Shu Nian nodded.
Xie Ruhe said: “Alright.”
Shu Nian looked a bit confused: “What’s alright?”
He looked over at her, his almond eyes deep, slightly curved downward. His voice seemed to contain a smile, the cold tone somehow carrying a hint of indulgence and acquiescence, answering her previous question: “We can choose not to give him any.”
After sitting for a while longer, Xie Ruhe didn’t ask her to stay. He still couldn’t drive in his condition, so he called Fang Wencheng back to serve as driver and take Shu Nian home.
This time, unlike usual, Xie Ruhe didn’t stay at home but came along, without using the wheelchair.
Shu Nian didn’t think much of it, assuming he just had business outside.
The car drove to Shu Nian’s residential complex.
Shu Nian said goodbye to them and got out of the car. As she was walking toward the building, she heard the sound of another car door opening behind her. She instinctively looked back and saw Xie Ruhe also getting out of the car.
Shu Nian said: “Why are you…”
Her words were interrupted by a commotion from the building.
Shu Nian looked toward the source of the sound and saw He You, with an annoyed expression, escorting a thin man out of the building entrance, cursing: “Impressive, you dare to break into someone’s home and steal in broad daylight? And you chose my place?”
“…”
“Don’t you do any reconnaissance before stealing?” He You was amused by his anger, “Didn’t you know I’m a cop?”
The man he was escorting froze, apparently completely unaware of this fact, and immediately began to plead: “Officer! I’ll be more careful next time! More careful…”
“Be careful about what? Careful not to break into a police officer’s house?” He You scolded, “With a brain like that, you dare to be a thief? Where do you get the nerve?”
Noticing Shu Nian from the corner of his eye, He You looked over: “Hey, you’re back?”
Watching this scene unfold, Shu Nian asked hesitantly: “What happened?”
“Didn’t I tell you to be careful before? Home invasions are rampant around here.” He You sneered, nodding toward the man, “Eight or nine out of ten were probably done by this idiot.”
“…” The man immediately denied it, “No, officer! This is my first time!”
“Alright, shut up!” He You didn’t waste any more words, making a phone call as he walked away, “Everyone says that when they get caught. Looking at you, it does seem like your first time…”
The voice gradually faded away.
Xie Ruhe walked over, frowning as he asked: “Are there a lot of thieves in your area?”
“I guess so…” Never expecting that thieves could even get into He You’s place, Shu Nian wasn’t sure if locking her door would be of any use. She forcibly suppressed her inner worry and said softly: “But it’s okay, he’s been caught.”
Xie Ruhe’s expression remained serious, about to say something.
Just then, another woman walked out of the building entrance, wearing a large pair of sunglasses, revealing a small nose and full lips. She looked somewhat familiar.
The woman was walking hurriedly, but noticing them, she suddenly paused and took off her sunglasses. Her face was exquisitely made up, with long eyeliner and blood-red lips. Exceptionally beautiful.
She curved her lips and greeted Shu Nian: “Little sister?”
Shu Nian recognized her.
It was Ke Yiqing.
Shu Nian was stunned: “Why are you here?”
Ke Yiqing didn’t answer her question: “You live here?”
Shu Nian nodded.
Then, Ke Yiqing noticed the man standing next to Shu Nian and exclaimed: “Your boyfriend?”
This sudden encounter made Shu Nian recall what Ke Yiqing had said to her before. She hadn’t paid much attention at the time, but now remembering it, even knowing it was probably false, she felt a strange uneasiness.
Driven by some unknown psychology, Shu Nian said softly: “He’s Teacher Ahe.”
Hearing this, Xie Ruhe was stunned, not understanding why she would introduce him this way.
“…” The smile on Ke Yiqing’s face froze, “What?”
Before Shu Nian could repeat herself, Ke Yiqing suddenly grabbed her wrist, pulled her aside, and lowered her voice: “You’re saying that man is Ahe?”
As soon as the words left her mouth, Shu Nian regretted it, feeling that exposing Xie Ruhe’s identity like this was inappropriate. She awkwardly tried to figure out how to explain: “I just…”
“It’s like this, little sister.” Ke Yiqing interrupted her, forcing a smile as she explained, “I think everyone has their standard for measuring appearance. Someone others find handsome, I might still think is ugly…”
“…”
Saying this, Ke Yiqing paused, then suddenly asked: “Are you two a couple?”
Hearing this, Shu Nian felt her face heat: “N-no…”
Ke Yiqing was silent for a moment, looked again at Xie Ruhe’s face, which was even prettier than a woman’s, and tried to continue: “Oh, that’s good. Like I told you that day, you remember, right? Ahe is truly ugly to the point of…”
She stopped for a few seconds.
Ke Yiqing really couldn’t continue, and abruptly changed her tune: “Fine, I was bullshitting.”
Shu Nian: “…”