Chapter 29 His Probing, Her Counterattack

Su Wantang led Qin Zheng back to the small building.

As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, a cold, aggressive aura hit him, causing Qin Zheng, a man who had crawled out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood, to subconsciously tense his muscles.

A man sat by the stone table in the courtyard.

He wore a military green shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his bronzed, well-defined forearms. He didn't look at them, but instead lowered his gaze, slowly and methodically wiping the parts of a jet-black pistol.

But the air in the entire courtyard seemed to freeze into ice because of his presence.

Lu Jingyan.

He's back.

Su Wantang paused, a ripple passing through her heart, but her face remained calm.

Qin Zheng's gaze had already silently met Lu Jingyan's in mid-air.

One is a top-ranking soldier in active duty, with an aura as sharp as a drawn blade, his brilliance fully revealed.

One was a fallen former king of soldiers, his aura as heavy and menacing as an ancient sword sheathed in its sheath.

There were no words, only the purest clash of auras; the air in the courtyard crackled, as if invisible sparks were dancing within it.

"who is he?"

Lu Jingyan finally raised his eyes, his gaze passing over Qin Zheng and fixing directly on Su Wantang's face.

Su Wantang turned to the side, blocking the two people from their almost-fighting gazes.

"Qin Zheng." She parted her red lips slightly, uttering two words, and then added, "My newly hired driver and bodyguard."

driver?

bodyguard?

A deep, dark glint flashed in Lu Jingyan's eyes, and a mocking smile curved his lips.

In the entire capital, everyone knows that Lu Jingyan's family has dedicated bodyguards and official cars when they go out. Why would she need to hire a lame bodyguard herself?

That's nonsense.

"Come in." Lu Jingyan didn't ask any more questions, just said those two words, and turned to go into the house.

That silhouette was filled with an unquestionable command and suppressed rage.

Su Wantang turned around and said to Qin Zheng, "Find a room in the courtyard first, I'll find you later."

"Yes, Miss." Qin Zheng bowed his head respectfully.

Su Wantang walked into the living room, where Lu Jingyan was sitting on the sofa, holding a newspaper, but not reading a single word.

She poured herself a glass of water, took a sip, and moistened her slightly dry throat.

"Explain." Lu Jingyan slammed the newspaper down on the coffee table with a dull thud.

Su Wantang put down her water glass, looked up at him, her eyes showing no guilt whatsoever, but rather a hint of amusement.

"What's there to explain? Chief Lu, our agreement doesn't say I can't have my own team." She walked over and sat down opposite him, crossed her legs, leaned forward slightly, and a faint fragrance wafted over.

"Or are you saying your people want to monitor me 24/7?"

Lu Jingyan's gaze suddenly sharpened.

This woman always has a way of easily provoking all his anger.

The estrangement that night, the mysterious phone call, and the limping man of unknown origin... each and every one of these things was like a sharp thorn piercing his heart.

He suddenly stood up, his tall figure casting a shadow that completely enveloped her.

"Su Wantang, don't test my bottom line."

His voice was squeezed out from between his teeth.

Su Wantang smiled, her eyes crinkling.

She extended a white, jade-like finger and gently touched his chest, feeling the powerful beating of his strong heart beneath the fabric of his military uniform.

"My bottom line is to live well." Her voice was soft and gentle, yet it carried an unwavering determination.

"Anyone who wants me dead, I'll kill them first. Commander Lu, what about you?"

After saying that, she withdrew her hand, walked past him, and headed straight for the bedroom.

"I'm tired and need to rest. The food is in the kitchen; I'll heat it up myself."

The door slammed shut.

In the living room, Lu Jingyan stood alone, his chest heaving violently, the storm in his eyes almost swallowing the entire building.

After a long while, he finally managed to utter a single word from his throat in a low voice.

"Hold."

...

Late at night, in Lu Jingyan's study.

He held a cigarette between his fingers, and through the swirling bluish-white smoke, his handsome yet menacing face was shrouded in an inscrutable expression.

On the table lay a top-secret file, recently retrieved with the highest level of authorization from the military archives.

Qin Zheng, 29 years old, formerly of the 019th Regiment of the Beijing Military Region, was the company commander of the Tiger Regiment's elite company. He had served for ten years and had accumulated numerous merits. Three years ago, during a "snake-catching" operation on the southwestern border, he was ambushed. Of the 23 members of his squad, only he survived. He suffered a comminuted fracture of his left leg and nerve necrosis, was assessed as having a level one disability, and was forced to retire from the military.

The report concluded with just two words: betrayal.

Lu Jingzhao's fingertips rubbed heavily over the word "betrayal".

It's betrayal again.

How similar he was back then.

This Qin Zheng is definitely more than just a driver. What does Su Wantang want from him? And what is her connection to what happened back then?

One mystery after another, like an invisible net, entangled him more and more tightly.

He stubbed out his cigarette, picked up the phone on the table, and dialed a number.

"Get me all the files from the 'snake-catching' operation three years ago, and... Bai Xiuzhu."

...

Inside the bedroom.

Su Wantang took out a wooden bucket from her spatial storage, filled it with spiritual spring water, and threw in a few herbs that had been nurtured in the soil of her spatial storage and were emitting a faint golden light.

She had Qin Zheng immerse his injured leg in it.

"Young Miss, this..." Qin Zheng hesitated as he looked at the bucket of medicine that emitted a strange fragrance.

"Stop talking nonsense."

Qin Zheng dared not ask any more questions. Gritting his teeth, he slowly placed the crippled leg, which had long since lost all feeling, into the wooden tub.

As soon as the warm medicine touched his skin, streams of warmth, like millions of ants, frantically burrowed into his necrotic meridians and bones.

It's numb, itchy, and painful!

Qin Zheng gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead, his muscles trembling violently, and sweat instantly soaking his back. But he didn't utter a sound.

Because, in that extreme pain, his leg, which had been useless for three years, actually... regained feeling!

One thread, two threads... From the initial faint electric current sensation, to later, it felt as if all the nerves in his leg were being reconnected, and a powerful life force surged through his withered limbs!

Su Wantang watched coldly from the side.

Half an hour later, she said calmly, "That's enough."

Qin Zheng trembled as he lifted his legs out of the wooden tub.

The leg, which had been atrophied and pale, now regained some color. He tried to move his toes.

It moved!

It really moved!

Qin Zheng suddenly raised his head, his bloodshot eyes fixed on Su Wantang, the shock in his eyes beyond words.

"Young Miss...this..."

"We'll continue tomorrow," Su Wantang said, then took the wooden bucket and the dregs of the medicine away.

Thump!

Qin Zheng could no longer control himself. This tough guy, who would never shed a tear but would bleed, knelt down on both knees!

He didn't speak, but instead kowtowed three times deeply to Su Wantang.

Each one used all their strength.

When he looked up again, all the doubt and scrutiny in his eyes had vanished. In their place was an almost fanatical worship and absolute loyalty.

From this day forward, this life belongs to the young lady.

...

The next day, an uninvited guest arrived at the door.

Lu Wenbo, Lu Jingyan's second uncle, is the most powerful figure in the second generation of the Lu family.

He was dressed in a well-fitting Zhongshan suit, his hair was neatly combed, and he had a gentle smile on his face. He was also carrying a net bag of fruit in his hand, looking like an ordinary neighbor.

"Wantang, your second uncle has come to see you. Are you settling in well in our compound?"

As soon as he entered, his gaze "happened" to fall on Qin Zheng, who was practicing walking in the yard.

Qin Zheng's leg has not fully recovered, but he can already walk slowly without crutches.

"Huh?" Lu Wenbo showed just the right amount of surprise. "This comrade looks somewhat familiar."

Su Wantang brought out tea, her smile even sweeter than his: "Second Uncle, this is my new driver, Qin Zheng."

Lu Wenbo slapped his thigh: "Oh! I remember now! Isn't this one of Old Zhou's soldiers? His name is... Qin Zheng, yes, it's Qin Zheng! Oh dear, it's like the flood washed away the Dragon King's temple, family members don't recognize each other!"

He walked over enthusiastically, patted Qin Zheng on the shoulder, and looked very caring.

Qin Zheng's body stiffened, his eyes filled with vigilance.

Su Wantang saw everything and sneered inwardly.

They've arrived.

The murderer of his mother has finally revealed his true colors.

In the living room, Lu Wenbo sipped his tea, his words revealing his concern for Su Wantang.

"Wantang, you've just arrived in the capital and don't know anyone. Jingyan is such a quiet guy, he stays in the military camp all day. How about this, your second uncle will host a dinner another day and introduce you to some friends. They're all uncles and aunts, and they can help you out if you need anything in the future."

That was said flawlessly.

What appears to be a well-intentioned act of an elder helping a younger person is actually an attempt to bring her completely under his surveillance.

Su Wantang smiled radiantly: "That would be wonderful, thank you very much, Second Uncle."

She agreed so readily that a hint of surprise flashed in Lu Wenbo's eyes, but his smile deepened.

“For example, Deputy Director Wang of the Ministry of Textiles, his wife has always been in poor health. You young people can move around more.”

He threw out the first bait.

Su Wantang tilted her head and asked innocently, "Deputy Director Wang? Is that Uncle Wang who is currently under internal investigation for his lifestyle issues?"

Lu Wenbo's hand, holding the teacup, paused almost imperceptibly.

A crack appeared in the smile on his face.

The investigation into Deputy Director Wang was extremely secretive, known only to a very few high-ranking officials. How could a young girl from Shanghai possibly know about it?

Su Wantang seemed oblivious to his odd behavior, continuing to draw circles on the coffee table with her finger.

“I also heard that Uncle Wang’s mistress has reported the matter to his workplace. Second Uncle, the friend you mentioned, could it be that mistress? I don’t want to deal with that kind of person; it would only tarnish my reputation.”

Her words were sweet and gentle, yet every word pierced the heart.

Lu Wenbo's expression changed completely.

He stared intently at the smiling girl in front of him, and for the first time felt that he had misjudged her.

This is hardly the naive and ignorant capitalist's daughter!

This is clearly a man-eating flower, carrying deadly poison!

He wanted to use her as a pawn, but this pawn not only disobeyed him, but also tried to turn the tables on him!

A silent confrontation unfolded fiercely in the small living room.

In the end, Lu Wenbo was the first to be defeated.

He slowly put down his teacup, stood up, and the smile on his face had become somewhat stiff.

"Hehe, it seems your second uncle made a mistake. Wan Tang, you should rest well. Your second uncle will come to see you another day."

Su Wantang got up to see him off, still with that obedient and docile demeanor.

"Take care, Second Uncle."

Lu Wenbo walked to the door, then turned back and gave Su Wantang a deep look.

That look in his eyes was full of meaning.

Only after Lu Wenbo's figure disappeared at the courtyard gate did the smile on her face gradually turn cold.