‘I’m sorry. I’ve caused you trouble with my personal problems.’
Upon leaving the police station, Chen An immediately apologised to Ding Sheng. As for the two who just received a beating, they are still inside the station taking their statements. Due to Ding Sheng’s unique identity, all he had to do was to clear up some matters and he was free to go.
'Those two fellows got what they deserved. Someone needs to stand up to them and teach them a lesson. If they dare find trouble for you again, remember to look for me.’ As a police officer himself, Ding Sheng knew just how useless threatening to call the cops is.
'Thank you, Ding Sheng.’ Chen An had no qualms about acting vulnerable, making full use of the opportunity to reveal some of his unglamorous past.
'I’m sorry I’ve never told you anything about my past before. Do you still remember how we first met in the hospital? It was after going through some unhappy experiences that I decided to change myself completely and lead a different life.’
Chen An gave a brief account of his past that included how he was scammed by crooks as well as how he tried to take his life when he couldn’t take the blow from the deception and his bankruptcy.
'Luckily, I was able to live. I think heaven wanted to give me a second chance at a new life so much so that they even remove my memories. So all the more, I should face the future with a positive outlook. Those two that we met today belong to the past, so I will forget everything they said.'
Sitting in Ding Sheng’s luxury sports car, Chen An allowed him to send him back to Chen Yang’s residence, a simple and shabby residential block.
'An, do you need help?’ Ding Sheng asked sincerely when he saw the rundown apartment block behind Chen An.
Chen An could hear the message hidden in Ding Sheng’s words. Ding Sheng wants to help his pitiful self but is yet afraid of hurting Chen An’s pride. Truly, what a kind and righteous youth.
With a quirk of his lips, Chen An replied with a serene but determined smile, 'If there truly comes a day when I need help, I’ll look for you. By the way, I’ll be going on a vacation overseas for the next few days so I won’t be able to go to the gym for a while.’
'How can I contact you?’ Ding Sheng asked urgently.
Chen An gave his number to him before asking teasingly, ’ Aren’t you curious? How is it that I can take a trip overseas when I am broke?’
Hitting the arrow on the head, Ding Sheng gave an awkward laugh. As an active police officer with a high solve rate, Ding Sheng almost have an obsessive compulsion towards the details.
Not only did Chen An have money to vacation overseas, he even have the money to use the gym in the downtown area. Yet, simultaneously, he lives in such a ordinary residential building. But Ding Sheng only had a mild curiosity towards this seemingly good-natured man before him and not suspicion.
'If we have a chance to meet again, I’ll tell you. Thank you for sending me back. Goodbye.’
Curving his lips on purpose, Chen An made his farewells and left without a second glance at the young man staring at his back.
He just needs to be ordinary friends with Ding Sheng and nothing more.
As for the next step in development such as becoming closer and more familiar friends, there is no need for that. With greater familiarity, the risk of giving himself away only increases.
When he went up the floor, the smile on Chen An’s face gradually faded bfore vanishing completely. When he reached the apartment, he realised that the door was opened and inside, he found Chen Yang pacing anxiously.
'Uncle, who sent you home just now? That car looks really expensive.’ When Chen Yang heard the engine purr of a sports car from upstairs, he had looked out of the window out of curiosity. It was to his utter astonishment when he saw Chen An stepped out of the car.
'Oh, he is just a business owner in our neighbourhood. He gave me a ride home because it was on his way.’ Handing his bag to Chen Yang automatically, Chen An unbuttoned his shirt as turned to head towards the bedroom.
'Uncle, are you hungry? Should I prepare you something to eat?’ Chen Yang added quickly.
'No need.’
He is on a diet right now. How can he still eat supper?
When he entered the small bedroom, Chen An sat down and switched on the laptop. He is a petty man. For those who offend him, he must let them know what a huge mistake it was.
On his laptop, Chen An searched the names of the two men he met at the gym today: Wang Hao and Liu Xiao jie. One cheated him of his money that led to his bankruptcy and subsequent suicide while the other, was an old lover who colluded with outsiders to betray Chen An.