The Billionaire's Hidden Affection

Chapter 678 - 675: The Barefooted Brawny Man Appears 1_1

Her gaze first rested on the hand that clasped hers, then moved upwards to his face.

Under the dim yellow light, she couldn’t clearly see his expression, only that his hand gripped hers very, very tightly. Vaguely, it was as if she had returned to that cold, snowy night years ago. She had been desperate to escape. He, breathless from the chase, had caught up and desperately grabbed her hand, whispering, "Xixi, I love you..."

No, he hadn’t said that. In fact, he hadn’t said a word.

He had just held her hand very, very tightly.

She felt a bit dazed but forcibly shook his grip off. As if waking from a dream, he called out, "Xixi."

She didn’t answer, just kept walking forward.

But as soon as she turned, he grabbed her arm again.

Her expression was surprisingly cold. "Huang Xiaojue, is there something you need?"

What was he doing here? Why did he always show up like this? When my mother was dying, when Yang Wei repeatedly bullied me, when the tax office relentlessly pursued me... Every time I needed you... you were never there. What are you doing here now?

Are you here to mock me?

It was just like how Yan Xixi had been frantically posting online, extravagantly showing off, and appearing in many places she shouldn’t have, a walking joke.

Inside their circle, rumors spread: Yan Xixi had been dumped.

An old flame.

A woman’s greatest fear is becoming an old flame—did you really think Wan Donglin would be your rock? Dream on. He was just playing with you.

So, was he here to laugh at her misfortune too?

He was silent.

She grew even more impatient.

"Huang Xiaojue, if there’s nothing else, I’m leaving."

He stepped forward, blocking her path.

"Xixi, don’t go to the gathering tomorrow."

Her eyebrows rose. "Why?"

"Just remember not to go."

"Is someone planning to harm me?"

He said with deep sincerity, "Xixi, why must you wear yourself out like this? Just bear with it a little longer. Soon you can go to Harvard and leave this place of conflict. What’s the point of putting on a brave front now? Wan Donglin surely had his reasons for leaving. Do you think behaving like this will make him show up? Those who achieve great things don’t get bogged down by trivial matters. The strife between the Wan and Zhou families is something outsiders like us can’t even begin to imagine..."

It would have been better if he hadn’t mentioned "Wan Donglin." The moment she heard the name, blood rushed to her head.

"Xixi, Wan Donglin is an inscrutable man. Even if there are grudges, they are between him and the Zhou family. Why should you get innocently entangled in it? Besides, you’re all alone. If any danger arises, no one will be there to protect you."

Her face flushed crimson. She wanted to sneer but couldn’t even manage a laugh.

"Xixi..."

She said coldly, "What I do is my business. It has nothing to do with you."

"Xixi, you’re leaving next month. Why bother with all this?"

"Huang Xiaojue, are you saying my actions are making you uncomfortable? Or perhaps Zhou Ting? Well, what can be done? I’m sorry, but that’s just who I am. I only care about my own happiness, never about whether others are comfortable or not..."

Huang Xiaojue said quietly, "Xixi, you have to think for yourself. Is what you’re doing meaningful at all? Wan Donglin’s entire family is abroad. Even if he acts outrageously, his competitors can’t harm his family. But you? You’re empty-handed."

She was stunned.

His family—his family—and what was she to him???

Yan Xixi, you’re not a Wan.

It felt like a fist striking hard against her heart.