Chapter 82: One Against Five

Zhong Huayan gazed out over the great river. Truth be told, she did not wish for art to become a mere business, yet she hoped for capital to intervene, for more competitions in technological art to be held, as this would greatly help in cultivating talent. Where there is heavy investment, there will surely be geniuses.

Fu Yanyan had just placed a cigarette between his lips when the wealthy boss beside him lit it for him, then directed the bodyguards to stand guard at the door.

“President Fu, let’s step aside and discuss the company’s development.”

Watching the two men, followed by a crowd, head toward another car, Zhong Huayan realized they must have urgent matters to attend to.

Li, the assistant from the Fu Group, walked over to open the door for her, conducting the usual check for miniature surveillance cameras. Once he was certain everything was secure, he spoke.

“Miss Li, please rest here for a while. President Fu has business to attend to. Should you need anything, just call for me.”

“All right, you may go.”

The hotel suite was the epitome of luxury, decadent and dazzling. Even the kettle was made of pure gold. The room was entirely voice-activated and equipped with a smart robot. Through the window, she could see layers of skyscrapers piercing the clouds; she had just landed by helicopter on the tallest rooftop. Even the air here carried the scent of money. Yet to her, this ostentatious taste was vulgar, lacking true elegance.

Soon, a servant arrived with tea and biscuits, and even offered to book her dinner.

Once everything was set, the servant left with the tray.

Zhong Huayan arranged her easel and began to paint.

She intended to experiment with a new approach this time—more challenging, but if executed well, she would surely advance in the competition.

The greatest difficulty lay in breathing life into the painting—conveying it through posture, gesture, expression, even the interplay of light, making it come alive.

She was about halfway through when a sudden knock sounded at the door, followed by the noises of a scuffle.

A sharp crack rang out.

It sounded like the snap of a bone.

She immediately grabbed the knife beside her for self-defense, wary of another abduction, and picked up the phone. On the other end, Assistant Li’s voice came through, breathless.

“Miss Li, it’s nothing major. Someone seems to have entered another room and got into an altercation.”

“Has the person left?”

“They went in five minutes ago, just left. Dressed in black, with a hat.”

Relieved, she opened the door and stepped out.

Fu’s bodyguards, all in black, exchanged uncertain glances but decided to follow orders.

It was indeed bold to pick a fight just next door, in the sight of so many armed guards.

Zhong Huayan was certain the noise had come from the neighboring suite.

Worried that someone might have been killed, she kicked the door open.

What she saw inside was indeed startling, but at least no one was dead.

She stepped in cautiously, with the bodyguards behind her scanning for potential threats.

This room was much plainer in comparison. Several men in casual clothes lay unconscious on the floor, sprawled in various positions.

The most serious case was the man at the computer—his hand appeared to have been broken, and he’d collapsed in a contorted heap.

Zhong Huayan gently touched the computer, only to find that it was displaying surveillance footage—of her painting, no less!

Hadn’t they just checked the room for hidden cameras?

How could this be… Wait—there had been a servant who brought water earlier…

What was their purpose in surveilling her room? Was it for trade secrets, blackmail, or something else?

Her attention was drawn to a slip of paper, stained with fresh blood, just recently left behind.

It must have been written by the man who fought these voyeurs.

The handwriting was scrawled but legible:

“Fool, instead of playing my game, you come here to paint for a competition. Surveilled and you don’t even know it. Took care of it for you.”

She barely had time to think when heavy footsteps thundered from below, and a squad of police burst in, guns drawn.

“Down! Everyone down! Cooperate!”

Unable to control the situation, the police immediately subdued the woman at the front whose finger still bore traces of blood.

Zhong Huayan felt a crushing weight on her back as she was thrown to the ground and handcuffed. Her knees hit the floor, her back pressed down, until the handcuffs clicked shut.

These cuffs were even more painful than the ones Xu Yaochuan had put on her last time.

Amid the chaos, she looked toward Fu’s bodyguards and called out loudly.

“Everyone down, cooperate with the police!”

Order was restored in an instant as the police continued their investigation.

“The situation is clear. These so-called victims were deliberately planting miniature surveillance cameras in the neighboring room. We found one in a water cup. The surveillance footage clearly shows a young man wearing a hat and mask entering the room. He must have martial arts training—his moves are quick, and in just five minutes, he took down five men, all while avoiding fatal injuries. He also seized a copy of the surveillance footage.”

The officers reviewed the footage, but the man’s features were obscured by his outfit. Only a bandage at his neck was visible.

“With injuries like that, he still managed to move so fast and efficiently.”

“The case isn’t too serious. How should we handle it?”

“See if the detained woman is willing to settle by paying compensation. If not, we’ll detain her for a few days to assist our investigation.”

With her hands cuffed behind her back, Zhong Huayan realized this was the second time in a month she’d been restrained like this.

She was left sitting on a cold bench in the hallway, two policemen standing guard—both clearly locals from Aomeng.

The one who’d assaulted the men could only be Xu Chuyin; the handwriting and the tone of the note made it clear the rascal had escaped to Aomeng. It wasn’t surprising—this place was a haven for wealthy, rootless men. If he hadn’t settled here, his next stop would be the borderlands or some other lawless territory.

“Officer, may I make a phone call?”

Just as she spoke, the officer who’d handcuffed her entered, crouched down, and got straight to the point.

“This case is relatively minor, and the facts are clear. You can be cleared of suspicion, but you must help us find the man in the video. If you have urgent matters…”

“No problem, I understand your position. If it’s money you need, I have plenty.”

Hearing this, the police immediately unlocked her handcuffs and even offered her a cigarette.

“I saw you smoking on the surveillance footage. Are you here for an art competition?”

“Yes, I’m competing tomorrow, so I can’t help you any further.”