Chapter 82 - Love and Death (1/2)

Every time they were together, it always had to be at night. And on some nights, Qian Meigui would be distant. Song Sheng figured it wasn't because she was having doubts about their relationship, but because she was feeling guilty. They kept it a secret behind their family's backs, and it was difficult to express themselves around in public.

They would see people on the streets, during the day, displaying their affection for many others to see, not giving a damn about who was watching. But with them, it was different. They had to take steps apart, keep their distance with a wide gap, no matter how much they craved each other's touch.

It hurt him to see her sad. But whenever Qian Meigui turned to him, she would flash a cheerful smile, not telling him how she truly felt — not revealing any of the pain she shouldered and endured.

As they took a stroll through the quiet spaces of a festival—a place they decided to stop by, but didn't plan to attend—Song Sheng bought her food because he knew it would cheer her up. She quickly ate her meal, and her tense expression softened.

Afterwards, they decided to sit on top of a hill, overlooking the festivities and all the people that filled the streets.

Amid their gazing. Song Sheng called out to her, ”Mei.” She turned to face him, but she wasn't smiling.

”Can I tell you something?” he asked her. Qian Meigui's lips curled. ”Anything,” she responded.

”I want you to know that I don't have any regrets because I love you,” Song Sheng admitted. ”If I had to pretend to be single for the rest of my life, I would, if that's what it takes being with you, Mei.”

Qian Meigui looked at him with shock, her mouth slightly opened. Relief flooded her eyes. Perhaps, she was worried about what he thought.

She leaned over his shoulder, watching the families below. ”To be honest, I don't care if we keep us a secret. But I can't help but feel anxious about our family. What if they found out?” She asked.

There it was, Song Sheng thought. She was afraid of losing her family when she already lost one. Song Sheng realized he was selfish. Qian Meigui cared about them. Regardless if they were lovers, they were still family with Song Ren, the twins, Song Rui and Yang Rei, even Yang Minzhe and all the rest.

”They might understand,” he said at last. But she didn't feel reassured.

Song Sheng invited her to stay at his apartment for the night. He waited until she fell asleep deeply in his arms to leave.

It was midnight when he went to Song Mansion.

In the study room, Song Rui was still awake. He rarely slept. He was wearing glasses, sitting on his chair, startled by Song Sheng's sudden arrival.

Skipping the greetings and formalities, Song Sheng went straight to it.

”What happened to Mei's parents?” he asked him.

Song Rui's reserved face softened into something grim and heavy as if he carried many grievances. He removed his glasses, rubbing the bridge of his nose. Song Rui exhaled deeply. For once in a long time, he looked like a father.

And so Song Rui leaned back on his chair and told Song Sheng everything.

”Qian Shanyuan, Mei's father, was a good friend of mine. A best friend. A great lawyer. But his wife, Aiguo, was a genius in the field of medicine, like me. Those two met because of me. I worked with Aiguo in the field while Shanyuan was my childhood friend. When they met, they clicked instantly. Later, I was the best man at their wedding, and when Qian Meigui was born; they made me her guardian if anything were to happen to them. Of course, at the time, nothing was wrong. Nothing was out of sorts,” Song Rui paused.