"Isn't living in the suburbs more dangerous?" Xia Wantang didn't understand.
In the desolate wilderness, especially on this road, anything could happen without anyone knowing!
Han Xiao chuckled, "Madam, you may not know, but although there's only one main road to Linglu Mountain, there are many diverging paths along the way. Each junction connects to others, creating an extremely chaotic network, much like a labyrinth.
Furthermore, these roads are not recorded on any navigation system. If someone unfamiliar gets lost in there, they're bound to be disoriented and might even end up back at the starting point.
This effectively prevents any accidents from occurring on the way.
As for following the navigation, there's only one main path to Linglu Mountain. However, entering Linglu Mountain isn't easy either.
The entrance is guarded by security personnel. Even if you manage to get in, it won't make much difference. While there aren't any guard posts halfway up the mountain, the entire area is covered with surveillance cameras.
The cameras are monitored twenty-four hours a day, and every vehicle that arrives triggers an alert. If it's an unfamiliar vehicle, it will set off tracking alarms."
Xia Wantang found it a bit baffling. Was all this fuss really necessary? Was it a case of extreme paranoia?
She asked curiously, "Who came up with this idea? It seems a bit over the top."
Han Xiao remained silent, secretly glancing at his CEO's expression in the rearview mirror.
Ling Yucheng's face was expressionless as he said, "I thought of it."
He then turned and looked at Xia Wantang, asking gently, "Do you have a problem with that?"
Xia Wantang didn't dare to voice any complaints, pursing her lips and acting like an ostrich.
Han Xiao seized the moment to explain, "It's because of what happened to Miss Shen five years ago; it caused quite a stir. The young master was involved then and witnessed it firsthand..."
"You're talking too much," Ling Yucheng said coldly.
This piqued Xia Wantang's curiosity. She asked, "Who is Miss Shen, and what's her relationship with your CEO?"
Han Xiao, while still mindful of his CEO's gaze, replied, "Miss Shen is Young Master Jiang's fiancée. She has no direct relationship with the CEO, but Young Master Jiang is the CEO's childhood friend."
Xia Wantang nodded gently, wisely deciding not to probe further.
It seemed something significant must have happened for Ling Yucheng to create Linglu Mountain.
As they spoke, they had already arrived home. After dropping them off, Han Xiao departed.
Ou Ma was as welcoming as ever, offering to make them a late-night snack.
However, they had already had dinner at the company before returning.
Xia Wantang insisted repeatedly that she wasn't hungry, and only then did Ou Ma give up.
Ling Yucheng went upstairs as soon as he returned. Xia Wantang lingered for a while, unable to find Qiao Xinyue. She learned from Ou Ma.
It turned out Qiao Xinyue didn't live there permanently. She only visited occasionally to keep Ou Ma company, usually staying for two or three days before leaving.
Xia Wantang didn't linger downstairs for long and went directly upstairs.
Upon entering her room and turning on the light, she was startled to see someone sitting on her bed.
Ling Yucheng had already showered. He was wearing a white shirt and gray pants.
His long arms were casually crossed over his legs, his well-defined hands showing slightly protruding blue veins that extended to his wrists. His hair was slightly disheveled and still damp with mist.
His dark eyes were fixed on her, making her feel uncomfortable and a little flustered.
This was her room; what was he doing here?
Xia Wantang felt a bit awkward and asked, "What are you doing in my room?"
Her current situation was peculiar; they seemed to be living together, yet they weren't.
Everything had unfolded differently from her initial plan.
She had originally intended to stay in that apartment temporarily and move back to the dormitory when school started.
She never expected to start dating Ling Yucheng later.
Then, things had progressed step by step to this point.
She was now living in his house, working as his secretary, and now they were married.
In just a few days, her life had undergone a radical transformation.
Ling Yucheng had intended to have a serious conversation with her about their relationship, but seeing her constantly shifting expression, he realized this matter couldn't be rushed.
It was clear she hadn't fully accepted him yet.
He swallowed back the words he had planned to say and instead remarked, "Grandpa wants me to bring you back for a visit. They all want to meet you."
Xia Wantang became visibly unsettled. "We're going to meet your family already?"
"Yes, don't be nervous. If you don't want to go, we can postpone it for a while."
Xia Wantang harbored a persistent worry that meeting Ling Yucheng's family might bring them closer to a breakup.
Yet, they had to meet sooner or later, so it might as well be sooner.
She feigned a casual tone, "It's fine, you arrange it."
Even agreeing to visit the Ling family felt like a considerable pressure. In truth, she often felt as if she were dreaming, that everything that had happened recently seemed unreal.
Ling Yucheng, who had expected her to refuse, smiled upon hearing her agreement.
"Good."
Xia Wantang lowered her gaze and softly said, "It's getting late. You should go back to your room and rest."
Ling Yucheng's eyes darkened slightly, but he didn't say anything further and left her room.
He reassured himself, "I can't rush this. Everything will happen gradually."
.......
A few days passed in the blink of an eye.
Xia Wantang had been commuting to and from work with Ling Yucheng these past few days.
Her days were peaceful, interspersed with moments of sweetness.
In the early morning, the sky was clear, and the sun hung high, its scorching rays burning the earth.
However, from the moment she woke up, Xia Wantang was in a daze.
Today, Ling Yucheng was taking her to the Ling family residence. At this moment, she felt like she was being led to the guillotine, with life and death hanging in the balance.
Ling Yucheng sensed her anxiety and reassured her, "It's alright, I'm here with you."
Xia Wantang nodded gently and got into the back seat with Ling Yucheng.
Ou Ma was also accompanying them, sitting in the front passenger seat. She was going with them this time.
"Wantang, don't be nervous. Madam, the Master, and the Old Madam are all very kind people."
"I understand, Ou Ma," Xia Wantang replied, though Ou Ma had said this many times, she was still nervous.
Ling Yucheng took her hand, silently comforting her.
Her hand was slightly cool, indicating her extreme anxiety and fear.
He didn't understand why Xia Wantang was so afraid of meeting his family. Perhaps there was some misunderstanding.
But it didn't matter; she would understand once she met them.
The things she worried about were not issues. Whatever he chose, they would support it.
Since he was ten years old, he had made all his decisions himself.
The Ling family believed in having one's own convictions in all matters, including marriage.
"You should try to sleep. It's a long journey."
Xia Wantang couldn't sleep at all. She simply gazed out the car window, her thoughts wandering.
She thought she wouldn't care so much. After agreeing to be Ling Yucheng's girlfriend, she had been prepared for the possibility that they might not last long.
But now, she was truly afraid, because Ling Yucheng was so wonderful, and she couldn't imagine life without him.