Chapter 2 — The Golden Card

Soft golden sunlight slipped through the velvet curtains of the presidential suite, warming the cold marble floors of the luxurious hotel room.

Lin Yue slowly opened her eyes.

For a moment, she forgot where she was.

The unfamiliar ceiling, the scent of expensive perfume, the silence—it all felt unreal.

Then suddenly—

Last night’s memories came rushing back.

The rain.

The car crash.

The poisoned man collapsing in her arms.

Yue quickly sat up on the sofa where she had fallen asleep. Her clothes had already been changed into clean, comfortable pajamas provided by the hotel staff.

“Awake already?”

A deep voice echoed from nearby.

Yue turned her head instantly.

Standing near the floor-to-ceiling windows was the man she had saved last night.

Song Chen.

Under the morning light, he looked even more intimidating than before. His black shirt was neatly pressed, his sharp jawline cold and elegant, and his powerful aura filled the entire room effortlessly.

Yet despite his calm appearance, there was exhaustion hidden behind his eyes.

Yue stood nervously.

“You… you’re okay now?”

Song Chen gave a faint nod.

“My doctor arrived during the night.” His gaze softened slightly. “Thanks to you, the poison didn’t spread further.”

Yue lowered her eyes awkwardly.

“I only helped because you were injured…”

Song Chen walked slowly toward the mahogany table in the center of the room.

On top of it rested a black card trimmed with gold.

The moment Yue saw it, she froze.

Even she, an ordinary college student, recognized what it was.

A global unlimited black card.

Song Chen picked it up calmly and placed it before her.

“There is exactly 200 million yuan on this card,” he said in his deep, steady voice. “Consider it a reward for last night. For saving my life when everything was falling apart.”

Yue’s eyes widened in shock.

“Two… two hundred million?!”

Her voice almost cracked.

She immediately stepped back.

“I-I can’t take this!”

Song Chen looked at her quietly.

“Why not?”

“That amount of money…” Yue shook her head rapidly. “I only helped you because you were dying. I wasn’t expecting anything in return.”

For the first time, a trace of surprise crossed Song Chen’s cold face.

Most people would’ve lost their minds over such wealth.

But this girl refused it without hesitation.

Interesting.

“You saved the heir of the Song Group,” he said calmly. “Your reward is deserved.”

Yue bit her lip.

“No matter who you are… a life shouldn’t have a price.”

The room fell silent.

Song Chen stared at her for several seconds, his unreadable eyes fixed on her trembling figure.

Then suddenly—

A dark laugh escaped his lips.

Yue blinked in confusion.

“Did I say something strange?”

Song Chen shook his head slowly.

“No.” His gaze deepened. “It’s just been a long time since I met someone like you.”

Someone pure.

Someone who looked at him like a human instead of a walking fortune.

At that moment, the hotel suite door opened.

A tall assistant hurried inside nervously.

“President Song!”

The assistant froze the second he noticed Yue standing there.

A woman?

Inside Song Chen’s private suite?

Impossible.

Song Chen’s expression instantly returned cold.

“What is it, Xu Kai?”

Xu Kai lowered his head quickly.

“The board members are already pressuring the company. Your third brother is spreading rumors that you’re critically ill.” His voice turned serious. “Several shareholders are beginning to support him.”

A dangerous silence filled the room.

Yue could feel the tension immediately.

Song Chen’s eyes darkened like a storm.

“That snake moves quickly.”

Xu Kai hesitated before speaking again.

“We still haven’t found proof that he poisoned you.”

Song Chen’s fingers tightened slightly.

“He won’t stop until I’m dead.”

Yue looked at him quietly.

For the first time, she realized that beneath his wealth and power was a man completely surrounded by betrayal.

It reminded her painfully of her own situation.

Family.

The word suddenly felt disgusting.

Song Chen noticed her expression.

“You should leave this place soon,” he said calmly. “The Song family conflict is dangerous. Getting involved with me will only bring trouble to your life.”

Yue lowered her gaze.

Trouble?

She almost laughed bitterly.

Her own family had already sold her like an object.

Where else could she even go?

As if reading her thoughts, Song Chen suddenly asked—

“Do you have somewhere to stay?”

Yue remained silent.

That silence alone answered everything.

Xu Kai looked shocked.

The CEO’s gaze slowly softened again.

Without another word, Song Chen pushed the black card closer to her.

“Take it.”

Yue looked at him helplessly.

“I really can’t…”

“This isn’t charity,” he interrupted calmly. “It’s protection.”

She frowned slightly.

“What do you mean?”

Song Chen’s sharp eyes locked onto hers.

“If the people chasing me discover your identity, they may target you too.” His voice became lower. “With this card, you can survive.”

Yue’s heart trembled.

For the first time since running away from home, someone was thinking about her safety.

Not using her.

Not abandoning her.

Protecting her.

Her fingers slowly tightened.

Tears threatened to rise again, but she forced them back.

Song Chen suddenly stepped closer.

“Lin Yue.”

Her breathing stopped for a moment hearing him say her name.

“You saved my life,” he said quietly. “From now on, no one will force you to bow your head again.”

His words struck directly into her broken heart.

Outside the hotel windows, the city continued moving endlessly.

But inside that silent room—

Two lonely people, both betrayed by family, had unknowingly begun walking toward the same fate.

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