Chu Yao covered her mouth, tears streaming down uncontrollably, her legs giving out as she was about to collapse onto the ground.
Fang Ming, quick-eyed and quick-handed, grabbed her arm to steady her.
"Shh!"
Fang Ming raised his index finger to his lips, making a shushing gesture, his eyes instantly turning sharp.
"Don't cry, don't shout, wipe away your tears."
"If you don't want to get your brother killed, and you don't want to get me killed, then listen carefully."
This sudden sternness made Chu Yao instinctively stop crying, though her shoulders still trembled uncontrollably.
She looked up at Fang Ming through tear-filled eyes, her gaze full of reliance and a plea for help.
Even though Fang Ming still looked like a bad person, in Chu Yao's eyes, he was already the kindest person in the world—he was her brother's friend!
Fang Ming released her arm, glanced around to make sure no one was paying attention, then lowered his voice and quickly said:
"I am now your brother's authorized agent, but my identity is special, so I can't tell you too much. You just need to know that someone wants to ruin you, and I… am here to help you…"
"Ruin me?"
"Yes, what happened in the broadcast just now was just an appetizer."
"Next, you will face isolation, slander, and even more despicable tactics. Their goal is only one: to destroy your psychological defenses, make you despair, and leave you with no one to turn to."
"Finally, you'll have no choice but to kneel before them, wagging your tail and begging for mercy."
Chu Yao bit her lip tightly, a metallic taste spreading in her mouth.
Although she was poor, her bones were hard.
But facing such an unknown behemoth, the feeling of powerlessness suffocated her.
"What should I do then? Call the police? Or…"
"Calling the police is useless."
Fang Ming interrupted her: "They set the rules. If you want to survive, you have to follow my script."
As Fang Ming spoke, he picked up the pen and paper he had prepared in advance.
"Since they want to see you despair, then show them despair. First, tell me your phone number, then cry loudly."
"It's best to make everyone think you've completely broken down. As a top student in the foreign language department, you should have that much acting skill, right?"
Hearing Fang Ming's words and seeing his seemingly cold face, Chu Yao suddenly understood.
This was a protective color. If she showed herself to be unyielding, the other party would only intensify their efforts.
Only by showing weakness could she make the hunter drop their guard.
"I… I understand."
Chu Yao quickly recited a string of phone numbers, then took a deep breath. Thinking of all the grievances she had suffered over the years, and her brother whose fate was unknown, tears flowed without needing to be coaxed.
They instantly burst forth.
She buried her face on the table, her shoulders heaving violently, letting out suppressed and desperate sobs.
That heartbreaking feeling was enough to make anyone who heard it grieve and anyone who witnessed it weep.
Fang Ming nodded secretly. This girl was perceptive.
"I'll contact you tonight at twelve."
With that, Fang Ming stood up and left, not sparing Chu Yao another glance.
As soon as he left the cafeteria, he saw Wang Meng running over, panting, waving an A4 paper in his hand, with his usual lewd smile on his face.
"Brother Ming, it's done!"
"I went to the Director and got all the information for everyone in her dorm room."
"Well done, let's go."
"Go where?"
"To eat, of course."
Fang Ming loosened his tie, returning to his lazy demeanor: "After all this trouble, I'm starving."
"Where are we eating? Is Young Master Qin paying?"
"Paying for what? Street food, splitting the bill."
"Huh??"
...Three o'clock in the afternoon.
In the heart of Rong City, at the Qin Corporation Building, the pressure in the top-floor office was still terrifyingly low.
Qin Xiao sat in his large leather boss chair, toying with an exquisite lighter.
"Click."
A flame flickered.
"Click."
The lid closed.
This monotonous sound was particularly grating in the silent office. Fang Ming and Wang Meng stood side by side in front of the desk.
Wang Meng had his head bowed, not daring to breathe.
Fang Ming, however, was calm, his back straight, his hands hanging naturally.
"Is the matter settled?"
Qin Xiao finally spoke, his voice lazy, betraying no emotion.
"It's settled."
Fang Ming stepped forward, neatly placing the list of Chu Yao's dorm mates and the stamped notice from the academic affairs office canceling her scholarship on the desk.
"The scholarship has been stopped, and it's been announced school-wide. Her reputation at school is basically ruined."
"Also, this is her social network in the dorm. I've already arranged for people to contact her roommates."
Qin Xiao didn't bother to look through the documents.
His narrow eyes just stared at Fang Ming, as if trying to find a flaw in Fang Ming's expression.
"You met her in person?"
"Yes, I did." Fang Ming nodded.
"How was it?" Qin Xiao's lips curved into a playful smile.
Fang Ming's expression didn't change as he said indifferently:
"Very pretty, and very… fragile. Before I even put much pressure on her, she already broke down."
"She cried like a weeping willow in the cafeteria, surrounded by people who were just watching her as a joke. I guess she's probably hiding under her covers doubting life right now."
"Oh?"
Qin Xiao raised an eyebrow, and the lighter in his hand stopped.
"You didn't feel soft-hearted? After all, that girl is quite pretty and so pitiful."
This was a trick question, and Fang Ming knew very well that a villain like Qin Xiao was unbelievably suspicious.
He smiled slightly, his tone carrying a professional coldness:
"Young Master Qin is joking. I get paid by the Qin Family, and I eat the Qin Family's food. Cherishing the fair sex like that requires more money, and besides…"
Fang Ming paused, pushing up his glasses.
"Compared to the tears of that poor student, I'm more afraid of failing the mission and being thrown into the Jin River to feed the fish by you, Young Master Qin."
"Hahahahaha!"
Qin Xiao suddenly burst out laughing, his laughter echoing in the empty office.
He pointed at Fang Ming, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes.
"What a 'pay more'! Fang Ming, Fang Ming, I like your genuine villainous streak. Hypocritical righteousness is the most disgusting; only profit is eternal."
As he spoke.
Qin Xiao pulled open a drawer, took out two thick stacks of red banknotes, and casually threw them on the desk.
"Take these, ten thousand each, consider it today's hard work fee."
"Since the mission is complete, you can leave early. You'll be working hard these next few days."
Fang Ming didn't hesitate, picking up one of the stacks of money.
"Thank you, Young Master Qin."
He glanced at Wang Meng, who was eagerly looking on, and kicked him.
"Why are you standing there stunned? Aren't you going to thank him for the reward?"
"Aye, thank you, Young Master Qin, Young Master Qin is generous!" Wang Meng snatched the money, grinning from ear to ear… Underground parking garage.
Fang Ming sat in the driver's seat, watching the big oaf Wang Meng hum a tune as he got into his beat-up Jetta and drove off.
Only then did he completely relax, his whole body slumping into the seat of his audi a6 as if his bones had been removed.
"Every day, it's more exhausting than an Oscar-winning Actor."
Fang Ming pulled out the two bank cards from his pocket—Swiss Bank Black Cards, with a cool, heavy metallic feel.
Inside them was one million US dollars.
He then looked at the stack of red bills on the passenger seat, the ten thousand RMB that Qin Xiao had just awarded him.
"Heh."
Fang Ming picked up the ten thousand yuan, flicked it in his hand, making a crisp sound.
"Ten thousand yuan… is he trying to fob off a beggar?"
Qin Xiao, that guy, as a top-tier rich second generation, only looked glamorous. In reality, he was incredibly stingy. After doing so many immoral and dirty jobs for him, the bonus was only ten thousand.
And the Soldier King protagonist?
They had never met, yet just for helping his sister with a small favor, he immediately gave him a million US dollars, and two cards at that!
"This is the difference in perspective."