Shen Su was experienced in romance, and she knew it from the start. When she learned that Qin Siruan had slashed her wrist for him, she had felt uncomfortable.
She thought that was the most dramatic thing, but she didn't expect that a former girlfriend had also aborted a child for him.
If this were true, then no matter what excuse Shen Su gave, it would be invalid in her eyes.
However, the truth of this news was yet to be confirmed, because Shen Su was always meticulous about protection, and the possibility of such an accident happening to him was not high.
Ji Tong calmed down and said to her parents, "This is just what you've heard. Gossip is unreliable. I'll go and get confirmation from him myself."
Ji Tong's mother was furious. "If you ask him, how could he possibly admit to something like this! Haven't you been deceived by him enough?"
"Why don't you understand? Your father and I are afraid you'll be taken advantage of. A man like him isn't suitable for marriage. You're such a good girl, why can't you find anyone else, you just have to find someone like him..."
As parents, they worried not only about Shen Su falling for someone else and abandoning Ji Tong, but also about his cruel way of treating his ex-girlfriends. If, one day, they also reached the point of breaking up, Ji Tong would not be an exception.
Ji Tong was very smart and naturally understood her mother's underlying meaning. She clenched her palm, thought for a moment, and then said to them, "I will consider this matter myself. Let's not talk about it for now."
She hadn't forgotten that this trip was to accompany her parents on a relaxing vacation. Arguing to this extent went against the original intention.
Seeing that she wanted to end the topic, her parents didn't press further. They simply stated their stance before concluding, "No matter what he does, we will not agree to your relationship with him."
This time, Ji Tong chose to remain silent.
After leaving the restaurant, Shen Su drove around the city of Huaixi a few times. It was the first day of the Lunar New Year, and there were many people outside, with some traffic congestion. When he stopped, Shen Su looked at the surrounding scenery.
Huaixi was where Feng Feng was born and raised. They had talked about Huaixi a few times when they were casual acquaintances. Feng Feng had deep feelings for this city.
Huaixi was a second-tier city. In terms of development, it couldn't compare to Nanjiang, but it was livable, quaint, and had a slower pace than Nanjiang, which could be seen from the walking speed of the pedestrians on the street.
Shen Su arrived at a very popular commercial area, found a parking spot, parked his car, and went down to wander around.
He wasn't a person who liked to travel, but he was doing it to pass the time, and also because he was in a bit of a bad mood today, so he decided to find some amusement for himself.
The commercial area had many trendy shops, and there were quite a few couples strolling around. If he had brought Ji Tong here, she would have probably liked it.
Thinking of Ji Tong, Shen Su couldn't help but recall the attitude of her parents.
Putting aside the matter of her parents opposing Ji Tong's relationship with him, viewed from an objective and fair perspective, Shen Su greatly admired her parents. After interacting with them, he understood even better why Ji Tong's personality was so pure.
In the past, he had dated many girlfriends, many of whom wanted to tie him down through marriage. Several of them had also taken him to meet their families, but none had ever been as disrespectful to him as Ji Tong's parents.
Even though they all knew that he had countless ex-girlfriends, having flings without getting attached.
People were inherently inclined to seek advantages and avoid disadvantages. With the halo of his wealth and family background, many people would even make excuses for him, believing that wealthy men should be like that. But Ji Tong's parents didn't think so.
From this point of view, he not only didn't blame them but even admired them. They truly loved Ji Tong, which was why they were so resolute.
Shen Su had a clear understanding of himself – he was never anyone's good man.
He had discussed it with people around him before. If he had a daughter, he wouldn't agree to her finding someone like him.
Shen Su wandered around and found a coffee shop. As soon as he pushed the door open, he saw Feng Feng sitting at a table.
Encounters sometimes happened so suddenly. He had been thinking about her while driving just now, and less than an hour later, he ran into her.
Feng Feng was sitting with two other people, a man and a woman. Judging by their age and appearance, Shen Su quickly identified them as her parents.
Feng Feng also saw Shen Su. She was initially surprised, but then she remembered that Ji Tong was traveling here, so she didn't find it strange anymore.
Feng Feng withdrew her gaze and did not greet Shen Su.
Shen Su smiled, walked to a table nearby, and sat down, calling the waiter to order.
Feng Zhang and Zhou Xuan hadn't noticed the small interlude. The family of three was currently discussing Li Yue.
Last night, Li Yue had video-called them to wish them a Happy New Year. As soon as Zhou Xuan saw Li Yue, she took a strong liking to him, and she had been talking about him all day.
"After the New Year, your father and I will take some time to go to Nanjiang and have dinner with Li Yue," Zhou Xuan said.
Feng Feng smiled helplessly. She had only been dating Li Yue for a little over a week, and her mother was already considering meeting him. To avoid Feng Feng misunderstanding, Feng Zhang added, "Your mother doesn't mean to rush you into marriage. She's happy for you and wants to celebrate."
Feng Feng replied, "Yes, I understand. Just let me know the date in advance."
Zhou Xuan added, "Xiao Li is really handsome and has high emotional intelligence. Enjoy your relationship!"
After speaking, she picked up her coffee and clinked it with Feng Feng's.
Feng Feng was amused by Zhou Xuan and smiled, her eyes crinkling. She only showed this expression when she was with her parents or close friends.
Shen Su was sitting at the table next to them, and he could not only see Feng Feng smile but also hear her conversation with her parents.
Judging by their attitude, they were very satisfied with Li Yue, praising him highly and even planning a special trip to Nanjiang to meet him.
Shen Su let out a mocking laugh. They had just started dating, and she was already eagerly telling her parents. It was completely unlike her.
In the past, when he casually asked her about her family, she would refuse, citing "it's my privacy," and wouldn't say a single extra word. He thought she was like that with everyone, hah.
Her double standards could apply to Wen Zhouyuan and Li Yue, but absolutely not to him.
In her eyes, he was just that worthless.
Shen Su got up and left before finishing his coffee. As he walked past Feng Feng, she instinctively looked up at him, then quickly withdrew her gaze and took a sip of her coffee.
After leaving the coffee shop, Shen Su returned to his hotel and stayed there until dark, then went to a nearby bar alone to drink.
He was inexplicably in a bad mood and drank six shots of strong liquor. Even though he usually had a high tolerance, he was feeling a bit overwhelmed, his head swimming.
He held the empty glass, his gaze fixed straight ahead, but he began to hallucinate. His vision was filled with images of Feng Feng sitting on Li Yue, and he felt a raging fire burning within him, which he couldn't quell no matter what he did.
The suppressed resentment and lingering regret he felt when sober gradually coalesced into a ball after his true nature was revealed by alcohol, reaching a tipping point.