Chapter 244: It Really Is Connected to a Black-Hearted Company

Gu Shengsheng nodded. "Okay, we’ll look into it more. Thanks."

After her suicide attempt, Chen Yuxi had slowly begun to open up. Chen Yufan had been doing charity work with her all along.

Now, seeing the name of this charity, she vaguely recalled seeing it mentioned by Chen Yuxi. ’It wouldn’t hurt to learn more,’ she thought. ’And I could contribute in my own small way.’

With that in mind, Gu Shengsheng took the flyer and called Chen Yuxi, but the young woman didn’t pick up.

Just as she was about to call Chen Yufan, he called her.

Gu Shengsheng answered with a laugh, "Speak of the devil. I was just about to call you two. I’m in Rui City and happened to see a charity collecting donations. I remember Yu Xi mentioned it before, so I wanted to ask if it’s legitimate."

Chen Yufan sounded hesitant on the other end. "Sister Gu, is anyone with you?"

Gu Shengsheng glanced at Zhang Lianqing and Lu Shijing. "Yes, there is. Why?"

"Let me come find you and explain in person. It’s a bit complicated. My dad is back from his business trip abroad."

Gu Shengsheng was taken aback. ’Chen Yuxi’s father...’ she mused. She remembered never seeing him back in Wanliu District. Later, when Liu Li and Chen Yuxi were going through their mental health struggles, it had always been Chen Yufan supporting the family.

’Now that he’s finally back,’ she wondered, ’is he a deadbeat dad? Or was he just genuinely too busy with work?’

Gu Shengsheng said, "But I’m in Rui City. Aren’t you two in Beijing City?"

"Our whole family is in Rui City, too." After hearing this, Gu Shengsheng sent her hotel address to Chen Yufan.

She turned to the others and said, "Chen Yufan and Yuxi might come over to see me tonight. I’ve always been close with those two. We’re about done eating, shall we go?"

"Alright." Zhang Lianqing stood up. "I’ll leave with you all."

Lu Shijing remained seated, looking perfectly composed. "Our paths don’t cross."

"Perhaps Mr. Zhang can get his own taxi?"

Zhang Lianqing chuckled. "No need. I booked a room at the same hotel, so it’s on my way."

Gu Shengsheng shot Lu Shijing a look. "Mr. Zhang and I can just get a cab."

Lu Shijing sighed in resignation. "Wait for me at the entrance. I’ll go get the car. It makes more sense to ride with me than to get a cab."

Though his heart wasn’t in it, he went to get the car anyway.

He’d discovered that ever since meeting Gu Shengsheng, he was completely at her mercy.

Seeing Lu Shijing’s reluctant retreat, Gu Shengsheng’s face broke into a wide smile.

Of course, Zhang Lianqing didn’t miss the look in her eyes.

Zhang Lianqing leaned in slightly, following her gaze. He had thought that if Gu Shengsheng didn’t have feelings for Lu Shijing, then... he might have had a chance.

It was just as his brothers at work said: everyone deserves to live for themselves at least once. But seeing the way Gu Shengsheng and Lu Shijing interacted...

...the secret he had buried in his heart, the one that had just begun to sprout, suddenly felt like something he no longer wanted to say. Or perhaps, something that no longer needed to be said.

Gu Shengsheng retracted her gaze, composed herself, and turned to Zhang Lianqing. "Officer Zhang," she asked, "is there something you wanted to say to me?"

He tried to soften his tone. "It’s after hours now. You don’t have to be so tense seeing me, like a kid running into their teacher."

Gu Shengsheng said, "I know, but every time we’ve met, it’s been about a case or an interrogation. Seeing you naturally makes me feel a bit scared and flustered."

"It’s hard to switch out of that mindset. Still, over this period, it’s thanks to your cooperation that I’ve remained safe and sound."

A shadow passed over Zhang Lianqing’s eyes. "Didn’t we just agree we could be considered friends? Work is work, and personal is personal. Let’s not talk about official matters right now."

"Okay." Gu Shengsheng’s eyes crinkled, sparkling as she smiled.

Though nervous, Zhang Lianqing still managed to ask, "What are your future plans regarding Mr. Lu?"

He knew about her being a substitute bride, a stand-in meant to ward off ill fortune. He’d looked into it during his usual investigations, and it was all over the internet.

Gu Shengsheng said, "Divorce him, then live my own life, freely."

She then looked at Zhang Lianqing. "What do you think of that decision?"

She had always been constrained, tied down by one thing after another. All this time, she had been working diligently, trying hard to earn money, all in the pursuit of one thing: freedom.

And now, it felt like she was finally on the verge of putting it all behind her and starting her own life.

Zhang Lianqing looked at her, a bitter taste in his mouth. He didn’t want to say it, but he said what he felt he had to.

"But you’re not happy."

Gu Shengsheng stared at him, astonished.

Zhang Lianqing gazed into the distance. "There’s no such thing as absolute freedom. You just haven’t been honest with yourself about what you really want."

Then, with great difficulty, he added, "You and Lu Shijing... you’re actually a good match."

Just saying those words was bitter enough for him. He continued, "As long as you’ve thought it through, that’s what matters. This is just my opinion. In the end, whatever path you choose, I’ll support you."

He glanced at his phone. "My ride is here. I won’t head over with you after all. Something came up at the station."

After he spoke, he gave Gu Shengsheng a polite smile. He walked a few steps, then turned back with a pained expression. "Miss Gu, if you ever need anything in the future, you have to call me."

"I will." ’He’s acting a bit strange today,’ Gu Shengsheng thought. ’He’s said more than usual, and it all felt a bit clumsy and disjointed.’

The look in his eyes told her that his spirits were low.

But it wasn’t her place to pry into someone else’s bad mood. She could only wish that his life would go smoothly from now on and that he would find success in whatever he did.

It wasn’t until much, much later that she realized Zhang Lianqing was bidding her farewell—a silent farewell from the heart.

Gu Shengsheng let out a long breath. Just then, Lu Shijing pulled up.

He stopped the car beside her. "Back to the hotel, Shengsheng."

Gu Shengsheng explained, "Zhang Lianqing had something come up, so he left ahead. It’s just the two of us going back to the hotel."

"Mm," Lu Shijing nodded, the corner of his mouth curling into a smile on the side hidden from Gu Shengsheng’s view.

A world for two. He finally had a chance to create some time for just the two of them.

After Gu Shengsheng got in the car, Lu Shijing carefully fastened her seatbelt.

Then he said, "I’ll drive a bit faster."

"Chen Yufan must be in some kind of trouble," Lu Shijing stated confidently.

Gu Shengsheng nodded. "I agree. If nothing was wrong, he wouldn’t be in such a rush to see me. Besides, that kid usually just messages me every now and then to share good news."

"He hasn’t reached out at all these past few days. At first, I thought he was just being considerate because he knew I was busy. But now, it looks like they’re the ones in trouble."

Lu Shijing said, "Well, don’t worry too much. The fact that he could contact you means the situation hasn’t gotten completely out of hand yet."

"Let’s head back first." Lu Shijing savored this feeling—being able to discuss things with her, being someone who could actually help her.