The fabricated story of a “long-lost uncle,” woven vividly through Tao Ran’s dramatic flair, completely bewitched Fang Ming — a man both broke and greedy for money.
“Uncle?” Who was that supposed to be?
Even Tao Ran and Tang Ran didn’t know.
But seeing the gleam of greed light up Fang Ming’s eyes and hearing his eager questions about the money, Tao Ran smiled sweetly.
“Let’s not rush into talking about investments just yet. My uncle said life abroad must be tough for us, so he plans to gift us a car as a wedding present. When he heard I’ve been working part-time, he said he’d also give us some savings. He told us to pick out a car first — once he arrives next week, he’ll pay for it in full.”
And on and on she went.
Tao Ran spun the tale so skillfully that, under the intoxicating mix of wine, flattery, and greed, Fang Ming’s eyes turned red, his voice grew hoarse, and his words slurred — pure excitement radiating from him.
His phone rang several times during dinner, but he ignored every call, completely absorbed by the fantasy. When it rang again, he suddenly stood up.
“Ranran, I’m not going back to campus tonight. Let’s plan how to impress your uncle! I’ll just step out and return a few calls so they won’t wait for me.”
“Sure!”
That was exactly what Tao Ran had been waiting for. Keeping Fang Ming here was easy, but to ensure her plan went smoothly, she needed to make sure no one came looking for him — especially Xiao Ai or anyone else.
Fang Ming slinked off to the restroom to make his calls.
That was Tao Ran’s chance.
She quickly took out the finely ground sleeping pills — potent ones Dr. Ross had given her — and poured them into the wine bottle. Half a bottle of wine mixed with half a pill was enough to make sure he’d be completely out cold.
The apartment was in no shape for guests, so she needed him unconscious before bringing him home.
She’d waited until now to spike the drink for three reasons: first, Fang Ming was too sharp — he’d never keep drinking if she hadn’t baited him with the “good news.” Second, it had to look natural. If he passed out too soon, even the restaurant staff would grow suspicious. Third, the drug wasn’t entirely tasteless — it was slightly bitter.
She’d tested it herself.
Colorless, but bitter.
Only when Fang Ming was tipsy, distracted, and flushed with greed could she slip it past him undetected.
That was why Tao Ran had gone to such elaborate lengths — weaving a lie so grand just to make him drink.
Fang Ming’s phone calls lasted nearly ten minutes.
No doubt one was to Xiao Ai and another to Lu Sitong.
Always juggling, always scheming.
Tao Ran didn’t care. She focused on the steaming lobster in front of her.
Sure enough, Dr. Ross’s pills worked wonders.
After Fang Ming returned and downed a few more gulps of wine with his steak, he began to sway and mumble incoherently.
Three minutes later, he collapsed in his chair, completely unconscious.
Pathetic. A whole table of food, and he’d barely touched any of it.
Except for the steak he’d eaten, Tao Ran packed up all the remaining dishes and wine, then called for the bill.
Naturally, Fang Ming paid.
A man who’d been “on a work trip” for half a month, living it up and chasing rich women — how could he possibly be broke?
Sure enough, inside the lining of his briefcase, Tao Ran found several crisp hundred-dollar bills.
After paying the bill and leaving a generous thirty-dollar tip, the cheerful waiter even helped her carry the half-conscious Fang Ming to the apartment building across the street.
At the entrance, Tao Ran called over two familiar homeless men.
With practiced efficiency, the pair helped her haul Fang Ming — and his luggage — up to the third floor.
Once inside, Tao Ran let his body drop to the floor with a thud.
At that moment, he was no more than a breathing corpse — completely at her mercy.
Tao Ran flexed her fingers.
Where to start?
Should she strip him first?
Or kick him a few times to vent her anger?
In the end, she grabbed the wine bottle and poured the remaining fifth straight down the scumbag’s throat.
Most of it spilled, but enough went in — ensuring he’d be out until at least nine or ten the next morning.
Perfect.
The night belonged entirely to Tao Ran now.
Her opponent lay defenseless.
She didn’t hold back — the first thing she did was slap Fang Ming thirty times, each one for Tang Ran.
Just as Dr. Ross had promised, even with both cheeks swollen and red, the man didn’t stir.
Then she stripped him down to his underwear.
Not out of perversion, but to search for anything he might be hiding.
And “hiding” didn’t just mean money — it could be photos, trinkets, or secrets.
No way.
Fang Ming had gone all out for this so-called “academic trip,” desperate to impress some rich heiress. There had to be traces of his deceit somewhere.
Tao Ran’s goal was simple: expose every last one of his secrets before he could clean up the evidence.
That was why she’d intercepted him at the airport — a surprise strike.
She’d rather lose her chance to catch him red-handed with Xiao Ai than let him get away again.
Half a month away — everything had to be on him or in his luggage.
And sure enough, her instincts were right.
Her very first search turned up a bank card hidden in his wallet — one she’d never seen before. From its worn edges, it was at least a year old.
She’d suspected as much — the man definitely had a stash somewhere.
He’d told her the conference covered food and lodging, and she’d only given him five hundred dollars for expenses. But that couldn’t possibly be enough, could it?
He was chasing a rich woman, after all — five hundred dollars wouldn’t even cover a single dinner!
How could a broke man catch a wealthy beauty?
And when she recalled how, during their lawsuit, the Fang family had boasted about sending them “financial support” every year — with transaction records to prove it — she knew exactly who’d been suffering in that marriage.
Tang Ran.
Only Tang Ran.
Everything she’d paid in, she would take back.
Now that she had the bank card, finding out the balance was easy.
Tao Ran opened Fang Ming’s laptop, logged into his online banking, bypassed the password with his ID and phone verification, and reset it.
Then she checked the balance.
What she saw made her gasp.
Over ten thousand dollars.
Ten thousand!
Fury burned in her chest.
Wherever that money came from, it was unforgivable.
Tang Ran had worked herself to exhaustion, juggling two jobs and saving just three thousand dollars — money meant for her pregnancy.
And this bastard?
He’d been living comfortably, spending freely — wining, dining, and playing the high roller.
“Scum!”
The word burst from her lips as she dug deeper through his things.
And it didn’t stop there.
From his suitcase, she pulled out two more heart-shaped shell necklaces — identical to the one around her own neck.
Three of the same? Did he buy them in bulk?
One for Tang Ran, one for Xiao Ai… and what, one for his mother?
“Scum!”
Tao Ran tore off her necklace and flung it right in Fang Ming’s face.
Then she kept searching.