C4 Jiaang Xueer

"Yaxuan?!" Ling Zhiyu exclaimed in surprise upon seeing the middle-aged woman before him.

The woman was clad in a crisp business suit, sporting a neatly trimmed short haircut. Without a trace of makeup, her wrinkles stood out, endowing her with the distinct aura of a formidable businesswoman.

It was clear that, over a decade ago, she must have been quite the beauty.

Trailing behind her was a charming young lady in a short skirt and ponytail, dressed impeccably. Her skin was fair, and the smoothness of her exposed arms and thighs suggested she was a vision of loveliness, almost as if she had stepped out of a painting. She appeared to be around eighteen years old.

"Go on, call him uncle," Zhao Yuqin urged the girl, introducing her to Ling Zhiyu, "This is my daughter, Xueer."

"Hello, Uncle."

"Oh..." Ling Zhiyu nodded, appraising Jiaang Xueer, "You're truly beautiful, just like your mother back in the day. And this is my son, Ling Yifei."

He gave Ling Yifei a nudge.

Ling Yifei snapped to attention and greeted her with a respectful "Auntie," before pressing his father to quickly mortgage the house so they could find a place to stay.

Zhao Yuqin was taken aback to learn they were mortgaging their home. Upon hearing their situation, she immediately offered to lend Ling Zhiyu three hundred thousand yuan to provide for his workers' welfare. It was only then that Ling Zhiyu discovered Zhao Yuqin was the owner of Yi'an Real Estate!

While the two parents were engaged in conversation, Ling Yifei and Jiaang Xueer were left feeling quite bored. Ling Yifei, in particular, was on edge, concerned that the loan sharks might come looking for them at any moment. Plus, the matter of Chen Si's body and his gang had yet to be resolved – something they were bound to have noticed by now.

Jiaang Xueer was also growing restless, though she managed to conceal her impatience.

"Mom, when are we going shopping?" she asked.

Zhao Yuqin, having just sorted out Ling Zhiyu's issue, now had company business to attend to. "Ah, I mentioned earlier that I need to review some documents at this branch today, so I can't join you. How about you go with your brother Ling Yifei instead?"

Jiaang Xueer and Ling Yifei exchanged glances, with Ling Yifei offering a polite smile. Jiaang Xueer returned the smile, but as she turned away, she rolled her eyes out of sight.

Zhao Yuqin missed the eye roll, but Ling Yifei caught it all too clearly.

"Let's go," Jiaang Xueer said, turning back with a beaming smile. "Brother Ling Yifei."

Her voice was so cloyingly sweet, it sent a shiver down Ling Yifei's spine.

"This girl is such a good actress," Ling Yifei mused to himself.

"Little Shuo, why don't you walk with Xueer? Your dad will stay here to help your aunt with some paperwork."

Ling Yifei was reluctant, but at his father's insistence, he had no choice but to tag along with the girl. Before departing, he made his father promise not to return home but to call him after finishing, so they could meet up somewhere else.

Jiaang Xueer and Ling Yifei left the Yi'an Real Estate branch and climbed into the private car waiting outside, heading for the shopping district.

No sooner had they stepped out of the car than Jiaang Xueer turned to Ling Yifei and rolled her eyes again. "Alright, you don't need to stick around anymore."

Her tone was dismissive, as if swatting away a nuisance.

Ling Yifei was equally unenthusiastic about spending time with Jiaang Xueer and was more than ready to leave.

As he was about to walk away, a girl in a white dress collided with him.

"Hey, Xueer!" The girl, not quite as stunning as Jiaang Xueer but still quite attractive, noticed Ling Yifei's simple attire and asked, "Is this your boyfriend?"

"Susu? No way!" Jiaang Xueer quickly clarified, "He's the son of my mom's friend, Ling Yifei."

Just moments ago, she had affectionately called him 'Brother Ling Yifei,' and now she was using his full name.

Liu Susu grabbed Ling Yifei's arm. "Great, then we can all hang out together!"

Jiaang Xueer looked bewildered, unsure of Liu Susu's intentions, but Liu Susu kept winking at her, signaling her to play along.

Soon, the trio made their way into a men's casual clothing store. The two women began browsing, while Ling Yifei was left standing awkwardly on his own. He felt out of place, but then he spotted one of Chen Si's henchmen.

This guy wasn't paying his respects to his late boss; instead, he was loitering on the streets. If he were to recognize Ling Yifei, it could spell trouble. Ling Yifei contemplated using his Vital Spirit to handle the henchman discreetly. However, he realized that knocking him out with Vital Spirit without physical contact would be more complicated than just killing him.

While he was mulling over his options, the henchman started walking towards him.

Meanwhile, the two women were only half-focused on the clothing in front of them.

"Hey, Susu, why bring him along?" Jiaang Xueer asked, her attention flitting between the clothes and Ling Yifei, who seemed deep in thought.

"Weren't you curious about Situ Yun's feelings?" Liu Susu hinted with a glance.

"What are you suggesting?"

"It's simple. Later, just imply that this guy is chasing after you or bothering you, and see how Situ Yun reacts," Liu Susu explained.

"Wow, Susu, you're so clever!"

Liu Susu giggled and called out, "Mr. Fei, come try on this shirt!"

She turned around, only to find Ling Yifei was already heading for the exit.

Ling Yifei, with his back to the henchman, could sense his presence. It seemed the henchman hadn't noticed him yet, so Ling Yifei decided it was best to leave quickly.

But just then, Liu Susu grabbed his hand, catching him completely off guard.

As Ling Yifei turned around, the henchman's eyes locked onto him. They faced each other, and Ling Yifei realized there was no escaping now.

"Ling Yifei, could you come here for a moment?" Liu Susu grasped Ling Yifei's hand and headed toward the clothing store.

The young man scrutinized Ling Yifei's face, their gazes meeting once more. This time, he saw something in Ling Yifei that solidified his suspicions.

Ling Yifei feigned composure, acting as if he hadn't noticed a thing, and leisurely followed Liu Susu.

Soon after, Ling Yifei sensed that the young man seemed to be trailing him and Liu Susu into the sparsely populated clothing store.