Chapter 10

Xie Fang smiled and said, "Yuxin, you came just in time. Why don't you give Xiaofang a ride home?"

Not far away, a red car was parked. Xie Yuxin was very busy with work and usually had no time to take care of her daughter. Most of the time, she left her daughter Lele in the care of her sister Xie Fang. However, she occasionally picked Lele up after work.

Fang Zhicheng quickly waved his hands and said, "I'll take a taxi home. No need to trouble her."

Qiu Hengde nodded and instructed, "Let Yuxin give you a ride home. It's on her way, and besides, Lele is so reluctant to part with you. Why don't you stay and play with her a bit longer?"

Xie Yuxin also smiled and said, "Since my sister and brother-in-law have both said so, you should let me give you a ride. Otherwise, it would make me seem petty."

Xie Yuxin was more approachable than he had imagined. Fang Zhicheng actually wanted to spend more time with Xie Yuxin. She was a national idol, and if she could give him a ride home, it would be a great happiness.

Seeing Xie Yuxin's sincerity, Fang Zhicheng picked up Lele and said, "Thank you."

As Fang Zhicheng got into Xie Yuxin's car, Xie Fang suddenly nudged Qiu Hengde with her elbow and asked softly, "What do you think of Xiaofang?"

"Of course, he's good. Otherwise, would I have introduced him to Secretary Song?" Qiu Hengde knew Xie Fang's intentions and snorted, "You're not thinking of introducing Xiaofang to Yuxin, are you? That wouldn't be appropriate!"

Xie Fang frowned and said unhappily, "Why not? Is it because Yuxin is older than Xiaofang and has a daughter?"

Qiu Hengde waved his hands and smiled bitterly, "That's just a surface issue. The main thing is how they get along. Haven't you noticed that Yuxin isn't interested in Xiaofang? My sister has been through a serious heartbreak and has very high standards."

Xie Fang glanced at Qiu Hengde and snorted, "I don't think so. What Yuxin needs now is a young man who understands her feelings and knows how to be considerate. Although Xiaofang's financial situation is a bit worse, his character is good, and he can do housework. If they spend more time together, they might spark some chemistry."

Qiu Hengde pursed his lips and sighed, "If you want to meddle, go ahead. I don't want to get involved in such women's affairs!"

Xie Fang chuckled and extended her hand, "Then give me Xiaofang's phone number. I'll play matchmaker and see if I can help them get together."

Qiu Hengde shook his head helplessly but eventually gave Fang Zhicheng's phone number to Xie Fang.

...

Lele fell asleep in the back seat, and Fang Zhicheng, sitting in the front, secretly glanced at Xie Yuxin.

The car radio was playing "Kite and Wind," "Without a light, how can a shadow walk? Without clouds, the sky doesn't feel high; If we were a perfect match, how wonderful it would be. How can one run with one hand? I'm afraid of falling..."

Xie Yuxin couldn't help but hum along with the melody. Her voice was soft and melodious, filled with deep emotion, and Fang Zhicheng felt his heart break.

This feeling of excitement was like that of a long-time fan finally getting to spend time alone with their idol, a happiness that overflowed throughout his body.

Xie Yuxin suddenly stopped humming and asked, "I have a question!"

Fang Zhicheng was slightly startled and asked curiously, "What question?"

"Why did you risk your life to save my brother-in-law?" Xie Yuxin turned down the volume of the car radio.

"Instinct?" Fang Zhicheng answered briefly.

Xie Yuxin smiled faintly, "Lying..."

Fang Zhicheng countered, "Then what do you think?"

Xie Yuxin's long, willowy eyebrows arched slightly, and she said softly, "You're a smart person. You knew that moment was the biggest opportunity of your life. Saving my brother-in-law meant you would leap from a fish to a dragon."

Fang Zhicheng smiled bitterly, "So, in your eyes, I'm a cunning schemer?"

Xie Yuxin nodded without hesitation, "Of course. If it were a regular family, would you easily promise to take their niece to an amusement park?"

Xie Yuxin's voice was sweet, but her words were sharp. In news programs, one often felt Xie Yuxin's "killer aura." Fang Zhicheng never thought he would experience her "overbearing" presence in real life.

Fang Zhicheng shrugged and explained, "Before diving in, many thoughts raced through my mind, including the ones you mentioned, with ulterior motives. But ultimately, I acted on instinct. I had learned to swim and was good at it. Among all the people present, only I had the ability to save Minister Qiu. If I hadn't gone to save him, I would have felt guilty for years. As for promising to take Lele to the amusement park, I felt she was very lonely. Like her, I grew up in a single-parent family. Although my mother provided me with a happy and pure life, I still yearned for warmth, for lively company, and for attention..."

Hearing about the single-parent family, Xie Yuxin's expression changed slightly. After a long pause, she said softly, "I'm sorry, I misunderstood you."

"It's okay. I know you were acting on maternal instinct, thinking I was deliberately getting close to Lele to protect her. It's good to clear up misunderstandings and share some heartfelt words," Fang Zhicheng shook his head and smiled gently, "Please drop me off at the next alley. It's not far from my apartment, and I can walk from there."

After Fang Zhicheng got out of the car and walked a few steps, Xie Yuxin rolled down the window and called softly, "On Sunday, can you keep your promise to Lele?"

Fang Zhicheng turned around, made an OK gesture, and smiled, "Of course. A man's word is a binding promise!"

Xie Yuxin didn't respond, stepped on the gas, and the car drove away. Fang Zhicheng stood there, staring for a long time.

...

Back in his apartment building, Fang Zhicheng saw light seeping through the door crack of Cheng Bin's home. He stood there for a while, finally mustering the courage to ring the doorbell.

Soon, the door opened, and Qin Yuming, with a bare face and red, swollen eyes, appeared, looking pitiful.

"What's wrong, Sister-in-law?" Fang Zhicheng asked with concern.

Qin Yuming opened the door wider, her body trembling. When Fang Zhicheng stepped in, she threw herself into his arms.

Fang Zhicheng had no impure thoughts. He knew Qin Yuming had suffered a great blow. He slowly helped her sit on the sofa, got up to pour her a glass of water, and asked softly, "Sister-in-law, tell me what happened. Did Brother Cheng do something bad again?"

Qin Yuming pulled a tissue from the box and wiped her tears. After a long pause, she said, "I just received a call from a woman. She told me to divorce Cheng Bin and explained why he hasn't been home recently. It turns out Cheng Bin went on a trip to Yundian with that woman."

"How despicable!" Fang Zhicheng punched the coffee table, causing the fruit plate to jump a few inches, and a purple grape rolled off.

Fang Zhicheng felt extremely frustrated. He had lent Cheng Bin 11,000 yuan, and the guy had said it was to lay low, but in fact, he was traveling with his lover. This was so infuriating.

11,000 yuan was all his savings. If Cheng Bin had spent it on Qin Yuming, he wouldn't have minded, but spending it on another woman made him furious.

Qin Yuming was in low spirits and sobbed, "I don't know what to do. This family has already fallen apart. Perhaps I should let him go and divorce him to make him and that woman happy."

"Absolutely not!" Fang Zhicheng realized his words were insincere. He gently advised, "Don't listen to that vixen's one-sided words. Wait until you see Brother Cheng, and then have a serious talk. Make a decision after that."

Hearing Qin Yuming's intention to divorce, Fang Zhicheng was secretly overjoyed. For Qin Yuming, divorce wasn't a bad thing. They had no children, and even if she divorced, she wouldn't have much to cling to. At that time, if Fang Zhicheng pursued her, he might have a chance...

Qin Yuming bit her red lip, shook her head painfully, and sighed softly, "No, I really don't want to live like this anymore. I even thought about ending my life."

Fang Zhicheng's heart warmed, and he held Qin Yuming's hand, saying emotionally, "Don't do that. If you die, it... it would be so unworthy!" Fang Zhicheng's words got stuck in his throat, and he couldn't bring himself to say, "What would I do?"

Qin Yuming's heart trembled. She had read Fang Zhicheng's "Secret Love Diary" and knew his feelings. Feeling the warmth from his hand, she couldn't help but be on guard, thinking, "No, I can't continue like this. Otherwise, I'll burn myself!"

So, Qin Yuming hardened her heart, gently withdrew her hand, wiped away her tears, and forced a smile, "Don't worry, Zhicheng. What I said just now was just out of frustration. It's late, and you should go back. I'm fine now."

Fang Zhicheng shook his head, "Sister-in-law, you're not feeling well. I should stay with you for a while..."

Qin Yuming stood up, moved far away from Fang Zhicheng, and leaned against the door, still refusing, "It's late, and I'm very tired. You should go back..."

Fang Zhicheng sighed, stood up, and walked towards the door, but suddenly stopped.

Qin Yuming was startled by Fang Zhicheng's action and asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

Fang Zhicheng looked embarrassed and said, "There's a sound in the hallway. It seems Brother Cheng is back."

"Ah? He dares to come back?" Qin Yuming gritted her teeth, "You go, I need to talk to him."

Fang Zhicheng shook his head and smiled bitterly, "Sister-in-law, if I go out now, will there be a problem?"

"What problem?" Qin Yuming asked, blushing.

Fang Zhicheng whispered, "Why don't I hide in your room for a while?"

Qin Yuming didn't know Fang Zhicheng's thoughts. He felt guilty and had designs on her, so every time he talked to Cheng Bin, he was nervous. That's why he lent Cheng Bin the money without hesitation when he asked for it.

Now, in the middle of the night, trapped in the house, Fang Zhicheng felt increasingly timid and couldn't face Cheng Bin.

...