Chapter 17: Behind the Scenes, a Little Princess Who Needs Gentle Care

“No.”

After a long pause, Zhou Yinhe calmly uttered those two words. Sitting up straight, he took the wine handed to him by Qi Zhan and drank it in one gulp. After swallowing, he paused briefly before saying, “I don’t want to repeat the same mistakes.”

He was indeed petty and couldn’t let go, so even though he sometimes acted impulsively—like bringing that bouquet back to the office or just now holding Wen Ling while apologizing—he restrained any thoughts of reconciliation.

Jiang Jibai involuntarily exhaled in relief.

After vomiting in the restroom, Wen Ling had sobered up considerably. Leaning on the sink, she recalled the drunken episode. Aside from the mischievous Wu Shao, all she could remember was the scene where she clung to Zhou Yinhe, crying uncontrollably.

So many people had been watching just now. Staring at her reflection in the mirror, she took a sip of water and patted her face, feeling the fading flush rush back again. Although she desperately wanted them to know she was pursuing Zhou Yinhe, she didn’t want to make a fool of herself.

Right now, all she wanted was to go home. She stepped out of the restroom, head lowered, and said to Manager Song, “I’m going home now. Could you please inform everyone?”

Manager Song was momentarily taken aback but nodded. “Alright, please rest well when you get back.”

Wen Ling nodded and left dejectedly. Two bodyguards quickly followed her. Once outside the bar, as things quieted down, one of the bodyguards asked as they walked, “Miss, are you feeling alright? Would you like to see Dr. Qiao for a checkup?”

“I’m fine,” Wen Ling replied, her tone heavy, then sighed softly.

“That Wu Shao from tonight might cause trouble tomorrow. Should we contact Mr. Wen?” the bodyguard whispered.

He didn’t believe the bar owner, the so-called Jiang Shao, would handle the matter. If necessary, they had to inform Mr. Wen.

Wen Ling glanced back at the dazzling, colorful bar and pursed her lips. “No need. Jiang Jibai should take care of it.”

She got into the car, biting her lip in frustration. If only she hadn’t come out.

The next day, Wen Ling didn’t leave the house. The flight from the United States to Forty-Nine City took over ten hours, and by the time she arrived, it was already the morning of the third day.

Wen Ling had spent the entire previous day indoors, having sorted out her thoughts long ago. Now, her precious cat was arriving, and she cheerfully instructed the driver to take her to the airport.

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Lu Zhaoye was considerate; fearing the cargo hold would make Wen Ling’s beloved cat suffer, he took a detour and had his assistant bring the cat on a first-class flight.

When Wen Ling arrived at the airport, the plane hadn’t landed yet, so she went to the VIP lounge to wait.

Unexpectedly, when she turned her head, she caught sight of the figure she’d been longing for.

He lounged in a single armchair, dressed neatly in a clean white shirt and black pants, exuding a cold, lazy aura that kept strangers at bay. With his arms crossed, he leaned against the chair’s backrest, eyes closed in rest. Beside him sat a man in a suit, presumably Zhou Yinhe’s secretary.

Wen Ling pursed her lips and signaled her bodyguard before quietly approaching and sitting gently on the sofa next to Zhou Yinhe.

Secretary Cheng Yu glanced at her warily, suspecting this pretty young woman might be trying to strike up a conversation with his boss—such occurrences were common.

Before he could speak, the young woman softly called out the boss’s name.

“Zhou Yinhe, what a coincidence.”

Zhou Yinhe raised his eyes, still clouded with drowsiness and bewilderment. Seeing Wen Ling, his heart skipped a beat, as if it might leap out of his chest.

Wen Ling bit her lip nervously and hurriedly explained, “I didn’t follow you here. I have something to discuss.”

“Mm,” Zhou Yinhe responded coolly, casting his gaze downward and straightening up. Calmly, he said, “Quite a coincidence.”

Nervous, Wen Ling let out a quiet breath and asked, “What are you doing here? Waiting to pick someone up?”

“Yeah,” Zhou Yinhe replied indifferently.

“Can you stop being so cold to me?” Wen Ling couldn’t bear his aloofness any longer. Ever since she had come to China and reunited with him, even his scorn and mockery were preferable to this chilling distance that unsettled her.

Only then did Zhou Yinhe look at her, his dark eyes reflecting her image. After a brief silence, he said evenly, “Wen Ling, let’s not meet again. I won’t reconcile with you.”

Wen Ling was utterly stunned. Her expression blanked for a moment before she realized her whole body was trembling. She swallowed dryly, stood up, and forced herself to ask calmly, “Why? Is it because of what happened three years ago? I really had my reasons back then. You should have sensed something was off. I…”

“No matter the reason, it’s unforgivable to me,” Zhou Yinhe cut her off.

“Impossible, Zhou Yinhe. The main reason I came to Forty-Nine City is because of you. You know me best; I’m not one to give up easily. Besides, you can’t control me. If I want to pursue you, I will. If I can’t catch you, I’ll do what I did that day—have someone intercept you and lock you up until you reconcile with me!” Wen Ling’s grievance softened, replaced gradually by stubbornness and defiance.

Zhou Yinhe frowned deeply, his jaw clenched. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, Wen Ling bit her lip and stormed off angrily. The two bodyguards glanced at Zhou Yinhe before hurrying after her.

“What a terrible temper!” Zhou Yinhe snapped.

Cheng Yu withdrew his gaze. Having served Zhou Yinhe for over two years, he knew his boss—the young master of the Zhou family, a high-ranking noble in Forty-Nine City. Though he appeared lazy and defiant, as if nothing mattered to him, behind the scenes he was like a little princess who needed to be pampered.

At this moment, his boss must be secretly pleased. Cheng Yu couldn’t help but think: so this is the white moonlight his boss has been longing for.

Wen Ling stormed out of the lounge but couldn’t help glancing back with a glare. Her clenched teeth and furious expression made the two bodyguards uneasy.

“Miss, shall we wait in another lounge? The plane should be landing soon, so we’ll be able to pick up Master He He quickly,” one bodyguard cautiously suggested.

Wen Ling snorted, refusing to enter another lounge. Instead, she found a seat in the arrivals hall.

The bodyguards exchanged looks and stood watch beside her.

Soon, a man appeared, pushing a pet stroller. The bodyguard noticed first and bent down to inform the still-sulking Wen Ling, “Miss, Master He He has arrived.”

Upon hearing this, Wen Ling suddenly looked up and saw the cat’s head poking out of the stroller. Her heart melted instantly.

She stood up and hurried over, her voice involuntarily softening, stretching her tone affectionately, “Baby~”

He He meowed a few times softly, his voice plaintive and coaxing, both complaining and spoiled. Wen Ling felt her heart melt completely, momentarily pushing thoughts of Zhou Yinhe aside.

“Oh, my precious, let me pet you.”