Sent to the countryside, I turned the health center into a top-tier hospital.

Chen Ping stood by the roadside for a while, and then Cui Ying called.

"Chen Ping, are you still outside? My parents said they've prepared a feast for dinner and they want you to come over."

Cui Ying's voice came through the receiver, carrying a hint of cautious probing.

After Ding Peng's incident, Cui Ying didn't know how Chen Ping would treat her parents.

After all, this time, his parents went a bit too far.

They even wanted to get the money back from Chen Ping, and even used it to blackmail him.

Therefore, Cui Ying could only tentatively ask Chen Ping if she could come to her house for dinner.

Even if Chen Ping refuses, she won't blame him.

"Okay, I'll be right there!"

Chen Ping did not hesitate; he didn't want Cui Ying's parents to worry constantly because of Ding Peng's situation.

Even if we disregard the monk's feelings, we should still consider the Buddha's feelings. Cui Ying has treated him well, and now that she has brought it up, Chen Ping has no reason not to agree.

It's just going to my house for dinner, nothing special.

"Drive carefully, I'll wait for you..."

After saying that, Cui Ying hung up the phone.

Holding her phone, Cui Ying's eyes showed no sign of excitement or joy.

She always felt that Ding Peng's incident had created a slight rift and resentment between her and Chen Ping.

When Chen Ping used to stay at her house, Cui Ying never treated him like an outsider.

But now, she asks cautiously, afraid that Chen Ping will refuse.

"Yingying, has Chen Ping agreed?"

"I asked Cui Ying's mother."

Cui Ying nodded. "I agree. He'll be there soon..."

"That's wonderful!" Cui Ying's mother was overjoyed. "Old Cui, go and get out the treasured Moutai."

"I already took out the Moutai!" Mr. Cui pointed to the Moutai on the table.

"Not this kind, it's the 1982 Moutai that you treasure."

Mother Cui glared at her.

"Huh?" Mr. Cui was taken aback for a moment, but he still obediently went to the storage room to get the wine.

"I'll go cook another dish; I can't let Chen Ping down..."

Mrs. Cui grumbled on and went to the kitchen again.

Cui Ying looked at her parents and smiled helplessly.

She liked Chen Ping, but not because of his so-called connections.

But my own parents...

"Sigh..." Cui Ying sighed and turned to go to her room.

At this moment, Chen Ping hailed a taxi and headed straight for Cui Ying's residential area.

He had stayed here for many days and was quite familiar with the place.

When Chen Ping arrived, Cui's mother warmly opened the door for him.

"Chen Ping, come in quickly, we've been waiting for you!"

Cui's mother beckoned Chen Ping into the restaurant.

There were seven or eight dishes on the table, including chicken, duck, fish, and meat.

Mr. Cui opened a bottle of 1982 Moutai. "Chen Ping, this is a Moutai I've treasured for over forty years. Let's have a taste..."

"Uncle Cui, I have to get up early to go back to Siping Township tomorrow, so I won't drink," Chen Ping refused.

"Just a little bit, this isn't a drink everyone can have."

Mr. Cui picked up his cup to pour wine for Chen Ping.

Chen Ping reached out and blocked the cup, saying, "Uncle Cui, I really won't drink it..."

Mr. Cui froze on the spot, his hand holding the wine bottle unsure whether to put it down or not, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

"Dad, if Chen Ping doesn't want to drink, he doesn't have to. We're going back tomorrow."

Cui Ying spoke up from the side.

"Since you have something to do, then don't drink!" Mrs. Cui said, and Mr. Cui put down his wine.

During the meal, Chen Ping was not in a good mood. He answered only one question from Cui Ying's parents, unlike his usual talkative self when eating here.

Cui Ying's parents exchanged a glance, still thinking that Chen Ping was still upset about Ding Peng's matter.

Chen Ping was in a dilemma and felt uneasy because of Su Wenzong's suggestion of remarriage, so he was in a bad mood!

After dinner, Chen Ping planned to go back to the hotel, but Cui Ying's parents absolutely refused.

In the end, Chen Ping had no choice but to agree.

He stayed in the same room he used to live in, on the second floor, right next to Cui Ying's room.

After washing up, Chen Ping didn't go back to his room immediately, but stood on the balcony enjoying the breeze.

It's late October, and the wind carries a strong chill.

He took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, held it between his fingers, and leaned against the railing.

Gazing at the scattered lights downstairs, his brows remained tightly furrowed, his eyes filled with unresolved entanglement and heaviness.

Su Wenzong's conditions, Xiao Lei's escape from justice, justice for hundreds of patients, Su Meng's remaining life, her own feelings, Cui Ying's gentleness...

Countless thoughts intertwined and tangled in his mind, tearing at his heart and causing him great turmoil.

He stood on the balcony in a daze for a long time, not even noticing the soft footsteps behind him.

"Why aren't you asleep yet? Are you in a bad mood?"

Cui Ying's gentle voice sounded beside her, filled with tender concern.

She stood quietly beside him, wearing a light coat, looking at his forlorn profile with heartache in her eyes.

Chen Ping snapped out of his reverie, turned to look at her, and forced a faint smile: "It's nothing, I just have a little trouble sleeping."

Cui Ying didn't leave, nor did she ask about the trivial matters. She just stood quietly with him for a few seconds and said softly, "Did something happen to you this afternoon? You haven't looked well."

After a moment of silence, Chen Ping knew he couldn't hide it from the perceptive Cui Ying, so he simply spoke frankly and told her all of Su Wenzong's conditions in the detention center.

Upon hearing this, Cui Ying paused slightly, a barely perceptible hint of sadness flashing across her eyes.

"Do you still love her?" Cui Ying asked.

Chen Ping paused for a moment, but did not answer. He knew who Cui Ying was talking about.

Chen Ping took a deep drag of his cigarette and slowly exhaled the smoke.

"Some things are impossible to mend once broken, but..."

Chen Ping did not continue speaking.

Remarry Su Meng?

Chen Ping didn't really want to; it wasn't that he didn't love her anymore, or that he didn't like her anymore, he just didn't want to.

As for a reason, Chen Ping himself couldn't give one.

Perhaps the cracks in their relationship began when Su Meng trusted Xiao Lei and saw herself as someone who used public office for private gain.

It's like facing a woman who's cheating on you; no matter how much you love her, you can't just live together as if nothing happened.

Chen Ping knew that even if they remarried, they could never go back to the way things were.

"This is too much trouble for you."

Cui Ying looked at Chen Ping gently, her eyes clear and tender: "This is your life, and your choice. I will not interfere, nor will I make decisions for you."

Whatever you choose in the end, I will respect it.

As soon as he finished speaking, a wave of bittersweetness and unease washed over him.

Her worst fear was that Chen Ping would ultimately choose to remarry Xiao Lei in order to punish him.

If Chen Ping remarries her, all her efforts will have been in vain.

But she could only keep all her grievances and anxieties hidden in her heart, not daring to utter a single word.

Looking at Cui Ying's gentle and forbearing appearance, Chen Ping felt a mix of emotions.

Cui Ying's understanding, insight, and gentleness only serve to highlight the cruelty of this choice.