CHAPTER 241: 220: WEN RENCHE RETURNS TO THE COUNTRY AND EMBRACES HER

On the expressway leading from the airport to the city center, a Rolls-Royce sped along at a pace exceeding the newly enforced speed limits.

The breeze whooshed past, and the neon lights outside the window dissolved into streaks of fleeting shadows.

Sitting in the backseat, a man stared impatiently at the clock on the dashboard, his tightly furrowed brows having not relaxed since he got off the plane.

"Ming Fu, how much longer?" Wen Renche’s warm and intoxicating voice trickled into the driver’s seat.

Even though Ming Fu was a man himself, he couldn’t help but marvel at how this voice resembled aged wine—seductive and alluring.

He glanced at the GPS and replied, "About twenty minutes."

"Too slow." Wen Renche took a deep breath.

It was already close to eleven o’clock; if there were any more delays, he would break the promise he had made to Ah-Shi.

"Boss, we’ll make it." Ming Fu was anxious too.

Had they not been in Imperial City, he would have long since pulled the trigger and bulldozed a path through.

"Mm." Wen Renche’s mood remained subdued.

He unlocked his phone, gently brushing his thumb against the screen showing the face of a girl grinning radiantly like blooming flowers. His brows softened considerably. "Stop if you see a flower shop."

Ming Fu agreed and, while focusing on his driving, also scanned the roadside swiftly for any flower shops.

Amid the gauzy moonlight that veiled the line of fiery-red maple trees at the entrance to the Galaxy Hotel,

a cold, white glow filtered through the gaps in their branches, scattering shimmering reflections on the ground.

A light breeze swept through, brushing against the tree branches and carrying a few fallen maple leaves to a parked car nearby.

A man clad in a deep red suit jacket held a bouquet of daisies, dialing a number on his phone as he strode forward with his long legs.

"Ding—"

The elevator arrived at the ninth floor.

The man jogged toward the direction of the hall, his loosely tied necktie swaying faintly with his movements.

His lips curved upward with joy, but as his gaze landed on the pair of tightly shut wooden doors, the light in his phoenix-shaped eyes dimmed.

The birthday banquet had ended.

He was too late.

Wen Renche, now like a statue, tightened his grip on the bouquet, the smile on his lips turning gradually bitter.

"Boss, why don’t you try calling Sister Zhi?" Ming Fu, who had emerged from the elevator behind him, spoke up.

Seeing the scene unfold before him made his heart sink as well.

"I already did."

"What did she say?"

"She didn’t pick up." Wen Renche’s voice was slightly hoarse, and his heart felt as though an invisible hand was gripping it tightly. "She’s angry with me."

Ming Fu remained silent; when it came to matters of emotion, he truly had no good advice to offer.

Beyond standing by Wen Renche’s side, there was little else he could do.

Wen Renche stood in place for ten minutes, transitioning from hope to disappointment. He turned with a bitter smile. "Let’s go."

"Boss, why not try calling one more time? If you leave like this, Sister Zhi will definitely be angrier."

"Forget it; she won’t answer."

Just as the words left his lips,

the clatter of high heels echoed from behind.

Wen Renche paused mid-step but did not immediately turn around. He was afraid—afraid that it wasn’t her.

He curled his fingers, and beneath the gold-rimmed glasses that framed his phoenix-shaped eyes, an inexplicable glimmer of hope emerged.

"Ah-Che?"

The clear and familiar voice entered Wen Renche’s ears at that moment, striking a chord deep within.

He whirled around, and upon seeing the girl walking steadily toward him, his lips broke into a smile.

"Ah-Che." Yu Zhi called to him once more, then pointed at her phone screen apologetically. "It was too noisy upstairs, I didn’t hear it."

"How did you know I was here?" Wen Renche locked eyes with her, his trembling fingertips betraying the anticipation brewing within as he waited for her response.

"A guess." Yu Zhi chuckled warmly.

Her cheeks were slightly flushed, proof that she had been drinking.

The faint scent of alcohol mixed with her inherent sweet fragrance lingered in Wen Renche’s nasal passage, stirring emotions he could hardly contain.

"Ah-Shi, I missed you so much." Wen Renche enclosed the girl in an embrace, whispering softly into her ear.

He gently brushed his fingers through her silky dark hair, his heart overflowing with an almost unbearable fullness.

Yu Zhi’s eyes flashed with a hint of surprise. Her actions were gentle as she patted his back twice, her tone full of concern. "Ah-Che, is something wrong?"

"No, I just wanted to hold you."

"Really?"

"Mm." Wen Renche, in the spot where she couldn’t see, stole a kiss against her hair.

Though a fleeting touch, it made him as joyful as a child receiving candy.

His eyes brimmed with delight and sheer pleasure, so much so that it seemed as though the next moment might cause it all to overflow.

Yu Zhi didn’t notice his little gesture, but something about the situation still felt oddly off to her.

She nudged his shoulder twice, putting some distance between them before fixing him with a serious gaze. "Have things been sorted out over there?"

"Mm. This time, I can stay in Imperial City for a while." Wen Renche maintained his composure under her scrutiny.

Not only did he keep her from noticing anything unusual, but even the emotions lurking in his eyes were swiftly suppressed.

"That’s good," Yu Zhi murmured softly, choosing not to press further.

Her gaze shifted to the daisies in his hands, her eyes glinting warmly, evidently pleased.

Before she could say anything, Wen Renche passed the bouquet to her, gently stroking her head as he spoke. "Ah-Shi, happy birthday."

Yu Zhi lowered her gaze, taking in the vibrant reds that painted the bouquet, and her lips curved into a delicate smile.

"Ah-Che, you—"

"Bzzz, bzzz—"

The buzzing of her phone interrupted her words. She glanced at the caller ID and quickly answered, "Shi Wei, I’m downstairs with Ah-Che."

That name struck Wen Renche, and the smile on his face subtly faded. Reflexively, his fingertips brushed over his knuckles, his phoenix-shaped eyes flashing fleetingly.

Emotion urged him to immediately pull her back to his side, yet reason warned him that doing so would only drag her into danger.

Wen Renche exhaled deeply.

Just wait. Wait until he completely eliminated those people—then everything would be okay.

"Ah-Che, let’s head upstairs." Clutching the bouquet of daisies, the girl’s eyes glimmered with a faint reddish hue.

Under the dim lighting, the shimmering glow painted her features so beautifully that one couldn’t help but be entranced.

"Alright." Wen Renche nodded, walking alongside her for a few steps before abruptly stopping.

His gaze landed on the open lapel of her coat, revealing a patch of ivory-white skin, and his brows furrowed faintly.

"Ah-Shi, aren’t you cold?" As he questioned, he reached out and zipped her coat to her neck.

Afraid that even the tiniest sliver would be seen by others.

Yu Zhi shook her head. "Not really, there’s air conditioning here."

Besides, the private room upstairs had been unbearable, which was why she had left it undone like this.