Love Assault - Chapter 32

When it came to stubbornness, Lin Che and Chen Mo were evenly matched, though their obstinacy manifested in different ways. Lin Che was determined to boldly experiment and act according to her own will, while Chen Mo was equally determined to fortify her inner defenses, wrapping herself in layers of steel-like armor. Thus, even if Lin Che repeatedly crashed against walls, fully aware that she might one day shatter her own skull, she might never breach Chen Mo’s impenetrable golden bell shield and iron shirt, bristling with steel thorns.

If not for the accidental glimpse of Chen Mo’s true nature revealed during her drunken stupor, Lin Che might still be agonizing over whether to persist or retreat, forcing herself through another round of profound psychological self-assessment.

Now, she sat in her office, buried in a sea of documents, her pen flying across the pages. Yun Xi had called in sick today, sending a cryptic text message without explanation. Too preoccupied to investigate further, she let it slide. Dingsheng had weathered the recent turmoil, teetering on the brink but managing to survive with a semblance of dignity. Now that the company was finally returning to normalcy, she couldn’t afford to indulge her petty whims and neglect the golden empire her mother had built from scratch.

But most importantly…

She stared blankly at her freshly signed name on the document.

The moment she had declared her intention to pursue Chen Mo, she had stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her. In that instant, Lin Che’s face flushed crimson.

Lin Che set down her pen and gently pinched her cheeks. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d blushed.

She refused to attribute this flushed face and feverish, pounding heart to mere shyness. With noon approaching, should she dress up meticulously and invite Chen Mo to lunch?

Her pen tapped lightly against the paper, then was set down. She was about to stand when the phone rang.

Slightly annoyed, she picked up the receiver. But the moment she heard the voice on the other end, her face rapidly alternated between red and white. She sighed.

The receptionist informed her that Chen Mo had gone home.

Even her departure was silent, without so much as a text message. She’d simply asked the receptionist to relay the message. It was as if she were a criminal who’d just committed a crime and fled with the loot.

But Chen Mo hadn’t fled with money. She’d taken something far more valuable

Lin Che’s heart.

Lin Che regretted telling Chen Mo about the police investigation so soon. She hadn’t expected her to bolt so quickly. She chuckled wryly.

Chen Mo, Chen Mo, how desperate are you to escape me?

But it didn’t matter. Lin Che was used to relentless pursuit, having long embraced the label of shameless.

It’s fine, it’s fine. You run, I’ll chase.

It felt like being struck by lightning.

No… it was worse. It was the end of the world.

At that moment, Yun Xi stood stark naked on his two-meter-wide bed, roaring at the person before him, Jian Xiaobai! You beast!

The room was filled with spring’s warmth.

Jian Dan crossed her arms, shook her head, and frowned, draped in Yun Xi’s loose-fitting pajamas. She shrugged, spread her hands, and avoided looking at the red marks dotting Yun Xi’s body. Just put some clothes on, okay?

No way! Yun Xi stomped his foot, glaring down at Jian Dan. You’re a beast! Who gave you permission to climb into my bed? Who said you could sleep with me? Who… who allowed you to…

Jian Dan rolled her eyes. Great-aunt, I was drunk.

Don’t use being drunk as an excuse! You animal!

Fine… let’s rewind a few hours.

Yun Xi was half-asleep when he felt a chill beside him and a wave of alcohol-tinged breath washed over him. Still groggy, he instinctively reached out to push away the icy object beside him. But before his hand could reach halfway, a heavy weight pressed down on him, pinning him firmly. That jolted him fully awake. In the darkness, his eyes widened as he vaguely made out a dark figure looming above him. He let out a shout, but before the sound could fully escape, cold lips clamped down on his mouth.

I can’t even think about it. I absolutely can’t.

Yun Xi helplessly rubbed his temples, shaking his head like a rattle drum as he unleashed another furious barrage of words at Jian Dan. He couldn’t accept that someone had dared to do this to him—in the middle of the night, in his own home, on his own bed!

Give… give… give…

Ah!!! Yun Xi stomped his foot in fury, letting out another frantic scream.

I was drunk, Jian Dan said nonchalantly, picking up his clothes from the floor and sitting on the bed to dress. I was drunk, I don’t remember anything. You weren’t drunk, why didn’t you push me away? As he spoke, he glanced suggestively at Yun Xi’s body before flashing a wicked smile. Judging by your expression, you seemed to be enjoying it quite a bit. Why not just pretend it was all a dream?

You fucking brute! You’re as strong as an ox! How could I push you away?! Yun Xi took a step forward and kicked at Jian Dan’s back, but the soft mattress and rumpled blankets tripped him, sending him sprawling forward.

With a swift turn, Jian Dan effortlessly scooped Yun Xi into her arms, hugging her tightly and chuckling, Just pretend I was overwhelmed by lust and couldn’t control myself. But what’s done is done—killing me won’t change anything. Miss Yun, with your magnanimity, surely you won’t lower yourself to the level of a street thug like me.

Yun Xi’s face flushed crimson with rage, especially at Jian Dan’s flippant yet arrogant gaze, which made her want to slap her to death on the spot. Jian Dan merely smiled, her lips curving into a mocking grin. General Manager Yun, I’m leaving now. I don’t care if you get dressed or not. If you want your maids to see you naked, I’d be happy to watch. Bye-bye.

With that, she set Yun Xi back on the bed and strode out of the room without a backward glance. Yun Xi clutched her hair, her teeth grinding with fury, and roared at the closed door, panting, Jian Xiaobai! You’re a complete beast! A fiend! A scoundrel… She leaped off the bed, pacing the room and muttering, Bastard! He took everything and ran! Ran! Kept calling out A-Fi’s name, treating me like I was dead! Jian Xiaobai, Jian Xiaobai! If I don’t kill you… I! Will! Not! Be! A! Yun!

Lin Che didn’t find Chen Mo at her home.

She waited downstairs for a long time, pacing back and forth, but Chen Mo’s car never appeared, even as night deepened. When she tried calling, she found Chen Mo’s phone was switched off. She felt a growing sense of unease.

Sitting in her car, Lin Che racked her brain, trying to figure out what Chen Mo was up to this time. Logically, Chen Mo was still suspended from duty and wouldn’t be at the police station. She rarely socialized, so it was unlikely she’d be at a gathering. Switching off her phone…

Could she have changed her number just to avoid me?

Lin Che shook her head. Chen Mo’s aloof personality might keep people at arm’s length, but she wouldn’t resort to such drastic measures.

Could something have gone wrong with the police investigation? Did the suspect escape? Or was Chen Mo taken hostage?

The more she thought about it, the stranger it seemed. She immediately dialed Yun Xi’s number. When it came to tracking someone’s movements, no one was more skilled than Yun Xi.

But…

Incredibly…

Yun Xi’s phone was switched off too?

What kind of day is this…?

Lin Che felt a knot of anxiety tightening in his chest. The chaotic day had left him no time to check on Yun Xi and Jian Dan. He spun the car around, slammed his foot on the accelerator, and sped toward Yun Xi’s house.

Fortunately, Yun Xi’s villa wasn’t far from Chen Mo’s place, though it was located in a suburban residential area rather than the city center. After locking the car, Lin Che stood frozen before the pitch-black villa, not a single light visible. It seemed Yun Xi wasn’t home. Yet, unwilling to give up, he knocked repeatedly, his knuckles pounding against the door.

Just as he was about to abandon hope, the door creaked open a crack. Lin Che exhaled in relief and pushed his way inside, only to find Yun Xi standing in the dim twilight, his hair disheveled and his face contorted with fury.

Before Lin Che could speak, Yun Xi grabbed his collar and slammed him against the door.

Sara, what’s wrong?

What’s… wrong? Yun Xi spat out each word with venomous precision. Lin Che, you and Jian Xiaobai are both devils! My lifelong reputation has been ruined by that bastard! Give me a gun, or just kill me yourself!

What?! Lin Che’s eyes widened, momentarily speechless. What’s going on? A lifetime of innocence? You bastard? Jian Xiaobai?

As Yun Xi’s anger steadily rose, Lin Che suddenly exclaimed, Ah! He grabbed Yun Xi’s arm. Xiao Bai and you… you… you two…

Yun Xi clutched his head in anguish. Lin Che, it’s all your fault! All your fault! If you hadn’t stopped me from bringing her home, none of this would have happened!

Lin Che flicked on the light, leaned against the doorframe, and stroked his chin, a mischievous glint in his eyes. I thought… you’ve always…

Shut up! Yun Xi roared. Don’t say another word!

But Lin Che only grinned wider. Haven’t you always liked Xiao Bai?

Yun Xi stomped his foot and grabbed Lin Che’s arm, pinching it hard. Just because I like her doesn’t mean I can accept her calling someone else’s name while she’s on top of me!

Lin Che winced at the painful pinch, grimacing as he begged for mercy. Okay, okay… it’s all Xiao Bai’s fault… Sister Sara… please contain your golden cosmic energy…

Yun Xi pushed Lin Che away, threw himself onto the sofa, grabbed the glass of red wine from the table, and drained it in one gulp. He then stared nervously at the empty glass before smashing it against the floor. Damn it! It’s all the wine’s fault! I swear, I’m never drinking again!

You were drinking? Did you two… you know… after the wine?

I wasn’t drinking! Yun Xi glared at Lin Che. I wish I had been! Otherwise, I wouldn’t have heard her calling A-Fi’s name so clearly!

You weren’t drinking… then what happened between you two? Lin Che stepped back to avoid another sudden attack, biting his finger thoughtfully as he watched Yun Xi. A faint smile crept across his face. Sara… you were just playing hard to get, weren’t you?

Bullshit! Yun Xi leaped to his feet. Listen to me, Lin Che! Get Jian Xiaobai back to Canada right now. I never want to see him again!