Dongfang Jin was all smiles as he shook Zhou Kang’s hands. "I was not expecting that this ’collaboration’ would happen anytime soon." He beamed. The fact that Zhou Lanying was missing was the initial reason why he does not want this collaboration at all. "I mean the Zhuo Capital is like a giant boulder. They have been blocking our growth for years now."

  "I know." Zhou Kang shrugged and puffed out the smoke from his cigar. He watched as the wisps of silver-gray smoke danced their way inside the lavish private room that they set for this meeting. "When I saw an opportunity I immediately grabbed it. Knowing Zhuo Jingren, he would surely take some time to grieve before he could get back to his feet. Plus the Facci Group also lost its President. They already announced that they will have Zhuo Jingren take over. When I heard about it…… I just knew that this is the best opportunity for a partnership."

  "I commend you for thinking about this matter, despite your father and brother’s passing." Dongfang Jin said. "I have never met someone as…… business-oriented as you."

  Zhou Kang crossed his legs and smiled," The family business thrived because of my father and brother. Now that they are dead…… I can’t just let their efforts go to waste."

  "I agree!" Dongfang Jin nodded. "I guess, choosing to partner with you is the best decision that I did this year. Now…… let’s talk about our plans, shall we?"

  After the discussion, Dongfang Jin immediately bid him goodbye and went to his next appointment. Now that his partnership with the Zhou Family had been decided he wanted to focus on the next step of his plans. And that is to extend his political ties. After all, he can’t really triumph without the help of the politicians in this region.

  "Are you here to beg?" Zhou Kang lifted an eyebrow at the woman who barged in after Dongfang Jin left. "You know…… I should have just killed you with your father."

  Lin Yu Yan trembled at his words. She remembered, Bei Tian’s stern orders not to see this man. She tried to stop her voice from shivering, "I— I can still help you."

  "Really?" Zhou Kang’s eyes traveled through Lin Yu Yan’s chest, then into her waist. He wondered what she looked like without her red dress. He leaned towards her. "Pray tell…… how can you help me?" he smiled. How could this insignificant woman just barge in and insist to talk to him? Is he someone that anyone can talk to because they wanted to? While Zhou Kang does not like this, he couldn’t help himself but listen to the woman’s pleads.

  Of course…… if she was less good looking, Zhou Kang would have immediately asked his men to kill her.

  "I—" Lin Yu Yan started nervously. She remembered how Bei Tian told her to lay low. He specifically told her to tell Qi Xia that she is still working on seducing Zhou Jingren. Bei Tian told her he will provide a safe place for her while they waited. All she needed to do was to act strong and inform Qi Xia about this.

  Lin Yu Yan swallowed her saliva as she thought of her father. She knew that this was the only way she could do to get Zhou Kang off her father’s back, temporarily. Yet, she also hated how Bei Tian seemed to underestimate her. Qi Xia is not someone important. Why does she need to talk to him about this, when she can always go to Zhou Kang? "Lily is already dead. So I……"

  "I — What?" Zhou Kang smiled. He gestured one of his men to get Lin Yu Yan something.

  "I am still working on seducing Zhou Jingren. I can do it. I just need a little more time." Memories of Bei Tian’s gaze flashed in her mind. The incident with Zhou Jingren opened her eyes to unimaginable things that she had never seen before. It showed her Bei Tian’s true personality. While the latter did not hurt her, he also said some things — things that would give her nightmares for a long time.

  She was lucky. She was lucky that Bei Tian thought of her as a little sister. She was lucky that he only interrogated her about her affiliations with Qi Xia and the Zhou Family. She was lucky that Bei Tian offered to protect her after what she did.

  "Really?" Zhou Kang’s said, his eyes glued at her pink and plump lips. "Tell me…… Miss Lin…… How are you planning to seduce a grieving man?"

  "Trust me…… I can do it!" Lin Yu Yan insisted. "I just need some time. He was grieving, but I can…… I can distract him. I can do it." Lin Yu Yan said. While she felt defeated because of what happened in the past, Lily’s death brought a lot of hope inside her.

  "Hmmm……" Zhou Kang nodded. "Why don’t you…… sit beside me so we can…… talk about your plans?" He lifted an eyebrow.

  "I — I think this is enough." Lin Yu Yan remembered how Bei Tian warned her about Zhou Kang’s inappropriate behavior. She recalled how Bei Tian repeatedly warned her about the danger of this man. Yet, she insisted on talking to Zhou Kang. This was her own initiative to tell Bei Tian and Zhuo Jingren how apologetic she was. She wanted to show her sincerity, convinced them she regretted her past actions.

  "Enough?" Zhou Kang smiled. "You are too far. I can barely hear you. You wouldn’t want to yell at me all the time…… right?" The warmth in Zhou Kang’s voice made her uncomfortable.

  Lin Yu Yan looked at him hesitantly. They are currently inside a prestigious restaurant with a private meeting room. Zhou Kang would not be that stupid to do something to her in a place like this. She lowered her head and eyed the wooden flooring.

  This room does not have carpets or anything that could muffle her screams. This gave her a little confidence. Slowly, she nodded at his words. She rose from her seat and transferred next to Zhou Kang.

  "Better." Zhou Kang beamed. "Now……" he looked at one of his men. "Where is her coffee?"

  "I don’t drink coffee. I’m sorry."

  "Really? But……" Zhou Kang frowned. "I feel offended. How about some tea? Or water? You wouldn’t want to offend me, right?"

  Lin Yu Yan swallowed her non-existent saliva. A part of her screamed that she is making the wrong choice. Yet…… Yet a part of her wanted to prove Zhuo Jingren her sincerity. She nodded. "All right…… I will take some tea."

  "Very good." Zhou Kang patted her shoulder before he met her eyes. "Now……" he smiled. "Shall we begin?"