C18 Chapter 18

Chen Dong rose from the sofa with an icy expression, straightening his clothes before speaking, "We're discussing business here."

"Sister," Lee Sujin whispered timidly, shrinking back as she pointed at Chen Dong. "It's all his fault. I blame my brother-in-law... I..."

"Shut your mouth!" Lee Susu, who knew all too well the thoughts swirling in her own mind, was like a mirror reflecting her inner clarity. Yet, the fury within needed an outlet. She strode forward and slapped Chen Dong across the face. "You're a disgrace!"

The searing pain scorched half of his face. Chen Dong silently cursed, clutching his cheek and glaring at Lee Susu. "Are you looking for trouble?"

That glare brought a semblance of reason back to Lee Susu, who recoiled slightly, intimidated. "You... You dare glare at me?!"

Chen Dong stood, grabbed his coat, and headed for the door without a backward glance.

"Go on, leave! And don't bother coming back!" she yelled after him.

As if he had any desire to stay and take this abuse! Chen Dong slammed the door behind him, leaving without a second thought.

Once the door had shut with a resounding thud, only Lee Sujin and Lee Susu remained in the hall. Lee Sujin hesitated before calling out, "Sis..."

Lee Susu paid her no mind, storming into her room, tears of rage welling up from the corners of her eyes, incited by that worthless Chen Dong.

"What's all this commotion? Why so loud this late at night?" Wang Lifang, donning a coat, emerged from her room. Her age had taken a toll on her hearing, and it took her a moment to discern the sounds of an argument.

Chen Dong walked under the dim yellow glow of the streetlamps, his shadow stretching out before him.

The brisk wind was biting. He hadn't imagined he'd find himself in such straits, reminiscing about his days as the president of Winterfell Industries. When had he ever been reduced to roaming the streets?

Kicking a stone along the curb, he watched it sail through the air before following its path. As he did, he heard a young woman's cry for help echoing from the underpass.

"Help! Help!"

"Stop yelling. No one's going to come to your rescue even if you scream your lungs out." The swarthy man was dragging the woman toward the nearby park, a place shrouded in darkness and deserted at this hour – perfect for nefarious deeds.

It seemed the park's camera was still out of order.

The man's eyes gleamed with excitement as he tightened his grip, rendering the woman in his grasp immobile. A bruise began to form on her neck, a stark purple against her skin.

As Chen Dong approached, he noticed the two figures vanish into the park. The woman seemed vaguely familiar.

In the pitch-black park, the man threw the woman onto a bench and viciously slapped her. She was silent now. He began to grope her, chuckling sinisterly to himself, delighted by his late-night catch.

"No!" The woman's scream was one of utter despair, the light of hope in her eyes dimming.

Suddenly, with a loud thud, the man was sent flying – an outcome he hadn't anticipated. He tumbled to the ground and, after a brief struggle, lay still.

"Are you okay?" Chen Dong removed his only coat and gently laid it over the woman. The sight of her small, shivering form was heart-wrenching.

Wasn't this Tao?

Tao's nose was red from crying. Recognizing Chen Dong, she seemed to find some comfort. Without hesitation, she flung herself into his arms, clinging to him tightly, her body shaking with fear. "Mr. Chen... Mr. Chen... I was so scared."

Chen Dong was startled, unprepared for her sudden embrace. His hands hovered awkwardly in the air.

What to do now?

This was tricky.

But seeing her so frightened, Chen Dong softly placed his hands on her back, patting her reassuringly. "It's okay now, it's okay. I'm here."

As the wail of police sirens filled the air, the assailant was carted off by the officers. The police revealed he was a repeat offender known for targeting women in the area. His knack for evasion had long frustrated them, leaving case after case unsolved.

Chen Dong alone understood that there were no unsolvable cases, only those approached with or without dedication.

The security in the area had always been this way.

"Mr. Chen, I can't thank you enough. If it hadn't been for you..." Tao's voice trailed off as she patted her chest, still shaken, her eyes welling up with tears.

Chen Dong, seeing her on the verge of tears once more, was at a loss for words.

Realizing she was struggling to keep her composure, Tao quickly cupped her face, wiping away her tears, and then it dawned on her, "It's already so late, why are you still out here?"

She had intended to ask if Director Lee would be upset, but the question died on her lips.

Everyone was aware of Chen Dong's predicament. To press for details would be nothing short of rubbing salt in the wound.

Scratching his nose, Chen Dong glanced around before counter-asking, "Why haven't you gone home?"

"I just finished up at work, and I didn't expect..." Tao was at a loss herself, feeling like Director Lee had been singling her out lately, piling on so much work that she was overwhelmed. "And you? What's your story?"

Chen Dong, finding the conversation suddenly turned back on him, curled his fingers to his lips and coughed lightly, unsure of how to respond.

It certainly wasn't a proud moment for a man to be kicked out of his own home by his wife.

Chen Dong was not one to air his troubles. He scratched his head and nose, unable to utter a single word.

Tao wasn't naive. Observing the strained relationship between Lee Susu and Chen Dong, she surmised they had another argument. "It's getting quite late, and my place is still a distance away..."

"I'll drive you home," Chen Dong offered, immediately feeling the awkwardness of the situation. His intentions were good, but Tao was an unmarried woman, and he was a married man.

"Alright." Tao's response was unexpectedly decisive.

With her acceptance, Chen Dong couldn't very well refuse. Besides, at this late hour, who would be around to see them?

It wasn't until he had dropped Tao off at her building that she hesitated to go inside. Chen Dong, touching his nose, felt increasingly uncomfortable.

"I'll head up now. Thank you, Mr. Chen, for the ride home." With that, Tao turned and ascended the stairs.

Tao's apartment was in a typical residential complex, located on the second floor. No sooner had she reached her floor than the lights inside flickered on. The glow spilling from the window bathed half of Chen Dong's face in warm light. He turned, ready to disappear into the night.

Unexpectedly, footsteps sounded from behind him. Chen Dong looked back to find Tao a few steps away, her head bowed in hesitation.

"Mr. Chen, it's gotten quite late. Perhaps you could stay at my place for the night?"