"I don't know you, so what is there to fear? But with Cheng Yi's skills, I believe she can easily meet Mr. Ran's requirements!" Hua Lianxi lifted her chin arrogantly, a mocking smile curling her lips. Her clear eyes showed not a trace of fear.
"The two connected villas I'm commissioning to the Cheng family residence each have automatic gardens and swimming pools. One will be my father's new home in the future, and I have only one condition—that you participate in the design!" Ran Fang took a couple of steps forward, a faint smile appearing as he looked at Hua Lianxi, pleased with her raised chin.
"You're not going to live with your father?" Cheng Yi, standing nearby, finally spoke up, surprised by Ran Fang's words. Ran Fang's mother had died many years ago, and he was known as a filial son—so why would he choose to live apart from his aging father?
"My dad will have his new life; I won't disturb him. The other villa will be where I live—I will quietly watch over him!" Ran Fang answered Cheng Yi's question, but his gaze remained fixed on Hua Lianxi, as if these words were spoken to her.
Clenching her fists tightly, Hua Lianxi took several deep breaths before gradually releasing them, steadying her voice.
"Sorry, I cannot accept that sole condition! Cheng Yi certainly has the ability to handle any design. If Mr. Ran has any other ideas, he can communicate with Cheng Yi—I believe she can fulfill your requirements."
"Why resist? Why refuse? The salary for these villas is extremely generous!" Frowning, Ran Fang pressed on aggressively, determined to make her take the project.
"Dirty money—I won't take it!" Hua Lianxi's clear eyes now darkened with disgust, so intense she seemed to hold her breath, hating even to share the same space with him.
"What if I expose everything? Reveal all the past? Would you still be willing to take that risk? Aren't you afraid your mother might not withstand the shock and fall back into endless self-torment and confusion?" Guilt and scorn flashed clearly in her pupils. Ran Fang's heart suddenly ached, yet his sharp tongue chose the cruelest words.
"Expose what? Ran Fang, what is your real purpose? Is the design of your house just a pretext? What are you hiding from me? What do you want to do to Lianxi?" Cheng Yi finally awakened from her daze and saw Ran Fang's true intent. His sudden visit was for Hua Lianxi, and she would not tolerate him hurting her.
"Your Ran family makes me sick!" Biting her lip, Hua Lianxi fought to suppress the tears flooding her eyes. She grabbed a cup and threw the water sharply at him. "You're dreaming!" With that, she stepped away swiftly.
With hands in his pockets, Kong Chengyi strode confidently in behind the café manager. His dark eyes casually scanned the noisy interior before spotting the three standing figures.
His sharp gaze flicked past Ran Fang's profile and immediately fixed on the slender silhouette.
She wore a simple white shirt paired with black cropped trousers. Her long hair hung loosely. Unexpectedly, she wore silver kitten-heeled shoes. With eyes locked on Ran Fang in confrontation, her slight frame appeared even more delicate compared to his tall stature.
Her delicate features wore minimal makeup, and her cheeks looked thinner than before. Yet this fresh, simple outfit made her appear even more competent—with a certain light in her eyes that inexplicably drew his attention.
She lifted a glass, then suddenly poured the water heavily onto Ran Fang's face. Kong Chengyi's step faltered in surprise.
Although she moved silently, Kong Chengyi clearly heard her footsteps. As the fresh figure was about to pass by him, his hand unconsciously grabbed her wrist.
Tears welled in her eyes, but Hua Lianxi stubbornly lifted her chin and straightened her back to walk briskly away. Suddenly, her wrist was gripped tightly, forcing her to stop.
Slightly turning, Kong Chengyi clearly saw the tears at the corner of her eyes. His fingertips unknowingly squeezed with a bit more force.
Her wrist stung sharply, and Hua Lianxi glared with wide eyes, turning to look back. "Mr. Kong!" At this moment, whoever had stopped her would be burned by her fury and the grief she couldn't express.
It was like a heavy blow to the chest—at the mere mention of "Mr. Kong," Kong Chengyi released her wrist instantly. His cold features twisted slightly, a hint of anger flashing.
Freed, Hua Lianxi didn't sense his quiet anger and continued walking without looking back, leaving the café.
Wiping her face hard to remove dripping water, Ran Fang turned around intending to leave the café as well.
"Ran Fang, what is your intention? Why hurt Lianxi? Bastard, you used me!" Cheng Yi shouted recklessly, chasing after Ran Fang, determined to uncover his purpose.
The three left one after another. The once noisy café fell silent from their shouting, then as soon as they left, the noise resumed instantly.
Kong Chengyi strode toward the café's private room, clenching the large hand that had just gripped her wrist into a fist, deliberately suppressing the anger boiling in his chest. Yet he still slightly cherished the delicate feel of her wrist, as if remembering a familiar touch—one he had experienced in his dreams late at night.
Hua Lianxi hurriedly left the café and hailed a taxi, heading straight for the sanatorium.
It was lunchtime. Hua Zhenzhen sat obediently on the bed, being fed patiently by a nurse. Her delicate eyes now appeared hollow and dull once again.
Tears stubbornly held back in her eyes finally burst forth like a dam breaking. Hua Lianxi stuffed her hand into her mouth, hiding by the window outside, silently grieving.
Having finally emerged from despair, once again raising a brave smile to face fate and resume her role as guardian, she was shattered by Ran Fang's easy strike. Her heart pounded violently, as if a sharp sword pierced deep into her chest, causing endless bleeding.
Her deeply hidden scars were always easily uncovered. What she thought healed was so fragile under the harsh blows of reality.
Crushing the last cigarette butt into the ashtray, Kong Chengyi flicked the ashes from his clothes with a sober expression. He opened the study door and saw Ding Jia standing barefoot inside.
"Yi…" Dressed in a thin nightdress, Ding Jia softly called the man who had stayed in the study all night.
"Why did you get up so early?" Kong Chengyi wrapped an arm around her waist, naturally guiding her toward the master bedroom.
Nestled against his chest, Ding Jia caught the strong scent of smoke and subtly frowned. "You didn't come to sleep all night, so I couldn't sleep!" Since coming back from the company that afternoon, he had been brooding in the study, even locking the door rarely—a clear sign he didn't want to be disturbed.
"Some things at the company needed my attention," he said, eyes squinting slightly. The image of the tearful, distant figure at the café flashed through his mind—the image that had haunted him all night.
"Why not leave it to Ke Jie? I'd worry if you keep exhausting yourself like this. What if you ruin your health?" Ding Jia wiped at her eyes, trying to draw close and rekindle their past warmth through this sad mood.
Supporting her waist with one hand, Kong Chengyi lowered his head and gently kissed her forehead. "Go back to sleep a little more. I'll shower and then go to the company." Ignoring her concern, he went straight to the wardrobe.
Frozen in place, Ding Jia hadn't expected her hint to move him to be completely ignored again.
Holding his bathrobe in one hand and unbuttoning his shirt with the other, Kong Chengyi smelled of stale smoke after an entire night of cigarettes. At dawn, he awoke fully disgusted by the odor clinging to him.
Seeing him pass by quietly, Ding Jia smoothed away her resentment and smiled sympathetically. "You didn't rest all night. Let me make you breakfast—at least eat something before going to the company." No matter what, she felt the image of the dutiful wife had to be maintained—and besides, winning his heart started with his stomach.
With a brief "Hmm," Kong Chengyi didn't refuse her offer and entered the bathroom.
Standing in the large room, listening to the running water in the bathroom, Ding Jia suddenly threw a pillow heavily onto the bed, releasing her frustration. Puffing out her cheeks, she thought for a moment, then went to the wardrobe and opened it.
Appearing refreshed, Ding Jia entered the living room, where Kong Chengyi was twisting his cufflink with one hand, eyes fixed on the kitchen.
The open kitchen was fully visible. The silver-white cabinets gleamed in the morning light. A black form with an hourglass figure elegantly shook a frying pan, the faint "sizzle" sounding loud in the quiet early hour.
For a moment, the silhouette of her curvy black figure overlapped with the faint gray memory—a peaceful, comfortable image. A long-forgotten yet unfamiliar feeling slowly spread, threatening to blur the boundaries of time.
Stepping slowly closer to the kitchen, Kong Chengyi's hand paused while adjusting his tie, concentrating intently on her somewhat clumsy movements, noticing slight differences from the mastery in his memories. Unconsciously, he furrowed his brows.
"Yi, almost done!" Ding Jia noticed his approach, turned with a radiant smile, and happily called out. Before he could react, she leaned forward and kissed his lips.
The rich fragrance of her perfume filled his nostrils. Kong Chengyi was stunned and unresponsive as all the gray memories suddenly faded away. Ding Jia's smiling face instantly magnified infinitely.
"I'm not eating—I'm going back to the company!" His voice low and steady, Kong Chengyi quickly turned and strode away from the perfume-laden kitchen without hesitation.