C5 Tong Group's Boss

"I am not in love with you, you shameless jerk!"

Ding Mengqi snapped back to reality, her cheeks flushing as she huffed at Wu Tian Jiao, saying,

Self-absorbed much?

Don't think for a second that rescuing me means I'll overlook the sleazy things you said earlier!

With a toss of her head, Ding Mengqi turned to leave the alley. But in her haste, she stepped awkwardly, her ankle twisting with a sickening creak, swelling up immediately.

"Ow, that hurts!"

A sharp pain shot through her ankle, and Ding Mengqi let out a yelp as she stumbled forward. Wang Xiao quickly stepped in, catching her by the waist.

"Thank you!"

Still rattled, Ding Mengqi blurted out her thanks. But as she looked up and saw Wang Xiao's smug grin, her face reddened, and she quickly pushed him away, declaring with feigned indifference, "Back off, I don't need your help."

Yet her push was futile; Wang Xiao swept her up in a commanding princess carry.

"What kind of gentleman would I be if I let a beautiful lady walk on an injured foot?"

Wang Xiao gave Ding Mengqi a reassuring smile, paying no mind to the thugs he'd laid out, and carried her out of the alley.

Feeling the tenderness in Wang Xiao's smile, Ding Mengqi's lips sealed shut. She nestled into his embrace, basking in the warmth of his chest like a contented kitten.

If the admirers at Forest City University could see their aloof dream teacher so cozily cradled in the arms of a young man, they'd be pounding their fists in frustration!

...

"How are you feeling now?"

Seated on a bench at the street's edge, Ding Mengqi had one red high heel off, her delicate foot cradled in Wang Xiao's hands as he massaged it. Wang Xiao looked at her with a gentle smile.

The soft glow of the streetlight illuminated Ding Mengqi's pale face, highlighting her lightly bitten red lips and her bashful gaze.

She glanced around nervously, as though fearful of encountering someone familiar, and perhaps a bit embarrassed to have her foot so intimately tended to by Wang Xiao.

She stole a glance at Wang Xiao, his chiseled features, the sharpness of his brows, and the depth of his eyes quickening her heartbeat.

"Ah, yes, that's much better."

Ding Mengqi gently nibbled on her lip, murmuring softly as she relished the comfort of Wang Xiao's massage. She noticed her ankle was significantly less swollen.

"The evening is upon us. I should take you home," Wang Xiao suggested, his touch gentle yet firm on her delicate lips.

"No need, I can manage on my own," Ding Mengqi insisted, slipping into her high heels, her cheeks flushed as she shook her head at him.

"But I've said I'm a gentleman. It wouldn't be proper for me to let a lady go home alone, especially with your foot still healing," Wang Xiao protested earnestly.

"Oh? Does a gentleman take liberties with a lady's thigh while carrying her?" Ding Mengqi teased, casting a playful glance his way. She hadn't forgotten how this rascal had taken his chances earlier.

"Cough cough... That was unintentional," Wang Xiao stammered, his face a portrait of embarrassment.

Seeing his discomfort, Ding Mengqi couldn't help but smile warmly. Her face glowed with a soft blush as she opened her arms and whispered, "Let's go."

Caught off guard, Wang Xiao's smile broadened. He quickly scooped her up and, following her directions, they set off.

Nestled against Wang Xiao, Ding Mengqi couldn't deny her shyness. It was a day of firsts for her—carried by a man twice in one day, the same man, and the second time by her own volition.

What was happening to her? Why did she trust this young man so completely? Did she, deep down, not mind his playful advances?

As these thoughts swirled in her head, her cheeks burned even hotter.

"Beautiful sister, is this where you live? It's impressive!"

Standing in front of the faculty apartments at Forest City University, Wang Xiao blinked and turned to Ding Mengqi behind him.

"Wang Xiao, thanks for saving me. Here's some money for your cab ride home."

Ding Mengqi climbed out of Wang Xiao's embrace, her cheeks flushed as she pulled out a few hundred yuan from her waist pouch and handed it to him.

"Beautiful sister, I'm feeling a bit parched. Won't you invite me in for a drink?"

Wang Xiao dismissed the money Ding Mengqi offered, grinning cheekily at her.

"This should be enough for you to buy a drink."

Ding Mengqi, understanding Wang Xiao's insinuation, blushed deeper, pushed the money into his arms, and hurried off toward the apartment.

Wang Xiao watched her alluring retreat into the apartment, touched his nose, and a gleam appeared in his eyes. He whispered to himself, "No wonder the old man always says life down the mountain is so vibrant. I'm starting to believe it now. Hehe, this beautiful sister, I've set my sights on her!"

With that, Wang Xiao ran his fingers through his hair, turned with a suave flair, and strode away.

...

In the penthouse office of the Chen Group building.

"What? The two bronze-level assassins from Rebirth Camp are dead? Useless fools!"

A middle-aged man in a suit sat behind his desk, his face dark with anger as he berated the bald man before him.

"Mr. Chen, our spies near Tong Waner's villa report that on the night in question, the two assassins did indeed neutralize the external guards. However, they didn't anticipate an expert inside the villa. Upon entry, one assassin was immediately taken down, and the other fled in terror. The expert pursued and eliminated the fleeing assassin as well," the bald man reported, his face a mask of anxiety, avoiding Mr. Chen's piercing gaze as he recounted the events.

"Which expert?" Chen Peng's eyebrows knitted together as he asked sternly.

"It was Tong Waner's so-called fiancé, Wang Xiao!" the bald man revealed.

"What? How could it be him?"

Surprise flickered across Chen Peng's face as he spoke with a heavy tone.

Moments later, his face lit up with sudden comprehension. "Ah, now it makes sense. I was wondering how Tong Shan, that sly old fox, could fail to have a couple of aces up his sleeve to protect his daughter. Turns out, the ace is his son-in-law!"

"Boss Chen, what's our next move? We've been vying with the Tong Group for that plot of land, even going so far as to hire Rebirth Camp assassins to take out Tong Waner. Now that the hit has flopped, do you think Tong Shan will come after us?"

At that moment, Baldy gazed anxiously at Chen Peng, his voice tinged with fear.

Chen Peng's brow furrowed at the sight of Baldy's panic, and a flicker of annoyance crossed his gaze.

"Assassinate Tong Waner? What's that got to do with us?" Chen Peng's lips twisted into a sardonic smile as he spread his hands dismissively. "Baldy, after all this time with me, how can you still not get your facts straight?"

"Come on, Boss Chen, this is no time for jokes..."

Baldy's protest was cut short as he caught the mischievous grin on Chen Peng's face, and realization dawned on him.

Slapping his forehead in a mock mea culpa, he burst into laughter. "Genius, Boss Chen, pure genius! Of course, we're completely in the dark about any attempt on the Tong heiress's life. We're shocked and saddened, naturally. We should even prepare a token of sympathy to offer the Tong Family."

Noticing that Baldy had caught on and was thinking on his feet, Chen Peng's eyes gleamed with approval.

"Good, handle it. Make sure the Tong Family feels the full extent of Chen Group's earnestness!"

He waved his hand, signaling Baldy to proceed.

"Rest easy, Boss Chen. I've got this under control," Baldy assured him, his own lips curling into a crafty smile.

With that, he spun on his heel and strode out of the office, rallying his crew for the task ahead.

In the Eastern District of Forest City, inside the Lin Group's towering headquarters, a middle-aged man with a grave demeanor sat at his desk, silently reviewing the documents before him.

Swoosh...

Just then, a faint whooshing sound sliced through the silence of the office, as if someone had slipped in unnoticed. Yet, the middle-aged man remained the sole occupant.

"Back already, Gui Ying?"

A slight smile curled at the corner of the middle-aged man's lips as he spoke, his gaze never leaving his work.

"Yeah, I've returned."

A raspy voice echoed in the office, its source invisible to the eye.

"Is Waner's girl doing okay?"

Pausing his task, the middle-aged man's voice deepened, laced with a touch of concern.