So Xu Fengyang stepped closer again, closing the distance, and offered a friendly, gentle smile: “I’ll be done soon—it’s no rush. If you’re not in a hurry to leave, how about we grab a meal together? There’s a place nearby that serves excellent food.”
“Really, there’s no need. We’re almost done here and about to leave.” Lin Aiyun quickly waved her hands.
“Alright then.” Xu Fengyang couldn’t hide his disappointment. Then, as if struck by an idea, he turned and ran off in one direction. But after just two steps, he stopped and looked back at her: “Wait for me here—I’ll be right back.”
“Hey—” Lin Aiyun couldn’t stop him. She scratched her head apologetically and turned to Zhou Jin: “Let’s browse a little longer.”
“Who is he?”
Lin Aiyun blinked in surprise. She hadn’t expected Zhou Jin, who never meddled in others’ affairs, to ask about her relationship with Xu Fengyang. After a moment’s thought, she said: “He’s the son of my uncle’s colleague. We’ve met once before.”
She left out the fact that they’d been on a blind date, but she wasn’t lying.
Knowing that Zhou Jin was Xiao Cheng’s right-hand man, she couldn’t tell the truth—he might repeat it to Xiao Cheng, and that could cause unnecessary misunderstandings. Besides, she hadn’t even known about that blind date beforehand. If she had, she’d never have gone, and none of this would have happened.
Fortunately, Zhou Jin didn’t press further—he just nodded.
Soon, Xu Fengyang came jogging back, a purchased book in hand. He was slightly out of breath, his eyes curving with warmth: “This is for you.”
Lin Aiyun looked at the book held out to her and didn’t take it. “I’m sorry, but I can’t accept this—I haven’t done anything to deserve it.”
“It’s nothing—just a book. Last time, didn’t you mention wanting to read it again but not being able to find it? I saw a copy over there earlier and was planning to buy it after the interview to bring back to Lanxi County for you. I didn’t expect such a coincidence—you’re right here.”
Thinking she was just being shy, Xu Fengyang pressed the book into her hands. To keep it from falling, Lin Aiyun reluctantly took it—but before she could even get a firm grip, the back of her neck was grabbed, and she was pulled backward. She braced for a fall—but instead, she landed against a firm, solid chest.
At the same time, the book hit the floor with a dull thud.
The newcomer slid an arm around her shoulder, steadying her before letting go. His dark eyes glanced at her, then shifted to Xu Fengyang. A deep, magnetic voice brushed past her ear—but sent an involuntary shiver down anyone’s spine.
“Couldn’t you see she didn’t want it? What’s wrong with your eyes?”
Xu Fengyang’s face flushed red at the words. His gaze swept over their close proximity, then he bent down to pick up the book, stammering: “I was too forward—I’m sorry, Aiyun. Please don’t take offense.”
“It’s fine. I don’t really have time to read lately anyway. You should keep the book—or return it to the store.” Making things awkward for Xu Fengyang wasn’t her intention, but Xiao Cheng had disrupted everything. She could only offer a gentle consolation.
“I see. I’ll hold onto it for now. If you ever have time and want to read it, you can—”
“Find you for what? She’s going to be very busy from now on. Isn’t that right, Teacher Lin?” Xiao Cheng suddenly cut in. These two were laughing and chatting right in front of him—did they think he was dead?
A nameless irritation welled up in him. His brow furrowed, and his gaze at Lin Aiyun grew darker and heavier.
After a moment’s hesitation, she nodded. Xiao Cheng wasn’t wrong—now that they’d bought the paper and ink, the calligraphy lessons would officially start, and her free time would inevitably shrink.
Xu Fengyang’s face fell with disappointment, but he couldn’t help sneaking glances at this suddenly appeared man. Unlike Zhou Jin, he felt a far greater sense of pressure from him—one glance was enough to tell they were from different worlds.
And the way he and Aiyun stood together—it was far from ordinary.
“Can we talk alone for a moment?” Before he could sort out his thoughts, Lin Aiyun addressed him.
Xu Fengyang instinctively glanced at Xiao Cheng. True to his expectation, the man’s expression could only be described as “grim.” His cold eyes watched them as if he might erupt at any moment—genuinely unnerving.
But under the gaze of those around them, Xu Fengyang steeled himself and nodded: “Alright.”
The two moved through the gaps between the bookshelves toward a corner, stopping at a spot some distance from the stationery section. There were few people there, and they spoke softly, so no one else could hear them.
“Sir, no open flames are allowed inside the store. If you need to smoke, please step outside.” The clerk’s voice stopped Xiao Cheng’s attempt to light up. He put his matchbox back in his pocket, leaned against the shelf, and tapped the floor idly with his heel. His eyes were fixed on one spot, not moving an inch.
Zhou Jin followed his gaze, then after a moment of silence, said: “Brother Cheng, I’ll go bring Miss Lin back.”
“Bring her back? We’re not kidnappers—we can’t control her personal freedom.”
Having said that, Xiao Cheng didn’t spare him a glance. He rolled the cigarette between his fingers, its straight shape slowly bending. He was usually calm and composed, but now his tone had turned oddly sarcastic.
Even he might not have noticed this change in himself.
Zhou Jin touched his nose, said nothing more, and stood by like a ghost. Thankfully, the suffocating atmosphere didn’t last long—because the pressure only got worse.
From a distance, Lin Aiyun and Xu Fengyang were talking and laughing, their smiles growing wider. At one point, Lin Aiyun even tucked a strand of hair behind her ear in a bashful gesture and lowered her head.
At the same time, Xiao Cheng’s gaze turned dark and cold, a string of sneers playing at his lips. His black hair fell across his forehead. Then, without warning, he moved—striding forward swiftly. Before Zhou Jin could even react, he was gone.
“Thank you for understanding—this was all our oversight…” Lin Aiyun hadn’t even finished her sentence when her arm was seized and she was pulled toward the door. At least the grip was controlled, or she’d have stumbled.
Xu Fengyang hurried forward to stop them, his voice urgent: “What are you doing? Let her go!”
“I’m fine. We should go.” Lin Aiyun shook her head, signaling she was alright.
“After all this delay, I’m taking my calligraphy teacher back for a lesson. What business is it of yours, an outsider?” Xiao Cheng’s voice dripped with sarcasm. The veins on his neck bulged, and his rigid jawline seemed to pulse with barely contained fury.
Xu Fengyang was momentarily speechless, but still managed: “But we were still talking. Interrupting like this is extremely disrespectful and rude.”
Hearing this, Xiao Cheng let out a cold laugh. He was much taller than Xu Fengyang, and his stern expression made him even more imposing.
“What’s this? You reporters moonlighting as teachers now, lecturing people left and right? But my teacher isn’t a position just anyone can fill.”
With that, he strode out of the bookstore, dragging Lin Aiyun along, not caring how colorful Xu Fengyang’s expression had become. She shot him an apologetic look before disappearing through the doorway.
They hadn’t parked far, but the commotion had drawn enough attention that they got into the car under a barrage of stares.
The door slammed shut. Lin Aiyun’s lips pressed into a thin line. She had a guess about why Xiao Cheng was so angry, but she couldn’t be sure—was it because he was in a hurry to get back to the lesson, or because he was jealous? She couldn’t think of any other reason.
The former seemed unlikely. The latter…
At that thought, Lin Aiyun shifted her gaze to the figure walking around the front of the car toward the driver’s seat. He got in, started the car, and floored the gas—the car shot off instantly.
“Aren’t we waiting for Zhou Jin?” Lin Aiyun leaned back in the passenger seat and couldn’t help asking.
Xiao Cheng’s hand on the steering wheel paused. First that journalist who came out of nowhere, now Zhou Jin—her heart was so small, yet she managed to hold so many people, care about so many people?
His gaze turned icy cold, and his words came out sharp and careless: “Just worry about yourself. You don’t need to worry about every man you see.”
The moment the words left his mouth, Xiao Cheng’s grip tightened on the wheel. For the first time, he felt regret. He opened his mouth to say something to make up for it—but a flat “Oh” from her pinned his tongue down.
With others, she was always gentle and sweet. With him, she threw little tantrums and gave him the cold shoulder.
Was he really that unappealing to her?
Lin Aiyun, who had been secretly pleased that Xiao Cheng might like her, now felt as if she’d been doused in ice water. What did he mean by “every man you see”? What had she done? Why did he get to make up stories about her again and again? Once, twice, three times—who could endure that?
He had a vicious tongue—it was a sickness that needed curing.
The car fell silent, filled only by the rush of wind. The eerie quiet grew sharper as they left the city.
When Xiao Cheng finally couldn’t stand it and turned to look beside him, he found that she’d fallen asleep against the window. Her eyes were closed, her thick lashes casting faint shadows on her skin. She breathed softly, looking utterly innocent.
All his anger evaporated in that moment, leaving only an empty void.
With a clearer head, he started to think rationally about the most important question: Why was he angry?
Just because Lin Aiyun had stood too close to another man and smiled too sweetly?
What was that about? Could it be that he was jealous of that ignorant journalist? Absurd.
Xiao Cheng let out a scoff—but the smile at his lips slowly flattened. His pupils contracted, darkening like unfurling ink, growing deeper and deeper, until the owner himself was willing to part the clouds and see the sky.
The car slowed slightly, then abruptly sped up again.
“Lin Aiyun.” His broad palm reached over and gave her thigh a couple of firm pats.
Startled awake, Lin Aiyun sat bolt upright and looked at him, her eyes still hazy with sleep.
“Keep your head down. No matter what happens, don’t move. I’ll tell you when to get up.” Xiao Cheng’s tone was eerily calm.
Hearing this, Lin Aiyun immediately sensed something was wrong. She quickly glanced at the rearview mirror—somewhere along the way, two trucks had appeared behind them. Their reflective windows and black fabric-covered beds made it impossible to see what was inside.
Danger was coming.
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