Chapter 0006 Trouble Comes Knocking

Chen Liuge, brimming with righteous indignation, remained utterly oblivious to reality. He cursed endlessly about those "blind fools," convinced that with his sheer charisma and intellect, even a general manager position would be beneath his talents. Let alone some petty managerial role.

Tilting his head to gaze at the setting sun, Chen Liuge stroked his stubbled jaw, affecting the melancholy demeanor of a weathered soul—a look guaranteed to captivate any impressionable teenage girl.

Crushing his cigarette butt under his ten-yuan liberation shoes, he tossed his inch-long hair with practiced nonchalance and shot the real estate company a final contemptuous glare before pedaling off toward Bianzhou University.

When Chen Liuge returned home with Shen Qingwu, they found a red BMW parked outside their gate. A tall, striking woman leaned against the car.

Frowning at the sight, Chen Liuge's subtle shift didn't escape Shen Qingwu's sharp eyes. "Do you know her?" she asked softly.

"Not really," Chen Liuge replied. Parking the tricycle, he ignored the woman's hopeful expression, carefully helping Shen Qingwu down first. Only then did he address Qin Ruohan: "What do you want?"

"I need your help," Qin Ruohan blurted.

Chen Liuge eyed her up and down. "Then you'd better turn around and leave. I've got cooking to do."

"You don't even know what it's about!" Qin Ruohan protested, paling.

"Doesn't matter. Your mess isn't my business." Chen Liuge waved her off, pushing the tricycle into the courtyard.

Qin Ruohan stared after him, lips trembling, eyes glistening with despair. Shen Qingwu observed her dispassionately, yet something in the woman's helplessness stirred a flicker of recognition. A year ago, she too had worn that look—alone in Beijing, orphaned, her brother imprisoned, facing scorn and retaliation from wolves in political sheep's clothing.

"Big trouble?" Shen Qingwu asked abruptly, her voice cool. Though young, she was no naive girl. Years in Beijing's vipers' nest had honed her instincts. Her genius-level intellect and traumatic past—enough to fill volumes—left little room for pity. Yet this woman, whom her brother had clearly rated above ninety points, tugged at something rare.

Qin Ruohan nodded tearfully. She'd exhausted all options. This was her last gamble.

Without another word, Shen Qingwu wheeled into the courtyard. As Qin Ruohan's hope dwindled, the younger woman's voice floated back: "The gate's open. Come in."

By the vegetable-washing basin, Chen Liuge chuckled at his sister's uncharacteristic softness. "Feeling merciful?"

"No." Shen Qingwu's reply was flat. "She reminds me of myself. A year ago."

Chen Liuge's hands stilled. A glacial fury flashed through his eyes before vanishing. "Our family's spines don't bend," he said lightly, resuming his task.

Shen Qingwu tugged his sleeve. "Brother, bitterness isn't bitter when borne together."

"Sit," Shen Qingwu instructed Qin Ruohan, pointing to a stool.

Chen Liuge cut in, scrubbing greens with military precision: "You showing up here means you're desperate. Probably life-or-death. Why should I care? We're strangers."

Qin Ruohan inhaled shakily. "I've tried everything. My gut says only you can help."

"Gut feelings?" Chen Liuge snorted. "What's that worth? Why me?"

"I don't know... but you're not ordinary."

Chen Liuge smirked. "Let's hear your sob story first. Maybe I'll play hero today."

Qin Ruohan blinked back tears, composing herself. "Last night's sniper—they're not after my life. Just intimidation. It started with my father..."

She recounted the tale: a thriving nightclub, underworld threats, her father's fatal "accident," and now the gang's ultimatum—sell the club for pennies or die.

"So give them the damn club," Chen Liuge interjected. "Better poor than dead."

"Never!" Qin Ruohan's voice cracked with fury. "They murdered my father! Surrendering now would spit on his memory!"

Chen Liuge raised an eyebrow. "And?"

"They want it all now. Two million for the entire property." Qin Ruohan's laugh was bitter. "Their 'final warning' came last night. Three days, or I join my father."

Her gaze burned into Chen Liuge. "Help me, and I'll fix your problems. Your sister's medical bills. Your... *recycling* livelihood."

Chen Liuge chuckled darkly. "Did your homework, huh?" He glanced at Shen Qingwu, ever the sphinx. "What do you think, little sister?"

Shen Qingwu's expression remained placid as a frozen lake. "What do *you* think?"