Chapter 37: Consolation.

The night was something that bothered Han Lingshi, she lay on the bed but could not sleep. What Hao Ren told her was a bit too difficult for her to digest, after all, she has known Maria since her days in the university and they had been as close as sisters. They had scuffles, but nothing that escalated to the point where anyone of them would want to kill the other.

She recalled how Hao Ren treated her, but in the end she could not bring herself to believe that the information he gave her was true. How could she? The night seemed to be testing her patience. She was checking her mobile after every few minutes.

Just when she was about to fall asleep the cell phone on the night stand rang. Her sleepiness was gone, and she picked up the mobile hurriedly. The person on the call said, "Miss, all the information has been sent to your email."

Han Lingshi thanked the person and then she opened her email, the information on it matched with Hao Ren, however, the quantity of this information was not even half as much as what Hao Ren gave her. However, the biggest clue in the information was the fact that Han Yuntian has handed over some money to Maria over the period of two years and the amount was not small.

Han Lingshi was in a state of disbelief, her hands were shivering, and her breathing was ragged. She could not believe that the person who has been standing behind her and always supported her was the one who betrayed her. She recalled what she said to Hao Ren last night, she held her face in her hands as she sat on the bed and tears began dripping from her eyes.

Her heart was akin to a piece of meat that was being roasted slowly by the flames of betrayal while it was still beating. Han Lingshi did not know what to do, when the doorbell suddenly went off. She froze, and calmed down when she thought that it must be her maid. She got up from the bed, and washed her face before she went to address the door.

Han Lingshi might have a weak side, but she was not someone who would weep and drown herself in sorrows. She was very cruel when it came to those who betrayed her. Her aura was calm at this moment, and her thoughts were still. She walked over and unlocked the door. However, she was shocked when she saw the person outside the door.

Hao Ren stood before her with a calm face. She opened her mouth and wanted to say something when the young man invited himself in, changed his shoes, and made his way to the kitchen as if it was his own house. Han Lingshi hurriedly followed him and finally asked, "What are you doing here?"

The young man replied, "What does it look like?"

Han Lingshi's mind was already in chaos, how could she understand what Hao Ren was doing here. She asked exasperatedly, "Why are you here, Ren? What do you want?"

The young man walked up to her, and suddenly picked her up in his arm in princess style. Han Lingshi let out a scream, but then she found a pair of black shining eyes looking at her as if they could peek into her soul. Hao Ren said, "I came for you, how dare you think that I would just leave you alone when you are so troubled? I don't care what you think off me, but I will not let you hurt or harm yourself. Have you seen the mirror today?"

Han Lingshi wanted to say a lot of things in retort but she could not. Hao Ren was so dominating at the moment that she forgot her own nature. Hao Ren asked, "Which one is your bedroom?"

Han Lingshi pointed at a room upstairs and the young man took her over. He placed her on the bed and said, "Stay here. I will bring you something to eat."

The lady nodded as Hao Ren left the room quickly. She picked up her phone, and cancelled her meetings for the day. She wanted to take a day off and avoid seeing Maria.

...

After a few minutes, Hao Ren came back with a glass of juice. He did not say anything but his intent gaze said it all, 'Drink!'

Han Lingshi drank the juice and Hao Ren asked, "Did you confirm the details?"

Han Lingshi raised her head and nodded. That was it, Hao Ren did not ask her anything. Han Lingshi was both hesitant and curious as for why did he not ask what she intended to do. She asked, "Don't you want to know what I want to do?"

Hao Ren replied, "My mother says that one should uproot the weed the moment they spot it because it could harm the healthy plants. I will give you a week to handle the issues, and if you feel like you cannot do anything, then let me deal with it."

His tone was cold and Han Lingshi did not expect that. She shook her head and said, "I can handle Maria, I will send her away from the nation so that she could not harm me. I would not betray her like she betrayed me."

The young man sighed and said, "Are you sure?"

Han Lingshi looked at him, hesitation was evident in her eyes. Hao Ren walked closer to her and sat down next to her. The two of them were so close that they could sense each other's breath. Han Lingshi grabbed the handful of sheet under the blanket. Hao Ren sensed this and he said, "If you think that showing kindness and benevolence to the one who sold you out would be good, then you are naive. Do you really think that the one who did not take account for such a deep friendship will care if you send them out? Do you control the borders of the nation that would allow you to make sure that she could not come back?"

Han Lingshi shook her head and finally could not hold it in. Her emotions burst out in form of tears and she began to cry loudly. Hao Ren's words made her realize how cruel the reality was and if she harbored any hope of reconciliation it would be fatal to herself.

Hao Ren did not say anything and just pulled her close. She cried leaning on his shoulder, and Hao Ren silently comforted her. His eyes were getting colder by the second. Han Lingshi asked, "What should I do, Ren?"

Hao Ren shook his head and said, "I don't know, you probably cannot bear to live with the fact that your best friend died at your hands, right?"

Han Lingshi raised her head in a snap with shock written in her eyes. Hao Ren looked right back at her and said, "I am not a saint for those who come bearing ill-will at me. I know you suspect that I may have killed someone. What would you do if I told you that I am the one who cleaned up those mercenaries?"

Han Lingshi was shocked, her heart seemed to have grown cold. She did not expect Hao Ren to be so direct about this. She was shivering but Hao Ren held her shoulders gently, and asked, "So, am I a bad guy in your eyes now?"

Han Lingshi woke up, she shook her head and composed herself before she cautiously asked, "Who did you..."

Hao Ren replied, "The mercenaries who came to look at you. Those are the ones I dealt with. I did not kill them but I trapped them and they did it to themselves."

Han Lingshi opened her eyes wide, she could not see any malice in Hao Ren's eyes, but to think he would admit things like this. She asked, "Why tell me? Are you not afraid that I might call the police?"

Hao Ren shook his head and replied, "Of course, I am worried, bit not that you would call the police, but the fact that you would not understand me and I will end up loosing you. I did not have anything to myself before I met you, and anything I have will not be worth anything after you, Ling."

Han Lingshi was looking him in the eyes and she could sense that he meant what he said. At this point when she had been betrayed, knowing that someone would long for her so much that he would even unveil his darkest secrets to her, assured her that all was not lost.

She did not know what came over her, this man who was being so dominating with her right now, suddenly displayed his vulnerable side. This moved her, she realized that he was dominating for her own good, he did not wish for her to hurt herself, while he was vulnerable so that she knows that he was not a cold blooded monster, but he would go to any lengths to protect her.

Han Lingshi reached out and held her cheek as her soft lips landed on his soft lips. Hao Ren opened his eyes wide, he shivered, because he has never kissed anyone. This was his first kiss in two lifetimes, how could he not be shocked? It was as if lightning coursed through his body.

The two did not do anything, just sat their with their lips connected. Finally after a few seconds Hao Ren kissed Han Lingshi properly and the lady clumsily responded. The situation was getting intense as the two of them were aroused and began to explore each other's body.

Hao Ren did not dare to be presumptuous and only limited himself to Han Lingshi's waist and back. However, just as he was about to gain any grounds on the peak of joy, the doorbell rang once again.

The two of them were so scared that while Han Lingshi buried herself in the pillow, Hao Ren had jumped off the bed and looked around vigilantly. A few moments later, the bell rang again, and Han Lingshi realized who could it be. She turned to look at Hao Ren as she stood up and anxiously said, "My maid is here, what to do?"

Hao Ren looked at the balcony of the room and said, "Go open the door, I will be here."

Han Lingshi nodded, and went down stairs, Hao Ren came out of the room, and looked at the scenery from the balcony. It was still early and the rich people had yet to wake up. Soon, the young man heard two noises from the door below. The balcony of the master bedroom was right above the door of the villa. Hao Ren saw the maid going inside and he jumped off the railing.

Thanks to the Assassination Skills, he landed smoothly and rolled on the ground to avoid the damage. He stood up and found Han Lingshi gawking at him. He moved towards her, without caring for the maid who was talking in the living room. He moved close to her, and pecked her lips and ran away while Han Lingshi screamed.

...

Hao Ren sat in his car outside the villa complex. The young man leaned in his seat, and a voice sounded in his mind, *Ding: You have consoled your wife and even improved her mood. You have proved that your bond with her is real and she does not doubt you anymore. The task is complete, issuing reward...*

Yes, Hao Ren had been given a task as soon as Han Lingshi left his house. He came here at night, and has been watching Han Lingshi from the villa across hers. He was using a set of binoculars to make sure that she was not in danger. He waited all night for her to calm down before he went over. His dominance was just a facade to cover up the fact that he did not know how to express that he cared.