Chapter 27 — Forced to Confess

So when Lu Hanzheng came rushing over to find her, she was genuinely shocked.

He claimed that Wen Nian’s father had once done a favor for the Lu family, and that he couldn’t just stand by while Wen Nian was being imprisoned.

But she saw through it right away.

That was just an excuse to ask for her help in rescuing the girl.

The Zheng family’s standing in the steel factory residential compound was among the very best.

As for the youngest Zheng son, Zheng Jiahe, he was handsome, well-mannered, and outstanding in every regard.

Even though it was his second marriage, he was still considered a great catch.

But Lu Hanzheng blocking the arrangement made his intentions painfully obvious.

This only son of the Lu family had always thrown himself into training and kept a respectful distance from women.

Commander Lu had even come to her personally to ask for help matchmaking.

She had arranged a few introductions for Lu Hanzheng, but he hadn’t even given the girls a chance—he didn’t meet a single one.

She had always been curious about what kind of girl could possibly catch this young master’s eye.

And now that she had seen her, she finally understood.

Only a girl like this—so ethereal and unforgettable—could make a man like Lu Hanzheng finally bloom like an iron tree in spring.

Yang Ling gently held Wen Nian’s hand and said warmly,
“Comrade Wen Nian, I’m Yang Ling, head of the Women’s Federation. If anything happens in the future, just come to us directly. We still have things to handle here, so you can ride back with Commander Lu.”

Lu Hanzheng said nothing, his face cold as he gave Yang Ling a nod.

Then he walked straight to the car and opened the front passenger door.

Once Wen Nian was seated, he started the engine and roared off.

Only then did the Women’s Federation staff finally breathe a collective sigh of relief.

Everyone started chattering at once.

“Wow, that Wen family’s adopted daughter is just too beautiful—like a fairy. No wonder the Zheng family wanted her.”

“Right? I heard she’s from the countryside. Who would’ve thought a golden phoenix could come flying out of a backwater village?”

“Hey, isn’t it odd that Commander Lu is interfering? The Zheng family’s conditions are excellent, and Zheng Jiahe is a good-looking young man with a good job. Marrying into that family would be hitting the jackpot. Why would he stop it?”

“Are you dumb? A girl that pretty—who wouldn’t fall for her? Of course Commander Lu likes her!”

“Exactly! Didn’t you see the way he was staring at her just now? His eyes were practically glued to her, like he wanted to grow onto her.”

Yang Ling gave a small cough to remind them not to go too far.

“Alright, that’s enough—go on, all of you.”

The car drove smoothly along. Lu Hanzheng kept his hands on the wheel, completely silent since they’d gotten in.

Wen Nian sneaked a glance at him. His face looked calm on the surface…

But the tension in the air was palpable.

She shrank into the seat like a quail, doing her best to become invisible.

She knew she’d been careless today.

Though she hadn’t been unconscious long, if those two had wanted to do something, she wouldn’t have had a chance to escape.

She might already be in serious trouble.

So it made sense that he was angry.

The silence in the car grew unbearable. Wen Nian was getting restless.

The seats in these 1980s jeeps were nothing like the plush ones of the future.

These were hard as a board—her butt was starting to ache from sitting so long.

She shifted slightly, trying to stretch out her stiff legs.

When she noticed he wasn’t paying her any attention, her little fidgeting increased.

She was bored, twirling the end of her braid…

Suddenly, the car screeched to a stop at the side of the road.

Caught off guard, Wen Nian was thrown forward toward the windshield.

But just then, a strong arm reached out and caught her—her chest slammed right into it.

Wen Nian clutched her chest, tears welling up from the pain.

Was this man made of steel?! How could his muscles be that hard?

Lu Hanzheng didn’t seem to notice at all. He suddenly spoke:

“Get out.”

Without even looking at her, he opened the door and got out.

What?

Wen Nian was completely bewildered.

She stuck her head out to look.

Unlike the future, the 1980s didn’t have street lamps everywhere…

At this moment, the sky had just turned dark, and everything around them was quiet and dim.

She had been too nervous just now to pay attention to the road. The car had been driving for quite a while—by all rights, they should’ve arrived long ago.

Dragging her out to such a remote area at night… what on earth was he trying to do?

As soon as she pushed the car door open and tried to get out, before she could even steady herself—

Lu Hanzheng advanced on her step by step like a predator closing in on its prey.

Wen Nian involuntarily swallowed and instinctively took a step back, until her entire body was pressed against the car door.

Because he was so close, the only thing she could smell was the masculine scent of his body and the faint, fresh aroma of soap. It was strangely clean and intoxicating.

Lu Hanzheng looked down at her from above, eyes sharp.

“You like Zheng Jiahe?”

Wen Nian stared at the man’s sharp, handsome face, confused about why he was asking this.

“No, I don’t.”

The man’s gaze was fierce and intense.

“Then why did you go on a blind date with him?”

Speaking of that, Wen Nian still felt wronged.

“It was Wen Xue who stopped me at the gate and dragged me back. I didn’t even know Zheng Jiahe would be there.”

Lu Hanzheng’s face darkened. His voice was cold.

“You could’ve chosen to leave immediately.”

Wen Nian was at a rare loss for words.

She had originally wanted to go back to ask Wen Jiancheng about her household registration. How could she have known it would be a matchmaking dinner?

She thought she could just play along and find an opportunity to convince Wen Jiancheng to help her transfer her household records, or at least write her a new referral letter.

Who knew that her so-called adoptive parents would stoop so low as to drug her?

Now that things had completely fallen apart, relying on Wen Jiancheng was clearly out of the question.

She’d have to figure out another way.

So annoying.

Lu Hanzheng saw that she was just hanging her head in silence, and the anger he had finally managed to suppress flared up again—this time, even stronger.

Heaven knew what he felt when he heard she was getting married.

Panic. Fear. Rage.

Just the other day, she’d been calling him her boyfriend loud and proud.

And now she had gone behind his back to meet another man—talking about marriage, no less.

Just the thought of her marrying someone else made his heart feel like it was being squeezed tightly in someone’s fist.

It hurt so much he couldn’t breathe.

Clenching his teeth, Lu Hanzheng questioned her harshly.

“Do you even realize you already have a boyfriend?”

Wen Nian snapped her head up.

Was he finally admitting they were a couple?

“I didn’t know. Who is it?”
She pouted, asking despite knowing the answer, anger rising in her heart.

So now he acknowledged their relationship?

She had worked so hard these past few months, trying to get closer to him with no progress whatsoever.

If he had just admitted it earlier, she wouldn’t have had to humiliate herself running to Wen Jiancheng only to be rejected.

Did he think she didn’t know how powerful Lu Hanzheng was?

If he wanted to help her settle things, it would be a matter of one sentence.

But she just didn’t want to be the one to ask.

These days, Lu Hanzheng had been keeping her at arm’s length, his attitude ambiguous at best.

Yes, he gave her money and tickets—but he had never once clearly acknowledged any relationship between them.

It had always felt like it was just her one-sided wishful thinking.

She still had no idea what this man truly thought.

Hearing her brazen counter-question, Lu Hanzheng was so angry the veins on his forehead popped.

“What’s the relationship between us?”

Wen Nian was in no mood to play nice. Her tone turned sharp.

“I’m just a pitiful girl temporarily staying at your house. How could I possibly be connected to the great and mighty Captain Lu?”

The drug in her system hadn’t fully worn off. Her head was still foggy, her body weak.

And yet instead of comforting her, this so-called boyfriend was standing here interrogating her like a criminal.