Chapter 38 Inviting the Wolf into the House

“You’re absolutely right. I did go home on purpose to change clothes and let the butler, Wei Dazhong, know where I was going. I allowed myself to be captured by Chen Ziling’s men because I wanted to test my suspicions—I didn’t want to wrong him.”
“After all, Wei Dazhong has served my father for decades; he’s a trusted family retainer. Even if you hadn’t been there tonight, I still would have taken this risk.”
“I had a text message prepared in advance. If I couldn’t escape, I would send it to my eldest brother, and he’d find a way to rescue me.”
As Murong Yun spoke, she took out her phone and showed Lin Yang.
Indeed, the messaging app displayed a text pleading for help, edited but not yet sent.
“I did use the occasion of drinking with you as a cover, but I never planned to use you against Chen Ziling, nor did I expect that he’d have a master of the ninth rank lying in wait.”
After hearing Murong Yun’s explanation, Lin Yang felt much more at ease.
“But I do owe you my thanks. Without you tonight, I really might have been in great danger. Even if my brother had arrived with help, he might not have been able to save me from a ninth-rank master.”
Lin Yang cleared his throat, seizing the chance to change the subject. “So, how do you intend to thank me?”
Suddenly, Murong Yun rose onto her tiptoes and pressed her lips gently to his.
Lin Yang was caught completely off guard, his mind buzzing from the unexpectedness of Murong Yun’s kiss.
Their lips met—he felt her warmth, the soft moistness, and a faint lingering fragrance.
Yet Murong Yun’s kiss was fleeting, a mere taste.
Just as Lin Yang was about to part his lips and savor the sweetness of hers, she drew back.
“Is this thanks enough?”
A delicate flush colored Murong Yun’s cheeks, her eyes shining with a bewitching brilliance.
Lin Yang pursed his lips, a little unsatisfied.
“I rather like this kind of gratitude. You can thank me like this more often in the future,” he said.
“That was… my first kiss,” Murong Yun said softly.
“Your first kiss? Truly?”
“Of course it’s true. Don’t you believe me?” she said, feigning annoyance.
“If it was your first, it’s all the more memorable. But it happened too hastily, too carelessly. Why not do it again, make it unforgettable?”
Lin Yang grinned mischievously.
“You’re impossible! Next time, perhaps.”
She put the car keys back into his hand.
“Mr. Lin, tonight you crippled both of Chen Ziling’s arms. Chen Tianhao will certainly seek revenge. Though you’re a master, the Black Tiger Gang behind Chen Tianhao is formidable—one of the most powerful forces in the entire southern province.”

“Still, this whole matter began because of me. Whatever retribution Chen Tianhao seeks, the Murong family will face it with you.”
“Thank you for the warning. I’ll be heading back now,” Lin Yang replied, waving to Murong Yun before driving off.
That kiss from Murong Yun had stirred a dangerous fire inside him, one he could hardly suppress—he needed someone to douse the flames.
On his way to the Qin family villa, Lin Yang received a call from Liu Chengzhi.
“Xiao Yang, was it you who injured Liang Kuan?”
“Yes.”
Lin Yang had already guessed Liu Fuyu would complain.
Liu Chengzhi sighed, reproachful. “Why were you so impulsive? The Liang family isn’t what it used to be—even I can’t offend them. I rely on Liang Jian to secure my partnership with Ding Sheng Group. But now, with you injuring his son, they could cancel the deal with a single word.”
“Uncle Liu, don’t worry. Liang Jian and his son don’t have that much influence. Your cooperation with Ding Sheng Group will go smoothly.”
“I know you felt uncomfortable seeing Xiao Yu with Liang Kuan. But you must understand my difficulties! Since your engagement with Xiao Yu is over, it’s time for each of you to find your own happiness. Frankly, Liang Kuan is better suited for her.”
“It’s all right, Uncle Liu. I completely understand,” Lin Yang said, not bothering to explain further.
“Your Aunt Yu is furious. She’s adamantly opposed to you joining the company now—there’s nothing I can do. I’ve set aside some money for you. You’d better leave Luo City tonight to avoid trouble, or else your Aunt Yu will send people after you to hand you over to the Liang family as an apology.”
Lin Yang knew Liu Chengzhi was always afraid of his wife. The fact that he would still call and urge him to flee showed genuine concern.
“I’m the one who hit him; it has nothing to do with you. If Liang Kuan wants revenge, he can come after me. Don’t worry about me,” Lin Yang said.
“Child, why won’t you listen? I know you’ve picked up some martial arts, but can you really take on the Liang family? Please, just leave Luo City.”
“All right, Uncle Liu. I understand,” Lin Yang replied, not wanting to argue further.
The Liang family was nothing to him.
Meanwhile, at the hospital, Yu Ping came out of the ward and asked, “Did you find out where that brat is? He must be caught before Xiao Liang wakes up!”
“He didn’t answer my calls—he probably knows he’s in trouble and has already run,” Liu Chengzhi replied.
“That wretch! He’d better hope I don’t catch him, or I’ll skin him alive!” Yu Ping cursed furiously.

At the Qin family villa, Qin Monong returned alone, still refusing to let Qin Yanran come home.
She called Wang Huirong at the hospital to ask if everything was ready.
Wang Huirong said that Duan Tiande was hiding around the villa, and that the moment Lin Yang showed up, he would be dead for certain.
Qin Monong sat in the living room reading, waiting for Lin Yang to walk right into the trap.
By ten o’clock, Lin Yang still hadn’t appeared. Qin Monong set her book aside and murmured, “Could he have sensed the ambush and decided not to come?”
She opened the door and stepped into the garden, when suddenly a voice sounded behind her.
“President Qin, you’ve waited so long. It seems the man you want dead is too afraid to show.”
Turning, Qin Monong saw a sinister-looking man in black with a greasy mustache—Duan Tiande, disciple of the grandmaster Jiang Haisheng, a sixth-rank expert.
“Stay hidden, as I told you. Why are you coming out now?” Qin Monong frowned.
“I saw you alone and lonely—I thought I’d keep you company, chat a while, relieve your boredom,” Duan Tiande replied with a sly grin, advancing toward her.
“Stop right there! Don’t come any closer. I hired you to kill, not to keep me company.”
“Killing is a trivial matter. President Qin, if you become my woman, I’ll kill whomever you wish—no need to pay me at all.”
Step by step, Duan Tiande closed in on Qin Monong.
He was greedy, violent, and notoriously lustful.
He had long heard of Qin Monong’s beauty, and after watching her from the shadows, his desire had only grown, now barely contained.
“Outrageous! Don’t people like you pride yourselves on honor? I’m your employer!”
Panic swept through Qin Monong. Duan Tiande was ugly and repulsive—if he violated her, she wouldn’t be able to face the world.
She had wanted to hire him to kill Lin Yang, never expecting she’d invite a wolf into her home.
“Honor? What nonsense! I make the rules here. President Qin, you’re truly exquisite—I’ve never seen a woman like you. I promise to cherish you well.”
Duan Tiande’s eyes roved hungrily over her, his mouth nearly watering at the sight of her beauty and poise.