Falling After Marriage - Chapter 67

Chapter 67: That Unintentional Gaze across Ten Thousand Years

“You… why… ngh…”

Cheng Sangluo strained the back of her neck, letting out weak, incoherent questions. She was electrocuted until her entire body spasmed, and after a series of wretched convulsions, she completely lost consciousness, collapsing weightlessly into Lin Jin’s arms.

The ear-piercing buzzing of the taser finally ceased. The dim car interior fell into a deathly silence, leaving only heavy, tense breathing.

Sheng He turned his eyes toward his former boss, finally revealing the true face he had kept hidden for years. His expression was sinister, and his tone had lost its usual humility: “I’ve suffered plenty running back and forth for you all these years, but unfortunately, our paths differ. We’ve known each other for a long time, so I don’t want to get rough with you—consider it a final bit of decency. Just leave with Xu Songheng quietly and don’t try anything. At least I can guarantee you’re safe for now.”

Even at a life-or-death moment, Lin Jin remained unperturbed. Facing the sudden betrayal of her most trusted subordinate, she showed no hint of anger; even her surprise was perfectly concealed. Her quiet composure was awe-inspiring. No one knew how much she had endured to cultivate such inner strength—a strength that stood the test of time.

Lin Jin placed her palm over Cheng Sangluo’s ear, rubbing it gently. Her deep pupils held no light, but her downward gaze was filled with a heartache that she suppressed within her silence. She laid Cheng Sangluo flat on the seat so the unconscious woman could lie more comfortably.

Before leaving, her lips finally moved, giving a cold, faint instruction: “Do not hurt her. That is my final line.”

Sheng He’s hand rested on the steering wheel, his face hidden in the shadows, making his expression unreadable. He offered no response, simply following the “deeply affectionate” woman out of the car.

Xu Songheng, dangling a cigarette from his mouth, sauntered through the crowd. His smug, “villain-attaining-success” face was enough to make anyone sick.

“Who would have thought? The high-and-mighty Miss Lin would have a day like this.” He swaggered up to Lin Jin and exhaled a puff of acrid smoke into her face. “Seems you aren’t the one in control of the situation after all. We overestimated your prowess.”

Trapped in a situation with no room to maneuver, Lin Jin could only turn her face away in disgust to avoid the choking nicotine. Xu Songheng’s resentment toward her was like a snowflake falling from a mountain peak; through countless conflicts and humiliations, it had rolled into the mountain of hate it was today. He remembered running for his life on Lin Sheng’s treadmill—the pathetic desperation, the humiliation. It was all thanks to the woman before him. The hate in his heart began to curdle into murderous intent.

At the height of his malice, he grabbed Lin Jin’s chin, forcing her face forward while blowing more disgusting smoke. “What, a little humiliation is too much for you? This is only the beginning.”

Standing at the pinnacle of society, Lin Jin felt a sense of disorientation at being dragged down from the pedestal. Even so, she maintained her upright posture from start to finish, facing the crisis with dignity.

Xu Songheng laughed as he shifted his gaze to Sheng He, raising an eyebrow in realization. “You’re even more surprising. To think you’re one of ours. It seems President Lin is truly clever—placing an eye like you to get things done cleanly.”

Sheng He couldn’t be bothered with such hollow praise. He put one hand in his pocket, scanned the surroundings, and gave orders: “Take Lin Jin and leave immediately according to Mr. Lin’s plan. This place isn’t safe for long. I’ll handle Cheng Sangluo. I have to meet up with Mr. Lin afterward. Move fast.”

“Understood.” Xu Songheng didn’t suspect Sheng He’s identity. After all, Lin Sheng had mentioned on the phone that a “man on the inside” would help handle the troublesome Cheng Sangluo. He flashed a sinister smile and waved to his subordinates. “Don’t dawdle. Take her away. If anyone messes up President Lin’s business, there will be hell to pay.”

As soon as he spoke, Lin Jin was seized by several thugs and shoved into a car. She remained silent, her dark eyes looking at the indifferent Sheng He. When her gaze drifted to the Maybach, her calm eyes rippled with a faint, hidden worry. She didn’t ask what would happen next, nor did she engage in a futile struggle. She vanished into the darkness of the winding mountain road along with the crowd.

Midnight.

The sound of scattered footsteps echoed through the empty, silent corridors of the health center. Shortly after, Sheng He appeared alone at the door of the family waiting room.

The atmosphere in the room was on the brink of explosion. Lin Sheng and Gu Shinian were at a standstill over the hospital transfer. Backed by her son, Ruan Jinxian shouted in a sharp, shrill voice: “I am the patient’s wife! I have the right to demand a transfer! If my husband’s rescue is delayed and something happens, your entire health center won’t be able to pay for it!”

“Miss Gu, we aren’t making things difficult for you. The request is reasonable. Your persistence will not only lead to a lawsuit but will also affect your group’s reputation,” Lin Sheng said grandly. He looked toward the door and his smile deepened.

Gu Shinian sat on the bench, watching the mother-son duo perform. Her smile was meaningful. “It’s not me who’s obstructing. The agreement before you is in black and white. No transfer without Lin Jin’s request. These are the terms the Old Master personally signed. It also states that if the center violates this, we take full responsibility and pay ten times the liquidated damages. I’m not the one being unreasonable here.”

Sheng He walked silently behind Lin Sheng and whispered something. Lin Sheng nodded, his hostile attitude shifting into a triumphant smirk. “It seems Lin Jin won’t be coming tonight.”

Gu Shinian acted as if everything was expected. She stood up unhurriedly. “Let’s be honest. Whether Lin Jin comes or not doesn’t change the fact that the Old Master cannot be transferred. I’m right here; none of you can take the person in that emergency room.” She stepped toward Lin Sheng, her figure swaying gracefully. “Play too dirty and you’ll get burned. That’s my only advice to you.” She looked at Sheng He and gave a contemptuous laugh. “Clumsy.”

“Since Miss Gu insists on holding a feather as if it were a command, my persistence won’t solve anything. I guess we’ll just sit here and wait for the result.” Lin Sheng’s smile was treacherous. He had anticipated Lin Jin might have a backup plan, which is why he had the kidnapping as a fail-safe.

But now, whether Lin Zhen was transferred or not didn’t matter much. He didn’t care if the old man lived or died. As long as Lin Jin didn’t survive the night, all his problems would be solved. Sheng He’s appearance signaled that his plan was going smoothly.

“A word in private?” Lin Sheng glanced at Sheng He and walked out of the waiting room. Sheng He followed him silently to the emergency exit.

“Mr. Lin, my identity is exposed. Whether this succeeds or fails, I can’t stay by Lin Jin’s side anymore. According to our deal, I want every penny. I have to leave Zhouhai tonight. You and your sister are the same—ruthless to everyone when things get serious. I don’t trust you.” Sheng He broke the silence. He had helped Lin Sheng in secret for years; it was time to retire. If he stayed in Zhouhai and Lin Jin survived, he would be the one to die.

Lin Sheng lit a cigarette. “I know. You want to wash your hands of this. But we’re grasshoppers on the same string. Who isn’t in the mud? You want to leave just like that? You’re not giving me much face.”

“Meaning, you don’t intend to let me go?” Sheng He smiled. “After all these years between you and Miss Lin, I’ve learned one thing: always leave a back door for yourself. If you don’t want me to turn on you, don’t drag me down. Xu Songheng and I are both your pawns, but we’re human too. Even a fool knows to keep a hidden hand.”

Sheng He didn’t say it explicitly, but he was telling Lin Sheng that he held unknown dirt on him.

“Threatening me?” Lin Sheng laughed. He pulled a wallet from his suit. “There is 10 million in this card—more than double our agreement. You’d better disappear completely. Otherwise, you’ll end up like that person—vanishing from the face of the earth.”

That person?

Sheng He frowned, wondering who he meant. After a few seconds, he took the card. “Our cooperation has been pleasant. 10 million is worth my betrayal. Let’s hope we never meet again. I wish you luck in taking over the Lin Corporation.”

Lin Sheng exhaled smoke slowly, watching Sheng He disappear down the stairs. Once the man was gone, his arrogant smile vanished. He angrily threw down his cigarette and kicked the wall. No one with leverage could be allowed to live. These threats were like ticking bombs.

Sheng He will have to be buried with Lin Jin.

A Memory.

The frosted glass wall was long, hazy like a veil wrapped around a white moon. Behind it, a dark shadow moved—more than just slender, her gait was like walking on soft clouds, or a willow swaying in the March wind—light and flirtatious.

Cheng Sangluo carried her camo hat under her arm, walking with a rhythmic, military pace through the long, bright corridor. She was just a passerby, glancing sideways unintentionally, imprinting that hazy image into her mind.

The air was filled with an unknown perfume that relaxed her tense muscles and softened her rigid steps. Two people, separated by a wall, were solitary in their own worlds. The person inside touched the frosted glass, her fingertips like a feather brushing over every inch.

The Cheng Sangluo outside couldn’t see her face. As if possessed, she reached out her own fingertips. Separated by a thin layer, she couldn’t feel the other’s warmth; it was like trying to touch moonlight. At some point, their fingertips and steps synced. Every step was aimless, neither knowing the other’s heart.

Cheng Sangluo was curious and confused, stretching her neck to see if the glass wall had a door. She wanted to push it open and see the face behind that light shadow.

“Cheng Sangluo!” “Present!” “Assemble! Prepare for combat data collection!”

That unintentional gaze across ten thousand years was magical, but it was shattered by the call to assemble, leaving only a lingering dream.

“Warning! Warning! Subject has moved out of safe range!” “Warning! Warning! Subject has moved out of safe range!”

The loud alarm and continuous vibration woke her from the dream.

“Ngh… hiss… ngh…” Cheng Sangluo groaned in pain. She used her weak arms to prop herself up on the seat, taking a great deal of effort to sit upright. She shook her head violently to drag herself back to consciousness.

“Warning! Warning! Subject has moved out of safe range!”

The phone at her feet continued to blare. Cheng Sangluo picked it up. It looked familiar—it was Lin Jin’s phone. The screen showed a navigation tracking map on a black background.

Cheng Sangluo looked around. She was still in the Maybach, but the surroundings weren’t the mountain road to the health center. The taser hit had left her body weak, but her mind was clear. She quickly pieced together the events: Xu Songheng’s people arrived, Sheng He betrayed them, and Lin Jin was missing.

Her sharp mind summarized the situation. She looked at the screen. Tracking map? Subject out of range? It seemed this alarm software was exclusive to Lin Jin.

She checked the time; she had been unconscious for about an hour. She scrambled into the driver’s seat and found the keys still there. A string of questions popped up—why was she unharmed? Why was Lin Jin’s phone left in the car? Who brought her to this safe location?

She couldn’t solve the puzzles yet. She slammed the gas and followed the navigation. A fine autumn rain began to fall, turning into a steady stream on the windshield. Looking at the blurred window, she was momentarily distracted by the dream. That shadow, which hadn’t haunted her dreams for a long time, had suddenly visited, appearing almost resentful—resenting that she had forgotten what moonlight looked like.

Cheng Sangluo narrowed her eyes and shook her head again, trying to shake the shadow out of her mind. She gritted her teeth and whispered, “Lin Jin, wait for me.”

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