Chapter Thirty-Eight: Entanglement

"Wait here for me. I'll go bring the car around."

Yu Youchu nodded and stood where she was, waiting for Pei Jiayin. Before he had been gone long, a surprised voice came from behind her.

"Xiaoyu?"

Yu Youchu went rigid, feeling absolutely no desire to turn around. It was truly a case of meeting a foe on a narrow path.

"Xiaoyu! It really is you!"

Seeing that she wouldn't turn, Shen Wang walked directly in front of her. A month had passed, but he still maintained his usual polished appearance.

"Xiaoyu, you..."

"Mr. Shen, we aren't that close."

Yu Youchu kept her face expressionless. A faint flush from the alcohol she had consumed still lingered on her cheeks, spreading in circles like a juicy peach that one couldn't help but want to take a bite of. Her clear eyes were veiled with a misty haze.

Shen Wang couldn't help but take a step forward. "You... did you drink? Is it because of me?"

"You have quite the ego."

Yu Youchu's voice was cold. She knew that if she showed even the slightest bit of politeness, Shen Wang would cling to her like a leech.

"Xiaoyu, I know you're still angry about what happened before. Don't worry, I've already deleted Lin Qingwan..."

"Whether you deleted her or not has nothing to do with me anymore, understand? Stop pestering me."

Yu Youchu took a step back.

"Then tell me, if it isn't because of me, why are you drinking? I know you hate alcohol the most; you’ve never been a drinker." Shen Wang pressed on, step by step.

"Stop coming closer!" Yu Youchu sneered. It would have been fine if he hadn't mentioned it, but now he was stepping on landmines with pinpoint accuracy. "I hate to disappoint you, but I like drinking, and we even brew various fruit wines at home. What did you think it was? A soft drink?"

"I..."

"You don't know anything at all!"

Yu Youchu's voice rose, sounding as if she were truly angry. Yet, Shen Wang was like a dog catching a scent. "Xiaoyu, just admit it. You still love me, don't you? Otherwise, you wouldn't be this angry! Xiaoyu, let's get back together. I promise I'll remember everything about you from now on."

"I will love you for the rest of my life, Xiaoyu."

As he spoke, Shen Wang reached out to grab her hand. Caught off guard, Yu Youchu felt her wrist clamped by his grip. The cold bracelet dug into her skin, making her wince in pain.

Shen Wang clearly noticed the bracelet on her wrist. He was familiar with more brands than she was and recognized it immediately as a piece from Van Cleef & Arpels' Alhambra collection.

"Who gave this to you? Was it that guy?!" The bracelet seemed to hit a sore spot for Shen Wang. Behind Yu Youchu stood the Jinyang Hotel. "Were you eating with him tonight?"

"And what if I was?" Yu Youchu looked at him with mockery. Truly, people with dirty hearts saw filth in everything. Pei Jiayin was right; she could guess every bit of the sordid thoughts behind Shen Wang's skin.

He suddenly yanked her into his arms.

"Damn it!" Yu Youchu exploded instantly. Shen Wang was a lunatic!

Her field of vision was suddenly restricted, and for the first time, she hated that she wasn't taller. She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, but the smell of cigarettes on Shen Wang made her feel dizzy. He was a chain-smoker; she knew from proximity alone that he smoked no fewer than ten a day.

She stomped hard on his leather shoe, and he let out a muffled grunt, but his arms didn't loosen. She tried to raise her knee to hit him in the groin, but Shen Wang anticipated the move and pinned her legs down.

"I know you don't like him. I know it."

Passersby assumed they were just a young couple arguing and chose to ignore them.

"Shen Wang, are you insane?"

Yu Youchu pushed against him, but the disparity in strength was too great. She began to curse, hurling every foul word she knew at him—it was unbearable to listen to.

"Xiaoyu, go ahead and curse me. You'll feel better once you get it out. I just never noticed your feelings before. Let's start over!"

Shen Wang ignored her, his lips almost brushing against her ear.

"Shen Wang! Shen Wang, listen to me." Yu Youchu was at her wit's end, so she softened her voice. "Let me go now, and we'll call it even. But if you don't let me go, this is sexual harassment. Do you understand?"

"The incident with Pei Jiayin last time cost you dearly, didn't it? He’ll be here any second. Let me go, please?"

Yu Youchu knew the art of giving a slap and a sweet treat. Shen Wang hesitated, and his grip slackened slightly.

"Xiaoyu, are you afraid of Pei Jiayin seeing you in my arms?"

Shen Wang lowered his head, his bleary eyes locked onto hers. Terrified, Yu Youchu felt as if a basin of cold water had been poured over her from head to toe. She couldn't help but tremble, her voice turning thin. "Let me go... let me go."

Shen Wang clamped down on her arms, the force making her face contort in pain.

"Shen Wang, you're hurting me..."

He didn't listen. A scarlet hue crept into his eyes. "Have you... fallen for someone else? Have you started liking Pei Jiayin? Tell me, is it true!"

Yu Youchu bit her lip hard, answering his question with silence. Her refusal to speak completely shattered Shen Wang’s last shred of sanity. He lost all control and lowered his head, intending to kiss her.

Yu Youchu felt his breath against her face, triggering a deep sense of dread. She squeezed her eyes shut, buried her head, and thrashed from side to side to avoid him.

Just then, Shen Wang stopped.

"Who the hell are you! Do you have a death wish?"

Shen Wang felt his hand being gripped with crushing force.

"If you touch her again, I guarantee this arm of yours will be ruined." Pei Jiayin's voice sounded like it contained a thousand razor blades; his dark eyes held an endless storm.

Heaven knows how furious he was when he drove up and saw Yu Youchu being held like this.

Hearing Pei Jiayin's voice, Yu Youchu finally lifted her head. "Pei Jiayin..." She hadn't felt particularly aggrieved, but the moment she saw his face, the emotion amplified infinitely. A large tear rolled down her cheek.

Pei Jiayin’s hand tightened instinctively; he was struggling to keep his own emotions in check. Shen Wang turned pale and let out a cry of pain.

"I said, let go."

Shen Wang was just an office worker who hadn't exercised since college; how could he compare to Pei Jiayin? He hadn't wanted to let go, but the sheer force of Pei Jiayin's suppression forced him to yield.

Seeing Shen Wang release her, Pei Jiayin stepped forward, shielding Yu Youchu from him.

"Can you walk?"

He turned his head, his voice so soft it was as if he were afraid his own tone might blow her away.

Yu Youchu had calmed down, nodding with red-rimmed eyes.