My Ares Son-in-Law

"Everything is fine."

Qin Lingling forced a smile, but it looked worse than a grimace.

Xiao Chen saw her trying to appear calm and already understood what was going on.

He knew that Qin Lingling was definitely hiding something, but she was unwilling to say, and he couldn't force her.

With a helpless sigh, he held out his hand and said, "Give me your phone."

His tone was calm, yet it carried an undeniable power.

Qin Lingling hesitated for a moment, a hint of hesitation and unease flashing in her eyes.

But faced with Xiao Chen's determined gaze, she obediently handed over her phone.

Her fingers trembled slightly, as if conveying her inner tension and fear.

Xiao Chen quickly took the phone, his fingers skillfully tapping on the screen to enter a number, save it, and then handed the phone back to her.

His movements were quick and fluid, as if he were already used to it.

"If you encounter any problems that you can't solve, call me at this number."

His tone was calm yet carried a reassuring strength, as if all difficulties could be easily resolved with this phone call. "If I can help, I will."

"That's all, we'll be going now."

After saying that, he turned around and walked forward side by side with Zhou Keying, leaving Qin Lingling standing there, watching their departing figures with a complex light in her eyes.

Qin Lingling held the phone tightly, still warm from Xiao Chen's fingertips. The warmth seemed to linger in her palm, bringing an indescribable sense of peace.

She stared intently at Xiao Chen and Zhou Keying's departing figures, which gradually blended into the night and became increasingly blurry.

Her eyes involuntarily reddened, and tears welled up in them, threatening to spill over at any moment.

Just as she was lost in her thoughts, her phone suddenly rang sharply, the unexpected ringtone sounding particularly jarring in the quiet night.

Qin Lingling's body trembled violently, as if struck by lightning.

She frantically looked down at her phone screen, and when she saw the caller ID flashing on the screen, her face instantly turned deathly pale, devoid of any color.

The name was like a death warrant, causing her heart to race and her breathing to quicken.

What's meant to happen will eventually come.

……

"Xiao Chen, why does that little girl keep calling you 'Mr. Xiao'?"

"It sounds so pretentious and old-fashioned, it's really awkward!"

After walking a distance, Zhou Keying couldn't help but laugh and joke.

Her eyes were bright and sparkling, and the corners of her mouth were slightly upturned, revealing a pair of adorable dimples.

She tried to use these lighthearted words to dispel the slightly tense atmosphere that had just taken place at the entrance of the Qinren Club, and to make the atmosphere between the two of them cheerful again.

"Who knows? Let her call me whatever she wants. It makes me feel like an old scholar in his seventies or eighties."

Xiao Chen shrugged indifferently, a faint smile appearing on his lips.

His eyes held a hint of doting as he looked at Zhou Keying's playful appearance, and the gloom in his heart dissipated somewhat.

The two walked to the roadside. The streets were brightly lit at night, and vehicles came and went.

Xiao Chen hailed a taxi, which stopped smoothly in front of them. The taxi driver rolled down the window, leaned out, and asked, "Where are you two going?"

Xiao Chen was about to answer when, just as he opened the car door to let Zhou Keying get in first, his eyes suddenly sharpened, as if he had sensed some danger.

His ears twitched slightly as he listened intently to the sounds around him. His aura instantly turned icy, as if the air around him had frozen.

"Sir, I'm sorry, we won't take your seats. Please make yourself at home."

He slammed the car door shut with a swift and decisive motion, and said to the driver.

His voice was deep and firm, without the slightest hesitation.

The taxi driver was stunned, and immediately felt that he had been tricked. Anger welled up on his face, and his brows furrowed tightly. He was about to curse when he met Xiao Chen's deep, cold eyes, which were devoid of any emotion.

Those eyes seemed to see right through his soul, sending a chill down his spine.

All the curse words stuck in his throat. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

Finally, he muttered sullenly, "What bad luck."

Then he stepped on the gas and drove off, the taxi quickly disappearing into the night.

Zhou Keying was completely bewildered by this sudden turn of events. Her beautiful eyes, which had been smiling, widened instantly, filled with confusion. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly with each blink, as if she were urgently seeking an answer: "Xiao Chen, didn't we agree to go back?"

"Why again..."

Before she could finish her question, her voice abruptly stopped, because she keenly sensed that the sudden chill emanating from Xiao Chen had vanished without a trace, like a gust of wind suddenly ceasing, leaving only a faint chill.

Xiao Chen remained calm. He first turned slightly to protect Zhou Keying behind him, and then quickly looked around.

His gaze, sharp as an eagle's eye, quickly swept over several seemingly insignificant corners.

There, a man in a black coat and hat was pretending to look at his phone, but his eyes kept glancing in their direction; under a streetlight not far away, a figure was faintly visible, seemingly observing their every move in the dark.

Xiao Chen felt a chill run down his spine; he realized they might be being followed.

Without saying a word, he grabbed Zhou Keying's hand.

His hand was warm and strong, holding Zhou Keying's hand tightly, as if afraid she would suddenly disappear.

Zhou Keying was startled by his actions and before she could react, he quickly pulled her into a Starbucks coffee shop next door, which was lit with soft lights.

The shop is filled with the rich aroma of coffee, and soft music flows gently in the air, creating a warm and tranquil atmosphere.

"I suddenly have a strong craving for a cup of coffee to perk me up."

Xiao Chen pressed her down onto a soft seat by the window, a seat that felt like a warm little nest, making her want to sit down.

His tone softened, his voice low and gentle, carrying an air of undeniable authority.

"Just order me a drink here, then sit here and wait for me. Don't go anywhere else, okay?"

His eyes revealed a hint of concern and determination, which inexplicably reassured Zhou Keying.

Zhou Keying was somewhat bewildered by his series of actions and arrangements. She sat blankly in her seat and subconsciously asked:
"Should I sit here and wait?"

"how about you?"

"What are you going to do?"

She looked up at Xiao Chen's face, which seemed calm but subtly revealed an unusual seriousness.

His brow furrowed slightly, and a mysterious light flickered in his eyes, as if he were hiding some secret. (End of Chapter)