CHAPTER 543: CHAPTER 307 STANDARDS OF A GOOD MAN_2

Chen Cheng held her tightly, not saying a word, just gently stroking her back, offering her silent comfort.

After a long while, Xia Yubing’s emotions gradually calmed down.

She lifted her head, wiping away the tear streaks on her face, "I..."

Chen Cheng smoothed her tousled hair on her forehead for her, "If you want to cry, cry it out, holding it back isn’t good."

He smiled easily, "Go home, take a shower, and then have a good sleep. The sky isn’t going to fall."

Xia Yubing nodded in agreement.

Chen Cheng hailed a taxi, and the two of them got into the car, he said: "Please, to Jinmao Mansion."

...

...

When they arrived home, they both went in.

Chen Cheng headed towards the kitchen, "You go take a shower first, I’ll make you something to eat."

Xia Yubing felt a warmth in her heart, let out a "Mhm," and then dragged her weary feet towards the bedroom.

She felt every muscle in her body ache, and her eyelids were as heavy as if they were weighted down with lead.

And Chen Cheng began to bustle about in the kitchen, opening the refrigerator, knowing that what Xia Yubing needed the most right now wasn’t exotic delicacies, but the warmth of home and simple care.

Soon, a faint aroma drifted from the kitchen.

Chen Cheng cooked a simple bowl of egg noodles and heated a cup of milk, placing them on a tray and bringing them into the bedroom.

The sound of water flowing in the bathroom was loud, Chen Cheng set down the tray, knocked on the door, "It’s ready."

But Xia Yubing didn’t respond. Chen Cheng knocked again, "Yu Bing?"

Still no reply.

Chen Cheng’s brow furrowed, he turned the bathroom door handle and stepped inside.

But the scene before him made him feel powerless and broken for the first time.

In the steam-filled bathroom, the showerhead poured down water like torrential rain, washing away everything.

Xia Yubing wasn’t showering as Chen Cheng had imagined; instead, she was sitting on the floor, her knees drawn up to her chest, her arms wrapped tightly around herself, letting the water from above drench her hair and clothes.

She was looking down, her face indiscernible, but from her slightly trembling shoulders, it was evident that she was crying silently.

This scene made Chen Cheng’s heart sink heavily.

He had never seen Xia Yubing so vulnerable and helpless before, the always strong and independent her was now like a lost child, curled up in a corner, seeking a sliver of solace.

He walked over quickly, turned off the shower, then squatted down beside her, not minding his soaked clothes, and directly embraced Xia Yubing into his arms.

"I’m here, I’m right here," he said.

Xia Yubing didn’t respond, shaking even more violently now.

The fear, grievances, and helplessness that had been suppressed for too long, burst forth at this moment, turning into silent tears, soaking Chen Cheng’s shirt.

"I... I’m scared..."

"Don’t be afraid, I’m here."

Chen Cheng held her even tighter, repeating, "It’s all over, it’s over."

Listening to Chen Cheng’s strong heartbeat, Xia Yubing felt a lot more reassured, and looking up, "Husband, I..."

Seeing that face with makeup washed away by water and tears, Chen Cheng also knew the tremendous pressure Xia Yubing had endured over the past more than ten hours.

Fortunately, she ultimately said nothing, and he had managed the situation outside, narrowly avoiding a disaster.

"They asked me a lot of questions." Xia Yubing bit her lip tightly, "Asked me if I knew what these disclosed products actually were."

"And why I could buy a house and a car in just a few years."

"And..." Xia Yubing paused, her voice lower, "They asked me if there was someone else besides me..."

After speaking, she suddenly raised her head, staring blankly at the man in front of her, "Husband, I really didn’t say anything! Really!"

"I know." Chen Cheng looked into those frightened eyes, combing through her wet hair, "I believe you, you didn’t say anything, I know."

Xia Yubing gripped Chen Cheng’s hand tightly, "I’m afraid they..."

"Who?"

"Chen Jin, Zhou Xiansheng, Zhao Liangyou... and Mr. Jin... Shulin... sister..." Xia Yubing said in fear, "I’m scared of them..."

Chen Cheng understood what Xia Yubing was worried about.

She was the one who knew and handled all the secrets; for her, Deng Xiong’s death was like a ticking time bomb.

And now, although she had gotten out, the fear of death still made it hard for Xia Yubing to calm down.

She was afraid that knowing too much would lead her down another path of no return.

"Don’t be scared, I’m here," Chen Cheng uttered these five simple words, but they gave Xia Yubing a glimpse of hope.

He continued, "Since you’ve been able to get out and the storm outside has settled, why would they bother you now?"

Xia Yubing nodded her head.

He helped Xia Yubing stand up, "Take your clothes off first, don’t catch a cold. I’ll wait outside for you."

Obediently, Xia Yubing nodded, and Chen Cheng stepped out of the bathroom like a gentleman. However, this time, he did not close the door; he too was afraid that Xia Yubing couldn’t bear the pressure and might do something foolish.

Around twenty minutes later, Xia Yubing, wrapped in a bath towel, came out of the bath.

Presenting herself without makeup for the first time in front of Chen Cheng, she felt a little shy and uncomfortable.

She instinctively tightened the bath towel around her, her cheeks slightly blushing.

Chen Cheng looked at her, without the usual heavy makeup, Xia Yubing had a mature charm to her.

There wasn’t a hint of mockery in his eyes, "You look beautiful."

"Husband, don’t make fun of me," Xia Yubing said, feeling somewhat insecure.

Chen Cheng took her hand, "Hungry? The noodles are getting mushy." He glanced at the items on the tray.

In Xia Yubing’s eyes, there was only gratitude. She hadn’t expected Chen Cheng to do such a trivial thing for her, especially under these circumstances.

She sniffled, trying hard to hold back the tears, "Thank you, husband."

Chen Cheng smiled, reached for a towel to dry her hair, "What for? Just eat, and after you finish, have a good sleep."

Xia Yubing nodded, took the bowl of noodles, and began eating in small bites.

Although the noodles were a bit mushy, she thought they were the most delicious noodles she had ever had.

Chen Cheng dried her hair, "You should worry no more. You’re my person, no one will compel you, nor will anyone harm you."

Xia Yubing didn’t turn around, but the tears of emotion still fell into her bowl.

She knew very well that if she hadn’t followed Chen Cheng, if faced with this situation, were it Wen Shulin instead, she would have been sacrificed to save the strategist, ending up with the same fate as Deng Xiong.

Chen Cheng felt her sobbing but didn’t continue talking.

After Xia Yubing finished eating, Chen Cheng picked her up and carried her to the bed, covered her with a blanket, and caressed her smooth cheeks, "Sleep now."

Xia Yubing grabbed Chen Cheng’s hand, "Husband, can you stay... and keep me company?"

Chen Cheng didn’t reply but showed his intent through action.

Xia Yubing snuggled into his arms, feeling his warm body temperature, listening to his strong heartbeat, she found a safe harbor from the storm, and her tense nerves finally completely relaxed.

"Go to sleep," Chen Cheng whispered in her ear, "When you wake up, everything will start anew."

Xia Yubing closed her eyes; she was truly exhausted, both mind and body weary, but she still said, "Husband, no one has ever treated me like this."

Chen Cheng smiled, "Is Mrs. Chen moved?"

A glow appeared in Xia Yubing’s eyes, indeed, she was the only "Mrs. Chen" that Chen Cheng had privately acknowledged.

Although she was well aware that this title of "Mrs." was only a one-day reward at the start.

But in her interactions with Chen Cheng, he respected her, protected her, giving her a sense of being valued and cherished that she had never felt before.

This feeling made her sink deeply, and also gave her peace of mind.

"Um..." Xia Yubing murmured softly, a tear of happiness sliding from the corner of her eye.

"Go to sleep," Chen Cheng kissed her, "I’m with you."

Xia Yubing closed her eyes securely, hugging Chen Cheng tightly, afraid that if she let go, he would disappear.

Chen Cheng felt the dependence in his arms until Xia Yubing’s breathing became even and prolonged, fully slipping into dreamland.

"Being a good man is tough!" Chen Cheng thought to himself.

Thinking so, he also closed his eyes, a smile on his lips, and took a well-deserved afternoon nap.