CHAPTER 113: TRAP 109

"Mhm." The last segment earlier was on democracy and livelihood. Tian Sangsang had even written a note and passed it forward, hoping it would draw some attention. Besides, since Zhao Chun had such a role, and had suffered losses at Chen Biao’s hands, even if she didn’t bring it up, Zhao Chun probably would.

"Chen Biao’s issues are far worse than just charging unauthorized fees. ’If you don’t enter the tiger’s den, how will you capture the tiger’s cub?’ If I hadn’t set an example this time, who knows how many people he’d continue to deceive? That damn bastard!" Zhao Chun ranted bitterly. "Organizing illegal gambling, extortion, fraud, plus ethical problems—the higher-ups must thoroughly investigate!"

Oh, aren’t you full of yourself? Clearly, you were cowardly enough to be duped into the wolf’s den, yet you’re calling it ’setting an example.’

Seeing Tian Sangsang’s half-smiling, half-sarcastic gaze, Zhao Chun’s strong front collapsed. His demeanor shifted back to a pitiful look as he weakly mumbled, "Are you gonna sing or not..."

Tian Sangsang’s face darkened. She really couldn’t handle his effeminate, whining act. Waving her hand, she said, "Alright, alright, I’ll sing. But given the circumstances of this farewell, ’Daybreak’ doesn’t really fit."

Zhao Chun: "?"

Tian Sangsang cleared her throat and began to sing: "I send you away, across thousands of miles, with your silent farewell. In this era of silence, perhaps it’s unwise to..." Uh...

"Unwise to what?" Zhao Chun found the tune rather nice, with a lingering wistful charm.

Tian Sangsang broke into a light sweat—oops, she’d accidentally sung the wrong words.

"Just now, I was only doing a sound check. Here’s the real one. ’It was an autumn day, the wind so sentimental. It reminded me of them, those helpless eyes...’"

Zhao Chun sat on a chair with his pen in hand, listening attentively while periodically jotting things down with quick brushstrokes.

Chen Ying was walking along a small rural path, her eyes red. For some reason, she suddenly wanted to see Tian Sangsang and tell her thank you. As she was nearing Tian Sangsang’s house, a white blur streaked past her.

"Huh? Isn’t that Yanyan’s cat?"

"Woof woof woof!" Little Milk Tea looped back, standing at her feet, glaring up with wide almond-shaped eyes, barking with all her might. *I am not a cat, I’m a dog!*

Unfortunately, Chen Ying had no idea what the dog was barking about. She scooped Little Milk Tea up, who struggled in her arms, clearly trying to escape. But Chen Ying, with surprising strength, left the poor dog utterly immobilized.

"Alright, let’s go. I’ll bring you back to Yanyan." Chen Ying smiled earnestly and said, "It’s not that I miss Tian Sangsang so much. I just need to return her cat. The cat almost fell into the river! Good thing I was quick-witted and rescued it."

Little Milk Tea trembled: *What a devious woman...*

...

Hours seemed like centuries as Chen Ying stood outside the door, hesitant. Only when the voices inside grew quieter did she finally move.

"Who’s there?" Tian Sangsang’s voice called from within.

Chen Ying stepped closer to the door and raised Little Milk Tea up. "Your cat nearly fell into the river, so I brought it back for you."

Zhao Chun let out a snicker, laughing at Little Milk Tea’s flailing helplessly.

"Chen Ying... it’s a dog," Tian Sangsang pointed out, looking at Little Milk Tea.

This dog—was it just too fragile? Going to the riverbank? What for? Trying to jump in? Well, if you’re going to jump, at least pick a time when there’s no one around. Why would you choose such a moment, right when Chen Ying was passing? Can’t even jump in peace... Clearly, you’re stirring up trouble!

"Huh?" Chen Ying looked puzzled. "This is the first time I’ve seen a cat that looks so much like a dog."

"Chen Ying..." Tian Sangsang paused. "It’s hot outside. Why don’t you come in and sit for a while?"

"No, thank you." Chen Ying shook her head. Earlier, she’d overheard from her uncle-in-law that Zhao Chun wasn’t just a nobody. Better not get involved any further. "I’ve got things to do back home."

"Honestly... thanks for today." She looked down at her feet, quickly set Little Milk Tea down, and walked briskly back toward her house, almost like the wind.

Zhou Zheng lowered his head, lost in thought about the day’s events. Everything was fine, but who would’ve expected Tian Sangsang to barge in halfway through? And what exactly was the vice secretary’s real intention?

The more he thought about it, the more annoyed Zhou Zheng became. It was all Tian Sangsang’s fault. If only Chen Ying hadn’t seen him with Tian Tian back then, things would have been much easier. He wouldn’t have to sit here so uneasy, constantly worrying about Tian Sangsang stealing his spotlight.

But wait—wasn’t that Chen Ying up ahead?

Her eyes were slightly red, and she was walking as though heartbroken, utterly dejected...

Could it be? Could Chen Ying still miss me? This thought immediately brightened Zhou Zheng’s mood. Yes, it wasn’t too late to salvage things. Chen Ying loved him so much—of course, she’d still have feelings for him. He just needed to coax her a little.

"Chen Ying," Zhou Zheng called out as he strode forward, gazing deeply into her face.

Chen Ying snorted coldly and turned her head away. "What do you want?"

"Chen Ying, listen to me. That day... It was all a misunderstanding. Tian Tian seduced me! It’s you I can’t forget," Zhou Zheng confessed. "Please, give me another chance. I really do love you, Chen Ying. Just yesterday, I thought about it for a long time. My mind was filled with all the nice things you’ve done for me—making clothes for me, cooking for me, cleaning up after me. You’re so virtuous, even better than my own mother. Chen Ying, I was wrong, I was so wrong. I was blinded... Please forgive me this once..."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and slapped himself across the face.

Chen Ying was stunned. She’d never encountered someone this shameless before. How could he lie through his teeth like this?! Did he think she was still the naive Chen Ying who used to be completely oblivious?

A flicker of hope gleamed in Zhou Zheng’s eyes. To him, Chen Ying’s expression revealed pain, hesitation, and inner conflict—surely signs that she still had feelings for him.

"Chen Ying, really, you have to believe me. My heart belongs to you!" Zhou Zheng pressed on. "Let me seriously explain everything to you..."

Chen Ying’s inner anger flared, but she suppressed it. The words she wanted to shout were stuck in her throat. Suddenly, she smirked faintly, calculating, "Zhou Zheng, don’t think saying all this will win me over. I heard everything you said that day about me being a nagging old witch. You never liked me to begin with; you were only with me because my uncle’s the vice secretary. What’s the matter? Satisfied with today’s performance? Sang so well that my uncle might just think highly of you now. You don’t have to pretend with me anymore. Why did you even come to find me?!?"

"Go!" Chen Ying pointed her hand toward the road and shouted, "I never want to see you again, you unfaithful scumbag!"

Zhou Zheng felt even smugger inside. Ah, women and their contradictory ways. Just like Chen Ying. Saying she didn’t want to see him again, but her eyes kept darting toward him. He seized the opportunity and grabbed her hand. "Chen Ying, you misunderstood me. Let’s find a quiet place to have a proper talk, okay? I care about your uncle so much because of our future together. Even today, I sang for the sake of *us*. My plan was to finish performing and then come find you to clear everything up and ask for forgiveness..."

"I have errands to run at home. I don’t want to hear a single thing you have to say!"

"Chen Ying, I’ll wait. Until you have time..."

"Fine, I’ll listen then. Let’s see what kind of sweet-talking nonsense Zhou Zheng the master teacher can come up with now. You say you want to ’explain,’ right?" Chen Ying said. "Then let’s meet tonight. Not at my house—my uncle is there. Let’s meet by the abandoned house instead. 8:10 PM."