Chapter 39 (1/2)

Chapter 39

Ring…ring…ring…

“Hello, Xiao Hongwei speaking.”

“Hello, Mr. Xiao. I’m Chen Hansheng. I’m looking for Xiao Rongyu.”

“Hansheng, Rongyu is resting now. Try calling again tomorrow.”

…

Ring…ring…ring…

“Hello, who is this?”

“Good morning, Mr. Xiao. It’s Chen Hansheng again. May I please speak to Xiao Rongyu on the phone?”

“Rongyu has gone out. Sorry.”

…

Ring…ring…ring

“Mr. Xiao, this is Chen Hansheng. I’m looking for Xiao Rongyu.”

“Rongyu hasn’t come back yet. You can call again tonight.”

“It’s okay. Can you please tell her that I’m going back to campus today?”

This time, the other end of the phone fell silent. Someone had covered the microphone but Chen Hansheng’s hearing was pretty good so he could vaguely still hear Xiao Hongwei’s muffled voice. “He’s going back to school today.”

But Chen Hansheng couldn’t hear who answered. After a while, Xiao Hongwei’s voice came through the microphone clearly again and said, “Hansheng, I’ll pass on the message. Stay safe and make sure you let your parents know when you’ve arrived.”

After hanging up the phone, Xiao Hongwei looked at Xiao Rongyu worriedly and asked, “What did you guys fight about? Do you want to talk about it?”

Xiao Rongyu was in her white nightgown as her hair fell loosely on her shoulders. She sat on the sofa while hugging her knees. Her face looked haggard and more angular than usual while her eyes were a little red and swollen.

She did not say anything and just sat there in a daze.

Xiao Rongyu had locked the bedroom door after she came back last night. Not long after, Chen Hansheng called.

Xiao Hongwei knew that this must be related to Chen Hansheng. Xiao Hongwei was a sharp person thanks to his profession in the Public Security Bureau and as a father.

“Your mother will be back soon and she will definitely ask questions when she sees you in such a state,” said  Xiao Hongwei with a sigh.

But his words finally got a reaction from her. Xiao Rongyu didn’t want her mother to see her like this or know anything so she immediately went to freshen up herself.

“Rongyu.”

Xiao Hongwei stopped her. “Are you and Chen Hansheng seeing each other?”

Xiao Rongyu suddenly turned around and said, “No, not in the past, not now, and not ever!”

Xiao Hongwei sighed. He was an experienced criminal investigator so he could easily tell when his daughter was lying.

In the afternoon, Xiao Rongyu’s mother, Lu Yuqing, came home from work. She saw her husband washing vegetables in the kitchen and took off her coat to help.

“Where’s Rongyu?” asked Lu Yuqing.

“She just got up.”

Xiao Hongwei decided to cover for his daughter for now.

Lu Yuqing was a little puzzled. “She rarely wakes up so late.”

“It’s the holidays. It’s normal to sleep in for a few more hours.” Xiao Hongwei pretended to be a little impatient as he responded so that Lu Yuqing would not continue asking.

After a while, Xiao Hongwei casually asked, “I remember you and Chen Zhaojun’s wife are quite close, right?”

“Liang Meijuan? We used to be quite close. But not recently.”

“Then let’s have a meal with them when we’re free. Friends should keep in touch more often,” said Xiao Hongwei as he picked vegetables.

“Why? Is Chen Zhaojun going to be promoted?”