Chapter 124: Caution Breeds Deception

Jiang Yunzhou’s gaze settled on Xu Wan. Watching the woman’s figure gradually recede, an unfamiliar familiarity suddenly stirred in Jiang Yunzhou’s mind. Xu Wan gave her a strange sense of déjà vu.

As the glass door slammed hard against the wall, Xu Wan’s Rolls-Royce slowly slid out of the parking space. Instinctively, Jiang Yunzhou wanted to chase after her to clarify the situation. However, she accidentally twisted her ankle on the steps in her high heels. A scratch immediately appeared on the glossy black leather surface.

Struggling to steady herself, Jiang Yunzhou rose to her feet. Just as she was about to rush forward, two shadows suddenly appeared before her, blocking her view. She looked up and met the dark eyes of a man. Two bodyguards dressed in black stood like pillars, barring her way.

Jiang Yunzhou looked up at them, even catching a faint scent of cedar wood from the cuffs of their suits—the same scent she had just noticed on Xu Wan.

“Step aside!” she demanded, veins bulging on the hand clutching the contract, trying to break free from their grip. Unfortunately, the sharp pain in her ankle made her inhale sharply.

The lead bodyguard glanced at his watch. “Miss Xu has work to attend to shortly, so she won’t be staying with you, Miss Jiang.”

At that moment, the phone in Jiang Yunzhou’s bag vibrated violently. She whipped her head around just in time to see the rear car window slowly lower, leaving a narrow gap. The man in the driver’s seat looked remarkably like Shen Tingxiao. His cold profile flickered briefly in the shadows—not entirely clear, but Jiang Yunzhou instinctively felt it was him.

Watching the departing car exhaust, Jiang Yunzhou suddenly laughed aloud. The scene unfolding today felt deeply ironic. She lowered her head, laughing quietly, uncertain why Shen Tingxiao had arranged a meeting between Xu Wan and herself. Was it because her current situation was so dire that he pitied her? Or was it something else...

“Miss, are you alright?” A café employee came out upon seeing Jiang Yunzhou slump to the ground, concern etched across his face.

The voice brought Jiang Yunzhou back to herself. She realized she had accidentally cut her finger when she fell, the wound bleeding steadily. Meanwhile, her phone was still vibrating relentlessly.

“You’re hurt. Should I call an ambulance to take you to the hospital?”

Jiang Yunzhou shook her head, refusing. “No need, I’ll just treat it myself later. Thank you.”

With the employee’s help, she stood up. Every slight movement sent a jolt of pain through her ankle, but she gritted her teeth and hobbled toward the parking lot. She wasn’t in a condition to drive. Summoning a chauffeur, Jiang Yunzhou had her car driven home.

Sitting on the sofa, she retrieved a first-aid kit from the cabinet. Rubbing medicinal oil warm in her palms, she bit her lip and applied it to her leg. A sharp ache forced her to wince, a sensation both agonizing and oddly soothing flooding her senses. She endured the pain as she slowly massaged the ointment into her skin.

After a while, Shen Ruizhang entered. As he reached the living room, the strong scent of medicated wine hit him. He casually set the items in his hands on the table and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window.

There lay Jiang Yunzhou curled up on the sofa, a blanket draped over her legs. Hearing his footsteps, she turned her gaze to him, forcing a smile. “You’re back.”

In the meantime, she still held a wine glass, an empty bottle resting by her feet. It was clear she had drunk quite a bit.

“Why so much?” He crouched, about to pick up the fallen bottle when he noticed a contract scattered on the floor.

At his words, a bitter smile tugged at Jiang Yunzhou’s lips. Tilting her head against the glass, its cold touch slightly sobered her. “I’ve never seen a project with such generous profits before. Do you think this is charity?”

Shen Ruizhang paused mid-page as headlights flickered outside the window, briefly illuminating the room with stark brightness. His hesitant voice came close to her ear. “Who’s the client? Who would offer such a high price?”

He knew that price left no profit for the other party—it was practically giving Jiang Yunzhou money.

“Did you expect that?” Jiang Yunzhou leaned against the glass, the chill clearing her mind. “Today, she even said to my face that Shen Tingxiao hadn’t made a mistake choosing... I really want to know what ‘not making a mistake’ means!”

Her voice cracked in the final words. She grabbed a throw pillow and slammed it against the wall. Her eyes sparkled faintly with unshed tears, evoking deep sympathy.

The pillow knocked over a celadon vase; its shattered fragments gleamed sharply under the crystal chandelier’s light.

Shen Ruizhang silently picked up the contract from the floor. He instinctively wanted to ask who Jiang Yunzhou meant.

“Have you read the terms carefully? Watch out—she might be setting a trap for you.”

“I know.” Jiang Yunzhou unbuttoned the top of her blouse, revealing a cluster of red marks around her neck. Whenever she came into contact with alcohol, her skin reacted with an allergic rash. Tonight, after drinking so much, the marks were even more pronounced.

“But this is the fastest way to break into the Beijing entertainment circle; Xu Wan holds three major cinema chains,” Jiang Yunzhou muttered as if speaking to herself, her voice devoid of confidence.

Suddenly, Shen Ruizhang gripped her wrist tightly. “Zhouzhou, don’t be foolish. Shen Tingxiao sent his fiancée to find you to force you to pick a side. After returning to China, he’s acquired many companies, and now he’s…”

“And now… what?” Jiang Yunzhou suddenly leaned close, her breath tinged with alcohol brushing his moving Adam’s apple.

Shen Ruizhang swallowed instinctively.

“Zhouzhou, you’re drunk. Let me take you to your room to rest.”

“No, I’m perfectly sober.” Jiang Yunzhou shrugged off his hand, but lost her balance and staggered forward. Fortunately, Shen Ruizhang’s quick reflexes caught her by the shoulder, preventing her from falling.

An unexpected silence fell between them.

Noticing the tears glistening on her eyelashes, he said softly, “I’ll have the legal department review the contract overnight.”