I Could Never Fall In Love With A Villain - Chapter 23

Chapter 23: On a Day Like This, Who Wants to Work…

Mu Yin stared at the location on her screen, her eyelid twitching.

The next second, she stood up from her desk, grabbed her car keys, and headed straight for the exit. The location Peng Ku had sent wasn’t just anywhere—it was the apartment she had purchased to serve as their secret office. Because she had recruited interns from Jiabei University, she had chosen a spot near the campus for their convenience.

Although the project was officially “on hold,” Peng Ku and the others had keys; they were free to go there to study or rest. But the situation was now bizarre—Peng Ku had no reason to remain silent and then suddenly send a location she already knew.

She couldn’t help but overthink it, so she decided to go in person. Ideally, it’s a false alarm, she thought, in which case, I’m going to give that kid a serious lecture.

Seeing her grab her keys, her colleagues in the department weren’t surprised. After all, the Eldest Miss of the Mu family had always acted according to her whims. However, some saw it differently. Given Mu Yin’s recent “controlled” status under Mu Xuan, her sudden truancy was a prime opportunity for someone to curry favor.

Thus, barely a moment after Mu Yin stepped out of the office area, a tip-off message was sent to Mu Xuan.

…

The Grand Escape

Mu Xuan happened to be returning to the company and was still in the parking garage. Receiving the message, he raised an eyebrow expressionlessly. Instead of taking the elevator up, he stayed in his car, watching the elevator doors.

A few minutes later, ding, the doors opened. Mu Yin walked out, looking hurried.

Fine, so you’re treating my words as wind through your ears…

Mu Xuan flashed his headlights and honked, attempting to intimidate her. Mu Yin immediately turned her head, locking eyes with him through the windshield. A second later, without hesitation, she turned around and headed back toward the elevators.

She didn’t look intimidated into returning to work. Rather, she looked like she’d been “caught” and, unwilling to waste words, decided to ditch the car and leave through the main lobby instead.

Mu Xuan didn’t hesitate; he jumped out of the car and gave chase. “Mu Yin, stand right there!”

Like she was going to stop. Mu Xuan was a chatterbox; if she didn’t give him a reason that satisfied him, he wouldn’t let her go today. Hearing him call out, Mu Yin started to run.

The elevator doors began to slide shut. At the last possible second, a hand reached in, forcing the doors back open.

“…” Mu Yin looked at him calmly. “That was dangerous behavior.”

“Heh.” Mu Xuan stepped into the elevator, staring at her with a cold sneer. “And you trying to sneak off—does that count as illegal behavior?”

“Brother, how could you think that?!” Mu Yin called him “Brother” with an innocent expression. “I am a law-abiding citizen. How could I be a thief?”

Mu Xuan activated his sarcasm skill: “Oh? Not a thief? Then why did you run the moment you saw me? If that isn’t a guilty conscience, what is?”

Mu Yin remained composed, calmly spouting nonsense: “Brother was too radiant today. I was blinded; I couldn’t look directly at you.”

“…”

Logically, he should have scoffed and ignored it. But the words “radiant” and “couldn’t look directly” inexplicably reminded him of that night when they had accidentally tumbled together. Mu Xuan was stuck for a few seconds before finding his voice: “Regardless of what you say, today you are staying at work. You aren’t allowed to leave a minute early.”

The elevator stopped at the first floor.

“I have to take a leave today,” Mu Yin blurted out as she bolted for the exit. “A friend of mine is in trouble and I need to get there. I’ll work hard, I’ll make up the time on the weekend, okay~”

Seeing her change her story mid-stride, Mu Xuan believed her even less. Realizing she was about to slip away right under his nose, he reached out with his long arm and grabbed her.

A number of employees were waiting for the elevator, and their gazes turned toward them in surprise. Mu Xuan, who maintained a cold and rigorous persona, hated being the subject of office gossip. Being stared at by so many people made him flush with irritation—irritation that Mu Yin was making him break character.

He suppressed his anger and whispered, “Whatever your reason is, come to my office and say it.”

“Can I tell you after I see my friend?”

“No.”

Mu Yin was also suppressing her temper. But it was clear she couldn’t hold it anymore. With every minute Peng Ku was unreachable, her anxiety grew.

“I’ll tell you when I get back.”

Mu Xuan barely heard the soft voice before he could react. The next instant, his arm was twisted outward, and he felt himself lifted off the ground. The ceiling lights and blurred silhouettes flashed before his eyes. His back slammed into the hard floor, and pain surged from his arm to his spine.

“Mu Yin?!”

Mu Xuan’s brain felt like it was filled with white fog. Fortunately, he was agile and fit; he scrambled up quickly before the employees could rush over to help, though he was undeniably disheveled.

Mu Yin didn’t hesitate. Hearing his furious voice behind her, she charged out of the building. She knew Mu Xuan might come after her in a rage, so she needed to get far away before calling a cab.

At that moment, as if by destiny, a black motorcycle roared toward the entrance and came to a sharp halt. The rider turned his head, his surprise visible through his visor.

Not caring why Song Xingyao was there, Mu Yin grabbed the opportunity like a lifeline: “Is it convenient? Give me a ride.”

Song Xingyao looked past her at the disheveled Mu Xuan, said nothing, and tossed her a helmet.

Watching Mu Yin don the helmet and zoom away on the back of a motorcycle, Mu Xuan’s fury nearly boiled over. The ache in his back reminded him of just how “wonderful” this day had become.

An employee stepped forward timidly: “Mr. Mu… do you need to go to the hospital?”

“No need.” He turned back to the elevators, but he didn’t press the button for his office. He pressed the button for the garage.

Mu Yin clearly didn’t understand his persistence. He was going to find out what she was doing… and who that guy was.

…

The Rescue Signal

The motorcycle sped down the wide road, skyscrapers blurring past. The wind was warm, carrying the scent of spring.

“You were right to run,” Song Xingyao’s voice drifted back through the wind, laced with a smile. “On a beautiful day like this, who wants to work?”

Mu Yin was too worried to joke. “Thanks. I’ll buy you dinner later. Drop me off at the next intersection, I’ll get a cab. I have somewhere I need to be.”

Hearing the rare gravity in her voice, Song Xingyao raised an eyebrow. “Where to? I came specifically to find you; I have things to ask you.”

“My business is urgent. If you have something to say, we can talk on the phone later.”

Talk on the phone? Since when do you pick up? Song Xingyao huffed internally but didn’t push. He checked her in the mirror. “Tell me what’s happening and where you’re going. I’ll take you there directly. I’m definitely faster than a taxi.”

That was true. Mu Yin briefly explained the situation with Peng Ku, omitting the “intern” part and describing him as a friend’s younger brother.

Song Xingyao’s tone became serious. “So you suspect that because he’s been unreachable and suddenly sent a known location, it’s a distress signal he sent after finding a brief window of opportunity?”

“Yes. It’s strange enough that I have to assume the worst… though I hope I’m wrong and he’s just being a brat.”

“Your instinct is right; that sounds like a cry for help. We should check it out to be sure.”

He accelerated. The roar of the wind drowned out further conversation as they reached the apartment complex. Mu Yin hopped off, thanked him, and hurried inside without even fixing her hair. Song Xingyao followed her.

“Two people are better than one,” he said.

It was hard to imagine the arrogant Song Xingyao being so helpful, but Mu Yin didn’t refuse. She was more worried about Peng Ku than her secrets being exposed.

She looked up at a fifth-floor balcony. The glass doors were shut tight, and the curtains were drawn completely. A few stray plants sat on the balcony, looking vibrant.

Mu Yin’s expression darkened. “That balcony gets great light and ventilation. Usually, the sun only hits the balcony and barely reaches the living room, so those curtains are almost always open. And—there used to be many more plants there. Now there are only a few. I don’t know if they were broken or moved.”

Song Xingyao didn’t ask how she knew so much. “Don’t alert them. I’ll test the waters first.”

They reached the fifth floor. Mu Yin waited by the fire exit as Song Xingyao rang the doorbell. After a moment, there was movement inside.

“Hello, property management,” Song Xingyao said in a polite, professional tone. “A neighbor reported an obstruction in the fire exit from this unit. We’re here to verify. Is it convenient to open up and chat for a moment?”

Mu Yin was impressed; he sounded incredibly convincing.

There was a silence behind the door, followed by a man’s voice. “I’m busy right now. We can talk about this another day.”

Mu Yin’s heart sank. The voice was not only unfamiliar, but it sounded like a man in his forties. It definitely wasn’t one of the interns.

She caught Song Xingyao’s eye and shook her head. He understood immediately.

“My apologies,” Song Xingyao continued, his tone apologetic but firm. “But if this isn’t handled now, the neighbors might file a formal complaint…”

Before he could finish, the man behind the door turned explosive: “I said I’m busy! Don’t you understand human speech?!”