Chapter 270: Chapter 369 If You Dare Betray Me (Part 1)
Chapter 269: If You Dare Betray Me (Revised)
After Shi Yang answered Qian Yonggui, he moved back to his school district apartment the next day. Zhao Dazhuang and Liu Xiue returned directly to the residential complex after work in the evening.
Zhao Meimei was filled with worries, daydreaming during class in the day, and only realized she didn’t know what homework was assigned when she returned home at night.
When Shi Yang brought out the warmed milk from the kitchen, Zhao Meimei was sitting on the sofa, calling Xu Xu to ask about homework.
Shi Yang placed the milk on the coffee table for her and went to take a shower. When he came out, Zhao Meimei was still sitting cross-legged on the sofa, the milk untouched, staring blankly at a point in the air, lost in thought.
Shi Yang walked over, sat down next to her, and asked with concern, "What’s wrong, Meimei?"
Zhao Meimei leaned back on the sofa, tilted her head, and looked at Shi Yang, "Bro, I’m so tired."
Body tired, brain tired, heart even more tired.
Zhao Meimei stretched, took her legs off the sofa, and didn’t know how to explain her indescribable feeling of depression at the moment. She shook her head, "Nothing, just too tired from studying, want to rest for a while." Zhao Meimei stood up from the sofa, "I’m going to do my homework now."
Shi Yang glanced at the milk on the coffee table, which had cooled a bit, and warmed it up again before bringing it to Zhao Meimei. He originally wanted to have a good chat with Zhao Meimei, but then his phone rang; it was Qu Chaozong calling.
Shi Yang answered, "Hey, Chaozi?"
Qu Chaozong asked gloomily, "Are you home?"
Shi Yang, sensing that Qu Chaozong’s mood was not great, asked, "What’s up?"
A deep sigh came from the other end, "I’m at your apartment complex."
"What?!" Shi Yang was startled, "You’re back?"
Qu Chaozong said, "Yeah, I just got here. Come down, I’ll wait for you."
Shi Yang’s heart skipped a beat, the first thought that flashed through his mind was that there was an issue with the money Zhang Xin borrowed.
Qu Chaozong then said, "Bring down the card from Zhang Xin, I need it."
Shi Yang, in a hurry, didn’t care about anything else and rushed back to his bedroom to change clothes.
Zhao Meimei was diligently doing her homework at her desk. Hearing the noise, she ran out of the bedroom and saw Shi Yang looking like he was about to go out and quickly asked, "Bro! Are you going out?"
Shi Yang, while fastening his belt, said, "Your Brother Chao needs me for something. Be good and do your homework at home, sleep if you’re tired, don’t wait for me. I’ll lock the door from the outside."
Zhao Meimei quickly helped by handing over the phone and picking up the wallet.
Zhao Meimei asked, "It’s so late, what does Brother Chao need you for?"
Shi Yang put the wallet in his pocket, "Probably something to talk about."
Shi Yang advised uncertainly, "Meimei, I’m not home, don’t open the door for anyone, understand? I have the key, and if anything happens, I’ll call you."
Zhao Meimei walked Shi Yang to the door.
Suddenly, Shi Yang reached out to hug her, gave a kiss, and patted her butt, "Do your homework well, don’t stay up too late, and remember to rinse your mouth after drinking the milk."
Zhao Meimei obediently agreed, and only then did Shi Yang turn around and leave the house.
Shi Yang had just reached the exit of the apartment complex when he saw Qu Chaozong standing under the streetlight in front of the gate, head down, smoking.
Qu Chaozong was wearing a white vest, dark wide shorts, slip-ons, with a short-sleeved T-shirt draped over his arm.
Hearing the noise, Qu Chaozong looked up and waved at Shi Yang.
Shi Yang walked closer, "Why did you suddenly come back? What’s going on?"
Qu Chaozong said awkwardly, "Nothing, did you bring the card?"
Shi Yang pulled the bank card from his wallet and handed it over, "What exactly happened?"
Qu Chaozong took the card and shook his head, "I have something to deal with, let Li Wenda handle things in the provincial capital for now."
Shi Yang eagerly asked, "No, really, what’s wrong?"
Qu Chaozong’s eyes were as cold as the dark night, without the slightest ripple, slowly yet stubbornly saying, "Nothing, I just have some personal matters to handle."
Shi Yang, concerned, asked, "Need my help?"
Qu Chaozong reached out to pat his arm, "No one can help me, don’t worry, I’m fine. You should go back."
Qu Chaozong’s voice was cold, carrying a hint of resolute brutality.
After saying so, Qu Chaozong turned his head and left. The cab he arrived in was parked by the roadside. He opened the car door, got in, and the car quickly sped away.
Sitting in the cab, Qu Chaozong rubbed his head hard with both hands, tightly clenched into fists. After a while, he slowly relaxed them, lifting his head with a face full of gloom.
Qu Chaozong could hardly describe his current mood.
Since Shi Yang returned from the provincial capital to handle the Naughty Castle matters, Qu Chaozong was busy running between the maternity store and the West District storefronts. Zhao Wendada was relatively good at sales management, but completely clueless about renovation, so Qu Chaozong had to personally oversee the renovation team to prevent them from cutting corners, and occasionally head to the maternity store to handle business taxes, customer returns and various miscellaneous issues.
In between being busy, Qu Chaozong took some time to call Zhang Xin. The phone rang for a long time before it was answered.
Zhang Xin’s voice sounded dull, as if in a bad mood, and he asked offhandedly, "Where are you?"
Zhang Xin stammered, "I’m at home, where else could I be."
No sooner had Zhang Xin finished speaking, Qu Chaozong heard a faint male voice on the phone saying, "Miss, it’s your turn, please follow me."
The moment that male voice sounded, Zhang Xin hurriedly said, "Oh, Chaozi, I have something to do, can’t talk right now. I’ll call you back later!"
Zhang Xin hung up directly, not even waiting for Qu Chaozong’s response.
Qu Chaozong’s doubts deepened; Zhang Xin was clearly outside, yet was lying.
Qu Chaozong felt extremely uneasy; though he wasn’t normally a suspicious person, Zhang Xin’s lie was just too clumsy.
Zhang Xin definitely had something to hide from him, causing Qu Chaozong considerable frustration. He was inherently domineering and macho, unable to tolerate deceit, especially from someone he cared about. He couldn’t abide anyone hiding secrets or playing tricks behind his back.
The more Zhang Xin was evasive and secretive, the more determined Qu Chaozong became to find out what she was secretly up to.
Qu Chaozong timed it and, after about five minutes, called Zhang Xin’s phone again, only to find it went unanswered.
When Zhang Xin didn’t answer his call, Qu Chaozong dialed repeatedly, but no one picked up. Gradually, Qu Chaozong’s face darkened. It’s often said that women have a sixth sense, but men do too.