Chapter Seventeen: Leaving the Residence

The hidden weapon in Chu Bing’s hand sank deeply into the body of the man in black, and a group of them fell to the ground with a thud. Seeing this, Li Haoran quickly grabbed Chu Bing and pulled her away.

Although it seemed they had the upper hand now, Chu Bing was still wounded and uncertain how long she could endure. It was best to leave this place of danger without delay.

Yet, even with their injuries, the men in black pursued them relentlessly, trailing at a distance, determined not to give up until Chu Bing was caught.

Li Haoran, helpless, could only focus on finding a way to evade their pursuit with Chu Bing in tow.

He led her into a courtyard.

Chu Bing paused in surprise—this place was exactly where she had followed the masked man earlier that afternoon: the Li Residence!

So this really was Li Haoran’s home.

Li Haoran guided Chu Bing through the estate, quickly arriving at a tranquil garden.

“Miss Chu, this is my home. You’re safe here for now. I’ll fetch a doctor for you,” Li Haoran said, settling her in his own quarters.

He preferred solitude, so there were no servants in this courtyard. Chu Bing could rest undisturbed and secure.

Chu Bing nodded, steadying herself against the table. “Go ahead, I’ll be fine.”

Her gaze swept over the garden’s scenery, suppressing the questions in her heart.

Li Haoran, seeing her agree, hurried away, his figure tense and anxious.

Chu Bing was much improved by now, leaning against the bed to steady her inner strength.

“System, system, what’s my current status?” she called inwardly.

She knew well that her external wounds weren’t fatal; what troubled her most was the unruly energy inside her.

“The host has suffered internal injuries and needs to recuperate. She cannot use her inner strength for now.”

“But I just used a hidden weapon…” Chu Bing frowned. Without her powers, many things would be impossible.

No matter how she called, the system fell silent, offering no reply.

Chu Bing rolled her eyes—clearly, she would have to rely on herself.

Li Haoran soon returned with the estate’s doctor. The physician, head bowed, treated Chu Bing’s injuries, prescribed medicine for her wounds, and hurried off.

A wounded woman appearing in the mansion was hardly routine, but with Li Haoran watching, the doctor dared not ask questions.

“Li Haoran, I truly owe you thanks this time,” Chu Bing said sincerely.

“No need for thanks, Miss Chu. How did you come by your injuries?” Li Haoran asked, sitting at a nearby chair, his expression grave.

Chu Bing’s wounds were severe, and the relentless pursuit by the men in black convinced Li Haoran that Chu Bing had provoked someone far more dangerous than some minor county magistrate.

Chu Bing managed a bitter smile, partly concealing the truth. “I saw a masked man on the street today… he killed someone. Out of curiosity, I followed him and witnessed him entering the Li Residence.”

“What?” Li Haoran stared in disbelief.

So, all those men in black chasing Chu Bing came from his household?

Chu Bing explained, “They’re after me because I saw the masked man commit murder. They want to silence me.”

She spoke half-truths, hiding the matter of the red envelope, but Li Haoran trusted her completely and suspected nothing.

He pondered deeply, “Do you recall any features of the masked man?”

Chu Bing thought carefully. “He was very tall and sounded young.”

“Also, his status seemed high—the men in black bowed their heads before him.”

A young man of high status?

Li Haoran nodded thoughtfully. “If I’m not mistaken, the masked man is likely one of my two elder brothers.”

Both brothers had studied martial arts from a young age, excelling in both civil and military pursuits. If it was them who wounded Chu Bing, it would make sense.

Chu Bing narrowed her eyes, probing, “You’ve never told me about your family?”

If she hadn’t happened to chase the masked man here, she wouldn’t even know where Li Haoran lived.

Li Haoran paused, offering a bitter smile. “There’s not much to say. I’m not favored by my father, and even though I spend most of my time away, no one in the household cares.”

He continued, “Father favors my two brothers, and they see me as a thorn in their side, always trying to get rid of me, as you know.”

His eyes lowered, and he looked desolate.

Chu Bing suddenly felt a pang of sympathy, as though she had unwittingly touched the most painful part of Li Haoran’s heart.

Awkwardly, she shifted the topic. “Now that I’m hiding here, the men in black will soon find out. Will this cause trouble for you?”

Li Haoran shook his head, “If they truly belong to this household, they’ve already recognized me.”

Since they knew Li Haoran was the third young master of the house but still pursued him mercilessly, even trying to kill him, he could guess whose subordinates they were.

Aside from his two half-brothers, there was no one else it could be.

A cold light flickered in Li Haoran’s eyes. Clearly, he had been too quiet lately, and everyone in the mansion thought he was easy to bully.

Even the lowest dared brandish their blades before him!

“Miss Chu, you are my benefactor. Rest assured, as long as I am here, I will never let them harm you,” Li Haoran vowed, his gaze unwavering.

Warmth spread in Chu Bing’s chest. She replied softly, “Alright.”

Even if Li Haoran hadn’t offered, she would have found a way to stay here.

After all, the masked man still carried the red envelope, and she had to figure out how to retrieve it.

“I’ll return once I’ve recovered.”

Chu Bing looked at Li Haoran. “Tomorrow, could you tell my foolish brother not to worry about me?”

Li Haoran’s face stiffened as he suddenly remembered—Chu Wenyuan was still unconscious in that other courtyard!

He quickly changed the subject. “I’ll go to the restaurant tomorrow. Rest easy here, but don’t wander about lest you be recognized.”

Those men in black all wore masks; he couldn’t be sure of their identities. If they discovered Chu Bing, it would be impossible to defend her against assassination attempts.

Chu Bing nodded solemnly. She cherished her own life more than anyone.

Still, she would have to venture out eventually. If she stayed cooped up in this room forever, it would be difficult to uncover the masked man’s true identity.