Chapter 7: The Scent of Subtle Hypocrisy

The bayonet and the two maids were ejected by the things Ye Xingmei had thrown in her frenzy. When the bayonet saw Cao Mang, she pulled him aside and whispered, "My mistress doesn't believe Qiu Tianyi did it. He simply didn't have the ability at that time. But her father says it was him, and that’s that. Can you confirm with Qiu Tianyi?"

Cao Mang spread his hands. "My young master only has the intelligence of a few-year-old child left. Besides, why should I help you ask?"

The bayonet instinctively touched her still-swollen forehead and muttered through gritted teeth, "If you help me find the real culprit, I'll sleep with you."

Cao Mang’s gaze slid down her cold, beautiful face. "I’m not interested, and I don’t want to get myself killed in the process."

The bayonet ground her teeth in fury. "Stop pretending. It’s not like you haven’t done it before."

Cao Mang looked innocent. "Don’t wrong me. Let’s finish the engagement ceremony business first."

With no other choice, the bayonet went to report. When Ye Xingmei learned of it, she only allowed Cao Mang to enter alone.

Carrying the large box, Cao Mang walked inside. He undid the combination lock strapped to the top and opened the inner drawers layer by layer.

They were all filled with jewelry and jade, the total value exceeding a hundred million.

Ye Xingmei didn't even glance at them. Instead, she stared directly at Cao Mang. "Take off your pants."

Cao Mang covered himself with his hand. "Are you out of your mind?"

Ye Xingmei drew a gun from under her pillow. "Take them off!"

There were things she couldn’t voice. Although she’d been unable to resist last night, and had even actively responded, there was still a sliver of consciousness left. She simply didn’t believe Qiu Tianyi had such physical prowess and suspected it was Cao Mang.

Facing the barrel, Cao Mang showed no fear. Suddenly, he raised the box to shield himself and rushed forward.

A small flame flickered from the gun’s muzzle—Ye Xingmei lit a cigarette. It was just a lighter.

Seeing Cao Mang’s face darken, she sneered coldly. "Even if you killed me to silence me, you couldn’t escape the Ye family’s retribution."

Cao Mang set down the box and sat at the edge of the hospital bed, snatching the cigarette from her hand and taking a drag. "Let’s talk."

"There’s nothing to talk about, unless you help me control the Qiu family."

"Deal!"

Ye Xingmei was stunned by his straightforward answer. It took her a long moment to recover. She snatched back the cigarette and took a fierce drag.

"You’re a death soldier raised by the Qiu family since childhood. Don’t think you can placate me now and play tricks later."

"My whole family was killed by the Qiu family..."

Cao Mang’s calm words made Ye Xingmei pause, and her imagination ran wild.

"I understand now. They saw your talent for martial arts, killed your parents to make you an orphan, and raised you as a death soldier from birth. Not only do you work your life away for them, but they also make you feel grateful. The Qiu family’s methods are truly vicious!"

Cao Mang responded coolly, "Your ambitions aren’t small either."

Ye Xingmei, her true intentions exposed, completely lost faith in her family. She knew she’d eventually be married off for an alliance, but that didn’t mean she was willing—she hadn’t even liked Qiu Tianyi before he became a fool, let alone now.

If she had to marry, she’d plan for her future, and that required Cao Mang’s assistance.

With a vicious glare, she stubbed her cigarette out on the back of his hand and angrily demanded, "You had your fun, but why did you shove a wine bottle in?"

Cao Mang didn’t even flinch, still looking innocent. "What are you talking about? I have no idea."

"Get out. I don’t want to see you."

Seeing him rise to leave, Ye Xingmei gritted her teeth. "If you don’t help me, I’ll drag you down with me."

Cao Mang replied in a low voice, "Kill Ye Bufan first."

Ye Xingmei hesitated for a moment. Though he was her half-brother, if he married Qiu Yurou, he’d become a major obstacle. Not to mention he was a prime suspect in Duan Xingyu’s death. After a moment, she nodded. "Agreed."

"Happy cooperation."

"Was the wine bottle your doing or not?"

"I have no idea what you’re talking about."

"You’re such a scoundrel. Get out..."

As her angry voice called after him, Cao Mang opened the door and stepped out. A bodyguard who had come with him quickly asked, "You didn’t pocket anything, did you?"

Cao Mang frowned slightly. "Even if you’re a senior, you can’t make baseless accusations. I opened the box right there. If you don’t believe me, go in and check."

"That’s not what I meant."

Under his steady gaze, the bodyguard lowered his head, full of envy at how quickly Cao Mang had risen to favor.

After reporting back to the Qiu family, Cao Mang was assigned a private room in the servants' quarters—a suite with a living room and bathroom.

All the Qiu family maids were young and pretty, living in the same building, though not on the same floor.

But the house rules were strict. Unless the master gave special permission, rabbits were forbidden to eat the grass by their own burrow. Anyone caught would be severely punished.

Cao Mang had no interest in the maids. Instead, he looked toward a window in the main building.

That was Qiu Yurou’s room. Duan Xingyu had been hastily cremated and buried that very day.

Aware of the truth, Qiu Yurou dared not remain in the Duan family mansion and had moved back.

She was staring blankly out the window when she saw Cao Mang’s tall figure in the servants’ quarters.

She was deeply angered that Cao Mang had hurt Ye Bufan and knew he’d drowned Duan Xingyu.

Seeing her wave, Cao Mang frowned and left the servants’ quarters, going to knock on her door.

"Come in..."

He entered at her words and saw Qiu Yurou lounging lazily on the sofa in a white nightgown, her perfect curves on display.

Her feet were especially beautiful—translucent as jade, petite and delicate, with prettily manicured toes that invited one to play with them.

"Come closer."

Cao Mang stepped forward, stopping two meters away and respectfully asked, "Is there something you need, Miss?"

Qiu Yurou’s face showed sorrow. "Did Duan Xingyu die peacefully?"

"No. He suffered internal injuries and kept vomiting blood, cursing you all the while. I poured water into his mouth to wash the blood away, then held him under in the bathtub. He struggled until the end, eyes wide open in death..."

"Stop!"

Qiu Yurou clapped her hands over her ears, her face going pale. She rose and walked to the door.

At the threshold, she ruffled her hair and tore her nightgown, then ran out screaming.

"Help! Somebody help..."

Many servants hurried over at the commotion. Qiu Yurou wept and shouted, "Catch Cao Mang! He tried to assault me..."

Cao Mang remained calm, pulling out his phone in the corridor and playing a recording. Only a few seconds had passed since he’d reported to her—hardly enough time to have assaulted her.

The servants weren’t stupid. They guessed the young lady was doing this to avenge Ye Bufan.

Qiu Yurou’s expression changed. "Disperse. And keep your mouths shut."

"Yes, Miss."

The servants bowed and withdrew. Qiu Yurou strode up to Cao Mang, looking up at him with a cold, low voice.

"You killed Xingyu, hurt Bufan—I will never forgive you."

"How hypocritical."

Qiu Yurou stared in shock. "You... you dare insult me..."

She was even more stunned when Cao Mang suddenly picked her up and pressed his lips to hers.

Qiu Yurou’s mind went blank, then he tossed her to the floor.

"Ugh, you reek of fake sweetness and treachery. Absolutely disgusting..."