Ten Rules to Bind Her Heart - Chapter 46
The convoy of black SUVs wound along the red-dirt road like a giant python and slowly entered the heavily fortified base. At last, it stopped before the white building.
The engines died, and the massive armored gates slid open.
Xia Zhiyao remained huddled in the corner of the back seat, the heart-rending pain of parting not yet fully faded.
Her parents were gone.
She was truly alone now.
Left in this place that devoured people whole. Left… in the palm of this man’s hand.
Ken opened the front passenger door, quickly circled the vehicle, and respectfully opened the rear door on Xia Zhiyao’s side.
He bent slightly, raising one hand to shield her head from the doorframe.
“We’ve arrived, Miss Xia.”
Xia Zhiyao drew a deep breath, gathered the heavy Peacock King skirt, and carefully stepped out.
The mud splashed over her ankles had dried, making her otherwise smooth calves look disheveled.
She stood beside the vehicle, lost.
Her thoughts were a complete mess. They had already arrived, yet she had not devised any plan of repayment that would satisfy the demon.
Instinctively, she turned back toward the car.
In the shadows of the rear seat, Shen Yu remained in his lazy position, his well-defined fingers toying with a brass lighter.
He showed no intention of getting out.
Xia Zhiyao hesitated. Clutching her skirt tightly, she asked timidly,
“Mr. Shen… aren’t you getting out?”
The dim light blurred his features. Only his deep eyes gleamed from the darkness.
At her frail question, Shen Yu raised his eyelids. His gaze swept over her tear-streaked face, which resembled that of a dirty kitten, before stopping on her mud-covered knees.
Perhaps because he was in a good mood, the suffocating violence in his eyes had faded considerably. His lips curved, and in a rare display, he gave her a smile that could almost be called gentle.
It was the careless indulgence of an owner looking at a pet that had dirtied its fur.
“Can’t bear to leave me?”
Xia Zhiyao’s face reddened. She nearly said no, but felt that might be the wrong answer. The word lodged in her throat, leaving her unsure how to respond.
“Go.”
Shen Yu did not trouble her further. He tipped his chin toward the entrance to the white building.
“Wash yourself clean and change your clothes.”
Xia Zhiyao looked down at her filthy body. Gratitude for her parents’ escape intertwined with her fear of him, leaving her speechless. She could only nod obediently.
“Yes… I understand.”
She had barely turned toward the entrance when a frivolous, amused voice came from beside her.
“Well, look who’s back.”
Xia Zhiyao jumped and looked up.
A man in a floral shirt, white trousers, and sunglasses sauntered toward her from beneath a nearby palm tree.
His shirt hung open low enough to expose a broad expanse of chest. Hands in his pockets, he smiled at her.
It was Ji Chen.
“Mr. Ji.” Xia Zhiyao greeted him obediently.
At her gaze, Ji Chen’s smile widened, revealing bright white teeth. He waved enthusiastically.
He removed his sunglasses, revealing phoenix eyes perpetually filled with laughter. His gaze traveled over Xia Zhiyao before settling on her dirty yet still stunning face. He gave an appreciative whistle.
“That Peacock King looks terrific on you, sister-in-law. You’re probably the only one who can carry those colors. Anyone else would look like some ancient witch. My brother certainly has a good eye.”
Xia Zhiyao’s face instantly turned scarlet, and even her grief receded slightly.
He always called her sister-in-law, leaving her both embarrassed and shy.
She waved her hands frantically. “Mr. Ji, I’m not…”
“Only a matter of time.”
Ji Chen did not care. He crossed the distance in a few long strides, walked straight past her, and approached the car window.
He bent down and rested an elbow on the window frame. His playful smile receded, replaced by the serious expression he wore only when discussing business.
“Brother,” Ji Chen said quietly.
Shen Yu stopped playing with his lighter and raised his eyes. “Speak.”
“We’ve made some progress on that matter.”
Ji Chen lowered his voice.
“It wasn’t Khun Sa’s people. A few rats from Cobra’s network tried to smuggle a batch of gems out through our territory. Third Brother caught them.”
Cobra.
At the word, Xia Zhiyao sensed the pressure inside the vehicle plummet to freezing.
The last trace of gentleness vanished from Shen Yu’s eyes, leaving only murderous intent.
“Where are they?”
“Being held out back.” Ji Chen lifted a finger toward the rear courtyard.
“They have a death wish,” Shen Yu said softly, the icy words passing judgment on the matter.
“My thoughts exactly.”
Ji Chen shrugged and resumed his careless air.
“So I came to ask whether we should finish them now or leave one alive for you to play with.”
Shen Yu sneered. “I don’t have the time. You shouldn’t have time to waste either. Deal with it cleanly.”
“As ordered.”
Ji Chen made an OK gesture. Then he remembered something else.
“Also, our eastern partner added to the order at the last minute. They want two more sets of regional security systems, and they’re offering a good price. I’ve already had someone draft the contract.”
Shen Yu nodded. “Handle it as you see fit.”
With that, he ignored Ji Chen and ordered the driver coldly, “Drive.”
The window slowly rose, cutting off their view.
The black armored security vehicle started again, kicking up a cloud of dust as it drove into the base’s restricted zone without looking back.
Only Xia Zhiyao and Ji Chen remained.
Not until the taillights vanished around the corner did Xia Zhiyao feel the mountain-like pressure ease.
She stood on the steps and watched the vehicle disappear, bewildered.
She still had not come up with a way to show her gratitude. Shen Yu might be gone for the moment, but she did not dare relax for even a second.
What if he returned and asked for her answer, and she angered him by saying the wrong thing…
She thought of that pitch-black **, and her legs nearly gave way.
“Well, well. A faithful wife waiting for her husband?”
Ji Chen’s teasing voice interrupted her thoughts.
Xia Zhiyao came back to herself and lowered her head awkwardly. “Mr. Ji… please don’t tease me.”
Ji Chen moved closer with a grin and discreetly studied the girl before him.
She had clearly been crying. Her eyes were swollen like peaches.
She was filthy, and the priceless dress was all but ruined.
Still, he had to admit that the girl was remarkable.
Not only had she survived under his cousin, the King of Hell, until now, but he had heard that Shen Yu had gone out today expressly to handle something for her.
Interesting.
“What happened, sister-in-law? Why have you been crying?”
He teased her with a smile.
“Could you not bear to part from my brother? It’s only been a minute.”
“N-no…” Xia Zhiyao waved her hands repeatedly.
She bit her lip. Suddenly, it occurred to her that apart from Anya, Ji Chen might be the only person on this base who seemed remotely… normal.
At least he smiled and joked, unlike everyone else with their vicious expressions.
And he was Shen Yu’s cousin. He ought to know Shen Yu well, shouldn’t he?
With that thought, Xia Zhiyao summoned her courage and raised her head. Hope glistened in her watery eyes as she looked at Ji Chen.
“Mr. Ji… may I… ask your advice about something?”
“My advice?”
Ji Chen pointed at himself and laughed.
“Of course. I’ll tell you everything I know. Go on—do you want to ask about my brother?”
He deliberately drew out the final words and winked suggestively.
“Do you want to know what he likes to eat? Or what color tie he prefers?”
“Or perhaps… his favorite position?”
