Chapter 38 Who is responsible to whom?

Qu He snapped back to reality, and her face, which had finally returned to normal, flushed red again.

"About last night..." She pursed her lips, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible, "We..."

Zhuang Bieyan put down his cup, leaned forward, and asked in a low voice, "What do you want to say?"

As Qu He watched him approach, her heart began to race, and she clenched her hands on her knees even tighter.

Yesterday, she was under the influence of the drug and was in a daze, but she still remembered that the two of them did not cross that line in the end. Zhuang Bieyan used the most restrained method to help her detoxify.

Even so, he is Zhuang Bieyan.

He is the revered heir of the Zhuang family in Beicheng, and a respected figure in the industry who dares not tarnish the reputation of the Zhuang family!

But last night, this Yushu man was almost "taken advantage of" by her.

She's guilty!!!

“Last night…we didn’t go all the way, but…” Qu He’s face grew redder and redder as she spoke, her ears practically burning. “President Zhuang, you…you’ve helped me so much, I…”

Zhuang Bieyan looked at her flustered appearance and smiled slightly: "So, how do you plan to take responsibility?"

Qu He was taken aback, and looked up at him: "Huh?... "

He leaned slightly forward, his gaze level with hers, his voice softening but serious: "Regarding what happened last night, whatever you ask for, I can fulfill it. If you need to take responsibility, I can cooperate."

Qu He: "...."

Good heavens.

Is this Chinese?

If she understood correctly, Zhuang Bieyan's words sounded like... he was waiting for her to offer to take responsibility?

she?

Qu He opened her mouth, but after a long while, she managed to stammer out, "President Zhuang, you...you're not joking, are you?"

Zhuang Bieyan raised an eyebrow and looked at her quietly: "You think I'm joking?"

Qu He felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze and said in a low voice, "Regarding what happened last night... no matter what, I still have to thank President Zhuang for his help."

She paused, her voice trailing off as she continued, "Even if it's about taking responsibility, I should be the one saying this to you..."

Zhuang Bieyan's eyes darkened, a smile flashing in them: "Alright."

Qu He: .....?

He agreed way too quickly!

And... why did she feel there was a hint of lightness, even... anticipation, in those words?

He spoke frankly and straightforwardly, but Qu He dared not look him in the eye again.

"Let's eat first." Zhuang Bieyan changed the subject, pushing the plate towards her. "I'll take you home after you finish eating."

Qu He didn't refuse anymore and started eating.

Even though she no longer looked up, she could still feel the gaze on her.

After quickly finishing his meal, he picked up his car keys and said, "Let's go."

Qu He nodded and followed behind him.

The atmosphere in Maybach was quiet and subtle.

Qu He looked at the receding street scene in the rearview mirror, her thoughts tangled and in a mess.

"What are you thinking about?" Zhuang Bieyan suddenly asked.

Qu He didn't react for a moment and blurted out, "Thinking about... Qian Zhaoye."

Zhuang Bieyan's hand tightened on the steering wheel. His tone was calm, yet strangely tense, "If you need me to explain to Qian Zhaoye..."

"No need." Qu He turned her head and interrupted him, "I have nothing to do with him anymore."

Her voice was soft, yet exceptionally firm.

Qu He briefly recounted her story with Qian Zhaoye to Zhuang Bieyan, saying, "...That's how it is. Don't you think it's quite ridiculous?"

She turned her head and continued looking out the window, "Seven years of relationship, exchanged for a scheme."

Zhuang Bieyan was silent for a moment, then said calmly, "He is unworthy."

Qu He turned to look at him.

Zhuang Bieyan took advantage of a red light to lightly apply the brakes and looked back at her.

The two locked eyes.

His silhouette was exceptionally clear in the morning light, and his voice was deep and resolute: "You deserve better."

Qu He's heart skipped a beat.

The hatred and coldness towards Qian Zhaoye still lingered in her heart, but the warmth brought by Zhuang Bieyan's words quietly spread to her limbs and bones.

The Maybach stopped at the entrance of Baiyu Bay. Zhuang Bieyan unbuckled his seatbelt, turned to the side, and said, "We're here."

Qu He snapped out of her reverie, nodded, and bent down to unbuckle her seatbelt, but because she was distracted, she couldn't unbuckle it even after pressing it several times.

Zhuang Bieyan chuckled softly, leaned over, and gently pressed his finger.

With a "thud".

The seatbelt came undone.

The scent of cedar emanating from him was so close that Qu He instinctively held her breath and leaned back.

Zhuang Bieyan slightly raised his eyes, and their gazes met. "Nervous?"

Qu He's ears burned, but she remained stubborn: "...No."

Zhuang Bieyan smiled slightly, but didn't expose her. He simply stood up, got out of the car, and walked around to open the car door for her. "Get in, get some rest, and feel free to contact me if you need anything."

Qu He nodded, got out of the car, took a few steps forward, and looked back at him.

"Mr. Zhuang."

"Um?"

She took a deep breath. "Thank you for last night. And thank you for what I said about taking responsibility..."

Zhuang Bieyan's eyes flashed. "Okay, I'll remember that."

He flicked his hand and slammed the car door shut.

His deep, chuckling voice reached my ears, "No rush, we'll talk when you're ready."

Qu He was stunned.

What does he mean?

What does "wait until she's ready" mean?

Zhuang Bieyan stared at her earlobes, which were almost bleeding, and chuckled, "Go upstairs quickly."

"...Okay." Qu He turned around, covered her burning face, and walked inside.

Behind me, inside the car.

Zhuang Bieyan watched her figure gradually shrink in the rearview mirror, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

No rush, he has plenty of patience to wait for her.

Qu He practically ran into the apartment building, only catching her breath after getting into the elevator.

Her flushed face was reflected in the elevator mirror. She touched it with her hand; it was burning hot!

This is absolutely absurd...

Qu He returned home with a jumble of thoughts. As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she saw a figure at her door and froze, her blood instantly freezing.

Qian Zhaoye sat crookedly on the carpet in front of her house.

The hem of his suit trousers was noticeably wrinkled, his tie hung loosely around his neck, and the stubble on his chin gave off a deliberately crafted air of decadence and dishevelment.

His eyes lit up when he looked up and saw her.

"Ahe." He staggered to his feet, his voice hoarse.

Qu He felt nauseous as soon as she saw him, and asked coldly, "What are you doing here?"

The image of being tricked and taken away by Fang Ganming last night flashed through her mind again, and she clenched her fists, "Get out."

"Ahe, let me explain!"

Qian Zhaoye rushed forward, trying to grab her wrist.

Qu He subconsciously took a step back, his hand frozen in mid-air.

"Explain?" Qu He scoffed, her eyes filled with mockery.

"Explain why you skipped your flight to Singapore and came to my doorstep to put on a melodramatic show?"

When his lie was exposed, Qian Zhaoye's expression changed drastically. "I..."

But the next second, his gaze suddenly fixed on Qu He's neck, and his pupils contracted sharply.

There was a faint red mark there.

It's a pale red color, like it was pinched, or maybe it's a... hickey.

"He really touched you?!"

Qian Zhaoye's voice suddenly rose in pitch, becoming sharp and piercing.