Chapter 82 of 100

Chapter 82

16 min read3,938 words

Chapter 76: If Only Life Were Like the First Meeting

Wen Liang opened the car door and walked over, blocking Si Yajing from the man’s hand that was about to fall, and gently pulled her wrist back a couple of steps. This man didn’t seem too remarkable from a distance, but up close, he was quite in line with the aesthetic standards of the era. His face was sharply defined, with thick eyebrows, a straight nose, and large, long eyes. The only flaw was his thin lips, which, when pressed together, looked like a fine pen tip drawing a line on white paper. A closer look would reveal a somewhat harsh character.

The man, seeing Wen Liang, immediately sneered, "Good, really good. Now you’re not even being discreet, bringing it right to the doorstep."

Si Yajing’s face turned bright red with anger, and Wen Liang could feel her hand trembling slightly. "What are you talking about? He’s my student, just giving me a ride back."

The man sized up Wen Liang, noting his ordinary attire, and his disdain grew. "I see, I thought your taste was getting worse, willing to accept someone so poor. Ha, so he’s a student..."

Wen Liang released Si Yajing’s hand and took a step forward, a smile on his face. Just as he was about to speak, his sleeve was tugged. Turning back, he saw Si Yajing shaking her head, her eyes filled with a mix of pleading and shame, a look of pain that was heart-wrenching.

At this moment, Ji Su also got out of the car and called, "Teacher Si, what’s going on?"

Wen Liang, having lived two lives, understood Si Yajing’s meaning. Whether as a teacher or a woman, she didn’t want to lose too much dignity in front of her student. Wen Liang sighed inwardly, gestured for Ji Su to stay by the car, and then stared at the man, trying to keep his tone as calm as possible. "Are you Teacher Si’s partner? I know your name, Pan Guofei. Teacher Si is well-respected at school, and it’s only right to call you uncle. However, this situation is a bit inappropriate. If it’s because we gave her a ride that caused trouble, I apologize!"

Wen Liang was past the age of impulsive actions, and family matters were often complicated. Marital disputes were common, and without knowing the full story, intervening rashly would only make Si Yajing more embarrassed. Hearing Wen Liang’s apology, Si Yajing was filled with gratitude, knowing he was purely protecting her remaining dignity. A misty film of moisture quietly welled up in her eyes, silently flowing in the depths of her gaze.

Pan Guofei, seeing Ji Su, had no more doubts and had already believed Si Yajing’s explanation. But pushed by Wen Liang’s soft yet firm words, he felt his pride was at stake and sneered, "Don’t look so small, but you talk big! You think you can call me by my name? Where did you get this old Nissan, and you dare to act so high and mighty? Apologize? It’s none of your business, it’s our family matter!"

Si Yajing, furious, shouted, "Pan Guofei, shut up!"

Wen Liang’s eyes turned cold, but remembering Si Yajing’s predicament, he took a deep breath and said calmly, "I’ll tolerate you one more time! Teacher Si, calm down. Let’s talk things out calmly; there’s nothing that can’t be resolved."

Si Yajing, grateful, nodded and whispered, "You go first, I’m fine..."

In 1995, private cars were not as common as they are now. Even though the Nissan was not considered high-end among the people Pan Guofei worked with, those who could afford cars were generally wealthier than him, so he was a bit intimidated and didn’t say anything too harsh. Seeing Wen Liang back down, he assumed he had guessed right, and the car had nothing to do with him, or he wouldn’t be dressed so poorly. Angered by Si Yajing’s reprimand, he raised his voice, "What do you mean 'one more time'? It sounds so twisted. Where did you come from, you little brat? Do you even know how to speak properly? What do you, a half-grown kid, know about adult matters?"

Si Yajing, unable to bear it any longer, raised her hand and slapped Pan Guofei!

"Slap!"

Pan Guofei, covering his face, looked at Si Yajing in disbelief, pointing at her with a trembling voice, "You... you dared to hit me?" Without thinking, he raised his hand to strike back.

Si Yajing, unable to dodge, closed her eyes, bracing for the humiliation. But after a few seconds, the expected pain didn’t come. Opening her eyes, she saw a long, strong hand gripping Pan Guofei’s wrist.

"Beating a woman is wrong!"

Wen Liang kicked Pan Guofei in the stomach, sending him stumbling back and landing with a thud on the ground. Ji Su, who had been watching in shock, rushed over to support Si Yajing, her face full of concern as she looked at Wen Liang. Liu Tian, a shrewd old fox, knew it wasn’t appropriate to intervene earlier and had been resting in the car, but the sudden turn of events made him quickly get out and run over.

Liu Tian had never seen Wen Liang in action before. During their interactions, Wen Liang had left a deep impression of being a mysterious strategist, calm in planning, and ruthless in dealing with people. But he had no idea that Wen Liang was also a formidable fighter! Just the position of that kick would cause severe pain, and for a week, every time he urinated, it would feel like passing knives, countless knives! If Wen Liang had been even more ruthless, he might have ended up with blood in his urine.

Seeing Pan Guofei clutching his stomach and wailing, Liu Tian shuddered and instinctively clamped his legs. Walking over to Wen Liang, he whispered, "Should we arrest him?"

Si Yajing was startled. What kind of person was Wen Liang, that even his driver was so formidable? Although she had almost given up on Pan Guofei, she didn’t want to make things too difficult for him. Just as she was about to speak, Ji Su tightened her grip on her hand and shook her head slowly.

"What charge should we use? We must enforce the law..." Wen Liang’s expression was serious, but his words made Liu Tian and Ji Su want to laugh. Si Yajing sighed softly and didn’t say anything more.

Pan Guofei, not willing to lose face, had never been bullied like this before. Hearing Wen Liang’s words, he struggled to stand and shouted, "Keep up your act, keep it up! If you have the guts, arrest me and throw me in jail! If you don’t, I’m your grandson!"

Liu Tian coldly laughed, showing his police badge, and said, "You work at the Post and Telecommunications Bureau, right? We’re currently investigating an economic crime case, and you’re a prime suspect. Why don’t you come with me to the station today, or should I bring people to your workplace tomorrow?" Earlier in the car, Si Yajing had mentioned that her husband worked at the Post and Telecommunications Bureau, and Liu Tian decided to use this to his advantage.

Pan Guofei immediately wilted. The city’s economic crime investigation team was indeed looking into a case at the bureau. A deputy director in the telecommunications department had been implicated, and with one position vacated, many were vying for it. As a section chief, Pan Guofei had his eyes on the position, but if he was even slightly linked to the fallen deputy, he would be in serious trouble, possibly losing his job.

Liu Tian, experienced in dealing with such people, knew exactly where to strike. Pan Guofei immediately backed down, his earlier arrogance gone, and he forced a smile through the pain. "Don’t... don’t take it to heart. I have a loose tongue, but no ill intent... I apologize, I apologize!"

Si Yajing suddenly felt a deep, heart-wrenching sorrow. Was this the same proud and radiant Pan Senior from university? Was this the same poetic and romantic Pan Scholar who wrote verses under the moonlight? Was this the same husband and lover, Pan Guofei, who had promised to grow old with her?

Perhaps she had been wrong all along. After that incident, she shouldn’t have continued to harbor illusions, enduring so much humiliation and swallowing so many tears, only to end up here today?

Si Yajing turned away, not wanting to see that once charming face that had captivated many girls. She subconsciously tightened her grip on Ji Su’s hand, her delicate nails almost piercing Ji Su’s palm. She bit her lower lip hard, determined not to show any weakness in front of so many people.

Ji Su felt the sharp pain in her palm but seemed oblivious, her eyes filled with empathy and sorrow for Si Yajing.

The pain of being hurt by the closest person, it was the same, wasn’t it?

Ji Su had thought she had forgotten that night, forcing herself to believe that her father loved her and had no choice. But seeing Si Yajing now, she realized those were just false comforts. Even a slight touch on that scar would still cause excruciating pain!

Liu Tian, working in law enforcement, had seen the darkest, most vicious, and most complex sides of the world. Pan Guofei’s performance didn’t even make him feel a bit satisfied. He coldly laughed, "What, not even check if my badge is fake? Maybe we’re just playing with you?"

Pan Guofei, either in pain or fear, was drenched in sweat. "Brother, I offended you earlier... tonight at Juxian Tower, I’ll set up a banquet to apologize, please... please do me the honor..."

Liu Tian glanced at Wen Liang, and Pan Guofei was terrified. At this point, if he still didn’t understand Wen Liang’s identity, he was a fool. He immediately turned to Si Yajing, "Yajing, I was wrong, I was out of line! I promise it won’t happen again. Please talk to your student, beg for mercy, okay?"

Si Yajing, with her back to him, trembled slightly at his words but didn’t turn around. A flash of anger crossed Pan Guofei’s eyes, but his face remained pleading. "Yajing..."

Wen Liang was thoroughly tired of this farce, waved it off, and turned to leave, asking, "Teacher Si, are you... tonight?"

"I’m going to my mother’s."

Si Yajing pulled Ji Su into the car and left. Wen Liang ignored Pan Guofei and followed. Liu Tian stayed behind, his face dark, and whispered, "Remember, if I ever find out Teacher Si is unhappy or upset, I’ll hold you responsible. That case won’t be resolved anytime soon, understand?"

Pan Guofei nodded, watching as they drove away in the Nissan, and spat on the ground, "Bitch..."

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