"You want to handle this yourself, and that's fine. But how do you plan on dealing with someone like him?"
When Zhou Fan heard Chu Yan wanted to deal with Chu Yifeng herself, he wasn't particularly surprised. He was just a little curious about her methods.
"I called Grandpa this morning and told him everything. He said he would give us a satisfactory answer!" Chu Yan lifted her chin. "I know you probably think my approach is too merciful, and I know it is. But he's Chu Peiyu's only son, and he wasn't always like this when we were kids."
"Honey, don't be mad at me, okay?" Fearing Zhou Fan was angry, Chu Yan wrapped her arms around his neck and nuzzled her face against it, her voice a soft, coquettish plea. "I promise, if there's a next time, I absolutely won't care if he lives or dies!"
"You... When have I ever been mad at you?"
Zhou Fan sighed. One must show no mercy to enemies; Chu Yan's approach was clearly at odds with his philosophy. But this was the first time she'd been so affectionate with him, and he was powerless to resist. 'I'll just have to try my best to keep her in my sight from now on,' he thought.
"Underwater, when I tried to kiss you, you hit me and glared at me!"
"Darling, let's be reasonable here. That really wasn't the right time!"
"Oh, so *now* you want to be reasonable? Then why didn't you tell me you weren't coming home last night? Were you out fooling around with some girl from the sales department?"
"I think I'd better make up for that underwater kiss now!"
It was the first relationship for both of them. They held each other, forgetting everything else, never tiring of their clingy affection. The sweetness in the room was so thick you could cut it with a knife.
They stayed like that until evening, when Chu Yan's stomach started to rumble. Only then did the two of them reluctantly get up, wash, and head out in search of food.
"Honey, you promised. You have to tell me everything about yourself eventually."
"Don't worry, I will. I'm not telling you now because I'm afraid it would scare you. I'm serious."
"Then... are you still going to see other women?"
"Well... Darling, we already agreed on this. Unless, of course, you're willing to give yourself to me tonight!"
"In your dreams! I... I'm not ready yet. In that case, you have to check in with me from now on. And absolutely no staying out all night!"
They were just like any other young couple on the street. Chu Yan held onto Zhou Fan's arm, chatting happily. But even without makeup and dressed casually, her figure and features still drew the gazes of countless passersby.
"Hmph. Some people just don't know how to appreciate what they have. He already has me, but he still wants to find other women. Isn't he just the worst?"
Seated at a streetside food stall, Chu Yan didn't forget to verbally poke at Zhou Fan between bites. She couldn't understand it herself. How could she, a woman who had always been so principled, become so completely without principles after meeting this jerk?
'This guy must have done something to me,' she thought. After all, he was a monster who could be covered in injuries in the morning and then be lively enough to go shopping with her by evening!
"After we finish eating, we're going to your family's home."
Since his wounds hadn't fully healed yet, Chu Yan didn't let him drink alcohol. Zhou Fan took a sip of water, then picked up a napkin to wipe the corner of her mouth and spoke softly.
"Huh?" Chu Yan looked confused. Hadn't Zhou Fan promised to let her handle it first?
"Don't read too much into it. I'm just going to give them a warning. I don't want you to be in danger again. After all, I can't guarantee I'll be able to get to you in time every time."
As the pair got up to leave, driving toward the Chu Family estate in North City, a man and a woman not far away also slowly rose to their feet.
"Is that him?"
"Definitely. He seems a lot milder now, but that aura he has... no one else can imitate it."
"Didn't the boss say he betrayed his brothers and was killed by their combined efforts?"
"I don't know. What do we do now? Should we report this?"
"Report it."
The two exchanged a few quiet words, then quickly walked off, melting into the crowd.
Zhou Fan was oblivious to their conversation. He was in the passenger seat, quietly teasing Chu Yan, which provoked her to the point where she nearly kicked him out of the car.
"Stop! Something's wrong!"
They had just reached the main gate of the Chu Family estate when Zhou Fan spoke urgently. The instant Chu Yan stopped the car, he pulled her out by the hand and flattened them both against the wall.
"What's wrong, honey?"
Chu Yan asked nervously. After a day of practice, the word "honey" came to her lips without hesitation or shyness. After all, Zhou Fan had practically devoured her all day.
"The smell of blood. It's strong."
Zhou Fan sniffed the air. Then, pulling Chu Yan with his left hand, he placed his right hand on the main gate and pushed it open.