Chapter Seventy-One: Seeking Solace in Wine

Xin Gan recalled the final phone call she had with him a month ago. Perhaps even then, he was already plotting, so he had made a point of notifying her in advance: as long as he didn’t bother her, she couldn’t cause him trouble. That trouble, most likely, referred to her exposing his scandals online if he ever became a big star. He had calculated everything precisely; for the sake of his own interests, he could sever ties completely to pursue his life as a little celebrity.

Xin Gan felt nothing for him; even if he truly became famous one day, it would have nothing to do with her.

After Xiao Han’s proposal was rejected, Xin Gan submitted a new one. The supervisor called her into the office for a chat, saying, “About the previous incident, I was just doing my job impartially. I didn’t side with anyone.”

Xin Gan understood and replied, “I get it.”

“Xiao Han’s proposal had issues and didn’t pass. Your idea, though, was accepted. But knowing Xiao Han’s temperament, she’ll definitely give you trouble. Be careful and don’t let her catch you out.” The supervisor, who had experienced her share of office politics, saw something of her younger self in Xin Gan.

Xin Gan was not the type to compete; her easygoing nature made her an easy target for those with ulterior motives. This kind of personality was of no advantage in the workplace.

As Xin Gan left the supervisor’s office, she ran into Song Chen’s assistant. The handsome assistant smiled at her and said, “Hello, President Song would like to see you.”

She went to Song Chen’s office and, upon entering, spotted He Chuan, which startled her—she thought she’d walked into the wrong room.

He Chuan, however, greeted her naturally. “Long time no see, Xin Gan.”

She quickly composed herself and responded coolly, “Long time no see. Hello.”

“Why so distant? We’ve met several times. I grew up with Cheng Jiu, and we’ve known each other for years. You’re his fiancée—no need to be so formal with me.”

Xin Gan paused, nodded, and agreed.

Song Chen gestured for her to sit. “There’s nothing urgent; it’s just that Mr. He mentioned you, and I remembered you’re engaged to Cheng Jiu. No time like the present—let’s all have lunch together. Xin Gan, get ready, it’s almost time.”

Xin Gan frowned, sensing something was off. “Let me inform my supervisor.”

“No need, I’ll have my assistant tell your supervisor.”

And so, Xin Gan was forced to leave work early and go with the two men.

She had barely left when the department was abuzz with gossip.

A colleague who saw Xin Gan enter the elevator with Song Chen hurried to Xiao Han and whispered, “Did you see that? Xin Gan left with President Song. So brazen—aren’t they afraid the boss’s wife will find out?”

Xiao Han didn’t respond, but her expression was sour.

Ever since she’d learned that the child Xin Gan held that day was Song Chen’s daughter, she’d been rattled.

“Xiao Han, what’s wrong? You’ve been distracted lately. Did something happen?” a friend asked.

“I’ve caused trouble,” Xiao Han replied. She’d offended Xin Gan.

It was Xiao Han who had started those company rumors, deliberately exaggerating them so everyone would see Xin Gan’s “true colors.” But nothing had happened to Xin Gan since then, which was odd.

Xiao Han thought back to running into Xin Gan at the mall, holding Song Chen’s child. Why would the two be together? She couldn’t figure it out.

Today, Song Chen hadn’t shied from taking Xin Gan away in front of others, further suggesting their relationship wasn’t as she’d imagined. Perhaps Xin Gan wasn’t a mistress after all—if she were, she wouldn’t act so openly.

Xiao Han voiced her doubts to her friend, who quickly replied, “No way—if Xin Gan isn’t a mistress, I’ll change my surname to yours. She definitely is, trust me.”

Xiao Han forced a smile. “It doesn’t matter anymore; there’s no going back between us.”

...

During lunch, He Chuan and Song Chen discussed business, and Xin Gan, unable to join the conversation due to her position and status, quietly ate her food, chewing slowly to stave off boredom.

He Chuan, noticing her focus on eating, shifted the topic to her. “Xin Gan, is work going well?”

After swallowing, Xin Gan replied unhurriedly, “It’s all right.”

“That’s vague. Is it all right or not?”

Song Chen had heard about the rumors in the company but hadn’t intervened directly, only letting his assistant handle it. Judging by the supervisor’s attitude toward Xin Gan, it was clear what had been discussed.

“It’s fine,” Xin Gan said.

He Chuan seemed about to say more, but they weren’t close, and the conversation felt forced.

Song Chen smoothed things over. “Don’t put her on the spot. Her sister says she’s not very social, rather introverted. If you push her too much, she’ll complain to her sister, and I’ll be in trouble at home.”

He Chuan laughed and left Xin Gan alone.

Song Chen suddenly asked, “I heard your brother is working as a model now. Why the sudden change? Can’t your family support him anymore?”

He Chuan ran a hand through his hair. “It’s better than doing nothing.”

“You look exhausted. He’s caused you plenty of trouble, hasn’t he?”

“Yeah, a whole lot.” He Chuan didn’t want to dwell on He Cheng, so he glossed over the topic and, after a call, excused himself.

Once He Chuan had left, Song Chen said, “Your sister mentioned you used to know He Cheng?”

“Yes.”

“He Cheng’s a schemer. Don’t associate with him.”

Xin Gan certainly had no intention of crossing paths with He Cheng again, and he was probably just as wary of her exposing his past.

She knew quite a bit about his past misdeeds.

Song Chen continued, “When is Cheng Jiu coming back?”

“Probably the end of the year.”

“Planning to get married then?”

Xin Gan hesitated. “I’m not sure.”

Song Chen smiled. “You don’t like Cheng Jiu?”

Xin Gan forced a smile, not answering directly.

...

At the end of the month, Xin Gan’s mother told her that Mrs. Cheng had injured herself and was recuperating in the hospital, and asked Xin Gan to visit her.

Mrs. Cheng was delighted to see Xin Gan at the hospital. “Xin Xin, you’re so thoughtful to visit. Not like Hui Hui—she’s disappeared, her phone’s off. I shouldn’t have let her go out.”

“Mrs. Cheng, please don’t move—just focus on getting better.” Xin Gan peeled fruit while her mother chatted with Mrs. Cheng.

The mood in the ward was harmonious. Mrs. Cheng was particularly fond of Xin Gan’s gentle, sensible demeanor—so patient, never irritable, and the whole family approved of her.

During Mrs. Cheng’s hospital stay, Xin Gan visited daily—partly at her mother’s urging, partly because Mrs. Cheng was bored alone, but also out of gratitude for Mrs. Cheng’s kindness.

Mr. Cheng, busy with work, had hired a nurse and rarely visited. Hui Hui was nowhere to be found, still traveling with her close friends.

Even learning that Mrs. Cheng had broken her leg and was recovering didn’t spur her return. When Mrs. Cheng called to scold her, Hui Hui argued, “Isn’t your future daughter-in-law looking after you? You don’t need me anymore—you need a daughter-in-law. Hurry and have my brother marry Xin Xin.”

Cheng Jiu wouldn’t be back until the end of the year. Mrs. Cheng was even more anxious than he was for him to marry Xin Gan, hoping he would settle down and she could persuade him to transfer back to Yongcheng.

After Mrs. Cheng had been hospitalized for a while, He Chuan came to visit. Xin Gan wasn’t there, so Mrs. Cheng asked, “Has Hui Hui gotten herself into any trouble? She says she’s traveling with classmates—all girls, but I once heard a boy’s voice on her end. He Chuan, could you keep an eye on her for me?”

Hui Hui was close to He Chuan, confiding in him since Cheng Jiu was away.

He Chuan reassured her, “Auntie, don’t worry. With Cheng Jiu away, I treat Hui Hui like my own sister. I’ll look after her.”

...

When Hui Hui returned from her trip, the first person she looked for was Xin Gan. The moment she saw her, she burst into tears. Xin Gan barely had time to react before Hui Hui threw herself into her arms, wailing, “I got dumped again!”

“Don’t panic, take your time—have some water first.”

They had arranged to meet at the airport. Xin Gan had driven over, and as soon as Hui Hui got in, she started crying, gasping for breath. “I went on this trip because he was going, but he got together with my classmate! They both got into college in City A—I didn’t know. He rejected me because he was with her.”

They were in the parking lot; Xin Gan hadn’t driven off yet. She handed Hui Hui a handkerchief and comforted her. “It’s okay, don’t cry.”

Hui Hui couldn’t stop her tears, and no amount of comfort helped.

Xin Gan didn’t try to stop her from crying, just quietly handed her a clean handkerchief embroidered with a small iris. Through her blurry vision, Hui Hui noticed the flower and sobbed even harder. “He likes this flower. He gave my classmate a big bouquet of them. If I’d known he liked her, I never would have liked him.”

“If we could control our feelings,” Xin Gan said, “we wouldn’t get hurt.”

“What do I do? I feel awful.”

“Sweetheart, your eyes are as dark as a panda’s. If you keep crying, we’ll be stuck in the parking lot all night.”

Xin Gan was joking to lighten her mood. She gently patted Hui Hui’s head. “Let’s go to my place, all right? I’ll keep you company tonight.”

Hui Hui nodded, still in tears.

But Xin Gan’s mother was home, and the car was parked outside their house. Xin Gan unbuckled her seatbelt. “Wait here, I’ll grab my ID. We’ll stay out tonight. If my mom sees your eyes, she’ll tell Mrs. Cheng.”

Hui Hui agreed, blinking pitifully.

...

Xin Gan took Hui Hui to the movies. Two girls watching a thriller, both were terrified. Hui Hui hid behind Xin Gan, screaming the whole time. At first, Xin Gan managed to stay calm, but at the climax, she too turned pale with fright.

By the end, both girls were left stunned as they exited the theater.

It was still early. Hui Hui suggested they go for drinks—she’d never had alcohol and wanted to try it.

Xin Gan agreed and used her phone to find a quiet bar, taking Hui Hui along.

Hui Hui was eighteen and could legally enter. They checked her ID to be sure.

Xin Gan ordered her a mixed cocktail. “Hui Hui, you can drink, but just this once.”

To keep Hui Hui safe, Xin Gan didn’t touch a drop herself.

Hui Hui took a sip, finding it sweetly sour—a complex taste. After a few sips, she said, “It’s not very good, but not terrible either.”

“It’s like love,” Xin Gan replied. “Not essential, but somehow necessary.”

Hui Hui fell silent. “Do you think I’m stupid?”

“Not at all. When I was abroad, a friend went through a breakup just like you—maybe even worse. It took her a year to get over it.”

“A year? That’s so long.”

Xin Gan laughed at her seriousness. “Silly Hui Hui, don’t be so sad. What’s meant for you is yours; what isn’t, you can never force.”

“Xin Jie, aren’t you too unbothered? If a woman tried to steal my brother from you, wouldn’t you be angry?” Hui Hui was still sober, not drunk.

“I’d be angry,” Xin Gan admitted. “But what’s the use? Even if I’m upset, your brother wouldn’t know why.”

Hui Hui was baffled. Hadn’t He Chuan said she didn’t care about her brother?

“You could just tell him.”

“It’s not worth it. He’s too busy. I don’t want to add to his troubles.”

Before He Chuan called, Hui Hui had already had two drinks and was tipsy, muttering nonsense. So Xin Gan answered.

She told He Chuan that Hui Hui was with her but too out of it to take the call.

“I’ll come get her,” He Chuan said. “She’s hard to handle when she’s in a mood.”

Suddenly, Hui Hui sat up and declared, “Xin Xin Jie, I want to sleep with you tonight!”

He Chuan heard this, pinched the bridge of his nose, and sighed. “Sleep? This kid... I’ll come pick her up. Send me the address.”

Xin Gan asked Hui Hui if it was all right. She giggled and agreed, “Let’s all sleep together!”

She was clearly drunk.

It was Hui Hui’s first time drinking, and He Chuan caught her at it. But Xin Gan had allowed it, staying with her the whole time.

He Chuan soon arrived, found Hui Hui slumped at the bar, and watched as Xin Gan wiped her face with a handkerchief.

“How much did she have?” He Chuan asked.

“Two cocktails.”

“With that tolerance, she dares to drink?”

“I brought her here,” Xin Gan admitted.

He Chuan took a deep breath. “Don’t bring her drinking again. She’s still young.”

For a moment, Xin Gan felt He Chuan truly cared for Hui Hui; there was something different in the way he looked at her.

He Chuan picked Hui Hui up and headed outside.

Xin Gan followed.

He Chuan settled Hui Hui in his car, composed himself, and turned to Xin Gan. “Whether things work out with you and Cheng Jiu is still uncertain. Hui Hui is his sister. If you’re upset with him, don’t take it out on her. She’s young, but you’re not a child anymore.”

Xin Gan didn’t argue. She did want the best for Hui Hui, but she had indeed let her drink—it was her responsibility.

He Chuan found Xin Gan increasingly inscrutable. His tone was cold. “Miss Xin, let there be no next time.”

He returned to his car and checked on Hui Hui. She was frowning in discomfort, her face flushed and unhealthy, muttering incoherently.

Xin Gan stood motionless.

He Chuan’s emotions got the better of him. Seeing Hui Hui in pain, his own heart felt twisted, aching with each wave of distress.

“Why her and not me... What’s wrong with me... Tang Que, what’s wrong with me...” Hui Hui kept repeating the name of the one she loved.

He Chuan understood, brushed her cheek, and allowed a faint, ambiguous smile.

...

Xin Gan fetched some hangover medicine from the car and handed it to He Chuan. “Give this to her after a bit, then let her rest.”

He Chuan looked at her for a moment. “You knew she’d get drunk?”

“Yes, I didn’t think it through today. But she’s heartbroken—crying isn’t the answer. Sometimes, getting drunk has its own merits. She’s eighteen; now she knows her limit. Next time, she’ll know what she can handle.”

Xin Gan licked her lips. “I understand how you feel, but keeping her in a greenhouse isn’t always for her good.”

He Chuan stared at her, then smiled. “Miss Xin, you call this for her own good? Maybe you don’t realize, but I’ve watched Hui Hui grow up. I’ll take care of her.”

Xin Gan said nothing, only nodded, and watched as He Chuan drove away.

Only after they’d gone did she drive home herself.

On the way, she sent Cheng Jiu a text message.

...

He Chuan took Hui Hui to his own place—not the He family home.

He didn’t go out of his way to care for her; he simply settled her in the bedroom, covered her with a blanket, switched on the air conditioning, and went to the living room to smoke.

Hui Hui woke up in the middle of the night, dazed for a long time before realizing she was at He Chuan’s. She searched for her phone, couldn’t find it, turned on the light, and wandered out, seeing He Chuan on the sofa.

She licked her dry lips. “Why am I at your place? Where’s Xin Xin Jie?”

“You don’t remember?”

“No.”

He Chuan gave a sarcastic laugh. “Really, Hui Hui? Drinking yourself into a stupor over some little boy?”

Hui Hui bristled. “What little boy? Don’t talk nonsense.”

“What nonsense? For a guy like that, was it worth it?”

Hui Hui snapped, raising her voice, “If you want to scold me, fine, but don’t insult him!”