Once they got into the car and buckled their seatbelts, Zhuang Zi turned to Zheng Ruzhi and Shen Jianbo, who were standing at the door, and said, “I wish you and Uncle a pleasant trip.”

“We will,” Zheng Ruzhi replied, her face beaming with satisfaction. “If you find anything uncomfortable at his place or need anything, just tell Si Hang, and he’ll arrange it for you, okay?”

Si Hang silently started the car, acting as if he hadn’t heard a thing.

Zheng Ruzhi looked displeased at her son and called out, “Si Hang?”

“Hmm?”

“Did you hear what I said?”

Si Hang frowned. “She’s not a child. Do you really need to keep reminding her?”

Zheng Ruzhi gave him a mild glare. “I’m just worried that Zhuang Zi might feel uneasy about causing trouble and won’t say anything. You’re busy with work and tend to overlook small matters, so I have to remind you.”

Zheng Ruzhi was so considerate of her, making Zhuang Zi feel she couldn’t ignore it, so she quickly added, “Since I’m already imposing, I’ll definitely speak up if I need anything.”

Zheng Ruzhi smiled contentedly. “That’s good.”

Finally, the car left the villa and drove out of the neighborhood.

Zheng Ruzhi watched the car drive away, rubbing her hands together in excitement.

Shen Jianbo, knowing her well, chuckled, “Are you satisfied now?”

“Absolutely,” Zheng Ruzhi smiled at her husband. “I’m telling you, these two just need a little push. You know our son’s temperament. He’s always been pursued, and now it’s unlikely he’ll suddenly show enthusiasm for a girl. So, as his mother, I have to give him a little nudge.”

Shen Jianbo laughed, having a different opinion. “You’re always worrying unnecessarily. Si Hang is very decisive. If he really likes her, he’ll go after her with confidence.”

Zheng Ruzhi, still smiling, turned to go inside the house.

No matter what her husband or son thought, her biggest wish in life now was to see her eldest son get married.

…

Meanwhile, in the car, the atmosphere was silent.

Si Hang focused on the road, while Zhuang Zi quietly admired the night scenery outside the window, neither of them speaking.

Zhuang Zi felt somewhat awkward. Zheng Ruzhi’s enthusiasm left her no room to refuse, but being in such an uncomfortable situation with the man beside her, she wondered how they would get along in the coming days.

On the other hand, Si Hang didn’t mind.

As for why he didn’t refuse his mother’s suggestion and agreed to take a woman home for the first time, he couldn’t quite explain.

Perhaps he agreed with his mother’s view that someone who understood gratitude couldn’t have bad character. This made him feel a bit sympathetic towards her. Since he knew she was in trouble, bringing her home for a couple of days was a small favor.

As the traffic light turned red, he slowed the car to a stop.

Outside, cars flowed by like a river, while inside, it remained quiet.

Leaning lazily against the seat, he placed one hand on the steering wheel, waiting idly. Bored, he stared at the traffic light for a while, then casually glanced at the person beside him.

Her thick brown hair fell over her slender shoulders. Strands of hair tucked behind her ear revealed her fair and delicate cheek. She wore a stylish beige wool coat, paired with black skinny leather pants and short boots. Her posture was relaxed and natural, not showing any signs of discomfort.

The streetlights outside cast a glow on her eyes, making them sparkle like reflections on a clear lake.

Following her gaze, he looked out the window. It was just a busy street, nothing particularly interesting.

The wind picked up outside, causing the treetops to sway gently.

A couple walked by, the girl holding a cup of milk tea and shivering slightly. The boy took her left hand, rubbed it in his palm, and then tucked it into his own coat pocket.

Zhuang Zi watched them, a smile unconsciously forming on her lips. Turning her head, she accidentally met his gaze.

Startled, she quickly wiped the smile off her face and looked away.

Si Hang frowned, looked at her for a moment longer, then withdrew his gaze, feeling a bit irritated.

The light turned green, and the car moved through the intersection with the traffic.

As the scenery outside quickly receded, they each returned to their own thoughts, neither speaking nor interacting.

After a while, Si Hang suddenly spoke, “Do you have any conflicts with your family?”

Zhuang Zi continued looking out the window, taking a few seconds to realize he was asking her, then turned her head.

After a moment’s pause, she said, “I didn’t grow up with them.”

“Hmm?”

“You asked if I had any conflicts with my family. I didn’t live with them.”

“Not living together?” Si Hang raised his eyebrows in surprise.

“Yes.” Zhuang Zi said plainly, “I never had a good relationship with them, but there were no major conflicts either.”

“How bad was it?”

Zhuang Zi hesitated, not answering immediately.

Si Hang, noticing her hesitation, explained, “A couple of days ago, Xie Kui visited Ruihong Group to talk to your family. Zhuang Jiao seemed quite agitated when he mentioned you. I’m asking to see if it could help with the investigation.”

“Our conflicts are all family matters,” Zhuang Zi replied, then quickly added, “But I don’t think he’s the culprit.”

“Why?”

Zhuang Zi laughed lightly, “Do you think a man who’s afraid of ghosts could have such meticulous plans?”

Si Hang remained silent.

Zhuang Zi believed her fearfulness stemmed from childhood, being scared by Zhuang Jiao.

She didn’t know about others, but as for Zhuang Jiao…

Her sister had said that Zhuang Jiao was brought back to the Zhuang family by Zhuang Hong when he was three, as he was an illegitimate child. Since his legitimacy was in question, his household registration could only be under his mother’s name.

At that time, Zhuang Jiao was the only son in the Zhuang family, and Zhuang Hong treated him like a precious gem.

So later, when his mother passed away, and Zhuang Jiao refused to stay at home because he was afraid of ghosts, Zhuang Hong indulged him. To meet his demands, he bought a new house and moved.

The following year, in that new house, Zhuang Hong, who had just lost his wife, married Zhuang Jiao’s biological mother and had another son, Zhuang Ming.

After marriage, that woman disliked her husband’s daughters from his previous marriage. To accommodate the woman who gave him two sons, Zhuang Hong sent Zhuang Yao and Zhuang Zi to live with their grandmother. Except for regular financial support, he rarely visited them.

So, when Zhuang Zi thought of the Zhuang family, she felt inexplicably irritated.