Translator: 549690339
âMr. Shen, donât take it to heart, she was just talking nonsense,â Xiao Mo turned back.
He noticed the unhealthy pallor and exhaustion on Shen Chiâs face, the drunkenness only highlighting his weariness. He knew that Shen Chi hadnât slept at all for a whole day and night, and had even neglected the affairs of the Shen Group.
Xiao Mo was a smart man and it didnât take him long to understand.
But he still wasnât sure what exactly Xu Chaomu meant to Mr. Shen in his heart.
A sister?
Shen Chi didnât speak, he placed the photo back into the notebook, clipped it securely, and locked it.
He picked up his wine glass again, the red wine sliding down the glass wall, gleaming like a ruby.
âMr. Shen, do you want to go find Miss Xu?â Xiao Mo asked.
It was already past four in the afternoon. If he didnât go now, it would be dark soon.
He had heard that the place was chaotic, and if something happenedâ¦
âMr. Shen, itâs getting dark, and Miss Xu will definitely be unsafe alone outside. How about I go pick up Miss Xu?â
Clutching the glass tightly, Shen Chi finally snapped, âCrash!â he shattered the glass on the floor!
Shards scattered everywhere!
His face was filled with a fierce expression, his eyes dark and brooding, his shoulders trembling.
A cold voice came from overhead, chilling enough to freeze everything around.
âIf she loves leaving so much, then let her roll away and never come back!â
Xiao Mo was stunned, but true to his role as the chief secretary of Shen Group, his shock lasted only a matter of seconds.
A moment later, his face regained its composure.
âMr. Shen, itâs not safe there, and Miss Xu is a girl aloneâ¦â
With the conversation reaching this point, Xiao Mo didnât need to say any more.
Shen Chi was in a state of agitation. He undid the button at his collar and knocked into a wine bottle, which, unsteady, also âCrash!â broke upon the floor!
The red wine instantly spilled all over!
The red color was shocking, like a stain of blood, or a blossomed red rose.
The air froze, and time seemed to stop.
The silence in the office was profound, not a sound could be heard.
After a long, long while, Shen Chiâs voice, low and hoarse, finally drifted slowly out. He uttered two words without strength.
âPrepare the car.â
Raising Xu Chaomu was the most thankless thing he had done in his life.
From now on, he was no longer himself.
The man who never bowed his head, bowed again and again.
He couldnât just leave her out there alone; he still couldnât bear to part with her.
The harsh words he had spoken were just repeated self-inflicted blows to his own face. Shen Chi, too, had his moments of utter dejection.
âAlright,â Xiao Mo replied, finally at ease.
Soon, Shen Chi descended the stairs and got into the black Maybach.
âMr. Shen, do you need me to accompany you?â
âStay at the Group, be ready for my call.â
âThen Iâll call Driver Cheng.â
Without a response from Shen Chi, Xiao Mo made the call to Old Cheng.
It didnât take long for Old Cheng to hurry over.
Xiao Mo gave Old Cheng a brief rundown and then closed the car door.
Shen Chi really was drunk, his fist propping up his forehead as he sat in the passenger seat, suffering from a severe headache.
Xu Chaomu, youâve really outdone yourself.
Daring to leave without a word, traveling so far alone.
The day slowly turned to night, the sunset gently sinking below the horizon in the west, a circle turning gradually into a semicircle, then slowly into a dotâ¦
The sunsetâs light bathed everything in orange-red â the mountains, the trees, the grass.
Until nightfall swallowed the day, and the last ray of light disappeared from the sky.
When Xu Chaomu followed Nie Chenglang back to the orphanage, just then, the sun had set.
After a whole day of fun, Xu Chaomu was delighted.
She couldnât remember the last time she had played so happily, but soon, melancholy washed over her.
By five oâclock the next morning, Nie Chenglang would be leaving C City by plane.
Helplessness and sorrow surged in her heart.
She rubbed her hands together and sniffled her nose.
Her nose felt sour, and her chest was tight.
The little rascals were carefree, unaware, because Nie Chenglang had not dared to tell them he was leaving.
They still thought that when they woke up the next morning, as soon as daylight broke, Teacher Nie would take them out to play.
Tiantian even mischievously ran up to Nie Chenglang, standing on a stool to whisper in his ear.
âTeacher Nie, lemme tell you, your girlfriend is fierce. You have to keep her in check, or sheâll lead us kids astray.â
Nie Chenglang pinched his cheek and laughed, âYouâre the one who talks too much.â
Xu Chaomu couldnât hear them, but she could tell from their expressions it was no flattery.
âAre you badmouthing me?â Xu Chaomu picked up Tiantian by his collar.
Tiantian immediately flailed, shaking his head vigorously: âNo, no, Miss Xu, youâre the best, I really like you.â
âReally? How much do you like me?â
Tiantian made a long face, alas, another lie to tell.
âWhy arenât you speaking?â Xu Chaomu pressed.
âLike, really, really lots; like fish love water, like bees love flowers,â Tiantian flashed a grin.
âThat sounds more like it.â Xu Chaomu patted her hands and let him go.
Tiantian dashed away instantly, turning back to make a face at Xu Chaomu and muttering under his breath with satisfaction: âWolf Grandma.â
âYou!â Xu Chaomu was livid.
But she didnât chase after him, instead, she sat down next to Nie Chenglang.
âChenglang, can you not go?â Xu Chaomu tugged at his arm.
Under the light, she looked up to see the illumination fall on his bright face, young and handsome, very pleasing to the eye.
âNo, Iâve already bought the ticket, and my advisor is urging me to return,â he said gently and regretfully.
âThen take me with you,â Xu Chaomu blurted out.
Nie Chenglang extended his hand, his palm gently brushing her soft hair: âGo back to where youâve been staying, and donât run off anymore. Promise me you âll go back to school and never run away alone again.â
Xu Chaomu shook her head vehemently: âI donât want to go back, I really donât. Nobody likes me there.â
âHow could that be? Youâre so adorable, they must like you,â said Nie Chenglang.
Having spent a whole day and night with her, even Nie Chenglang was reluctant to part with her, let alone others.
âReally, Iâm not lying to you. Can you take me with you?â
âBe a good girl, go home, and donât come out alone again,â Nie Chenglang insisted.
Of course, Nie Chenglang couldnât possibly take her with him.
âWill I be able to see you again?â
Longing and attachment shone in Xu Chaomuâs eyes.
âLetâs hope for another meeting in the future,â he said indifferently.
He had thought about leaving her his phone number, but after considering it, he concluded it wasnât necessary.
âWhen are you going to the airport?â Xu Chaomu asked, blinking.
âIâm about to head out soon. Itâs still several hours from here to the airport,â Nie Chenglang checked his watch.
Memories of the day flooded Xu Chaomuâs mind: him accompanying her for a barbecue, catching fish with her, wiping sweat off her forehead, and telling her jokes.
She remembered their first meeting last night, him standing in the rain holding an umbrella. His smile was bright and clear, as if the relentless passage of time had softened.