Chapter Sixty-Eight: Bai Bing Has Returned Once More!

Wang Zheng leaned against the wall, standing there. He took several deep drags from a cigarette that wasn’t even lit. No taste at all. To be precise, he simply didn’t want to face the woman before him.

“I heard that Zhongtian’s situation has improved. Congratulations,” Bai Bing, standing opposite and also leaning against the wall, looked at Wang Zheng as she spoke. Yet her tone betrayed not a hint of congratulation.

“Thank you. Ever since you left, everything’s gone smoothly. Zhongtian’s not only recovered but is showing signs of further expansion. Tell me, why do you think that is?” Wang Zheng sneered as he stared at Bai Bing.

“You haven’t changed. Your tongue is still as poisonous as ever,” Bai Bing replied.

“And you’re still so fond of meddling,” Wang Zheng retorted. Then, as if reminded of something, he reached into his pocket, pulled out an item, and tossed it to Bai Bing. “Take it. Consider it the rent for staying at your place before.”

Bai Bing caught it, opened her hand, and gazed at the cold, gleaming diamond in her palm. With a flick, she threw it right back to Wang Zheng.

“No need. I stayed at yours for a few days, too. We’re square.”

“I don’t like owing anyone,” Wang Zheng said, looking at her, then tossed the diamond back.

“I said we’re even. Besides, I don’t accept rewards I haven’t earned,” Bai Bing replied, hurling the diamond at Wang Zheng again.

Everyone loves diamonds, but between these two, it seemed the precious stone had become a hot potato—neither wanted it. For a moment, the man and woman standing on opposite sides of the corridor tossed a ten-carat diamond back and forth like a ping pong ball.

With a crisp smack, the diamond landed back in Wang Zheng’s hand after its nth flight. This time, he didn’t throw it again. He weighed it in his palm, then slipped it into his pocket. “I’ll keep it for now. If you ever want it, just let me know.”

Bai Bing said nothing in response, but her eyes remained fixed on Wang Zheng, showing not the slightest hint of avoidance. Wang Zheng, on the other hand, felt a bit embarrassed under her gaze.

“Are you particularly happy right now?” Bai Bing suddenly asked, out of nowhere.

“Hm? What do you mean?” Wang Zheng asked, puzzled. Happy? Lin Xiaolei’s untimely indecisiveness and ambition worried him deeply. How could he possibly be happy?

“No one’s following you around all day. You’re free to bring various women home. Isn’t that satisfying?” Bai Bing pressed.

“Not exactly satisfying. Just a little bit, maybe,” Wang Zheng laughed, “Why? Are you having pangs of conscience, realizing everything you said before was wrong, and want to apologize?”

“Ugh! Haven’t seen you in a few days, and your skin’s gotten even thicker!” Bai Bing sneered.

“Same goes for you. Your skin isn’t any thinner!”

“You’ll pay for what you’ve done. You surely will.”

“Thank you for the reminder. I know that good people are always rewarded in the end.”

The two had been apart for quite some time, each cooling off. They had expected to change, but once together again, their habit of quarreling seemed to persist, perhaps even intensify. Their verbal sparring, the back-and-forth, was absolutely no less fierce than a battle between armies—perhaps even more so. The whole police station felt livelier thanks to them, and at least a few clueless officers had already gathered by the door, watching the ‘cockfight’ between the man and woman as if it were a show.

Perhaps meeting and arguing had become their habit—no fight, no energy, no comfort. If they didn’t quarrel, they couldn’t sleep at night.

As usual, Wang Zheng emerged victorious in the end. Seeing Bai Bing’s cheeks puffed and her eyes red with anger, Wang Zheng suddenly felt as if he’d returned to the past. The feeling was strangely comforting.

“You’re doomed. Just wait for your bad luck,” Bai Bing said, pointing at Wang Zheng with resentment, then snorted and strode into the room.

Wang Zheng, naturally, wore a victor’s smile. Though winning an argument with a woman was hardly a glorious accomplishment, he still felt a sense of achievement—more exhilarating than slaying a hundred villains.

What a thrill!

Not long after, Lin Xiaolei came out from the room. Her eyes were red—she’d obviously been crying. Sensitivity and sadness weren’t necessarily bad traits, but being like this all the time was not ideal. Still, it was understandable; after all, Wu Bifan inside had once been her best friend.

Perhaps Lin Xiaolei truly was too kind.

“Don’t worry. It’s just a matter of recovering over ten million. She won’t get a long sentence,” Wang Zheng tried to comfort Lin Xiaolei.

“But, but it was all her boyfriend’s instigation. Bifan is good at heart, I know her…”

“When you were desperate, why didn’t you believe she’d return the money?” Wang Zheng mercilessly interrupted, looking at her. “Is committing a crime under someone’s instigation not a crime? If she had no such intention, no one could have persuaded her. And you, as her best friend, trusted her enough to let her handle the finances—yet she did such an outrageous thing, and you still defend her? You’re really too compassionate! Murderers often claim it wasn’t intentional. We’re all adults, educated enough to know that actions come with consequences. Before the law, only evidence matters—not excuses, understand?”

After finishing, Wang Zheng gently pushed the still reluctant Lin Xiaolei out of the police station. He’d always considered kindness Lin Xiaolei’s strength, but now, it seemed excessive kindness was a flaw too.

Back at the company, Lin Xiaolei’s mood improved considerably. At least she remembered she was the general manager and couldn’t show weakness in front of her subordinates.

“Now that the money’s been recovered, what do you plan to do with it?” Wang Zheng asked, shifting the topic—this was, in fact, something he cared about.

Lin Xiaolei glanced at Wang Zheng, then lowered her head and murmured, “I haven’t decided yet.”

“Is that so?” The question sounded more like a statement, as if Wang Zheng had already guessed her real thoughts.

Wang Zheng smiled faintly, saying nothing more. He didn’t need to ask; her expression had told him all he needed to know.

People often can’t distinguish between perseverance and stubbornness. Deep down, everyone has a rebellious streak. At such times, outside words only accelerate their resolve. Whether it’s persistence or obstinacy, nothing changes until they hit a dead end.

Wang Zheng walked alone through the city streets. Tonight, he didn’t dine with Lin Xiaolei. Bai Bing’s untimely success in cracking the case and retrieving over ten million had boosted Lin Xiaolei’s confidence, making her all the more determined to invest in other industries. Now, nothing could sway her.

A positive, ambitious heart is good, but the company had just undergone major surgery—if they didn’t rest and recuperate, the results could be counterproductive. Moreover, could fifteen staff members handle expansion at this stage? All of them had only been with Zhongtian for a week. With no human or capital resources, venturing into a new field…

Sigh!

“What's the matter? Got dumped?”

Just as Wang Zheng was sighing, a familiar voice rang out, tinged with triumph and schadenfreude. Wang Zheng stopped, gripping his overgrown hair tightly, his brows furrowed.

“I only dump people; I don’t get dumped,” Wang Zheng suddenly smiled, then said with biting sarcasm, “But what puzzles me is: how does someone as busy as Miss Bai have time to stroll the streets? Who's the unlucky soul you’re spying on now?”

“You. How are you?”

“Me?” Wang Zheng pointed to himself, then laughed, “I am unlucky! Met you twice in one day!” With that, Wang Zheng continued down the road. Yet his mood seemed to lighten, the corners of his mouth lifting in a subtle smile.

Bai Bing pursed her lips, saying nothing. Seeing Wang Zheng move ahead, she hurried to keep up.

Wang Zheng didn’t stop until he reached the gate of Huamei Community. The familiar footsteps behind him were oddly comforting.

Why? Hadn’t she stormed off in anger? Why come back, thick-skinned as ever? Was she not joking earlier? Was everything she said true? Was she here to ‘monitor’ him, to persuade him? If so, it was wonderful—someone to tidy up the place, hot porridge every morning, and no more worries about dinner.

Though he was pleased, Wang Zheng outwardly feigned calm, acting as if he didn’t care to engage her. He looked at Bai Bing and asked, “What are you doing? Playing follow-the-leader?”

“On assignment!” Bai Bing replied confidently.

“Assignment? What assignment?”

“To persuade you to return to the organization! Only recently did I remember: before I took on this task, I swore an oath. Unless I bring you back, I can’t return myself. So you have to come with me. If not, I’ll just follow you. I have plenty of time. If you don’t mind, neither do I. If you can endure me, I can endure you even more…”

Good heavens, here we go again…