Chapter 3, Submerged in the Mortal Realm (3)

A long time ago, Chen Danghao understood that most of the time, the poor would only become poorer, while the rich would become richer

Local people

He is waiting for the people inside to call his name, waiting for them to offer him a formal job. After Ji Mingrui's incident, the stock price of Mingrui Real Estate has fluctuated significantly. In such circumstances, he still takes the time to come to the villa, which shows the position this woman holds in his heart

"... ... Smoking is ultimately bad for one's health." Liang Jinge held the steering wheel, his gaze fixed on the wide, somewhat desolate road ahead. Aware of his usual clumsiness with words, he still couldn't help but say, "Miss Chen, please bring your hand back in; it's dangerous to extend it out."

"How should I address you, miss?" Liang Jinge turned around and looked at Ji Mingrui's back. The latter paused, seemingly a bit surprised, and was just about to speak when a voice came from the staircase.

I apologize, Miss Chen, Mr. Ji has instructed me to stay by your side at all times

Debt. Liang Jinge paused for a moment, and when he spoke again, his tone remained steady: However, it has all been repaid now

"Where else do we have a second car? What is there to be afraid of?" Chen Danghao said this, but her hand slowly retracted. She was not wrong; within a radius of several miles, there was probably only the Fenghua Villa as a building. Looking out of the car window, all that met the eye was greenery, and the mountains appeared so close, quietly surrounding this small town.

Liang Jinge nodded respectfully

They said you have been in prison before, what was the reason for that

Amidst the swirling smoke, Liang Jinge could not see her face clearly, but he knew she must be looking at him as well. From the angle of the balcony, she might even be able to see the unease in his eyes distinctly. Awkwardly averting his gaze, the overly intense sunlight caused a slight dizziness before his eyes. Clenching his fists, he stood motionless, his chest gently rising and falling as he took a deep breath

Are you Liangzi? What is your full name? Ji Mingrui looked up at him, his voice as gentle as his appearance

Today, she wore a pair of low-heeled shoes that were not particularly high. Standing in front of him like this, she could only look up, which felt entirely different from the times she stood on the balcony looking down at him. Chen Danghao squinted her eyes; the morning sunlight gradually spread, and she did not want to entangle with him under the scorching sun. Moreover, she had never been able to disobey any of Ji Mingrui's commands. Suppressing her emotions, Chen Danghao lightly turned around and took a step forward, and Liang Jinge followed suit.

The white long dress. He absentmindedly replayed in his mind what she had just worn. It was appropriate and elegant, so beautiful. She had given up resisting, hadn't she? She was willingly following Ji Mingrui, wasn't she? His mind was filled with many thoughts, tumultuous and restless, leaving him unable to find peace.

By the time they arrived at the school, it was already an hour and a half later. Almost at the same moment the car came to a stop, Chen Danghao opened her eyes. From her clear gaze, Liang Jinge knew that she had not fallen asleep at all

This is non-negotiable. Ji Mingrui's eyes revealed impatience as he raised his hand to check the time: In a few days, after class, go to the hotel. I will send the time and address to Liangzi. Don't try to play tricks on me, unless you want to die a second time

Feeling a sense of resistance in her heart, she quickened her pace and walked ahead. When she turned back again, he was standing five meters away from her.

This realization left him somewhat unnerved

It seemed that everything that needed to be said had already been said, and no desired outcome had been achieved. Chen turned around and, without even a word of farewell, silently ascended the stairs. Beneath her white dress, only a pair of bony feet were visible, bare and unadorned, as they stepped onto the cold tiled floor. It was not until she reached the staircase that her feet finally touched the soft carpet. Liang Jinge, for reasons unknown, quietly let out a sigh of relief in his heart, as the chill that had been emanating from beneath his feet dissipated, and his entire heart seemed to rest upon the carpet, soft and warm.

He looks so young, walking around the campus without any difference from those boys and girls carrying backpacks. Sitting in the classroom like this, no one doubts his identity. On the other hand, she seems to have long passed that youthful age, exuding an air of decay and obsolescence. Chen Danghao places the book on the desk, not opening it, just lazily leaning over.

Liang Jinge was not skilled in conversation, and this disadvantage was magnified when he was in front of a woman he felt somewhat attracted to. Thus, he could only stand silently there, watching her playfully blow smoke rings. The smoke entered her lungs from her mouth, circulated for a while, and then slowly drifted out through her nostrils. Perhaps the smoke that drifted out was no longer the same flavor as the smoke that had been inhaled.

Maintaining such a distance, Liang Jinge silently followed behind her. Her steps were small, so after she took two steps, he took one step. They continued this way until they reached the classroom, where she sat in the back row, and he sat in the last row, still precisely keeping that distance.

Miss Chen, this position is not particularly safe compared to the back..." As he said this, he awkwardly placed his hand on the back door of the car. Chen pretended not to hear and reached out to close the car door herself, waving at him: "Drive."

Chen Danghao

Liang Jinge

He gazed at her, but she did not turn around. Her hair was thin, with a few wisps of fine fluff on top that could not be flattened, and as she lay there rubbing against things, her hair became even more disheveled, appearing wild and unruly. Looking at her back like this, Liang Jinge felt that she was no different from all those here who were joking around and waiting for their diplomas. However, when the class bell rang and she turned around, her gaze was ultimately different.

Local people

Following her gaze, Liang Jinge awkwardly adjusted his tie, which he had just slightly loosened, and politely nodded, saying: "Miss Chen"

Liang Jinge remained silent, even his breathing became lighter. As the speed of the car slowed down, the surrounding scenery also moved slowly. In a certain moment, Liang Jinge would suddenly feel dazed, unsure whether his car was moving forward or backward, and where he was taking Miss Chen in the car.

He felt inexplicably disappointed, as if the hero he had long awaited had ultimately surrendered to fate in the end out of helplessness. Before he could fully savor the melancholy in his heart, the door suddenly opened, and a person resembling a butler frowned at him: "You come in"

"If you encounter any situation, inform me at the first opportunity." Ji Mingrui's gaze followed her up the stairs until her figure disappeared around the corner: "She has a difficult personality, so avoid provoking her; just ensure her safety."

The woman on the balcony is still smoking, and her cigarette seems to never end. Liang Jinge no longer looks up; in his peripheral vision, he knows she tilted her head to observe him for a moment, presumably with a detached expression. Then that figure disappears from the balcony, silently.

He also smoked. In high school, he first tried smoking with his classmates, hiding in the boys' restroom, choking and tearing up. At that time, he spent all his pocket money every month, whether it was on video games or internet cafes. In short, this ultimately led to him smoking very cheap cigarettes, like the Da Qianmen that cost 2.5 yuan a pack. His friends found the taste too mild, but he only remembered that the cigarette had a hint of plum flavor. Thinking about this, it was as if he already knew what Chen Danghao's exhaled smoke tasted like

Twenty-six

And she remained motionless with her eyes closed for an hour without falling asleep

Liang Jinge could see the smile in his eyes, reminiscent of the smile of an elder. However, the tension in his heart did not ease; he looked at him and replied earnestly: "The 'Liang' in 'Dongliang' and the 'Jin' in 'Jijian' and 'Ge'"

He was taken aback, quickly responded, and stepped up the stairs

Chen Danghao remained silent, simply understanding the situation and refraining from further conversation. Turning her head, her vacant eyes scanned the surroundings, ultimately resting on the tie at Liang Jinge's chest

"If you don't like the smell of smoke, I'll put it out," Chen Danghao said as he opened the car window, his hand slightly reaching out, letting the smoke drift away behind. She leaned back in her seat, tilting her head to look at the scenery outside. When she first moved into Fenghua Villa, Ji Mingrui told her that the house he gave her was a paradise away from the world.

During the three days he spent here, Liang Jinge was acutely aware of one thing: he had no way to deal with her. Chen Danghao never made things difficult for him; most of the time, she quietly stayed in her attic. Their encounters were limited, usually occurring when he stood in the courtyard and looked up to see her smoking on the balcony. He told her, "Mr. Ji hopes you will smoke less." She lazily smiled and replied, "Don't worry, Mr. Ji can't see me." Chen Danghao never made things difficult for him; most of the time, she quietly stayed in her attic. Their encounters were limited, usually occurring when he stood in the courtyard and looked up to see her smoking on the balcony. He told her, "Mr. Ji hopes you will smoke less." She lazily smiled and replied, "Don't worry, Mr. Ji can't see me."

The carriage fell silent again, and Chen Dang, feeling utterly bored, leaned against the seat and closed his eyes. Ji Mingrui claimed that Fenghua Villa was a paradise on earth, but where would a true paradise be so desolate? There, one would find houses and fertile fields in abundance, with the elderly and children bustling about. Yet, this Fenghua Villa is rarely visited by people; to put it plainly, it is merely a remote wilderness.

Unfortunately, the soul has long been lost

During the waiting period, he cast his gaze to the second floor more than once, landing on the woman who was smoking. He suddenly recalled a night a month ago when she wore his sneakers, stumbling as they did not fit her properly. Throughout that journey, they did not exchange a single word, and to this day, he still does not know her name

The second time Liang Jinge met Chen Danghao was at the Fenghua Villa. The villa was surrounded by lush greenery, backed by Ling Mountain, and from a distance, the scenery was picturesque. He was dressed in a formal suit, his youthful face shining in the sunlight, standing upright, waiting for someone inside to call him in

Moreover, Ji Mingrui furrowed his brow, his expression tinged with a hint of helplessness: "Let her smoke less."

Following the sound, Liang Jinge turned his head and met the woman's gaze. He finally got a clear look at her features: large eyes, willow-leaf eyebrows, and a pale lip color, exuding a classical beauty that was starkly different from her blood-soaked appearance in the hospital that day. After she finished speaking, she slowly walked down. As she approached, her gaze briefly settled on Liang Jinge before lightly drifting away, looking into Ji Mingrui's eyes: "Please help me with the withdrawal procedures."

Which characters?

Chen's good school is located in the city center, and it takes a full hour to drive from Fenghua Villa. Before getting in the car, Liang Jinge helped her open the door to the back seat, but she leisurely walked around to the other side and took a seat in the front passenger seat

This is not something Liang Jinge can accomplish; Miss Chen would certainly not heed the advice of a bodyguard. Ji Mingrui may have truly been at his wit's end, which is why such an ill-considered remark slipped from his lips in front of him. Liang Jinge did not refute this and continued to nod respectfully.

She closed the car door and Chen Danghao walked towards the school. After taking a few steps, she noticed Liang Jinge was still following her. She stopped, looked up at him, and said, "I am going to the classroom for class, you don't need to follow me."

Beautiful women

They are all at a loss when it comes to her

Ji Mingrui's smile deepened, and a few wrinkles appeared at the corners of his eyes: "Good name. How old are you?"

He did not know what kind of decoration was in the villa, nor did he dare to look. He stood straight in the hall, while Ji Mingrui sat on the sofa. The car accident had not left any obvious marks on him; he still looked elegant and poised, exuding a refinement that others could not imitate.

Liang Jinge remained seated upright, his gaze unwaveringly fixed on her back.

According to Ji Mingrui's arrangement, after today's class, he is to take Chen Danghao out for socializing. Although he cannot comprehend what kind of occasion would allow a man to openly bring his mistress to a banquet, he is even less inclined to ask. This time, Chen Danghao quietly sat in the back seat. As the car left Lingshan University, he caught a glimpse of her vacant gaze in the rearview mirror

That is good. Ji Mingrui nodded, seemingly unwilling to beat around the bush, and looked at him candidly: "This villa is for Dangao, she has a stubborn personality, and you have interacted with her before, so I won't elaborate. You will keep watch here during the day, and at night, you can leave it to the housekeeper. I have other arrangements on my end and can call you at any time. Dangao needs to return to school for a class once a week, and you are responsible for her pick-up and drop-off, ensuring that there are no mistakes. Aside from attending class, she cannot leave this house even a step, just remember that." Dangao needs to return to school for a class once a week, and you are responsible for her pick-up and drop-off, ensuring that there are no mistakes. Aside from attending class, she cannot leave this house even a step, just remember that.

Liang Jinge nodded seriously, feeling stuffy in his suit, and instinctively tugged at his tie a few times. Ji Mingrui, seeing this, chuckled lightly, standing up while patting his shoulder: "In the future, you don't need to dress so formally for work; I will inform you in advance for occasions that require it"

To his slight surprise, Chen Danghao's major in university was broadcasting and hosting. In other words, to some extent, Ji Mingrui was willing to cultivate her. However, given the current situation, not only was her attitude quite lax, but even her voice, resembling that of an old chain smoker, also had no opportunity to hold the microphone

Close the car door, Liang Jinge's reminder felt more like a routine matter: "Miss Chen, Mr. Ji has advised you to smoke less"

Hmm. She smiled at him, her eyes curving, sparkling like stars and the moon

He knows that Ji Mingrui is the same as him

Ling Mountain University is the only university in the city, and it is not among the numerous universities nationwide. However, in this small northern town, it has become the best investment location for many local businessmen. They send their children here, and after a few years, the children can secure good jobs and a good life in this city, while most children from ordinary families leave home and venture further away.