Chapter 102 He Just Loved Her Too Much
Upon hearing that uncertain and tentative call, Huo Yanzhi's body visibly stiffened.
He slowly turned around.
All the usual gentle, smiling, and composed facades were shattered at this moment.
Ruan Yao had never seen Huo Yanzhi like this before.
The color drained from his face, and his usually deep and captivating eyes now resembled two bottomless black holes, churning with intense emotions she couldn't understand—a mixture of panic and gloom.
It was a complex expression, a mixture of extreme panic and gloom, as if he had lost his footing on the edge of a cliff and was about to fall into an abyss.
When he finally saw her standing unharmed not far away, carrying shopping bags and looking at him blankly, the gloom on his face was instantly shattered by a stronger emotion.
Before Ruan Yao could even discern the turbulent emotions swirling in Huo Yanzhi's eyes, he strode over and pulled her into his arms with an almost ferocious force.
He held her so tightly that she could barely breathe.
Where did you go?
His voice came from above her head, hoarse and barely audible.
Ruan Yao was completely stunned by his sudden action and the intense panic emanating from him.
She could clearly feel his arms, which were holding her, trembling slightly.
Is he worried about her?
Ruan Yao immediately understood the cause and effect.
Her phone died and shut down. She went to the mall without saying goodbye. He couldn't find her and couldn't get through on the phone. He must have been waiting here for a long time and was going crazy.
A wave of bitter guilt surged up instantly, choking her throat.
"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry," she immediately softened her voice, reaching out to hug his tense back, and hurriedly explained, "My phone died and shut down automatically, and then my brother asked me to go to the mall next door to pick up something for him. I thought I'd be back soon, but I was delayed a bit..."
Her explanation did not seem to completely reassure him.
He held her silently, burying his face deep in the crook of her neck, greedily inhaling her familiar scent.
The office was eerily quiet, with only his heavy, disordered breathing as the only sound.
A very long time passed, so long that Ruan Yao thought she was about to suffocate, before he finally loosened his grip a little.
Huo Yanzhi cupped her face in his hands, his fingertips rough and rubbing her cheeks forcefully. His eyes, using the dim light coming in from the window, scrutinized her carefully, as if trying to confirm whether she was a phantom that could disappear at any moment.
Will you leave me?
His tone was filled with undisguised vulnerability and fear, which stung Ruan Yao.
She never imagined that her "loss of contact" for less than an hour would cause him such great panic.
How could she bear to leave him?
She was reborn so that she could hold his hand tightly and never let go again.
Despite all the self-blame, pity, and overwhelming love, Ruan Yao didn't push him away. Instead, she reached out her arms and hugged his waist tightly, standing on tiptoe and rubbing her cheek against his.
"No," her voice was soft yet firm. "I will never leave you."
She gently patted his broad, stiff back, as if comforting a frightened child.
"I'm sorry for making you worry. I promise you, I will never turn off my phone again. I will tell you wherever I go and whatever I do, okay? I will never let you not be able to find me again."
Huo Yanzhi stared at her intently, the storm and panic in his eyes gradually subsiding with her assurances.
He didn't speak, but lowered his head and picked up the wristwatch that he had been gripping so tightly it was burning hot.
Then, he took Ruan Yao's hand and carefully put the watch back on her wrist.
His movements were slow; the cool metal strap pressed against his warm skin as his slender fingers focused intently, joint by joint, fastened the delicate clasp.
It is full of a sense of ritual to confirm ownership. The cool metal buckle closes with a "click", like a gentle shackle, marking a precious piece of private property with a unique mark.
"good."
He responded softly, as if he had finally received some kind of promise and redemption, and regained his usual composure.
Ruan Yao looked at his focused yet vulnerable profile; in the dim light, his long eyelashes cast a small shadow.
She was filled with nothing but affection and tenderness, and didn't bother to investigate the reasons behind his overreaction.
He only became so afraid of her because he loved her so much.
Huo Yanzhi raised his head.
The unease in his eyes had vanished without a trace, replaced by a profound peace and contentment.
He took Ruan Yao's hand, their fingers intertwined, and his soft fingertips gently caressed the cool metal.
“Let’s go home,” he said.
*
On Saturday morning, Jiang Tangtang finally caught up with Ruan Yao, who was very busy. The two made plans for a belated "bestie day"—shopping, eating, and watching a movie.
That evening, Ruan Yao was going back to the Ruan family home to celebrate her mother Su Wanqing's birthday.
Before leaving the house, Ruan Yao spent a long time browsing in the dressing room and finally chose a pale yellow sundress, which made her skin look even whiter and more delicate.
Huo Yanzhi didn't urge her; he simply leaned quietly against the doorframe, holding a silk handkerchief in his hand.
After she changed her clothes, he walked over and casually tied the silk scarf loosely around her neck, perfectly covering a lingering, ambiguous mark.
"It's windy outside," he explained.
He even prepared flat shoes for her, placed a parasol next to the small bag she was going to carry that day, and even checked her usual lipstick to make sure it was in the bag.
Everything was so meticulous and thoughtful it was outrageous.
Ruan Yao felt incredibly sweet inside, so she stood on tiptoe and gave him a big kiss on the lips.
“I’m leaving now,” she said, taking a step back and winking playfully at him. “Be good while I’m gone, I’ll call to check up on you anytime.”
"Okay." Huo Yanzhi agreed with a smile, his eyes full of doting affection.
He watched Ruan Yao run happily downstairs until that bright yellow figure disappeared at the end of the entrance hall.
The gentle smile on his face gradually faded, and Huo Yanzhi turned around and walked back to his study on the second floor.
He turned on his computer, the screen lit up, and a familiar electronic map interface popped up.
On the map, the red dot representing Ruan Yao is now moving along the predetermined route towards the bustling commercial district in the city center, just like a joyful butterfly.
Everything was under his control.
This realization brought him immense peace and satisfaction.
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