33: What Use Are You?

“Manager Shen,” Lin Cai’er (a character's name) asked timidly, her gaze darting, “do you… look down on me? I know I’m not particularly pretty, and my figure isn’t as good as Director Liu’s (a character's name and title).”

Shen Yifei’s (a character's name) eye twitched. Why did she bring up Liu Xiaoxiao (a character's name)? In terms of looks, Lin Cai’er certainly didn't lose out to Liu Xiaoxiao.

Liu Xiaoxiao was the mature and elegant type, Lin Cai’er was gentle and innocent, and as for the ice queen back home, Shen Yifei still hadn't figured out her type yet.

“No, you’re very beautiful. As for figures, they vary from person to person; your style is just different from Director Liu’s. To be honest, you genuinely captivated me for a moment. But that wasn’t the real you. I’m not one to force anyone.”

Lin Cai’er’s heart hammered in her chest at his words. Biting her lip, she replied, “But you… you bought me from my father for two hundred thousand (Chinese Yuan).”

Shen Yifei couldn’t help but chuckle wryly. “Silly girl, do you really think you’re only worth two hundred thousand? No amount of money could buy you. So you’re still you, you’re free. I won't force you to do anything.”

“Thank you. I’ll work hard to earn that two hundred thousand back and repay you,” Lin Cai’er said gratefully.

“Alright,” Shen Yifei smiled. He had already guessed this stubborn girl would say something like that.

“Manager Shen, I…”

“Don’t call me Manager Shen, it’s too awkward. Just call me Shen Yifei, or even ‘Brother Lang’ (a playful nickname suggesting an unrestrained or free-spirited nature) if you like,” Shen Yifei said with a laugh.

“Mm, Brother… Brother Lang,” Lin Cai’er’s pretty face flushed with a faint, alluring blush, making her look like a ripe little apple.

“Alright, Cai’er, I have to go now. If anything else happens, you can call me.” Shen Yifei stood up.

“Wait, Brother Lang, please wait!” Lin Cai’er said shyly, biting her lip.

“What else is it?”

As soon as Shen Yifei finished speaking, Lin Cai’er stood on tiptoe and pressed her rosy lips against his cheek.

A waft of fragrant air enveloped him, accompanied by a warm, soft touch. Shen Yifei’s heart skipped a beat.

It was the first time Lin Cai’er had ever made such a move on a man, and she was overwhelmingly shy. Looking at the handsome, laid-back man before her, her heart trembled wildly.

Though she had only known Shen Yifei for a few days, she felt she might have truly and hopelessly fallen in love with him.

When she returned from the hospital, she had been putting on a brave front, thinking that while Shen Yifei had saved her, his ultimate goal was likely to possess her.

But Shen Yifei hadn't done that; he had genuinely cared for her.

Combined with the incident two nights ago, when He Tao (a character's name) harassed her and Shen Yifei had stepped in to rescue her—no man had ever been so good to her. Besides gratitude, a peculiar affection blossomed in Lin Cai’er’s heart for Shen Yifei.

Seeing Lin Cai’er looking at him with her pretty face flushed red, Shen Yifei genuinely felt an urge to tightly embrace this gentle and kind girl.

But Shen Yifei still didn't. It was enough to just dip his toes in; he didn’t want to get too deeply entangled.

“Silly girl, I’m off!” Shen Yifei grinned, lingeringly stroking Lin Cai’er’s fair cheek before getting up and leaving.

Outside the apartment building, Shen Yifei took a deep breath, calming his emotions.

To say he wasn't moved by the scene by the bed just now would be a lie, unless he had lost certain male functions.

Sometimes, a woman’s body could bring pleasure and relaxation to a man under tension and stress. This was a lesson his Master (Shifu, a revered teacher, often in martial arts or spiritual cultivation) had taught him. That’s why his Master not only allowed Shen Yifei to pursue women but even urged him to be intimate with them.

But while pursuing women was fine, the old man (referring to his Master) forbade Shen Yifei from developing true feelings.

For a top assassin, a shadowy figure treading on a knife’s edge, falling into the web of love was extremely dangerous, with severe consequences.

Currently, Shen Yifei wasn't truly free; he didn't want to consider emotional matters for the time being.

As for his relationship with Su Muqing (a character's name), he adopted a 'take it one step at a time' approach.

***

Yuhe Mountain Villa Complex (a residential area in China).

Su Muqing was sitting on the living room sofa, working on her laptop, reviewing some company documents, a cup of coffee in her hand.

Suddenly, her phone vibrated. Su Muqing picked it up and pressed to answer.

“Hello? Who is this?”

“Miss Su, it’s me, Zhang Wenzhi (a character's name),” Zhang Wenzhi’s voice came from the other end of the line.

Su Muqing’s delicate brows furrowed. Why was this guy calling her again?

“Zhang Wenzhi, is there something you need?” Recalling what happened last time, Su Muqing felt a little awkward.

Leaving her old classmate high and dry like that was indeed a bit much.

“Nothing really, I just wanted to ask you out for dinner tonight,” Zhang Wenzhi said over the phone.

“I’m sorry, Zhang Wenzhi, I’m busy tonight,” Su Muqing said flatly.

Zhang Wenzhi’s face was expressionless. “Ruoxue (Su Muqing's given name), I know you don’t like me. This time, I genuinely just want to invite you to dinner and have a proper talk. I, Zhang Wenzhi, promise I will never bother you again.”

Su Muqing’s eyebrows lifted. “Zhang Wenzhi, I’m truly sorry about last time, but I’m glad you feel that way. Are you… really just inviting me to dinner?”

“Ruoxue, it hurts me to hear you say that. I’ll also be developing my business here in Huahai City (a fictional city in China), planning to open a large pharmaceutical company. If we can’t be lovers, we can at least be business friends, can’t we? This time, I’m not just inviting you, Ruoxue, but also your boyfriend to dinner.” Zhang Wenzhi said.

Su Muqing couldn’t help but be taken aback. What was Zhang Wenzhi up to?

“Cough, cough… Your boyfriend and I had an unpleasant incident before, but that’s in the past. It’s a good chance to make friends. As they say, ‘harmony brings wealth’ (a proverb emphasizing that pleasant relations lead to success),” Zhang Wenzhi said with a chuckle.

Su Muqing didn’t know Zhang Wenzhi’s true motive, but he’d put it like that; it would be too rude to refuse now.

She had no choice but to agree.

***

Inside a luxury suite at a large hotel.

Zhang Wenzhi hung up the phone, his face as dark as the bottom of a pot.

In truth, after the last incident, Zhang Wenzhi knew perfectly well that the probability of him successfully pursuing Su Muqing was almost zero. He probably figured that in Su Muqing’s eyes, he was just a pervert.

Zhang Wenzhi felt utterly humiliated. The instigator was that bastard Shen Yifei. The reason he invited Shen Yifei was to seize the opportunity to teach that kid a good lesson.

“Is that kid really that powerful?” Zhang Wenzhi scanned a brawny man in the corner with a sinister look.

“Yes, boss, that kid is too strong, and he really knows how to show off,” the brawny man said with a grimace.

This brawny man was Liu Meng (a character's name), none other than 'Brother Meng' (a tough-guy nickname) who had led men to block Shen Yifei outside the Lingya International Building (a modern skyscraper in the city) two mornings ago.

Liu Meng was Zhang Wenzhi’s bodyguard. Originally, Zhang Wenzhi had told Liu Meng to beat Shen Yifei up, but instead, Liu Meng was beaten by Shen Yifei and ended up in the hospital. He was still black and blue, his head wrapped in medical gauze.

“You waste! What use are you?!” Zhang Wenzhi exploded in anger. He just couldn’t understand it. How could someone with Shen Yifei’s build take down several strong men?

Regardless, Zhang Wenzhi couldn’t swallow such an insult. His face grim, he said, “Hmph, no more useless talk. This time, I’m going to personally deal with that kid. Go find me some reliable people, quickly.”

Liu Meng hurriedly said, “Boss, I know a few formidable experts from the underworld (the network of criminal gangs); they can definitely handle that kid!”

“Then what are you standing there for? Go contact them now!” Zhang Wenzhi roared.

“Yes, boss.” Liu Meng nodded repeatedly. Just as he was about to leave, Zhang Wenzhi called him back.

“Wait a moment. I have another plan,” Zhang Wenzhi said, his face cold.