Chapter 042: Something Happened

Chapter 042: Something Happened

Wang Zhuangyuan had genuinely been terrified yesterday.

Not of Wu Chen himself—though he knew Wu Chen was no ordinary man. The men he’d sent to tail him had reported everything back: Lu Guangnian pulling Wu Chen aside outside the restaurant for a private word, Li Ruobing driving him home and kissing him goodbye. He knew all of it. He just didn’t understand what any of it meant. All he knew was that Wu Chen was formidable, resourceful, likely backed by something large.

What actually frightened him was Li Ruotai.

That Wu Chen could call him directly had already rattled him badly, because his mind jumped straight to one thought: the number must have come from Li Ruotai. How else would Wu Chen have it?

What he dreaded most was the possibility that Wu Chen would tell Li Ruotai everything—that he’d put men on him.

Because this touched Li Ruobing.

Everyone in Donghai knew how fiercely Li Ruotai protected his sister. Everyone on the street understood the rule better than any other: cross whoever you like, but never cross Li Ruobing.

That was worse, far worse, than crossing Li Ruotai himself.

Cross Li Ruotai, and given his temperament, he’d still hear you out. So long as he hadn’t yet lost his temper completely, a proper apology, a bit of groveling, could still smooth things over.

But cross Li Ruobing—

You might not even get the chance to explain yourself to Li Ruotai at all.

And yesterday, though the men Wang Zhuangyuan sent had been tailing Wu Chen, Wu Chen had never once left Li Ruobing’s side. Which meant, the entire time, they’d been shadowing her too.

And Wu Chen was Li Ruotai’s brother-in-law.

His real brother-in-law.

If Li Ruotai ever found out… Wang Zhuangyuan broke into a cold sweat just thinking about it. Li Ruotai had raised him up himself; he knew the man’s methods far too well to feel safe. He was afraid he wouldn’t be able to explain himself clearly enough—afraid Li Ruotai might not even give him the chance to try.

He’d tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep.

More than once he’d picked up his phone, wanting to call Wu Chen, explain himself, feel out whether Wu Chen had already told Li Ruotai.

In the end, he never made the call.

Because Wu Chen had called first, and before hanging up, he’d said he was going to sleep. Calling him back now would only irritate him—and something that might not amount to much could easily turn into a real disaster over a badly timed phone call.

So Wang Zhuangyuan left home the moment the sky began to lighten.

He came to stand outside Wu Chen’s building.

He didn’t go up to bother him. He just waited for Wu Chen to come down.

…

Wu Chen looked him over. Wang Zhuangyuan, normally so composed, so polished—a civilized beast in a well-cut shirt—looked distinctly worn out today. His hair had gone a little greasy, and dark circles ringed his eyes.

“Mr. Wu, honestly, I wanted to explain. I wasn’t—”

He didn’t finish, again.

Wu Chen raised a hand to quiet him, glanced down the alley, and gestured that way. “Had breakfast? There’s a decent place up ahead.”

He started walking.

Wang Zhuangyuan fell into step immediately.

“I haven’t told Atai,” Wu Chen said as they walked, glancing over at him. “Relax.”

It was as if he already knew exactly what was eating at Wang Zhuangyuan—what he was afraid of.

The relief on Wang Zhuangyuan’s face was immediate. Genuine, too—like a weight lifting.

“You came alone?” Wu Chen asked, casual.

“The others are out on the main road. I didn’t bring them in. You live here, Mr. Wu—too many of us showing up this early, the neighbors would notice, and that’s no good for you.” Wang Zhuangyuan said.

Wu Chen nodded, and a small smile crossed his face.

The man really did know how to handle things.

They walked deep into the alley, where a handful of small shops still stood—a convenience store, a fast food stall, that sort of thing.

Wu Chen led him into a breakfast place, the grimy little kind, serving soy milk…