Xu Haoran sent the hotel location to Iron Fang, careful not to rush. As he sat quietly in the backseat of the cab, he told the driver, "Don't go too fast. I'd rather not run into Wu Yuting on the road."
The Crimson Bloom Hotel loomed ahead—an upscale, modern building glittering under the evening lights. When Haoran arrived, he immediately noticed the unusually heavy security presence near the private VIP wing. Narrowing his eyes, he made his way to the reception desk and calmly booked a luxurious suite directly opposite the one Jianhong was occupying.
Inside the hotel's private meeting lounge, Wu Yuting sat across from Jianhong, puzzled by the excessive security. She kept quiet, thinking perhaps it was just one of those dramatic business moves to impress her. With a polite smile, she asked, "So, where are you hoping to purchase property? And may I ask what purpose it will serve?"
Jianhong leaned back, eyes gleaming. "Let's just say I've been waiting a long time for this moment."
Wu Yuting furrowed her brows. "What moment? What are you talking about?"
Instead of answering, Jianhong slowly circled around the table and stood behind her. She instinctively began to rise, but his tone suddenly changed—quiet and unsettling. "You'll find out soon."
Wu Yuting froze. One of the security guards moved forward as if to restrain her. Her heart pounded in panic, but before the situation escalated—
Bang! Bang!
A loud knock echoed through the corridor.
Outside, Xu Haoran stood calmly at the door. Without warning, he launched forward, sending a powerful kick into the lock. The door flew open with a crash, splintering under the force. Haoran stepped into the room like a storm, eyes cold and sharp.
"I see you've been busy plotting, Jianhong," he said quietly. "But laying a hand on my wife? That's a line you don't cross."
Jianhong's guards reached for their weapons—but they were too slow.
A second later, Iron Fang and three men burst through the hallway. A chaotic scuffle broke out between Jianhong's private security and Iron Fang's crew. Haoran didn't wait. He crossed the room in a flash and landed a punch squarely on Jianhong's jaw, sending him crashing into the glass table behind him.
While the brawl unfolded, Haoran freed Wu Yuting from her chair, her eyes wide in shock.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
She nodded shakily.
Jianhong groaned and struggled to stand, clutching his side. His voice trembled with fury. "You don't get it, do you? I've suffered since I was a child. I stayed loyal to the Xu family. But you—Haoran—you left. And still, your father chooses you over me!"
"You think loyalty means hurting others?" Haoran snapped. "You've lost your way."
Jianhong's eyes were wild. "He was supposed to give it all to me! I earned it!"
Haoran didn't respond. He stared at him, cold and unblinking. "This is your final warning. Leave Cloudbridge City. Stay away from my family."
"Iron Fang," he added without turning. "Make sure he disappears."
"Yes, Master," Iron Fang replied.
Wu Yuting blinked. "M-Master?"
Haoran sighed and glanced at her. "I'll explain later. Let's get out of here."
He led her to the luxury suite he had booked earlier. Once inside, he handed her a towel and gestured to the bathroom. "You can relax here for a bit before heading home."
After a warm shower, Wu Yuting stepped out wearing a hotel robe. Her damp hair fell around her shoulders, and her face, though tired, was glowing. Haoran looked up from the window—and quickly looked away, his ears slightly red.
She chuckled at his awkwardness. "So... about what happened today. That man—the one who called you Master—he's Iron Fang, right? The infamous gang leader from Blackthorn City?"
Haoran avoided her eyes. "Yes. I paid him to assist tonight after I discovered Jianhong's setup."
Wu Yuting folded her arms. "You're changing, Haoran. I don't know what's happening to you, but… it's like I'm seeing someone else entirely."
"I'm doing what I have to," he said softly. "For your safety."
Then he was about to sleep on the couch.
Wu Yuting stared at him. "Even so… you paid for this room. Don't sleep on the couch."
He hesitated, but eventually joined her on the bed, staying politely on the edge.
That night, long after she had fallen asleep, Haoran turned to face her. Under the soft glow of the moonlight, he admired her peaceful expression and whispered to himself:
"Anyone who tries to hurt you again… will answer to me."
For the first time in years, he fell into a deep, untroubled sleep.
---
The Next Morning
Haoran awoke feeling lighter than ever before. He rose quietly, glanced at Wu Yuting—still asleep—and moved to the chair to gather his thoughts.
Moments later, she stirred. "Morning," she said, smiling softly.
"Morning. Do you want to head straight to work?"
"No, I think I'll go home first," she replied. "I need a breather."
They checked out and rode home in silence. For the first time in a long while, Wu Yuting felt… safe beside him.
When they stepped inside, Zhao Ailin was on the couch watching television.
"Where were you all night?!" she began, ready to launch into her usual tirade.
Wu Yuting raised her hand calmly. "I asked Haoran to drive me to a business meeting. We stayed at the hotel."
"Oh?" Zhao Ailin perked up. "Did you secure the deal?"
"No, it didn't go through."
Zhao Ailin gave a sigh and waved her hand. "Don't worry. Stay focused—you'll land the next one."
Haoran quietly slipped into his room. As he sat on the edge of the bed, his phone buzzed.
A message from his father.