Chapter 16 (1/2): Whispers in the Dark
Meng Chu had truly experienced what it meant to throw a punch into cotton.
To be honest, at the moment she learned the truth, she was indeed shocked and angry.
It all felt utterly absurd.
How dare Cheng Jinyu deceive her about something like this?
But when she revisited the whole situation, she realized she didn’t actually need to be that angry.
After all, no matter how absurd it was, could it really top her own impulsive decision to marry in a flash?
Meng Chu wasn’t the type to dwell on regrets.
When it came to marriage, she had genuinely thought it through.
She wanted a stable relationship-something to give her mother peace of mind.
Cheng Jinyu’s appearance had solidified her resolve.
Besides, when Cheng Jinyu said he was afraid of losing her as a marriage prospect, Meng Chu didn’t think he was lying.
Back then, the reason she had agreed to his proposal was that her own demands during the blind date had been outrageous.
She had assumed no one in the world would ever agree to them.
Yet somehow, the two of them—seemingly rational but equally absurd had crossed paths.
If not for him, she might still be hesitating now.
Honestly, they both seemed terrified the other would run away.
“You,” Meng Chu inhaled softly, the familiar scent of a cool breeze over a lake lingering at the tip of her nose, “can let go of me now.”
But Cheng Jinyu didn’t release her immediately.
“Can you forgive me?” he murmured.
She instinctively looked up at him and saw nothing but remorse in his eyes.
The disheveled strands of hair falling over his forehead softened his usual sharp, aloof demeanor, making him seem almost vulnerable.
Not forgive him? Divorce him?
Even at the peak of her anger, that thought had never crossed her mind.
That was why Meng Chu felt like she had thrown a punch into cotton.
Before she could answer, Cheng Jinyu let go and took two steps back.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pressured you like this. This was entirely my fault. Even if I wanted to marry you so badly—”
His voice trailed off, his gaze lowered.
Meng Chu had been listening calmly, but as he continued, she suddenly interrupted, “Alright, that’s enough.”
This was supposed to be his apology.
Why was she the one growing increasingly flustered?
Cheng Jinyu looked at her, puzzled, then explained, “Even if I wanted to marry you to settle things with my family, I shouldn’t have kept it from you.”
“I didn’t misunderstand. You don’t need to explain again,” Meng Chu insisted, though she could feel her ears burning.
“That’s good.”
His tone was light.
“It’s late. I should go,” Meng Chu said.
Now that everything was cleared up, there was no reason for her to stay.
Cheng Jinyu immediately offered, “I’ll take you home.”
“No need,” she refused without hesitation.
His brows furrowed slightly, as if he wanted to persuade her.
But Meng Chu spoke first, “I’d rather take a cab.”
She didn’t say it outright, but the implication was clear-she was still upset with him and didn’t want him to accompany her.
Cheng Jinyu took a deep breath.
“Fine. I’ll have Wu Shan walk you downstairs, at least to see you into the car.”
This time, Meng Chu didn’t refuse.
She turned and walked straight out of the office.
Cheng Jinyu didn’t even grab his coat, following closely behind her.
Wu Shan had already stood up when she noticed movement in the office.
“Wu Shan, please escort…”
Cheng Jinyu paused, then lowered his voice, “Escort her downstairs and make sure she gets into the car.”
Though Cheng Jinyu’s expression appeared calm, Wu Shan could still sense the heavy atmosphere in the room.
Huh? Something was off—had they argued?
Otherwise, Cheng Zong would have personally escorted her himself, right?
And he specifically asked her to see her all the way to the car.
At that moment, Meng Chu was looking down at her phone, booking a ride.
Wu Shan quickly said, “Miss Meng, let me call the car for you.”
“No need, I’ve already booked one,” Meng Chu looked up and smiled at her.
Her attitude remained gentle and friendly.
Seeing that Meng Chu was still kind to her, Wu Shan felt a little uncertain.
Though this was her first time meeting Meng Chu, she could tell that her boss’s wife genuinely had a good temper.
But then, how had Cheng Zong managed to upset someone so even-tempered?
After speaking, Meng Chu walked toward the elevator.
Cheng Jinyu followed beside her, and Wu Shan hurried after them.
As they neared the elevator, Wu Shan stepped forward to press the button.
Even though it was already 10 p.m., many people in the building were still working, so the elevators were unusually busy.
None of the three spoke.
Meng Chu didn’t want to talk.
Cheng Jinyu stood slightly behind her, his gaze fixed firmly on her.
Wu Shan, standing to the side, didn’t dare to say anything.
Finally, with a soft ding, the elevator arrived.
The pale white indicator light lit up, and the doors slid open.
Meng Chu stepped inside, and Wu Shan followed.
Cheng Jinyu had been about to step in as well, but then Meng Chu looked up and gave him a glance.
That single glance extinguished any intention he had of following.
Meng Chu remained silent all the way downstairs until they reached the roadside.
She checked her phone—the ride was still four minutes away.
Turning to Wu Shan, she said softly, “Thank you for accompanying me down. The car will be here soon-you can head back first.”
Meng Chu didn’t want to delay her from leaving work.
Wu Shan quickly replied, “Cheng Zong instructed me to see you into the car.”
At that, Meng Chu said nothing more.
After all, this was her boss’s order-Wu Shan had no choice but to comply.
The two stood quietly together.
Wu Shan opened her mouth as if to say something but hesitated.
Meng Chu, meanwhile, wasn’t in the mood for small talk.
She stared at her phone screen, watching the car icon on the ride-hailing app draw closer.
“Miss Meng, how about we exchange WeChat? That way, I’ll know you got home safely,” Wu Shan suddenly suggested after the long silence.
Meng Chu looked up, thought for a moment, then nodded.
“Sure.”
After adding each other, a ride pulled up to the curb, its hazard lights flashing.
“Is this the one?” Wu Shan pointed.
Meng Chu checked the license plate.
“Yes, that’s it.”
Wu Shan immediately stepped forward to open the car door for her.
Before Meng Chu could stop her, she simply smiled warmly and said, “I’ll be going now. Goodbye.”
Wu Shan watched as the car drove off and was about to breathe a sigh of relief.
Then, out of the corner of her eye, she spotted a flashy Aston Martin speeding past.
Huh? Wasn’t that Cheng Zong’s car?
So even someone like Cheng Zong could be left hanging.
Gossiping about the boss was just too satisfying!
Inside the car, Meng Chu’s mood remained complicated.
She wasn’t the type to vent-she always processed things on her own.
But this matter had truly left her at a loss.
She had indeed given careful consideration before agreeing to the marriage.
Yet he had deceived her right from the very beginning.
“We’re here,” the driver reminded her as the car came to a stop.
Meng Chu thanked him and stepped out of the vehicle.
The neighborhood was quiet again at this hour, with few cars on the road.
Meng Chu walked toward the pedestrian entrance of the complex.
Just as she was about to swipe her card to enter, a delivery rider came out from inside.
They brushed past each other, and Meng Chu sidestepped slightly to avoid him.
It was this slight movement that allowed her to catch a glimpse of the car parked by the roadside out of the corner of her eye.
The sleek and sharp lines of the Aston Martin stood out even in the darkness, its all-black body still strikingly visible.
Meng Chu froze for a moment.
Then she pretended not to have seen it and walked straight into the complex.
Once home, she tossed her bag and phone onto the coffee table and sank into the sofa.
A short while later, her phone vibrated.
She picked it up and glanced at the screen, immediately letting out a scoff.
Cheng Jinyu: [Are you home yet?]
So! Ob! Vious! Stop pretending!
You literally just watched me walk into the complex.
Meng Chu had been trying to calm her emotions, but his message instantly reignited her anger.
She started typing a reply but then stopped.
For all she knew, he was staring at his phone right now, waiting to see her reaction.
Meng Chu really didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of an easy response.
So she tossed her phone aside and went to take a shower.
When she returned, she checked her phone again—unsurprisingly, he hadn’t sent any more messages.