Chapter 15: Parting on Good Terms
Night had fallen completely, and the wind carried a chill. In front of the Imperial Radiance Hotel stretched a broad avenue, neon lights from both sides flooding the view with colorful reflections. This district belonged to the wealthy—exclusive and high-end establishments lined the street, and those without status had no business here. One would have to walk beyond this boulevard even to hail a cab.
Descending the steps, Shen Ling’s skirt fluttered in the wind, revealing glimpses of her jade-like legs. She shivered uncontrollably, and just as she reached the lowest step, a car screeched to a halt directly before her, brakes shrieking against the silence.
The car door swung open and Zhou Bin stepped out, seizing her wrist in a firm grip.
“Let me go!” Shen Ling’s face flamed with anger as she struggled vehemently to free herself.
In their tussle, her fair skin quickly flushed with red marks, yet the man’s strength was so overwhelming that her efforts proved futile.
Zhou Bin cast a furtive glance at the grand entrance of the hotel. Seeing no sign of Bo Jinhang behind her, he grew bolder and yanked her closer.
“So, he doesn’t care about you all that much, does he? Leaves you to go home by yourself, that Bo fellow with his fleet of luxury cars, and not one spared to see you safely back?”
Shen Ling regarded his mocking sneer with a calm indifference, not even bothering to meet his eyes. “Did you come just to spout nonsense? Are you done? May I leave now?”
Her composure seemed to provoke him further, and Zhou Bin’s words grew uglier.
“You threw yourself at him, but he didn’t even want you.”
Shen Ling studied him coldly, and suddenly understood his intent. She let out a scornful laugh. “You want to see me break down in tears? To regret that it’s over, is that it?”
Caught off guard, Zhou Bin’s gaze flickered, betraying her accuracy.
Taking advantage of his hesitation, Shen Ling wrenched her hand free and spoke with icy clarity, “I made myself perfectly clear at the banquet. There’s no need for us to continue this any longer.”
With those words, she strode toward the edge of the street.
But Zhou Bin was relentless. He closed the distance in two swift steps, blocking her path.
His tall figure exuded an oppressive menace, forcing Shen Ling to retreat a couple of steps, arms crossed defensively as she glared at him.
“We should part on good terms. Don’t lose your dignity.”
“On good terms?” Zhou Bin ground out, advancing with clenched teeth, his face twisted with anger and grievance. “And what about all the benefits you gained from being with me? Now you remember dignity?”
Watching his frenzied demeanor, Shen Ling’s heart pounded with fear. Before she could react, Zhou Bin clamped her shoulders and pinned her roughly against the car.
His kiss was wild and predatory, but Shen Ling managed to push him away before he could take further advantage.
In the chaos, her mind snapped back into focus. She slammed her heel down hard on his foot. As Zhou Bin recoiled in pain, she slapped him sharply across the face and darted to a safe distance, her voice trembling with anger and alarm: “What do you think you’re doing, Zhou Bin? Our cooperation was always subject to end at any time.”
Veins bulged on Zhou Bin’s forehead, sweat beading as he doubled over in pain. Yet even then, he looked like a starving wolf ready to pounce, spitting out each word with venom: “What right do you have to end things?”
He had long considered Shen Ling his possession. Her swift and merciless break from him had wounded his pride.
Seeing he might assault her again at any moment, Shen Ling dared not linger another instant. She gathered her skirt and hurried away.
Only after hailing a cab at the curb and climbing inside did she finally release a shaky breath.
When she returned home and closed the door, she was at last cut off from the outside world. Her apartment became an island of safety. She kicked off her shoes and collapsed, exhausted, onto the sofa.
Everything that had happened in recent days felt like a relentless assault on her body and soul. But she could not allow herself to collapse. No matter how weary, she had to press on. She removed her makeup, lay down, and forced herself not to dwell on the past in order to fall into a troubled sleep.
Even so, her night was plagued by restless dreams. When the phone woke her the next morning, fatigue still lingered on her face.
“Hello,” she mumbled, eyes barely open. She answered the call while dragging herself out of bed and into the washroom, turning on the tap and splashing her face with cold water.