Illusion Shattered

Ding Jiali's whole body gave an involuntary shudder. He immediately lowered his gaze, as though he were the one who had done something wrong.

There was a tempered edge to Shi Pingchuan's voice. "...Did you tell your sister about this?"

Ding Jiali immediately shook his head.

Only then did Shi Pingchuan's breathing return to normal. He paced a few steps through the empty space in the room, then sat down in the chair Ding Jiali had brought over.

"Don't tell your sister," Shi Pingchuan said quietly. "Your father alone is enough for her to deal with. She's pregnant now; she shouldn't be upset any further."

"Of course I—"

"You deleted everything, right?"

"I deleted it all."

"Good." Shi Pingchuan took out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. "Is this the only thing you called me over for?"

Ding Jiali frowned. "I just don't understand..."

"Don't understand what?"

"How could you..." Ding Jiali's voice dropped almost to a whisper. "...Don't you think it's dirty? Aren't you afraid of catching something?"

Shi Pingchuan's expression froze for a moment. Then he swiftly lit a cigarette and snapped the metal lighter shut in irritation.

Amid the suddenly bright flame and a wisp of blue smoke, Shi Pingchuan raised his head and scrutinized Ding Jiali again. Being questioned about his private life by a junior like Ding Jiali made him profoundly uncomfortable. Holding back his panic and anger, Shi Pingchuan suddenly laughed.

Seeing his brother-in-law laugh, Ding Jiali smiled too, though no sound came out.

"You really didn't tell your sister, right?" Shi Pingchuan confirmed again. "Other than your sister, did you tell Mom?"

Ding Jiali immediately shook his head. "...I didn't tell anyone."

"Fine, then this ends here." Shi Pingchuan stood up. "I was careless this time. There won't be a next time—"