Shi Chen's message came two days later.
He called Pei Zhi, but couldn't reveal the specifics of the case. He only told them that Xie Zhou had been detained and had just undergone a drug test, which came back positive.
As Pei Zhi listened to Shi Chen's cheerful yet reassuring voice on the phone, he felt for the first time the tangible reality that Shi Chen had become a reliable criminal investigator.
He recalled a long time ago, on the terrace at home, when he used Pei Xi's words of comfort to sarcastically remark that Shi Chen was the one who was indulging in frivolous pursuits and was a dissolute playboy.
But now, hearing Shi Chen's voice, he felt so at ease.
He asked Shi Chen if he was injured, and Shi Chen clicked his tongue and said unhappily, half-jokingly, "Who do you think you are?"
“Isn’t this a perfect match for my major?” Pei Zhi joked back.
Shi Chen chuckled on the other end of the phone, "Alright, don't worry. The process of catching him went smoothly. When we went to his house to arrest him, he was still dazed and didn't even resist. He didn't pee much."
Pei Zhi nodded into the phone, "That's fine then."
Shi Chen hummed in agreement. "Tell Pei Xi to rest assured. She'll definitely keep her promise, and that means she's successfully completed her mission."
He paused for a moment, then said, "Also, have her tell Miaomiao that she doesn't need to get in her way anymore; this person won't be hanging around her anymore."
Pei Zhi held his phone, unusually silent for a moment. After a pause, he tentatively asked, "Such a big thing, aren't you going to take care of it yourself?"
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the phone.
"Pei Zhi." Shi Chen called his name, the smile in his tone fading slightly, "Didn't I say that what I say, I have to do?"
Pei Zhi was taken aback.
He knew he was referring to what he had said before: he wouldn't provoke Shen Miaoyi.
At that time, he wholeheartedly supported it, fearing that he would harm innocent young girls.
But now, Pei Zhi was actually hesitant.
He hesitated and said, "I think... there's nothing wrong with showing some concern."
Shi Chen seemed to chuckle, and a soft voice came from the other end of the phone, "It's meaningless. She doesn't need my concern. Let Pei Xi do the talking."
Pei Zhi paused.
He admitted that he used to look down on Shi Chen's views on love.
So they always openly or subtly mocked him.
Although Shi Chen has never let down any of his girlfriends, nor has he ever harmed any innocent girls, he still always feels that Shi Chen is a jerk and that their values are incompatible.
He felt that dating someone like that was a big no-no, completely unreliable.
But now, he genuinely feels that... Shi Chen is more reliable.
Shi Chen has changed; he has grown.
So his thinking started to waver.
Why don't you give it a try...?
Before Pei Zhi could finish speaking, Shi Chen interrupted him: "Pei Zhi, it's not what you think."
“I’m not a person who stays committed, you know that. I don’t even know how long I can like someone. Maybe next year, I’ll be interested in someone else. You never know.” Shi Chen laughed. “Seriously, that’s really what I think. Don’t think of me as humble or pitiful. Not at all. I just have a clear understanding of myself, and I’m quite satisfied with my current state.”
"I'm not dating right now, not because of anyone, but because I don't want to be as casual as I used to be."
“I’m not like you and your brother-in-law. I’m not as ruthless to myself as your brother-in-law, nor as pure as you.”
When Pei Zhi heard him still mocking him, he immediately said irritably, "Go to hell, get lost."
Shi Chen chuckled softly into the microphone.
What he liked was Shen Miaoyi's simplicity. The word "simple" was the opposite of his own, and he didn't want to destroy it. He had said that a long time ago.
There are many kinds of feelings in this world, but there is one kind of feeling that is only suitable for silent observation.
Shi Chen felt that, strictly speaking, this didn't quite qualify as love. There was no lust, no possessiveness; he simply wanted to protect her silently.
This was the first time he had felt this way about someone, and it felt very new. What was even newer was that after all these years, this feeling of novelty hadn't worn off.
Perhaps once this phase passes, he'll meet someone else he likes and fall in love with someone else.
There are many kinds of people in this world. Some people dare to promise their hearts that they will only love one person forever, but they are just ordinary people and they are not cut out for it.
He is neither Jiang Cheng nor Pei Zhi; he is Shi Chen.
He's the scumbag Pei Zhi was talking about.
As our ancestors said, "It's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature."
He cannot guarantee that he will always be serious.
But he couldn't bring himself to gracefully walk away, leaving others heartbroken behind.
Therefore, the best approach is to remain calm and indifferent.
It's fine as friends.
"Alright, let's not talk about this again. I know what I'm doing," Shi Chen said softly.
Pei Zhi nodded. "Mm."
"This is a complicated matter; you wouldn't understand."
"..."
"My master is urging me, I have to go and get busy."
"...Get out of here."
Just as Pei Zhi was about to hang up, Shi Chen spoke again: "By the way, instead of worrying about my affairs, you should worry about yourself. It's not good to always be so virtuous."
"Get out of here!" Pei Zhi slammed the phone down.
A second before the call ended, Shi Chen's unrestrained laughter came through the receiver.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
