Chapter 289: Promise Me

As Yang Chen and Rose noticed Lin Ruoxi, Lin Ruoxi also caught sight of Yang Chen looking slightly disoriented. From Lin Ruoxi's perspective, she saw Yang Chen kneeling in front of a graceful woman, holding a brand-new pair of deep red high heels and about to help her put them on. The scene was undoubtedly ambiguous, enough to make anyone blush upon seeing it.

What chilled Lin Ruoxi even more was the stunning appearance of the woman. With bright eyes, white teeth, and a lazy yet alluring demeanor, Lin Ruoxi knew well that such a woman held strong allure for men. Despite knowing that Yang Chen had been honest about his involvement with other women in the past, the gap between hearing about it and seeing it firsthand was immense.

Lin Ruoxi maintained a cool expression on her face, but her eyes were icy with bone-chilling coldness. Only she knew the torment and helplessness churning within her. Even though she had mentally prepared herself, she felt as if her heart had cracked open in that instant, a soul-deep exhaustion and weakness spreading through her entire body. If it weren't for her last shred of rationality and resilience, Lin Ruoxi was certain she would have collapsed then and there.

Do I really care so much?! How could this despicable man behave like this, kneeling down to put shoes on another woman?! Just yesterday, he was in front of me, talking about "shortening it to six months." Lin Ruoxi wanted nothing more than to rush up and slap him hard.

Am I really that inferior? I changed this and that for him, considered his feelings, even learned how to be a wife for him, and in the end, I'm not as good as these other women outside?!

With all these thoughts swirling in her mind, Lin Ruoxi had already approached Yang Chen and Rose. Yang Chen remained kneeling, frozen in his original posture, while Rose, after a brief moment of surprise, regained her composure. Despite being the other woman, facing Lin Ruoxi for the first time, Rose chose not to retreat.

Lin Ruoxi halted her steps, turned her head, and locked eyes with Rose, who was seated on the sofa—a stare-down between an icy mountain and a casual and unaffected demeanor.

3.5

After a subtle but intense exchange between the women, Lin Ruoxi finally turned her gaze towards Yang Chen.

"The shoes are very beautiful and suit your woman," Lin Ruoxi said icily, devoid of any emotion.

Yang Chen knew he couldn't avoid it. He smiled faintly, a hint of bitterness on his lips. "Is that so? I think so too. Are you here for work?"

"Palm Tower is under my company's portfolio. Is it strange that I'm here to inspect?" Lin Ruoxi replied.

Yang Chen was stunned. Lin Ruoxi's assets were indeed terrifying. How casual it was for her to walk into a high-end department store and claim it as hers. It seemed almost fateful that she had chosen to inspect it today.

Whether it was deliberate by fate or not, Yang Chen could imagine the turmoil in Lin Ruoxi's heart at this moment. However, since he had already told her they would part ways in six months, perhaps this was an opportunity for her to see him clearly, to no longer have any tolerance for him. It might be a good thing.

After Lin Ruoxi finished speaking, she glanced at Rose one last time, then decisively turned and walked away with the management team of the building, not looking back.

"Who would have thought, my first meeting with the main wife would end like this. She seems... not in a good mood," Rose murmured softly. "Husband, she must hate me now."

Yang Chen looked up and reassured her with a smile, "Don't overthink it. Just put on your new shoes nicely, and then I'll take you to lunch. After that, we can continue shopping."

Rose sighed softly, "It's all because of you insisting on putting shoes on me like that. She must think I'm a home-wrecker, trying to break you two up."

Yang Chen furrowed his brows, "Silly girl, why would you think like that? Even if I and Ruoxi separate, I won't give up on you. You're different from her."

Rose blinked, "Husband, is there something going on between you two? Why did she leave so easily and let me off like this?"

"Stop asking questions. Whether you're a fox spirit or a spider spirit, when we're on a date, don't think about others," Yang Chen said, reaching out to pinch Rose's delicate nose, which earned him a round of complaints from her.

As Yang Chen led Rose towards the elevator, intending to dine at the restaurant inside the building, Lin Ruoxi, who was conducting an inspection with a group of executives, suddenly stopped after walking a long way.

One of the staff members who was briefing her on the management of the building asked in confusion, "CEO Lin, is something wrong? Do you have any concerns?"

Lin Ruoxi took a deep breath, her eyes slightly moistened. She turned her head and said, "Let's call it a day for the inspection here. I just remembered I have something urgent to attend to. Please submit the remaining details in report form. I'll leave now."

"Yes, CEO Lin," the executives immediately escorted Lin Ruoxi away, but most of them were puzzled.

Arriving at the underground parking lot via the elevator, Lin Ruoxi nearly ran back to her red Bentley. Once inside the car, unable to hold back any longer, tears streamed down her cheeks. She leaned over the steering wheel, trembling uncontrollably.

Meanwhile, Yang Chen, who had settled down with Rose at the Western restaurant and ordered their food, found his thoughts drifting.

The resolute look in Lin Ruoxi's eyes kept flashing in his mind, stirring up profound emotions he couldn't shake off.

"She must hate me now. Perhaps she regrets even saying she'd maintain our marriage for another six months," he mused silently.

Rose, perceptive as ever, spoke softly, "Honey, you're not feeling well, are you? I can tell you deliberately made Miss Lin angry."

Yang Chen's expression shifted slightly. "Why do you say that?"

"I'm not sure, but I just have this feeling," Rose continued gently. "Honey, can you tell me why you did that? It's not like you. I can see that both of you care about each other. You're not the kind of man who would intentionally hurt a woman."

After a moment of silence, Yang Chen realized there was little point in hiding things from Rose. He proceeded to explain briefly about Xu Zhihong, Zeng Xinlin, and the other incidents to Rose.

"I killed Zeng Xinlin, and the Zeng family in Yandu might retaliate against me to the bitter end. My past isn't like hers, growing up in a peaceful environment where she could imagine. There are countless people in this world who hate me to the bone and want revenge, and I've done things that make me a target. My ostensible wife could easily become a target, too. Besides, someone kidnapped Ruoxi before. Luckily, I managed to exchange her coordinates in time and save her life. I can't guarantee her safety every time because I expose her to so many threats. It's not fair," Yang Chen explained.

Rose hadn't expected so much complexity. After listening quietly, she said softly, "People live in this world often in situations where they have no choice. But, honey, isn't this a bit too cruel? Although it's my first time meeting her, we're both women. I can tell she doesn't actually want to separate from you."

"Who knows? Honestly, I still don't understand what she really thinks," Yang Chen replied. "But feeling sad might be better than her constantly worrying because of me. I can only take it step by step."

They finished their lunch quietly when the main course arrived. In the afternoon, as Yang Chen prepared to continue shopping with Rose, she stopped him.

"Honey, I've had enough shopping. Can we go back to my place?" Rose asked.

"But it's still early," Yang Chen wondered, "Won't you get bored?"

Blushing, Rose whispered a few words in Yang Chen's ear.

"You naughty thing, is that what you've been thinking about?" Yang Chen chuckled.

Rose shyly lowered her head. "Who told you not to come see me for so long?"

Facing Rose's initiative, Yang Chen felt not so much desire as a deep sense of appreciation. It wasn't just about physical needs; it was clear Rose was trying to cheer him up emotionally and help him forget his troubles.

"Such foolish women, how could I ever let them go?" Despite knowing this, Yang Chen didn't voice it out loud. After swiftly leaving the building with Rose and driving back to the spacious bedroom behind Rose's bar, he indeed needed an outlet.

Outside, the north wind howled, freezing cold, while inside, warm, dim lights illuminated the room. It had been a long time since the two of them had been intimate here. They kicked off their shoes, shed their inhibitions, and quickly entangled themselves on Rose's plush bed.

After their passionate encounter, Yang Chen kissed Rose gently on the forehead and murmured softly yet deeply, "Thank you, I feel much better now."

Rose lifted her round chin, her breath cool against Yang Chen's chest, and spoke with fragrant words, "Honey, do you know? The first time you took me, I prayed to heaven that I would be this man's woman in every life, no matter how many times I'm reincarnated. Even if not as a wife, just as a lover, I would willingly accept. But now, I don't feel that way anymore. This lifetime is enough. There's nothing more satisfying than this life. I can't be greedy because I feel like I'm the happiest woman in the world."

Yang Chen felt a pang of pity in his heart, unable to find words.

Pouting her red lips, Rose gazed at Yang Chen with pleading eyes and added, "Promise me, my man. No matter what happens in the future, don't treat me like you did Lin Ruoxi. I can't bear to be without you. I'm not as pretty as Lin Ruoxi, not as wealthy. I'm not worthy of you. Apart from loving you, which I do more than you love me, I have nothing else to offer. So, if you ever decide you don't want me anymore, I'll lose everything."

Staring into the depths of her woman's eyes, as deep as the sea, Yang Chen felt a twinge in his heart.