Xu Luoyan stood by the window, slowly lowering her telescope. She picked up a freshly delivered dossier—Liu Weiwei's profile. After a long pause, she closed it, a peculiar expression flickering across her face.
Murmuring to herself, she said, "He's found a friend like her?"
Cold Heart approached, her voice crisp with a report. "Miss, the Six Masters report multiple parties tailing Lei Zhengyang. Lei and Song family operatives, plus a few opportunists fishing in troubled waters. Your orders?"
"Eliminate the opportunists," Xu Luoyan replied, her tone sharp. "Let the Leis handle the Songs. If the Lei family can't even manage that, I'll have no choice but to spirit him away." She turned, her gaze drifting back to the braised delicacy shop where Lei Zhengyang and Liu Weiwei sat. A year apart, and he seemed… different.
Cold Heart's jaw tightened with displeasure, but Xu Luoyan's word was law. She nodded curtly and left to carry out the command.
In the shadows surrounding Lei Zhengyang, a silent slaughter unfolded. The Hidden Sect's Six Masters, executing their leader's orders with lethal precision, cut down every interloper except the Lei and Song operatives. No trace, no mercy.
Lei Zhengyang remained oblivious to the bloodshed, but the Song family felt the ripple. Patriarch Song Yunhe's face darkened as the news reached him.
"Father, I've investigated," Song Xiyan said urgently. "This wasn't the Leis. Another force is involved, clearly protecting that Lei brat."
Song Yunhe stared out at the blooming gardens beyond his window, his voice low and measured. "It seems we've underestimated the Leis' reach. Xiyan, issue my order: hold off for now. Keep eyes on Lei Zhengyang, but don't act. As long as he doesn't flee, we wait until Yingfei's engagement is sealed. Then, the Leis won't face just us—they'll face the combined might of the Songs and Yangs."
Song Xiyan nodded. "Understood, Father." He turned and left.
Under the golden glow of sunset, a gentle breeze rippled through the tree-lined path where Lei Zhengyang and Liu Weiwei strolled side by side. Their hands didn't touch, but her bright laughter filled the air, a melody unbroken. Liu Weiwei, usually so disciplined at work, let her guard down completely, her youthful exuberance shining through. Her teasing glances and playful, sultry voice toyed with Lei Zhengyang's composure, stirring his heart.
"Zhengyang, I've made up my mind," she declared, her tone fierce. "Tomorrow, I'm quitting. I'm done! That damn Huang Shulang can rot with some disease and drop dead!" Loyalty had kept her at Wealthsource, but Huang's sleaze had pushed her too far. She felt a pang for the company, but her loathing for the Weasel burned hotter.
Lei Zhengyang grinned. "I'm all for it. Honestly, I hope you job-hop a few more times—more excuses for you to treat me to dinner. I haven't eaten this well in ages."
Liu Weiwei spun to face him, her hands darting to his cheeks, pinching them with a mischievous giggle. "Poor little kept boy, so pitiful! Stick with your big sis, and I'll never let you go hungry."
His hand flashed, landing a playful smack on her rear. The curve was full, elastic, impossibly soft—a perfect target. "Fair's fair, Vivi. If you're stealing my cheap thrills, I'm claiming mine."
Her face flushed crimson, mortified. She swung her purse at him, shrieking, "You filthy wolf! Spanking me? I'll castrate you!"
Lei Zhengyang bolted, laughing, as she chased him down the path, their joyful shouts echoing through the dusk.
But their game screeched to a halt. At the path's end stood a towering figure, arms crossed, a bemused grin on his face as he watched their antics.
Lei Zhengyang froze. Liu Weiwei, suddenly self-conscious, reined in her firecracker energy, transforming into a poised, elegant lady. She leaned close, whispering, "This is your fault! It's not even dark, and you're groping me! If someone saw, you're taking the blame for ruining my reputation."
The man chuckled, his tone teasing. "Sorry, Miss Liu. You two looked so happy, I hated to interrupt. But I've got urgent business. My apologies."
Liu Weiwei blinked, studying him. She didn't know him. "Sir, I think you've got the wrong person. We've never met."
"Oh, we haven't," he said, his grin widening. "But this punk? I've known him for decades." Since the day Lei Zhengyang was born, in fact. The man was Lei Qiuping, his third uncle.
Lei Zhengyang wasn't surprised. News of his whereabouts would naturally draw a Lei family envoy, but sending Third Uncle signaled trouble—a sign the feud was escalating fast. Still, he'd hoped to see her—the one who always showed up when he screwed up. Her absence stung, a quiet disappointment.
"Third Uncle," he greeted, his voice calm. "You're here."
"Third Uncle?" Liu Weiwei's eyes widened, taking in the rugged, youthful man. This was Lei Zhengyang's uncle?
"No way!" Lei Qiuping laughed, catching her shock. "I know, I look too young to be this kid's uncle—same stock as that stuffy old man, my brother. Believe it, we're blood." He puffed up proudly. The grueling cultivation of his martial arts had slowed his aging, a perk he relished despite the brutal training.
Third Uncle's personality hadn't changed a bit. Of the four Lei brothers, he was the wild card, the troublemaker who'd once been Beijing's top playboy, feared by every spoiled heir. Even now, his reputation made young elites tremble.
Lei Zhengyang cut through the bravado. "Third Uncle, enough chatter. If you're here for me, you can head back. I'll return next month on my own. No need for the cavalry."
Lei Qiuping's face darkened. "You little brat, I talk a bit, and you're already annoyed? You know what you've done, right? All of Beijing's watching you. You got any idea how many tails are on you? Without me, you'd be lucky to step foot out of Tianhai."
Lei Zhengyang smirked faintly. "I'll handle it. Go tell Grandpa not to worry. Seriously, I'll be fine."
Lei Qiuping squinted, sensing something off. The old Zhengyang wouldn't dare talk to him like this. He wasn't a man who reasoned—when words failed, his fists spoke. And they never failed.
"Enough yapping," Lei Qiuping growled. "Grandpa said to drag you back, willing or not. It's been a year—let's see if you've improved those moves. Come on, let's spar."
His grin was predatory, like a cat eyeing a mouse. Lei Zhengyang sighed inwardly. Third Uncle's hands were itching for a fight, as always.
But times had changed. Lei Qiuping charged, lightning-fast, his fist cocked. Before it could land, Lei Zhengyang's foot struck—swift, precise, ruthless—slamming into his uncle's abdomen.
Lei Qiuping flew back several meters, clutching his stomach, frozen. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he pointed at Lei Zhengyang, speechless. Finally, he gasped, "You little punk… you've got that kind of strength now? Beating up your uncle? That's mutiny!"
Liu Weiwei's jaw dropped, her eyes wide. Weren't they family? How did a few words turn into a brawl, with the nephew kicking his uncle's ass? And it didn't look like a joke. "Zhengyang, you can't hit your uncle! That's wrong! But… is he really your uncle? He's acting like a kid."
Lei Qiuping wanted to weep. He was the kid's uncle, damn it! If he had a birth certificate handy, he'd shove it in her face.
Lei Zhengyang nodded, unfazed. "Vivi, no doubt about it—he's my uncle. This is just how he is. Don't make a fuss."
He turned to Lei Qiuping. "Third Uncle, didn't you always teach me to strike first? How's my aim? Want a few more kicks?"
Lei Qiuping's temper flared, but he rubbed his stomach, brushing off the pain with a forced grin. "I was going easy, saving your dignity in front of your girlfriend. Think I don't know your limits, punk? This time, I'm not holding back."
He lunged again—and got kicked back. Again—and another kick. The final blow was a fist, slamming into his chest with bone-rattling force. The pressure nearly stole his breath. This time, he wised up, clutching his chest and waving frantically. "Enough, enough!"
"Work's been hectic," he panted, saving face. "Drained my stamina. I'm done playing, Zhengyang. If you're set on staying in Tianhai, you must have your reasons. I'll report back to Grandpa. Come home soon—your parents are worried. They'll be thrilled to know you've got such a stunning girlfriend. I'm off. Stay sharp."