Chapter 65: Come Stay with Me

Zhang Xiaoxin was momentarily at a loss. Ye Zehong offered her a polite smile, but his voice held a chilling undertone that made her shiver. “Assistant Zhang, thank you for your hard work.”

She nodded hastily, forcing a laugh as she hurried around to the driver’s seat, her movements stiff as she maneuvered the luxury car. Cold sweat trickled down her back. Her voice trembled as she asked, “Mr. Ye, shall I take you to our law firm or back to Ye Corporation?”

“To the...” He paused, casting a meaningful glance at Lu Yao, “to the law firm first.”

The car came to a stop beneath the law firm’s building. Reluctantly, Zhang Xiaoxin got out. As Lu Yao was about to follow, she felt a hand press down on her shoulder. She looked up at him in confusion, only to see him step out and say something to Zhang Xiaoxin that she couldn’t quite catch. Zhang Xiaoxin’s expression darkened like the bottom of a pot, and with visible reluctance, she made her way toward the lobby, glancing back every few steps, her gaze complicated as she looked at the luxury car.

Lu Yao was taken aback, a vague unease stirring within her. What had he said to Zhang Xiaoxin?

The car continued on, but the route was not toward Ye Corporation—it was headed to his home.

These past few days, danger seemed to lurk around every corner. Lu Yao felt weary, longing for a hot shower and, even more, to relax and sleep undisturbed in her own bed.

With exhaustion in her voice, she said, “Mr. Ye, could you please take me home?”

Through the rearview mirror, Ye Zehong glanced at her, his expression unreadable. Soon, the car came to a stop in the underground parking lot of the apartment she had purchased, precisely in her own parking spot.

Lu Yao stared in disbelief at his fluid parking movements, finding it hard to believe it was his first time there.

In the silence, he spoke coolly, “Aren’t you going to invite me up for a while?”

She had just been through a terrifying ordeal; the fear still lingered, and she felt their relationship didn’t warrant inviting him upstairs. She was torn.

When she hesitated too long, his tone deepened, “Even as friends, it’s polite to at least offer, isn’t it?”

Lu Yao glanced at Ye Zehong awkwardly. “Mr. Ye, my place is really small. Do you want to...”

“I’d like to go up.”

Before she could finish, Ye Zehong turned off the engine and got out. Seeing him already at the elevator, Lu Yao stopped protesting and led him up to her apartment.

Compared to his sprawling, luxurious duplex, her place was pitifully small—a two-level apartment with less than a hundred square meters in total.

The first floor held the kitchen and living room, which could barely fit a six-foot sofa. Beyond the floor-to-ceiling window, the view was a jumble of stair-stepped rooftops—a stark contrast to his mansion overlooking the dazzling city skyline.

She couldn’t help but think... He must not be used to such cramped quarters. Surely, he’ll leave soon.

“Tea or coffee?” Lu Yao walked to the beverage station and rummaged through the cupboard, only to realize that both the tea and coffee she’d bought before had expired. She forced an embarrassed smile. “How about just some water?”

Ye Zehong surveyed the small apartment, loosened his tie, and, as if he were at home, sprawled diagonally across the sofa. Speaking in the tone of the man of the house, he said, “Don’t trouble yourself—I’ll manage. Pack what you need. You’re coming to stay at my place tonight.”

Lu Yao froze, utterly bewildered. “Why should I stay at your place?”

He countered, “Do you really think those people will let this go? They’re Qiao Wanliang’s minions. They’re probably already on their way here.”

A chill swept over Lu Yao, her entire body tense as she gazed silently at his handsome face, torn with indecision. Was he suggesting they live together again?

They were now exes—former lovers who had already parted ways. In every sense, this was something she shouldn’t do.