C18 The Director of the Human Resources Department

Early the next morning, Nie Feng had planned to visit a real estate agency with Wuh Lingyue to look at houses, but Wuh Lingyue couldn't get time off. With no other option, Nie Feng reluctantly drove her to work.

"Hey, isn't that Yue Yue? Off to work, huh? Have you had breakfast yet? Why don't you join me for a bite?" As they reached the company, Nie Feng and Wuh Lingyue encountered a sleazy-looking fat man in his thirties, eyeing Wuh Lingyue with a lecherous leer.

The man was the epitome of sleaze, with beady eyes that resembled fava beans, instantly signaling he was bad news.

"No thanks, I've already eaten," Wuh Lingyue said with a clear distaste, her brow furrowed as she addressed the fat man.

"Even if you've eaten, come have a little more with me. Consider it keeping me company!" he insisted, reaching out towards Wuh Lingyue.

In a flash, his hand was swatted away, followed by a punch that connected with his face. Nie Feng stepped protectively in front of Wuh Lingyue, his annoyance palpable. How dare this man make advances on Wuh Lingyue in broad daylight, as if Nie Feng was invisible?

The fat man finally took notice of Nie Feng, clutching his face in anger. "Who are you? Kid, you dare to hit me? Do you have any idea who I am?"

"I don't care who you are. You dare to make a move on my girlfriend right in front of me?" Nie Feng said, his frown deepening.

"She's your girlfriend? Young man, you might be reckless with your diet, but watch your words. When did I ever touch your girlfriend? I'm the head of HR at this company. Why would I do such a thing? Oh, Wuh Lingyue, I didn't realize your boyfriend was such a brute. You're fired!" The fat man declared, puffing up his chest and regarding Nie Feng with scorn.

Surrounded by many colleagues just arriving for work, the fat man clearly wouldn't own up to his intentions, especially since he hadn't gotten his way.

"Fine, I understand. Let's leave," Wuh Lingyue said, glancing at the fat man with impatience before pulling Nie Feng away.

"You think you can just hit me and walk away? Think again!" The hefty man stepped up to Nie Feng, his voice a low growl. "Here's the deal, kid. You either cough up 50 grand for my medical bills today, or your girlfriend spends the night with me. If not..."

He didn't get to finish. Nie Feng's fist met his face once more, eliciting a howl of pain. As the man pointed at Nie Feng, ready to curse him out, Nie Feng's foot slammed into his groin. The man's face contorted in agony as he collapsed to the ground, curled up like a shrimp.

The onlookers, particularly the girls, watched with schadenfreude. Not a single person stepped forward to help—the guy clearly wasn't winning any popularity contests.

"You... You dare hit me? I won't let this slide, you hear me? Just wait!" The man jabbed a finger at Nie Feng, his threat seething with anger.

"Oh, feeling feisty, are we? Maybe I didn't hit you hard enough," Nie Feng retorted. He grabbed the man by his shirt, hoisted him off the ground, and flung him aside.

The man hit the ground with a yelp, scrambled for his phone, and barked into it, "Kid, you're dead meat. My crew will finish you off!"

"Fine by me, I'll be right here. But tell them to hurry; my patience is wearing thin," Nie Feng replied coolly.

The man shot Nie Feng a venomous look, dialed a number, and after a tearful plea, hung up and turned to Nie Feng. "You'll get yours. My guys are on their way."

"Maybe we should just go. Why invite more trouble?" Wuh Lingyue suggested, her grip tight on Nie Feng's arm, concern etched on her face.

Nie Feng patted her hand reassuringly and gave her a confident glance. Ten minutes later, a gang of over a dozen thugs approached.

"Zhu Mingbo, you son of a gun, dragging me out of bed this early. What's the big emergency?" Red Hair grumbled.

"Brother Red Hair, thank goodness you're here. This punk hit me—you've got to back me up!" Zhu Mingbo wailed, his face a mess of tears and snot.

Red Hair followed Zhu Mingbo's pointing finger to Nie Feng. His body jolted, and he broke out in a cold sweat. The memory of Nie Feng's ferocity from the night before was still fresh, instilling a deep fear. And now, to cross paths with this menace first thing in the morning? Talk about bad luck!

"I was wondering who it was! Turns out it's Red Hair. How's it going? Is Bobo's injury any better?" Nie Feng asked, grinning.

"Thanks for asking, Feng. My boss is doing much better, no serious issues now," Red Hair replied courteously. Mr. Bobo had made it clear that if they ran into Nie Feng again, they were not to cross him but to treat him with respect, as Nie Feng was not someone they could mess with. Mr. Bobo even intended to pay Nie Feng a visit once he was fully healed.

Red Hair was acutely aware of the gravity of the situation. Nie Feng was the kind of man who wouldn't hesitate to take on Wang Fugui. One wrong move today, and he could end up on the receiving end of a beating.

"Come on, Red Hair, what are you spacing out for? Get your guys to move in!" Zhu Mingbo, seeing Red Hair's reluctance to act, became impatient.

"Go to hell!" Red Hair snapped, delivering a slap across Zhu Mingbo's face. Of all people to provoke, he had to choose Nie Feng, a walking disaster.

"Red Hair, why'd you hit me? Have you forgotten the fine cigarettes I gave you just the other day?" Zhu Mingbo, nursing his slapped cheek, complained with a sense of injustice.

"I haven't smoked a single one of those cigarettes. I'll have someone return them to you later. And don't call on me for anything from now on," Red Hair retorted, clearly irritated.

"What's the problem, Red Hair? Is it not enough for you? Relax, I just got tens of thousands yesterday. I'll transfer it to you soon. Just help me deal with this kid, and I'll cover dinner at Celestial Pavilion tonight!" Zhu Mingbo pleaded desperately.

Red Hair was at a loss for words. Couldn't this guy see that Nie Feng was out of his league? Initially, Red Hair had considered interceding on his behalf, but now it seemed this fool was just asking for trouble.

"Get this idiot out of my sight, and don't let him interrupt my chat with Feng," Red Hair ordered.

His underling nodded and hauled Zhu Mingbo off to the side.

"Feng, I'm really sorry about this. Truth is, I barely know the guy. Please, don't hold it against me. Here, have a smoke," Red Hair said, extending a pack of cigarettes to Nie Feng.

Nie Feng dismissed the offer with a wave of his hand, "I don't smoke, and this doesn't concern you. Take your crew and get out of here!"

"Thanks a million, Brother Feng! Let's roll out, guys!" Red Hair couldn't hide his elation as he quickly ushered his lackeys away from the scene.

Zhu Mingbo's complexion turned ghostly pale. Observing Red Hair's deferential demeanor towards Nie Feng, it dawned on him that he had crossed paths with someone he shouldn't have. Who was this guy, really? He didn't look like any big shot, so why the reverence from Red Hair?

Nie Feng shot Zhu Mingbo a knowing smile before departing with Wuh Lingyue.

"I'm sorry for acting on impulse and costing you your job," Nie Feng expressed, riddled with remorse.

"It's no big deal. Jobs come and go! Besides, I should be thanking you for standing up for me. That creep has been bothering me for a while now," Wuh Lingyue responded nonchalantly.

"You know, you really don't have to work. Believe me, I can take care of you," Nie Feng insisted earnestly.

Wuh Lingyue's cheeks flushed as she retorted, "I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself. Why would I need you to do that? And... I'm not your... well, you know."

Silence hung in the air for a moment. When Nie Feng didn't respond, Wuh Lingyue looked up, puzzled, only to realize his attention was elsewhere. She didn't know what had caught his eye, and she felt a twinge of annoyance.

"Hello? What are you staring at? I'm talking to you here!" Wuh Lingyue said, her lips pursed in irritation.

"Huh? Oh, sorry, what were you saying?" Nie Feng snapped back to reality. Moments before, he had spotted someone in a black robe passing by, and his focus had been completely hijacked by the mysterious figure.

The man in the black robe exuded a chilling aura of lethality, the kind that comes from someone accustomed to killing. Nie Feng's years of experience told him this was likely an assassin. Moreover, judging by the man's pace and gait, he appeared to be wounded.

It was possible this individual was connected to the murderers of Zhang Menglin. Regardless, Nie Feng felt compelled to follow and investigate.

"Yue Yue, something's come up, and I need to take care of it. You head back on your own, okay?" With that, Nie Feng took off after the figure in the black robe.

"Why are you going? Hey!" Wuh Lingyue called out after Nie Feng, but he had already vanished into the crowd.

"What the heck!" Wuh Lingyue huffed, stomping her foot before turning to leave.

Nie Feng trailed the figure into a narrow alley, and just then, the person collapsed. Rushing over, Nie Feng was taken aback to find the individual unconscious. To his astonishment, the supposed assassin was a woman.

Clad in a black robe, the bloodstains on her were initially indiscernible. It was only upon closer inspection that Nie Feng realized she was drenched in blood, suffering from three gunshot wounds and a stab wound. The blood loss had caused her to pass out.

He knew he had to save her first and then worry about her identity. With that in mind, Nie Feng hoisted her up and located a modest hotel nearby, where he rented a room.

The landlady cast a disdainful glance at Nie Feng as he entered with the unconscious woman. "A standard room is 80 yuan a day. Do you need a suite?" she asked.

"No, thank you. Just a private room, please," Nie Feng replied, a bit flustered, his cheeks flushing as he handed over his ID and a hundred yuan bill.

The landlady processed the transaction, returned 20 yuan in change, and handed Nie Feng the key, directing him to "Room 301 upstairs."

Nie Feng nodded, took the key, and carried the woman up to the room. Once inside, he gently removed her blood-soaked robe and laid her on the bed. Her leather outfit was in tatters.

With two gunshot wounds on her upper body, one on her thigh, and a knife wound on her abdomen, Nie Feng had no choice but to remove her leather garments to tend to her injuries.

"Forgive me, miss," Nie Feng murmured, drawing a dagger to carefully cut away her clothes. That's when he realized she wore nothing beneath the leather. Her pale, unblemished skin was suddenly exposed to his gaze.