Chapter 14: Encountering Jiaqi on the Road

“Get out of the car.” Shi Ran suddenly jolted awake, instinctively alert.

She realized she had fallen asleep at some point, a coat draped over her.

“Get out of the car.” Zuo Yelin’s impatient voice furrowed his brows tightly.

Shi Ran wiped the drool at the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand, recalling the dream she had just had. Muttering under her breath, “Not even half as gentle as in the dream.”

She moved the coat aside, preparing to reach for the door handle.

But the door was locked.

Cautiously, she glanced at Zuo Yelin, about to speak, only to meet those eyes that seemed capable of freezing the soul. The words on her lips were swallowed back down.

“Who allowed you to dream of me?” The man’s low, accusing voice echoed inside the car.

This was bad.

Shi Ran panicked, at a loss.

Half-awake and half-asleep, she had accidentally spoken her thoughts aloud, and Zuo Yelin had just overheard them.

It couldn’t have turned out worse.

“Young master, I dreamed that you were scolding me in my dream…” Shi Ran fidgeted, trying to explain and bluff her way out.

Zuo Yelin’s gaze appraised her up and down. Nervously, Shi Ran clutched the hem of her clothes, afraid to make a single move.

She had forgotten her earlier bold declaration to find a man to sleep with.

All she wanted now was to open the door and get out.

“Get out.” Those words felt like a pardon granted. Hearing the door click open, she scrambled out, hands and feet working in tandem.

In her haste, she almost twisted her ankle, but thankfully caught the door in time, avoiding a humiliating fall.

Shi Ran forced a dry laugh, closed the door behind her, and headed toward the villa.

Reaching the front of the villa, she glanced back cautiously, noticing the street enveloped in darkness without a single light, stirring a sense of unease within her.

She quickly unlocked the door and stepped inside.

Leaning against the closed door, she could hear her heart pounding fiercely.

“Welcome home.” Inside the villa, lights shone brightly.

The smart home system chimed a greeting.

Dragging her weary body, Shi Ran returned to the bedroom, kicked off her heels, and collapsed onto the bed without even changing clothes, falling into a deep sleep.

She dreamed.

In the dream, Zuo Yelin was gentle and doting; whatever she said, he obeyed without objection.

“Zuo Yelin, bring me ten male models,” Shi Ran murmured in her sleep, turning over with a silly grin.

She laughed foolishly in her dream, until she choked herself awake.

Her head foggy, she glanced at the time before drifting back to sleep.

---

Not long after, she woke up in terror.

The pleasant dream had suddenly turned into a nightmare.

The obedient and submissive Zuo Yelin had restrained her, locking her in the bedroom, while the male models she had called upon were dealt with by Su Yu.

Even upon waking, she remembered the man’s cold words with chilling clarity.

“I told you, don’t let other men touch you.”

After that dream, Shi Ran hesitated.

Zuo Yelin’s warnings were never to be taken lightly.

If she really slept with another man, would the nightmare come true?

“Maybe I should find a fake man to pretend?” Shi Ran refused to give up on her idea, her mind racing to devise the perfect solution.

These days, there were plenty of faux handsome guys who looked male on the outside.

But in reality, they were women.

That way, even if Zuo Yelin found out, she’d have an escape route prepared.

Chances were, it wouldn’t end in the tragic way her dream depicted.

The only question was how to convince the other party to cooperate in the charade.

After all, this could even be life-threatening.

Shi Ran found herself stuck.

“Forget it. Too much trouble, I’ll just sleep.” Suddenly, she lost her desire to cheat.

She figured revenge on Zuo Yelin could be planned carefully and patiently; cheating involved too many complications.

And she would suffer for it.

That wasn’t the outcome she wanted.

She slept deeply until the next day, no nightmares in between.

After waking, Shi Ran washed up and changed out of her evening gown.

She deliberately checked her phone but found no messages.

Meaning no work awaited her now.

She could rest at home without worry.

“You have a new visitor waiting outside.” Just as Shi Ran was about to lie down again, the smart home system alerted her.

Wearing fluffy slippers, she went to the door.

Opening it,

“Miss Shi Ran, this is the breakfast from your customized three meals a day plan.” Outside stood a gentleman in a black suit, smiling gently.

Behind him were several waitresses in aprons, holding trays.

“Please come in.” Shi Ran recalled Zuo Yelin’s words from last night.

After the waitresses placed the dishes, the gentleman smiled, “Please enjoy your meal. We will collect these dishes when we deliver lunch.”

---

“Thank you.” Shi Ran responded, closing the door.

She stared at the feast laid out before her, lost in thought.

Wasn’t this way too much food?

Was Zuo Yelin trying to make her overeat or gain weight?

Whatever the case, his intentions were likely ill.

Otherwise, wouldn’t he have considered a girl’s appetite when preparing the meals?

“Good thing I’m one of those who eat a lot but never gain weight,” Shi Ran felt relieved. Opening the trays, she gazed at the dazzling array and felt as if she had wasted her youth.

“Can’t waste it.” She gritted her teeth and began eating.

Shi Ran had overestimated herself and underestimated the portions.

Initially, she planned to finish each dish completely, but midway changed her mind to just sample a bite from each, going back and forth.

Though it might cause some waste, she’d at least taste everything.

When she finally couldn’t eat any more, she reluctantly stared at the remaining food.

“Young master, you really know how to torture someone.” Shi Ran grumbled, rubbing her rounded belly, planning to rest before eating again.

During the break, she managed to clear a few more plates.

This continued until the doorbell rang again, signaling lunchtime.

Looking at the dwindling food, Shi Ran belched and carefully moved to the door.

She dared not rush, fearing she’d upset her stomach.

“Miss Shi Ran, here is your lunch.” The gentleman arranged for the waitresses to deliver the meal and simultaneously collected the previous dishes.

“Don’t prepare dinner; I can’t finish all this—it’s a waste.” Shi Ran stared at the young man, hesitating before voicing her decision.

She didn’t want to force herself, though the food was indeed delicious.

“But eating more than I can handle would be a waste.”

“This is my job, Miss Shi Ran. See you tonight,” the gentleman smiled.

Well, so be it.

Shi Ran felt weary.

She looked at the table full of food, bit her lip, and began eating again.

Even when dinner arrived, she hadn’t finished a third of the portions.

Unable to communicate further with the young man, she took out her phone and sent a message to Su Yu.