Chapter 38: The Movie Star Keeps a Black-Hearted Vixen

Su Tang’s face flushed crimson, blood rushing to her head. "Brother Song..." she whispered.

Although Su Tang had regained consciousness, Song Heqing did not put her down. He carried her directly outside, her head resting against his chest, where she could hear the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

He carried her all the way out of the police station and placed her into the passenger seat of his car.

As she sat back in his car, Su Tang murmured, "That..."

Song Heqing climbed into the driver’s seat and leaned over to fasten her seatbelt for her. "Don't worry, I’ve already signed the paperwork for you."

He started the engine and added, "I’m sorry I was so late."

Hearing his apology, Su Tang quickly waved her hands. "It's fine, really. In fact, I’m very grateful to you, Brother Song."

"What is there to be grateful for? Besides, I told you last time that you could come to me if you needed help. The fact that you didn't think of me this time makes me a little sad," Song Heqing said lightly.

"I... I just didn't think you would actually come, Brother Song," she said softly.

Song Heqing steered the wheel slowly. "Are you really that distant with me?"

"No, that's not it..." Su Tang began to explain, but her phone suddenly rang. She picked it up and saw it was a call from Shen Lü.

The car stopped at a red light. Song Heqing glanced over and saw the name on the screen.

"Shen Lü? Why is he calling you?" Song Heqing asked.

"Well... that..." If Shen Lü hadn't called just then, Su Tang would have completely forgotten that she had messaged him earlier.

"Go ahead and answer it," Song Heqing said, nodding toward the phone. The light turned green, and he pulled the car back into motion.

Su Tang nodded and answered.

Shen Lü: "Hello? Why did it take you so long to pick up?"

Su Tang cast a wary look at Song Heqing. "My phone wasn't with me just now."

Shen Lü: "I see. I just finished up and saw your message. Did you need something?"

Su Tang: "Uh... it's nothing now."

Shen Lü: "Huh? Nothing?"

Su Tang had to improvise: "Yeah, I just wanted to ask you to help me click a shopping link, but it expired, so it doesn't matter anymore."

Shen Lü sounded clearly disappointed. "Oh... well, next time you need something, just call me directly."

Su Tang agreed, exchanged a few more words, and hung up.

Song Heqing kept his eyes on the road. As soon as the call ended, he asked, "You messaged Shen Lü earlier?"

Su Tang nodded awkwardly, then remembered he was driving and couldn't see her. "Yes..." she replied.

Song Heqing fell silent, and Su Tang dared not speak either. She glanced at his expression from the corner of her eye, but could read nothing from it. They remained in silence until he pulled up in front of her home.

"Um..." Su Tang fidgeted with her seatbelt. "Thanks, Brother Song."

Seeing that he didn't respond, she felt a pang of sadness. Just as she unbuckled her seatbelt and reached for the door handle, she heard him say, "You know how to thank me, but you won't invite me up for a cup of tea?"

"Oh?" Su Tang was stunned for a moment, then her heart leaped with joy. "Of course, yes, please!"

She scrambled out of the car, hurried to the driver's side, and eagerly opened the door for him. Watching her, Song Heqing curled his lips into a smile, though a trace of irritation remained—the irritation of knowing she had turned to Shen Lü before thinking of him.

They walked up the stairs, Song Heqing in the lead. When they reached her door, he stopped and turned to look at her. She understood instantly and hurriedly fished out her keys to open the door.

Once inside, Su Tang busied herself brewing tea with a set that rarely saw use. Seeing her fluttering about, Song Heqing patted the seat beside him. "Stop fussing and come sit down."

"Right, right, okay," she replied, bringing a plate of fruit over to sit next to him. She had bought the fruit after his last visit, hoping he might come again. "Have some, Brother Song."

Song Heqing nodded and asked, "Did you get into a fight with your manager? Why?"

"Oh, that... it was about those rumors. It wasn't me, and they just posted those photos without asking."

"Rumors?" Song Heqing hadn't expected that. "So why did you resort to physical force?"

"I tried talking to him, but he ignored me and just kept chatting with some pretty girl. I... I just lost my temper..."

Song Heqing chuckled. "I didn't realize you had such a temper, or that you were so decisive with your hands."

"Huh? What?" Su Tang was confused. "What do you mean?"

"The video of you thrashing your manager is all over the internet. It’s hard to miss. You might even still be trending," he said.

Su Tang quickly pulled out her phone. Sure enough, as soon as she opened Weibo, she saw her name everywhere, along with the video. She didn't know who had filmed it, but the footage was surprisingly complete. To her surprise, most of the comments were actually supporting her.

"Well, that’s that. The rumors have collapsed on their own. You’ve truly turned a misfortune into a blessing," Song Heqing said, smiling as he ruffled her hair.

Su Tang smiled sheepishly. "But he really was asking for a beating..."

"Do you... do you and Shen Lü see each other and chat often?" Song Heqing took a sip of tea and asked, feigning indifference.

"Huh?" Su Tang was distracted by the comments and blinked, slow to react. When she finally processed the question, she shook her head quickly. "No, no, today was the first time we've been in touch."

Song Heqing narrowed his eyes, looking at her skeptically. "It feels like you and Shen Lü are quite close."

"Oh, that... we're just average," she explained.

Suddenly, as if realizing something, she looked up at him, her eyes bright. "Brother Song, are you jealous?"

Her blunt question made Song Heqing freeze. He looked away, his expression unnatural. "What would I be jealous of?"

Su Tang, feeling emboldened, scooted closer to him. "If you aren't jealous, why are you so concerned about my business with Shen Lü?"

"Friends just care about each other, that's all."