He had been staying home to complete the work from the Chief Prosecutor Office, and he couldn’t hope to leave home with his current appearance. Therefore, he spent most of the days sorting out data files at home. It wasn’t a difficult task. The nanny cooked up a variety of dishes for him over the days, and the nutrients helped him heal a little faster. Still, it would take longer for him to fully recover.
He ran his fingers across his face. According to the doctor, many of the scars might last. Still, they weren’t that obvious since he had made preparations before the lashing—not because he cared about his appearance, but because he didn’t want Yan Huan to see them. He hoped that they would fade more by the time he meets her.
“Got it, I’ll pass it to her,” said Lu Yi. He leaned against the balcony, allowing the breeze to fondle his face and muss his hair. The wind did a good job messing up his hair, but his heart was at ease.
He hung up, got dressed, and headed out in a rush. He only remembered he had forgotten his phone by the time he reached the first floor. He thought about turning back to get it, but decided against it after checking the time.
Forget it, it was going to be a short trip anyway, and it’s not like anyone would look for him at this time. His grandfather had ordered him to drive Miao Xinyuan to the airport.
His grandfather had told him that he owes her that much, but he didn’t know why. Before this incident, he never even knew of her existence, so in what way did he owe her?
But since Grandpa said as much, he’ll just obey it. After all, his grandpa had brought her here, and he had embarrassed both of them.
Fine, he’ll send her off.
The car pulled up before the Lu House just as Miao Xinyuan was walking out. Lu Yi opened the door and beckoned her to come in. Miao Xinyuan regarded Lu Yi with icy eyes, but Lu Yi did not show any emotions.
That was what made Miao Xinyuan hate him even more.
Lu Yi began driving towards the airport. What he didn’t know was that his phone was ringing nonstop at home, unanswered.
Yan Huan sat on the bus, shaking her phone in confusion. Why wasn’t he picking up?
She couldn’t take it anymore today, so she took a day of leave to go home once. She was a little worried, and had to confirm that he was fine with her own eyes. She frowned slightly as she propped her head against her hand, as though she hand remembered something unsettling.
She tugged her collar up to conceal her face and dozed off.
Soon, the jolt woke her up.
Her breathing intensified. Her forehead was covered in a sheen of sweat. She picked up her phone and dialed Lu Yi again, but no one picked up.
All of a sudden, tears rolled down her cheeks in large droplets.
She had a dream, a nightmare where she saw Lu Yi all bloodied, as though he was dead. Her heart ached, but she didn’t know what to do.
What to do, what to do. What on earth should I do? She held her head in hands. The worry and fear were driving her nuts, but she simply couldn’t get through to Lu Yi.
She took out her phone and made a call to Yi Ling.
“Yiyi, it’s me.”
“Huh? Huanhuan? Why are you calling me all of a sudden?” asked Yi Ling, who was sitting on the sofa munching on snacks and watching cartoons. Lei Qingyi had bought those for her, and she loved them.
“I’m reaching home soon,” sniffed Yan Huan, looking outside the bus. “Have you seen Lu Yi lately? Is he doing alright?”
“Well, yeah, of course. Just busy as always,” replied Yi Ling, blinking.
“Alright then, I’m hanging up. We’ll talk more when I’m home,” said Yan Huan. She didn’t want to ask anything else. The exhaustion had made her unconversational. She leaned back against her seat, still anxious. She wished that the bus would go faster.
She looked out of the window at the receding scenery in a daze, her mind wandering off and her eyes losing focus.
At the other end, Yi Ling patted her chest in relief. Whew, she thought, thank god I remembered not to tell her about Lu Yi’s injuries. I’m so smart. But wait. She tossed the packet of snack aside. Wouldn’t she find out anyway when she meets him?
Forget it. She shook her head. This is something they’ll figure out themselves. An outsider like me should just mind my own business.
She took out her phone and made a call to Lu Yi, wanting to inform him of Yan Huan’s return so that he wouldn’t be caught off-guard.
He should have been home, but oddly enough, no one picked up. Deciding that she would call again later, she threw her phone aside. This notion was soon overwritten by other thoughts…
At the same time, Lu Yi was driving Miao Xinyuan to the airport.
He said nothing on the way, his eyes calmly fixed on the road.
Miao Xinyuan played with her phone in boredom, occasionally tossing Lu Yi a glance. She felt unspeakably uncomfortable. To this man, she was nothing.
Arriving at that conclusion blew a fuse in her.
“Stop the car!” she shouted suddenly.
Lu Yi pulled up by the road, near a bathroom which he pointed to for Miao Xinyuan out of goodwill.
Miao Xinyuan stepped out of the car, walked to the driver’s seat door and tapped on the windows.
Lu Yi opened the door. “Something the matter?” he asked coolly.
“I’ll drive,” said Miao Xinyuan, giving him a taunting stare.
Lu Yi pursed his lips and said nothing for a long time.
He then exited the vehicle and took the co-driver’s seat. Miao Xinyuan established herself in the driver’s seat and fastened her seatbelt. She liked to be the one in control, including driving.
The car zoomed off as she hit the gas.
“Relax,” she snorted. “I have had my license for years, so it’s not like I’m going to kill you.”
Lu Yi’s eyes were on the road ahead. For some reason, he had a bad premonition.
Miao Xinyuan turned and stared at him. What should I do? Even now, she didn’t feel like giving up on this man. Perhaps that was the charm of unattainable things. Things that are easy to acquire turns stale quickly.
