Chapter 1192: Chapter 1192: Xu Chaomu, You Really Have Some Nerve

Unlike that exceptional figure she’d encountered last time, this young man was just a regular guy, a common person who had been working at the transportation bureau ever since he graduated from college. He came from a simple family and had a straightforward personality.

He brought Xu Chaomu a gift, a box of paper cranes he had folded himself.

Xu Chaomu was quite touched and talked with him for a long time.

After finishing their meal and tea, the man escorted Xu Chaomu home. He was very enthusiastic all the way.

Xu Chaomu wasn’t foolish; she could tell who was sincere and who was perfunctory at a glance. She found that this man was truly interested in pursuing her.

The man escorted her all the way to West Garden, by which time it had become a perfect moonlit moment.

During the walk, the man shared with Xu Chaomu many amusing incidents from his college days and intriguing places he had visited while traveling.

“Chaomu, in the future, I could take you out for fun. It’s always much more interesting to be with someone than to be alone,” he said.

Xu Chaomu smiled but neither agreed nor disagreed.

“I have to work tomorrow. I just bought a car, so let me pick you up for work.”

“That’s not necessary, it’s too much trouble.”

“It’s no trouble. Jin City isn’t very big, and if I take you, you can sleep in a little longer in the morning.”

Xu Chaomu bowed her head, saying nothing.

“Then it’s settled. What time do you leave in the morning?”

“Half past eight.”

“Great, with me driving you, just wait for me downstairs at 8:45.”

“Thank you.” Xu Chaomu thought Yuan Jing was a pretty good person, and very responsible too.

“There’s no need to be polite with me. Rest assured, I won’t be late. Sleep in a little longer in the morning. Don’t get too tired.”

“I have a Xiaobao… Does that bother you?” Xu Chaomu asked anyway.

“I’ve known about that for a while. I’ve seen Xiaobao’s pictures too. Such a cute baby, I don’t mind at all.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re too polite. No need for that with me.” Yuan Jing said with a bright smile, “It’s getting late today. I’ll take you home now. Get some rest, and we’ll meet tomorrow.”

“Uh…” Xu Chaomu responded, then turned to go upstairs.

“Goodbye.” Yuan Jing waved at her.

“Goodbye.” Xu Chaomu smiled back and bid him farewell.

She turned around and walked upstairs.

It wasn’t until she got home and turned on the lights that she saw Yuan Jing was still standing downstairs, not having left.

Her heart skipped a beat, but she knew it wasn’t romantic excitement or swelling love; it was more a wave of emotion.

When love had left her wounded all over, all she wanted was a stable and secure home. An optimistic big boy like him might be more suitable for her and for Xiaobao too.

Years ago, all she had wanted was just a warm home.

And yet, during her many years with Shen Chi, this simple wish had never come true.

He had promised her a lifetime of peace, but when it came down to it… she couldn’t even keep her own child safe.

In Shen Chi’s world, what she faced was open confrontations and secret schemes, an array of calculated moves she couldn’t outmaneuver, so she chose to give up.

Standing at the window, Yuan Jing caught sight of her. He smiled and waved, telling her to go back and rest.

Xu Chaomu waved too, then the next second, she drew the curtains shut.

She knew that some decisions, once made, offered no path of return.

…

The next day, Yuan Jing indeed arrived on time to pick up Xu Chaomu for work.

When they met again, he was much livelier than the previous night and shared a lot of interesting stories with her.

Xu Chaomu couldn’t stop laughing, especially when he talked about his adventure in the Amazon Forest, where he was nearly dragged away by a wild beast, and he did so with all sorts of funny expressions. She was bent double with laughter.

“I’ll come to pick you up at noon,” Yuan Jing said as the car stopped in front of the company.

“Mhm,” Xu Chaomu nodded.

“Bye, have a good day at work.”

Xu Chaomu nodded again and waved to him.

Yuan Jing watched Xu Chaomu enter the company before driving off to his own workplace. He really did like Xu Chaomu–she was willing to listen to him, had a nice personality, wasn’t as impatient as other girls, and was willing to make an effort with him.

Xu Chaomu also knew that Yuan Jing was a good person and she tried to get along well with him.

However, it was only their third day of acquaintance when Shen Chi found out about it.

He was just getting over an injury, and as soon as his subordinates reported the matter to him, he lost his temper!

“Xu Chaomu, you’ve really got some nerve,” Shen Chi said through clenched teeth, his face darkening. He hadn’t expected that she would truly accept a confession from a man she didn’t know.

How disappointed she must have been in him.

Still, he had allowed her to leave him for a while, allowed her to be willful, but he would not allow her to entertain the idea of marrying another man!

How could that man surnamed Yuan compare to him? She would rather be with that man than accept him for a single day?!

Shen Chi clenched his fists, his thin lips tightly pressed, and rage blazed in his eyes.

It was night when Shen Chi heard the news, and he immediately made a phone call.

However, Xu Chaomu was no longer answering his calls.

If she wouldn’t take his calls, he would just drive over directly. He had said before that if there was a peach blossom around her, he would pluck it.

This time, he could see that Xu Chaomu was truly moved and thinking about marriage.

He remembered her words; she had said she wanted to find a father for Xiaobao.

Driving to West Garden, Shen Chi had drunk alcohol, ignoring the doctor’s advice, and drove as fast as he could, racing over.

When he arrived at West Garden, he happened to see Xu Chaomu returning from a date with that man. The man had escorted Xu Chaomu to the bottom of the building.

Shen Chi parked his car not too far away, gripping the steering wheel tightly, his eyes bloodshot, his complexion grim.

“Chaomu, get to bed early. I’ve been picking you up for work these past few days; are you used to it?”

“I am. It’s just that it’s too much trouble for you.”

“No worries, Jin City isn’t that big, and it’s actually on my way. In a couple of days on the weekend, I’ll take you to a nearby ancient ruins site for a walk, if you’re interested.”

“Great, I’ve got some free time.”

“Mhm, then it’s a plan. You go upstairs and take good care of Xiaobao. This is some milk powder I brought for him.”

“Thank you. How did you know he likes this brand?”

Xu Chaomu was a bit surprised.

Yuan Jing smiled. “I asked your aunt.”

Xu Chaomu laughed, finding the man quite thoughtful.

The two exchanged a few more pleasantries none of them noticing Shen Chi in the corner.

The lights of the Maybach went out, and Shen Chi sat in the car, lighting a cigarette. The glow of the cigarette tip flickered on and off, like a ghost in the darkness.

Shen Chi’s expression grew darker and more ominous.

Meanwhile, Xu Chaomu and Yuan Jing chatted for quite a while longer before Xu Chaomu finally took the bag of milk powder and headed upstairs.

As usual, Yuan Jing stood at the bottom of the building, watching her go up, his gaze filled with warmth.

After Xu Chaomu entered the building, she stood at the window and waved to him before closing the curtains.