Chapter 415: Chapter 415 Zhiyi, Trust Me
Another matter?
Lin Zhiyi looked at Gong Chen in confusion: “What matter?”
“The issue between you and Sang Li was exposed early this morning. He’s definitely aware of it,” Gong Chen said.
“Yes, he asked me about it, but I didn’t respond.”
“Since he knows you’re Sang Li’s fiancée and that I took you and Xingxing away, even if he knows we’re at a couple’s hotel, he wouldn’t dare barge in to catch us in the act.” Gong Chen tapped his finger on Du Qian’s name on the table. “But he didn’t just barge in—he forced his way in.”
As he spoke, he took out his phone and opened a message sent by the couple’s hotel front desk.
“Sir, just as you thought, he forced his way in directly.”
“Forced his way in?” Li Huan said in surprise. “Lin Zhiyi hasn’t even confirmed anything with him. What status does he have to barge in? Catch them in the act? Isn’t he afraid of offending Mr. Sang and you?”
This was probably what Gong Chen wanted to verify.
No wonder he lost interest the moment he saw Du Qian going upstairs.
Lin Zhiyi had known Du Qian for over three years. He was definitely not a reckless person.
To the contrary, he was very cautious. His polite and restrained demeanor often left a good impression on those around him.
Many people in town had tried to set him up with someone, but he always courteously declined.
Eventually, people started joking about him and Lin Zhiyi.
But he would just smile, neither agreeing nor saying anything to put her in a difficult position.
Lin Zhiyi had always thought he was considerate and well-mannered.
Now it seemed that he simply didn’t want to take the initiative.
Given his cautious nature, how could he possibly break into a hotel room?
Unless he wasn’t afraid of offending Gong Chen.
Lin Zhiyi had met Du Qian’s parents before—ordinary small-town folks. Over the past three years, she hadn’t seen any wealthy relatives contacting them.
Who could be backing him?
Lin Zhiyi didn’t want to jump to conclusions and raised her eyes to look at Gong Chen.
Gong Chen warned, “This matter won’t be resolved easily. Don’t act impulsively—wait and see what actions he takes next.”
Lin Zhiyi, sensing the complexity of the situation, agreed: “I won’t act rashly.”
As she spoke, her phone produced a calm, soothing melody.
It was her bedtime alarm.
She looked at Gong Chen and said, “It’s late. Let’s rest. I’ll head back to my room now.”
With that, she turned to leave.
After taking two steps, she felt a sudden tug at her waist, and in an instant, she was pulled back by the man behind her.
She stumbled and ended up sitting squarely on his lap.
Lin Zhiyi quickly steadied herself and said, “There’s someone—”
She intended to say there were others around, but when she glanced back, Chen Jin and Li Huan had already disappeared without a trace.
Just as she was opening her mouth to speak again, warm breath brushed against her ear.
His voice, low and restrained, said, “What were you talking to Li Huan about earlier?”
As he spoke, his breath stirred her hair, sending a tingling sensation down her neck.
He was so close, it felt as if his skin might touch hers.
Lin Zhiyi clenched her fists and turned her head, intending to stop him from taking liberties.
Unexpectedly, they were so close that their heads nearly bumped into each other.
She leaned backward, but Gong Chen swivelled the chair slightly and raised a hand to steady her body, only drawing them even closer.
She immediately placed her hands against his chest in panic, blurting out, “We didn’t talk about anything—step back a bit.”
The man remained unmoving, his gaze fixed on her face as he murmured, “You smell good.”
He actually lowered his head and sniffed her hand.
Lin Zhiyi froze, her skin flushing unnaturally red.
“It’s the scent of the hotel’s body wash—you used that too.”
“It’s different. If you don’t believe me, smell mine.”
His expression remained composed, yet the firm muscles of his chest pressed against Lin Zhiyi.
Lin Zhiyi’s eyes widened as she warned, “Don’t move!”
Only then did Gong Chen leisurely stop his actions, one hand resting on her waist, the other propping up his chin on the chair’s armrest.
His deep, dark eyes held a trace of allure.
He pinched Lin Zhiyi’s waist gently and said in a low voice, “Zhiyi, trust me.”
Lin Zhiyi froze slightly—he had clearly guessed the conversation she and Li Huan had earlier.
Her distraction was abruptly interrupted as Gong Chen leaned closer to her.
Coincidentally, his phone on the table vibrated and the screen lit up, displaying Sang Ran’s name.
The warmth in Lin Zhiyi’s body instantly dissipated.
Gong Chen reached for the phone, intending to decline the call, but Lin Zhiyi quickly raised her hand to stop him.
“Answer it. What if something important happened? I’ll go back to my room to sleep now; we can discuss anything else tomorrow.”
With that, she gave Gong Chen a slight push.
Finally, he let her go.
As Lin Zhiyi left the room and closed the door, she faintly heard snippets of Gong Chen’s conversation with Sang Ran.
“What’s the matter?”
“What did the doctor say?”
“Don’t overthink it—it’ll be fine.”
Lin Zhiyi didn’t listen any further and returned to her room, shutting the door behind her.
Lying down in bed next to Xingxing, who was peacefully asleep, her mind began to calm.
She kissed Xingxing’s soft, baby-like cheeks. Yet, all she could think about was Sang Ran’s face.
Lin Zhiyi sighed softly, and before she knew it, drifted into a haze of sleep.
…
The next morning.
Xingxing squirmed against Lin Zhiyi, saying, “Mommy, wake up.”
Lin Zhiyi turned over groggily, rubbing her temples, still half-asleep.
“Hungry? Want some milk first?”
“Mhm.”
Xingxing nodded, her eyes fixed on the door as if waiting expectantly for something.
Lin Zhiyi chuckled lightly, “He might still be asleep.”
Just as she finished preparing the milk, a knock sounded at the door.
“Zhiyi, are you up?”
Upon hearing Gong Chen’s voice, Xingxing immediately scrambled off the bed, clutching her bottle, and ran to the door.
Lin Zhiyi felt amused and exasperated, stepping forward to open the door for her.
Gong Chen looked at Lin Zhiyi first, noticing her somewhat fatigued expression. “Didn’t sleep well?” he asked.
“Hmph!”
Someone was sulking.
Lin Zhiyi glanced downward, hinting at the little girl’s moodiness.
Gong Chen paused for a moment and clumsily crouched down, lifting Xingxing into his arms.
“Good morning, Xingxing.”
Xingxing turned her head away, refusing to acknowledge him.
Gong Chen patted her back, saying, “I ordered some delicious food for you. Want to eat while drinking your milk?”
Xingxing extended her hand to tug at Lin Zhiyi, “Mommy, together.”
“Alright, together. Liao Yi happens to be here too.”
“Liao Yi? She’s a night owl; awake this early?”
Lin Zhiyi stepped out of the room, and Liao Yi turned upon hearing her voice.
“Zhiyi, Doctor Du couldn’t reach you, so he contacted me—I’m about to lose it!”
“You didn’t tell him anything, did you?” Lin Zhiyi asked.
Liao Yi stole a nervous glance at Gong Chen. “How would I dare say anything?”
“If that’s the case, what’s the rush?”
Liao Yi quickly raised her hand as if swearing innocence. “I truly don’t know. He’s disturbingly persistent—my phone was bombarded all night with his messages. I finally broke down and asked what he wanted, and he said he wants to explain things to you alone and talk about Xingxing’s health condition.”
Lin Zhiyi’s expression instantly tightened, her voice adopting a sharper tone: “Is he trying to threaten me using Xingxing? Does he have something that could harm her health?”
At the mention of Xingxing, Lin Zhiyi’s composure faltered.
After all, over the years, all of Xingxing’s examinations and medications had been handled by Doctor Du.
Gong Chen arranged Xingxing securely in her baby dining chair, handed her prepared food, and then pulled Lin Zhiyi aside.
“Agree to meet with him.”