The call was from Wen Xuanyuan.
As soon as it connected, an enraged, lioness-like roar came from the other end.
“Xia Wantang, what is going on? How are you living with someone? And what’s with that injury of yours…”
Faced with Wen Xuanyuan’s rapid-fire questions, Xia Wantang couldn’t process them.
Her mind was a swirl of question marks.
When had she started living with someone?
She had only told Wen Xuanyuan that her injury was accidental.
While she was still dazed, her phone was snatched away.
Ling Yucheng’s face darkened like the bottom of a pot. He took the phone and said.
“I will resolve this matter. Furthermore, Xia Wantang is my girlfriend, and it would be natural even if it came to that point.”
With that, he directly hung up the phone.
“What are you doing?” Xia Wantang, anxious, took a few steps forward, trying to get her phone back.
Ling Yucheng obviously wouldn’t give it to her. He merely lowered his gaze to look at her, his cold eyes filled with seriousness.
“I have something to say to you.”
Xia Wantang felt a sense of unease, but she also understood that something must have happened.
Otherwise, neither Wen Xuanyuan nor Ling Yucheng would be acting so strangely.
Ling Yucheng sat down on the sofa, his eyes fixed on her, waiting for her to join him.
His serious demeanor made Xia Wantang’s heart tighten. She sat down beside him and asked, “Did something happen?”
Ling Yucheng nodded and said thoughtfully, “Some paparazzi took photos of us going to the hospital and returning to the apartment complex.”
As he spoke, Xia Wantang’s phone rang again, the caller still Wen Xuanyuan.
Ling Yucheng turned off the phone’s sound completely and then tossed it aside.
Xia Wantang, however, could no longer pay attention to such things. Her mind was already in chaos.
What did Ling Yucheng’s words imply?
This would definitely cause a huge uproar online.
A reclusive CEO, who had never been rumored to have any romantic entanglements, suddenly had a woman living with him.
And they had gone to the hospital together.
People online didn't care about the truth; they only believed what they wanted to believe.
And many lacked reason, belonging to the category of "brainless fans."
For example, last year, a top star revealed his relationship at the peak of his career, and he and his girlfriend were verbally attacked relentlessly.
Many were driven to depression by cyberbullying, and there were even quite a few suicides.
Although Ling Yucheng wasn’t a celebrity, his looks combined with his status had attracted many fans.
Even without looking at her phone, she could imagine how malicious the online commentary would be.
The thought of the internet being filled with people cursing her sent a chill down her spine, a cold sensation from head to toe.
There was also an even more terrifying possibility: doxxing.
Name, age, address, school, workplace – everything would be exposed, and her life would be in shambles.
Ling Yucheng held her hand tightly, reassuring her, “I’ll have all the news online cleared up. Don’t be afraid. And whether to go public is up to you.”
Xia Wantang said without hesitation, “No, don’t go public.”
Ling Yucheng nodded gently and said warmly, “Alright, then we won’t go public. Also, starting tomorrow, you don’t need to come to work.”
Xia Wantang bit her lower lip, her expression not looking good. She didn’t want to stay at home with no income.
As she was feeling down, Ling Yucheng added, “Do you want to be a secretary?”
Xia Wantang immediately understood what he meant, looking at him blankly, her emotions very complicated.
To be a secretary at Tengkong Group?
Such a large conglomerate was not a place anyone could just walk into.
Ling Yucheng thought she was reluctant and considered, “If you don’t want to, that’s okay too…”
“I’m willing,” Xia Wantang agreed without thinking.
Rather than being confined at home, she might as well find something to do.
Upon hearing this, Ling Yucheng’s eyes flickered with a smile.
“Good, I’ll have Han Xiao arrange it for you.”
A presidential secretary, commuting with him every day, not too far away, could foster their relationship and protect her.
Xia Wantang had no idea what Ling Yucheng was thinking. She just assumed he would arrange a random position for her within the company.
She was really not in a good mood right now. Would she ever have a peaceful life?
In fact, she had considered it long ago. Given Ling Yucheng’s status, if she were to be in a relationship with him, she would eventually go through all this. She just hadn't expected it to happen so soon.
She had even thought that perhaps before their relationship was public, they might break up.
She had never thought they would reach the end, that they would have a lifetime together.
But people get together not for the outcome, but to enjoy the process.
It was like how everyone is born with the same end, but does that mean they shouldn’t live because they know they will die eventually?
That was impossible. The most important thing was the scenery along the way.
Some people are just passersby in life. Everyone has their stories, and no one can accompany you for a lifetime.
Thinking this, her heart felt a bit more at ease.
Just as she was about to pick up her phone, she realized her hand was still being held by Ling Yucheng.
His large hand tightly enveloped her small hand, making her feel warm.
The chill from before was gradually dissipating, and she no longer wanted to pull away.
She looked up and met Ling Yucheng’s gaze.
His eyes held tenderness and affection, threads of love intertwining and enveloping her.
Her heart pounded, a flutter in her chest.
Her clear, innocent eyes stared at him without blinking. Her pure features held an allure that made it impossible to look away.
A mix of purity and an intoxicating magnetism.
Ling Yucheng’s gaze deepened, his prominent Adam's apple bobbing.
He reached out, cupped the back of her head, and leaned in to kiss her.
This time, it wasn’t a gentle peck like before.
He was unrestrained, his warm touch fiercely stimulating Xia Wantang’s nerves.
Xia Wantang froze, her body stiffening, her mind instantly going blank.
Outside the window, the night was alluring. The night breeze rustled the leaves, the moon peeked through intermittently, and stars twinkled.
When Xia Wantang came to her senses, she felt a chill run down her back.
She abruptly pushed him away and ran into the bedroom, slamming the door shut.
Ling Yucheng, caught off guard, let her escape. Clarity slowly returned to his eyes.
He looked at the closed bedroom door, his gaze darkening, and then he let out a wry smile. He turned and entered the bathroom, staying there for a longer time this time.
Xia Wantang sat on the edge of the bed, her hand over her chest, her heart racing, breathing heavily, feeling extremely flustered.
Now that they were together, perhaps she shouldn't have refused. But she really wasn't ready.
However, would refusing him time and time again hurt him? The thought made her feel uneasy.
She tidied her clothes and opened the bedroom door, only to see the light on in the bathroom. The sound of rushing water came from within.
Hadn’t he already showered?
Xia Wantang seemed to realize something, her face flushing slightly. She dared not think too deeply.
She picked up her phone from the sofa and ran back into the room. She decided to be a turtle hiding its head.