The Second Episode, Doubts about the Shadow's Whereabouts.

程以哲彬彬有礼道 : "请问沈小姐可是在这里做家庭教师?" Translation: Cheng Yizhe politely asked, "Excuse me, is Miss Shen working here as a private tutor?"

On the way back, the more I thought about it, the more strange it seemed. This household didn't look like the old-fashioned family that Nian Qing described. If it was an emerging wealthy family from outside, it might be somewhat similar, but the couple gave a very bad impression. They didn't look wealthy at all, but rather gloomy.

Cheng Yizhe fell silent, feeling increasingly uncomfortable. Nowadays, even an average middle-class family may not be able to afford private vocal lessons. As for Nian Qing, she is just a low-level employee at a newspaper office, with a meager salary. She has to support herself and her sister's living expenses, as well as Nian Qiao's education. She is working two jobs, and the hardships can be imagined.

Pressed twice, only then did I hear footsteps approaching. The small square hole on the door opened, and a pair of eyes hid behind the shadow. The voice of a middle-aged man asked coldly, "Who are you looking for?"

You can trust my driving skills. Cheng Yizhe smiled and glanced at Nian Qing through the rearview mirror, probing, "I heard that private vocal lessons are quite expensive nowadays."

Under the street lamp, Nianqing tightly wrapped a camel-colored scarf, turned around and left, with a charming yet strong figure.

I often see news about female students being harassed while doing tutoring in the social section. At this moment, those sensational events rush into my mind. Cheng Yizhe can no longer sit still, vaguely remembering seeing her run into the house behind the fifth street lamp on the right... ... At this moment, I can't care about anything else, I drive straight to the front of that house, rush into the doorway in the rain, and press the doorbell.

Turning around suddenly, Nian Qing's tone and expression were both stern, "No need, there's no need to trouble Mr. Cheng!"

"Let go!" Nie Qing shook off his hand with a cold and sharp gaze. "Mr. Cheng, I respect you, but please respect yourself and stop interfering with my life. Don't do anything foolish again!"

Cheng Yizhe stopped talking, driving in silence, and both of them remained silent. When they passed an intersection, another car blocked the road. Cheng Yizhe suddenly honked the horn continuously, making a loud honking sound. Nian Qing was startled, sitting up straight, and met Cheng Yizhe's burning gaze through the rearview mirror. He stared at her and finally blurted out, "Nian Qing, why do you always refuse? Does every good intention hide evil intentions? How much can a weak woman like you bear?" Nian Qing's face stiffened, not knowing how to respond. The car behind them honked impatiently, urging them on. Cheng Yizhe, feeling annoyed, stepped on the accelerator and drove fast, no longer speaking to Nian Qing. He stared at her and finally blurted out, "Nian Qing, why do you always refuse? Does every good intention hide evil intentions? How much can a weak woman like you bear?" Nian Qing's face stiffened, not knowing how to respond. The car behind them honked impatiently, urging them on. Cheng Yizhe, feeling annoyed, stepped on the accelerator and drove fast, no longer speaking to Nian Qing.

Turning and tossing until dawn, Cheng Yizhe arrived at the newspaper office early in the morning, eagerly looking around. When he saw the thin figure entering the gate as usual, his heart finally settled back in place. Unable to speak in front of everyone, he endured until the morning, and when Nian Qing took the manuscript to the editor-in-chief's office, Cheng Yizhe stopped her as she passed by the chief editor's office.

Do you know what you're doing? Who asked you to meddle in this matter? Nian Qing's face turned pale, and her voice trembled with anger and shock. Cheng Yizhe was anxious and grabbed her arm, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to... Even if you lose this tutoring job, I'll help you find another one..."

Two hours. Nian Qing pulled up his scarf to cover his face, thanked him, turned around, and walked away with his head down.

He left early. The man's voice turned colder, but his eyes were staring at Cheng Yizhe as sharp as a needle, "Who are you?"

Cheng Yizhe suddenly paused and said, "Is it raining?"

Nianqing had no choice but to follow along with a stiff face. Upon seeing Xia Hangsheng was not present, they ended up being alone together. Cheng Yizhe turned around and said, "Nianqing, I must apologize to you first."

Mr. Cheng, I don't understand what you're saying," said Miss Nianqing, feeling a little uneasy. She pursed her lips slightly and looked up at him.

Cheng Yizhe was frightened by her reaction and quickly apologized repeatedly.

Cheng Yizhe is considered an anomaly in the upper class circle, with no interest in the family business and a single-minded desire to become the most conscientious journalist in China. He has remained single for many years and has had no romantic affairs. Two months ago, a temporary editor arrived at the newspaper office, and for some unknown reason, Cheng suddenly fell into a passionate love affair.

I hope I never see you in that place again!'' Nie Qing arrogantly raised his face, turned coldly and slammed the door and left.

Where did you go? Nie Qing suddenly interrupted him. Behind her black-framed glasses, her eyes shone brightly, and her face instantly turned pale.

The wealthy young master pursued the popular singer until he grew tired of her. It is common for him to seek new flavors by pursuing female students or girls from poor families. Others may think that Cheng Yizhe's pursuit of Shen Nianqing is just a game, but Xia Hangsheng knows it is not. After years of knowing each other, he understands Cheng Yizhe's character the best. If he were just an ordinary playboy, he would not have abandoned his large family business and come to work as a lowly editor at the newspaper.

Cheng Yizhe was completely stunned, as if unable to react.

I am here to pick up Miss Shen as her colleague. Cheng Yizhe slightly bowed and calmly observed this person.

Wherever you go, there are fragrant grasses. Tonight, a heavy rain will fall, making the flowers more fragrant and the trees greener. It will be a new day again!

It's a quarter to ten, isn't it late?

Xia Hang was so angry that he stomped his feet. He wasted the whole night talking to him for nothing.

You are not loyal! Cheng Yizhe got up sullenly and went to grab the wine bottle.

Thinking of you, I remained silent for a while before softly saying, "Thank you very much, Mr. Cheng. I am used to this teacher's way of teaching, and I'm afraid I may not adapt well to a new one."

Upon hearing her words, Cheng Yizhe could only give up. He opened the car door and helped her out, asking, "How long is the class?"

The woman seemed unimpressed no matter how you looked at her, yet she still firmly rejected Cheng Yizhe. At first, Xia Hangsheng thought that Nian Qing was just playing hard to get with Yizhe, using the usual tactic of teasing men. It was only after a while that he realized she really wasn't interested in Cheng Shao.

Is Nian Qiao at the Church Girls' School? Cheng Yizhe asked casually, "Are there no vocal music classes at the school?"

As the door opened, a slightly bloated round-faced woman leaned out. Cheng Yizhe breathed a sigh of relief. With the hostess at home, he thought that kind of thing wouldn't happen. He quickly apologized and said, "I'm sorry, I'm here to pick up Miss Shen."

Okay, I understand. Cheng Yizhe forced a smile, feeling a pang in his heart.

Why? Nie Qing is inexplicable.

It turns out to be here. Let me take you to the door. Cheng Yizhe suddenly realized that this area is considered a wealthy neighborhood. Going along the alley leads to the consulate district. This is where foreigners and modern elites like to gather. The people who come and go here are either rich or influential.

The person behind the door remained silent for a moment, then said "I'm leaving."

Cheng Yizhe couldn't fall asleep all night, worrying about whether Nian Qing had returned home safely. He wished he could immediately ask his friends at the police station to find her home, but he was afraid of making a fuss and causing trouble for her, which would only make her dislike him more in the future.

"Oh, Miss Shen caught a cold today and went back early." The woman's eyes rolled over him and spoke in a friendly manner.

Behind the door, a woman's voice was heard saying, "Who is it so late?"

Xia Hangsheng got up to close the window. "I said, you've been coming to my house to drink for several nights in a row. Aren't you afraid of your father scolding you when you go back?"

Thinking of you, but insisting on getting off here, "My family is traditional and values etiquette. It would be impolite if they saw a man escorting me here."

The voice doesn't sound like a local, with a cold and hostile tone, leaving a very unfavorable impression. Cheng Yizhe became increasingly suspicious and uneasy, took a step back, and carefully examined the house. The house number on the doorplate reads No. 6, Chunshen Lane, Mingshan Road, a European-style two-story building, covered with ivy at the base of the wall, and simple flowers and plants under the porch, all no different from an ordinary wealthy family.

Across the street are rows of Western-style buildings of varying heights, with red walls and iron railings. The tall French plane trees extend along the alley, and the iron street lamps shine through the dense greenery, making the small buildings with red walls and white windows behind the tree-lined path appear particularly exquisite.

Indeed!

Come with me. Cheng Yizhe turned around and went back to the office.

Summer's home is not far from the famous mountain road. When Cheng Yizhe arrived, it was a few minutes before ten o'clock. He parked his car at the intersection, turned on the wipers, and stared at the road without blinking, fearing that he would miss Nian Qing. At this time, it was raining heavily, and there were almost no pedestrians on the road. Except for occasional cars passing by, only three yellow taxis went in, but none came out. Nian Qing must have gone home in this direction and could not have taken a detour. Cheng Yizhe waited until twenty past ten and still did not see anyone, making him increasingly anxious.

Xia Hangsheng forced a smile, unable to say anything for a moment.

He's tired of cursing, so he stopped. Cheng Yizhe lazily smiled, tilted his head back and drank another cup.

Cheng Yizhe silently watched her briskly cross the street, and watched her enter a house, feeling a wave of daze and melancholy in his heart.

It was already 8:20 pm when Cheng Yizhe dropped Nian Qiao off at the vocal teacher's house. He turned around and accelerated towards Mingshan Road, driving the car at a flying speed all the way, startling the yellow taxis on the roadside to give way one after another. Nian Qing hurriedly said, "Be careful, it's okay to be a little late."

What time is it now?

The more wine enters the sorrowful heart, the more sorrowful it becomes! Xia Hangsheng snatched his wine bottle, and decisively issued the order to expel the guest, "It's about to rain, I beg you to go back early, Cheng Shao!"

Nian Qing nodded and said, "Yes, we charge by the hour."

Arrived at No. 10 Mingshan Road, precisely at 8:35.

The door creaked open and a man stepped out, closing the door behind him with a flick of his hand. Under the porch light stood an average-built man in a nightgown, slightly balding, looking very ordinary except for his sharp, piercing eyes.

Here? Cheng Yizhe glanced outside and turned back to look at Nian Qing. Under the doorplate of No. 10 Mingshan Road, there was a grand entrance to a shop. Nian Qing nodded and smiled, "Yes, it's across the street. I'll get off here, just walk over."

Nian Qing was startled and looked up at him in surprise, "Mr. Cheng?"

She probably really hates me. Cheng Yizhe took a sip of his drink, turned his head to look out the window in a daze, and his brow was filled with melancholy.

There is indeed a desire, but Nian Qiao wants to study music at the Women's Normal College. Since her foundation is not strong enough, she has to put in more effort. Nian Qing also smiled casually in response, without revealing any hint of hardship or sigh. The more casually she spoke, the more it made people feel heartbroken. The two sisters, with only a few years' difference in age, the younger sister seemed carefree like a colorful butterfly, while the older sister endured such hardships and burdens at such a young age... Cheng Yizhe sighed silently and pretended to suddenly remember, "Oh, by the way, I have a cousin who is also studying vocal music. We have hired a teacher at home. Why don't we ask Nian Qiao to study with her, so they can keep each other company?" The two sisters, with only a few years' difference in age, the younger sister seemed carefree like a colorful butterfly, while the older sister endured such hardships and burdens at such a young age... Cheng Yizhe sighed silently and pretended to suddenly remember, "Oh, by the way, I have a cousin who is also studying vocal music. We have hired a teacher at home. Why don't we ask Nian Qiao to study with her, so they can keep each other company?"

"What else can be done?" Xia Hangsheng shook his head and sighed, "Mutual affection is something that cannot be forced. No matter how good your conditions are, no matter how much you give, if the other person doesn't like it... you can't just throw yourself at her."

Cheng Yizhe was stunned. He had never seen her speak so firmly before, and there was a chilling expression on her face.

Her pursed lips made Cheng Yizhe's heart skip a beat. He lowered his head and said, "I... went to Ming Shan Road to pick you up last night because of the rain. I didn't know you had left early. I rudely disturbed the family there, which may have caused them displeasure. I apologize to you..."

Cheng Yizhe exclaimed, "When did he leave?"

Cheng Yizhe called her softly, "Nianqing... Would it be alright if I pick you up tonight?"

I may have been impulsive for a moment, and may have caused you some trouble. Cheng Yizhe put his hands in the pockets of his deep gray pinstripe trousers, rolled up the sleeves of his snow-white shirt, and the same color waistcoat was tailored to fit snugly. The chain of the pocket watch swayed slightly in front of his chest.

The night wind outside the window blows in gusts, carrying a damp and chilly moisture.

So... I'm really sorry for disturbing your rest. Cheng Yizhe had to bow and take his leave, running back to the car in the rain, already half-soaked.

I'm going to pick up Nianqing, she didn't bring an umbrella! Without saying a word, Cheng Yizhe turned around, grabbed a coat, and walked out the door.