To make up for the debt owed to Lin Qingping and Gu Juncheng

Zhiyuan drove straight to the entrance of Wan Xuening's residential compound and then parked the car.

“Zhiyuan…” Wan Xuening wanted to say something more.

Zhiyuan's face was as cold as ice. "My attitude is very clear. There is no possibility between us. Get out of the car and don't bother my family again."

“But Zhiyuan…” Wan Xuening looked anxious and aggrieved, “Aren’t you really going to think about this? I can talk to my dad and give your thesis and professional title the green light.”

"No need. I'll just drop you off here. You can get out now," Zhiyuan said, his expression unchanged.

Even if she was angry? Even if she was furious? Wan Xuening wondered. But she felt nothing, as indifferent as if she were a complete stranger.

Tears welled up in Wan Xuening's eyes. "Zhiyuan, why are you so cold to me? You're not like this to anyone else! You're even less like this to your girlfriend!"

The word "girlfriend" stung Zhiyuan's heart like a thorn, but his face remained impassive. He simply said calmly, "I love her, of course I don't treat her like this..."

The word "love" was finally spoken, but in this way.

Does she, thousands of miles away, know this?

Zhiyuan felt a dull ache in his heart.

Time flies, and two months have passed in the blink of an eye, another year has come to an end.

At the end of the year, Lin Qingping came to the capital for a medical check-up, and everything was fine. She originally wanted to spend the New Year in the capital, but Gu Juncheng had to stay on the island and couldn't come. So, Lin Qingping decided to stay in the capital until the New Year, which would be perfect. She would go back to the company for the annual meeting, and then the year's work would officially end.

Zhangzhu had already started her winter vacation and was enjoying the time her mother spent with her at home in the capital. She was incredibly happy every day, but her happiness came to an abrupt end one day when Meili arrived—because Wu Ruiheng was with Meili.

Wu Ruiheng is an active-duty air force pilot. He came back this time on leave to visit his family. Mei Li came to visit Lin Qingping and brought her son along. However, Zhangzhu wore a mask, greeted Mei Li politely, and then pretended to be sick and went back to her room.

Lin Qingping felt somewhat helpless, while Mei Li found it amusing and even winked at Wu Ruiheng, as if mocking her son's long road ahead...

Wu Ruiheng sat there solemnly, unmoved by Mei Li's mockery.

Lin Qingping found it even more amusing. She wondered where Wu Ruiheng got his upright and proper personality from. Neither Mei Li nor Wu Tianping were like that. On the contrary, these two parents were quite unconventional in personality.

Mei Li shook her head and said to Lin Qingping with a smile, "I've already told his dad at home that with this kind of personality, he needs to learn from your husband, Lao Gu, how he managed to trick you into marrying him. Look at him, isn't he just like Lao Gu?" Mei Li pointed at her son and said.

Lin Qingping laughed. "You know what, it's true..."

Wu Ruiheng's face flushed slightly, but his expression became even more serious. He corrected Mei Li, "Mom, how can you lie to a girl? You should treat girls, no, no matter who you treat, with sincerity and empathy."

Mei slapped her forehead, looking utterly despairing. "Fine, I take back what I just said. He's even worse than your old Gu!"

Then, pointing at Wu Ruiheng, he said, "You're just going to be a bachelor for life! Your dad and I don't care!"

Upon hearing this, Wu Ruiheng couldn't help but glance at the closed door of Zhangzhu's room, hesitating to speak, his face turning even redder.