Chapter 37 The Green Hat

The deepest way to love someone is to let love become the simplest habit.

Xue Zuining saw the penetrating inquisitiveness in his eyes, and her heart trembled. She felt as if all her thoughts were laid bare before him, with nowhere to hide. Her lips parted, uncertain how to respond. His face grew pale, and he repeated coldly, “When someone asks you a question, you should answer. It’s called manners, do you understand?”

Startled by his blunt words, her hand loosened, and the sheets of paper slipped and scattered across the floor. Lu Huaining narrowed his eyes, leaned in closer, and said, “Tell me, why are you venting your anger on these printouts? Look at how crumpled they are—how am I supposed to take them to the meeting tomorrow? Put them together and print me another copy.”

She crouched down, picking up the discarded documents one by one and placing them on the desk, then clicked the mouse to select the print option. Lu Huaining’s hand once more covered her neck, applying just enough pressure to soothe the spot she’d twisted earlier. Yet this unusual gentleness only made her heart race with apprehension. His gaze was too incisive. She wasn’t sure if he’d begun to suspect her, and her heart beat so fast that it felt as if her chest might burst.

“I really didn’t expect you to be so passionate about corporate planning. I stood by the door for quite a while just now, and you were glued to the documents—more diligent than any student prepping for college entrance exams. Let’s test your memory: what’s the average consumer trend in the district where the land is located...?”

His warmth transferred from his fingers to her skin, relentless as a branding iron, making her nervous. He pressed on her carotid artery, the pressure gradually increasing. She even felt as though he was impeding her blood flow. Just as she thought her neck might snap, he spoke softly, “What did that fox Zhang Qikun talk to you about just now?”

A ringing echoed in Xue Zuining’s ears, as if her blood had stopped flowing. Lu Huaining’s fingers tightened, encircling her neck. She was terrified. Had he figured something out? What was he planning to do? In truth, Lu Huaining hadn’t used much force, nor did he intend to harm her. He was simply massaging her twisted neck. Yet Xue Zuining’s face had turned as white as paper, her gaze vacant and unfocused. Her expression perplexed him. He frowned, released her, and tried to lift her chin, but she quickly stepped back, guarding her neck, stammering, “Lu... Lu... Lu Huaining, don’t touch me.”

He paused, then realized what she meant. A mix of irritation and amusement crossed his face. He exhaled sharply and sneered, “What do you think I want to do? Your imagination is wild...” As he spoke, his expression turned colder. “Why would you think like that? Did you do something shameful?”

Xue Zuining’s heart skipped a beat. So he hadn’t considered the possibility of her stealing corporate secrets? She berated herself for being so easily rattled. There was nothing wrong, but her overreaction had raised his suspicions. She clutched her robe, searching for an excuse, but he gave her no time to think. He pressed her against the wall, looking at her coldly. “What, gone mute? You can talk to Zhang, but you have nothing to say to me?”

She opened her mouth, lowered her lashes to hide her flickering gaze, and after a long pause, finally spoke, “I... he... he just asked me why I was alone...”

Lu Huaining narrowed his eyes. “Does he think you’re lonely and wants to fill your emptiness? And then? Did you feel cared for? Did you complain out of feeling aggrieved? Well, if he dares make a move on my woman...”

Hearing him say “my woman,” Xue Zuining’s face flushed deep red, but her taut nerves relaxed considerably. She was relieved that his thoughts were only in that direction. Let him say what he liked—she’d heard worse. Yet gradually, discomfort crept in. To be accustomed to his humiliation—how tragic was that?

Lu Huaining clenched his fist, his knuckles cracking audibly. She shuddered in fear, but he laughed, planting a gentle kiss on her lips, then suddenly biting down hard. He spoke slowly, “Xue Zuining, in terms of age, I’m on par with him. Is being with him better than with me? Besides, his kindness is just a ploy to disgrace me. If he succeeds, your life will be miserable, understand? There’s a phrase trending online recently: never let your woman have a blue male confidant, because soon enough the blue turns green on your head. So behave, don’t make me repeat myself again and again—it’s exhausting.”

Xue Zuining raised her hand to wipe her lips, trying to erase his mark. He was angered by her action, pressed his lips to hers fiercely, biting and sucking until her lips were swollen, then gave her a warning look. She bit her lip, suppressing the urge to fight him to the bitter end, pushed him away, and ran out of the study.

The bed was soft but saturated with his scent, like a fine net trapping her breath. She longed for the simple bed in her rented apartment, so much so that she couldn’t sleep. Slowly, the fire of revenge in her mind dimmed, and reason finally took hold.

Zhang Qikun said he could grant her freedom, but by what means?

Opportunities to access the highest corporate secrets, like today, were rare. Lu Huaining was no fool; he wouldn’t let her casually peruse these documents. Perhaps everything tonight was a trap he’d orchestrated—a study usually kept confidential was suddenly open to her, and the documents were conveniently laid out before her eyes! Even if she managed to gather enough information to hand over to Zhang Qikun, who could say if he’d keep his promise and let her escape her current status, or simply dispose of her once her usefulness was exhausted?

Moreover, stealing documents not only violated morality but could also lead to legal repercussions. Would she really be able to do it? Her parents had raised her with the utmost integrity since childhood; such principles were ingrained in her blood. To go against them was nearly impossible.

She tossed and turned, the faint hope in her heart gradually extinguished. She sorrowfully realized she truly had no means to contend with Lu Huaining, and this sense of helplessness made even breathing difficult.

When Lu Huaining finished his work and returned to the bedroom, Xue Zuining was already deep in sleep. He walked over quietly, gazing at her curled-up form—supposedly, such a posture meant a person had no sense of security. He reached out to touch her face, only to feel traces of cool tears.