Su Zhinian focused his hearing on the phone and realized that, other than the sound of wind, there was no other sound coming from her end; it was eerily quiet.
A bad feeling settled in his gut. Before Song Qingchun could answer his question, he asked, "Where are you now?"
Song Qingchun's heart had stopped beating when Su Zhinian asked if she was outside. It took a great measure of courage before she could prepare to apologize but Su Zhinian's continued 'interrogation' had shattered her mustered bravery. She sucked in a deep breath, and her phone almost fell from her shaking fingers. However, without a better answer in mind, she blurted out his name in an effort to stall. "Mr Su… I…"
The words "Mr. Su" rushed out of Song Qingchun's mouth, and in her nervousness, her volume was louder than usual. Thanks to that, Su Zhinian could discern the nasally undertone in her voice.
Su Zhinian's heart shrunk. She's crying? This means her confession failed?
A mixture of happiness and pain serrated his soft, gentle heart. Su Zhinian interrupted her again and repeated his question. "I said, where are you now?"
His worry was masked behind a stern voice.
His usual presence was pressuring enough, so his added sternness made Song Qingchun, who was late once again, chilled to her core. She bit her lips and apologized unconsciously, "I'm sorry…"
"Please tell me, where are you?" Perhaps due to the lack of a clear answer after two questions, his tone was rather hurried.
Song Qingchun was spooked into silence. One second later, she finally answered truthfully, "I'm in the mountains on the northern side of the city…"
Mountains on the northern side of the city? Wasn't she going to confess to Qin Yinan? Why is she there instead?
Su Zhinian's brows were deeply furrowed as his brain span quickly. Then he was reminded of a snippet of a conversation he had heard during dinner some time back. Organization SW was going to open a holiday villa there, and they had approached him for investment. The project was handled by an up-and-comer with the surname Qin. Even though he knew Qin Yinan worked for Organization SW, at the time, he did not put two and two together and failed to realize that it was Qin Yinan who was overseeing the project.
So, she went so far for her confession… She is still out there even though it's already so late, does she not planning to return tonight? Then why was she crying? Were those tears of joy?
Su Zhinian looked out the window with a grim face. He was going to call Song Qingchun to come fetch him with the excuse that he had drunk too much that night, but he didn't expect she would be so far out of the city.
Song Qingchun waited for a long time for Su Zhinian to say something. Over the phone, she was unable to read his expression and gauge the situation, so she was additionally worried. After swallowing a mouthful of saliva and she explained carefully, "I do plan to return as soon as possible, but my car has broken down in the middle of the road, and I couldn't get it to restart. I am here alone, and I'm trying to get someone to help me reach the towing company."
Actually, Song Qingchun really did not want to trouble Su Zhinian. She only explained so much because she did not want him to be angry at her, hoping he would forgive her violation of the contract.