Chapter 77: No Mercy

Today’s encounter was perfectly balanced—any more would seem maternal, any less would feel rigidly old-fashioned.

This was the true image of an elegant, scholarly young gentleman.

In the midst of the pipa’s melodious notes, Old Master Fu found himself at a loss for words, and could only sit by, fuming as his mistress peeled grapes for him.

Zhong Huayan, dressed in a pure white dress, began to sing Kunqu with remarkable finesse.

“Snow falls upon the green hills, frost departs in flight, the scentless bamboo overflows and fills the garden. On this fine night, the moon delights the heart, reflecting a drunken journey, carefree and soaring as a swan. Entering the unknown, the sound of flutes rises, dissolving into water and becoming immortal, swirling through mist, dancing with fragrance that fills the fields, drifting into whose courtyard, my lord…”

The two of them performed together in perfect harmony.

Until, suddenly, hurried footsteps resounded outside. The matter was urgent; the messenger paid no heed to the performance.

The steward, breathless and flustered, spoke in a small but thunderous voice.

“Master… Master’s car… it suddenly exploded on the road. We’ve already called for an ambulance, but I fear it’s too late. The whole scene was ablaze—no one knows how the car could just explode like that. The Xu family had no time to put out the fire, and only just now has it been brought under control!”

Old Master Xu had only just left, and his car exploded!

Both the driver and the master were inside…

Zhong Huayan nearly lost her balance. She turned in shock to look at the man sitting with bowed head, playing the pipa with Buddha-like serenity.

He remained as calm and peaceful as ever.

This was what it meant to devour a person without leaving even the bones—not merely seizing companies at a cut-rate, but erasing every possible way out.

Fu Yanyan lifted his head, set the pipa aside, removed the string of celestial beads from his wrist, and handed them to the trembling steward.

“They say that things worn long on a person gather spirit and should not be lightly removed or given away. Look—something’s happened. Return these beads to the late Master Xu. Some things, no matter how much they change hands, always come full circle. Cause and effect never fail.”

The steward gripped the beads, feeling their weight like a thousand gold pieces.

Old Master Fu nearly rose, only to stumble back into his seat. He pointed his folded fan at Fu Yanyan.

“Poetic justice, is it? Third young master! Aren’t you afraid of retribution?”

“I have done nothing wrong—why should I fear? Besides, without the methods of an asura, one cannot afford the heart of a bodhisattva.”

Old Master Fu could barely catch his breath. He gazed at the overcast sky, his voice quavering, “The capital’s fate is turning. You young ones don’t understand unity—all you know is how to tear each other apart. The tides of fortune in this city are changing!”

Zhong Huayan followed him out.

Only after they stepped outside the old residence did she finally speak.

“Fu Yanyan, why did you…”

“Ah Hua, I truly had nothing to do with the car explosion. I had no reason to. If I wanted someone dead, I’d do it face to face.”

The knot in her chest suddenly loosened.

Yet she still looked at him in puzzlement—had she really misunderstood?

They rode in silence through the bustling city streets.

“President Fu, do you want to visit Mr. Xu? I believe he’s at this hot spring hotel,” the assistant asked.

After this incident, the assistant finally understood how much his boss cared for Miss Li.

It was no mere dalliance.

It was true admiration—almost idol-like.

So, he went out of his way to create opportunities.

To get rich, one must take risks; though working for the richest man is dangerous, it’s also a road to immense wealth.

In this business, caution is paramount—reading faces and minds. He couldn’t allow another slip that nearly led to disaster.

His hands were sweating on the steering wheel, unsure whether he was being clever or overstepping…

“Very well, let’s pay him a visit,” Fu Yanyan replied coolly, glancing sidelong at the hot spring hotel as they passed.

“Yes, sir. I hear the hotel’s style is quite unique. Mr. Xu even studied design abroad before opening it.”

Fu Yanyan suddenly remembered—wasn’t Mr. Xu the one from last year? Back then, someone had accidentally spilled water on his jacket, and Mr. Xu had hurried over to wash it by hand.

Only upon entering did Zhong Huayan realize this was no ordinary bar.

They had booked the most expensive suite. Inside, the hot spring pool was right beside the bed, scattered with gardenia petals—a waterbed. Next to it, a vast glass enclosure housed marine creatures. In front of the tank was a table with a menu, which included “mermaids.” Guests could select a preferred mermaid on an electronic menu—beautiful women dressed as mermaids would swim among the creatures, and when chosen, the mermaid would change clothes and come to the room to provide spa services personally.

At the back of the suite, Zhong Huayan approached the liquor cabinet.

With a gentle pull, the cabinet rotated, revealing a trove of props.

Whips, clamps, electrified toys, restraints, seats—an endless array, dazzling to the eye.

There was even a spinning wheel, each section labeled with a different punishment for the submissive.

A slight spin of the compass, and wherever the pointer landed, the submissive would have to comply.

Fu Yanyan, with his ethereal grace, stood in this setting like a fallen deity—his every movement radiating temptation, the purity of his presence skewing swiftly toward desire. From the waterbed, he picked up a gossamer nightdress.

His black suit was immaculate, yet in his hand he dangled that delicate, silken white nightgown.

The assistant and service staff entered behind them, immediately sweeping the room for hidden cameras.

Once assured of privacy, they closed and locked the door.

Zhong Huayan sat on a barstool, her bare feet swaying, brazenly skimming the surface of the hot spring pool.

Then, beneath the ambiguous lighting, she tilted her head slightly.

“President Fu~ So this is your taste~”

“Ah Hua, don’t be upset. I truly didn’t know Mr. Xu’s hotel was this kind of place.”

He stood there, Adam’s apple bobbing, then hesitated. “If you’re uncomfortable, we can leave right now.”

“It’s not as if you haven’t seen my body before. You’re thirty already—still so bashful?”

She played with her fingernails as she spoke, her casual tone completely igniting the man’s desire.

He slowly undid his suit jacket, the hand still adorned with jade prayer beads. He seemed like a devil tempting her, tearing open the constraints of her youth, breaking through the shackles of morality and reality, luring her step by step into the abyss.

He deliberately tossed his jacket over her head, utterly unapologetic.

He moved closer. That face, which had once fought alongside her in their youth, now wore a teasing smile.

“Ah Hua, didn’t you say before you only saw me as a brother? So why use reverse psychology to invite me now?”

She bit her lip, her fingers digging into his firm, cold abs, while her other hand spun the wheel.

“Yes, you’re like a little brother to me~ I just want to torment you a little. What do you think?”

His gaze slid past her to the wall behind—dark, covered in implements of discipline.

His pupils shuddered. Yet he continued to indulge her, quietly removing the prayer beads from his wrist. At that moment, he was stripped bare at last—a greedy longing in his eyes, the mask of the Fu Group’s chairman discarded, revealing the true Fu Yanyan.

“I trust you completely, and I surrender to you—entirely.”