Chapter 80: Like a Tiger Watching Its Prey

No matter how cold-blooded one might be, anyone witnessing this scene would be deeply moved. A thin mist blurred Mai Xijun’s vision. As she looked toward Shen Yanlie, she saw him quietly sniff, his reddened eyelids unmistakable to her keen eyes. For the first time, Shen Yanlie exposed the most vulnerable, tender side of his masculine heart before her.

In truth, Mai Xijun couldn’t quite understand why Shen Yanlie had brought her here. This seemed to be a matter between brothers… Besides, the two men in the office were both clearly significant figures in his life. What was she to him, that he would bring her to such an occasion?

“Lie, if you have time, go visit Tianyu.” The man who entered later was full of sorrow as well, yet still remembered to remind Shen Yanlie earnestly.

Shen Yanlie gave no reply, only gazed at Ye Fanyu by the desk, doing his best to gather and conceal his turmoil, unwilling to let others see that he was on the verge of collapse.

“Xiaonan, go home with your Uncle Shen Qian first. Once Daddy has finished handling things at the company, I’ll come home, all right?” Ye Fanyu seemed to muster himself suddenly. His long, slender fingers brushed her cheek, then with a forced smile he cupped Ye Xiaonan’s small face, using his thumb to try and wipe away her tears. Yet the more he wiped, the more they flowed, until in an instant, Ye Fanyu’s manly composure crumbled. He suddenly pulled Ye Xiaonan into his arms.

“Xiaonan, I’m sorry. I’m sorry to you. I’m sorry to your mother. It’s Daddy’s fault for not taking care of her. Xiaonan, I’m sorry.” With each tearful confession, Mai Xijun could no longer hold back her own tears, letting them fall freely, unchecked, down her cheeks.

“Lie, you two go home first. If there’s any news, I’ll tell you immediately.” The man Ye Fanyu called “Uncle” to Ye Xiaonan stepped forward, his gaze falling intently on Mai Xijun.

After a brief exchange of looks, Shen Qian shifted his gaze to Shen Yanlie. “The customs issue has been resolved. Be cautious in your actions for now. Don’t make any more moves against the Luo family. Wait and see how things unfold.”

Leaving these parting words, Shen Qian strode over to Ye Fanyu, lifted Ye Xiaonan into his arms, and with a large hand gently wiped the tears from her face, now choked with sobs.

“You must pull yourself together. Xiaonan needs you, and everything here needs you.” Shen Qian’s voice was deep and steady, yet this was all he could offer now—words that pressed heavily on Ye Fanyu, hoping to help him recover the self he once was, the man who once commanded the business world like the wind and rain, but who now sobbed helplessly like a child…

* * * * *

On a quiet street, Mai Xijun sat with Shen Yanlie in the car, both silent for a long while.

Mai Xijun bit the inside of her lower lip, watching Shen Yanlie, who said nothing. He was shrouded in a deep stillness, stripped of his usual unruliness and mischief. In this moment, he evoked both pity and tenderness, yet he seemed as prickly as a hedgehog, bristling with spines—needing no one, and no one daring to approach.

Once, whether he was speaking harshly or acting with reckless abandon, whether good or bad, cynical or gentle, at least he had always been vivid, alive. Now, he seemed lost in a world no one else could enter—a place Mai Xijun felt she could never cross into.

“Do you know how to drive?” Shen Yanlie’s sudden question caught her off guard. She blinked, then shook her head. “No.”

* * * * *

The nearest stop was by a small motel.

As soon as Shen Yanlie entered the room, he collapsed heavily onto the bed. The sound of his weight hitting the mattress startled Mai Xijun so much she nearly cried out. She still didn’t know what had happened, but couldn’t hide the anxiety on her face. After a while, she closed the door softly.

Watching Shen Yanlie lie motionless on the bed, Mai Xijun padded quietly closer, as if not wanting to disturb even a single nerve in his body.

At this moment, the man who usually seemed unbreakable had tears already glistening at the corners of his eyes.

What had happened to him? Why did she feel that his sorrow and pain ran so deep?

“Hey…are you…” all right?

After hesitating for a long time, Mai Xijun lifted her hand, meaning to gently shake his shoulder. But as soon as she touched him, Shen Yanlie seized her wrist and with a sudden pull, dragged her beneath him before she could finish her words.

Mai Xijun’s eyes widened. In that instant, all she could feel was pain—his knee pressed hard against her leg, the buckle of his belt digging sharply into her abdomen. She could only gasp softly, even her breathing cautious and shallow.

In the dim, yellow light, Shen Yanlie’s eyes, dark as a frozen lake, seemed distant and unapproachable. Only the hand gripping her wrist—her lifeline—remained, his grasp growing tighter and tighter, as if it was an instinct beyond his control.

Their eyes met, neither uttering a word. His gaze, sharp as an eagle’s, pierced her, making her heart ache as if torn apart, even as a strange thrill ran through her.

No one knew how long they stared at each other—seconds stretching into endless minutes.

Suddenly, Shen Yanlie rolled away, lying flat on the bed, hands folded primly over his jacket buttons, eyelids half-closed, as if nothing had happened at all.

Mai Xijun’s eyes stung with tears, her lashes trembling as she stared blankly at the ceiling. Neither spoke—a silence as heavy as death filled the room.

She had always known he was not as calm or gentle as he appeared, that he hid unknown burdens and secrets deep within. Whoever could reach the bottom of his heart would possess his entire world.

But now, Shen Yanlie was too exhausted, too guarded, as if he were always on high alert, refusing to let anyone get close. Like a leopard watching its prey, ready to strike ruthlessly at anyone who dared cross the line.