Mu Xiaoyao's gaze was sharp as she studied Ye Chen, who remained silent, his expression unreadable.
"You still don't want to talk?" she asked, voice laced with irritation.
Ye Chen didn't answer.
Mu Xiaoyao let out a cold snort.
"Fine. Then you can wait for the law to judge you."
With that, she turned on her heels and walked out of the detention room, her frustration evident in every step.
If Ye Chen refused to admit his crimes, she had other ways to get to him.
The mercenaries under his command—if even one of them testified that Ye Chen had killed Kyushu citizens in Heizhou before, she could charge him directly, with or without physical evidence.
And this time, he wouldn't be able to escape.
Jiang Che arrived at the bar not long after Mu Xiaoyao's call.
The moment he stepped inside, a waiter, already familiar with him, silently led him upstairs to the third-floor private box.
Inside, Bai Huamei was reclining on the sofa, swirling a glass of red wine in her hand with practiced ease. Her expression was languid, exuding an air of effortless seduction.
Jiang Che took one look at her and smirked.
"You're always drinking whenever I see you," he remarked as he sat down across from her.
Bai Huamei lazily lifted her gaze to meet his.
"Life is dull without a little wine, don't you think?" she replied, her voice smooth as silk.
Jiang Che didn't bother to argue. He leaned forward slightly, cutting straight to the point.
"Did you take money from Ye Chen?"
Bai Huamei didn't flinch.
Instead, she openly admitted it without a hint of hesitation.
"That's right. I took 100 million in cash from him."
Jiang Che raised an eyebrow. He hadn't expected her to be so direct.
"You're not afraid I'll report you?" he asked, a mocking edge to his tone.
Bai Huamei chuckled softly.
"Would you?"
She stood up and, in one fluid motion, closed the distance between them. Before Jiang Che could react, she leaned into him, her arms snaking around his neck as she pressed herself against him.
Jiang Che felt the warmth of her body, her breath light against his skin.
This woman…
"Why wouldn't I?" he said flatly, trying to maintain his composure.
Bai Huamei merely laughed.
"You're lying."
She lifted a slender finger and placed it lightly on his lips, her head resting against his chest.
"Your heartbeat is fast, Jiang Che," she murmured teasingly.
"That means you're not as calm as you pretend to be."
Jiang Che narrowed his eyes.
This woman knew exactly how to get under his skin.
But he refused to let her win.
"Enough of that," he said, his voice steady.
"Stop this business. Don't do it anymore."
Bai Huamei lifted her head slightly, her lips curling into a smirk.
"Why?"
"Are you worried about me?"
Jiang Che scoffed.
"Not at all. I just don't want to get caught up in your mess."
"Tsk. You're such a terrible liar," Bai Huamei said with an exaggerated sigh.
Then, her expression softened slightly.
"Don't worry. With Zhang Quan out of the picture, I have nothing to worry about anymore."
Jiang Che studied her for a moment before nodding slightly.
This woman…
She was a troublemaker, but she wasn't reckless.
She knew when to step back.
Deciding to change the subject, Jiang Che asked casually, "Do you have any martial arts masters under your command?"
Bai Huamei blinked, momentarily caught off guard.
"Why do you ask?"
"I want to recruit a few people for myself," Jiang Che explained.
Bai Huamei thought for a moment before shaking her head.
"Most of my people are just ordinary men. No one with real skills."
Jiang Che sighed.
"Forget it. I'll figure something else out."
He stood up, pulling Bai Huamei's arms away from his neck as he prepared to leave.
"Stay out of trouble," he warned.
Bai Huamei pouted playfully.
"You make it sound like I cause trouble on purpose."
Jiang Che ignored her teasing tone and walked toward the door.
He had other matters to take care of—Mu Xiaoyao had been insisting that he come pick up a pennant.
After avoiding her calls several times, he finally decided to go and see what the fuss was about.
And while he was there, he might as well dig up some information on Ye Chen and Xiao Han.
Behind him, Bai Huamei watched him leave, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Such an unromantic man~" she murmured to herself.
Still, she had noticed something.
Jiang Che might act indifferent, but earlier, when she pressed close—
His heartbeat had betrayed him.
Smirking to herself, she picked up her glass and took another sip of wine, her cheeks flushed a soft pink from both alcohol and amusement.