Chapter Forty-One: Ill-Fitting Lingerie?

Chapter Forty-One: The Ill-Fitting Lingerie?

Qin Wan’er’s words weighed heavily on Qiu Yan, leaving her speechless after hearing the news. The top-tier expert under the Green Ghost’s command, an S-class fugitive wanted across China—who else could it be but that person?

That scorpion arrived a bit too early...

“What are you thinking about?” Xu Yun carried a glass of cool water, slowly descending the stairs. “Whatever is meant to happen will happen. Overthinking won’t help.”

Qiu Yan remained in the downstairs lobby, gazing into the distance. The Mountain Cat had found them thanks to Wang Shunxi of the Four Wolves Gang. If the Scorpion truly came, would he use similar tactics to hunt them down?

There weren’t many gangs in Hedong City, but not too few either. Qiu Yan’s gaze turned colder. Unless she managed to bring all the street thugs under her command, that would be the only way to prevent the Red Scorpion from finding her and Guoguo via the Mountain Cat’s method.

Qiu Yan knew full well that the Red Scorpion and the Mountain Cat were not on the same level. The Mountain Cat, a second-rate small-time player, could be detected in time, but if the Red Scorpion attacked in the dead of night, she would never sense it soon enough.

Thinking about this, Qiu Yan’s fists unconsciously clenched. If she wanted to keep Guoguo safe, she had to plan ahead.

“I’m heading out,” Qiu Yan said, rising slowly.

Xu Yun grinned, “If you want to recruit some thugs to act as informants, why not have Qiangzi help you? He’s no good in a fight, but he’s well connected.”

“I can handle it myself.” Qiu Yan declined Xu Yun’s suggestion. She had her own way of doing things; bringing Qiangzi along would only complicate matters.

Qiu Yan left, and Xu Yun gently massaged his temples, muttering, “Damn, what kind of person can make the Violent Fox Sovereign so uneasy? A top-tier expert! The underworld is definitely richer than I imagined… No wonder Feng Qiansui got booted out. The opponents are so strong it’s almost exaggerated.”

Xu Yun knew asking would be pointless unless Qiu Yan chose to speak. But her nature was such—she said nothing at all. Sigh, headache. There wasn’t a single person here who could let him rest easy.

“Dad, where did Sister Qiu Yan go?” Guoguo walked downstairs, fifty yuan in hand, looking puzzled. “Lately, I feel Sister Qiu Yan is acting strange. Dad, did you secretly touch her when you took off her clothes to treat her injuries?”

“Damn!” Xu Yun had just taken a sip of water and nearly spat it out. Touch her? Who dared mess with the Fox Sovereign’s tail? He certainly wasn’t ready to die yet.

Guoguo reached out as if to hand over the fifty yuan, but thought better of it and kept it. “Dad, we’re out of shampoo. Mom asked you to figure something out.”

“Uh… I’ll take care of it.” Xu Yun had no intention of prying money from Guoguo, the little miser. He went to the nearby supermarket, bought shampoo, and returned.

Guoguo was already upstairs, so Xu Yun took the shampoo directly upstairs as well. Without thinking, he pushed open the bathroom door to set the shampoo inside, never expecting someone would be there. Qin Wan’er, clad only in lingerie, was admiring herself in the full-length mirror, swaying left and right.

“Looking quite sexy,” Xu Yun chuckled awkwardly.

“…”

“Lingerie not fitting?”

“…”

Seeing that Qin Wan’er had no intention of responding, Xu Yun placed the shampoo on the shelf, turned around calmly, and left. “Next time you wear so little, remember to close the door.”

“Xu Yun! I’m going to kill you!” Qin Wan’er roared, hastily pulling on her jacket. “Don’t you know to knock before entering the bathroom?”

Xu Yun quickly ducked into his room and shut the door. “How was I supposed to know you had such a serious exhibitionist streak? Late at night, barely dressed and preening in the bathroom—a public space, mind you!”

Qin Wan’er had already stormed out of the bathroom. Ruan Qingshuang and Guoguo came out of their rooms, drawn by the commotion. Guoguo asked curiously, “Wan’er, what’s wrong? Did Dad peek at you while you were showering?”

Xu Yun called out from his room, “Guoguo, is your godfather that kind of person? If I wanted to look, I’d do it openly. Why sneak a peek at Qin Wan’er? Meh, her figure’s pretty average.”

“Qingshuang, why do we let a man live here? It’s so inconvenient!” Qin Wan’er was furious, wanting nothing more than to kill Xu Yun, that shameless scoundrel. “Can’t we make him move out?”

“Qin Wan’er, there’s a principle of first come, first served. If anyone moves out, it should be you.” Xu Yun opened his door in retort.

Guoguo sighed, looking deeply troubled. “Stop arguing, you two. Wan’er, letting Dad see you won’t cost you anything. The lingerie I gave you was paid for by him, so it’s only fair he gets a look.”

What twisted logic! Qin Wan’er’s expression changed. “Xu Yun paid? He bought it?”

“Mhm.” Guoguo nodded.

“Xu Yun, are you a pervert?” Qin Wan’er erupted, kicking her slipper toward him. “How could you shamelessly buy women’s lingerie? Tell me honestly—did you do anything dirty with it?”

Damn!

Xu Yun quickly shut his door; he had no desire to get smacked in the face by a flying slipper.

Ruan Qingshuang smiled wryly. “Wan’er, don’t be mad. Xu Yun meant well. Uh, he bought me some too.”

Qin Wan’er broke out in cold sweat, thinking, He should buy it for you—your daughter calls him Dad. But of course, she wouldn’t say that aloud; she knew Ruan Qingshuang’s personality and remarks like that would make her uncomfortable.

Guoguo tugged Qin Wan’er back to her room, innocence written all over her face. “Wan’er, it’s six thousand a set. Who cares who bought it?”

“That makes sense…” Qin Wan’er mused, nodding. She’d never worn clothes so expensive before; now, a single piece of lingerie was worth so much. Fine, for the sake of the money, she’d let Xu Yun off the hook.

Since Guoguo had to go to school early the next morning, Ruan Qingshuang hurried her to bed. Qin Wan’er also returned to her room, collapsing onto her bed. With her promotion, meetings had multiplied—so many headaches...

...

By the time Qiu Yan returned to the Medicinal Cuisine Hall, it was already late, but she remained wide awake.

Xu Yun opened his door and stepped out, a faint smile on his lips. “Any leads?”

“None.” Qiu Yan was terse.

“Those small-time players probably aren’t worth that expert’s attention.” Xu Yun’s gaze flashed with a cold glint. “Should we ask the people from the Blade and Axe Society tomorrow? Maybe their boss knows something.”

Qiu Yan’s eyes were sharp. “I’ll go with you.”

“No need. They’ll come to us soon enough.” Xu Yun laughed lightly. “Guoguo starts school tomorrow. You should take her. If someone else escorts her, even if I’m at ease, you won’t be.”

Qiu Yan realized this and nodded, simply saying, “Alright.”

“The internal energy in your body is gone; you don’t need further acupuncture from me.” Xu Yun smiled. “Remember, take one Strength Pill a day. Once you finish them, you’ll be nearly fully recovered.”

Qiu Yan couldn’t help but recall last night when Xu Yun had seen her body while saving her, feeling embarrassed. She nodded and returned to her room.

Perhaps because it was Guoguo’s first day of school, she woke up especially early. After eating the breakfast Xu Yun prepared with care, Guoguo headed off to school, escorted by Ruan Qingshuang and Qiu Yan.

...

Xu Yun was left alone at the Medicinal Cuisine Hall. Ten minutes later, Pang Gang arrived with Qiangzi and others. Xu Yun didn’t waste words with them and immediately began work.

No sooner had work started than Xu Yun noticed three or five thugs across the street darting into a black Santana and disappearing. He couldn’t help but chuckle; the reporting speed was impressive, so he wouldn’t have to wait long.

Half an hour later, several cars screeched to a halt in front of the Medicinal Cuisine Hall, and nearly thirty men poured out.

Pang Gang looked outside, his face turning pale with panic. He shouted to Qiangzi and Xiaofei, “Run! You guys, run!”

Pang Gang knew exactly why Wei Weiming had come—he wanted to target his workers. Pang Gang hoped no one else would get hurt; he’d rather be crippled himself than see others harmed.

But Qiangzi and the others didn’t flee. Each of them, brimming with confidence, put down their tools and casually picked up suitable weapons before stepping out.

With Brother Yun backing them, why should they be afraid?

Wei Weiming, dressed head to toe in Adidas and looking slick, swaggered forward and spat on the ground. “Pang Gang, starting work again? So, you’ve made up your mind—hand over twenty thousand yuan, and I’ll let you work in peace. You won’t have to worry about anything anymore.”

Pang Gang exchanged several meaningful glances with Qiangzi, but they refused to leave.

“Wei Weiming, I have no money. If you want something, come at me.” Pang Gang gritted his teeth and strode out of the Medicinal Cuisine Hall, blocking the Blade and Axe Society’s gangsters. “These aren’t my workers; leave them alone.”

Wei Weiming’s eyes grew cold. “Pang, you really don’t know how to appreciate kindness. When Brother Jie speaks, you ignore him? Last time you didn’t pay the management fee when renovating at Riverside Estate—I was too busy to deal with you then, but now you think I can’t put you in your place?”

Pang Gang stood tall, head held high. “Anyway, they’re not my people. If you want something, deal with me.”

“Brothers!” Wei Weiming’s gaze was sinister, his lips curled into a cruel smile. “Everyone working here today, each and every one, cut off three fingers! Let Pang see whether our Blade and Axe Society eats meat or grass—get your tools!”

At this, two or three dozen burly men drew machetes and axes from their waists, eyes glinting with menace.

Qiangzi’s palms were sweating. He remembered Brother Yun was nearby, but suddenly couldn’t spot him! Cold sweat trickled down as he realized the Blade and Axe Society’s enforcers were infamous Northeast tigers, ruthless to the core!

“Pang Gang, you’re refusing to pay? Let’s see who’ll dare work for you in the future!” Wei Weiming sneered, clearly relishing his moment.

Pang Gang, a true man’s man, clenched his teeth and dropped to his knees!

Qiangzi and the others were stunned into silence. Xiaofei’s mouth hung open; he’d always been proud of his blood-and-guts uncle—and now...

A man’s knees are worth their weight in gold!

“They really aren’t my people. I beg you to spare them!” Pang Gang forced the words through clenched teeth. “I’m begging you!”

Wei Weiming watched as the hard nut he could never crack finally knelt, feeling a surge of triumph. He laughed wildly, “They’re not your people? Fine! If someone admits to being their boss, I’ll let you go. Otherwise, I’ll chop them all up today!”

“Who’s bold enough to mess with my people?”

A chilling, razor-sharp voice sounded coldly behind Wei Weiming, sending a wave of terror down his spine. He whirled around instantly!