The Bustling Empty City

Guo Ke listened and bowed her head without speaking. I asked in confusion, “Does this have anything to do with you?” It seemed unlikely. Suddenly, I thought of someone and was startled, “Could it be Wang Bin…?” “Wang Bin had some business dealings with them, so he’s somewhat implicated. The inside scoop is that the police are gathering evidence against him, so he’s temporarily hiding out.” I pondered and asked, “Will he be in trouble?” After saying it, I felt conflicted. On one hand, from Wang Yang’s perspective, I hoped all the bad guys would eventually face justice; on the other, for Guo Ke’s happiness, I hoped Wang Bin might get off lightly. There’s no helping it, ordinary folks are just ordinary, our awareness isn’t high enough. Guo Ke, looking worried, said, “I don’t know what will happen to him. He told me that back when he first started out, he did some illegal things, but he stopped that a long time ago. His business now is pretty much legitimate and has nothing to do with drugs. This time, he’s been framed.” “Isn’t his father-in-law an official with some power? Can’t he do something?” I asked cautiously. “It’s funny you should mention that. His father-in-law’s situation is also unstable, needing help himself, and seeing no value in Wang Bin, he immediately urged his daughter to divorce him and find a more powerful connection.” I couldn’t help but laugh at the absurdity. Truly, there’s all sorts in this world, treating their daughters like gifts to be passed around. I guess his daughter must be somewhat pretty. “Wang Bin is negotiating with his father-in-law, agreeing to divorce and not to expose any dirt, as long as his father-in-law helps him out of this mess.” Hearing this, I furrowed my brows. Even without meeting Wang Bin’s father-in-law, he sounded like a cunning old fox. It’s better to be an ordinary person like me; thrown into that circle, I’d be swallowed whole, bones and all. “What about you, what will you do?” I asked with concern. “He told me to hide for a while, fearing his father-in-law or someone else might turn against him and use me as leverage.” She thought for a moment and then said firmly, “I’ll wait for him. Once he sorts everything out, we’ll leave together, even if it means becoming a teacher in a village, it would be nice.” I hadn’t realized her feelings for Wang Bin were so deep. If Wang Bin was genuinely in love with her, she’d truly be in for a happy ending. “By the way, what about Wang Shuai? How is he doing?” I suddenly remembered his sunny, cheerful face. “I thought you’d forgotten him!” Guo Ke teased me. “Actually, there’s something I need your help with. When the incident happened, Wang Shuai was in Shanghai for a DJ competition. Wang Bin called and told him to hide, and we haven’t heard from him since. Wang Bin and I don’t know where he is, and he’s most likely to contact you. If you see him, please keep him there; his brother is really worried about him.” I suddenly felt very concerned for Wang Shuai. He always seemed like a carefree boy who didn’t have to worry about food or shelter. Throwing him into the harsh realities of society might mean he’d starve to death. After letting Guo Ke eat something casually, I walked her to the door. I held her hand reluctantly, “Take care, if it gets too tough, we can turn ourselves in. You haven’t done anything wrong; the government would be lenient.” She gave a bitter smile, “It’s not about turning ourselves in now; we’re not wanted. If something comes up, leave a message on QQ for me. You take care too.” Watching her disappear down the stairs, I was filled with mixed emotions.