Chapter 5

The atmosphere in the car was tense.

Having worked for Lu jinnian for many years, his assistant could easily decipher his mood based on the smallest expressions.

Whenever he clenched his lips so tightly, he was most likely not in the best mood.

But he was feeling fine after dinner, so how could there be such a change? Did something happen just now?

Even though he had his suspicion, the assistant couldn't muster enough courage to ask about it. He continued to drive steadily, only asking in a business-like tone, "Mr. Lu, do you want to go directly to the airport?"

Lu Jinnian remained silent. Silence suffused the car. Due to his cold personality that prevent him from getting close to others, at this moment emitting so much frost atmosphere in car become suppressive and suffocating.

Assistant continued to drive forward, no longer speaking, purely focusing on road while anxiety slowly engulfed him.

As car steered from second to third lane, clear weather suddenly changed, and it started pouring.

To calm his own nerves, assistant spoke again. "It's raining", he said.

As words fell, rain intensified, rain droplets smashing furiously on to the car, producing loud rhythmic "pa" sound.

Lu Jinnian continued to remain silent.

Upon second rejection, assistant gave up, shutting the mouth.

Rain continued to strengthen, blurring vision ahead, car slowed. Just as car was about to turn towards airport, Lu Jinnian suddenly said, "stop the car."

His voice wasn't loud, but it was enough for his assistant to hear. He immediately slammed the brakes, stopping the car.

The assistant turned back towards Lu Jinnian. "Mr Lu, is something wrong?"

Again, Lu Jinnian stayed silent, both eyes staring out the car window at two students in uniforms. Both girl and boy were running hurriedly through the rain. They ended up hiding under a building. After about 2 minutes, they left in a cab, but Lu Jinnian's gaze remained glued to spot under the building they had hid under.

The assistant was bewildered. Impatient the assistant asked again. "Mr. Lu?"

Still, Lu Jinnian remained silent. However, he seemed to be in a trance, his thoughts straying to a memory from many years ago. It was also raining heavily that day, and he and Qiao Anhao had both ran to same old building for shelter. That was the first time they met. Both not saying a word. They looked at each other only to realize they were from same school from their uniforms.

"Mr. Lu, the plane will depart in two hours, we need to check in..."

After a seemingly long time, assistants voice sounded once again. Lu Jinnian's brows twitched slightly. He turned his head slightly, his deep gaze calm, emotionless. Before assistant could finish his sentence, Lu Jinnian cut him off, "You can leave at the nearest taxi stand."

"Huh?" the assistant asked in shock. He was just about to continue, Lu jinnian added, "I'm not going to Rome today, change it to tomorrow morning."

Once his assistant left, Lu Jinnian moved to driver's seat. Grabbing the steering wheel, he started tapping it lightly. Finally, seemingly having given up, he turned the keys irritably, driving decisively towards the city center.

After "To the End of Time" celebratory dinner, Zhao Meng drove Qiao Anhao back to Mian Xiu Garden.

It was a prestigious district in Beijing surrounded by mountains. Every inch of land was highly valued and costly. This was where Lu Jinnian and Qiao Anhao's marital house resided.

Zhao Meng stopped her car steadily in front of the villa. The rain had stopped after washing off dirt from sidewalks. As the warm yellow streetlight hit the puddles, rays of light reflected in all directions.

After saying goodbye, Qiao Anhao waited for Zhao Meng to leave her sight before reaching into her bag for key to the main door.

After the rain earlier, the flowers that blooming in the front yard had all fallen, emitting a mixture of flower aroma and smell of rain.

Even though the villa wasn't far from the main gate, Qiao Anhao deliberately strolled towards it slowly.

Lin Jinnian was back from Rome, would he be back tonight? Or was he already in the villa.

After the incident three months ago, Qiao Anhao wasn't able to face him. The very thought of meeting him would cause her to shutter in fear and anxiety.

Qiao Anhao stood at the door of the villa with her eyes closed. She took several deep breaths before retrieving her keys to open the door.

Other than two part-time cleaners, there weren't other long term helpers in the villa, causing it to seem extremely quiet.

When she was certain that there wasn't a single soul in living room, she removed her shoes, then slowly walked upstairs. When she noticed that there also wasn't anyone upstairs, she sighed in relief.

He wasn't in the villa.... But would he come back tonight?

I the first two months of marriage, Lu Jinnian would stay occasionally at Mian Xiu Garden. Although his length of stay varied, he would never stay later than twelve in the morning.

Now, it was eleven in the evening. She'll wait one more hour. If he doesn't come by then, he would most likely not to be back tonight.

As time went by, she grew uneasy. When clock hit 1 am, her body finally relaxed, and she collapsed onto the sofa in exhaustion.

He definitely wasn't going to turn up tonight.

Qiao Anhao waited for herself to fully calm down before raising from sofa. Taking a set of clothes, she heads to the bathroom. She left the tap streaming into the bath while she removed her makeup in front of vanity table. When she was about to squeeze toothpaste onto her brush, she vaguely heard footsteps outside amid the splashing water.

She froze, her hand unconsciously tightening her grip on toothbrush. She stood at sink area for long while before pushing bathroom door open. Outside, Lu Jinnian was sitting on the sofa.

Qiao Anhao wasn't mentally prepared to see him. Having just calmed down, she tensed up again. Deep down inside, she couldn't help but shudder, as the familiar sense of fear and anxiety slowly crept into her heart.

Lu Jinnian slightly raised his head, as if he heard the door pushed open. He looked indifferent and emotionless when he swept Qiao Anhao a glance.

Her entire body shuddered for a moment. When her eyes met his gaze. She instinctively withdrew her gaze and quickly put her head down.

She knew that she was mostly ignored whenever she spoke to him but regardless, after some hesitation, she softly asked, "you're back?"

Lu Jinnian tightly pursed his lips for a second.

She kept her head down with him again ... She didn't even bother looking at him....

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