Yu Qian, though seemingly lost in the moment, had sharp ears. Hearing this, he straightened up immediately, his hand against the tree trunk, interrogating her as if in a courtroom, “Really?” “Really!” Lai Hui nodded earnestly, confirming that it was not just a spur-of-the-moment confession. Yu Qian chuckled twice, gave her forehead a light peck, and then said, “You sobered up pretty quickly, didn’t you? But I guess it’s not your fault!” Seeing Lai Hui’s eyes widen in the darkness, he added, “Let’s head down the mountain. It’s not safe to stay here late!” He draped an arm over her shoulder, taking a couple of steps forward, but sensing her reluctance, he stopped in front of her. After thinking for a moment, he said, “Next time, don’t sober up so fast; I might love you a bit more then!”
Lai Hui, not wanting to hear more of his playful banter, asked, “Why did you come here?” “Secretary Lin got a call from Xiao Zhang!” Lai Hui thought with gratitude, this police officer really does his job well! They didn’t return to the Nanling Villa; instead, after landing, Zhou Yuqian instructed the driver to head to the East District mansion.
The cherry blossoms in the garden were in full bloom, a mix of pink and white, fluttering in the wind, with leaves gently falling into the tranquil lake. The house by the lake seemed to ripple on the water’s surface, its eaves swaying with the waves. Lai Hui leaned against Zhou Yuqian, her eyes half-closed as if intoxicated, lazily saying, “It’s just a small trick, and you kept it from me for two years!” Her words made Zhou Yuqian’s expression turn uncomfortable; he dared not move, fearing she would notice, and after a hum, he said, “Back then, you were only thinking about taking the money and leaving. In fact, you did just that!” He felt proud of himself for being cautious with her, knowing that once one cares, they fear being reminded of past debts, and no matter how one calculates, he owed her.
