Chapter 5: I Really Couldn't Dare

"That's me," he replied.

"You dare make a fool of me?"

Lu Ye shook his head with a faint smile, gesturing at the warning sign on the wall. "No smoking or open flames are permitted in the office area of this corporation. I'm just fulfilling my duty as a security guard, strictly by the book—how could that be making a fool of you?"

Though Zhang Yunjie looked thoroughly embarrassed, his expression remained scornful and dismissive. "Kid, I know you're afraid I'll ruin your dream of marrying into the Su family and wedding Qianqian, but don't think your petty tricks will change anything. As if Qianqian would ever marry a loser like you!"

Several male colleagues chimed in, echoing Zhang Yunjie. "Exactly! You think you’re worthy of competing with Young Master Zhang for President Su? Who do you think you are?"

"Young Master Zhang, teach him a lesson! Teach him a lesson!"

Lu Ping, demoted to security last night, already nursed a grudge against Lu Ye. Now, he was the most enthusiastic in the crowd. He even grabbed a dry towel and hurried to Zhang Yunjie’s side, ingratiatingly wiping the dirty water from his clothes.

"Young Master Zhang, let me dry you off first. It's freezing today—be careful not to catch a chill!"

"Lu Ye’s a bastard for daring to disrespect you, sir. You must give him a harsh lesson!"

After all, this was the son of the richest man in town. Lu Ping thought that if he could just curry favor with Zhang Yunjie, he’d never have to endure Lu Ye’s bullying at Yiren Group again. He acted like a loyal dog, terrified Zhang Yunjie wouldn’t accept him.

"You're quite perceptive. What's your name? Come work for me from now on."

Lu Ping was overjoyed, standing at attention behind Zhang Yunjie and nodding vigorously. "Of course, Young Master Zhang! My name is Lu Ping!"

Seeing that most of the male employees at Yiren Group were backing him, Zhang Yunjie grew even more arrogant. He glared at Lu Ye. "Kid, you’d better learn your place."

"Su Qianqian is using you, nothing more. Is it really worth going up against me for her?"

"Kneel down and apologize right now. After that, stay far away from Su Qianqian. If you ever approach her again, I’ll make you regret being born!"

As his words faded, more than a dozen Mercedes outside the entrance disgorged twenty or thirty men in black suits and sunglasses. They swarmed into the lobby, encircling Lu Ye with menacing glares. Some timid female colleagues screamed on the spot, while the male colleagues felt a strange thrill—at last, they would witness Young Master Zhang put Lu Ye in his place...

Hurry up and beg for mercy, they thought. We’ve long been disgusted by this toad who dreams of eating swan meat.

In the security room, Su Qianqian stared anxiously at the surveillance screen, her heart pounding. She hadn't expected Zhang Yunjie to bring so many men. How could Lu Ye, alone and outnumbered, possibly stand a chance?

Though she didn’t think much of this temporary husband, she didn’t want to see him maimed or crippled because of her either. Su Qianqian was just about to rush out and stop the impending violence—when the next scene froze her in place, eyes wide with shock.

Lu Ye's lips suddenly curled into a cold smirk. He leaned in and whispered a few words into Zhang Yunjie’s ear. Instantly, Zhang Yunjie’s expression changed from arrogant to terrified.

Lu Ye raised his voice so everyone could hear. "I'll return your words to you, exactly as you said them: Kneel and apologize to me, and from now on, stay away from my wife. Otherwise, I'll make you regret being born."

The colleagues around them were stunned, then burst out laughing.

"Make Young Master Zhang kneel and apologize to you? Are you insane?"

"Lu Ye, have you lost your mind?"

"Young Master Zhang, why even bother with him? This guy won’t learn his lesson until he’s really hurt. Just deal with him!" Lu Ping was laughing so hard he almost cried. He’d never seen anyone so foolish—Lu Ye was practically handing his head to Zhang Yunjie on a platter.

Thud!

"I'm sorry! It's my fault!"

To everyone’s astonishment, Zhang Yunjie’s knees buckled and he dropped heavily in front of Lu Ye, banging his forehead on the marble floor three times in quick succession.

The laughter died abruptly.

"Wait, did Young Master Zhang really just kneel?"

"What’s going on? What did Lu Ye say to him?"

In truth, Lu Ye hadn’t said much—he simply told Zhang Yunjie that he possessed evidence of the Zhang family’s collusion with the overseas spy syndicate, the Hongying Society. That kind of crime meant a lifetime behind bars.

The dossier Chen Xi had handed Lu Ye detailed every dealing between the Zhangs and the Hongying Society. If Lu Ye wasn’t trying to bait out the syndicate’s hidden boss, what he already had would be enough to convict the entire Zhang family of treason.

No wonder Zhang Yunjie was so rattled. He knew how secretive those dealings were—certainly nothing a lowly security guard could have discovered. The stakes were too high; even if Lu Ye was bluffing, Zhang Yunjie couldn’t afford not to believe him.

Gritting his teeth, Zhang Yunjie muttered in a low voice, "I've knelt and apologized as you wished, and I’ll stay away from Su Qianqian. But if you spread a word of this, my family will never forgive you."

Lu Ye grinned. "Oh? Maybe I should go public right now. I’d like to see what you can do to me from inside a prison cell."

"No, no, wait! I misspoke. Please, don’t act rashly!" Zhang Yunjie panicked.

"That’s not the attitude of someone begging for mercy."

"I can pay you hush money. Name your price!"

Lu Ye scoffed. "Please! My wife is the chairwoman of Yiren Group. Do you really think I care about your petty cash?"

"Here’s what you’ll do: slap yourself in the face until I’m satisfied."

Zhang Yunjie, face darkening, tried to lower his voice. "So many people are watching. Can’t you leave me a shred of dignity?"

"You didn’t care about my dignity when you demanded I kneel and apologize. Enough talk—do it now, or I’ll call the authorities and hand over the evidence!"

"If you can’t bring yourself to do it, have one of your lackeys help." Lu Ye pointed at Lu Ping. "Him."

After all, Lu Ping had been the most eager to suck up moments ago. Forcing down the urge to spit blood, Zhang Yunjie raised his voice and barked at Lu Ping, "You! Come here and slap me!"

Lu Ping was utterly bewildered. All he’d seen was the two of them whispering—he hadn’t heard a word of what passed. How had he suddenly become involved in this mess?

"Young Master Zhang, what did you say?" Lu Ping stammered, afraid he’d misheard.

"I said get over here and slap me! Hard, until Mr. Lu is satisfied! Do you understand?" Zhang Yunjie practically shouted, and the entire lobby gaped in disbelief.

What the hell? Was this really happening?

Young Master Zhang had sunk so low he’d have someone slap him to appease a security guard?

Now all the pressure shifted to Lu Ping.

"I—I really can’t do it, Young Master Zhang. Please, let someone else…" Lu Ping’s knees were knocking. He’d never faced such an outrageous demand in his life.

"Quit whining and do it!" Fearing he’d upset Lu Ye, Zhang Yunjie thrust his face toward Lu Ping, urging him on.

Lu Ping closed his eyes, lifted his right hand, and feebly slapped Zhang Yunjie’s face.

Smack!

Lu Ye sneered, "Is that all you’ve got? You’re a disgrace to the Yiren Group’s security team!"

Zhang Yunjie, at the end of his patience, glared at Lu Ping. "Use all your strength! Don’t hold back!"

Lu Ping was nearly in tears. Simple for you to say! If I really hit you with everything I’ve got, will I even live to see tomorrow?

Seeing his hesitation, Zhang Yunjie threatened, "If you hold back, you won’t see tomorrow’s sun!"

Well, either way, I’m doomed!

Lu Ping steeled himself, spat into his palm, wound up, and delivered a mighty slap to Zhang Yunjie’s face.

Crack!!!

Zhang Yunjie’s once-handsome features contorted, two bloody teeth flying from his mouth to spin across the marble floor.

He’d perfectly demonstrated what it meant to swallow blood along with broken teeth. Pointing at his swollen cheek, he ordered, "Keep going!"

Smack! Smack! Smack…

After more than a dozen slaps, his face was so swollen he was unrecognizable.

Finally, Lu Ye said coolly, "Stop for a moment."

Zhang Yunjie had only just started to breathe when Lu Ye added, "Now the other side."

Damn you, Lu Ye!

Smack! Smack! Smack…

Another dozen blows, and Zhang Yunjie’s face was a fiery, swollen mess.

Lu Ye pointed at the filthy floor, impatience in his voice. "Enough! Clean this mess up and get out of here!"

"Yes, yes, right away!"

Zhang Yunjie hurried his lackeys to clean up, then fled as fast as he could, not daring to linger a second longer.

Lu Ye glanced at his colleagues. Those who had mocked or encouraged Zhang Yunjie to deal with him shivered involuntarily.

"I know you don’t like me. You’re jealous that I’m about to marry your goddess, President Su."

His colleagues forced awkward smiles. "No, it’s not like that. It’s all a misunderstanding…"

"Even if it’s not, I don’t care. I’m just having a good time."

Lu Ye's cocky attitude was on full display. Though his colleagues simmered with resentment, none dared challenge him now.

Who would? Even Zhang Yunjie had been humiliated—who would dare provoke Lu Ye?

All they could do was shuffle away, pretending nothing had happened.

Lu Ye was about to return to the security room and boast to Su Qianqian, when suddenly, someone grabbed his leg.

"Brother! Please save me!" Lu Ping clung to him, snot and tears streaming down his face.

Lu Ye looked puzzled. "Weren’t you switching sides to join Zhang Yunjie? Why didn’t you leave with him?"

Easy for you to ask! You’re the reason I beat Zhang Yunjie into a pig’s head! If he doesn’t kill me for this, I’m lucky to be alive!

"Lu Ye, I’ve completely offended Young Master Zhang now. For the sake of our brotherhood, you can’t just leave me to die!"