Chapter 10: Shadows from the Past
The day after their unsettling encounter with Chen Lei, Yuyan couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. The air in the penthouse seemed heavier, more oppressive, and the silence between her and Jiang Zhen was louder than any words could be.
He had avoided her all morning, burying himself in business calls and meetings, no doubt trying to escape the same tension that had settled over them both.
But Yuyan wasn't in the mood for silence. She couldn't just let it slide. Too much was happening, and too many things were being left unsaid.
When she walked into the living room, Jiang Zhen was standing by the window, his back turned to her, staring out at the city. He didn't even acknowledge her presence as she entered.
"Jiang Zhen," she said, her voice a little sharper than she intended. "We need to talk."
He didn't turn around, but his shoulders stiffened. "About what?"
"About Chen Lei," she said, her words deliberate. "I'm not stupid. I know he's been involved with you in more ways than just business."
Jiang Zhen remained silent for a long moment. Yuyan took a step closer, studying the rigid lines of his back, the way his posture was almost defensive.
Finally, he spoke, his voice low. "What do you want to know?"
Yuyan's patience was running thin. "Everything. Who is he really? Why does he keep popping up? And why does he look at me like he knows something I don't?"
Jiang Zhen sighed and turned to face her, his expression unreadable. "Chen Lei is... complicated. He's been part of my life for a long time, and not in ways you can easily understand."
"You're not telling me something," Yuyan pressed, her chest tightening. "You never do."
Jiang Zhen's jaw tightened. "There are things you don't need to know."
She stepped forward, her voice rising with frustration. "I need to know everything. I can't keep going like this, not knowing who's really in control here."
For a moment, Jiang Zhen's eyes softened. "It's not about control, Yuyan. It's about trust."
She threw her hands up in exasperation. "Trust? You've never once shown me anything to trust!"
His gaze darkened. "And you haven't exactly given me a reason to trust you either."
There was a long silence between them, the tension thick enough to choke on. Finally, Yuyan turned away. She couldn't keep going around in circles with him.
"I'm done," she muttered under her breath.
Just as she was about to walk away, the doorbell rang. The sudden sound made both of them freeze.
Jiang Zhen's eyes flickered to the door, and then to Yuyan. "Stay here. I'll handle it."
Before she could argue, he was already walking toward the door. Yuyan stood still, the weight of their conversation pressing heavily on her chest.
A moment later, Jiang Zhen opened the door to reveal a woman. She was tall, elegant, and radiated an aura of power that was impossible to ignore. Her dark eyes scanned the room briefly before locking onto Jiang Zhen with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Jiang Zhen," she said smoothly, her voice like silk. "It's been a while."
Yuyan watched as the woman moved forward with an ease that suggested she was no stranger to this place. The air in the room shifted with her presence, and Yuyan's stomach tightened.
She had a feeling this wasn't just another business associate.
"Lian Xue," Jiang Zhen said, his tone colder than it had been with Yuyan. "What are you doing here?"
Lian Xue smiled, her gaze flickering toward Yuyan before returning to Jiang Zhen. "I came to discuss some... personal matters."
Yuyan felt a chill creep down her spine. Personal matters? This wasn't just some casual visit.
"Personal matters?" Yuyan couldn't help but speak up, her voice laced with suspicion.
Lian Xue's gaze slid over to Yuyan, sizing her up. There was something calculating in the way she looked at her. "Ah, so you must be the infamous wife," she said, her voice tinged with mock sweetness.
Yuyan's heart skipped a beat. She didn't like the way Lian Xue had said wife. It felt... too pointed.
"Is there something you need?" Yuyan asked, her voice colder than she intended.
Lian Xue's smile widened, though there was no warmth in it. "Nothing you need to concern yourself with, dear. I'm here to speak with your husband."
Before Yuyan could respond, Jiang Zhen stepped forward, his hand resting lightly on Lian Xue's arm. "Please, Xue, let's not waste any more time. Let's go into my office."
Yuyan stood rooted to the spot, confusion and anger swirling in her chest. What was this woman doing here? Why did she seem so familiar with Jiang Zhen? There was history between them, she could feel it, but she couldn't yet place the pieces.
---
As the door to Jiang Zhen's office closed behind them, Yuyan was left alone in the living room, her mind racing with questions. Who was Lian Xue? And why did she seem so... at home here?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a sudden ringing of her phone. She glanced at the screen and saw an unknown number. Sighing, she answered it.
"Hello?"
"Yuyan," a voice said on the other end. It was a man's voice, low and authoritative. "I think it's time we had a conversation."
Yuyan's heart skipped a beat. "Who is this?"
"You'll find out soon enough," the voice replied. "But I can tell you this: You've been playing a dangerous game. And it's time for you to make a choice."
Before she could respond, the line went dead.
Yuyan stood there, staring at her phone, a sense of unease washing over her. Whoever this was, they knew far too much.