The car ride was silent. By the time we reached the bar, night had fallen, and a light drizzle had started. I said, "You two head back and keep an eye on the place. I have something to take care of."
Neither of them asked any questions and returned to the bar. I drove towards Mengmao Town, heading to Malan's house.
I called Malan, and when she picked up, I asked, "Are you home?"
"Waiting for you..." she replied.
"I've got something to do..." I said, feigning indifference.
"Cancel it," she said firmly.
I chuckled bitterly. "Alright, wait for me. I'll be there soon."
Hanging up, I stepped on the accelerator. Truthfully, I was eager to see Malan. My excitement was a force begging for release. I didn't want to look for Xiao Mi; she hated me, and besides, her life was already miserable. Malan, on the other hand, was my outlet. What was our relationship, anyway?
A fling? It didn't matter. Neither of us cared.
By the time I arrived at her villa, it was late. The front door was unlocked. I let myself in and bolted the door behind me. The security here was good, or perhaps Malan had deliberately left it open for me.
When I stepped into the living room, she was nowhere to be seen. Just as I was about to check the bathroom, her voice called out.
"Oh, is that you, Zhao Fei? You've finally arrived... Did you bring it?" Her sultry voice echoed from the bathroom, magnetic and teasing.
"I'm sorry, I lost the bet! It's just me," I replied, catching a whiff of a distinct, exquisite fragrance—luxurious, French, and strangely familiar, though I couldn't recall its name.
I strode to the bathroom, and what I saw stunned me.
It was Malan, yet something about her had changed.
"It's so late, and you're dressed like this?" I asked, at a loss for words.
Her pale, flawless face was adorned with a glamorous, elegant makeup. Her eyes, accentuated by expertly drawn brows, exuded an irresistible allure. Any faint lines on her face were concealed under the meticulous layers of foundation. Her lips, painted a glossy peach, shimmered under the bathroom lights.
She was clearly prepared. Regret crept in—was teasing her a mistake? Would she seek revenge?
I stepped closer. She leaned casually against the edge of the tub, her silk robe shimmering under the lights, enhancing the softness of her porcelain skin. There was something untamed, almost wild, about her presence.
I pulled her into my arms, lifting her delicate wrists. Her scent was intoxicating.
"I don't believe you came alone," she murmured shyly, resting her head on my shoulder.
"No, I didn't come alone. I brought a gift worth eighty million," I said with a grin, deliberately exaggerating.
"I knew you couldn't fool me. But if you dare play games with me..." she blushed, moving closer to embrace me.
"You smell amazing, Malan..." I said, enchanted.
"Oh? Then kiss me," she whispered.
As I kissed her lips, suddenly, she bit down hard. Pain shot through me as I tasted the metallic tang of blood.
She stared at me, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "That's the price of lying to me."
I sighed helplessly. She was a dangerous woman, vindictive and petty. One lie was all it took for her to retaliate. A true heiress, through and through.
But then, she laughed and softened, as if forgiving me. "Want a drink?" she offered.
I took a deep breath. A drink was just what I needed. I nodded, and she poured two glasses, handing me one. I downed it in one go, collapsing onto the bed. Staring at the ceiling, I replayed the day's events, feeling a strange satisfaction. No one could push me around anymore.
Suddenly, Malan climbed on top of me, her lips raining kisses across my face like a storm.
Later, we sat in silence—me sipping red wine, her smoking a cigar. We basked in the afterglow of the moment.
Minutes passed. Rain began pouring outside, accompanied by gusts of wind that lifted the curtains. I got up to look out at the heavy downpour. Yunnan's rains were frequent, but this one seemed particularly fierce.
"What's this material worth eighty million?" Malan asked.
Snapping out of my reverie, I retrieved the materials from my car, carrying them into the living room under the relentless rain.
Malan, now in her nightgown, examined the jade pieces. Squatting down, she picked one up, marveling. "Such clarity. It must be icy jade, right?"
I nodded. "Yes, icy jade with floral patterns. Half of it is tri-colored, which is the most valuable. Unfortunately, it can't be carved into bangles—only pendants. Otherwise, it'd easily fetch a billion."
Her eyes sparkled as she admired the pieces, unable to put them down. "Sell them to me. How much?"
"Market price is eighty million," I replied.
"Don't give me the spiel. I don't have eighty million," she said dismissively.
I grew serious. "This was a joint bet with Qian Guang. We can't settle for less."
"Are you stupid? Tell him it's sixty million or fifty million—he won't know the difference!" she retorted.
I couldn't help but laugh at her calculating nature. "Alright, six million then, but let's keep this between us. If Wei finds out, it'll be trouble."
She smiled slyly. "Do you think I'd run off? Leave the materials here. I'll take them to a craftsman tomorrow. Don't worry—you'll get your money."
I hesitated. This was my first time handing over something so valuable without immediate payment.
"Don't trust me?" she teased, wrapping her arms around my waist.
"I trust you, but Qian Guang…"
She sighed, handing me three checks. "One million each. Now leave me alone."
I accepted them, holding up my glass in a silent toast. She was formidable—clever, fiery, and unpredictable.
Rain battered the windows as we shared another drink, the storm outside mirroring the tempest within.