Chapter 988 - 953: Unyielding

The police captured all the criminals involved in the hostage situation and returned triumphant.

Three Two Three was beaten badly and sent to the nearby Changxing Hospital.

Su Qing was slapped, her pretty face somewhat swollen. Fortunately, it was a minor injury. The bearded man who hit her suffered a concussion, is now incontinent, and unable to take care of himself for the time being.

After finishing her statement, Su Qing came out and saw Xu Chunliang waiting for her outside. Her nose tingled for some reason, and she ran into Xu Chunliang’s arms, holding him tightly.

Xu Chunliang gently patted her shoulder and softly said, "Don’t be afraid, it’s over now."

"Mmm mmm!" Su Qing didn’t let go but hugged him even tighter.

Xu Chunliang whispered in her ear, "Everyone’s watching."

Su Qing didn’t care, holding Xu Chunliang’s body made her feel exceptionally secure.

A cough from Pu Jian sounded beside them.

Su Qing, as if shocked by electricity, quickly let go of Xu Chunliang and glared at Pu Jian. His appearance was really at the most inopportune time.

Pu Jian grinned mischievously and said, "Go on, I’m night blind, didn’t see a thing."

Su Qing, blushing, said, "Annoying."

Pu Jian said, "Xu Chunliang, you heard her, that’s how she treats your friend."

Xu Chunliang laughed and said, "Su Qing, today we must thank Pu Jian. If he hadn’t discovered things in time, I wouldn’t have made it to the scene so quickly."

Su Qing finally understood the course of events and gratefully said, "Thanks, Brother Pu."

Pu Jian said, "Is that it?"

Su Qing said, "How about I treat you to a late-night snack?"

Pu Jian said, "Forget it, I don’t want to be a third wheel. Let’s save that snack for later."

The three of them went outside. Pu Jian’s home was near Changxing Hospital, and Xu Chunliang drove him to his doorstep.

As Pu Jian got out of the car, he earnestly advised, "I was part of the rescue too, don’t make a hasty decision to give yourself away."

Su Qing, embarrassed, picked up a bottle of mineral water and pretended to throw it at him.

Pu Jian laughed and ran off.

Xu Chunliang said, "That’s how Pu Jian is, has a good heart, but a loose tongue."

Su Qing said, "Thanks to him, thinking back on it still makes me a bit scared."

Xu Chunliang said, "What do you want to eat?"

Su Qing said, "I’ve been away from Dongzhou for so long, you’re the local, you should know."

Xu Chunliang thought for a moment and said, "Hand-torn chicken, maybe."

Su Qing playfully punched him on the shoulder, "Annoying!"

Xu Chunliang said, "Is your mindset a bit off lately?"

Dongzhou’s nightlife isn’t very rich. Aside from the barbecue on every street, hand-torn chicken ranks second.

Such small shops usually don’t have a great environment. When the two of them sat down, it was already close to eleven at night, but the little shop was still bustling. Xu Chunliang ordered a hand-torn chicken, a plate of chilled pig stomach, and a plate of fried peanuts.

Su Qing ordered two bottles of beer, pouring a glass for Xu Chunliang and one for herself.

Xu Chunliang raised his glass and clinked it with hers, "To calm your nerves."

After drinking her glass, Su Qing quietly said, "Why don’t you ask me what those people wanted from us?"

Xu Chunliang said, "It’s my principle not to interfere with others’ work."

Su Qing said, "That’s what I admire about you, you’re incredibly discreet."

Xu Chunliang laughed and said, "That’s called respecting your work, not being discreet."

He didn’t ask, but Su Qing couldn’t help but tell. She recounted the incident with Three Two Three seeking her out, although she told the police nothing, just that she was having dinner with Three Two Three when they were inexplicably kidnapped. She knew this situation was no small trouble; she’d already declined Three Two Three at dinner, but unexpectedly got involved anyway.

Xu Chunliang said, "You did the right thing, getting involved in this won’t earn you any favors. You should focus on being a good host and leave upholding justice to the police. That Three Two Three guy must be out of his mind, afraid he can’t handle the pressure and passing the risk to you. I should teach him a lesson."

Su Qing said, "Let it go, he’s already beaten up like that, don’t stoop to his level. Chunliang, don’t worry about this matter. I don’t plan to interfere, anyway. The police are involved now, and if Three Two Three has evidence, he should just hand it to them."

Xu Chunliang said, "In the future, stay away from such things, so I don’t have to worry about you."

Su Qing quietly said, "Then I’ll have to find more things like this to make you worry about me."

They locked eyes, and Su Qing’s gentle gaze lingered on his.

Xu Chunliang said, "Girls should learn some self-defense techniques. I’ll teach you a few moves when I have time, so you can defend yourself next time this happens."

Su Qing said, "I learned a bit, but today it happened so suddenly, and there were so many of them, I couldn’t take on all of them."

Xu Chunliang said, "If you can’t win, then run. I’ll teach you how to escape."

Su Qing gently replied, "Sometimes, I don’t want to run."

Xu Chunliang understood her thoughts, pondering that even modern society has its drawbacks, especially in terms of emotions. Fish is what I desire, and so is the bear’s paw. In the past, being amorous was called romance; now it’s called unethical, called a scumbag. Today we practice monogamy, but in the past, those who were capable took on more responsibilities. As long as you had the money and ability, you could take as many wives as you wanted. It makes someone as traditional in their views on marriage as me a bit uncomfortable in modern society.

Xu Chunliang looked at the beautiful and enchanting Su Qing, finding it a bit hard to control his firm attitude. He quickly picked up a glass of chilled beer to cool down, feeling that this time seeing Su Qing, she seemed more proactive. A pursuit by a man is like climbing a mountain, while a woman’s is like piercing a paper-thin layer. Xu Chunliang felt that this layer was about to give way, not far from being broken through.

Su Qing asked, "By the way, are you really not in touch with Bai Lan?"

Xu Chunliang shook his head, "Didn’t you see she was using me?"

Su Qing shook her head, "I thought she had a crush on you."

Xu Chunliang burst into laughter, "I didn’t even know I was so charming."

Su Qing said, "The observer sees clearly while the involved is confused."

"Oh? Then tell me, what kind of person am I?"

Su Qing said, "Anyway, you’re not a good person."

"Then why don’t you keep your distance from me? Aren’t you afraid I might harm you in the future?"

Su Qing blushed, "Not afraid. A human’s life is just a short hundred years; who has the time to worry about consequences?"

This made Xu Chunliang a bit excited, feeling his pants getting tight. He tugged at his crotch, thinking if he didn’t cause her trouble, she’d be displeased.

Su Qing glanced aside, her face turning an even deeper shade of red.

Xu Chunliang found that everything has its pros and cons, like the Innate Realm. He used to long for the Innate Realm so much, and after entering it, the True Qi flowed freely throughout his body. However, his ability to control instincts weakened, becoming almost uncontrollable. His firm attitude wouldn’t soften so easily, and thank goodness he was sitting. If he stood up, it would be quite embarrassing.

Su Qing understood clearly, feeling a bit embarrassed as he was pointing at her under the table, but she wasn’t repulsed because it proved from another angle that he reacted intensely towards her.

Xu Chunliang took another sip of chilled beer, "By the way, didn’t you transfer to the variety show department? Why are you here for an interview again?"

Su Qing laughed, "Didn’t you ask me this when we met today?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Yeah, why did I ask again?"

"You tell me. In my opinion, you either have nothing to say or you’re feeling guilty."

Xu Chunliang chuckled, "Guilty? Me guilty?"

Su Qing suddenly said, "Director Zheng!"

Xu Chunliang was taken aback, turning his head to see Zheng Peian entering with Li Jia Kuan.

As custom dictated, Xu Chunliang should stand up to greet the elders, but it was inconvenient at that moment. His firm disposition extended to every part of his body, unyielding like a monarch.

Zheng Peian and Li Jia Kuan also noticed Xu Chunliang, and Xu Chunliang deliberately winked at them.

Zheng Peian got the hint and led Li Jia Kuan to sit farther away.

Su Qing whispered, "Let’s go."

Xu Chunliang said, "Let’s wait a bit more, I haven’t finished my noodles."

The understanding Su Qing blinked and ordered another bowl of chicken noodle soup, though she couldn’t eat anymore.

Su Qing told Xu Chunliang that Hua Zhuyue had contacted her a couple of days ago. After Blue Star’s transition into the film industry, Hua Zhuyue asked if she was interested in acting and could recommend suitable roles to her. In fact, not just Hua Zhuyue, but several film companies had approached her recently.

Xu Chunliang hadn’t heard anything from Hua Zhuyue, but since Su Qing sought his opinion, he shared his personal view, "I think the film industry is quite complex, but with your appearance, you’re indeed suitable for this field. If you’re planning to try, it’d be better to sign with Hua Zhuyue. Given my relationship with her, she definitely won’t set you up."

Su Qing asked, "What’s your relationship with her?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Friends, similar to us."

Su Qing pouted, "Why do I feel there’s something unusual between you two?"

Xu Chunliang laughed, "You think my interactions with other women are all unusual."

Su Qing said, "I don’t care who you interact with. I’m not your wife, it’s none of my business, and I can’t control it."

Xu Chunliang asked, "Are you mad at me?"

Su Qing shook her head, "No, being with you is quite happy anyway." She was very clear that Xu Chunliang was an untamed stallion. Even when she first met Xu Chunliang, Mei Ru Xue was by his side. If even Mei Ru Xue couldn’t tame him, how could she?

Su Qing had no extravagant hopes; she felt the present was great. She never wished to own all of Xu Chunliang, just hoped he could spare some time with her. She never dreamed of eternal companionship, nor a lifelong commitment. Love is not about taking, nor is it about possessing.

Su Qing’s feelings were well understood by Xu Chunliang.

As Xu Chunliang walked Su Qing home, fine strands of rain began to fall from the sky. Xu Chunliang shielded Su Qing’s head with his hand, and drenched in the night’s rain, Su Qing felt a bit cold, leaning naturally into his arms. Xu Chunliang wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and the two slowed their pace in harmony.

Xu Chunliang said, "Su Qing, I have an unspoken past that has left me quite bewildered, so..."

Su Qing placed her finger against his lips, shaking her head and softly saying, "You don’t need to say anything. I’ve never asked you for anything. Just like this now, so it will be later. I know you care about me, and that’s enough."

Xu Chunliang nodded and embraced her, gently kissing her bruised cheek. Su Qing’s arms rested around his neck, her eyes tender like starlight attempting to pull Xu Chunliang into this gentle whirlpool. She rose on tiptoe, ready to welcome Xu Chunliang’s raindrop-like passion...