Aloofness and Arrogance

Zhou Xia looked at him in amusement. "Shouldn't this be the perfect time to say we'll be strangers after the divorce?"

Shen Lin's expression was a little unnatural. "That'll happen in the future, but it's not the case now."

"Shen Lin." Zhou Xia was too lazy to argue with him since Shen Lin had a point. "I'm going. Thank you for sending me home." Just as her right hand touched the handle and was about to push the door open, her left hand was grabbed by a warm and strong force. Zhou Xia lowered her head and saw Shen Lin's hand holding her wrist tightly. The temperature of his palm was obviously higher than hers. It was so hot that she could feel his pulse.

Zhou Xia was stunned for a moment. However, she reacted quickly. She pulled her hand away from Shen Lin's palm. Shen Lin had used quite a bit of force. There was already a reddened mark on her wrist. The remnants of warmth made her heart beat wildly. "Why?" Zhou Xia tried her best to calm her breathing.

Shen Lin's hand was empty. He retracted it after a while. He looked calm as usual. "Didn't you say that you need money?" He asked, "How much do you need?"

Zhou Xia was stunned for a moment. She did not expect him to take her words seriously when she was just joking. She felt touched.

"Thank you for your kindness, but I don't think we're close enough for me to shamelessly ask you for money. It was just a casual remark. Who isn't short of money nowadays? I've never seen anyone who can't live because they don't have money."

Shen Lin looked at her. His eyes were deep and mysterious. His hands were caressing the steering wheel in front of him. He did not say anything.

Zhou Xia did not say anything else either. She picked up her bag from her seat, pushed the door open, and got out of the car. Then, she walked quickly toward the community.

In Huabei City during the early summer, the willow tree was sprouting new shoots. Its soft branches sagged, and the breeze blew. Under the warm sunlight, the tree's shadow flickered on the sidewalk.

Zhou Xia's mind was a mess. She lowered her head and hurried home. She could vaguely feel the burning gaze behind her.

"Xiaxia?!" A scream came from not far away. It pulled Zhou Xia out of her turmoil. She followed the voice and looked over. "Mom? "

Wu Yanqing was carrying a few cloth bags of vegetables in her hands. It looked like she had just come out of the market.

"Why are you buying groceries at this time? What time is it?"

"Your father hasn't been feeling well for the past two days, so he doesn't eat much. I went to buy some of his favorite dishes in the afternoon so that he can eat more tonight."

"What happened to my dad? Is he feeling uncomfortable? Why didn't he go to the hospital?" Zhou Xia was a little worried.

"It's not that serious. He's just been angry because of that Chen guy. Your father has been holding a grudge. He is a prideful man who worked in the province for a long time. When has he ever suffered like this?"

Zhou Xia nodded. She understood her father's temper.

Zhou Cheng used to be the team leader of the Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention in charge of AI Meiyi. In Huabei City, he could be considered the most authoritative expert in this area.

He held a high position and was an esteemed expert. No matter where he went, he would be treated with respect. When had he ever been bullied like this?

Zhou Cheng was good in every aspect. He was kind and generous. His work ability was also commendable, but his temper was like a donkey's sometimes. He wasn't tactful and didn't like those who flattered him, so his position had always been that of team leader. He had never had a chance to be promoted. He held the same position for decades.

Later on, due to his old age and some health problems, he retired early after falling sick. It couldn't be helped. The Disease Control and Prevention Department was indeed idle when they were free, but it was really torturous when they were busy.

He went to the countryside, ran around, and had to work the night shift for more than a month. His work and rest schedules were chaotic. Although the title of Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Team Leader sounded quite influential, the salary was only similar to the average white-collar worker in Huabei City.

Zhou Cheng studied a lot and was well-educated. He had always had the pride of an intellectual.

If he met someone who was reasonable, then Zhou Cheng could be amicable and persuasive. But if he met someone like Chen Xie, who could turn black into white and make bogus accusations, then Zhou Cheng was akin to a scholar meeting a soldier. He could only brood on his own.

Zhou Xia took the vegetables from Wu Yanqing. "It's not the weekend. Why didn't you go to work today?"

"I took a leave. Your dad is in a bad mood. I don't feel at ease leaving him alone at home."