A phone rang, and Xiao Chen quickly picked it up.
"Hey, Su Qing, are you done yet?"
Upon hearing that it was his sister's call, Su Xiaomeng's ears perked up, eager to overhear their conversation.
"I'm not done yet. Are you and Xiaomeng at home?" Su Qing's voice sounded a bit weary.
"No, we are…" Xiao Chen hesitated when he noticed Su Xiaomeng waving at him frantically. He quickly corrected himself, "We're eating out and will head home afterward."
Relieved by his answer, Su Xiaomeng let out a quiet breath. If her sister found out they were out racing, she would surely be upset.
"Alright, be careful. I just got another email," Su Qing added.
Xiao Chen's brows knitted as he asked with a serious tone, "What did it say?"
"It's another threat letter… it says I have one week to make things right."
"One week? Then let's wait!" Xiao Chen scoffed. He wasn't worried about an attack — it was the absence of action that unsettled him.
Enemies hiding in the shadows are often more terrifying, and he secretly hoped they would make their move soon!
Then, it would be a direct clash. Whoever had better resources and strategies would come out ahead.
"Alright, let's talk when we meet. I'll get back to work," Su Qing said.
"Okay." Xiao Chen nodded, hung up, and narrowed his eyes. Could it finally be happening?
"What did my sister say?" Su Xiaomeng asked eagerly, as Xiao Chen remained silent after hanging up.
"Oh, nothing. Just asking what we were up to…"
"Really?" Su Xiaomeng eyed him suspiciously.
"Of course! Why would I lie to you?" Xiao Chen grinned. "I told your sister we're eating out. Now tell me, what do you want to eat tonight? I'll treat you!"
"I want seafood," she replied.
"Alright, seafood it is. After dinner, we'll go to pick your sister up from work. But remember — don't let it slip that we're out racing cars!"
Su Xiaomeng smirked. "Do you think I'm stupid? I won't say a word!"
"Hehe, alright, it's our little secret then. I won't tell your sister about your crush."
"Who's got a crush!" she almost jumped up. "I don't have one at all!"
"Didn't Yin He like you? That's also a kind of puppy love!"
"Liking me is puppy love?"
"Exactly!"
"Ugh! By that logic, I've been in love with you since kindergarten!" she snapped angrily.
"Hey, Xiaomeng, can we stop flattering ourselves so much?" Xiao Chen chuckled.
"Well, I've always been beautiful, and since kindergarten, many boys have liked me!" she said proudly.
"Yes, everyone loves you. Flowers bloom at the sight of you, but that doesn't mean you'll succeed," Xiao Chen muttered, both amused and exasperated by her narcissism.
Now free from the troubles with Yin He, Su Xiaomeng was in a good mood and her attitude toward Xiao Chen had softened. Still, she remained a little cautious — a little worse, and it wouldn't work!
The two chatted quietly, bringing up the car race from earlier.
"Xiao Chen, can you teach me how to drive?"
As the moment felt right, Su Xiaomeng finally shared her wish.
"No way!" Xiao Chen refused instantly.
Surprised, she asked, "Why?!"
"What kind of car would a little girl even drive? It's dangerous!"
"Who says girls can't drive!" she snapped back, offended. "You're being sexist!"
"Alright, alright, don't take it that way. I'm not sexist…" Xiao Chen quickly clarified.
"So will you teach me? Brother Chen, I'll call you that from now on! I promise I won't drive you away again…"
Xiao Chen shook his head. "You should call me Brother Chen since I won the race and helped with your troubles with Yin He… and as for you driving me away, hehe, I don't want to leave — can you really drive me away?"
"…!"
Su Xiaomeng clenched her teeth in frustration. Even if that was true, there was no need to say it so openly. What a bully!
Still, remembering Xiao Chen's impressive driving skills, she forced a smile. "Brother Chen, if you teach me to drive, I'll be friendly from now on, alright?"
"Not so good."
"Did you come to Longhai for my sister's sake? If you teach me, I'll help pick her up from work. How's that?" she asked eagerly.
Crunch!
Xiao Chen slammed the brakes, the car jolting and almost hitting the curb. "What did you say?!"
"I said I'll help pick her up if you teach me to drive…"
Seeing his reaction, Su Xiaomeng inwardly chuckled. "You really have no good ideas… The toad wants to eat swan meat! I'll make sure Miss Ben hears about this!"
"Cough! Xiaomeng, I swear I didn't come here for your sister's sake! I purely came to Longhai because…"
Xiao Chen stopped abruptly. There were some things he couldn't reveal to her. At the same time, he became more alert — he had almost been tricked by this little girl.
"Why? What are you and my sister hiding from me?" she demanded.
"Uh… nothing really. I was discharged from the army and didn't have a job. Your brother invited me here to protect you and your sister, and also to find a place to eat," he replied casually.
"You're lying to me!"
"No, it's true."
"Even though I'm small-chested, I'm not a child! I'll ask you one last time. Why? If you don't tell me, I'll ask my sister!"
"…"
Xiao Chen was stunned by her seriousness. He had meant to tease her a little but found she was serious, and swallowed his teasing words. This wasn't easy!
"Will you speak or not?"
After a few moments of silence, he gave in and repeated the truth he had told Su Qing: "Half a month ago, your sister called your brother for help. She said she was in trouble and needed him to come assist…"
"Trouble?" Su Xiaomeng frowned. "Could it be them?"
Xiao Chen blinked in surprise. "Who 'they'? What do you know?"
"The Su family!" Her eyes turned cold. "If my sister is in trouble, the biggest threat must be the Su family!"
"The Su family?" Xiao Chen repeated, startled. His heart skipped. "Longhai's Su family?!"
"You've heard of them?"
"Are you talking about that Su family?"
"There's only one Su family in Longhai!"
Xiao Chen's eyes widened. "Are you… from the Longhai Su family?"
"It used to be, but not anymore!" Su Xiaomeng's beautiful face hardened, and her voice became icy. "We're us, and the Su family is the Su family!"