Chapter 3

We tacitly brushed the matter aside, though the atmosphere in the car remained somewhat awkward.

My head felt heavy, and I squinted my eyes, pretending to sleep.

Duan Chen’s driving was always smooth. Soon, the music in the car was turned down, and the temperature adjusted to a comfortable level.

When I woke up again, the car had already stopped.

Duan Chen’s voice was low as he spoke on the phone.

“That girl’s nice, but she’s not my type.”

“Mom, don’t worry about it. I know what I’m doing.”

The faint scent of smoke mixed with Duan Chen’s clean fragrance reached my nose.

Only then did I belatedly recall that Duan Chen’s mother had apparently introduced him to a potential match.

My throat felt dry and itchy, but I didn’t bother to speak. I waved my hand and opened the car door to get out.

I nearly fell flat on my face.

A strong arm pulled me up, and the next thing I knew, I was wrapped in a warm embrace.

Duan Chen placed his hand on my forehead. “You’ve got a fever. Don’t push yourself.”

With a sharp slap, my hand moved faster than my brain, knocking Duan Chen’s hand away.

The cigarette in Duan Chen’s hand hadn’t been extinguished yet. Afraid it might burn me, he instinctively clasped the cigarette directly in his palm.

He frowned slightly but didn’t react much. Yet, I could sense a certain unspoken pain in him.

“Sorry, are you okay?”

Duan Chen didn’t answer immediately. After a moment, he spoke, his voice a bit hoarse. “I was an idiot today, but you’ve got a fever. I have to take care of you.”

“When you’re better, you can do whatever you want to me. I won’t mind.”

I fell silent, letting him support me as we headed home.

The stairwell was dark, only lighting up when we reached the floor.

Because of this, I didn’t immediately notice the person crouching at my apartment door.

The moment I stepped out of the elevator, that shadow lunged toward me, nearly grabbing my hand.

I felt a sharp pain in my waist as Duan Chen pulled me back. Then came the sound of something heavy hitting the ground.

The stairwell lights flickered on, and I saw the twisted face contorted in pain-it was my biological father.