Chapter 59 Farewell

Su Mian nodded without a word, and the several bosses fled in panic.

Seeing the murderous look in Huo Beihan's eyes, Lin Mu was so terrified that his hair stood on end.

He knew that Huo Beihan had been harboring deep distress lately because of Su Mian's deliberate alienation from him.

Now that there was finally a chance for some alone time, he, as a loyal friend, naturally had to give him a push.

Lin Mu quickly woke up the drunks slumped over the table: "Alright, get up now. I asked you here to discuss business, and one by one you got knocked out and sleep like dead pigs. What can I possibly expect from you in the future?"

Stumbling and swaying, the group climbed to their feet, exchanged perfunctory greetings with Huo Beihan, and scurried away.

Just as Lin Mu was about to slip away with oiled soles, Huo Beihan suddenly called out to stop him: "Lin Mu, where are you going?"

Knowing that things looked ominous and that Huo Beihan was about to call him to account, Lin Mu hastily fabricated an excuse: "I'm going to the restroom. You two go ahead and chat."

After waiting for ages without seeing Lin Mu return, Huo Beihan sighed: "Show more vigilance in the future. I'll take you back first."

Su Mian let out a series of hiccups: "Got it, Big Brother. Aren't Manager Lin and us going together?"

She certainly didn't dare to get too close to Huo Beihan right now; who knew how Elder Huo might target her if he found out?

Huo Beihan felt a tinge of helplessness, thinking Su Mian was still far too naive.

He had waited for a long time, but Lin Mu hadn't returned, naturally because he was afraid of being dealt with and had fled under the pretext of answering nature's call.

Huo Beihan helped her up and asked with concern: "Never mind him. How do you feel? Can you still walk on your own?"

She nodded dazedly, her footing somewhat unsteady as she stood up: "I can. Big Brother, if you have things to do, you should go ahead. When Manager Lin comes back later, he can take me."

Huo Beihan's expression instantly turned as dark as the bottom of a pot, convinced that Su Mian was utterly heartless.

Day after day, he consumed himself with worry over her, yet not only had she secretly found a boyfriend behind his back, but she also constantly and instinctively tried to put distance between them.

He was hardly some ferocious beast or flood dragon, certainly not warranting such intense precaution from this young girl.

Helplessly, he said: "Lin Mu isn't coming back. It's not safe for a young woman like you to go home alone."

Su Mian instinctively wanted to refuse, but noticing that Huo Beihan's hand had been injured by shattered glass at some point, she couldn't entirely harden her heart: "Alright then. Big Brother, your hand is hurt, it needs to be treated promptly."

He instinctively glanced at the bloodstain on the web of his thumb; it seemed she wasn't entirely made of stone after all.

Huo Beihan carried Su Mian downstairs to the underground parking garage. On the way back, he couldn't help asking: "Mianmian, you..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Su Mian cut him off directly: "Big Brother, thank you for today."

Yet what he wanted was not a casual, lightweight expression of gratitude; moreover, there were certain things he could not let her know.

If he were to lay these feelings bare right in front of Su Mian, it would likely only frighten the young girl away.

She weighed her words carefully, and ultimately hardened her heart to continue: "Big Brother, you and I share no blood ties. If we stay together for too long, people will inevitably start gossiping."

"From now on, please don't step in to fight my battles like this. Let's avoid causing any unnecessary misunderstandings—it wouldn't be good for either of you or me. Besides, you're going on a blind date next month; it wouldn't look good if your future sister-in-law happened to see."

Overwhelmed by emotion and terrified of frightening Su Mian, Huo Beihan slammed on the brakes. This woman really knew how to twist a knife straight into his heart.

He closed his eyes and took a deep, steadying breath. Only after repeating it several times did he manage to stabilize his emotions and resume driving.

Even so, Su Mian had been badly startled, half-expecting Huo Beihan to simply dump her by the roadside.

Seeing her frightened and apprehensive expression, Huo Beihan felt a pang of self-reproach. In a calm voice, he asked: "The sudden distance you've kept from me these past few days—is it because you overheard the conversation between me and Grandfather that day?"

Such a matter was impossible to keep hidden, even if she wanted to.

Tipsy, Su Mian nodded: "Yes, I heard it all, every single word. The Elder is overbearing, but he's doing it for your own good."

She was an independent person, nobody's appendage, and she wouldn't fall apart just because someone left her life.

Elder Huo was far too domineering. If she continued to walk this closely with Huo Beihan, who knew what kind of extreme actions the old man might take?

At this thought, Su Mian continued: "Big Brother, I don't want to become a burden to you. Besides, you know what kind of person my mother is; getting close to me holds no benefit for you whatsoever."

Lin Xiu was an avaricious woman who would stop at nothing for money.

Su Mian only spoke of not wanting to drag him down, unaware that his obsession with her had reached the very threshold of madness.

So what if Lin Xiu loved money? He could afford it.

What Huo Beihan feared most was that she would ignore him, stop loving him, and constantly scheme to keep her distance from him.

Noticing his hesitant silence, Su Mian felt a strange sense of unease.

Suddenly, a turbulent wave churned in her stomach: "Big Brother, stop the car, quickly."

Su Mian got out and retched continuously in distress. Huo Beihan gently stroked her back to soothe her: "How are you? Are you still feeling sick?"

She shook her head, and Huo Beihan handed her a bottle of water. "Thank you, Big Brother."

The two remained silent for the rest of the journey. For Su Mian's safety, he resolved to find a way to seize more substantive power as soon as possible, refusing to remain the old man's puppet any longer.

He dropped Su Mian off at the entrance of the villa: "Mianmian, we're here. Time to get out of the car."

Su Mian rubbed her sleepy eyes, pushed the car door open, and stepped out.

Seeing no intention from Huo Beihan to get out as well, she hurriedly asked: "Big Brother, aren't you coming back in?"

He shook his head: "No. There's too much going on at the Huo family estate lately, so I won't be staying here."

Having been neighbors with Su Mian for so long, suddenly being unable to return felt a lingering sense of loss.

"Big Brother, is it because of me? Actually, I can move out."

Huo Beihan had already taken care of her enough during this period; she couldn't burden him any further.

He gave a wry smile: "Don't overthink it. Just stay in this house and set your mind at ease. The Huo family doesn't know I own these two properties."

"Take good care of yourself while I'm away. If you run into any difficult situations, remember to call me."

To avoid disrupting her life, he was willing to stay away from his own home; how could she possibly have the face to continue troubling him?

Su Mian felt a pang of sadness: "Big Brother, thank you. But I can't keep dragging you down like this."

He paused for a moment, then pulled out a business card: "If you feel awkward coming to me, you can reach out to him. He's my executive assistant and is exceptionally capable."

Taking the card, she glanced at it and memorized Cheng Yi's number: "Thank you. Big Brother, drive slowly and please be safe."