Chapter 1031 - 996: Are You Polite?

Xu Chunliang lay in the bathtub and picked up the mirror to look at his face, praising himself: "Still, my face is the best-looking."

Outside, he heard the sound of the door opening and someone stealthily creeping in.

Xu Chunliang immediately became alert, put on his bathrobe, and then the lights suddenly went out.

Xu Chunliang grabbed the soap from the sink, ready to throw it if necessary. With his skill, even a soap thrown at high speed could cause fatal injury. Who was bold enough to intrude into his room, and while he was bathing?

Xu Chunliang slowly opened the bathroom door and sniffed, catching a whiff of enticing floral fragrance, then suddenly laughed: "Sister Hua, sneaking into a guest’s room while they’re bathing—is that polite?"

Laughter echoed in the dark from Hua Zhuyue, who then turned on the light controls, and the room lit up brightly.

Hua Zhuyue sat at the bedside, her enchanting eyes full of spring gazing at Xu Chunliang: "Who asked you not to lock the door."

Xu Chunliang replied: "Even if you wanted to come in, no door could stop you."

Hua Zhuyue gave a hum, rose from the bed gracefully, and walked to the sofa by the window, sitting elegantly, her body forming an alluring curve.

Xu Chunliang asked: "When did you come to Nanjiang?"

Hua Zhuyue answered: "I’ve been in Nanjiang these past few days."

"Oh, if I had known, I would have called you to drink."

"Come on, I know you. When you have nothing to do, you wouldn’t think of me." Hua Zhuyue’s tone was somewhat resentful.

Xu Chunliang went to pour two glasses of red wine, handing one to Hua Zhuyue.

Hua Zhuyue said: "Wow, you even used the Orchid Order for your ex-brother-in-law, seems like you still have feelings for Mei Ru Xue."

Xu Chunliang said: "It has nothing to do with her; the main thing is the distress call went to my phone. I couldn’t just ignore it, right? Besides, children are innocent, and I hate those bastards who target kids."

He sat down next to Hua Zhuyue and sniffed: "Sister Hua, your perfume smells really nice."

"Where does it smell nice?"

Xu Chunliang moved closer to her: "I’m not sure. I’ve smelled some areas, while some I’ve never smelled, without comparison, I don’t have the right to comment."

Hua Zhuyue spat: "Stay away from me; you’re not a good guy." Though she said this, she didn’t actually move further from Xu Chunliang.

Xu Chunliang clinked his glass with hers: "Sister Hua, the Orchid Order can be retracted, heard the person returned safely."

Hua Zhuyue said with meaning: "You took action?"

Xu Chunliang said: "I wanted to, but they didn’t give me a chance. I heard Pan Tianhua single-handedly rescued Qi Shuang and his son; that’s real fatherly love."

Hua Zhuyue laughed: "Heard Old Pan was put in by the police."

Xu Chunliang said: "Will he be alright?"

Hua Zhuyue said: "One of the kidnappers was Tang Jingwei’s former driver, named Geng."

Xu Chunliang wasn’t aware of this relationship, for him rescuing Qi Shuang’s mother and child meant the task was complete; he could account for himself and for Mei Ru Xue too. In the past, Qiao Rulong helped him secure his medical qualifications and practice certificate, so this act repaid that debt. Now the Qiao Family owes him a bit more.

Hua Zhuyue’s following words surprised Xu Chunliang.

"That Old Geng was pretty tough; soon after arriving at the hospital, he poisoned himself, probably fearing he’d crack under police interrogation and reveal the mastermind, so he chose to end it all."

Xu Chunliang said: "Suicide? Doesn’t that mean the trail is broken?"

Hua Zhuyue said: "Even though the police currently have no evidence to convict Tang Jingwei, Old Pan won’t let him go. I suspect Pan Weidong’s throat-slashing incident was also Tang Jingwei’s doing."

Xu Chunliang asked: "Are you planning to get involved in this matter?"

Hua Zhuyue shook her head: "Won’t directly intervene, but helping to uncover the truth is no problem." This incident eased tensions between her and Pan Tianhua, in exchange for his support for Ji Jiajia, which is also beneficial for the Orchid Sect.

Xu Chunliang’s phone rang; it was a call from Liu Qingshan, the head of the task force.

Liu Qingshan informed him the hostages had been rescued, though Xu Chunliang wasn’t really connected to the matter. Logically, Liu Qingshan didn’t need to call him specifically, yet Xu Chunliang pondered, Liu Qingshan might suspect he did something.

Recalling the steel needle shot into Old Geng’s eye, Xu Chunliang regretted being careless, at the time focusing only on saving people, neglecting that detail, and failing to retrieve the needle before leaving.

After hanging up the call, a WeChat notification sounded; glancing at it, it was a message from Mei Ru Xue, reading simply — Thank you!

Seemingly mundane, yet laden with meaning, Xu Chunliang had been blacklisted by her at one point, but this proved Mei Ru Xue cleared him from the blacklist, recognizing that Xu Chunliang rescued Qi Shuang’s mother and child tonight.

Xu Chunliang thought for a bit but didn’t reply to her message. This time he made the Qiao Family owe him a big favor, wondering if people like Qiao Rulong would dare flaunt in front of him again.

Hua Zhuyue asked: "When did your relationship with Xiahou Mulan become so close? She actually issued the Orchid Order for you."

Xu Chunliang laughed: "How do you know she did it for me? Maybe someone else asked her for help, Pan Tianhua has wide connections too."

Hua Zhuyue said: "I heard she took over Renhe Hall’s shares and plans to invest in your Dongzhou Infectious Disease Hospital."

Xu Chunliang said, "Sister Hua, your news is really well-informed."

Hua Zhuyue sighed and said, "Not really. Back when we were in Qiaocheng, I didn’t even notice that the two of you got together right under my nose."

Xu Chunliang said, "I remember that in Qiaocheng, it was actually us two getting together. You’re really skilled at passing the buck, true Orchid Sect style."

Hua Zhuyue scoffed, "Why would I be interested in a kid who hasn’t even fully grown up yet?"

Xu Chunliang laughed, "You haven’t even seen, so how do you know I haven’t fully grown up?"

Hua Zhuyue took a sip of her drink and said, "Stop talking nonsense. I’m here to discuss business. We’re planning to invest in your new hospital."

Xu Chunliang said, "Be more specific."

Hua Zhuyue said, "Jiajia’s interested. She wants to buy shares and she’s really enthusiastic. I’ve had people evaluate your project and it seems very promising."

Xu Chunliang said, "Your company really is diversifying. Aren’t you mainly into film and television?"

Hua Zhuyue said, "Nowadays, you shouldn’t put all your eggs in one basket. Diversification can spread the risk. Your hospital isn’t betting all on one investor either. I’ve heard Equatorial Capital decided not to invest in your new hospital anymore."

Xu Chunliang said, "You’re really something, Sister Hua. You even know about this, so you’re here to deliver yourself to us tonight."

Hua Zhuyue caught the implication, rolled her eyes and said, "Aren’t you on good terms with Mo Han? Why would she suddenly withdraw support?"

Xu Chunliang said, "I don’t really know the specifics. I heard a new CEO has arrived at Equatorial Capital and Mo Han resigned."

Hua Zhuyue said, "What’s the new CEO’s name?"

"Ren Tianye."

Hua Zhuyue thought hard. She knew the investment world but hadn’t heard of Ren Tianye before.

Xu Chunliang said, "Whether or not they invest, I was cautious about them from the start."

Hua Zhuyue whispered, "Are you worried about their money being problematic?"

Xu Chunliang smiled without saying a word.

Hua Zhuyue said, "Do you have the same concerns about us?"

Xu Chunliang said, "I’ve never worried about you. You wouldn’t set me up."

Back when Ji Buyao was around, Blue Star Group did engage in some shady business, but after Ji Buyao went missing, Hua Zhuyue successfully led Blue Star Group through a full transformation, or as the saying goes, cleaned up their act.

Hua Zhuyue said, "Every penny in investments is clean, so rest assured. Oh, our film company just launched a new project. I want to sign Su Qing."

Xu Chunliang said, "You should discuss that with her."

Hua Zhuyue laughed and said, "She listens to you, right?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Do I have that much influence?"

Hua Zhuyue said meaningfully, "Anyone not blind can see how Su Qing feels about you. You’re quite a scoundrel, flirting with every beauty you meet. Don’t you worry about how it’ll end?"

Xu Chunliang said, "Am I scoundrel? I wouldn’t have realized if you hadn’t told me." His gaze fell on Hua Zhuyue’s curvaceous figure, feeling stirred once more.

Hua Zhuyue seemed to sense the danger and put her wine glass on the coffee table, "I should go back. Staying too long could cause gossip."

Xu Chunliang said, "Who would dare gossip about you?"

Hua Zhuyue said, "By the way, I’m meeting Su Qing tomorrow. You should join us."

Xu Chunliang said, "Let’s chat a bit more."

Hua Zhuyue waved her hand with a smile, "I have things to do tonight."

"So late and still have things to do?"

Hua Zhuyue nodded.

Xu Chunliang touched where she had been sitting, "Why is it so wet?"

Hua Zhuyue’s face warmed. It couldn’t be possible, then she realized he was playing a prank on her. She grabbed a cushion beside her and threw it at him, "Brat!"

Xu Chunliang returned with the cushion, blocking her before she could leave, holding against the door.

Hua Zhuyue, her face red, looked at him, "What are you trying to do?" Her eyes showed no fear, but rather a hint of anticipation.

Xu Chunliang lowered his head, giving her a soft kiss on the cheek, "Good night."

Hua Zhuyue wrapped her arms around his neck, delivering a passionate, lingering kiss. Xu Chunliang’s restless hands wandered over her shapely figure, skillfully kneading just right. Hua Zhuyue’s charming eyes grew increasingly tender, almost overflowing before her phone suddenly rang.

Hua Zhuyue hastily pushed Xu Chunliang away, took out her phone and said, "I really should leave, good night!"