Chapter 24 – The Embrace

Before Su Lifeng could even open his mouth to greet her, a terrifying scene suddenly flashed before his eyes.

Jiang Yushi lay on the ground, her eyes wide open, her mouth covered in blood. Behind her, a Shadowy Figure was slowly retreating into the darkness.

This sight made Su Lifeng’s heart tighten. He tried his best to see the Shadowy Figure clearly, but unfortunately, the Precognitive Vision was not under his control.

Jiang Yushi’s body twitched slightly. She moved her lips with great difficulty, as if she wanted to say something, but no sound came out.

Even though Su Lifeng knew this was just a Precognitive Vision and that he was currently powerless to change it, he couldn’t help but clench his fists, wishing he could rush forward immediately…

But why was the first disaster he envisioned after his return related to Jiang Yushi?

“Sir, if you want to rent a cheaper place, there are some near the school district. Although the distance is a bit further, it’s more cost-effective in terms of value…” Seeing Su Lifeng suddenly staring ahead in a daze with such intense focus, Zhang Ling followed his gaze. She then rolled her eyes with a hint of disdain.

The girl in the white dress was indeed beautiful, but there was no need to stare at her so blatantly, was there? Besides, based on that girl’s status alone, she was someone way out of his league. The moment the girl in the white dress walked in accompanied by a man, the store manager had immediately rushed forward to greet them. The manager’s fawning and flattering attitude was so extreme that Zhang Ling almost couldn’t recognize the man who was usually strict and harsh with them.

Zhang Ling originally thought this was likely another female college student being brought here by a wealthy man to rent an apartment, but looking at the man’s attitude toward the girl in the white dress, it was clearly not the case.

Watching this ordinary student’s hesitant expression-looking as if he wanted to go up and strike up a conversation-Zhang Ling couldn’t help but shake her head inwardly. “The world really never lacks men who lack self-awareness…”

“Sir, why don’t you consider a place in the suburbs? We have several units there that used to be Factory dormitories. The price is very cheap.”

Just as Zhang Ling’s attitude turned impatient, the girl in the white dress noticed them.

Seeing the girl, who originally had a somewhat melancholy aura, suddenly widen her eyes, Zhang Ling became even more annoyed with the boy beside her. “See? You’ve been caught.”

But what left her even more speechless was that the boy actually walked straight toward her… This wasn’t just a lack of self-awareness; it was practically shameless!

“Lifeng!” Jiang Yushi threw her arms around him, giving Su Lifeng a brief hug before revealing a surprised and delighted smile. “What are you doing here?”

Su Lifeng hadn’t expected her to be so enthusiastic; he had originally only intended to pat her on the shoulder… However, seeing the rims of Jiang Yushi’s eyes instantly redden, he understood. He had underestimated the trauma that disaster had caused them… Aside from him, everyone else was probably still living in a heavy shadow.

In reality, even for him, that disaster hadn’t simply passed; it was just that he had even greater disasters to face…

“Oh, I’m here to sell a house. I was about to ask you the same thing-what are you doing here?” Su Lifeng asked. Looking at Jiang Yushi’s pitiable appearance, his mind kept returning to the scene he had just seen in the Precognitive Vision, making him feel a surge of nervousness.

Jiang Yushi was about to answer when she was interrupted by another, unfamiliar male voice.

A man about thirty years old, wearing a high-end suit, walked over. He glanced at Jiang Yushi with some surprise and then looked at Su Lifeng. “Yushi, who is this?”

Jiang Yushi quickly wiped her eyes and introduced him. “He’s my friend, Su Lifeng. Like me, he’s a graduate student at the School of Life Sciences, but he’s much more capable than I am. Lifeng, this is my father’s assistant, Liang Junyu.”

Liang Junyu suddenly looked enlightened, then put on a face full of smiles as he prepared to extend his hand. “So you’re Su. President Jiang has been saying he wants to thank you properly. In fact, he just asked me to make arrangements in a few days. I didn’t expect such a coincidence to meet you here today.”

As he spoke, Jiang Yushi secretly winked at Su Lifeng.

Su Lifeng hadn’t expected her to suddenly make such a sly gesture at a time like this. While he couldn’t help but smile, he also gave a nearly imperceptible nod to show he understood. When Jiang Yushi returned home, she must have retold the story of “fainting after the ship had its accident and waking up to find he had already brought her onto a lifeboat.” As for the focus, it was certainly placed on the fact that Su Lifeng had saved her.

However, although their movements were subtle, they were seen clearly by Liang Junyu, who was skilled at reading people. He frowned slightly, and his hand was instantly withdrawn, though the smile on his face became even warmer. “By the way, I happened to hear Su mention wanting to sell a house just as I walked over? Why? Are you short on money? If it’s an emergency, I can go back and tell President Jiang. President Jiang is looking for a way to show his gratitude to Su.”

“Nonsense, how can money express enough gratitude?” Jiang Yushi said, clearly dissatisfied. However, as she turned back, she looked at Su Lifeng with a hint of worry. “Lifeng, don’t mind what Assistant Liang said; he means well. But Lifeng, why are you selling your house?”

“Haha, look at my big mouth. Sorry, Su, I really did mean well.”

Su Lifeng glanced at Liang Junyu, who wore a look of feigned apology… Meaning well? He could tell from the way the man looked at Jiang Yushi that he likely had feelings for the boss’s daughter. However, Jiang Yushi was kind-hearted and always assumed the best of people, so it was normal that she couldn’t see it. He didn’t intend to make things difficult for her over such a trivial matter.

Ignoring Liang Junyu entirely, Su Lifeng turned to Jiang Yushi and said, “I have my reasons…” It was difficult to explain the situation, especially in a setting like this. Thus, Su Lifeng turned directly to Zhang Ling. “That Staff Dormitory you mentioned-how much is the monthly rent?”

Zhang Ling had been in a state of shock since seeing Jiang Yushi take the initiative to hug Su Lifeng. Although she had regained some of her senses when she heard Liang Junyu mention “monetary gratitude,” Su Lifeng was no longer just a poor student in her eyes; he was now a potential high-value client.

If nothing else, even if he only sold the house, the commission would be substantial!

Consequently, Zhang Ling’s attitude immediately became warm again, though she was somewhat puzzled. Why was he asking about a Staff Dormitory while trying to sell his house?

“That’s the Staff Dormitory of a Chemical Plant. Since the factory went bankrupt and the surrounding area has been undergoing demolition, fewer and fewer people live there. To be honest, it might be a bit too remote for you, sir.” Zhang Ling was telling the truth this time, though she sugarcoated it slightly so as not to offend him. It wasn’t just remote; it was practically deserted. If she hadn’t found Su Lifeng somewhat repulsive moments ago, she wouldn’t have even thought to suggest that place.

“I know. How much?” Su Lifeng’s eyes lit up as he asked.

“About seven hundred a month, since there are quite a few rooms…” Zhang Ling grew even more curious. Did he really intend to take it?

“Fine, I’ll rent it. Now, help me see how much this house can sell for.” Just as Su Lifeng pulled out the property deed, Jiang Yushi snatched it away.

Su Lifeng was momentarily stunned… Well, he hadn’t expected that move.

“Something is definitely wrong. It won’t be too late to sell the house after you tell me what’s going on, right?” Jiang Yushi tilted her head, triumphantly waving the deed in her hand.

Watching this scene from the side, Liang Junyu couldn’t help but frown again. He had volunteered to accompany her today to cheer her up, but a whole day of effort had been for nothing. Instead, Su Lifeng had appeared for just a few minutes and already had Jiang Yushi alternating between tears and laughter.

“Besides, maybe I’ll buy it from you. Okay, I’m just kidding. Actually, Assistant Liang wanted to help my father find some commercial storefronts, and I just came along for the fresh air. My dad said if I had something to do, I might stop thinking about what happened at sea all the time. But speaking of that, I really do have something to ask you. Maybe after you hear it, you’ll give up on selling the house?” Jiang Yushi blinked, her tone becoming quite serious.

At the same time, on a highway in the suburbs of Ningnan…

A small car carrying a young couple was speeding along when the male driver suddenly slammed on the brakes. He stared outside, shaken.

On the road stood a man carrying a laptop bag with a press badge hanging around his neck.

Seeing the car stop less than two meters away from him, the man only slowly turned his head, looking at the two people inside with a vacant expression.

The young man immediately stuck his head out and cursed angrily, “Are you looking for a death wish? Why the hell did you suddenly run out into the middle of the road! Dammit…”

“Alright, alright, stop yelling. Look, his clothes are torn and there’s blood. Could he be hurt?” The girl quickly stopped her boyfriend.

The boyfriend froze, feeling a bit creeped out. “You’re right…”

“I’ll go check on him.” The girl hopped out of the car and walked up to the man. Just as she was about to ask a question, she noticed the badge on his chest with surprise. “Huh? You’re a reporter?” She looked at his face. “Ah! I’ve seen you before! Aren’t you Reporter Li, Li Yi from the Shencheng TV Station? Did something happen? Do you want us to take you back to the city?”

Li Yi stared at her face, his gaze slowly shifting to her mouth, and then to her throat.

Just as the girl began to feel that something was odd, Li Yi mirrored her smile and nodded.