Volume One, Chapter 18: She Still Loves You

Lin Zhiyu was well aware of Shen Du’s reputation. He was notoriously ruthless and merciless; otherwise, he wouldn’t have risen so swiftly to become the supreme leader of the Shen Corporation. Yet, during the time they had spent together recently, Lin Zhiyu felt that he wasn’t as fearsome and cruel as everyone said. At times, he even spoke softly, soothing her emotions. This had gradually softened her perception of him. But now, it seemed she had been mistaken.

The thought filled her with a newfound apprehension toward Shen Du.

As the man before her collapsed to the ground, Shen Du remained composed, drawing a blood-stained knife without a flicker of emotion. His expression cold and severe, he casually tossed the blade in front of the fallen man and finally spoke.

“This time, your family won’t be involved. But you’d better be smart; the best fate for those who follow my second uncle is to end up as nothing more than a corpse.”

With those words, Shen Du glanced at Fang Li. Fang Li then hurried to drag away the unconscious man.

The servants efficiently cleaned the living room. When Shen Du rose again, his eyes caught a figure at the staircase. Though Lin Zhiyu tried to minimize her presence, the man saw right through her. She was still lost in thought, hesitating whether to return to her room.

“Why are you here alone? Feeling unwell?” The deep voice suddenly came from above her.

Lin Zhiyu stiffened, then looked up toward the voice. Seeing Shen Du standing before her, she was startled.

“I—I was just about to ask Fang Li to return my phone,” she stammered.

Shen Du nodded thoughtfully but said nothing more. Lin Zhiyu cautiously passed by him and headed downstairs. Quickening her pace, she felt a flicker of relief when Fang Li returned. Fang Li hastily hid his bloodied hand behind his back upon seeing her, then smiled and spoke.

“Miss Lin, is there something you need?”

“When I went for the checkup, didn’t you take my phone? I wanted to ask you about it...” Lin Zhiyu explained calmly, though without looking back, she could clearly feel the intense gaze fixed on her back. Her hand hanging by her side clenched unconsciously.

Fang Li suddenly realized and quickly retrieved the phone, handing it over.

“I honestly forgot. Sorry, Miss Lin.”

Lin Zhiyu nodded, gripping the phone tightly and turning to return to her room as swiftly as possible. But as she passed Shen Du, her wrist was suddenly grasped firmly. She halted, turning with a startled look toward him.

“What is it?”

Shen Du said nothing, instead smiling as he brushed the long hair away from her ear. The sudden closeness made Lin Zhiyu uneasy. She dared not meet his eyes but heard his low, threatening whisper near her ear.

“Mind your words if you want to live longer. You should understand that.”

His grip on her wrist tightened. She winced, biting her lip and nodding, forcing a faint smile.

“Of course, Mr. Shen, don’t worry. After finally gaining some peace, I won’t cause any trouble for myself.”

At her words, Shen Du raised his hand to gently stroke her cheek, a barely perceptible curve forming at the corner of his mouth.

“You’re clever. I like working with clever people.”

Lin Zhiyu nodded stiffly, her smile forced and strained.

“Be at the company on time tomorrow. Fang Li will take you there.”

With that, Shen Du released her wrist and turned back to his room.

Lin Zhiyu exhaled deeply, feeling as if she had just narrowly escaped death. She frowned inwardly, finally understanding the truth: serving a lord is like being among tigers.

Back in her room, Lin Zhiyu drank a glass of water to calm herself completely. She opened her phone, intending to calculate how long she would have to work before she could start repaying her debts. Instead, she saw a message from Lin Yihuan.

She hadn’t wanted to look but regretted not deleting her outright. Reluctantly, she opened the chat, intending to delete her then and there, but her gaze lingered on a photo sent by Lin Yihuan.

It showed two hands tightly clasped together—hands that looked familiar. If she remembered correctly, the bracelet on Lu Zhaochuan’s wrist was the one she had made and given him as a birthday gift. He had smiled then and promised to cherish it. Yet now, he wore it while holding another woman’s hand.

It was truly laughable.

“Big sister, don’t be too angry. Actually, if you had been a little gentler with Zhaochuan, maybe I wouldn’t have had this chance. But you’re so stubborn, and Zhaochuan is really hurt.”

Lin Zhiyu’s expression remained unchanged as she disdainfully deleted Lin Yihuan, regretting ever keeping her on WeChat. Now she felt disgusted all over again.

In the hospital room, Lin Yihuan waited anxiously for a frantic reply from Lin Zhiyu. When none came, she finally sent a voice message: “Big sister, Zhaochuan is just worried about me. Please don’t be angry or misunderstand. You’re still his fiancée.”

This time, the voice message showed a red exclamation mark. Lin Yihuan froze, then realized she had been deleted.

Damn it!

Clenching her phone tightly, she fought the urge to smash it to the ground, taking a deep breath. She hadn’t expected that after three years apart, Lin Zhiyu could remain so composed—seeing such a photo without anger, without a single word.

Could it be that she truly no longer cared about Lu Zhaochuan?

No, impossible. They had grown up as childhood sweethearts. How could she not care after all these years? Lin Zhiyu must be pretending.

“Yihuan? Why do you look so bad? What’s wrong?” Lu Zhaochuan asked as he entered the hospital room, noticing her pale expression.

“Nothing, Zhaochuan. I’m just a bit sad because my sister deleted me, but I’m also happy for you,” Lin Yihuan forced a smile, trying to appear unaffected.

“Happy for me? Why?” Lu Zhaochuan was puzzled.

“Sister’s actions prove she still cares about you. If she didn’t love you at all, she wouldn’t even bother to reply. Zhaochuan, it seems our plan is working!”

Lin Yihuan held Lu Zhaochuan’s hand affectionately, her face alight with anticipation for his praise.

He was lost in thought, considering her words. If that were true, it would indeed prove that Zhiyu still loved him.