After hanging up the phone, she looked at Yuan Xu's name on her phone screen and suddenly felt a little tired.

The mission, the Su family's influence, Rong Shenghan's secrets... these are like an invisible net, trapping her in the middle, making even breathing feel heavy.

Perhaps she should find somewhere to get some fresh air.

The thought had barely crossed her mind when she stood up, grabbed her coat from the back of the chair, and walked out.

As I passed through the living room, I saw Rong Shenghan sitting on the sofa, holding a financial magazine in his hand, but his eyes were not on the pages. Instead, he was staring at a point in the void, as if he was daydreaming.

Hearing footsteps, he immediately looked up, a glimmer of light flashing in his eyes before dimming again. He simply looked at her without saying a word.

Yu Jiuyuan walked straight past him without even glancing at him, as if he were just a cushion on the sofa.

As she reached the entrance hall, the butler quickly handed her a scarf and gloves: "Miss, are you going out? It's snowing heavily outside. Shall we have the driver take you?"

“No need, I’ll drive myself.” Yu Jiuyuan took the scarf and wrapped it around her neck deftly. “I’ll be back later, no need to wait for me for dinner.”

She opened the door, and a cold wind carrying snowflakes rushed in, causing her long hair to flutter slightly.

Without turning around, she stepped into the garage through the snow. Soon, the sound of an engine starting could be heard, and the car broke through the snow and drove away from the villa.

In the living room, Rong Shenghan put down his magazine and watched as a few snowflakes blown in by the wind melted on the carpet, leaving small water stains.

He reached out, trying to catch the cold trace, but his fingertips only touched nothingness.

The butler walked in, and seeing his dejected look, couldn't help but speak up: "Sir, actually, Miss..."

“I know,” Rong Shenghan interrupted him, his voice low. “It’s good for her to have some peace and quiet.”

He picked up the magazine again, but couldn't concentrate on reading it.

The printed words on the book pages distorted in his eyes into the silhouette of Yu Jiuyuan as she left, so resolute that there was not a trace of lingering affection.

He knew she was angry—angry at his dishonesty, angry that he treated her like an outsider.

But he can't say it, at least not now.

The Su family's influence has already extended to Saint Sakura Academy, and Lin Yanran's existence is the best proof of that. He cannot allow her to become the next target.

My phone vibrated in my pocket. It was a message from my assistant: "[Su Mingyu went to the Lin family this afternoon; it seems they were discussing a collaboration.]"

Rong Shenghan's eyes instantly turned cold.

As expected, the Su family began to take action.

He stood up, walked to the window, and stared at the direction where Yu Jiuyuan's car had disappeared, his brows furrowed deeply. Would she encounter any danger if she went out at this time?

"Prepare the car," he said to the butler, his tone firm and unwavering. "Follow the young lady."

The butler paused for a moment, then replied, "Yes."

As the car drove out of the villa, Rong Shenghan looked at the swirling snow outside the window, with only one thought in his mind—no matter what, he couldn't let anything happen to her.

Even if she will never forgive him.

Yu Jiuyuan drove aimlessly through the snow.

Soothing piano music was playing from the car stereo, but it couldn't calm the restlessness in her heart.

She didn't know where she was going; she just wanted to get away from that villa and from Rong Shenghan.

In the rearview mirror, a black sedan was following at a distance, neither too close nor too far.

Yu Jiuyuan's lips curled into a cold smile.

Rong Shenghan, do you think this will make up for your concealment?

That's too naive.

She jerked the steering wheel, turned the car onto a side road, and accelerated forward.

The black sedan in the rearview mirror hesitated for a moment, then turned in as well.

Yu Jiuyuan looked at that stubborn black figure, her eyes growing even colder.

This silent standoff has only just begun.

Yu Jiuyuan, however, is never one to easily admit defeat.