have already tried my best to stop thinking about her, or much less creating any opportunities to meet. What else am I expected to do?
“Some people hide away because of love. Yet, the only thing they can evade is the person’s physical presence. They can never escape the love that exists forever within their hearts. Yinning, this isn’t your fault,” consoled Zhou Chunchun as she hugged his shoulders. “It’s just like how I can’t control my love for you. If love can be given up so easily, it won’t be so precious anymore.”
Grabbing her hand, Bai Yinning uttered admittedly with a smile, “I’m actually very lucky already.”
God has sent you to me.
You are the luckiest thing that has happened to me throughout my lifetime.
She was innocent, kind, and understanding toward the sense of helplessness that he faced.
He had once imagined how things would have turned out if he had never met Lin Xinyan. However, the past could never be reversed, just like his love, that could not be altered.
“Perhaps, Daddy can help us.” Zhou Chunchun knew that he wanted to seek justice for Gao Yuan.
Bai Yinning shook his head. He knew that Zhou Huaihou disliked the Gu family and did not want anything to do with them. After all, Mrs. Zhou was related to the Gu family.
I must not force the Zhou family into such a tight spot.
“Don’t tell your father about this. I’ll resolve this on my own,” Bai Yinning reminded Zhou Chunchun.
“Nonetheless, Gao Yuan’s in the hospital and there’s no one by your side…”
“You must believe in me.” Bai Yinning patted her reassuringly. “Let’s go home.”
Zhou Chunchun cast her gaze downwards as she was left with no choice but to follow his instructions, wheeling him back.
On the other side, Shen Peichuan and Sang Yu arrived at Captain Song’s house. He pressed the doorbell, while Sang Yu clasped her hands together nervously. Because she was visiting a stranger’s home, and the person had such a special background, she inevitably felt uneasy.
Shen Peichuan patted her shoulders. “We’ll leave after the meal. The family’s really easy to get along with, so you don’t have to be so nervous.”
Sang Yu squeezed out a smile. “It’s my first time visiting, so It’s only natural that I’m nervous.”
With a click, the door opened. It was Captain Song’s wife who greeted them, whom Shen Peichuan referred to as Mrs. Song.
Mrs. Song’s bright smile froze on her face when her gaze landed on Sang Yu. “Who is this?”
“My… girlfriend.” Shen Peichuan found it too much of a hassle to explain himself. If he denied that Sang Yu was his girlfriend, Captain Song would reprimand him again. To avoid any trouble, he had no choice but to say that.
By now, the smile on Mrs. Song’s face had disappeared completely.
“Mom, why aren’t you letting the guests in yet?” Song Yaxin walked over. When she saw Shen Peichuan, she ushered with a smile, “Come on in.”
Song Yaxin was Captain Song’s daughter, so Shen Peichuan was also familiar with her. Thus, he replied, “Oh, you’re here too.”
With an apron tied around her waist, holding a piece of ginger in her hands, she laughed and pronounced, “Of course. This used to be my home and it’s still my home now.”
This was her home previously. After her marriage, she left, but now that she was divorced, she moved back in again.
Song Yaxin was of a similar age to Shen Peichuan. A few years ago, the main reason that Captain Song invited Shen Peichuan over for a meal at his house was to set them up on a blind date. After all, Captain Song had high hopes for Shen Peichuan.
He thought that Shen Peichuan would be certain to take good care of his daughter if she married him. However, she refused and insisted on marrying a Ph.D. student who had just returned from his studies overseas.
Yet, as he had cheated on her, they recently got a divorce.
Suddenly remembering Shen Peichuan, Mrs. Song began to pester Captain Song to invite Shen Peichuan over for a meal, intending to matchmake her daughter with him.
Left with no other choice, Captain Song could only invite Shen Peichuan to his house. Yet, he knew all too well that his daughter and Shen Peichuan were unfated to be with each other. If they were, they would have become a couple a long time ago, instead of dragging it up till now.
Furthermore, since his daughter had a marriage, while Shen Peichuan was still single, both of them were increasingly unsuited for each other. He cared deeply for Shen Peichuan, so he did not want to make things difficult for him either.
Hence, he deliberately asked Shen Peichuan to bring his girlfriend over, so that his wife would completely give up.
“Come in.” Mrs. Song stepped aside. Initially, when she was still in high spirits, she prepared a lot of good food to welcome him. Now that her plan had gone down the drain, she felt extremely upset.
When Song Yaxin saw Sang Yu, she smiled. “Oh, you’ve gotten yourself a girlfriend now?”
Shooting her a smile in return, Shen Peichuan replied, “Yes.”
“I thought that you’d remain single forever. After all, your personality is rather dull.” Song Yaxin spoke to Shen Peichuan intimately. Rather than acting distant, she acted as though they were family.
