Don't meet me in your next life.

His voice was as cold as frost.

"Young Master, you suspect... that she has someone teaching her abroad? But I've investigated, and apart from going to school, she doesn't do anything special, nor has she gone to any special places..." came the subordinate's report over the phone.

"Continue the investigation," Shen Che said.

"Yes."

After hanging up the phone, a thick layer of frost settled between his brows.

"Heh, quite stubborn."

He laughed self-deprecatingly, a hint of cunning flashing in his eyes.

"However, the more stubborn you are, the more it arouses my desire to conquer you, and the more interested I become."

After saying that, he stepped out of the hotel room.

He got back into the car, started the engine, and the car slowly started moving, disappearing from Xiang Yi's sight.

......

The next morning, when Xiang Yi woke up, she felt sore all over and didn't even want to move.

She tried to sit up, only to find herself tied up.

She struggled to sit up, but found that her feet were also bound and she could not move.

She tried to call for help, but found her mouth was gagged.

She tried to break free, but no matter how hard she tried, the rope remained firmly in place.

Xiang Yi lay on the bed in despair, tears streaming down her face. She cried so hard that her tears soaked the pillow.

"Let me go, please let me go, I beg you to let me go... Waaah..."

Her crying seemed to be venting her grief, as if she were telling of her helplessness at this moment.

Unfortunately, no one answered her cries for help.

"Let her go."

Suddenly, a familiar yet unfamiliar voice rang in my ears.

The voice was very pleasant, deep and melodious, yet it also carried an undeniable air of authority.

Xiang Yi looked in the direction of the sound and saw Shen Che standing by the window, holding a cigarette and blowing smoke rings at her.

His profile was handsome and charming, but every word he spoke was like a spell, firmly imprinted in her heart.

Xiang Yi stared at him blankly, as if she were dumbfounded.

Shen Che tossed his cigarette butt into the trash can, slowly walked to the bedside, and looked down at her. "Don't cry anymore."

Xiang Yi bit her lip and glared at him stubbornly.

“My patience is limited,” he sneered.

When Xiang Yi saw his smile, she suddenly felt terrified, as if he were a demon crawling out of hell.

"Don't think I won't kill you. Even if you kneel down and beg me now, it won't do you any good."

"No, no."

Xiang Yi shook her head.

She was afraid of him, really afraid of him!

“You know my style of doing things,” Shen Che said.

Xiang Yi looked at him in horror.

She knew, how could she not know? He was indeed ruthless and left no room for compromise.

But, so what?

She was prepared to die; even in death, she couldn't let him catch her!

“Mr. Shen, if you insist on treating me as a mistress or a toy, then go ahead and kill me. My life is cheap anyway; a worthless life isn't even worth the financial interests between you and your fiancée.”

Her eyes were filled with sparks of hatred.

"Are you threatening me?"

Shen Che's face was ashen.

"Yes."

She did not deny it.

"Fine!" Shen Che laughed angrily. "I'll see just how tough you really are!"

Xiang Yi stopped looking at him and closed her eyes, looking as if she was waiting to be dealt with.

Shen Che took a deep breath, then turned around and walked out the door.

Xiang Yi opened her eyes, stared at the ceiling, and let out a long sigh.

Just now, Shen Che looked terrifying, as if he would tear her to pieces at any moment.

She knew that her life was completely over.

......

Shen Che left the hotel and drove directly to the Shen family's old residence.

"Che'er, why are you back so early?"

The servant came forward and asked curiously.

"Yes, I'll be back if something comes up." Shen Che said, then went straight upstairs to Shen Linshu's bedroom.

The maid didn't think much of it and went back to the kitchen to prepare lunch.

Shen Linshu was lying on the chaise lounge, leisurely flipping through a magazine. When he saw Shen Che return, he quickly put the magazine down and invited him to sit next to him.

"Che'er, which girl did you go on a date with last night? You got drunk!"

Shen Che frowned; he hated being asked these questions.

He glanced at his father coldly and didn't say a word.

Shen Linshu casually touched the tip of his nose and chuckled, "Alright, Dad won't ask you anymore. I know it's not unusual for someone your age to have a girlfriend, but Dad still wants to remind you, those girls aren't clean. You mustn't get into any trouble. You know Dad's worried about you..."

"I know." Shen Che interrupted him impatiently.

He stood up from his chair, preparing to leave, but Shen Linshu hurriedly called out to him, "Che'er."

"What's up?"

"Are those news reports true this time?"

Shen Che stopped, turned around, looked at Shen Linshu, and narrowed his eyes slightly.

Shen Linshu felt extremely uncomfortable under his gaze and guiltily looked away. "It's just a publicity stunt. I'll make them shut up. Che'er, Daddy doesn't want you to get hurt either..."

"This matter has nothing to do with me."

"What?"

Shen Linshu was taken aback.

Shouldn't this be Shen Che's fault?

If it weren't for his relationship with Xiang Yiyi, he wouldn't have gotten into this scandal. Now, it's all his fault, which is incredibly unfair!

"How did you get involved with a prostitute?" Shen Linshu asked, frowning. "Could it be... that you've really fallen in love with her?"

"Do you think it's possible?" Shen Che scoffed. "Don't speculate about my love life."

"Che'er, at a time like this, don't play dumb with me."

Shen Linshu glanced at him disdainfully.

"Since you won't admit it, there's nothing your father can do."

With that, Shen Linshu sighed, stood up, and walked to the window.

He saw Shen Che sitting on the lawn in the yard, his back looking somewhat lonely and desolate.

"Che'er, although you've been very sensible since you were little, you're still a man. You need to learn how to support women, how to enjoy life, and how to make money. Look at you, you haven't earned a single penny, and you can't even hold onto a woman."

Shen Linshu's words were like a heavy punch to Shen Che's chest.

He never imagined that one day, Shen Linshu would say these things to him.

He had always thought that Shen Linshu was just a man who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals, and was even somewhat treacherous and cunning.

But this man actually considered things for him.

Ah......

He really didn't know what to say.

"Dad," Shen Che suddenly said, "Don't worry, I won't let you down."

"It's good that you know."

Shen Linshu turned around and patted him on the shoulder.

"By the way, aren't you getting married? When is the wedding? Our Shen family can't fall behind, so you'd better get this done quickly."

Shen Che frowned slightly.