âYou!â Qi Naâs face flushed and she was momentarily at a loss for words.
The onlookers began to murmur among themselves when they saw a man approaching.
âWho is this man? Who do you think is his wife?â
âI donât get it, people nowadays have such individualized lives.â
âThis man seems to care more about the mistress, but she doesnât seem to appreciate it much.â
â¦
As the crowd buzzed with conversation, Nie Chenglang shot a look their way, and everyone fell silent.
At this moment, Nie Chenglangâs driver got out of the car and dispersed all the onlookers.
With the crowd gone, the surroundings suddenly felt much colder.
Xu Chaomuâs taxi driver approached Qi Na and said, âMiss, could you please move your car? Are you trying to block everyone else from driving?â
Qi Na became flustered and her face reddened, âIâ¦â
âXiaosong, move Miss Qiâs car to the side!â Nie Chenglang cut her off sharply.
âOkay.â
Nie Chenglangâs driver turned and got into Qi Naâs car, swung it around, and parked the red Audi to the side.
Xu Chaomu hurriedly went to the taxi, took out her wallet, and handed a red bill to the driver.
âThank you for waiting so long, keep the change,â she said.
The driver was reluctant to take the money at first, but Xu Chaomu insisted, so he accepted it and drove off.
The scene quieted down considerably, and for a moment, nobody spoke.
Under the blazing sun, combined with the tense atmosphere, a fine layer of sweat formed on Xu Chaomuâs forehead.
âBrother Chenglangâ¦â Qi Na finally broke the silence, shaking Nie Chenglangâs arm, âthis woman tore my clothes to this stateâ¦â
Her face was full of grievance, and her long lashes glistened with a layer of mist.
Nie Chenglang was expressionless, âGo home and change. And in the future, stop causing trouble for Chaomu.â
âBrother Chenglang, are you charmed by her? We werenât like this before⦠I feel so wronged.â Qi Na looked hurt.
âNana, I have always treated you like a sister, and from now on, donât tell others Iâm your boyfriend!â Nie Chenglangâs face darkened.
âHow is it not so? Since we were young, auntie has always wanted us to be close,â Qi Na insisted, âhave you forgotten?â
Qi Naâs words trailed off into sobs.
Xu Chaomu took off Nie Chenglangâs coat and handed it to him.
âChenglang, I have another engagement, I need to go,â she said.
She gave a gentle, serene smile that made her look completely different from the ruffian who had just been teaching Qi Na a lesson.
Being a ruffian depends on the situation, like with Qi Na or with Shen Chi; she can be a ruffian, but not with men like Nie Chenglang or Lou Yanli.
Actually, she liked her most genuine self the best.
âChaomu!â
Nie Chenglang grabbed her arm, âItâs been a long time, can we talk?â
Xu Chaomu looked up, and their eyes met, leaving her momentarily at a loss for words.
Was she being too heartless? Ever since coming back from Paris, she had been avoiding him.
âChenglang, I have an interview today,â Xu Chaomu stated honestly.
Under the sunlight, Nie Chenglang wore a dark shirt, tall and handsome, his clear eyes gazing at her, filled only with her reflection.
âHe⦠agreed to let you work?â Nie Chenglang asked calmly.
Xu Chaomu nodded, âYes.â
Qi Na, seeing Nie Chenglang holding on to Xu Chaomuâs arm, stepped forward and pried their hands apart!
âBrother Chenglang, you havenât spoken more than a few words to me since you returned home. Do you dislike me?â Qi Na interrupted them, clearly upset.
âNana, donât make a fuss,â Nie Chenglang frowned and glanced at her.
âI am not making a fuss, Iâm just stating the facts, Brother Chenglang,â Qi Na persisted.
âChenglang, you take care of her. Iâve got to go.â
âChaomu, Nana is not my girlfriend,â Chenglang explained urgently.
âI know, you wouldnât fancy someone like her,â Xu Chaomu replied with a laugh.
Qi Na was so angry at the insinuation that she might have started a fight with Xu Chaomu again if Nie Chenglang wasnât there.
But when Xu Chaomu shot her a look, Qi Na shrank back into Nie Chenglangâs arms.
âBrother Chenglang, didnât you see? Sheâs been bullying me all alongâ¦â
âMiss Qi, be careful when driving next time,â Xu Chaomu warned her.
âYou!â Qi Na was furious.
Xu Chaomu smiled slightly at Nie Chenglang, âLetâs talk another time when Iâm free; thank you for stepping in. I have to leave now.â
âChaomu!â Nie Chenglang called out to her.
Xu Chaomu waved her hand and walked away without looking back.
Nie Chenglang wanted to follow her, as he really hadnât seen Xu Chaomu in a long while.
He knew she was usually at the Shen Family home, a place he couldnât enter.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
But to his surprise, he bumped into her today, yet she wouldnât even talk to him.
âChaomu!â he called her name again.
Qi Na clung tightly to his arm, âBrother Chenglang, donât go! Why are you so fond of her? Sheâs just a second-hand woman. And, auntie is right, she is married and still flirting with you. Sheâs despicable. Brother Chenglang, donât be fooled.â
âFooled? Qi Na, what do you know? Let go of me!â Nie Chenglang snapped irritably.
He never had much of a liking for Qi Na, and now she was pulling at him like this, he felt even more uncomfortable.
âI wonât let go, I just wonât. Brother Chenglang⦠youâre bullying meâ¦â
Qi Na then burst into tears, her cheeks quickly streaked with them.
Her sudden crying became uncontrollable, and even Xu Chaomu, who was moving further away, could hear her sobs.
Xu Chaomu shook her head slightly, continuing forward without turning back.
As for Nie Chenglang, his distress grew, realizing he couldnât chase after Xu Chaomu any longer.
He reluctantly handed a tissue to Qi Na and scowled, âStop crying, and donât stir up trouble in the future.â
âBrother Chenglang⦠I wasnât making trouble, I just canât stand⦠she already has a husband, yet why does she keep bothering you⦠What kind of woman is she, shamelessâ¦â Qi Na sobbed as she spoke.
Her shoulders trembled with the intensity of her sobs.
Nie Chenglangâs frown deepened, âShe isnât bothering me. Stay out of this matter, it doesnât concern you!â
âHow doesnât it concern me? Weâre close, and I canât bear to see you seduced by such a woman. Brother Chenglang, sheâll ruin your reputation!â
âI told you not to worry about it, so donât!â Nie Chenglang yelled suddenly, losing his temper.
Qi Na was so scared that she even forgot to cry, her body trembling.
A few seconds later, she recovered, crying even harder, âBrother Chenglang, why are you yelling at me? You never used to be angry with me, do you find me annoying now? I only meant well, thinking about you. If you think Iâm bothersome or irritating, then fine, I wonât talk to you anymore, I wonât bother youâ¦â