Chapter 26: Departure

Lu Ranshan adjusted her clothes, pressing her red lips into a thin line. Her eyes held a trace of unease as she sat silently beside him, nodding faintly, looking somewhat nervous.

Seeing this, Chu Linchen frowned slightly and moved to the driver's seat. His gaze fixed ahead, his voice unusually gentle. "Give me an address; I'll take you home."

The man settled into the seat, his dark eyes deep and inscrutable, his words carrying a hint of coldness.

A flicker of surprise crossed Lu Ranshan’s eyes. She pressed her lips together lightly, opened the door, and stepped out, deliberately moving to the passenger seat as they arrived at the villa.

Chu Linchen’s eyes gleamed faintly but he said nothing, quietly driving forward. Neither spoke.

The car’s atmosphere was profoundly silent, yet inexplicably, the air seemed infused with a subtle calm. Lu Ranshan’s tension began to ebb.

Her brow relaxed slightly as her gaze drifted outside. Through the window, she could clearly see the man’s profile—sharp features, handsome and defined.

Her eyes darkened with memory; recalling the earlier events sent a chill down her spine. She shivered slightly and edged away.

Chu Linchen frowned, adjusting the heater to a higher temperature. His driving was slow and steady.

"From now on, be more careful. Try not to go out at night," he said, his tone cold but carrying an unspoken concern.

Startled, Lu Ranshan looked up, meeting his face. She gave a faint, wry smile; the side of her face still stung from the blows.

Her smile was faint as she shook her head softly and spoke quietly. "This was just an accident. I have to thank you; without you, I wouldn’t have escaped tonight. I’ll always remember this kindness."

The place was a desolate wilderness; no one could have passed by. This time, she had been lucky. Next time… who knew?

Her hatred for Si Qinyu deepened.

Even though calling him was an impulsive mistake, she had no intention of answering his calls.

Through the rearview mirror, Chu Linchen could clearly see her face. His voice was low and husky as he spoke.

"It was just a coincidence."

He happened to be inspecting work nearby and unexpectedly ran into her. Fate, nothing more.

***

A trace of gratitude appeared in Lu Ranshan’s eyes. She wrapped her coat tighter around herself, clutching her arms as if seeking comfort, her gaze still lacking a sense of security.

The car stopped at the villa’s entrance. Her mood had gradually calmed, and clarity seemed to shine through her eyes as she spoke softly.

"Uncle, I really have to thank you for today. When I get the chance, I’ll thank you properly in person."

Words alone didn’t carry weight; sincerity had to be shown.

Chu Linchen’s gaze rested on her face, eyes shadowed and unreadable. He murmured in acknowledgment.

"I have a batch of goods to export soon. I want to collaborate with you. Are you interested?"

His company was vast, controlling much of the domestic market. Partnering with them meant a significant contract, one few could secure.

Lu Ranshan was slightly puzzled but did not want to miss the opportunity. She nodded promptly, her voice tinged with interest.

"Of course. I’ll come to Chu Group another day, and we can discuss the details then. Would that be alright?"

In her current state—disheveled and heavy-hearted—she felt it inappropriate to meet now.

Chu Linchen was unhurried, simply nodding with his usual deep voice.

"Good."

Lu Ranshan got out of the car. Without hesitation, Chu Linchen drove off.

She watched the car until it disappeared from sight before turning back into the villa.

A fierce aura radiated from her. Her eyes narrowed slightly, a cold gleam flickering beneath her lids. Her expression was grim.

As she entered the brightly lit living room, Si Qinyu sat leisurely on the sofa, sipping tea with a look of contentment.

Suppressing her anger and resentment, Lu Ranshan headed upstairs. From behind her came the man’s voice.

"Whose clothes are you wearing?"

Si Qinyu’s tone was clearly accusatory. His eyes narrowed as he appraised her, as if she had wronged him.

Frowning deeply, her displeasure clear, Lu Ranshan turned to reveal the side of her face marked by bruises.

***

The unmistakable imprint of a slap marred her cheek, though it did not diminish her beauty.

"How dare you ask? When I called you, what were you doing? You hung up and told me not to disturb your sleep. And now, what are you doing?"

Her words were sharp, eyes flashing with strong dissatisfaction. She took a deep breath, her face dark.

Si Qinyu showed no sign of remorse, only a brief pause and a hint of displeasure.

"Who knew you’d call me? What’s going on with you?"

His patience seemed spent. He no longer bothered to feign concern, caring only for his own dignity.

Unable to contain her fury any longer, Lu Ranshan confronted him with anger in her voice.

"When I was taking a taxi, the driver took me to the outskirts, trying to assault me. If it weren’t for Uncle, I don’t know if I’d have made it back."

She no longer wished to hide her true feelings; her eyes were filled with resentment and hatred, as if she wished to strike him down.

At her words, Si Qinyu’s anger immediately subsided, his tone softening with tenderness.

"Alright, alright, this is all my fault. If you had told me sooner, I definitely wouldn’t have hung up. Luckily, Uncle was there—that’s the only silver lining."

Some people have an astonishing ability to switch tones effortlessly. Truly shameless.

Lu Ranshan narrowed her eyes, a flicker of hostility crossing her face, but she stayed silent. She turned to leave.

Si Qinyu followed, a faint smile in his voice.

"Uncle helped us so much this time. We owe him our thanks. If there’s any cooperation, we can’t refuse."

Seeing his attitude, Lu Ranshan had no desire to respond. She went straight to her room and stormed into the bathroom, scrubbing her skin fiercely, as if trying to wash away every trace of the driver’s touch.

No matter how much Si Qinyu spoke at the door, Lu Ranshan refused to open it or respond in the slightest.