Han Yue felt cornered. She needed Feng Xian's help, and he happened to catch her staring.
Her eyes wandered to the tight workout leggings Gu Nanyuan wore, perfectly outlining her curves.
But Feng Xian wasn't impressed. He knew Gu Nanyuan wasn't just Zhang Lingyi's second sister—she was a powerhouse in the business world.
Still, Feng Xian hated one thing more than anything: men who shamelessly fawned over women.
"Is this the so-called 'super beauty' you were hyping up?" Feng Xian's tone carried a hint of disdain.
Gu Nanyuan's glare snapped to Han Yue. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Han Yue panicked and quickly changed the subject. "Let's hit the machines! It's been forever since I worked out."
Grabbing Gu Nanyuan's hand, she dragged her toward the gym equipment, desperate to diffuse the tension.
Meanwhile, Zhang Lingyi, feeling out of place without his sister, excused himself to the restroom. Feng Xian smirked as he followed, a blade hidden in his pocket.
---
In the restroom, Feng Xian walked silently behind Zhang Lingyi, pulling out a sleek military knife.
After all, the quickest way for a villain to rise was simple: kill the protagonist.
His plan was straightforward. Stab Zhang Lingyi, frame someone else, and walk away clean.
As Zhang Lingyi paused at the sink, Feng Xian seized the opportunity. His blade aimed directly for the kidney—a critical hit that would guarantee death.
But just before the blade could connect, an invisible force bounced it back.
"What the—?!" Feng Xian's eyes narrowed, gripping the knife tighter. He struck again, but the blade deflected once more.
Realization dawned.
Was this... the protagonist's halo?
Before he could test further, Zhang Lingyi turned, his eyes locking onto Feng Xian with thinly veiled suspicion. "Cousin, what are you doing?"
Feng Xian quickly pocketed the knife and laughed. "Nothing. Just thought I'd catch up with you." He slung an arm around Zhang Lingyi's shoulder, feigning friendliness.
Zhang Lingyi didn't trust him. Feng Xian could see it in his eyes.
But the moment passed, and they returned to the gym.
---
Back in the gym, Zhang Lingyi challenged Feng Xian. "Since you're here, how about a little competition?"
Feng Xian's lips curled into a sly smile. "Sure. What do you have in mind?"
"Let's test our core strength. Sit-ups with weights." Zhang Lingyi's tone dripped with confidence.
He stepped onto the machine, selecting a 30-kilogram plate. With ease, he completed 50 reps while the crowd cheered.
Gu Nanyuan and Han Yue clapped politely.
Turning to Feng Xian, Zhang Lingyi smirked. "Your turn. But take it easy—I know you're not used to this."
Zhang Lingyi's laugh was dry. Hypocrite. Acting like he cared.
Without hesitation, Feng Xian cranked the weight up to 100 kilograms, drawing gasps from the onlookers.
"Is he insane?" Han Yue whispered.
Gu Nanyuan frowned. "There's no way he can handle that."
But Feng Xian sat down and began.
One. Two. Three.
His pace was relentless, the machine creaking under the strain. In less than five minutes, he knocked out 100 sit-ups without breaking a sweat.
The room fell silent.
"That's... impossible," Han Yue stammered.
"Is he even human?!" someone else blurted.
The whispers grew, and even Gu Nanyuan, rarely impressed, murmured, "Incredible."
Feng Xian stood, dusting off his hands, basking in the awe-struck faces around him.
---
Zhang Lingyi, red-faced, refused to back down. "It's just 100 kilograms. No big deal. Watch me!"
He slammed himself onto the machine and cranked the weight up.
Feng Xian leaned back, arms crossed as he watched with mild amusement.
Zhang Lingyi struggled, his face pale as the weight strained his body. The tension snapped when a loud crack echoed throughout the room!
"Ahhh!" Zhang Lingyi screamed, clutching his back in agony.
At that moment, Ling Qingxiao, Zhang Lingyi's mother, burst into the gym, her face etched with panic. "Lingyi! What happened?"
She glared at Feng Xian, assuming the worst. "How dare you hurt your cousin!"
Han Yue stepped in, trying to calm her. "Godmother, it's not what you think. Zhang Lingyi overexerted himself."
Ling Qingxiao's expression softened slightly, though she still cast a wary glance at Feng Xian. She helped Zhang Lingyi limp out of the gym, Gu Nanyuan trailing behind them.
Watching them leave, Feng Xian smirked. Even with a protagonist's halo, Zhang Lingyi could still be brought down—by his own stupidity.
---
Han Yue approached Feng Xian, her tone turning businesslike. "Director Feng, I hope we can discuss our cooperation further. I really believe our companies—"
Feng Xian interrupted, his voice low and teasing. "Work talk? In a gym? No fun."
He stepped closer, a playful glint in his eyes. "How about a little warm-up instead?"
Before Han Yue could respond, Feng Xian reached out, taking her hand. "Let me help you stretch."
"Wait—no, that's not—" Han Yue stammered, feeling his presence behind her.
But Feng Xian's intentions were clear: he wasn't letting her off the hook.
Meanwhile, Gu Nanyuan returned to the gym for her bag, only to freeze at the sight of Feng Xian and Han Yue—much closer than necessary.
Peeking from behind a corner, she watched, her hand flying to her mouth to stifle a gasp of surprise!
###
Xiaoyue and Feng Xian? What's going on with them?!
Gu Nanyuan's usually composed demeanor cracked for the first time in decades. Her shock was written all over her face, her pupils trembling in disbelief.
Before she could make sense of the situation, Feng Xian took ahold of her chin and kissed her on the mouth. Feeling his lips on her, she froze... Before her face turned crimson, almost glowing, as she shoved Feng Xian away with both of her hands.
"You shameless scoundrel!" she yelled, pointing at him furiously. "That was my first kiss! Do you have no shame?!"
Her voice quivered with indignation, but she wasn't done. She raised her foot to kick him, her anger barely contained. Feng Xian, however, had anticipated this and dodged with ease.
"I'm telling my godmother about this!" Han Yue huffed, grabbing her bag before storming off in a fury.
Feng Xian stood there, a sly smirk tugging at his lips as he casually wiped his mouth.
"Her first kiss, huh? Not bad," he murmured to himself, his voice dripping with amusement. "No wonder she's an award-winning actress with that level of drama. My aunt really spared no expense grooming her."
His eyes shifted toward the edge of the doorway, where a faint shadow betrayed someone's presence. His smirk deepened, but he chose to ignore it. Without a word, he strode out of the room, his long legs carrying him toward the exit.
---
"Feng Xian," a cold, commanding voice called out from behind him.
He paused, turning to see Gu Nanyuan standing there, her usual icy expression firmly in place.
"What's the matter, Miss Gu?" Feng Xian asked, feigning confusion as he slipped his hands into his pockets.
"I need to discuss something important with you," Gu Nanyuan replied. Her tone was polite but brooked no argument. "This isn't the right place for it. Let's talk somewhere private. My car is outside."
She gestured toward the door, her movements graceful yet firm.
"Fine by me," Feng Xian said with a casual shrug.
---
As they approached the sleek, dark purple Cullinan parked outside, Gu Nanyuan signaled the driver.
"Let's go," she instructed.
Before the driver could start the engine, Feng Xian interjected, "I'll drive. Otherwise, I'm not going."
The driver glanced at Gu Nanyuan, hesitant. Gu Nanyuan studied Feng Xian for a moment before nodding.
"Let him drive."
With visible reluctance, the driver switched seats, muttering under her breath about Feng Xian being another one of Gu Nanyuan's admirers. Feng Xian, unfazed, took the wheel and drove with calm precision.
---
The Cullinan eventually pulled up on the edge of a desolate, wooded area.
"What is this place? Why are we here?" the driver demanded, her suspicion mounting.
Feng Xian's expression darkened as he stepped out of the car. Without warning, he grabbed the driver by the hair and dragged her toward the trees.
"W-What are you doing?! Let me go!" she shrieked.
Her cries were silenced as Feng Xian's fist connected with her jaw, the force knocking out a couple of teeth. Blow after blow followed, leaving the driver battered and bloodied.
"Stop! Don't hit her anymore!" Gu Nanyuan's voice trembled as she caught up, her face pale with shock.
Feng Xian didn't stop. Instead, he pulled a knife from his pocket and pressed it against the driver's neck.
"Tell me," he hissed, his eyes gleaming with menace. "How much did Shen Yunnan pay you to betray Gu Nanyuan?"
"Shen Yunnan?!" Gu Nanyuan gasped.
The name hit her like a lightning bolt. Shen Yunnan, the chairman of Shen Real Estate, was her biggest rival, and they were currently locked in a fierce battle over a coveted piece of land.
The driver's face turned ashen, sweat pouring down her forehead. She stammered, "I-I don't know what you're talking about! Who's Shen Yunnan?!"
Feng Xian sneered. "I admire tough liars." He pulled a small pill from his pocket, forcing it down the driver's throat.
"What… what did you just give me?!" the driver cried, panic seizing her.
Feng Xian's voice dropped to a sinister whisper. "Just a little imported poison. Undetectable, but deadly. You've got three days before it kills you unless you get the antidote."
Gu Nanyuan's brows furrowed. "Director Feng, isn't this too extreme?"
But the driver broke down, sobbing. "I'll talk! Please! Don't let me die! Shen Yunnan sent me to spy on Miss Gu!"
Gu Nanyuan staggered back, her disbelief evident. "I treated you well! I trusted you! Why would you betray me like this?!"
The driver ignored her, groveling at Feng Xian's feet. "Please, give me the antidote! I'll do anything!"
Feng Xian's tone was cold and unrelenting. "You'll work for me now. Feed Shen Yunnan false information and report back everything he plans. Fail, and you die."
"I'll do it! I'll do anything!"
"Good," Feng Xian said, stepping back. "I'll give you the first antidote in three days. Now get lost."
---
Back in the car, the tension was palpable. Gu Nanyuan finally broke the silence.
"Was that really poison?"
Feng Xian smirked. "Vitamin C. I'm a law-abiding citizen, after all."
Gu Nanyuan blinked, then burst into laughter. "You're smarter than I gave you credit for."
Her view of Feng Xian shifted. He wasn't the spoiled playboy she had assumed but someone cunning and resourceful.
"By the way," she added, her cheeks turning pink, "what's your relationship with Xiaoyue?"
"You were spying on me, huh?"
"No! I just happened to see it!" Gu Nanyuan stammered, her blush deepening.
Feng Xian chuckled. "We're practicing for a new show."
###
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