Chapter Ten: Wanting Only to Escape Him

Jiang Yunzhu’s eyes flew open in shock.

“Uncle?” she asked uncertainly.

Shen Ruizhang responded quietly. The streetlight outside cast a dim glow into the room, revealing only the outline of his figure.

Jiang Yunzhu instinctively gripped the bedsheet beneath her. Her gaze dropped as she asked, puzzled, “It’s so late, Uncle. Why aren’t you sleeping? What brings you to my room?”

“Are you short of money?” Shen Ruizhang asked.

“Hm?”

She lifted her head, confusion shining in her star-like eyes.

But soon, Jiang Yunzhu seemed to understand. She smiled, “Did Uncle see what I put up for sale online?”

Shen Ruizhang’s Adam’s apple moved silently, but he said nothing.

She kept her smile, her tone becoming airy and light. “It’s nothing, really. I just felt I didn’t like those things anymore. Are you angry with me, Uncle?”

Hearing her question in return, Shen Ruizhang turned his head to gaze out the window. In his dark eyes, there seemed to flicker a hint of unease.

Seeing this, Jiang Yunzhu grew all the more confused.

After a long, uncertain silence, Shen Ruizhang spoke again. “I asked you to take charge of Qingfei’s affairs. Do you have a problem with that?”

So this was about what happened in the daytime.

Jiang Yunzhu’s voice unconsciously tinged with anger. “I’ve managed Sang Bai for so many years. It doesn’t matter if you’re trying to suppress me, Uncle, but you shouldn’t ruin a girl’s future. She truly loves acting.”

The chill between Shen Ruizhang’s brows softened a little, and his tone grew noticeably lighter. “So, you sold those jewels to get back at me? Or was it just to attract my attention?”

She arched her brows, half laughing in disbelief.

The two of them stood at an impasse, neither speaking.

Outside, a wild wind suddenly howled, accompanied by flashes of lightning.

Was it about to rain?

Jiang Yunzhu glanced out the window anxiously, then quickly looked away, her voice trembling as she lowered her head and issued a quiet dismissal. “Uncle, it’s getting late. You should go back now.”

Shen Ruizhang’s brows drew together, his eyes turning cold as he asked in a low voice, “Are you trying to send me away?”

He bent down, his gaze sharp as it bore into Jiang Yunzhu. “You really are angry, aren’t you? You wanted to sell the gifts I gave you to get back at me, to make me notice you.”

Jiang Yunzhu shook her head at once, her tone growing more and more flustered. “That’s not it, Uncle. Please leave quickly. Otherwise, Miss Zhou will get jealous.”

“What does this have to do with Qingfei? Why do you always have to drag other people in? Can’t you just behave yourself?” The coldness in Shen Ruizhang’s eyes intensified, and his grip tightened.

But lost entirely in her fear, Jiang Yunzhu didn’t even notice Shen Ruizhang’s anger anymore. She just wanted to get away from him as fast as possible.

Boom—

“Ah!”

Jiang Yunzhu, like a startled fawn, instinctively dove under her covers.

“You…”

Sensing her trembling, Shen Ruizhang felt his heart clench for a moment. Worried, he asked, “What’s wrong? Are you afraid of thunder?”

“Zhouzhou?”

When she didn’t answer, Shen Ruizhang’s worry deepened.

He gently stroked her back. “Don’t be afraid, Uncle’s here.”

But Jiang Yunzhu pulled away from his touch.

Buzz, buzz—

Shen Ruizhang’s phone began to ring.

From the other end came Zhou Qingfei’s panicked, tearful voice: “A’Rui, I’m so scared. Will you come be with me?”

“Don’t be afraid. I’ll come right away.”

After hanging up, Shen Ruizhang glanced at Jiang Yunzhu.

Then he turned and left.

Jiang Yunzhu watched his resolute retreat, hugging the quilt tighter around herself.

It’s just thunder, she told herself. Endure it, and it will pass.

She didn’t know how long it was before she finally fell asleep.

Half-asleep, she seemed to recall someone calling her.

The next morning, upon waking, she found that Sang Bai’s assistant had called her countless times.

A wave of dread surged up inside her.

With trembling hands, she dialed the assistant’s number.

“Sister Jiang, something’s wrong. There are tons of reporters blocking Sang Bai’s door. Someone exposed that Sang Bai stole Zhou Qingfei’s role, and…”

The assistant’s voice suddenly trailed off.

Jiang Yunzhu, losing patience, urged her, “Just say it! What happened?”

The assistant’s voice shrank to a whisper. “Now both Sang Bai’s and Zhou Qingfei’s fans are demanding you step down as Sang Bai’s manager. The higher-ups have already agreed.”

For a moment, Jiang Yunzhu’s mind went completely blank.

After a long silence, she rasped, “Was this President Shen’s decision?”

The other end was quiet for a long time before finally giving a soft “yes.”

Jiang Yunzhu’s hand fell limply at her side, and she let out a bitter laugh.

For Zhou Qingfei’s sake, he really would stop at nothing.

“Sister Jiang?” The assistant’s worried voice sounded again.

Not wanting anyone else to worry, Jiang Yunzhu quickly adjusted her tone. “It’s fine. I just don’t know where I went wrong, so I’m going to ask President Shen myself. Tell Sang Bai not to worry. I’ll go see him now.”

“But…”

Before the assistant could finish, Jiang Yunzhu had already hung up.

She gathered herself in haste and drove toward the company.

She had barely left the villa when she noticed a car following her. The car behind was picking up speed, and soon it was driving side by side with her.

It was clear this car was coming straight for her.