章 2: Chapter 2 No Matter Who You Are

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The villa had only one exit, and if we went out now, we'd run smack into them.

My heart tightened, and I could only grab the man and turn back upstairs.

The Cantonese Circle wasn't like the Beijing Circle or the Shanghai Circle; this place had the most tycoons and underworld bosses around, famous for their twisted and ruthless tactics, all spoken in that distinctive Cantonese accent.

There was this girl who once hooked up with a building-material magnate. Generous with luxury cars and mansions, the guy was, but she wasn't satisfied with his brief performances, so she cheated behind his back. Once discovered, she just disappeared from our circles.

Rumour has it, she'd been seen in the red-light district of Thailand, hands and feet broken, chained up, forced to service a dozen laborers a day; she couldn't rest even after being completely ragged down there.

Her sugar daddy was acquainted with Master Zhao, who used to manage venues for him over a decade ago. Compared to his tactics, Master Zhao's could only be worse, not better.

If I were discovered, my fate would undoubtedly be even more miserable than that sister's.

In a panic, I hurried the man upstairs, but I hadn't expected Master Zhao to enter so quickly. We'd barely reached the room when the sound of footsteps ascending the stairs followed us closely.

My heart pounded uncontrollably, with no time to consider the safest hiding spot. I had to take a gamble, pulling open the balcony door and quickly pushing him out, but in the moment I saw his face clearly, I hesitated.

I'd thought he would be one of Master Zhao's drivers or henchmen. Master Zhao didn't like young guys, finding them flashy and unreliable, so his trusted men were all around forty.

But this guy was young, and what was key was his face—it was so perfectly carved, he could give those top stars on TV a run for their money.

Despite my astonishment, there wasn't time to ponder. I lowered my voice and warned him to stay put and keep quiet if he didn't want to die, not to make a sound or a move. But just as I spoke, he unexpectedly grinned.

With a hooked lip and a look that was both mocking and not, laced with a bit of devilish charm and wildness, he asked, "Aren't you curious who I am?"

I frowned, ready to speak, but then the sound of a light switch came from the hallway, sending a chill down my spine.

"I don't give a damn who you are. Just hide here properly. If you drag me down, even in death, I'll drag you down with me."

After warning him, I shut the door and immediately grabbed a coat from the wardrobe, pulling it over my body. But before I could mask the panic on my face, I saw the bedroom door pushed open, and Master Zhao entered.

Master Zhao was well-groomed, looking much younger than his peers, standing out in a traditional Chinese robe with a slicked-back hairdo, radiating kindness. No one would have guessed he was one of the renowned underworld bosses of the Cantonese Circle.

When he saw me, his brows suddenly furrowed, "Why's your face so red? And wearing long sleeves?"

My heart skipped, and I looked down to realize that in my haste to avoid suspicion, I'd grabbed at random from the wardrobe, not noticing I'd chosen a long-sleeved spring outfit.

"Autumn's approaching. It's stuffy without the aircon, a bit chilly with it, so I just threw on a jacket."

The explanation was far-fetched, but without a better excuse, all I could do was try to sound as calm and collected as possible.

Master Zhao didn't ask further, but the look on his face still sent shivers down my spine. As he walked past me into the room, I hurriedly followed.

He scanned the room, and with each glance, my heart raced faster and faster, until he turned to me and said, "Autumn weather can make you sick with its warm and cold shifts. If you feel stuffy, open the doors and windows, it's cooler outside."

After he finished, he walked toward the doors and windows, and I realized he was about to open the balcony door.

"No!" I blurted out without thinking.

Master Zhao stopped abruptly, turning to give me a piercing look, as I grasped the absurdity of my outburst.

I quickly feigned indignation, adding, "I'm wearing lingerie inside, just wanted to surprise you. Nowadays, there are so many peeping Toms around. Some people have nothing better to do than to spy into homes with telescopes at night."

"I almost thought you were hiding a man out there, with the way you freaked out when I went to open the window."

Master Zhao's expression eased a bit, his words half in jest, but the scrutinizing look he gave me still made my legs go weak.

With Master Zhao's sharp eyes, he'd met more people than the salt I've eaten. I couldn't afford a hint of guilt on my face, so I clenched my fingers and moved closer to him.

"Everything I have is thanks to you, where would I get the guts?" I cooed, opening the belt of my coat to reveal the lace underneath, rubbing my chest against his arm, trying to seduce him into another room.

My chest was full and soft, a move that never failed before, but to my surprise, this time, he just pinched my chest, scolded me as a 'little slut', with no intent to proceed further.

"I've got things to handle tonight. Leave the door and windows open, air it out; there's no one like you mentioned around here." Master Zhao finished, his hand reaching for the balcony door handle.

There was nothing I could say to stop him without giving myself away. Clinging any more firmly would be a dead giveaway that I was up to something.

My face drained of color, and I could only watch his movements until the moment he pulled the window open. I bit my lip hard, held my breath, and my heart practically stopped.

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