Li Hao couldn't get Xu Qing out of his mind. Her piercing gaze, her icy demeanor, and her mysterious smile all lingered in his thoughts like a ghost. Who was this woman, and what kind of business rivals would bother her on the streets?
As he walked back to his martial arts studio, Li Hao's mind wandered to the fight earlier. Xu Qing had seemed so calm, so collected, despite being surrounded by those thugs. And her words – "I'm used to dealing with scum like that" – hinted at a deeper story, one that Li Hao was eager to uncover.
The next day, Li Hao found himself patrolling the streets, hoping to catch a glimpse of Xu Qing. He told himself it was just curiosity, but deep down, he knew he was drawn to her enigmatic presence.
As he turned a corner, he spotted Xu Qing exiting a high-end jewelry store. Her eyes locked onto his, and for a moment, they just stared at each other.
Li Hao smiled, feeling a spark of excitement. "Coincidence?" he asked, approaching her.
Xu Qing raised an eyebrow. "I don't believe in coincidences, Mr. Li Hao. Especially not in this city."
Li Hao chuckled. "Fair point. So, what brings you to this part of town?"
Xu Qing's gaze retreated, hiding behind a mask of indifference. "Just business, Mr. Li Hao. Nothing that concerns you."
Li Hao laughed, sensing a challenge. "Oh, I think it concerns me. You see, I'm a pretty good judge of character, and I think you're hiding something. Something big."
Xu Qing's eyes narrowed, her pupils constricting. For a moment, Li Hao thought he saw a flash of anger, but it was quickly suppressed.
"I think you're mistaken, Mr. Li Hao," she said calmly. "I'm just a businesswoman trying to make a living in this city. That's all."
Li Hao grinned, undeterred. "I'll bet you're more than that. And I aim to find out what you're really after."
Xu Qing's smile was like a winter breeze – cold, calculating, and utterly captivating. "I look forward to it, Mr. Li Hao. But for now, I have a meeting to attend to."
With that, she turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving Li Hao to wonder what exactly he had just gotten himself into.
As he watched her go, Li Hao felt a strange sensation – as if he had just been pulled into a vortex, one that would change his life forever.
Over the next few days, Li Hao found himself drawn to Xu Qing's orbit, watching her from afar as she conducted her mysterious business dealings. He learned that she was the CEO of the Sun Empire Group, a massive conglomerate with fingers in every pie – real estate, finance, technology, and more.
But despite her impressive resume, Li Hao sensed that Xu Qing was more than just a ruthless businesswoman. There was something beneath the surface, something she was desperate to keep hidden.
One night, as Li Hao patrolled the streets, he stumbled upon a group of thugs harassing a small-time vendor. Without hesitation, Li Hao leapt into action, taking down the thugs with ease.
As he stood victorious, he spotted Xu Qing watching from the shadows, her eyes glinting with a mixture of admiration and amusement.
"Well played, Mr. Li Hao," she said, emerging from the darkness. "I think it's time we had a talk."
Li Hao grinned, sensing that he was about to uncover the secrets of the mysterious Xu Qing. "I'm all ears."
Xu Qing's smile sent shivers down his spine. "Good. Because I think we're going to have a very... interesting conversation."