Chapter 75: No Appetite

As the car reached the entrance to the highway, it abruptly turned and headed towards another direction, driving towards the new industrial park in the eastern part of Zhonghai City.

When it arrived at a vast industrial site that was currently inactive, Yang Chen slowed down the car and parked it on the muddy roadside. He took out a cigarette from his pocket, lit it quietly, leaned against the car, and looked in the direction he came from.

Not far away, a black Honda Accord also silently stopped. Soon, four roughly dressed men got out of the car. Their heights, sizes, and appearances were all different, but their gazes towards Yang Chen were all unfriendly, even somewhat hostile.

"How did you find us?" a man wearing a fancy shirt with dark skin asked.

"Men's sixth sense," Yang Chen grinned.

The man in the fancy shirt frowned and asked in confusion, "Since you found us tracking you, why did you bring us here? Do you think changing the route back home would make us stop following you?"

Yang Chen took a few puffs of his cigarette. Although he had some money now, the tobacco he smoked was still quite harsh, but it was enough to savor. After blowing a few smoke rings and enjoying them, Yang Chen smirked, "I didn't say you shouldn't follow me. I just chose a suitable place for you to get off."

"What do you mean?" The man in the fancy shirt was puzzled by the situation. They were only here to figure out the man's social connections based on instructions, for further action. But the sudden turn of events forced him to reconsider their next steps.

Yang Chen squinted his eyes into two slits and chuckled, "Haven't you guys noticed that there are no cameras around here..."

Since this was a piece of industrial land still under development and currently inactive, the surrounding infrastructure was extremely messy and dilapidated, with even the roads not completely opened, and there were hardly any vehicles passing by.

"Cameras?" The man in the fancy shirt sneered, "I should be the one advising you that in a place without cameras, we don't have to worry about getting our hands dirty."

"Maybe it's the other way around?" Yang Chen shrugged.

"Boss, this kid wants to start a fight. Looks like he's not too bright," one of the henchmen laughed.

The man in the fancy shirt's expression turned sour as he said, "Young man, talking big is fine, but don't think that we won't use force against you. Even though we haven't received instructions to do so, acting first and reporting later is also an option."

"You guys done?" Yang Chen chuckled. "If you're going to make a move, do it quickly. I still need to get home for dinner."

"You little brat!"

A burly man with a beard didn't waste any time and strode forward, the other three also stopped talking and began encircling Yang Chen.

"Let me tell you, words are useless, fists are the only language!" The bearded man spat and lunged at Yang Chen's face with a fierce punch!

Yang Chen easily dodged it and, with a graceful movement, a cold smirk played on his lips. "When I returned to this land, I secretly made a decision. Unless someone provokes me, threatens me, or tries to harm me, I won't initiate violence. So I want to thank you for this punch—it gives me a clear conscience to deal with you."

"Get him, everyone!" The man in the fancy shirt was furious. He couldn't tolerate this young man disrespecting them like this.

But the four men's attack was obviously futile. Yang Chen effortlessly displayed a few martial arts moves, with lightning-fast speed and overwhelming force. Either the four men's fingers or arms were broken, or they were slapped hard enough to swell up.

In the midst of the melee involving five people, Yang Chen toyed with the four men as if they were mere playthings.

"Stubborn fools, can't fight!" the bearded man who initiated the fight cursed as he held his swollen and bruised face.

The man in the fancy shirt also realized that the situation was unfavorable. Although he was unwilling, he recognized that the four of them were no match for the man in front of them.

"Back to the car, let's run!"

At the man in the fancy shirt's command, the four men quickly ran towards their Honda.

Yang Chen didn't stop them. He watched with a smirk as they got into the car, quickly locked the doors and windows, started the car, and attempted to flee.

As the Honda was about to leave, Yang Chen bent down, picked up a goose egg-sized stone from the ground, and weighed it in his hand...

The men in the fancy shirts and the others in the car breathed a sigh of relief as the car started. Although they couldn't win the fight, at least they could escape. Besides, even if this young man could fight, there was no way he could catch up to the car! They would report back to their superiors, gather a group of their brothers, and return to settle the score!

However, reality often differs from ideals...

After picking up the stone, Yang Chen closed one eye, took a slight aim, then adopted the posture of a thrower, stretching his arm back and exerting force from his waist!

He flicked the stone held in his right hand!

The stone, like a miniature cannonball, sliced through the air with a whizzing sound!

"Bang!"

At a speed imperceptible to the naked eye, the stone struck near the side of the Honda's fuel tank...

"Boom!"

The black Honda Accord, still in motion, erupted into flames instantly, engulfing the entire car in a blaze of high temperatures, hurtling towards a nearby electric pole!

In the blink of an eye, the once intact Honda became a burning heap of black charcoal. Yang Chen looked at the "quadruple homicide" he had caused as if he were admiring a piece of art. The reason he chose to eliminate the four men in this manner after they got into the car was mainly to avoid leaving any traces for the police to find.

Killing those people when they felt safest and most relaxed also brought a sense of satisfaction to Yang Chen. This was a psychological disorder he had developed over many years—unfortunately, he had never intended to treat this cruel tendency.

"In my next life, I'll remember to buy a German car. Japanese cars are too fragile," Yang Chen chuckled sarcastically before getting back into his car and continuing his journey home.

On the way, Yang Chen pondered who might be targeting him. Firstly, that person must not be very familiar with him, or else they wouldn't have sent people to track him, find out where he lived, and investigate his social connections. After thinking it over, Yang Chen couldn't confirm who it might be. He sighed and muttered expressionlessly to himself, "If someone wants to trouble me, fine. But if they involve people around me... then they deserve to die."

After enjoying a sumptuous dinner at the villa that evening, Wang Ma brought out a bag of fashion magazines and smiled at Yang Chen. "Young Master, these magazines were ordered by Miss. They just arrived today. Please take them to Miss later."

Yang Chen was watching the news on TV and gladly accepted them. "Of course, Wang Ma. As long as you keep cooking delicious meals for us, these little chores should be handled by us men."

"No, no," Wang Ma hurriedly said. "Young Master, please don't say that. I think you should spend more time with Miss. This way, she will remember your kindness, and your relationship will become even closer in the future."

Yang Chen smiled wryly. "Wang Ma, do you really trust me so much, pushing Ruoxi into my arms like this?"

Wang Ma looked serious. "Young Master, I've watched Miss grow up. I haven't been able to have children of my own in my lifetime. To be honest, Miss is like my own daughter. After the old lady and Madam passed away, I've been hoping that Miss would find a good home. Miss has always been so beautiful since she was little, and there are plenty of men who like her in Zhonghai, but those men are too insincere."

As she spoke, Wang Ma looked at Yang Chen with satisfaction. "But you, Young Master, even though you don't say it, you truly care about Miss."

"Since Miss fainted that day, I could tell from your eyes, Young Master, that you care a lot about Miss. It's just that, like Miss, you're not good at expressing it normally. You young people, sometimes you care too much about face, but what's more important than face is feelings."

Yang Chen remained silent for a while before smiling lightly. "Wang Ma, you should become a psychologist. You make me doubt myself."

"Don't overthink it, Young Master. Just take it as the ramblings of an old lady. Hurry up and take the magazines to Miss. She might already be asleep if you're late," Wang Ma urged with a smile.

Yang Chen picked up the bag of magazines, most of which were introductions to luxury fashion brands and the latest fashion trends. He knew that as the CEO of a fashion company, Lin Ruoxi must personally keep up with these products.

Soon, when he arrived at the hospital, it was nearly half past ten at night. Most of the hospital wards were already dark, but Lin Ruoxi's ward was still brightly lit.

Quietly opening the door to the ward, Yang Chen glanced inside and found that Lin Ruoxi wasn't alone.

The person with her was Lin Ruoxi's secretary, Wu Yue, a woman with an airport-like figure. Whether she was naturally cold or learned it from Lin Ruoxi, she always had an extremely chilly demeanor.

Lin Ruoxi was lying on the bed, surrounded by various documents on the table in front of her. She held a silver pen in her hand, writing something, while Wu Yue stood beside her with a serious expression, occasionally organizing documents and handing her others.

Seeing Yang Chen enter, Wu Yue frowned. "What are you doing here?"

Yang Chen raised the paper bag in his hand. "I'm just here to deliver some magazines."

"Why did they send you? Who do you think you are, the CEO?" Wu Yue scolded, clearly displeased.

Yang Chen thought to himself that since he was considered Lin Ruoxi's trusted person, there was no harm in saying it. But before Yang Chen could speak, Lin Ruoxi interjected calmly, "He's a distant relative of mine." After speaking, Lin Ruoxi gave a subtle eye signal, indicating for Yang Chen not to say more.

Being labeled as a "distant relative" when he was legally her husband made Yang Chen feel a bit bitter. He rubbed his nose and smiled wryly. He had thought that their relationship had become closer over these days, but now it seemed that in Lin Ruoxi's eyes, he was merely a contracted acting partner. She didn't truly accept him as a close person, let alone acknowledge him as her husband.

Feeling somewhat disappointed, but with good emotional resilience and mental preparedness, Yang Chen didn't dwell on it. He casually smiled and didn't say much more, placing the paper bag on Lin Ruoxi's bedside table and saying, "Wang Ma asked me to deliver these. She said they're the magazines you ordered for this month."

Wu Yue looked enlightened. She realized that the reason this relatively unknown PR assistant could enter the company was because of his status as a "distant relative." She cast a more disdainful look at Yang Chen and said somewhat maliciously, "You can leave the stuff and go. Don't disturb the CEO's work."

Yang Chen had intended to persuade Lin Ruoxi not to overwork herself late at night, but seeing her focused on the documents without acknowledging his presence, he decided not to bother.

"Then I'll leave." Although he was somewhat dissatisfied with Wu Yue, she was Lin Ruoxi's secretary after all, so he didn't want to cause trouble. Yang Chen left with a sullen expression, not bothering to argue with her.

As Yang Chen turned to leave, Lin Ruoxi raised her head slightly and watched his departing figure with her watery eyes. His usually carefree and unrestrained figure, under the illumination of the lamp at this moment, seemed somewhat forlorn and lonely. Lin Ruoxi couldn't help but feel a tinge of regret. She hadn't even said thank you to him. But her shy nature prevented her from knowing how to express herself.

After the door closed, Lin Ruoxi sighed imperceptibly and continued to work on the documents.

About an hour later, in the late night hours, Wu Yue checked the time and couldn't help but say with some reluctance, "CEO, let's call it a night. I'll take the documents back and organize them. I'll hand them over to Minister Mo tomorrow. The important matters have already been dealt with, and you should rest."

Lin Ruoxi rubbed her temples. These days, she had been taking Chinese medicine, undergoing treatment, and receiving visitors. By late night, she was indeed feeling tired. She nodded and said, "Tell Minister Mo that I'll personally handle the documents for the autumn fashion show and the market expansion plan in Sakura City. As for the rest, she can handle it."

"Yes, CEO."

Wu Yue was very efficient. In less than five minutes, she finished organizing all the documents and materials and respectfully took her leave.

Lin Ruoxi relaxed her body and let out a long sigh, leaning her head against the soft pillow. Her eyes caught sight of the large bag of magazines Yang Chen had brought. After a moment's thought, she reached for the bag, intending to read the magazines before going to sleep.

As she opened the bag, a familiar aroma of glutinous rice wafted out. Lin Ruoxi was puzzled for a moment, and upon closer inspection, she discovered that in addition to the dozen or so magazines, there was also a box of transparent plastic-wrapped glutinous rice balls!

Carefully taking out the box, Lin Ruoxi looked at the ten round dough balls inside, of various colors—white, black, green, and more, all still warm with steam.

Lin Ruoxi knew immediately that these couldn't have been brought by Wang Ma, as she had forbidden Lin Ruoxi from eating glutinous rice balls ever since she got sick from them as a child. So, it could only be the person who bought them for her...

Was it because she mentioned her love for glutinous rice balls when Cai Yan visited last time?

Did he remember what she liked to eat from that casual conversation?

Thinking back to her cold treatment towards Yang Chen just now, and his departing figure...

Unbeknownst to her, Lin Ruoxi's eyes became moist.

For the first time in her life, looking at her favorite glutinous rice balls, Lin Ruoxi found herself completely without an appetite.