Smooth Ride
The car glided smoothly down the main road. The atmosphere had calmed again, accompanied only by the engine's hum and the rush of wind.
Suddenly Jiang Fan tapped the steering wheel lightly, his eyes widening as if struck by a revelation. "Hey, wait a minute!" he said in surprise. "Ge, it just occurred to me… how did Miss Xiao's flash drive and phone end up in your hands?"
Xiaoxi froze on the spot. Her heart immediately hammered like war drums. Oh God! Don't mention that! Don't mention that! If this comes out, whatever dignity I had left will be utterly shredded!
Wei Yu Chen remained seated calmly, his shoulders not moving at all. His fingers still toyed with the ring on his hand, as if the question were no big deal. His gaze was cold, but a faint glint that couldn't be hidden flashed across it.
Xiaoxi, half-panicking, hurriedly bent her head and hugged her bag tighter. Please don't answer… don't answer, for the sake of whatever dignity I have left!
Jiang Fan, oblivious, only grew more curious. He looked into the rearview mirror, glancing between his brother and Xiaoxi.
"Seriously, Ge… don't tell me you—"
"STOP!" Xiaoxi suddenly screamed, throwing her hands up, eyes wide as if seeing a ghost. She immediately clamped her own mouth, cheeks blazing. Oh God, why did I react like that?! Now I look even more suspicious!
Jiang Fan burst out laughing, tapping the wheel. "Hahaha! Wow, your reaction is suspicious, Miss. Like there's a big secret being hidden, huh?"
Wei Yu Chen lifted his gaze and stared straight at Xiaoxi. The look was deep, cold, and piercing as if able to read her mind. Without hurry, he spoke in a flat but pressuring tone.
Xiaoxi gasped, her body tensing further. Oh God… he's purposely letting this mystery hang to stress me out! That elegant devil really enjoys wrecking people's hearts.
Jiang Fan raised an eyebrow, puzzled, but chose to chuckle and shake his head. "Alright, alright."
Xiaoxi turned quickly, almost shrieking. A third person, he says?! Watch my mouth, Jiang Fan! God, take my life now, I can't handle imagining that!
The car continued to glide, but inside it the air thickened with questions—Jiang Fan's light laughter, Xiaoxi's ridiculous panic, and Wei Yu Chen's composed mystery.
The elevator stopped at the top floor. A calm ding sounded as the doors opened, revealing the luxurious penthouse lit in warm light. The fresh scent of aromatherapy candles mixed with the gleam of elegant furnishings.
A middle-aged woman was busy wiping the marble table in the living room. Hearing footsteps, she looked up. "Young Master," Aunt Li greeted politely, then bowed slightly.
Her gaze then fell on the small figure walking stiffly behind Wei Yu Chen. "Oh, Miss Xiaoxi… you're back?" Her smile was friendly, her voice warm as if welcoming family.
Xiaoxi, who had kept her head down since leaving the elevator, jumped. "Ah… y-yes, Auntie… sorry to bother you again…" she whispered, looking like a schoolchild caught skipping class. Her cheeks flushed; she didn't know where to put her hands.
Jiang Fan, standing to the side, blinked. His eyes darted between Aunt Li and Xiaoxi, confusion plain on his face. "Wait… again? You mean, you've been here before?"
Xiaoxi wanted to bury her face in the shiny marble floor. Oh my God… Earth, if you're kind to me, please open a crack and swallow me whole right now!
Aunt Li only smiled faintly, then bowed politely once more to Wei Yu Chen. "I will prepare tea, Young Master." With that she left with calm steps, leaving a silence heavy with meaning across the spacious room.
Jiang Fan raised his brows high, mischief in his look but still polite. "Ge… I really seem to have missed a lot, huh?"
Wei Yu Chen dropped himself onto the black leather sofa with effortless composure. His movement was calm but authoritative, as if the whole room existed for him. His tone was light, yet carried an undeniable command.
"Enough. Sit," he said softly but with authority.
Jiang Fan and Xiaoxi obeyed, each choosing chairs on the other side. Aunt Li soon returned with a tray of drinks. The clink of crystal glasses on the low table added to the room's elegance.
"Please have some juice," Aunt Li said.
As the drinks were set down, Yu Chen lifted his glass calmly. But his eyes weren't really on the beverage. For some time he had been quietly watching Xiaoxi sit awkwardly, her appearance—let's say—far from tidy.
A wrinkled dress, slightly messy hair, a shabby bag in her lap—completely at odds with the penthouse's sheen.
Yu Chen leaned forward slightly; his voice was calm but edged with sarcasm.
"Aunt Li, please take Miss Xiao to the bathroom. Let her freshen up… it seems she forgot to bathe last night."
The room stopped for a split second.
"Pfttt—!" Jiang Fan, who had been sipping, immediately choked, eyes wide. He tried to stifle a laugh but failed, coughing a little, his face flushing.
"Yes, Sir," Aunt Li replied calmly, her lips curving into a thin, barely detectable smile.
Xiaoxi, on the other hand, froze. Her expression mixed humiliation, offense, and a desperate urge to run. Oh God… do you want this announced across the country as well?
Her gaze went blank toward the table while in her mind she cursed herself repeatedly. Damn! Why not just drown in that marble bathtub instead of being led to the bathroom like a dirty child?!
Yu Chen finished his drink, then placed the crystal glass back on the table with a composed movement. His glance briefly fell on Xiaoxi, still sitting stiffly as if she wanted to swallow herself whole and disappear from sight.
"Aunt Li," he said flatly but firmly, "escort Miss Xiao to my private bathroom. Let her clean up. You can let Miss Xiao choose my clothes from the walk-in closet."
"Yes, Sir," Aunt Li answered with a meaningful smile.
Jiang Fan held himself from bursting out laughing; his eyes were watery from trying to suppress the amusement at Xiaoxi's flaming face. Xiaoxi wanted to faint on the sofa right then, hoping this embarrassing drama would end. A private bathroom? My clothes? Oh God… I'm officially a humiliating guest elevated to the status of the devil's private detainee…
Reluctantly, Xiaoxi followed Aunt Li down the corridor toward the master suite. The penthouse was vast—marble floors gleaming, tall glass walls revealing the glittering city panorama.
During the short walk, Aunt Li—the ever-friendly housekeeper—broke the silence, her voice full of curiosity.
"Miss, how do you know the Young Master?" she asked, unable to hide her interest.
Xiaoxi nearly stumbled from nervousness. "Eh… i-it was… accidental, Auntie. Really… accidental."
"Oh, is that so?" Aunt Li looked at her with interest, smiling. "You know, this is the first time—Young Master Yu Chen has ever brought home a female friend."
"Huh??" Xiaoxi stopped dead, face draining of color, despair written plainly across her expression. Her mouth opened as if to deny it, but only a faint sound escaped: "R-really, Auntie? Don't joke…"
Oh my God, Auntie, if you keep saying that I'll be blacklisted by fans across Asia! she thought, nearly in tears.
Aunt Li chuckled softly at Xiaoxi's silly expression, then continued walking toward the Young Master's private room.