Border Prisoner: The Mad Boss Seduces Her Every Night

Xu Chenglin's death could not be kept secret in the end, and Xu Yuanjia did not intend to hide it either.

When the news reached the Xu family, the fourth branch almost smashed half of the mourning hall.

Xu Chenglin was nominally found to have died by suicide. There was a suicide note, surveillance footage, a forensic report, and even the last phone call record was clearly documented at the scene.

But the fourth wife didn't believe it.

They only believe in one thing—

Xu Chenglin will definitely die at the hands of Xu Yuanjia.

After all, Xu Chenglin had been taken away by Xu Yuanjia's men before his death, and after all, no one in the entire Xu family was more like someone who would kill his own brother than Xu Yuanjia.

The fourth wife cried until she fainted. When she woke up, she pointed in the direction of the Xu family ancestral hall and swore that she would make Xu Yuanjia pay with his life.

Several elders from the fourth branch of the family gathered together overnight. Since they couldn't touch Xu Yuanjia, they decided to target the Xu family from within.

First, news was released that Xu Yuanjia had cruelly murdered his brothers and driven the only son of the fourth wife to his death, and that he was unworthy of his position and should no longer interfere in the core affairs of the Xu family.

Immediately afterwards, the four branches of the family, together with their collateral branches, attempted to freeze several secret accounts under Xu Yuanjia's name.

They also secretly contacted the old man's former subordinates, trying to kick Xu Yuanjia out of the southern military equipment, old port transportation and Taimai security system.

Even more ruthless, they cut up and reassembled the murky recording of Xu Chenglin before his death and presented it to several clan elders.

In the recording, Hsu Cheng-lin's voice was hoarse and intermittent.

"Xu Yuanjia...he lied to everyone..."

"He'll kill you all sooner or later..."

"He wants to...rebel..."

It was cut off later.

Once suspicion takes hold, it will spread along the trail of blood.

The Xu family, like a giant tree with intertwined roots, appears calm on the surface, but beneath it, countless roots are already beginning to strangle each other.

When Zhou Ji delivered all the materials to the Nine Palaces Water Pavilion, Xu Yuanjia had just returned from the shooting range.

He still smelled of gunpowder, his finger bones were white, a black bandage was wrapped around his wrist, his expression was nonchalant, and his features were clean to the point of being almost aristocratic.

Only his eyes were cold and icy, lacking any vibrant human emotion.

Zhou Ji stood in front of the desk and reported in a low voice: "Master, the fourth branch has made contact with Uncle Qin, who is close to the old master, and has also sent people to the eastern armory."

Xu Yuanjia flipped through the documents on the table, his expression blank. "They want to take over the eastern front?"

"Yes," Zhou Ji said. "It's not just the eastern front. They also want to use Xu Chenglin's death to force you to hand over the control of security operations on the southern front."

Xu Yuanjia chuckled softly and lazily, his emotions flat, yet it sent a chill down Zhou Ji's spine.

He clicked his tongue in disdain: "Xu Chenglin was useless when he was alive, but he's somewhat useful now that he's dead."

Zhou Ji lowered his head: "The fourth branch is still putting pressure on the clan elders. They say that if you are not dealt with, there will be an internal riot within the Xu family."

"Then it'll be a mess." Xu Yuanjia closed the file and tapped the cover with his fingertips.

He lazily raised his eyelids, a near-ruthless smile playing on his lips. "The Xu family hasn't had its blood cleansed in too long."

"It's perfect timing, while they want to cause trouble."

Zhou understood.

Xu Yuanjia had been waiting for this moment for a long time.

Xu Chenglin's death was the trigger; the real knife lying beneath the surface had been laid long before.

Zhou Ji said in a low voice, "Madam requests your presence."

Xu Yuanjia slightly raised his eyelids but remained silent.

Zhou paused, then added, "The Shen family has also arrived."

Xu Yuanjia's smile deepened. "It seems they're even more anxious than the fourth branch of the family."

He stood up, casually tossed the documents back onto the table, and said, "Let's go."

/

The place Shen Manyi arranged to meet him was Tingyu Tower, located on the east side of the Xu family's old residence.

This building was originally where the women of the Xu family received guests. Copper bells hung under the eaves, and a large area of ​​neatly trimmed tropical flowers and trees grew outside the courtyard. After the rain at night, the stone steps gleamed with a damp, cool sheen, and the air was filled with the mixed scents of grass, trees, and sandalwood.

Shen Manyi sat in the tea room on the second floor.

She wore a dark blue silk dress, her black hair was styled in an updo, and her features remained incredibly charming.

She was the kind of beauty cultivated by power and pampered life. When she was gentle, she was like a cup of warm tea, like a jade Guanyin on a high platform. Her compassion was fake, and her heartless face was real.

When Xu Yuanjia pushed open the door, she was brewing tea. Boiling water was poured in, and the aroma of tea spread.

The woman didn't look up, but simply said in a calm voice, "You're here."

Xu Yuanjia walked in and casually sat down opposite her. "My mother wanted to see me. Is there something you need?"

Shen Manyi looked up at him. Her eyes bore a resemblance to Xu Yuanjia's—cold, beautiful, and equally devoid of warmth.

"I heard there's been a lot of trouble among the four families lately."

Xu Yuanjia smiled and said, "Mother gets the news quickly."

"Your father is currently unable to control the situation. The fourth branch of the family is using Xu Chenglin's death as an excuse to launch an attack, and the clan elders are also watching closely. If you don't take complete control at this time, the Xu family will be torn apart by them."

Shen Manyi pushed a cup of tea in front of him. "Yuanjia, this is your chance."

Xu Yuanjia looked down at the teacup, and after a long while, picked it up and took a small sip. "I know."

Shen Manyi looked at him: "The Shen family will help you."

Xu Yuanjia slowly curled the corners of his lips into a smile. "Grandpa has finally remembered he has a grandson like me?"

Shen Manyi said calmly, "Your maternal grandfather has always valued you highly."

"You value my usefulness," Xu Yuanjia lazily corrected.

Shen Manyi's voice deepened slightly, "Xu Yuanjia."

He looked up at her, a smile in his eyes, but the smile didn't reach his eyes. "Mother, please continue."

Shen Manyi suppressed her emotions, her tone returning to calm. "The Shen family can mobilize people, can allocate funds, and can also suppress several lines of communication with the Thai side for you. However, after you take over, the Xu family must allow the Shen family to move in."

Xu Yuanjia watched her without showing any emotion.

Shen Manyi continued, "At least half."

A few seconds of silence fell over the tea room. Outside the window, a copper bell rang in the night breeze, producing a soft, cold sound.

Xu Yuanjia suddenly chuckled softly, "So, Mother wants to rule from behind the curtain?"

Shen Manyi's eyes sharpened slightly: "It's only reasonable for the Shen family to help you rise to power and take back what's rightfully yours."

Xu Yuanjia leaned back in his chair, his long legs slightly apart, his fingertips gently rubbing his wrist. His posture was languid, yet his inherent arrogance was imposing. "Has Mother misunderstood something?"

Shen Manyi looked at him, her brows furrowing slightly.

Xu Yuanjia raised his eyes, the smile in them gradually turning cold. "I seized power so that everyone would obey me from now on."

"Whether it's the Xu family or the Shen family, their collateral branches, elders, former subordinates, the army, the docks, or their undercover agents—they're all the same." His voice wasn't loud, but each word was deep and resonant.

"Either offer your loyalty."

"Either hand over your life."

Shen Manyi's expression finally changed.

Xu Yuanjia's smile was cold, but his aura was so strong that there was no room for negotiation. "The Xu family has no second master."

"And I," he paused, raising an eyebrow, "would never let anyone sit on my head and expect me to be grateful."

Shen Manyi said coldly, "I am your mother."

"So you can still sit here and negotiate with me now," Xu Yuanjia said calmly.

"If it were anyone else, you would know that your son has always had a terrible temper."

Shen Manyi's fingers tightened suddenly, making a slight sound as she bumped the teacup.

She stared at her own son, as if realizing for the first time that he was no longer the quiet child who stood outside the door waiting for her to turn around and look at him.

He has grown up.

It has grown into the sharpest knife in the Xu family, and the tip of the knife is already pointed at everyone.

Anger flashed in Shen Manyi's eyes: "You really have no humanity."

Her voice turned cold: "Your father is cold-blooded, but you are even colder. You show no mercy or emotion to your own family. Have you forgotten that without the Shen family and your maternal grandfather's support, you wouldn't be where you are today?"

Xu Yuanjia listened intently for a long time, his thin lips curving into a smile, his eyes drooping lazily, his expression possessing an almost cruel beauty.

"Feelings?" He seemed to have heard a very interesting word.

"I don't remember my mother ever teaching me what feelings or family affection were."

Shen Manyi's expression froze, and her fingers gripping the teacup tightened slightly, as if the warmth on the cup had cooled down at that moment.

Xu Yuanjia's gaze was calm, his voice indifferent:

"When I was five years old, I had a high fever, and you were at the banquet discussing mining routes for the Shen family."

"I was locked in the training ground by my father when I was eight years old. You said it's good for boys to suffer a little."

"I was twelve years old when I first worked for the Xu family. My hands were covered in blood. You only asked me if I had brought shame to the Shen family."

He spoke slowly, even gently. But every word was like a sharp needle, prying away at the facade she had painstakingly sewn together.

"Now my mother talks to me about feelings." Xu Yuanjia's eyes were filled with a strong sense of mockery as he smiled.

"Don't you feel ashamed?"

Shen Manyi's face darkened completely. "Are you blaming me?"

Xu Yuanjia did not answer immediately. He picked up the teacup and took another sip.

The tea has a slightly bitter taste.

After a moment, he put down his teacup, his expression returning to its usual nonchalant tone. "No need."

Resentment is meant to be reserved for those who still hold onto hope.

A fleeting hint of embarrassment flashed in Shen Manyi's eyes, quickly replaced by coldness. "Now that you're all grown up, you don't even respect your grandfather anymore?"

Xu Yuanjia said calmly, "My maternal grandfather is an elder, so I respect him."

He raised his eyes, his gaze deep and cold. "But if he wants to be my opponent, I have no choice but to send him off the stage."

Shen Manyi slammed her hand on the table and stood up: "Xu Yuanjia!"

A few drops of tea spilled onto the dark tabletop. Xu Yuanjia remained seated, not even bothering to lift his eyelids.

That kind of condescending oppression didn't require him to stand up.

He possessed an innate sense of control; he was calm, arrogant, clean-cut, and ruthless. Even in front of his mother, he acted like the true master of the Xu family.

Shen Manyi took a deep breath and sat back down. "Do you think you can control the fourth branch of the family and the clan elders on your own?"

Xu Yuanjia smiled faintly: "Can't I?"

"Your father is not dead yet," Shen Manyi said coldly. "The army under his command is the true root of the Xu family."

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuanjia finally laughed out loud, a lazy, mocking smile playing on his lips.

Shen Manyi frowned: "What are you laughing at?"

Xu Yuanjia raised his eyes and casually snapped his fingers.

Outside the door, Zhou Ji pushed it open and placed a sealed document on the table.

Shen Manyi's expression changed instantly when she saw the hidden stamps on the cover.

Those were the seals authorizing Xu Chongshan's private army. There was more than one.

"The armies under Father's command underwent a major overhaul three years ago," Xu Yuanjia said, looking at her calmly.

"The deputy commander on the eastern front is one of my men."

"The accounts for the southern arsenal are handled through my channels."

"The garrison at Beigang has been under Zhou Ji's command since last year."

He paused there deliberately, his eyes gleaming arrogantly, his tone sinister and ominous.

"As for the guard that my father trusted the most, the captain handed me a letter of allegiance half a month ago."

Shen Manyi unconsciously clenched her fists, her eyes suddenly turning cold.

Xu Yuanjia leaned back in his chair, his posture relaxed to the point of nonchalance. "What does Mother think of me? Why did I dare to let the fourth branch of the family cause trouble?"

"Because the more they cause trouble, the faster I can regain control."

Shen Manyi stared at the document, remaining silent for a long time.

Xu Yuanjia had already secretly laid out his plans. What he controlled was not the few business lines that Xu family had on the surface, but the army and trump card that Xu Chongshan could not afford to lose.

No wonder he was so calm. No wonder he didn't rush to suppress the turmoil that erupted in the fourth branch of the family after Xu Chenglin's death.

Shen Manyi raised her eyes, her gaze towards Xu Yuanjia now showing a hint of apprehension. "Does your father know?"

Hsu Yuan-chia laughed: "He'll find out soon enough."

Shen Manyi said coldly, "You're more ruthless than I imagined."

Xu Yuanjia replied in a light tone, "Mother, you flatter me."

Shen Manyi was silent for a moment, then asked, "So what do you plan to do with your father's other wives and children?"

Xu Yuanjia lifted his eyelids, and the light from the tea room fell into his eyes, giving them a slightly cold glow.

"You also believe that I killed Xu Chenglin?" He suddenly stopped asking this question.

Shen Manyi was slightly taken aback, then a hint of doubt appeared on her face: "Isn't that right?"

After those words, the tea room fell into an unsettling silence.

Xu Yuanjia looked at his biological mother. Her expression showed little shock or guilt. She was simply puzzled as to why he had asked such an unnecessary question.

In her mind, it was not surprising that her son killed people at will.

Even if the person killed was his half-brother.

After all, blood ties are as cheap as a piece of paper that can be torn to shreds at will in the Xu family.

A very faint dark glint flashed across Xu Yuanjia's eyes, so fast that Shen Manyi didn't even notice it.

After a long while, he lowered his eyelashes, smiled, and his eyes regained their coldness and composure.

"Since you know," he stood up and slowly straightened his cuffs.

"Please pass on this message to my grandfather."

Xu Yuanjia lowered his eyes, his smile sharp and cold. "Either help your grandson one more time."

"Either you do it right and enjoy your retirement."

After he finished speaking, he paused, emphasizing each word very slowly: "Don't do anything unnecessary."

Shen Manyi was furious, her eyes turning icy: "You!"

Xu Yuanjia had already turned and walked out, pushing open the door and leaving.

The door closed.

The tea in the tea room had gone cold.

Shen Manyi sat in place, her chest heaving violently.

She used to think that Xu Yuanjia was like Xu Chongshan: calm, ruthless, and sharp.

It was only at this moment that she realized he was more terrifying than Xu Chongshan.

Xu Chongshan would also compromise for the sake of power.

Xu Yuanjia wouldn't.

What he wanted was absolute control over power.

-

/

When Xu Yuanjia came downstairs, Zhou Ji was already waiting in the corridor.

The courtyard was damp after the rain, and the copper bells jingled softly in the wind. In the distance, the old Xu family mansion was dimly lit, like a silent, lurking beast.

Zhou Ji followed in his footsteps, "Master."

Xu Yuanjia did not turn around.

Zhou Ji hesitated for a moment, then asked in a low voice, "Why didn't you explain it clearly to Madam? Xu Chenglin clearly committed suicide."

Xu Yuanjia walked down the stone steps, the night wind blowing through the wisps of hair on his forehead, revealing his cold and beautiful eyes.

"She won't believe it."

Zhou remained silent.

Zhou lowered his head and did not ask any further questions.

Xu Yuanjia walked forward, his expression calm.

He knew that Shen Manyi did not disbelieve whether he killed someone or not.

Rather, they simply don't care.

From the age of five when he became aware of things, he stopped expecting these empty feelings.

His father exploited him, his mother schemed against him, and his siblings murdered him.

Everything the Xu family gave him had a price tag. Power was bought with blood, status with life, and kinship with profit.

No one will stand by him unconditionally.

No one will unconditionally favor him just because he is Xu Yuanjia.

No. Perhaps it did happen in the past.

Shi Luyu's face naturally came to mind.

Those eyes were clean, innocent, and easily reddened. She would clumsily wait for him with coffee in her arms, draw an outrageously ugly little rabbit on a small piece of paper, and earnestly say, "You are the most important."

Even when she was clearly scared, she would still reach out and hold his hand.

Xu Yuanjia paused slightly.

Zhou Ji noticed and asked in a low voice, "Master?"

Xu Yuanjia did not answer.

The darkness pressed down on his brows and eyes, and the cold arrogance he had shown when facing his mother had not completely faded, but was gently covered by some deeper emotion.

Shi Luyu is becoming increasingly suspicious of him.

Xu Chenglin's dying words, Xu Jia's constant approach, and the USB drive whose contents he had replaced—everything was pushing her toward the edge of the truth.

Xu Yuanjia had a premonition that his fake childhood friend identity would soon be impossible to hide.

Then it won't be long before his little darling is played and ruined by him.