Chapter 304: If

Chapter 304: Chapter 304: If

Seeing Cai Yan's expression, Yang Chen naturally sensed that something was amiss with her mood, but he didn't understand what was happening. Puzzled, he asked, "What's wrong? Did something happen?"

"To be honest, do you feel that even having a meal with me is a waste of your precious time?" Cai Yan asked indifferently.

Yang Chen was taken aback, frowning. "Cai Yan, what do you mean by that? Why are you suddenly saying this?"

"What do I mean?" Cai Yan sneered coldly. "Do you treat dinner with other women the same way? Eating in three minutes, not saying a word, then chewing on a toothpick while letting the woman eat slowly alone?"

Yang Chen vaguely understood why Cai Yan was upset and awkwardly smiled. "I'm sorry, I thought you were a policewoman, so I was being efficient. Plus, I didn't know what to talk about with you. Eating in three minutes is just my own pace. I didn't expect it would make you unhappy."

Cai Yan's expression darkened. "In your eyes, am I nothing more than a policewoman? Am I not a woman?"

Yang Chen fell silent. Cai Yan's question made him feel strange because he hadn't really treated Cai Yan like any other woman around him, someone to be admired.

Although Cai Yan had exceptional looks and figure, she reminded him of past unpleasant memories, and her style of speaking and acting made it difficult for him to equate her with a beautiful woman.

"I... I really haven't thought about this," Yang Chen admitted truthfully.

Cai Yan sighed softly. "Before I came out today, I dressed up specifically. I chose this restaurant carefully. Do you know why?"

Yang Chen wasn't foolish. Considering how she had previously gifted him a Rolex watch, diligently cared for Zhenxiu, and her various verbal and behavioral cues during their previous meetings, combined with today's special effort in dressing up and inviting him to dinner, it was evident that Cai Yan had developed a certain intention towards him.

Yang Chen felt a headache coming on. In the past, if such a beautiful policewoman had approached him, he would have welcomed it with open arms, happy beyond measure. But now, faced with this beautiful woman who seemed willing to get close to him, Yang Chen was somewhat afraid.

With several women around him, he always felt a sense of guilt towards them. If he were to become entangled with this beautiful policewoman, or if more such situations arose in the future, Yang Chen feared he might lose his mind, burdened by overwhelming guilt towards every woman. CHeCk for new stories on no/v/el/bin(.)c0m

Cai Yan fought back tears, refusing to let them fall. She turned her head away, smiling bitterly, "What if? 'If' is the word I hate the most in the world. It's all happened already, so what's the use of saying it? But ever since meeting you, especially that day when you saved my life in the building, I've often thought about that word. If I had the chance to meet you first, if you hadn't married Ruoxi, if I hadn't foolishly mistaken you for a bad person..."

"If I had a chance to start over, I would never waste a moment to be with you. That's how I feel. But if your marriage with her is just a transaction, just a piece of paper, then isn't it still not too late for me now? If there's a chance, can you give it to me?"

Listening to Cai Yan's dream-like words, Yang Chen suddenly realized how much he had overlooked in this woman. Yet, what good would it do now? Love was something that couldn't be forced. It either came naturally or not at all.

Yang Chen apologized with sincerity in his smile, "I'm sorry, it's not a matter of opportunity. Perhaps we can be good friends, but I've never considered you as my woman. It's not that you're any less than the other women around me; it's just that I can't force myself to feel that way. So, I can't promise you anything."

"If that's the case, why did you risk your life in that building, facing so many people and bullets, to save me?" Cai Yan asked stubbornly.

Yang Chen shook his head. "I wasn't risking my life. I saved you because you're Ruoxi's friend and a good police officer. Those bullets, for me, weren't dangerous at all."

"You're lying to me. You must hate me, hate how badly I treated you before, right?" Cai Yan's voice trembled.

"I'm not lying to you, and I don't hate you either. I saved you, but it doesn't mean anything more than that. I've saved many people, and I've also taken lives. It's all just part of my job," Yang Chen said with some reluctance. "Actually, you deserve a better man. Someone like me, who can't be faithful, isn't worth your tears."

Cai Yan scoffed a few times, her laughter bitter and aimed at herself. "Looks like I've deluded myself. Go on, leave."

With that, Cai Yan picked up her chopsticks and resumed eating. Yang Chen didn't leave, frowning and watching Cai Yan with concern.

Cai Yan wiped away her tears, lifted her head, and flashed a bright smile. "Do you think I'm a teenage girl in her sweet sixteen? Just because a man rejected me, I'd go jump off a building or slit my wrists? Go away, I really dislike seeing you right now."

Yang Chen knew Cai Yan must be feeling intense hatred towards him at that moment. However, he couldn't find any words to console her. Rejecting someone's feelings was so difficult. Yang Chen couldn't imagine if it were a woman who loved him and whom he loved in return—could he still reject her?

With a heavy heart, Yang Chen stood up and left the restaurant. As his figure walked out the restaurant doors, Cai Yan set down her chopsticks, leaned back against the table, her delicate shoulders trembling, tears streaming down silently.