Chapter 39

Living together with Shu Qingyou was undoubtedly more comfortable than distressing. She muddled through her identity crisis in a brainless haze before slipping into a state of utter relaxation.

After all, she couldn’t remember anything anyway. The world was vast, but happiness came first. She’d live day by day, flop around like a salted fish, and mooch off soft rice without shame.

Returning to the cold luxury mansion, however, made her realize viscerally that some things could only be avoided briefly. Trouble had a way of finding her unbidden.

Lin Xu trusted her instincts. Her slender fingers curled up, and with a cold expression, she tapped rhythmically on the center console. The plastic shell emitted a dull thud.

Her eyes remained locked on the vehicle trailing behind them. “That car seems to be following us,” she said.

Shu Qingyou’s eyelid twitched. Her back stiffened, and she nearly lost her grip on the steering wheel.

Lin Xu was rarely this serious, which stirred up unpleasant memories for Shu Qingyou.

But there was no time to question whether Lin Xu was telling the truth. After passing the traffic light, she yanked the wheel and headed toward the city center.

Several cars of different colors trailed behind. Shu Qingyou’s grip tightened on the wheel as she slowed down slightly. “Which one?”

Lin Xu watched for a few seconds before confirming. “The gray Volkswagen. Pretty unassuming. Not sure if they’re hostile.”

Some memories suddenly surged like a tidal wave. Lin Xu analyzed calmly. “They might not stick to just one car for tailing.”

She turned back, her voice emotionless and indifferent. “Where are you heading? City center or highway?”

“City center. Should I get on the highway?”

“No need. Your driving is passable at best. Continuous turns or dead ends would be tricky. Let’s stop at a gas station later.”

Shu Qingyou pondered this. It was the familiar formula—Lin Xu casually saying things that bruised her pride, even if they were true. Brutally direct.

Doubting Lin Xu’s current state, she agreed. “If we speed up, Rongrong will get carsick.”

Fair point. Lin Xu blinked. In the back seat, Shu Rong had already pulled out the dragon cat. Lin Xu rubbed her arms. “Speaking of which, we need to give the dragon cat a bath when we get back.”

“Mm.”

Sensing Shu Qingyou’s distance, Lin Xu was puzzled. She leaned down slightly, tilting her head from below to peek at Shu Qingyou’s face, lips curving up.

Shu Qingyou’s smooth, soft jawline tensed as her lips pressed together, giving her a somewhat petulant look.

Lin Xu let out an “aiya” to get her attention.

Shu Qingyou remained unmoved, deliberately avoiding Lin Xu’s unabashedly heated gaze. “Okay,” she said, trying not to look at her.

She’s really mad, Lin Xu thought, reviewing her earlier words.

It must be the driving comment. Lin Xu nearly laughed but held back, not wanting to escalate Shu Qingyou’s annoyance.

“It’s not like you actually have to refuel. We’ll see when we get there.”

Shu Qingyou knew the basics of shaking a tail. With patience, she found a gas station on the navigation.

Along the way, that car didn’t switch vehicles. A single one followed at a leisurely pace.

The gas station was fairly empty, not near any sidewalks. Only one SUV was nearly done fueling up. Lin Xu got out and stretched lazily.

She leaned on the car roof, head tilted, gaze drifting.

Shu Qingyou didn’t share Lin Xu’s tension. Once the car ahead finished, she grabbed the fuel nozzle.

Unexpectedly, the trailing car slowed as it approached from their side and rear, drawing closer. Lin Xu straightened up and stepped in front of Shu Qingyou.

Her hands were shoved in her pockets—she thought it looked cool, though it was really just to keep them from flailing.

A short-haired woman poked her head out of the car. Black suit, towering at nearly 190 cm tall. Lin Xu’s body tensed like a drawn bowstring.

“Qingyou, maybe don’t refuel,” she said softly.

Shu Qingyou thought it was unnecessary fuss. Lately, she’d been out and about a lot. Still, she popped the cap, selected the amount, and the machine’s noise reached Lin Xu’s ears.

The newcomer seemed even more nervous, barely breathing. She stopped about a meter away and met Lin Xu’s eyes, hand dipping into her pocket.

Lin Xu knew that posture all too well. She wanted Shu Qingyou to run, but then remembered: guns were banned here. No need to panic.

Wary, she asked, “Who are you?”

The woman raised her hand, producing a black leather wallet. She bowed respectfully, offering it carefully to show she meant no harm. “Sorry, Little President Lin. You might not remember me. I’m President Lin’s assistant. She asked me to give this to you.”

Lin Xu didn’t take it right away, vigilance intact. “You’ve been tailing me? Since when?”

She didn’t want to either. The suited woman smiled apologetically. “Not tailing. President Lin was worried you’d leave the mansion suddenly. She hopes you’ll look at these documents.”

“Oh.” Lin Xu accepted the envelope primly and flipped it open. A stack of files. She lowered her voice. “What’s this mean?”

Shu Qingyou listened silently, capped the tank, and strolled unhurriedly into the convenience store for breakfast.

When she returned, sipping a cappuccino, she saw Lin Xu fiddling interestedly with the reflective card.

Lin Xu tilted her head and smiled sweetly at Shu Qingyou. “What’d you get, Shu-jie? You were in there forever.”

Shu Qingyou held up the black coffee and pineapple bun.

But Lin Xu wanted to share the good news ASAP. She pulled the serene Shu Qingyou close. “I want a sip too.”

“Here, yours.”

Lin Xu had been ready to share the straw, but now she pouted like a puppy, hair brushing Shu Qingyou’s face, looking adorably disappointed.

“But…”

“No buts.”

There were people around. Shu Qingyou chided her fondly. “We agreed: no public displays.”

Lin Xu exhaled. “Yes, yes, you call the shots.”

The assistant, tasked by President Lin, watched this flirtatious exchange awkwardly, jaw nearly dropping.

Everyone at home knew Little President Lin had a haughty fiancée. She marveled inwardly: As expected of Little President Lin. Red flag firm at home, colorful flags fluttering outside.

She just wanted to escape. Raising her voice, “President Lin, this is the project authorization file. How about we chat in the car?”

Lin Xu sipped the soy milk—not as sweet as Shu Qingyou’s mouth. Impatiently eyeing the file: Smart Driving Technology Joint Development Agreement.

The seals and signatures were impeccably neat. Lin Xu paused. “I’ve signed this.”

“Yes, you led the negotiations three months ago. Integrated three core supply chains, finalized the core algorithms and production plans yourself. The whole project was built around you. President Lin said it’s best if you keep it personally.”

Lin Xu nodded calmly, slipping the card and files back into the wallet. She inclined her head. “Got it. Oh, and tell Grandma I’ll visit in a few days.”

The suited woman relaxed visibly, bowing politely. “Understood. I’ll relay to President Lin.”

“Wait,” Lin Xu called. “Tell Grandma no more tailing—it’s creepy. If she misses me, just call or video. And say hi from me: Grandma, I love you.”

With the outsider gone, Lin Xu turned clingy again, sticking to Shu Qingyou like glutinous rice cake. She nearly bounced. “Shu-jie, I got the card! Black card, mine, with my name on it. I’m rich now!”

Shu Qingyou smiled faintly. “It was always yours, silly.”

Lin Xu shrugged it off. “Doesn’t compare. Feels like winning a billion-lottery jackpot.”

“But lotteries don’t go up to billions.”

True. Lin Xu snuggled closer, looping her arm. “Yeah, but I still wanna work for you for free.”

She’d been so diligent lately—proud of it. Shu Qingyou tucked away the files, fed her bites of the pineapple bun. Lin Xu chomped happily.

“I really wanna go home and sleep.”

Her nerves relaxed, body following suit. Shu Qingyou said, “Didn’t you say you’d bathe the dragon cat first?”

Words spoken were water spilled. Lin Xu dragged her heavy eyelids home to get to work obediently.

The dragon cat was surprisingly well-behaved, probably worn out from Shu Rong’s constant handling.

Shu Rong, however, wasn’t listening.

Her clothes were dirtied by the dragon cat, and she insisted on watching the bath at the door.

Lin Xu had changed into a short-sleeved shirt and was rinsing the dragon cat. Jokingly, “How about you hop in the tub with it for a nice wash?”

Shu Rong actually started undressing.

Lin Xu panicked, wet hands yanking her clothes back into place. Sternly, “No stripping naked in front of anyone, including your mom!”

Shu Rong understood, nodding blankly. Okay, big sister, not in front of people.

Her voice was loud. Shu Qingyou came to check. The dragon cat, seeing the crowd, freaked out and leaped three feet high—right onto Shu Rong’s head.

Momentum sent Shu Rong stumbling back wide-eyed, collapsing into Shu Qingyou’s lap. Now both their outer clothes were a mess.

Lin Xu shot up from her crouch, pointing at the dragon cat. “You little menace, causing trouble again!”

The showerhead in her hand was still on, aimed upward by reflex. Whoosh—

Water sprayed straight at the mother-daughter duo plus one dragon cat.

Perfectly drenching Shu Qingyou. Her wet dress clung to her skin, outlining her lovely curves.

The atmosphere turned awkwardly comical.

Lin Xu froze, eyes glued to the two reddened points.

Shu Qingyou frowned slightly, leaning to shut off the shower. “I’ll wash it. You go out first.”

Oh no.

Lin Xu dropped to her knees, grabbing Shu Qingyou’s hand in apology. “Sorry, Shu-jie, I…”

She trailed off, staring at the captured left arm.

Shu Qingyou wore a pure white base layer shirt, now transparent where soaked.

The bathroom was warm. Lin Xu’s breath hitched.

Why… so many scars on Shu Qingyou’s arm.

One after another, varying depths and lengths, covering half her forearm.

Lin Xu’s eyes heated and swelled.

Shu Qingyou waited quietly for her to let go, voice low and gentle. “Done?”

Lin Xu snapped out of it—sort of. She turned away, snatched the dragon cat, and mumbled dazedly, “Yeah, I mean, I can finish washing it. You don’t worry.”

Shu Qingyou’s right hand covered her left arm, her tone meaningful. “Then it’s yours.”

Once everything was settled, Lin Xu lay in bed, still rattled. Those scars wrapped around her like a net.

She couldn’t forget them. Couldn’t forget.

Lin Xu pulled the pillow over her head. “Aaaah, can’t sleep.”

So, did someone hurt Shu Qingyou, or was it self-harm? Self-harm—that must hurt so much.

The words burned clear.

Reluctantly, she searched her phone for causes of self-harm. Results flooded the screen.