Shadow Heir II: Dark Glory - Chapter 41

Bai Xuyang had intended to cause a huge spectacle in Linzhou, making sure everyone in the Jiangnan region knew that Young Master Bai was extending his business reach to the city.

However, due to Jiang Wanxing’s presence, not only did he fail to cause a scene, but he was utterly humiliated and filled with jealousy.

Watching Bai Xuyang’s motorcade drive away, Jiang Wanxing asked, “What’s your assessment of him?”

Su Wuji replied, “Worthless. A total lickspittle.”

If Bai Xuyang had heard that, he would definitely change his mind and smash Empress Bar again.

Jiang Wanxing smiled, shaking her head. “Anything else?”

“He’s not a bad person, actually, he’s just…” Su Wuji searched for the right words. “…a bit of an idiot.”

Jiang Wanxing said, “Bai Xuyang is very straightforward, just like many compound children. He gets easily emotional. Bringing his business to Linzhou this time was also a way to try and prove himself to his family. It’s just a shame he’s a little too naive.”

For a man, “naive” was just as bad a word as “childish.”

Su Wuji narrowed his eyes, smiling. “If he continues to do business in Linzhou, I’d be delighted. I can fleece him until he doesn’t even have his underwear left.”

Jiang Wanxing wholeheartedly agreed. “I believe that.”

At that moment, Jiang Haobing slowly crawled over from the ground, clutching his backside. “Sis…”

Jiang Wanxing glared at him, speaking with the frustration of someone whose hopes were dashed. “Jiang Haobing, starting today, I’m canceling all your cards. Your monthly allowance is cut to eight hundred yuan. If you fail any exams, don’t bother coming home again!”

Jiang Haobing hurriedly replied, “Fine, fine, I agree to everything.”

“Let’s go, straight to your university now,” Jiang Wanxing commanded. “I need to meet the girl you bullied and apologize to her seriously.”

Su Wuji applauded from the side, grinning. “Major Jiang’s moral compass is so straight, it’s captivating.”

Jiang Wanxing glanced back and smiled. “The mysterious Boss Su is also quite captivating.”

Just then, her phone rang. Seeing the caller ID, Jiang Wanxing immediately moved aside and answered. “Chief, I’ve already sent you the system summary of the incident.”

“You earned quite a merit during your leave in Linzhou,” the voice on the other end said.

Jiang Wanxing laughed. “Just convert my bonus into vacation time.”

“We’ve confirmed that the Xiyang Town trafficking syndicate is connected to the Dkaro Organization. They’ve been receiving long-term assistance from them to smuggle the trafficked people abroad.”

Sister Fen was connected to overseas forces!

“That makes sense. Otherwise, where did they get so many guns?” Jiang Wanxing glanced at Su Wuji. “Actually, this operation was mostly thanks to…”

Su Wuji put his index finger to his lips, shaking his head.

“It was thanks to the excellent cooperation of the Linjiang Provincial Special Intelligence Unit,” Jiang Wanxing corrected herself.

“Commendations will be issued to all involved,” the Chief said. “Also, you previously mentioned that a sniper assisted you during the confrontation with the Dkaro killer… Have you found out who it was?”

The appearance of a highly skilled, mysterious sniper in a provincial capital like Linzhou was certainly no small matter. Several relevant departments were visibly on edge about it.

Jiang Wanxing looked at Su Wuji again. “We don’t have many clues at the moment. I speculate it might be someone from the Silver Moon Organization. We should check for suspicious individuals who recently entered the country, but the scope is too broad. I suggest we abandon the search.”

She was actively providing cover for Su Wuji!

“Hmm, that’s my deduction as well, but the Silver Moon Organization isn’t exactly righteous either,” the Chief said sternly on the phone. “The traffickers must be dealt with according to Chinese law. Silver Moon’s actions are not compliant with our laws, and we can’t just turn a blind eye. We must still pursue them if possible.”

Jiang Wanxing hesitated. “Honestly, emotionally, I side more with Silver Moon.”

The Chief on the other end said, “Feelings are one thing; law is another. I’ve already arranged personnel to screen for Silver Moon assassins within Chinese borders. Take a few days to rest. I have an important mission for you when you return.”

After hanging up, Jiang Wanxing looked at Su Wuji. “I’m heading to Linjiang University first. I’ll come find you tonight to talk.”

Su Wuji clearly knew what she wanted to talk about. Major Jiang most likely suspected he was connected to Silver Moon.

“Alright, I’ll wash up and wait for you,” he laughed.

“I’m going to choke you.” Jiang Wanxing said, and actually pinched Su Wuji’s waist.

Jiang Haobing watched the annoying man flirt with his sister and grew even more anxious. He knew that if any other man had dared to joke with his sister like that in the past, he would have been severely beaten!

Once they got in the car, Jiang Haobing finally couldn’t help but ask, “Sis, what’s your relationship with him? I feel like… you’re even closer to him than to Brother Xuyang?”

Jiang Wanxing looked at her brother and said lightly, “He saved my life. You’d better be clear in your mind how you should behave when you see him in the future.”

After the siblings left, Xiao Yinlei walked up to Su Wuji and whispered, “Boss, should you go see Xu Jiayan?”

“I now suspect that Xu Jiayan being drugged and tied up in the club was a setup she intentionally created herself,” Su Wuji said, annoyed. “Why on earth would a rich young lady from the Xu family choose to be a killer for Silver Moon? Is she crazy?”

Xiao Yinlei chuckled lightly. “This means Xu Jiayan is even more inseparable from the boss now.”

She was clearly referring to more than just the emotional aspect.

“Yes, I’ve been latched onto,” Su Wuji grumbled.

Half an hour later, Su Wuji arrived at the top floor of an apartment building in the city center. He pressed the fingerprint lock and opened the door directly.

Xiao Yinlei did not follow him in. She said, “Boss, I suddenly remembered that Finance wants to talk to Xiao Pang and me about something important. I’ll be going now.”

Su Wuji retorted, “Don’t mind her, come back.”

However, before he could finish speaking, Xiao Yinlei had already closed the elevator door.

Xiao Pang’s head was practically touching the top of the elevator. He tilted his neck and asked, “Manager Xiao, Finance didn’t say she wanted to see me.”

Xiao Yinlei: “Are you dense? We’re creating a private space for the boss and Xu Jiayan.”

Xiao Pang: “Why do they need private space?”

Xiao Yinlei: “The boss has been single for too long. We need to let him meet more pretty girls. When choosing a boss-lady, you naturally need to cast a wide net.”

Xiao Pang: “But Manager Xiao, you interact with the boss every day. Why aren’t you the boss-lady?”

A question straight from the soul!

Xiao Yinlei hit Xiao Pang. “Stop talking nonsense. Is the position of boss-lady something someone of my status can even aspire to?”

Afterward, the long-legged managerial beauty fell silent, watching the changing floor numbers, slightly lost in thought.

Meanwhile, Su Wuji was sitting on the living room sofa in the top-floor apartment. The apartment wasn’t huge, but he hadn’t seen Xu Jiayan yet.

Whoosh. The sound of running water came from the bathroom.

The door wasn’t fully closed. Wisps of hot steam were drifting out of the gap. If Su Wuji wanted to look, he could catch a glimpse of pale skin from his angle.

“Since you’re here, why don’t you come in and take a bath together?” Xu Jiayan’s voice called out. Her voice was soft and lazy, yet compared to her usual self, a sense of weakness was discernible.

“You’re going to die of being a hussy,” Su Wuji said. “Hurry up and finish. I have important questions to ask you once you’re done.”

Ten minutes later.

Xu Jiayan walked out wrapped in a bath towel. To contain the heavy burden of her upper body, the towel barely covered her mid-thighs.

“I didn’t know you would come in while I was showering, so I didn’t bring a change of clothes.” Xu Jiayan crossed her legs, the pale flesh of her inner thighs pressing together. “I’m only wearing this bath towel. You don’t mind, do you?”

Because the two were sitting so close, their thighs were nearly touching, and a strong fragrance wafted into Su Wuji’s nose.

“I mind,” he shifted away slightly and pulled a business card from his pocket. He read, “Ninghai Cihui International Hospital, Department of General Surgery Physician, Xu Jiayan. Is that you?”

Xu Jiayan held up both hands to gather her hair. “That’s right, that’s me.” This movement caused her chest to tremble again, suggesting an impending avalanche.

Su Wuji asked again, “Then what was with the stab wound you suffered that day? Don’t tell me a surgeon also moonlights as a fighter.”

Xu Jiayan actually dropped her flirty demeanor. A complicated light flashed in her eyes. “I’m sorry. Even though you are my savior, I cannot tell you.”

“Why?” Su Wuji pressed.

Xu Jiayan: “This matter is related to the Western Dark World. My silence is genuinely for your own good.”

Su Wuji raised an eyebrow, his expression strange. “The Western Dark World?”

Xu Jiayan’s eyes held clear sincerity. “You may not have heard that term, but I hope you never encounter it.”

NOTES

Compound children.” Children of high-ranking officials raised in special military or government compounds, often implying privilege and a tendency toward arrogance or “getting emotional” (losing control).

[Translator’s Note: Su Rui will be making an appearance in a few chapters.]