Shao Kunye’s gaze returned to Wen Xi’s pale, delicate face.
There was no trace of joy or relief—only fear and terror.
Innocence mirrored the exact expression she had worn the night she drugged him.
Shao Kunye casually sat down on the stone chair. “Thanks to your good son, otherwise I still wouldn’t have found you.”
Wen Xi’s heart jolted, and she glanced at Wen Liyang in surprise. “Liyang, you…”
Wen Liyang clenched his fists tightly, wearing an expression of having done something wrong.
Shao Kunye lifted the corner of his mouth. “Speaking of which, I should thank him.”
After that night of madness, Wen Xi had fled like a little rabbit, leaving behind only a small stain on the sheets.
At the time, Shao Kunye had a business issue to deal with back in West Coast City, and the matter had been left unresolved.
He never expected that five years later, Wen Liyang would voluntarily bring the situation to his door.
Wen Xi staggered backward, holding Wen Liyang. “Y-you… what do you want?”
Shao Kunye tapped the stone table with his fingers. “You drugged me. How do you think this debt should be repaid?”
Wen Xi’s shoulders trembled slightly. “It wasn’t me. I didn’t do it…”
“So?” Shao Kunye showed no trace of leniency. “Didn’t you serve the wine?”
Not only had Wen Xi served the wine, she had watched Shao Kunye drink it with her own eyes.
Shao Kunye had lived long enough to see countless schemes, but this was the first time a woman had tried to trap him.
Perfect.
Han Tao was slightly surprised.
He had expected someone with a cunning mind to attempt to scheme Young Master Shao, but this woman looked barely in her early twenties.
When she had been with Shao Kunye, she must have been around eighteen or nineteen.
And this nervous, fearful expression hardly matched someone bold enough to drug him.
It seemed far more likely that she had been the one drugged.
But judging by Shao Kunye’s tone, the wine had come from Wen Xi herself—either she had dared to drug him, or she had been made a scapegoat.
Shao Kunye’s voice was unreadable. “No one has dared scheme against me for all these years. You’re the first. Tell me, how should I punish you?”
Wen Xi’s face was pale. “I really didn’t drug you. I don’t know how the wine became tainted…”
“You don’t know?” Shao Kunye sneered. “Then why did you give birth to the child?”
Normally, a woman pregnant by a stranger would handle it immediately.
But Wen Xi not only didn’t terminate the pregnancy, she raised Wen Liyang herself.
No one in their right mind would believe that.
Wen Xi nervously clutched her pale shirt corner and whispered, “When I found out, I was already five months along. The doctor said I couldn’t abort it, or I’d never have children again.”
Shao Kunye smirked, amused. “Nice excuse. Continue.”
He seemed to be waiting to see what other lies Wen Xi could spin.
Her face grew even paler, her delicate shoulders trembling. “I’m telling the truth. I’m not lying.”
She glanced at Shao Kunye timidly, seemingly crushed under his oppressive aura, and whispered, “I-I promise I won’t blackmail you. Please… spare me and Liyang…”
Han Tao shook his head subtly.
It seemed she still had no idea of Young Master Shao’s abilities, or she wouldn’t dare say such things.
Shao Kunye was the one who always issued threats; no one had ever threatened him.
As expected, Shao Kunye let out a light chuckle, as if hearing a joke. “Threaten me? You’re not qualified.”
He stood, his shadow darkening over Wen Xi. The extreme height difference made her look like a rabbit caught in a predator’s jaws, as if he could devour her in one bite.
Shao Kunye had no patience to spar with her further. He grabbed her chin. “Tell me—who made you drug me?”
Wen Xi’s eyes flickered, partially hidden behind her long lashes.
She thought she had concealed it well, unaware that Shao Kunye had already seen through everything.
Clearly, someone had orchestrated this.
But judging by her weak, trembling demeanor, she wouldn’t have had the courage to drug him herself; she probably couldn’t even hold the cup properly.
Shao Kunye released her, fingers lingering slightly on the soft, delicate touch. “Not telling me? Then we’ll deal with this little liar first, and then you, the bigger liar.”
Wen Xi’s eyes widened in terror. Instinctively, she clutched Wen Liyang tightly. “N-no! Don’t!”
Shao Kunye’s patience wore thin. “Last chance. If you don’t speak, I’ll send you both for a little reunion downstairs.”
Beads of sweat formed on Wen Xi’s forehead. Standing under the scorching sun, she was drenched as if pulled from water.
Shao Kunye flicked the ash from his cigarette. “Han Tao, handle the two of them. Don’t let me see them again.”
Wen Xi froze, her face seeming drained of every drop of blood.
Han Tao glanced at Shao Kunye, surprised.
He had assumed that for the child’s sake, Young Master Shao might spare Wen Xi.
But then again, Shao Kunye hated being schemed against above all else. Wen Xi had crossed a dangerous line.
As Han Tao moved forward, Wen Xi’s tears rolled in her eyes. “Don’t come over… I really don’t know anything…”
As expected, she was as weak and helpless as Shao Kunye had imagined. She could only clutch Wen Liyang and tremble, like a lamb awaiting slaughter.
Just as Han Tao was about to act, a puzzled voice sounded behind them. “You are?”
Shao Kunye inserted his hands into his pockets and turned.
The man’s face instantly lit up with delight. “Young Master Shao! It’s you?”
Shao Kunye furrowed his brow.
The man hurried forward, smiling broadly. “I’m Jiang Songde. Last time I contacted you about a business cooperation. I didn’t expect you’d personally grace us with your presence!”
Previously, Jiang Songde had sent a message with no reply. He had assumed the deal was dead. But now Shao Kunye had come in person.
There was hope for the cooperation.
Han Tao quickly stepped forward to remind Shao Kunye, who had apparently forgotten who this was. “Young Master Shao, he’s the one looking to buy Bremelanotide from you.”
Bremelanotide—a melanocortin receptor agonist, a banned substance on the market.
Two weeks ago, Jiang Songde had reached out to Shao Kunye to request 500 kilograms of Bremelanotide. Shao Kunye had barely paid attention, brushing it off.
Shao Kunye’s deep gaze swept over Wen Xi.
This little liar… was she connected to the Jiang family?
Feeling his gaze, Wen Xi shrank her neck slightly, revealing a small patch of fair skin, and hugged Wen Liyang tighter, as if fearing further interrogation.
Shao Kunye curled a corner of his mouth.
Interesting.
Jiang Songde didn’t notice the tension, lost in the excitement of a promising business. “Young Master Shao, why didn’t you say you were coming? I could’ve prepared a proper welcome.”
Shao Kunye dropped his cigarette to the floor. “Passing by. Thought I’d stop in.”
He was confident Wen Xi wouldn’t speak out. Sure enough, she only glanced at him curiously, wondering how they knew each other, before lowering her head silently.
Jiang Songde, unsuspecting, tried to be hospitable. “Young Master Shao, shall we go inside to discuss?”
Shao Kunye flicked his chin in acknowledgment.
Han Tao understood quickly: Wen Xi and her son hadn’t been “handled” yet. Someone had clearly orchestrated the drugging, and she was somehow connected to the Jiang family.
Jiang Songde wanted Bremelanotide, which was a material for aphrodisiac drugs.
There might be a connection between the two.
Shao Kunye led the way. He glanced at the floor-to-ceiling window. Reflected in the glass, Wen Xi looked like a little rabbit who had narrowly escaped death, cautiously touching her chest and exhaling.
Thinking that Jiang Family’s presence could protect her and her son amused Shao Kunye.