Chen Yiran sat in the waiting area, her mind tangled in thoughts. Her mind kept circling back to the same question, Who wanted her dead? And Why?
Then, out of nowhere, a pair of arms wrapped around her from behind, gentle and unfamiliar. For some reason it was too uncomfortable.
A deep voice whispered near her ear, laced with longing.
"Ranran, I missed you."
Chen Yiran stiffened. Her breath hitched.
'Who the hell? Like, what?'
Her first thought was absurd. 'Did the original Chen Yiran have an affair? Was that why Wang Zichen despised her?'
Her hand flew up, quickly pushing the arms off her shoulders. Even if the past Chen Yiran had been unfaithful, this was too brazen, there was no reason for a man to be hugging her in public like that.
She turned sharply, twisting in her seat to face whoever dared to hug her like that in public, ready to confront him.
And then froze.
'Wow'
If she were back in her country, she'd go for a guy like him in a heartbeat. She liked sunny guys and this guy was the definition of sunshine, definitely her type. Unlike a certain grumpy, cold, brooding man who barely looked at her with anything but disdain.
The man's eyes softened as he looked at her, "I'm sorry, Ranran. I had no choice but to let you go," His voice heavy with sadness, "Your grandfather threatened me after you were chosen as Wang Zichen's fiancee."
'Chosen? What? How?'
Chen Yiran barely had time to process his word before a sharp sensation crawled down her spine. That feeling, like the air had turned electric.
She turned her head.
And there he was.
Wang Zichen.
A few steps away. Watching.
Chen Yiran shot up from the seat, heart pounding.
Like, obviously, any husband seeing his wife wrapped in another man's arms was bound to lose it. And Wang Zichen? With his cold nature? This was not going to end well.
The man, stood up too, hands slightly raised as if surrendering. His voice was rushed, laced with guilt.
"Young master Wang, we weren't doing anything. I just... I got overwhelmed for a second."
Chen Yiran's head snapped toward him. 'Like, excuse me?'
The way he said it, the hesitation in his tone, it was like he was insinuating something. Like there was some hidden truth between them. And she didn't like that.
Wang Zichen's gaze darkened as he took a step closer, his presence suffocating. His voice was calm, but it carried a dangerous edge.
"Mr. Li, lingering around another man's wife like this... makes it seem like you're still not over her. A word of advice. Don't."
Chen Yiran's mind stalled as she turned to Li Hanjun, 'An Ex?'
She barely had time to organize her thoughts before Wang Zichen's commanding voice snapped her back.
"Meiyue is awake."
No questions. No accusations. Just a statement that left no room for argument. Just absolute dominance.
Chen Yiran walked ahead, Wang Zichen following in silence. His presence was suffocating, but she didn't dare look back. Talking to him at the moment felt impossible, like trying to hold a conversation with a wall made of ice.
Inside the hospital room, she picked up Azalea, her tiny warmth grounding her. The doctor and Travis left, the door clicking shut behind them, leaving just Chen Yiran and Wang Zichen in thick, unbearable silence.
She focused on feeding Azalea, the rhythmic motion calming her nerves. But the silence between them stretched, thick and suffocating. After a few minutes, she couldn't take it anymore.
She broke the silence.
"I didn't know he was going to hug me," she said, keeping her voice even. "It caught me off guard and I pushed him off. I'm not involved with my ex."
Wang Zichen didn't react immediately. No remarks. No glance. Nothing,
Then, as if on cue, a knock sounded at the door. Assistant Qin stepped in with a bow, "Director Wang."
Wang Zichen stood.
Chen Yiran hesitated, her fingers still lightly patting Azalea's back for her to burp.
"Are you leaving?"
Wang Zichen finally turned to her, his gaze unreadable, "I'll be back."
Assistant Qin held the door open as Wang Zichen stepped out, falling into a step behind him without a word after bowing at Chen Yiran. His posture was straight, professional, but there was urgency in the way he matched Wang Zichen's long strides.
As they moved through the hallway and into the elevator, Assistant Qin finally spoke.
"Star Daily and Hybe News have been dealt with," he added, "Their articles were pulled and..."
Before he continued Wang Zichen cut him off with his powerful voice, "How?"
"Both have been declared bankrupt, assets frozen, operations shut down. They don't exist now." he answered carefully.
Wang Zichen didn't react, his expression cold as ever.
Assistant Qin hesitated before adding, "But the reporter whose phone hit the young mistress... still no sign of him."
Wang Zichen turned his head slightly, his gaze sharp.
"Then keep looking!"
The elevator doors slid open, Wang Zichen strode forward without another word. His presence alone sent a ripple of fear through the staff who quickly averted their gazes.
"Buzz Entertainment and Golden Media control the narrative in this empire. It's time we control them." Wang Zichen said sending a shiver down Assistant Qin's spine
"Yes, Director."
Outside, a black convoy of cars was parked at the entrance. Assistant Qin opened the door, Wang Zichen got in as Assistant Qin took the passenger seat next to the driver.
Assistant Qin continued once the car drove off, "The editors and articles have already been dealt with. The remaining reporters are in the underground facility."
Wang Zichen's gaze darkened, his voice calm yet carrying an unmistakable edge "Make sure they understand what happens when they touch what's mine. The next fool should think twice."