The sky was overcast, and although it was the chilly early spring season, the biting cold of winter had eased, with snow now mixed with rain.
At precisely eight o'clock, the detention center released its detainees on time.
Chu Yuxuan stepped lazily out of the iron gates, greeted by the sight of a Maybach and a GTR parked outside.
Chu Zhiqing stood next to the Maybach, a cigarette dangling from the corner of his mouth. A middle-aged driver in a suit and tie held an umbrella over him, looking stern.
Seeing his son emerge, Chu Zhiqing hurried over. "Son, you've had a tough time," he said, taking the large black umbrella from the driver and holding it over his son's head.
"Quite comfortable, actually," Chu Yuxuan replied with a faint smile, glancing toward Old Five and Xiaoqing standing by the GTR.
"Mr. Chu," Old Five greeted, not daring to call him "Big Brother" in front of Chu Zhiqing.
Xiaoqing, holding a thick white fur robe, quickly stepped forward and personally draped it over Chu Yuxuan's shoulders, saying shyly yet concerned, "Young Master, you've suffered."
"Why are you here?" Chu Yuxuan's gaze briefly swept over Xiaoqing's rough hands before settling on her blushing, delicate face. "It was just three days of detention, not prison. There's nothing to suffer over."
As soon as he finished speaking, another person approached timidly, calling out, "Mr. Chu... Mr. Chu..." Everyone turned to look, but only Chu Yuxuan recognized Jin Shuhan.
"Why are you here?" Chu Yuxuan frowned slightly.
"I..." Jin Shuhan hesitated, stepping forward. "I went to the criminal police team and found out you were getting out today. I don't have class today, so... I came to pick you up."
Chu Yuxuan smacked his lips and said, "That matter had nothing to do with you. You shouldn't feel any pressure about it."
"I..." Jin Shuhan opened her mouth, the words "Thank you" stuck in her throat before she swallowed them back. After a moment of hesitation, she suddenly raised her head and said, "By the way, Mr. Chu, the school has already changed principals and expelled over thirty foreign students with disciplinary records. The new principal is currently making a statement online."
Chu Yuxuan had known about this since last night—it was an order personally given by the old man, who also personally selected the new principal. Chu Zhiqing had casually mentioned it when he visited last night.
The whole incident had finally come to a perfect conclusion. Three days of detention had yielded significant benefits—not a bad trade.
"That's good. It's a relief," Chu Yuxuan feigned surprise as he spoke. Just then, a black G-Class Mercedes slowly approached.
Zhao Yanan stepped out of the car, glanced at Xiaoqing adjusting Chu Yuxuan's collar, then looked at Jin Shuhan standing nervously in front of him before walking over expressionlessly. "Dad, Chu..."
When she looked at Chu Yuxuan, it seemed she wasn't sure how to address her fake husband in front of Chu Zhiqing, so she skipped that part and asked indifferently, "Are you alright?"
Chu Yuxuan smirked. "I had food, drinks, and a place to stay—not bad. Are you worried about me?"
Zhao Yanan pressed her lips together, saying nothing.
Chu Zhiqing coughed lightly and cheerfully said, "Let's go, Yuxuan, Yanan. Come back to the villa with me. The old man wants to see you both."
Zhao Yanan: ???
See me? Remembering the scene of the old man scolding this father-son duo, she couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.
Chu Yuxuan knew he couldn't avoid this ordeal. It was just a few blows—nothing too painful—so he replied quietly, "Let's go. The sooner we get it over with, the better." As he finished speaking, he looked at Old Five and pointed at Jin Shuhan. "First, take her back to school. You and Xiaoqing can head home afterward."
"Third Brother, I'll ride in your car with Yanan."
Jin Shuhan couldn't resist Old Five's enthusiasm, so she awkwardly got into the car. Watching the Maybach and G-Class leave first, she felt an inexplicable sense of oppression. The vast difference between her and them, like heaven and earth, was the result of generations of struggle. She didn't even dare to imagine it.
To her, being able to earn enough to support herself and her paralyzed father was already a rare form of wealth in this world.
In the back seat of the G-Class, Zhao Yanan and Chu Yuxuan sat far apart.
The ice-cold beauty turned her head to look out the window, her thoughts in turmoil. She wasn't sure how she would face the old man.
On the other hand, she also felt something was odd. On the way here, she had prepared herself to endure Chu Yuxuan's endless teasing, but this second-generation rich kid seemed unusually uninterested, not saying a word for half the trip.
As she pondered, she glanced over and found Chu Yuxuan leaning against the car window, his narrow eyes slightly closed, gently rubbing his temples.
"Looks like he didn't rest well," Zhao Yanan thought to herself, feeling slightly relieved. Just as she was about to turn away, she heard Chu Yuxuan say, "If you want to look, just do it openly. No need to sneak around—I don't charge for it."
Zhao Yanan glared at him but didn't respond.
Chu Yuxuan just chuckled, continuing to rub his temples.
In fact, he hadn't slept well these past few days, feeling a bit dizzy, with a faint headache, leaving him with no energy for his usual banter.
Moreover, three days of peace had somewhat calmed the restless heart that had inexplicably stirred within him.
Most love in this world begins with a fleeting attraction, and at the wedding, a mere glimpse of Zhao Yanan had unsettled Chu Yuxuan for a moment. What man wouldn't lose his composure when first seeing such a stunning beauty like her?
However, he hadn't intended to pursue anything at that moment, fully aware that this sham marriage was nothing but a farce.
But that slap had completely opened his heart... It's hard to imagine what this young master, who had been accustomed to being neglected from a young age, felt when he was suddenly protected by a woman.
The affection was fake, but the feelings were real. However, now he thought that perhaps his reaction had been a bit excessive. With a woman this cold, too much enthusiasm would probably backfire.
Third Brother was driving absentmindedly, occasionally glancing in the rearview mirror, noticing how distant the two of them were, almost like strangers. The awkward silence in the car made the atmosphere quite tense, and he couldn't help but mutter under his breath.
"Ah... what is love, anyway? Some say it's not as satisfying as a bowl of dough-drop soup... Hmm... I am craving some dough-drop soup."
Chu Yuxuan opened his eyes slightly, glancing at Third Brother. "What are you mumbling about?"
Third Brother quickly shut his mouth, pretending to be deaf and dumb, focusing intently on driving.
Chu Yuxuan couldn't help but laugh. This clumsy brother of his was always like this. It seemed he'd have a hard time finding a wife in the future.
Just then, Second Brother sent a WeChat message: "You're out?"
Chu Yuxuan: "Yeah. How's that thing I asked you to check out?"
Second Brother: "Still looking into it. There doesn't seem to be anything unusual with the Gao family."
Chu Yuxuan put away his phone, thought for a moment, then asked Zhao Yanan, "Has Gao Ning tried to contact you?"
Zhao Yanan sighed, "He's been coming every day for the past three days."
After a pause, she added, "He's been looking for you. Didn't you tell him to wait?"
Chu Yuxuan stroked his chin and muttered, "I've caused quite a stir, and he doesn't know? I think he's deliberately trying to mess with me."
Zhao Yanan replied coldly, "I don't know."
Chu Yuxuan exhaled, raising a hand to rub his temples again. He turned his head to look at Zhao Yanan and smiled. "Why the long face? Who upset you?"
Third Brother suddenly widened his eyes, feeling a chill down his spine.
Zhao Yanan snapped, "Chu Yuxuan, are you planning to open a tire shop? Why do you keep messing with my tires?"
Chu Yuxuan pressed his tongue against his cheek, fell silent for a moment, then pointed at Third Brother. "I'm telling you, it was all his doing—the idea was his too. It's got nothing to do with me... This big guy is just too wicked. He's over 200 pounds, and at least 200 pounds of that is pure mischief."
Third Brother: "..."
Fine, you're noble, you're amazing.
Zhao Yanan fumed, "Who are you trying to fool?! What exactly are you up to? Do you have to annoy me every day to feel satisfied?"
Chu Yuxuan raised his hands in surrender, feeling wronged. "I just thought you work so hard every day and still have to drive yourself—it's tiring, right? How about I be your driver from now on?""That's unnecessary!" Zhao Yanan snapped, "Don't touch my car again!"
Chu Yuxuan pretended to ponder for a moment and then suggested, "How about this—let this big guy be your driver from now on? I'll compromise, and so should you."
As he spoke, Chu Yuxuan raised his hand, seemingly intending to pat Zhao Yanan on the shoulder in a friendly gesture.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Yanan reacted with extreme alarm. She jerked back as if she were a startled bird, glaring at Chu Yuxuan with a warning look. "Don't touch me!"
Chu Yuxuan paused for a moment, then shrugged. "Alright, it's settled then... Lao San, from now on, make sure you drive well for your sister-in-law."
Lao San sighed deeply, "Alright... got it. What a life I have..."
Leaning back in his seat, Chu Yuxuan recalled the night Zhao Yanan had cut him with a knife. Her reaction had been somewhat unusual even then.
After thinking for a while, he pulled out his phone again and sent a message to his second brother: "Help me look into Zhao Yanan's background."
Second Brother replied: "Big Brother, do you think I'm some kind of detective?"
Chu Yuxuan: "Yes."
Second Brother: "Alright..."