Chapter 671 - 674: Going Crazy

Chapter 671: Chapter 674: Going Crazy

Yang Chen frowned, puzzled by Lin Ruoxi's sudden happiness. Was it a call from Hui Lin? It couldn't be such a coincidence, could it?

He heard Lin Ruoxi's gentle voice on the phone, "Chris, have you arrived in Zhonghai?"

Chris? Yang Chen was taken aback. It wasn't Hui Lin? A foreigner? And a man?!

What man could make Lin Ruoxi, who rarely smiled, so happy just from a phone call?

"Oh, you still love food as much as ever. Well, since you're in Yingben now, you should arrive in Zhonghai by tomorrow. I'll pick you up at the airport. When will you get here?" Lin Ruoxi asked expectantly.

Yang Chen's eyes nearly popped out. She didn't bother to talk to her husband, yet she was so attentive to a foreign man?

"So early?" Lin Ruoxi continued the conversation. "Alright, I'll drive over to pick you up. See you tomorrow morning."

After hanging up, Lin Ruoxi showed a faint look of nostalgia, as if reminiscing about the past. Then she put her phone away and continued peeling potatoes.

"Ruoxi, who was that? Someone important enough for you to pick up early in the morning?" Yang Chen couldn't help but ask.

Lin Ruoxi still didn't respond, focusing on her task.

Yang Chen felt a heavy weight on his heart, like a stone pressing down, yet he couldn't muster the strength to argue, fearing he might provoke Lin Ruoxi further.

Seeing that neither Guo Xuehua nor Wang Ma seemed to know anything about it, he walked back to the living room, pacing back and forth, contemplating the situation. The more he thought about it, the more wrong it felt.

He had long considered that with Lin Ruoxi's looks and status, there must be countless suitors. Whether it was Xu Zhihong, Zeng Xinlin, or even Ning Guodong, all were examples.

But no man had ever gotten close to Lin Ruoxi, which could be understood as her not liking them. But how could he guarantee she had no close male friends? Lin Ruoxi had attended high school, college, and had years of social experience, knowing many people.

Now, with Lin Ruoxi's immense dissatisfaction towards him, it was possible she might seek contact with another man, whether to spite him or out of genuine disappointment.

Yang Chen didn't believe this was a time to act magnanimously. Concerned about his family's happiness, he felt the need to strongly prevent any dangerous factors!

Who was this Chris? The thought made Yang Chen's head hurt. Finally, gritting his teeth, he decided to follow Lin Ruoxi to the airport the next morning to see for himself.

Just as Zhenxiu returned from school, she noticed Yang Chen grinding his teeth and asked worriedly, "Brother Yang, are you okay?"

Realizing his agitation, Yang Chen tried to calm down, though he was genuinely anxious. If not for his own guilt, he would have confronted Lin Ruoxi directly. Instead, he had to handle it quietly.

Yang Chen waved his hand. "I'm fine, just lost in thought."

Zhenxiu seemed skeptical but didn't press further. "Oh, by the way, a classmate played Hui Lin's new song at school today. It was so good that we forgot to study! When is she having a concert in Zhonghai?"

Yang Chen patted her head, smiling. "She will have one. I'm already arranging the venue. Just focus on your studies. After the exams, I'll let you present flowers to Hui Lin on stage!"

"I don't want that!" Zhenxiu shook her head like a rattle. "I just want a VIP seat, hehe."

Talking with Zhenxiu lifted Yang Chen's spirits a bit. Unfortunately, during dinner, Lin Ruoxi still showed no signs of thawing. Guo Xuehua and Wang Ma also refrained from meddling in the couple's issues, pretending nothing was wrong.

After dinner, Lin Ruoxi helped Wang Ma wash the dishes. Her improved housekeeping skills over these days brought smiles to Wang Ma and satisfaction to Guo Xuehua.

Once everything was cleaned up, Lin Ruoxi went upstairs to her study without saying a word.

Yang Chen, feeling dejected, couldn't get a word in. He saw Guo Xuehua and Wang Ma engrossed in a Korean drama and decided not to disturb them. He went upstairs, took a cold shower, and went to bed early.

Thinking about Lin Ruoxi's phone call and the mysterious Chris kept him awake all night.

At dawn, knowing Lin Ruoxi would go to the airport, Yang Chen listened intently to the sounds upstairs.

When he heard Lin Ruoxi coming down for breakfast, he didn't hurry downstairs but waited until she drove off. Then, he silently jumped off the balcony, went to the garage, and followed her to the airport.

The officer looked pained. "Sir, I understand you're upset, but I have to do my job. The fine is necessary."

"Fine, my ass!" Yang Chen's anger flared, and he snatched the ticket book, throwing it aside.

Lin Ruoxi's body trembled, seemingly on the verge of collapse, biting her lip to hold back her emotions.

Chris realized the gravity of the situation and hurriedly said, "Sir, I think there's been a misunderstanding."

"Misunderstanding?!" Yang Chen laughed scornfully. "I don't think so. No ordinary friend would hug and embrace like this, right, Lin Ruoxi?"

Tears finally rolled down Lin Ruoxi's cheeks. Her hands clenched into fists, nails digging into her palms.

Yang Chen felt like he was going insane, struggling to contain his pain. "You don't talk to me, fine. I understand you're angry. You can hit me, curse at me, but you won't even listen to my explanation. Instead, you come to the airport to meet some Chris. Lin Ruoxi, I never expected this from you..."

"Slap!"

Lin Ruoxi suddenly raised her hand and slapped Yang Chen hard across the face!

The crisp sound of the slap caused gasps from the surrounding crowd.

Yang Chen didn't dodge. He didn't want to. He touched his stinging cheek and chuckled bitterly. "What's the matter? Can't stand being called out?"

"Sir, you really misunderstood!" Chris exclaimed anxiously. "I'm Lin's university mentor! I'm not the kind of person you think!"

Yang Chen felt like something inside him snapped. He stood there, almost petrified, before slowly turning to Chris, his voice hoarse. "What did you just say?"

Chris gave a bitter smile. "Sir, you've really misunderstood Lin. I'm Chris Andrew Olbach, Lin's professor from university and her graduate advisor. We specialize in human resource management. Although I'm half-Chinese, I'm an American, and I'm married. My wife Jennifer will join me in Zhonghai soon. I returned to the States to teach, but recently Lin invited me to join Yu Lei International in a managerial role. Lin is my most outstanding student, even though she dropped out. We've kept in touch, and I'm very optimistic about Yu Lei's prospects. I came here because of that. I never thought a simple hug would cause such a misunderstanding with Lin's husband. Sir, you've truly misunderstood."

Yang Chen didn't know how to describe his feelings at that moment. It was less of sudden joy and more like a sudden calamity.

Everything became clear.

Because it was her university mentor coming to China to help manage the company, Lin Ruoxi was so happy about his arrival. Because he was an American professor, informal and unrestrained, she addressed him by his first name, Chris. Because they hadn't seen each other in years, a hug was a natural greeting by Western standards.

Yang Chen felt he couldn't face Lin Ruoxi at this moment. In her sorrowful eyes, he saw himself as a dim, shadowy figure.

People around them were pointing and whispering. Even though many didn't know the specifics, they could tell Yang Chen had misunderstood Lin Ruoxi.

Yang Chen realized he had not only humiliated himself but also made Lin Ruoxi lose face publicly. What had he done? He had doubted Lin Ruoxi's loyalty, followed her secretly, and publicly ridiculed her.

If he could, Yang Chen would have twisted his own head off. But what was done was done.

Even though Yang Chen's mind could advance rapidly in the martial arts realm, comprehending insights that others might never grasp in their lifetimes, he was utterly stumped by the situation before him.

"Ruoxi, I..." Yang Chen's mind felt like mush, unable to come up with words to comfort her. He frowned deeply, on the verge of madness.

Lin Ruoxi closed her eyes tightly and wiped her tears. Her soul seemed dull and lifeless inside her beautiful exterior.

After a long silence, Lin Ruoxi calmly said to Chris, "Chris, I'm sorry you had to see this as soon as you arrived. Let's go. I'll take you to the company to meet some key executives."

Chris nodded, hesitated for a moment, and then sighed, following Lin Ruoxi to the car.

This left Yang Chen standing there alone, like a defeated rooster, his face drained of color.

The traffic cop, who had been ignored, angrily approached and finished writing a ticket. He thrust it into Yang Chen's hand.

"Sir, here's your ticket. Follow traffic regulations next time! Hmph," the officer grumbled. Feeling unsatisfied, he pointed a finger at Yang Chen's nose and scolded, "Being a man like you, you're a total failure! Hmph!"

Yang Chen stood there like a wooden statue, oblivious to everything around him, clutching the ticket in his hand, staring at the ground, feeling utterly lost and soulless.