Reluctant to leave

Chu Cheng was stunned. He knew he was naturally strong.

But... he hadn't even used thirty percent of his strength — he only wanted to embarrass the man in front of him a little.

He didn't expect... this man really didn't care about losing face?

At this moment, Lin Yuxi looked at the two men standing before her — one with a face twisted in pain, the other with a lazy expression.

For a moment, she didn't know what to do.

One was her fiancé — the man who had come rushing to her rescue the moment he learned she was kidnapped, his heart full of concern. He had braved the danger with a gun in hand, charging in without hesitation. That furious roar of his still echoed in her ears.

The other was a man who had endured misfortune — physically weak, with poor health, and having suffered a kidnapping in his youth. Yet in the crucial moment, he had stepped forward to protect her.

Even if the whole incident was a misunderstanding...

But when Bai Ze had held her in his arms, there hadn't been the slightest hesitation in his eyes. He had shielded her with his entire body, his warmth still lingering on her skin.

Besides... she couldn't lie to herself.

At that moment, when Bai Ze's hand covered her head, she clearly had the strength to push him away — but she hadn't.

For more than ten years, her heart had only belonged to Chu Cheng. She knew he was angry because he saw her and Bai Ze in an ambiguous position — she should've stood by Chu Cheng's side, disregarding everything else.

But now... she didn't know what was happening to her.

Facing this boy with delicate features and a pained gaze, she felt a sudden wavering in her heart.

Especially when Bai Ze's eyes met hers — it was as if he was silently pleading for help!

Lin Yuxi reached out, grabbing Chu Cheng's arm — her knuckles turning white from the force.

"Bai Ze's health is poor... Chu Cheng, let go. He can't withstand your strength."

Chu Cheng's hand instantly loosened. He glanced at Lin Yuxi with a trace of bewilderment.

He was certain Lin Yuxi had only just met Bai Ze.

Yet she was speaking up for this man she'd only just met?

Lin Yuxi had always had admirers, and Chu Cheng had dealt with them in various ways before — Lin Yuxi never said anything, even feeling happy that he cared about her.

Chu Cheng's lips curled into a faint, sarcastic smile.

"Oh... poor health, huh?"

Xi'er, how do you even know about his health?

Lin Yuxi frowned slightly, lowering her voice.

"Bai Ze was kidnapped as a child... they cut out his kidney..."

She tugged at Chu Cheng's sleeve, whispering,

"I'll explain the rest when we get home."

With that, Lin Yuxi turned to Bai Ze, saying softly,

"We'll take you home."

Bai Ze nodded, smiling brightly at Lin Yuxi.

"Thank you, sister."

Chu Cheng's face darkened, about to refuse.

But before he could speak, Lin Yi stepped forward.

"Young Master Bai, the Bai family has sent people to pick you up."

Bai Ze pressed his lips together. Of course, the male lead would have his loyal lackeys.

He glanced at the short, lean man before him — recalling the novel's description.

Lin Yi was Lin Aotian's trusted aide, brave and loyal.

In the original plot, after Chu Cheng married Lin Yuxi and took over the Lin family business, Lin Yi and Lin Er accompanied him everywhere.

One time, the three of them were ambushed by over thirty men on a narrow road.

Lin Er shielded Chu Cheng with his own body, having several vertebrae severed.

Lin Yi, however, snatched weapons from the enemy — wielding two machetes and carving a bloody path through thirty men, leaving none unscathed.

Meanwhile, Chu Cheng emerged without a scratch.

Male leads... always had someone to protect them, never even needing to lift a finger.

Bai Ze sighed inwardly.

If only his two useless lackeys, Da Niu and Er Niu, could be replaced with Lin Yi and Lin Er.

But Bai Ze kept his thoughts to himself, smiling as he glanced at Lin Yuxi and Chu Cheng.

"I'll be off, then. Let's keep in touch."

His tone was light, without a hint of longing.

The villa's door had been opened.

Bai Ze strolled out leisurely, spotting seven or eight cars parked outside — several black Mercedes, and a Bentley at the rear.

He was just wondering which car belonged to the Bai family when the Bentley's door opened.

A middle-aged man in a sharp suit, white gloves on his hands, stepped out respectfully.

The man's chin bore a distinct red crescent-shaped birthmark — exactly as described in the book.

This was Bai Ze's personal chauffeur, an ambitious man who had worked for the Bai family for over a decade.

Bai Ze's lips curled.

"Uncle."

"Young Master, please get in. The master and madam..." The man trailed off, his tone making Bai Ze's heart sink.

Bai Ze's eyes flicked toward him.

"What happened to them?"

Could they have fainted from fright?

Before Bai Ze could conjure up any wild guesses, the man explained,

"The master and madam went to Longcheng for a gala last night. They just received word at dawn and are rushing back."

Bai Ze: "..."

Am I really... adopted?

It was true — his parents were both famous actors, attending a grand gala exactly as described in the novel.

But the original plot had them rushing to the villa, only to find Bai Ze battered and bloody.

Now that the scene had been rewritten, Bai Ze was sure to receive another wave of villain points when he saw his parents later.

He nodded.

"Got it."

The chauffeur opened the car door, standing respectfully to the side.

Bai Ze stepped in, heart fluttering slightly at his first time sitting in a Bentley — with a personal driver, no less.

He was so caught up in the moment that he didn't notice someone calling after him.

"Bai Ze."

Bai Ze turned his head toward the voice.

"Hmm? What's the matter, Sister Xi'er?"

Lin Yuxi's gaze lingered on him — a trace of reluctance flickering in her eyes.

She stammered,

"Uh... remember to let me know you're safe when you get home."

Bai Ze blinked, suppressing a laugh.

In broad daylight... asking him to report his safety?

He glanced at Chu Cheng beside her — his face thunderous, like he wanted to tear him apart.

But... something felt off.

Chu Cheng was definitely angry — yet Bai Ze hadn't gained any villain points at all.

Clearly, the provocation wasn't enough.