In the dining room.
Li Yingwan listlessly played with the food in her bowl with her chopsticks, clearly distracted.
Jiang Yingzi sat opposite her daughter, holding chopsticks in one hand and poring over the factory's financial quarterly report in the other.
After a while, Jiang Yingzi looked up at her daughter and frowned. "If you're eating, then eat properly. What kind of way is this to behave?"
Li Yingwan pouted and muttered softly, "None of your business."
Her voice was low, clearly suppressed, but Jiang Yingzi still heard it.
She felt somewhat helpless.
The relationship between mother and daughter had become somewhat subtle and awkward. In the past, Li Yingwan would have been obedient and cute in front of her mother, well-behaved and sensible. But ever since her father died, Li Yingwan had gone through a significant ordeal, and her temperament had become increasingly obstinate.
And recently, at that dinner, when Jiang Yingzi had personally told Chen Nuo to "work like an ox and horse" for him, in an almost groveling posture, she was virtually ready to send her daughter away. Then, when the mother and daughter talked, Jiang Yingzi bluntly said she was preparing to give her daughter to a chaebol.
After those words, a deep rift had formed in their relationship.
During their recent days together, whenever Li Yingwan and her mother occasionally quarreled, Li Yingwan sometimes couldn't help but burst out, "Anyway, you either want me to climb into Chen Nuo's bed or be sent as a mistress to a chaebol... So why do you care about me? As long as I look good and have a good figure, it's fine for me to be a plaything for men! Why bother with anything else?"
These words left Jiang Yingzi speechless.
At the moment, looking at her daughter's face, Jiang Yingzi also felt a headache. After thinking for a moment, she simply changed the subject. "Hasn't Chen Nuo contacted you these past two days?"
"...No!" Li Yingwan fumed, her chopsticks scratching noisily against her bowl.
"Then you could take the initiative to talk to him."
"I'm not talking to him anymore!" Li Yingwan frowned. "I send ten texts, and he might reply to one. I say eight or ten sentences, and he replies with just one or two words. Oppa is either busy or doesn't want to talk to me. What's the point if I'm always the one initiating!"
Jiang Yingzi looked at her daughter and suddenly asked, "So you don't like him anymore?"
"Whoever likes him again is a puppy!"
Jiang Yingzi nodded. Then her gaze suddenly fell to a spot behind Li Yingwan, a surprised expression on her face. "Ah! Chen Nuo?"
Li Yingwan's expression changed instantly. The resentment on her face vanished, replaced by a radiant smile as she turned around in surprise. "Oppa!!"
The restaurant entrance behind her was empty. There was no one there.
Li Yingwan glared back at her mother, but Jiang Yingzi just pursed her lips and smiled. "Puppy, hurry up and finish the rice in your bowl."
"..."
"If you really miss him, you should go see him."
"Oppa won't let me go back to school. He said your issues aren't resolved yet and asked me to stay by your side."
"...Then you can go to his house to find him. You'll be very safe by his side too."
Li Yingwan was clearly tempted. "But if I go, I'll be disobeying him. Won't he be angry?"
Jiang Yingzi laughed, looked at her daughter, and then whispered softly, "You don't understand. Boys at this age often say one thing and mean another. I just can't believe that a man could stay mad when faced with a girl like my daughter—so beautiful, so fond of him, and so devoted."
Li Yingwan dropped her chopsticks and suddenly stood up. "I'm going right now!!"
Watching her daughter leave the dining table and run towards the restaurant's exit, Jiang Yingzi smiled faintly.
「」
Li Yingwan ran out of the restaurant and was about to hail a taxi at the roadside.
Suddenly, to her left, she saw a little girl crouched under a streetlight, holding her face in her hands and sobbing softly. She didn't look very old, small and short, squatting there all alone, her hands cradling her face as she cried. Li Yingwan looked around—the street was deserted, and there were no adults near the little girl.
Li Yingwan walked over, cleared her throat, and spoke in somewhat stiff Huaxia. "Um, hey."
The girl kept her head down, crying.
Li Yingwan raised her voice a bit. "Hey, little sister."
The girl lifted her head. Her innocent, large eyes looked at Li Yingwan pitifully, her long eyelashes fluttering like tiny fans. The little girl was extremely delicate, her eyes shimmering as if they contained stars. She wore a little coat with a cartoon robot cat on it and had a Chibi Maruko-chan backpack slung on her back.
Li Yingwan's eyes widened instantly. She's adorable!
She squatted down beside the girl. "Little girl, what happened?"
The girl blinked, her voice whimpering. "I... I can't find my way home..."
Oh, she's lost, Li Yingwan thought.
She pondered for a moment. "Did you come out here alone?"
"No, I went out with my sister. We took the bus, and I fell asleep... When I woke up, my sister was gone. I got off the bus to look for her, but I couldn't find her anywhere..."
Seeing the girl crying so sadly, Li Yingwan hurriedly stroked her head.
The long-legged girl's heart softened at once. She patiently asked a few more questions. From the girl's jumbled answers, Li Yingwan pieced together some rough clues. The girl had come to Jinling City with her sister for fun. They had taken a bus, but she fell asleep. For some reason, her sister had gotten off the bus and left her behind. When the girl woke up, she couldn't find her family, so she hurried off the bus and ended up lost.
"Then... how about I take you home?" Li Yingwan asked the little girl with a beaming smile.
The little girl shrank back warily, looking at Li Yingwan with fear. "My sister said... not to go with strangers."
"But I'm not a bad person!"
"..." The little girl clearly looked at Li Yingwan with a scrutinizing gaze.
Li Yingwan put on a stern face. "Hey! I look so nice, how can I be a bad person? Bad people are always ugly, okay! Don't you watch TV?"
The little girl seemed convinced.
Li Yingwan sweet-talked her for a while longer and finally managed to take the little girl's hand, helping her up from the ground.
The long-legged girl felt a surge of pride. "Do you remember which hotel you and your sister are staying at?"
"I remember." The little girl fumbled in her backpack and pulled out a room card with the hotel's name on it.
"Oh, I know this hotel. It's in the city center," Li Yingwan mused. "I'll take you back. You're lucky to have met a good person like me today."
The little girl looked down at her toes, seemingly too shy to speak.
Li Yingwan hailed a taxi and helped the girl into the car.
Inside the car, Li Malang, still very interested, continued to chat with the little girl.
"How old are you?"
"Eight and a half."
"Why is your hair white? Did your family dye it for you? It's so interesting! Really pretty."
"...Thank you, sister."
"Little sister, what's your name?"
"I'm Little Candy," she replied in a childish voice.
(Approaching suspect target, check!)
Before Lu Xixi went missing, she accepted a mission under a pseudonym to assassinate this girl's mother! Then, Lu Xixi suddenly disappeared!
The nine-year-old loli sneered inwardly.
「」
Zhang Linsheng climbed out of bed at noon. His father had been working overtime at the factory for the past two days and had stayed there for two nights without coming home. His mother had worked overnight at a KTV, came home briefly in the morning, and then went to the factory to bring his father clothes and food. So, Zhang Linsheng had slept until noon, clearly skipping school, but there was no one at home to mind.
After waking up, Zhang Linsheng lay on his bed and stared blankly for a while. The rush of youthful arrogance from the previous night had now subsided.
Remembering how I boldly threw all that money on the table... It felt great at the time. But now that I'm awake, clear-headed and rational again, I can't help but feel bitter. Damn... it stings! Eight thousand yuan! That was enough for so many new outfits, so many pairs of leather shoes, and even the latest, most expensive Nokia phone... Showing off felt amazing then, but... now I'm regretting it so much!
After lying in bed for a while longer, he picked up his phone to check the time. He noticed two missed calls from Qu Xiaoling and three text messages.
"Brother Haonan, are you coming to pick me up after work tonight?" (11:30 PM)
"Brother Haonan, are you mad? Why didn't you answer my call?" (1:40 AM)
"Brother Haonan, did you fall asleep? Can you call me back when you wake up?" (5:15 AM)
Zhang Linsheng exhaled. His finger hovered over the call button for a few seconds, but he ultimately decided against it.
After getting up, washing, and dressing, Zhang Linsheng suddenly slapped his forehead.
I forgot the gifts I bought for Mom and Dad yesterday! It seems... I left them at the nightclub!
He hesitated for a moment, thinking about calling Brother Lei to ask if he'd seen them, but he felt a bit embarrassed. After some thought, Zhang Linsheng decided not to bother anyone and to go look for them himself. The nightclub was in a five-star hotel in the city center; Zhang Linsheng remembered that clearly.
Yeah, Room 888. I should go ask. Maybe the cleaning staff found them.
Anxious, Brother Haonan quickly left the house. He didn't want to wait for the bus, so he generously hailed a taxi downstairs.
「」
Half an hour later, the taxi stopped at the hotel's main entrance. As soon as Zhang Linsheng got out, he saw a familiar figure on the hotel lobby steps.
Huh? That... South Korean girl?
Zhang Linsheng naturally recognized Li Yingwan. The first time Chen Nuo had carried him off, Li Yingwan had been there. Later, at school, this long-legged girl was always seen close to Chen Nuo, and Zhang Linsheng had seen her a few times too, though he hadn't really spoken with her.
Zhang Linsheng hadn't intended to greet her and was planning to keep his head down and walk past, but Li Yingwan saw him first.
"Eh? Are you Zhang... Haonan?"
"Uh?" Zhang Linsheng stopped and hesitantly walked over. "Hello."
"I recognize you. You're from our school, Zhang Haonan."
"...It's Zhang Lin... Ah, never mind, it's close enough." Brother Haonan smiled wryly and nodded, offering a somewhat stiff greeting, "Hello. What are you doing here?"
It was just a casual pleasantry—the kind of habitual exchange common among Huaxia people. He wasn't actually concerned; it was just a polite question. But Li Yingwan, being South Korean and having that national trait of taking things quite literally, gave a very earnest answer.
"I came across a little girl who got lost. She said she lives in this hotel, so I brought her back." As she spoke, Li Yingwan pointed to her side.
Zhang Linsheng had already noticed the nine-year-old loli. It was hard not to; she was strikingly pretty and cute, with conspicuous white hair. Zhang Linsheng observed the nine-year-old loli, while Yu Naitang deliberately hid behind Li Yingwan—acting appropriately for a girl her age.
But I feel a subtle, incongruous sensation, Zhang Linsheng thought. The little girl seems fine... pretty and cute, with a somewhat shy and timid look. But... something just doesn't feel right.
Glancing at Li Yingwan, Zhang Linsheng frowned. "She got lost, and you brought her back?"
"Yeah. She said her family lives in this hotel, so I just need to take her back to her room."
Zhang Linsheng pondered for a moment. He felt a knot of indecision but still spoke up. "Well, since we've run into each other... I'll go upstairs with you."
Yeah, I think I saw a news report last month about traffickers using children as bait to lure people to isolated places and then kidnap them... he recalled.
Li Yingwan didn't think much of it, just assuming this classmate was being friendly, and nodded. "Sure."
The three of them walked inside together, passing through the lobby and straight into the elevator. Li Yingwan used the room card the nine-year-old loli had given her to activate the elevator, then pressed the floor number. The elevator doors closed.
Zhang Linsheng felt a bit awkward and tried to make small talk. "So, how do you remember me?"
"Of course I remember! Chen Nuo oppa has carried you twice!"
...Okay, forget I asked! Zhang Linsheng thought. Still, I've heard this Goryeo girl and Chen Nuo are also quite close... and I once saw them together on the school rooftop. Ah, that guy Chen Nuo. One Sun Keke, one Li Yingwan... and now suddenly there's another wife popping out of nowhere. Hmph, cheater!
「」
DING!
The elevator reached the floor.
The nine-year-old loli was the first to step out, then turned back to look at the young man and woman, "We're here." A hidden smile flickered in her eyes.
The three of them arrived at the room door. Li Yingwan rang the doorbell, but no one answered.
"Little Candy, looks like your sister isn't back yet."
The nine-year-old loli didn't speak, just blinked at the two of them.
"Well, I'll use your room card to open the door then. We can't just leave you in the hallway..."
Li Yingwan took the room card, swiped the lock, and the door clicked open. She pushed it open...
The three walked into the room. Li Yingwan went further inside and looked around; indeed, no one was there.
At that moment, however, Zhang Linsheng suddenly frowned.
He abruptly realized where that strange feeling of unease had come from!
This little girl! Although her face bore the flawless, shy, timid expression typical of a child... her breathing had been consistently, remarkably steady! And her breath... it carried a peculiar rhythm that gave Zhang Linsheng, a martial artist, a strange, almost mystical sensation...
Zhang Linsheng whirled around!
By the door, Yu Naitang had already closed it.
The small loli faced the older boy and girl. She slowly lifted her head, a peculiar smile spreading across her face...
「」
At the same time.
Chen Nuo was buying a bed.
In the second-hand market on Tangzi Street, Chen Nuo and Lu Xixi arrived at the store they had visited yesterday.
"Boss, do you have any beds that are cheap but good quality? We need one that's sturdy."
The owner, a middle-aged woman around forty, was sitting there reading a magazine. Hearing the question, she immediately looked up. "Yes, I... Eh??"
She looked at the young man before her, then glanced at Lu Xixi by his side.
"You were here yesterday, weren't you?" the owner thought, her eyes widening. It was hard to forget such an odd pair of young people. The guy looked young, with a very fresh face, handsome too... He seemed so refined, but when it came to haggling, he was absolutely ruthless! And the girl—the owner remembered she called the boy 'husband' yesterday—was unbelievably beautiful! And she clearly seemed a bit older than him. Such a strange combination was naturally very memorable.
"Err, didn't you buy a bed yesterday?" the owner asked.
"The quality was too poor. It broke," Chen Nuo said.
"Impossible!" the owner immediately exclaimed. "How can anything I sell be poor quality! My goods are all recycled old furniture, but I inspect them thoroughly when I acquire them! If there's any damage, I have workers repair it before selling!"
"Err..." Chen Nuo was speechless.
Boss, if I told you we broke the bed... with our activities... would you believe me?
"Young man, why don't you bring back the bed you bought yesterday? I can help you repair it. You're young; why waste money?" the owner said considerately.
But it wasn't necessarily out of pure kindness. The profit from repairs was much greater than selling another bed.
Chen Nuo thought about the bed at home, now in pieces.
If I really brought it back, it would probably terrify her.
"No need, no need," Chen Nuo shook his head. "Just recommend another bed."
The owner looked suspiciously at Chen Nuo, then at Lu Xixi. Lu Xixi was obviously a bit awkward, her gaze drifting elsewhere.
The owner instantly composed a thousand-word melodrama in her head. Ah, young people these days...
Gathering her spirits, she led Chen Nuo around the shop again.
While Chen Nuo listened to the owner's enthusiastic sales pitch, his phone vibrated twice in his pocket. He took it out and glanced at it. Instantly, sweat beaded on his forehead.
The message was from Brother Lei: "Boss Nuo, Keke is at the shop looking for you!"
Damn it! Brother Lei's shop is less than two hundred meters from here in a straight line!!
Chen Nuo's legs felt weak. He glanced at Lu Xixi, who hadn't noticed anything and was still listening to the owner eagerly recommend a bed frame.
Chen Nuo took a couple of steps away, about to reply.
BUZZ. BUZZ.
The phone vibrated again. Another text from Brother Lei.
"Keke said you told her you work for me. I lied and said you were out on an errand. Don't mess this up when you talk to her. I've sent her away."
Phew! Chen Nuo let out a long breath. Brother Lei is still trustworthy.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead.
BUZZ. BUZZ!
Another message.
Brother Lei: "Boss Nuo! Bad news! I was just about to send her off when one of my guys blabbed! He said he thought he saw you near the furniture store at the intersection! Keke is heading your way!"
FUCK!! Now Chen Nuo wasn't just sweating from his forehead; his back was drenched too.
He quickly turned and grabbed Lu Xixi. He looked around nervously.
The owner was saying, "This bed is really good. The material is very sturdy, and look, these parts and screws are all very new..."
"Stop talking! We'll take it! This one!" Chen Nuo nodded immediately.
"Ah?" The owner paused—she had been about to recommend another one—but quickly continued, "This bed, then. Six hundred eighty. If you're serious, this price is..."
"Six hundred eighty! I'll take it!" Chen Nuo pulled out his wallet and quickly counted out seven one-hundred-yuan bills.
What? He's not haggling? Yesterday, this kid bargained so fiercely! Even after we agreed on a price, he still insisted I throw in a pack of spare screws! the owner thought.
"Hold on, I'll get your change..."
"No need for change!" Chen Nuo said quickly. "Use the extra twenty for another pack of spare screws! The address is the same as yesterday! Just have your driver deliver it! We have to go; something came up..."
With that, Chen Nuo pulled Lu Xixi and started running out of the furniture mall.
Lu Xixi, bewildered, was pulled to the entrance by Chen Nuo when he suddenly stopped dead.
By the roadside, Sun Keke was looking around as she walked over!
Chen Yanluo felt his soul about to flee his body.
This isn't just any Asura Field!! When School Belle Sun ran into Li Yingwan, that Asura Field was, at most, just two girls bickering and getting huffy! But the one beside me right now... she has the power to demolish an entire street with her bare hands! And... this street-demolishing individual is also a goddamn lunatic with a few screws loose who could snap at any moment! Are you scared yet?! You tell me how hard this is!!
Seeing Sun Keke approaching the furniture mall entrance...
Chen Nuo suddenly turned to Lu Xixi and blurted out, "Honey, I really need to use the bathroom! Wait here for me, okay?"
"Ah?" Lu Xixi had just turned her head when she saw Chen Nuo bolt...
Sun Keke walked into the mall. She didn't see Chen Nuo's retreating figure, but her attention was immediately captured by Lu Xixi.
Even by School Belle Sun's standards, her first glimpse of Lu Xixi left her stunned.
This woman is just unfairly beautiful!!
Sun Keke couldn't help staring at Lu Xixi for several moments. Then... she subconsciously glanced down at her own chest.
Damn... I'm outclassed.
The young woman instinctively puffed out her chest a little.
She looked at Lu Xixi again...
Suddenly, a flicker of doubt crossed Sun Keke's mind. That hoodie the beauty is wearing... it looks kind of familiar. That guy Chen Nuo... I think he has an identical one.