Night in London, a faint mist began to spread. Because London is always in a humid environment, these mists always exude a bone-chilling cold. Coupled with the flickering streetlights, any secluded place always makes one feel as if something is hiding in the dark corners, watching you. It makes people feel a little creepy and suspicious.
However, Zhou Yi and Susan obviously didn't have the habit of being suspicious. Since Susan is a local of London, she was already quite used to this strange, ghostly weather. And Zhou Yi, as a Superhero, had no reason to be afraid. The two chatted and laughed all the way, and with the powerful engine roar of the sports car, they were very conspicuous in the night.
So conspicuous that some people had already started to notice them.
As soon as Zhou Yi stopped the car at the traffic light, a Shadow immediately approached. He shook the flashlight in his hand, shining it on Zhou Yi and Susan, then tapped on the window, signaling Zhou Yi to roll down the car window.
"Sir, aren't you aware that it's a bit unsafe here lately?" The man with the flashlight first flashed his Police badge at Zhou Yi and Susan, then asked very seriously.
"Sorry, officer. This is my first time in Britain, I don't know anything. Is this a custom for British people at night?" Being shined in the eyes with a flashlight is never a pleasant experience, so Zhou Yi's words were naturally sarcastic.
"Foreigner?" The officer, who had formed a first impression from Zhou Yi's words, pouted unhappily. Meeting a foreigner in this place at this time was not a good thing. Upholding his duty, he still said to Zhou Yi, "Sir, and this lady. May I see your identifications?"
"Of course, officer!" The one who was so obedient was naturally Young Miss Storm. If it were Zhou Yi, he would have at least retorted a couple of times. Susan clearly understood Zhou Yi a bit. She first set an example, then pressed Zhou Yi's arm, giving him a pleading look.
Perhaps only a well-educated Young Miss would do such a well-behaved thing. Zhou Yi thought to himself, yet he cooperated by handing over his identification. Britain and U.S. are one Family, and Zhou Yi, with U.S. nationality, naturally wouldn't be deliberately difficult.
After returning the identifications to Zhou Yi and Susan, the Police officer spoke again.
"Sir, and this lady. If I were you, I would honestly go back to my resting place right now. Whether it's sleeping or doing something else beneficial for body and mind, it's better than wandering outside."
In his opinion, this was a kind piece of advice, especially when he saw Susan's beautiful face in the passenger seat again, he couldn't help but add a couple more sentences.
"Listen, pal. It's better to hide such a beautiful female companion. Taking her wandering around at this time, do you want to directly hand her over for those troublemaking gangsters to enjoy?"
"Officer?"
"What, sir? Do you have any other questions?"
"I just want to tell you that I've noted down your badge number. Hmm. I think you'll have plenty of time to chat with the internal affairs department. And by the way, not everyone can be spoken to carelessly."
It had already reached this point. If Zhou Yi endured any longer, he wouldn't be Zhou Yi anymore.
So he immediately counterattacked. The already overwhelmed Police officer would surely love endless interrogations and investigations from the internal affairs department. Here, Zhou Yi only wanted to say 'you're welcome'.
Stepping on the accelerator, he sped away amidst the Police officer's low curses. Zhou Yi almost instantly left the annoying Police officer behind in his World. At this moment, Susan, whose face had turned somewhat unpleasant due to the annoying Police officer's words, spoke up.
"Thank you, Yi! You stood up for me."
"No need to thank me, it's what I should 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, in a bad mood, let out a muffled hum from her nose, evidently a little confused.
Hearing this sound, Zhou Yi couldn't help but laugh. He felt that the person beside him was not a mature woman, but a little girl sulking. Just like his two daughters.
Perhaps Zhou Yi's laughter was too obvious, or perhaps Susan was too sensitive at this moment. She almost immediately noticed Zhou Yi's smile and questioned him unhappily.
"You're mocking me, aren't you? You must be mocking me. A pampered Young Miss who can't even handle being talked to."
"No, no, no, I didn't think that at all!" Zhou Yi, unwilling to be labeled with such a big accusation, quickly shook his head, while also voicing his thoughts. "I just think you're a bit too innocent. Even when you're angry, you're like a Child, just like my two daughters."
"You have daughters?" When Susan asked this, her entire expression changed. Zhou Yi even felt that her face was uglier than when that Police officer said those nonsensical things earlier.
"Relax, Susan. Didn't my mother tell you?" Zhou Yi immediately said with a smile. "I adopted two Children after we last met!"
Hearing that it wasn't what she thought, Susan's expression softened considerably. However, she immediately thought of her earlier excitement, and her face instantly flushed crimson again. To prevent Zhou Yi from noticing, she immediately found a topic to distract him.
"Why? I mean, why did you suddenly want to adopt two Children?"
"Because these two Children are very pitiful, and from a certain perspective, I feel that my encounter with them is a choice of fate. Yes, a choice from fate," Zhou Yi said, beginning to emphasize his tone.
"You know, Susan, I've never experienced the feeling of paternal love. I don't know what that feeling is like. But I know that Children without a father are different from others. Charisse cried many times when she was little, asking why everyone else had fathers picking them up, but at our home, it was always just Mom and I picking her up."
"That was when she was very young, Charisse probably doesn't even remember it. But I remember, it was a very bad feeling. So, if possible, I hope these two Children, arranged for me by fate, will not suffer from that feeling!"
"I'm sorry, Yi!" Hearing this, Susan couldn't help but grasp his hand and said apologetically, "Making you recall such unhappy things, it's all my fault!"
Zhou Yi shook his head, a relaxed smile appearing on his face.
"This isn't a sad thing, it's just a regret. The regret of not having a father! Men are much stronger than you imagine. Of course, I mean emotionally strong."
"I know what you mean, but are you sure you need my comfort?" Seemingly realizing that Zhou Yi wasn't as fragile as she thought, Susan also said playfully.
"Of course, if this comfort is in all senses of the word. I'm very happy to have your comfort."
"No, just spiritual comfort. Sir, you're thinking too much!"
The two joked all the way, reaching their destination: the Storm Family's Villa on the other side of London.
Because of the passing of Susan's parents, the Storm Family was far from as wealthy and grand as people imagined. Relying on two young people, it was impossible to maintain the facade of a noble Family. And although they were descendants of nobility, it should be known that even the current Queen of Britain does not live so comfortably, and the renovations of Buckingham Palace can only be superficial. Let alone a small, declining noble Family.
Aside from two properties, Susan's parents didn't leave them much else. However, the Storm siblings were considered elites among humans. Supporting themselves and living comfortably wasn't a big problem. Of course, to live a life of excessive luxury would obviously be very problematic.
But Susan didn't seem to want to live that kind of life, and through his acquaintance with her, Zhou Yi didn't see any such signs. Intelligent women who become excellent researchers generally have no interest in extravagant living. They have their own unique values.
And this was also why Zhou Yi admired her, a clever and wise, intellectual and beautiful gentle woman. From a certain perspective, Susan overlapped with a woman in his memory. She was very similar to Jean, but also had many differences.
Thinking of this, Zhou Yi smiled bitterly in his heart. What was wrong with him?
He was about to say something, but at this moment, Susan, whose face was a little flushed, spoke first.
"I'm home, maybe I should invite you for a cup of coffee?"
Many deeper relationships often begin with an invitation for coffee from the opposite sex. From this invitation, Zhou Yi thought of many things. And because of these thoughts, he decided to refuse.
"Sorry, Susan. Perhaps now isn't the time?"
"Not the time?" Susan didn't quite understand what Zhou Yi meant. And Zhou Yi quickly began to explain to her.
"You are a good girl, Susan. But I am not the good man you imagine. Do you remember Tony Stark I mentioned? He and I are friends, very good friends. So from a certain perspective, there's no difference between him and me."
"I've had many experiences, with many women. These are all true, not made-up tabloid stories. I must confess this to you. My emotional Life Qi is very messy, to an extent you can hardly imagine. In a way, I don't have the qualifications to be invited by you! Do you understand, Susan?"
Zhou Yi saying such things was completely unexpected by Susan. She had a certain understanding of Zhou Yi, but this understanding was also very limited. She knew he was a playboy, but she didn't know the specifics of where he 'played'. Unlike Tony, he didn't like to be exposed to the spotlight. This gave many things about him a mysterious aura.
Mystery arouses interest, and Susan clearly had her own opinion of Zhou Yi. His words did not make her change color or get angry. A man who can tell his secrets is always more trustworthy than a man who hides secrets from women until the very end. Moreover, she trusted her judgment. A responsible man will always improve. However, for now, she would let it go.
"You're right, now isn't the time. But later, perhaps you'll change your mind."