Chapter 22: Will You Come Home with Me?

Given Song Huaiwen’s personality, when faced with a situation like this, he would never drag things out—he would directly take the person to the police station.

He didn’t know why Shen Nanqing came all this way, but he still respected her approach. However, hearing the phrase “the rice is already cooked” again stirred the anger he had been trying to suppress.

Song Huaiwen’s usually cold and stern face twisted with fury, a chilling aura radiating from him. His fists clenched tightly as he instinctively stepped forward—but was stopped by Shen Nanqing.

At the moment their fingers touched, Song Huaiwen shuddered all over. Her hand was cool and soft, and it felt as if an electric shock ran through his body. The raging anger inside him was instantly soothed by her presence.

Xu Ruyan seemed used to her mother’s favoritism and didn’t show much change in her mood.

She was just annoyed at Xu Baofeng for being so brainless—Shen Nanqing obviously hadn’t done anything, yet Xu Baofeng had blurted out everything himself.

Actually, Xu Ruyan didn’t care at all whether Xu Baofeng went to jail or not; after all, there was no evidence proving she had instigated anything.

But right now, she couldn’t let things get too bad at home; otherwise, when the old man returned, he definitely wouldn’t spare her.

“Speak! What’s your condition?”

Seeing that Xu Ruyan no longer pretended to be ignorant, Shen Nanqing raised two fingers and said directly, “If you want this settled, fine—pay two hundred yuan.”

“Two hundred?” Xu Ruyan’s brows instantly knitted into a tight frown, her eyes wide in disbelief. “Two hundred? Why don’t you just rob us outright?”

“This is reasonable compensation,” Shen Nanqing said. “What your brother did caused me emotional trauma, so I want some mental damages—but I’m being generous.” She paused slightly, squinting at Xu Baofeng hiding behind his mother, and coldly added, “Or maybe you want to go to the police station?”

“We’ll pay.” Xu Baofeng answered before Xu Ruyan could, clutching his mother’s clothes. “Mom, I really don’t want to go to jail.”

In this era, two hundred yuan could buy a pig. Xu’s mother felt it was like tearing flesh from her own body, aching painfully in her heart. But since he was her only precious son, she had to agree, even if reluctantly.

“Alright, two hundred it is.” She bit her lip and nodded firmly.

Shen Nanqing got what she wanted, the corners of her mouth uncontrollably lifting—after making the long trip, at least she didn’t have to struggle anymore.

“Since it’s settled, then hurry up and pay!”

Xu’s mother looked at Xu Ruyan, urging, “Why are you still standing there? Hurry up and get the money.”

Xu Ruyan didn’t want to pay. She hesitated without moving, but Xu’s mother wasn’t going to indulge her. She stepped forward and reached into Xu Ruyan’s pocket. Xu Baofeng, fearing his mother might not be enough, prepared to jump in and help at any moment.

Shen Nanqing had seen families that favored sons over daughters before.

In her past life, she had a makeup artist friend from a rural area who grew up under the shadow of son preference. To support her older brother’s schooling, her friend was forced to drop out and start working.

She was young and uneducated, struggled at first in the big city, and could only work as a dishwasher in restaurants, often working more than ten hours a day. Her hands were blistered from water, but she never complained.

Most of her wages were sent home; she kept only a little for herself, saving up to take beauty and hairdressing courses.

After finishing the courses, she took on any work she could find to keep improving, never missing any chance to learn and develop. Through hard work, she stood out among makeup artists and raised her value considerably.

By that time, she was fully able to support herself and resolutely severed ties with her original family. She bought a small house with her savings and lived independently with pride and self-respect.

So Shen Nanqing was not sympathetic to Xu Ruyan.

Being born into such a family was unfortunate—but that didn’t mean she could hurt others as she pleased.

Everyone has to be responsible for their own actions.

“We only have this much.” Xu’s mother handed the money she’d taken from Xu Ruyan to Shen Nanqing, testing the waters, “Do you think this is… enough?”

“No.” Shen Nanqing counted the money, totaling only forty-five yuan. “I won’t accept such conditions.”

Xu Baofeng just wanted to get these two troublemakers out of the house. He immediately turned into a room and began rummaging around loudly.

After a short while, he came out holding more money. The bills weren’t large denominations—it was clearly money painstakingly saved.

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“Enough already!” Xu Baofeng grit his teeth. “Take the money quickly and… get lost.”

Throughout the entire time, Song Huaiwen’s gaze never left Shen Nanqing. Watching her count the money so seriously, almost like a little miser, was actually kind of cute.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, his eyes showing a tenderness and fondness he didn’t realize he had.

At that moment, he couldn’t help but think of the numbers in his own bank account — he wondered what expression she’d have if she saw them.

Shen Nanqing didn’t linger after taking the money. When Song Huaiwen stepped out, he glanced sideways at everyone inside the room, his gaze sharp and cold like ice.

That look was far more terrifying than when they’d staged the accident before.

Xu Ruyan’s scalp tingled, her heart suddenly tightened, her legs grew weak, and she nearly stumbled.

After leaving the crowded courtyard, Shen Nanqing and Song Huaiwen headed straight to the state-run restaurant.

It was already past one in the afternoon, and the restaurant was fairly empty; even the waitstaff seemed a bit drowsy.

Just then, Shen Nanqing and Song Huaiwen walked in. The handsome man and beautiful woman pairing seemed to brighten the whole restaurant. The waiter eagerly came over with menus.

Shen Nanqing’s mood was obviously good. She smiled at Song Huaiwen and said, “Order whatever you want today, I’m treating.”

Her lavish manner was no different from a nouveau riche.

“Great, then I won’t be polite,” Song Huaiwen smiled as well.

The waiter was a young girl, just at the age for daydreaming. Seeing the couple enter, she immediately pictured a perfect match of talent and beauty.

But when she heard Shen Nanqing was paying, the rosy filter on Song Huaiwen shattered, and the way she looked at him changed strangely.

Song Huaiwen’s observation was keen. He caught the flicker of disdain in the girl’s eyes and wasn’t bothered by it.

“Comrade, one order of vinegar-fried cabbage, one order of tomato scrambled eggs, and two bowls of rice,” he ordered two simple vegetable dishes right away.

“Huh?” Shen Nanqing thought he was trying to save money for her, so she quickly added, “Change the tomato scrambled eggs to braised pork.”

“No need. Didn’t you say you don’t like meat?” Song Huaiwen refused without thinking, the words slipping out.

Shen Nanqing was slightly stunned, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, then she smiled and teased, “How do you know I don’t like meat?”

Song Huaiwen felt embarrassed: …

He couldn’t exactly say he found out at the cafeteria!

The smile on Shen Nanqing’s face grew brighter. It was easy to guess—their most common gathering spot was the cafeteria, though they never spoke.

“Actually, it’s not that I don’t eat meat. It’s just that the cafeteria’s big pot dishes have a bit of a gamey taste,” Shen Nanqing explained.

Song Huaiwen wasn’t picky. Having survived in the wilderness, he’d eaten anything—fire-cooked or not, meat or vegetables.

He didn’t think Shen Nanqing’s preference was unreasonable. To him, she deserved all the best things.

The food came quickly—vinegar-fried cabbage was fresh and tasty; the braised pork was bright red, enticing, rich but not greasy, and melted in the mouth.

Shen Nanqing ate with great satisfaction, though her appetite was small—most of the food ended up in Song Huaiwen’s stomach.

After they were full, Song Huaiwen had planned to escort Shen Nanqing back to the group dormitory. But since she was still worried about her father, she wanted to go home first.

“Will you come home with me?” Shen Nanqing asked casually, as if she were talking about the weather.

Song Huaiwen heard this and instantly felt his ears flush red.