C14 Enticing Conditions

"What's that supposed to mean?" Lin Hao turned, his smile tinged with irony.

"Do I really need to spell it out for you?" Zhou Ya retorted with a cold laugh.

She stepped closer to Lin Hao, locking eyes with him. "Yes, he's talented, but he's clueless about love. His world is filled with nothing but wood, just carvings!"

"No matter how perfect, how attentive I am, in his eyes, I'm merely an accessory, a caretaker, or even... a laughable, disposable parasite!"

"That's why I poisoned him, with a toxin so subtle, current tests can't detect it. It took me six long months, but I've finally brought him to death's doorstep!"

"He just thought his health was declining. If you hadn't revealed the truth, he'd have never suspected his meals were tampered with!"

Lin Hao paused, then chuckled self-deprecatingly. "What makes you think I was the one who told him?"

"And you're confessing all this to me. Aren't you worried I'll turn you in?"

"You have no proof," Zhou Ya said with a smirk.

She leaned against the shade of a nearby tree, pulling out a pack of cigarettes from her purse, lighting one up, and exhaling a stream of smoke.

"Do you want to know why I... did what I did?" Zhou Ya asked, turning her gaze to Lin Hao.

Lin Hao's brow furrowed. He was tempted to refuse, but the screen had already displayed the answer.

Understanding the motive, Lin Hao's expression turned to one of resignation.

He sighed, "Ah, marrying him was your choice. Regardless of how rough the road is, you could have walked away. Was it necessary to resort to such extremes?"

"Heh, it seems I've underestimated you. So young, yet so perceptive," Zhou Ya said with a cold laugh. "Three years of marriage, and he never laid a finger on me. His eyes saw only wood!"

"I tried to get close, to have a normal life with him, but he just pushed me away!"

"Then he changed, claiming he couldn't find the soul in his carvings. He's insane—since when do pieces of wood have souls?"

"That's when he turned to drinking, and to hitting me out of the blue. I couldn't stand it anymore. I planned an 'accident' to end him, but all it did was break his leg. And after that..."

"You began poisoning him, aiming for a death that would go unnoticed, didn't you?" Lin Hao said with a chuckle.

"Exactly, that's how it went!" Zhou Ya replied with a laugh.

"No, there's more to it," Lin Hao interjected. "You're sharing these secrets with me for a reason, aren't you?"

"You're an intelligent man. Many things... I don't need to spell out for you!" Zhou Ya said, stepping closer to Lin Hao.

She cornered Lin Hao against a car, and as he had no room to retreat, she leaned in with a seductive smile. "You're the man Lee Guangrui trusts now. If you agree to cover for me and clear away his doubts, I'll reward you handsomely after his death!"

"And during this time... I'm yours. Whatever you desire, I'll comply with all my might, even right here!"

With those words, Zhou Ya pressed her body against his.

Today, Zhou Ya was dressed in a light green cheongsam, her alluring figure clinging to Lin Hao, sending shivers down his spine with the delightful sensation.

Despite relishing the moment, Lin Hao was acutely aware that he was dealing with a rose with thorns, its beauty concealing the potential to draw blood.

He pushed Zhou Ya away, managing a strained smile. "I'll concede, your offer is quite enticing, and the task seems simple enough."

As a glimmer of happiness danced in Zhou Ya's eyes, Lin Hao added, "But I refuse to be part of your scheme."

"Why?" Zhou Ya's brows knitted together in confusion.

Lin Hao clenched his fist, tapping his chest with his thumb. "Because I'm not like you. I have a conscience."

"If he's treating you poorly, just divorce him. Or... you could file for divorce unilaterally, citing domestic coldness as a valid reason."

"But you? You're plotting to end his life. Don't you think that's a bit extreme?"

"You don't understand, you know nothing!" Zhou Ya said through clenched teeth. "He's obsessed with his image and would never agree to a divorce. If I initiate it, he'll surely find a way to kill me!"

"I can't die. I have so much left to do, I..."

"You still have someone else you love, don't you?" Lin Hao said with a cold laugh. "Your outfit is so vibrant and feminine. It's not meant to tempt Lee Guangrui, is it? He hasn't laid a finger on you for years. You must be over him by now."

"So, this getup must be for another man, someone who... gave you hope. You're planning to kill Lee Guangrui to be with him, right?"

"You..."

Zhou Ya remained silent, her face a mix of shock and rage.

"There are no secrets that time doesn't reveal. Better watch your step!"

With that, Lin Hao turned, located his car, and drove off, leaving Zhou Ya frozen in place.

Only after the Mercedes-Benz vanished from view did Zhou Ya pull out her phone and dial a number.

"He turned me down!"

She spoke into the phone, her voice tinged with emotion.

A hearty laugh came from the other end. "Hahaha, I figured as much!"

"Alright, come to me. I'm in the B District parking lot. Let's not talk over the phone."

The caller kept it brief and hung up.

Zhou Ya headed to the secluded parking lot in B District and approached an Audi tucked away in the corner.

Suddenly, the rear door of the Audi swung open, and a large hand reached out, seizing Zhou Ya and yanking her into the vehicle.

"Ah, my darling, you know I have a thing for women in qipaos. Seeing you in this today is making me ravenous!" The man cackled, wrapping one arm around Zhou Ya while his other hand crept up her thigh...

Zhou Ya gasped, biting her lip coquettishly. "Stop it, someone might see us here!"

"No worries. I've got privacy film on the windows. No one can see inside," the man assured her with a chuckle.

"But what about that kid? I'm worried he'll mess up our plans," Zhou Ya fretted.

"Don't sweat it. I've got a contingency in place. If he had said yes, you could have waited for him to make a move and then accused him of assault. But since he refused, no problem... I've got a friend from the streets who's probably already intercepting him as we speak," the man said with a smug laugh.

Upon hearing the words, Zhou Ya responded with a playful pout, "Hmph, you're up to no good, keeping a backup plan secret from me!"

Beneath her bashful tone, the Audi soon began to rock.