Yang Jinkuan sucked in a sharp breath, his hands hanging at his sides beginning to tremble uncontrollably.
Steward Wang's face turned even more ashen, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
Xia Yan furrowed her brow. Though puzzled, she wouldn't deny his words at a time like this. "I... there was a bit of an accident here."
"Is that so?" The man's voice was low, his gaze flickering almost imperceptibly toward Steward Wang at the door, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips.
Steward Wang's legs went weak. It seemed Miss Xia had a deep connection with Young Master Lu. Yet, the old lady still wanted Miss Xia to marry Yang Jinkuan, and today they'd arranged this whole affair, only to be caught red-handed.
Xia Yan was momentarily stunned, still unsure what the man before her intended to do. She looked up at him, her eyes carrying a hint of inquiry.
"Let's go." The man suddenly grabbed her hand without a moment's hesitation, pulling her boldly toward the door.
The servants at the entrance all looked to Steward Wang, who naturally didn't dare to block them. He stepped aside to make way, and the other servants followed suit, moving to the side.
Xia Yan was pulled along by the man, offering no resistance, obediently following his steps out of the room and all the way to the entrance of the Xia family villa. Not a single person stepped forward to stop her along the way.
True enough, in all of Jiangcheng, who would dare block this man's path? That would be asking for death.
Xia Yan sneered inwardly, her body relaxing considerably.
A black Maybach was parked at the villa's entrance, and Xia Yan was led into the car by the man.
The driver up front slowly started the vehicle.
"Why are you here?" Xia Yan asked eagerly once she had composed her thoughts.
"Looking for you." The man beside her was sparing with his words, his response flat and matter-of-fact, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
Xia Yan took a deep breath. A few days ago, during their first meeting, this man had been the same way—getting a full sentence out of him was harder than climbing to the sky.
"Why were you looking for me? And just now, saying something like that could easily be misunderstood."
Hearing this, the man let out a scoff. Under the dim yellow light inside the car, his deep, striking features softened in that moment, and Xia Yan couldn't help but feel a momentary daze.
"Wouldn't it be better if they misunderstood?" He glanced lightly at her. "Or do you want to marry that man?"
Of course not!
Xia Yan recalled the potbellied, obese man and couldn't help but shiver.
She glanced at the man beside her. He was right—if the Xia family thought she and Lu Zhengting were involved, they'd definitely stop forcing her to marry someone else.
Xia Yan paused for a moment, stunned. This man, who held a special status in Jiangcheng, lofty and untouchable—was he really willing to let her use him like this?
And as for her, had she truly reached a point where she had to cling to a man just to protect herself?
"Thank you," Xia Yan said softly, offering her gratitude first, then added, "But it doesn't seem right."
"If it's convenient, come home with me first," the man said abruptly. Xia Yan's heart leaped into her throat. She had nowhere to go right now, but going to his house this late wasn't appropriate either.
Lu Zhengting noticed her suddenly pale face and the corner of his mouth curved slightly. He continued, "Help coax Xiao Han into eating something. Consider it repayment for my help tonight."
Xiao Han?
"It's this late, and he hasn't eaten yet?" Xia Yan asked with genuine concern.
Xiao Han was his son. A few days ago, she'd run into him at school, found him lost, and helped him find his father. That was how she'd come to know this man, so famous throughout Jiangcheng.
The man seemed to recall his mischievous, willful son and furrowed his brow. "Mm."
Xia Yan breathed a sigh of relief. If that was the case, and his son was home, then she could help out for a bit.
"What, did you think I was taking you home to do something else?" The man beside her seemed to read her thoughts, a hint of playful mockery appearing on his stoic face.
Xia Yan's face flushed red, and she shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
Lu Zhengting took in her reaction clearly, a faint, almost imperceptible smile tugging at his lips. His gaze fell on her slender neck, its graceful lines, and further down, a stretch of pale white.
His eyes darkened, and he reached out with one hand to lift her delicate chin.
From her brows and eyes to her small nose, then to her soft pink lips—though not flawless, they were pleasing to look at. Lu Zhengting smiled faintly. "If you're willing, you're welcome to stay."