Chapter 143: Chapter 143

"Brother Lei, this time we’ve run into tough competition. We’ve failed to handle the task Master Hui gave us—what should we do?"

The man grimaced and climbed up with gritted teeth. "What can we do? Just tell the truth. That girl even dares to challenge Master Hui directly—by then, she probably won’t even know how she died."

The four of them supported each other, limping away.

"You useless fools—couldn’t even catch one woman."

Zhao Lei said helplessly, "Sister Sha, the intel you gave me didn’t mention that she knew martial arts. Look at us four—who hasn’t gotten bruised?"

"Martial arts?" Zhang Shasha frowned, skeptically eyeing the four disheveled men standing before her.

"Are you sure you guys aren’t playing tricks on me, deliberately lying to me?"

"Sister Sha, that’s utterly unfair. She said tomorrow night at eight, the matter will be resolved using street rules, right at Huiye Bar. By then, we’ll just pull in more people. On our turf, are we really afraid we can’t handle her?"

Zhang Shasha nodded. "Alright, go make the arrangements."

Zhao Lei glanced at the man who had remained silent the whole time. "Master Hui...."

"Do as Shasha says. If she dares show up tomorrow night, first take one of her arms."

A trace of coldness flashed through the man’s eyes.

After the four men left, Zhang Shasha said anxiously, "Brother, send someone to check on Leng Yunyang for me. Is there some vixen hanging around him? I’ve been sending him messages, but he hasn’t replied. Don’t tell me he’s been seduced by some reckless little vixen."

The man chuckled. "Sister, don’t rush. Your golden days are yet to come."

Zhang Shasha frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Old Master Leng’s health is failing. The various branches of the family are busy waging a war for the inheritance right now. At a time , who has the leisure to pay attention to you?"

Zhang Shasha grew even more anxious. "Shouldn’t I be staying by Yunyang’s side even more at times ?"

"You still don’t understand men. If you barge in now, you’ll only end up being a burden to him. But I’ve collected some information, and this kid, while young, isn’t lacking in methods. His uncles won’t have it easy this time."

Zhang Shasha’s eyes lit up. "Brother, if we help him gain the upper hand in the inheritance struggle, wouldn’t he start seeing me in a different light? And you—having the Leng family as a backing—wouldn’t your status in Qingzhou become even more secure?"

The man sneered. "Do you think I haven’t entertained the thought? But that Young Master Leng is shrewd to the core—he won’t trust anyone easily. Though, there might still be an opening."

The man glanced at her. "Let me give you some advice: don’t get overly attached to that Young Master Leng. He’s only playing around with you. If you take him seriously, it’s you who’ll end up hurt."

Zhang Shasha’s face turned slightly pale.

"Don’t resent me for being blunt. Love, to those wealthy people, is nothing more than a pastime. If you want him to take you seriously, you’ll have to use a few tricks. Watch more palace intrigue dramas if you have to—there’s a saying that rings true: ’Beauty alone won’t keep anyone’s attention for long.’ Be smart."

After Zhang Shasha left, the man sat for a while before pulling out his phone.

"Pass a message for me to Master Owl...."

A young man approached from a distance. The guards at the gate immediately returned to the booth and dialed a number.

"Madam, yes. The young master is back. Understood."

The guard ended the call and stepped out of the booth.

"Mr. Liu, you’re back so late—Madam has been worried about you."

The young man’s lips curled slightly as a mocking glimmer flickered beneath his glasses.

"Could someone in Qingzhou actually dare to kidnap me?"

The guard promptly replied, "Of course not."

Housekeeper Liu opened the door and respectfully said, "Young Master, you’re finally back. Madam is waiting for you in the living room."

Liu Runxi walked inside. On the elegant and spacious living room sofa sat an impeccably dressed and aristocratic woman, sipping Calming Tea while watching the news.

"Do you realize what time it is? You finally decided to come home?"

The woman didn’t turn to look at him; her tone, however, was laced with authoritative sternness.

"I attended a birthday celebration for a classmate."

Liu Runxi spoke calmly and indifferently.

The woman furrowed her brows slightly and abruptly placed down the delicate porcelain cup in her hands.

"A birthday celebration? You’ve never been fond of extracurricular activities."

The young man curled his lips. "Suddenly discovered, they’re not as boring as I thought."

The woman was about to speak again, but the young man cut her off. "It’s late. Mother, you should rest earlier."

With that, he walked straight upstairs. His figure soon disappeared around the hallway.

The woman frowned. "Uncle Liu."

Housekeeper Liu stepped forward. "Madam."

"Xixi has been acting very peculiar lately. Investigate whether this classmate is male or female, and their family background."

Housekeeper Liu replied respectfully, "Madam, all those the young master associates with have already been thoroughly scrutinized. The birthday celebrant is a female classmate from the same class, named Song Xiaojing. Her aunt happens to be the heiress of Yongrui Fund. The young master is mindful—he hasn’t crossed any inappropriate boundaries with this female classmate. Madam, please rest assured."