Jiang Zhen felt his ears ring.

  "Impossible. This is impossible! Shen Yang said that we only have nine clones until now!"

  Even if he was agitated, Jia maintained her calm. Unhurriedly, she repeated. "That's not possible. I have given fourteen research subjects to Shen Yang. Not any more or any less. I don't know what's going on your side, but I am keeping the count here. I am not mistaken."

  He trembled. There was finality in her voice which he couldn't challenge.

  What the hell is going on? Why would Shen Yang lie?

  Chang Fang added to it. "Boss, today too…I-I did try to ask him about the subjects, but he just quickly dismissed me saying that I am mistaken."

  Jia said from the other side, "I don't understand why Shen Yang is messing up. But if it this is true, then you should understand, Mr. Jiang, that it would be difficult for Yang Mingshen to support you. He expects the research subjects to be sent to his lab. But if there are not all fourteen of them over there, then…I don't need to spill it out that you would lose his trust."

  He stiffened.

  "Don't forget that he is the only one who can complete Li Dong's research and those clones. They are imperfect now. If you lose him, you are not gonna get any other doctor to do it for you. Either it is Li Dong or Yang Mingshen. Li Dong is already betraying you. You wouldn't want Yang Mingshen on your bad side too."

  Jiang Zhen narrowed his eyes. "How much do you know?"

  "Well recently, I saw a foreigner come to Li Dong's lab. I wasn't allowed to hear the conversation but as I left, I faintly heard your name, and they were laughing."

  He banged his palm on the bed. "Charles! He was Charles Miller! Fucking bastard!" His chest sharply went up and down.

  "But I don't get it…" the sudden bout of anger provoked the pain inside his stomach again. He trembled and leaned back on the bed. "What is…" he breathed. "What is Shen Yang's role in all this? He said it himself that Li Dong might be using his clones against me!"

  Jia shrugged. "That is a problem for you to figure out. My job is to spy on Li Dong, not Shen Yang. Also, I am doing my job of handing over the clones properly, so don't get me involved in any mess."

  Jiang Zhen's eyes turned darker and colder. He hated the tone with which she spoke to him. He could never tolerate a woman talking to him this way.

  But she was Mingshen's girlfriend working for him, and he couldn't do anything about it.

  Jia hung up.

  Jiang Zhen seemed as if he lost all his strength not only because of the physical pain but all these external factors threatening to usurp his position.

  Li Dong and his clone army just as strong as Lu Bojing who could wipe out all of his men.

  The sudden appearance of Charles Millers, his archenemy of the American Underworld who joined hands with Li Dong.

  And now Shen Yang's questionable behavior, who he couldn't help but doubt.

  He glared at Chang Fang and clenched his fists. "I want you to keep an eye on Shen Yang! Tell me what he is doing or where he is going. Find out what he is trying to do with those missing subjects. Mind you, he shouldn't get any whiff about it."

  Chang Fang straightened up and nodded. "Yes Boss!"

  —


  In the next few days, Lihua's campaign exploded. Lihua's name spread far and wide, and she was trending on social media wildly. There was slowly but steadily an increasing amount of the people afflicted with drugs rebelling against drug substances.

  Many of them came forward and recounted their experiences with Lihua which had a huge positive impact on their lives.

  The teenage drug dealer from Xiao Jian's high school was caught and handed to the police as Xiao Jian secretly leaked him out. He was now under questioning about the drugs chain and the people supplying it.

  There were reporters who rushed to Lihua's side as soon as the wind of this rebellion reached their ears.

  "Miss Lihua. Tell us more about this campaign."

  "What was your inspiration for this?"

  "How did you manage to get such a huge crowd of people to listen to you?"

  Ruru was frightened with the sudden camera flashes and the large gathering of reporters hammering Lihua with questions. He clung onto Qingqing and swiftly hid behind Lihua, trembling.

  Qingqing was also extremely displeased. Her peaceful time of sleep was disturbed by this band of stupid humans. Jiang Hua was also a bit uncomfortable but staying by Lihua's side made her feel at ease.

  Lihua smiled. "I will surely answer, but first can you make some distance? Ruru and Qingqing are getting scared."

  The reporters were confused.

  Who?

  Ruru slightly peeked his head from her back showing a bit of Qingqing's head too. All the stares were upon him, and startled, he hid behind Lihua again.

  Qingqing hissed.

  Hey! Who is getting scared!? I, the Queen, will never get scared of you puny humans!

  The reporters then realized and coughed. They stepped back and made some space.

  Lihua nodded and looked back. "Ruru, look they are away! Come, come. You don't need to be afraid."

  Ruru pursed his lips and slowly crawled out of his hiding.

  The hearts of the female reporters were struck with several arrows.

  So…so cute!

  When Qingqing came into the picture, the animal lover reporters got into even more of a groove.

  That cat! She is so beautiful!

  Her eyes are so green.

  Her fur seems so soft!

  Look at the disdain with which she is looking at us…I love it!

  I want to hold her…


  I want to hug the boy!

  Lihua dumbfoundedly watched the reporters squeal for some reason.

  Am I missing something?

  The reporters snapped out of their dazes and remembered what they were here for. They coughed and faced her again.

  "Miss. Lihua. Sorry for that. We got sidetracked. So, yes. Can you please answer our questions?"