047 Farewell, Until We Meet Again

Sun Xiaoyun’s father had been arrested. Although the matter had nothing to do with her, she was inevitably affected. The news spread throughout the bureau, and her colleagues whispered among themselves, their gazes toward her shifting with unspoken meaning.

Unable to bear it, Sun Xiaoyun requested a suspension and returned home to rest. Home, in her case, was no more than a dormitory; she had only worked for a year—how could she afford to buy her own place? With her father under investigation, it was inconvenient for her to return to the provincial capital, so she spent her days weeping alone in her room, barely eating anything but instant noodles, each day stretched out endlessly.

Though Lin Qi had told her to wait for news, Sun Xiaoyun doubted there would be any hope. What power could Lin Qi possibly have to influence the situation in the provincial capital?

But three days later, word came: her father had lost his position, but his life was spared, and he would not go to prison. Though his career was over, he could at least spend his remaining years in peace.

To Sun Xiaoyun, this was an enormous relief—a blessing beyond hope.

She could hardly believe it. Lin Qi’s influence was formidable—just how far did his reach extend? How could such a powerful man be content working as a deliveryman? The answer was obvious: he must be hiding his true identity.

Without hesitation, Sun Xiaoyun hurried to Lin Qi’s apartment. This time, she did not climb through the window, but knocked on the door.

Luo Feifei opened it.

"You again?" Luo Feifei tensed immediately.

"Is Lin Qi not home yet?" Sun Xiaoyun craned her neck, catching the scent of cooking from the kitchen.

"No," Luo Feifei replied, already trying to close the door.

But Sun Xiaoyun sidestepped her easily and slipped inside, heading straight for the kitchen.

"Hey, what are you doing—" Luo Feifei went after her at once.

Sun Xiaoyun had already tied on an apron and was effortlessly wielding the spatula.

"Let’s cook together and wait for Lin Qi to come home!" she declared, then set about washing vegetables, chopping, stir-frying, and deep-frying with practiced ease.

After dinner was ready, Sun Xiaoyun didn’t stop to rest; instead, she began cleaning the apartment—sweeping, mopping, dusting—with impressive energy.

Luo Feifei could only stare in astonishment. So suddenly so diligent—was she trying to steal her brother-in-law from her?

Not a chance! Luo Feifei’s fighting spirit was ignited; she donned her gloves and joined in, watering plants, doing laundry, scrubbing windows, throwing herself into the work with gusto.

The two women competed in silence, neither willing to yield, the apartment soon filled with the heat of their rivalry.

Half an hour later, Lin Qi returned. Seeing the spotless, transformed room and the table laden with eight dishes and a soup, he thought for a moment he had entered the wrong apartment. Only when he saw Luo Feifei and Sun Xiaoyun did he relax and step inside.

He was not surprised to see Sun Xiaoyun; after all, he, too, had received news from her father.

The three of them sat down together.

"Brother-in-law, try my mapo tofu!" Luo Feifei offered, feeding a piece to Lin Qi with her chopsticks.

"Lin Qi, taste my kung pao chicken," Sun Xiaoyun insisted, not to be outdone, pushing chicken into his mouth.

The meal was an ordeal: with two beautiful women taking turns feeding him, Lin Qi nearly ate himself sick.

"I’ll wash the dishes!" he announced as soon as they finished, gratefully escaping to the kitchen with the plates.

Sun Xiaoyun followed him in. Luo Feifei tried to go as well.

"I have something to say to Lin Qi," Sun Xiaoyun turned and said.

"I have something to say to him, too!" Luo Feifei retorted, hands on her hips.

"You go first," Sun Xiaoyun offered.

That put Luo Feifei at a loss. "I live with him, so I’ve got plenty of chances to talk. You go ahead." With that, she turned and left.

Sun Xiaoyun closed the door behind her and approached Lin Qi.

"Thank you," she said sincerely.

"You’re welcome. It wasn’t me who helped—you should thank President Tang…"

"Tang Long doesn’t have that kind of power," Sun Xiaoyun replied directly.

Lin Qi fell silent.

Sun Xiaoyun let out a long breath and continued, "I don’t know who you really are, but thank you. If it weren’t for you, my father would have been in real trouble this time… He did break the law, but I didn’t want him to go to prison. I suppose the world isn’t as black and white as I once thought. When disaster strikes your own family, you begin to hope for mercy outside the law, that someone might come to the rescue…"

Lin Qi said nothing, quietly washing the dishes.

"I’m leaving—leaving Haitong City," Sun Xiaoyun said, her eyes on him, as if hoping for something.

But Lin Qi only replied with a faint, "Mm."

A flicker of disappointment passed through Sun Xiaoyun’s eyes. She spoke softly, "My father is getting old. I want to spend more time with him. When I return to the provincial capital, I’ll apply to join the Special Operations Bureau. I wish I could repay you, but I don’t know how. Your kindness is too great; all I can do is hope for a chance in the future."

Again, Lin Qi simply answered, "Mm," his expression as calm as ever.

"Lin Qi, are you and Luo Feifei a couple?" Sun Xiaoyun suddenly gathered her courage to ask.

"No," Lin Qi shook his head.

"I thought so. There’s not a trace of romance between you two…" Sun Xiaoyun smiled, then, rising on tiptoe, planted a kiss on Lin Qi’s cheek.

Caught off guard, Lin Qi was left momentarily stunned.

"If fate allows… we’ll meet again!"

With a smile, Sun Xiaoyun turned and walked away.