C11 Calm down

Lyi Banruo glared at Sally, her face contorted with displeasure. The three of them had just finished listening to Tang Ye's recording.

"So it was you."

"Director Lyi, please, let me explain."

"Officer, I'd like to report that my employee is suspected of leaking confidential business secrets."

Standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, they watched the police car slowly drive away. Lyi Banruo broke the silence, "You certainly have a flair for the dramatic, planning to elope and all."

"Ahem, well, that was just part of the plan. You know I'm a one-person kind of guy."

Without a glance at Tang Ye, Lyi Banruo turned and walked to the desk, picked up a glass of water an employee had just brought, and drank it in one gulp.

"Doesn't it pique your curiosity how I figured out Sally was the mole?" Tang Ye sidled up to Lyi Banruo.

"Not in the slightest," she answered with finality.

Tang Ye, looking defeated, covered his face, "Fine, but you haven't forgotten about our dinner plans for tomorrow, have you, Director Lyi?"

"Just pick a nice place and let me know. I've got my hands full right now; there's an issue with this batch of products that needs immediate attention." Lyi Banruo finished her water and dove back into her work. "If you've got nothing else, you can head out. Consider it a few days off."

"Okay, I'll make sure to choose a great restaurant. I promise to surprise you, Director Lyi." Tang Ye strutted out of Lyi Banruo's office, still muttering to himself, "Such a shame about Sally's figure. Locked up for seven or eight years, she'll be past her prime. What a waste."

Lyi Banruo's head snapped up, her eyes blazing, yet her voice was ice-cold as she addressed Tang Ye, "If you're so fond of cherishing beauty, perhaps you should go keep her company."

"Director Lyi, if you're interested, just say so. Burying your feelings won't do any good; someone else might sweep me off my feet one day."

"Let them take you for all I care. Keep up this nonsense, and I'll have security escort you out."

"Alright, Miss Lyi, I'm on my way out."

Tang Ye was ejected from the company by Lyi Banruo. Standing bewildered on the street, he asked the security guard at the door, "Where's the car?"

The guard dutifully answered, "Director Lyi informed me earlier that she needs the car tonight and suggested you take a taxi home."

"But why can't Miss Lyi spare one of her many cars for me? Just deduct it from my commission," Tang Ye insisted.

The security guard firmly responded, "I'm sorry, but Director Lyi made it clear that no matter what you say, you're not getting the keys."

"One of these days, I'll have my way." Tang Ye muttered, watching Lyi Banruo standing by the floor-to-ceiling window on the rooftop, his words exaggerated by his lip movements.

The largest nearby parking facility was their company's garage, but stealing from there was out of the question. Tang Ye refrained from taking a car and instead hailed a taxi to his place.

On the street, a blue Lamborghini had been recovered and was parked silently, yet the keys were nowhere to be found. Tang Ye slowed his pace.

At the building's entrance, a bulky man with a menacing face and his two cronies blocked Tang Ye's path.

"So, you're the punk who thought he could steal Dragon's car?" a thug with yellow hair approached Tang Ye, eyeing the young man up and down.

"With arms and legs like yours, you could do anything, yet you choose to steal," another thug chimed in, encircling Tang Ye with similar gear. "Too bad, you're fully able now, but you'll be disabled soon."

The muscular man known as Dragon stepped up to Tang Ye, glaring down at him. "Kid, I'm only asking once: did you steal it?"

Tang Ye candidly replied, "Yes, I stole it."

"Oh, you've got some nerve," Dragon sneered, pulling a knife from behind his back and gesturing across Tang Ye's face. "I'm curious, what makes a little punk like you so bold? I just wonder if you'll still be this tough when you're on your knees begging for mercy."

Just as Dragon finished speaking, the rumble of a car engine interrupted, coming to a halt right beside them.

Lei Ming approached with his crew, spotting Tang Ye from a distance and called out, "Tang, look what I've brought you!"

As Lei Ming walked, he sensed that something was amiss. He had assumed that the individuals were Tang Ye's brothers, but upon noticing the items in their hands, he quickly discerned the true nature of the situation.

"What's the meaning of this?" Lei Ming hastened forward, positioning himself protectively in front of Tang Ye, and brandished his car keys at Dragon and his companions. "Who do you roll with? Get your boss out here."

"Mr. Lei, I... It's me, Lil' Long," Dragon, with his face covered in scars, wilted at the sight of Lei Ming. He bowed and scraped, saying, "Remember, just last month, I helped you out with a couple of deals?"

Lei Ming scowled, racking his brain, but drew a blank. Irritated, he demanded, "Lil' Long? Where are you from?"

"I'm Lil' Long from Hongyun Transport Company. My dad owns the place."

"I'm not interested in that. What were you pointing at Tang Ye with just now?" Lei Ming pointed accusingly at Dragon, his anger palpable. "Do you even know who he is?"

"No," Dragon admitted meekly.

"You're clueless. This is my Tang Ye." Lei Ming turned back to Tang Ye, his face breaking into a reassuring smile as he checked him over. "You okay, Tang Ye? Any injuries?"

"I'm fine, but your friends here seem to think they're owed an explanation. I figure I should give them one," Tang Ye remarked coolly.

Lei Ming burst into laughter. "Tang Ye, look at the mess. What kind of explanation could possibly satisfy these kids? Look who I've brought for you."

He gestured towards Wang Hao, who sat in the car looking worse for wear, as if he'd just been roughed up. Nearby, a flashy sports car without plates caught the eye, with an eager underling showcasing it.

"Take it easy, Tang. I had this car brought over from abroad especially for you. I'll handle things here, you just relax."

"They didn't really do anything, just ran their mouths a bit. Let's not go overboard with them."

"And you, what did you say to Tang?" Lei Ming reprimanded Dragon by the ear, "Spill it, or you'll regret it."

Yellow Hair, petrified, collapsed on the ground, whimpering, "Dragon said this guy would be kneeling and begging for mercy soon."

"You've got some nerve, Lil' Long," Lei Ming said as he landed a punch on Dragon's head. Dragon collapsed to the side like a sandbag, his face losing chunks of flesh and oozing blood.

Lei Ming's hands, wrapped in chains, were stained with blood. Dragon raised his hands, about to speak, but the unapologetic fist that came flying at him made contact with his face once again.