Wang Haoran held Yang Jingwan’s phone, opened the dial pad, and dialed a number. Soon, his own phone vibrated.

Yang Jingwan was taken aback. She thought Wang Haoran’s phone was out of battery and he needed to borrow hers to make a call. It turned out he was indirectly exchanging phone numbers with her.

“Sorry, I’m already married,” Yang Jingwan repeated, thinking Wang Haoran hadn’t heard her earlier.

“Don’t worry, I just want to be friends, nothing more,” Wang Haoran assured her.

“Really, nothing more?” Yang Jingwan was skeptical.

“Oh, Jingwan, what’s wrong with you? This young master wants to be friends with you, it’s an honor! Why do you look so unwilling?” Li Manli scolded her daughter and eagerly asked, “Young Master, may I know your name?”

“Wang Haoran.”

“So, you’re Young Master Wang. Do you know the famous President Wang of the Wang Group?” Li Manli couldn’t help but ask.

“That’s my father.”

Li Manli was so shocked her eyes nearly popped out. This young master was actually the heir of the Wang Group! If they could connect with him, it would be a meteoric rise!

But then she felt a bit dejected. Her daughter was already married; if only she weren’t…

Wang Haoran continued to operate the phone for a while, implanting a monitoring virus, then handed it back to Yang Jingwan.

“Thank you, here’s your phone back.”

“No need to thank me, it’s nothing,” Yang Jingwan replied politely.

“Now we’re friends. If you need any help, feel free to ask me,” Wang Haoran said, giving her a charming look.

Yang Jingwan quickly averted her gaze, not daring to meet his eyes.

Wang Haoran chuckled and returned to Zhen Li’s side.

“Mom, I need to go back. Let’s leave.”

“Darling, are you interested in that married woman, Yang Jingwan?” Zhen Li asked, squinting her eyes.

“Don’t talk nonsense. I just borrowed her phone,” Wang Haoran replied seriously.

“Borrowing a phone and flirting at the same time?” Zhen Li was sharp.

Wang Haoran didn’t know how to respond.

“Darling, I’m not blaming you. As they say, young women are good, but married women are better. You have good taste!” Zhen Li whispered.

Hearing this, Wang Haoran almost stumbled. His quirky mom was too much. He wasn’t thinking that far; he just wanted to get close to Yang Jingwan to plant a monitoring virus on her phone to deal with Su Lang. But Zhen Li had imagined so much more.

However, Yang Jingwan, despite being married, might still be untouched. In those novels about live-in sons-in-law, the female lead is often pure, not even having held hands with the protagonist. Judging by Yang Jingwan’s attitude towards Su Lang, the story seemed to have just begun. So, she might still be a blank slate.

…

“Jingwan, it seems Young Master Wang is interested in you. You’re in luck!” Li Manli exclaimed excitedly after Wang Haoran left.

Yang Jingwan felt no joy, only a sense of unease and discomfort. She took out her phone, intending to delete Wang Haoran’s number.

“Are you crazy? Stop!” Li Manli immediately stopped her.

“Mom, are you crazy? I’m not single. Do you think it’s appropriate for me to keep his number?” Yang Jingwan asked.

“What’s the difference between you and being single? Look at Su Lang, he’s useless. Do you want to spend your life with him? I think you should find a chance to divorce him,” Li Manli said angrily.

“I’ve been considering it too. Jingwan is young and beautiful; she can’t be tied to Su Lang forever,” Yang Tai chimed in.

“Didn’t you believe that fortune teller? Aren’t you afraid if you really divorce?” Yang Jingwan retorted sarcastically.

Back then, Yang Tai and Li Manli brought a vagrant to her and forced her to marry him, regardless of her wishes. This matter was still a thorn in Yang Jingwan’s heart.

Hearing her words, Li Manli didn’t dare mention divorce again. What if they divorced and Yang Tai’s business failed? What would they do then?

But then again, could they continue like this? Su Lang was too useless, like mud that couldn’t stick to the wall.

“Jingwan, let’s put the divorce on hold, but you should still get in touch with Young Master Wang. It’s a great opportunity you can’t miss,” Li Manli suggested a compromise.

“Mom, what do you take me for?” Yang Jingwan was shocked by her suggestion. Although she kept her distance from Su Lang, they were still married in name. Approaching another man would make her feel guilty, like a bad woman.

Yang Jingwan didn’t want to argue with Li Manli anymore and walked out.

Li Manli and Yang Tai quickly followed.

…

“Yan Guishan was caught by Crow’s men.”

Wang Haoran was about to enter the school when he received a call from Zuoqiu Chenyu.

Did Crow’s men use drugs or ambush him? How did they catch the king of soldiers? Or was Yan Guishan pretending to be captured? Either way, it promised to be an interesting show.

“Where was he taken?” Wang Haoran asked immediately.

“Crow’s men put Yan Guishan in a car. I don’t know where they’re going, but my people are following them,” Zuoqiu Chenyu replied.

“Have your people send me the location.”

“Are you planning to go yourself? I advise against it. Crow has many men, and they’re tough. If they find you, you’ll be in trouble.”

“Are you worried about me?”

“My life is in your hands. If something happens to you, I’ll die too.”

“Then go burn some incense and pray for my safety. Otherwise, we might meet on the Bridge of Helplessness1.” Wang Haoran joked.

“Are you not afraid of death?” Zuoqiu Chenyu’s voice was anxious.

“For a beauty’s kiss, it’s worth the risk,” Wang Haoran laughed.

“I’ll send some strong men with you,” Zuoqiu Chenyu said seriously.

“I’ll go alone,” Wang Haoran insisted, eager not to miss the show. “I want the location in a minute.”

Bang! A loud noise came from the other end, as if Zuoqiu Chenyu had smashed something in anger. Despite her anger, she obediently had her men send the location to Wang Haoran.

With the location in hand, Wang Haoran quickly took a taxi and followed. Soon, he arrived near a hidden factory on the outskirts.

The factory was guarded and monitored, but to Wang Haoran, it was almost as if they weren’t there. Using his X-ray vision, he assessed the personnel and surveillance layout inside and quickly found the best entry point.

Footnotes:

  1. Bridge of Helplessness (奈何桥): In Chinese mythology, this is a bridge that the dead must cross to enter the afterlife. It’s often associated with the idea of leaving behind earthly attachments. ↩