You had just taken your mother home when Supervisor Sun called. His tone was strangely excited. "You lucky kid. A big shot picked you. President Chu wants you as her driver for a few days."
Driving for Chu Youyou was something countless people dreamed of. But whenever you remembered how she acted around you, a chill ran through you. Hatred, dependence, disgust, and a conflict you could not explain. You wanted to refuse, but you knew Chu Youyou's target was you. Now your statuses were worlds apart, far apart. Once she asked, you had no room to refuse.
Supervisor Sun warned you. "Be at the hotel before eight tomorrow. Remember, do not offend her. Make her happy and you are paid double. Fail that, and you know what our boss is like when he is angry."
You felt troubled now, blaming your reckless younger self, unable to recall ever treating her well. Your personalities often clashed. Chu Youyou was always awkward and changed faces whenever angry. She was clearly angry, but only looked cold, pretending not to care. You still remembered it clearly. But when she got mad, you let her be. It annoyed you, so you turned and went out with friends.
Even the mayor's son treated you politely. She was just a daughter from that rotten family, yet wanted to control you. If you had not been obsessed with her body, you would have dumped her long ago. Wild and proud, carefree and reckless.
After falling to the bottom and looking back, you reflected more and understood Chu Youyou more. That was why the breakup had felt so easy. So even without seeing Chu Youyou, you still thought of her often, with guilt, pride, and heartache mixed together.
But before you could pick her up the next day, Chu Youyou ended up at the police station.
Supervisor Sun heard the news and uneasily approached Chu Youyou. He handled many banquets and had met all kinds, yet still dared not look straight at her. That clean, delicate face could make him lose his sense.
Supervisor Sun hesitated. "The police said Chen Fan's girlfriend came to his neighborhood demanding breakup money. They argued when he refused. Should I ask for more details?"
Chu Youyou thought of the call you answered last night. You said you had never touched that woman. She did not believe it. You were always a liar. You lied at KTV, saying no girls were called. You vanished out partying, then said you were resting at home.
She slowly stood up. "No need to call."
Supervisor Sun assumed you were late and had angered this top figure who moved among celebrities. His mind raced, weighing what she meant.
Chu Youyou grabbed her bag and called the driver, then told Sun, "I lost a diamond watch worth over nine million. Since yesterday only Chen Fan entered my room. Ask the police to check that, too."
After the car started, the driver spoke. "That greeter, he looked decent enough. Who knew he was a thief?"
Chu Youyou usually thought the driver was fine, but suddenly felt disgusted and did not want to hear him.
At the station, you gave your statement. It was not serious. They had extorted you first and shoved first. Strictly speaking, it was not whether they spared you but whether you spared them.
Just when freedom seemed close, several more officers entered. The leader clearly looked like the chief. His eyes were ice cold. It was Bai Chuchu who had the connection. You were confused, until his question stunned you. Chu Youyou had lost a watch and named you the main suspect.
Your instincts said something was wrong. This unknown watch might not be pinned on you, but the fight just now could be blown out of proportion because of her watch and keep you trapped here. You could not be detained. Not under any circumstance. You worried about Lu Ru's health at home. She had several kinds of medicine daily. Some treated illness. Some were supplements you bought her. If you did not remind her, she would definitely forget them.
Sure enough, Chief Lu kept asking but got no answer. His face darkened. "Young man, that watch is worth over nine million. Do you know what happens when theft reaches that amount?"
You did not understand her purpose and grew restless. You met Chief Lu's eyes. "She is my ex-girlfriend. We have old grudges. The watch may be her deliberate prank."
Chief Lu nearly lost composure, and the officers beside him laughed. One hotel greeter and one famous businesswoman. "Were you drinking last night? Still not sober."
You interrupted them. "We both went to Lincheng University. My father is Chen Shengxiang, the founder of Lingyuan Group, the man rumored to have died by suicide."
As you spoke, two officers changed expression. A name carries weight, even after death. Chen Shengxiang still mattered in Lincheng.
"You are Mr. Chen's family."
"My uncle is Lu Kou, the developer. I am poor because I am useless. Not so poor I cannot borrow money and must steal my ex's watch."
Chief Lu looked strange. If this man's father was Chen Shengxiang, then knowing big shots was no surprise, because Chen Shengxiang had been Lincheng's richest man years ago. Then real estate seemed to ruin him. When Chief Lu dined with leaders, he still heard Chen Shengxiang mentioned, usually with pity and admiration.
"Whose son you are is not important. My work still comes first."
Chief Lu's tone softened.
"Show proof and I will admit it, but you have none. Yet you came after me on her word."
Chief Lu could do nothing and had to pause questioning while wondering how to handle this. He saw a masked woman approaching, with a strong but lean man beside her. Her calm voice carried gentle kindness.
"Hello, officer. I am Chu Youyou. I had someone contact you. That watch matters to me. I came to ask him face to face."
He could not offend this woman, so Chief Lu warmly agreed, quietly studying Chu Youyou and secretly thinking. One claims she lost a watch and he was the main suspect. The other insists she is his ex framing him. He clearly sensed youthful flirting beneath the arrogance. He wanted to follow in for gossip, but Chu Youyou gently stopped him at the door. Unable to enter, he went back and opened the internal camera. No matter who was involved, everything had to stay under watch. One tiny mistake could become huge.
Chu Youyou took the briefcase from Yang and made him wait outside, too.
You wondered why Chu Youyou came here. As your eyes met, you looked away first. Chu Youyou sat across from you.
"Was it because someone demanded breakup money that you got dragged in?"
You did not deny it. In your memory, she was always self-righteous. Whatever she believed became fact. Back then, Chu Youyou was truly good to you. Gentle, careful, obedient, and thoughtful. No matter how far you went, she yielded. A few soft words could calm her. But people are strange. The more often you coax them, the more conflicts grow. Her personality became more extreme. Better if you had never coaxed her.
"You once looked down on starlets and influencers. So why would you choose her?"
You paused. "Choosing anyone is not strange. Marriage is not always for love. I just want a child to give my mom some hope and joy."
"The watch was my trap for you. Chen Fan, tell me, if I had someone place it in your locker drawer, would the evidence be complete? You should understand. Evidence against you, as long as it exists, with the difference between our statuses, you would be proven guilty."
You heard that she was not joking. So your tone softened. "I cannot go to prison. I need to care for my mom. Youyou—"
"Call me by my full name."
You adjusted yourself. "You are different now. Destroying me would be easy for you. But back when we dated, I never embarrassed you before friends. And never shorted you on money as a boyfriend. I failed, but I was not that evil."
Chu Youyou stared at the face she once loved. The first time she saw you laughing with friends from afar, your smile in the sun was indescribably bright. Now your smile no longer felt the same. It was restrained and proper and professional. Chu Youyou's heart stung uncontrollably.
She pushed the contract to you.