Chapter 95: Unyielding to Sentiment

“Anything related to Ye Hua, I cannot promise you.” Ye Zehong had been investigating in secret for so many years, yet he still couldn’t unravel the sinister forces behind Ye Hua and Yang Lan. How could Lu Yao possibly succeed where he had failed? He could not become the executioner who pushed her into the abyss.

Lu Yao’s watery eyes gazed at him unblinkingly, her eyelids already rimmed with red. She turned and went back to her room, quietly gathering her belongings. Ye Zehong stood in the doorway, watching her busy figure, taking a deep breath, closing his eyes to conceal the reluctance in his heart.

He blocked her path with his body, refusing to let her leave.

“We’ve already broken up.” Lu Yao looked up at him, her gaze cold and clear, her figure sharp and distant, devoid of any warmth. “Given my current status, it’s not appropriate for me to stay at a male colleague’s home. I don’t want to invite gossip.”

Ye Zehong grabbed her hand, his eyes sharp, his brows knitted. “I’ve canceled my engagement with Qiao Wan’er. Tomorrow I plan to talk to my father about our past relationship…”

His hand was cold, almost painfully so.

Lu Yao shook her head lightly, insisting on leaving.

“Lu Yao, I’m giving you one last chance. If you walk out of this house, then there will be no future for us.” He stared at her back, his voice hoarse, as if his throat had been slit open with a sharp blade.

The moment the words left his lips, Lu Yao’s steps faltered for a fraction, a hint of hesitation flickering across her face. The corners of her mouth curled into a self-mocking smile. In the end, she walked out without looking back, vanishing from his sight.

Ye Zehong stood rooted to the spot, his feet weighed down as if filled with lead. He wanted to chase after her, but couldn’t take a single step. A gust of wind blew in from the balcony, chilling him further.

Shen Qingyin saw him standing there motionless, worried, and approached to comfort him. “Ze, don’t just stand there. Listen to your aunt’s advice. Quarrels between couples are normal. Calm yourself, buy a beautiful bouquet, and go apologize. Girls have soft hearts; a little coaxing and she’ll forgive you.”

From birth, Ye Zehong had never lacked girls like Qiao Wan’er, eager to win his favor. It was always those girls who tried every method to please him. As a result, he found himself unable to utter a single sweet word to Lu Yao.

He had thought those women liked his aloofness and cool demeanor. He assumed Lu Yao would too.

But unfortunately…

Lu Yao was different from those women. She was a unique existence.

His heart grew anxious.

He hurriedly asked, “Aunt Qingyin, what kind of bouquet do you think Lu Yao would like?”

Shen Qingyin saw he was taking her advice and smiled gently. “Pink tulips. Their subtle elegance suits Lu Yao well.”

Ye Zehong didn’t even bother putting on his coat; he grabbed his car keys and rushed out.

…

Lu Yao stepped out of the elevator and had barely reached her apartment door when she was startled by the sight of the crimson entrance. The deep gray door had been splashed with glaring red paint, and words scrawled across it in paint were vulgar insults directed at women.

A wave of nausea swept over her, and she staggered several steps. Scenes from a few days ago replayed in her mind—Ye Zehong insisting she leave for a while—and her heart tightened painfully.

Had her attitude just now been too unfeeling? If not for Ye Zehong taking her in, letting her stay, who knows how far those thugs would have gone in harassing her.

Suddenly, faint footsteps sounded nearby. Her heart leapt into her throat.

The shadow drew closer and closer to her. The corridor’s motion-activated lights abruptly flickered off.

She fixed her gaze on the fire escape, and at the moment the shadow reached out to tap her shoulder, she darted towards the stairs.

“Yao, it’s me.”

(End of this chapter)