Outside the villa, many bodyguards in suits stood in two neat rows, respectful, serious, and upright.
There was a large expanse of lawn, a fountain, and an ornate wrought-iron gate.
Her face flushed with embarrassment. Walking out of a man’s house early in the morning—anyone could guess what had happened last night.
She could only force herself to act indifferent, holding her breath, her face red, as she walked past these people.
Only when she reached the main street did she finally let out a sigh of relief.
She hailed a taxi and returned to school.
Her mind was in turmoil, countless thoughts jumbled together.
At the school gate, she spent six hundred yuan to buy a new phone and replaced her SIM card, finally able to use mobile payments again.
Holding the phone, she zoned out for a moment.
It was only then that it dawned on her, filling her with unease—that man… could he have some disease… should she go for a check-up…
She had almost died in that filthy alley yesterday.
She thought about reporting it to the police, but remembering the spray of blood from that stab wound, she felt a little afraid. She had killed someone… would that count as self-defense?
She stared anxiously at her own hands.
Her mind flashed back to the man’s scorching palm tightly gripping her hand as they plunged the knife into the other person, blood gushing out.
Then it shifted to last night, to that intense, possessive, and unrestrained kiss.
While whispering, “Good girl, don’t be afraid, I’ll be gentle.”
While being fierce.
Kissing.
This person’s words couldn’t be trusted.
Her face turned red.
But the two of them hadn’t even exchanged names. In the future, they probably wouldn’t meet again.
Yet, how was she supposed to face her boyfriend of many years…
“Ding-ding-dong-dong”—her phone rang. Her boyfriend Lu Ruiqian’s name flashed repeatedly on the screen. She grew nervous, her palms sweating, not daring to answer.
After all, she had gone willingly. How could she explain this to her boyfriend?
…
When Lu Zhuojin woke up, there was no one beside him. His expression darkened. She just ran off like that?
He got dressed and went downstairs.
Opening the door.
His assistant, Chang Kuan, was waiting outside.
Lu Zhuojin asked, “When did she leave?”
Chang Kuan: “Seven-oh-six.”
“Mr. Lu, should we look into her?”
Lu Zhuojin rubbed his fingers together, his voice cold: “Look into what? It was just a one-night stand. Do you expect me to marry her?”
Chang Kuan didn’t dare to speak.
“Mr. Lu, your inauguration ceremony as the CEO of the Lu Group is tomorrow.”
Lu Zhuojin nodded, sneering: “All the demons and monsters are about to show themselves.”
“Be ready to receive them.”
Chang Kuan bowed: “Yes, Mr. Lu.”
…
Xia Wanzhi returned to her dorm, took a shower, and blow-dried her black hair until it was half-dry, letting it fall over her white T-shirt. She casually toweled her hair.
Her roommate Shen Hong messaged her: “You worked the night shift at the convenience store again, right? I signed you in for class.”
They were seniors, and the professors were lenient. In a month or two, they’d start their internships.
Xia Wanzhi replied: “Thanks, Hong Hong~~, marry me in your next life~”
Shen Hong: “What sin did I commit in my past life?”
Xia Wanzhi: “You can start sinning in this life, then you can marry me in the next~ (′‵)Ｉ L, sob sob sob~”
Shen Hong: (waving cheerfully)
“You should just have Lu Ruiqian marry you. A perfect match of wealth and beauty. Hee hee hee, when you become the CEO’s wife, remember my favor of signing you in. I hope you’ll repay me with money.”
Seeing Lu Ruiqian’s name, the slight smile that had just begun to form on Xia Wanzhi’s lips froze.
She replied: “It’s still early. He… doesn’t seem to be in a hurry.”
Shen Hong: “You’ve been together for four years, and he’s already 24.”
“Hee hee hee, you two have always been so close. The other day when I went shopping, I saw him looking at rings.”
Xia Wanzhi’s heart skipped a beat. A ring? She bit her lip, her heart softening. So Lu Ruiqian had that in mind?
But she…
Her phone suddenly rang, pulling her back to reality.
The name flashing on the screen: Lu Ruiqian.
He had already called twice, and she hadn’t answered either time.
Xia Wanzhi gripped her phone tightly, her palms sweating, dampening the edges of the phone.
Should she tell Lu Ruiqian about what happened last night?
How could she explain to him that she had slept with a stranger?
What would he think of her?
And she had killed someone… The sensation in her hand was still of that man holding her hand, steady and dry, enveloping hers, while his other hand covered her eyes, gently stroking them, warmth rising.
Their hands clasped together, blood spreading, making her heart race wildly.
She had lost her virginity… Would Lu Ruiqian break up with her because of this? Would he think she was cheap?
She didn’t dare tell Lu Ruiqian, nor did she know how to.
But if she didn’t tell him, she wouldn’t be able to face him.
Her heart was in turmoil, as if being constantly pounded by a drumstick.
Yesterday, after getting off work at the convenience store and walking through the alley, the first person she thought of was Lu Ruiqian. She had called him five or six times, but no one answered. It delayed her. She should have called the police, but she thought Lu Ruiqian would arrive faster than the police. Who knew she couldn’t even get through on the phone?
She had almost died in that dark, blood-filled alley.
The phone rang for a while and then fell silent.
Xia Wanzhi let out a sigh of relief. Just as she was about to get ready for class, the phone rang again.
Ring after ring, hammering at her nerves.
Panicked, she set her phone to silent. Lu Ruiqian’s name kept flashing on the screen.
She put her phone in her bag and went downstairs.
As soon as she stepped out of the dorm building, she saw Lu Ruiqian standing downstairs. He wore a crisp white shirt, looking handsome and sunny, his eyes gentle, holding a bouquet of Ecuadorian Midnight Silver Frost gray roses.
They came face to face.
It was too late for Xia Wanzhi to turn back.
Seeing Xia Wanzhi, Lu Ruiqian’s eyes curved, revealing eight teeth as he stepped forward. His voice carried anxiety: “Zhi Zhi, I’m sorry. I was busy when you called yesterday. I tried calling you back later, but no one answered. Then your phone was turned off.”
His voice was full of concern: “I was worried something had happened to you, so I rushed back first thing this morning. Are you okay?”
Xia Wanzhi was silent for two seconds.
Her heart pounded like a drum. Should she tell him?
Her mind was tangled.
Lu Ruiqian was sincere and earnest, coaxing her softly: “Zhi Zhi, I’m sorry I didn’t answer your call in time. Forgive me, okay?”
Passing students glanced at Lu Ruiqian, then at Xia Wanzhi, their expressions showing envy, jealousy, excitement, and gossip.
Lu Ruiqian handed the flowers to Xia Wanzhi, patted her hair, and explained in a low voice: “I’ve been too busy lately. Ever since Little Uncle came back, he’s been ruthless… decisive and swift, making a lot of enemies. We’ve been struggling to keep up.”
Xia Wanzhi lowered her head, taking the flowers, and kicked a stone on the ground softly: “Mm~”
Nervous, her finger was pricked by a thorn, but it didn’t break the skin.
Maybe… she should tell Lu Ruiqian. After all, it wasn’t her fault…
But sleeping with another man, and killing someone…
Could she really say it?
But if two people are together, shouldn’t they be honest?
Her hands trembled slightly.
She took a deep breath and opened her mouth: “Ruiqian, I, I, have something… to tell you…”
She should tell him.