Chapter 22: Driven to Death by Retaliation

I maintained a calm expression, as if I had nothing to hide. Jin Shixun looked at me, choosing not to probe any further.

"Do whatever you want, but from now on, you are not allowed to leave on your own again," Jin Shixun said, his expression grave as he started the car. His deep, piercing gaze made me feel an inexplicable sense of being "controlled."

"Yes, yes, I’m still working at the company. As long as the pay is good, anything is fine." Seeing that Jin Shixun was no longer suspicious, I felt relieved.

The abrasions from the surgery suddenly began to sting. I looked at the slight traces of blood on my palm and blew on them gently. Jin Shixun noticed this from the side, his brow furrowing.

"Bring me the medical kit." Once we arrived at the villa, he ordered a servant to fetch the kit and placed it before me. "Let’s treat that wound on your hand first." Without waiting for an answer, he firmly grabbed my hand and began applying medicine.

"There’s no need, Mr. Jin. I can do it myself," I said, instinctively trying to pull my hand away. But his grip was too tight for me to break free, so I had no choice but to let him finish.

The cooling ointment stung as it touched the open wound, intensifying the pain, but I didn't utter a sound until he was done. "Alright, I'm a bit tired, I’m going to rest." Thinking of everything that had happened, I felt a surge of agitation and headed straight upstairs.

The next day, I came downstairs to find Jin Shixun sitting on the sofa, waiting for me. "Let’s go to the office."

"Understood." I walked to the dining table, took a few bites of the breakfast the nanny had prepared, and followed him to the car. Upon arrival, I retreated to my workstation, while Jin Shixun returned to his office. However, after the recent events, his desire to control me had only intensified.

"Find two people to watch Qin Xin, but don't let her find out." He wanted to know what I was doing at every moment; he would not allow me to leave his sight.

"Yes, sir." His assistant, though puzzled, immediately set out to carry out the order.

At noon, after finishing my work, I prepared to go out for lunch, but as I left, I felt as though I were being followed. "One cappuccino, please," I said, stepping into a secluded café. To my surprise, the two men followed me right in.

I watched them take their seats, then stood up and walked out without taking a single sip of my drink. The two men followed, but I picked up my pace and ducked into a narrow alleyway.

"What now? We've lost her!"
"What are you standing there for? Go back and report to Mr. Jin!" The two men looked at each other in panic.

I stood silently behind them, listening to their conversation, and realized the truth. "So, you were sent by Jin Shixun? What exactly are you trying to do?" My sudden voice startled them. I stared at them with a cold, indifferent expression, waiting to see what they would say. Instead of answering, they turned and fled.

Back at the office, I felt the surveillance tightening. No matter where I went, I sensed his eyes on me.

"Mr. Jin, what is the meaning of this? Why are you having people watch me?" I couldn't possibly fail to notice such blatant monitoring. I felt trapped in a magnificent but invisible cage, stripped of my freedom, with Jin Shixun as the one who had locked me inside.

"I am only protecting your safety," he said, surprised that I had discovered his tail so quickly.

"I don't need it." I refused firmly. "And if something like this happens again, what are you going to do, hmm?" He stood up, walked over to me, and lifted my injured hand.

"That was an accident. But I said I don't want to be watched every second of every day. Call your people off! Otherwise, there's no point in me staying here." I looked him in the eyes with unwavering determination.

Jin Shixun stared back, his gaze dark and unfathomable, but I refused to back down. After a tense standoff, he finally relented. "Fine. I will call them back."

"I hope you keep your word, Mr. Jin. I will stay at the company and work diligently, so please, have some peace of mind." I pulled my hand away and walked out of his office.

He kept his word; the shadows disappeared. However, he kept his focus entirely on me, checking on me constantly and insisting we travel to and from work together. I decided to let it slide—as long as I wasn't being stalked, it was better than losing all my freedom. A few peaceful days passed.

"Get in the car." One day, as I left the office, I found him parked at the entrance. I climbed in, looking out the window while he drove.

"Why are those cars following us?" I suddenly noticed vehicles on both sides of the road closing in. I grew alert.

"Yes, they are targeting us." He had already noticed the black van tailing us relentlessly. It was a premeditated attack.

"Ah!" The van suddenly accelerated and slammed into our rear. The car jolted violently.

"Don't be afraid." Jin Shixun remained calm, slamming on the gas to shake them off. But the van pursued us closely. At a turn, it struck us again, and our car skidded toward the roadside greenery.

"Careful!" I cried out, grabbing my seatbelt. But the expected impact never came; with expert handling, Jin Shixun stabilized the car, jerked the wheel, and veered onto a secluded side road.

"Sit tight. You will be fine; I won't let anything happen to you." As he maneuvered the car through the winding road, his voice was steady. I had faith in him; I knew he had the strength to get us through this.