Professor Xie, isn't this a case of forcing customers to buy products that don't match the

As soon as the words left his mouth, Shang Song himself felt a chill run down his spine.

Xie Jing's long eyelashes fluttered, and then she slowly opened her eyes.

He did not refute the bizarre accusation of "illegal organization," but first slightly turned his head to look at Shang Song, then looked back out the car window.

The car had just rounded a bend, and the headlights illuminated a relatively open slope ahead, with a deeper valley and endless forest silhouettes in the distance.

Yeah, that's true... quite suitable for doing something like disposing of a corpse and covering up the evidence.

Xie Jing's gaze lingered on the shadowy woods for about two seconds before he turned back to look at Shang Song, who was huddled in the corner, her face even paler than before, and she was so frightened she was almost crying.

"You think I want to hurt you?"

"Over the past six months, I have made sure that the intensity of every job you have at Qingguo is just right, so that you won't get too tired, but you can still learn something."

His voice was low and clear in the quiet carriage, recounting the unsavory things he had been hiding over the past six months: "I kept an eye on the cafeteria's supplies and replaced the entire food supply chain for Qingguo for you."

"I even tolerated that person appearing around you so many times, until... he tried to touch you tonight."

"I was thinking of waiting a little longer, waiting for me..." He paused, not finishing his sentence about what he was waiting for, his gaze falling on Shang Song's wide-open eyes in astonishment, his tone tinged with a self-deprecating bitterness: "But it seems you're not giving me that time."

He leaned forward, closing the distance slightly, but without touching her, just so that Shang Song could see the seriousness in his eyes more clearly. "So, I brought you here not because I wanted to hurt you."

"On the contrary, it's because Xishan is my safest place, and you will be safe here too."

"I won't let anyone or anything hurt you, including... my own terrible reactions in the past."

Shang Song was completely stunned. He stared blankly at Xie Jing, his mind a mess, his heart pounding so loudly that he forgot how to react.

Xie Jing stared at the stunned Shang Song for a while before leaning back in his chair, turning his gaze to the gradually becoming orderly trees outside the window, and said in his usual calm tone, "We're almost there, rest quietly for a while."

He paused briefly, his voice softening, even becoming gentle, before adding two more words:

"Don't be afraid."

It wasn't until Shang Song's phone suddenly lit up with the power-on light that Shang Song snapped out of his daze.

He remained motionless, staring blankly at Xie Jing.

original.

The smooth sailing at work... and the crayfish in the cafeteria... are all thanks to Xie Jing.

He... he had been watching him the whole time, even tacitly approving of Chen Yu's presence, until... that failed kiss.

He suddenly remembered that during that year, although every meeting was stiff and distant, Xie Jing never broke his promise and was incredibly patient when answering his naive questions.

That umbrella is indeed very effective at blocking rain during a downpour.

Even with that final over-the-shoulder throw... Xie Jing did indeed hold back at the last moment to protect him.

This man seems to have truly... never intended to hurt him.

His harm stemmed more from that suffocating alienation and silence, and those rules that ordinary people could not understand.

Shang Song couldn't quite describe the feeling in his heart.

Are you angry? Of course.

Being monitored, interfered with, and even manipulated in a way that affects a part of one's life would make anyone feel horrified and furious.

What gives Xie Jing the right?

Based on his shady power and unfathomable background? What's the difference between him and a psychopath or stalker?!

but.

If the goal is simply to manipulate, why go through all this? To ensure his work goes smoothly and he's not exploited? To find out what he likes to eat? Or even... tolerate another suitor for months on end?

This doesn't seem like something a control freak would do.

The control freak should lock him up and cut off all contact with the outside world, instead of letting him work, socialize, and even... almost start a new relationship as usual.

What exactly is Xie Jing trying to do?

The phone screen lit up completely, the system started up, and a series of unread messages popped up.

Shang Song was startled by the sound and paused again.

The top few items are the delivery driver's information:

I couldn't get through on the phone, and no one answered the door when I knocked. I think I left your things on the doorknob.

Below are a stack of messages from Chen Yu, casual chatter from the second and third roommates in the dorm group, and a few other unimportant messages.

Everything seemed so normal.

It was as if the hour he was forcibly taken away from his home, shoved into a car, and taken into the deep mountains was just a terrifying dream.

He held his phone, which had some battery left, his fingertips hovering over the screen, unsure of what to do next.

The thought of calling the police resurfaced, but when she turned to look at Xie Jing, who was resting with his eyes closed, the thought seemed... perhaps not so necessary.

He licked his dry lips, his voice hoarse:

"Um... I have to go to work tomorrow."

As soon as he said it, he realized that what he had said was a bit silly.

But he needed to confirm whether Xie Jing's intentions also included the possibility of him returning to a normal life... so he could decide whether or not to call the police.

Xie Jing slowly opened his eyes, turned his head to look at him, seemingly unsurprised by his question. He spoke in a calm tone, as if he were arranging something extremely trivial:

"You don't need to go tomorrow."

Shang Song's blood boiled again. He gripped his phone tightly, his voice rising in shock and rage: "You...you really want to kidnap me?!"

Xie Jing frowned, seemingly feeling that his reaction was a bit excessive.

"It wasn't kidnapping," he corrected. "Your emotions were too volatile tonight, and you were also frightened. It's very late now, so you're bound to be sleep-deprived. Forcing yourself to go to work tomorrow won't be good for your health. Rest for a day, adjust your state, and go the day after tomorrow."

"I'll have Lin Zhou talk to your direct supervisor and ask for leave for you." He paused, looking at Shang Song's completely stunned face, and added:

"The reasons will be sufficient and will not affect your performance evaluation."

Shang Song: "..."

What the hell?! It won't affect his performance evaluation?! Does he still have to thank Xie Jing?!

That's really hilarious.

However... knowing that he could go back to work normally, Shang Song suddenly wasn't so afraid anymore.

At least... Xie Jing wasn't really going to do anything to him.

He blinked twice, then pursed his lips, his tone still dry and lacking in assertiveness:

"Then...what exactly did you bring me here...to do? Just so I can...rest for a day?"

Even so... who would send someone to rest in the deep mountains and forests?!

Xie Jing did not answer.

Because at that moment, the car paused slightly and came to a complete stop.

We've arrived at Xie Jing's place.