Chapter 239: Chapter 239

In the car, Shen You’an called Zhang Jian, saying she was at a gathering with classmates and would come home late. Tonight’s trip to the amusement park was off the table.

On the other end of the line, Zhang Jian seemed delighted. "Great, great, hanging out with your classmates is good. What time should I pick you up, Uncle will come get you."

An’an had always been solitary since she was little. Zhang Jian couldn’t help but feel both heartache and helplessness. Now that she seemed to get along well with her classmates, he couldn’t be happier.

Naturally, he assumed Shen You’an’s classmates were celebrating her birthday. After all, nowadays, young people were into all kinds of birthday parties.

Being young, gathering together with lots to talk about and things to do, that was what made a birthday meaningful.

"I’ll take a cab home. You should rest early; no need to wait for me."

Sitting beside her, Leng Yunyang propped his head on one hand, listening to the conversation with a slight arch of his brow.

Shen You’an ended the call and was just about to put her phone into her pocket when the headlights ahead suddenly blazed bright—a truck sped straight toward them.

Shen You’an lurched forward due to the inertia, her phone slipping out of her hand.

Leng Yunyang’s arm wrapped around her shoulder, and with his other hand, he deftly caught the phone just before it hit the floor.

A playful and suggestive voice murmured near her ear, "Careful..."

Before he could finish his sentence, the screech of tires filled the air as the car began to spin in a full 360-degree rotation.

Huang Xiao gripped the steering wheel with both hands, his eyes sharp and steady, illuminated by the glare of the headlights.

Leng Yunyang quickly hooked one long leg under the base of the front seat and adjusted his position—what was a casual arm across Shen You’an’s shoulder now turned into a full embrace, his unapologetic hand landing squarely on her waist.

Shen You’an shot him a cold sneer, using the momentum to lean sideways and perfectly evade his opportunistic hand, her right elbow jutting outward in one swift motion...

A muffled groan escaped the young man’s lips.

His handsome face instantly contorted with pain.

"Ah... I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to. Are you alright?"

Her clear eyes showed a hint of worry and guilt—enough to fool just about anyone.

Leng Yunyang took a deep breath and let out a sinister chuckle. "Didn’t mean to?"

The truck scraped past their car’s hood and barreled headfirst into the roadside flower bed, releasing thick clouds of smoke into the night air.

Only then did Huang Xiao notice the cold sweat soaking his back. If he hadn’t stayed alert and reacted promptly, that truck would have rammed straight into them, and the consequences would’ve been unimaginable.

Shen You’an, however, showed no trace of relief from narrowly escaping death. Her gaze merely flickered outside indifferently.

Her red lips curled slightly into a mocking smile. "You sure have a lot of people out to get you."

Leng Yunyang let out a hiss of pain and, once the ache in his chest subsided, cast her a sidelong glance. "What a coldhearted little thing."

Huang Xiao pulled out his phone and made a call to notify 110 and 120.

After ending the call, he turned to Leng Yunyang. "Young Master Leng, this car accident is no coincidence."

Leng Yunyang snorted. "Who else but my dear ’Third Uncle’ could hold such a grudge against me? Sending me such a big gift—I’d be remiss not to return one even bigger."

Though the young man spoke with a cheerful demeanor, his eyes glinted with a chilling ruthlessness.

The small car interior seemed to drop several degrees, an icy tension prickling down the spine.

Shen You’an arched an eyebrow.

*Tsk,* busy worrying about his own affairs, yet still finding time to stir up trouble. Impressive.

Huang Xiao’s expression grew solemn. "I’ve already dispatched people to investigate. We’ll have results soon."

Leng Yunyang tapped his fingers lightly against his knee. "Let’s move. Don’t let this hold up the real business."

He purposefully stressed the word "real business," a faint smile flicking toward Shen You’an.

Having brushed shoulders with death, he stayed utterly composed. Clearly, events weren’t new to him—it seemed he’d been hardened by experience since childhood.

Huang Xiao restarted the car, ignoring the smoking truck behind them and the uncertain fate of its driver.

They left. Someone else would handle the aftermath.

The car came to a stop in front of a western restaurant. Leng Yunyang grinned and said, "Get out."

Shen You’an raised her eyes to glance at him. "Apologies, I’m not a fan of western cuisine."

Leng Yunyang raised an eyebrow. "Then we’ll head to Zirui Pavilion."

Zirui Pavilion required advance reservations, but with Leng Yunyang’s reputation, the manager would personally come running, eagerly vacating a reserved private room just to accommodate him.

Shen You’an figured she might as well take the opportunity for a free meal—it’d be a waste not to.

"Young Master Leng, this way, please." The manager personally led the way, sneaking glances at the young woman walking beside Leng Yunyang.

The girl’s figure was tall and slender, her complexion impossibly fair. She exuded a delicate and refined aura, her appearance not stunningly beautiful but unique enough to leave an unforgettable impression.

Rumor had it that, despite his young age, Young Master Leng had inherited the Leng family’s infamous playboy tendencies. Changing girlfriends as often as changing clothes.

But one couldn’t deny that Young Master Leng’s taste was impeccable.