Chapter 25

After all, it was a strange environment, and there wasn’t a single familiar face around her.

Song Qingdai still felt a little shy about sleeping in Gao Han’s bed—especially since he wasn’t home.

What she didn’t know was that Gao Han’s high-profile appearance in Peace Courtyard with her that day had already stirred up a lot of attention.

“Did you see that today? That young Comrade Gao brought a female comrade into the compound!”

“Young Comrade Gao? Which one?”

Someone looked confused—it sounded familiar but unclear.

A woman in a gray-blue cheongsam smoothed her hair and lowered her voice. “Who else? The one Mr. Ren personally mentored!”

“…Ah.”

As soon as that was said, the people around her fell into an odd silence, their expressions suddenly tense.

There had long been a rumor in Peace Courtyard: the two-story house at the far east end of the compound had been reserved for someone special.

But for years, no one had ever seen anyone move in or out.

“Wasn’t there talk that Mr. Ren wanted to marry his only daughter, Ren Nana, to him? Then why would he bring in another woman?”

According to the rules of Peace Courtyard, no one could bring an outsider in unless she was officially family.

Bringing someone in meant an official report had been filed, and her military family status had been formally recognized. That’s how it worked for all of them too.

“Alright, alright, stop gossiping behind people’s backs. Whoever Comrade Gao wants to bring in is his business. As long as he’s not breaking any rules or laws, not doing anything against the people or the country, we have no right to interfere.”

Once those words were said, everyone quieted down.

Even the few who had been ready to whisper some more shut their mouths.

In this place, idle gossip wasn’t tolerated. If anything spread to higher authorities, there would be consequences.

They might even be kicked out of Peace Courtyard.

And that would be humiliating beyond words.

The sound of a key turning came from the door, followed by a soft creak as it opened. All the curtains in the room had been drawn, allowing only small beams of light to filter in gently and fall over her body.

The ceiling fan whirred above, blowing directly at her, causing the hem of her dress to gather high along her thighs.

The thin fabric clung to her slender waist, outlining her graceful, curvy figure.

The soft lines of her body were on full display, and Gao Han’s chest suddenly felt tight with heat.

His Adam’s apple bobbed, and his gaze darkened.

He quietly closed the door. But in this unfamiliar environment, Song Qingdai hadn’t been sleeping deeply. As if by instinct, she sensed someone nearby.

Her brows furrowed slightly, lashes quivering.

Her smooth, pale legs were exposed to the warm air.

“Did I wake you?”

The low voice of a man by her ear made Song Qingdai instantly alert. She opened her dewy eyes, and when she saw that it was Gao Han, the tension in her body relaxed.

But the flash of wariness and vigilance in her eyes didn’t escape Gao Han’s notice.

She was highly guarded.

Especially in unfamiliar surroundings.

That kind of instinctive alertness meant she had always lived that way—even in the Song household.

But who had she been guarding against there?

Her stepmother?

Her stepbrother?

When Gao Han had returned from the outside to Hongxing Town, he had heard bits and pieces about the Song family—especially her stepbrother, who was an utter scoundrel.

Forget girls from the compound—even those living in tenement housing elsewhere—he was constantly hanging around them.

He frequented dance halls and arcades in town, and there had been no shortage of times he stirred up trouble in the community. The whole town knew his name.

That was also why, despite being thirty already, her stepbrother still hadn’t found a wife.

He had finally found a girl from the provincial capital who didn’t know the family’s background. And Feng Cuifen—how could she be willing to let such an opportunity slip?

She’d make sure her son got the girl, fast.

Once married, a woman lost her freedom. She’d have to listen to her husband’s family in everything.

Even if that provincial girl was delicate and spoiled, Feng Cuifen was confident in her ability to “handle” her.

In her mind, city girls might look sweet and delicate, but they were all pampered. “Controlling them is just a matter of having hands,” she’d say.

“When did you come back?”

Song Qingdai quickly sat up from the couch, forgetting that her skirt had ridden up. The hem was flipped, and in the dim light of the room, a faint glimpse of skin could be seen.

Gao Han averted his eyes immediately. Song Qingdai seemed to notice something, too. She looked down, saw her bare legs, and her face instantly flushed red. She hurriedly tugged down her skirt, covering up completely.

“Just got back. I brought food—come eat something.”

Gao Han got up and pulled open the curtains, letting the afternoon light stream in. Only then did Song Qingdai realize she had slept until four o’clock.

Outside, the sun was still blazing fiercely, its heat radiating off the ground. On the table sat the food he had brought from the canteen, packed in aluminum lunch boxes—it looked quite abundant.

“How’s the situation with Miss Ren?”

Song Qingdai was still concerned about it. Although Ren Nana was a stranger to her, she didn’t want to see an innocent person die.

In her previous life, Ren Nana’s death had made the headlines, shocking the entire country.

And Liu Bingzhi—Mr. Ren’s driver—had even stolen a classified file and fled.

A nationwide manhunt had been launched. As for the outcome, Song Qingdai hadn’t followed the story closely afterward.

She just felt that, since she had been given a second chance at life, she should try to prevent such tragedies if she could.

Especially since Mr. Ren was a national hero.

“Mr. Ren has already returned.”

“What about Liu Bingzhi?”

That was the person she cared about most. Lowering her voice, she said, “Liu Bingzhi is a spy. He’s lurking by Mr. Ren’s side with ill intent. Mr. Ren has something they want…”

“Comrade Song.” Gao Han’s expression turned stern.

“I believe you,” he said. “But without evidence, we can’t arrest anyone.”

“There are already people keeping an eye on him. But—how do you know Miss Ren will die? How do you know Liu Bingzhi is a spy?”

“Liu Bingzhi has been with Mr. Ren for many years. He’s known as an honest and dependable man. People in Peace Courtyard think highly of him. Mr. Ren trusts him completely. If I hadn’t been with you today, every single word you said could have gotten you arrested and interrogated. Do you understand?”

His scrutinizing gaze fell on her.

Song Qingdai held her chopsticks, but didn’t move.

She just lowered her head and asked quietly, “If you think what I said sounds so ridiculous, then why do you believe me?”

“You didn’t even question it. You immediately had someone start watching Liu Bingzhi.”

“Because you’re Song Qingdai.”

“The woman I’ve liked for a long, long time.”