Chapter 285: The Heroines Feel Safer Around The Villain

Shen Tian noticed.

They were sitting in the Shen Family garden.

Rose had joined him outside after breakfast.

He looked toward her.

"Lu Chen?"

She nodded.

"Yeah."

"Okay?"

Rose considered.

Then...

She looked toward him.

"Honestly?"

Shen Tian raised an eyebrow.

"Preferably."

"I’m sad."

That surprised him.

Rose looked toward the garden.

"We fought together for years."

"He’s an idiot."

"He’s been an ass."

"He’s been possessive."

"Stubborn."

"Arrogant."

"Obsessed with beating you."

She smiled faintly.

"But..."

Her expression softened.

"He also saved my life more than once."

Shen Tian listened.

No interruption.

Rose continued.

"I saved his."

"Ghost’s."

"Bear’s."

"We were..."

She hesitated.

"Family."

Shen Tian nodded.

"You still are."

Rose looked toward him.

"Even now?"

"History doesn’t disappear because someone disappoints you."

Silence.

Rose stared at him.

Then...

Her eyes softened.

"You always do that."

"Do what?"

"Say something unexpectedly decent right after being horrible to someone."

Shen Tian smiled.

"Balance."

Rose laughed softly.

Then...

Her expression became warmer.

"You know..."

She shifted slightly closer on the bench.

"I thought you’d say something like..."

She lowered her voice dramatically.

"’Forget him. He’s weak.’"

Shen Tian raised an eyebrow.

"I can if you want."

Rose laughed.

"No."

"Good."

She looked toward him.

Her eyes lingered.

Then...

Quietly...

"Thank you."

Shen Tian nodded.

Rose remained beside him.

Close.

Their shoulders nearly touched.

For a few seconds...

Neither spoke.

Then...

Shen Tian moved his hand.

Rose froze.

His fingers gently touched the side of her head.

He removed a small leaf caught in her hair.

Rose stared.

Her cheeks immediately turned pink.

Shen Tian held up the leaf.

"You had something."

"...Oh."

He smiled.

Rose looked at the leaf.

Then...

Back at him.

Her face remained warm.

"You could’ve told me."

"Could’ve."

"But you didn’t."

"No."

Rose’s heartbeat accelerated.

She narrowed her eyes.

"You’re doing this on purpose now."

Shen Tian smiled.

"Maybe."

She stared.

Then...

Her lips slowly curved upward.

"Good."

His eyebrow rose.

Rose leaned slightly closer.

Her confidence returning.

"Because..."

Her cheeks reddened.

"...I don’t mind."

Silence.

Shen Tian looked at her.

Rose held his gaze.

This time...

No joke.

No immediate retreat.

Her heart hammered.

But she stayed.

Then...

Footsteps.

Rose jumped away so quickly she nearly fell off the bench.

Gu Qingya stopped at the edge of the garden.

She stared.

Rose stared back.

Shen Tian looked between them.

Silence.

Gu Qingya slowly raised an eyebrow.

"Did I interrupt?"

Rose’s face became crimson.

"No."

Shen Tian answered.

"Yes."

Rose’s head snapped toward him.

"SHEN TIAN!"

Gu Qingya’s eyes widened.

Then...

A slow smile appeared.

"Oh."

Rose covered her face.

"I hate this house."

Shen Tian laughed.

Gu Qingya approached.

She looked far too pleased.

Rose narrowed her eyes.

"Say nothing."

Gu Qingya sat on Shen Tian’s other side.

"I didn’t say anything."

"Your face did."

Shen Tian looked toward Gu Qingya.

"What brings you here?"

Her expression became slightly more serious.

"Qinghe."

His smile faded.

"What happened?"

"Nothing bad."

She handed him a tablet.

"Actually..."

"Something good."

Shen Tian looked.

Neural Defense Prototype Security Partnership Proposal

He raised an eyebrow.

Gu Qingya continued.

"After the attack..."

"The board wants outside protection."

"Specifically Shen International Security."

Shen Tian looked toward her.

"Convenient."

She smiled faintly.

"Your new employees have experience."

"Black Wolf."

"Exactly."

Shen Tian leaned back.

This...

Was interesting.

Xu Ning appeared.

Her eyes immediately widened.

[Host.]

A Fate panel opened.

New Fate Intersection

Original Destiny:

Lu Chen returns from overseas and becomes Qinghe’s unofficial protector through Black Wolf.

This role rebuilds Gu Qingya’s trust.

Associated Fate: 19,000

Xu Ning slowly smiled.

[Not anymore.]

Shen Tian’s green eyes gleamed.

Gu Qingya noticed.

"That smile."

"What?"

"You’re planning something."

"Business."

Rose laughed.

"That’s what he says before ruining someone’s life."

Gu Qingya stared.

Then...

Shen Tian handed the tablet back.

"I’ll take the contract."

Her expression brightened slightly.

"Good."

Then...

She hesitated.

"There’s one condition."

Shen Tian raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

Gu Qingya looked at him.

Her cheeks became faintly pink.

"I want direct access to you."

Silence.

Rose slowly turned.

Gu Qingya realized the wording.

Her entire face became crimson.

"For security!"

Rose’s smile became dangerous.

"Of course."

Gu Qingya glared.

"I mean if something happens."

Shen Tian smiled.

"You already have my number."

"I know."

"Then you have direct access."

Gu Qingya froze.

Something warm entered her chest.

She looked down.

"Right."

Rose looked between them.

Then...

She leaned back.

Interesting.

Very interesting.

. . .

That afternoon...

Tang Meilin arrived at Qinghe.

She had no reason to be nervous.

None.

Absolutely none.

It was just business.

Her family owned a minority investment position.

She regularly met Gu Qingya.

She regularly visited Qinghe.

There was nothing unusual.

Nothing.

Then...

She entered Gu Qingya’s office.

And Shen Tian was there.

Her heartbeat immediately changed.

Damn it.

He sat casually near the windows.

Gu Qingya stood beside a display.

Rose occupied one couch.

Lin Yue had joined remotely on a tablet from the hospital.

Tang Meilin stopped.

Shen Tian looked over.

"Morning."

Her cheeks warmed.

"It’s afternoon."

He checked the time.

"So it is."

Rose laughed. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ

Tang Meilin walked closer.

Then...

She saw what was displayed.

Shen International Security.

Her eyebrow rose.

"You’re taking the contract?"

"Apparently."

Tang Meilin smiled.

"Good."

Shen Tian looked toward her.

"Good?"

She froze.

"Yes."

"Why?"

Tang Meilin opened her mouth.

Then...

Her confidence disappeared.

Because she would feel safer if Shen Tian’s people were around?

Because the idea of him being connected to Qinghe meant she might see him more?

Because...

No.

She absolutely could not say that.

Tang Meilin cleared her throat.

"Your security is competent."

Rose smiled.

"Very professional answer."

Tang Meilin’s cheeks warmed.

Gu Qingya looked away to hide her smile.

Shen Tian stood.

He walked toward Tang Meilin.

She watched him approach.

Then...

He stopped.

Close.

Not too close.

Enough.

"Still scared after last night?"

Her expression softened.

"A little."

Shen Tian nodded.

Then...

His voice became quieter.

"That’s normal."

Tang Meilin looked at him.

He continued.

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