Yue Zitong, though appreciating a strong physique akin to He Lan Fus's, found no solace in this man—he was not He Lan Fus, nor even Li Nanfang!Why did Yue think of Li Nanfang in this moment? Perhaps because he had been intimate with her and was favored by the Yue family patriarch as a potential son-in-law. Better to be wronged by Li Nanfang than by this masked fiend.Tears streamed as Yue silently cursed the man, who coldly advised her to stop crying. His hand slid over her body, and Yue, devoid of strength, endured the humiliation.Yue hoped it was all a dream, that upon reopening her eyes, the demon would vanish. When she finally did, the demon was gone. Had it all been a nightmare?Dazed, Yue stared at the window. Moments later, her nerves tensed again. This was reality—she lay naked on the sofa, her clothes missing, as a faint whistling emanated from the bathroom.Chapter 67: The Texture's All Wrong"Director Jin, aren't you afraid of violating discipline by doing this?" Yue Zitong slowly closed the door and asked coldly."You could report me to the disciplinary committee," Jin Baiyong said, pouring two glasses of wine before sitting down. His expression was indifferent, but his gaze felt like invisible hands eager to strip her bare. "But even if you do, no one would believe you. Even if you're secretly recording, my secretary can vouch that I've been in Beijing seeking medical help for my son since this afternoon."Yue Zitong laughed lightly and sat across from him. "I admire your caution, but I admire your shamelessness more.""I don't believe in karma. I only believe that when you pay, you reap rewards," Jin Baiyong said calmly. "You crippling my son was my payment. Gaining you is my reward. I never take what's not mine. Anything I take, I've paid the price for.""Can your son's legs match the value of Kai Huang Group, worth billions?"" Not yet, but I'll make you see how valuable they are." Jin Baiyong paused, then added, "You might not know, but after the New Year's rotation, I'll be promoted for my outstanding work."Yue Zitong picked up her wine glass and swirled it. "So you're saying your son's legs will become as valuable as Kai Huang Group?""Temporarily unequal, but I'll make you realize how priceless my son's legs are," Jin Baiyong said, clinking his glass with hers. "I can give you three more minutes to consider. If you disagree, you can leave, and we'll pretend this night never happened. If you agree, let's drink to it. From this moment on, you'll be my woman, and I'll show you the perks of being mine—both in career and in bed.""Is that so?" Yue Zitong raised her glass and drank it all in one gulp. The red wine trickled down the corner of her mouth like a little scarlet snake, enhancing her allure."Tonight, I'll let you taste the physical perks first," Jin Baiyong said, draining his glass. Yue Zitong resigned herself to fate and began refilling the glasses.Jin stood up, moved to sit beside her, and boldly reached under her dress. "Is there Viagra in your glass?" Yue Zitong teasingly twisted her body, her eyes suddenly seductive. "Without it, you wouldn't just fail to impress me physically, you might not even handle a touch without... ""You—" Jin Baiyong's nerves suddenly shrank. The texture was off—soft and mushy, like a waterlogged balloon."Gentle, or it might burst," Yue Zitong cooed sweetly."Who are you?!" Jin Baiyong yanked his hand back, startled.Yue Zitong smirked. "Too late to ask now. I'm Li Nanfang."Before Jin could react, Yue Zitong pulled him back onto the sofa, grabbed the wine bottle, and smashed it against his head. Jin collapsed unconscious.After a while, Jin regained consciousness. The first thing he heard was urgent footsteps outside the door. The first thing he felt was excruciating pain below. Yue Zitong's voice echoed in his ears: "This is me doing good. Don't interfere.""Ahhh!" The door burst open, followed by a woman's scream. Police swarmed in, and Han Jun, on duty and investigating the recent killings, arrived at Room 1101. He saw a naked man on the sofa, bleeding from below, and a terrified naked woman."Save me... It was Yue Zitong from Kai Huang Group," Jin weakly accused before fainting again.Han Jun glanced at Jin's injury and shuddered. The资深公务员's private part was utterly ruined by a shattered wine bottle. Yue Zitong? Could she really be capable of such brutality? But Jin had been aggressively pursuing her. Han Jun ordered an ambulance.Watching Jin being rushed away, Li Nanfang, hiding nearby, sneered and strutted off in high heels. He'd spent twenty thousand on a professional escort to frame Jin. The escort's memory and performance would surely implicate Yue Zitong.Li Nanfang decided to hire her again, despite the steep fee, and sighed over the burning clothes and accessories he'd bought for her. He tossed them into the fire, warning Yue Zitong not to flaunt expensive items.After the last high heel turned to ash, Li Nanfang, now in loose sportswear, yawned and thought of his night's lodging—the big tree on the hillside. He groaned at the thought.Meanwhile, Min Rou, with dark circles, waited at Kai Huang Group's entrance. She knew Yue Zitong had met Jin last night and couldn't sleep, hoping to comfort her. But Yue didn't come. Instead, Li Nanfang rushed in, frantic for news of his aunt."Has that old scoundrel Jin released my aunt?" Li Nanfang demanded.Min Rou bit her lip, glaring at the heavens. "That old villain Jin hasn't let go of my aunt yet?"Li Nanfang's face darkened. He rolled up his sleeves, revealing tattooed arms. "I'm going to slice him up!""Stop right there!" Min Rou snapped, slapping him when he tried to leave.Li Nanfang stared in shock. Min Rou, equally stunned, realized she'd struck him.Chapter 68: Watch Your HideMin Rou couldn't believe she had just slapped someone in public. But the stinging pain in her right hand told her it was true—she had indeed slapped Li Nanfang hard across the face.Her anger was justified. After causing trouble and fleeing, he had left Yue Zitong to sacrifice her innocence to face the disaster. When Min Rou called him to return, he had all sorts of excuses. Now that Yue Zitong had endured the old villain's advances, he showed up with a loyal expression, intending to solve the problem with his rogue tactics.Could he really resolve the issue? Min Rou doubted it. If he went ahead with his plan, Yue Zitong's sacrifice wouldn't be in vain, but his impulsiveness would likely demand more sacrifices from her.How could someone seemingly intelligent act so foolishly now? Min Rou spat inwardly, "Calling you a pig is an insult to pigs!""Never call Yue Zitong 'aunt' in public again, or I'll whip you!" Min Rou fiercely hissed, her tone low but sharp. She glanced at the onlookers and coolly said, "Follow me."As a favorite of President Yue, Min Rou wielded considerable influence within the company. The employees, caught in the act of spectating, quickly averted their gazes. They marveled inwardly: Who would have thought the delicate Min Rou would dare slap a former inmate?What's more, the scum didn't dare react, meekly trailing behind Min Rou into her office with his head down."Stand there!" Min Rou commanded with a stern look. Li Nanfang, about to sit on the desk corner, dropped his leg and forced a grin. "Secretary Min, don't be so凶巴巴 (fierce) with me. I'm actually scared.""Fear a big head ghost!" Min Rou's eyes welled up. "Do you have any idea that President Yue went to Qing Shan Hotel last night to accompany that old scoundrel? It's all your fault! You've gotten her bullied.""I'm guilty, I deserve punishment," Li Nanfang nodded earnestly, feigning remorse. "After receiving your call yesterday afternoon, I immediately hailed a taxi and rushed here nonstop. Alas, eight thousand miles of clouds and moon, I drove for fifteen or sixteen hours straight. I switched taxis four times along the way. Look at my风尘仆仆 (worn-out) appearance; it shows how much I care about my aunt's safety."Only then did Min Rou notice Li Nanfang's exhausted expression and bloodshot eyes, clear signs of a sleepless night. Unbeknownst to her, Li Nanfang had spent the past two nights sleeping under a tree, vigilantly checking his surroundings for potential assassins every time he dozed off, lest they harm Yue Zitong.Even the most energetic person would be tired after two sleepless nights. Min Rou believed his story, her gaze softening. Just as she was about to speak, her phone buzzed. She answered urgently, "President Yue, how are you?""I'm fine," Yue Zitong replied indifferently, pausing before adding, "Nothing happened last night either. Don't worry. I'm at the Municipal Bureau handling some matters. Report to Vice Presidents Qi and the others today. There's no need to come to the office."Yue Zitong was unharmed last night? Staring at her darkened phone screen, Min Rou pondered for a moment before realizing: Yue Zitong hadn't let the old villain have his way last night! Otherwise, she wouldn't have emphasized that "nothing happened last night.""Is that so? Tell me more," Li Nanfang chimed in, leaning over the table with renewed interest."Move it!" Min Rou shoved him away, her mood lightened. She strode to the door and warned, "Stay put, don't wander around, and don't touch my stuff. Or else, watch your hide.""As you wish, Your Majesty! Could you grab some food on your way back? I'm starved," Li Nanfang replied in a mock subservient tone."Forget it, you deserve to starve!" Min Rou retorted without turning back.At the Municipal Bureau's conference room, Yue Zitong, still in her cheap tracksuit, finished breakfast—simple soy milk and fried dough sticks—with Bai Ling by her side. It was a far cry fromWestern fast food, yet infinitely more palatable.Last night, Bai Ling had brought Yue Zitong to the bureau for safety, given the Black Phantom's involvement. Zhang Ju, who had been supposedly attending a half-month conference over the weekend, rushed back upon receiving Bai Ling's report—as did the rest of the criminal police team, abandoning whatever they were doing to avoid immediate dismissal.No sooner had Yue Zitong arrived at the bureau than the chief walked in. Shortly after, shocking news emerged: a high-ranking official from the Municipal District had been brutally assaulted at Qing Shan Hotel, left critically injured and fighting for his life. Before slipping into a coma, the official accused Yue Zitong of the attack.This was perplexing. At the time of the incident, Bai Ling had been with Yue Zitong, searching for clues left by the Black Phantom. Numerous staff members at the venue could vouch for Yue's whereabouts. Could she have been in two places at once? Bai Ling was certain the real culprit was the Black Phantom, impersonating Yue Zitong.The case of the two Yue Zitongs was complex yet straightforward: the Black Phantom, notorious in the West, had impersonated Yue and left the official maimed at Qing Shan Hotel.What truly intrigued Bai Ling was why the Black Phantom, infamous in the West, had come to Huaxia to lend a hand to Yue Zitong.Yue Zitong, however, knew nothing—she was clueless.The conference room door creaked open, and a dozen people entered. Leading the group was a dignified elderly man, followed by a strikingly beautiful young woman. Zhang Honggang, the bureau chief, trailed behind, indicating the visitors held higher ranks."Director Zhang," the elderly man nodded at Bai Ling and Yue Zitong before taking his seat. Turning to the chief, he demanded, "Please provide a detailed account of the current investigation.""Of course," Zhang Honggang replied with a respectful nod, beginning his report. Bai Ling interjected occasionally to supplement the details.Finally, Yue Zitong was asked to recount her entire ordeal, from her conflict with Jin Baiyong to her arrival at the bureau last night. She obliged, narrating the events meticulously.In the afternoon, Detective Lao Ma brought in surveillance footage from the club and hotel, along with Jin Liu's statement. The seemingly complicated case became clear under the weight of evidence: Jin Baiyong's son, Jin Liufu, had caused a drunken disturbance at Blue Sky Bar and was subdued by Yue Zitong. Jin Baiyong hired thugs for revenge, but Yue's driver broke the thug's legs. Enraged, Jin Baiyong abused his power to harass Kai Huang Group and demanded scandalous terms for reconciliation. The Black Phantom then intervened, impersonating Yue and castrating Jin Baiyong.The meeting lasted a full day. In the end, the elderly official slammed the table in indignation, denouncing Jin Baiyong as a disgrace to Qing Shan's political arena. Even without the Black Phantom's intervention, Jin would face justice. Should anyone attempt to shield him, compromising photos of him with a certain woman would surface online As the meeting adjourned at nightfall, Yue Zitong, accompanied by a solemn promise from Qing Shan's leaders and escorted by several criminal police, retrieved her car from the Golis Club and returned to her villa.Compared to the shock the Black Phantom had caused the Qing Shan police, Yue Zitong was even more stunned. The Black Phantom, a legendary figure from the West, had come to her aid in such a scandalous manner. Fortunately, Yue had a resilient temperament; otherwise, she might have been shamed into suicide.If only she could marry such a powerful and formidable man... Yue Zitong entertained this absurd thought as she parked her car in the villa's courtyard. Blushing, she slapped herself and scolded, "Shame on you, Yue Zitong! He's already seen you undressed!"After smoking a cigarette to calm her nerves, Yue stepped out of the car. The cool southern breeze brought her back to her senses. Gazing at the dark, tomb-like living room, her spirits sank again.She couldn't deny that she missed the lively atmosphere when Li Nanfang lived with her—the talking, laughing, teasing, and quarreling. That was life, vibrant and real. But Li Nanfang was gone, and more importantly, Yue's mind now harbored a dark phantom."Ha, they're on a completely different level from me. Why bother thinking about them?" Yue shook her head, chuckled self-mockingly, and entered the living room.
