Although Old Gui was in charge of intelligence, he only knew the basics.
He knew Qin Xiao was targeting Chu Yao and had issued a blacklist order, but he didn't know the specifics of Qin Xiao's arrangements, much less the deeper meaning behind them.
Fang Ming's fingers tightened slightly around his wine glass, but a cryptic smile appeared on his face.
"Brother Gui, it's only right that there are some things you don't understand."
Fang Ming set down his glass and looked sideways at Old Gui. His tone was flat, yet it carried the superiority and warning of a "confidant."
"Is Young Master Qin's mind something we can just speculate on? That's the boss's layout. As subordinates, we just follow orders and do our jobs. Don't be too talkative; be careful, or your words might lead to trouble."
Old Gui was stunned for a moment, clearly not expecting Fang Ming to speak to him in such a tone.
A flash of displeasure crossed his eyes, but it was immediately masked by his "smiling tiger" persona. He raised his glass to hide the awkwardness. "Alright, Brother Fang is indeed cautious and sees things clearly. It was my big mouth. Drink, drink!"
A Biao, listening to their conversation from the side, didn't fully understand, but seeing Old Gui get shut down, he couldn't help but snort disdainfully.
"Hmph, what a coward. What else can you do besides say 'yes'?"
Fang Ming ignored him, simply pulling a cigarette from his pocket and lighting it. The bluish-white smoke rose in curls, blurring the expression behind his lenses.
Moonlight Restaurant... According to the plan, those two roommates would use the excuse of helping her find a job to deceive Chu Yao tonight.
That was the trap set by Qin Xiao, intended to drive the little white rabbit into the wolf's den.
Fang Ming calculated in his heart that with the fifty thousand yuan as a cushion and his previous warning, Chu Yao shouldn't be unable to withstand the pressure.
But Qin Xiao's method of toying with people's hearts was truly disgusting... The next morning, 10:00 AM.
A black Maybach S680 drove smoothly along the main road of Rong City.
Outside, the sun was like fire, and the heat waves on the road distorted the air, making even space itself seem unreal.
Inside the car, it was another world.
The air conditioning was set to a constant 27 degrees Celsius, the air was filled with a faint scent of agarwood, and the car's audio system played soothing classical music.
Fang Ming sat in the passenger seat, holding a tablet and confirming today's itinerary.
In the back seat, Qin Xiao wore a well-tailored casual suit. Even in the height of summer, he maintained that elite style, his attire meticulous.
A Biao was driving, while Old Gui sat next to Qin Xiao, responsible for taking meeting minutes.
For a high-end occasion like today, a brainless brute like Wang Meng who only had muscles certainly couldn't come.
Although A Biao was impulsive, his physique made him a perfect front-of-house bodyguard, while Old Gui had brought his brains to act as a business consultant.
"Fang Ming."
Qin Xiao spoke suddenly, his eyes still closed, his voice lazy and raspy. "Is everything arranged over there?"
Everyone in the car knew that "over there" referred to the female college student named Chu Yao.
Old Gui and A Biao both pricked up their ears.
Fang Ming immediately looked back, pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, and spoke in a respectful and professional tone. "Rest assured, Young Master Qin, it has been arranged."
"Her two roommates successfully got her to agree to a trial shift at Moonlight Restaurant today."
"Additionally, I've already spoken with the restaurant manager to assign her to the most tiring section and specifically pick difficult customers for her."
At these words, a flash of surprise crossed Old Gui's eyes.
So those two roommates who returned to school early were also Young Master Qin's people? This infiltration tactic was truly insidious.
"Very good."
A satisfied curve appeared at the corner of Qin Xiao's mouth as he finally opened his eyes.
In those narrow eyes flickered a playful and cruel amusement, like a cat toying with a mouse.
"Push someone to the brink, give them a glimmer of hope, and then snuff it out personally."
Qin Xiao watched the heavy traffic outside and said slowly, "Only this kind of back-and-forth pulling can completely destroy a person's self-esteem. When she has suffered enough grievances over there, been made things difficult for by customers, and been insulted by the manager, only to finally realize that I am the only one in the world who can save her..."
"She will be as obedient as a dog. Even if I just give her a bone, she will wag her tail in gratitude."
A Biao, who was driving, chuckled, revealing a mouthful of white teeth. "Young Master Qin, this move is brilliant! It's much more interesting than just kidnapping someone. Is this the legendary PUA? I've learned something!"
Listening to this, Fang Ming felt his stomach churn with disgust.
This wasn't pursuing a girl; this was clearly "Breaking a hawk," a form of mental slaughter.
Yet, his face showed a perfectly timed look of admiration, even a hint of worship. "Young Master Qin is wise. Attacking the heart is paramount. This method is indeed much more sophisticated than direct violence. That Chu Yao will definitely not escape your grasp."
"Enough."
Qin Xiao waved his hand, seemingly losing interest in the topic.
His gaze pierced through the one-way glass toward the towering building ahead, his eyes suddenly becoming sharp, like a hunter spotting new prey.
"Compared to that plaything, today's event is the main course."
The car slowly entered a high-end CBD area and finally came to a steady stop in front of a skyscraper with a highly stylized design.
At the top of the building, four gold-plated characters shone brilliantly in the sunlight—[Yunlan International].
"Yunlan International..."
Looking at those words, Fang Ming quickly recalled the homework he had done last night.
This was a beauty giant that had risen rapidly in Rong City over the past two years. It focused on high-end herbal skincare products with a market value of billions, making it a darling of the capital market.
And the person at the helm of this company was even more of a legend.
"Get out of the car."
Qin Xiao adjusted his collar and pushed open the door to step out.
Fang Ming hurried to follow, staying half a step behind to maintain the optimal distance for a subordinate.
The party of four exuded a powerful aura. With A Biao leading the way, Old Gui carrying the bags, and Fang Ming by his side, the security guards and receptionists in the lobby instinctively straightened their backs and held their breath as they passed.
The elevator went straight to the CEO's Office on the top floor.
The conference room doors were pushed open, and a blast of chilly air mixed with the scent of high-end fragrance hit them.
The scent was unique, like a snow lotus on a snowy mountain, so cold that one wouldn't dare to desecrate it.
At the end of the massive oval conference table sat a woman.
Fang Ming took just one look, and his pupils contracted slightly.
A top-tier beauty, a true masterpiece.
The woman looked to be twenty-four or twenty-five, wearing a well-tailored black silk shirt with a ribbon tied at the collar, exuding an air of abstinence.
Below, she wore high-waisted wide-leg trousers. Although her legs weren't exposed, her superior body proportions were still fully visible.
Most impressive of all was her face.
Her features were cold and exquisite, her skin so fair it seemed to glow. Especially those phoenix eyes—when she looked at someone, they carried a chill that kept people a thousand miles away, her aura so powerful it was suffocating.
Mu Qingxue.
The beautiful CEO of Yunlan International, the famous "Ice Queen" of the Rong City business world.
"Young Master Qin, your presence is an honor. Please forgive me for not greeting you sooner."