Chapter 37: The Drunken Silver Sword

Ye Chenghuan's gaze chilled the room—a predatory glint that felt ripped from nightmares or horror films, utterly alien to the waking world. Xu Ke'er slumped into her chair, clutching her chest, mouth working soundlessly.

Lighting a cigarette, Ye Chenghuan exhaled smoke and resumed his casual slouch. He tapped his temple. "Miss Xu Ke'er, was it? They call you China's Top Nude Model, the fashion world's darling. And here I thought it was all hype… Turns out you're even better in person."

Xu Ke'er preened, arching her back. "Obviously. Everyone knows that."

"They also say you're a champion bullshitter—the kind who'd lie through a thunderstorm. True?"

"What… how dare—"

He sighed. "Media praises your 'boldness,' but netizens crown you China's Most Shameless. I doubted them… until tonight."

Xu Ke'er whitened, eyes darting between Shen Dongze and the silent guests.

"On your shows," Ye Chenghuan pressed, "you play the heartbroken innocent. Claim rich playboys disgust you—worth less than dog shit, wasn't it?"

"Dongze, he's lying!" she cried as Shen glared.

"Oh, and how you adore Western men. Big, strong, well-equipped." Ye Chenghuan's smirk turned salacious.

Shen flung her hand away. "Don't explain. We're acquaintances—let's avoid misunderstandings."

Ye Chenghuan tutted. "What's left to say? Your tits and ass are your only assets… and even those are fake. Bullshit all you want, but surgically enhanced 'merchandise' defrauds your fans. Yet you flaunt it. How thick is your face?"

Each word landed like a slap, exposing her before Longdu's elite.

Leaning back, Ye Chenghuan delivered the coup de grâce: "China's got a million weapons to master, yet you chose the sword—not noble steel, but drunken silver. Now you've perfected it: The Drunken Silver Sword. A true sword freak, merging blade and soul. Stay out of my sight. Nothing scares me more than a human blade."

Xu Keer trembled, lips bloodless. Shen's knuckles whitened around his glass. "You… go too far."

"Wrong." Ye Chenghuan smirked. "I'd never fight a fool. You'd drag me to your level and beat me with experience."

The room crackled with tension.

Lin Peishan reappeared, scanning the frozen crowd and Ye Chenghuan's innocent grin. "What did you do?"

"Just discussing martial arts with Miss Xu."

Xu Ke'er's face purpled.

Shen raised his wine, edging closer to Lin Peishan. "That Jiangdong land deal—masterful. Exploiting a loophole to fast-track construction overnight? Even the regulators couldn't object. It's legend now."

Lin Peishan sipped water. "The Art of War says 'supreme excellence breaks resistance without fighting.' But I'm no speculator. I used tactics I despise for one reason…"

"Which is?"

"Fairness."

Shen's smile stiffened.

"Jiangdong Land King was split between Jianghai Realty and Oriental International. Yet the district blocked our development. I simply corrected the imbalance."

Shen's chuckle rang hollow. He knew exactly why permits had stalled—a scheme Lin Peishan graciously left unspoken.

"But tonight," she continued, "I'm here not just for charity. I bring you a gift."

"A gift?"

"Plot No. 1—Jiangdong's crown jewel. Yours, if interested."

Shen's pulse quickened. Centered in the prime Jiangdong parcel, that plot had cost Oriental International 2 billion yuan. Jianghai's failed bid had sparked their underhanded tactics. Now Lin Peishan offered it freely—a move as baffling as her brilliance.

"You'd surrender a goldmine? With Zhongjie Avenue's infrastructure complete?"

"Two reasons." Lin Peishan's tone cut through pretense. "First, profit. We paid 2 billion. Your price: 10 billion."

Shen choked. Fivefold return in a month?

"Second," she pressed, "your projects flank that land. Without integrated development, it's worthless."

Shen drained his wine. "If you can't salvage it, why should I risk Jianghai's capital?"

"The idea struck me near Jiangdong's Children's Cinema." Her eyes lit with visionary fire. "Demolish the entire block—12 hectares—to link two commercial hubs. Build a megamall as the artery. Within years, it'll be Longdu's new downtown."

Shen gaped. This woman—barely thirty—had outplayed seasoned tycoons.

"You'll handle relocations?"

"Three days."

"Land prep? Permits?"

"You'll get shovel-ready plots. Just build."

Ten billion yuan hung in the air. Shen weighed the gamble. If Jianghai controlled Jiangdong's core, profits could quintuple.

Sealing the deal, he clasped her hand. "No regrets."

"Oriental International doesn't gamble."

In ten minutes, Longdu's largest property transaction concluded.

Fearing Ye Chenghuan's next disaster, Lin Peishan excused them. Shen watched her leave, heartache curdling into rage as the room emptied.

Alone with Xu Ke'er, he gripped her hair, forcing her face into his lap. "Shut up. I need relief."

She obeyed, lips working until Shen moaned, "Peishan…"

Xu Ke'er jerked back. "I'm right here!"

CRACK! His slap sent her sprawling. "You're trash."

Belt in hand, he advanced. "Scream. It's better when you scream."

In the car, Lin Peishan stared at passing lights. Ye Chenghuan broke the silence. "Penny for your thoughts?"

She met his gaze—icy, exhausted—before closing her eyes. Raging at him was pointless.

Undeterred, he pressed: "Shen's smitten with you."

"The feeling isn't mutual." Her voice frayed. "I attended tonight to end his delusions. Used you as a shield. Understand?"