Chapter 44 I didn’t expect you to be so cowardly?

Brother Qiu’s underlings were stunned by the sudden turn of events. They had been running wild in Nanxing City for so long, but this was the first time they’d run into someone so tough. It wasn’t until their boss let out a thunderous scream that they snapped out of it and rushed over.

“Boss! Boss, are you okay?”

“Aaargh… Get that woman for me!”

“Yes, boss!”

A few underlings lunged at Ming Leyao, but before she could even lift a finger, the men sent by Grandpa Cui effortlessly knocked them all down in a matter of seconds.

The henchmen prepared by Boss Wan: “……”
Too fast… we didn’t even get to react.

“You… Don’t think that just because you’re working with Boss Wan, everything will go your way. In Nanxing City, it’s not just him who calls the shots!” one of the thugs growled.

Ming Leyao stood up gracefully, exhaled a puff of smoke right into Qiu’s face, and said coldly, “I’m the heiress of the prestigious Kang family from Hong Kong. I can choose to work with whomever I like. And you? A toad like you trying to get involved with me? Looks like you’re tired of living.”

With that, her slender, fair hand suddenly grabbed Qiu’s throat. She applied just enough force to turn his face blue, leaving him gasping for breath.

The other underlings panicked instantly and tried to step forward to help, but the intimidating men standing behind Ming Leyao stopped them with ease.

At that moment, one of the lackeys had a flash of inspiration and shouted, “Y-You lay a hand on our boss, and… and Brother Qin won’t let you off!”

“Brother Qin? What kind of ghost is that? If he’s so capable, why is he hiding in the shadows?” Ming Leyao said lazily. “But since I’m in a good mood today, I’ll give you a chance—go get him. If not…”

She tightened her grip. Qiu, now limp as a wet rag, barely looked alive.

“I… I’ll go right away!” That underling realized there was no rescuing the boss in this situation. Better to try their luck with Brother Qin—if he managed to handle this woman, maybe they’d be spared punishment.

Having achieved her goal, Ming Leyao finally let go, asked for a basin of water, and carefully washed her hands. She even applied hand cream, with elegance.

“Hang them all up.”

“Yes, Miss.”

Since this Brother Qin valued his subordinates so much, surely he’d be furious when he saw them hanging like that, right?

Perfect.

No one knew exactly how the underling explained things to Brother Qin, but about half an hour later, he arrived with a dozen men, barging into Boss Wan’s compound. When he saw his underling hanging there, his previously calm face twisted with rage.

“Who did this?!”

“I did.” A soft voice answered.

Ming Leyao was sitting lazily in a chair, her posture relaxed. Her long fingers casually flicked a lighter, and the bluish flame reflected in her eyes—mysterious and unreadable.

Everyone turned to look. The same setup, the same feeling—all over again.

But behind Brother Qin, a tall figure stood frozen, fists clenched tightly, pupils contracting rapidly. His usually honest face nearly broke apart.

Yao Yao…

On the way there, Brother Qin had asked what was going on. He didn’t believe his underlings’ story about some Hong Kong heiress. The borders were practically sealed, and crossing between Hong Kong and the mainland was nearly impossible. He figured his dumb brother had probably fallen for some scam.

But now, seeing her in person, he believed it.

Because—Ming Leyao’s outfit screamed Hong Kong socialite.

That flawless skin, the flowing red dress—definitely not locally made…

“You’re… this so-called Miss Kang?” he asked.

She responded in pure Hong Kong Cantonese. Qin was completely lost.

Huh? What’s she saying? Is that a compliment? An insult?

“Oh… sorry, forgot you don’t understand our local dialect,” she said sweetly, switching to smooth, lilting Mandarin. It almost sounded like she was flirting—if you ignored the underlying chill in her tone.

“You’re Miss Kang?”

“Mhm.” She crossed her legs, the skirt fluttering slightly to reveal her fair ankle—dazzling the crowd and stirring a wave of jealousy in one man’s heart.

Patience… must endure, or everything will fall apart…

“My younger brother’s a thug. If he offended Miss Kang, I apologize on his behalf. Could you perhaps let him off?”

Ming Leyao sized him up. As Fu Wencheng had said, this man was cautious—adaptable. His eyes seemed to see through appearances. Anyone lacking mental strength would likely betray themselves under his gaze.

But today he ran into her—a time traveler.

Let’s see whose will is stronger.

“What if I say no?”

Qin didn’t seem surprised. His expression didn’t change, but his words carried a hint of threat:

“Miss Kang, this place is far from the capital. Even if you are from Hong Kong, you may find Nanxing City less than welcoming. Why not compromise and ensure peace for everyone?”

“I don’t compromise. Noble families don’t thrive in comfort. If I’ve come all the way inland, I must have the skills to survive. So what—are you going to test me now?”

With that, she waved her hand.

Her men instantly pulled out sleek black… unmistakably high-tech-looking guns.

Qin had never seen anything like them before.

He knew Hong Kong could be chaotic, but he hadn’t expected a woman to smuggle in such lethal weapons.

It took serious effort and guts.

Of course, these were props Ming Leyao had given her men earlier. She had told them clearly: they were fake and completely harmless. But the realism shocked even them.

If fakes could feel this real… incredible.

Qin felt like he’d just been slapped in the face—repeatedly.

He now wished he could personally strangle his own brother.

“What use is a brother who gets me into this kind of mess?”

“Miss Kang, there’s no need for violence. My brother was clearly in the wrong. Whatever you ask, I’ll do it.”

The “gun” was already in his face. If he still tried to tough it out, he’d be joining his ancestors early. Was that smart? No.

“Qin Penghai. I didn’t think much of you before. But I didn’t expect you to be such a coward.”

“You…”

Very few people knew that name. Not even his closest underlings had heard it. For this woman to call it out directly…

This whole setup… it’s for me, isn’t it?

Still, rather than angry, Qin Penghai was a little excited.

If someone from Hong Kong went to all this trouble just to deal with him—it meant he was famous. It meant he was dangerous. Why else would they go so far for him?