There's no way to escape it now.
Lin Xihe was filled with fear, but she forced herself to remain calm.
Ji Zhuo suddenly reached out, his slender fingers gripping Lin Xihe's chin like iron clamps, with immense force, as if he wanted to crush her chin.
His eyes burned with rage as he gritted his teeth and said, "I knew you were shameless, but what you did today has truly opened my eyes."
Lin Xihe was terrified, but she still forced herself to reply, "I just want to live, to live a good life. I know I was wrong, but could you please let me go for the sake of the time I saved you?" Her voice trembled slightly, and her eyes were full of pleading.
"Let you go? Don't you think that's ridiculous?" Ji Zhuo sneered, his grip on her hand remaining firm.
“I don’t think it’s funny. If I hadn’t saved you, you would be dead by now. Ah…it hurts…” Lin Xihe frowned in pain.
"It hurts already?" Ji Zhuo asked expressionlessly, showing no pity whatsoever.
A surge of stubbornness welled up in Lin Xihe's heart. She pushed Ji Zhuo away forcefully and said loudly, "You say I'm lying to you, Ji Zhuo? You've never lost your memory, haven't you been lying to me all along?" Her chest heaved violently, her eyes fixed on Ji Zhuo, and she pushed away Ji Zhuo's hand with all her might.
Lin Xihe covered her chin and continued, "You're not at a disadvantage being with me. Now that everything's out in the open, let's just never see each other again."
"dream."
Ji Zhuo coldly uttered those two words, then stood up, took a step in front of Lin Xihe, waved his hand, grabbed her arm, and dragged her out.
Upon seeing Ji Zhuo emerge, the two guards standing at the door immediately followed the two of them downstairs.
Lin Xihe's arm ached from Ji Zhuo's pulling, and she couldn't help but whisper, "Gently, it hurts!"
Hearing the commotion, the diners around turned their attention to the staircase.
Ji Zhuo acted as if he hadn't heard anything and dragged Lin Xihe to the door.
A lavishly decorated carriage was parked outside the door. Ji Zhuo ruthlessly pulled Lin Xihe into the carriage.
On the carriage, Lin Xihe thought to herself that there was no point in resisting now, so she might as well go along with Ji Zhuo's wishes. So she stopped struggling and stopped asking questions.
Ji Zhuo's face was terribly gloomy, his somber expression seemed to freeze the surrounding air into water droplets.
The carriage went faster and faster, and the road became increasingly bumpy.
It wasn't until the carriage slowly came to a stop and the curtain was gently lifted that Lin Xihe realized she had arrived at her own doorstep.
Ji Zhuo moved nimbly and stepped off the carriage first, while Lin Xihe followed silently behind, feeling uneasy.
She noticed that the two guards who had been standing at the gate had also followed her in. As soon as she stepped into the house, the two quickly closed the gate and stood guard outside the courtyard like statues.
Ji Zhuo strode into the courtyard and headed straight for the low couch in the center, where an exquisite brocade box was placed.
Lin Xihe's gaze fell upon the brocade box, and an overwhelming sense of fear welled up within her. She secretly wondered if the box might contain some kind of venomous creature like a poisonous scorpion, or perhaps a potent poison? Otherwise, why would Ji Zhuo, who was so furious, insist on bringing her back to this house?
Ji Zhuo noticed Lin Xihe standing not far away, her expression no longer as fearless as it had been in the carriage. A slight smile played on her lips, carrying a hint of mockery. She reached out and opened the box.
Lin Xihe's gaze was instantly drawn to the box. A glance revealed the contents, and she was startled, instinctively taking a step forward. Inside the box were the gems she had carefully hidden under the grape trellis, along with the one hundred taels of silver and two loose silver coins.
Looking at the valuables she had hidden away, Lin Xihe felt that without these funds, her future would surely be filled with hardship, and all her past plans would be in vain. She was both anxious and angry: "What are you doing with my things?"
"Your stuff? Lin Xihe, you smooth-talking bastard, is there a single word of truth in your mouth? Didn't you say that three gems only sold for thirty taels?" Ji Zhuo's voice was full of sarcasm and anger.
"You gave me the gem yourself, so how I use it is my business. I didn't skimp on your food or drink!" Lin Xihe retorted, though she felt a little guilty inside.
"You're still stubborn and unrepentant, aren't you?" Ji Zhuo's eyes grew even colder.
"Why are you taking my jewels? You promised me you'd give me a lot of money once you recovered. I admit I was wrong, but you can't take my money!" Lin Xihe said, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face.
"If all else fails, just kill me. Without these gems, I won't be able to earn a living, and I'll die sooner or later anyway."
"You're hiding these gems so you can elope with that doctor after I leave? Do you really think I'm someone you can toy with at will?" Ji Zhuo's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible jealousy.
“I’m not trying to mess with you, but you can’t take my money.”
On her way back, Lin Xihe pondered to herself that since Ji Zhuo had brought her back, he probably wouldn't kill her easily. She felt that although Ji Zhuo looked frightening at the moment, he wasn't the kind of cruel and ruthless person.
If things can be clarified this time and the two can break off their relationship, that would be a good thing.
After all, she had already completed her mission, and as a mere passerby, she shouldn't have any further entanglements.
From then on, all I hoped for was a life of boundless freedom, simple and ordinary days, with enough to eat and wear, and nothing to do.
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