Public relations tactics, technical demonstrations, and even behind-the-scenes resource struggles were all pushed to their limits.
This particular project involved multiple vested interests.
Whoever secured the contract would dominate the industry discourse for the next five years.
“Shut your mouth!”
Lu Lingchuan glared at him fiercely.
Nan Yi felt a chill run down his spine and immediately fell silent.
Nan Yi lowered his head, suppressed his smile, and continued monitoring.
While recording timestamps, he marked suspicious dialogue segments.
He didn’t dare relax for even a moment, keeping his fingers poised over the recording pause button.
Lou Family Residence.
The security system on the eastern side remained disabled to facilitate surveillance equipment access.
Infrared cameras covered the garden, corridors, and main entry points.
With no visitors expected at the Lou residence tonight, security levels were reduced by one tier.
This created favorable conditions for surveillance.
Lou Qiyun walked all the way outside to the secluded greenhouse.
She wore a plain-colored long dress.
Located behind the main building, the greenhouse was surrounded by thorny plants and rarely visited.
Tiny water droplets condensed on the glass panels, maintaining indoor humidity above 65%.
The tall figure behind her followed closely.
Wu Haifeng wore a dark gray suit with his tie slightly loosened.
He maintained a distance of less than one meter from Lou Qiyun throughout.
She stopped moving, but Wu Haifeng didn’t halt his approach.
Lou Qiyun didn’t turn around, but her fingertips tightened slightly.
He pressed so close they were almost touching.
Without making actual contact.
The air filled with a blended fragrance of roses and jasmine.
A distinctly feminine scent washed over him.
Top notes fresh, middle notes deep, base notes subtly sweet.
It was Lou Qiyun’s signature private blend perfume, unavailable commercially.
Only a select few knew about her preference.
Wu Haifeng closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, his gaze intoxicated, corners of his mouth curling upward.
His Adam’s apple bobbed.
“Second Young Miss Lou… you smell… truly enchanting.”
His words were deliberately slow, with drawn-out endings.
After speaking, he retreated half a step.
His gaze remained fixed on the hairline at her nape, refusing to look away.
“I’ve always wondered—what would Second Young Miss Lou look like being dragged down from her pedestal? Must be utterly captivating, no?”
He tilted his head slightly after speaking, observing her reaction.
Lou Qiyun flicked her wrist, drawing a butterfly knife from her sleeve before spinning around to press the blade against his carotid artery.
“Get lost.”
Wu Haifeng’s eyebrows lifted slightly.
He stood his ground, body unmoving, but his right hand suddenly shot out, two fingers firmly clamping the descending blade.
Metallic cold light paused between his fingers.
The next instant, his concealed left hand emerged from behind, fingers tightening to precisely seize her knife-holding wrist.
Then he twisted his wrist, executing a reverse lock.
Her arm was forcibly wrenched behind her back.
Audible cracks echoed from her elbow and wrist joints.
The butterfly knife slipped from her grasp amid sharp pain.
Flipping halfway through the air before clattering to the ground.
Lou Qiyun’s face turned pale, cold sweat beading at her temples.
She clenched her jaw, attempting to retract her arm while pushing backward with her legs to break free.
But her struggles only earned tighter restraint.
The man’s hoarse voice sounded close to her ear.
Wu Haifeng’s breathing deepened as he gripped her, forcing her to turn and face his eyes.
Compelled to meet his gaze, she found no trace of warmth in those eyes.
“Don’t forget—your father personally gave you to me.”
“Where do you get the audacity to refuse?”
Lou Qiyun gritted her teeth, her lower lip already bleeding from the pressure.
Yet in this moment of ultimate humiliation, a cold glint flashed in her eyes.
Not a plea for mercy, not a breakdown, but killing intent.
Wu Haifeng bent down and picked up the butterfly knife from the ground.
The blade was covered in dust, which he casually wiped off on his sleeve.
The cold steel pressed against her cheek once more.
That touch traced a line of bone-chilling coldness.
He chuckled lightly as he asked.
“Do you want to be a person, or a dog? Second Miss Lou, choose one.”
His words fell like knives stabbing into her back.
The entire greenhouse seemed to freeze.
Then came the sound of steady footsteps.
Lu Lingchuan walked forward step by step.
His entire being radiated murderous aura, his eyes cold as ice.
Lou Qiyun’s pupils trembled.
In the instant before Wu Haifeng could react.
She suddenly leaned forward, actively pressing against the cold blade.
Her snow-white cheek immediately split open with a bloody gash, crimson blood droplets slowly seeping out.
She lifted her face, her gaze weak.
“Save me…”
Blood dripped onto her slender shoulders.
Drop by drop, shocking to behold, yet carrying a tragically beautiful sorrow.
Her voice trembled with grievance and helplessness.
“He forced me… if I don’t comply, he’ll ruin…”
She lowered her head, her long eyelashes falling, hiding the tears in her eyes.
Wu Haifeng instead laughed.
“Second Miss Lou playing both sides – does your father know about this?! Do you think you can deceive everyone?”
Lu Lingchuan’s eyes turned cold, his killing intent palpable.
His fist suddenly shot out, straight toward Wu Haifeng’s face!
Wu Haifeng hastily dodged, his body jerking backward, his feet slipping as he barely avoided the blow.
But the fist still grazed his ear, bringing a searing pain.
Lu Lingchuan didn’t pursue the attack, only turning his head to glance at Lou Qiyun.
“Are you alright?”
Lou Qiyun watched their exchange, her heart pounding like a drum.
She still remembered how he had climbed over the wall to enter last night.
Sneaking into the Lou Family’s backyard under cover of darkness.
But now it was broad daylight, and the Lou Family was heavily guarded.
There were bodyguards at the gate, surveillance cameras along the walls.
How did he get in?
Lu Lingchuan wasn’t in a hurry waiting for her answer.
“You’re just like your background – disgusting. Despicable, shameless, without even the basic bottom line of being human.”
Wu Haifeng’s face darkened, his eyes suddenly turning cold.
“Better than your hypocritical, scheming self!”
He spat out these words through gritted teeth.
“Acting like a gentleman on the surface, but sneaking around behind everyone’s back – how much cleaner are you than me?”
He narrowed his eyes, suspicion growing in his heart.
Why would Lu Lingchuan appear here?
Shouldn’t he be investigating that matter in the east side of the city?
Why would he suddenly show up at the Lou Family?
At this time, shouldn’t he be…
Investigating that case?
The one involving high-level officials?
Suddenly, he remembered the flash of concern in Lu Lingchuan’s eyes when he looked at Lou Qiyun moments before.
Wu Haifeng drew out his tone meaningfully.
He clapped his hands, his movements flippant.
“I originally thought President Lu had turned over a new leaf.”
He paused, his smile suddenly widening, his eyes turning sinister.
“So it turns out, spring has stirred in your heart! You’ve fallen for a woman, even neglecting your important duties?”
He laughed more wildly, his laughter echoing in the empty room.
His gaze toward Lou Qiyun was like that of a predator.
He loved nothing more than taking things from Lu Lingchuan.
Whether business projects, connections and resources, or even women.
Anything Lu Lingchuan cared about, he wanted to destroy, wanted to take away.
“President Lu came at quite the wrong time,” he said slowly, “Second Miss Lou—”
He lifted his hand with a frivolous gesture, his fingertip hovering near her chin.
“She’s already been claimed by me.”
“If you really want to join the fun, you’ll have to settle for what I leave behind.”
Lu Lingchuan stiffened, his footsteps faltering slightly.
His gaze turned icy cold in an instant.
“What did you just say?”
A wave of oppressive intensity swept toward him.
Right at this critical moment, the Lou Family hurriedly gathered outside the greenhouse.
Footsteps scrambled chaotically as shadows of figures shifted restlessly.