The Long Road Ahead: C50

Chapter: 50 | Telling You

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Telling You

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This novel was posted on cntranslations [dot] com, by anasiana. If you're not reading it there, you get what you get ￣へ￣)

_{Those were the only words Xiao Ning could confidently muster, but after he spoke, even he was feeling doubtful at his own words. So shaking his head, he then added, "I don't even know what I'm trying to say either."}
It can't be sad that name alone meant anything, after all, the country was vast, and there were countless people with the same first name and last. Let alone a name like Chen Ying, which was one rather far from being considered unique.

Those were the only words Xiao Ning could confidently muster, but after he spoke, even he was feeling doubtful at his own words. So shaking his head, he then added, "I don't even know what I'm trying to say either."

_{Xiao Ning had waited so long he got entranced by the hypnotic act of stroking Xiaohei's smooth fur as a result. With a yawn, he lifted the remote and restarted the film.}Telling You

Xiao Ning had waited so long he got entranced by the hypnotic act of stroking Xiaohei's smooth fur as a result. With a yawn, he lifted the remote and restarted the film.

_{"I... I do think about her occasionally, about what she might be doing now. Oh, I'm not saying that I want to go looking for her or anything like that! My thoughts aren't about anything deep or serious, I just... It's just simply curiosity, that's all."}So even the name of her husband was discovered.

"I... I do think about her occasionally, about what she might be doing now. Oh, I'm not saying that I want to go looking for her or anything like that! My thoughts aren't about anything deep or serious, I just... It's just simply curiosity, that's all."

_{It can't be sad that name alone meant anything, after all, the country was vast, and there were countless people with the same first name and last. Let alone a name like Chen Ying, which was one rather far from being considered unique.}
Shan Haiming tagged along silently while the two madams chatted. His expression showed no changes as he observed Chen Ying. But he soon grew unsure if it was because he presumed a relationship between them upon seeing her was the reason behind him finding her all the more familiar the more he looked at her face.

It can't be sad that name alone meant anything, after all, the country was vast, and there were countless people with the same first name and last. Let alone a name like Chen Ying, which was one rather far from being considered unique.

_{Shan Haiming had not known Xiao Ning's father's name earlier, nor did he care to know what the man was named. But this piece of information was enough to prove this meeting wasn't just coincidental.}"Does she..." Xiao Ning felt a bit irritated at being asked. He even had the slight impulse to ask Shan Haiming to not get involved in this matter further. "Does she have a close relationship with your family? Oh—I'm not trying to interrogate you or something. I just, um..."

Shan Haiming had not known Xiao Ning's father's name earlier, nor did he care to know what the man was named. But this piece of information was enough to prove this meeting wasn't just coincidental.

_{But Shan Haiming ignored these feigned emotions of his, asking him outright, "What do you want?"}Shan Haiming lifted his head again, then turned his body to the side. He ignored answering Xiao Ning's question to ask instead, "Do you want to or not?"

But Shan Haiming ignored these feigned emotions of his, asking him outright, "What do you want?"

_{Studying his expression, Xiao Ning deliberated for a while before finally asking, "Is there something wrong?"}
But such a thing would be too great a coincidence.

Studying his expression, Xiao Ning deliberated for a while before finally asking, "Is there something wrong?"

_{Xiao Ning closed his eyes, a drawn-out and grateful sigh escaping him.}
Soon, even Wu Yi picked up on the strange attitude of her son. But she couldn't say anything while the person causing his attitude was still with them, so after the party was over, she obviously questioned him. Shan Haiming collected his thoughts for a moment, then he went on to explain it all to his mother.

Xiao Ning closed his eyes, a drawn-out and grateful sigh escaping him.

_{It can't be sad that name alone meant anything, after all, the country was vast, and there were countless people with the same first name and last. Let alone a name like Chen Ying, which was one rather far from being considered unique.}Shan Haiming sat beside him silently, listening intently as he spoke. But for a rarely seen moment, a conflicted expression erupted on his face, one that was quickly replaced with his usual expression before he went on to say, "I get it. I get what you mean. The thing is, a few days ago, I met a woman at Shan Haihong's engagement party, and her name was Chen Ying."

It can't be sad that name alone meant anything, after all, the country was vast, and there were countless people with the same first name and last. Let alone a name like Chen Ying, which was one rather far from being considered unique.

_{Shan Haiming sat beside him silently, listening intently as he spoke. But for a rarely seen moment, a conflicted expression erupted on his face, one that was quickly replaced with his usual expression before he went on to say, "I get it. I get what you mean. The thing is, a few days ago, I met a woman at Shan Haihong's engagement party, and her name was Chen Ying."}After he baked away a little, Shan Haiming kept hold of his hands, his proceeding words spoken almost forcefully, "If you want to meet her, just go meet her. And if you don't want to meet her, then don't. Either way, it's not a big deal. There's nothing to stress over."

Shan Haiming sat beside him silently, listening intently as he spoke. But for a rarely seen moment, a conflicted expression erupted on his face, one that was quickly replaced with his usual expression before he went on to say, "I get it. I get what you mean. The thing is, a few days ago, I met a woman at Shan Haihong's engagement party, and her name was Chen Ying."

_◈◇◈
"I guess a coincidence like this is highly improbable, right?" Wu Yi thought again for a moment, then continued to say, "After hearing what you said, I can't help but feel she really does bear a resemblance to Xiao Ning. No wonder I had such a good impression of her the moment I saw her."

◈◇◈

_{But he still suppressed that urge to laugh. Because even though such a subject was already part of his life that no longer caused him pain. Xiao Ning, at the very least, wanted to handle it this way, and he had no intention of letting that change.}Telling You

But he still suppressed that urge to laugh. Because even though such a subject was already part of his life that no longer caused him pain. Xiao Ning, at the very least, wanted to handle it this way, and he had no intention of letting that change.

_{Shan Haiming had picked Xiao Ning up after work that evening. He took Xiao Ning to dinner before returning to his place, where even Xiaohei had been staying days alongside his owner.}
But, when all is said and done, feelings and a similar name were still not enough to draw any reliable conclusions. But it was a matter that could potentially concern Xiao Ning, so it couldn't be ignored. Wu Yi then suggested, "I'll look into this matter first, alright? Are you going to tell Xiao Ning?"

Shan Haiming had picked Xiao Ning up after work that evening. He took Xiao Ning to dinner before returning to his place, where even Xiaohei had been staying days alongside his owner. Because of Xiaohei, Shan Haiming also bought a set of pet supplies for his apartment. Xiaohei wasn't used to it at first, but after being fostered during the Labour Day holidays, it was finally cured of its fear of strangers. Though, it must be noted, that the nesting spot Xiao Ning arranged for it was still very much its favourite. But it also must be said that it wasn't particularly uneasy with the ones Shan Haiming had prepared either.

_{Shan Haiming understood what he was intending to say, so he replied simply, "There's a daughter from her current husband's past marriage. They share share no children of their own."}If this man had not been regarding every little thing about him with such a high level of attention, would it be possible for him to take this much interest in just a similar-sounding name? Xiao Ning felt his heart quake, the slight tremor going a long way to bring peace to his being after the impact of the news he had just received. So now, all that was left in him was a lingering taste of powerlessness. "Even if it's true... what good would come from contacting that person."

Shan Haiming understood what he was intending to say, so he replied simply, "There's a daughter from her current husband's past marriage. They share share no children of their own."

_{The part was the past, and things of the past were like smoke. Whatever there once had been was already long scattered and gone.}
Shan Haiming didn't say yes, but neither did he say no. He parted ways with his mother at the hotel entrance. Still standing there for a moment, absorbing to cool night's breeze, before making his way to his car.

The part was the past, and things of the past were like smoke. Whatever there once had been was already long scattered and gone.

◈◇◈

_{Then, following a long moment of silence, Xiao Ning finally just said, "There's no reason for me to go see her, then. But I'm not going to go out of my way to avoid her either."}
Xiao Ning and Shan Haiming had no preferences when it came to which apartment they stayed at. So they simply stayed at whichever felt more convenient at the time, since they lived right opposite the other after all.

Then, following a long moment of silence, Xiao Ning finally just said, "There's no reason for me to go see her, then. But I'm not going to go out of my way to avoid her either."

_{He hadn't mentioned the call Chen Ying made to Xiao Suling to ask about him. After all, who knew what the reason behind it could be? Was it because she was genuinely looking for him? Or was she trying to avoid him? Either way, Chen Ying not knowing about him would be best.}After a few more minutes had passed, he glanced at Shan Haiming by chance and saw that his expression was not good. The sleep threatening him was shirked away in an instant. He now looked at Shan Haiming, who was still facing the television, but his thoughts were clearly lost somewhere else.

He hadn't mentioned the call Chen Ying made to Xiao Suling to ask about him. After all, who knew what the reason behind it could be? Was it because she was genuinely looking for him? Or was she trying to avoid him? Either way, Chen Ying not knowing about him would be best. After all, bridges are bridges, and roads are roads; some things are just meant to go their separate ways, and that will never change. If Chen Ying finds out about me being...

_{The two humans and the cat were now sitting on the sofa watching a movie. But at some point during the middle of the film, Shang Haiming's phone rang, and upon taking a glance at it, he got up to answer it on the balcony.}N/A

The two humans and the cat were now sitting on the sofa watching a movie. But at some point during the middle of the film, Shang Haiming's phone rang, and upon taking a glance at it, he got up to answer it on the balcony.

_{After he baked away a little, Shan Haiming kept hold of his hands, his proceeding words spoken almost forcefully, "If you want to meet her, just go meet her. And if you don't want to meet her, then don't. Either way, it's not a big deal. There's nothing to stress over."}
Shan Haiming had picked Xiao Ning up after work that evening. He took Xiao Ning to dinner before returning to his place, where even Xiaohei had been staying days alongside his owner. Because of Xiaohei, Shan Haiming also bought a set of pet supplies for his apartment. Xiaohei wasn't used to it at first, but after being fostered during the Labour Day holidays, it was finally cured of its fear of strangers. Though, it must be noted, that the nesting spot Xiao Ning arranged for it was still very much its favourite. But it also must be said that it wasn't particularly uneasy with the ones Shan Haiming had prepared either.

After he baked away a little, Shan Haiming kept hold of his hands, his proceeding words spoken almost forcefully, "If you want to meet her, just go meet her. And if you don't want to meet her, then don't. Either way, it's not a big deal. There's nothing to stress over."

_{Xiao Ning stiffened upon hearing his words, not because he was overwhelmed by emotions due to this question, but because the question, itself, felt like it came out of the left field. It was simply a question he never expected Shan Haiming to ever ask with no warning whatsoever. "Why... Why would you suddenly ask this?"}
The two humans and the cat were now sitting on the sofa watching a movie. But at some point during the middle of the film, Shang Haiming's phone rang, and upon taking a glance at it, he got up to answer it on the balcony.

Xiao Ning stiffened upon hearing his words, not because he was overwhelmed by emotions due to this question, but because the question, itself, felt like it came out of the left field. It was simply a question he never expected Shan Haiming to ever ask with no warning whatsoever. "Why... Why would you suddenly ask this?"

_{They never seriously delved into conversations about Xiao Ning's childhood or family. Xiao Ning had more or less avoided these topics, thinking it all quite unnecessary. So now he had unknowingly entered a period of another extreme where he felt such matters had zero bearing on his present life as well as his future.}Soon, even Wu Yi picked up on the strange attitude of her son. But she couldn't say anything while the person causing his attitude was still with them, so after the party was over, she obviously questioned him. Shan Haiming collected his thoughts for a moment, then he went on to explain it all to his mother.

They never seriously delved into conversations about Xiao Ning's childhood or family. Xiao Ning had more or less avoided these topics, thinking it all quite unnecessary. So now he had unknowingly entered a period of another extreme where he felt such matters had zero bearing on his present life as well as his future.

_◈◇◈"So it's like that..." Upon hearing this, Xiao Ning felt no signs of joy. He was able to relax by his current feeling of apathy, but he had no idea how much tension was between his brows.

◈◇◈

_{He hadn't mentioned the call Chen Ying made to Xiao Suling to ask about him. After all, who knew what the reason behind it could be? Was it because she was genuinely looking for him? Or was she trying to avoid him? Either way, Chen Ying not knowing about him would be best.}
Xiao Ning found his actions a bit odd, but he didn't dwell on it for long. So, while stroking Xiaohei's fur, he paused the movie and waited for Shan Haiming to return.

He hadn't mentioned the call Chen Ying made to Xiao Suling to ask about him. After all, who knew what the reason behind it could be? Was it because she was genuinely looking for him? Or was she trying to avoid him? Either way, Chen Ying not knowing about him would be best. After all, bridges are bridges, and roads are roads; some things are just meant to go their separate ways, and that will never change. If Chen Ying finds out about me being...

_{Xiao Ning closed his eyes, a drawn-out and grateful sigh escaping him.}"That's true. But the feeling she gave me reminded me a lot of you." Shan Haiming then added frankly, "What's more, she was from C-City and had been divorced once. The man she was married to first was named Xiao Lishen."

Xiao Ning closed his eyes, a drawn-out and grateful sigh escaping him.

_{Wu Yi had an unusually large group of connections, but information about Chen Ying was no state secret, so it took no more than a quick search for her to find out.}Telling You

Wu Yi had an unusually large group of connections, but information about Chen Ying was no state secret, so it took no more than a quick search for her to find out.

_{Shan Haiming understood what he was intending to say, so he replied simply, "There's a daughter from her current husband's past marriage. They share share no children of their own."}"I... I do think about her occasionally, about what she might be doing now. Oh, I'm not saying that I want to go looking for her or anything like that! My thoughts aren't about anything deep or serious, I just... It's just simply curiosity, that's all."

Shan Haiming understood what he was intending to say, so he replied simply, "There's a daughter from her current husband's past marriage. They share share no children of their own."

_{Telling You}
It took around ten minutes for Shan Haiming to come back.

Telling You

_{It can't be sad that name alone meant anything, after all, the country was vast, and there were countless people with the same first name and last. Let alone a name like Chen Ying, which was one rather far from being considered unique.}"Her current husband may also be joining the government project where Rihua and Feiyu will collaborate. So she and my mother getting more acquainted with one another from now on is likely." However, the latter situation was all done deliberately by Wu Yi as a means to gather information. There were numerous companies trying to get in on this project, and far beyond the realms of necessity for public relations to be handled by Wu Yi. So naturally, this last bit of information was just omitted by Shan Haiming.

It can't be sad that name alone meant anything, after all, the country was vast, and there were countless people with the same first name and last. Let alone a name like Chen Ying, which was one rather far from being considered unique.

_{"Xiao Lishen." Shan Haiming helped him remove the question.}But such a thing would be too great a coincidence.

"Xiao Lishen." Shan Haiming helped him remove the question.

_{It was as though someone was stirring his brain with a spoon, stirring to the point it bordered on painful. His teeth gritted momentarily, and the features on his face shook. But, luckily, he managed to restrain himself, so only his muscles remained a bit stiff, which was nearly imperceptible. "Xiao... Lishen?"}
Xiao Ning had waited so long he got entranced by the hypnotic act of stroking Xiaohei's smooth fur as a result. With a yawn, he lifted the remote and restarted the film.

It was as though someone was stirring his brain with a spoon, stirring to the point it bordered on painful. His teeth gritted momentarily, and the features on his face shook. But, luckily, he managed to restrain himself, so only his muscles remained a bit stiff, which was nearly imperceptible. "Xiao... Lishen?"

_{Xiao Ning stiffened upon hearing his words, not because he was overwhelmed by emotions due to this question, but because the question, itself, felt like it came out of the left field. It was simply a question he never expected Shan Haiming to ever ask with no warning whatsoever. "Why... Why would you suddenly ask this?"}He had no idea why he was tripping over his own words.

Xiao Ning stiffened upon hearing his words, not because he was overwhelmed by emotions due to this question, but because the question, itself, felt like it came out of the left field. It was simply a question he never expected Shan Haiming to ever ask with no warning whatsoever. "Why... Why would you suddenly ask this?"

_{Secretly taking a few deep breaths, the next time he spoke, he had calmed down significantly—he could even manage a smile. "It's just too much. How could there be such a coincidence, huh?"}The part was the past, and things of the past were like smoke. Whatever there once had been was already long scattered and gone.

Secretly taking a few deep breaths, the next time he spoke, he had calmed down significantly—he could even manage a smile. "It's just too much. How could there be such a coincidence, huh?"

_{Soon, even Wu Yi picked up on the strange attitude of her son. But she couldn't say anything while the person causing his attitude was still with them, so after the party was over, she obviously questioned him. Shan Haiming collected his thoughts for a moment, then he went on to explain it all to his mother.}
After a few more minutes had passed, he glanced at Shan Haiming by chance and saw that his expression was not good. The sleep threatening him was shirked away in an instant. He now looked at Shan Haiming, who was still facing the television, but his thoughts were clearly lost somewhere else.

Soon, even Wu Yi picked up on the strange attitude of her son. But she couldn't say anything while the person causing his attitude was still with them, so after the party was over, she obviously questioned him. Shan Haiming collected his thoughts for a moment, then he went on to explain it all to his mother.

_{Seeing him pursue the matter, Xiao Ning was a bit scared, but even more so confused. Why would the man before him suddenly get mixed up in such a matter? Nonetheless, he replied, "After all these years, she must've gotten herself an entirely new life. So I think it would be fair to assume she has no interest in me intruding."}"Mn." Shan Haiming replied light-heartedly. Then, when he came closer to Xiao Ning, Xiaohei jumped from his master's lap and scurried to its cat's nest in the corner of the living room.

Seeing him pursue the matter, Xiao Ning was a bit scared, but even more so confused. Why would the man before him suddenly get mixed up in such a matter? Nonetheless, he replied, "After all these years, she must've gotten herself an entirely new life. So I think it would be fair to assume she has no interest in me intruding."

_{But such a thing would be too great a coincidence.}"Her current husband may also be joining the government project where Rihua and Feiyu will collaborate. So she and my mother getting more acquainted with one another from now on is likely." However, the latter situation was all done deliberately by Wu Yi as a means to gather information. There were numerous companies trying to get in on this project, and far beyond the realms of necessity for public relations to be handled by Wu Yi. So naturally, this last bit of information was just omitted by Shan Haiming.

But such a thing would be too great a coincidence.

_{But Shan Haiming ignored these feigned emotions of his, asking him outright, "What do you want?"}Xiao Ning and Shan Haiming had no preferences when it came to which apartment they stayed at. So they simply stayed at whichever felt more convenient at the time, since they lived right opposite the other after all.

But Shan Haiming ignored these feigned emotions of his, asking him outright, "What do you want?"

_{If this man had not been regarding every little thing about him with such a high level of attention, would it be possible for him to take this much interest in just a similar-sounding name? Xiao Ning felt his heart quake, the slight tremor going a long way to bring peace to his being after the impact of the news he had just received. So now, all that was left in him was a lingering taste of powerlessness.}
Studying his expression, Xiao Ning deliberated for a while before finally asking, "Is there something wrong?"

If this man had not been regarding every little thing about him with such a high level of attention, would it be possible for him to take this much interest in just a similar-sounding name? Xiao Ning felt his heart quake, the slight tremor going a long way to bring peace to his being after the impact of the news he had just received. So now, all that was left in him was a lingering taste of powerlessness. "Even if it's true... what good would come from contacting that person."

_{After a few more minutes had passed, he glanced at Shan Haiming by chance and saw that his expression was not good. The sleep threatening him was shirked away in an instant. He now looked at Shan Haiming, who was still facing the television, but his thoughts were clearly lost somewhere else.}While he was still organising his thoughts, Shan Haiming's deep voice then added, "Just be honest."

After a few more minutes had passed, he glanced at Shan Haiming by chance and saw that his expression was not good. The sleep threatening him was shirked away in an instant. He now looked at Shan Haiming, who was still facing the television, but his thoughts were clearly lost somewhere else.

_{"I guess a coincidence like this is highly improbable, right?" Wu Yi thought again for a moment, then continued to say, "After hearing what you said, I can't help but feel she really does bear a resemblance to Xiao Ning. No wonder I had such a good impression of her the moment I saw her."}
"Mn." Shan Haiming replied light-heartedly. Then, when he came closer to Xiao Ning, Xiaohei jumped from his master's lap and scurried to its cat's nest in the corner of the living room.

"I guess a coincidence like this is highly improbable, right?" Wu Yi thought again for a moment, then continued to say, "After hearing what you said, I can't help but feel she really does bear a resemblance to Xiao Ning. No wonder I had such a good impression of her the moment I saw her."

_{After a few more minutes had passed, he glanced at Shan Haiming by chance and saw that his expression was not good. The sleep threatening him was shirked away in an instant. He now looked at Shan Haiming, who was still facing the television, but his thoughts were clearly lost somewhere else.}But such a thing would be too great a coincidence.

After a few more minutes had passed, he glanced at Shan Haiming by chance and saw that his expression was not good. The sleep threatening him was shirked away in an instant. He now looked at Shan Haiming, who was still facing the television, but his thoughts were clearly lost somewhere else.

_"Even..It was as though someone was stirring his brain with a spoon, stirring to the point it bordered on painful. His teeth gritted momentarily, and the features on his face shook. But, luckily, he managed to restrain himself, so only his muscles remained a bit stiff, which was nearly imperceptible. "Xiao... Lishen?"

"Even..." Within Xiao Ning's eyes was the reflection of a solemn Shan Haiming. Just as it had been before, when they casually spoke as acquaintances or, afterwards when he brought up his past with this man of his own volition—it had even been like this when he had argued with Xiao Suling. He and this man had gone from strangers to friends, then went from friends to becoming lovers. And throughout their time together, he had only mentioned Chen Ying's name to this man once.

_{{Her current husband...}}He remained mum. His bent neck caused his body to lead forward. But then, between his brows, he felt something warm and moist. The inexplicable tenderness that came with such a kiss, felt like having an umbrella suddenly placed over you during a heavy downpour of rain, or the feel of grass beneath your feet in a moment of weightlessness. It just felt dependable; it put you completely at ease.

Her current husband...

_N/A
"Haiming..." Instinctively feeling the atmosphere was a bit strange, Xiao Ning looked Shan Haiming over with a half-curious, half-worried gaze, before taking a while to carefully ask again, "Seriously, did something happen?"

N/A

_◈◇◈But Shan Haiming ignored these feigned emotions of his, asking him outright, "What do you want?"

◈◇◈

_{"Xiao Lishen." Shan Haiming helped him remove the question.}"Haiming..." Instinctively feeling the atmosphere was a bit strange, Xiao Ning looked Shan Haiming over with a half-curious, half-worried gaze, before taking a while to carefully ask again, "Seriously, did something happen?"

"Xiao Lishen." Shan Haiming helped him remove the question.

_N/AIf this man had not been regarding every little thing about him with such a high level of attention, would it be possible for him to take this much interest in just a similar-sounding name? Xiao Ning felt his heart quake, the slight tremor going a long way to bring peace to his being after the impact of the news he had just received. So now, all that was left in him was a lingering taste of powerlessness. "Even if it's true... what good would come from contacting that person."

N/A

_{But he still suppressed that urge to laugh. Because even though such a subject was already part of his life that no longer caused him pain. Xiao Ning, at the very least, wanted to handle it this way, and he had no intention of letting that change.}
Shan Haiming lifted his head then threw it back on the backrest of the sofa, bewilderment etched on his face. He then slowly turned to meet Xiao Ning's eyes, saying, "Do you want to find your mother?"

But he still suppressed that urge to laugh. Because even though such a subject was already part of his life that no longer caused him pain. Xiao Ning, at the very least, wanted to handle it this way, and he had no intention of letting that change.

_{{Her current husband...}}"I guess a coincidence like this is highly improbable, right?" Wu Yi thought again for a moment, then continued to say, "After hearing what you said, I can't help but feel she really does bear a resemblance to Xiao Ning. No wonder I had such a good impression of her the moment I saw her."

Her current husband...

_{But Shan Haiming ignored these feigned emotions of his, asking him outright, "What do you want?"}"Even..." Within Xiao Ning's eyes was the reflection of a solemn Shan Haiming. Just as it had been before, when they casually spoke as acquaintances or, afterwards when he brought up his past with this man of his own volition—it had even been like this when he had argued with Xiao Suling. He and this man had gone from strangers to friends, then went from friends to becoming lovers. And throughout their time together, he had only mentioned Chen Ying's name to this man once.

But Shan Haiming ignored these feigned emotions of his, asking him outright, "What do you want?"

_{Xiao Ning and Shan Haiming had no preferences when it came to which apartment they stayed at. So they simply stayed at whichever felt more convenient at the time, since they lived right opposite the other after all.}Shan Haiming understood what he was intending to say, so he replied simply, "There's a daughter from her current husband's past marriage. They share share no children of their own."

Xiao Ning and Shan Haiming had no preferences when it came to which apartment they stayed at. So they simply stayed at whichever felt more convenient at the time, since they lived right opposite the other after all.

_{Shan Haiming had not known Xiao Ning's father's name earlier, nor did he care to know what the man was named. But this piece of information was enough to prove this meeting wasn't just coincidental.}
Xiao Ning stiffened upon hearing his words, not because he was overwhelmed by emotions due to this question, but because the question, itself, felt like it came out of the left field. It was simply a question he never expected Shan Haiming to ever ask with no warning whatsoever. "Why... Why would you suddenly ask this?"

Shan Haiming had not known Xiao Ning's father's name earlier, nor did he care to know what the man was named. But this piece of information was enough to prove this meeting wasn't just coincidental.

_{"Xiao Lishen." Shan Haiming helped him remove the question.}Xiao Ning was genuinely stunned by this revelation.

"Xiao Lishen." Shan Haiming helped him remove the question.

_{"Haiming..." Instinctively feeling the atmosphere was a bit strange, Xiao Ning looked Shan Haiming over with a half-curious, half-worried gaze, before taking a while to carefully ask again, "Seriously, did something happen?"}
They never seriously delved into conversations about Xiao Ning's childhood or family. Xiao Ning had more or less avoided these topics, thinking it all quite unnecessary. So now he had unknowingly entered a period of another extreme where he felt such matters had zero bearing on his present life as well as his future.

"Haiming..." Instinctively feeling the atmosphere was a bit strange, Xiao Ning looked Shan Haiming over with a half-curious, half-worried gaze, before taking a while to carefully ask again, "Seriously, did something happen?"

_{Xiao Ning intertwined his fingers, his gaze lowering as he deliberately repeated, "What do I want?"}Xiao Ning stiffened upon hearing his words, not because he was overwhelmed by emotions due to this question, but because the question, itself, felt like it came out of the left field. It was simply a question he never expected Shan Haiming to ever ask with no warning whatsoever. "Why... Why would you suddenly ask this?"

Xiao Ning intertwined his fingers, his gaze lowering as he deliberately repeated, "What do I want?"

_{Secretly taking a few deep breaths, the next time he spoke, he had calmed down significantly—he could even manage a smile. "It's just too much. How could there be such a coincidence, huh?"}◈◇◈

Secretly taking a few deep breaths, the next time he spoke, he had calmed down significantly—he could even manage a smile. "It's just too much. How could there be such a coincidence, huh?"

_{"Her current husband may also be joining the government project where Rihua and Feiyu will collaborate. So she and my mother getting more acquainted with one another from now on is likely.}Xiao Ning and Shan Haiming had no preferences when it came to which apartment they stayed at. So they simply stayed at whichever felt more convenient at the time, since they lived right opposite the other after all.

"Her current husband may also be joining the government project where Rihua and Feiyu will collaborate. So she and my mother getting more acquainted with one another from now on is likely." However, the latter situation was all done deliberately by Wu Yi as a means to gather information. There were numerous companies trying to get in on this project, and far beyond the realms of necessity for public relations to be handled by Wu Yi. So naturally, this last bit of information was just omitted by Shan Haiming.

_{"Xiao Lishen." Shan Haiming helped him remove the question.}
The part was the past, and things of the past were like smoke. Whatever there once had been was already long scattered and gone.

"Xiao Lishen." Shan Haiming helped him remove the question.

_{The two humans and the cat were now sitting on the sofa watching a movie. But at some point during the middle of the film, Shang Haiming's phone rang, and upon taking a glance at it, he got up to answer it on the balcony.}But Shan Haiming responded, "I don't care about what she thinks or wants, I'm asking about you."

The two humans and the cat were now sitting on the sofa watching a movie. But at some point during the middle of the film, Shang Haiming's phone rang, and upon taking a glance at it, he got up to answer it on the balcony.

_{Studying his expression, Xiao Ning deliberated for a while before finally asking, "Is there something wrong?"}Xiao Ning stiffened upon hearing his words, not because he was overwhelmed by emotions due to this question, but because the question, itself, felt like it came out of the left field. It was simply a question he never expected Shan Haiming to ever ask with no warning whatsoever. "Why... Why would you suddenly ask this?"

Studying his expression, Xiao Ning deliberated for a while before finally asking, "Is there something wrong?"

_{Xiao Ning and Shan Haiming had no preferences when it came to which apartment they stayed at. So they simply stayed at whichever felt more convenient at the time, since they lived right opposite the other after all.}
Shan Haiming lifted his head again, then turned his body to the side. He ignored answering Xiao Ning's question to ask instead, "Do you want to or not?"

Xiao Ning and Shan Haiming had no preferences when it came to which apartment they stayed at. So they simply stayed at whichever felt more convenient at the time, since they lived right opposite the other after all.

_{Astounded. That was what Xiao Ning felt. He faced Shan Haiming with a look of "Are you serious?" before he said, "So what? It's a rather common name, after all?"}"Mn." Shan Haiming replied light-heartedly. Then, when he came closer to Xiao Ning, Xiaohei jumped from his master's lap and scurried to its cat's nest in the corner of the living room.

Astounded. That was what Xiao Ning felt. He faced Shan Haiming with a look of "Are you serious?" before he said, "So what? It's a rather common name, after all?"

_{Shan Haiming lifted his head then threw it back on the backrest of the sofa, bewilderment etched on his face. He then slowly turned to meet Xiao Ning's eyes, saying, "Do you want to find your mother?"}They never seriously delved into conversations about Xiao Ning's childhood or family. Xiao Ning had more or less avoided these topics, thinking it all quite unnecessary. So now he had unknowingly entered a period of another extreme where he felt such matters had zero bearing on his present life as well as his future.

Shan Haiming lifted his head then threw it back on the backrest of the sofa, bewilderment etched on his face. He then slowly turned to meet Xiao Ning's eyes, saying, "Do you want to find your mother?"

_{Chen Yin was a C-City native who had departed from that city around twenty years back, divorcing her former husband only a few months before her leaving. This hinted at her possibly being a person who had devised a plan because she spent little of her time after that in the country, displaying a clear interest in heading abroad. Then, after that, she so happened to cross parts with Zhao Ruwen.}Xiao Ning had waited so long he got entranced by the hypnotic act of stroking Xiaohei's smooth fur as a result. With a yawn, he lifted the remote and restarted the film.

Chen Yin was a C-City native who had departed from that city around twenty years back, divorcing her former husband only a few months before her leaving. This hinted at her possibly being a person who had devised a plan because she spent little of her time after that in the country, displaying a clear interest in heading abroad. Then, after that, she so happened to cross parts with Zhao Ruwen.

_{"I... I do think about her occasionally, about what she might be doing now. Oh, I'm not saying that I want to go looking for her or anything like that! My thoughts aren't about anything deep or serious, I just... It's just simply curiosity, that's all."}
Seeing him pursue the matter, Xiao Ning was a bit scared, but even more so confused. Why would the man before him suddenly get mixed up in such a matter? Nonetheless, he replied, "After all these years, she must've gotten herself an entirely new life. So I think it would be fair to assume she has no interest in me intruding."

"I... I do think about her occasionally, about what she might be doing now. Oh, I'm not saying that I want to go looking for her or anything like that! My thoughts aren't about anything deep or serious, I just... It's just simply curiosity, that's all."

_{If this man had not been regarding every little thing about him with such a high level of attention, would it be possible for him to take this much interest in just a similar-sounding name? Xiao Ning felt his heart quake, the slight tremor going a long way to bring peace to his being after the impact of the news he had just received. So now, all that was left in him was a lingering taste of powerlessness.}Shan Haiming didn't say yes, but neither did he say no. He parted ways with his mother at the hotel entrance. Still standing there for a moment, absorbing to cool night's breeze, before making his way to his car.

If this man had not been regarding every little thing about him with such a high level of attention, would it be possible for him to take this much interest in just a similar-sounding name? Xiao Ning felt his heart quake, the slight tremor going a long way to bring peace to his being after the impact of the news he had just received. So now, all that was left in him was a lingering taste of powerlessness. "Even if it's true... what good would come from contacting that person."

_{Shan Haiming sat beside him silently, listening intently as he spoke. But for a rarely seen moment, a conflicted expression erupted on his face, one that was quickly replaced with his usual expression before he went on to say, "I get it. I get what you mean. The thing is, a few days ago, I met a woman at Shan Haihong's engagement party, and her name was Chen Ying."}Her current husband...

Shan Haiming sat beside him silently, listening intently as he spoke. But for a rarely seen moment, a conflicted expression erupted on his face, one that was quickly replaced with his usual expression before he went on to say, "I get it. I get what you mean. The thing is, a few days ago, I met a woman at Shan Haihong's engagement party, and her name was Chen Ying."

_{Shan Haiming sat beside him silently, listening intently as he spoke. But for a rarely seen moment, a conflicted expression erupted on his face, one that was quickly replaced with his usual expression before he went on to say, "I get it. I get what you mean. The thing is, a few days ago, I met a woman at Shan Haihong's engagement party, and her name was Chen Ying."}
But Shan Haiming responded, "I don't care about what she thinks or wants, I'm asking about you."

Shan Haiming sat beside him silently, listening intently as he spoke. But for a rarely seen moment, a conflicted expression erupted on his face, one that was quickly replaced with his usual expression before he went on to say, "I get it. I get what you mean. The thing is, a few days ago, I met a woman at Shan Haihong's engagement party, and her name was Chen Ying."

_{Secretly taking a few deep breaths, the next time he spoke, he had calmed down significantly—he could even manage a smile. "It's just too much. How could there be such a coincidence, huh?"}Xiao Ning was genuinely stunned by this revelation.

Secretly taking a few deep breaths, the next time he spoke, he had calmed down significantly—he could even manage a smile. "It's just too much. How could there be such a coincidence, huh?"

_{Shan Haiming lifted his head again, then turned his body to the side. He ignored answering Xiao Ning's question to ask instead, "Do you want to or not?"}The part was the past, and things of the past were like smoke. Whatever there once had been was already long scattered and gone.

Shan Haiming lifted his head again, then turned his body to the side. He ignored answering Xiao Ning's question to ask instead, "Do you want to or not?"

_{The part was the past, and things of the past were like smoke. Whatever there once had been was already long scattered and gone.}Xiao Ning was genuinely stunned by this revelation.

The part was the past, and things of the past were like smoke. Whatever there once had been was already long scattered and gone.

_{Xiao Ning was genuinely stunned by this revelation.}
"I..." Xiao Ning felt embarrassed, a part of him even wanting to laugh out loud. All because of the thought of Shan Haiming asking him such a thing without even hesitation. After all, isn't it normal for people to avoid bringing up taboos?

Xiao Ning was genuinely stunned by this revelation.

_{The two humans and the cat were now sitting on the sofa watching a movie. But at some point during the middle of the film, Shang Haiming's phone rang, and upon taking a glance at it, he got up to answer it on the balcony.}"Does she..." Xiao Ning felt a bit irritated at being asked. He even had the slight impulse to ask Shan Haiming to not get involved in this matter further. "Does she have a close relationship with your family? Oh—I'm not trying to interrogate you or something. I just, um..."

The two humans and the cat were now sitting on the sofa watching a movie. But at some point during the middle of the film, Shang Haiming's phone rang, and upon taking a glance at it, he got up to answer it on the balcony.

_N/AThose were the only words Xiao Ning could confidently muster, but after he spoke, even he was feeling doubtful at his own words. So shaking his head, he then added, "I don't even know what I'm trying to say either."

N/A

_{Xiao Ning shook away the thought, unwilling to do so much as think about it.}Telling You

Xiao Ning shook away the thought, unwilling to do so much as think about it.

_{Now, for the first time since he heard this news, Xiao Ning wore a genuine smile. "It's been so long since I last met her, so meeting her so suddenly isn't something I'm comfortable with yet. So I think it would be better to leave it up to fate."}
But he still suppressed that urge to laugh. Because even though such a subject was already part of his life that no longer caused him pain. Xiao Ning, at the very least, wanted to handle it this way, and he had no intention of letting that change.

Now, for the first time since he heard this news, Xiao Ning wore a genuine smile. "It's been so long since I last met her, so meeting her so suddenly isn't something I'm comfortable with yet. So I think it would be better to leave it up to fate."

_{Shan Haiming tagged along silently while the two madams chatted. His expression showed no changes as he observed Chen Ying. But he soon grew unsure if it was because he presumed a relationship between them upon seeing her was the reason behind him finding her all the more familiar the more he looked at her face.}He had no idea why he was tripping over his own words.

Shan Haiming tagged along silently while the two madams chatted. His expression showed no changes as he observed Chen Ying. But he soon grew unsure if it was because he presumed a relationship between them upon seeing her was the reason behind him finding her all the more familiar the more he looked at her face.

_{"I..." Xiao Ning felt embarrassed, a part of him even wanting to laugh out loud. All because of the thought of Shan Haiming asking him such a thing without even hesitation. After all, isn't it normal for people to avoid bringing up taboos?}While he was still organising his thoughts, Shan Haiming's deep voice then added, "Just be honest."

"I..." Xiao Ning felt embarrassed, a part of him even wanting to laugh out loud. All because of the thought of Shan Haiming asking him such a thing without even hesitation. After all, isn't it normal for people to avoid bringing up taboos?

_{While he was still organising his thoughts, Shan Haiming's deep voice then added, "Just be honest."}
While he was still organising his thoughts, Shan Haiming's deep voice then added, "Just be honest."

While he was still organising his thoughts, Shan Haiming's deep voice then added, "Just be honest."

_{Xiao Ning was genuinely stunned by this revelation.}Shan Haiming lifted his head then threw it back on the backrest of the sofa, bewilderment etched on his face. He then slowly turned to meet Xiao Ning's eyes, saying, "Do you want to find your mother?"

Xiao Ning was genuinely stunned by this revelation.

_{Those were the only words Xiao Ning could confidently muster, but after he spoke, even he was feeling doubtful at his own words. So shaking his head, he then added, "I don't even know what I'm trying to say either."}Xiao Ning had waited so long he got entranced by the hypnotic act of stroking Xiaohei's smooth fur as a result. With a yawn, he lifted the remote and restarted the film.

Those were the only words Xiao Ning could confidently muster, but after he spoke, even he was feeling doubtful at his own words. So shaking his head, he then added, "I don't even know what I'm trying to say either."

_{But Shan Haiming responded, "I don't care about what she thinks or wants, I'm asking about you."}
Shan Haiming had a very cut-and-dry approach when it came to dealing with matters, and Xiao Ning was very helpless when it came to this aspect of his. So when Shan Haiming asked such a forthright question, he couldn't help but remain silent for a while, and so would end up not saying a word.

But Shan Haiming responded, "I don't care about what she thinks or wants, I'm asking about you."

_{"Haiming..." Instinctively feeling the atmosphere was a bit strange, Xiao Ning looked Shan Haiming over with a half-curious, half-worried gaze, before taking a while to carefully ask again, "Seriously, did something happen?"}"So it's like that..." Upon hearing this, Xiao Ning felt no signs of joy. He was able to relax by his current feeling of apathy, but he had no idea how much tension was between his brows.

"Haiming..." Instinctively feeling the atmosphere was a bit strange, Xiao Ning looked Shan Haiming over with a half-curious, half-worried gaze, before taking a while to carefully ask again, "Seriously, did something happen?"

_{Xiao Ning shook away the thought, unwilling to do so much as think about it.}Wu Yi had an unusually large group of connections, but information about Chen Ying was no state secret, so it took no more than a quick search for her to find out.

Xiao Ning shook away the thought, unwilling to do so much as think about it.

_{"That's true. But the feeling she gave me reminded me a lot of you." Shan Haiming then added frankly, "What's more, she was from C-City and had been divorced once. The man she was married to first was named Xiao Lishen."}Shan Haiming had picked Xiao Ning up after work that evening. He took Xiao Ning to dinner before returning to his place, where even Xiaohei had been staying days alongside his owner. Because of Xiaohei, Shan Haiming also bought a set of pet supplies for his apartment. Xiaohei wasn't used to it at first, but after being fostered during the Labour Day holidays, it was finally cured of its fear of strangers. Though, it must be noted, that the nesting spot Xiao Ning arranged for it was still very much its favourite. But it also must be said that it wasn't particularly uneasy with the ones Shan Haiming had prepared either.

"That's true. But the feeling she gave me reminded me a lot of you." Shan Haiming then added frankly, "What's more, she was from C-City and had been divorced once. The man she was married to first was named Xiao Lishen."

_{Shan Haiming lifted his head again, then turned his body to the side. He ignored answering Xiao Ning's question to ask instead, "Do you want to or not?"}
"I... I do think about her occasionally, about what she might be doing now. Oh, I'm not saying that I want to go looking for her or anything like that! My thoughts aren't about anything deep or serious, I just... It's just simply curiosity, that's all."

Shan Haiming lifted his head again, then turned his body to the side. He ignored answering Xiao Ning's question to ask instead, "Do you want to or not?"

_{Shan Haiming didn't say yes, but neither did he say no. He parted ways with his mother at the hotel entrance. Still standing there for a moment, absorbing to cool night's breeze, before making his way to his car.}They never seriously delved into conversations about Xiao Ning's childhood or family. Xiao Ning had more or less avoided these topics, thinking it all quite unnecessary. So now he had unknowingly entered a period of another extreme where he felt such matters had zero bearing on his present life as well as his future.

Shan Haiming didn't say yes, but neither did he say no. He parted ways with his mother at the hotel entrance. Still standing there for a moment, absorbing to cool night's breeze, before making his way to his car.

_{"Does she..." Xiao Ning felt a bit irritated at being asked. He even had the slight impulse to ask Shan Haiming to not get involved in this matter further. "Does she have a close relationship with your family? Oh—I'm not trying to interrogate you or something. I just, um..."}Shan Haiming had a very cut-and-dry approach when it came to dealing with matters, and Xiao Ning was very helpless when it came to this aspect of his. So when Shan Haiming asked such a forthright question, he couldn't help but remain silent for a while, and so would end up not saying a word.

"Does she..." Xiao Ning felt a bit irritated at being asked. He even had the slight impulse to ask Shan Haiming to not get involved in this matter further. "Does she have a close relationship with your family? Oh—I'm not trying to interrogate you or something. I just, um..."

_{But such a thing would be too great a coincidence.}
Those were the only words Xiao Ning could confidently muster, but after he spoke, even he was feeling doubtful at his own words. So shaking his head, he then added, "I don't even know what I'm trying to say either."

But such a thing would be too great a coincidence.

_{Shan Haiming understood what he was intending to say, so he replied simply, "There's a daughter from her current husband's past marriage. They share share no children of their own."}
Shan Haiming sat beside him silently, listening intently as he spoke. But for a rarely seen moment, a conflicted expression erupted on his face, one that was quickly replaced with his usual expression before he went on to say, "I get it. I get what you mean. The thing is, a few days ago, I met a woman at Shan Haihong's engagement party, and her name was Chen Ying."

Shan Haiming understood what he was intending to say, so he replied simply, "There's a daughter from her current husband's past marriage. They share share no children of their own."

_{While he was still organising his thoughts, Shan Haiming's deep voice then added, "Just be honest."}"I guess a coincidence like this is highly improbable, right?" Wu Yi thought again for a moment, then continued to say, "After hearing what you said, I can't help but feel she really does bear a resemblance to Xiao Ning. No wonder I had such a good impression of her the moment I saw her."

While he was still organising his thoughts, Shan Haiming's deep voice then added, "Just be honest."

_{Then, following a long moment of silence, Xiao Ning finally just said, "There's no reason for me to go see her, then. But I'm not going to go out of my way to avoid her either."}Seeing him pursue the matter, Xiao Ning was a bit scared, but even more so confused. Why would the man before him suddenly get mixed up in such a matter? Nonetheless, he replied, "After all these years, she must've gotten herself an entirely new life. So I think it would be fair to assume she has no interest in me intruding."

Then, following a long moment of silence, Xiao Ning finally just said, "There's no reason for me to go see her, then. But I'm not going to go out of my way to avoid her either."

_{Wu Yi had an unusually large group of connections, but information about Chen Ying was no state secret, so it took no more than a quick search for her to find out.}
Astounded. That was what Xiao Ning felt. He faced Shan Haiming with a look of "Are you serious?" before he said, "So what? It's a rather common name, after all?"

Wu Yi had an unusually large group of connections, but information about Chen Ying was no state secret, so it took no more than a quick search for her to find out.

_"Even..
"That's true. But the feeling she gave me reminded me a lot of you." Shan Haiming then added frankly, "What's more, she was from C-City and had been divorced once. The man she was married to first was named Xiao Lishen."

"Even..." Within Xiao Ning's eyes was the reflection of a solemn Shan Haiming. Just as it had been before, when they casually spoke as acquaintances or, afterwards when he brought up his past with this man of his own volition—it had even been like this when he had argued with Xiao Suling. He and this man had gone from strangers to friends, then went from friends to becoming lovers. And throughout their time together, he had only mentioned Chen Ying's name to this man once.

_{They never seriously delved into conversations about Xiao Ning's childhood or family. Xiao Ning had more or less avoided these topics, thinking it all quite unnecessary. So now he had unknowingly entered a period of another extreme where he felt such matters had zero bearing on his present life as well as his future.}"So it's like that..." Upon hearing this, Xiao Ning felt no signs of joy. He was able to relax by his current feeling of apathy, but he had no idea how much tension was between his brows.

They never seriously delved into conversations about Xiao Ning's childhood or family. Xiao Ning had more or less avoided these topics, thinking it all quite unnecessary. So now he had unknowingly entered a period of another extreme where he felt such matters had zero bearing on his present life as well as his future.

_{Astounded. That was what Xiao Ning felt. He faced Shan Haiming with a look of "Are you serious?" before he said, "So what? It's a rather common name, after all?"}
Wu Yi had an unusually large group of connections, but information about Chen Ying was no state secret, so it took no more than a quick search for her to find out.

Astounded. That was what Xiao Ning felt. He faced Shan Haiming with a look of "Are you serious?" before he said, "So what? It's a rather common name, after all?"

_{Shan Haiming sat beside him silently, listening intently as he spoke. But for a rarely seen moment, a conflicted expression erupted on his face, one that was quickly replaced with his usual expression before he went on to say, "I get it. I get what you mean. The thing is, a few days ago, I met a woman at Shan Haihong's engagement party, and her name was Chen Ying."}Xiao Ning closed his eyes, a drawn-out and grateful sigh escaping him.

Shan Haiming sat beside him silently, listening intently as he spoke. But for a rarely seen moment, a conflicted expression erupted on his face, one that was quickly replaced with his usual expression before he went on to say, "I get it. I get what you mean. The thing is, a few days ago, I met a woman at Shan Haihong's engagement party, and her name was Chen Ying."

_{The part was the past, and things of the past were like smoke. Whatever there once had been was already long scattered and gone.}But such a thing would be too great a coincidence.

The part was the past, and things of the past were like smoke. Whatever there once had been was already long scattered and gone.

_{"Haiming..." Instinctively feeling the atmosphere was a bit strange, Xiao Ning looked Shan Haiming over with a half-curious, half-worried gaze, before taking a while to carefully ask again, "Seriously, did something happen?"}But he still suppressed that urge to laugh. Because even though such a subject was already part of his life that no longer caused him pain. Xiao Ning, at the very least, wanted to handle it this way, and he had no intention of letting that change.

"Haiming..." Instinctively feeling the atmosphere was a bit strange, Xiao Ning looked Shan Haiming over with a half-curious, half-worried gaze, before taking a while to carefully ask again, "Seriously, did something happen?"

_{But, when all is said and done, feelings and a similar name were still not enough to draw any reliable conclusions. But it was a matter that could potentially concern Xiao Ning, so it couldn't be ignored. Wu Yi then suggested, "I'll look into this matter first, alright? Are you going to tell Xiao Ning?"}
Chen Yin was a C-City native who had departed from that city around twenty years back, divorcing her former husband only a few months before her leaving. This hinted at her possibly being a person who had devised a plan because she spent little of her time after that in the country, displaying a clear interest in heading abroad. Then, after that, she so happened to cross parts with Zhao Ruwen.

But, when all is said and done, feelings and a similar name were still not enough to draw any reliable conclusions. But it was a matter that could potentially concern Xiao Ning, so it couldn't be ignored. Wu Yi then suggested, "I'll look into this matter first, alright? Are you going to tell Xiao Ning?"

_{Studying his expression, Xiao Ning deliberated for a while before finally asking, "Is there something wrong?"}Those were the only words Xiao Ning could confidently muster, but after he spoke, even he was feeling doubtful at his own words. So shaking his head, he then added, "I don't even know what I'm trying to say either."

Studying his expression, Xiao Ning deliberated for a while before finally asking, "Is there something wrong?"

_{But Shan Haiming ignored these feigned emotions of his, asking him outright, "What do you want?"}Shan Haiming didn't say yes, but neither did he say no. He parted ways with his mother at the hotel entrance. Still standing there for a moment, absorbing to cool night's breeze, before making his way to his car.

But Shan Haiming ignored these feigned emotions of his, asking him outright, "What do you want?"

_{The part was the past, and things of the past were like smoke. Whatever there once had been was already long scattered and gone.}But Shan Haiming ignored these feigned emotions of his, asking him outright, "What do you want?"

The part was the past, and things of the past were like smoke. Whatever there once had been was already long scattered and gone.

_{Shan Haiming had a very cut-and-dry approach when it came to dealing with matters, and Xiao Ning was very helpless when it came to this aspect of his. So when Shan Haiming asked such a forthright question, he couldn't help but remain silent for a while, and so would end up not saying a word.}
So even the name of her husband was discovered.

Shan Haiming had a very cut-and-dry approach when it came to dealing with matters, and Xiao Ning was very helpless when it came to this aspect of his. So when Shan Haiming asked such a forthright question, he couldn't help but remain silent for a while, and so would end up not saying a word.

_{It can't be sad that name alone meant anything, after all, the country was vast, and there were countless people with the same first name and last. Let alone a name like Chen Ying, which was one rather far from being considered unique.}Telling You

It can't be sad that name alone meant anything, after all, the country was vast, and there were countless people with the same first name and last. Let alone a name like Chen Ying, which was one rather far from being considered unique.

_{But Shan Haiming cut straight to the point by asking, "To meet her or not."}Xiao Ning had waited so long he got entranced by the hypnotic act of stroking Xiaohei's smooth fur as a result. With a yawn, he lifted the remote and restarted the film.

But Shan Haiming cut straight to the point by asking, "To meet her or not."

_{Shan Haiming lifted his head then threw it back on the backrest of the sofa, bewilderment etched on his face. He then slowly turned to meet Xiao Ning's eyes, saying, "Do you want to find your mother?"}
Shan Haiming had not known Xiao Ning's father's name earlier, nor did he care to know what the man was named. But this piece of information was enough to prove this meeting wasn't just coincidental.

Shan Haiming lifted his head then threw it back on the backrest of the sofa, bewilderment etched on his face. He then slowly turned to meet Xiao Ning's eyes, saying, "Do you want to find your mother?"

_{"Does she..." Xiao Ning felt a bit irritated at being asked. He even had the slight impulse to ask Shan Haiming to not get involved in this matter further. "Does she have a close relationship with your family? Oh—I'm not trying to interrogate you or something. I just, um..."}
Xiao Ning was genuinely stunned by this revelation.

"Does she..." Xiao Ning felt a bit irritated at being asked. He even had the slight impulse to ask Shan Haiming to not get involved in this matter further. "Does she have a close relationship with your family? Oh—I'm not trying to interrogate you or something. I just, um..."

_{Xiao Ning had waited so long he got entranced by the hypnotic act of stroking Xiaohei's smooth fur as a result. With a yawn, he lifted the remote and restarted the film.}They never seriously delved into conversations about Xiao Ning's childhood or family. Xiao Ning had more or less avoided these topics, thinking it all quite unnecessary. So now he had unknowingly entered a period of another extreme where he felt such matters had zero bearing on his present life as well as his future.

Xiao Ning had waited so long he got entranced by the hypnotic act of stroking Xiaohei's smooth fur as a result. With a yawn, he lifted the remote and restarted the film.

_{"Haiming..." Instinctively feeling the atmosphere was a bit strange, Xiao Ning looked Shan Haiming over with a half-curious, half-worried gaze, before taking a while to carefully ask again, "Seriously, did something happen?"}But Shan Haiming responded, "I don't care about what she thinks or wants, I'm asking about you."

"Haiming..." Instinctively feeling the atmosphere was a bit strange, Xiao Ning looked Shan Haiming over with a half-curious, half-worried gaze, before taking a while to carefully ask again, "Seriously, did something happen?"

_N/AXiao Ning closed his eyes, a drawn-out and grateful sigh escaping him.

N/A

_{It took around ten minutes for Shan Haiming to come back.}
It was as though someone was stirring his brain with a spoon, stirring to the point it bordered on painful. His teeth gritted momentarily, and the features on his face shook. But, luckily, he managed to restrain himself, so only his muscles remained a bit stiff, which was nearly imperceptible. "Xiao... Lishen?"

It took around ten minutes for Shan Haiming to come back.

_◈◇◈Telling You

◈◇◈

_{"I..." Xiao Ning felt embarrassed, a part of him even wanting to laugh out loud. All because of the thought of Shan Haiming asking him such a thing without even hesitation. After all, isn't it normal for people to avoid bringing up taboos?}
"Xiao Lishen." Shan Haiming helped him remove the question.

"I..." Xiao Ning felt embarrassed, a part of him even wanting to laugh out loud. All because of the thought of Shan Haiming asking him such a thing without even hesitation. After all, isn't it normal for people to avoid bringing up taboos?

_{Xiao Ning shook away the thought, unwilling to do so much as think about it.}It was as though someone was stirring his brain with a spoon, stirring to the point it bordered on painful. His teeth gritted momentarily, and the features on his face shook. But, luckily, he managed to restrain himself, so only his muscles remained a bit stiff, which was nearly imperceptible. "Xiao... Lishen?"

Xiao Ning shook away the thought, unwilling to do so much as think about it.

_{"Mn." Shan Haiming replied light-heartedly. Then, when he came closer to Xiao Ning, Xiaohei jumped from his master's lap and scurried to its cat's nest in the corner of the living room.}"So it's like that..." Upon hearing this, Xiao Ning felt no signs of joy. He was able to relax by his current feeling of apathy, but he had no idea how much tension was between his brows.

"Mn." Shan Haiming replied light-heartedly. Then, when he came closer to Xiao Ning, Xiaohei jumped from his master's lap and scurried to its cat's nest in the corner of the living room.

_{He hadn't mentioned the call Chen Ying made to Xiao Suling to ask about him. After all, who knew what the reason behind it could be? Was it because she was genuinely looking for him? Or was she trying to avoid him? Either way, Chen Ying not knowing about him would be best.}Wu Yi had an unusually large group of connections, but information about Chen Ying was no state secret, so it took no more than a quick search for her to find out.

He hadn't mentioned the call Chen Ying made to Xiao Suling to ask about him. After all, who knew what the reason behind it could be? Was it because she was genuinely looking for him? Or was she trying to avoid him? Either way, Chen Ying not knowing about him would be best. After all, bridges are bridges, and roads are roads; some things are just meant to go their separate ways, and that will never change. If Chen Ying finds out about me being...

_{Her current husband...}
"Even..." Within Xiao Ning's eyes was the reflection of a solemn Shan Haiming. Just as it had been before, when they casually spoke as acquaintances or, afterwards when he brought up his past with this man of his own volition—it had even been like this when he had argued with Xiao Suling. He and this man had gone from strangers to friends, then went from friends to becoming lovers. And throughout their time together, he had only mentioned Chen Ying's name to this man once.

Her current husband...

_{Shan Haiming had picked Xiao Ning up after work that evening. He took Xiao Ning to dinner before returning to his place, where even Xiaohei had been staying days alongside his owner.}Shan Haiming had picked Xiao Ning up after work that evening. He took Xiao Ning to dinner before returning to his place, where even Xiaohei had been staying days alongside his owner. Because of Xiaohei, Shan Haiming also bought a set of pet supplies for his apartment. Xiaohei wasn't used to it at first, but after being fostered during the Labour Day holidays, it was finally cured of its fear of strangers. Though, it must be noted, that the nesting spot Xiao Ning arranged for it was still very much its favourite. But it also must be said that it wasn't particularly uneasy with the ones Shan Haiming had prepared either.

Shan Haiming had picked Xiao Ning up after work that evening. He took Xiao Ning to dinner before returning to his place, where even Xiaohei had been staying days alongside his owner. Because of Xiaohei, Shan Haiming also bought a set of pet supplies for his apartment. Xiaohei wasn't used to it at first, but after being fostered during the Labour Day holidays, it was finally cured of its fear of strangers. Though, it must be noted, that the nesting spot Xiao Ning arranged for it was still very much its favourite. But it also must be said that it wasn't particularly uneasy with the ones Shan Haiming had prepared either.

_{But Shan Haiming cut straight to the point by asking, "To meet her or not."}Shan Haiming had not known Xiao Ning's father's name earlier, nor did he care to know what the man was named. But this piece of information was enough to prove this meeting wasn't just coincidental.

But Shan Haiming cut straight to the point by asking, "To meet her or not."

_{"I..." Xiao Ning felt embarrassed, a part of him even wanting to laugh out loud. All because of the thought of Shan Haiming asking him such a thing without even hesitation. After all, isn't it normal for people to avoid bringing up taboos?}Studying his expression, Xiao Ning deliberated for a while before finally asking, "Is there something wrong?"

"I..." Xiao Ning felt embarrassed, a part of him even wanting to laugh out loud. All because of the thought of Shan Haiming asking him such a thing without even hesitation. After all, isn't it normal for people to avoid bringing up taboos?

_{After a few more minutes had passed, he glanced at Shan Haiming by chance and saw that his expression was not good. The sleep threatening him was shirked away in an instant. He now looked at Shan Haiming, who was still facing the television, but his thoughts were clearly lost somewhere else.}
If this man had not been regarding every little thing about him with such a high level of attention, would it be possible for him to take this much interest in just a similar-sounding name? Xiao Ning felt his heart quake, the slight tremor going a long way to bring peace to his being after the impact of the news he had just received. So now, all that was left in him was a lingering taste of powerlessness. "Even if it's true... what good would come from contacting that person."

After a few more minutes had passed, he glanced at Shan Haiming by chance and saw that his expression was not good. The sleep threatening him was shirked away in an instant. He now looked at Shan Haiming, who was still facing the television, but his thoughts were clearly lost somewhere else.

_{While he was still organising his thoughts, Shan Haiming's deep voice then added, "Just be honest."}But, when all is said and done, feelings and a similar name were still not enough to draw any reliable conclusions. But it was a matter that could potentially concern Xiao Ning, so it couldn't be ignored. Wu Yi then suggested, "I'll look into this matter first, alright? Are you going to tell Xiao Ning?"

While he was still organising his thoughts, Shan Haiming's deep voice then added, "Just be honest."

_{"So it's like that..." Upon hearing this, Xiao Ning felt no signs of joy. He was able to relax by his current feeling of apathy, but he had no idea how much tension was between his brows.}
Secretly taking a few deep breaths, the next time he spoke, he had calmed down significantly—he could even manage a smile. "It's just too much. How could there be such a coincidence, huh?"

"So it's like that..." Upon hearing this, Xiao Ning felt no signs of joy. He was able to relax by his current feeling of apathy, but he had no idea how much tension was between his brows.

_{The two humans and the cat were now sitting on the sofa watching a movie. But at some point during the middle of the film, Shang Haiming's phone rang, and upon taking a glance at it, he got up to answer it on the balcony.}
But Shan Haiming ignored these feigned emotions of his, asking him outright, "What do you want?"

The two humans and the cat were now sitting on the sofa watching a movie. But at some point during the middle of the film, Shang Haiming's phone rang, and upon taking a glance at it, he got up to answer it on the balcony.

_{"Haiming..." Instinctively feeling the atmosphere was a bit strange, Xiao Ning looked Shan Haiming over with a half-curious, half-worried gaze, before taking a while to carefully ask again, "Seriously, did something happen?"}Seeing him pursue the matter, Xiao Ning was a bit scared, but even more so confused. Why would the man before him suddenly get mixed up in such a matter? Nonetheless, he replied, "After all these years, she must've gotten herself an entirely new life. So I think it would be fair to assume she has no interest in me intruding."

"Haiming..." Instinctively feeling the atmosphere was a bit strange, Xiao Ning looked Shan Haiming over with a half-curious, half-worried gaze, before taking a while to carefully ask again, "Seriously, did something happen?"

_{He remained mum. His bent neck caused his body to lead forward. But then, between his brows, he felt something warm and moist. The inexplicable tenderness that came with such a kiss, felt like having an umbrella suddenly placed over you during a heavy downpour of rain, or the feel of grass beneath your feet in a moment of weightlessness. It just felt dependable; it put you completely at ease.}◈◇◈

He remained mum. His bent neck caused his body to lead forward. But then, between his brows, he felt something warm and moist. The inexplicable tenderness that came with such a kiss, felt like having an umbrella suddenly placed over you during a heavy downpour of rain, or the feel of grass beneath your feet in a moment of weightlessness. It just felt dependable; it put you completely at ease.

_N/A
Xiao Ning intertwined his fingers, his gaze lowering as he deliberately repeated, "What do I want?"

N/A

_{"Xiao Lishen." Shan Haiming helped him remove the question.}But he still suppressed that urge to laugh. Because even though such a subject was already part of his life that no longer caused him pain. Xiao Ning, at the very least, wanted to handle it this way, and he had no intention of letting that change.

"Xiao Lishen." Shan Haiming helped him remove the question.

_{Wu Yi had an unusually large group of connections, but information about Chen Ying was no state secret, so it took no more than a quick search for her to find out.}So even the name of her husband was discovered.

Wu Yi had an unusually large group of connections, but information about Chen Ying was no state secret, so it took no more than a quick search for her to find out.

_{Shan Haiming lifted his head then threw it back on the backrest of the sofa, bewilderment etched on his face. He then slowly turned to meet Xiao Ning's eyes, saying, "Do you want to find your mother?"}Shan Haiming understood what he was intending to say, so he replied simply, "There's a daughter from her current husband's past marriage. They share share no children of their own."

Shan Haiming lifted his head then threw it back on the backrest of the sofa, bewilderment etched on his face. He then slowly turned to meet Xiao Ning's eyes, saying, "Do you want to find your mother?"

_{"Her current husband may also be joining the government project where Rihua and Feiyu will collaborate. So she and my mother getting more acquainted with one another from now on is likely.}
But Shan Haiming cut straight to the point by asking, "To meet her or not."

"Her current husband may also be joining the government project where Rihua and Feiyu will collaborate. So she and my mother getting more acquainted with one another from now on is likely." However, the latter situation was all done deliberately by Wu Yi as a means to gather information. There were numerous companies trying to get in on this project, and far beyond the realms of necessity for public relations to be handled by Wu Yi. So naturally, this last bit of information was just omitted by Shan Haiming.

_{Even Xiao Ning couldn't quantify the amount of effort it took to keep his expression under control. "She's married? Oh, right. It's been many years, hasn't it? It's unlikely she would be alone during all that time. Then, she... um... I mean, um... she's... uh, uhm..."}N/A

Even Xiao Ning couldn't quantify the amount of effort it took to keep his expression under control. "She's married? Oh, right. It's been many years, hasn't it? It's unlikely she would be alone during all that time. Then, she... um... I mean, um... she's... uh, uhm..."

_{Shan Haiming tagged along silently while the two madams chatted. His expression showed no changes as he observed Chen Ying. But he soon grew unsure if it was because he presumed a relationship between them upon seeing her was the reason behind him finding her all the more familiar the more he looked at her face.}
"Does she..." Xiao Ning felt a bit irritated at being asked. He even had the slight impulse to ask Shan Haiming to not get involved in this matter further. "Does she have a close relationship with your family? Oh—I'm not trying to interrogate you or something. I just, um..."

Shan Haiming tagged along silently while the two madams chatted. His expression showed no changes as he observed Chen Ying. But he soon grew unsure if it was because he presumed a relationship between them upon seeing her was the reason behind him finding her all the more familiar the more he looked at her face.

_{"I..." Xiao Ning felt embarrassed, a part of him even wanting to laugh out loud. All because of the thought of Shan Haiming asking him such a thing without even hesitation. After all, isn't it normal for people to avoid bringing up taboos?}Now, for the first time since he heard this news, Xiao Ning wore a genuine smile. "It's been so long since I last met her, so meeting her so suddenly isn't something I'm comfortable with yet. So I think it would be better to leave it up to fate."

"I..." Xiao Ning felt embarrassed, a part of him even wanting to laugh out loud. All because of the thought of Shan Haiming asking him such a thing without even hesitation. After all, isn't it normal for people to avoid bringing up taboos?

_{But Shan Haiming cut straight to the point by asking, "To meet her or not."}It was as though someone was stirring his brain with a spoon, stirring to the point it bordered on painful. His teeth gritted momentarily, and the features on his face shook. But, luckily, he managed to restrain himself, so only his muscles remained a bit stiff, which was nearly imperceptible. "Xiao... Lishen?"

But Shan Haiming cut straight to the point by asking, "To meet her or not."

_◈◇◈After a few more minutes had passed, he glanced at Shan Haiming by chance and saw that his expression was not good. The sleep threatening him was shirked away in an instant. He now looked at Shan Haiming, who was still facing the television, but his thoughts were clearly lost somewhere else.

◈◇◈

_{Shan Haiming didn't say yes, but neither did he say no. He parted ways with his mother at the hotel entrance. Still standing there for a moment, absorbing to cool night's breeze, before making his way to his car.}
"Her current husband may also be joining the government project where Rihua and Feiyu will collaborate. So she and my mother getting more acquainted with one another from now on is likely." However, the latter situation was all done deliberately by Wu Yi as a means to gather information. There were numerous companies trying to get in on this project, and far beyond the realms of necessity for public relations to be handled by Wu Yi. So naturally, this last bit of information was just omitted by Shan Haiming.

Shan Haiming didn't say yes, but neither did he say no. He parted ways with his mother at the hotel entrance. Still standing there for a moment, absorbing to cool night's breeze, before making his way to his car.

_{Shan Haiming lifted his head again, then turned his body to the side. He ignored answering Xiao Ning's question to ask instead, "Do you want to or not?"}N/A

Shan Haiming lifted his head again, then turned his body to the side. He ignored answering Xiao Ning's question to ask instead, "Do you want to or not?"

_{Xiao Ning shook away the thought, unwilling to do so much as think about it.}
Her current husband...

Xiao Ning shook away the thought, unwilling to do so much as think about it.

_{It took around ten minutes for Shan Haiming to come back.}Xiao Ning and Shan Haiming had no preferences when it came to which apartment they stayed at. So they simply stayed at whichever felt more convenient at the time, since they lived right opposite the other after all.

It took around ten minutes for Shan Haiming to come back.

_{But Shan Haiming responded, "I don't care about what she thinks or wants, I'm asking about you."}After he baked away a little, Shan Haiming kept hold of his hands, his proceeding words spoken almost forcefully, "If you want to meet her, just go meet her. And if you don't want to meet her, then don't. Either way, it's not a big deal. There's nothing to stress over."

But Shan Haiming responded, "I don't care about what she thinks or wants, I'm asking about you."

_{He remained mum. His bent neck caused his body to lead forward. But then, between his brows, he felt something warm and moist. The inexplicable tenderness that came with such a kiss, felt like having an umbrella suddenly placed over you during a heavy downpour of rain, or the feel of grass beneath your feet in a moment of weightlessness. It just felt dependable; it put you completely at ease.}
Even Xiao Ning couldn't quantify the amount of effort it took to keep his expression under control. "She's married? Oh, right. It's been many years, hasn't it? It's unlikely she would be alone during all that time. Then, she... um... I mean, um... she's... uh, uhm..."

He remained mum. His bent neck caused his body to lead forward. But then, between his brows, he felt something warm and moist. The inexplicable tenderness that came with such a kiss, felt like having an umbrella suddenly placed over you during a heavy downpour of rain, or the feel of grass beneath your feet in a moment of weightlessness. It just felt dependable; it put you completely at ease.

_{Shan Haiming didn't say yes, but neither did he say no. He parted ways with his mother at the hotel entrance. Still standing there for a moment, absorbing to cool night's breeze, before making his way to his car.}"Mn." Shan Haiming replied light-heartedly. Then, when he came closer to Xiao Ning, Xiaohei jumped from his master's lap and scurried to its cat's nest in the corner of the living room.

Shan Haiming didn't say yes, but neither did he say no. He parted ways with his mother at the hotel entrance. Still standing there for a moment, absorbing to cool night's breeze, before making his way to his car.

_"Even.."Even..." Within Xiao Ning's eyes was the reflection of a solemn Shan Haiming. Just as it had been before, when they casually spoke as acquaintances or, afterwards when he brought up his past with this man of his own volition—it had even been like this when he had argued with Xiao Suling. He and this man had gone from strangers to friends, then went from friends to becoming lovers. And throughout their time together, he had only mentioned Chen Ying's name to this man once.

"Even..." Within Xiao Ning's eyes was the reflection of a solemn Shan Haiming. Just as it had been before, when they casually spoke as acquaintances or, afterwards when he brought up his past with this man of his own volition—it had even been like this when he had argued with Xiao Suling. He and this man had gone from strangers to friends, then went from friends to becoming lovers. And throughout their time together, he had only mentioned Chen Ying's name to this man once.

_N/AShan Haiming sat beside him silently, listening intently as he spoke. But for a rarely seen moment, a conflicted expression erupted on his face, one that was quickly replaced with his usual expression before he went on to say, "I get it. I get what you mean. The thing is, a few days ago, I met a woman at Shan Haihong's engagement party, and her name was Chen Ying."

N/A

_{Seeing him pursue the matter, Xiao Ning was a bit scared, but even more so confused. Why would the man before him suddenly get mixed up in such a matter? Nonetheless, he replied, "After all these years, she must've gotten herself an entirely new life. So I think it would be fair to assume she has no interest in me intruding."}
He had no idea why he was tripping over his own words.

Seeing him pursue the matter, Xiao Ning was a bit scared, but even more so confused. Why would the man before him suddenly get mixed up in such a matter? Nonetheless, he replied, "After all these years, she must've gotten herself an entirely new life. So I think it would be fair to assume she has no interest in me intruding."

_{"That's true. But the feeling she gave me reminded me a lot of you." Shan Haiming then added frankly, "What's more, she was from C-City and had been divorced once. The man she was married to first was named Xiao Lishen."}
Shan Haiming understood what he was intending to say, so he replied simply, "There's a daughter from her current husband's past marriage. They share share no children of their own."

"That's true. But the feeling she gave me reminded me a lot of you." Shan Haiming then added frankly, "What's more, she was from C-City and had been divorced once. The man she was married to first was named Xiao Lishen."

_{It was as though someone was stirring his brain with a spoon, stirring to the point it bordered on painful. His teeth gritted momentarily, and the features on his face shook. But, luckily, he managed to restrain himself, so only his muscles remained a bit stiff, which was nearly imperceptible. "Xiao... Lishen?"}"Does she..." Xiao Ning felt a bit irritated at being asked. He even had the slight impulse to ask Shan Haiming to not get involved in this matter further. "Does she have a close relationship with your family? Oh—I'm not trying to interrogate you or something. I just, um..."

It was as though someone was stirring his brain with a spoon, stirring to the point it bordered on painful. His teeth gritted momentarily, and the features on his face shook. But, luckily, he managed to restrain himself, so only his muscles remained a bit stiff, which was nearly imperceptible. "Xiao... Lishen?"

_{Even Xiao Ning couldn't quantify the amount of effort it took to keep his expression under control. "She's married? Oh, right. It's been many years, hasn't it? It's unlikely she would be alone during all that time. Then, she... um... I mean, um... she's... uh, uhm..."}
"So it's like that..." Upon hearing this, Xiao Ning felt no signs of joy. He was able to relax by his current feeling of apathy, but he had no idea how much tension was between his brows.

Even Xiao Ning couldn't quantify the amount of effort it took to keep his expression under control. "She's married? Oh, right. It's been many years, hasn't it? It's unlikely she would be alone during all that time. Then, she... um... I mean, um... she's... uh, uhm..."

_{"I... I do think about her occasionally, about what she might be doing now. Oh, I'm not saying that I want to go looking for her or anything like that! My thoughts aren't about anything deep or serious, I just... It's just simply curiosity, that's all."}Telling You

"I... I do think about her occasionally, about what she might be doing now. Oh, I'm not saying that I want to go looking for her or anything like that! My thoughts aren't about anything deep or serious, I just... It's just simply curiosity, that's all."

_{While he was still organising his thoughts, Shan Haiming's deep voice then added, "Just be honest."}"Even..." Within Xiao Ning's eyes was the reflection of a solemn Shan Haiming. Just as it had been before, when they casually spoke as acquaintances or, afterwards when he brought up his past with this man of his own volition—it had even been like this when he had argued with Xiao Suling. He and this man had gone from strangers to friends, then went from friends to becoming lovers. And throughout their time together, he had only mentioned Chen Ying's name to this man once.

While he was still organising his thoughts, Shan Haiming's deep voice then added, "Just be honest."

_{They never seriously delved into conversations about Xiao Ning's childhood or family. Xiao Ning had more or less avoided these topics, thinking it all quite unnecessary. So now he had unknowingly entered a period of another extreme where he felt such matters had zero bearing on his present life as well as his future.}
He remained mum. His bent neck caused his body to lead forward. But then, between his brows, he felt something warm and moist. The inexplicable tenderness that came with such a kiss, felt like having an umbrella suddenly placed over you during a heavy downpour of rain, or the feel of grass beneath your feet in a moment of weightlessness. It just felt dependable; it put you completely at ease.

They never seriously delved into conversations about Xiao Ning's childhood or family. Xiao Ning had more or less avoided these topics, thinking it all quite unnecessary. So now he had unknowingly entered a period of another extreme where he felt such matters had zero bearing on his present life as well as his future.

_{Shan Haiming understood what he was intending to say, so he replied simply, "There's a daughter from her current husband's past marriage. They share share no children of their own."}"Xiao Lishen." Shan Haiming helped him remove the question.

Shan Haiming understood what he was intending to say, so he replied simply, "There's a daughter from her current husband's past marriage. They share share no children of their own."

_{Telling You}Shan Haiming had picked Xiao Ning up after work that evening. He took Xiao Ning to dinner before returning to his place, where even Xiaohei had been staying days alongside his owner. Because of Xiaohei, Shan Haiming also bought a set of pet supplies for his apartment. Xiaohei wasn't used to it at first, but after being fostered during the Labour Day holidays, it was finally cured of its fear of strangers. Though, it must be noted, that the nesting spot Xiao Ning arranged for it was still very much its favourite. But it also must be said that it wasn't particularly uneasy with the ones Shan Haiming had prepared either.

Telling You

_{Chen Yin was a C-City native who had departed from that city around twenty years back, divorcing her former husband only a few months before her leaving. This hinted at her possibly being a person who had devised a plan because she spent little of her time after that in the country, displaying a clear interest in heading abroad. Then, after that, she so happened to cross parts with Zhao Ruwen.}
Xiao Ning closed his eyes, a drawn-out and grateful sigh escaping him.

Chen Yin was a C-City native who had departed from that city around twenty years back, divorcing her former husband only a few months before her leaving. This hinted at her possibly being a person who had devised a plan because she spent little of her time after that in the country, displaying a clear interest in heading abroad. Then, after that, she so happened to cross parts with Zhao Ruwen.

_{"Mn." Shan Haiming replied light-heartedly. Then, when he came closer to Xiao Ning, Xiaohei jumped from his master's lap and scurried to its cat's nest in the corner of the living room.}
After he baked away a little, Shan Haiming kept hold of his hands, his proceeding words spoken almost forcefully, "If you want to meet her, just go meet her. And if you don't want to meet her, then don't. Either way, it's not a big deal. There's nothing to stress over."

"Mn." Shan Haiming replied light-heartedly. Then, when he came closer to Xiao Ning, Xiaohei jumped from his master's lap and scurried to its cat's nest in the corner of the living room.

_{If this man had not been regarding every little thing about him with such a high level of attention, would it be possible for him to take this much interest in just a similar-sounding name? Xiao Ning felt his heart quake, the slight tremor going a long way to bring peace to his being after the impact of the news he had just received. So now, all that was left in him was a lingering taste of powerlessness.}"I guess a coincidence like this is highly improbable, right?" Wu Yi thought again for a moment, then continued to say, "After hearing what you said, I can't help but feel she really does bear a resemblance to Xiao Ning. No wonder I had such a good impression of her the moment I saw her."

If this man had not been regarding every little thing about him with such a high level of attention, would it be possible for him to take this much interest in just a similar-sounding name? Xiao Ning felt his heart quake, the slight tremor going a long way to bring peace to his being after the impact of the news he had just received. So now, all that was left in him was a lingering taste of powerlessness. "Even if it's true... what good would come from contacting that person."

_{Xiao Ning found his actions a bit odd, but he didn't dwell on it for long. So, while stroking Xiaohei's fur, he paused the movie and waited for Shan Haiming to return.}Shan Haiming had picked Xiao Ning up after work that evening. He took Xiao Ning to dinner before returning to his place, where even Xiaohei had been staying days alongside his owner. Because of Xiaohei, Shan Haiming also bought a set of pet supplies for his apartment. Xiaohei wasn't used to it at first, but after being fostered during the Labour Day holidays, it was finally cured of its fear of strangers. Though, it must be noted, that the nesting spot Xiao Ning arranged for it was still very much its favourite. But it also must be said that it wasn't particularly uneasy with the ones Shan Haiming had prepared either.

Xiao Ning found his actions a bit odd, but he didn't dwell on it for long. So, while stroking Xiaohei's fur, he paused the movie and waited for Shan Haiming to return.

_{He had no idea why he was tripping over his own words.}
Then, following a long moment of silence, Xiao Ning finally just said, "There's no reason for me to go see her, then. But I'm not going to go out of my way to avoid her either."

He had no idea why he was tripping over his own words.

_{Shan Haiming had picked Xiao Ning up after work that evening. He took Xiao Ning to dinner before returning to his place, where even Xiaohei had been staying days alongside his owner.}The two humans and the cat were now sitting on the sofa watching a movie. But at some point during the middle of the film, Shang Haiming's phone rang, and upon taking a glance at it, he got up to answer it on the balcony.

Shan Haiming had picked Xiao Ning up after work that evening. He took Xiao Ning to dinner before returning to his place, where even Xiaohei had been staying days alongside his owner. Because of Xiaohei, Shan Haiming also bought a set of pet supplies for his apartment. Xiaohei wasn't used to it at first, but after being fostered during the Labour Day holidays, it was finally cured of its fear of strangers. Though, it must be noted, that the nesting spot Xiao Ning arranged for it was still very much its favourite. But it also must be said that it wasn't particularly uneasy with the ones Shan Haiming had prepared either.

_N/AThe part was the past, and things of the past were like smoke. Whatever there once had been was already long scattered and gone.

N/A

_{But Shan Haiming ignored these feigned emotions of his, asking him outright, "What do you want?"}
Now, for the first time since he heard this news, Xiao Ning wore a genuine smile. "It's been so long since I last met her, so meeting her so suddenly isn't something I'm comfortable with yet. So I think it would be better to leave it up to fate."

But Shan Haiming ignored these feigned emotions of his, asking him outright, "What do you want?"

_{Xiao Ning had waited so long he got entranced by the hypnotic act of stroking Xiaohei's smooth fur as a result. With a yawn, he lifted the remote and restarted the film.}
He hadn't mentioned the call Chen Ying made to Xiao Suling to ask about him. After all, who knew what the reason behind it could be? Was it because she was genuinely looking for him? Or was she trying to avoid him? Either way, Chen Ying not knowing about him would be best. After all, bridges are bridges, and roads are roads; some things are just meant to go their separate ways, and that will never change. If Chen Ying finds out about me being...

Xiao Ning had waited so long he got entranced by the hypnotic act of stroking Xiaohei's smooth fur as a result. With a yawn, he lifted the remote and restarted the film.

_N/AThey never seriously delved into conversations about Xiao Ning's childhood or family. Xiao Ning had more or less avoided these topics, thinking it all quite unnecessary. So now he had unknowingly entered a period of another extreme where he felt such matters had zero bearing on his present life as well as his future.

N/A

_{It took around ten minutes for Shan Haiming to come back.}"Haiming..." Instinctively feeling the atmosphere was a bit strange, Xiao Ning looked Shan Haiming over with a half-curious, half-worried gaze, before taking a while to carefully ask again, "Seriously, did something happen?"

It took around ten minutes for Shan Haiming to come back.

_{Secretly taking a few deep breaths, the next time he spoke, he had calmed down significantly—he could even manage a smile. "It's just too much. How could there be such a coincidence, huh?"}
Xiao Ning shook away the thought, unwilling to do so much as think about it.

Secretly taking a few deep breaths, the next time he spoke, he had calmed down significantly—he could even manage a smile. "It's just too much. How could there be such a coincidence, huh?"

_{But Shan Haiming cut straight to the point by asking, "To meet her or not."}He remained mum. His bent neck caused his body to lead forward. But then, between his brows, he felt something warm and moist. The inexplicable tenderness that came with such a kiss, felt like having an umbrella suddenly placed over you during a heavy downpour of rain, or the feel of grass beneath your feet in a moment of weightlessness. It just felt dependable; it put you completely at ease.

But Shan Haiming cut straight to the point by asking, "To meet her or not."

_{Xiao Ning was genuinely stunned by this revelation.}He had no idea why he was tripping over his own words.

Xiao Ning was genuinely stunned by this revelation.

_{It took around ten minutes for Shan Haiming to come back.}After a few more minutes had passed, he glanced at Shan Haiming by chance and saw that his expression was not good. The sleep threatening him was shirked away in an instant. He now looked at Shan Haiming, who was still facing the television, but his thoughts were clearly lost somewhere else.

It took around ten minutes for Shan Haiming to come back.

---

Author's Note:

N/A

Notes:

N/A

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