Urban Soldier Young Master

Chapter 869 - 868: What's Wrong with You

Taking out the phone with joy, Chu Ge saw an unfamiliar number on the screen and was slightly taken aback. He frowned, feeling a bit disappointed, and then picked up the call."Hello, who is it?"

The other side was silent, only the sound of breathing came through the receiver into Chu Ge's ear.

Chu Ge said hello a couple of times more, but still got no response from the other side.

"Are you kidding? If you don't speak, I'm hanging up."

Chu Ge muttered, about to hang up the phone, when finally a voice came through the receiver.

"Wait, wait a second, it's me."

This voice sounded somewhat familiar. Chu Ge was taken aback again for a second, "Mu Xiaoting?"

"Uh… uh, it's me. I heard from Shanshan that you are back in Lidu, and all those who kidnapped me have been caught, so actually, there's nothing really wrong with me now."

After saying this, Mu Xiaoting on the other end of the call raised her hand and knocked her forehead. Damn it, what strange things was she saying? Where did her usual sharp tongue go?

"Mu Lingshan has a really fast mouth, huh." Chu Ge chuckled, "Not all of them, the most dangerous guy hasn't been caught yet. But for you, it doesn't matter now. At least he can't threaten your safety anymore."

"Oh… and you…"

"Me? What's wrong with me?"

Mu Xiaoting actually wanted to say "Then you should be careful," but when the words reached her mouth, they turned into "Nothing."

After saying these three words, she raised her hand and knocked her forehead again. Suddenly, she realized that she, who was always eloquent, didn't know what to say at this moment despite having so much to say before.

It was Chu Ge who broke the brief silence. He was very free now, with nothing to do until Qin Ruojing came home in the evening. To be precise, even if there was something to do, he didn't feel like doing it, so he didn't mind sitting on this bench and chatting with Mu Xiaoting for a while.

"By the way, I heard you told Mu Lingshan that I drowned trying to save you?"

"Huh?" Although this voice wasn't actually abrupt, Mu Xiaoting was startled, "Uh, I did say that."

Chu Ge chuckled, "You're quite something. Coming up with such a ridiculous lie, why didn't you say I choked on food or water? That would sound more convincing than your version."

Hearing the laughter in Chu Ge's voice, Mu Xiaoting unknowingly relaxed a bit, "Alright, the matter's past, stop talking about death and all, it's so inauspicious. Besides, wasn't I just trying to…"

Mu Xiaoting stopped mid-sentence, her voice coming to an abrupt halt.

"Trying to what?"

"Uh… trying to, trying to express my apologies, so I wanted to embellish your image."

"Come on, Mu Lingshan knows me better than you do." Chu Ge rolled his eyes, "Let's not talk about this. Did you tell your dad about your kidnapping?"

"Not yet."

"Then you can tell him now."

Previously, Chu Ge didn't want Mu Xiaoting to bring this up to Mu Chongyi straight away because of Lin Gaoze and Mu Lingshan, but now things were different. Anyway, now that these people have been caught, it can't be concealed anymore.

Besides, this incident would also serve as an important charge to ensure they face legal consequences. Even if Mu Chongyi has grudges, it can't be helped. At least it's better than telling him from the outset.

Hearing Chu Ge say this, a bitter smile appeared on Mu Xiaoting's face. Just after returning home, her mind was all over the place, only thinking about how to improve Chu Ge's image in Mu Chongyi's mind, without considering the follow-up matters.

Now, the situation had developed to a point where the lies she told could no longer be sustained. She didn't know what her father's reaction would be when she confessed everything to him.

With the serious matters discussed, Chu Ge and Mu Xiaoting chatted for a while longer before leaving the bench, finding a music bar, having a simple meal, and drinking some beer to pass the afternoon.

Around six o'clock, Chu Ge bought some groceries and returned to the Huafu Garden District. He knocked on the door but no one answered. Listening carefully to the movement inside, it seemed the Qin sisters weren't back yet.

Putting down the groceries, Chu Ge leaned against the wall by the door, waiting for the Qin sisters to come home. He felt a bit speechless. Wasn't he, after all, a community hero? Even if he didn't care about fame, shouldn't he at least have a home to return to?

After waiting for seven or eight minutes, with random thoughts running through his mind, suddenly the sound of the elevator door opening echoed in the quiet hallway. As he glanced over, a voice full of suspicion rang in his ears.

"Bro... in-law?"

In Chu Ge's line of sight, Qin Ruoying mechanically walked out of the elevator, her big beautiful eyes wide open, staring unblinkingly at Chu Ge's face.

It's only been a few days, but Qin Ruoying seems like a different person. The girl who loved makeup now had a pale face without even any light makeup. Her eyes were wide open with visible bloodshot streaks, and her once lustrous lips had lost their sheen—one look at her tired face and you could tell she hadn't been resting well recently.

Chu Ge grinned and waved his hand, "Hello there."

"Brother-in-law! It's you, it really is you, you've come back..."

Qin Ruoying mechanically took two more steps and suddenly shouted these words loudly. She grabbed one of Chu Ge's hands forcefully, their gazes locked, her lips trembling slightly as tears began to fall.

The treatment Chu Ge hoped to receive from his wife, he got from his sister-in-law. He smiled gently at Qin Ruoying, feeling a warm stream spread through his heart.

Feeling the slight tremor of Qin Ruoying's small hand, Chu Ge opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing, letting her hold his hand tightly.

Silence was more meaningful than words in this warm and peaceful moment.

"Tap, tap, tap..."

The sound of high heels tapping on the floor echoed from the stairs, the sound growing clearer. In Chu Ge's direction, the figure of Qin Ruojing appeared.

When Chu Ge and Qin Ruojing locked eyes, with Qin Ruoying's hand in his, Qin Ruojing's expression remained calm, her pace unhurried, as if completely unaffected by any emotional fluctuation.

As Qin Ruojing approached, she took out the house key from her bag. Qin Ruoying finally snapped out of her trance, wiping her tears with the back of her hand, laughing and crying as she said, "Sister, brother-in-law is back, look, he's back."

"I saw." Qin Ruojing replied flatly, her eyes on the lock as she inserted the key.

"Sister? What's wrong with you..."

Qin Ruoying was stunned. She couldn't understand Qin Ruojing's demeanor, releasing Chu Ge's hand and murmuring in confusion.

Qin Ruojing didn't answer, her slender fingers turning the key, unlocking the door, removing the key, and going inside—all without looking aside, her expression indifferent.

Watching Qin Ruojing's back, Qin Ruoying shifted her gaze to Chu Ge, who was also looking in the same direction with a bitter smile, "Brother-in-law, what happened between you and my sister?"

"Let's go inside first."

Chu Ge forced a smile and carried the groceries into the house. Everything felt so familiar, yet the first sound that greeted him was the door of Qin Ruojing's bedroom closing. It wasn't loud, but it chilled Chu Ge's heart.

Qin Ruoying was about to change her shoes when she heard the door close, and her actions paused, "Brother-in-law, what's wrong with my sister?"

"Your sister is probably mad at me for not staying in touch, right?" Chu Ge put on his slippers, scratching his head with a wry smile, "Xiaoying, aren't you angry with me?"

"I... I haven't had time to think about that." Qin Ruoying shook her head, blinking blankly, "I just thought, as long as you're back and safe, that's all that matters. Nothing else is important."

Hearing Qin Ruoying's words, Chu Ge smiled genuinely, feeling indescribable warmth and gratitude. Of course, it would have been even better if Qin Ruojing had reacted the same way.

"Thank you, Xiaoying." Holding Qin Ruoying's hand gently, Chu Ge said tenderly.

Qin Ruoying sighed, forcing a smile, and said, "Brother-in-law, if you really want to thank me, don't suddenly disappear without a word again, okay?"

Chu Ge nodded with a smile, "Okay."

When he said "okay," Chu Ge felt somewhat guilty. Life's plans often can't keep up with changes. Many promises come from the heart at the time, but given the unpredictable future, who can guarantee they'll keep every promise made to others or themselves?

Take the simplest example: nearly everyone as a child thought about what they'd become when they grew up, but as they age, how many can stick to and fulfill those childhood dreams?

There's an ancient saying, "When one is in the world, they are not in control of their fate," which may sound pretentious but is indeed the case. As long as there are people, there is the so-called "world."

Before Qin Ruoying could say anything more, Chu Ge glanced at the closed door of Qin Ruojing's bedroom and changed the topic.

"Xiaoying, go check on your sister for me, see what's going on, okay? If she keeps this attitude, it would be awkward for both of us, right?"

Sure enough, as soon as Chu Ge said that, Qin Ruoying's attention was entirely diverted. She turned her head towards Qin Ruojing's bedroom, raised her little fist, and nodded, "Okay, I'll make sure to complete the mission."

"I'll give you thirty-two likes!" Chu Ge raised his hand to bump her little fist, "I'll cook for you. It's only been a few days, and you've lost weight. You have to eat more later."

"Okay!"

"Don't argue with your sister. Whatever happens, talk it out nicely. I'm indeed at fault here, and it's only right she's mad at me. Don't make the atmosphere even more tense."

"Don't worry, I'm well aware. No matter what she says, I won't argue with her, will that work? Anyway, I promise to sort everything out before we start eating."

Chu Ge instructed once more and, seeing Qin Ruoying's confident response, smiled and gave her a thumbs-up before turning to the kitchen.