Chapter 26: She Is Still Young

After Xie Chenjing helped Chu Yitong into the car, he sat down beside her, closed the door, and instructed, "Uncle Hai, let's head to the Qingcheng Group first."

The car sped away, completely oblivious to the woman panting as she ran behind it. Li Xiaofen, confused by the situation, hurriedly caught up and asked with concern, "Yuanyuan, why are you running?"

"Mom, Mom, did you see that man?" Her expression was agitated, her words incoherent as she repeated, "The man of my dreams—Mom, I must have him."

"Man? What man?" Li Xiaofen had been too focused on wondering who the girl getting into the car was to notice anyone else. She asked, deeply puzzled, "Yuanyuan, where did you see a man?"

"In the car ahead." Chu Feiyuan pointed toward the direction the vehicle had disappeared, her emotions still unsettled. She couldn't stop wondering who he was and if there was any chance of finding him.

*That* car? The one the girl had gotten into? There was someone else inside? Li Xiaofen felt a headache coming on. She had no energy for such trivial matters. "Forget it. We don't even know who he is, so why bother thinking about it? Your father hasn't come home yet—aren't you even a little worried?"

Changyun had never spent a night away from home. Even when they quarreled and he stormed out, he would always return on time. This time was so abnormal; he still hadn't returned. She wondered if something had happened, or if she should ask her father to help look for him.

"Why worry? Didn't you say Dad can't escape the palm of your hand?" Chu Feiyuan was entirely preoccupied with what had just happened and had no patience for her mother’s concerns. She complained discontentedly, "As long as he doesn't have a mistress, just let him be. You're always hovering over him; it's so annoying!"

"You—" Li Xiaofen was left speechless with anger. The daughter she had pampered and protected so fiercely never once thought of her. Rubbing her aching temples, she decided to let it go; surely he wouldn't dare cause any real trouble.

"Are we going to eat or not? I'm starving!" Chu Feiyuan pouted, complaining as she saw her mother standing there in a daze. Her dream man hadn't been caught, she hadn't eaten, and nothing was going her way.

"Let's go!" Li Xiaofen temporarily set aside her worries. The two women headed toward the Dihao Hotel together. As they stepped into the lobby, they brushed past Rong Xi, who was leaving—unaware that this brief encounter would forge an inescapable bond.

The Qingcheng Group was not far from the Dihao, a drive of less than ten minutes. Chu Yitong leaned back against the seat, closing her eyes to rest. She had been feeling particularly tired lately, and her vision had become strangely peculiar. She could clearly see that Rong Zhenlin was surrounded by an unsettling, pitch-black aura, while Uncle Hai appeared in shades of dull gray, evoking no particular feeling. But as for him, she could see nothing at all—it was utterly bizarre.

Xie Chenjing turned his head to look at the girl beside him. Her hands were folded on her lap, her skin as white as snow, and her long eyelashes cast faint shadows beneath her eyes. With her eyes tightly shut, she seemed to have drifted into a dream. He gently gathered her into his arms, letting her rest her head on his lap.

Perhaps because of the movement, her fan-like lashes fluttered slightly, though she did not wake. She slept peacefully on his lap. His long, slender fingers brushed across her cheek, tucking away stray strands of hair so they would not disturb her slumber. He bowed his head, gazing at her deeply, his eyes filled with flickering light. Fifteen years had passed, yet she was still so young—so young that he didn't know how he should treat her.

He kept his arm firmly around her, afraid she might accidentally slip, and leaned back against the seat, lost in thought. Before long, the car arrived at the Qingcheng Group building.

After Uncle Hai brought the car to a steady stop, he glanced toward Xie Chenjing. At his silent signal, the driver remained quiet. About ten minutes later, Xie Chenjing leaned in close and whispered, "Yiyi, we've arrived."