Chapter 173 Confession
Zhao Chen's words, "I've never cheated on you," and his humble plea, burned her nerves like a brand. Should she believe it? Was the vast, cold, unfathomable "Wangwang Group" the same person as the clumsy yet genuine tenderness he was now displaying?
She lingered for a long time, until her fingertips were soaked white, then she wrapped herself in her warm home clothes, slipped on her slippers, and opened the bathroom door.
The living room was lit only by a single floor lamp, casting a soft, warm light. The air was thick with the aroma of ginger tea, with its rich, spicy aroma. Or chicken noodle soup?
Yu Ling was stunned.
Zhao Chen was standing by the island in the open kitchen. He had changed into crisp grey home clothes, and his hair was half-dried, with a few strands of black hair casually draped across his forehead. He looked less elite and more casual at home.
He had his back to her, concentrating on stirring a small pot of milk. Dark brown liquid was seething in the pot, and the rich aroma of ginger mixed with the sweetness of brown sugar wafted over her face.
On the stove next to her, a small soup pot was warming on a low fire, and white steam was overflowing from the edge of the lid. It was the familiar aroma of chicken noodle soup that she had not had time to eat that night.
There was a tray on the island, but instead of fine bone china, it contained a mug with a giant, grinning Shiba Inu printed on it. Next to it was a soup bowl, also printed with a Shiba Inu, that was larger than its face.
The bowl was already filled with steaming, golden chicken noodle soup, topped with a perfectly runny fried egg and a few slices of tender chicken breast. The dipping sauce contained the familiar combination of black vinegar and caviar.
This extremely homely, even a little clumsy and cute scene forms a thrilling contrast with his identity as the "Godfather of Global Security"!
Yu Ling stood at the bathroom door and forgot what to do for a moment. The cold anger and grievance in her heart were shattered by the sudden smell of fireworks.
Zhao Chen seemed to notice her gaze and turned around. Seeing Yu Ling standing there blankly, wearing the home clothes he had prepared, with her wet hair loose and her face slightly flushed from the heat, an indescribable tenderness and peace of mind flashed across his eyes.
"Done?" He spoke softly, a hint of nervousness barely perceptible. He turned off the stove and carefully poured the boiling ginger tea from the small saucepan into the grinning Shiba Inu mug. Then he picked up the tray and walked over to the sofa in the living room and set it down.
"Come here." He patted the seat beside him, his tone coaxing, "Drink the ginger tea first to ward off the cold. The noodles are ready too, eat them while they're hot."
As if under a spell, Yu Ling involuntarily moved over and sat down on the other end of the sofa, a little further away from him. She didn't touch the steaming cup of ginger tea, nor did she look at the tempting bowl of noodles. She just lowered her head and stared at the same grinning Shiba Inu pattern printed on her slippers.
"Explain." Her voice was muffled, nasal, and without much strength, but extremely clear.
Zhao Chen didn't speak immediately. He picked up the Shiba Inu mug, tested the temperature, and then handed it to Yu Ling.
"The temperature is just right. Take a sip first. You got caught in the rain and spent so long in cold water."
Yu Ling instinctively took the cup. A warm sensation permeated the walls, and the rich aroma of spicy ginger and sweet brown sugar filled her nostrils. She hesitated, but her body's thirst for warmth forced her to lower her head and take a small sip.
The boiling liquid slid down my throat, its spiciness tinged with sweetness. A warm current instantly spread from my stomach, dispelling the chill that had seeped into my bones. My tense nerves seemed to relax slightly at the sight of this hot tea.
Zhao Chen watched her drink the ginger tea and breathed a barely perceptible sigh of relief. He didn't immediately sit next to her, but kept a distance, as if afraid to disturb her. He picked up his own glass of water, took a sip, and seemed to be organizing his words.
"Wangwang Group..." Zhao Chen finally spoke, his voice low and smooth, no longer hoarse like in the rainy night, but with a heaviness that seemed like everything had settled.
"When I was eighteen, I used my first... well, venture capital investment to register an offshore holding company in the Cayman Islands. The name..."
He paused, a self-deprecating smile forming at the corner of his mouth. "I thought it was pretty cool at the time, and a bit of a bad taste."
He didn't explain the origin of "Woof woof", but his eyes swept over the Shiba Inu cup and slippers in Yu Ling's hand, and the meaning was self-evident.
“It’s not an operating company in the traditional sense, but more of a sophisticated investment and asset management platform. It holds controlling stakes in a number of companies…you may have heard of them.”
He carefully chose his words and avoided those terrifying security giants.
"Gu Qianqian's family's power lies primarily in the traditional sphere, with complex connections and many hidden threads. She harbors deep malice towards you, even going so far as to use the family's power in the gray area."
Zhao Chen's eyes became sharp and cold:
"That 'bankruptcy document' was disguised as a real financial restructuring plan for a shell company under the group. Gu Qianqian bribed an insider to tamper with it and send it to you. The goal was to drive a wedge between us and make you completely disappointed in me. I was... handling a critical anti-takeover case at the time, which involved a lot of complications. I couldn't explain everything to you immediately. I could only stabilize the situation and let the lawyers verify the authenticity of the document..."
"As for security..." He looked at Yu Ling, his eyes frank but with a hint of fear.
"Whether it was the time at the convenience store or tonight...it's all true. Gu Qianqian's paranoia is far beyond that of an ordinary person, I can't bet on it. The 'Shiba Inu Security Team' is indeed the highest-level security enforcement team within the group, not a gaming guild. Level 7 is the highest authority mark for core members." He pointed in the direction of his trouser legs, where he had already changed into clean pants.
He took a deep breath and looked at Yu Ling with burning eyes:
"I concealed my identity and approached you as an 'ordinary employee.' Initially, I was indeed curious and felt the urge to agree on a marriage. But Lingling."
His voice suddenly became extremely solemn and affectionate. "From the first time you smiled with satisfaction because of the breakfast I made, from the time you half-heartedly grabbed my hand when you were sick, from the time you gritted your teeth and insisted on carrying it all with me even when you thought I was 'bankrupt'... I knew I was done."
"I'm scared." Zhao Chen's voice lowered, with an unprecedented fragility:
"I'm afraid that after you know the truth, you'll be scared away by that huge, cold world. I'm afraid that you'll see the... less-than-clean methods that might be tainted on my hands. I'm afraid that you'll fall into unnecessary danger because of me. And even more, I'm afraid of losing you."
"So, like a coward, I used one clumsy lie after another, using ridiculous excuses like 'gaming guild' and 'Wangcai's dog food store', desperately trying to keep that 'ordinary' Zhao Chen a little longer, wanting to make that 'Zhao Chen' who only needed to worry about the daily necessities and was only good to you, my everything."
He smiled at himself, a bitter smile:
"That 'mutual aid marriage agreement' became my greatest irony and shackle. I desperately tried to make it come true, but I could only pile on more lies. Gu Qianqian's appearance and her frantic frame-up accelerated the collapse of everything... The more I tried to protect you, the further I pushed you away..."
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