"This is real, or maybe a dream—I can't tell," Lei Zhengyang said, his voice steady yet fervent. "The moment I saw you, I knew. You're her—the woman from my dreams, my woman."
"Her name was Sun Xueling. In my dream, I met her at her lowest, just like me back then. Kindred spirits, broken by fate. I'd lost all hope in life—alive, but dead inside. But she was different. Despite endless hardships, she never bowed, just like you now."
"Her life was tragic. Her parents, betrayed by business rivals, went bankrupt and took their own lives, leaving her and her brother alone. Her brother, a fierce kid with a wolf's spirit, avenged their mother's death that very night, stabbing a culprit six times, killing him on the spot. Only sixteen, he escaped death row but got sixteen years. His sister worked tirelessly, scraping money to reduce his sentence, pulling every string she could…"
As Zhengyang spoke, Sun Xueling turned slowly, her eyes flickering with shock and suspicion. She cut in sharply, "You investigated me?"
Zhengyang shook his head. "No. This is our first meeting. Why would I dig into your life? This is my dream's truth. I could hardly believe it myself when I saw you. And there's more—in my dream, my wife had a blood-red plum blossom mark somewhere private…"
Xueling's face paled, then hardened. He was right. That mark, hidden on her body, was a secret known only to her and her late parents, who'd never have shared it. How could this man know? "Xueling, don't doubt me," Zhengyang pressed. "I want to help you. Will you let me?"
She studied him, her voice soft but piercing. "In your dream, I was really your wife?"
He nodded firmly.
"You can truly save my brother?" she asked.
Another nod.
"If you free him, I'll believe you," she said, a plea veiled in resolve. "I'll give you a chance to prove yourself. Will you take it?" For her brother, she'd sacrifice much, but her dignity held her emotions in check.
Zhengyang smiled warmly. "Of course. Xueling, know this: I'd hurt anyone in this world before I'd harm you. And I'll never let anyone touch you."
Xueling exhaled, still wary but easing slightly. "I'm going back. I'll wait for your proof." She left, and Zhengyang didn't press, only giving her his number. She might doubt him now, but he was confident she'd come around.
Instead of heading home, Zhengyang checked on his uncle, then drove to Yaochi Club as night fell. In his private Room 8, voices greeted him. "Lei Bro, it's really you!" Shi Luoluo's joyful cry rang out as she peeked from the door, then flung it open, launching herself into his arms.
Since their last encounter, the timid girl had shed her fear of him. Once, she'd dodged him, wary of his rumored wild side. Now, her warm embrace, scented with youth, should've thrilled him, but his face darkened. Pulling her off, he said coldly, "Didn't I say you're done with Yaochi? Why are you still here? Where's Leng Youran? What's she playing at?"
Leng Youran leaned against the doorframe, her lithe, provocative figure accentuated by folded arms that highlighted her curves. Her lips curled in a mocking smile. "What's this, Lei Third Young Master? No women lately, so you're itching to vent? I'm not your punching bag—you've got the wrong girl."
Zhengyang shot her a frosty glare. "Leng Youran, I'm not joking. I set Luoluo free. This place isn't for her. You shouldn't have brought her back."
Luoluo, nervous, grabbed his arm. "Lei Bro, don't blame Sister Youran. I had nowhere else to go, so I stayed here. She takes care of me—we eat and sleep together. I'm happy. Plus, I get to see you sometimes. I'm here by choice."
Zhengyang's brow furrowed, but Leng Youran snapped, "Think you're some saint, Lei Third Young Master? You treasured Luoluo when you wanted her, but now you're done, you can't wait to toss her out? Sure, you threw money at her, but did you ever think about her? Her mother's in a coma, she's got no home. A girl like her—where's she supposed to go? With men like you around, she's never safe."
Her words stung, and Zhengyang realized he'd neglected Luoluo's reality. He'd caged her as a "loli" project, then assumed freeing her would make her happy. But without a place to land, where could she go? Holding Luoluo's hand, seeing her on the verge of tears, he gently touched her face. "Luoluo, I'm sorry. I messed up. Tomorrow, I'll find you a place to live. I'll take care of you."
Luoluo threw her arms around his neck, sobbing. "Lei Bro, thank you, thank you!" Leng Youran watched, glad for Luoluo's relief. She'd done her best, but caregiving wasn't her strength. Zhengyang's plan eased her worries.
"You've got some heart after all," Leng Youran said, tossing him a flirty glance. "For treating Luoluo right, you get an eight-percent discount at Yaochi from now on. Generous, right?" She sashayed off, leaving a trail of allure.
Hand-in-hand with Luoluo, Zhengyang entered the room. Xiao Dasheng and Li Yuanfeng stood, greeting him warmly. Leng Youran returned, personally delivering a tray laden with liquor, snacks, and drinks—clearly prepped for his arrival. Zhengyang sat, Luoluo snuggling close, no longer coerced but willingly affectionate.
"Let's drink," Zhengyang said, raising a glass. "Monkey, Windy, the past is done. We're friends now—real friends. Let's start fresh."
Li Yuanfeng and Xiao Dasheng caught his meaning: a second chance at loyalty. Xiao Dasheng whooped, "Hell yeah, back to the good old days! You're still my Boss, Lei Third Young Master. To you!" He downed his drink.
"Me too, Boss," Li Yuanfeng added, glass raised. "Thanks for letting us idiots off the hook. We're the dumbest fools alive." Their glasses clinked, and Luoluo's soda can joined in. "Lei Bro, I'm in too! I'm your girl now, and I want the world to know!"
Zhengyang shot her a mock glare, but she stuck out her tongue, unfazed. "Cheers, everyone!" Seeing him not object, Xiao Dasheng laughed. "Boss, you're a master tamer. Little loli's all grown up—maybe a future Mrs. Lei?"
"Mrs. Lei? Nah, I'll be Lei Bro's little loli forever—no growing up!" Luoluo quipped. Once a trembling newbie at Yaochi, she'd blossomed, no doubt influenced by Leng Youran. Zhengyang glanced at Youran, knowing Luoluo couldn't stay here.
"Windy, a job for you," he said. "In River City's Daba Prison, there's a guy I need—Sun Xiaohu, seventeen. Whatever it takes, get him to the capital ASAP."
Li Yuanfeng didn't blink. In the capital, he might be small fry, but in River City, he was king. "Done. I'll head out tonight and bring him fast." Reasons didn't matter—only results.
Zhengyang turned to Xiao Dasheng. "Monkey, your turn. Clean house at Yangtian League. I want useful people, not dead weight. We've played long enough—time for real work. Don't fear stepping on toes. I've got your back."
Xiao Dasheng paused, then nodded. "Got it. I'll review everyone—scrubs are out."
Zhengyang gave a faint nod, muttering, "No more laying low. Let's make some noise—big and bold."