Chapter 11: It’s Okay, Don’t Be Afraid

Su Yiren stopped in her tracks. The voice, like a haunting melody, wrapped around her limbs, rendering her immobile.

Five years of marriage, yet not a single shred of lingering affection.

Her fervent love, ultimately outweighed by a mere contract.

Should she cry or laugh?

Cry over her years of love, reduced to nothing, worthless; or laugh at her own cleverness, able to exchange divorce for greater benefits, forcing him to humble himself?

But whether crying or laughing, it would be her own business from now on.

Su Yiren took a deep breath, feeling a chill rush into her mind, bringing a moment of clarity and liberation.

It wasn’t fair to blame him for being heartless. They were merely in a contractual marriage, and he was simply fulfilling the terms of the agreement.

Five years ago, they married as per the agreement;

Five years later, time was up, and naturally, they would divorce as per the agreement.

The difference was, he had remained consistent throughout these five years, treating her like a stranger;

While she, foolishly, had poured her entire heart into him.

Where in this world was there an equal exchange?

I’m good to you, so you have to be good to me.

I like you, so you have to like me.

Why?

At this moment, Su Yiren finally understood:

Unrequited love would never become mutual.

She and he, were destined to be strangers.

“Okay.”

Su Yiren only replied with a single word, then continued walking forward.

But her steps were heavier now, lacking the previous composure.

Lu Yunting watched her solitary figure, slender yet upright.

A tailored white suit, though imposing, seemed strangely thin on her.

Was she really that skinny?

He had never truly looked at her, let alone her back.

Suddenly, an indescribable emotion arose in his heart, prompting him to take a few steps forward, out the door.

Realizing the absurdity and futility of his actions, Lu Yunting stopped in his tracks.

What was he doing?

Was he reluctant?

Impossible! Wasn’t this the outcome he desired most?

Divorce from Su Yiren, renew the contract with Susan.

Peace in the world.

Yes, that’s it.

Lu Yunting took a deep breath, cast a final glance at Su Yiren’s back, and prepared to leave.

The unexpected happened in a flash.

A man suddenly darted out from the side, a glint of light flashing in his hand! A knife!

The man charged towards Su Yiren, the blade flashing, aiming straight for her back!

“Watch out!” Lu Yunting，without hesitation, rushed forward, using his shoulder to push the man aside, his long arm reaching out to pull Su Yiren into his embrace.

The man stumbled only two steps before turning around, recklessly raising his arm, another stab!

Lu Yunting was checking on Su Yiren, his peripheral vision catching a glimpse of the flash of cold steel, he hugged Su Yiren and quickly dodged, always shielding her in his arms.

The man was clearly insane, completely desperate, seeing that his first stab missed, he continued to stab repeatedly!

Lu Yunting，holding Su Yiren, dodged left and right, but in a moment of carelessness, his arm was stabbed, the sleeve of his suit instantly ripped open!

At this time, the security guards at the door rushed over, joining forces to subdue the man.

Seeing his attempt to assassinate fail, the man went crazy, ranting and raving:

“Su Yiren, you dead woman! I lost my job, what will my family eat?”

“You heartless woman! You deserve to be divorced!”

“I wish you a life without children!”

“You better watch out! I’ll kill you next time!”

All the insults and curses poured out, making one’s scalp crawl.

The man’s venomous gaze, like two poisonous snakes, pierced through the crowd, fixated on Su Yiren’s neck.

Su Yiren, completely unprepared for this unexpected incident, was initially shocked.

After recognizing the man’s face, she slowly calmed down, taking a shallow breath.

It was Wang Meng.

The factory manager she had fired.

He came to assassinate her, simply out of revenge.

Her heart beat uncontrollably, the tension and fear made her forget her current predicament.

Wang Meng’s hands were bound, several security guards held him down, and someone nervously called the police.

Si Hong rushed over after receiving the news, upon seeing the scene at the door, he frowned.

Standing above Wang Meng, he raised his hand and clasped the man’s chin, doing something unknown, the man’s ranting and raving stopped abruptly.

Wang Meng looked at the refined and elegant man in front of him, both shocked and terrified, as if he had seen a ghost, only able to make muffled sounds.

All the insults and curses disappeared, Su Yiren suddenly realized: she was in Lu Yunting’s arms!

She was saved by Lu Yunting？

This was completely unexpected.

The warm and sturdy embrace was tempting, but reason urged Su Yiren to escape immediately.

However, as soon as she struggled, he held her tighter, gently patting her back, soothingly saying in a childlike voice:

“It’s okay, don’t be afraid.”

This was the first time Lu Yunting had ever held Su Yiren in his memory.

It was also the first time he felt that she was so frail.

Her waist was slender, her shoulder blades were hard against his chest.

She was like a delicate flower, trembling in the cold wind, making one feel pity.

He was surprised that he actually felt pity, but he just felt uncomfortable in his chest.

Very uncomfortable.

He even had a familiar feeling, as if long ago, he had also felt pity and attraction for this woman.

But in his memory, he had never been so intimate with a woman.

His thoughts and memories were in disarray, making him even more confused.

Until he noticed the trembling of the little woman in his arms, he subconsciously held her tighter, saying:

“It’s okay, don’t be afraid.”

But the woman raised her face, looking at him with those emotionless eyes, calmly said:

“Mr. Lu, please let go.”

The previous pity and concern slowly disappeared, Lu Yunting’s voice was low, with a hint of suppressed anger,

“Is this how you treat your savior?”

Su Yiren looked up at him, replying in the same indifferent tone:

“Thank you for saving me, what do you want in return? Money? Or a contract renewal?”

“Su Yiren!” Lu Yunting couldn’t believe that this woman was so cold and heartless, so ungrateful!

“If you don’t mention it now, you won’t have the chance later.”

Seeing Lu Yunting’s pale face, his eyes red with anger, Su Yiren’s words became even colder,

“What’s decided won’t change. Tomorrow morning at 10, see you at the Civil Affairs Bureau.” After saying that, she broke free from his embrace, accidentally touching Lu Yunting’s arm.

Lu Yunting groaned, reaching out to cover his injured arm.

Su Yiren noticed the anomaly, her gaze swept over, her brows slightly furrowed.

Between those long, white fingers, streaks of bright red blood seeped out, winding down, dripping onto the ground, forming a small pool.

“You’re hurt?” Su Yiren asked, frowning, only after she spoke did she realize that her voice was dry and hoarse.

“It’s nothing.” Lu Yunting glanced around, seeing his assistant, Zhou Tong, standing not far away, wanting to come forward but hesitant, he nodded.

Zhou Tong immediately ran over, his hands nervously fidgeting.

“How did you get hurt? Were you cut? Is it serious? Oh my god! That damn animal!”

Lu Yunting found him annoying, urging him:

“Go get the car.”

The parking lot was not far away, Zhou Tong was both anxious to take Lu Yunting to the hospital, but also worried about leaving him alone, he was hesitant, when he suddenly heard Su Yiren say:

“Zhou Tong, take him to the infirmary first.”