Font Size:
Before Qi Chong could say anything, Fu Zhiqing had already started shouting.
Xie Qingcen’s gaze turned icy in an instant.
Qi Chong quickly stepped forward and covered Fu Zhiqing’s mouth. “No need, President Xie. I know what to do.”
Xie Qingcen gave a slight nod. “Make sure to pay the medical fees. I hate dealing with trouble.”
“Yes, President Xie.”
Qi Chong nodded and forcefully dragged Fu Zhiqing out of the store.
Technically, it was just a dislocated jaw—President Xie could have ordered Qi Chong to fix it then and there. But from the look of things, Xie Qingcen had no intention of showing any mercy. He wanted Fu Zhiqing to learn a harsh lesson.
Thinking of this, Qi Chong tightened his grip, showing no restraint toward Fu Zhiqing.
Once they left, Xie Qingcen retracted his gaze and walked over to Ruan Liuzheng. Casually wrapping one arm around her slender waist, he slowly took out a black card. “Just these two. Let’s check out.”
These were clothes that little Liuzheng had picked for him herself. Even if someone unrelated had spoiled the mood, he wouldn’t let her efforts go to waste.
He would keep them well.
Ruan Liuzheng glanced at him coldly and reminded in a flat tone, “Let go. You’re crossing the line.”
Xie Qingcen lowered his eyes, a faint smile on his lips.
Yet those dark pupils were like an icy lake, deep and unfathomable.
“Liuzheng, are you sure this is the time to argue with me over something so trivial?”
Ruan Liuzheng suddenly recalled Fu Zhiqing’s miserable state just now. She pressed her lips together, losing the mood to bicker with Xie Qingcen.
“Xie Qingcen, I’m tired. Take me home.”
…
On the way back, the car was silent.
Ruan Liuzheng sat on one side, eyes closed, feigning sleep.
Leaning back against the seat, half of her refined face was hidden in shadow while the other half was bathed in light, revealing a faint softness.
Her eyes remained shut, but her long lashes trembled slightly—like butterfly wings—betraying her unsettled emotions.
Her brows were furrowed, and her cheek, where Fu Zhiqing had slapped her, was still burning with pain.
Finally, she opened her eyes, lifting her gaze slightly.
She wanted to focus on something else, anything to distract herself from the pain.
Her eyes swept around the car, finally landing on Xie Qingcen, who was engrossed in work.
Though turned sideways, his handsome features were unmistakable—sharp bone structure, prominent brow ridge, high nose bridge, and a defined jawline. This man looked like he was born to stand above others, worshiped by the crowd.
Ruan Liuzheng watched him quietly, and the scene of him ruthlessly punishing Fu Zhiqing earlier flashed through her mind.
A jade-faced demon—that seemed to describe him perfectly in that moment.
She couldn’t help but smile. But then she thought of something else, and her smile vanished.
Turning her head, she caught her own reflection in the car window.
Suddenly, she felt a sense of self-loathing.
So indecisive, so weak. She shouldn’t be enjoying Xie Qingcen’s protection while pretending to reject him.
Her hypocrisy… how was it any different from Fu Yanci?
She lowered her eyes, her delicate palm unconsciously clenching.
Her heart no longer obeyed her.
It felt like it had split in two—conflicted yet intertwined…
Ruan Liuzheng closed her eyes again. After a moment, she suddenly opened them, a flash of determination in her cool gaze.
No matter what, she couldn’t allow herself to fall any further.
“Xie Qingcen, after what happened just now, are you still so sure you’re not mistaken about me?”
Once she had sorted out her thoughts, she spoke calmly, though her eyes revealed a hint of detachment.
Xie Qingcen paused. He set down the tablet and looked up at her, a slight lift to his brows. “Of course. If anything, what happened just now made me even more certain.”
“Ruan Liuzheng, in this world, only you are worthy of standing by my side till the end.”
Arrogant.
That was Ruan Liuzheng’s first reaction to his words.
But soon, she accepted it.
Considering how he had dealt with Fu Zhiqing just now—so merciless, so decisive—he did have the right to be arrogant.
She took a deep breath and stared at him. “Xie Qingcen, you’re too confident. We haven’t known each other for long—you don’t even really know who I am.”
“To be honest, everything Fu Zhiqing said just now was true. I’m the kind of woman who clings to someone to climb up the ranks, someone who betrays friends and gives up everything for love.”
“I’m foolish, selfish, and cowardly. Xie Qingcen, someone like me—do you still think I’m worthy of you?”
She had completely dragged herself through the mud.
Even if only half of what she said was true, she didn’t want to keep wavering anymore.
It felt fake. Too hypocritical.
Xie Qingcen frowned, his dark eyes locked onto her. After a long silence, he chuckled softly.
“You really are pulling out all the stops just to get me to give up, huh? But, Liuzheng, there’s no need to belittle yourself.”
“I told you—you’re the only one who matches me. No matter what happens, I won’t let go.”
Seeing he was still so insistent, Ruan Liuzheng suddenly felt exhausted.
She blurted out, almost in defeat, “Xie Qingcen, don’t you get it? I don’t want to continue this anymore. Honestly, I haven’t even divorced yet.”
“In fact, I’m not even sure this marriage will end successfully. I’m still entangled with my husband while also enjoying your pursuit. That’s two-timing. I’m not who you think I am!”
She stared at him, lips pressed tight.
Then she averted her gaze, as if she didn’t dare look him in the eye anymore.
But Xie Qingcen focused on something else entirely.
He raised an eyebrow, lips curving slightly. “Enjoying my pursuit? So… you have feelings for me?”
Ruan Liuzheng’s eyes widened in disbelief. After a long pause, she sighed deeply.
She had no idea what to say to that.
Closing her eyes, she chose silence as her answer.
Xie Qingcen, noticing her response, raised an eyebrow in satisfaction. When he saw her swollen cheek, his gaze darkened slightly.
Suddenly, he reached out and pulled her into his arms.
He held her firmly on his lap, frowning as he gently touched her injured cheek.
Ruan Liuzheng bit her lip, glaring at him coldly, clearly annoyed.
She struggled, trying to push him away.
Xie Qingcen frowned, smacked her lightly on the rear, and said sternly, “Don’t move.”
Her face turned red instantly—partly from anger, partly from embarrassment.
“You—”
But he ignored her emotional turmoil. As long as she calmed down, he didn’t care how.
It worked.
He nodded in satisfaction, opened a hidden compartment, and took out a white box.
Opening it, he pulled out some ointment.
He slowly squeezed some into his palm and warmed it.
Then, under her stunned gaze, he gently applied it to her face.
His eyes were downcast, expression serious—like he was tending to a priceless treasure.
Ruan Liuzheng stared at him silently. They were so close she could feel his warm breath.
All her earlier resolve vanished in an instant. All she could hear was the pounding of her heart.
So fast, so strong.
In the face of reality, all determination felt useless.
Once he finished, Xie Qingcen wiped the leftover ointment from his fingers.
Then looked at her and said in a soft, sincere tone, “Don’t feel pressured by my pursuit. I already told you—it’s my personal choice.”
“Even if you’re not divorced yet, even if this makes me look bad—I don’t care. I’d still gladly do it. Don’t feel guilty or ashamed. Life is short. Follow your heart.”
Ruan Liuzheng’s heart trembled.
She stared at him, her emotions surging like waves.
After a long pause, she lowered her gaze. The ointment on her cheek began to cool, soothing the burning pain.
She pressed her lips together. She neither nodded nor refused.
She simply turned her head away in silence.
Perhaps even she didn’t know how to respond.
…
Xie Qingcen didn’t take her back to the company but instead to Yuelan Huafu.
Ruan Liuzheng glanced at him but didn’t protest.
Her current state wasn’t fit for returning to work anyway—she looked too disheveled.
“Thank you for everything today, Xie Qingcen.”
Standing beside the Rolls-Royce Phantom, she lowered her eyes and said through the half-lowered window, “And about what you said… I’ll think about it seriously.”
Xie Qingcen raised an eyebrow. “Good. Go get some rest. I’ll have someone pick up Fu Jingcheng—you don’t have to worry.”
She nodded and didn’t object.
She gave him one last look before turning and heading upstairs.
Some things really did need to be carefully thought through.
After she left, Xie Qingcen didn’t linger either. He instructed the driver to return to the group headquarters.
On the way, Qi Chong finished answering all the executives’ questions and reported the upcoming schedule.
“President Xie, these are the things you must take care of next.”
Qi Chong closed his notepad, emphasizing the word “must.”