After having dinner with her grandfather and avoiding his constant nagging that she should move into the Zhao Main Mansion, instead of living alone in a condo on the other side of the city, Zhao Lifei finally went home.
Collapsing onto her bed, she was prepared to sleep, but then her phone rang. Tiredly, she reached for her purse. Without looking at the contact info, she picked up the phone.
"Hello...?" She tiredly mumbled, her eyes threatening to fall asleep.
"Feifei, are you up?" The quiet and hesitant voice of Yang Ruqin was enough to make Zhao Lifei sit up on her bed.
"Yes, what's up? Are you alright? Is your brother alright?" Zhao Lifei asked. She was no longer exhausted after hearing the worried voice of her friend.
"He's fine, but mom and dad are having trouble finding the assassin...Apparently, every camera footage was cut off during the scene of the crime, and none of the police could find anything." Yang Ruqin explained, sitting alone in her multi-million condo. She started out the window, her eyes were misty and tired.
"For him to nearly succeed and have the ability to wipe out all of the cameras within the vicinity prove he's not a simple man." Zhao Lifei frowned, getting up from her bed and turning on her computer.
"I-I know...Mom and dad were thinking of hiring some private hackers, but they're not sure who to trust. Yulong wanted to use his underground resources, but my parents severely rejected the idea because they're really paranoid about the media and Feng-ge's enemies finding out about this mess." Yang Ruqin heavily sighed at the situation at hand.
The Yang family, unlike the Zhao, was not built upon the foundation of having old roots in the city. Their connection was far beyond that. A few generations ago, they came from the dark underground world filled with violence and crimes.
They had a Mafia background ever since the beginning of their time, and it wasn't until recently did they resurface into the light by conquering the business world. Lead by the tyranny of the previous head of the Yang family, Yang Ruqin's grandfather, they became the strongest family this country had ever seen.
All of their Underground backgrounds were expertly hidden, and after a vow made by the current Head Monarch, they promised to become civil and peaceful members of society.
Many of the Yang family went against this decision, but one ruling from Yang Feng himself was enough to silence his entire clan.
And because Yang Ruqin's father was raised without the harshness of the Underground world, he didn't acquaint himself with the resources he had at hand. But his eldest son was different.
Instead of focusing solely on the Business world and keeping his hands clean from blood, like his father, Yang Feng walked into the Mafia world. Accompanying his grandfather at a very young age, Yang Feng learned both the trades of the Business world and Mafia life. And after seeing his older brother dive himself into the Underworld, Yang Yulong also became apart of it.
Now that Yang Feng had a company to manage and run, Yang Yulong became his second-in-command in order to prevent the Underworld from going rampant.
"It's been a while since I've last talked to him, but I will contact Lu Minhong and see if he can dig anything up." Zhao Lifei said after a long pause. She placed Ruqin on speaker and then texted him.
"Lu Minhong? Oh my goodness, why didn't I think of him?!" Yang Ruqin gasped, nearly forgetting her old friend.
She wasn't as close to him as Zhao Lifei was. Unlike Zhao Lifei, Yang Ruqin rarely reached out for his help.
"I haven't talked to him in ages, I wonder if he still remembers me." Yang Ruqin thoughtfully said as she reminisced about her high school days.
Together, Zhao Lifei, Yang Ruqin, and Lu Minhong were the ultimate trio of their high school. One was armed with the brain, the other was armed with beauty, and the latter had the power of technology. They were practically unbeatable in high school.
"Of course he remembers you. He'll remember anyone who smelled filthy rich." Zhao Lifei chuckled at the memory of when she first met Lu Minhong.
He was sleeping on an enormous tree branch and when she walked underneath it, he fell off the branch. He claimed it was because he was startled by the strong smell of wealth that eluded from Zhao Lifei. Not only that, but he also asked if she was born with a silver, gold, diamond, or platinum spoon. Ever since their strange encounter, the two had been great friends.
"He's not replying to my messages, which means he's probably playing a game right now. I'll call you back after I contact him." Zhao Lifei sighed at the delivered sign beneath the blue text bubble.
"Alright, I'll wait for your updates." Yang Ruqin said, ending the call.
Zhao Lifei called Lu Minhong who picked up on the third ring. The minute he did so, the sound of cursing and heavy keyboard pressing were heard.
Zhao Lifei chuckled. "Lu Minhong, did I disturbed you?" She asked her high school buddy and professional hacker.
Lu Minhong was currently one of the highest paid and fastest hacker that Zhao Lifei knew. Armed with a fountain of knowledge in computer science and engineering, he graduated at the top of his classes. Passing college with flying colors and endless achievements, she couldn't believe he entered the shady world of hacking, instead of putting his degree into good use.
Because of his strong love for money, he didn't care about a person's reputation. His client could've been the country's most wanted man and he wouldn't bat an eye to it. As long as the client was rich, Lu Minhong was willing to help him...
Some said he had no morals, but Zhao Lifei argued it was because he was simply too smart in this society ruled by money.
"Any phone call is always considered disturbing me." Lu Minhong chided. He was heavily focused on being the beta-tester of a new game that one of his buddies had invented, and right now, he was at the hardest level with the rumored, unbeatable boss.
Zhao Lifei laughed at his dry humor. "Oh please, you flatter me too much." She mused.
"I have a task for you. Are you free right now?" She asked.
Lu Minhong rolled his eyes. "Depends on how much you're paying for my time."
Zhao Lifei let out a burst of light laughter, the sound echoing in her empty condo. "You sound like a prostitute."
"And you sound like the perverted old-man buying from the prostitute." Lu Minhong rolled his eyes. A prostitute? How childish. I should be considered a high-class escort!
"I'm surprised you're out for blood again. How long has it been since you've last contacted me with an assignment? Two years ago?"
"Hm, I'm not sure."
"Two years ago, you mysteriously disappeared from the face of Earth! I'm still mad that not even I, the top hacker of this country, could track someone as puny as you down!" Lu Minhong purposely bragged about his status. But he was mainly angry at the memory of refunding his client, for the first time in his life.
When the entire world looked for Zhao Lifei, she suddenly vanished, and no one knew why...
Book: Alpha, Please Be Gentle Tropes: Sunshine x Villain, CEO
After being humiliated and brought to her lowest, Zhao Lifei left the city. Even when the powers of the country's top hackers and investigators were combined, they still couldn't find her.
Many people came together in hopes of finding her location. The reward for her head was alarmingly high, 50 million to be exact. Zheng Tianyi was the one to fund the first half of the 50 million, and the rest was anonymous, but most people suspected it was the angry socialites who was eager to see their dethroned Queen fall to a lower level.
After two long years, there wasn't a price on her head anymore. Zheng Tianyi's anger had soothed and after a lot of convincing from the Zheng family and Elder, he finally retracted his money. Seeing the King had pulled out, the rest of the socialites stopped funding for Zhao Lifei's head. Within the span of a week, she wasn't a wanted woman in the Underground World anymore.
"This time, I have a very important task. Trust me, it's not some petty face-slapping of a white lotus." Zhao Lifei chided herself at the memory of her foolish past.
She used to be so bitter and horrible to Xia Mengxi, not that she didn't deserve it.
In some way, Zhao Lifei regretted raining hell on Xia Mengxi, when she should've directed her anger towards Zheng Tianyi as well...It took two to cheat, and she mistakenly focused too much time on one side.
"I was such a spoiled and bad-tempered brat. Throughout the year I thirsted for Xia Mengxi's blood and downfall, I'm surprised you stood by my side." Zhao Lifei thought about the bad memories she never wanted to resurface.
She had sunk to the sea of desperation when she saw Xia Mengxi wrapped in Zheng Tianyi's arms. She tried to do anything and everything to destroy the couple and along the way, she destroyed herself.
"Like I always say, you're signature perfume is unbelievable wealth. Anyone with that scent will always have a safe spot in my heart." Lu Minhong cracked a dry smile at her words. Was she really doubting why he stayed with her? This foolish woman...
If there was one thing that Lu Minhong would never admit, it was the fact that he actually cared more about Zhao Lifei's well being than her money. She was someone very special to him and once upon a time, she was his savior.
"But there was so many people that paid you to abandon me." Zhao Lifei softly said, suddenly feeling very self-conscious of herself.
Lu Minhong was quiet for a while and Zhao Lifei thought he didn't hear her because he was so occupied by the loud game.
After a few moments of silence, he spoke. "No money can pay me to abandon you. Not after what you've done for me." His voice was somber and soft, nothing like the loud and outgoing person he was.
Zhao Lifei had a soft expression on her face, as she thought about the hard times that Lu Minhong experienced.
There was a period of time where Lu Minhong's wrists were filled with cuts, his eyes dull, the hope long gone from his heart, and his entire body was filled with horrific marks, it was hard to recognize the man he had become.
"Aw geez, you're going to make me cry if you don't speak up." Lu Minhong sighed, his voice getting a bit emotional. This was why he disliked talking about the past.
Zhao Lifei let out a small laugh. "Seeing you cry would be worth billions." She joked, a tiny smile on her face.
Lu Minhong sat up straighter, his eyes going wide with excitement. "Wait seriously? You'd pay me billions to cry? I'd cry as much as you want if you pay me that much-"
"No, you idiot. I was only kidding." Zhao Lifei chuckled at his desire for instant wealth.
"Boo, you're no fun." Lu Minhong pouted. He had truly taken Zhao Lifei seriously...
"Besides, what is your new mission this time?" He added on, turning off the game and then flipping to the second monitor of his computer.
Zhao Lifei became more serious. "I need a full report of a silver van that ran into a black Maybach on Kingston Street. Investigate into the van's background, owner, licence plate. Every little thing you can find out, report it back to me."
Lu Minhong raised his brow at her surprising assignment. "How much are you willing to pay?"
Zhao Lifei smiled. He didn't even hesitate at the harsh mission. "State your price, I can pay anything reasonable." She leaned back in her chair and stared out of the enormous window in front of her.
Money wasn't an issue for her, but she knew Lu Minhong was not a greedy man to demand an outrageous price.
"One million." He bluntly said. This surprised Zhao Lifei. One million? His rate has increased by 200% since the last two years since she had contact him.
"The price is fine with me, but are you alright Lu Minhong? Is there something I need to know about?" She asked, pulling out her laptop to wire him the money.
Lu Minhong was quiet for a few seconds. Amidst the soothing clicks of his finger against the keyboard and his somber expression, he didn't know where to begin. "I-I..." He stuttered, unable to say a word.
Zhao Lifei's expression softened. "Don't push yourself, I'm fine if you don't tell me. I've already send the money to you." She quietly said, knowing it would take time for him to open up.
Lu Minhong's felt grateful for her peaceful approach. For as long as he had known her, she was never the type of woman to force him to say something. When it came to him, she was patient and kind.
Because Lu Minhong had personally witnessed Zhao Lifei's unwavering kindness, his impression of her was always good. Regardless of the malicious rumors that surrounded Zhao Lifei and the horrible things she used to do, Lu Minhong would always remain loyal to her...
"Okay, I'll get started on your mission right now. It will be done by tomorrow afternoon." He said, already hacking into the security cameras on the street lights.
"Alright, have a good night." Zhao Lifei said, breathing out a quiet sigh.
"Good night, Xiao Li." He ended the call and began to immerse himself into the task.
After the call ended, Zhao Lifei texted Yang Ruqin the details, but she didn't include the big price tag on the mission.
[Qinqin: Thank you so much, Feifei! I'll treat you to our next meal!]
Zhao Lifei smiled at her friend's energetic response.
[Alright, I'll hold you accountable to that~] She texted back.
Yang Ruqin didn't reply for a while and Zhao Lifei figured it was because she was so drained from an entire day of working.
Not wanting to do anything else, Zhao Lifei collapsed onto her bed and fell asleep. Peacefully sleeping, Zhao Lifei was not aware of the storm that would hit her tomorrow...
Book: Alpha, Please Be Gentle Tropes: Sunshine x Villain, CEO
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