C13 I Am Playing with You

Just as everything was about to fall into place.

"Enough!"

Chiang Le let out a low growl, restraining Yang Aoxue's hand.

Yang Aoxue was detestable, having coldly driven herself into a corner. It was impossible not to resent her.

Yet, she had already suffered enough at his hands today.

Chiang Le found himself unable to continue tormenting a woman, particularly a beautiful one. After all, he prided himself on being a young man of integrity and positive energy.

Kneeling before Chiang Le, Yang Aoxue looked up at him, her eyes brimming with vulnerability.

"Keep your position as president. Excel at it."

"Okay, thank you, Your Highness. I won't let you down," Yang Aoxue responded, as if pardoned.

"Take care of that lunchbox girl. Remember, life never shortchanges a kind woman. That applies to her and to you. Be kind."

"I will, I've learned my lesson." Yang Aoxue nodded vigorously. Today's ordeal had shaken her worldview to its core, giving her a chance to reset. She was determined to choose kindness.

"Finally, just because I didn't require your service today doesn't mean you're free of the obligation. As long as you're with Phoenix Real Estate, be ready to fulfill any request I have, anytime."

"I understand. I am willing," Yang Aoxue said, subdued by Chiang Le, her gaze devoid of shame, tinged instead with anticipation.

"I won't meddle in your personal life, but you must not date or see other men during this time. Your body and soul are mine. If you find true love, then leave Phoenix Real Estate, and I'll set you free."

"Yes, I won't need anyone else. I'm yours for life. No, I'm your dog, your devoted little bitch," Yang Aoxue admitted, aware of her deep-seated pride. No one but the Crown Prince could captivate her heart so completely.

"Heh... women..." Chiang Le gave Yang Aoxue a sidelong glance and left the office.

Yang Aoxue straightened her attire and followed Chiang Le out.

Elena had meticulously prepared to decisively strike down Yang Aoxue, but Chiang Le, with just a casual remark, brushed aside the issue of Yang Aoxue's economic crimes.

"Leave Yang Aoxue be for now," Chiang Le said, sparing the details.

"Weren't we supposed to hit her hard?"

"It's already been taken care of."

Elena was taken aback.

What on earth had transpired in that tightly sealed office?

She didn't know and didn't dare to ask. She simply followed the Crown Prince's orders and dismissed the Economic Investigation Bureau's officials.

The subsequent events were unremarkable. Yang Aoxue stepped out of the office, once again embodying the poised and proud demeanor of an ice queen CEO, and convened a meeting with the middle management.

At the meeting, the team was abuzz with energy, vying to demonstrate their loyalty to Chiang Le, practically tripping over themselves in adulation.

It made sense – a raise was a direct benefit. This new boss, the Crown Prince, was both decisive and iron-fisted, yet incredibly generous. With such a leader, the future looked bright!

The additional investment from Phoenix Real Estate would still be managed by its local branch. Chiang Le merely had to give the word, and his team would spring into action.

Elena and Yang Aoxue began another round of discussions about the investments in Jiang City, delving into a myriad of details and plans. The conversation was so tedious that Chiang Le, struggling to stay awake, eventually excused himself.

Making money was their job; as the boss, his sole duty was to spend it.

However, this time Chiang Le wasn't out to spend money but to have a final showdown with the unscrupulous boss, Yang Aomin!

Flanked by his elite bodyguards, Chiang Le strode with purpose to the construction site where Yang Aomin was working.

As the imposing vehicles rolled up, Yang Aomin's heart raced with panic, and he quickly dialed his sister, Yang Aoxue.

"Sister, that kid's back. Call the cops to take him down," Yang Aomin urged from the safety of his office.

Hearing her brother's plea, Yang Aoxue felt a wave of irritation wash over her.

Her foolish and greedy brother was the reason she'd crossed the Crown Prince, leading to this whole mess.

With a look of contempt, Yang Aoxue retorted, "Don't bother with the police; calling them would be signing our own death warrant."

"Sister, I'm lost... what are you getting at?"

"I just made a hefty donation to the police force," Yang Aoxue said with a sneer. "Do you really think the cops would buy that someone with such a formidable wealth would stoop to robbing for such a paltry sum?"

Yang Aomin was taken aback. "Hold on, what are you saying?"

"Chiang Le is my boss's boss's boss, the crown prince of Phoenix Real Estate, the true power behind the commercial empire!" Yang Aoxue said with a cold laugh. "You'd better watch your step."

With those final words, Yang Aoxue dismissed her brother and ended the call.

This time, Yang Aoxue was resolute in teaching her brother a harsh lesson.

As long as the prince didn't go as far as to kill her brother, she could live with the outcome.

After all, a tough lesson would ultimately be beneficial for him.

Once the call ended, Yang Aomin was left in a daze. He watched Chiang Le approach with a commanding stride, unsure of how to face the man.

The prince? An untouchable titan? The boss of his sister's boss's boss?

Yang Aomin couldn't believe that such an exalted figure would be hauling cement on his construction site.

Was this how the true power players amused themselves?

Recalling his past berating and insults towards Chiang Le, Yang Aomin was filled with regret.

Stepping out of his office with trepidation, Yang Aomin forced a smile that was more pained than any grimace.

"You've arrived?"

"I have."

"You shouldn't have."

"But here I am," Chiang Le said, his sneer unrelenting. "Do you know why I'm here?"

Yang Aomin, with a look of sheer distress, completely capitulated. "You're here to shame me, aren't you?"

"Exactly."

"I've wronged you, and I accept my fate. Kill or flay me, as long as it pleases you," Yang Aomin said with a mournful expression. "But you should know, I had no idea you were such a master of disguise. If I had known who you were, believe me, I would've revered you like a deity..."

Having given Yang Aomin a thrashing and put Yang Aoxue in her place, Chiang Le felt his resentment wane considerably. He nodded slightly, "I came to experience life, and I must admit, you've made it an unforgettable one, you wretch."

Yang Aomin was at a loss for words.

"It's a simple request," Chiang Le began, "I've been lugging cement for a month, and let me tell you, it's a uniquely sour yet exhilarating experience. Today, I want you to get a taste of that same exhilaration. Here's the deal: this building, tenth floor, thirty bags of cement. You finish hauling them, you get to eat. No slacking off, or my bodyguard here will crack the whip—literally. If you stop, you get whipped."

"You can always say no, but then you and your sister will end up in jail over financial troubles."

"Don't worry, you'll be compensated. One bag of cement equals ten months of my salary. Manage to carry all thirty in under two hours, and you'll get paid on the spot—no delays, no debts!" With a snap of her fingers, Chiang Le signaled the bodyguard to bring forth a large box.

Yang Aomin glanced at the box, then at Chiang Le, and thought of his sister. With clenched teeth, he declared, "I'll endure!"

And so began Yang Aomin's grueling life as a laborer.

Drenched in sweat, back breaking under the weight of the cement, Yang Aomin was on the verge of collapsing for a rest when the whip came down without mercy.

With cries of pain, he stumbled and scrambled downstairs, determined to keep going with the next bag.

With the second load, every muscle in Yang Aomin's body screamed in agony, his bones felt as if they were falling apart, and each step was a torment. The bodyguard shadowed him like a demon, ready to strike with the whip at the slightest hint of delay.

Initially, Yang Aomin's face was slick with sweat, but as time passed, tears mingled with the perspiration. Eventually, blood joined the mix of sweat and tears.

Driven by the future of his sister, the promise of ten months' salary for each bag of cement, and the desire to avoid the lash, Yang Aomin tapped into every ounce of his potential, fighting through the pain with every fiber of his being.

With each bag of cement, he mentally ticked off a number, spurring himself on.

Just finish, and five apartments would be his!

Yes, he had to complete the task!

Two hours later, covered in a mix of sweat, tears, blood, and cement dust, Yang Aomin was utterly transformed into a figure of raw, earthy endurance.

After hefting the final bag of cement, Yang Aomin's emotions erupted into a frenzied wail.

"I did it, haha, I did it!"

He collapsed like a lifeless hound, dragging himself down the stairs and inching toward Chiang Le. Yang Aomin alternated between sobs and laughter, seemingly unhinged.

"I did it!"

"Excellent, I'm quite pleased," Chiang Le said with a smile, nodding in approval.

With Yang Aomin's hopeful eyes fixed on him, Chiang Le gently closed the box that had been a beacon of hope for Yang Aomin. Then, to Yang Aomin's utter disbelief, he placed it back in his car.

"But... your promise... wasn't it..." Yang Aomin's thoughts scrambled.

"Oh, that? I was pulling your leg. It was all talk. You didn't actually believe it, did you?" Chiang Le burst into uproarious laughter.

"Just kidding around!" Chiang Le channeled the iconic tone of the comedian Master Ma, nailing the impression.

Completely missing Chiang Le's humor, Yang Aomin, in a daze, wiped the mix of blood and sweat from his face, his voice filled with sorrow and fury, "Boss, you can't just toy with people like that!"

"Feels like you've been made a fool of, doesn't it? Does it hurt? Good!" Chiang Le roared with laughter. "You should remember, you did the same to me once."

With those final words, Chiang Le spat contemptuously onto the disheveled figure of Yang Aomin, then turned on his heel and strode away from the construction site, not sparing a glance for the pitiful clown sprawled on the ground, panting and utterly defeated.