It seemed like Vicky was releasing her frustration over an unrequited crush! Chu Minghuan couldn’t help but laugh, feeling that at least something good came out of her ordeal—at least it brought a smile to her usually grumpy colleague.

“However, Minghuan, you’re too kind! He held you hostage, and you should’ve pressed charges until he got the maximum punishment. Why did you let him go so easily?” Vicky asked, still skeptical.

“Forget it, I figured his mind was muddled from the drugs. Plus, I thought he was holding a gun to me, but it turned out to just be a pen. He wasn’t that bad.” 

As a social worker, Chu Minghuan believed in giving people a chance to reform.

But Vicky wouldn’t give up. “Hmph! He’s lucky to have run into you! But just using drugs should be enough to get him locked up, right?”

“Well…” Chu Minghuan’s eyes lit up, curious about the court’s decision.

“The defendant was found guilty of using a second-degree narcotic, violating Article 10 of the Narcotics Harm Prevention and Control Act. Since it was a first offense, and he showed remorse, the sentence is three months in prison, with the option to serve it through community service instead, as per the defendant’s request.”

This was the judge’s verdict.

It wasn’t a heavy sentence, but it wasn’t light either. He had used narcotics, but it wasn’t out of personal choice. In fact, it could have been dropped, but perhaps due to his “family background,” the prosecutor had prejudices, and the judge had made his own judgment. 

Nonetheless, being able to serve the sentence through community service rather than prison was still a positive outcome.

Mo Dazhong, however, was not pleased with the result. He exploded in front of the family lawyer, and it was only when Mo Tingfeng personally intervened that his father was convinced.

“Dad, it’s fine. Community service is nothing,” Mo Tingfeng said, trying to calm his father.

“How can it be nothing?” Mo Dazhong’s tone softened immediately when addressing his precious son, though his expression was still sour. “What if they make you pick up trash? Or carry corpses at a funeral home? Those dirty, smelly jobs—how could you handle that?”

Mo Tingfeng sighed inwardly. While he had been raised in luxury, he wasn’t incapable of doing menial work. Picking up trash or moving bodies didn’t faze him—just a little unpleasant.

“Dad, when you were young, didn’t you collect scraps and deliver gas or newspapers? I may not be like you, but doing some rough work is fine with me.”

“That’s not the same! Back then, life was hard for me. But you…” Mo Dazhong’s face twitched as he tried to explain. 

Having fought through hardship and built his family’s wealth, he wanted nothing more than for his children to live in comfort.

Mo Tingfeng recognized his father’s concern and felt a touch of warmth. He lowered his voice gently. “Dad, I know you’re worried about me, but I’m not a child anymore. I can take care of myself.”

Mo Dazhong was momentarily stunned. He was both reassured and a bit disappointed. “How could I not worry about you?”

“Don’t worry, it won’t be like that.” The family lawyer, sensing the mood shift, quickly spoke up. “I’ll talk to my friends at the district attorney’s office and make sure he’s sent to a ‘normal’ social service program. He won’t be doing any of those kinds of jobs.”

“You promise?” Mo Dazhong asked.

“I promise,” the lawyer replied.

“Good, I’ll trust you one more time. Don’t let me down, or…” Mo Dazhong gave a chilling laugh.

The family lawyer shivered in response.

Mo Tingfeng smiled faintly. His father’s influence was still formidable. With a single word or look, he could make anyone feel uneasy—no wonder he had been a former gang leader.

As for Mo Tingfeng, he chuckled at the thought of the woman who had embarrassed him that night in the nightclub. Although he had been a bit disoriented due to the drug, he still vaguely remembered her delicate appearance—soft and gentle. Who would have guessed she had the courage and skill to kick him in the groin like that?

Being outsmarted by that woman hurt his pride more than the drugs. 

His subordinates, Fang Yu and A Ding, felt guilty for not protecting him better that night. They had wanted to track down the woman and bring her to him, but he had stopped them.

“If you have time to investigate her, why don’t you focus on finding out who drugged my drink?”

He wasn’t the type of man to hold a grudge over a woman.

“Yes, yes, we’ll investigate, and when we find the culprit, we’ll make sure they won’t get off easy!”

Fang Yu and A Ding were both furious. Since their master had been in danger, they had also been severely scolded by Mo Dazhong. They were nearly punished. 

Thankfully, Mo Tingfeng had pleaded on their behalf.

As a result, Fang Yu and A Ding became even more loyal to him, following him everywhere, even when he went to report to the social service agency. 

“You two are ridiculous!” Mo Tingfeng said. 

How would people at the social service agency view him with his bodyguards in tow?

“This kind of place won’t have any assassins. Wait outside for me.”

“But, young master…”

He gave them a cold look. “Are you disobeying my orders?”

The two bodyguards exchanged a glance. Reluctantly, they followed his command and stepped back.

Mo Tingfeng entered the small office, wearing a sharp Korean-style suit, with a slightly flashy collar and a long, slim tie. On another man, it might have looked effeminate, but on Mo Tingfeng, it only highlighted his tall, broad-shouldered physique. His look was both elegant and charismatic.

The office staff—one male and two female—stared at him in awe. The room, small and dark, seemed suddenly bathed in sunlight, bright and dazzling.

Mo Tingfeng was used to such attention. His face was stern as his sharp eyes scanned the room, ready to speak. But then, a cheerful voice interrupted from behind.

“Afternoon tea is here! I’m treating today, so everyone, don’t be shy!”

The room went silent.

The woman who had entered, seemingly puzzled, looked around. “Why is everyone so quiet? What’s going on?”

Her gaze then landed on Mo Tingfeng, and she froze.

“This gentleman, may I help you?”

Mo Tingfeng turned around. His calm expression shattered when he saw her face.

They both stared at each other, and after a few seconds, they shouted in unison—

“How could it be you?!”