Zhou Lincan visited her every day…
Under the harsh glare of the lights, Chuan Jin and Zhou Lincan’s embrace was unmistakably clear.
Xu Mianchuan and Wei Chi rushed in frantically, only to slow their steps abruptly, their faces etched with the shock of stumbling upon a juicy piece of gossip.
[Chuan Jin and Zhou Lincan… why are they hugging?]
[Second Young Master, you’re something—already getting this close?]
Chuan Jin pushed Zhou Lincan away and reached out to Xu Mianchuan, her voice tinged with grievance as she called out, “Sister, why didn’t you answer my calls?”
Xu Mianchuan snapped back to reality and hurried over. “Chuan Jin, are you okay? I’m sorry, I left my clutch bag somewhere and didn’t notice the calls.”
“I twisted my ankle. It hurts so much.”
Zhou Lincan stepped aside voluntarily, retreating to his friend’s side.
Wei Chi teased in a low voice, “Well done, Second Young Master. Playing the hero and getting the girl? Not bad efficiency.”
Zhou Lincan replied calmly, “You only answered on the seventh call and took eight minutes to get here after my text. Even amid your eating, drinking, and merrymaking, you should find time to improve your efficiency.”
“Hey, why are you coming at me?” Wei Chi was baffled. “So I was a few minutes late. You’d already handled the situation—what difference does a few minutes make?”
Zhou Lincan shot him a glance. “It makes a difference.”
If only Wei Chi had answered the phone sooner and arrived earlier, he and Xu Chuanjin wouldn’t have ended up arguing later.
Wei Chi flared up. “Zhou Lincan, are you even making sense? I saved you!”
Chuan Jin glanced over from the side.
[Look at him, losing his temper again. Zhou Lincan might be a jerk, but he just stood up for Wei Chi, and now he’s getting yelled at the moment he turns around!]
Zhou Lincan chuckled softly and kindly reminded his friend, “I’d advise you not to shout. If it lowers your impression score, I won’t be responsible.”
“?”
Wei Chi choked back his words and instinctively looked at Xu Mianchuan, who was busy examining her sister’s ankle and hadn’t heard a thing.
Just as Wei Chi was about to relax, he noticed Miss Xu’s gaze on him—the same guarded look with a hint of disdain she’d given him in the banquet hall.
What the hell? Where had he offended her? Why was she looking at him like he was some rabid dog again?? She was all warm and affectionate with Xu Mianchuan, but the moment he showed up, she bared her teeth. Anyone would think two dogs were fighting over Xu Mianchuan like a bone.
Chairman Wei didn’t understand. Chairman Wei was frustrated. He turned to look at his good friend, only to receive a sympathetic glance in return.
What the hell was that look supposed to mean??
Wei Chi gritted his teeth. “I’m the one who saved you. Can you stop looking at me like that?”
Zhou Lincan simply smiled without a word.
“Be careful!”
After a quick check of the injury, Xu Mianchuan helped Chuan Jin down from the table. The moment her feet touched the ground, she nearly lost her balance, almost sending both of them tumbling.
Zhou Lincan and Wei Chi stepped forward, each supporting one of them.
Xu Mianchuan thanked them and said hesitantly, “Could I trouble you to carry Chuan Jin upstairs?”
Chuan Jin immediately protested, “No need, I can manage on my own.”
[Don’t let them carry me!! One’s a violent maniac, the other’s an annoying pest—I refuse both!]
“Chuan Jin, don’t be difficult,” Xu Mianchuan said, glancing at her foot. “You can’t walk on your left foot at all. How am I supposed to get you back by myself? Be good.”
Wei Chi stepped forward voluntarily. “I’ll carry her. Why don’t you head back to the banquet hall? Chairman Xu and Lu Zhenjun are both looking for you. Miss Xu, could you lead the way?”
Xu Mianchuan said gratefully, “Alright, thank you so much.”
“It’s nothing, no need to stand on ceremony.” Wei Chi looked at her and smiled gently.
Chuan Jin pressed her lips together.
[What are you looking at? What are you smiling for? Stop grinning at my sister like some cheap flirt!]
Wei Chi turned and crouched to carry someone, but Zhou Lincan suddenly stepped ahead of him, scooping Chuan Jin into his arms. Lifted abruptly into the air, Chuan Jin let out an involuntary yelp of surprise, then immediately clutched Zhou Lincan’s collar and pressed against his firm chest, instinctively adjusting into a secure position.
Their movements were almost too swift to follow. Xu Mianchuan stared in astonishment. “You two…”
Chuan Jin stayed silent.
She had no intention of explaining.
Zhou Lincan said, “Miss Xu, please lead the way.”
Seeing her sister didn’t object, Xu Mianchuan nodded and headed out of the warehouse, with Zhou Lincan carrying Chuan Jin close behind.
Wei Chi, still crouching, realized no one was paying him any attention. He let out a soft “hey” and stood up, following the group.
Since there were still guests in the front hall, Xu Mianchuan guided everyone through the backyard into the villa. Perhaps their earlier departure from the banquet had caused a stir—Xu Anguo arrived in the backyard with a few others.
“Ah, President Zhou, what brings you out here instead of staying at the banquet?” Xu Anguo greeted warmly, only then noticing the person in the man’s arms. “Xiao Jin? Why are you letting President Zhou carry you?”
Chuan Jin, leaning against Zhou Lincan’s chest, rolled her eyes inwardly before replying, “My foot’s injured. I can’t walk. He’s carrying me upstairs.”
Pei Lingna stepped forward with a smile. “Oh my, we can’t trouble President Zhou like this. And to have you make the trip too…” She then chided, “President Zhou helped you, Xiao Jin. Couldn’t you be a bit more polite?”
“Polite? It’s his fault I got hurt like this,” Chuan Jin retorted irritably.
Xu Anguo glared at her. “Watch your tone. Where are your manners?”
Xia Helu chimed in from the side, “Regardless, President Zhou did save Second Sister. Second Sister should still be grateful.”
“Third Sister’s here too? Don’t you need to accompany President Lu? You’re the star today—it’s not good to leave the banquet. And how did you know he saved me? Oh, did you see me fall in front of the warehouse earlier?” Chuan Jin tilted her head and asked.
Xia Helu’s expression shifted slightly. She smiled and said, “What are you talking about, Second Sister? I’ve been inside the whole time talking with Young Master Lu. I never left the banquet hall.”
Pei Lingna interjected, “No matter what, President Zhou carried you back. Don’t you know how to be grateful? Lulu wasn’t wrong—why are you accusing her?”
The hand gripping his collar tightened. Zhou Lincan frowned. “It truly was my fault that Second Young Lady’s injury worsened. Chairman Xu, please allow me to carry Second Young Lady upstairs first. Have the family doctor check on her condition.”
“Oh, of course, of course.” Xu Anguo hastily led Zhou Lincan up to the second floor.
Wei Chi and Xu Mianchuan trailed behind. Suddenly, Wei Chi remarked, “Your parents are quite something.”
Xu Mianchuan paused mid-step and smiled faintly. “Don’t laugh, Wei Chi. Thank you for your help earlier. I’ll go check on Xiao Jin now. Please return to the banquet—wouldn’t want to keep Miss Wei waiting.”
As Xu Mianchuan turned to leave, her wrist was suddenly caught.
Wei Chi looked displeased. “I just told you to call me Wei Chi. Why are you calling me ‘Wei Chi’ again?”
The grip on her wrist was surprisingly gentle, as if afraid of hurting her. Unaccustomed to such contact, Xu Mianchuan gently pulled her hand back.
Wei Chi’s fingers twitched, his expression stiffening.
“Alright, Wei Chi,” Xu Mianchuan said softly, uttering his name. “And you don’t need to be formal either—just call me Mianchuan.”
Wei Chi stared blankly for a few seconds, then suddenly burst into laughter. “Hahaha, alright, alright! You go ahead then. I’ll go find my sister.”
Xu Mianchuan watched him leave, standing still for a long moment before snapping back to reality and hurrying upstairs.
Xu Anguo, ever cautious, had invited the Xu family’s physician Lu Haisong to the banquet as a precaution.
By the time Xu Mianchuan arrived, Dr. Lu had already been summoned by a call about Miss Xu’s injury and rushed over.
“Let me apply some medication and treat it first. Rest tonight and see how it goes. If the swelling hasn’t subsided by tomorrow, we can go to the hospital for an X-ray.”
Pei Lingna asked, “So it’s not too serious?”
Dr. Lu replied, “There’s no major issue for now, but we’ll need to monitor the situation.”
“That’s good.” Pei Lingna glanced at Zhou Lincan in the crowd. “Xiao Jin is fine, President Zhou. There’s no need to worry. Please don’t trouble yourself over such a minor matter.”
Chuan Jin nearly rolled her eyes to the sky.
[Pretending to care about me? Just sucking up to the Zhou family—how spineless.]
Zhou Lincan said, “Regardless, I’m the one who caused Second Miss’s injury. Proper courtesy is still necessary.”
Xu Anguo stepped forward and asked, “President Zhou, why were you and Xiao Jin outside the villa? Did something happen?”
Chuan Jin probably wouldn’t let today’s incident slide easily, so Zhou Lincan didn’t elaborate. “Chairman Xu, you should ask Second Miss for the details. Let her rest well today. I’ll visit her tomorrow.”
Chuan Jin quickly interjected, “President Zhou, you’re too kind. With your busy schedule, how could I trouble you to visit me for such a minor injury? Tomorrow—no, for the next few days—there’s no need to make a special trip.”
In other words: Don’t come see me.
Zhou Lincan curved his lips into a polite smile. “It’s no trouble. Until Second Miss forgives my unintentional mistake, I’ll make sure to visit punctually every day.”
“Who asked you to visit? You—”
“Xiao Jin!” Xu Anguo shot her a stern look and smiled warmly. “President Zhou, you’re always welcome at the Xu residence. If I’m not here, her mother will receive you. With PT just signed, our families will have plenty of opportunities to collaborate. Feel free to visit anytime.”
Pei Lingna chimed in, “Exactly! I just checked—Xiao Jin will likely need some time to recover. If President Zhou visits often, she might even heal faster.”
Chuan Jin was astounded by Pei Lingna’s ability to spout nonsense. To cozy up to the Zhou family, she’d even say such ridiculous things.
And Zhou Lincan—the president of Dong Zhou, visiting her every day? Was that appropriate? What about his work? His company? Did it live up to his title as a tech geek and workaholic?
“True, it would also be a good opportunity to discuss PT with President Xu. Killing two birds with one stone.”
“…”
Zhou Lincan watched Chuan Jin’s expression shift instantly, a flicker of amusement in his eyes.
If he stayed any longer, her inner monologue would only grow harsher. Zhou Lincan knew when to stop. “I won’t disturb Second Miss’s rest any longer. I’ll return to the banquet hall now.”
“Of course, of course.” Xu Anguo hurriedly agreed. “Xiao Jin, rest in your room. There are still guests downstairs—I’ll check on you later.”
Dr. Lu packed his medical kit. “Keep your left foot dry and avoid walking too much. I’ll come back tomorrow to check on you.”
Soon, the crowd dispersed, and the cramped room grew quiet.
Xu Mianchuan stayed behind. Just as Chuan Jin was about to discuss checking the surveillance footage with her, she noticed Xu Longchuan still standing at the door.
“When did you get here?” Chuan Jin asked, puzzled.
Xu Longchuan scowled, his tone sharp. “I’ve been here the whole time. You only noticed me now?”
Chuan Jin retorted flatly, “You were standing so far back—how could I see you?”
“Downstairs, I was clearly standing right next to Third Sister! You spoke to her—how could you not see me?”
Chuan Jin’s tone cooled. “Oh, I was talking to her. Didn’t notice.”
Xu Longchuan choked back his words, “Fine, pretend I don’t exist then? Xu Chuanjin, just wait—there’ll come a day when you’ll beg me!”
After throwing down this threat, Xu Longchuan left. Chuan Jin looked at her sister in confusion, “What did I do to upset him this time?”
Xu Mianchuan handed her slippers and said with a laugh, “Longchuan obviously came because he was worried about you. And you? You didn’t even speak to him properly.”
Chuan Jin leaned against the sofa, “Didn’t I speak properly? I just asked when he arrived. Did you see how aggressive he was?”
Xu Mianchuan sat down beside her, “What he meant was to remind you that he’d been worried about you downstairs and came to check on you. How did you respond?”
“Only because he brought up Xia Helu first.”
“What did Lulu do to you?”
Chuan Jin pursed her lips, her expression darkening.
Recalling their conversation downstairs, Xu Mianchuan sensed something and frowned, “Do you suspect she was the one who locked you and Zhou Lincan in? What exactly happened? How did you end up in the warehouse courtyard?”
After briefly explaining the situation, Chuan Jin said, “Whoever locked us in did it so quickly after Zhou Lincan entered—they must really despise me. At the banquet today, I offended three people: Zheng Jingyuan, Wang Yujiang, and Xia Helu. Zheng Jingyuan is an outsider and unfamiliar with the Xu Family villa, so it couldn’t be him. Wang Yujiang stayed with Dad the whole time, busy socializing, and didn’t even show up during all the commotion earlier, so it probably wasn’t him either. But Xia Helu—she immediately said Zhou Lincan saved me. If she didn’t know something, I’d be shocked.”
Xu Mianchuan fell silent for a moment, then said, “Then we’ll have to check the surveillance footage. If it really was Lulu who did it…”
Chuan Jin looked up and met Xu Mianchuan’s gaze.
“I’ll handle this matter.”