13: In Yanjing City, what I say is the law!

Inside the carriage, it was extremely quiet.

Lu Chen's legs were elegantly crossed, his hands resting on his knees, his demeanor relaxed and languid.

Seeing his posture, Chen Mengyao became even more nervous; her small hands twisted together uneasily, her head bowed, and even her breathing became cautious.

The car was much warmer than outside, and combined with her nervousness, a thin layer of sweat quickly appeared on her delicate, fair forehead.

Her already damp clothes clung tightly to her body, outlining her curvaceous, alluring figure.

"Where... are we going?" Chen Mengyao broke the eerie silence, asking cautiously.

Lu Chen raised his eyelids, glancing at her.

Chen Mengyao's skin was very fair, like delicate, tender porcelain, so soft it seemed it could break with a touch.

Denim jeans tightly encased her long, well-proportioned legs, yet the fair ankles hidden beneath the trousers still appeared faintly, sparking endless imagination.

Her wet black hair was spread out behind her head, making her appear exceptionally gentle and obedient, with a touch of fragile vulnerability.

After surveying her, Lu Chen withdrew his gaze and said indifferently, "We're going to the mall to get you a change of clean clothes."

"No need, I can change at home," Chen Mengyao shook her head, quickly refusing.

But Lu Chen ignored her words and continued, "Oh, I also prepared a new contract for you; I've already signed it for you. You just need to take a look."

Saying that, he took out a new contract from a briefcase beside him.

Upon hearing this, Chen Mengyao's beautiful eyes widened instantly, her pupils constricting, as she stared at Lu Chen in astonishment.

"Wh-what... you..." She gaped at the contract in Lu Chen's hand, unable to utter a complete sentence.

How could someone sign a contract for another person!

"You... how can you... what you're doing... has no legal effect!"

Chen Mengyao stammered, unsure what to say, finally managing to blurt out this sentence.

Lu Chen chuckled lightly, tossing the contract into her lap, "In Yanjing City, what I say is the law."

Chen Mengyao numbly held the contract in her arms, her lips twitching slightly, a bitter feeling rising in her heart.

Is this what power is?

Chen Mengyao took a deep breath, trying to suppress the churning bitterness in her chest, and with trembling hands, slowly unfolded the contract in her arms.

The more she read, the more serious her expression became, until finally, she was completely stunned.

The content of this contract was indeed as Lu Chen had said, without any of the sordid conditions she had imagined.

She didn't need to sell her Soul, nor did she even need to sell her... body.

This was not a contract of servitude.

According to the requirements of the contract, she only needed to clean the Lu family home daily and prepare one dinner meal.

She didn't even need to sleep there at night; as long as she completed her daily tasks, she could go home at any time.

Not only could she continue her normal schooling, but she would also receive a generous monthly salary and even a high year-end bonus!

This was practically a job tailor-made for her.

Looking at the string of zeros after the salary amount on the contract, Chen Mengyao's heart pounded, feeling as if it would leap out of her throat.

Ten thousand yuan a month.

The year-end bonus was as high as two hundred thousand.

Neither of these figures was an amount she had ever dared to dream of.

If she earned this salary, she could save enough money for her mother's surgery in at most a year.

Chen Mengyao's fingertips, gripping the contract, gradually turned white, as emotions of excitement and exhilaration filled her heart.

Lu Chen took in her reaction, a slight smile on his face, "How about it? Didn't I lie to you?"

It wasn't that Lu Chen was stingy, only offering ten thousand yuan a month, but rather that if the amount were too large, given Chen Mengyao's personality, she would feel even more resistant and anxious.

Ten thousand yuan was neither too much nor too little, just right.

Hearing this, Chen Mengyao turned to look at Lu Chen.

The man's handsome features were sharply defined, with a high nose bridge and thin lips curved into a faint smile, making him appear gentle and refined.

Come to think of it, this was her first time observing this young master from a wealthy family, who had suddenly entered her life, so seriously.

Last time, he was wearing sunglasses, so she hadn't seen him clearly.

Now that he had taken off his sunglasses, revealing his deep eyes, she realized how beautiful his eyes truly were.

His dark pupils were like stars in the night sky, deep and captivating.

However, the Qi he exuded was noble and distant, as if he were isolated from the world, giving people a sense of aloof indifference.

It was as if an insurmountable chasm separated them.

Especially when Lu Chen's deep gaze fell upon her, Chen Mengyao felt a sense of being seen through.

It was as if she were completely exposed before him, making her feel utterly uncomfortable.

Chen Mengyao nervously averted her gaze, the excitement in her heart receding like a tide, replaced by wariness and caution.

There's no such thing as a free lunch.

She didn't believe Lu Chen would help her without wanting something in return; he must have an ulterior motive.

It was just that she hadn't discovered it yet.

Chen Mengyao bit her pink lower lip, hesitating for a while, then gathered her courage to turn her head and look at Lu Chen, asking cautiously:

"Will you really strictly adhere to the contract's requirements and not make any other excessive demands?"

"Of course," Lu Chen smiled, nodding slightly, "I told you, I am a law-abiding citizen and never do anything illegal."

Chen Mengyao lowered her eyes, staring at the contract in her hand with complex feelings, her lips pressed together in silence.

After a long while, she finally composed herself, masking the emotions in her eyes.

"Okay."

She said softly, her head still bowed.

A faint smile spread across Lu Chen's lips, and he said indifferently:

"To allow you to serve as a maid in the Lu family with no distractions, I will hire the best team of experts from both home and abroad to cure your mother. During this process, you won't have to spend a single penny; I will bear all the costs."

This sentence hit her ears like a bombshell. Chen Mengyao was stunned for several seconds, then raised her head, a look of shock appearing in her eyes.

"You mean... really?" She looked up at Lu Chen, asking uncertainly, her tone, however, betraying a hint of joy she couldn't suppress.

Lu Chen nodded, the smile on his lips growing warmer, "Of course, I, Lu Chen, wouldn't exaggerate about such a matter."

"I... I'll pay you back as soon as possible," Chen Mengyao secretly clenched her small fists, quickly saying, her gaze firm.

Lu Chen's eyebrow slightly raised, looking at her with a half-smile: "You'll pay me back with the salary I give you?"

Chen Mengyao's face flushed, and she immediately lowered her small head, muttering softly, "I don't want the salary anymore. I'll take on other part-time jobs to pay you back..."

Lu Chen snorted softly, his tone domineering and resolute, "Since the contract is signed, it's an employment relationship. The salary will naturally still be given. You just need to do your job well."

Chen Mengyao looked up, still wanting to say something, her cherry lips just parting.

Lu Chen extended his right hand, placing a long, clean index finger on her lips, making a shushing gesture, then said softly:

"Rest for a bit; we'll be there soon."

Chen Mengyao instantly forgot all her thoughts, falling into a daze. She stared with wide eyes at the handsome face so close to her.

His dark, deep eyes seemed to hold a tremendous gravitational pull, as if they would suck away her very Soul.

Chen Mengyao nervously averted her gaze, looking out the car window beside her.

Yanjing City's nightscape was beautiful, neon lights flashing into countless streams of brilliant, colorful light, dazzling and captivating.

Skyscrapers lined the streets, malls were plentiful, pedestrians hurried through the rain, and streetlights cast long shadows from the vehicles.

Outside the carriage, the lights were brilliant, and prosperity flourished.

Inside the carriage, there was a profound silence. Chen Mengyao felt she could even hear her own erratic breathing.

Seeing this, the smile in Lu Chen's eyes deepened.

He lowered his hand, turned to sit beside her, crossed his arms, and leaned back in the seat, his eyes slightly closed.

Chen Mengyao secretly peeked at Lu Chen's profile, her heart pounding wildly.

For a moment, she actually thought Lu Chen seemed quite good.

But it was only for a moment.

The next second, she began to remind herself.

No... Chen Mengyao, you absolutely cannot be misled by his actions.

He has ulterior motives for you; you must guard against him and not relax your vigilance in the slightest!

Chen Mengyao took a deep breath, and soon calmed the turmoil in her heart, becoming as still as water...

Her heart was as still as water...