Chapter 9: Driving Masterclass

"Lan Nian bit her lip, finally managing to suppress her anger as she reluctantly slid into the driver's seat.

Xin Wen smiled contentedly, gazing out the window. After waiting impatiently for the car to move, he turned with a puzzled frown. What's taking so long? he wondered irritably. "What's the issue now? Why aren't we moving? A CEO's time is precious, you know!"

"Actually, I think Xinzi Group's policy should be revised to: 'Only CEOs get to set fires; employees aren't even allowed to light candles.' Please fasten your seatbelt."

Lan Nian tossed off the comment casually before expertly igniting the engine.

"As they exited the garage, Lan Nian darted a subtle glance at the giant clock atop the company skyscraper.

She's been watching the clock this whole time? Relief washed over Xin Wen as he noted her uncharacteristic compliance. Her sudden docility soothed his turbulent mind, which had been roiling with frustration for days."

"Hmph. Expected another sparring match..." Xin Wen drummed his fingers thoughtfully against the armrest, a faint smirk playing at the corners of his lips. Instead, the young troublemaker's suddenly playing by the rules. How... unexpected.

"After driving for approximately three minutes, the chauffeur Xiao Li called. "Mr. Xin, I've arrived. Where are you? The car's gone too!"

Xiao Li sounded thoroughly confused.

"Oh, take the day off. That's all." Xin Wen hung up nonchalantly, a playful glint dancing in his dark eyes. After all, why share the spectacle of a CEO's tête-à-tête with his subordinate with the riffraff?

"Lan Nian's brow furrowed imperceptibly, her lips twitching briefly before she chose silence.

The air grew tense. Xin Wen idly toyed with his phone until a lightbulb moment struck. His lips curled into a triumphant smirk as his fingers flew across the screen, composing a text with lightning speed."

"After a dozen minutes, Lan Nian's eyelids drooped slightly as she eyed the rearview mirror coolly. That black sedan trailing them looked suspiciously familiar... Her palms grew clammy around the steering wheel.

A smirk tugged at Xin Wen's lips as he observed her subtle reaction. Let's see how she handles this.

"The car's speed accelerated imperceptibly.

"Hey, you're speeding!" Xin Wen drawled lazily, eyeing her through half-lidded eyes.

"Thank you!" Lan Nian chirped sweetly, her right foot slamming the accelerator to the floor.

The car shot forward like a bullet, purring triumphantly as it devoured the road.

"Xin Wen's face drained of color. He was about to snap at her when the car took a sharp swerve, jerking him so hard he nearly slammed into the door."

"Hey! Are you trying to commit manslaughter?!" Xin Wen's face turned ghostly pale, his chest heaving as he glared at Lan Nian with livid fury.

"The one trying to kill you is back there." Lan Nian nodded at the rearview mirror, where the black sedan remained stubbornly glued to their tail.

"Hm?" Xin Wen raised an eyebrow, his earlier panic giving way to grudging admiration. Sharp instincts.

"Ridiculous." Xin Wen scoffed derisively, though his eyes betrayed grudging respect. "Which optical receptor perceived their homicidal intent?"

Lan Nian turned her calculating gaze to the rearview mirror, her tone ice-cool. "Perhaps, Mr. Xin, you should reflect on your own questionable deeds."

Xin Wen's eyes glinted with predatory interest. He settled back, mentally logging every nuance of her performance. First the license plates, now this. A smirk tugged at his lips. This game just got interesting.

"Tsk, my poor car hasn't offended you, has it?" Xin Wen muttered, tilting his chin to observe her white-knuckled grip. Delicate veins stood out against her smooth skin, radiating an understated allure.

"Lan Nian ignored his histrionic outburst, her foot slamming the accelerator to the floor once more.

"Wait—pedestrians ahead!" Xin Wen shouted hoarsely, his calm shattering as an elderly man and child stepped into the crosswalk. A horrific collision seemed inevitable...

At the last second, the car veered sharply outward, tires squealing as it skimmed the old man's coat by millimeters.

"Thank heavens!" Xin Wen mopped his sweat-drenched forehead, attempting to catch his breath. But the next instant, he froze like a statue.

They were at an intersection when a massive truck blew through the red light, barreling straight toward them from the right.

"Shit!" Xin Wen cursed inwardly, his eyes squeezing shut in despair. Drunk driving, no doubt.

His mind raced as he visualized tomorrow's front page: a grisly crash photo accompanied by the screaming headline—"Xinzi CEO Killed in Drunk Driving Collision"—emblazoned across the masthead.

"The car jolted violently, and Xin Wen was abruptly seized by a crushing force. His body slammed to the left, his head careening toward the steering wheel—until a slender arm darted out, pressing against his forehead to shove him back into his seat.

"Ouch." Xin Wen winced, his hand instinctively covering the still-healing welt from her earlier shoe attack.

"Barbaric!" he snapped, struggling to regain his composure. His eyes widened as Lan Nian's foot hovered over the accelerator. "Enough showcasing your stunt-driving skills!"

"The car screeched to a halt, and Lan Nian coolly steadied Xin Wen as he lurched forward, narrowly avoiding a collision with the dashboard.

"Shit! Are you out of your mind?" Xin Wen snarled, his patience fraying. Had he hired a bodyguard or a reaper in stilettos?

Lan Nian acted as if he hadn't heard.He yanked open the car door,crossed his arms,and stared coolly at the black sedan that had clearly slowed down behind him.

"A teasing breeze danced with her loose strands, casually clinging to her forehead, cheek, and even partially obscuring her left eye. The intoxicating blend of detached allure and subtle seduction emanating from her silhouette unexpectedly snared Xin Wen's discerning gaze."

"Wow, she's got spine," Xin Wen murmured, his eyes lighting up as he watched her silhouette.

But when he glanced back, his face contorted with rage—the black sedan was idiotically closing in.

Oh no. Xin Wen's heart raced. This is bad. The charade's about to unravel.

"Wow, she's got spine," Xin Wen murmured, his eyes lighting up as he watched her silhouette.

But when he glanced back, his face contorted with rage—the black sedan was idiotically closing in.

Oh no. Xin Wen's heart raced. This is bad. The charade's about to unravel.