Chapter 181 - 180: Are you hurt?

Words : 1266 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

Chapter 181: 180: Are you hurt? Wen Renche’s thick lashes quivered slightly, then he slowly opened his eyes. His calm, indifferent gaze met theirs without a shred of hesitation. "Tomorrow." Ming Fu had already expected this. He sighed helplessly and protested, "Boss, if you leave now, everything we’ve worked for will go to waste." The difficulty of reaching this point was something all three present were acutely aware of. If the opponent were to seize an opportunity at this critical juncture, they might find it nearly impossible to recover. "I know." A hint of a hidden glint flickered through Wen Renche’s eyes as he picked up the cigar resting on the table. With a faint ’scratch,’ the match flared to life. The warm glow of the flame lit up his face, casting ripples of light and shadow on the golden-rimmed glasses, reflecting a warm radiance in his eyes. The man exhaled a puff of smoke, masking his expression behind the hazy white mist. Only his intoxicating voice could be heard: "Just two days." Ming Fu responded with a concise "Understood," and said, "I’ll arrange it right away." He patted the wooden-faced subordinate still standing dazedly, gesturing with his eyes for the person to follow him out. As they were about to leave the room, Ming Fu suddenly turned his head, his gaze landing on the man’s shoulder. "Boss, what about your injury?" Wen Renche’s hand holding the cigar paused. He turned his eyes to the bandage wrapped around his arm, frowning in frustration. He waved his hand dismissively and, once the two had disappeared from view, murmured softly, "Ah-Shi will surely be angry." There were times in the past when he’d hidden injuries from her, but she’d always found out eventually. When she did, her reactions alternated between ignoring him or venting her temper... Wen Renche set down the cigar and gently ran his fingers over the haphazardly tied bandage. His porcelain-like jaw tightened slightly. In his gaze, beyond the touch of sweetness, there was also a hint of amusement. The sound of running water from the bathroom mingled with the sharp clinking of metal dropping to the floor, creating an elegant yet eerie symphony that filled the dimly curtained bedroom. The man, dressed in a blue bathrobe, had loosely tied the belt around his waist, leaving a faintly menacing wound exposed on his shoulder. He glanced at it indifferently, the water droplets clinging to his dense lashes quivering with the motion of his blinking eyes. The next moment, they fell to his collarbone, rippling like countless waves. Wen Renche wiped away the bead of water, adjusted his robe slightly, and strode with his long legs to the adjacent room — the one that the young girl had once occupied. As he pushed open the door, an inexplicable sense of joy welled up from deep within, enveloping him completely. The room’s overall decor was similar to his own, though the plush toys gathered from arcade claw machines scattered on the bed added a cozy touch. Wen Renche walked to the floor-to-ceiling window and pulled aside the white cloth covering two canvases. He admired the starry night sky the girl had painted. He caressed the drawings gently, memories flowing like a river in his mind — images of their meeting, building trust, fighting side by side, and playing together. "Ah-Shi, I miss you so much." Wen Renche bent down and placed a tender kiss on the painting. Without his glasses, his stunningly beautiful face resembled a snow lotus perched atop a glacial peak — noble and graceful with an aura of remoteness untouched by any trace of earthly dust. The man chuckled softly, his almond-shaped eyes brimming with affection. Even though there was no response, the emotions emanating from him were filled with delight. The sky outside the window gradually transitioned from night to morning as he continued looking at the painting for a while longer. At last, he moved to the bed, lifted the blanket’s corner, and lay down. He held a plush toy that the girl particularly adored, inhaling the faint scent she left behind as he closed his eyes in contentment. "Ah-Shi, goodnight." ** Shengde Middle School. In the classroom of Grade 12, Class 7, the only sound was the intermittent scratch of pens on paper. Not a single person spoke. The students were wholly absorbed in their studies, save for the girl sitting in the back row, leisurely supporting her chin while staring out the window at the playground, completely out of sync with the atmosphere. "Little Zhi, aren’t you working on the problems?" Qin Huai stretched her wrist while leaning closer to the girl. She spoke softly, fearing that disrupting the other students could provoke their annoyance. "I don’t want to." As soon as Yu Zhi broached the topic of studying, her demeanor visibly wilted, even her tone laced with a hint of resistance. Though she’d promised Professor Ma to deliver a satisfactory report card for the next exam, she simply couldn’t muster the focus and resolve needed to do so. "Don’t be like that, let’s work on them together." Qin Huai took a pen and put it in her hand, flashing her a smile that revealed two charming little tiger teeth. After repeated urging from Qin Huai, Yu Zhi sighed softly and resigned herself to gripping the pen, reluctantly dragging her gaze back from the window. She tackled a few multiple-choice questions, but when she reached the more complex ones requiring detailed explanations, her temples started throbbing, and her sense of defeat deepened. "Beep, beep-beep—" The watch on her wrist vibrated lightly, emitting faint sounds. Yu Zhi’s eyes brightened, and before anyone nearby could react, she quickly exited the classroom, heading for the restroom at the end of the hallway. She put on her headphones, her voice carrying a tinge of joy. "Ah-Che?" "Mm, it’s me." Wen Renche gazed at the main gate of Shengde Middle School through the car window, a spontaneous smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. With the phone pressed to his ear, his gentle voice had the intoxicating intimacy of lovers’ whispers, capable of captivating the soul. "I’m at your school gate." Yu Zhi’s eyes flickered with brief surprise; she hadn’t expected him to return so many days earlier than planned. After confirming she hadn’t misheard, she wasted no time pushing open the stall door. "Wait for me, I’ll ask for leave." "Alright." Wen Renche, as usual, waited for her to end the call before slowly putting down his phone. He glanced at the ’15:30’ displayed on the screen, his gaze glistening like scattered starlight — so mesmerizing it was hard to look away. In just about ten minutes, a graceful figure appeared at the school gate. She looked around briefly, and once her gaze landed on the Rolls-Royce parked across the street, she sprinted toward it. "Ah-Che, when did you get back?" Yu Zhi slid into the rear seat beside him, carefully examining him. Habitually, she extended her hand to check for injuries. But before she could touch him, he grabbed her wrist. "Just off the plane." Wen Renche’s gaze traced the contour of her brows and eyes, the strength with which he held her wrist subtly tightening. Yu Zhi softly responded, lowering her eyes to glance at her suspended hand. She studied him inquisitively. "Are you hurt?" "No." "Then why are you grabbing my hand?" Wen Renche choked slightly at the question, releasing her hand with a barely noticeable cough. Smoothly, he redirected the conversation. "What did you tell your teacher?"

Chapter 181 - 180: Are you hurt?

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