Chapter 6: Veils of Destiny and Clashing Shadows
"Ms. Ling, here are the surveillance recordings you requested," declared the man wearing gold-rimmed glasses and dressed in an exquisitely tailored suit. His voice was refined yet carried a sense of urgency. "The recordings cover Sanjiang Road, Xijiang Street, and Sanyang Road. Interestingly, within the same time frames, a single individual appears in the footage from all three locations." This private inquiry agent, a true master at navigating municipal databases and having access to police archives, bowed slightly as he presented the encrypted USB drive.
Ling Meixue's normally icy and composed demeanour wavered for a brief moment when the surveillance footage started playing on the screen. Her perfectly manicured, lacquered nail halted mid-air, hovering just above the screen. On the screen, Gu Chen's figure emerged, moving through the deserted midnight streets like a spectral apparition. "Him?!" Her whispered exclamation seemed to freeze the air in the office, the shock evident in her voice.
——
Far to the north, nestled within a hidden subterranean fortress that seemed to be gilded by the frosty mists blown in from the nearby fjords, a battle-hardened commander stood before three lieutenants whose figures were cast in shadow. "New intelligence has emerged from Xia Country," his voice rumbled deeply, much like the slow and powerful movement of tectonic plates. "There's talk of a young and emerging warlord who has been elevated to the rank of general almost overnight. Three mornings ago, an unknown and mysterious force launched an attack through the digital networks of various organizations in Europe, severely crippling a conglomerate worth billions of yuan. All the evidence and leads seem to point back to Xia Country." His armoured gauntlets clenched tightly, showing his determination. "The mysterious figure who once wiped out our vanguard corps... I strongly suspect it's the same person. Before the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of West City in Jiangzhou, find him and eliminate him."
A lieutenant with platinum-white hair raised his eyes, their cerulean colour as cold and unyielding as the Arctic ice floes. "General, searching for him in the vast expanse of the Middle Kingdom is like looking for a needle in a haystack."
"Once found, even a needle can draw blood," the commander growled menacingly.
——
As twilight cast a soft, warm glow that seemed to seep into the marble floors of the Yuhuatai Villa, Gu Chen hummed softly as he worked over the sizzling wok, the enticing aroma of the food filling the air. The sharp clicking sound of Ling Meixue's high-heeled stilettos announced her return.
"Wife," he called out cheerfully, carefully arranging the chrysanthemum-tea-flavoured dumplings on the plate with a sense of ceremony. "Dinner is ready, and it awaits your judgement."
With a sharp motion, her Valentino clutch bag landed on the sofa with a sound like a gavel striking, making a clear statement. "Care to explain *this*?" The USB drive slid across the polished rosewood table, its presence almost like an accusing eye, hinting at the secrets it held within.
Gu Chen's soft chuckle seemed to float through the steam scented with jasmine. "Perhaps it's footage of some late-night acts of kindness? Maybe it shows a civic-minded person giving guidance to some misguided tycoons?" he said playfully.
"Don't play dumb," she said sharply. Her obsidian eyes were fixed on him, as if trying to see through his facade. "The shadow of the Tiger Marshal seems to be lurking in every pixel of this footage. Are you his ally... or are you him?"
He paused for a moment, the ladle in his hand hovering in mid-air, as if frozen in time. The truth seemed to hang in the air, like a powerful dragon ready to break through the delicate and false pretense of their seemingly ordinary domestic life.
"Let's say," he murmured, his finger tracing the metallic edge of the USB drive, "that the stripes of the tiger aren't just for show..."
Her breath caught in her throat. Throughout the city, surveillance cameras continued to hum softly, silently observing everything. In the icy landscapes of the Nordic region, daggers were being sharpened in preparation. And in the space between the gentle clicking of chopsticks and the meaningful glances exchanged between them, the gears of destiny continued to turn, slowly but surely leading towards a moment of revelation.
Negotiations and an Untimely Intrusion
Gu Chen felt a momentary sense of bewilderment. Why was it that this young woman so stubbornly refused to accept his claim of being the Tiger Marshal? Yet, perhaps her disbelief served as a form of protection for her, for some truths, once revealed, could be as searing as the intense heat of an exposed flame.
"Somewhat so," he admitted, a hint of resigned amusement in his tone.
Ling Meixue's eyes lit up with a spark of strategic eagerness. "The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the inauguration of West City in two days—do you think you could manage to secure us an invitation? Events of this nature draw in a multitude of influential figures. It would be an opportune moment for us to forge some alliances."
"Do you genuinely have a strong desire to gain entry?"
Her ambition clashed with the harsh reality of practicality. The task of obtaining tickets for Jiangzhou's most exclusive event, an event overseen by the mysterious new power player, had proven to be an insurmountable challenge even for someone with her extensive resources.
"If it's not possible..." Her voice faded away, a masterful display of feigned nonchalance.
"Rest assured, consider it accomplished." A smirk played on his lips, a blend of mischief and a silent promise. "However, when it comes to doing favours, there is often an expectation of... mutual exchange."
"Tell me how much you want."
"It's not about money." His fingertip gently brushed against his cheekbone. "What I desire is a mark of approval, a tender kiss from my dear lady's lips."
Ling Meixue arched her brow, her expression one of regal disapproval. "You seriously think that a simple kiss can buy you the ability to work miracles?"
"I have never deceived you, my dear wife. With just one sweet kiss from your lips, the Tiger Marshal himself will bow down and fulfil your every wish." The irony of the situation hung heavy in the air, unspoken, for in truth, all he had to do was give a command to his own alter ego.
Her delicate features softened slightly. "Then it will be a chaste kiss, nothing more. You mustn't take any further liberties."
"As you command." His grin grew more pronounced, like a skilled duellist anticipating the next move in a battle of wits.
"Close your eyes."
As her lips, soft and pink like rose quartz, approached his temple, Gu Chen turned his head with the precision of a seasoned predator. Their lips met in a sudden and unexpected embrace.
"Mmph—!" Her eyes widened in surprise, like fortified citadels under sudden attack.
His arm wrapped around her waist like an unyielding iron barrier.
*Creeeak—*
The creaking sound of the aged door hinges pierced through the charged moment.
"Xue'er, shall we go and— *Goodness gracious!*" Lin Shiyu's words halted mid-sentence as she entered the room. "Please, do continue with your... diplomatic discussions." She backed out with a playful and knowing smile.
Ling Meixue managed to break free from his embrace, her cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and indignation. "This isn't what it looks like—!"
"Spare me the elaborate explanations, my dear," Lin Shiyu winked mischievously. "We're all well-versed in the art of navigating such delicate situations."
The icy glare Ling Meixue directed at Gu Chen could have turned molten steel into a solid block. "You treacherous turn of events—!"
Gu Chen's laughter rumbled softly, like the distant rumble of thunder on the horizon. "Can a man be faulted for attempting to elevate our relationship to a more intimate level?"
In the ensuing silence, three profound truths lingered in the air: the delicate and vulnerable nature of agreements reached through negotiation, the unpredictable and volatile nature of stolen kisses, and the inevitable and unyielding force of desire that governed both the high-stakes world of political manoeuvring and the more private and intimate moments shared between two people.
The Theater of Injustice
Ling Meixue's cheeks flushed a deep crimson hue. "Your so-called enthusiasm earlier..." she hissed, her eyes ablaze with a mix of embarrassment and indignation.
"Just showing my due diligence as a spouse," Gu Chen retorted, his lips curling into a grin that was as sharp as a blade glinting in the moonlight.
"You incorrigible scoundrel!" she exclaimed, seizing the mop beside her as if she were the goddess Artemis claiming her mighty spear. With a determined look, she chased him through the corridors that were bathed in the dappled sunlight, her movements filled with a fiery passion.
Lin Shiyu watched the rather comical marital scene with half-closed eyes, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "Sister Xue'er", she murmured, "this little dance of courtship, filled with bristling mops and blushing cheeks, foretells an inevitable surrender on your part."
——
As the first faint blush of dawn painted the sky, Gu Chen stood in their sleek, chrome-accented kitchen, skilfully orchestrating a symphony of culinary delights. Ling Meixue, dressed in a sharp Armani suit that seemed to armour her, swept past him like a gust of cold wind. Her high-heeled stilettos clicked sharply on the floor, each step a sharp rebuke in its own right.
"Breakfast?" Gu Chen asked, his voice carrying a hint of hope.
"Eat it by yourself!" she snapped, and the slamming of the door behind her served as a final punctuation mark to her icy exit.
Gu Chen couldn't help but chuckle softly, swirling the fragrant jasmine steam rising from his porcelain cup. "Putting on this act of being coy and resistant? It's rather delightful," he mused to himself, a twinkle in his eye.
——
The morning journey to work turned into a dynamic and almost poetic display. His sturdy steel-framed bicycle cut through the chaotic traffic of Beijing like a knife through butter. Right at the moment, the eighth chime of the morning bell rang out, and he dismounted in front of the imposing glass edifice of Junli Group.
The atmosphere in the security office turned sour the moment he stepped inside. Liu Yang stood in the middle of the room, an air of triumph practically oozing from every pore of his body.
"You're late," Liu Yang spat out the word, his voice dripping with malicious satisfaction.
Gu Chen casually glanced at his luxurious Patek Philippe watch. "According to the rotation of Pluto – it's just the tiniest fraction of a celestial heartbeat," he quipped, a hint of defiance in his tone.
"Our corporate timekeeping system doesn't recognise such cosmic whims!" Liu Yang retorted, stabbing a nicotine-stained, yellowish finger at the surveillance screens. "Look closely at the damning evidence – it clearly shows 08:00:01!"
A ripple of nervous laughter spread through the group of security guards.
"Due process requires fairness and equity..." Gu Chen began to argue, his voice calm but firm.
"Due process?" Liu Yang interrupted him with a harsh bark, his voice echoing off the bulletproof glass walls of the office. "I am the one who decides what due process is around here!" He unfurled a scroll of dismissal like a haughty and petty bureaucrat from the Ming Dynasty. "Take off that uniform at once, you lowly peasant!" he commanded.
Gu Chen's smile turned icy, dropping several degrees in temperature. "This uniform, this second skin of mine?" His fingers lightly danced along the epaulettes, which seemed to carry an unspoken weight of authority. "I suggest you think twice before making such a demand. Otherwise, the removal of this uniform might unleash forces that your fragile little fiefdom won't be able to handle," he warned, his eyes fixed on Liu Yang.
The room fell silent, as if time itself had momentarily stopped. Somewhere in the background, the pendulum of a wall clock hesitated in the middle of its swing, adding to the tense atmosphere.
——
In her opulent penthouse office, Ling Meixue watched the confrontation unfold on the encrypted surveillance feeds. Her perfectly manicured, lacquered nail traced the outline of Gu Chen's pixelated figure on the screen, a mix of concern and admiration in her eyes. "You fool," she whispered, though it was unclear whether the word was directed at Liu Yang's arrogance or at her own traitorous heart that seemed to be drawn to Gu Chen's unyielding defiance.
The corporate machine continued to grind on, its gears of ambition meshing with the cogs of petty tyranny. Yet neither Liu Yang nor the others seemed to understand the seismic shift that was taking place beneath their polished floors, where the powerful tectonic plates of tradition and revolution were slowly but surely preparing to engage in a momentous dance.
Termination and the Irony of Summons
Liu Yang's smirk expanded, resembling that of a predator fully satisfied with its kill. "Your excessive talking won't save your job. Take off that uniform right away, or you'll have to endure continuous harassment in the form of docked attendance bonuses and disappearing wages. You have a choice to make."
Wang Hu took a step forward, the veins on his temples throbbing with anger. "This kind of oppressive behaviour goes beyond your authority! Even the CEO herself—"
"Spare me your empty talk about the corporate hierarchy!" Liu Yang retorted sharply, ostentatiously polishing his HR badge as if to emphasise his supposed authority. "Section 4.8 of the employee bylaws clearly states that termination is the appropriate sanction for employees who are late three times within a month. The CEO is occupied with far more important matters and doesn't have the time to concern herself with lowly security guards like you." His scornful gaze swept over Gu Chen, who remained composed and unperturbed. "Your so-called claim of being the 'husband of the president' might amuse others, but the reality is that you're just another easily replaceable pawn in this corporate game."
Gu Chen's laughter rang out, clear and sharp, intensifying the already tense atmosphere in the room. "This uniform that you seem to value so much?" His fingers lightly brushed over the epaulettes, his gesture exuding an air of regal disdain. "Once I take it off, you'll find yourself on your knees, begging me to put it back on."
"On my knees?" Liu Yang let out a loud, mocking laugh that echoed through the room illuminated by the surveillance cameras. He threw a crumpled wad of banknotes, amounting to ¥150, at Gu Chen's feet. "That's your meagre severance pay. Go grovel for it at the Accounting Department."
The security uniform landed on the linoleum floor with a dull thud, and it was immediately desecrated as Liu Yang stepped on it with his polished Oxford shoes. "Now get out of here, you pretender from the lower classes!"
——
Twenty-three floors above them, Ling Meixue's perfectly manicured nail hovered hesitantly over the buzzing intercom.
"President Ling," a voice from the West City Development Department purred flatteringly, "we would be truly honoured if you could grace us with your presence at tomorrow's ribbon-cutting ceremony. We have prepared two exclusive platinum invitations for you. Should we reserve seats for your accompanying entourage as well?"
Her breath caught in her throat. As if by magic, the courier's envelope appeared before her, and the gilded invitation inside glimmered enticingly, much like Cinderella's fabled glass slipper.
"Summon Gu Chen from the Security Department," she ordered her secretary, her heart rate quickening with anticipation. "Do it immediately."
——
Back in the security office, Liu Yang wallowed in his shallow victory, completely unaware of the significant upheaval taking place on the floors above.
"Pick up your paltry payment and get out of here!" He kicked the soiled uniform towards the exit. "Let this be a lesson for you and others like you about the importance of knowing your place in the corporate hierarchy."
Wang Hu's fist clenched tightly, his knuckles turning white. "This kind of persecution is—"
Ding-ding-ding!
The security hotline rang shrilly. Liu Yang snatched up the receiver, a self-satisfied smirk still plastered on his face. "Security Department. State your—"
"Gu Chen is to report to the executive suite immediately. Right away," the secretary's icy voice cut him off, freezing his moment of triumph in mid-sentence.
The ¥150 bill fluttered to the ground, forgotten, as Gu Chen calmly straightened his collar, his demeanour exuding a lethal sense of calm. "You will come to regret this, Director Liu," he murmured, stepping over the trampled uniform. "Regret is like a special kind of banquet, best served cold and lingering."
Above them, the corporate elevators hummed softly, carrying with them the promise of an impending reckoning that would soon change the course of events in this corporate world.
The Pendulum Swings
The shrill ring of the landline phone cut through the thick tension that filled the air in the security office. Wang Hu picked up the call, putting on an act of nonchalance. "Security Department. Who's calling?"
"This is Secretary Wang," came the icy voice on the other end, cutting him off sharply. "The chief executive officer insists on Mr. Gu's immediate appearance in her office."
Wang Hu's eyes sparkled with a hint of mischief. "President Ling wants Brother Chen to come up?" He emphasized the words, letting the implication hang in the air like the sharp edge of a dagger.
Liu Yang pushed Wang Hu aside, his palms sweating as he clutched the receiver tightly. "Secretary Wang, it's Liu Yang here! That unruly security guard has been dismissed. He had a history of being constantly late, and his behavior was extremely"—
"Dismissed?" The secretary's voice turned as cold as the Arctic, sending a chill down the spine.
"Exactly! His conduct was so unacceptable that it called for—"
"The CEO has made it clear," the secretary replied in a tone as hard as metal, "if Mr. Gu leaves the company, you will be expected to submit your resignation within the next hour."
Liu Yang's Adam's apple bobbed nervously as he swallowed hard. "You must be joking! My uncle is a shareholder on the board. Surely, I have the authority to—"
"A mere 5% stake in the company," she interrupted his blustering attempt to defend himself, "is hardly significant enough to require consultation when it comes to weeding out employees who are not contributing. You have exactly ten minutes to ensure Mr. Gu is on his way up."
*Click.* The sound of the dial tone echoed in the room, sounding like a solemn death knell that signalled the potential end of Liu Yang's tenure.
Gu Chen shrugged his shoulders, pretending to be indifferent. "Well, it seems like a good time to head home and catch up on some sleep," he said casually.
Panic set in, and Liu Yang scrambled to pick up the security jacket that he had previously trampled under his foot. "Put this on! Go up to the CEO's office right away! Now!" he ordered frantically.
Gu Chen turned towards Wang Hu, his eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and determination. "Since I'm already considered terminated, I won't be charged with assault if I teach this guy a lesson, right?"
"Not at all," Wang Hu and the others in the office chimed in unison.
In a swift motion, Gu Chen's hand grabbed a fistful of Liu Yang's scalp, forcefully pulling him down until he was kneeling on the cold linoleum floor. "Please have mercy on me!" the once-arrogant supervisor pleaded, his voice trembling with fear.
Gu Chen extended his polished Oxford shoe towards Liu Yang. "Lick my shoes clean. And make sure you do it thoroughly," he commanded icily.
The entire security office fell silent, as if holding its breath. In this moment, the established corporate hierarchies seemed to crumble and then reform in an instant, much like the ruins of Ozymandias' statue. It was a moment where a petty tyrant who had abused his power was reduced to a humble supplicant, and the true nature of the power structure within the company was revealed in all its cold and unforgiving glory.
Reckonings and Rising Storms
"You have crossed every conceivable boundary!" Liu Yang snarled through gritted teeth, his eyes ablaze with a fury that he was powerless to act upon.
Gu Chen's laughter was laced with a mocking chill, like a gust of arctic wind. "Crossed the line? Didn't I give you ample warning? Removing this uniform is a straightforward task, but getting me to put it back on…" He allowed the unspoken threat to hang heavy in the charged atmosphere of the room.
As the deputy director of the Human Resources Department, Liu Yang had wielded his limited authority like a regal sceptre. He had extorted bribes from countless individuals and coerced interns into offering carnal favours in exchange for their positions. The privileges and illicit gains associated with his position were beyond the wildest imaginations of ordinary people, driving him to a state of desperation in his efforts to hold onto his power.
Now, the once-arrogant tyrant found himself grovelling on the floor, his former hubris shattered. His knees pressed painfully against the hard linoleum, and his fingers clung desperately to Gu Chen's tailored trousers. Gu Chen watched this pitiful spectacle with an air of detached amusement. He had issued repeated warnings about the irreversible consequences of Liu Yang's actions, but they had been casually dismissed. Now, the hand of karma was exacting its full and merciless toll.
"Reluctant? Your sense of pride is truly commendable," Gu Chen said sarcastically as he turned towards the exit.
"No—wait!" Liu Yang's grip on Gu Chen's leg tightened, driven by sheer desperation. "I'll... I'll clean them!"
What followed was three minutes of nauseating subservience. Liu Yang's tongue scraped against the leather of Gu Chen's shoes, and he used a spittle-soaked handkerchief to polish them to a shine that seemed almost malevolent. "Are you satisfied now?" The supplicant looked up, his eyes hiding a seething hatred beneath a veneer of forced servility.
"Your skill is quite remarkable," Gu Chen drawled lazily. "Perhaps you should consider taking up street-side shoe polishing as your true calling. It seems to suit you well."
Next, Liu Yang produced a bank card—a blood money offering of ¥50,000, with a password of six eights. "Distribute this among your comrades," Gu Chen instructed Wang Hu. "It's a long-overdue form of compensation for all the hardships you've endured."
——
Executive Suite, 23rd Floor
As Gu Chen entered the room, Ling Meixue's obsidian eyes fixed on him with a piercing intensity. "The invitations for the West City project have arrived. Surprisingly enough... you've proven to be quite capable," she said, her tone laced with a hint of reluctant admiration.
"Capability is, after all, one of my most defining virtues," Gu Chen replied, his grin taking on a sharp, almost predatory edge. "Another kiss from you might just unlock even greater levels of my hidden talents."
Her cheeks flushed a deep crimson as memories of the stolen kiss from the previous night came rushing back. For years, she had been shielded from the advances of suitors by her grandfather's unyielding betrothal decrees, which had imposed a strict code of chastity upon her. Yet, this audacious man had managed to breach her defences with infuriating ease.
"Silence your impertinence!" She snapped, hurling the car keys at him like deadly javelins. "We're leaving. Now."
——
West City Construction Zone
The sleek limousine screeched to a sudden halt in the face of the unfolding chaos. Construction workers, brandishing menacing steel pipes, stood in a tense standoff against villagers armed with various farming tools. What had started as a dispute over land valuation had now escalated into an open and volatile conflict.
Ling Meixue stepped out of the car, her high-end Prada heels crunching against the gravel beneath her feet. "This", she murmured softly, her gaze sweeping over the simmering battlefield, "is where the foundations of empires begin to crumble."
Gu Chen's eyes narrowed, his mind rapidly calculating the tactical dynamics of the situation. Beyond the shouting mobs and the immediate chaos, the looming threats from the frost-laden landscapes of Northern Europe seemed to converge with the burgeoning ambitions of Jiangzhou. The true battle for the Tiger Marshal was only just beginning, and the stakes had never been higher.
The Siege of Progress
Ling Meixue stepped out of the sleek Mercedes, the sharp click of her high-heeled stilettos against the gravel filling the air. Her arrival had an immediate and profound effect, silencing the chaotic scene that had been unfolding before her. The workers, upon seeing her, reluctantly lowered the makeshift weapons they had been brandishing, their movements subdued under the weight of her icy stare.
"Explain this chaotic and irrational behaviour at once," she demanded, her voice as cold and cutting as frost, each word enunciated with precision.
A foreman quickly made his way to her side, bowing slightly in deference. "President Ling, these residents have blockaded our work site. They are threatening the livelihoods of our workers," he explained, his calloused hands gesturing towards the group of sullen villagers who were tightly clutching their farming tools.
Her eyes swept over the unruly crowd, taking in their determined and resentful expressions. "State your grievances properly and reasonably. Resorting to obstruction will not solve any problems," she said firmly.
Two men stepped forward from the crowd, assuming the roles of self-proclaimed leaders. The man at the forefront, with a balding head that glistened like a polished marble sculpture, snarled, "There will be no construction work here until you pay us the appropriate compensation! In the southern districts, each person received half a million yuan in cash, along with a house. Why are we only being offered three hundred thousand yuan per person here? This is unfair!"
Ling Meixue's perfectly manicured nail, coated in a glossy lacquer, tapped rhythmically against her elegant Prada clutch bag. "Your comparisons are nothing but flights of fancy. The compensation standards for this area were clearly and transparently established and agreed upon months ago," she retorted.
"Clearly and transparently?" The man let out a harsh laugh that grated on the ears, sounding like sandpaper rubbing against a rough surface. "We demand six hundred thousand yuan per person and a house for each individual! Otherwise, you can watch as your precious construction timeline falls apart and suffers significant delays."
Behind her, Gu Chen was crouched down in the dirt, his body hunched over as he used a stick to trace intricate and mysterious patterns in the sand. He resembled a modern-day Archimedes, deeply engrossed in solving complex spatial equations right there on the ground.
The foreman spat in disgust, his face contorted with anger. "This is nothing but blatant highway robbery! If we were to agree to such absurd demands, the housing market in Jiangzhou would surely collapse under the weight of such lunacy!"
"Lunacy?" The balding man, emboldened by his sense of injustice, shouldered his way forward, getting closer to Ling Meixue. "We will be the persistent cancer within your carefully laid-out blueprints. Let's see whose determination will last longer and whose funding will run out first," he challenged.
Ling Meixue's gaze shifted towards her unconventional husband, who was now sketching out intersecting vectors around the areas where the truck routes were blocked. His low murmurs, filled with calculations such as "fifteen-degree incline...eight-metre clearance", blended seamlessly with the palpable tension of the standoff.
"Your extortion attempt", she declared, turning back towards the man with a predatory stillness in her posture, "assumes that we have no other options but to negotiate with you on your unreasonable terms."
The workers stirred restlessly, the clinking of their tools sounding like the rattling of restless armour. Somewhere beyond the current impasse, the towering cranes stood motionless, their massive arms frozen in mid-reach, like colossal steel dinosaurs waiting impatiently for a resolution to this conflict.
Calculated Resolutions and Primal Defiance
"Are you under the impression that I brought you here to idle around and amuse yourself?" Ling Meixue's brows, as delicate as carved jade, furrowed in displeasure, and her voice was as sharp and cold as a winter's frost.
Gu Chen rose to his feet in a leisurely manner, dusting his palms with an exaggerated display of nonchalance. "It's a simple matter of strategic realignment. Since these individuals, who are stubbornly holding onto their humble abodes, refuse to move, let them stay. Why force them to comply when we can achieve a double victory through strategic circumvention? Instead of trying to make them leave, we can construct two arterial roads that bypass their troublesome encampment." As he spoke, his boot traced intricate geometric patterns in the dirt, transforming the process of urban planning into a form of strategic warfare.
The project engineer, struck by a sudden moment of realization, slapped his forehead with a resounding thud. "Brilliant! We can encircle their ramshackle settlement within the construction area, creating an urban anomaly that requires no compensation from us at all!"
The balding man, who had been the instigator of the confrontation, turned a deep shade of purple with anger. "This is a blatant violation of our agreements! We will take legal action against you!"
Ling Meixue's earlier indecision solidified into an unyielding resolve, as hard and unbreakable as a diamond. "Execute this plan immediately," she commanded firmly. "Not a single cent will be paid to these individuals who are attempting to extort us."
"Ms. Ling!" In a fit of animalistic rage, the man's fist shot out towards her face.
Her scream caught in her throat, hanging in the air between her overwhelming fear and disbelief at what was happening.
Five heartbeats later, her long lashes fluttered open, and she found herself looking at Gu Chen. His iron-like grip had effectively immobilized the assailant's wrist. The veins on his skin seemed to form ancient patterns, hinting at the raw power and violence that lay within him.
"How dare you lay a hand on my wife?" His whisper carried a chilling, arctic-like lethality. "Such blatant audacity will surely bring about your destruction."
With a powerful kick, like a piston in motion, Gu Chen sent the man hurtling through the air. The man's body followed a ballistic trajectory and finally landed in a heap in the embrace of a dune. The crowd around them recoiled in fear, as if they were facing the wrath of a divine being.
Turning around, Gu Chen's intense gaze, filled with a mix of fierce protectiveness and tender concern, settled on Ling Meixue. The fierce anger that had been present just moments ago seemed to transform into a warm, golden hue of care. "My dear," he murmured, the harshness of the battlefield giving way to the refined grace of a courtier. "Has the foul stench of this despicable individual in any way offended your noble presence?"
The Bargain's Crucible
Ling Meixue's porcelain complexion bloomed with vexed admiration as she became hyperaware of the arm anchoring her waist. Her gaze descended to find Gu Chen's hand curled possessively against the dip of her spine.
"*Vagabond*—relocate that appendage!" She seethed through a clenched smile.
Gu Chen's baritone chuckle rippled through the charged air, his palm descending in a brazen arc to deliver a resonant swat. "Merely steadying civilization's most exquisite column," he purred.
Snap!
The acoustics of impertinence drew a symphony of male envy across the construction site.
"Cease this pantomime!" Ling Meixue's glare could have etched glass. "Your reckoning awaits." Pivoting to the foreman, her voice became tempered steel: "Mobilize your crew. Implement the bifurcated construction protocol immediately."
The mob's bravado dissolved into panicked whispers. A gnarled elder emerged, hands raised in sacerdotal supplication. "Esteemed architect, reconsider! Our crumbling facades will haunt Jiangzhou's future silhouette. Might we revisit former terms?"
Though circumventing their hovels promised poetic justice, his appeal held an uncomfortable truth—these architectural ghosts would mar the city's ascendant skyline.
"Two hundred thousand per deed. Non-negotiable," Gu Chen pronounced.
The elder's face crumpled. "Two-eighty at minimum!"
"One-eighty."
"Two-sixty—our penance!"
"One-sixty."
"*Desist!*" The old man clutched his chest. "Two hundred! We capitulate!"
Gu Chen's gaze swept the crowd like a falcon's shadow. "The remnant? Choose between obstinacy's desert or reason's oasis?"
Silence congealed, then shattered into murmured assent. Collective extortion demands had been alchemized from thirty to twenty million.
Within the sedan's leather-clad sanctum, Ling Meixue maintained glacial focus on the window's reflection. Gu Chen bridged the distance, his whisper stirring the hairs at her nape. "Beloved—"
"*Eradicate yourself.*" Her diction could freeze mercury. The memory of his audacious slap lingered like brandished steel.
"Allow me culinary reparations."
"With what treasury? Plundered hubcaps?"
"Trust the fiscal alchemist."
At 10:49 precisely, their limousine glided before an edifice of edible opulence—Nirvana Epulare, where even the air carried a surcharge.
"*This* gastronomic coliseum?!" Ling Meixue's eyes widened at the rococo portico. "Their ice cubes wear gold leaf!"
Gu Chen's smirk deepened as footmen materialized. "Nothing less for history's most expensive derrière."
To be continuous…