Chapter Forty-Five: The Dangerous Liu Molan

"Can’t you be a little less trouble these days?" Liu Mo Lan sat in the passenger seat, putting the recently reviewed company documents into her bag. "In a few days, there’ll be a highly anticipated jewelry exhibition. They say the Hailong Group is exclusively handling it, attracting many domestic tycoons. And there’s even the Asia-class diamond, the East Sea Star, as the highlight of the exhibition. I’ll be attending, and you can’t expect me to drive myself, can you?"

Qin Yang rolled his eyes. He’d grown used to Liu Mo Lan’s changes, and didn’t bother with the deference of a subordinate. "I don’t want trouble either, but it always finds me. Does this jewelry exhibition mean anything for your business development? If not, skip it. It’s exhausting." Facing the arrival of a jewel thief, Qin Yang doubted the exhibition would go smoothly.

Liu Mo Lan replied, "I’ll do my best to secure a partnership between Misty Jewelers and our mall at the exhibition. Plus, it’s a charity event—twenty percent of the profits go to charity. There’s some positive energy in attending, and it’s also my chance to network with merchants from all over, laying groundwork for Tianfeng Mall’s expansion. Our market share in Haitian City is saturated; to break new ground, I have to breach the city’s barrier."

"Hey, doesn’t Tianfeng Group have enough money to build malls in other cities?" Qin Yang asked curiously.

Liu Mo Lan shook her head. "Tianfeng Mall nominally belongs to Tianfeng Group, but it’s now entirely independent. I’ve built my own team. One day, Tianfeng Mall will spring up nationwide like mushrooms after the rain!" By the end, Qin Yang couldn’t help but admire her ambition. Breaking away from a cash-rich group was a challenge for any mall, but given her progress over the past half year, Liu Mo Lan had every reason to be proud.

"Then just go," Qin Yang shrugged.

Liu Mo Lan glanced at him, her voice soft. "Honestly, I really want to see how beautiful the East Sea Star is. Brochures never compare to seeing it in person."

"That thing," Qin Yang couldn’t help but say, "what’s so great about it? I’ve peed on it before."

Liu Mo Lan was momentarily stunned, then assumed it was disdain and laughed. "Women are nearly powerless against diamonds. The East Sea Star looks stunning in the brochure."

"Alright." Qin Yang said no more; nobody would believe him anyway. The East Sea Star was not a particularly valuable piece in Qin Lie’s collection, and when Qin Yang was little, it was one of his toys—he’d cling to it, and snap at anyone who tried to take it. That had led many to believe he’d grow up obsessed with money. But in the past twenty years, that prediction never came true; Qin Yang spent money freely, showing no sign of greed.

Arriving at the mall, Liu Mo Lan went straight to her office, while Qin Yang was dragged to the office by Tao Cai Jie. As soon as he sat down, she complained, "I get that you have to work long hours, but not coming home at night? Xiao Lan stayed up all night waiting for you, and you didn’t show up. Tell me, are you attracting our boss? I saw her outside earlier—she was so different, but once inside the mall, she reverted. From my experience, she’s probably in love. You spend the most time with her."

"Don’t be ridiculous," Qin Yang waved his hand. "Don’t say such things. I stayed out last night because of an emergency. Otherwise, I’d have been home asleep. And come on, I’m just a driver, broke and powerless. Our boss is a millionaire heiress—why would she ever fancy me?"

"You’re the one talking nonsense," Tao Cai Jie said, clearly displeased. "So what if you’re broke? You’re still young, nothing’s out of reach. Don’t be so unambitious. Look at you, you don’t even know how to dress." She fussed over his collar, the closeness and her fragrance putting him at ease. Qin Yang took a deep breath, earning her a glare. Suddenly, Tao Cai Jie noticed the red string around his neck and asked, "What’s that you’re wearing?"

"A jade pendant," Qin Yang replied, pulling it out. "It’s a treasure—keeps people safe."

"Didn’t expect you to be superstitious," Tao Cai Jie laughed, pointing at him. Just then, Guo Jin Tao barged in, making Tao Cai Jie deeply displeased. "Manager Guo, isn’t it a bit rude to come in without knocking again and again?"

Guo Jin Tao’s expression darkened, especially seeing Qin Yang and her so close. He drew a breath, speaking quietly. "Cai Jie, Manager Liu wants to see you."

Tao Cai Jie snorted, said a word to Qin Yang, and went off to find Liu Mo Lan. Qin Yang tucked his pendant back inside his shirt, eyeing Guo Jin Tao who lingered nearby, and took a seat at her desk, sipping from her cup. "Manager Guo, you seem to carry a lot of weight."

"Kid, looks like you haven’t learned your lesson," Guo Jin Tao said, voice sinister.

Qin Yang raised an eyebrow. What lesson? The two men Guo Jin Tao sent were easily dealt with by him—shouldn’t Guo Jin Tao have learned his lesson instead? How did he turn it around? "What lesson am I supposed to know?"

"Still haven’t learned to remember?" Guo Jin Tao said coldly.

Qin Yang cursed under his breath, then realized those men must have lied to Guo Jin Tao for some money, claiming they’d taught him a lesson. He had gone to the hospital that night, which probably made Guo Jin Tao think they’d succeeded. Qin Yang laughed. "Guo Jin Tao, you really don’t know what’s good for you."

"Listen, stay away from Tao Cai Jie. Don’t think that just because you’re the general manager’s driver I can’t deal with you," Guo Jin Tao snarled.

Just then, Sun Qi entered, dressed in urban fashion. Even in the depths of winter, her down jacket couldn’t hide her graceful figure. She hadn’t even entered when she heard Guo Jin Tao’s threat; walking in, she said coldly, "What, you want to deal with someone?"

Guo Jin Tao shuddered. He knew Sun Qi—Liu Mo Lan’s best friend, deputy captain of the city’s criminal police squad. Rumor had it she’d soon be promoted. She was ruthless with criminals, never showed mercy. If not for her heavy-handed ways, she’d have been promoted long ago. Yet her reputation only grew. Hastily, he explained, "Just kidding between colleagues, just kidding."

"Tch," Qin Yang rolled his eyes, glanced at Sun Qi. "Why are you here?"

"This isn’t your territory; why shouldn’t I come? I’m here to see Mo Lan," Sun Qi glared at him, annoyed at his uncooperative attitude. "I heard you were threatened as I passed by, so I stopped in to check. Look at your attitude—biting the hand that feeds you. Won’t even help when asked. So unreliable."

Guo Jin Tao, observing their exchange, realized their relationship was unusual, and quietly slipped away. Qin Yang watched him leave with a sneer, turned to Sun Qi. "Go see the boss then, don’t waste time here. Time is precious."

"Qin Yang, you really won’t help?" Sun Qi’s cheeks flushed with anger. "I’ll pay you if that’s what you want!"

"I can’t help," Qin Yang said helplessly.

"What if it concerns Liu Mo Lan’s safety?" Sun Qi slammed her hand on the desk. "Will you help then?"

"At the very least, I can guarantee she won’t be harmed while I’m with her," Qin Yang’s eyes narrowed.

Sun Qi ground her teeth. "I’ll tell you straight, Mo Lan’s been targeted—a bounty of ten million has been placed on her head. It’s attracted the attention of the entire southern underworld, not just Haitian City! Even criminal experts from other provinces are converging. I know you can fight, but with enemies coming one after another, can you handle it? Can you protect Liu Mo Lan twenty-four hours a day?"

"Isn’t this bounty just circulating in Haitian City’s underworld?" Qin Yang asked, eyes narrowing.

Sun Qi retorted, "You think a ten million reward can be contained in one small city? Let me tell you, there’s no telling how many desperadoes are lurking in the mall right now, all after Mo Lan’s life!"

Qin Yang sighed, pinching his brow. "Tell me, what happened?"

"Deng Qi—the leader who attacked you before—is dead. We were preparing to track him, but someone got to him first. I want you to find out who killed Deng Qi and identify the mastermind behind it, so we can get the bounty on Mo Lan revoked." Sun Qi sat down, unabashedly grabbing a cup of water. "This is a private favor, won’t go in the task report."

"When did he die?" Qin Yang asked.

"Yesterday."

"Take me to see the body," Qin Yang said straightforwardly.

"Hmm?" Sun Qi asked, "See the body? I can give you the full autopsy report."

"No," Qin Yang shook his head. "I need to see it myself—not doubting your examination, I just have my own methods."

Sun Qi considered, then nodded. "Alright, I’ve already assigned people to protect Mo Lan. She won’t be in danger for a while, but we need to find the mastermind quickly. Otherwise, once criminal experts from all over gather, things will get messy."