Chapter 60 — Madman!
That night in Zhi’an, heavy rain poured down, the raindrops pattering relentlessly against the ground. The streets were almost deserted, with only one or two pedestrians occasionally passing by.
The two had just come out of a dinner party.
Nan Xu was driving, while Xie Hejing sat in the passenger seat, resting his head on one hand and pretending to nap.
The chill of winter seeped into the car. Nan Xu glanced sideways at him and quietly turned up the heater, but the air inside still felt oppressively heavy.
A few hours earlier, they’d had a quarrel—not a real fight, more like a heated exchange. The tone had just been… too serious.
It all started that afternoon when Jiang Qiyi happened to come to Zhi’an on a business trip.
He’d gone to college in Chengyu and stayed there after graduation. This time, it had been a while since he came back to Zhi’an, so he wanted to catch up with Nan Xu and Qi Zhiyu over dinner.
But Qi Zhiyu had to work overtime and couldn’t make it. Nan Xu, on the other hand, was free after work—except she needed to accompany Xie Hejing to a dinner event that evening.
Since Xie Hejing wasn’t at the office, he told her to pick him up later, just before they had to go.
Nan Xu checked the time. There were still three hours before she had to meet him, which was more than enough for a quick coffee with Jiang Qiyi. So she agreed.
The cafe they chose was only about twenty minutes away from the dinner venue, which reassured her further—there was no way she’d be late to pick up Xie Hejing.
It had been years since Nan Xu and Jiang Qiyi last saw each other. When she walked into the cafe, she almost didn’t recognize him at first glance.
Jiang Qiyi loved playing ball when he was in school, and he also tanned easily, so he was never fair-skinned throughout the entire year.
But now, after working for a few years, his skin had lightened considerably. He stood taller, carried himself with more composure, dressed in a sharp suit with neatly combed hair.
He looked less like he was meeting an old friend, and more like he was on his way to a business meeting.
Nan Xu smiled as she walked over. “It’s just a meet-up. Why are you dressed so formally?”
“I’ve got another appointment later,” Jiang Qiyi explained with a laugh. “Didn’t have time to go back and change, so I came straight here.” He remembered her tastes and ordered several of the cakes she used to like. “Your preferences haven’t changed, right? As for coffee, you can pick your own—I never knew what kind you liked.”
Nan Xu hadn’t been much of a coffee drinker before, so he wasn’t wrong.
She glanced up from the menu, surprised by his words. “You have an appointment later too?”
“Too?” Jiang Qiyi looked up. “You have one as well?”
Nan Xu nodded. “Yeah, I’m going to a dinner party with my boss.”
“What a coincidence,” Jiang Qiyi said, laughing. “First day of my business trip here, and I’ve got a dinner to attend too.”
Nan Xu smiled faintly, not saying more. Everyone had their own work obligations.
It had been years since they’d met, so after a bit of small talk, their conversation naturally flowed—from the past to the present, jumping between memories.
Even Qi Zhiyu, who was working overtime, didn’t want to miss out. She joined them on a video call.
Wearing headphones, she listened to Jiang Qiyi gossip about things back in Chengyu and even typed questions in the chat, asking for details. Not even work could suppress her burning curiosity for gossip.
The three of them chatted cheerfully, laughter flowing easily. Nan Xu was smiling so brightly that she didn’t notice the figure standing outside the cafe.
“Mr. Xie, is something wrong?” a colleague beside him asked when he suddenly stopped walking.
Xie Hejing’s gaze was fixed on Nan Xu. If he remembered correctly, she hadn’t mentioned anything about meeting Jiang Qiyi.
His eyes narrowed slightly, and when they landed on her smile, something sharp and unpleasant twisted in his chest.
He stood there for a full three minutes before finally turning away. “Nothing,” he said coolly. “Let’s go.”
The three old friends kept talking for quite a while, and by the time Nan Xu finally stepped out of the cafe, there was only about an hour left before the dinner began.
She texted Xie Hejing, asking where he was.
He didn’t reply with words—just sent her a location pin.
Nan Xu opened it and immediately brightened. He was less than a ten-minute drive away.
She pulled the car over by the curb, and before long, Xie Hejing appeared in her line of sight.
She waved at him. “Brother, get in the car!”
Seeing how cheerful she looked, Xie Hejing couldn’t hold back a remark. “Assistant Nan sure has a packed schedule.”
Just met someone, and now here to pick him up.
Nan Xu didn’t realize he had seen her with Jiang Qiyi earlier, nor did she catch the edge in his tone.
She just laughed and said lightly, “Not really—no one’s busier than you, President Xie.”
“…”
He said nothing, but his expression was far from pleasant. Nan Xu didn’t notice until they arrived at the dinner venue. He hadn’t spoken a word to her the entire way, though his gaze kept drifting toward her and lingering a little too long, leaving her confused and uneasy.
Soon, the private room door opened, and several more people came in. When Nan Xu turned her head, she froze—among them was Jiang Qiyi.
Judging by his startled expression, he hadn’t expected to see her either. When he sat down, he deliberately chose the seat beside her.
“Nan Xu, what a coincidence,” he said.
Nan Xu smiled. “Yeah, totally didn’t expect this. If we’d known, we could’ve come together earlier.”
Xie Hejing gave a cold, quiet laugh.
Jiang Qiyi, however, recognized him right away. After all, his business trip to Zhi’an was mainly to discuss a potential partnership with Xie Hejing.
Noticing Nan Xu seated next to Xie Hejing, he easily guessed that she must be his assistant.
“Nan Xu,” he said softly, “your boss doesn’t look too happy tonight.”
He sounded genuinely worried about how that might affect their meeting.
Nan Xu lowered her voice. “A little, yeah. I’m not sure why. But don’t worry—he won’t let personal emotions interfere with work.”
“You really know him well,” Jiang Qiyi said sincerely.
Nan Xu hesitated for a moment, then smiled awkwardly. “Ah, well, I am his assistant. I have to know him at least a little.”
Meanwhile, Xie Hejing sat expressionless, pouring himself one glass after another.
It was a business dinner, so of course the drinking rounds began soon. One after another, people turned to toast Nan Xu. She bit her lip, clearly reluctant, but since they were all business partners, it felt rude to refuse.
Just as she lifted her glass, Xie Hejing reached over and took it right out of her hand.
“My assistant isn’t feeling well tonight,” he said flatly. “I’ll drink for her.”
The table fell silent for a moment. Everyone had seen assistants drink on behalf of their bosses—but the other way around? That was new.
Immediately, the atmosphere shifted; several people exchanged knowing glances, their eyes flicking toward Nan Xu with subtle curiosity.
Feeling uncomfortable under their stares, Nan Xu forced a polite smile and followed his lead. “Sorry, everyone. I took some medicine earlier and really shouldn’t drink tonight. I’ll toast you all with tea instead.”
The message was clear enough. Everyone at the table was sharp—they caught on instantly, laughter rising to smooth over the moment.
“Of course, of course, if you’ve taken medicine, no drinking.”
“Yeah, it’s late anyway—Miss Nan shouldn’t drink too much.”
So, in the end, only the two people beside Nan Xu kept drinking. Whether someone toasted him or not, Xie Hejing just kept pouring himself more.
As for Jiang Qiyi—well, his unspoken role this night was clearly to take the brunt of the drinking. By the time the third round came around, he was hands down the most intoxicated person at the table.
Nan Xu knew Xie Hejing’s alcohol tolerance well—he never really got drunk from what he drank, and no one dared to pressure him into drinking more anyway.
On the other hand, Jiang Qiyi at the next table was already dry-heaving.
Nan Xu didn’t have time to worry about anything else. She immediately patted Jiang Qiyi’s back.
“Jiang Qiyi, are you okay?”
His face was flushed red, and his speech had started to slur. Nan Xu frowned at the sight, then stood up and walked toward Mr. Zhang.
Seeing her approach, Mr. Zhang thought Xie Hejing had something to say through her. His tone turned immediately pleasant. “Assistant Nan, is there something you need? Did President Xie—”
Nan Xu smiled politely. “President Xie appreciates your sincerity. He’s very confident about this collaboration. He just noticed one of your colleagues seemed a bit drunk and asked me to check if you’d like us to call a designated driver for you.”
Mr. Zhang’s smile widened. Only then did he notice that Jiang Qiyi was indeed quite drunk. Remembering Nan Xu’s words, a flicker of satisfaction passed across his face.
“No need, that’s very considerate of President Xie. We have a colleague who hasn’t been drinking.” He turned his head. “Xiao Chen, help Xiao Qi to the car so he can rest.”
Nan Xu exchanged a few polite words before returning to her seat. Before long, Jiang Qiyi was helped out of the room—at least he was safe from being forced to drink more.
Still, Nan Xu couldn’t help but worry a little, her distracted expression giving her away.
Xie Hejing finally couldn’t stand it anymore. He spoke to her for the first time that evening—his tone dripping with jealousy.
“Assistant Nan seems very concerned about someone. You could go out and check on him if you want.”
“Really?” Nan Xu looked up, only to notice the cold expression on his face and the tightening corners of his lips. She smiled faintly. “No need. He’s got his colleague looking after him.”
Xie Hejing’s expression stayed cool, his voice laced with mockery. “Not going anymore? Looks like Assistant Nan’s concern is rather shallow—comes and goes just like that.”
“Your emotions seem to switch on and off at will, don’t they?”
Love was the same. It came when she pleased and left just as easily.
If she said she liked him, then why did she still smile at others?
Why did she go to dinner with another man without saying a word to him?
Why was she so worried about another man?
Why did she pat his back so gently?
Why, even while sitting beside him, was she thinking of someone else?
Nan Xu’s lips parted slightly. She wasn’t used to seeing Xie Hejing like this. “Don’t talk like that.”
He gave a cold snort. “What did I say that was wrong?”
“Assistant Nan certainly has a big heart—plenty of room for everyone, it seems. Today you’re worried about this one, tomorrow you’ll be helping that one. What about next time?”
Nan Xu set down her chopsticks a little too firmly. “President Xie, please mind the occasion.”
This wasn’t the time or place to discuss private matters.
Xie Hejing fell silent, but the chill radiating from him only deepened. He stayed that way even after the dinner ended, saying nothing as they got into the car.
Remembering all that, Nan Xu pressed her lips together before finally speaking. “I’ll… put on some music.”
Xie Hejing didn’t respond, eyes closed as if pretending to nap.
Not wanting to make things worse, Nan Xu quietly played a soft, calming song and focused on driving.
Outside, the fog was thick, visibility low, and the wet roads forced her to keep the car moving slowly through the misty night.
Xie Hejing felt the air inside the car growing thicker and heavier, like it was pressing down on his chest. There was a tightness in him that couldn’t go up or down—a suffocating frustration that made him want to lash out, but he didn’t know where to direct it.
He thought about saying something to Nan Xu, but realized he couldn’t bring himself to speak harshly to her.
This made him feel even more aggrieved.
Soft, calming music filled the car, but instead of soothing him, it made the fire in his chest burn hotter.
He finally spoke. “Nan Xu, do you even understand that love is supposed to be exclusive?”
Nan Xu seemed to catch on to what was bothering him, but she couldn’t accept it.
Wasn’t it normal to care about a friend?
Who could just sit there and watch a friend get that drunk and do nothing?
“I know love is exclusive,” she said quietly, “but caring isn’t, right?
It’s normal to care about a friend.”
Xie Hejing frowned.
Normal, huh? Then why had she spent the whole time paying attention only to Jiang Qiyi?
Did she even glance at him? Or was she so sure he couldn’t get drunk that she didn’t bother?
He almost wanted to just get completely wasted—so drunk that she would finally see only him.
He was jealous, but his voice came out cold and firm. “Not for me. I only want you to care about me.”
“But you don’t.”
Nan Xu kept her eyes on the road, both hands gripping the steering wheel, unsure how to respond. Silence fell heavy between them—the first real tension of this kind they’d ever had.
When they finally got home, Nan Xu put down her things and went straight to the kitchen. Following a recipe she’d found online, she made a bowl of hangover soup for Xie Hejing.
But just as she set it down in front of him, a knock came at the door.
Nan Xu hurried over and opened it. The moment she saw who it was, her eyes widened in shock.
Jiang Zhiyu was standing outside, holding a small dog in his arms. When the door opened, the dog barked excitedly, its tail wagging so hard it almost took off.
Jiang Zhiyu lifted the dog slightly and smiled. “Xiao Daizi came looking for you again today, but you weren’t home. I thought I’d try my luck tonight. Maybe tomorrow we could—”
“Who are you asking out?”
The voice came from behind her—cold, cutting, and dangerously quiet. It slithered up her spine like a serpent whispering venom into her ear.
A chill ran through Nan Xu’s body. Under normal circumstances, she might’ve been able to defuse it, but not tonight—not when things were already so tense between her and Xie Hejing.
Ignoring politeness entirely, she reached for the door, trying to shut it. But Xie Hejing blocked it with one hand.
He looked at Jiang Zhiyu, a smile curving on his lips—but it was a smile as cold as ice, with barely restrained fury radiating from his whole body.
“I asked you,” he said softly, “who were you planning to meet?”
Jiang Zhiyu froze, clearly stunned. He hadn’t expected another man to be in Nan Xu’s home—let alone one he actually recognized.
“I’m sorry,” Nan Xu said quickly, “I don’t have time tomorrow.”
Before Xie Hejing could react, she took advantage of his distraction, slipped around him, and slammed the door shut with a loud bang.
The sight of her panic—the way she’d rushed to close the door—only fueled his anger further. His expression turned cold and hollow, the faint curl of his lips devoid of warmth.
“Nan Xu,” he said, voice low and empty, “another one?”
He took a step closer. “What are you thinking about now? Still thinking about him? Regretting that you won’t get to see him tomorrow?”
Xie Hejing’s pupils contracted sharply, jealousy blazing in his eyes—an erupting volcano barely contained within.
“Nan Xu, today is the last day. In half an hour, the month will be completely over. Are you very happy?”
The burning madness in his eyes ran wild, and Nan Xu’s heart jumped. She couldn’t help but take a step back.
Xie Hejing clenched his fists.
Nan Xu felt that one step might not be enough, so she continuously took several more steps back until she reached what she considered a safe distance.
“No, I’m not.”
Xie Hejing’s mind was now entirely occupied by rage. All he could replay in his head was the image of Nan Xu stepping back just now.
She was still afraid. Even after all these days, after he had endured so much just to seduce her, it had barely worked. And now, to make matters worse, there was another man asking her out.
Was she tired of him? Was she thinking of saying yes to that man?
She cared about other people, she even cared about other dogs, but she just wouldn’t notice him, who was on the verge of dying from jealousy, and now she was even moving away from him.
Xie Hejing took a deep breath, covered the distance in a few strides, and pulled her back into the room.
Her wrist was pulled painfully. This was the first time Xie Hejing had used so much force on Nan Xu. When he let go, her wrist was red in several places.
Xie Hejing wasn’t blind, but he forced himself to ignore it. He took a rope from the headboard frame.
The gold thread he wanted to craft for Nan Xu wasn’t finished yet, so he could only use this ugly, coarse rope. Xie Hejing’s eyes showed regret.
The moment Nan Xu saw the rope, she was overcome by an unprecedented, boundless fear, bordering on terror.
Xie Hejing’s words from before were not said casually; he meant every single word. He was really going to tie her up!!!
Nan Xu trembled.
She stared intently at Xie Hejing’s actions, yet still cautiously said, “Xie Hejing, I promise you, I’ll only care about you.”
But this sentence was clearly useless to Xie Hejing now; it couldn’t placate his intense possessiveness and pathological jealousy.
He intimately took Nan Xu’s hand, his fingertip tracing her wrist.
Nan Xu flinched even more.
She was afraid of him?!
Xie Hejing was stimulated by the flinch. He directly pulled the rope and wrapped it around Nan Xu’s wrist, then moved her hand toward the headboard.
The other end of the rope was wound around the bedpost. Ultimately, Xie Hejing did not tie it too tightly, afraid that she would be too painfully chafed when she struggled later.
Nan Xu gasped for breath, simply unable to believe that the person tying her up was Xie Hejing. She shouted, “Xie Hejing, are you crazy?”
Xie Hejing did not speak. He had answered this question many times.
He shouldn’t just tell her, he should show her.
“Good girl, make your voice louder later.” He stroked her face, his eyes filled with tenderness.
Nan Xu was terrified and turned her eyes away, refusing to look at him.
Immediately, Xie Hejing ground his teeth together, yet with a strange calm, he walked to the other side and wrapped Nan Xu’s other hand in the same way.
He then looked at her legs, considering whether he should also tie them up, but then thought it didn’t matter—they would be draped over his shoulders and wrapped around his waist later; the effect would be the same.
Xie Hejing leaned over her, kissing her and slowly removing Nan Xu’s clothes.
“Xie Hejing, let me go now, or I will definitely stay far away from you in the future and never see you again.”
Xie Hejing’s heart was sharply pierced, hurting so much he could barely breathe, but he remained silent, simply continuing his actions.
Feeling her whole body turn cold, Nan Xu could no longer hold back and began to sob.
Xie Hejing drove his fingers into his palm, stopping his actions completely above Nan Xu, but not for the purpose of releasing her.
Instead, he said softly, “Be good. Just bear with it for a little while.”
After that, he tried to force himself to ignore Nan Xu’s sobs—but he couldn’t. The more she cried, the more his heart ached.
Couldn’t she just not leave him? Couldn’t she stop being afraid of him? Was it really so hard to love him? To accept him?
He began unbuttoning his shirt, and Nan Xu completely panicked. She cried out, no longer caring about anything else, “Xie Hejing, you lunatic! Let me go—I hate you!”
Xie Hejing’s gaze hardened; he couldn’t hold himself back any longer. In an instant, his upper body was bare.
Just then, his phone rang. He ignored it. But it kept ringing—again and again—until, irritated, he finally answered.
From the other end came Zhang Huiwan’s frantic voice: “Xie Hejing, come home right now! Your father’s had an accident!”
His temples throbbed violently as a storm of emotions hit him all at once, but he forced himself to take it all in.
He bent down and placed a kiss on Nan Xu’s face, but she turned away. He grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him, and warned coldly, “Nan Xu, wait here for me. Don’t leave. No matter where you go, I’ll find you and bring you back.”
Nan Xu said nothing. But Xie Hejing didn’t have time to linger—he hastily dressed, grabbed his phone, and rushed out.
Lying on the bed, Nan Xu stared blankly at the ceiling, lost and uncertain about what to do next.
But soon, her resolve returned.
She knew, she had to leave.
It was 12:09 AM.
The month was over.
That meant she could go, without breaking their agreement.
Only her hands had been tied, and Xie Hejing hadn’t bound them tightly. After a few hard struggles, she managed to free herself.
Quick and efficient, Nan Xu packed her belongings, booked a ticket on her phone, and left the place that had once been their “home for two” without a moment’s hesitation.
By the time Xie Hejing returned, she was gone. The rope lay tossed on the bed.
He stormed into her room like a madman. She took the clothes she had brought with her, and aside from that small pink bag, she didn’t take a single item he had bought.
The cold light in Xie Hejing’s eyes made him want to destroy everything in front of him.
But after a long moment, he forced himself to calm down.
A chilling smile crept across his lips.
She couldn’t escape.
Taw’s Note: This isn’t how you chase someone you like, Xie Hejing ah… (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻