Chapter 5: Did I Agree to Let You Go?

Song Yin followed closely behind Lou Yizhou. From beginning to end, he carried the air of someone in a position of power, while she was merely a follower. Occasionally, she glanced up to see his broad shoulders, then shifted her gaze to his finely chiseled profile.

As they reached the doorway, a gentleman raised an umbrella above Lou Yizhou’s head. Only then did Song Yin realize it was raining again.

Lou Yizhou turned to her calmly and asked, “Going?”

Song Yin understood that he was offering her a second chance. So earlier inside, had he simply been stepping in to protect her? Perhaps, in their circles, no one was interested in forceful domination or intimidation.

Song Yin was adept at seizing opportunities. She smiled, taking the easy way out, “Thank you, Third Master. I’ll just take a taxi home by myself. Please take care.” Her smile carried a hint of ingratiation, but her gratitude was genuine. She knew her looks often served her well.

Lou Yizhou’s gaze dropped to her silently, saying nothing. With measured steps, he walked into the rain. His assistant held the umbrella tightly over him, never letting a drop fall on him. When the car arrived, the assistant bent down to open the door for him.

The man before her exuded an air of nobility from head to toe—even his hair radiated refinement. She couldn’t help but believe that one’s status was determined from the very beginning.

Even if she met him twice, this was likely the extent of their acquaintance.

She pulled out her phone, ready to check a ride-hailing app, when she noticed someone emerging behind her. It was one of Shen Zhuoan’s younger associates.

His intentions were clear: to see if Song Yin had truly left with Lou Yizhou. If she hadn’t, she might be summoned back.

To avoid further harassment from Shen Zhuoan, Lou Yizhou would be a perfect shield.

Steeling herself, she clenched her phone and, despite the rain, hurried after Lou Yizhou.

As he bent down to enter the car, she was gently bumped from behind. He frowned slightly and turned to meet her calm, smiling eyes.

“Third Master, could you give me a ride?”

Lou Yizhou noticed the man behind them too.

How did this woman have the audacity to use him as a shield?

After a brief silence, Lou Yizhou said plainly, “Get in.”

Song Yin expressed her thanks and got into the car from the other side.

As the car pulled away, she saw the young man at the door turn and reenter the club.

Pulling her gaze back inside, she suddenly noticed Lou Yizhou watching her.

That look was like mist and haze, yet it struck deep.

“Third Master?”

Lou Yizhou adjusted his cufflinks and casually asked, “It’s rained two days in a row since we met. Would you say that’s fate? What’s your name again?”

“Song Yin. Yin as in composing poetry.”

“Oh, Yin as in moaning.”

“...”

After a brief pause, Song Yin chose not to argue.

Lou Yizhou asked half-mockingly, half-curiously, “What, you look down on Shen Zhuoan?”

She nodded in agreement, “Yes, I do.”

There was nothing wrong with her words. Song Yin was honest. But to Lou Yizhou, they might carry a different implication.

He regarded her faintly, as if to say she had high standards, or perhaps that she was overestimating herself.

The car drove on for a while. Perhaps due to the lingering effects of the wine, Song Yin suddenly felt unwell.

She rarely drank except when necessary for social occasions.

She hadn’t anticipated the strong aftereffects of that single toast.

Turning her body away, she frowned and glanced out the window. She spoke to the driver, “Could you stop and let me off?”

The driver looked to Lou Yizhou for permission.

Seeing no objection, the car pulled over to the side.

“Thank you, Third Master... Meeting you has truly been my great fortune.” She thought to say something that would please him, hoping for a graceful farewell.

They likely wouldn’t meet again.

Even Cheng Zhi had said that when Song Yin wasn’t smiling, she was a cold beauty, one who irresistibly drew people closer. When she smiled, she bloomed with dazzling radiance, captivating even other women.

She reached out to push the door open when Lou Yizhou’s casual voice came from behind, “Did I say you could leave?”

Song Yin stiffened and reluctantly turned to face him.

Though his tone was light, it carried immense pressure.

Lou Yizhou asked, “How can you be so sure that after I let you get into my car twice, I’d just let you walk away unscathed?”

“Because I’m kind?”