Chapter 41: The Vastness of Heaven and Earth, the World as My Home

The instant the phone rang in the main hall—its sharp chime slicing through the silence—Wang Ma’s hand trembled involuntarily. Chu Lingshuang was startled too, but her voice remained cold as she commanded, “Answer it.”

Wang Ma wiped away the tears welling at the corners of her eyes and hurried over. Who could be calling at a time like this? Didn’t they know the young lady was injured?! Irritation simmered as she picked up, but before she could voice her complaint, the words from the caller left her frozen on the spot.

Noticing Wang Ma’s incredulous expression, Chu Lingshuang frowned and asked, “What is it?”

“Miss… the master… he drove off—”

“What?!” Chu Lingshuang exclaimed, leaping to her feet.

Wang Ma, her voice trembling with disbelief, explained, “The master just crashed straight through the barrier at the garage entrance and sped away…”

Impossible!

Chu Lingshuang’s eyes widened. Her personal bodyguards had been chosen from a pool of millions, the best of the best. Lin Feng had been handcuffed by her own hands—his fighting strength drastically reduced. How could he possibly escape from four elite guards in that condition?

“Miss, the gatehouse is asking if they should pursue,” Wang Ma’s voice quavered.

Forcing herself to calm down, Chu Lingshuang narrowed her eyes in thought. After a moment’s silence, she spoke icily, “No need. Bring those four useless fools up here.”

“Yes!” Wang Ma nodded repeatedly, scurrying to carry out the order.

Seating herself again, Chu Lingshuang subconsciously touched her neck. Lin Feng’s scent still lingered there.

After that incident, she had already ordered an investigation into Lin Feng’s background. The only report her subordinates brought back was that he worked out regularly. Never had she imagined he possessed such ability…

Rationality returning, she reflected carefully. Fighting four top elites with his hands restrained was improbable. Yet Lin Feng must have seen those things—he must have been fighting for his life.

On one side, a man completing his duty; on the other, a man risking everything. In that case, it was not so hard to understand how he’d managed to escape.

How very interesting.

She had only wanted to punish him a little. Who would have thought she’d provoke the beast within him?

This man… excellent.

He had truly piqued her interest.

So what if he’d escaped? Half the capital was under her family’s control.

Besides, he was still employed at Yihan Group. If he failed to show up for work tomorrow, she wouldn’t hesitate to start with his friends.

Any man she set her sights on would never escape.

Chu Lingshuang took out her phone and sent a message to Yu Xueyan.

“Pick me up at the villa at nine tomorrow morning.”

…

Exhilarating!

Lin Feng’s car tore down the highway, the scenery flashing by unnoticed. The rush of cool air from the open window invigorated him completely.

He should have done this long ago.

His hands gripped the wheel, heart pounding with excitement.

This was the first time in his life he’d ever experienced the thrill of a real escape.

A little change of pace wasn’t bad at all.

For the first time in a while, Lin Feng didn’t feel like lying down and giving up. The burst of adrenaline from the escape had left him wide awake and alive.

The car raced on. He didn’t know how much time had passed before the neon-lit words “Capital City” came into view, finally easing the tension in his chest.

Already at the highway exit?

He slowed his speed, pulling into the emergency lane by the toll booth. From the glove box he fished out a pair of tweezers, pried open the handcuffs, and looked up at the toll station ahead.

Once through, he’d be outside the city limits.

He could leave, but then where would he go?

The world was vast, but nowhere seemed to welcome him. Worse still, he was nearly out of money.

It was only halfway through the month; payday was still far off, and he’d spent much of his savings already—barely a thousand left.

Checking the time on his phone: 11:30 p.m.

If it weren’t for what just happened, he’d be resting now, preparing for work tomorrow.

He suddenly regretted his rashness. If only he hadn’t threatened Chu Lingshuang, hadn’t grabbed her by the throat…

No! He raised his hand and slapped himself.

He’d only stayed at that crazy woman’s house for a few days, and she was already worming her way into his mind?

The world is wide—he could make a home anywhere.

If it came to it, he’d just pick up a part-time job.

His thoughts clearing, he opened his contacts and sent a message to Li Hao.

“Hey, you up?”

It was almost midnight, and after a long day, Li Hao was probably asleep…

Scrolling through his meager list of contacts, Lin Feng was eyeing his next option when Li Hao’s reply popped up.

“What’s up?”

A surge of relief—this guy really hadn’t gone to bed yet.

Lin Feng typed quickly: “Bro, can you lend me two thousand?”

He watched as “typing…” hovered on the chat window, uncertain. He and Li Hao were little more than coworkers, not friends—just helping each other out at work. Adults didn’t usually lend money so easily.

But then the transfer arrived: “Two thousand sent.”

With it, a message: “What, you run out of lunch money?”

Lin Feng was genuinely moved—he hadn’t expected Li Hao to send the money without even asking when he’d pay it back.

He quickly accepted and replied, “Yeah, something came up. I’ll pay you back soon. Thanks, man.”

Li Hao replied, “No problem.”

With two thousand in hand, plus what he already had, Lin Feng now had about twenty-five hundred—enough for a month’s rent and food.

To play it safe, he knew he couldn’t keep the car.

He abandoned it in a big mall’s parking garage and hailed a taxi.

During his college days, he’d clawed his way up from the very bottom. He knew all the cheap places to stay.

Not far from Capital University, in a run-down old apartment complex, he found the elderly landlord he’d known from his student days and rented a single room for five hundred.

Inside, lying on the hard, bare bed, he began to plan what he’d need to buy.

He’d overestimated his stamina.

After a day’s work and that harrowing fight, his body was well past its limits.

Before he could think further, he drifted into a deep, exhausted sleep…

He was woken the next morning by the persistent, clamorous ringing of his phone…