C19 Where Was She?

After a good night’s sleep, Mu Qingzhu woke up refreshed.

Once Mu Qingzhu opened her eyes, the look in her eyes was rejuvenated due to her deep sleep. She rubbed her eyes and looked around.

The strangeness of the apartment made Mu Qingzhu panic. As feelings of fear shot through her, she immediately got up. Unable to keep her panic contained, screams burst from her lips.

Where was she?

Memories of that night flashed before her eyes right before she fainted. She remembered that there were two wretched men carrying her. This could only mean that she was raped. Thinking of this, Mu Qingzhu felt her entire body grow cold and she quickly looked down to examine herself.

Off the bat, she saw that her naked body was wrapped in a thin towel. The thinness of the towel did not offer her any warmth and she could feel the cold air of the room on her nakedness. But this wasn’t so bad. At least she wasn’t feeling any sort of discomfort in her lower body!

But where could she be?

The living quarters were luxurious and exquisite. Out of the large windows of the bedroom came in clean and bright light. Everything in the room was the epitome of style and comfort. This wasn’t something those two rough men could easily come by. Could it be that she was sold to a wealthy person?

The thought made her hurry to get up and search for something to put on.

Her search for clothes came up futile. She pulled open the wardrobe, but her hands came up empty then too. This person's closet was filled with well-ironed suits and a row of French T-shirts. Nothing she could wear, but the fashionable items screamed of high-end style and class.

Mu Qingzhu’s heart beat faster. This could only mean a couple of things. Either this was Ruan Hanyu’s bedroom or Jing Chengrui’s? But this couldn’t be Ruan Hanyu’s room. When he left her, he was taking care of Qian Anrou. There was no room in his heart for Mu Qingzhu. And he would never come and save her. Then it must be Jing Chengrui. It was only he who had pity in his heart for her. It would make sense he would come and save her!

Her conclusion left her excited. Without giving it another thought, she picked up a T-shirt and pulled it over her head before opening the bedroom door.

The length of the T-shirt was long enough to cover her delicate and slim figure. It stopped right before her thighs and covered enough of her to make her appear decent. The T-shirt was made of a good material and Mu Qingzhu noticed this and its comfort. The loose fabric of the shirt fitted comfortably around her body.

Mu Qingzhu had time to explore the apartment for a bit. Her eyes took in the large and luxurious living spaces. The interior of the apartment exuded elegance and opulence. Each piece of furniture on display showed the owner’s impeccable taste. The apartment was very pleasing to the senses.

Her beautiful eyes searched for the tall and stalwart figure.

The door to the side of the living room opened and a handsome man with black hair in a distinguished suit walked into the room Mu Qingzhu was in. In his hand was an expensive handbag. He seemed out ready to step out.

“It can’t be you!” Once Mu Qingzhu recognized the man, the smile on her face stiffened.

It was Ruan Hanyu!

This could only mean this was Ruan Hanyu’s home, his home outside of the Ruan Family Mansion!

She had been his wife for four years, and she had never known of this place!

Ruan Hanyu’s face had no expression on it. His eyes looked her over with a cold look. He was getting ready to leave with the bag, but having just walked into the living room, it seemed like he had just noticed her. He paused reluctantly.

“Did you save me?” Mu Qingzhu asked in a soft voice. While asking this, she lowered her head and eyes, making her look more demure and helpless. She clutched onto the helm of her T-shirt with both hands. A trace of uneasiness and expectation could be detected in her barely audible voice.

This wasn’t like him. It appeared he had abandoned Qian Anrou to come and save her. Mu Qingzhu did not believe it!

Ruan Hanyu’s handsome brows were raised in a mocking manner. With his aura filled with dominance and arrogance, he peered down at her and said coldly, “I expect better things from you. From now on, you should work harder in the future to not embarrass my company.”

With that, he turned around and walked towards the door.

“This place is walking distance from the company. Before you leave, you might have time for breakfast.”

Having said his piece, he turned away and slammed close the door.

Mu Qingzhu stood there stunned. He went from hot to cold and cold to hot in a matter of seconds. There was no way to gauge his mood.

But what did he mean? He had said that she was despicable. Although it was clear he regarded her with disdain in his heart, this was the first time he had used such words.

She felt a deep depression spread in her heart.

This could only mean that he only thought of her as a lowly woman, meaning that she was nowhere near the noble and untouchable Qian Anrou in his heart. Since he obviously hated her, why did he feel the need to save her?

She never asked him to save her!

But when thoughts of how she was molested by the two wretched men last night overcame her, she could not help but shiver. The two men's sinister intentions filled her with fear and she was secretly grateful for Ruan Hanyu for coming in right on time to save her.

The time displayed on the Swiss imported clock showed that it was about time for work. She rushed into the bathroom to wash her hair and after a more fruitful search, found a dress she could wear. She made her journey to the company on foot.

She stopped at a place and brought a nutritious breakfast, which she carried to the company to enjoy in her office.

When she entered the offices, she found all eyes were on her. The employees all gave her strange looks. But once they met Mu Qingzhu’s eyes, they would quickly look away, unable to keep eye contact with her. This made Mu Qingzhu feel like a criminal.

But Mu Qingzhu was unfazed. She met their strange glances with a calm and collected facade.

The Ruan Group took up ten floors of the Reorganization Building. From the 78th floor and onwards belonged to the Ruan Group. All these floors housed the best talent A City had to offer.

The elevator came to a stop on the 78th floor.

Mu Qingzhu took that moment to look down at her hands wrapped in gauze. She wondered about her mother and if she was worried after seeing that her daughter had not come home last night. She should give her a call later to let her know she was alright.

Once the elevator door opened, the strong smell of Lankou perfume filled the small space. Qian Anrou proceeded to walk in, a bright smile plastered on her face.

When she looked up and saw Mu Qingzhu standing there, her face darkened noticeably. Her bright demeanor was dashed the moment she laid eyes on Mu Qingzhu.

Qian Anrou raised her head and gave her a haughty and rude look. When she saw Mu Qingzhu did not react but only continued to look unperplexed with a composed expression on her face, a trace of coldness flashed wildly in her eyes.

Mu Qingzhu fixed a smile on her face. She outwardly chuckled and turned her eyes toward the top of the elevator where her vision was focused.

Qian Anrou tried holding her anger in, but she only ended up holding her breath making her face turn even redder. At that very moment, the elevator bell rang, prompting the doors to suddenly open!

The corner of Mu Qingzhu’s mouth curled up and she walked out in a light gait, leaving Qian Anrou in full view of her back.

The elevator door closed right then and Qian Anrou could only tightly clench her fists. Her eyes were as frosty as ice.

“What happened to you? Did you miss last night?” After taking out her phone, she spoke into the receiver.

The person’s response clearly left Qian Anrou angrier as an unpleasant expression made its way on her face. Her twisted and enraged face reflected back at her on the bright elevator door.

Mu Qingzhu sat in her office, as that night’s events replayed in her mind. What happened? How did Ruan Hanyu come to save her?

When would Ruan Hanyu deliver her the two cars? She didn’t want to delay things anymore than she had to. Lawyer Wang said that two cars were the key to the solution.

She did not want to prolong her stay here. She didn’t know if she could hold on for much longer. She was not far from collapse.

Out of nowhere, a gentle and polite knock sounded on the door.

“Please come in,” Mu Qingzhu raised her head and greeted her visitor softly.

“Miss Alice, how are your hands?” Special Assistant Liu asked nervously. As he walked in, he saw that Mu Qingzhu’s hands were wrapped in gauze. His voice said that he was truly concerned for Mu Qingzhu’s well-being.

Mu Qingzhu was feeling a little dazed. Looking up, she could see Special Assistant Liu’s worried eyes. The troubled look in his eyes showed that he cared.

Special Assistant Liu held himself with an efficient and refined air. As a man, he treated others with care and consideration. Though he was a thin man, his essence was filled with warmth and heart.

Mu Qingzhu smiled, the smile reaching her eyes. “You don’t need to worry about me. I’m fine, really. Don’t exert yourself thinking too much about it.”

“I’m sorry for what happened. I had no idea such a thing would happen. Otherwise, I would never have made your attendance mandatory last night.” A bit of uneasiness could be heard in Special Assistant Liu’s voice, although he said all this softly.

“I’m totally fine, really.” Mu Qingzhu smiled at him. Finally, someone thought to ask about her injury. Grateful that she wasn’t being brushed aside or being ignored, Mu Qingzhu felt feelings of warmth invade her heart. “Is there anything else?” she asked Special Assistant Liu.

Special Assistant Liu acknowledged her with a nod. “There is a senior management meeting of the Ruan Group at three o’clock this afternoon. Director Ruan wants you to be there.”

“Got it.” Mu Qingzhu understood immediately and agreed to the request.

Special Assistant Liu bowed his head slightly and was about to leave but something stopped him. He stood there, hesitating for a moment. He pursed his lips and finally made up his mind. He started in a low voice:

“Miss Alice, you must watch out for Director Qian. This woman is cruel and merciless and she is someone who if they set their mind to do something, there is no one who could talk them down. It is also known that Director Ruan always takes her side. It is better to be careful than sorry!”

His words made Mu Qingzhu raise her head. Her eyes flickered with light. She felt touched by his gesture. It seemed like he was reaching out to a stranger who had little power out of the goodness of his heart. This was something he didn’t have to do.

It appeared that Ruan Hanyu’s subordinates were not completely working drones who only followed orders. This showed that Ruan Hanyu had a unique insight when it came to the people he hired.

Yet the time would never come when he would appreciate her. This possibly could be his weakness.

The thought brought a bitter smile to Mu Qingzhu’s heart.