Zi Haoran froze when he heard the news. Something didn't sit right. Grandpa collapsed just as Han Xue returned to the mansion? The timing felt too coincidental. His thoughts churned. Could it be related to her? Did she say something to him? But Grandpa isn't that weak... He knew he had to check for himself.
While hurrying toward the car, he barked out orders, "Go to Zi Hospital first, and investigate what happened at the mansion."
As soon as they got into the car, he commanded the chauffeur to drive fast. Shen Mu, seated next to him, tried contacting every servant by Grandpa's side or anyone at the mansion, but there was no response. Even the general staff and Han Xue couldn't be reached.
Feeling a sense of dread creeping over him, Haoran tried calling the number from which he'd received the news, but the line wouldn't connect. Shen Mu called Zi Qiang to confirm, and Zi Qiang verified that Grandpa was indeed on his way to the hospital. The ambulance hadn't yet arrived, but they were waiting.
Traffic had congested all roads leading to Zi Hospital. Zi Haoran, already tense, instructed Shen Mu, "Take the road through Area Mesny."
Shen Mu hesitated, "Sir, that road is dangerous—"
"I don't care! I need to get to the hospital now!" Haoran snapped, his voice tight with urgency.
On edge, Haoran contacted the men stationed to keep an eye on Han Xue, demanding to know if they had noticed anything suspicious at the mansion. The men, flustered, admitted that after being told they didn't need to report anything earlier, they had distanced themselves from the mansion, unsure if they'd been fired or demoted.
Promising to check, they found the gates of Zi Mansion completely blocked, with no sign of life inside. No one could enter.
The unsettling news hit Haoran hard. For the first time in a long while, he didn't know what to do. An ominous feeling loomed over him, and a bad premonition set in.
---
At Zi Mansion
Han Xue, still clinging to her act, tugged at Liam's shirt softly. Her empty, tired eyes met his as she asked, "Can I go?"
Liam pulled her into a tight embrace, ignoring everyone else in the room, and kissed her forehead and cheeks. Han Xue painstakingly endured the unwanted affection, swallowing the revulsion that crawled beneath her skin.
"I can't bear the thought of sending you alone to such a dangerous place," Liam said, his voice low but full of possessiveness. His eyes darkened as he added, "I need to settle the Zi family first, especially that wretched Zi Yu Ming. Because of her, my mother could never become the rightful Kang madam."
The murderous intent in his voice sent a shudder through Han Xue, though she forced herself to stay composed. Liam caressed her cheek again, trying to reassure her. "Don't be scared. I'm not Haoran. I like you very much. I won't do anything bad to you... as long as you're loyal to me."
She couldn't tell if it was a confession, a threat, or a command. But she needed to use this moment to her advantage.
Trying to display a spirited anger, she urged, "It's okay. I'll take my bodyguard with me if you're worried. They're outside the Zi Mansion. I'll wait nearby, far enough to be safe. After the crash happens, I'll confirm to myself that he's dead, and then come back to you. I need this closure—this anger and frustration... I need to be free of it before we can truly start together."
Her voice was laced with sadness and vulnerability, playing on Liam's protective instincts.
Liam was still considering her words, caught between his desire to keep her safe and his need to satisfy her request, when some men rushed in.
"Sir, the Zi family, especially Madam Yu Ming, are trying to cause trouble."
Kang Manchu gestured to Liam to leave Han Xue and follow him. Without hesitation, LiamKang Manchu marched out of the room with his men, leaving the new couple Han Xue standing alone.
Almost everyone had vacated the room.
Seizing the moment, she tugged Liam's shirt again as he was about to leave. Standing on her toes, she kissed him lightly on the cheek, looking up at him with a soft plea in her eyes.
Liam, caught off guard by the kiss from the woman he had desired for so long—since the moment he first saw her in New York four years ago—felt his heart melt. His desires flared, and he grabbed her chin, bending down to kiss her lips.
Han Xue stiffened, but forced herself to remain composed.
In her head, she cursed, 'I was requesting something else, you lusty bastard.'
On the way to Area Mesny
Han Xue's hands trembled uncontrollably as she sped down the road. She had taken a Volkswagen from Haoran's men who were waiting for her outside Zi Mansion, hastily instructing them to follow her in whatever other car they could find.
Her mind was racing. Not knowing the exact route to Area Mesny, she quickly put the directions into the map on her phone, realizing it wasn't far from Zi Mansion—both places were on the outskirts of the city. But she had lost track of time, distracted by Liam's unwanted advances, his constant attempts to cuddle her during their earlier conversation.
With every passing second, her fear grew. The thought of Haoran heading into a trap gnawed at her, making her heart race. She tried calling Shen Mu, but the line was busy.
She dialed again. Once. Twice.
Her anxiety peaked as she tore through traffic, breaking signals, honking wildly, and overtaking cars recklessly just to reach the 4th crossroad in time. The car's engine roared with each surge forward, her desperation rising.
On the third time, Shen Mu finally picked up.
"Ma'am, are you—" he began, but she cut him off, her voice frantic and impatient, her volume rising uncontrollably.
"Where are you?! Which crossway?! Is Haoran with you?! Is he okay?! Answer me now!"
Her questions came in rapid-fire succession, filling the interior of the Rolls-Royce Ghost, where Zi Haoran was sitting. Shen Mu had unintentionally placed the call on speaker, and the entire car echoed with her desperate voice.
Sensing the fear and urgency in her tone, Shen Mu quickly glanced at Haoran before replying. "Yes, sir is here. He's okay, and we are—Ma'am, we just crossed the 7th crossway on area–"
In the backseat, Zi Haoran listened, stunned by the panic in Han Xue's voice. This wasn't the polite, confused wife he had known, nor the cold and distant woman from earlier that day. She sounded terrified—for him.
Her breathing grew heavier, frantic. Interrupting rest of his words,"Shen Mu, stop the car! Now!" she yelled, her voice cracking with desperation.
Zi Haoran's eyes narrowed, unsure of what was happening but knowing one thing for certain—Han Xue wasn't just acting out of obligation. Something had changed.
[===o===o===]
WDD Mini Series: "Help, I'm in a Novel!"
( A hilariously chaotic series of banter where the characters double as their own story's spectators, breaking the fourth wall with mischievous humor, exaggerated emotions, and side-splitting commentary about their tangled, dramatic lives.)
Title: "Strategic Smiles, Unwanted Kisses"
ZH (Zi Haoran):
"Wifey, you kissed him?! What is this, a rom-com gone wrong? (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻"
HX (Han Xue):
"I kissed his cheek. Calm down. It's called strategy, not romance. (¬‿¬)"
ZH:
"And then he kissed YOU?! Are you even TRYING to save me?! (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ"
HX:
"Hmph, saving you is why I didn't slap him. You're welcome. (¬_¬)"
ZH:
"I swear you're going to kill me faster than the ambush. (눈_눈)"
[===o===o===]