“Who is it that you despise so much?”
Li Yuan let out an intrigued laugh as he asked.
“Just an insignificant person named Jiang Xiaoman…”
Before Li Yan could finish speaking, he was quickly interrupted by the other.
“You’re in Vietnam?”
How did he guess?
Li Yan was somewhat puzzled but didn’t deny it.
“Yes, this woman is very cunning and has ill intentions toward me. Be careful yourself and don’t fall into her trap.”
After a long pause, Li Yuan on the other end of the phone let out a meaningful laugh: “I understand.”
The call ended, and Li Yan frowned slightly as he stared at the now black screen of his phone.
He had a feeling that his response was quite profound…
It never crossed his mind that the two of them could be connected. After a moment of confusion, he put the matter aside.
After waking from his nap, his low fever had subsided, and he felt much more comfortable. When he saw Ran Yuan again, his gaze softened as he thanked her: “Thank you for having the medicine delivered, Yuan Yuan.”
Ran Yuan was taken aback and instinctively asked: “What medicine?”
Both of them froze simultaneously.
“Never mind.”
Li Yan quickly brushed it off, somewhat absentmindedly.
If it wasn’t Yuan Yuan, then who could have sent the medicine?
A figure surfaced in his mind, and his expression immediately turned as disgusted as if he had swallowed a fly.
Beside him, Ran Yuan noticed his frown and showed a thoughtful expression.
Soon, everyone gathered, and Rose didn’t cause any more trouble. The rest of the itinerary went smoothly, with both countries visiting the port location as planned. However, Vietnam had yet to confirm the project leader.
This made Li Xue extremely unhappy.
To save on government expenses, the Vietnamese officials had gone to great lengths, promising her many benefits in advance. That’s why she had generously stepped up, using her own money to cover the costs of this reception.
Having contributed both money and effort, only to have this sly fox renege on their promise, she naturally wouldn’t let it slide.
That evening, she called Rose into her office and tossed something onto the desk.
“Who do you want me to use this on?”
Rose glanced at the transparent medicine bag on the desk and asked in confusion.
“Who do you hope it would be? Chi Jin? Or your first love, Li Yan?”
Li Xue lit a cigar and retorted with a smirk.
“Since it won’t be either of them anyway, why should I presumptuously get my hopes up.”
Rose gave a faint smile and picked up the medicine from the desk.
Her self-mocking tone made Li Xue feel somewhat guilty.
Whether it was Chi Jin or Li Yan, both were young, accomplished, and handsome—sleeping with them wouldn’t be a loss.
But that Vietnamese official was a pot-bellied, bald old coot, and he played dirty in bed.
She was reluctant to send Jiang Xiaoman over, but she had no choice.
Over the past two days, the official’s eyes had been practically glued to Jiang Xiaoman. The reason he hadn’t fulfilled his promise was simply that he was waiting for her to actively send the person over.
“This medicine contains hallucinogenic ingredients; it can lessen your pain. I’m sorry to put you through this, Xiaoman. Once this is done, you’ll be my great benefactor. Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you.”
Li Xue patted her hand sympathetically and made the promise.
“What if I want everything you have?”
Rose raised an eyebrow, her smile a bit too sinister.
The latter was taken aback for a moment, then also broke into a smile: “If you want to climb to my position, this little effort isn’t enough.”
She didn’t say anything, turning her head to kiss Li Xue’s cheek: “Don’t worry, this project will only be yours, Sister Xue. Everything you want, I’ll spare no effort to obtain for you.”
The person had left, but her unique rose scent lingered in the air.
Li Xue stood frozen, slowly raising her hand to cover her heart.
It hadn’t beaten so wildly in a long time.
A feeling similar to love, yet surpassing love.
Throughout her life, there had been too many men, all of whom eventually became passersby in her existence. She had climbed upward by any means necessary, stepping over their metaphorical corpses.
She had never heard any of her lovers say such words to her before.
Spare no effort…
People are inherently selfish.
Would someone truly spare no effort for another person with no relation to them?
Well then, let’s see how much she’s willing to give for her!
What to do – she was growing more and more satisfied with Jiang Xiaoman!
A soft smile appeared on Li Xue’s face as she took out her phone to message the Vietnamese official.
[You’ve worked hard today. Xiaoman’s massage skills are quite good. I’ve arranged for her to come to your villa to help you relax. You won’t refuse, right?]
Reading the message, the Vietnamese official couldn’t suppress a lewd smile. He discreetly put away his phone and smiled at Chi Jin and Li Yan sitting across from him.
When he spoke again, his voice carried a trace of undeniable fatigue.
Noticing this, Chi Jin appropriately ended the conversation and stood up: “Let’s stop here for today. Everyone is tired.”
“Thank you for your consideration, Councilman Chi. You should rest early too.”
The official took the opportunity to stand up, warmly shaking hands with both men and seeing them to the door.
As the door closed, Li Yan let out a contemptuous chuckle.
When those above behave unworthily, those below will follow – they’re all birds of a feather. No wonder Jiang Xiaoman could thrive in this environment.
Vietnam has a subtropical climate, hot and humid. While most parts of China were already cooling down, it remained stiflingly hot here.
Surrounded by tropical vegetation, the air was thick and muggy, with even the breeze feeling warm.
The click-clack of high heels approached along the stone path.
The two men preparing to return inside unexpectedly encountered Rose arriving for her service.
Gone was the demure appearance from their first meeting. She now wore an extremely revealing backless dress with a high slit, heavily made up – seductive but with a strong air of vulgarity.
Li Yan’s sarcastic smile deepened.
Chi Jin slightly furrowed his brows: “Xiaoman?”
“Uncle Chi, President Li, good evening.”
After a moment of surprise, Rose greeted them with a smile as if nothing was unusual, then moved to pass by them.
Feeling pity, Chi Jin suddenly grabbed her hand.
“Uncle Chi?”
Her heavily made-up face showed complete confusion.
“If you’re unwilling…”
Chi Jin hesitated as he spoke.
Rose lowered her head, staring at his hand holding hers for a long time. When she looked up again, her smile carried a trace of world-weariness. Without any hesitation, she broke free from his grasp.
“My life has long been beyond my control, Uncle Chi.”
The way she said “Uncle Chi” carried a hint of mockery.
“Don’t worry, I’m doing this voluntarily. No one is forcing me. At least I enjoy the process.”
Rose’s lips curled sarcastically as she stared unblinkingly at Li Yan while saying this.
Without giving them time to react, she quickened her pace and passed them by.
‘Ding dong—’
The doorbell rang, and the impatient official opened the door.
Rose giggled and threw herself into his arms.
In the shadows beneath a nearby tree, Chi Jin watched this all-too-familiar scene, feeling his heart ache with a dull, throbbing pain.
For the first time, his usually impassive demeanor cracked, revealing his inner turmoil.
Li Yan frowned slightly, about to speak.
“Let’s go.”
Chi Jin turned away with a faint smile, taking the lead in walking off.
It wasn’t his imagination—his voice was heavy with exhaustion and resignation.
Though curious, Li Yan didn’t press further. After all, everyone had secrets they couldn’t share with others.
What he didn’t understand was why Chi Jin, who was usually accustomed to such situations, would make an exception and feel pity for Jiang Xiaoman.
Wasn’t she just like all the other scheming women who climbed the ladder by selling their bodies?
*
A little Demonic Power was all it took to make the bald, pot-bellied old man on the bed go wild, crying “baby” while wildly swinging his Small whip and ‘entwining’ himself with the pillow beneath him.
Rose couldn’t even be bothered to watch the tedious spectacle. Instead, she crossed her legs, leisurely smoking a cigarette and sipping red wine, enjoying this rare moment of peace.
Chi Jin…
What an interesting man.
She had actually seen pity for Jiang Xiaoman in his eyes.
Her crimson tongue slowly traced her scarlet lips.
If she played her cards right, perhaps she could feast to her heart’s content tonight.