CHAPTER 5: CHAPTER 5: THE FRIGHTENED BEAUTY

Ring! Ring! Ring!

The phone shattered the night’s silence.

"Who could be calling at this hour?" Chen Xueru grabbed the bedside phone with annoyance. "Hello, Liwu? What’s so urgent at this hour? What? What did you say?"

"What exactly happened? You know Big Brother specifically entrusted us with this task! I don’t know how valuable that Pendant is, but since he emphasized its importance so strongly, it must be priceless and absolutely crucial!" Chen Xueru’s anger flared.

"I repeatedly warned you to ensure absolute success and even asked if you needed police assistance. You boasted that your men could retrieve it effortlessly, without involving the police at all. And now look at the mess! The Killer brothers are dead, the Jade Pendant is gone, Luo Shuang has vanished, and we don’t even know who’s responsible!"

"How did the Killer brothers die? A bomb explosion? Nonsense! Ever since our country banned firearms years ago, guns are rare even in Pallet City and Kyoto, let alone bombs and explosives in Suzhou. If word of this gets out, Dongfang Hongde will accuse you of attacking the country!" Chen Xueru snapped.

"What? The scene looks like a bombing, but there’s no trace of explosives?" Chen Xueru glanced at her husband, Zhang Zhichun, and asked in astonishment, "How is that possible? What about the briefcase? Was it blown to pieces too? Are you saying the Jade Pendant might also be..."

After a moment’s thought, Chen Xueru continued, "Let’s not jump to conclusions without concrete evidence. And don’t tell Big Brother about this yet. What? A city-wide manhunt? Absolutely not! Lu Wenxiong is Luo Shuang’s husband, and Luo Shuang is Luo Ning’s younger sister. This whole affair has already offended Luo Ning, and she’s been eyeing your position as District Head. If you make a big show of this, she’ll easily find a way to use it against you. Don’t walk into her trap. Here’s what we’ll do: seal off all major routes leading out of Taymor Riverbank, maintain a low profile, and conduct a discreet investigation."

Zhang Zhichun, having heard his wife mention this matter before, now understood the situation better. After a brief pause, he whispered, "Xueru, tell Liwu to secure the scene. You should go there yourself immediately. You’re the expert in this area; Liwu is still too inexperienced."

"Alright!" Chen Xueru nodded, accepting her husband’s suggestion. "Liwu, secure the scene. I’ll be there immediately to investigate!"

After ending the call, Chen Xueru’s expression turned grave.

Traces of explosives? Could it be...?

Did Luo Ning send the city’s armed special forces? That can’t be right. Then what happened? Damn it, Chen Liwu is such a useless fool! He can’t even handle this simple task. How did he ever become district head...?

The door creaked open. Hearing her mother leave, Yingying tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. Her mind was filled with the image of one person: a handsome face; a tall figure and those lazy eyes paired with a mischievous smile. He was the kind of godlike man who could make any girl’s heart race and soul swoon.

Su Chen-gege, are you asleep? Zhang Yingying texted from her cute pink phone, which she pulled out from under her pillow.

Su Chen was still awake. He had just returned to a modest civilian home on his motorcycle, a place he and two close friends had bought last winter break. It was conveniently located near Pallet City No. 1 High School, where they were now in their second year.

With over a year left before graduation, they figured they deserved their own space. Though they rarely came here, and his relationship with his family hadn’t progressed, it served as a convenient hideaway for his secret affairs. No one yet knew about his "Golden House."

Without turning around, he said dismissively, "Madam Lu, you can go home now," and strode upstairs.

Luo Shuang, however, dared not return home. She followed closely, her heart pounding as she watched the youth, afraid to speak or move. When you’re under someone’s roof, you have no choice but to bow your head.

The building was an old-fashioned three-bedroom unit. Luo Shuang entered and closed the door behind her, but stood frozen, unsure what to do next.

"Thank you, Little Brother," she whispered, "Thank you for saving me..."

The youth hadn’t removed his mask. Up close, Luo Shuang could see his black hair, bangs partially obscuring his forehead. He was of above average height, still growing, and his fair complexion, framed by the mask gave him an unconventional handsomeness.

The young man’s behavior reminded her of her nephew, but his voice was different, and his extraordinary skills made it impossible for her to connect this masked youth with her nephew.

"There’s no need for that," the masked youth said with a frank smile. "To be honest, I didn’t come to rescue you specifically. I was after the Jade Pendant, and saving you was just a happy accident. I don’t need your gratitude. The door is right behind you—you can go home anytime."

Heavens! Even through the mask, Luo Shuang could clearly sense his lazy gaze and carefree smile. He was completely disregarding her beauty and charm, bluntly telling her to go home.

Luo Shuang had always prided herself on her beauty and her ability to manage her husband Lu Wenxiong’s company finances flawlessly, both domestically and internationally. She considered herself a rare talent.

Now, after enduring a series of calamities and facing uncertain dangers—her husband likely dead—she had narrowly escaped death herself. Yet, given Chen Liwu’s temperament and influence, he would never let her go.

Go home? Her house was likely swarming with Chen Liwu’s men, waiting for her to walk right into their trap.

Flee? The Pallet City was vast, but with the Chen Family’s influence, where could she possibly find refuge? Her only hope was to seek help from her sister, Luo Ning, but even escaping Halo Port in Pallet City seemed impossible now. Chen Liwu’s men would likely silence her before she could even reach the docks.

The thought of the Killer brothers’ brutal ruthlessness, combined with Chen Liwu’s mercilessness, left her with only one option: temporarily hide at this young man’s house and wait for Luo Ning to send protection. He was her only chance for survival, but after witnessing his dismissive attitude toward her, would he even take her in?

What secrets did that Jade Pendant hold that had led to her family’s ruin? And she couldn’t let her family know about any of this; they had all opposed her marriage to Lu Wenxiong years ago.

Tearful and desperate, Luo Shuang pleaded softly, "Little Brother, I... I can’t go home..."

"Why can’t you go home?" the masked youth asked, adopting a casual tone. "The Jade Pendant is gone. Chen Liwu wouldn’t go so far as to wipe out your entire family, would he? Besides, you could report this to the police and seek their protection!"

Luo Shuang felt increasingly cornered by the young man’s cold words. Her heart turned icy, and she desperately wanted to bolt out the door. But just then, sirens wailed outside, followed by a cacophony of shouting.

Both of them froze. Su Chen raised a finger, signaling Luo Shuang to be quiet, then swiftly darted behind the curtains, his gaze fixed on the street below. Luo Shuang crept after him, peering through the gap in the door.

They saw flashing headlights and a surging crowd as police cars and armored vehicles streamed down the street. In an instant, the entire area was under lockdown. Police officers swarmed out, fanning out to storm the hotels lining both sides of the street.

Luo Shuang’s heart pounded in terror. She had never witnessed such a spectacle before. Her legs buckled, and she collapsed to her knees at the young man’s feet, her voice trembling with desperation. "Please, don’t turn me out," she pleaded, nearly choking on her words. "Chen Liwu is ruthless; they’ll never let me live. Chen Xueru, the police chief of Pallet City, is his own sister—seeking her protection would be like walking into a trap. Please, take in this unfortunate woman! You’re the only one who can save me now. Please, don’t throw me out!"

Su Chen watched as the beautiful Luo Shuang finally collapsed at his feet, her composure shattered, her vulnerability exposed. Her full shapely legs encased in flesh-toned stockings, peeked through the slit of her low-cut, sleeveless blue dress. Her neck drooped, revealing glimpses of her plump breasts at the neckline, rising and falling with her rapid, anxious breaths. The sight made the youth’s blood boil and his desire surge.

"Shh!" The masked youth snapped back to reality, reaching behind him to flick a switch on the wall. The room plunged into darkness. He then hissed, "Why are you crying? Do you want to alert the guards outside? Do you want them to come and take you away?"

"I..I..." Luo Shuang’s voice trembled with renewed distress.

"Quiet!" The masked youth glared warily at the door as he impatiently reached out to push Luo Shuang’s head down. By sheer accident, Luo Shuang, caught off guard, suddenly found her face pressed against the youth’s body—but not just anywhere. Her face had landed squarely between his legs.

"Oof! What are you doing?" The masked youth gasped, his body jolting violently.

"Mmm! I..I didn’t mean to..." Luo Shuang’s face burned crimson with shame. It’s all your fault, you little rascal! she thought bitterly. You pressed my head down, forcing my face and lips against your thighs, and then you have the nerve to ask me what I’m doing? How unreasonable!

She hadn’t expected him to be aroused. Even through his pants, her lips could feel the boy’s thick hard erection. This reminded her of her own nephew, who was also precociously mature. She recalled their family trip to Yunnan two years ago, when she and her husband, Lu Wenxiong, had taken their nephew on vacation. They had always doted on the boy.

"Alright, stop kneeling. I can’t bear it!" The masked youth, tired of teasing Luo Shuang, reached out and pulled her up. He leaned against the window curtain with her, peeking outside. Whispering in her ear, he said, "Looks like they’re searching for you in hotels and public places."