After that day, Shu Chen began to appear in front of Yin Yin every few days. However, each time he came within three steps of her, Ling Long would always show up just in time.

That day, Yin Yin had barely taken a few steps out of Zhuwang’s headquarters when Shu Chen suddenly popped up again.

The corner of Yin Yin’s mouth twitched. “Young Master Shu, what exactly do you want?”

Shu Chen let out a sigh. “Why does Miss Yin always keep me at arm’s length? For you, I would brave blades and flames, even give up my life without hesitation.”

Yin Yin’s eyebrow twitched. Was this that legendary killer move— ‘I will die for you’?

Ling Long and Helian Kong happened to be walking out of the front gate. Yin Yin immediately straightened her back and said with a serious face, “Young Master Shu, if that day ever comes, I’ll make sure to visit your grave and light a stick of incense for you.”

Shu Chen: “……”

“Hahahahaha!” Helian Kong burst out laughing, clutching his stomach. “Young Master Shu, just give it up. You’re no match for Ling Long.”

Shu Chen’s face darkened instantly. He snorted coldly. “Why not?”

“Because your surname is Shu^[1]输 – lose.” Yin Yin calmly patted the dust off her clothes.

Shu Chen^[2]舒晨: “……”

Utterly defeated, Shu Chen left in shame.

……

Not long after he left, Du Qianqian showed up.

Yin Yin looked at Du Qianqian approaching gracefully and thought to herself that today really was a lively day.

“Qianqian, what brings you here today?” Yin Yin greeted her with a genuinely friendly smile.

Du Qianqian rolled her eyes internally, bypassed Yin Yin, and walked directly to Ling Long. “Young Master Lin, I came today because I have a favor to ask.”

Ling Long thought for a moment. “Let’s talk inside.”

Du Qianqian followed Ling Long into the house. Helian Kong stayed beside Yin Yin, his entire face practically shouting the word gossip. “Is that the missing daughter of Prince Luo?”

“Mm.” Yin Yin gave a muffled response.

“Oh~” Helian Kong’s eyes curved with amusement. “She seems to have taken quite a liking to Ling Long. Yin Yin, my condolences.”

As he spoke, Helian Kong even gave Yin Yin a particularly sympathetic look for added effect.

Yin Yin rolled her eyes at him. “I heard your wedding with Miss Chen is next month. I wish you a long and happy marriage.”

Helian Kong: “……”

Could she not bring up such a painful topic?

……

In the main hall, Du Qianqian and Ling Long sat side by side, while Yin Yin and Helian Kong also found a seat and watched Du Qianqian closely.

Du Qianqian cleared her throat lightly and said to Ling Long, “I already know that Young Master Lin is actually the leader of Zhuwang, Ling Long. I came today to inquire about something.”

“What is it?”

Du Qianqian frowned. “After arriving in the capital, I was unfamiliar with everything. Fortunately, I met Lord Chen’s daughter, Chen Caiwei. Thanks to her, my days here were no longer so lonely. Yesterday, we went out together, but she never returned. This morning, I heard from the Chen family’s servants that she still hasn’t come home.”

Yin Yin’s heart skipped a beat. This sounded exactly like the sort of thing that Buwei Buxing would do. Had the main plot already begun?

Ling Long fell into silence for a moment before replying, “Actually, the Chen family sent someone to ask me about this last night. There should be news soon.”

Yin Yin blinked and asked hesitantly, “That Chen Caiwei, is she the same Miss Chen who was betrothed to the second prince?”

Ling Long glanced at Helian Kong. “She is.”

Yin Yin also looked at Helian Kong. “You didn’t have anything to do with this, did you?”

“Of course not!” Helian Kong denied flatly. “Had I known this trick was an option, I wouldn’t have needed to flee the marriage in the first place!”

Yin Yin: “……” So you regret it now?

Someone entered from outside. Because of the backlight, Yin Yin couldn’t see her face clearly but could vaguely tell from the silhouette that it was a woman.

“Leader, there’s news.” The woman knelt before Ling Long and spoke in a voice that made Yin Yin shiver instantly.

Wasn’t this the deranged fangirl Bai Wenwu?!

Upon seeing Yin Yin, Bai Wenwu frowned in displeasure and snorted coldly.

Ling Long gestured for her to rise. “Speak.”

“It’s the flower-thief Buwei Buxing. Not just Miss Chen, but several missing girls in the capital recently were all taken by him.”

“Where is he hiding now?”

“In Xiegu Path. All the girls he abducted are being kept there. But the terrain is treacherous and hard to access.”

“Oh no, the flower-thief……” Du Qianqian turned pale at the mention of Buwei Buxing’s name. She grabbed Ling Long’s hand, eyes brimming with tears. “Young Master Ling Long, please save Caiwei!”

Yin Yin nearly gave Du Qianqian a standing ovation for her acting. If there was ever a Golden Horse Award for Best Actress, it had to go to her.

Without a word, she gently pried Du Qianqian’s hand off. “Qianqian, of course we’ll save her, but this is really a matter for the authorities.”

“In fact,” Bai Wenwu said to Ling Long, “I just spoke with Lord Chen. He wants to keep this quiet for Miss Chen’s reputation. He’s asked us to help retrieve her quickly and has promised a generous reward.”

Ling Long thought for a moment. “Very well.”

Du Qianqian immediately wiped her tears and smiled. “Thank you, Young Master Ling Long!”

“Leader, what is your plan for the rescue?”

Before Ling Long could answer, Du Qianqian interjected, “I have an idea, though I don’t know if it’s viable.”

Ling Long looked at her, his expression as calm as ever. “Speak freely.”

“Since Xiegu Path is easy to defend and hard to attack, why don’t we lure the snake out of its hole?”

Those words gave Yin Yin a jolt.

Bai Wenwu asked, “How do we lure him?”

Du Qianqian smiled. “Since Buwei Buxing targets beautiful women, why don’t we offer him one?”

Ling Long frowned. “You mean, use a girl as bait to lure him out?”

Du Qianqian nodded. “Exactly.”

Helian Kong immediately objected. “That’s far too dangerous! You can’t ask a delicate young lady to take that kind of risk!”

“Then we pick one with strong martial arts.” Du Qianqian replied.

Helian Kong scoffed. “Where are you going to find someone both beautiful and skilled? Liu Ruoxi might be a good fit, but everyone in the martial world knows her. Buwei Buxing isn’t stupid.”

Du Qianqian lowered her head in thought. “Then we need someone outside the martial world, someone not well known.”

Helian Kong waved dismissively. “That’s even harder.”

Du Qianqian raised her head, a glint flashing through her eyes. “Actually, I know the perfect person.”

Yin Yin’s hair stood on end. An ominous feeling surged within her.

“Who?” Helian Kong asked.

“Yin Yin.” Du Qianqian answered.

What the actual hell?! So this was Du Qianqian’s real reason for coming there!!!

Yin Yin finally understood. This woman wanted to use the former Yin Yin’s trick against her. Was Du Qianqian seriously planning to send Yin Yin over to get molested by Buwei Buxing?! Even if Yin Yin agreed, her parents wouldn’t. And even if they did, she still wouldn’t.

“I think Miss Yin is quite suitable.” Bai Wenwu said with a smirk.

Yin Yin: “……” So you two are on the same team now?

She forced a stiff smile. “But I’m not exactly skilled in martial arts.”

Du Qianqian also smiled. “At least you’re good at running away, right?”

“Yinyin can’t go.” Ling Long said coldly. “It’s too dangerous.”

Wuuwuuwuu, Ling Long really did care about her.

Yin Yin swung her sleeves and scurried behind Ling Long to hide.

Du Qianqian’s gaze chilled. “But what about Caiwei? We can’t delay.”

Yin Yin raised her hand. “Actually, I might have a solution.”

Du Qianqian’s brows immediately furrowed. Ling Long glanced back at her, his expression clearly displeased.

Yin Yin quickly offered a smile. “The best strategy is to win without fighting.”

Ling Long’s expression eased a little. “And how do you propose we do that?”

Yin Yin cleared her throat. “I heard Buwei Buxing used to be a duo. But the brothers had a falling out, and the older one, Bu Wei, gave up his life of crime.”

Ling Long nodded. “That’s true.”

Yin Yin grinned. “So why don’t we make the dogs bite each other?”

The room fell silent.

Ling Long’s eyes darkened. “Wenwu, any word on Bu Wei?”

“He’s also in the capital.” Bai Wenwu replied. “He’s often seen hanging around the red-light district.”

Tsk. So even after turning over a new leaf, the guy hadn’t kicked his perverted habits.

The best way to deal with a lecherous man was a honey trap. A plan was already forming in Yin Yin’s mind. She looked at Helian Kong with ill intent.

Helian Kong felt chills under her gaze. “Why are you looking at me like that? I’m not going to fall for you.”

Yin Yin smiled more wickedly. “I was just thinking…… The second prince rarely leaves the palace. Not many people recognize you.”

Helian Kong backed up a few steps. “So?”

“With your soft, fair features, I bet you’d look stunning in women’s clothes.”

“In your dreams!”

“Don’t worry, Buwei Buxing isn’t into men. Your chastity is perfectly safe. Besides, Miss Chen is your betrothed. You should save her, both out of duty and affection.”

“Don’t push me!”

“What if I insist?”

Helian Kong’s eyes turned sharp. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. I happen to be the third-ranked expert in the Imperial Court.”

“……” Yin Yin’s mouth twitched. “Heh, I helped Harry Potter defeat Voldemort, you know.”

Helian Kong: “……” What the heck is a Voldemort? And who’s Harry Potter?

He wiped his face, resolute. “But what if my beauty overwhelms Buwei Buxing and he can’t resist?”

“Then use your third-ranked expert skills to defeat him.”

Helian Kong: “……”

He ran out of the hall, crying.

Yin Yin watched his retreating figure with a sigh. This second prince was really easy to scare.

Of course, she hadn’t actually planned to make Helian Kong dress up as a woman. She just wanted to set up a honey trap and force Buwei Buxing to take the bait. While they still needed a real beauty to seduce him, it would be much safer than luring him on the streets. Most importantly, she wouldn’t have to do it herself.

But in the end, everything spiraled far beyond her control.