Chapter 5

The tense atmosphere was shattered by the sudden appearance of a woman.

At that moment, Xu Qingye had me locked between his arms and the floor-to-ceiling window.

One hand pinned both of my wrists behind my back.

He was forcing me to call him “Good boy.”

I stubbornly bit my lip and said nothing.

A lady’s handbag flew from afar and hit Xu Qingye squarely on the back.

“Xu Qingye, are you out of your mind!”

The man before me ignored her, his eyes cold and sharp as he glared at me.

“Lin Tingwan, say it!!!”

The woman came over and tried to pull Xu Qingye’s wrist, cursing and shouting, but it was useless.

He still held me tightly.

She seemed to know Xu Qingye well and eventually gave up.

After a sigh, she changed her approach:

“Qingye, with that strength of yours, this young lady’s hands will hurt.”

He was stunned for a moment, then slowly released the grip on my wrists.

The woman stuffed a bag into my hands: “I’m Xu Qingye’s sister, Xu Qinghuang. Just call me Sister Huang.”

“Go change into some clean clothes first, don’t catch a cold.”

When I came out after changing, Xu Qingye kept his eyes lowered, silent.

Xu Qinghuang kicked him: “Introduce her to me.”

A thin stick of agarwood twirled between his fingers.

“Lin Tingwan. Cat’s claws, dog’s temper, a thief at heart but no guts.”

There was nothing good in that introduction.

Xu Qinghuang kicked him again.

She turned to me with a gentle smile: “Wanwan, what about you? Would you like to tell me how you see Xu Qingye?”

I glanced at the man who remained indifferent.

The cigarette between his fingers fell to the floor, as if he too was waiting for my answer.

“Sister Huang, I’m not very familiar with Mr. Xu.”

For a moment, the room fell silent.

So quiet that I could hear Xu Qingye’s low, mocking laugh a moment later.

The atmosphere grew oppressive again, and I didn’t want to stay any longer.

“Sister Huang, I’ll be leaving now.”

“I’ll walk you out.”

I politely declined: “No need, my assistant is waiting for me downstairs.”

Xu Qinghuang didn’t insist, but pressed a postcard into my hand.

“Tonight, it was my brother who offended you. Wanwan, if you ever need anything, feel free to contact me.”

It was hard to imagine that someone as unruly as Xu Qingye could have such a tactful sister.

Looking back, the past two years suddenly seemed laughable.

All I’d known was his name-Xu Qingye, a bodyguard who wasn’t short on money.

Everything else, I knew nothing about.

Xu Qingye didn’t speak, not until my hand touched the doorknob.

His voice was rough, as if sanded down.

“Miss Lin, once you walk out this door, we’re strangers from now on.”

I paused for a moment.

Then, I opened the door.