Afraid that he would be forced to get involved, Zhou Huaihou said, “Once Gao Yuan recovers, all of you can go back to Baicheng.”
Bai Yinning knew that Zhou Huaihou said this for his own good, but he wouldn’t be able to walk away in peace before seeing the outcome of this incident.
“You’ve done enough,” Zhou Huaihou said as he sat down. “A special task force has been set up to investigate this incident. Once the incident has been investigated thoroughly and the evidence is conclusive, even the gods would not be able to save them. You don’t have to get involved anymore.”
Bai Yinning realized the seriousness in Zhou Huaihou’s tone, so he asked, “Are you part of the task force?”
Zhou Huaihou shook his head. “The authorities know that I am related to the Gu family, so they didn’t include me in the task force. They’re very serious this time. If anything goes out of hand, even I will be investigated.”
“Is it really that serious?” Bai Yinning furrowed his brows as he speculated what the outcome of the incident would be.
“At this point, the top level of authorities have already threatened the lower level to make sure they carry out investigations justly. If they don’t, they too would have consequences to face,” said Zhou Huaihou.
Gu Bei’s incident was a humiliation for the authorities as they had recently adopted a ‘zero tolerance for criminals’ policy. Any convicted crimes would be punished severely.
“Just listen to me this time. Quickly head back. Don’t let yourself get hurt because of this,” Zhou Huaihou advised.
“I will deal with those few officials whom you had connections with. Just take Chunchun back to Baicheng with you and stay out of sight. Don’t make me worry.” Zhou Huaihou patted Bai Yinning’s shoulder.
Bai Yinning began reflecting on his recent actions. He realized that he had only thought about himself without any consideration for Zhou Huaihou. He knew very well that Zhou Huaihou had a reputation in society, and that Gu Huixin was related to the Gu family, yet he had exploited Zhou Huaihou’s connections for his own self-interests. After reflecting on all this, Bai Yinning realized that he had put Zhou Huaihou in a very difficult position.
“I’m sorry,” he apologized sincerely.
“You don’t need to apologize. We’re family, after all,” said Zhou Huaihou. He simply wanted to protect his own family.
Knock knock!
There was a sudden knock on the door before Zhou Chunchun called out, “Dad, Yinning, it’s time to eat.”
“Okay,” Zhou Huaihou answered his daughter.
“Come on, let’s go and eat.” He walked up and opened the door for Bai Yinning.
That evening, dinner was prepared by Zhou Chunchun. Gu Huixin had heard of the news and was so distressed that she did not come out of her room. No matter what, the person involved was still her biological brother.
Zhou Huaihou said to his daughter and son-in-law, “Go ahead and eat first. I’ll go and take a look at Mom.”
Right after that, he went into the bedroom and found Gu Huixin lying on the bed like a sick person. She appeared listless and gloomy.
He walked up to her bedside and tried to console her, “Come on, get up and have something to eat. Chunchun and her husband are here.”
“I’m not hungry. I really can’t stomach anything right now,” Gu Huixin answered feebly.
Zhou Huaihou sighed. “Why don’t I quit my job? We can then go and live in Baicheng with our daughter and her husband.”
Gu Huixin immediately got up and cried out, “That’s not acceptable!”
She knew very well that her husband was an ambitious man, and she admired that quality of his.
She couldn’t bear to see him in a difficult position, so she held his hand and said, “Have I affected you in any way?”
Zhou Huaihou stared at her and replied, “We’re husband and wife. Nothing could affect me.”
Nevertheless, Gu Huixin understood the severity of this matter. She also understood how anyone related to the Gu family would be implicated sooner or later.
“Mom, Dad, can I come in?” Zhou Chunchun knocked on the door and asked.
“Sure, come on in,” Gu Huixin said as she let go of her husband’s hand.
Zhou Chunchun opened the door and walked in with a tray of food that she took from Bai Yinning. “Mom, please have something to eat. You haven’t eaten anything since noon. Skipping meals is not good for your health,” she advised.
Gu Huixin forced herself to smile and chirped out, “What a good daughter you are.”
Zhou Chunchun placed the food on the bedside table and said, “I made some of your favorite dishes. Please eat.”
Gu Huixin then took a sip of water.
“Mom, why don’t you come along to Baicheng with us?” Bai Yinning suggested.
Knowing that he had said this out of concern for her, Gu Huixin felt a sense of warmth in her heart, but she said, “I won’t go. If I do, your father will be alone over here. I have to stay here to keep him company. When are you planning on leaving? I suggest you leave soon as the smog has been getting worse lately.”
Indeed, Gu Huixin wanted them to return to Baicheng as soon as possible.
“We’ll leave in two days,” said Bai Yinning.
He knew very well that Chunchun was the apple of her parent’s eyes, so he cared for her the best he could.
Zhou Chunchun looked at Bai Yinning and said, “Why are you in such a hurry to leave? You didn’t even discuss it with me.”
Bai Yinning chuckled. “Do you have any other matters to attend to over here?”
“Yes, I do,” she answered. “Before we leave, I have to say goodbye to Xinyan.”
“Who’s Xinyan?” Gu Huixin was confused as she didn’t know who Zhou Chunchun was talking about.
Bai Yinning, on the other hand, knew exactly who she was referring to, and he interjected, “No, we’re not going.”
Zhou Chunchun didn’t understand why he was reluctant, so she asked, “You don’t want to see Xinyan?”
“No, I don’t,” Bai Yinning answered.
“Which Xinyan are you talking about?” Gu Huixin asked as she looked at them. Suddenly, Lin Xinyan’s image flashed through her mind, and she came to a great realization. “Ohhh, you mean her.”
Zhou Chunchun nodded her head vigorously and responded, “Xinyan has a very cute and pretty daughter. I really like her.”
“You like kids?” Gu Huixin questioned her.
Zhou Chunchun nodded without any hesitation. “Yes, I do.”
Gu Huixin immediately winked at Bai Yinning and said, “You two should have a baby then. I can help you take care of the baby after Chunchun gives birth.”
Her remarks instantly made Bai Yinning feel uncomfortable, so he quickly changed the topic and said, “You should start eating.”
Knowing he still had feelings for Lin Xinyan, Zhou Chunchun retorted, “I don’t want kids of my own.”
Gu Huixin was disconcerted by her daughter’s response. How could she not want kids of her own?
“I don’t want to have kids now,” Zhou Chunchun elaborated. Gu Huixin then stared at her and said, “You gave me a fright just now.”
The next day, Zhou Chunchun insisted that Bai Yinning go along with her to say goodbye to Lin Xinyan.
Bai Yinning initially didn’t want to go as he wanted to restrain his past emotions, but he yielded to Zhou Chunchun after she insisted.
They chose to go in the afternoon so that they would have more time to spare. They could also avoid having lunch that way.
When they arrived at Lin Xinyan’s villa, Bai Yinning didn’t want to get out of the car and asked Zhou Chunchun to go in by herself.
However, she tugged him and said, “Xinyan did us a big favor last time. Are you not going to thank her before we leave?”
He looked at her helplessly and replied, “Chunchun, you know I still have feelings for her, yet you want me to have contact with her. Won’t you get jealous?”
She answered, “I’m so envious of Xinyan. I know you like her very much and that you want to see her, so I try my best to endure it. I want you to be happy. As long as you’re happy, I’m happy.”
Bai Yinning suddenly realized how much she cared for him. Shouldn’t happiness come from seeing the one you love being happy?
Love should not always be self-centered.
He reached out and held Zhou Chunchun in his arms, saying, “Promise me you’ll always stay by my side.”
Zhou Chunchun hugged him back and said, “I promise I will be with you forever. I’ll watch you grow gray hair and become a grandfather.”
Bai Yinning pinched her cheek and asked, “Won’t you grow old as well?”
“I won’t. I will look like this forever,” she answered cheekily.
“Let’s get out of the car.” Zhou Chunchun opened the car door, and Bai Yinning acknowledged her.
Just as they got out from their car, several other cars approached them.
