A faint mist began to settle over the London night. The city's perpetual dampness lent the fog a bone-chilling cold. Under the flickering streetlights, the darker, more secluded corners of the city seemed to hold something—something watching from the shadows, enough to make one's skin crawl and mind wander.
But Zhou Yi and Susan were far from paranoid. Susan, a native Londoner, had long since grown accustomed to the city's peculiar weather. And as a superhero, Zhou Yi had even less reason to be afraid. The two of them chatted and laughed all the way, their conversation punctuated by the powerful roar of the sports car's engine—a sound that cut through the night with striking clarity.
So striking, in fact, that it began to attract unwanted attention.
The moment Zhou Yi brought the car to a halt at a red light, a dark figure approached. The man waved a flashlight, its beam sweeping over Zhou Yi and Susan before he tapped on the window, gesturing for Zhou Yi to roll it down.
"Sir, don't you know this area has been unsafe lately?" The man with the flashlight first flashed his police badge at Zhou Yi and the others, then asked with a very serious expression.
"Sorry, Officer. This is my first time in the UK, so I don't know anything about it. Is this a local British custom at night?" Having a flashlight shone in his eyes was hardly a pleasant experience, so Zhou Yi's words were naturally laced with sarcasm.
"A foreigner?" Hearing Zhou Yi's words, the officer, who had formed a first impression, curled his lip in displeasure. Encountering a foreigner in such a place at this time was not a good thing. Out of professional duty, he still said to Zhou Yi, "Sir, and you, Ma'am. May I see your identification?"
"Of course, Officer!" The one who complied so readily was naturally Miss Storm. If it had been Zhou Yi, he would have at least snapped back a couple of times. Susan, however, had clearly gained some understanding of Zhou Yi. She first set an example, then pressed down on Zhou Yi's arm and gave him a pleading look.
*Only a well-bred young lady like her would do something so obedient,* Zhou Yi thought as he complied and handed over his identification. With his American citizenship, he naturally wouldn't be singled out for extra trouble.
After returning the IDs, the police officer spoke again.
"Sir, and you as well, ma'am. If I were you, I'd go back to your quarters right now. Whether you sleep or find some other wholesome activity to occupy yourselves with, it's certainly better than wandering around outside."
To him, this was a well-meaning piece of advice—especially after he caught another glimpse of Susan's beautiful face in the passenger seat. He couldn't resist adding a few more words.
"Listen, pal. A companion as stunning as her is best kept hidden. Bringing her out in public at a time like this... are you trying to hand her over to those rioting gangsters on a silver platter?"
"Officer?"
"Yes, sir? Do you have a question?"
"I just wanted to let you know that I've noted your badge number. Oh, and I'm sure you'll have plenty of time to discuss it with the Examination Department. By the way, not everyone can get away with speaking so recklessly."
After being pushed this far, Zhou Yi couldn't hold back any longer. He immediately retaliated. The already overwhelmed police officers would surely love the endless questioning and investigation from the Examination Department. Zhou Yi could only say, "Don't thank me."
He stepped on the accelerator and sped away to the sound of the police officer's low curses. In an instant, Zhou Yi had thrown that obnoxious cop out of his world. Just then, Susan, whose expression had soured from the officer's words, spoke up.
"Thank you, Yi! You really got back at him for me."
"No problem. It's the least I could do," Zhou Yi said with a grin. "But, Susan, I have a small suggestion. Maybe you should learn how to be a little fiercer."
"Hmm?" Susan, still in a foul mood, made a muffled sound with her nose, clearly confused.
Hearing this sound, Zhou Yi couldn't help but laugh. He felt like the woman beside him wasn't a mature adult, but a little girl sulking—just like his two daughters.
Perhaps Zhou Yi's smile was too obvious, or perhaps Susan was just too sensitive at that moment. She noticed his grin almost instantly and asked, displeased, "Are you laughing at me? You must be laughing at me."
"A pampered young lady who can't even handle being spoken to," she continued.
"You're mocking me, aren't you? You must be mocking me. A pampered young lady who can't even handle a few words of criticism."
"No, no, no, I didn't mean that at all!" Zhou Yi shook his head quickly, unwilling to be slapped with such a label. He immediately explained his thoughts. "I just think you're a bit too naive. Even when you're angry, you're like a child—just like my two daughters."
"You have daughters?" Susan's face changed completely as she asked. Zhou Yi even felt her expression was worse than when the policeman had said those nasty things.
"Relax, Susan. Didn't my mother tell you?" Zhou Yi said with a smile. "I adopted two children after our last meeting!"
Hearing that it wasn't what she had imagined, Susan's expression softened considerably. But she immediately recalled her own agitation just now, and her face flushed crimson. To prevent Zhou Yi from noticing, she quickly changed the subject to distract him.
"Why? I mean, why did you suddenly decide to adopt two children?"
"Because these two children are so pitiful. And in a way, I feel that meeting them was a choice made by fate. Yes, a choice of fate," Zhou Yi said, his tone growing more emphatic.
"You know, Susan, I've never known what it's like to have a father's love. I don't even know what that feeling is. But I do know that children without fathers are different from others. Xia Rais cried many times when she was little, wondering why everyone else had a father to pick them up, while in our home, it was always just Mom and me."
"That was a long time ago, and Xia Rais probably doesn't even remember it. But I do. It was a terrible feeling. So, if possible, I hope these two children fate has given me will never have to suffer through that same pain!"
"I'm sorry, Yi!" Susan couldn't help but take his hand and say apologetically, "I'm sorry for making you remember such an unhappy thing. It's all my fault!"
Zhou Yi shook his head, a gentle smile appearing on his face.
"It's not something sad, really. It's just a regret. The regret of not having a father! Men are much stronger than you think. Of course, I mean emotionally strong."
"I know what you mean, but are you sure you need my comfort?" Susan said jokingly, as if she'd sensed that Zhou Yi wasn't as fragile as she'd initially thought.
"Of course. If that comfort comes in all possible senses, I'd be more than happy to receive it."
"No, just emotional comfort. Sir, you're overthinking it!"
The two continued teasing each other all the way to their destination: the Storm family's villa on the other side of London.
Because Susan's parents had passed away, the Storm family was far from as wealthy or grand as people imagined. The two young adults couldn't maintain the facade of nobility on their own. After all, even the current Queen of England didn't live as comfortably as one might think—the renovations at Buckingham Palace were merely superficial. Let alone a minor, declining noble family.
Aside from two properties, Susan's parents had left them little else. Still, the Storm siblings were considered members of the elite in human society. Supporting themselves and living comfortably was no problem. Of course, living in unrestrained luxury was clearly out of the question.
But Susan didn't seem to want that kind of life either. From what he knew of her, Zhou Yi saw no sign of it. Intelligent women who became outstanding researchers wouldn't be interested in an extravagant lifestyle. They had their own unique set of values.
And that was why Zhou Yi admired her—a smart, wise, intellectual, and beautiful, gentle woman. In some ways, Susan overlapped with a certain woman in his memory. She was very much like Qin, yet also very different.
At this thought, Zhou Yi smiled bitterly to himself. *What's wrong with me?*
He was about to say something when Susan, her face flushed, spoke first.
"I'm home. Maybe I should invite you for a cup of coffee?"
Many deeper relationships began with an invitation for coffee between a man and a woman. This invitation sparked many associations for Zhou Yi, and because of them, he decided to refuse.
"Sorry, Susan. Maybe now isn't the right time?"
"Not the right time?" Susan didn't quite understand what Zhou Yi meant. But Zhou Yi quickly began to explain.
"You're a good girl, Susan. But I'm not the kind of good man you imagine. Remember when I mentioned Tony Stark? I'm his friend—a very good one. So, in a way, I'm not that different from him."
"I've had a lot of experiences with many women. This is all true, not some tabloid fabrication. I have to be honest with you about this. My love life has been messy—messier than you can imagine. In some ways, I don't even deserve to be invited by you! Do you understand, Susan?"
Susan never expected Zhou Yi to say such things. She had some knowledge of him, but it was very limited. She knew he was a playboy, but she didn't know the specifics. Unlike Tony, he didn't like being in the spotlight, which gave him an air of mystery.
Mystery piques interest, and Susan clearly had her own opinion of Zhou Yi. His words didn't make her blush or get angry. A man who could reveal his own secrets was far more trustworthy than one who hid them from a woman until the very end. Besides, she trusted her own judgment. A responsible man would always improve.
But for now, it was best to leave it.
"You're right, now isn't the right time. But in the future, perhaps you'll change your mind."
(To be continued...)
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