The morning sun crept across the windshield of Haoran's car as he pulled up in front of Wu Yuting's company. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. She had been quiet the entire drive—too quiet. Her usual composed demeanor now seemed guarded. Her fingers fidgeted slightly, and though she pretended to scroll through her phone, Haoran could tell her thoughts were elsewhere.
He didn't ask. He just sat in silence, pretending to wait for something on his own phone.
Ten minutes passed. He was about to start the car again when a familiar silhouette stepped out of a black sedan. Haoran's jaw tightened. Everrise. Wu Yuting's cousin—Everrise Wu. A man with the arrogance of a peacock and the soul of a viper.
"What's he doing here?" Haoran muttered under his breath, his gaze sharpening.
He waited as Everrise walked through the main entrance of the building, adjusting the cufflinks on his overpriced suit like he owned the place. The way he moved, so entitled, so condescending—it made Haoran's blood boil. Was he here to bully Yuting again?
Without wasting another second, Haoran unclipped his seatbelt, stepped out of the car, and made his way to the company gate.
"I'm Wu Yuting's husband," he told the security guards calmly. "I need to see her. It's urgent."
The guards hesitated, recognizing him from previous visits. After a quick exchange, they let him in.
Haoran made his way to Wu Yuting's floor and crept toward her office. The door was slightly ajar, and he could hear voices inside. Quietly, he slipped his phone out of his pocket and hit record.
"…I don't know how you even show your face around here," Everrise's voice sneered. "Do you think opening your legs and seducing clients for contracts is admirable? You're disgracing our family."
There was a moment of silence, then Wu Yuting's quiet voice: "Get out of my office."
"Oh, I will," Everrise chuckled. "But don't forget—Grandfather may have pampered you, but I'm the one he believes in. One word from me and you'll be out of this company like a stray dog."
That was enough.
Haoran flung the door open, his eyes blazing. Everrise turned, startled, and instantly sneered.
"You?" he scoffed. "The jobless son-in-law?"
Haoran grabbed him by the collar and yanked him away from Wu Yuting.
"Don't ever come near my wife again." His voice was calm, but his eyes… his eyes were deadly.
Everrise tried to slap him, but Haoran caught his wrist mid-air and twisted it slightly.
"I'm not the coward you think I am," Haoran said coldly. "Touch me again, and I'll make sure you regret it."
Wu Yuting was speechless. She had never seen Haoran like this—fierce, protective, unflinching. Her cousin staggered back, his expression a mixture of shock and humiliation.
"You'll regret this," Everrise spat before storming out of the office.
Haoran turned to Wu Yuting, his expression softening. "Don't worry. I'll handle him."
She didn't respond, still processing what had just happened.
Later that day, back home, Haoran entered his room and picked up his phone. He dialed Zhenlong—Wu Yuting's grandfather.
"Grandfather," he said. "We need to talk about Everrise."
"What about him?" Zhenlong sounded surprised.
"He came to Yuting's office today and insulted her. Called her disgusting things. Threatened her job."
"Nonsense," Zhenlong said. "Everrise would never—"
Haoran sent the audio recording. A few seconds later, there was silence.
"…I will speak to him," Zhenlong finally said, voice tight with restrained anger.
"Make sure you do," Haoran replied, ending the call.
That evening, he drove back to pick up Wu Yuting. She got into the car, and silence filled the space between them.
"How was work?" Haoran asked.
"Fine," she replied quietly.
"I reported Everrise to your grandfather."
"That won't solve anything," she said, her voice bitter.
"Why not?"
She looked out the window. "Grandfather has always favored him. Everrise is the 'talent' that will save the family business."
Haoran gripped the steering wheel tighter. "Then let him. But he will not harm you again. I promise."
She glanced at him, her expression unreadable. "You're… different lately."
"Maybe I just got tired of watching you suffer."
When they got home, Wu Yuting made for the kitchen, but Haoran stopped her.
"I'll cook tonight. You've had a long day. Just rest."
"But I should—"
"I like doing this," he said, already putting on an apron. "Let me."
While Haoran cooked, Everrise was at home, pacing in fury. His phone buzzed. It was Zhenlong.
"You humiliated my granddaughter?" his grandfather shouted. "You will apologize—first thing tomorrow!"
Everrise hung up, furious. He vented to his parents, Liu Meiling and Wu Tiansheng.
"That useless girl is ruining everything!" Everrise snapped.
"She's trash, just like her husband," Meiling hissed.
But Tiansheng, more calculating, frowned. "We need Grandfather's favor. Apologize, do it right."
They agreed, reluctantly, and prepared a cheap gift—less than $200 in value.
The next morning, Haoran woke early. After his meditation and a quick shower, he made breakfast. Zhao Ailin ate quickly and left. For Wu Yuting, he prepared something special—golden-fried egg buns, soy milk, and fresh fruit.
She woke late, stretching. When she entered the kitchen and saw the meal, she blinked.
"You made this?"
"Of course."
Before she could reply, there was a knock at the door. Haoran stood.
"Just keep eating. I'll handle this."
He opened the door to find Everrise, Liu Meiling, and Wu Tiansheng standing stiffly.
"What do you want?" Haoran asked, arms crossed.
"We came to apologize," Everrise muttered.
Meiling sneered. "Get out of the way. We want to talk to Wu Yuting."
"You don't belong here," Haoran replied. "And we don't accept trash."
He slammed the door in their faces.
Back inside, Wu Yuting raised a brow. "What was that?"
Haoran shrugged. "Nothing. Enjoy your meal."
But the knocking continued. Finally, Haoran opened the door again.
"Either apologize properly or leave."
This time, their expressions were different. Beaten. Bitter. But desperate.
Everrise knelt down. "I'm sorry."
Meiling and Tiansheng followed, lowering their heads.
Haoran watched them a moment, then said, "Take your cheap gift and get out. When I think about forgiving you, I'll call."
They left, faces red with shame. In the car, they shouted and cursed Haoran, but deep down, they knew the tide had changed.
Back in the house, Wu Yuting took another bite of her breakfast, smiling faintly.
"Did you enjoy that?" Haoran asked.
She nodded. "I did."
"I meant what I said," he murmured. "No one touches you again."
As he turned to go, she stood and stepped toward him. Then, without a word, she wrapped her arms around him.
Haoran froze. Her body was warm, her breath soft against his chest. He didn't know what to do.
But for the first time, he didn't feel alone. And neither did she.