If You Could Hear My Heart

“Who is this man? Who do you think is his wife?”

“I don’t get it, people nowadays have such individualized lives.”

“This man seems to care more about the mistress, but she doesn’t seem to appreciate it much.”

…

As the crowd buzzed with conversation, Nie Chenglang shot a look their way, and everyone fell silent.

At this moment, Nie Chenglang’s driver got out of the car and dispersed all the onlookers.

With the crowd gone, the surroundings suddenly felt much colder.

Xu Chaomu’s taxi driver approached Qi Na and said, “Miss, could you please move your car? Are you trying to block everyone else from driving?”

Qi Na became flustered and her face reddened, “I…”

“Xiaosong, move Miss Qi’s car to the side!” Nie Chenglang cut her off sharply.

“Okay.”

Nie Chenglang’s driver turned and got into Qi Na’s car, swung it around, and parked the red Audi to the side.

Xu Chaomu hurriedly went to the taxi, took out her wallet, and handed a red bill to the driver.

“Thank you for waiting so long, keep the change,” she said.

The driver was reluctant to take the money at first, but Xu Chaomu insisted, so he accepted it and drove off.

The scene quieted down considerably, and for a moment, nobody spoke.

Under the blazing sun, combined with the tense atmosphere, a fine layer of sweat formed on Xu Chaomu’s forehead.

“Brother Chenglang…” Qi Na finally broke the silence, shaking Nie Chenglang’s arm, “this woman tore my clothes to this state…”

Her face was full of grievance, and her long lashes glistened with a layer of mist.

Nie Chenglang was expressionless, “Go home and change. And in the future, stop causing trouble for Chaomu.”

“Brother Chenglang, are you charmed by her? We weren’t like this before… I feel so wronged.” Qi Na looked hurt.

“Nana, I have always treated you like a sister, and from now on, don’t tell others I’m your boyfriend!” Nie Chenglang’s face darkened.

“How is it not so? Since we were young, auntie has always wanted us to be close,” Qi Na insisted, “have you forgotten?”

Qi Na’s words trailed off into sobs.

Xu Chaomu took off Nie Chenglang’s coat and handed it to him.

“Chenglang, I have another engagement, I need to go,” she said.

She gave a gentle, serene smile that made her look completely different from the ruffian who had just been teaching Qi Na a lesson.

Being a ruffian depends on the situation, like with Qi Na or with Shen Chi; she can be a ruffian, but not with men like Nie Chenglang or Lou Yanli.

Actually, she liked her most genuine self the best.

“Chaomu!”

Nie Chenglang grabbed her arm, “It’s been a long time, can we talk?”

Xu Chaomu looked up, and their eyes met, leaving her momentarily at a loss for words.

Was she being too heartless? Ever since coming back from Paris, she had been avoiding him.

“Chenglang, I have an interview today,” Xu Chaomu stated honestly.

Under the sunlight, Nie Chenglang wore a dark shirt, tall and handsome, his clear eyes gazing at her, filled only with her reflection.

“He… agreed to let you work?” Nie Chenglang asked calmly.

Xu Chaomu nodded, “Yes.”

Qi Na, seeing Nie Chenglang holding on to Xu Chaomu’s arm, stepped forward and pried their hands apart!

“Brother Chenglang, you haven’t spoken more than a few words to me since you returned home. Do you dislike me?” Qi Na interrupted them, clearly upset.

“Nana, don’t make a fuss,” Nie Chenglang frowned and glanced at her.

“I am not making a fuss, I’m just stating the facts, Brother Chenglang,” Qi Na persisted.

“Chenglang, you take care of her. I’ve got to go.”

“Chaomu, Nana is not my girlfriend,” Chenglang explained urgently.

“I know, you wouldn’t fancy someone like her,” Xu Chaomu replied with a laugh.

Qi Na was so angry at the insinuation that she might have started a fight with Xu Chaomu again if Nie Chenglang wasn’t there.

But when Xu Chaomu shot her a look, Qi Na shrank back into Nie Chenglang’s arms.

“Brother Chenglang, didn’t you see? She’s been bullying me all along…”

“Miss Qi, be careful when driving next time,” Xu Chaomu warned her.

“You!” Qi Na was furious.

Xu Chaomu smiled slightly at Nie Chenglang, “Let’s talk another time when I’m free; thank you for stepping in. I have to leave now.”

“Chaomu!” Nie Chenglang called out to her.

Xu Chaomu waved her hand and walked away without looking back.

Nie Chenglang wanted to follow her, as he really hadn’t seen Xu Chaomu in a long while.

He knew she was usually at the Shen Family home, a place he couldn’t enter.

But to his surprise, he bumped into her today, yet she wouldn’t even talk to him.

“Chaomu!” he called her name again.

Qi Na clung tightly to his arm, “Brother Chenglang, don’t go! Why are you so fond of her? She’s just a second-hand woman. And, auntie is right, she is married and still flirting with you. She’s despicable. Brother Chenglang, don’t be fooled.”

“Fooled? Qi Na, what do you know? Let go of me!” Nie Chenglang snapped irritably.

He never had much of a liking for Qi Na, and now she was pulling at him like this, he felt even more uncomfortable.

“I won’t let go, I just won’t. Brother Chenglang… you’re bullying me…”

Qi Na then burst into tears, her cheeks quickly streaked with them.

Her sudden crying became uncontrollable, and even Xu Chaomu, who was moving further away, could hear her sobs.

Xu Chaomu shook her head slightly, continuing forward without turning back.

As for Nie Chenglang, his distress grew, realizing he couldn’t chase after Xu Chaomu any longer.

He reluctantly handed a tissue to Qi Na and scowled, “Stop crying, and don’t stir up trouble in the future.”

“Brother Chenglang… I wasn’t making trouble, I just can’t stand… she already has a husband, yet why does she keep bothering you… What kind of woman is she, shameless…” Qi Na sobbed as she spoke.

Her shoulders trembled with the intensity of her sobs.

Nie Chenglang’s frown deepened, “She isn’t bothering me. Stay out of this matter, it doesn’t concern you!”

“How doesn’t it concern me? We’re close, and I can’t bear to see you seduced by such a woman. Brother Chenglang, she’ll ruin your reputation!”

“I told you not to worry about it, so don’t!” Nie Chenglang yelled suddenly, losing his temper.

Qi Na was so scared that she even forgot to cry, her body trembling.

A few seconds later, she recovered, crying even harder, “Brother Chenglang, why are you yelling at me? You never used to be angry with me, do you find me annoying now? I only meant well, thinking about you. If you think I’m bothersome or irritating, then fine, I won’t talk to you anymore, I won’t bother you…”