Chapter 124 is unclear.

Seeing the seriousness in her tone, he suppressed his anger and spoke up anyway.

"Zhiwei, you are still young, and there are some things you can't see through, but your uncle understands."

He turned around, softening his tone, and tried to persuade her to change her mind.

"It's normal for you to feel wronged right now. But a family isn't something that can be broken up so easily."

"You want to be independent, and your uncle supports that. But there's no need to make things too strained."

"Think it over carefully. Don't act impulsively and do something you'll regret."

After saying that, he turned and left.

He knew that some things couldn't be forced.

But he knew even more clearly that if he left, he might really be going far away.

As Song Zhiwei watched his retreating figure, she felt as if a stone was pressing on her chest.

She didn't chase after him, nor did she say anything more.

She was left alone in the room.

The wind outside the window gently lifted the curtains.

She stood there, motionless for a long time.

Her heart ached, but she knew this was the path she had to take.

Nobody really listened to what she said.

That was true before, and it still is now.

No matter how clearly or earnestly she spoke, she was always ignored.

She was used to this silence.

But no one was willing to bend down and listen to what she had to say.

An inexplicable weariness completely overwhelmed her.

Even though I haven't done anything wrong, I always have to live cautiously, with every step feeling like walking on thin ice.

"What are you thinking about?"

Zhou Yuce walked over and sat down next to her.

"Did your brother say anything nasty to you?"

She shook her head: "No."

"That's good."

He raised his hand and rubbed his temples, his tone revealing helplessness.

“My brother is old-fashioned and rigid in his thinking. Once he's made up his mind, nothing can change it. Don't take it to heart. He may be sharp-tongued, but he doesn't really care.”

She didn't reply, but simply nodded slightly.

Old-fashioned? Rigid?

Maybe.

But what she cared about more was what she really meant in this family.

Is she Zhou Yuze's beloved niece, or an outsider living under someone else's roof?

She didn't want to figure it out, nor did she dare to think about it too deeply.

"Uncle, when can I leave?"

She looked up at the wall clock.

It's already 11 o'clock, and I still have to get up early for work tomorrow.

Zhou Yuze looked at her, his eyes filled with tenderness.

"Are you tired? I'll take you home."

"Um."

She responded and then stood up.

The two walked out of the venue one after the other.

The lights in the corridor flickered, casting long shadows on the floor tiles.

Underground parking garage.

The air was slightly cool and carried a hint of dampness.

One by one, the motion-sensor lights above our heads lit up.

She drove herself here.

The white sedan was parked in the familiar parking spot.

"Uncle, I can go back by myself, you don't need to take me."

She took out her keys, pressed the unlock button, and the car lights flashed twice.

He glanced at her, hesitated for a moment, and a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.

"Then you can take me there."

He paused, then added, "I just had a few drinks, so I can't drive."

She was taken aback, not expecting him to bring it up so directly.

Logically speaking, someone of his status shouldn't easily expose his weaknesses to younger generations.

But he spoke frankly and naturally.

Without thinking twice, she opened the driver's side door and got in.

The sound of the engine starting was exceptionally clear in the garage.

Zhou Yuze got into the passenger seat with steady movements, and glanced around before closing the car door.

After fastening his seatbelt, he turned to look at her: "How's driving this car lately? Should we get a new one?"

She quickly waved her hand: "No need, my daily commute is already flashy enough."

That was an imported car that wasn't cheap.

Although it's not the top-of-the-line model, it's still eye-catching enough.

She's a young woman who's only been working for a few years, and driving a car like that has already drawn a lot of attention.

Wouldn't it be even more eye-catching to get a better one?

"Alright."

He didn't mention it again, but just smiled slightly.

"As long as you know your limits, that's good."

He knew she was always low-key and respected her choices.

Their relationship has always been delicate.

The car was parked downstairs in the residential area.

The streetlights cast a dim yellow glow, illuminating the fallen leaves on the sidewalk.

A night breeze swept by, swirling a few withered leaves in the air before they slowly fell back down.

"Uncle, we've arrived."

She spoke softly, her gaze fixed on the entrance to the small building ahead.

He glanced out the window; only a few dim lights were on.

I didn't see a single cat in the entire neighborhood.

There's always an indescribable sense of loneliness in the city late at night.

When I turned around, I saw her fair profile, her eyelashes trembling slightly.

He suddenly felt that being able to bring her back safely was something to be at ease about.

"Thanks, drive carefully."

"Um."

She nodded, her fingers resting on the car door handle.

He pushed open the door and got out of the car with swift movements.

Before leaving, he waved to her, and his figure quickly disappeared into the night.

Song Zhiwei got home close to midnight.

The sound of the key being inserted into the lock was particularly clear in the corridor.

She gently pushed open the door, having just changed into slippers, and was about to turn on the light.

As soon as the elevator doors opened, a deep, cold voice sounded from behind.

"Why are you back so late? Where did you go?"

Song Zhiwei's heart skipped a beat. She quickly turned around and glared at him: "Can you please not show up like that so suddenly next time? You scared me to death."

Sheng Tingzhou emerged from the shadows.

He was wearing a dark overcoat, and the chill of the outside air still clung to his shoulders.

The light fell on his face, outlining his cold and stern features, and his eyes were deep and unfathomable.

"You went to see your uncle again?"

Who else could be at this point besides Zhou Yuze?

She sneered inwardly, but remained silent.

Sometimes, silence is the best response.

Song Zhiwei frowned, her tone no longer polite.

"President Sheng, it's after get off work hours now. Where I go is none of your business."

She straightened her back and looked directly at him.

Despite the height difference, she didn't want to lose in terms of presence.

He paused for a moment after hearing this, then gave a soft hum.

"Did you suffer some mistreatment at your uncle's place, and then you took it out on me?"

Her lips moved, and she whispered, "I didn't."

Sheng Tingzhou stared at her, the dim light falling on his silhouette, half of his face hidden in shadow, making it impossible to see his expression.

"Explain yourself, what exactly happened tonight?"

She instinctively turned her head away, avoiding his gaze.

"I just accompanied him to a dinner party, nothing else."

"Then why are you so cold to me?"

He asked in a lazy tone, as if he were asking a question casually.

But the hand gripping the door frame suddenly tightened.

"Do you think he's better and want to distance yourself from me?"

Song Zhiwei froze, her heart clenching.

She opened her mouth, but found that she couldn't utter any explanation.

“There’s nothing to say,” she repeated softly, her voice almost inaudible. “I’m going back.”

After she finished speaking, she turned to leave.

Before he could take two steps, his wrist was grabbed.

He was pulled back sharply.

Then, she fell into a familiar embrace.

Fiery, powerful, with a dizzying aura.

Sheng Tingzhou pulled her into his arms.

What are you doing!

She struggled violently, her face turning pale instantly, a hint of panic appearing in her eyes.

"Let me go!"

He remained motionless, his hands firmly gripping her waist, trapping her in his arms.

Unexpectedly, he gently raised his other hand and tenderly ruffled her hair with his fingertips.