“This matter has come to an end. Zong Jingyi has restored his reputation and paid the price for his actions. Your mother wasn’t implicated, perhaps because she was just Zong Jingyi’s girlfriend at the time and did not take part in aggravating matters. Otherwise, she would have had to have been punished by the law too. Are you still going to continue eating?”
“No, I’m full.”
Fan Shixin brought the tray away and placed it onto the table. As soon as he did, someone began knocking on the door.
Mrs. Mu said, “Please open the door.”
Mu Wansheng stared at him in shock and asked softly, “What do we do?”
He lifted the duvet, picked her up, and carried her into the washroom before placing her onto the toilet seat. “Stay here for a while.”
“Okay.”
Fan Shixin exited the washroom and closed the door after him.
“Chief Fan… why are you here?” Mrs. Mu asked in shock.
“Turns out it was you, Madam Mu. What’s the matter?”
“I’m looking for someone. Chief Fan, why are you here?”
Remaining calm and composed, Fan Shixin answered, “I’m here to visit a friend who got hospitalized. Who are you looking for, Madam Mu? Perhaps I can give you a hand.”
Thinking that it would be impossible for Mu Wansheng to be friends with Fan Shixin, Mrs. Mu politely declined, “You don’t have to go to that trouble, Chief Fan. I’ll try looking for her in the other wards.”
“Alright.”
Fan Shixin closed the door and locked it again. He then carried Mu Wansheng out of the bathroom and said, “Seems like your mother hasn’t given up on searching for you yet. I don’t think she’ll give up before she finds you. I’m afraid it’s only a matter of time before your family finds you here.”
“Could you bring me to a safer place where I can’t be found easily? Like a cheap rented room or apartment or something. I can stay in the house all the way until I recover. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely pay you back for all the costs.”
“I’m not worried about those. I believe you’re a person of your word. I’ll take you out to look at some houses tomorrow. We’ll move you in immediately once we find a suitable place.”
“Sorry to trouble you. Thank you for rendering me so much help. No amount of money is enough to repay my gratitude toward you.”
“There’s no point in being so calculative. Get some rest, it’s raining outside and the temperatures are colder. This blanket is rather thin. If you feel chilly, get the nurse to bring you a few more blankets. I’ll be taking my leave now.”
“Alright, drive safely.”
“Okay.”
Fan Shixin put on his shades and surgical mask before exiting the ward.
The rain grew heavier, and Fan Shixin drove to Wei Ni Estate at a steady speed.
Fan Shixin put his umbrella away and said to Xiao Lu, who was on duty, “Help me search for some apartments that are available for rent. It’d be best if you can find a one-bedder. Anywhere is fine except the red-light districts.”
“Apartments available for rent?” Without uttering another word, Xiao Lu immediately started searching for apartment listings online. After a long while, Xiao Lu asked, “Chief, are you fine with those that are available for co-renting?”
“No.”
“There are very few one-bedroom apartments. Most are up for co-renting. The conditions don’t seem too ideal either.”
Fan Shixin stepped forward and stood beside Xiao Lu to take a look at the computer screen, only to find that there were indeed no suitable apartments.
“Forget it, stop searching,” said Fan Shixin, who then left and headed to the dormitory.
Xiao Bai and Xiao Huang were in the midst of a game of cards. Upon the sight of Fan Shixin, they immediately put the cards away and stood up straight by the bed.
“You guys seem to be very free. I’ve got something for you to do.”
They looked at each other in surprise and exclaimed, “Chief, please give us your orders!”
“You know that I own an apartment in the estate, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“I’ve never lived in that apartment before. You guys, go there to clean and tidy the apartment. Make sure everything’s spick and span before you come back here to sleep.”
Staring wide-eyed at him, Xiao Huang asked, “Chief, are you planning to move there?”
“No, someone else is. The password is 123456. Hurry along.”
Xiao Bai snorted with laughter and remarked in amusement, “Chief, your password is so simple. Aren’t you afraid of burglars?”
“Yeah, I’ll remember to change it once you guys are done cleaning up. What are you waiting for? Hurry. Make sure everything is squeaky clean. I’ll be running a spot check tomorrow morning.”
“Yes!”
Xiao Bai added, “Chief, why don’t you just get the servants to do it? You’re putting our talents to waste.”
“You guys have nothing better to do anyway.”
“…”
Fan Shixin returned to his room. He decided to let Mu Wansheng move into his apartment for the time being since it would be left vacant anyway. Besides, she would be kept close to him.
Jin Qingyan had given that apartment to him as a reward in the past. It was meant to be his nuptial home when he gets married in the future. The apartment had been vacant all along, though, because he was living in the dormitory. However, the apartment was already well renovated, and it contained all the necessary furniture.
Fan Shixin sat on the bed. Just as he was about to go wash up, his phone began to ring all of a sudden.
It was a call from Wu Pingyang.
“Hello.”
“What are you doing?”
“I’m about to go wash up and turn in.”
“Are you free tomorrow?” Wu Pingyang asked.
“Tomorrow?”
“Yeah, I’d like to have lunch and go to the movies with you. I don’t have to go to work tomorrow,” Wu Pingyang said merrily.
“Sure. I’ll take some time out of my schedule,” Fan Shixin agreed.
As happy as a lark, Wu Pingyang answered, “It’s settled, then. Leave it to me to book the movie tickets and make a reservation at the restaurant. You just have to turn up.”
“Let me do it instead. How can I make the girl pay for the date? Tell me the title of the movie you’d like to watch and the name of the restaurant you’d like to go to. I’ll make the bookings.”
That was exactly what Wu Pingyang was expecting to hear. She answered, “I… shall not stand on ceremony with you, then. You’re my boyfriend anyway. I’ll text you later.”
“Alright, go to bed early, then.”
“Goodnight.”
As soon as he put his mobile phone down after ending the call, he received a text message.
He took a glance at it and headed to the bathroom.
——
Long Xiaoxi sat on Long Tianze’s lap and placed her arms around his neck while resting her head on his shoulder. She was all cuddled up in his embrace like a princess.
“Daddy, now that Shi Bao’er is no longer around, is she going to pull out of the boot camp?”
“She’s being punished for her wrongdoings. I don’t know if she’ll return to the boot camp in the future.”
“Daddy, when do Brother and I have to return to the boot camp?”
“I’ll send you guys back tomorrow.”
Extremely displeased to hear how soon they’d have to leave, Long Xiaoxi asked, “Daddy… can’t Brother and I stay at home for a little longer?”
Long Tianze squeezed her chubby cheeks and said, “I’ll bring you guys home again after a while. We’ll try and let you stay at home for a longer duration next time. Your teacher told us that we’d have to send you back tomorrow.”
“Oh.”
