Volume One, Chapter Seven: I Won't Let You Leave Me

Lin Zhiyu nodded, then silently rose and followed upstairs.

In the guest room, lying on the soft bed, she suddenly felt an unprecedented sense of relief.

Lately, her life had been confined to the laboratory or a sickbed.

Her nerves were constantly on edge, tormented by pain, and haunted by the fear that the Shen family might come to take her away at any moment.

But at least now, she no longer had to fear these things.

Although she still didn’t know Shen Du’s true intentions, if anyone from the laboratory found her, Lin Zhiyu was certain he would never allow her to be taken away.

So, this sleep was unusually peaceful for her.

Unbeknownst to her, the Lin household had already erupted in chaos.

“What do we do? Zhiyu still hasn’t arrived, and Huanhuan urgently needs a blood transfusion,” Cheng Nianhua paced anxiously outside the emergency room.

“Damn it! I knew Lin Zhiyu had no good intentions. She came back just to get revenge. We should have kicked her out the moment she returned!” Lin Qianyu clenched his fists, his face filled with bitter frustration and anger.

Lu Zhaochuan, who had been sitting quietly nearby, suddenly stood up.

“Don’t wait any longer. You all go find the blood, I’ll go back and check.”

He felt an inexplicable unease, a persistent feeling that Lin Zhiyu’s words on the phone were not a joke.

Lu Zhaochuan always felt like he couldn’t grasp her, as if something was slipping away.

He was desperate to see Lin Zhiyu now, to finally lay everything on the table.

But breaking off the engagement was something he simply could not do.

At the Lin residence, Lu Zhaochuan looked at the empty room and the suitcase by Lin Yihuan’s door, his expression darkening with anger.

She actually dared to leave!

He clenched his fists tightly, struggling to control his fury.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a corner of the suitcase.

He bent down and took out a photo frame. In the picture, a sweetly smiling girl clung closely to his arm; they stood beneath the sunlight like a perfect couple, a match made in heaven.

Lu Zhaochuan had never been fond of taking photos.

But that day was Lin Zhiyu’s birthday, and he had listened to her wishes, allowing her to hold his arm as they took the photo for remembrance.

“Zhaochuan, no birthday gift you give me could ever be as precious as this photo. I want to keep it forever, right on my bedside table!” the girl had said brightly, her words utterly heartwarming.

Lu Zhaochuan had said nothing, simply affectionately tousling her hair.

Yet now, that cherished photo lay discarded here.

In that moment, Lu Zhaochuan truly panicked.

He realized that what Lin Zhiyu said was true.

This time, it wasn’t out of spite or childish stubbornness.

She genuinely wanted to leave.

Clenching the photo, his expression grew grave. “Lin Zhiyu, no matter what, I won’t let you go. You belong to me!”

The next morning, Lin Zhiyu woke up, washed, and went downstairs.

She found Shen Du waiting downstairs for quite some time.

“Sorry, I slept deeply, so...” Lin Zhiyu spoke apologetically.

“Let’s eat,” Shen Du said, rising and taking a seat at the dining table first.

Lin Zhiyu sat opposite him. They ate in silence before getting back into the car.

Lin Zhiyu had assumed Shen Du would take her back to the large laboratory where she had been imprisoned before.

The Shen family had many labs, but the one where she had been confined was the largest, located downtown.

It housed the best equipment and the most professional staff.

Every drug administered to her was precisely calibrated for the exact duration of pain.

She had curled up in agony on the experimental bed, the drugs numbing her reason.

She begged and apologized repeatedly, but it was all in vain.

Cold eyes watched her, recording data in a notebook.

Day after day, she endured this for three years.

Those painful memories made Lin Zhiyu clench her fists unconsciously.

She fought to suppress her emotions, but they were seen through.

“Leaving the Lin family isn’t that simple; you need to find a new pillar to lean on,” Shen Du said with a hint of mockery, snapping Lin Zhiyu back to reality.

A new pillar?

Did he mean himself?

The car stopped at the laboratory entrance. Lin Zhiyu followed the man out of the car.

But this time, it wasn’t that hellish laboratory.

In comparison, it even seemed smaller.

The guard at the door had already opened it.

Lin Zhiyu hesitated as she stepped forward.

But looking at Shen Du’s back, she inexplicably felt a surge of determination.

She stepped forward decisively and went inside.

“First, we’ll do a comprehensive checkup,” Shen Du said calmly.

A staff member in a white coat approached Lin Zhiyu.

Though she tried to calm herself, the painful memories surged uncontrollably in her mind.

The moment the staff member touched her, Lin Zhiyu suddenly broke down, clutching her head and screaming.

“Don’t touch me! Don’t touch me! Get away!”

The staff was startled, standing there bewildered, glancing at Shen Du.

Lin Zhiyu kept retreating, desperate to escape.

But when she turned, she saw someone guarding the door.

Instantly, it was as if she was dragged back into her torment, breaking down and trembling uncontrollably.

“Lin Zhiyu, calm down,” Shen Du frowned, grabbing her wrist and trying to make her see reason.

But Lin Zhiyu, sensing danger, bit down hard on his hand.

“Boss!” an assistant rushed forward to intervene.

Shen Du waved his hand, forbidding anyone from approaching.

He could feel Lin Zhiyu’s pain and helplessness; all her actions were merely attempts to protect herself.

Shen Du unusually showed patience.

Perhaps what was inside this woman’s body was too important.

He patiently raised his hand and gently, though stiffly, stroked Lin Zhiyu’s head.

“It’s okay. We’re just checking your body, we won’t hurt you. I’m here, no one will harm you. Lin Zhiyu, aren’t you still planning your revenge?”

Lin Zhiyu remained unresponsive, but the metallic taste of blood spread in her mouth.

Her trembling body slowly steadied, and under Shen Du’s soothing words, she gradually relaxed her bite.

“Lin Zhiyu, I’m here to help you, but I need to know your physical condition first. I’ll stay outside the whole time. No one will hurt you.”

Shen Du continued his tireless reassurance.

Once she was completely calm, Lin Zhiyu’s legs gave way, and she collapsed straight to the ground.

Fortunately, Shen Du was quick to catch her in his arms.

Lin Zhiyu leaned all her strength against him.

A faint scent of mint filled her nostrils, bringing back a shred of clarity.

At that moment, an abrupt phone ringtone pierced the silence!