Chapter 231: Change

The November that year felt unexceptionally long.

Even though it had barely been a month since both she and Bai Muchuan lived in different cities, Xiang Wan felt as though she had experienced a century.

Absence made the heart grow fonder. The morning, afternoon, and night messages were not enough anymore. She missed Bai Muchuan dearly.

Her desire to see him again was a fire in her heart, yet it was wrapped in a layer of ice.

Her heart had long flown to the Capital, but she had to suppress her feelings by indulging herself in her work and learn new things, as though she did not really miss him so much.

Sometimes, she wanted to be lazy when she was tired.

However, she dared not stop writing and not update for even a day, as though someone would whip her from behind telling her to keep moving.

It was now December.

Xiang Wan tendered her resignation and left the Criminal Investigation Unit of Hongjiang District on the first day of December.

They had worked together for months, so her colleagues couldn’t bear to part with her.

Xiang Wan’s heart was not made of stone. She couldn’t bear to part with them, too.

She packed her belongings into a small cardboard box. She also made an effort to clean up her desk before bidding her colleagues goodbye with a smile.

As most of the colleagues in the Criminal Investigation Unit were guys, they did not reveal much emotion on their face.

The only young lady in the office, Mei Xin, nodded at Xiang Wan.

“Goodbye.”

“Goodbye.” Xiang Wan waved at Mei Xin. “We’ll hang out together in future when the opportunity arises—”

“Hm.”

That was all Mei Xin said.

After Xiang Wan left, however, Mei Xin stood alone by the window at the balcony where it was filled with the succulents and gazed at Xiang Wan’s back from afar. She stood there for a long time expressionlessly… After that, she lowered her head and attended to the thriving succulents.

The weather was getting cool.

As Xiang Wan was carrying the cardboard box, she did not feel like squeezing with people in the congested subway.

Standing at the main entrance of the building of the Criminal Investigation Unit, she decided to book a cab.

However, when she just unlocked her mobile phone, she heard the sound of a car horn behind her.

Xiang Wan turned around and saw Cheng Zheng’s car approaching, finally stopping before her.

“Hop on, I’ll give you a ride.”

“You’ve knocked off work for the day?”

“Yes.”

“…”

Ever since Xiang Wan’s mom got hospitalized, it had been a long while since she took a ride in his car.

Those times where they ate breakfast and went to work together felt like ages ago. It felt so long that many events in her memories were vague and faded, as well as emotions.

“Sure!”

Xiang Wan did not reject.

She carried the cardboard box and sat at the passenger seat of the car where she smiled and said her thanks.

Cheng Zheng looked at her in the rearview mirror and started the car without another word.

Cheng Zheng knew about Xiang Wan’s resignation.

However, as he did not ask, Xiang Wan did not talk about it, either.

Both of them kept quiet as the car passed by numerous streets toward the destination.

Finally, the car stopped outside the entrance of the neighborhood.

Cheng Zheng sat in the driver seat with his hands firmly holding on to the steering wheel. He hesitated for a while before turning his head to talk to Xiang Wan.

“You’re preparing to go to the Capital?”

As Cheng Zheng talked to her suddenly, Xiang Wan was taken by surprise. She didn’t know how she should reply to him.

Cheng Zheng smiled. “I heard that your mom’s recovering quite well. Is she discharging from the hospital soon?”

Xiang Wan gave him a glance. “She has already been discharged.”

Cheng Zheng furrowed his brows. “I didn’t go to the hospital recently, my apologies.”

“Captain Cheng,” smiled Xiang Wan, “you’ve helped me a lot. I should be the one to apologize.”

Cheng Zheng pursed his lips, his eyes seemed to be in thought. “If you need help with anything in the future, you can always look for me.”

In the future…

Besides smiling, Xiang Wan did not know what else she could say to Cheng Zheng.

After some hesitation, Cheng Zheng added, “I have no other intentions.”

Xiang Wan smiled. “Thank you, Captain Cheng.”

When she got off the car, she placed the cardboard box on the ground and waved at Cheng Zheng.

“Captain Cheng, goodbye.”

Cheng Zheng’s face dimmed slightly at that moment. “I’m actually preparing for a transfer back to the Capital,” he said slowly to her, “I’m waiting for the appointment letter.”

Huh? Xiang Wan turned around immediately and met his burning gaze for an instant.

“You…” She wanted to ask something but felt it was not appropriate.

“Don’t worry,” Cheng Zheng did not show much emotion, “it’s got nothing to do with you. Hongjiang District is too small and it’s difficult for me to get exposed to more intriguing cases. Going back to the Capital will be better for my career prospects. After all, my family is there.”

Xiang Wan showed a slightly strange expression. She did not dare to think that Cheng Zheng wanted to go back to the Capital because of her.

“That sounds good. Captain Cheng, I wish you success with your career, but what will happen to the house…”

“No hurry. Fang Yuanyuan will still be staying there, right? She can talk to me anytime about it.”

In the first place, Fang Yuanyuan was the one who rented his house.

So if Fang Yuanyuan did not want to stay there anymore, it was only appropriate for her to take it up with him as well.

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“Thank you!”

“No worries!”

With that, they parted ways.

Xiang Wan went upstairs, while Cheng Zheng drove back the way he came from.

Both of them were sensible people. They would not affect their present life for a nonexistent future.

Xiang Wan was like that; it was the same for Cheng Zheng.

One should let bygones be bygones and focus on what is ahead. Their lives had been fixed toward a direction. Whatever happened in the past was like a fragmented mirror image.

The pieces were smashed and would be reorganized.

…

Xiang Wan had gone back to pack her stuff. She had written two chapters and uploaded them. When Fang Yuanyuan got back from work, they went to Youngest aunt’s place together.

Seriously speaking, Xiang Wan was worse off than Fang Yuanyuan in terms of family situation. Housing prices had been on the rise over the years and still going strong. Fang Yuanyuan’s family owned a two-bedroom house at the very least, whereas Xiang Wan’s family… their old house was sold at a very low price years ago. That was why she had been renting while her mom lived in her Youngest aunt’s place.

Xiang Wan had a heavy heart with regards to this aspect.

When she stepped into Youngest aunt’s villa once again, the situation was entirely different.

Youngest aunt employed another nanny.

The new nanny’s job was not to look after Tiantian but to take care of Xiang Wan’s mom as well as handle the housework.

Since Xiang Wan’s mom had recuperated for about a month after she discharged, she wanted to continue with her daily work but Youngest aunt refused to let her do anything but rest.

Not only that, the atmosphere at home was different as well.

Youngest aunt was smiling with joy when she saw Xiang Wan and Fang Yuanyuan.

“Dinner’s long ready, I’ve been waiting for you both.”

Fang Yuanyuan was perplexed, she gave Xiang Wan a strange look as she responded awkwardly to Youngest aunt.

Nevertheless, Xiang Wan did not know the reason for Youngest aunt’s behavior.

Where has the stern and arrogant Youngest aunt gone to?

Could it be that mom’s illness made Youngest aunt understood some profound meaning about life?

She was guessing about all these as she did not have the guts to ask her about it.

Just like any other time, the two of them behaved appropriately and head to the dining room.

The dishes on the dining table of the Xing Family was indeed sumptuous.

Although it was not the first time Xiang Wan ate there, it was the first time she felt warmth there.

“Wanwan, your mom needs to eat the healthier, light food. As for these dishes, they are especially prepared for you…”

How long was it that Youngest aunt had put food on her bowl? Xiang Wan was a little overwhelmed by the sudden concern showered on her.

“Thank you, Youngest aunt.”

“Why say thanks? I’m your aunt, your family.”

Youngest aunt said with a warm smile but pouted as she placed some food on Xing Feifei’s bowl.

“Eat faster! Go upstairs and read after this.”

Seeing that, Fang Yuanyuan muttered with a smile, “Why didn’t I have it too?”

If it was in the past, Fang Yuanyuan would never ask that, but… Youngest aunt seemed to be treating them differently now?

However, she got retorted by Youngest aunt.

“You should stay quiet! Just look at you…” Youngest aunt looked at her from top to bottom and revealed the familiar look Fang Yuanyuan was familiar with. “You gotta buck up! Take care of your figure. You have not gotten married and you’re already so plump, I can’t imagine what will happen after you get married and give birth to children?”

“…”

Fang Yuanyuan was speechless.

“If I knew I’m gonna get dissed, I would have kept my mouth shut.”

“It’s for your own good!” Youngest aunt’s gaze felt like a beauty consultant to Fang Yuanyuan. “Isn’t there a popular saying amongst you youngsters? Every plump person is a diamond in the rough…”

“Youngest aunt, how am I considered plump when I’m only 120 pounds…”

“Hur!” Youngest aunt shot a glare over. “Aren’t you curious if you weigh only a two-digit sum, would you have become a gorgeous beauty?”

That was a sentence that hit home.

Fang Yuanyuan retracted the hand that had wanted to take a piece of chicken with Sichuan pepper and sesame oil sauce.

Hmph! Seeing how Fang Yuanyuan obediently ate her green vegetables, Youngest aunt was now satisfied.

“Wanwan ah,” she turned to Xiang Wan, “when are you going to the Capital?”

“…”

Youngest aunt was always like this. She was not bothered about how they were doing in their job or career.

However, when it comes to their relationship matters, she would be very interested.

Ever since that day Bai Muchuan acted so cool before them by getting the help of the professors, Youngest aunt had basically approved of them seeing each other. Consequently, she also tried to find out the background of Bai Muchuan privately. When she heard he came from the prestigious Bai Family in the Capital, she felt like she had to do something.

“Young men and women nowadays are no longer steadfast in love. Long-distance relationships are very unfavorable…”

As she said this, Youngest aunt took a subtle glance at her husband, Xing Yuanhang, who was eating in silence.

“Little vixens nowadays have a lot of tricks up their sleeves. Not to mention those good-looking and talented young men like Little Bai, these little vixens have no qualms about throwing themselves at middle-aged uncles, as long as they have money and status…”

Cough! Cough! Xing Yuanhang put down his bowl.

He glanced at his wife expressionlessly before smiling at Xiang Wan and Fang Yuanyuan.

“I’ve had my fill. Please help yourselves to the food.”

He went upstairs without saying another word. There was nothing unusual as well.

Immediately after he left, Youngest aunt instantly looked irritated.

Nevertheless, as both of her nieces were present, she had to contain her temper, yet she couldn’t help getting angry about it. Hence, Youngest aunt looked stiff and rigid.

Xiang Wan looked at Xing Yuanhang’s back view before looking at Youngest aunt’s face. Silent pervaded for a moment.

“Youngest aunt,” she paused for a while, “I will be going to the Capital in these two days. Well, I’m a little worried about my mom…”

After the short pause, she put down her chopsticks. “I wanted to talk to you about this matter. That’s why I’m here today. If Youngest aunt’s fine with it, I hope to bring my mom along to the Capital. Just treat it like a trip, a relaxing one…”