Wu Qingying

Huo Xuan carried Lin Yue through the mountains, stopping occasionally to enjoy the scenery before leaving Five Spirit Mountains by dusk and driving back to Jiangzhou.

That night, he practiced the Subduing Tiger Stance before resting. By 8 AM the next morning, he boarded a flight to the capital—his trip to the mountains hadn't derailed his plans after all.

Coincidentally, Wu Qingying, the stunning manager of his company, was also heading to Beijing on business. They ended up on the same flight, seated side by side—thanks to Lin Yue, who'd asked Wu to book the tickets.

Only after boarding did Huo Xuan realize Wu Qingying was also traveling. He smiled. "Manager Wu, heading to the capital too?"

Wu Qingying replied coolly, "Chairman Huo. Personal matters."

Huo Xuan nodded. "Same here."

She didn't speak another word, so Huo Xuan focused on his cultivation.

Before long, the plane landed. As soon as they disembarked, Wu Qingying said tersely, "Chairman, I'll take my leave."

Huo Xuan waved her off. "Go ahead."

Watching her graceful figure retreat, he frowned. Did I offend her? Her attitude lacked even basic professional deference.

At arrivals, Tong Haichuan was waiting eagerly. Spotting Huo Xuan, he rushed over. "Brother! Been waiting forever!"

As they exchanged greetings, Huo Xuan noticed Wu Qingying nearby with a moderately handsome but lecherous-looking man. The man was groping her, his expression smug as she trembled with rage.

Huo Xuan's eyebrow arched. "Old Tong, time for a heroic rescue."

Tong Haichuan grinned. "I'll play wingman!"

The man—Duan Xu—was practically drooling over Wu Qingying. "Qingying, you've gotten even sexier. I'm already hard—how about a hotel room to mutually satisfy ourselves?"

"Disgusting!" Wu Qingying spat. "Duan Xu, I must've been blind to ever like you!"

Duan Xu smirked. "Can't help it—I was the campus heartthrob. Since you married me, why not make the best of it?"

"Married you?" She laughed coldly. "On our wedding night, you slept with my colleague! How could I ever trust a shameless bastard like you?"

Duan Xu sighed theatrically. "A momentary lapse. Can't you forgive me?"

"Oh? Was it also a lapse when you slept with sixteen women in three months? Or when you screwed your cousin? Or your stepmother?" Her voice dripped with contempt.

Enraged, Duan Xu snarled, "You bitch, I'll ruin you!" He grabbed for her hair—

—only for his wrist to be seized in an iron grip. He whirled to find Huo Xuan smiling at him.

"Who the hell are you?!" Duan Xu roared.

Huo Xuan flicked his wrist, sending Duan Xu crashing onto his back, winded and speechless.

Crouching beside him, Huo Xuan tutted. "Swearing is bad. Hitting women is worse. Consider this a small lesson."

He turned to Wu Qingying. "You alright?"

Her eyes flickered with gratitude. "Thank you, Chairman."

Duan Xu finally regained his breath. "Chairman? Ha! So you're screwing your boss now, you slu—"

WHACK!

Huo Xuan's foot snapped out, slapping Duan Xu's cheek with his sole. The impact shattered four teeth and left his face grotesquely swollen.

Leaning down, Huo Xuan said mildly, "Seems you didn't learn."

Duan Xu tried to lunge up, only for Huo Xuan's foot to pin his chest.

Tong Haichuan strolled over and kicked him twice. "Kid, I'm with State Security. Suspect you're involved in major crimes—ID, now."

His authority cowed Duan Xu into producing a press pass and ID.

Tong Haichuan's eyes gleamed at the Tianjing Daily credentials. "Brother, I'll handle this."

Huo Xuan nodded. "Old Tong, she's my employee. Let's reschedule."

"Got it." Tong Haichuan hauled the bloodied Duan Xu away, leaving Wu Qingying stunned.

Huo Xuan frowned. "Manager Wu, explain."

She sighed. "It's... complicated."

"Nearby café. Take your time."

His concern stemmed from Wu Qingying's irreplaceable role in Tianxing Jewelry's success. He wouldn't let personal drama compromise that.

Over coffee, Huo Xuan said, "You're invaluable to the company. Your problems are ours."

Wu Qingying had initially dismissed Huo Xuan as another pretty-boy freeloader. Today's intervention made her reconsider.

After a pause, she confessed her marital nightmare.

By the end, Huo Xuan slammed the table. "Never met trash this vile. Don't worry—I'll bury him."