Chapter 172: Come Home with Me

Zhao Chen gazed deeply at Yu Ling. In those eyes, which were brightened by the rain, there was undisguised, surging love and deep prayers:

"Lingling, I admit that my world is much more complicated and dangerous than you see or imagine. My identity and my methods may be full of deception and shame. But my love for you, from the day we met, to the signing of that ridiculous agreement, to my falling in love with you..."

He took another deep breath, his voice trembling with desperation and more humble than ever before:

“There was never a trace of falsehood.”

"Give me a chance," he repeated, his voice hoarse but extremely clear, with a determination to put his entire fortune and life on the line.

"Let me tell you everything... I'll lay out the real me... the me that might be terrible, but at least I'm completely honest with you... before you. Then... you can decide whether to stay or go."

He held out his hand, the hand that once held the code, controlled a vast business empire, and gently peeled shrimp for her, wiping away her tears. Now, wet with icy rain and trembling slightly, it hung before Yu Ling, palm up, like a believer awaiting the final judgment.

"Please give me this chance to explain."

The heavy rain washed the world madly.

Under the huge Shiba Inu umbrella, the small space was so quiet that only the heavy breathing of the two people could be heard.

The red and blue lights of the sirens flickered not far away, illuminating Zhao Chen's wet face filled with humble pleadings, and Yu Ling's pale, shocked face blurred by tears and rain.

Yu Ling looked at the hand before her, at the smirking Shiba Inu on the umbrella, which was particularly clear in the rain, and at Zhao Chen's eyes, which had finally shed their disguise, revealing only naked affection and vulnerability, even a hint of despair...

All the questions, all the anger, all the grievances, at this moment, were shattered by this sudden, heavy, unreserved confession and the humble prayer.

She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

But the fist that was clenched so tightly that the nails almost dug into the palm of the hand loosened almost imperceptibly at this moment.

Zhao Chen's hanging hand still remained there stubbornly, waiting for her judgment.

Time passes by minute by minute, and each second seems as long as a century.

Finally, when Yu Ling was about to bite her lips until they bled, she nodded very slightly, almost imperceptibly.

No words.

But that slight movement was like a ray of holy light of forgiveness, instantly lighting up the deep despair in Zhao Chen's eyes!

His eyes flashed with disbelief and ecstasy! The dangling hand, with an unyielding determination and a huge fear of regaining what it had lost, suddenly reached forward, not pulling, but grasping Yu Ling's cold and trembling hand tightly with a force that almost rubbed her into her bones and blood!

His palms were burning hot, with a temperature that even rain could not cool down, and they instantly enveloped Yu Ling's coldness.

"Come home with me." Zhao Chen's voice was hoarse, but it carried an unquestionable strength. He held the huge Shiba Inu umbrella firmly over Yu Ling's head, and with his other hand, he held her shoulders tightly, using his soaking wet body to shield her from the cold wind and rain. "Let's go home and talk."

Yu Ling didn't struggle. The immense emotional impact and the chilling sensation of her body nearly left her weakened. She allowed Zhao Chen to half-support her, half-carry her as she stumbled toward the shadowy, ghostly black sedan parked by the roadside.

The car door opened and a warm and dry air hit me in the face.

Zhao Chen carefully placed Yu Ling in the back seat, but he didn't get in right away. He stood outside the car, the torrential rain instantly soaking him once again. He whispered a clear, low command into the empty, rainy night, his voice carrying an invisible majesty:

"Clean it up. Don't let anyone disturb you."

In the rain, there seemed to be an extremely slight response, as if blending into the sound of rain.

Only then did Zhao Chen bend down and get into the car, closing the door and completely isolating himself from the cold world of rain.

The car slid smoothly into the rain. Yu Ling curled up in the warm, dry backseat, Zhao Chen carefully wrapping her in a dry, soft blanket. She closed her eyes wearily, refusing to look at Zhao Chen's soaking wet but still upright back.

The chance to explain...she gave it.

In the end, she chose to step into that bottomless whirlpool.

The car sped towards Genting Highlands. Outside, the torrential rain continued to pour down, washing away all the secrets and lies of this city. Inside, all that remained was the sound of their heavy, intertwined breathing and the beginning of a destined, restless "truth."

The black car stopped at the underground garage of Building 1 of Genting Highlands. The elevator door of the exclusive elevator room opened. Zhao Chen carried Yu Ling, who was wet and cold and almost exhausted, and stepped into the elevator that went directly to the 16th floor.

There were no words. There was only the subtle hum of the elevator and the gentle sound of raindrops dripping onto the carpet. Yu Ling closed her eyes and let Zhao Chen hold her. Her soaked clothes clung to her skin, the cold biting her bones, and her heart was in a turmoil.

The elevator door opened, revealing the familiar yet unfamiliar entrance to 1601. The warm yellow sensor light automatically lit up, dispelling the chill of the rainy night and the gloom in my heart.

"Take a shower first and change into dry clothes, or you'll catch a cold." Zhao Chen's voice was low and hoarse, carrying unmistakable concern. He gently helped Yu Ling into the master bedroom bathroom and expertly turned on the heater and the smart thermostatic showerhead. Warm steam instantly filled the air.

"The clothes are on the drying rack. They're new." He pointed to a nearby shelf, where a set of soft, light pink coral fleece housecoats was neatly stacked—her favorite color and material. "I'll wait for you outside." He gave her a deep look, then stepped out and gently closed the door.

The only sound in the bathroom was the rushing of water. Yu Ling leaned against the cold tiled wall, exhaustion washing over her like a tide. The warm water washed over her cold body, but it couldn't dispel the turmoil in her heart.