Chapter 75

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Intense emotions

Huo Qiming smiled and said, “You could put it that way. I won’t interfere in your affairs, but there are some things I hope you understand. There are rules for doing everything. If you want to break those rules, you must be ready for the consequences.”

Huo Cheng was silent. Huo Qiming looked at him and continued, “Do you know why your teacher was so calm about this? It’s because you are a good student, and he admires your excellence. If you are no longer display that excellence in the future, his views will naturally change.”

“I understand, Grandpa, I won’t let it influence my grades.”

“I’m not just talking about grades.”

He looked at his grandfather, contemplating. Having grown up in this family and experienced being an adult within it, he understood better than anyone that only the ones who held power within the family had the right to assert themselves. Only when he wielded that level of authority could he protect Shen Wanying and let their relationship not be controlled by anyone. And so, he would do what he had to, to reach there.

♥

After dinner, he went back to his room to do his homework with Shen Wanying as usual.

He usually logged in earlier than her, so he wouldn’t make her wait for him.

After he had attempted a few homework problems, she logged into the room.

“Huo Cheng.” She called his name over the receiver. “My mother called me over for a chat just now.”

“Ah, what did she say?”

“She said that it was just something to do with feelings, and that it was up to me to make sure I didn’t get carried away.”

“Mm, my grandfather said the same.”

“Oh.” She went on, “She also said that when I spent time with you, it shouldn’t just be to date, but that I should learn more from you and improve myself.”

He chuckled. “Alright, what do you want to learn?”

Snorting, she asked, “What can you teach me?”

“Me?” Huo Cheng dropped his gaze, thinking of some of the things they used to do in the previous life to make each other happy. “I know a lot of things, but I can’t teach you yet.”

“What things?”

“I’ll tell you when you go to college.”

“…” Shen Wanying was silent for a while. “Why does it feel like you’re talking dirty?”

His lips curved up. She was sharp, this one. “Are you sure I’m talking dirty, and it’s not your mind that’s thinking dirty thoughts?”

“Oh, you’re so good at turning the tables on people. So this is how you beat Qiu Ziqing in the office today.”

“Are you saying I am a villain?”

Shen Wanying laughed. “Yes. Is that an unfair assessment?”

“No, if you say it is so, then it must be so.”

“Oh, you sound so aggrieved.”

Huo Cheng smiled and said, “I’m not aggrieved, I’m enjoying it.”

“…” You are quite perverted.

“Which question are you doing?” She asked, changing the topic.

“I’m about to start on the last main question.”

“Then let’s start together. I’ll race you. The winner gets to request something of the loser.”

“Sounds good.”

They fell silent, each working on their respective homework questions. When Shen Wanying had just passed the halfway mark, Huo Cheng’s voice teased her over the earphones: “I’m done.”

“So soon?” Shen Wanying pouted. “Take a photo of your question paper and send it over. How do I know you aren’t lying to me?”

Huo Cheng took a picture with his mobile phone and said with a small smile, “I wouldn’t lie to you.”

“That’s rich coming from you. You acted so convincingly in the teacher’s office earlier today.”

The corner of his mouth quirked upward. Wordlessly, he sent her the photo.

“It really is finished.” Shen Wanying checked it over, muttering. “Okay, what do you want?”

“Eh… come with me to the cemetery tomorrow to see my mother.”

“Alright.”

“This time, I’ll introduce you again properly.”

Although she felt her face heat up, she still protested, “We only agreed upon one request.”

Neither of them would admit defeat. “This final main question is split into three parts,” he countered, “So logically, I should be able to make three requests.”

“…. How did you come to that conclusion? You’re really letting your imagination run away with you, classmate Huo Cheng.”

Despite his silence, Shen Wanying had a feeling he was smiling. She couldn’t help but curl her lips into a smile and ask, “So tell me, what is your third request?”

He remained quiet for a while, then said in a low voice, “Always stay by my side.”

At seventeen, she was still young, and she didn’t quite know how to handle this kind of advance. What woman wouldn’t swoon at words like these, spoken in such dulcet tones?

“Ah Wan.”

“Mm, I’m here.”

“Did you hear me?”

“…… I did.”

“Then you have to promise me.” He said this in a light, teasing tone. It made her giddy; At that moment, she would’ve promised him anything he asked.

“Okay, I got it. I’m not going to talk any more, I want to focus on finishing this question.”

“Okay.” He smiled softly.

♥

The next day, the two visited Fang Ke’s grave again. Like the last time she visited, Shen Wanying ordered a large bouquet of beautiful champagne roses.

Even before he reached the grave, Huo Cheng could see that there were a bunch of daisies placed before the headstone.

His eyes narrowed.

Shen Wanying saw them too, and quickened her pace to match his. “These flowers are still very fresh; they must have been placed today.”

“Yeah.” With pursed lips, he looked around.

When he saw the silhouette of a man quickly vanishing into the distance, Huo Cheng gave chase, calling out: “Xiang Chong!”

In fact, he wasn’t even sure this person was Xiang Chong; he didn’t know what the other person looked like. He had asked the Officer Zuo about Xiang Chong when they met, but the officer had refused to give him any information.

Huo Cheng didn’t force it. He figured that if he visited his mother’s grave often, he would eventually run into him.

Is this man Xiang Chong?

It was a gamble he was taking.

The silhouette of the man froze, and he slowly turned around. Neither of them spoke. Shen Wanying, flowers clutched in hand, caught up with them and stood with Huo Cheng.

She looked at the man across from them. He looked very young, in his thirties at most. Although he hadn’t cleaned up much, by the looks of the stubble on his chin, it did nothing to hide his attractiveness.

He wore only a black coat and jeans, neither of which were by famous brands, the styles very ordinary.

It was the same feeling as when they had found that ordinary-looking lighter.

They all stared at each other for a moment. Then Huo Cheng took a step forward, looked straight at the man and said, “You must be Xiang Chong.”

T/N: Big thanks to Bright Eyes for helping with this chapter also!

Firstly, my god, I love the banter SO MUCH, you have no idea. They have the best casual conversations, honestly, one day I aspire to write banter the way Chestnut does. And secondly, my god, the tension is going to come to a head here, isn’t it? It really is just getting exciting. Thank you for reading, and see you next chapter~