Chapter 92: Not Saying Goodbye

Night had fallen, and though the store was busy, everything ran smoothly.

Adding two more employees really made a difference. Everyone’s workload was lighter, but they weren’t idle.

“Look, there’s a girl on the sidewalk staring this way. Do you know her?” Bei Wei pointed out to the street and softly called Zhang Yang.

“Where?” Zhang Yang looked curiously, then froze mid-smile.

“You really know her?” Bei Wei watched him, still smiling. “Do you… want to go over?”

“Yeah, I’ll go over.” Zhang Yang nodded, seeing the Aston Martin on the roadside and Luo Xinyu standing by it.

“Then hurry,” Bei Wei whispered. “Don’t make her wait too long.”

Zhang Yang left the counter. He hadn’t walked two steps when Bei Wei softly called after him, “Hey, Zhang Yang.”

“Hm?” Zhang Yang stopped.

“I’ll be at the apartment tonight-the one you stayed in before. Will you come back?” Bei Wei looked at him, her eyes full of hope.

“I’ll come back. Definitely tonight,” Zhang Yang nodded without hesitation.

Bei Wei immediately smiled.

On the roadside, seeing Zhang Yang approaching directly, Luo Xinyu was slightly surprised.

“You’re… coming straight over? Aren’t you worried…”

“Worried about what?” Zhang Yang smiled. “It’s late. You’re standing on the street-want to go inside?”

Luo Xinyu blinked, caught off guard by his unusual approach.

“No need to go inside. You might not believe it, but I really just wanted to watch from the roadside. Purely curious,” Luo Xinyu shook her head. “My dad’s sending me abroad.”

“Abroad?” Zhang Yang felt an inexplicable relief. “That’s good. Going abroad to study?”

“Something like that. Isn’t it great?” Luo Xinyu smiled at him. “One unstable factor that occasionally disrupted your rhythm is about to disappear.”

“Not bad,” Zhang Yang said, subtly relieved but keeping his expression neutral.

“Since I’m leaving the country for a long time, take me for a drive tonight?” Luo Xinyu asked, her eyes hopeful.

“That’s not right,” Zhang Yang shook his head, unwilling to create a private situation.

“Just this once. Give me some face, please.” Luo Xinyu seemed to sense his firm tone and gently tugged his arm.

“After all, we’ve been honest and communicated deeply…”

“Enough,” Zhang Yang interrupted. “Let’s keep it simple. Just a casual drive.”

“Okay!” Luo Xinyu’s heart leapt. She wanted to hug him but restrained herself, sensing the girl from the store watching from afar.

“Shall we get in?” She opened the passenger door.

Under the lights of Shanghai at night, the city looked like daytime.

Luo Xinyu drove, wind blowing through her hair.

“Is that your girlfriend just now? She’s really pretty, and obedient-looking too. Don’t guys usually like that?”

“What do you think? Who wants someone full of thorns, bossy, or demanding? Who’d want that?” Zhang Yang chuckled.

“You mean me?” Luo Xinyu lowered her gaze.

“Don’t take it personally,” Zhang Yang replied casually.

She pouted silently.

Driving the Aston Martin, she sped toward the outer ring, the traffic thinning and road conditions excellent.

Far behind, the whirring of engines approached.

Zhang Yang glanced in the rearview mirror. A red Ferrari, a G-Class, and several other cars were closing in.

The Ferrari and Aston ran side by side. A short-haired girl glanced out the window.

“Luo Xinyu, having fun? Racing with a guy this late?”

Luo Xinyu slowed, her expression cold, preparing to pull over. She didn’t want conflict, but the other side did.

As her car stopped, the Ferrari-led group also slowed.

“Looking for trouble? Your opponent?” Zhang Yang asked casually.

“Sort of. Their family is a business rival of my dad’s, and we don’t get along,” Luo Xinyu said, her eyes flashing with helplessness.

She wanted to avoid trouble, but it was futile.

The cars stopped. Luo Xinyu sighed and got out. Zhang Yang stayed in the car, watching.

Several cars stopped nearby. From the Ferrari came a short-haired, androgynous girl, followed by a dozen subordinates.

Zhang Yang’s sharp eyes spotted a particularly strong figure-likely the guy from COFCO Haijing apartment who had been slapped by Luo Xinyu. His name… Zhan Peng?

“It’s late, say what you need,” Luo Xinyu stood in the night wind, arms crossed.

“Seeing an old friend, can’t I say hi?” The short-haired girl smiled, sizing up Luo Xinyu. “So little clothing? Aren’t you cold?”

“None of your business,” Luo Xinyu’s face was icy.

“Haha, clearly taking him out with you-saving on hotel money,” a nearby guy whispered, amused.

Luo Xinyu’s gaze sharpened. Without thinking, she slapped him.

“If you can’t talk, don’t. Go home and have your mom teach you again!”

The slap landed hard. The guy covered his face in shock and looked to the short-haired girl.

“What are you staring at? Go back!” she glared. “I’m here. Any concerns?”

The guy hesitated, then clenched his teeth, ready to retaliate.

Luo Xinyu, being female, stepped back slightly.

“Wait.” A tall figure blocked him-it was Zhan Peng.

“Give me some face,” Zhan Peng said.

“Zhan Peng? Betrayal?” the short-haired girl frowned. “Try to stop me again?”

“I can’t just watch you hurt Xinyu,” Zhan Peng said bitterly. “Do whatever you want to me, just please…”

Slap!

Zhan Peng covered his face, head down, standing still.

“You idiot, drag him away!” The girl waved. Two guys dragged Zhan Peng aside, punching and kicking him to keep him from retaliating.

“Luo Xinyu, your family’s nearly bankrupt, and you’re still arrogant?” she stepped forward. “Your top simp is gone. Who’s left to protect you?”

Luo Xinyu’s face paled, but she tried to stand her ground.

“And the guy in your car? Stand up if you dare. No? See? No one’s helping you,” the girl sneered at Zhang Yang in the car.

Luo Xinyu bit her lip, heart sinking. His presence was neutral-he wouldn’t get involved now.

“Tang Yinan, what do you want to do?” Luo Xinyu lifted her chin to face the girl.

“Do? You slapped my friend. I just return the favor. Fair, right?” Tang Yinan smiled and raised her hand.

A dozen subordinates watched eagerly, some recording on their phones.

Beep! Beep!

The Aston Martin horn sounded sharply.

The night quiet was pierced. Everyone turned to look.

The passenger door opened, and a tall, handsome figure stepped out. Eyes widened-some teasing, some watching with interest.

“Get in. Time to go,” Zhang Yang said to Luo Xinyu, unconcerned.

“Ah?” Luo Xinyu froze, looking at his tall silhouette under the streetlights. “Zhang Yang, you… why did you come down?”

Zhang Yang ignored her and opened the driver’s door.

“Go back? Who do you think you are? Move aside!” Tang Yinan frowned, slapping toward Luo Xinyu.

The slap hit the air-next second, a hand firmly gripped it, immobilizing her.

“Get in!” Zhang Yang signaled to Luo Xinyu.

Clingy, annoying-sure. But he couldn’t just watch.

“I… I won’t.” Luo Xinyu hesitated, stubborn. “If she wants to slap me, fine. Don’t get involved…”

“Let go!” Tang Yinan’s hand was gripped by iron. She glared at Zhang Yang. “I said let go! Hear me?”

Without thinking, she swung her other hand toward him.

“Where’d you learn to slap people?” Zhang Yang snapped. Luo Xinyu might be clingy, but aside from that, she had no problem. This woman, though-slapping him?

He flicked his hand. Tang Yinan staggered to the ground.

“What the-dare to hit me!”

“You dared to touch Yinan!”

A dozen young men, all shapes and sizes, shouted and rushed forward.

Luo Xinyu grabbed Zhang Yang’s arm tightly.

“Move aside.” Zhang Yang stretched, seeing the mob of wannabes, calm as ever.

Ahead, a figure approached, fists slicing through the air, looking fierce.

Without a second thought, Zhang Yang kicked out.

Bang!

A figure arced through the air, slamming hard into the side of a nearby G-Class.

The car jolted, metal clanging.

Bang bang!

Two more solidly built guys were each sent rolling across the ground by Zhang Yang, tumbling several steps like ragdolls.

Zhang Yang stretched, feeling the rhythm.

For him, this barely counted as a warm-up. Even if ten more showed up, it wouldn’t make much of a difference.

Tang Yinan sat dumbfounded, watching her subordinates fall one by one. His fists clenched weakly.

How could he be so strong? Ten people-this wasn’t ten chickens!

Soon, none of them were standing, all sprawled on the ground, groaning.

“Is that all?” Zhang Yang asked, hands in his pockets. His clothes were spotless in the night air, and Luo Xinyu watched him from a distance, eyes dazed.

The instigator remained leaning against a car, unmoving. Zhang Yang stepped forward, towering over him.

“Don’t come closer!” Tang Yinan looked up, instinctively leaning back.

“Hit people, not faces. Got it?” Zhang Yang said to her.

Tang Yinan hesitated, then nodded firmly.

Zhang Yang ignored her, turning to Luo Xinyu, still standing stunned under the streetlight.

“Let’s go. I have to get back.”

He reached for Luo Xinyu. This time, she obediently followed, silent the whole way.

On the way back, Zhang Yang noticed Luo Xinyu was in a daze. He didn’t let her drive, letting her sit in the passenger seat while he sped them along.

Luo Xinyu didn’t speak, just stared at him quietly-no arrogance, no playful attempts at control.

“Wait,” she suddenly murmured.

“What is it?” Zhang Yang glanced at her.

“Don’t… stop at your store yet,” she said, eyes downcast, shyly.

“Hm? Why?” Zhang Yang didn’t press. When they neared the store, he parked some distance away.

“If we stop at the front, people will see,” Luo Xinyu whispered, tentatively looping her arm around him and leaning into his chest.

“Don’t move. Last time… I won’t appear again.”

Zhang Yang looked at her. Just as he was about to speak, he felt nothing but warmth and softness in his arms. He let her stay.

“Sorry for dragging you into this,” Luo Xinyu whispered after some time, lifting her head.

“Think about it-you got slapped. How is that my business?” Zhang Yang hadn’t finished speaking when Luo Xinyu pressed her lips to his, silencing him.

The car fell silent, filled with her sweet breath.

“You wouldn’t, because you can’t bear it, right?” she said gently, smiling. “I take back what I said-you can’t be called a total scumbag.”

Zhang Yang awkwardly touched his nose, curious what she would say next.

“Real scumbags are heartless,” she said, stroking his face. “You’re different. You’re greedy, flirtatious, but not heartless. And you respond to softness, not force.”

“Thanks for the review,” Zhang Yang chuckled. “Alright, I’m getting out.”

“Wait,” she called softly.

“What now?” Zhang Yang held the car door, looking back.

“If I leave, we may never meet again. Don’t you want to say something?” Luo Xinyu’s eyes shone with hope.

Zhang Yang glanced at her, sighing slightly.

“Let’s hug.” Naturally, he wrapped her in his arms.

Luo Xinyu froze, then felt the spacious, warm embrace. Her eyes lit up in surprise.

As far as she remembered, this was the first time he had taken the initiative. The previous times had been half-pushed, half-consented…

“If you keep me, I could… not leave,” she whispered into his ear.

“Don’t… Miss, don’t tease me,” Zhang Yang said, patting her back gently. “Wishing you a bright future, and your family a swift recovery.”

“You scared me,” Luo Xinyu laughed softly, brushing his long hair off his shoulder. “Shall we meet again at the peak?”

“Sure. Meet at the peak,” Zhang Yang agreed.

He got out without hesitation. The car window slowly rolled down behind him.

“Oh, and tell your girlfriend to work hard too. She looks obedient, but may lack fighting skills. When I return, I don’t want her to lose to me,” Luo Xinyu teased from the window, smiling.

“No need,” Zhang Yang waved, muttering under his breath.

“Me, Zhang Yang, actually so popular now? Need girls competing with each other?”

Streetlights illuminated his tall, handsome figure as he walked toward his Cullinan.

Late at night, he drove back to his long-unvisited apartment.

Inside, it was quiet-Bei Wei was probably asleep.

He showered, dried his hair, then tiptoed into the room.

Inside, he could just make out Bei Wei’s silhouette on the bed.

“Asleep?” Zhang Yang whispered cautiously.

No movement. She was indeed asleep.

He lay down gently and pulled the soft, petite girl into his arms.