"Perhaps you think you’re quite formidable, but if I wanted to kill you, it would take no more than a flick of a finger."
As he finished speaking, he snapped his hand forward! The broken blade in his hand flew straight toward Red Rose! It traveled with such velocity that the air along its path let out a shrill, piercing whistle! Red Rose watched as the blade hurtled toward her, feeling as though she were engulfed by the shadow of death. She stood rooted to the spot, unable to move a muscle!
*Swish!*
A second later, the broken blade grazed past her ear. A few strands of her hair fell onto her shoulder, and a bloody gash appeared on her beautiful cheek. The broken blade itself buried itself deep into the wall behind her!
"We’re going up!"
Su Lin ignored Red Rose completely and led Lin Feixuan straight toward the second floor. This time, no one dared to block them; all the underlings stared at Red Rose, waiting for her reaction.
It took more than ten seconds for Red Rose to finally snap back to reality. She touched the cut on her face lightly. Looking at the blood on her fingers, she couldn't help but feel a lingering sense of terror. She knew very well that Su Lin could have killed her just then; he had simply chosen not to, purely for the sake of intimidation.
"Big Sister, what should we do now? Should we call for Master Tian?" one of her men asked cautiously.
"No need. This person’s strength is immense. Even if Master Tian came, he might not be a match for him," Red Rose said, shaking her head. She turned to look at Lin Heihu. "Lin Heihu, who exactly is he?"
"Red Rose, I already told you, this Young Master Su is no ordinary person. As for his true identity, it’s not my place to say, but you only need to know that he is someone neither of us can afford to offend," Lin Heihu replied ambiguously.
Hearing this, Red Rose’s beautiful eyes flickered. Seeming to have made a decision, she also stepped toward the second floor.
Lin Heihu couldn't help but frown. "Red Rose, do you still intend to remain an enemy of Young Master Su?"
Red Rose didn't look back. "Of course not. Regardless, today’s conflict started because of me. Naturally, I must step forward to resolve it and appease Young Master Su's anger."
***
On the other side, Su Lin and Lin Feixuan had just reached the second floor when they heard Jiang Yuqing’s shouts again! Guided by the sound, Su Lin located the private room and kicked the door open!
Inside, Su Lin immediately saw Jiang Yuqing tied up, though she appeared unharmed. Instead, it was Chen Chao who was curled up on the floor in front of her, clutching his stomach in agony!
"Yuqing, are you alright!" Lin Feixuan hurried over and untied the ropes.
"Feixuan, how did you get here?" Jiang Yuqing asked, surprised to see her.
"I found out you’d been grabbed by Red Rose’s people, so I brought Su Lin here to save you! Are you hurt anywhere?" Lin Feixuan checked her over incessantly.
"I’m fine. Chen Chao tried to touch me, but I kicked him away. It’s a good thing you arrived in time," Jiang Yuqing explained, still shaken.
Just then, Chen Chao scrambled up from the floor, his expression twisted. "Jiang Yuqing, you bitch, just you wait! No one can save you today! And you, Lin Feixuan! You’ve crossed me time and time again; today you won't escape either! I’m going to take this chance to handle both of you and make you my bitches!"
Jiang Yuqing’s expression changed instantly. "Feixuan, we should go! This Chen Chao bribed the people at the Red Rose Club. When they come, they won't let us go!"
"Don't worry, with me here, no one will dare to touch you!" Su Lin patted his chest confidently. He then strode toward Chen Chao, looking at him with disdain. "You really are a piece of trash. They went to the trouble of catching her and tying her up for you, yet you still couldn't handle her!"
Humiliated, Chen Chao’s eyes turned red. "You little brat, don't be so arrogant. Since you’re here, let’s settle the score from last time!"
"You want to settle a score with me? Do you even have the strength?" Su Lin didn't take him seriously at all.
Just then, footsteps approached, and Red Rose appeared at the door with her underlings.
"Big Sister Red Rose, you’re finally here! Not only is this person causing trouble at your club, he even tried to lay a hand on me. Hurry, have your men grab them!" Chen Chao pointed at Su Lin, as if he had found his guardian.
"Young Master Chen, don't be anxious. I will handle this. But before that, I have something to say to you." Red Rose smiled faintly and walked slowly toward Chen Chao.
Chen Chao was confused, wondering what she could possibly want to say. Su Lin, however, couldn't care less. Jiang Yuqing was already rescued; if Red Rose dared to cause more trouble, he would simply kill her.
*Slash!*
Suddenly, Red Rose made her move, her right hand swiping quickly across Chen Chao’s neck!
Chen Chao’s eyes widened! A clear line of blood appeared on his neck, and blood began to gush out, quickly soaking his entire upper body. After the initial shock, he frantically clutched his throat, trying to stop the flow, but it was useless! He stared at Red Rose with bulging eyes, wanting to say something, but he couldn't make a sound.
After a few seconds, Chen Chao collapsed straight to the ground, his eyes wide open, his breath gone.
A single slash to the throat! Dead with eyes wide open!
***
Seeing Chen Chao’s corpse, Lin Feixuan and Jiang Yuqing both turned pale. They hadn't expected Red Rose to kill him so suddenly, and with such decisive, ruthless efficiency.
"Heh, interesting." Su Lin looked at Red Rose with a playful, curious gaze.
"What are you standing around for? Drag his body out!" Red Rose barked coldly at her men. They finally snapped to their senses and hurried to carry the corpse out of the room.
"Young Master, what happened before was my fault for offending your friend. What just happened... consider it an apology. I hope you can forgive me." Red Rose turned to face Su Lin, the icy demeanor gone, replaced by a polite smile.
"Is this enough to earn my forgiveness?" Su Lin asked, crossing his arms with a mocking grin.
"Then tell me, Young Master, what would it take for you to forgive me? Whatever request you have, I won't refuse!" Red Rose’s words were heavy with implication.
"Really?" Su Lin’s eyes lit up.
"Of course. I’m more than happy to serve someone as powerful as you," Red Rose purred, licking her red lips, looking more alluring than ever.
"Well then, I won't hold back!" Su Lin laughed with malicious intent.
"Su Lin! What are you doing? You’re Sister Bingyu’s husband! If you dare to do anything to betray her, I will never forgive you!" Lin Feixuan warned angrily.
Su Lin acted as if he hadn't heard her. He walked up to Red Rose and reached out a hand toward her shoulder.
Red Rose felt a sliver of mocking triumph. Even if Su Lin was powerful, what of it? In the end, he’d still bow before her! Once he was lost in her charms, using him would be as easy as commanding a dog!
Just as she was thinking this, Su Lin patted her shoulder and nodded with satisfaction. "You’ve got a decent build. How about you do a hundred push-ups?"
"What?" Red Rose’s eyes went wide with disbelief. A great beauty like her, standing right here, and he only wanted her to do push-ups? Was that really polite?
"What? You don't want to? If you refuse, I’m going to be very angry, and the consequences will be severe!" Su Lin warned with a frown.
"I’ll do it!" Red Rose gritted her teeth and agreed. She moved to the side, dropped to the floor, and began her push-ups. It had to be said, watching such a beautiful woman engage in exercise was quite a treat. But Red Rose was no ordinary person, and she finished the hundred repetitions quickly.
"Young Master, will this do?" Red Rose stood up, her face flushed, breathing heavily from the exertion, her voice laced with a faint gasp.
"Seeing how sincere you are, I’ll let it slide this time," Su Lin said, no longer making things difficult for her.
"Su Lin, can we go now?" Lin Feixuan asked, clearly dissatisfied. Red Rose’s flirtatious behavior made her feel extremely repulsed.
"Let’s go!" Su Lin nodded and left the club with them.
Red Rose watched Su Lin’s back, her beautiful eyes turning deep and contemplative. She had seen many men, but Su Lin was one of the few who had remained indifferent to her charms. She just wasn't sure exactly how strong his real power was—and whether it was worth giving up her own agenda for him.
***
Once outside, Lin Feixuan suddenly looked at Su Lin and said sarcastically, "Su Lin, that Red Rose seemed interested in you. Are you sure you were willing to leave just like that?"
"Sigh! A man as outstanding as me is bound to attract attention wherever he goes. It can't be helped!" Su Lin sighed helplessly.
"Narcissist!" Lin Feixuan rolled her eyes at him. But thinking back to Su Lin’s domineering presence in the club, she had to admit that he did indeed have a very masculine charisma.
"Su Lin, thank you so much for today. If you hadn't come to save me, I would have been in real trouble!" Jiang Yuqing looked at him with sincere gratitude.
"It was nothing. Besides, we’re 'daytime lovers,' so it was the least I could do!" Su Lin laughed, not taking it seriously. Jiang Yuqing remembered how they had pretended to be a couple in front of Chen Chao and couldn't help but blush.
Just then, Su Lin remembered something and turned to Lin Feixuan. "You said earlier that because I saved Yuqing, you owe me a favor, right?"
"That’s right," Lin Feixuan nodded.
"So, how do you intend to repay that favor?" Su Lin looked at her playfully.
"Why are you looking at me like that? It’s just a favor! Tell me what you want me to do!" Lin Feixuan felt completely uncomfortable under his gaze.
"We’re all friends, so I won't make it hard for you. Like I said before, just call me 'Daddy,' and we’ll be even." Su Lin patted his chest with a magnanimous air.
"Get lost!" Lin Feixuan was furious! She began to suspect that Su Lin had some kind of weird fetish; why else would he keep harping on about her calling him "Daddy"?
"Fine, don't call it then. Why so fierce?" Su Lin muttered, disappointed.
"Yuqing, don't listen to this pervert, let's go!" Lin Feixuan didn't want to say another word to him and dragged Jiang Yuqing away!
"Sigh, what heartless women. They were so eager when they needed me, but once they were done, they pulled up their skirts and acted like they didn't know me!" Su Lin let out a plaintive sigh.
Lin Feixuan nearly tripped upon hearing that. Ultimately, she suppressed the urge to turn around and beat him up, and left straight away.
Once she was far off, Su Lin turned to Lin Heihu, who had followed him out.
"Young Master Su, is there anything else you need me to do?" Lin Heihu asked, acting like a sycophant.
"Not for now. Go back to your own business. If I really need anything later, I’ll call you," Su Lin waved him off.
"Understood, Young Master Su!" Lin Heihu looked delighted and practically skipped away. A while ago at the Dihao Club, Su Lin had said he would "consider" letting him work for him; now, he was talking about calling him if he needed anything. This meant their relationship had taken a step forward! Lin Heihu was certain that as long as he could stay by Su Lin’s side, his destiny would surely change.
***
After everyone left, Su Lin had nothing else to do, so he headed back to Fengyue Pavilion. This time, no one stopped him, and he soon reached Xiao Qianmei’s room.
He pushed the door open and walked inside. A wave of fragrance washed over him, and he felt his upper body enveloped by a burning, soft warmth.
Su Lin looked helplessly at Xiao Qianmei, who was inches away. "Senior Sister, what are you doing?"
Xiao Qianmei pressed her body tightly against his and breathed out a fragrant sigh. "Little bastard, what do you think? I missed you, of course! And I missed you so much I couldn't stand it!"
***
"Senior Sister, can you be serious for a moment?" Su Lin felt Xiao Qianmei’s fiery body and dared not move. He was at a blood-hot age; it would be far too easy to spark a fire he couldn't put out!
"Junior Brother, that’s so mean! I’ve been so good to you, I’m practically ready to give myself to you—how is that not serious?" Xiao Qianmei’s hot breath intensified.
"Forget it, Senior Sister. I’m not interested in you!" Su Lin took two steps to the side, widening the gap between them.
Xiao Qianmei suddenly grabbed him, a playful smile on her face. "Junior Brother, you men really are creatures who say one thing and mean another. But your reaction didn't lie to me!"
*She’s a succubus!* Su Lin couldn't help but take a deep breath. Was Xiao Qianmei really not afraid that he would eventually consume her?
"Junior Brother, tell me, why did you come to see me today?" Xiao Qianmei sat down on the sofa.
"Nothing much. I just wanted to ask if there’s been any progress in investigating my background," Su Lin said, stating the purpose of his visit.
"No news yet. After all, trying to trace a background based on nothing but a jade pendant isn't exactly easy," Xiao Qianmei shook her head.
"I see." Su Lin didn't say anything more. He hadn't held out much hope for his background anyway.
"Oh, by the way, there is something regarding your wife that I think you should know beforehand," Xiao Qianmei suddenly changed the subject.
"What is it?" Su Lin looked at her curiously.
"Your wife is Xia Bingyu, right? I checked into her; she’s from the Xiashi Group. And not only that, back in university, she was the campus belle—she had countless suitors." Xiao Qianmei spoke unhurriedly.
"My wife is beautiful, so isn't that normal?" Su Lin was increasingly puzzled.
"Don't be so impatient, Junior Brother. Let me finish." Xiao Qianmei hooked the corner of her mouth into a smile. "According to the information I found, when Xia Bingyu was in school, she had a male friend—or you could call him a boyfriend. They were very close, and there were even rumors that they planned to get married after graduation, but later, due to arrangements by Guo Feiheng’s family, he was forced to go abroad. Before he left, they made a pact to wait for each other. Did Xia Bingyu tell you about this?"
Su Lin frowned. This was something he hadn't known.
"Junior Brother, you really didn't know? You’ve been married for a while now, have you even 'tasted' her yet?" Xiao Qianmei looked at him with a provocative gaze.
"Senior Sister, how do you know all this?" Su Lin asked instead of answering.
Xiao Qianmei laughed even more happily. Su Lin’s reaction was an answer in itself. She giggled, "Little Junior Brother, did you forget? I control the Fengyue Pavilion in Jiang City. Digging up information on an ordinary person is as easy as pie."
"Little Junior Brother, based on this, that woman might just be using you. You should be careful. Or, why not just move in with your Senior Sister? I’ll make sure to treat you well!"
Su Lin coughed twice. "I think I’ll pass on that. Besides, my wife treats me quite well; I trust her!"
"Wife this, wife that—I don't see what’s so great about that woman," Xiao Qianmei huffed, full of jealousy.
"Alright, Senior Sister, I have other things to attend to. We’ll talk another day. Bye!" Su Lin didn't dare stay any longer and bade her farewell. If he stayed any later, he didn't know what this Senior Sister might do to him!
Xiao Qianmei watched his back, the smile on her lips growing deeper. Having spent so many years with him on the mountain, she knew her Junior Brother better than anyone! Don't let his laid-back exterior fool you; his true nature was craftier than any old fox. As for what she’d just told him, it certainly wouldn't have any real impact. But through it, she had learned the thing she cared about most: Su Lin was still innocent! It seemed she would have to speed up her plans to take him for herself!
***
After leaving Fengyue Pavilion, Su Lin headed straight back to the Xia family villa. As soon as he entered, he saw Xia Bingyu and Lin Feixuan chatting with worried expressions.
"Wife, what are you two talking about?" Su Lin stepped forward.
"Just some company matters. You wouldn't understand," Xia Bingyu said, shaking her head wearily.
"Wife, how can you know if I won't understand if you don't tell me? Maybe I can help you!" Su Lin looked at her earnestly.
"Actually, it’s nothing much. It’s just that the company’s R&D for a new product has hit a bottleneck, and they’ve been unable to successfully develop it. Meanwhile, the Wang Group’s new product is blowing up, causing my company’s market share to shrink day by day," Lin Feixuan explained.
"Is that all? I remember you telling me about that before," Su Lin said. After listening to Lin Feixuan, he patted his chest and turned around, beginning to search for something in the living room.