Master

In just a minute, Lin Qi had dealt with Liu Bighead and his men. At last, he approached Song Qingzhu.

“Are you alright?” Lin Qi grinned mischievously, clearly treating the whole affair as nothing of consequence.

Sunlight spilled over his face, lending him an undeniably handsome air.

Yet Song Qingzhu’s expression remained calm. There was no clichéd surge of emotion, no tears welling up, nor did she throw herself into Lin Qi’s arms and sob like an ordinary girl might. Instead, she remained impassive, her eyebrows not even twitching—a composure so cold it was almost frightening.

It was as if these events were equally trivial to her.

“Why did you come back?” Amid the chorus of groans, Song Qingzhu asked coolly.

“There’s a truck parked outside your house,” Lin Qi replied. “There are ladders and the like on it. It looks like a repair company, but I didn’t hear any repair noises, so I thought it was strange. I climbed onto the roof to take a look.”

That truck was the very one Liu Bighead and his men had driven in, having tricked the gate security with the pretense of “repairing furniture.”

But Lin Qi hadn’t been fooled.

Song Qingzhu nodded, accepting his explanation. She glanced around and remarked, “Not bad skills…”

“Of course. I’ve practiced martial arts since I was a kid.” Lin Qi raised his arm, showing off his muscle.

He failed to notice that one of the men was quietly trying to crawl away.

Song Qingzhu saw him. She didn’t alert Lin Qi, but her hand moved ever so slightly.

A slender silver needle flew out without a sound, striking the man at the back of his neck.

A pained cry rang out as the man collapsed, unconscious.

“Hm?” Lin Qi spun around, but saw nothing amiss.

“What’s going on? I thought the fight was over—why are they just yelling now?” Lin Qi was thoroughly puzzled.

Song Qingzhu ignored him, taking out her phone to call the police.

Before long, a team of special agents arrived and took Lin Qi, Song Qingzhu, Liu Bighead, and the others away.

Due to Song Qingzhu’s special status, the case was kept strictly confidential. Such incidents could not be allowed to spread, as they might easily inspire copycats.

Song Qingzhu didn’t even tell anyone in her own company.

Liu Bighead’s group was guilty of violent kidnapping and extortion involving a huge sum—it was certain they’d be sentenced to at least ten years.

Eventually, Song Qingzhu and Lin Qi left the Special Affairs Bureau together.

“You’ve saved me again. Go on, which car do you want this time?”

In the fading light, Song Qingzhu’s face was cold.

“I don’t want any car,” Lin Qi replied, still grinning. “I just want to have a meal with you.”

Song Qingzhu’s brows knit together. “Can’t you be realistic? Car or house, pick one!”

Lin Qi’s expression grew resolute. “I’ll say it again: I don’t want anything. I just want to share a meal with you.”

“What exactly are you after?”

“I want to date you!”

Lin Qi’s smile became dazzling.

“Do you really think that’s possible?” Song Qingzhu was practically fuming, her tone full of scorn and contempt.

“Why not? Sure, I’m just a delivery guy now, but who knows? Maybe one day I’ll be a big company boss. Anyway, I just want to have dinner with you. Yes or no?” Lin Qi put on a roguish air. “If you refuse, I’ll tell the whole world I saved you—that such a high-profile CEO wouldn’t even treat her rescuer to a meal…”

“Fine. Where do you want to eat?” Song Qingzhu changed her mind abruptly and agreed without hesitation.

“Tongyue Restaurant!” Lin Qi laughed, announcing his victory.

“Alright, eight o’clock tonight.” Song Qingzhu turned to leave, her slender waist swaying, high heels clicking crisply on the floor.

“What a woman… her skills are terrifying…” Lin Qi’s face grew serious.

With just a silver needle, she could render a man unconscious without a sound.

How could Lin Qi not have noticed?

He was more certain than ever that this woman was extraordinary—and more determined than ever to get closer to Song Qingzhu!

Jinyang Group, President’s Office.

Song Qingzhu was buried in work when someone knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

Footsteps sounded as Secretary Zhou entered, handing over a folder. “President Song, here’s the information you asked for.”

Song Qingzhu took it and read through it carefully.

It was the life and background of Lin Qi.

Lin Qi, orphan. Lived in an orphanage until eighteen, then joined Longyue Group, becoming an unremarkable junior manager.

For some unknown reason, he was dismissed and switched to being a delivery driver.

His wife, Luo Yingying, couldn’t bear it and divorced him.

He now lived with Luo Feifei—Luo Yingying’s younger sister. The two almost married, with Tang Long organizing the wedding, but it fell through due to certain circumstances.

At that wedding, Tang Long called Lin Qi his savior.

Later, Lin Qi clashed with Han Cang; Tang Long beat Lin Qi in public, stating it was the last time he would help him.

...

After reading all the information, a cold smile curved Song Qingzhu’s lips.

“So, Tang Long’s mole by my side?”

“Very well, come then.”

“Perfect—it’s time to turn the tables!”

“I’ll catch you both in one sweep!”