Chapter 75: Chapter 75 Departure
Chen Xiao swallowed. At this moment, Qin Lan was exuding an irresistible charm, enough to make any man lose control. He gasped; drunk, she had become even more enchanting.
Then, he suddenly pulled her up. Outside, people were constantly coming and going, and the sound of footsteps could be heard from time to time. Qin Lan bit her red lips until they nearly bled. In the end, her body leaned powerlessly against the door...
Chen Xiao panted heavily.
Having regained her composure, Qin Lan cast a resentful glance at him. "Still not enough..."
"Want to go somewhere else?" Chen Xiao glanced around, feeling a little guilty.
"Mm, Iāve already booked a hotel," Qin Lan said.
At that moment, Chen Xiao felt like a lamb walking into a tigerās den...
After a night of passionate entanglement, sunlight flooded into the room the next day. Chen Xiao slowly opened his eyes, one hand supporting his sore waist.
"Youāre awake?" Qin Lan, her face glowing with a rosy complexion, brought over the breakfast she had prepared. She had booked a high-end suite, which came with simple ingredients and kitchenware so they could cook for themselves.
Chen Xiao couldnāt be bothered to rinse his mouth. He directly drank a bowl of hot soup to replenish his nutrients. His stamina had been greatly depleted, and though he wasnāt dizzy, his stomach was growling with hunger.
Qin Lan, meanwhile, rested her chin on her hands, quietly watching him.
After he had eaten and drunk his fill, Chen Xiao finally spoke. "That day at the auction, I saw someone who looked a lot like you."
"Actually, that was me," Qin Lan nodded, telling him the truth.
"Oh?" Chen Xiao was somewhat surprised.
"Iāve returned to the Qin Family and have had my identity restored. That day, I saw those bullies from the Jiang Family picking on you from above, and I couldnāt help but get some payback for you," Qin Lan said with a mischievous smile. "The herbs I gave you for free... the Jiang Family must have been furious enough to spit blood."
"So, the woman who spoke... that was you," Chen Xiao suddenly realized.
Based on Jiang Tianyiās attitude toward Qin Lan, the family she belonged to was anything but ordinary. After all, Jiang Tianyi seemed deeply wary of her, not even daring to refute her words.
"Jiang Tianyi invited me to a private auction. He originally wanted me to back him, but I refused. He then settled for inviting me as a distinguished guest."
"If you stab them in the back like that, wonāt they come after you?" Chen Xiao asked, concerned.
Qin Lan laughed again. "They donāt have the guts or the ability. After I contacted the Qin Family, they sent two masters to protect me. Continuing to hide in Yuncheng City under an assumed name isnāt a long-term solution. I have to face whatās coming eventually."
The atmosphere grew silent.
"I used to think that by running away, I could live a peaceful life. But as they say, āThe tree longs for stillness, but the wind will not cease.ā I canāt keep running anymore," Qin Lanās gaze gradually firmed. "I have to go back. Itās time to settle the scores of the past..."
Chen Xiao put down what he was holding. "Canāt you stay?"
Qin Lan was taken aback. "What? Have you fallen for me? Canāt bear for me to go?"
Chen Xiao neither admitted nor denied it. "Itās just... Iāve suddenly realized how strange life becomes when someone is missing. I never felt this way when you were here."
Qin Lan suddenly chuckled. "Is this a confession?"
"Is this... considered a confession?" Chen Xiao rubbed his nose.
"Iāll take it as one," Qin Lan said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "But I really do have things I need to handle."
Chen Xiao stated, word by word, "Iāll help you deal with them. You stay here."
Qin Lan chuckled, then reached out and caressed his cheek. "Little man, this matter isnāt as simple as you think. There are some things I must face myself."
Another, more important reason was that she didnāt want to drag Chen Xiao into this. The Qin Family was a top-tier aristocratic family that had stood unshaken in Zhonghai for hundreds of years. The intensity of their internal conflicts was unimaginable to outsiders; the slightest misstep meant death! Although Chen Xiao had some power, Qin Lan didnāt believe he could contend with an entire family.
He said solemnly, "I donāt want anything to happen to you."
Qin Lan forced a smile. "Once Iāve settled everything, Iāll come back to Yuncheng City to find you."
"But... what if you canāt come back?" Chen Xiao asked, each word deliberate.
"Then... forget me," Qin Lan said calmly. "It was an honor to have been a part of your life. Itās just a pity we didnāt meet at a better time."
Chen Xiao fell silent. The feeling of impending separation surged through him, bringing with it an inexplicable ache.
"Theyāre here to pick me up," Qin Lan said, then offered a faint smile. "Wait for my good news."
With that, she turned and left with an air of graceful poise.
"I have a gift for you," Chen Xiao said. He took out the Nourishing Facial Cream. "This is a Beauty Ointment for your face. Itās enough for two months. Iāll give you two months to handle your affairs. After that, Iāll come find you and help you eliminate any threats."
Qin Lan smiled. "And what if Iām no longer around by then?"
Chen Xiaoās voice was steady as he said, word by word, "Then Iāll kill everyone who harmed you!"
Hearing this, Qin Lanās heart trembled. She accepted the Nourishing Facial Cream and kissed him on the forehead. "Donāt see me off. Iām afraid I wonāt be able to leave."
"Be good to Qingli. Sheās a wonderful girl whoās worth cherishing..."
Chen Xiao sank into his seat, stunned.
Qin Lan clutched the simple gift in her hand and quietly closed the door behind her.
Once the door was shut, the room felt vast and empty. Chen Xiao sat down, feeling a profound sense of loss, and lit a cigarette...
He thought he had long since become indifferent to everything, including life and death. Yet when the moment of parting came, his emotions were utterly beyond his control. The hardest part of life... is letting go.