Forty-Two

He said the words a bit quickly and quietly, so a few people didn’t react immediately. Zhou Yang had already turned to Cheng Ling, “Aunt Cheng, it’s been a long time. You’re looking younger and younger.”

This person was tall, wearing a shirt and long pants with the collar slightly open, sleeves rolled up, and a black watch. He had a subtle imposing aura, yet he complimented Cheng Ling with a smile.

Cheng Ling was momentarily taken aback and didn’t even have the energy to think about what he had just said to Su Hao. After a while, she said, “Zhou Yang, it has been a long time. You’ve matured a lot.”

The last time they met was during the summer when Su Hao went to college. Though the young man appeared young, his exceptional appearance and methodical manner made him stand out, not to mention his attire. A child raised in a good family would shine wherever they went. His striking looks and the seemingly affectionate gaze made him quite charming, with a somewhat nonchalant demeanor.

Seeing him again now, he was even more dazzling.

Just his appearance alone drew the attention of people passing by. Cheng Ling glanced at Su Hao and was relieved to see that Su Hao's expression was natural and she wasn't easily swayed. Cheng Ling felt a bit more at ease.

“Aunt Cheng, you’re too kind. Come on, my mom is waiting for you at home. She misses you a lot,” Zhou Yang said, opening the rear car door and gesturing for them to get in.

He then took the luggage and walked toward the car.

At this moment, a silver sedan also drove up and stopped nearby. Su Hao looked at Tang Rui, who also looked at Su Hao and said with a smile, “Su Hao, Aunt Cheng, since you have a car to pick you up, I’ll take my leave now.”

“Alright.” Cheng Ling responded.

Su Hao waved, but Tang Rui didn’t leave immediately. He pulled out a card from his hand and walked over to Su Hao, handing it to her. Su Hao took a look.

Tang Rui said, “This is some of the wages I saved over the years. I promised to give it to you when we divorced. I have it now.”

It was a bank card.

Su Hao then remembered that the divorce had been rushed, and she hadn’t received anything. Tang Rui had verbally promised compensation, but she hadn’t taken it seriously.

“It’s been so long; just forget it,” Su Hao shook her head.

“Take it,” Tang Rui said, grabbing her wrist and placing the card in her palm before walking toward the silver car, glancing at Zhou Yang.

Zhou Yang closed the trunk, crossed his arms, and stared coldly at Tang Rui.

Not far apart.

There was an unspoken tension in the air.

“Aunt Cheng, Su Hao, it’s time to go.” Zhou Yang withdrew his gaze, slightly opened the car door, and smiled invitingly. Su Hao had no choice but to put the card away, help Cheng Ling into the car, and Cheng Ling said softly, “I didn’t expect he’d still remember and keep it for you. Just take it. You ran to the hospital so much when Hui Zhu was ill.”

If it weren’t for Su Hao, these elderly people wouldn’t know how they’d be doing now.

Su Hao didn’t respond, helping her mother into the car.

After seeing Cheng Ling settled, Su Hao was about to get in. Half of her body was already in the car when Zhou Yang grabbed her wrist. She turned back to see Zhou Yang smiling, his thumb pressing forcefully on the spot where Tang Rui had just touched, rubbing it a bit. Su Hao pulled her hand back firmly and opened the door.

Zhou Yang scoffed, and the door was closed.

He then walked around to the driver's seat and started the car.

Su Hao looked down at her wrist, which had turned red from his firm grip.

The Hummer left the high-speed train station, went down the slope, turned around, and headed towards Blue Bay.

Inside the car, the air conditioning was strong and cool. Cheng Ling looked at the scenery outside, and Su Hao leaned over to introduce it to her. Cheng Ling listened intently. Big cities are like this; she thought for a moment and said, “But there are so many buildings. It feels like you can’t see the sky.”

Su Hao said, “Yes, I thought the same thing when I first arrived.”

Mother and daughter laughed.

Her voice was very pleasant, soft. Zhou Yang unconsciously reached out, lowered the volume of the music, and adjusted the rearview mirror slightly to reflect half of her shoulder and face. Her collarbone was prominent. He squinted and smiled, “Aunt Cheng, when you have time, I’ll take you to the tallest financial building in Li City. That place is the closest to the sky.”

“Really? How many floors?”

“Fifty-three floors,” he said in a deep voice with a smile, making the conversation seem friendly.

“So high,” Cheng Ling said, curious.

“Yes, there’s an aerial restaurant on the top floor where you can have a meal,” Zhou Yang said, pointing to his chin as he looked at the rearview mirror.

Cheng Ling didn’t look at the rearview mirror, but Su Hao did, meeting his gaze. The man’s eyes were deeper, with a hint of audacity and disregard.

Su Hao silently shifted her gaze.

Cheng Ling said, “Eating that high up must be quite frightening.”

“That’s not the case. You’ll know when you go. My mom also goes there often."

“Oh, alright.”

The car in front started moving, and Zhou Yang finally shifted his gaze. He swallowed hard, mentally digesting Su Hao.

She looked away just like that, yet that collarbone was still swaying in front of him.

Arriving at Blue Bay around 4:30 PM, the sun was still strong but not as intense as before. Su Qian was waiting at the door. When she saw the car arrive, she rushed over like she had seen her long-lost mother, pulling open the door without waiting for Zhou Yang, “Cheng Ling! Wow!”

Seeing Su Qian, Cheng Ling smiled and got out of the car, hugging Su Qian.

“Oh my God, I’ve missed you so much!”

“Me too! Look at you, you haven’t changed at all!”

“Really? I have wrinkles now.”

Su Hao, sitting in the car, watched and smiled along. She then turned to get out of the car. As soon as her feet touched the ground, Zhou Yang wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her slightly, looking down at her and asking, “What’s the situation with Tang Rui? Did you come here together on the high-speed train?”

Su Hao frowned and pushed him away, “What’s it to you?”

“Heh, don’t tell me you’re thinking of remarrying him? Hmm?” He pinched her chin, trying to make her look up. Meanwhile, Su Qian, along with Cheng Ling, was calling out to them. Su Hao suddenly took two steps back, out of Zhou Yang’s embrace. Zhou Yang didn’t pull her back but straightened up to grab the luggage.

Su Hao watched his broad back.

What was this guy thinking?

She was very clear about it.

Su Qian came over, linking arms with Su Hao, and the three of them went inside. The housekeeper was already preparing dinner. Su Qian seated them, and Su Qian had met Cheng Ling two years ago. Since Cheng Ling’s health had worsened, Su Qian hadn’t visited her again, but they had kept in touch by phone and video calls.

Seeing Cheng Ling, who was about the same age as her but already in poor health, Su Qian was heartbroken and kept reminiscing.

“Your illness needs to be managed. I think it’s best if you exercise. Why don’t you just stay here and keep me company? Practice yoga with me every day. Some minor ailments will gradually disappear. You’re just too overworked.”

“Does practicing yoga help?”

“It might not necessarily help, but it definitely doesn’t hurt.”

Su Hao was on the side, peeling oranges for them and handing them out.

Zhou Yang entered the house, handed the suitcase to the housekeeper, adjusted his shirt sleeves, and went to get the tablet. After grabbing the tablet, he bent down and took Su Hao’s wrist. Su Hao was surprised, and when she looked back, he bent down and took a piece of orange from her hand.

Su Hao pulled her hand back.

Zhou Yang lightly leaned against the armrest of the sofa, looking down at her.

At that moment, her phone rang. She picked it up to check.

T: Su Hao, I still have something to give you. I just forgot to give it earlier. Give me your address, and I’ll send it to you.

“Don’t send it!” Zhou Yang growled in a low voice, grinding his teeth.

Su Hao, however, typed out four characters.

“Hua Hui Community”

Zhou Yang’s face instantly turned ugly.

..................................................................................................................

Previous                                                                                          Next