Chapter 43: Who can afford to support such a beautiful girl?

Seeing the reactions of those approaching, Ming Leyao knew her outfit was a success. She immediately pressed her legs together, stood up gracefully with her handbag in hand, and transformed from alluring to dignified in an instant. A gentle smile played in her clear and beautiful peach blossom eyes.

“Did Grandpa Cui send you? Are we ready to go?”

“Ah… oh, yes… yes, Comrade Ming. Don’t worry, we’ll make sure you’re safe today.”

“Thank you.” Ming Leyao nodded. Her voluminous waves moved with her motion in a graceful arc, releasing a refreshing jasmine scent as she stepped into the car Grandpa Cui had arranged.

The car wasn’t new, but it was well maintained—simple black with a heavy, solid presence. The license plate had been removed, leaving no trace for others to follow. The car sped through the night. The destination wasn’t far to begin with, and within a few minutes, Ming Leyao arrived at Boss Wan’s compound.

Boss Wan stared dumbfounded at the flawless beauty in front of him, with only one thought in mind:
“Such a stunning girl—who could possibly afford to keep someone like her?”

With a delicate arch of her perfectly shaped brows, Ming Leyao lowered her voice and whispered,
“Boss Wan? Not going to welcome me in?”

“You… you are…?”

“I am… well, as long as you know. Don’t say it out loud.”

“……”

The dazzling beauty in front of him looked nothing like the ugly girl with a cloth wrapped around her head and freckles all over her face. Boss Wan simply couldn’t connect the two in his mind. But the arrow was already nocked—there was no turning back.

“So it’s Miss Kang. Please, come in, come in.”

This identity was one Ming Leyao had carefully chosen after researching some of the well-known wealthy families in Hong Kong. Relations between the mainland and Hong Kong were sensitive at the moment, and ordinary folks couldn’t travel back and forth freely. So, borrowing this identity meant that guy Qin wouldn’t suspect a thing.

Boss Wan led her into the compound and even raised his voice while speaking—clearly a show for the people monitoring outside. Once the gate was closed, the hidden observer immediately rushed back to inform Boss Qiu.

“Boss! Boss! Bad news! The rumors are true!”

“What? What did you see?”

“A big fancy car! A gorgeous woman! Boss Wan was incredibly respectful!”

“A car??? Are you sure you didn’t see wrong?”

“Boss, that car’s headlights were blazing. And that woman had several bodyguards with her! No way I saw wrong!”

“You said… it’s a woman?”

“Yes, yes! A woman! An absolute stunner! Her figure, her face—way beyond anything those big families in the capital have!”

Unfortunately, the subordinate lacked vocabulary and could only offer such a comparison. Boss Qiu was vicious by nature but had one weakness—lust. As soon as he heard it was a beauty, one even prettier than those from the capital’s noble families, his brain turned to mush. Without a second thought, he rounded up his men and marched off toward Boss Wan’s territory.

Inside the compound, Boss Wan looked at his own former subordinate—now completely transformed, even unrecognizable. He was numb with shock.

“Good heavens… this comrade’s skills are truly something else.”

“Relax, Boss Wan. Just conduct this deal normally. If it goes through, you’ll get your share of the benefits.”

The people behind her were from Grandpa Cui. Ming Leyao didn’t say much, but Boss Wan understood. If this worked out, the entire underground black market of Nanxing City would soon fall into his hands. With her backing, he’d never have to worry about money again.

He was already fantasizing about his future—fine meals with meat every day, a lovely wife in his arms… what a life!

Time ticked by slowly. Ming Leyao sat in the courtyard, as steady as a mountain. Then suddenly, her ears twitched slightly. Sensing something, she pulled out a cigar and placed it between her lips.

While everyone was puzzled, her soft, melodious Cantonese flowed through the quiet courtyard.

“Boss Wan, this deal is a guaranteed win for you.”

(Note from the author: tried using Baidu Translate for Cantonese, but even I couldn’t understand it. So let’s pretend it’s in Cantonese, okay? o(￣▽￣)ブ)

“Ah?? What did you say?”

Boss Wan was utterly flustered by that delicate, seductive tone.

“What are you saying…”

“……”

Great. The performance was falling apart.

Just then, the courtyard gate was kicked open. Boss Qiu stormed in with his men.

“Qiu, what the hell are you doing?” Boss Wan’s fury wasn’t fake—he’d disliked that bastard for a long time. Now the guy had even kicked his gate open! Didn’t he know how expensive repairs were? That door cost money!

Boss Qiu sneered smugly, ready to toss out his usual taunts—until his eyes accidentally landed on Ming Leyao… and didn’t leave.

Her snow-white, stunning face; the deep wine-red dress fluttering in the breeze; the glimpse of her slender, fair ankles glowing under the moonlight. Her voluminous curls draped over her shoulders, swaying gently as she turned her head—like a rose blooming with reckless grace.

In that moment, Boss Qiu fully agreed with his underling.

“She’s gorgeous… absolutely gorgeous…”

“And who is this?” Ming Leyao’s brows furrowed, her gaze sharp and cold as she looked at the toad-like man approaching.

“This comrade here… I’m the boss of the Nanxing City black market. My turf is way bigger than Wan’s. If you want to cooperate, why not talk to me instead?”

His eyes gleamed with naked desire, his fat pig-like face wobbling with each step, exuding a greasy aura.

“Click.”
Ming Leyao somehow produced a lighter, spun it between her fingers, and lit her cigar.

“Drag him out.”

Her red lips parted, her tone like winter frost—chilling and commanding.

“Yes, Miss.”
The men from Grandpa Cui moved in without hesitation to drag Qiu out.

Qiu, despite being fat, was nimble. He broke free and lunged at Ming Leyao with open arms.

“I love fiery girls like you! Taming you would be so thrilling!”

Ming Leyao’s eyes turned frosty with fury. With a flick of her wrist, a small throwing knife appeared between her fingers. She spun and launched it—fast and precise—straight into Qiu’s thigh.

Letting out a quiet sigh of relief, Ming Leyao thought to herself:
“Thank goodness he’s so fat and close by—no matter where I threw it, I was bound to hit something.”

The others, clueless about the situation:
“……Holy crap… that was ruthless, smooth, and deadly accurate!”