Chapter 423

I did not dare to convey Chen Meng's words to Guo Wei.

Watching Guo Wei walk forward with his head bowed and in infinite despair, a wave of sorrow surged in my heart. If I were in Huang Weiwei's home and encountered such a problem, what would I do?

Leave in a huff? Or remain silent?

Neither choice is wise. Neither choice is anything but a dead end for oneself.

The failed marriage proposal indicates that Guo Wei will be at a loss. He is like a duck with its head chopped off, twisting its neck in a death struggle.

I suddenly thought of Huang Weiwei; they are best friends and should be well-acquainted with each other's thoughts.

When the call connected, a burst of noise came from the other end. It turned out she was watching a performance at the Children's Palace. International Children's Day was approaching, and the Women's Federation she worked for was organizing a grand performance for all the children in the city. Huang Weiwei was the deputy director of the performance, responsible for logistics and coordination.

I quickened my pace to catch up with Guo Wei and pulled him toward the Children's Palace.

Guo Wei moved like a puppet, letting me pull him along. His feet moved mechanically, as if his soul had already flown out of his shell. The current him was nothing but a walking corpse.

The Children's Palace was decorated with lanterns and streamers, full of festive joy.

The Hengyue City Children's Palace was located next to the city's largest park. Entering through a small gate, the park was filled with towering trees and winding, secluded paths.

In the park, there were small bridges and flowing water, with willow trees swaying on the banks. Cement stone benches were placed along the shore, making it the best place for lovers to rendezvous.

The first time I met Wu Qian back then, it was not here.

Several young couples walked toward us, leading children dressed in their finest. Regardless of gender, the children all had their faces painted with heavy, colorful makeup. What made it even more festive were the round, scarlet spots painted on their little cheeks.

The performance had already ended; this was a dress rehearsal. Three days later, they would perform for the municipal committee leaders.

I saw Huang Weiwei in the corridor, but she seemed very busy and didn't notice me at all.

I called out to her, and only then did she turn her head to see me, a happy smile blooming on her face.

"Chen Feng, you're back!" She said excitedly, directing a group of women to arrange the stage, then gave me an apologetic, shallow smile.

I waved my hand and said, "Go ahead and get busy; I'll wait for you so we can go home together."

She hesitated for a moment and whispered, "Go inside and sit, have a cup of tea. I'll be done soon."

Only after saying that did she see Guo Wei behind me, and she let out a surprised "Oh!"

Guo Wei said expressionlessly, "Huang Weiwei, you really value romance over friendship."

Huang Weiwei looked at him in confusion, a blush rising on her face.

"In your eyes, besides Chen Feng, can you even see anyone else?" Guo Wei teased. They were old acquaintances, so they didn't stand on ceremony.

"Guo Wei, of course there is only Chen Feng in my eyes. Besides him, there are no other men." Huang Weiwei didn't back down at all and said gracefully, "Do you want me to be fickle?"

Her words warmed my heart.

So I smiled and said, "Are you jealous?"

"Of course I'm jealous." Guo Wei said unyieldingly, "You have beauty and fragrance by your side, while I am a lonely man. I wonder if this was cultivated in a past life or earned in this one."

I laughed, "A hundred years of cultivation brings us to cross the same boat, a thousand years of cultivation brings us to sleep on the same pillow. What do you think?"

Guo Wei sighed, "What was I in my past life?"

Looking at his dejected appearance, I deliberately acted mysterious, pinched my fingers, and said, "According to my calculations, you were a blacksmith in your past life."

Guo Wei said seriously, "You calculated wrong; I was a tailor in my past life."

I asked in surprise, "Why?"

Guo Wei said solemnly, "Tailors always make wedding dresses for others. Tell me, am I not one?"

Hearing this, Huang Weiwei burst into laughter and said, "And you two are cadres; why are you talking nonsense?"

The three of us looked at each other and laughed heartily.

Following Huang Weiwei into an office, I saw a familiar back, so I deliberately took a few extra steps and turned around as if I didn't care, only to see Xue Bing with a calm face, giving instructions to a little girl about dancing.

Xue Bing happened to look up, and as soon as her eyes met mine, she froze for a moment and quickly looked away. She pulled the little girl and said, "Let's find another place to talk."

Huang Weiwei grabbed her and said, "It's fine. We're all acquaintances, and there are no outsiders. Besides, we've occupied your office, so how can we let you leave?"

Only then did I realize this was Xue Bing's office. I was surprised; wasn't Xue Bing at the Cultural Center? Why was she at the Children's Palace?

Guo Wei also recognized Xue Bing and said, "Isn't this Teacher Xue?"

Xue Bing gave a shallow smile and called out, "Secretary Guo."

Guo Wei grinned and said, "I haven't been a secretary for many years."

"Is that so?" Xue Bing asked, looking very surprised, "Has Secretary Guo been promoted?"

Guo Wei said irritably, "Promoted, my foot. Just muddling along."

He pointed at me and said, "This person has been promoted. He is now the 'parent official' of your Chunshan County."

I was still feeling awkward, but Xue Bing said with a cold face, "I am no longer from Chunshan County. So he is not my parent official."

Huang Weiwei interjected, "Indeed. Team Leader Guo, that remark is truly unrefined. Cadres are cadres of the masses, public servants; how can they be 'parent officials'? You are an old feudalist."

Having gone through so many things, Guo Wei actually lost his former edge. Hearing Huang Weiwei's words, he immediately laughed, "Miss Huang, you have a 'parent official' in your family, so you can talk without back pain."

Huang Weiwei rolled her eyes at him and said, "What nonsense are you talking about?"

Guo Wei laughed loudly, pulled me over, and teased me, "Chen Feng, this person, whether it's being a person or being an official, requires a sense of fate. To be a person, you need human connections; to be an official, you need official connections. You, this person, just have good fate."

I laughed along, but a trace of sorrow surged in my heart. The two women before me were once my beloveds. Now, things have changed, the love hasn't disappeared, and the ties remain, but people can no longer be free.

The Xue Bing before me, with her bright eyes and pearly teeth, was simply like a different person compared to the green girl she was back then.

People only see clearly after experiencing things. Just like Xue Bing, she was calm and indifferent as still water regarding my sudden appearance.

However, only if she can live well will my heart find some comfort. Xue Bing leaving the Cultural Center and occupying a place in the Children's Palace proves that she not only has ability but also knows how to seize opportunities.

Huang Weiwei's attempt to keep her didn't make Xue Bing give up. She insisted on finding a place to tutor the little girl. We couldn't insist any further and let her lead the little girl away, lightly exiting the door.

Once Xue Bing left, Guo Wei smacked his lips and said, "This Teacher Xue is truly beautiful."

Huang Weiwei pursed her lips and smiled, "What? Do you have your eye on her?"

Guo Wei hurriedly defended himself, "I dare not, I dare not."

Huang Weiwei said seriously, "What is there to dare not? She is unmarried, and you are unmarried. A fair lady is a gentleman's good match."

Guo Wei teased me, "I'm not as bold as Chen Feng. I dare not pursue her."

I punched him and said, "Speak properly; why drag me into this?"

Huang Weiwei, on the side, said sourly, "He's not wrong, though."

I smiled awkwardly, wishing I could kick Guo Wei out the door.

Seeing Xue Bing leave, although Guo Wei was tough in his words, a look of disappointment appeared on his face. Both Huang Weiwei and I saw this look. So, almost in unison, we said, "Why don't you go see how Teacher Xue teaches?"

Guo Wei was still hesitating, but Huang Weiwei pushed him out the door without a word, gesturing with her chin toward Xue Bing's back as she walked not far ahead.

Guo Wei rubbed his head, smiled, and followed.

Only the two of us were left in the room.

Huang Weiwei kicked the door shut, bumped into my arms like a little deer, looked up, and said, "Kiss me."

I looked around and found that it was just the two of us in the room. So I leaned down and kissed her on the cheek.

Huang Weiwei shouted with dissatisfaction, "You're just brushing me off, aren't you?"

I smiled, "Wife, this is someone else's office, and it's broad daylight; it's not a good influence."

Huang Weiwei pouted and said, "I know it's your old lover's office. I just want you to kiss me here, so what?"

I smiled helplessly, but I still couldn't bring myself to kiss her.

The whole room was filled with Xue Bing's shadow and her scent. This person who once shared three years of love with me was now as far away as the ends of the earth; I had a thousand reasons and ten thousand thoughts in my heart, but I didn't know where to begin.

I held Huang Weiwei, but my heart was calm. This really surprised me; before, as long as I saw her or was close to her, my heart would be as hot as fire.

"Are you going to kiss me or not?" Huang Weiwei looked displeased.

I stuck out the tip of my tongue, licked the corner of her eye and eyebrow, and said with a sinister smile, "Wife, don't be arrogant. Aren't you afraid that your husband will finish you off tonight?"

Huang Weiwei was startled, let go of my waist, stared at me with wide eyes, and said, "What do you want to do?"

I said with a lewd smile, "What do you think I want to do?"

She screamed and wanted to run away, but I grabbed her and stared into her eyes, saying, "Scared?"

Huang Weiwei giggled, pinched me, and said, "Who's afraid of whom?"

With that, ambiguity immediately spread to every corner. It was as if this small room was flowing with desire everywhere.

"Why did you come back?" She looked up at me and asked.

I told her about the Qilin Villa incident in Chunshan County and Guo Wei's marriage proposal. After I finished, my mood became heavy. My voice even turned hoarse.

Huang Weiwei pondered for a moment and said, "You did both things wrong."

I looked at her suspiciously. She gave a shallow smile and said, "Many people in Hengyue City know about the Qilin Villa incident. No one knows how deep the water is here. If this matter drags Guo Wei in, he will never be able to turn things around in his life. Of course, this must be done, but it shouldn't be you doing it."

I asked, "Why?"

"Do you even need to ask? You are a newly promoted cadre with an unstable foundation. Aren't you afraid of others setting traps for you behind your back?"

"I am upright and honest."

"Everyone makes mistakes!" She sighed and said, "Also, you encouraging Guo Wei to propose to Mengmeng at this time, isn't that just adding to the chaos?"

I shouted aggrievedly, "How did I add to the chaos?"

Huang Weiwei gave a faint smile and said, "You, you don't even understand a woman's heart."

I rubbed my head, pretending to be innocent, and said, "Of course I don't understand a woman's heart. Tell me."

Huang Weiwei stretched out a slender finger, tapped my forehead lightly, and said, "One day you will understand."