“You think it sounds good too? My classmates and colleagues always said my name was too plain. I’ve argued with them about this countless times,” An Ke tried to smile, feeling that this Lin Sao seemed very warm and caring, like a familiar elder who genuinely cared for her.
It was a large villa with extensive grounds, exuding a classical charm. They walked and chatted, seemingly oblivious to the beautiful scenery around them.
“Lin Sao, you can go now,” a man in a suit interrupted their conversation, standing before them.
Lin Sao patted An Ke’s hand, as if telling her to stay calm, and instructed: “An Ke, don’t wet the wound on your face these next few days. Apply this ointment on time, and the scar will fade soon.”
An Ke took the ointment and nodded, following the man into the villa’s hall: “Miss An, please come in.” Before she could respond, the man had already retreated outside.
An Ke stood inside, her heart tense, not interested in the interior decorations, instead lowering her head and wondering what the devil would do to her.
“An Ke?” Jun Hao stood by the second-floor stairs, looking down with a mocking smile: “At least your name sounds pleasant.”
An Ke looked up, seeing him in a white shirt and black dress pants, with a ray of sunlight falling precisely on him, obscuring his face.
Jun Hao remained upstairs, his mocking smile deepening: “Why don’t you ask why I called you here?”
“If you want to say something, you’ll say it. What difference does it make if I ask or not?” An Ke looked away, not wanting him to see her unease.
“Heh… quite spirited,” Jun Hao chuckled: “Perhaps you don’t know I most dislike women like you, who think they can read others’ minds.”
An Ke ignored him, knowing his words and thoughts were irrelevant to her. She just wanted to leave this oppressive place: “May I ask what business you have with me, Mr. Jun?”
“Please sit,” Jun Hao pointed to the sofa, “Miss An looks so restrained. Someone might think this is my hospitality.”
An Ke sat down without ceremony. Jun Hao walked down the circular staircase, sat opposite her, and lit a cigarette: “Would you like one?” An Ke politely declined.
“Cheng Hua, why haven’t you served our guest water? Do you know which cup to use?” Jun Hao lazily called outside.
“Boss, I know what kind of cup to use for different guests,” the man outside promptly responded, master and servant in perfect sync.
An Ke was indifferent, not caring how they spoke about her.
Whether intentionally or not, he blew smoke rings until the cigarette burned out. Jun Hao reached out and touched the cheek An Ke had slapped the previous night, lightly laughing: “Miss An, do you know? Last night was the first time I, Jun Hao, was slapped.” His smile never wavered, looking like old friends chatting.
An Ke listened quietly, waiting for him to continue.
“Here’s one million,” he tossed a prepared check onto the coffee table, watching An Ke’s expression: “It’s yours if you agree.”
One million was nothing to Jun Hao but could solve many problems for An Ke – pay her overdue rent, pay her brother’s tuition, continue her studies, and help her father live better. The money was indeed tempting. An Ke’s heart wavered: “Agree to what?”
Jun Hao laughed confidently: “Slap yourself with all your might, just like you did to me last night, and then apologize. It’s that simple, and the money is yours.”
“That’s really all?” An Ke asked.
“Yes, that simple,” Jun Hao’s smile deepened.
An Ke picked up the check, examined it, then threw it back on the table, challenging him: “If you slap yourself and apologize, I’ll give you this one million.”
“Ungrateful woman, do you think this will make me interested and fall in love with you?” Jun Hao knew she wasn’t trying to appear noble, he just hated her arrogant attitude, looking at her with mockery.
“Love? I disdain the love of someone like you. Besides a good-looking exterior and some money, what else do you have?” An Ke could no longer tolerate this arrogant man.
Jun Hao was momentarily stunned, then coldly laughed: “Hmm, you’re right. Apart from money, I have nothing. And what do you have?”
Yes, she had nothing and desperately needed money, but she would never accept money like this. Suppressing her anger, she softly asked: “Mr. Jun, is there anything else?” Without waiting for an answer, she stood and walked out.
If Miss An ever changes her mind, she can contact my subordinates at any time. The number is already stored in her broken phone.” Watching her departing back, Jun Hao’s smile remained unchanged as he leisurely threw out these words. He was waiting for the day she would come back to beg him, and he was even more convinced that this day would come soon.
“Clap clap…” A few slapping sounds came from upstairs, and a man in white casual wear, with a slender body and light blue eyes, had a thoughtful smile. He leaned on the railing: “What an eye-opener today. I never thought our formidable Jun Hao would one day slap a woman. It’s a pity I wasn’t present at the scene last night.”
…
004 Sakai Kensei
“Chenghua, drag this person out,” Jun Hao called to someone outside the door, ignoring the mockery from upstairs, his face still wearing its usual faint smile.
“Boss.” Chenghua, who was called, immediately ran in, looking at Jun Hao at a loss.
“It’s okay, you can go out,” the man upstairs conveniently helped Chenghua out, only leaving after seeing that Jun Hao didn’t object.
“Hao, if you’re angry, you can take it out on me,” the man slowly walked down the stairs and sat down, smiling: “Besides, this isn’t anyone’s fault. I came here, took a shower, and slept, and you as the host don’t even know.”
“Angry? When have you ever seen me get angry?” Jun Hao looked at the man sitting beside him without changing his expression.
The man raised both hands: “You’re a smiling devil. No one knows you better than I do.”
“You heard everything,” Jun Hao asked definitively, changing the subject.
“Everything I should and shouldn’t hear,” the man reached out and picked up the check on the table: “Ah, what a pity. When can you give me such a check? It would be enough for me to spend for several days.”
“Kensei, don’t test my patience,” Jun Hao slightly furrowed his brow, an inexplicable anger rising in his chest. Was it because his friend knew he was slapped by a woman, or something else? He couldn’t tell.
I will translate the text into English:
“I still don’t know how to get there. Miss, if you have time, could you give me a ride? I just arrived here and am not familiar with the roads. Don’t worry, I can pay you for your help.” Perhaps things in this world are just that coincidental. An Ke was just worrying about how to get back, and now a good opportunity had presented itself. After carefully observing that the person did not seem like a bad person, she nodded in agreement, thinking that helping others is also helping oneself.
Having a car is great. Taking the bus would have taken at least two hours, but now it only took half an hour.
“Miss, thank you for your kindness. Here’s your payment.” Xian Xi took out several hundred-yuan bills and handed them to An Ke without hesitation.
“No need, I should be thanking you. I live nearby. If it weren’t for you, I might not have made it home today.” An Ke quickly waved her hand and ran off the car, standing by the door to thank him.
Xian Xi’s smile was as bright as sunshine, and he slightly nodded: “Then we each got what we needed. Farewell if fate allows.”
“Goodbye…” Before An Ke could finish, Xian Xi had already driven away.
An Ke shook her head and walked towards her small house.
The car turned around in the distance, quickly driving on the highway, and a barely noticeable smile flashed in Xian Xi’s eyes.
……………………………………. 005 Hitting Walls Everywhere
