Volume One, Chapter Seven: Lin Xunan, Thank You

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Lu Jinye almost reflexively refused him, “No need, I’ll take her home.”
Lin Xunan smiled with a hint of mockery, “May I ask, Mr. Lu, how do you plan to send her? Hire a designated driver or drive drunk?”
Lu Jinye’s expression darkened. “It’s none of your business, especially since this is the first time we’ve met.”
“I think you’ve misunderstood, Mr. Lu,” Lin Xunan said slowly, emphasizing the words “exclusively for Miss Jiang.” “I’ve already arranged to be her driver today.”
He pronounced “exclusively” with deliberate slowness, a strong possessiveness toward Jiang Li evident as he faced Lu Jinye.
Lu Jinye tapped the steering wheel a few times, then suddenly smiled. “Lin Xunan, is your father Lin Ye? You seem to have a cross-sea cooperation project, and the liaison is... Ye Ke?”
Lin Xunan’s expression showed keen understanding, but he pressed his lips tightly, saying nothing.
“What a coincidence. The head of my branch in Haishi is also named Ye Ke, and he manages a similar cross-sea project,” Lu Jinye said with a provocative tone.
Lin Xunan studied him for a long moment before shaking his head. “Mr. Lu, you’re nothing like I imagined.”
He reached out, took off his suit jacket, and draped it over Jiang Li through the car window. “I thought you were a mature man who handled things thoughtfully, but your way of dealing with matters is surprisingly shallow.”
Lu Jinye’s gaze hardened, and his grip tightened unconsciously—right on the horn.
“Beep—”
The loud noise startled Jiang Li awake in the dark night. Dizzy from the alcohol, she opened her eyes in a panic.
When she looked up, she realized Lu Jinye was sitting across from her. She was shocked to find herself in the same car with him.
The fright sobered her significantly, and she sat up straight. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Lin Xunan outside the car, with Xie Ya and Chen Junyu not far behind.
Without even saying hello, Jiang Li hurriedly opened the door and fled from the car.
She was so flustered that she didn’t dare look back at Lu Jinye, or she would have seen his expression, which was even more tense than hers.
He saw the terror in her eyes when she looked at him, and the dependence when she glanced at Lin Xunan.
He realized that he was no match for this man she had only known for a few hours.
Lin Xunan reached out to steady her, his broad hand gripping her slender, fair arm without concealment. His gaze provoked Lu Jinye’s nerves.
He wanted to stop her, but what could he say? What reason could he give? Would Jiang Li even agree to leave with him?
But in an instant, she was already getting into Lin Xunan’s car.
The flashy orange McLaren passed Lu Jinye’s car, and Lin Xunan deliberately rolled down the window, smiling meaningfully at him.
Lu Jinye slammed his fist onto the steering wheel, his mind filled with the image of Jiang Li’s desperate escape.
Inside the car, Jiang Li shivered.

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Lin Xunan closed the window and looked at her apologetically. “Sorry, you shouldn’t catch a breeze after drinking.” He turned on the heater, and the warm air helped calm Jiang Li’s nerves.
She pressed her forehead, still somewhat dazed.
How had she ended up in Lu Jinye’s car just now? What had they said? Had Lu Jinye done something to her?
Her lips felt fiery, as if recalling the sensation after a kiss with Lu Jinye.
Would he not kiss her again? But his gaze toward her was clearly filled with hatred.
She looked out the window; the rapidly fading neon lights showcased the city’s splendor and noise, as people bustled on the streets.
Jiang Li felt confused about his true feelings.
Today, she had planned to apologize properly, but she hadn’t expected it to turn out this way.
The orange McLaren stopped by the roadside. Lin Xunan unbuckled his seatbelt and said soothingly, “Wait here a moment.”
Jiang Li barely registered his words, her mind blank as she mechanically nodded.
After a moment, Lin Xunan returned carrying a small bag and opened the door.
“Miss Jiang, have some warm milk.” He handed her a steaming cup, which she gratefully accepted.
But she accidentally brushed his fingers—they were chillingly cold.
She paused, but Lin Xunan said nothing more. Instead, he pulled out a small box of medicine from his pocket, attached a straw, and handed it to her.
“This is for sobering up. Drink it, or you’ll have a terrible headache tomorrow,” he said softly, with a gentle smile.
He was clearly similar to Shen Yechu in type, but while Shen Yechu’s refinement was superficial, Lin Xunan exuded comfort in every gesture.
Jiang Li smiled politely. “Thank you,” then took the medicine and drank it.
Lin Xunan didn’t expect her to drink it without even glancing at it and chuckled.
He wasn’t sure whether to say she trusted him too much or lacked caution.
When Jiang Li finished, he took the empty bottle and teasingly said, “Aren’t you afraid I might have given you something that’s not for sobering up?”
Jiang Li blinked, never having thought of that.
Seeing her bewildered expression, Lin Xunan couldn’t help but reach out and ruffle her soft hair. “Next time, look carefully before you drink; not everyone is a good person.”
Jiang Li felt a little embarrassed, but her reaction was dulled by the alcohol. She obediently nodded and said, “Okay.”
Lin Xunan’s grip on the steering wheel tightened, and a faint smile curved his lips—one he didn’t even realize himself.

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The car stopped at the base of Jiang Li’s apartment building. Lin Xunan opened the door for her and gently held her hand to stop her from taking off the jacket he had given her. “Your clothes were taken by that careless Xie Ya. Just wear this for now.”
Seeing her hesitate, he added, “Even if you think my jacket is ugly, you can return it tomorrow. It’s too cold for you to wear just a dress.”
Jiang Li suddenly remembered she was wearing only a slip dress underneath. She quickly tightened the jacket around her, feeling a bit awkward as she said to Lin Xunan,
“I should be the one thanking you. Today, you not only drove me around but also lost face in front of others because of me.”
“People who dislike you will find fault no matter what you do,” Lin Xunan shrugged casually. “We need to defend ourselves, but we shouldn’t care too much about what they think.”
Jiang Li chuckled softly. “I thought you were going to say, don’t argue—just be yourself.”
Lin Xunan smiled with a hint of helplessness. “That won’t do.”
“If you don’t defend yourself, those people will only take advantage. But if you do, some sensible people will understand. Rumors won’t spread so easily.”
Jiang Li looked at him with newfound respect.
She had thought Lin Xunan wouldn’t care about others’ opinions, but unexpectedly, he was surprisingly sincere.
Lin Xunan glanced up at the small apartment building. “Let’s go up. It’s cold outside.”
Jiang Li hesitated. Out of politeness, she should invite him in for coffee, but now was clearly not the right time.
Lin Xunan added, “I still have to visit Xie Ya. This car belongs to them, and I have to drive it back. So I won’t come up to accept your thanks.”
Jiang Li was a little surprised—how did he know what she was thinking?
Lin Xunan winked and turned to get into the car.
Jiang Li bent down and sincerely thanked him, “Lin Xunan, thank you.”
Her eyes shone, or perhaps it was the effect of the alcohol. When she looked at him, there was a trace of innocent confusion, and her smile curved her brows and eyes, making it impossible not to feel sympathy for her.
Lin Xunan’s grip on the steering wheel tensed, but he simply nodded with a faint smile. “Go inside quickly. It’s cold out.”
He started the engine and drove off without lingering or daring to stay.
Jiang Li watched the McLaren shrink to a distant speck, wrapped the jacket tighter around herself, and hurried into the apartment.