Chapter 171 - Which Year Is This Tonight

ouwu, this boy is leagues ahead! Just like I said before, the kids from ordinary families tend to be more outstanding!""Uncle Wang!" Lin Luoran reproached, inwardly worried that her father's stern dem...Chapter 171: Which Year Is It Tonight

In contrast to Tang Wu, who smiled while fixing Su Can's torn shirt and scratches after the accident, trying her best to calm everyone down, Lin Luoran looked like a child who had done something wrong when she saw Su Can. She no longer acted as domineeringly as before; instead, she waited quietly for the insurance company to assess the damage and for the tow truck to take them to the city traffic police department. Then, she went back home with Su Can, looking just like how she did when she ran away from home for the first time and was brought back by Lin Guozhou, her large eyes showing both委屈和可憐兮兮的模樣。

When they reached the entrance of the municipal government staff compound where Su Licheng and Zeng Ke were already waiting to greet them, seeing the four people appear in their car, Zeng Ke was so excited that she couldn't control herself. Although Su Licheng tried his best to stay calm, he nodded at Su Can, showing his approval. The details of what had happened were being passed around, but he knew a bit more about it. Seeing everyone return safe and sound, he finally let out the breath he'd been holding in. If anything had happened to Lin Luoran or Tang Wu, he wouldn't know how he could explain himself to Wang Bo and Tang Wu's parents in Chengdu.

Seeing Zeng Ke fussing over them and offering to help carry their luggage, Tang Wu and Lin Luoran nearly broke down again, tears welling up in their reddened eyes.

Su Can and Li Pengyu fell behind, parking the car in the garage at the back. Li Pengyu asked him, "Are you trying to find a way through this situation"

After seeing today's events unfold, he had deliberately suppressed his anger and only managed the scene, allowing Su Can to take control. He was raised in a military compound and had seen it all; in his eyes, Su Can was someone who controlled FaceBook and had an extensive business empire, making him unpredictable despite being brothers. This was the first time that Li Pengyu had ever seen Su Can so shaken up, even he felt affected.

"I've always wanted to find a way through this situation, but today's events make me hope they never happened. If I hadn't stayed in Huangcheng and instead returned to Chengdu after the Spring Festival, would all of this have been avoided" Su Can leaned against the leather headrest tiredly, looking up at the starry sky visible through the sunroof of the car. It seemed that nothing was more important than this moment's peace. Life is full of choices; reborn once, Su Can had no second chance to live life differently, so he couldn't understand what was right and wrong.

Li Pengyu patted his shoulder and said, "Huangcheng's local power structures are deeply rooted, with various interest networks intertwined. We've seen firsthand how the six degrees of separation theory supports Facebook's existence: two people can be connected through just six others, even if they're oceans apart. Now, in Huangcheng's closed-off environment, two people from different government departments might easily be distant relatives. This vast network, supported by officials big and small, covers most of Huangcheng's skyline, leading to constant gloominess and corruption, with no sunlight shining through. Everyone makes countless choices throughout their lives, both meaningful and meaningless ones. In my view, what you've done is full of significance and meaning. Look, aren't Tang Wu and Lin Luoran okay It seems heaven is on your side."

Su Can nodded and got out of the car. He had been anxious but needed to think things through; as he walked away from the car, he said to Li Pengyu, "I didn't expect Geng Luoxiang to support the direct arrest with actual action. With the provincial department intervening in this malicious car accident case, it's no longer something Xǔ Chángchéng can easily resolve. However, there are many legal grey areas where the other side can exploit this situation. If charged with endangering public safety by dangerous means, they could face at least three years in prison. But clearly, Xǔ Chángchéng wouldn't sit idly by; he might try to shift the case to intentional property damage or a lesser traffic accident charge."

Su Can had planned on breaking through with the Xu family to create an illusion of a feud between them, isolating external support and toppling Xǔ Chángchéng. If it wasn't political rivalry but merely personal conflict, many wouldn't want to get involved for fear of drawing unwanted attention. Su Licheng was still a provincial official, with Wang Bo backing him in the future, so who would willingly confront him Even those who did had to consider their weight.

Li Pengyu nodded and said, "Our Provincial Department has its people, but so does the other side. The Xu couple obviously have many secrets in Huangcheng, yet they're still secure. This means their relationships are solid. I know that Zhao Lijun has a good relationship with your family, but he also needs to consider his environment's pressure. If someone important calls him every day, will he keep ignoring them When people visit, you can't just turn them away. Once emotions and relationships come into play, even the provincial minister might bend the rules."

Li Pengyu knew about Zhao Lijun's relationship with Su Can's family but his analysis was somewhat unfounded.

As they arrived home, Su Can added, "That's true. The most likely outcome is that Xu Dong will only be detained for a few months. Xǔ Chángchéng won't let him receive harsher punishment and there will surely be many who speak up for them. Even so, others in Huangcheng might think it's just because he hit Su Can's sore point and got caught; this would fall into the political realm. In such a city of privilege, who truly understands anything or restrains themselves They need to feel pain and fear before they'll respect the rules."

Li Pengyu strongly agreed but then frowned and said, "We're newcomers here, knowing about Xu's and Zho's collusion through people like Yao Ming. Do so many in Huangcheng not see these things Furthermore, could provincial high-ups be unaware too Yet over the years, with everyone tacitly understanding yet no one exposing it, the provincial authorities haven't spoken up either; they're quite clever."

As water gets clear, fish won't thrive. Su Licheng wouldn't stay silent forever but would act out if pushed to a breaking point. Though he might not compromise his integrity, in Huangcheng for two years, many times he had turned a blind eye to keep himself safe. Su Licheng, Mayor Yang, and Party Secretary Li were all outsiders who'd eventually leave; the real power brokers were locals like Xǔ Chángchéng and Zhou Zhaofeng. Ultimately, Huangcheng would remain unchanged.

An official has to face a lot of troubles and resistance to truly make achievements, as Su Licheng experienced. Many people initially wanted to do something meaningful for others but their ideals or even beliefs could not withstand the ravages of reality over time. In the end, they were left unrecognizable.

Wang Bo in Rongcheng would have to see many hidden dangers and internal affairs on his path to gaining a decisive position within the province. How much courage and skill does one need to navigate這個時代的變化？王薄要真正貫徹自己的方針政治理想，在省內取得決定局勢左右的話語權，就需要有在天堂中俯視地獄的魄力。

Therefore, extraordinary measures must be taken. It doesn't matter how Xu Dong handles the situation; the important thing is to use this opportunity to bring down his father, thus dismantling the Xu family's power from within Huang City.

Lǐ Pēngyǔ felt that behind the seemingly chaotic scenes were intricate details, nodding and saying, "It’s like going to war."

Su Can rubbed his slightly furrowed brow. The years had hardened him, and he thought of an old Roman who once said, “A bad peace is worse than war; even the bravest person would be frightened by sudden terror, but great empires are not built on cowardice.”

Pausing, Su Can looked up at his home’s lit-up small house and smiled. "To me, life doesn’t need to be great, but it shouldn’t be built on fear either. One should face collisions head-on rather than regretting later."

*Su Can’s small house was brightly lit by a large chandelier that illuminated the entire room warmly.

Su Licheng answered a call from the balcony, seemingly to understand some situation regarding his children and jot down notes. He pushed back, saying, "The kids are very tired now, they should rest well today. I think we can discuss any matters tomorrow."

After hanging up, a bright moon hung high in the sky while a cool breeze blew gently. Su Licheng’s figure was remarkably clear as he made further calls to arrange things. In recent years, Su Licheng had reached another peak in his career, exuding authority but with many strands of white hair. After today's incident, it would shock Huang City and bring about genuine confrontation.

Su Can looked at his father’s back and felt as if he were a child again, feeling the endless trust and strength from that broad figure.

In the living room, Zeng Ke was treating Tang Wu and Lin Luoran's minor injuries. Lin Luoran had several scrapes on her elbows, and Tang Wu’s knee was scratched; her pale legs lay exposed, with some porcelain-smooth skin grazed and bleeding slightly. Su Can felt his heart ache, thinking he should have dealt with Xu Dong more harshly.

"Make sure your phones are charged next time!" "What if we can't reach anyone in a similar situation" Tang Wu’s phone had fallen out the window during the commotion and was smashed; Lin Luoran hadn’t remembered to charge hers, leading to communication difficulties. Su Can repeatedly reminded them.

Lin Luoran looked pitiful while Zeng Ke applied alcohol without hesitation: "I know, won't happen again, you’ve said it four times already." It was impossible to get angry at such compliance.

Lǐ Pēngyǔ didn’t join in and had gone off to read on the chaise longue, looking indifferent.

Zeng Ke watched the subtle interactions with a mix of joy and uncertainty. Both Tang Wu and Lin Luoran were outstanding girls who had once been reviled by parents for their academic prowess during high school parent-teacher meetings.

Lin Luoran was also one of Su Can’s close friends since childhood, like Wang Weiwei, all studying in Shanghai at a foreign language university. It was unclear how far Su Can's relationship with these girls had progressed.

Zeng Ke could only observe many things but she knew that as long as Su Can did not go too far, she had no right to speak up. Occasionally, she would remind Su Can to cherish what he had.

After the wound was treated and the food heated up, Tang Wu and Lin Luoran felt hungry only then because they hadn't eaten anything since they arrived. It was already evening by now. As the family ate their meal, it seemed as if all the commotion outside was blocked off from this house.

"Su Can told me earlier that Aunt Zeng's Sichuan-style chicken is very delicious; I've never tasted such good food at home," Tang Wu nodded in response to Zeng Ke's concerned inquiry about how the dishes tasted, smiling coyly.

"It's not just that. Aunt Zeng has many other skills too, like shredded chicken with chili oil sauce, mapo tofu, and green pepper beef—they're all top-notch," Lin Luoran said as she ate the food, rattling off a list of dishes as if reciting them from memory, then explained with a smile, "I often got to eat these when I used to come over to Su Can's house for free meals."

The two intelligent girls looked at each other in mid-air and Li Pengyu, who was 188 cm tall, quickly started eating his food. Su Can distinctly heard him muttering to himself, "No sparks, no sight." Only Zeng Ke had a smile that could light up her face.

After the meal, Zeng Ke said, "Su Can has canceled the hotel reservations. Two girls can't be left alone outside, so I've prepared rooms for you both. He will sleep on the sofa; in these few days, all of you must stay at home and not worry us."

Su Can was thus arranged to stay.

After washing up before bed, Lin Luoran sat down beside Su Can's couch with a towel wrapped around her body. She wore pajamas underneath. Li Pengyu closed the door, leaving the light on at its edge; Zeng Ke and Su Rui were already asleep upstairs, while Tang Wu could be heard showering in the bathroom. Su Can had just received a call from Tian Tian. It was deep into the night outside the municipal government compound's courtyard. The living room lights were off, and with their legs curled up on the couch, neither of them spoke first. Only the flickering light from an American TV show illuminated their faces and bodies, casting shadows out onto the yard through the sliding glass door.

A tranquil scene.

After a while, Lin Luoran got up, walked to the stairwell upstairs, and with her slender fingers gripping the wooden railing, she turned back to look at Su Can. She said, "Su Can, thank you."

The normally willful Miss Lin was surprisingly gentle today after experiencing such an accident; standing beside the staircase in a white towel, her black hair steamed wetly on her chest, while her long legs stood out beneath the towel, making her look ethereal like she had stepped out of a painting. Su Can felt slightly vain as he waved his hand; only those who knew her well understood how hard it was for Miss Lin to say such words. If not for maintaining her upright demeanor, Su Can almost wanted to record it with a voice recorder so that she wouldn't deny it when she woke up and returned to her usual self.

Just as she was about to turn back upstairs, Lin Luoran remembered something else and turned around again, blushing slightly. "And also, you look like the main character of a movie today."

"Which movie" Su Can said absent-mindedly; he happened to be watching Saving Private Ryan at that moment. The intensity on his face was the same as the gunfire in the film. Maintaining such an indifferent expression was truly difficult.

"Scooby-Doo."

Lin Luoran jumped and ran away in just a few steps. Su Cen's voice came from behind, "Get down."

After closing the room door, Lin Luoran leaned against the door frame, laughing loudly before falling onto the soft bed with murmurs, "Even Scooby-Doo has its own masculine charm."

By the time Tang Wu had finished her bath and Zeng Ke got up to go to the toilet, Su Cen patted the edge of the sofa. His eyes could not hide the unusual light for the sight of Tang Wu coming out of her bath as a beauty. Tang Wu felt extremely embarrassed; she glanced at the back of Zeng Ke and whispered softly to Su Cen, "You should go to sleep obediently." In this house where his parents, Zeng Ke, and Su Lichen are present, even if Tang Wu is brave, she still dare not be too close with Su Cen. She could only give him a sweet smile before returning to her room.

The excited state today made Su Cen more afraid the more he thought about it, making it hard for him to fall asleep. In the end, he turned off the TV and stared at the ceiling.

He then heard a soft sound of opening door upstairs. Tang Wu came downstairs with a small blanket in her arms, walked over to Su Cen, laid the blanket on his thin quilt, bent down, looked at him for several seconds, and then kissed his forehead. The smell of her fragrance was overwhelming as it tickled his chest and face; he couldn't help but open his eyes, meeting Tang Wu's clear gaze.

Tang Wu seemed somewhat flustered and wanted to retreat when Su Cen grabbed her hand and turned around to hug her waist tightly. Her loose hair spread out, looking at the silent Tang Wu in his embrace, Su Cen even felt that if he were to desecrate this moment it would be sinful.

Tang Wu's head had already leaned forward, with her ponytail gently lifted as she kissed Su Cen passionately. A warm and moist sensation filled his senses like a delicate orchid in the night, making them both dizzy and unable to resist groaning softly.

Then their heads suddenly parted, keeping five inches apart, listening for any sounds that could be made by this house—doors, rooms, or even the chirping of crickets under the red-brick wall outside under the moonlight.

Everything was fine. The two people exchanged a light smile, Tang Wu's beauty like a fairy under the moonlight and a goddess in a dream.

Tang Wu's chest rose and fell; her gaze shifted from Su Cen’s eyes to his lips as if there were an immense desire that pained her heart. She asked, "What would happen if I died"

Su Cen couldn't help but hug her tightly, his eyes flashing red with pain as he briefly replied, "I would kill those who hurt you and destroy everything."

He then parted Tang Wu's pink nightgown, reached out to hold the firmness of her chest, gently squeezing it. The warmth and softness made Su Cen’s heart that had been agitated all day settle down as if a gentle breeze had blown away the dirt.

Tang Wu hugged Su Cen tightly like an octopus; when he forcefully entered her most sensitive spot, tears ran from her beautiful eyes. Her clear voice came through softly, "Don't die, you must live."

Heavenly abode.

Su Cen forgot what year it was today.

Beneath the deep night sky, Lin Luoran lay on her side. When Tang Wu got up to leave earlier, she opened her long eyes and now stared straight ahead with shimmering eyes. She hugged herself tightly, her beautiful legs curled up, her toes pressed together, perhaps due to the chill of the midnight air, her body was lightly trembling.iver the best work for everyone’s appreciation.I know it's hard to please everyone, but I will try my best to meet your expectations. Sometimes I write slowly due to hitting writer's block, but I put...