Chapter 175

Peng Ling was taken aback; she didn’t know this person. Doubtfully, she asked, “Who are you…?”
The young man smiled and said, “All the roses on your desk were sent by me.” Peng Ling uttered an “oh,” feeling disappointed. She had thought the flowers were from Xie Wendong—she must have been hoping too much. Calmly, she asked, “Why did you send me flowers?”
The young man replied, “There are only two reasons why a man gives flowers to a woman: either to please her or to pursue her. I guess I fall into the latter category.”
His straightforward words made Peng Ling blush. She sighed and shook her head, saying, “I’m sorry, I have a boyfriend.” The young man replied nonchalantly, “I know. His name is Xie Wendong, right?!” Peng Ling was stunned and asked, “How do you know?” The young man smiled and said, “One of my classmates works at the city police station, so I know a bit. Not much, but enough.”
Peng Ling felt troubled and frowned, saying, “If you already know, then stop sending me flowers and please don’t come looking for me either.” With that, she turned and walked away quickly.
The young man chased after her and said, “I know it’s not right to speak ill of others behind their backs, but I still have to warn you. You’re a police officer, and I won’t say what kind of person he is. Are you two even compatible? Can it work?” Peng Ling shouted, “He’s now doing legitimate business!” The young man replied, “Is that possible? You know in your heart he isn’t—why deceive yourself?”
Peng Ling was struck at her core by the young man’s words. She became agitated and said, “What kind of person Xie Wendong is isn’t your business, and you have no right to interfere in my relationship with him!”
The young man’s expression darkened, and he said, “If you’re willing to give such a person a chance, why not give one to me?”
“Because you appeared too late!” It wasn’t Peng Ling who spoke. The young man was shocked. He turned to see a young man in his early twenties standing against the wall. Of medium height and slightly thin, he wore a black Zhongshan suit. His black hair was neatly combed to his eyebrows, and beneath them were long, bright phoenix eyes that seemed to shimmer as they moved. The young man exuded a gentle aura, completely opposite to that of the young man before him. After staring for a while, the young man sighed inwardly at the loss. If those eyes were on a woman’s face, they would surely attract countless men to go crazy for her. The young man took out a cigarette, placed it between his lips, and lit it slowly and elegantly. He exhaled a wisp of blue-white smoke and said calmly to the young man, “Knowing it’s not right to speak ill of others behind their backs, yet you still do it. Such are the hateful people in this world.”

Peng Ling was overjoyed to hear voices. She turned to look, and sure enough, who else could the young man be but Xie Wendong?! Her eyes moistened as she whispered, “Wendong!”
Hearing Peng Ling’s soft murmurs and seeing her expression, the young man was shocked. He already knew who she was. Though he had great power behind him and usually dismissed everyone else, he didn’t dare underestimate this young woman. He straightened up and said indifferently, “I was just saying what’s on my mind. Even in front of Xie Wendong, I would say the same things without hesitation.”
“Hehe!” Xie Wendong chuckled lightly, walking over to Peng Ling. He looked down at the person he cared about most, his gaze deep and passionate, capable of melting everything in the world—including Peng Ling. Gently touching her cheek, he smelled the familiar scent that haunted his dreams, his heart pounding wildly. Though he had countless words to say, Xie Wendong reduced them to one sentence: “I miss you. I really do.” He wasn’t good at expressing emotions, so just saying those words made Peng Ling extremely happy and excited. She wrapped her arms around Xie Wendong’s neck, resting her head on his shoulder, her face flushed red. With a sweet breath, she said softly, “Me too!”
All their longing was fulfilled in that embrace, and all their sorrow vanished. Xie Wendong was momentarily stunned. Being so intimate in public made him feel uneasy, but seeing Peng Ling’s blushing face, he quickly relaxed. He reached out and tightly held her waist. After a while, he looked up at the young man and said, “I’m a happy person.”
The young man’s expression turned grim. He had grown up in an environment full of protection and privilege, and he had never failed or lacked anything. But now, he had experienced all of that. Nodding, he opened the car door. Before getting in, he smiled coldly and said, “You’re lucky, but you’ll never be happy. Because you’ve met me. I won’t give up. There’s nothing I can’t get.” With that, he got into the sports car and drove away.
Peng Ling watched as the sports car disappeared down the street, feeling a bit worried. Xie Wendong laughed heartily, took her hand, and walked forward, saying, “The buzzing fly has flown away. It’s time for us to ‘enjoy’ our time together.”
Seeing the mischievous glint in Xie Wendong’s eyes, Peng Ling’s face turned red as she smiled and lowered her head.

Xie Wendong chuckled at this and whispered in her ear, “What are you thinking about? I just meant we should go eat something.” Peng Ling’s face turned even redder, and she lowered her head even further. It was a shame there were no cracks in the ground—otherwise, she would have rushed in without hesitation. Xie Wendong’s smile deepened, so Peng Ling pinched him hard and said in aa coquettish voice, “You’re so annoying!”
Seeing her feminine side fully revealed, Xie Wendong laughed again and took her hand to lead her to his car.
Their meal ended on the bed, with Xie Wendong and Peng Ling having intense moments together. People say that a short separation makes love feel like being newly married, and although they weren’t married, they truly experienced that feeling. The sweetness made them indulge in it involuntarily. Xie Wendong couldn’t count how many times he asked for Peng Ling—eventually, both of them collapsed on the bed, sweating. Peng Ling lay in his arms and asked, “Have you slept with other women outside?”
No matter what kind of woman or what her age, this was always the topic they cared most about. Xie Wendong played with her embroidered hair and said with a smile, “Do you think I’m the kind of person who would do such things?” He indeed wasn’t that kind of person; his thoughts were even somewhat conservative. Having known him for some time, Peng Ling trusted him in this regard. Still, she was very happy to hear his direct confirmation. She asked with a smile, “So where have you been?”
Xie Wendong scratched his head and rolled his eyes without saying anything. Peng Ling waited for a while, then lifted her head from his arms, slapped him, and said, “Tell me!”
Xie Wendong said with a wry smile, “I’m counting.” Peng Ling doubted it, “Have you really been to that many places?” Xie Wendong nodded, “I even went abroad once!” “Where?” Xie Wendong laughed. He naturally wouldn’t tell the truth, as that would only cause Peng Ling more worry and questions. He made up an answer, “Thailand! I heard the sex workers there are famous, so I went to check it out.” Peng Ling wouldn’t believe it, but she didn’t press further. She got up, put on her pajamas, and said, “You must be hungry. I’ll go get something to eat.”
Seeing Peng Ling’s figure faintly visible through her pajamas was truly tempting. Xie Wendong grabbed her hand, pulled her onto the bed, straddled her, and said with a mischievous smile, “I am hungry, indeed. But I only want to eat you!” Then he reached into her pajamas, feeling her softness and smoothness.

At that moment, his phone rang, dampening Xie Wendong’s fervor by half. He couldn’t help but sigh and curse the caller in his heart. Peng Ling pushed him lightly and whispered, “Hurry up and answer the phone!” Reluctantly, Xie Wendong got up and picked up the phone, saying, “Whoever you are, give me a good reason!”
A sinister voice came from the other end of the phone. “Xie Wendong, I wonder if you still remember me?”
If it were anyone else, he might indeed have forgotten, but Xie Wendong had an amazing memory and guessed who it was. He tied a sheet around his waist and headed to the balcony. Seeing Peng Ling about to follow out of curiosity, he waved his hand, covered the phone, and said, “It’s just a friend. Xiaoling, go cook first. I’ll talk to him.”
Peng Ling nodded and went back to the kitchen. Xie Wendong closed the balcony door and smiled narrowly, saying, “Bro Ma is really resourceful—managed to find my phone.”
“Hehe, it only took some effort.” “Oh, it wasn’t just to say hello to me, right?” “Exactly. I keep in mind all the ‘favors’ you’ve done for me, thinking about them day and night, never daring to forget for a moment. That’s why I wanted to see you.” Hearing this, Xie Wendong laughed and said, “I’m in the Northeast. If you want to see me, just come. I’ll surely treat you well as the host.” “I’m quite lazy and don’t like to travel far. So I think it’s better if you come to Yunnan.” “Although I’m not lazy, I have too many worries and can’t leave. What do you suggest?” “Oh, I see! But one of your friends, Qiu Ningshui, is here with me. She seems to miss you very much too.”
Xie Wendong’s expression changed; his brows furrowed as he remained silent. “Listen to her voice!” There was a pause on the other end, then a woman’s voice came through, “Get lost! Stay away from me, you bastard!” Ma Feng’s voice appeared again on the phone, “Well? Your friend seems to have a bad temper.”
Even over the phone, Xie Wendong could tell it was indeed Qiu Ningshui’s voice. His heart was in turmoil. He was grateful to this beautiful police officer—without her, it was doubtful he could have returned alive from Yunnan. She had saved his life, yet now, because of him, Qiu Ningshui was in Ma Feng’s hands. He didn’t dare think about the consequences. Sighing, he said, “We’re just ordinary friends. Let’s not drag her into our affairs.”

“Hehe, Xie Wendong, do you have someone you worry about too? Good, very good! I want to see you in Kunming within three days. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee what will happen to her.” With that, he hung up the phone. Xie Wendong stood on the balcony for a long time, filled with self-reproach. He should have realized that with Ma Feng’s influence in Yunnan, it wouldn’t be hard to uncover his relationship with Qiu Ningshui. He should have warned her earlier, but he had ignored that fact. “I’m such an idiot!” Xie Wendong muttered to himself, squinting his eyes.

These words happened to be heard by Peng Ling, who had just come in through the door. She was puzzled—this was the first time she’d heard Xie Wendong call himself an idiot. She asked, “Wendong, what’s wrong?”

Xie Wendong jolted, quickly returning to his normal expression. Smiling, he said, “Nothing. A friend of mine is in trouble, and I need to go help her.”

Peng Ling’s expression darkened. She didn’t ask what kind of friend it was, nor did she want to. Instead, she said sadly, “Are you leaving again?”

Xie Wendong placed a hand on her shoulder and sighed. “I’m afraid I’ll be away for a few days.” Peng Ling didn’t know where he was going, but seeing his serious expression, she worriedly asked, “Can’t you just not go?”

Xie Wendong shook his head gently. “This friend once helped me. Now that she’s in trouble, I have no reason not to help her. You don’t want me to become a heartless person, do you?”

Peng Ling felt uneasy but said nothing more, knowing that no one could change his decision. Xie Wendong returned to the bedroom, got dressed, and when he went to the hall, he saw the food on the table. His heart ached, and he bent down to give Peng Ling a light kiss on the face, saying with a smile, “I’ll cook for you when I come back.”

Peng Ling smiled bitterly. “I hope what you cook isn’t too bad.” Xie Wendong smiled up at her, kissed her face again, and turned to leave. He didn’t want to go—he wanted to feel the tenderness and sweetness of his beloved woman, and he certainly didn’t want her to worry about him. Yet, he had reasons that forced him to leave. Such was life in the world—one couldn’t always control one’s own fate.

The matter with Qiu Ningshui also reminded Xie Wendong, so he got into the car and called Wen Zi, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time. Wen Zi had originally served as Xie Wendong’s personal bodyguard in place of Shadow, but it was inconvenient for a man and a woman to be together. Ever since Dong Xinlei appeared, Xie Wendong had sent Wen Zi back to school, saying she was young and should focus on her studies. Now he finally remembered this “mosquito” that sucked blood. He picked her up at the school gate and the first thing he said was, “Do you like being a police officer?”