Both men exchanged glances and rushed in, thinking that she might have done something impulsive. Inside, they found her unconscious on the ground.
Shen Peichuan did a quick check on her and was relieved to find that she didn’t try to commit suicide. Instead, she had fainted from the emotional turmoil.
As he carried her up and walked out, he turned towards his colleague and instructed, “I’m taking her to the hospital. Call me if there’s anything at the station.”
The man grunted in acknowledgment.
After carrying her out of the police station, he placed her in the backseat of his car. Then, he got into the driver’s seat and drove.
Along the way, Sang Yu woke up and noticed where she was. In a weak and broken voice, she asked, “Where are you taking me?”
Sang Yu turned around and replied, “To the hospital.”
“I’m fine. I don’t need to go there.” She tried to support herself to sit up. Stopping the car by the side, Shen Peichuan turned around and looked at her. He asked, “Where would you like to go then?”
Sang Yu was caught by surprise. Other than her university, she had nowhere else to go. Suddenly, she realized that she had nothing left. Despite her best efforts at living her life, life was just not making it any easier for her.
Even the last member of her family was taken away.
“I think I must have been an evil person in my last life and hurt a lot of people. Hence, in this life, karma is punishing me for it. Or else, why would God be so cruel to me?” she mumbled as tears streaked down her cheeks.
Shen Peichuan wasn’t good at consoling. “Don’t think that way.”
Hugging her knees, Sang Yu curled into a ball. “If that wasn’t the case, then tell me, why would God treat me this way?”
“There are still a lot of people who have it worse than you. You got yourself into a good university and will have a bright future,” Shen Peichuan comforted her.
Staring blankly into space, Sang Yu snorted. “But that doesn’t mean anything anymore. The reason I wanted a good job after I graduate was so that I can earn a lot. With the money, I can provide my mom a good life. But now? Who am I to provide for?”
Shen Peichuan pursed his lips.
It’s natural to feel lonely when one is alone. However, one must strive hard to live.
We only have one life. No matter what, we cannot give up.
“If you have no place to go, I’ll take you to my place. I’ll bring you back here once you have calmed down.” Shen Peichuan was worried that she might do something rash. Hence, it was better for him to bring her home. At least he could watch over her and prevent anything untoward from happening.
“I don’t want to,” Sang Yu refused him because she only wanted to be alone. The next moment, she opened the car door and got down.
Shen Peichuan followed, “Where are you going?”
“I want to be alone, so don’t follow me.” Sang Yu wanted to leave quickly as she was worried Shen Peichuan would stop her. However, she didn’t see where she was going and missed a step. In a blink of an eye, Shen Peichuan grabbed her arm just when she was about to fall. Before he could say anything, the phone in his pocket rang.
He took out his phone and answered. It was Captain Song who called and wanted to see him.
He glanced at Sang Yu and said, “I just went out…”
“Turn around and head back here right now.” Captain Song’s voice was resolute.
Shen Peichuan had no choice but to return. “I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
A grunt was heard at the other end of the line before the call ended. Worried about what would happen to Sang Yu if she were alone, he decided to bring her along. “Let go back to the station for the time being, and we’ll leave later.”
“I’m not going,” Sang Yu refused him again.
Shen Peichuan patiently asked her, “Where are you heading to?”
He was met with silence because she really didn’t have anywhere else to go.
Ignoring her refusal, Shen Peichuan pulled her into the car by force and quickly locked the doors. “It’s too dangerous for you to be alone outside. Since we’re friends, I can’t leave you like that.”
With that, he started the car’s engine.
Meanwhile, Sang Yu curled up in the backseat quietly without further protest.
When Shen Peichuan saw that she wasn’t protesting, he stepped on the accelerator and drove away.
Back at the station, he arranged for Sang Yu to be in his office and poured her a glass of water. “Wait here for me.”
Sang Yu didn’t respond. All she did was stare listlessly into space, just like a puppet who lost its soul.
Shen Peichuan knew that whatever he said now would be useless; hence, he just kept quiet. When he left the room, he gently shut the door behind him.
Arriving at Captain Song’s office, he knocked on the door and entered once Captain Song gave him permission to enter.
When Captain Song saw him, he put down his things and walked over from his desk. He asked, “Would you like something to drink?”
“I’m fine.” Shen Peichuan replied.
Captain Song ushered him to the guest area, “Have a seat.”
Shen Peichuan sat down and asked, “Is there something you want to see me about?”
After pondering for a moment, Captain Song asked, “Do you plan to marry Sang Yu?”
Shen Peichuan looked at Captain Song in bewilderment. Although Captain Song had always looked after him as if he were his father, the sudden question still caught him by surprise. “Why are you asking me this?”
“Let me get something to drink.” Captain Song stood up and prepared some tea before returning to his seat. Looking at Shen Peichuan, he continued, “I just found out that Sang Yu’s mother was a convict.”
“She doesn’t have much of a family background either; hence, there’s no benefit in marrying her.”
Shen Peichuan replied, “I know.”
“Knowing this, do you still plan to go out with her?” Captain Song asked.
Captain Song was only thinking about Shen Peichuan’s future. With his capabilities, he would rise far above his current station as deputy chief. Furthermore, he had a long and bright future ahead.
If he married Sang Yu, who was just an ordinary girl with a convict as a mother, it would negatively affect his career prospects.
Instead, if he were to have a wife with good connections, his career development would become a lot smoother. On the other hand, if he married Sang Yu, his career path will be a harder slog instead.
Shen Peichuan understood Captain Song’s concern. However, he had never wanted to rely on his wife for his career advancement.
Despite his ambitions, he still wanted was to rely on himself.
“My expectations of a wife are simple. I just want both parties to get along well. Everything else is not important to me.”
Captain Song wasn’t surprised as the answer was within his expectations. In fact, he would have thought lesser of Shen Peichuan if he broke up with Sang Yu over something like that.
He stood up and patted Shen Peichuan on his shoulder. “In that case, you should mentally prepare yourself.”
Shen Peichuan grunted in acknowledgment.
“I have always admired you and have hoped to have you as my son-in-law. Unfortunately, fate has other plans. Nevertheless, from a professional perspective, I will help you fight for whatever you deserve.”
Captain Song retracted his hands, “Alright, back to work. It’s not easy for her at these trying times, so remember to treat her well.”
Shen Peichuan looked up and wanted to correct Captain Song’s impression of his relationship with Sang Yu. But decided against it as this was a sensitive moment. Instead, he replied, “I understand. In that case, I’ll head back out.”
Captain Song waved him away. “Go ahead.”
But when Shen Peichuan returned to his office and opened the door, he noticed that Sang Yu was gone. The room was empty, and the glass of water was left untouched.
