Deadly Trap.

Chapter 21. Do with it as you please.
Su Li rested her chin on her hand, determined to go with the flow, her eyes still red and swollen. Noticing Dai Ze's gaze, Su Li quickly covered the bruises on her forearm.

As the city lights began to twinkle in Minzhou, a sudden blizzard swept through, heralding the arrival of the last month of the year.

Their car wound its way through the bustling streets, the night of Minzhou bisected by the river. Pear Island, nestled in the heart of the river, felt like another realm above the city center, its luxury apartments, private hospitals, international schools, and horse racing clubs almost surreal.

But in spring, the pear blossoms covering the island are immersed in the river, and the entire island transforms into a mirage that costs nothing.

Dai thought that this woman's name probably came from this scenic spot. But like the other women fishing, how much did she really know about Gu Mufeng?

The bridge spanned the river, and the shadow of the suspension cables swept across Dai Ze's face. He was filled with emotion.

Fate is strange and capricious.

Twelve years ago, Dai was working as a nightclub manager.

Every night at ten o'clock, he would see the boy riding up on his bicycle. The boy, panting, would take off his high school uniform, his black hair disheveled, revealing a clean and simple white shirt. He was going to work as a hostess to support his family.

She was born with a cold and arrogant appearance, yet she had to hone her skills amidst the clinking of glasses and the contempt of others.

At that time, Dai simply disliked the "young nobleman" who was vomiting wine in the back alley, and even laid a hand on him.

Never fought.

His fate and Gu Mufeng's fate were thus intertwined.

Later, these lowly underlings, along with Fri-Night, transformed themselves from a thug organization operating in the shadows into legitimate businesses, acquiring intelligence networks and financing, and establishing themselves in Iris Island. Today, they stand as equals to the four major conglomerates of Minju.

All of this was thanks to that student who accompanied the client for drinks late at night.

But if he had known it would cost a little girl's life, Dai would have preferred it had never happened.

Just as Dai Ze was lost in thought, the car finally came to a slow stop in front of the towering building. A team member stepped forward to open the door for him. Dai Ze reached out his hand to Su Li, but Su Li stubbornly avoided it, insisting on getting out of the car herself.

A blizzard swept over them, instantly waking them both. They stepped on the thin layer of snow. In front of the building, Quenxus, dressed in a black suit and tie, waited respectfully.

"Brother Dai."

Dai nodded and put his phone into the metal briefcase. This was a rule of Fri-Night. Every officer in the FN team had an internal GPS tracker on their phone, which not only pinpointed their location but also, in special circumstances, could self-destruct.

Every Monday evening at the meeting, all the cadres would hand over their cell phones to Gu Mufeng's bodyguard and secretary, Welsh or Quenxus. This served not only to block communication and ensure the meeting's efficiency, but also to mark their attendance. This, naturally, was also Gu Mufeng's order.

Upon seeing Su Li, Quenxus cautiously paused, "Miss Su."

Su Li, however, acted as if she didn't exist.

Dai glanced at the shivering woman. When he took her in, she was wandering in the snow without even a coat. Su Li firmly refused the suit jacket Dai kindly offered her.

"Has Mu Fei arrived yet?" Dai casually confirmed.

In the entire FN group, only Dai addressed Gu Mufei by his given name. This was a tacit understanding forged through twelve years of bloodshed, a privilege that Gu Mufei himself tacitly approved.

Unexpectedly, Quenxus's expression darkened: "The Boss went missing after 5 p.m. We didn't tell anyone."

A sudden twitch crossed Dai's brow; he instantly understood the unspoken meaning. He knew Gu Mufeng. Even if the sky were to fall, Gu Mufeng would never miss a group meeting.

Could it be that something happened to Mu Fei?
Dressed in black, just like Quenxus, the ever-meticulous Welsh strode quickly toward Dai Ze and Su Li in the snow.

"What's going on?" Realizing something was wrong, Dai immediately asked.

“Brother Dai. You know…?” Welsh almost whispered.

"I know."

"But the cadres are already seated at the meeting. Would it be better if you held things steady and temporarily chaired the meeting? Quenxus and I will go find the Boss immediately."

Dai nervously rubbed his chin.

As a former professional assassin, Welsh was once one of the top assassins in Minzhou. When he retired at the height of his career, he was only saved by Gu Mufeng's generous support from the shadows. Welsh would never lose his composure for no reason.

Dai forced himself to remain calm, glancing furtively at Su Li standing beside him, afraid she might have overheard that Gu Mufei was in trouble. But for a moment, he felt that the woman fishing seemed to be showing concern and anxiety; her two arched eyebrows were furrowed.

Impossible. Dai thought to himself, it was probably just his imagination.

Welsh quickly and discreetly exchanged glances with Quenxus.

"Then, this woman?" Dai asked softly.

“Let me handle the arrangements,” Welsh said calmly. “Quenxus has been keeping a close eye on the underworld and the police, and we will report any moves he makes immediately.”

Dai rubbed his furrowed brow: the meeting was imminent, and Gu Mufeng was missing. He had no better solution.

The anxious group silently ascended the elevator. Only after following the men out did Su Li step into the sky lounge, "Cloud Lounge," for the first time.

Beneath her feet, Su Li walked on a forget-me-not wool carpet, its silver threads embroidered with star patterns representing the four seasons. Above her, pure white, rough-surfaced marble seemed to float into the night sky along the sloping curtain wall. Su Li couldn't help but exclaim: "It's like a dream!"

Unlike Su Li's brief moment of awe at the famous scenic spots in Minzhou, Welsh was used to them, while Dai had no interest in sightseeing. Behind this "Cloud Pavilion" lounge, frequented by the upper class, was the secret backing of Fri-Night.

"Miss Su, please come with me."

After parting ways with Dai, who rushed off to the conference room, Su Li felt even more uneasy. She was now in completely unfamiliar surroundings. Even Gu Mufeng's whereabouts were unknown.

What will happen to her, this mistress?
Silently following, Su Li stepped into the unfamiliar corridor. Room after room passed by. She was led into one of them. The room was dimly lit, and the lingering smell of alcohol created a decadent atmosphere, making Su Li almost collapse and lose her balance. She wasn't unaware of the rumors that wealthy patrons would share their mistresses with others.

"You're saying you're at my mercy?"

The door closed tightly behind him. With a cold and stern expression, Gu Mufeng stood imposingly before Su Li, whose body and soul were completely frozen: "Have you thought about how to beg me?"

Looking at his handsome but utterly cold face, Su Li turned pale. She slumped softly to the ground.

“That’s right… whatever you want.” She lowered her eyes and murmured, “Anything.”

Gu Mufeng stared at Su Li's dejected appearance, and a sudden pain shot through his heart.

He clenched his fist gently, suppressing the turmoil in his chest, and forced an unprecedented tenderness to return to his expression. He slowly bent down, gently lifting Su Li's chin with his fingers, and softly helped her up from her slumped position on the floor, settling her on the sofa.

Su Li's eyes were filled with panic: Could it be that Gu Mufeng was planning to let her go?

She stared blankly into his abyss-like cold eyes for a long time, then, as if in fear, Su Li turned away.

Why do you insist on leaving?

Looking down at her, Gu Mufeng's voice was deep and gentle, but the fingertips holding her trembled slightly, clearly suppressing his anger.

"What made you beg me? What happened after I left?"

"Don't ask anymore..." Su Li bit her lip, her long eyelashes drooping, her voice trembling, "This has nothing to do with you."

"It is none of my business?"

Gu Mufeng raised an eyebrow, his gentle expression instantly turning icy. The trophy he had snatched from his arms last night held a secret from him.

Gently squeezing Su Li's wrist, he coaxed her, pressing for more details. He knew there was no secret he couldn't uncover. But beside the bandage he had personally bandaged, Su Li's skin revealed bruises from being gripped so tightly.

"Who?" Gu Mufei shouted sharply.

His heart felt as if it had been struck a heavy blow, and a surge of anger instantly welled up in his chest. He almost lifted her up abruptly, and Su Li's lips turned deathly pale.

His voice was icy and chilling; he gritted his teeth: "Speak. What happened?"

Su Li trembled slightly, shrinking back. But like a puppet on a string, she let him pull her along, as if she didn't care how anyone treated her. Her chestnut hair was disheveled, and she remained silent with her head down.

Gu Mufeng's gaze suddenly turned cold, and with his other hand, he casually pulled open her collar. His eyes fell on a deeper patch of purple below her collarbone.

His pupils suddenly contracted. His woman—

"Very good, Su Li..."

He heard a suppressed, cold laugh escape his throat, a voice barely audible yet chillingly cold, followed by a threat he had no desire to hear:
"You're shameless. Do you really want me to sell you off to pay off my debts?"

"Think what you want." Su Li's voice was almost inaudible. Tears welled in her peach blossom eyes, refusing to fall. "Anyway, to you, I'm just an object. Whether I'm sold to you as a mistress or to someone else, does it matter?"
A painful despair flashed in her eyes: "Even if I think I deserve more..."

But the next moment, her moist eyes stopped on Gu Mufeng's shirt. Black shirts are no different from others. But the hem was stained with lemon tart, which she carefully wiped clean with salt water. It was the one she had folded and placed in her locker.

Sensing something in her suddenly heartbroken gaze, Gu Mufeng's lips tightened slightly. His heart softened involuntarily... but then came a rapid knocking on the door.

Welsh's calm voice came through: "Boss, there's an emergency in the conference room."

As soon as Gu Mufeng let go, Su Li slumped to the ground again. He had almost forgotten that he had no time for romance.

His expression instantly turned cold. He gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice, "Coming right away."

Coldly, Gu Mufeng rolled up his sleeves, which had been disheveled in his rage. At this moment, Su Li's scent only irritated him. By the door, he coldly gave the order:
"Keep a close watch. Don't move around. Don't let anyone see you."

Welsh was slightly taken aback, and cautiously asked, "Boss, you... want to put me under house arrest?"

He headed straight for the conference room, his face as calm as still water. A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes as he issued a clear order: "That's right, house arrest."

He forcefully suppressed his anger. At this moment, according to his plan, the conference room was filled with tension, waiting for him to disrupt the situation. He wouldn't allow himself to lose his composure.

He must let Su Li go before he can identify who the traitor is.

Quenxus knocked on the door three times: "Brother Dai, the Boss has arrived."

>>>>>
Next chapter: To pacify external enemies, one must first secure internal stability.
[Author's Note | Chapter Twenty-One]

House arrest.

The moment she begged him, Su Li had already considered too many unavoidable circumstances. In her eyes, Gu Mufeng was arrogant, forceful, dangerous, heartless, a prince born with privilege, capable of giving her anything material except love.

Unfortunately, money cannot warm people's hearts.

Where did Su Li's bruises come from? Why did she prefer Gu Mufeng to be unaware, and why was she so despondent?
Gu Mufeng was furious, but he had to keep himself in check and manipulate others.

Let me know your thoughts on this scheming couple in the comments section!

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(End of this chapter)