24:The Twisted Leg Fetishist

Alas, Su Muqing (Su-moo-ching) was mistaken. Su Yunshan (Su-yoon-shan) said with a solemn expression, "Lang (Lahng), I did come to you with something important this time. I have a crucial matter to discuss, concerning my granddaughter's safety."

"Safety?" Shen Yifei's (Shen-yee-fay) brows furrowed.

Su Yunshan took a deep breath. "Lang, I've received news that Luo Tianyao (Lwo-tee-an-yao) will be returning to Huahai (Hwah-hai) City next week. For this period, Xue'er's (Shweh-er) safety rests in your hands."

Hearing Luo Tianyao's name, Su Muqing, standing nearby, visibly paled.

The Luo family was the top-ranked family enterprise in Huahai City, and Luo Tianyao was the new heir to their Haizheng (Hai-juhng) Group.

But that wasn't the main point. The crucial detail was that Luo Tianyao was Su Muqing's former fiancé.

Just a month prior, Su Muqing's stepmother had secretly arranged an arranged marriage for her, establishing an engagement with Luo Tianyao.

With the Tianrong (Tyan-rong) International Group now teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, Luo Tianyao had promised that in exchange for the marriage, the Haizheng Group would inject a huge sum of money to save Tianrong International.

Although Su Yunshan was the chairman of Tianrong International, the real power wasn't in his hands; it had always been controlled by Su Muqing's stepmother.

Su Muqing herself managed the Lingya (Ling-yah) International Fashion Group, which, compared to Tianrong International, was still quite small. Even if she sold the entire company, the funds wouldn't be enough to clear Tianrong International's massive debts.

Su Muqing had initially been kept in the dark about this engagement. Upon learning the truth, she was distraught, absolutely refusing to marry someone like Luo Tianyao.

Su Yunshan was also vehemently against it. He would rather live on the streets than see his granddaughter fall into the hands of that pervert, Luo Tianyao.

The reason for such strong aversion to the engagement stemmed from Luo Tianyao's profoundly twisted fetish.

Luo Tianyao harbored a truly disturbing leg fetish. Rumors circulating among the city's elite, whispered by other wealthy young masters, claimed he was so deranged that he’d even amputate beautiful women’s legs, preserve them as gruesome specimens, and display them in his private collection.

Such a bizarre and chilling sexual deviancy was truly beyond comprehension…

This was why Su Muqing and Shen Yifei ended up living together. The simple solution Su Yunshan devised was for Shen Yifei to protect his granddaughter under the guise of being her fiancé.

The Luo family possessed formidable military backing, operating with impunity in both the legitimate and illicit worlds. Their power was unrivaled in all of Huahai, making them untouchable. Though Luo Tianyao was a pervert, he was also cunning and ruthless in his dealings.

Su Muqing's decision to call off the engagement naturally infuriated the Luo family, who felt cheated. However, Luo Tianyao was clever. He knew Tianrong International would eventually collapse, and then Su Muqing would have no choice but to agree.

"Grandpa, instead of waiting for disaster, why don't we expose that scoundrel Luo Tianyao?" Su Muqing clenched her teeth. "He secretly undermined Tianrong International. If we could just get some evidence, we could bring him down!"

Su Yunshan shook his head. "My dear, you don't understand. The Luo family's power is too immense for us to contend with. Luo Tianyao will return to Huahai City next week, and he will certainly come for you. There is only one solution now."

"What solution?" Su Muqing asked anxiously.

"You and Shen Yifei go get your marriage certificate tomorrow. Once you're married, Luo Tianyao will have no reason to harass you further," Su Yunshan suddenly declared.

Su Muqing froze for a moment, then gasped, "No! I'd rather die than marry Shen Yifei!"

"Enough! Do I need to spell it out for you? Do you really intend to marry that Luo family heir? Even if it's a fake marriage, you must agree!" Su Yunshan sighed.

"And if I marry Shen Yifei, Luo Tianyao won't force me anymore?" Su Muqing bit out, her voice tight.

"Only Shen Yifei can ensure your safety!" Su Yunshan stated gravely.

"Protect my safety?"

Su Muqing shook her head with a bitter laugh, pointing at Shen Yifei. "How can I not see that he can protect my safety? I don't believe it! There are so many bodyguards; anyone would be more reliable than Shen Yifei!"

"Enough, Xue'er! If you could truly marry Shen Yifei, that would be your good fortune!" A hint of anger flashed across Su Yunshan's aged face.

"My good fortune? Grandpa, why must my marriage always be interfered with by others? I don't understand!" Su Muqing cried out, her voice cracking, tears welling in her eyes.

The corner of Shen Yifei's mouth twitched slightly. Su Muqing had always appeared to him as an arrogant, powerful businesswoman. This was the first time he had seen her cry.

Though Su Muqing's contempt left him feeling annoyed, Shen Yifei still spoke up. "Old Mr. Su, how about this: Su Muqing and I don't need to get married. I will handle Luo Tianyao's matter, but I have one condition."

"What condition?" Su Yunshan asked.

"I previously agreed to live with Su Muqing for one year, but now I want to break that agreement. After this matter is resolved, I will leave Su Muqing's side," Shen Yifei stated calmly.

"No! Lang, I made an agreement with your master! You can't leave!" Su Yunshan's aged face filled with panic.

"But Su Muqing and I are not compatible. We can't be together, let alone get married," Shen Yifei frowned slightly.

Su Yunshan completely lost his composure, directly kneeling before Shen Yifei, tears streaming down his face as he pleaded, "Lang, Xue'er is my only granddaughter. If Xue'er breaks this engagement, the Luo family won't let us off the hook. Even if Luo Tianyao were dead, Xue'er would still be in danger. I beg you, don't leave her side."

Shen Yifei was startled and quickly helped the old man up. "Grandpa Su, please don't do this."

Su Muqing couldn't bear to watch any longer. Weeping, she ran upstairs and locked herself in her room, crying silently.

She didn't understand why her grandfather had to humble himself so much before Shen Yifei! She saw no difference between Shen Yifei and other men, and even felt he was inferior.

Unable to comprehend, she also didn't want to dwell on it.

She could silently endure everything; she wasn't afraid of living on the streets, but she feared losing the courage to live.

After a good while, Shen Yifei finally reached an agreement with Su Yunshan. Originally, Shen Yifei was to live with Su Muqing for a year and protect her safety. This was now shortened to three months.

Furthermore, Shen Yifei promised he would not leave Su Muqing's side until the Luo family matter was resolved.

After Su Yunshan and his bodyguard, A-Fei (Ah-fay), left, Su Muqing remained locked in her room. Shen Yifei didn't know how to communicate with her, so he decided to let the woman calm down.

After showering, Shen Yifei lay on his bed and dialed Yi Lian's (Ee-lyan) number.

"Junior sister, I said I'd come see you, but it might have to be postponed for three months now."

"Were you upset when you called earlier? What happened?"

Shen Yifei sighed deeply, realizing that only this woman truly understood him.

"Alright, it's still about that fiancée of mine…"

Shen Yifei recounted everything that had happened between him and Su Muqing during this period.

"Pfft! Lang, your flirting game used to be legendary. Why have you turned into such a buffoon just because it's Su Muqing?" Yi Lian teased him over the phone.

Shen Yifei was a bit speechless. "Our personalities clash."

"Saying your personalities clash just means you *care* about her. Back when you were busy charming women, did you ever complain about personality clashes with your one-night stands? You big dummy, Senior Brother! If you truly want to be with her, you need to be serious. The way you've been acting, any woman would find herself at odds with you."

"Alright, Xiao Lian (Shyao-lyan), what do you suggest I do then?" Shen Yifei asked helplessly.

"Senior Brother, you're handsome and incredibly charming. You don't need to hide your true self so much when you're around her. If that Ms. Su truly has any discerning taste, she'll be naturally drawn to you. And if she isn't, then it just proves she's nothing but a vulgar woman herself," Yi Lian snorted softly.

Shen Yifei pondered for a moment. Indeed, he had been acting too unnaturally around Su Muqing. She knew nothing about him.

"Xiao Lian, will you mind me living with Su Muqing?" Shen Yifei asked seriously.

"Lang, I know you can't truly let go of Su Muqing, especially since she saved you when you were young. Why would I resent you for pursuing a woman you like?"

"But I'm a man with a wandering heart, and I can't let go of you either," Shen Yifei admitted bluntly.

"Oh, good! Then perhaps Su Muqing and I can share one husband, keeping you warm in bed every night. It might even be fun!" Yi Lian said with a mischievous chuckle.