Shu Ying stared intently with wide eyes at the face before her, a somewhat frail-looking figure behind the glasses.
When her mother's company faced a severe financial crisis, Shu Ying had sought external help, only to be met with despairing responses.
The so-called "friends" and "relatives" around her were either too intimidated by the power of the Yi family to offer any assistance or, driven by their own desires to possess her beauty, had initially attempted to win her over—only to withdraw in fear upon hearing the staggering figure she required.
At first, she had believed that Xiang Ri was simply turned off by the five hundred million figure. But when she learned that it wasn't the amount but her own underestimation that he found surprising, her tears flowed uncontrollably. "Why are you so kind to me?"
The sudden tears of the beautiful woman took Xiang Ri by surprise. He never expected a single sentence to move her so deeply. It seemed a bit overly sentimental, but then again, it was precisely the reaction he had hoped for—far better than being indebted to that "Aunt."
With that thought in mind, Xiang Ri seized the moment, continuing to play the role of the benevolent benefactor. "You don't need to be so formal with me. I truly want to help. If it makes you feel uneasy, I wouldn't know how to handle that."
What he had intended as an insincere remark was, to Shu Ying, a heartfelt confession. His words sounded as though he were declaring his love, and her heart swelled with sweetness. With a tender nod, she signaled her acceptance.
Xiang Ri continued softly, "I know your estimate just now was the most conservative. Now, could you tell me once more—how much do you need to resolve your mother's company's financial troubles?"
Since he was already offering help, why not go all the way? Moreover, given what he knew of this demure beauty, her willingness to sacrifice herself for her mother's hard work made it clear she would never default on her debts. Once her mother's company was back on track, he was confident the principal—and interest—would be returned.
Unfortunately for Xiang Ri, his idealized vision was nothing more than wishful thinking. He had no idea that the beauty before him had no intention of ever repaying the money, and had already planned to lavish it as a dowry without a second thought about repayment.
Hearing her future "boyfriend" ask her to recalculate the amount of money, Shu Ying was filled with both gratitude and happiness. After careful consideration, she finally spoke in a soft voice, "Eight hundred million."
"Eight hundred million?"
"Yes, just eight hundred million will do." Shu Ying spoke with a solemn expression. Though eight hundred million wasn't an excessive amount, with her mother's expertise and her own assistance, they could undoubtedly steer the company safely through the crisis.
"Eight hundred million is still too little. I'll give you one billion," Xiang Ri said readily, pulling out his checkbook. Without waiting for her reaction, he swiftly filled in a long string of numbers. He had already planned it—by lending her an extra two hundred million, he would be able to charge interest on it, making a tidy profit in the process.
Shu Ying trembled as she accepted the enormous check. Her eyes reddened, and an overwhelming sense of happiness flooded through her entire body.
This was one billion, not ten, not one hundred thousand, but a sum large enough to turn a beggar into a billionaire, a figure so astronomical it could drive a normal person to madness. She could hardly fathom that it was now in her hands. Originally, she had asked for eight hundred million, yet here she was, receiving two hundred million more. How could she not be moved by her "boyfriend's" thoughtfulness? How could she not fall even more deeply in love with him?
"I…" Shu Ying wanted to say something but was overcome with emotion, unable to speak. In a rush of impulse, she threw herself into his arms.
Xiang Ri had not expected such an impulsive gesture. But seeing the beautiful woman throw herself at him, he hesitated for only half a second before reaching out to wrap his arm around her slender waist, his other hand gently caressing her smooth back.
"Mr. Xiang, you're quite the enthusiast!" A familiar, melodious female voice echoed in his ear, causing his body to stiffen. However, upon realizing the speaker wasn't someone who could scare him, his muscles relaxed. "Your Majesty, didn't you know that scaring someone can actually kill them?"
When speaking to foreigners, Xiang Ri had a habit of using their native language. He believed it not only showed respect but also made communication smoother. Therefore, he responded in French.
"Is that so?" The Queen's initial surprise at his use of French quickly gave way to a knowing expression, though she refrained from revealing the "truth." Instead, she smiled coquettishly and, in flawless French, remarked, "I've heard that only those who are engaged in mischief would be startled by the slightest noise. Could it be that Mr. Xiang wasn't behaving himself just now?" Her gaze, subtle yet deliberate, lingered on the beautiful woman in his arms.
"Your Majesty, I believe you may be mistaken," Xiang Ri, having the misfortune of encountering a blonde foreign woman here, could only shrug off the situation. Aware of her acquaintance with a certain female officer, and to avoid further misunderstandings, he hastily fabricated an excuse: "My friend felt a bit lightheaded, so I was simply checking on her."
"Oh? It seems Mr. Xiang is quite the gentleman, deeply concerned for a lady's health," The Queen's tone dripped with playful sarcasm. "But surely, such an examination does not require such close physical contact? Or is Mr. Xiang employing some new, more intimate method of medical inspection?"
"I was afraid she might fall, so I had to steady her…" Xiang Ri stammered.
"And yet, you still haven't let go? Are you worried she might still be unsteady?" The persistent questioning from the blonde woman continued, her tone tinged with mocking curiosity.
"Ah, I... I forgot, I forgot," Xiang Ri laughed awkwardly, quickly releasing the curvaceous form he had been holding.
"Is she your friend?" Shu Ying, somewhat shy, rose from her seat. She had noticed the blonde woman speaking earlier, though she didn't immediately pull away from Xiang Ri's embrace. Instead, she stayed nestled against him, keen to observe the sudden arrival of the foreign beauty.
After a careful observation, she felt reassured, for in the blonde woman's eyes, she saw no hint of admiration or jealousy. Though she could not understand their conversation, the faint trace of disdain in the woman's voice was unmistakable to Shu Ying's finely tuned female intuition. Hence, she was no longer worried that her future "boyfriend" would be snatched away.
"She's a French acquaintance, though not someone I know very well," Xiang Ri explained indifferently, oblivious to the faint irritation in the blonde woman's gaze.
"Do you speak French?" Shu Ying's eyes lit up, her attention now fully on this new revelation, entirely disregarding the so-called "acquaintance."
"Actually, I only know a little," Xiang Ri responded modestly, yet seeing the admiration in her eyes, a thought struck him. The longer he spent with the blonde beauty, the more misunderstandings could arise. As a result, he quickly shifted the topic, intending to send the eager foreign woman on her way: "By the way, shouldn't you be heading back? Your mother must be quite worried about you by now."
"Ah, I almost forgot!" Shu Ying exclaimed, suddenly remembering her mother was still troubled by the financial situation, while she herself had been caught up in matters of the heart. It was truly an act of filial disobedience. She immediately stood up and, addressing her "boyfriend," said, "I'll leave now. Remember to come find me." With that, she turned and hurried toward the door, confident that, since he had already investigated her background, finding her again would be no trouble.
"Of course, no problem." Xiang Ri, eager to see her leave, had no objections. But as soon as her figure became a mere blur in the distance, he suddenly realized he didn't even know her name. He stood, intending to chase after her, only for the Queen to interrupt, her voice cool and detached: "Now that she's gone, is Mr. Xiang regretting his inaction?"
Stung by her remark, Xiang Ri could only sit back down, glancing at the tall, curvaceous blonde beauty whose presence had led to his current predicament. If not for her, he wouldn't be in such an awkward situation.
Just as he was about to retort with some sharp words, a sudden, inexplicable sense of danger swept over him. A chilling sensation, as though something disastrous was about to unfold. Without hesitation, his eyes darted around, scanning the area. Through the glass walls, he caught a glimpse of a blinding flash from the top floor of the building across the street.
"Get down!" Without warning, Xiang Ri lunged at the blonde beauty, throwing her to the ground. Just as they hit the floor, a faint sound echoed in the air.
"Bang!" A deep hole, no larger than the size of a pinky finger, appeared on the floor just an inch from the blonde woman's left shoulder.