Racing Hearts

Chapter 1

Running a red light. Getting rear-ended by the same person three times in a row. I couldn't help but get out of the car and ask him: "What, is crashing cars one of your regular hobbies?"

The next day, we were both featured as a cautionary tale on the official traffic safety website. The comments below were brutal:

[Hahaha girl, crashing isn't his hobby—racing is.] [Fun fact: Xavier Stone, 7-time F1 World Champion, just retired last year. This can't be accidental, right?] [Look at this girl's face and tell me you still don't get it.]

Chapter 2

The third time sitting in the police station. The person across from me was the same one. Perhaps my gaze was too intense, boring into him. The man lowered his eyes, somewhat uncomfortably pulling up his mask. The exposed deep red earring caught the light, giving him an air of rebellious defiance. He looked like trouble.

After a long moment, I broke the silence: "This seems like the third time, doesn't it?"

The man across from me glanced at me quickly, then looked away, responding coolly: "Yeah, we meet again. What a coincidence."

I was speechless. I fell silent for a moment. I wondered if this man and I had some kind of grudge. After all, anyone who could describe rear-ending my car three times at the same intersection as "coincidence" was clearly trying to provoke me.

Looking down at the time on my phone, I didn't want to drag this out any longer, so I said directly: "As for compensation—"

Before I could finish, a phone with a WeChat QR code quickly appeared in front of me. It was a friend request QR code. The WeChat name appeared to be his real name: Xavier Stone.

I was stunned for two seconds. Looking up, I saw Xavier's gaze fixed intently on the floor. His face remained cold, but his lowered eyelashes fluttered quickly: "Um, add me on WeChat first. However much I need to pay, I'll transfer it to you."

Chapter 3

Because Xavier had controlled the force of hitting my car very well. There were only a few scratches on the rear, no serious denting. So the first two times, I had been generous enough to tell him directly that he didn't need to compensate me.

But Xavier's reaction hadn't seemed particularly happy at the time. He just silently raised his head, his dark pupils staring at me steadily. After a long while, just as I was about to grab my bag and leave, I suddenly heard Xavier call out behind me: "Fine, then I'll see you next time."

I stopped in my tracks. I turned around and looked at Xavier in disbelief. See you next time? Where would we meet, at the police station again?

I initially thought it was just a polite phrase. However, no one expected that six days later, we would indeed meet again— Xavier had crashed into my car once more.

It was getting late now. I hesitated for a moment, then took out my phone to scan Xavier's WeChat QR code. Xavier accepted the friend request very quickly. Then he suddenly straightened up, cleared his throat lightly and said: "Good, we're connected. If you need anything in the future, feel free to contact me."

I looked at him somewhat puzzled. I thought he might have forgotten that we added each other as friends purely because he had crashed into my car three times and needed to pay me compensation.

Chapter 4

The next morning, as soon as I woke up, my phone started getting bombarded with messages:

[Girl, amazing, trending number one.] [Girl, did you see the trending topic?] [Not bad, girl, your looks still hold up even on surveillance cameras.]

I was confused.

Even my friend who rarely goes online sent me a message with great feeling: [Having such bad luck lately, huh?]

I casually opened one of the links people had sent me. When I saw the number one trending topic, I fell silent for two seconds.

#Seven-Time Champion Xavier Stone Three Rear-End Crashes#

The video under the hashtag was the official traffic department posting our incident from last night as a cautionary example. The top comments were:

[Dude, you're not even trying to act anymore?] [Fun fact: Xavier Stone, 7-time F1 World Champion, just retired last year. This can't be accidental, right?] [Look at this girl's face and tell me you still don't get it.]

My phone screen lit up at the right moment. It was a message from Xavier. He withdrew it as soon as I opened it. After waiting for a while, Xavier sent another message.

His tone was somewhat cold: [Don't believe the online comments, they're all fake.]

Of course I understood that. Just as I was about to reply, Xavier continued: [Actually, I should be an eight-time champion. Their information is completely inaccurate.]

I was speechless for a moment. After a brief silence, I didn't really want to discuss this topic with him, so I tried to remind him: [Um, about my car compensation—]

Since yesterday, my car had been sent for repairs, and the damage assessment details had already been sent to Xavier. Although I wasn't in a hurry for compensation, I really didn't want to get too entangled with a stranger, so it would be better to resolve this matter early.

Xavier was quiet for a while before replying: [Okay.]

After a moment, my phone chimed with another message notification. I assumed it was Xavier sending the money transfer, so I wasn't in a rush to check it. But when my phone kept chiming with several continuous message notifications, I felt something was off. The moment I opened the messages, I felt dizzy.

Xavier really wasn't an ordinary person. This was the first time I'd seen someone transfer money not through direct bank transfer, but by sending WeChat red envelopes.

The car damage was $23,000, with a WeChat red envelope limit of $200. My chat screen had been flooded with over a dozen WeChat red envelopes from Xavier.

I stared at the screen in disbelief for a while. I even began to suspect whether Xavier had suffered some brain damage from crashing into my car.

Xavier kept sending red envelopes until 1 AM. Looking at the more than a hundred messages that popped up on WeChat, my feelings were indescribable. By the time Xavier sent the last red envelope, he seemed somewhat reluctant to end it so quickly.

He messaged me: [After you collect the money, will we still stay in touch?]

I didn't reply to him. Because I had already decisively clicked on Xavier's profile and selected delete.

Chapter 5

Because of Xavier keeping me up last night, I had a headache from lack of sleep. When my friend called me to a party in the afternoon, I initially didn't want to go. But my friend said there would be my type, so I gritted my teeth and said I could hold on.

I didn't ask my friend what kind of party it was beforehand. Only when I arrived did I learn it was a racing club gathering. My friend loved cars and usually drove that pink Lamborghini from her garage. Because of her excellent family background and several limited edition sports cars, she was quite popular in the racing club.

Many people came to this gathering. I huddled in a corner to catch up on sleep. My friend next to me said strangely: "So many girls came today, that's unusual."

The next second, screams from the crowd pouring through the door instantly woke me up. I had an ominous premonition: "It can't be such a coincidence—"

Then I made eye contact with the person being surrounded by the crowd. Xavier wasn't wearing a mask this time. He wore a simple, loose black T-shirt, with English tattoos on his pale, lean collarbone. The silver lip piercing just below his lower lip was particularly striking under the lights, paired with that face that was aggressively beautiful, making him look both cold and arrogant from afar.

Xavier casually looked up from the crowd, and when he saw me, his gaze paused. My friend Chloe sighed in my ear: "Among so many champion racers, no wonder he's the only one who became famous outside the racing world. He really is handsome enough."

I glanced at her sideways. I found my friend too much of a fangirl. Chloe suddenly nudged my shoulder. She pointed to a guy who walked in behind Xavier and said: "That's the one I mentioned, your type. I asked around—he doesn't have a girlfriend and he's in college."

I became interested. My gaze shifted from Xavier to land on Andrew. He looked very clean and handsome, appearing to be a gentle, quiet scholar. Completely opposite to Xavier's type. But I liked the well-behaved ones.

Chapter 6

I wasn't used to approaching others to start conversations. After staring at Andrew for a while. He seemed to notice my gaze. When he looked over in my direction, I smiled at him while swirling my wine glass. Andrew was slightly stunned, then walked toward me.

One second before he reached me. A figure stepped in front of him first. I looked up at Xavier. He was frowning slightly, his silver lip piercing making his skin look very pale, radiating a rebellious wildness. At this moment, he looked somewhat irritated.

He seemed to want to say something, but after a long moment, he opened his mouth and only said somewhat clumsily: "What a coincidence, we meet again."

This phrase made me inexplicably angry, and I didn't really want to talk to him. Chloe, who had been watching the show for a while, couldn't help but laugh: "Bro, that's not how you hit on someone. Besides, my friend doesn't like your type—she likes the well-behaved ones."

Xavier was stunned for a moment upon hearing this. After all, from his hair to his toes, nothing about him was associated with "well-behaved."

I was just about to move away from the corner that had become noisy because of Xavier. Turning around, I saw Xavier had followed me again. "Wait a minute."

Under the dim lighting, he still maintained his cold expression, but seemed to find what he wanted to say somewhat embarrassing. He pressed his lips together slightly and said: "You like well-behaved guys. I can be that too."

I was stunned. My gaze involuntarily fell on the lip piercing on his lower lip. When I came back to my senses, I had curiously touched his lip piercing with my finger. "Does it hurt?"

Xavier's Adam's apple bobbed slightly. His pupils were very deep, with sharp upturned eye corners that usually looked aggressive when he stared at people. But at this moment, he just lowered his eyes slightly, letting me touch it forcefully again, and said in a muffled voice: "Mm, I just got it. It hurts a bit when you press hard."

I looked at his lip piercing, still curious. I lifted my chin, signaling to him: "Lick it and see."

Xavier was stunned for a moment. He seemed hesitant. After all, this action felt somehow strange. After hesitating for a long while, Xavier struggled and reluctantly used his tongue tip to quickly touch it.

This action indeed had an indescribable strangeness to it. Like it carried a hint of submissive flattery. Xavier turned his head away uncomfortably. His features remained sharp and striking, but his ears were slightly red.

I squinted at him. Like looking at a big cat that had been forced to restrain its temper and submit to being handled. Quite interesting.

Chapter 7

After actively adding Xavier back as a friend. He became much more talkative. First, he transferred the car compensation money again through bank transfer. Then he would send me greetings every morning, noon, and evening.

At that time, I had just finished discussing business with a client at my father's company. I took a moment to check my messages. I saw Xavier's transfer. I raised an eyebrow and asked him: [I thought you didn't know WeChat had a direct transfer function.]

Xavier probably remembered that time when he sent over a hundred WeChat red envelopes and I deleted him. He was silent for a while before explaining: [I was afraid you'd delete me after taking the money, so I wanted to delay it as long as possible.]

I indeed didn't like having strangers lingering in my WeChat contacts. But— I asked him: [So what was different about the final result?]

Xavier stopped talking. I guessed he was probably thinking about being deleted and feeling a bit down. But I didn't choose to comfort him.

It wasn't until evening that Xavier sent his regular official greeting again, and mentioned that he had a racing competition with friends on Thursday and wanted me to come watch. He specifically added: [It's not any formal competition, just for fun.]

Chloe, who had come to the office to find me, saw Xavier's message. She leaned against me, crossing her legs on the chair next to me, and laughed: "This guy is already showing off like a peacock?"

I checked my work schedule. Thursday happened to be when my father was on a business trip out of state, so I should be able to make time. I replied: [Okay.]

Then I looked up at Chloe and commented: "He's quite cute."

Chloe disagreed: "No matter how cute he is, he won't pass your father's test. Making you work this late, your father simply doesn't treat you like a human being."

I shrugged, not caring about this. After all, Chloe and I were different. Chloe had an older brother who had been strictly trained from childhood as the family business heir. As for Chloe, her parents poured all their love for her brother onto her as well. She had been spoiled since childhood, allowed to live as she pleased.

But I was different. My mother died in childbirth when I was born. Although my father never remarried, he had strict requirements for me from childhood. He wouldn't allow me to say a single wrong word in business settings, wouldn't allow me to make any data errors in work. He thought my work ability wasn't strong enough, so he extended my working hours.

He valued family interests extremely highly. The phrase he said most often was: "The foundation that our Chen family has built over several generations cannot be ruined in your hands."

My father was very ambitious. He had even planned every step of my life into his own business empire. Including my marriage.

Chapter 8

On Thursday, I finished work early. Rushing from a business dinner, I arrived a bit late, so I entered through the back door to the spectator area. From afar, I could see Xavier leaning against his car door, coldly playing with his car keys with a bored expression, his brows shrouded in gloom. He looked like he had "I'm in a terrible mood" written all over his face.

Someone nearby quietly asked him: "We're about to start, your friend still hasn't come?" Xavier felt his new tongue piercing was bothering him, making him even more irritated. He frowned and said sullenly: "Promised to come but didn't show up. Playing games with me, I guess."

After a long moment, he coldly looked up at the time and said: "Forget it, let's start."

The mountain wind howled past with the roar of sports cars. I squinted and immediately spotted Xavier's red sports car. A seven-time F1 racing champion truly lived up to his reputation. Beautiful drift turns, effortlessly leaving the other cars far behind. On the track, Xavier was flamboyant, unrestrained, his rebellious nature his first badge of honor.

The spectator stands, though only filled with invited friends, were still filled with cheers that soared to the clouds. Xavier, coming down from the track, still had that "stay away" expression. He had no interest in continuing to play and put on a hat, preparing to leave.

I quickly shouted Xavier's name loudly. Xavier instinctively turned around. The moment he saw me, he frowned, then hurried over to me in a few steps. He draped his jacket over my shoulders, his voice still somewhat muffled: "It's windy here, you'll catch cold dressed so lightly."

I had rushed from the business dinner, so I hadn't changed out of my formal dress. But I didn't care about these things. I told him: "I just came in through the back door and didn't tell you, but I watched the entire race. Very impressive."

Xavier coughed, barely suppressing his proud smile. He said: "Not bad, I suppose."

Then I looked at him and asked: "You got a tongue piercing?"

Xavier avoided eye contact with me and said: "Yeah, I noticed you seemed quite interested last time, so I thought you might like it."

I looked at him for a long moment and asked: "Doesn't it hurt?"

After a moment of silence, Xavier said quietly: "A little."

Chapter 9

After bringing Xavier to my car. He was still somewhat surprised. He seemed not to have expected there would be an opportunity to spend time together after watching the race. Xavier gripped the steering wheel and turned to ask me: "Where would you like to go next?"

I thought for a moment and told him: "Let's get a hotel room nearby."

Xavier was instantly stunned. He looked at me in disbelief. I was a bit amused by him and added: "I want to study your tongue piercing."

Xavier and I were indeed two complete extremes. He was flamboyant and unrestrained, carving out his racing domain in the mountain winds. While every step of my life was tightly bound by a predetermined web. So those seemingly rebellious things about Xavier always made me curious. Like the tongue piercing I could never get in this lifetime.

I carefully studied Xavier's tongue piercing in the hotel. I came up with a question— What kind of person with what fetishes would make their partner get a tongue piercing to please them?

I also reached a conclusion— I was wrong to think Xavier was like a big cat last time; he should be like a little dog. Because when I asked him to stick out his tongue, his rebellious face was clearly full of reluctance, but he still chose to compromise.

Maybe because I studied the tongue piercing for a bit too long, Xavier's Adam's apple was moving quite dramatically, and the corners of his eyes were flushed red from my unconscious pressing with my fingers. When I let go, I saw Xavier's ears were somewhat red, and he was turning his face sideways, trying to bury the other half of his face in the pillow.

I was still wondering why he was being so shy. My gaze unconsciously swept downward, and then I understood. I laughed despite myself. Then I apologized to him: "Sorry, I didn't notice just now. I was disrespectful to you."

Chapter 10

When I got home, my father was already waiting for me in the living room. I was stunned. After all, according to reason, his business trip to New York should last at least a week or two.

My father looked up from a stack of contract files and looked at me, his tone carrying its usual seriousness: "Where did you go? You look so happy."

I remained silent. Seeing that I didn't answer, he didn't ask further. He just had the housekeeper bring me the stack of contracts from the table.

"Why is the quote two points lower than projected? And the data format error on page two—you've been working for so long, how can you still make such basic mistakes?"

Because I had rushed to watch Xavier's race in the morning, my work indeed hadn't been very meticulous. I took the contracts and simply said: "Sorry, I'll go fix them right away."

My father took off his glasses and pressed his forehead, then suddenly called out to me: "After the bidding documents come down, come with me to have dinner with Uncle Sterling to discuss you and Nathan's matter. You two should also get to know each other better privately. Their family has extensive connections, and more contact would benefit us."

I paused in my steps and nodded: "Okay, I understand."

"Also." My father looked at me and frowned: "I don't care who you want to play around with, but don't delay serious matters and don't affect your work."

Chapter 11

Xavier had become very chatty lately. Just after finishing a meeting at noon, I opened my phone to see dozens of unread messages.

[Good morning.] [Did you have breakfast?] [You must be working. Okay, I won't disturb you for now.] ... [Good afternoon.] [Are you free for lunch? I'd like to pick you up for dinner.] [If you're not free, I can order takeout and deliver it to your company.] [Still not done with work?] [I miss you a little.] ...

After reading Xavier's messages, my mood inexplicably improved. I replied: [Sure, come pick me up in half an hour.]

Since I had to have dinner with my father tonight, and he specifically asked me to dress up nicely, I could skip going back to the company in the afternoon.

Xavier had originally planned to go directly to the restaurant he had booked. But my stomach was feeling uncomfortable, so I said: "I don't really want to eat. Let's go to your place."

Xavier was stunned when he heard this. Then he cleared his throat somewhat uncomfortably and said: "You're a girl going to my place... um, that's not really appropriate."

I turned to look at him speechlessly. How could a grown man be more bashful than me?

I had originally thought Xavier's place would be quite messy. But when I pushed open the door, I was surprised to find the house was very tidy. The cabinet in the living room displayed Xavier's large and small racing trophies from over the years.

I suddenly frowned, my stomach pain getting worse. Years of irregular eating and sleeping schedules, plus occasionally indulging in all-night drinking sessions with friends when my father was on business trips, had made my stomach extremely fragile.

Xavier was startled beside me. He was somewhat anxious: "Here, take this stomach medicine first. I ordered delivery from the restaurant, but it'll take a while. Should I cook you some noodles to eat something first?"

As he spoke, he was about to get up. I suddenly grabbed him. Xavier thought I was still in pain and was about to turn back to say something. I lifted my chin toward him, signaling: "Take it off."

Xavier was stunned. The stomach pain was still bearable for me, but after all, I had come to Xavier's place because I had something I wanted to do, and I couldn't delay it. Then I tilted my head to look at Xavier and said: "Didn't you say you missed me? Take off your clothes."

Chapter 12

When Xavier was lying on the bed, he was still somewhat confused. Xavier's profession always made people think he should be the type who played around a lot. But now, being looked up and down by my direct gaze as I examined his physique, he finally couldn't help but cover my eyes and say in a muffled voice: "Stop looking."

I refused. I removed his hand. And commented: "Nice body."

Xavier pressed his lips together and turned his head away, no longer speaking. I let my hair down. A few strands happened to cover Xavier's eyes. His skin was very white, and due to his profession's long-term exercise habits, the muscle lines under his clothes were full and smooth, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. The tattoo at his collarbone was slightly indented, rising and falling with his rapid breathing, looking very sexy.

Then I lowered my head and bit down hard on that spot. Xavier winced and turned his head to frown at me. I looked at Xavier's tattoo thoughtfully: "It really doesn't fade."

Having never gotten a tattoo, I was indeed somewhat curious. Then I looked at Xavier with dissatisfaction and instructed: "Bear with it, don't make random sounds."

Xavier silently looked at me for a while. This comment, combined with the current scene, sounded quite damaging to one's self-esteem. A normal guy would probably feel somewhat insulted, let alone someone like Xavier with his usually unrestrained personality.

But Xavier just silently turned his head back, covering his eyes with his hand, somewhat self-deceptively thinking that if he couldn't see, then nothing was happening.

I leaned down. Even more intrigued. Actually, the reason I liked well-behaved types was because I had a strong desire for control— In any matter.

Chapter 13

When my father called to urge me, I had just put on clean clothes that Xavier had found for me from his closet. Turning to look at Xavier, who still had his face buried in the pillow playing dead, I couldn't help but laugh out loud. Then I got up while telling the person on the phone: "Okay, I'll be right over."

Xavier suddenly turned around when he heard this: "Where are you going later?" I answered honestly: "To have dinner with my father."

Xavier got a bit anxious. He looked at the loose shirt I was wearing and cleared his throat uncomfortably to hide his body's reaction: "You didn't tell me earlier that you had plans. Won't you be uncomfortable like this?"

I looked at him with amusement: "Are you that unconfident in your own skills?"

Xavier stopped talking. That rebellious, defiant face was burning red, and then he said half-struggling in a muffled voice: "No, it's just... it was my first time, I was afraid you'd be uncomfortable—"

I looked at Xavier with some surprise. Xavier felt that saying this was embarrassing, so he turned his face away to avoid my gaze. His lower lip, pierced with the lip ring, was still somewhat swollen, making me feel inexplicably a little guilty. But just a little.

Then I said casually: "Oh, I couldn't tell you were still the innocent type."

Chapter 14

I didn't want to take a taxi. I called my friend to pick me up. She was somewhat resentful about this: "I'm practically your full-time driver now. Remember to pay me at the end of the year."

I was too lazy to respond to her. After all, I was indeed somewhat uncomfortable all over. Chloe was quiet for a while, then couldn't help but gossip: "Are you serious about him this time?"

I leaned back in the car to rest with my eyes closed: "Mm, at least until I get married, it's serious."

Chloe laughed: "You could never marry him anyway, so what about after you get married?"

I shrugged indifferently: "We'll see."

Chloe clicked her tongue twice: "That's right, workaholics like you and my brother are all cold-blooded. It's good enough if you can give someone a little genuine feeling. All you know is to throw yourselves into the company."

Listening to her chatter all the way, I almost fell asleep. When we arrived at the restaurant, the driver was already waiting at the door.

Pushing open the private dining room door, I quickly adjusted my expression and demeanor, greeting everyone appropriately: "Hello, Uncle Sterling. Hello, Brother Nathan."

Just after sitting down at the dinner table and eating a few bites, my father suddenly put down his wine glass and said: "You and Nathan are both getting older. Find a time soon to finalize the wedding."

I paused while holding my chopsticks. The food in my mouth seemed to lose its taste. Actually, I had always maintained an indifferent attitude toward marriage, and I had known early on that my marriage would definitely be arranged by my father. But now I inexplicably felt rebellious and somewhat irritated.

After sitting quietly for a moment, I wiped my mouth and still smiled at everyone: "I'm fine with anything. Dad, just discuss it as you see fit."

My father patted my shoulder with satisfaction: "Good. I still have things to discuss with Uncle Sterling. You and Nathan go walk around nearby."

Chapter 15

Nathan was the playboy type. The kind who acted like a perfect gentleman in front of my father but couldn't be bothered to pretend in front of me. Neither of us was interested in the other. We were together purely for the strong alliance between our companies.

Nathan was replying to messages from hundreds of models and beauties on his phone while occasionally glancing at me: "Are you always this cold and lifeless when you go out with anyone?"

He said regretfully: "Such a waste of such a beautiful face. Otherwise, I really would have hit the jackpot."

I didn't answer. Mainly because I was very hungry now. My stomach was starting to hurt again. I hadn't eaten much earlier, and high-end restaurant food never filled you up anyway.

After randomly finding a nearby mall to eat, Nathan gave me a sincere evaluation of my eating style: "You're the only girl among all the ones I've met who's so unpretentious."

Since Nathan was rushing to his next date, we decided to go our separate ways. After getting off the escalator, I looked up and made eye contact with Xavier, who was just walking out of a jewelry store opposite us.

I was stunned. Xavier was also stunned when he saw me and Nathan. Nathan sensed something was wrong. He raised an eyebrow, put away his phone, and started watching the show.

Xavier didn't say much. He approached with a dark expression and forcefully grabbed my wrist, pulling me away.

Chapter 16

Xavier was driving somewhat fast. He wasn't exactly good-tempered to begin with, and having the girl he had been intimate with during the day out having dinner and shopping with another man at night would be unbearable for anyone. Now Xavier's hands gripping the steering wheel showed prominent veins, as if he was forcibly suppressing his anger.

I was already feeling uncomfortable all over, and now sitting in the car made me even more dizzy and nauseous. Xavier glanced at me through the rearview mirror and still slowed down.

He suddenly spoke, his tone very cold: "Didn't you say you were having dinner with your father tonight? Where is your father? Don't tell me that man was your father—I'm not stupid."

I remained silent, not knowing how to explain. If it were my usual personality, I would directly tell him that man was my fiancé, then end this relationship. After all, I had always been indifferent about emotional matters. I didn't lack anything, and feelings were just something to satisfy my curiosity. There were too many men in the world; I didn't need this one.

But now I actually felt somewhat— Reluctant to let go. Very strange.

Most of the time, I was too lazy to lie to people who had no value, and my life circumstances didn't require me to waste energy on deceiving people. But now I selfishly wanted to keep the truth from Xavier a little longer.

So, until Xavier dropped me off at home, I still hadn't spoken. He turned to look at me and laughed bitterly: "Really, you won't even bother to make up a lie? Even if you just said you were friends with him, I could delude myself into believing it."

I was silent for a long moment, then I spoke: "Fine, then he and I are just friends."

This time it was Xavier's turn to be silent. I wisely got out of the car, and just as I turned around, he floored the gas pedal. Only dust remained by the roadside.

Chapter 17

For a while, Xavier sent only his daily routine greetings and no other messages. I thought about it and took the initiative to ask him: [Still angry?]

This was my first time in over twenty years trying to appease someone, so I was obviously somewhat inexperienced. After waiting a long time with no reply from Xavier, I sent him another message: [Let's meet tonight.]

Then I hesitated for a long moment before adding: [I miss you.]

Saying such romantic words for the first time, I was somewhat uncomfortable and found it really cheesy. This time Xavier replied quickly: [Mm.]

Half an hour later, he sent another message: [I'll pick you up. It's cold today, remember to wear a jacket.]

This was our first meeting since that unpleasant parting. When Xavier saw that I was still only wearing a dress without a jacket, he frowned and draped clean clothes from the back seat over me. Throughout, he still maintained his cold expression.

I thought for a moment, then took the initiative to lean over and kiss him. Obviously, I was somewhat clumsy at this action, since I had never needed to use this kind of behavior to please people before. Xavier's body stiffened. After a long moment, he softened his attitude and leaned down to deepen the kiss somewhat forcefully.

When he looked up again, he got up to pour me water: "There's cooked porridge in the kitchen. Drink some, and stop irritating your stomach."

I gave him face by drinking a bowl. Then I tugged at Xavier's clothes. He understood my hint. But he frowned: "No, don't you know how poor your health is?"

I always got what I wanted to do. Xavier ultimately compromised.

After changing into Xavier's clean clothes again, I suddenly got up and looked at Xavier: "I'm getting married."

Xavier had been helping me blow-dry my washed hair, but when he heard this, he abruptly turned off the hairdryer, suspecting he had misheard: "What?"

I explained to Xavier: "That man the other day was the fiancé my father arranged for me."

The room fell into a long, deathly silence. Xavier's grip on my wrist grew tighter and tighter.

"But it doesn't matter." I said, feeling inexplicably pleased with the solution I had come up with during this time: "Anyway, marriages like ours are just formalities. He and I both do our own thing. We can still continue being together."

Because my understanding of emotions was almost blank, I couldn't comprehend the loyalty of marriage or the responsibilities of spouses. When I was young, I threw myself into studying and meeting my father's high demands. After growing up, I focused entirely on creating value for the company. Many things my father never taught me, and I didn't think I needed to understand them.

But Xavier seemed even angrier after hearing this. His eyes were bloodshot, as if he were laughing, his voice hoarse: "Oh, so you even have a fiancé, and I didn't even know. Do I count as your boyfriend? Probably not, since you've never acknowledged it."

Xavier stared at me intently, asking: "So what has this whole time been? What am I to you? Are you playing with me for fun, Sophia? Is trampling on my feelings entertaining?"

"I'm pathetic—you said you liked obedient guys, so I threw away my self-respect and groveled in front of you. But have you ever had even a little genuine feeling for me? Have you?"

I was a bit scared seeing Xavier like this. After all, from our first day together, Xavier had been like a big cat that had retracted its claws and wildness in front of me, only showing me his softest belly. He had never been this fierce with me before.

Xavier suddenly leaned down and kissed me roughly, painfully, as if he wanted to bite off a piece of my skin. I don't know how long it lasted before Xavier let me go, his face showing complete disappointment in me: "Sophia, I haven't fallen so low yet. I don't like being the other man who destroys someone's marriage and family."

Chapter 18

Xavier and I were over. I made several rare mistakes at work. Normally, I would never bring any emotions into work, but this time during business negotiations, my assistant had to remind me three times.

Fortunately, the client we were negotiating with was Chloe's uncle. Chloe was also there, watching me with an amused expression.

After it ended, she slung her arm around my shoulder and laughed: "What's wrong today? You're so distracted you even got professional terminology wrong. But don't worry, I won't let my uncle snitch to your dad."

"By the way," Chloe seemed to remember something and clicked her tongue: "I heard you and Nathan are getting engaged. Speaking of which, your dad is really strange. If you say he cares about you, he arbitrarily arranged your marriage for the company. But if you say he doesn't care about you, he's personally checking every detail of the engagement process."

Seeing my low interest in chatting. Chloe, being sharp, immediately pulled up a photo from her phone album and showed it to me: "Speaking of which, when I was chatting with friends from the racing club the other day, guess what I discovered? Xavier and you were actually classmates. Do you remember him?"

I was also stunned looking at Xavier in the graduation group photo. Since my father chose the school closest to home in middle school for convenience of having private tutors come home, and I went abroad for high school until college graduation, I indeed didn't know Xavier and I had attended the same school.

Not only that, I knew very little about Xavier, as if I had never paid attention to him or spent any effort understanding him.

"I also heard—" Chloe saw my interest and continued gossiping: "You two had a brief encounter before."

Chapter 19

Only after Chloe told me did I realize I had actually met Xavier before, but I hadn't cared and had forgotten long ago.

Since childhood, under my father's strict demands and cultivation, my grades were basically first in the grade in every subject. I not only swept all the school's competitions and awards but also had to excel in every hobby.

One rare time I performed poorly was in eighth grade when I lost two points on calculations in the midterm math exam. Instead of waiting for the driver to pick me up at the front gate after school, I walked out the back door and sat on the cold stone steps, lost in thought.

I couldn't say whether I felt afraid or numb inside, but I sat there for two hours. When I was about to leave, I happened to see a boy being cornered in the alley, being demanded for money.

Since it was middle school, most boys had just started developing and hadn't grown much, appearing very thin and small. I walked forward curiously. I heard them mocking him, saying his mother was cheating, fooling around with men outside, calling him a whore's son.

I frowned listening to this. After a moment, I stepped forward and patted one of the tall boys on the shoulder. The tall boy turned around impatiently, but his expression changed when he saw me. He cleared his throat, his face reddening, his voice unnaturally gentle: "What's wrong? Do you need something?"

I rarely meddled in others' business, but hearing them insult the other person's mother made me feel bad. I looked up at the tall boy and said expressionlessly: "Don't bully classmates. How much money do you want? I'll give it to you."

A blonde next to the tall boy immediately got annoyed: "Who are you?" Another redhead nudged his shoulder to shut him up: "Don't you recognize someone this pretty? That's Sophia Chen, famous throughout the school."

I didn't say more. I pulled out all the bills from my wallet, stuffed them into the tall boy's hand, then grabbed the cornered boy and walked away.

In my vague memory, that boy seemed to thank me. But I had no impression of what he looked like, and I never took this incident to heart.

Now Chloe was telling me that the boy who had been demanded for money was Xavier. I suddenly realized why Xavier had reacted so strongly when I said he could still be my lover after marriage.

I had an epiphany—so I was that terrible.

Chapter 20

I couldn't help but open my chat with Xavier. I sent him a message: [So we were classmates before. I actually have no memory of it.]

I thought Xavier probably wouldn't reply to me. But after a long while, Xavier actually sent me a message. He said: [You were too dazzling. It's normal that you couldn't see me.]

I agreed with this: [True.]

From childhood, hadn't I been the most outstanding in appearance, family background, grades, and ability? Of course I was dazzling. Xavier didn't reply to me anymore.

Looking at my chat with Xavier in a daze, I suddenly became very rebellious. I thought, I still shouldn't marry Nathan.

Although I had never rebelled against any of my father's words or demands since childhood, I felt my life was really too numb, almost like a robot that only worked and studied.

I called Nathan in advance and told him I wouldn't attend the engagement ceremony. He was also happy to be free, saying then he wouldn't go either.

On the day of the engagement, I sent Chloe an address, telling her not to go to the wrong place. She pushed open the KTV private room door in shock and asked me: "Where is this? Is your engagement ceremony being held in a KTV?"

I looked up and told her very calmly: "Oh, I ran away from my wedding today."

Chloe was stunned. After a moment, she sat next to me, and after sorting out her thoughts, she was quite moved: "You're still better than my brother. He doesn't have your courage. Last year when he was forced into an arranged marriage, I told him to pretend to have a car accident, crash into the sea, fake his death and escape abroad to find his ex-girlfriend. He refused."

I looked at her, also quite moved: "Your brother was lucky he didn't listen to you. He was originally just living miserably—you wanted him to die miserably."

Chloe laughed and then became serious: "But what about your father's side? Although today only invited close friends from both families, this still made your father lose face in public."

I didn't know what to do either, so I told her a proverb: "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

Chapter 21

After hiding out for a few days. I still went home. As soon as I opened the door, my father was sitting in the living room. It seemed he was waiting for me.

Fear of father was ingrained in my bones. I was considering whether to follow Chloe's advice and kneel down immediately to apologize. But my father suddenly looked up.

His expression was still as stern and serious as in my memory, but in his eyes looking at me, there was an imperceptible tenderness. He looked at me, and after a long moment said: "You've grown up and have your own ideas."

This didn't sound like he was scolding me. My father wasn't exactly a qualified father—I rarely felt familial love and grew up under strict guidance. But my father was also a qualified father in his own way—countless women wanted to become my stepmother, but my father remained single for my sake.

When I was young, I resented why my father was so strict with me, why he was so heartless. Later I realized my father had heavy responsibilities. If he were just a small business owner, he might have let me live as I pleased, but he wasn't. He had thousands of employees to support and the foundation built by our ancestors over generations to maintain. He only had me as his daughter, and I was destined from birth to inherit his responsibilities.

My father looked at me for a long time on the sofa. Perhaps he felt guilty toward me, so he didn't scold me for running away from the engagement. He just said: "Go apologize to Uncle Sterling yourself. Also, if you don't want an arranged marriage, I won't force you. You can make your own decisions about marriage, but you can't delay serious matters. Without Nathan's help in the future, you'll work much harder alone. You need to figure out solutions yourself."

I stared at my father in a daze. I had expected him to be furious, but he just brushed it off so lightly. My father looked at the time—he still had to rush to a company meeting. Before leaving, he said to the housekeeper: "My daughter has grown up. That's good too."

Chapter 22

After returning to the company to handle the work I had delayed these past few days. I had the driver drop me off downstairs at Xavier's building. When Xavier came home from grocery shopping, I was already sitting on his sofa.

Xavier was startled when he turned around and saw me. I pointed to the snack bags and cans on the floor: "So the times I came to your place before and thought you were clean was fake. Look at all these snack bags and drink cans on the floor—why are you just throwing them around?"

Xavier frowned and asked: "How did you get in?" I said: "I called a locksmith." Xavier looked at me silently.

After a moment, I answered honestly: "Actually, I had someone make a spare key to your place before."

Xavier put down the groceries, walked over to me, and asked expressionlessly: "I saw on social media that you and Nathan got engaged last week. What are you doing here?"

I thought his information was really outdated—he didn't even know I had run away from my wedding. Then I nodded: "Yeah, we got engaged. Can't I still come see you?"

Xavier laughed angrily, veins showing on his forehead as he struggled to suppress his emotions: "Sophia, I already told you—"

I quickly kissed Xavier, successfully blocking his next unpleasant words. Xavier's body stiffened for a moment. He looked down at me, his eyes somewhat red, but didn't push me away. He seemed truly heartbroken, self-destructively pressing the back of my head and kissing back forcefully.

When I tried to push Xavier away, he wouldn't let me, gripping my wrist tightly. Xavier's lip piercing was really uncomfortable against me. I used some force to break free from Xavier's restraint.

Then I told him the important matter: "Nathan and I didn't get engaged. I ran away from the wedding."

This might have been too much information for Xavier to process. He hadn't reacted yet and was still somewhat stunned. After a long moment, his voice was hoarse: "You're not lying to me again, are you?"

I was a bit depressed—what did he mean "again"? Did I look like a habitual liar?

"Did your father blame you?" Xavier asked me. I shook my head.

Then I said: "Actually, when you came out of the jewelry store that time, I saw it." Xavier was confused: "What?" I waved my finger to show him: "I mean, I agree to marry you."

Xavier stared at me blankly. Xavier's emotional ups and downs had really been quite dramatic today. He tried to process everything I had just said, then took a deep breath and looked at me with somewhat helpless laughter.

"God, you scared me to death. I was already prepared to give you wedding money when you married someone else."

As he spoke, Xavier carefully took something out of a drawer. Actually, when I ran into Xavier with Nathan at the mall that time, I had seen him coming out of the jewelry store with what was clearly a ring box in his hand.

Xavier opened the ring box—inside was a diamond engagement ring. Afraid I might change my mind the next second, he put it on my finger without asking. Then his voice was somewhat bitter: "Actually, I've liked you for quite a while."

I said: "I know." After all, when I was so outstanding in middle school, it was normal for Xavier to like me.

Xavier said again: "Actually, even if you weren't this beautiful, I would still like you." I nodded, but I still reminded him: "If you want to chase me again in the next life, don't use the car crash method anymore. It relies too much on luck—you might accidentally kill me."

Xavier replied: "Okay."

Chapter 23

At the end of the year when I finished work, my father suddenly said I should take a break. I was a bit surprised. My father gestured for the housekeeper to bring me something from the table.

It was a jewelry box, and the jade and precious stones inside were dazzling. My father put down his teacup, his voice calm as usual: "This is the dowry your mother left for your wedding. The card on the table doesn't have much money, but it's my gesture. Don't shortchange yourself financially after marriage."

I was stunned and was about to explain something when my father snorted coldly: "You think I don't know about you two? Choose a date soon to get married while I'm busy with company matters next year. I had someone check—a racing champion with that many wins doesn't earn little prize money. At least you won't have to live in poverty with him."

My eyes inexplicably welled up. I suddenly realized my father didn't lack love for me—he just hid it too deeply.

Chapter 24

Chloe was the second person to know about my marriage to Xavier. She admired me greatly: "You just ran from one wedding and now you're getting married. If I were a gossip reporter, I'd follow you every day. You live too dramatically."

I glanced at her sideways. Expressing my speechlessness.

The wedding was very grand. When the driver gave me his wedding gift, he whispered in my ear: "The wedding arrangements and details were all personally supervised by the chairman."

I smiled and glanced at my stern-looking father nearby. He adjusted my veil and said: "Go ahead."

Since Xavier was a public figure, many reporters came, and fans sent wedding congratulations. Among all the well-wishes, I heard the officiant ask me: "Do you take this man to be your husband?"

I said: "I do."

My father in the distance suddenly turned away with red eyes. When he turned back, he had resumed his usual stern seriousness.

Xavier solemnly placed the ring on my finger. Hundreds of heart-shaped balloons flew toward the sky, carrying the most sincere blessings, making wishes to heaven— Wishing this couple a lifetime of happiness and eternal love.

(The End)