Wang Mengning, seeing Su Yue's demeanor, didn't chat with her further. Instead, she found a security guard to escort her home.
It was understandable for a twenty-year-old girl to be frightened upon suddenly learning that her boyfriend's father held such a high position.
She needed time to process it.
"Then I'll be going now. Goodbye, Grandma and Grandpa."
Su Yue finally recovered her senses when Wang Mengning asked if she was tired and if she wanted someone to take her home. She replied softly.
She also wanted to leave quickly.
The security guard dutifully took her to the downstairs of Chen Ziming's residence.
However, she hesitated to go up.
She looked up at the large balcony on the top floor, and the memories of her interactions with him flashed through her mind again.
How many more secrets did he have that she didn't know about?
Each revelation made her fearful.
But what other choice did she have?
This should have been a good thing for her; his family's background meant she wouldn't have to fear Su Minghua as much.
Yet, she was beginning to fear him.
Su Minghua, years ago, had also approached her with such affection and tenderness.
She still couldn't fully trust anyone.
Especially the affection of someone with such high status and power.
It was like a double-edged dagger, capable of elevating her to the heavens or plunging her into the abyss.
Su Yue didn't know how long she stood downstairs until she heard a boy's voice:
"Miss, are you alright?"
Zhou Mu, slightly tipsy, stood before her, bending down to look at her.
It was Friday, and he had no classes in the afternoon. He had gone out for dinner with some newly acquainted university roommates and had drunk quite a bit.
His mother had told him to come home, and he hadn't wanted to. However, he suddenly remembered the beautiful girl he had met yesterday.
So, he had stayed at the restaurant to sober up for a while before heading home.
He hadn't expected to encounter her downstairs, and alone at that.
Naturally, he wanted to seize the opportunity to talk to her.
"I'm fine," she quickly regained her composure, took a step back, and created some distance between them.
The young man in front of her stared at her with slightly hazy eyes and asked again, "Did you have an argument with Officer Chen?"
He wished they had argued, even hoped they had broken up.
This way, he could seize the opportunity.
"No," Su Yue became completely alert and glanced around with some concern.
Fortunately, she didn't see any familiar figures, otherwise, it would have made him unhappy again.
She had no intention of getting entangled with him further and skirted around him, heading towards the elevator.
However, Zhou Mu followed, grabbing her wrist by the elevator.
"What are you doing?!" Su Yue was startled by his actions and tried to pull away immediately, but couldn't.
Zhou Mu didn't know how he had managed to grab her. Perhaps emboldened by the courage alcohol provided, he even tightened his grip when she tried to break free.
"I just saw that you were upset, and it made me upset too," Zhou Mu still didn't want to let go, answering softly.
Though drunk, his consciousness was clear. It seemed alcohol was a good thing, providing the perfect excuse for misbehavior.
"Zhou Mu," Su Yue was starting to get angry, but she stopped struggling. Instead, she lowered her voice and called his name.
The boy clearly paused for a moment, then broke into a smile:
"Miss remembers my name."
Just as Su Yue was about to say something else, her phone suddenly vibrated.
Frowning, she pulled it out. It was Chen Ziming.
The feeling of fear from earlier surged back into her heart, and she quickly answered.
"Why are you only answering now?" His voice on the other end was somewhat low.
Su Yue then remembered that her phone had seemed to be vibrating, but she had been too engrossed in her thoughts to notice.
"Mhm, I didn't see it just now." Her voice was obedient and soft; she no longer dared to speak to him in her previous tone.
Naturally, he wouldn't be fooled.
"Where are you now?"
It was almost seven o'clock when Chen Ziming finished dinner with his friends. He declined their invitation to continue the party and drove to the vicinity of the compound where the two elders lived to wait for her.
He waited for half an hour, but there was still no sign of her.
He then called her.
He had called twice, and neither had gone through.
A bad premonition arose in his heart. He got out of the car and, upon reaching the entrance of the compound, hesitated before dialing her again.
This time, it finally connected.