But she hadn’t expected Xie Jinghong to appear so calm.
His strikingly handsome, aggressive face was utterly placid, without a single ripple of emotion—like he was watching a show, or perhaps not surprised at all.
Tang Yue’ai frowned, then turned her gaze toward the Maybach, where Fu Yanshen was still kissing Ning Shu.
Ning Shu’s eyes were closed. Was she enjoying it? Surrendering? Numb? Or simply unable to resist?
Tang Yue’ai couldn’t tell, nor could she guess. Instinctively, she glanced back at Xie Jinghong.
Xie Jinghong picked up a cigarette case, pulled out a cigarette, and clamped it between his lips as he reached for a lighter.
But his eyes remained fixed on the car.
Tang Yue’ai couldn’t help asking, “What should we do?”
Xie Jinghong lit the cigarette and chuckled softly. “What should we do? Why do anything? Isn’t this fine?”
Tang Yue’ai was taken aback. After a moment of silence and a few seconds of contemplation, she said, “Hmm, I suppose so.”
If the two of them reconciled, that would indeed be fine.
Or perhaps, through this intense conflict, Fu Yanshen had realized his feelings for Ning Shu and might change for the better.
After all, in the world of two people, outsiders could often only watch from the sidelines.
After Tang Yue’ai said this, Xie Jinghong fell silent.
One hand rested on the steering wheel, while the other, with its distinct knuckles, held the cigarette. He took several deep drags, the tip glowing crimson as if about to ignite.
Thick smoke spilled from his lips, filling the car’s interior, lingering and blurring his face.
Tang Yue’ai coughed slightly and waved a hand to disperse the smoke.
Xie Jinghong took another drag, then turned and flicked the cigarette butt out the window. Immediately after, he shifted gears, and the car emitted a low, rumbling growl.
The sound startled the two in the other car.
Ning Shu’s thoughts were pulled from their haze. She opened her eyes, but before she could push Fu Yanshen away, he released her lips first and turned to look.
Ning Shu also glanced over.
Tang Yue’ai and Xie Jinghong were both watching them quietly.
For Ning Shu, the emotions swirling inside her grew even more indescribable.
But the four of them only locked eyes for a couple of seconds before the heavily modified Hummer roared to life and sped away.
Fu Yanshen didn’t say a word either. He merely glanced at his wristwatch, started the car, and stepped on the gas to follow.
Ning Shu remained silent, also checking the time on her wrist. Her silence deepened.
There really was no more time to waste.
Today was a special day, and the occasion was significant. They couldn’t keep Fang Chen… waiting for them.
In the Hummer.
Xie Jinghong drove with one hand, not uttering a word.
Tang Yue’ai took his cigarette case from the center console, pulled out a cigarette, rolled down the window slightly, and lit it.
After taking a puff, she handed it to him.
Xie Jinghong said, “Trying to take advantage of me?”
Tang Yue’ai laughed in exasperation and couldn’t resist cursing. “You’re craftier than a fox. Who’d dare take advantage of you? Aren’t they afraid of being thrown into the sea to feed the fish?”
While grumbling, she took out another cigarette and handed it to him.
Only then did Xie Jinghong accept it, taking the lighter Tang Yue’ai offered as well. After lighting it himself, he remarked, “Guard against thieves day and night, but the hardest to guard against are those within.”
Tang Yue’ai burst out laughing and swatted at him. “A dog’s mouth can’t spit out ivory.”
Xie Jinghong—this man—sometimes his words could drive you up the wall. Even his insults carried a sophisticated, dry humor that left you torn between laughter and frustration.
Tang Yue’ai took a few puffs of her cigarette, then turned her gaze to him with a sigh. “I never expected that even the great Young Master Xie could tolerate this—truly more impressive than a ninja turtle.”
Xie Jinghong replied, “Learned it from you.”
Tang Yue’ai was stunned, nearly choking on her anger.
His sharp tongue really knew how to hit where it hurt most, always targeting the sorest spots.
She really wanted to hit him, but she knew she couldn’t win.
Tang Yue’ai “angrily” rolled her eyes several times and asked, “Why didn’t you just pull Ning Shu into our car earlier?”
During the standoff at the entrance, if Xie Jinghong had been determined and forcefully pulled Ning Shu out of the car to ride with them, she wouldn’t have refused.
After all, no matter how fiercely childhood friends fought, they always left some dignity for each other.
Xie Jinghong rolled down the car window, smoking casually as he spoke in a light, indifferent tone. “They’re a married couple.”
Tang Yue’ai raised an eyebrow. “Coward.”
Xie Jinghong clearly heard her but turned to look at her. “What?”
Feeling the pressure emanating from his demeanor and noticing the top-tier, collector’s edition Audemars Piguet Royal Oak diamond-studded watch on his wrist, Tang Yue’ai instantly backed down, raising both hands in surrender. “Hong Ye, I was wrong. I don’t want to be thrown into the sea to feed the fish.”
Xie Jinghong scoffed. “What did you learn in geography? There’s no sea in the capital.”
Tang Yue’ai pursed her lips. When it came to Xie Jinghong, this man was truly something else.
Clearly a coward, yet he wouldn’t let anyone call him out on it, effortlessly balancing authority and intimidation.
It made people both love and fear him.
For some reason, Tang Yue’ai wondered: if it were Ning Shu, would Xie Jinghong talk back?
Would he admit to being a coward?
Maybe he would?
Tang Yue’ai didn’t know why she was thinking this way. It felt oddly amusing, yet also a little heartbreaking.
She was just overthinking things, dwelling on the inexplicable.
Ning Shu remained silent the entire way.
Her silence made Fu Yanshen think she had finally calmed down, and he was satisfied.
So this was what Ning Shu wanted…
His initiative in intimacy.
Thinking about it, it made sense. In their two years of marriage, Ning Shu had always been the one to take the lead.
Even during their rare intimate moments, if he ever initiated, it was only by reaching out to hold her. Ning Shu would then take the initiative to kiss him.
So this was what Ning Shu wanted?
If Ning Shu had directly asked him to take the initiative in intimacy, that would have been unacceptable.
No one could “shamelessly” make such an explicit request.
So… she had caused all this trouble just to achieve her goal?
At this thought, Fu Yanshen’s brow furrowed heavily.
But now wasn’t the time to dwell on these things.
They were getting closer and closer to the airport.
Ning Shu watched the approaching road, her already suppressed mood growing even heavier.
Just as Fu Yanshen had said earlier, they didn’t know whether they were bringing back Fang Chen’s remains or his belongings, and this filled her with immense sorrow.
She had completely lost the energy to argue with Fu Yanshen anymore.
Fang Chen’s face appeared in her mind, and she recalled the dream she had last night—the chaos and flames of war.
Ning Shu closed her eyes, her nose stinging with unshed tears.
She had never imagined she would be welcoming Fang Chen back in such a way.
She still remembered when Fang Chen decided to join the peacekeeping forces, and all their friends went to see him off.
It was at this very airport.
Fang Chen stood tall and resolute in his crisp military uniform, the insignia on his chest gleaming brightly.
When he boarded the plane, he didn’t say anything like “whether to be a hero or not” as in her nightmare, nor did he speak much. He only said as he stepped onto the plane, “I’m leaving. See you in a year.”
He left lightly and calmly, without a ripple of disturbance.
Yet, no one expected that before a year had passed, he would return… in such a heartbreaking way.
Ning Shu tightly closed her eyes, unable to hold back the tears.
She wondered how much pain the knives, guns, and artillery that struck him had caused when he sacrificed himself.
Ning Shu’s heart tightened painfully, and she suddenly wondered if Fu Yanshen might actually be right?
For Fang Chen’s sake, for the bloodline Fang Chen left behind, should she really not make such a fuss? Should she genuinely and sincerely take good care of Meng Xuan?
Even if it was just for Fang Chen’s sake, even if it was only to honor his memory, should she endure everything?
Was that how it should be?
Ning Shu was confused, torn, and entangled in contradictions.