Ah! The Villains I Forced to Turn Evil Can Read My Mind-Chapter 286

Shen Zhuoyan caught up to Qiao Chuchu in just a few strides, pulling her forcefully into his arms. "Why are you running?"

Qiao Chuchu felt like a dog yanked back by a leash, stumbling into Shen Zhuoyan’s chest with the momentum!

She groaned in pain. "Ugh!"

Shen Zhuoyan frowned in concern, leaning down to examine her face. "Did you hurt yourself?"

She rubbed her nose, too pained to speak.

He gently moved her hand aside, carefully inspecting her reddened nose.

Qiao Chuchu glared at him, her nose still flushed.

The look sent a ripple through him, and a faint smile tugged at his otherwise stern expression. "So delicate. Just a little bump and you turn red."

Covering her nose, she pushed him away in irritation. "Your chest is too hard!"

His smile deepened. "Yes, yes, my fault."

He stepped closer again, cupping her face in his hands as he bent down. "Let me see if you're injured."

Qiao Chuchu tilted her head back, watching as his face drew near.

Shen Zhuoyan was strikingly handsome, around her age, with sharp, refined features.

His body bore the strength of someone who trained regularly, yet his eyes held a youthful stubbornness and coolness—an intriguing contrast.

Sensing her intense gaze, he slowly met her eyes.

There was no trace of desire in her expression—just pure, unflinching scrutiny.

But he was affected, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. "Alright."

His fingers absentmindedly pinched the tip of her nose. "You're fine."

Reluctantly, he pulled back, putting some distance between them. "Why did you run?"

Qiao Chuchu wrapped her arms around herself, uneasy. "I hate who I used to be."

Shen Zhuoyan: "? Why?"

She grimaced in self-disgust. "I was two-timing—with two brothers, no less. Ying Chen was my official boyfriend, and Weisheng Biehe was my side affair. I can’t believe I was that kind of person. I thought I was someone who lived freely."

She shook her head repeatedly. "There was no joy in that tangled mess, just guilt and resentment."

Shen Zhuoyan: "? Those two idiots are full of nonsense!"

A woman’s voice suddenly cut in. "Qiao Chu!!"

Qiao Chuchu turned to see an elderly woman storming toward her, followed by a maid.

Despite her white hair, the old woman moved with vigor, her hawk-like eyes locked onto Qiao Chuchu. Without a word, she raised her hand to strike—

Shen Zhuoyan intercepted her wrist. "What do you think you're doing?!"

The old woman didn’t back down, glaring defiantly. "None of your business! This girl is my granddaughter!"

Shen Zhuoyan’s expression darkened. "I don’t care who you are. She’s my lady, and no one touches her."

The old woman sneered. "And what will you do if I still hit her?"

A dangerous glint flashed in Shen Zhuoyan’s eyes as he tightened his grip. "You’d have to get past me first."

His strength was overwhelming; the old woman couldn’t break free. She staggered back, teeth bared at Qiao Chuchu. "Fine! Very fine!"

She jabbed a finger at Qiao Chuchu. "You’ve got a bodyguard because you’re guilty! You killed my son!"

Qiao Chuchu blinked, then laughed. "Your son?"

She gave the old woman a once-over. "Your son must’ve been grown. How could I have killed him?"

Old Lady Qiao’s face turned ashen. "How dare you speak to me like that?! I’m your grandmother!!"

A memory flashed in Qiao Chuchu’s mind.

The old woman standing before her mother’s grave, snarling, "This wretched woman cursed my son to death. Dig up her ashes and pair them with some other dead man! I won’t let her rest with my son—she’d defile his grave!"

Back then, Qiao Chuchu had been small. Hearing those words, she’d lunged and bitten the old woman’s hand.

The ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‍old woman had shoved her away and slapped her hard. "You little bitch, daring to bite me! You’re just like your mother—no good! Just wait till I take you home. I’ll beat you every day!"

She’d fallen to the ground, glaring up in hatred.

The old woman had smirked, grabbing her ear and twisting it viciously.

Her scream of pain had only made the old woman’s grin widen before she kicked her away. "Listen here. Your mother cursed my son to death. Living under my roof, you’ll die too—but I’ll make sure it’s a miserable end!"

A middle-aged man had then jabbed her forehead. "Know who I am?! I’m your uncle, and this is your grandmother. We’re your family now, you little brat!"

She’d spat blood in their faces. "I’d rather rot in an orphanage than go with you! You’re all monsters!!"

The man had roared and swung at her. "You bitch!"

Qiao Chuchu snapped back to the present.

Now she remembered everything.

A mocking smile curled her lips. "Got any proof it was me?"

She tilted her head, taunting. "Maybe you’re the one who cursed your son to death. After all, you’re the expert on curses—you blamed my mom for my dad’s death, didn’t you?"

The old woman shrieked, lunging at Qiao Chuchu like a wild animal, fingers clawing for her hair.

"You dare say it was me?! It was your mother who ruined this family! She cursed my child to death!!"

Shen Zhuoyan blocked her again.

Qiao Chuchu turned away, done with the drama.

Old Lady Qiao trembled with rage, leaning on her maid. "I’ll kill her… I have to kill her!!"

The maid patted her back helplessly. "That girl is truly wicked, speaking to you like that. Don’t let anger ruin your health. And don’t talk about killing—you’re too old for such things."

Another voice chimed in smoothly. "Age is just a number. There are always… other ways."

The old woman stiffened, turning toward the speaker.

Xia Xuechun stood beside Long Yunxiao, dressed in a white tweed suit, smiling warmly. "Perhaps you could share the details of your son’s disappearance? I might have some leads."

Old Lady Qiao calmed slightly, eyeing Long Yunxiao in confusion. "President Long?"

Then she studied Xia Xuechun. "And you are?"

Xia Xuechun handed her a business card. "I’m President Long’s personal secretary, Xia Xuechun."

She’d recently landed a new job—Long Yunxiao’s close aide.

After visiting Long Yuntian at the hospital, she’d spotted Qiao Chuchu and her grandmother nearby.

Noting the old woman’s suspicion, Xia Xuechun pressed, "I might have information about your son’s death."

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Old Lady Qiao snorted dismissively. "Just a secretary? What weight do your words carry?"

Xia Xuechun: "?"