The domineering CEO who struggles to walk (17)

If possible, Shen Huai had no intention of bringing Si Jiu back so soon.

That night, he sat in his study until dawn, wrestling with his thoughts. In the end, his conclusion remained unchanged—he simply could not let go.

Since that was the case, then he would not let go.

He could easily surmise what kind of deal Shen Zhe and his son had struck with Si Jiu, but he didn’t care what had brought her to his side.

If she wanted something, he would give it to her.

But it would never be in the way that Shen Zhe and his son hoped.

That was why he was so eager to destroy them as quickly as possible.

At the same time, he was concerned for Si Jiu’s safety, and so he refrained from taking any overly direct or aggressive measures to provoke the Shen family.

Yet, only two days had passed before Si Jiu called him herself, saying she wished to return.

How much better it would have been if, before making that call, she hadn’t spoken with Shen Hao.

Shen Huai went to bring Si Jiu back himself.

That night, as Si Jiu slipped quietly from his arms and crept out of the room, as the door opened and closed in near silence, Shen Huai opened his eyes.

There was a safe in Shen Huai’s study, where he kept his most important documents and possessions. That afternoon, Si Jiu had brought him some fruit under the pretense of a visit, and happened to witness the entire process of him opening the safe.

Shen Huai hadn’t made any effort to hide it from her.

Security around the estate was airtight, but inside, there were not even the most basic surveillance devices.

Si Jiu opened the safe easily and retrieved the documents and USB drive Shen Hao had specified.

There were numerous other important documents inside. Si Jiu took one at random, closed the safe exactly as it had been, and left the study. She went downstairs and, not long after, met Shen Hao’s contact outside the villa gates to hand over the items.

When all was done, she returned to the room as though nothing had happened.

When she lay down, the lingering chill of night still clung to her, and she couldn’t help but nestle closer into Shen Huai’s arms.

Shen Huai reached out to hold her, as if roused from sleep, his voice thick with drowsiness. “Where did you go?”

“I went to get some water.”

The person in his arms quickly settled down, her breathing growing slow and even.

Shen Huai remained wide awake, his gaze darker than the night itself.

…

She slept dreamlessly, and when she awoke, it was already dusk.

Opening her eyes, Si Jiu was met with Shen Huai’s face—calm, without joy or sorrow.

“I’ve had Shen Zhe sent away. He’ll likely be sentenced to no less than fifteen years.

Shen Hao’s leg can’t be saved. There was a sudden infection—they had to amputate.

Shen Zhe’s company is bankrupt, and he’s deep in debt, more than Shen Hao could ever repay in this lifetime.”

Si Jiu blinked, unable to make out Shen Huai’s expression. “Where are my glasses?”

Shen Huai did not move. After a moment, he spoke. “Tangtang, is there anything you want to say to me?”

Si Jiu’s hand, reaching for the bedside table, paused. She tried to calm the goosebumps prickling over her skin. [Has the male lead gone dark?]

System: [……]

What’s the point in tormenting the male lead?

[Isn’t he supposed to be soft-hearted? Shen Zhe is the villain of this world—I was just helping him make up his mind to eliminate his enemy early, saving him a lot of trouble. Isn’t that good?]

System: [As long as you’re happy, Host.]

“What do you want me to say?” Si Jiu’s tone was almost unnervingly calm, bordering on careless. “That I took five million from Shen Hao to steal your files?”

“Enough,” Shen Huai interrupted.

Si Jiu thought: First you ask me to speak, now you want me to stop? Men’s hearts are as unfathomable as the sea.

She had no intention of indulging him and continued, “Or should I say I’m planning to leak your company secrets bit by bit to Shen Zhe, working with them from inside and out—mmph.”

Her words were cut off by the cold press of his lips.

Even his angry, possessive kiss was laced with a tenderness so subtle it was almost imperceptible.

[The male lead is truly gentle.]

The system could only roll its eyes.

“No matter what you say, I won’t let you go,” Shen Huai declared, leaving no room for argument.

Si Jiu thought: Well, aren’t you generous.

System: [Why not tell him that the so-called “business secrets” you gave Shen Hao were actually empty files?]

[Why should I tell him?]

System: [He said he wouldn’t let you go.]

You must have misheard. “Wouldn’t let go” and “wouldn’t let off” are fundamentally different.

Si Jiu smiled. [I’ll wait and see.]