The computer hard drive was completely formatted, while the USB drives and backup phones were all sealed in bags and hidden within the wall cavity.
Then she opened the ventilation shaft and cleaned any potential residual footprints and fibers.
She waited a while longer.
Lou Tingwen’s footsteps had reached the door.
He stood outside for about ten seconds.
Moments later, the footsteps suddenly turned around and gradually faded away.
Narrowing her eyes, she walked to the door and listened carefully for a while.
After confirming he had left, she took out a glass and gently placed it upside down on the doorknob.
Having done all this, she drew the curtains, turned off the lights, and went to bed.
The next day.
A knocking sound came from the door.
The rhythm was steady—three short knocks followed by two long ones—the Butler’s distinctive way of knocking.
Lou Qiyun opened the door and looked coldly at the Butler.
She had just washed her face, her hair still slightly damp, and she wore a loose robe.
“This is the gown you are to wear and the musical score you are to perform.”
The Butler held the clothing and score respectfully with both hands.
Lou Qiyun picked at the garment with her fingertips—a sheer pink chiffon.
“You call this a dress?”
“Yes.”
She let go and took a step back.
“Tell him that if he isn’t embarrassed, I don’t mind not wearing it either.”
The Butler’s face darkened, his brow furrowed tightly.
Not daring to say another word, he immediately pulled out his phone and dialed Lou Tingwen’s number.
As soon as the call connected, he quickly reported the situation.
Three seconds later, he put on a standard smile.
“I’ll have someone bring you a different set right away.”
His response was met with Lou Qiyun slamming the door shut with a “bang.”
She was agitated.
Standing behind the door, her back against the cold wood, her breathing slightly quickened.
Her mind raced, calculating every next step.
If that man didn’t show up, she would have to find another way to escape.
…
Lou Qiyun went downstairs.
She wore a simple black gown, her hair neatly tied up at the back.
As she reached the corner of the staircase, someone blocked her way.
Lou Tinglan stood there, arms crossed over her chest.
She looked Lou Qiyun up and down, a flicker of envy in her eyes.
Lifting her chin, she said disdainfully, “No matter how pretty you are, what does it matter?”
“In the end, you still have to marry a scumbag like Wu Haifeng!”
Lou Qiyun looked at her.
She didn’t retreat or avoid her gaze, simply standing there.
Lou Tinglan, thinking she was scared, grew bolder.
She took half a step forward and openly provoked her.
“If you kneel down, I might put in a good word for you.”
Lou Qiyun’s lips curved slightly as she stepped forward, leaning close to her ear and whispering.
“You’re still far from ready.”
Before the other could respond, Lou Qiyun’s red lips moved.
“Say one more word, and I’ll make sure we both go down together.”
Lou Tinglan shuddered, her pupils contracting sharply.
She instinctively stepped back, unable to control her retreat, her heel hitting the stair railing.
Lou Qiyun took two steps back, casually straightening her sleeve.
She glanced up at the other woman.
“Do you think someone as twisted as Wu Haifeng would find three people more interesting?”
“You… you’re utterly unreasonable!”
Her face turned pale, her voice trembling.
Lou Qiyun let out two cold laughs.
“Is this all it takes for you to fall apart?”
She stood at the staircase landing, her fingertips lightly brushing her skirt.
The air around them seemed to freeze for a moment.
She turned and descended the stairs step by step.
Lou Tinglan was so furious she felt dizzy, her chest heaving.
She stared at the slowly descending figure.
Wishing she could rush up immediately and slap her hard across the face!
Downstairs in the grand hall.
Wu Haifeng was leisurely skimming the foam off his tea with deliberate slowness.
Seated in the host’s position, his expression remained placid.
“Those troubles of yours are trivial in the eyes of the Wu Family. Want them resolved? It’s not difficult.”
As his words faded, he lifted his gaze to sweep a glance at Lou Tingwen, his lips quirking in a faint, ambiguous smile.
Lou Tingwen’s eyes darkened, and he immediately cut in.
“Young Master Wu is here today for leisure. Let’s set other matters aside for now.”
He sat in a subordinate seat, his spine ramrod straight.
In truth, he understood all too clearly—some matters were simply not open for discussion.
The Wu Family’s stance had long been written plainly on their faces.
Their so-called “assistance” was nothing but conditional charity.
Wu Haifeng twitched the corner of his mouth but didn’t press further.
He raised the teacup to take a sip, the hot liquid sliding smoothly down his throat.
Just then, footsteps echoed from upstairs, drawing nearer with a distinct, rhythmic pace.
He instinctively looked up, his pupils contracting sharply. His hand jerked.
Tea splashed all over his clothes.
The dark liquid rapidly spread across his lapel, yet he paid it no mind.
Lou Qiyun descended the steps.
She wore a loose black gown, the collar slightly open, the shoulder line drooping.
The swaying hem outlined the curve of her waist and hips.
The light fell upon her, accentuating her cool, pale complexion.
Wu Haifeng promptly replaced his expression with a gentle smile.
He concealed the flicker of distortion in his eyes.
Casually, he tossed the teacup onto a nearby tray.
Then he extended a hand toward her, palm upturned, his demeanor solicitous.
“Come, let me have a proper look at you.”
Lou Tingwen remained silent, only signaling with his eyes for her to approach.
The room was eerily quiet.
Lou Tinglan sat to the side, clutching a handkerchief in her hand.
“Little sister, you caused quite the scene storming off at the banquet yesterday, stirring up gossip all over the city…”
“Young Master Wu, out of respect for Father, is giving you a way out. Not only are you late, but you haven’t apologized, and you’re wearing that stern face—are you looking down on him?”
Lou Tingwen immediately shot her a glare.
He stood in the center of the hall, his hands clasped behind his back.
Wu Haifeng, however, adjusted his glasses.
His gaze settled on Lou Qiyun, his eyes tinged with a hint of scrutiny.
He didn’t immediately respond to Lou Tingwen’s words.
Instead, he slowly shifted his sitting posture.
“If I’ve done anything unsatisfactory, Second Young Lady, please speak freely. I will certainly correct it.”
Xiao Ziqian had previously investigated this man.
Outwardly, he maintained a refined and elegant image, frequently attending charity galas and art exhibitions.
But behind the scenes, he controlled underground gambling dens and illegal clubs.
He never dirtied his own hands with blood, yet he relished the process of manipulating others’ fates.
Especially with women, he had a fixed routine.
First, he lured them with benefits, then gradually applied psychological pressure.
He enjoyed watching them struggle in despair.
Lou Qiyun lowered her head, her eyes fixed on the floor.
After a few seconds, she spoke softly.
“If it weren’t for my sister deliberately delaying me, would I have been late?”
Only after her words fell did she slowly lift her gaze.
Her eyes lingered on Wu Haifeng’s face for a moment.
She glanced sidelong at the clock on the wall, its metal hands pointing to half-past eleven.
Less than an hour remained until noon.
That person wouldn’t be coming.
Her originally aloof expression softened slightly, the corners of her lips gradually curving upward.
“Shall I play a violin piece for Young Master Wu?”
No sooner had she spoken than the butler promptly brought forth a violin.
It was a deep brown Stradivarius.
He presented it respectfully, then stepped back, standing with his hands at his sides.
Lou Qiyun turned sideways, settling into position. She cradled the violin with her left hand and gently drew the bow across the strings.
She adjusted her stance, her breathing slowing.
The music flowed forth, clear and cool like a spring.
She was performing Bach’s aria.
As the bow moved, a strand of hair slipped down from her temple.
The hall was utterly silent, with only the sound of the violin reverberating.
When the piece ended, the final note faded gently.
She tilted her head back slightly.
If it were in bed, that neck…
Wu Haifeng’s eyes turned red, his palms grew hot.
His breathing became slightly heavier.
He stared at Lou Qiyun’s profile.