Lin Xingwan instinctively grabbed the man's arm. Before she saw him, she smelled him.
The sophisticated rose sandalwood scent rushed into Lin Xingwan's nostrils, gradually clarifying her chaotic consciousness.
She slowly raised her head, and what met her eyes was Dongfang Junze's masked face.
Unfamiliar yet familiar.
The man's eyes were filled with undisguised worry. Lin Xingwan's gaze was somewhat hazy, "Dongfang Junze, why are you here?"
As she spoke, Lin Xingwan gently pulled away from the man's embrace and stood back beside Liu Mengqin.
"I came to find you," the man said with certainty. He then added, "I've already sent people to find evidence regarding what happened tonight. Don't worry, it won't trouble you for long."
The man's words caused everyone present to cast ambiguous glances at him and Lin Xingwan.
Lin Xingwan, however, frowned deeply. Instead of feeling that Dongfang Junze cared for her or loved her, her aversion grew even stronger.
She had made herself clear to this man, so why was he still like this?
After repeated sweet talk that ultimately led to nothing, she had become afraid of men and of love.
Lin Xingwan shifted her gaze away from Dongfang Junze and spoke to Bai Xiao:
"What is wrong cannot be made right. I believe the law will provide me with an explanation. Director Bai, I will cooperate with you no matter how you handle this matter."
Lin Xingwan's pale face was always heart-wrenching; however, the wariness and distance in her eyes also made her appear arrogantly unapproachable.
Just as she finished speaking, Bai Xiao's subordinate reported, "Director Bai, someone has leaked more information online, claiming that a senior executive from Lin Corporation bribed the person in charge of supervising material safety. They have audio recordings as proof."
Both Bai Xiao and Dongfang Junze's expressions turned extremely grim. Lin Xingwan, however, felt an unexpected calm after hearing this.
Those who want you dead, how could they only harm you in one way?
Bai Xiao's phone also rang.
He answered the call in front of everyone.
The person on the other end said something to Bai Xiao that made his expression very troubled. He even spoke in a pleading tone, "Mr. Mayor, we don't have sufficient evidence for this matter yet. If we rashly..."
Bai Xiao's words were cut short.
Because the other party had already hung up. Bai Xiao's straight, sharp eyebrows were now deeply furrowed.
"What did the Mayor just say?" Dongfang Junze asked Bai Xiao.
"The internet is full of discussions condemning Xingwan. The Mayor wants me to detain Xingwan at the detention center first to quell the public's anger," Bai Xiao replied truthfully.
For a moment, the entire interrogation room fell silent, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
Liu Mengqin, who had ignored Bai Xiao for the past half month, said anxiously, "Bai Xiao, you know what kind of person Xingwan is. This matter is definitely a setup against Xingwan. You absolutely cannot let Xingwan go to the detention center!"
Even if Liu Mengqin hadn't said it, Bai Xiao wouldn't have let Lin Xingwan go to the detention center. Those held there were vicious criminals. What would happen to an innocent woman like Lin Xingwan if she were sent there?
Besides, he wouldn't dare!
Bai Xiao was certain: if he sent Lin Xingwan to the detention center, his position as Director would be gone, and the Bai family would have no standing. Forget about the Mayor, the entire situation in Rongcheng would change.
"I will handle this," Dongfang Junze's calm voice carried a commanding authority in the interrogation room.
He always exuded the confidence of a leader. No matter what happened, it seemed that as long as this man was present, everything could be resolved.
"In that case, I will issue a statement about insufficient evidence," Bai Xiao said with a very serious expression. The major accident tonight had placed all the pressure on him.
"No need, I'll go to the detention center myself," Lin Xingwan said at this moment with a very firm tone.
"I forbid it!" Dongfang Junze rejected Lin Xingwan's decision without hesitation.
"Mr. Dongfang, perhaps you possess supreme power and can transcend the law to decide a person's life and honor. But I am just an ordinary person. You can protect me for a while, but not forever. I believe that the truth will come out, and the law will give me a fair and just result. Moreover, I don't want to put Director Bai in a difficult position. If you truly want to help me, you should support me going to the detention center instead of letting me be tormented by public opinion."
Lin Xingwan's cold eyes held no warmth. She even met Dongfang Junze's gaze expressionlessly.
"Xingwan, what nonsense are you spouting? Mr. Dongfang is willing to help you, you should be grateful to him," Liu Mengqin whispered into Lin Xingwan's ear. She really wanted to pry open this little girl's head to see what was inside.
Dongfang Junze wanted to protect her; if she agreed, wouldn't everything be fine?
Unexpectedly, she spoke such barbed words. Liu Mengqin was truly afraid of angering the god-like man, Dongfang Junze.
Dongfang Junze compromised and could only say, "Since you want to go to the detention center, fine. I will clear your name as quickly as possible."
"So be it. My wife being willful is fine. After all, the sky will fall, and I'll be here to catch it!"
In the end, Lin Xingwan was sent to the detention center.
Dongfang Junze, Bai Xiao, and Liu Mengqin went to see her off.
Although it was a detention center, she was given a single room, and the bedding was new.
"Call me if you need anything. Rest well here for a few days, don't think about anything. I will handle it," Dongfang Junze said to Lin Xingwan in front of everyone.
Lin Xingwan found Dongfang Junze annoying. With an impatient expression, she said, "Mr. Dongfang, I am truly grateful for your help, and I thank you for saving me repeatedly. But please don't deliberately say things that could be misunderstood. If anything comes up, I will call my family and friends, and my lawyer."
"Xingwan!" Liu Mengqin, standing beside her, broke out in a cold sweat. She quickly rushed to Lin Xingwan's side and explained to Dongfang Junze with an apologetic smile, "I'm very sorry, Mr. Dongfang. Xingwan was sick a few days ago, and with the company's problems, she's a bit emotionally unstable. Please don't blame her."
The masked man felt very helpless. He had switched to his alternate account, and his wife was angry with him and ignoring him. Now, switching back to his main account, she also felt disgusted.
He seriously doubted whether the old lady's suggestion was reliable.
"Rest well," Dongfang Junze finally said after these words and turned to leave.
Bai Xiao naturally followed Dongfang Junze. Only Lin Xingwan and Liu Mengqin remained in the room.
"Xingwan, what was going on with you tonight? I know you're in a bad mood, but you can't take out all your anger on Mr. Dongfang! He's our major benefactor. If you anger him, a hundred Peak Entertainment companies are not worth a single strand of his hair. You're so stubborn. This man has been showing you favor repeatedly, you should know how to seize the opportunity! So many women are trying desperately to get close to this man, and you, you've been given a super diamond bachelor by heaven, and you're pushing him away!"
Liu Mengqin's expression was one of disappointment and frustration. "Zhou Jinbai made you angry, what does that have to do with Mr. Dongfang? Even if you were deceived by Zhou Jinbai, what has Mr. Dongfang deceived you with? You're so stubborn. What's so great about losing Zhou Jinbai? Heaven has sent you Dongfang Junze, what more could you possibly want? If Dongfang Junze liked me, I'd immediately have my son take his surname."
Liu Mengqin began to lecture Lin Xingwan earnestly, but Lin Xingwan only said, "Sister Qin, it's impossible for Dongfang Junze and me to be together. I know my own worth, so please don't say such things in the future. The reason I targeted Dongfang Junze like this tonight is to show my determination not to accept his favor. A few days ago, I almost died in a car accident just by hitching a ride with him. If I were to be with him, I wouldn't live long enough to enjoy anything he gives me."
Liu Mengqin looked at Lin Xingwan and said, "I'm sorry, I didn't consider these things. Since this is your choice, I can't say much. I will also help you figure out tonight's situation. You should rest well tonight."
Liu Mengqin also left.
Lin Xingwan leaned back on the bed, utterly exhausted. It had only been one day, but for her, it felt like decades had passed.
She removed all of Zhou Jinbai's contact information from the blacklist and sent him a message.
Then, she set her phone to silent, tossed it aside, and lay down in bed, pulling the covers over herself, preparing to sleep.
She was too tired, too eager to cast everything aside.
Meanwhile, Zhou Jinbai, having exited the detention center, had arrived beside his car.
Chen Yuchu was already waiting by the car door. Upon seeing Bai Xiao accompanying Zhou Jinbai, she smiled slightly in greeting.
"I'm leaving now. Make sure the people at the detention center are sharp," Zhou Jinbai said and got into the car.
Inside the car, Chen Yuchu and Zhou Jinbai sat in the back.
"Young Master, this is all the information I've gathered. I've also sent people to 'protect' the person accused of bribery recently," Chen Yuchu said, respectfully handing a stack of documents to Zhou Jinbai.
The man removed the mask from his face and began to read it carefully.
Inside the car, there was no sound other than the man flipping through the documents.
By the time Zhou Jinbai finished reading all the documents, his handsome face was cold and devoid of warmth, and a terrifying frost had settled in his dark eyes.
"Secretary Chen, send out the gift from the S University centennial celebration now."
Chen Yuchu nodded repeatedly, "Yes, Young Master."
Just then, the old lady's call came in. Zhou Jinbai took out his phone to answer it. Upon seeing a new message notification on WeChat, he clicked on it to take a look.
Instantly, the man's expression changed drastically, and a chilling aura emanated from him. Even Chen Yuchu, sitting beside him, couldn't help but shiver.
His wife had unblocked him.
But!
His wife wanted a divorce!
Zhou Jinbai stared intently at the five words "We are getting a divorce" on the screen, feeling only annoyance and heartache.
Even though the phone kept ringing, he had no mood to attend to it.
"Secretary Chen." The voice, as if from hell, made Chen Yuchu's scalp tingle.
"Young Master, what are your orders?"
"I've changed the way that gift is to be delivered."
Zhou Jinbai tilted his head slightly. Inside the cramped car, half of the man's face was cast in shadow.
Half god, half demon.
Especially the cold curve of his lips, as if the highest god had, with incredible speed, fallen into depravity.
Chen Yuchu raised her head slightly, her gaze meeting Zhou Jinbai's.
She felt as if she were being strangled by a giant python.
Chen Yuchu's beautiful eyes were filled with fear and submission towards this man, listening attentively to his commands.
Meanwhile, Bai Xiao, standing at the entrance of the detention center, watched Zhou Jinbai's luxury car drive away.
However, he didn't rush off. After standing in the night breeze for a few minutes, he saw Liu Mengqin appear in his sight and hurried towards her.
Liu Mengqin also saw Bai Xiao. Her charming face was as cold as ice.
She simply stood still and took out her phone to call a taxi.
"I'll give you a ride back," Bai Xiao said, walking up to Liu Mengqin. The man, usually so resolute, now spoke cautiously. "It's not easy to get a taxi this late, and it's dangerous for a young lady like you."
"No need."
"Mengqin, I know you're still angry with me. I'm truly sorry. Can you give me a chance?" Bai Xiao said, then forcefully and domineeringly pulled Liu Mengqin into his arms.
"Let go of me! Bai Xiao!" Liu Mengqin struggled desperately, but the next second, her lips were sealed by Bai Xiao.
Liu Mengqin was kissed backward repeatedly until her back hit the cold wall. Only then did she realize she had been pushed into a dark corner by this man.
The man's large hands began to stir up trouble wantonly. Even the dress Liu Mengqin was wearing was lifted high.
"Bai Xiao, you bastard!"
Liu Mengqin realized what this man intended to do, and her expression became resistant and terrified.
"Mengqin, I didn't tell you about Jia Zhenzhen's matter. I really wasn't still lingering over her. I truly thought that after divorce, it was over, and there was no need to tell you. I didn't expect it to lead to this consequence. Please give me a chance. I truly know I was wrong. No matter how much you say you hate me, look, your body still likes me."
The few days of abstinence had made Bai Xiao acutely aware of how much he couldn't leave this woman, Liu Mengqin.
Only she could bring him extreme pleasure. Only she made him want to actively pursue a relationship and get married. And only she... made him feel like he could give up his work for a family!
After confirming his feelings, Bai Xiao wanted Liu Mengqin even more.
"I don't!" Liu Mengqin tried to deny it further.
However, she, who had been leaning against the wall, was turned around by the man.
Bai Xiao squatted down, and before Liu Mengqin could say anything more, he led her to seek extreme pleasure.
Liu Mengqin's resistance was slowly worn down by the man's skill.
In the end, she even succumbed to her body's desires. Although she was still angry with this man in her heart, she also sank into it with him.
However, in the cold night, Bai Xiao couldn't possibly let Liu Mengqin stay outside with him for long.
When his desires of several days were fulfilled, he simply picked up the soft and limp Liu Mengqin and put her in his car. After turning off all the lights in the car, he reclined the car seat.
What had just happened was merely an appetizer. Their carnival was just beginning.
As the night deepened, the heat surrounding the collapse of the new kindergarten, which had killed more than twenty people, continued to rise.
All platforms were reporting on this matter. The Rongcheng Police Department issued three official statements: Lin Xingwan had been detained; the investigation was ongoing; a satisfactory explanation would be given to everyone!
Ye Qingning lay in bed, browsing the news, her face filled with genuine pleasure. When the sound of water from the bathroom stopped, she put down her phone and unbuttoned a few buttons of her pajamas, revealing her smooth, fair shoulders and the alluring curve of her chest.
Soon, the bathroom door opened, and Cheng Yanze emerged, a towel wrapped around his waist.
He glanced at Ye Qingning with extreme indifference and walked past her without changing his expression, heading towards the closet.
Ye Qingning got out of bed, throwing off the covers, and hugged Cheng Yanze from behind. "Yanze, you don't need to wear pajamas. It's been so long since we... I want it."
Cheng Yanze did not reply but picked out a suit from the closet.
Seeing this, Ye Qingning's shy expression froze. "Yanze, are you going out?"
Cheng Yanze removed Ye Qingning's hand and turned around. "Yes, I have to go out. You go to sleep first, don't wait for me."
"Where are you going?" Ye Qingning's gentle face was filled with interrogation. She cast a disappointed look at Cheng Yanze. "Are you going to find Lin Xingwan? What kind of spell has that woman cast on you? What am I lacking compared to her?"
Ye Qingning's voice became sharp. Cheng Yanze found the woman before him extremely unreasonable. "With what happened to her today, even as a friend, I should go and comfort her."
"Friend? Hahaha, that's the funniest joke I've ever heard. Cheng Yanze, you keep saying 'friend,' but in your heart, Lin Xingwan is more important than me, your fiancée!"
"She is indeed more important than you. I've already told you everything about her and me. I also told you that if you couldn't accept it, you could leave me, and I would bear all the consequences without causing you any trouble. It's you who has always refused to break off our engagement. Lin Xingwan and I have never done anything to betray you."
Cheng Yanze knew that what he said was scummy, but he had never done anything to betray Ye Qingning.
Even when he realized he loved Lin Xingwan more than he had imagined, he proposed to break off the engagement with Ye Qingning, but this woman had always refused.
"You want to break off our engagement and be with Lin Xingwan? Cheng Yanze, you're dreaming. Even if I break off the engagement with you, you will never be with Lin Xingwan in this lifetime." Ye Qingning looked at Cheng Yanze's impatient expression and smiled, a smile filled with helplessness and resentment.
"That's my business." Cheng Yanze finished dressing and was about to walk out when Ye Qingning blocked him.
"You are forbidden to go find Lin Xingwan."
Cheng Yanze mercilessly pushed Ye Qingning aside. As he reached the door, Ye Qingning's shrill and sharp voice rang out, "If you go find Lin Xingwan tonight, something big will happen to the Cheng family!"
"Something big? What big thing? Ye Qingning, don't curse my family!"
Cheng Yanze stopped. Just then, there was an urgent knocking at the door from outside.