Lure Her Over

"Alright."

Lin Xuan followed Zhao Long out.

He subtly surveyed his surroundings, his brow slightly furrowed. The people here weren’t disguised members of the Golden Dragon Gang. It seemed the Golden Dragon Gang hadn’t infiltrated the Mourning organization yet.

In that case, he’d have to wait a little longer—until everything was ready—before making his move against Mourning. Acting recklessly now would be too dangerous.

Lin Xuan sat at the dining table and began shoveling large mouthfuls of food into his mouth. He needed to eat more, replenish his energy, so he’d have the strength to deal with Mourning.

[Sir, Ling has landed and is on her way here.]

Zhao Long received a message from a subordinate.

With a smile, Zhao Long nodded.

She was arriving earlier than expected. Ling really did care deeply about Lin Xuan.

The more attached she was to him, the more it would hurt her later—and the more her heart would break.

Meanwhile...

Su Hua arrived near the Mourning organization’s hideout. Jiang Qing was still trying to dissuade her: "President Su, going in alone is too dangerous. Mourning doesn’t leave loose ends—they only spared you before because they wanted you back."

"If you refuse again this time, they won’t let you live. And if you agree, you’ll be trapped in Mourning for the rest of your life."

Su Hua pressed her lips together.

So what if she had to stay with Mourning forever? At least A-Xuan would be safe, wouldn’t he?

"President Su, the reason Young Master Lin kept this from you and came to Mourning alone was because he was worried they’d target you. Maybe he really does have a way to deal with them. If you go in now, you’ll only make him worry."

Su Hua’s icy gaze settled on Jiang Qing.

"So you’re saying I should just stand by and watch A-Xuan walk into danger without doing anything?"

Jiang Qing was left speechless, unsure how to respond.

"President Su, aren’t you afraid that if something happens to you, Young Master Lin might move on and marry someone else?" Jiang Qing tried another angle, knowing Su Hua’s greatest fears were Lin Xuan leaving her and him getting close to other women.

But this time, Su Hua’s answer wasn’t what she expected. A bitter smile touched Su Hua’s lips.

"As long as A-Xuan is safe, that’s enough."

If she died… at least she wouldn’t have to see it. Wouldn’t that be less painful?

Of course, if she lived, she’d never let him marry another woman—or even get close to one.

Jiang Qing frowned at Su Hua.

President Su truly loved Young Master Lin to the extreme. To keep him safe, she was even willing to accept the possibility of him being with another woman…

Fine.

Jiang Qing sighed inwardly.

Let the two of them face Zhao Long together. Young Master Lin had asked her to keep Su Hua in the dark not because he feared she’d ruin his plans, but because he wanted to protect her.

Maybe the two of them working together would stand a better chance.

Jiang Qing stopped trying to hold Su Hua back.

Su Hua stepped forward alone, arriving at the entrance of Mourning’s stronghold.

Zhao Long’s men were already waiting for her.

This particular subordinate was close to Zhao Long—Wang Ba hadn’t dared replace him with a Golden Dragon Gang member, or Zhao Long might have noticed.

Zhao Long hadn’t risen to his position by being careless.

"Ling, our boss has been expecting you," the man said with a smile. "Please follow me."

"Alright."

Su Hua nodded.

"Wait—Ling, you’ll have to leave your weapons behind," the man added.

Su Hua handed over a gun.

Zhao Long’s subordinate knew that even with just a knife, Su Hua was deadly.

He glanced at a female subordinate behind him, who immediately stepped forward to search Su Hua.

Once they confirmed she wasn’t carrying any hidden weapons, they let her through.

"Isn’t that President Su?" Two guards at the door exchanged confused looks. "Why is she here?"

"No idea. Feels unusual. We should report this to Second Master right away."

They quickly relayed the news to Wang Ba.

Wang Ba guessed immediately—Su Hua had been lured here by Mourning using Lin Xuan as bait.

But why was Mourning so determined to capture her?

Going through all this trouble to grab Lin Xuan first, just to draw her in…

Was it about money?

Wang Ba couldn’t figure it out.

He considered sending a message to Lin Xuan, but then realized Su Hua would be meeting the boss in a minute or two.

No point in alerting him now.

Wang Ba stayed where he was.

Just then, someone emerged from inside.

"You—and you two—come with me. Stand guard," the man ordered, pointing at Wang Ba.

Wang Ba’s heart leaped.

Perfect. He could finally get inside.

"Yes," Wang Ba replied.

The man frowned. Wang Ba’s voice sounded slightly off.

But his face was the same.

Must have imagined it.

Shaking off his suspicion, the man led Wang Ba and two other Golden Dragon Gang members inside.

Zhao Long set down his chopsticks.

"She’s here. Lin Xuan, come with me. There’s someone I want you to meet," Zhao Long said with a smirk.

Someone?

Lin Xuan’s brow furrowed.

Hua Bao?

But he’d told Secretary Jiang to cut off all contact with Mourning. They shouldn’t have been able to notify her so easily about his capture.

Despite his reasoning, unease gnawed at him.

Lin Xuan stepped into the hall—and his eyes locked onto Su Hua standing in the center.

His breath caught.

It really was Hua Bao!

Zhao Long must have used his presence here to lure her in.

Zhao Long glanced at Lin Xuan, who quickly masked his emotions, letting only cold disdain show in his gaze as he looked at Su Hua.

He had to play his part perfectly—no room for mistakes.

Zhao Long smiled.

Genuine hatred.

Amusement flickered in his eyes as he settled into his chair, its armrests carved with coiling serpents. His fingers idly turned a string of prayer beads.

"Ling, I brought you here today so you could reunite with your little boyfriend," Zhao Long said lightly.

Su Hua studied Lin Xuan’s expression, a sharp unease rising in her chest.

Why was he looking at her like that?

That gaze—it reminded her of the way he’d looked at her on the island, and every time he defended Qin Ruoyao when she tried to lock him away…

"A-Xuan," Su Hua whispered, her lips pale. "Have you… remembered something?"

Thank you for the character summon, No. Gu!

Thanks also to Qingfeng Tumu, Yao Ge who loves piggies, Chang Qu Zhi Ru, Duan Yue~, Duo Zha of the Primordial Palace, the slothful Capybara, and other lovely readers for your gifts!

Goodnight, everyone.

Uu.