Chapter 80: Give Me a Straight Answer (Extra Chapter for Those Sending Tourmaline Diamonds)

He nodded. “I know. I am Shu Congxuan, and you are Yi Lanshan—the girl I could not forget after a single meeting.”

My mind went blank with a deafening roar; I knew nothing except the desperate urge to flee, to escape from here as quickly as possible.

In my panic, I stood up so abruptly that I knocked over my chair. Bending to right it, I hit the edge of the table, and the coffee cup toppled over.

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry…”

My voice trembled on the verge of tears. Shu Congxuan rose, reaching out to catch me, but I shook him off and took a step back. “Mr. Shu, I have something I must attend to. Thank you for the coffee.”

I turned and ran, rushing outside to hail a cab. Shu Congxuan followed and, without a word, seized my arm. “Yi Lanshan, tell me—what’s going on? What happened between you and Luo An’ge?”

That final question became the last straw upon the camel’s back, crushing me utterly.

I trembled all over, feeling as if his gaze brimmed with disgust and contempt, as if the word “filth” was etched across his face.

But I couldn’t break free. Desperate, I cried out, “Shu Congxuan, let me go!”

He relaxed his grip slightly, but did not release me. Instead, he dragged me in the direction of the parking lot.

I tried to cling to a lamppost by the roadside, but he suddenly swept me into his arms and, before the eyes of everyone passing by, bundled me into his SUV—the very one I had already ridden in once before.

I struggled again, but he fastened my seatbelt and looked at me intently. “Don’t move, or I can’t promise what I might do.”

A wise person knows when to yield—I dared not move a muscle.

He walked around to the driver’s side, got in, started the car, and merged onto the side road. His voice was low as he asked, “How much did Luo An’ge promise to donate to Kangda?”

I gave a cold laugh. “What, Mr. Shu, do you plan to follow your precious nephew’s example and use money to threaten me?”

Shu Congxuan sighed, glancing at me as he drove steadily. “Lanshan, not everyone wants something from you. I’m not that base.”

Choking back tears, I said, “Isn’t that exactly what you want? Otherwise, why would you help me of all people, when so many are in need?”

He gave a short laugh. “Yes, I want something from you. Your beauty, your every expression, even the aura you radiate—they all captivate me.”

I buried my face in my knees and sobbed quietly.

I wanted to tell Shu Congxuan, don’t fall for me. I’m so tainted, so unworthy of you—not in the least.

Your world is all blossoms and gentle days, while mine is nothing but darkness and filth.

Yet his words were like a beam of light, shining at the gates of hell and offering me a glimmer of hope.

The very next day after Shu Congxuan promised to help me solve my troubles, he called to say that something urgent required him to go abroad for a few days. He’d be back in three, and then we’d go see President Xia together.

That evening, I went to the supermarket. Returning to the courtyard house, I took out my keys to open the door, when suddenly someone clamped a hand over my mouth and nose from behind, and then—nothing.

When I finally woke, it took a long while to adjust to the room’s light. Turning my head, I saw the face of a devil—his gaze fixed on me with the corrosive intensity of concentrated acid.

I could almost hear my flesh rotting.

Resigned, I closed my eyes and, my voice hoarse, asked, “Luo An’ge, what do you want?”

His hand tapped rhythmically on his knee, lips curled in that dangerous smile I knew all too well. He said nothing, only deepening my unease.

Unable to endure any longer, I pleaded, “Just be quick about it. Whatever you intend—do it.”

Only then did he grasp my chin. “Yi Lanshan, very good. Quite impressive. You actually set your sights on Shu Congxuan.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Luo An’ge, it was you who arranged for Shu Congxuan to swoop in and rescue me. How could I possibly refuse to play along with your plan?”