The bright red roses were so beautiful they resembled splashes of fresh blood. Petals scattered on the ground were glaringly noticeable.

Xiao Xue followed Tang Yumeng, her steps confident and haughty as she stepped on the roses. Behind them, the crowd also started leaving the City Committee building, and the bunch of roses was pretty much crushed beyond recognition by the passersby.

The news of Song Hao's failed confession had made its way to Song Ming's office.

"Secretary Song, this… this child…" Minister Chen said awkwardly.

"It's nothing." Song Ming smiled and replied: "Men, they all have emotions and desires. Tang Yumeng is indeed a beautiful woman, and the fact that Song Hao pursued her proves he has good taste. Men like beautiful women, isn't that normal?"

"This…" His subordinates were somewhat taken aback.

"No need to make a fuss." Song Ming waved his hand dismissively: "Instead of this, it's better to discuss state affairs, matters of the government."

"Yes, yes, yes!" Minister Chen and the others nodded repeatedly.

...

After leaving the City Committee, Tang Yumeng walked back home. Song Hao's confession had left her feeling as sick as if she had swallowed several green-headed flies. Had it been Lin Chuan, perhaps she would have felt happiness. But it was Song Hao who confessed to her, the son of the man she despised the most.

There's a saying that love for a person extends to the crows on their roof, and hatred for a person extends to the crows on their roof too. If she despised Song Ming, how could she possibly like Song Hao?

Tang Yumeng was fuming inside, but had no outlet for her anger. That is why she berated him fiercely in front of so many people, without any regard for Song Hao's dignity. In fact, she regretted it a bit afterward; after all, Song Hao was a man, and to scold him in front of so many people could hurt his pride.

But then again, upon reflection, Tang Yumeng felt there was nothing to regret; she was a woman of firm resolve.

When she reached the entrance of the City Committee compound, Tang Yumeng pulled out her phone and called Lin Chuan.

Lin Chuan, upon receiving the call, rushed over from Changlin Factory.

An unmarked military green jeep pulled up in front of the City Committee. Lin Chuan hurriedly stuck his head out of the vehicle: "Sis, what's wrong? You seem in a bad mood."

"You jerk." Tang Yumeng glared at him irritably, then yanked open the door and jumped into the car.

Lin Chuan chuckled and said, "What happened? Who annoyed you? Let me handle them for you."

"Drive!" Tang Yumeng commanded.

"Where to?" Lin Chuan asked curiously.

"Go to…" Tang Yumeng thought for a moment and replied, "To the riverside of East River."

"Got it!" Lin Chuan readily nodded, immediately making a bold U-turn.

The car sped directly towards the riverside of East River. The scenery there was quite enchanting, incredibly charming. The landscape lights along the way also added beauty. Compared to the area around Changlin Factory, this place was heaven and earth apart. If this stretch of East River was paradisiacal, then the area around Changlin Factory was like a dark hell; it seemed like a world abandoned by everyone, with no maintenance for any facilities.

Lin Chuan parked the car properly, and the two took a walk along the river.

The early summer evening breeze was comfortable, feeling like a baby's hands cupping one's face. Delicate and silky…

"Sis, what's wrong?" Lin Chuan asked.

"Sigh… Today Song Hao came to see me," Tang Yumeng sighed.

Instantly, Lin Chuan became anxious: "What did he want?"

"Him?" Tang Yumeng laughed helplessly and said, "He came to confess to me!"

"What?!" Lin Chuan was stunned, almost speechless. He said in disbelief, "He confessed to you? Why?"

"How should I know what got into his head?" Tang Yumeng shook her head, saying, "But I sent him away with a scolding, I reckon he won't dare to bother me again."

"Haha…" Lin Chuan burst into laughter: "That kid is really overestimating himself, huh? Does he think he's as handsome and dashing as I am? Capable of winning a beauty's heart?"

"You're so full of yourself!" Tang Yumeng snorted, saying, "Shameless and brazen."

"Hehe…" Lin Chuan scratched his head.

He took the initiative to hold Tang Yumeng's hand, which was soft and smooth, with a suppleness that felt like warm jade when held. Tang Yumeng felt shy, trying to pull away, but Lin Chuan did not give her the chance and held on firmly.

"Lin Chuan, let go. It's not good if people see," Tang Yumeng said softly.

"Who's going to see?" Lin Chuan asked.

"Many people know me, I'm often on TV," Tang Yumeng pleaded.

"Hehe, so what?" Lin Chuan grinned, "You're usually in suits, in uniform. Now you've put on a dress, who would recognize you? I wouldn't recognize Sora Aoi with clothes on, let alone you in different attire?"

"Sora Aoi?" Tang Yumeng instantly caught the sensitive part of Lin Chuan's words, and hurriedly inquired, "Who is Sora Aoi?"

"Ah... this..." Lin Chuan gave an embarrassed smile and said, "She's just an enlightenment teacher of mine who hides year-round in a certain 'Sino-Japanese Friendship' folder on my hard drive. I don't go looking for her often, only occasionally when there's a need."

"You!" Tang Yumeng immediately understood, and her face turned red in an instant. Fortunately, as they were strolling under the trees, they couldn't see each other's faces clearly. This allowed Tang Yumeng to breathe a sigh of relief internally.

The two kept walking along the riverside.

Tang Yumeng blushed and remained silent.

Lin Chuan kept holding Tang Yumeng's hand, and the two walked in silence. Even though they didn't speak, their occasional glances at each other often conveyed more than any words might express about what was in their hearts.

Tang Yumeng lowered her head, seemingly having something she wanted to say to Lin Chuan. Lin Chuan, on the other hand, was carefree, holding Tang Yumeng's hand, and his happiness was self-evident. Having the opportunity to take such a super beautiful and great beauty like Tang Yumeng home as a bride was definitely a fortune he'd earned from doing many good deeds in a past life.

A smile appeared on Lin Chuan's face, with the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

"Lin Chuan." Finally, Tang Yumeng spoke.

"Sis, what's up?" Lin Chuan asked.

"I..." Tang Yumeng hesitated for a moment, biting her red lips, and said: "Why don't you come back to work?"

"Why?" Lin Chuan was stunned and said: "Didn't you fire me?"

"That was because I was angry," Tang Yumeng glared at Lin Chuan and said: "I regret it now, it makes me anxious not seeing you drive me to work every day, I feel sadder than anyone when I can't see you at the office every day."

"Sis, I'm sorry." Lin Chuan immediately bowed his head and admitted his mistake.

"The person who should say sorry is me," Tang Yumeng said with teary eyes: "I blamed you wrongly that day, did I hear right that you donated to a Hope Primary School, right?"

"Hmm, how did you know?" Lin Chuan asked in confusion.

"I went to find Mu Bai," Tang Yumeng said with a smile: "She told me everything."

"Ah?!" Lin Chuan was stunned on the spot.

Everything? Everything about what? Was it everything about that night or everything about the Hope Primary School? Lin Chuan was a bit dazed, not knowing what to do. At that moment, his heart was like fifteen buckets fetching water - constantly fluctuating, nervous and apprehensive.

"Hmm." Tang Yumeng nodded and added: "She told me that because you discussed the Hope School that day, your cell phone ended up being left in her car."

"Just this?" Lin Chuan asked in confusion.

"She also said that you are a very kind, responsible man with a strong sense of social duty," Tang Yumeng revealed a proud smile.

Upon hearing this, Lin Chuan instantly felt much more relaxed and quickly said with a smile: "Well, that goes without saying, I am not someone who forgets his roots. A man with a good heart, naturally has the blessings of heaven. Especially someone as handsome and responsible as me."

"Everything about you is fine except for when you become so narcissistic that you don't even recognize yourself," Tang Yumeng chuckled with her hand over her mouth.

"Hehe..." Lin Chuan laughed with a chuckle.

"I'm talking serious with you," Tang Yumeng looked at Lin Chuan sincerely and said: "When will you come back to work?"

"Sis, if I come back to work, you're not going to kick me out again, are you?" Lin Chuan asked.

"I won't." Tang Yumeng shook her head and said: "Absolutely not."

"Then okay." Lin Chuan nodded and said: "I've got nothing to do at home anyway, I'll go back to work tomorrow. By the way, am I a temp or a full-timer?"

"Your files have been deleted by Minister Chen, so..." Tang Yumeng smiled and said: "You can only come back as a temp."

"Why?!" Lin Chuan flared up.

"Don't worry, I'll make you a full-timer in a few days," Tang Yumeng smiled and said: "Someone is going to retire in a few days, and we'll place you in a position in the logistics department then. Definitely no problem."

"That's more like it." Lin Chuan smirked with a smile.

Getting Lin Chuan's affirmative response, Tang Yumeng couldn't help but smile as well. She happily snuggled up against Lin Chuan's shoulder, feeling like the happiest woman in the world all of a sudden. The pair walked hand in hand by the riverside, their laughter intermingling with romance. At one point, Tang Yumeng even hummed a cheerful tune.

...

Song Hao was infuriated and beside himself with anger after being rejected by Tang Yumeng.

Upon returning home, he vented his rage by smashing things around.

"Hao'er, what's the matter?" Mrs. Song hurried out.

"It's nothing." Song Hao wrecked the chairs, the sofa, and some decorations on the table, his face reddened with rage, and in his fury, he even injured his finger until it bled.

"You say it's nothing, but look at this... What happened?" Mrs. Song hurried over and said: "Look at you, not only breaking things but also hurting your own hand. It's so not worth it. What's going on? Tell Mom."

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