Chapter 30: He Does Not Need a Woman's Protection

Aunt Xu, who had cared for Shen Hanzhi since he was young, saw that expression on his face for the first time…

“Oh.” Lin Nanxun nodded obediently, not thinking much of it, her expression as pure as ever.

Seeing this, Aunt Xu could only smile helplessly.

…

It wasn’t long before Shen Hanzhi returned to the room.

His face was as stern and cold as always.

He said not a word, simply pressed his thin lips together and looked at Lin Nanxun, who had woken up.

The atmosphere in the hospital room instantly grew heavy and serious.

As Lin Nanxun felt his gaze upon her, she grew inexplicably uneasy. She instinctively wanted to move, but feared the pain and held herself still.

Then Shen Hanzhi’s voice, colder than usual and edged with severity, rang out.

“Everyone out. I have something to say to her.”

At his words, Aunt Xu and Zhou Bei both glanced at Lin Nanxun, then nodded and left, taking the remaining two servants with them.

Once everyone had left, the room became even quieter and more solemn.

Shen Hanzhi fixed his stern gaze on Lin Nanxun for a moment before his throat moved and he suddenly asked her,

“Who told you to run out there?”

His voice was sharper than usual, a steely chill in its tone.

Did she not realize that what she’d done could have cost her life?

His question left Lin Nanxun stunned for a moment. She looked up, her eyes wide as she stared at his seemingly angry face, then suddenly asked,

“Are you mad at me, you bad man?”

Why would he be angry?

Looking at her innocent and guileless face, a fresh wave of anger welled up inside him.

She was so weak and powerless, and yet she still tried to protect him.

Such behavior was utterly foolish.

Yet, seeing her now—so frail and pure—even if he wanted to lose his temper and scold her, all the anger that had risen to his throat suddenly dissipated.

His eyes flickered. He glanced out the window at the falling leaves, exhaled softly, and spoke to her in a stern voice.

“Don’t ever do that again.”

He didn’t need a woman to protect him.

Seeing that he no longer seemed quite so angry, Lin Nanxun relaxed and gave him a small smile.

When that pale little face lit up with a gentle, healing smile, the man’s body shuddered involuntarily.

Somewhere in the softest corner of his heart, it felt as if something gentle had brushed against it, tightening ever so slightly.

…

Night fell.

Zhou Bei took Aunt Xu home to fetch Lin Nanxun’s clothes, while the servants went to handle formalities and purchase daily necessities.

Shen Hanzhi sat on the sofa, reviewing documents and signing them with a pen.

This was a private hospital. The ward prepared for Lin Nanxun was of the highest standard, with a private bathroom, and beyond the hospital bed, there was a sofa, a large television, and a wardrobe.

Lin Nanxun lay quietly in bed, watching TV. The screen showed the kind of idol drama young girls adored; the handsome young male lead was out on a date with the heroine.

The two sat together on a park bench, talking and laughing, their heads gradually leaning together.

Lin Nanxun watched intently, just as the male and female leads were about to kiss…

The man on the sofa suddenly frowned. The next moment—

With a crisp “click,” the LCD television screen went black.

Lin Nanxun froze, thinking the television had broken. But when she turned her head, she saw the remote control in Shen Hanzhi’s hand.