"Yu Xiuzhun, you said you wouldn’t keep things from me." Ye Mingmei tightened her grip, stubbornly raising her head to look at him.

She didn’t even know what she wanted to know, or perhaps she just wanted to buy some peace of mind.

To prove that Yu Xiuzhun was not as defenseless against her as he claimed to be.

"It’s something you wouldn’t want to know, satisfied?" Yu Xiuzhun’s lips moved slightly, the implication evident in his words.

"..."

Ye Mingmei was momentarily stunned, unsure of what she should say.

Persuade him to stop? Would he even listen?

"It’s getting late, aren’t you tired? Let’s go back." Yu Xiuzhun glanced at his assistant, his eyes deep with understanding, and quickly led Ye Mingmei out of the hotel.

By the time they reached the Yu Family Villa, it was already dusk.

Ye Mingmei had mentioned more than once on the way that she wanted to go home, but Yu Xiuzhun ignored her.

As soon as the car stopped, Yu Xiuzhun opened the door and stepped out.

Ye Mingmei glanced at him, sitting motionless in the car.

"Are you planning to give up?" Yu Xiuzhun rested one hand on the car door, looking at her with lowered eyes, his lips slightly parted.

"... If I stay, will you really change your mind?" Ye Mingmei questioned, looking at him.

Yu Xiuzhun was still expanding his business channels, amassing a large amount of money.

Wasn’t he doing all this in preparation for fighting Dan Hanjie for the Dan Family shares?

"Have I changed too little for you, hmm?" Yu Xiuzhun walked over to the passenger seat, reached out, and opened the door. "Get out."

"..."

"You want to try it out, but you’re in such a hurry to demand that I back down when you haven’t even managed it yourself. Isn’t it too soon?"

"..."

Ye Mingmei bit her lip and climbed out of the car.

Standing on the grass, she lifted her head and looked at him seriously.

"Yu Xiuzhun, stop, do fewer deeds that harm heaven and reason. It brings more peace. No one is born to be a bad person."

"Haven’t even appeased me yet, and you’re in a rush to preach to me. Are you sure I will listen?" Yu Xiuzhun raised an eyebrow, moving the hand resting on the car door onto her shoulder.

With one hand around Ye Mingmei’s shoulder, he led her inside.

At least when she’s around, he won’t do anything harmful, right?

Spare her the overflowing sympathy and the never-ending murmurs by his ear.

"I’ve been with you all day, what else do you want me to do to please you?" Ye Mingmei frowned, glaring at him. If he was still unhappy, her mother would report her as a missing person.

"Are you sure it was you accompanying me all day and not me accompanying you?" Yu Xiuzhun spoke nonchalantly, his evil eyes flickering over her dazed little face, guessing she wouldn’t understand even in her dreams what he truly wanted.

"I do enjoy your company, but not this kind of company..." Yu Xiuzhun bent down and lifted Ye Mingmei up, striding towards the room.

Ye Mingmei’s nerves tensed, realizing what he intended to do, only to find herself locked inside the room before she could even attempt to escape.

"Yu Xiuzhun!"

"Call me Xiuzhun." Yu Xiuzhun interrupted her softly, "You always refuse me. Just once, go along with me, just once, and I’ll change however you want me to."

...

Private villa.

Dan Hanjie’s tall figure sank into the sofa, his short black hair exuding a cold sharpness. His handsome face slightly turned, reflecting a porcelain glow in the dim light. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

On his captivating face, the expression was cold as though covered with a layer of ice.

Even the little one nestled on his chest sensed something was wrong, obediently picking at their fingers, not daring to make a sound.