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Chapter 30: Crash Into Her

Outside the hospital, a luxurious yet low-profile Rolls-Royce Phantom slowly started up. Qi Chong sat in the front passenger seat, looking down at Xie Qingcen’s upcoming schedule.

He happened to glance up—and suddenly widened his eyes.
“President Xie, isn’t that Miss Ruan?”

In the back seat, Xie Qingcen, who had been resting with his eyes closed, lifted his eyelids at the words. His deep ink-colored eyes locked onto the graceful figure ahead, a glimmer of light flickering across their depths.

He had come to the hospital today to visit an old family friend—a completely impromptu decision.

Yet somehow, he had run into Ruan Liuzheng.

What a coincidence!

It felt like fate had arranged this moment, and it would be a shame not to take advantage of it.

After a moment, the corners of his lips curved up.
“Crash into her.”

Qi Chong turned toward him, stunned. His expression wasn’t just shocked—it was outright horrified.

Even the driver froze in place, looking uncertainly at Qi Chong.

Qi Chong pressed his lips together, brows furrowed tightly. “President Xie?”

Xie Qingcen lazily shifted his posture, his slender fingers tapping the tablet on his lap. Apparently dissatisfied with Qi Chong’s hesitation, he reluctantly moved his gaze away from Ruan Liuzheng and raised an eyebrow.

“Do you need me to repeat myself?”

Qi Chong stiffened. He awkwardly sat back down and gave a small nod to the driver.

The driver offered Qi Chong a pained smile, hands trembling slightly as he gripped the steering wheel. Just as he was about to step on the gas, another voice came from the back seat:

“Don’t hurt her.”

The driver froze, glancing toward Ruan Liuzheng, who was slowly walking closer. His gaze turned conflicted and hesitant.

How was he supposed to pull this off?

President Xie had given him an impossible task!

After a long breath, the driver fixed his eyes ahead, summoned all his driving skill, and floored the accelerator—racing the Rolls-Royce Phantom toward Ruan Liuzheng.

Then, just as it was about to hit her, he slammed the brakes. With precision timing, the car screeched to a near halt, barely grazing past her.

Dangerous.
But masterfully done.

Outside the car, Ruan Liuzheng fell to the ground, stunned. She stared blankly at the dust now clinging to the hem of her skirt. Her mind still hadn’t caught up.

She had been walking at a normal pace, and she had clearly seen the car approaching.

By all logic, there was no way it should have come so close. So how did this happen…?

Frowning, she looked at the black car in front of her, her soft pink lips pressed into a straight, tight line.

It made no sense.

Until the door of the Rolls-Royce Phantom slowly opened—and a fair, slender hand appeared before her eyes.

Only then did the confusion in her gaze begin to fade.

“Little Liuzheng, I’m so sorry. My driver was too reckless. Are you hurt?”

Xie Qingcen stood in front of her, his expression warm, a faint curve on his lips.

His deep black eyes were filled with concern.

He looked completely innocent—but for some reason, Ruan Liuzheng felt a surge of inexplicable irritation.

Somehow, from the bottom of her heart, she was sure this “accident” had been deliberately arranged by someone.

She pursed her lips and didn’t take his hand. Instead, she pushed herself off the ground and brushed the dust from her clothes.
“Drop the act. It’s way too fake.”

Xie Qingcen withdrew his hand at a leisurely pace, the smile on his lips deepening.

“Either way, my driver almost hit you. I’m responsible. So, Liuzheng, would you prefer to settle this privately… or publicly?”

His voice lifted slightly at the end, lazy and casual—but somehow it sounded entirely suspicious.

Ruan Liuzheng’s lips pressed tighter.

She didn’t like trouble—and she wasn’t hurt anyway.

She spoke up.
“It’s fine. I’m not injured. Let’s just pretend this never happened.”

With that, she turned to leave.

Xie Qingcen’s brow lifted slightly. He lowered his gaze, fiddling with his ring finger as he chuckled:
“Sounds like you want to settle this publicly, then. Shall I help you dial traffic police?”

Ruan Liuzheng froze.

She turned back, eyes cold and faintly annoyed as she stared at Xie Qingcen.

Her expression was icy.

But Xie Qingcen smiled calmly, completely unfazed by her glare. His deep eyes even managed to look slightly innocent.

Inside the car, the driver was still leaning on the steering wheel, not yet over the shock. But like Qi Chong, he was staring intently at the two people outside.

He muttered,
“Assistant Qi, President Xie really is something. Even his way of chasing women is… next-level. I mean…”

Qi Chong had twisted his neck so hard he was almost looking backwards at a 90-degree angle.

He said nothing. Just kept staring straight out the window—and while he had a moment, gave the driver a silent thumbs-up.

President Xie’s methods were shameless—but effective.

Look—Miss Ruan was completely at a loss dealing with him.

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Thirty minutes later, the Rolls-Royce Phantom pulled up in front of a department store in Yun City.

Inside the car, the atmosphere was silent and tense.

Ruan Liuzheng sat upright, her expression cold.
“Why did you bring me here?”

Her cool gaze landed on the man opposite her, radiating annoyance from every pore.

She had never met someone this devious and manipulative.

He’d used every trick to coax her into the car—only to say nothing afterward.

It was maddening.

Xie Qingcen looked up, the corners of his lips curving slightly.
“To compensate you, of course.”

“Your clothes got dirty because of me. Naturally, I have to buy you a new outfit.”

Ruan Liuzheng pursed her lips, his smile making her palms tense.
“That’s unnecessary. If you really feel bad, just transfer the money to me.”

“How could I? That’s so impersonal. Liuzheng, I’m a responsible man.”

Xie Qingcen slowly put down his tablet and responded with grave seriousness.

His deep eyes shimmered with amusement.

Ruan Liuzheng stared at him for a long time. Then, she let out a slow breath.
“So if we go buy clothes, you’ll take me back to the office right afterward?”

Xie Qingcen paused, then nodded slightly.
“Of course. I told you—I’m a man of responsibility.”

Ruan Liuzheng snorted and said nothing. She simply turned and stepped out of the car.

After spending this much time with Xie Qingcen, she had learned a thing or two about him.

He was the type who wouldn’t give up until he got what he wanted.

So the best way to end it quickly—was to give in and let him get what he was after.

Which was why Ruan Liuzheng chose to compromise.

After all, it wasn’t the first time—and she was already used to it.

Suddenly, she paused and glanced at Xie Qingcen.

Yes. Ever since she met him…

It seemed like she had been compromising again and again.