Chapter 204
“Don’t touch me, and don’t talk to me, or I’ll throw you out of the car and let you go back on your own,” Xu Ke said coldly to Chu Lian, then closed his eyes again, a typical posture of not wanting to engage in conversation.
Chu Lian wanted to say something, but remembering Xu Ke’s look and his words, she closed her mouth again, feeling increasingly uneasy inside.
Xu Ke and his group quickly arrived at the new residence of the Chu father and daughter. Although the Chu Family had gone bankrupt, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse. The father and daughter rented a two-bedroom apartment in a mid-range community. When Xu Ke arrived, Father Chu had just come out of the kitchen, and on the dining table were somewhat charred fried eggs and slightly darkened greens.
“Xiao Lian, you’re back. Sit down quickly, dinner is almost ready,” Chu Tianyang called out from the kitchen upon hearing the door open.
Hearing Chu Tianyang’s voice, Chu Lian couldn’t help but show a trace of embarrassment on her face.
“Sorry, we don’t have extra slippers at home, why not.” Chu Lian tried her best to ignore her discomfort and said to Xu Ke, but Xu Ke didn’t let her finish and directly stepped into the warm and cozy small house with his leather shoes.
“So this is where you live. You’ve really arranged it quite well. I didn’t expect you to be doing so well,” Xu Ke said with an indescribable sneer on his lips, the malice in his eyes almost tangible.
Xu Ke turned his back to Chu Lian, making it impossible for her to judge his expression. She could only say somewhat awkwardly, “It’s alright, but I believe that as long as you’re willing to help us, we can soon move out of here.”
“Yeah, I also think this place isn’t suitable for you. You should move out as soon as possible,” Xu Ke said ambiguously, causing a hopeful light to burst forth in Chu Lian’s eyes, not knowing the truth.
Hearing a stranger’s male voice, Chu Tianyang suddenly tightened, “Who’s there?” Putting down the spatula, Chu Tianyang wiped his hands and walked out of the kitchen. Upon seeing Xu Ke, who was so out of place with the surroundings in the living room, Chu Tianyang’s internal alarms blared, his expression lacking the happiness Chu Lian had anticipated.
“Mr. Xu is dressed like this to go out, so how could he have the time to visit our humble abode?” Chu Tianyang said with a sardonic smile.
“Dad, why are you like this? I invited Xu Ke here to help us. Be nice to him,” Chu Lian ran from Xu Ke’s side to Chu Tianyang, pulling his hand and whispering, and then said to Xu Ke, “Don’t mind him, my dad’s been in a bad mood lately; it’s not targeted at you.”
“It’s fine, I don’t mind,” Xu Ke said with a similar sardonic smile.
This made Chu Lian finally realize the tension between the two men. Just as she was about to say something more, Chu Tianyang pushed her towards her room, “There’s nothing for you here between us men. Go back to your room, lock the door, and don’t come out no matter what sound you hear unless I call you,” Chu Tianyang said sternly.
Chu Lian was thrown into a state of panic by his serious demeanor, “Dad, what is there you can’t let me hear? It’s just you and me now, and I’m the one who brought Xu Ke here. Whatever you have to say, I need to be present to hear it. Don’t lock me in a room and exclude me from everything. I’m not a child anymore; whatever happens, I can face it with you,” Chu Lian pleaded, clutching Chu Tianyang’s hand.
“You don’t know anything. What can you face with me? Get back to your room,” Chu Tianyang, who always doted on Chu Lian, showed such a fierce expression for the first time, stunning Chu Lian, who was then locked in her room by him to prevent her from coming out midway.
Now, only Xu Ke and Chu Tianyang were left in the living room, both men’s auras fully unleashed, like two lions battling for territory, eyeing each other with fierce gazes.
“Judging by your performance, you must have found out something. Can I ask, did you discover this on your own or did someone else tell you?” Xu Ke asked, his lips lifting on one side with a hint of coolness and satisfaction.
“At first, I only suspected, until later I received a call from Chairman Hu, and then I knew it was you all along. To be honest, I deeply regret not dealing with you back then, leaving you as a threat, allowing you the chance to come back for revenge,” Chu Tianyang said, gritting his teeth, eyes filled with hatred and remorse.
“You’re already this regretful at this stage? This is just the beginning, Chu Tianyang. Didn’t you consider the consequences when you schemed against my parents and my grandfather? I thought without the Chu Family you’d be in dire straits, but it turns out you’re doing quite well, making me feel I haven’t done enough. What right does a murderer have to stand here in front of the victim’s family and claim such a nice place, have a house to live in, clothes to wear, money to spend? I haven’t done enough. If grandfather can see you living so well, he would be angry,” Xu Ke said, his eyes scanning the room before landing back on Chu Tianyang’s face coldly.
“What more do you want to do? Aren’t you satisfied with my current state? Don’t push too far. Leave a line when doing things so you can meet again someday,” Chu Tianyang said harshly, trying to hold up his stance, but as someone with nothing left, his attempt at fierceness came off as particularly laughable to Xu Ke.
“What do you want to do? Everything done to your family was by me, it has nothing to do with Xiao Lian. Whatever you plan to do, come at me. Don’t touch Xiao Lian, you know how she feels about you. Would you really target someone who holds affection for you?” Chu Tianyang said, watching Xu Ke with wary eyes.