After I Was Gone, Mr. Song Said He Loved Me - Chapter 69 - Back to the Mansion with Ren Hechuan...

Even though I was well aware of what Ren Hechuan was implying, I feigned ignorance.

“Something more valuable than money? What could that be?”

Ren Hechuan picked up a napkin, wiped the corner of his mouth, and asked with a smile, “Do you want to know?”

I nodded.

“Then let’s discuss it somewhere else later.”

I hesitated for a moment, but quickly understood Ren Hechuan’s intentions.

He wanted to sleep with me.

It seemed he already knew the purpose of my visit and was offering me the chance to bribe him. Whether I could seize this opportunity depended on my own willingness.

I was truly conflicted.

On one hand, I wanted to secure Huanya’s qualifications within a state-owned enterprise, which would give me a solid chance to sway Song Yu and clear Lu’s record. On the other hand, I couldn’t bring myself to casually sleep with a stranger.

These conflicting emotions twisted inside me like a knot, leaving me almost breathless.

“No worries, if you’re busy, we can wait for another opportunity-”

“Alright,” I said firmly.

I couldn’t hesitate any longer. This was a one-time chance. If Lu could pick up a knife and fight for me, what did my useless pride matter?

Since Ren Hechuan knew my intentions and still wanted to be with me, it meant he had the power to fulfill my request. I wasn’t worried about him going back on his word.

After all, it was just one night. I could endure it.

Sun Shengju, being quick-witted, stood up as soon as he heard our conversation. “Mr. Ren, there’s something at the company I need to attend to, so I’ll head back first.”

Ren Hechuan waved him off. “We just finished eating, let’s go together.”

Then he turned to me. “Mr. Bai, are you done?”

I smiled. “Yes, I’m done.”

After Sun Shengju settled the bill, the three of us left the restaurant. Since Sun Shengju had been drinking, he couldn’t drive, so the restaurant arranged a driver for him. Ren Hechuan, having only had a glass of lemon water, clearly intended to drive himself.

The Donglian Hotel parking lot was filled with luxury cars, yet Ren Hechuan’s car was just a low-end Audi A8, worth about a hundred and eighty thousand. At a glance, it could be mistaken for an Audi A6, looking out of place among the world’s elite cars.

I assumed someone with his power would drive a car worth millions, but it turned out to be one under a million.

Once in the car, Ren Hechuan noticed me looking around and asked, “Do you drive?”

I shook my head. “No, I don’t.”

Ren Hechuan seemed surprised. “It’s rare for someone your age not to drive.”

I grinned without refuting. He was right; almost all my friends could drive. I was the only one who relied on taxis or the subway.

Initially, I couldn’t afford it. Learning to drive seemed like a luxury, especially since I couldn’t afford a car even if I learned. It was better not to learn and avoid the longing.

Now, I’m just too lazy. With my job, I’m only fit to be a passenger. As for whose passenger seat I’m in or where I’m going, that’s not up to me. Learning to drive wouldn’t change that.

Ren Hechuan started the car and drove out of the parking lot, and I sat quietly as he navigated the city streets.

The car had been driving for a while when Ren Hechuan naturally picked up my hand and placed it on the gearshift.

I didn’t pull away, instead, I let him hold it.

Ren Hechuan seemed pleased with my compliance, his broad palm gently caressing the back of my hand.

I sneered inwardly, thinking that no matter how upright these men appear on the outside, beneath the surface, they’re all the same.

However, Ren Hechuan’s behavior made me feel somewhat relaxed; otherwise, his usual seriousness would have left me unsure how to respond.

“Mr. Ren,” I murmured his title softly.

“Hmm?”

“We… haven’t met before, have we?” I hesitated to ask.

This question had been on my mind during dinner, but with Sun Shengju present, it wasn’t the right time to ask. Now that it was just the two of us in a harmonious atmosphere, it seemed like a good opportunity.

“We have,” Ren Hechuan said with a smile, glancing at me.

“How is that possible?” I exclaimed, my eyes widening in surprise.

If I had met Ren Hechuan before, I would have remembered.

“A few days ago, Sun Shengju hosted a hot spring party. I happened to be there discussing business with a boss and saw you, but you didn’t notice me.”

Hearing this, it started to make more sense.

“I see.”

“So… why did you… ask me out for a meal?”

There were many men and women at the hot spring party; why would Ren Hechuan be interested in me?

Ren Hechuan smiled gently, not answering my question. I didn’t feel it was appropriate to press further, so I just sat quietly beside him, listening to the music playing in the car.

The car stopped in front of a row of old Western-style houses in the Zhongshan District.

All these houses were from the Republic of China era¹, having been renovated several times but preserved to this day. It was said that many prominent figures of Hai City once lived here.

Nowadays, this area is still a popular choice among the wealthy in Hai City. Although they may not live here, those in business or government often value feng shui², believing that owning a property where many famous politicians once resided could bring them good fortune.

Ren Hechuan drove the car into the courtyard, then said to me, “Let’s get out.”

My throat tightened, and I nodded breathlessly.

Ren Hechuan entered a password at the door while I stood behind him, my heart pounding wildly, guessing what I was about to face.

Ren Hechuan wasn’t like Zhang Jishu, who prospered through his wife’s influence, nor was he like Wang Li’an, corrupt and bribe-taking.

Having reached the top position at the national electric company, he had real capability, backed by his family’s influence reaching the upper echelons.

In front of such a person, I dared not use the little tricks I had before.

So, to secure a slice of the electric company, it seemed I couldn’t avoid tonight’s predicament.

Thinking this, my stomach clenched into a knot, my buttocks tensed as hard as stone, the physical rejection all too evident.

Beep-

The sound of the password lock recognizing its input.

Ren Hechuan opened the door and walked straight in. Seeing the somewhat dim interior, I took a deep breath and followed.

There was no room for hesitation, no turning back.

Whether Lu’s criminal record could be cleared depended on today.

Ren Hechuan thoughtfully handed me a pair of cotton slippers. I thanked him and slipped them on, taking a moment to survey the layout of the old house.

The lighting was somewhat dim, and the living room was square-shaped with gleaming red wooden floors. A nearly two-meter-high fireplace stood out prominently, with a bust sculpture above it. On either side were two stained glass floor-to-ceiling windows, with sheer white curtains hanging delicately, embodying a typical early European interior style.

Ren Hechuan shrugged off his coat and tossed it onto the sofa, then said, “Make yourself comfortable.”

I nodded and settled into a single armchair.

“Would you like something to drink? Juice, coffee, or something else?” Ren Hechuan asked from the fridge.

“Oh, just water is fine,” I replied politely.

Ren Hechuan glanced at me, then poured a glass of warm water and brought it over.

He placed the water in front of me and sat in the main seat of the sofa, while I sat to the side, forming a right angle between us-not too far, but not within easy reach either.

I picked up the glass and thanked him again, taking a sip to mask my nervousness and unease.

“You’ve said thank you twice already. Are you planning to keep thanking me like this?” Ren Hechuan chuckled.

I pursed my lips and lowered my head further, the rim of the glass hiding most of my face.

“Mr. Bai, you don’t have to be so reserved. I invited you because I really like you and want to pursue a deeper relationship.”

“I’m curious about your thoughts,” Ren Hechuan said seriously, not joking at all.

I stared in disbelief at the man before me, who was older than my father.

He said he wanted to date me.

Not just sleep with me, but actually date me?

“Mr. Ren, when you say ‘relationship,’ do you mean…?”

“I want you to be my lover,” Ren Hechuan answered succinctly.

Hearing the word ‘lover,’ I felt completely thrown off.

Are all bosses this bold nowadays? Having affairs outside their marriage and speaking about it so righteously, without any guilt towards their family?

Ha, the wealthier they are, the more they indulge.

“Mr. Ren, may I ask why me?” I asked, feigning a “surprised and flattered” demeanor, as if I were scared out of my wits.

Ren Hechuan gestured for me to come closer.

I hesitated for a few seconds before moving over to sit beside him.

“Because you resemble a fallen comrade of mine. We met in the army when we were young. I didn’t understand what love was at the time, but he was different from the other soldiers-fair-skinned and not suited for military life. I always felt protective and fond of him.”

“Later, I realized I had feelings for him, and he felt the same way. We secretly established a relationship in the army, but it wasn’t long before it was discovered.”

“I was too young then, lacking responsibility and courage. My family scared me with a few words, and I was terrified. My father transferred me out of the army, leaving him behind. Eventually, I succumbed to pressure and married someone my family arranged.”

“Back then, communication wasn’t advanced, and with my father’s interference, contacting him in the army was nearly impossible. It took me half a year to finally get news of him, only to find he had passed away,” Ren Hechuan wiped his face with both hands and sighed deeply.

“This matter has been a thorn in my heart for decades. I regret it deeply. If given another chance, I wouldn’t retreat or let him down.”

“So you want to make up for the regret between you and him through me?” I looked at him incredulously.

What kind of logic is this? Missing out on a lover, then finding someone similar to rekindle the past?

Footnote:

1. Republic of China Era(民国时期):The period from 1912 to 1949, when the Republic of China governed mainland China.
2. Feng Shui(风水):A traditional Chinese practice of arranging spaces and objects to optimize energy flow (qi) and bring good fortune, health, and prosperity.