72: Don't Be Impulsive

The conversation had strayed off course again, and Bai Qingyu felt a headache throbbing. She knew that no matter how many more questions she asked, she wouldn't extract any useful intelligence. The Haijiang Group that Shen Yifei mentioned, however, was worth noting.

"Grumble grumble..."

A low rumbling sound echoed through the car. Shen Yifei glanced at Bai Qingyu, a faint smile playing on his lips, and said, "Your stomach is growling."

Bai Qingyu's pretty face flushed, her expression stiffening. She retorted irritably, "What's so strange about it? I'm hungry."

Shen Yifei chuckled. This woman was quite straightforward.

Seeing Shen Yifei remain silent, Bai Qingyu felt a pang of indignation. She thought, *I'm a great beauty, after all, with a face that could launch ships! And this guy doesn't even offer to buy me a meal? He's a complete blockhead!*

"Didn't you say this morning you'd treat me to lunch?" Bai Qingyu pouted.

Only then did Shen Yifei remember. He chuckled, scratching his head. "My apologies, I almost forgot."

"You!" Bai Qingyu's pretty face flushed crimson, too furious to speak.

*Oh, for heaven's sake! Women of my caliber usually have men tripping over themselves to treat them! How could this guy not even be tempted?* Bai Qingyu felt deeply offended.

Just as Bai Qingyu was about to retort, Shen Yifei's expression suddenly hardened. He reached out, grabbing Bai Qingyu's right hand, which was gripping the steering wheel, and jerked the wheel sharply to the left!

"What are you do—"

The last syllable hadn't even left Bai Qingyu's lips.

Then, an instant later...

"CRASH!"

With a colossal impact, a speeding Audi A8 slammed into Bai Qingyu's Jetta.

The Jetta's front end was utterly demolished, half of it crumpled, and the windshield shattered into a thousand shards. Had it not been for Shen Yifei's lightning-fast turn of the wheel, the entire car would likely have been sent flying by the Audi A8!

Bai Qingyu's head nearly slammed into the steering wheel, but Shen Yifei's hand cushioned her.

"How do you drive?! Are you blind, you damn idiot?!" Before Bai Qingyu could even speak, a man's head poked out of the Audi A8's window, spewing expletives.

Shen Yifei turned his head, and upon recognizing the man's face, his eyebrows arched in surprise. It was him.

Bai Qingyu was seething with rage. This scoundrel had clearly caused the collision, and now he dared to curse *her*?

The car door flung open, and Bai Qingyu immediately stepped out.

With half its front end gone, the Jetta was practically totaled. Bai Qingyu felt both a financial pang and burning fury.

In contrast, the black Audi A8, clearly built like a tank, showed only a slight dent on its front, otherwise undamaged.

"Why did you hit my car?!" Bai Qingyu glared furiously at the man in the Audi A8.

The man was Li Quan, the very Director of the Foreign Trade Bureau (a high-ranking government official responsible for international commerce) whom Shen Yifei had encountered previously at Ailu Restaurant while dining with Su Muqing and Liu Xiaoxiao.

Li Quan stepped out. Inside the car, a dishevelled woman hastily pulled on her clothes before following him out.

Reeking of alcohol, Li Quan bellowed, "Are you blind, you damn fool?! How dare you crash into my car!"

Bai Qingyu, beside herself with rage, shot back, "You clearly hit my car! You're suspected of drunk driving and causing a traffic accident! You're coming with me!"

Upon hearing this, Li Quan instantly flared up. This woman clearly had a death wish, daring to challenge *him*, the Director of the Foreign Trade Bureau?

He strode forward, intending to slap the woman, but as he got a clear look at Bai Qingyu's face, his eyes widened instantly.

With his many years of experience in appraising beautiful women, Bai Qingyu was truly a masterpiece. Her face, her curves, her long legs, her slender waist – she was absolutely exquisite!

Compared to the common, painted hussy beside him, she was a world apart!

"Mr. Li, don't bother with a common passerby. Let's go back quickly; I can barely wait," the scantily clad woman beside Li Quan cooed, clinging to his arm.

"Get lost!" Li Quan shoved the woman away, his eyes fixed on Bai Qingyu. He cleared his throat and tried to charm her, "Ahem... beautiful lady, I believe what just happened might have been a misunderstanding."

"Cut the chatter! Pay for my car first!" Bai Qingyu shot him a disdainful look, instantly recognizing him as a scoundrel.

Li Quan glanced at the smashed, old white Jetta. Such a piece of junk, he thought, was worth a paltry sum.

"Beautiful lady, I'll pay, of course I'll pay. You're so stunning, it's a shame you drive such a beat-up car. Beautiful lady, my name is Li Quan, and I'm the Director of the Foreign Trade Bureau (a high-ranking government official) for Huahai City. If you come with me, whatever car you desire, I'll buy it for you!" Li Quan said, a smarmy smile spreading across his face.

Bai Qingyu's face was etched with disgust. She said, her voice like ice, "You despicable wretch—and you dare call yourself a Director of the Foreign Trade Bureau?"

Hearing Bai Qingyu insult him, Li Quan's expression darkened. He blustered, "Beautiful lady, I advise you not to be so unappreciative. I, Li Quan, have wealth, power, and influence. It would be your good fortune to be with me."

Bai Qingyu was utterly incensed, about to unleash a torrent of scathing remarks. Shen Yifei stepped out of the Jetta, casting a casual glance at Li Quan. He chuckled dryly, "Director Li, fancy meeting you here again!"

Li Quan first froze, then upon recognizing Shen Yifei's face, he exploded in fury. "It's *you*!"

Li Quan hadn't forgotten the humiliation he suffered at the restaurant last time. He'd never been so publicly shamed in his life.

Now, with this brat delivering himself to him, Li Quan's face was clouded with malice. He was ready to seize the opportunity to teach this punk a lesson.

"You know him?" Bai Qingyu looked at Shen Yifei, her delicate brows furrowed.

"I don't associate with imbeciles like him," Shen Yifei said with a cold laugh, striding forward.

"How dare you insult me?" Li Quan raged.

"Why wouldn't I?" Shen Yifei shrugged.

"Do you have any idea who I am?! Even the Mayor of Huahai City shows me respect! What are *you*?! Just a petty secretary, yet you speak with such arrogance! Believe me, I can crush you!" Li Quan roared, finally revealing his true nature.

Shen Yifei replied coolly, "You want to—"

"You're asking for death!" Li Quan, red-faced with humiliation and anger, his drunken fury rising, swung a slap at Shen Yifei!

Shen Yifei didn't bother with pleasantries for such scum. He seized Li Quan's arm, yanked and twisted, directly dislocating Li Quan's right arm.

"Argh!!!"

The excruciating pain instantly contorted Li Quan's face, as he let out a guttural shriek like a wailing ghost.

"Shen Yifei, what are you doing?! Don't be impulsive!" Bai Qingyu's pretty face paled as she rushed forward and grabbed his arm.

"Alright." Shen Yifei, out of deference to Bai Qingyu's request, delivered a swift, precise chop to Li Quan's neck, knocking him unconscious. He then dropped the man to the ground and smiled, "He's all yours. You can handle him now."

Bai Qingyu's headache returned. She said, exasperated, "Why did you knock him out?!"

"To save myself from his incessant buzzing in my ear," Shen Yifei replied.

Bai Qingyu was speechless. There was little she could do to control Shen Yifei's actions.

Bai Qingyu, resigned, pulled out her phone and dialled a number.

"Hello, this is Bai Qingyu. Send a patrol car to Zi'an Street immediately..."

"Captain Bai," Shen Yifei said lazily, "I'll be heading off now."

"Suit yourself!" Bai Qingyu retorted, pouting. A faint annoyance stirred in her heart. Did he really dislike spending even a moment longer with her?

*Why should I care about him?* Bai Qingyu's cheeks flushed, and she quickly shook her head.