Xie Zhuo laughed, but his back was tense.

He stared at her with icy eyes: "Heartache?"

"It can't compare to even a fraction of the pain in my heart."

"If you can be interested in the foolish and selfish Xie Heng, why can't you give me a chance? What is it about me that Xie Heng doesn't have!"

His last sentence sounded more like a roar questioning Yu Qiao.

Yu Qiao gritted her teeth, her eyes gradually turning bloodshot.

She didn't understand why Xie Zhuo was suddenly so fixated on this question.

But she only knew Xie Heng before. She admitted that she had pursued Xie Heng for three years, and was a servile simp.

However, Yu Qiao held back her tears and shook her head, saying softly, "You're not inferior to Xie Heng, Xie Zhuo. We haven't known each other for long, we can get to know each other slowly. Don't suddenly act like this..."

"You're lying!"

Xie Zhuo suddenly grabbed her neck, his voice icy cold: "You still want to lie to me?"

Yu Qiao was having trouble breathing as he choked her, and tried to pry his fingers off with both hands: "Let go, let go..."

"Qiaoqiao." Xie Zhuo hugged her tightly, his eyes filled with a dark and gloomy expression.

With a sly smile, he moved closer to her: "It's okay, you're mine, you're mine..."

He muttered to himself, as if speaking to himself, or perhaps to Yu Qiao.

Yu Qiao bit her lower lip tightly, her eyes filled with fear: "You, you can't do this, don't..."

Seeing Xie Zhuo gradually becoming more and more morbid and insane, Yu Qiao's tears fell even more heavily.

His icy fingers traced her cheek: "Qiaoqiao, I'm really afraid I'll hurt you."

Yu Qiao felt ashamed and angry, but dared not provoke Xie Zhuo any further, fearing that he might really do something. She pleaded in a low voice, "Zhuo, please don't do this, okay? I know I was wrong."

Xie Zhuo's eyes were bloodshot: "You're dreaming."

—Required to be deleted by the review committee—

…………

…………

The next day at noon.

Yu Qiao appeared at the Xie family restaurant with a pale face.

Madam Xie's expression was somewhat subtle. She seemed to want to say something several times, but ultimately remained silent.

The happiest person was actually Grandpa Xie, who smiled and ladled a bowl of fish soup for Yu Qiao: "Qiao Qiao, did you not sleep well last night? You look so pale."

Yu Qiao's face was deathly pale, with dark circles under her eyes. She glanced out of the corner of her eye at the person beside her...

Xie Zhuo exudes an aura that keeps strangers at bay.

After thinking for a moment, he nodded, his voice hoarse: "Mmm."

"It's okay. Zhuo has already told me about your situation. Your parents are traveling abroad, and it's really not safe for you to stay at home alone. Just stay here for the next few days and relax! The weather will be nice tomorrow, so we'll go fishing again."

The more Yu Qiao listened, the uglier her expression became.

It's obvious without even guessing that Xie Zhuo fabricated these claims.

She opened her mouth to refuse, but Xie Zhuo gave her a cold glance.

Recalling what happened last night, Yu Qiao forced a smile and agreed, "Okay, Grandpa."

"Yu Qiao? What are you doing in my house?"

Xie Heng drank quite a bit last night and had just woken up. Still half asleep, she saw an extra person in the restaurant and thought she was seeing things, but it really was Yu Qiao.

A hint of secret joy flickered in his eyes.

It must be Yu Qiao coming to him for a way out. He knew it. As long as he took the initiative even a little bit, Yu Qiao would shamelessly cling to him!

Last night in the private room, she must have been angry or felt awkward to treat him that way!

Otherwise, why would Yu Qiao have appeared at his house today?

Hearing Xie Heng's voice now, Yu Qiao felt a chill run down her spine. She didn't dare to reply at all, afraid that if she said another word, Xie Zhu would go crazy again.

Xie Heng, who was ignored and received no response, was not annoyed. She chuckled and sat down next to Yu Qiao.

Xie Zhuo's eyes darkened, and he said coldly, "Grandpa, I'm going to the study first."

"Alright, go ahead." Old Master Xie said with a smile.

With Old Master Xie sitting in the main seat, Madam Xie didn't dare say anything, and could only secretly roll her eyes at Yu Qiao.

Yu Qiao lowered her head. Her phone vibrated, and she picked it up and opened WeChat. It was a message from Xie Zhuo.

Xie Zhuo: One minute, come up.

Yu Qiao's eyelashes trembled. She wanted to take the opportunity to run away, but as soon as she stood up, she noticed a very strong gaze behind her.

"Qiaoqiao, what's wrong?" Grandpa Xie asked with concern.

Yu Qiao's face was not good, and her tone was stiff: "Grandpa, I didn't sleep well last night, I want to go back to my room to rest."

"Okay, then you go and get some rest. We'll go fishing tomorrow."

Yu Qiao nodded, turned around shakily and left, behind her came the mocking voice of Madam Xie.

"Didn't you get enough rest? I bet you went out to cheat on me."

Then came the stern voice of Grandpa Xie: "What nonsense are you spouting? Qiaoqiao is such a well-behaved girl, don't slander her like that!"

Yu Qiao didn't know how she got to the second floor. Looking at the half-open door of the study, she didn't dare to push it open.

I stood there for a long time.

Suddenly, a hand with a white, jade-like sheen reached out from inside, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her inside.