Chapter 703 Unbeknownst to Her
"Fine."
Muchen responded with a faint nod, regaining his composure.
Yet, Ziyue remained doubtful.
Muchen's unwavering care and attention for Ziyue were palpable. His simple yet beautifully presented dishes
instantly filled Ziyue's appetite.
She savored every bite of the meal, enjoying the rich and delightful flavors. Her moment of bliss abruptly stopped
when the thought of Bessalyn being trapped in the car suddenly crossed her mind.
Downing the last spoonful of soup from her bowl, she hastily grabbed her bag and told Muchen, "I've got something
to take care of. Gotta run!" as she darted out.
Muchen set aside his cutleries, looking perplexed. His gaze shifted towards the vacant chair where Ziyue had been
sitting just moments ago. A lady's coat was resting upon the chair's backrest, unmistakably belonging to Ziyue
herself.
What's the rush?
A moment of stillness lingered. Frowning, he finally got up and grabbed her jacket, quickening his footsteps as he
chased after her.
As Ziyue made her way downstairs and opened the car door, Bessalyn slumped against the passenger seat and
uttered weakly, "If you had come any later, I would have been dead."
Ziyue sheepishly admitted, "Oops, my bad."
It was indeed her fault for forgetting about Bessalyn, who remained locked in the car.
At that moment, it struck her that she had entirely forgotten the purpose of going to Muchen's. Ziyue hadn't spoken
about what she needed to discuss with him.
Engulfed in the tantalizing aromas of Muchen's gastronomy, Su Ziyue momentarily veered off course, forgetting
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtwhat she came for.
Checking the time, she realized it was getting late and cheerfully asked Bessalyn, "What would you like for dinner?
It's on me!"
"Really?" Bessalyn was in disbelief.
She glanced anxiously toward the entrance of the apartment building.
Ziyue figured she was looking to see if Muchen was present and asked, "Are you coming?"
She replied eagerly, "Okay, okay, let's go! I'm craving hot pot, the super spicy one."
As if afraid that Ziyue might change her mind, she quickly fastened her seatbelt while speaking as she slowly
reenergized from the ordeal.
Ziyue glanced at the apartment on the seventh floor before ducking into the car.
Now that she knew Muchen lived here, she could visit him whenever she pleased. Plus, she had his new contact
number to reach him anytime.
The thought of him vanishing no longer troubled her.
They arrived at a locally renowned hot-pot restaurant.
Ziyue ordered an extra-spicy broth for their hot pot, just as Bessalyn wanted.
But as Bessalyn took her first mouthful, the intense spiciness hit her. She sniffled as tears streamed down her face.
Ziyue was stunned by her response.
Contrary to Ziyue's initial impression of Bessalyn's spice tolerance, Ziyue soon realized that she was all bark and no
bite and couldn't handle the heat as she claimed.
"Wow, this is spicy…" Bessalyn exclaimed, gulping down water. Her taste buds were ablaze with fiery sensations
while her feet restlessly tapped beneath the table.
Ziyue couldn't help but feel a surprising sense of connection over Bessalyn's discomfort.
Ziyue called a waiter and requested a glass of iced water, handing it to Bessalyn. "Let's change the soup base for
you. This one is too spicy for you to handle."
Bessalyn flushed with heat and awkwardness.
Sensing Bessalyn's embarrassment, Ziyue beckoned the waiter to switch the broth for her.
Bessalyn had visited Country Z many times and loved hot pot. She had always wanted to taste the flavor of the
extra-spicy broth, but...
She glanced at Ziyue, then lowered her head, quietly sipping her water. She reminded herself that there was
nothing to be embarrassed about. If Ziyue dared to mock her, she would use Muchen as leverage.
However, even if Bessalyn hadn't said anything, keeping the news that Muchen was secretly alive from slipping out
was impossible.
Ziyue joined Bessalyn for a hot pot feast.
"I must say, you have quite the appetite," Su Ziyue commented as she settled the bill and walked out with Bessalyn,
turning her head.
Bessalyn scoffed, "Seriously? Do you call that eating? That was just pocket change!"
Bessalyn's upbringing had shaped her bluntness and unwavering confidence, making her seemingly unfazed by
manipulative schemes.
Ziyue gathered her thoughts and sincerely said, "Thank you for looking after Muchen."
Bessalyn shrugged, her beautiful eyes widened, "I should also thank Mr. Lu for entrusting Qin Muchen to me.
Otherwise, I never would have known he could be so violent."
"Violent?" Su Ziyue repeated.
Bessalyn sensed the uncertainty in Ziyue's voice. She was about to speak up, but suddenly, she held her words
back.
"Thanks for the meal. I want to leave now."
Bessalyn said, then swiftly walked away, waving goodbye without looking back.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmZiyue chuckled, secretly wanting to send Bessalyn off.
However, Ziyue couldn't help but wonder what Bessalyn had meant.
Just moments after Bessalyn walked outside, she was abruptly pulled into a nearby alley.
Before she could cry for help, the person who dragged her into the alley swiftly grabbed her by the throat as a
familiar voice pierced through the silence. "What did you tell her?"
Bessalyn's eyes widened as she realized the man standing before her was none other than Qin Muchen himself.
Bessalyn gasped for air, her words choked by the tightening grip around her neck.
She forced out a single word, "Noth…ing..."
The alley was pitched-black.
She struggled to read Muchen as a sinister shadow loomed over.
Fear crept up as she realized the gravity of the situation. She thought if only she had agreed to Ziyue's ride before
the specter of death loomed over her.
In an instant, the air of impending doom was shattered by Muchen's ringing phone. He instantly released his grip
and answered the call.
As Bessalyn caught her breath, she heard Muchen's voice through the phone saying, "What kept you until this late?"
There was a subtle calm yet tenderness in his tone.
Bessalyn's instincts heightened.
She knew it would be Ziyue who was on the other line.
What a terrifying man he was.
He went from nearly choking her to death to answering the phone calmly within seconds. His voice filled with
sudden gentleness.
She cautiously moved aside as her hand cradled her throat, too terrified to utter a single word.
Muchen had become a mentally unstable person. He would get aggressive when triggered. She had to walk on
eggshells around him as she knew better than anyone what he was capable of.
She had always thought that Ziyue knew the reality of Muchen's situation. However, the shock on Ziyue's face when
she mentioned Muchen's violence made it clear that she was completely oblivious.