Dangku (The King of Bandits) walked in, glanced at the five people, and squinted his eyes, clearly on high alert.
As he approached Lu Chengwen, he was about to kneel on one knee when Lu Chengwen stopped him: "No need, let's not make this complicated."
Lu Chengwen pulled out a card from his pocket and tossed it to Dangku (the King of Bandits.)
"Young Master, this is…"
Lu Chengwen said, "You did a good job with today's task. Take this card. Also, stop with that no-cash policy of yours. Nobody has the spare time to carry wads of cash just to pay you."
"This… Understood."
"There's a fixed deposit of one hundred million Huaxia yuan in this card. Consider it your settlement allowance. If you're bad at managing money, you can go to our Great Sage's insurance company for help. With the annual salary you'll get from me, you can completely save it, and the interest from this money should be enough for your daily expenses."
The King of Bandits was shocked. "That much?! But I just received money from you earlier today!"
"Take it," Lu Chengwen said. "It's not just for you. I've never shortchanged anyone who's come to work under me."
Dandku (The King of Bandits) knelt on one knee. "Young Master, your generosity is overwhelming. Even if I give my life, it wouldn't repay a fraction of it! From now on, I pledge my liver and gallbladder, my armor and weapons, my days and nights, my disheveled hair, my mourning robes…"
Lu Chengwen cut him off. "If you can't use idioms correctly, don't use them. Go learn from King Tongtuo later."
"Yes!"
"Oh, by the way, this is Fubo, and his brothers—the Four Majestic Roars and Whispers. Ah, Roar went wandering, and Dragon went to stop him from wandering. These two here are Tiger and Whisper."
The King of Bandits and Fubo seemed to have only heard of each other's names and had never met before.
The King of Bandits stood up, faced the three of them, cupped his fists, and said, "A pleasure to meet you."
Fubo quickly put on a big smile. "Back in the organization, I had long heard of Brother Bandit King's unmatched martial prowess and lone-wolf ways. Unfortunately, the organization's strict rules prevented us from meeting. It's an honor to meet you today. I'm truly grateful!"
Hearing such politeness, the King of Bandits relaxed his expression and lowered his guard a little. "You're too kind, brother! To leave the organization and serve the Young Master—it feels like I've finally made it. From now on, under the Young Master's banner, I hope you'll look after me!"
Whisper was utterly stunned!
Could it be that I'm wrong!?
From start to finish, was Tiger right all along!?
This… Everything matches up… It all matches up perfectly!
The Four Beauties, the King Bandits, Fubo…
No matter how absurd it seems, it can't be that the whole world is mistaken, right?
Whisper looked at Lu Chengwen, a little embarrassed. "You… Young Master, Whisper is foolish and has repeatedly… Please forgive me."
Lu Chengwen smiled. "It's good to admit your mistakes. But all of you, remember this: once or twice is enough—don't let there be a third or fourth time!"
The group quickly responded, "Yes, we understand our mistake."
"Alright, if there's nothing important, don't keep coming to my villa. Hey, did you give me your phone number?"
Fubo was stunned.
The King Bandits sneered.
One glance at his expression, and Fubo could tell it meant: I handed mine over ages ago!
Fubo hurriedly said, "Yes, yes, I'll hand it over right away!"
The King Bandits said, "Young Master, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
"Mm."
Fubo hesitated. "Oh, Young Master, could you grant me a number? In the future, I…"
Lu Chengwen took out a brand-new phone and tossed it to him. "You're not charging me for it, are you?"
Fubo chuckled. "Young Master, we… we're idiots. Please don't stoop to our level."
"Scram!"
"Yes, yes, I'm leaving, I'm leaving."
At the door, the King of Bandits cheerfully approached his newly purchased Porsche Panamera and even used his sleeve to wipe the dust off the hood.
Fubo marveled. "Brother Bandit King, what a great car!"
The King of Bandits was delighted. "Nice, isn't it? I've been wanting one for ages, but it was too expensive! Working for the Young Master, and I got one on the first day."
Then, leaning closer to Fubo, he said, "You haven't even seen the house the Young Master gave me!"
"The Young Master even gave you a house?"
"Yeah! A 240-square-meter penthouse. It's incredible!"
When it came to these things, the King of Bandits couldn't stop talking:
"Zhao Gang is the real deal! The car and house I wanted, he didn't even hesitate—just made a call and paid in full. He even helped me hire a housekeeping company to handle cleaning and cooking. As for personal items, ha, tomorrow's a big shopping spree! Damn, this is the first time I've ever felt like strutting through a mall!"
Fubo laughed. "From now on, working under the Young Master, let's look out for each other, brother!"
Hearing this, the King of Bandits' expression darkened. "I've just arrived here and received the Young Master's great kindness. I wouldn't dare have private dealings with colleagues! You do as you please. I'll be on my way."
Fubo felt awkward. "Take care, brother."
Just as the King of Bandits was about to get in his car, he paused. "Brother, let's meet another time. For now, I want to keep a low profile, you understand."
"Oh! I understand, I understand! I… I kept a low profile when I first came too… Heh, low profile…"
The King of Bandits' car drove off.
Fubo pouted. "What the hell! Damn it!"
Tiger snorted angrily. "Big brother, tomorrow we're buying a 400-square-meter one, just as big as the Young Master's! Let's make that guy furious!"
Fubo looked at Ah Hu: "Do you even know how much this house of the young master costs? Let's go already!" Then he asked, "Where's Ah Xiao? Still haven't brought him back?"
Ah Yin replied, "He's efficient at wandering around, that's for sure."
On the third floor's lounge area.
Lu Chengwen had Luo Shiyin cornered against the wall.
Luo Shiyin's face flushed red, and her slender hands kept pushing at Lu Chengwen. "Move! Let me go!"
By this point, how could he possibly move aside?
Lu Chengwen chuckled. "I missed you."
Luo Shiyin straightened her expression. "Lu Chengwen! Don't push your luck! I came here today to set things straight! From now on, we'll go our separate ways, and neither of us will interfere in the other's life. If you go any further, don't blame me for being unkind!"
"Oh!" Lu Chengwen pinched her cheek and leaned in close. "How about I give you something to eat?"
Luo Shiyin began struggling. "Lu Chengwen! Let go!"
Lu Chengwen turned her around, pressing her back against him as he reached for the hem of her skirt.
Luo Shiyin sternly warned, "Lu Chengwen! Don't take this too far! If you keep this up, I won't hold back!"
But in the next instant, her tone softened into a coy, sugary whimper: "Ah… stop… you're so annoying…"
Lu Chengwen was already beyond stopping at this point!
Luo Shiyin pleaded bitterly, "Lu Chengwen, I'm begging you, just let me go. You've already ruined me… You… Ah… You promised… you said we'd just talk…"
Lu Chengwen's breathing grew heavier. "I swear, I'll just rub against you, I won't go in!"
Luo Shiyin was nearly in tears. "No, really no! Please move away… move away… ah…"
At this moment, Hua Xuening suddenly appeared. "Master!"
Lu Chengwen froze. "Xuening? Why aren't you staying upstairs? What are you doing down here?"
Hua Xuening's expression was serious. "Master, in the past, when Sister Shiyin was poisoned, there was no choice; only you could save her. But now, Sister Shiyin has made herself very clear—she said, 'no.' Please respect yourself, Master."
Lu Chengwen was almost furious enough to burst. "Go, go, go! Go back upstairs and sleep! I'm talking to Shiyin!"
Hua Xuening bit her lip. "Master! You are a hero. And as a hero, you shouldn't force others, especially when it comes to women. Everything should be voluntary. I follow you, Master, and of course, I obey your every command. But…"
Hua Xuening took a deep breath. "But Sister Shiyin and I have been sisters for years. She said no, so I ask you, Master, not to force her. Otherwise… I'll have no choice but to take action to rescue my sister from your clutches, and then come back to accept your punishment."
Lu Chengwen thought, this foolish girl really… has no idea what's going on.
"Your Sister Shiyin is very willing. If she wasn't, she wouldn't have come here!"
Hua Xuening looked at Luo Shiyin. "Sister Shiyin, please make it clear. Are you willing?"
Luo Shiyin was mortified.
How was she supposed to answer this? Admit that she came here in the middle of the night, voluntarily throwing herself into his arms?
Lu Chengwen already looked down on her. If she admitted it, wouldn't it be humiliating to the extreme?
"I… am not willing."
Hua Xuening turned to Lu Chengwen. "See, Sister Shiyin said she's not willing."
Lu Chengwen was nearly beside himself with rage. "You… Hua Xuening, you… how could you…"
Hua Xuening said, "Master, please let my sister go. I…"
She bit her lip. "I can take her place in serving you."
Lu Chengwen froze on the spot, his mind momentarily blank.
Hearing this, Luo Shiyin panicked. "Xuening, you… you can't do this… Y-you just go upstairs! Don't interfere in this matter. I… I'll handle him myself and then leave."
"But Master wants to force you!"
"Don't worry, I… I can handle it myself."
As she said this, Luo Shiyin couldn't even believe herself. She didn't dare meet Lu Chengwen's eyes.
Lu Chengwen chuckled. "Xuening, you… we'll talk about that later. For now, just stay a happy little girl, okay? Go upstairs. Your Sister Shiyin and I will talk, and then I'll let her leave."
"I don't trust you! I'll stay here and watch. Go ahead, talk!"
Lu Chengwen shouted angrily, "Hua Xuening! Are you disobeying me now?"
Hua Xuening firmly replied, "Master, punish me if you must, as long as you spare my sister!"
Lu Chengwen was so mad he laughed.
Honestly, he didn't even know what to do with this stubborn girl.
Luo Shiyin was flustered.
"Ah, Xuening, you… don't act like this!"
Hua Xuening grew even more puzzled. "Sister, you're confusing me! Do you want him or not? Don't lie to me; I'm not very smart. If you want him, just say so."
"I… I've done all this, and you're still asking me?"
"Say it clearly." Hua Xuening pressed on. "You came here on your own tonight, without being poisoned, and I distinctly heard you repeatedly saying 'no.' So, I need you to clarify. Let me confirm one last time!"
Hua Xuening looked at Luo Shiyin. "Did you come here voluntarily tonight, seeking out Master, wanting him to… do that to you? Are you willing, or are you not willing?"
Luo Shiyin's face turned crimson as she squirmed, stomped her foot, and blurted out, "I'm willing! Now go upstairs!"
Hua Xuening was even more confused.