Li Qianfan's dark blue car, a recent purchase by Su Nanyin after she settled in Sannan, was usually driven by her for personal errands or when taking Su Xin out. Though the car's color was striking, it wasn't ostentatious, and its configuration, performance, and especially its comfort were excellent. After driving Su Nanyin home last night, Li Qianfan had taken the car directly to Dihua Apartment and then driven it to Tiandong today. Unexpectedly, just as he exited the expressway, he saw Du Yaoyao standing by the roadside.
"Why did you suddenly come to Tiandong?" Li Qianfan stopped the car and rolled down the window to ask.
"There's no urgent business at the unit right now, and I was bored at home, so I decided to go out and clear my head," Du Junlin said, turning to signal by the roadside. It was then that Li Qianfan noticed Su Xin sitting in a car by the road. Seeing the signal, Su Xin smiled at Li Qianfan, started her car, and turned towards the expressway tollbooth.
Du Junlin opened the door and got into the passenger seat. "During the New Year, you should be resting at home." Li Qianfan started the car. "I heard from Guanyin that you've never celebrated New Year at home since you started working."
That was true. In the past, when Du Junlin was in Lingnan, the busier she got, the more it coincided with the holidays. This was because overseas drug lords also wanted to take advantage of the holiday season to smuggle their goods into the East and sell them at a higher price.
"My previous job was busiest during the New Year. But my current job doesn't have that sense of urgency." As Du Junlin spoke, she kicked off her black high-top combat boots and rested her feet on the dashboard.
'Why do all the women in the Su family like to sit in cars like this?' Li Qianfan muttered to himself, instinctively sniffing the air. 'There's a strange smell, Sister Yaoyao!'
Du Junlin, unfazed, continued in her cool demeanor, "Besides, due to the special nature of Dark Blade, a formal office location hasn't been finalized yet. Even if I wanted to work overtime and serve the public, I'd need a place to work."
She was right. With the growing impact of the Black Water Forest and the scandal, Su Nanyin's identity as the primary person in charge of the dark web was becoming increasingly known. Director Zhao decided to go with the flow, letting everyone believe that Su Nanyin was the chief executive of a special unit. The plan was to officially establish Dark Blade's office on the seventh day of the Lunar New Year. This would further facilitate Li Wujiang, the true chief executive of Dark Blade, to operate from the shadows. Su Nanyin would attract everyone's attention, while Li Wujiang would identify enemies and lead operations from behind the scenes. This would significantly improve the dark web's work efficiency. Of course, Su Nanyin, standing in the spotlight, would face a dramatically increased risk.
Li Qianfan wasn't concerned about these matters. He simply said, "I'm going to the Bai family's place this time."
Du Junlin nodded. "I know. You want to punish Bai Yujing for daring to set you up and cuckold you. I love doing things like chopping off limbs and gouging out eyes. That's why I eagerly ran out here to wait for you."
Li Qianfan's jaw twitched involuntarily. 'Sigh. Yaoyao's face looks so innocent, who would have thought she was a violent woman?'
"Alright, since you like it, and I happen to be kind-hearted, I'll indulge you," Li Qianfan nodded and accelerated.
Du Junlin, however, asked, "Do I get paid for being your enforcer?"
Li Qianfan looked surprised. "What, is this a paid service for you?"
Du Junlin, hugging her knees, remained silent. Li Qianfan noticed her toes on the dashboard curl slightly, indicating her embarrassment. Li Qianfan understood. "Don't tell me you're short on money?"
Du Junlin retorted, "Do you think I can get tens of millions in pocket money with just a phone call like you can?"
"That's my skill, something you can't envy," Li Qianfan said proudly, yet curiously. "What about your personal savings? After all, you were once the eldest daughter of the Shen family. And after I married Ziyu, you went around shouting that I abandoned you, your fiancée worth billions, to become a live-in son-in-law. You must have been kicked by a dog!"
'Did Du Yaoyao really say those things about Li Qianfan abandoning his billionaire fiancée to become a live-in son-in-law?' Yes, she did. 'So what happened to her billions?'
"Three years ago, when I first started working, my parents prepared a dowry worth billions for me," Du Junlin said softly. "And I managed this fund myself. But..."
But what? She didn't continue. She looked up in the direction of Lingnan, a hint of sadness in her eyes that Li Qianfan couldn't decipher.
When in doubt, ask.
"I took fifteen million yuan from my dowry of 660 million and gave it to the families of the 15 brothers who sacrificed their lives while fighting drugs alongside me during those two years." Du Junlin pursed her lips. "When I saw one brother's wife struggling to raise three young children, my mind went blank, and I anonymously donated all the remaining money to the anti-drug charity fund there. Plus, I lost a lot playing 'Bomb the Flowers' on New Year's Eve and yesterday. To be honest, I'm a pauper now. But Maomaochong and Mom don't know. That's why they wouldn't let me incur debt when I lost at cards."
'Huh?' 'She anonymously donated over six hundred million?' Li Qianfan finally understood why Du Junlin had rushed to Tiandong to be his enforcer to earn money. 'So she's a pauper now?'
(Of course, she still held shares in the Su family's businesses.)
Li Qianfan took out his phone, unlocked it, and handed it to her. "How much do you want as payment? Open your mobile banking and transfer it directly to your card."
Du Junlin asked, "How much pocket money do you have?"
Li Qianfan smiled proudly, saying nothing. Du Junlin opened his mobile banking. Even though Du Yaoyao was a ruthless killer, she was still startled by the long string of numbers and shivered.
"How... how can you have so much pocket money?" Du Junlin asked Li Qianfan, tilting her head in surprise.
Li Qianfan replied, "Stolen, robbed, and tricked. Anyway, I have this much money. Transfer whatever you want."
Du Junlin's eyes lit up. "Will you look down on me because I don't have a dowry?"
Li Qianfan answered, "Yes. But so what? Li Village doesn't need a dowry anyway."
Du Junlin then asked, "Then, if I transfer a bit more, won't you think I'm greedy?"
Li Qianfan asked, "How much do you want?"
Du Junlin held up her left hand, showing five fingers, and dangled them in front of him. Li Qianfan frowned. "Five hundred million? What do you need so much for? Are you planning to donate it all to the poor like Robin Hood?"
Du Junlin said, "I want five million."
'Five million?' Li Qianfan was confused. Five million was a lot for an ordinary person. For Du Junlin, who had anonymously donated over six hundred million, it was a small sum!
Du Junlin began the transfer, muttering, "When I get home, I'll unleash my power and win back the underwear of Maomaochong and the others! Then, I'll return it to you with interest."
Li Qianfan frowned. "You're borrowing money just to gamble against them?"
"Not entirely," Du Junlin said casually. "After this is over, I want to go back to Lingnan. To help Mom find the legendary Miao疆 Gu King. Whether it's finding someone or buying poisonous creatures for raising gu, I'll need money. I'm afraid Mom will find out I'm broke and I won't dare to ask her for mission funds."
'What?' 'You want to go to Lingnan to help Su Nanyin find the legendary Miao疆 Gu King?' Li Qianfan was stunned. Looking at Du Junlin, who was transferring money with her head bowed, he asked, "Did she ask you to find the Gu King? What kind of gu is she raising? Who is it for, and what is it for?" He believed Su Nanyin wouldn't easily reveal the secret of "Four Phoenixes Circling the Pillars" to Maomaochong Yaoyao. Nor would she have the nerve to tell Maomaochong Yaoyao that the gu she planted and the shackles she wore might prevent Li Qianfan from aging. But Li Qianfan never expected Su Nanyin to secretly arrange for Du Yaoyao to go to Lingnan to find the Gu King.
Du Junlin, still looking down at the transfer, replied truthfully, "She didn't tell me the specifics. She only said it's very important and concerns the life and death of a key figure."
Mm. Li Qianfan hummed and asked no further questions.
On the second day of the Lunar New Year, at 3:30 PM, at the foot of a mountain in the provincial capital of Tiandong, stood a place many yearned for: the Flowing Water Pavilion! Many cars were parked in front of the pavilion. From the front courtyard, bursts of laughter could be heard intermittently.
Du Tianci, the eldest young master of the Du family in Tiandong, glanced at the woman being fêted by dozens of men, cursed under his breath, and walked out of the courtyard with disappointment. Leaning against a car, he habitually cursed, "May all those fawning over Jiao Yin die! Especially that unfilial son Bai Yujing who ignores me. I hope his hands are chopped off today!"