Chapter 96: The Flame Is Like a Wildfire!

After finishing the meal.

Tang Ye and Cheng Lin walked out of the restaurant.

It was not far from Cheng Lin's residence.

The two of them walked along the road, taking a stroll to digest their food.

In an instant, Cheng Lin had a crazy thought.

To just keep walking like this, keep walking, and walk until the end of life.

"Sister Lin, what are you thinking about?" Seeing Cheng Lin lost in thought, Tang Ye assumed she was still feeling worried about her classmate getting into trouble.

"I'm not thinking about anything, just clearing my mind." Cheng Lin smiled at Tang Ye.

Tang Ye stared blankly at Cheng Lin, unable to snap out of it for a long while.

Under the night light, Cheng Lin appeared charming and enchanting; her pretty skin was snow-white, smooth, and delicate enough to be broken by a blow, and her features glowed with a hazy luster, possessing a sculptural beauty.

A flash of tenderness erupted in Cheng Lin's eyes.

With his emotional intelligence, he naturally understood the special feelings hidden in Cheng Lin's gaze.

But, whether it was himself or Cheng Lin, neither could ignore the eyes of the world.

Originally, approaching Cheng Lin was for the sake of self-preservation, like a drowning person grabbing a straw.

But after spending a long time together, the feelings between the two developed silently, to a point that could no longer be ignored.

A trace of regret arose in Tang Ye's heart.

Why did he deliberately approach and curry favor with Cheng Lin in the beginning, to the point where Cheng Lin became lost?

His behavior was clearly immoral.

At the same time, he hated and envied Cheng Lin's husband, who was far away abroad.

Why not cherish such a beautiful wife!

Since he married her, he should not have left her lonely!

If Cheng Lin had someone looking after her, he would not have developed pity, sympathy, or even more extravagant thoughts.

A couple walked toward them, arms linked, the woman leaning into the man's ear, whispering with a coquettish laugh.

Afterward, the woman said, "It's so cold."

The man blew warm air onto the woman's hands, then tucked them into his own pockets.

The two were publicly flaunting their affection on the main road...

Cheng Lin suddenly longed intensely to be able to enjoy this beautiful, romantic night just like an ordinary couple.

But there was a voice in her heart constantly reminding her to remain rational and restrained.

She was a civil servant, and Tang Ye was also a civil servant.

Once stained with a bad reputation, it would bring unimaginable harm to each other's careers.

Cheng Lin tried hard to tell herself to treat Tang Ye as a colleague and absolutely must not have any other thoughts.

But the more she suppressed it, the flame in her heart became like a wildfire.

The two walked in silence.

Beep, beep, beep—Cheng Lin's phone suddenly rang.

Cheng Lin glanced at the number and explained to Tang Ye, "It's my classmate calling." She answered and asked softly, "Mingyu, is something the matter?"

Song Mingyu's tone was extremely excited, "I have good news to tell you. The partner just contacted me and is willing to buy back the shares at double the price. He mentioned a 'sister-in-law'; is that your friend?"

Cheng Lin looked at Tang Ye in confusion.

Tang Ye hurriedly nodded at her to confirm.

"A friend of my colleague. Tang Ye, I mentioned him to you last time."

"So it was that young man! He did me a huge favor; I'll treat you both to a meal when there's an opportunity."

Cheng Lin snuck a glance at Tang Ye.

"Alright, I'll accept on his behalf."

Song Mingyu hesitated for a moment and sighed in a low voice, "Liu Quan and I are still debating whether to transfer the shares out. The bar is already on the right track..."

Cheng Lin sighed and said earnestly, "You should withdraw as soon as possible; that was a slaughter-pig scam from the start. After the partner used your funds to build the bar, he used various methods to force you out. The partner is involved with the underworld; if it weren't for someone coordinating, you wouldn't have been able to get out unscathed."

Cheng Lin spoke very tactfully.

If it weren't for Zhu Junting stepping in to mediate, this couple might have faced a fatal disaster.

Song Mingyu shivered and hissed, sucking in a cold breath.

"Actually, I had already thought of this possibility. Leaving with the money now is indeed the most decent and correct decision."

Tang Ye walked Cheng Lin to the entrance of her residential compound.

Cheng Lin wanted to invite Tang Ye up to sit for a while, but in the end, she did not say it out loud.

Tang Ye watched Cheng Lin's departing back, not leaving.

Only when the balcony light came on did he silently turn away.

Cheng Lin stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.

Staring fixedly at Tang Ye's back.

A complexity that could not be described in words surged in her heart.

The next day, New Year's Eve.

The morning market was particularly lively; along the roadside outside the vegetable market, various stalls were set up, covered with all kinds of New Year goods. Bosses and customers haggled, and before long, a deal was easily made.

They held a meeting in the morning and ate a group meal together in the cafeteria at noon.

After cleaning up in the afternoon, they were on holiday.

On the way home, Tang Ye's phone kept ringing incessantly as he received many New Year greeting messages.

Pushing open the door to his home, Qin Lan and Tang Yu were in the kitchen preparing the New Year's Eve dinner.

Tang Ye smiled and offered to help out.

He was ruthlessly pushed out by Qin Lan.

Around five in the afternoon, the food was ready, and the family of three ate their reunion dinner.

Tang Yu, who never touched a drop of alcohol, drank two liang of Wuliangye for the first time ever.

Once the meal was mostly finished, Qin Lan took out two large red envelopes.

Tang Ye laughed and said, "I'm already this old, and you're still giving me red envelopes!"

Qin Lan looked serious, "In your father's eyes and mine, you will always be a child."

Tang Yu suddenly put down his chopsticks, "When are you going to invite that girl over to the house as a guest so we can see her?"

Tang Ye was stunned for a moment, then quickly said with a smile, "I've already explained to Mom, she and I are just classmates. That day was an accident."

Tang Yu was displeased, "Would an ordinary classmate send you home in the middle of the night? If you aren't interested in her, you must keep your distance; don't you dare lead her on."

Although his father's words were harsh, his values were very sound.

Tang Ye said with a grin, "I'll call her in a bit and confess my feelings. I'll invite her over as a guest tomorrow, so you two better have the red envelopes ready. We'll hold the wedding next month and have a dog baby by the end of the year!"

Tang Yu knew Tang Ye was starting to ramble and wasn't being serious, leaving him unable to laugh or cry!

Qin Lan sighed softly and said earnestly, "After the New Year, you'll be twenty-eight! It's time to consider the major events of your life."

Du Residence.

The New Year's Eve dinner began, and Xiao Qin was also urging marriage:

"After the New Year, you'll be twenty-eight!

A girl should get married early, otherwise, you'll soon become an older mother.

At your age in the countryside, your child would already be in elementary school."

Du Xi said petulantly, "Don't worry, I will definitely get myself married off next year. From then on, I'll spend New Year's Eve at my husband's home, and you and Dad can eat the reunion dinner by yourselves!"

Xiao Qin pursed her lips at Du Chengfeng, "Look at how sharp-tongued your daughter is; you should discipline her."

Du Chengfeng looked at Du Xi with a smile and said dotingly, "If Xi Xi doesn't get married, I'll support her for the rest of her life."

Xiao Qin felt wronged, slammed her chopsticks on the table, and said angrily, "So I'm the one who's committed a heinous crime, and I'm the bad guy."

Du Xi quickly hugged Xiao Qin's arm and comforted her, "Mom, you're the best. I apologize to you. Don't worry, next New Year's Eve, I will definitely bring you back a son-in-law. It's a promise."

Xiao Qin wiped away the tears welling in the corners of her eyes and said with a smile, "That's more like it!"

The phone rang; Du Chengfeng glanced at the number and answered with a smile, "Little Tang, hello!"

"Secretary Du, I'm wishing you a Happy New Year. May everything go as you wish in the Year of the Dog!"

"Little Tang, I wish you a Happy New Year as well. Please convey my greetings to your family on my behalf."

"Thank you, Secretary. I won't disturb you any further."

Du Xi had been keeping her ears pricked.

She was annoyed; Tang Ye called her father to wish him a Happy New Year, so why didn't he wish her one!

Sure enough, his career carried more weight in his heart.

After finishing the New Year's Eve dinner, Du Xi watched the Spring Festival Gala while sending greeting messages to friends and superiors.

But she always felt like something was missing.

The bell for the New Year rang, the phone screen flashed, and Du Xi hurriedly answered the call.

Tang Ye said with a smile, "Police Officer Du, I wish you a Happy New Year."

Tang Ye had given the first blessing of the New Year to her!

Du Xi's pretty face flushed red, and she felt wonderful inside.

"Town Mayor Tang, I wish you a Happy New Year!"