Chapter 116: The Stranger

What the hell? What is the meaning of this? What is this tomboy up to? To actually trust her SUV to someone she’s only met twice, someone who could hardly be called an acquaintance—and someone she’s had friction with before, at that. What kind of scheme is she playing at?

Is there some kind of trap in her car, waiting for me to get inside so it can grab me like a Transformer and haul me away?

That’s too surreal to be possible, Chen Hao thought, immediately dismissing the idea. Besides, is she really that fearless? He didn’t believe she couldn’t tell he was suspicious of her. Could it be that she’s acting with genuine openness, trying to dispel his concerns as a gesture of goodwill?

Chen Hao really couldn't figure it out, so he decided not to waste his energy on it. He would just take things one step at a time. If trouble comes, he’d face it; if water rises, he’d build a dam. If Dong Xin truly had no malicious intent and he had simply misunderstood her, the worst-case scenario was that he’d offer an apology later. It wouldn’t cost him a thing.

Having settled that, Chen Hao nodded generously: "No problem, as long as you aren’t worried about my poor driving skills and me accidentally scratching your car!"

Dong Xin chuckled, "Chen Hao, you really are a joker! I’ve already asked around at the office. Plenty of pretty girls have ridden in your car, and they’ve all sung praises of your driving!"

"Besides, even if you do scratch it, it’s no big deal! The company covers the insurance anyway, so just drive with peace of mind. Just make sure you don't get hurt yourself."

Chen Hao didn't pay much attention to Dong Xin’s words, but Fan Yirou, who was listening nearby, pricked up her ears at the mention of all the pretty girls who had ridden in his car.

Gu Mengyan actually knew about these things. After all, there had been a crowd of women at the company pursuing Chen Hao. Most were single, though there was no shortage of married women who liked to flirt with him.

In this regard, Gu Mengyan actually admired Chen Hao quite a bit. Whether it was single or married women, he kept a certain distance and always maintained a sense of propriety in his words and actions, never crossing any lines.

Of course, this had a lot to do with the fact that his heart belonged to someone else. Even so, Gu Mengyan admired his self-discipline, which was one of the reasons she liked him so much.

Many young people today, especially young men, seem to live by the motto that "it’s a crime not to take advantage of a freebie" when dealing with pretty girls. Ironically, these girls often enjoy being taken advantage of. One has to lament how the world has changed.

Gu Mengyan had heard stories from Chen Hao’s grandparents about their youth. Back in their day, if any married man or woman was involved in an unclear relationship with someone else, they would be arrested for hooliganism. In serious cases, they might even face a firing squad.

Of course, these were just personal grievances from Gu Mengyan while feeling jealous. Even though Chen Hao didn't give those women any attention, seeing them crowd around him still left her feeling uneasy.

Hearing what Dong Xin said, she knew it wasn't an exaggeration; there were indeed many girls at the office who would pester Chen Hao for a ride home.

Calling it a ride was a stretch, as they lived in completely different directions—one north, one south—yet they would shamelessly climb into Chen Hao's car and insist he take them home.

Gu Mengyan understood Chen Hao’s personality all too well; he was a total pushover.

That’s not to say he was a spineless "yes-man"—there’s a fundamental difference between a spineless person and a good-natured one. A spineless person is someone who never gets angry and smiles at everyone, or worse, someone who is submissive and lets people bully them, always playing the role of a peacemaker.

For example, if two people at the company argued over work, a spineless person would step in to mediate. But mediation isn't always the best way to handle conflict. Sometimes it’s better to cut the Gordian knot and take a stand, but a spineless person tries to please everyone, and in the end, nothing gets solved.

Chen Hao, however, was simply someone who didn't want to start conflicts. When unnecessary, he’d choose to yield during an argument. But if someone crossed his principles or acted unreasonably, he would step up and fight for what was right.

His standoff with his superior was a perfect example. Because he was in the right, he dared to argue with his boss. In the end, the boss realized his mistake, apologized, and they even became good friends, though they hadn't been in much contact lately.

Chen Hao’s actions were those of a good-natured person, as he had only clashed with his superior to defend a colleague.

As for the girls wanting a "ride," they hadn't offended him; they were just actively flirting because they liked him. You don't hit a smiling face, so as long as they weren't being too crazy, he let them be. After all, he couldn't control whether people liked him, and it wasn't their fault if they did. If anything, it was his own fault for being so outstanding.

While Gu Mengyan knew the situation, Fan Yirou did not. Chen Hao wouldn't be foolish enough to tell his goddess about these things, and Gu Mengyan wouldn't bring them up either.

So, in Fan Yirou’s eyes, Chen Hao was an honest, well-behaved boy. Hearing Dong Xin’s comment, combined with the reactions of Chen Hao and Gu Mengyan, made it seem all too true.

Fan Yirou, who had just made up her mind to be with him, was suddenly incensed. Since their hands were still clasped, she pinched him hard: "Oh, well! You’re quite something, Chen Hao! I never realized you were such a flirtatious playboy!"

"So many young, pretty colleagues are swooning over you! Why are you pestering me all day then? Why don't you just go find them? It seems you only went into business with me for my money, right? A free meal ticket and a backer to manage your assets—how convenient for you! While I’m busy running the shop, you’re off playing cozy with other girls. What a clever plan!"

"I’m sure those girls must treat you well! Wild flowers are always more fragrant than the ones at home, aren't they? You must have gotten tired of me and Mengyan, which is why you’re so tireless! But with so many pursuing you, can you manage to spread your affection evenly? Don't neglect one for the other! You should strive to be an outstanding playboy of the new era!"

For Fan Yirou to launch such a sarcastic attack without using a single profanity showed just how much this affected her. Before, when she didn't know these things and was simply being pursued, she had been somewhat indifferent, though that was partly due to her family issues.

But she had to admit, she enjoyed the game of cat and mouse. However, once she decided to be with him, her attitude changed instantly. At the slightest hint of trouble, she began questioning him like a jealous mistress.

Chen Hao had no choice but to rush to explain the ins and outs, detailing every person he had given a ride to and where they lived.

He kept signaling Gu Mengyan to help him explain, but she just rolled her eyes and ignored him.

Gu Mengyan’s logic was simple: if Fan Yirou got angry enough to call it quits, then she would have an opening—or rather, a perfect opportunity.

But things weren't that easy. She underestimated Chen Hao’s silver tongue, which could talk a dead man back to life, and she underestimated Fan Yirou’s resolve. Though upset, after Chen Hao’s explanation, she chose to believe him.

Finally, after setting down some ground rules, Fan Yirou let him off the hook, though she didn't forget to remind him to drive carefully, like a doting wife.

The four of them parted ways at the shop entrance. Chen Hao would take Dong Xin’s car back to the hotel, and the three women would head off to explore the local market in Krystal under Dong Xin’s lead.

Chen Hao drove back to the hotel smoothly without any trouble. However, after he parked in the underground garage and stepped out of the car, an unexpected figure appeared before him.

Just as he locked the car door, a man, half a head taller than him and with arms as thick as his thighs, appeared.

Chen Hao initially thought it was just another tourist passing by, but the man walked straight up to him and stopped, saying rudely, "Hey, kid! Isn't this Dong Xin’s car? Why are you driving it? What’s your relationship with her?"