Guo min dropped Ruoxi and home before taking her motorcycle and heading out to her mother's grave as it's the due date of her anniversary.
Only for her to meet with an accident on her way there.
The driver of the Maybach rushed out immediately only to see the bike rider with blood on her head making him to call out to his boss from the inside of the car. "Boss the girl has fainted and is bleeding. we need to take her to the hospital boss".
"Get her in". Zhu Zihan said and his driver rushed to carry her into the car and they drove to the hospital, Zhu Zihan did not even move a limb when they got to the hospital he just told his driver to sign in his name and get her admitted and to also pay the bills then they drove to the office.
As the sleek Maybach pulled up to the towering Zhu Empire building, Zhu Zihan stepped out with his usual cold, calculated demeanor. The employees, dressed in immaculate business attire, bowed in unison before resuming their tasks with silent efficiency. No one dared to meet his gaze for too long—his presence alone was enough to instill both admiration and fear.
His driver trailed behind him, briefing him on the company's morning reports, but Zhu Zihan barely acknowledged him. His mind was elsewhere, though his expression remained unreadable.
Stepping into his private elevator—an exclusive privilege reserved only for him, his secretary, and select members of the Zhu family—he finally spoke.
"Find out who she is," he ordered, his voice smooth but commanding.
The driver, standing respectfully outside the elevator, nodded immediately. "Yes, Boss."
The elevator doors closed, sealing him in his own world of power and control. Zhu Zihan leaned against the polished steel walls, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly.
That girl—Guo Min.
She had crashed into his car recklessly, yet something about her intrigued him. The way she looked even in unconsciousness—her face streaked with blood, yet her expression stubborn, unyielding—was oddly fascinating. Most women who crossed his path were either too afraid of him or too eager to please. But she was different.
His phone buzzed. It was Secretary Lin.
"Sir, do you want your morning coffee now?"
Zhu Zihan exhaled. "Hmm."
"I'll have it brought in," Lin replied, knowing better than to disturb him further.
Moments later, the elevator chimed, and the doors slid open to reveal the top floor—his domain. The entire space was luxurious yet minimalistic, exuding wealth without excessive opulence. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the city skyline, casting a sharp contrast between the outside world and his calculated empire.
As he strode into his office, he finally checked his watch. Noon was approaching. He had given Guo Min a meeting time, though he doubted she would refuse.
After all, he always got what he wanted.
Hospital
The blinding white lights of the hospital room made Guo Min squint as she slowly regained consciousness. A dull, persistent pain throbbed in her head, and she instinctively tried to sit up, only to feel a sharp sting on her forehead.
"Careful, you took quite a hit," a nurse warned as she adjusted the IV drip attached to Guo Min's arm.
Guo Min exhaled sharply, frustration bubbling in her chest. The last thing she remembered was speeding down the streets, trying to clear her mind, and then—bam. A Maybach. And now she was here.
Her eyes darted around, searching for her belongings. "Where's my phone?" she asked, her voice slightly hoarse.
"Your things were collected by the man who brought you in," the nurse replied. "You're lucky he covered your bills. Otherwise—"
Guo Min's brows furrowed. "Who brought me in?"
"A Mr. Zhu," the nurse said hesitantly.
Guo Min stiffened. Zhu? As in Zhu Zihan, Yufan's best friend?
Her fingers clenched the hospital sheet. She had heard the name before—who in this city hadn't? The Zhu family controlled entire industries, and Zhu Zihan himself was a known enigma, both feared and respected in the business world. Cold, ruthless, untouchable. If he was the one who hit her—or rather, if she hit his car—then she owed him.
Guo Min hated owing people.
The nurse handed her a small envelope. "There was also a note left for you."
Frowning, Guo Min opened it and read the short, impersonal message inside.
Meet me at Zhu Empire. 1 PM. Don't be late.
Her fingers crumpled the note slightly as irritation flared inside her. The audacity of this man—ordering her around as if she were one of his employees. She wasn't some corporate pawn he could manipulate.
But still, she needed answers. And more importantly, she needed to settle this debt.
Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she yanked out the IV, ignoring the nurse's protest, and stood up. A wave of dizziness hit her, but she steadied herself. She had been through worse.
Grabbing her jacket, she stepped out of the hospital room. If Zhu Zihan wanted to meet, she'd go. But on her terms.
---
zhu empire – 1 pm
Guo Min walked into the grand skyscraper with her usual unshakable confidence, but inside, she felt like a lion walking into a den of wolves.
The interior was sleek, modern, and overwhelmingly expensive. Employees in tailored suits moved efficiently, their gazes snapping towards her the moment she entered. She wasn't dressed like them—ripped jeans, leather jacket, and a faintly bloodstained bandage on her forehead made her stand out in a sea of polished professionals.
A receptionist hesitated before addressing her. "Miss, do you have an appointment?"
"I don't need one." Guo Min crossed her arms. "Tell your boss that the girl he hit with his overpriced car is here."
The receptionist paled slightly but picked up the phone and spoke in hushed tones. A moment later, a tall man in a dark suit approached—Secretary Lin. His expression was unreadable, but his gaze flickered briefly to the bandage on her head.
"This way," he said simply, leading her to the private elevator.
The ride up was silent, filled only with the hum of the machinery. When the doors slid open, she stepped into Zhu Zihan's office—if it could even be called that. The space was more like a penthouse, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city and a sleek, minimalist design that exuded power.
Zhu Zihan sat behind a black marble desk, reviewing some documents. He didn't look up immediately, as if her presence was a mere afterthought. When he finally did, his dark eyes held no warmth.
"You're late," he said.
Guo Min smirked and leaned against his desk. "I don't take orders."
Zhu Zihan's gaze flickered briefly to the bandage on her head. "You look like you can barely stand. Yet you rushed here instead of resting. Why?"
"Because I don't like owing people," she said, her tone sharp. "Especially people like you."
A ghost of a smirk crossed his lips. "People like me?"
"Arrogant, rich, and used to getting whatever they want."
Zhu Zihan leaned back in his chair, watching her as if she were an interesting puzzle. "You're right. I always get what I want."
Guo Min's jaw clenched, but she forced herself to stay calm. "How much do I owe you?"
Zhu Zihan raised a brow. "Owe me?"
"For the hospital bill. I'll pay it back."
He chuckled softly. "And how exactly do you plan to do that? A hospital stay in one of the most expensive private facilities in the city isn't cheap."
Guo Min glared at him. " Don't worry, I'm also a CEO, the owner of Serene hotels, I just look this way for some reason."
Zhu Zihan's brow arched slightly at her words, but his expression remained unreadable. "Serene Hotels?" He let out a short, skeptical hum. "Impressive. But that doesn't change the fact that you owe me."
Guo Min scoffed. "I don't owe you anything. I didn't ask you to take me to the hospital."
"You were unconscious," Zihan countered coolly. "Did you expect me to leave you bleeding on the street?"
She crossed her arms, her patience thinning. "Fine. I'll repay you. Send me the bill."
Zihan chuckled again, shaking his head. "It's not about the money, Miss Guo. You should know by now that debts in our world are never just financial."
Guo Min's eyes narrowed. She didn't like the sound of that. Before she could respond, the elevator doors slid open, revealing a waiting Wu Xiang, who smirked as he took in the scene.
"Well, well. I didn't expect to see you here, Guo Min." His tone was teasing but held an undercurrent of curiosity. "You look... different."
Guo Min rolled her eyes. "It's called being injured, Wu Xiang."
Zihan ignored their exchange, his focus still on Guo Min. "I'll be in touch regarding your repayment." He turned to leave, but then paused. "Until then, take care. You seem to have a habit of getting into trouble."
With that, he strode away, leaving Guo Min glaring at his retreating back. Wu Xiang chuckled at her expression. "Seems like you've caught Zihan's attention. That's rare."
Guo Min wasn't interested in whatever game Zihan was playing. She had more important things to deal with—like getting back to her life without owing a favor to a man like him.
She exhaled sharply and turned to leave, but just as she did, her phone vibrated. A message from Yufan.
Yufan: Where are you? I heard about the accident. Are you okay?
A small, almost unnoticeable smile touched her lips. Unlike Zihan and Xiang, Yufan's concern felt genuine.
Guo Min: I'm fine. I'll explain later.
As she left the building, she knew one thing for sure—this wasn't the last time she'd cross paths with Zhu Zihan.